USA > New Jersey > Atlantic County > Atlantic City > The Daily union history of Atlantic City and County, New Jersey : containing sketches of the past and present of Atlantic City and County > Part 34
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BIOGRAPHY
Tom Pratt, Al Reach and Fergy Malone, he organized the August Flower club, which played in Atlantic City in 1884. While here he was offered the management of the Wil mington club, and as manager he contracted bills that required him to sell all his property to pay. Then, almost penniless, he came to this city and accepted the first job of work he could find, which was to carry the hod for contractor and Councilman Edw. S. Lee. Mr. Fralinger was the only white hod carrier in the gang. He soon started a soft drink stand on the Boardwalk, selling cider which he made from apples brought from the Thoroughfare landing in a basket. He prospered and made friends, who helped him to build a cottage. He became interested in real estate with Messrs. Young and McShea, and had confidence in the success of Atlantic City.
He noticed the ready sale of salt water taffy, and that the business was not properly conducted. He went into the business and managed it properly and made it popular and prospered beyond his expectations, and has continued the business ever since. He became interested in toboggan slides and other amusement enterprises along the Boardwalk. With John L. Young and Stewart R. McShea, he first built the Academy of Music, about 1880. for the use of Bartholomew's Equine Paradox, and soon after, to meet a public demand. converted it into a theatre and playhouse, the city not being provided with a resort of that kind at that time. When completed and ready for rehearsal a fire starting near it spread to the building and burned it to the ground. In just four weeks it was rebuilt. Mr. Corson, the contractor. being sick, Mr. Fralinger himself superintended the work. By the use of stoves the theatre was kept open during the winter. In 1897 Mr. Fralinger purchased the interests of his partners, Messrs. Young and McShea. Before the papers were made out the Academy was again burned to the ground. A third time it was rebuilt. this time of brick and iron on the most approved plan, making it a model playhouse, the theatre and stores costing over $80,000. It seats comfortably 1,600 people. He has been interested in several extensive real estate deals, helping to open up and build Chalfont and Westminster avenues. Mr. Fralinger devotes his time closely to the various enterprises in which he is interested, and has been greatly assisted and encouraged by his family in his success.
JOHN T. FRENCH.
John T. French, the well-known paint manufacturer of Hammonton, was born in Dela- ware County, Pennsylvania, March 2, 1851. His education was limited to the public schools. After living in Philadelphia a short time he moved to Burlington County, N. J., and worked on a farm till he was sixteen years of age, when he returned to Philadelphia to learn the trade of a painter. In 1877 he engaged in the paint business on his own account. in the town of Hammonton. In 1883 he began the manufacture of paint and established the Hammonton paint works and has prospered steadily ever since. In politics Mr. French is a Democrat, and while living in a strong Republican town, has frequently held office. Ile served three years as town assessor and four years in Council, and four years, till 1899. as Postmaster. He has for a number of years been a member of the County Board of Regis- tration. In 1888 he was a candidate for State Senator, and in 1894 for Assembly. He is a liberal minded, enterprising and public spirited citizen, and has done much to advance the interests of his home town.
JOHN H. GARDNER.
John J. Gardner, our present Congressman, was born in Atlantic County. October 17. 1845. He established a residence in Atlantic City in 1856. His early opportunities for ob taining an education were limited. He enlisted in Company G, Sixth Regiment, N. J. Vol .. on August 9, 1861, and was mustered in August 26. He served in the ranks as a private until January 1, 1862, when he was enrolled as a corporal in Company F. 10. N. J. Vol . being mustered in February 7, 1862. His commanders report that he conducted himself modestly and bravely until the day of his muster out, February 11. 1865. Soon after his return to this city, he was elected Mayor, filling the office during the years 1868 to 1872.
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DAILY UNION HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY.
inclusive, and also 1874 and 1875. The following year he filled a chair in council chamber, and about the same time was elected one of the Coroners of the county. In 1877 he was elected State Senator from Atlantic County, and continuously re-elected till he had served five terms, this being the only instance of the kind in the history of the State. His plurality over Absalom Doughty, Democrat, in 1877, was 98. over Thomas E. French, in 1880, 867; over Isaac Collins, in 1883, 356; over John B. Champion, in 1886, 51, with 374 votes cast for Potter, Prohibitionist, and over John T. French, in 1889, 224, with 230 cast for Wilbur, Prohibitionist.
He was chosen President of the Senate in 1883, and was long regarded as the leader of his party in that body. He was chairman of the committee that investigated the election frauds in Hudson County, the result of which landed a delegation of ballot box stuffers in State's prison.
In 1884 Mr. Gardner was a delegate at large from New Jersey to the National Conven- tion at Chicago. He has been a member of the State Committee of his party for several years. He is now serving his fourth term as a Congressman. In 1892 he was elected to Congress by a plurality of 2124 votes over George D. Wetherill of Burlington; in 1894, by 9,741, over Jonathan Haines of Mt. Holly; in 1896, by 17,449 votes over Dr. Abram E. Conrow of Moorestown, and in 1898, by 6,668 over John F. Hall of Atlantic City.
Congressman Gardner has many pleasing personal characteristics. He is an astute politician and an agreeable neighbor. By friends he is regarded as somewhat of a political genius, having held office during the greater part of his mature life. He claims this city as his legal residence, but his home is in Galloway township, near Egg Harbor City, where his family reside most of the time. He is a member of Pequod Tribe of Red Men and of Joe Hooker Post, G. A. R.
He married Mittie, daughter of Andrew Scull, January 1, 1873. They had five children: Larner, Mary, Josephine, Thomas and Albert. The youngest was killed at a grade crossing at Egg Harbor City, December 8, 1899. The two oldest had previously died.
WILLIAM G. GARDINER.
Wm. G. Gardiner, M. D., is a son of Dr. David G. Gardiner, of Philadelphia, and was born in the historic old town of Bordentown, N. J., in 1869. He was educated in the public schools of Philadelphia and graduated at Hahnemann Medical College, in 1888. He be- came resident physician in the Children's Hospital for a time, and then served as assistant physician in the general medical and ear department of Hahnemann. Later he served as District Physician of Philadelphia. He located in Atlantic County in 1895, giving a por- tion of his time to country practice. Since that time he has relinquished his country prac- tice and devotes his whole time to practice in this city. He is a member of the Homoeo- pathic Club and the State Society, and is an Odd Fellow and a Mason.
WILLIAM I. GARRISON.
Born at Monroeville, Salem County, N. J., September 16, 1869. His education was obtained during the winter seasons in the public schools, working on the farm being his occupation during the summer time until he arrived at the age of seventeen, when he be- came bookkeeper for R. L. Stern, Jr., at Monroeville. He then launched out as a drummer on the road, and later improved himself in the schools of Philadelphia. He has the honor of having graduated first from Lauterbach Academy. He afterward taught school at Pem- berton four months, and during all this time he continued studies with John C. Henderson of Mt. Holly. He was admitted to practice in 1896, and practiced in Burlington County until 1897, and came to this city in September, 1897. He became interested in real estate with S. E. Reilly & Co. He was married in June, 1897, to Miss Lizzie Hagaman, of Cran- bury, N. J. One child has blessed their union.
BIOGRAPHY
BURROWS C. GODFREY.
Burrows C. Godfrey, Esq., was born in Cape May County, N. J., July 22, 1858 llis father was a seafaring man. The son graduated from the public schools at the age of seventeen, and taught school for several years in his native county. He read law and finally graduated from the law department of the University of Tennessee, and was admitted to the bar in New Jersey in 1894. He located in this city in 1891, and has won the esteem and confidence of a large clientele, and is one of the principals in the law firm of Godfrey & Godfrey. He is a member of several secret orders and is happily married, occupying a fine cottage on St. Charles Place.
CARLTON GODFREY, ESQ.
Our present City Solicitor was born at Beasley's Point, Cape May County, N. J., Jan- uary 13, 1865. He was brought up on a farm and educated at the public schools, and taught school for two years previous to coming to this city to begin the study of law with James B. Nixon, Esq. He was admitted to the bar at the November term, 1889, and at once began for himself. When Mr. Nixon decided to enter the ministry, Mr. Godfrey bought out his effects and good will, and has been on the upgrade ever since.
In 1893 he was elected Tax Collector, and was re-elected five successive years. In 1898 he succeeded to the office of City Solicitor upon the appointment of Mr. Endicott as Law Judge of the county.
Mr. Godfrey is happily married and occupies a handsome cottage on Ohio avenue. He is a member of several of the leading secret order of the city, and president and solicitor of the Real Estate and Investment Company. Four years ago he associated with himself Mr. B. C. Godfrey, under the firm name of Godfrey & Godfrey. He is also president of the board of directors of the Guarantee Safe Deposit and Surety Company.
JOHN L. GORMAN.
John L. Gorman, of the well-known firm of Bell & Gorman, furniture dealers, was born in Philadelphia, February 20, 1864. his parents being James T. and Lydia B. Gorman. Ile graduated from the Philadelphia public schools in 1880 and afterward took a business course at Hasting's West Philadelphia Academy, graduating in 1882. When he had com- pleted his studies he equipped himself with a number of drawings he had made and upon their excellence secured a position with the firm of Wilson Bros. & Co., Philadelphia, architects, with a view of learning the business, but at the expiration of two years he realized that his health would not permit him to follow that occupation.
In 1884 he obtained a position with the West Philadelphia Passenger Railway Company on the Market Street line as roadway inspector. During the same year the Philadelphia Traction Company was formed and one of its first acts was to lease the line with which Mr. Gorman was connected. The following year he was made purchasing agent for the company, which position he held until January, 1888, when he was again promoted. this time being appointed Assistant Superintendent, the duties of which position included the purchasing of supplies and supervision of car construction shops. As the company built all their own rolling stock and furniture, such as office desks, etc., he had an opportunity of procuring a practical knowledge of construction, which, with the purchasing and handling of all kinds of supplies he found quite a help when he resolved to engage in his present business, buying Mr. Scott's interest and becoming a member of the firm of Bell & Gorman. It was on January 1, 1896, that Mr. Gorman moved to Atlantic City, and since that time he has grown in the esteem of the public, who were quick to recognize ambition and enter- prise rightly directed.
ALFRED M. HESTON.
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BIOGRAPHY
ALFRED M. HESTON.
Alfred M. Heston was born at Hestonville, Philadelphia, April 302 1854 Ile ho a son of I. Morris and Anna Patton Heston and descended from one of the carly Quaker families that settled in Bucks County during the life of William Penn.
Mr. Heston finished his education in the Philadelphia High School and was for a time employed on the West Jersey Press in Camden and later for several years was editor of the Chronicle at Bridgeton, N. J. He came to Atlantic City in 1884, having purchased with John G. Shreve the Atlantic Review, the first newspaper established in this city. Later he became the proprietor and editor of the Atlantic Journal which he sold too a stock company. He was elected the first Comptroller of Atlantic City in 1895, when that office was first established and has continued in that position ever since. He was also appointed Com- missioner of the Sinking Fund in 1896, and is a very painstaking and efficient official.
He has been active in many matters for advancing the best interests and popularity of this resort and is fond of antiquarian and historical studies. He is the author and publisher of Heston's Handbook, which for years has disseminated useful information and interesting sketches of this island city.
He has been an active and earnest Republican; was clerk of the House of Representa- tives during the 51st Congress. For several years he has been a trustee of the First Presby- terian church. He has been secretary of the Board of Governors of the Atlantic City hospital and has been very active from the start in promoting this institution.
He occupies a fine cottage on States avenue, has a wife and three daughters, one of whom is a successful teacher since her graduation from the State Normal School.
ENOCH A. HIGBEE.
Enoch A. Higbee. Esq., was born at Leeds Point, N. J., April 22, 1863, is the son of Enoch and Bethiah (Clark) Higbee. He was educated in the public schools at that place, and at the age of twenty-one elected Assessor of Galloway township, re-elected in 1886, 1889 and 1890. In 1885 he was appointed Postmaster of his native village and filled the position acceptably four years. In February, 1892. he registered as a student at law in the office of Hon. Allen B. Endicott, and was admitted to the bar three years later.
In February. 1894. President Cleveland appointed him Collector of Customs at Somers Point for the District of Great Egg Harbor, which position he held for five years and where he has since resided. In 1895 he was elected Borough Clerk, which position he resigned the following year to accept the office of Mayor, to which he had been elected and still con- tinues to hold, having been re-elected in 1898. He is and has for several years been presi- dent of the school board and president of the fire company and actively identified with every movement for better government.
As a lawyer he is painstaking and diligent, and has a reputation among business men as being careful, conservative and reliable. He has made a specialty of municipal law, and though young in practice, has been very successful and is attorney for several municipalities in the county. At present he is president of the Bar Association of Atlantic County. lle is an able pleader and a popular and pleasing public speaker, and the author of articles on local history of considerable interest and value.
VALENTINE P. HOFMAN.
Valentine P. Hofmann, of Egg Harbor City, was born September 11. 1840, at Iphofen, Bavaria. In the year 1850 he emigrated with his parents to the United States, and landed at Baltimore, Md., in August of that year. His early life was spent in the Oriole City, where
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DAILY UNION HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY.
he attended sectarian and public schools. On March 19, 1858, he moved with his parents to Egg Harbor City, which at the time numbered about thirty houses. He resided there only a short time, moving out to Germania Station, on his father's farm, where he stayed until 1866, when he returned to Egg Harbor City. In 1872 he was elected City Assessor, and was re-elected every year until 1877. when Common Council, in November of that year, appointed him as City Treasurer in place of Ernest Adelung, deceased. This office he con- tinued to hold until March, 1886. In the years 1876 and 1877 he taught school at Gloucester Landing. In March, 1890, he was elected City Clerk, which office he has since held, and also the office of Secretary of the Board of Health. He was twice a candidate for Coroner on the Democratie ticket. From 1871, to January, 1899, he was Secretary of the Egg Harbor Agricultural Society. He is also Secretary of Atlantic County Board of Agriculture, which he has held for many years. He is one of the charter members of Union Lodge, No. 18, A. O. U. W., organized in 1882. and has acted as its Receiver since, excepting the year 1887. He is also Treasurer of the Egg Harbor Improvement Co., and also acted for a number of years as Director and Secretary of Egg Harbor Commercial Bank.
In 1879 he was married to Miss Fredericke Hohenleitner, and the result of their union were five sons, the three eldest living. In 1885 he acquired the tinware and stove business of his deceased father-in-law, which he has gradually extended. till it is now one of the largest stores in Egg Harbor City.
MARTHA EMILY HOOPES.
Martha Emily Iloopes, nee Watt, was born in Baltimore in 1835. She was the young- est of a family of six children, three boys and three girls. Her parents died when she was quite young, and the children were cared for by wealthy relatives.
At the age of eighteen she married William Graham Hoopes, an iron broker of Phila- delphia. She possessed unusual talent for business and in the course of a few years to help her husband's fortunes opened a boarding house and conducted it successfully. For a number of years she continued the business on Walnut and Chestnut Streets. In 1874 she came to Atlantic City and leased what was afterwards known as the Waverly, at Ohio and Pacific Avenues. She called it the Little Traymore. It had just been built by the late John L. Bryant and had only twenty bedrooms. So successful was she in this ven- ture that in the fall she purchased of Mr. Bryant what has since been the Hotel Traymore property at the ocean end of Illinois Avenue. The building was not then finished and contained only thirty-two bedrooms. The price paid was $10,000; $2,000 cash, the balance inortgage.
In 1880 Mrs. Hoopes enlarged the hotel to 69 bedrooms and four years later to 128 rooms. Her enterprise and executive ability were remarkable. The Traymore was the first hotel in this city to have its own gas plant, before the city plant was built, also the first elevator, and the first large exchange instead of a small box office. Her enterprise stimu- lated others to make extensive improvements, and greatly increase the popularity of this resort and cater to all the year trade. In 1886 Mrs. Hoopes sold the Traymore to W. W. Green & Co. for $125,000. It has since been repeatedly enlarged and improved till it now contains 240 bedrooms, 50 bathrooms and is probably worth $500,000.
After her retirement from active business Mrs. Hoopes lived in Philadelphia and added to her fortune by wise investments in various places, still retaining real estate holdings in Atlantic City. She was all her life a very courageous, independent and enterprising woman, possessing unusual tact and judgment in dealing with her guests and in business matters.
Her youngest son, Louis Harvey Hoopes, is the only surviving member of the family. To him and his children she by will left her fortune.
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BIOGRAPHY.
WILLIAM GRAHAM HOOPES, JR.
The late William Graham Hoopes, Jr., was born in Philadelphia in 1856. He was the eldest of two sons of the late William G. and Martha E. Hoopes. He was educated in the public schools, graduating from the Philadelphia High School.
For eight years he was employed as clerk in the office of the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company till 1875, when he came to Atlantic City to assist his mother in the management of the Traymore. As her assistant he continued till the property was sold in 1886, when he turned his attention to achitecture. This business he conducted successfully till his death, which occurred suddenly and unexpectedly on February 20, 1898. As an architect his work possessed decided merit and helped greatly in the erection of more attractive cottages and hotels. Some of the finest and most expensive buildings were remodeled or built from designs prepared by him.
He was a member of the local Board of Health from April. 1891, till his death, and President of the Board after 1894. To his intelligent and conscientions work was largely due the efficiency of this important body. His experience as a hotel man enabled him to appreciate the sanitary requirements of the city.
He was a Past Master of Trinity Lodge F. & A. M., and a member of Trinity Chapter and Olivet Commandery at Millville, N. J. He was also an Elk and was an unusually bright and conscientions citizen. His sudden death at the early age of forty-two years was a painful shock to a large circle of friends who appreciated his friendship and worth.
CAPTAIN SHEPHERD S. HUDSON.
Captain Shepherd S. Hudson, one of the oldest and best-known sea captains of Atlantic County, was born in Delaware, June 30, 1826. He came to Mays Landing with his father, the late Elisha E. Hudson, in 1832, and his home has been there ever since. The father was a mariner, and at the age of eleven years, in 1837, the year that Atlantic County was organ- ized, the son was made cook for the crew on his father's vessel. There were no public schools in this county in those days. When eighteen years old he was putt in command of the sloop Hornet and engaged in trade with his father. He was soon in command of larger vessels and has followed the business ever since, over sixty years. The schooners Helen Justice, the Dove, the R. G. Porter, the Mary P. Hudson, and the S. S. Hudson are other larger vessels that he has sailed.
On September 21, 1846, Capt. Hudson married Mary P. Ingersoll; b. April 21, 1828; d. Angust 28, 1891. They had six children: I. Amanda, who m. Capt. D. F. Vanglin, November 22, 1866, and had two children: Mary C., deceased, and Shepherd H., the archi- tect, who m. Lida Eldridge, and lives in Atlantic City. 2. Kate, who m. Melvin R. Morse. October 9, 1871, and had four children: Melvin H., who m. Cora M. Sharp, and has one child: Bessie W., deceased; Amanda V .. and an infant, deceased. 3. Eva B .. d. March 3. 1855. 4. Mina, m. Clarence E. Morse. December 28, 1881. and has two children: Mary L. and Fayette W. 5. Marie, m., June 17, 1880, Capt. Frank R. Davis, deceased, July 4, 1892. 6. Mary S., who lives at home.
During the Rebellion he was in command of a United States transport about York town and Fort Fisher, carrying troops and ordnance for Uncle Sam.
He at present is commander and principal owner of the barkentine Jennie Sweeney, which he built at Mays Landing in 1876.
Since his boyhood Captain Hudson has taken an active interest in politics as a Whig or a Republican, but he has never held office except that of Assemblyman, in 1889.
Captain Hudson has not only made the remarkable record of never having lost a vessel during his long service on the high seas, but there stands to his credit the proud record of having saved 51 lives from a wrecked steamer, for which he has never received
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DAILY UNION HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY.
any medal or public recognition whatever. A more gallant and heroic service perhaps never was performed by man than when this young captain of the schooner R. G. Porter, in a gale seven miles off Atlantic City, soon after midnight on Thursday, June 21, 1860, saved 51 out of 71 lives. The last five of the 51 wrecked sailors were saved from a furious sea, when the captain of those he had rescued protested against Captain Hudson's return to the wreck in the high wind perchance to find still others afloat. The skillful manner in which he handled his vessel is worthy of all praise. His crew consisted of E. Smith, mate; John Englison and William Taylor.
The United States steamer Walker, under the command of Lieutenant John Guthrie, with a crew of 70 men engaged in the coast survey, was run into at 2.15 o'clock a. m. by the schooner Fannie, Captain Mayhew, bound from Philadelphia for Boston with 240 tons of coal. Lieutenant J. A. Sewell of the Walker was on the watch. The atmosphere was cloudy and the wind was blowing fresh from the northeast. It was a cold June storm. Both vessels had their lights burning, but neither one discovered the other till too late.
The schooner, long and narrow and loaded, was unable to port her helm to avoid col- lision. She struck the Walker on the port side forward of the paddle box, badly injuring the steamer but doing the schooner no harm. She hung to the steamer a few minutes and then slid off. No man on board was seen or heard. She dropped astern and in ten minutes was out of sight.
The Walker was found to be leaking badly and about to sink. The boats were ordered out and the vessel turned toward the shore. To prevent explosion the fires in the boilers were put out and steam blown off. Before the mainmast could be cut away the steamer went down. Besides the crew of 70 men there was one woman aboard, the wife of Lien- tenant Sewell. In her night-clothes only she reached one of the boats with 21 of the men, one of them old and sick.
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