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 38
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HENRY S. SCULL.
Harry S. Scull is a native of Atlantic County, having been born at Leeds Point in 1849. He is the son of Lewis W. and Esther Smith Scull. In the common schools he received his early education, and in 1865 he entered the Quaker City Business College, graduating in 1867. In the same year he was engaged by Curwin, Stoddart & Brother of Philadelphia, where he remained until 1881. Hood. Bonbright & Company were his next employers until 1884. He then retailed dry goods in Camden until 1886, when he came to this city and opened a dry goods store. In 1895, he embarked in the real estate and insurance busi- ness. He was a member of the Board of Health from 1890 to 1898, and secretary of the same body four years. Since 1890 he has been a member of the County Board of Elections, and has been secretary of the Board since the first passage of the ballot reform law.
He is secretary of the Ventnor Dredging Company and has been engaged in reclaiming the low lands of Chelsea and Atlantic City for several years. He has always taken a deep interest in matters affecting the health and well-being of the community, and is connected with the State Sanitary Association, American Public Health Association, and was State delegate to the National Pure Food and Drug Congress which lasted four days and had for its object the passage of a bill by Congress providing for governmental control of food, drugs, etc. He is one of the governors of the Atlantic City hospital, and is a popular citizen. On October 18. 1868, he married Miss Mary A. Bruna, of Philadelphia. They have nine children: Florence E., wife of Isaac Bacharach; Lewis B., Maie E., Harry DeMar. Nan B., Frank R., Emil C., Charles L. and Helene M.
LEWIS W. SCULL.
Lewis W., son of Paul and Sarah Steelman Scull, was born at Leeds Point, N. J., May 2, 1819. He was educated in the pay schools of Galloway township, and at the age of twenty-one entered the service of the United States, sailing in the brig Washington, under command of Commodore Sands, U. S. N., who was at that time engaged in the work of the Coast and Geodetic survey. He continued in this service five years. In 1846 he married Esther S., daughter of Steelman Smith, a soldier of the war of 1812.
Mr. Scull was a teacher in the district schools of Galloway for a number of years, and was appointed Postmaster at Leeds Point under President Buchanan, holding the office for four years. For twenty years or more he held elective local offices, Township Clerk, Township Committeeman, Assessor or Collector.
From 1858 to 1865 he was a resident of Atlantic City for a greater portion of the year, where he was engaged in the house painting business, and was one of the original grocers of Atlantic City, opening a store in April, 1858, under the firm name of Scull & Barstow, at the corner of Atlantic avenue and Mansion House Alley. in the basement of the Barstow
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House, moving from there to their new store building at the northwest corner of Atlantic and Pennsylvania avenues in June of the same year.
Mr. Scull came from good old Revolutionary stock; his mother being a daughter of Capt. Zephaniah Steelman, and a niece of Major John Steelman, both holding commis- sions in the Third Battalion, Gloucester County Militia. On his paternal side his ancestry dates back to the fifteenth century. Sir John Scull being one of the original twelve Norman Knights created by Duke Robert of Normandy, for gallant services rendered him, during the insurrection excited in his favor, and which resulted in securing a large portion of Old England to the Duke's family. A couple of centuries later, or, to be exact. in 1685, John and Nicholas Scull came to America in the good ship "Bristol Merchant." Nicholas located in Pennsylvania and later became Surveyor General for that State. John Scull located first on Long Island, and later moved to Great Egg Harbor and became one of the valued citizens of that day. Mr. Scull lived to the good old age of 80 years. His death oc- curring in October. 1808.
He had two children: Ellar M., who died in 1878, and Harry S., the well-known resident and official of this city.
WILSON SENSEMAN.
Wilson Senseman, the well-known real estate agent of this city, was born in German- town, Pa., May 10. 1848. He was educated in the public schools, in the Philadelphia Sem- inary and at Nazareth Hall, conducted by the Moravians in Northampton County, Pa. After graduating he took a course in Fairbank's Business Academy before entering the service of the dry goods firm of Ludwig. Kneedler, Jr., & Co., where he continued for twenty-one years. On account of his health he moved to Atlantic City to reside permanently in 1886, having been a summer cottager here for many years previously. He opened a real estate office at 1030 Atlantic avenue and has conducted a successful business ever since.
In 1872 he married Miss Ida Conderman, and they have one son, Theodore Senseman. who is a successful young physician.
At the March election, in 1891, Mr. Senseman was elected Alderman by a good majority on the Democratic ticket. and was at once chosen President of Council. He discharged the duties of his position with ability and impartiality that met with very cordial appreciation. During this same year he was appointed by Gov. Abbott one of the Lay Judges of the county to succeed Judge Enoch Cordery, deceased, and the following year was reappointed for a full term. He served with dignity and aceptability till the law providing for lay judges was repealed. Mr. Senseman is an active member of the First Presbyterian Church and a citizen of positive views on all public questions. He is descended from influential Moravian families and has the courage of his convictions.
WILLIAM ERNEST SHACKELFORD.
William Ernest Shackelford, who is largely identified with the business life of this city, was born February 19, 1871. in Columbus, Ohio. At the age of five years, his father died, leaving the sole responsibility for his care to his mother, who moved at once to Lancaster, Pa. Six years later we find young Shackelford. who even at this age was evidencing the traits which have already brought him prosperity, employed at Sharpless Brothers, Phila- delphia, to which city he and his mother had removed. From this house he went to the office of the Land Title and Trust Company, where he remained two years. Opening bil liard and pool parlors. he conducted the same until 1895. during which years he became very popular among the younger set. and at the time of his departure for Harrisburg to engage in the same business, he was regarded as the champion billiard player of Pennsylvania and had made fine records in gunning and swimming, being always deeply interested in sports
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of all kinds. It was in January, 1896, that he came to Atlantic City, and on the 12th of October of the same year he married Emma, daughter of Captain John L. Young, the pier magnate. Mr. Shackelford had in the meantime been installed as manager of the Young Amusement Company, and has since looked after the interests of his father-in-law both on Young's Pier and at the Carousel at South Carolina avenue and the Boardwalk. Mr. and Mrs. Shackelford have been blessed with a son, a chubby youngster, born May 15, 1899, and the "living image" of his mother. Their married life has been one glad, sweet song, and their home one of the coziest and happiest in the city. Mr. Shackelford traces his ancestry back to 1634 in the city of London. His great-great-grandfather was at one time Lord Mayor of the metropolis of England. While his genealogy discloses prominent English connections, yet Mr. Shackelford feels that his family may lay claim to being pure Ameri- cans, as three or four generations have claimed this country as the land of their nativity.
HARVEY J. SHUMWAY.
Harvey J. Shumway, the well-known architect, was born in Belchertown, Mass., No- vember 27, 1865. He finished his education at Rutger's College, New Brunswick, N. J., in the class of 1888. He opened an office in this city in 1895 and has been very busily employed ever since. Some of the buildings which he has designed and supervised are the Thompson Irvin department store, the Hotel Chelsea, the Hotel Grand View, and some thirty or more cottages, stores and business blocks. He is a painstaking, conscientious and up-to-date architect.
THOMAS J. SMITH.
Thomas J. Smith is the son of James and Mary (Jones) Smith, of Steuben, Maine. Of his own family none survive; but two half-brothers still live: James Smith, of Hammonton, and Edward Kent Smith, who has never left the town of his birth.
Job Smith, their grandfather, and the first of the line of whom we have record, was born in Middleboro, Mass., and there married Diadama Booth. He moved to Taunton, Mass., and from there to Steuben, Maine (1792). for the purpose of dealing in lumber and establishing saw-mills on the many swift running rivers in that section of the country.
The sons, William, Eben and Stephen, were members of the State Legislature at differ- ent times as representatives from Washington County.
Thomas Jones, his grandfather on his mother's side, is a descendant of a Governor of Massachusetts, was born in Princeton, Mass., and married Sarah Whitcomb. As a boy at Lexington, Mass., he witnessed the first conflict between the British and American forces, the opening gun of the Revolution, and died in Steuben, December. 1864.
Col. Asa Whitcomb, father of Mrs. Sarah Whitcomb Jones, and great-grandfather on the maternal side of Thomas J. Smith, was prominent in Colonial times. He was one of the much extolled fifty-four representatives of Massachusetts Bay Colony, whose refusal to obey the mandates of the English King contributed to bring on the Revolution. He was afterwards Colonel of the Fifty-third Massachusetts Regiment, and was one of Washing- ton's trusted advisers, and was several times mentioned eulogistically in his general orders. His brother, John Whitcomb, Major-General of the New England Militia, was the New England candidate for Commander-in-Chief against Washington, but withdrew on account of his advanced age, in favor of the younger Virginian.
Lieutenant William Moore, another ancestor on the maternal side, served with dis- tinction during the Revolution, and remained in the regular army after that conflict, joining the Society of the Cincinnati.
Thos. J. Smith was born in Steuben, Washington County, Maine, February 25, 1820, and has had a somewhat varied career. He attended the village school until a boy of four-
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teen, when his grandparents, wishing him to become a sea captain, sent hun with ins uncle, Capt. Jefferson Jones, as cabin boy on a voyage to New Orleans. Returning he spent sev- eral months in Boston. but decided to give up a sea-faring life, and came home to learn the trade of a mason and builder.
During the northeast boundary disputes, commonly remembered in that section as the "Aroostook War," he enlisted and was made a sergeant, but the trouble was finally settled without bloodshed.
Soon returning home, and when only eighteen years of age. he engaged in mercantile trade, cutting and shipping timber by vessel to Boston, and bringing back dry goods and groceries to supply his store.
January 20, 1842, he married Thankful Haskell Cleaves, also a descendant of Revolu- tionary stock, and who is still living. For eight years he lived in Steuben and held several offices of importance, being School Agent for several years, also Town Collector and Treasurer.
In 1850 he moved to the adjoining town of Millbridge, and for ten years held the office of Constable. He says, "I held the office of Constable all the time I lived in Millbridge, about the same as Deputy Sheriff in New Jersey-I had the same fees as Sheriff, but could not charge above two hundred ($200) dollars on any one suit-I held the office under the Neal Dow Law, and destroyed more or less liquor." Being attracted by glowing accounts of the salubrious climate, and also the great natural fertility of the soil of south New Jersey, he left Maine in 1860, with his wife and seven children, and settled in Hammonton, New Jersey. He bought what was then called "The Penobscot House." soon afterwards build- ing a home on Vine street, where he lived with his family for twenty years or more.
He was engaged in the lumber and contracting business for many years, and has been closely identified with the growth of Hammonton in many ways, holding positions of trust. being a Justice of the Peace for five years, and a Director of the Building Association for twenty-five years: also a Director of the People's Bank. He is still active, though nearly eighty years of age, in looking after his property interests. He is a member of the Pres- byterian Church, and was for a number of years its chorister. In political belief he has always been a strong and consistent Republican.
His family consists of Gilbert L., who enlisted in the war of the Rebellion at the age .of twenty-one, was wounded in the battle of the Wilderness, and died at home two years later; Augustus J., who was for seventeen years clerk of Hammonton, and for the past thirty years actively connected with the financial institutions of that place. He married Mary B. Quinn, and has a family of three sons and two daughters and three grandsons; lately moved to Ocean City, N. J., where he is the leading ice and coal dealer. Mary J .. the wife of Henry D. Moore, of Haddonfield. N. J., has raised a family of three sons and two daughters, and has nine grandchildren. Elnathan H .. who also enlisted in the war of the Rebellion at the age of fifteen, was wounded at the battle of the Wilderness, and died two months later in Libby Prison Hospital. Antoinette, who was married to Capt. Frank Tom- lin, resides in Hammonton. and has two sons. Harriet J .. who became the wife of Curtis S. Newcomb, also resides in Hammonton. William J., the youngest, who married Abbie S. Hudson, has one daughter, and is a member of the firm of C. F. Osgood & Co .. of Ilam- monton, N. J., the most successful shoe manufacturers in southern New Jersey. and one of the leading financial men of that place; and has large interests in the Building Association and People's Bank, of which he is a Director.
Thos. J., the subject of our sketch, has had seven children, thirteen grandchildren. and twelve great-grandchildren, making a total of thirty-two, and during the fifty-eight years of his married life has lost only two sons, Gilbert and Elnathan, and one grandson, Gilbert Il. Moore. A remarkable record when coupled with the fact that the two sons died from wounds and exposure in the army, and not from diseases contracted at home.
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DAILY UNION HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY.
RICHARD SOMERS.
Captain Richard Somers, who gave his brave young life for his country in the harbor of Tripoli on the night of September 4. 1804. was born at Somers Point, September 15, 1778. He finished his education in the city of Burlington, and entered the navy as a midshipman in 1803. He saw his first actual service during the naval war with France, which began in 1798. He was a midshipman on the frigate United States, Captain John Barry, and among the other officers were David Ross, James Barron. Charles Stewart ( Parnell's grandfather), Stephen Decatur. Jr .: Jacob Jones. James R. Caldwell and William Montgomery Crane, all of whom attained distinction. The frigate took two Frenchmen, the Amour de la Patrie and the Tartufe, but was otherwise inactive. Then the war with Tripoli came on, and it
COL. RICHARD SOMERS' MANSION AT SOMERS' POINT.
was there that Somers proved how sweet and fitting a thing it is to die for one's native land.
Returning to Philadelphia he took command of one of the Government armed schooners called the Nautilus, of about 160 or 170 tons burden, mounted with twelve 18-pound car- ronades and two sixes, with a crew of 90 to 100.
In the engagement of August 3, 1804, before the harbor of Tripoli, Somers was in command of the first of the six gunboats. In each of the five attacks that were made Somers distinguished himself. When he found that he could not get at the enemy through the eastern passage to the harbor he pitched into the Tripolitan gunboats at the northern en- trance, chased them away and up to within a hundred yards of a big twelve-gun battery which the enemy had not dared to use for fear of hitting his own flying boats.
When the American turned to go back there was nothing standing between him and destruction, but just at the critical moment an American shell exploded in the battery, blew
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up the platform and did so much damage that Somers and his men were safe before a re- covery could be had. The morning of August 7 the attack was renewed by bombardment. Right in the middle of it the John Adams hove in sight bringing the news of Somers' pro- motion. August 24 and September 3 other attacks were made.
Somers conceived a bold and daring undertaking for the liberation of his fellow coun- trymen then held as prisoners. His thoughts he communicated to Com. Preble, his superior officer; who in turn consulted with Decatur, Stewart and other commanders in the squadron. The plan was accepted. a ketch prepared, one hundred barrels of gunpowder emptied in a bulk in her hold: on her deck was placed large quantities of balls and missles of different kinds and sizes with fuses properly prepared, to explode in the inner harbor of Tripoli.
Several starts were made upon an enterprise, the desperation of which was perfectly well known to all who took part in it. Finally a night sufficiently dark for the purpose came, on September 4. Somers was in command, and he had sworn never to be taken alive; Henry Wadsworth, a midshipman, from whom his nephew. the poet Longfellow, was named: Joseph Israel, another midshipman, who had been refused permission to go, but hid himself aboard and was permitted to remain, and ten sailors, four from the Nautilus and six from the Constitution, made up the equipment.
The Intrepid passed into the darkness. The minutes seemed hours to the anxious officers on the fleet outside. It left at eight o'clock, and a few minutes later every battery in the harbor was ablaze at the intruder. At ten o'clock Stewart and Carroll, standing on the deck of the Siren, saw a dim light moving in a waving line as if being carried along a ship's deck. It disappeared in a moment and an instant later there was a terrific explosion. One of the enemy's largest boats was blown up filled with soldiers, and two others were badly shattered.
From that moment to the present time, the late of Master Commandant Somers and his brave crew have remained in darkness to the American nation. Such brave and patriotic acts of Somers and his brave crew could not pass unrecognized by the officers of Com. Preble or the American nation. In the year of 1805, the officers of the Mediterranean squad- ron caused to be erected at the west front of the National Capitol, of Italian marble, a beautiful monument forty feet high, in a very elaborate style. Upon its summit stands the American eagle guarding the escutcheon of American liberty and preparing, seemingly, to wing his flight heavenward.
Thus stood this monument, until the burning of Washington by the British in 1814. when it was very much defaced and injured. In after years by an act of Congress it was in a very great degree restored to its original beauty, then transferred to the grounds of the Naval Academy at Annapolis, where it now stands a living monument, erected to the memory of one of the sons of New Jersey: yes, to one of the boys of Somers Point, who in about six and one-half years caused his name to be written high on the roll of fame in our country's history.
WALTER C. SOOY.
Walter C. Sooy, M. D., was born at Absecon. N. J .. September 21. 1869, and completed his public school education by graduating from the Atlantic City High School. He grad- uated from Hahnemann Medical College in the class of 1890, and opened his office in this city. at once building up a successful business. He is an active member of the Homoeo- pathic Club and is highly esteemed by his associates and all who know him. He is happily married to Miss Alida H. Thomas, of Cape May County.
JAMES DOBBINS SOUTHWICK.
James Dobbins Southwick was born in Vincentown, Burlington County. December 25, 1859. His parents. Joseph and Buelah L. Southwick, were members of the Society of Friends. He graduated from the public schools in 1878, and six years later came to Atlantic
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DAILY UNION HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY.
City, as manager of the Hotel Shelburne, a position which he has filled successfully ever since. The popularity and success of The Shelburne is largely due to the painstaking and up-to-date management of Mr. Southwick. He is a member of several fraternal and bene- ficial societies, and is a popular host and entertainer. He is a staunch Republican in poli- tics, as such he was elected Alderman, ex-officio member of City Council in 1896, and has been re-elected each year since, serving four terms. In 1892 he married Deborah Kinnard and has one child, a daughter, Mary K. Southwick. He is a public spirited citizen, actively interested in all enterprises projected to advance the interests of this resort. He is chair- man of the County Board of Registration and one of the governors of the City Hospital.
AUGUST STEPHANY.
August Stephany was born in Nordhausen, Germany, December 16, 1841. He came to America in 1858, and for seven years was employed in the office of the New York Staats Zeitung. In 1865 he removed to Egg Harbor City, which was then almost in its infancy. He was largely instrumental in building up this German settlement and was a hard worker in advancing its growth. From 1870 up till the time he was admitted to the bar, in Feb- ruary, 1881, he held the positions of City Clerk and Justice of the Peace. He then opened a law office in Atlantic City, and on January 1, 1884, formed a partnership with the late Harry L. Slape, and the law firm of Slape & Stephany continued up to Mr. Slape's death, in 1887. On January 1, 1895, he established the law firm of A. Stephany & Son, Robert E. Stephany being the junior member, which existed until the death of the elder Mr. Stephany. The deceased was the first president of the Atlantic County Bar Association and a prominent member of many societies. He was City Solicitor of Egg Harbor City for many years, and was connected with the Egg Harbor Commercial Bank and other business institutions. About 1895 he removed from his home in Egg Harbor City and became a permanent resi- dent in Atlantic City, where he continued the active practice of his profession until his death, on June 9, 1898.
On his death, the Atlantic County Bar Association adopted the following resolutions:
"The Atlantic County Bar Association, in meeting assembled by call, beg to present their most respectful and personal condolence to the family of Mr. Stephany in their great bereavement.
"It will be allowable to say that not only our local bar, but that of the State has suffered a severe loss in his removal.
"Coming, as he did, a mere youth from the gymnasium in Nordhausen, he promptly secured work on the "New York Staats-Zeitung." From New York he came to Egg Harbor City, Atlantic County, where his pronounced ability made him easily the leading man of what was at that time only a settlement. Through his energy and applied knowledge the county has gained vastly in productive industry and at large, and owes him a debt which it will take a long time to pay.
"While he entered his chosen profession late in life, his progress was rapid and he soon commanded the respect of his brethren for his keen perception of the law and the systematic and prompt manner in which the details of his office were conducted. He was zealous in behalf of his clients, true to his profession, and above all, an honest man.
"He took great interest in the organization of this Association and was its first President."
ROBERT E. STEPHANY.
Robert E. Stephany was born at Egg Harbor City, N. J., on October 6, 1872, and grad- uated from the public schools of that city in 1887. He removed to Atlantic City, where he entered the office of his father, August Stephany, as law student, and was admitted to the
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bar as an attorney in November, 1894, and as a counsellor in November, 1897. He became associated with his father on January 1, 1895. under the firm name of A. Stephany & Son. which existed until the elder Mr. Stephany's death. Mr. Stephany is now continuing the business of the late firm. At the March election of 1900 he was elected city recorder. . position which he most acceptably fills.
W. BLAIR STEWART.
Dr. W. Blair Stewart, physician and anthor, the subject of this sketch, was born at Middle Spring. Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, March 6, 1867. His early education was received at the public schools of that vicinity. later at the Chambersburg Academy, from which he entered Dickinson College and remained there four years, graduating with the degrees of Ph. B. and A. M. He then took a four years' course at the Medico-Chirurgical College of Philadelphia, and graduated in 1890. Dr. Stewart then commenced practice at Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, remaining there four years.
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