USA > New Jersey > The New Jersey coast in three centuries; history of the New Jersey coast with genealogical and historic-biographical appendix, Vol. II > Part 37
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"Is it imperalism, because the landlord contests the eviction, and re- fuses to give up his own, or the wealth and property of those intrusted to his care to the despoilers? Imperialism is an appeal to ignorance and. anarchy; to intelligence it is a fake and an insult." .
Mr. Applegate has retired from the practice of law on account of ill health and resides at his home in Middletown.
JOHN CARREJA, JR.
How quickly the public recognizes a benefactor! One of the most conspicuous reasons why the subject of this sketch, John Carreja, Jr., the present chosen freeholder of Woodbridge township, is thought so much of by the residents of his community, is that he has spared neither time nor trouble in the effort to secure for them good roads and other public im- provements which have materially added not only to their comfort, but have enhanced the value of their property. Originally the Carreja family, while residents of New York, made Woodbridge their summer home as far back as 1864, at which time they purchased a tract of land upon which they erected a handsome residence. John Carreja, Sr., is now living a retired life in ease and luxury at his beautiful country home. He was for many years a successful architect of New York City. From 1840 to 1870 he erected some of the then finest buildings of the city, many of them still standing as old landmarks. He was also a civil engineer of considerable prominence, and planned and superintended much important public improve- ment. The Carreja name is of Portuguese origin. Captain John Carreja, grandfather of our subject, was one of the foremost citizens of New York City during his life time.
The five hundred acres of land, now possessed by John Carreja, are a striking feature in Woodbridge township. No more handsome residence can be found throughout that section of beautiful homes, while the grounds, which are laid out to represent delightful parks, garden farms and woodlands all in one, are most pleasing to the eye, and make an ideal coun- try site.
For a number of years past the family have made this their permanent home. John Carreja, Jr., is one of the most active in all matters of local interest ; his public spirit is manifested in his generosity, in not only giving the ground, but going to the expense of opening a road forty feet wide, now known as the Carreja road, or Middlesex avenue, which he gave to the town, making one of the finest roads in the county; this thoroughfare passes through Mr. Carreja's farm and makes one of the most delightful drives in that section, passing as it does through meadow and woodland, making a shorter cut across the country from New York to New Jersey points.
For his good work Mr. Carreja is most popular, and can be said to be a leader in the county. He is identified with the interests of the Republican
Yours Truly
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party and one of its most active workers. He was appointed by the gov- ernor of New Jersey a delegate to the road convention held at Buffalo, having been selected because of his knowledge of the subject and his ex- perience as a civil engineer. He acted as school trustee for about twelve years, up to the time of his election as freeholder, and was a member of the first board, which he helped to organize at the expense of both time and money. He is a member of the County Agricultural Society. Socially he is connected with the Colonia Golf Club and the Woodbridge Athletic Association. He was one of the organizers of the Rahway National Bank, in which he is now a stockholder. His wife was Miss Emma Hall.
REV. FRANK R. SYMMES.
The famous Old Tennent church, near Freehold, is written of with considerable particularity in the chapter of religious history in this work, and incidental mention is made of it on various other pages in connection with the pioneers and their social life. Much of this matter has been based upon an interesting little volume from the pen of the Rev. Frank R. Symmes, pastor of the old church. Mr. Symmes is descended from an old New England family, of which he is a representative in the ninth genera- tion, and three of his ancestors in direct line were clergymen. All these were scholarly men, and lived most useful ministerial lives.
The Rev. Zechariah Symmes, founder of the family in America, was a native of England, born in historic old Canterbury, April 25, 1599, son of the Rev. William Symmes. He was educated at Cambridge University, came to New England in August, 1634, and was for more than thirty-six years pastor of the church in Charlestown, Massachusetts, where he died, February 4, 1671. The name of his wife is not preserved, but it was said of her that "she was eminent for faith, fortitude, cheerfulness and indus- try." She was the mother of thirteen children, of whom was Williant, born in England in 1627, and came with his parents to America, where he was a captain in the train bands; he died in 1691. The direct descent from him were the following named :
Timothy, son of Captain William Symmes, was born in 1683; he was a farmer and lived near Scituate, Massachusetts ; he died in 1765.
Timothy (2), son of Timothy Symmes (1), was born in 1714, at Scituate, Massachusetts. He was graduated from Harvard College in 1733, ordained to the ministry in 1736, and was for some years pastor of the Presbyterian church in Springfield, New Jersey. His first wife was Mary Cleves. He died in 1756.
Timothy (3), son of the parents last named, was born in 1744, at Aquabogne, Long. Island, and died in 1797. He, was a silversmith by trade. He was an ardent patriot, and was active in the cause of liberty during the Revolutionary war. His first wife was Abigail Tuthill.
Their son, Celadon, was born in 1770, in New Jersey. He was a 22*
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farmer by occupation. He removed to Ohio, and became associate judge of the court of common pleas of Butler county, where he died in 1837. By his marriage with Phoebe Randolph, in 1794, he became the father of eleven children.
Daniel, of the family last named, born in 1798, was a farmer. In 1823 he married Lucinda Gaston, a woman of strong character, and of this marriage were born four children, of whom two came to maturity. The father died in 1830.
Joseph, son of Daniel and Lucinda (Gaston) Symmes, was born Jan- uary 24, 1826, in a log cabin in Butler county, Ohio. He was liberally educated, graduating from Hanover (Indiana) College in 1851, at the age of twenty-five years, and three years later ( 1854) from Princeton Theological Seminary. In the year of his graduation in divinity, he was installed as pastor of the First Presbyterian church in Madison, Indiana, to which he ministered for three years, when (in 1857) he became pastor of the First Presbyterian church in Cranbury, New Jersey. His pastoral relation with the latter named church was maintained for the unusual period of thirty-seven years, and was only terminated by the illness from which he died, June 23, 1894. He was married May 23, 1854, to Mary Rosebrook Henry, who was born February 9, 1828, and died at Cranbury, New Jersey, March 4, 1895. She was a daughter of the Rev. Symmes Cleves Henry, D. D., who was son of James Henry and grandson of Michael Henry.
Frank Rosebrook Symmes, son of the Rev. Joseph and Mary ( Henry) Symmes, was born October 24, 1856, at Madison, Indiana. He inherited the paternal traits and disposition, and devoted himself to preparation for the ministry. He was graduated from Princeton College in 1881, and from the Princeton Theological Seminary in 1886. In that latter year he was ordained to the ministry, and was installed as pastor of the Presbyterian church in Fairton,-an historic old body dating from about 1690, and hav- ing for its founders some of those deeply conscientious and pious souls who migrated from Connecticut, Long Island and East Jersey to the south- ern shores of Cumberland county. New Jersey. After serving with his church for nearly four years he was (in 1890) called to the Old Tennent church, near Freehold, New Jersey, of which he is yet pastor. It is entirely proper to note, in this connection, that the association between pastor and people has been peculiarly intimate and affectionate; further, the calling of Mr. Symmes to this charge has been of lasting benefit to the church at large. Through his ancestry and his own deep appreciation of these pious worthies of old, who builded so much better than they knew, he familiar- ized himself with the scenes of old, and seemed to establish an intimate personal acquaintance with the actors therein. The result of his investi- gations were embodied in his "History of the Old Tennent Church" (pub- lished in 1897), a volume of peerless value, touching the carly days of church establishment in New Jersey.
Mr. Symmes was married, September 26, 1893, to Miss Elizabeth
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Smith Jewell, a daughter of William Henry and Martha (Jemison ) Jewell. Two daughters were born of this marriage at Tennent, New Jersey. Dor- othy, September 1, 1894; and Marion, August 15, 1895.
GEORGE H. BABCOCK.
George Herman Babcock, the distinguished inventor, engineer and philanthropist, was born at Unadilla Forks, a hamlet near Otsego, New York, on the 17th of June, 1832, being the second child of Asher M. and Mary E. (Stillman) Babcock, of the old Puritan stock of Rhode Island. The father was a well known inventor and mechanic of his time, the pin-wheel motion in plaid looms being among the number of his many in- genious and successful mechanisms. The mother also was descended from a family of mechanics, her father, Ethan Stillman, having been distinguished as a constructor of ordnance for the government in the war of 1812, while his brother, William Stillman, was known as a lockmaker and clock man- ufacturer, and was also the inventor of a pioneer unpickable bank lock long before the days of Chubb and Hobbs.
George H. Babcock spent most of his boyhood in the villages of Homer and Scott, both in Cortland county, New York. When he was twelve years of age the family removed to Westerly, Rhode Island, where he received a fair education, subsequently spending a year in the institute at Deruyter, New York. In Westerly he met Stephen Wilcox, afterward a famous inventor, but at that time known as a capable mechanic of the village. About this time young Babcock, being in feeble health and threat- ened with consumption, took up the art of daguerreotyping, and he ever afterward firmly believed that the recovery of his health was due to the healing influence of the fumes of iodine. used in developing the plates, for he enjoyed a remarkable physical vigor during the remainder of his long and active career. Photography never lost its fascination for him, and he continued to practice the art as an amateur and was a successful and distinguished photographer at the time of his death.
In 1851, when but nineteen years of age, Mr. Babcock established the first printing office in that section of the country, and began the publica- tion of the Literary Echo. The paper continued its existence as the Westerly Weekly, but in 1854 he sold his interest in the enterprise to resume the art of daguerreotyping. In that year he, in conjunction with his father, invented the polychromatic printing press. By this invention a sheet could be printed in three colors simultaneously. This machine was placed in the hands of C. Potter, Jr., of Westerly, who was to manufacture and sell the same, and after all expenses were paid the profits were to be equally divided. The contract, which was entered into on the Ist of Jan- uary, 1855, was what started Mr. Potter in the printing press business. He exhibited this press at the fair of the American Institute, in October of that year, and obtained the award of a silver medal. After about one
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year's trial with this machine Mr. Potter found that the press, while it did mechanically all that was promised for it, was so far ahead of the times that it did not prove a financial success, and he then, in accordance with a mutual agreement, gave the invention back into the hands of the inventors, who pursued the business several faither, losing heavily in the end. A year or two later Mr. Babcock invented and patented a very unique and useful foot-power job press, which he placed in the hands of Mr. Potter on the same terms as the former. This press became a suc- cess from the start, and many of them were sold, but after the lapse of several years its success was arrested by a competing builder, who claimed that in some of its features it was an infringement of his, and he threat- ened Mr. Potter and all his customers with suits for infringement. As Mr. Potter had not the money to carry on expensive patent suits, the busi- ness became badly embarrassed and finally the sales nearly ceased. This ended the printing press business with Mr. Babcock.
In 1860 Mr. Babcock removed to Brooklyn, New York, and there spent three years in the office of Thomas D. Stetson, who was a prominent patent solicitor, having a large practice. Mr. Babcock was so proficient in mechanical matters that the authorities of Cooper Union engaged him to instruct a class in mechanical drawing, and his evenings were accord- ingly devoted to this work, greatly to the advantage of himself as well as of his pupils. Later his reputation as a draughtsman and inventor led to his employment by the Mystic Iron Works, at Mystic, Connecticut, whose shops were taking part in the construction of war vessels for the United States government. Soon afterward his services as chief draughtsman were secured by the Hope Iron Works, of Providence, Rhode Island. For these two establishments he designed the machinery for a number of steam vessels belonging to the merchant marine and the Federal navy. During this period he improved the shrapnel shell, employed during the war in engagements at close quarters. In this field of work Mr. Babcock gradually grew near the inventions which were destined to bring him fame and fortune. In 1867 he and his friend Wilcox formed the firm of Babcock & Wilcox and took out a patent for a steam boiler. This boiler was so designed that nothing like a real explosion could occur. They also produced a steam engine, and in 1868 they removed to New York City to push this branch of their business to better advantage. Arrangements were made by them for the building of their engines by the Hope Iron Works, of Providence; Morton, Poole & Company, of Wilmington, Del- aware; Poole & Hunt, of Baltimore; and the C. & G. Cooper & Company, of Mount Vernon, Ohio. This engine possessed some singularly inter- esting and ingenious elements of novelty and utility.
Babcock & Wilcox incorporated the New York Safety Steam Power Company, in 1868, to build their engines and boilers, and the industry - was conducted successfully until the expiration of the Corliss patents, when their engine was withdrawn from the market. Their most ingenious invention was the Babcock & Wilcox safety or sectional tubular steam boiler, based on an earlier invention of Mr. Wilcox and so constructed that
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explosion would not be dangerous. Mr. Babcock so designed the boiler, however, that anything like a real'explosion would not occur at all. Es- tablishments of great magnitude were erected at Elizabeth, New Jersey, and at Glasgow, Scotland, for the extensive introduction of this boiler. For over a quarter of a century the firm successfully extended its market in the face of competition, and the introduction of this boiler and others of its class has saved to the world lives and property of inestimable value. Through the operations of this commercial and business arrangement the parties concerned acquired both wealth and fame.
Of his wealth Mr. Babcock made a worthy use. For many years he gave time and thought and money to the promotion of the interests of the Seventh Day Baptists, the religious body with which he identified himself, and to the advancement of the cause of education, especially on its prac- tical and technical side. He made magnificent gifts for educational, mis- sionary and religious purposes, and was the corresponding secretary for the American Sabbath Tract Society, which position he held for nearly twelve years. During the years from 1874 to 1885 he was superintendent of a Sabbath-school in Plainfield, and in the connection made his work famous. His love of Bible study, his blackboard illustrations, and the growth and prosperity of the school in consequence, during the time of his incum bency, brought about frequent and favorable comments on the part of the keen observers of the press. He was president of the board of trustees of Alfred University, to which he gave large sums, both during his lifetime and by bequests, and was a non-resident lecturer of Cornell University from 1885 to 1893 in the Sibley College courses in mechani- cal engineering. His most important papers-mainly on the scientific prin- ciples involved in the generation and use of steam power, and on the best methods of boiler construction-were prepared for the last named courses. His last engagement, unfulfilled because of his death, was for a lecture in the spring of 1894. His papers were always well planned, thorough, tull of facts and useful knowledge, and polished in expression. His de- fivery was quiet but impressive, and he held an audience, whether of college students or business men, interested to the end, however long the address. Mr. Babcock was a charter member, and at one time president, of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and was made a life member early in the history of the organization.
In 1870 Mr. Babcock located in Plainfield, New Jersey. He be- came president of the board of education and also president of the public library of that city, while he was honored with the presidency of the board of trustees of Alfred University, all of which felt the beneficial results of his influence, persistent efforts, and great generosity. He did much to improve the city by the erection of fine buildings and through other enter- prises. One block of buildings constructed by him is considered the finest, architecturally, between New York and Philadelphia. His activity and influence in the church of which he was a lifelong member were equally marked and effective, and it owes much to his energy, his ever lively in- terest, and his personal liberality. Mr. Babcock was a man of culture
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and of broad and varied reading. He was devout and honorable, kindly, affectionate and thoughtful of others, being a loving husband and a kind. father. In every relation of life he manifested admirable qualities.
Mr. Babcock was married September 28, 1852, to Lucy Adelia Still- man, of Westerly, Rhode Island, who died May 20, 1861. On the 25th of September, 1862, he was united in marriage to Harriet Mandane Clark, of Plainfield, New Jersey, and her death occurred March 5, 1881. His third marriage was solemnized February 14, 1883, when he was united to. Eliza Lua Clark, of Scott, New York, and she passed away shortly after- ward. On the 21st of March, 1893, he was married to Eugenia Louise Lewis, of Ashaway, Rhode Island, who survives him, as does also one of his two sons-George Luason. The younger son, Herman Edgar, died in infancy. Mr. Babcock entered into eternal rest at his home in Plain- field on the 16th of December, 1893, secure in the esteem of all who knew him and honored for a life of signal purity and usefulness.
1
GEORGE W. CHISMAN.
The station of Lorillard, situated in Raritan township, Monmouth: 4 county, on the Freehold and Atlantic Heights division of the Central Rail- road of New Jersey, is the seat of one of the most extensive manufacturing plants owned and operated by the National Fire Proofing Company of New Jersey.
This important industry owes its inception to Jacob Lorillard, of New York, who in March, 1887, erected and equipped buildings for the manufacture of building brick. The capacity was one million a day, but the actual output did not exceed one-fourth that great quantity, requiring, however, the labor of four hundred men. The works were thus operated until January 1, 1890, when they became known as the Lorillard Brick Works, and were conducted under that style until 1895. In that year a reorganization was effected, under the name of the New York and New Jersey Fire Proofing Company, under the presidency of Charles Siedler. June 5, 1901, the plant was purchased by the present owners, the National Fire Proofing Company of New Jersey.
In 1890 fire proofing became a part of the output of the works, and the demand for this product so increased that in 1899 brick making was discontinued. In July, 1901, a disastrous fire swept away the entire prop- erty. The works were immediately rebuilt and equipped with the most modern machinery, and additional kilns were erected at a supplemental cost of $75,000, and in the fall of the same year manufacture was re- sumed at the former rate of production, two hundred tons a day.
George WV. Chisman, the superintendent, has been identified with these important works from their original establishment. He became a practical brick maker in his early youth, and pursued his calling in Indiana until 1887, when he accepted a position as burner in the Lorillard Works. He
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was advanced to the position of assistant superintendent only two years later (1889) and served so capably that in 1892 he was made superin- tendent, and has since acted in that capacity. At the time of the rebuilding of the works after the great fire, the direction of the work of restoration largely devolved upon him. Aside from his intimate practical knowledge of manufacturing details, he is a thoroughly equipped man of affairs, and enjoys the confidence of all with whom he is brought into association.
Mr. Chisman is a native of Iowa, born in Des Moines, in 1859. There he acquired a thorough common school education prior to learning his trade. His home is in Lorillard, which has been his place of residence since his first connection with the great works which afford that locality its importance, and whose existence and great usefulness are so largely due to his intelligent and industrious effort. With his family he attends the Baptist church, and his political affiliations are with the Republican party.
Mr. Chisman was married April 19, 1880, to Miss Hattie Green, daughter of Rolfe Green, an Ohio river steamboat pilot. The children born of the marriage are Horace, born October 22, 1881; Alta, July 13, 1883; Louis, January 5, 1887; Harold, July 12, 1889; Inez, April 27, 1891; and Charles Chisman, December 2, 1894. Horace and Louis are engaged in the works superintended by the father, the former named a locomotive engineer, and the latter in the engineer department. Mr. Chisman is a member of Cesarea Lodge, No. 64, F. & A. M .; Delta Chapter, No. 14, R. A. M .; Sir Walling Lodge, K. of P .; Chingarora Tribe, No. 116, I. O. R. M. ; and Cornell Council, Royal Arcanum.
SAMUEL EDGAR FREEMAN, M. D.
It is good for a man to feel that he has been of use in the world, par- ticularly when his usefulness has been directed toward the alleviation of human suffering. Samuel Edgar Freeman, of Woodbridge, New Jersey, can review his life with a sense of satisfaction in this respect. He is one of the ablest physicans of his locality. and commands a practice second to none. He has lived all his life in the above town, where his birth oc- curred November 19, 1835. His fundamental education was acquired in the schools of Woodbridge and Perth Amboy. When in his seventeenth year, having already determined to follow the medical profession, he en- tered upon a three years' course in the old college of Physicians and Sur- geons of New York City, now known as Columbia University, from which he graduated in the year 1858, immediately entering upon his professional career in Woodbridge.
Many public offices have been assigned him. He served as postmaster under Presidents Lincoln and Grant, has been a member of the board of health, and one of its inspectors. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, and one of its board of trustees. He has been a member of the Middlesex County Medical Society.
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Dr. Freeman married Miss Catherine F. Randolph, daughter of Asher F. and Mary J. (Hadden) Randolph, who were descendants of the old families of that section; they had two children, namely: Mabel and Ellis Barron. The mother of these children passed away in January, 1873; the Doctor never re-married. He is very popular, not only in his pro- fessional capacity, but socially, and is ever ready to interest himself in pro- gressive ideas advanced for the public good.
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