Louisa Allen Wiseman - Bride Number 5

Beverly Mathis Robinson wrote the following comment to the February Blog on Bill Butcher, asking about her great-great grandmother, Louisa Allen Wiseman which is reprinted below.

Hi Pete:

Fascinating as usual. A question. Are the Wisemans mentioned in this installment related is some way to my great-great grandmother Louisa Allen Wiseman's second husband, Jacob Wiseman? I cannot find out anything about him except (I think) his son's name is John.

Thanks,

Beverly Mathis Robinson

The following photo shows the relationship of Beverly Mathis Robinson to Louisa Allen Wiseman which is uncovered when we know who the relationships of the people in the photo.

Eugene "Booter" Mathis, Beverly Robinson's grandfather, with his mother, Ida E. Mathis French (center), and grandmother, Louisa Allen Wiseman. Ida E. was married to Booter's father, John Oliphant Mathis, and later married Swarrow French after John's death. Ida would be Beverly's great grandmother. Louisa was Ida's mother which would make her Beverly's great-great grandmother. Hope you all got that. Who's on first? (Photo courtesy of Jean Mathis McGee, Booter's daughter.)

Our Blog buddy, Don Maxwell, now on winter vacation down in warm Key Largo, sent me an email about his memories of Louisa Allen. He's been writing in a lot lately which I am grateful for. I may have to think about putting him on the Blog payroll.

Pete,

I will attempt to answer Beverly Robinson's question if her great great grandmother Louisa Allen was related to the Wiseman family mentioned in the blog about Bill Butcher. Yes she was, as there was only one Wiseman family in New Gretna, unlike the different branches of the Allens, Mathises and Cramers. I remember Louisa well. She lived in a little house attached to Elizabeth and Earl Cramer's house, as she was Elizabeth and her brother, Eugene (boot) Mathis's grandmother. She was a little old, bent over lady, always dressed in black with high buttoned shoe, and a long dress that swept the ground, just like the ones you see on tv on the old westerns. She never quite adapted to the 20th century. One day, Norman Cramer said to me lets rack up grandmother Wiseman's wood in her woodshed, as she isn't home., Most everyone was burning wood in those days in the 1930's, When she comes home, she will have a nice surprise. So, we did. We worked like beaver's, as we were small boys. We got it all done, figuring she would be tickled pink. When she came home, she was so mad at us, claiming we stacked it all wrong She made us take it all out. I went home and Norman and his dad, Earl, had to restack it. Those old people were pretty well set in their ways in those days.

Don Maxwell

One of the reasons Beverly has been having trouble finding information is that Louisa Allen's second husband was Joshua Wiseman, not Jacob Wiseman as she states in her comment above. While Joshua was Louisa's second husband, Louisa was Joshua's fifth, and last, wife. All that remarrying sure makes tracing one's genealogy quite a challenge.

Following are some genealogy notes and photos regarding Louisa Allen and Joshua Wiseman that may be helpful to Beverly and anyone else interested in Louisa Allen and/or Joshua Wiseman.

Here is family information related to Louisa's parents, Caleb and Mary Eliza Allen:

CALEB W. ALLEN (THOMAS JEFFERSON, JOSEPH, PETER, ROBERT, RALPH?) was born 15 Dec 1823, and died 08 Jul 1909. He married MARY ELIZA LEAK 1846, daughter of JOHN LEAK and ROSEANNA. She was born 12 Jan 1823, and died 04 Apr 1900. Caleb and Mary are buried in Miller Cemetery in New Gretna.

Children of CALEB ALLEN and MARY LEAK:

i. THOMAS A.7 ALLEN, b. Feb 1847; d. 16 Feb 1930, New Gretna, NJ.

ii. SARAH ANN ALLEN, b. 06 Dec 1848.

iii. MARIAH J. ALLEN, b. 12 Dec 1850.

iv. LOUISA M. ALLEN, b. Abt. 1851; d. 19 Feb 1938 in Margate, NJ. at the home of her niece, Mrs. Ferdinand Loveland. m. (1) JOHN ALLEN; m. (2) JOSHUA WISEMAN, Bef. 1925; b. 1851; d. 12 Aug 1925, Atlantic City, NJ.

The 1880 census shows a 9 year old Louisa M. Allen living with her parents, Caleb W. and Mary E, along with two brothers and a sister.

Louisa's first husband was John P. Allen. They were married about 1873. Following is their Family information. John P's roots can be traced back to Robert Allen, the first Allen to settle in the Bass River Township area.

JOHN P. ALLEN (URIAH J., THOMAS JEFFERSON, JOSEPH4, PETER, ROBERT, RALPH?) was born 21 Dec 1856. He married LOUISA M. ALLEN Abt. 1873, daughter of CALEB ALLEN.

Children of JOHN ALLEN and LOUISA ALLEN are:

i. IDA E. ALLEN, b. Abt. 1869.

ii. MARTHA ALLEN, b. Abt. 1872.

iii. JOHN FRANKLIN "FLICK" ALLEN, b. 23 Nov 1874, Woodbury, NY; d. 09 Apr 1942.

iv. DORA M. ALLEN, b. Oct 1881.

The 1880 Bass River Township census records show the family of John and Louisa M. Allen. Louisa is 37 years old, and her daughter, Ida E., is 11.

As I mentioned earlier, Louisa married Joshua Wiseman after the death of her first husband, John Allen. Following is family information pertaining to Joshua Wiseman who married Louisa rather late in life. I got a particular chuckle out of Myrtle Wiseman Falkinburg's comment regarding Joshua, John Bowers, and John Bowers' daughters. Myrtle is Joshua Wiseman's granddaughter.

Joshua Wiseman

Tintype courtesy of Myrtle Wiseman Falkinburg

JOSHUA WISEMAN (JOHN A.) was born 1851, and died 12 Aug 1925 in Atlantic City, NJ. He married (1) SARAH MITILDA BOWERS Jul 1875, daughter of JOHN BOWERS and CATHERINE WILDERMUTH. She was born Abt. 1860, and died Bef. 1884. He married (2) HARRIET BOWERS 07 Oct 1888, daughter of JOHN BOWERS and CATHERINE WILDERMUTH. She was born Abt. 1865, and died 1895. He married (3) ELNORA V. KELLY 1896, daughter of WILLIAM KELLY and SARAH SPRAGG. She was born 24 Jun 1865, and died 1905. He married (4) MARY THERESA CAULEY 10 Jan 1907 in Manahawkin, NJ. She was born 24 Jun 1865, and died 16 Apr 1910. He married (5) LOUISA ALLEN Bef. 1925, daughter of CALEB ALLEN and MARY LEAK. She was born 1855, and died 19 Feb 1938 in Margate, NJ. at the home of her niece, Mrs. Ferdinand Loveland. Funeral services were held at Pursells and Son in Pleasantville, NJ. She was buried with her husband, Joshua Allen, in her parent's (Caleb and Mary Eliza Allen) plot on the south side of the hill in Miller Cemetery, New Gretna, NJ. Both of their graves are unmarked.

Notes for JOSHUA WISEMAN:

Myrtle Wiseman Falkinburg tells that Joshua first married Sarah Bowers. After Sarah's death, he then married Sarah's sister, Harriet. After Harriet's death, Joshua went back to John Bowers looking for his third wife, as there were five more girls in the family, and was quickly chased away.

Notes for LOUISA ALLEN:

Louisa died at the home of her niece, Mrs. Ferdinand Loveland. Funeral services were held at Pursells and Son in Pleasantville, NJ. Louisa was buried in her parent's (Caleb and Mary Eliza Allen) plot on the south side of the hill in Miller Cemetery, New Gretna, NJ. with her husband, Joshua Wiseman. Both graves are unmarked.

Joshua and Louisa Wiseman

Photo courtesy of Myrtle Wiseman Falkinburg

It is important to take note that Louisa and John Wiseman were burried in Miller Cemetery in the plot of Louisa's parents, Caleb and Mary Eliza Allen, as there is no written record of that fact that I am aware of. That information came from Myrtle Wiseman Falkinburg, who attended her grandfather Joshua's home wake as a five year old.

Myrtle Wiseman Falkinburg remembers attending the wake of her grandfather, Joshua Wiseman, in August, 1925, when she was five years old. Joshua's home stills stands on North Maple Avenue, just across the street from the intersection with Mink Path. (March 6, 2007 photo by Pete Stemmer.)

The Joshua Wiseman homestead was located on Allentown Road, now North Maple Avenue, across from the the Mink Path intersection. (Map courtesy of Bing Maps.)

While Myrtle didn't attend Louisa's funeral, she remembers hearing from her parents that both Joshua and Louisa were buried in Louisa's parents' plot on the hill in Miller Cemetery. Louisa's 1938 obituary below confirms her burial in Miller Cemetery but does not identify the burial plot location as Myrtle was able to do.

I hope the above information answers some of the questions Beverly may have had regarding her great grandmother, Louisa Allen Wiseman. Hopefully, it will also help anyone who might be interested in or working on a genealogy of the Allen or Wiseman families.

Pete S

PS- A big Blog thank you to Myrtle Wiseman Falkinburg and Shirley Whealton who helped me with the Wiseman genealogy.

Another Snowstorm

Two nights ago, Donald Maxwell called me from Key Largo, Florida to chew the fat about the old days in New Gretna. During our conversation, Donald was complaining that it was getting so hot that he was going to have to turn on the air conditioner. I told him that he wasn't going to get any sympathy from me, as a new winter storm was predicted to hit New Gretna in a day or two. Well, it hit early evening last night, and it is still snowing as I post this Blog entry at 12 Noon.

It's difficult to tell exactly how much snow we have gotten because it's been blowing around pretty good in blustery, high winds, and it's still coming down. I would estimate around 16 inches, so far. The following photos give a pretty good picture of the storm.

16 inches and counting

As this is a history Blog, I thought I would post a few snow related photos from our New Gretna old photos archive. I hope you enjoy them.

Bennie Allen plowing Mink Path Road in a 1956 storm. (Photo courtersy of Joseph & Betty Petzak.)

There are three Route 9 houses in the above photo of Earle and Viola Cramer. It's interesting that both went by their middle name. Who out in the Blog-O-Sphere can identify these houses by naming an owner from the old days in New Gretna?

Hope this snow stops soon. I'm getting tired of shoveling. Right about now, sitting in air conditioning in the Florida keys is sounding pretty good. Donald, I'll trade you my snow shovel for your Bermuda shorts.

Pete S

PS- It's now 4:15 PM and still snowing, with no sign that it is letting up.

PPS- Finally stopped snowing around 5 PM. Hurray!

Don Maxwell Remembers Bill Butcher

In our recent journey regarding the identification of Mrs. G. Seel, Don Maxwell mentioned Bill Butcher. The connection was that both sold Supplee ice cream. A few days ago, I got another email from Don with some more of his memories about Bill Butcher. I thought I would share them with you.

Pete,

A little info on Bill Butcher, what little I know. I don't know which branch or family of Cramers he was from, but I think it was from Charles Cramer of the Leektown area. Also, he was close to the Norman Cramer family, as Norman's dad, Earl Cramer, talked about him a lot and called him Cousin Bill. Remember, I was practically raised with Norman as his mother and father and my mother and father had double weddings. They were married together on the same day, October 20, 1923, at the same place. I think it was the Presbyterian minister at the time, as mom was a devout Presbyterian and wouldn't have had anyone else.

Earl and Elizabeth French Cramer were married the same day as Donald Maxwell's paretns, Curtis and Dorothy. (Photo courtesy of Norman and Leila Cramer.)

Anyway, Norman's father, Earl, was born and raised in Leektown. Norman's great-grandfather was Charles Cramer who a calvary man in the Civil war. Norm has showed me his calvary sword with his name inscribed on it.

What Bill Butcher's father name was, I don't know. Bill and his brother, Ward, both went down in the Vineland area and became glassblowers. They retired back in their hometown, New Gretna. Ward was somewhat of a recluse, as he lived in an old shack on Rt. 9 on the old Meadow Road going over to the old iron bridge crossing the Mullica. He was an old bachelor and lived alone. He finally was killed one day when he wasn't looking and stepped out in front of an express truck from Barnegat on its way to making a delivery in Atlantic City. The trucking company name, as I remember, was Bellefontaine Trucking, as it went thru New Gretna all the time.

Back to Bill. My father and I had a fellow from Tuckerton working for us at the time named Jeff Cramer. He was originally from New Gretna in the Greenbush section. His father's name was Renard Cramer. Jeff had a sister, Olive, who married Jack Wiseman. Cassy Heinrich, Myrtle Falkenburg, and Renard Wiseman were jeff's neices and nephew.

John and Olive Wiseman at their 50th wedding anniversary celebration. (Photo courtesy of Myrtle Wisemand Falkinburg.)

Jeff worked for us all through the 1950's, and he used to tell me about Bill Elwood as he called Bill Butcher. Elwood was probably his middle name. Jeff said at one time Bill Butcher joined a religious sect that grew large long beards - on the men, naturally. He said Bill Butcher spoke in "thees" and "thous" and used biblical terms and speech.

One day, Jeff said Bill was underneath calking and painting a boat he had hauled out for repairs . He accidentally calked his long beard in the caulking and while trying to get it out of the seam, he accidentily upset a pail of red copper paint all over himself. Well, he finally got loose and came out from under using a few choice words. He went home, or somewhere, and shaved off his beard and severed all ties with his fellow sect members.

Another thing is that's how Otto Kalm and his wife came to New Gretna. They met Bill Cramer somewhere and develeped a friendship which brought them to New Gretna. Dave and Fred Kalm and Claire Allen might have some insight on that phase of Bill's life.

Otto and Monica Kalm

(Photo courtesy of Claire Kam Allen)

I believe Bill's first butcher shop was where Levi Downs barber shop was. I remember getting a ride home from visiting my grandparents, the Maxwell's in Wading River, as Bill had a meat route that went to Wading River. When we got back to New Gretna, we stopped right in front of where Levi's barbershop was. That was before it was a barbershop. I remember asking my father what Bill Butcher did for a living in his younger days, and he said Bill was a glassblower down in South Jersey. The reason I asked was because he had much more than most people at that time when the depression was still on. He always had a nice new car, always a Pontiac, several nice shiny new guns, and a nice houseboat moored up Bass River off Doughty and Joe Cramers dock. He also had a house in Leektown, probably the one Phyllis Briggs was talking about.

I remember, just before WWII started in early 1941, Bill bought a brand new Pontiac coupe and had it all during the war. He also had the best rabbit dogs in town, as he loved rabbit hunting. I remember Earl Cramer, Norma's father, and even Norman when he was a boy going rabbit hunting with Bill. If someone had a better dog then Bill, he would buy it.

Bill died sometime in the late 1940's, and i don't know whatever happened to his wife, Ann. I do know they never had any children. That's all I can think of about Butcher Bill.

Don Maxwell

Wow, Donald sure has an excellent memory! It's great that he would take the time to write down all those interesting old New Gretna stories. Otherwise, they would be lost. I hope we can encourage him to do some more writing that can be shared here at the Blog.

I thought I would also share some genealogy regarding Butcher Bill. The following information comes from Jean and Murray Harris' book, "Descendants of William Cranmer of Elizabethtown, NJ".

William H. Cramer, son of Ellwood (2541) and Sarah H. (Stackhouse) Cramer, born 2 October 1873 at New Gretna, married about 1898 Anna Patience _________, born May 1877. In 1900 he was a glassblower in Glassboro Township, in 1910 he had a restaurant in New Gretna. He had meat markets in Tuckerton and in New Gretna in 1931. In New Gretna his shop was at the rear of Schaeffer's restaurant in the building owned by Ashton Lamson. This building was destroyed by fire on 1 April 1931. He was known in New Gretna as" Bill Butcher". Children:

i Anna Upton may have been an adopted daughter. She worked with him as a butcher.

I found the Harris' comment about Anna Upton revealing, as it helped me to solve a puzzle I was having with a circa 1940's photo that I found in Marian Broome's attic labelled "Annie Butcher". The Annie in the photo was clearly too young to be Bill Butcher's wife who would have been in her 60's in the 1940's. It appears as if Anna Upton, mentioned by the Harrises, may have been known as "Annie Butcher" as was Bill's Wife, Anna.

Annie Butcher, circa 1940's

Courtesy of Marian Broome

While the Harris helped clear up my confusion regarding the Annie Butcher in the circa 1940's photo, their description of the location of Bill Butchers New Gretna Butcher Shop left me scratching my head. Welcome to my world!

The Harris' description seems to refer to the north-west corner of Rt 9 and North Maple Avenue (See # 2 on the areal map below). That is where, I believe, Ash Lamson's restaurant stood before it was destroyed by a fire in 1931. I don't ever remember hearing that Butcher Bill had his Butcher Shop there.

The intersection of Route 9 and Maple Avenues. 1- The site of the old New Gretna House; 2- The old Rustic Inn, now boarded up; 3- Present day "Munchies"; and 4- Vacant Lot. The house in the upper right corner was the home of Curtis and Dot Maxwell where Donald Maxwell grew up.

All the stories I have heard about Butcher Bill's shop placed it about where the present day "Munchies" deli is located - #3 on the map. This is also the location described by Don Maxwell in the January 27 Blog entry. Donald placed it " . . . on the S.E. corner of South Maple Avenue (commonly called Eel Street in those days), sort of diagonally across from our house next to the Rustic . . ."

It's possible that both the Harrises and Don Maxwell are right regarding the location of Butcher Bill's business establishment. Bill could have moved his operation and, thus operated out of two New Gretna locations.

I was able to trace Butcher Bill through a variety of censuses, spanning 50 years, from 1880 as a 7 year old boy through 1930 as a 53 year old merchant.

The 1880 Bass River Township census shows our William H. Cramer, age 7, living on a farm with his parents, Elwood and Sarah, and two younger brothers, Harry and Calvin.

Just 4 families down the same 1880 census page we see the Charles Cramer family. The Elwood Cramer family is listed as Family 111 and the Charles Cramer family as Family 115. This confirms a connection between Elwood Cramer and Charles Cramer and relates to Donald Maxwell's statement - " I don't know which branch or family of Cramers he (Butcher Bill) was from, but I think it was from Charles Cramer of the Leektown area." Jean and Murray Harris' genealogy of Ellwood Cramer (near the end of today's blog posting) proves Don Maxwell correct, as it identifies Charles A. Cramer as the father of Elwood Cramer and, thus, the grandfather of Butcher Bill.

Unfortunately, the 1890 census is not available, as it was destroyed in a warehouse fire. That takes us to the 1900 census where we find William H. Cramer living in Glassboro. Bill, now 25 years old, has married Patience A., age 23, two years earlier. They have no children. His brother, Ward, is living next door with a wife, Olga, and a 2 year old son, Arnold. Both Bill and Ward's occupations are listed as "Glassblower". Again, this confirms Donald Maxwell's story - " . . . he [Donald's father Curtis] said Bill was a glassblower down in South Jersey." and "Bill and his brother, Ward, both went down in the Vineland area and became glassblowers." I guess you could say that Glassboro is in the Vineland area, especially from the perspective of a New Gretna resident.

By the 1910 census, we see that Bill has moved to Bass River and was operating a restaurant. His wife is listed as "Anna P." rather than the "Patience A." noted in the 1900 census. I'm sure it is the same person but with middle name listed as a first name and visa versa. We can't be sure if Bill was running a butcher shop at that time, but it's possible.

Bill and Anna seemed to have disappeared at the 1920 census. I could find no trace of them. It is likely that they lived in either Bass River or Tuckerton and continued to run either a restaurant or butcher shop, perhaps both. Any help locating Bill and Anna in 1920 would be appreciated.

They resurfaced in Tuckerton in the 1930 census. Listed as "William H.", Bill is now 53 years old and his wife, Anna, 50. From the years married census columns we see that they were married in 1880 while in their early 20's. The occupation column notations, "proprietor" and "West market", show that Bill is still operating a market business, probably a butcher shop. I have heard that Bill operated butcher shops in both New Gretna and Tuckerton, so it is possible that he was still operating a butcher shop in New Gretna while living and operating a market in Tuckerton.

Taking a look at Butcher Bill's parents' family as presented by the Harrises (see below) may help in recognizing of Bills brothers and sisters who might be known be some of our Blog readers. Unfortunately, I am not familiar with any of Bill's siblings and don't have any photos of them. The family's roots seem to be in the Glassboro area rather than New Gretna. This jives with Don Maxwell's January 27th Blog recollection that " Bill Butcher . . . went into the butcher business after he and his brother, Ward, retired from the glassblowing business somewhere down in South Jersey."

Ellwood Cramer, son of Charles A. (2217) and Elizabeth (Adams) Cramer, born 27 January 1843 at New Gretna, died 29 January 1925 at Glassboro, married at Egg Harbor City 23 August 1872 Sarah H. Stackhouse (Stackers on marriage certificate), daughter of Michael and Elizabeth (Headley) Stackhouse of Millville, born 11 April 1853, died 30 March 1934 at Glassboro. They are both buried at Manahath Cemetery in Glassboro. Ellwood was a sailor for a number of years before settling at Glassboro. Their children:

i William H. Cramer, married Anna Patience ____________.

ii Harry Ward Cramer, married (a) Olga B. _______ and (b) Eliza Spangler.

iii Calvin Cramer, born April 1879, married (a) Esther Stow and (b) Anna M. Deckman.

iv Ervin B. Cramer, born 7 August 1882 Bass River, died 1893, buried Manahath Cemetery, Glassboro.

v Stanley Cramer, born 3 February 1885 at Bass River

vi Alice A. Cramer, born 2 October 1889, lived in Glassboro in 1934. (Informant on mother's death certificate)

vii Rose Cramer, born May 1892.

Well, thanks to Don Maxwell we sure know a lot more about Butcher Bill. It's always satisfying when another piece of New Gretna history falls into place.

Pete S

The Mysterious Mrs. Seel Identified

Last Wednesday I posted a 1924 advertisement, reprinted below, from the New Gretna Methodist Church Directory regarding a Mrs. G. Seel and asked for help in identifying who Mrs. G. Seel was and where her business was located.

I specifically appealed to Dave Kalm, Clif Brown, and Don Maxwell, as they have a wealth of New Gretna knowledge from their earlier days in New Gretna. I didn't hear from Dave or Clif, so I'm going to assume that they have no recollection regarding Mrs. Seel. I also put eagle eye Jim McAnney on the case but, he too, came up empty. He had a few wild theories, including one which had Mrs. Seel running a house of ill repute and thus keeping a low profile in town, but nothing concrete.

Happily, I did hear from Don Maxwell. Unfortunately he didn't remember hearing about Mrs. Seel; however, he did remember Supplee ice cream being sold in New Gretna and told about another, often forgotten, New Gretna restaurant located where Munchies now sits. I thought I would share Don's email with you, as his stories are always informative and interesting. I wish I could get him to write more often.

Pete,

I can't say that I can recall any Seel's restaurant in New Gretna. however my earliest recollection of the little restaurant on the S.E. corner of South Maple Avenue (commonly called Eel Street in those days), sort of diagonally across from our house next to the Rustic, had a Supplee ice cream sign hanging out in front of it for years. My dad, Curtis Maxwell, told me he built it for Harry "Nic" Mathis and his wife, Aunt Sally. She was my mother's aunt (my Grandmother Allen's sister) who was Keefer Allen's wife and my mother's mother. They ran a restaurant there for a number of years. I don't know who they sold to.

Don Maxwell's parents, Curtis and Dorothy. Don inherited his story telling abilities from his dad, Curtis. (Photo courtesy of Marian Broome.)

My earliest recollection of the proprietors of that place was William Cramer and his wife. He was called Bill Butcher, as he went into the butcher business after he and his brother, Ward, retired from the glassblowing business somewhere down in South Jersey. He had a butcher shop in the back with sawdust on the floor with a big walk in box, and his wife (I know her name, but it eludes me at the present) ran a restaurant in the front.

I remember mom sending me over for a quart of ice cream (Supplees) and she would dip it out with a large spoon into a quart container that had the top folded up after filling. When she finished, before replacing the spoon back in the water, she would lick it first. I remember a lot of people complaining about that practice.

A 1904 Supplee ice cream poster

(Photo from Google Images)

The Cramers had no children and didn't get along very well, as he was always complaining about how nosy she was. Every time he had a meat customer she would peek around the corner, and he would say here comes the old battle axe.

After he retired from that business, Delwyn Downs took it over; however, he didn't last long. Delwyn clerked in Clarance Mathis' store for a number of years. After that, he went into the well drilling business. He drilled a lot of wells around New Gretna for years.

Don Maxwell

Delwin Downs worked behind the counter and delivered groceries throughout New Gretna from Clarence Mathis' store for many years. (Photo courtesy of Norman and Ann Mathis.)

Now, back to the case at hand. Every good detective knows that if you keep working on a case and get the word out that, eventually, you will get a breakthrough. Such was the case here. My history buddy, Steve Eichinger, came to the rescue. The name "Seel" didn't ring a bell with him; however, he suggested that we visit the Township Tax Office and check the old tax books from the mid 1920's. If the Seels owned property in town, their names should appear in the tax records.

Steve and I spent an hour or so this afternoon in the Bass River Township Tax Office pouring over dusty tax books from the mid 1920's. Unfortunately the 1924 tax book, the year of Mrs. G. Seel's advertisement, was missing. My expectations were dashed. We then set out to look at the years before and after 1924 and hit pay dirt.

Suddenly, as Steve was reading through the 1925 tax book, the name "Seel" lept from the bottom of page 13, and Steve let out a loud "Yippie". I knew that was a good sign. Who said that 13 was an unlucky number? Nestled between Sadie Downs and Kirk Loveland on West Main Street, the present day Route 9, was Gustav Seel. The handwritten record showed that he was taxed on 2 acres of land, a dwelling, and an outbuilding.

Tax records don't list the family members, so I can't tell you the first name of Gustav's wife, the Mrs. G. Seel listed in the ad. Probably, the "G" referred to her husband, Gustav. Back in the old days, the wife was often referred to in terms of her husband. Such was likely the case here. Of course the "G" may have been for Gertrude or Gail, but I doubt it.

Fortunately the manner in which they kept the tax books in the 1920's was a help in figuring out just where the Seels lived. The names were listed in the order of the houses on the street. While we were unsure as to just where the Seel house was, we were familiar with the house location of some of the adjacent names. This allowed us to determine the Seel house location which is shown on the map below.

The Seel home was located on the present day Route 9 on your right as your are approaching the intersection with Amasas Landing Road. (Photo from Bing Maps)

This is the present day Route 9 house that Steve and I believe belonged to the Seels in the mid 1920's. (January 24, 2009 photo by Pete Stemmer)

Since no one seemed to remember the Seels nor did they leave much of a paper trail, it is likely that they didn't live in New Gretna for long. The tax books confirmed that viewpoint. The Seel name was absent from the 1923 tax book. A "L.V. Brewin" occupied the same house in the 1923 tax notations which documented the dwelling on 2 acres and also listed a store at the same location. This established that a business was run from that house just prior to the Seels obtaining the property. It would not be surprising that Mrs. Seel would also choose to run her food enterprise from the same location, as the house would have already been configured for a home business. Somehow, it seems her business escaped the eyes of the tax assessor.

Even though the 1924 tax book was unavailable, we know that Mrs. Seel was operating a business, likely from her home, by her ad in the 1924 New Gretna Methodist Church Directory. Some elementary deduction tells us that the Seels moved to New Gretna between the end of 1923 and July, 1924.

The front cover of the July, 1924 Methodist Church Directory which contained Mrs. Seel's ad tells us that the Seels were in New Gretna in July, 1924. (Methodist Directory courtesy of Marian Broome.)

An examination of the 1925 tax book failed to find the Seels listed, indicating that they left New Gretna somewhere between July, 1924 and the beginning of 1925. Their stay in New Gretna was, indeed, a short one.

Well, that ends our little journey concerning the Seels brief business dealings in New Gretna. I haven't had a chance to track them down in the 1920 census, prior to their coming to New Gretna or in the 1930 census after they left New Gretna. I would like to find out Mrs. Seel's first name. Perhaps an enterprising Blog reader will take on that challenge.

I did find a Gustave Seel in the Social Security death records. He was born June 21, 1889 and died December 1975 in Pleasantville, New Jersey, not far from New Gretna. He applied for Social Security in New York prior to 1951. That indicates a definite New York connection which may be a clue, if this is our Gustave, in fitting some more pieces of the puzzle together. The hunt never seems to stop in this history business.

P Stemmer

The Mysterious Mrs. Seel

I've been collecting old New Gretna business ads for over ten years and, recently, came across an interesting ad in a 1924 St. Paul's United Methodist Church Directory found in Marian Broome's attic. I stumbled across it while looking for some photos to illustrate Marian's autobiography in the January 20, 2010 Blog entry. It's interesting to me because I have no idea who Mrs. G. Seel was, what type of business she ran (restaurant, luncheonette, etc.), where her business was, or where she lived. I've never come across the Seel surname while doing any New Gretna history or genealogy work.

I searched the 1920 and 1930 Bass River Township census and couldn't find a Seel listed. I also gave Myrtle Wiseman Falkinburg, who just turned 90 this week, a call to see if she recognized the name but, unfortunately, she wasn't familiar with it. I knew the ad was printed when Myrtle was only 4 years old but was hoping that she may have heard her mom or dad mention the Seel family as she grew up.

I'm hoping that one of our Blog readers will recognize the name and, perhaps, answer some of my questions. Maybe Dave Kalm, Clif Brown, or Don Maxwell can put on their "thinking caps" and come up with some answers.

Also, I encourage anyone with an old New Gretna business ad or two to let me know via email or the comments section below. I'm always looking to expand my New Gretna Business Ads collection.

Pete S

Marian Broome and the Class of 1932

This is the last Blog posting regarding the 1932 Tuckerton High School 50th Class Reunion, and I've saved the best for last. Following is the autobiography of Marian Broome, who was a dear friend and a big help to me in gathering information and understanding New Gretna history from the 1930's through the 1990's. I spent many enjoyable hours with Marian just chewing the fat about the "good old days" in New Gretna. She was a remarkable woman with a detailed memory of so many people and events. If you've ever known Marian, you would never forget her. She was one of a kind! By the way, the middle initial "C" was for Chestnut.

Marian (Ben) C. Broome

P.O. Box 13

New Gretna, N.J. 08224

"Honor Student"

After graduation in 1932 I spent the Summer as a Waitress in my Uncle's Hotel in Ocean City, N.J., and continued that practice through the following Summers, including 1936. In September, 1932 I entered Temple University in the School of Business Administration and graduated in June 1934. In '34 I was employed as Secretary to the Branch Manager of Hajoca Corp., Camden, N.J. (a large plumbing and heating company with thirty-seven serving the Eastern Seaboard. On October 17, 1936 I married Alfred L. Pannebakker who was Credit Manager for American-Standard in Philadelphia the Suburban areas, whom I met while attending Temple. Knot was not tied securely and ended in divorce in 1942.

Marian Broome and husband to be, Al Pannebakker, at the Broome home on North Maple Avenue, New Gretna. Easter, 1934. (Photo courtesy of Marian Broome.)

In 1937 I was transferred to the General Office in Philadelphia as Secretary to the General Office. It was great and an ideal company to work for. I was active in of their business and social groups and a member of their Bowling Team. In 1945 my Mother, Sister and I joined the Order of Eastern Star, Tuckerton Chapter #54, on the same night.

Marian (right) was installed in the Order of the Eastern Star with her mother, Elizabeth, (center) and her sister, Jennie, (left). (Photo courtesy of Marian C. Broome.

A cousin had married a Commander in the and moved to England. So in 1953 I was invited to be their guest the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth. I sailed from New on May 14, 1953 the S.S. Maritania and, after spending six weeks, returned home on the S.S. QE 1, This was my most outstanding vacation and truly a great experience.

While I was in England I was privileged to visit several other Countries. Travelled by plane from London to Paris, on to Geneva, Switzerland, then to Berne and back to London. Flying through the Alps is both thrilling and beautiful. In 1955 I was made Secretary to the Purchasing and Assistant Purchasing Agents of Hajoca Corp. In 1957 the General Office moved to Ardmore, Pa. so I too moved my residency to Ardmore. Through the years I have taken numerous trips through the United States and Canada. Had a most enjoyable ten day Boat trip from Montreal up the St. Lawrence and back to Quebec. Have crossed the United States twice by auto and three times by plane. My last extensive trip was in 1980 when I flew to Oregon and covered the Pacific Northwest. At present I have visited forty-five of the fifty States and am looking forward to including the remaining five before the good Lord calls. In 1964 I was the victim of a mugging in Philadelphia and was unable to work for six weeks. So when Hajoca Corp. announced they were opening a Branch in Linwood, N.J. in 1966, I asked to be transferred. The request was granted and I moved back to New Gretna. The Linwood Branch was not a success and was closed. In 1970 I became private Secretary to Mrs. Ethel Marie Noyes, Owner and Operator of Historic Smithville Inns. This was a real challenge which I thoroughly enjoyed. Knowing & working for Fred Noyes was an education in itself. I grew to love both of them. Mr. & Mrs. Noyes sold the Smithville complex to American Broadcasting Companies Inc. in August 1974 and vacated the premises in September; I left in December. The Noyes opened Ram's Head Inn on November 17, 1976 and again I became their Secretary. Mrs. Noyes passed away suddenly in January, 1979. Mr. Noyes sold the establishment to Barry Knowles, owner of The Manor in East Orange, N.J., and he took possession in November 1979. I only worked for Mr Knowles a short time and left November 16, 1979 to enter the hospital and never returned to work so I have been enjoying retirement for three years. Mr. Noyes has built a Museum on what was formerly known as Lily Lake in Oceanville, N.J., which will be opened to the Public in the near future. I have been asked to be the Secretary so I may return to the business world. I always received so much pleasure from meeting people, and this has been achieved beyond my expectations as I have met and made friends with so many lovely people, both in business and travelling.

Fred and Ethel Noyes

Photo courtesy of Google Images

I had always maintained my membership at the New Gretna Methodist Church where I now serve on the Board of Trustees, Administrative Board, and a member of the United Methodist Women's group, Vice President of the New Gretna Old Home Society, and an Officer in O.E.S.

Marian at the May, 1999 Old Home Society dinner.

(Photo courtesy of Elaine Webber Mathis)

I have no children (regret losing one), no pets, and I am so happy to be able to be on the move. God has been so very good to me and I never cease to praise Him for blessing me so abundantly in every way.

Following are a few photos of Marian and some of her Tuckerton High School friends. I wonder if anyone out in the Blog-O-Sphere knew or are related to any of the gang.

(l-r) Leila Mathis, Charlotte Cramer, Helen Mathis, and Marian Broome. June 12, 1930 photo taken at Tuckerton High School. (Photo courtesy of Marian Broome.)

(l-r) Rodney Mathis, Marian Broome, Harold "Eppie" Falkinburg, Charlotte Cramer, Helen Mathis, and Lou Speck on June 12, 1930, the last day of the school year at Tuckerton High School. (Photo courtesy of Marian Broome.)

Well, that ends our little visit with the New Gretna members of the class of 1932. Hope you all enjoyed it.

Pete S

Tuckerton High School Class of 1932- The New Gretna Girls

I had posted some information from a 1982 Reunion of the Tuckerton High School Class of 1932 in the January 13, 2010 Blog entry. I stated that there were two students from New Gretna in that graduating class - John Barnes and Marian Broome. Elaine Allen sent in a comment stating that there were three more New Gretna students listed in the 1932 class - Margaret Allen Griggs (Sam Allen's daughter and Lizzie Gerew's sister), Linda Allen McNeil (Les Allen's sister), and Julia Archer Purdy (Frank Archer's sister). I had planned to highlight Marian Broome in next Wednesday's Blog entry, so I thought I would fill in today with the autobiographies of the 3 New Gretna girls, mentioned by Elaine Allen, as presented in the 1982 Reunion Booklet.

The cover of the Tuckerton High School 1982 Reunion Booklet. (Courtesy of Franklin Gray)

Margaret (Peggy) Allen Griggs

Box 42 - Mockingbird Lane

Diamond City, Ark. 72644

After graduation I went to work for a Lawyer in Margate, N.J. and it was there I met Walt, my husband-to-be. "Gin" (Horner) Price and Ellison Price were with us when we were married in 1935. Our only child, Connie, was born in October, 1937 and was married in 1957 to John D. Daugherty, and they make their home in Wauwatosa, Wis. They have a son aged 22, and a daughter aged 20; both are presently in College at the University of Wis­consin. My husband Walt, went to work for The Washington National Insur­ance Company in 1940, and retired after thirty-one years there. Then we moved to our present home in Diamond City, Ark., where we have enjoyed al­most eleven years of a beautiful retirement together. We enjoy our home area, so much we rarely do any traveling, but I have kept in touch with several of my High School friends. We belong to the local Country Club and enjoy golf, swimming, and good fellowship. We are blessed with an abundant life: spiritually, materially and physically, and offer our thanks daily to the One who makes it all possible.

Tuckerton High School 1944 Postcard (Courtesy of the Tuckerton Historical Society.)

Linda (Lindy) Allen McNeil

62 Cozy Oaks Park Cardiff, N.J. 08232

Graduated in 1932 and married in 1933 for thirty-six years. After having reared five daughters I moved to the Pleasantville area in 1969, and worked for Lenox Inc. over eight years. Retired in 1979. Have nine grand-children; three grand-sons, and six grand-daughters. I now enjoy doing Home Crafts - knitting, crocheting, etc. I belong to the Pomona Senior Citizens' Club and enjoy many trips with them.

* * * * * * *

Julie (Judy) Archer Purdy

19244 Meadow Brook

N. Ft. Myers

Florida 33903

215 Surf Avenue

The Surfsider

North Wildwood, N.J. 08206

Julia Archer

Graduated 1932 and married the same year.

Five years later son, James C. MacDonald II was born in Tuckerton. He is presently a Math and Science teacher at Middle Township High School, Cape May Court House, N.J. He recently received a $38,000. Federal Grant to erect, for study, a 95 ft. energy producing Windmill. I have two grand-children; Jimmy III, 15 years of age, and Heather, nine. While still living in new Gretna, worked at Chalfonte Haddon Hall (Resorts International Casino) in the Publicity Dept. During Second World War lived in Chester, Pa., worked in the Philadelphia office of John A. Roebling Steel Co., did general Clerical duties, but then became one of the first female Expediters, due to men going in the Service. Was divorced in 1943 and moved to Collingswood, N.J. Went to work at New York Shipbuilding Corp. (navy Dept.) as Chauffeur, Re­ceptionist, and Hostess. A very interesting career - meeting such notable people as Margaret Mitchell ("Gone With The Wind") , Admiral Halsey’s wife an family, President Franklin D. Rosevelt's aide, Harry Hopkins and family, the DuPont and Spruce families, to name just a few. I was privileged to board many Aircraft Carriers for the Launchings, and Trial Boards such as the Guam, Saipan and Bataan. Stayed with the Company two more years after the war. In 1943 I attended Night Classes of the Bessie V. Hicks, Dramatic Art School, and in 1944 attended Night Classes in Millinery at Spring Garden Institute; both schools located in Philadelphia. In 1947 went to work at Camden Courier Newspaper in the Advertising Dept. which was another interesting position. Married Robert L. Purdy, graduate of The Wharton School, University of Penna., in the New Gretna Presbyterian Church on April 24, 1948. Bob retired in 1975 from Singer Company as Systems Business Machines’ Manager of the Phil. office. While living in Moorestown and Cherry Hill I was involved in Republican politics. The biggest disaster was when I headed up the campaign for the N.J. State Women's Republican Federation (Charlie Sandman for Governor), who was badly defeated in 1963. From 1960 to 1965 worked at the Garden State Race Track in Cherry Hill, Mutual and Admissions Dept., during their 3_.prin.; Spring and Fall Meets. In 1904 received an appointment to work In the N.J. State Racing Commission office. This lasted only one year due to change of party ruling in Cherry Hill. When not working, did Volunteer Service work for West Jersey Hospital, Camden, N.J. Received a 1000 hour gold pin with diamond. Also, served four years as President of an Auxiliary associated with the Hospital. Having a Summer home at the Seashore (Wildwood Crest) and Bob playing golf, prompted me to take up golf seriously. After several years of playing and several interfering health problems, I became very much interested in the game. In 1976 and 1977 served as President of the Wildwood Women’s Golf Asso. comprising a group of eighty-seven members. Have been fortunate enough to have had two HOLE-IN-ONES; one locally and one in Stuart, Fl. Have won many trophies at both outside Clubs and at the W.W.G.A. Especially proud of “OUT OF STATE SWEEPSTAKES" in 1976 at the Mission Inn Golf & Country Club, near Orlando, Fl. Our retirement interest is golf, so last year we bought a home at Lake Fairway's Golf & Country Club in Ft. Meyers, Fl. We are located on a lake and the 18th Hole Fairways. We have done a bit of traveling within the States, Hawaii, Ireland and London, returning on the famous QE2. In September we plan a trip to Alaska, In January 1982 we moved (suddenly) from a condo in Stone Harbor to the above mentioned address. Would enjoy hearing from old friends.

Stop by next Wednesday for our last posting regarding the 50th Reunion of the 1932 Tuckerton High School class. We will feature an autobiography by Marian Broome. Those of you who knew Marian won't want to miss it.

Pete S