this gentleman who has honored the state to which he belongs and whose labors have been of untold benefit. "By their fruits ye shall know them," and in the light of sober investigation we find that he has wrought along the lines of great good to the multitude.

· Rev. Wilson was born near Center Bridge, over the Delaware river in Hunterdon county, New Jersey, on the i8th of November, 1811. He has passed the psalmist's span of life by two decades, but although the snows of many winters have whitened his hair, he has the vigor of a much younger man and in spirit and interests seems yet in his prime. Old age is not necessarily a synonym of weakness or inactivity. It need not suggest as a matter of course want of occupation or helplessness. There is an old age that is a benediction to all who come in contact with it, that gives out of the rich stores of learning and experience and grows stronger intellectually and spiritually as the years pass. Such is the life of Dr. Wilson, an encouragement to his associates and an example well worthy of emulation to the young. In his early youth his time was largely occupied with work upon the home farm, where he remained until fourteen years of age, when he went to Pike county, Pennsylvania, being employed as a lumberman on the Shelolah creek near where it empties into the Delaware river. During the greater part of the time for four years he was in the sawmills, converting into boards the logs which had been driven down the stream for from four to six miles and which were mostly pine. Then when sawed they were carted to the river and rafted down to tide water at Trenton or sold on the war.

After attaining the age of eighteen years the life of Dr. Wilson greatly changed. He left the lumber regions for his old home in Hunterdon county, where he entered upon a course of study, first attending a manual labor school near Sergeantsville, Hunterdon county, and later entering other institutions of learning, concluding a period of ten years largely devoted to the acquirement of an education by a course in the Princeton Theological Seminary, completing his work in that institution in 1840. The following year he was ordained as a preacher of the gospel at the Baptist church in Middletown, New Jersey, and began missionary and pastoral work at Keyport, Monmouth county, where he labored for twelve years, making his home in the family of Commodore Seaport on the Bay shore, called Shoal Harbor. It was there that Dr. Wilson found his first and his second wife and there he resided for very nearly half a century, from 1842. For twelve years he served as pastor at Keyport and for thirty-eight years at Port Monmouth. There were no churches at either place when he entered upon his pastoral labors there, but his zeal and the power of the truth soon awakened a sentiment in favor of the establishment of the churches, and the work was carried on through the long period mentioned, the churches growing in influence and power under the able business ability and spiritual guidance of Dr. Wilson.

He also effectively put forth effort for the material welfare of his fellow men and contributed in large measure to the substantial improvement of the community in which he resided and to the growth of other

portions of the state. He made it his work to secure better transit communication with the outside world. When he located at Shoal Harbor, the only way to reach New York was by the slow and uncertain sloop, and he soon became interested in running a line of steamboats between the Jersey coast and the metropolis. Subsequently he was instrumental in securing railroad communication, first the Raritan and Delaware Bay Railroad and afterward the "All Rail" from Atlantic Highlands to New York by way of Matawan. Another effort which Mr. Wilson put forth for the good of the community and which was likewise crowned with success was the securing of postal accommodations. In this work he was almost alone. He was an officer of the railroad over which the mail would have to be transferred and after securing the grant for the establishment of a postoffice he was made the postmaster and remained in that position for twentyfive years, beginning with the first year of the Civil war. Those were troublous times in old Middletown. The sentiment there was strongly in favor of the Confederacy, rendering it oftentimes anything but pleasant for a Union man, and occasionally his life and property were menaced.

ness.

In 1872 Dr. Wilson entered upon a new work. He was chosen a member of the board of the Peddie Institute, of Hightstown, New Jersey, and was soon appointed financial agent to meet and manage a debt of seventy-five thousand dollars which was then resting upon the school. A foreclosure suit had already been commenced by the trustees of the Continental Life Insurance Company of New York. The school had borrowed forty thousand dollars from the company in its prosperous days but it failed and the money must be paid. Mayor Grace, of New York, had the matter in hand. Mr. Wilson, for the board of trustees, asked of him a reasonable delay before selling the school and property in order to meet the indebtedThis delay was granted and with untiring energy and resolute purpose the almost herculean task of raising seventy-five thousand dollars was begun. The attempt was successful but it meant most unremitting effort and sacrifice on the part of a few faithful souls, chief among whom was Dr. Wilson. He was appointed treasurer of the institution and filled the position for twenty-three years without giving bonds and without making any charge for all his labors of every kind. To-day the school is in a flourishing condition, with an endowment of one hundred and seventy thousand dollars. It is a Christian school of high standing among educational institutions, and although it is Baptist in its government control, pupils of all Protestant denominations are admitted and welcomed, and the attendance has received many additions from other states besides New Jersey. The school is largely a monument to the labors, the zeal and strong purpose of Dr. Wilson, who well regards it as his great life work. The Bucknell University, of Lewisburg, Pennsvlvania, conferred upon him the degree of D. D. That he has a vein of humor is shown in his statement referring to this: "They meant it doubtless for Divinity, but I take it as meaning Doctor of Debts as well." The committee appointed to prepare a minute relating the resignation of Treasurer William V. Wilson, offered the following: "It is with profound regret that owing to the onerous and in

creased duties of the office as well as the multiplicity of years of our beloved treasurer, William V. Wilson, we accept his tendered resignation. And we hereby express our appreciation of his inestimable services as treasurer of this board, so freely given for twenty-three years. During his term of service he not only secured large funds for the school, rescuing it from bankruptcy, but also, unknown to any save himself, until now, the hour of his retirement, privately and on his own account paid claims for which there were no vouchers; thereby removing a bar to the future welfare of the institute. During all these years by his thorough, prompt and wise administration of his office he has maintained the financial honor and integrity of the school. We recommend that this report be incorporated in our minutes; that a copy of it properly inscribed and signed by the president and secretary be given to Brother Wilson. (Signed) T. T. Griffith, A. Ferguson, Thomas Burrows, O. P. Euches, J. C. Buchanan, Committee. H. E. Beats, Secretary, James Buchanan, President. December 13, 1877." A life consecrated to the development of all that is highest and best in man. to the advancement of those things which contribute to his happiness in this earth and serve as a preparation for the life to come—such is a summary of a long, useful and honorable career covering nine decades. In 1891 Dr. Wilson married his third wife, who was Miss Mary A. Willett, of New Monmouth, where he removed, and where he yet resides.

LEWIS EVANS.

From one of the humblest positions in life Mr. Lewis Evans, of Atlantic City, New Jersey, has risen to one beside that of the truly representative men of New Jersey. Born in Estelville, Weymouth township, Atlantic county, August 23, 1842. son of Samuel, a Quaker, and Emeline (Estell) Evans, he received his early education in his native town, and at the age of fifteen years went to Camden, New Jersey, where he found employment as a messenger boy. This was before the cable was laid across the Delaware river. He took up the study of telegraphy, and for several years served as an operator, finally becoming station agent at Atco for the Camden & Atlantic railway. His intelligent conduct of this office later secured for him a more responsible charge at Hammonton, which position he filled until 1863. when he was placed in charge of the station. For twenty-two years, or until 1885, he continued in that service. During this time he was elected clerk of Atlantic county, which office he occupied for two terms, covering a period of ten years, and he was a useful member of the board of education for nine years. The first building and loan association established in Atlantic City was nurtured and stimulated. largely by the efforts of Mr. Evans, who was one of its founders, and he has continued to serve as one of its directors up to the present time (1902). The Second National Bank also has had the advantages of his service as a member of its directors.

In every movement inaugurated for local advancement, Mr. Evans has ever been among the foremost. He was one of the charter members of Neptune Fire Company, of which he has been president from its organization, in 1885. Mr. Evans is a prominent member of the Masonic order and is past master of Trinity Lodge, No. 79, F. & A. M., of which he was formerly secretary for many years; he is a member of Trinity Chapter, R. A. M., and Olivet Commandery, K. T., of Millville. In Odd Fellowship he has attained the position of past grand of American Star Lodge, No. 148. He belongs to the Independent Order of Workmen and the Royal Arcanum. He is a member of the board of governors of the city hospital, and acts as treasurer of that body. He is one of the board of directors of Atlantic Safe Deposit & Trust Company, of Atlantic City.

Politically Mr. Evans is a Republican, and he was elected by that party to a state senatorship in November, 1898, by a large majority, chairman of committee on commerce and navigation, and industrial schools for girls, also chairman of finance committee and reform school for boys. It is thus that a man, through an ambition which nerves him to honest and persistent application to whatever duties come to him in life, finds that appreciation which leads to advancement which is as honorable to himself as it is useful to his fellows. Mr. Evans married Maria S., daughter of Chalkley Leeds, one of the two original proprietors of the present site of Atlantic City. Mr. and Mrs. Evans have three daughters and one son, viz.: Luiana. J. Estell, Emeline and Margaret. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

JAMES F. ACKERMAN, M. D.

James Franklin Ackerman, M. D., a leading physician of Asbury Park, is a son of Joseph and Susan Reed Ackerman, and was born December 29. 1864. at Nashua, New Hampshire. The name is of English origin, and the family was famous in New England throughout the Colonial and Revolutionary periods, some members of it participating in the famous Boston tea party in 1774.

Dr. Ackerman received his early education at Francestown Academy, New Hampshire, and subsequently attended school at Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts, after which he took the classical course at Amherst College. He entered upon the study of medicine at the New York Homeopathic Medical College, New York City, in 1887, and graduated in the class of 1890. He removed to Asbury Park in the winter of 1890 and entered upon the practice of his profession. In 1892 he built his present handsome residence and office at No. 905 Grand avenue, since which time he has built up a large and lucrative practice. He is a member of the New Jersey State Medical Society, of which he is now president, of the New York Materia Medica Society, the Hahnemann Club and Monmouth Club, and of the American Institute of Homeopathy. In politics he is a Republican,