Elizabeth New Jersey Genealogy

Ancestors of George Mitchell Hooper of Bridgewater, MA

The Hooper family, established in New England by William Hooper in 1635, has deep roots in Bridgewater, MA. His son, John Hooper, settled in Bridgewater and had several descendants involved in various local endeavors. George Mitchell Hooper, born in 1838, engaged in the brick manufacturing business and served in local government, reflecting the family’s long-standing commitment to community service. His marriage to Jane Hayward further connected the Hoopers to influential local families, including the Mitchells, whose ancestry traces back to early colonial times.

Biography of Abraham Stites

Abraham Stites, born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, during the Revolutionary War, moved with his family to the Ohio Valley in 1808. He trained as a lawyer and settled in Georgetown, Kentucky, before relocating to Hopkinsville in 1818. Noted for his legal acumen and dedication to education, Stites served as Clerk of the Christian County Court for over thirty years. He was respected for his public spirit and commitment to conciliation over litigation. Stites raised a prominent family, including Judge Henry J. Stites. He died in February 1864 during a skirmish in Hopkinsville.

Biographical Sketch of J. I. Ayer

J. I. Ayer, born on February 3, 1854, in Medford, Massachusetts, moved to Elizabeth, New Jersey, at age 12. After a military education in civil engineering, he helped manage a family book and stationery business. In 1870, he relocated to Mattoon, Illinois, where he worked on local railroads for three years. Ayer later became a bookkeeper before buying a book and music store in 1877. He married Mary L. Cleveland in 1876 and has one daughter. He is related to the notable Dr. J. C. Ayer.

Biography of Walter L. Fay

Walter L. Fay, born on February 5, 1859, in Auburn, New York, is a notable figure in manufacturing. After attending the Pingry School, he began his career as an office boy at D. M. Osborne Company, eventually rising through the ranks. In partnership with Ernest S. Bowen, he founded Fay & Bowen, initially producing bicycle components before transitioning to gasoline engines and launches. The company flourished in Geneva, exporting worldwide. An active community member, Fay served in various leadership roles and was politically independent. He married Minnie G. in 1888 and had two children.