History: Charles and Elmer Geran of Matawan

The Matawan Journal issue of 25 September 1880 contains an ad for Charles A Geran's hardware store in Matawan. Charles claimed to have a well-selected stock of crockery, glass and earthenware, hardware, cutlery, paints, oils, putty, lime and lath, cement, plaster of Paris, land plaster, Paris Green, London Purple, etc. Paris green and London purple were insecticides introduced about 1878, according to Clemson University's A Chronological History of Insecticides and Control Equipment (1854 - 1954)

Charles Ackerman Geran was was born in March 1845 in Marlboro Township, the youngest of eight children of Thomas and Martha (Pease) Geran, according to his front page obituary in the 6 Oct 1921 edition of The Matawan Journal.

Charles (5 NJ) was the youngest of six children in the Marlboro household of Thomas and Martha Geran in the 1850 Federal Census. Charles had brothers Acerman (Ackerman) (21), Edward (15), Alfred (13), and Obediah (9) and a sister Catharine (7). (Note: Ackerman Geran would serve as a dentist in Matawan.)

Charles (15 NJ) was living with his parents in Marlboro in the 1860 Federal Census as well. His father, Thomas (60 NJ), was a carpenter. Charles' mother was Martha Ann (57 NJ). His siblings were Edward (25), laborer; Alfred (23), carpenter; Obadiah (19); and Catherine (17).


Charles clerked for Theodore Fountain in the early 1860s.

• Fountain was the youngest son of John Fountain, a Methodist Episcopal minister, according to the 15 Mar 1935 edition of The Matawan Journal. John brought his family to New Jersey when he transferred here from the Maryland conference.
• Theodore worked on the wharfs of Middletown Point until he built, opened and operated a store in Matawan, according to the 15 Mar 1935 edition of The Matawan Journal. 
• Fountain was a 40 year old merchant living in Matawan in the 1860 Federal Census with wife Sarah and two children. 
• Theodore died in 1864 and his widow left Matawan in 1867, according to the 15 Mar 1935 edition of The Matawan Journal.
• Fountain's wife Sarah and son Edward and two more children were living in Millstone in the 1870 Federal Census. 
• Fountain's widow's half-sister, Hannah Bowman, died on 12 Aug 1885 at DeBow's mill pond, southwest of Freehold, according to the 15 Aug 1885 edition of The Matawan Journal. Hannah and a friend drowned when their boating overturned and they couldn't swim.
• Fountain's son Ed was honored in 1935 for his service to The Matawan Journal in its early days. His experience there led to a job in New York, according to the article in the 15 Mar 1935 edition of the paper. Ed was the son of Theodore and Sarah V (Bowman) Fountain. 

Charles next worked as a prescription clerk for Dr Judson G Shackleton.

Charles married Lydia Hendrickson of Middletown in 1869. They moved to a home on Jackson Street in Matawan while they built a new house on Broad Street, which they occupied about 1872. They moved to a home near his business about 1900.

Charles (25 NJ) and Lydia (20 NJ) were living in Matawan in the 1870 Federal Census. Charles was a clerk in a store.


Charles then went to work in William Spader's lumber and hardware business in Matawan. He became Spader's partner and then took over the business when Spader retired.

• The 1870 Federal Census showed William Spader, age 54 NY, as a lumber merchant with $13,000 in personal property and $27,000 in real property.  Spader was living in Matawan with wife Mary (54 NY) and daughter Mary (15 NJ). 
• The 1880 Federal Census showed William Spader (62 NY) as a retired merchant. 
• I expect there is a link of some sort to Elizabeth Spader Clark, who is mentioned several times elsewhere in this blog.

The 1880 Federal Census for New Jersey lists Charles A Geran, age 35, living in Matawan and occupied as a hardware merchant. His wife Lydia was 31 years old and their children were Laura (9), Henry (6), and Elmer (5).

The 1900 Federal Census lists Charles A Geran living in Matawan Township with Lydia, his wife of thirty years, and two adult sons Henry and Elmer. Charles was born in March 1845 in New Jersey and was occupied as a merchant of hardware and tools.

Charles ran the above ad in the 28 Nov 1901 edition of The Matawan Journal. He was selling ammunition for the hunting season from "the old stand."

Charles, Lydia, and son Elmer, as well as daughter Laura Henderson and son-in-law Arris Henderson were living on Main Street in Matawan for the 1910 Federal Census. Charles was a hardware merchant and his son Elmer was a lawyer.

Charles, Lydia, and son Elmer, as well as daughter Laura Henderson and son-in-law Arris Henderson were living at 185 Main Street in Matawan for the 1920 Federal Census. Charles was a real estate agent and his son Elmer was Monmouth County sheriff.

Charles died at his home in Matawan on 3 Oct 1921.


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The Biographic Directory of the United States Congress provides this profile of Charles Geran's son,  Elmer, who went on to become a US Congressman:

Elmer Hendrickson Geran (24 Oct 1875 - 12 Jan 1954): a Representative from New Jersey; born in Matawan, Monmouth County, N.J., October 24, 1875; attended the public schools and Glenwood Military Academy; was graduated from Peddie Institute, Hightstown, N.J., in 1895, from Princeton University in 1899, and from New York Law School in 1901; was admitted to the New Jersey bar in 1901 and commenced practice in Jersey City, N.J.; member of the State house of assembly in 1911 and 1912; member of the New Jersey State Water Supply Commission 1912-1915; assistant prosecutor of the pleas of Monmouth County 1915-1917; again a member of the State house of assembly in 1916 and 1917 and served as minority leader; sheriff of Monmouth County 1917-1920; appointed United States district attorney for New Jersey by President Wilson in 1920; resigned in 1921 and resumed the practice of law in Asbury Park, N.J.; elected as a Democrat to the Sixty-eighth Congress (March 4, 1923-March 3, 1925); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1924 to the Sixty-ninth Congress; resumed the practice of his profession until September 22, 1927; in 1927 became associated with the New Jersey Gravel & Sand Co. at Farmington, and was serving as vice president and treasurer at time of death; died in Marlboro Township, Morganville, N.J., January 12, 1954; interment in Old Tennent Cemetery, Tennent, N.J.