| Biography | 1921 | In 1921: History of Middlesex County,1664-1920, Vol 2, p. 181-2, Now living retired at his home in Menlo Park, New Jersey, enjoying to the full the fruits of his long years of honest and honorable endeavor, this being a natural sequence, William Carman can review the past with satisfaction and enjoyment, realizing that the part he took in the affairs of his adopted town were for its betterment and uplift along many lines. He is also well known throughout Middlesex County and is one of her foremost citizens.William Carman was born in Metuchen, New Jersey, August 31, 1849, a son of Melancthon and Ann Maria (Ayres) Carman, the former named having been a prosperous lumber dealer and the operator of a saw mill located in Newark, New Jersey, which enterprises he conducted in a thoroughly reliable manner for many years. In 1860 Melancthon Carman erected a house for the use of himself and family in Menlo Park, and this has been the family homestead to the present time (1920), a period of sixty years.William Carman was a student in the public schools of Newark, completing his course in the high school of that city. For many years after engaging in his business career he was identified with the drug trade in Newark and Jersey City, later entering the employ of Thomas Edison, the noted inventor, serving as clerk in his office for a period of six years, at Menlo Park, after which he was elected to the office of sheriff for Middlesex County, in which capacity he served for three years, and the following four and a half years he filled the office of Under Sheriff. Subsequently he was a member of the County Tax Board for three years. The duties pertaining to these various positions he performed in a capable manner, winning the commendation of all concerned.Mr. Carman is a Presbyterian in religion, and interested in the work of the church of that denomination in Metuchen; a Republican in politics, and a thirty-second degree Mason, serving as past Grand Commander of New Jersey.Mr. Carman married, April 11, 1872, Mary E. Bryson, a native of Newark, New Jersey, born November 10, 1850, daughter of James and Jane E. Bryson, of Newark, New Jersey. Mr. and Mrs. Carman are the parents of five children: 1. George E., married Josephone Flannigan of Metuchen, New Jersey, 2. Caroline A., married Ambrose Mundy, of Metuchen, and they have five children: Caroline C., Mrion, Stanley, Mildred, and Carman. 3. William, Jr., now at home with his parents, 4. Albert S. married Margaret Edson, of Ramsey, New Jersey. 5. May, a twin of Albert S., now (1921) at home with her parents. |