Rogers Family History: January 2011

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Those Places Thursday - Trenton, NJ - A Century Ago

Having never been to Trenton, NJ where many of my husband's paternal ancestors lived for quite some time, it is hard to get a feel for the area. Since there are no family pictures from his father's side of the family I can't look back that way either. I have been lucky to find a couple of old pictures by purchasing a subscription to the historical archives of the Trenton Times for which I am thankful.

Broad Street, Trenton, NJ Postmarked 1909

Another way I have recently found to get an idea of the times these ancestors lived in is to buy old postcards. I have been lurking on eBay and bidding on those of interest. Just last night I lost out on one of Mercer Hospital where both his grandfather and great-grandfather both worked as doctors. That really hurt, but I have to believe I will come across another one! Here is one I recently bought with a postmark of 1909 depicting a typical scene on Broad Street. My husband's great-grandfather, Dr. Elmer H. Rogers, well-known, respected doctor and city physician of Trenton died in 1907, but this is close enough to give me an idea of how he must have driven about daily in his horse and buggy, navigating the streets of Trenton. Evidently this undertaking could be quite precarious and tricky. See the stories below.


Trenton Times 18 Aug 1888


Trenton Times 7 Nov 1903

Trenton Sunday Advertiser 13 Dec 1903

Monday, January 24, 2011

Military Monday - Cadet Clark Hildinger of Trenton, NJ

From the Trenton Evening Times 15 Oct 1933 - Clark Hildinger, son of Charles and Helen (Dunn) Hildinger theater owners of Trenton, New Jersey. Clark attended the Staunton Military Academy at Staunton, West Virginia.

In 1942, J. Clark, then aged 25 and an executive with his family's theater chain, left for armed forces as evidenced by this article in the Trenton Evening Times 16 Apr 1942. He was honored in a surprise reception by 50 of his associates including his mother, his cousin Charles F. Sweet who worked for the Hildinger enterprises for many years. Also, attending was David R. C. Johnston, Clark's uncle who was married to Mary Elizabeth Hildinger, sister to Clark's father Charles Hildinger. David worked for the Hildingers for many years as a theater manager first starting at the old Park theater which later became the Rialto and later as manager at the Strand. David Johnston was my husband's great-grandfather.

In March of 1943 J. Clark was promoted from private to corporal and headquartered at Fort Dix. Upon his return to Trenton after his service he again took up his position as an executive with the Hildinger Theater enterprises.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Those Places Thursday - Stacy-Trent Hotel, Trenton, NJ

I bought this great old postcard of the Stacy-Trent Hotel in Trenton, New Jersey. The first class hotel was located at the corner of State and Willow. It opened its doors on 19 Sep 1921. Many important people including celebreties and government officials made the Stacy-Trent their base while in Trenton. Unfortunately, business declined during the 1950's and 1960's and the building was demolished in 1967.