Sunday's Obituary - Ellerslie Wallace Rogers - Trenton, NJ

I have written before of the sad, short life of the first-born son of Dr. Elmer H. and Mary (Bowers) Rogers, Ellerslie Wallace Rogers.  He was my husband's grand-uncle.  Although his father was a respected Trenton, NJ physician, he was not able to save his own child from dying.  I have not been able to find out why Ellerslie or Wallace as it appeared he was called died, the only mention of his death is this short mention in the Trenton Times on 20 Feb 1895:

Although some months ago I had requested via Find-A-Grave, a photograph of his headstone at Riverview Cemetery in the family plot, I was very disappointed to be told there was none.  However, just this week out of the blue I received notification that another Find-A-Grave contributor had added these pictures of Ellerslie and his sister Helen's headstones (who I will write about also) and I am so grateful to have these pictures.

Riverview Cemetery, Trenton, NJ

Main Headstone - Rogers Children

Those Places Thursday - Mercer Hospital, Trenton, New Jersey

I was lucky enough to score these vintage postcards on eBay of Mercer Hospital in Trenton, New Jersey where my husband's ancestors were affiliated, first his great-grandfather, Dr. Elmer H. Rogers who died in 1907 and then his grandfather, Dr. Alvin Stackhouse Rogers, Sr. who died in 1937.

These postcards are postmarked circa 1910 -1913 so are very indicative of the era.

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

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.

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.

Stacy-Trent Hotel 1920's

Wordless Wednesday - The Princess - Trenton, NJ Theatre History

Grand Opening of Princess Theatre Owned by Hildinger Theatre Interests

Trenton Evening Times 12 Nov 1914

Sunday's Obituary - Helen Dunn Hildinger

Helen Beatrice Dunn Hildinger 1895 - 1960
Born:  Jan 1895
Died:  15 Dec 1960
Father:  Harry Dunn
Mother:  Margaret A. Mooney