"Portrait and Biographical Record of Hunterdon and Warren counties, New Jersey"
Chapman Publishing Company, New York and Chicago, 1898
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JOHN INGHAM. During the long period of
thirty-five years this citizen, whose death
occurred July 21, 1892, was one of the substantial and enterprising business men of Phillipsburg, Warren County. For more than a score of
years he was the efficient and trusted superintendent of the Warren Foundry, and largely to
his energy, skill and business methods are due
the success of this establishment, as he firmly
fixed their reputation for reliability and excellence of work turned out of their plant. He won
the esteem and genuine regard of those who were
under his supervision, as well as the confidence
and good will of his superiors.
In tracing the history of John Ingham one is
struck with the manly, determined character that
manifested itself in his actions from the time
that he was a mere boy. He was born at Sowerby Bridge, Yorkshire, England, April 17, 1830,
being one of nine children. His parents, then in
somewhat straightened circumstances, were compelled to have their sous enter the world-struggle
for a livelihood at an early age. Thus, at a time
when John Ingham should have been attending
school he was at work in the woolen mills of
Bradford. The lad was naturally of a mechanical turn of mind and this quality was developed
by the studies and experiments which he constantly pursued. He secured employment in the
Bowling Iron Works next, with the intention of
learning the molder's trade, but was soon deterred
by the rule which he found was in force, that none
but the sons of iron-molders were permitted to
learn the trade. He was, however, but fifteen
when his skill and intelligence led to his being
placed in charge of a gang of men engaged in the
handling of heavy castings.
At the end of two years, seeing that there was
no prospect of further advancement, the ambitious
youth thought that he would go to Australia, but,
as his means were not sufficient to convey him to
that far-away land, he came to the United States.
During the tedious voyage of five weeks' duration
the ship encountered severe storms and the passengers suffered greatly, as the hatches were
closed much of the time, owing to the high seas,
and ship-fever broke out, resulting in the death
of several unfortunates each day. The fever so
greatly dreaded did not overcome young Ingham
until after he had reached land, but he was soon
obliged to enter a hospital, remaining there for
thirteen weeks. At last he was sent out as well,
but he was still very weak and had but $1 in
the world. Without friends, in a strange land,
the future looked very dark, but he had a brave
heart and would not submit to defeat. One day
he met a man who had crossed the Atlantic on
the same ship and in their conversation this acquaintance spoke of a friend of his who owned an
iron foundry in Milford, Pa. Our sturdy young
hero decided that he would go there and seek
employment, did so and was successful. At the
end of a year he removed to Sussex County, N.
J., where he was employed at a small foundry for
a few months. Then he worked in Hay's foundry, on Fourteenth Street, New York City, until
1857. By this time he had become a skilled
mechanic, quick aud active, and was ready for
a position requiring larger abilities of both mind
and workmanship. In March, 1857, he came to
Phillipsburg, and contracted to complete a pipe
contract which the Warren Foundry was engaged
in making for the city of Washington. He was
so successful in this and other contracts that the
directors, on February 13, 1871, elected Mr.
Ingham to succeed John F. Ward as superintendent, which office he held up to the time of his
death.
From the day that he located in Phillipsburg
until he was summoned to the silent land, Mr.
Ingham was thoroughly interested in the development and welfare of this city. He was an earnest supporter of the Republican party from the
birth of the organization. Years ago he served
as a school trustee and as a member of the town
council. He was a regular attendant of the Main
Street Methodist Episcopal Church and substantially aided in its maintenance. He was not a
member of the church, although he was an active
trustee of the board for several years. He was
a true friend to the poor and needy and in the
hearts of many a citizen here his memory is
cherished for the unostentatious good that he
was constantly doing. He left a wife and four
children and two sisters who are still in England.
He was married to Isabella McKane and to them
were born three daughters and one son, viz.:
Mary, wife of Isaac Z. Hamlin; Mrs. Emma
Spettigue, widow of William R. Spettigue; Miss
Bella and James, all residents of Phillipsburg.
James is assistant superintendent of the Warren
Foundry and Machine Company.
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