USA > New Jersey > Monmouth County > History of Monmouth County, New Jersey, 1664-1920, Volume II > Part 18
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For twenty-one years, 1894-1915, John Enright gave himself to the Monmouth county schools, and that statement is literally true. His work in the county lives in the schools and in the lives of these who came under his influence. His work for "better schools" in his own county attracted attention from the outside, and in 1915, after more than two de- cades of service, a call came that he could not dis- regard and he accepted appointment as assistant commissioner of education for the State of Now Jersey.
His special work as assistant commissioner was to interpret the school laws and make them adapt- able to the particular needs of New Jersey's School System. His also was the task of settling disputes and controversies in the Department of Education, as well as bonding proceeding. He was aided in these last mentioned phases of his work by the fact that during his early teaching he had studied law in the office of General Haight for four years and also attended lectures in the Columbia Law School. For six years he held that office, during which time he had devoted his attention to the prob- lems of education and with making education prac- tical and adaptable to all members of society. He always espoused the cause of universal education, and his studies have been in line with the work which he has chosen. In June, 1921, Mr. Enright was appointed by Governor Edwards, commissioner of education of New Jersey, the appointment being ad interim, which under the law expires at the close of the session of the Legislature following, pro- vided an appointment had not been made before that time. Governor Edwards made the appoint- ment permanent and the Legislature ratified it.
In 1891 he was elected president of the New Jersey State Teachers' Association, and he has also been president of the New Jersey Council of Edu- cation and president of the New Jersey Association of High School Principals. Charm of manner and the ability to express himself well on all occasions has made him popular as a public speaker. Even before he became a figure in state matters of edu- cation, he was in frequent demand to lecture before
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John Smith
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BIOGRAPHICAL
teachers' meetings and the various school boards. Being recognized as an authority on educational affairs, he is called upon from time to time for ad- vice and suggestions. He has also expressed him- self in authorship and has contributed, among other works, an excellent text-book on civics under the title "New Jersey Government."
In 1918 he was made chairman of a special com- mittee on pensions and retirement funds of the New Jersey Teachers' Association, and at the annual meeting of the association made a verbal report suggesting the adoption of some form of pension for teachers who had grown old in the work of education. He pointed to the reluctance of teachers to take money in the form of a pension, and called attention to the danger of offending their dignity by attempting to make them pensioners of the State in the general meaning of the term. His report therefore recommended a plan including the deduc- tion of a fixed percentage, varying from four to seven per cent. from the regular salaries, this monthly amount to be kept in trust for the teachers by the Department of Education and paid in the form of an annuity whenever old age or misfortune should require its use. This plan also called for an annuity and the payment of the necessary costs of administration of the fund by the State. As Mr. Enright himself expressed it, the committee pro- posed to form a close partnership between the State of New Jersey and the teachers in that State's pub- lic schools. Personally Mr. Enright is a delightful character to know, and combines to an unusual de- gree with the qualities that make a good adminis- trator, those likable, personal attributes that make him a popular man in a social. way. His hair is white, but it is that whiteness which indicates a life full of activity and enjoyment of the good things of the world. He possesses a keen, attrac- tive personality, and has a manner of bearing and speech which is more than pleasing to those who come in contact with him in a social or business way. That indefinable quality which is usually de- scribed as culture he possesses to an unusual degree, and whether he is teaching a school boy, giving ad- vice to a new teacher, or playing the guest of honor and principal speaker at a State banquet, he is able to adjust himself to all conditions in such a way that he and those with whom he is thrown, ex- perience a feeling of comradeship and freedom from formality. His success with the public schools since his entry into educational work has been largely due to this mark of culture, which makes him a fellow among all fellows.
This is best revealed in his success in arousing enthusiasm among his associates. Loyalty and love of their work have been instilled into the men and women to whom is entrusted the work of educating New Jersey's youngsters, and these have been bearing fruit in the increased interest in educa- tional matters. In addition to possessing a delight- ful personality, Mr. Enright is a tireless worker, an enthusiastic organizer, and a capable executive. He is scholarly in his discussion of modern movements,
democratic in manner and speech, energetic when vigor is needed, and a thorough master of educa- tional subjects.
Outside his profession, Mr. Enright is known as a former president of the Freehold Board of Water Commissioners, a present member of the board of directors of Central National Bank of Freehold, also a director in the Second National Bank of Red Bank. He is affiliated with Olive Branch Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, is a past grand master of the New Jersey Ancient Order of United Work- men, and representative to the Grand Council in Chi- cago, Illinois, in June, 1895; Portland, Oregon, in 1896; and in Montreal, Canada, in 1897.
John Enright married Emma Mulford, a daughter of William Mulford, of Cumberland county, New Jersey, and they are the parents of four children: John M., James Geary, Emma Mulford, Mildred La- mont.
John Enright might have been a great lawyer, but what a man would have been lost to educa- tion's cause. Here is a little sample of his style of thinking:
"It is not enough to be able to give a correct definition of education," he has said, discussing the spirit of education as contrasted with formal learn- ing. "The really educated man must feel it and radiate it in all his contacts with his fellows." He also commented at length upon the increasing popu- larity of education in rural communities, and point- ed to figures showing that the percentage of high school graduates was almost twice as high among country students as among their friends in the city. He is himself largely responsible for this interest in education among pupils living in rural and small- town communities, and the figures speak well for his work. He explained this difference in percen- tages with the suggestion that country children were not subjected to the varied distractions that attract the city child.
He is in line with all modern movements for the advancement of public education, such as intel- ligence tests and the numerous grading systems. He is an advocate of collective thinking, and insists that no single teacher, however wise, can be as wise as forty pupils, adding that the teacher who failed to take advantage of the wisdom of her pupils was failing to make the most of her oppor- tunities for great public service.
JOHN STILLWELL APPLEGATE-This name first appeared in the legal records of Monmouth county, New Jersey, in 1861, when John Stillwell Applegate was admitted to the county bar. From that date until the present, 1922, the name has been prominent in the legal annals, and hardly less in the public life of the county. The veteran lawyer, banker, state senator and eminent citizen, after more than half a century at the Monmouth bar, passed to his reward, November 10, 1916, at the age of seventy-nine, but another John Stillwell Applegate had arisen on whom the mantle of the father fell. He came to the bar of Monmouth
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MONMOUTH COUNTY
county in November, 1898, and from that date until the passing of the elder man, father and son prac- ticed together, the firm, John S. Applegate & Son, being formed in 1901. With his admission to the bar in 1861, John S. Applegate, the elder, began his professional residence in Red Bank, and there father and son have made the name a synonym for legal and civic progress, and each generously re- ceived of the honors and benefits with which the law rewards her worthy sons.
This Applegate family is of English origin, trac- ing to Thomas Applegate, who was in Weymouth, Massachusetts, in 1685, and at Gravesend, Long Is- land, in 1647. Monmouth county, New Jersey, be- came the family seat in 1674, when Thomas (2) Applegate settled upon land in Monmouth, which he purchased from the Indians. He became one of the most prominent men of his day, sitting as a member of the first General Assembly held at Shrewsbury, New Jersey, December 14, 1677.
Red Bank became the family home in 1857, when Joseph Stillwell Applegate built a residence there, moving in from his farm in Middletown township, Monmouth county. He was a son of Richard and Mary (Stillwell) Applegate, she a daughter of John Stillwell, quartermaster of the First Regiment, Monmouth County Militia, during the Revolution. Joseph 8. Applegate, born in 1789, died in Red Bank, New Jersey, in 1881, aged ninety-two years. He was a successful farmer of Monmouth county until his retirement in 1857, the last quarter of a century of his life being spent in Red Bank. He married Ann Bray, a descendant of Rev. John Bray, a Baptist minister from England, who founded the first church of that denomination at Holmdel, Mon- mouth county, New Jersey, donating to it the lot and building long known as Bray's Meeting House. She died in Red Bank, in 1878, aged eighty-two years.
John Stillwell Applegate, LL.D., son of Joseph Stillwell and Ann (Bray) Applegate, was born at the home farm in Middletown township, Monmouth county, New Jersey, August 6, 1837, and died at his home in Red Bank, New Jersey, November 10, 1916. He obtained a good preparatory education in county schools of note, and then entered Colgate University, Hamilton, New York, whence he was graduated A. B., class of 1858. Forty-six years later, 1904, Colgate bestowed upon her son the honorary degree of LL.D. Choosing the law as his profession, he studied under the direction of the eminent William L. Dayton, (Attorney-General of New Jersey) for a time, and in November, 1861, was admitted to the New Jersey bar, and in Feb- ruary, 1865, as a counsellor.
The farm in Middletown township was the famliy home until 1857, when Joseph S. Applegate built his residence in Red Bank, and moved therein, the son, John S., beginning law practice there immedi- ately after his admission to the bar in November, 1861. He practiced alone until 1875, then for five years was associated with Henry M. Nevius, who later was a circuit court judge. From 1884 until
1901 he was in law partnership with Frederick W. Hope, and from 1901 until his passing in 1916 he practiced with his son, John S. (2), as John S. Applegate & Son, 84-88 Broad street, Red Bank. He was in turn admitted to all State courts, to the Circuit and District Federal courts, and was con- nected with many of the celebrated cases tried in the Monmouth courts during the more than half a century he was in active practice. His practice had always been large and he won a most honorable rank in the profession he loved.
In the business life of his community, Mr. Apple- gate was also a conspicuous figure. He was one of the incorporators of the New York and Atlantic Highlands railroad, and president of the company until its taking over by the Central railway, of New Jersey; was president of the first Building and Loan Association of the shore district of Monmouth county, 1871-1875; president of the Red Bank Gas Light Company, 1872; a founder and president of the Second National Bank of Red Bank from its organization in 1875 until his resignation in 1886, his share in the upbuilding of these now important corporations being their very life blood.
A Republican in politics, Mr. Applegate from 1862, when he was elected school superintendent of Shrewsbury township, took a very active part in public affairs. He was three times reelected school superintendent. During the Civil War he was a member of the Governor's Light Guard, and aided in recruiting and in the vigorous prosecution of the war. He was made a special deputy of the Union League of America, and formed a number of chap- ters in various parts of New Jersey. In 1865 he was a member of the Republican State Central Com- mittee, and in 1870, when Red Bank was incorpor- ated, he was elected a member of the first Muni- cipal Council, and in 1871 was elected president of the Council. In 1881 he was elected state senator from Monmouth county, the first Republican to win that honor, carrying that then stronghold of Demo- cracy by one thousand votes. Among the bills he introduced, championed and fought to successful issue was one requiring the public printing of the State to be awarded to the lowest responsible bid- der, a bill fought by the newspapers, who had for- merly held it in return for party service. He was also the father of the bill allowing smaller towns and villages to construct and maintain water works, and under that act Red Bank established the first city water system, Senator Applegate becoming, in 1884, a member of the first Board of Water Com- missioners ever appointed in the city.
Senator Applegate was president of the Mon- mouth County Bar Association; a member of the New Jersey Bar Association; a member of the American Bar Association; a trustee of the Mon- mouth Battle Monument Association: a member of the board of managers of the New Jersey Society, Sons of the American Revolution; a charter member and trustee of the Monmouth County Historical Association; a member of Phi Beta Kappa; Delta Kappa Epsilon; New York Genealogical and Bio-
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BIOGRAPHICAL
graphical Society; honorary member of the One Hundred and Fifty-Seventh Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry, and deeply interested in these organizations. In religious faith he was a Bap- tist and served the First Church of Red Bank as president of its board of trustees for many years. In 1880 he delivered the annual Alumni address at Colgate University, and in 1893 he published a memorial volume commemorating the life and ser- vices of George Arrowsmith, who was killed at Gettysburg, and whose memory is perpetuated by Arrowsmith Post, Grand Army of the Republic, of Red Bank. He was made supreme court commis- sioner in 1865, and a special master in chancery in 1885. He was a member of the New Jersey State Chamber of Commerce, and one of the men who could always be depended on to lead or forward any pressing movement.
John S. Applegate married, October 5, 1865, Deborah Catherine Allen, daughter of Charles Gor- don and Catherine (Trafford) Allen, granddaughter of James and Mary (Gordon) Allen, of Scotch- English ancestry. Charles Gordon Allen, born in Middletown township, Monmouth county, New Jer- sey, August 4, 1800, died in Red Bank, March 31, 1885. He was an olden time merchant and vessel owner, the builder of the steamers, "Golden Gate" and "Ocean Wave," which plied between Red Bank and New York. Mr. and Mrs. John S. Applegate were the parents of three children: Annie, a grad- uate of Vassar, 1891, wife of Professor Charles H. A. Wager, of Oberlin College; John Stillwell (2), of further mention; Katherine Trafford, a graduate of Vassar, 1897, wife of Francis J. Donald, and a resi- dent of Broughty Ferry, Scotland.
JOHN STILLWELL (2) APPLEGATE, only son of John Stillwell (1) and Deborah Catherine (Allen) Applegate, was born in Red Bank, New Jersey, June 22, 1872. After graduation from Pin- gry School, Elizabeth, New Jersey, in June, 1891, he entered Colgate University, whence he was grad- uated A. B. class of 1895. He studied law under the preceptorship of his father, and entered Har- vard Law School, receiving his LL.B., class of 1898. In November of that year he was admitted to the New Jersey bar as an attorney, and at once began the practice of law with his father. In 1901 he was admitted to the same bar as counsellor, and the same year the firm, John S. Applegate & Son, was formed, father and son practicing as a firm until the passing of the former in 1916. The business has since been conducted by John S. Applegate, Jr., but under the old firm name. Mr. Applegate is at- torney for the Second National Bank of Red Bank; the New York and Long Branch Railroad Company; the Borough of Red Bank; the Township of Shrews- bury, and the Citizens Building and Loan Associa- tion, of Red Bank. His private practice is large, and he is one of the strong men of the Monmouth bar.
In politics he is a Republican, with an honorable record of public service. For three years, 1905-1908,
he was a member of the Monmouth County Tax Board, and for five years, 1908-1913, prosecutor of the pleas of Monmouth county. On January 11, 1918, he was appointed government appeal agent of local board for Division No. 3, Monmouth County Selective Service, a position he filled as long as the board was in existence. He is a member of the Monmouth County Bar Association, and the American Bar Association. His clubs are the Red Bank Rotary, Deal Golf of Deal, and Hazlet Gun of Hazlet, Monmouth Boat, of Red Bank, all of New Jersey; Gatineau Fish and Game, Ottawa, Canada; and Delta Kappa Epsilon of New York City. He is a member of the Masonic order, affiliat- ing with the various bodies of the York Rite, with the bodies of New Jersey Consistory, Ancient Ac- cepted Scottish Rite, of Jersey City, and is a noble of Salaam Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Newark, New Jersey. He is a member of Red Bank Lodge, No. 233, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. His religious affilia- tion is with the Baptist church, of Red Bank.
Mr. Applegate married, in Red Bank, New Jersey, November 29, 1899, Elizabeth Bowne Bergen, daughter of John Bowne and Amanda Jane (Hill) Bergen. Mr. and Mrs. Applegate are the parenta of a son, John Stillwell (3) Applegate, born in Red Bank, August 10, 1901.
HALSTED H. WAINRIGHT-Since 1878 forty- four years have elapsed, a period that covers Mr. Wainright's career as an attorney, and also is the length of time he has practiced his profession in Manasquan, New Jersey. He is a native son of Old Monmouth, his parents, Halsted (3) and Elizabeth (Bedle) Wainright, residing in Farmingdale at the time of the birth of their son, Halsted H., the father a merchant and undertaker. Mr. Wainright has confined his activities to professional lines, and has gained honorable position among the leaders of the Monmouth county bar.
The family came to Shrewsbury, in Monmouth county, New Jersey, as early as 1668, and a Halsted Wainright was one of the early settlers of Farm- ingdale, in the same county. Wainrights served in the Revolutionary War, and it is an honored county name.
Halsted H. Wainright, son of Halsted (2) Wain- right, and grandfather of our subject, spent his boyhood on the home farm near Farmingdale in adult life, located in the village, and founded the Wainright Store, which in later years passed to his son, Halsted (3) Wainright, of whom further.
Halsted (3) Wainright was born at Farmingdale, January 7, 1831. He conducted a Wainright store until 1858, then founded an undertaking business in Farmingdale, which he conducted until his retire- ment. Halsted (3) Wainright was a Republican in politics, a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Farmingdale, a man thoroughly respected and esteemed. He married Elizabeth Bedle, daugh- ter of James and Margaret (Mount) Bedle, and a cousin of ex-Governor Joseph D. Bedle, and they
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MONMOUTH COUNTY
were the parents of Halsted H. Wainright, of whom further.
Halsted H. Wainright was born in Farmingdale, Monmouth county, New Jersey, September 19, 1854, and there attended public school. He finished study at Freehold Institute, whence he was graduated, class of 1873, then began a four years' course of law study in the office of the eminent Judge Wil- liam H. Vredenburgh, and in 1878 was admitted to the New Jersey bar as an attorney. He at once be- gan practice in Manasquan, and there continues. In 1881 he was admitted as counsellor, and in turn has entered all State and Federal courts of his dis- trict and the New Jersey Supreme Court. He is a director and attorney for the Central National Bank of Freehold, and of Manasquan National Bank; director and trust officer of the Lakewood Trust Company; and attorney for the First Na- tional Bank of Farmingdale, New Jersey. His pri- vate clientele is large, and he is rated a learned and able lawyer.
In politics Mr. Wainright is a Republican, and has served as mayor of Manasquan and as counsel for the Monmouth county Board of Freeholders. He is a past councillor and national representative of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics; past grand and State representative of Independent Order of Odd Fellows; president of the Monmouth County Historical Society, Monmouth County Bar Association, and the Howell Society (a patriotic organization) ; he is a member of the First Meth- odist Episcopal Church of Manasquan.
Mr. Wainright married, in Farmingdale, New Jer- sey, April 15, 1874, Belle V. Nesbitt, daughter of William H. and Julia A. Nesbitt. Mr. and Mrs. Wainright are the parents of eight children. Arthur V., Lizzie B., Clara H., Walter S. K., Frances H., Chester N., Lucinda V., and Halsted (5).
THEODORE F. (T. FRANK) APPLEBY - Among the prominent and representative men of Asbury Park, New Jersey, none stands higher nor possesses a wider circle of friends than Congress- man Theodore Franklin Appleby. Both as a pri- vate citizen and a public official he has measured up to the highest standards of efficiency, and more than satisfied the expectations of his friends and party.
Theodore Franklin Appleby, father of Con- gressman Appleby, and direct descendant of James, the second, son of the Duke of Appleby, Westmoreland county, England, was born in Old Bridge, New Jersey, in 1831, and died in 1888. He attended school in his native place, and later es- tablished himself in the grocery business. In 1875 he came to Asbury Park on a picnic, and was so favorably impressed with the place that he re- turned to Old Bridge, sold out his business inter- ests there, and removed with his family to this com- munity, where, in addition to pursuing his occupa- tion as a merchant, he invested in real estate. He established a grocery store at No. 8 South Main street, at the head of Wesley Lake, which concern he later disposed of, and subsequently built the Ap-
pleby House, on First avenue, and the hot Gramercy, Carlton and Bristol. These hotels sold, and purchased the lots where the Apple building, the Ocean Grove and Asbury Park Tr building, and the Post Office building now stai In politics he was a Republican, and was very : tive in civic affairs.
Mr. Appleby married Addie Mount, of Morgi New Jersey. Mrs. Appleby was an efficient bu ness manager and was a great church worker. Th were the parents of three children: Richard H., produce merchant in Jersey City; Addie, wife Dr. James T. Ackerman; Theodore Franklin, of fi ther mention.
Congressman Theodore F. (T. Frank) Applel son of Theodore F. and Addie (Mount) Applel was born October 10, 1864, at Old Bridge, Midd sex county, New Jersey. In 1875 the family mov to Asbury Park, where the Congressman's boyho days after his eleventh birthday were spent. was educated at Pennington Seminary, and at F Edward Collegiate Institute, from which he w graduated in 1885. While at Pennington he act as captain of the football team, and at the Institu was deeply interested in athletics. His summe were passed at Asbury Park, and during the months he was not idle, doing many small thin that brought him. a few dollars. At the age twenty-one years he entered upon his business ( reer by becoming a member of the real estate a insurance firm of Willisford Dey & Company. ] at once became active in this line of business, a from the start gave indications of what the futt would bring, having unbounded confidence in t increase of the value of the property along t New Jersey coast, and being willing to back ] opinions by making investments in the proper He found it necessary to sever his connections wi his partner, therefore in 1887 he established hi: self in business without a partner, and since th has conducted a large and profitable real ests and insurance business. He located first at N 708 Cookman avenue, in a small way, but later, 1895, removed to Main and Mattison avenues. 1886 he built the Appleby building, and in 18 enlarged it by adding an additional story. He one of the original company that laid out Alle hurst, and in association with Mr. Windsor he la out Bradley Beach. In 1916 the business was i corporated under the name, T. Frank Apple' Company, with the following officers: Congressm. Appleby, president; Stewart Hoffman Applet vice-president; Theodore F. Appleby, secretar The business of the company extends up and dov the New Jersey coast for many miles, the compa: representing twenty-one insurance companies, wi offices at Bradley Beach, Avon, Allenhurst, Asbu Park, and Deal. He has been agent of the Live pool, London and Globe Insurance Company f thirty-five years. His thorough business qualific tions have always been in good demand on boards directors, and his public spirit has led him to a cept many of such trusts. He is ex-president of t
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