USA > New Jersey > Monmouth County > History of Monmouth County, New Jersey, 1664-1920, Volume II > Part 20
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He is a son of Stillwell Patterson, who was born in Middletown township, Monmouth county, New Jersey, and there was educated and taught the car- penter's trade. He died at his home in Shrewsbury township, Monmouth county, New Jersey, aged sev- enty-three years. He married Jeannette Louisa Van Schoick, of an ancient Dutch family, and they were the parents of nine children, four of whom are yet living. Both Mr. and Mrs. Patterson were mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church. Children: Amelia A., deceased, wife of Benjamin W. Spinning, he also deceased; Charles M .; George F., killed dur- ing the Civil War, he a Union soldier; Arthur Allen, of further mention; Frank W .; Marietta, died in in- fancy; Clarence, died in infancy; Harris B .; one died in infancy.
Arthur Allen Patterson was born in New York City, July 4, 1846. He spent his early years in Red Bank, and after school years were over he became a mercantile clerk, and during the early years of his career was employed with different Red Bank firms, and for a time was employed with the New Jersey "Standard" of Red Bank. At the age of twenty-six, in 1872, he formed a partnership with his brother-in-law, Benjamin W. Spinning, husband of his eldest sister Amelia A., and began business as Spinning & Patterson, a firm that waxed prosper- ous in both business and reputation. Mr. Spinning died March 14, 1896, but Mr. Patterson continued in business, reorganizing as Patterson & Spinning, continuing until 1913, when he withdrew and has since lived a life free from business cares of a pri- vate nature except as treasurer of the North Shore
Municipalities, although his civic responsibilities have increased.
A Republican in politics, and keenly alive to the responsibilities of citizenship, Mr. Patterson was al- ways interested in public affairs, but as a citizen only until 1917, when he was elected mayor of Red Bank and was twice elected to succeed himself. The outstanding features of his three terms in the mayor's chair were the great advances made in street improvements and in the fire department, but in every department business methods prevailed, and Red Bank profited through the "business man in politics." Always an active church worker, Mr. Patterson is yet a member of the official board of the Red Bank Methodist Episcopal Church, now serving as president of the board of trustees, after having filled about every church office to which a layman is eligible. He is a member and treasurer of both the Loyal Association and the Ancient Order of United Workmen, of Red Bank.
Mr. Patterson married (first), in 1871, Matilda E. Cochrane, (second) October 2, 1886, Catherine Rutherford Evans. By his first marriage there were three children born: 1. Howard Arthur, who died at the age of thirty-nine, leaving a son, Arthur Howard (2). 2. Jane Esther, married Edwin B. Hopkinson, and resides in Maplewood, New Jersey; Mr. and Mrs. Hopkinson are the parents of four children living: Dorothy, Richard, Alice and Mary, and Janet, deceased. 3. George S., died in infancy. Mr. Patterson now makes his home with his step- daughter, Jennie F., wife of John L. Hubbard, of Red Bank.
Such in brief is the record of a useful, well-spent life, which has now covered three-quarters of a cen- tury of years, 1846-1921. So long as men respect honor and integrity, so long will Arthur Allen Pat- terson rank high in the regard of his fellowmen.
WILLIAM A. SWEENEY-The Red Bank "Standard," the oldest paper in Red Bank, was established in April, 1851, by Henry Morford, a man of unusual literary attainments. The paper has passed through many hands during its seventy years of existence, but has weathered all storms, and has always been a paper devoted to the interests of Red Bank, and one of the city's prized institu- tions. In 1906 William A. Sweeney formed a company that purchased the "Standard" and from that year he has been the editor and managing head, as well as owner of practically all the stock. Mr. Sweeney has been connected with Monmouth county . journalism since 1879, when as a boy of fourteen he began learning the printing trade in the office of the Monmouth press. He soon turned from the mechanical to the editorial side of journalism, and before he was of legal age, was a local editor. He is a man of strong convictions, expresses himself clearly in his editorials, is just and fearless; an editor that feels his responsibilities and carefully guards his utterances. He is a powerful advocate of any cause which he espouses, and equally power- ful as an opponent.
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MONMOUTH COUNTY
William A. Sweeney was born at Wickatunk, Monmouth county, New Jersey, June 26, 1875, son of Dennis and Anna M. (Heiser) Sweeney and grandson of John and Teressa Heiser. Dennis Sweeney, a farmer and Civil War veteran, a mem- ber of Company I, Twenty-ninth Regiment, New Jersey Volunteer Infantry, has passed away, but his wife survives, a resident of Atlantic Highlands. They were the parents of eight children: William A., of further mention; Van C., of Fair Haven, New Jersey; Charles E., of Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey; Herbert, of Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey; John L., of Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey, borough attorney, and secretary of Monmouth County Tax Board; Ada M., died in girlhood; Mrs. Grace Heath of Brooklyn, New York.
William A. Sweeney remained at the home farm in Wickatunk until 1888, and obtained during that period a good public school education. In 1889 at the age of fourteen, he began learning the printer's trade with the Monmouth Press. He became an expert compositor, and remained with the Press until the founding of the Atlantic Highlands "Jour- nal" a few years later. He then entered the service of that paper, and before he had reached the age of twenty-one was occupying the local editor's desk. From the "Journal" he went to the Red Bank "Register" as a reporter, and for nine years was with that paper. In 1906 he organized a company, and bought the old established Red Bank "Stand- ard," a paper then in its fifty-fourth year.
After the transfer of the "Standard" had been effected, Mr. Sweeney assumed editorial control, and has most successfully conducted the paper during the fifteen years which have since intervened. Under him the paper has become strongly Republican in its politics, making the paper agree with the per- sonal political sentiments of the editor, Mr. Sweeney, who is active and influential in that party. He was assistant journal clerk of the New Jersey house of Assembly in 1912, and on March 1, 1919, was ap- pointed by Governor Edge, commissioner of public reports for a term of five years, to expire in 1924. For the past year he has been connected with the State Purchasing Department, as an expert on print- ing. He has served as chairman of the Monmouth County Republican Committee, and for ten years as chairman of the Red Bank City Republican Committee; and for three years was a member of the Red Bank Assessment Commission. He has sat as delegate in many county, district, and State party conventions. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and for many years an official member. In May, 1920, he attended the Quadren- nial General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal church, held at Des Moines, Iowa, as a lay dele- gate from the New Jersey Conference, a very dis- tinguished honor. He is a member of the Red Bank Rotary Club, and of the Red Bank Lodge of Elks.
In January, 1921, the "Standard" moved to the building at No. 24 Monmouth street, formerly oc- cupied by the post office, and there it is published from one of the most modern and best equipped
newspaper plants to be found in any of the smaller cities of the country. In fact, the "Standard" in all its departments and appointments, is thorough, mod- ern, and a worthy representative of the modern, progressive city of which it is an important part.
Mr. Sweeney married, Lulu M. Johnson, daughter of Robert A. and Angeline Johnson, of Navesink, her father deceased, her mother living. Mrs. Sweeney is also a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church. The family home is at No. 141 Chest- nut street, Red Bank.
JOHN W. MOUNT-The J. W. Mount Company of Red Bank, New Jersey, is the outgrowth of the business established by John W. Mount in 1860, for the manufacture of carriages and the repairing of light vehicles. Until the disastrous fire of 1907, the business was conducted by Mr. Mount along the lines indicated, but with the practical destruction of his plant he gave up the old and always successful business and rebuilt his plant with especial refer- ence to the automobile business, incorporating as the J. W. Mount Company; John W. Mount, presi- dent; Cornelius S. Mount, vice-president; John H. Mount, secretary-treasurer. Fourteen years have since elapsed, the officials are the same, and where formerly carriages bearing the Mount name plate were shipped to all points in the United States, now automobiles complete and automobile bodies for all styles of cars, limousine, sedan, or touring, are as widely distributed from the same maker. Mount means merit in vehicles, and always will so long as the present management continues. The company builds every kind of automobile body for other manufacturers, and also purchase the chassis, build their own bodies, and ship a completed car. All kinds of repair work to car or carriage is done at the plant in Red Bank, and they manufacture a high grade ambulance. The plant employs half a hundred people, and covers a floor space of 35,000 square feet. In addition to the above mentioned plant activities, the company maintain salesrooms and are agents for the Cadillac and Chevrolet cars. The plant is a veritable hive of industry, and has been for the past sixty years as firm and corpora- tion.
John W. Mount is a son of Timothy B. Mount, and a descendant of George Mount, who came to Middletown, New Jersey, prior to 1669. Timothy B. Mount, was a son of Cornelius Mount, and grandson of William Mount, a descendant of George Mount, aforementioned. William Mount was born in New Jersey, December 25, 1750, and on Christ- mas Day, 1782, married Rebecca Stevenson, born July 6, 1761. They were the parents of seven children: Timothy, Cornelius, of further mention; Rebecca, Tilton, Edward; Elizabeth, married Rich- ard Corliss; Margaret, married James Bedel.
Cornelius Mount, son of William and Rebecca (Stevenson) Mount, born April 14, 1787, married, January 26, 1804, Eleanor Hankinson, daughter of Thomas and Nana Hankinson. They were the parents of twelve children: Elizabeth, William;
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Timothy B., of further mention; Ann, Eleanor, Eliz- abeth (2), James, Thomas, John, Charles H., Cor- nelius, and Benjamin C.
Timothy B. Mount, son of Cornelius and Eleanor (Hankinson) Mount, was born March 7, 1813, and died June 22, 1855. He became the owner of a farm at Chapel Hill, New Jersey, where he spent his after life, a blacksmith by trade, also an under- taker. He was a consistent member of the Bap- tist church, and a man of honorable, upright life, a hard worker, who brought his children up to habits of usefulness and thrift. He married, Janu- ary 18, 1836, Mary T. Walling, born January 12, 1814, died May 3, 1892. She was a daughter of John H. and Phoebe (Truax) Walling. She was also an active member of the Middletown Baptist church. Mr. and Mrs. Timothy B. Mount were the parents of five children who reached mature years: William B., born November 19, 1836, died January 29, 1914; John W., of further mention; Robert R., born July 9, 1840; Cornelius S., born October 16, 1853; and Timothy B. (2), born March 29, 1855.
John W. Mount, son of Timothy B. and Mary T. (Walling) Mount, president of the J. W. Mount Company, Incorporated, was born at Chapel Hill, Monmouth county, New Jersey, February 18, 1838, and is now a resident of Red Bank, New Jersey, in his eighty-third year. He was educated in the dis- trict school of the neighborhood, and early became a worker on the farm and in the blacksmith shop owned and operated by his father. At the age of seventeen years he started in business with his brother, William B. Mount, and they conducted a blacksmith and a wheelwright shop at Chapel Hill until 1860, when John W. Mount located in Red Bank, and established the business of the present J. W. Mount Company, Incorporated, of which he is yet the honored head. The start was in a very modest way, but by industry, pluck and determina- tion, the battle was won and a boy's ambitions realized while he was still a young man. He did not rest with success, but pushed forward and has seen the full fruition of his hopes, in a solidly established business, and his son in control, for the veteran builder does not remain at the plant a great deal, but spends his summers at Mountain View Park, located in Hensonville, Greene county, New York, in the heart of the Catskill Mountains, seven miles from Hunter, twenty-five miles from Catskill. The park contains thirty acres of land 2,000 feet above the sea level, and is laid out in lots to suit the purchaser. Mr. Mount has been a member of the Red Bank Baptist Church since 1861, sixty years ago, and for many years has been a deacon. A strict temperance man, the saloon ever had in him an enemy, and in all good causes he "lends a hand." He still continues to ride his bicycle at his advanced age of eighty-four years.
John W. Mount married, January 16, 1860, Eleanor Hendrickson, daughter of Daniel and Mary (Apple- gate) Hendrickson. She was born in Nut Swamp, Monmouth county, New Jersey, in 1840, and died in Red Bank, January 18, 1917, aged seventy-seven
years. Mr. and Mrs. Mount are the parents of three children: Mary E .; John H., of further men- tion; and Frank, who died at the age of thirteen years.
John H. Mount, secretary-treasurer of the J. W. Mount Company, Incorporated, son of John W. and Eleanor (Hendrickson) Mount, was born in Red Bank, New Jersey, August 22, 1864. He was edu- cated in the Red Bank public schools and Peddie Institute of Hightstown, New Jersey, then when school years were over became associated with his father, becoming later a member of the firm. When the business incorporated as the J. W. Mount Com- pany, in 1907, he was elected secretary-treasurer, and is the practical head of the business, taking the burden of the management so far as possible from the venerable president, his father. He is also a director of the Red Bank Trust Company, and a man of high standing in the business community. He is a member of Mystic Brotherhood, Lodge No. 21, Free and Accepted Masons; Hiram Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Red Bank Rotary Club, and of the Baptist church.
John H. Mount married, January 30, 1907, Madge E. Cook, daughter of Horace P. and Nellie L. Cook. Mr. and Mrs. Mount are the parents of two chil- dren: Margaret C. and John H. (2). The family home is at No. 140 Maple avenue, Red Bank.
HENRY MARTIN NEVIUS-A decade ago, Henry Martin Nevius passed to his reward, honored in the profession he adorned and beloved by all who knew him. Of him it was written, "His career on the bench has made it manifest that he is a lover of justice. His willingness to preside continuously, his uniform courtesy to the bar, his ability to grasp and tersely state the legal principles involved have combined to make his court a popular arena for liti- gation." A striking proof of his popularity with the people of Monmouth, his native county, was given at the polls in 1887, when he was elected State Senator on the Republican ticket, the county having gone 2,500 Democratic the previous year. He was a man of great kindness of heart, a man of good habits, and while he held strong opinions of his own as an individual and as a lawyer, he was always ready to listen to other lawyers concerned in a case and ready to cheerfully defer to their opinions if convinced that he was wrong. All who knew him, knew a generous, kindly-hearted, charitable man, quickly touched by a pitiful state of hardship or need. He was deeply interested in the develop- ment and growth of Red Bank, the city of his adoption, and he was a supporter to all movements for the betterment of the community with which he cast his lot.
Henry Martin Nevius was of the ninth generation of the family founded in Monmouth county, New Jersey, by his grandfather, David (2) Nevius, whose grandfather, Pieter Nevius, had lived in that county for twenty years, then had moved away. Pieter Nevius was a great-grandson of Rev. Johannes Ne- vius (or as the name is spelled in Holland, Neeff),
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MONMOUTH COUNTY
who came to New Amsterdam, the American an- cestor being Johannes (2) Nevius, son of Rev. Johannes (1) and Maria (Becx) Nevius, his grand- father Becx, a merchant of Cologne.
Johannes (2) Nevius came to New Amsterdam from Holland, about 1651, and as merchant, im- porter and trader became one of the most important men of the town. He married Adriaentje Bleijck, and they were the founders of this branch of the family. From Johannes (2) Nevius the line is traced through his son, Pieter Nevius, a man of im- portance in Flatlands, New Jersey, and his wife, Janetje Roelofse (Schenck) Nevius; their son, Pie- ter (2) Nevius, of Flatlands, Marlborough, Mon- mouth county, New Jersey, and Blawenburg, Somer- set county, New Jersey, and his wife, Alte (Ten- Eyck) Nevius; their son, Petrus Nevius, a farmer of Middlebush, Somerset county, New Jersey, and his wife, Johana (Stoothof) Nevius; their son, Captain David Nevius, and his wife, Elizabeth (Schurman) Nevius; their son, David (2) Nevius, who made per- manent settlement in Monmouth county, and his wife, Margaret (Schureman) Nevius; their son James Schureman Nevius, and his wife, Hannah (Bowne) Nevius; their son, Henry Martin Nevius, to whose memory this review is dedicated.
David (2) Nevius was a farmer of Monmouth county, New Jersey, living eight miles north of Freehold on the New Brunswick road, and there he died October 16, 1843, aged fifty-six years. His life until 1880 was spent in Somerset and Middlesex counties, where he owned farms, but in 1830 he moved to Monmouth county, and there his young- est and eleventh child was born November 26, 1832. Of him his daughter, Catherine P., wrote:
My father was a man of magnificent physique, much beloved by everyone. Although not college bred, his knowledge was extensive, being a great reader. He was a man of sterling qualities, a most liberal Christian, an affectionate father and husband, the most hospitable and generous man in Monmouth county. His home was ever open to all who needed shelter and assistance. At meetings of synods and presbyteries the clergy were always his guests and right welcome he made them. I never heard one unkind word escape from his lips.
David (2) Nevius married Margaret Schureman, his cousin, who is recorded as "a woman of great amiability." They were the parents of eleven chil- dren, the second, a son, James Schureman.
James Schureman Nevius was born near Six Mile Run, Somerset county, New Jersey, and died near Princeton, New Jersey, April 24, 1876. He was a farmer near Freehold, New Jersey. He was a "dis- tinguished looking man." He married, December 21, 1837, Hannah Bowne, born July 16, 1816, died in Freehold, New Jersey, July 6, 1906, almost ninety years of age. They were the parents of nine chil- dren, the second, a son, Henry Martin Nevius.
Henry Martin Nevius was born in Freehold, New Jersey, January 30, 1841, died in Red Bank, New Jersey, January 28, 1911. He received his early educational training in the public schools, then at-
tended Freehold Academy and Freehold Institute, completing his studies at the last named, with the graduating class of 1858, and the following year took a course in the University of Michigan. In April, 1861, he resolved upon the study of law, left the University and registered as a law student in the office of E. Smith, Jr., and General Russell Alger, in Grand Rapids, but upon the breaking out of the War between the States, he cast his for- tune with the Union cause, and in July, 1861, en- listed in Company K, ("Lincoln Cavalry") Seventh Michigan Cavalry, which together with the First, Fifth and Sixth Michigan Cavalry constituted the . celebrated brigade which under General George A. Custer won fame in the campaigns of the Army of the Potomac. He served under General Custer until the winter of 1863-64, attaining the rank of second lieutenant. He resigned his position, came home, and in the spring of 1864 enlisted as a pri- vate in Company E, 25th Regiment, New York Cav- alry, where his promotion was rapid. He was com- missioned first lieutenant, and on July 11, 1864, commanded his company in front of Fort Stevens. His arm was shattered by a bullet, but he held his men until the crisis in the attack had passed, then fell to the ground. For his gallantry he was made a major by President Lincoln that same night, and in May, 1865, was honorably discharged.
In 1866, Major Nevius was appointed deputy col- lector of internal revenue for Monmouth county, New Jersey, and later opened an insurance office in Marlboro, which he conducted until 1868, when he again took up the study of law, entered the office of General Charles Haight, with whom he remained until admitted to the New Jersey bar as an attorney in February, 1873, and as counsellor in 1876. He practiced in Freehold until May, 1875, when he re- moved to Red Bank, and became a law partner of John S. Applegate. He continued in that part- nership four years, then practiced with Edmund Wil- son, a former law student under his preceptorship, they practicing until 1896. In recognition of his legal learning and ability, Governor Griggs appoint- ed him circuit court judge for the Hudson county districts, one of the most enviable judicial depart- ments in the State. Judge Nevius held that posi- tion seven years, winning the approval and admira- tion of the entire State bar.
In 1904, Judge Nevius became prosecutor of the pleas for Monmouth county, serving in that capacity four years, until October, 1908, when he resigned to devote his time to the duties of the post to which he had been elected by his comrades of the Grand Army of the Republic, commander-in-chief. After serving his official term, one year, he returned to private practice as counsellor at law, special master and examiner in chancery, continuing until his passing, January 28, 1911.
Judge Nevius was a director of the Second Na- tional Bank of Red Bank, New Jersey, but he had few interests of a business nature outside his pro- fession. He was a Republican in politics, and was continuously urged to accept political nomination,
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BIOGRAPHICAL
especially during the decade, 1880-1890. In 1887, after three times declining the nomination he was absolutely forced to accept a unanimous nomina- tion for State Senator, and after an exciting can- vass, in which Judge Nevius made many effective addresses, he was elected, his own township giving him eight hundred votes. He was proposed as a gubernatorial candidate in 1889, but he retained his senatorial office, and during the last year of his term he was president of the Senate. It was dur- ing his last year that the Hudson county election frauds were investigated and sixty-eight men con- victed and sentenced. He was a campaign orator of great power, and rendered valued service in the presidential battles of 1880, 1884 and 1888, Judge Nevius in one of these campaign delivering sixty speeches.
In 1881 he aided in organizing Arrowsmith Post, No. 61, Grand Army of the Republic, and until 1884 served as its commander. In 1884 he was elected commander of the Department of New Jer- sey, and when his term expired was re-elected by acclamation. At the national encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic held in Toledo, Ohio, in 1908, he was elected commander-in-chief of the national department, and resigned his office, prose- cutor of the pleas for Monmouth county, to accept that honor. He devoted his entire time to the duties of commander-in-chief, and made the wonderful record of traveling during his year in office forty thousand miles in making his inspections of State departments. At Hopewell, New Jersey, a Camp of Sons of Veterans is named Nevius Camp in his honor. He was the first president of the Red Bank Young Men's Christian Association, and a member of the Reformed church.
Judge Nevius married, December 27, 1871, Matilda Holmes Herbert, born October 1, 1846, daughter of William H. and Gertrude (Schanck) Herbert .of Marlboro, Monmouth county, New Jersey. One child was born to Judge and Mrs. Nevius, Kate Terhune, born December 27, 1874; married, March 31, 1897, John Anderson Ely, of Lambertville, New Jersey; she is now a widow, residing in Red Bank, New Jersey. One son was born to them, Henry Nevius Ely, January 21, 1903.
The empty coat sleeve which Major Nevius wore bore mute testimony to his bravery. As a soldier and an officer he was possessed of the finest quali- ties, knew no fear, and shirked no duty no matter how dangerous or arduous. As a lawyer he was learned and skillful, an eloquent pleader, and ever true to his client. As a jurist he was fair and impartial, seeking that justice should prevail. As a public official his ability, public spirit, patriotism and eloquence as a speaker and debater won for him recognition as one of the ablest members of the State Senate. Although a decade has passed since his death, his memory is green in his native county, particularly in Red Bank, his home for many years and yet the home of his widow, Mrs. Matilda H. (Herbert) Nevius, No. 91 East Front street.
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