USA > New Jersey > Monmouth County > History of Monmouth County, New Jersey, 1664-1920, Volume II > Part 23
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Joseph Ackerman, father of Dr. Ackerman, was a native of Newburyport, Massachusetts, where his birth occurred in the year 1837. A young man at the outbreak of the Civil War, heartily in sympathy with the cause of the Union, and fired with the patriotism which swept the North at the news of the firing on Fort Sumter, he enlisted in Nashua, New Hampshire, and subsequently served as cap- tain with the Third New Hampshire Regiment. At the conclusion of the war he returned to Nashua, and until his death, which occurred July 29, 1879, he was successfully engaged in the meat and pro- duce business there. He married Susan Reed, a native of Nashua, New Hampshire, who died in Asbury Park, October 1, 1919, at the age of eighty years. To Mr. and Mrs. Ackerman were born three children: George, who is a clerk in the Nashua post office; James, a prominent physician in Asbury Park, and mentioned elsewhere in this work; Joseph, of further mention.
Joseph Ackerman was born in Nashua, New Hampshire, August 14, 1870. He received his early education in the public schools of his native place, and after graduating from the local high school he came to Asbury Park, New Jersey, where he se- cured a position in the local post office and thus
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continued until his entrance into Hahnemann Col- lege, at which institution he matriculated upon his decision to adopt medicine as his profession. Com- pleting the prescribed course in 1899, when he re- ceived the degree of Doctor of Medicine, he re- turned to Asbury Park and established himself in the practice of his profession, in which he has con- tinued successfully up to the present time. During these many years Dr. Ackerman has made obstetrics a speciality, and is obstetrician on the staff of Ann May Memorial Hospital, Spring Lake, where his work has met with unlimited success.
Dr. Ackerman combines with his professional activities those of a public-spirited citizen, associat- ing himself with the leading interests of the city. He is a director of the Merchants' National Bank and director of the Shore Building and Loan Asso- ciation. He affiliates with all the leading medical associations, and in politics he is a Republican. Dr. Ackerman is also prominent in Masonic circles, and is a member of Asbury Park Lodge, No. 142, Free and Accepted Masons; Standard Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Corson Commandery, No. 15, Knights Templar; Salaam Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; and is a charter mem- ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Lodge, No. 258. Dr. Ackerman, being of social nature, holds membership in the following clubs: Asbury Park Golf Club, of which he is a charter member, and ex-president of the Asbury Park Wheelmen.
On May 20, 1914, in New York City, Joseph Acker- man was united in marriage with Ella Holly, and to them has been born one child, June, born June 8, 1915. The family home is at No. 433 Cookman avenue, Asbury Park.
ROBERT M. WATT-Among the prominent and representative men of Ocean Grove, New Jersey, is Robert M. Watt, a self-made man, who, by his natural leadership, initiative and unswerving prin- ciples of good citizenship, has risen to the position which he holds at the present time in this com- munity.
Joseph Watt, father of Robert M. Watt, was born in Philadelphia, and died there in 1875. Dur- ing the Civil War he served on the United States Ship "Cumberland," and while thus engaged lost his right arm by an explosion which occurred on ship-board. He was a sign writer by trade, and in politics was a staunch Republican. He married Annie Mathers, a native of Bucks county, Pennsyl- vania, and to them were born two children: Robert M., of further mention; and Joseph, deceased.
Robert M. Watt, son of Joseph and Annie (Math- ers) Watt, was born in Philadelphia, September 29, 1873. He attended the public schools of his native place, and after graduating from the local high school, entered the engineering department of the University of Pennsylvania, where he took a special course for one year. Subsequently he secured a position with the firm of Fowler and Lumis, as field civil engineer, where he remained two and one half years, when he resigned. Mr. Watt then entered
the office of the Penn Mutual Life Insurance Com pany, at Philadelphia, in the actuarial department For fourteen years he remained with this organiza tion, finally resigning to take an active interes with J. J. Caine in the iron and steel business, which continued for three years, when he came to Ocean Grove. This was in the year 1906. Here he starter in the hotel business in a small way, and the nex year purchased the La Pierre, which contained a that time thirty-four rooms. In 1915, he had en larged this hostelry, which is situated on Beach avenue, to one hundred rooms. Three years later h leased the North End Hotel, which contains tw hundred and eighteen rooms, is the largest hote on the Boardwalk, and the finest in Ocean Grove being the last word in equipment and most attrac tively located. He is a member of the fire commis sion, president and one of the founders of the Ocean Grove Hotel Association; trustee and director o the North Jersey Shore Municipalities Bank; an also holds membership in the Eureka Club.
A Republican in politics, he has ever taken al active interest in the local affairs of his choses party, and when Ocean Grove became a borough he was elected mayor, serving while the boroug! existed. He is affiliated with the Masons, being : member of Philadelphia Lodge, No. 444, Free an Accepted Masons; Philadelphia Council, Royal Arcl Masons; Keystone Chapter, No. 175.
At Philadelphia on December 19, 1899, Mr. Wat was united in marriage with Sarah Cooper, daugh ter of Henry C. and Fannie (Chambers) Cooper They have no children.
Mr. Watt is interested in all out-of-door sports and is also a patron of good music. It is interest ing to note here, that while he resided in Philadel phia, he was custodian of the Metropolitan Oper: Company for seven years, which played at th Academy of Music, and also the Philadelphia Or chestra.
LEO J. WARWICK was born at Long Branch New Jersey, and is a son of William R. and Cather ine J. (Rogers) Warwick. His father, who was il the roofing business, belonged to the Democrati party, and took an active part in all matters pertain ing to municipal affairs at Long Branch.
Mr. Warwick was educated in the public school of Long Branch. After graduating from the Chat tle High School in 1906, he entered the law office of Thomas P. Fay. He read law with Mr. Fay fo some time, and then entered the New York Lav School. He graduated in 1911 with the degree o Bachelor of Laws, and was admitted to the Nev Jersey bar during the same year. He returned to Mr. Fay's office and maintained his connection ther until 1917, when he established himself as an in dependent practitioner. He was admitted to the ba as a counsellor in 1914, and since 1918 he has been recorder and a judge in the police courts of Long Branch, having been appointed to this office i May, 1918. He is also Supreme Court commissioner During the World War, Mr. Warwick was con
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J. L. Mandel
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nected with the legal department of the Fuel Ad- ministration at Washington. Mr. Warwick is a Catholic, and belongs to the Star of the Sea Cath- olic Church at Long Branch. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus, and belongs to the Be- nevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In politics, he is a Democrat. He is a member of the Mon- mouth County Bar Association, and he also serves as a director of the Long Branch Sewer Company.
He married Marjory Mullen, of Rumson, New Jersey, on October 8, 1919. Mr. and Mrs. Warwick have no children.
FRANK LOUIS BLAISDELL-The story of the business operations of the Blaisdell Brothers, of Winterport, Maine, New York City, and Red Bank, New Jersey, form a most interesting chap . ter of manufacturing history. Of these brothers this review follows particularly the career of Frank Louis Blaisdell, one of the eight sons of Ebenezer Ferren and Nancy (Chase) Blaisdell, of Winterport, Maine, and grandson of Ebenezer and Annie (Fer- ren) Blaisdell. The brothers, Walter F., Joseph W., Philo C., and Frank L. Blaisdell, organized in 1877 as a partnership under the name Blaisdell Brothers, and in New York engaged in the kindling wood business, making and patenting their own machin- ery for sawing, splitting and bundling the wood, and by thoroughly systematizing the business made it most profitable. The brothers were also members of The Curtis & Blaisdell Company, wholesale coal, incorporated in 1908 with main office and a depot at 56th and 57th streets and the East River, with several branch offices and depots in other parts of New York and in Jersey City. That company had in 1908 one million one hundred thousand tons of ship tonnage, invented and put into operation the first steam shovel, and put into operation for the first time in the United States a coal scow to hoist, load or unload coal. Blaisdell Brothers, in con- nection with their coal and wood business, en- gaged in the window glass trade until selling to the United States Supply Company, owned a gas supply business which they sold to the Standard Oil Company, and the Blaisdell Machine Company of Bradford, Pennsylvania, manufacturing air com- pressors and engines used in the vacuum cleaning process. They held large interests in southern pine and cypress forests in the Southern and Gulf states. In January, 1893, they organized the Stand- ard Wood Company, of New Jersey, that being a consolidation of their kindling wood business with plants in Hawley, Pennsylvania, Carlton, New York, and Bradford, Pennsylvania. Their business was very large and correspondingly profitable. The con- nection of Frank Louis Blaisdell, third of the eight sons, began in 1893 and continued until his passing, January 6, 1910.
The name Blaisdell has passed through several changes in reaching the present form, Blasdale, Blesdale, Blasdell, having been former spellings of the name derived from the Saxon Blas-die-val, mean- ing "a blazed trail through the vale."
Ebenezer Blaisdell, grandfather of Frank L. Blaisdell, was born in Providence, Rhode Island, but spent most of his life in the State of Maine, living in Kennebunkport, and in Frankport, now Winterport, Maine, a village on the Penobscot river, twelve miles south of Bangor. He was a farmer and a tanner, a man of industry and mechanical skill. Ebenezer Blaisdell married Annie Ferren, of Ken- nebunkport, Maine, daughter of a Revolutionary soldier, who served with General Washington, and at an earlier date was a soldier in the French and Indian War, taken prisoner and sold into Canada by his Indian captors. Later he was released and re- turned to his home in Kennebunkport. Ebenezer and Annie (Ferren) Blaisdell were the parents of three children, the eldest a son, Ebenezer Ferren, of further mention.
Ebenezer Ferren Blaisdell was born in what is now Winterport, Maine, January 30, 1823, and died at the home of his son in Bradford, Pennsylvania, April 29, 1901. He attended the district schools, worked on the home farm, learned the tanner's and later the cooper's trade, and ran a saw mill. He was a man of mechanical skill, and transmitted to his sons both mechanical skill and business ability. He served his town as selectman, and was highly esteemed.
He married Nancy Chase, born November 80, 1821, died in Brooklyn, New York, January 25, 1900. They were the parents of eight sons: Walter Fer- ren, born November 5, 1848; Mark Lester; Frank Louis, of further mention; Joseph Williams, born May 11, 1854; Silas Canada, a physician of Brook- lyn, New York; Philo Chase, born March 30, 1858; Abraham Lincoln; Edward. Four of these sons, Walter F., Joseph W., Philo C., and Frank Louis, composed the firm of Blaisdell Brothers, Curtis & Blaisdell Company, and the Standard Wood Com- pany of New Jersey.
Frank Louis Blaisdell, third son of Ebenezer Fer- ren and Nancy (Chase) Blaisdell, was born in Winterport, Maine, on the banks of the Penobscot, November 6, 1851, and died at his home in Red Bank, Monmouth county, New Jersey, January 6, 1910. He was educated in the public schools, and was taught the trade of cooper by his father. In 1871, he came to New York City and secured em- ployment in the cooperage department of the Have- meyer Sugar Refining Company of Brooklyn, and also filled some contracts for kindling wood. In 1877 he surrendered his position and joined with his three brothers, previously named, in forming the firm of Blaisdell Brothers. Their first plant was in Hawley, Pennsylvania, then as business warranted, they added plants in favorable districts in Carlton, New York; Bradford and Austin, Pennsylvania. They operated these plants independently until 1893, when they consolidated as The Standard Wood Company of New Jersey. That company, in its different branches, in the year 1910 cut into kind- ling wood and sold in the large cities of the East one hundred and seventy-five thousand cords of wood. Of their coal business conducted under the
Mon .- 2-3
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corporate title, The Curtis & Blaisdell Company, mention has been made, and also of the other activities of Blaisdell Brothers.
In 1898, under the consolidation of their interests as The Standard Wood Company of New Jersey, Frank Louis Blaisdell became superintendent of that company and henceforth made his home in Red Bank, New Jersey. He was an excellent business man, a wise executive manager, and untiring in his industry and zeal for the successful prosecution of his business. He was a member of the Masonic order and of the Universalist church. In politics he was a Democrat.
Frank L. Blaisdell married, in Brooklyn, New York, September 13, 1877, Margaret Fenter, born in New York City, October 23, 1852, daughter of Frederick Charles and Margaret (Ludwig) Fenter. Frederick C. Fenter was born July 22, 1826, died June 17, 1901, and Margaret (Ludwig) Fenter was born March 8, 1821, died September 18, 1865. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Frederick C. Fenter: Margaret, married Frank L. Blaisdell, whom she survives; Carolyn, born July 31, 1855, died June 26, 1890, married Charles Rowe; Kathryn, born November 27, 1857, died February 23, 1901; Frederick C., born May 24, 1860.
Six children were born to Frank L. and Margaret (Fenter) Blaisdell: 1. Joseph Fenter, born July 27, 1878; married, November 21, 1907, Leila Morgan, born May 11, 1883; one child, Estella Jennet, born January 31, 1912. 2. Alice, born January 3, 1880; married William Martin Thompson, born September 7, 1878; their son, William Martin (2) Thompson, born January 6, 1908. 3. Nancy, born February 10, 1883; married Richard Chesman Hackstaff, born September 3, 1881; they have one son, Frank B., born March 23, 1911, and a daughter, Margaret Fenter, born October 1, 1913. 4. Margaret, born January 23, 1885; married Douglas Byrd, July 8, 1917. 5. Ferren Frank, born December 13, 1886; married Hettie Dean, August 5, 1910; two children: Francis Louis, born January 25, 1912, and Ferran Frank, born October 3, 1913. 6. Carolyn Rowe, born July 30, 1891; married Edwin Davis, July 13, 1915; one son, Philo Edwin, born July 5, 1917.
Mr. Blaisdell was an expert at inlaying, and par- ticularly partial to inlaid furniture. That was his best loved form of recreation, and some very hand- some specimens of his skill as an inlayer are pre- served. He was very fond of his home, was gener- ous and open-hearted, a good citizen, and a man of the highest character.
WILLIAM LYLE KINMONTH, M. D., is of Scotch descent, his grandfather, John Kinmonth, having emigrated from Dundee, Scotland, in 1823. He married Ann Taylor, whose children were: Sandy, Hugh, John, Jeannette, Mary Isabel, and Catherine. Hugh Kinmonth, father of William Lyle Kinmonth, and son of John and Ann (Taylor) Kin- month, was born in 1803. He emigrated with his parents to the United States in 1835, and settled in Kortright, Delaware county, New York, where
he engaged in farming. Hugh Kinmonth married (first) Elizabeth Lyle, daughter of Forrest Lyle, of Scotland, and to them were born the following children: John T .; Mary Amelia, deceased; Anna B .; David Lyle, deceased; Hugh S., deceased; Eliz- abeth J .; Mary Amelia, deceased; and William Lyle, of further mention. After the death of Mrs. Kin- month, Mr. Kinmonth married (second), Jeannette Lawson, whose children were: Margaret H., de- ceased; Mary R., and James E., deceased. The death of Mr. Kinmonth occurred May 30, 1876.
William Lyle Kinmonth, son of Hugh and Eliz- abeth (Lyle) Kinmonth, was born at Kortright, Delaware county, New York, October 16, 1853. After the usual common school education he at- tended the Stamford Seminary for three years. He then entered the University of New York, where he remained for three years, and subsequently matri- culated at the United States Medical College, hav- ing in the meantime determined to adopt medi- cine as his profession. Graduating M. D., from the latter institution with the class of 1889, he went to Manasquan, New Jersey, where he engaged in the active practice of his profession for two years, re- moving at the end of that time to Belmar, New Jersey, which has been the scene of his professional activities ever since. For a period of over a quarter of a century's activities in this community, he has gained honor and responsible place as a learned and able physician. After long years of constant professional labor, he finds the satisfaction and in- spiration that are a large part of the reward of him, whose ideal is one of service and accomplish- ment. A Democrat in politics, he has taken a part in political affairs, and was councilman for six years. Dr. Kinmonth is a member of all the lead- ing medical associations, and also of the United States Medical College Association.
On May 3, 1880 at Manasquan, New Jersey, Will- iam Lyle Kinmonth was united in marriage with Malvina T. Antonides, daughter of the late Tim- brook and Rebecca (Thompson) Antonides, the former for many years a druggist at Manasquan. Dr. and Mrs. Kinmonth have no children.
JAMES COOPER, JR .- For forty years a licensed pharmacist in Red Bank, and for thirty-four years of that time in business on his own account, James Cooper, Jr., has always been prominently identified with every phase of the general advance.
Mr. Cooper is a son of Jehu P. Cooper, and a grandson of James Cooper, who built the present Cooper homestead in Middletown, about 1840. Jehu P. Cooper was a farmer, widely known for many years in Monmouth county, and active in public life. By political faith a Democrat, he served as clerk of Middletown township for many years, and served for ten years as a member of the board of freeholders, holding the office of president of that body during a large part of the time. During the Civil War he was a member of the Home Guard, having been rejected for service at the front be- cause of imperfect hearing. In private life he was
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progressive to a degree, and is remembered in this section as a pioneer farmer in the production of asparagus on a commercial scale. He was active in Masonic circles, and for some time filled the office of grand high priest of the State Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, of New Jersey. He was a deeply re- ligious man, his personal belief placing his mem- bership with the Baptist church, but broadly liberal in his views, and charitable toward all. He mar- ried Catherine Kerr Pringle, of New York, and they were the parents of eight children: James, Jr .; Margaret; John, who is a resident of this county; Mary; Frank C., a resident of Chicago; Elizabeth, in the government employ, at Washington, D. C .; Thomas G., deceased; and Alex D., in the insurance business in Red Bank. The father died in 1901, at the age of eighty-three years, and the mother died in March, 1888, at the age of fifty-six years.
James Cooper, Jr., son of Jehu P., and Catherine Kerr (Pringle) Cooper, was born in the family homestead, which was built by his grandfather, August 10, 1858, and received his early education in the public and private schools of Middletown, finishing his classical studies at Shrewsbury Acad- emy. In 1876 he became engaged as a clerk in a dry goods store, which business he followed for two years. He then became identified with the Chadwick drug store, one of the leading establish- ments of that day, in the capacity of clerk, and was associated with Mr. Chadwick for nine years. Dur- ing the early years of this clerkship he studied the business, and in 1881 received his license as a registered pharmacist. Then in May, 1887, Mr. Cooper established himself in the drug business at the same location which he now occupies. From the beginning he was successful, and has long held a leading position, not only in Red Bank, but in the county. Indeed, his business rivals any in the State, as is evidenced by the fact that he stands fourth in New Jersey, in the sale of Rexall goods. His patronage reaches a very extensive territory, and requires the services of fourteen employees. When he originally purchased this business the sales amounted to about seven dollars per day, but it has steadily grown under his hand, until now he is doing a business of upwards of $200,000 an- nually, and his trade is constantly increasing.
Mr. Cooper is a member of the New Jersey Pharmaceutical Association, and of the New Jersey Rexall Club. Politically affiliated with the Demo- cratic party, he was a member of the School Board of Red Bank for twenty-three years, serving as clerk of the board for ten years. He was a member and secretary of the Board of Health for four years. Fraternally Mr. Cooper is widely prominent, being a member of Mystic Brotherhood Lodge, No. 21, Free and Accepted Masons; of Hiram Chapter, No. 1, Royal Arch Masons; of Shrewsbury Lodge, No. 288, Knights of Pythias; of the Independent Order of Foresters; and of the Improved Order of Red Men. He is a member of the Rotary Club, the Gatineau Game and Fishing Club, and of the River- side Gun Club.
In 1882 Mr. Cooper married (first), Laura V. Van Der Vere, and they were the parents of the following children: James Oakly, who is associated with his father in business; Elsie, deceased; George Van Der Vere, who married Estella Knight, of Brooklyn, New York, and resides in Florida; Jehu Patterson, who married Edyth Utley, and resides in Great Falls, Montana. Mr. Cooper married, (second), Anna Hubbard Sneden, in 1902, and their two children, Catherine Elizabeth, and Jeannette Hubbard, reside at home. The family residence is at No. 31 Irving place.
OTTO APPLEGATE-In the mercantile circles of Long Branch, the name of Otto Applegate has come to stand for that progressive activity which inspires others to greater efforts, and brings the business world of any community into accord with the general advance. With mercantile experience in Eatontown, and the ability gained thereby, Mr. Applegate has taken rank among the foremost automobile distributors among the central counties of New Jersey.
Mr. Applegate comes of a family long prominent in this State, and is the fourth generation in line to be born on the old homestead. He is a grandson of Mathias Applegate, and a son of Jonathan and Louise (James) Applegate. His father was for many years a private detective, his activities in this field of endeavor finding the desirable inconspicu- ousness by reason of his side interest, a grocery store, located at Asbury Park.
Otto Applegate was born in Unionville, New Jer- sey, now Smithburg, September 11, 1878. The fam- ily removed to New York City for a time in his childhood, then removed a second time, coming to Asbury Park. Thus it was in the schools of that place that the boy received his education. As a young man he went to New York City, and there secured a position in a job printing office. He then started in business in New York City, carrying a very complete line of steamship supplies, dry goods, clothing, etc., and was very successful in carrying this interest forward. A natural salesman, and a man of thoroughly genial and kindly spirit as well as manner, he found this occupation at once enjoyable and profitable. After fifteen years in business Mr. Applegate determined to retire, and disposed of this business. He had done no little motor driving, and quite in the way of pastime, be- gan to build a speed car, by his own designs. In the evolution of this car he acquired sufficient machinery to equip a modern automobile repair shop, and meanwhile, friends and acquaintances brought their repairs to him. Thus he found him- self possessed of one of the most thriving and well equipped repair shops within many miles, without having purposed entering this field of activity. He erected an up-to-date brick structure for the pur- pose of manufacturing his own car, but eventually dropped this plan to take up selling. Accepting the agency for the Chevrolet car in Monmouth county, and for the Case car in the southern half of New
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