USA > New Jersey > Monmouth County > History of Monmouth County, New Jersey, 1664-1920, Volume II > Part 26
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ELIPHALET B. STILLWELL, D. D. S .- Since 1909 Dr. Stillwell has engaged in the practice of dentistry in Spring Lake, New Jersey, a period of sufficient length to test his ability in various depart- ments of the profession. From the first his patron- age has steadily increased, his skill being very evi- dent in the excellent results which have followed his labors.
James H. Stillwell, grandfather of Dr. Still- well, was born at Stillwell's Corner, Freehold town- ship, and was a carpenter by trade. He married Elizabeth Cook, and to them were born the follow-
ing children: Briton C .; Matilda, wife of David H. Craig, of Long Branch; Jeremiah, a retired black- smith of Adelphia; Joseph M., a farmer of Adel- phia; James H., Jr., of further mention; Anna, wife of H. J. Pierce, a contractor of Belmar, New Jersey.
James H. Stillwell, Jr., father of Dr. Stillwell, was also born at Stillwell's Corner, his birth occur- ring there March 13, 1860. Early in life he began to assist his father on the farm and has followed agricultural pursuits ever since that time. He mar- ried Rebecca Barkalow, and they are the parents of two children: Eliphalet B., of further mention; and Vernon C., born July 18, 1885, who is assist- ant sales manager of the Farmers' Exchange and resides in Freehold, New Jersey.
Eliphalet B. Stillwell, son of James H., Jr., and Rebecca (Barkalow) Stillwell, was born at Still- well's Corner, December 2, 1883. He attended the public schools of Freehold, and after graduating from the Freehold High School with the class of 1900, entered the office of Dr. A. S. Bailey, a suc- cessful dentist of Lakewood. Having decided to make dentistry his career, he later entered Phila- delphia Dental College, where he took the usual prescribed course and graduated with the class of 1908, with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. He then practiced in Lakewood for one year, and in 1909 opened his office in Spring Lake, which has been his headquarters ever since.
Besides his professional duties, Dr. Stillwell is an energetic participant in public advancement. He has been vice-president of the Chamber of Com- merce at Spring Lake. He is also prominent in fraternal circles and is a member of the various leading professional organizations, including the National Dental Association, the New Jersey State Dental Association, Monmouth County Dental Society, and Psi Eta chapter of Psi Omega fratern- ity of Philadelphia Dental College. Outside of these, he belongs to Wall Lodge, No. 73, Free and Accepted Masons; and Goodwin Chapter, Royal Arch Masons. Dr. Stillwell attends St. Andrew's Methodist Episcopal Church of Spring Lake, where he is a member of its official board.
On April 27, 1910, at Lakewood, . Dr. Stillwell was united in marriage with Hazel Applegate. They are the parents of two children: Elizabeth A., born November 30, 1912; and James H. (3), born February 29, 1920. The family home is at No. 200 Washington avenue, Spring Lake, New Jersey.
ARTHUR SMALL VAN BUSKIRK-Promin- ent in legal circles in Monmouth county, and active also in the public service, Arthur Small Van Bus- kirk, of Keyport, is a descendant of an old New Jersey family, his maternal ancestry going back to the early settlers of Maine.
Abraham J. Van Buskirk, his grandfather, was a farmer by occupation, and died December 18, 1886. He married Mary Jane Simonson, who was born on Staten Island, in 1833, and they were the parents of six children, namely: Jemima Ann, wife of Alexander A. MacFarlan, her husband now de-
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ceased; Luther; Aaron Stillwell, of further men- tion; Abraham F., deceased; Theodore Wells; and Maria, deceased.
Aaron Stillwell Van Buskirk, son of Abraham J. and Mary Jane (Simonson) Van Buskirk, was born in Bayonne, New Jersey, July 10, 1860. He is now general manager for the concern known as the J. and J. W. Elsworth Company, of Keyport. He served in Battery B, New York National Guard, in the year 1890. He married Flora Ellen Small, who was born in Limington, York county, Maine, July 5, 1861, and is now deceased. Mrs. Van Bus- kirk was a daughter of Roscoe Green Small, who was born in Limington, Maine, and died in 1917. He was in railroad work for thirty-eight years, and for twenty-eight years of that time was with the Central railroad of New Jersey. He married Al- meda Lane Dresser, who was born in Limington, Maine, and died in 1918. They were the parents of three children: Flora Ellen, Mrs. Van Buskirk; Georgietta, who died in 1891; and Linna S., (living) wife of Charles F. G. Dewey, (deceased). Aaron Stillwell and Flora Ellen (Small) Van Buskirk have two children living: Mr. Van Buskirk, whose name heads this review; and a daughter, now Mrs. Ernst G. Heeren, a resident of Brooklyn.
Arthur Small Van Buskirk was born in Bay- onne, New Jersey, June 19, 1886. He received his early education in the public schools of South Bound Brook and Bayonne, New Jersey. Later he attended the New York Law School, and while there was associated with the law firm of Kellogg & Rose, then prominent in New York City, where he re- mained for six years. Admitted to the New York bar in 1907, Mr. Van Buskirk practiced there for six years, after which he came to Keyport, (1913) and two years later was admitted to the New Jer- sey bar. Meanwhile he was identified with the public service as borough clerk and recorder of Keyport, his period of service covering three years. In 1916 he was appointed borough attorney of Keyport, and still holds that office. From 1915 until 1920 he served as justice of the peace, and was re-elected in the latter year, but the demands of his practice were so great that he declined to serve further. He is a member of the Monmouth County Bar Association.
During the World War, Mr. Van Buskirk was commissioned second lieutenant, October 9, 1918, and served as supply officer of the 3rd Battalion, New Jersey State Militia. He was discharged from the service in January, 1919. Fraternally he holds membership in Caesarea Lodge, No. 64, Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is past master, and is a member of the Keyport Yacht Club. For
eleven years he was connected with the Keyport Fire Department, and served as second assistant chief. He is a member and elder in the Reformed church of Keyport. His favorite recreation is the study of old records and genealogical matters.
In 1910 Mr. Van Buskirk married, in Keyport, Mary Gladys Brown, who was born in Keyport, and is a daughter of Arthur Marmount and Minnie
Adelaide (Pearce) Brown, both born in Keypc The father was cashier of the Keyport Banki Company, but is now deceased, the mother surv ing him. Mr. and Mrs. Van Buskirk are the p ents of two children: Arthur Brown, born Feb ary 10, 1918; and Barbara Ellen, born Noveml 29, 1915.
PAUL CLIFFORD TAYLOR-The name Paul Clifford Taylor needs no introduction to citizens of Belmar, New Jersey, for it stands one who has been and is identified with the busin and political interests of the community, Mr. T lor having been mayor of Belmar, and is at present time a leader in business.
John Taylor, father of Paul Clifford Tay. was born near Stockton, Worcester county, Ma land, in 1821, and died in 1910. During his ea life he was a farmer, but later engaged in the . dertaking business. He married Sally E. Jones, his native place, who died in November, 1918, the age of eighty-four years. Mr. and Mrs. J. Taylor were the parents of eight children: Ma wife of William O. Payne, of Stockton, a justice the peace, and large landowner there; John Ch lin, stationary engineer of Philadelphia; Ed1 Henry, very prominent in the affairs of Stockt where he resides; Clarence, who is associated w his brother Paul C. in Belmar; William A., a de ist in Stockton; Bertis, wife of William Townse a merchant at Cape Charles City, Virginia; P Clifford, of further mention; Raymond, of Milli ton, an agent for the Pennsylvania railroad.
Paul Clifford Taylor was born in Stockt Worcester county, Maryland, October 18, 1871. attended the public schools of his native place, : after graduating from the Stockton High Sch entered the Goldey Business College, Wilmingt Delaware, from which he was graduated, class 1892. He then went to Philadelphia, Pennsylvan where he secured employment with the F. M. Dar man Company, makers of boilers and oils, but f months later he resigned and went to Point Ple ant, New Jersey, with the Point Pleasant Hardw Company as general utility man, but he was c tined to remain here only a short time, for in fall of that year he went to Philadelphia, wh he had charge of the linens and store-room of Boothby Hotel Company, subsequently becom buyer for this organization. In 1894 he came Belmar, New Jersey, and formed a partnership w Joseph W. Johnson, founding the firm of Tay & Johnson, hardware dealers, and establishing the Oswald building. This firm continued for summer only, for at the end of that time Mr. T lor bought out the interests of Mr. Johnson : later removed to what is known as the Bootl and here he remained until 1899, during which ti his business consistently grew and this necessita his removing to larger quarters, which he did, tablishing himself at No. 808 F street. In 1904 added to his hardware and house furnishing large dry goods department, and in 1918 was a
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to purchase the entire property, and he now speci- alizes in dry goods.
Politically, Mr. Taylor is a Republican, and has always taken a keen and active interest in the affairs of the local organization. From 1901 to 1904 he was a member of the Council, and in 1904 he was made mayor of Belmar, which office he held for two years. He has been a member of the Board of Education for many years, and has been its president for many years. His business qualifi- cations have always made him in good demand on boards of directors, and his public spirit has led him to accept many such trusts. He is a director of the First National Bank of Belmar; the Build- ing and Loan Association of Belmar, the Columbia Hotel Holding Company, and president of both the Belmar Auto Company and Belmar Supply Com- pany. He is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, the Royal Arcanum, and the Young Men's Christian Association, and holds membership in the Belmar Fishing Club. His church is the First Methodist Episcopal, of Belmar, and in its affairs he has al- ways been very active, having been steward for twenty-two years, and superintendent of its Sunday school for twenty years.
Mr. Taylor married (first) Harriet Fielder, daughter of Abraham and Ellen (Bennett) Fielder. Mrs. Taylor died January 7, 1901, leaving one daughter by this union, Helen, who is a student at Maryland College, Lutherville, Maryland. Mr. Taylor married (second) Emma Miller, daughter of Andrew and Emma (Taylor) Miller. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor are the parents of three children: Philip Miller, born December 4, 1910; John Andrew, born June 9, 1912; Emma Louise, born August 29, 1914.
DR. JAMES JOSEPH ROWLAND - With comprehensive training and unusually wide experi- ence, Dr. James J. Rowland, of Highlands, Mon- mouth county, New Jersey, is taking a prominent place among the physicians of this section as speci- alist in diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. Dr. Rowland is a son of Michael and Julia (Kerri- gan) Rowland, who were both natives of Ireland. The father died in Highlands, in 1915.
Dr. Rowland was born in Highlands, New Jer- sey, August 19, 1886, and was reared in his native county, attending the schools of this town, and the Chattel High School at Long Branch. Entering Fordham College, at Fordham, New York, he took the degree of Bachelor of Science, then entered the Medico-Chirurgical College of Philadelphia, and was graduated from the institution in the class of 1908, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Dur- ing 1908-9 Dr. Rowland served an interneship in St. James Hospital, in Newark, then for a year following this period, was interne in the Monmouth Memorial Hospital in Long Branch. In 1910 he established his own practice in Highlands, and pro- gressed most satisfactorily in his profession. Dur- ing all this time Dr. Rowland was making a special
study of the organs in which he now specializes, and the diseases affecting those organs.
In 1916 Dr. Rowland entered the United States army, and was sent in a professional capacity to the Mexican border. In 1917-18-19 he served with the American Expeditionary Forces, with the rank of captain, being commanding officer of the 166th Ambulance Corps, attached to the 42nd Division, and was in all battles in which that division figured. Upon his discharge from the service he returned to Highlands, and resumed his interrupted practice. Since that time his specialties have commanded so much of the doctor's attention that he is having little time for general practice. He now stands among the leading physicians of the county.
Dr. Rowland is still identified with the Mon- mouth Memorial Hospital in the capacity of con- sulting physician along the lines of his specialties. Politically, he reserves the right to individual de- cision on all public issues. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and of the Knights of Columbus, and he is a member of the Roman Catholic church.
EDWARD F. LYMAN, Jr .- Although Mr. Ly- man has been a resident of Belmar, New Jersey, but a comparatively short time, having come here in 1917 to accept the position of cashier of the First National Bank, he has already identified him- self with the leading interests of this community, and is well known and highly esteemed by his fel- low-citizens.
Edward F. Lyman, Jr., was born in Manasquan, New Jersey, October 12, 1882, the son of Edward F. and Georgiana (Bailey) Lyman. Mr. Lyman, Sr., was born in Royalton, Vermont, and there re- ceived his early education. Early in life he secured a position as station agent with the New Jersey Southern railroad at Seabright later being trans- ferred to Manchester, now Lakehurst, where he re- mained until becoming station agent at Manas- quan for the Pennsylvania Railroad, where he re- mained until his death. He was a Civil War vet- eran, having served with the Vermont cavalry, and was affiliated with Wall Lodge, No. 77, Free and Accepted Masons. Mr. Lyman was. always very active in church affairs, and attended the First Presbyterian Church of Manasquan. His hobby was reading, and he spent a great deal of time with his books. Mr. and Mrs. Lyman, Sr., were the parents of three children: Edward F. Jr., of further mention; William, of East Orange; Lois, wife of Theodore J. R. Brown, of Manasquan.
Edward F. Lyman, Jr., received the preliminary portion of his education in the public schools of Keyport. He then entered the Atlantic Highlands High School, and after graduating from that in- stitution secured a position as station agent at Galilee, for the Central Railroad of New Jersey, where he remained for two years. He then spent the next summer as assistant in the Spring Lake depot, subsequently becoming telegraph operator for the New York & Long Branch Railroad in sum-
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mer and extra station agent in winter. In 1904 he went to Point Pleasant to take a position as book- keeper in the Ocean Casualty National Bank there. He quickly proved himself to be proficient in this line, and it was but a short time until he was ap- pointed to the position there as assistant cashier, which office he held until he resigned in January, 1917, to accept his present position as cashier of the Belmar First National Bank. Mr. Lyman is president of the Belmar Building and Loan Associa- tion, and treasurer of the Shark River Improv- ment League, and in these positions of trust and responsibility has conclusively proven his posses- sion of a marked executive ability, a far-sighted perception of the wants of these organizations, and a judgment well-nigh infallible in regard to their financial policy.
In all matters relative to Belmar's welfare, Mr. Lyman takes a deep and sincere interest, aiding to his utmost any movement which tends toward pub- lic progress. He adheres to the Republican party, and has been active in the affairs of the organiza- tion for many years. He was councilman at Point Pleasant for three years, has been councilman for Belmar since 1915, and was Republican district clerk of Point Pleasant for two years. He affiliates with Ocean Lodge, No. 89, Free and Accepted Masons; Goodwin Chapter, No. 36, R. A. M., and Ocean Beach Lodge, No. 86, Knights of Pythias. He holds membership in the Belmar Board of Trade, Point Pleasant Golf Club, and the Belmar Fishing and Yachting Clubs. He and his family attend the First Presbyterian Church, of Belmar.
On June 25, 1908, at Point Pleasant, New Jersey, Edward F. Lyman, Jr. was united in marriage with Frances E. Segoine, daughter of William and Fran- ces (Conover) Segoine, the former a civil engineer and very active in civic affairs at Point Pleasant. Mr. and Mrs. Lyman are the parents of one child, Franklin Segoine, born May 18, 1911. Mr. Lyman is ardently devoted to yachting, and has been very successful in this sport, having won two prizes while racing his boat. He also enjoys golf, and spends a great deal of time in out-of-door life.
GEORGE AUGUSTUS STEELE is a well-known nurseryman and banker of Eatontown, New Jersey. He was one of the founders of the First National Bank of which he is now the president, and he is the president and principal stockholder of Steele's Shrewsbury Nurseries.
Mr. Steele is a descendant of Captain Joseph Steele, who sailed the seven seas in the days of the famous American clipper ships. Captain Steele made many voyages to China for the firm of A. A. Low & Company, of New York City, that firm being regularly engaged in the China trade. He married Eliza Ann Grey, an intellectual woman of her time, who was born near Boston, Massachustts. Mrs. Steele was a typical sailor's wife, brave and re- sourceful. She shared the hazards of her hus- band's life and made more than one round voyage with him.
John Neptune Steele, son of Captain Joseph an Eliza A. (Grey) Steele, and father of George A Steele, was born at sea on the Pacific ocean in 1831 He married Matilda Johnson, of County Kings, Ire land. George A. Steele is their youngest son, th other children being: William Henry, of Danver Massachusetts, who was born on May 10, 1864, an is a commercial traveler for the Sanford Manufac turing Company, the makers of inks and mucilages Joseph, born on May 9, 1866, died on April 16, 1900 who was highly gifted as a portrait painter, com edian and musician; Thomas Edward, who wa born on May 31, 1868, lives at Palmyra, New Je sey, and like his brother, George A., is a nursery man of prominence, owning the Pomona Nurserie and specializing in the production of ornament trees and plants; Marie Theresa, who was born o June 1, 1870, and died in infancy. John N. Steel died on July 6, 1882.
George A. Stele was born at Fair Haven, Mo1 mouth county, New Jersey, on June 24, 1872. H was educated in the schools of Little Silver, Ne Jersey, and began his business career in the offic of J. T. Lovett a nurseryman of the same place In 1895, Mr. Steele went to New York City and ol tained a position with the Consolidated Gas Com pany. This connection, however, was short-lived the following year he returned to Little Silver an in partnership with K. Herman Stoye leased fiv acres of New Jersey land and went into the nur sery business. This venture was the beginning o Steele's Shrewsbury Nurseries, referred to above In 1898 the partners, operating under the firm nam of Stoye & Steele, bought twenty acres of land a what is now Patterson avenue, Red Bank. In 190 they sold their stock in the Little Silver tract an established themselves on an eighty acre tract i Shrewsbury township. In 1903 the long and suc cessful partnership was dissolved, Mr. Steele buyin out Mr. Stoye's interest and giving him the Pat terson avenue tract in the deal. In 1912, Mr. Steel increased his holdings by the purchase of a fin tract of forty acres near Tinton Falls, and in 1919 his health becoming impaired, he incorporated th business under the name of Steele's Shrewsbur Nurseries and retired from the active manage ment. Steele's Shrewsbury Nurseries specialize i ornamental trees and plants and the developmen of private estates and landscape work. Practicall all of the company's stock is in the hands of Mi Steele and his family. He also owns a very fin residence on Tinton avenue.
Mr. Steele is a staunch Democrat and an ac mirer of ex-President Wilson. He was a delegat to the convention that nominated Mr. Wilson fc Governor of New Jersey and was one of the ex President's original supporters.
Mr. Steele is a Catholic and attends St. Do: othea's Church at Eatontown. He is also a membr of the Knights of Columbus. He belongs to th New York Athletic Club, the Deal Golf Club, an the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. H is a member of the Eatontown Board of Trade, and
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the Monmouth County Historical Society. He has traveled extensively in the British Isles, Holland, Belgium, France, Switzerland, and Germany, as well as in the United States. In April, 1914, he was appointed by Governor Fielder a member of the Forest Park Reservation Commission. This commission was merged by law with several others in July, 1915, and became known as the Board of Conservation and Development. Mr. Steele was again appointed by Governor Fielder for the full term of four years on this commission.
Mr. Steele married Gertrude Agnes Reuter, of Red Bank, New Jersey, on July 17, 1901. Her father was Anton Reuter, a professional organist, who was born in 1846, and died at Albany, New York, in 1888. Her mother was Anna Vidvard, whose father emigrated from Alsace-Lorraine to the United States; she was born in 1850, and died in 1909. Mr. and Mrs. Steele have three daughters: Helen Augusta, Marie Theresa, and Hildegarde Virginia. Mrs. Steele is vice-president of the Long Branch Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. Like her husband, she is a member of the Monmouth County Historical Society, but unlike him, in politics, she is a Republican.
REV. HIRAM ROCKWELL BENNETT-There is no way by which the value of a life to a com- munity can be estimated, and especially is that true of the life of a minister of the Gospel. When Rev. Hiram Rockwell Bennett accepted a call in 1919 to Asbury Park he had been an ordained preacher but six years, but in this short time enthusiasm had given way to earnest, settled purpose and mature judgment, and he quickly proved himself to be valuable in counsel and leadership.
Rev. Mr. Bennett was born in Troy, Pennsyl- vania, March 8, 1886, the son of Samuel C. and Marietta (Rockwell) Bennett, the former a success- ful business man in New York City. Hiram Rock- well Bennett received the preliminary portion of his education in the public schools of his native place. After graduating from the Troy High School, he entered the College of the City of New York with the class of 1910. Having in the meantime de- termined to adopt the ministry for his life work, with this end in view, he matriculated in the General Theological Seminary, New York City, finishing with graduation in 1913. On May 18, 1913, he was ordained a deacon of the Episcopal church by Bishop Burgess, and the following year, June 7, 1914, he was ordained a priest of the Epis- copal church in the Cathedral of the Incarnation, Garden City, Long Island, by Bishop Burgess. In 1915 he received the degree of Bachelor of Divinity from the General Theological Seminary, and that same year accepted a call from Grace Episcopal Church, Jersey City, this being his first pastorate. He remained in Jersey City four years, and in 1919 accepted a call from Trinity Episcopal Church, Asbury Park, and he went there, January 16, 1919.
Rev. Hiram Rockwell Bennett is an eloquent, pleasing orator, greatly in demand, and in addition
to safely guiding his church to heights of Christian usefulness, he has labored abundantly in everything pertaining to the welfare of this community. He is rector of the Ruth Hall School for Girls in Asbury Park, and during the World War was civilian chap- lain at Camp Dix in 1918, where for three months he labored untiringly during the influenza epidemic. He is affiliated with Phi Gamma Delta fraternity of the College of New York; Asbury Park Lodge, No. 142, Free and Accepted Masons; Mt. Vernon Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Corson Commandery, No. 15, Knights Templar, and holds membership in the Asbury Park Rotary Club, the Asbury Park Golf and Deal Golf clubs, being an honorary mem- ber of the last named club.
On September 11, 1909, in Brooklyn, Rev. Hiram Rockwell Bennett was united in marriage with Louisa A. Youngs, and to them have been born three children: Allen, born March 8, 1916; Warren, born May 30, 1917, died June 23, 1917; Hiram Rockwell, Jr., born July 1, 1921. The family home is at No. 507 Asbury avenue, Asbury Park, New Jer- sey. Rev. Mr. Bennett's recreation is writing, he devoting a great deal of his spare time to essays.
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