USA > New Jersey > Monmouth County > History of Monmouth County, New Jersey, 1664-1920, Volume II > Part 27
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THOMAS IRVING BROWN, eldest son of Mor- ris Benjamin and Eva May (Reid) Brown was born in Red Bank, Monmouth county, New Jersey, Au- gust 9, 1880 in the house on East Front street di- rectly opposite the Elks' Home, east and adjoining the Captain James S. Throckmorton residence.
He is the eldest grandson of Richard Van Dyke Reid, the first principal of the Red Bank graded schools, and for many years town clerk of Red Bank, and of Captain Thomas Pierce Brown, one time very prominent in Red Bank and Shrewsbury township politics, and for many years assessor of Shrewsbury township and the town of Red Bank.
Mr. Brown has been a resident of Red Bank since birth. His boyhood days were spent along the shores of the Shrewsbury river, where he had many happy hours boating, bathing and fishing dur- ing the summer, and skating and iceboating during the winter. He was educated in the public schools of his home town, and was graduated from the Red Bank High School, June 17, 1897, in the largest class ever graduated from the Red Bank schools up to that time. Professor Richard Case was the · supervising principal at that time.
Mr. Brown's father was a captain of inland water vessels, and when Mr. Brown became large enough to be of assistance to his father he shipped with him as cabin boy during vacation time. Later he helped in the galley as cook's helper. This experi- ence was the means of his securing a position later as cook's assistant and messenger on the river steamboats, "Sea Bird" and "Albertina" during the summers of 1895 and 1896 for Harvey M. Little, of Fair Haven, who then had charge of the dining room and messenger privilege on the two boats.
Upon the advice of his father, Mr. Brown did not continue to follow the water, and in 1898, after a short term of employment in the milk store of
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Lawrence Feltman on Broad street, Red Bank, he mouth county; he owns two fast ice yachts, and took a job with iu. M. Davidson, the clothier, where he is an enthusiastic angler. he began his career as one of Red Bank's mer- chants, starting in at the foot of the ladder at $3 JAMES ALFRED FISHER, M. D .- As a skilled specialist, devoting his knowledge and talents to the treatment of diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat, Dr. Fisher, although having been established in private practice but a comparatively short time, has already won the confidence of a large and loyal clientele in Asbury Park, New Jersey. per week. He remained with Mr. Davidson until January, 1909, in the meantime having been ad- vanced from errand boy to head salesman. Then, owing to a desire for a wider scope of activity and also to improve his health, he took an outdoor posi- tion as reporter for the "Red Bank Register," an influential weekly newspaper founded in 1878 by John H. Cook. The change was very beneficial to Mr. Brown, both from the point of health and also commercially. He took to newspaper work very quickly, and he not only did reportorial work but also assisted in soliciting subscriptions and adver- tising. During the fall of 1909 he was made busi- ness manager of the paper in recogntion of his commercial ability. In August, 1910, Mr. Cook formed a corporation of his business, taking into partnership with him several of his co-workers, among whom was Mr. Brown. The corporation re- tained Mr. Brown in his capacity as business man- ager, and also made him secretary of the organiza- tion, both positions still being held by him at this time.
While engaged in the clothing business, Mr. Brown was married to Sarah Clay, only daughter of Robert and Augusta (Soden) Clay, of Red Bank. The ceremony was performed June 1, 1904, by Rev. Robert MacKellar, rector of Trinity Episcopal Church. The marriage of Mr. Brown and Miss Clay was the result of schoolday friendship which developed into love and then into matrimony.
Mr. Brown has been very prominent in fraternal circles. He is an exempt fireman, being an ex- foreman and ex-secretary of Independent Engine Company, No. 2, and was for several years secre- tary of the Red Bank Fire Department. He was a member of the running team of his company, which was the champion team of the State for several years. He retains his connection with the Red Bank Fire Department as a contributing member of his company. He is also a member of the Red Bank High School Alumni, the Monmouth Poultry Club, Red Bank Young Men's Christian Association, Mon- mouth Boat Club, North Shrewsbury Ice Yacht Club, New Jersey Press Association, Monmouth County Philatelic Club, Red Bank Lodge of Elks, No. 233; Mystic Brotherhood Lodge, No. 21, F. and A. M .; Hiram Chapter, No. 1, R. A. M .; Field Coun- cil, R. and S. M .; Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, N. M. J. Valley of Jersey City; Salaam Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Newark; Corson Commandery, No. 15, Knights Templar, of Asbury Park; Long Branch Forest, No. 40, Tall Cedars of Lebanon; Court Monmouth, Independent Order of Foresters, of Red Bank; and the First Methodist Church, of Red Bank.
Mr. Brown, like most men, has his hobbies. He has one of the largest and best amateur collections of domestic and foreign postage stamps in Mon-
Rev. C. B. Fisher, father of Dr. Fisher, was born in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. After completing his preparatory education in the public schools of his native place, he entered Dickinson College, where he was graduated with honors, A. B., class of 1888. He then took courses in theology at the seminary in Madison, New Jersey, and was or- dained a clergyman of the Methodist church in 1892. In 1919 he resigned from the ministry, and now, 1921, resides in Pemberton, New Jersey, with his family. He married Clara Belle White, a native of Jamestown, New York, and to them have been born five children: James Alfred, of further men- tion; Iva May, an art teacher in Mount Holly High School; George C., who is employed by the Penn- sylvania railroad at Philadelphia; Ruth, a student in the Pemberton public schools; Harold, a stu- dent.
James Alfred Fisher was born in Asbury Park, New Jersey, May 15, 1891. He received his ele- mentary education in the public schools of Free- hold, Gloucester City, Cape May, and Hightstown, New Jersey, and subsequently entered the High School at Long Branch, from which he was gradu- ated with the class of 1909. He then matriculated in Syracuse University, whence he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1913, and having in the meantime determined to adopt medicine as a profession he entered the medical de- partment of the university and won the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1915. Immediately after graduation he returned to his native city, Asbury Park, and became associated with Dr. James F. Ackerman, with whom he remained until 1919, when he determined to specialize and accordingly took a post-graduate course at the New York Ophthalmic Hospital and the New York Post-Graduate Hos- pital, receiving the degree O. et A. Chir. In 1920 he established himself in offices in the Kinmouth building, which has continued to be his headquar- ters ever since. Besides his private practice, Dr. Fisher is eye, ear, nose and throat specialist in Spring Lake Hospital. . He is a member of the American Medical Association, the New Jersey State Medical Association, Monmouth County Med- ical Society, and the Rotary Club, of Asbury Park. He is also affiliated with the Masons, Asbury Park Lodge, No. 142; Phi Delta Theta fraternity; Nu Sigma Nu medical fraternity at Syracuse Univer- sity; and also holds membership in the Asbury Park Golf and Country Club. In religion he is a Pres- byterian, and attends the First Church of this denomination at Asbury Park.
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On April 9, 1918, Dr. James Alfred Fisher was united in marriage with Janet Ackerman, daughter of Dr. James F. Ackerman, of Asbury Park, and to them have been born two children: James Acker- man, October 5, 1919, and Joan, born May 13, 1921. The family home is at No. 903 Grand avenue. Dr. Fisher finds his chief recreation in golf and tennis. It is hard to predict the future of a young physician who has already won great success in the profes- sion, but it is safe to infer that the future holds even more signal achievements for him.
THEODORE D. PARSONS-Rev. Dwight L. Parsons, a minister of the Presbyterian church, was seated over a church in Wisconsin at the time of the birth of his son, Theodore D. Seven years later he accepted a call from a church in New Jersey, and since 1907 has been pastor of the Presbyterian church in Shrewsbury, county of Monmouth, New Jersey. The son, Theodore D., is now a lawyer of Red Bank, in the same county, a member of the firm of Reilly, Quinn & Parsons. He was a soldier of the United States army who served with the American Expeditionary Forces abroad and "did his bit" as circumstances allowed.
Theodore D. Parsons was born in La Crosse, Wis- consin, May 24, 1894, son of Rev. Dwight L. and Minnie E. (Paine) Parsons, and grandson of Ben- jamin F. Paine. The first seven years of his life were passed in La Crosse, the family then removing to Scottsville, New York, there residing for six years. The next removal was to Shrewsbury, Mon- mouth county, New Jersey, where his preparatory education was completed in high school. He then entered Princeton University, whence he was grad- uated A. B., class of 1915. He prepared for the practice of law in Columbia Law School, New York City, but his study was interrupted by the entrance of the United States into the World War in 1917. Mr. Parsons enlisted in the Aviation Corps of the United States army in August, 1917, was in train- ing until 1918, saw service in the air testing planes and in other -departments after he went overseas, February 12, 1918. Sickness incapacitated him from active participation in the aviation service, and he sailed for home, February 22, 1919. He was honor- ably discharged and mustered out at Garden City, Long Island, in April, 1919, and returned to his home.
He began the practice of law with Collins & Cor- bin, attorneys of Jersey City, New Jersey, then in December, 1919, located in Red Bank, New Jersey, as a partner in the firm of Reilly, Quinn & Par- sons, general practitioners. He is attorney of the township of Eatontown, and solicitor of the bor- ough of Fair Haven. He is a member of Mystic Lodge, No. 21, Free and Accepted Masons; com- mander of Shrewsbury Post, No. 168, American Le- gion, of Red Bank; the Monmouth County Bar Association, and the Pi Alpha Club. He is a mem- ber of the Presbyterian church, of Shrewsbury, his father the honored pastor of that church.
HENRY JUDSON ELY, whose useful life has ended, was a descendant of Joshua Ely, who came from England in 1683 to what is now the site of Trenton, New Jersey, there owning 400 acres that are now city property. His third son purchased a tract of farm land near the present Hightstown, New Jersey, that farm remaining in the family until sold by the last Ely owner-Joseph S. Ely, father of Henry Judson Ely, to whose memory this review is offered.
Henry Judson Ely, son of Joseph S. and Achsah Ely, was born at the homestead farm near Hights- town, Mercer county, New Jersey, October 11, 1845, and died in Red Bank, New Jersey, May 17, 1918. The son of well-to-do parents, he was given good educational advantages, spending nine years at the Hankinson Private School in Englishtown, New Jer- sey, later being a student at Freehold Institute; Essex County Institute; Lewisburg Union College, now Bucknell University, whence he was gradu- ated Bachelor of Philosophy, class of 1866, he being then just twenty-one years of age. He led in ath- letics at college, and for two years was captain of the college baseball team. His college fraternity was Phi Kappa Psi. After college he took a special course in a Philadelphia business college, and then for two years conducted a grocery establishment at Dutch Neck, a village of Mercer county, ten miles from Trenton, New Jersey.
After giving up the Dutch Neck store he re- turned to the home farm, and was his father's assist- ant until 1870, when he became interested in brick manufacture and operated a yard for the making of brick and tile near Hightstown, there continuing a successful business until 1890. On April 1, 1890, he became a member of the firm of Hopping & Ely, lumber dealers of Atlantic Highlands, Monmouth county, New Jersey, continuing until the fall of 1906, when his health failed to such an extent that he sold his interests and retired, having been in active business life for about forty years.
The Ely home was on Riverside drive, Red Bank, where Mr. Ely erected a residence in which the family resided until the fall of 1907, when they moved to No. 23 Wallace street, and there Mr. Ely spent the last decade of his life, He was a good business man, honorable and upright in all things, and highly esteemed wherever known. He was 3 Republican in politics, and keenly alive to his duties as a citizen, but never would consent to the use of his name as a candidate for any public office. He was an active, devoted member of the Middletown Baptist Church, contributing liberally of his time and means. His interest did not end with his life, for the church was a beneficiary under his will.
Mr. Ely married (first) November 9, 1892, Reba W. Allen, daughter of Charles and Mary (Winter) Allen, of Red Bank. She died March 25, 1910, leav- ing two children, namely: 1. Allen Judson, a grad- uate of Blair Academy, class of 1914, entered Le- high University, class of 1918, whence he was graduated in engineering. In 1918, he enlisted in
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the United States Navy, and was later commission- ed an ensign, and assigned to transport duty. On his first voyage the vessel he was on, the "West- gate," was rammed and sunk. With others, he took to the boats, and after being afloat for several hours was picked up by a passing vessel. He con- tinued in the transport service until April, 1919. After his return from the navy he accepted a posi- tion with the Standard Oil Company of New Jersey, on their engineering staff, and is yet (Aug. 1921), with that company. He married, December 6, 1919, Elizabeth Fehl, of York, Pennsylvania. His col- lege fraternity is Phi Sigma Kappa, his fraternal orders the Masonic and Elks. 2. Mary Achsah, married, August 80, 1919, Rolland Wilkins Lupton, son of Frederick Jr., and Sadie (Wilkins) Lupton.
Mr. Ely married (second), August 27, 1912, Mrs. Sadie (Wilkins) Lupton, widow of Frederick Lupton, Jr., who survives him and resides in Red Bank, 28 Wallace street. Mrs. Ely is a daughter of George and Pauline (Cottrell) Wilkins, of near Freehold, New Jersey, Mrs. Ely's birthplace. She married (first) Frederick Lupton, Jr., of Matawan, New Jer- sey, in May, 1885. He died in March, 1908, leaving two children: 1. Hazel Ranson, married Arthur Bliss White, now residing in Red Bank, having a son, Frederick Lupton White. 2. Rolland Wilkins, entered the naval service of his country in 1912, and served a four years' term of enlistment in the United States navy. He was honorably discharged and out of the service when the United States de- clared war against Germany in 1917, but enlisted, and after training at Pelham Bay, was commission- ed an ensign and sent overseas, where he spent a year with distinction in the war zone. For gallant service he was decorated with the Navy Cross for "distinguished service in the line of duty as com- missioned officer of the United States vessel S. C. 181, engaged in the important, exacting and hazar- doux duty of patroling the waters of the war zone and operating against the enemy submarines." This citation was signed by Josephus Daniels, secretary of war, for the President of the United States, Woodrow Wilson. After the war, Ensign Lupton entered the employ of the Standard Oil Company in New York City.
BENJAMIN ALLEN SHOEMAKER-The orig- Inal Shoemaker in Monmouth county, New Jersey, in this branch was Benjamin Allen Shoemaker, grandfather of the present bearer of that name, Benjamin Allen Shoemaker, coal and grain dealer at Little Silver. The original Benjamin Allen Shoe- maker was identified with the hotel business in Long Branch during its palmy days as the leading sum- mer resort of the Atlantic coast, and for many years owned the old United States Hotel, one of the largest hotels on the famous beach bluff. He con- ducted that hotel for years, and after his death his oldest son, Benjamin Franklin Shoemaker, suc- cooled his father and ran it for several years. it then passing out of the family name. The pioneer married Charlotte Pettit, and they were the parents
of six children: Benjamin Franklin, of further men- tion; George, Harry, Mary, Emma, and Anna. The family were well known and popular during the life of this first generation, and the family was one of consequence in Long Branch.
Benjamin Franklin Shoemaker, eldest son of Ben- jamin Allen and Charlotte (Pettit) Shoemaker, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, May 5, 1850. He was educated in the public schools, and there grew to manhood, his father's assistant. As before noted, after the latter's death, Benjamin F. suc- ceeded to the management of the United States Hotel at Long Branch and ran it for several years. Later, he bought the old Edwards farm at Ocean- port, New Jersey, and there continued until 1890, when he retired and moved to his present home at Point Pleasant, New Jersey. Before leaving Long Branch for the farm, Mr. Shoemaker was very ac- tive and prominent in the city, Franklin street being named in his honor. Mr. Shoemaker married Mary Conover, of Little Silver, daughter of Garrett and Cordelia (Tallman) Conover. Mr. and Mrs. Shoe- maker were the parents of five children: Harry Clay; Benjamin Allen, of further mention; Linden Browne, deceased; Walter; and Cordelia, deceased.
Benjamin Allen Shoemaker, second son of Ben- jamin Franklin and Mary (Conover) Shoemaker, was born at Long Branch, New Jersey, November 4, 1878, and educated in the public schools. He was seven years of age when his parents moved from Long Branch to the farm in Oceanport and there he spent his youth. After completing his school years in the excellent Long Branch schools he entered business life, taking a position as clerk in a Little Silver grocery store. Later he became the owner of the store at Little Silver, which he conducted for nine years, until 1901, when he established his pres. ent business of coal and grain at Little Silver.
In politics, Mr. Shoemaker is an Independent, in religion, a Presbyterian. He is a member of Little Silver Lodge, No. 200, Junior Order of United American Mechanics, and takes a deep interest in this body.
Mr. Shoemaker married, February 2, 1907, in St. Paul's Church, New York City, Mary Elizabeth Rathbun, and they are the parents of five children: Helen, born January 20, 1908, died at the age of six; Benjamin Franklin (2), born July 12, 1909, and died at the age of four; Benjamin Allen (3), born at Little Silver, December 2, 1914; Lynden Rathbun, born at Little Silver, June 8, 1916; and George Con- over, born at Long Branch, New Jersey, February 28, 1920.
HON. P. HALL PACKER-One of the most note- worthy names along the coast of New Jersey is that of the Hon. P. Hall Packer, who has for many years been foremost in those lines of progress which count most significantly for general and permanent advance. A man of the people, he has led the people-always forward, always to high community achievement.
Mr. Packer's forebears were English, the earliest
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American settlers of the family being two brothers, the one locating in New England, and the other, Asa Packer, becoming a resident of Pennsylvania. Many of Asa Packer's descendants have taken worthy places in the western civilization, to which he came as a pioneer, among them being Judge Asa Packer, of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, formerly principal owner and president of the Lehigh Valley railroad. In direct line from the first Asa Packer was William Bellis Packer, Mr. Packer's father, long a resident of Somerset county, New Jersey, a man of broad views, who thought ahead of his time. He married Mary Anna Sandoz, and both are now de- ceased.
The Hon. P. Hall Packer was born in Neshanic, Somerset county, New Jersey, July 13, 1853. His education was limited to the public school course of his native place, but his mental grain is such that he has won information from every contact with the world, and supplemented his formal school- ing with the lessons of life. After leaving school Mr. Packer worked on his father's farm until he
was twenty-one years of age. In 1876 he became associated with his uncle in building and contract- ing, not long thereafter removing to Sea Bright, New Jersey. There he became connected with Cloughby Brothers in the lumber business, later, in 1879, starting out for himself in the hardware and roofing business. The advantageous position of Sea Bright, geographically, inspired Mr. Packer to in- augurate improvements and developments. To fur- ther rouse the people to the possibilities of the place, he established in 1881, the Sea Bright "Sen- tinel," of which for seven years he was editor and publisher. Through the medium of this sheet, and by word of mouth as well, he ceaselessly advocated such improvements as go to make comfort and pre- serve health. Roads were improved for many miles around, the streets of the town were lighted, and large sums expended on sanitation. The town hall was built, and a suitable jail and fire protection was assured in the erection of an engine house. A board of commissioners was organized, Mr. Packer bing elected the first secretary, and he was for several years president of the board. Eventually the town was incorporated as a borough, and Mr. Packer was elected its first mayor, serving from 1896 until 1903, then again being elected in 1906, and serving for three years. During his tenure of this office he formulated, approved and signed near- ly every ordinance for the advancement of the town government. In 1909 he resigned the mayor- ality to accept the office of postmaster, which he filled for four years and three months, but is now mayor again. In connection with his other public duties Mr. Packer has been a justice of the peace for twenty-five years, and also acts as his own re- corder. By gubernatorial appointment he holds the office of commissioner of deeds for New York and New Jersey. He was largely instrumental in se- curing the extension into Monmouth county of the New Jersey Telephone Company's lines, acting as the company's manager for a period of twenty-one
years. The great sea wall which protects the beach at Sea Bright was accomplished through his efforts, and he is now promoting the erection of another sea wall farther down the beach.
In his individual business activities Mr. Packer has also been broadly successful, although through- out his long career his public duties have been given precedence over any other obligations. As far back as 1892 he established a real estate business, and it is believed that he has handled more real estate than any individual dealer along the coast since that time, his sales running into millions of dollars. He developed South Park and Riverside Park, at Rumson, New Jersey, this section now being known as the "Millionaire Colony."
Fraternally, Mr. Packer is widely known; he was the founder of Ashland Council, Junior Order of United American Mechanics, and as past grand councillor of the order has been a great factor in the increase of membership in this part of the State of New Jersey. He has added six thousand mem- bers to this order, largely through the installation of thirty-eight new lodges. He is a member and secretary of Seaside Council, No. 47, Knights of Pythias; and is past noble grand of Sea Bright Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Politi- cally, Mr. Packer is one of the best known Repub- licans in the State, and was the organizer of the Sea Bright Republican Club, serving as its president for sixteen years. But to whomever the man is known, it has always been clear that in his public activities the people stand first and the party exists only as the servant of the people. In 1895, Mr. Packer was the candidate for nomination for State Senator, but with a worthy opponent and a close- ly contested election he was defeated by the elec- tion of Senator Francis.
On November 6, 1871, Mr. Packer married Eliz- abeth Jahnes, of Brooklyn, New York, daughter of Nathaniel and Elizabeth Jahnes, and they are the parents of two children: Olive Van Renssalaer, who was born in Sea Bright, and is now the wife of Thomas Burton Penton, Jr., of New York City; and Chester Hall, sales manager of the Reo Truck Company, of New York City, and assistant super- visor of bills at the last New Jersey Legislature. Of Mr. Packer's four brothers and one sister, all but one are living: John, Jacob, Peter, Ezekiel and Sophia. Mr. Packer was the youngest son, and his oldest brother, John, is deceased.
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