USA > New Jersey > Monmouth County > History of Monmouth County, New Jersey, 1664-1920, Volume II > Part 28
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ARTHUR MYRON BIRDSALL-During the period of his residence in Belmar, New Jersey, Arthur Myron Birdsall has taken an active part in community affairs, and his labors have been an element in the progress of the place, while his efforts along professional lines have brought him substantial returns.
Arthur Myron Birdsall was born in Manasquan, May 27, 1889, the son of Hudson and Lydia (Cur- tis) Birdsall. His childhood was spent in his native place, and after graduating from the high school there he entered Western Maryland College at
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Westminster, Maryland, from which he was gradu- ated with the class of 1912, taking the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Having in the meantime decided to adopt law as his profession and with this end in view, he accordingly matriculated at Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Virginia, where he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1915. On July 6 of that same year he was ad- mitted to the Virginia bar, but almost immediately returned to Manasquan and became associated with Benjamin B. Pearce, with whom he read law for one year and a half, subsequently associated with Edward Keasbey, of Newark, with whom he re- mained .for six months. Upon passing his bar ex- aminations on March 27, 1917, which admitted him to the New Jersey State bar, he came to Belmar and established himself in the practice of his chosen profession, and thus continued until June 1, 1918, when he enlisted in the United States Merchant Marine, at Boston, and for three months was on a merchant ship. In August of that year he resigned from the Merchant Marine and joined the army, be- ing assigned to Camp Meade, Aug. 27, 1918. Here he remained for two months, when he was ordered to the officers' training camp at Camp Taylor, Ken- tucky, which was his headquarters until his honor- able discharge from the service, December 2, 1918. Mr. Birdsall then returned immediately to Belmar, where he resumed his professional duties, which are ever increasing, and his friends do not hesitate to predict for him continued and rapid progress in his chosen field. He is a member of the Belmar Build- ing and Loan Association, and in politics is a fore- most Democrat, having been councilman of Manas- quan since 1919. He was made a counsellor-at-law, March 24, 1921. Mr. Birdsall is affiliated with Wall Lodge, No. 73, Free and Accepted Masons; Good- win Chapter, No. 36, Royal Arch Masons; and Ocean Beach Lodge, No. 86, Knights of Pythia3, of Belmar. In religion he is a Congregationalist. He is ardently devoted to all out-of-door sports, but takes especial interest in fishing and hunting. He resides at No. 316 Atlantic avenue, Manasquan, New Jersey.
FREDERICK FOREST SCHOCK-Since the in- ception of his business career in 1892 Frederick Forest Schock, vice-president of the First National Bank at Spring Lake, New Jersey, has been iden- tified with banking. This long term of service, 1892- 1921, has given him a grasp of matters financial and his present position has brought him so promi- nently before the people of this community that his opinions carry weight.
Frederick Schock, grandfather of Frederick For- est Schock, was born in Baden, Germany, and came to this country in 1848 with his family, settling in Cliffwood. He married Miss Frey, and to them were born children: Frederick, of further mention; Sarah, deceased, formerly the wife of John A. Zeig- ler of New York; Rose, Edward, Charles, Emma and Mathias, all deceased; and George, a carpenter of Matawan.
Frederick Schock, son of Frederick and (Frey) Schock was born in Baden, Germany, and was brought to this country by his parents when he was five years of age, his birth having occurred in 1843. Upon his parents locating in Matawan, the lad attended the schools of that place and later entered the tobacco business, acquiring success as a wholesale and retail tobacconist. He retired from active business life in 1908 and since that time has resided in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. He mar- ried Catherine Straub, a native of Cliffwood, New Jersey, who died in 1911 at the age of sixty-six years. To Mr. and Mrs. Schock were born two children: Frederick Forest, of further mention; Antoinette, wife of Frank L. Antisell, assistant superintendent of the Raritan Copper Works at Perth Amboy.
Frederick Forest Schock, son of Frederick and Catherine (Straub) Schock, was born at Matawan, New Jersey, May 12, 1875. After completing his early education at the public schools of his native place, he entered Glenwood Collegiate Institute and was subsequently graduated with the class of 1892. His introduction into banking affairs was in the Peoples' National Bank at Keyport where for three summers he was employed as a clerk. He next worked in the same capacity in the Farmers' and Merchants' National Bank in his native place, Mat- awan, and from there went to the First National Bank at Red Bank as clerk. In this last named place he remained for ten years at the end of which time he resigned and came to Spring Lake where he was made cashier of the First National Bank of this place. In 1920 he was promoted to his present high and responsible position, vice-president of this in- stitution, in the meantime having proven himself to be a thoroughly capable financier, his judgment in financial matters at all times to be trusted. Mr. Schock is secretary and treasurer of the Hastings Square Hotel Company which controls the Essex and Sussex hotel of Spring Lake; director of the Spring Lake Hotel and Realty Company which controls the New Monmouth; director of the Ben- nett Gravel Company; director of the Manasquan Fish Company; director of the Block Ice and Cold Storage Company of Manasquan; treasurer of the New Jersey State Bankers' Association; member and among the first presidents of the Monmouth County Bankers' Association. He is also treasurer of the Casino Company; director of the Homestead Golf Club of Spring Lake; and also holds member- ship in the Town Club of Lakewood, and the Spring Lake Tennis and Bathing Club. He is trustee of St. Andrews Methodist Church, and affiliates with Wall Lodge, No. 73, Free and Accepted Masons; Goodwin Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Corson Commandery, Knights Templar, Salaam Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; and with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Asbury Park Lodge, No. 128.
Frederick Forest Schock married (first) at Holm- del, New Jersey, March 7, 1901, Ellen L. Schenck, daughter of John C. and Charlotte (Conover)
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Schenck; she died March 7, 1911, leaving issue: Frederick Forest, junior, who was born July 14, 1903, is a graduate as well as a post-graduate of St. John's Military School, class of 1921; John S., born September 27, 1905, is a student at St. John's Military School. Mr. Schock married (second) Helen L. Schenck, daughter of William G. and Elizabeth (Borden) Schenck.
CHARLES ELLISON JAMISON, M. D., was born in Cassville, Ocean county, New Jersey, No- vember 13, 1885, the son of Charles R. and Lily Q. (Hankins) Jamison. Charles R. Jamison was also born in Cassville, September 9, 1862. He is a car- penter by trade but for many years he has made Bradley Beach his home, and is very active in Neptune township, being supervisor of the roads there. To Mr. and Mrs. Jamison have been born six children: George, chief clerk with Underwriters of New York State at Albany; Charles Ellison, of further mention; Ellwood, a resident of New York City; Fred, who is a graduate of University of Louisville, Kentucky, served as teacher in St. Elixis College, Cleveland, and is now, 1921, a special- ist of nervous and mental diseases, at Manhattan Hospital, New York; Raymond, associated with the Universal Pajama Company at Bradley Beach; Ber- tis, a student at Neptune Township High School, class of 1923.
Charles Ellison Jamison obtained his early edu- cation in the public schools of his native place. .He then entered the high school and was gradu- ated from that institution with the class of 1905. Having in the meantime determined to adopt medi- cine as his profession and with this end in view he accordingly entered the medical department of Louisville University, Kentucky, and was subse- quently graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine in the class of 1911. The following two years he served an interneship at the Louisville General Hospital and subsequently established him- self in private practice there remaining for one year and a half when he came to West Grove where he has since been actively engaged in the practice of his chosen profession. He has secured a large and representative patronage and his skill and ability are very evident in the excellent results which have followed his labors.
A Republican in politics, he has always taken an active interest in the affairs of West Grove and since 1913 has been school physician of Neptune township. This year, 1921, he was elected County Physician for a term of three years. He is also a member of the local Board of Health; chairman of the Neptune Township Committee, and profes- sionally is a member of the hospital staff of the Long Branch Hospital. He affiliates with the Im- proved Order of Red Men; the Modern Woodmen of America and the following medical associations: American Medical Association; the New Jersey State Medical Association; Monmouth County Med- ical Society and the Asbury Park Medical Society. He also holds membership in the Phi Chi frater-
nity of Louisville University, Alpha Alpha chap- ter.
On December 25, 1897, at Louisville, Kentucky, Dr. Jamison was united in marriage with Carrie Waters, and to them have been born two children: Howard, November 17, 1900, is now, 1921, in busi- ness in New York City; Charles V., June 17, 1911. Dr. Jamison finds his chief recreation in reading, and is the proud possessor of an extensive library where much of the time which he can spare from his ever increasing professional cares is spent.
JOHN HUBBARD PARKER was born in the old Parker homestead at West Long Branch, New Jer- sey, August 13, 1857, and is a son of Charles M. and Lydia Anne Parker. He comes from a family which has been identified with the history of the Long Branch section of Monmouth county for three generations. The old Parker homestead, in which Mr. Parker was born, is a beautiful building well known as one of the county landmarks. Mr. Par- ker's father was a farmer, and devoted his life to the cultivation of the soil, enriching it by scientific methods and passing on the family property en- hanced and beautified by the skill and care of a lifetime. Mr. Parker has three brothers, James, George, and Charles, and one sister, Ella Parker.
Mr. Parker received his early education in the public schools of West Long Branch. He completed his studies at the Pennington Seminary at Penning- ton, New Jersey. He left school at the age of seventeen years and went to New York City, where he entered the service of his brother, James Parker, a contractor and builder, at a salary of four dol- lars a week. He continued to work for his brother until he was twenty-one. He then established him- self in business as an independent builder and con- tractor, with offices on Thirteenth street. He con- tinued to conduct the business for the nine years following. At the end of that period, the business had grown to such an extent, that it had become a general contracting business, and was incorporated under the name of the "John H. Parker Corpora- tion." It continued to prosper and was a large and prosperous concern when Mr. Parker retired, in 1919, and the business was dissolved.
In addition to being the president of the John H. Parker Corporation, Mr. Parker was the president of the National Realty Corporation of New York, and the Corduroy Pulp and Lumber Company of Newfoundland. The John H. Parker Corporation had offices in Milwaukee, Cleveland, and Quebec, Canada, as well as its general offices in New York City. Mr. Parker had a wide reputation among the business men of the country, and was well known for the scope and magnitude of his business inter- ests. He was at one time director of the Me- chanics' and Trades' Association of America. Mr. Parker is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and belongs to Saint Luke's Methodist Episcopal Church at Long Branch.
Mr. Parker has twice been married. His first wife was Kate Edgeley, whom he married in New
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York City. Mr. Parker married (second), Jennie Sewell Parshley, in Brooklyn, New York, March 16, 1897. Mrs. Parker is a daughter of Frank Emmot and Susan M. (Crown) Parshley. Her father, who died in 1913 at the age of fifty-eight years, was a famous architectural photographer of Brooklyn. He had an undisputed reputation as the finest architec- tural photographer in the United States. Mr. and Mrs. Parker have two children: Esther Maud, who was born in New York City, December 16, 1898; and John H. Jr., who was born at West Long Branch, August 2, 1902. Mrs. Parker is known far and wide throughout Monmouth county as a public spirited and philanthropic church-woman. She was one of the founders of the Methodist Episcopal Home for the Aged, at Ocean Grove, New Jersey. She is the president of that institution, now serving her eleventh year in that office, and was for four years its manager. During her administration, the Home was freed from a debt of $100,000. Mrs. Parker is also well known for many other public activities, and is generally regarded as a devoted worker for the cause of social service and civic betterment.
LOUIS B. WATERS-Known now as an influen- tial representative of the real estate interests of Asbury Park and Monmouth county, New Jersey, Mr. Waters was for many years active in the field of civil enginering. He has a record of honorable service in the Spanish-American War, and is num- bered among the public-spirited citizens of his home community.
Robert L. Waters, father of Louis B. Waters, was born in Westchester, New York, and was a son of Bernard Waters, a merchant of that place. While still a boy, Robert L. Waters ran away from home and made his way to New York City. Variously employed during the day, he spent his evenings in his room, studying by candle-light books on engi- neering. His indomitable resolution, combined with ability of no common order, brought in due time the reward which seldom fails to crown the efforts of such brave and determined spirits. After years of struggle he became one of the best known civil engineers in the United States. His offices for forty years were at No. 9 Chambers street, New York City, and, during the last eight years of his life, were situated at Chambers street and West Broadway. Every park in New York City, with the exception of Central Park, was the work of Robert L. Waters, familiarly known, in recognition of his unimpeachable integrity, as "Honest Bob." He was a very well known member of Tammany Hall. He married Gertrude Brady, of New York City, and they were the parents of one chld, Louis B., men- tioned below. Mrs. Waters died in 1896, at the com- paratively early age of forty-six, and Mr. Waters lived to be seventy-six, passing away in 1916, in New York City.
Louis B. Waters, son of Robert L. and Gertrude (Brady) Waters, was born January 18, 1872, at Far Rockaway, Long Island, New York, and at the age of two years was brought to New York City, where
he received his preparatory education in the public schools. He then entered Seton Hall College, South Orange, New Jersey, but left in his senior year for the purpose of assisting his father as a civil engineer. During the ensuing ten years Mr. Waters was connected with his father's business in New York, with the interruption of the outbreak of the Spanish-American War, in which he served as a member of Troop I, Third United States Cavalry. In 1900, after his return home, Mr. Waters aban- doned civil engineering and took up his abode at Asbury Park, where he has since promoted several enterprises of varying characters. At the present time he is engaged in the real estate and insur- ance business at No. 608 Bond street.
The political principles to which Mr. Waters gives his allegiance are those advocated by the Democratic party. He is a member of the Church of the Holy Spirit.
Mr. Waters married, October 7, 1911, at Asbury Park, Gertrude Claire Pender, daughter of John E. and Margaret C. (Joyce) Pender.
The business career of Louis B. Waters falls naturally into two divisions, one devoted to civil engineering, and the other, of longer duration, to the development of various enterprises and to the promotion of real estate interests. His activities in these two sphere of endeavor were divided by his period of military service and were fruitful of results. As he is still in the prime of life it may reasonably be expected that the coming years will bring him additional successes.
BRYANT BAXTER NEWCOMB - For more than fifty years a resident of Long Branch, and throughout his career identified with the public life of the community, also active in county affairs, Bryant Baxter Newcomb holds a position of un- usual prominence among the municipalities along the shore of Monmouth county.
Mr. Newcomb comes of old New England stock, men always in the foremost ranks of the march of progress. His grandfather, Bryant B. Newcomb, who died in 1854, was a leading citizen of Quincy, Massachusetts, active in political affairs, and in the school matters of his town; also a member of the board of selectmen. He married Caroline Bax- ter.
Franklin H. Newcomb, son of Bryant B. and Caro- line (Baxter) Newcomb, was born in Quincy, Massa- chusetts, and was a contractor by occupation. While still a comparatively young man, he came to Long Branch, and was identified with the noteworthy period of growth which marked the history of this community after the few years of reconstruction which immediately followed the Civil War, and which affected more or less every State which had been involved in the struggle. He married Annie Louise Loomis, who was born in Northampton, Massachusetts, in 1849.
Bryant Baxter Newcomb, son of Franklin H. and Annie Louise (Loomis) Newcomb, was born in Vineland, Cumberland county, New Jersey, August
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23, 1867. Coming with the family to Long Branch in 1870, it was in the public schools of this place that he received his early education. Then he con- tinued through grammar and high school, taking a commercial course at the latter institution. His first employment was with Bayley & Burns, of Long Branch, as bookkeeper and confidential secretary, and in this dual capacity was connected with the same firm for a period of eighteen years. In 1902 Mr. Newcomb was elected city clerk of Long Branch, and served until 1912, when he was elected mayor. He was the first mayor under the com- mission form of government, and served for four years. At the end of that time becoming identified with John Nickerson, Jr., banker and broker of New York City, Mr. Newcomb's business was in that city for about one year and a half, but he then returned to Long Branch to assume the man- agership of the F. M. Taylor Publishing Company, publishers of the Long Branch "Record." He was thus engaged until the fall of 1918, when he was . nominated by the Republican party as a chosen freeholder, his election for three years becoming an accomplished fact on January 1, 1919. He is making a public record of which his constituents are justly proud, and was unanimously chosen di- rector of the Board of Freeholders in 1921. He is chairman of the committee on finance, also of the road committee, which has constructed roads total- ing an expense of $2,000,000. He is also on the bridge committee, the court-house and jail com- mittee, and is chairman of the surplus fund com- mittee, which invests the county funds. In the fall of 1921 Mr. Newcomb again received a re-nomina- tion from his party for chosen freeholder and was re-elected, receiving the largest vote of any can- didate on the ballot of that election.
While Mr. Newcomb is a leader in the Repub- lican party, and has always been an advocate of its principles and policies, he served as city clerk under both Republican and Democratic mayors. He is broadly and constructively interested in all pub- lic advance, and is now president and director of the Long Branch Building and Loan Association, which he has served in the latter office for twenty years. Fraternally he holds the thirty-second de- gree in the Masonic order, Abacus Lodge, No. 182; Standard Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, No. 35; Field Council, No. 12, R. S. M .; Valley of Jersey City, N. M. J. S. A .; and is a member of the An- cient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, Salaam Temple, Newark. He is also a member of the Long Branch Lodge, No. 742, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, in which order he is past exalted ruler; and of Empire Lodge, No. 174, In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, in which order he is past grand. He is a member of the Masonic Club, the Tall Cedars of Lebanon, and the Ro- tary Club. He is an exempt fireman, having for- merly been a member of the Atlantic and Indepen- dent fire companies, and is a member of the Exempt Firemen's Association. He is a member of St. James Episcopal Church, and is junior warden and
a member of the Board of Vestry. Mr. Newcomb has been twice married; (first) to Selena Warwick, and by this union three children survive: Frank- lin T., assistant manager for Armour & Company, at Long Branch, New Jersey; Selena W., now Mrs. James B. Houghey of Watkins, New York; and Bryant B., Jr., who is also connected with Armour & Company in Elizabeth, New Jersey. In 1903 he married (second) Viola M. Warwick, and they have two sons, W. Howard and Thomas W.
SAMUEL R. KNIGHT, M. D .- Since 1898 Dr. Knight has been actively engaged in the practice of his profession in Spring Lake, New Jersey. Sam- uel R. Knight was born in Philadelphia, Pennsyl- vania, December 23, 1871, the son of Samuel R. and Maria Louisa (Hough) Knight.
Samuel R. Knight, Sr., was born in Lincolnshire, England, in 1822, but came to this country at an early age. Deciding to adopt medicine as his pro- fession, he accordingly entered the medical depart- ment of the University of Pennsylvania, and was subsequently graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine, class of 1869. For many years he was superintendent of the Episcopal Hospital, Phila- delphia, and devoted his entire life to the manage- ment of that institution. He died November 13, 1891.
Samuel R. Knight, Jr., received his early training in the Episcopal Academy, Philadelphia. After com- pleting his high school course there, and having in the meantime determined to follow in his father's footsteps, he also matriculated in the University of Pennsylvania, and finished his medical course there in 1894, just a quarter of a century after his father. After graduating, Dr. Knight did not immediately enter into practice, but for four years engaged in ranching in Texas. He located in Spring Lake, New Jersey, in 1898, and opened his office at No. 212 Jersey avenue, which has remained his headquarters ever since.
Since coming to this community, Dr. Knight has identified himself with the civic life of the place. He is a Republican in politics, has been a coun- cilman for fifteen years, is president of the Board of Health, and is a member of the Spring Lake School Improvement work. He holds membership in the American Medical Association, the New Jer- sey State Medical Association, Monmouth County Medical Society, and the Alumni Association of the University of Pennsylvania, of which latter his father was also a member. Dr. Knight is an Epis- copalian in religion, and has been warden of St. Uriel's Church of that denomination for several years. He is a member of Wall Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons.
In Freehold, New Jersey, September 7, 1898, in St. Peter's Church, the old Episcopal church there, Dr. Knight was united in marriage with Amelia L. Vredenburgh, daughter of William H. and Bessie (Williams) Vredenburgh. William H. Vredenburgh was a graduate from Rutgers and Howard colleges, receiving the degree of Doctor of Laws from Rut-
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gers, and a lawyer and judge in the Court of Errors and Appeals. Dr. and Mrs. Knight are the par- ents of three children: Ann W., born in September, 1899; Samuel R., Jr., born in 1908; Elizabeth Vre- denburgh, born in May, 1911. Dr. Knight devotes almost his entire time to his profession, but his chief recreation, when he can spare a little time from his ever increasing duties, is hunting.
GEORGE GOLDEN TITUS-A man who has won for himself a place among the prominent and highly respected citizens of Belmar, New Jersey, is George Golden Titus, postmaster. Through his in- dustry, upright principles and genial manner he well merits the confidence and esteem in which he is held by his fellowmen.
Joab Titus, father of George Golden Titus, was born in Pennington, New Jersey, and died in Bel- mar, in 1904, at the age of sixty-nine years. Early in life he learned the trade of carpenter, and followed this for many years, first in Trenton and later in Belmar. He served the Union during the Civil War, being a member of Company F of Trenton, and later held membership in Asbury Post, Grand Army of the Republic. He married Elizabeth Chatten, a native of Pennington, who died in 1908, at the age `of seventy-three years. Mr. and Mrs. Titus were the parents of three children: Ella, wife of the late Richard Wright, of Belmar; George Golden, of fur- ther mention; Mary Frances, wife of Ellis Pol- hemus, a resident of Belmar. Joab Titus was ever a man of generous impulses, kindly and courteous, and he had endeared himself to many to whom his death was a great loss.
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