USA > New Jersey > Monmouth County > History of Monmouth County, New Jersey, 1664-1920, Volume II > Part 33
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Mr. Richdale married, at the Phalanx, July 7, 1875, Ella F. Coleman, daughter of John B. and Harriet Newell (Childs) Coleman. John B. Cole- man was one of the founders of the Phalanx, an experiment in the cooperative idea, which was shar- ed by Horace Greeley and other celebrities, but like similar experiments made in this country and in Europe, was not successful. The community was founded in 1843, and some of the buildings used are still standing. Mr. and Mrs. Richdale are the parents of four children: Frank LeB., Guy, James Cheatle, Jr., and George C.
DAVID BERNARD REIDY conducts one of the foremost establishments of its kind in Asbury Park, and although he has been established in this particular line but a comparatively short time, he has been in charge of some of the im- posing funerals of the city. He gives careful at- tention to all the details of his difficult work, and discharges his duties in connection with the busi- ness in such a quiet and dignified manner that he has built up a large patronage.
James Reidy, father of David Bernard Reidy, was born in Albany, New York, and was employed by the Collins Edge Tool Company for about forty-five years, or until he retired from active business life, when he removed to Philadelphia. He married Anna Lynch, and to them were born ten children: Mary; Michael, who is employed by the Cudahy Packing Company; Nellie, deceased; William J .; John, deceased; Joseph, with the Col- lins Edge Tool Company; Frank, who is the own- er of three large retail markets in Philadelphia;
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David Bernard, of further mention; Anna, who married John S. Jenkins, of Philadelphia; and Katherine, deceased.
David Bernard Reidy, son of James and Anna (Lynch) Reidy, was born in Collinsville, Connec- ticut, July 20, 1886. His education was obtained in the public schools of his native place, and after graduating from the high school there he secured employment with the Collins Edge Tool Company, with whom he remained for six and one-half years. Resigning from this position, he went to Boston, Massachusetts, where he became salesman for the Haynes-Porter Company, and was later with the Cudahy Packing Company. Having in the mean- time decided to become a mortician, he entered the Eckles College of Embalming in Philadelphia, and was subsequently graduated from this institution in March, 1913. For the first few years, to gain a practical knowledge of his profession, he worked with various undertakers, later coming to Asbury Park, where he became associated with James H. Sexton in 1915. On July 20, 1916, he passed his State board examinations in embalming, and then continued with Mr. Sexton until 1918, when he enlisted in the United States army, being sent to Camp Dix, June 27, 1918. He was first assigned to the 153rd Depot Brigade, but later was trans- ferred to the 312th Regiment, Company F, Eighty- seventh Division, and sailed for France on the ship "Corona," arriving in Liverpool, September 6, 1918, going thence to Manchester, England, where he remained until September 8, 1918, when he was ordered to Southampton, and from there was transferred as follows: LeHavre, Pons; La Rochelle, where he remained until November 29, building the camp; St. Louis de Montferrand; Bas- sens, there until January 16, 1919; Beautiran, un- til January 27; Cadaujac, until May 21; Bassens again, until June 5; then, on June 10, to Bassens Embarkation Camp, from which place he sailed for this country on the United States ship, "Dakota," arriving in Philadelphia, June 25, 1919. Mr. Reidy was then sent to Camp Dix and there received his honorable discharge, June 27, 1919. Before sailing for France he was made a corporal at Camp Dix, and while in ser- vice in France was promoted to sergeant. Imme- diately after his return to Asbury Park, he re- sumed his association with Mr. Sexton and was with him until September, 1919, when he opened his own parlors at his present location, No. 322 Bond street, which has continued to be his head- quarters up to the present time.
Mr. Reidy is a member of the National Fun- eral Directors' Association, the New Jersey State Funeral Directors' Association, and the Monmouth County Funeral Directors' Association. He is al- so affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Asbury Park Lodge, No. 128; Im- proved Order of Red Men, Sitting Bull; Knights of Columbus; and the American Legion. In re- ligion he is a Roman Catholic, and attends the Church of the Holy Spirit of this denomination.
Mr. Reidy is very fond of hunting, and whatever time he can spare from his ever increasing busi- ness duties he devotes to this particular pastime.
THOMAS HENRY McKNIGHT, who is a lifelong resident of Monmouth county, New Jer- sey, is now one of the most enterprising and suc- cessful business men of Red Bank, and has won his own way to his present position through in- dustry and aggressive endeavors along practical lines.
Mr. McKnight was born in Freehold, New Jer- sey, May 11, 1884, and is a son of Anthony and Mary (Corron) McKnight, both of whom were born in Ireland and both now deceased. The father was a farmer, and of their children three sons and one daughter are now living. As a boy Mr. McKnight attended the public schools of his native town, and after completing his education entered the employ of L. S. Thompson, of Brook- dale Stock Farm, his work being the training of horses for the track. He followed this work for four years, then for two years worked for Judge Nevins, of Red Bank. He then started in the ex- press business in a small way for himself, and con- tinued for one year. In 1910 Mr. McKnight open- ed a garage on White street, in Red Bank, and the principal business he dd at first was washing cars. Broadening his operations as he continued, he soon had a thriving business, and opened the Empire Garage, on East Front street, being the originator of this name in Red Bank. This he carried on for four years, adding the selling of cars through taking the agency for the Hupmobile, which he has held ever since. When he outgrew the East Front street quarters he removed to Mechanic street, where he opened a show room, remaining for two years. He then removed to his present address at No. 31 East Front street, where he has fine, extensive show rooms, and is doing a large business.
Mr. McKnight is widely known and well liked in this county. He has been a member of the Knights of Columbus for the past six years, and attends St. James' Roman Catholic Church of Red Bank.
Mr. McKnight married, in 1903, Anna Glen- non, of Red Bank, New Jersey, daughter of John and Catherine (Tansey) Glennon, both born in Ireland. Mr. Glennon is a veteran of the Civil War, and is now a resident of the Soldiers' Home, but the mother is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Mc- Knight have five children: Vera, born May 1, 1904; T. Leroy, born April 30, 1906; Margaret, born June 16, 1909; Madeline, born March 20, 1911; and Roberta, born November 6, 1914.
WILLIAM HENRY CARHART-The Car- harts are of old Monmouth family, Mr. Carhart of Little Silver, New Jersey, being a grandson of George Carhart, a wealthy blacksmith and land owner of Riceville, New Jersey, where his son John Carhart was born and lived the greater part
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of his life, the home farm being near Holmdel. John Carhart was early taken by his parents to New York City, where he was educated, but later the family returned to Monmouth county, where George Carhart bought a farm. It was there that John Carhart passed most of his life. He served two years with the Army of the Potomac during the war between the states, and then returned to the home farm. Later in life he moved to Long Branch, where he was engaged as a gardener for several years. He died in 1919, age seventy-two. John Carhart married Mary Anne Emmons, daugh- ter of William and Eleanor Emmons, of Holmdel, New Jersey, her father a farmer of that township. Mary Anne Emmons was seventh of a family of eight: James, Holmes, Joseph, Samuel, William, Phoebe, Mary Anne, and Emma Emmons. John and Mary Anne (Emmons) Carhart were the par- ents of four sons and a daughter: George; William Henry, of further mention; Ella, Isaac, and Frank Carhart.
William Henry Carhart, second son of John and Mary Anne (Emmons) Carhart, was born at the home farm near Holmdel, New Jersey, July 20, 1865, and was educated in Holmdel and Long Branch public schools. The family moved to Long Branch during his boyhood, but later returned to Holmdel, where the lad, William Henry, worked for a time on the home farm. In 1883, at the age of eighteen, he left home and went to Little Silver, New Jersey, where he learned the black- smith's trade under Richard B. Campbell. He worked for eight years as apprentice and journey- man at his trade, which was also his grand- father's,. then, in 1891, established a smithy in Little Silver, and has successfully conducted it under his own name. He is a skilled worker in metal, and has built up a good business in a general blacksmithing line.
For twenty-five years Mr. Carhart has been a local preacher of the Little Silver Methodist Church, and has also served that congregation as trustee and class leader. He is a member of Lit- tle Silver Lodge, No. 200, Junior Order of United American Mechanics, and in politics a Democrat. For five years he was a member of the board of school trustees, and in all things he is the public- spirited citizen.
Mr. Carhart married, in Little Silver, New Jersey, October 5, 1884, Helena Brower, born No- vember 26, 1867, daughter of Joseph and Hannah Brower. Mr. and Mrs. Carhart are parents of six children: John Percival, born at Shrewsbury, New Jersey, died aged two years; Grace Brill, born at Shrewsbury, December 17, 1889, married Newton Doremus of Red Bank and has two sons, Albert and Percival; Helena, born at Little Silver, November 13, 1890, married Charles Imlay, and they have a son Robert and a daughter Helena; Esther, born at Little Silver, in April, 1893, married Oliver Lane of Lakewood, New Jersey, and has a daughter Elizabeth; William, born in September, 1900, at Little Silver, served with the Home Guards during
the World War, 1917-19; Robert, born March 24, 1912, at Little Silver, died in infancy. The fam- ily home is in the village of Little Silver.
WILLIAM FORMAN LEFFERSON-Among the figures that have stood out with especial prominence in the political affairs and business life of Manasquan, New Jersey, of recent years, that of William Forman Lefferson is particularly noteworthy.
John C. Lefferson, father of William Forman Lefferson, was born in Freehold township, the son of William and Eleanor (Robinson) Lefferson. John C. Lefferson moved to Manalapan township, where he carried on successful farming operations until which time he removed to Manasquan where he died in 1901. He married Helen Ann Mat- thews, daughter of Forman Matthews, who died in 1917, at the age of seventy-three years. To Mr. and Mrs. John C. Lefferson was born one child, William Forman, of further mention.
William Forman Lefferson was born at Smith- burg, Manalapan township, New Jersey, March 19, 1866. His boyhood was spent in his native place, and after completing his studies at the Thompson Grove school, he worked with his father on the latter's farm until 1882, when he moved to Man- asquan and established himself in the coal busi- ness, continuing his farming operations until 1900. Mr. Lefferson has since that time given his en- tire attention in a business way to his coal busi- ness, but at the same time has devoted himself in large part to politics.
A staunch supporter of the Democratic party, he has always given a great deal of time and attention to the affairs of the party, and in con- sequence has held many important offices. He was freeholder for six years, from Wall township; a member for four years of the Monmouth county finance committee; member of the New Jersey State assembly, in 1904; borough councilman for three years; mayor of the borough of Manasquan for twelve years, during which time he left no stone unturned to further the interests for the welfare and betterment of the community; and was State appraisor for Monmouth county, of the inheritance tax, for four years. He was chairman of the Liberty Loan drives during the nation's efforts to raise funds at the time of the World War, and in fact has always given untiringly of his time to aiding every worth while movement. Mr. Lefferson affiliates with Wall Lodge, No. 73, Free and Accepted Masons; Junior Order of Un- ited American Mechanics; and the Knights of the Golden Eagle, Clyde Castle, No. 34.
On September 1, 1887, at Manasquan, New Jersey, William Forman Lefferson was united in marriage with Elizabeth Stines, daughter of Fer- dinand and Elizabeth (Rule) Stines, of Manasquan. To Mr. and Mrs. Lefferson have been born five children: John C., deceased; Ferdinand Stines; Le- roy; Harry W., who served in the World War, sta- tioned at Camp Meigs, Washington; and Edna.
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REV. JOHN J. O'HARA-In charge of the Ascen- dion Roman Catholic Church, at Bradley Beach, since 1910, Father O'Hara has given wide scope to his pastoral work, and it is well within the facts of the case to state that his work, materially and spiritually, has been of incalculable value to his community, his labors being to lead his people in paths of righteousness, usefulness and honor, of loyalty to, and love for the country of their adop- tion.
John J. O'Hara was born April 2, 1880, at Chat- ham, New Jersey, and was a son of Henry and Mary (Moynihan) O'Hara, the family removing to Trenton, New Jersey, in the fall of 1891. Henry O'Hara was born in New York City and died Feb- ruary 9, 1910, at the age of sixty-four years. For many years previous to his death, he was a manu- facturer of fancy harnesses at Chatham, where he took an active part in the affairs of the borough being a Democrat in politics and close to the party leaders of that community. Mr. and Mrs. O'Hara were the parents of six children: Edward, an elec- trical contractor at Trenton, New Jersey; Nellie, who conducts the Lake and Sea Hotel at Bradley Beach, New Jersey; Joseph, a plumbing contractor of Trenton, New Jersey; Henry, assistant manager of the gas company at Washington, D. C .; Mary, who resides with her brother John J .; John J., of further mention.
After attending the parochial schools of his native place Father O'Hara entered St. Charles College, Elliott City, and from there attended Seton Hall, from which he was graduated with the class of 1901. After finishing at Seton Hall he attended St. Mary's Seminary at Baltimore, where after taking the degree of Doctor of Theology he was ordained priest June 21, 1905, by Cardinal Gibbons. His first axignment wax the following summer at Sea Bright, New Jersey, but after a few months ser- vices he was transferred to the Holy Spirit Church at Axbury Park, and remained there until April 9, 1910, when he came to Bradley Beach, where he built the present church and rectory. The com- pletion of the church wax immediately followed by the development of religious activities, and the organization of church societies. The church is of Gothic architecture, the cost of the building alone being $48,000. The congregation in the winter numbers three hundred and fifty, but in the summer this number is augmented to eighteen hundred. Father O'Hara has assisting him, the Reverends G. Dolan, P. Williams, and P. Cornelius. In 1917 Father O'Hara published a religious book entitled "Which"; this has already reached a circulation of sixty thousand, and has been published throughout Canada, the United States and the Philippines, and has been translated into Spanish, Italian, French and German. Father O'Hara is affiliated with the Knights of Columbus, of Asbury Park. His hobby IN walking.
Life holds no more beautiful relationship, than that which a Catholic priest bears to his people and his people bear to him. From the cradle to the
grave he is one who never falters, whose helping band is never withdrawn, whose patience is without end, and whose heart is ever true. Throughout the range of human experience, in its midst you will find the priest, toiling not for himself, but that those he loves may have happiness both here and hereafter. This is the type of priest, this the kind of pastor Father O'Hara is, to all with whom be comes in contact; a noble man full of courage, seal and devotion, with an abiding faith.
HENRY COOK CONOVER-Conover is an old and honored name in Monmouth county, and it has been borne by men of eminence in the pro- fessions, by business men, agriculturalists, and men in every walk of life. Henry Cook Conover belongs to an agricultural branch of the family, be a sub- stantial farmer of Wall township, his father, Al- fred, and his grandfather, Joseph Conover, both farmers of Atlantic township, all Monmouth coun- ty men. Alfred Conover married Mary Stillwell, who survives him, daughter of John and Mary (Wilson) Stillwell. They settled in Middletown, later moving to Atlantic township, where Alfred Conover died in 1910, aged eighty-two. He was a Republican in politics, and a man genuinely res- pected by all who knew him.
Henry Cook Conover, son of Alfred and Mary (Stillwell) Conover, was born at Leedsville, in Middletown township, Monmouth county, New Jer- sey, November 6, 1870. While yet a small boy his parents moved to a farm in Atlantic township, where he was educated in the district schools. After leaving home he farmed in the Scobeyville section of Atlantic township for about three years, then, for three years, was in charge of the Drum- mond estate at Eatontown. In 1904 he bought the Harris farm at Bailey's Corners, in Wall town- ship, Monmouth county, New Jersey, where he has conducted properous farming operations dur- ing the seventeen years which have since inter- vened.
While Mr. Conover enrolls as a Republican, he is independent in his views and exercises his best judgment in his selection for office. He is a member of Colts Neck Dutch Reformed Church.
Mr. Conover married Sadie Buck, born in Atlantic township, Monmouth county, daughter of Conover and Alice (Schenck) Buck.
LOUIS DuBOIS-The DuBois family trace from ancient French Huguenot family, the first to arrive in New York City being Louis and Catherine Du- Bois, and from them, Louis DuBois, of Atlantic township, traces direct descent through their third son, Jacob DuBois, and his wife Geritge Geulsen; their third son, Louis, and his wife, Margaret Jan- sen; their son, Rev. Benjamin DuBois, and his wife, Phoebe Denise; their son, Tunis DuBois, and his second wife, Sarah Smock; their son, Henry Du- Bois, and his first wife, Margaret Conover; their son, John Rue DuBois, and his wife, Anna D. Spader; their son, Louis DuBois, and his wife, Myr-
Rev. John J. O'Hara
.
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tie McGee; their children, Henry, Victor F., and Ruth DuBois, who constitute the ninth generation in this line.
Rev. Benjamin DuBois of the fourth generation was born March 30, 1739, was for sixty-three years a minister of the Dutch Reformed church, and pas- tor of the churches at Middletown and Freehold, Monmouth county, during that entire period. His son, Tunis DuBois, was a farmer of Freehold town- ship, Monmouth county, as was his son, Henry Du- Bois, and his grandson, John Rue DuBois, and his great-grandson, Louis DuBois, of the eighth gen- eration, to whom this sketch is dedicated.
John Rue DuBois, second son and third child of Henry and Margaret (Conover) DuBois, was born January 8, 1844, died in Freehold, New Jersey, January 23, 1914. He was a farmer of Atlantic township, Monmouth county, for thirty years, buy- ing a farm near the village of Holmdel in 1876, and residing thereon until 1906, when he sold and retired to a home in Freehold. He was a Democrat and a member of the Dutch Reformed church. He married, February 10, 1869, at Matawan, New Jer- sey, Anna D. Spader, who survives him, daughter of Judge William Spader, lay judge of Monmouth county for five years, a lumber dealer of Matawan, and a leading citizen of the county. John Rue and Anna D. (Spader) DuBois were the parents of eight children: William, deceased; Henry; William (2) deceased; Louis, deceased, of whom further; Clifford, Pierre, Phoebe, and Neil, the latter de- ceased.
Louis DuBois, fourth son of John Rue and Anna D. (Spader) DuBois, was born in West Freehold, Monmouth county, New Jersey, June 26, 1875, died in the village of Holmdel, New Jersey, April 23, 1914. In 1876 his parents moved to their newly purchased farm in Atlantic township, near the vil- lage of Holmdel, Monmouth county, and in the dis- trict school, Glenwood Military Academy, Matawan, and at Trenton Business College, Louis DuBois of the eighth generation was educated. Following graduation from business college, Louis DuBois re- turned to the home farm in Atlantic township, and later bought the Isaac Smock farm, lying directly across the road from his father's farm, and near the village of Holmdel. He owned and cultivated his farm with a high degree of success until a few years prior to his death, which occurred at the early age of thirty-nine. His health failed him and he spent the last few years of his life in Holmdel, where he was well known and highly esteemed. He was a Democrat in politics, deeply interested in party success, but never desiring nor accepting office for himself.
Louis DuBois married, at Holmdel, New Jersey, February 10, 1898, Myrtie McGee, daughter of Henry W. and Anne (Golden) McGee, of Holmdel. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Louis DuBois, all born in Atlantic township: Henry, born December 23, 1898; Victor F., born March 22, 1901; Ruth, born October 3, 1904. The farm which Mr. DuBois bought, and on which the above children
were born, is still owned in the family and culti- vated by his sons. It is a good property, well- improved and fertile. The family name is an old one.
GARRETT REZEAU CONOVER-Some time not earlier than 1709, and not later than 1727, Albert Willemse Couvenhoven came from his home on Long Island to Monmouth county, New Jersey. He was the father of twelve children and most of these settled in Monmouth county. Part of the battle of Monmouth was fought on the farm of a Couven- hoven and it is likely that every member of the family took some part in that historic battle. Al- bert Willemse Couvenhoven was a son of Willem Gerretse Couvenhoven and his second wife, Jan- netje Jonica Montfort; grandson of Gerret Wolfer- sen Couvenhoven, and his wife, Altie Cornelis Cool; great-grandson of Wolfert Gerretse Van Couvenhoven, the common ancestor of the Couven- hoven, Kouwenhoven or Conover family. Wolfert G. was a son of Gerret from Couvenhoven, the Dutch "se" added to a name signifying "son of" and "van" meaning "from," thus Wolfert Gerretse Van Couvenhoven. Couvenhoven passed through different forms in this country, but finally became the less cumbersome Conover, although the name is yet found in this country in its original form.
Wolfert Gerretse Van Couvenhoven, the Ameri- can ancestor of this family, came from Amersfoort, in the province of Utrecht, Holland, in 1680, and was with the party of colonists who sailed up the Hudson to Rensselaerwyck (near Albany, New York), where he was employed by the Dutch pa- troon as a farm superintendent. Later he returned to New Amsterdam, where he was a farmer, and in 1657 was enrolled among the burghers of New Am- sterdam. He was a man of substance, and his sons, Gerret, Jacob, and Peter, were also men of property. Flatlands, on Long Island, became the family home, and there the family was an important one.
The line of descent from Albert Willemse Cou- venhoven and his wife, Neeltje Roelofse Schenck, is through their eldest son, William Conover, and his wife, Libea (Elizabeth) Van Cleef; their son, Benjamin Conover, and his wife, Catherine Wyckoff; their son, William B. Conover, and his wife, Elean- or Foreman; their son, Peter P. Conover, and his wife, Jane De Wise; their son, Daniel, and his wife, Mary Van Derveer; their son, Daniel Rezeau Con- over, and his wife, Eleanor Schenck; their son, Gar- rett Rezeau Conover, of the eleventh generation.
Daniel Rezeau Conover was born in Atlantic township, Monmouth county, New Jersey, in 1836, died in September, 1914. He was a farmer all his active years, a Democrat in politics, and held town- ship offices. He married Eleanor Schenck, born De- cember 28, 1841, died in 1921, daughter of John C. and Margaret (Polhemus) Schenck, and the mother of five children, including a son Garrett Rezeau. Daniel Rezeau Conover was the seventh child of Daniel and Mary (Van Derveer) Conover, the other six Margaret, Levina, Lormando, Kate, and Gar-
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rett and one girl, Elizabeth, died in girlhood. Dan- iel Conover was also a Democrat, and a farmer.
Garrett Rezeau Conover, son of Daniel R. and Eleanor (Schenck) Conover, was born on the home- stead land on the Colts Neck road, in Atlantic township, Monmouth county, New Jersey, May 23, 1872, the homestead having now been in the family for four generations. He attended the public school of Van Derburg, and there became his father's farm assistant, succeeding him to the ownership after the passing of his father. The farm is a fertile one in Atlantic township, and well located on Colts Neck road.
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