USA > New Jersey > Monmouth County > History of Monmouth County, New Jersey, 1664-1920, Volume II > Part 44
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John Hulsart obtained the early portion of his education in the schools of his native place and at Peddie Institute, graduating from the latter institu- tion in 1892. He then matriculated at the Univer- sity of Chicago, being the fiftieth to matriculate at that institution, and four years later was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Having in the meantime decided to take up theolo- gy, he accordingly entered Crozier Seminary at Chester, Pennsylvania, and completed the course in 1899, whereupon he secured a position at Bishop College, Marshall, Texas, and was subsequently placed at the head of the theological department of the college. Here he remained until 1905, when he resigned and became pastor of the Baptist church at Cherryville, New Jersey. In 1908 he resigned from the ministry and came to Manasquan, where he secured a position as teller of the bank. This office he filled so efficiently that on February 1, 1913, he became cashier here, and has thus contin- ued up to the present time. Mr. Hulsart is also a director of the bank.
Since coming to this community Mr. Hulsart has shown a deep interest in the welfare and prosperity of Manasquan, his influence being always exerted in behalf of right and justice. He has been a mem- ber of the Board of Education since 1911, and its president since 1917 and is now vice-president of the Monmouth County Federated Board of Educa- tion, for the year 1921-22; affiliates with the First Baptist Church, of Manasquan, and has been one of its trustees since 1916; and in politics is an in- dependent Republican, and a member of the Coun- cil for three years. He is a member of Wall Lodge, No. 53, Free and Accepted Masons; and a member of the executive committee of the Monmouth Coun- ty Bankers' Association.
On November 29, 1899, at Farmingdale, New Jer- sey, John Hulsart was united in marriage with Mary Dennis Couse, daughter of Peter and Emily (Cox) Couse. Mr. and Mrs. Hulsart are the par- ents of two children: 1. Emily Couse, born January 21, 1901; a graduate of Manasquan High School, class of 1918, and was a student of the Women's College, New Brunswick, class of 1922, Litt. B .; she was the first student to matriculate in that school; having a strong leaning toward art, at the close of her second year she decided to take up art and entered the School of Industrial Art at Philadel- phia, Pennsylvania. 2. James Burton, born Decem- ber 24, 1907; a student of Manasquan High School, class of 1924. The family home is at No. 44 Cur- tis avenue.
Mr. Hulsart is a great lover of flowers, and his hobby is flower shows. He is devoted to his home, and the greater part of his spare time is spent in the midst of his family and near friends.
J. OTTO RHOME-The bar of New Jersey num- bers among its representatives many able, far- sighted and discriminating men who have won
John Hulmark
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places of distinction and prominence in their pro- August 10, 1910; and J. Otto, Jr., born December fession, and this work is destined to form a part 23, 1915. The family home is at No. 508 First ave- nue, Asbury Park. of the legal history of the State. J. Otto Rhome is a man who has demonstrated his knowledge, un- derstanding and ability in various positions along professional lines. He has made an enviable record in the office of his work, which has been distin- guished by his unusual, interested, capable and in- telligent work, and his decisions have been at all times impartial and based upon the principles of equity.
J. Otto Rhome was born in Brazil, South Amer- ica, April 10, 1878, the son of Romulous J. and Mis- souri E. (Robertson) Rhome, the latter born in Mis- sissippi, September 8, 1837. Mr. Rhome, Sr., was born in Frankfort, New York, March 7, 1835. At the time of the Civil War he was a young man, and served in the Confederate army as second lieut- enant of the First Texas Infantry under General Hood. After the war he, with several other South- erners, emigrated to South America, where he form- ed a partnership with the Baron of Santarem, and engaged in the rubber business. To Mr. and Mrs. Rhome were born five children, of whom J. Otto is the only surviving member.
When but six years of age J. Otto Rhome was brought by his parents to Rhome, Texas, where for four years he remained on the ranch of Colonel B. C. Rhome, for whom the town was named. Sub- sequently removing to Trenton, New Jersey, in 1888, the lad entered school there and after termin- ating his studies, decided to adopt the law as a profession. With this end in view he entered the office of the late Samuel Patterson, formerly one of the leading lawyers of this community. Three years later, in 1898, Mr. Rhome was admitted to the bar of New Jersey, and in 1900 became a part- ner with Mr. Patterson, forming the firm name of Patterson & Rhome, which name has continued up to the present time, although Mr. Patterson passed away in 1914.
In politics Mr. Rhome is a Democrat and takes an active part in the affairs of the organization, having served as councilman of Asbury for several terms. He is secretary of the Monmouth County Bar Association; a member of the Rotary Club; and also of the Asbury Park Golf and Country Club. He affiliates with the Free and Accepted Masons, being a member of Asbury Park Lodge, No. 148, of which he was past master in 1914; Stanton Chapter, of Long Branch, No. 35, Royal Arch Masons; Cor- son Commandery, No. 15, Knights Templar; and is a noble of the Mystic Shrine. He is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, and in religion is a Presbyterian, being a member and trus- tee of the First Presbyterian Church of Asbury Park.
At Ocean Grove, New Jersey, in October, 1909, J. Otto Rhome was united in marriage with Ethel M. Morgan, daughter of Tali Essen and Mary A. (Jones) Morgan, the former a director of music at the Ocean Grove Auditorium. Mr. and Mrs. Rhome are the parents of two children: Gwenyth M., born
EDWARD LOUIS WOOD-Entering a mercan- tile field in which his interest has long been center- ed, Mr. Wood is going forward to unusual success in the hardware business in Keansburg. Mr. Wood was born in Shropshire county, England, and is a son of William and Barbara Blanche Wood, his father having been a prosperous farmer of that section.
Gaining a practical education in the public schools of his native land, Mr. Wood, possessing natural mechanical ability and ingenuity, became a machinist, and in time an expert in that line of endeavor. He has always been active in inventions, and has produced many useful devices of a mechan- ical nature. Some years ago he established him- self in the hardware business in Keansburg, New Jersey, and is now considered one of the successful business men of the town.
Mr. Wood married (first) Urett Virginia Merritt, daughter of Benjamin and Martha (Wright) Mer- ritt. She is a descendant of Governor Wright of New York, and her brother, Abraham Merritt, is the superintendent of the Interboro Rapid Tran- sit Company of New York. The three children of Mr. and Mrs. Wood are: Arthur Stanley, unmar- ried, who is a dispatcher in the Astoria branch of the Interboro Rapid Transit Company of New York; Edith Louise, married Adolph Wherle, and they have two children, Stanley A. and Harriet L .; Vio- let, married James Irons, and they have three children, Violet, Arthur and Milford. Mr. Wood married (second) Rachel Atkins, born in Ulster county, New York, daughter of Frederick and La- vinia (Frasp) Atkins.
ARTHUR GIBSON FREER-Among the most enterprising of the young men who have recently come forward to take their places in the business circles of Belmar, must be numbered the junior partner of the Erving & Freer Welding Company. Mr. Freer has an honorable record of military ser- vice in France and is always ready to "do his bit" for the betterment of community conditions.
Arthur Gibson Freer was born October 25, 1897, in the county of Kent, England, and is a son of Alfred Gibson and Phoebe Freer, whose other chil- dren are Alfred M., Violet and Lillian. At the age of a year and a half Arthur Gibson Freer was brought to the United States, the family settling in Manasquan, New Jersey, where he attended local schools.
When the time came for him to begin the active work of life, Mr. Freer learned the welding business with the Weeden Welding Company of Asbury Park, remaining with them from 1918 to 1917. In the latter year he enlisted in the One Hundred and Third Engineers, Twenty-eighth Division, Pennsyl- vania National Guard, as a member of which he saw service in France, participating in four major en-
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gagements-Champagne-Marne, Aisne-Marne, Oise- Aisne and Meuse-Argonne. He was wounded at Fismes and on May 16, 1919, received an honor- able discharge.
Upon his return home Mr. Freer was employed for one year by the Weeden Welding Company and in 1920 went into business for himself, at Belmar, under the firm name of the Erving & Freer Welding Company, the senior partner being Walter Erving, a biography of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Politically Mr. Freer is an Independent. He belongs to no clubs, but is enrolled in the Ameri- can Legion.
Mr. Freer married, March 17, 1920, at Asbury Park, Gertrude M. Lang, daughter of Henry and Emma (Clements) Lang, and they are the parents of one child, Arthur Henry, born at Belmar, Feb- ruary 17, 1921.
Having made a record as a brave soldier, Mr. Freer is now proving himself a good citizen, giving his best efforts to the upbuilding of the business in which he is engaged and in the prosperity of which he is largely instrumental.
CAPTAIN ANDREW JACKSON APPLEGATE was a familiar figure on the Jersey coast. He was a master mariner, and commanded his own schooner. His knowledge of the tides, currents, rocks, bays, and inlets of his native State was unexcelled, and his name carried weight in shipping circles. He was a landsman only to the extent of owning a store on the beach at Sea Bright, where he sold fishing outfits.
Captain Applegate, as his name denotes, came from a very old family. He was born August 27, 1857, in Prospect Plains, and was a son of Andrew and Mary Ann (Jobbs) Applegate. John Apple- gate is his brother. He received his early educa- tion in the public schools of Long Branch, whither his family had moved when he was eight years of age. Four years later he became a resident of Sea Bright and lived there up to the time of his untimely death. He was an active member of the Methodist church in Sea Bright, and as a Democrat was well known in New Jersey political circles. Captain Applegate was well known among yachtsmen. He sailed on Sir Thomas Lipton's yacht, "Shamrock," as advisor. He was also well known as a crack shot. He was killed September 12, 1921, by acci- dent, on the railway crossing at Sea Bright, he being run over by an express train.
He married Susan C. Brehm, of Westchester, New York, November 21, 1878, in North Long Branch. Three children: 1. Howard, born May 19, 1884, in Sea Bright, New Jersey; was awarded a medal on August 15, 1905, when he was twenty- one years old, for saving the lives of three persons whom he brought in from the yacht "Danielson," when it was wrecked on the Jersey coast; Howard Applegate married Teresa Slocum, and has two daughters, Evelyn and Helen. 2. Charlotte L., now Mrs. Robertson. 3. Alfred, born in Sea Bright,
October 19, 1891; and served in the United States navy during the World War.
DR. JOHN LAIRD OPFERMANN-Long promi- nent in Highlands as a successful physician, Dr. Opfermann stands high in the medical fraternity of Monmouth county. He is a son of Conrad and Amelia (Koch) Opfermann, both natives of Ger- many, who came to the United States in their youth. They have three children: Dr. John L., of whom further; Lena, now Mrs. Ahrens, of Brooklyn, New York; and Conrad, Jr., of Englishtown, New Jer- sey.
Dr. Opfermann was born in Englishtown, New Jersey, April 1, 1876, and received his early educa- tion in the public schools. Attending the Freehold Institute, in preparation for his medical course, he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons, at Baltimore, Maryland, from which he was graduated in due course, with the degree of Doctor of Medi- cine. For eight years Dr. Opfermann wsa engaged in the drug business, and with this additional and very practical experience he entered upon the prac- tice of his profession. Since 1904 he has been a practicing physician, and has won a gratifying meas- ure of success.
Dr. Opfermann's prominence in the community in his professional capacity has brought him much in the public eye, and for several years he served as postmaster of Highlands. He has always supported the Democratic party, but except for the above office, has never accepted public honors.
On May 2, 1919, in Jersey City, Dr. Opfermann married Luella Parker, who was born in Highlands, New Jersey, April 15, 1887. Mrs. Opfermann is a member of the Protestant Episcopal church, and is a daughter of Lewis Mintfield and Rebecca J. (John- son) Parker. Her father was a veteran of the Civil War, having served two enlistments, and he was by occupation a waterman.
ELISHA E. NEWMAN, JR., since the inception of his business career, has been identified with the electrical business, and the years which have inter- vened have brought him the success which is the result of marked ability and fidelity to duty. He is respected and esteemed by all who know him, and well deserves mention among the representative citizens of Monmouth county.
Elisha E. Newman, Jr., was born in Belmar, New Jersey, October 19, 1888, the son of Elisha E. and Ida (Haberstick) Newman, Mr. Newman, Sr., being at one time proprietor of the Belmar Fisheries Com- pany. Mr. and Mrs. Newman, Sr., are the parents of six children: Elisha E., Jr., of further mention; Ida, wife of Earl Danley, of South River; Amelia, wife of Fred Wilbur, of Keyport; William K .; Julia, and Walter.
Elisha E. Newman, Jr., was educated in the schools of his native place and upon graduating from the grammar schools there, entered the em- ploy of Harry Allspach, the electrician. Here he learned the business and remained with Mr. Allspach
.
John Lo Offermann TH.D.
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for eight years. He then went with the Herbert Electric Company and was here for six years, when he resigned and went to Asbury Park and spent one year in the employ of Harry Hendrickson. Dur- ing this time his chief ambition had been to estab- lish himself in business, and at last, with this end in view, he removed to Belmar, New Jersey, and started an electrical enterprise on his own account, locating first at No 1004 F street and later removing to No. 619 Tenth avenue and still later to his present location, No. 904 F street, where the enterprise has developed to large proportions, and is now known as Newman's Electric Shop, hav- ing the most up-to-date fixtures and electrical dis- play show rooms on the east coast of New Jersey, with over nine thousand square feet of floor space, used in the showing of everything electrical. He also carries a complete line of wireless outfits and material, with expert advice, this being the only concern that handles this equipment between As- bury Park and Point Pleasant. He employs twelve men, has four salesmen on the floor, whose motto is "courtesy and interest." Among some of his elec- trical contracts are the Belmar Braid Company, the municipal building at Belmar, and about seventy- five per cent. of the homes on Inlet Terrace, many throughout the county, including several of the large homes in Lakewood. Mr. Newman has established an enviable reputation not only for ability and in- tegrity, but for attaining that high degree of finan- cial success which is the fitting reward of such effort.
In politics Mr. Newman is an Independent, not having identified himself with any particular party, preferring to remain free from all partisan influ- ences in the exercise of his own judgment on pub- lic issues. He is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge 128, of Asbury Yark; the Improved Order of Red Men, Ammonosuc Tribe, No. 202, of Belmar; and the Knights of Pythias, Asbury Park Lodge, No. 646. In religion he is a Methodist and attends the First Church of this denomination in Belmar.
On February 12, 1911, at Belmar, New Jersey, Elisha E. Newman, Jr., was united in marriage with Iva Tilton, and to them have been born two chil- dren: Albert W., January 14, 1912; and Richard, June 29, 1920. The family home is at Eighteenth avenue near M street, Belmar.
HARRY HALIBUT HULIT-In commercial and also in agricultural circles about Monmouth county, the name of Hulit is widely known and connected with various enterprises. Mr. Hulit comes of an old New Jersey family, and his paternal grand- parents were David and Rachel (Sylvester) Hulit, farming people of Hightstown, also in this county.
David Henry Hulit, their son, and father.of Harry H. Hulit, was born near Hightstown, this county, March 28, 1852, and with the family removed to West Freehold when he was six years of age. Thus his education was received in the public schools of
Freehold, and when he had completed his studies he joined his father in the work of the farm. Re- maining on the homestead until he was twenty-seven years of age, he then went to Shrewsbury township, and, taking over the Cooper place, conducted it for three years on shares. Thereafter, coming to As- bury Park, he became manager of the Vreeland Van Cleve feed store, in which position he remained for seven years. At the end of that time he entered the feed business for himself, locating in Asbury Park, and this business he carried on for a period of fourteen years. He was highly esteemed among the people of the community, and was an active fac- tor in the progress of many phases of the public welfare. He married, at Lower Squankum, in How- ell township, November 17, 1875, Althea, daughter of "Squire" Robert and Catherine (Conover) Mil- ler. She was the youngest of their seven children, as follows: Alexander, Everett, Charles Henry, Theodore, Elias, Henrietta, and Althea. David and Althea (Miller) Hulit were the parents of five chil- dren: Harry H., whose name heads this review: David Addison, born April 21, 1879, at Shrewsbury township; Lillian, born June 20, 1881, in Shrews- bury township, who married I. H Eastrict, and has two children, Marvin and Harold Bray; Kitty Ray, born July 28, 1886; and Rita Simmons, born Sep- tember 18, 1891, now the wife of William Harrison McDonald, their three children being William, Har- rison and Robert.
Harry H. Hulit, eldest child of this family, was born in Farmingdale, Howell township, New Jersey, November 2, 1878. The family removing to Ocean Grove in his childhood, it was in the public schools of that town that the lad received his first school- ing, later attending the schools of the neighboring township of Neptune. As a youth he became inter- ested in the wholesale produce business, and has thus far spent his entire career in that field of effort, operating in and around Asbury Park. He has been actively engaged in this business for twenty- three years, and in 1915 formed a partnership with his brother-in-law, establishing the firm of Hulit & Preston, commission merchants. They are under- stood to be one of the largest, if not the largest, concerns distributing farm produce in Asbury Park, and the business is located on Main street.
Mr. Hulit is well known fraternally, is a mem- ber of Asbury Park Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, is past grand of this order and has taken all degrees in it. He is a member of Tecumseh Tribe, Improved Order of Red Men, and also past master in this lodge and is a member of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, West Grove Lodge. Politically he endorses the Republican party, but holds independent views and does not blindly follow partisan leadership. He has served as a member of the school board, and at one time was president of the board.
On April 2, 1898, Mr. Hulit married, in Asbury Park, Lydia Preston, daughter of Jacob and Mar- garet Preston, and they are the parents of three children: S. Warren, E. Addison and Lillian.
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GEORGE ALLEN HOPE-Though now deceased, Mr. Hope, by his long residence in Shrewsbury as one of the leading farmers of the neighborhood, has left a name familiar to three generations of his fellow-citizens. In community affairs Mr. Hope al- ways manifested a public-spirited interest, never losing an opportunity of aiding to the utmost of his power every project which, in his judgment, had a tendency to promote the general welfare and prosperity.
Washington Lafayette Hope, father of George Allen Hope, was a son of George Hope, and was first a merchant, becoming in later life a farmer. He purchased the Allen estate, which had then been in possession of the family two hundred and seventy-five years, having been bought from the In- dians. It remained in the Allen family until 1861, when it passed into the ownership of Mr. Hope, whose wife was Helen Cobb Allen. Mr. and Mrs. Hope were the parents of four sons, one of whom, George Allen, is mentioned below. The death of Mr. Hope occurred in 1900, when he had reached the age of seventy-six, and his wife died in 1904, being then seventy-eight years old.
George Allen Hope, son of Washington Lafayette and Helen Cobb (Allen) Hope, was born February 22, 1851, in Nanuet, Rockland county, New York, and was ten years old when the family moved to Shrewsbury township, where he was educated in the local schools, mainly at the Shrewsbury Academy.
After holding for a time the position of book- keeper in the First National Bank, Red Bank, New Jersey, Mr. Hope, by reason of ill-health, turned his attention to farming, eventually buying a large farm at Eatontown. At the end of ten years he moved to the Allen estate which, with his three brothers, he had inherited on the death of his father. Mr. Hope took charge of the place, which is situated on Sycamore avenue, Shrewsbury, and thenceforth, to the close of his life, devoted himself to its culti- vation.
Always a Republican, Mr. Hope, during the lat- ter part of his life, developed Prohibition tendencies. He and his family were members of the Eatontown Baptist Church, in the work of which he was very active, holding the office of deacon and serving as superintendent of the Sunday school.
Mr. Hope married, October 19, 1875, at Eaton- town, Sarah Jane Reynolds, daughter of Walter Curtis and Mary Caroline (Scott) Reynolds, the former a son of William Scott and Jane (Throc- morton) Reynolds. On May 16, 1919, Mr. Hope closed a well-spent life, leaving the memory of an able, upright man, a good citizen, a true friend and a kind neighbor.
AARON VAN HISE-One of the names long familiar with the lumber business in Monmouth county is that of Van Hise, and Aaron Van Hise is now one of the heads of the extensive interests with which the name is connected at the present time. His younger brother, Frank D. Van Hise,
whose life is also reviewed in this work, is asso- ciated with him in business.
George Van Hise, the grandfather of these brothers, was active as a chair maker in the early years of the nineteenth century, when all furniture was still made by hand, and his wife was a native of Burrsville, New Jersey.
Charles P. Van Hise, the father, owned a large log saw mill in Ocean county, New Jersey, and trained his sons in this business. He was a very successful man of his day, and retired from busi- ness with a competence many years before his death. He was a staunch Democrat by political affiliation, and always active in public affairs, at one time being a freeholder of Ocean county. He married Mary Schuts, and they were the parents of ten children, five sons and five daughters.
Aaron Van Hise was born in Cassville, Ocean county, New Jersey, June 29, 1856, and his formal education was received entirely at the district schools near his home. Following school days he was associated with his father in the saw mill owned by the elder man for a number of years. At the age of twenty-six Mr. Van Hise went to Sea Bright, New Jersey, and there entered the employ of Cloughry & Nichols, with which con- cern he was connected for a period of seventeen years. He then became associated with the Ed- wards Lumber Company, Long Branch, in the capacity of superintendent of the mills, filling this position for one year, after which he was in charge of the Boynton Lumber Company's mills for two years and nine months. His next change was to the Boynton Lumber Company's mills, in Boynton, of which he had charge for some time. He then became connected with the firm of Whitty & Van Hise, with whom he was soon associated as a member of the firm. This was in 1914, and at that time the firm breadened its operations by receiving also a Mr. Paulson, and by purchasing the Cloughry & Nichols business, including a mill on Branchport avenue, in Long Branch. The name, then Whitty, Van Hise & Paulson, has changed since, with the withdrawal of Messrs. Whittey and Paulson and the reception of Mr. Davison, and is now Van Hise, Davison & Company, their activities embracing the retail lumber yard, planing mill. and a thriving business in paints, varnish, and hardware They employ regularly about twenty hands, and in rush seasons, more. Aaron Van Hise is the head of the planing mill branch of the business, in which he is an expert, having specialized in this branch during the greater part of his career.
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