USA > New Jersey > Monmouth County > History of Monmouth County, New Jersey, 1664-1920, Volume II > Part 51
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Mr. Gates was a good business man and very popular socially. In politics he was a Republican and very active in local affairs in behalf of his friends, but neither sought nor desired office for himself. He was a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, joining that order in Long Branch in 1899, and continuing his mem- bership until his passing eighteen years later. He was also a member of the Loyal Order of Moose He was a delightful entertainer, gifted in mimiery.
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and his impersonation of the famous Scotch comedian, Harry Lauder, was so particularly life- like and true in action and speech, that he was pronounced the "best" of Lauder's many imperson- ators. He was very willing to aid any charity or good cause by contributing his services as an entertainer, and was frequently seen on the local stage.
Mr. Gates married, in Bradford, Yorkshire, England, December 24, 1878, Mary A. Harrison, daughter of John and Martha (Dodson) Harrison. Both her parents were born in Yorkshire, and are now deceased; her mother was formerly a resident of Jersey City, New Jersey. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Gates: Herbert Washington, born in Bradford, England, May 2, 1880, married, in 1911, Rose Martimes, of New York; Clara, born in Bradford, England, November 29, 1881, died at the age of seven years; John Charles, born in Rahway, New Jersey, November 5, 1883, died at the age of seven years; Clara Louise, born in Rahway, New Jersey, January 7, 1885, died in infancy; Child, died at birth, 1887; Mary Louise, born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, February 7, 1889, died in infancy; Martha, born in Perth Amboy, October 1, 1890, married Alonzo Hall Nichols; Lillie May, born in 1892, died in infancy; Anna Elizabeth, born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, November 13, 1894; married Arthur B. Wright, of Ocean Grove, New Jersey; Pearl, born in Asbury Park, New Jersey, April 8, 1897, married George Roberts, of Newark.
Mrs. Mary A. Gates, a woman of fine business ability, in 1904 started an hotel at Bradley Beach, New Jersey, called "The Llewenny," consisting of twenty-one rooms, which she conducted for two seasons. For the following three seasons she was proprietress of "The Newport," on Sewall avenue, Asbury Park, a fifteen room house, and thence went to "The Kingscourt," nineteen rooms, situated at the corner of Grand and Monroe avenues, which she conducted for three seasons. Her next house was "The Newport," thirty-three rooms, at 304 Asbury avenue, which she retained for five sea- sons. For the season of 1919 she opened "The Girard," at 307 Sixth avenue, Asbury Park, a house having fifty-five guest rooms, and during the season of 1920 conducted a smaller house in Ocean Grove. During the winter season of 1920 she opened a rooming house at 637 Hibiscus avenue, West Palm Beach, Florida, returning to Asbury Park for the summer of 1921 and opening "The Cornish Arms," an hotel having forty-eight guest rooms, which she conducted very successfully. During the winter of 1921-22 she again was at the West Palm Beach house, at 637 Hibiscus avenue. Mrs. Gates is a very capable woman, acts as her own manager and is a most successful hotel proprietress. She is a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and ac- tive in parish work. She is well known in Asbury Park, and highly esteemed by all who know her.
ALONZO D. SHERMAN was born at Long Branch, New Jersey, on July 30, 1863, and is a son
of Henry B and Catherine M. (Woolley) Sherman. Henry B. Sherman, Mr. Sherman's father, was the proprietor of a grocery and feed business at Broad- way and Pearl street, Long Branch, on the site where Mr. Sherman's present offices are situated. He established the business in a small way in 1869. It increased in size steadily, and in 1895 he built a small grain mill at the back of his residence. The business continued to grow, and in 1902 Henry B. Sherman retired from active participation in the management, which devolved upon Alonzo D. Sher- man, and his brother, John W. Sherman. Henry B. Sherman had a family of seven children. His six sons are: Rev. Arthur M., who entered the ministry of the Episcopal church and is at the present time dean of the University of Wu Chang, in China; John W., who in 1895 became a partner in the grain and feed business, and is now secretary of the Long Branch Building and Loan Association; Harry B., who is president of the Long Branch Banking Company; Horace; Thomas C., who is a contracting painter; and Alonzo D., of whom further. Henry B. Sherman also had a daughter, Adaline W. (Sher- man) Woolley.
Alonzo D. Sherman received his early education in the public schools of Long Branch, then entered his father's business and in 1885 became a part- ner in the firm. In 1895 his brother, John W. Sherman, joined him as a partner. The elder Mr. Sherman having retired in 1902, the business was managed by Alonzo D. Sherman until 1913, when he sold it to his son, Walton Sherman, and retired. Later, during the same year, the business was in- corporated, and Mr. Sherman re-entered upon its management as president of the company. His son Walton became secretary and treasurer of the com- pany, and Charles Maps, the husband of Mr. Sher- man's daughter, Adaline Woolley (Sherman) Maps, became vice-president of the company at the time of its incorporation. The business is now one of the largest in Long Branch, and is situated on the railroad. The holdings comprise a complete grain mill, a coal pocket, which was built in 1919, and storage facilities for feed, grain and mixed scratch feed.
Mr. Sherman is an active Republican and has al- ways had a high standing in the councils of his party. President Mckinley appointed him postmas- ter of Long Branch in 1898, and he filled this Fed- eral office until 1903. From 1913 to 1919 he was city clerk of Long Branch, and also held the offi- ce of city commissioner for two terms of office. He served for ten years as a member of the Board of Education, of which he is at present secretary.
Mr. Sherman is a member of St. Luke's Metho- dist Episcopal Church at Long Branch and takes an active part in congregational work. He has been steward of the church, and has also held the post of assistant superintendent of the Sunday school.
Mr. Sherman married Lydia E. Walton, of Long Branch, on January 20, 1885. Mrs. Sher- man is a daughter of Elisha T. and Jennie T. (Brower) Walton. Mr. and Mrs. Sherman have
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four children and five grandchildren. Adaline Woolley Sherman, their elder daughter, married Charles Maps, and has two children, Eleanora and Charles H. Maps. Mammie D. Sherman, their. younger daughter, is now dead. Catherine Morris Sherman is the wife of Albert E. Fesher. Walton Sherman, an only son, married Ethel Herbert, and has three children: Catherine, Margaret and Harry B.
ISAAC S. DAWES - Without doubt Isaac Stryker Dawes is regarded as one of the leading citizens of Upper Freehold. In 1847 his father purchased the farm, known formerly as the Rachel Kirby place. and since this the property, which comprises one hundred and ninety-seven acres, has been devoted to general farming, having a large dairy attached with registered cattle. To- gether with this industry, Mr. Dawes has also, since 1870, been engaged in the manufacture of cider, which business alone has grown so extensive- ly that in itself it has brought him into prominence and netted him large financial returns.
Isaac Stryker Dawes was born in Upper Free- hold, Monmouth county, New Jersey, April 14, 1849, the son of John and Mary Anne (Stryker) Dawes. John Dawes was born in Huntington county, New Jersey, in September, 1828, and died on the old homestead, March 22, 1910. Early in life, or until the time (1847) he purchased the farm, he was employed as a mill operative at New. Brunswick, New Jersey. The son received the preliminary portion of his education in the little Union school, and the public school at Millstone, going thence to Pennington Seminary and Hights- town High School. After completing his studies he returned to his father's home, assisting the elder man in his work about the place. During the Civil War in 1864, father and son were engaged in the manufatcure of Sorghum molasses. This business was dissolved at the end of the war. Six years later, in 1870, they formed a partnership and built a cider mill which was equipped with but one single screw press. Business consistently grew, and in 1908 they established a plant in Imlays- town, near Nelsonville station. on a tract of land covering seventeen acres, the buildings being equipped with three hydraulic presses, and the last word in all modern equipment. This cider business, which is the largest in the State of New Jersey, with distribution throughout the entire United States, was incorporated in May, 1918, with Isaac S. Dawes, president; John H. Dawes, treas- urer; and Pierson F. Havens, secretary. Mr. Dawes also founded the Finger Lake's Cider Vine- gar Company at Penn Yan, Yates county, New York, in 1921, with himself as president and John Dawes as treasurer.
In everything pertaining to the community Mr. Dawes has always taken an active part, and given his earnest support to furthering the public welfare. He is vice-president of the Farmers' National Bank of Allentown, having been one of its directors since its inception. In politics he is a Republican, and for fifteen years was town
committeeman. He affiliates with - Imlayston Lodge, No. 90, Knights of Pythias, and in rolled is & Presbyterian.
Isaac Stryker Dawes was united in marziage with Mary Ann Hankins, at Allentown. New Jersey. September 25, 1878. Mrs. Dawes was born & August, 1842, the daughter of John and Bebecas (Barcale) Hankins, and died October 15, 1914 From this union were born three children: Jol H., born September 4, 1874, married Ids Kudr and have three children, Eva K., Isaac and Kha- ley; Lillian, born September 4, 1877, mardidd William H. Henderson and has two children, Kt- dred and Ruth; Sadie, born May 12, 1882. deceased; married Pierson Havens, and left tiens children, Mary, John and Doris. ..
GEORGE W. BAXTER-An honored citiem d Monmouth county, George W. Baxter has for way many years borne a part in the physical grund and development of Long Branch, and the cus munity, and fraternal activities of the commedy have also felt his progressive influence. Kos although in his seventy-fifth year. he is still alet to every advance movement, and a cordial porter of all good work. He is a son of James In Mary (Carr) Baxter. Of Mr. Baxter's five besties and two sisters, two brothers served in the Ch War.
George W. Baxter was born in New Town Square, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, October 3. 1847, but while he was still a child the family re- moved to Philadelphia, and in that city he was reared, and was educated in the Philadelphia grammar and high schools. There he learned the carpenter's trade with Philip S. Mason, whe wu later United States surveyor for eastern Tu- nessee. In 1883 Mr. Baxter started in business for himself in Philadelphia, where he continued fer about six years. Meanwhile the shore districts d Monmouth county had attracted his attention, and with boundless faith in their future he came to Long Branch in 1889, and established himself here as a general contractor. In the thirty-three yon which have passed since then, Mr. Baxter has done much to realize the faith which he then felt in this section. He has been identified with very much d the construction work in the shore towns of the county, and has himself handled the contracts for most of the beautiful homes at Monmouth Beach Rumson, and Sea Bright. He also built the Steiner factory at Long Branch; additions to the schools at Long Branch and West Long Branch; and the First National Bank building at Sea Bright is a monument to his industrial activity. He has bem largely successful, and is still active in the management of his extensive interests.
In various civic movements Mr. Baxter's public spirit has found expression, and has become a constructive influence. He is a member of the Citizens' Club, of which he has been president since its organization, and he is also a member of the Good Government League. Fraternally he holds the thirty-second degree in the Masonic order, is
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past master of his lodge and past high priest of his chapter, Corson Commandry, No. 15, Asbury Park, and a member of Mecca Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He is a member of Washington Council, No. 1, (Junior) Order of United American Mechanics, of Philadelphia, of which he was one of the organizers of the lodge, which was the first in the United States, of this order. Mr. Bax- ter is the second oldest member of the order in the United States, in point of membership. He is past councilor of the order and is president of the Veterans' Association of the (Junior) Order of American Mechanics of Philadelphia. He is also past master of the Masonic Association of Mon- mouth county. He is a member of St. Luke's Methodist Episcopal Church, and is a member of the official board of the church.
Mr. Baxter married, in Philadelphia, Elizabeth Gratzinger, of Philadelphia, the ceremony taking place in that city. They are the parents of three children: Elma M., a school teacher; Francis M., who is associated with his father in business; and Emma, a graduate nurse at Mt. Sinai Hospital, in New York City. He was a member of the city council several years and president of that body. He was a member of committee to get city charter.
WILLIAM THOMPSON SMOCK, well known and highly regarded in Monmouth county, New Jersey, has for nearly twelve years been actively engaged in the hardware business in Wickatunk, and is also widely known in fraternal circles.
Mr. Smock comes of an old and honored New Jersey family, being a grandson of Isaac and Caroline (Brewer) Smock. Their son, Henry D. Smock, married Lillian A. Perrine, daughter of John I. and Phebe (Newell) Perrine, and their son, William T. Smock, later became head of the business. William T. Smock was born in Wicka- tunk, New Jersey, June 14, 1874. He received a thorough preparation for a mercantile career, first attending the public schools, then graduating from the Freehold High School in 1892, and from Coleman's Business College, in Newark, New Jer- sey, March 16, 1893. His first mercantile experi- ence was in the commission business, at Wicka- tunk, which he entered March 12, 1896. At about that time he was also appointed station agent and operator for the Central Railroad of New Jersey, at Wickatunk, a position he has continu- ously held for twenty-six years. In 1898 Mr. Smock became interested with his father in busi- ness, and they established a hardware and general store in Wickatunk, under the firm name of H. D. Smock & Company. This was a very successful business from the beginning, and was continued until 1912, then given up.
Mr. Smock, in addition to being station agent at Wickatunk, has also for twenty-six years been assistant postmaster, and is the agent for the American Railroad Express Company. He is a char- ter member and local chairman of the Order of Rail- road Telegraphers, New Jersey Southern Division of the Central Railroad of New Jersey, and of
the New York and Long Branch Railroad, and is general secretary and treasurer of System Division No. 45, Central Railroad of New Jersey, of this Order. In 1919 he was a delegate to the National Convention of the Order of Railroad Telegraphers held in St. Louis, and also to the 1921 convention held in Savannah, Georgia.
He is a member of the Benefit Association of Railway Employees, of Chicago, Illinois, Veteran Employees' Association of Central Railroad Em- ployees, and a member of Central Railroad of New Jersey Athletic Association, Jersey City, New Jersey. Fraternally, Mr. Smock holds member- ship in Topenemus Lodge, Improved Order of Red Men, of Freehold, New Jersey; The Red Men's Fraternal Accident Association of Westfield, Massachusetts, and the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, of Matawan. He is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Mat- awan, New Jersey.
On February 26, 1896, Mr. Smock married Sadie Sickles and they have one child, William T., Jr., born May 17, 1906, at Wickatunk, New Jersey. Mrs. Smock is also a member of a prominent New Jersey family. She is a granddaughter of Harry and Deborah (Clayton) Sickles. Their son, James Henry Sickles, married Sarah Katherine Emmons, daughter of John Isaac and Katherine (Sickles) Emmons. James Henry Sickles was a prominent man of Red Bank, in this county, and a justice of the peace for many years. The child- ren of James Henry and Sarah Katherine (Emmons) Sickles are: Jennie, wife of Wilhelm B. Hoeneman, of Newark, New Jersey; Sadie, now Mrs. Smock; and Emma, wife of Harry C. Price, of Youngstown, Ohio. Mrs. Smock is a charter member of Chapter 70, Order of the Eastern Star, of Red Bank, New Jersey; Waneta Council, No. 13, Daughters of Pocahontas; Ladies' Auxi- liary; Order of Railroad Telegraphers; Starry Flag Council, No. 40, Daughters of Liberty, of Free- hold; and Women's Christian Temperance Union, which she formerly served as county president.
HARRY FRANCIS SHIER-It requires ability of peculiar order to successfully engage in the hotel business. A first essential is the power to correctly judge human nature, to recognize the personal characteristics of every individual and to mould one's conduct accordingly. Added to this must be the same elements necessary to the pros- perous conduct of any business-energy, industry and close application. A third requisite is a social, genial disposition and a sincere desire to please. Well qualified in all these particulars, Harry Francis Shier has become well known to the travel- ling public as a most capable hotel man.
Joshua Shier, father of Harry Francis Shier, was born in Brock township, Ontario, Canada. Early in life he engaged in farming, but later' served an apprenticeship to the shoemaking trade, which he followed for many years. In 1889, he entered into partnership with his son, John James, locating at Cannington, Ontario, in what is known as the Wil-
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son Block. This partnership continued successfully antil, on account of illness. the elder man retired from active business life. Joshua Shier, until the time of his death which occurred in 1906, always took an active part in the affairs of Cannington. He was a Conservative in politics and for twenty years was mayor of that city. He married Mar- garet Frances who was born in Brock township, her parents being among the early settlers of that particular place. She died in 1897. Mr. and Mrs. Shier were the parents of three children: John James, of further mention; Adam Wellington, manager of the paint shops of the Dodge Motor Car Company at Detroit, Michigan; Harry Francis. the subject of this sketch.
John James Shier was born in Cannington, On- tario, Canada, November 9, 1868. His education was obtained in the public schools, of his native place, after which he learned his father's trade, that of whoamaking. He worked at it for a time in United States and Toronto, returning to his native home where, as has already been mentioned, he and his father formed a partnership in business. Upon the retirement of the older man, the son and W. A. Mullen formed a partnership. This firm conducted one of the largest and most successful boot and shoe and grocery businesses in Central Ontario un- til November, 1915, when Mr. Mullen retired, sell- ing his interests to Mr. Shier, which the latter conducted successfully until his death, March 6, 1916. Mr. Shier was a public-spirited citizen and took a deep interest in educational affairs. Ho served ten years on the Cannington School Board. four years of which he was chairman. He also served on the Cannington Council for the years 1907-10-14. He took a great interest in the erection and construction of Cannington skating and curling rinks, baseball and other sports. At the time of his death he was president of the Big Four Baseball League. He was a member of Loyal Orangemen's Lodge, No. 568, in which he held high and responsible offices; and of Peaceful Dove Lodge, No. 135, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Cannington, being Past Noble Grand and treasurer of this lodge at the time of his death. He affiliated with the Methodist church. In politics, like his father, he was a strong Con- servative.
John James Shier married, in 1891, Minnie Burgess, daughter of the late George Burgess of Cannington, and to this union were born the fol- lowing children: Violet, wife of N. V. Pipher of Cannington; Flossie, Greta, Heber, Gordon and Harry, all of Cannington.
Harry Francis Shier was born in Cannington, Ontario, August 3, 1874. In his youth he lived near an Indian reservation and was adopted by a cribe there. He went to school with a son of Dr. Oromeiteika, the latter being a famous Indian lec- turer. After completing his common school educa- tion Harry Francis Shier entered Lindsay Collegiate Institute and was subsequently graduated with the class of 1892. Upon terminating his studies Mr. Shier went to Toronto where he secured a position
a's clerk in the Queen's Hotel. Two jest lets he removed to Budalo, where he was employed in the Iriquois Hotel for nine months, at the end of which time he made another change. this time coming to Manasquan, New Jersey, . which he since been the scene of his business activities. & first established a barber shop in the town and later conducted another one in the New Monmouth Hotel at Spring Lake. Still later he sold out these interests, desiring to take up the hotel business. With this end fa view be purchased the Osborn House in Manasquan, forming the partnership of Shier and Mount in 1905, selling to Mount in 1906. He then moved to Keyport, New Jersey. where he bought the Bayside Hotel, and after managing it for three years sold it in 1909, and purchased the Squam House in Manasquan. He leased this hotel in January, 1922, to Mr. James Cavanaugh of New York, having become actively engaged in the Index Shale Oil Company of De Beque, Colorado, and moving there in October. 1921. It is interesting to note that this house was built in 1840, known as the Hutsinger Place. and was conducted by John H. Davidson. It is the oldest hotel in Wall township and is the oldest house in the county to have been run continuously as a hotel. When Mr. Shier purchased it he did not change the main house, but built on a thirty foot parlor, a ten foot veranda, added twenty by thirty feet to the kitchen, a twenty by forty foot grill, with a new bar forty by one hundred and twenty feet.
Mr. Shier served in the Thirty-Fourth Batts- lion, Central Ontario, for three years under Major Samuel Hughes who, for the duration of the World War, was Minister of War. He is a member of Wall Lodge, No. 73, Free and Accepted Masons; Corson Commandery, Knights Templar, and has attained the Thirty-Second degree in Masonry. He is affiliated with Asbury Park Lodge, No. 128, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Knights of the Golden Eagle, Clyde Castle; New Jersey State Hotel Men's Association; Monmouth County Hotel Men's Association; Manasquan Fish and Rod Club; and the Bimini Gun and Fish Club of the Island of Bimini, West Indies. In religion Mr. Shier is a Presbyterian and attends the First church of this denomination in Manasquan.
In April, 1896, Harry Francis Shier was united in marriage with Louise Hilderbrand, daughter of Julius and Charlotte (Bawline) Hilderbrand. Mrs. Shier died November 12, 1919. Mr. and Mrs- Shier were the parents of three children: Norman. born March 23, 1900, is a graduate of the Mana- squan High School, class of 1918, and is now, 1921, a culler for the Ontario Paper and Pulp Company, Limited, at Shelter Bay, Labrador; Margaret S., born July 8, 1903, a graduate of Manasquan High School, 1920, is a student at the New Jersey State Women's College, New Brunswick; J. Arthur, born November 26, 1904, graduate of Manasquan High School, class of 1920, is a student at Rutgers, preparing for a lawyer's career.
Mr. Shier is in every sense of the word a public-
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spirited man, for nothing which has for its aim the betterment and advancement of Manasquan seeks his aid in vain. He is an ardent fisherman and gunner, and while spending his winters in Miami, Mr. Shier finds great opportunities for en- gaging in these favorite pastimes.
GEORGE WASHINGTON ELLIOTT-That this is the name not only of a former mayor of Sea- bright, but also of a man remarkable, both as public official and private citizen, for a high degree of civic spirit, every inhabitant of the town and its vicinity will bear abundant testimony. Mr. Elliott is an enterprising man, carrying into the sphere of action the same spirit of aggressiveness which characterized his political administration.
John Macaulay Elliott, father of George Wash- ington Elliott, was born in England, near the Scottish border, and in 1849 came to the United States, settling in Cumberland, Maryland, and later removing to Baltimore. After remaining there a number of years he migrated to Chatsworth, New Jersey, where he purchased a large orchard which was alluringly advertised as the greatest fruit producer in the State. Despite the fact that the orchard proved a disappointment, Mr. Elliott, Sr., spent the remainder of his life at Chatsworth. The homestead is still in the possession of the family. Mr. Elliott married, in England, Ann Stevenson, daughter of James Stevenson, of that country, and they became the parents of the fol- lowing children, all of whom except the oldest, were born in Baltimore: John, Jr., born in England, served in the Civil War as a soldier in the Army of the Potomac; Mary, David, George Washington, of whom further; and one who died in infancy. Mr. Elliott died in 1878 at the age of seventy- eight years, and his widow passed away in 1895, aged seventy-six. Both died at Chatsworth. It is worthy of note that, coming to the United States, as they did, more than seventy years ago, they made the voyage on a sailing vessel.
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