USA > New Jersey > Monmouth County > History of Monmouth County, New Jersey, 1664-1920, Volume II > Part 53
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54
George Bailey, eldest of the four sons of Cap- tain William H. and Mary (Green) Bailey, was born at Manasquan, New Jersey, November 1, 1839, and died there, January 6, 1916. After com- pleting school years he entered the employ of Brannen & Bailey, his father's firm, but two years later, at the age of eighteen, he went to sea on one of his father's vessels and for twenty-six years he was engaged in the coasting trade, be- coming a master of ships and a vessel owner. Vessels in that day were built by several men, each contributing a specified share of the cost and owning a share of the vessel in proportion to the amount invested, a fourth, eighth, sixteenth, or if a large vessel a thirty-second or sixty-fourth. In this way Captain Bailey became a part owner of several vessels, and some of these he com- manded, trading between North and South Am- erican ports. He continued a sea captain until 1891, when he retired, but continued his vessel ownership, one of these vessels, the schooner "Cal- vin B. Orcutt," being owned almost entirely by Captain Bailey.
From 1891 until his passing, a quarter of a century thereafter, Captain Bailey lived practically retired from business life, but he kept in close touch with the life of his community, and was interested in real estate development quite heavily. He was a Democrat in politics, and in 1892 was elected mayor of Manasquan. At the close of his term he was again the choice of his party for that office, and was honored by the opposite party refusing to name a candidate against him. When he was offered a third term he graciously declined, but for two years, 1892-1894, he was a member of the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Free- holders. He served many terms as a member of the executive committee of the Democratic town- ship committee, and was always deeply interested in political affairs, local, State and National. He was an elder of the Presbyterian church; member of Wall Lodge, Free and accepted Masons, and a man genuinely liked by all who knew him and thoroughly respected. A feature of his quarter of a century of seafaring life was the fact that his vessels never met with wreck or serious misfor- tune, a tribute to his skill as a navigator. Sincere,
166
MONMOUTH COUNTY
hospitable, and friendly, he came to the end of as a citizen and has had a part in two wars, an his years, seventy-seven, in usefulness and honor, his influence beneficial, his example worthy of em- ulation.
Captain George Bailey married Annie M. God- frey, daughter of Andrew S. Godfrey, of Cape May county, New Jersey, who died October 22, 1921. She was the mother of four children: 1. Forman T., of further mention. 2. Hannah, a graduate of Syracuse University, A. B .. 1915, now a student of Newark Normal School, class of 1922. 3. Mary, a graduate of Syracuse University, B. S., 1915, taught in the Spring Lake, New Jer- sey schools for three years prior to her marriage to Stuart Cooper, of Charleston, South Carolina, manager of the Charleston Consolidated Heating and Lighting Company. 4. George (2), a gradu- ate of Peddie Institute, Hightstown, New Jersey, class of 1915; Dental School, University of Penn- sylvania, D. D. S., class of 1918, now practicing his profession in Hightstown. The family home was on South street, Manasquan, and there For- man T. Bailey, the eldest son, yet resides.
Forman T. Bailey was born at Manasquan, New Jersey, January 6, 1887, his father then a master mariner. He completed grammar and high school in Manasquan, attended Princeton Preparatory School, then entered the University of Pennsyl- vania, Captain Bailey giving each son and daugh- ter a college education. Forman T. Bailey was graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, B. S., class of 1911, Law School, LL. B., 1918, and at the February term, 1914, he was admitted to the New Jersey bar as an attorney. For two years thereafter he was a law student with the firm of Durand, Ivins & Carton, of Asbury Park, then from 1917 until February 1, 1920, practiced privately with offices in the Asbury Park Trust Company building. On February 1, 1920, he was admitted to a partnership in the firm of Durand, Ivins & Carton, and so continues (January 1, 1922). Mr. Bailey is a Democrat in politics, and since 1914 has been solicitor for the borough of Manas- quan, his home town. Since 1917 he has been a trustee of the First Presbyterian Church of Man- asquan, his fraternity Delta Chi, University of Pennsylvania.
Mr. Bailey married, in Philadelphia, Pennsyl- vania, July 5, 1916, Rebecca Brown, daughter of Nathan Brown, her father a retail grocer of that city. Mr. and Mrs. Bailey are the parents of For- man T., Jr., born in Manasquan, New Jersey, November, 1920.
WILLIAM BROKAW BAMFORD-A man of wide travel and experience, of high reputation as architect and consulting engineer, an authority on building contracts and specifications, a well known writer for the technical press and of family his- tory, Mr. Bamford has fairly earned the title of a "busy" man, yet the foregoing constitutes but a part of the activities of his life as the following lines will show. He has been particularly active
in the upbuilding and civic improvement of th borough of Belmar on the New Jersey Cous where he has long made his summer home. Hi ancestors came to the New World about 16% and members of the family have held importu civil and military offices in both New York an New Jersey, service in the Continental army du ing the struggle for independence included.
The immediate paternal ancestors of Mayo Bamford were: William Bamford, son of Joh and Catherine Emaline (Whittaker) Bamford, bon November 19, 1815, died in Trenton, New Jersey July 8, 1879. William Bamford came to Trento about 1830, and went into the business of makin grates and fenders for stoves. In the early fiftie he started a tomato canning factory under th name of Lewis, Bamford & Belville. At the en of a year both partners withdrew, and Mr. Ban ford continued the business alone and develope it into a large and prosperous business, retirim in 1871 because of ill health. He was an old lin Democrat, and served as a member of the Merce County Board of Freeholders, and Trenton Cit Council, 1851-53. He was a member of Merce Lodge, No. 50, Free and Accepted Masons. H married (first) Angeline Wilson, daughter o Thomas H. and Rachel Wilson, of Philadelphia Pennsylvania, born 1822, died October 14, 1841 Child, Catherine Emaline, born February 2, 1841 died June 17, 1841. He married (second), Nover ber 14, 1843, Elizabeth Desborough, daughter c Eli and Martha (Covert) Desborough, of Trentoi Children: William Augustus, born October 2 1844, died March 31, 1855; Charles Youmans, xe below.
Charles Youmans Bamford, son of William an Elizabeth (Desborough) Bamford, was born : Trenton, New Jersey, March 27, 1848, died : Belmar, New Jersey, February 11, 1915. Charle Y. Bamford served in all grades from private t colonel of the Seventh New Jersey Infantry fro: 1869 to 1899, when he retired. He was treasure and managing director of the City Railway Con pany, Trenton, from 1878 to 1891. He was Democrat, and at twenty-two years of age wa secretary of the Mercer County Executive Con mission, and became a power in State politic He served as school trustee, was president of th Board of Fire Commissioners for many years, an was identified with most activities in Trento! He was a member of Mercer Lodge, No. 50, Fre and Accepted Masons; Three-Time-Three Chal ter, Royal Arch Masons; Palestine Commander. Knights Templar; and Lu Lu Temple, Mysti Shrine. He married, October 5, 1877, Catherin Jane Exton, daughter of Adam and Elizabet (Aspden) Exton, of Trenton. Children: William Brokaw, see below; and Charles Exton, born Jun 24, 1882, died May 9, 1908. He graduated from West Point, and was a second lieutenant in th United States army.
William Brokaw Bamford, eldest son of Charle
i
Herman L. Lehy
167
BIOGRAPHICAL
Y. and Catherine J. (Exton) Bamford. was born in Trenton, New Jersey. He was in private schools and State model school, Trenton, being a graduate of the last-named institution, class of 1896, passing thence to Princeton University, there receiving the degree of C. E., class of 1900. At State Model School he was vice-president of the Thencanic Society; at Princeton, president of Clio Hall and of the Camera Club. The business life of Mr. Bamford began while he was yet a school boy, and all through his model school and college years he held positions with Trenton institutions. From July, 1892, to January, 1894, he was assist- ant messenger to fire commissioners, Trenton Fire Department; June to October, 1895, computer for New Jersey Steel & Iron Company, Trenton; August, 1900, to April, 1901, travelled through England, France and Italy, making special study of engineering and architectural works; June, 1901, to February, 1902, superintendent of construction with Cyrus L. W. Eidlitz, architect, had immediate charge of all work; February, 1902, to November, 1907, general manager for Editlitz & Mckenzie, architects, had immediate charge of many of the largest buildings in New York City and elsewhere, including the New York Times building, all build- ings for the New York Telephone Company, etc. Since 1907 he has been in independent practice as architect and consulting engineer. He is consult- ing engineer to Greenwood Cemetery Association; president and director of Washington Market As- sociation, Trenton; consulting editor of "Sweet's Catalogue," New York City.
During the Spanish-American War, in 1898, Mr. Bamford was offered a commission as second lieut- enant in a New Jersey regiment, but declined it because it was not selected for immediate active service. He enlisted in the First Regiment, United States Volunteer Engineers, served with the army in Porto Rico, was promoted to sergeant, and was recommended for a commission when the armistice was signed, and no further commissions were issued. After his return from the Spanish War, he was appointed in December, 1898, first lieuten- ant, and battalion adjutant of the Seventh New Jersey Infantry, which he held until the regiment was mustered out in 1900. He attended the Platts- burg Training Camp in June, 1916, and in March, 1917, organized the Belmar Battalion Guards, which was accepted in October, 1917, as the Bel- mar Battalion, New Jersey Militia Reserve. He offered his services to the government and was placed by the war department in charge of the selection of officers for the North Jersey Coast District, and was chief of the Military Intelligence of the Army and Navy for the North Jersey Coast. His commission was authorized, and he was await- ing orders to go abroad when the armistice was signed.
During the war period he served as chairman of the Commission of Public Safety; chairman of the Commission on Organization and Finance; Shark River Chapter, American Red Cross; chair-
man of the North Jersey Coast Branch, Military Traing Camps Association; chairman of the Library War Council; secretary of the Liberty Loan Commission; chairman of the Advertising Commis- sion of the War Saving Stamp Commission; chair- man of the American Library Association in United War Work Campaign; chairman of the Military Relief, Belmar Branch American Red Cross; chair- man of the Red Cross Christmas Roll Call, 1918-19; chairman of the Belmar Branch, American Red Cross, 1921-22.
In civic affairs he has been very active, and in many organizations, local, State and National, he has taken active interest. He has been president of the board of trustees of the Belmar Public Library from its formation in 1913 to date, 1922, and was first vice-president of the New Jersey Library Association in 1915. He is a Republican, and in 1912 was one of the organizers of the Pro- gressive party. He was a member of the Borough Council, 1915-16, and was again elected in 1920, but declined to serve. He was a member of the Shade Tree Commission, 1918-19. He was elected mayor of Belmar in 1920, and re-elected in 1921 for two years, being nominated on both the Republican and Democratic tickets and elected without opposition. He is president of the Belmar Sinking Fund Com- mission.
He was a director of the American Society of Engineering Constructors, 1912-15, and refused the election of president; member of the American So- ciety Civil Engineers; American Association of Engineers; Princeton Engineering Association; American Society of Testing Materials; New York Board of Trade and Transportation; vice-president and director of the Belmar Board of Trade; mem- ber of the City Managers Association, and member of the Sons of the Revolution of New Jersey. In the Masonic order he is a member of Trenton Lodge, No. 5, Free and Accepted Masons, in which he was raised, February 9, 1900; is a companion of Goodwin Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; holds all degrees of New Jersey Consistory, Valley of Tren- ton; Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite; the Masonic Research Lodge, Quator Coronoti, No. 2076, of Lon- don, England; and is a noble of Mecca Temple, An- cient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. In religious faith he is an Episcopalian, and was a lay reader during the Spanish-American War. His writings appear largely in the technical press, and relate to professional subjects, particularly on build- ing contracts and specifications, subjects on which Mr. Bamford is an acknowledged authority. He is, however, a student of family history and has writ- ten genealogical histories of the Desborough, Co- vert, Johnstone and Heathcote families, all of which are his own ancestral lines.
HERMAN LAUTZ LEHR-To this name should be added the words, "Mayor of Keansburg," were it not for the fact that they would be more than superfluous. Moreover, it was not only upon elec- tion to his present responsible office that Mr. Lehr
168
MONMOUTH COUNTY
came into prominence in the affairs of his com- munity, inasmuch as he had been for a number of years previous to that event a recognized leader of the party to which he gave his political allegiance.
William Lehr, father of Herman Lautz Lehr, was born in Brussels, Belgium, and as a young man emigrated to the United States, settling in Jersey City, New Jersey, and conducting an importing es- tablishment on Beaver street, New York. He mar- ried, at New Haven, Connecticut, Sarah Powers, born at Matoupas, Cuba, daughter of James Powers, of Boston, and they became the parents of one child, Harmon Lautz, mentioned below. Mr. Lehr died in November, 1867, at the early age of thirty-two years.
Herman Lautz Lehr, son of William and Sarah (Powers) Lehr, was born January 8, 1867, in Jersey City, New Jersey, and was but five months old when death deprived him of his father. He was taken by his mother to the borough of Raritan and educated in local schools, completing his course of study in Belgium, where he lived for a number of years at Nainur, in the province of Naumur. On his return to the United States, Mr. Lehr was employed for two years as bookkeeper by a Brooklyn concern, but in 1902 resigned his position and became a farmer at Middletown, New Jersey. For the ensuing eight years he devoted himself to agriculture, and in 1910 came to Keansburg and immediately began to take an active part in town affairs.
As an adherent of the Democratic party, Mr. Lehr soon became a factor of importance in local poli- tics, serving as a member of the Board of Educa- tion since its inception. He is now its vice-presi- dent. Later he was nominated by his party for the mayoralty and was elected to the office by the largest plurality in the history of the borough. His administration has thus far given satisfaction to law- abiding citizens, irrespective of party, standing as it does for municipal reform and for all that makes for good government. The fraternal associations of Mr. Lehr include affiliation with Caesarea Lodge, No. 64, Free and Accepted Masons, of Keyport; and Bayside Lodge, No. 193, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, also of Keyport. In the latter organization he holds the rank of past grand of his lodge.
Mr. Lehr married Eliza Carr, born at Raritan, New Jersey, daughter of Adam and Sarah Carr.
The fact that Mr. Lehr is now filling, to the satisfaction of his fellow-citizens, the highest muni- cipal office in their gift, seems to indicate that still greater honors are in store for him in the future.
WILLIAM ERNEST RALPH, of Keansburg, New Jersey, is filling a position of trust in the finan- cial world of this community as assistant cashier of the Keansburg National Bank. Mr. Ralph was born in Lewistown, Pennsylvania, November 5, 1876, a son of Joseph E. and Hannah M. (Wainwright) Ralph. Both his parents are living, but his father is now retired from business.
Acquiring his education in the public schools of his native town, Mr. Ralph began life in the capa-
city of freight agent in the employ of the Cent Railroad of New Jersey, stationed at Atlantic Hig lands, and continued in this office from 1902 m 1905. In the latter year he became associated wi the Atlantic Highlands National Bank, remaini for eight years. In 1918 he again became identif with the same railroad as freight agent, filling t position for three years. In 1916 Mr. Ralph : cepted his present position as assistant cashier the Keansburg National Bank, and has since at performed the duties incident thereto. He has be a licensed public accountant for the State of N Jersey for the past ten years.
In political affairs Mr. Ralph reserves the rig to individual thought and action, endorsing no pur unqualifiedly. He served as borough clerk of A lantic Highlands during 1920 and 1921. He is member of Monmouth Lodge, No. 172, Free a Accepted Masons, and is secretary of that lodge.
ELMER HENDRICKSON GERAN is the prese United States attorney for the District of the Su of New Jersey, having been appointed by Preside Wilson to that office by virtue of his previous e cellent work in various fields of public service. 1 is, moreover, numbered among the distinguished e izens of New Jersey because of the prominence ; has attained in promoting the permanent intere: of the State, being identified with industrial, co mercial and financial enterprises, the successful co duct of which indicates his keen sagacity and 1 faltering enterprise.
Charles A. Geran, father of Elmer Hendricks Geran, was born in Marlboro township, Monmos county, New Jersey, March 22, 1845. For ma years previous to his retirement from active bu ness life in 1913, Mr. Geran was engaged in t hardware business at Matawan, New Jersey, a was one of the pioneers of the place, having alws taken an active part in the public affairs of M: awan. He was also a charter member of the M. awan Hook and Ladder Association. Charles Geran married Lydia Hendrickson, daughter of C nelius and May (Taylor) Hendrickson, the form a descendant of the early Dutch settlers. The He dricksons were extensive land owners in the ea: days, and much of the land is still in the possessi of the younger generations. Mr. and Mrs. Ge! are the parents of three children: Elmer H. drickson, of further mention; Laura, who marr Arris Henderson, of Matawan, secretary and tre urer of the American Label Company of New Y City, and since 1911 mayor of Matawan; Henry owner of a large wheat ranch at Roundup, M. tana.
Elmer Hendrickson Geran was born at Mataw New Jersey, October 24, 1875. He received . elementary portion of his education in the pul schools of his native place; after he completed district school course, he entered the Glenwood M tary Institute at Matawan, subsequently enter. Peddie Institute at Hightstown, New Jersey, fr which he was graduated in the class of 1895.
Gluurt Stran
-
ON Brown
169
BIOGRAPHICAL
then matriculated at Princeton, and graduated with the class of 1899, taking the degree of Bachelor of Arts.
Having in the meantime determined to adopt the law as a profession, he accordingly entered the New York Law School, and two years later graduated from that institution with the class of 1901, winning the degree of Bachelor of Laws. He was admitted to the bar of New Jersey that same year, after which he entered the law office of Collins & Corbin, of Jersey City. Here he remained for two years, when he subsquently established himself in the practice of his chosen profession at No. 243 Washington street, Jersey City, and remained at that location until 1915, when he became assistant prosecutor of Monmouth county, which office he held until 1917. A Democrat in politics, he served in the Legislature in 1911 and a part of 1912. He then resigned, having in the meantime been ap- pointed by ex-President Wilson, then governor of the State of New Jersey, to serve on the New Jer- sey State Water Supply Commission. It is interest- ing to note here that while he was a member of the Legislature he introduced into that body what is known as the Geran Election Law. This bill pro- vided for a complete change in election law, and was a hard fought bill, having great publicity not only in the State of New Jersey but also outside of the State as well, for upon it hinged the success or defeat of the Wilson administration. In 1916 and 1917 he was returned to the Legislature, and was chosen Democratic minority leader for those two years, also served as assistant prosecutor, and thus continued until November, 1917, when he again re- signed from this body to become sheriff of Mon- mouth county, having been elected to that office in the fall of 1917. Three years later, in June, 1920, he became United States attorney for the State of New Jersey, his term expiring in 1924, having been appointed by ex-President Wilson the month pre- vious. In 1921 he opened an office in the Asbury Park Trust building with Isaiah Matlack.
His professional qualifications have always been in great demand on boards of directors, and be- sides being attorney for the borough and township of Matawan, he is attorney for the Matawan Build- ing and Loan Association; director and counsel for the Matawan Bank; and director of the Broad Street National Bank of Red Bank. A vigilant and attentive observer of men and measures, his opinions are always recognized as sound and his views as broad, his ideas therefore carrying weight among those with whom he discusses public problems. Mr. Geran affiliates with Matawan Lodge, No. 192, Free and Accepted Masons; Delta Chapter, No. 14, Royal Arch Masons, of Keyport; New Jersey Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite; and Salaam Tem- ple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of Long Branch Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; the Mon- mouth County Bar Association; and in religion is a Baptist, attending the First Baptist Church, of Matawan.
HON. OLIVER HUFF BROWN- For many years Oliver Huff Brown has been a potent factor in the business and civic life of Monmouth county. As mayor of Spring Lake, assemblyman and State Senator, he has shown intense public spirit and pa- triotic fervor, all being based upon full appreciation of his responsibility as an American citizen to whom has been delivered a sacred trust. He is a man of energy, and a review of his life from his boyhood days until the present time can bring him naught but satisfaction, for he has proved his manhood in the fiercest of all tests, the public service, in full view of the public eye.
Peter Brown, father of Oliver Huff Brown, left his native land when nineteen years of age and with several others of about his age came to the United States. Previous to his leaving Scotland he had learned the tailor's trade, and upon his arrival in New York pursued that vocation. Having married Sarah Megill, in the meantime, who was a native of Monmouth county, New Jersey, and whose an- cestors for several generations had resided there, he located in Farmingdale, where he established himself in business. Upon the outbreak of the Civil War he rendered his services to the government, and having had some knowledge of military tactics was employed in the recruiting service, being for the first two or three years of the war occupied in drilling recruits. Two of his sons were old enough to enlist and entered the army, and as soon as his duties enabled him to do so he accepted a commission as first lieutenant in the Fourteenth Regiment, New Jersey Volunteer Infantry. While participating in the second battle of Cold Harbor he was wounded and taken prisoner to Libby prison, where his left arm was amputated and where he died shortly afterward.
Oliver H. Brown, son of Peter and Sarah (Megill) Brown, was born December 12, 1858, in Farming- dale, New Jersey. He attended the schools of his native place until he was eighteen years of age, when the business of life commenced for the lad and he chose a mercantile career. He was am- bitious, energetic and courageous and determined to work his way to success, but he little dreamed of the rewards the future held in store for him. He became a clerk in the general store of William Laird in New Branch, now Avon, and quickly prov- ing himself attentive to business and zealous in be- half of his employer's interests, during the second year of his association with Mr. Laird he was re- warded by being placed in charge of the business. In 1873 he was offered a position with Mr. John A. Githens, at Asbury Park, the principal merchant there at that time, and remained in his employ for eight years, spending seven of them as chief clerk. He was industrious and economical and soon saved a few hundred dollars which enabled him to travel abroad. In 1879 he sailed for Europe, visited the homes of his ancestors in Scotland, and spent some time in the capitals of Europe, subsequently re- turning to Mr. Githens, with whom he remained until 1882. In that year he began his career as a
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.