USA > New Jersey > Monmouth County > History of Monmouth County, New Jersey, 1664-1920, Volume III > Part 12
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butcher, for one year. During this time, the de- sire to establish himself in business was ever uppermost in his mind, and at last the opportunity which he was quick to grasp offered itself, and he opened an express business on the corner of Main and Norwood avenues, Avon. Two years later he removed to Laird avenue, Neptune City, and this remained his business headquarters for ten years. During this time he ran a stage line to Avon, from the railroad to the hotels and cottages, and al- together was in the stage business for fifteen years. Mr. Sofield then returned to Avon and continued his stage line and livery business for another twelve years, or until 1916, when he established the Avon Garage, and was the first to handle auto- mobiles in this community. It is interesting to note here, that he assisted in the building of all the streets in Avon, for it was his horses that were used in the work. The enterprise which Mr. Sofield started in a small way, has consistently grown throughout these many years, the result of honor- able business methods.
In politics Mr. Sofield is a Republican, and has always taken a keen and active interest in affairs of the local organization. He has been a member of the Council since 1918; fire chief ever since the company's inception; and a member of the local school board since 1905. He is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias; Junior Order of United Ameri- can Mchanics; Tecumseh Tribe, Improved Order of Red Men, No. 60, of Asbury Park; and holds mem- bership in the Republican Club of Bradley Beach. In religion he is a Baptist.
At Hamilton, New Jersey, January 6, 1892, Frank Asbury Sofield was united in marriage with Carrie Woolley, daughter of Asher and Lydia (Hampton) Woolley, of Farmingdale. Mr. and Mrs. Sofield are the parents of one child, Francis Alfred, born Janu- ary 16, 1901. The family home is at No. 513 Fifth avenue, Avon, New Jersey.
ROBERT L. LEIGHTON, M. D .- Since the year 1915, Dr. Leighton has engaged in the practice of medicine in Spring Lake, a period of sufficient length to test his ability in various departments of the profession; and that he holds rank among the leading practitioners of the county, stands as evi- dence of his skill. From the beginning, his patron- age has steadily increased, which is unmistakable proof of his ability.
Robert L. Leighton was born in Manasquan, New Jersey, November 11, 1888, the son of Isaac and Laura (Burdge) Leighton, the former a carpenter of Brielle township for many years. Dr. Leighton received the early portion of his education in the public schools of his native place. Having in the meantime determined to adopt medicine as his pro- fession, he accordingly matriculated at Hahnemann Medical College, and was subsequently graduated from that institution with the class of 1913, win- ning the degree of Doctor of Medicine. The next nine months he spent as interne in the West Phila- delphia General Hospital, followed by six months of
general practice in that place. In October, 1914, he located in Spring Lake, New Jersey, and estab- lished himself in the active practice of his chosen profession, in which he continued until 1917, when .he enlisted in the medical corps.
He went to Washington, D. C., in July of that year, was commissioned first lieutenant, and sailed for Liverpool. Upon landing, he reported at the London War Office headquarters, and was as- signed to the Fifteenth Division, all Scottish regi- ments. He served on the Arras and Chambray fronts; was held in reserve at Kennel Hill, and later returned to Scarp river. In July, 1918, he was severely gassed, and was sent to Hospital No. 72, British Expeditionary Forces, where he remained for two months, being subsequently replaced with the Sixty-sixth Division, and was actively engaged in the Somme offensive. At the signing of the Armistice, he was east of Le Chateau, and then was sent to Camp Hospital, No. 52, and served with the American army eight months. He return- ed to this country July 14, 1919, and was discharged August 4, that same year. Dr. Leighton was pro- moted to the rank of captain in the field, on Feb- ruary 17, 1919. Upon his being mustered out of the service, he returned to Spring Lake and resumed practice, in which he is so successfully engaged.
Dr. Leighton is a member of the American Medi- cal Association, the New Jersey State Medical Asso- ciation, Monmouth County Medical Society, Ameri- can Institute of Homeopathy, and the Monmouth County Homeopathic Society. He is a Republican in politics, and is medical inspector of Brielle, and a member of the staff of Ann May Memorial Hospital, Spring Lake. With the fraternal life of the county, he is affiliated with Ocean Lodge, No. 89, of Bel- mar, New Jersey, Free and Accepted Masons; Good- win Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; and the Knights of the Golden Eagle, of Spring Lake. He is also a prominent member of the Goodwill Fire Company of Spring Lake, and was president of the organiza- tion in 1920.
On October 6, 1916, at Spring Lake, New Jersey, Robert L. Leighton was united in marriage with Irene Corkey, daughter of Howard and Anna (Scott) Corkey, of Manasquan. Dr. and Mrs. Leighton are the parents of one child, Irene, born May 19, 1920.
EDMUND PIERSON HENDRICKSON is the oldest son of Brazillai and Jane (Fields) Hendrick- son. His father is a miller and farmer of Tinton Falls, in Shrewsbury township. His grandfather, Pierson Hendrickson, was a well-known landowner. He owned the flour mill and store at Tinton Falls and numerous parcels of real estate in the vicinity and had other property at Lincroft and Newark.
Mr. Hendrickson was born near Eatontown, on January 23, 1870. He is the oldest of a family of eight; his brothers and sisters are: Harry, who lives in Camden, New Jersey; Brazillai, Jr., who is a resi- dent of Freehold, New Jersey; Mary, and Lida Blanche, who live at Freehold, New Jersey; Pearl Regina, who married Henry Wyckoff and has since
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died; Frank, who is a resident of Richmond Hill, New Jersey; and Ira, who died young.
Mr. Hendrickson was educated in the public schools of Monmouth county. He was associated with his father in the management of a farm until 1895, when he began to farm for himself. At this time, also, he owned a number of horses and en- gaged in the business of hiring out teams. In 1898 he decided to enter a different field of business and moved to Eatontown, where he opened a factory for the manufacture of women's wearing apparel. He employed about fifty people and continued the business until 1913. Thereafter, he rented his fac- tory to various manufacturers, finally selling it in 1920 to the Yale Waist Manufacturing Company of New York City.
In politics, Mr. Hendrickson is a well-known Democrat. He became tax collector of Eaton- town, in January, 1914, and is now serving his third term of office. Because of an error in the first petition that was circulated to have his name placed in nomination, Mr. Hendrickson, whose bap- tismal name is Edmund, is usually known as Ed- ward P. Hendrickson. He owns his own home at Eatontown, and is a member of the Eatontown township Board of Education, and is also a mem- ber of the County Democratic Executive Com- mittee.
Mr. Hendrickson married Lillian Johnson Magee, on May 19, 1895. Mrs. Hendrickson is a daughter of Charles R. Magee, of Holmdel, New Jersey, and Mary Louise (Johnston) Magee. Her mother was a sister of Joseph W. Johnston, who is well re- membered at Eatontown for his public spirit and many acts of charity and benevolence. The Hen- dricksons have two children: Emma Louise, who lives at home; and Alma, who married Fred Rat- tenburg, and lives in Chicago.
ALEXANDER D. COOPER-Prominent in the business life of Red Bank, Alexander D. Cooper has also, for many years served the public in various positions of responsibility.
Mr. Cooper was born in Middletown, New Jersey, November 9, 1875, and is a son of Jehu P. Cooper of that town. He received his education in the public schools of Red Bank and the Glenwood Institute, of Matawan, New Jersey. He chose his first employment in the field which he has made the arena of his life work, going to New York City, and becoming identified with the then prom- inent insurance firm of J. W. Barbour & Company. While continuing with them, a period of eight years, be retained his residence in Red Bank, and later purchased his present business.
This business was established in 1854 by a Mr. Morgan, who carried it on for a time, then was Seceeded by Thomas Davis, Jr., from whom Mr. Cooper bought it November 2, 1902. The office is located at No. 60 Broad street, and Mr. Cooper handles every kind of insurance, although he speci- vises in fire insurance. This is the oldest insur- Ne business in Red Bank, and while Mr. Cooper
does a very considerable real estate business, it continues a secondary matter, as it has always been. He is a leader in this line in Red Bank and vicinity.
Mr. Cooper's public activities place him among the most prominent men of the borough. A staunch Democrat by political affiliation, he has long been active in party councils, has served for years as chairman of the Red Bank Democratic Executive Committee, and has also served on the county com- mittee. He was a delegate to the State convention that nominated Woodrow Wilson for Governor of New Jersey.
But Mr. Cooper is first a progressive citizen, and afterwards a politician, never sacrificing the people to the party. He served for several years as col- lector of the borough, and was for three years in charge of the water department, his efforts always progressive, always constructive.
Fraternally Mr. Cooper is widely known, being a member of Mystic Brotherhood Lodge, No. 21, Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is past master and past high priest; of Hiram Chapter, No. 1, Royal Arch Masons; Field Council, No. 12, Royal and Select Masters, Jersey City Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, and also of Salaam Temple, Ancient Arabic Order, Nobles of the Mys- tic Shrine. He is a member of Shrewsbury Lodge, No. 72, Knights of Pythias, of the Riverside Gun Club, of the Navesink Hook and Ladder Company, of the Red Bank Volunteer Fire Department. His religious convictions place his membership with the Presbyterian church, and for a number of years he has been treasurer of the church. In days gone by Mr. Cooper was greatly interested in all athletic sports, especially baseball.
ANTHONY D. PIERCE-That the auto acces- sories business is well represented by the firm of Pierce & Hurley, is already an undisputed fact in Bradley Beach, this concern being a re-organiza- tion of the old firm of Pierce & Sutts. Mr. Pierce is active in the fraternal affairs of his community and is personally popular with his neighbors and asso- ciates.
Jeremiah Pierce, father of Anthony D. Pierce, married Laura Dennis and their children were: Ben- jamin; Robert D .; Ella, wife of Joseph Stanksewz; Katie, wife of Wesley Van Hise; Hannah, wife of Anthony Elmer; and Anthony D., mentioned below. Mr. Pierce died in 1891 at the age of seventy-five, and his widow passed away in 1897 at the com- paratively early age of fifty-five.
Anthony D. Pierce, son of Jeremiah and Laura (Dennis) Pierce, was born February 12, 1877, at Hamilton, New Jersey, and received his education in the public schools of his birthplace. Until his nineteenth year he assisted his father on the farm. At the time of the Spanish-American War, Mr. Pierce enlisted in Company A, Third Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers, and February 11, 1899, re- ceived an honorable discharge.
On returning to Bradley Beach, Mr. Pierce work-
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ed at the carpenter's trade until 1900, and then, in association with his brother, Robert D., engaged for two years in the contracting business. At the end of that time the connection was dissolved, Mr. Pierce forming a partnership with O. W. Sutts un- der the firm name, "Pierce-Sutts," contractors at Bradley Beach. This partnership was maintained until April 1, 1921, when the firm was re-organized as Pierce & Hurley.
In the sphere of politics Mr. Pierce is an Inde- pendent and has never taken any part in public affairs beyond exercising his right of voting. He belongs to the local association of wheelmen, and affiliates with Lodge No. 128, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, Asbury Park. The home of the order at that place was built by the firm of which he was the head. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Pierce married, June 23, 1903, Ella Morris Jones, daughter of Augustus T. and Annie M. (Yarnell) Jones, and they are the parents of one child, Mildred Arita, born May 17, 1904, at Bradley Beach. The successful maintenance and increase of the business, of which Mr. Pierce has been for more than twenty years the active head, bears tes- timony to his executive ability, far-sighted sagacity, and unimpeachable honesty.
LESTER J. HURLEY-Bradley Beach numbers among the most aggressive of her business men, the junior member of the well-known firm of Pierce & Hurley. Mr. Hurley is a good citizen, interested in all that can benefit his community, and closely identified with the life of her fraternal circles.
Lester J. Hurley was born October 27, 1887, at Bailey's Corner, Monmouth county, New Jersey, and is a son of Samuel and Angeline (Justice) Hurley, whose other children are George and How- ard. The education of Lester J. Hurley was re- ceived in the public schools of his native town, and as a boy he went to Asbury Park in the ser- vice of Pierce & Sutts, a contracting and building firm of Bradley Beach. Anthony D. Pierce, the senior member, is represented in this work by a biography. Mr. Hurley was first an apprentice and from that beginning gradually rose to the position of foreman.
On April 1, 1921, the firm of Pierce & Sutts dis- solved partnership and Mr. Hurley became, on the re-organization of the business, a member of the house known as Pierce & Hurley. Auto accessories, chloric pipeless furnaces, and the sales agency of Pennsylvania vacuum cup tires and tubes, make up the activities of the business.
The political principles of Mr. Hurley are those of an independent Republican. He affiliates with Tecumseh Tribe, Improved Order of Red Men; and Burbridge Castle, Knights of the Golden Eagle; also Lodge No. 128, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, Asbury Park. He is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church of Asbury Park.
Mr. Hurley married (first), October 8, 1904, Florence Stout, who died May 5, 1911, leaving one
child, Austin Everett, born July 25, 1905, at Brad- ley Beach. Mr. Hurley married (second), June 7, 1911, at Long Branch, Mabel Louise Ball, and they are the parents of one child, Robert Kenneth, born January 19, 1913.
The record of Lester J. Hurley strikingly illus- trates the advantages attending steady adherence to one line of endeavor. Since the inception of his business career, he has been connected with the same firm, beginning as an apprentice and rising, by dint of industry and honesty, to his present position of junior partner in the house.
WILLIAM GETTIER HERRMAN, A. M., M. D., is one of the younger generation of physicians practicing in Asbury Park. He has of late confined himself to Roentgenology or the use of the X-Ray in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. He is in charge of the X-Ray Laboratories at the Monmouth Memorial Hospital, Long Branch, and the Ann May Memorial Hospital, Spring Lake, and conducts his own laboratory in Asbury Park.
Dr. Herrman was born in Norwood, Ohio, June 13, 1890, the son of Henry White and Katherine (Gettier) Herrman, the former a native of Dayton and the latter of Cincinnati, Ohio. Henry White Herrman was born September 25, 1864, in Dayton, Ohio. Mr. Herrman, a consulting office specialist, is located with the Equitable Assurance Society at present. Mr. and Mrs. Herrman, Sr., are the par- ents of three children: William Gettier; James White, of San Diego, California; Katherine Gettier, a student in the Walnut Lane School, Germantown Pennsylvania.
William Gettier Herrman attended the public schools in New York City and the high schools at Hartford, Connecticut, and North Plainfield, New Jersey, graduating from the latter institution. He then attended Rutgers College and holds the A. B. and M. A. degrees from that institution. He ob- tained his medical education at the New York Homeopathic Medical College and Flower Hospital. He obtained his practical experience as an interne in the Hartford Hospital, the Cumberland Street Hospital, Brooklyn, New York, and the Metropolitan Hospital, New York City. Upon graduation from medical college, Dr. Herrman came to Asbury Park as assistant to Dr. J. H. Bryan.
In June, 1917, Dr. Herrman enlisted in the Medi- cal Reserve Corps of the United States Army and was assigned to the School of Military Roentgenol- ogy. Following the course prescribed for purely military features of the use of the X-Ray in time of war, he was re-assigned as assistant instructor in both military and civil roentgenology, and stayed there for a year. In June, 1918, he was sent to Camp Crane at Allentown and ordered overseas with the Mobile Operating Unit. On arrival in France he was first assigned to a French hospital in Tours and then sent to the Lorraine front to join the Yale Mobile Hospital or Mobile Hospital No. 39. He re- mained with this organization until it was disbanded at Camp Devens, January 23, 1919. The members
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Michlas Soriano
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of this organization are entitled to three battle clasps on their victory ribbon-Defensive Sector, St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne.
In March, 1919, Dr. Herrman came again to As- bury Park and associated himself with Dr. Bryan with the idea of gradually specializing in X-Ray work. In June of 1921 he opened his own office and laboratory in the Asbury Park Trust Company building.
Dr. Herrman is a member of the American Medi- cal Association, the American Institute of Homœo- pathy, the County and State medical societies, the Asbury Park Medical Society, the Practitioners' So- ciety of Eastern Monmouth, Yale Mobile Veterans' Association, the American Legion, Rotary Club of Asbury Park, Free and Accepted Masons, the Sons of the American Revolution, the Delta Phi acad- emic fraternity and the Phi Alpha Gamma medical fraternity. He is the author of several articles on subjects connected with his specialty, published in medical papers. In religion Dr. Herrman is a Pres- byterian, and in politics a Republican.
At Hartford, Connecticut, June 4, 1917, William Gettier Herrman was united in marriage with Mar- jorie Barton Green, daughter of Alfred William and Mary (Barton) Green, the former an electrical con- tractor of Hartford, Connecticut, and a former ma- jor in the Connecticut National Guard. Dr. and Mrs. Herrman are the parents of three children: Jean Barton, born July 1, 1918, two days before Dr. Herrman sailed for France, and Margaret Bushnell and William Gettier, Jr., twins, born July 13, 1920.
REV. NICHOLAS SORIANO-Although coming to Red Bank at a comparatively recent date, Rev. Nicholas Soriano has done a work, in the founding of St. Anthony's church, which will long outlive him to the blessing and uplifting of the people.
Father Soriano was born in Sperone, Avellino, Italy, May 10, 1873, and is a son of Elias and Car- mel (Sgambati) Soriano. His father was prominent in the lumber business in Sperone, but was stricken down in the prime of life, and died May 17, 1887. The mother died May 26, 1910.
Receiving his early education in the public schools of Italy, Father Soriano, as a young man entered the seminary at Nola, Coserta, and was ordained in Rome in 1906, when he completed his philosophical and theological studies. Coming to the United States in 1913, he arrived on our shores on the twenty-ninth day of July, and became assistant at the church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, at the Bronx, New York City. Later he served for three years at Yonkers, with the chaplain of the Blessed Sacrament. On September 5, 1920, Father Soriano came to Red Bank, and here organized St. An- thony's Church. In the short space of time which has since elapsed (less than eight months at the time these figures were noted), he has gathered to- gether a congregation of one thousand, seven hun- dred souls. He laid the cornerstone of the new church edifice on November 28, 1920, and ten weeks later, on January 30, 1921, the building was opened
for worship, and dedicated, Mgr. Berardi, Arch- bishop of Gaeta Holy, and Bishop Thomas Walsh, officiating.
Father Soriano has organized various societies among the people of this new parish, namely, the Holy Name Society, the Children of Mary, the Chris- tian Mothers' Society, the Angels Society, and the Altar Boys Society, and in every branch of religious activity, the people are going forward with a sin- cerely devout and zealous spirit.
BERNARD V. POLAND-Among the younger members of the legal fraternity in Asbury Park, New Jersey, is Bernard V. Poland, a native of Brad- ley Beach, where his birth occurred April 7, 1888. He is the son of Charles B. and Elizabeth (Croghan) Poland, the former a native of New Bedford, New Jersey, the latter of Port Jervis, New York. Mr. Poland senior is in the general contracting business at Bradley Beach and takes a keen and active in- terest in everything pertaining to the welfare and advancement of the community. To Mr. and Mrs. Poland have been born eight children: Charles, officer of the police department of the borough of Bradley Beach; James, who is with the Interborough Railroad Company of New York City; Mary, for- merly the wife of Harry Yoast, now deceased; Tes- sie, wife of William O. Farrell, of Long Branch, New Jersey; Bessie, wife of Walter Layton of Red Bank, New Jersey; Bernard V., of further mention; Herbert, a resident of New York City; and Morris, a resident of Atlantic City.
Bernard V. Poland received the elementary por- tion of his education in the public schools of the borough of Bradley Beach, and after attending the Neptune Township High School, entered the law school of Washington and Lee University at Lex- ington, Virginia, and was graduated with the class of 1913, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. He was admitted to the Virginia bar, September 4, 1913, as attorney and counsellor at law, and sub- sequently established himself in the practice of his profession for one year at Harrisburg, Virginia. In 1914 Mr. Poland returned to this city and for one year read law in the office of Judge R. V. Lawrence, judge of common pleas, and was admitted to the New Jersey bar, as attorney at law, March 21, 1915.
A Democrat in politics, he has always taken an active interest in the affairs of the local organiza- tion. In 1915 he was elected borough commission- er of Bradley Beach, and assigned to the depart- ment of revenue and finance, and to the office of assessor, collector, recorder and treasurer of the sinking fund. Four years later, in 1919, he was re-elected borough commissioner, and assigned to the department of revenue and finance, and to the office of assessor and treasurer of the sinking fund.
In August, 1918, Bernard V. Poland enlisted in the United States Army and was ordered to Camp Dix, where he was assigned to the Headquarters Company and served there until January, 1919, when he was honorably discharged. He was the
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first commander of Asbury Park Post No. 24, American Legion; is a member of the Monmouth County Bar Association; the Virginia State Bar Association; the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Asbury Park Lodge, No. 128; treasurer of the Bradley Beach Fishing Club; and a member of the Monmouth County Chamber of Commerce, as well as having been a director of the Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce at one time. In religion, he is a Roman Catholic, and attends the Church of the Ascension of this denomination at Bradley Beach.
On March 7, 1921, Bernard V. Poland was united in marriage with Gladys Pugh, daughter of James and Alice (Lowden) Pugh, the former ex-judge of the district court of Washington, D. C., and coun- sellor-at-law there now. Mrs. Poland is the grand- daughter of ex-Senator Pugh of Birmingham, Ala- bama, at one time congressman and later a mem- ber of the United States Senate for sixteen years, and also a granddaughter of ex-Congressman Low- den, from Allentown, Pennsylvania. Mr. Poland is interested in all out-of-door sports, especially base- ball and basketball. He resides at No. 412 McCabe avenue, Bradley Beach, New Jersey.
GEORGE WALTER POTTS, M. D .- Among the leading physicians of Asbury Park, New Jersey, and one who has been in the active practice of his cho- sen profession in this community since 1908, is Dr. Potts, who has spent these intervening years in untiring devotion to the advancement of medicine, and tireless endeavor for the relief of suffering.
George Potts, father of George Walter Potts, was born in Phoenixville, in 1839, and died in 1915. In later years he became very successful in the building of roadbeds, among them being the Arizona and New Mexico railroad; Charleston and Roaring Creek railroad, from Charleston to Aiken, South Carolina; and his last work, the railroad from Hamilton to Farmingdale. When the Civil War broke out he was a young man and enlisted, August 14, 1862, being subsequently mustered out of the service three months later, November 17. He again enlisted, this time with the New York Volunteer Artillery, November 29, 1862; was promoted to first lieutenant, June 17, 1864, and honorably discharged from the service April 16, 1865, at the close of the War. He married Cynthia Stevens, a native of Homesdale, Pennsylvania, who died May 15, 1919, at the age of seventy-three. Mr. and Mrs. Potts were the parents of two children: Helen, who died in 1889, at the age of nineteen years; and George Walter, of further mention. Mr. Potts took an ac- tive part in the affairs of the community, where he resided for many years, and no good work lacked his earnest support. When he passed away he left many to mourn his loss who regretted that he had not been granted even greater length of days.
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