USA > New Jersey > Monmouth County > History of Monmouth County, New Jersey, 1664-1920, Volume III > Part 17
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Although Mr. Smock's farm is well worth a visit in Spring, when the fruit trees are in bloom, or indeed, at any other time of the year, it has had particular attention drawn to it by reason of the fact that it exhibits a peculiar geological formation, consisting of numerous deposits of iron ore in the shape of irregular cylinders. Scientists from Colum- bia University and the museums of New York and elsewhere have visited Mr. Smock's farm to examine these deposits.
Mr. Smock was born on December 22, 1854, the son of Peter Schenck and Emily (McLean) Smock. His great-grandfather, John Smock, was one of the . original settlers (Dutch) of Monmouth county. Mr. Smock was educated at Leedsville and Red Bank. His first business venture was in the dry goods field in New York. From this he turned to the express business, but only for a short time. He believed he could become a successful fruit grower and he had the courage to buy a farm and try his luck. His present success is the result of that decision. Mr. Smock is an active member of the Presby- terian church.
Mr. Smock married Hannah Wood, a daughter of William and Emmaline (White) Wood, of Eaton- town township. They have three children: Walter Douglas, Jr., who is a machinist and lives at home; Douglas, a veteran of the World War, who is at present employed as a foreman at J. T. Lovett's nursery; and Annabel, who is the wife of Frank Von Dazell.
K. HERMAN STOYE-No man who holds the office of justice of the peace stands in need of an introduction to his fellow-citizens and this is true of Mr. Stoye in a two-fold sense, for, in addition to filling the office, he discharges its dutes in a man- ner which commends him to the entire community. He has been for twenty-four years a resident of Eatontown, New Jersey, and is a figure of promi- nence in Masonic circles.
K. Herman Stoye was born August 80, 1860, in
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Tukton, Anhalt, Germany, and is a son of Frederick and Rosine Stoye, and a grandson of Carl George Stoye, who was present at the battle of Waterloo and received a severe wound in the leg. Freder- ick Stoye was a cabinet maker, and died in 1885, his wife having passed away the year before.
The education of Mr. Stoye was received at Halle, Germany, where he graduated from the high school. On March 16, 1883, he came to the United States, settling first in Little Silver, New Jersey. After remaining there a short time he went to Eatontown, where he spent fourteen years, having charge of the Shrewsbury Nursery. In 1897 he came to Eatontown and has ever since made it his permanent home.
Politically, Mr. Stoye is a strong Republican, and his fellow-citizens have manifested their confidence in him by calling him to serve them in the offices of town recorder and justice of the peace. He affiliates with the Masonic fraternity, having attain- ed to the rank of past high priest of Hiram Chap- ter, No. 1, Royal Arch Masons. He is a member of the Lutheran church.
Mr. Stoye married, June 1, 1886, at Little Silver, New Jersey, Catherine, daughter of John and Isa- bella Gentleman, and they are the parents of two children, Frederick, and John.
K. Herman Stoye is a fine type of the foreign- born American citizen, truly loyal to his adopted country, and valuable both to the public and pri- vate life of his community. May the Old World send us many like him.
GEORGE S. COVERT-Directly descended from some of the earliest Dutch settlers of New York. and through his maternal ancestors, reaching back to names familiar in the history of Europe, George S. Covert, of Red Bank, is now taking a promi- nent and constructive part in the progress of the community.
Jonas Covert, the earliest immigrant ancestor of the Covert family in this country, came from Hol- land and settled in what was then known as New Netherland, in the year 1629. His descendants scat- tered throughout the Eastern States, several branch- es of the family remaining in the neighboring dis- tricts of New Jersey. Joseph Covert, Mr. Covert's grandfather, was a leading farmer and blacksmith of Port Monmouth, in this county. He married Emma Lambertson.
Eugene Covert, son of Joseph and Emma (Lam- bertson) Covert, and George S. Covert's father, was born at Port Monmouth. As a young man he was active for a number of years in the pound- fishing business, at Manasquan and Galilee, New Jersey, both in this county. Since about 1889 he has been in the employ of the United States Gov- ernment, residing at Normandie, in this county, as keeper of the coast guard station, of the United States Revenue service. He married Susan McKel- vey, and they still reside in Normandie.
The McKelvey line reaches back to Nathaniel Mc- Kelvie, who was chief of a clan of Mary, Queen of
Scots, and was forced to flee the country at the time of the English conquest. Sailing for America, the ship was captured by pirates, off Barnegat, and he escaped, only by jumping overboard and swim- ming ashore. He settled in Silverton, New Jersey, where he married, living out his life there, and died there. One of his descendants, Nathaniel Mc- Kelvey, Mrs. McKelvey's grandfather, married De- borah Irons, a descendant of. Louis Bonaparte and his wife, Elizabeth Patterson, of Baltimore, Mary- land, who, after their marriage, resided in Burling- ton, New Jersey. Louis Bonaparte had left France, intending to make his home in America permanent- ly, but upon being recalled by his brother, the great Napoleon, found himself compelled to choose between his wife and fame. Renouncing his wife, he returned to France, leaving her and their two children, a boy and a girl, who took their mother's name.
George S. Covert, son of Eugene and Susan (Mc- Kelvey) Covert, was born in Silverton, New Jersey, February 27, 1888, and after completing his com- mon school education, took a course at the Rider, Moore & Stewart Business College, at Trenton, New Jersey. He then entered the feed business at Long Branch, and continued along this line of activ- ity until the year 1908. He then became a stock- holder and director in the Seaboard Utilization Com- pany, Incorporated, of New Jersey, holding the office of secretary and treasurer of that concern until 1919, when he became interested in the automobile business. In February of that year he became rep- resentative in this district, for the Elgin Six auto- mobile, with headquarters at No. 16 Mechanic street, Red Bank, covering Monmouth county. In con- nection with this interest, Mr. Covert is also iden- tified with the Seaboard Utilization Company, In- corporated, and he is also president of the Western Land Development Company, Incorporated. This company, as its name implies, exists for the pur- pose of land development, and with headquarters at Long Branch, is carrying on an extensive busi- ness in Pushmotoha county, Oklahoma. The officers are: George S. Covert, president; J. H. Davis, Jr., treasurer, also cashier of the Citizens' National Bank, Long Branch; Arthur Holtson, vice-presi- dent; and Harold C. Morford, secretary. Frater- nally Mr. Covert is a member of the Order of United American Mechanics; Lodge No. 742, Be- nevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of Long Branch; and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
On July 27, 1917, George S. Covert married Min- nie C. Storm, and they have one little daughter, Dorothea Patria. The family residence is at No. 232 Rockwell avenue, Long Branch, New Jersey.
WALTER H. MERRITT-Carrying on one of the most practical business establishments in the community, Walter H. Merritt, of Red Bank, has attained success by a judicious study of the needs of the people and a progressive policy in anticipating and fulfilling their demands.
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Mr. Merritt was born in Vineland, New Jersey, June 2, 1871, and was reared at Cedar Creek, where he received a practical education in the public schools. At the age of seventeen, he entered upon an apprenticeship in the trade of wheelwright, and followed this business for a period of fifteen years. At the end of that time the advent of the auto- mobile was beginning to have its influence on the trade in which he was engaged, and possessing nat- ural mechanical ability, as well as no little in- cidental experience along mechanical lines, Mr. Mer- ritt worked over into the machinist's trade. In 1901 he purchased the business of wagon building, which was founded in 1880 by Robert Van Schoick, and which had heretofore included the manufacture and repair of all kinds of horse-drawn vehicles. From the time his ownership began, Mr. Merritt con- ducted the plant as a general repair shop, gradual- ly turning his attention to machine work of vari- ous kinds, to the exclusion of the former branches handled. He was the original man in Red Bank to take up oxyacetylene welding, and cutting of cast and wrought iron. In connection with this busi- ness, he deals in gas and gasoline engines, hardware and supplies, and makes a specialty of lawn mowers, and is agent for the Buckeye mowing machines and a very complete line of farming implements. The original location of the business was on Gold street, but in 1914 Mr. Merritt removed to his present location, at No. 24 Mechanic street. His business reaches over the entire eastern part of Monmouth county, and he employes eight men. Fraternally Mr. Merritt is well known. He is a member of Mystic Brotherhood Lodge, No. 21, Free and Ac- cepted Masons; of Hiram Chapter, No. 1, Royal Arch Masons; of Field Council, Royal and Select Masters. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias; of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics; and of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
On December 31, 1896, Mr. Merritt married, in Bristol, Pennsylvania, Bertha E. Lee, and they have ce son, Frank P., who was graduated from Rutgers College, in the class of 1921, and is entering the feld of electrical engineering. The family are mem- bers of the Episcopal church, and reside at No. 28 Spring street, in Red Bank.
DR. PETER ARCHIBALD DAVISON-There is now and then a man who, after he has passed away, lives in the minds of many, not only by reason of results accomplished, but also in consequence of a singularly vivid and forceful personality. So sur- vives the memory of the late Dr. Peter Archibald Devison.
Dr. Davison was born in Glendola, New Jersey, April 30, 1859, the son of Josephus and Eleanor (Springsteen) Davison, the former for many years a successful farmer in Glendola. Peter Archibald Davison attended the grammar schools of Glen- dola, and later prepared himself for college at Jer- my City. He subsequently entered New York Uni- Terzity and was graduated from that institution with
the class of 1890. Having studied to become a veterinary, he accordingly, upon completing the pre- scribed course, proceeded to establish himself in the practice of his chosen profession, making both As- bury Park and Glendola his headquarters until 1917, when he removed to Belmar, New Jersey, where he resided until his death. For the latter years of his life he served as State doctor of tuberculosis.
Dr. Davison was a Republican in politics, but was no office seeker. He was affiliated with Asbury Park Lodge, No. 142, Free and Accepted Masons, of which he was past master during 1898-1899. In religion he was a Methodist, and attended the First Church of this denomination at Belmar, at the time of his death. In the few years he resided in Bel- mar he devoted a great deal of interest to religious matters, and this is proven by the following reso- lutions which were drawn up at the time he died: "The Official Board will miss his wisdom in ad- ministering to the affairs of the church. The whole church will miss his genial personality, and the strength and support that his liberal heart and genial fidelity gave it."
Dr. Davison married (first) at Glendola, New Jersey, Rosalie Seiller, deceased. To them were born three children: Arthur, November 2, 1881; Emma, born June 30, 1884; and John, born May 24, 1887. Dr. Davison married (second) Laura Robinson, April 1, 1918, and from this union was born one child, Dorothy Abigail, July 26, 1920. Mrs. Davison resides at No. 502 Seventh avenue, Belmar, New Jersey.
The death of Peter Archibald Davison, which occurred January 18, 1921, deprived Belmar of one of her valued citizens. Using his talents and op- portunities to the utmost in everything which he undertook, he fulfilled to the letter every trust committed to him, and was generous in his feelings and conduct toward all.
AUGUST SOFFEL-As a successful business man and well known citizen, Mr. Soffel needs no introduction to his friends and neighbors of Rum- son. In the earlier portion of his career he achieved an enviable reputation as a professional player of the national game of baseball.
Jacob Soffel, grandfather of August Soffel, emi- grated from Alsace-Lorraine and settled in Mon- mouth county, where for many years he led the life of a farmer. The name of his wife, whom he married before coming to the United States, was Louisa, and the following children were born to them: Charles, mentioned below; Louisa, John, Catherine, and Lottie. Both Mr. and Mrs. Soffel are deceased, and the farm has passed from the possession of the family.
Charles Soffel, son of Jacob and Louisa Soffel, was born May 16, 1845, in New York City, and after reaching manhood, moved to Hoboken, New Jersey, where he was captain of the fire department. In 1904 he came to Red Bank, New Jersey, where he resided until his death in June, 1921. He married Mary Louisa Fehr, of New York City, and they be-
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came the parents of the following children: Jacob, Charles, George, William, Charles (2), Joseph, August, mentioned below; and Harry, who died in infancy. These eight sons, with two exceptions, all reached maturity.
August Soffel, son of Charles and Mary Louisa (Fehr) Soffel, was born March 19, 1880, in Hoboken, New Jersey, where he received his education. When his school days were over he became a professional ball player, playing with the following clubs: Rich- mond, Virginia; Raleigh, North Carolina; Shreve- port, Louisiana; Nashua, New Hampshire; Phila- delphia Athletic, Pennsylvania; and Toronto, Can- ada. He was also manager at different times of the Norwich (Connecticut) Club, and the Meriden (Connecticut) Club. Other clubs with which he played were the Pittsburgh National; Louisville, Kentucky; Wheeling, West Virginia; and Hartford, Connecticut.
About 1910 Mr. Soffel severed his connection with the game and in 1920 established a meat market at Rumson. He has resided for the last seventeen years in Red Bank, New Jersey. He affiliates with Lodge No. 435, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of Norwich, Connecticut. His political prin- ciples are those upheld by the Democratic party, and he is a member of the Second Reformed church.
Mr. Soffel married (first) in February, 1908, Catherine Deitz, born in May, 1883, daughter of Gottlieb Deitz, and they became the parents of a son and a daughter, both of whom were born at Red Bank: August, Jr., born August 16, 1909; and Louisa Mary, born December 23, 1913. Mrs. Soffel died January 2, 1914, and Mr. Soffel married (sec- ond) October 23, 1914, Mamie Jackson, born at Red Bank, daughter of Alonzo and Mary Jackson. Mr. and Mrs. Soffel are the parents of one child: Mary, born at Red Bank, December 22, 1918. Hav- ing been widely successful in the baseball field, Mr. Soffel is now building up a reputation as a substan- tial business man, with every indication of a pros- perous future.
GEORGE E. HICKEY-One of the far-reaching industries of Red Bank is the plant of the Dr. R. H. Kline Company, manufacturing chemists, whose product is distributed throughout the United States and Canada.
The Dr. R. H. Kline Company's plant is located at No. 68 White street, Red Bank, New Jersey. The business was established in Philadelphia, by Dr. Kline, in 1866, but is now owned by A. W. Chap- pell, a resident of Red Bank. The plant was re- moved to Red Bank in 1909, and was first located at No. 20 White street, and later, as expansion be- came necessary, was removed to No. 14 Broad street. In 1918 they removed to the present fine building owned by the concern, with space and facilities for greatly increased production. They manufacture a line of proprietary medicines, and an extensive list of pharmaceutical supplies. Their output is distributed in every part of the United States and the Dominion of Canada, is handled by
every wholesale house throughout this immense dis- trict, and they maintain an office at No. 344 St Paul street, West Montreal, Canada. In 1920 this concern added to their already large business the manufacture of poultry products, which they have placed before the public under the trade mark "Ideal," and which is conducted under Monmouth laboratories. The general manager of the business is George E. Hickey, who has been a resident of Red Bank since 1910, and has been identified with this concern since that date.
Mr. Hickey was born in Orange, New Jersey, Feb- ruary 19, 1893, and is a son of John J. and Matilda (Van Holt) Hickey. John J. Hickey is a native of Putnam, Connecticut, and now resides at Marlboro, in this county. The mother, who is now deceased, came of an old Long Island family. They were the parents of four children: Joseph, now a resident of New York City, and associated with the United Electric Company; Marguerite, now the wife of Norman Griffin, of Red Bank; George E., of whom extended mention follows; and John, deceased.
George E. Hickey received his early education in the public schools of Mount Pleasant, New Jersey, and Lakeville, Long Island, and was graduated from the New Hyde Park Grammar School in 1906, and from the Jamaica High School in 1910. Coming to Red Bank in the latter year, Mr. Hickey entered the employ of the Dr. R. H. Kline Company, in the capacity of fifth stenographer. He advanced rapid- ly, however, and in 1914 was made manager of the concern. During the first year of his management Mr. Hickey increased the business eighty per cent He is thoroughly in sympathy with the interesti of the concern, keeps in touch with every depart- ment of production and distribution, and has intro- duced many improvements in the different depart- ments of the work. Mr. Hickey is well known in Red Bank. For relaxation he seeks out-of-door ac- tivities, and is a member of the Red Bank Rifle Club. His religious faith is that of the Roman Catholic, and he is a member of St. James Church of Red Bank.
On April 9, 1913, George E. Hickey married Helen M. Longstreet, of Red Bank, daughter of Bloomfield and Isabella (Parker) Longstreet, both parents now living. Mr. and Mrs. Hickey have one son, Robert Clifford, born January 21, 1914. The family resides at No. 132 Wallace street, and Mrs. Hickey attends the Methodist Episcopal Church.
LYLE E. SHAFTO-Anthony Shafto, the Ameri- can progenitor of the family, was born in Yorkshire, England, September 27, 1750, and came to this country with his first six children in 1791. His other children were born here. In the old family Bible is inscribed in the hand of Robert, eldest son of Anthony: "Robert Shafto emigrated from York- shire, England, and landed in Philadelphia, July 8, 1791. Anthony died January 1, 1811, and his wife, Hannah, died February 6, 1828."
Robert Shafto, born September 27, 1780, eld- est son of Anthony and Hannah Shafto, came to
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America with his parents when eleven years of age. He married, December 14, 1802, Isabel Kerr, daughter of Robert Kerr, a Scotchman; Robert Kerr died November 14, 1805. Isabel was born February 27, 1780, and died February 17, 1846. Robert Shafto died November 2, 1852. He and most of his chil- dren are interred at Hamilton.
John Shafto, eldest son of Robert and Isa- bel (Kerr) Shafto, was born May 25, 1803. He mar- ried January 31, 1827, Mary Ely, of Hamilton, and died May 7, 1858; Mary died in 1899.
Anthony R. Shafto, fourth son of John and Mary (Ely) Shafto, married Rebecca Morris, who was born in 1846, and who died in 1911. Children: 1. Elizabeth M., married May 17, 1891, Enoch P. Davison of Elberon. 2. Adella, married December 24, 1890, Elbert O. Fielder, of Jersey City. 3. Mary, married Arthur G. Rogers. 4. Oliver B., married Adelaide Walton. 5. Lyle E., of further mention. Gladys, a daughter of Oliver B., died in infancy.
Lyle E. Shafto, son of Anthony R. and Rebecca (Morris) Shafto, was born at Shark River Station, December 29, 1878. The old homestead of the fam- ily lies close to the north bank of Shark River brook on Corlies avenue, about two miles west of Hamil- ton. Lyle E. Shafto received his education in the schools of Hamilton and Neptune, and after which he apprenticed himself to the carpenter's trade, and for four years worked with E. O. Fielder of Asbury Park, where he learned his trade. He then served as a journeyman for one year, or until 1905, when he established himself in general con- tracting and building, at No. 17 Atkins avenue. In 1918 he built a large storage house for Oldsmobile cars and trucks, going into the automobile business together with his already established enterprise, and has a structure one hundred and fifty feet on Main street, fifty-four feet on Corlies avenue, with a depth of one hundred and three feet. All this cows without further explanation, that he has proven himself to be a man of wonderful business ablity.
For five years Mr. Shafto lived at Shafto's Cor- Mer, in Shrewsbury township, where he engaged in farming, and while located there he was the insti- gater of the building of a school house in the place. He has been president of the Neptune Township Board of Education for several years, and takes a keen and active interest in everything that makes for advancement in the community of West Grove, where he now resides. He is a member of the As- bury Park Builders' Association, and affiliates with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, As- bury Park Lodge, No. 128; and the Junior Order of United American Mechanics.
On October 20, 1898, at West Grove, Lyle E. Shafto was united in marriage with Florence J. Irena, daughter of the late Aaron and Susan (Loker- wen) Irons, the latter having died at Adelphia, June, 1919, at the age of seventy-nine years. Mr. and Mrs. Shafto are the parents of four children: Marion Irons, born October 30, 1899, is a graduate Asbury Park Business College, class of 1921; Stedman Hall, born July 81, 1905, is a student of
Neptune Township High School, class of 1925; Jo- seph Anthony, born August 3, 1908; Ruth Merita, born November 27, 1913. The family home is at No. 117 Atkins avenue, West Grove. Lyle E. Shafto is an automobile enthusiast, and every autumn en- joys long journeys to various parts of the country. He is essentially a home-man, preferring to devote his spare time to his family and intimate friends, and has never entered politics, claiming that his business interests needed his entire attention. That he has made good use of his time, is proven con- clusively by the success that has attended his efforts.
DR. EVERETT EUGENE COVERT was born at Silverton, New Jersey, on November 23, 1895, and is a son of Eugene and Susan (McKelvey) Covert. He has one brother and one sister. Dr. Covert's family moved from Silverton to Long Branch when he was five years old. His father is now employed by the Federal Government at Sea Bright, New Jersey. He received his early education in the pub- lic schools of Long Branch. After graduating from high school, he entered the dental department of the University of Pennsylvania. His university work was interrupted when, on October 25, 1917, he enlisted in the United States Army. He re- ceived a commission as second lieutenant and was assigned to the Medical Corps. He was sent to Camp Greenleaf to serve in the dental dispensary. On December 16, 1918, he received his discharge. In 1918, Dr. Covert graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with the degree of Doctor of Den- tal Surgery. He established himself in general prac- tice at Philadelphia and remained there for two years, at the end of which time he moved to Long Branch, where he is now permanently settled and has a well-established general practice. In 1919, Dr. Covert passed the examinations of the Penn- sylvania and New Jersey State boards.
He is a Republican in politics, and attends the Methodist church. He is a Mason of the third de- gree and belongs to the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, and the Monmouth County Dental Society. Dr. Covert was one of the eight founders of the Phi Xi Phi, a Greek letter fraternity for high schools, and is a member of the Pi Sigma Kappa.
Dr. Everett E. Covert married Helen Beatrice Sherman, of Long Branch, June 30, 1920.
JOHN WOOLLEY-A descendant of an old Mon- mouth county family, members of the Society of Friends, John Woolley, a native son, as farmer and merchant, added to the list of successful business men who made the name an honored one in county annals. From 1905 until his death he was located at Bradley Beach in the fish commission business. He was a son of Jacob Woolley, who died in 1886, aged fifty, his mother, Elizabeth Woolley, dying in 1882.
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