USA > New Jersey > Monmouth County > History of Monmouth County, New Jersey, 1664-1920, Volume III > Part 25
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Mr. Pearce married, at Point Pleasant, New Jer-
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sey, May 21, 1912, Elizabeth B. Fleming, daughter of William and Marian (Reed) Fleming. Mr. and Mrs. Pearce are the parents of two children, Marian Elizabeth, and Elizabeth Fleming Pearce.
ERNEST WILLIAM MEYER, one of the most ingenious citizens and business men of Freehold, New Jersey, was born December 5, 1857, in Ham- burg, Germany, son of Francis Peter Meyer and Mary Kathryn (Hinch) Meyer, the former being a contractor during his active life in Germany. The public schools of Forlander afforded the early edu- cation of young Meyer. He then learned the trade of cabinet-maker and carpenter from his father, who was very skilled in this line of work. From 1872 to 1876, Mr. Meyer travelled all through Eur- ope working at his trade, and ten years later he came to the United States and at different times worked in several of the large cities near New York. He also worked on the building of the subway and was for a time a foreman in the factory of Isaac Smith.
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In August, 1917, Mr. Meyer started on quite a different phase of his work, that of repairing and polishing antiques, and after nine months engaged in this business on his own account. His work is among dealers in antiques and among private own- ers of antique pieces of furniture, and he also makes furniture in his shop, including inlaid work, being especially expert in cabinet work. The en- tire workshop of Mr. Meyer is the work of his own hands, and is testimony of his skill. In 1913, he patented a double door lock which has proved very practical, and he also made a special machine for sharpening hand-saws. Mr. Meyer is a Republican in politics, and attends the Presbyterian church. His wife, Wilhelmina, was born at Hamburg, August 15, 1885, and they are the parents of a son, Frederick, born in New York City, and a daughter, Mary Meyer.
WILLIAM OSTROV, an enterprising business man of Red Bank, New Jersey, was born, Novem- ber 28, 1888, in Stutzk, Russia, son of Morris and Hilda (Brodsky) Ostrovsky, and was one of a fam- ily of five children, four brothers now being in the United States and one sister in the home country. The father was a commission merchant, and resides in New York City. The mother is deceased.
Mr. Ostrov attended the public schools of Russia, and September 13, 1904, came to America, remaining in New York City for eight years. In 1912 he be- came a resident of Red Bank, New Jersey, and for a year and a half was employed by the Red Bank Steam & Dye Works, an occupation he had fol- lowed for several years, and in which he had be- come particularly skilled. Through diligence and thrift, Mr. Ostrov was in a position to engage in this line of business on his own account, and se- cured a location at No. 9 Mechanic street, where he has now been located for seven or more years, his business increasing with each succeeding year.
Mr. Ostrov has taken his place among the pro- gressive citizens of Red Bank, and is a share-holder
of the Building and Loan Association of that city. In politics, he is independent, giving his support to the one he believes to be the right representative for the office aspired to.
CHESTER FIELDS, business man of Red Bank, New Jersey, was born there, June 26, 1895, son of Charles and Flora Etta (Herbert) Fields, the for- mer being a native of Fairhaven, New Jersey, born there in 1866, and the latter, born in 1877 at En- glishtown, New Jersey. The only child of this mar- riage was Chester Fields, above mentioned, who at- tended the public schools in Long Branch and the high school of that place. Having a natural talent as a golfer, he combined this pleasure with busi- ness, and for eight years was assistant instructor at the West End Golf Club. He resigned this posi- tion to engage in the insurance business, associated with the Prudential Insurance Company, continuing for almost three years. In April of the present year, Mr. Fields opened his own agency on White street, in Red Bank, and in August removed to lar- ger quarters, necessitated by his increase in busi- ness. Among the younger business men of Red Bank, he is holding a prominent place, and as a member of the Republican party takes an active interest in public matters as well.
Mr. Fields married March 13, 1914, Madeline Hughes, born May 12, 1897, at Long Branch, daugh- ter of George and Catherine (Mullen) Hughes, the former being engaged in the plumbing business. They are the parents of a daughter, born October 31, 1916.
CHARLES CLARK BOWNE, JR .- In business and in the professions, the name of Bowne has long been familiar in Monmouth county. The family came to America from England, where also the name was well known, one member of the family, Humphrey De Bohun, having won renown with William the Conquerer. In the New World, the name became Bowne, and Captain John Bowne served in the cause of the Colonies, in the Revolu- tionary War. William John Bowne was born in Freehold, New Jersey, in the year 1792, and died April 16, 1858. A descendant of Captain John Bowne, probably his grandson, William John Bowne, became one of the leading men of his day in Free- hold, a very successful lawyer and judge of that town. He owned a farm on the site of the Battle of Monmouth, which was fought June 28, 1778, and conducted farming operations there, although he spent the greater part of his time in his pro- fessional activities and in political interests. He established the first bank at Matawan, New Jer- sey, and was elected to the Legislative Council in 1822. He married Catherine Clark, who was born in Dublin, Ireland, and they were the parents of five children: Carl, Charles Clark, Sr., William, Caroline and John.
Charles Clark Bowne, Sr., was born in Free- hold, New Jersey, in the year 1817, and died at his home, in Freehold, in 1886. Educated in the local schools of the day, he carried on the home-
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Frank Garrusty
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stead farm, mentioned above, on the site of the Battle of Monmouth, for a number of years. But he became interested in business, was a successful speculator, and left home to enter business in Free- hold, where he became a very prosperous mer- chant. He married Ann Eliza Schenck, a member of one of the prominent families of that name, which have long resided in this State. She was born at Middletown, New Jersey, in the year 1818, and died in 1884. Charles Clark, Sr., and Ann Eliza (Schenck) Bowne, were the parents of the following children: Schenck, Carrie Augusta, Charles Clark, Jr., whose name heads this review; William, Harry, Ida, and Robert S.
Charles Clark Bowne, Jr., was born in Freehold, New Jersey, April 3, 1851, and died March 15, 1922. Receiving his early education in the public schools of his native town, he completed his preparation for his career in Commercial College, in Newark, New Jersey. In 1871 he entered the grocery business at Freehold, in association with a partner, under the firm name of Bowne & Swift, carrying on this busi- ness for two years. Then selling his interest to Mr. Swift, Mr. Bowne entered the dry goods business in 1875, in Freehold, and for seven years was thus actively engaged. Removing in 1882 to Centreville, in Ocean township, he purchased a piece of property and did considerable farming, but always conducted a general store in connection with his farm inter- ests. He was very successful, and was counted among the foremost men of the community, his political views being independent. He was broad- ly interested in the general advance of the com- munity, although his business activities kept him from taking an active part in public affairs.
On August 10, 1869, in New York City, Mr. Bowne married Mary L. Curtis, of that city, a daughter of John and Maria Curtis, of English descent. Mr. and Mrs. Bowne were the parents of eight children: Edwin Wescott, born in New York City; Ida May; William Walter; Albert James; Charles C .; Harry Alexander; Carrie; and Anna Myrtle, the last born in Centreville, Ocean township. With the excep- tien of the oldest and youngest, all the children were born in Freehold.
GARRUTO BROTHERS One of the thriving manufacturing establishments of Red Bank, is that of Garruto Brothers, on River street, makers of clothing, and the men who are at the head of this industry are taking a part in the general progress of the community.
Frank Garruto, the senior member of the firm, and the founder, was born in Faggia, Italy, April 17, 1887, and the young men are sons of John and Angelina (Mazzeo) Garruto. The father, who was a tailor, was born in Italy, in 1860, and the mother, in 1855. Frank Garruto was educated in the pub- lie schools of Italy, then learned tailoring, and was engaged in that business in his native land. Coming to America in 1903, he became associated with L. Durglo, in his clothing establishment on Stone street, Brooklyn, New York, as manager, and continued in that connection for fourteen years.
With this experience, close to the center of the clothing world of America, Mr. Garruto came to Red Bank in 1917, and established a factory here. He has been very successful, and has developed an ex- tensive trade, now requiring fifty expert workers to fill his orders. Mr. Garruto is a member of the Italian-American Independent Club, of Red Bank, and is a member of the Royal Italian Band, also of this borough.
He married Maggie Rosato, who was born in New York City, in 1891, and they are the parents of three children: Angelina, born September 6, 1908; John, born May 1, 1913; and Andrew, born February 2, 1916.
Michele Garruto, the junior member of the firm of Garruto Brothers, was born in Fazzia, Italy, Sep- tember 28, 1892, and came to the United States in 1909. Working as a carpenter in New York City until 1913, he then joined the 2nd Engineers, United States Army. On March 7, 1913, he was promoted to the rank of sergeant, and went overseas with the 2nd Engineers, attached to the 2nd Division of the Regular army. He saw service on every front except St. Mihiel, and was discharged from the service, March 6, 1920. He had previously seen service with Pershing on the Mexican expedition. Coming to Red Bank immediately after his dis- charge, Mr. Garruto joined his brother in the cloth- ing factory, the business having reached a point where a larger executive force was needed. Mr. Garruto is a member of the American Legion.
Mr. Garruto married Mille Ferrara, who was born in Italy, in 1900. The Garruto brothers have another brother, who conducts a large tailoring establishment in New York City; also a sister, who resides in Italy.
MAX LEON-In industrial circles in Red Bank the name of Max Leon is well known; and he is handling one of the practical enterprises of the day as proprietor of the Red Bank Steam Dye Works.
Mr. Leon was born in Russia, in 1891, and is a son of Lewis and Rebecca Leon, now residents of Red Bank. The family came to this country when Mr. Leon was a boy of fifteen, and his education has been largely in the "school of experience," as he began work when a very young lad. At the age of sixteen years, and while a resident of Glens Falls, New York, he entered the cleaning and dyeing business in association with Mayer Cohen, of that city. Making an exhaustive study of the business in the two years they were together, Mr. Leon gain- ed a thoroughly practical familiarity with the pro- cesses and methods most approved; and selling out his interest in the business, went to Amsterdam, New York, where he struck out for himself in the same line. There he spent two years, and again disposing of his interests, came to New Jersey, spending eight months in Perth Amboy, after which he located permanently in Red Bank.
This was in 1910, and he established a business at No. 16 West Front street. After two years, lar- ger quarters were needed, and found at No. 24 West Front street, where the main office is still located.
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The present plant, where all the work is done, was taken over in 1919, and here some eighteen people are employed. They do a general cleaning and dye- ing business, handling everything that can be clean- ed and dyed. They are equipped with all the most modern machinery, and keep in touch with the most advanced methods and developments in this line of work. Their trade covers all parts of the county, and they maintain offices in Long Branch, Sea Bright and Lakewood. Their central plant occupies a space 60x150 feet. Mr. Leon is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, No. 233, of Red Bank, New Jersey.
On January 19, 1919, Mr. Leon married Rebecca Doris, and they have one daughter, Shirley Doris. The family resides on Washington street, in Red Bank.
CHARLES APPLEGATE COOK - That the name we have just written is that of one of the most successful farmers in Monmouth county, many living far beyond those limits will abundantly tes- tify. Mr. Cook, who resides near Farmingdale, is known as a public-spirited citizen of Howell town- ship, having served with credit in the office of road supervisor.
Greene Cook, great-grandfather of Charles Apple- gate Cook, married Rhoda Harker. Both were of English descent, born in New Jersey, probably near Toms River, Ocean county. Joseph Cook, son of Greene and Rhoda (Harker) Cook, was born near Toms River, Ocean county, and led the life of a farmer. He was a Democrat and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His wife was Eliza Applegate, and they were the parents of six chil- dren. Britton Charles Cook, son of Joseph and Eliza (Applegate) Cook, was born near Harmony, Ocean county, and became one of the largest farm- ers in that region. He married Lettie Miller, born at Lakewood, New Jersey, daughter of Calip and Anne Miller, and his death occurred at the compara- tively early age of forty-eight. His widow passed away in 1918, being then eighty-four years old.
Charles Applegate Cook, son of Britton Charles and Lettie (Miller) Cook, was born August 8, 1859, near Harmony, eight miles south of Freehold, Ocean county, and received his education in local schools. Until the age of twenty, he assisted his father in the care of the homestead and then, for eight years, cultivated the Marsellus farm. Previous to the purchase of the Marsellus farm, he spent ten years on Ryall farm, near Colts Neck. He purchased the Cookrue farm in Marlboro township, and for three years made it his home. At the end of that time he came to Howell township, settling near Farming- dale, and leased the Windsor stock farm from Ar- thur Brisbane, the New York editorial writer, for a period of three years. When his term had expired he bought the Williams farm, of one hundred and thirty-five acres, all of which are now under cul- tivation. Mr. Cook is widely-known as one of the largest potato growers in the East.
The vote and influence of Mr. Cook have always been given to the support of the principles of the
Democratic party, and for six years he held the office of road supervisor of Howell township. He belongs to the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, of Marlboro, and he and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Farmingdale, he himself occupying a seat on its official board.
Mr. Cook married, near Harmony, Ocean county, Georgia A. Johnson, born in that county, near Van- hiseville, daughter of Charles A. and Jennie (Bar- ker) Johnson, and they are the parents of the fol- lowing children: Jennie, born July 1, 1885; Ida M., born February 15, 1887; Hattie Sickles, born Feb- ruary 13, 1889, died February 1, 1911; Viola, born March 28, 1900; Amy, born December 12, 1902; Britton Charles, born November 15, 1903; and Mari- etta, born October 8, 1905. While still in the prime of life, Mr. Cook has achieved a wide reputation as an agriculturist, and doubtless the years to come will witness its steady augmentation.
EDWARD J. REILLY-Prominent for many years in the business life of Red Bank, Edward J. Reilly recently disposed of a large trucking business, and turned his entire attention to his extensive stor- age warehouses, through which he meets one of the practical needs of the people. But May 12, 1921 he again entered the trucking field by a re- purchase of his trucking business, and it was in- corporated under the name of the Reilly Storage and Transportation Company, with L. E. Brown, preal- dent; E. J. Reilly, vice president; Cornelius Mar- cellus, treasurer; George J. Gaskill, secretary; and with a capital of $100,000.
Mr. Reilly is a son of John and Margaret (Me- Conohy) Reilly, who were both born in Ireland, coming to America in their youth, and becoming residents of Red Bank, where they were married by Father Sloan. John Reilly was a hard-working man, who put the skill of the true mechanic in the work which he did, which was largely the building of rail fences. He was a staunch Democrat, by political choice, and was a devout member of the Roman Catholic church. John and Margaret (Mc- Conohy) Reilly were the parents of eight children: Katie, John, Annie, Francis, Maggie, Edward, and Mary J .; Ella, the first child, died in infancy.
Edward J. Reilly was born in Middletown town- ship, this county, April 23, 1874, and was reared in the country, receiving his education in the public and parochial schools. After completing his studies he worked on the farm for three years, then came to Red Bank, where he drove a wagon for the Standard Oil Company for five years. Thereafter he was employed by the United States Express Company for nearly six years. It was while in this work that he saw the opportunity for an independent local express business. He took up this branch of endeavor, beginning in a small way, but extending his operations until he owned fourteen horses, be- sides a large equipment of wagons, vans and trucks, and employed a big force of men. This business be sold in April, 1921. Meanwhile, about 1910, be had begun handling storage in connection with the
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trucking, again beginning in a small way. Today he has one of the best equipped storage plants in this part of the State. The building is three stories in height, 60x125 feet in dimensions, and modern in every respect. He has also a building 50x50 feet, two stories, for automobiles, etc. This property formerly belonged to Sheriff Hindrickson, and the old barn used in the sale and exchange business is one of the old land-marks of this town, is a part of the property, and is still used in part as a stable, the balance for automobile storage.
With his long business experience in Red Bank, Mr. Reilly has won a position of prominence in the community. Politically he is an unqualified sup- porter of the Republican party, and a leader in its ranks, although never an aspirant for public honors.
Mr. Reilly has been twice married. He married (first) Ellen A. Cavanaugh, who was born in Ire- land, and died in Red Bank, February 1, 1918, at the age of forty-one years. He married (second) Emma C. Marius, a resident of Brooklyn, who was born in New York City. The family residence is at No. 49 Mechanic street, Red Bank.
JOHN PERRY ADAIR was born at Newark, New Jersey, January 25, 1885, a son of Alexander and Louise (Bimble) Adair. He has four brothers. His father, who was born at Newark, is a merchant. His mother was also born at Newark, and is still living.
Mr. Adair received his early education in the public schools of Newark. After graduating from the Newark High School, he proceeded to the New- ark Business College and there received a thorough commercial training. In 1909, Mr. Adair and his family moved to Highlands, New Jersey, and Mr. Adair and his father established themselves in the grocery business there. Mr. Adair continued to be associated with his father in the management of the grocery business until he was appointed United States postmaster in 1918. He received his appoint- ment in November, 1918, and assumed charge of the post office in January, 1919. He still holds office as postmaster. He is a Presbyterian, but he and his family attend the Methodist Episcopal church at Highlands. In politics he is a Republican. He held office as borough clerk for three or four years. He is a member of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics.
Mr. Adair married Florence Spann, at Highlands, November 26, 1914. Mrs. Adair is a daughter of George and Ella (Jewell) Spann, both of whom are living. Her father is a machinist. Mr. and Mrs. Adair have three children: Florence L., born Octo- ber 21, 1915; Alexander J., born April 15, 1917; Robert E., born April 16, 1920.
ALBERT B. DIRHAN-Albert B. Dirhan, of Red Bank, who is a leading piano dealer, and broadly active in tuning and repairing, is a native of Austria Hungary, and comes of a family of distinguished musicians and educators.
Samuel Dirhan, Mr. Dirhan's grandfather, was a college professor in Budapest, Hungary, and a tal-
ented musician, winning renown in fields of both learning and music.
Kalman Dirhan was a teacher in normal school, and also a teacher of the violin, piano and organ. In middle life he engaged in architectural work and contracting, carried on extensive construction operations, and built many bridges. He married Amelia Sikora.
Albert B. Dirhan, son of Kalman and Amelia (Sikora) Dirhan, was born in Austria Hungary, De- cember 28, 1891, and received his primary education, and also advanced musical education, in his native country. He came to America, a boy of fifteen, in 1906, and located in New York City, with his brother. There he entered the employ of the J. & C. Fischer Company, world famous piano manu- facturers, with whom he remained for two years, tuning and repairing. He was later associated with the Mathushek Piano Company, both in New York City, and also in New Brunswick and Red Bank, New Jersey. Still later he was with the W. W. Kimball Company, after which he located in Red Bank permanently, establishing his home and pres- ent business here. He purchased this property, erecting a commodious building especially designed to meet the requirements of his business. He handles the Weaver piano over a large territory, but specializes in tuning and repairing. Mr. Dir- han is located at No. 16 Drummond place, and has been a resident of Red Bank since 1910, with the exception of one year, spent in New York. He is considered one of the progressive men of the day in this community, and a truly representative Ameri- can.
In Passaic, New Jersey, Mr. Dirhan married Vera Yacko, and they have one daughter, Vera Amelia .. They are members of the Roman Catholic church.
JOHN EGAN-The name of Egan, through the business activities of both father and son, has come to be significant in Red Bank of worthy enterprise and fair dealings.
The business known as "Egan's Express" was founded about 1850 by Patrick Egan, who was a native of County Tipperary, Ireland, and came to this country when he was a young man about twenty-one years of age. For a time after his arrival he was employed at Long Branch, later coming to Red Bank, where he worked for the late James H. Peters. But he was a young man of independence and ambition, and early started in business for himself. With one horse and wagon he began handling express and general hauling, and his business increased until he be- came a well-known figure in the business world of Red Bank, and reached a posiiton of financial security. Although coming to this country as a poor boy, he eventually became possessed of con- siderable property, handling many real estate deals in connection with his main business interest, and accumulating a competence through his own efforts. At one time he owned six properties, exclusive of his residence. At his retirement, the express busi- ness was left in the hands of his only son, John.
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Patrick Egan married Mary Corcoran, who was also born in Ireland, and they were the parents of five children: Catherine; Mary, the wife of Timothy Hounihan; Delia, who became the wife of Henry Carroll, and is now deceased; Ella, the wife of Albert Baldwin; and John.
John Egan was born in Red Bank, March 10, 1868, and received his education in the public and parochial schools. At the age of fifteen he began to assist his father in the business, and was asso- ciated with him, as boy and man, until about 1900, when the elder Mr. Egan retired from the active management of the concern, and the son took over its affairs. Mr. Egan's office is now located at No. 10 Wharf street, where he does a general express business, handling both local and long distance hauling, and operating two large vans in the latter branch of the business.
In connection with his principal business inter- est, Mr. Egan is a director of the Monmouth County Mutual Supply Company, of which he was one of the organizers. He is also connected with the Burnwright Coal & Security Company ,of New- ark, New Jersey. He owns several fine properties in this section, and holds a leading position in the community.
On February 14, 1904, Mr. Egan married Cath- erine Conary, and they have two daughters, Mary and Catherine. They reside at No. 11 Wall street, Red Bank. The family has always belonged to the Roman Catholic church.
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