USA > New Jersey > Monmouth County > History of Monmouth County, New Jersey, 1664-1920, Volume III > Part 41
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lived on this place continuously, making no changes in his policy of general farming, but keeping in touch with the latest developments along this line of endeavor, and meeting with gratifying success. He stands among the leading men of this attractive agricultural community, and may well be counted among the successful men of the day. Politically he holds an independent position, and has always declined political honors. He is a member of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, and is a member of the Holmdel Baptist Church.
On February 2, 1888, at Holmdel, New Jersey, Mr. Thorne married Charlotte Coon, who was born in Keyport, June 23, 1864, a daughter of Henry Smith and Katherine (Brown) Coon, her father having been a prominent shipbuilder and farmer in his day. Mr. and Mrs. Thorne have one daugh- ter, Norma, born October 18, 1890, a graduate of the Keyport High School, and now the wife of Joseph H. Holmes.
JOHN I. SICKLES-Known as the "Father of the Navesink School," John I. Sickles, who is a native of Navesink, New Jersey, did much towards advancing education in this community as the name given him implies. Not alone in this particular line has Mr. Sickles been active, but also in the politi- cal life of Navesink we find he has taken a leading part.
John I. Sickles was born in Navesink, New Jer- sey, September 26, 1852. His father, George H. Sickles, was a native of Shrewsbury, and died in Navesink, in 1900; he married Sarah A. Johnson, a native of Middletown township. The education of John I. Sickles was obtained in the school of his native place, after which he became a teacher there for a short time, subsequently resigning and going to New York City, where for ten years he was engaged as a produce merchant in the Washing- ton Market. Mr. Sickles then returned to Navesink and purchased the Henry Johnson farm, where he has resided ever since that time.
Since 1901 Mr. Sickles has been a member of the local board of education and has given considerable time to problems educational. He is a Republican in politics; has been coroner for two terms, and was at one time district clerk of the Navesink School District.
On December 17, 1873, at Navesink, New Jersey, John I. Sickles was united in marriage with Almira A. Smith, a native of Navesink, where her birth occurred August 31, 1854. Mrs. Sickles was the daughter of George D. and Mary Ann (Houseworth) Smith, both natives of New York City. Mr. and Mrs. Sickles are the parents of five children: Edith, born February 4, 1875; Myra, born February 19, 1879; Ashton, born October 10, 1882; Bessie, born July 12, 1885; and Schuyler, born September 7, 1898.
LOUIS SOFFEL-Among the very successful farmers of Atlantic township, Monmouth county, New Jersey, was Louis Soffel. German thrift, thor- oughness and patience, added to unfailing loyalty
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to his adopted country,,made him a valuable citizen as well as a successful farmer. Born in Misenheim, Germany, August 29, 1827, son of Jacob and Julia Soffel, he passed nearly all of his mature life as a citizen of the United States. The father and mother, who never came to this country, were the parents of the following children: Jacob, Frederick, John, Charles, Jane, Susan; August, who married Char-
lotte and was the father of thirteen chil- dren, the third of whom, August, Jr., was at one time commissioner of rivers for the State of New Jersey, and married Martha Washington Hoffman, and they were the parents of one child, August Milton, who served in the United States navy dur- ing the World War, and Louis, of further mention.
Louis Soffel received his education in Germany and France, being a graduate of several institutions there. In young manhood he came to this country, locating first at Red Bank, New Jersey, where he entered the employ of Dr. Boyd, who was cultivating certain herbs for medicinal purposes. Later, he came to the village of Colts Neck, Atlantic town- ship, New Jersey, where he bought the old Laird place and spent the remainder of his life. Having left Germany because of his opposition to the mili- taristic policies of the German government, he de- voted himself to the most peaceful of pursuits, and appreciated to the full the privilege of living under a peace-loving government. Politically, he was a Democrat, and while he never aspired to office, he took an active part in local politics, doing his full share to secure the election of those he considered best fitted to fill the various local offices. He and his family were members of the Reformed church of Colts Neck.
On January 28, 1849, in old Trinity Church, Shrewsbury township, New Jersey, Mr. Soffel mar- ried Margaretta Frick, daughter of Squire George Frick, teacher and owner of a private school in Ger- many, who later in life became a farmer. In 1899, Mr. and Mrs. Soffel celebrated their golden anniver- sary. They are the parents of eight children: 1. Charlotte Augusta, who married Augustus Sickles, a farmer of Atlantic township, and has three chil- dren: Margaret Maria; Benjamin, a graduate of Rutgers University; and Hulda. 2. Louis, who married (first) Elizabeth Matthews, deceased; mar- ried (second) Jane Slith, no children. 3. Christina Amelia, widow of Carl Schaefer, who died in April, 1909, aged sixty-eight years, no children. 4. George, who married Josephine Van Huell, and has one child, Florence. 5. Conrad, who married Delia Van Huell, and has two children: Nellie, and Fredia. 6. Margaret, who died in infancy. 7. Minnie. 8. Elizabeth. Mr. Soffel died August 1, 1908.
EZEKIEL J. CHAMBERLIN-The Chamberlins of this review are of an old Monmouth county fam- ily, the farm where Abijah B. Chamberlin resides, being the old homestead which for seven genera- tions has been in the family. Ezekiel J. Chamber- lin, father of Abijah B., was born at Perrineville, Monmouth county, New Jersey, February 7, 1813,
died April 11, 1884. He was a farmer all his life, a Republican in politics and for some years town supervisor. He was a member of the Presbyterian church of Upper Freehold, and a man of good standing in his community.
Ezekiel J. Chamberlin married, February 16, 1887, at Perrineville, Mary Ann Kirby, born there, July 11, 1813, died April 16, 1891, daughter of Joseph and Eleanor (Chamberlin) Kirby, her father a farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Ezekiel J. Chamberlin were the parents of eight children: 1. Joseph K., born October 21, 1837, died January 5, 1913; he married Mary L. Combs, who lived near Perrineville, and died August 2, 1919. Three children of this mar- riage survive: Anna, J. Edward and Clara Ogden Chamberlin, now residing near Cranbury, Middlesex county, New Jersey. 2. Ellen Jane, born March 23, 1839, died February 28, 1916. 3. Thomas M., born March 18, 1841, died March 30, 1911; he mar- ried Elizabeth Mount of Cherry Creek, New York. Two children of this union survive: Ella Irene, who lives with her mother at Freehold; and Willard Parker Chamberlin who resides at 50 John street, Englewood, New Jersey. 4. Harriet, born February 20, 1843, died May 7, 1891. 5. Elizabeth, born March 1, 1845; died December 22, 1900. 6. John, born July 23, 1847, married Amy Mount, of Mercer county. Children still living are: Elizabeth Perrine and Ellen J. Forman, who reside near Perrineville, and Hattie Bowers, who lives at Yardville, Mercer county, New Jersey. 7. Mary, born July 16, 1849, died March 16, 1850. 8. Abijah B., born June 11, 1854, now residing on the old homestead, a farm of eighty-seven acres, well situated and fertile.
DAVID WILLIAM SMITH was born in New York City, October 14, 1887. He was educated in the public schools, completing the regular grammar and high school courses. He began his business career as a clerk for a fire insurance company and subsequently entered the service of the New York Telephone Company with which he has ever since been connected. At the present time, Mr. Smith is in charge of one division of the traffic department.
He became a resident of West Long Branch in 1907, and was elected Mayor in November, 1920. In politics, he is a Republican. He is active in all matters pertaining to civic welfare and it was largely due to his efforts that the fire department obtained a new truck. He was also instrumental in the establishment of a permanent police force in the borough for the whole year 'round.
JAMES BRUNO-Since February, 1921, James Bruno has been a member of Bruno Brothers' Bot- tling Works on Pearl street, Red Bank, New Jersey, and although the enterprise has been started but a comparatively short time it has already met with success, due in no small measure to the untiring energy and capable management of James Bruno.
James Bruno was born in Long Branch, New Jer- sey, December 7, 1897, the son of Frederick and Antonia (Tomaino) Bruno, both natives of Italy. Mr.
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Charles E. Brown
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Bruno, senior, is engaged in the bottling business in this city, which enterprise he has successfully con- ducted for many years. Mr. and Mrs. Bruno are the parents of eleven children, among whom are James, of further mention, and Charles who is associated with the former in business under the firm name of Bruno Brothers. James Bruno re- ceived the preliminary portion of his education in the public schools of his native place and then en- tered the Red Bank High School from which he was subsequently graduated. Upon completing his schooling he worked with his father until 1916, dur- ing which time he gained a thorough knowledge of the bottling business. He then secured a position with a Mr. Monsky and was thus engaged until Feb- ruary, 1921, when, together with his brother Charles, as has been previously stated, he established the firm of Bruno Brothers' Bottling Works and located at No. 250 Pearl street, Red Bank.
James Bruno has always shown his interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of his adopted city and has ever given his hearty co-operation to civic advancement. In politics he is an Independent preferring to vote for the man regardless of party. He affiliates with the Loyal Order of Moose and the Woodmen of the World, and in his religious faith is a Roman Catholic.
On June 30, 1920, at Red Bank, New Jersey, James Bruno was united in marriage with Vincenza Qualtier, daughter of Antonio and Mary (Sicila) Qualtier. Mrs. Bruno is a native of Fair Haven, New Jersey, where she was born, October 10, 1905.
CHARLES E. BROWN is one of the most pro- gressive citizens of Long Branch, New Jersey, and also one of its most prominent business men. He was born in Browntown, July 17, 1869, son of Parker Brown, and after attending the district schools, helped his father about the home farm, later managing a farm of his own. In 1889, at the age of twenty years, he became a resident of Long Branch, where he started in the contracting business on a small scale. His first contract work was in delivering ice and his start was made with two small teams. Mr. Brown was always a very active man and this quality has been an important factor in the success he has made; his business made rapid progress, until today he is the owner of the Nor- wood Ice Company, the Independent Ice Company, and has two ice plants. One of these is located at Red Bank, where the ice is sold at wholesale, and the other in Long Branch. The growth of Long Branch brought with it an opportunity for building and developing, and in this work Mr. Brown has taken an important part. He also remodeled a theatre in Trenton, and erected four new ones; one in New Brunswick, one in Long Branch, and two in Asbury Park. He is a director of the Monmouth County Loan Association, president of the Mon- mouth Mutual Supply Company, and president of the West End Ice Plant Company.
In politics, Mr. Brown is a Democrat and his interest has been more than a passive one. He
served as city councilman and as chairman of the street commission. Fraternally, he is a member of the Royal Arcanum, the Oceanic Fire Company, of which he is now vice-president and trustee and an ex-president. He is ex-chief of the Long Branch Fire Department.
Mr. Brown married Anna Laura Miller, and their children are: Howard, now engaged in the trucking business, and Raymond Brown, associated with his father. The family attend the First Baptist Church, of which Mr. Brown is trustee and treasurer.
PATRICK McCUE-Few names would be more quickly recognized by the people of Eatontown, than the one which stands at the head of this article. Mr. McCue has been a farmer of Shrewsbury town- ship, for about a quarter of a century, and during that long period, has manifested an active interest in the affairs of his home community. Martin Mc- Cue, father of Patrick McCue, was born. in Ireland, and came as a boy to the United States, settling in Monmouth county, where he passed the remainder of his life, as a farmer. He married Mary Conway and their children were: Jane, Mary, Katie, Patrick, mentioned below, Martin, Sarah, Ellen, Thomas, Clara, and John. Mr. McCue died in 1889, being then sixty years old, and his widow passed away in 1918, at the advanced age of eighty-four.
Patrick McCue, son of Martin and Mary (Con- way) McCue, was born April 18, 1863, in Marlboro township, Monmouth county, and received his educa- tion in local district schools. Until the age of seven- teen he was employed by neighboring farmers and then, for a number of years, cultivated the McCue homestead. After his marriage he took over the "Knolls Acres" farm, which has been his home ever since, and which he has made satisfactorily profit- able. The estate is situated near Tinton Falls, not far from the dividing line, between Atlantic and ยท Shrewsbury townships. The principles upheld by the Republican party are those, for which Mr. Mc- Cue has always cast his vote. At one time he served as school trustee in Atlantic township. He belongs to the Knights of Columbus, No. 335, of Long Branch, and the Monmouth County Farmers' Co- operative Association. He and his family are mem- bers of the Roman Catholic church, of Eatontown.
Mr. McCue married, February 3, 1886, at Free- hold, Elizabeth B. Hardy, daughter of John W. and Mary (Murphy) Hardy, and the following children have been born to them: Mary Ellen, Clara Ger- trude, George Martin, Raymond Patrick and Wal- ter J., twins, the latter deceased; Marguerite Eliz- abeth, and Catherine Ruth. Mrs. CcCue died Aug- ust 27, 1921. If to be an able agriculturist and a valued citizen is to make a success of life, Patrick McCue has certainly achieved that end.
JEREMIAH M. TILTON-The active life of Jere- miah M. Tilton began, when, as a boy of fifteen, he was carrying the United States mail, and while in its course, had many curious experiences, including being coachman for a President of the United States,
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and manager of a pigeon farm in California, where 14,000 pigeons constituted the flock. He has been blacksmith, farmer and now, at the age of sixty-two, is back again in his native county of Monmouth, a farmer. He is a grandson of Jeremiah Tilton, a farmer of Middletown township, Monmouth county, New Jersey, whose six sons, James, Charles, Reuben, John, Richard and William, all served in the Union Army during the Civil War; one of them, James, being killed. The mother of those sons, and wife of Jeremiah Tilton, was Sarah Ann Antonides. William Tilton, the youngest of these sons, was the father of Jeremiah M. Tilton, the principal char- acter of this review. William Tilton was born in Middletown township, Monmouth county, New Jer- sey, May 2, 1832; died in 1886. He married Mary Wooley, born in October, 1840, in Ocean township, Monmouth county; died in 1895; daughter of Albert and Hannah Dangler Wooley. He was a carriage builder, and was employed at his trade, in various plants of Monmouth county. He was a Democrat in politics. William and Mary (Wooley) Tilton were the parents of seven children: Jeremiah M., of further mention; John; Elvina, died young; Edna, died young; Elvina (2); Edna (2); and Albert.
Jeremiah M. Tilton, eldest son of William and Mary (Wooley) Tilton, was born in Ocean township, Monmouth county, New Jersey, July 22, 1859. He attended public schools until 1873, finishing in Long Branch, and there becoming a United States mail carrier at the age of fifteen, continuing one year. He then became coachman for General, then Presi- dent Grant, who made Long Branch his summer home, and he continued in that place, 1875-1877. In the latter year, at the age of eighteen, he began learning the blacksmith trade in Long Branch with C. Antonides, who owned and operated a carriage and blacksmith shop. He continued at his trade, ten years; then in 1888, moved to the Kinmouth farm, at the head of Shark river, and there engaged in general farming for twelve years. He next made a long journey, finally arriving at Calita, Santa Barbara county, California, in 1904, and there he was manager of the Potter Pigeon Farm, where 14,000 pigeons were being reared and cared for. A year later, 1905, he returned to Monmouth county, and became a member of the Asbury Park Fire De- partment, serving three years. He was then in the employ of the William I. Applegate firm, as buyer and manager, in Asbury Park, going thence to the Henry Fields estate, near Red Bank, where he re- mained one year. He then spent three years at the Hartshorne farm, at Colts Neck; thence, to the John Rue Perrine farm, where he remained ten years, returning to the Hartshorne farm, in Atlan- tic township, in 1921. Mr. Tilton is a Republican, and served his town as road overseer. He is a mem- ber of the Ancient Order of United Workmen; the Improved Order of Heptasophs; and a member of St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church, at Ocean Grove.
He married, April 3, 1881, Annie Jackson, daugh- ter of Cranage and Hannah (Buckley) Jackson.
Mr. and Mrs. Tilton are the parents of two children: Alice May, born December 30, 1885, at Asbury Park, New Jersey; and Cranage Tilton, born August 16, 1887, at West Long Branch. He belongs to Golden Eagles, Corinthian Castle, Asbury Park.
STEPHEN C. WARREN was born at Marion, Ohio, on April 12, 1881, and is a son of Edward J. and Josepha (Zimmerman) Warren. His father was a mining engineer.
Mr. Warren received his early education in the public schools of Ohio. After completing his pre- liminary studies, he learned the trade of a weaver. After working at his trade for fourteen years, he went to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and actuated by a highly commendable desire to increase his skill, in order to acquire a knowledge of machinery and designing, attended the Philadelphia Textile School during the evenings. While in Philadelphia he con- tinued to work at his trade during the daytime.
He spent some years in working at various places acquiring experience, and in the course of time be- came a loom repairer for the Dundee Textile Com- pany at Passaic, New Jersey. On January 1, 1920, he accepted a position as master mechanic and fore- man with the American Silk Mills, at Long Branch, New Jersey. Mr. Warren is a Catholic, and a mem- ber of the Star of the Sea Church at Long Branch. He has two brothers and two sisters, and is un- married.
FRANKLYN MITCHELL HAVENS-The Ha- vens family originally settled in Ocean county, at Herbertsville, and there they occupied a homestead along the Manasquan river for a hundred years. Franklyn M. Havens, of Spring Lake, is a grandson of David and Charity (Johnson) Havens, of Ocean county, and son of Clark and Mary Matilda Havens. Both his father and grandfather were farmers of Ocean county. The Havens farm was at Bushy Neck, in Ocean county, and there Franklyn M. Ha- vens was born, January 24, 1875. He was educated in the public schools, and until he was of legal age the lad remained his father's farm assistant. He then left home and for a time was employed in Lakewood, New Jersey. Later he came to Spring Lake, on the Monmouth coast, and there, in 1911, established a wholesale and retail fish market, which he has now successfully conducted for a decade. His dealings are largely with the Jersey coast hotels, and in the season his business is very large. Mr. Havens has built a large mercantile building and apartment house at 1214-16 3rd avenue, where he will conduct a market, on the lower floor, in the season. Mr. Havens is a Republican in politics and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is affiliated with the United Order of American Me- chanics, of Lakewood, New Jersey; Asbury Park Lodge No. 128, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Knights of the Golden Eagle, of Spring Lake; and the Royal Arcanum, of Red Bank.
Mr. Havens married at Allenwood, New Jersey, October 16, 1899, Sarah Campbell, daughter of Hi-
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Charles allaire.
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ram and Alice (Allen) Campbell. Mr. and Mrs. Havens are the parents of a son, Donald Campbell, born in Asbury Park, New Jersey, September 8, 1900. He is a student at Stevens Institute of Tech- - ology, at Hoboken, finishing his course in 1923. The family home is at Spring Lake, New Jersey.
CHARLES ALLAIRE-Actively engaged in the production of truck crops and distributing them by his own motor system, Charles Allaire, of Red Bank, New Jersey, is not only gaining great success, but is helping in a very practical way to solve one of the problems of the day.
Mr. Allaire comes of a family long resident in New Jersey. His grandfather, Daniel Allaire, was born in New York City, later living in New Jersey, and was a butcher by occupation. His wife's family name was Cutberth.
Dustan Allaire, Mr. Allaire's father, was born in Red Bank, and throughout his career has been a butcher. He is now retired from active business. He married Carrie H. White, daughter of Esek White, who was born in Red Bank, was a prominent Republican, and for forty years served as tax col- lector.
Charles Allaire was born in Red Bank, February 14, 1883, and received his early education in the pub- lic schools of the community, then was graduated from the high school in the class of 1901. He there- after went to New York City, and was employed in the produce business for a period of three years, becoming thoroughly familiar with the marketing end of the business, its scope and its limitations. To him this information spelled opportunity, and he returned to Red Bank, and here, getting in touch with the producers, entered the business for him- self. This led him also to become a producer, and his activities now include the growing and market- ing of many crops. Meeting with the inevitable an- noyances of the shipper, he determined to become independent of the existing methods of transporta- tion, and in the spring of 1919, began transporting his own produce by motor truck to New York City. He has since kept two large trucks busy, making nightly trips, and is doing a very large and con- stantly increasing business. He was the first in Monmouth county to take up this idea, and his success has given him many followers. He is an influential member of the Monmouth County Truck- ers' Association.
In 1901 Mr. Allaire married Grace White, daugh- ter of Timothy M. and Martha (Marcy) White, of Little Silver, New Jersey. Mrs. Allaire's father is also a market gardener, and both her parents are living. Mr. and Mrs. Allaire have two sons: Dus- tan and Charles. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and reside on Wharf avenue, Red Bank.
ERNEST KIELGAST was born in Denmark on May 28, 1867, and is a son of Henry and Karen Kielgast, both of whom were natives of Denmark, the father a farmer.
Mr. Kielgast received his early education in the public schools of Denmark. After his graduation from school, he decided to seek his fortune in a new country and accordingly came to the United States. Having a natural love of the sea and a de- cided taste for a sea faring life, Mr. Kielgast en- listed in the United States navy almost immediately upon his arrival in this country, while he was still only eighteen years old. He served in the navy for sixteen years and at the time of his retirement was a petty officer.
After leaving the navy, Mr. Kielgast looked about for a suitable occupation and finally establish- ed himself in the hotel business in Brooklyn, New York. He met with complete success in this enter- prise and continued to conduct the business for six- teen years. In 1904 Mr. Kielgast bought four acres of land at Highlands, New Jersey, and became a builder. He built many cottages for the summer residents and was largely instrumental in develop- ing the resources of Highlands as a summer resort. At length, after a long and varied career, Mr. Kiel- gast decided to retire from active participation in business affairs and settled down to enjoy the pleas- ures of life at his beautiful home at Highlands.
Mr. Kielgast is a Lutheran. In politics he is a Democrat. He is a Mason and belongs to Lodge No. 747, Free and Accepted Masons, at Brooklyn, New York. He also belongs to the Grotto; the Foresters; and to the Veterans of the Spanish-American War.
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