USA > New Jersey > Monmouth County > History of Monmouth County, New Jersey, 1664-1920, Volume III > Part 47
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JOHN DALY-The Daly's, Patrick and John, father and son, both farmers of Monmouth county, New Jersey, stand as fair examples of the men op whose shoulders the burden of life falls perhaps . as lightly as upon any class of men whose living depends upon their brawn and muscle. The far- mer's life cannot be called an easy one, but its rewards are reasonably certain, and followed in- telligently over a term of years, will show a favor- . able balance sheet. Patrick Daly, the father, was a farmer of Holmdel township, Monmouth county, and there spent his life. He married Mary Mc- Laughlin, and they were the parents of John Daly, a farmer of Atlantic township, and a man of high reputation as a farmer.
John Daly was born at the home farm in Holm- del township, Monmouth county, New Jersey, De- cember 12, 1872. He attended the district public school and early became a farm worker. He was employed by the neighborhood farmers until 1895, when he obtained a position as superintendent of one of the fine estates of the "Rumson Road" sec- tion and for sixteen years he was so employed. In 1916 he became manager of the Taylor farm, in Atlantic township, owned by his sister. There Mr. Daly has spent the last five years in success- ful farming operations, the farm showing evidence of the care of a master hand. Mr. Daly is a Dem- ocrat in politics, and a member of Colts Neck Roman Catholic church.
Mr. Daly married, in Holmdel, New Jersey, Oct- ober 23, 1895, Ellen Halloran, daughter of Patrick and Mary (Donahue) Halloran. Mr. and Mrs. Daly are the parents of four children: Edward J., of whom further; Laura, John and Helen. .
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Edward J. Daly, a gunnery sergeant of the United States Marine Corps, was in Hayti with the Marine Corps and did splendid work against the Cachos, the bandits of Hayti, whom the Mar- ines treated so rudely that the sympathies of some tender-hearted United States Congressmen were so excited that they grew almost hysterical. But the Marines restored order and nobody but the Congressmen and the bandits objected. Sergeant Daly continued with the Marine Corps until the end of the World War in 1918, then re-enlisted for three years.
JOHN HENRY STILLWAGON-Having spent a long and active life in useful occupations, John Henry Stillwagon is still, at the age of eighty-two years, tilling the soil in his native township in Monmouth . county, New Jersey. Mr. Stillwagon was born in Holmdel township, June 24, 1839, and is a son of David and Ann Stillwagon. His father was a shoemaker in the old days before the shoe machinery of the present day had come into use.
As a boy Mr. Stillwagon attended the public schools of Holmdel township, and after leaving school assisted his father until he was eighteen years of age. Then striking out for himself he learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed for sixty years. He did wood work as well as iron work, but his specialty was shoeing race horses, and in this field he won more than local fame, and was patronized widely among owners of fine stock. Upon retiring from this business several years ago, Mr. Stillwagon took over the twenty acre farm which his father had left, and has since busied himself on the place, doing gen- eral farming. In 1861 Mr. Stillwagon enlisted in Freehold, in the Twenty-ninth Regiment, New Jer- sey Volunteer Infantry, and was in the service nine months and twenty days, seeing action in the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. He has always supported the Democratic party, but has never cared to hold office. He is a member of the Dutch Reformed church.
On December 8, 1869, Mr. Stillwagon married Harriet Johnson, who was born in Holmdel town- ship, March 14, 1841, and they have now nearly reached the fifty-second anniversary of their mar- riage. Mrs. Stillwagon is a daughter of John W. and Martha (Stillwell) Johnson. Mr. and Mrs. Stillwagon have one son and one daughter: Ezra Osborn, born in Holmdel, February 24, 1872; Em- ma Holmes, born in Holmdel, April 29, 1877.
DANIEL M. HENDRICKSON-At Allentown, in the northwestern part of the county of Monmouth, about twelve miles from Trenton, Daniel M. Hen- drickson was born and there has spent the sixty years of his life, a farmer. He is a son of Enoch and Josephine (Barcalow) Hendrickson, his father also a farmer of Monmouth, the Hendricksons an old agricultural family of the county prominent in public life and socially.
Daniel M. Hendrickson was born at the home
farm at Allentown, Monmouth county, New Jersey, May 18, 1862, and there yet resides. He attended the district school, and from youth has been en- gaged in farming. He is a Republican in politics, a Presbyterian in religion, and a man thoroughly respected by all who know him. The Hendrickson farm is well kept and yields bountifully to the cultivation of its skillful owner. Mr. Hendrickson is a public-spirited modern farmer, using all pres- ent day aids to successful farming. He is one of the prosperous, substantial farmers of his town, and highly esteemed by all who know him.
Daniel M. Hendrickson married, in Burlington county, New Jersey, February 26, 1885, Frances Cross, born September 28, 1869, daughter of George and Abbie (Field) Cross, her father a Burlington county farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Hen- drickson are the parents of three children: Abbie B., born June 16, 1888, married L. R. Van Hise, and they have four children: Russell, Marion, Pearl and Leonard; Frank L., born May 19, 1890, mar- ried Mattie Johnson, and they have one child, Leslie; Josephine, born October 7, 1895, married Harry Van Hise, and has a daughter, Catherine.
JOHN WEBSTER WILLEY-As a majority of the citizens of Middletown are aware, the name we have just written is that of a representative of one of the old agricultural families of Monmouth county. Mr. Willey is active in the political life of his community, filling with credit more than one local office of trust and responsibility.
John Willey, grandfather of John Webster Wil- ley, came from Derbyshire, England, and settled near Holmdel, in Raritan township, Monmouth county. He married Mary Cotton and the follow- ing children were born to them: John Henry, men- tioned below; William, Henry, Sarah and Mary.
John Henry Willey, son of John and Mary (Cot- ton) Willey, bought a farm at the age of twenty- four years, and has since spent his entire life on it, adding to it by purchase. Today the number of acres can hardly be told off-hand, four farms having been annexed to the original one. John Henry Wil- ley married Syndonia Webster, daughter of Aaron and Harriet Webster and granddaughter of Aaron and Syndonia Webster. While the latter was still a child, she, with her entire family, was stolen by unfriendly Indians and taken to Toronto, Canada. The rest of the family died along the way and she was the sole survivor. As each one would die the Indians would bury the body under the different trees, and mark same by carving the name on the tree. At the time the family was stolen they lived at Biberry, Pennsylvania. She herself was adopt- ed into the tribe by the Indian Chief, as his daugh- ter, and remained with him until she became a young woman and married Aaron Webster. The old Indian Chief used to visit her at Philadelphia, Penn- sylvania, once a year until his death. John Henry Willey and his wife are the parents of a daughter and a son: Tilly Huff and John Webster, men- tioned below. Mr. Willey has now retired, leaving
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the active work of the estate to his son who has an equal interest in the property.
John Webster Willey, son of John Henry and Syndonia (Webster) Willey, was born January 17, 1868, in Raritan township, and there received his education. He has always lived on the homestead, becoming, as he grew to manhood, his father's assistant, and now having full charge of the whole estate. Notwithstanding the engrossing demands of Mr. Willey's agricultural interests he is never un- mindful of his duties as a citizen and has taken an active share in the work of the Democratic party. He affiliates with the Royal Arcanum.
Mr. Willey married, January 12, 1892, Mary Eliza Murphy, born at Hazlet, New Jersey, daughter of Spofford and Mary Murphy, and they are the par- ents of three sons: John Jay, born April 16, 1893, enlisted, during the World War, in the Volunteer Cavalry of Red Bank, New Jersey, and was sta- tioned at Camp McLean, Alabama, before going to France, where he served in a remount station; Wal- ter Burnham, born January 19, 1900; Harry Spof- ford, born August 16, 1902. All three were born in Holmdel township.
John Webster Willey is the son and grandson of men to whom Monmouth county owes much for their share in the upbuilding of her agricultural in- terests, and he himself worthily holds his place in the line, ably discharging his great responsibilities and daily proving his fidelity to the important trust committed to his keeping.
JAMES BRANEY-The old John Smock farm in Atlantic township, Monmouth county, New Jersey, one of the oldest cultivated tracts of land in the township, has, since 1915, been the property and home of James Braney, a farmer and resident of Marlboro township, Monmouth county, his birth- place. The Smock farm had been handed down from father to son for many generations, but the present tenant, James Braney, is the first of his line born in Monmouth county, his parents, Patrick B. and Bridget (Murphy) Braney, both of Irish birth. Patrick B. Braney was born in County Cork, Ireland, and there spent the years of his youth and early manhood, finally coming to the United States, where he found a home in Marlboro township, Mon- mouth county, New Jersey, and there, in a modest way, conducted farming operations.
James Braney was born in Marlboro township, Monmouth county, New Jersey, April 30, 1866, and there was educated in the public schools. After school years he became his father's farm assistant, and later farmed in Marlboro township for his own account with marked success, continuing until 1915, when he moved to Atlantic township, in the same county, and located on his present property-the old John Smock homestead. The farm is in the Van- derburg section of the township, and under the pres- ent tenant has been greatly improved in both ap- pearance and fertility. Mr. Braney is a good farmer, energetic and progressive, and one who has always made farming a profitable business. He is
a member of the Farmers' Co-operative Association of Monmouth county, and is highly regarded by his many friends in Marlboro and Atlantic town- ships. In politics he is independent, voting for men and principles rather than party.
Mr. Braney married, in Freehold, New Jersey, in February, 1881, Delia O'Hara, daughter of John and Kate O'Hara. Mr. and Mrs. Bianey are the parents of five children: Ira James, Floyd Francis, Nellie T., Marion V., and Rita I.
ROBERT SHERRARD, now a prosperous farmer of Clarksburg, Monmouth county, New Jersey, was born in the North of Ireland, May 2, 1864, and there spent the first sixteen years of his life, obtaining an education and assisting his parents, James and Susan (Anderson) Sherrard, both of whom have long since been "gathered to their fathers." In 1880 Robert Sherrard left Ireland and came to America, first settling in Canada.
Later he came to the United States, locating on Long Island; thence to Freehold, New Jersey, com- ing in 1918 to Clarksburg, where he purchased a farm of two hundred and eighty-six acres, well improved and fertile. There he has since continued, a prosperous modern Monmouth farmer. He is a man of energy, a good farmer, and well-liked in his neighborhood. Mr. Sherrard is a member of the Freehold Presbyterian Church, and a Repub- lican in politics.
He married in Allentown, Monmouth county, New Jersey, February 26, 1919, Susan H. Robins, of Allentown, daughter of George Henry and Emily (Polkimus) Robins.
GEORGE MASSON is a native of Scotland, hav- ing been born at Aberdeen on October 27, 1881. He is a son of John and Jane (McKey) Masson. Mr. Masson's father, who is now dead, was a gardener, and it is not strange that Mr. Masson should have decided to follow in his footsteps by becoming a gardener also.
Mr. Masson received his education in the public schools of Scotland. After completing his prelimi- nary studies, he entered the service of the Royal Botanical Gardens at Edinburgh, where he spent two years studying the art of gardening. In 1903, when he felt that he was fully qualified as a gar- dener, he decided to leave Scotland and come to the United States. Upon his arrival here he ob- tained a position as assistant gardener on an estate at Fairfield, Connecticut. This position he held for a year and a half. At the end of that period he was offered a similar position on an estate at El- beron, New Jersey. He spent four and a half years at Elberon, and then moved to Oakhurst, where for the past twelve years he has held the post of superintendent on one of the finest estates in Mon- mouth county.
Mr. Masson is a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Long Branch, New Jersey. In politics, he is a Republican. He serves on the Board of Education of Oakhurst, and is a charter member
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of the Oakhurst Fire Company, of which he has been secretary since its organization. He is also a fire commissioner for the town of Oakhurst. He is a Mason of the third degree and belongs to the Knights of Pythias.
Mr. Masson married Margaret Murray, and they are the parents of four children: Margaret, George, Jr., Murray, and Isabelle.
KENNETH MILLER WYCKOFF, one of the most prominent of the younger men in agricultural interests in Monmouth county, who for the past four years has owned the farm known as the Fen- ton Farm, about four miles from Red Bank, is a son of Garrett and Anna (Miller) Wyckoff, his father being a native of Griggstown, New Jersey, and his mother of Poughkeepsie, New York.
Mr. Wyckoff was born in Metuchen, New Jersey, August 31, 1890. He received his carly education in the public schools of Holmdel. He then attended the Talmadge Private Academy, later taking a course at Coleman's Business College, in Newark, also the New Jersey Agricultural College, and then entered Rutgers College, New Brunswick, New Jer- sey, from which he was graduated in the class of 1914.
He was not interested in a professional ca- reer, however, and after his graduation rented the farm at Scobeyville, in this county, known as the Reardon Farm, a place of 110 acres, where he re- mained for a period of three years. He then pur- chased the Fenton Farm, where he is now located, and has since carried on extensive operations in general farming, with gratifying success. During the World War, Mr. Wyckoff was a member of the Home Guard at Rumson, New Jersey. Politically he supports the Republican party, and he is socially prominent as a member of the Stag Club, of Red Bank. He is a member of Grace Methodist Epis- copal Church at Red Bank.
On March 11, 1914, Mr. Wyckoff married Olive McColgan, who was born in Elizabeth, New Jer- sey, February 7, 1892, the ceremony taking place in Red Bank. Mrs. Wyckoff is a daughter of James and Emily (Pope) McColgan, her father having been born in Hightstown, New Jersey, and her mother in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Mr. and Mrs. Wyckoff have two daughters: Evelyn Anna, born in Red Bank, December 30, 1915; Virginia, born in Lincroft, March 11, 1921.
EDWIN MILTON TATE-Among the younger generation of Monmouth county agriculturists, Mr. Tate is entitled to an already assured and highly reputable standing. He is regarded in his com- munity as a useful citizen and is cordially liked by his friends and neighbors of Shrewsbury. Edwin W. Tate, father of Edwin Milton Tate, married Hattie J. Hopson and is an osteopathic practitioner. Dr. and Mrs. Tate are residents of Montclair, New Jersey.
Edwin Milton Tate, son of Edwin W. and Hattie J. (Hopson) Tate, was born March 20, 1897, in
Washington, District of Columbia, and attended the Montclair (New Jersey) High School. In 1920, Mr. Tate came to Shrewsbury township and pur- chased the old Conover farm, situated on Sycamore avenue, Eatontown, and comprising sixty acres. The business career of Mr. Tate was interrupted by a period of military service. During the World War he belonged to the Aero Squadron, No. 370, of the regular army, remaining on the force for nineteen months. He affiliates with Lodge No. 144, Free and Accepted Masons of Montclair, and be- longs to the Commonwealth Club, of the same place. He is a member of the Protestant Episcopal church, of Montclair.
WILLIAM AUGUSTUS DE VESTY - Among the present generation of citizens of Navesink, New Jersey, is William Augustus De Vesty, who is a florist here. Mr. De Vesty has spent his entire life- time in this, his native place, and since establish- ing himself in business has met with the success that is the reward of untiring energy and an in- defatigable belief in one's self to advance.
William Augustus De Vesty was born in Nave- sink, New Jersey, October 26, 1873. His father, William De Vesty, was born in New York City and died there during an unsuccessful operation. His mother who is still living in Navesink, is Sarah Jane (Carhart) De Vesty. The boy, William, attended the schools of his native place, and after completing his education worked as an assistant postmaster for one year, subsequently resigning and securing work as a florist with Mrs. Latham of Navesink. Some time later Mrs. Latham formed a partnership with William A. Bridle under the firm name of Bridle & Latham and this association continued until Mrs. Latham's death when Mr. De Vesty succeeded to the business, having been left heir to it by Mrs. Latham. Since that time Mr. De Vesty has continued in the management of the florist business and has received large financial returns.
In politics he is an Independent, giving his sup- port to the candidate and issue which he regards as most advantageous to the community, without re- gard to partisan consideration. He is affiliated with the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, and is a member of the Navesink Library Associa- tion. In religion he is an Episcopalian and attends the Stone Church of this denomination in Nave- sink.
On November 28, 1894, at Navesink, New Jersey, William Augustus De Vesty was united in marriage with Agnes Bullivant, a native of Newark, New Jersey, where her birth occurred November 19, 1876. Mrs. De Vesty is the daughter of Josiah and Susan. (Sanders) Bullivant, the former a Civil War veteran and engaged in the shoe business in Newark. Mr. and Mrs. De Vesty are the parents of one child, William Earl, who was born December 22, 1897. He attended the public schools of his native place and Coleman's Business College of Newark, after which he returned to Navesink and has since been asso- ciated with his father in the latter's business.
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J. CARROLL BURTIS-The farm at Allentown, New Jersey, now owned and cultivated by J. Carroll Burtis, is one-half of the tract which came under Burtis ownership in 1848, when John W. Burtis, Sr., grandfather of the present holder, became its . owner by purchase. In 1858, John W. Burtis, Sr., built the farmhouse now occupied by his grandson, and there lived and died. There the son, John Wycoff Burtis, Jr., also lived, and later his son, J. Carroll Burtis, bought one half the original tract of two hundred and thirty-two acres, including the farmhouse, and there has practically spent his life to the present time. John W. Burtis, Jr., was a man of high standing in his community and one of the substantial farmers who have always been so important a factor in Monmouth's strength and greatness.
John W. Burtis, Sr., kept a store at Hornerstown for several years, then engaged in farming, resid- ing at his Allentown farm from 1848 until his pass- ing nearly half a century later in 1886. He mar- ried Maria Wycoff, and they were the parents of two children: John Wycoff, of further mention, and a. daughter, Sarah, who married Walter Sat- terthwart, of Trenton, New Jersey. They also had an adopted daughter who married William Gulick, of Chesterfield, New Jersey.
John Wycoff Burtis, Jr., was born at Horners- town, Monmouth county, New Jersey, May 27, 1848, and died January 18, 1915. The year of his birth his father bought the farm at Allentown, to which he soon afterward brought his wife and child, and in 1858 built the present farmhouse. The farm was then unimproved, one-half timber and swamp. The lad, John W., attended Allentown schools and Lawrenceville Preparatory School, then became his father's assistant and, at the latter's death, suc- ceeded him in the ownership of the farm which originally contained two hundred and thirty-two acres. During his active years, John W. Burtis, Jr., greatly improved the property and made it one of the desirable farms of that section of Upper Freehold. He prospered abundantly and was one of the substantial men of his town. He served the Farmers' National Bank of Allentown as a director, was one of the charter members of Allentown Grange, No. 98, Patrons of Husbandry, was a Pres- byterian in religion, and in politics a Republican.
Mr. Burtis married, December 25, 1873, in the Allentown Presbyterian Church, Lilla C. Imlay, daughter of Samuel P. and Emeline (Hartshorne) Imlay, her father a farmer of Jacobstown, New Jer- sey. Children: Lulu C., married Edward Voor- hees, of Trenton, New Jersey, a merchant; Sarah M., married M. Voorhees Nutt, of Hamilton Square; J. Carroll, of further mention; Helen, married W. M. Vredenburg of Neshanic Station, New Jersey; and Calvin, deceased.
J. Carroll Burtis, eldest son of John W. and Lilla C. (Imlay) Burtis, was born at the home farm in Allentown, Monmouth county, New Jersey, August 2, 1889. He was educated in Allentown public schools, Rider-Moore Business College, Trenton,
New Jersey, and Rutgers College, where he took a course in agriculture. He then returned to the home farm where he continues, a general farmer. He is a member of Allentown Grange, No. 98, Patrons of Husbandry, and is a past master of that organiza- tion. He is also a member of the Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows, and of the Knights of Pythias. In political faith he is a Republican, in religion a Presbyterian.
Mr. Burtis married in Newark, New Jersey, April 22, 1913, Mabel A. Howell, daughter of Albert H. and Lida (Pullen) Howell. Mr. and Mrs. Burtis are the parents of three children: Donald Wycoff, born July 15, 1915; Robert Hughes, born February 5, 1916; and John Hazeltine, born December 7, 1920. Mrs. Burtis is a graduate of the Newark Normal School, and prior to her marriage taught in the Madison Public School, at Newark, New Jersey.
HAROLD A. CHAMPLIN-Of an ancient colon- ial family long seated in Rhode Island, Mr. Champ- lin, with the same spirit which imbued his ancestors in 1776, bore his part in the World War, which freed the earth of a menace whose destruction be- came the duty of the enlightened world powers. He went overseas on the almost holy crusade and for ten months was in France. A great part of that time he was in battle sectors exposed to all the dangers and horrors of a war waged, on the Ger- man side, with a ferocity unequalled in any war, and met with bravery unparalleled. Although in the great offensives and serving on three fronts, he escaped without injury, and returned to his native land, a better American for the dangers he had confronted and the hardships he had endured. He is a son of Joseph and Lottie (Fuller) Champ- lin, his father a farmer of Wakefield, Rhode Island, and a carpenter.
Harold A. Champlin was born in Wakefield, Rhode Island, May 26, 1891, and educated in the public schools. He became a stationary engineer and was employed in different mills until August 10, 1917, when he enlisted in the United States Army and served at home and overseas for nineteen months, receiving honorable discharge, March 22, 1919. Ten months of his term were spent in active service in France, where, with his division, he took part in an offensive in Alsace-Lorraine, at St. Mihiel and in the fierce fighting in the Argonne Forest. He was a good soldier and met to the full every de- mand made upon his courage or his endurance. Mr. Champlin is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, and Allentown Baptist Church. In poli- tics he is a Republican.
He married in Allentown, New Jersey, June 14, 1911, Bessie Johnson, born there November 6, 1892, daughter of Ruilif and Sarah Elizabeth (Mount) Johnson, her father a painter. Mr. and Mrs. Champ- lin are the parents of two daughters: Ruth B., born December 14, 1915, and Naomi A., born August 19, 1917. The family home is in Allentown, New Jersey.
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MICHAEL SILBERSTEIN, interior decorator, of Red Bank, New Jersey, was born December 13, 1887, in New York City, son of Joseph Henry and Regina (Schwartz) Silberstein. His parents were natives of Austria, his father being born in that country, November 6, 1861; he married in New York City, January 3, 1883, Regina Schwartz, born in Austria, April 8, 1862. Joseph Henry Silberstein has for many years been engaged in business as an upholsterer. He was the father of four children, of whom Michael was third.
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