USA > New Jersey > Monmouth County > History of Monmouth County, New Jersey, 1664-1920, Volume III > Part 48
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The education of young Silberstein was obtained in the public and high schools of New York City, and with a view to taking up the work of interior decorating as a profession, he attended Cooper Union, where he made a specialty of this subject. Subsequent to completing the course there, Mr. Sil- berstein served his apprenticeship and later worked as a journeyman for Henry Guttman, a prominent manufacturer of furniture. There he laid the foun- dation which has been an important factor in the success which has come to him with the later years. After twelve more years of experience with some of the leading upholsterers and manufacturers, Mr. Silberstein engaged in business on his own account, as an interior decorator, locating at No. 37 East Front street, Red Bank, New Jersey, January 1, 1920, and has already been most successful. His talent, a heritage, supplemented by training and ex- perience, has placed him among the foremost ar- tistic decorators in Monmouth county.
Mr. Silberstein is also a prominent citizen in his community, and just as he desires to make the best possible showing in his work, so he also desires to make the most of his opportunities as a citizen of Red Bank, and is always willing to help and aid in any movement. In politics he is a staunch Repub- lican and strongly adheres to the interests of that party. Fraternally, he affiliates with the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks.
He married, February 22, 1920, at New York, Malvina Harris, born August 20, 1895, at Elmira, New York, daughter of Max and Mary (Sellner) Harris.
DOMINICK ROMANDETTI-Since the incep- tion of his business career, Dominick Romandetti has been engaged in the trade of barber. In 1910 he located in the Highlands, and the years which have intervened have brought him gratifying finan- cial results.
Dominick Romandetti was born in New York City, son of Arsenio and Agnes (Benetetto) Ro- mandetti. Here the lad received his education and then served his apprenticeship to the barber's trade. For sixteen years he continued in this particular line in New York City as an employee, and then opened a place of his own, which he conducted for three years. He then sold out his business and sub- sequently secured employment in the public charity department on Randall's Island. He remained at this location for twenty-eight months, or until 1910, when he removed to the Highlands and opened his
present place, where he has since worked at hu trade. He belongs to the Improved Order of Rec Men, and in religion is a Roman Catholic.
On July 6, 1901, in New York City, Dominick Romandetti was united in marriage with Mars O'Brien, a native of Boston, Massachusetts. Mr and Mrs. Romandetti are the parents of seven chil- dren: Arsenio, born June 16, 1903; Agnes, 'borr February 26, 1905; Rose, born May 16, 1907; An- thony, born November 24, 1909; Louise, born March 21, 1912; Julia, born June 15, 1914; and John Mel. vin, born June 4, 1917.
HARRY DUFFIELD, Jr .- Early in life Harry Duffield, Jr., decided to engage in agricultural pur suits, and that he made no mistake in choosing this particular line is amply proven by the success which has already attended his efforts, although he has been engaged in the practical end of farming but a comparatively short time.
Harry Duffield, Sr., father of Harry Duffield, is owner of the Hotel Thedford at Asbury Park. He married Martha Banks, and to them were born five children: Ardelia, a resident of Asbury Park; Thomas, employed with the Rockefeller interests in Paris, France; Leroy, a resident of Asbury Park; Miriam, wife of R. M. Cox, of Portsmouth, Virginia; and Harry, Jr.
Harry Duffield, Jr., was born at Langhorne, Penn- sylvania, August 16, 1890. In 1899 he moved with his parents to Asbury Park, and it was here that the preliminary portion of his education was ob- tained. After graduating from the Asbury Park High School he entered Pennsylvania State College, and was graduated in 1913, in the agricultural course.
Upon completing his studies he secured a posi- tion in investigation work with the United States Department of Agriculture, and in 1920, hav- ing in the meantime gained a wide and varied knowl- edge along agricultural lines, he purchased the Sesso farm of one hundred acres at Wickatunk, New Jersey, where he specializes in the growing of fruit and potatoes. In politics Mr. Duffield is a Repub- lican. He affiliates with Asbury Park Lodge, No. 142, Free and Accepted Masons; Mt. Vernon Chap- ter, No. 3, Royal Arch Masons, of Washington, D. C .; the Tall Cedars of Lebanon Forest, No. 39, of Asbury Park, New Jersey. In religion he is an Episcopalian.
On September 25, 1920, Harry Duffield, Jr., was united in marriage with Elsie Summers, daughter of Titian P. and Harriett (Clevenger) Summers. Mrs. Duffield's brothers are: Charles, a resident of West Long Branch, New Jersey; Arthur, of Ocean Grove, New Jersey.
Mr. Duffield is one of the men to whom years mean accomplishment, who count the passing of time by deeds not by days. As a public-spirited citizen Harry Duffield is always ready to give prac- tical aid to any movement which in his judgment would advance public welfare, and no man is more public-spirited.
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RAY MONTGOMERY DENNIS One of the successful young men of Asbury Park is Ray M. Dennis, who is carrying on a thriving ice cream business, here. He comes of English ancestry, the first to come to this country being Charles Dennis, Mr. Dennis' great-grandfather, who was active in the Battle of Monmouth, which occurred about four- teen miles from the Dennis homestead, in Free- hold, New Jersey, in the War of 1776. This home- stead is still held in the family, by the fifth genera- tion. His sons, Philip and John Dennis, carried on the farm after his death.
William Henry Dennis, son of Philip Dennis, was born on the old homestead at West Long Branch, worked on the farm as a boy, after leaving school, then at the age of nineteen years engaged in the vegetable business in New York City remaining there in business for many years. . It the age of sixty years he bought a farm at Jerseyville, near Freehold, New Jersey, which he conducted for five years. He was killed on a railroad crossing, the accident occurring April 30, 1907, when he was sixty- five years of age. William Henry Dennis was mar- ried twice. He married (first) Jane Van Dyke, of Long Branch, and their children are: Frank, who is well known among market gardeners the country over as the water cress king of America, owns farms all over the United States, and also owns the Dennis homestead; and Carrie, wife of John Hollow, of New York City, has two daughters, Mar- garite and Catherine. William Henry Dennis mar- ried (second) Emma Van Wart, of Jersey City, and they are the parents of six children: Stella, Flor- ena, Olive, Philip, Samuel, and Ray Montgomery, of whom further.
Ray Montgomery Dennis was born between Long Branch and Red Bank, New Jersey, June 27, 1893, and received his early education in the public schools of Long Branch, completing his education at Coleman's Business College, although he did not remain to be graduated. At the age of eighteen he started out upon his career, and established the Key- stone Ice Company of Bradley Beach and Avon, New Jersey, which he still controls. Then in 1918 he became successor of the Kurrin Ice Cream Com- pany, in Asbury Park, and has since conducted this plant most successfully. He has developed the business in a very remarkable way, and manufac- tures only high grade products. This is understood to be the oldest ice cream business on the coast. Politcally Mr. Dennis supports the Republican party, but does not aspire to political honors. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
WILBUR WATSON CODDINGTON-In .the farming community just outside of Keyport, the name of Wilbur W. Coddington is one of more than usual prominence. Mr. Coddington is a son of Enoch Watson Coddington, who was born in Som- erset county, this state, March 1, 1851, and is now deceased. He was a carpenter by occupation, and came to Port Monmouth from West Orange, New Jersey, in 1910. He married Henrietta Moore, who
was born in Basking Ridge, Somerset county, New Jersey, in August, 1854. They were the parents of five sons and one daughter, all of whom are now living. The mother also survives her husband.
Wilbur W. Coddington was born in Newark, New Jersey, May 2, 1891. Attending first the public schools of his native city, Mr. Coddington covered the high school course at West Orange, then spent two years at Cornell Agricultural College, at Ithaca, New York. Thereafter he was associated with his father in truck farming on the farm in Port Mon- mouth until 1916, then discontinued truck farming interests to specialize in poultry. In October, 1917, the elder Mr. Coddington died, and the son rented the farm from his mother. About two years later she sold this farm to Mr. Roelfe (1919) and Mr. Coddington has since conducted W. S. Conklin's farm, between Keyport and Red Bank. This is a fine place of about one hundred acres, and Mr. Cod- dington's principle crops are apples and truck.
In various interests connected with the life of the community, Mr. Coddington is deeply inter- ested. Politically he supports the Republican party. Fraternally he holds membership with the Junior Order of United American Mechanics. While at Cornell he was a member of the cadets, and in Newark was identified with various church organi- zations, his membership being with the Baptist church. He is now scoutmaster of Troop 10, Boy Scouts, of New Monmouth.
On December 6, 1917, at the New Monmouth Bap- tist Church, Mr. Coddington married Ethel M. Hill- yer, who was born in Middletown township, May 30, 1895. Mrs. Coddington is a daughter of John N. and Georgiana (Patterson) Hillyer .. Her father was born in Middletown township, February 4, 1869, and her mother was born in the same township, August 21, 1869. Her father is also a farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Coddington have one son, Edwin W., born January 27, 1919.
WILLIAM CARTER RONSON-In the rich farming districts of Matawan is the fine modern place which is owned and conducted by Mr. Ronson, one of the successful producers of Monmouth county, and an extensive grower of potatoes and garden truck. Mr. Ronson is a son of William Ron- son, who was born in England in 1831, and died in this country September 22, 1887. He married Jane Preston, a daughter of John and Grace (Burrowes) Preston, the grandparents of William Edward Pres- ton, (q.v.) of Marlboro township. John Preston lived to the great age of one hundred and four years and five months. William and Jane (Preston) Ronson were the parents of five children: Grace, wife of Elmer Warren, of Matawan, New Jersey; Minnie, wife of Arthur White, of Asbury Park; Helen, wife of Charles W. Bennett, of Tice Town; Harry, of Middlesex county; and William Carter, of whom further.
William Carter Ronson was born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, September 2, 1874. As the family came to New Jersey in his childhood, he received his
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education in the public schools of South Amboy and Matawan. Mr. Ronson began life on the farm, at Cedar Grove, New Jersey, working for himself, in the course of a few years purchasing a farm of sixty acres. This farm he sold in 1908, and en- tered the commission business in New York City. Remaining there, however, for only a year, Mr. Ron- son returned to productive activities on the farm, buying again in New Jersey. This second farm he also sold, and in 1913 purchased the Cornelius Heyer farm of one hundred and twenty acres, which he is still carrying forward, and where he now re- sides. Using the most up-to-date methods Mr. Ron- son produces potatoes on a large scale, and specia- lizes also in truck farming.
On October 9, 1894, Mr. Ronson married Mary Vreeland, daughter of Abram and Caroline (Dis- brow) Vreeland, both the Vreeland and Disbrow families being prominent in this state. Of this fam- ily Mrs. 'Ronson was the youngest child, the two older being Abram, of Matawan, and Henry, of Mor- ristown, Middlesex county, New Jersey. Mr. and Mrs. Ronson have one son, Cryde, born March, 1896, who married, in 1919, Sarah Holmes.
CHARLES WHITE-Prominent among the farm- ing people of Wall township, Charles White is a representative man of Monmouth county, broadly active in various matters involving the public wel- fare, and prosperous in his individual undertakings. Mr. White comes of old New Jersey stock, and is a son of Louis and Catherine White. His father was born at Bailey's Corners, and has always fol- lowed farming.
Charles White was born at Bailey's Corners, October 31, 1869. He received a practical educa- tion in the public schools of his home place. While still a young man he became associated with his father in the farming operations on the home farm, and continued with his father, carrying on a large and successful dairy business. Mr. White later pur- chased the home farm, and still is actively engaged along the same lines. This farm is known as the Bailey's Corners Hotel place, the house having for- merly been an old tavern.
Mr. White is influential in the public life of the township, is a freeholder, has served on the town- ship committee for a period of fifteen years, and has held the office of township collector for six years. He has always been a staunch supporter of the Democratic party. Fraternally he holds membership in Manasquan Lodge, Free and Accept- ed Masons; of Corsican Commandery, Knights Templar; and of Salaam Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Newark, New Jersey. He is also a member of Asbury Park Lodge, No. 128, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
On March 20, 1906, Mr. White married, at Bailey's Corners, Emma Herbert, who was born in Herberts- ville, Ocean county, this State, and is a daughter of Abraham and Sarah Herbert.
GERTRUDE AGNES MONDORF-One of the leading mercantile establishments of Keansburg is the Mondorf's Keansburg Department Stores, In- corporated, which under the experienced hand of Miss Mondorf, the owner, is giving the town the most up-to-date shopping facilities. Miss Mondorf was born in New York City, a daughter of Joseph and Catherine Mondorf, long residents of the Me- tropolis, her father a sculptor.
Gaining her education in the parochial schools of the city, Miss Mondorf entered the field of merchandising in the employ of Walton's Depart- ment Store, New York, then later was connected with Best's Infant's Wear Shop on Fifth avenue, of national fame, and still later with James McCreery & Company. In 1913 she established the present business in Keansburg, and has developed a store that would do credit to a much larger town. In con- nection with her retail interests Miss Mondorf in- vented, a number of years ago, the Sure-Fit ad- justable ear cap for babies, an appliance of more than ordinary significance, and her office, in its general distribution, is located at No. 500 Fifth avenue, New York City. On November 25, 1921, she opened another store in Red Bank, named the Gertrude Lingerie and Baby Shop. Miss Mondorf is a member of the Roman Catholic church.
ELIAS EHRENHALT was born in Europe, March 13, 1889, and is a son of Samuel and Golda Ehrenhalt. When Mr. Ehrenhalt was six years old, his family emigrated to the United States and set- tled at Newark. Two years later, his father estab- lished himself in the wholesale and retail fruit busi- ness, at Long Branch.
Mr. Ehrenhalt received his early education in the public schools of Long Branch, and began his busi- ness career by entering the service of William Curr & Company, in order to learn the trade of a plumber. Thereafter he worked for various firms in order to gain experience. In 1912, he went to Deal and spent two years at work, in and about the city. During the World War, he worked at his trade in the Port Newark Shipyard. At length, be- ing fully equipped by training and experience to conduct a business of his own, Mr. Ehrenhalt re- turned to Long Branch, and established the firm of Ehrenhalt & Company. He conducts a general plumbing, contracting, and jobbing business, and carries a full stock of stoves and supplies. He has had contracts for work on many of the finest residences of Deal and Long Branch, and his work is, in general, confined to these places. Mr. Ehren- halt belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
Elias Ehrenhalt married Frances Hollander of Newark, New Jersey, at Newark, March 13, 1921.
MRS. CECILIE WOLF-Mrs. Cecilie (Freis) Wolf, of No. 187 Leighton avenue, Red Bank, is a native of Schlesivig, Denmark, and was born Sep- tember 23, 1855. She is the daughter of Andreas and Pauline (Smith) Freis, and has one sister, now
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living in Denmark, Mrs. Marie (Freis) Thompson; a brother, Lorenz Freis, died in April, 1921. Mrs. Wolf was educated in Denmark, and when her school days were over, she took up dressmaking and continued in the business at her native town until 1873, when she came to the United States. Two years later, she married George C. Wolf, in Brook- lyn, New York.
Mr. Wolf was also born at Schlesivig. He con- tinued at his occupation of blacksmith and wheel- wright until 1909, when the family moved to Red Bank, New Jersey. They sold their house and prop- erty in Brooklyn, moving out to New Jersey on ac- count of Mr. Wolf's poor health. They bought the place where Mrs. Wolf now resides and opened a grocery. Mr. Wolf died the year after coming to Red Bank. Mr. Wolf's father and mother were John C. and Brigida Wolf, both of Denmark. Mr. Wolf was a farmer.
Mr. and Mrs. George C. Wolf became the par- ents of twelve children, of whom six are living; the eldest a son, John, born in 1877; George, Valen- tine, Andreas, Cecilie, and Dorothy. The daugh- ters are married. Mrs. Wolf is a member of the Reformed church, Red Bank.
DIEDRIK SCHNACKENBERG - Among the rapidly growing sea-coast communities of Mon- mouth county, New Jersey, Mr. Schnackenberg is well known as a building contractor. He is a son of Herman and Meta (Wilkens) Schnackenberg, his father having followed this same line of activity in Germany. The family consisted of five sons and one daughter.
Diedrik Schnackenberg was born in Trupermor township, Province of Hanover, Germany, October 10, 1876, and was educated in the public school of his native place. After leaving school the young man learned the trade of carpenter, continuing to work with his father after serving a regular appren- ticeship under his direction. In 1893 he came to America, and was first employed at various trades in New York City. In 1908 he came to Long Branch, starting in business for himself immediate- ly. With a desirable location in the West End, Mr. Schnackenberg has since carried on a constantly growing interest in Long Branch and vicinity, doing a fairly large business in general contracting and repair work. He has erected a great many of the fine homes which line the streets of Long Branch, and has done a very considerable amount of build- ing in nearby communities. He now employs from ten to fifteen men. In the public life of the city Mr. Schnackenberg takes only the citizen's inter- est, but keeps in touch with the general progress of the city.
Mr. Schnackenberg married, in 1905, Heny W. Brockman, and they have two children: Henrietta W., and Richard, both in school.
JOHN KRUSE was born at Zeven, Germany, July 5, 1887, and is a son of Henry and Katherine (Mohrman) Kruse. His father was a farmer, and
from him Mr. Kruse inherited a taste for open-air employment.
Mr. Kruse was educated in the public schools of Germany. After completing his studies, he spent two years on a farm in Germany. At the age of eighteen, entirely alone, he emigrated to the United States and went to Long Branch, where he ob- tained employment in a grocery store, of which his uncle was the proprietor. After spending two years in his uncle's employment, he went to New York City and entered the service of the Borden Milk Company, and for seven years drove one of the company's delivery wagons in New York City.
This experience gave him a desire to enter the milk business for himself, and in 1914, he pur- chased the milk business of Enough Davison, at Elberon, New Jersey. Mr. Kruse was very success- ful in his new venture, but after three years of constant toil and endeavor, he had the misfortune to lose his buildings in a disastrous fire. Undaunt- ed by this calamity, Mr. Kruse set to work to re- trieve his loss, and presently established himself at Long Branch, where his industry and thrift have enabled him to build up a profitable business. He buys milk from the surrounding farms, collecting it twice a day, and at the present time his de- liveries extend from Long Branch to Deal Lake, in- cluding Allenhurst. Mr. Kruse has a brother, Louis, who is associated with him in the milk business. Mr. Kruse is an active member of the Lutheran church.
John Kruse married Anna Brown of Allenhurst, New Jersey, September 19, 1917. Mr. and Mrs. Kruse have two children, Lillian and Robert.
HARVEY HOLMES VAN DERVEER - Well known as postmasters always are, Mr. Van Derveer, of Englishtown, is equally well known among the farmers of his township and in fraternal circles.
Harvey Holmes Van Derveer was born July 2, 1859, at Cranbury, New Jersey, son of Charles H. and Helen (Abrams) Van Derveer, his father a farmer and hotel keeper at Cranbury, New Jersey.
The education of Harvey Holmes Van Derveer was obtained in the public schools of Rhode Hall and Englishtown. After leaving school he chose the life of a farmer and undertook the cultivation of an estate of one hundred and ten acres, devoting it to general farming, but making a specialty of potatoes. In February, 1916, he was appointed postmaster of Englishtown, and has ever since filled the office to the entire satisfaction of the patrons of the office, and has continued to cultivate the farm. He is a member of Manalapan Grange, No. 190, Patrons of Husbandry; Columbia Lodge No. 88, Knights of Pythias; Tennent Council No. 78, Junior Order of United American Mechanics, of English- town, New Jersey; was for many years borough commissioner, and for twenty-two years member of the Manalapan township election board. In poli- tics Mr. Van Derveer adheres to the principles of the Democratic party, but never mingles actively in the work of the organization. Ho and his family
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are members of the Presbyterian church of English- town.
Mr. Van Derveer married, at Englishtown, New Jersey, December 3, 1885, Anna Reid, who died November 16, 1915, daughter of William D. and Elizabeth (Dey) Reid. He married (second) at Englishtown, October 3, 1917, Charlotte M. Conover, daughter of Jacob B. and Mary E. (Reid) Conover. her father a farmer. The children of the first mar- riage were two daughters, both born in Englishtown: Helen R., born December 10, 1886, married Wilson Applegate, of Englishtown; Mattie E., born April 15, 1888, married Charles A. Okerson, of Howell.
GEORGE WOODHEAD and WILLIAM GIL- BERT MANSON-Thomas Manson, son of Francis J. Manson, a business man of Paterson, New Jersey, married, in 1859, Sarah Woodhead, of Brooklyn, New York. In 1868 they moved from Brooklyn, New York, to Red Bank, New Jersey, and a few years later he started a monument and stone yard. He founded a successful business, and for years conducted it under the firm name of Thomas Man- son & Son. Three of his sons were associated with him in the business, namely: Francis J. Manson, born April 31, 1869, at Red Bank, New Jersey, mar- ried, in 1892, Mary Emma Stillwell, daughter of Jesse Stillwell, of Long Branch, New Jersey. George W. Manson, born February 19, 1875, in Red Bank, New Jersey, married, in 1911, Mary Hilliard, daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth Clayton, and they have one son, George Douglas. William G. Manson, born February 18, 1879, at Red Bank, New Jersey, married, in 1908, Edna Fairbrother, of Eatontown, New Jersey, and they have five children: William Gilbert, Edna J., Ethel E., Ruth J., and Robert.
All three brothers were educated in the public schools at Red Bank, learned the marble and gran- ite business with their father and became expert workmen, making a study of every branch of the business, from cutting the rough granites to design- ing the most elaborate memorials; they have spent their lives in the business. They are all independent Republicans, Frank J. Manson having served one year in the New Jersey House of Assembly. On March 18, 1899, the father quietly passed away, and the sons succeeded him, retaining the old firm name with which Red Bank and the surrounding county had grown so accustomed, Thomas Manson & Son. In 1916 Francis J. Manson retired from the firm- George W. and William G. Manson continuing the business at their yards on Monmouth street and Drummond place.
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