USA > New Jersey > Monmouth County > History of Monmouth County, New Jersey, 1664-1920, Volume III > Part 55
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WILLIAM ALBERT BURDGE-When a boy of fourteen, William A. Burdge, now one of the busi- ness men of Red Bank, New Jersey, began in a humble way the business of carrying passengers from point to point. That small business pointed him the way to a fortune, and he has steadily pur- sued it until his cars are almost an hourly sight in the Seabright, Long Branch, Asbury Park section of the New Jersey coast, and his autos and trucks are one of Red Bank's most familiar sights.
William Albert Burdge was born in Locust, New Jersey, April 25, 1884, son of Edwin E. and Lucinda (Smith) Burdge, grandson of William and Theresa (Brower) Burdge, and great-grandson of Benjamin Burdge, all these of Locust, New Jersey, thrifty farmers and good citizens on the paternal side, good housewives and Christian mothers, their true and faithful partners. Edwin E. Burdge was a groceryman of Locust, now retired.
William Albert Burdge was educated in Navesink schools, but when a lad of fourteen, left school, bought a wagon for fifteen dollars, a horse for five dollars, and began carrying passengers between Stone Church and Oceanic. Soon he was able to buy another horse, and from that small beginning he built up a very successful business career, keep- ing closely, however, to the line in which he started -the transporting of people on business or pleas- ure bent. He clung to the horses, wagons and car- riages until 1908, when he added an automobile, and as his business demanded has put on auto- mobile trucks and sightseeing cars, until he is the leading man in his business in Red Bank. Since 1908 he has been operating pleasure cars, and in 1916 he put in commission a modern sightseeing car running between Red Bank, Atlantic Highlands and Asbury Park, covering the beautiful towns of the Jersey coast from the Highlands to Ocean Grove. He now (1921) has four such cars in commission in connection with his regular business, and also does an extensive trucking business. In 1920 he erected a garage on the rear of his home, No. 125 Broad street, Red Bank, fifty by seventy-five feet, two stories in height of fireproof cement construc- tion throughout, one of the best buildings of its
William AT Budge,
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class in the city. In addition to his regular busi- ness, he deals extensively in used cars.
Mr. Burdge is a member of Mystic Brotherhood Lodge, No. 21, Free and Accepted Masons; Red Bank Lodge, No. 233, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Portland Council, No. 205, Junior Order of United American Mechanics, and for eight years he was a member of the Second Troop, Second Brigade of the New Jersey National Guard. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Burdge married, April 6, 1903, Eleanor Bel- lingham, daughter of Henry and Frances Belling- ham, of Newark, New Jersey, her father born in England. Mr. and Mrs. Burdge are the parents of four children: Edwin, Eleanor, Dalton, Henry.
EUGENE FRANCIS ROCKAFELLER, D. D. S., in the year 1916 established himself in the prac- tice of his chosen profession, dentistry. That he made no mistake in his choice of a career has al- ready been amply proven by the success which has attended his efforts.
Eugene Francis Rockafeller, son of Harry J. Rockafeller, was born in Asbury Park, New Jersey, December 13, 1892. After completing his studies with graduation from the local high school in the class of 1912, he spent one year at Rutgers College, and then matriculated in the dental department of the University of Pennsylvania, having in the mean- time determined to adopt dentistry as his life work, and won from this institution the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery in 1916. Immediately after com- pleting this course he went to Trenton, New Jer- sey, where he opened an office at No. 194 South Brook avenue, and thus continued until May 27, 1917, when he enlisted in the United States army when the call came for volunteers in this country. He was immediately commissioned first lieutenant and sent to Sea Girt, thence to Camp McClelland, from which place on June 20, 1918, he sailed for France, and upon his arrival was assigned to the Military Police, 29th Division, of the 104th Regi- ment, and subsequently served at Alsace and Meuse- Argonne, being commissioned captain, October 25, 1918. Seven days later, on November 1, he was or- dered to a rest camp and was there when the armistice was signed, November 11, 1918. On May, 1919, he sailed from France, and upon his arrival in this country was ordered to Camp Americus, Geor- gia, from whence he was sent to Camp Dix, New Jersey, and there received his honorable discharge on August 29, 1919. Dr. Rockafeller is now, 1921, a captain of the First New Jersey Cavalry, Na- tional Guard. Upon coming out of the service, Dr. Rockafeller immediately returned to Trenton, where he resumed practice, and on June 1, 1921, opened a branch office at No. 640 Cookman avenue, Asbury Park, meeting with the success which is the result of untiring devotion to his chosen work together with his skill, which is widely recognized.
In politics Eugene Francis Rockafeller is an In- dependent Republican. He affiliates with Delta
Sigma Delta fraternity of the University of Penn- sylvania; Chi Phi Delta chapter of Rutgers Col- lege; Darby Dental Society of the University of Pennsylvania; and also holds membership in the Kiwanis Club of his native city. In religion he is a Roman Catholic, attending the Holy Superior Church, of Asbury Park. Dr. Rockafeller is in- tensely interested in football, and while at college played on the "varsity" team. He belongs to no clubs, devoting almost his entire time to the ever- increasing duties of his profession, and the results that he has already attained give promise of more achievements in the future.
FRANK WASHINGTON BAKER-One of the leading mercantile enterprises of Asbury Park, a few years ago, was the hardware business conducted by Frank W. Baker for fourteen years, during which time Mr. Baker was identified in many ways with the general progress of the town. Mr. Baker was a son of Morgan J. and Sarah Jane Baker, of Media, Pennsylvania, and was one of three chil- dren, having a brother Mehlin, who died at the age of nineteen years; and a sister Laura (Mrs. Ben- jamin B. Lister), of Germantown, Pennsylvania.
Frank Washington Baker was born near Media, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, January 3, 1862. He was educated in the public schools of Chester, having moved there when quite young, but later returned to Media with his parents and then en- gaged in the hardware business with Samuel Haw- ley. He remained there until the outbreak of the Spanish-American War, then joined the United States transport service, carrying troops to and from Florida, Cuba and the Philippines. Upon his return to civilian life Mr. Baker came to Asbury Park, New Jersey, and engaged in the hardware business. This was in 1900, and the business, which was located at No. 173 Main street, prospered and grew, becoming a leading factor in the business life of the town. He was thus actively engaged until his death, which occurred March 31, 1914, this event removing an upright man and a valued citizen from the community. In public affairs Mr. Baker was always broadly interested, although never a seeker after political honors. He was, however, a staunch supporter of the Republican Party, and active in its councils. He was an influential member of the Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce, and president of the Board of Trade.
On September 18, 1907, Mr. Baker married, in Asbury Park, Florence Romain, of this place, daugh- ter of William and Abbey Jane (Stout) Romain.
RAY WELLMAN SCHANCK was born at Atlan- tic Highlands, New Jersey, April 19, 1893, a son of William Morgan and Jessie Etta (McElwaine) Schanck. His father was born at Marlboro, New Jersey, and was engaged in the grocery business. His mother was born at Tennent, New Jersey.
Mr. Schanck received his early education in the public schools of Freehold. After his graduation
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from the Freehold High School, he associated him- self with his father and was for seven years an assistant in the management of the elder Mr. Schanck's grocery business. He then accepted a position as salesman for J. S. Silver & Brothers' Company at Cranbury, New Jersey. He spent fourteen months in this position, and then acquired the agency for the Nash and Dort automobiles. He has had this agency for a year and a half, and has met with complete success in the management of the business connected with it. Mr. Schanck is a member of the Dutch Reformed church. In poli- tics he is a Democrat. He is a member of the Loyal Order of Moose, and belongs to the Knights of Pythias. He is unmarried.
ANDREW DOUGHERTY, who was born and reared in Red Bank, New Jersey, and has gained wide experience in his chosen line of business, is the proprietor and manager of an attractive and modern restaurant at No. 22 West Front street, in Red Bank. He is a son of William and Mary (Murphy) Dougherty, the father, who was born in Hazlet, New Jersey, and was a painter by trade, being now deceased, the mother surviving him, and residing in Red Bank.
Andrew Dougherty was born April 20, 1895, and received his education in St. James' Parochial School. Interested from boyhood in restaurant work as a business, he was engaged along this line in various places, then, in 1920, established himself in business in his native city, opening his present handsome place on West Front street. He caters to a high class of trade, and is doing a thriv- ing business.
During the World War Mr. Dougherty served in the 165th Regiment, the 42nd Division, American Expeditionary Forces, and was overseas for nine- teen months, seeing action on nine fronts. He re- ce,ved his honorable discharge at Camp Dix, New Jersey, in May of 1919. Politically he is an Inde- pendent, and formerly he served in the Red Bank Fire Department, as a member of Hose Company No. 2, now being an exempt fireman. He is a mem- ber of Rainbow Division, Veterans of Foreign Wars, of Red Bank, and also is a member of the Indepen- dent Order of Foresters. His religious faith is that of the Roman Catholic.
Mr. Dougherty married, in Red Bank, on May 3, 1916, Emily Brown, who was born in London, Eng- land, and is a daughter of William Brown, a care- taker by occupation, now deceased. The mother's family name is Du Plaine, and she is still living. Mr. Dougherty has four sisters, three living in Red Bank, and one married and a resident of Weehaw- ken.
ANSEL BORDEN WHITE was born at Red Bank, New Jersey, December 22, 1875, a son of Gordon and Sarah (Moford) White. His father was born at Red Bank, New Jersey, in September, 1833. His mother was born at Chapel Hill in the year 1836.
Mr. White received his early education in the public schools of Red Bank. After his graduation from the grammar school, he established himself upon a farm and has ever since devoted himself to the scientific cultivation of the soil. He has never specialized in the production of a particular crop, but has concerned himself with general farm- ing. At the present time, Mr. White is the owner of a splendid farm consisting of seventy acres of land near Red Bank. He is a member of the Re- formed church, of Red Bank. In politics he is a Democrat. He belongs to the Order of United American Mechanics.
Mr. White married, in Brooklyn, New York, July 3, 1898, Mary Elizabeth Francis. Mrs. White was born at Holmdel, New Jersey, December 23, 1886, a daughter of Edward and Margaret (McClough- ton) Francis. Her father was born at Holmdel, July 7, 1844, and like Mr. White is a farmer. Mrs. White's mother was born at Marlboro, New Jersey, May 20, 1846. Mr. and Mrs. White have three children: Allan, born at Red Bank, New Jersey, May 6, 1899; Harold, born at Red Bank, April 13, 1901; Pearl Elizabeth, born at Everett, New Jersey, August 31, 1914.
WILLIAM HALSEY HYERS, son of Joseph and Olive M. (Garsney) Hyers, grandson of James and Margaret Hyers, was born in Belford, New Jersey, October 12, 1900. On the maternal side he is a grandson of William and Mary Garsney, all families being settled in New Jersey for several generations. Mr. Hyers attended the public schools of Belford and the Leonardo High School, and for fifteen months was employed in a fire insurance office in New York City. With the exception of a few months he was continuously employed in the insur- ance business until 1920, when he engaged in the garage business on his own account, opening a garage in Belford. In spite of his youth he has made a very successful start, and is deserving of credit often given to older business men.
Mr. Hyers is a member of the Republican party, but having just attained his majority, has not yet taken any active part in public matters; however, it is safe to assume that he will in due course of time take his stand among the worth-while cit- izens of his community.
MATTHEW STOTHART, JR., was born at Glas- gow, Scotland, on March 4, 1881, and is a son of Matthew and Margaret (King) Stothart. He has three brothers and one sister. Mr. Stothart's father brought his family to Toronto, Canada, in 1890, and moved from that city to Philadelphia, Pennsyl- vania, in 1892. Matthew Stothart, Sr., is a retired carpenter and builder.
Mr. Stothart received his early education in the schools of Scotland, Toronto, and Philadelphia. When he had completed his studies, he obtained a secretarial position with a doctor and spent four years in the work with entire success. He then obtained a clerical position in a law office, and pre-
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sently, as a result of the experience gained in this connection, he went to Toronto, Canada, and en- gaged in the business of selling law books. After eight months of this experience, he returned to Philadelphia and started a poultry farm at Brown's Mills in the Pines. He conducted this farm for a year and a half and then moved to the Locust Grove farm of twenty-two acres, at Locust Grove Corners, Eatontown, New Jersey, where he has two thousand laying hens. Mr. Stothart specializes in white Leg- horn stock, and supplies the summer colony with poultry and eggs, besides being a heavy shipper to the market.
Mr. Stothart is a member of the Presbyterian church. In politics he is a Republican. He holds office as vice-president of the school board, and he also serves as chairman of the Eatontown Town- ship Committee ..
Mr. Stothart married Sarah Elizabeth Culp, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and they are the par- ents of five children: Dorothy, Margaret, Clyde, Mildred, and Robert.
JOHN VERNELL, of Red Bank, who was reared on a farm, and who has had the practical experi- ence of work on a farm from his boyhood, is find- ing success in the same branch of activity in this part of Monmouth county.
Mr. Vernell was born in Middletown, New Jer- sey, December 20, 1872, a son of Henry and Ellen (Mars) Vernell, of that place, his father also hav- ing been a farmer. As a child, Mr. Vernell attend- ed the public schools of Middletown township, but at the very early age of ten years he was obliged to help his father on the home farm, and this ended his school days. As he grew older he went out and worked for other farmers, and for eleven years was employed on different farms in this part of the State. Then he took over the farm near Red Bank owned by James F. Crawford, and has since con- ducted it on shares. The farm comprises 130 acres, and Mr. Vernell specializes in potatoes, wheat and corn, but does a good amount of general farming as well. He is one of the successful men of this section. In the progress of the times Mr. Vernell is broadly interested, and politically supports the Republican party, but has never sought leadership in political affairs. He attends the Baptist church, of Red Bank.
On July 5, 1896, in Bradevelt, this county, Mr. Vernell married Emma Costello, daughter of John and Ellen (Coin) Costello, and they have two chil- dren: Elizabeth, born in Everett, New Jersey, in October, 1897; and John Henry, born in Middle- town, New Jersey, July 3, 1908.
THOMAS B. KELLY is a member of that most useful class of citizens, the men who till the land and produce food, thus enabling others to obtain the necessities of life. Mr. Kelly is a young man, but a most enterprising one; he is now engaged in oper- ating a farm of one hundred and seventy-five acres. He has made a close study of the best meth-
ods of farming, and all his effort is concentrated to produce the best quality and quantity from each acre.
Mr. Kelly was born in Everett, New Jersey, March 9, 1892, son of Charles and Katherine Kelly, the former being a native of Ireland, and the latter of Everett. Mr. Kelly attended the public schools and then was associated with his father in the cul- tivation of the home place. Here the son learned the first rudiments of farming, and after becoming of age, farmed a large place in Everett on shares, continuing for a few years, when he obtained the lease of the present place managed by him. The agriculturist's life is severe in many ways, the hours many and the work hard, and although present-day farming has been greatly simplified through the introduction of modern labor-saving machinery, there is much to be reckoned with in the weather elements and other obstacles, and much credit is due to the man who overcomes and braves these discouragements, and who through his labor and industry aids on making the earth more pro- ductive and more remunerative, as was originally intended.
It is such men as Mr. Kelly who make a pro- gressive community, it not always being the men who hold office who are the leaders; he is a member of the Democratic party and interested in all per- taining to the general welfare, though by no means being desirous of holding public office.
Mr. Kelly married, at Bradevelt, New Jersey, July 24, 1916, Elizabeth Conway, born there, daugh- ter of William and Catherine (McMahon) Conway, and their children are: Paul, born September 24, 1917; Raymond, born February 1, 1919; William, born February 24, 1921.
FRED MEDDALENA, when a lad of fifteen years, left his home in Argentina, South America, and came to the United States, where he is now proprietor of a pool room and cigar store at No. 108 Shrewsbury avenue, Red Bank, New Jersey. His father, John Meddalena, was a mechanic, and many years ago died in the city of Buenos Aires.
Fred Meddalena was born in Buenos Aires, Ar- gentina, July 28, 1887, and until fifteen years of age remained there, then came to the United States, where for seven years he was employed in various occupations in New York, Brooklyn and Hoboken. In 1909 he located in Red Bank, New Jersey, and three years later started in business for himself, opening a pool room with cigar and soda fountain departments, a business in which he has prospered. He is an Independent in politics.
He married, in New York City, in June, 1908, Anna Kaza, daughter of Tony and Gelsalmina Kaza, both her parents living. Mr. and Mrs. Meddalena are the parents of two children: John, born in Red Bank, New Jersey, in January, 1919; Viola, born in August, 1921.
MICHAEL RIORDAN - The first twenty-six years of the life of Michael Riordan were spent in
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his native Ireland, where, through hard work and energy he grew up from a timid boy to a strong, self-reliant man. Left fatherless when but one year old, he was early forced to rely on his own efforts, and right well he proved his abilities. He is a son of Patrick and Bridget (O'Shaughnessy) Riordan, his father a farmer of County Limerick, Ireland.
Michael Riordan was born at New Castle, West Limerick county, Ireland, April 29, 1862. He at- tended the Castle Mahan School near the Riordan home, but he early became a farm worker, being employed by the farmers of the neighborhood. He continued at farm labor in County Limerick until 1888, then came to the United States, locating in Atlantic township, Monmouth county, New Jersey, where he was employed as a farm hand until 1901. In that year he leased the States homestead farm on the Phalanx road, and there continued a tenant farmer for nine years. In 1910 he bought the property and continues its operation. This is one of the early historic farms of Atlantic township, is well improved and fertile. Mr. Riordan is a skilled agriculturist, having devoted his entire life to till- ing the soil. In politics Michael Riordan is a Demo- crat, and in religion, a Roman Catholic, a member of the Colts Neck church of that denomination. He is a member of Freehold Council, Knights of Columbus, and a man of excellent standing in his community. He has won his own way from boy- hood, and in both Ireland, his native land, and the United States, his adopted land, he has proved a good citizen, worthy of all respect and confidence.
Mr. Riordan married, at Colts Neck, Monmouth county, New Jersey, in 1894, Margaret Coss, daugh- ter of Daniel and Bridget Coss. Mr. and Mrs. Riordan are the parents of four children: Daniel P., James, Mary Ann and Michael Edmund. This review continues with the career of James Riordan, the second son. He is a good farmer and one of the young men of the township, whose life has been spent amid the surroundings of his youth, the years not weaning him from the farm, but adding to his interest and attachment.
CHARLES BRASCH-Carrying forward a very practical line of endeavor in the production of foodstuffs, Charles Brasch, of Red Bank, New Jer- sey, is bearing a significant part in the general advance and is meeting with gratifying success from the viewpoint of the individual.
Mr. Brasch was born in Phalanx, New Jersey, October 19, 1864, and is a son of Frederick and Christinia (Snyder) Brasch, both born in Frank- fort, Germany, but long residents of this State, the father being a tailor. As a boy Charles Brasch at- tended the public schools of Hillside and Rumson, New Jersey, then, after leaving school, he took up farming. First working for others, and thorough- ly enjoying the out-of-door life, he continued in this work, eventually purchasing the Thomas S. Field farm, just outside of Red Bank. This is a
fine farm of about two hundred acres, and Mr. Brasch is operating it with excellent results, pro- ducing fruit and potatoes as specialties, and doing a considerable amount of general farming. He has achieved success in this branch of activity, and is numbered among the prominent men of Monmouth county.
Politically, Mr. Brasch has always supported the Democratic party. He is a member of the Loyal Order of Moose, and of the Farmers' Exchange. He and his family are members of the Roman Catholic church of Red Bank.
On September 21, 1885, Mr. Brasch married, at Red Bank, Mrs. Mary Anna (Mack) Ryan, who was born January 25, 1854, and is a daughter of William and Katherine (Carney) Mack, her father a native of Scotland, and her mother of Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Brasch have two children: Anna May, born in Everett, New Jersey, April 22, 1891; and Edwin, born in Everett, September 28, 1893, who married Mary C. Larkin. Mr. Brasch has a step-daughter, Miss Katherine Ryan, born August 18, 1876; she also is at present a member of the family.
MRS. MILDA VOLLAND-A noteworthy career is that of Mrs. Milda (Sickel) Volland, who owns and conducts one of the well known business enter- prises of Highlands, Monmouth county, New Jersey. Mrs. Volland is a daughter of Frank Sickel, who was born in Saxony, Germany, October 6, 1860. Mr. Sickel was a brewer by occupation, and mar- ried Alwine Liebolt, who was born April 27, 1859. They were the parents of three children: Milda, whose name heads this review; Herman, born January 2, 1886; and Martha, born February 2, 1888.
Milda Sickel was born in Saxony, Germany, June 9, 1881, and her education was begun in the public schools of her native land. When nine years of age she came with her parents to this country, and the family located in Newark, New Jersey. There her education was completed in the public schools, from which she was graduated in 1895. Her first em- ployment was as milliner and dressmaker, and she continued in this work for about three years. She then became floor lady at the Merrimack Mills, in Lowell, Massachusetts, where she remained for about four years. Her marriage then occurred, and she returned to New Jersey, and for a number of years owned the Volland Cafe, on Market street, in Newark. In 1918 Mrs. Volland opened the M. Volland Delicatessen Store in Highlands, beginning with practically nothing. The business was a swift and definite success, and Mrs. Volland now owns property all through Highlands, and now is making arrangements to open a delicatessen shop in Florida this fall. Mrs. Volland has been a model, and has posed for Schornt, a noted Hungarian artist, and last winter (1920-21) she acted for moving pictures in Florida.
Mrs. Volland keeps in touch with the general progress, and politically supports the Republican party. She is a member of the ladies' auxiliaries
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