USA > New Jersey > Monmouth County > History of Monmouth County, New Jersey, 1664-1920, Volume III > Part 8
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Dr. Helen F. Upham has for the past four years been chief of the Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic in the Long Branch Hospital; was clinical assistant for five years in the Eye Department of the Post Graduate Hospital, New York City; consultant physician for eye, ear, nose and throat diseases to the Searle Non-Sectarian Home, Asbury Park; and is a member of the Academy of Medicine of North- ern New Jersey; American Medical Association; State and County Medical associations; National and International Women's Medical associations; and the American Academy of Opthalmology and Oto-laryngology. Those who doubt the capacity of women for success in the professional world will find ample refutation of their opinion in the suc- cessful career of Dr. Helen Frances Upham, who is today one of the leading physicians in her particular branch of the profession in the county. She pos- sesses a deep and comprehensive knowledge of the underlying principles, and is conscientious and prac- tical in her application of it, having a sympathy with human suffering and a sense of personal ro-
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sponsibility which makes her unusually able in her chosen field.
HARRY WIKOFF SMOCK-When the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association started their im- provement at Ocean Grove, and James A. Bradley, at Asbury Park, began the founding of that great resort, business men quickly saw the opportunities bing offered them. Ere long Smock & Buchanon Wii pre-empted the lumber field, and almost with the beginning of the history of the twin cities, the "tory of that firm, now corporation, begins. The Riginal members of the firm, Garrett Van der Veer Smock, and Nelson E. Buchanon, were important men in that early day, and few indeed were the building operations or improvements planned, which were not talked, discussed, amended or approved, in the office at the lumber yard of Smock & Buchan- on. They were the greatest factor in the upbuild- ing of the twin cities in the early days, and as that wonderful community has multiplied, grown mad strengthened, so has Buchanon & Smock powa and prospered. Now as always, they lead the ma among the chief corporations of the coast, in their line of lumber and all kinds of building ma-
The blood of these old Dutch families, the Smock, Van der Veer and Wikoff families, flows in the blood df Harry Wikoff Smock, president of the Buchanon & Smock Lumber Company, of Asbury Park. He is the son of Garrett Van der Veer Smock, who be- ma life on a Shrewsbury township farm, son of Heinrich H. and Anna Van der Veer Smock. He is & descendant of Hendrick Mathyson Smock, who came from Holland to New Utrecht, New York, in 1464, bought land in 1655, took the oath of allegi- zace in 1687, and was a magistrate from 1669 until 1689. Garrett Van der Veer Smock died in 1889 at the age of seventy, and will always live in the history of the New Jersey coast, as one of the founders of one of the strong and valuable business houses of that section. He married Susan Jane Wikoff, like himself born in Shrewsbury township, Monmouth county, New Jersey, who died in 1883 at fs age of forty-eight, the mother of two sons and fow daughters: George A., who in 1880 became & partner in the lumber firm of Smock & Buchanon, and a leading business man of Asbury Park; he moied Susan B. Wardell; Harry Wikoff, of whom further; Elizabeth, married Malcolm T. Bell; Anna, Married William E. Morris; and Lida, married John J. Bonnell.
Harry Wikoff Smock was born at Tinton Falls, Shrewsbury township, Monmouth county, New Jer- ", April 16, 1870. He was educated in the pub- Ne schools, finishing at Asbury Park High School. At the age of eighteen, he entered the employ of N. E. Buchanon & Company, of Asbury Park, his father a founder of the company, and his brother, George A. Smock, also a partner in the business.
After the death of Garrett V. Smock in 1889, his was represented the interest of the Smock estate. In 1901 the N. E. Buchanon & Company lumber
company was incorporated with a capital of $150,- 000, under the corporate name of Buchanon & Smock Lumber Company. The company has con- tinued a highly successful career until the present time (1921). Harry W. Smock is the capable execu- tive head of the company, having been elected to the presidency in 1918. He is also a director of the Merchants' National Bank of Asbury Park, and has other business interests of importance.
Mr. Smock is active in all civic matters, and the Young Men's Christian Association has found in him a strong supporter, who has served as presi- dent of the association, and director of the same for years. Mr. Smock is a Republican in politics and serves his city as a member of Council. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Asbury Park, and of the First Presbyterian Church.
Harry Wikoff Smock married in Albany, New York, November 9, 1892, Nannette Spear, daughter of Ebenezer and Margaret Spear. Mr. and Mrs. Smock are the parents of three daughters and two sons: Harriet Spear, wife of C. Leslie Crook of Newark; they have a daughter, Nannette Elizabeth; Harry W. (2nd), married Selma A. Krymer, of Elizabeth, New Jersey; Nannette; George A .; and Margaret Spear.
JOHN ROCKAFELLER-One of the names which are most closely connected with the develop- ment and growth of Asbury Park as a residential center, is that of John Rockafeller, a tireless pro- moter of the interests of this community, who gave largely of his own fortune, for the improvement and beautifying of the town. Although a quarter of a century has passed since he went out into the "Great Beyond," the people still honor his memory, for the widespread benefits he left behind him.
Mr. Rockafeller was born in Northumberland, Pennsylvania, October 6, 1834, and died in Asbury Park, April 13, 1897. As a boy he went with his parents to Danville, Pennsylvania, where the family home was established, and there he received a prac- tical education in the public schools. Always in- terested in mechanics, even as a child, he entered the Danville Iron Works as soon as he had com- pleted his school course, and remained in their em- ploy for a period of ten years. Then, owing to an injury received at the works, he was compelled to seek an occupation which would not involve great physical strain. Accordingly he learned the pro- fession of photography, but did not follow this line of endeavor in a commercial way, for any length of time. Going to Philadelphia, he established a dry goods business there, at No. 733 South street, in association with a partner, the firm name being "Allen & Rockafeller." The business progressed in a most satisfactory way, and in 1865 Mr. Rocka- feller bought out his partner, and continued opera- tions alone. The business still increased rapidly. Besides the original store on South street, two more stores were established, first a wholesale store at No. 250 Market street, then another retail store at the corner of Tenth and South streets. Mr. Rocka-
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feller became largely successful, and carried on these stores for many years, constantly enlarging their scope.
About the time Mr. Rockafeller reached the height of his success, he became acquainted with Mr. Weymore, the Philadelphia representative of the Bradley Syndicate for the development of As- bury Park. He immediately became interested in the work of this syndicate, and purchased shares in it to a considerable amount. For some years he spent his summers in Asbury Park, and eventually in 1892, disposed of his entire business holdings in Philadelphia, and came here, to take an active part in the development of the town. Mr. Kocka- feller labored faithfully for the general good, hold- ing his own interests always secondary. His active benevolences went far to make the beautiful and attractive community of homes, which Asbury Park now is. At his own expense he installed the first electric lights in the city, and Sunset Park, one of the most beautiful spots for many miles around, owes its origin to his generosity. He presented the land to the town, and laid out and developed the park, solely from his own private funds, and it is now the pride and delight of the people.
While always very active in town affairs, Mr. Rockafeller never coveted leadership, and consis- tently declined public office. He was affiliated with the Republican party. Fraternally he was widely prominent, and held the unusual honor of the thirty-third degree in the Masonic order. He lived for only five years after becoming a resident of Asbury Park, and the ultimate development of the community for which he did so much, he thus failed to see. But his faith in its future, never fell short of the high achievement which is now a matter of history, and for which the impetus gained from his activity is in a large measure responsible. With the passing of such a man, is lost to the world a force which counts far for progress, and the least that can be done in his honor is permanently to record his acts of benevolence.
On April 13, 1865, in Philadelphia, Mr. Rocka- feller married Susan MacQuaid, who was born in Ireland, April 13, 1846, and they were the parents of three children: Harry, of further mention; John, of further mention; and Eugene, who died in infancy. Mrs. Rockafeller also has borne a part in the constant progress of the community, the exis- tence of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church of As- bury Park, having been due to her unremitting efforts. She was instrumental in securing the land, which was the gift of James Bradley, for a church site, and her unceasing activities in raising funds for the erection of the original church edifice, form a significant part in the history of the town. With the rapid growth of the parish, the first building was long since replaced by a beautiful new struc- ture.
Harry Rockafeller, who was born in Philadel- phia, June 24, 1866, has been a freeholder of Asbury Park for the past twenty years. He married Kate McCabe, daughter of Owen and Catherine (Sheri-
dan) McCabe, her father being president of the Mc- Cabe Boiler Works, of Newark, New Jersey. They are the parents of four sons: Thomas, deceased; John, also deceased; Eugene, a graduate of the Pennsylvania Dental College, with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery, who served two years in France in the World War, with the rank of cap- tain, being a member of the Newark Cavalry; and Harry, Jr., who served with the New Jersey Volun- teers in the World War, with the rank of first lieutenant.
John Rockafeller, M. D., the second son of John and Susan (MacQuaid) Rockafeller, is a graduate of the College of Physicians and Surgeons, and was the youngest member of his class. He is re- tired. He married Anne Murphy, of New York City, and they have three children: Anna, John D., and Beveridge.
GORDON ALAN KNAPP-Although but a com- paratively short time has elapsed since Gordon Alan Knapp identified himself with the real estate and insurance business in Asbury Park, he having established himself in this enterprise in March, 1921, in offices in the Kinmonth building, yet he has al- ready made rapid strides in this particular line.
Gordon Alan Knapp was born at Tenafly, New Jersey, April 27, 1892, the son of George R. and Alice H. (Fellows) Knapp, the latter a resident of Asbury Park. George R. Knapp was born in Ro- chester, New York, September, 1861, and died, Janu- ary 7, 1917. He was at one time business manager of the Asbury Park "Press," and at the time of his death, was associated with Peter Carey in the pub- lishing business in New York City. Mr. and Mrs. Knapp were the parents of two children: Ethel A., who is an evangelist, having been previously gradu- ated from Cox College at Atlanta, Georgia; and Gordon Alan, of further mention.
The elementary education of Gordon Alan Knapp was obtained in the public schools of Ocean Grove and Asbury Park. Having graduated from the high school at the latter place in 1910, he matri- culated at New York University, entering there the law department. He was subsequently graduated from this institution with the degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1912, and won the degree of Master of Laws the following year, at which time he was ad- mitted to the New York bar, as attorney and coun- sellor-at-law. Upon completing his law studies he entered tne bonding department of the Fidelity and Casualty Company of New York City, and was with this concern until March, 1917, when he enlisted in the United States army preliminary to taking his place in the World's great conflict. In May of that same year he was sent to Fort Meyer, Virginia, which was an officers' training camp and was there until August 17, when having been commissioned second lieutenant, he was ordered to Petersburg, Virignia. Thence he went to Chickamauga Park, Georgia, where he was assigned to Motor Truck Company No. 9, Second Division of the regular army. Leaving there on December 22, he went to
Gordon Awaff
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Camp Merritt, and subsequently sailed for Liver- pool, December 30, 1917. Arriving at Le Havre, France, he was ordered to St. Marie, where he re- mained until May 25, 1918, and thence to Chateau- Thierry, Soissons, St. Mihiel, Champagne sector, and the Argonne, being made captain in May, 1918. He returned to this country in June, 1919, and was honorably discharged from the service August 20, 1919. Immediately after leaving the service, he re- turned to his previous position with the Fidelity ud Casualty Company, and remained there until March, 1920, when he resigned from this position und returned to Asbury Park, New Jersey, where he had decided to locate in business. He built the Smset Garage on North Main street, and continued in this particular line until one year later, when he opened his present real estate and insurance office in the Kinmonth building, having in the mean- time discontinued his interest in his garage busi- DesE.
Mr. Knapp has never taken an active part in politics, but gives the interest to this phase of life which is expected of every good citizen. He affiliates with Delta Chi Fraternity; New York affiliates with Delta Chi fraternity, New York Uni- versity Chapter; Asbury Park Post, No. 24, Ameri- can Legion; and Alumni Association of New York University. He also holds membership in the Army and Navy Club of New York City. In religion he is a Baptist, attending the First Church of this denomination in Asbury Park.
On September 17, 1917, at Asbury Park, Gordon Alan Knapp was united in marriage with Doris Haviland, daughter of Clark and Juliette (Kronk) Haviland. Mr. and Mrs. Knapp are the parents of one child, Gordon Alan, Jr., born March 21, 1920. The family home is at No. 1208 Fifth avenue, As- bury Park.
DR. HAROLD JAMES STOKES Among the younger group of professional men in Red Bank, Dr. Stokes is a leading figure. For the past six years a resident of Red Bank, he was born in Free- hold, New Jersey, January 9, 1894, and is a son of James and Leonora (Bingham) Stokes, his father being a prominent manufacturer of that place.
Gaining his early education in the public schools of Freehold, Dr. Stokes early determined upon his vocation, and entered the Thomas W. Evans Mu- seum and Dental Institute of the University of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia, and was graduated from this institution, class of 1915. Very soon after coming to Red Bank, Dr. Stokes established his ofice in this borough, and entered upon the general practice of dental surgery. He has been most suc- cessful from the beginning, and now holds a lead- ing position in the profession, handling a large and increasing practice.
Dr. Stokes is a member of the Monmouth County Dental Society, and of the State and National Den- tal associations. His college fraternity is the Delta Sigma Delta. For relaxation, Dr. Stokes turns to the great out-door world, and is a member of the
Independent and Monmouth Yacht clubs, and of the Asbury Park Fishing Club. He is a member of the Presbyterian church.
On May 20, 1916, at Hoboken, New Jersey, Dr. Stokes married Marie Dennin, daughter of William J. and Emma Dennin, and they have one son, Har- old James, Jr., born March 16, 1917. The family reside at No. 277 East Front street, in Red Bank.
KAYS RICHARD MORGAN-Among the young members of the legal fraternity in Asbury Park, is Kays Richard Morgan, a native of Scranton, Penn- sylvania, where his birth occurred March 11, 1891. Since the inception of his professional career, Mr. Morgan has consistently advanced, his ability hav- ing carried him forward into important professional relations, and his many friends do not hestitate to predict for him continued and rapid progress in his chosen field.
Tali Esen Morgan, father of Kays Richard Mor- gan, was born at Llangnwyd, shire of Glamorgan, South Wales, just one day after the birth of the late ex-President Roosevelt. The Morgan family originally owned large tracts of land in the glens of the country, whence the name of Glamorgan originates. His father, Thomas Llyfnwy Morgan, was a noted historian, in fact probably the greatest writer of local history the provinces ever pro- duced. Prior to his coming to the United States, he conducted business in the town of Maesteg. In 1876, with his family, he came to this country and located in Scranton, Pennsylvania, where he resided up to the time of his death which occurred in Janu- ary, 1884. The latter years of his life were spent in retirement. He was prominently and widely known in Welsh musical circles, by his literary nom de plume, Llyfnwy, and never as Mr. Morgan. He was a member of the Congregational church, and was well known as a leader of various Welsh societies. He married Gwen Beven, who bore him ten chil- dren.
Tali Esen, the second eldest child, was educated in the public schools of Maesteg, Wales. Completing his education at the age of sixteen years, he ap- prenticed himself to the printer's trade, in connec- tion with the publishing business, in which line he was more or less identified all his life, having pub- lished at different times, "The Cambro-American", "Saturday Review", and "Pennsylvania People," a weekly newspaper. Prior to his career as a pub- lisher in 1887, he went west to Cherokee, Iowa, where he was engaged as a clerk. He established the National Press Bureau in New York City in 1892, which he personally conducted for eight years, and while thus engaged originated many methods that are practiced by the International Press Association, the successor of the business of his establishment. Music had occupied more or less of his attention up to this time, and he entered now more particularly into this line of work, and short- ly thereafter organized a choir in the Washington Square Methodist Episcopal Church, which under his leadership proved most successful. At the same
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time he taught sight classes in reading and musical theory. As a teacher he became so popular, that he was obliged to give up his newspaper work and devote his entire time to music. Anton Seidel, Wal- ter Damrosch, and others equally celebrated in the world of music, were admirers of his, and recog- nized in him one of the greatest masters in the con- trol of voices in chorus. In 1892 he had over two thousand choral singers under his direction. Aside from this great work, he established an Inter- national Correspondence School of Music in which his method was particularly his own. In 1888 he came to Ocean Grove with Mr. Damrosch as the conductor of the chorus, and the impression that he created was so favorable, that he was sought by the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, to become musical director of its entertainments and concerts, a position which he occupied in 1889 and which he continued to fill for seventeen years with ever increasing popularity and success. His Ocean Grove festival chorus, numbered five hundred voices, and rendered many oratorios. He was not only musical director but was also in full charge of all the concerts and entertainments given under the auspices of the association. He also man- aged the commercial affairs and was in touch with all the details connected with that immense corporation, both financial and professional. Aside from his work at the Grove, Mr. Morgan conducted some of the greatest concerts ever presented to the American public; his celebrated festival orchestra was well known in New York City for many years, where he gave concerts in Carnegie Hall. In 1918 Mr. Morgan became director of music and teacher at Thousand Island Park, this property seating twenty-five hundred people, and when the "Way- farer" was given in New York City in 1920 at Madison Square Garden, it was Mr. Morgan who had charge of the choral work. He married Mary Jones of Scranton, Pennsylvania, and to them have been born six children: Etta, wife of J. Otto Rhome, mentioned elsewhere in this work; Edith, wife of Joseph K. Savage, a lawyer of New York City; Oscar, assistant foreign manager of the Famous Players, Lasky Corporation; Paul L., editor of "Pep," a Paramount publication of the Lasky Cor- poration, New York City; Marion E .; Kays Richard, of further mention.
His family removing to this community when he was a lad, Kays Richard Morgan attended schools here and graduated from the Neptune Township High School with the class of 1910. Having in the meantime determined to adopt law as his pro- fession, and with this end in view, he entered the law department of New York University, and after completing the usual four-year course, was graduated, taking the degree of Bachelor of Laws. Since 1911, he has been associated with Patterson & Rhome, lawyers, first in the capacity of clerk, but after his admission to the New Jersey bar in 1914, he began to advance in his chosen field, his success being due to his superior merit and ability. He was made a counsellor-at-law in 1920.
In politics Mr. Morgan is a Republican, giving to the party the interest demanded of every good citizen. For two years he was a sergeant in the New Jersey State Guards, Company D, Third Bat- talion of Asbury Park. He is a member of Lodge No. 142, Free and Accepted Masons; the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge No. 128 of Asbury Park; charter member of the Asbury Park Wheelmen, and a member of the Monmouth County Bar Association. In his religious affiliations he is a Methodist Episcopal, and attends St. Paul's Church of this denomination at Ocean Grove.
On April 20, 1916, at Ocean Grove, Kays Richard Morgan was united in marriage with Marion Eng- lish, daughter of William J. and Ella English, resi- dents of Ocean Grove. They have no children. Mr. Morgan is interested in all out-of-door sports but takes especial interest in golf.
WILLIAM JAMES COUSE is one to whom busi- ness is but one phase of life, and who does not al- low it to exclude him from active participation in the other vital interests, which make up the sum of human existence. His record is that of a self-made man, who has won recognition and success entire- ly by his own efforts and wisely directed energy, which well serves as a source of inspiration and en- couragement to others. He is a man of varied in- terests, practically all of which he has made forces in progress, for many years the influence of his ability having been a constructive element in the advancement of this community. There is much to be admired in the career of Mr. Couse, who by his own efforts has attained the position he now holds, and his accomplishments are the more com- mendable, as they are largely consecrated to the public welfare. Energetic, diligent, and persevering he is always found reliable in his business rela- tions, standing for the progressive element in citi- zenship, and for trustworthiness in every relation.
William James Couse was born at Fredericksburg, Virginia, October 13, 1872, the son of Peter and Emily (Cox) Couse. Peter Couse was born in Lafayette, Sussex county, in 1821, moving from there to Fredericksburg, Virginia, in 1839. It is interesting to note here, that when the Civil War broke out, he was taken to Libby Prison, because he would not take up arms against the North. After the war he entered business at Fredericks- burg, later in 1877 moving to Farmingdale, New Jer- sey, where he conducted a general store until his death, which occurred June 26, 1887.
After terminating his studies in business college, William James Couse became a partner in the gen- eral store of E. Couse at Farmingdale, New Jersey, and remained here until 1903, when he came to Asbury Park where he has continued to reside and do business ever since. He was with the Ocean Grove and Asbury Park Bank from 1903 until 1906, and was elected treasurer of the Asbury Park Build- ing and Loan Association in 1905. He was active in the organization of the Manasquan National Bank in 1908, and since has served as a director.
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He also organized the Asbury Trust Company which opened for business July 1, 1911, Mr. Couse having since that time been president of the company. He owns and operates a candy factory with an all year retail store in the business section of the city, and has branches on the Boardwalk. He was one of the organizers of the Asbury Park Hotel and Realty Company, which built the New Monterey Hotel at Asbury Park, New Jersey, and is now, 1921, treasurer and a director of the company.
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