History of Monmouth County, New Jersey. Pt. 2, Part 53

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Philadelphia : R.T. Peck & Co.
Number of Pages: 994

USA > New Jersey > Monmouth County > History of Monmouth County, New Jersey. Pt. 2 > Part 53

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Deal District, No. 87, includes Oceanville village and territory adjacent to it. The first school-house in this locality was erected on or near the present school-house site before 1818, on what was then known as Sandy Lane. Jo- seph Wardell was a teacher there in 1823.

In the summer of 1870 the school-house was raised and a second story added, at a cost of

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HISTORY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

two thousand dollars. It was first used in December of that year. The district now contains one hundred and fifty-six children of school age.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

THOMAS R. WOOLLEY .- Britton Woolley, the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Woolley, was born April 15, 1765, on the homestead at Poplar, Ocean township, now owned by Eden Woolley. He married Mary Williams, whose children were Britton, Jordan, and a daughter, Mary Ann. His son, Jordan Woolley, was born May 22,1815, on the homestead, and after a residence of some years in his native county made his home in the city of Philadelphia. He was for several years sheriff of the county, as also cor- oner, and for successiveterms chosen freeholder, He married Mary Jane Haslem, who was of English birth, and had children,-Thomas R. and Mary Jane (wife of Edward R. Slocum). Mrs. Woolley died on the 1st of January, 1844, and he was again married, to Margaret Van Brunt, to whom were born children,-Clay, Penn, Ada, Sarah, Maggie and Annie. The birth of Thomas R. Woolley occurred on the JOHN SLOCUM. - John Slocum, grandfa- ther of John, the subject of this biographical sketch, a resident of Long Branch, and by oc- eupation a mariner, married Miss Susan War- dell, whose children were Henry, James, Peter, Wesley and Susan. Henry, who was born at Long Branch, learned the trade of a carpenter, which he followed in the vicinity of his home, having married Lydia, daughter of John Bond, of Eatontown. Their children are James, John, George, Mary Ann (wife of Sidney Throck- morton), Michael C., Henry, Abram and Lydia (wife of E. G. Pitcher). John, of this number. was born November 28, 1811, at Long Branch, where, with the exception of a brief interval, he has since resided. He availed himself of such advantages as the winter sessions of a country school afforded, and at the age of seventeen resolved to render himself independent by mastering a trade. He chose that of a carpenter, and continued his apprenticeship until his ma- jority was obtained. With skill as a workman, 10th of March, 1841, in Philadelphia, where he received a rudimentary education, and after- wards entered a wholesale hardware-store and remained until his twenty-first year in the capa- city of elerk. Removing to Long Branch, he was, in 1862, appointed under-sheriff of the county, serving three years with his father, then sheriff, and two years with his successor, Wil- liam B. Sutphen. He resigned this office in 1867 for the purpose of embarking in the lumber business, which still engages his atten- tion. Mr. Woolley was, on the 4th of December, 1864, married to Annie M., danghter of James C. West, of Long Branch, and granddaughter of George W. West, her maternal grandfather being Benjamin White. The children of this marriage are Thomas R., Charles P., Annie S. J. and Bloomfield Drummond, the last-named born April 3, 1876, being the only survivor. In 1866, Mr. Woolley was elected to the office of township superintendent of schools, and later served three years as member of the township | and excellent judgment in perfecting his plans,

committee of Ocean township. In 1879 he was niade chosen freeholder, and held office until 1883, when he declined re-election. He was, in 1877, elected by the citizens, irrespective of party, commissioner for Long Branch, and served for four years as chairman of the board, when, having placed the town on a firm financial basis, he declined further service. He is also a mem- ber and president of the Long Branch Board of Health. Mr. Woolley is a director of the Long Branch Banking Company, treasurer of the Long Branch Building and Loan Association, and was formerly treasurer of the Long Branch Gas- Light Company. He is a member of Olive Branch Lodge, No. 16, of Free and Accepted Masons, of Standard Chapter, No. 35, and of Corson Commandery Knights Templar. He is also connected with the Odd-Fellows and Knights of Pythias fraternities. He is fre- quently solicited to fill the office of guardian, and has on many occasions been appointed ex- ecutor, these important trusts being invariably filled with unswerving fidelity to duty. Though of Qnaker antecedents, Mr. Woolley manifests a liberal spirit toward all religious seets. ..

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Thomas R. Woolley

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OCEAN TOWNSHIP AND LONG BRANCH.

an extended business was soon established, the death occurred October 20, 1851, and he was work being chiefly done by contract. He erected again married, October 11, 1854, to Mrs. Eunice H. Maps, daughter of Michael Ferguson, whose children are Eunice H., (Mrs. Harry Hoffer) and Lewis T. M., married to Elizabethi Goudy, of Chicago. Mr. Slocum has for years been identified with the business and public interests of Long Branch. He is a strong adherent of the Republican party, and from 1861 until 1876 held the commission as postmaster of the the Reformed (Dutch) Church at Long Branch, built the first cottage on the coast and many other structures of consequence, continuing thus occupied until 1852, when, abandoning his trade, he embarked in the lumber business at Branchport, under the firm-name of Pool, Slocum & Co., continuing this enterprise, with some changes of partnership, until 1865. Re-

Folio focus

moving at that date to Long Branch, he became a member of the firm of Maps, Slocum & Co., and still continues this business connection. Mr. Slocum was, in 1834, married to Ann, daughter of Britton and Anu Woolley, of Long Branch. Their children are Deborah H. (Mrs. James H. Slocum) ; J. Howard, married to Rachel L., daughter of William Price, of New York ; Henry B., deceased ; and Mary Ann, deceased, who grew to mature years. Mrs. Slocum's

latter place, receiving his appointment from Presidents Lincoln and Grant. He was a mem- ber, and for several years chairman of the town- ship committee, and has filled various minor positions in both township and village. He is a member of St. Luke's Methodist Episcopal Church of Long Braneli, in which he has held the offices of steward and trustee since its organ- ization, and still aets in that capacity.

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HISTORY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

THOMAS W. COOPER .- Uriah, the grand- father of Thomas W. Cooper, who was of English birth, resided at Long Branch, where he died in his eighty-sixth year. He married Elizabeth Green, whose children were David, John, Benjamin, Sarah, Zilpha, William and Samuel. The last-named was born at Long Branch, and, though by trade a baker, in later years engaged extensively in real estate opera- tions. He married Rachel, daughter of Thomas . Woolley, of Poplar, whose children were Joseph, Thomas W., Martha W. (wife of Fraucis Cor- lies), Isaac E. and five who died in childhood. The death of Mr. Cooper occurred at Long Branch in 1864. His son Thomas W. was born on the 17th of July, 1830, at Long Branch, where he has since resided. He acquired at school a knowledge of the English branches, and was early made useful by his father in the management of a hotel owned by him, which occupation was supplemented by employment on a farm. Having determined to exercise the functions of a landlord, in connection with his brother Joseph, the Metropolitan Hotel, at Long Branch, was purchased and successfully managed for eight years. Mr. Cooper continued the busi- ness, in conjunction with farming, until 1869, when he embarked in the real estate and insurance business. This, by attention and judicious man- agement; soon grew to large proportions, much of the property in the vicinity being immedi- ately controlled by him or intrusted to his care. He is himself the owner of much valuable prop- erty and has been extensively engaged in build- ing, either for purposes of rent or sale. He is a Democrat in politics and a strong Prohibition- ist, the cause of temperance receiving a substan- tial support both through his means and infin- ence. He is an earnest friend to the cause of education and a member of the Board of Edu- cation of Long Branch, his efforts in building the new graded school and various other school edifices having won the commendation of all liberal-minded citizens. He has been a director of the Long Branch Banking Company and identified with other public and financial enter- prises. Mr. Cooper is connected by membership with Royal Arcanum Lodge, No. 429. He is a member of St. Luke's Methodist Episcopal

Church of Long Branch, in which he fills the offices of steward and assistant superintendent of the Sunday-school, having been also one of the building committee in the erection of the edifice. Mr. Cooper was, on the 18th of Octo- ber, 1860, married to Mary L., daughter of Samuel Wardell, of Long Branch. Their chil- dren are Carrie (wife of Frederick Van Derveer), Emma, Thomas W., Jr., and Clemmie L.

AARON EDWARDS .- Daniel Edwards, who was a native of Monmouth County, resided at Eatontown Dock (now Oceanport), where he continued the occupation of a tanner until his death, in 1815. He married Ann Wardell, of the same township and county, whose children were William T., Stephen, Joseph, Eliza (Mr -. James Lane), Henry D., Ann (Mrs. William I. Chamberlain) and Daniel. Henry, whose birth occurred upon the homestead, was left fatherless in early youth, and, on attaining a suitable age, determined to follow the fortunes of the sea. He married, in 1835, Phebe, daughter of James Joline, of Long Branch, whose only child is a son, Henry B. His wife having died, he was again married, on the 19th of January, 1837, to Lydia, daughter of Aaron Cook, of Long Branch. The children of this marriage are Aarou, Sarahı (Mrs. Ten Brook Morris), Asbury (deceased), Eliza, Lewis, Charles (deceased), Daniel and Thelbert. Aaron, the eldest of these children and the subject of this sketch, was born October 16, 1837, on the farm purchased by his father after his marriage, and located in the present Eatontown township, where his early years were devoted to school, and, later, to his father's various business enterprises, in which he proved an invaluable aid. At the age of sixteen lie accompanied the latter on his vessel and speedily developed a quickness of perception in nautical matters, which aided him, when but a youth, in acquiring a practical knowledge of navigation. His skill in this science enabled him, at the age of nineteen, to take command of a vessel and, when twenty-one, to become joint-owner with his father of a craft, which he sailed until 1868, when, retiring from the career of a mariner, he became interested with his brothers in the construction of three vessels, the

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OCEAN TOWNSHIP AND LONG BRANCH.

building of which he personally superintended, remaining thus engaged until 1875. These vessels were employed in the carrying trade, and, as an ontgrowth of this enterprise, the brothers, under the firm-name of L. & D. Ed- wards & Co., established at Pleasure Bay, in the same county, a depot for the sale of coal and masons' building materials. The business was continued at this point until 1875, when the present site at Long Branch was occupied, the New York and Long Branch Railroad having

Charles L. Mr. Edwards is inelined to con- servative opinions in politics and rarely partici- pates actively in party movements. He is a member of Long Branch Couneil, No. 429, Royal Arcanum, and of Mizpah Lodge, No. 61, I. O. O. F., of Oceanport. He is connected by membership with the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Oceanport, and, as a trustee, aided in the construction of the edifiee.

GARRET D. VANDERVEER .- The grand-

Caron Edwards

laid side-traeks and offered other advantages for the accommodation of their large and increasing trade. In 1880 they erected a sash and blind- faetory and a moulding and planing-mill, adding lumber and building material to their stock and otherwise enlarging the business, which, in this peculiar line, ranks among the most extensive in the State. Mr. Edwards was, in 1859, mar- ried to Mary C., daughter of Captain Thomas Riddle, of Oceanport. Their children are As- bury, Irene (Mrs. Lewis R. Williams) and

father of Mr. Vanderveer resided above Free- hold during the period of the Revolutionary War, at which time he suffered great loss from British soldiers. His children were Tunis, David G., Garret, John, Hendrick and several daughters. David G., a native of Monmonth County, spent his life in the immediate vicinity of Freehold, where he was an industrious farmer. He married Katy, daughter of Rev. Benjamin Dubois, and had children,-Garret D., Joseph, Benjamin, Tunis, Henry, John, Eliza (wife of Peter Van

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HISTORY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

Dorn), Sarah Jane (wife of Joseph Lefferson), Phoebe Ann, Sophia (married to Addison W. Hobart), Margaret (wife of Thomas Hough) and Amanda (wife of Isaac Quackenbush). Garret D. was born on the 2d of January, 1805, on the homestead, ncar Freehold. After sueh very limited opportunities as were afforded at the schools of that early day, he assisted in the cultivation of the farm, and afterwards made the townshipof Marlborough his residence, where he continued the employment of a farmer. He was,

land until advaneing years admonished him that the work should be done by other lands. He has always been a strong Democrat in politics, but held no office other than that of trustee of the public schools. He is a regular attendant upon the services of the Reformed (Dutch) Church at Long Branch, of which his wife is a member.

ANTHONY TRUAX -Mr. Truax is deseended from Holland aneestry, his grandfather having

Garret D Tanderweek

in 1830, married to Eleanor, daughter of Daniel [ been John Truax, who married Catharine Good- and Sally Polhemus, of Middletown township. enough and had children,-Elias and Betsey (who married Eli Williams). He married, a second time, Mary Sutton, whose only son was Goodenough Truax. Mr. Vanderveer later removed to Englishtown and cultivated a farm on shares, continuing to be a renter for some years after his removal to Middlesex County, N. J. He made other changes of location, but in 1839, preferring to be more independent than was possible on land owned by others, purchased the farm which is his present home, in Ocean township. He con- tinued to labor for the improvement of this I

Elias Truax was born in Shrewsbury, now Ocean township, and survived until his ninety- fifth year, having been during his period of activity a successful farmer. He married Han- nah, daughter of William Layton, of Oecan (then Shrewsbury) township, whosechildren were

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OCEAN TOWNSHIP AND LONG BRANCH.

Anthony, John and Sarah Ann (wife of Hamilton | period of forty years these duties have en- Banta). Anthony was born on the 17th of July, gaged much of his time and attention. In 1850 1810, in the present Ocean township, and re- mained until his twenty-first year at the home of his parents, acquiring meanwhile the rudi- ments of English at the district school and lending a hand at labor on the farm. He then engaged for four years in the burning of char- coal, and later in the sale of fish between Long Branch and Philadelphia. This . occupation he was appointed by the court at Freehold commissioner of wrecks for the Deal district, and for five years performed the duties of that office frequently under trying circumstances, involving much peril and requiring great fore- thought and judgment. As a new departure from this routine of labor, he engaged in mer- cantile ventures at Poplar, Ocean township,

Anthony Fringe 0

was varied by the business of boating between ; and three years after in the commission business Oceanport and New York, after which he found the occupation of a butcher both profitable and easily managed. 'Squire Truax was, in 1849, as the candidate of the Old-Line Whig party, elected justiec of the peace for Ocean township, and such was his popularity that for twenty years he continued to fill the office at the will of his constituents. His excentive ability and fidelity to trusts have made him justly popular as executor, trustee and guardian, and for a

in New York City. He then retired to the farm, which he had meanwhile cultivated in connection with his various . pursuits, and which is his present home, following also du- ring this lengthened period the calling of an auctioncer. During a practical experience of forty-five years he has sold a vast quantity of real and personal estate, has been appointed com- missioner to divide and settle estates, often chosen as assignee and acted as arbiter in the

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.HISTORY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

adjustment of differences. Squire Truax was, on the 15th of December, 1832, married to Miss Tenty Ann, daughter of Jacob and Mary White, of thesame township. Their children were Henry, born in 1835; Hannah (wife of Matthias Wool- ley), in 1837; Jacob W. (deceased), in 1839 ; Elias L., in 1841; Mary Catharine (wife of George C. Taylor), in 1843; Cornelia (de- ceased), wife of Charles E. Hulick, in 1846; Anthony T., in 1847; George W., in 1849; Joseph C., in 1851; and Newell, deceased. 'Squire Truax is a director of the Long Branch Banking Company, of the Eatontown and Sea- Shore Turnpike Company and various other local enterprises. He is actively identified with church-work as member and steward of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Long Branch and of the Centreville Church of the same denomination, in which he is both steward and class-leader.

CAPTAIN W. S. GREEN is the great-grand- son of Major-General James Green, of the Revolutionary army. His grandfather was William Green, who died in 1812. To his parents, James and Elizabeth Murphy Green, were born ehildren,-Dr. J. O. Green, Elizabeth Green, W. S. Green, L. C. Green, E. S. Green and C. H. Green (deceased). Captain Green, the subject of this sketch, was born at Long Branch, August 13, 1837, and has lived all his life within hearing of the place where he first saw the light. He received his education at the Freehold High School, and after graduating he joined an older brother in the management of the large farm on which he was born.

In the year 1861 he married Mary, the third daughter of the late William Hathaway, of Deal Beach, N. J. About this time the farm was divided, and that portion of it lying on the north side of Cedar Avenue fell to his lot, a portion of which he sold. This has since been converted into a beautiful park, and is now one of the attractions of this celebrated water- ing-place. The remainder has been beantified and improved by the erection of picturesque cottages, many of which are now owned by non- residents ; the remainder, four in number, are the property of Captain Green, from three of

which he derives a substantial income. The other is reserved for his private use and that of his family, consisting of a devoted and prudent wife and two interesting daughters, Alice E. and Florence M. The monotonous breaking of the surf upon the beach in storm and in calm was his lullaby. Born in sight and in hearing of the sea, he was inspired with a fondness for the ocean, and as he grew that fondness de- veloped into a feeling akin to passion. He never wearied of sailing in his boat and seek- ing the recreation and pleasure which it afforded.

Many years ago, while the life-saving service was in its infancy and a volunteer one, he be- came greatly interested in its workings, and was always at hand to assist in the rescue of the crews of stranded vessels.

When the United States government inangu- rated the present system of life-saving on the coast, the position of captain of a crew for that purpose was tendered him. The highest ambi- tion of his life was thus realized; his dream of many years was fulfilled. He accepted the position-not from necessity, but from choice- and entered upon its duties with a zeal and earnestness greater, perhaps, than any other in a like position. Realizing the dangers which awaited him, the arduous duties which devolved upon him and the responsibility of the high and sacred trust committed to him, he at once proceeded to gather about him a erew between whom and captain there must be a mutual con- fidence,-an essential factor to the success of this noble service. These men are professional experts in surfmanship and wreckcraft, and to this proficiency have added all the acquisition and experience of the trained life-saver. It is unquestionable that the skill and bravery they have brought to the performance of their duty have contributed in an immense degree to the great success under their captain, which has given the service the high rank it occupies with commercial and maritime men and with the people at large. Notable among the wrecks from which Captain Green has been instru- mental in rescuing the crews was the ship " Adonis," stranded March 7, 1859, from which all were saved. Another was the Red Star

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steamer "Rusland," stranded March 17, 1877; was found and deeently buried; Captain Green eomninnicated with the friends of the drowned boy, and from them received expressions of gratitude and praise for his kindness to an nn- known sailor boy. from this, too, all were rescued. The next was the unfortunate steamer " Pliny," from South America, from which all were landed in safety. Her eaptain, Mitchell, having lost his all, was taken to the home of Captain Green, and by Asa reward of his kindness and bravery, Cap- tain Green has in his possession many memen- tos and testimonials expressive of gratitude him and his kind-hearted wife hospitably enter- tained for several months. Then followed the ill-fated sehooner "Light Boat," from which : from the reseued, their relatives and friends, Captain Green and his gallant men landed the ; which will be cherished by his children as a

Capt. Fr. A. Greene,

crew in safety. This brave aet was done at | valuable and honorable inheritance. To detail daylight, and in the face of a terrible gale, on February 3, 1880.

The next and last resene to which the skill and heroism of Captain Green and his men were ealled was the ship " W. J. Stairs." From her all were brought to the shore in safety save one, the cabin boy. This, the only loss of life that has occurred in the captain's experience, was and always has been to him a source of re- gret, although unavoidable. The body of the lad

the incidents connected with the rescue of the passengers and erews of these vessels would be simply to record the deeds of self-sacrifice and heroism which are constantly repeated as occasion offers. Captain Green has, during his connection with the Life-Saving Service, reseued more than three hundred persons from watery graves. He is regarded as one of the most skillful, intrepid and humane offieers in the service, with a thoroughly disciplined and loyal crew under his command,

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HISTORY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

The American Life-Saving Service under its present elaborate system of relief is ten years old. Its development covers nearly a century. The initiatory movement was the organization by a few benevolent persons of the Massachu- setts Humane Society in 1876. In attempting to alleviate the miseries of shipwreck on the Massachusetts coast, small huts were built ; and in 1807 the first life-boat station was estab- lished at Cohasset. The society depended upon voluntary erews, but so much was ac- complished of value that some pecuniary aid was received, as time wore on, from both State and general governments. The magnificent work of the Coast Survey, begun in earnest in 1832, absorbed the resources of Congress for a decade and a half, during which period nothing was attempted in the way of life-saving except through volutary societies. A few public ves- sels were, indeed, authorized in 1837 to eruise near the coast for the assistance of shipping in distress, but it was through the movement in aid of commerce, which extended to the light- house system. In 1847 five thousand dollars were appropriated by Congress toward furnish- ing light-houses on the Atlantic, with the facilities for aiding shipwrecked mariners. The money, after remaining in the treasury two years unused, was permitted to be expended by the Massachusetts society upon Cape Cod. In the summer of 1848, the Honorable William A. Newell, then a member of the House of Representatives from New Jersey, incited by some terrible shipwrecks on the coast of this State, induced Congress, through liis eloquence, to appropriate ten thousand dollars for provid- ing surf-boats and other appliances " for the protection of life and property from shipwreck on the coast between Sandy Hook and Little Egg Harbor." During the next session a still larger appropriation was obtained. Twenty- two station-houses were ereeted on the coasts of New Jersey and Long Island, and although no persons were paid or authorized to take charge of them. and they were manned by ex- temporized crews, their value in several cases of shipwreck was so great that Congress made further appropriations from year to year, and stations and life-boats gradually multiplied.

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History of Monmouth County, New Jersey. Pt. 2, Part 53

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885 Publication date: 1885 Publisher: Philadelphia : R.T. Peck & Co. Number of Pages: 994

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Philadelphia : R.T. Peck & Co.
Number of Pages: 994