USA > New Jersey > The New Jersey coast in three centuries; history of the New Jersey coast with genealogical and historic-biographical appendix, Vol. II > Part 40
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50
Mr. Inslee, whose name form's the caption of this review, was born in Rahway, February 6, 1835, and pursued his education in the schools of that city and of Woodbridge. He afterward served an apprenticeship at the carriage making trade, but followed that pursuit for only two years, after which he entered the clay business and was thus engaged until the 30th of August, 1862, when he enlisted for service in the army, becoming a member of Company F, Twenty-eighth regiment of New Jersey Volun- teers. He participated in the battle of Fredericksburg, on December 3, 1862, and Chancellorsville, May 3, 4 and 5, 1863. and was promoted to the rank of captain, commanding his company during the greater part of the time he was at the front. After his return he resumed his former business, which he continued with good success until his retirement, having acquired a handsome competence, which now enables him to rest from his labors.
At Providence, Rhode Island, Mr. Inslee was united in marriage to Miss Sarah M. Ayers, of New Brunswick. New Jersey, and unto them has been born a daughter, Clara. Socially Mr. Inslee is connected with a num- ber of fraternities. He maintains pleasant relations with his old army com- rades through his membership in William C. Berry Post, G. A. R., and for ten years he has been its honored commander, filling that position at the present time. He likewise belongs to Americus Lodge. No. 83. F. & A. M., of Woodbridge; Lafayette Chapter, No. 26, R. A. M .; St. John's Commandery, No. 9, K. T., of Elizabeth ; and Mecca Temple of the Mystic Shrine. of New York. He has filled all the chairs in the blue lodge and is most faithful to the beneficent teachings of the fraternity. In politics he is a stanch Republican and has filled a number of local offices, where his
28
DacicHa
361
HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.
fidelity to duty has been most marked. For five years he served as free- holder and for one term was supervisor of roads. He formerly resided in the southern part of Woodbridge, but about twelve years ago he opened up a street and erected his present fine residence at the corner of Barron avenue and Freeman street. He is one of the fire commissioners of the town, has been a member of the board of education and is always in thor- ough sympathy with every movement calculated to promote progress and improvement along material, social, intellectual and moral lines. His life has been a busy and useful one, well spent in business activity and in the discharge of his duties of citizenship and of social life; and now in the enjoyment of a well earned rest, he is living among friends and neighbors who entertain for him high regard.
DAVID HARVEY, JR.
David Harvey, Jr., the pioneer lawyer of Asbury Park and a leader of the Monmouth county bar, was born July 6, 1853, at Oceanic, Shrews- bury township, Monmouth county. Paternally he is of Scotch extraction, but for several generations his ancestors have been prominent in eastern New Jersey. His grandfather, David, was a prominent farmer in Howell township. His father, Samuel Harvey, born at Shark River, near Farm- ingdale, Howell township, was educated there but removed to Port Wash- ington, now Oceanic, and became prominent as a merchant. Although a Democrat, he served two terms as postmaster under President Grant. He was commissioner of appeals, a member of the township committee, and a school trustee for many years. He was deeply interested in educational matters, was a devout Presbyterian and a trustee and elder at the time of his death in 1879. Mr. Harvey's mother was a member of one of the old Knickerbocker families.
David Harvey attended district schools at Oceanic until he was four- teen years of age, when he became an apprentice in the printing office of his uncle Jonathan Van Note, who then was proprietor of the "State Gazette" of Trenton. The next year he entered the law office of William A. Lewis, of Jersey City, as clerk, and although but fifteen years of age he at once took up the study of law, and as soon as he reached his majority applied for admission to the bar, receiving his diploma in November, 1874.
After a brief period spent as clerk in the office of Charles L. Carbin, of Jersey City, he entered the office of Robert Allen, Jr., of Red Bank. In 1877 he located in Asbury Park and commenced practice on his own ac- count. He was the first member of the bar to locate in Asbury Park, and although the number of practicing attorneys has increased from year to year, Mr. Harvey has ever been recognized as a leader. He has a large general practice. In 1890 he was admitted as counsellor, was appointed special master in chancery of New Jersey and supreme court commissioner. In 1899 he was appointed judge of Asbury Park district court.
362
HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.
Mr. Harvey is active in political life and although known as a Demo- crat, acts as an independent. He has frequently held important local offices. He was counsel for the borough for some years during its early history, president of the township committee in 1877, a member of the board of education for five years, a member of the common council, serving as president of the board and as chairman of the street committee, a member of the Asbury Park board of health for two years, and president of the township board of health for one year.
He is interested in Masonry and is a member of Asbury Lodge, No. I42; Standard Chapter, No. 35; Corson Commandery, K. T., No. 15; Mecca Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, New York, and New York Temple, Scottish Rite, No. 32. He is a member of the First Presbyterian church and for ten or fifteen years served as member of the session.
In September, 1879, he was married to Marie A. DesAnges, daughter of the late Henry S. DesAnges, of Asbury Park. They have had four children, Louise; Marie, who died at the age of eight years; Elsie; and David Charles B.
Mr. Harvey has been a citizen of Asbury Park for twenty-four years. He has been loyal to the interests of his fellow citizens and has done much to benefit the community. During all these years he has ever been willing to give his time and labor to any plan that would result in the material advancement of the city. In his profession he has been successful.and has built up a large and lucrative practice.
HENRY S. WHITE.
Henry Simmons White on the public life of Jersey City and of his sec- tion of the state left an indelible impression. No citizen of the community was ever more respected, and no man ever more fully enjoyed the confidence of the people or more richly deserved the esteem in which he was held. In his life time the people of his state, recognizing his merit, rejoiced in his advancement and in the honors to which he attained, and since his death they have cherished his memory, which remains as a blessed benediction to all who knew him. Honorable in business, loyal in citizenship, charitable in thought. kindly in action, true to every trust confided to his care, his life was the highest type of Christian manhood. He was one of the dis- tinguished lawyers of the New Jersey bar who lives in the memories of his contemporaries, encircled with the halo of a gracious presence, charming personality, profound legal wisdom, and in the quiet dignity of an ideal follower of his calling. He was for many years in active practice at the bar of Jersey City, and comparatively few men endear themselves to so great an extent to their professional associates and to those with whom they come in contact in the discharge of public duties.
While practicing at Jersey City Mr. White maintained his residence at Red Bank, which was the place of his nativity. He was there born July
363
HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.
13, 1844, his parents being Isaac P. and Adaline (Simmons) White. The family name is of English origin, but through many years has been inter- woven with the history of New Jersey. The great-great-grandfather and the great-grandfather of our subject both bore the name of Thomas White and were well known and prosperous farmers in Shrewsbury township, Monmouth county. Esek White, the grandfather, acquired a good edu- cation in New York City and there engaged in business, in addition to conducting the home farm in Monmouth county. In politics he was a stanch Whig, and in religious faith was a Quaker or Friend. He married Miss Ann Bessonet, a member of a prominent French family, and by this mar- ringe there were born four children: Henry B., Esek T., Isaac P. and Caroline.
Isaac P. White, the father of our subject, was born in Shrewsbury township, Monmouth county, April 7, 1804, and died at Jersey City, Jan- uary 27, 1876. In early life he was employed for some time as a clerk in the store of Corlies & Allen at Shrewsbury, and subsequently removed to Brooklyn, where he became one of the organizers of the firm of Lippin- cott & White, carrying on a wholesale grocery business. On withdrawing from that enterprise, he became a member of the firm of Wooley & White, lumber dealers of Red Bank, establishing the first lumber yard in this portion of New Jersey. The enterprise proved profitable from the begin- ning and they built up a large trade. In 1873 Mr. White removed to Jersey City, where he lived in retirement until his death, which occurred in 1876, when he was in his seventy-second year. His political support in early life was given the Whig party, and later he joined the Republican party, of which he was a stanch advocate, taking an active interest in politics and other public matters. He was reared in the faith of the society of Friends, but as his wife was a Presbyterian he attended that church and aided to establish the church of that denomination at Red Bank. He was an ensign or third lieutenant in the New York militia for many years, and his commission is still in possession of the family of his son. Frater- nally he wa's connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, as one of its valned members. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Adaline Simmons, was a daughter of Abraham Simmons and was born at Phelps, Ontario county, New York, August 26, 1817, her death occurring at Red Bank, May 7, 1884. They had three children: Henry S .; Theo- dore S., who died July 28, 1865 ; and James S., who died April 14, 1860.
In taking up the personal history of Henry Simmons White, we pre- sent to our readers the life record of one whose career forms an integral part of the annals of this portion of the state. He acquired his preliminary education in the public schools, and under private tutors at home pre- pared for college. Subsequently he pursued a course in the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York City and was graduatel in 1864. but did not immediately receive his diploma, as he had rot reached the required age of twenty-one years. After his graduation he was appointed assistant surgeon in the United States army during the last year of the Civil war and retained that position until honorably discharged in July, 1865,
364
HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.
hostilities having ceased. Returning to the north he spent some time in the Women's hospital and in the old New York hospital of New York . city, and in the spring of 1866 obtained his degree of Doctor of Medicine. In his native city he immediately entered upon the practice of his pro- fession and remained for about two years there, but in 1868 returned to New York and entered the law department of Columbia College, for he had decided that the field of jurisprudence would offer him broader oppor- tunities, and that the profession would be more congenial than that of medicine. He had previously read law in the office of William Allen Lewis, of Jersey City, and in 1870 he was graduated from Columbia and the same year was admitted to the New York bar. In 1872 he was ad- mitted to the bar of New Jersey and as counselor at law in November, 1875. On the Ist of February, 1873, in partnership with John Blair, he opened an office in Jersey City and the firm continued practice until February, 1878, when the partnership was dissolved, owing to Mr. Blair's appointment as a member of the judiciary. Mr. White then engaged in practice alone and soon gained a large clientele. Between 1884 and 1890 he also had an office in New York City. He was retained as counsel or advocate in connection with many important litigated interests.
One of the most notable of these was the suit between the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad and the Hudson River Tunnel Railway Company. Mr. White represented the latter company, which had organ- ized to the purpose of constructing a tunnel under the Hudson river, between New York and Jersey City. The former company held, that according to the provisions of the general railroad law no company could be legally organized for the construction of such a tunnel, and further that they could exercise no right of eminent domain. After a hard fight and long and tedious litigation, lasting several years and passing through the court of appeals and lastly the United States court, Mr. White's clients receiving the decision of each, the work of constructing the tunnel was allowed to proceed, but after two thousand feet had been constructed, financial difficulties forced a suspension of the work, and the project, though a bold and novel one, yet entirely practicable, was never completed. Subsequently the property was sold to a syndicate of English capitalists, Mr. White being continued by them as counsel for the company.
While he gained a position as an eminent jurist, it was probably in his home life that the strongest characteristics of Mr. White showed forth. He was companionable, genial, and thoroughly devoted to his family, and held friendship inviolable. In 1878 he married Miss Annie H. McLean, a daughter of ex-Judge A. C. McLean, of Freehold, and they had one daughter, Margaretta. Socially Mr. White was connected with the Ma- . sonic lodge of Red Bank and was a prominent representative of Arrow- smith Post, No. 61, G. A. R., of which he served as commander and was commander of the department of New Jersey in 1895 and 1896. He was deeply interested in the order land was widely known among the wearers of the blue in the state. In 1884 he took up his abode in Red Bank, where he had previously built a fine residence, and from that time forward was
1
Same Johnson
365
HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.
an active factor in promoting those interests which were for the benefit and upbuilding of the city. The private school on Leroy place, known as the Shrewsbury Academy, was owned by him. It was intended that a stock company should build this, and it was begun with this understanding, but the project fell through and the work was then carried forward to com- pletion through the unaided efforts of Mr. White, who was ever a firni friend of the cause of education. The only club to which he ever belonged was the Union League Club, of Jersey City, but he and his wife were prominently connected with the Presbyterian church of Red Bank. For many years he served as a member and president of its board of trustees.
In politics he was a stalwart Republican from the time he attained his majority. He labored for the interests of Lincoln in the campaigns of 1860 and 1864, even though he had not attained the right of franchise.
and from that time until his death never failed to give his support to the leading candidates of the party in whose principles he so firmly believed. In 1878 he was appointed collector of the port of Jersey City, which po- sition he occupied for four years, and in 1890 he was appointed United States district attorney and administered the affairs of that office with vigor and ability until August, 1894, when he was succeeded by a Demo- crat. In addition to his manifold public and private interests already men- tioned, he was a director of the Hudson County National Bank, vice-presi- dent of the Navesink National Bank of Red Bank, and president of the Red Bank Board of Trade during the period of its existence.
Henry Simmons White passed away September 30, 1901, after a three weeks' illness of typhoid fever, and thus ended a most upright and useful career. Politically and professionally his name was a synonym for uncompromising integrity. In his private and social life he manifested the same engaging qualities which made him popular in public circles. Charitable and kindly, he gave liberally of his time and means, yet always unostentatiously, to those whom he could aid in period of distress or need. He is held in grateful remembrance by many, while his friends and family cherish his spotless record as a priceless heritage.
SAMUEL JOHNSON, M. D.
Dr. Samuel Johnson, a son of Lewis E. and Sarah (Goodenough) Johnson, was born in Howell township, Monmouth county, New Jersey, September 8, 1845, the former of English and the latter of Scotch extrac- tion, but his progenitors have resided in New Jersey for several generations. His father was a farmer, and the boyhood days of our subject were passed upon the parental farm. After attending the common schools he entered the Freehold Institute, from which he entered Columbia College, where he studied the higher branches for two years. Having determined to make the study and practice of medicine his life work he became a student in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, of New York, in which he was
366
HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.
graduated in 1867, and in that year he began practice at Farmingdale, but two years later moved to Long Branch, where he resided for seven years. In 1876 he located at Asbury Park, where his abilities were soon recog- nized, and for more than a third of a century Dr. Johnson has practiced his profession in Monmouth county and for more than twenty-five years . has resided in Asbury Park. Of him it can be stated that no physician on the New Jersey coast stands higher in his profession or controls a larger practice.
Dr. Johnson has displayed business ability outside of his profession. He early foresaw that the values of coast real estate would increase in value from year to year, and he invested some money in property. He purchased a large tract of land adjoining Asbury Park and located along the north shore of Deal lake. He thereon laid out the town of Lock Harbor and still owns a large portion of the town site. He has been inter- ested in the First National Bank of Asbury Park for a number of years and at present is its vice-president. He is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity, having passed through the blue lodge, chapter and commandery, and is also a member of Mecca Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He was married in 1870, at Long Branch, New Jersey, to Mary Throck- morton, and they are the parents of three children,-William T., Emma L. and Louis E.
OLIN L. JENKINS, M. D.
In tracing the career of the successful physician it is usually found that he possesses certain marked characteristics in addition to having a thorough knowledge of the healing art and good financial ability. There must be a ready sympathy and a power of entering into the feelings of others, united to that self-poise and conscious strength which naturally emanate from a strong, self-reliant nature. Dr. Jenkins is fortunate in being gifted with many of the qualities of the successful physician, and his cheery, helpful optimism is a source of hope and comfort in many a home shadowed by sickness and suffering. For thirteen years he has practiced continuously in Plainfield, and his prominence as a citizen-aside from his professional dis- tinction-is shown by the fact that he has been honored by election to the office of mayor, in which capacity he is now serving.
The Doctor was born in this city, April 23, 1852, a son of Joseph B. and Sarah Ann Jenkins, both of whom were natives of Columbia county, New York, where they resided until 1843, when they took up their abode in Plainfield. The father died in 1890. the mother in 1877. At the usual age the son, Olin L., entered the public schools, and when he had largely mastered the instruction given in his native city in the public school course, he became matriculated in a seminary in Kingston, Pennsylvania, where he was graduated in 1872. With a broad general and literary knowledge to serve as the foundation upon which to rear the superstructure of pro- fessional knowledge, he began preparation for the practice of medicine as
Clini 2. Jankinh
367
HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.
a student in the Homeopathic Medical College, of New York City, enter- ing the institution in 1872 and receiving his degree therefrom in 1876.
In Danielson, Connecticut, the Doctor first established an office and put to practical test the theoretical knowledge acquired in school. For twelve years he engaged in practice there, and then in 1888 returned to his native city, fortified by broad experience and wide learning for the work which he had chosen as a life vocation. He is a member of the State Medical Society and of the Plainfield Medical Society, and through this means, as well as by reading and personal research, he keeps in touch with the progress that is continually being made in the practice of medicine and surgery.
In 1881 occurred the marriage of the Doctor and Miss Rhoda Hallock, of Plainfield, and their attractive home at No. 210 East First street is the center of a cultured society circle. He is identified with several fraternal organizations, including the Masonic lodge and the Mystic Shrine, the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Royal Arcanum, the Knights of Honor, and the Knights of Pythias. In his political affiliations the Doctor is a Republican, and keeping well informed on the issues of the day supports his position by intelligent argument. He has served as a member of the board of educa- tion and has been a capable member of the Plainfield common council, while in November, 1900, he was elected mayor of the city and is now filling the office. No public trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed in the slightest degree, and his labors in behalf of the city have been helpful and commendable. His sterling worth as a man, a physician, and a public offi- cer is widely acknowledged and makes him well worthy a place among the representative men of the Jersey coast.
ELLIS BARRON FREEMAN.
No man is better or more favorably known in Woodbridge, New Jersey, than Ellis B. Freeman, who was born in that town, March 7, 1839, the son of Dr. Ellis Barron and Martha ( Edgar) Freeman. His mother was a daughter of Colonel Samuel and Susan ( Alston) Edgar. His father for forty years was a medical practitioner of Woodbridge, residing on Rahway avenue, in the same house in which his son now lives. He was one of the foremost men of the town during his life, and represented the people for three years in the state legislature, besides filling other important positions of trust. For some time he was superintendent of public schools. and chosen freeholder for many years. His six children were as follows : Samuel E., a doctor, who lives at Edgar Station ; Ellis B. ; Phoebe Barron ; Martha Edgar, wife of John Anderson, of Elizabeth, and has three chil- dren; Susan; and Lydia, wife of J. H. T. Martin, of Woodbridge, who have three children living and one dead. Dr. Ellis B. Freeman died in February, 1877.
368
HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.
The grandfather of Ellis B. Freeman was Jonathan, whose wife was Phoebe Barron, the daughter of Ellis and Sarah ( Stone) Barron. They reared ten children. He was twice married, first to Margaret Bloodgood on December 27, 1786; she was born in 1764, and died December 11, 1805; her children were: Mary, Elizabeth, Abagail, Sarah, Aaron, Isaac, Lydia, Jonathan and William. His second wife was Phoebe Barron, to whom he was married August 27, 1806; she was born July 23, 1767, and died Oc- tober 7, 1847. Dr. Ellis B. Freeman, the father of subject, was the only issue of this marriage. Jonathan Freeman did good service during the Revolutionary war as a member of a troop of the light horse. By occu- pation he was a carpenter and builder, and in the year 1803 built the old Presbyterian church which still stands in Woodbridge.
The father of Jonathan and great-grandfather of Ellis Barron, Isaac Freeman, was born May 25, 1715, and married Sarah Tappen, November 25, 1742 ; she was born November 15, 1719. Their children were: Abram, Elizabeth, Ashbil, Isaac, William, Mary and Finnius (twins), Sarah, Han- nah, Ashbil, William and Henry (also twins), Jonathan. Isaac Freeman was the son of Henry and Elizabeth ( Bonue) Freeman, the last mentioned having been married on May 16, 1695. Their children were as follows : Ann Elizabeth, John, Jonathan, Mary, Sarah, Rachael, Samuel, Joseph, Hannah, Benjamin, Isaac, Henry and James.
The Freeman family originally owned an extensive tract of land in Woodbridge. The early life of Ellis Barron Freeman, whose family his- tory this sketch chronicles, was passed in Woodbridge, where he received his education in the village school. For many years he was engaged in the retail drug business in his native town, but is now retired from mer- cantile pursuits, and lives upon the old farm. He is a follower of the Re- publican principles, his family for generations having been old-line Whigs and Republicans. He is one of the trustees of the Barron library, he is also . a true member of the Presbyterian church, and serves in the capacity of parish clerk.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.