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 41
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DR. WARREN WILLIAMS PALMER.
The name of Dr. Warren W. Palmer is still well remembered by the citizens of Keansburg, New Jersey. The Doctor was a native of Oswego county, New York, where his father was a well-known and well-to-do farmer. The mother of Dr. Palmer was a native of Connecticut. The Doctor received his education at the Fulton Seminary, New York. The medical profession strongly appealing to the inclination of young Palmer, his studies along this line were taken up at the Albany Medical College, from which he was graduated with the class of '55. Immediately after receiving his diploma, he entered into practice in Keansburg. His peculiar adaptability to his chosen profession made his success a certainty, and it was not long before he had built up an extensive practice. So abundantly were his labors rewarded that he was enabled to retire from active business-
WWW Palmer.
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several years before his death. His death was prematurely occasioned by a railroad accident, which occurred at the main crossing in Keansburg, Oc- tober 27, 1896, and he was buried on the forty-fifth anniversary of his mar- riage. The unhappy circumstance took another life besides his own, as the Doctor was accompanied by his granddaughter, Miss Frances Palmer, and they were both instantly killed by a passing train.
He was married on October 30, 1851, to Weltha A. Mason. She was born November 13, 1836, a daughter of William and Melvina ( Willis) Mason. Her father was a native of Raritan township, where he was born May 3, 1794, in the same house where Mrs. Palmer now resides, which was erected by her great-grandfather nearly one hundred and fifty years ago. Mrs. Palmer now represents the fourth generation of the Mason family who have lived upon the old farm she now calls her home. Her mother was born January 9, 1800, in Connecticut, and her father was a sea captain.
Dr. and Mrs. Palmer have five children, who arrived at maturity, and are as follows: . William H., born November 7, 1852, combining as a means of livelihood farming and teaching; Warren B., born December 21, 1857, who was educated at the Pennington Seminary, and took up the study of medicine with his father, graduating from the Albany Medical College, and is now in the full enjoyment of a lucrative practice in the city of Brooklyn, New York; Anna W., born July 3, 1860, now the wife of John E. Giberson, a farmer of Raritan township; for several years he was engaged in the lumber trade with his father, then followed a mercantile life, and finally settled upon a farm; Charles A., born November 22, 1872, who was educated at the Keyport high school, and received the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy from the Loyola College, Baltimore, Maryland, in 1895; he received preliminary instruction in the medical profession from his father, and graduated from the medical department of the Uni- versity of Louisville, Kentucky, in 1896; he immediately became a practi- tioner at Farmingdale, New Jersey, where he has been very successful; S. Deborah, born December 30, 1875, now the wife of Hon. Aaron E. Johnston, an eminent attorney and councellor at law, and an ex-member of the state legislature.
Dr. Palmer was active in his interest in behalf of the Denccratic party, although he refused to accept public office ; this, no doubt, was due to the demands made upon him as a professional man. He never neglected those depending upon him for professional services, and he could not be diverted from what he conceived to be his duty by any desire for public distinction. The Doctor was an active member of the First Meth- odist Episcopal church of Keansburg from 1866, at which date he built the church and assumed the sole responsibility of its constructon and finances ; during the latter years of his life he acte.1 as class lea le , and was interested in the various departments of church activity. He was formerly a member of the Dutch Reformed church of Middletown, al- though prevented from attending same by the inconvenient distance of its location. In all respects Dr. Palmer led an exemplary life. He was one 24*
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whom it was a pleasure to know, and an honor to share his friendship. His memory is held in high esteem by those who survive him.
A brother of Dr. Palmer is also a medical practitioner, namely, Dr. .Andrew J. Palmer, of Brooklyn, who has a son also a physician. Another brother of 'the Doctor was George W. Palmer, deceased, who practiced medicine in Brooklyn, surviving whom is a son, also a doctor. A third brother was Professor Joseph H. Palmer, for many years an instructor in languages and higher mathematics in schools and colleges of New York City. Thus it is shown that the family of the Doctor is one of intellectual- ity as well as men of high moral standing.
GEORGE FREDERICK KROEHL ..
George Frederick Kroehl, president of the First National Bank of As- bury Park, was born in New York City, October 7, 1848, son of Henry and Cornelia R. (Turfler) Kroehl. He is of German-Scotch extract'on, pa- ternally German, and maternally Scotch. His paternal grandfather, Jacob, was born at Memel, East Prussia. His father, Henry Kroehl, also born there May 9, 1818, attended the German government schools, removed to Berlin, where he served as junior clerk in a banking house until his twen- tieth year, and in 1838 came to this country. His first employment in New York City was in an extensive bristle importing establishment, where he remained eleven years. In 1849 he started in business on his own ac- count, from 1860-1865 formed the partnership of Huesman & Company, but afterwards continued alone until his death, December 5, 1890. As an importer under the name of Henry Kroehl, he amassed a fortune. In 1880 he made Asbury Park his permanent residence and was deeply inter- ested in the development and growth of the town in the early days. His two children were George F., and Agnes, now Mrs. August L. Sieghortner, of New Orleans. Mr. Kroehl's maternal ancestors came to America be- fore the Revolutionary war -- his great-grandfather Turfler having partici- pated in the struggle for independence.
George F. Kroehl was educated in the celebrated public school No. 35 of New York, of which Thomas Hunter was principal. In his fifteenth year he entered the banking house of Northrup & Chick, remaining there as clerk for two years. He then entered his father's office, rose to the posi- tion of financial manager, and in 1875 was admitted to partnership. Upon the death of his father he succeeded to the business, which he carries on without change of name. Mr. Kroehl early developed business ability, which now has ample scope in a busy and prosperous career. He is largely interested in real estate in and about Asbury Park and has been conspicu- cusly active in the development of all town enterprises. He is a share- holder in the First National Bank of Asbury Park, has been a director since 1889, and its president since 1890. He is a director of the Mon- mouth Trust Company, of the Atlantic Coast Railway Company, and is
George 4 /well
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interested in several building and loan associations. He has served many years as a borough commissioner, is a Republican but not a politician, and is a warden of Trinity Protestant Episcopal church. He takes a deep interest in municipal matters and is recognized as among the most pro- gressive and popular citizens of Asbury Park. He is a member of the Monmouth Club of Asbury Park, and of the Deal Golf Club.
In September, 1871, he was married to Sarah L. Gahagan, of New York City, who died September 7, 1892. They had five children: Mary S., Percival, Cornelia R., Howard and George F. He was married a second time April 8, 1896, to Miss Jane Crawford, of Franklin, Penn- sylvania. The children by this marriage are William, Frederick and Jesse McCalmont.
Mrs. Kroehl's father, William R. Crawford, occupies a high position in the community in which he resides. He has served his fellow citizens as their representative in the state senate and has been prominent in busi- ness and politics. He was a pioneer oil producer and drilled the original Big Indian well, the first of the large oil wells tapped in America.
WILLIAM HOWARD.
William Howard, a useful and influential citizen of Rahway, New Jersey, who has occupied various important public positions, and made an honorable record as a soldier during the Civil war, was born in Brooklyn, New York, August 14, 1846. His parents were Horatio N. and Cornelia (Finley) Howard. The father was from an old family of Vermont. He removed to Brooklyn, New York, where he carried on a successful busi- mess as a furrier. In 1852 he removed to a farm where is now North Plainfield, in Somerset county, New Jersey, where his wife died in 1856, and he in 1871. They were the parents of seven children.
William Howard was reared on a farm near North Plainfield, and he received his instruction in the schools in that village. The opening of the Civil war appealed to his patriotic feeling, and at once put an end to his education and postponed his entrance upon the active duties of civil life. In 1864, when he was eighteen years of age, he enlisted in the Thirty-ninth Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers, which became a part of the First Brigade, Second Division, Ninth Army Corps. His going to the field was at the crucial point of the great conflict, and the beginning of his army service was almost coincident with the coming of General Grant from the west, and he fought under that great captain until peace was re- stored. His regiment was first sent to City Point, Virginia, and the first engagement in which he participated was that at Poplar Grove church. He took part in the protracted siege of Petersburg, and in all those mem- orable operations which compelled the surrender of Lee at Appomattox. The war having ended, Mr. Howard engaged again in farming, and was so occupied until 1869. In that year he removed to Rahway and gave his
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attention to the conduct of a grocery store. He was successful from the outset, and he eventually placed his establishment among the leading busi- ness enterprises of the city ; and it is yet in existence, under the management of his son, Guy Howard, now one of the most capable merchants of the place.
While Mr. Howard has none of the ambition or the instincts of the ordinary office seeker, he has been frequently called to positions of honor and trust. In 1884 he was chosen a member of the Union county board of freeholders. By successive re-elections his term of service continued for ten years, during which time he was chairman of the finance committee and for a number of years chairman of the public building committee of that body. In 1894 he resigned his position in order to enter upon the duties of the office of county clerk, to which he was that year elected, and in which he has continued to serve to the present time; he was the first ยท Republican elected to that office in Union county, and by a majority of six- teen hundred. He has also served for five years as a member of the com- mon council of Rahway, and he has occupied other minor positions. He is now president of the Rahway National Bank and was one of its organ- izers. To all public duties he has given a high degree of business ability, and scrupulous fidelity to the trusts committed to him. He holds a posi- tion of acknowledged leadership in Republican councils, and he has been for a number of years chairman of the city executive committee of his party. With his wife, he is connected with the Presbyterian church.
Mr. Howard was married in 1872 to Miss Nannie Merrick, an amiable and cultured lady, daughter of David P. Merrick. Mr. Merrick, now de- ceased, was an old and influential resident of Rahway, and a successful merchant. Born to Mr. and Mrs. Howard have been seven children, of whom four are deceased. Those living are Guy, Charles and Raymond Howard.
LEONARD DANIEL ROBERTS.
The subject of our sketch is the son of William L. and Susan E. (Dexter) Roberts, and was born in New York City, February 16, 1854. His father was a native of Matawan township, and was born in the year 1816; he was for many years a clerk in New York City, and afterward was engaged in the milk business, but finally returned to his old home, and spent his declining years in cultivating the soil; he died on June 28, 1886. Our subject's mother was a native of West Chester, New York, and was born about the year 1826, and died in November, 1895. They were both active and zealous members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Three sons and three daughters were born to them. Elinor, wife of F. S. Weeden, a farmer located near Englishtown, New Jersey; John M., now occupying the old homestead in Matawan township, and a successful agri- culturist ; William L., a farmer of Matawan; Susan, wife of Samuel J.
1
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Bennett, a miller of Tinton Falls; our subject ; and Ophelia, wife of Frank Debbins, a manufacturer doing business at Red Bank, New Jersey.
Leonard D. Roberts, our subject, is extensively engaged in farming at Raritan, Keyport postoffice, has an exceptionally fine farm, upon which he raises garden truck of cvery description, and also is a successful grower of fruit. About fifteen acres of land are devoted to fruit trees bearing. apples, pears and peaches, while a considerable portion is set aside for the cultivation of berries. Ten acres are used for asparagus growing. One of his specialties is the growing of plants for other farmers. He has enclosed about one-half an acre in glass and an other half is fitted up with one large hot house; during the winter season great beds of lettuce are grown, which is sent to the New York market. Cucumbers also are given considerable thought and attention, for which he finds a ready sale. From all sources he realized on his sales for the season of 1900 the sum of six thousand dollars, which, when taking the amount of land cultivated into consideration, is an excellent showing.
Mr. Roberts was married on March 1, 1874, to Miss Rebecca Brown, who was born in the year 1853, and died December 31, 1884. Two children were the result of their union : George P., born March 22, 1875, interested in farming at home: Dora, born July 4, 1880, who was educated and grad- uated from the high school at Keyport, and also from the normal school at Trenton, and is now employed as a teacher.
Mr. Roberts is a well known Democrat, has held several political positions, and in the fall of 1900 accepted the candidacy of the state legislature, and although he met with defeat, this is not significant of his unpopularity, for in reality he is held in high esteem by both leading parties, and is ever looked upon as one of the most enterprising and eminently successful men in his vicinity.
Our subject's grandfather, Matthew Roberts, married Miss La Queer, of a noted family of early settlers in this section. Her father was a prom- inent soldier in the war of the Revolution. Thus Mr. Roberts can trace his ancestry back to a long line of sturdy and daring men, ready to range themselves on the side of right and justice, and to maintain their position at whatever cost.
JOHN CARR.
Of the younger men of Raritan township, Monmouth county, New Jersey, who have been conspicuously successful in their private business enterprises, and especially valuable to the community through efficient pub- lic service, there is none who is more widely and favorably known than the gentleman whose name is the caption of this review. John Carr was born in the township where he still resides, December 24. 1861, and is a son of Adam and Eliza (Golden;) Carr, the former a native of Ireland, the latter of Monmouth county, New Jersey. Mrs. Eliza (Golden) Carr is a daughter of the late Charles Golden, who came from England and
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located in Holmdel township, where he was a prominent and successful farmer. Adam Carr was also a leading agriculturist of Raritan township, where he has been living in retirement from active business pursuits since 1892.
John Carr received his initial schooling at Keansburg and this was supplemented by two years' attendance at Holmes' Academy. He was thereafter associated, until 1883, with his father in the cultivation of the latter's farm, and in the year last named leased a farm in Holmdel town- ship, which he cultivated successfully for two years. In 1885 he pur- chased a tract of one hundred and four acres, upon which he erected a commodious dwelling house and other substantial structures, and where he still resides. The land in question is contiguous to the property of the National Fireproofing Company at Lorillard, in Raritan township. Mr. Carr's farming interests are in large measure attended to by employes, while his personal attention has been necessarily devoted to contract work of various kinds, in the building of bridges, road construction, etc., and the fulfillment of the duties of the offices which he has been called upon to fill. Since attaining his majority Mr. Carr has been most active in his identification with the interests of the Democratic party, in whose local councils he obtained early recognition for personal integrity and useful- ness. He served with marked ability as chairman of the township executive committee for eight years and was a valuable member for some years of the county executive committee. He has served as delegate to every gubernatorial convention, save one, since the beginning of his active political connection. His first office was that of road overseer, 1887-8, and his next that of school trustee for a period of three years under the old law. In 1892 Mr. Carr was elected chosen freeholder for Raritan township, an office to which he was re-elected for three additional successive terms. In May, 1900, Mr. Carr was candidate for collector of Monmouth county before the board of freeholders, and then suffered his only defeat by the narrow margin of one vote. He is a member of Cesarea Lodge, No. 64, F. & A. M., and Delta Chapter, No. 14, R. A. M .; of the Royal Arcanum; and I. O. R. M .; and has held all of the chairs, is past chancellor and has been twice past deputy grand of the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Carr was married March 21, 1894, to Hattie R., daughter of Mrs. Eliza J. MCConnell, of Brooklyn, New York.
JOSEPH BALL WALKER.
The life of this useful and prominent citizen of Atlantic county, New Jersey, whose name heads this review, was such as affords lessons in integ- rity, perseverance, and enterprise. Mr. Walker was a self-made man in the best and truest sense of that much abused term.
Joseph Ball Walker was born at Monroe Forge, Atlantic county, New Jersey, May 15, 1828, and died at Trenton, New Jersey, while serving his second term as warden of the New Jersey state prison. Thus died at the
g. 03. Mauren
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early age of forty years one who deserves from the hands of posterity the acknowledgement that as a man and a good citizen he was unsurpassed. He was a broad-minded man of deep sympathies, who had close to his heart the welfare of all classes of his fellow citizens, and his removal from: earth in the prime of life, and in the midst of a career of usefulness and promise was deeply regretted by a large circle of warm friends throughout the en- tire state without regard to political affiliations. Mr. Walker was a son of Lewis M. Walker, who married a daughter of Nathan Pennington, who settled in Atlantic county from Essex county at an early date.
Lewis M. Walker was a native of Pennsylvania and descended from a long line of ancestors. He settled at what is known as Monroe Forge and engaged in the manufacturing of iron, and was the owner of a large landed property of seven or nine thousand acres. He served as a member of the New Jersey legislature between 1840 and 1850.
Joseph Ball Walker was not only a successful business man but at- tained prominence in a political way and served his fellow citizens of At- lantic county ably in the rather exacting office of county clerk and for one- term filled the office of warden of the New Jersey state prison from 1832 until 1865, and was reappointed in 1868.
Mr. Walker was married at Eatontown, Monmouth county, January 18, 1851, to Mary Drummond, a native of New Jersey, who survives him and is living at Freehold. Joseph Ball Walker and Mary (Drummond) Walker had three children. Their daughter Charlotte, born December 10, 1851, diexl August 20, 1880. Their son Lewis M., born June 16, 1855, died May 10, 1878. Their daughter Katie, born September 17, 1860, died May 5, 1865.
JOHN J. ELY.
John J. Ely is an honored member of the bar of Monmouth county, having won success in a profession where advancement cannot be gained through influence, inheritance or purchase. He began life with a definite purpose in view, worked faithfully, honestly and with a will for its accom- plishment, and now enjoys a reputation that is by no means limited by the confines of the city in which he makes his home. A man of progressive ideas, fine attainments, high-minded, who has made the most of his oppor- tunities in life, Mr. Ely has risen to a foremost place among the repre- sentatives of the legal fraternity on the Jersey coast.
He comes of a family of long and honorable connection with the his- tory of America. There were three distinct settlements made by Elys in the United States in the seventeenth century, the first by Nathaniel Elv. who located in Massachusetts in 1635, near the present city of Springfield; the second by Richard Ely on the banks of the Connecticut river, near Lynn in 1660; and the third by Joshua Ely, at Trenton, New Jersey, in 1685. The last named was the father of Jolin Ely, who was born in this country in 1685, and had a son, John Ely, born October 1, 1707. It was
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he who purchased in Monmouth county an extensive tract of land, upon which he located his seven sons, of whom Joshua Ely, the sixth in order of birth, was born June 2, 1740. He resided upon a farm now included in both Monmouth and Mercer counties, and married Ann Chamberlain, by whom he had four children: John J .; Joseph; Rebecca, who married Mathew Rue; and Phoebe, who married John McKnight.
The first named, John J. Ely, was born April 7, 1778, and died Janu- ary II, 1852. For several years he engaged in farming in Freehold town- ship, but subsequently removed to Holmdel township, where he remained until his death. He was very prominent in public affairs, was a leader in the ranks of the Whig party, was twice elected sheriff of Monmouth county and in 1822 represented his district in the state legislature. In religious belief he was a Baptist, firm in the faith of the church, and everywhere he was known as a man of pronounced integrity and elevated moral char- acter. He married Achsah Mount, a daughter of William Mount, and unto them were born the following named: Ann, born in 1801 ; Joshua, in 1804; William M., in 1806; Rebecca M., in 1808; William M., in 1810; Horatio, March 26, 1812; Joseph, in 1814; John W., in 1818; Henry D., in 1820; Thomas C., in 1822; and Adaline, in 1825. Of this family Joseph Ely was for a number of years a member of the Monmouth county board of freeholders and was township collector of Manalapan. He was also one of the organizers and the president of the Freehold Manalapan Turnpike and the Manalapan Pattens Corner Company.
Horatio Ely, the father of our subject, was born March 26, 1812, and was a farmer by occupation, but being a man of resourceful business ability, his efforts were not confined to one line, and in many respects his labors largely benefited the community, as well as contributed to his own prosperity. For many years he was a director of the Freehold Na- tional Bank and was one of the founders and trustees during his life of the Peddie Institute at Hightstown, Mercer county. For one term he filled the office of sheriff of Monmouth county and throughout his entire life he was deeply interested in whatever pertained to the welfare of his community. He was one of the original promoters of the railroad built between Freehold and Keyport, and thus in many ways he left the impress of his individuality upon the advancement and improvement of the county. Of the Freehold Baptist church he was a leading member and served as deacon and trustee, while to the support of the church he contributed with generous hand. On the 3d of December, 1834, he married Miss Helena Conover, who was born in Monmouth county March 25, 1814, a daughter of William I. Conover. The living children of Horatio and Helena Ely are: John J., of this review; Helen, wife of Judge Luther R. Smith, of Washington, D. C .; William I., who lives on the old homestead in Freehold township; and Charles H., secretary and treasurer of the Federal Trust Company, Newark, New Jersey. The father died September IO, 1886, and the mother departed this life February 16, 1892.
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