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 42
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Reared under the parental roof amid the refining influences of a good home, John J. Ely of this review pursued his preliminary education in
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the public school and attended Colgate University of New York. He afterward matriculated in Brown University, of Rhode Island, and was graduated in that institution with the class of 1861. Determining to make the practice of law his life work he studied for the bar under the direction of Judge Bedle and was graduated in the Albany Law School with the class of 1864. He then came to Freehold and entered into partnership with Charles Height, then member of congress from the district. After four years the partnership was dissolved, and Mr. Ely has since been alone. He is well versed in all departments of jurisprudence, but is making a specialty of orphans' court and chancery law, in which he has handled some important litigation, having a large and distinctively representative clientage, which is an indication of his superior ability.
On the 17th of October, 1866, occurred the marriage of Mr. Ely and Miss Hannah Applegate, a daughter of James and Dena (Dey) Apple- gate, of Middlesex county. She was born February 6, 1845, and their only child, Dena May Ely, was born September 17, 1867. Throughout his entire life a resident of this part of the state, Mr. Ely is widely and favorably known. His professional career has resulted successfully, and in social circles his genuine worth has gained him high regard.
HARRY WOOTTON.
Harry Wootton, a prominent lawyer and leading real estate man of Atlantic City, New Jersey, is a son of the late Henry and Anne J. (Eld- redge) Wooton. His paternal grandfather was the late Jonah Wooton and his maternal grand father was the late Lemuel Eldredge, both of whom were prominently identified with the public affairs of Atlantic City since its early days and contributed materially to the growth and advancement of the town.
After receiving his preliminary education in the schools of his native place, Harry Wooton attended the Atlantic City high school, in which he graduated with the class of 1886. His study of law was under the precep- torship of Hon. Joseph Thompson, afterward he entered Columbia College, and in 1892 received the degree of Bachelor of Laws from the New York Law School. He was admitted to the state bar of New Jersey as an attor- ney in June, 1892, as counsellor in February, 1896, and has since been engaged in the active practice of his profession in Atlantic City, where he has gathered about himself an appreciative and influential clientele. He has been active in his identification with the Republican party, and was nominated and elected in November, 1901, as alderman of this city; in June, 1902, was appointed by the city council to the office which he now holds, that of city solicitor. He is a member of many fraternal, benevolent, and social societies of Atlantic City, being connected with Trinity Lodge, No. 79, F. & A. M .; Trinity Chapter, No. 38. R. A. M .; Excelsior Con- sistory of Camden, New Jersey ; Lulu Temple, Knights of the Mystic Shrine
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of Philadelphia; the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Pequot Tribe, No. 47, I. O. R. M .; and Star Lodge, No. 148, I. O. O. F. He is also a member of the Young Men's Republican Club of Atlantic City, has been secretary for the county committee since attaining his majority, and is a member and director of the Atlantic Club, secretary and director of the Atlantic City Yacht Club and director of the Atlantic City Safe De- posit Company.
His marriage to Mary Marshall Down, daughter of L. A. Down, ex- county clerk of Atlantic county, was solemnized in 1895. Mr. and Mrs. Wootton have a son, Harry. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal church.
CORLIES WOOLLEY THOMPSON.
To preserve the record and perpetuate the memory of men who have rendered significant public service in their day and generation, is essen- tially the mission of the biographical portion of this work. To the gen- tleman whose name forms the caption of these memoirs, and whose portrait illustrates them, belongs the distinction of having fathered and fostered the fire department of Red Bank, an institution that has been operative many times in its community in the saving of life and property. In addition to the beneficent connection, Colonel Thompson, as he is familiarly known, has made a valuable impress upon the community by both public service and private enterprise and it is therefore eminently fitting that his career should be outlined for this publication. Corlies Woolley Thompson was born at Matawan, Monmouth county. New Jersey, March 26, 1839. He is a son of the late Samuel W. and Elizabeth ( Hurley ) Thompson, natives of New Jersey, and descendants of early settlers of that state. The late Samuel W. Thompson, for many years and up to the time of his decease in 1859, carried on a profitable undertaking business at Red Bank, where he was the pioneer of that industry. Politically he was a stalwart old time Whig, and his religious affiliations were with the Baptist church. He was one of the progressive men of his period, and was generally recognized as one of Red Bank's valuable citizens. His son, C. W. Thompson, received such education as was afforded by the subscription schools of that day, and at the age of sixteen entered upon the activities of life by becoming ap- prenticed to learn the bricklayers' and plasterers' trade in Brooklyn, New York. Duly becoming a master mechanic, he subsequently embarked in business as a contractor for plastering and brick laying. In this connec- tion he built many of the bridges of Monmouth county, erected the John A. Bergen building (destroyed by fire), First National Bank building and other of the principal edifices of Red Bank. During the period of his building operations Mr. Thompson entered upon his present business of monument building. Incidentally Colonel Thompson has also been en- gaged on an extensive scale in the business of grading lawns and the gen- eral laying out of large estates, notably those of Cornelius N. Bliss and
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Mr. D. C. Borden at Oceanic, and Dr. Kinney's Tower Hill estate, now the property of Mr. Andrew Freedman, of New York City. Politically Colonel Thompson has been identified since its foundation with the Repub- lican party, in the interests of which he has ever since been actively identi- fied. He has been the recipient of numerous public trusts, and the duties of these positions he has fulfilled with integrity and ability. Primarily he was town committeeman, next an overseer of the poor; following this he was elected to the office of chosen freeholder, to which he was returned for six successive terms. During his especially active political career, Colonel Thompson served as delegate to numerous conventions and as campaign committeeman for his township and county. As has been suggested in the opening paragraph of this article, Colonel Thompson was especially active in his advocacy of the formation of a fire department at Red Bank; and to such good effect did he urge this necessity, that a meeting of citizens, over which he presided, was held, at which the Navesink Hook and Ladder Company was formed, Colonel Thompson being enrolled as its first mem- ber. He has been continuously, and is still ( 1902) in active membership therewith. He was for seven years treasurer of the company and chief en- gineer at frequent intervals.
Colonel Thompson married, December 29, 1861, Mary, daughter of the late Asher McQueen, a prominent agriculturist of Monmouth. Of six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Thompson, five survive, viz: Frank, Fred- erick, Etta, Grace and Ada. The last named is the wife of John W. Stout, of Red Bank. The deceased child was Corlies W. Thompson, Jr. Freder- ick Thompson married Hettie, daughter of Caleb Patterson, of Red Bank; they have one child, Corlies W. Thompson. Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Thomp- so11 and family reside at 106 Monmouth street and attend the Baptist church of Red Bank.
JUDGE EDGAR FREEMAN.
Among the prominen residents of "ye old Woodbridge towne" in the years gone by was Judge Edgar. Freeman. He was a descendant of Revo- lutionary stock, and from his forefather inherited the patriotism and those qualities which constitute a hero and which so distinguished him in the service of his country while he was yet in the early years of his manhood. He entered the United States navy as a midshipman prior to the inaugura- tion of the war of 1812. After being captured and held for a time as pris- oner of war, he was exchanged and was soon ordered to participate in the battles on the lakes. He distinguished himself in the naval service until the close of the war and was then promoted to sailing master on the Inde- pendence, a ship of the line. Subsequently he was made lieutenant and ordered on the United States naval expedition to Turkey, securing indem- nity for depredations on American commerce during the war.
On his return Mr. Freeman was ordered to accompany Commodore Reed, of the Chippewa, on a cruise in Pacific waters, but on her way out
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the vessel was wrecked on one of the barren sand banks of the Bermudas. After three days of intense suffering, being without food or water, the officers and crew were saved from starvation by the heroic daring of Lieu- tenant Freeman, who, with four sailors-the only ones who were cour- ageous enough to venture with him-made his way to the wreck and boarding it secured provisions and water sufficient to keep all alive until taken off the island. While attempting this daring exploit Lieutenant Free- man was dashed by a terrific breaker among the broken spars and rigging of the wreck and so severely injured that for months he remained under the surgical care of the government of Turks Island, whither he was taken by another vessel. When sufficiently recovered he returned to Washington and there received a special vote of thanks and was pensioned for life on account of his meritorious conduct in the service of his country and his heroic deeds in saving the lives of the officers and men on the ill-fated Chippewa.
On retiring from the naval service Mr. Freeman identified himself with the truest interests of the commonwealth and for three successive periods of five years each he received the appointment of county judge-a tribute to his wisdom and sound judgment not often witnessed, even in these days. For fidelity to friends, urbanity of manners, simplicity of life, uncorruptible integrity, patriotic interest in the welfare of his country and unswerving loyalty in her darkest hours, for participation in any en- terprise for the public weal and faithfulness to every private and public trust, Judge Freeman was cminently known. He died January 23. 1872.
JOSEPH A. THROCKMORTON.
Joseph A. Throckmorton, one of the leading capitalists of Red Bank, New Jersey, was born in Red Bank, Monmouth county, New Jersey, July 3, 1827, the third son of Edmund Throckmorton, also a native of Mon- mouth county, as was his father. Joseph F. Joseph A. was educated at Elizabeth, New Jersey, and from 1842 to 1848 was engaged in the fur business in Tennessee. In 1849, having caught the gold fever, he joined the rush for the gold fields of California. He remained there until 1856, engaged in mining operations, and returning to Red Bank, embarked in the lumber business, in which he has ever since been engaged. He has risen to the position of a leading and successful capitalist of the place.
Mr. Throckmorton was one of the early stockholders of the First National Bank of Red Bank, and is also a director and president of the Second National Bank./ He was director of the Red Bank and Eaton- town Turnpike Company, and formerly was connected with the Leedsville and Red Bank Turnpike Company, as well as of the Middletown Turnpike Company. He is also interested as director of the Mutual Fire Insurance Company, of Shrewsbury. He has taken a deep interest in all the enter- prises for the advancement of the material growth of the town, as well as
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in all that affects its moral well-being. An old-line Whig, he readily espoused the principles of the Republican party on its organization, and became a warm partisan in its cause. A zealous worker, he has frequently represented his party as. delegate to state and county conventions, but has steadfastly declined all offers of nomination to office. A man of large means and unquestioned integrity, he is frequently sought after to hold positions as executor or guardian and to hold other positions of trust, involving large responsibility. He is identified with the Presbyterian church and contributes largely to its support.
THOMAS H. LEONARD.
Thomas H. Leonard, practical founder of the town of Atlantic High- lands, was born in Monmouth county, New Jersey, June 30, 1843. He is a son of the late Thomas and Mary Ann (Hopping) Leonard, both natives of New Jersey and descendants of colonial settlers.
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas and Mary A. (Hopping) Leonard had four sons, the eldest of whom, James Hopping Leonard, deceased, was a valu- able member of the state legislature; Thomas H. Leonard is the immedi- ate subject of this sketch; Edward W. Leonard is engaged in general mer- chandising in the old original Leonard store, which was established at what is now Leonardsville, about one hundred years ago (the original building which was occupied by the store was a part of the old home- stead, and is still standing ) ; the fourth son is J. J. Leonard, who is engaged in business as a coal merchant at Atlantic Highlands.
Thomas H. Leonard received such education as was afforded by the public schools of his native place, and was thereafter engaged up to the twenty-eighth year of his age as an assistant to his father in the conduct of the store and farming interests at Leonardville. In 1871 Mr. Leonard conceived the idea that the farming territory which now embraces Atlantic Highlands, Leonardville and Leonardo, might be developed with benefit to all concerned into town property. In that year the first step in this direction was taken by the changing of the township two-rod road leading to and from Brown's landing to a fifty-foot avenue, and the locating there- upon of a coal plant. In 1872 Mr. Leonard laid out Mount avenue, the first of the thoroughfares to the hills. The panic of 1873 with its subse- quent five years of business prostration, put a temporary stop to progress ; but in 1878-9 a four-hundred-and-fifty-foot freight dock was built, and the organization of the Bay View Transportation Company was accomplished, the men interested therein being Messrs. Thomas Leonard, Thomas H. Leonard, N. H. Roberts, James H. Leonard, George Davis, Richard A. Leonard and Thomas J. Roberts. The steamer Thomas Collier was put on the route between Bay View and New York, and an avenue was built, fenced and bridged from First avenue to Hooper's woods along the bluff. Bath-houses were built, groves laid out, a flag pole was erected, and dis-
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play advertising of Bay View excursions were placed in the New York papers. Among the first of the excursions to Bay View, and one which assisted materially in popularizing the resort, was that of the Seabright Methodist Episcopal Sunday-school, Rev. Robert Emery, superintendent, and Thomas J. Emery, assistant. This was speedily followed during the .season by other excursions.
On October 25, 1879, Mr. T. H. Leonard began the survey of the property of Bay View (now Atlantic Highlands), and the subdivision and sale of lots, the proceeds therefrom devoted, as per agreement, to the ex- tension of the dock. This was the practical inception of the building of the town, which to-day contains a superficial arda of four hundred and fifty acres and all of the essential structures for two thousand inhabitants, the summer population approximating four thousand.
In 1879-80 Mr. Leonard secured at New York the services of Mr. W. M. Foster and family, who took up their residence at Atlantic Highlands and occupied their time in looking after the excursion parties. He also arranged for the services of Mrs. C. R. Martin in a similar capacity, and for the latter subsequently built the Bay View Hotel. The spring of 1880 found the wharf extended to a length of fourteen hundred and fifty feet, the steamer Marion on the route, a lumber yard in operation (with the assist- ance of J. J. Leonard), and the Bay View Hotel opened and attaining a paying patronage. In this year also Foster's pavilion ( for excursionists) was erected, a residence was built on Third avenue by Edward T. Burdge, and another by J. J. Leonard on First avenue, mail delivery and telegraph offices were established, an icehouse and livery stable were located, and train service for Atlantic Highlands was obtainable at Middletown. The following year ( 1881) brought the Camp Meeting Association, Rev. James E. Lane, D. D., president, and Somers T. Champion, secretary, to Foster's pavilion, a number of houses were built and advertising was more extensively employed.
Mr. Leonard has been actively identified with every interest that has served to the advancement and development of this community, being one of the leading spirits in the organization of the Bay View Transportation Company, Atlantic Highlands Camp Meeting Association, the Atlantic Highlands Building and Loan Association, the Citizens' Association (or- ganized for general business purposes and whose most important work was the causing of the construction of the railroad to Hopping Station-for six years the only railroad outlet from Atlantic Highlands. to New York, via Red Bank). Mr. Leonard was an early member of the Atlantic High- lands National Bank, has been a member of its board of directors since 1892, and has been its president since 1893. The first president of this bank was Mr. Chrineyonce Holmes (now deceased), who was succeeded by C. L. Duvalve, who was in turn succeeded for a few months until his decease by Mr. Chrineyonce Holmes, when Mr. Leonard was elected and has served continuously since.
Mr. Leonard has been a life-long member of the Baptist church, and was largely instrumental in establishing the first congregation of that
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denomination at Atlantic Highlands. This was an outgrowth of the church at Navesink, and of the Atlantic Highlands church Mr. Leonard was deacon. In the course of the town's development an additional con- gregation was formed, the Central Baptist church, and of this Mr. Leon- ard is a member and deacon. His activity in church work has included all of its branches, especially the Sunday-school, of which he has been superintendent since its organization. Politically Mr. Leonard's affiliation has been with the Republican party, but he has neither the time. nor in- clination to seek political preferment. Upon the organization of Atlantic Highlands his services as mayor were naturally sought, and he fulfilled the duties of that office to the best possible advantage for all concerned for a period of eight years.
He was married February 22, 1871, to Maria, daughter of the late Firman Runyon, at Plainfield, New Jersey. Mr. and Mrs. Leonard have four children : Clara, wife of Dr. H. A. Hendrickson, of Atlantic High- lands, and Misses Mabel, Edith M. and Marianna Leonard.
An interesting incident of October 25, 1899, was the celebration of the twentieth anniversary of the founding of Atlantic Highlands, held at the Bay View House. The sum of thirty thousand dollars was subscribed upon this occasion, and soon thereafter used for the building of a new pier.
EDMUND THROCKMORTON. 1
Edmund Throckmorton, son of Joseph F. Throckmorton, was born in 1792, at Hartshorne's Mills, near Freehold, and in 1813 embarked in mer- cantile pursuits at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he remained until 1820; then, retiring from active business pursuits, he returned to Mon- mouth county, took up his permanent residence at Red Bank, and devoted his time to agriculture until his death. He married Susanna, daughter of John MacLaren, of New York, to which union were born ten children, five of whom survived him, and of these, three are now ( 1902) living, viz : Tylee W., Joseph A., and Mrs. A. M. Conover, widow of Dr. Robert R. Conover, late of Red Bank.
Mr. Throckmorton was among the leading representative citizens of his day in the county, and actively identified with its social and business interests. His influence was also apparent in the development of Red Bank, every enterprise which tended to promote its advancement and further its growth as a commercial center finding in him generous co-operation and material support. He was a no less influential factor in political affairs than in business projects. Modest in demeanor and indifferent to the hon- ors conferred for party service, he was, nevertheless, one of the leading Henry Clay Whigs of his day. A strong partisan, and zealous in defense of the principles of his party, he was frequently a delegate to county and state conventions, where his judicious counsels won respectful attention. His ability as a financier, combined with the most scrupulous integrity,
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caused him frequently to be chosen for the office of executor and trustee, which important trusts were filled with fidelity and wisdom. Mr. Throck- morton, though not a member, was an active supporter of the First Presby- terian church of Shrewsbury, to which he gave with an ungrudging liber- ality. His death occurred in September, 1866, in his seventy-fifth year.
A. EDWARD WOODRUFF.
A. Edward Woodruff, prominent in the legal circles of New York City, and especially capable and successful in the elevated railroad and life insurance litigation, is a resident of Rahway, New Jersey, and a potent factor in all affairs conducive to the prosperity of that city. His ancestors on both parental sides were identified with the early history of America, and members of both families, in their various generations, have been con- spicuous in the affairs of their day, some in public life and others in the professions and in commercial affairs.
Jonathan Woodruff was a descendant of that John Woodruff who was founder of the family of that name, who, with his immediate descendants, were among the early colonists at Elizabeth, New Jersey. Jonathan Wood- ruff was a most substantial citizen of Rabway, and an exemplary man. He was a Presbyterian in religion, and for more than thirty-five years he was an elder in the church. He accumulated a great deal of property, and much of this is now in possession of the son, A. Edward Woodruff. Included in the latter are the old historic Woodruff homestead, formerly known as "the Peace Tavern," where the distinguished Marshall de LaFayette, one of Washington's generals, was given a brilliant reception and ball by the citizens of Rahway, on the occasion of his visits to the United States, in 1824; and the handsome Exchange Building, one of the ornaments of the city. Mr. Woodruff married Miss Alvira Martin, who was a descendant of Edward Crowell, a native of Scotland, who came to America in the ship "Caledonia," prior to 1700, and settled in Middlesex county, New Jersey, where many of his descendants were numbered among the prominent men of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Woodruff became the parents of four children : A. Edward Woodruff ; Mrs. Rufus Edgar, now deceased ; Mrs. David Jones and Mrs. R. M. Huntting.
A. Edward Woodruff, only son of Jonathan and Alvira (Martin) Woodruff, is a native of Rahway, born October 27, 1846. He was studious from his early boyhood, and he acquired a most liberal education. He received excellent preliminary instruction in the private school of the Rev. Dr. Pierson, in Elizabeth, New Jersey, supplementing this with a course of study at Princeton College, and subsequently finishing his edu- cation in Europe. After returning from abroad, he attended the Columbia College Law School, where he came under the masterly preceptorship of the late Professor Theodore W. Dwight. In 1874 he successfully passed his examination, received his diploma, was admitted to the New York bar,
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and at once entered upon practice. His ability was recognized from the outset, of his career, and he was soon in the enjoyment of an excellent prac- tice in the interests of an important and influential clientage. His service has now extended beyond a quarter of a century, during which period his signal ability, strong mentality, and great natural talent for dealing with the intricacies of a peculiar branch of his profession, have won for him a special and distinct prestige. He bore a leading part in the protracted ยท litigation incident to the differences between the elevated railway interests in New York City and the abutting property owners, and he has been for many years particularly identified with important life insurance cases, more especially in contending for and establishing the rights of policy holders in assessment insurance companies. During the greater part of his professional life he has occupied offices at his present location in the Equitable Building in New York City. His labors, severe and exacting as they have been, have worked no impairment of his energies, and his powers have apparently not yet reached their zenith.
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