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 43
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Mr. Woodruff is a supporter of the principles of the Republican party, but his devotion to his profession has forbidden him to seek official pre- ferment, or to allow his name to be used as candidate for an office. He has been for forty-five years past a member of the Presbyterian church of Rahway, and for thirty-five years was a teacher in its Sunday-school, and many young men who have had instruction from him are now occupying useful and highly honorable positions in life.
In 1874 Mr. Woodruff was married to Miss Macie Outen Stanly, daughter of the Hon. Edward R. Stanly, of New Berne, North Carolina. Their children are Alvira, Edward Stanly, Graham Crowell, Clifford, Stanly and Harriette Stanly Woodruff, of whom the former named, two are deceased. Graham, the eldest son, after graduating from college, de- cided to fit and qualify himself in the conduct and operation of practical railroading and is connected with the New York Central Railroad.
ALBERT C. TWINING.
Albert Comfort Twining, a son of Jesse B. and Hannah ( Beans ) Twin- ing, was born October 1, 1861, in Richborough, Bucks county, Pennsyl- vania, where his ancestors have resided for more than two hundred years. He is a direct descendant of Mr. William Twining, who, as official records prove, was in Yarmouth as early as 1641. That he was a man of more than ordinary character is shown by the title which prefaces his name in the early records, an appellation of honor which was rarely applied in those days, as shown by the history of Massachusetts Bay, which tells us that the first settlers in these colonies were very careful that no title or appella- tion be given where not due. His son William was born in the early part of the seventeenth century, probably in England, and married Elizabeth Deane. He resided in eastern Massachusetts from 1643 to 1695, when he 25*
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moved to Bucks county, Pennsylvania. He had been a deacon in the East- ham Congregational church for many years, but his religious views seem to have undergone a sudden and radical change. He had evidently become convinced of the Friend's principles and decided to remove to the then newly settled province of Pennsylvania, where the tenets of Quakerismn were maintained in their purity and freedom from the intolerance of New England theology. He donned the Quaker garb, spoke the Quaker tongue, and became the friend of the Indian, whom he sought to elevate. He was in fact a believer and exponent of all that is comprehended in the teach- ings of Penn, Tod, and Barclay. Upon his descendants were stamped those newly acquired principles. He died at Newtown, Bucks county, Pennsyl- vania, November 4, 1703. His will, which was executed April 26, 1697, bequeathed parcels of land in both Pennsylvania and New England. His descendants, who were the direct ancestors of the subject of this review, were as follows. Stephen Twining, born at Eastham, Massachusetts, Feb- ruary 6, 1659, died February 18, 1720, at Newtown, Pennsylvania. On January 13, 1682-3, at Eastham, he married Abigail Young. At the time of his death he owned eight hundred acres of land in Bucks county and considerable property in Eastham. John Twining, the fifth of his nine children, was born March 5, 1692-3, in Newtown. Bucks county, Pennsyl- vania, and died August 21, 1775. He married Elizabeth Kirk. His son, Jacob Twining, was born October 25, 1730, and died October 6, 1804. He married Sarah Miller and was the father of eleven children. His son, Jacob Twining, the grandfather of our subject, was born June 30, 1786, and died February 21, 1871. He married Priscilla Buckman, October 12, 1808, and lived sixty-three years on a farm inherited from his father in North- ampton township, Bucks county, Pennsylvania. He was the father of Jesse B. Twining, the father of our subject, who was born September 25, 1817, and married December 14, 1848, Hannah Beans. He is a retired farmer of Newtown, where he also conducts a general store.
The boyhood days of our subject were passed in Bucks county. At the age of thirteen years he became a student in Eastburn Academy in Phil- adelphia, where he remained for three years. At the age of sixteen he en- tered the banking business at Lanesboro, Minnesota, as a clerk in one of the banks owned by Jason C. Easton, now of La Crosse, Wisconsin. From the start he displayed natural aptitude and marked ability, and he applied himself diligently and soon mastered the details of the business. In 1880 he located in Fargo, North Dakota, and for two years was associated with the First National Bank of Fargo and had charge of the Fargo Loan Agency. He then located at Jamestown, North Dakota, where he was actively inter- ested in the James River National Bank of that place. Resigning his posi- tion with the latter institution in 1885, Mr. Twining came to Asbury Park, New Jersey, where he organized the First National Bank. This was the first banking establishment organized here and its formation was due en- tirely to the energy and ability of Mr. Twining, who brought most of the necessary capital from his friends in his native county in Pennsylvania. From the time of its organization until 1896 Mr. Twining was the con-
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trolling spirit of the institution and acted as its cashier. Far-seeing and progressive, he anticipated the need of a trust company for Asbury Park and as early as 1891 became interested in the organization of the Mon- mouth Trust and Safe Deposit Company, and in 1896, when the company began business, he entered upon his duties as its president, a position which he has since held continuously. Having devoted his entire business life -a period of nearly a quarter of a century-to the business of banking, the success of the Monmouth Trust and Safe Deposit Company under his management was assured. The company has made rapid and steady strides, its deposits increasing each year from September 4, 1896, when they amounted to $159,556.06, to $553,945.77 on the same date in 1900.
Mr. Twining's knowledge of finance and his business ability have caused his services to be demanded in various enterprises. He acted as secretary and treasurer of the Atlantic Coast Realty Company until 1899, and at the present time is secretary, treasurer, and director of the following corporations: The Atlantic Coast Electric Railway Company, the Atlantic Coast Electric Light Company and the Sea Shore Electric Railway Com- pany. He was one of the organizers of the Monmouth Club at Asbury Park and is a charter member of both the Deal Golf Club and the County Club at Lakewood. He is also one of the sixty members of the Parmache- nee Club, of Maine, which controls about one hundred and twenty thousand acres of land in northwestern Maine, which is used by them for hunting and fishing grounds. During the past four years he has made a study of minerals and mineral lands and has recently acquired mineral property in New Mexico, which he will proceed to develop.
On the 25th of November, 1885, Mr. Twining was married to Mar- garet Hogeland, of Southampton, Pennsylvania, and they have two chil- dren,-Jessie Willard and Albert Chester. Mr. Twining owes the high position which he has reached in the business community to his energy and integrity. He has through his own exertions pushed his way upward and his success is but the just reward of indefatigable industry and hon- orable business methods.
OTIS RUSSELL FREEMAN, M. D.
Dr. Otis Russell Freeman, one of the oldest active practitioners in Monmouth county, was born in Hanover, New Hampshire, December 30, 1809, son of Jonathan and Mary Russell Freeman. The Freemans were among the early pioneers of New Hampshire and became prominent in the civil, political and religious affairs of the colony. Prior to 1760 Dr. Free- man's great-grandfather received a charter for Hanover township, and for over a century his descendants have resided there and been conspicuous. In the early records they appear as selectmen of the town and later as justices of the peace, and members of the legislature. His father served for forty years as clerk of Hanover township. On the maternal side through his mother, Abbie Willard, daughter of Dr. Samuel Alden, Dr. Freeman is a lineal descendant of John Alden of the Mayflower.
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Dr. Freeman, after receiving a preparatory academic education, at- tended the medical department of Dartmouth College, from which he was graduated in 1843 with the degree of M. D. For four years he practiced medicine in his native town, removing in 1847 to Perrineville, Monmouth county, New Jersey, where he built up the largest practice in the northern section of the country. In 1852 he removed to Freehold, continuing there until 1862. At this juncture he was commissioned by Governor Olden as surgeon of the Tenth Regiment New Jersey Volunteers. In 1863 he was chief of staff on Corcoran's brigade and acting medical director. In De- cember of 1863 he had charge of the troops stationed in the Pennsylvania coal regions, in anticipation of draft riots. In 1864 he re-entered the regular service with his regiment, attached to the Army of the Potomac, First Division, First Brigade, Sixth Army Corps. In July, 1865, he was mustered out as chief of staff of the first division. He participated with. his regiment in twenty regular engagements, among the more important being those of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania Court House, Hanover Court House, Petersburg, Winchester, Cedar Creek, Cold Harbor and Appomat- tox.
Returning to Freehold at the close of the war he resumed practice, regained his old clients and secured a clientele, extending over Ocean, Monmouth and Middlesex counties. In addition to his general practice, Dr. Freeman's experience in the army had given him a high degree of pro- ficiency and skill as a surgeon. Special surgical cases came to him from various parts of the state and he has been recognized as one of the most successful surgeons of the state. He is a Republican, a member of the Presbyterian church of Freehold, and a man of wide sympathy and large charity.
Of his seven children Rev. Samuel Alden is a Presbyterian clergyman and pastor of a church at Lyndonville, New York; Abbie Willard is now the widow of Edward H. Raiguel ; Charles Otis, Mary Russell and Harriet E. are deceased; and William and Edward A. both died in infancy.
WILLIAM S. SNEDEN.
The man who has bridged over space and practically annihilated time by the work of his inventive and enterprising spirit deserves to be num- bered among the benefactors of the race. "Tis an age of progress, when vast commercial transactions, involving millions of dollars, depend upon rapid transportation. The revolution in business that the last half century, or even less, has witnessed, has been brought about by the means of rail- roads, and among the well known railroad builders of the state is William S. Sneden, whose labors in this direction have been of the greatest benefit to the Jersey coast. He was the projector of the New York & Long Branch Railroad, was the prime mover in organizing forces in 1868, in selecting the route, opening up the way for the completion of the road and in giving
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Mmfneden
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to it its name. He is now living retired at Red Bank, in the enjoyment of a rest which is a fitting reward to a life of activity and honorable labor.
Mr. Sneden was born in Piermont, New York, January 2, 1829, and his ancestors were among the early settlers of Rockland county, New York. His maternal great-grandfather, Rev. Samuel Verbryck, was one of the first trustees of what was then Queens College, at New Brunswick, New Jersey, but is now known as Rutgers College. During the Revolutionary war he served as pastor of the Reformed church at Tappan, New York, and the homestead of one of his relatives was used as headquarters by General Washington. It was there that 'Major Andre was tried and con- victed, and the desk on which General Washington signed the death war- rant is now in possession of Mr. Sneden of this review. His paternal and maternal grandfathers rendered active service in the field during the Revo- lutionary war, and the latter, when the republic was established, served in the state legislature of New York for twenty years.
William S. Sneden was educated for the profession of a civil engineer, and the principal part of his active life was spent in railroad engineering, in which he has been pre-eminently successful. He entered the railroad service in a clerical and engineering capacity in the early days of the opera- tion of the New York & Erie Railroad, and in 1849 became assistant engineer of the Dauphin & Susquehanna Railroad. In 1852 he went to St. Louis as a member of an engineering party which made the first survey of the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad route, and for three years he was the chief engineer of the Fredericksburg & Gordonville Railroad in Virginia. From 1857 until 1860 he was the chief engineer of the Northern Railroad of New Jersey, and for six years he was principal assistant engineer and superintendent of the Raritan & Delaware Bay Railroad, which has since been changed to the New Jersey Southern. Thus con- tinuously he was associated with railroad construction and the operation of different lines which have proved important highways for commerce and travel and have led to the development and settlement of many sections of the country. In 1874 for a short time he became receiver of the New Jersey Southern, following which he acted as general manager for the bondholders' trustees, who operated the road until 1880. Mr. Sneden's principal work, as considered from a local standpoint, was in the projec- tion and location of the New York & Long Branch Railroad, constructed by the New Jersey Central ; this subsequently opened up the Jersey coast to settlement and business enterprises as nothing else has done, thus proving a foundation upon which has been raised the superstructure of its present prosperity and progress.
On the 21st of October, 1850, at Dauphin, Pennsylvania, Mr. Sneden was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Hetzel, and in October. 1900, they celebrated their golden wedding, having traveled life's journey to- gether as man and wife for a half century.
GEORGE V. SNEDEN, a son of William S. and Mary E. (Hetzel) Sneden, was born January 26, 1856, and was educated under the careful supervision of his father, attending the district and private schools of
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Red Bank and later the Freehold Institute and the Lehigh University, where his scientific course was completed. In early life he began his busi- ness career as a leveler and assistant engineer on the construction of the New York & Long Branch Railroad, in 1874. From 1875 until 1877 he was a clerk and draughtsman in the Manchester shops of the New Jersey Southern Railroad, and upon the expiration of that period he was trans- ferred to the offices of the New Jersey Southern Railroad, at Long Branch, where he successively filled the position of clerk for the auditor of receipts and disbursements, for the general manager and for the general passenger and freight agents. In 1882 he was appointed chief clerk to the super- intendent of the New York & Long Branch Railroad, which position he now fills. This place is one of great responsibility, as upon him rested the operation of the road in the absence of the superintendent, Hon. Rufus Blodgett, who was United States senator from 1887 to 1893. As the com- pany places entire confidence in Mr. Sneden, there is apparently a bright future before him; and his energy and laudable ambition, coupled with his ability, well qualify him for any duties that may devolve upon him.
JOHN PUTNAM WALKER. -
Among the energetic, enterprising and far-sighted business men of Freehold is John Putnam Walker, the well known proprietor of a popular drug store, which has been a leading feature of the mercantile life of this city for fifty years. His birth here occurred January 15, 1852, his par- ents being Anselle and Mary (Husband) Walker. The father, a native of Dublin, Ireland, was born March 31, 1813, and acquired a good educa- tion under the direction of private tutors, both on the Emerald Isle and in England. He came to the United States in 1836, when twenty-three years of age, locating on Sixth avenue, near Fourteenth street, in New York, where he engaged in the drug business. For twelve years he con- tinued his residence in that city and then came to Freehold, where he made his home from 1848 up to the time of his death. Here he established a drug store and for fifty-three years conducted the enterprise with constantly growing success, being an active factor in the business life of the com- munity until called to his final rest. In his political views he was an earnest Democrat, and although he never sought or desired office for himself, he did all in his power to promote the growth and advance the upbuilding of the party. For a number of years he was also a warden in St. Peter's Protestant Episcopal church, and he always co-operated in every move- ment which was intended to advance the general welfare. His wife died March 5, 1896, and after surviving her for about five years, Mr. Walker passed away on the 6th of January, 1901. They were the parents of eight children, but only two are now living-Mary A. and John Putnam.
The later pursued his education in the Freehold Institute, from which he was graduated with the class of 1869, when only seventeen years
David Servies
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of age. He then entered upon his business career as a salesman in his father's store and became acquainted with. the trade in every department. At length, as a pharmacist and general manager, he practically had control of the store, although his father remained as the nominal head until his death, since which time Mr. Walker, of this review, has been sole proprie- tor. To his efforts are largely attributable, the growth and prosperity of the enterprise. He has a well appointed establishment, supplied with a large line of drugs and everything found in a first class store of that kind; his sound business principles, his unquestioned honesty, his energy, and earnest desire to please have secured to him a large patronage. Mr. Walker was also treasurer of the Freehold Improvement Company and the Freehold Land Company during their existence and has ever been deeply interested in the movements and measures which have contributed to the development and substantial progress of his city.
On the Ioth of January, 1888, in Freehold, Mr. Walker was united in marriage to Matilda Hamill Conover, a daughter of Judge Charles Haight and Mary Anna ( Bruen) Conover. The Judge was born in Mon- mouth county, March 6, 1818, and died on the 8th of March, 1881, while his wife, who was born April 25, 1822, is still living in Freehold. Mr, and Mrs. Walker now have one daughter, Minnie Conover. The family are communicants of St. Peter's Episcopal church, of which Mr. Walker is junior warden. In his political views he has always been a stanch Democrat and is a member of the New Jersey Democratic Society. He has been secretary of the Monmouth county board of elections for eight years and was also chairman of the township committee of Freehold town- ship. In. 1892 he received the nomination of his party for the general as- sembly. Earnest and zealous in his advocacy of the cause which he es- pouses, his loyalty is above question, and he is well known as a representa- tive citizen of Freehold. He organized the Freehold Brass Band, of which he was the leader for twenty years, and in every line of progress, social, material, political, intellectual and moral, his influence has been felt.
DAVID SERVISS.
Among those whose capability and fidelity have caused their long retention in office is David Serviss, who is now collector of Middlesex county. For eight years he has continuously held the office of county col- lector, and his course has been marked by absolute trustworthiness as well as efficiency. Every political official is continually subject to the vigilant criticism of the public, and he who stands this test of public opinion is indeed worthy of the honors and emoluments conferred upon him. Mr. Serviss is likewise a well known insurance agent of South River, where he conducts an office and maintains his residence.
His birth occurred in the old Serviss homestead in East Brunswick township, near South River, on the 2d of June, 1851, and throughout his
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entire life he has been a resident of Middlesex county. The old homestead had in turn been the residence of John J. Serviss, Richard Serviss, Sr., and Richard Serviss, Jr., the great-grandfather, the grandfather and the father of our subject, respectively. The last named ntarried Miss Esther M'essler, a daughter of Abraham Messler and a granddaughter of Simon Messler, who located in East Brunswick township, Middlesex county, prior to the Revolu- tionary war, in which he faithfully fought as a private soldier and rendered effective aid in behalf of the cause of liberty. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Serviss were born seven children, namely : James Edward, who died when one year old, in 1850; David, of this review; Martha E., who was born in June, 1853; Albert B., born in April, 1855; Eliza, born in November, 1859; James E., born in May, 1857; Abraham, born in February, 1862; and Jane S., born in August, 1864, and died in August, 1889. As a life work the father has always followed the occupation of farming. In 1883 he was appointed collector of Middlesex county, and continuously served in that position until elected sheriff of Middlesex county in 1892. His public record, like his private life, is above reproach. He has now reached the age of seventy-six years, his birth having occurred on the 22d of October, 1825.
David Serviss, whose name introduces this review, pursued his edu- cation in the public schools at Dunham Corner and in a private school at Old Bridge, New Jersey, conducted by Oliver Cox. He was also for a time a student in the Hudson River Institute at Claverack, New York, and then studied surveying under Andrew J. Disbrow at Old Bridge. In his early manhood he engaged in teaching at Texas Mills, Rahway Neck, near Carteret, and later followed the same profession at Deans, all in this state. Since that time he has engaged in surveying and conveyancing and in conducting an insurance agency, representing some of the best companies in this country, including the Home, of New York, the Continental, of New York, the Insurance Company of North America, of Philadelphia, and the Standard, of Trenton.
In his political affiliations Mr. Serviss has always been a Democrat, and, keeping well informed on the issues of the day, has supported his position by intelligent argument. In 1877 he was appointed township clerk of East Brunswick township, Middlesex county, and in 1878 he was elected to the same position, which he continued to fill most acceptably until 1898, when the borough of South River was set off from the town- ship of East Brunswick. In 1892 he was appointed to fill the unexpired term of county collector, made vacant by his father, who resigned the office in order to enter upon his duties of sheriff. The following spring he was appointed for a full term and has twice been reappointed to the same office, in which he is now serving.
On the 6th of October, 1886, Mr. Serviss was united in marriage to Miss Mary Throckmorton, who was born May 14. 1851, and is a daugh- ter of Charles and Rebecca Throckmorton. They have one living child, Esther R., who was born September 15, 1889. Since 1875 Mr. Serviss has been identified with the Masonic fraternity, his membership being in
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Union Lodge, No. 19, F. & 'A. M. He is a worthy exemplar of the craft, exemplifiying in his life the beneficent spirit of the order. Mr. Serviss com- mands and receives the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens, both in business and official circles, and among the public officers of the county through many years none have been more faithful to duty and the obliga- tions devolving upon them than David Serviss.
Recently, in February, 1902, a national bank was organized at South River, New Jersey, called the First National Bank of South River, and the organizers thereof chose David Serviss as one of the directors and president of the corporation, as one most likely to conduct the institution successfully. The capital stock is fifty thousand dollars, mostly subscribed by residents of South River and its immediate vicinity, and a successful future is predicted for the bank and its officers.
FREDERICK PARKER.
Frederick Parker, counselor-at-law, ex-president of the board of trade and ex-chief commissioner of Freehold, Monmouth county, New Jersey, was born in Freehold January 14, 1856, son of ex-Governor Joel and Maria (Gummere) Parker. On the paternal side, Mr. Parker is of English descent, his ancestors emigrating from England and settling in northern New Jersey, the name becoming conspicuous in the history and growth of the state. On the maternal side his grandfather, Samuel R. Gummere, a native of Burlington, New Jersey, was for many years principal of the Friends' school there and held the office, subsequently, of clerk in chan- cery. His grandfather, Charles Parker, a native of New Jersey, was prominent in local and state politics, was sheriff of Monmouth county. state treasurer and state librarian. He married Sarah, daughter of Cap- tain Joseph Coward, of New Jersey militia, who served in the Continental army and fought in the battle of Monmouth.
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