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 48
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RUTSEN S. SNYDER.
For nearly half a century Rutsen S. Snyder, of Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey, recently deceased, was one of the most enterprising citizens of Monmouth county, and many of its most important interests had their inception in his fertile brain and owed their success to his energy and de- termination. He was born May 9, 1835, in Rhinebeck, Dutchess county, New York, son of George and Mary Snyder ; his father was a prosperous farmer and man of strong character. He was educated at Rhinebeck Academy and Brown Academy, graduating from the latter named. In 1858 he removed to Monmouth county, New Jersey. After four years' useful service as a school teacher he purchased a farm, which he managed for many years and which remained in his possession until 1895. Soon after becoming a farmer he was appointed a commissioner of deeds, and also en- gaged in surveying and in a real estate and insurance business. All of these undertakings proved remunerative, and he constantly added to his means and extended his usefulness into other and broader fields.
In 1892 he took up his residence at Atlantic Highlands, where he had previously opened a real estate and insurance office. He was one of the pioneer settlers and original surveyors of the delightful village named, and there was not a movement designed to add to its desirability as a place of residence but found its origin in him or had his earnest and persistent aid. He made the preliminary- survey of the Keyport branch of the Freehold & Atlantic Highlands Railroad for Superintendent Justus E. Ralph, and he was one of the organizers of the Port Monmouth Steamboat Company, and his connection with that corporation in the capacity of a director only terminated with his death. He aided in organizing the Atlantic Highlands National Bank, in which he was a director for several years, and he was also a director in the Atlantic Highlands Savings Fund and Building and Loan Association from its organization until his death; treasurer of a fire company, and was actively interested in various other local enterprises. He also occupied highly responsible public positions at different times. From 1885 to 1893 he was assessor of Middletown township, elected from year to year. In April, 1900, he was appointed by President Mckinley as postmaster at Atlantic Highlands, and when he entered the office he placed in it an entirely new and modern equipment at his own expense.
While thus devoted to advancing the material interests of the com-
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munity, Mr. Snyder was not less zealous in the causes of education and religion. As a member of the board of school trustees he aided materially in providing substantial buildings and in securing the services of a capable corps of teachers. A Baptist in religion he had been clerk of the New Monmouth church, and for more than a score of years a trustee, and the district clerk of the Chanceville school district. After removing to Atlantic Highlands he assisted in the organization of the Central Baptist church, and was then made a deacon, a position which he held throughout the remainder of his life, and he was particularly active in the work of the church and the Sunday-school. In politics he was a Republican.
In January, 1862, Mr. Snyder was married to Miss Elizabeth Roberts, a lady of most admirable disposition, a daughter of Thomas Roberts, Jr., a highly respected farmer of New Monmouth, with extensive connections throughout Monmouth county, and son of Rev. Thomas Roberts, a noted Baptist divine and missionary to the Cherokee nation. The children born of this marriage were Evelyn R. Snyder, who assisted her father in his insurance business ; M. Louise Snyder, who succeeded her father as post- master at Atlantic Highlands; and Charles R. Snyder, a lawyer in the same place.
In January, 1902, Mr. Snyder contracted a fever which left him in an enfeebled condition. He gradually regained strength, and his family hoped for his entire recovery, but on April 22 the heart suddenly ceased to beat and he passed quietly away without premonition. His sudden death was a great shock to the community, by whom he was regarded with sin- cere affection for his estimable traits of personal character and for his great public usefulness. There survive him the widow and all their chil- dren before named; his sister, Miss Catherine Snyder, of Rhinebeck, New York, and two brothers, Robert S. Snyder, of Rhinebeck, New York, and Jesse H. B. Snyder, of Elmhurst, Pennsylvania, besides numerous nephews and nieces, children of deceased brothers.
C. D. BOYNTON.
C. D. Boynton, of the firm of Boynton Bros., real estate and insurance agents, a popular and progressive business firm of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, was born in Sewaren, Middlesex county, New Jersey, on February 20, 1880, and he was a son of Cassimer W. and Eunice Adelia ( Harri- man) Boynton.
Cassimer W. Boynton, the father of our subject is one of the most progressive business men of Middlesex county, New Jersey. He resides at Sewaren, where he is extensively engaged in the manufacture of brick. His birth was in Bangor, Maine, on February 14, 1826. In early manhood he graduated at the Troy Polytechnic Institute and a large portion of his life has been spent as a civil engineer. For over a quarter of a century he has been a resident of Middlesex county and is an honored
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citizen of Sewaren. His family consists of nine children, namely : Mary L .; Helen G., the wife of William T. Ames; Gorham L .; Georgia S .; . Cassimer W., who died in early manhood ; Ernest H. ; Albert B. ; C. D. ; and Dorathea.
C. D. Boynton attended the Woodbridge public schools and spent two years in a select school at Waltham, Massachusetts, subsequently entered a school in Lawrenceville, and in the fall of 1898, he embarked in his present business, in which he has displayed those business qualities which go far toward insuring success.
JAMES VOORHEES FREEMAN.
James Voorhees Freeman, of Sewaren, New Jersey, was born in New York City, June 26, 1853, a son of David V. and Ella E. (Voorhees) Freeman. The former was born and brought up in the town of Bellville, New Jersey, and was a son of Israel Freeman, whose birth occurred in Woodbridge.
Our subject's mother was born in New York, and is still living. She is a daughter of James Voorhees, of New York City, who conducted a wholesale grocery business for a number of years in that city. David V. Freeman, the father of our subject, is now residing in Essex county, near Glen Ridge, having retired from the activities of the business world. They have reared a family of seven children, namely : James V., Mary L., ,Whit- ney, Lela, Clarence, Milleson W., Theodore, who passed away at the age of twenty-one years, and Catharine V.
James V. Freeman, as already stated, was born and reared in New York City, attended the schools there, and later entered into the insur- ance and transportation business. About thirty years ago he decided to change his residence from New York to Sewaren. He was joined in marriage to Bessie W. Dallace, daughter of Rolland and Hedda M. Dal- lace. Four children have been the result of this union, namely: Rolland S., who is with the Wheeler Condenser Company Foundry ; James V., Jr., who is a graduate of Harvard College, and who is. now' in the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York City; Ruth L. ; and Theodore, who is still attending school.
Fraternally Mr. Freeman is a member of the Masons, the Americus of Woodbridge, is a past master regent of the Woodbridge Council of the Royal Arcanum, a member of the Red Men, and also of the Woodbridge Fire Company. Politically he is a Democrat, having been elected on that ticket to fill the office of collector of the township for one year, and tax assessor for six years, and he has also been sent as a delegate to the state convention. He is one of the most prominent men in Sewaren, and enjoys the confidence and respect of his fellow townsmen. He resides on West avenue, Sewaren, New Jersey, where he has a beautiful home.
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NELSON E. BUCHANON.
The subject of this sketch is a self-made man in the fullest sense of that often misused term. Beginning his business career at the early age of thirteen years without capital and without the assistance of relatives or friends, he has pushed himself forward step by step until he has become one of the most successful business men of the state. Mr. Buchanan was born at Perth Amboy, New Jersey, August 30, 1841. His parents, James and Sarah (Elgordon) Buchanon, were both members of families which had resided in New Jersey for several generations. His grandfather, John Buchanon, was born in Perth Amboy, where he resided during his entire life, dying there at the age of eighty-four years. He was of Scotch antecedents, but when his American progenitor came to the colonies is not definitely established.
Nelson E. Buchanon was the eldest of six children and early in life displayed those traits of self reliance which have done so much to bring him success. At the age of thirteen he went to New York and obtained employment. He had previously attended the common schools at Perth Amboy, and after two years spent in New York he decided to increase his store of knowledge, accordingly studying in an academy at Vermont. In 1860, at Lambertsville, New Jersey, he became an employe of his uncle, John L. Gordon, in the lumber business, thus continuing for twelve years. during which time he made a study of the lumber business, mastering all of its details and thus laid the foundation for his successful career. In 1872 he came to Red Bank, New Jersey, to become a salesman and manager for the lumber business of B. C. White, located at Eatontown, this state, while two years later he purchased Mr. White's interest and associated with him Garrett B. Smock, of Asbury Park, thus forming the firm of Smock & Buchanon. Adding to their stock of lumber general supplies for building, they soon established a large and increasing trade, and this rela- tionship was continued for nine years, when the interest of Mr. Smock passed to his son, George A. Smock, the firm style then becoming Buchanon & Smock. In January, 1901, the business was incorporated as the Bu- chanon & Smock Lumber Company, and is now capitalized at one hun- dred and fifty thousand dollars, the officers being Nelson E. Buchanon, pres- ident, and George A. Smock, secretary and treasurer. The business has always been large and profitable, the annual sales averaging about two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and its success is a tribute to the business ability and sound judgment of Mr. Buchanon.
From the time of his arrival in Asbury Park up to the present he has been identified with most of the enterprises that have tended to advance the interests of the city. He was for several years a director in the First National Bank, but sold his interest therein prior to the organization of the Asbury Park and Ocean Grove Bank, which he assisted in organizing and of which he has since been a director. Although of Democratic ante- cedents and a member of that political party from boyhood, Mr. Buchanon is independent in his views, voting for the men whom he believes are best
X & BUCHAND ZAJOKS
DOORS SASH BLINDS
FIRST LUMBER YARD OF SMOCK & BUCHANON LOCATED CORNER ASBURY AVE. AND MAIN ST., ASBURY PARK, IN 1874. AREA, 200 X 240.
NALNY LUMBER CO.
HOUSE
MOLMA
YARDS OF BUCHANON & SMOCK, 1901, BOUNDED BY SECOND AND THIRD AVENUES, RAILROAD AND COMSTOCK. AREA, 650 X 300.
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qualified for the positions. He served as town commissioner for about ten years, during five years of the time being president of the board. He has been deeply interested in the promotion of the free library and has been a member of the board of trustees of the Asbury Park Free Library Asso- ciation since its organization. In 1897 he was elected president of the association and in that capacity has done much to bring the enterprise to its present advanced condition. He was trustee of the school board when the first school buildings were erected, and has ever rendered valuable and material aid in the advancement of educational facilities. He has also served as a member of the board of health, for the past ten years being its president, and has held other local offices. He is a member of Asbury Lodge No. 139, F. & A. M .; Hiram Chapter, No. 1; Corson Commandery, No. 15, K. T., and Lula Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is liberal in his religious views, judging men by their acts instead of by their creed, and has been a friend to all denominations, contributing of his funds to all of the churches without discrimination.
In 1873 Mr. Buchanon was united in marriage to Althea S., daugh- ter of William Collins, of Monmouth county. They have four children : Louisa, now Mrs. Harold B. Ayres, of Asbury Park; Wliliam J., who died about five years ago; and Elizabeth B. and Arthur N. Mr. Buchanon's career illustrates the power of perseverance and industry. Beginning his course without a dollar, he has steadily advanced to the high position which he now holds in the business affairs of the state. As a business man he has been successful, and by honorable efforts has earned the confidence of the community. As a citizen he has been public-spirited, generous and progressive, and as a husband and father has displayed those admirable traits of character which are essential to true American manhood.
WILLIAM HYRES.
William Hyres, of Freehold, New Jersey, is a descendant of an old Holland-Dutch family, his ancestors having emigrated to this country and settled in this vicinity over one hundred and fifty years ago. His paternal great-grandfather, John Hyres, became the owner of an extensive tract of land near Bennett's Mills, where he followed the occupation of a farmer. John Hyres, grandfather of William Hyres, was also a resident in the same section of Ocean county, and he was one of the prominent success- ful farmers of the town. He died April 26, 1894, in his eighty-first year. John B. Hyres, father of William Hyres, was born near Bennett's Mills, where his education was acquired in the district schools. During his early life he assisted his father in the management of his farm, and later pur- chased some land for himself, on which he erected a house. This became known as the "Hyres Homestead." Mr. Hyres married Amanda Oaken- sen, a daughter of James Oakensen, whose family were among the early :settlers of East Jersey. William Hyers was their only child.
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HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.
William Hyers was born near Bennett's Mills, Ocean county, New Jersey, September 15, 1866. He attended the district schools of his native town, and when seventeen years old became both teacher and student, which double occupation he followed for six years. He then decided to become a lawyer, and he pursued a course of study in the office of Mr. E. W. Arrowsmith, of Freehold, New Jersey, being admitted to the bar from that office. He immediately entered upon the practice of his pro- fession at Freehold, and by his ability and the faithful manner in which he discharges his duties he has been enabled to build up a large and lucra- tive patronage. Mr. Hyres is a firm advocate of the principles of the Re- publican party, and he was elected to serve as deputy under Sheriff Theo- dore Aumack from 1891 to 1894. Fraternally he is associated with Ten- nent Lodge, Knights of Pythias, and is a member and has acted in the capacity of secretary of the Freehold. Royal Arcanum.
Mr. Hyres was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Clayton, daugh- ter of George Clayton, of Freehold, New Jersey. Two sons have been born to them : John and James Hyres.
JOSEPH S. APPLEGATE, SR.
The Applegate family is one of the oldest and most honored families of the east. They trace their lineage back to 1674, when Bartholomew Applegate applied to a council assembled at Fort William Hendrick for a permission to purchase land from the Indians at Middletown, near the Navesink. A patent was granted him for this land, which is located on the Raritan Bay, at what is now known as Applegate's Landing, a por- tion of the tract being now owned by W. T. Conover, whose wife, Annie (Cooper) Conover. is a descendant of Bartholomew Applegate. On the maternal side our subject is descended from the Rev. John Bray, a Bap- tist minister from England, who about the year 1688 organized the First Baptist church at Holmdel. During the period of the Revolutionary war the ancestors of our subject were supporters of the Whig party and were valiant soldiers in that terrible struggle for freedom and independence. The parents of our subject, Joseph S. and Ann (Bray) Applegate, fol- lowed agricultural pursuits and were much esteemed for their true worth of character.
Joseph S. Applegate, Sr., was born at Nut Swamp, in Middletown township, on the 25th of August, 1824, and was there married on the 12th of February, 1851, to Margaret K. Patterson, also a native of Nut Swamp, Monmouth county, New Jersey, born in 1826. Unto this union have been born the following children : Joseph S., Jr., Jehu P., Allen P., Margaret, deceased, and Lydia P. Applegate. Joseph Applegate, Sr., is a successful and practical agriculturist, and now resides on a farm of one hundred acres of choice land. He has also been honored with public office, having : erved as school trustee and as overseer of highways. His straightforward
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course in life has won for him the respect and esteem of his fellow citi- zens, and he and his estimable wife are now enjoying the comforts of life at their pleasant country home. Theirs has been a long and happy married life, and in 1900 they celebrated their golden wedding.
Joseph S. Applegate, Jr., whose name forms the subject of this re- view, was born at Nut Swamp, Monmouth county, New Jersey, in 1851. He was reared and educated in his native township, and in addition to at- tending the public schools of his locality he also spent three years at a private school in Red Bank, where he enjoyed superior educational ad- vantages. He has adopted the calling of his father, that of agriculture, and in his chosen vocation he is meeting with a high and well merited success, his well directed efforts bringing to him a handsome competence. He is public-spirited in an eminent degree, taking an active interest in all that pertains to the welfare of his fellow citizens, and for five years he has served as a member of the town committee. He has also held the position of school trustee for seventeen years, the cause of education ever finding in him a warm friend. In political matters Mr. Applegate exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and the measures of the Re- publican party, and in his religious views he is a Baptist. He is unassuming in manner, honest in all his dealings with his fellow men and exerts a good influence in his community by his example. He has, therefore, the best wishes of his neighbors and friends for his successful life.
On the 3Ist of October, 1877, Mr. Applegate was united in marriage with Miss Sarah M., daughter of William V. and Catherine G. Conover. This union has been blessed with cight children-five of whom are now living-Catherine V., Margaret P., Sarah M., Eliana C. and Henry B. Applegate.
Jehu P. Applegate, second son of Joseph S. Applegate, Sr., is an at- torney of prominence, but now retired from practice and residing on his farm near Red Bank. He received his elementary education in the public schools of his native town and in the high school at Red Bank, supplement- ing his knowledge there gained by a course in the Colgate University, at which institution he was graduated with the class of 1874. He then studied law under the Hon. John S. Applegate, and in 1877 was admitted to the Monmouth county bar, of which he is still an honored member. For five years he has served as the efficient county auditor of the county of Mon- mouth, discharging his duties in that important position to the satisfaction of all concerned. He is still unmarried.
HENRY HENDRICKSON. 1
To those at all familiar with the history of Monmouth county it is known that the Hendrickson family has been identified with this portion of the state from a very early period in its development, and that through- out all the intervening years from the first settlement of one who bore the 28*
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name its members have been classed among the valued citizens who have contributed to the substantial development and progressive upbuilding of the community.
Henry Hendrickson, who now follows farming in Holmdel township, was born on the old family homestead, adjoining his recent place of resi- dence, May 16, 1855, being one of the six children of Senator William H. and Elizabeth E. (Woodward) Hendrickson, whose history is given elsewhere. The days of his boyhood and youth were spent upon his father's farm, and in his youth he became familiar with the best methods then in vogue of cultivating the soil and carrying on the other departments of agricultural life. The occupation to which he was reared he has always followed, and to-day he owns two farms, aggregating one hundred and fifty-four acres, and each a part of the ancestral homestead, which com- prised more than four hundred acres. His land is all under a high state of cultivation and the well tilled fields return to him good harvests. He is also extensively engaged in the production of fruit, having orchards com- prising thirty acres, and in this fruit belt of New Jersey he finds this branch of his business quite profitable. He has large and substantial barns and all the necessary outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock, and every equipment found upon a model farm of the twentieth century may be seen there.
In 1899 Mr. Hendrickson erected a fine residence near the old home and the same year was united in marriage to Miss Helen Henderson, of Middletown, the wedding ceremony being performed on the first day of December. The lady is a daughter of Thomas and Jane ( Robinson ) Hender- son. Theirs is a hospitable home, where good cheer and a cordial welcome always greet their guests. and in the community they have a large circle of friends. In his political views Mr. Henderson is a Democrat, but while he has never been an aspirant for public office he keeps well informed upon the issues of the day and also upon all matters of general interest. He is a genial and companionable man, progressive and public-spirited and a worthy representative of an honored pioneer family.
JOHN STILES RIPLEY.
The development of Asbury Park along metropolitan lines, where utility, beauty and progressiveness were the salient features, was largely due to the efforts of John S. Ripley, who for twenty-four years was a leading and influential citizen of this place. While carrying on his private business interests he was also deeply concerned in the substantial im- provement of the city, and left the impress of his individuality for good on many departments of its activity and upbuilding.
Mr. Ripley was a native of Connecticut, his birth having occurred in Groton, that state, on the 18th of August, 1834. He traces his ancestry back to an English origin, his great-great-grandfather having been a native
JOHN S. RIPLEY.
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of the "merrie isle," whence he crossed the Atlantic to America in early colonial days, becoming one of the earliest settlers of Norwich, Connecticut. Mr. Ripley's grandfather followed the sea, for many years commanding a vessel, and at length was lost while on a voyage to the West Indies. Among his children was John Ripley, who was born in Groton, New Lon- don county, Connecticut, and there resided for many years, devoting his energies to agricultural pursuits. He married Miss Sally Crary, of North Stonington, Connecticut, and they became the parents of the following named : John S., Nathan C., George S., Leander H. and Sarah, the wife of Allen E. Davis. The mother of this family died February 14, 1882.
John S. Ripley spent his entire youth in the state of his nativity, liv- ing successively in Groton, Preston and Norwich. His elementary educa- tion, acquired in the public schools, was supplemented by study in the Plainfield Academy, and when nineteen years of age he began teaching, following that profession for a time in his native state and afterward in Monmouth county, New Jersey. But when the perpetuity of the Union was threatened by the rebellious spirit of the south, he put aside all per- sonal considerations and in 1862 offered his services to the government. In the month of August of that year he joined the First Rhode Island Vol- unteer Cavalry and participated with the Army of the Potomac in the hotly contested engagements at Chancellorsville, Fredericksburg, and in a number of skirmishes.
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