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 49
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On his return to the north Mr. Ripley resumed his professional labors, but at the time of his marriage he turned his attention to mercantile pur - suits. On the 26th of December, 1867, he was joined in wedlock to Miss Joan Stout, a daughter of Elhanan W. and Mary (Lippencott) Stout, of Monmouth county, the former a descendant of Penelope Stout and of Elhanan Stout, son of Judge Stout, of Hopewell, New Jersey. The only child born unto Mr. and Mrs. Ripley is Dr. Eugene S. Ripley, who is temporarily engaged in the practice of medicine in Hamilton, New Jersey, but permanently located in Philadelphia.
At the time of his marriage John S. Ripley established a store in Nor- wich, Connecticut. where he carried on merchandising with excellent suc- cess until 1872, when he removed to Asbury Park, New Jersey. Here he purchased lots and his pre-science enabling him to see the development that awaited this place, he erected here the first hotel of the town, known as the Grand Avenue Hotel, of which he was joint proprietor in associa- tion with his brother-in-law, Lybrand Sill. The splendid location of Asbury Park attracted to it many visitors, especially through the summer montlis, and as the hotel was conducted in the most modern approved inanner, it won a large patronage. It was conducted for some time by its original owners, but at length Mr. Ripley withdrew from that enterprise, having in the meantime purchased and remodeled the West End Hotel. It is still one of the largest hotels in Asbury Park and under the management of Mr. Ripley it rivaled the best metropolitan hotels, being supplied with all modern equipments and conveniences for the comfort of the guests. It was a monument to Mr. Ripley's progressive spirit, for he kept in touch
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with the advance being made in hotel life, introducing all improvements that added to the practical management and to the pleasure of his patrons.
In his political views he was an earnest Republican, unfaltering in his allegiance to the principles of the party in which he firmly believed, yet he never desired, nor would he accept, public office, save those closely allied with the educational interests of the community. He labored un- tiringly, however, as a private citizen in behalf of every movement and measure which he believed would prove of benefit to the Park, and was largely instrumental in shaping its development along lines that increased its beauty, charm and attractiveness, as well as its practical utility. So- cially he was identified with Asbury Lodge, No. 142, F. & A. M., Long Branch Chapter, R. A. M., Corson Commandery, K. T. and Mystic Shrine. His religious belief was indicated by his membership in the Reformed church, of Asbury Park, in which he served as an elder from its organiza- tion, contributing also most liberally to its support. He passed away June 12, 1896, in the midst of a most useful career. He had many charac- teristics worthy of the strongest commendation. He never made business a secondary consideration, but gave to it his earnest efforts and thoughtful attention, and his policy was unassailable, being in conformity with the strictest commercial ethics. His loyalty to every trust of either a public or a private nature was marked; he held friendship inviolable, and his family ties as a sacred and cherished obligation.
EUGENE S. RIPLEY, M. D.
Dr. Eugene S. Ripley, who is engaged in the practice of medicine in Hamilton, is the only child of John S. Ripley, deceased, who for a quarter of a century was a prominent citizen of Asbury Park. He was born in Norwich, Connecticut, June 22, 1869, and was but three years of age when his parents removed to Asbury Park, where he pursued his early education, completing the high school course by graduation in the class of 1887. His collegiate course was pursued in Yale University, which he entered in the fall of 1889, being there graduated in the spring of 1894. With broad lit- erary and classical learning to serve as the foundation upon which to rear the superstructure of professional knowledge, he began preparation for his chosen profession as a student in the medical department of the University of the City of New York, and upon his graduation in 1897 won the degree of M. D. For a time he engaged in conducting a pharmacy in Philadelphia.
HON. CHARLES R. SNYDER.
Charles R. Snyder, only son of Ritsen S. and Elizabeth (Roberts) Snyder. was born in Monmouth county, March 19, 1869. He acquired an excellent English education in the Keyport graded schools, graduating in the class of 1887, and then studied law under the preceptorship of
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Marcus B. Taylor, of Keyport, and Applegate & Hope, of Red Bank. He was admitted to the bar in 1892, and at once entered upon practice at Atlantic Highlands. In 1896 he became a counsellor and in 1901. a supreme court commissioner. He soon attained to an enviable position in his pro- fession, and his capability has been displayed in the conduct of important cases in the various courts, although his extensive office practice receives his closer attention. In the line of his calling he has been appointed to various positions in which his legal ability has been highly advantageous to his fellow townsmen. Since 1892 he had been attorney for the Atlantic Highlands Saving Fund and Building and Loan Association, and its great usefulness has been largely due to his ability as a lawyer and financier. This association is known as the most successful of its class in Monmouth county, with a record almost, if not quite, unparalleled in the state, its shares earning over ten per cent. net profit to the investors. In 1900 Mr. Snyder was appointed attorney for the borough of Highlands. He repre- sents large corporate and individual interests, and is the local representa- tive of the R. G. Dun & Company commercial agency. He is a member of the insurance firm of E. R. Snyder & Company, which, through its man- ager, Miss Evelyn R. Snyder (sister of Mr. Snyder), represents many of the leading companies of the country. In the promotion of community interests Mr. Snyder is as active and prominent as was his father. Since 1897 he has been a member of the board of education, and he is also clerk of the Central Baptist church, secretary of Monmouth Lodge, No. 172, F. & A. M., past regent and past officer in the Royal Arcanum, a past coun- cilor and past representative of the Junior Order of United American Me- chanics, treasurer of Hose Company No. 1, Volunteer Fire Department, and a member in other local societies.
A Republican in politics, Mr. Snyder is numbered among the most active and influential leaders of his party in his county and district. He was in 1896 president of the Mckinley and Hobart Club, and in 1900 was elected to the assembly, and re-elected the following year by a largely increased majority. The most convincing evidence of his high professional ability is discerned in a simple statement of the very important committees upon which he was called to act-on banking and insurance, on judiciary, on revision of laws, and on riparian rights, of the latter of which he was chairman. During his two legislative terms he won the well deserved approbation and esteem of his colleagues and recognition as one of the most conscientious and industrious members of the law-making body.
Mr. Snyder was married in June, 1894, to Miss Earline D. Spader, a granddaughter of the late Judge William Spader, of Matawan, and daugh- ter of Capt. J. V. Spader, a Civil war veteran. Mrs. Snyder is a lady of culture and lofty instincts. She is president of the Atlantic Highlands Improvement Society, a body of ladies who have proved most serviceable in removing the many small nuisances found in most towns detrimental to the beauty and sanitary condition of a place. She is also active in church and kindred work. Two children have blessed their marriage-Earle Spader, born June 11, 1895, and Elizabeth Roberts, born August 26, 1896.
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ISAAC C. KENNEDY.
The name of the Kennedys, father and son, has been prominently as- sociated with Asbury Park and Ocean Grove from the foundation of those towns. The father, Frederick H. Kennedy, was born at Peapack, Somerset county, New Jersey, December 20, 1819. His great-grandfather, Henry Kennedy, a Scotch Presbyterian, emigrated to America prior to 1735. He settled at Amwell, Hunterdon county, New Jersey. His son, Henry Kennedy, born in 1750, married Mary Quick in 1780 and shortly afterward removed to Kennedy's Mills (afterward Vliets Mills) on the Lamington river, Somerset county, New Jersey, where he conducted the flouring and milling business. He died May 22, 1828, aged seventy-eight years. His widow, Mary Quick, born in 1762, died November 28, 1837, aged seventy- five years. Their children were: Archibald Kennedy, born March, 1787; resided at New Germantown, Hunterdon county, New Jersey; died No- vember 5, 1857. Henry Kennedy, Jr., born November 19, 1794, married Julia Ann Honnel, daughter of Frederick Honnel and Elizabeth Shangle, and resided at Peapack (now Gladstone) Somerset county, New Jersey ; died August 1, 1846. His widow, Julia Ann Kennedy, survived him) and died January 31, 1893, aged ninety-four years, seven months and twenty- five days. William Kennedy, born December 25, 1798, married Euphemia Reading, daughter of Daniel Reading and Jane Kennedy; resided at Ken- nedy's Mills until 1845, when he removed to Somerville, New Jersey. He was a judge of the court of common pleas of Somerset county from 1842 to 1845, and clerk of Somerset county from 1845 to 1850. His wife, Euphemia Reading Kennedy, died at Somerville, New Jersey, March 29, 1850. He removed to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, in 1851, where he resided at the time of his death, April 6, 1868. Margaret Kennedy, born in 1801, mar- ried Dr. Hiram Bunce August 24,: 1823.
The children of Henry Kennedy, Jr., and Julia Ann Kennedy, his wife, were : William Kennedy, born September 23, 1817, died October 28, 1847. Frederick H. Kennedy, born December 20, 1819, died September 9, 1881. Hiram H. Kennedy, born April 13, 1822, died February 8, 1868. John Harvy Kennedy, born August 3, 1824, died October 26, 1837.
Frederick H. Kennedy, son of Henry Kennedy, Jr., and Julia Ann Kennedy, was born at Peapack, Somerset county, New Jersey, Decein- ber 20, 1819. He married Mary Ann Crater, daughter of Isaac Crater and Ann Arrowsmith, January 19, 1848. He resided at Peapack until 1853, when he removed to Long Branch, Monmouth county, New Jersey, where, in partnership with his father-in-law, Isaac Crater, he built and owned the United States hotel at that place-an immense structure for its day, built at a time when Long Branch was just entering upon its wonderful growth and coming into general notice as the most notable watering place of the period. In 1856 he sold his interest in the United States hotel to his brother-in-law, John A. S. Crater, and the following spring moved to Deal, Monmouth county, New Jersey, where he purchased a large farm and en- gaged in farming pursuits. He was by occupation a civil engineer and
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ISAAC C. KENNE
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surveyor and had a large practice in that profession throughout the county of Monmouth. He died at Deal, New Jersey, September 9, 1881. His widow, Mary. A. Kennedy, survived him and removed to Asbury Park, New Jersey, where she died April 7, 1889.
Their children were: Anna Kennedy, born February 20, 1849, re- sides at Little Silver, New Jersey. Isaac C. Kennedy, born November 27, 1850, lawyer, resides at Asbury Park, New Jersey. Julia E. Lovett, born October 19, 1852; wife of John T. Lovett; resides at Little Silver, New Jersey. Alida C. Kennedy, born December 15, 1854, died August 18, 1888, unmarried.
Isaac C. Kennedy, son of Frederick H. Kennedy and Mary A. Ken- nedy, the subject of this sketch, was born at Peapack, Somerset county, New Jersey, November 27, 1850. He was three years old when his father removed to Monmouth county and there he received his preliminary edu- cation in the public schools. He studied civil engineering and surveying under the excellent tutorship of his father and soon rose to the mastery of that profession. He was early associated with his father in civil engineer- ing under the firm name of F. H. Kennedy.& Son. In 1870 they planned and laid out Ocean Grove, the greatest camp meeting resort in the world. In 1871 they surveyed and laid out Elberon, New Jersey, and in 1872- 1874 planned and laid out the city of Asbury Park; the son, Isaac C. Ken- nedy, being the engineer in sole charge of the work. He manifested great skill in the work committed to him and eventually overcame what appeared to be insuperable difficulties in the development of the plans for a city by the sea. It was the consensus of the opinion of all except the founder, James A. Bradley, and those associated with him in the development of the project, that it would be impossible to thoroughly drain the land so as to make it available as the site of a town of any importance, but the projectors persisted, and Mr. Kennedy succeeded in establishing the first perfect sys- tem of drainage at a seaside resort on the American continent. The splen- did wide streets of Asbury Park, the widest of any seaside resort on the New Jersey coast, and the liberal lines upon which the city is planned, are monuments to Mr. Kennedy's judgment and skill as an engineer.
In 1877 Isaac C. Kennedy took up the study of law in the office and under the preceptorship of John E. Lanning, who was' then prosecutor of the pleas for Monmouth county. He was admitted to the bar in 1881 and since that time has been actively engaged in the practice of law at Asbury Park, New Jersey, occupying a leading place at the bar of 'Monmouth county. His thorough knowledge of real estate law, together with his practical knowledge of the early land titles in Monmouth county, has caused him to be recognized as an authority on the subject.
Mr. Kennedy has a large and lucrative practice and represents as counsel many important private and corporate interests. He is the general counsel of the Atlantic Coast Electric Railroad Company, Seashore Elec- tric Railway Company, West End and Long Branch Railway Company, and Asbury Park and Sea Girt Railroad Company, which position he has held since those corporations were first organized, and has successfully de-
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fended those corporations in many litigated cases, both in the county courts and in the New Jersey supreme court.
Mr. Kennedy is also counsel for many large estates, and has himself, as executor, administered some of the largest estates ever administered in Monmouth county. He possesses a large and well selected law library, access to which is at all times freely accorded to those of his profession.
Throughout his entire career, in his younger days as a civil engineer, and later as a lawyer, he has been indefatigably industrious, counting no amount of painstaking too trying nor labor too severe, and only content- ing himself with entire thoroughness and accuracy in every task devolving upon him. Moved by a commendable spirit and taking a laudable pride in the development and prosperity of the splendid city with which he has been identified from its foundation, he has always given cordial aid to numerous commercial and benevolent enterprises.
Mr. Kennedy is a member of the New Jersey Historical Society, Mon- mouth Club and Deal Golf Club. He married Miss Rebecca Jennette Metz, of Wilmington, Delaware, January 9, 1884. who died November 5, 1890. One child born of their marriage survives, namely, Frederick Laurence Kennedy, born November 17, 1884, who resides at Asbury Park, New Jersey.
JUDGE WILLIAM T. HOFFMAN.
Judge William T. Hoffman, of Englishtown, New Jersey, one of the most widely known men in the state as a most accomplished lawyer, legislator and public official, is a native of the state of New Jersey, de- scended from Dutch ancestry of the colonial period. His ancestor was William Hoffman, who, with his wife, came from Holland. William Hoff- man served faithfully in the Continental army during the Revolutionary war. He had settled in Middlesex county, New Jersey, and acquired large tracts of land which extended from what is now Jamesburg, in a southerly direction almost to Englishtown, and much of this land yet re- mains in the possession of his descendants. He reared a large family, and his oldest son settled and founded the present beautiful city of Dayton, Ohio. Another son, John Hoffman, made his home near Jamesburg, in Middlesex county, New Jersey. By occupation he was a farmer, and he acquired an extensive property. He was a deeply religious man, and was a leader in the establishment of Methodism in his county. His chil- dren were William, Thomas, Henry and Godfrey.
William Hoffman, oldest son of John Hoffman, was born near James- burg, Middlesex county. As was his father, he was a prosperous farmer and a zealous and exemplary member of the Methodist Episcopal church, a leading spirit in the local church body, and a 'class leader and local preacher in the days when meetings were held in private houses for want of a church edifice. He married Lydia A. Barclay, a member of the old and honored Thomas family, who bore him one child, William T. Hoff-
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man. Mr. Hoffman came to his death by a stroke of lightning at his home near Jamesburg, when thirty-five years of age. His widow subsequently became the wife of John Sutton, and is yet living near Englishtown. The fruit of her second marriage was a daughter, Mary Emma, who became the wife of S. Cameron Young, son of Colonel Young, of Middletown, Penn- sylvania.
William T. Hoffman, only child of William and Lydia A. Hoffman, was born November 8, 1836, at his father's residence near Jamesburg. In early youth he acquired an excellent English education, and was pre- paring for college, when his attention was directed to business pursuits. He subsequently took up the study of law under the preceptorship of the distinguished Governor Bedle, and in November, 1862, he was licensed as an attorney, and he became a counsellor in 1872. His admission to the bar was during the crucial period of the Civil war, and in 1863 he en- tered the military service, and served in the paymaster's department, U. S. A., until the restoration of peace. Resuming the practice of his profes- sion, in Hudson county, New York, he speedily attained a front place at the bar, and from that time has been known as one of the busiest and most successful lawyers in New Jersey.
He is at his best as a jury lawyer,, clear in presentation of his case, searching in the examination of witnesses, and logical and convincing in his analysis of the fact presented. Among the many known causes celebre in which he has been a counsel were the homicide trials of Smith and Bennett, of Jersey City; Rockwell, of Toms River; Klankowski, of Jersey City; Eli Shaw, of Camden; and the more recent and notorious Bosschei- ter case in Paterson. Among cases of vast importance in which he was engaged, were the celebrated railroad taxation cases, in which he was counsel for the state; the noted Laverty impeachment trial before the state senate in 1886, in which he was counsel for the defense; and the Stuhr-McDonald contested election case before the senate in 1890. He also appeared in the famous Lewis will case, and in the Brockaway coun- terfeiting trial in the federal court.
Judge Hoffman has filled various important positions most usefully and creditably. From 1873 to 1878 he served as presiding judge of Hund- son county, and for five years he was president of the Hoboken board of education. In 1892 he was a candidate for Congress, upon the Republi- can ticket, but suffered defeat on account of the political complexion of the district. In 1902 he was elected to the assembly from Monmouth county, by a plurality of five hundred and sixty-eight votes over his oppon- ent, Mr. McDonald, who was the highest candidate on the Democratic ticket. In the assembly to which he was chosen his professional attainments gave him immediate prominence, and he was placed upon two important committees-the judiciary and the railroads and canals committees.
Judge Hoffman has always been identified with the Republican party, and cast his first presidential vote for the martyr President-Abraham Lin- coln-in 1864. From that day to the present he has been prominent in the councils of the party, and prominent before the people as an orator of
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commanding ability. He presided over the Republican state convention which nominated Frederick A. Potts for governor. From 1880 to 1883 he was a member of the Republican state committee, and in 1892 he was a delegate to the Republican national convention at Minneapolis, which nomi- nated Benjamin H. Harrison for the presidency. In all his long profes- sional and political career he has borne himself as a man of high principle and strong intellect, and has drawn to himself an army of friends who delight in the honors which have come to him.
In 1863 Judge Hoffman was married to Miss Ann Elizabeth, a daugh- ter of John G. Fisher, of New Brunswick, and a descendant of the well- known pioneer Hance family of Shrewsbury, Monmouth county, New Jer- sey. She was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and was a graduate of the Hannah Hoyt Seminary (in that city), in which institution she sub- sequently taught for a number of years. She was a member of the Hannah Hoyt Association, and was a woman of rare culture and beauty of charac- ter. Her home life was ideal, and she was greatly beloved by a large circle of friends, both young and old, who were called to mourn her death Febru- ary 12, 1902, at the age of sixty years, when she was in the prime of her intellectual powers. She left two children, namely: Mrs. John H. Baird and Miss Katherine Hoffman. Mrs. Baird, with her husband, reside at Fort Valley, Georgia, but spend their summers with Judge Hoffman at his well known home, Lasata. Mr. Baird is the superintendent of the largest peach orchard in the United States and is an extensive fruit grower. Kath- erine Hoffman, the youngest daughter, resides with her father.
WASHINGTON LAFAYETTE HOPE.
Washington Lafayette Hope was born in New York City, August 4, 1824, and was the youngest child of Reuben Hope, and Catherine Taylor Hope. Reuben Hope was engaged in the shipping business, and was one of the officials of New York City appointed to welcome General Lafayette when he visited the United States by invitation of the government in Au- gust, 1824. During that interesting occasion, Reuben Hope named his son, then but a few days old, Washington Lafayette Hope.
Reuben Hope was English and some of his ancestors were French Hugenots and Scotch. He and two brothers, Cornelius and Thomas, came to New York from England, shortly prior to 1800, together with James Malcolm and others, several of whom became prominent in commercial en- terprises in New York.
Mr. W. L. Hope's mother was Catherine Taylor, a daughter of Abner Taylor, who was distinguished for his bravery and efficient services in the Revolutionary war, particularly in connection with blockading the Hudson river, near West Point. Abner Taylor and his wife, Catherine, and their ancestors, some of whom came from Holland, were early settlers of this country, mostly in New York state, and were related to the families of Gibbs, Rose and others, who were well known patriots. Washington L. Hope, and his older brothers frequently repeated interesting stories of in-
N. L. Hope
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cidents during the Revolutionary and Indian wars, told them by their grand- father, Abner Taylor.
Mr. Hope was the youngest of eleven children, nine of whom lived to good old ages, viz: William, farmer and large real estate operator, George T., for many years, until his death, president of Continental Fire Insurance Company of New York; Samuel Waller, engaged in the United States custom service, an inventor and farmer, still living at Trenton, New Jersey ; Mary, wife of John Carpenter, a merchant; Catherine, wife of Charles E. Steane, M. D .; Frances Matilda, wife of Benj. Pike, Jr., manu- facturer of philosophical and scientific instruments, and publisher of books on those subjects ; Cornelius, merchant; Rev. J. Malcolm, a Baptist min- ister now at Brooklyn, New York.
Mr. Hope was educated in New York City, and was well read and a studious and thoughtful man. During the early part of his business life, he was a merchant, and a contractor for materials used in building and equipping railroads, and afterwards engaged in farming in Rockland county, New York, and at Shrewsbury, New Jersey. He was one of the organizers of the Rockland County Agricultural Society, and an officer of it until he moved from the county.
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