USA > New Jersey > The New Jersey coast in three centuries; history of the New Jersey coast with genealogical and historic-biographical appendix, Vol. III > Part 12
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In the early history of Belmar a Union church was built on Tenth avenue, where ¿all denominations worshipped and toward which they all likewise contributed. In this Union church building, on the 20th of March, 1877, the First Presbyterian church was organized with eight members, and for some time this newly organized church continued to worship in the Union building, but later their services were held in Bitner Hall, on the corner of Ninth avenue and F street. Their first church building was erected for summer service, on the corner of Seventh avenue and A street, in which the first service was held on the 4th of July, 1880, and since that time services have been regularly held during the summer months for the benefit of the population who sojourn here during the heatcd scason, the character of these services being undenominational and fraternal. In the year 1881 the building on the corner of Ninth avenue and E street was erected, where during the larger part of the year the regular services of the church arc held. The work of the church has been continuous, and its influence has been marked and beneficial. The present pastor of the church is the Rev. Charles Everett, D. D., who began his labors here on the Ist of January, 1892, and is the third pastor of the church. Hc has made of life a grand success, and were one to seek for its secret it would be found in that persistent purpose which has been a motive power in his life, to make the world brightci and better by putting to the noblest and best use, under Divine guidance, all that he is and has.
HENRY D. SCOTT.
Henry D. Scott, who owns a beautiful farm in Raritan township, Monmouth county, was born near Arrowsmith's Mills, now Raritan township, on the 13th of February, 1831. He is a son of the late Daniel and Mary (Long) Scott. The father was a millwright by trade, following that occupation throughout his entire business career. Both he and his wife were natives of New Jersey, their ancestors having been among its colonial settlers. The paternal grandfather of our subject was a commissioned officer in the war of the Revolution, and rendered valuable service to his country, but was unfortunately drowned while fording a stream with his 'command. Unto Daniel and Mary Scott were born ten children, five sons and five daughters, but our subject is now the only survivor of the family .. The father passed away at the age of seventy-seven years, and the mother reached the eighty-seventh milestone on the journey of life.
Henry D. Scott became a millwright in early life, and for many years was
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MAHKUMOFHORAS
Henry D Scott
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HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.
'also employed as a carpenter and builder, but in later life he abandoned those voca- tions to engage in the tilling of the soil, which he has ever since continued. He now owns a valuable tract of land in Raritan township, which is devoted to the raising of fruit and vegetables, and in this line of business he has become eminently successful. As a companion on the journey of life he chose Hannah Smith, who was born January 7, 1844, but this union was terminated in death on the 21st of August, 1871, when the wife was called to her final reward. She bore her husband six children. Mr. Scott has been a second time married, January 26, 1875, when Mrs. Ada L. (Eastmond) Havens became his wife. She was born on the 5th of September, 1846, and is a daughter of Langford and Anna M. (Bridgeman) East- mond. Mrs. Scott's first husband was Charles Gordon Havens, who died May 14, 1869. Her paternal grandfather, John Eastmond, at one time owned a very large tract of land, which extended from Raritan Bay south, and contained over a thou- sand acres. Her maternal grandfather, Thomas Bridgeman, was a florist and gardener, and was also a writer of much ability, having been the author of several books pertaining to those subjects, while her mother was also a well known authoress. The union of our subject and wife has been blessed with two sons,-Langford E., who was born November 2, 1875, and Grover C., born February 16, 1886, and both are still under the parental roof. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal church at Keans- burg. In his political relations Mr. Scott is identified with the Republican party, but the honors and emoluments of office have had little attraction for him, as he prefers rather to devote his time and attention to his business affairs. He is numbered among the esteemed citizens of his locality, and is a progressive and successful fruit grower and gardener.
PETER VAN KIRK.
Peter Van Kirk, of Heddus Corners, New Jersey, was born March 26, 1845, at Holmdel, Monmouth county, New Jersey. The first ancestors of the family to settle in this country emigrated from Holland. There were two brothers; one having settled on Long Island and the other took up his residence in Coltsneck, Mon- mouth county, New Jersey, where he was one of the earliest settlers. The grand- father of Peter Van Kirk resided in Coltsneck and followed farming as an occu- pation. He was married and became the father of the following named children: Joseph, Stephen, John, Ann (wife of A. S. Church), Mrs. Oliver Greene, Henry and Mrs. Morris. The father of these children died in Coltsneck at an advanced age. Henry Van Kirk, father of Peter Van Kirk, was born in Coltsneck, where lie resided all his life, pursuing the occupation of farming. He served for three years in the Fourteenth Regiment of New Jersey, under Colonel Truix, and participated in several engagements. He was also a member of the staff of Colone! Truix. He died while in active service at Malvern Hill, being then between the age of forty and forty-five years. He was married to Miss Amy Crawford, and their children were: Alexander; Peter; James, who was a member of the Second Regiment of New Jersey, was taken prisoner and confined in Libby Prison, from there being trans- ferred to Memphis, Tennessee, where he died in 1863, from the exposure he endured while confined in prison. He was unmarried. Charles married Mary Alice Patterson, and they are residents of Red Bank, New Jersey. The mother of these children is still living, and is now seventy-eight years of age.
Peter Van Kirk, second son of Henry and Amy Van Kirk, received his education in the public schools of his native town, and then turned his attention to acquiring
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HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.
the trade of blacksmith, which he has followed as an occupation, taking up in addition agricultural pursuits on a small scale. On August 30, 1862, when then only seventeen years old, he enlisted as a private in Company G, Twenty-ninth Regiment of New Jersey. His regiment participated in the battle of Fredericksburg, where he con- tracted typhoid fever, and was confined in the Patent Office . Hospital at Washington, D. C. He received his discharge from the army .February . 28, 1863. He is a mem- ber of the John N. Arrowsmith Post, No. 61.
Mr. Van Kirk married Miss Mary Elizabeth Alley, daughter of J. George and Gertrude (Thompson) Alley, of Monmouth county. Their children are: Amy L .; Elizabeth, wife of Augustus Crevin; James H., who married Miss Mary H. Plank, of Brooklyn, New York: George B., who died in infancy; Sarah Catherine, wife of Asher L. Tilton, who reside at Red Bank, and their children are Raymond L. and Blanche; George A .; Mary; John and William.
L. D. VANNOTE.
J. H. Vannote is a prominent business man of Point Pleasant, New Jersey, who in public service has contributed largely toward the development and prosperity of that village. He is a native of the place and was born February 25, 1855. His father, William Vannote, was for many years actively connected with the life saving service, stationed at Chadwick, in which he distinguished himself on many notable occasions, and was awarded several medals of honor, conferred under authority of Congress. He retired from the service some sixteen years prior to his death, which occurred at Point Pleasant at the age of seventy-four years. He was a Democrat in politics. He was married to Lydia Burge, and they became the parents of five children : Mrs. Mary Britton ; L. D. Vannote, the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Adelia Rickitts; Mrs. Julia Erickson; and Warren Vannote, who is engaged in the express and livery business at Point Pleasant. Peter Vannote, the paternal grand- father, was also a resident of Point Pleasant, where he died at the advanced age of one hundred and four years. The maternal grandfather, Myrick Burge, was a farmer at Manasquan, and was twice married. By his first wife were born two children Myrrick and Sarah Ann Conover. His second wife, Harriet Allen, bore John, Harry, Fanny and Samuel.
J. H. Vannote was educated in the public schools of his native town. He fol- lowed various industrial pursuits as a boy, and later was a sailor on coasting vessels for about two years, his business consisting of sailing along the coast, making trips as far south as South America. He was later engaged in the ice cream and con- fectionery business at Point Pleasant, in which he continued until taking up the hotel business in which he has since been engaged.
He is a Democrat in politics, and has for many years taken an active interest in local public affairs, being a recognized leader of his party in that section of the county. He has served three terms as mayor of Point Pleasant. In 1893 he was a candidate for that office against William Sagain, receiving one hundred and twenty- one votes, tying his opponent, in favor of whom he withdrew. He was again a candidate in 1894 and defeated his former opponent, Mr. 'Sagain, by twenty-four votes in the poll of one hundred and forty votes. He was re-elected in 1895, over O. S. Haven, whom he defeated by fourteen votes, and served for two years. In 1897 he was re-elected over E. H. Murphy, defeating him by fifty-eight votes in a poll of one hundred and forty-five or fifty, and served another two-years term. During
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HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.
his administration as mayor many important public improvements were brought about, among which was the introduction of trolley cars to Point Pleasant, and the building of an electric light plant; besides which, many important streets were opened and much paving was done. His was altogether the most successful and useful ad- ministration in the history of the village. He was elected assessor in 1899, by a large majority, having previously served for three years as a school trustee. He is a member of Metideconk Tribe, Independent Order of Red Men.
Mr. Vannote married Ella Egbert, a daughter of John W. Egbert, and of this marriage were born five children: Marion, William E., Marion Scott, Beulah May and Deborah Eldo.
TALI ESEN MORGAN.
Tali Esen Morgan, of Ocean Grove, is well known not only as a master of his art in musical circles, but as a veritable genius in his great ability for organizing and maintaining successful choral societies, not the least of his endeavors in this line being the Ocean Grove Festival Chorus, which numbers nearly five hundred voices.
Mr. Morgan was born at Llangynwyd, shire of Glamorgan, South Wales, just one day after the birth of President Roosevelt. The Morgan family originally owned large tracts of land in the glen or valleys of the country, from whence the name of Glamorgan originates. His father, Thomas Llyfnwy Morgan, was a noted historian, in fact probably the greatest writer of local history the provinces ever produced. Prior to his coming to the United States he conducted business in the town of Maesteg. In 1876, with his family of ten sons and one daughter, he came to this country and located at Scranton, Pennsylvania, where he resided up to the time of his death, which occurred in January, 1884. The latter years of his life were spent in quiet retirement, he having abandoned active business pursuits. He was prominently and widely known in Welsh musical circles by his literary nom de plume of Llyfnwy, and never as Mr. Morgan. He was an extensive contributor to various Welsh newspapers in this country. He was a member of the Congregational church, and was also well known as a leader of the various Welsh societies. He possessed great executive ability and untiring energy. He died at the age of sev- enty years, and his widow, who bore the maiden name of Gwen Beven, is still living at the age of sixty-nine years. Their ten children are as follows: John; Tali Esen ; Cyhwyd; Caswallon; Aneurin; Cadivor; Glyndwr; Emrys; Golyddan and Olwen.
Tali Esen Morgan, second son of Thomas and Gwen Morgan, was educated in the public schools of Maesteg, Wales. He completed his schooling at the age of sixteen years, at which time he began to learn the art of printing in connection with the publishing business, in which line he has been more or less identified all his life, having published at different times "The Cambro-American;" the "Saturday . Re- view ;" and the "Pennsylvania People," a weekly paper, all at Scranton, Pennsyl- vania. Prior to his career as a publisher, in 1887, he went west to Cherokee, Iowa, where he was engaged as a clerk until he returned to Scranton. He established the National Press Bureau in New York City in 1892, which he personally con- ducted for eight years, and while thus engaged originated many methods' that are yet practiced by the International Press Association, the successor of the business of his establishnient.
Music had occupied more or less of his attention, and it was at this time' he entered more particularly into this line. of work, and shortly thereafter he organized a choir in the Washington Square Methodist Episcopal church, which under his leadership proved most successful. At the same time he taught classes in sight
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HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.
reading and musical theory. As a teacher he became so popular and his classes increased in inembership so rapidly that he was obliged to give up his newspaper and literary work to devote his entire time to music. Anton Seidel, Walter Damrosch and others equally celebrated in the world of music were among liis admirers, and recognized in him one of the greatest masters in the control of voices in chorus. At the present time he has over two thousand choral singers under his direction; his specialty is teaching sight reading of music. Aside from the great work just de- scribed he has established an International Correspondence School of Music, in which his method of teaching is peculiarly his own. A few years ago he came to Ocean Grove with Mr. Damrosch as the conductor of his chorus, and the im- pression he created was so favorable that he was sought by the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association to become musical director of its entertainments and concerts, a position which he accepted in 1889, and which he has continued to fill with ever increasing popularity and success ever since. His Ocean Grove Festival Chorus numbers nearly five hundred voices, and has rendered many oratorios, including such works as "Elijalı," "Messiah," "Creation," "Holy City." "Stabat Mater" and many others. Mr. Morgan is not only the musical director, but is in full charge as manager of all the concerts and entertainments given under the auspices of the Ocean Grove Association. He also manages the commercial affairs, and is in touch with all the details connected with that immense corporation, both financial and professional. Aside from his work at Ocean Grove Mr. Morgan has conducted some of the greatest concerts ever presented to the American public, having paid as high as one thousand dollars a night for a single artist. At the present time (1902) his orchestra numbers fifty-five. His celebrated festival choir is well known in New York City, where he has given several concerts in Carnegie Hall.
Mr. Morgan also occupies the responsible position of president of the board of trade of Ocean Grove, and under his control and direction the entire institution has undergone a complete revolution along practical lines. He resides permanently at Ocean Grove. He was united in marriage to Miss Mary J. Jones, of Scranton, Pennsylvania. Their six children are as follows: Ethel; Edith; Oscar; Kays; Paul; and Marion Morgan.
GEORGE ALBERT BOURGEOIS.
George A. Bourgeois, of Atlantic City, New Jersey, who has won a position of prominence as a member of the Atlantic county bar, is a native of New Jersey, born in Mauricetown, Cumberland county, May 15, 1864. His early education was ac- quired in the public schools of Morristown, and this was supplemented by a two- years course in the Woodstown Academy. Early in life he determined to follow the daw as a profession, and after completing his academical course, he entered the law department of the University of Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated in the year 1888, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. In June of the same year he began the practice of his profession in the courts of Philadelphia. He subsequently entered the law office of E. B. Leaming, of Camden, New Jersey, and after reading law there for one year, in 1889 he was admitted to practice as an attorney in the courts of the state. and in 1892 he became a counsellor.
Prior to his admission to the bar Mr. Bourgeois taught school in- New Jersey for years. He has been throughout his life a most intelligent student, well read in pro- fessional and general literature, and possesses special gifts as a mathematician and accountant. For three years he was professor of mathematics in Peirce Business College of Philadelphia, a position in which he acquitted himself most creditably.
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HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.
Mr. Bourgeois, through patient and untiring application to study and research along the line of his work, and with intelligent enthusiasm and energy, has attained a foremost place in the ranks of his profession, and a position of recognized use- fulness in the community. Mr. Bourgeois is one of the board of directors of Chelsea National Bank and solicitor for that institution.
COURTNEY HILLIARD.
Captain Courtney Hilliard, who in early life followed the sea, but for many years has been engaged in agricultural pursuits, is a well known and prominent res- ident of Madison township, Middlesex county, and is of English lineage. He traces his ancestry back to William Hilliard, who was a native of England and with his brother John came to the new world in colonial days. When the country became involved in war with Great Britain in an attempt to secure the right which the mother country had denied, John Hilliard, not desiring to engage in strife, returned to England, but William remained, and joining the Colonial army fought for
liberty and independence. His heroic conduct at the battle of Trenton is a matter of history. He first became associated with the army in the capacity of sutler, but subsequently entered the ranks and was in active service until honorably discharged. Mr. Hilliard located in Middlesex county and was united in marriage to Miss Mary Berlew, through whom he inherited some real estate. Their children were: Peter, Nathaniel, William, Margaret, Hannah, Mary and Margaret, the second of that name.
Of this fainily William Hilliard was the father of our subject. He was born in Middlesex county in 1799 and devoted much of his time to the coasting trade, owning the vessel which he sailed. Finally he abandoned a sea-faring life for that of farming and became the owner of one hundred and eighty acres of rich land, ' which he profitably cultivated. He married Hulda Lambert, of Lambertsville, New Jersey, and they became the parents of the following named: James, who was born in 1826, and is deceased; Mary A., who was born in 1828 and has also passed away ; Sarah C., whose birth occurred in 1831 and who has now departed this life; Mercy, who was born in 1833 and is now dead; William, born in 1837; Courtney, born in 1840; and Lucinda, born in 1843. The father died August 12, 1857, and the mother, surviving him for a number of years, passed away on the Ist of January, 1871. They were Baptists in religious faith.
Captain Courtney Hilliard was reared and educated in Madison township and in early life followed the example of his father and became a sea-faring man. He owned and commanded a vessel which plied between South Amboy and various northern ports. For ten years he was thus engaged and in 1865 he began farming. He owns fifty acres of land in his home farm and this is devoted to the production of grain and the vegetables best adapted to this climate. In addition he also has valuable tracts of clay and sand producing land and some town lots. In public affairs in his community he is prominent and has held the office of township committeeman, commissioner of appeals and for ten years was school trustee, the cause of educa- tion finding in him a warm friend.
The Captain was united in marriage to Miss Lucretia Asore, a daughter of Stephen and Dela Asore, the wedding being celebrated on the 29th of March, 1873. They have had no children of their own but early adopted Amelia Hilliard, who on December 26, 1897, became the wife of LaFayette C. Millspaugh, and they have one child, Courtney H. Millspaugh, born October 20, 1898. Mr. Millspaugh was born in
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HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.
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Monmouth county, August 23, 1876, and is a son of Charles H. and Jennie E. (Conover) Millspaugh. The former was a son of a clergyman of the Reformed church and the latter was a daughter of LaFayette Conover. LaFayette C. Millspaugh is now operating the farm upon which his accomplished wife was reared and they, together with Captain Hilliard and his estimable wife, constitute a happy and highly respected household.
JOHN FORG REYA.
There are not living within the borders of Monmouth county, New Jersey, many men of French nativity, but most of them do credit as citizens alike to the American republic and the French republic. One the best known of these is John F. Reya, a prominent farmer and fruit grower near Matawan.
John F. Reya was born April 15, 1856, in France, where he was reared and educated in the public schools and where he learned the silk weaver's trade, at which he worked until, at the age of sixteen years, he came to America. For several years he was employed at his trade in Jersey City and Paterson. He then engaged in farming and fruit growing and in 1893 purchased his present place, which he planted largely to peach and pear trees. He is a successful and enthusiastic fruit grower, a genial and companionable friend and neighbor.
Mr. Reya was married March 7, 1880, to Anna M. Schenck, a daughter of Peter I. and Elizabeth (Randolph) Schenck, and a native of Holmdel, who was. born June 25, 1861. Peter I. Schenck was a successful farmer near Morrisville, Mon- mouth county, and he was a direct descendant of the Schencks of Holmdel, a dis- tinguished family, which is represented in different biographical sketches in this work. He died January 25, 1879, aged fifty-one years. His wife, Eliazbeth (Ran- dolph) Schenck, was a native of Jersey City, and was descended from the famous. · family of Randolphs, of Virginia, which bore such a conspicuous part in the early history of our country and of which John Randolph of Roanoke was the most dis- tinguished member. She died in 1888, aged sixty-two years. Mr. and Mrs. Schenck possessed fine abilities and the highest character, and were useful, honored members. of society.
John F. and Anna M. (Schenck) Reya have children as follows, mentioned in the order of their nativity: Lizzie A., born June 2, 1881; Clara, born January 31, 1884; George F., bern August 10, 1886; William O., born March 14,. 1889; Alice B.,. born August 24, 1892; and Gladys, born July 30, 1899. The family are zealous mem- bers of the Baptist church of Holmdel. Mr. Reya is a Democrat in politics, but he does not take an active interest in the affairs of his party.
STEPHEN HEARN.
Stephen Hearn, the popular proprietor of the Central Hotel at Morristown, Middlesex county, is a native of Keyport, this state, his birth having there occurred in 1853, his parents being John A. and Hannah (Reynolds) Hearn. He was reared and educated in Kingsbury, New Jersey, attending the common schools, and in early life he followed agricultural pursuits, but finally began dealing in oysters and clams, the excellent oyster beds in this region furnishing ample opportunity for that line of trade. Mr. Hearn owned his own sloops, the A. J. Hcgerty and the-
John . P . Rys
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Armegien Terry, and in a short time he had gained a very extensive patronage, and therefore enjoyed a very liberal income. Eventually lie removed to Keyport, where he became interested in the hotel and bottling business. For five years he conducted his dual enterprise and in the hotel were found many patrons, while the products of his bottling establishment were widely sold. I11 1892, however, he left Keyport and came to Morristown, where he has continued in the sanie line of business, being the proprietor of the Central Hotel and also owner of bottling works. Around his hotel are grounds large enough to enable him to raise his own vegetables, which are therefore brought to the table fresh. The cuisine is all that could be desired and everything about the place is kept in first class condition, Mr. Hearn earnestly de- siring to please his patrons and therefore putting forth every effort for their con- venience and comfort.
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