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 17
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70
In his parents' home Jacob E. Wilson spent his boyhood days, and in his early life learned the wheelwright's trade, which he has followed to some extent up to the present time ; the milling business has also occupied his attention at times. He has spent the greater part of his life in Monmouth county, but for six years was a resident of Sharon Springs, New York, and removed from there to Mount Pleasant, now Freneau, in 1850. There he purchased property, built his shop, and erected a dwell- ing. He also purchased the old gristmill known as Henninger's Mill, which he owned and operated for ten years. In 1861 he removed to his present place of residence, where he has for forty years enjoyed the full confidence of his numerous patrons. He was an expert machinist, who could do anything in the line of mechanical construc- tion, and even though the snows of many winters have fallen upon his head, his hand has not yet lost its cunning; and although he is largely living retired, he often does
8
114
HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.
some piece of mechanical work that is an exposition of his skill and ability. In addi- tion to his home property he owns other houses, which he rents, and his income sup- plies him with the comforts of life.
Mr. Wilson has been thrice married. He first wedded Maria Gilborn, and unto them were born two children-Frances, and an infant who died unnamed. For his second wife Mr. Wilson chose Matilda Piper, and they had one son, Edward. His third wife bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Warn, and they became the parents of seven children,-Emma, Florence, Minnie, Delia, Lydia, Albert and William; but the last named is now deceased. Mrs. Wilson died in 1872.
Mr. Wilson has never taken any active part in politics aside from voting for the men and measures that are best calculated to promote the general good. His declining years are spent in ease and quiet.
JAMES D. AVERY.
James Denton Avery is the treasurer and general manager of the Cliffwood Brick Company and a very progressive, energetic young business man. His birth occurred at Highland Falls, Orange county, New York, April 20, 1861, and after acquiring a liberal education, which well prepared him for the practical and responsible duties of business life, he became, when nineteen years of age, interested in the brick manufacturing business with his father. He has since continued a member of the firm, which is now conducting its operations under the name of the Cliffwood Brick Company. The enterprise, energy and tireless industry of the young man, added to the broad experience and sound judgment of the father, make a strong business com- bination, and their ability is shown in the excellent success which attends the industry that now turns out upward of forty million bricks annually.
February 15, 1882, Mr. Avery of this review was united in marriage to Miss Mary L. Billings, a daughter of Stephen and Ann Billings, of New York, and they have had five children. One son, Thomas, is deceased. The surviving children are Ann, Stephen, James and Charles.
James D. Avery is a member of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics and like his honored father holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. Quick to note and improve opportunities, resolute and determined, he belongs to that class of citizens who are a valued addition to any community, contributing in a large degree to its commercial activity and thereby promoting the general welfare.
MELVIN R. VAN KEUREN.
Melvin Randolph Van Keuren is a representative of an old Dutch family of Manhattan Island, which in different generations has played an important part in the history of that locality. His grandfather in the paternal line was Robert Van Keuren, who married Miss Odell, a member of a very prominent and influential family of New York. One of his great-grandfathers in the maternal line was a Price and a soldier in the war of 1812, and in the marine service he also did gallant service in defense of his country, dying while in the service. The grandmother of our subject in the maternal line was a Roberts, a member of the old Roberts family in Middletown, New Jersey, and her father was a soldier in the war of 1812, sta- tioned at Sandy Hook. The parents of our subject were Benjamin and Mary E. (Price) Van Keuren. The father, who was born at Poughkeepsie, New York, is a
MRtankeuren
115
HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.
prominent business man in Jersey City, where he has served his fellow citizens as police commissioner, as alderman, and as commissioner of public works. His wife, who died in 1891, bore him seven children, three of whom are living,-Charles, who is chief engineer of Jersey City; Melvin R., the immediate subject of this sketch ; and Mrs. Day,-Mrs. Day's brother-in-law represents the United States government as consul at an English port.
Melvin R. Van Keuren, a civil engineer, is one of the most prominent citizens of Eatontown, Monmouth county, New Jersey. He was born in New York City, January 19, 1855, and received his primary education in the public schools of Jersey City. Later he took up the study of engineering at the Hasbrook Institute, of Jersey City, and completed the course at Cooper Institute, New York. He adopted civil engineering as a profession and succeeded in building for himself an enviable pro- fessional reputation. From 1872 until 1876 he was employed as assistant in the engineering corps of Jersey City, and was then successively employed in the audit- ing department of the Pennsylvania Railroad at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, as en- gineer of construction for the Jersey City and Albany roads; he then went to west- ern Pennsylvania as resident engineer for the Pittsburg, New Castle & Lake Erie Railroad, now a part of the Pittsburg & Western system. He was afterward chief engineer of the Pittsburg, Marion & Chicago Railroad, and in 1882 went to Ten- nessee, where he built the Knoxville & New River Railroad, of which he was the projector, a stockholder and also the chief engineer and president. Soon after the completion of that line he sold his interest therein and returned to New Jersey, and for a short time lived near New Brunswick, where he owns a farm, and there also built a large modern house. From there he went to Eatontown, where he was associated with and employed by the Monmouth Park Association as its engineer, in which capacity he laid out its grounds, located its buildings, and fitted its park for its in- tended use. In 1893 the act of the New Jersey legislature prohibited racing, thus causing the dissolution of the Monmouth Park Association, and its grounds were purchased by Mr. Van Keuren, who returned to Jersey City and is now employed as contracting engineer.
In 1897 he purchased his present home, which is beautifully situated on a slight elevation at the border of the quaint old village of Eatontown. His estate consists of six hundred acres of land, the limits of which touch Shrewsbury, Little Silver, Ocean Port and Eatontown on the south and west. Mr. Van Keuren's object, to which he is devoting his best abilities as a civil engineer and his extensive knowledge of landscape gardening, is to so beautify the locality as to induce suburbanites to seek residence places on this estate. He is a man of much public spirit, and wherever he has lived has devoted himself zealously to the public good. He is a member of Washington Lodge, No. 9, F. & A. M., of Eatontown, and of the Palma Club of Jersey City.
Mr. Van Keuren was married September 15, 1880, to Mary Emma Coriell, a daughter of Abner S. and Catharine Coriell. She was born near Plainfield and is descended from old and honorable New Jersey families. Mr. and Mrs. Van Keuren have five sons, named respectively Melvin R., Walter C., Raymond, Benjamin and ยท Valentine. -
JOHN HENRY SCHULTS.
The sturdy, enterprising quality of the English character, which has become ap- parent wherever Englishmen have settled in America, has been manifested in Mon- mouth county, New Jersey, by several prominent citizens, notably by John H.
116
HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.
Schults, a merchant farmer. who lives and does business at Pine Brook, and whose postoffice address is Tintonfalls.
John H. Schults is a son of John and Caroline (Brown) Schults, natives of England, who emigrated to America and located on the farm of seventy-five acres which is now the home of their son, the subject of this sketch. They had children named John H., Joseph, Carrie, Lydia, Ann and Frank. William Brown, Mr. Schults' grandfather in the maternal line, was an Englishman, who married an 'Eng- lishwoman named Mary White. He was a millwright by trade and became a promi- nent figure in Monmouth county, where he erected a number of mills, which have been in constant operation to this day. In every way he was a man of usefulness and influence in his adopted country and ably filled the office of justice of the peace, and otherwise served his fellow citizens in a public way. William and Mary (White) Brown had children named Job, William, John, Margaret, Mary A. and Caroline, the last mentioned of whom was Mr. Schults' mother.
John H. Schults was born at Pine Brook, Monmouth county, New Jersey, Au- gust 30, 1856, and was educated in the public schools and early initiated into the mysteries of practical farming, a pursuit to which he has devoted himself during all his active years. His farm, consisting of sixty acres of valuable land, is devoted to miscellaneous crops and garden stuff. In 1901 he bought a store at Pine Brook and is achieving a satisfactory success as a merchant.
Mr. Schults married Miss Rose Dean, a daughter of John and Mary Dean, who was born in Shrewsbury township, and who has borne him children named James, Mary, William, Maggie, Henry and Kittie Mr. Schults is a member of the Ben Hur society, takes a patriotic interest in political affairs and is a citzen of much enter- prise and public spirit.
WILLIAM H. POTTER.
The Potter family, of which our subject is a worthy representative, is one of the oldest of Hunterdon county, New Jersey. Pottersville was first settled by, and the town derived its name from, this family. William H. Potter, the son of Jonathan and Carolin (Crater) Potter, was born at Pottersville on July 3, 1859. Here he re- ceived his early mental training at the public schools, and later he took up a course of study at the Cornell Preparatory School, at Somerville, this state. He early com- menced his commercial career as a clerk in his father's store, where he remained until 1878. He then located in Asbury Park, New Jersey, and entered the employ of Stein- bach Brothers, dry-goods merchants. For six years he continued in this position, when in 1884 he 'entered the dry-goods business on his own account, locating at North Spring Lake, this state. In addition to, and in connection with, his well established trade, in 1885 he took up the real-estate and insurance business, and since then has successfully carried on his widely differing business enterprises up to the present time.
A Democrat in politics, Mr. Potter has occupied positions of trust and responsi- bility of a public character, having been collector for the borough of North Spring Lake from 1884 to 1893, also having occupied a position in the borough council of North Spring Lake, extending over a period from 1893 to the present time, and is vice-presi- dent of the First National Bank of Spring Lake, New Jersey.
Socially he is affiliated with Wall Lodge, No. 73, F. & A. M., of Manasquan, New Jersey, and with Wall Castle, No. 57, Knights of the Golden Eagle, of Spring Lake. He has been a member of the First Presbyterian church of Asbury Park ever since- its organization.
117
HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.
It can be said of Mr. Potter that he is a self-made man, and so well and pro- portionately has he carved out his career that it would be difficult to discover any flaws in the pattern he has set himself.
DARIUS VANDEMARK.
A well known and respected resident of Eatontown, Monmouth county, New Jersey, is Darius Vandemark, who was born in Sullivan county, New York, Septem- ber 28, 1851. His parents were Washington and Harriet (Dutcher) Vandemark, and he was reared and educated in the public schools of his native place. Mr. Vandemark early displayed ability in the handling and rearing of stock, particularly horses, and has owned some celebrated ones, among which may be mentioned Mam- brino Pilot, Jr., time 2:22; Beauty, time 2:16. A number of his horses have won some most hotly contested races in the state, and he is regarded as an authority on the good points and probable speed of the racing horses in this vicinity. Mr. Vandemark has handled stock for market very extensively, also selling and exchang- ing. Prior to 1895 he owned a fine farm in Westchester county, New York, but after selling that property he came to Monmouth county and purchased a valuable farm of Mr. . Smock, consisting of seventy acres, in Shrewsbury township. This tract has been greatly improved by Mr. Vandemark, and he has already shown that he is a thorough and capable agriculturist.
On March 2, 1881, our subject was united in marriage to Miss Ida L. Umpstead, a native of Brooklyn, New York, who was a daughter of Andrew and Mary Ump- stead. To this union have been born three children, namely: Flora D .; Winfield," deceased ; and Anna B.
Mr. Vandemark is a self-made man and has been prominent in public affairs wherever he has lived. In Sullivan county, New York, he took a leading part in county politics, and was both assessor and road commissioner. Since his location in Monmouth county he has made many warm personal friends, has established a repu- tation as a true horseman and has become a valued citizen.
HOWLAND REYNOLDS.
Howland Reynolds, who is identified with the building interests of Monmouth county, resides south of Eatontown, near the farm on which his birth occurred November 5, 1866. He is a son of Robert and Anna L. (Howland) Reynolds. The father was born near Eatontown in 1844 and made farming his life work, always following that occupation, with the exception of a few years which he spent in New . York City. His parents were James and Phebe (Dangler) Reynolds. The grand- father of our subject was the first of the name to locate in Monmouth county. He owned a farm of one hundred and sixty acres near Eatontown and was a man of 'excellent business ability and capable management. His industry, enterprise and keen sagacity brought to him success and as his financial resources increased he in- vested his money in farms, which he left to his children, eight in number, namely : Mrs. George Mount, Mrs. H. Chamberlain, John, Robert, William, Mrs. A. T. Metzer, Mrs. Charles A. Post and Mrs. Solomon Gardner. The ladies named above are all residents of West Long Branch, and the brothers of Eatontown. James Reynolds
118
HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.
died September 1, 1889, but his wife, who was born in 1815, still (1902) survives. Both Mr. and Mrs. Robert Reynolds are also living and make their home in Mon- mouth county upon their farm near Eatontown. Their children are: Howland; James, deceased ; Cora M., deceased; Phebe A., deceased; Calvin R .; and John H., deceased.
In the neighborhood where his birth occurred Howland Reynolds was reared, his time being passed in the usual manner of farmer lads of the period. He acquired his early education in the common schools, and it was supplemented by a course in Freehold Academy. During the summer months he assisted in the work of the home farm and continued to aid in the labors of the fields until his twentieth year, when he began to learn the carpenter's trade. The occupation proved congenial and he soon mastered the business, which he has. since followed with excellent. success ; for as the years have gone by he has secured a constantly growing patronage, many residents of the community desiring the benefit of his skill and experience in build- ing and repairing.
On September 4, 1892, Mr. Reynolds led to the marriage altar Miss Ann Dangler, a daughter of Joseph C. Dangler. She was born near her present home, and by her marriage has become the mother of one daughter, Elsie, who was born No- vember 17, 1894. The family have a very attractive home, which was remodeled by Mr. Reynolds in a modern style of architecture and is supplied with all modern conveniences, while the lawn and other surroundings are very tasteful. Mr. Reynolds belongs to Mizpah Lodge, No. 61, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is the vice grand, and to the Order of Red Men, filling the chair in the latter order. He enjoys the good will of his brethren of these fraternities, while in business circles his word is as good as his bond.
RICHARD WILSON.
Richard Wilson, an enterprising business man of Ocean Grove, New Jersey, also prominent in various fraternal societies, and a Civil war veteran, is a native of the state, born in Burlington, March 18, 1834. His parents were William and Caroline Wilson. His education was obtained in the public schools of his native city, and was amply sufficient to enable him to transact all the business in which he has been engaged during a busy life. He performed farm labor until he was nineteen years of age, when he undertook to learn the trade of a wheelwright, and devoted to it two years, during which time he obtained an excellent practical knowl- edge of that important department of mechanics. For two years afterward he was again engaged upon a farm. He then located in Florence, New Jersey, and took employment in the pattern department of the foundry in that place. He had de- veloped fine ability for that particular class of work, involving something of the talent of the artist as well as the skilled labor of the finished mechanic, and had he persisted in his calling, he would undoubtedly have attained to distinction. The Civil war, however, moved him to take up arms in defense of his country, and incidentally gave to his life a new direction.
In the early summer of 1861 he enlisted in the First Regiment, New Jersey Volunteer Cavalry. He had acquired considerable knowledge of horses while upon the farm, and he was made a non-commissioned officer and placed on duty in the important position of battalion veterinary surgeon, and he served in that . capacity until October, 1862. His usefulness in this department had been amply demon-
RWilson
119
HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.
strated, and on the latter date he. was transferred to the quartermaster's depart- ment in Washington, where he was charged with the responsible duty of inspecting and treating horses for field service, an indispensable prerequisite to the efficiency of the cavalry arm. During this period, the government employes were formed into companies and regiments for the defense of the capital, and he was commissioned captain of the company known as the Meigs Guards, thus named for Quartermaster General Meigs; he served in that capacity, often under arms and on guard duty, until November, 1866, when he was mustered out, the war having ended.
Captain Wilson then returned to Florence, New Jersey, and conducted a hotel for four years. In 1870 he went to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and entered the employ of the Knickerbocker Ice Company, with which he remained for ten years. In 1880 he took up his residence in Ocean Grove, which has since been his place of abode and the scene of his effort. He immediately engaged with the Ocean Grove Association as a carpenter and as superintendent of their ice business, and for fourteen years his service for that company was continuous and useful. In 1894 he established an ice business on his own account, which he has since prosecuted with entire success. In his business relations he enjoys the confidence of all, and he is held in esteem throughout the community as a man of unimpeachable integrity and a public-spirited citizen. He maintains his business office at his residence, the building whch he has occupied from his first coming to Ocean Grove; at No. 108 Heck avenue.
He is prominent in various of the leading social and fraternal organizations, holding membership in C. K. Hall Post, No. 41, G. A. R .; in Coast City Council, No. 813, Royal Arcanum; and in the following named bodies of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows: Neptune Lodge, No. 84; Atlantic Encampment, No. 22; Canton Atlantic, No. 7, Patriarchs Militant ; and Atlantic Rebekah Degree Lodge, No. 2. He has held official position in all these orders, and frequently in the latter named.
Captain Wilson was married December 25, 1855, to Miss Sarah Elizabeth Rich- ardson, daughter of James B. and Mary Richardson, of Florence, New Jersey. Born of this marriage were the following named children: James R., born January 9, 1857; Harriet H., born April 10, 1858; William R., born November 13, 1860; Benjamin F. and Richard, twins, born July 13, 1863, who died, respectively, March 10 and March 13, 1864; George W., born May 9, 1865; Sarah E., born March 31, 1867; Richard, born October 31, 1871; Mary E., born September 17, 1873, and died September 25, 1886; Samuel S., born December 17, 1876, and died April 5, 1882; and Frank T. born December 27, 1878.
JOHN SHEEHAN.
One of the most popular and prominent citizens of Red Bank is John Sheehan, the well known proprietor of the Abbott House, on Shrewsbury avenue, where he has carried on business for twelve years. He is a native of Monmouth county, New Jersey, his birth having occurred in Shrewsbury township, December 25, 1849, his father being Patrick Sheehan, who emigrated to America from the Emerald Isle in 1845. Educated in the schools of his locality, John Sheehan in his early business career was engaged as foreman for James M. Lowree, a prominent contractor for the building of water works in various. cities, operating largely in the southern states and erecting many important plants of this character. Mr. Sheehan in this
I20
HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.
capacity gained a wide reputation for efficient workmanship and for the fidelity with which he lived up to the terms of his contracts, thereby winning for his employer a liberal patronage. About twelve years ago he erected the Abbott House in Red Bank and has since conducted the hotel, which has become a favorite with the traveling public on account of the comforts and conveniences which the guests are there enabled to enjoy. Parlors, dining room and sleeping apartments are all well equipped and the genial and obliging landlord wins many friends among his patrons.
In public affairs Mr. Sheehan is an active and prominent figure and his influ- ence is always on the side of progress and improvement. He votes with the Democ. racy and on that ticket was chosen a commissioner of the town of Red Bank. He has filled the position for two terms and at a recent election ran as an independent candidate, not having been nominated at the primaries, and was elected by the largest majority ever given any candidate for the office, and by far the largest vote ever polled at a city election. Nearly all of the leading business men gave him their support and influence. His record is one of which he has every reason to be proud and indicates that he has a host of warm friends. 1
LYTTLETON WHITE.
The well known resident of Eatontown, Monmouth county, New Jersey, whose - name is above, is an honored representative of two old families who have lived on the New Jersey coast for three centuries. The Whites are of English descent and trace their origin to Samuel White from Deal, England, who came early to America and settled on the present site of Deal. New Jersey. Of Quaker faith, the Whites were of that sturdy stock who adhered to those primitive principles, simple yet sufficient, which when carried into practice elevate the standard of humanity and bring it nearer to its Creator.
Robert R. White, the paternal grandfather of Lyttleton White, was born near Red Bank, New Jersey, and became a prominent and respected farmer in Shrews- bury township. He married Clemence Dennis, daughter of Jacob and Margaret Dennis, and had children named Elisha, Lyttleton, Ashur and Ann. In politics he was a Whig and in religious affiliation he was a Friend. He died September 16, 1815, his wife March 8, 1847, at the age of eighty-seven years.
Elisha White, son of Robert R. and Clemence (Dennis) White, was born near Red Bank in 1791. After he left school he learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked at Eatontown and later at Red Bank. He was a mechanic of unusual skill, and his reputation brought him such a lucrative patronage that he was enabled to amass a considerable fortune. He was a member of the Protestant Episcopal church, and by political affiliation was a Whig. He married Miss Mary Lewis, who was born in 1798, and who bore him children as follows: Reding L., dead; John P., dead; Foreman, dead; Anna E., dead; Gordon D., dead; Catharine, dead ; Mary C., dead; Lyttleton; Barzilla: Catharine, dead. The father of these children died in March, 1868, at the age of seventy-seven years.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.