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 23
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William B. Willis, the son of Captain Asa Willis and the father of our subject, was born in New York on March 20, 1823, and he was the first man to locate on the ground upon which was situated the West Washington market. During the Civil war he became a member of the United States navy and was made purser on the transport Cossack, serving faithfully on this vessel for two years. After the close of the war Mr. Willis returned to the south in a business capacity and engaged as a shipper for seventeen years; his death occurred on August 7, 1897, when his useful and busy life ended. His marriage had been to Miss Catherine Hendrickson, of New York, a lady of social position and estimable character, who still survives him; and these children were born to them: Asa, born on December 17, 1852: William B., born in April, 1856; John D., Charles R., Robert, Deborah, Weltla, Fannie, Saphronia and Ida.
Asa Willis, of this sketch, is associated with his brother, William B., in the truck- ing business in Monmouth county, and they are most successful growers of all kinds of fruit possible to the climate. ' Their product finds ready sale, and the business under their able management brings them handsome returns. Mr. Willis is considered an excellent man of business and is socially connected with the J. O. U. A. M. Both he and brother are unmarried.
WILLIAM L. JONES.
Among the successful farmers of Monmouth county, New Jersey, is William L. Jones, who owns and operates a farm of one hundred and twenty acres of fine land, located in Atlantic township, this tract being known as the old Van Mater home- stead. The birth of Mr. Jones was in this township, February 14, 1833, and he was a son of Hon. Samuel W. and Letty Ann (Smock) Jones, the former of whom was born in Burlington county, in 1808, and the latter in Monmouth county in 1806.
The maternal ancestry of our subject reaches as far back as 1654, when Hendrick Smock left his home in Holland and came to the United States, bringing with him his wife, formerly Geerje Hermans, who died in 1708. Mr. Smock settled in New Utrecht, New Jersey, purchasing land in 1665. In 1687 he took the oath of allegiance to the new government and served as a magistrate until 1689. His children were as follows: Matthias, Johannis, Marritje, Lecudert, Sarah, Martyntje and Rebecca. Jo- hannis Smock removed to Monmouth county and in 1672 married Catherine Barents, to whom were born: Hendrick, Barnes, Martje, Anna and Femmeke. Hendrick Smock. son of Johannis, was born in 1698 and died on May 30, 1747. He married Mary Schanck in 1721, and eight children were born to them. John Smock, son of Hendrick, was born in 1727, and in 1747 married Elizabeth Conover, who bore twelve children, of whom George, the direct ancestor, was born on November 24, 1754, mar- ried his first wife, Sarah Conover, in 1779, and on November 27, 1794, married his
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second wife, Margaret Van Deventer. The children of the first marriage were as follows: John, Aaron, Hendrick, Peter, George, Mary and an infant; and the children of the second marriage were these: Jacob; Janett; Sarah; Elizabeth; Jane; Letty Ann, the mother of our subject; Isaac J .; and Eleanor.
Hon. Samuel W. Jones, who was the father of our subject, was one of the leading Democratic statesmen of Monmouth county. When a mere boy, he was brought to Monmouth county and lived in Vanderburg for some seven years, engaged in farming in the county, and was here married to Letty Ann Smock, as above stated. In 1839 he returned to Burlington county, but in 1846 returned to Monmouth county, which was his home until, his death in 1885, his wife surviving until her eightieth year. Sam- uel W. Jones was a man of energy and industry, and applied himself to the improve- ment of his five hundred acres of land. Prominent in public affairs and enjoying the confidence of his fellow-citizens, he was called upon to fill many of the minor offices, and in 1850 he was made assemblyman and filled that honorable position with a dignity and efficiency which reflected credit upon him and also upon his constituency. His early training in religious matters had been in a community of Friends, but later he became associated with the German Reformed church. His family of children numbered ten ; nine of these grew to maturity, and eight still survive.
William L. Jones, who is the subject of this biography, was the second in order of birth in the family of his parents. He attended school both in Burlington and Monmouth counties, but has resided continuously in Monmouth county since he was thirteen years of age. By trade Mr. Jones is a carpenter, but he is more than that, being in reality a natural mechanic, handling the tools of both carpenter and wheel- wright with more than usual skill. For twenty years he has been engaged in building in Holmdel, and in addition has demonstrated, since 1892, that he is also a practical and successful farmer. His specialty is the breeding of fine strains of poultry, and he owns great numbers of fancy and full-blooded birds, some of these bringing the highest prices ever paid in this county.
The marriage of Mr. Jones was in 1863 to Miss Catherine Holmes, and to this union two sons were born, namely: Jonathan H., who is a merchant in Vanderburg; and Charles W., who manages the poultry business on his father's farm. The family are connected with the Dutch Reformed church, where they are constant attendants and to which they are liberal supporters. Mr. Jones is well known in this locality and enjoys the esteem of the neighborhood in the highest degree.
CORNELIUS ACKERSON.
Cornelius Ackerson, one among the prominent financiers and useful men of Monmouth county, residing at Keyport, comes of honored Dutch stock of the early colonial times.
The first three generations of the family in America are named in "The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record" for July, 1876. According to this authority, Jan Thomaszen j. m. Van de Manhattans, who came from Holland, married (November 8, 1865) Appolonia Cornelis, daughter of Cornelis Claeszen Sintz (Sintsart, Wits) and of Arientio (feminine Adrian) Cornelis-she was baptized October 25, 1648. The issue of this marriage was twelve children, and in each case the baptismal record gives the name of the father as Jan Thomaszen. About the year 1692 he assumed the surname of Eckerson, and this form was retained by his children as their family name. It is to be noted, however, that in the Dutch church
Comelos tercerson.
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records of New York the name variously appears as Echons, Eckens, Eckes, Ecker- son, Ekkisse, Etkins, and with other modifications.
Cornelis Eckerson, third child of Jan Thomaszen (Eckerson), was baptized April 9, 1671. August 24. 1693, he married Willemtje Vlierboom j. d .; both- lived at Tappan, New York. Their children were: Jan, baptized June 26, 1695, died in infancy ; Malthye, baptized November 8, 1696, married, first, Margrietje Blauvelt, second, Jannetje Straat; Jan, baptized March 22, 1696, married Geesie Straat; Cor- nelis, baptized January 12, 17CI, married Rachal Blauvel; Jacob, baptized February 28, 1703, married Tryntje (Catherine) Hartje; Thomas, baptized March 3, 1706, mar- ried Elizabeth Meyer. The marriages herein noted are believed to be as given, but are not of record.
Jan Eckerson, third child of the above named Cornelis Eckerson, by his mar- riage with Geesie Straat became the father of the following named children, as appears from church records: Cornelius, born August 14, 1723; Dirk, born Feb- ruary 12, 1728; Jan, born October 18, 1730; Treyntje, born March 6, 1734, died in infancy; Jacob, born November 30, 1735, married Susanna Sarven; Tryntje, born January 5: 1739; Garret, born February 24, 1743.
Garret, youngest child of Jan Eckerson and Geesie Straat, born in Rockland county, New York, gave the family name its present form of Ackerson. He served with gallantry in the Continental army during the Revolutionary war, as it is attested by the fact that he rose to the rank of captain. He died May 30, 1811, aged sixty- eight years, three months and six days. His remains were interred in the Warwick cemetery, and his memory as a patriot soldier is honored on Decoration Day, as are those of other heroes of later wars. Captain Garret Ackerson married Dorcas Springsteen and removed to Warwick, Orange county, New York. Seven children were born of this marriage: James, John, Garret, Cornelius, Jane, Betsy and Mary. Cornelius, the fourth son in this family, born in Warwick, New York, in 1782, mar- ried Sarah, daughter of Elijah Townsend, of Dutchess county, New York, and they became the parents of five children: John T., deceased; William W., deceased ; Maria A., who became Mrs. Joseph Hoff; Henry E .; and Ann Eliza, who became Mrs. Joseph H. Gibson.
Henry E. Ackerson, third and only surviving son of Cornelius Ackerson, of the last named family, was born July 24, 1821, at Warwick. Orange county, New York. When he was quite young his parents removed to Monmouth county, New Jersey. His educational advantages in the common schools were limited, and his youth was principally occupied in farm labor. On attaining his majority he farmed with his father on shares, and when the father died he inherited a share of the patrimonial estate, and purchasing the remainder continued to manage the farm from that time forward. For a time, beginning in 1865, he was also interested in a stock company which owned the propeller "Holmdel," and for two years he was master of that vessel, which plied between Keyport and New York City. In 1840 he was united in marriage to Mary, daughter of William Hyer, of Matawan, and their chil- dren were: Sarah, who became the wife of Daniel I. Stillwell; Cornelius; and Margaret, who became the wife of George H. Melville.
Cornelius Ackerson, only son of Captain Henry E. and Mary (Hyer) Ackerson, and sixth in direct descent from Jan Thomaszen (Eckerson), the founder of the family in America, was born in Holmdel township, near Hazlet, Monmouth county, New Jersey, September 1I, 1852. He received his initial education in the district schools of his native place, and during his eighteenth year entered Packard's Busi- ness College, in New York City, from which institution he was graduated with a thorough training in a commercial course. He afterward became a farmer, a voca-
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tion which he successfully pursued for sixteen years. He removed to Keyport, April I, 1890, to become identified with the People's National Bank of that place, subse- quently retiring from the directorate to accept the position of assistant cashier, in which capacity he served until July 1, 1900, when he was advanced to his present position of cashier. Mr. Ackerson is a member of the board of water commis- sioners of Keyport, and is also treasurer of that body, and is a member of the Keyport board of education. In various other ways he has rendered material aid in advancing the business and general interests of the town. Careful and exact in his methods, dispassionate in judgment, and of uncompromising integrity, he is re- garded as especially trustworthy in all financial concerns. He is a Democrat in politics. Fraternally he is connected with Coronal Council, No. 1456, Royal Ar- canum, in which he is past regent.
On February 3, 1875, Mr. Ackerson was married to Miss Anna B. Stilwell, a daughter of John S. Stilwell, of Hazlet. Two sons were born of this marriage, Henry E., Jr., and Cecil S. Ackerson.
Henry E. Ackerson, Jr., oldest son of Cornelius and Anna B. (Stillwell) Ack- erson, was born at Hazlet, Monmouth county, New Jersey, October 15, 1880. He was graduated from the Keyport high school on June 8, 1898, and from Packard's Business College, New York City, on June 7, 1900, with honors in each instance. He entered upon the study of law in the New York Law School, and on June 12, 1902, was graduated from that institution with honors and at the head of his class. of one hundred and forty members, winning the highest distinction, the fellowship prize. His splendid success was the more pronounced in view of the fact that in the competitive examinations of the course the majority of his classmates were col- lege bred men of more mature years. Immediately after his graduation, on June 14, he registered for the New Jersey bar from the law office of Blair, Crouse & Perkins, of Jersey City.
Cecil S. Ackerson, second son of Cornelius and Anna B. (Stilwell) Ackerson, was born at Hazlet, Monmouth county, New Jersey, on October 28, 1887. He was promoted with honor to the senior class of the Keyport high school on June 4, 1902.
RUFUS OGDEN WALLING.
Rufus Ogden Walling, pharmacist of Keyport and Matawan, New Jersey, was. born October II, 1879, at Keyport, Monmouth county, New Jersey. He is the youngest of the children of the late Alfred and Henrietta (Ogden) Walling, whose personal memoirs are contained in this volume. Rufus Ogden Walling was gradu- ated from Keyport high school in 1895. While a student at Keyport he was during a portion of his time from 1893 associated in a clerical capacity with a cousin of the late Alfred W. Hoff, pharmacist of Atlantic Highlands and Keyport. Determining upon the adoption of the pharmaceutical profession Mr. Walling entered the New York College of Pharmacy, from which he was graduated with the class of 1897. In 1898 he purchased from the A. W. Hoff estate the Keyport drug store, in the successful conduct of which he has since been engaged. In 1901 he added a branch establish- ment at Matawan, purchasing, restocking and generally improving the Americus Bell store at that place. Mr. Walling is president of Raritan Hose Company No. 2, of Keyport, a member of Bay Side Lodge, No. 193. I. O. O. F., and of Caesarea Lodge, of Keyport, F. & A. M. He was married December 2, 1901, to Miss Mary Hanson' De Groff, daughter of William P. De Groff, of Keyport, whose personal history is- contained in this volume.
Rufus Q. walling
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JUDGE ALFRED WALLING, JR.
The late Judge Alfred Walling, Jr., was a grandson of Cornelius Walling, who was one of the prominent and successful agriculturists of Raritan (now Mid- dletown) township, Monmouth county. Cornelius Walling married Elizabeth Mur- phy, a member of one of the oldest families of the county. The children of this marriage who lived to attain maturity were Alfred. Eusebius, Elizabeth (widow of Thomas V. Arrowsmith, of Keyport), and Amelia (wife of Thomas B. Stout, also of Keyport). Of these but one, Mrs. Arrowsmith, survives. Mr. Walling was an influential citizen of the county, having represented his district in the state legisla- ture and filled various offices of lesser importance.
His son, Alfred, whose birth occurred at the homestead in Raritan township on the 10th of June, 1812, at a later period of his life removed to Keyport, where he resided until his death, having been among its earliest citizens and largely identi- fied with its development and progress. He was for years associated with Leonard Walling, Esq., as a merchant, and later adopted the profession of a land surveyor. His services were also much sought in the settlement of estates and the execution of important trusts requiring not only financial ability but marked integrity. He was elected to the state legislature in 1844, and was especially active in affairs of a local character. His death occurred on the 8th of November, 1875. Mr. Walling married Elizabeth, daughter of John Stout. Their children were: Matilda, wife of Jeremiah Hoff, resides at Keyport; Eusebius died at the age of eighteen; and Alfred Walling, Jr., the immediate subject of these memoirs.
. Judge 'Alfred Walling, Jr., was born on the 26th of October, 1845, at Keyport, Monmouth county, where, with the exception of two years spent in mercantile life in New York, he continued to reside up to the time of his decease, November, 1897. He was educated in the public schools of his native place, and for ten years associated with his father as an engineer and surveyor, combining with this pursuit the business of conveyancing. Meanwhile, having begun the study of law, he was admitted to the bar in 1874, and at once became established in practice in Keyport. He contin- ued the successful pursuit of his profession until 1879, the date of his appointment as law judge of Monmouth county by Governor Mcclellan, an office which he con- tinued to fill by successive gubernatorial appointments until 1890, serving with marked ability. Judge Walling manifested his patriotism at the age of sixteen by enlisting for the late Civil war; but being a minor, his servces were rejected. He, however, was identified with the state militia as captain of Company G, Third Regiment National Guards of New Jersey, in 1869, and as major of the same regiment, which commission was also received during that year. Judge Walling was identified with the material, social and moral interests of Keyport, and co-operated in various en- terprises tending to advance the development of the place. He was for several years president of Monmouth Trust Company, Asbury Park. He was a director of the First National Bank of Keyport, having formerly held the same relation to the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank of Matawan. His political affiliations were with the Democracy, by which party he was in early manhood nominated for a legislative position, but which he at the time declined. Subsequently he was nominated and elected to the assembly and served one term.
A prominent member of the bar of Monmouth county paid the following tribute to Judge Walling during the latter's lifetime: "As a man he is mild and unassum- ing in his manner, yet very resolute and inflexible when once convinced as to his proper course. He is courteous in his relations and honorable in his dealings, having established an enviable reputation both as lawyer and judge. Since presiding on
11
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the bench he has examined with great care both the law and the facts in the various cases under his jurisdiction. Impartial in his dealings, he has commanded the unani- mous approval and respect of the Monmouth county bar." Judge Walling, on the 9th of January, 1867, married Henrietta, daughter of Rufus Ogden, whose personal memoirs are contained herein. Their children were Alnetta, who became wife of Dr. R. W. Jewett, of Keyport; and Rufus O. Walling (see sketch in this volume).
DANIEL HENDRICKSON ROBINSON.
Among the well known farmers of Raritan township, Keansburg Postoffice, the name of Daniel H. Robinson deserves a conspicuous place. Mr. Robinson was born near Old Bridge, on July 28, 1836. He is the son of the late George G. and Catherine (Hendrickson) Robinson. His father was born December 28, 1806, and departed this life November 15, 1871. The mother of our subject was born December 1, 1809, and died July 12, 1859. Their children were as follows: Ann L., now deceased, who was the wife of John J. Antonides, a farmer; Thomas W., now residing in Iowa; Ellen H., who died in childhood; Elmira, wife of John McGrogan, of Paterson, New Jersey; our subject, Daniel H .; Mary E., wife of Albert Polhemius; James H., who met his death during the Civil war; Marsenia, wife of Joseph Pope, of New York City; Henrietta, wife of John Polhemius, both now deceased; and John Franklin Robinson, of Asbury Park.
For many years the father of our subject was proprietor of a hotel, which he erected on the shore of the bay at Keansburg, a location not far distant from where Daniel H. now lives, a business in which our subject was interested in early man- hood. On the maternal side our subject's grandfather, Daniel D. Hendrickson was a captain in the war of the Revolution, and made for himself a splendid record, which is a source of pride to his descendants.
Daniel H. Robinson, the subject of our sketch, purchased the farm which he now devotes successfully to the cultivation of fruit trees, the raising of a general line of garden truck, and the growing of asparagus.
He was united in marriage July 7, 1857, to Ellen Hayward, daughter of John and Ellen Hayward, of New York City, where she was born February 23, 1834. Four children were born to them, namely: Emma, born May 7, 1859, who died March 14, 1875; George G., born June 7, 1864, died June 2, 1866; William B., born December 2, 1861, a farmer, who married Eva Eastmand, daughter of Thomas J. Eastmand; and Inez, born in March, 1896.
In politics Mr. Robinson is a Democrat, but he has preferred to live a quiet and retired life rather than engage in political strife. Mrs. Robinson's parents were natives of Sheffield, England.
JAMES P. B. BENNETT.
Among the prosperous and highly-esteemed young agriculturists of Monmouth county, New Jersey, is James P. B. Bennett, who was born in Middletown township, this county, on May 28, 1862. His parents were the late John O. and E. L. (Conover) Bennett, the former of whom was one of the excellent farmers of this locality. By his second marriage, with the mother of our subject, he acquired this excellent farm,
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which was formerly a part of the Conover estate. Mr. Bennett was noted for his fine horses and took great pride in possessing a number of high-bred animals. The two surviving children of Mr. and Mrs. Bennett are our subject and his brother, William.
James P. B. Bennett received his carly education in the public schools of his native township and later enjoyed higher advantages in the New York City Grammar School, No. 59. In 1886, about the time of his marriage, Mr. Bennett bought the home farm. It is situated near Vanderburg and consists of one hundred and thirty- five acres of the most desirable land, under great improvement and a high state of cultivation. The principal crop that Mr. Bennett raises is asparagus, his proximity to large cities insuring ready sale and great demand for this delicious vegetable.
The marriage of Mr. Bennett was to Miss Maggie P. Conover, a native of Atlantic township, where she was born on July 7, 1867, and was a daughter of D. Rezeau and Eleanor Conover. To this union these children have been born, namely: Nellie L., born February 3, 1887; Emma W., born on July 4, 1888; Ada C., born on January 31, 1890; Maggie, born on March 3, 1891; Charles A., born on October 9, 1892; Bertha, born on January 17, 1894; and John O., born on April 17, 1895.
Mr. Bennett is one of the energetic and popular young men of his township and the confidence of his fellow citizens was shown by his election to the office of school trustee, in which position he discharged the duties to the satisfaction of all through three years. He is thoroughly representative among the excellent citizens. of Mon- mouth county.
JOHN HENRY SMOCK.
The threads of the history of the family of Smock, of which John H. Smock, a prominent farmer of Holmdel, whose postoffice address is at Matawan, Monmouth county, New Jersey, is a representative, reach back into those events which make up the early history of that part of the state. Mr. Smock's farm of two hundred and thirty acres has been owned in his family for four generations.
Mr. Smock's great-grandfather in the maternal line was Cornelius Cowenhoven (Conover), a Hollander, who emigrated to America about 1692, bringing with him a brother and sister, who married into the Schenck family. Together they took up about one thousand acres of land and each built a house which is standing at this time in good condition. A part of the residence of Mr. Smock is one of those old houses which was rebuilt by Mr. Smock's father over eighty years ago. The Smocks came over from Holland about the year 1700, and the original progenitor of the family here is believed to have been Mathias Smock (then spelled Shmolck), who brought with him a coat of arms dated about 1654, which is held to be certain evidence that the family was related to royalty. With the Smocks came members of the families of Vandeveer, Polhemius, Leffert, Van Mater, Romine and Aten. The farm now . owned by John H. Smock came into the ownership of his uncle, Daniel G. Schenck, from whom it passed to his father, George G. Smock, whose first wife was Sarah S. Smock, who bore him five children, named as follows: Eleanor S., married Garrett G. Polhemius, and both are dead; Garrett G., Daniel G. and Robert C. are dead ; John H., who is the immediate subject of this sketch. George G. Smock's second wife was Ellen, a daughter of Ruloff and Mary (Van Doren) Smock, who bore him no children. They were zealous members and supporters of the Dutch Reformed .church at Holmdel.
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John H. Smock was born on the farm on which he now lives, October 10, 1827, and was educated in the common schools near his home. He early took up the life of a farmer, and was married January 13, 1870, to Jane W. Van Doren, who was born March 14, 1845, a daughter of Isaac P. and Eleanor Conover (Hankinson) Van Doren, of Marlboro township.
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