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 26
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His translation to Camden almost immediately introduced him into a field of great usefulness, and eventually brought him to his present station. At Camden he found quite a number of his countrymen who, without knowledge of the English language, were necessarily deprived of the spiritual teaching which they craved, for want of a priest speaking their own tongue. In their interest he contemplated the for- mation of a Polish congregation, but at this moment more urgent necessities of a similar character turned his attention to Perth Amboy. A committee of Polish Catholics of that city had waited upon the Right Reverend' O'Farrell, bishop of the diocese, urging the great needs of their people, and he delegated Father Szyman- owski to visit the place and investigate the conditions.
April 26, 1892, Father Szymanowski began a three days' mission in St. Mary's church, Perth Amboy. During this time he ascertained that there were so many as one hundred and thirty-five Polish Catholic families in that parish, and he deter- mined upon the establishment of a church which should be their real spiritual home. He secured the use of Schiller's Hall, in which he arranged a temporary chapel. and therein he celebrated mass on May 8, 1892, and thereafter until a church edifice was provided. Within a short time he purchased a lot on State street, and on October 16, 1892, the erection of a plain but substantial and comfortable building was begun. Work was expedited as rapidly as possible, and February 5, 1893, less than a year after the coming of Father Szymanowski, he celebrated mass in the new, although as yet uncompleted, building, in the presence of a deeply affected and grateful congre- gation. May 30, of the same year, Bishop O'Farrell officiated at the dedicatory services, which were attended by many priests and members of other parishes.
Early in the same year the residence of Mrs. Alfred Hall, adjoining the church edifice, was purchased at an outlay of six thousand five hundred dollars for use as
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a rectory, and it was occupied May I. In October following Father Szymanowski formed a parochial school with about 45 pupils. At the present time St. Stephen's Parish numbers some three hundred and sixty-five families, and a congregation of over two thousand souls. At the same time, the school has been largely increased in numbers.
Father Szymanowski took a deep interest in the upbuilding of the new public library, and Mayor Compton solicited him to become one of the seven trustees of that institution, and it was largely through his effort that Mr. Carnegie's munificent donation of $20,000 was secured for it. He is also one of the board of managers of the Perth Amboy Savings Institution, appointed to the position by Mr. Thomas K. Johnston, of the department of state banking, in full knowledge and appreciation of his great influence and ability to add to its prestige.
The record of these great accomplishments would be incomplete without sug- gestion of the fact they werc only possible through the most unremitting labor on the part of the devoted priest whose effort is here feebly narrated, and through the piety and devotion of a congregation holding him in the most affectionate regard. Deeply beloved by them, he is also held in honor in the community at large for the useful part he has taken in contributing to the welfare of a large and well-deserving element of its people, and to the beautifying of the city. Notwithstanding his long and useful service, Father Szymanowski is yet in but middle life, with mental and physical powers unimpaired, and gives promise of many more years of earnest and in- telligent effort in behalf of the people to whom he is so deeply attached.
JONATHAN EDGAR BROWN.
The sons of Scotland have ever been noted for their loyalty to the duties of citizenship, their devotion to principle and their industry and perseverance in busi- ness affairs. These traits have through succeeding generations down to our subject been manifest in the members of the Brown family, since George Brown, a native of Scotland, left the land of hills and heather and established his home in the new world. He settled in Woodbridge township, Middlesex county, New Jersey, and became identified with its farming interests. He also aided in promoting its religious activity and was one of the trustees of the first Presbyterian church organized in Wood- bridge. His son, John Brown, and grandson, Thomas C. Brown, like the progenitor of the family in the new world, devoted their energies to farming. The latter was the father of William H. Brown, who was the father of the subject of this review, and was born on the old family homestead in Woodbridge township, February 9, 1823. He acquired his education in the schools of that period and has made the pur- suit to which he was reared his life work, being accounted one of the enterprising and progressive agriculturists of his community. In politics he is a Republican, having given an unwavering support to the principles of the party for many years, and of the township committee he has served as a member. For almost a half century he has been an elder in the First Presbyterian church of Woodbridge, with which his ancestor, George Brown, was so prominently connected.
On the 24th of October, 1855, Mr. Brown was united in marriage to Miss Susan Edgar, a most estimable lady, and their home was blessed with five children, of whom three are now living: Jonathan Edgar, Frederick Clark and Lillian. The elder daughter, Caroline, has passed away, also William H. The mother also passed away on November 25, 1893, dying in the faith of the Presbyterian church, in which she held membership.
Jonathan Edgar Brown, the eldest of his father's family, was born on the old
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family homestead in Woodbridge township, August 9, 1858, and in the public and private schools he acquired the education which fitted him for life's responsible duties. He worked in the fields in early youth, and since attaining his majority he has con- tinued to follow farming, whereby he annually gains a good income as the result of his care and diligence in cultivating his fields.
On the 30th of November, 1881, Mr. Brown was joined in wedlock to Miss Nettie E. Walker, a daughter of Sidney Walker, of Rocky Hill, New Jersey, and they now have two children, a daughter and son: Edna Jane, born April 23, 1883, and Percy Edgar, born October 9, 1885. The family attend the Presbyterian church, of which Mr. Brown is a trustec. Socially he is connected with the Royal Arcanum and politi- cally with the Republican party, warmly endorsing its principles. He keeps well informed on the issues of the day, so that he is able to support his position with intelligent argument. He is a pleasant and agreeable gentlenian and a worthy rep- resentative of one of the oldest families in the township.
MICHAEL HENRY PARKER.
"What's in a name?" Well, where it is an old and honored one, there is much to make a man proud that bears it. Mr. Michael H. Parker takes great pride in trac- ing his ancestry back to a's early a period as 1667, when two brothers, Peter and George Parker, emigrated to this country from England, preferring life here in the unknown western world rather than to live under the tyrannical rule of a despotic sovereignty.
Peter Parker, of whose branch of the family this chronicle treats, settled in New Jersey. In due course a son, William, was born to him, who in turn had a son, also named William. The last mentioned William's wife's name was Ann. It was this William who built the house now occupied by his direct line descendant, the sub- ject of this sketch, Michael H. Michael, the son of William and grandfather of Michael H., was born at Little Silver on the old homestead on the 5th of February, 1774. His wife Ann, also a native of the same place, was born in 1778. Jacob C. Parker, the father of our subject, and his wife, Julia A. (Morford) Parker, are also natives of Monmouth county, the former having been born at Little Silver, Novem- ber 17, 1816, the latter in Red Bank on May 9. 1819. Jacob C. Parker was a highly successful cultivator of the soil; a mercantile life appealing to his fancy, however, he lost no time in establishing a store in the little village of Little Silver, bcing the first to start a business venture of that kind in the place. Success marked the enterprise from the beginning, and he continued to carry it on up to 1853. He was a man who stood high in the estimation of the community in which he lived and held the good opinion of his fellow citizens, which fact manifested itself substantially on several occasions, when he was urged to accept public office. He was no office seeker, however, and ever maintained his position as a private citizen. His death occurred in 1855: his wife still survives him (1901). Their family consisted of four children, two of whom are living, namely: Mrs. Theo. Sickles and Michael H.
The fact that the land upon which the Methodist Episcopal church of Little Silver (the oldest church in this section) is erected, was presented to the church by Michael, the grandfather of Michael H., is one in which there is pardonable family pride.
Michacl H. Parker is a mian entirely worthy of the ancestry to whom he looks back with so much pleasure as men of exemplary character. He first saw the light of day in the old hoinestead, where he was born on October 25, 1852, and where he
SAMUEL J. BENNETT.
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was reared, educated, and has since passed an uneventful life, engaged principally in attending to his well cultivated fields. He is a man of practical thought, and one in whom his neighbors have implicit confidence, and hold in the highest esteem.
He was married on November 30, 1884, to Susan E., daughter of Louis and Ange- line Smith, of Oceanport, New Jersey. Their children are: Louis K., October 6, 1885; Henry C., December 13, 1886; Frank L., June 30, 1888; Helma (deceased), April 6, 1892; George D., February 20, 1894; Stanley, April 26, 1895, and Julia, Oc- tober 26, 1899.
Mr. Parker and family attend the Episcopal church, of which he is vestryman. He is a trustee of St. John's Chapel, and is also a member of the Jr. O. U. A. M.
SAMUEL JAQUETT BENNETT.
A veritable landmark at Tinton Falls, Monmouth county, New Jersey, is that represented in the Tinton Falls flouring mill, one of the oldest enterprises of its kind in this section of the state and one which, with its modern equipment, has a capacity for the output of fifty barrels of flour per day, while it has the best facilities for the grinding of all kinds of grain. The mill was formerly owned and operated by the firm of Hendrickson & Combs, and subsequently the senior member of the firm assumed full control, while the enterprise has been under the management of its present proprietor, the subject of this review, since 1891. As thus identified with the industrial activities of his native county and as one of its representative citizens it is signally consonant that we here incorporate a brief review of the career of this worthy representative of one of the old and honored families of the state.
Samuel Jaquett Bennett was born in Atlantic township, Monmouth county, New Jersey, on the 15th of December, 1849, being the second son of Sidney and Ann (Wainwright) Bennett, there having been three sons and three daughters in the family, of whom five attained years of maturity and are living at the present time. Sidney Bennett was likewise a native of Monmouth county, and in his earlier years he followed the carpenter's trade, but eventually turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, in this county, and in this connection his efforts were attended with grati- fying success. He was one of the prominent and influential citizens of his county, where he was made the incumbent of various township offices of trust and respon- sibility, while he was a stanch advocate of the principles of the Democratic party as exemplified by Jefferson and Jackson. He was a man of sterling character and ever retained the unqualified confidence and esteem of all who knew him. His death occurred in the year 1894 and his widow still survives, residing on the old home- stead and being a woman of noble and gracious character, one who is loved and venerated by a wide circle of friends.
Samuel J. Bennett was reared to the sturdy discipline of the farm, and he con- tintied to be identified with agriculture until he had attained the age of twenty-four years, though during the last decade of the period noted he gave his attention to carpenter work during the winter seasons, having served a thorough apprenticeship in this line. In 1872 Mr. Bennett left the homestead and took charge of a farm of one hundred and eighty-five acres on Shelter Island, New York, where he re- mained until the following year. Hc had received an excellent common-school education, and had developed that self-reiance and maturity of judgment which led him to undertake the exploitation of an essentially different line of enterprise, and in 1873 he opened a general store at Tinton Falls, in his native county, his stock
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including groceries, dry goods and hardware. Two years later his elder brother, John W., was admitted to partnership, and thereafter the enterprise was successfully conducted under the firm name of Bennett Brothers, this association continuing until 1891, when our subject disposed of his interests in the business and purchased the flouring and grist mill in Tinton Falls, the business of which he has increased very materially, making the enterprise one of the important industries of this sec- tion. Within his regime the mill has been completely remodeled, entirely new machinery, of the most modern and approved type, being installed, and by his correct business methods, progressive policy and marked executive ability Mr. Bennett has made of the venture a success of no indefinite order, the mill now handling more corn than any other in the county, while its products in the line of high-grade flour find a ready demand on the market, being recognized for superior excellence. The mill draws its trade throughout Shrewsbury and several adjacent townships, and Mr. Bennett is now the most extensive shipper of corn products in the county, while his position is assured as one of the influential business men and honored citizens of the community. He enjoys marked personal popularity and in many ways has demonstrated his public spirit. In politics he gives his allegiance to the Democratic party, and fraternally he is a prominent member of the local organization of the Improved Order of Red Men, in which he has been incumbent of several of the important offices.
On the 15th of October, 1874. Mr. Bennett was united in marriage to Miss Susan Roberts, the third daughter of William L. and Susan Roberts, of Matawan, New Jersey, and of this union two children have been born,-Reginald S. and Cora E. To the son has been accorded the best of educational advantages and he has duly profited by and appreciated the same. He was graduated in the high school at Red Bank and later in the Glenwood Institute, while he subsequently passed a year as a student in Rutgers College, in New Brunswick. Having determined to prepare him- self for the medical profession, he was then matriculated in the medical department of the Columbia University, in the city of New York, where he was graduated as a member of the class of 1899, and since that time he has been actively and success- fully engaged in the practice of his profession in Asbury Park, being a young man of sterling character and marked professional skill. The daughter of our subject took a thorough preparatory course of study at Red Bank, under the discriminating direction of the Misses Calahan and Chamberlain, and she is now prosecuting her studies in Vassar College, at Poughkeepsie, New York, being a member of the class of 1906.
JOHN H. FIELDER.
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By becoming masters of a trade, so many men have not only won for themselves : the respect of their fellow men, but success of a pecuniary nature has almost invariably crowned their efforts.
Mr. John H. Fielder is one who, through his perfect understanding of his trade of carriage building, has gained such renown in his section for first class workman- ship, that his services are in great demand by New York's capitalists, many of whom make their homes in Monmouth county through the year.
His place of business is located at Fair Haven, New Jersey, where he occupies a two-story building covering an area of 90 x 30 feet. In 1871 he succeeded John Vanderveer, who formerly owned the business, started in a small shop erected some
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time in the fifties; Mr. Fielder has added such improvements from time to time as have made the place an up-to-date carriage factory. He gives employment to five experienced mechanics, and sees that nothing but the best class of work is turned out. It is his conscientious adherence to honest principles that has made his popularity; and then again his reputation as a thorough master of his trade gives his patrons a confidence that they never find misplaced.
Mr. Fielder is a native of Monmouth county, New Jersey, where his birth oc- curred in 1851. His parents are John and F. Phoebe (Van Note) Fielder. He received his education in the common schools of Monmouth county, which amply fitted him for his vocation in life.
Mr. Fielder was united in marriage to Miss Etta L., daughter of Joel W. and Mary Ayres. (Their union has been blessed with three children, namely : Stanley J., Eunice W. and Addie. Mrs. Fielder is a native of New York state ..
Socially Mr. Fielder enjoys the love and esteem of those with whom he mingles. He is actively connected with the following fraternal organizations: I. O. O. F., No. 39, Navesink Lodge; Royal Arcanum, Grand Patriarchs and the Jr. O. U. A. M. Politically he is a stanch adherent of the Republican party.
JOHN DAVISON.
We now come to a consideration of the peculiarities and principal points in the life of one of Monmouth county's most illustrious citizens,-one prominent on account of his fine family connections. his success in business, and his honorable principles in all of life's activities. A native of this county, born in Wall township, he has passed his entire life here, and is therefore well known to his neighbors, and during all of this time he has steadily maintained his high character.
Mr. Davison was born on Shark river, near where he now resides, on the 5th of April, 1833; and is a son of Peter and Elizabeth (Jackson) Davison. The father, who was born in Englishtown, New Jersey, came to Wall township when three years of age, where he became a successful farmer and a representative citizen. He hield the office of justice of the peace for many years, and was an active member and a deacon in the Baptist church. He was a son of John Davison, who was a large land owner, having at one time about one thousand acres in Wall township, which he afterward sold to James P. Allaire, and then purchased land at Shark river. He was an influential and respected citizen in his locality. His father was a native born Scotchman, having come to America prior to the Revolutionary war, and in that struggle for independence his son John was a brave and gallant soldier.
John Davison, the immediate subject of this sketch, received his educational ad- vantages in the common schools of his locality, and after putting aside his text- books to engage in the active battle of life on his own account, he chose the vocation of farming. He later also learned the mason's trade, and for twenty years followed that occupation as a journeyman and as a contractor, many of the fine buildings of New York City standing as monuments to his thrift and ability. He acted as super- intendent in the building of the Presbyterian Hospital, the Old Ladies Home and Lenox Library of that city, and in the rebuilding of the Orphans' Home. In 1880 he turned his attention exclusively to agricultural pursuits, locating on the fine farm which he yet owns and which he had previously purchased. He and his wife now own over six hundred acres of the finest land to be found in Monmouth county. Mr. Davison is also a director of the First National Bank of Belmar.
On the 18th of May, 1838. he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth White, who was born October 13, 1834, a daughter of Peter White, of Belmar, whose history
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will be found in that of D. F. Van Nortwick in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Davison have had a family of four children, one of whom is deceased, and those living are: John F., a physician of Asbury Park: Robert W., who is engaged in farming on the old homestead; and Fred M., a clerk in the First National Bank of Belmar. Our subject and his wife are members of the Baptist church at Manasquan, of which he is a liberal supporter and a deacon. Wherever known, he is held in high regard, and in Monmouth county, where his entire life has been passed, he has a host of warm friends.
GEORGE TURNER.
George Turner is well fitted for the occupation which has received his attention up to the present time, that of plumber, steam and gas fitter. He was born in Brooklyn, New York. July 13, 1867, where he acquired his education in the public schools, and upon the completion of his school life he learned the trade of plumber, and in 1894 he removed to Asbury Park, New Jersey, and worked as a journeyman at his trade. Three years later he decided to start in business for himself, and he established a general plumbing, steam and gas fitting business. This has proved so successful and has grown to such an extent that he now employs as many as fifteen workmen, and his returns amount up to twenty-five thousand dollars annually. This prosperity is due to the fact that all his work is performed in the best possible manner, as no man is kept in his employ who is not a capable and thorough workman. Mr. Turner has secured the contracts for work of this kind in a number of the largest hotels and private residences of Asbury Park and vicinity, as they know that he can be trusted to perform his work satisfactorily. Aside from his business he has invested considera- ble money in different ventures, from which he derives a goodly income.
Mr. Turner is a man of pleasing personality, quiet, unostentatious, and devoted entirely to his business interests. He is what might be termed a self-made man, as he has risen to his present position solely through his own energy and perseverance, thus proving that it does not require wealth to start with in order to make a success in life.
REV. ROBERT BELL, B. D.
Rev. Robert Bell, B. D., has the distinction of being rector of one of the oldest churches in Middlesex county, New Jersey; the church is St. Peter's, located at Spotswood. Mr. Bell is a native of Ireland, the son of William and Margaret Bell. His rudimentary studies were followed at the common school of his native town; subsequently he entered the Glasgow high school in Scotland, after which he completed his college course at University of Glasgow. His theological studies were followed at the Episcopal School, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, from which institution he graduated, receiving the degree of B. D. It was in the year 1893 that he was made deacon, and in 1894 he was regularly ordained a priest. After his ordina- tion in 1893 he became curate of Calvary church of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. From 1896 to 1899 he acted as curate of St. Mark's church, at Frankford, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In the year 1899 he was made rector of the church of the Redeemer of Sayre, Pennsylvania, which pastorate he left in 1901 to take up the work of his present church, St. Peter's, of Spotswood, New Jersey.
Rev. Mr. Bell was united in marriage in April of 1900 to Eleanor, daughter of
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George S. R. and Mary Wilbraham Wright, of Philadelphia. To them has been born one daughter, Anne Wilbraham Wright Bell.
A concise account of the church of which Mr. Bell is pastor will not be amiss at this point. Its age entitles it to a conspicuous place in the annals of church history, antedating, as it does, to the Revolutionary war, and for this reason should claim our interest. I:1 1720 the English society for the propagation of the Gospel in foreign parts, despatched a missionary to New Jersey, to take charge of the work already be- gun at New Brunswick, Frechold and Spotswood. In 1760 a new missionary was placed in the field in the person of Rev. M. Kearn, who divided his time ministering to the people at the three points above mentioned. At this time the communicants of the Spotswood congregation numbered twelve. In 1768 another change in the pastorate occurred, this time Rev. William Ayres being appointed by the society to minister to the spiritual needs of the parishes. During this time twenty-two children and two adults were baptized. About the same time ground was purchased at Englishtown by the congregations of Freehold and Spotswood, where the mis- sionary dwelt up to 1779, when a separation between the two above named congrega- tions took place. Mr. Ayres was succeeded by Rev. Andrew Fowler, who retained the charge but fifteen months, being succeeded by Rev. Mr. Cotton. From 1802 to 1809 the Rev. John Croes served the New Brunswick and Spotswood churches co-jointly (he was made a bishop later). In the year 1816 the church was thoroughly remodeled and refurnished, making it a more comfortable place of worship; before this time it amounted to little more than a simple enclosure. In 1822 Rev. John M. Ward was installed as the regular rector of St. Peter's; for fifteen years he carried on his work among this people, resigning his duties in 1837. Rev. Thomas Tauser then took up the work, but in 1838 he was succeeded by Rev. Robert B. Cross, who served for two years, and then resigned. The work was next taken up by Rev. Isaac Smith in 1842, he resigning five years later. Then followed Rev. Joseph S. Phillips, who re- mained as rector up to the year 1858. It was during his rectorship that the present church building was begun and completed, the work being in progress from 1850 to 1857. Following Mr. Phillips came Thomas Lyle, John Stevens, A. J. Stewart, Mr. Crow, Mr. Bird, Rev. Dr. Compton, Mr. Russell and Rev. A. W. Cornell, under whose supervision the church was enlarged and a parish house constructed. Mr. Cornell was followed by Rev. W. E. Daw, and he in turn by the subject of this sketch, Rev. Robert Bell.
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