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 28
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All modern improvements and the accessories of a city of the twentieth century have been introduced, including an electric light plant, which was installed upon modern scientific plans; a sewerage system, in the perfection of which no expense has been spared; fine streets and avenues, which are paved and bordered with well kept sidewalks, and other progressive improvements, which made Lakewood a most desirable place of residence. The educational advantages here are unsurpassed in a town of this size, for in addition to the two large public schools, one embracing a kindergarten in connection with the grade work, there are two private schools-the Lakewood Heights School, for boys, and The Oaks, a preparatory school for girls. Lakewood also has fine churches to accommodate the large number of visitors of vary- ing denominational preferences.
Another of the attractive features of Lakewood is the beautiful bodies of water which lie adjacent to the town, the largest being Lake Carasaljo, which was named by its old-time owner, Joseph W. Brick, for his three lovely daughters, Caroline, Sarah and Josephine. The second daughter was called Sally, and to form the name he took the first syllable of each daughter's name.
Lakewood is situated about sixty miles from both Philadelphia and New York, thus affording easy access to either city. The history of Lakewood as a winter resort dates from 1880, when the New York capitalists, through the instrumentality of Cap- tain Bradshaw, succeeded in acquiring possession of about nineteen thousand acres of land and began the improvement of the place, making it very attractive as a resi- dence locality. With its broad, well shaded streets, beautiful homes, excellent school and church facilities and other advantages, Lakewood may appropriately be termed
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a model village. The temperature in winter is from ten to fifteen degrees warmer than in New England, the soil is sandy and the air wonderfully pure and dry. Cap- tain Bradshaw has not only kept in touch with every line of progress here but has instituted many of the most important movements for its advancement and growth. His business ability, keen foresight, executive force and capable management have all left their impress upon the development of the town, and Lakewood may well term him its modern founder and feel grateful for his efforts in its behalf.
LYMAN CRONK.
Much speculation has been indulged in concerning the futility of effort. Statistics state that ninety-five per cent. of those who enter into business for themselves meet with failure. This is doubtless due in large measure to an unwise choice of a voca- tion. Ability to correctly judge one's own powers, combined with a willingness to work and with keen discrimination in management,-these are the factors of success, and it is such characteristics which have won for Lyman Cronk a foremost place in in- dustrial circles in New Brunswick, where he carries on business as a manufacturer of and dealer in lumber, sash, doors and blinds.
His life record began in Roxbury, Delaware county, New York, on the 12th of March, 1838, and it was in that county that the first American ancestors of the family, natives of Holland, located on crossing the Atlantic to the new world in 1770. The founder of the family was Lawrence Cronk, who continued his residence in Delaware county until after the beginning of the Revolutionary war, when he entercd the army and gave his life for the cause of liberty. He left one son, Law- rence Cronk, Jr., who was born in Tarrytown, New York-a place immortalized through Washington Irving's beautiful "Legend of the Sleepy Hollow." After arriv- ing at years of maturity the grandfather of our subject married Nancy Crary, and they became the parents of ten children, the fourth in order of birth being Nathaniel, the father of Lyman Cronk. Throughout his business career Nathaniel followed the occupation of farming, his life's labors being ended in death in 1872, when he was sixty-seven years of age. In politics he was a Whig until the organizaton of the Republican party, when he joined its ranks. His wife, who was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, died in 1881, at the age of eighty-four years. Their children were Harvey B., Volney, Laura, Alvah, Lyman, DuBois and Martin.
Lyman Cronk acquired his education in the common schools of his native county and was employed upon his father's farm through the summer months until fourteen years of age, after which he was employed as a farm hand in the neighborhood for seven years. It was thus he made his start in life. In March, 1861, he was employed on a steamboat, running between South Amboy and New York City, and in that posi- tion he continued until November, 1862, when he enlisted in the United States navy and was attached to the ship Commodore Morris, commanded by Captain James Gilles. The special duty of this vessel consisted in cruising around the James and York rivers and Chesapeake bay and doing picket duty in the first named river, . watching especially for the appearance of the second Merrimac. Hc was honorably discharged from the service November 7, 1863.
Upon leaving the navy Mr. Cronk went to the west, locating in Champaign, Illi- nois, where he was employed as a salesman in a grocery store for about a year. On the expiration of that period he returned to New Jersey, and, establishing his home
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in New Brunswick, he sought and obtained a position in a grocery store, where he remained for six years. At the end of that time he began business on his own account on John street, as a manufacturer of packing boxes, and this business he has since successfully followed, although he has extended the field of his operation to include the manufacture of sash, doors, blinds and moulding, and the sale of lumber. He did not have wealth to aid him in his business career, but he was determined and resolute, and scorned not honest labor nor that close attention to business without which success is never won. He has made good workmanship in all his manufactured products one of the characteristics of his establishment, which is also widely known on account of the honorable business policy therein maintained.
In 1866 occurred the marriage of Mr. Cronk and Miss Anna A. Clayton, daughter of James G. and Maria De Hart Clayton, of New Brunswick, New Jersey. After more than a quarter of a century of happy married life, she passed away October 28, 1892, at the age of forty-nine years. Six children were born unto them; of whom three are yet living : Hubert B., who was born May 8, 1872, and is now associated with his father in business under the firm name of L. Cronk & Son; Sadie L., born November 19, 1875; and Edwin Irving, born November 29, 1876, now a student in Hahnemann Medical College, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. On the 20th of June, 1894, Mr. Cronk married Miss Carrie L. Laird, a daughter of Alexander and Hannah Laird, of Pleasant Plains, New Jersey. She is a most estimable lady and, like her husband, is widely and favorably known in New Brunswick. They have one daughter, Mildred S., born August, 1898.
In his political affiliations Mr. Cronk is a Republican and is deeply interested in the growth and success of his party. He has served on the county executive committee and for one term was on the board of aldermen of New Brunswick. He belongs to the board of trade and is identified with several fraternal organizations, including Union Lodge, No. 19, F. & A. M .; New Brunswick Lodge, No. 6, I. O. O. F .; and of Robert Boggs Post, G. A. R. He is a zealous and consistent member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, is serving as one of its stewards and is treasurer of its finan- cial board. Such is the life record of an honorable and upright man, who is deeply interested in the welfare and prosperity of his adopted city and is always ready to uphold the principles of municipal and national integrity.
FRED VAIL THOMPSON, M. D.
It is hardly probable that a knowledge of medicine is even in the slightest degree inherited, but an aptitude for the work of a physician may be inherited and many a medical practitioner is a better physician because his father before him was a physi- cian and many such have been students of medicine from their childhood. Dr. Fred Vail Thompson, late of Belmar, but more recently of Asbury Park and now of Holmdel. Monmouth county, New Jersey, is a son of Dr. Charles H. Thompson, a successful and popular physician of Belmar, Monmouth county.
Dr. F. V. Thompson was born September 12, 1866, at Freehold, and at the age of ten years was sent to a private school at South Amboy. For two years he studied there and for a year afterward was a student at a private school at Asbury Park. He then entered Freehold- Institute, from which he was graduated after a five years' course, with the class of 1885. After completing his classical course he entered the medical department of Columbia College, New York City, where he studied for three years. He next entered Long Island Hospital Medical College, from which he was graduated in 1890, when he associated himself in the practice of medicine with his
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father at Belmar. This relation existed for six years until, in the spring of 1896, Dr. Thompson engaged in independent practice at Asbury Park, whence a year later he removed to Holmdel, where he has a large and lucrative practice. He is physician to the board of health of Holmdel and is examining physician for the Pennsylvania Mutual Life Insurance Company, the New York Life Insurance Company and the Travelers Life and Accident Insurance Company. He is a thorough student and a painstaking physician, and is a member of the Monmouth County Medical Society and of the Practitioners' Society of Eastern Monmonth. He is thoroughly abreast of the times in new discoveries and medical diagnosis and treatment of medical diseases.
Politically Dr. Thompson is a Republican, though he is not active in the affairs of his party. He is a member of Ocean Lodge, No. 89, Free and Accepted Masons, of Belmar, and is secretary and past master of that organization. He is an active and zealous member of the Episcopal church of Belmar, in which he has held the office of vestryman from 1892 to 1897, and he is liberal in its support and active in Christian work.
Dr. Thompson was married June 14, 1894, to Grace A. Gassin, who was born July 24, 1875, a daughter of Charles E. and Elizabeth A. (Kessler) Gassin, a native of New York City. Her father, who was of French ancestry, was a successful wholesale druggist in New York. Her grandfather in the paternal line was a captain in the French army and served under Napoleon the First. Her mother was of German descent.
Dr. Charles H. and Rhoda A. (Holmes) Thompson are represented in a separate biographical sketch which appears elsewhere in this work.
FRANCIS CHADWICK.
The late Francis Chadwick, who in his time was one of the well known business men of Red Bank, Monmouth county, New Jersey, was born there March 18, 1813, and died May 30, 1882. His father was Taber Chadwick, in'his time a representative attorney at Red Bank, who was born March 7, 1773, and died October 7, 1843. His mother was Deborah Longstreet, who was born July 25, 1787, and died September 1.4, 1883. They had children as follows: Francis, Richard, Jeremiah, Lydia, Francis (the second of the name), Richard L., Sarah Ann, Catharine, Jeremiah (the second of the name), Deborah, Lucinda and Angeline. Taber Chadwick's father was Francis Chadwick, who was born July 18, 1741, married Huldah Taber, and died January 13, 1809. John Chadwick, father of Francis Chadwick, was born March 12, 1713, and died April, 1783. The Christian name of his wife was Martha A. John Chadwick was the son of another John Chadwick, a native of England, who came to America with. Governor Winthrop's fleet in 1630, and died in New Jersey June 20, 1639, and whose wife, Johanna, died the same year.
Francis Chadwick received stich education as was obtainable in the common school near his boyhood home and was self-taught to such a degree that in time lie came to possess an extensive fund of useful knowledge. Early in life he became cap- tain of a schooner. plying between Red Bank and New York. He was married Sep- tember 9, 1835, to Miss Margaret A. Parker, daughter of Captain Joseph Parker, of Red Bank, a descendant of the old English family of Parker in Kent. George Parker emigrated to this country in 1835 in the ship "Elizabeth and Ann," and settled in New England, but subsequently removed to Runison, New Jersey. Peter Parker, who was born at Portsmouth, came to New Jersey with his brother, Joseph, who was con- stable at Shrewsbury in 1667. The Parkers of this family proved themselves worthy and loyal citizens of their adopted country, and their descendants fill various offices
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of trust in the departments of human endeavor to which they have been called. Francis and Margaret A. (Parker) Chadwick had children as follows: Richard L., who is dead; Joseph P., captain of the Sea Bird; Mary H., who is Mrs. Wood; Frank T., a physician and druggist at Long Branch; Alvin; Margaret, who is dead; and S. Matilda.
'At his marriage Mr. Chadwick abandoned the career of a mariner and as a member of the firm of Chadwick & Parker, embarked in a mercantile enterprise, which under able management was advanced to considerable importance. In time he began to deal in lumber and eventually became interested in shipping and owned a line of vessels which plied between Red Bank and New York. In these various enterprises he was successful and came to rank commercially among the most important business men of Red Bank and adjacent towns. He continued in business until he suffered from a disastrous conflagration, and then, instead of rebuilding, he retired. Politi- cally he was a Republican and though he was not himself a party worker he was a firm believer in the principles enunciated by Lincoln and his successors, and was much interested in every forward movement of his party. It may be said of him that this public spirit was such that he was always in the front rank of those who con- tributed to the progress and prosperity of his town and county. He was a Presbyterian, liberal in the support of the church and long active in Sunday-school work, for which he had a happy faculty and in which he was most efficient.
JOSEPH MAGEE.
For eighty years Joseph Magee has traveled life's journey, and now, in the evening of a long, useful and honorable career, he is enjoying a well earned rest, relieved of the burdens and responsibilities of business life; for through many ciecades he was laying by the competence which now supplies him with all the neces- sities and many of the luxuries of life. He has been prominent in public life as well as in business circles and has left the impress of his individuality for good upon many lines of progress and advancement in the city of Jamesburg, where he makes his home.
A native of Monmouth county, New Jersey, Mr. Magee was born on the 8th of October, 1821, and is a son of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Hultz) Magee, both of whom were natives of Monmouth county. The father was born February 28, 1786, and was a son of Richard Magee. He served his country in the war of 1812 and when a boy learned the blacksmith's trade, but devoted the greater part of his life to agricultural pursuits. He spent his later years at the home of his son Joseph in Jamesburg, and there died, September 15, 1861, while his wife passed away on the 19th of July, 1822. They were the parents of six children: Margaret, who was born December 9, 1810, became the wife of Mr. Stutts and died in Mercer county, New Jersey ; James, born September 12, 1812, is still living; William, born March, 26, 1815, died in March, 1893; Lydia, born June 22, 1817, became the wife of Daniel Taylor and after his death was again married, and is now deceased; Alfred, born January 8, 1819, died in childhood; and Joseph is the next of the family. For his second wife. the father married Mrs. Ann Bartlett, a widow.
In the country schools Joseph Magee began his education and at the age of twelve years began earning his own livelihood by clerking in a general store owned by Elias C. Clayton. He subsequently became a partner in the business and four years later he sold his interest and entered into partnership with John E. Hart, a relation
HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST. 197 0
that was maintained for three years, when in 1851 Mr. Magee disposed of his inter- est and removed to Jamesburg. Here he established a general store and later he also embarked in the lumber business. He was thus identified with the commer- cial interests of the city for many years and enjoyed a large and profitable trade, which was accorded him by reason of his honorable dealing, his enterprise and his earnest desire to please his patrons. He continued actively associated with the business interests which he had established until January, 1896, when he retired to private life. He has made judicious investments and is now a leading stockholder in the First National Bank of Jamesburg, of which he is serving as president, although the active conduct of the bank is left to others.
Mr. Magee has been twice married. In Philadelphia, on the 25th of March, 1846, he was joined in wedlock to Miss Elizabeth Van Atsdale, and unto them were born six children : Harriet C., the wife of Thomas E. Perrine; Mary E., the deceased wife of John Finley; Eugene V., who resides in East Orange; Anna B., the wife of E. S. Hammell, of the Jamesburg Record; and George V. and Laura J., both of whom have passed away. The mother was called to her final rest on the 22nd of March, 1866. In Monmouth county, New Jersey, on the 20th of April, 1871, Mr. Magee was united in marriage to Mrs. Eleanor Mount, the widow of Joseph Perrine, and by this union were born two children: Joseph, who died in infancy, and Alice.
Mr. Magee has been very prominent in public affairs and has contributed in a large measure to public progress along material, social, intellectual and moral lines. He has filled the office of township collector and for two years was a freeholder. He was also honored with an election to the position of representative to the general assembly and ably labored for the interests of his constituents. He was the organ- izer of the building and loan association and served as its president for thirty-two years, largely promoting the growth of the institution and extending its usefulness. For twelve years he was postmaster and at one time served as president of the school board, the cause of education finding in him a warm friend. He was one of the organizers of the First National Bank, served as director and vice president, and for one year has filled the position of president. A lifelong member of the Presbyterian Church, he has been one of its elders for a quarter of a century and has labored earnestly and effectively for its upbuilding and progress. He was also president of the cemetery association. In politics he has ever been a Democrat and is a man fearless in defense of his honest convictions. His has been an honorable career, well worthy of emulation.
JOHN H. CRAWFORD. 1
John H. Crawford, who is engaged in the wholesale butchering business in Tin- ton Falls, where his slaughter houses are located, is one of the leading business men of his locality. The birth of Mr. Crawford was on October 29, 1841, and he was a son of James G. and Elizabeth Hagerty Crawford, the former of whom was a shoe maker by trade, and with four of his sons served gallantly in the Civil war, and the latter of whom was a member of an old and respected New Jersey family.
John H. Crawford, of this sketch, was rcared in Tinton Falls and there acquired his education. He began life as a farmer boy, with the intention of following agricul- tural pursuits, but his plans were changed, like those of many others, by the outbreak and continuance/of the Civil war. In 1863 he enlisted for service in the defense of his country, entering the Twenty-ninth New Jersey Volunteer Infantry, First Army
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Corps, under General Reynolds as commander, and served faithfully through his term of enlistment, being honorably discharged at its close.
Upon his return from the army our subject was engaged through four years in the butcher business in Eatontown, but then returned to agricultural life. For eight ycars Mr. Crawford was a fariner, at the close of which period he entered into his present business and has been successfully conducting it ever since, although since 1897 he has not been actively engaged, the firm of Crawford Brothers, his two sons succeeding him at that date. This business was founded by our subject twelve years ago and is now one of the important ones in Tinton Falls, and under the able manage- ment of John C. and Albert B. Crawford, energetic and thorough business men, prom- ises to reach to greater proportions.
The marriage of our subject was in 1865, to Miss Rebecca A. Croxson, and . the children of this marriage were as follows: Elizabeth, Hannah, Nathan, George, Louise, Dora, John C. and Albert B.
Mr. Crawford is much respected and his home in gladdened by the presence of many bright grandchildren. He built up a business which has brought an ample competency and he also established a reputation for honesty and fair dealing, which policy is still pursued by his successors.
NICHOLAS BUTTERBACH.
To compel Nature to yield obedience and bring forth flower and fruit according to the will and wish of the patient and intelligent gardener, is the business of Nicholas Butterbach, the capable and enthusiastic superintendent and gardener for C. N. Bliss, of Oceanic, New Jersey. The birthplace of our subject, Mr. Butterbach, was on the classic Rhine, in Germany, and the beautiful scenery presented to his view while a child may have had an influence in forming his character and giving a bent to his natural inclinations. Mr. Butterbach was liberally educated, first at the lower schools, and later he entered the institution at Saargemund in Loraine, subsequently graduating with honors at the seminary at Montigny.
At the age of twenty-eight, in 1881, Mr. Butterbach emigrated to the United States, and located at Greenwich, Connecticut, where for a time he filled a com- mercial position, but later he went to New York and entered upon a successful career as a landscape gardener. For nine years he continued in this line, many of the finest estates in Manhattan profiting by his skill and taste. Since 1892 he has had charge of the beautiful estate of the Hon. C. N. Bliss, of Oceanic, this being one of the most artistic and attractive spots on the New Jersey coast.
The marriage of Mr. Butterbach was in 1886, to Miss Alice Connelly, and one daughter was born, in 1888, who bears the beautiful name of Helena. Mr. Butterbach is a most enthusiastic and accomplished member of his profession and has attained a high position in the estimation of his colleagues. He is a member of the executive committee of the American Rose Socicty; is a member of the Society of American Florists; a member of the New York Florists Club; and he was the organizer of the Monmouth County Horticultural Society and was its first president. Socially he is a member of the I. O. R. M. order, Navesink Tribe, No. 148, of which he is a past officer.
Mr. Butterbach is of most genial and pleasing personality, loving his work as a master does and producing some most artistic and pleasing designs; and he is also successful in making every natural resource of as much value as possible, his trained
1. Butterbach
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eye immediately telling him what is best. In the domain of gardener he is supreme. Mr. Butterbach has contributed many valuable articles on horticulture to contempo- raneous publications, horticultural papers and magazines, notably an article on "The Cultivation of the Rose Under Glass," which took the first prize of thirty-three competitors. An article which attracted much favorable comment and was widely copied was "The Cultivation of the Pineapple Under Glass." Mr. Butterbach's lec- ture before the State Horticultural Society in Trenton in 1899 was commended most highly.
DAVID MURRAY.
David Murray was born in Bovina, Delaware county, New York, October 15, 1830. His parents were both natives of Scotland. He was graduated from Union College in 1852; received the honorary degree of Ph. D. from the University of the State of New York in 1863, and that of LL. D. from Rutgers College in 1873 and from Union College in 1874. He was principal of the Albany Academy from 1857 until 1863 and in the latter year was elected professor of mathematics and astronomy in Rutgers College, in which position he served until 1873.
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