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 29
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The embassy from Japan which visited America and Europe in 1872 invited him to become the adviser to the imperial minister of education in their country in order to aid in the work of reorganizing their system of public education. This position he held from 1873 until 1879. At the time of the Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia in 1876, he was sent to the United States for the purpose of collecting material for an educational museum in Japan. On leaving that country in 1879 the emperor be- stowed upon the Decoration of the Rising Sun in appreciation of his services.
On his return home in 1879 he was made secretary of the board of regents of the University of the State of New York. Ill health obliged him to resign this posi- tion after a service of ten years. He gave lectures on education in Japan at Union College in 1881, and at Johns Hopkins University in 1897. He wrote for the extensive book on the public service of the state of New York that portion referring to the organization and work of the board of regents. He wrote for the Putnam series "The Story of Japan," and for the bureau of education at Washington "The History of Education in New Jersey." He contributed to and edited "The Centennial History of Delaware County, New York." He also wrote for the Anicrican Historical Associa- tion an article called the "Anti-Rent Episode in New York." He has written also various papers and monographs for other publications.
Dr. Murray has been trustee of Union College and of the Albany Academy, and is now trustee of Rutgers College. He was one of the original founders of the New Brunswick Historical Club and was its president from 1898 to 1902.
In 1867 the Doctor married Martha A. Neilson, of New York City, and his present residence is in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
B. EVERETT CARPENTER.
One of the most progressive and prosperous business citizens of Woodbridge, New Jersey, is B. Evcrett Carpenter, who owns and operates the most complete carriage building and blacksmith establishment in this city, and is considered the best of its kind to be found in Middlesex county.
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HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.
The birth of Mr. Carpenter was on June 20, 1863, at Carteret, Woodbridge town- ship, Middlesex county, in this state, and he was a son of the late David P. and Mary (Vanwart) Carpenter. Our subject acquired his education in the public schools, graduating from therc into the trade of carriage blacksmithing. After faithfully serving through a rigorous apprenticeship, Mr. Carpenter then worked as a journeyman in the business for some ten years. In 1888, in association with his brother, David P. Carpenter, he erected his present commodious shops and warerooms and since that date has been engaged continuously in a successful and lucrative business in Wood- bridge. He manufactures all kinds of light and heavy wood and driving wagons, and conducts a general carriage building, blacksmithing and horse shoeing business. His methods being upright and honorable, he has placed his house on a firm founda- tion and is regarded with the highest confidence by the business world and the com- munity.
Mr. Carpenter has one hobby, and that is a love of fine horses. Fortunately he is in a position to gratify his taste and is the owner of five of the fastest trotting and pacing horses in the state of New Jersey. Mr. Carpenter is still unmarried.
HENRY J. CHILD. :
Henry John Child, justice of the peace of Monmouth county, notary public, and commissioner of deeds, was born in Chertsey, county of Surrey, England, January 4, 1839. His parents, William and Sarah (Wall) Child, also natives of England, came to the United States in 1852, and located at Red Bank, New Jersey, where they died, the former March 2, 1882, and the latter in the early '70s. The elder Child, like the immediate subject of this sketch, most cfficiently fulfilled the duties of the office of justice of the peace, which he held for a period of fifteen years. He was a Demo- crat in his political affiliation, but did not allow his partisanship to blind him to the interests of his community, frequently and openly supporting the nominees of his political opponents where he believed them better qualified than the nominees of his own party to occupy the offices to which they aspired. He was a valuable citizen and a life-long member of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he was a lay preacher, and to the support of which he contributed liberally. Of his children but two survive, Henry J. and Miss Sarah Child, the latter a retired teacher, who was for many years associated with the schools of Red Bank. Of the deceased children Joseph Child attained local prominence through his active identification with the interests of the Democratic party, by which he was elected to various offices, including those of town- ship clerk, county committeeman and judge of elections.
Henry J. Child received his initial schooling in England, and this was supple- mented by home study at Red Bank. As a youth he found employment in the general store of John Hubbard, with whom he remained for seven years. For a few years thereafter he was engaged in mercantile pursuits in New York City. In 1861, in con- nection with his brother Joseph, he established a bakery at Red Bank, his personal connection therewith ceasing at the expiration of two years. The business thus estab- lished is still conducted by the members of his brother's family. For a number of years Henry J. Child conducted a stationery and fancy goods business at Red Bank. In 1881 he was elected to the office of justice of the peace, which he has held continu- ously by re-election cver since, save during the year 1900, when by reason of his in- cumbency as a member of the board of elections he was incapacitated from filling the office of justice. He married, in 1868, Margaret, daughter of William Palmer, who was
Hay Open Bank M Stuld
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for ten years justice of the peace at Red Bank, and who now resides in Missouri. Mrs. Child died June 30, 1898, leaving three children, Mrs. Marietta Hughes, widow of Joseph Hughes; Clara B., wife of Robert Rocap, of Bridgeton, New Jersey; and Anna, wife of Satterlee Arnold, of Newark, New Jersey. Mr. Child was a member of Navesink Lodge, No. 39, I. O. O. F., of which he filled all the offices.
HOWARD W. PHILLIPS, M. D.
Prominent in professional circles in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, esteemed in every relation of life, and identified with educational movements in his locality, is Dr. Howard W. Phillips, who is also a veteran officer of the Civil war. His birth was in Brooklyn, New York, on July 24, 1837, and he was a son of Henry Miller and Jane Elizabeth (Howard) Phillips.
The Phillips family is of English origin and, with the Howard family, was one of the oldest to locate in eastern New York. There was a time when the Howard family owned all the land extending from Bedford to Jamaica avenues in Brooklyn, and a portion of this land is now included in Evergreen cemetery, and in this beauti- ful spot reposes the remains of Whitehead Howard, our subject's maternal grand- father, with his wife, two sons, and two daughters.
Henry Miller Phillips, who was the father of our subject, was born on the old homestead farm in Dutchess county, New York, and there spent his boyhood and early manhood, but he subsequently removed to the city of New York. His loyal spirit made him a soldier under General Worth, in the Mexican war, and during the Civil war he was attached to the staff of General Slocum as a veterinary surgeon. This profession he followed in private life. After the close of the Civil war he went to California, and subsequently removed to Illinois, but later returned to his native state, locating in Bath, Steuben county, where he died at the advanced age of ninety years. Two children were born to him and his wife, namely: Howard W. and Henrietta, the latter dying at the age of sixteen years.
Howard W. Phillips acquired his primary education in Clinton Street Academy. in Brooklyn, under the tuition of the late distinguished Dr. Bigelow, prepared for Co- lumbia College, at which he graduated in 1858, and entered immediately upon the study of medicine in the old College of Physicians and Surgeons, which is now the medical department of Columbia College, and he graduated at this institution in 1868.
At the outbreak of the Civil war Dr. Phillips entered the army in Company E, Thirteenth New York Militia, and after completing his term of service, re-enlisted in the First Long Island regiment, known as the Sixty-seventh New York, and in this regiment he served as second lieutenant until 1862, when he left this regiment to accept a captain's commission in Company E, One Hundred and Thirty-ninth New York Regiment. which was formed in Brooklyn; and with this well-known regiment of brave men he served until 1864, when he was discharged at McGredy, Williamsburg, Virginia. on account of disability, and returned home.
After a tedious convalescence, Dr. Phillips resumed his medical studies and graduated, as mentioned previously, in 1868. During the latter part of 1868 he served as an interne in the Charity hospital on Blackwell Island, and in the fall of 1869 he began the regular practice of his profession in Brooklyn, his old home, and became a successful member of the profession in that city for cleven years. Desiring a change and rest from the trying life of the physician, our subject removed to a farm
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HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.
near Middletown, Orange county, New York, where he engaged in farming for a year and then went to Providence, Rhode Island, where he spent one year in prac- tice. In 1883 Dr. Phillips located in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, and since that date has been actively engaged, has built up a successful business, and has become one of the esteemed citizens. His long army experience, although not in the medical line, gave him opportunities which interested him in his chosen work, and since then he has steadily progressed along the lines of latest discovery in medicine and surgery. The Doctor is a reflective reader and a close student and has been appointed medical examiner for the Catholic Benevolent Legion, his known skill and ability having gained for him universal confidence. Dr. Phillips is connected with the U. S. Grant Post, G. A. R., of Brooklyn.
Dr. Phillips was married in Brooklyn, New York, to Miss Philemon Clavel, who was a daughter of Joseph and Adel Clavel.
THOMAS F. ZETTLEMOYER.
Thomas F. Zettlemoyer, the efficient postmaster and capable and obliging station agent for the New Jersey Central Railroad at Sewaren, Middlesex county, New Jersey, was born at Lenhartsville, Berks county, Pennsylvania.
The education of Mr. Zettlemoyer was acquired in the schools of Watsontown, Pennsylvania, and after completing his studies, he learned telegraphy, entering the offices of the Western Union Company at that place.
Afterwards our subject entered the service of the New Jersey Central Railroad at Carteret, as station master and telegraph operator, and remained there until 1884, when he was transferred to Sewaren and has so conducted the business that he has. gained the confidence and esteem of the officials of the road, as well as the high regard of the public. On May 7, 1897, he was appointed postmaster and still efficiently fills that position, with entire satisfaction to the residents of the village.
The marriage of Mr. Zettlemoyer took place at Carteret, on June 4, 1885, to Miss Lena Zinck, who was a daughter of George and Mary Zinck, and two children have been born to this union, viz .: Hattie and Walter F. Our subject is fraternally connected with American Lodge, No. 83, Masonic, of Woodbridge; Woodbridge Coun- cil, R. A .; and both he and his wife are devout and valued members of the Episcopal church.
CHARLES P. WHITE.
Charles P. White, the respected postmaster of Avon, New Jersey, was born on a farm situated about three miles west of Avon, Monmouth county, New Jersey, March 13, 1836. He gained his education in the public school located near his birthplace. Farming has occupied his attention almost exclusively ; his entire life has been spent in and about the place of his birth, with the exception of ten years, one year of which time was spent in the state of Connecticut, and nine years in the state of North Dakota. He returned to his native state in 1894, and in 1897 permanently settled in Avon. His appointment as postmaster was received during the late Presi- dent McKinley's first term, and in 1901 he was re-appointed by him. Mr. White's political views are Republican, and while not a politician, he is keenly alive to the interests of his party. He has connected himself with the First Methodist Protestant church of Avon, of which he is an honored member.
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He was united in marriage on April 3rd, 1860, to Miss Catherine E. Davison; their children now living are as follows: William P. White, born February 27, 1861 ; Olive M., born November 2, 1862, now the wife of John Thompson of Avon; Irene, born March 7, 1865, the wife of George Harrison, now residing at Humeville, Penn- sylvania; Samuel D., born September 25, 1867, now a resident of Portland, Oregon; Minnie, born March 5, 1872, the wife of Albert Hanson, residing in Wells county, North Dakota; and Charles E. White and Katharine E. White, born January 9, 1877, died March 7, 1877.
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FREDERICK DEY CLAYTON.
Frederick Dey Clayton, the well known station agent at Avon, New Jersey, came into the world at Manalapan, Monmouth county, New Jersey, on November 5, 1869, and is the son of William V. and Elizabeth B. (Tilton) Clayton. He was educated at the public schools in the vicinity of his home. Believing that a better field would open up for him in the commercial world were he to become master of some par- ticular line of work, in 1886 he undertook to learn telegraphy. After devoting him- self to studying for one year he was given charge of an office on the Amboy division of the Pennsylvania Railroad; from this he was transferred at various times to Potts- wood, Riverside, Branchport and Belmar, and lastly to Avon, where he located in 1890, and at which place he is now serving as station agent. The Clayton family. of which our subject is a descendant, is one of the oldest in Monmouth county. Over two hundred years ago his forefathers, coming to the new world in search of a larger liberty and nobler manhood, settled in the county that has known them so favorably ever since.
As young as he is, Mr. Clayton has already served three terms on the Avon borough council, showing that he is a man whose opinion is valued by his fellow- citizens. His political affiliations are with the Democratic party, and he is ever prompt to serve its interests whenever opportunity offers. He belongs to United Lodge, I. O. O. F., No. 199, of Belmar, New Jersey.
His marriage to Miss Jennie E. Snyder, daughter of William and Louise Snyder, was celebrated on November 17, 1891. Their children are: Norma Shaw, born May 4, 1894, and Edward Carroll, born February 8, 1901.
JOHN STEVENSON.
Numbered among the most useful and most public spirited citizens of the thriv- ing town of Point Pleasant, is Mayor John Stevenson, whose effort has been actively devoted to the advancement of its interests from the time he became one of its residents.
He is a native of Scotland, born in Edinburgh, February 4, 1859. His parents were Walter Scott and Margaret Glass Stevenson, and his father was a member of the same family of which was George Stevenson, the great engineer, who performed such monumental work in railway and bridge building in Breat Britain three-quarters of a century ago. Walter Scott Stevenson came to the United States in 1864, bringing with him his little family. He located first in Baltimore and then in Philadelphia, where he worked at his trade as a bookbinder for the firm of J. S. Lever. His chil- dren were Margaret, Elizabeth, John, Nellie, Alexander and Walter. He died in
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1888, at the age of seventy-three years, surviving his wife, who died in 1884, aged sixty-three years.
John Stevenson, oldest son in this family, was five years of age when his parents came from Scotland, and his entire education was necessarily American. His boy- hood was passed in farm labor in the vicinity of Bordentown, New Jersey. He subse- quently engaged in railroading, and displayed such aptitude in that line, that in 1882, when he took up his residence in Point Pleasant, New Jersey, he was placed in charge of the engine house of the New Jersey Central Railroad Company, in the capacity of foreman, and he has served uninterruptedly as such until the present time, a period of more than twenty years.
Deeply imbued with a feeling of pride in the town which is his home, and having an accurate mechanical conception of conditions and necessities, he has devoted his effort in promoting the advantages of Point Pleasant and to making it an ideal resi- dential spot. Particularly for the past twelve years he has actively aided every im- portant public enterprise, and some of the most important owe their inception to him. In 1900 the people, in recognition of his valuable services, and in order to enable him to still further advance desirable enterprises which he had in mind, elected him to the mayoralty, and his worth and popularity were attested by the fact that he re- ceived a majority of fifty-five in a poll of one hundred and seventy-seven votes-very nearly two votes to one as between himself and the opposing candidate. He had previously served for eight years as a member of the town council, and for one term as commissioner of appeals, and in his new position he undertook to carry out more thorough development of the sewer and water systems. In this he was en- tirely successful, he having succeeded in securing an appropriation of $100,000 for the purpose, and the work which he effected has served to place Point Pleasant in the front rank of seaside resorts as regards sanitation and its accompanying ad- vantages.
Mayor Stevenson is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, of Wall Lodge, No. 73, F. & A. M., of the Knights of the Golden Eagle, and of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen. He was married to Miss Martha A. Ferguson, a daughter of William Ferguson, of Mount Pleasant. Four children have been born of this mar- riage: Frances, Walter, Eva and William.
MICHAEL BRADY.
Michael Brady, who resides in Woodbridge township, Middlesex county, is of Irish parentage; his parents, Terrance and Rose (McGuire) Brady, were natives of Ireland and crossed the Atlantic to America in 1861, locating at Bayonne City, New Jersey, where they both died, the father at the age of ninety-three and the mother when seventy-four years of age. Michael Brady was born March 17, 1828, in Ire- land, and there he received his early education. When twenty-three years of age he came to America, locating at Easton, Pennsylvania, where he worked at railroad building. So faithfully did he labor that he soon became a railroad contractor, and for forty-five years pursued this occupation. He has built railroads in many of the states of the Union, and for a number of years engaged in the manufacture of nitro- glycerine and giant powder, which he used in the construction of railroads. After successfully carrying .on this business he finally settled on a farm near Carteret. Woodbrige township, where he now resides. From this farm he produces mostly hay. He has also for nearly eight years been engaged in the ice business, the ice being cut from a lake which is on his farm property, and it is sold in Carteret.
Michael Brady
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HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.
Michael Brady was joined in marriage on the 14th of August, 1854, to Cath- erine Fox, by whom he had eight children, namely: Rosanna; Terrance; Charles; Bridget; Michael, born 1869, died 1902; Mary; Catherine; and Thomas.
Politically, Mr. Brady is a loyal Democrat, always casting his ballot for the men supported by this party, and is also a consistent member of St. Joseph Catholic church at Carteret. He has been honored with the office of justice of the peace of Woodbridge township, which position he held for five years. He was also elected overseer of the highways, and all the duties pertaining to these offices were per- formed by him with promptness and fidelity, thus winning to him the confidence and commendation of his fellow citizens. Mr. Brady is a bright, intelligent man, with a ready sympathy and a hearty good-will that have made for him many friends in the community.
HENRY LAKE.
Henry Lake is a descendant of the Long Island branch of the family of that name who emigrated to this country from Stockholm, Sweden, and settled in Long Island and South Jersey. Four Methodist Episcopal clergymen of the Methodist Episcopal conference of New Jersey are members of the New Jersey branch of the same family. Joseph Lake, grandfather of Henry Lake, lived at Green Grove farm, and participated in the Mexican war. He was a member of the artillery, and Henry Lake, our subject, when only eight years old, remembers the last celebration of the battle of Monmouth, when his grandfather charged with the same gun he used forty-seven years before. He was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Van Mater, and they reared a large family of children.
Joseph Lake, father of Henry Lake, resided at Freehold, New Jersey. He was a carpenter by trade, but at the breaking out of the war, he joined the Fourteenth Regiment of New Jersey, and was appointed corporal. He participated in many en- gagements and was struck by a bullet, which necessitated his removal to the Queens Street hospital, Alexandria, Virginia. He was killed in 1863 at the battle of Mine Run, when he was only forty-six years old. He bore an excellent record while in the service of his country. He was joined in marriage to Miss Lydia Megill, daugh- ter of Joseph Megill, of Farmingdale, New Jersey, and the following named chil- dren have been born to them: Henry; Catherine Louise; Harris Stillwell, of Brook- lyn ; John and Emma, who reside at Farmingdale. The mother of these children passed away in 1881, at the age of sixty-two years.
Henry Lake, oldest son of Joseph and Lydia Lake, was born at Freehold, New Jersey, September 15, 1846. He learned the trade of baker at Freehold and New York, and worked as a journeyman baker for three years; he then started in business for himself at Farmingdale, and four years later he removed to Freeport and worked for one year; he then went to Brooklyn and remained one year; in 1874 he came to Ocean Grove, two years later went to Trenton, and finally located in Asbury Park, where he built two baking shops under one roof; the building has a frontage of one hundred feet. He has the best trade in the village, and his business extends to Point Pleasant and Red Bank. He gives employment to ten people.
Mr. Lake is a member of the Masons, Asbury Lodge, No. 142; Corson Com- mandery, Knights Templar, and the Royal Arcanum. He was a member of the Presbyterian church of Asbury Park until that organization went out of existence, when he joined the First Methodist Episcopal church, and acts in the capacity of steward. Hc also takes a great interest in the library and Sunday school attached
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to the church. He has been a church member since he was seventeen years of age, and in fact there is a strong religious tendency among all the members of the family.
On November 24, 1869, Mr. Lake was united in marriage to Miss A. Trons, daugh- ter of Cornelius Irons, of, Toms River, New Jersey. Three children have been born to them, namely: Theodore, deceased; Minnie, wife of William H. Patterson, a resi- dent of Asbury Park; their child, Willard L. Patterson, is employed as an inspector in the post office department ; and William A. Lake, who married Georgia Reynolds; they reside at Asbury Park, New Jersey.
GEORGE D. RUNYON.
Few men are more prominent or more widely known in the enterprising city of Perth Amboy than George D. Runyon. He is an important factor in business circles and his popularity is well deserved, as in him are embraced the characteristics of an unbending integrity, unabating energy, and industry that never flags. He is public spirited and thoroughly interested in whatever tends to promote the moral, intel- lectual and material welfare of the city of his residence, belonging to that class of representative American citizens who, while promoting their individual success, also advance the general prosperty.
Mr. Runyon was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, February 7, 1854, and represents a family of French Huguenots who at an early period in the development of this country sought homes within its borders. The great-grandfather of our sub- ject was Reuben Runyon, and his son, Vincent Runyon, was the grandfather. He married Asenath Buckelew, and both were lifelong residents of Middlesex county, New Jersey. John Runyon, the father of our subject, was born in New Brunswick, this state, March 21, 1824, and there spent his entire life, engaged in business as a shipwright. He was also one of the directors of the Mutual Fire Insurance Com- pany and was prominent in public affairs relating to the administration of the city government and to the public progress and improvement. He served for two terms as city alderman and was also one of the water commissioners. He voted with the Democracy and did all in his power to extend the influence of his party. He was also a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he served as a trustee, and in the faith of that denomination he died, in July, 1892. His first wife bore the maiden name of Amelia Oram, and died in 1854. There were three children by that marriage, but our subject is the only one living, the other two having died in child- hood. For his second wife Mr. Runyon chose Anna Beck, who still survives him. Their children were: Ann Amelia, the wife of George W. Outcalt; W. Parker; Frank K .; John B .; May F .; and Theodore V.
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