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 32
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While Mr. Chandler is interested in political affairs and is a Republican of repute and influence, he has never sought or held a salaried office. He served as a delegate to the Republican national convention held in St. Louis, in 1896, and in May, 1890, he was appointed by the Marquis of Salisbury as the first British Vice Counsel at Kansas City, which office he resigned in 1893. .
Ea W Chandler
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Mr. Chandler, like his forefathers, is a Quaker, as is also his wife, nee Laura Park Minster, whom he married on January 29, 1881, at Westchester, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Chandler is the daughter of Chalkley and Edith (White) Minster, the former mentioned a prosperous farmer, and both Quakers. Her education was acquired in the Friends' schools at Westchester and Westtown, Pennsylvania. They have one daughter, Edith Minster Chandler, born in Wilmington, Delaware, April 20, 1884. Mrs. Chandler is descended from Nicholas Minster and Olive Titus, who were married May 16, 1759, by the minister of the Old Swedes' Church, Philadelphia. After the death of the father the family removed to Chester county and settled in Goshen town- ship, now East Goshen, where the mother died in July, 1801. Their children were as follows: Tacy, married Garrett Funzant (or Vanzant) ; Christy, married to Jesse Severs; John, married about 1798 to Mary Thomas, daughter of Enos and Sarah Thomas, of Goshen; Jacob, hereafter mentioned; Shadrach, a tailor, who lived in Goshen; William, also a tailor, who was married in 1800 to Lydia Smith, daughter of William and Jane Smith, of Goshen-he died in September, 1825; Evan, supposed to have left a family; and Edward probably died unmarried.
In 1802 Jacob Minster occupied a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, in Goshen, perhaps rented land, on which the buildings were of logs. April 3, 1813, he purchased a small farm of thirty-eight acres in that township from Nathaniel Hoskins and wife, but sold it the next year to William Warner for four thousand two hundred dollars. For a short time he resided in Willistown township, but April 4, 1820, purchased a farm of about eighty acres in East Goshen, adjoining the line of Westtown town- ship, and on the Westchester and Philadelphia road. Here he died May 30, 1825. The name of his first wife has not been ascertained. He was married about the year 1818 to Sidney Hoopes, born July 31, 1783; died July 10, 1857, daughter of Amos and Margaret Hoopes, of Goshen. She was a member of Goshen Friends' Meeting- and made an acknowledgement J'une 2, 1819, for marriage by a magistrate to one not a member. October 22, 1846, she was married to William White, a widower, and aft- erward resided in Westchester, but died at the home of her daughter, Mary Cox, in Westtown, and was buried at Goshen Friends' Meeting.
The children of Jacob Minster were these: Sarah, by first wife, married Joseph Hall; Mary H., born January 1, 1821, died March 1, 1900, married Caleb H. Cox, of Westtown; and Chalkley G., died October 24, 1862, and was buried at Goshen Meet- ing on the 27th.
Chalkley G. Minster inherited the homestead in East Goshen, and on September 16, 1847, was married in Philadelphia to Edith White, daughter of his step-father, William White, by his first wife, Edith Spackman. The Minster homestead was sold in 1870 and the family removed to West Chester. The children of Chalkley G. and Edith Minster were: William White Minster, born May 1, 1852, died August 19, 1890, married Mary E. White; Laura P., born January 29, 1859, married January 27, 1881, to Eli Hayes Chandler.
JOHN C. DILL.
A leading and influential citizen of Morganville, New Jersey, is John C. Dill, who was born on his father's farm near the village in 1856, and was a son of Daniel and Catherine (Lamberson) Dill, the former of whom was born in 1825. Daniel Dill was a native of New York but came to Monmouth county with his parents when he was a small boy. He carried on extensive farming operations, became one of the esteemed citizens of the county, and passed out of life on September 20, 1898.
John C. Dill, who is the subject of this sketch, attended the district schools of
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his township and when about twenty years of age began the wheelwright trade and has made this his business in life. Mr. Dill has been established in his present location since 1877 and has been most successful in his line of work. A great blow fell upon him when his building was burned on July 10, 1897, but he was not dis- couraged, and immediately rebuilt, on a larger and better scale. He has now most commodious quarters and every appliance for the management of his business. His patronage is large and is constantly increasing.
The marriage of Mr. Dill was on September 2, 1876, at Freneau, New Jersey, to Miss Sarah E. Lane, and to this marriage one child has been born, Charles J., born on May 10, 1878. He is connected with his father in the business. Two other chil- dren, Parker and Arthur, died in infancy. The father of Mrs. Dill died when she was young, but the beloved mother is still surviving, residing at Freneau, New Jersey, in her ninety-eighth year. In 1896 Mr. Dill built an elegant residence in Morgan- ville, of modern design and finish, and here he and his estimable wife dispense a pleasant hospitality. Mr. Dill has taken a leading part in public affairs and is one of the best-known as well as a highly regarded citizen of the village.
HON. JOHN D. HONCE.
One of the distinguished citizens of Monmouth county is the Hon. John D. Honce, who has four times represented his district in the state legislature. His life is crowned with the honor and respect of his fellow men, for through more than sixty years' connection with the county's history his has been an unblemished char- acter. With him success in life has been reached by his sterling qualities of mind and a heart true to every manly principle; he has never deviated from what his judg- ment has indicated to be right and honorable between his fellow men and himself, and in an unusual degree he has labored for the welfare and advancement of his community, which he has so long served in one official capacity or another.
Mr. Honce was born in 1834 upon his grandfather's farm in the northern part of Marlboro township, Monmouth county. He comes of a historic family, prominent in public affairs at the time the country was struggling for independence. Holland an- cestors of the name of Honce came to the new world at a very early epoch in the development of the country and settled on Long Island in the sixteenth century. The great-grandfather of our subject was born on Long Island and when a young man removed to Monmouth county, New Jersey. No sooner had the oppression of the British aroused the opposition of the colonists than he joined the army, and thrughout the entire struggle he served under General Washington, loyally fighting in many of the battles which resulted in winning freedom for the English colonists on this side of the Atlantic. His son, David Honce, was born in what was then Freehold but is now Marlboro township, in 1772, and our subject remembers hearing him often tell of how he listened to the boom of the cannon from the hill on his father's farm-the old family homestead,-which indicated that the battle of Mon- mouth was in progress, June 28, 1778. He was at home with his mother, for his father was fighting in the engagement, and they were anxious, fearing that the British might be upon them any moment. Throughout his active business career the grand- father carried on farming there and died in 1856. David Honce, the father of our subject, was born in Marlboro township in 1808, and when he entered upon his business career it was to follow the same pursuit to which he had been reared and to which his ancestors had given their attention. He was successful in his farming
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operations and was thus enabled to provide his family with a comfortable living. He died in 1884, while his wife, Mrs. Jane Ann Honce, passed away in 1878, both dying on the old homestead.
In the district schools of Marlboro township John D. Honce, of this review, began his education, which was completed in the Freehold Institute, and later he engaged in teaching in that school for two years. When a young man he assisted in the culti- vation of his father's farm and after his graduation he worked on the farm through the summer months, while in the winter season he taught in the district schools for several years. He was then offered a position in the Freehold Institute and when two years had thus passed he resumed farming, which has since been his only occu- pation. He has continuously resided upon the farm where he was born and has carefully conducted its improvement, adding thereto all modern accessories and con- veniences and making it a valuable place.
In 1867, in New Brunswick, New Jersey, Mr. Honce was married to Miss Kate J. Combs, who died in 1874, and he has ever remained true to her memory, devoting much of his attention to the care of his children until after the surviving son had attained manhood. He is Cyrus B. Honce, who was born in 1869 and is now a successful and prominent business man of Belmar, New Jersey, where he is engaged in the real-estate and insurance business. He is a valued member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows lodges and is also connected by membership ties with the Order of Red Men. Jennie, the only daughter of Mr. Honce, was born in 1871 and died in 1880. Our subject belongs to the Brick church in Marlboro township. His fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have frequently called him to public office, and he is regarded as one of the leading members of the Democratic party in Monmouth county. For thirty-one years he has been collector of Marlboro township; was superintendent of schools in his township for several years, and during the past eleven years has been clerk of the board of freeholders. Four times he has been chosen to represent his district in the state legislature, his elections occurring in 1879, 1880, 1892 and 1893. He was a most active and earnest member of the house and during the last two terms he rendered particularly valuable service as chairman of the committee on education. He gave careful consideration to every question which came up for settlement and even his political opponents entertained high respect for him by reason of his absolute fidelity to the principles in which he believes. His public and private life are indeed commendable, and high on the roll of New Jersey's leading sons appears the name of Hon. John D. Honce.
ELIAS P. SCHANCK.
From early boyhood until his death Elias P. Schanck was actively and honor- ably connected with agricultural interests in Monmouth county. He always lived upon one farm; there his birth occurred on the 9th of July, 1821, and there his life's labors were ended in death April 12, 1889. The ancestry of the family can be traced back to Captain Schanck, who won his title by valiant service in behalf of freedom in the war of the Revolution. Rulef H. Schanck, the grandfather of our subject, was born on the old family homestead in Monmouth county, April 17, 1753, and died on that farm on the 12th of October, 1800. He had thirteen children, all of whom are now deceased. Among the number was Jonathan R. Shanck, the father of Elias P., who was born in Marlboro township, then Freehold township, on the 15th of De- cember, 1782. After arriving at years of maturity he married Sarah Peacock, who
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was born March 20, 1797, on the old homestead of the Pcacock family. The farm which was so long in possession of the Schanck family is now owned and occupied by Henry Hayes, who made the purchase in 1891.
This farm was inherited by Elias P. Schanck, who there spent the days of his boyhood and youth, early becoming familiar with the work of the farm in its various departments. He was a man of broad intelligence, continually adding to his knowl- edge through experience, observation and reading. His agricultural pursuits had been carried on along lines of modern improvement, and his well directed labors resulted in bringing to him a very gratifying competence. His fields were always well tilled, and the neat and thrifty appearance of the place indicated the careful supervision of the owner.
As a companion and helpmate for the journey of life Mr. Schanck chose Miss Ida V. Morgan, the marriage being celebrated in Marlboro township, October 12, 1864. Her only living sister is Mrs. D. P. Conover, who resides on a farm in Marlboro township. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Schanck were born two children. Thomas M., born September 9, 1869, is engaged in the grocery business in Freehold; he was married May 4, 1892, to Jessie McIlvaine, and their only child is Ray, who was born April 19, 1893. Eleanor, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Schanck, was born February 17, 1875, and on the 28th of December, 1892, became the wife of William W. Craw- ford, who for the past ten years has been the superintendent for the Prudential Life Insurance Company in Freehold; their children are: Lyall, who was born July 28, 1894, and died in infancy ; Leola, born August 9, 1895; Alma, born June 19, 1898.
Mr. Schanck was an active and influential member of the old Brick Reformed church of Marlboro, took an earnest interest in its work, and was a generous con- tributor to its support. His life was in harmony with its teachings, and by all who knew him he was held in the highest regard for his genuine worth. He passed away at the old homestead April 12, 1889. and the entire community mourned the loss of a valued citizen, his family a devoted husband and father, his church a consistent member. In 1892 Mrs. Schanck removed to Freehold, where she is now living amid many warm friends.
FRANCIS F. COOPER.
One of the successful and highly respected business citizens of Red Bank, New Jer- sey, is Francis E. Cooper, who for a period covering thirty years has carried on a busi- ness which has depended for its success on the energy, industry, and upright manner of dealing with which it has been conducted.
Francis E. Cooper was born in Middletown township, Monmouth county, New Jersey, on May 26, 1850, a son of Stephen M. and Mary (Swan) Cooper. Stephen M. Cooper was a carpenter and builder, and for fifteen years operated an extensive mill for the manufacture of carpenters' supplies at Red Bank, with Timbrook Davis, under the firm name of Davis & Cooper. He was a man of high principles, honest and upright in all his dealings. He was a son of Jonathan Cooper, who was also a native of Middletown township. The Revolutionary ancestor of this family was the inaternal great-great-grandfather of Francis E. Cooper; and a soldier in the patriot army, who is known to have been severely wounded in the face, from which his death occurred. Stephen M. Cooper died in 1876; his wife survived, beloved and respected, until 1898. The family of children originally numbered eight, but only two of these survive.
Francis E. Cooper, the immediate subject of this sketch, was reared and educated
francis & booker
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in Middletown and served a carpenter apprenticeship in that township and in Red Bank, and has made this locality his home ever since, successfully engaging in the business of builder and contractor. For twenty-five years Mr. Cooper carried on this business alone; the five previous years he performed the same work under the super- vision of others. The territory which Mr. Cooper covers in his work includes a large part of Monmouth county, contracting and building extensively through Long Branch. Oceanic, Sea Eright, Middletown, Atlantic Highlands, and other points.
Mr. Cooper was married, first in 1870, to Miss Ella Denise, who died without issue, on September 18, 1899. In 1900 he married Miss Emma Denise, and to this union one son has been born, Stephen C. Not only is Mr. Cooper a strict business man, but he is also a first-class mechanic, and his pleasant and attractive residence is the work of his own hands. Socialy he is connected with the I. O. O. F., and attends the Methodist church.
GEORGE C. GORDON. -
In the death of George C. Gordon, on May 29, 1892, at his residence in Marlboro, Monmouth county, New Jersey lost one of its most highly esteemed and useful citizens and substantial farmers. The birth of Mr. Gordon occurred on August 24, 1824, and he was a direct descendant of a long line of honorable ancestors, a number of these being distinguished in the military and commercial life of the country. The common ancestor of the Gordon family in America was Thomas Gordon, who came to this country with his wife, five children and seven servants, settling in New Jersey in 1684. He was a native of Pitlochie, Scotland, was the younger brother of the Laird of Strobach and had received various honors from James II, to whom he was per- sonally known but politically opposed. He became involved, with others of the Gor- don clan, in the insurrection of 1680 and was compelled to emigrate to America. He located near Perth Amboy, New Jersey, but subsequently removed to Freehold, where he purchased a farm, upon which the battle of Monmouth was afterward fought and which for many generations remained the home of the family. The first two years of Thomas Gordon's residence saw the death of his wife and five children. At a later period he married Janet, daughter of David Murdie of Aberdeen, a merchant in the Scotch colony which had been planted in that part of New Jersey known as Scotch Plains. Three sons and two daughters were born to them.
One of these sons, Jonathan Rhea Gordon, was the great-grandfather of George C. Gordon. He was born in Monmouth county in 1717, married Margaret Cole and died August 1, 1780. Seven children were born to them, namely: Ambroz, Brazilla, Ezekiel, Lydia, Catherine, Elizabeth, and Lewis. Ezekiel, the grandfather of our subject, was born July 3, 1754, married Mary Combs June 24, 1784, and died February 7, 1830. Four children were the fruit of this union,-Jonathan Rhea, John E., Sarah, and Joseph E. John E., the second son, became the father of our subject and was a farmer during his entire life. He was married to Lydia Hampton and died in 1850, and was buried beside his ancestors in the old Tennent churchyard. One of his cousins, William J. Gordon, who was born on September 30, 1812, became a business man of national reputation. In 1840 he became interested in business in Cleveland, Ohio, and in 1856 he was elected president of the Cleveland Iron Mining Company. Later, about 1865, he secured two hundred and seventy-five acres of land in what was then but the suburbs of the growing city of Cleveland. This land he laid out in a beauti- ful park, which he subsequently deeded to the city of Cleveland and is now known as Gordon Park, one of the most attractive pleasure grounds along the shore of
15
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Lake Erie. His one child, Charles Gordon, is a prominent and successful business man of Cleveland.
George C. Gordon, late of Marlboro, was a well-known and esteemed farmer for many years. He occupied the historic old farm which had been watered with patriots' blood, for some years, then removed to Marlboro township, where he pur- sued a quiet agricultural life, ever ready, however, to take active interest in matters pertaining to the good of his community. Both he and family had long been con- nected with the old Brick church. He was deeply interested in promoting the inter- ests of the county agricultural society and long was one of its prominent members.
The marriage of the late George C. Gordon was on January 9, 1854, at the resi- dence of John E. Conover, in Marlboro township, Monmouth county, to Mary S. Conover, a daughter of John E. Conover, and the two children of this union were: Miss Ella C., who resides in Trenton, New Jersey ; and John E., born in 1861, who for the past fifteen years has been a resident of Brooklyn, New York. Mrs. Gordon for the past six years has resided with her cousin, Miss Mary Matilda Conover, who is a daughter of the late Elias Conover, and is the sister of the wife of David VanDerveer. Perrine, of Freehold, New Jersey. The only brother of our late subject was Ambrose Gordon, who died when a boy, and his two sisters were Lydia, who died in young girlhood, and Mary Matilda, who married John V. Hartshorne, of Monmouth county;
The family of our subject and its connections reflect the best type of Monmouth county, in religious, business and social circles. It is not so numerous as in former days, but still keeps to the high character for which its first founder has been noted through the generations.
HENRY SCHENCK.
Henry Schenck, a substantial farmer of West Freehold township, Monmouth county, was born January 24. 1805, in Freehold township, and died in West Free- hold township, December 20, 1891. He was the son of Peter V. Schenck and Sarah Shepherd. The former was born September 15, 1775, in Marlboro, then Freehold township, and died there July 3, 1857. The latter was born May II, 1785, at Marlboro, and dicd December 1, 1807. His father, Peter V., married in 1808 a second wife, Elizabeth Smock, who died November 3, 1855. The Schencks of Monmouth county descended from Roelof Schenck Van Nydeek, of Doesberg, Province of Guelderland, Holland. He was a son of Peter Schenck. The latter was a brother of the noted General and Sir Martin Schenck. Roelof Schenck came to this country and was one
of the original settlers on Long Island. He married Meellje, daughter of Garret Van Cowenhoven. In 1661 he obtained a patent for land at Flatlands, Long Island, and had three sons, Martin, John and Garret, and seven daughters. Martin was left the land at Flatlands on the death of his father, and John and Garret came to Mon- mouth county in 1696, and with Cornelius Cowcnhoven (now the Conovers), who married their sister, Margaret Schenck, settled in Pleasant valley. now Atlantic town- ship, on a five hundred acre tract of land. purchased of John Bowme, a merchant of Middletown. Garret Schenck was born October 27, 1671, and died September, 5, 1745, and built the mansion situated on the five hundred acre tract. One of his five sons, Garret, born August 30, 1712, died August 20, 1757, had three sons, William, John and Garret. This Garret, born in 1747, was the grandfather of Henry Schenck.
Henry Schenck was educated at Marlboro and was reared to the tanning busi- ness by his father, who was a tanner. In 1844 he removed to West Freehold township, where he purchased a farm upon which he passed the remainder of his life. This farm
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he cleared and subsequently brought to a high state of cultivation, but as late as 1845 he killed deer on his land. He was surveyor of highways for his township and served also as a justice of the peace.
In May, 1827, he was married to Mary Ann Monat. Their children were: Koer- lenons; Susan; Darius; Samuel M .; Elisha; Elizabeth; Rachael and George. Of these Darius died in 1846; Mary Ann in 1888, and Samuel M. in 1899. The marriages in the family have been Koerlenons, now a retired farmer living in Freehold, to Re- becca Eli; Elizabeth to Joseph C. Gulich, a farmer of Monmouth county; Samuel, who died in 1899, who married Mary A. Lloyd; Elisha H., to Jane E. Du Bois; and George W. to Mary Jane Taylor.
L. A. CHASE.
How many men one meets in the course of a lifetime, and how few there are who seem to be worthy of following as an example. Some writer has said that when we meet a true man we say to ourselves, let us be men; which shows the influence that a man's character may exert.
Earnest, faithful and conscientious service have marked the career of the subject of this sketch, Mr. L. A. Chase of Carteret, New Jersey, whose efforts have been ap- preciated by those whom he has served, and for many years he has retained their utmost confidence. He is at the present time superintendent of the American Lucal Company of Carteret, where they operate an extensive plant, having their principal office at 44 Broadway, New York City.
Mr. Chase was born in New York, and in 1893 came to New Jersey in order to superintend the construction of the afore-mentioned company's plant at Carteret, where he has since made his home. Prior to entering upon his duties at this place, he had charge of the erection, and subsequently the operating of the same company's plant in California. It is needless to say that Mr. Chase is an active and progressive man of business, which accounts for the success he has attained and the confidence he has won. Busy men are the ones who usually are foremost in matters of public interest ; so it is with Mr. Chase. He is a stanch Republican, and naturally it did not take his associates long to recognize his peculiar adaptability for public service; he has therefore been made chairman of the Woodbridge township committee ; has presided over the board of education; has been a member of the Republican county committee and served as delegate to state and other conventions. Besides all this Mr. Chase finds time to serve as a director and treasurer of the Carteret Electric Light and Power Company, which concern he was active in establishing.
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