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 34
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Dr. Cooke is prominently identified with the various prominent medical associa- tions. In 1859 he was presiding officer of the Monmouth County Medical Society, and in 1868 he was made a delegate to the American Medical Association, which con- vened in New York. He has frequently represented the profession of his county in the state society. He is now a member of the New Jersey State Medical Society, and acts as medical examiner for a number of leading insurance companies. Dr. Cooke has ever been conscientiously devoted to the highest and best interests of his profession, and the result of his devotion is the high esteem in which he is held and the ex- cellent reputation he bears.
Dr. Cooke married Maria B. Coudrey of New Rochelle, New York, on June 8, 1876.
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PIERSON H. CLAYTON.
One of the worthy citizens of Jackson township, Ocean county, who has attained prominence through honest effort and strong perseverence, is Pierson H. Clayton, who was born in Monmouth county in 1823, and is a descendant of an old English family. His ancestors came to America, settling in Monmouth county near Free- hold, and during the Revolutionary war took an active part in the struggle in behalf of the English sovereign. The newly established colonial government took exceptions to this and confiscated their property, which was of considerable value. After this misfortune befell the family they scattered, locating in different parts of the then thinly populated territory of the country. The grandfather of our subject was William Clayton, and his parents were Garret and Rebecca (Woodward) Clayton. The father was a very prosperous farmer, being the owner of one hundred acres of rich land. He lived to be about eighty years of age.
Pierson H. Clayton was one of a family of ten children, four of whom are now living, namely : Francis ; Pierson H .; John W .; and Britton. In early life our subject learned the shoemaker's trade, at which he has been engaged ever since. For thirty years, during the best part of his life, he worked at his trade in Philadelphia, and in 1868 returned to the scenes of his youth, there purchasing one hundred and thirty acres of land. For several years he taught school with marked success, his intelligence and fidelity to duty winning for him the confidence and high commendation of all concerned. He also served as school trustee for a number of years, very acceptably filling the position.
Mr. 'Clayton was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Cox, of Philadelphia, a. lady of culture and refinement. They are the parents of four living children, as follows: Byron W .; Willard C .; Clara A .; and Ida A. The other children born to them are now deceased.
For the past twenty years Mr. Clayton has held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, taking active part in church and Sunday-school work, and always leading a consistent Christian life. For some years he was a successful class leader in the church, and was held in high esteem by those with whom he associated. His life record is one of earnest endeavor and honorable dealings and is an example worthy of emulation.
M. C. LOHSEN.
M. C. Lohsen, one of the leading and representative fishermen of Belford, New Jersey, was born in the city of New York, in 1842, and he was a son of Lohder and Meta (Wendelke) Lohsen, both of whom were natives of Germany.
Lohder I.ohsen, the father of our subject, removed from New York to Belford when the latter was about five years of age. He purchased a small farm of forty acres of land, which he cultivated until 1861, when he sold this property and returned to again make his home in the great metropolis. Some years later he came again to Belford and his last years were spent with our subject.
About the time that his father sold the farm our subject, M. C. Lohsen, became interested in clam fishing and successfully engaged in this industry, in fact adopting methods now followed by other fishermen, without which fishing at this date would be unsuccessful. Mr. Lohsen was the first to adopt gasoline engines in connection with fishing operations, which greatly facilitated matters as to time, distance, and labor saved. This has proved to be a very profitable business, both on account of the great
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demand and exceptional transportation facilities, as well as the close and intelligent attention that Mr. Lohsen has given to the business. Supplying even in small degree a market like New York City means a vast amount of labor as well as business ability.
The first marriage of our subject was in 1867, to Miss Eliza Walling, the two children of this union being Jessie M., and Martin W., deceased; the mother died in IS84. The second marriage of Mr. Lohsen was to Miss Catherine Johnson, and to this union these children have been born, viz .: Maud, Clinton B., Charles, Bessie, and Anna M. Mr. and Mrs. Lohsen have a beautiful home, surrounded by twelve acres of land and attractive and substantial buildings, and here friends are most hospitably enter- tained by our genial host and worthy wife.
For more than twenty years Mr. Lohsen has been actively connected with the Methodist church in Belford. He is one of the financial pillars of the church, has been an incumbent in most of the church offices, is one of the trustees, and its capable superintendent. Fraternally our subject is connected with the orders I. O. O. F. and Junior O. U. A. M., and is one of the most highly respected business men of .this section of Monmouth county.
PETER F. DODD.
Peter Franklin Dodd, of Asbury Park, Monmouth county, New Jersey, is one of the most widely and favorably known residents of that portion of the coast, highly regarded for his business ability, sterling integrity and those personal traits which command confidence and regard.
Mr. Dodd was born June 12, 1853, in the township of Hampstead, Long Island, New York. His parents were Peter Francis and Elizabeth (Rhoads) Dodd, estimable people of the county named. He received his education in the public schools of Brooklyn. At the age of sixteen years he took employment in a printing office, but at the expiration of two years, when he had gained sufficient knowledge of the printing art to be almost able to command a man's wage and conduct a business, impairment of health obliged him to seek another calling. He then secured a position with the firm of M. Young & Company, of New York City, importers of china and glass- ware, remaining for seven years, during which time he became amply capable in all departments of the business and established such a reputation that various important positions in the same line of business were at his command. He elected to enter the employ of John Wanamaker, the merchant prince of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in a position in the china and glassware department of his mammoth establishment. His service was highly appreciated by his superiors, and he only relinquished his em- ployment, after a continuance of seven years, in order to enter upon business upon his own account. He located at Asbury Park and conducted a grocery establishment successfully for four years, when he sold it to another.
For some years past Mr. Dodd has busied himself with the duties of the office of justice of the peace, to which he was first elected in 1895, and in which position he has served, through successive re-elections, to the present time. He is also police justice and commissioner of deeds. In politics he is a Republican, and his intelligent activity in advocating the principles and supporting the policies of the party in county, state and national campaigns, has given him place among the influ- ential leaders in his county and district. He has served for three years on the Re- publican executive committee of Monmouth county, and for ten years on the Re- publican executive committee for Neptune township, and he was for five years secre- tary of the last named body. His religious affiliations are with the West Grove Methodist church, which for ten years he has faithfully and wisely served in the
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capacity of secretary of the board of trustees. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, the Knights of the Golden Eagle, and the Tribe of Ben Hur. For ten years he has been a member of the fire department, and he is now its assistant chief.
Mr. Dodd was married to Miss Annie B. Haight, daughter of Charles W. and Susan Haight. of Brooklyn, Long Island, September 28, 1875. Their children were: Hattie M., born November 14, 1876, who was married to J. M. Strudwick, December 20, 1898; Thomas H., born August 22, 1878, who married Anna Gertrude Davison, October 23, 1901; Franklin R., born September 23, 1879, who married Bessie B. Bentell, November 12, 1900; Mary E., born March 16, 1885; Georgie B., born October 13, 1886; Raymond M., born September II, 1888; Stanley, born January 30, 1891 ; Curwin F., born October 14, 1892; Ruth B., born October 17, 1895; and Harry I., born October 2, 1897. The married children named have all entered upon useful po- sitions in life, and all except the youngest children have received excellent educational advantages.
WILLIAM ELWOOD JEFFREY.
Among those most extensively and successfully engaged in the fishing interests of the New Jersey coast is William Elwood Jeffrey, one of the progenitors of the Elberon fisheries. He is also prominently identified with all concerns of public moment, and has always given his earnest aid to every movement looking to the advancement of the interests of the community. He has made his own way in life by dint of in- defatigable industry and persistency, and he has established an enviable reputation not only for ability and integrity, but for attaining that high degree of financial success which is the fitting reward of such effort.
His father, William W. Jeffrey, was a native of New Jersey, born where is now the village of Oakhurst, in 1830. William W. Jeffrey passed his life at Deal Beach, engaged as a waterman and in the fishing business. During the Civil war he served for one year in the Twenty-eighth Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers, and for nine months in the Twenty-ninth Regiment, participating in some of the most arduous campaigns and battles in which the army of the Potomac was engaged. He yet lives in Deal Beach and is a member of Asbury Methodist Episcopal church and of the Grand Army of the Republic. He married Mary Jane White, and of this marriage were born three children: William Elwood, named below; John R., a farmer and real estate agent of Elberon; and B. A. Jeffrey, who manages a retail fish market for his father.
Elwood Jeffrey, eldest son of William W. and Mary Jane (White) Jeffrey, was. born at Elberon, New Jersey, August 25, 1835. He was educated in the district schools, and made his beginning in life as a clerk in the store of A. Taylor Truax, at Long Branch, in which he was engaged for five years. In 1877 he became a member of the firm of West & Jeffrey, dealers in groceries, crockery, etc., at Long Branch, and this association was pleasantly and profitably maintained for a period of twenty years. In 1897, with his old partner, Mr. West, he bought the Elberon Sound Fisheries, in which he had been interested for some years previous. This business has been de- veloped to large proportions, one of the most important on the coast, the output reaching the large figure of a million pounds annually, and disposed of in the New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington markets.
Mr. Jeffrey is largely interested in real estate operations, particularly in Elberon, and is identified with various financial enterprises which conduce to the welfare and.
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development of his own and adjacent villages. One of the most important real estate transactions in which he has been interested was the recent purchase, in asso- ciation with others, of the old Cook homestead at Point Pleasant, New Jersey. This place was for many years the favorite haunt of artists from different parts of the coun- try, and clustered with pre-Revolutionary associations. The estate comprises nearly three hundred acres, is in a state of natural wildness and is rich in picturesque and lovely scenes. The artists who resort there feel as distressed as a nest of hornets whose covert is threatened with destruction. Among the legends of the place is the story that Prince Lucien Murat, who prided himself upon his skill as a whip, driving down to the Cook homestead from the Bonaparte place in Bordentown and entering the ground with a great flourish, wrecked his carriage by running foul of the big gate- way, the massive posts of which still exist. It is said the Prince was greatly morti- fied over the mishap. Mr. Jeffrey is also a director in the Citizens' Bank of Long Branch, a director in the Long Branch Building and Loan Association, and vice- president of the Long Branch Press. For fourteen years he has served in the fire department, as a member of the Atlantic Wreck Company, and he holds membership in the Royal Arcanum and in the Order of United Workmen. In religion he is a Methodist, being a member of the Simpson church. Politically he is a Republican, but maintains independency in local issues affecting the community.
Mr. Jeffrey was married on March 10, 1879, to Miss Jane Cook, of Monmouth Beach, and of this marriage were born two daughters-Ella M. and Clara S. Jeffrey.
WELLINGTON KENNEDY. :
No country produces more worthy sons than does the little strip of land im- mediately north of England; they are men of honest worth, who are recognized uni- versally as standing for uprightness, integrity, and fearless moral courage. Of such stock is our subject, Wellington Kennedy, the well known florist, market gardener and pigeon fancier of Red Bank, New Jersey.
Mr. Kennedy is a native of Scotland, where he was born in 1855. He came to this country in 1883, locating at Rumson, New Jersey, and entered the employ of Edward Kemp, in whose service he continued for seven years. His next employment was found with John Wagner, with whom he remained for nine years. It speaks well for a man when he can remain so continuously in the service of one employer. He has since created a widespread demand for his own products, which are excelled by none throughout the state, and command the best price.
In 1900 he erected his present beautiful modern home, which is not only a delight to the eye, presenting as it does an almost perfect picture of neatness and thrift, but it is practically faultless in its interior arrangement.
Not only has Mr. Kennedy made a reputation for himself as a truckman, but he has became famous as an authority on pigeons, having devoted considerable time to their study and breeding. He possesses one of the finest and most expensive collec- tions of birds, among them being rare specimens of Turbits, Jacobins, English and African Owls. These birds are of the very best strain, best blood, and of well merited points, which is admitted by those best qualified to judge, as is evidenced by the great number of medals of both gold and silver, silver cups, spoons, etc., awarded him at the Madison Square Garden, New York, exhibits. At Boston, too, he has won many special prizes on account of the superiority of his birds. In fact his skill in raising and selecting these feathery pets and his collection itself are well known
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throughout the country by men interested in the fancier's art. Mr. Kennedy was honored by being appointed judge of the pigeon exhibit at the Pan-American Expo- sition at Buffalo.
Five years before leaving his native land, Mr. Kennedy took to wife Miss Sarah Armstrong, also a native of Scotland. To them have been born the following chil- dren : James, John, Joseph, J. P., Robert A., Bessie L., Wellington, and Lester H.
Mr. Kennedy is treasurer of the Monmouth County Horticultural Society, and a member of the I. O. R. M. of Red Bank. In politics he is an independent. In religious belief he follows the faith of his forefathers, the Presbyterian.
JAMES K. WALLING.
The Walling family is an old and prominent one of New England, its ancestors hav- ing come to America in 1623, and according to tradition were closely identified with the Pilgrim Fathers. Among its members who participated with the colonists in the Revolutionary war were Carhart Walling, Daniel Walling, James Walling, John Wall- ing and Philip Walling, the latter having been wounded at the battle of Monmouth. Thomas and Hannah (Bogart) Walling were the great-great-grandparents of our sub- ject, and but little is known concerning their history. Their son, John Walling, mar- ried Elizabeth Roberts, and they had the following children: John, Thomas, Daniel, Cornelius, Joseph, Mary, Elizabeth, and William. John Walling lived to be over ninety years of age. He was a natural mechanic and was a wealthy and prominent citizen of his locality, while in the Baptist church of Middletown he held the office of deacon, his influence for good having been felt by all with whom he came in contact from day to day. John Walling, the grandfather of our subject, was a promi- nent and wealthy farmer of the locality, and his demise was caused by an accident in early life. He was united in marriage to Mary Taylor, and their children were John, Joseph, Cornelius, Daniel, Elijah, Elizabeth, Catherine, Lydia, Garret, Michael, Mary and David. Elijah Walling, the father of him whose name introduces this review, was born on the 16th of October, 1791. On the 21st of February, 1816, he was united in marriage to Jane Kelsey, who was born in 1797, and their children were as fol- lows: Mary, born January 8, 1817; Elijah, born in 1819; James K., born December 31, 1821; William, born April 17, 1824; Permelia, born March 5, 1826; Kelsey, born August 15, 1830; Wesley, born September 17, 1833; and Elizabeth born June 1, 1836. Elijah Walling was a shoemaker by trade, was a Whig in his political affiliations and was a worthy member of the Baptist church. His death occurred on the 28th of August, 1866, while his wife passed away on the 23rd of August, 1882.
James K. Walling, whose name introduces this review, was born at what was known as Wallington, in Monmouth county, where he was also educated. In early life he learned the tanner's trade, which he followed for over sixteen years. He, however, devoted the greater part of his time to agricultural pursuits, and in 1872 he purchased the place where his family now resides and where he raised an abundance of fruit and vegetables. His efforts along the line of his chosen vocation brought to him gratifying returns, he having placed his fields under a high state of cultivation, and cverything about the place has ever indicated the supervision of a neat and pro- gressive owner. On the 24th of July, 1843, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah A. Brower, who was born in Middletown township, Monmouth county, in 1826. Her parents were Hendrick and Helena (Hoff) Brower, whose family numbered three daughters, but Mrs. Walling is now the only survivor of the family. Her paternal
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grandparents were John and Eleanor (Hendrickson) Brower, and they had five chil- dren. Her paternal great-grandfather was Hendrick Brower, and her ancestors were also Revolutionary heroes. Unto our subject and wife have been born six children- Sarah, Jane E., Edward, Eleanor S., Huldah T., and Emily V. On the 26th of Sep- tember, 1901, Mr. Walling was summoned into eternal rest. For many years he had made his home in this locality, and his career was marked by signal integrity, justice and honor, and no word of detraction was ever heard from those who knew him well. The family occupy a high social position in the community and have many warm friends among the best residents of Monmouth county.
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ADAM ECKERT.
Not only prominent in industrial circles in Perth Amboy, but also a leading figure in public affairs which concern the welfare of his city and state, Adam Eckert is well known and justly counted one of the representative men of New Jersey. His, energy, perseverance and capable management have secured him advancement in the business world and he has also gained distinction as one who is devoted to the public good and who fails not in the faithful performance of any duty of citizenship, no matter if it be trivial or important.
Mr. Eckert was born in Germany in 1850, and as far back as the ancestry can be traced the family resided in the Fatherland. Joseph Eckert, his grandfather, was a native of Wertsburg, Bavaria, and throughout his entire life served as a forester on the Livingston estate. In religious faith he and his family were Roman Catholics, strongly adhering to that faith. He had six sons and one daughter, namely: Adam, John, George, Jacob, Joseph, Henry, and Mary. Joseph Eckert, the grandfather, de- parted this life in 1884.
Jacob Eckert, father of the one whose name introduces this review, was born on ยท the Livingston estate in Germany and acquired his education in the public schools. In early life he learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed for many years. In 1852 he started with his family for America and located at Middletown, New York, where for three years he carried on shoemaking, after which he took up his abode in Albany and engaged in the same pursuit for two. years. In 1861 he came to Perth Amboy and established himself in the shoe business, but the following year he re- sponded to resident Lincoln's call for troops to crush out the rebellion and enlisted in Battery K, Third New York Light Artillery, fighting for the land of his adoption until the close of the war, when he received an honorable discharge at Richmond. Returning to the north he located in New York City and, subsequently, again came to Perth Amboy, where he conducted a hotel until his retirement from business life in 1890. In politics he was a firm believer in the principles of the great Democratic party, in behalf of which he cast his vote and influence. He was also an active mem- ber of the Grand Army post at Perth Amboy and was ever a loyal citizen, who in days of peace inanifested the same fidelity to his adopted land that he displayed when fol- lowing the Stars and Stripes upon southern battlefields. Before leaving Germany he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ott, and unto them were born two sons and' two daughters: Adam, George, Marguerite, and Mary.
Adam Eckert was only two years old when brought by his parents to the new world. He acquired his education in New York, and when fourteen years of age entered upon a six years' apprenticeship to learn the jeweler's trade. Later he was his father's assistant in the conduct of the hotel in Perth Amboy, his time and en-
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ergies being devoted to that work until 1884, when he embarked in his present line of business as a member of the firm of Schantz & Eckert, proprietors of a machine shop, and iron and brass foundry. They engaged in general machine work, in the building of marine engines, and in a general line of repair work. Mr. Eckert's partner was his brother-in-law, Andrew Schantz, a capable machinist, who was born in Philadelphia. He died in 1899, leaving a family of six children. Since that time Mr. Eckert has been sole proprietor of the business, and in his foundry employs thirty-two workmen. The output of the foundry is of such superior grade that his sales extend to all parts of the country and his patronage is constantly increasing, thus bringing to him a good annual revenue.
In his political views Mr. Eckert is an carnest Democrat, believing that the 'best interests of the country can be secured through the adoption of the principles of t' . party. He has been a member of the city council and at the present time is : ving as alderman at large for Perth Amboy. In 1892 he was appointed superin- tendent of the city water works and filled the position with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. He has also served as one of the board of chosen freholders, and for two terms he was a member of the general assembly. He has filled many positions of public trust in a creditable manner and the vote of his fellow-citizens is proof of his popularity and capability. He usually attends the conventions of his party and is unfaltering in support of whatever he believes to be for the general good. .
Outside of politics Mr. Eckert is interested in other affairs connected with the city's prosperity and activity. He is a member of the chamber of commerce and the Perth Amboy Loan and Homestead Association, of which he is the president. Socially hc is a representative member of Raritan Lodge, F. & A. M .; Lafayette Chapter, R. A. M. of Rahway, and the Knights of Pythias. His name is a synonym for all that is progressive and his own career has been one of substantial advancement along many lines. In business he has worked his way upward, step by step, to a position of affluence, and in public affairs he has attained to a distinctively eminent position in the city and state.
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