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 35
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H. F. DAVIS.
Prominent among the young and enterprising business men of Monmouth county stands the subject of this review, who is engaged in the grocery business at Oakhurst. He was born at Red Bank, this state, on the 4th of September, 1870, and is a son of Thomas and Marie (Pitcher) Davis. He received his education in the district schools of Middletown township, where by his close application to his studies he laid the foundation for his present prosperity and progress. After his school days were ended he entered the store of a Mr. Conover, of Lincroft, where he made himself familiar with the grocery business in every detail, and thus became a very profitable employe. In 1891 he came to the village of Oakhurst, Monmouth county. After being employed by Thomas Cook for five years he purchased the business in 1891, and since his occu- pancy Mr. Davis has brought the establishment to its present high degree of prosperity. Since removing, to this place he has also been honored with the position of postmaster, an office which he filled to the entire satisfaction of all concerned, and for several years he also served as a member of the board of education.
On March 17, 1897, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Davis and Miss Vannie Harvey, a native of West Long Branch, and a daughter of Charles and Clara Harvey. This union has been brightened and blessed by one child, Harry L. In his social re-
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lations Mr. Davis is an active member of the Junior Order of United American Me- chanics. He is a man of superior business capacity and resourceful ability, his reso- lute purpose and keen discrimination enabling him to carry forward to successful com- pletion whatever he undertakes. He has made for himself an enviable reputation and is popular in social, business and political circles.
JOHN V. FISHER.
John V. Fisher, an old and highly respected citizen of Prospect Plains, New Jersey, was born in Mercer county. September 2. 1818, the son of Henry and Lydia (Voorhees) Fisher. Their family consisted of John V., our subject; Sarah, deceased ; Jacob ; Mary ;. Gertrude, deceased ; and Cornelia, deceased.
When John V. attained his tenth year he removed with his parents to Middlesex county, in the neighborhood known as Half Acre, where he continued to reside till the year 1853, at which time he purchased his present farm of fifty acres, part of which is in Cranbury and part in Monroe township. During his active career as a practical farmer, which vocation he conducted on scientific principles, Mr. Fisher succeeded in accumulating quite a goodly competence, and is now retired from personal conduct of his farming interests.
In 1852 Mr. Fisher wedded Miss Phoebe Perrine, and two children were born to them, viz. : Mary and Anna, both of whom reside in Monroe township. Mrs. Fisher ยท departed this life in 1875.
CORNELIUS V. STULTS.
Cornelius V. Stults is a wealthy resident of Monroe township, Middlesex county. He was born near Cranbury, New Jersey, July I, of the year 1819, his parents being Albert and Maria (Van Doren) Stults, whose family consisted of eight children, four sons and four daughters. Of this number Henry and Cornelius are the only survivors. The father of our subject, Albert Stults, was born and reared in Monroe township, followed farming as a vocation, and served his country during the war of 1812. He lived to the ripe old age of eighty-nine years. Henry Stults, the father of Albert Stults, and grandfather of Cornelius V., was a native of Germany, but came to this country in early manhood. He was fully in sympathy with the country of his adoption, entering heartily as one of its citizens in all matters pertaining to its welfare. In poli- tics he was a stanch Democrat. In religious views he was a Presbyterian, being a communicant of that faith. He was eminently respected by all with whom he was thrown in contact, and he, too. engaged in agricultural pursuits.
1 Cornelius V. Stults, the subject of our sketch, is the possessor of one hundred and forty-five acres of well cultivated farm land at Prospect Plains, Monroe town- ship, New Jersey, upon which he resides, cultivating the land to the highest state of perfection and growing a general line of farm products. Material gain has crowned his efforts, and he is looked upon as one of the most successful farmers in his sec- tion. Mr. Stults has been the owner of his present farm since the year 1849, and has made it his home ever since that time. His first wife was Miss Gertrude Applegate, who bore him two sons, John E. and Rostene S. His second wife was Gertrude Fisher, now also deceased, who gave birth to six children, namely, Mary A., Ella, Mina, Cornelius, Addison, and Albert.
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Mr. Stults has ever commanded the respect of his fellow-citizens, and this they have shown by electing him to many township offices, which he has always creditably filled, keeping constantly before him the interests of those he represented. He is an honored member of the Presbyterian church of Cranbury.
OAKHURST PUBLIC SCHOOL.
Under the direction of a capable school board having due regard for the intellec- tual development of the community, the Oakhurst public school is doing excellent work. In 1843-almost sixty years ago-about two acres of land were purchased from Richard Wyckoff and Jacob White by Taylor Hagerty, George T. Brown and Joseph Thompson, who were the school trustees of Ocean township. Upon this ground was erected a one-story building for school purposes, and there was an attendance of ninety pupils. In 1861 the number of children in the school district was one hundred and thirty-seven. In 1870 the schoolhouse was enlarged and two teachers were employed. In 1875 there were one hundred and seventy pupils, and the following year the num- ber had increased to two hundred and five, but after this there came a decline in at- tendance, and in 1880 there were only one hundred and sixty-two school children in the district. At the present writing, in 1901, there are three hundred and eleven school children in the district. In 1900 a new building was erected on the site of the old one, at a cost of twelve thousand dollars, and in addition to this furnishings were pur- chased at a cost of two thousand dollars, so that the entire structure was built and equipped at a cost of fourteen thousand dollars. Two of the leading members of the school board are Isaac B. White, president, and Adam Worth, secretary and treasurer. Both have the educational interests of the district deeply at heart and give their aid and influence toward raising the standard of the school and making its work attain a high degree of perfection.
GEORGE SPARKS.
George Sparks, in early life an English soldier and later a soldier in the Civil war, was born in England, September 25, 1836, son of Thomas and Rebecca Sparks. His grandparents lived and died in England. His father, born and married in England, came to Monmouth county, New Jersey, and settled on a farm in Manalapan township in 1854. He died in 1889, aged eighty-two years, and his wife died in 1891, aged cighty-four years. Their children besides George are: Anna Eliza, who married a veteran of the Twenty-ninth New Jersey Volunteer Infantry ; Dorcas, now Mrs. Moran, residing upon a farm in Marlboro township, and Henrietta, now Mrs. Lewis P. Clay- ton, of Elton.
George Sparks was educated in the schools of England and was mustered into the English army August 1, 1853, at Westminster, London. His regiment was as- signed to duty in India and with it he served through the various engagements in the Sepoy insurrection from 1854 to 1859, under Sir Hugh Rose, K. O. B. In 1857 he was the corporal in charge of the squad of five men who, under orders, tied the six Seboys to the cannons' months, from which they were blown to pieces. The verdict of the court martial was that six Sepoys should be shot to death, six hung and six blown to picces at the cannon's mouth. He was discharged from the British army June 27, 1860. In the latter part of that year he left England and come to his father's farm, where
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he remained until June, 1861, then enlisting in the Union army. He was mustered into service June 22, 1861, in Company H, Forty-eighth New York Volunteers, as sergeant. He served with his regiment in North and South Carolina, participating in all its engagements up to July 18, 1863, when at Fort Wagner he was wounded in the right hand, which necessitated the amputation of his thumb and middle finger. In June, 1864, he was assigned to duty in the Veteran Reserve Corps and was mustered out of service January 1, 1864, with an enviable record as a soldier.
In 1868 he was married to Anna Keyes. Their children are: Rebecca Jane, George Thomas, Edward Goddard, and Charles L.
THOMAS F. DUNIGAN.
One of the leading and popular young business men of Woodbridge, New Jersey, is lie of whom this brief biography treats. He was born in the town of Wood- bridge on May 1, 1859: he is the son of Bernard Dunigan, an old resident of the town. Thomas F. attended the public schools of his birthplace, and acquired an excel- lent education. In 1883 he became interested in clay mining, which he followed till 1890, when he became a contractor in grading, etc., which he has since carried on extensively ; besides this he has been a large dealer in coal, having yards located on the Philadelphia & Reading railroad near Woodbridge. He keeps a number of teams to meet the demands of his trade; so great has his business become in this line that he is entitled to a position among the foremost merchants in the town. Apart from all this, he now operates the clay mines for Henry Maurer & Son, one of the largest brick and tile manufacturers in New Jersey. He is also a director of the Car- teret Electric Light and Power Company; and was a potent factor in the organiza- tion of the fire company, being chairman of the committee,
Mr. Dunigan finds time to take an active interest in politics. He is an ad- herent of the Democratic party, and in 1898-99 was a member of the township com- mittee; 'for some years he has been. prominently identified with local affairs. He is an esteemed member of the Royal Arcanum, the Catholic Benevolent Legion, and other fraternal orders.
Mr. Dunigan married Miss Jane Finn, and their children are, Florence, George, Jennie and Anna. The family are attendants at St. James church.
From this brief sketch of Mr. Dunigan's life the energy characterizing the man is the one predominant feature which stands out more prominently than any other. The varied business interests in which he is engaged marks him as a man of sagacity and keen mental discernment, and few men can claim so high a place in public esteem as he. He was elected in March, 1902, to the office of chosen freeholder from Woodbridge.
THE LAFAYETTE HOTEL. v
The Lafayette hotel, one of the most popular and well conducted hotels of Asbury Park, New Jersey, has won its success through fourteen years of intelligent management. Quite a number of years ago, when the present commodious hotel was scarcely more than a cottage, it was conducted by Mr. and Mrs. Frost, who gradually enlarged the building until at the present time it has accommodation for about three hundred and fifty guests. During these years Mr. Frost has passed away, but the
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house has since been ably conducted by his widow, the present sole proprietor, who is a practical hotel woman, having for many years kept a large and fashionable board- ing house in New York City before becoming interested in the Lafayette. For the past eight years Mrs. Frost has been ably assisted in the management of the hotel" by Mr. Frank B. Covert, an experienced hotel man, who has been identified with many of the most prominent and successful hotels of the south, among them being the Ormond and St. James at Jacksonville, Florida, as well as with large hotels in both New York and Philadelphia. Mr. Covert possesses peculiar adaptability for the position he occupies, having many genial social qualities and being endowed with pronounced executive ability.
The Lafayette hotel enjoys a reputation second to none of the more prominent houses of Asbury Park, as the superior character of the internal appointments, and the attractive architecture of its exterior, the new and improved bedding, carpeting and furniture, together with the artistically decorated walls and ceilings, make it one of the most elegantly appointed hostelries on the Jersey coast. It has a hall, fifty feet square, with a Holland brick fireplace, which is used as a reception room and for social gatherings. "Its polished floor and brilliant electric lights make it peculiarly fitting as a place of amusement, and dances, germans, progressive euchre and musicals are given here under the direction of Edwin Jeffrey, master of ceremonies, ably assisted by a fine orchestra. They also have an extensive dining hall, with ample capacity for seating three hundred people, and an Otis electric elevator, of the best construction and entirely fire-proof, connects with all floors.
STEPHEN WILLIAMS NEWBURY.
Stephen Williams Newbury, one of the most useful and successful business men of Asbury Park, was born at Manasquan, New Jersey, October 1I, 1846. His father, Tyler Newbury, was also born at Manasquan (in 1812), where he lived all his life, a farmer by occupation and the owner of a large and valuable farm. The elder New- bury was the father of seven children. Those still living are as follows: Amelia, who became the wife of Jeremiah Yeomans; Stephen Williams; Zilpha, who became the wife of Charles Bergen; Sarah, who became the wife of Frank Longstreet; George ; and Charles. He died in 1873, aged sixty-two years. His widow is still living, at the age of seventy-nine years.
Stephen Newbury, grandfather of our subject, was a farmer, a fisherman and a successful man of business of Manasquan, and at the time of his death possessed con- siderable property. He died at the venerable age of ninety years, and his widow passed away in advanced years. Stephen Williams Newbury was educated in the public schools of his native village. He early learned the carpenter's trade, which he fol- lowed as a journeyman for several years. At the age of twenty years he engaged in contracting and building, first at Elizabeth and later at Manasquan, finally locating at Point Pleasant, where he continued in business from 1874 to 1889, during which time he erected many public buildings and large hotels at Spring Lake and other places, employing on his contracts as many as forty men. In 1889 he engaged in dealing in western horses, conducting sales-stables at Manasquan, and handling as many as a carload a month, many high priced horses among them. He continued in this busi- ness until 1896, since which time he has been engaged in the livery business at Asbury Park.
He is a member of Excelsior Lodge, I. O. O. F., at Manasquan, of Wall Lodge,
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Free and Accepted Masons, and of Goodwin Royal Arch Chapter. . He is a Republi- can in politics and is quite active in public affairs. He formerly he'd the offices of treasurer and collector at Manasquan for several years.
Mr. Newbury was married December 24, 1868, to Miss Jane Sutphin, and to them were born six children, two of whom died in infancy. Those still living are as follows: , Adeline, who became the wife of James Cregg, their children being Stephen, Katharine and Florence; the next child was George, who married Marion Palmer, and they had one child. Claud; Frank married Miss Cornelia Palmer ; and Howard married Ada Brown, and they have one child.
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ROBERT E. STEPHANY.
Among the citizens of Atlantic City whose effort was ever active, public-spirited, and devoted to its advancement, none was regarded more favorably than Robert E. Stephany, the late city recorder. Robert E. Stephany was born at Egg Harbor City, New Jersey, October 6, 1872. His father was August Stephany, a native of Nord- hausen, Germany, where he was born December 16, 1841. The latter came to this country in 1858, and soon thereafter secured employment on the "Staats Zeitung." In .1865 he removed to Egg Harbor City, then almost in its infancy. He held the positions of city clerk and justice of the peace, and was admitted to the bar in Feb- ruary, 1881.
Robert E. Stephany received his education in the public schools of his native village, from which he was graduated in 1887. Upon his removing to Atlantic City he entered the law office of his father as a student, and after completing his studies was admitted to the bar as an attorney in 1894, and as a counselor in November, 1897. ,On January. I, 1895, he became associated with his father under the style of A. Stephany & Son. This partnership was only dissolved by the death of the elder Mr. Stephany. Subsequent to that time Robert E. Stephany conducted the business most successfully up to the date of his decease, September 2, 1901. He had a large clientele, and deservedly won the confidence and respect of all who had occasion to test his professional ability. As city recorder Mr. Stephany filled the position most creditably from his election to that position in 1900.
GEORGE COMSTOCK.
George Comstock, of the highlands of Navesink,. New Jersey, was born in New York City, January 21, 1827, a son of David Comstock, who was born in Granville, Vermont, but later removed to New York City, where he spent the greater part of his life. He served in the war of 1812-14, and participated in the battle of Lake Champlain, under the command of Commodore McDonough.
George Comstock pursued the usual course of education in the public schools of New York, and when fifteen years of age he enlisted in the United States navy as an apprentice boy on board the brig "Somers." He served for three years under Captain Alexander Slidill Mackenzie, who was connected with the West Indian station. Later he entered the merchant marine service in the packet line of ships plying between New York and New Orleans, Louisiana, being on the ships "Galena" and "Union," and served for five years. For the following nine years he acted in
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the capacity of shipwright under Bell & Brown, ship builders, in New York. During the Mexican war Mr. Comstock served on two government transports, one being the propeller "Eudora," which carried munitions of war from the Baton Rouge arsenal to General Taylor at Matamoras, Mexico, and the other was the ship "Hercules," which conveyed munitions of war to General Scott at Vera Cruz after the bom- bardment and before the capture of the city of Mexico. After leaving the service of the United States navy Mr. Comstock followed a seafaring life for many years. He then decided to go to California, where he spent the years from 1854 to 1856 in mining. Subsequently he removed to the highlands of Navesink and for twenty-five years he was engaged in sea fishing. One day he was out fishing with two other com- panions, when their boat was capsized and his comrades were drowned, but he man- aged to cling to the boat and was finally rescued seven miles from the coast, the boat being wrecked. This accident caused him to abandon that line of work, and he then built a number of houses, disposing of all but two, which he still retains in his possession.
Mr. Comstock was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Hutton, daughter of George Hutton, a seaman. In his political affiliations he is a Republican, and he served for three years in the volunteer fire department of New York.
E. WELLING LEONARD.
One of the representative farmers and dairymen of Monmouth county, New Jersey, is E. Welling Leonard, who is a descendant of one of the loyal subjects of King George the Second, of England. It is recorded in the family annals that in the thirteenth year of the reign, of said ruler, in 1739, a commission was issued to Nathaniel Leonard, Gentleman, appointing him lieutenant of Middletown Middle Company, of what is now known as New Jersey. This Nathaniel married a wife named Deliverance, and they had four sons, namely: John, who was born in 1738, emigrated to Cuba, married a Spanish lady and established a home there; Nathaniel, who was born in 1739; Joseph, who was born in 1743; Samuel; Sarah ; and Annie.
Captain Thomas Leonard, who was the paternal great-grandfather of our subject, was born in 1753 and married Alice Lawrence, the children of this union being Elizabeth, William and Joseph. In early life Capt. Thomas Leonard followed :a sea-faring existence, being master of a vessel which sailed along the coast between New York and his native township, sometimes even going to ports as far south as Virginia. Soon after his marriage he abandoned the water, bought a farm of forty acres of land and settled down to agriculture and merchandising. A stanch Re- publican and a consistent Baptist, he was regarded as one of the reliable and sub- stantial citizens of his native place.
William Leonard, a son of Capt. Thomas and the grandfather of our subject, first married Elizabeth Applegate, and to this marriage six children were born, as follows : Richard A., John S., Thomas, Mary, William and Elizabeth. His second marriage was to Elizabeth Conover, from which there was no issue.
William Leonard, son of William and father of our subject, was born in 1819, and died in 1885. His farming lands comprised one hundred acres and he was one of the largest and most successful truck farmers of his locality. For many years he was an honored member of the Baptist church, in which he was a trustee, and his political sympathies were with the Republican party. He was highly esteemed in his home in Atlantic Highlands, and when he passed away the county lost a loyal
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citizen and an estimable man. His wife was formerly Abigail Grover, who was a daughter of James and Deborah Grover. A large family was born to these parents, but only three yet survive, these being: E. Welling, our subject; John S., also a sub- ject ; and Mrs. D. Woodward.
E. Welling Leonard was born at Leonardsville, New Jersey, on March 25, 1847, and he was reared and educated in Middletown, his native township. Since attain- ing his maturity he has been continuously engaged in agricultural pursuits, one-half of his father's farm belonging to him. Our subject, in connection with his brother, conducts one of the most popular dairies in the county, the output from this estab- lishment meeting with ready sale on account of its uniform excellence.
Mr. Leonard was married in 1871 to Miss Mary E. Hendrickson, who was born at Nut Swamp, and who was a daughter of Daniel and Mary Hendrickson. To this marriage these children have been born, namely: William W., born on February 13, 1872, married Mabel L. Leonard, and they have one son, Harold; Philip, born on April 18, 1875, married Eva Laux; and Abigail G., born on March 23, 1881.
Mr. Leonard and family are connected with the First Baptist church of Atlantic Highlands, where he fills the office of deacon with dignity and consistency.
JOHN S. LEONARD.
John S. Leonard, of Leonardsville, New Jersey, is a descendant of one of the oldest and most honorable families in this country, and they maintain a notable or- ganization known as the "Leonard Family Genealogical, Historical and Memorial As- sociation." This association is composed of hundreds of members, who are dispersed throughout the entire United States. In July. 1901, they held their annual meeting in Taunton, Massachusetts, under the auspices of the Old Colony Historical Association. The first ancestor of the name of whom there is any record was Nathaniel Leonard, Gentleman, who received a commission in 1739, the thirteenth year of His Majesty George the Second's reign, appointing him lieutenant of Middletown Middle Com- pany. He married and had four children, namely: John, born in 1738, emigrated to Cuba and married a Spanish lady; Nathaniel, born in 1739, of whom there is no trace at the present time; Joseph, born in 1743, married Minnie Bray; Samuel, who married Lydia Madden; Sarah; and Annie Leonard. Thomas Leonard, great-grand- father of John S. Leonard, was born in 1753, and married Alice Lawrence, and three! children were born of this union: Elizabeth, William and Joseph Leonard. William Leonard, second son of Thomas and Alice Leonard and the grandfather of John S. Leonard, in early life became a seafaring man, sailing vessels between Middletown and New York, and at times extending his voyages to Virginia. He was twice mar- ried, his first wife having been Miss Elizabeth Applegate, and the following named children were born to them: Richard, Mary, Thomas. John S., William and Eliza- beth. For his second wife he married Miss Elizabeth Conover. After his marriage he abandoned the perils of the deep to become a farmer and merchant. William, the fourth son of William and Elizabeth Leonard, married Abigail, daughter of the late James Grover, of Shrewsbury. Three children were born to them: E. Welling, Deborah G. and John S. Leonard. The last named was born December 6, 1852. He received his early education in the Peddie Institute, and this was supplemented later by a course of study in Eastman's Business College. After completing his studies he entered upon his business career as a commission merchant in Washington Market, New York City, where he remained for eight years, conducting a large and remiun-
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