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 37
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Hon. William H. Bennett is now enjoying the fruits of his former labors and can look back upon a well spent life, full of noble purpose, upright dealings, and acts of kindness and generosity. His influence has always been for good along all lines, both in public and private life, and those with whom he has been associated revere and honor him for his true worth.
CAPTAIN JACOB BORDEN.
Captain Jacob Borden comes from a line of sturdy and industrious English ancestors. There were three brothers of the name that emigrated from County Kent, England, to this country in 1636. Richard Borden settled at Portsmouth, Rhode Island, but which is now included in the state of New Hampshire. Joseph Borden settled at Bordentown, New Jersey, and he became the ancestor of our subject. Jacob Borden, and the other brother located at Shrewsbury, Monmouth county, New Jersey,
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now known as Red Bank. George Borden, grandfather of Jacob Borden, was a son of Asher Borden; he was a thorough business man and accumulated considerable wealth during his life time. The father of Jacob Borden is still living at Allentown, New Jersey. By occupation he was a farmer, but when he reached the age of seventy-three years he retired from the active duties of life.
Captain Jacob Borden was born in Upper Freehold township, Monmouth county, New Jersey, on October 19, 1851. He was reared on his father's farm and attended the public schools of his native town; when he attained the age of twelve years, he enlisted as a private in the Third Regiment, National Guards of New Jersey; after a short period of time he was promoted to be color sergeant of Company A, then he became first lieutenant, and finally was appointed captain of the same company. Cap- tain Borden distinguished himself during his career in the regiment as a sharp shooter, and he was presented with nine marksman's medals which he received nine years in succession. For the past twenty-five years he has been connected with the Asbury Fark police department.
Captain Borden is one of the most prominent Masons of South Jersey. He is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, No. 143, Asbury Lodge, Standard Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, Corson Commandery, No. 15, Knights Templar, and the Mecca Temple Order of Mystic Shrine.
Captain Jacob Borden was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Caffley, and three children have been born to them, namely: May A., Olga B., and Lillian. B. Borden.
EDWARD HARTENSTEIN.
After a life spent in following various occupations, Edward Hartenstein has settled down into one of the most affable and popular hotel proprietors of Monmouth county. His present hostelry is located at Freneau, New Jersey, his house being one of the oldest in that section, it for the past one hundred years having been conducted as a hotel. Since possessing this property Mr. Hartenstein has greatly enhanced its value, having enlarged the building and thoroughly renovated and otherwise generally im- proved the grand old place. The hotel is conducted on a first-class scale, has com- modious rooms, well and handsomely fitted up with new furnishings; new barns and sheds have been erected, and in fact every convenience and accommodation is at the disposal of its guests.
Mr. Hartenstein was born June 27, 1858, in the city of Hartford, Connecticut, in which he acquired his education and whence he started out on his business career. He was first engaged in the general market business at Rockville, Connecticut, where he continued for several years. From this he branched out in an entirely different direction, becoming manager of several theatrical companies, and in this capacity he traveled through the New England states for several years. Again he made a distinct change, this time entering the restaurant business, which he followed for eighteen years in the city of New York. He was next engaged as manager of the Montclair Club House : this position, however, he soon abandoned to become pro- prietor of the Mansion House at Montclair, New Jersey. He continued to con- duct this well-known hotel until February, 1901, when he sold out and bought his present property at Freneau.
The parents of Mr. Hartenstein were Tobias and Elizabeth Hartenstein, both natives of Germany, who emigrated to America in early life. The father entered into the boot and shoe business in, Hartford, Connecticut, and his venture was most
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E. HARTENSTEIN'S HOTEL, FRENEAU.
Charterstien
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successful. He and his wife both were held in high esteem by every one in the locality. Mr. Hartenstein owes his success to the manner in which he treats his patrons, making them feel that he is desirous of pleasing them in every way.
Mrs. Hartenstein, formerly Mrs. Loie Morton, was a daughter of Charles Apple- gate, of Morgan, Middlesex county. Her marriage took place May 5, 1896. Mr. Hartenstein is a member of the following fraternal organizations: The New York Lodge of Elks; the Montclair Lodge, No. 144, Free and Accepted Masons; the Red Men of Bloomfield, and the Foresters of New York City. He claims independence in the matter of politics.
OLIVER H. BROWN.
Oliver Huff Brown was born December 12, 1853, in Farmingdale, New Jersey, and paternally is of Scotch extraction. His father, Peter Brown, a younger son of a Scotch family which for generations had numbered amongst its members educators and preceptors, left his native land when nineteen years of age and with several others of about his years came to the United States. Previous to leaving Scotland he had learned the tailor's trade, and upon his arrival in New York pursued that voca- tion. Having met, wooed and married Sarah Magill, who was a native of Monmouth county, New Jersey, and whose ancestors for several generations had resided there, he located in Farmingdale, where he established himself in business. Upon the out- break of the war of the Rebellion he tendered his services to the government, and having had some knowledge of military tactics was employed in the recruiting service, being for the first two or three years of the war occupied in drilling recruits. Two of his sons were old enough to enlist and entered the army, and as soon as his duties enabled him to do so hc accepted a commission as first lieutenant in the Fourteenth Regiment, New Jersey Volunteer Infantry. While participating in the second battle of Cold Harbor he was wounded and taken as a prisoner to Libby prison, where his left arm was amputated and where he died shortly afterward.
The boyhood days of the subject of this memoir were passed in his native county. At the age of eighteen he entered upon his mercantile career. He was ambitious, energetic and determined to work his way to success, but he little dreamed of the rewards the future had in store for him. He became a clerk in the general store of William Laird in New Branch, now Avon, at a salary of fifteen dollars a month and board. Attentive to business and zealous in behalf of his employer's in- terests, he proved himself worthy of trust, and during the second year of his associ- ation with Mr. Laird was placed in charge of the business. In 1873 he was offered a position with Mr. John A. Githens, at Asbury Park, the principal merchant there, and remained in his employ for eight years, spending seven years of the time as chief clerk. He was industrious and economical and saved a portion of each year's income, so that when, in his judgment, opportunities for safe investments offering reasonable chances for profit were presented he was able to grasp them, and in that manner began to accumulate a few hundred dollars. In 1879 he went to Europe, visited the homes of his ancestors in Scotland, and also spent some time in the capitals on the continent. While absent on this tour he described his journey in a series of interesting and well written letters to the Asbury Park newspapers. Upon his return he resumed his position with Mr. Githens, with whom he remained until 1882. In that year he began his career as a merchant. With the sum of fifty-five hundred dollars, which he had ac- cumulated, he began business on his own account in Spring Lake. He had had more than ten years' practical experience, knew the value of merchandise, was endowed with
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a genial disposition which attracted and held a large circle of customers, and his busi- ness has constantly increased and the yearly sales are surprisingly large. The mer- chandise handled consists of a general line of furnishings and fittings, and includes some of the most artistic pieces of bric-a-brac, china and furniture imported into America. Naturally endowed with artistic taste, Mr. Brown has from time to time visited Europe to purchase directly from the manufacturers many of the gems of art which now adorn homes of wealth in the principal cities of the country. So well and artistically selected is his stock that goods are shipped to cities and towns in all parts of the country from the small town of Spring Lake. In 1891 he established a branch of his business in Lakewood, New Jersey, which also prospered from the start, and is now the largest of its kind in Ocean county.
Although remarkably successful as a merchant, Mr. Brown has by no means confined his efforts to mercantile affairs. As a financier he is an acknowledged leader, and has been the leading spirit in the organization and management of. several im- portant institutions. While residing in Asbury Park he participated in the organi- zation of the Asbury Park Building and Loan Association; was one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Asbury Park, and acted as its vice president for a period of ten years ; was one of the organizers of the Monmouth Trust & Safe Deposit Company, and served as one of its board of directors until 1901; and was also an organizer of the Lakewood Trust Company and a member of its board since its or- ganization. He was the controlling spirit in the formation of the First National Bank of Lakewood, with a capital of fifty thousand dollars and surplus of twelve thousand five hundred dollars, also of the First National Bank of Spring Lake, capi- talized with twenty-five thousand dollars and surplus of twelve thousand five hundred dollars, and has been president of both of these institutions since their organization. He was one of the promoters of the Monmouth Water Company, capitalized at one million dollars, for the construction of the water works to supply all the Atlantic seashore resorts between Mantoloking and Long Branch, and he is president of the company. . He is also president of the Spring Lake Hotel Company, capitalized at three hundred thousand dollars, for the erection of hotels at Spring Lake. Among others interested in this enterprise are the well known Martin Maloney, Mr. Schoon- maker and S. B. Calloway. Mr. Brown is also largely interested in coast shipping, and is part owner of a number of vessels, one of which, a large schooner, bears his name. His real-estate investments have been conducted upon the same sound business prin- ciples which have characterized all of his affairs and have been profitable. He is one of the largest owners of real property in Spring Lake and Lakewood. This property is nearly all improved and is well managed, insuring him regular and adequate returns from his investments. He has traveled extensively throughout America and Europe, and has, through his warm-hearted geniality, drawn to himself a large circle of friends. Some of these are men of influence in the world of finance, and through them he has been able to make some very advantageous business investments.
Politically Mr. Brown is a stanch and zealous Republican. He was one of .the members of the first council of the borough of North Spring Lake, and acted in that capacity until his election to the mayoralty ten years ago. Since then he has retained his position as executive head of the borough. In 1896 he was elected to the assembly by a plurality of two thousand one hundred and eighty-two votes over Heyer, the highest candidate on the opposition ticket. As a legislator he introduced and passed several measures important to his constituents, notably the bill authorizing the open- ing of Shark river. He was honored in 1900 by being chosen a delegate to the Repub- lican national convention at Philadelphia, which nominated McKinley and Roosevelt, and has also frequently served as delegate to county, congressional and state con-
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ventions. He is a member of St. Andrews Methodist Episcopal church of Spring Lake. His career illustrates most forcibly that success can be achieved without ad- vantageous surroundings and without the aid of influential friends or relations. He has taken advantage of the opportunities offered, and has by hard work and honorable business dealings carved for himself a way to success.
JAMES EDWARD BORDEN.
The ancient and honored family of Borden originated at Bourdounay, in Nor- mandy, France, and its English branch was planted by some of its members who went into England with William the Conqueror, and settled upon lands granted them by that monarch.
Richard Borden, founder of the American branch of the family, according to "Gunn's Genealogies," was a son of Mathew and Joan Borden, and was born and baptized at Hedcorn, in Kent county, England, February 22, 1595-6. Concerning the date of his birth, Gunn says in a foot note that "the date of Richard's birth is in- correct; if his date is from a deposition by R. B., he misstated his age, which was and is a common thing to do"-this with reference to a statement that he was born in 1601. But the parish baptismal record would seem to set that point at rest.
Richard Borden was married in Hedcorn church, September 28, 1625, to Joan Fowle. In 1628 he removed to the neighboring parish of Canbrook, whence he came in 1637-8 to America, locating at Portsmouth, Rhode Island. The latter date is given on the authority of Gunn, but Austin has it that he came two years earlier ( 1635), arriving in Boston on the ship "Elizabeth and Ann," and this particularity appears conclusive. His son Matthew was the first child born in Rhode Island of English parents. He was appointed commissioner from 1654 to 1657, and held several other important positions. He was one of the original holders, by patent of 1667, of land in New Jersey. He died May 28, 1671.
Francis Borden, the third child of Richard and Joan Borden, was baptized Decem- ber 23, 1628, at Canbrook (England) parish church, according to the baptismal record. He removed from Rhode Island to Shrewsbury, Monmouth county, New Jersey, about 1670. He and his brother Benjamin, who was the eleventh child of the same parents were the pioneers of the family in that region. He married Jane Vicars, at Shrewsbury, New Jersey, in 1677, who is commonly accepted by family tradition as a native of Yorkshire, England. In faith he was a Friend, and he was employed by William Penn as a surveyor. His children were Richard, Francis, Joyce (who mar- ried John Hance), and Thomas. Thomas, son of Francis, born in 1684, had a son Richard, whose son, Benjamin, was born in 1766. Benjamin had sons named John L., Richard, William L., Thomas T., Hannah T., Joseph L., Benjamin, Ann L., and Sarah T. Thomas T. Borden was born June 24, 1800, and had two children, Eliza- beth C. and James E. Borden, the latter named being the immediate subject of this sketch.
James E. Borden, son of Thomas T. and Susan (Corlics) Borden, was born in Warren county, New Jersey, May 4. 1836, and was reared and cducated at the locality now known as Deal, in Monmouth county. The territory now embraced within the present limits of Deal was once the property of his father. He was but a mere child when his parents located at Deal, and his boyhood days were spent in school and in assisting his father on his farm and at the Hathaway Inn, which the elder Borden founded. He attended a Friends' school in New York City and another in Bucks
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county, Pennsylvania, and left home at the age of twenty-two years to engage in the market business in New York City. He relinquished that enterprise two years later, however, and busied himself during the succeeding two years in the employ of the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad Company Company. He then took a position in a bank in New York City for a period and after that for a time he was the proprietor of a clothing store at Long Branch, New Jersey. Later for six years he was associated with A. Hance & Son, in their nursery enterprise.
About 1875 Mr. Borden engaged in surveying and conveyancing, a business which he has followed with the approval of the public to the present time, and his business in real estate, together with the carc of his estate, keeps him busy. Notwithstanding the demands upon him of his personal affairs, he has found some time to devote to public interests. and he has been honored by his fellow citizens with offices of com- missioner of appeals, town committeeman, assessor and surveyor of highways. He is a life member of the Monmouth County Historical Society, and a close student of , men and events, who uses ali his spare time to the best advantage in acquiring a fund of useful knowledge which is not only gratifying to himself but is of benefit to many others. Like his forefathers, he is of the Friends' faith, sturdy. truthful, and upright, practicing that rule in which he has been educated-"Do unto others as you would that they should do unto you." He married Miss Julia H. Harned, daughter of the late Jonathan and Ruth Anna Harned. The latter were residents of Rahway, New Jersey.
FRANCIS EUGENE HEYER.
Among those old families of Holland-Dutch ancestry which have been identified with the history of South Jersey through many generations is that of Heyer. Kor- tenius Heyer, the grandfather of Frank E. Heyer in the paternal line, was an extensive land owner and a farmer of prominence, who lived on a fine farm of two hundred acres near Frechold. He was a communicant of the Reformed church and an advo- cate of the principles of the Democratic party. He married Rachel Worth and they had eight children, named John H., Jane, Aaron, Ann, Eleanor, Harriet, Mary, and Elizabeth, of whom only Aaron was living in the year 1901. John H. Heyer, son of Kortenius and Rachel (Worth) Heyer and father of Frank E. Heyer, was born at Holmdel, Monmouth county, New Jersey, April 25, 1802. He early learned the wheelwright's trade and eventually won a wide reputation as an inventor. As early as 1839 he invented the sweep power threshing machine, which was in use for a number of years. About 1850 he invented the Heyer mowing machine, the first machine of the kind placed on the market. In 1859 he removed to Coltsneck and there manu- factured his machines until he eventually became connected with the McCormicks, who have become so widely known for excellent agricultural machinery.
John H. Heyer married Amanda Smith, December 4, 1836, and they had nine chil- dren, five of whom grew to manhood and womanhood, and three of whom were living in 1901-James, born in 1838; John W., born in 1845; and Francis E., the immediate subject of this sketch. John H. Heyer died January 14, 1868. Amanda Smith, who became his wife, was born June 3, 1814, and died October 27, 1898.
Frank E. Heyer was born September 9, 1843, and was educated in the public school at Holmdel. He early evinced a liking for mechanics and his early life was spent in his father's machine shop, where he became practically conversant with the machinist's trade. After the death of his father in 1868, at the request of the heirs of his father's estate, he took entire charge of the latter's extensive manu-
Thank BLEyer.
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facturing interests, of which he was manager until October 3, 1833, when the con- cern became his by purchase. At this time he is extensively engaged in manufactur- ing and dealing in lumber, and owns large mills located near Coltsneck. He has during all his active years been a very busy man, but he has found time to give atten- tion to public affairs. In 1884 he was elected to represent the second district of the county of Mormouth in the state legislature, of which he was a member during two sessions and in which he acquitted himself most creditably and entirely to the sat- isfaction of his constituents. In 1890 he was elected to the board of freeholders of Monmouth county, in which office he has served continuously to this time, having been repeatedly elected to succeed himself. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity in good and worthy standing, and affiliates with Washington Lodge, No. 9, Free and Accepted Masons, of Eatontown, New Jersey.
Mr. Heyer was married September 25, 1871, to Miss Caroline E. Kellogg, daugh- ter of George and Elizabeth Kellogg, and they have three children, named Carrie E., Jeanette, and George K. Their son is now at Rutgers College fitting himself for the profession of electrical engineer.
JEFFERSON ACKERSON.
One of the successful and enterprising men of Holindel township, Monmouth county, is Jefferson Ackerson, a dairy farmer and fruit grower. He was born on the place which is still his home, his birth occurring on the 29th of December, 1851. This land is a part of the old homestead which belonged to his grandfather and which was purchased by the father of our subject when he attained his majority. The tract was originally four hundred and eighty acres in extent and is said to have been purchased from the Indians for three gallons of whiskey. John T. Ackerson, the father, was the eldest son of Cornelius Ackerson, and on attaining his majority he married Catherine Laquier, who was also a native of Monmouth county and of French lineage, her ancestors having come from France to America at an early period in the history of this country. Both Mr. and Mrs. John T. Ackerson were people of the highest re- spectability and enjoyed the warm regard of many friends. He was a Democrat in his political views, held most of the township offices, and was judge of elections for many years.
In the schools of his native township Jefferson Ackerson acquired his early edu- cation, and throughout the period of his youth spent the summer months in assisting in the work of the home farm. Throughout his business career he has engaged in farming and fruit growing, and at present, in connection with his brother, Lewis C., hc conducts an extensive dairy business. They milk about twenty cows on their farm and also buy large quantities of milk, which they retail to the people of Keyport, their annual sales of this commodity amounting to about two thousand dollars. A large part of their farm is utilized as orchards, the principal fruits raised being apples and pears.
On the 23d of December, 1880, Mr. Ackerson was united in marriage to Miss Melissa Hayes, of Matawan, who was born January 7, 1854, a daughter of John Hayes, of this locality. Her father was a soldier of the late Civil war, serving for about three years, until a rebel bullet terminated his life. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ackerson have been born three children: Maude, John T., and Ethel. The family are adherents of the Reformed church and are well known people of the community, where they have spent their entire lives, so that their history is familiar to the people who recog- nize their true worth.
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MRS. JOHN H. HANKINSON.
John Henry Hankinson, now deceased, was during life one of New Jersey's valued self-made men. Favored by birth and circumstances, he lived up to the full measure of his capabilities, and among his business associates he was known as a man of strict integrity, sound in judgment, and one who ever recognized those courtesies of life which mark the true gentieman.
Mr. Hankinson was born near Freehold, at Black's Mill, Monmouth county, New Jersey, on October 20, 1847, and sprung from an old and respected Jersey family, his parents being Theodore and Hannan (Wainwright) Hankinson. His rearing was in his native place and his cducation was acquired at Tinton Falls. His business carcer began as a clerk in Freehold, but soon his ambition took him to a larger field. Remov- ing to New York City he became associated with William H. Jackson & Co., manu- facturers of mantle and with the Jackson Architectural Iron Works, of which latter Mr. Hankinson was vice-president and treasurer. Mr. Hankinson formed a partnership in 1880, in this great business, a connection which continued to exist until his demise in 1900.
In 1882 Mr. Hankinson purchased the beautiful home and farm where his family now reside, near Eatontown, this land comprising two hundred and fifty acres, and here Mr. Hankinson delighted to take his rest from business care. He made many import- ant improvements on this property which not only added materially to its value, but also to the adornment of the surrounding landscape.
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