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 39
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WILLIAM R. HAM.
William R. Ham, the popular proprietor of the drug store located at 167 Main street, Asbury Park, New Jersey, was born January 20, 1860, at Martindale, Colum- bia county, New York. He is the son of Martin and Mary (Miller) Han. His father, Martin Ham, was a merchant conducting a general store at Martindale. He was a man who enjoyed great popularity throughout the section, and this fact is in- disputably maintained by the circumstance of Martindale having been named in his honor. His death occurred in 1866. Upon the death of her husband Mrs. Ham removed to Hudson, New York, where William R. was reared and secured his edu- cation. At fourteen years of age he launched out into the commercial field as a clerk in a dry goods store in Hudson. For four years he continued in this business, and then entered the employ of his brother, who was in the drug business in the same town. Here he spent another four years, leaving to take a position with a whole- sale drug house located in Albany, New York. In 1884 he came to Asbury Park as a drug clerk for Woolley & Reed, with whom he remained for two years, from thence going to Lakewood to occupy a similar position; later he was induced to accept a position with the Prudential Insurance Company of Newark, New Jersey. In 1888 he returned to Asbury Park, once more to follow his professional line, and took charge of the drug business of Kimmouth & Company, which he conducted for seven years. In the year 1895 he established his present store, located as above, where he enjoys an ever increasing patronage.
Politically Mr. Ham is a Republican, but takes only the interest a good citizen should in the outcome of political strife for supremacy.
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Mr. Ham's natural social tendencies have led him to become a member of Asbury Lodge, No. 253. I. O. O. F., and Tecumseh Tribe, No. 60, Improved Order of Red Men.
His marriage to Annie, daughter of Paul Dakin, of Hudson, New York, took place in the year 1889. They have two children, Bessie and Warren.
WILLIAM BRINLEY SINGLETON.
William B. Singleton, one of the most active and useful citizens of Toms River, , New Jersey, is a native of the village named, and was born March 14, 1859, a son of Thomas and Esther (Brinley) Singleton. The father was born in Pennsylvania, and came from Scotch ancestry, and his wife was born in Ocean county, New Jersey. For some years he conducted a restaurant in Toms River. He has been an active participant in public affairs, having served one term as assessor and several terms as; collector, to which position he was elected as a Republican. .
William B. Singleton, son of these parents, acquired his early education in the public schools of his birthplace, and subsequently attended the Toms River high school. When he attained the age of twenty he was employed by his father as clerk in the restaurant then carried on by him, and was so engaged until 1890, when he was appointed to the office of postmaster at Toms River by President Harrison. After the expiration of his term of office in 1894 he again entered upon his former occu- pation, in which he was engaged until August 8, 1898, when he was re-appointed post- master by President Mckinley. Mr. Singleton has always taken a keen interest in politics, being a stanch Republican. Governor Griggs appointed him chairman of the county board of registrars of election in 1896, and he served through that and the following year.
On October 14, 1885, Mr. Singleton was married to Miss Jersey A. Bancker, daughter of John Bancker, of Brooklyn, New York. Two children have been born of this union: Esther and Elizabeth Singleton. Mr. Singleton is a member of the Artisans Order of Mutual Protection, and has passed all the chairs of his lodge.
ISAAC N. BEEGLE, M. D.
Among those who devote their time and energies to the practice of medicine and have gained a leading place in the ranks of the profession is Dr. Beegle. He was born in Bloomfield, New Jersey, June 12, 1848, a son of Rev. Henry and Mary P. (Loomis) Beegle, both of whom were of English descent. The father was a well known and prominent Methodist clergyman, and was also superintendent of Ocean Grove from the time of its inception, where he was interested to a considerable extent in real estate. The mother was a member of the Loomis family, whose history is traced back to 1436 in the peerage of England.
Isaac N. Beegle, whose name introduces this review, received his early educa- tion in the public schools of his native town, later attending Pennington Seminary. Deciding to make the practice of medicine his life work, he accordingly began the study of his chosen profession with Dr. Avery Cook, of Orange county, New York, and with Dr. L. D. Moesdon, of Boston, Massachusetts. He later entered the Bellevue Hos- pital Medical College, where he was graduated with the class of 1870, and immediately thereafterward entered into the active practice of his profession in Howell township,
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Monmouth county, where he remained for ten years, enjoying a large and lucrative patronage. He then removed to Ocean Grove, New Jersey, in the fall of 1880, where he has also built up an extensive patronage, his patients coming to him from almost every state in the Union.
On the 15th of April, 1869, Dr. Beegle was united in marriage with Elizabeth . Conover, a daughter of Cornelius Conover, of Freehold, New Jersey, and they have three children, namely: Sumpter L., a druggist of Orange, New Jersey; Alice, the wife of Joseph A. Greene, of Plainfield, New Jersey; and Elizabeth, at home. The Doctor is a member of the Monmouth County Medical Society. - He is a pleasant and agreeable gentleman, and his influence is often solicited in the promotion of lead- ing movements which have in view the upbuilding of the community.
JACOB SCHWARTZ.
Jacob Schwartz, a successful mason and builder, of Asbury Park, New Jersey, was the son of Jacob F. and Sarah Schwartz; he was born in the city of Trenton, New Jersey, on September 21, 1854, and was educated at the public schools of the same place. Completing his studies, at the age of seventeen he entered the employ of Captain R. S. Johnson, of Trenton, with the view of thoroughly mastering the mason's trade. By close application to his work, his natural aptitude quickly carried him through his days of apprenticeship, and after three years' service he had so far advanced and absorbed the ideas and methods of his able instructor that he was made foreman by Captain Johnson, with whom he remained in this capacity for seventeen years. His employer having received the contract for erecting the post office building at Asbury Park, in 1888 Mr. Schwartz located there to superintend the work of con- struction. At about this time Mr. Schwartz began to look forward to a more inde- pendent career, feeling within himself the capability of conducting business on his own account. Thus in 1890 he established himself as a mason and builder at Asbury Park, and met with a marked degree of prosperity in his undertaking. He gave employment to over twenty men, and was constantly busy keeping a supervising eye over the progress of his many contracts. His offices and residence were located at 821 Central Avenue, West Asbury Park.
His political interests were with the Republican party. He was an esteemed member of Asbury Park Lodge, No. 253, I. O. O. F., and of the Tecumseh Tribe, No. 60, Improved Order of Red Men.
Mr. Schwartz was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Callahan, of Newark, New Jersey, on December 18, 1875. His death occurred March 25, 1902.
FREDERICK SICKLES.
Frederick Sickles, an extensive and successful market gardener and fruit grower of Navesink, Monmouth county, New Jersey, was born at the place where is now his residence, November 28, 1856, a son of Judge George H. Sickles.
George H. Sickles was born at Shrewsbury, on the old family homestead, a son of John I. and Charlotte Sickles, and his mother was a member of the old Burdge family. John I. Sickles was a soldier in the war of 1812. Their son, George H. Sickles, was a man of high character and great ability. As a young man he assisted
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the Rev. Harry Finch in conducting his private school at Shrewsbury, and afterward taught school at Tinton Falls, Parkerville (now Little Silver), and Navesink. When he taught school at Navesink he walked to and from his home at Shrewsbury. He gave up teaching school at Navesink to engage in the commission business in New York with William Johnson, of Navesink. He was in the New York market about ten years and he then opened a general store at Navesink, his brother, Theodore Sickles, of Red Bank, assisting him in the management. About forty-five years ago he moved on the farm at Navesink where he lived until his death. In 1872 he was ap- pointed lay judge of Monmouth county. In 1872 he was appointed collector of Middle- town township, when the finances were in a chaotic condition, but he made an accurate adjustment of them. In 1878 he ran for county clerk on a union ticket and came within one hundred and thirty-two votes of defeating Captain Thomas Arrowsmith, who was the Democratic candidate for the office. The county at that time was over- whelmingly Democratic. In 1890 he was appointed jury commissioner under the new jury law, and he held this office until the law was repealed by the Democrats. Mr. Sickles has also been postmaster of Navesink, and he had been for many years a jus- tice of the peace and a commissioner of deeds. For more than a generation he had been a prominent figure in the primaries of Middletown township and in the Republi- can county conventions. He was a member of the Navesink Episcopal church for nearly half a century and for a long time he was warden in the church. He was treas- urer of the church from the time of its organization until sickness incapacitated him from performing the duties of the office. He married Sarah A. Johnson, a member of the old Burdge family, and a daughter of William Johnson, his former partner in the commission business ; these parents reared an excellent family of six children, named as follows: Frederick, who is referred to at length below; William M., who mar- ried Jenny Sherman, of Perrinville, Monmouth county, New Jersey, and to whom were born two children-Hattie and Howard; John I., a farmer and gardener, who married Almira, a daughter of George D. and Mary Ann Smith, and to whom were born five children-Edith, Myra, Ashton, Bessie and Schuyler Colfax; Omar, a salesman in New York City, who married Melinda Hopkins, and to whom were born three children -- Bertie, Lester and Florence; Addie L., who married Frank J. Davis, of Hillside, New Jersey, and to whom were born three children-Elsie, Hanford and Albert; Albert, who lives in Hillside, New Jersey, who married Martha Ingling, and to whom were born two children-Lloyd and Helen. The father died February 12, 1901, aged eighty-one years, and his widow died March 22, 1891.
Frederick Sickles, as eldest son of George and Sarah A. Sickles, was educated in the public schools of his native village. He has always made his home on the ancestral homestead farm, a beautiful garden and fruit place of seventy acres. In- dustrious and careful, he is known as one of the successful farmers of his neighbor- hood, and he enjoys the esteem of the community for his excellent personal qualities. He holds membership in the Improved Order of Red Men.
Mr. Sickles was married May 12, 1884, to Miss Euphemia, a daughter of Walter and Agnes Hendrickson, of Fairhaven, New Jersey. Of this marriage have been born three children,-Gracie, Maud and George H. Sickles.
JAMES DAVIS HOLMAN.
One of the prominent business men of Whitesville, Ocean county, New Jersey, is James D. Holman, who is a member of the firm of C. L. & J. D. Holman. They are engaged in cranberry growing and are agents for some of the most extensive marshes
J.D. Hohmann
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in the cranberry belt. The Holman family may be traced back two hundred years, and are of Scotch lineage. Three brothers emigrated to the new world, one of whom was Louis Holman, the paternal grandfather of our subject. He located in New Jersey, became a farmer and lumberman on an extensive scale, and was also quite noted for his experiences as a hunter. His influence for good was widely felt through- out his community, where he was highly respected. In religious faith he was a Presby- terian. He married Jane Truax, who became the mother of ten children. Of this num- ber the youngest is Charles L. Holman, the father of James D. Holman, and a senior member of the above named firm of C. L. & J. D. Holman, growers of and dealers in cranberries. Louis Holman and his wife both lived to an advanced age, he passing away when eighty-seven years of age. Charles L. Holman was born near Holmanville, November 20, 1830, and there received his early training. The common schools furnished him a limited education, but this has been supplemented by reading, , observation and experience, and being of exceptional natural ability and intelligence, he has become a man of influence in the financial circles of his native town. Always interested in the advancement of his line of business, he has done much to increase the cranberry industry by inducing men of wealth to engage in this business. In ad- dition to this occupation, he was successfully engaged in mercantile pursuits as well as the lumbering business, but is now devoting his time exclusively to his cranberry interests. He gives his political support to the Republican party, and has been twice clected to the office of sheriff of Ocean county by his party. He has also held several minor offices (for thirty-seven years as school trustee, serving with conspicuous efficiency), all of which he has occupied in a most acceptable manner, receiving the well-merited confidence of his fellow-citizens. He holds membership with the Pres- byterian church, of which he is elder, but in the cause of Christianity his interests are not confined to one denomination, for he assisted very materially in the building of the Methodist Episcopal church, and throughout Whitesville he is regarded with high esteem and confidence. Mr. Holman was for forty years conspicuously identified with Odd Fellowship. He was united in marriage to Miss Sarah E. White, a daughter of Judge James D. White, in honor of whom the city of Whitesville was named. They are the parents of nine children, namely: Charity, deceased; Amy; James D .; L. W .; George H., who succeeded his father as sheriff; Charles Stratton; John W .; Hattie T. ; and Robert I. Holman.
James D. Holman first saw the light of day near Whitesville, August 29, 1857,. and attended the common schools of his native city in childhood. In early life he fol- lowed the occupation of farming, for six years making his home with Julius Foster .. In 1879 he left his native state and removed to Connecticut, where he entered the employ of D. C. Spencer, accepting the position of overseer of his cranberry marsh and farm. After his father's election to the office of sheriff of Ocean county, New Jersey, he returned to his home to assume the management of the mercantile and lumber in- terests of his father, a position which he still retains. James D. Holman, like his- father, is a man of generous impulses, who accepts all that is good in humanity and overlooks the evil. He has won a large number of friends by his genial nature, his; deeds of unselfishness, and his high character.
In 1888 he lead to the marriage altar Miss Wilhelmenia Downing, an accomplished! and highly cultured daughter of William H. and Catherine Downing, who became the mother of two interesting children, namely: Agnes H., and James D. Mrs. Holman comes from a family of superior intelligence and refinement. Her maternal great- grandfather Davison was but a lad of fourteen years when he entered the Revo- lutionary war, and served long and faithfully. Her paternal grandfather was engaged very extensively in cranberry growing near Burrsville. Mrs. Holman herself has been considered one of the brightest students and most able teachers in her native county
18
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and in other fields. When but fourteen years of age she passed a first grade teacher's examination, which required examinations in seven different studies. At the age of fifteen years she completed her examinations in the remaining eight studies, receiving in many branches a mark of one hundred per cent., while averaging a percentage of ninety-five. With such exceptional ability her success as. a teacher was assured and in all her work she received the high commendation of all.
James D. Holman is conspicuous as a successful cranberry merchant; his firm has control of nearly all the cranberry product in this part of the country. Their force of pickers in one season is five hundred, and they average each season a shipment of sixty carloads. Mr. Holman succeeded his father in the office of vice-president of the American Cranberry Growers Association. Mr. Holman has always taken an active interest in the welfare of his community, and has held the office of road overseer. He also served as president of the school board for ten years, and in all his duties was a competent and faithful worker. Socially he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and with the Knights of Pythias, and in religious faith is a Presbyterian, serving in his father's place as elder of the Presbyterian church of Whitesville. Throughout his business career his honesty and integrity have been widely recognized, and he and his wife are highly respected for their many excellencies of character.
JAMES GROVER TAYLOR.
The late Captain James Grover Taylor was born on the farm in Holmdel town- ship, Monmouth county, New Jersey, on which his widow and children now live, May 31, 1830, and died February 22, 1897. He was a son of James Grover and Sarah (Morford) Taylor. James Grover Taylor, Sr., purchased a fine farm of one hun- dred and forty acres in Holmdel in early life and became a successful and enterprising farmer, but died when his son, the subject of this sketch, was eighteen years old; he left a widow and six other children, the care of whom devolved upon the eldest son, a duty which the latter discharged with fortitude and self-denial. The young . man brought the farm into a high state of cultivation and productiveness, and later it became his property by purchase and inheritance.
Captain Taylor was reared to farm life and was a successful farmer during all his active years. He was educated in the public schools of his native township and at Keyport. He was for eight years engaged as commander of a steamboat plying be- tween Keyport and New York City, in the service of the Keyport Transportation Company. Politically he was a Republican, and though he took no active part in public affairs, he was a well informed man, whose advice was often sought and acted upon by his party friends.
Captain Taylor was married December 9, 1869, to Elizabeth E. Perrine, who was born March 15, 1842, a daughter of James W. and Deborah Ann (Dey) Perrine, both natives of Monmouth county. In the paternal line Mrs. Taylor was of French extraction, and many of her ancestors have been active and prominent in state and county affairs. Her paternal grandfather was' a soldier in the Revolutionary war, as were also some of his brothers. Her maternal ancestors were also well known, and some of them were noted. Her grandfather, Captain William Dey, performed gallant service for the colonies in the Revolutionary struggle.
Captain James Grover and Elizabeth E. (Perrine) Taylor had children born to them as follows: Eva Augusta, who was born August 25, 1870, married Hiram E. Deats, a farmer and literary man of Flemington; Sarah M. was born May 20, 1872;
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Lizzie E., who was born October 30, 1874, is a teacher of music; Alberta, who was born August II, 1876, married Thomas Elvin English, and died December 16, 1896; James Grover, Jr., who was born June 12, 1883, is a student at Peddie Institute and is also a farmer. All of the children of Captain and Mrs. Taylor, except James Grover, Jr., were graduated from Peddie Institute.
JOHN HURLEY STOUT.
John H. Stout, who owns a beautiful farm of sixty-three acres in 'Neptune township, Monmouth county, a part of which was originally the property of his grand- father, Elhanan W. Stout, and part of which was inherited by his father, Elhanan H. Stout, was born on the 18th of October, 1842. The original ancestor of the Stout family in America was Richard Stout, who was born in Nottinghamshire, England, about 1620, and as a youth came to America, the exact date not being known. He was employed as a seaman on a war vessel, where he served for about seven years, receiving his discharge at New Amsterdam, now New York. Soon afterward' he married Penelope Van Princes, whose life history is given elsewhere in this volume, and they had seven sons and three daughters,-John, Richard, Jonathan, Peter, James, Benjamin, David, Deliverance, Sarah and Penelope, all of whom reared large families of their own. John, the eldest son, named his eldest son Richard, the latter locating at Squan and was called Squan Dick. The place is now known as Manasquan, and there he reared a large family of children, of whom. the grandfather of our subject was descended in about the tenth generation. The latter, Elhanan Stout, married Mary Hurly, and they had a large family of children; among them were Elhanan H. Stout; Judge John Stout, who died while on the bench of Somerset county, New Jersey; and an older brother, who was a brave and gallant soldier in the Revolutionary war. The grandfather of our subject was a blacksmith by occupation, as was also the father of our subject, while the latter was also employed as a farmer and fisherman, at one time carrying on an extensive business in that line. One of his sons, Captain Samuel Lippencott Stout, followed the sea, and at the commencement of the Civil war was a mate on the schooner ,"John T, Williams," which was the first vessel to receive a shot at the firing on Fort Sumter. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Mary Lippencott, and was a member of one of the oldest families of the county. For many generations they have been successful tillers of the soil.
John H., Stout, whose name introduces this review, was married on the 20th of October, 1886, to Hannah A. Benard, who was born December 27, 1856. She is a daughter of Frederick and Deborah (Brand) Benard, successful farming people of Wall township, Monmouth county. The father was a Frenchman by birth, while the mother was a member of one of the oldest families of Monmouth county, the Perrines, who were of French-Huguenot descent, and were among the first to locate in the, colony of New Jersey. Her grandfather Brand was a Revolutionary hero. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Stout have been born four children,-John B., Fred B., Joan and Samuel B. Mrs. Stout is a member of the Baptist church of Manasquan. She was a popular and successful teacher for many years before her marriage, and four of her sisters are also engaged in that profession. In his political affiliation Mr. Stout is a Republican, but the honors or emoluments of office have had little attraction for him. He is, however, a public-spirited and progressive citizen, and the agricultural interests of Monmouth county find in him a worthy representative.
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HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.
GARRETT HENNESSEY.
Garrett Hennessey, contractor and builder and an extensive dealer in pound- fishing, Long Branch, Monmouth county, New Jersey, was born near Ocean Grovc, New Jersey; July 1, 1841, son of John and Elizabeth (White) Hennesscy. The an- cestral linc is of French extraction, the ancestors of the family going from France to Ireland in 1690, and in the second generation from this removal John Hennessey cinigrated to this country at the age of seventeen years and became the founder of the Hennessey family of America. He located in Monmouth county, after residing on Long Island for one year, married Elizabeth White, and died at Long Branch in his seventy-sixth year. His twelve children were: Garrett, James, John, Annie, Michael, deceased, Elizabeth, Edward, deceased, Jordan, deceased, Washington, Walter, Maggie and Emma. .
Garrett Hennessey acquired a common-school education, and was reared under his father's icare until sixteen years of age. He then engaged for four years in the net fishing business. He next decided to learn brick-laying and plastering, and then taking up the study of drawing, he learned the carpenter trade, and after serving a full apprenticeship found employment in New York. In the meantime he studiously applied himself to the higher features of his trade, including architecture and mechan- :cal drawing, his purpose being to prepare himself for the practical duties of a con- tractor and builder. He began business in Brooklyn, Long Island, where he filled a number of important contracts. After carrying on his business here for a period of years, he returned to Long Branch, where he has established a successful business as a contractor and builder, and since 1893 has been engaged in pound-fishing, a business which has also extended to large proportions.
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