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 4
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Mr. Holmes has been twice married. He first wedded Miss Anna L. Lake, in October, 1881, and unto them were born three children, two of whom, Catherine L. and Joseph H., are living, and Carrie C. died in infancy. The mother, who was greatly esteemed by friends and neighbors, passed away in March, 1888, and on the 6th of March, 1890, Mr. Holmes was joined in wedlock to Rhoda Longstreet, of Holmdel, who was born August 18, 1853, a daughter of Holmes and Hilda Long- street, the former a prominent farmer of Holmdel township, Monmouth county. Mr. and Mrs. Holmes have onc son, John S., Jr. The parents are active members of the Baptist church, zealously co-operating in its work and doing all in their power for its upbuilding. Mr. Holmes follows farming along scientific principles and upon his place are found the latest improved machinery and modern equipments. He also engages in the raising of fine horses and his place is famous for its excellent trotting stock. He is widely known as a reliable business man, worthy of trust and confi- dence, and wherever known is esteemed for his social qualities.
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DANIEL P. VAN DORN. 1
The Van Dorn family of New Jersey, named in the genealogical appendix to this work, originated with Jacobus Van Dorn, who came from Holland and settled on Long Island, whence he removed (in 1698) to Marlborough township, in Monmouth county, where he purchased a tract of six hundred and seventy-six acres of land. Connected with this is a fact remarkable in these days of disruption of estates- that this tract descended directly, through an unbroken line of ancestors, and through a period of nearly two centuries, to the subject of this memoir, and to his son, William Van Dorn.
Jacob Van Dorn was actively concerned in community affairs, and when the First Reformed church was founded in Freehold, in 1709, he became one of the two deacons. He married Maritje Bennet, who possessed ample means. Their son, Peter Van Dorn, was born July 4, 1755, on the ancestral farm now in the town- ship of Marlborough. He was a prosperous fariner and added materially to the value of his estate. He married Jane Williamson (born July 5, 1758), who bore him twelve children-Mary, Jacob, Elbert, Williampe, Anne, John, William, Isaac, Peter, Arthur, Jannetje and Sarah, whose descendants are now dispersed throughout the entire country.
Of the family above named, William, born March 2, 1790, married (November 28, 1815) Catherine Polhemus. She was a daughter of Daniel Polhemus, whose home was in what is now Atlantic township. Daniel Polhemus was a Revolutionary war soldier, who was made prisoner by the British, and endured the horrors of confinement in the notorious Sugar House prison in New York City. Four children
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HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.
were born of this marriage-Catherine, Jane, Daniel P. and Mary. Jane, born March 14, 1819, was married (March 10, 1842) to John Rue Perrine, of Manalapan, and to them were born four children: William Van Dorn, who was a graduate of Harvard Law School, and died December 27, 1871; Catherine Polhemus, who niar- ried W. M. Reckless; John and Mary Patterson died young.
Daniel P. Van Dorn, only son in the family named, was born October 7, 1820, on the homestead where he passed his life. He was educated at Glenwood Institute, Matawan, and in an academy at Lenox, Massachusetts. He then returned home, and assisted in the management of the farm until the death of his father, when he received a portion of the estate as his patrimony and acquired the remainder by purchase. He was not only an industrious and sueeessful farmer, but he was also a man of affairs and prominent in publie eoneerns, in all of which he acquitted himself with energy and ability. He was at all times a leader in all movements pertaining to the advantage of the community and state. He was a prominent member of the Monmouth County Agricultural Society, and he was one of the projectors of the Freehold and New York Railroad, and a direetor in the company. At various times he served as chosen freeholder and in other township offices. A Democrat in politics, he represented his party in the assembly in 1854, and served upon various important committees, among them that on banks and banking. He was a member of the Reformed Dutch church.
September 9, 1874, Mr. Van Dorn was married to Miss Anna J. Roche, a member of an old and prominent family, of North Hadley, Massachusetts, and of this marriage was born a son, William, August 20, 1875. Mr. Van Dorn died No- vember 23, 1898.
WILLIAM R. HAGERMAN.
William R. Hagerman, one of the earliest residents of Ocean Grove, New Jersey, was born in Howell township, Monmouth ecounty, in 1832. For twenty-five years before his death he and his family resided on Main avenue, Ocean Grove. Dur- ing this time many changes occurred in the place, and Mr. Hagerman was one of those who took particular interest in lending his support to all movements of a progressive and beneficial character. By oeeupation he was a blacksmith and wheel- wright, which business he eondueted on South Main street, Asbury Park, up to within three years of his death, when he retired from active duties. Among the positions conferred upen Mr. Hagerman by his township was that of overseer of the poor. In February, 1878, he was cleeted viee-president of the Asbury Park Build- ing and Loan Association, and February 9, 1881, he was elected president, a posi- tion which he held until his death.
In the death of Mr. Hagerman, Asbury Park and Ocean Grove lost a sturdy and upright character, one noted for usefulness and faithfulness to duty, both publie and private. His name bears an honored place on the list of the pioneers who have fostered the growth of these two world renowned resorts. Mr. Hagerman passed away on July 22, 1901, leaving a widow and six children, as follows: Henry, manager of the Charles Lewis Lumber Company, at Red Bank; Effie, an instructor in Columbia Women's College, South Carolina; James; Arthur; Edna; and Edith Hagerman. The Asbury Park Building and Loan Association, through a committee consist- ing of Henry C. Winsor, Amos Lippincott and T. Frank Appleby, adopted the fol- lowing resolutions with reference to the death of Mr. Hagerman:
Whereas, It hath pleased Divine Providence to remove from our midst the late William R. Hagerman, who has for many years been president of the Asbury Park Building and Loan Association, therefore, be it
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HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.
Resolved, That the board of directors hereby express their appreciation of his merit and valuable services rendered during his long tenure of office. He was held in the highest esteem. His kindly but impartial manner in all his dealings won for him the confidence and firm friendship of all.
Resolved, That to the bereaved widow and family be tendered our sympathy and condolence.
Resolved, That these resolutions be spread upon the minutes of the association, and a copy be sent to the family of the deceased and published in the local papers.
CHARLES READ.
Charles Read is an esteemed resident of Coltsneck, New Jersey, and comes of an ancestry honorable and distinguished. His paternal grandfather was Wilson Read, a son of William Thornton Read, and both were born in Scotland. The former became the founder of the family in the new world, emigrating to the United States when yet a young man. He first located on Long Island, where he pur- chased a farm and where he also successfully carricd on a mercantile business in connection with his agricultural pursuits. It was the custom in those days, when the weather was pleasant, for a merchant to travel through the country and offer his goods for sale to the farmers at their country homes, and this custom Wilson Read followed, it being a great mutual accommodation to both parties. Finally leaving Long Island, Mr. Read removed to New Jersey, settling in Monmouth county, where he purchased a large tract of fertile and valuable land, placing it under a high state of cultivation. It is the same upon which his son's widow and her family now reside. His. business interests were vigorously prosecuted, so that success attended his efforts and he became a prosperous man. He reached the ad- vanced age of seventy-two years, and throughout the years of his residence in this country commanded the respect and good will of all with whom he came in con- tact.
Wilson Read was united in marriage to Miss Cornelia Bennett, of Atlantic township, Monmouth county, a daughter of Logan Bennett, one of the gallant sol- diers of the Continental army. Aroused by the oppression of Great Britain the colonists revolted, and he joined the army to fight for liberty. He suffered imprison- ment and other hardships of war and ultimately was granted a pension by the gov- ernment. Three children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Read, namely: Thomas H., who was born on Long Island, January 12, 1841; Sarah, born November 12, 1844; and Jane A., born on the 27th of August, 1847, but all are now deceased. The parents, too, have passed away, but they wrought along lines of general good and contributed to the substantial upbuilding and improvement of the section of the country in which they made their homes.
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THOMAS H. READ.
The name of Thomas H. Read is inseparably connected with a work which has important bearing upon the prosperity as well as the individual happiness of all people. He was a stanch advocate of the temperance cause, and his efforts along that line contributed in no small measure to the advancement of temperance prin-
THOMAS H. READ.
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HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.
ciples. Fearless in defense of his honest convictions, he labored to promote the abolition of intoxicants through law, and to abolish their use by the individual, and his influence in that direction was of no restricted order.
Mr. Read was born on Long Island, January 12, 1841, a son of Wilson and Cornelia (Bennett) Read; the former was a native of Scotland, and in his life the son manifested many of the sterling characteristics of his Scotch ancestry. Upon the home farm he was reared and throughout his business career he carried on agri- cultural pursuits. He was regarded as one of the most thorough, painstaking, practical and progressive farmers of the township. His business interests were also characterized by unfaltering honesty and fair treatment of those with whom he had dealings.
On the 15th of July, 1863, Mr. Read was united in marriage to Miss Hannah C. Thornton, of Brooklyn, New York, and they became the parents of ten children : William T .; Jane; John; Cornelia, now deceased; Harry W .; Charles B .; Roland; Hannah C .; Thomas, who has now passed away; and Thomas T. Read. The mother of this family was born July 7, 1835, and resides in the old home. enjoying the com- fort which her husband's industry and forethought provided. The family is one greatly respected throughout this portion of the state, and the members of the house- hold occupy an enviable position in social circles.
The father, Thomas H. Read, was for a number of years a leading member of the Reformed church at Coltsneck, in which he filled the office of deacon, putting forth every effort in his power to advance the cause of Christianity and extend the influence of the church. In harmony with his Christian views and the teachings of Him who came not to be ministered unto but to minister, Thomas H. Read largely labored to promote the cause of temperance, realizing how great an evil is intemperance, causing untold unhappiness, sorrow and oftentimes crimes, and hampering the powers of the individual. He endorsed the principles of the Pro- hibition party, formed to curb the intemperance of the land through laws enacted for the suppression of the manufacture and sale of intoxicants. He never wavered in his efforts to promote his temperance principles and aid his fellow men, for he was a man of deep sympathy and desired that all men should develop the best in them. He contributed liberally of both his time and means to the cause. He believed that the continuous existence of this republic is dependent upon the ulti- mate triumph of the prohibition cause and party over the old political parties, and never did he waver or hesitate in putting forth every effort to strengthen the tem- perance movement. The world is better for his having lived, and his memory is an inspiration and an aid to many who knew him and is cherished in the hearts of many who loved to call him friend.
THOMAS GRAHAM.
Thomas Graham, of Point Pleasant, New Jersey, prominent as a man of affairs and favorably known as a most capable and useful public official, was born in Bos- ton, Massachusetts, July 14, 1851. He was of Scotch descent, and his paternal grandfather was surgeon-general in the British army.
James Graham, son of Surgeon-general Graham, came from Scotland with his wife (who was Jane Martin) and two children, and located in Boston. He had been educated as a physician, but engaged in manufacturing pursuits and became superin- tendent of the American Rattan Works. His health becoming impaired, he made
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HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.
a visit to his native land, hoping for restoration, but died in Edinburgh. His chil- dren were Johii M., president of the International Trust Company, of Boston, Massa- chusetts ; James, who became a lieutenant in the Twenty-fifth Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, and after making a splendid record by his gallant behavior in numer- cus engagements, was killed in the battle of Cold Harbor, aged twenty-eight years; Thomas, who is further named below; and Robert, a commercial traveler.
Thomas Graham, son of James and Jane (Martin) Graham, obtained a thor- ough common school education and was graduated from a commercial college in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. He was clerk in a store for five years, and he was sub- sequently employed in a clerical capacity in the Brooklyn navy yard. In 1876 he re- moved to Point Pleasant, New Jersey, and engaged in contract work as a painter. .
From the time of his coming to Point Pleasant he identified himself actively with every movement for the advancement of public interests, and his zealous inter- est and capability brought him into various public positions. He was for some years a member of the borough council and president of the board of education, and he was coroner of Ocean county for two terms. A Republican in politics he was active and influential in maintaining the principles and policies of his party, and came to be recognized as a leader in political affairs in his county and district. He served a term as postmaster of Point Pleasant under President Harrison, and he was again appointed by President Mckinley in 1897, and reappointed by the same authority in 1901. He was assistant sergeant-at-arms of the New Jersey assembly for two years and he was secretary of the local Mckinley and Roosevelt Club, and has been a frequent delegate to the county, congressional, district and state conventions of his party. In all these relations he has acquitted himself as becomes a man of genuine principle and patriotismn. He is a member of various fraternal and social bodies- the Knights of Pythias, the Red Men, the Senior Order of American Mechanics, and the K. C. E., in the latter of which he has been first presiding officer. For ten years he was a member of the Tenth Regiment, Massachusetts Militia.
Mr. Graham was married July 3, 1873, to Miss R. Jane. a daughter of Zephaniah Pierce, of Point Pleasant, and of this marriage four children have been born-Jane E., collector in the Point Pleasant postoffice; Robert Claverhouse, Henry H. and James J. Graham.
ALBERT THOMAS ROGERS.
Albert Thomas Rogers, whose career has been marked with great energy and fidelity to the interests of the people of the community in which he resides, was born born in Seagirt, Monmouth county, New Jersey, March 20, 1858, a son of George W. and Deborah (Harris) Rogers. After a short period of time the family removed to Manasquan, New Jersey, where young Rogers was reared on a farm, and received his education in the public schools of the town. Subsequently he secured employ- ment as a driver on a baker's wagon; he continued at this occupation for several years, and the last twenty years has been engaged in the milk business in Asbury Park, New Jersey; he runs two wagons, and delivers his milk in Ocean Grove and Bradley Beach. During the off seasons he secures some business by contracting on public works.
Mr. Rogers is a stanch and loyal Democrat in his political views, and is a member of the Democratic exccutive committee. He was chosen by the people to act as member of the council of Bradley Beach for six years, and for three years (from 1899 to 1901) he filled the responsible position of mayor of Bradley Beach, and in that capacity he has been instrumental in securing many important improvements
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HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.
which add greatly to the comfort and benefit of the residents, on Main street, Cliff, Madison, Central and Beach avenues. It was also during his administration that the water system was instituted in Bradley Beach.
Mr. Rogers is a member of the Odd Fellows, Neptune Lodge, No. 84, Royal Ar- canum, Junior Order of United American Mechanics, Red Cross and the Red Men. He is also a member of the First Methodist Episcopal church of Bradley Beach. He resides in one of the oldest sections of Ocean Grove, New Jersey.
Mr. Rogers was joined in marriage to Miss Cora Fisher, daughter of Robert and Marion Fisher, and two children have been born to them, namely: William A. and Archie C. Rogers.
JOHN W. HULSE.
Numerous families in Monmouth county, New Jersey, known by the name of Hulse or Husehart, are descendants of Benjamin Holsaert and Annetie Luister, his wife, as their name appears on the records of the Dutch church of Monmouth, in which they were communicants in 1717. Other forms of the family name are Hulst and Huiz. Judge Beekman, in his "Early Dutch Settlers of Monmouth County," speaks of this family as "a plain and unpretentious pebple, without those meddle- some propensities, overweening self-conceit and insatiable curiosity which make the descendants of certain people such unmitigated nuisances to their neighbors." And the same writer says of the subject of this sketch that "in his physical appearance he is a fair type of the old generations of this family, and also seems to have their usual mental traits."
Mr. Hulse was born in Monmouth county in September, 1847, son of Joseph G. Hulshart and his wife, Agnes, whose maiden name was Bennett. For convenience, and as other branches of the family have done, he shortened the name which his father bore and gave it the present form of Hulse. He attended the neighborhood school, but when he had arrived at the age of little more than sixteen years of age he laid aside his books to aid in the maintenance of the Union, enlisting as a pri- vate in the Thirty-eighth Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers, commanded by that distinguished soidier and statesman, Colonel William J. Sewell. Young Hulse par- ticipated in several brisk engagements, and otherwise faithfully performed the duty of a soldier until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged. For eleven years afterward he was active in the National Guard of New Jersey, rising to the rank of first lieutenant, and finally terminating the service by resignation. In 1872 he became a member of the Freehold fire department, with which he maintained active connection for the long period of twenty-six years, during which time he made for himself a record for efficiency and zeal unexcelled in the history of the organization. During the last nine years of his service he occupied the position of chief engineer, and discharged the duties of the position in such manner as to win honor for himself as well as for the organization. In 1900 he was elected justice of the peace for Freehold township, and in that office acquitted himself so satis- factorily that at the ensuing election he was re-elected without opposition.
Mr. Hulse was married on Christmas Day, 1867, to Miss Lydia VanClef, of Manalapan township, a daughter of Jolin Van Clef. an old and prominent citizen. Two children were born of this marriage: Margaret, who became the wife of Charles H. T. Clayton, who is engaged in the undertaking business in Adelphi, and to whom were born two children, Ada and Ennesley; and James B. Hulse, who is a printer.
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HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.
GARRETT SCHANCK.
Garrett Schanck, who was a prominent citizen of Freehold township, was born in 1820, and was a descendant of the old New Jersey family of Schancks and of Captain Schanck, of Revolutionary fame. His father, John K., followed farming as a life-long occupation and had seven children : Peter, Gilbert, Joseph, Grant and Garrett, all of whom are deceased; Lydia, who married Joseph Leffson; and Ellen, who married William Clayton.
Garrett Schanck during his life time was a prosperous farmer in Marlboro town- ship and died there on his farm August 18, 1868. He was a member of the old brick church of Marlboro. On November 19, 1856, he was married, in Marlboro township, to Anna Wall, and they had two children: John W. and Georgieana, both of whom are members of the Reformed church of Freehold, of which Dr. Brokam is the pastor. John W. was born May 10, 1864. He is a clerk for C. M. Holmes in Free- hold and is a member of the Order of Red Men, of Freehold. Miss Georgieana Schanck is living with her brother at their home in Frcehold.
CAPT. JAMES S. WALLING.
Captain James S. Walling, whose mature years have been busily occupied to the present time with the water transportation and mercantile affairs of Keyport, and who has otherwise contributed usefully to the interests of that village, is a na- tive of Long Island, born in Brooklyn, in the historic region which was formerly a portion of the Van Brunt tract, March 20, 1846. His parents were Benjamin B. and Elizann (Walling) Walling, both natives of New Jersey ,the former born in Centreville, and the latter in Port Monmouth. The father was a large and success- ful farmer. He died December 9, 1895, and his wife died April 9, 1887.
James S. Walling received his education in the schools of Flatbush, Long Island, and Centreville, New Jersey. When sixteen years of age he was engaged as a clerk in the Washington Market, New York, where he served in that and other capacities for some years. In 1868 he found employment on the freight steamer "Holmdel," plying between Keyport and New York, under command of Captain H. E. Ackerson, and this was the beginning of his service in transporta- tion business, extending through the unusually long period of thirty-two years. For the first ycar he served as clerk and salesman, and for eighteen years following as passenger clerk and salesman, under Captain H. E. Bishop, on the steamers "Matawan" and "Minnie Cornell." Captain Bishop died early in 1886, and Mr. Walling succeeded to the command of the last named vessel. Two years later Captain Walling resigned his commandership, but remained on the boat, transacting for its owners (the Keyport Steamer Company) a general commission business. He was so engaged until the vessel was burned, since which time he has followed similar pursuits on the steamer "Magenta," owned by the same company.
Captain Walling has been frequently called to important public positions. His most useful service was as a member of the Keyport board of education, of which he was president for two years. In politics he is a Republican. Captain Walling was married March 10, 1868, to Miss Emma Aumack, daughter of Thomas W. Aumack, of Keyport. Three children were born of this marriage: Elizabeth, who is the wife of Elmer E. Morris, of Keyport; Ella A., who is now the wife of Richard R. Brown, a hardware merchant of the same place; and Burroughs B. Walling, who is a member
gattaching
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HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.
of the wholesale hardware firm of Miller, Sears & Walling, of 100-102 Read street, New York City. Captain Walling and family reside at No. 70 First street, Keyport, and are attendants of the Baptist church."
CHARLES A. HANKINS.
Charles A. Hankins, an energetic and prosperous agriculturist of Brick town- ship, Ocean county, New Jersey, was born October 26, 1866, 11ear Bennetts Mills, Monmouth county, New Jersey. Hc is a descendant of a family of loyal patriots, his great-great-grandfather, Zachariah Hankins, being a conspicuous hero of the Revolutionary war. In the battle of Princeton especially did this soldier show his bravery and courage. In the midst of the bloody strife, with parched lips and beating pulse, with the din of muskets on one hand and the dying groans of his comrades on the other, he ever acted with calmness and decision. On one occasion his musket was shot from his grasp, and with the strength of a hero, yet with the tenderness of a mother, his bleeding hands took from the grasp of a dying tent-mate, who had answered his last roll call, the gun which he had carried into the fight, and continued in the battle; he served until the end of the struggle which brought to the colonists their freedom. The great-grandfather of our subject was Richard Hankins, who took for his first wife a Miss Emmons. He afterward married. Miss Kassiah Voorhees. Richard Hankins was an able and experienced blacksmith and shoemaker, as well as a farmer. He was the owner of about one hundred and seventy acres of rich land. Of his family, John C., the grandfather of our subject, was taught the trade of carpenter. He was proud of this profession, being a very competent workman. He was also a first class mechanic, and worked at these professions during his entire life. He was a member of the Baptist church and led a consistent Christian life. Unto him and his wife, who in lier maidenhood was Fransynchee Voorhees, were born six children, all of whom are now living, as follows: William A .: J. W., the father of our subject; Mary A .; Richard D .; Homer C .; and Margaret J. J. W. Hankins was born August 29, 1840, in Jackson township, Monmouth county, near Ben- nets Mills. His father taught him the trade of a carpenter, which he has followed in conjunction with farming all his life. The courage and patriotism of his ancestor, Zachariah Hankins, was clearly manifest in him when in 1862, when his country again needed her loyal sons; he took up arms in defense of the nation, and became a private in Company E, Twenty-eighth New Jersey Volunteer Infantry. At the expiration of nine months, the term of his service, he was honorably discharged and returned to his trade and the peaceful pursuits of citizenship. He was married in 1863 to Miss Rebecca Applegate, by whom he had three children, namely: Mary E., deceased; Harry A .; and Charles A. Mr. Hankins has always been interested in the welfare and advancement of his community, and has held the offices of school trustee and district clerk.
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