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 40
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Mr. Hennessey has been twice married, his first wife being Charlotte Renderman, daughter of Robert Renderman, of London, England. The issue of this marriage were nine children. His second wife is Juliet, daughter of Robert Thompson, of Canada. Mr. Hennessey is a member of Sariadeather Lodge, No. 478, of Brooklyn, Long Island, F. & A. M., and of Scaview Lodge, No. 228, I. O. O. F., of North Long Branch.
MAJOR JOSEPH TAYLOR FIELD.
To the intelligence, industry and thrift of her agriculturists, more than to all other causes combined, does the county of Monmouth, New Jersey, owe her remark- able development, and of this large and useful class of her population the gentleman whose name is the caption of these memoirs is a worthy exponent.
Joseph Taylor Field was born in Middletown township, Monmouth county, New Jersey, November 9, 1840. He is a son of the late Thomas S. and Martha (Taylor) Field, also natives of Middletown township and descendants of colonial settlers of New Jersey who located in the latter colony, coming from Long Island in 1765. The founder of the New Jersey branch of this family of Field was Elnathan. His son Thomas was the father of Thomas S. Field, the father of the immediate subject of this sketch.
The late Thomas S. Field was one of the most prominent, progressive and successful of the farmers of Monmouth county. Politically he was an old-line Whig, and subsequently a Republican; he was always actively interested in the work of his political party and was honored with numerous trusts. He was for many years recognized as the leader of his party in his township, and his unquestioned ability and recognized uncompromising integrity led to his frequent support by many of his
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political opponents. He took an especial interest in the educational advancement of his community ; he served for a number of years as director of Freehold Institute. He was a charter member of the First National Bank of Red Bank, and from its establishment up to the time of his decease served as a member of its board of directors. He was senior member of the firm of Field & Burrowes, leading lumber dealers of Monmouth county. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas S. Field had four sons and three daughters: Eleanor died in infancy; Thomas S. Field was a surveyor by pro- fession, subsequently a farmer of Middletown township, and died in 1862; his wife was Rebecca Patterson (see Patterson family memoirs in this volume) ; Joseph T. Field; Henry Field, a surveyor and civil engineer by profession and also a farmer, married Ada Brooks, of New York; Susan Field died in childhood; Edwin Field, M. D., a graduate of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York City (class of '73), is a leading surgeon of the state and located at Red Bank; Martha Field (deceased) married Dr. John Van Matre, of Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey.
Joseph Taylor Field received his initial schooling in his native township, then attended Freehold Institute for three years, and took an academic course at Irving Institute, Tarrytown. He assisted in the cultivation of his father's farm up to Sep- tember 4, 1862, when he enlisted as a member of Company D, Twenty-ninth New Jersey Volunteer Infantry, of which he was elected captain. His command served with the Army of the Potomac, and the principal engagements in which he partici- pated were the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. His title of major was secured by promotion in January, 1863. He subsequently served on the staff of General Paul, First Brigade, First Division, First Army Corps. Returning to Mon- mouth county, he entered upon agricultural pursuits in Nut Swamp valley, Middle- town township, where he has ever since been engaged in successful farming operations. For a period of twenty years Major Field made a feature of the breeding of blooded stock, in which he was conspicuously successful. Politically his affiliation has always been with the Republican party, but he has never had aspiration for political pre- ferinent. He is a member of the Loyal Legion; New Jersey Department, No. 6, G. A. R .; Mystic Lodge, No. 21, Free and Accepted Masons; Hiram Chapter, Royal Arch Masons. He is a member of the Monmouth Boat Club and a director of the Shrewsbury Mutual Insurance Company. Major Fields has been twice married; in 1863 to Mary, daughter of the late Borden Hance. She died a few days subsequent to her marriage. In January, 1866, Major Field wedded Isabella Wikoff. Their children are: Miss Julia H. Field; Thomas S. Field, farmer, who married Miss Emeline Conover, daughter of W. W. Conover, and whose children are Thomas S, and Rachel; George and Harrison Field, who died in childhood; Charlotte, who married Harry Gulick, a farmer of Middletown; and Walter Field, who was color sergeant of the Fourth Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers, which served in the Spanish- American war.
EDWIN S. QUIN.
The genial and popular proprietor of the Carteret Pharmacy is Edwin S. Quin, who was born at Rossville, New York, September 8, 1869. His father, John A. Quin, was a native of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, born on the 8th of December, 1829. He followed the trade of a carpenter, engaging in that pursuit for many years as a means of support for himself and family. He was married, July 26, 1863, to Miss Henrietta M. Alker, of New York City, and his death occurred in Carteret, on the 24th of July, 1899.
V
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In his early youth the subject of this review entered the public schools on Staten Island and later became a student in St. Peter's parochial school at New York City. He entered upon his business career as manager for his father. In 1892 the family removed to Carteret, New Jersey, and on the IIth of June, 1894, Mr. Quin was, appointed postmaster of Carteret, in which position he continued for four years and ten months, retiring on the 3Ist of March, 1899. He then entered the real estate, business, and afterward accepted a position with the Philadelphia & Reading Rail- road. In September, 1901, he purchased the Carteret Pharmacy, of which he is now, proprietor. He conducts a ยท first class establishment, keeping a full line of drugs, paints, oils, proprietary articles and all goods usually found in such a store, and he is receiving a liberal patronage.
Mr. Quin exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Democracy. He has held the office of light commissioner, having been four times elected as secretary of the board of light district No. 2, in Woodbridge township, Middlesex county. In 1898 he was the Democratic nominee for tax collector of his township. He belongs to the Volunteer and Exempt Firemen of Carteret, and socially represents the Improved Order of Red Men and the Foresters of America. He is also a member and trustee of St. Joseph's Catholic church at Carteret.
RULIF F. HOPPER.
. For almost twenty-two years Rulif F. Hopper has been connected with the busi- ness interests of Eatontown as a coal and lumber merchant, enjoying a constantly increasing patronage as the years have passed by. His birth occurred on the 9th of November, 1838, at West Long Branch, Monmouth county, at which time the place was known as Hoppertown, having been so called in honor of his ancestors. His grandfather, John Hopper, came to Monmouth county from New York City in the early part of the nineteenth century and purchased the old McGregor homestead. The house which was then the family home is still standing in a good state of preservation, on the southeast one of the four corners at Long Branch. For more than a hundred years it has been a mute witness of America's progress through what. will always be accounted an important century in the world's history, and is now one of the landmarks of the Jersey coast.
Abram M. Hopper, the only son of John Hopper and the father of our subject, was for many years in command of a company of the New York state militia and was therefore always known as Captain Hopper. He was a man quite prominent in public affairs and a leader in thought and opinion. The family has always been noted for loyalty and patriotism, and during the Civil war was represented by four brothers, sons of Abram Hopper, in the Union army. The eldest son of the family served in the United States navy and in the regular army.
In his native village Rulif F. Hopper passed the days of his boyhood and youth and acquired his early education in the common schools, after which he became a student in the New York Conference Seminary. He engaged in teaching in early manhood, but at the time of the war of the Rebellion he put aside all personal and business considerations and in 1862 offered his services to the government. For three years he was at the front, participating in a number of hotly contested engagements, and for meritorious conduct on the field of battle was raised from the ranks to the position of second lieutenant, and before hostilities had ceased was commissioned first lieutenant. He was always found at his post of duty whether upon the tented
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field or on the firing line, and at the close of the war received an honorable discharge.
In 1868 Mr. Hopper was married to Miss Elizabeth C. Wikoff, a daughter of Peter Wikoff, and for several years they resided in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where Mr. Hopper was engaged in merchandising. An only child, B. Frank Hopper, a grad- uate of Princeton University, is now engaged in the Congressional Library at Wash- ington, D. C. At length, however, Mr. Hopper disposed of his interests in Milwaukee and about 1880 took up his abode in Eatontown, where he established his lumber and coal yard. The public soon recognized his business integrity and accorded him a liberal patronage, through which he has been enabled to secure a very desirable competence. In civil life Mr. Hopper has filled the position of township treasurer of Eatontown township for three years, and of township committeeman for nine years. Besides which he is one of the trustees of the First Presbyterian church of Shrews- bury. His personality and traits of-character have secured for him friendly regard among his fellow townsmen, and Eatontown classes him among its representative citizens. 4
JOHN H. HYERS.
John H. Hyers, an energetic and progressive agriculturist of Jackson township, Ocean county, was born March 2, 1842, in the house in which he now resides. His farm consists of sixty acres of rich land, which he devotes to general farming and truck. He is a direct descendant of Captain Garrett Hyers, who is connected with the history of this country by his faithful services during the war of 1812. The Captain was widely known throughout Ocean county, his reputation being gained through his prominence as a hotel keeper, having been the proprietor of the hotel known as "Davison's Tavern." He was born about 1785 and passed away in 1850, having during his lifetime accumulated property to the amount of about three hundred acres. He was twice married, his first wife being Jane Cotterell, by whom he had four chil- dren. For his second wife he chose Mrs. Conk, who was the mother of three chil- dren. Numbered among these seven children was Aaron Hyers, the father of our subject, born September 27, 1813, at the time his father conducted the hotel business. He became a worthy farmer, a man of influence and enterprising spirit. For his wife he chose Miss Eliza Conk, who became the mother of eight children, five of whom are now living, as follows: Maria; Thomas; Jane E., deceased; Williampy, who passed away; John H., the subject of this review; Susan; Mary A .; and an unnamed infant, who died. Mr. Hyers was a consistent member of the Dutch Re- formed church and gave his political support to the Democracy. He passed away after a life of usefulness on the 13th of October, 1863, while his wife's death occurred Octo- ber II, 1865.
John H. Hyers was reared among the healthful pines of his native township, re- ceiving his education from the common schools. From childhood he assisted in the labors of the farm and early in life became familiar with all the duties pertaining to. the life of the agriculturist, and when ready to embark on life's journey alone, de- cided to follow the pursuit of agriculture, taking for his example the life of his father. His birthplace has become his permanent place of residence, and the neat and thrifty appearance of the farm, coupled with the handsome competence which he receives each year from the harvests, plainly indicates that his vocation was wisely chosen and that success has rewarded him for his labor. When our country made a final appeal for more brave men, he entered the army in 1865, becoming a member of Company D, One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry,
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enlisting for a term of three years, but was honorably discharged the same year by order of the government.
On the 27th of October, 1863, he was joined in marriage to Miss Sarah C. Mathews, born August 27, 1846, a daughter of Annadocia and Charles Mathews. They became the parents of nine children, namely: Alonzo, born September 15, 1868; Alfred, born April 29, 1870; Mattie P., born February 26, 1872; Ann E., born June 28, 1874; Martin V., born January 25, 1877; Charles T., born April 22, 1879; Ethel, born June 13, 1882; Edward A., born November 22, 1889; and one child un- named, who was born in 1867 and died in infancy. The family of Mr. Hyers is highly respected in Ocean county, where they have many friends. He has always lead a useful, upright life and all who know him entertain for him deep and sincere regard.
ASHER H. HOLMES.
As an example of the usefulness and prominence to which men of character and determination may attain, it is but necessary to chronicle the life of Asher H. Holmes, one of the representative agriculturists of Monmouth county. He belongs to a highly cultured and intellectual family, whose members all possessed superior intelligence and have become distinguished in the various callings in which they have been engaged.
Mr. Holmes was born near where he now resides, on the 15th of October, 1835. a son of Jonathan and Matilda V. (Schanck) Holmes. The father was a son of Sam- tiel and Sarah Holmes, while the great-grandfather, Jonathan Holmes, was a son of Rev. Obadiah Holmes, whose history will be found elsewhere in this volume. The mother of our subject was a direct descendant of the Schanck family, who came to America from Holland early in the seventeenth century and settled in Monmouth county, New Jersey. The general history of this family can also be obtained on another page of this volume. The paternal grandfather of our subject, who was a thorough loyalist to the colonies was a Revolutionary hero, and was a brother of Colonel Asher Holmes, who was a staff officer in Washington's army. Samuel Holmes was an active politician and a Jeffersonian Democrat. He held many town- ship offices and was an influential man in his community. The father of our subject was also adherent of that party and took a very active part in the affairs of the day. He reached the ripe old age of eighty years, while the mother was called to her final "est when seventy years of age. They had three children who grew to years of maturity,-Asher H .; Lazell, a farmer in Holmdel; and Mrs. Mary C. Carson.
Asher H. Holmes, whose name introduces this review, now owns a beautiful farm of one hundred and thirteen acres, located in Marlboro township, Monmouth county, his tasteful and commodious residence being situated two miles north of the village of Marlboro, on the turnpike road. He is a thorough and practical agriculturist, and his sterling characteristics and honorable business methods have won for him the respect and esteem of all with whom he has had business or social relations. He is independent in his political views, but gives his preference to the Democracy, and, although a progressive and public-spirited citizen, he has never taken an active part in public matters, preferring to give his time and attention to his business affairs.
On the 14th of December, 1856, Mr. Holmes was united in marriage with Sarah C. Schanck, but in the following year the wife was called to the home beyond, leaving one son, Tylee, who is now operating the homestead farm. The latter married Laura Sickles, and they have three children, Sarah, Livingston and Jonathan. On the 14th of May, 1861, Mr. Holmes married Margaret S. Schanck, a sister of his former
MR. A. H. HOLMES.
SON-IN-LAW FERD. VREELAND, WIFE AND CHILDREN,
FLORENCE, ASHER, VIOLA AND MARGARET.
MRS. A. H. HOLMES. SON-IN-LAW WILLIAM F. CUTTER AND CHILDREN, MARGARET AND SARAH.
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wife and a daughter of Tylee and Eleanor Schanck. Unto this union have been born three children: Sarah. wife of Ferdinand Vreeland, a gardener of Long Branch, whose children are Viola Florence, Asher and Margaret. Hulda, who died at the age of eight years; and Mary C., who died at the age of twenty-nine years, and who was the wife of William F. Cutter, farmer and timber dealer of Woodbridge; his children are Margaret and Sarah. The grandfather of Mrs. Holmes, Rulof H. Schanck, owned at one time about one thousand acres of land in this county, and was one of the most influential men and extensive agriculturists in the entire county. His wife was a sister of Captain Daniel Schanck, of Revolutionary fame. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Holines, named Conover, was of great service to the colonists during the war of the Revolution, and was several times a British prisoner, but each time succeeded in making his escape.
J. ELWYN GREEN.
J. Elwyn Green, a leading real estate operator of West End, is a representative of one of the oldest and most industrious American families. In colonial days two brothers, James and William, came from Rhode Island to New Jersey. James Green had a large estate near Hollywood. He was a major general during the war of 1812, and his family was driven from home by the British at the time of their arrival of their fleet off Sandy Hook. He reared three children-William, Emeline and James.
James Green, youngest son of General James Green, was a farmer at Long Branch. In 1834 he was appointed district creek commissioner. He served in that capacity for several years, and at the time the ship "Garrick" was wrecked, he was also agent for the New York board of underwriters. He left his farm in 1840 and conducted the Bath Hotel at Long Branch until his death, in 1862. He was a stanch Democrat, and he was for eight years township collector. By his marriage with Elizabeth Murphy he became the father of four children-Charles H., Elwyn S., Louis E. and Walter-all of whom were born in the same room in which the father was born, in the old Green mansion near Hollywood. The children were educated by a private tutor at Freehold, and were prepared for the sophomore class in Princeton College, but this purpose was abandoned, owing to the reversion of a portion of the ancestral estate, of which the eldest brother (Charles H. Green) took charge. The life saving station at Long Branch was built upon property belonging to him, and he was its volunteer keeper until his death, in 1872, when he was succeeded by his brother Walter, who also served until his death. Both these brothers were noted for their indomitable courage as life savers, and for their great skill in using motor boats and life-saving lines, and Charles received from the life saving association of New York a gold medal in recognition of his heroic accomplishment in rescuing the crew of the wrecked ship "Adonis."
Elwyn S. Green, second son of Jamcs and Elizabeth (Murphy) Green, was born in 1834. After receiving his education, as previously narrated, the charge of the Bath hotel at Long Branch devolved upon him, owing to the death of his father, and he' remained in charge until it was destroyed in 1867 in a great conflagration, which swept away a valuable property, upon which fifty-seven thousand dollars had been expended in improvements. He then went to St. Augustine, Florida, and opened the Magnolia House, which he conducted until 1871, when he returned to Long Branch and engaged in extensive real cstate operations, in which he continued until his death, in 1898. He was conspicuous in military affairs, and rose from the ranks to be lieu-
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tenant-colonel of the Twenty-ninth Regiment, New Jersey state militia. In 1862, at the earnest solicitation of Governor Haight, he took charge of the commissary depart- ment at Camp Freehold, and managed it until the regiment was fitted out to take the field. In Masonry he had attained to the capitular degree and served as high priest of Standard Chapter. In religion he was a Presbyterian and in politics a Demo- crat. June 15, 1860, he was married to Miss Jane Ann Thompson, daughter of William S. and Maria Thompson, of New York City, and of this marriage were born six children, of whom three survive.
J. Elwyn Green, son of Colonel Elwyn S. and Jane Ann (Thompson) Green, was born at Long Branch, New Jersey, August 30, 1866. He acquired his education at Eastman's Business College, from which he was graduated at the early age of sixteen years. He immediately became associated with his father in the real estate business, and when the latter named died, in October, 1898, he succeeded to the management. In this, the oldest and most extensive business_of_its class in the city, he had already established a splendid reputation for integrity, accurate knowledge of conditions and wise judgment, and the most important realty interests were committed to his keep- ing, together with the care of many valuable estates. It is not too much to say that no one has surpassed him in service to the community in promoting the development and improvement of the city. In many instances large investments have been made in real estate and valuable building improvements solely upon his recommendation and under his direction. At the same time his activities have been extended along all lines of public improvement, and his influence has been felt in promoting all measures to this end.
Mr. Green is a man of broad general information and excellent social qualities, and is a highly regarded member of the various fraternal and social organizations- the Masonic order, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and of several yacht- ing and boating clubs. He has served for five years as a member of Company B, Third Regiment, New Jersey National Guard. He is a member of the Long Branch Presbyterian church. In 1899 he was married to Miss May Pemberton, daughter of the late Dr. John P. Pemberton, an old and accomplished physician of Long Branch.
LOUIS H. SMITH.
Among the most extensive and successful fishermen of the Jersey coast may be mentioned the name of Louis H. Smith, who is a resident of Fair Haven, New Jersey, where on December 27, 1828, he was born. He is the son of the late John and Mary (Minton) Smith. His ancestry dates back to a very early period in the history of our country, when from Germany his forefathers came to the new world, locating in or about Middletown, New Jersey. His paternal grandfather, John Smith, loyally served as a soldier in the war of 1812, and his father also participated in the same event, serving in a block house erected on Sandy Hook point for the purpose of defending our inland towns from attack by the enemy.
Louis H. Smith, whose name heads this chronicle, is the only surviving son of his parents. His early education was acquired in the public schools of his native town. From his earliest manhood lie followed the sea, his first experience being on a vessel running between New York and Charleston and Virginia points. In 1853-55 he was engaged in "deep sea" fishing; this, however, was not his first experience as a fisherman, for as early as 1843 he was often to be found upon the waters of Sandy Hook bay engaged in the pursuit for which he possessed a natural inclination. The
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waters along the coast are to-day so familiar to his practiced eye that invariably a "good catch" is the result of his efforts. He supplies a great variety of fish, such as Spanish mackerel, blue fish, weak fish, sturgeon, porgies and shad, to the New York market, often in his own vessel.
The value of his fishing nets is remarkable, which at one time were estimated to be worth five thousand dollars :-- He is also largely interested in oyster planting, and in this, too, he is eminently successful. Indeed, all his life has been spent upon the salt water in one capacity or another. While Mr. Smith is now in his seventy- third year, he is, notwithstanding, in a remarkably hale and hearty physical condition- he has obeyed the injunctions of Dame Nature, which so often makes it unnecessary for men following his vocation in life to consult the lesser physicians. Besides, Mr .: Smith comes of a family noted for their longevity; his father died at the age of eighty-four years and his grandfather was one hundred years old at the time of his death. Thus it would seem that our subject has many years before him of active and useful service.
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