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 41
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On July 3. 1856, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Lydia, daughter of Robert and Sarah Potter, of Long Branch. Nine children were born to them, four of whom are still living, namely, Joseph P., Louis M., Everett J. and Sarah. Everett and Louis are engaged with their father in his fishing enterprise. Mr. Smith is a member of the Fishermen's Association, and is also a brother in the Masonic fraternity.
GEORGE ELLENBERG.
George Ellenberg, a native of Germany, was born September 1, 1861. His par- ents, Henry and Mary Ellenberg, emigrated to this country when he was but one year old. Henry Ellenberg was a contractor and builder in New York City, which vocation he followed until his decease. His mother is now (1901) a resident of New York.
Mr. George Ellenberg spent his early life and received his education in New York City; at a very youthtul age he became dependent on his own exertions for a livelihood. He was buffeted about by strong and relentless currents, first engaging in one thing and then in another, as opportunity seemed to offer favorable results; yet when his expectations were unrealized he knew no discouragement, but went per- sistently forward, satisfied with the little gained here and there. He was no laggard, but rather inclined to take time by the forelock than to dally behind, waiting for the unexpected to happen. It was his tenacity of purpose and indomitable will which finally crowned his efforts with well deserved success. It was at Red Bank, New Jersey, where he was first employed in the bottling business; thence, in the year 1877, he removed to Fair Haven. By his thrift and industry he had managed to save some- thing from his earnings and out of this he purchased ground and erected a plant for carrying on the bottling business on his own account. His plant, residence and other necessary buildings cover several acres of ground. Mr. Ellenberg supervised the construction of the buildings himself and has them fitted up in accordance with his advanced and progressive ideas. His business has steadily increased until it reaches over a large portion of the Jersey coast. Mr. Ellenberg is a master of every detail of his business, having had an experience of more than twenty years in this line.
Mr. Ellenberg married Mary, daughter of George Ziegler, on December 12, 1883, and to this happy union there were born four children : Florence, Tillie, George and Mildred. Mrs. Ellenberg is a native of Red Bank.
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Our subject is an esteemed member of the I. O. R. M., also of Relief No. I, Fire Department of Red Bank. Politically he is liberal in his views, and while not a pro- fessor of any religious faith, he is a man of upright and honorable principles and contributes generously to the support of all worthy causes.
CHRINEYONCE S. HOLMES.
Of one of the oldest families of Monmouth county Chrineyonce S. Holmes was a representative, and his life record was in harmony with that of an honorable and distinguished ancestry. He was a well known and successful farmer of Holmdel township,-which section of the county derived its name from the Holmes family. The progenitor of the' family in Monmouth county and in America was the Rev. Obadiah Holines, of England, born in 1606. In the year 1636 he married and in 1638 he emigrated to the new world, settling near Boston, Massachusetts. Soon afterward however, he removed to Rhode Island, where he engaged in church work as a minister of the Baptist denomination, being one of the pioneers in America in proclaiming the gospel according to that church. He made frequent visits to Monmouth county, although he never resided here, and aided greatly in the organization of the first Baptist church in the county, its location being at Middletown. He was also zealous in the work of organizing the church at Baptistown, now Holmdel, and his influence was widely and strongly felt in the moral development of this part of the state. He purchased large tracts of land in the vicinity of Holmdel, much of which is still owned by his descendants, and the village and township were named in honor of the family. The Rev. Obadiah Holmes was called to the home beyond in 1682, and on de- parting this life left to his family the priceless heritage of an untarnished name and the record of a life well spent. His two sons, Obadiah and Jonathan, came to Mon- mouth county with their father, and the latter married and settled here on land which had been purchased by his father. As early as 1667 he was called to public office and frequently served in positions of public trust after that time.
In the direct line of descent was Samuel Holmes, who was born about 1720 and was probably the son of Obadiah Holmes, Jr. He wedded Mary Stout, a great-grand- daughter of Penelope Stout, who came from Holland about 1620. Among their sons was Joseph Holmes, who resided on the farm afterward owned by the immediate subject of this review, and now owned and occupied by his widow and her son. Joseph Holmes married Nellie Schenck, a daughter of John Schenck, of Holmdel, then Middletown, and their children were: Jonathan, Elisha, John, Nellie, and Mary, the last named the wife of Hendrick Longstreet. Jonathan Holmes, the father of our subject, was born in 1792, on the family homestcad, and there spent his entire life, his energies being devoted to agricultural pursuits. He was a man of upright prin- ciples and commanded the respect of his fellow citizens in high degree. He took an active part in the affairs of his township and filled several important offices.
Chrineyonce Holmes was born on the old farm May 22, 1832, and after acquiring his preliminary mental discipline in the village schools, became a student in the Free- hold, New Jersey, Institute. Throughout his business career he engaged in the tilling of the soil and brought the land under a very high state of productiveness. He was a inan of excellent business judgment, honorable in his dealings, and energetic and resolute in his work, so that his efforts were crowned with prosperity. Hc followed progressive methods and was quick to realize the practical value of an idea or an invention introduced in connection with agriculture.
Mr. Holines was united in marriage to Miss Lydia A. Smock and unto them
Chineyonce I. Hochnes mes
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were born two sons. After the death of his first wife he wedded Mrs. Mary S. Conover, nee Schenck, the ceremony being performed December 24, 1876. They had two children: Nellie S., born November 27, 1877, and Chrineyonce S., Jr., born Octo- ber 3, 1880. The daughter was educated at Peddie Institute, at Hightstown, New jersey, and the son at Colgate College, in New York, and in Dean Academy, Franklin, Massachusetts.
In 1896 tlie family were deprived by death of the husband and father, who departed this life on the 21st of July. He was a regular attendant and contributor to the sup- port of the Baptist church, and was in his life an exemplification of doing unto others. as he would have them do to him. He was genial and companionable and was very popular throughout the entire community. Mrs. Holmes and her children have the warm regard of many friends and the hospitality of the best homes of the locality is extended to them.
REV. T. R. TAYLOR.
Rev. T. R. Taylor, the efficient pastor of the First Baptist church at Avon by the Sea, New Jersey, was born in Alleghany, Pennsylvania, in April, 1856, a son of Thomas R. and Sarah Taylor. Thomas Taylor, paternal grandfather of the Rev. T. R. Taylor, was also a clergyman of the Baptist denomination, and was pastor of ai church in Ireland. He came to this country in 1835, and settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he remained until his death. M.r. Webb, the maternal grand- father of the Rev. T. R. Taylor, was a resident and one of the first settlers of Cape May county. He participated in the war of 1812, and his father served in the Revo- lutionary war, and was also in the navy and privateer service.
Thomas R. Taylor, father of the Rev. T. R. Taylor, received his education in the University of Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated in the early forties. In 1843 he pursued a course of theology in Madison University, now known as Colgate University, and he officiated as pastor of the First Baptist church of Camden, New Jersey, eleven years; for four years he had charge of a church in Alleghany, Pennsylvania, and for the following four years he was engaged at Freehold, New Jersey. He married Miss Sarah Schillinger Webb, and three children were born to them, namely: Lillian A., wife of W. J. Browning, who is the chief clerk in the house of representatives in Washington, D. C .; Ellen M., wife of William Auble, of Camden, New Jersey; and the Rev. T. R. Taylor. Mr. Taylor (father) died at Hartford, Pennsylvania, in 1864, at the age of forty-six years.
Rev. T. R. Taylor, only son of Thomas and Sarah Taylor, acquired his edu- cation in the public schools of Camden, New Jersey. Subsequently he studied law with George Bisphan, and for three years he acted as librarian for the Philadelphia Law Association. In addition to the study of law, and at the same time, he pur- sued a course of study in theology, and he officiated in the Baptist church at Glou- cester, New Jersey. He was ordained a minister of the gospel at Asbury Park, and accepted the position of pastor of the First Baptist church; he was instrumental in the building of the church and parsonage, and his pastorate proved very successful, as there were three hundred people baptized in the seven years he remained there. His next charge was at Bridgeton, New Jersey, where he labored for three years; then he was a member of the Buffalo Association of Buffalo, New York, for seven years, and four years ago hc located at Avon by the Sea, New Jersey, to assume the pastorate of the First Baptist church, which he had organized as a mission twenty
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years before, of which he is the able and well beloved pastor. His congregations are large and attentive, and he has a good field in which to use his talents.
The Rev. T. R. Taylor was united in marriage to Miss Mary Virginia Wirner, of Pennington, granddaughter of Doctor Wirner, of New Jersey, who was a member of the Methodist Episcopal conference of New Jersey. Three children have been born to them, namely: Leon R., a student at Peddie Institute, preparing for the profession of law with the class of 1903; Florence C .; and Margaret V.
ISAAC A. MATTHEWS.
Among the successful and representative farmers of Jackson township, Ocean county, is Isaac A. Matthews, who is the owner of a fine farm of fifty acres of land on which he follows general farming. The place was formerly owned by his father, Joseph H. Matthews, who purchased the ground, cleared the timber and erected the buildings, transforming the land into a valuable piece of farming property. The father was the only son of John and Sarah Matthews, a sister, Nancy, being the only other member of the family. Joseph H. Matthews was a man who commanded the respect of his fellow men, -- an honest and industrious farmer, an upright business man, a consistent Christian and a loyal citizen. He was a very active worker in the Methodist Episcopal church and held the office of trustee for a number of years. In local affairs of the township he was greatly interested and held a number of promi- nent offices, always performing his duties with promptness and fidelity. He was . married to Miss Mary Ann Van Hise, by whom he had six children, four of whom are now living, namely: Sarah J .; John V .; Mary M .; and Isaac A. The parents are 'both deceased, the father's death having occurred in July, 1900, at the age of eighty-two years, while his wife passed away in 1890, when sixty-nine years of age.
Isaac A. Matthews, the subject of this review, now resides on the farm where he first opened his eyes to the light of day. His birth occurred October 15, 1855. He was reared to farm life and received his education in the common schools of his native township. Throughout his entire life he has been engaged in the pursuit of agriculture, first on the farm under his father's supervision, and after assuming the ownership he still continued with the work. As a reward for his untiring energy and close application, the farm yields to him a handsome annual competence.
In 1880 Mr. Matthews led to the altar Miss Sarah M. Thorne, a native of Per- rineville, New Jersey, and a daughter of George R. and Sarah Thorne. She is a woman of many excellent qualities and has been an able and faithful companion to her husband. Mr. Matthews is identified with the Junior Order of United American Mechanics and the Daughters of Liberty. He also holds membership with the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is trustee, steward and Sunday-school super- intendent. His life has ever been consistent with the teachings of the church, upright and honorable, and he is esteemed and trusted by all who know him.
ELLISON D. PETTEYS.
The office of the "Keyport Weekly," the oldest and most successful newspaper in Keyport, and one well known throughout the state, dates its establishment to 1863, when a job printing office was opened and a paper was printed by B. F. Underwood,
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F. D. Woodruff and Jacob R. Smith, under the name of the "Keyport Press." In 1866 the plant was purchased by G. W. and C. S. Henderson, who established the "Keyport Express." In 1871 the printing material came into the possession of Dr. Wilmer Hodgson, who began the publication of the "Keyport Weekly." The paper was owned by various parties for short periods until December 1, 1882, when it was purchased by the present editor and proprietor, Ellison D. Petteys.
Mr. Petteys was born October 29, 1856, in Greenwich, Washington county, New York. His parents, Harvey E. and Helen J. (Whipple) Petteys, were natives of the same state, descended from ancestors of the early colonial period. It is a peculiarly interesting fact that on both the paternal and maternal sides he is lineally descended from' Samuel Jenks, who was the coiner of the famous "Pine Tree Shilling." Harvey E. Petteys died September 21, 1865. His widow is yet living, and makes her home with her son, Ellison D. Petteys.
Ellison D. Petteys was educated in Colgate University, from which he was grad- uated with the class of 1882. The same year he located in Keyport, New Jersey, and entered upon his newspaper career, as previously narrated. In the conduct of his journal he has constantly placed the interests of the community before all others, and he has made the "Weekly" the exponent of every enterprise conducive to the moral and material advantage of the town and county. He is a highly regarded mem- ber of many fraternal orders,-in Odd Fellowship, of Bayside Lodge, No. 193, of which he has passed the chair of noble grand; Monmouth Encampment, of which he is past chief patriarch; Lady Colfax Rebekah Lodge; and Canton Atlantic, No. 7, Patriarchs Militant, of which he is past chaplain; Caesarea Lodge, No. 64, F. & A. M .; Coronal Council, No. 1456, R. A .; Monmouth Council, No. 89, L. A. B. A .; Hopeful Tent, No. 8, K. O. T. M., of which he is past commander ; Frelinghysen Council, No. 68, Jr. O. U. A. 'M., of which he is past councilor; Starry Flag Council, O. U. A. M., of which he is ex-councilor ; Chingarora Tribe, No. 116, I. O. R. M .; Freedom Council, No. 36, D. of L., of which he is ex-councilor; and Scheyichbi Council, No. 35, D. of P.
Mr. Petteys was married May 3, 1888, to Miss Judith Holmes, daughter of the late Prof. George W. Holmes, who was a most talented scholar and successful edu- cator, and for more than a quarter century the principal of the Keyport Academy. Mr. and Mrs. Petteys are respectively members of the Baptist church and the Episcopal church.
CYRUS LAWRENCE LOW.
Cyrus L. Low, superintendent of the Shark River Poor Farm Association, is one of the leading and representative residents of Neptune township. The association of which he is the able representative was organized by the towns of Wall, Howell and Middletown in Monmouth county and of Brick and Dover in Ocean county, its object being to support the old and poor people and the orphan children of the several townships. It was organized more than one hundred years ago, and is under a board of directors, who are composed of one official from each township committee. The farin contains about eight hundred and forty acres of land, all in one body, and is owned by the different townships. The institution is almost self-supporting. Mr. Low became its efficient superintendent in 1890, and under his able management the interests of the association have been well conducted, his work in its behalf being that of a conservative and conscientious official.
Mr. Low is a native of the Empire state, his birth having occurred on the 20th of February, 1846, a son of Cyrus and Eliza (Jackson) Low, natives also of New
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York. The father was a hatter by trade, following that occupation for many years, but on account of failing health and old age he was compelled to retire to a farm near Hamilton, New Jersey, in 1852, where he spent the remainder of his life. In his youth the subject of this review learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed for many years and up to the time of his connection with the Shark River Poor Farm Asso- ciation. He came to Hamilton, Monmouth county, New Jersey, as a youth, and has ever since been identified with its interests, and has long been recognized as one of her leading and most highly respected citizens.
Mr. Low was married June 24, 1886, to Miss Anna Yager, who was born in Philadelphia, July 2, 1858, a daughter of Philip Yager, an artist by profession. During the Civil war Mr. Yager became a valiant soldier for the Union cause, but during his services he lost his life by a gunshot wound. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Low have been born three children,-Gertrude, who was born June 7, 1887; Harry, born March 17, 1893 ; and Carl C., born January 2, 1895. Mr. Low is independent in political matters, but his preference is given to the Prohibition party. Nearly his entire life having been passed in Monmouth county, he is widely known, and his friends are numbered among its best citizens -- a fact which indicates that his career has been an honorable and upright one. He has many pleasant qualities, and is a genial companion, enjoying the regard of all with whom he has been brought into contact.
JOHN VAN PELT HYER.
1
The various families from which John P. Hyer, a progressive farmer of Matawan township, Monmouth county, New Jersey, descended have had representatives in America for about three hundred years. William Hyer, great-grandfather of John P. Hyer, purchased a large tract of land in the southeastern portion of what is now Matawan township, consisting of several hundred acres, and late in life he divided it into small tracts and apportioned it among his heirs.
John P. Hyer was born on the farm on which he now lives November 28, 1834, a son of Alexander and Lydia Ann (Vandeveer) Hyer. His father was also born on the same farm in 1808 and died there about 1855. His mother was born in the same neighborhood in 1810, and died in 1883. The ancestors of both families were among the early settlers in the state and were of Holland-Dutch stock and some of them came to America in the early part of the seventeenth century. Members of both families were patriots of the Revolutionary war and all were loyal to the cause of the colonies. The Vandeveer name appears in published records before 1610. Squire Van Pelt, the great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch in the maternal line, owned and commanded the first steamboat running from Matawan, and this family name also appears in the history of the Revolution.
John P. Hyer was married January 15, 1858, to Letitia Conover, born October 18, 1833, a daughter of John and Gertrude J. (Vanderbilt) Conover. The Vanderbilts and the Conovers were among the early settlers in this country, having come here from Holland early in 1600. Sketches of members of these families appear elsewhere in this work. The original Conover settlement was made on a tract of land very near the present home of John P. Hyer. Letitia (Conover) Hyer, who died July 6, 1889, bore her husband three daughters, named Anna W., Lydia G. and Eva. Anna W. is dead, Lydia G. is the wife of Wallace E. Hopkins, a clothier of Providence, Rhode Island, and Eva, born December 13, 1875, married William Lyle and they live on her father's farm. Mr. and Mrs. William Lyle have two children, John W.
John PHyer
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and James Aleart Lyle. Politically Mr. Hyer is a Democrat, and he has always been active in the affairs of his community and has been called to important local offices, including those of school trustee and commissioner of appeals, which he has filled many years. A man of much public spirit, he is always ready to aid to the extent of his ability any movement which, in his good judgment, will benefit any considerable number of his fellow citizens.
HON. GEORGE H. TICE.
Hon. George H. Tice, the present member of the New Jersey assembly, repre- senting the old First district of Middlesex county, and residing at Perth Amboy, is one of the most active and influential political leaders of the state. He is a son of Andrew J. and Mary (Foster) Tice, and was born at Perth Amboy, November 14, 1845.
Mr. Tice is descended from a sturdy Holland Dutch ancestry, his paternal great- grandfather, Solomon Tice, having emigrated from Holland in 1738, and settled in Perth Amboy. The latter was a prosperous ship-carpenter and builder, and a mem- ber of the Presbyterian church. His paternal grandfather, John Tice, was born at Perth Amboy, and was educated in its public schools, from which he was graduated. Immediately after his graduation he embarked in the oyster business at Perth Amboy, and continued therein all his life. Politically he was a Democrat, and religiously a member of the Presbyterian church, in which organization he was active and influential. His marriage resulted in an issue of six children: Sophia, deceased; Martha, the wife of John Walton; Andrew J., father; John, deceased; Richard, of Rahway, New Jersey ; and Betsey, deceased.
Andrew J. Tice was a native of Perth Amboy, and after enjoying an active and useful career passed away near the scenes of his birth in the year 1869. After leaving school he was taught the trade of a blacksmith, and thoroughly mastered every detail of that craft. Relinquishing this trade, he engaged in the oyster business for a number of years, but finally returned to his trade, which he pursued successfully until his death. He was a Republican in politics, an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church and of the Sons of Temperance. His marriage was blessed by the birth of four children : Margaretta, married to John H. Tyrell; George H .; Charles M .; and Mary, married to George W. Paresin.
George H. Tice attended the public schools at Perth Amboy, and upon his gradu- ation therefrom entered the employ of his father, under whose instruction he learned the trade of a blacksmith. Having perfected himself in this trade, he opened a shop of his own, which he successfully conducted until 1883, when he disposed of it to engage in the hotel business. For four years he was proprietor of "Tice's Central Hotel," at Perth Amboy. In 1890 he disposed of his hotel property to accept the post- mastership of Perth Amboy, to which he had been appointed by President Harrison; he acceptably fulfilled the duties of this office until 1894, when he resigned to accept the very responsible position of superintendent of the shipping department of the Staten Island Terra Cotta and Lumber Company, which place he now holds. During his administration of the office of postmaster he was largely influential in securing the adoption of the free mail delivery system of Perth Amboy. Mr. Tice is a Republi- can, and an ardent and active political worker. He has served two terms as a member of the board of education of Perth Amboy, having been elected to that office in 1878. In 1888 he was elected a member of the board of frceholders by a majority of one
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hundred and eighteen votes, and in 1894 he was elected to the assembly by the hand- some majority of thirteen hundred. He received the largest majority given any can- didate that year, attesting in an eminent degree his popularity. He served during this term on the committees of education, railroads, canals, and corporations. In 1895 he was re-elected to the assembly without opposition, and was given a place on the com- mittee of reform schools for boys. One of the most important measures introduced in the assembly by him was for the purpose of building a bridge across the Raritan river at Perth Amboy. Public-spirited and progressive, Mr. Tice has taken a com- mendable interest in every movement which has for its object the advancement and improvement of his city and county. He has been a director of the Perth Amboy Savings Institution for the past thirteen years, was president of the Atlantic Building and Loan Association 11p to 1895, and was president of the first local branch of the Republic Building and Loan Association of New Jersey, which office he resigned in 1895.
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