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 43
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GEORGE M. QUACKENBUSH.
The saying "It takes money to make money" is not always exemplified in the lives of men. "The subject of this sketch, George Meyers Quackenbush, who is a leading merchant of Little Silver, New Jersey, has clearly demonstrated what a man, determined to succeed, may accomplish with but limited financial resources, yet en- dowed by nature and training with sufficient energy and determination to supply the material deficiency. Marlboro was the scene of his birth, which occurred May 12, 1858. His parents were the late Jacob W. and Margaret (Snyder) Quackenbush. The father was a farmer of no small importance in his township. Here his interests in the welfare of his town exerted a beneficial influence. He died in 1888, his wife surviving him until 1890.
George M. Quackenbush acquired his rudimentary education in the public schools of his birthplace, which was later supplemented by careful individual application to the more practical lessons of life, which have stood him in good stead during his career. He remained upon his father's farm until after the death of the latter, which occurred in 1888. At this time young Quackenbush was in his thirtieth year, and having an inclination toward mercantile life, he went to Englishtown, New Jersey, where he purchased an established bakery, which he conducted for a couple of years, at the end of which time he returned to the farm. Here a few more years were passed, and. in 1885 he again sought the mercantile field, this time at Little Silver, New Jersey, in which town he opened a grocery store opposite the postoffice. While not commanding financial resources sufficient to enable him to launch out on an ex- tensive enterprise, yet by keeping a strict oversight of his business and by his hon- orable treatment of his customers he soon found his venture developing into what promised to become a flourishing and prosperous business, which promise has become a very substantial reality, his trade extending among some of the best families of his section of the country. His business having increased to such proportions, in April, 1901, he found it necessary to provide additional storage facilities, and with this end in view he bought that portion of the John J. Barkalow estate which contained the old homestead, upon which he made extensive repairs at a considerable cost, con- verting it into an immense store room. He is peculiarly adapted to the business in which he is engaged, as he is genial by nature and has the happy faculty of showing a personal interest in the needs of his patrons, cvincing a desire to accommodate their slightest wish. In exercising these pleasing qualities he but follows an innate char- acteristic, and to this disposition can be attributed his phenomenal success.
During the years of early manhood spent in his native town, Mr. Quackenbush
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was honored by being selected for the office of road superintendent, and he was also on the board of education, of which body he was at one time secretary. He is a mem- ber of the old historic Tennent church, of which more specific mention is made else- where in this work. He is also a member of the Improved Order of Heptasophs and of Council No. 200, J. O. U. A. M.
Mr Quackenbush was married in 1882 to Lydia A., a daughter of Michael M. and Cornelia Ely, of Millstone township. Four children have been born to them, namely : Lottie, Clifford, deceased, Emerson, and an infant yet unnamed. The Quackenbush family is one of eminent respectability, originating in good old Dutch stock.
FRANK HANCE.
The family of Hance has been well known in Monmouth county, New Jersey, for several generations, and the farm of Frank Hance in Atlantic township was bought by his grandfather in the latter's early manhood and has been in the pos- session of Frank Hance since 1900.
Edwin and Mary Hance, the grandparents of Frank Hance in the paternal line, owned two hundred acres of choice land, on which grandfather Hance farmed suc- cessfully. They had nine children, two of whom were living in 1901 and one of whom was Henry Hance, father of Frank Hance, who was born in Monmouth county and was a successful farmer and a man of good local influence. He married Alice Smith, a woman of rare qualities, who bore him four children, named Edwin, William, Joseph and Frank. Mr. and Mrs. Hance were members of the Reformed church and Mr. Hance was an enthusiastic Republican.
Frank Hance was born August 3, 1865, was educated in the public schools and was early instructed in the mysteries of practical farming. His farm, which consists of seventy-four acres, is one of the best in its vicinity and is provided with every facility for successful operation. Mr. Hance married Kate Polhemus, daughter of Albert Polhemus. Mrs. Hance died November 3, 1898, leaving no children. Mr. Hance is a member of the Reformed church and is a liberal contributor toward the maintenance of all its varied interests. He is a public-spirited man, who has in many ways manifested an interest in the progress and prosperity of his township and county. The family of Hance is of Dutch extraction and in many generations it has been foremost in all good works wherever it has been represented.
WINFIELD WHITE.
Winfield White, owner and cultivator of a forty-acre tract of land situated at Red Bank, Monmouth county, New Jersey, has enjoyed unlimited success in the raising of vegetables of every description, as well as various plants, which he cultivates for transplanting. Mr. White bears the distinction of being the first in Monmouth county to attempt on an extensive scale to raise vegetables under glass, which from its inception proved abundantly successful. His eight hot houses, together with eight glass covered frames, were all built by Mr. White with a view to the best growth and development of both plants and garden truck. Among the places where Mr. White finds a ready market for his produce may be mentioned New York, Long Branch and Sea Bright, as well as many other less important points. Mr. White
Frank Hance
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HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.
also built the handsome residence which he now occupies, beautifully situated as it is, at the continuation of Branch avenue leading to Little Silver Station.
Mr. White was born near his present home January 6, 1846, the son of Louis and Elizabeth (Lippincott) White. His father, besides being a farmer of no small pretense, was also largely engaged in oyster planting. He, too, was raised on a farm near Red Bank. His family consisted of seven children, one of whom, Henry C., is deceased.
The paternal grandfather, Timothy M. White, was a prominent land owner of his county, and a familiar character to the residents of that section. He came to New Jersey from New York, following the water as a vocation and becoming a thor- oughly practical and experienced oyster man, running his own sloop from Little Silver creek, where his oyster beds were located, to New York, his oys'ers finding a ready sale in that market. By his wife Elizabeth (King) he had six children, three sons and three daughters: William K., Louis, Alice, Elizabeth, Jem ma ,and Timothy. Elizabeth and Timothy are the only survivors of the family. Timothy M. died Sep- tember 6, 1861, at the age of seventy-one years; his wife had then been dead a num- ber of years, having passed away March 19, 1845, in her sixtieth year. The great- grandfather of our subject and the father of Timothy M. was Joseph White, a resi- dent of New York City, of whom we have no authentic record.
Mr. Winfield White received his early training in the schools of Red Bank, and was reared to a life of usefulness. While his father gave his attention to his oyster interests the son turned his attention to the farm, which he worked on shares. In this way he succeeded in accumulating enough money to give hin a fair start in life, and how he made the best of the opportunity when it presented itself is demonstrated in the facts set forth in the beginning of this sketch. Mr. White was un ted in mar- riage to Addie, daughter of William Sherman, of Atlantic Highlands, December 15, 1880; one daughter, Elizabeth, was born to them. The mother died October 9, 1892.
Mr. White's political views are purely Republican. The ancestry of the Whites dates back to English origin; it is an old and highly respected family, occupying an enviable position in the section that has known them for so long.
JOHN HENRY BECKER.
The number of acres a man owns does not always indicate his ability to make them a profitable investment. Our subject, John H. Becker, of Morganville, New Jersey, is the owner of but thirteen acres of land, but so thorough and systematic is he in his scientific arrangement of the details of his market-producing property and green- houses, that it is not uncommon for him to average a total of from one thou and to fifteen hundred dollars per acre a season. While on Long Island Mr. Becker realized as high as twenty-five hundred dollars per acre a season in the cultivation of a similar line, his specialty being the raising of cucumbers and lettuce. These vegetables he raises in his extensive hot houses, which number eight large structures, forty by three hundred and fifty to four hundred feet cach, covering a trifle over two and one-half acres of ground. His hot house system is probably the most extensive and complete in the state for the cultivation of the vegetables named. Six months of the year is set apart for the raising of cucumbers, while lettuce is raised in the other six months during the winter season. By his arrangement of the cucumber vines he is enabled to realize about as much as an ordinary grower would from forty acres of ground. This speaks volumes for his experience and practical application of scien- tific principles.
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HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.
Mr. Becker was born in Westphalia, Germany, in 1844, and came to this country when he was seventeen years old. He took up his residence on Long Island, where he engaged in the same line of work. One hundred and fifty dollars was the capital on which he launched out on his first enterprise; this, backed up by energy and a determination to succeed, carried him forward in the upbuilding of a very prosperous and lucrative business. On coming to Morganville, he erected his present fine build- ings, and his former good fortune has continued to reward his untiring efforts.
Mr. Becker was united in married to his present wife, Christina Nunning, in 1895 : they have no children.
Mr. Becker is an extensive grower of melons and tomatoes, using the balance of his property not under glass for this purpose. He is considered an eminently prac- tical and successful man in his line, not only in his own section but in the state as well. Mr. Becker's life is a fair example of what indefatigable push and energy will accomplish.
PETER CASLER.
The first American ancestor of Peter Casler, of Tintonfalls, Monmouth county, New Jersey, came over from Holland and located within the present borders of Freehold township. He early espoused the cause of American independence and con- ceived a warm personal regard for Washington; he was Washington's private bag- gage master and had charge of his horses, which at one time were stolen from Casler by the Tories and were recaptured by him most cleverly. At the close of the Revo -. lutionary war he sold his farm, which was a large one, 'and received colonial cur- rency in payment for it. He had a son, John, who was the grandfather, in the pater- nal line, of the subject of this sketch. John was born October 8: 1770, and was quite a lad at the time of the battle of Monmouth. He married Margaret Clayton, who was born October 31, 1774, and kept a hotel at Atlantic Highlands during the war of 1812. Later John Casler kept a hotel at Freehold, and after that, until about 1835, he was keeper of the light at Sandy Hook lighthouse. "Eventually he removed to Long Island, where he bought a small farm. The later years of his life were passed in retirement at Red Bank, where he died at the age of ninety-two, in 1862. His wife, who died some years earlier, bore him children named, Hannah, Peter, John, Joseph, Rebecca, Adelia Ann, Robert (I), Robert (II), and George.
Peter Casler, son of John Casler and father of the subject of this sketch, was born at Atlantic Highlands, August 6, 1797, and was between fifteen and seventeen years old when during the war of 1812 he transported goods for the American forces at Sandy Hook, a noteworthy enterprise. His wife, Mary E. Paxton, was born March 7, 1802, and he met her first near Freehold, where he moved with his father when the latter took charge of the hotel at that place. Early in life he, gave his attention to farming, and eventually became an extensive land owner, and after he had bought the Clayton farm from his mother's, family he was the owner of about four hundred acres. One of his farms is now included in the Monmouth Park track. He was suc- cessful in a business way and during his lifetime accumulated considerable money and property. In religious faith he was a Presbyterian, and in political affiliation a Whig and a Republican. His wife died in 1841, and he afterward married her sister, Elizabeth Faxton. By his two wives he had children named as follows: Joseph, John, Thecdosia, William C., Margaret A., Robert, Henry, Mary E., Emily, Edward, Peter, Adelia, Aaron F., Rufus T., Sarah E., Harriet A., and Theodore A., the last
FRANKUm G. FNOFA
Peter Casler
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thrre named being children by the second wife. Of the children here mentioned nine wore living in 1901.
Peter Casler was born in Shrewsbury township, Moninouth county, New Jersey, March 15, 1836, and in order to prepare him for a life of usefulness his father saw to it that he chtained a good education. He has given his entire active life to agricultural pursuits. In 1856 the western fever seized him and he went to Illinois, where he bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres and entered upon a somewhat event- ful career, in which he farmed, taught school, and served his fellow-citizens in the office of constable. He returned to Monmouth county in 1883 and has prospered so well that he is the owner of two farms; he is regarded as an authority on farming and is recognized as a citizen of prominence and influence, whose public spirit is never questioned.
In 1860 Mr. Casler married Miss Julia Jobs, a native of New York, who has borne him children named Emma, Lydia Adele, Neva Jeannette, and William Casler.
MATHIAS DEY.
Mathias Dey was born in Monroe township, November 5, 1855. He is the son of John P. and Elizabeth (Dey) Dey; Mrs. Dey is deceased. Our subject is the grandson of a carpenter, the son of a carpenter and is himself a carpenter, so it is not surprising that he is a perfect master of his trade. His time was served under the supervision of his father, who is a mechanic of pronounced ability. Aside from his trade Mr. Dey follows farming as an occupation and is considered one of the most prosperous farmers in all Middlesex county. His farm is located in Monroe township, and consists of one hundred and three acres of scientifically cultivated land, devoted to the raising of a general line of produce.
Mr. Dey has served his township in the capacity of overseer of the roads. He is a member and heavy stockholder in a prosperous building and loan association.
Mr. Dey was joined in marriage to Miss Maggie L. Applegate in 1881. S'x chil- dren were born to them, namely: Luella, Theodore (died May 10, 1902, aged eighteen years), Raymond, J. Harvey, Joseph and William. Mrs. Dey is a native of Hights- town, New Jersey.
Other matters of interest in the family history are given in the sketch of Peter J. Dey.
ISAAC PALMER DICKINSON.
Even in the matter of raising vegetables there is something in having a spe- " cialty. As in all branches of trade and mercantile life, to be able to do one thing and do it well pays better than to be a "jack of all trades, and master of none;" so the man who tills his soil for the production of one or two special lines of produce, understanding their cultivation perfectly, will create for himself a name above all others for the excellence of the product of his skillful labors. Thus it is that our subject, Isaac P. Dickinson, has become renowned. Six months of each year his four large hot houses (forty by four hundred feet each) are devoted to the raising of lettuce, the remaining six months, or during the warmer season, he cultivates nothing but cucumbers. For these two special lines of produce he never fails to find a ready sale, the entire crops usually being contracted for long in advance of their production. Mr. Dickinson has devoted his entire life since beghood to this line of work, and there is no competitor in the field who understands more fully the cultivation of these
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HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.
two vegetables. His hot houses are complete in every detail, being supplied with up- to-date heating and watering systems.
Mr. Dickinson is a native of Russell, Massachusetts, where he was born January 29, 1825. He is the son of Linus Dickinson, an extensive farmer and a well known citizen in the Springfield section. His farm has of late years been gradually en- croached upon and finally absorbed by the extensive growth of that city, much of the original tract being now a part of beautiful Forest Park.
Our subject occupies an enviable position among the citizens of Morganville, New Jersey, where he conducts his extensive business and has his home. At Spring- field, Massachusetts, he was successively member of the school board, common council and board of aldermen, covering a period of ten years, and during his entire connec- tion with the two last named bodies he was one of the board of supervisors, which had general charge of all streets, highways, bridges, sewers, etc. He was ever a man of progressive thought, public spirited, and always interested in advancing public im- provements. He was active in advocating the laying of good streets and in opening up public parks where languishing humanity might recuperate their fagged energies. He was a strenuous advocate of the extension of street railways, and in fact lost no opportunity for bettering conditions wherever he saw the necessity warranted. At one time he was a large holder of stocks and real estate in his native city, but in 1894, having disposed of most of his property there, he came to Monmouth and estab- lished his present successful business. He has about fifty acres of land, upon which he has built a handsome residence and in which he finds a delightful home. Outside of his hot houses his land is devoted to the raising of melons, tomatoes and fruit.
Mr. Dickinson is a man of very genial temperament, and an exceedingly intelli- gent and progressive citizen. His life has been an exemplary one and worthy of imi- tation by young men of the present day.
JAMES EDWARD JOHNSON.
Prominently identified with the mercantile interests of Belford, New Jersey, is James E. Johnson, a native of this place, born there November 15, 1866. His parents were John Naylor and Catherine (Bennett) Johnson, the former of whom was a suc- cessful carpenter and builder of this locality.
At the beginning of this business career Mr. Johnson displayed a love for the water and for lines of trade connected with it. As his father wished him to pursue another calling, he objected to furnishing him with means to purchase an outfit for clam fishing, and our subject entered into this with the tools that he could purchase for one dollar. In 1885, when he was prepared to enter into another line of work, Mr. Johnson was able to sell the outfit he had earned in the meanwhile for the sum of three hundred dollars. Perhaps this was a much better showing than many boys could make, for our subject is an excellent business man, is carefully attentive to whatever lie engages in, is industrious and frugal, hence his remarkable success.
The next business venture in which Mr. Johnson engaged was that of driving through the country with horse and wagon, peddling butter, eggs, cheese, tea and coffee, in fact, carrying with him an almost complete grocery store. Until 1888 he continued to follow this business. At this period opportunity offered him the chance to engage in the mercantile business; Mr. Job S. Compton, one of the local mer- chants, wishing to sell, thus Mr. Johnson became the proprietor of a well established trade which under his capable management has continued to grow in value, being now second to none in Belford.
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HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.
Mr. Johnson was married on September 18, 1838, to Miss Catherine Scott, who was a daughter of Thomas and Margaret Scott, of Red Bank, and two children have been born to this union, namely : James E., Jr., deceased, and Ira S. Johnson.
Through many early discouragements Mr. Johnson has forged his way to the front and enjoys the confidence and esteem of the community, both in a business and fraternal way, being connected with the I. O. O. F., the O. U. A. M., the Junior O. U. A M., and the Foresters.
JOHN E. KUHNS, JR.
New Jersey is noted for the abundance and variety of its farm produce. There is scarcely a home with a patch of ground worth cultivating that does not contribute to the family board. Among the more extensive tillers of the soil specialties of one kind or another in the way of fruit or vegetables are often made the subject of deep thought and scientific study.
John E. Kuhns, Jr., of Matawan, new Jersey, township treasurer and successful farmer, has a fine place entirely devoted to fruit growing. Nothing but the best varieties of apples, raspberries, strawberries and blackberries are selected, and his crops show the wonderful care taken in the choice made. Taking into consideration the short time in which Mr. Kuhns has been engaged in fruit raising, his success is little short of marvelous. His crops are shipped exclusively to the New York markets.
Our subject was born in the vicinity in which he now lives, on October 1, 1862; is the son of John E. and Barbara (Beahler) Kuhns, both natives of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, but early removed to New Jersey. His father was born on November II, 1819, the son of John and Barbara (Rheem) Kuhns, also natives of Pennsylvania, in the same county; these latter were extensive and progressive farmers. Grand- father Kuhns served as a soldier during the Revolution and was with Washington's army at Valley Forge, suffering all the hardships and deprivations of that fearful winter, and he was also with the army at Trenton.
John E. Kuhns, Sr., the father of our subject, early in life learned the cabinet- maker's trade and for several years devoted himself to this line of work at Elizabeth- town, Pennsylvania. He now owns splendid farm lands in Matawan township, which he cultivates with marked success. On July 4, 1843, he married Barbara Beahler, who was born May 30, 1819; her death occurred in 1887. Their family consisted of four children : Henry, a merchant in Illinois; Wilson, a farmer in Montana ; John E., Jr., our subject ; and Louise B .. of New York City. Mr. Kuhns took as his second wife Mrs. Thomas Hoff, to whom he was married on December 25, 1891. In politics he is a Republican, has served as township clerk and was a member of the school board for many years. He has been an active church member for fifty years and occupies the position of elder. Mr. Kuhns' first wife's grandfather, William Brenner, also served during the Revolutionary war, and in the same regiment with Grandfather Kuhns.
Our subject has not followed his father's footsteps in the matter of politics, as he is a Democrat ; nine years ago he was elected to the township committee and has occupied the position of township treasurer since 1894. His marriage occurred on December 8, 1892, when he was united to Miss Laura Ruland, of Yonkers, New York; - she was born November 24, 1870; they have five children, as follows: Mabel, Helen, Laura, Arthur and Wilbur. Mr. Kuhns is one of the enterprising and progressive men of the township.
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HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.
HENDRICK VAN CLEEF.
One of Matawan's finest farms, covering sixty acres of highly cultivated ground, is owned and operated by Hendrick Van Cleef, the subject of this short sketch, who, with the assistance of his son, maintains a general supervision over his productive fields. He devotes himself to the production of every variety of garden truck, and is also largely interested in fruit growing. Mr. Van Cleef is thoroughly practical and progressive in the conduct of his farm. He was born on this same farm, Septem- ber 8, 1837, a son of Remson and Caroline (Willet) Van Cleef. His father was a native- of Long Island, and was born May 8, 1792, but in early life made his home in New Jersey, and finally invested in an extensive tract of land, which has since been divided into several farms. His foresight in this investment demonstrated his advanced ideas, and marks him as a man of sound business judgment. He was a successful farmer and highly respected citizen. His family descended from Holland Dutch ancestors, who made America their home during the early part of the 18th century. He departed this life June 26, 1867.
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