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 44
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The mother of our subject was born in Norwich, Connecticut, was a daughter of Jedediah Willet, a prosperous ship owner and builder, who was at one time con- sidered very wealthy, but unfortunately a number of his vessels were lost through French privateering spoliation. This worthy couple had a family of seven children, to-wit : Charles J. ; Mary F .; James E. ; Caroline; Hendrick ; Frances L., wife of Robert Stotesburg, of Brooklyn, New York; and Mary E. The only survivors of these children are Frances L. and our subject. Their mother died June II, 1850, aged forty- eight years.
Hendrick Van Cleef was married on April 6, 1871, to Caroline Porter, who was born on August 25, 1853, a daughter of Thomas R. and Sarah Porter. Mr. and Mrs. Van Cleef have one son, Hendrick, Jr., born August 7, 1872, now interested with his father in farming. His education was completed at Glennwood Institute, Matawan ; at his graduation he secured first prize for producing the best essay.
Mr. Van Cleef has always been a Democrat in politics and has held several town- ship offices, and has also been a member of the school board. Generally, however, he prefers to take no active part in political affairs. His son is a Prohibitionist. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
FRANK H. JOHNSON.
Frank H. Johnson, an enterprising and progressive citizen of Lakewood, New Jersey, follows the occupation of carpentering, in which he is meeting with marked success. He is a descendant of Luke Johnson, his great-great-grandfather, who was one of the first, settlers in the locality now comprising Lakewood. Luke Johnson was a valiant soldier in the Revolutionary war and fought bravely for the independence of the nation. At one time he was captured by the Indians, but he was fortunate enough to make his escape at a time when his captors were overcome with too much "fire-water" and were less vigilant than usual. He was the owner of a con- siderable amount of land and also engaged in the lumbering business, and was a man of wide influence in his day. He married Mary Anderson, by whom he had three children : James G., George, and Polly. Of these George, great-grandfather of our subject, married Mary Megill, by whom he had nine children: Polly, William, Luke, Johanna, Elizabeth, James G., Katharine, Sarah, and Charles.
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James G. Johnson, of the family last named, married Miss Mary Wilbor, and they were the grandparents of the immediate subject of this sketch. He was employed by the Bergen Iron Works of Lakewood, having charge of the lumber and wood depart- ment, this being one of the early industries of this portion of the country (see else- where in this volume). He and his wife, who in her maidenhood was Miss Mary Wilbor, were the parents of seven sons, five of whom are now living, namely: Will- iam T .; Charles G. ; David C., who is the father of our subject; Alfred, and George.
David C. Johnson was born in 1839 on what is now Ocean avenue, Lakewood, New Jersey. He was reared in his native town, and here received his early education. After his school days he learned the carpenter's trade and followed this occupation for over forty years, becoming very proficient in this line of business. In 1882 he purchased his present home, to which he has made alterations and repairs, and it now presents a perfect model of neatness and is the most picturesque and attractive resi- dence on the street on which he lives. During the dark days of the Rebellion Mr. Johnson offered his services in defense of the Union and became a member of Com- pany F, Fourteenth Regiment, New Jersey Volunteer Infantry, serving his country faithfully until the expiration of his term of enlistment, when he was honorably discharged. In 1861 he was united in marriage to Miss Phcebe J. Johnson, who was born in Syracuse, New York, in 1840. Her parents were Edmond and Sarah Johnson of Syracuse. Unto David C. and Phoebe J. Johnson were born the fol- lowing interesting children : Amelia, Ella, Mary J., Annie L., Ada, Frank H., Flor- ence, Willis, and Gerald.
Frank H. Johnson, whose name introduces this review, was born at Toms River, New Jersey, and has spent his entire life in that vicinity and at Lakewood. The public schools afforded him educational privileges, and at the family fireside he learned the lessons of honesty, industry and integrity. Upon laying aside his school books for the broader education to be received from observation and experience, he followed in his father's footsteps and learned the trade of a carpenter, with which he had been familiar more or less since childhood. His' skill and close application to business have brought him success and he is numbered among the rising young men of Lakewood. His high principles and honorable nature have won for him many friends who entertain for him sincere regard and friendship.
JOHN DENYSE CONOVER.
The subject of this sketch, John Denyse Conover, of Matawan, Freneau postoffice, New Jersey, is one of the largest raisers of tomatoes in a section where vegetables of every description are raised in abundance ; besides tomato growing he has extensive fields devoted to the cultivation of berries of every variety. Mr. Conover is also particularly interested in fruit growing, his orchards covering considerable ground and bearing plenteously. It is needless to say that this thoroughly practical and pains- taking man meet's with a large measure of success, having no difficulty in disposing of his carefully cultivated produce.
Mr. Conover was born on February 9, 1860, in Marlboro township, near Wicka- tunk. He is the son of Garrett W. and Tahmaroo (Denyse) Conover, both following agricultural pursuits. Garrett W. Conover was born in the year 1819, a son of Will- iam Conover. This family is one of the oldest in the county. Other interesting sketches of the Conover family will be found elsewhere in this work.
The great-grandfather of our subject, whose name was also Garrett Conover, was
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one of the first sheriffs of Monmouth county. He was also active during the Revo- lutionary period in the interests of the colonists. He was one of the influential men of his time, possessing extensive landed estates and considerable wealth, for those days.
The parents of John Denyse Conover now reside in Madison township; they are well-to-do farmers. Their family consisted of five sons, viz .: Nicholas, Ten Eyck, J. Don, our subject, and one other who died in infancy. The four living sons all followed farming as an occupation. The father of these sons was a soldier in the Civil war; he belonged to Company A, Twenty-eighth New Jersey Volunteer In- fantry, and was one of the first seventy-five thousand troops mustered into service. As a recognition of the sacrifices through which he passed in defense of his country's honor he is the recipient of a pension from the United States government.
John Denyse Conover was reared on the old homestead. In early manhood he learned the carpenter's trade, as well as that of a mason, at which trades he has occasionally worked. A farmer's life, however, more nearly suited his temperament, and this he has followed with no small degree of success. He purchased his present home in 1900; this is known as the Felter place of Freneau.
On October 26, 1887, he was united in marriage to Miss Nancy McElwaine, of Manalapan township, who was born on August 28, 1862, and is a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Magee) McElwaine. Both of Mrs. Conover's parents are of Scotch descent, and of an old and interesting family, their forefathers having made America their home before the Revolutionary period. Mr. and Mrs. Conover have no children.
Mr. Conover is a Republican in his political views, and has been honored by various positions of public trust ; he has served for six years as a member of the school board, as justice of the peace for several years, and is a member of the executive board of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Conover are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and he is fraternally connected with the Royal Arcanum and the Jr. Order of U. A. M.
ROBERT M. KELLOGG.
Robert M. Kellogg, a prominent business man of Elizabeth, New Jersey, and active in its educational, religious, and social affairs, is a native of that city. where he was born, June 24, 1876, son of Aaron W. and Clara A. (Miller) Kellogg.
The paternal ancestry of the Kellogg family begins with Daniel Kellogg, who came from England in 1655, and settled where is now the town of Norwalk Con- necticut. He was of remarkable stature and physique, being seven feet in height and well proportioned. He was a man of ability and force of character, and in 1670 was elected a representative in the general court of Connecticut, and served in that ca- pacity for some seven years following. He died at Norfolk in 1688. He was twice married, and of his second marriage, to Bridget Bowten, daughter of John Bowten, were born six children. The lineal descent from him to Robert M. Kellogg, the subject of this sketch, is as follows: Samuel, son of Daniel, born at Norwalk, in Feb- ruary, 1673, died December 23, 1726; Epenetus, son of Samuel, born at Norwalk, June 26, 1719; James, son of Epenetus, born at Norwalk April 5. 1755. died De- cember 28, 1828; Elijah, son of James, born at Norwalk, October 18, 1784, who removed to Elizabeth, New Jersey, in 1805, and died April 4, 1856; Aaron W., son of Elijah, born February 6, 1824. Aaron W. Kellogg, la'st named, married Clara A. Miller, born in Newark, January 21. 1837. Both are yet living, and are
Roll .Kellogg
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exemplary members of the Westminster Presbyterian church. Mr. Kellogg has been an earnest Republican from the founding of the party in 1856.
Robert M. Kellogg obtained a liberal academical education in the Pingry school, in his native city. July 29, 1895, when he was nineteen years of age, he entered the employ of William R. Grace & Company, one of the leading mercantile firms of New York City, largely engaged in the South American trade, with branches in London; England, and elsewhere. He remained with that firm for ten months, when he be- came connected with the Prentiss Clock Importing Company, with which he remained until June 15, 1897. On the latter date, having just attained his majority, he be- came associated with the Middlesex Water Company, at Elizabeth, and was appointed to the position of superintendent, which he occupies to the present time. He is also secretary of the Bergen Aqueduct Company and vice-president of the New Jersey Terminal Railroad Company. In all these relations he has displayed the qualifications of a well equipped man of affairs, and he enjoys the confidence of his associates and of his superiors.
Mr. Kellogg is a prominent advocate of education. and for more than three years past he has performed efficient service as a member of the board of education. He is a member of Westminster Presbyterian church and assistant superintendent and treasurer of the Westminster Hope mission. He is an active and influential member of the Republican party, and is the present vice-president and treasurer of the Mckinley Club of Elizabeth, comprising a membership of six hundred and twenty persons. He is a member of the Metuchen Club, and of the Eagle Hook and Ladder Company, of Metuchen, New Jersey, of the Elizabeth Club, and of the Union County Hunting Club.
ABRAHAM SKIDMORE.
For eighty-three years Abraham Skidmore has been a resident of Lakewood. He was born here on the 8th of June, 1818, and is a representative of one of the old families of the county. His paternal grandfather, James Skidmore, was the pioneer business man of this place, where he took up his abode in the early part of the sev- enteenth century. He was born in 1728, and when a young man removed from Cross- wicks, near Trenton, to this place. Purchasing a tract of land surrounding the lake, he built a saw and grist mill upon this property and for a number of years success- fully engaged in the milling business, but at length sold that property to Mr. Richards, who continued the business. Mr. Skidmore removed to an adjacent tract of land, where he built another saw and grist mill, which he continued to operate until his death. He married Ruth Worth and they were the parents of ten children, six sons and four daughters.
One of these was James Skidmore, the father of our subject. He was born at Lakewood, on Christmas day of 1785. He owned considerable land and also owned and operated a grist and sawmill, with which line of activity he had become familiar in his boyhood by assisting his father in the same line of work. His time was given entirely to his business interests and his family, for he was a man of domestic tastes and did everything in his power to promote the welfare and enhance the happiness of his wife and children. He wedded Elizabeth Ware, whose father, Joseph Ware, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and fought gallantly for the liberty of the colonies. Unto Mr. and Mrs. James Skidmore were born six children, of whom three are living in 1901-Jane, James and Abraham.
The last named, Abraham Skidmore, was reared and educated in his native town,
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and during the early part of his life was employed at the iron furnace in Lakewood. but during the greater part of his business career has been connected with agricultural pursuits, carefully managing his farming interests so as to return to him a good income. He inherited his father's property and now resides in the house which his father built in 1812, but which has been modernized and is a very comfortable and attractive residence. With the exception of a few years spent in Trenton, New Jersey, his entire life has been passed in Lakewood, and no citizen of the community is more respected than this venerable man.
In 1839 Mr. Skidmore was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Scull, and unto them has been born a son, Frank, who resides in Lakewood. For eighteen years the latter carried on business as an electrician, but is now following carpentering. He married Miss Maria Hankins in 1876, a daughter of David and Sarah Hankins, and a great-granddaughter of Zachariah Hankins, who was a valiant soldier throughout the Revolutionary war and afterward received a pension in recognition of his services. He died at the ripe old age of ninety years. He took part in the battles of Prince- ton, Valley Forge and Monmouth, together with many other important engagements, and in one of these his musket was shot in two, after which he picked up a fallen com- rade's gun, which he. used, and which is now in possession of his grandson, who re- sides at Elberon, New Jersey. Unto Frank and Maria Skidmore were born three children : Mrs. Edna H. Senn, Anna L. and Amy F. The first named is the wife of O. R. Senn, who holds a good position in the service of the United States Express Company.
. This in brief is the history of Abraham Skidmore, one of the oldest residents of Lakewood. Few, if any, of her citizens so advanced in years can claim to have spent their entire lives here, and certainly none receive to a greater degree the respect and confidence of their fellow townsmen, or more deserve this regard than Abraham Skidmore, who in the evening of life can look back over a well spent past and forward to the future without fear.
WILLIAM YETMAN.
Among the highly esteemed and loyal citizens of Monmouth county, now living retired from activity in his comfortable home in Englishtown, New Jersey, is William Yetman, a brave soldier of the Civil war and later a successful farmer.
The birth of Mr. Yetman was in Marlboro township, in Monmouth county, on May 21, 1833, and he was a son of Enoch and Hannah Yetman, both of whom were born in Marlboro township, where the father died in 1861, and the mother in 1871.
Brought up on a farm and educated in the district schools, William Yetman was preparing to settle down in this locality as a farmer, but the breaking out of the Civil war awakened his loyalty to his country, and he enrolled himself among her defenders on August 12, 1861, enlisting in Company K, Fifth New Jersey Volunteers, this regiment being first placed in the Third Brigade, Hooker's Division, but in 1863 it was in the Third Brigade, Second Division, Third Corps. Mr. Yet- man was with his company in all of the serious engagements through 1861 and 1862, including the seven days' battle about Richmond. . On May 3, 1863, he. was badly wounded at the battle of Chancellorville, Virginia, by the ball from a gun passing through his body, from the left side under his brea t and lodging in his right side. Mr. Yetman suffered very much with this wound, fom which he has never fully recovered. During the days of the Civil war the hospital appliances were crude, and many of the physicians and surgeons were entirely unaccu tomed to
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their work, so that when we read that our subject first was for a season in the field hos- pital, then was sent to the hospital in Washington city, and still later transferred to the one in Newark, New Jersey, we only wonder that he survived to again see the old home.
After finally recovering Mr. Yetman gradually returned to his farm work and continued in it as long as he was actively engaged, retiring at last with ample means, and he now lives in comfort in his pleasant home in Englishtown. In 1871 Mr. Yetman was united in marriage to Miss Mary Anne Smith, in Staten Island, who was a native of Manalapan township and was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Levi Smith, who now reside on a farm in Marlboro township. The children born to this marriage numbered three, viz .: William A., born in 1873, living at Janesburg, New Jersey ; Bertha, the wife of Joseph Mount, living at Janesburg; and Ida E., a young lady at home.
Mr. Yetman is socially connected with Janesburg Post, G. A. R., and both he and family belong to the Methodist church in Englishtown, where he is known as one of its most liberal supporters and consistent members.
JOHN YETMAN.
ยท John Yetman, an honored veteran of the Civil war and a well known and reliable business man of Manalapan, where he is closely associated with the building interests. is 'a native of Monmouth county, his birth having occurred in Millstone township, on the 17th of August, 1839. His father is William Yetman. John Yetman pursued his education in the district schools of his neighborhood and spent his boyhood and youth not unlike most boys of the period, his time being devoted to play and work and to the duties of the schoolroom. After putting aside his text books he learned the carpenter's trade, serving an apprenticeship to Mr. McDermott, of Freehold. He applied himself closely to his tasks and soon became an expert workman. In 1856 he' assisted in the erection of the present Presbyterian church at Manalapan, and continued to engage in carpentering until after the inauguration of the Civil war.
His patriotic spirit aroused by the call of the President for troops to aid in crush- ing out the rebellion, Mr. Yetman joined the army in August, 1862, becoming a mem- ber of Company A, Fourteenth New Jersey Volunteer Infantry. He was with his regiment in all of the battles in which it participated in 1863, and in the campaign of 1864 was with the Sixth Army Corps until the Ist of June, when he was taken prisoner at Cold Harbor, Virginia. He was then confined in various southern prisons, mostly at Andersonville, until paroled on the Ist of April, 1865, near Vicksburg, Mississippi. From there he was sent to St. Louis and afterward to Annapolis, Mary- land, where he remained until after the close of the war, when he was mustered out of the service at Trenton, New Jersey. He was a faithful soldier, always found at his post of duty, whether it was on the picket line or the firing line.
Since his return from the war Mr. Yetman has continuously followed carpenter- ing, and on many sides are seen evidences of his handiwork in the substantial struc- tures of his town and county. He is a man of unflagging industry, and the success he has achieved is attributable entirely to his own efforts.
In 1861 Mr. Yetman was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Potter, at Manalapan, New Jersey, and their children are Elijah, Mary, Robert P., Charles A., John H., James E., Carrie B. and Stephen P. Mr. Yetman and his family are members of the Presbyterian church at Manalapan, and prior to the Civil war he belonged to the old
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Tennent church. Socially he is connected with Conover Post, No. 63, G. A. R., at Freehold, and he is as true to-day to his duties of citizenship as when he followed the old flag upon southern battlefields in defense of the Union.
LEWIS DUDLEY JONES.
The family of Jones, of which Lewis D. Jones, of Red Bank, Monmouth county, New Jersey, is a conspicuous representative, is an old one in Wales. Evan Jones, father of Lewis D. Jones, was born at Cardiganshire, Wales, in 1800 and in 1832 emigrated to America. Two years later he returned to his native land and there married Eleanor Dudley. After his marriage he came with his wife, his father and one of his brothers, to Jersey City. New Jersey, where he learned the mason's trade and acquired a practical knowledge of building. Eventually he became one of the leading builders of Jersey City, carrying on extensive operations and employ- ing at times as many as one hundred workmen. Among other prominent buildings in Jersey City, he erected the first city hall there, which was a monument to his skill and enterprise. He was a master mechanic of rare skill, and a business man who had the ability to handle large enterprises, and in a comparatively short time he acquired a considerable fortune. He was a strong anti-slavery man and helped to invent and promote means by which Union soldiers were liberated from Confederate prisons during the Civil war. His sympathies were ever with the opp essed and he never lost an opportunity to perform a work of philanthropy. His beautiful home was widely known for its generous hospitality, and Mr. Jones was often referred to as "a princely entertainer." Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, the Hon. Wendell Phillips, Governor Tilden, Frederick Douglass and other distinguished men of their time were frequently his guests. In 1863, during the historic draft riots in New York, Mr. Jones and his family were threatened with destruction at the hands of the mob and were obliged to move from the city at a few 'hours' not'ce. Mr. Jones remained in the city, however, for some time longer than safety dictated and then joined his family at Plainfield, New Jersey, where they had preceded him. It was through the efforts of Mr. Jones that the Hon. Job Male, mayor of Jersey City, was induced to remove to Plainfield. At that time Mr. Jones was worth at least half a million dollars and was the owner of real estate to a large amount not included in that estimate. A close student of men and books, he acquired for his own use and for the benefit of those with whom he associated an admirable fund of general knowledge. A Baptist in faith, he was not a member of a close communion body, yet that was the church of his choice and he contributed to it many sums of various amounts, ag- gregating many thousands of dollars. Of the Baptist organization with which he affiliated, he was the mainstay in influence and in financial strength, and for years taught a large class in its Sunday-school. A lover of knowledge, he was deeply interested in public education and was for a number of years a trustee of Plainfield Seminary. Taking much interest in the education of colored child-en, he was influ- ential in elevating them to a higher plane of life, and he educated a Japanese, who returned to his native country to diffuse among the people of the Flowery Kingdom the intellectual light which had come to him throught Mr. Jones' generosity. Mr. Jones avoided practical politics as much as possible, but most ably served the city two terms in the common council. He was twice married; his first wife was Eleanor Dudley, who bore him four sons and four daughters, only two of whom, David and Lewis D. Jones, are now living. His second wife was Miss Emma Ketcham, of Brooklyn, New York, who bore him three children. He died in February, 1899.
Lerin D. Jones. Jones.
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Lewis D. Jones was born in Jersey City, in 1845, and acquired his primary edu- cation in the public schools of that city. His subsequent studies were prosecuted at boarding schools in New York and Connecticut. His first business venture was as junior member of the dry goods firm of Monday & Jones. After a few years he sold his interest to his partner and joined his father in the erection of the Park House at Plainfield, New Jersey, a large hotel which cost seventy-five thousand dollars. After three years partnership with his father he entered into his present business at Mata- wan, New Jersey, where he remained five years. In 1886 he removed his enterprise to the vicinity of Red Bank, where he purchased his present farm and established his home. He is the proprietor of an extensive manufactory of fertilizers and manufac- tures soap and various chemicals as a side line. His factory has a capacity of fifty tons of fertilizer per week and the output of his soap factory is six hundred boxes per year. His farm consists of one hundred and fifty acres and is equipped with every appliance necessary to successful cultivation. He is regarded as among the prominent business men of Red Bank, his standing in financial and commercial circles is deservedly high, and his personal qualities are such as to commend him to the good opinion of all who know hm.
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