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 48
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The last named was born in Cranbury, New Jersey, January 6, 1841, and he was educated in the common schools and in the academy at Cranbury, and after complet- ing his literary course he learned the trade of carpentering, following that occupation
Robert - Mason
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as a journeyman for about two years after he had completed his apprenticeship. When he had arrived at man's estate he offered his services to the government, for the country was then engaged in civil war. It was on the 23rd of August, 1862, that he enlisted in Company F, Twenty-second New Jersey Regiment, of which he became a corporal. He served for ten months, during which time he participated in the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, and on the 17th of June, 1863, he was discharged and mustered out at Trenton, New Jersey, whence he returned to his home in Cranbury. Through the following five years he taught school, and then locating on his father's farm, he engaged in its cultivation until March 23, 1892, when he re- moved to South Amboy, where he has since devoted his energies to carpentering and boat building. His business interests have always been carried forward in an ener- getic, determined manner, and his enterprise and resolution have led to prosperity. At the present time he is a local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Mason was married in Windsor, Mercer county, New Jersey, December 10, 1860, to Mary Stratton, a daughter of Elias and Eleanor Stratton." She was born at Pemberton, Burlington county, this state, and by her marriage has become the mother of six children : John A., a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, residing at Camden, New Jersey; Addison H., also a Methodist minister, now stationed at Genessee, New York; Elias S., a fireman on the Pennsylvania railroad; Anna, the wife of John Perkins; Nellie, at home; and Charles T., a stenographer in the office of the superintendent of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, at Jersey City. The family are all consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church and their. upright lives commend them to the confidence, respect and friendship of all with whom they come in contact.
Mr. Mason also belongs to General William Truax Post, No. 118, G. A. R., and belongs to Windsor Lodge, No. 59, I. O. O. F., of Hightstown, New Jersey. In politics he is a Republican and has served on the township committee, but has never been an office seeker, although he is now holding the office of justice of the peace, to which he was appointed in May, 1876. He has proved a competent officer, whose "even-handed justice" has "won golden opinions" from all sorts of people. This is but in harmony with his entire career, which is one over which there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil.
ROBERT STEPHEN SEELEY.
The worthy subject of our sketch, Robert S. Seeley, of Raritan township, Keans- burg postoffice, is a large grower of vegetables and fruit. In addition to the cultiva- tion of his land Mr. Seeley is greatly interested in the fishery business, in which he has an extensive trade, selling the product of his labor to near-by markets. Mr. Seeley is a man who believes in keeping busy at all seasons of the year. If one line of operations has its dull periods he hesitates not at all, but engages in another ; this it is that during the winter he transacts a paying business in evergreen trees and shrubs for decorative purposes and Christmas celebrations. He ships great quantities of these holiday necessities from Vermont to New York City and other markets.
Mr. Seeley was born in Keansburg, New Jersey, on March 8, 1833, the son of Robert S. and Susan (Wilson) Seeley. His father was a soldier in the war of 1812, serving under Captain Daniel Hendrickson. The Seeleys are of Holland Dutch extraction and have lived in this country for several generations.
Mr. Seeley was married January 3, 1855, to Miss Sarah L: Young, of New York City, who was born May II, 1836, of English parents ; she was a daughter of Edmond
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and Sarah (Tilford) Young, both natives of England. Mr. and Mrs. Seeley had eight children, four sons and four daughters, as follows: Anna E., widow of Charles M. Compton ; Robert Stephen, a fisherman of Raritan township; Viola, wife of Frank Osborn, a civil engineer of Middletown; Susan, wife of Thomas N. Aumack, Jr., a farmer in Raritan ; Mary, wife of William Chadwick, a druggist of Keyport; Francis, a fisherman; James, engaged in the carpentering trade; Harry, a farmer living at Chapel Hill.
Mr. and Mrs. Seeley are blessed not only with their own eight children, but are surrounded with twelve grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren, and they view with complacence the fine families of which they are the progenitors.
Our subject is a Republican in politics, but has never taken an active part in party affairs. His wife is a cheerful, sprightly woman, an excellent neighbor and stanch friend.
JOHN McCLEES.
John McClees, who enjoys the distinction of being one of the most enterprising and succesful farmers of Middletown township, was born on the farm on which he now resides, on the 23rd of December, 1847. He is a grandson of John and Ann McClees, who were of Scotch descent, and were worthy and honored residents of their locality, their memory being still cherished by their descendants. The parents of our subject were Peter and Sarah (Brown) McClees. He received his education in the district schools of his native township, and by studious habits prepared himself for his chosen vocation in life, that of a farmer and oyster planter. For the past twenty-five years he has been engaged in the oyster business, which has brought to him very gratifying returns. He also has a fine farm of one hundred and thirty acres of productive land, devoted principally to general farming, and in both branches of his business he is meeting with a high and well-merited degree of success. In addi- tion to his extensive and varied business interests he has also found time to devote to the public welfare, and for eight years he filled the office of township commissioner with efficiency and ability.
On the 14th of December, 1870, Mr. McClees was united in marriage with Miss Elvira Burdge, a native of Leonardsville, New Jersey, and a daughter of Edward Burdge. Unto this union has been born one son, Herbert C. Mr. McClees is influ- ential in all village, town and county matters, and there is no citizen who commands more unreservedly than he the respect of the community.
THOMAS NOBLE. 1
Thomas Noble, the genial proprietor of the Fennimore Hotel, Asbury Park, New Jersey, was born in County Londonderry, North of Ireland, August 10, 1844. When he attained the age of twenty-two years he emigrated to this country and was engaged for a time as clerk in the wholesale dry goods house of Botos, Read & Cooley, New York City; subsequently he was placed in charge of the black goods department of the well known house of Lord & Taylor, also of New York City. He remained with this house for some time and then for two and one-half years he was engaged in the dry goods trade on Twenty-third street, New York, but not meeting with the success he anticipated in this enterprise he removed to Asbury Park. Mr. Noble had pur-
Fourmillees
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chased some property in Ocean Grove in 1873, and he erected a cottage there, in which he resided until he built the Fennimore Hotel, which he rented at first, but later he decided to conduct it himself. From time to time he has built additions to it, until now it is twice its former size, and is capable of accommodating two hundred guests; it is open from April to October. In 1901 Mr. Noble remodeled the house, adding at the same time a front of colonial architecture, which makes a very attractive and imposing appearance. The house is delightfully situated one and one-half blocks from the ocean, has wide, inviting piazzas, and all modern improvements, consisting of gas throughout the house, running water on every floor, and hot and cold water baths. There is also a fine lawn for tennis, croquet, etc., a spacious amusement hall, and first-class music is furnished daily for the entertainment of the guests. Special atten- tion is also paid to the culinary department, and in fact every thing that can possibly add to the comfort and pleasure of the guests is attended to.
Mr. Noble was united in marriage to Miss Isabella Guy, daughter of George Guy, of New York City, and one daughter has been born to them, Martha Isabella Noble.
G. C. McDOWELL.
For almost thirty years G. C. McDowell has resided in Marlboro township, Mon- mouth county, upon the farm which is now his home, and is accounted one of the leading and enterprising agriculturists of the community. He owns and cultivates one hunared and fifty-four acres of land, which has been acquired through his own efforts, his success resulting from industry and capable management.
Mr. McDowell has always resided in Monmouth county, his birth having occurred in Manalapan township, on the 18th of August, 1845. The family is of Scotch lineage, as the name suggests, the first ancestors in America having come from Scotland in the early part of the seventeen century, a settlement being made in Middlesex county, New Jersey, where representatives of the family carried on agricultural pursuits for many years. James McDowell, a native of that county and the great-grandfather of our sub- ject, was one of the valiant soldiers of the Revolutionary war and fought under General Washington in the battle of Monmouth. His son, John McDowell, Jr., the grand- father of our subject, was born in Middlesex county and was a veteran of the war of 1812. He made farming his life work, thus following in the footsteps of his ancestors. John I. McDowell, the father of our subject, was born in 1810 and in early life learned the carriage-making trade, which he made the means of providing for the support of himself and family. He passed away in 1870, at the age of sixty years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Emma J. Crawford, was, like her hus- band, a native of Middlesex county, her birth occurring in 1815, her death in 1895. She was a descendant of the Crawford who came from Scotland in the seventeenth century and located in Middlesex county. Her great-grandfather, William Crawford, was high sheriff of Middlesex county under King George II. He died March 2, 1760, at the age of fifty-five years and was laid to rest in the old Scotch burial ground in Marlboro township. His son, Gideon Crawford, the grandfather of Mrs. McDowell, was a soldier with Washington's troops at the battle of Monmouth and loyally aided in the struggle for independence. The old Scotch burial ground is located across the road to the north from the farm owned by our subject. A monument was erected there in 1894 to commemorate the location of the first Scotch church in Monmouth county, December 29, 1706. The granite stones in the monument were cut and im- ported from Ireland and Scotland.
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Thus in a neighborhood historical is located the home of G. C. McDowell. The scene viewed from his house is one which was familiar to the sturdy and brave pioneers who faced the dangers of the wilderness and aided in laying the founda- tion for this great republic, cementing this structure with the blood shed upon the battlefield of Monmouth and other important engagements. His ancestors were among those who thus strove for liberty and the same spirit is manifest in their descendant, G. C. McDowell, who is one of the progressive and public-spirited citizens of the county. He pursued his education in the district schools, and when a young man he began earning his living by working as a farm hand in Manalapan township. In 1870 he became connected with the farming interests of Marlboro township, and in 1872 he purchased the farm upon which he now resides. Since that time he has continuously engaged in the cultivation and improvement of his land and he now - owns two adjoining farms, which are among the best in the township. His well tilled fields and splendidly developed properties bring to him a good return for his labor.
On the 27th of November, 1867, Mr. McDowell was married to Miss Sarah Van Kirk, the wedding being celebrated in the old Brick church in Marlboro township, it being the first wedding performed in the church. Their children are: Mary Emma, Hulda, Laura C., Frank and Raymond. The second daughter is now the wife of O. J. Walker. Mr. McDowell and his family are all members of the old Brick church, and in politics he is an earnest Democrat. For five years he held the office of chosen freeholder in his township, is now one of the township committee and is also a mem- ber of the board of education of his district. The schools find in him a warm friend and he is deeply interested in everything pertaining to the welfare of the community and its progress along social, material, intellectual and moral lines.
HENRY CLAY McLEAN.
Henry C. McLean, one of the prominent young farmers of Middletown town- ship, now resides on a farm of two hundred acres of choice land, where he makes specialties of horticulture and stock breeding. His paternal great-grandfather, Jacob McLean, was a native of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and during the Revolutionary war owned a farm and conducted a ferry on the Delaware river. He was closely associated with the fierce struggle of the colonies for independence and proved a gallant soldier at the battle of Germantown. He married Martha Burdge and their children were Moses, David, Solomon, Jonathan, and Martha. Jonathan McLean, the grandfather of the immediate subject of this review, was also a native of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and removed with his parents to Monmouth county, New Jersey, the family locating on the Shrewsbury river, where his useful but eventful life was chiefly passed. He married Eleanor, a daughter of Benjamin Burdge, and their children were Jacob, William, Theresa, Sidney, Warren, Eleanor, Benjamin B., and Susan.
Sidney McLean, the father of him whose name introduces this review, was born on the 27th of September, 1820, in Middletown township, Monmouth county, New Jersey, and here he spent his youth under the parental roof. He eventually became a part owner of his father's farm, remaining thereon until 1866, the date of the family's removal to the beautiful home now the property of his son, Henry C. McLean. Sidney McLean was married on the IIth of March, 1858, the lady of his choice being Miss Anne Smith, and they became the parents of the following children: Ella F., de- ceased ; Joseph S., deceased; Sidney A., deceased ; Caroline S .; Anna L .; and Henry C. McLean. Although successful to a marked degree in his farming operations, the.
F
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father made horticulture a study and devoted much of his valuable time to the raising of choice varieties of fruits. He was also one of the o.iginators of the Fair View cemetery, of which he served as a trustee, and was a director of the Middletown. Turnpike Company; while of the Red Bank Baptist church he was an active and zealous member, in which he also held the office of trustee for many years. He was a man of modest bearing, domestic in his tastes, his greatest pleasure being found within the circle of his own home. His death took place on the 2nd of July, 1874.
·
Henry C. McLean, the immediate subject of this sketch, was born January 5,. 1868. He was reared and prepared for college in his native county of Monmouth, and. as a further preparation to that end attended South Jersey Institute. He subsequently attended Colgate University. June 2, 1897, he was united in marriage with Miss. Lydia, a daughter of Jacob Miller Hager, of German Valley, New Jersey, and two. children have graced this union, Mary E. and Sidney H. McLean. The family is. one of prominence in their locality, and in the agricultural circles of Middletown township Mr. McLean occupies a commanding position.
JOHN L. ARMSTRONG.
"Agriculture is the noblest of all alchemy," says Chatfield, "for it turns earth and even refuse into gold, conferring upon its cultivator the additional reward of health." This oldest of human vocations and noblest of them all has been honored by the successful career of the subject of this sketch. He was born in Atlantic township, Monmouth county, New Jersey, December 4, 1866, a son of John H. and Elizabeth (Heyer) Armstrong. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, was born in Freehold township, New Jersey, in 1830, and the mother is a native of the same township. He now makes his home with his daughter, Mrs. Ella Hance, in Belmar, · Monmouth county. The paternal grandfather of our subject was a native of Freehold township, Monmouth county, born in 1805, and his death occurred in 1876. He was. also a life-long farmer. His father came from Ireland to this county when a young man, here following agricultural pursuits. An uncle of our subject, Johnson Arm- strong, was a member of Company A, Fourteenth New Jersey Volunteer Infantry, during the Civil war, and was killed at the battle of Monocacy, July 6, 1864. His. brother, John H., found his body on the battlefield and brought it home, and it now lies buried in the Baptist cemetery at Freehold, New Jersey. Unto John H. and Elizabeth Armstrong, the parents of John L., were born seven children, namely : Henry E., a prominent farmer of Holmdel township; Ella, the wife of Henry C. Hance, of Belmar; Aaron A., a farmer of Shrewsbury township; Judson, Elizabeth and Lily, all residents of Freehold.
John L. Armstrong, the subject of this review, pursued the branches of learning taught in the common schools of his locality during his youth. Since early life he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits, and in 1895 he purchased the farm on which he now resides, consisting of one hundred and twenty acres of valuable land in Marlboro township, where he is engaged in general farming. He has been eminently successful in his chosen vocation, and is now numbered among the leading and representative farmers of the county. On the 12th of January, 1887, Mr. Armstrong was united in marriage with Miss Hannah Campbell, and their children are Howard, who was born May 26, 1891, and Mary, born August 30, 1895. The family are members of the Freehold Baptist church. Since 1886 our subject has been a mem- ber of the Knights of Pythias fraternity of Freehold, and he now holds membership.
22
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relation with the uniformed rank of the same order. He is honorable in his business dealings, loyal in citizenship, faithful in friendship, and his fidelity to duty in all rela- tions of-life has gained him the respect and good will of all who know him.
GARRET S. VANDERVEER.
One of the highly esteemed and substantial residents of Freehold, New Jersey, is Garret S. Vanderveer, who for the past seven years has lived retired from activity, after a life spent in agricultural pursuits. The birth of Mr. Vanderveer was on March 20, . 1838, in Freehold township, and he was a son of a highly respected and successful farmer, John Henry Vanderveer, who owned large estates, and whose full ancestry is given in another part of this volume.
The education of Garret S. Vanderveer was obtained in the district schools of his township and, after finishing his schooling, Mr. Vanderveer began farming and has successfully followed that occupation. On December 18, 1862, he was united in marriage to Miss Maria L. Ross, and the children of this union are as follows: William B., born on April 3, 1864, married Jessie Buckalew in 1884, and resides on his farm in Howell township; Anna M., born on March 27, 1867; Charles E., born on June 26, 1871, married Ethel B. Irons in 1892 and resides at Newark, New Jersey ; Jennie R., born on May 7, 1873, died on May 17, 1877; Elizabeth, born on February 7, 1877, married Harry L. Jewell on May 16, 1897, and they reside at West Freehold ; Anna M. married John B. Jones on October 4, 1900, and they reside at Atlantic City, New Jersey; Letta C., born on April 26, 1881; and Minnie R., born on May 4, 1884.
Andrew Ross, the father of Mrs. Vanderveer, was a native of Ireland, who came to America when a young man of twenty years. Here he married Anna M. Case and carried on a business as builder and carpenter in Freehold, New Jersey, for many years. His death occurred in 1891, his wife surviving until the next year. The one son of the family, William B. Ross, gave up his young life for his country, being . killed at the battle of Cedar Creek, during the Civil war, a member of the Fourteenth New Jersey Volunteers.
The Vanderveer family is one of the oldest and most prominent in the county, and our subject worthily represents it.
JAMES W. CHRISTIE.
James W. Christie, who is engaged in the undertaking business in Englishtown, was born September 27, 1835, in New York City. His father, James Christie, was also a native of the same locality. The family is of Scotch lineage, the grandfather, James Christie, being the founder of his race in the new world.
A district school education and careful home training equipped James W. Christie for the practical duties of a business career. Before the Civil war he fol- lowed farming and also carried on the blacksmith business in Englishtown, but at the time of the trouble between the north and the south he put aside all personal con- siderations and not until after the establishment of peace did he resume his business in this place. For many years, however, he has now uninterruptedly conducted an undertaking establishment, which is first class in every particular and therefore receives a liberal patronage.
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HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY. COAST.
Among the boys in blue of Company H, Thirty-fifth New Jersey Infantry, Mr. Christie went to the front, enlisting at Freehold, this state, September 21, 1863 .- His regiment was first attached to Casey's brigade, in the defense of Washington, was afterward with the First Brigade, Second Division, Sixteenth Corps; then with: the Second Brigade, Fourth Division, Sixteenth Corps. The Thirty-fifth New Jersey participated in the battle at Meridian, Mississippi, February 10-11, 1364; Resaca, Georgia, May 14-15; New Hope Church, May 25; Dallas, May 26; Big Shanty, June 14-15; Kenesaw Mountain, June 16; Decatur, July 22; siege of Atlanta, from the 27th of July to the Ist of September; and in all these movements bore itself with signal bravery.
With an honorable military record Mr. Christie returned to his home and family .. He had been married in Englishtown, New Jersey, April 6, 1856, to Miss Hannah Emmons, a native of Manalapan township, Monmouth county, and of this union eight children have been born: George W., who was born June 9, 1859, died Jan- uary 21, 1862 : Elmer E., born May 6, 1861; David E., born February 23, 1863; Will- iam L., born. February 9, 1866; James W., born April 5, 1869; Jennie, who was born June 23, 1872, and died January 22, 1874; Kate L., born March 22, 1876; and Charles F., born August 4, 1881.
The family have a pleasant home in Englishtown and the best people of the city extend to them cordial hospitality. They hold membership in the Presbyterian church. He belongs to the Odd Fellows lodge of Jamesburg, New Jersey; Conover Post, No. 63, G. A. R., of Freehold; and the. Knights of Pythia's lodge of Englishtown; and he has filled all the offices in the various organizations-a fact which indicates his high standing among the brethren, who entertain for him warm regard on account of his genial manner, unfailing courtesy and many good qualities of heart and mind.
LOUIS KAHLE.
Louis Kahle, veteran of the noted Sixty-eighth New York Volunteers, was born in Frielingen, Neustadt on the Rhine, Hanover, Germany, May 28, 1834. His father, Garrett Henry Kahle, died at his Hanoverian home in 1862, his mother having died there in 1858.
Upon invitation of his brother, who had preceded him, Louis Kahle was induced to leave Germany for America, arriving in 1859 and settling first at Marlboro, and afterward at Matawan, Monmouth county, until the outbreak of the Civil war. The war spirit was strong in Monmouth county, and catching the contagion he enlisted August 24, 1861, for three years, in Company E, Sixty-eighth New York Volunteers, under the command of Colonel Robert J. Bœche, the regiment forming a part of the Third Brigade, Third Division, Eleventh Corps, of the army of the Potomac.
He participated in the hard fighting of this division of the army at the battles in 1862, of Warrenton Juncton, Cross Keys, White House Ford; in General Pope's campaign in August and September; the battle of Waterloo Bridge, Virginia, May 24-25; Georgetown, August 29; Bull Run, August 30. In 1863 he participated in the battles of Chancellorsville, and of Gettysburg, where he was wounded in the knee, from which he still suffers acutely.
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