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 52
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L.G. Daten
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HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.
The marriage of Mr. Potter was in Woodbridge, New Jersey, to Miss Anna M. Dally, who was a daughter of Samuel and Deborah Dally, and their children are as follows : Esther, deceased ; Alice, who died in infancy ; Anna M., deceased; Mina D., the wife of F. F. Anness; Samuel E .; Louis E. ; Elizabeth, the wife of James Living- good; and John D.
Mr. Potter for many years has been one of the leading and substantial members of the Methodist church, where both he and family are attendants and in which he holds the responsible position of president of the board of trustees. He is a man of excellent business and executive ability, is public-spirited and has always adhered to a high standard of living, both in public and in private life, and enjoys the un- feigned esteem and respect of all who know him.
ABRAM OSBORN.
Abram Osborn, one of the most respected and honored residents of Monmouth county, was born on the old home farm near Manasquan, on the 17th of October, 1838, a son of Forman and Elizabeth (Bailey) Osborn. The family is of English descent, and the family history is traced back to Colonel Abraham Osborn, the grand- father of our subject. He was a colonel of militia during the war of the Revolu- tion, and was a brother-in-law of Colonel Sam Allen, mention of whom is made in the sketch of Franklin Osborn. Colonel Osborn was a wealthy land owner, own- ing several thousand acres extending from Squan river to Allairc, in Wall township, Monmouth county, and a part of this old home place is now owned by the heirs of the late Charles Osborn. His wife bore the maiden name of Jane Forman. Their son, Forman Osborn, was born in 1806, on Squan river. He was a prominent and well known man of his day. When a young man he came to what is now Spring Lake and purchased a tract of about three hundred acres of land, on which he resided during the greater part of his life, but in 1875 he sold the property to the Spring Lake Land Company for eighty thousand dollars. When only eighteen years of age he was an officer on a sea vessel, having followed the water for many years during his early life. For generations the family have been members of the Presbyterian church.
Abram Osborn, whose name introduces this review, received his education in the schools of what is now known as Spring Lake, to which place his father liad removed about 1839, and there he was reared to farm pursuits. When twenty-four years of age he enlisted for service in the Civil war, in 1862 becoming a member of Com- pany K; Twenty-ninth New Jersey Volunteer Infantry, in which he served as a non-commissioned officer. He took part in many of the hard-fought battles of the war, including those of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. He now draws a small pension from the government in compensation for his army service, and he still retains pleasant relations with his old comrades of the blue by his membership in the Grand Army of the Republic. In 1868 Mr. Osborn purchased the fine farm on which he now resides, and in addition to its cultivation he has also been extensively engaged in the lumber business, conducting a large sawmill, and in that undertaking success has abundantly rewarded his efforts. In the cvening of life he is now sur- rounded by all of the comforts and many of the luxuries which wealth can procure, but all that he possesses has come to him as the result of unremitting labor and honorable business methods.
On the 23d of March, 1864. Mr. Osborn was united in marriage with Miss Kate
1
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HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.
Rogers, a daughter of Captain Cornelius Rogers, for many years a sea captain sailing to South America and the West Indies. Unto this union have been born three chil- dren,-Addison F., of Brooklyn, New York; May, the wife of Howard Remsen, of Manasquan ; and Florence, at home. Mr. Osborn gives his political support to the Democracy, but has never taken an active interest in party affairs. Socially he is a genial and companionable gentleman and is much respected by all who have had the pleasure of his acquaintance.
SPAFFORD W. REED.
Among those who have hewn out their own fortunes and by their energy, indus- try and perseverance have placed themselves well on the high road to success, the name of Spafford W. Reed, of Monroe township, is deserving of a conspicuous place. Mr. Reed was born near Red Tavern, Middlesex county, New Jersey, on September 27, 1837, the son of William Reed and Sarah Dey. His father, William Reed, was a practical farmer, who followed as well his trade of wheelwright, of which he possessed a thorough knowledge. Our subject's early mental training was acquired in the schools of his native town, which amply fitted him for his life as a practical farmer ; agriculture always appealed to young Reed as a desirable occupation, and forty years of his life were spent in threshing, during its season, for the farmers of the sur rounding country. He employed for this purpose none but modern machinery, and consequently gave his patrons the best possible satisfaction. Besides his practical knowledge of farming Mr. Reed is a thoroughly capable of taking care of and operat- ing his own machinery. For many years he followed farming in the interests of others on shares or otherwise, but he finally became convinced that the most profit- able results could be obtained only from land owned and tilled by himself; he there- fore purchased the property which for six years he had lived upon and cultivated under lease. This farm is located in Monroe township, Middlesex county, and contains ninety-two acres of valuable farm land devoted to the general cultivation of farm products.
Mr. Reed comes from a substantial and patriotic stock. His maternal grand- father, James T. Dey, was a soldier in the war of 1812; for meritorious conduct and . the invaluable services rendered his country during this war, he was granted a pension during the term of his natural life. When the Civil war broke out, it did not take long to stir the good old fighting blood in young Reed, and he forthwith joined Company C, Twenty-ninth Regiment, New Jersey Volunteer Infantry, in the hope of aiding his country to preserve the Union. He fought well and valiantly in this righteous cause, participating in some of the fiercest battles of the war, among them being the historically familiar battle of Chancellorsville. At the expiration of his term of service he received his honorable discharge.
The high estimate in which our subject is held by his fellow citizens is attested by the public offices with which he had been honored, notable among them being that of overseer of roads, which office he has most acceptably filled.
In 1861 Mr. Reed was joined in marriage to Miss Susan B., daughter of Isaac and Eliza Kerr, of Englishtown, New Jersey. To them were born the following children, viz .: Jane, on April 13, 1865; Sallie (deceased), April 26, 1868; Willard, November 5, 1870; Bell, June 28, 1873: Ada, September II, 1875; Lizzie, April 26, 1878; Mabel, October II, 1881; Howard, February 26. 1884; Spafford W., Jr., July 10, 1889. Miss Mabel Reed is an accomplished teacher in one of the schools of her
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HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST. ·
own township. Jane is the wife of Amason Applegate, a worthy farmer. Ada mar- ried William Peterson, also a farmer.
Mrs Susan B. (Kerr) Reed, the mother of this interesting family, was born near Englishtown, New Jersey, April 19, 1846. Her grandfather. Joseph Kerr, partici- pated as a soldier in the war of 1812. She had two brothers, Isaac N. and William H., who served during the Civil war as musicians; they were captured and held as prisoners of war.
The Reeds well merit the respect in which they are held in their community.
A. T. PURCHASE.
"A man's life is what he makes it" has been reiterated from time immemorial and it would indeed seem that this maxim deserves credence, since out of so many humble beginnings men have shaped for themselves lives of usefulness and gained no small measure of success. In the case of our subject, A. T. Purchase. of Asbury Park, New Jersey, who was born on the southern coast of England in November. 1870, the son of Thomas and Alice (Green) Purchase, we have an example of what energy and perseverance will accomplish for a man. In 1886. at the early age of six- teen years, after acquiring a public school education in England. his ambitions led him to emigrate to this country. His first employment was as clerk in butcher business in the city of Brooklyn, New York; later he followed the same line in New York City. Subsequently he spent one year in Kansas and at other western points. follow- ing the same line of business. He had early absorbed the idea that "A rolling stone gathers no moss," and he applied himself diligently to the complete mastery of every detail of the business in which he had first engaged. On March 27. 1896, Mr. Pur- chase took up his residence in Asbury Park, and in May of the same year established his present business on Bangs avenue, where he has a flourishing trade. Mr. Pur- chase's father died in England in 1887. His mother, who still survives. resides with her son in Asbury Park.
In April, 1900, he was united in marriage to Miss Bertha. daughter of Louis Holler, of Jersey City, New Jersey : they have one child.
Politically Mr. Purchase is interested in the Republican party. Fraternally he is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men and Grand Fraternity.
GEORGE C. LOW.
George C. Low, a prominent member of the Ocean county bar. comes of Scotch and English stock, and traces his ancestry to the year 1790, when his paternal grand- father, William Low, a native of Dundee, Scotland, emigrated to the United States, and settled in Monmouth county. New Jersey. By trade he was a cabinet maker. William Low, his son and the father of George C. Low, became a merchant and conducted business at Cedar Creek. subsequently acting in the capacity of cashier for the First National Bank of Toms River, New Jersey. He married Sarah Rogers, and of their union were born two sons, Henry A. and George C. Low. Mr. Low was a member of the Presbyterian church, and he was also a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity. He was a man of high character. and enjoyed the confidence and esteem of all in his community. His death occurred March 5, 1896.
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HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.
George C. Low was born at Cedar Creek, Ocean county, New Jersey, in the year 1858. He acquired his preliminary education in the public schools of Cedar Creek and Toms River, and took an academic course in the Freehold Institute. He entered Princeton College in 1874, and after one year's study there, in 1875, he took up the study of law under the preceptorship of Judge Martin of Toms River, remaining with him for four years. In February, 1880, he was admitted to the bar, but did not at once enter upon the practice of his profession. He was in the employ of the Penn- sylvania Railroad Company as a member of the engineer corps, and was subsequently in the employ of the New Jersey Central Railroad Company.
In 1892 he entered upon law practice in Toms River; in the same year he was elected, as a Democrat, to the office of justice of the peace, and in 1897 and 1902 was re-elected. Mr. Low's popularity in the community in which he resides is well attested by the fact that his election and re-election were in a district in which the Republican party predominates.
EDWARD HICKS PHILLIPS, M. D.
Since the year 1868 Dr. Phillip's has engaged in the practice of medicine in Cape May, a period of sufficient length to test his ability in various departments of the profession, and that he holds rank among the leading practitioners of the county stands in evidence of his skill. From the beginning his patronage has steadily increased, until he is now the attending physician in many of the best households of Cape May and the surrounding counties, and from his large practice he has derived a good income.
The Doctor was born in Middletown township, at Neshaminy Falls, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, April 7, 1832, and is a son of the late Robert and Naomi (Garrison) Phillips. He is descended from English ancestry, who were connected with the Society of Friends, the family having been founded in America by two brothers, Thomas and John Phillips, who crossed the Atlantic, the former taking up his abode in Solebury township, Bucks county, while the latter became a resident of Mercer county, New Jersey. The Doctor is of the fifth generation from Thomas Phillips. His grandfather, Thomas Phillips, was born in Solebury township, Bucks county, and there operated a grist mill for many years. He was a member of the Hicksite Society of Friends, attending the Solebury meeting. He wedded Elizabeth Eastburn, and to them were born the following children: Moses, Aaron, Thomas, David, Robert, Rachel, Mary, 'Mercy and one son who died in early manhood, being frozen to death while going to his business one morning. The father of these children died in Feb- ruary, 1840, at the age of seventy years, and his wife passed away in 1836, at the age of seventy.
The Doctor's father, Robert Phillips, was born in Solebury township, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, June I, 1797, and with his father learned the miller's trade. He afterward operated a mill in the state of New York, later carried on the same business in Trenton, New Jersey, and subsequently in Lambertsville, New Jersey, where he conducted the Pine Hope Mill. He then began the operation of a mill at Neshaminy Falls, Pennsylvania, and on selling that property removed to Byberry township, Philadelphia county, where he built a mill, which he operated until 1846. He then sold out and started westward. He made his way to Chicago and soon after- ward purchased a farm in the Fox river valley, where he carried on agricultural pursuits until his death. He was a member of the Society of Friends and was a most honorable man. He took quite a prominent part in public affairs in early life, was
EN Chillifes mã.
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HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.
an active advocate of the anti-slavery movement, and in this was associated with the renowned Robert Purvis. He was also a member of the jury which tried Mrs. Chap- man for the murder of her husband at Andalusia, Pennsylvania, about 1835. This was one of the most celebrated cases of early days, in which the purported son of a Spanish don, but probably a common tramp, was convicted; but the woman was acquitted. Mr. Phillips was called to his final rest January 3, 1838, when more than ninety years of age, and his wife passed away January 3, 1892, at the age of seventy- seven years. They were the parents of three sons and three daughters, of whom the Doctor is the eldest. Willet, the second, a farmer of Henry county, Illinois, mar- ried Miss Melinda Balch, and their children were Fred and Annetta. Ma:ia married Isaac Griswold, a carpenter by trade, who served throughout the Civil war and was the chief of the orderlies on Grant's staff at the battle of Vicksburg and later was commissioned captain. After the war he removed to California, but is now a con- tractor and builder of Seattle, Washington. In their family are five children. Har- riet, the third child, was drowned when about two years of age in the mill race run- ning through the yard. Emma, the fifth child of Robert Phillips, was the wife of William Sorter, now deceased; he was a blacksmith and ranch owner of Larkspur, Colorado, and they had one son, Robert. She afterward married A. B. Sears, of Detroit, Michigan, but now of Lansing, Michigan. Howard, a farmer, living on the old family homestead in Henry county, Illinois, is married and has two children, Walter and Robert.
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Dr. Edward Hicks Phillips, whose name introduces this review, acquired his preliminary education in the public schools of Byberry township, Philadelphia county, Pennsylvania, and was later a student in the English Seminary, in Elgin, Illinois. Determining to make the practice of medicine his life work, he studied in the New York Medical College, in which he was graduated in 1858. Ten years later he grad- uated in the Hahnemann Medical College, in Philadelphia, and then located at Cape May, where he has continuously maintained a place as one of the leading representa- tives of the profession in the county. He is a member of the State Homeopathic Medical Society and the West Jersey Medical Society, of which latter he was presi- dent in 1899. He is also a member of the board of health in Cape May, is a member of the Building & Loan Association of this city, and was one of the organizers and secretary of the Staten Island Building & Loan Association.
The Doctor was married on Christmas day of 1859, to Miss Jennie Spinning, a daughter of John Spinning, a cattle broker of Summit, New Jersey, and they had one child, Russell, who was born October 31, 1862, and married Lizzie William, by whom he has four children,-Bert, Helen, Russell and John. He was formerly & photographer, later engaged in the bicycle business in Washington, and is now on the photographic staff of the New York Herald. Mrs. Phillips died December 5, 1865, and the Doctor afterward married Miss Anna Hughs, a daughter of Ellis Hughs, a farmer of Cape May county. They have four children,-Walter, Edward, Albert and William.
Ellis Hughs, the father of Mrs. Phillips, was born July 7, 1793, and died in June, 1862. He was the son of Thomas H. Hughs, who was born in 1769 and died in 1839. He represented the first congressional district of New Jersey in the house of repre- sentatives from 1829 until 1833. He was a prominent member and one of the trustees of the Cold Spring Presbyterian church, and contracted for and rebuilt the present brick church there about the year 1830. He also took an active part in the cause of temperance in that early day. He had five children: Thomas P., Ellis, Ellen, Lydia, and Sarah.
Thomas P. Hughs married Mary Boon, of Salem county, and had one son,
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HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.
Benjamin. Thomas P. represented the county in the house of assembly for one term, and was also the sheriff of the county, serving therein for two terms. His death occurred in 1863. Benjamin, his son, married Mary Wales, a sister of Eli and Edmund L. B. Wales, M. D., the latter being a prominent member of his profession and holding a number of public positions in the county and state.
Ellis Hughs married Sarah Higgins and had two children,-Ellis and Sarah. Ellis married Hester Cran and reared three sons and two daughters. Sarah married the late Dr. Randolph Marshall, and they had five sons and four daughters. Dr. Randolphı, Jr., and Dr. Joseph succeeded to their father's practice at his death. Ben- jamin, the eldest, studied medicine, but preferred another calling and has been in the mercantile business. He represented his township in the board of fresholders for a number of years. Ellis, the youngest son, served for two terms as a member of the legislature. Sarah (Higgins) Hughs, the wife of Ellis Hughs, Sr., died, and he afterward married Nancy Teal, and of this marriage were born eight children : Thomas, John, Lydia, Richard, Smith, Albert, Martha and Annie, the last named the wife of our subject.
Of the other children of Thomas H. Hughs. Ellen married Richard S. Ludlum, who built and was proprietor of the Mansion House at Cape. May until it was burned. They had no children. Lydia married Richard Edmunds and they reared a large number of children. Sarah married Eli Wales and brought up several children. The Hughs family have been prominent and active in all good work.
Of various civic societies the Doctor is a valued representative. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Good Templars, and since sixteen years of age has been identified with the Sons of Temperance. He does all in his power to promote the cause of temperance and overthrow the liquor traffic. In politics he was formerly a Republican, and his first presidential vote was cast for John P. Hale. He now exercises his right of franchise in support of the Prohibition party, which embodies his ideas on the temperance question. He is a member of the Swedenborgian church at the corner of Twenty-second and Chestnut streets, Philadelphia, and at all times he lends his support to those interests which tend to uplift humanity and improve the condition of life. Honorable and upright, he commands the respect of all with whom he comes in contact, his kindly manner and helpful spirit winning him many friends. -
JOHN W. J. BONNELL.
John W. J. Bonnell, who is descended from Welsh ancestry, was born in Bay- ville, Ocean county, New Jersey, August II, 1857, a son of Clark F. and Josephine T. Bonnell, the former mentioned being born in Bayville, New Jersey, August 2, 1831. Clark F. acquired his education in the public schools of his native town and subsequently cntercd business life as a merchant. In his politics he was a Republican, holding the office of postmaster for a number of years, besides several township and town offices. In his religion he was an adherent of the Methodist Episcopal church. Josephine T. Bonnell, his wife, was also born in Bayville, New Jersey, on May 23, 1835.
John W. J. Bonnell received his education in the public schools of Bayville, and chose for his work in life the occupation of traveling salesman. Politically Mr. Bonnell is a Republican, and he was elected at the age of twenty-one years, by a unanimous vote, to the office of town clerk in his native town. He re- signed from this office and served for two terms .on the board of town commis-
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sioners of Red Bank; he was also a member of the committees on streets, fire and light. He was renominated this year, but he has declined the honor. He is a member of the Shrewsbury township Republican committee and is interested in the building and loan association of Red Bank, being a member of that body. He also holds mem- bership in the Navesink hook and ladder company. Fraternally Mr. Bonnell is a' member of a Masonic lodge, in which he has held two offices, namely: senior deacon and junior warden. He is a consistent member and serves on the board of trustees of the Presbyterian church at Red Bank.
Mr. Bonnell was united in marriage on April 25, 1888, at Asbury Park, New Jersey, to Miss Lida C. Smock, daughter of Garret V. and Susan J. Smock, the former mentioned being a prosperous lumber merchant. The family residence is at No. 157 Maple avenue, Red Bank.
CHARLES PULLEN.
Charles Pullen, who resides in Millstone township, is the owner of one of the fine fruit farms of Monmouth county which have contributed in large measure to the excellent reputation which New Jersey bears as a fruit-producing state. The care- fully tended orchards, the thrifty condition of the trees, and the neatness and order which everywhere prevade the place mark the owner as one of the most progressive and enterprising horticulturists along the Jersey coast.
He is a native of Burlington county, New Jersey, born November 19 1834, and traces his ancestry back to the seventeenth century, when representatives of the name came from their native Scotland to cast in their lot with the pioneer settlers of the new world. William P. Pullen, the grandfather of our subject, was born in, Burlington county, this state, and made farming his life work. In 1855, accompanied by his grandson, Charles Pullen, of this review, he went to Sangamon county, Illi- nois, where his son, Jonathan, was living upon a farm in the vicinity of Springfield. There he spent his remaining days, dying in his son's home in 1859. William Pullen, Jr., the father of our subject, also a native of Burlington county, was long a success- ful and well known farmer of Red Valley. Monmouth county, and died on the old homestead there in 1891. His wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Pullen, whose birth also cccurred in Burlington county, passed away on the home farm in 1855.
The boyhood days of our subject were quietly passed under the parental roof, his time being devoted to the work of the school room in the winter months and of the field in the summer season. In 1855 he accompanied his grandfather to Illinois, where he remained until the fall of that year, when he returned to his native state and again worked on his father's land until about 1858; he then turned his attention to other business interests, opening a meat market in Imlaystown. There he conducted his store until 1861, when his patriotic spirit was aroused by the attempt of the south to overthrow the Union, and he offered his services in its defense.
It was in August, 1862, that Mr. Pullen enlisted as a member of Company D, Fourteenth New Jersey Infantry, and with him took fourteen recruits to the camp where his regiment was rendezvoused. He was with his command in all the actions constituting the campaigns of 1863 and 1864 until totally disabled for further service. He was first wounded at the battle of the Wilderness, May 5, 1864, sus- taining a slight flesh wound in the left leg, but he remained with his company and on the 2d of June, 1864, at Cold Harbor, he was slightly wounded in the left shoulder. He did not, however, consider his injuries sufficient to necessitate his retirement from
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