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 56
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70
Mr. Reeves, whose name introduces this review, was educated in the old Cape schoolhouse, and at the age of fourteen began to earn his own livelihood. He learned the gold-beating trade in Philadelphia, and for four years was indentured to his brother, Andrew H., in Chicago. He became foreman of the shop in 1866 and thus continued until the great Chicago fire of October, 1871, when his brother's plant was destroyed; he then returned to the east, being employed by a gold-beating estab- lishment in Philadelphia, 1871-2. He returned to Chicago and again became foreman for his brother, who had resumed business, and with whom he remained until 1878, when, owing to failing health, he again came to the east. Here he
George Ht Reeves.
F
389
HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.
worked on a railroad with a section gang for a dollar a day and had a hard struggle for some time. He applied for a position in a large factory, but did not obtain it because he could not comply with the conditions of the labor organi- zation. He was afterward sought by the firm of Hastings & Company to establish a business at Cape May; he began operations on a small scale, his force of em- ployes consisting of two boys and two girls. After two years he was sought to manage a factory which the firm desired to establish at Cape May. The factory was opened with six employes, but under his management the business steadily increased until employment is now furnished to eighty operatives, and the output is large and the business profitable. Mr. Reeves superintended the building of the factory, which is forty by forty feet and two stories in height. There are now three departments,- a beating, a filling and a cutting department. When Mr. Reeves opened the factory he employed untrained workmen, taught them the business and thus secured competent employes. He is ever just and considerate in his treatment of them and they know that faithfulness on their part will win promotion as opportunity offers." This is now one of the paying business concerns of the city, a fact which is due to the competent management of Mr. Reeves.
On the 19th of January, 1871, Mr. Reeves married Miss Georgiana H. Bancroft, a daughter of Reuben F. Bancroft, of Philadelphia. Their children were as follows : Theodore W., who married Mary Hughes, by whom he has a son; Orien W. is foreman in the gold-beating establishment, is a member of the school board of West Cape May, is superintendent of the Presbyterian Sunday-school there, is the archon of his local society in the Order of Heptasophs, and was a delegate to the national con- vention of that order in Buffalo, in 1899; Reuben B., the younger son, was a student of music in the South Jersey Institute, where he spent three years, and is now in Philadelphia Musical College.
In political affairs Mr. Reeves is a Republican and a recognized leader in the ranks of the party. He was the mayor of West Cape May from 1893 until 1897, and his administration was progressive and beneficial. He served five years as a justice of the peace and is a notary public and commissioner of deeds. He served as a mem- ber of the school board several terms. He is also a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and belongs to the First Methodist Episcopal church in Cape May, in which he has held various offices. He has been a member of the board of trustees for ten years, was the Sunday-school superintendent six years, and for twenty years has been a local preacher. His life has ever been an upright and honorable one, and over the record of his public and private career there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil. He is thoroughly honorable in all business dealings and at all times commands and deserves the confidence of his fellow men.
ALFRED COOPER.
Alfred Cooper, of Cape May Court House, is a son of the late George Burr and Annie Elizabeth (Henderson) Cooper, and was born in Kinderhook, Columbia county, New York, September 6, 1859. On the paternal side he is a representative of an old American-Quaker family, while on the maternal side he is of English lineage. At a very early day the Coopers resided in Burlington county, New Jersey. The grand- father, Joseph Cooper, became a dry goods merchant of Philadelphia, carrying on business on Market strect. Hc made his home in that city till his death, but con- ducted business enterprises elsewhere, and was the owner of very extensive land
390
HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.
interests in this state. He often exchanged goods for land, and through his well- directed efforts and enterprise became a wealthy man. His political support was given to the Whig party, and in religious belief he was an Episcopalian, belonging to Christ church, in which he held a number of official positions. He married Ann Verre, and they became the parents of eight children: William; Joseph, deceased ; Mary; Colin Campbell; George B .; Alfred; Thomas Franklin; and Joseph, the second of the name.
James Henderson, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was born in 1800, in Warwick, England. His father was a British officer in the English navy. James Henderson came to the United States with his wife and two children, Francis and Sarah, in 1822, and located in Cohoes, New York. Subsequently he removed to Valatie, New York, but spent his last days in Millville, New Jersey. He was the superintendent of the Valatie mills, and subsequently operated a woolen mill in Valatie, with his son Francis, but his last days were spent in retirement from labor. He married a Miss Johnston, and they had a son Francis, who married Christina Schermerhorn and after her death married Mary Prussian. Sarah Henderson, the second child, became the wife of Dr. Preston Van Vlek, of Columbia county, New York, who served as a surgeon in the Civil war and died at Fortress Monroe. Of the other children, Margaret is also deceased; Ann Elizabeth became the mother of our subject ; Thalia has also passed away; Mary is the deceased wife of John Hoffman, a manufacturer, of Poughkeepsie, New York; and Delia is deceased. The father of these children died in 1888, and the mother's death occurred in 1860, when she had reached the age of sixty years.
George B. Cooper acquired his education in the Friends' school of Philadelphia and put aside his text-books in order to enter his father's store, where he was employed as a clerk until 1850, when his health failed him and he went to Fort Eliza- beth, New Jersey. There, in connection with Charles Townsend, he purchased the Getsinger Glass Works, which they operated for several years under the firm name of Cooper & Townsend. Subsequently Mr. Cooper engaged in dealing in lumber and builders' materials, at Millville, handling Jersey timber. That proved a profitable industry and he conducted it until his death. His political support was first given to the Whig party and afterward to the Republican party. He was a warm admirer of Henry Clay and was a leading factor in the political parties of his state. After a hotly contested election he was chosen clerk of the New Jersey assembly, serving in the years 1864-5. By appointment of Judge John T. Nixon he held the office of United States commissioner for several years. Of Christ Episcopal church he was a faithful and valued member, was active in building the church in Millville and served as a member of its vestry. He died in 1873, and in his death the community lost one of its most prominent, esteemed and valued citizens. His widow, who was born January 9, 1837, died January 19, 1900.
Alfred Cooper attended the public schools in his early youth, later was a student in a private school at Valatie, and in Pierce's Business College. He entered upon his business career in a printing office in Millville, and when he had thoroughly mas- tered the trade in all its departments he opened a job printing office on his own account in the same city. In 1879 he established the Cape May County Gazette, at Cape May Court House, the first issue of the paper making its appearance on the 6th of March, 1880. It is a weekly journal, published each Friday, a four-page, eight- column sheet, twenty-six by forty inches. It is Republican in its political proclivities and is devoted to the advancement of the party and the progress and upbuilding of the county. It is an excellent advertising medium, receives liberal patronage in that line and has a circulation of about twelve hundred. Mr. Cooper has built a job print-
39I
HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.
ing office in this place and has also erected a comfortable residence. He has made extensive investments in real estate, his landed possessions aggregating several thou- sand acres in Cumberland, Cape May and Atlantic counties, New Jersey, and in the Catskill mountains of New York.
On the 15th of September, 1891, Mr. Cooper was united in marriage to Fabelle, a daughter of Charles P. Smith, and they have one child, Annie Elizabeth. Mr. Cooper is connected with a number of civic societies, holding membership in Arbutus Lodge, No. 170, F. & A. M., of which he has served as master; Richmond Chapter, No. 22, R. A. M .; Olivet Commandery, No. 10, Knights Templar; and in Hereford Lodge, No. 108, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having passed all of the chairs in this order as well as in the F. & A. M. He was instrumental in organizing Here- ford Lodge, I. O. O. F. He is also vice-president of the Mechanics and Laborers' Building and Loan Association, and is one of the board of directors of Millville National Bank. He is taking an active interest in local political affairs, but has never been an office-seeker, though for several years he served as a member of the county board of elections and formulated the list of questions for the examination of the candidates of the board. He is distinctively American in thought and feeling and his efforts in behalf of the public interests of his county have been practical and followed by very desirable results. In his business interests he has earned for him- self an enviable reputation and is known for his prompt and honorable methods of dealing, which have gained him the deserved confidence of his fellow men. He is pleasant and agreeable in manner, affable with those whom he meets and has the happy faculty of inspiring strong friendships.
ANGELLA W. APPLEGATE.
The subject now under consideration, Angella W. Applegate, is one of a few . living direct descendants of the old and celebrated White family. She now occupies the old "White Homestead," situated near Branch avenue between South and Centre streets, Red Bank, New Jersey. This house was used during the Revolutionary war as the headquarters of the British during that mighty struggle for supremacy of right over might. For two hundred years the house has withstood all the varying changes of the elements, and is to-day in an excellent state of preservation. During its occupancy by the English officers it was the scene of many a bloody contest, and has at times resounded as well with the revelries of that too confident cohort of the King's own. This house is conceded to be one of the oldest, if not the oldest, in this. section of the country, and perhaps even the state can claim no older residence.
Robert White, the paternal great-grandfather of the present occupant, also resided in this ancient, yet well preserved, home. The Whites were reared in the simple Quaker faith, and therefore, believing that men should live in harmony and peace with one another, took no part in the combat which meant so much for the future of our nation. Their peace-loving disposition, however, did not prevent them from arraying themselves on the side of liberalism, and they were known to be substantial Whigs. The above named Robert White had a son, also Robert, who was born in Red Bank in May, 1753, and died December 16, 1815. His wife, Clemmence Dennis, was born March 29, 1760, and died March 8, 1847. They followed agricultural pur- suits as an occupation, were people of quiet habits and pure sentiments. Their family consisted of four children, namely: Littleton, Nancy, Elijah and Asher.
Asher White, the father of our subject, Mrs. Angella (White) Applegate, was
392
HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.
born in Red Bank. He married Miss Amanda Smith, of Middletown, New Jersey, by whom he had two children, Thomas R., born June 5, 1846, and Angella W., born May 21, 1849.
Angella W. White married Edwin C. Applegate on November 4, 1893. Mr. Applegate is a native of Brooklyn, New York, and was born October 10, 1850. He comes of a distinguished literary family. His parents were Colonel Edwin F. and Mary L. Applegate, both of whom were natives of New York City. Colonel Apple- gate prior to the Civil war was one of the Seventh Regiment, New York National Guard, commanded the Twenty-ninth New Jersey Volunteer Infantry, and partici- pated in many of the bloody contests waged during the Civil war. He was an early volunteer fireman and a member of one of the early leading dramatic societies. He was editor of the Warren, Rhode Island, "Telegraph" for some years, and also one of the founders of the Providence, Rhode Island, "Daily Press." On his removal to Red Bank he took charge of the "New Jersey Standard." For twenty years he edited the "Monmouth Enquirer," which position he held at the time of his death. Colonel Applegate was a member of the F. A. M., and carried into his every-day life their high and noble principles. The Colonel's father, William Applegate, was a prominent newspaper man and publisher of New York City. He died in 1849.
Edwin C. Applegate, the husband of our subject, was reared and educated at Rhode Island and in Red Bank. In early life he began to familiarize himself with his father's business, that of publisher, he having inherited from him and his grand- father the literary genius which characterizes him. The first enterprise in which he engaged on his own behalf was the publication of the "Bordentown Republican," of which he was also editor. Subsequently he became editor of the "Brownsville (Pa.) Clipper," of which his brother, William F., is now the head. For twelve years he was connected with the "New York Times," as well as engaged on other periodicals.
Mr. Applegate is one of those who have found favor among his fellow citizens, their esteem being evinced by conferring upon him various positions of public trust. He has been assistant postmaster at Freehold and was made assistant to the engrossing clerk while Garrett A. Hobart was presiding officer of the New Jersey legislature. Mr. Applegate is in the prime of life and his prospects for future successes are most promising.
WILLIAM A. SPENCER.
While no country offers as great opportunities to her citizens as America, it is also true that business position and success depend more largely upon individual effort in this land. In America "labor is king"-it is the only sovereignty which our liberty-loving people acknowledge, and the man who wins business honors and prop- erty must put forth every effort toward achieving them. It is particularly true that in the "learned professions" advancement must depend upon individual merit, for distinction in those callings is based upon mental activity-a quality which cannot be secured by inheritance, purchase or gift. When one has gained prominence, there- fore, it may be taken as unmistakable evidence of his ability. Mr. Spencer, although one of the younger representatives of the legal fraternity in Perth Amboy, has already attained success that many an older practitioner might well envy.
He represents a family that has long been connected with Somerset county, having been established there by Caleb Spencer, a son of Caleb Spencer, Sr., and the great-grandfather of our subject. Two of his children are still living, the daughter, Ann, being the wife of Peter Martin and a resident of Somerset county. The son,
Mit Spewen
-
393
HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.
John Spencer, is the grandfather of our subject. He is still living near Martinsville, Somerset county, at the age of eighty-five years, but his wife has departed this life. His son, Aaron Howe Spencer, the father of our subject, was born in Martinsville in 1849, and early in his business career conducted a feed store in Rahway and a grocery store in Elizabethport, but when the financial panic of 1876 swept over the country he, too, met reverses and retired to a farm near Martinsville, where he has since engaged in horticultural pursuits, making a specialty of the raising of peaches. Well known in Democratic circles he has been honored with a number of offices in the township. In early manhood he married Anna M. Drury and three of their four children are still living: Ira Thorp, a practicing physician of Woodbridge, New Jersey ; William A., of this review; and Musette, the wife of Charles Skillman, of Skillman Station, New Jersey. The youngest, a daughter, died in infancy. Mrs. Spencer, the mother, was a daughter of William Drury, who spent his entire life in Ireland, while the daughter accompanied two of her brothers to America.
William A. Spencer was born at Union Village, Somerset county, November 7, 1872, pursued his studies in the Round Top school house, near Martinsville, and when eighteen years of age began teaching in Mount Prospect, Somerset county. Later he was a teacher in the Piscataway town school in Middlesex county and through the three succeeding years was principal of the Fairfield school in Middlesex county. During the last year there spent he also read law with the firm of Reed & Coding- ton, at Plainfield, and four years later was admitted to the bar. Later he was licensed to practice as a master in chancery. After his admission he opened an office in Perth Amboy and has since been engaged in general practice. He has already gained a good clientage and has handled some important litigated interests. His resolute nature, laudable ambition and strong mentality are an excellent foundation upon which to rear the superstructure of success, and his friends feel confident that his future career will gain him high prominence among the members of the legal fra- ternity of this part of the state. He is now attorney of the Perth Amboy Mutual Loan, Homestead & Building Association of Perth Amboy, and solicitor for Raritan town- ship.
Mr. Spencer was united in marriage to Miss Anna M. Pfeiffer, and they have a little son, Lester. He is a member of Perth Amboy Council, No. 1100, R. A. M., and the Improved Order of Red Men and the Independent Order of Foresters. In politics he has always been a stanch Republican, attends the conventions of his party, and is now a member of the board of education of Raritan township.
WILLIAM K. WILLIAMSON.
Ocean City has no more active champion than this gentleman, whose deep inter- est in its welfare is manifested in his well-directed efforts for its improvement and upbuilding. He was born in Bloomfield, Essex county; New Jersey, September 4. 1848, and is a son of William J. and Amies (Keene) Williamson.
William K. Williamson having acquired preparatory education in tlie Bloomfield Academy later matriculated in Columbia College, where on the completion of the classical course he was graduated in 1871. Two years later he was graduated in the Columbia Law School. He was admitted to practice in the New Jersey courts in June, 1873. He has taken an active and important part in the upbuilding of the town, and does all in his power to promote the improvement of Ocean City.
Mr. Williamson is a member of the Masonic fraternity, being a noble of Lu Lu
394
HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.
Temple, A. A. N. M. S. In politics he is a stalwart Republican, and recognized as a leader in the rank of his party in Cape May county. He is now a member of and the president of the common council, and his efforts to promote the welfare of Ocean City have been ever effective.
HOWARD CARR. LANDIS.
Howard Carr Landis is numbered among the stirring, progressive business men of Asbury Park, and is influential in political and fraternal society affairs. He was born January 15, 1859, in Trenton, New Jersey, son of Hiram and Ruth Landis, people of excellent character and high standing in the community. He was educated in the public schools of his native city. At the age of seventeen years he entered .the employ of Charles Dobbins, a practical plumber, under whom he learned the trade and with whom he remained, with the exception of one year, until 1883. In this year he located in Asbury Park. For seven years after his coming he followed his trade in the employ of Robinson & Brother. In 1890 he established his present business, which has grown to large proportions. His operations extend to all descriptions of plumbing, drainage, sewer connections, steam and gas fitting. He makes a specialty of sanitary plumbing, using all the most modern and approved methods, which he has applied in buildings of the first class, both public and private. His office is located at No. 614 Bangs avenue.
Mr. Landis affiliates with the Republican party, and is an earnest advocate of its principles and policies. He is a member of the Junior Order of American Mechanics, of the Asbury Park Wheelmen Club, and of the Bonnett Gunning Club. October 20, 1880, he was married to Miss Lydia A. Bond, daughter of Joseph A. and Eliza J. Bond, of Trenton, New Jersey. Three sons have been born of the marriage: Ray- mond Bond, February II, 1883; Miles H., January 3, 1897; and William Hathaway, December 25, 1890.
DAVID SCHANCK.
The history of no family in New Jersey is more interesting than that of the family of Schanck, of which David Schanck, a well known farmer of Marlboro township near Holmdel, is a representative. David Schanck was born December 21, 1831, on the farm on which he now lives. His parents were David and Sarah (Smock) Schanck. His father was born on the farm mentioned above May 10, 1783, and died there April 23. 1872. His mother was born in the same neighborhood December 2, 1799, and died February 2, 1832. David Schanck, Sr., was a son of Captain John Schanck. The latter was a son of Garrett and Janetie (Cowenhoven, now Conover) Schanck, and was born on the old homestead of his ancestors in Pleasant Valley, within sight of the present farm of the immediate subject of this sketch, where his grandfather, Garrett Schanck, an emigrant from Holland, had settled in 1696. He was a descendant in the sixth generation of General Peter Schanck, a brother of the cele- brated General Mathew Schanck. Captain Schanck's father died when the Captain was comparatively young, and the latter was obliged to undertake the labors of the farm very early in life. Later he learned the fuller's trade and after that during his active life was extensively engaged in weaving. Soon after his marriage with Marie De Nice in 1767, he bought and settled on the farm in Pleasant Valley adjoining his
David Johanch
395
HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST.
father's. He proved himself a patriot in the Revolution. Having been captain of a militia company he almost constantly rendered valuable service to Washington's army, although he was never regularly attached to that body. Soon after the beginning of the Revolution he was offered a large sum in British gold if he would espouse the royal cause, and his answer to the proposition showed the quality of the spirit that animated him: "The whole of Europe cannot buy me. Give me liberty." He was bold, active and aggressive, and at length a reward of fifty guineas was offered for his capture dead or alive. His sister Ann, who lived on Long Island, sent him a brace of pistols and a note besecching him never to permit himself to be taken alive. Those pistols are now owned by the subject of this sketch, who regards them as a most sacred heirloom. Many times Captain Schanck was obliged to seek rest and security in hidden places and he suffered many deprivations and hardships. In his later years he manifested a strong antipathy to those who had been tories in the Revolutionary days and could never bring himself to speak of them with complacency. To those whom he esteemed he was a warm friend. He died August 2, 1834, on his eighty-ninth birthday.
David and Sarah (Smock) Schanck had four children, named George, Mary, John and David, all of whom except David are dead. Sarah Smock was of the original Smock stock of New Jersey, and sketches of some of her relatives appear in this work. David Schanck was married February 12, 1861, to Amanda Conover, a descendant of the original Cowenhovens, who was born May 25, 1832, and died March 5, 1900. She was the daughter of Daniel D. and Mary (Vandeveer) Conover, who were descendants of some of the oldest families in the county. To Mr. and Mrs. Schanck were born children as follows: Mary L., born March 14, 1862, is the wife of Charles H. Conover, a farmer living at Freehold, New Jersey. Luther, who was born July 28, 1865, is superintendent of the Brookdale farm in Middletown. He married Luella Smock. Sarah A., born October 25, 1870, and Lesta C., born December 20, 1871, are members of their father's household. Kittie D., born September I, 1874, is the wife of G. Conover Hendrickson, a farmer at Freehold.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.