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 58
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Arthur L. Philips, the subject of this review, received his education in the schools of Avondale, where his parents had removed when he was seven years of age. After reaching years of maturity he engaged in business with his father, afterward learning the milling business, and in 1877 he came to his present location and assumed charge of the gristmill at Harmony, where he subsequently built a sawmill; he also fol- lowed agricultural pursuits. In recent years, in connection with his many other interests, he has also engaged in the ice business, and each season cuts from four- teen hundred to two thousand tons of ice, which is largely consumed by the fish trade and used by private consumers and hotels within a radius of eight miles. His farm is well conducted, and he is extensively engaged in the raising of garden vegetables and small fruits.
The marriage of Mr. Philips was celebrated on the 29th of January, 1888, when Miss Isabella Scott became his wife. She was born April 12, 1862, and is a daugh- ter of Daniel and Isabella (Ramsey) Scott, who were of Scotch ancestry. Five children have been born of this union, namely: Alexander, who was born July 28, 1889; Isabella, born May 7, 1891; Marion, born December 3, 1895; Arthur L.,
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born May 9, 1897; and Edgar R., born October 1, 1899. Mr. Philips is a Republican in his political views, but takes no active part in the affairs of his party, preferring rather to give his time to his extensive business interests. The family are members of the Reformed church at Middletown, Monmouth county.
WILLIAM HENRY HAMILTON.
William Henry Hamilton, at present postmaster at Ocean Grove, New Jersey, was born on January 14, 1867, in the city of Philadephia, Pennsylvania, his parents being William H. and Caroline (Keyser) Hamilton. His education was acquired in the public schools of his birthplace; after leaving school young Hamilton entered the employ of the Western Union Telegraph Company at Ocean Grove as a messenger boy; he remained there for some time, but finally secured a position as clerk in the Ocean Grove postoffice; this position he retained until under the administration of the late President Mckinley he was appointed postmaster on May 17, 1897, and has been reappointed under President Roosevelt. Mr. Hamilton is a Republican in politics. and while actively interested in the success of his party never sought political favor. That he fills the office he now holds acceptably is amply proved by his recent reappointment. January 1, 1902, he was elected president of the Ocean Grove Na- tional Bank.
Mr. Hamilton possesses an exceedingly sociable temperament, as is attested by the many social organizations of which he is a member, among them being Asbury Lolgc, No. 142, F. & A. M .; Neptune Lodge, No. 84, of Odd Fellows; Junior Order of American Mechanics, and the Asbury Park Wheelmen.
On October 9, 1890, he was united in marriage to Miss Effie Lewis Covington, the daughter of Algie and Margaret (Davis) Covington, of Virginia; their union has been blessed with one daughter, Kathryn, born March 7, 1899.
SAMUEL ASAY CLIVER.
Samuel Asay Cliver, proprietor of the Westminster hotel, Asbury Park, is one of the most enterprising residents of that beautiful residential and pleasure resort. He is a gentleman of excellent business ability, and has served with great capability in various positions of honor and trust.
He was born November 7, 1849, at Wrightstown, Burlington county, New Jersey, son of Joseph K. and Hannah H. (Asay) Cliver. He received an excellent edu- cation, beginning in the public schools, and finished in the Mount Holly Academy, at Mount Holly, New Jersey, from which he was graduated in 1870. His first venture in business was in general merchandising in his native town, in which he continued with gratifying success from 1874 until 1885. In the spring of 1886 he took up his residence at Asbury Park, and entered upon a career of much usefulness. During the earlier years he was employed as bookkeeper in the establishment of Wainwright & Errickson. In 1896 he engaged in business on his own account, in the conduct of a fancy goods and notion store, which he yet controls, and which has an extensive and remunerative patronage. Its location is at No. 632 Cookman avenue. In 1898 he established the Westminster hotel, of which he is the present proprietor, and which under his management has become one of the most popular hostelries along
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the Jersey coast, and has numbered among its patrons, during the summer season, many of the best class of pleasure seekers, from abroad as well as from all portions of the United States. It is pleasantly situated on the south side of Fourth avenue, only one block from the beach, and commands an expansive view of the ocean. It has accommodations for one hundred and fifty guests.
In politics Mr. Cliver is a Democrat, and he has at all times been an influential figure in political circles. While a resident of Wrightstown, he was appointed post- master, serving from 1879 to 1885. For six years he was clerk of the township of Hanover, Burlington county. After his removal to Asbury Park he was appointed assistant postmaster and served from 1887 to 1892; he was twice elected assessor of Neptune township, Monmouth county. In 1900 he was Democratic nominee for the state assembly, but failed of election. He is a member of Asbury Park Lodge, No. 142, F. A. M., Standard Chapter, R. A. M., Corson Commandery, K. T., Mecca Temple, A. A. O. M. S., the Knights of Pythias, the Knights of the Golden Eagle, the Junior Order of American Mechanics, and the United Workmen.
Mr. Cliver was married, March 19, 1874, to Miss Mary E. Emley, daughter of William H. and Mary (Platt) Emley, of Wrightstown, New Jersey. She is of excel- lent family, and is a lady of education and refinement. One son, Samuel Leon, was bern of the marriage, February 15, 1883.
HENRY LEVY, M. D.
The medical profession presents almost limitless opportunities to its representa- tives. The field of knowledge is broad, great skill is required and there is demanded a nicety of judgment little understood by the laity; therefore when one attains a po- sition of prominence in the ranks of the medical fraternity, it is because he is par- ticularly well adapted to and qualified for his chosen work. Such is the case with Dr. Levy, who is now practicing in Perth Amboy.
The Doctor is a native of New York City, his birth having there occurred on the 14th of February, 1857, his parents being Lewis and Caroline Levy. The family is of German extraction. The paternal grandparents of the Doctor were Samuel and Ida Levy, the former born in the Province of Nassau in 1789, while his death occurred in 1864, in New York City, where he had resided for many years.
Of this family Lewis Levy, the father of our subject, was born in the province of Nassau, Germany, November 17, 1822, and pursued his education in his native land. He came to America in 1846 and soon afterward engaged in the purchases and sale of live stock, in which business he continued up to the time of his death, which occurred in New York on the 14th of May, 1876, while his wife departed this life on the 23d of April, 1897. She bore the maiden name of Caroline Kramer and they were mar- ried in April, 1852. Her birth occurred in the kingdom of Bavaria, May I, 1829, and by her marriage she became the mother of seven children.
Dr. Levy, whose name introduces this record, acquired his preliminary education in the public schools of New York and enjoyed advanced privileges in the New York College, in which he graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He studied med- icine in New York University, where he was graduated in 1878, and for a year and a half thereafter he was resident physician in the Charity Hospital, on Blackwell's- Island. In October, 1879, he began the private practice of medicine in New York City, where he remained until 1898, when in the spring of that year he came to Perth Amboy and opened an office. His reputation as a most competent physician and
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surgeon preceded him and within a very short time he found himself in control of an extensive and important patronage. During his practice in New York he was sanitary inspector and was connected with the New York and German dispen- saries. He is a member of the New York State and the Middlesex County Medical Associations, and through his association therewith is continually broad- ening his knowledge by gaining from the experience of others, while his own researches and work have enabled him to contribute at the meetings facts of im- portance to the followers of the healing art.
On the 20th of July, 1897, in New York the Doctor married Miss Jacobine Levy, a daughter of Jacob and Violet Levy, natives of Hamburg, Germany. The Doctor and his wife have already formed a wide acquaintance in Perth Amboy and have gained many warm friends in those circles of society where intelligence and true worth are received as passports.
GEORGE MEYERS BENNETT.
George Meyers Bennett, of Ocean Grove, New Jersey, is the son of William J. and Sarah M. (Middleton) Bennett, and was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Jan- uary 2, 1848. During his childhood his parents moved to Hopewell, now Glendola, New Jersey, where his, education was acquired at the public schools. Later he ap- plied himself to learning the painter's trade, which in due course of time he thor- oughly mastered, and in '1873 he located in Ocean Grove, where he has ever since followed his vocation. In his political views Mr. Bennett is a Republican. He is past master of Asbury Lodge, No. 142, F. & A. M. In the Corson Commandery, No. 15, K. T., he occupies the honorable position of past commander. The high positions' Mr. Bennett has attained in these organizations speak well for his tireless energy in the interests of the cause they represent, and the deserved popularity which he has in consequence gained.
He is a member of the St. Paul Methodist Episcopal church of Ocean Grove, of which he is its honored treasurer. His marriage to Miss Eugenia V. Dey, daughter of John M. and Elizabeth M. Dey, of Ocean Grove, was solemnized on March 27, 1878. Mrs. Dey departed this life on July 3. 1896. Their one daughter, E. Blanche, was born March 7, 1879. Mr. Bennett's second marriage occurred on July 24, 1901, to Genevente Eugenia Pfeiffer, daughter of William and Gertrude Pfeiffer.
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JAMES IRVING.
Among the well known and highly esteemed residents of Manalapan township, Monmouth county, New Jersey, is James Irving, a veteran of the Civil war, and for many years a prominent and successful farmer. The birth of Mr. Irving occurred in Freehold township, on October 21, 1831, and he is a son of Michael and Mary (Smith) Irving, the former, of whom was a sawyer and miller by occupation.
The early education of James Irving, of this sketch, was acquired in the district schools of his township. When he reached maturity he chose farming as his life work, following this occupation and also working occasionally in sawmills, but for the last thirty years he has been established on his present farm. This consists of a small truck farm. One of the first to respond in defense of his country at the out- break of the Civil war was Mr. Irving, and his record as a veteran in company A,
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Twenty-eighth New Jersey Volunteer Infantry, reflects honor upon him. His mar- riage occurred on August 13, 1853, to Miss Martha A. Smith, who was a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Smith, the former of whom was born on May 7, 1790, and died on September 8, 1851, and the latter was born on June 20, 1792, and died on September 25, 1851. These children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Irving: Margaret E., born on August 30, 1854, married Plymouth Smith; Julia E., born September 1, 1857, married John Boyce; Mary, born on October 21, 1860, married Christopher Heiser ; William H., born on November 9, 1864, married Emma Irving; Emma J., born on August 25, 1867, married George Topp; and Carrie M., born on July 28, 1873, married Amos Burke. One son, Edwin, died prior to the Civil war. The family is connected with the Methodist church, and all are among the most reliable and sub- stantial citizens of Monmouth county.
JOHN J. CAMPBELL.
John J. Campbell is one of the popular hotel proprietors of Keyport, New Jersey, where he was born and acquired his education in the public schools of that town. He is the son of Andrew and Maria (Drake) Campbell, the former having been engaged in the hotel business during a period of forty-four years, on the site of the present hotel now conducted by his son. He was three times married and was the father of twenty-eight children by the three marriages. He passed away at the age of sixty-six years. His was the first Catholic family to settle in Keyport and he hauled the first load of brick used in the construction of the church.
John J. Campbell, of this review, was born in 1869. After his father's death the mother conducted the hotel until the son was old enough to take charge, since which time he has been its efficient proprietor. In addition to this vocation he is interested in farming and is the owner of several vessels. He is a member of the Red Men, Chingarora Tribe, No. 116; the American Order of Hibernians; and has been a member for twelve years of the Keyport Engine Company. In his political views he is a stanch and loyal follower of the principles laid down by Thomas Jefferson. Mr. Campbell was joined in marriage to Miss M. Victoria Gryson, whose father was an old resident and a prosperous merchant and shoe manufacturer of Key- port. He was for years a bass singer in the Catholic church, and three children have been born of this union.
WILLIAM MASON SEELY.
William Mason Seely, of Port Monmouth, New Jersey, was born February 26, 1848. His paternal grandfather, John Seely, was a resident of Keansburg, New Jersey, where he followed farming as an occupation, and he remained there until his death. James E. Seely, father of William Mason Seely, was born at Keans- burg, Monmouth county, New Jersey. He removed with his parents when very young to Port Monmouth, where he resided during the remainder of his life. When only a boy he decided to lead a seafaring life, and he continued in that line of work up to a few years ago, when he resigned on account of his age and retired to the quiet pursuits of a farm, which he owned at Belford, New Jersey, there remain- ing until his death. He was one of the oldest sea captains in the bay, and for twenty-four years acted as captain of the celebrated boat "Jesse Hoyt." He was
HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY COAST. 407.
a member of the Baptist church, and also acted as trustee. He married Miss Amanda Mason and five children were born to them, namely: James, Uriah, William Mason, Melissa and Eliza. Mr. Seely died in 1888, aged seventy-four years, and his wife died in 1850, aged thirty-six years.
William Mason Seely, third son of James E. Seely, acquired his education in the public schools of his native town, and while quite a young boy was employed to act as cook on a vessel plying between Port Monmouth and New York. Then he was employed for seven years on a trading vessel. After the expiration of this time he became a deck hand on the steamboat "Jesse Hoyt," of which his father was captain for many years. Later he was promoted to the position of mate, then to pilot, subsequently was placed in charge of the bar, and acted as steward of the boat for eighteen years. He then decided to abandon the work he had been pursuing for so many years, and thereupon became engaged in mercantile business at Port Monmouth. At first he carried only a line of groceries, but now he has a general store, where he conducts an extensive trade, which is increasing from year to year, due to the honorable business methods which he adopts.
Mr. Seely has always been an ardent supporter of Republican principles, and President Mckinley during his first term appointed him postmaster of Port Mon- mouth, a position which he has held ever since. He is a member of the Morton Commandery, of New York City, and of the Knights Templar. He is a con- sistent member of the Baptist church of Port Monmouth, and acts in the capacity of trustee.
Mr. Seely was united in marriage to Miss Charlotte C. Murphy, and one son was born to them, Seymour, now deceased. During the Spanish-American war, when the country was in need of his services, he enlisted as a private in Company J, Second Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers, and later was promoted to the rank of corporal. He contracted typhoid fever in the camp at Jacksonville, from which he died three weeks after his removal to his home. He was then only twenty-three years of age, and was very popular among his associates, being of a genial disposition and irre- proachable character. He was a member of the Second Regiment, which was organ- ized at Paterson, New Jersey.
EDWARD BATCHELOR.
The beautiful town of Avon-by-the-Sea is a monument to the progressive spirit, enterprise and business ability of Edward Batchelor, who has been the most important factor in its development and upbuilding. Its beauty, adornment and scenic develop- ment is almost solely due to his efforts, and as an investment it has been a paying one. The place is also indicative of this appreciation of design, of natural loveliness and of advancement that will contribute to the pleasure that one gains from nature's beautiful pictures, supplemented by the artistic handiwork of man.
Mr. Batchelor is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, born September 22, 1837, and a son of William and Sarah Batchelor. The father was of English lineage, while the mother belonged to an old colonial family that sent forth its representa- tives to fight for the independence of the nation in the Revolutionary war. Edward Batchelor pursued his education in the grammar schools of his native city until twelve years of age, when he entered upon his business career, working for only one dollar a week. The years and his efficiency, however, brought him advancment and a consequent increase in salary, and later he became extensively interested in the
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growing of tobacco and the manufacture of cigars. He was at one time the owner of the largest cigar factory in the city of Philadephia, and is still engaged in the wholesale trade, having a very extensive patronage, his place of business being located at Nos. 458-461 North Oranna street, Philadelphia.
In 1879 Mr. Batchelor purchased several tracts now including the present site of Avon-by-the-Sea. They covered about three hundred acres, mostly an unbroken wilderness, and to this place he first gave the name of Key East. It was his intention to develop it as a manufacturing town, but the place rapidly became a famous sum- mer resort. In 1883 he undertook with great earnestness and activity the task of transforming this into a beautiful town for summer residents, and on the 3rd of April of that year had the first pool sale of one hundred and sixteen lots. The lots sold at five hundred dollars per share and won the highest premium ever obtained at any seaside operation, amounting to three hundred and fifty dollars per lot. About this time the name of the place was changed from Key East to Avon-by-the-Sea, and the appropriateness of this is at once suggested to those who visit this ideal resort. There was but one avenue in the town at the time when active work was begun in 1883, but improvements were rapidly instituted and developed and many streets were opened, these being adorned by native pine trees. All the streets are from eighty to one hundred feet in width; the lots are fifty by one hundred and forty feet, and there is a lane or alley from twenty to thirty feet wide in the rear of each lot.
Mr. Batchelor has been largely interested in the building operations in the place. He erected the Avon Inn, the largest hotel in the town and one of the finest on the Jersey coast. He also built the Berwick and several large and well equipped cottages, which, together with over one hundred desirable cottages built in varying but beauti- ful styles of architecture, makc a town to suit the most fastidious taste. The most commendable features of the place are the extensive groves of native pines, its high elevation above the sea level, its excellent beach, fine surf and still water bathing, boating, crabbing, fishing, and its quiet, restful healthfulness. There is also an ample and perfect sewer system, unsurpassed anywhere, with complete arrangements for flushing the entire system by a constant stream of water from Sylvan lake.
Avon-by-the-Sea is now well built up with hundreds of beautiful homes and is one of the most delightful places for a summer sojourn on the Jersey coast. Mr. Batchelor has been a liberal contributor to the building and support of three churches, the Baptist, the Methodist Protestant and the Protestant Episcopal, and withholds his co-operation from no movement calculated to prove of general good, or that will advance the growth and welfare of the place or add to its attractiveness and beauty. He is a man of excellent business ability, of 'marked foresight, of reliable judgment, ' and possessed of a liberal share of the enterprising American spirit which has evolved the wonderful development of this country and particularly that of the north New Jersey sea coast.
JOSEPH W. JOHNSTON.
Joseph W. Johnston is now living a retired life at Eatontown, Monmouth county, and his rest is well deserved, for in former years he was actively connected with mer- cantile interests, whereby he won the competence which now enables him to rest from his labors and yet enjoy the comforts which a good income brings. He represents one of the old families of the county, his grandfather, John I. Johnston, being one of the sons of an early settler near Eatontown. John I. Johnston was born in Mon- mouth county, where he became a leading agriculturist, and he was known as a man
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of sterling worth until the eighty-four years of his earthly career were terminated in death. His wife was also a native of Monmouth county. The grandparents had eight children, all of whom lived to advanced age. Their son, Gilbert H. Johnston, the father of our subject, was born at Middletown, New Jersey, about 1810, and was a blacksmith. Locating in Eatontown in early life he there followed his chosen calling for many years and all who knew him respected him on account of his busy, useful and honorable life. He passed away at the age of seventy-two years His wife, who bore the maiden name of Annie Beadle, was born in 1812 and lived to the age of seventy-seven. She, too, represented one of the oldest families of Monmouth county. By her marriage she became the mother of seven children, all of whom reached adult age.
Joseph W. Johnston was born in Eatontown, February 24, 1840, and his edu- cational privileges were only such as were afforded in the log school house of the neighborhood, but reading and broad experience have made him a well informed man. At the age of sixteen years he entered upon his business career in the capacity of a clerk in the store of White & Curtis, general merchants, with whom he remained from December 17, 1855, until the Ist of January, 1860. Soon thereafter he became engaged in business in association with his brother-in-law, B. D. Wolcott, and D. F. Wolcott. They opened a general store and from the beginning enjoyed a growing trade. After four years this firm was dissolved, Messrs. Johnston and B. D. Wolcott purchasing their partner's interest. Two years later Mr. Johnston purchased B. D. Wolcott's interest and conducted the business alone. In 1890, having accumulated a very desirable competence, Mr. Johnston retired, this step being prompted by failing health. He has also been active in establishing the leading manufacturing interests of Eaton- town and he belongs to that class of representative American citizens who, while promoting their individual success, also contribute to the general welfare.
On the 15th of October, 1863, Mr. Johnston was united in marriage to Miss Phebe A. Wolcott, of Eatontown, who was born July 1I, 1841, a daughter of Edmund and Sarah A. Wolcott. Her father was of Quaker ancestry and throughout his busi- ness life was known as one of the most honorable and trustworthy business men of Eatontown. He died at the age of seventy-five years, while his wife still (1901) survives. Mr. and Mrs. Johnston are the parents of one daughter, Adeline B., the wife of James Hathaway, of Eatontown, who is a general agent of the United States Express Company. Our subject and his wife hold membership in the Second Ad- ventist church and are well known in their native city as people of genuine worth, who justly merit the regard in which they are uniformly held. Starting out in busi- ness life empty-handed he worked his way gradually upward and his energetic methods and fidelity to commercial ethics insured his prosperity.
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