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 6
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In July, 1868, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Fisher and Miss Lizzie Swindell Graham, a daughter of Gerald Graham, of county Fermanagh, Ireland. Two children have been born to them, Anna Hume and Victor Stanley.
In politics Mr. Fisher is a stalwart Republican. He served as the mayor of Ocean City in 1894-5, his administration resulting greatly to the benefit of the town and the promotion of its leading interests. He is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity and of the Presbyterian church. He formerly belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church at Ocean City and was the superintendent of the Sunday-school; he was also a steward, trustee and exhorter in the church. The First Presby- terian church at this place stands in evidence of his interest in the cause of Chris- tianity, for it was built as the result of his efforts. In July, 1897, he undertook the work, personally soliciting the money for the building fund, and as a member of the building committee he had entire charge of the building operations. Within three weeks of the time he started out with his subscription paper he had a church, and services were conducted on the third Sunday.
In manner Mr. Fisher is cordial and genial. The characteristics of his parent- age are shown in the happy blending of the versatility of the wit and genius of the 3
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land of the shamrock and the shrewd economy of the foresight of that of the thistle. With the advantage of talents amounting to genius, and with an inherent brilliancy and versatility of mind that rests only with the reward of high achievement, Mr. Fisher's continued success' is established, while no more glowing tribute can be paid than that his eminence has been reached by the exercise of his own abilities.
JOSEPH FIELD.
Joseph Field, who is one of the enterprising and progressive young farmers of Middletown township, Monmouth county, New Jersey (post office Redbank), comes of a line of ancestors dating back to the conquest by William. the Norman. The family of Field has held prestige for superior intellect through all successive ages from that time down to the present. To follow the history of the family from the time of the departure of the Fields from France through the period of the settlement of the Fields in England and their later emigration to America, would occupy more space than could be devoted to it in a work of this kind.
The paternal great-grandfather of Joseph Field was Elnathan Field, who lived on Long Island, but moved to Monmouth county, New Jersey, where he bought a large tract of land and became an extensive farmer. He married Mary Willct, who bore him children named Thomas, Elnathan, Caroline, Mary, and Huldah. Hc died in Middletown township. in his ninety-seventh year. His children were loyal and pros- perous citizens, who commanded the respect and good will of all who knew them. Thomas, the grandfather of Joseph Field, was born on Long Island, but when a mere boy was taken by his father, Elnathan Field, to Monmouth county, New Jersey, where he became well-to-do as a farmer and influential as a citizen. He married Miss Rebecca Shepperd, daughter of Captain Moses Shepperd, of Middletown township, who bore him children named Joseph, Thomas, Caroline, and Rebecca.
Joseph Field, father of the subject of this sketch, was born September 26, 1792, on the Field homestead in Middletown township, on and near which his entire useful life was passed. He considered farming the most independent of vocations and in early manhood bought for himself a farm of one hundred acres, to which he added from time to time until he owned four hundred acres. He married Miss Uretta Hedden, daughter of John Hedden, who bore him three- children, named, respectively, Joseph, Uretta and Rebecca. In early life he was a Whig, but from the time of the organiza- tion of the Republican party until his death he was a Republican, but he was not an office seeker nor a practical politician and reserved the right always to vote for the best man, irrespective of party affiliation, and while active at the polls and influential in securing the election of many of his friends to office, he would never accept the nomi- nation for himself. He was ever anxious to do whatever was possible toward the ad- vancement of any movement promising the betterment of his township or county, and from time to time he was identified with township interests and for a considerable period he was a director in the Middletown and Red Bank Turnpike Company. His sectarian inclination was toward the Baptist faith, but he was so liberal in his relig- ious views that he supported most generously all sects in his vicinity who worshiped God in truth and in sincerity. He died in 1896, in his one hundred and fourth year. His wife died in 1872.
Joseph Field was born on his father's farm in Middletown township, Mon- mouth county, New Jersey, in 1870. He attended the public schools near his home until further advancement was impossible and then entered the South Jersey Institute,
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where he prepared for college, and in 1890, after having taken the prescribed course of study, he was graduated from the Lehigh University at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. In 1893 and 1894 he was in the service of the Honduras government, serving with the rank of captain on the staff of Domingo Vasquez, president of Honduras, and he represented the Honduras government at various times and under trying circumstances, fighting gallantly at the battle of Choloteca. Upon his return home, his father having died, he took charge of the extensive estate which he now owns. His farm contains three hundred acres of productive land, one hundred and fifty acres of which is planted with choice fruit trees. He is a practical farmer of much enterprise and is managing his extensive interests admirably. He possesses much literary ability and is the author of a volume which will soon be published and which is believed by those best able to judge of its merits will be in great demand when it comes from the press.
Mr. Field married Miss Nettie Fraser. daughter of A. M. and Mary E. Fraser, in 1897, and she has borne him a son named Joseph Field, the third of that name in direct line:
DAVID BAIRD.
The Baird family, of which our subject is a representative, is one of the oldest in New Jersey, its identification with the state long antedating the Revolutionary war. The first of the name of whom we have authentic record was John Baird, the founder of the family in America. He was a native of Scotland and sailed for the new world in 1683, when only eighteen years of age. Family tradition states that he landed at Perth Amboy and settled in Monmouth county. In 1684 he married Miss Mary Hall, who some time previously had been rescued from a shipwrecked vessel in Raritan Bay. John Baird died in the month of April, 1755, at the advanced age of ninety years and his remains were interred in the old Topanemus cemetery in Marlborough township. Among his children were David, Andrew and Zebulon. The last named died January 28, 1804, aged eighty-three years, three months and fifteen days, and he, too, was laid to rest in the old Topanemus burying-ground.
David Baird, the eldest son of John Baird, was the great-grandfather of our sub- ject. He was born on Wednesday, October 19, 1710, and married Sarah Compton, who was born April 18, 1716. Their children were: Jacob, born in November, 1744; Mary, born September 30, 1747; John, born October 27, 1750; and David, Jr., who was born July 16, 1754. He was the grandfather of our subject and was three times married. He first wedded Rebecca Ely and they had one daughter, Rebecca. The wife and mother died, and he then married Lydia Gaston, by whom he had. six children : Sarah, born November 1, 1780; Mary, born October 15, 1782; John, born March 19, 1784; Jacob, born December 19, 1785; Lydia, whose date of birth is not known; and Phoebe, born November 14, 1790, who became the wife of David Perrine and was the grandmother of David V. Perrine, of Freehold. After the death of the mother of these children, David Baird, Jr., was married November 25, 1795, to Mary Edwards, and their children were: David, born February 22; 1797; Rei, born-May 16, 1798; Elizabeth, born March 2, 1800; Thomas, born February 6, 1802; Ann, born December 23, 1803: Eveline, born October 25, 1805; Joseph, born July 4, 1807; James, born June 3, 1810; Rachel, born September 7, 1812; Eleanor, who was born December 15, 1815, and is the only sur- viving member of the family; and Zebulon, born January 31, 1819. The father. David Baird, Jr., died December 24, 1839. He served in the Colonial army during the war of the Revolution, and for gallant and meritorious conduct on -the field of battle was commissioned captaili.
Thoma's Baird, the father of our subject, first opened -his eyes to the light of day
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on the old family homestead in Millstone township, Monmouth county, and was there reared to manhood, his educational privileges being such as were then accorded farm- ers' sons by the district schools. Throughout his entire life he followed the occupation to which he had been reared, and was an enterprising and industrious agriculturist. He married Eleanor F. Bilyeu, a daughter of Peter and Maria (Ogborne) Bilyeu, the former of French-Huguenot lineage. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Baird became the parents of the following children : David and Jonathan, born August 21, 1829, the latter living but one day ; Sarah, born March 20, 1833.
David Baird, who has spent his entire life in Monmouth county, is widely and favorably known. No event of special importance occurred in his youth to vary the routine of farm life for him. He worked in the fields through the summer months and attended school in the winter season. He wedded Mary E. Pullen, a daughter of Isaac and Jane (Hulit) Pullen, and their marriage has been blessed with the fol- lowing named: Emerson P., born October II, 1853; Sarah H., July 9, 1855; Charles Augustus, born May 15, 1857; Thomas, born January 2, 1859, and died at the age of three years; Willie who was born September 1I, 1860, and died in childhood; Isaac, who was born November II, 1861, and also died in childhood; Howard. born Feb- ruary 16, 1863 ; Carrie, born March 27, 1865; Henry Leslie, who was born November 28, 1867, and died in childhood; David, who was born February 16, 1869, and after graduating in the Bellevue Medical College is now successfully practicing medicine in Florence, Burlington county, New Jersey ; and John H., who was born February 7, 1872, and is now engaged in horticultural pursuits in Georgia.
David Baird, of this review, has ever been a progressive, enterprising and worthy citizen, and has taken an active interest in all movements and measures which have for their object the general welfare. He has served in his township as assessor and has also been a member of the board of freeholders. In both offices he discharged his duties with signal promptness and ability, thus winning the commendation of all con- cerned.
JAMES TAYLOR WALLING.
The gentleman whose name forms the caption of this sketch is a leading citizen of Raritan township, Monmouth county, New Jersey, with postoffice and business headquarters at Keyport, and has attained success as a truck gardener, fruit grower and dealer in ice. He is descended from one of the old and honored families of Monmouth county and was born on the old homestead of his father within sight of his present residence, April 6, 1865. The historic old family seat here referred to is popularly known as the old mill farin and is one of the landmarks in its vicin- ity. Mr. Walling's parents are Taylor W. and Lydia (Wilson) Walling, and their ancestral history is set forth in other biographical sketches in this work. Mr. Walling's success as a farmer has been noteworthy. His home farm consists of one hundred and sixty acres, sixty-three acres of which is tillable land. He is the owner also of two other farms near by, each of which contains fifty-six acres. His farm is located in a beautiful section of the county a mile and a half southeast of Key- port and his home is one of the most hospitable in Raritan township.
Mr. Walling was married April 15, 1888, to Mary White, who was born De- cember 15, 1866, a daughter of George W. and Mary (Fallon) White. Mr. White is a native of Monmouth county, Mrs. White was born in Brooklyn, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Walling have one son, William Taylor Walling. Politically Mr. Walling is a Democrat; he is not an active partisan, but in many ways he has demonstrated his public spirit. He is a member of the Fruit Growers' Association,
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an organization for the mutual protection and advantage of its members. His brother is associated with him in the ice trade and their two large ice houses located on his farm have a capacity of two thousand tons. They cut about five acres of ice annually and supply the trade of Keyport.
FREDERICK LUTHER.
The Colt's Neck hotel at Coltsneck, Monmouth county, New Jersey, is a popular hostelry, the history of which extends so far back into the past that it is impossible at this time to make any definite statement as to its beginning. It is stated that one of its former owners placed on it a sign, bearing the device of a colt's head and neck together with the date, 1817, but there is abundant evidence that the old inn was known forty to fifty years earlier, more especially during the period of the Revolution. The present genial and obliging proprietor is Frederick Luther, who is favorably known io the traveling public for many miles round about. The Colt's Neck hotel has accom- modations for about twenty guests and so popular is it under the management of "mine host" Luther that it is usually patronized to the extent of its capacity.
Frederick Luther was born in Berlin, Germany, in 1868, a son of William and Louisa Luther, by whom he was brought to the United States at the age of two years, in 1870. In 1878 Mr. and Mrs. Luther and their son returned to the fatherland, where Mr. and Mrs. Luther are living at this time. In 1886, after an absence of eight years, Frederick Luther returned to the United States, of which he has become a loyal naturalized citizen. For some years he was engaged in butchering. He purchased the Colt's Neck hotel in 1898. In connection with it he owns seven acres of land upon which he raises vegetables enough to supply his table.
Mr. Luther married Miss Jane Booth, daughter of Mrs. Margaret Booth, in 1896. He is a Knight of Pythias and a meniber of the Improved Order of Red Men.
MILO H. CREGO.
The career of Milo H. Crego, of Belmar, Monmouth county, New Jersey, has been one of remarkable activity and usefulness, and by the consensus of opinion of his fel- low citizens, lie is known as one of the most honored and public-spirited men of that beautiful and flourishing village, and to his native ability, tact and zeal is due much of its high prestige. Mr. Crego is descended from Holland and English ancestry. His father. Stephen Crego, was a native of the state of New York, born in Mar- cellus, and. who died June 1, 1873, in Cayuga county. He was a farmer by occupa- tion. In religion he was a Baptist, and in politics a Democrat, and he was a past master in the Masonic Order. He was twice married, the children by his first wife being: Evelyn, Ann E., Harriet and Esther ; and the children by his second marriage were Laura, Milo H. and Hulda, the last named of whom died in infancy.
Milo H. Crego, only son of Stephen Crego, was born March 1, 1848, in Jordan, Onondago county, New York. Until he was twenty-two years of age he was engaged upon a farm, and his educational opportunities were limited. Intent upon knowledge, however, he availed himself of such instruction and use of books as were available, and afterward passed through Union Seminary, at Red Creek, New York, and the normal school at Albany, defraying all his expenses out of money saved from his earnings. He then learned the trade of a mason, and worked as a journeyman for
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three years. For two years afterward he managed a farm near Conquest, in Cayuga county, New York. In 1871 he took up the occupation of a teacher, and entered upon a career for which he manifested peculiar aptitude and in which his labors brought him constant employment and great credit. He first taught in the district school at Weedsport and afterward in other schools in the state of New York. In 1875 he re- moved to New Jersey and taught for two years in the Union district schools at Man- asquan. The following year he taught in the village of Usquan. He then removed to Bricksburg, where, in association with his wife, he conducted the Lakewood School for two years, and during the ten years beginning in 1881 he was principal of the schools at Manasquan, Ocean Beach and Belmar. He subsequently taught for one year at Red Bank, for two years at West Long Branch, and for one year at Oceanport.
In 1886 Mr. Crego opened in Belmar an office for the conduct of business as a con- veyancer, insurance agent and notary public, and the work which came to him in these. lines became so extensive that he abandoned teaching altogether. From the moment of his coming he interested himself earnestly in advancing public interests, and his neighbors called him from time to time to varous positons in which he was enabled to render service to the community, He was three times elected justice of the peace, in 1886, in 1891 and in 1896, and by successive re-elections he served as a member of the town council from 1890 to 1894. In his first term in the latter position he was the author of the borough re-incorporation act under which the municipal government was reconstructed, affording authority for various greatly needed public improvements. He was among the founders of the Belmar fire department, and is ex-secretary and foreman of Union Engine Company, No. I. He organized the local branch of the Republic Building & Loan Association of Newark, and has been its treasurer to the present time.
Mr. Crego is one of the most active members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and for many years has served as a member of its board of trustees, and as its treas- urer. He was a charter member of the lodge of Red Men, and has been for several years its treasurer. He is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity-a past master and the present treasurer of Ocean Lodge, No. 89, F. & A. M., and a companion in Goodwill Chapter, No. 36, R. A. M. He is a past grand of United Lodge, No. 199, I. O. O. F. In all these various relations, as teacher, business man, public official, citizen and neighbor, Mr. Crego has met every obligation of good citizenship, and he would well serve the community in which he makes his home as a pleasing duty owing to his fellows. And for this he finds reward in the honor in which he is held by those among whom he has lived so long.
Mr. Crego was married in March, 1876, to Miss Louisa Osborne, a daughter of John Osborne, of Manasquan. Her death occurred in February, 1879. In 1887 he married Miss Augusta Osborne, a sister of his deceased wife.
CAPTAIN ABNER H. WEST. 1 The career of Captain Abner H. West has been one of the most useful as well as interesting of those who have lived along the Atlantic coast. He is a veteran life-saver, and late keeper of the Seabright Station. Captain West was born at North Long Branch, New Jersey, on October 24, 1842, son of James and Jane (Woolley ) West. His grandfather, Benjamin West, was born at Atlanticville, now known as North Long Branch, where he lived and died, following the vocations of farmer and fisherman.
Captain Abner H. West began to earn his own livelihood at the early age of
Abner It West
-
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eleven years, when he engaged in the fishing business and continued in this employ- ment for thirty years. His education was necessarily limited, and was acquired in the subscription schools of his native town. In December, 1872,-he entered the life saving service as a surfman; early in the following year he was promoted to the position of keeper of the Seabright Station. The district over which he had juris- diction, formerly known as Number Three, extends one and a half miles south, and two miles north from Seabright. Eight men were employed as assistants to Cap- tain West, who have rendered unlimited service in the saving of life and property along the coast. A resume of this service, which from lack of space cannot be given in all of its thrilling details, is as follows: September 19, 1875, Schooner "Mabel Thomas," seven saved, none lost. March 16, 1876, Schooner "P. A. Saunders," five on board, all rescued. December 24, 1876, Schooner "Philadelphia," eight aboard, all rescued. January 7, 1877, Trans-Atlantic Steamer "Amerique," two hundred and fifty-two aboard, all rescued with the exception of three, who were drowned owing to the capsizing of their own boat. February 3, 1880, Brig "Castalia," with eleven people aboard, all saved. 'April 30, 1881, Barque "Melchoir," seventeen aboard, all saved. September 22, 1881, Yacht "Gypsy." March 4, 1883, Barden pilot boat "Ariel Patterson" in collision with schooner, one drowned, six saved. September 22, 1883, Yacht "Mollie Molley." September 23, 1883, rescued Elizabeth Brown, a child, from drowning, and resuscitated her. September 28, 1883, assisted Sloop "Elizabeth." November 2, 1883, assisted Steam Yacht "Soltan." May 20, 1885, Schooner "Charlotte Brown," fifteen on board, all saved. July 7, 1885, Barkentine "Anna," twelve aboard, all saved. November 19, 1885, assisted Yacht "Butler." June 14, 1886, Schooner "Republic," six aboard, all saved. December 7, 1886, Schooner "John D. Lacy," derelict. December 14, 1887, John Applegate saved from ice break. September II, 1889, assisted Schooner "Hiram B. Edwards" in sunken condition. January 13, 1891, rescued Charles Morris and Henry Lane from drowning. October 12, 1892, Schooner "Rebecca F. Lanibdin," in distress, crew of eight all down with fever,-all saved,-vessel taken to quarantine. January 12, 1893, Pilot Boat No. 6, James G. Bennett and eight others aboard, who were saved. January 31, 1893, as- sisted steam tug "Edward Annan," in distress. March 1I, 1803, Steamship "Wells City," with thirty-one on board, all rescued. March II, 1894, Schooner "Kate Markel;" the seven aboard were all lost by vessel breaking up too quickly to permit of use of life line. July 22, 1894, Schooner "Robert Mitchell" sunk, five on board, all saved, being taken from the rigging. October 9, 1894, Schooner "Mary Lawson," eight aboard, all saved. January 25, 1896, Steamship "St. Paul," eight hundred on board, all saved. March 24, 1897, Schooner "Emily E. Johnson," six aboard, all saved. On February 7, 1880, Captain West received a letter from Mr. S. I. Kimball, general superintendent of the United States life saving service, commendatory of the bravery and efficiency of the keepers of stations 2, 3, 4 and 5, for rescuing all persons from the wrecks of "Harding" light boat, the "E. C. Bahick," the "Au- gustina" and the "Castalia," the last named being that which was rescued by Cap- tain West's crew, No. 3.
Captain West was the first to recommend the tally board printed in English and French, for communication between the shore and a wrecked vessel. He also recommended the use of the tail-block, now the most important part of the beach apparatus, and after many years he succeeded in procuring the adoption of a uni- form necessary to the identification of men in the life saving service. He also aided in many other ways in bringing the service to its present highly efficient con- dition.
In accepting Captain West's resignation on May 4, 1899, Superintendent Kim-
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ball expressed the satisfaction of the department with the twenty-five years of creditable service rendered by Captain West. In reference to the rescue of the lives aboard the Schooner "Mitchell," Captain West justly prizes the following letter writ- ten by the Rev. J. Edward Young, then pastor of the Presbyterian church at Ocean Grove.
"My dear Capt. West :
God bless you for your noble work last Sabbath afternoon! You have a splen- did record. All interested in the service are proud of you and crew.
With esteem,
J. EDWARD YOUNG.
Aside from his energetic labors in the life saving service, Captain West has taken an active interest in the promotion of the industrial development and upbuild- ing of the town of Seabright, which was formerly known as Nauvoo, and in .1872 was practically the property of fishermen. In 1881, in connection with other citizens, the New York and Long Branch Steamboat Line was established. He acted for a number of years as president of the Seabright Fishing Association, successor to the original Fishing Association of that place, which was known as the Nauvoo.
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