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 69
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While in Germany Mr. Kroeger was married, the lady of his choice being Miss Dusine Polniblad, by whom he has three children living: Christena, Peter and Augusta. Mr. Kroeger belongs to the Perth Amboy Tribe of Red Men and to the Danish Lutheran church, while his right of franchise is exercised in behalf of the men and measures of the Democracy. He has labored earnestly and effectively in the interests of his party, and in 1896 he was elected alderman from the fourth ward of Perth Amboy, in which office he discharged his duties with such signal usefulness and fidelity that ile was re-elected at the end of the first term and is now holding over a year. He is usually found in the conventions of his party and his opinions carry weight in its councils. But whether political or otherwise, every enterprise that is advanced for the public good receives his endorsement and aid, and Perth Amboy has no more loyal resident than this well known and popular German- American citizen.
JACOB G. GERNS.
The qualifications which insure success in business are manifest in the career of Mr. Gerns, who is a representative of one of the leading industries of Perth Amboy. He assisted in the organization of the Standard Terra Cotta Company and from the beginning has been an active factor in the successful conduct of the enter- prise, which is of value not only to the stockholders but to the entire community, for it furnishes employment to a number of workmen and contributes to the com- mercial activity of the city.
A native of Hightstown, New Jersey, Mr. Gerns was born on the 16th of December, 1869, 'a son of Jacob S. Gerns, one of the leading dock builders in Perth Amboy. The subject of this review pursued his education in the schools of his native city and oi Perth Amboy, accompanying his parents on their removal to the latter place about seventeen years ago. Throughout the greater part of his business career he has been engaged in the manufacture of terra cotta and is now thoroughly fa- miliar with the business in every department. In 1891 he was one of the incorpora- tors of the Pechitute Terra Cotta Company, and for a number of years was its.
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secretary and treasurer. He is now acting as foreman of the factory, and his thorough understanding of the best methods of manufacture well qualify him for the responsi- ble position which he is now filling. The plant is large and splendidly equipped with the latest improved machinery known to the trade and the products of the works are of fine quality, thereby commanding a ready sale and high prices on the market. The business is already extensive and is constantly growing, and not a little of the success of the enterprise is due to Mr. Gerns' accurate knowledge of the business and his systematic management.
Mr. Gerns became the husband of Miss Evaline Griffen, and their union has been blessed with four children: Agnes May, Helen, Margaret and Edna. Mr. Gerns is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and also belongs to the Foresters and the Exempt Firemen's Association. In his political views he is an carnest Republican, active in advancing the interests of his party and at the present time is serving as one of the city aldermen. A young man of excellent business ability, he is meeting with well deserved prosperity in his undertaking; a citizen of public spirit, he is progressive and is a valued assistant in promoting many measures for the general good; in social circles he is genial and popular and wherever he goes he wins friends.
JOHN L. N. STRATTON.
John L. N. Stratton, who is successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits, his home being in Englishtown, Monmouth county, was born at Mount Holly, Burlington county, New Jersey. April 28, 1848. His father, Robert Stratton, was also a native of Mount Holly and throughout the greater part of his business career he was con- nected with the lumber trade. An accident which occurred while he was working in the yards terminated his life. His wife bore the maiden name of Anna Jones, and unto them were born the following children: Elizabeth, who is now residing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Mary, a resident of Mount Holly; Sarah, who died and was laid to rest in the cemetery at Camden, New Jersey; David, deceased, his remains being interred in the cemetery at Pemberton, New Jersey; Charles H., who is now living in South Amboy, where he occupies the position of foreman of the coal and trestle works of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, having thus served for thirty-five years; and John L. N., of this review.
Mr. Stratton, whose name introduces this record, pursued his education in the common schools and after arriving at years of maturity chose as a companion and helpmate for the journey of life Georgianna Petty, the wedding ceremony being performed on the 28th of March, 1878. The lady was a daughter of Simon and Gertrude Petty, and was born in Englishtown, Monmouth county, June 28, 1852. She departed this life J'une 19, 1884, leaving a husband and two children to mourn the loss of a loving and devoted wife and mother. The little son, however, who was born on the 14th of June, 1884, died on the 12th of July of the same year. The daughter, Belva Gertrude, born May 28, 1879, is now with her father in their pleasant home in Englishtown.
Mr. Stratton is a successful farmer and makes a specialty of the raising of garden produce for the city market, where his vegetables always command excellent prices, owing to their splendid size and quality. He is also a skilled machinist, possessing much natural ability in that line. Energetic and industrious, he is now enjoying the well merited prosperity which has come to him in return for his labor. As a citizen he is public-spirited and progressive, taking a deep interest in cverything pertaining to the welfare of the community in which he resides. For
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two years he has been a member of the city council and has served on the school board since 1890, holding that position at the present time. Since 1882 he has been clerk of the board, and in every way possible he aids in the promotion of the cause of education. He is a stanch Republican, zealous in his advocacy of the party and its principles, and religiously is connected with the Presbyterian church.
AMOS ELMER.
Amos Elmer is a native of Shark River, Ocean county, New Jersey, his birth hav- ing occurred at Trap Tavern, in 1844. He is a son of Reily and Lydia Elmer, both of whom were natives of New Jersey and died when our subject was only about two years of age. His paternal grandfather was Amos Elmer, Sr., and both he and his son Reily followed agricultural pursuits in New Jersey throughout their active business life.
Left an orphan at a tender age, Amos Elmer, of this review, was early forced to depend upon his own exertions for a livelihood. His educational privileges and other advantages were limited, for as soon as age and strength permitted he began to work for neighboring farmers, being thus employed until after the Civil war broke out, when he responded to his country's call for troops, joining the boys in blue of Company I, Sixty-ninth Pennsylvania Infantry, in 1864. The regiment was attached to the Second Brigade, Second Division, Second Army Corps, and,Mr. Elmer faith- fully and bravely served with his company until wounded in the left leg at the battle of Petersburg, Virginia, on the 18th of June, 1864. This necessitated his retire- ment from the field, and he was then in the hospitals at Washington and Phila- delphia until honorably discharged from the service after the close of the war, on the 7th of July, 1865.
Returning to the north Mr. Elmer then caine to Monmouth county and has since been engaged in farming here. The success he has achieved is all due to his own labor. He had no patrimony and no influential friends to assist him, but placing his dependence in the more substantial qualities of energy, determination and resolute purpose he has steadily advanced along the highway to success.
On the 4th of January, 1866, Mr. Elmer was united in marriage to Miss Eliza- beth Clinton, of Englishtown, New Jersey. The lady is a descendant of the promi- nent Clinton family of Revolutionary war fame. She was born in the house which is now her home and in which her father lived and died. Her grandfather participated in the battle of Monmouth under General Washington. His wife survived him many years and by the government was granted a pension, whichi was applied toward the purchase of the place now occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Elmer. Unto this worthy couple have been born the following children: George, Benjamin, Amos, Jennie and Deborah. The parents and children are all members of the old Tennent church, and Mr. Elmer belongs to Conover Post, No. 63, Grand Army of the Republic.
PHINEAS POTTER.
Phineas Potter, once a prominent farmer of Monmouth county, was born in Free- hold township, Monmouth county, New Jersey, March 4, 1832, son of Robert and Mary (Clark) Potter. He was of Scotch descent, the ancestors coming from Scot- land to this country in the seventeenth century. They settled in Monmouth county,
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and have there been conspicuous as farmers, soldiers and prominent citizens. His paternal grandfather, Phineas Potter, born in Little Washington, Monmouth county, was a farmer and served during the Revolutionary war. On his mother's side, his grandfather, James Clark, was also a native of Monmouth county and a soldier in the Revolution, and served under General Washington in the battle of Monmouth. Robert Potter, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Freehold in 1808, where he followed farming and died in 1895. He married Mary Clark, who died in 1863.
Phineas Potter spent his early life in working upon his father's farm and re- ceived his education in the district schools of Monmouth county. At the age of twenty-four he settled upon a farm in Millstone township, which he made his sub- sequent home. In August, 1862, at the breaking out of the Civil war he enlisted in Company C, 'Twenty-ninth New Jersey Regiment, and was with the regiment through- out its service. The regiment was stationed at Camp Vredenburg on the old Mon- mouth battlefield, and in September, 1862, left the camp, was attached to Casey's division, in defense of Washington, and until November 30 did duty in Virginia, along the Potomac, opposite Washington. They were then sent to Aqua Creek, Virginia, and for the remainder of the year were on provost and guard duty along the railway. In December, 1862, the regiment was attached to the Third Brigade, First Division, First Corps, and participated in the battle of Fredericksburg. May 2d and 3d of the following years they were in the engagement of Chancellorsville and on June 30, 1863, were mustered out of service. Mr. Potter then returned to his home at Millstone township and resumed farming, in which occupation he contin- ued until his death in the fall of 1901. He was a member of Conover Post, No. 68, Grand Army of the Republic, and his family are members of the Baptist church, of Hightstown.
In February, 1854, he was married to Helen D., daughter of Jane E. and Jemima Danielson, of Brooklyn, New York. Mr. Danielson was for forty years a deacon in a Baptist church of Brooklyn, and died in 1882. He was buried in Greenwood cemetery, Brooklyn. His wife died in 1880, and was buried in the cemetery at Hightstown. Mr. and Mrs. Potter had two children: Edwin A., born in 1855. and Julia E., now married to C. Whitlock, a farmer living near Jamesburg, New Jersey. Mrs. Potter has been an invalid since 1890.
JOHN D. VAN DERVEER.
The name of Van Derveer has so long been closely associated with the interests of Monmouth county that none of its representatives need a special introduction to the readers of this volume. He whose name begins this review was for many years a leading and influential farmer of the county and in his death the community lost a valued citizen. He was born on his father's farm in Marlboro, then Freehold, town- ship, September 28, 1836, his parents being John H. and Jane S. Van Derveer. The ancestry is traced back to Tunis Van Derveer, the first of the name in the county. He was born April 19, 1739, and became one of the honored pioneers of this locality. The grandparents of our subject were Joseph I. and Jane (Smock) Van Derveer. The former, born January 9, 1790, died November 5, 1878, and the latter, whose birth occurred November 10, 1791, died March 23, 1871. Their son, John H. Van Derveer, was born December 27, 1810, in Monmouth county, made farming his life work and died December 28, 1896, while his wife, who was born February 6, 1832, clied October 16, 1892.
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Reared under the parental roof, at the usual age John D. Van Derveer was sent to the district schools, where he acquired a knowledge of the English branches of learning that well fitted him to conduct business transactions. He worked in the fields throughout the summer months and early became acquainted with the use of all farm implements. Entering upon an independent business career he chose the pursuit to which he had been reared, and continued farming on his own account with excellent success until 1899, when having acquired a handsome competence he put aside the more arduous duties of business life and removed to Freehold, where he made his home until his death, which occurred April 12, 1901.
On the 30th of November, 1859, Mr. Van Derveer was married to Miss Jane Ann Van Derveer, who was born October 19, 1839. Their children are as follows: David J., born August 23, 1860; Ann Bowne, born April 10, 1862; and Mary Eliza, born January 28, 1864. The elder daughter died in infancy. The son married Mary Eliza Shults, Deceniber II, 1884, and they have two children: Margaret Helen, born May 27, 1887; and John Ward, born November 30, 1897. The family are all mem- bers of the old Brick church of Marlboro, with which Mr. Van Derveer was identi- fied, his life being consistent with his profession in this regard, for he was ever straightforward and reliable in his business dealings and honorable in all life's relations.
CHARLES JOEL FISK.
Charles J. Fisk, an accomplished financier, of the well known banking firm of Harvey Fisk & Sons, New York City, is a resident of Plainfield, New Jersey, and is useful and influential in advancing the interests of that city. He was born in 1858, in Jersey City, New Jersey. His father, Harvey Fisk, a native of Vermont, was a descendant of William Fisk, founder of the American family of that name, who came from England and settled at Wenham, Massachusetts, in 1637. Harvey Fisk began his business career as clerk in a dry goods store in Trenton, New Jersey, in 1848. In 1852 he became teller in the Mechanics' Bank, New York City, and in 1862 he engaged in the banking business on his own account. Soon afterward he became senior member of the firm of Fisk & Hatch, which was notable for its great financial transactions, and which during the Civil war rendered the country important service by negotiating its bonds. In 1885 the firin was dissolved, being succeeded by Mr. Fisk and his sons, under the style of Harvey Fisk & Sons. The father died in 1889, but no change was made in the name of the firm, which is yet in existence and transacts an immense business in government bonds and general investment securities. The present members are Harvey E., Charles J., Pliny and Alexander G. Fisk, Theodore H. Banks and Herbert W. Denny. Mrs. Fisk, wife of Harvey Fisk, is yet living at the old family homestead on the Delaware river, near Trenton, New Jersey; she was a member of the Green family of that state, many of whose members were prominent in colonial and revolutionary times; her father, A. B. Green, was a highly capable business man, and was connected with the old Camden & Amboy Railroad, and was a member of the legislature for two terms during the Civil war.
Charles J. Fisk, son of Harvey Fisk, passed his boyhood in part on the old homestead, and in part in New York City, where he obtained his education. When seventeen years of age lie entered the banking house in which his father was a partner, and under his training he developed that fine talent which has brought him distinction as one of the most masterly financiers in the United States.
As a resident of Plainfield, New Jersey, Mr. Fisk has constantly been recognized
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as an influential leader in all measures of public advantage. Without ambition for . personal preferment, he has at various times accepted municipal positions, actuated solely by a sense of duty and public spirit. He has served as a member of the city council and as inayor, and he was among the active agents through whose effort the sewer system was established. He is an earnest supporter of the Republican principles, and wields a wide influence in the councils of the party. He has been a delegate in many of the party conventions of Union county and in state conventions. In 1896 he was an alternate in the national convention in St. Louis which nom- inated Major . Mckinley for the presidency, and he served as chairman of the local executive committee in the ensuing campaign. With his family he is a Presbyterian in religion, holding membership with the Crescent Avenue church of Plainfield, in which he holds the position of trustee. He is a member of the Lawyers' Club, the Republican Club and the Wool Club, of New York City; and of the Union County Country Club, of Plainfield.
Mr. Fisk was married, in 1870, to Miss Lillie G. Richey, of Trenton, New Jersey, daughter of the late Augustus G. Richey, one of the most prominent lawyers in the state. Five children were born of the marriage: Louisa G., Augustus R., Charles W., Harvey and Annie G. Fisk. -
CONRAD F. HALL.
Conrad F. Hall, vice-president of the Perth Amboy Terra Cotta Company, was born on November 29, 1865, at Perth Amboy, New Jersey, son of Eber H. and Sarah (Golden) Hall. The father was born in the vicinity of Cleveland, Ohio, and re- mained there during the early part of his life. Conrad F., son of Eber H. Hall, re- ceived his education in the public schools of his native city, and when he attained the age of sixteen years he entered the employ of the A. Hall Terra Cotta Company at Perth Amboy, and he was subsequently engaged with the Northwestern Company of Chicago, Illinois. He afterward returned to Perth Amboy, and once more en- gaged with his first employers. Thoroughly mastering every minute detail of the mechanical processes and faithfully discharging every duty, his capability found rec- ognition in his admission to the firm, which changed its name to that of the Perth Amboy Terra Cotta Company, of which corporation he became vice-president, under the presidency of his grandfather. The new firm was successful from the outset, producing none but the best material, and affording employment to three hundred men. In 1895 Mr. Hall entered into partnership with Mr. Mandeville in the conduct of a clay and building material business, under the firm name of Mandeville & Hall, with office at No. 70 State street, Perth Amboy, and in the Traders' and Builders' Exchange, Newark, New Jersey. The same firm also conducts a real estate and insurance business.
Mr. Hall, takes an active interest in political affairs as a member of the Demo- cratic party, and he was elected to the office of alderman-at-large in 1893, the first to act in that capacity in Perth Amboy. He has been a member of the volunteer fire department, and of the board of trade in Perth Amboy for nine years.
ARCHIBALD SUTPHEN.
Among the prominent and successful farmer citizens of Monmouth county, New Jersey, is Archibald Sutphen, now engaged in extensive agricultural operations on his fine farm, in Howell township. The birth of Mr. Sutphen was on August 16,
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1825, in Freehold township, in this county, and he was a son of Archibald Sutphen, who was also a native of Monmouth county, and who carried on a business of weaving in connection with his farming. The family is one of age and respectability in Monmouth county, grandfather Sutphen also being a native, although of English descent. Among the names of those who gallantly fought for freedom during the Revolutionary struggle the name of Abraham Sutphen, the grandfather of our subject, appears with honorable mention. He lived a long and useful life which ended in 1866. The family is not a large one at present, but our subject has one brother, Robert R., who is engaged in the blacksmith business in Holmdel in this county.
Archibald Sutphen of this sketch was educated in the district schools and adopted farming as his life work. The outbreak of the Civil war caused a change in his career, as he was one of the brave men who risked life to defend the country which his loyal grandfather had fought for so many years before. Mr. Sutphen was a meni- ber of Company A, Twenty-eighth New Jersey Volunteers, and participated in many of the most serious battles of the war. He is now one of the most valued com- rades in the G. A. R. post at Ardena. After the close of the war Mr. Sutphen resumed his farming operations, locating upon his present fine farm in Howell township, where he has shown himself as good a farmer as he was a faithful soldier.
The marriage of Mr. Sutphen was on April 2, 1894, to Miss Sarah Wagner. The children by a former marriage are as follows: Holmes, who resides with his father, assisting on the farm; Margaret, who married Craig Cottonbush, lives at Atlantic Highlands, in this county; Hannah, who married John Mariner, lives at Asbury Park; and Frank, who also is a resident of the same place.
A. D. CONOVER.
A. D. Conover, a young and prosperous merchant of New Monmouth, is a de- scendant of two of the very old and highly respectable families of the county. The Conovers, or as they were formerly called Cowenhovens, are of Holland birth and were among the earliest settlers in Monmouth county, while the Willetts, who are of English extraction, came to the county at a later date, and both families are substantial and loyal citizens and are honored and worthy members of society: The maternal great-grandfather of our subject, Ganett Willett, married Rebecca Stil- well, of Long Island, and their children were Margaret, Catherine, Lydia and Stephen. The maternal grandparents were Ganett and Rebecca (Murry) Willett, and their family numbered the following children: Margaret R., Stephen DeCator, Catherine and Lydia. The paternal grandfather, Cyrenius Conover, married Mary Gray, who, according to family history, was a distant relative of Lady Jane Gray, famous in English history. They were the parents of six children, but Matilda is now the only surviving member of the family.
A. D. Conover, whose name introduces this review, was born at New Mon- mouth in 1863, a son of Cyrenius G. and Catherine ( Willett) Conover. Their family consisted of the following children: William A., deceased; Mary R .; Elverado, de- ceased; Cyrenius, deceased; Dr. C. A., a prominent dentist of Newburg, New York; and .A. D., the subject. The latter was educated in the district schools of his native place, where he laid broad and deep the foundation for his business career. After filling various honorable positions in his locality he opened his present store in 1890, where his reliable and straightforward business methods, together with his
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energy and determination, have won for him a large and constantly increasing patronage. He is publie-spirited to an eminent degree, is always ready to aid any movement which seems to promise well for his community, and by so doing has made a favorable impression on all with whom he has had business or soeial inter- course.
EBENEZER S. NESBITT.
Ebenezer S. Nesbitt, junior member of the hardware firm of Irwin & Nesbitt, a prominent eoncern of Seabright, Monmouth eounty, New Jersey, was born at Newmarket, Middlesex county, New Jersey, December 15, 1857, son of William H. and Julia (Conover) Nesbitt. Edueated in the publie schools of Farmingdale, he was subsequently engaged for three years in the bakery business at- Ocean Grove. Coming to Seabright in 1879 he was for three years in the employ of the New Jersey Central Railroad, as assistant agent. He afterward became a clerk in the hardware store of P. II. Parker at Seabright. In 1883, with L. G. Irwin as partner, he estab- lished the present branches of the hardware business of that concern. The business has grown into an extensive and profitable trade. Mr. Nesbitt is a zealous Repub- liean and has always taken an active interest in the success of his party, but has never sought offiee. For many years he has served as a member and treasurer of the town council. In November, 1884, Mr. Nesbitt was married to C. Minerva, daughter of Thomas G. Armstrong, of Seabright. They have had one ehild, Ivah. Mr. Nesbitt is of Irish Seotch descent. His paternal grandfather, John, a native of Ireland, emigrated to this eountry when a small boy, married a lady of Scotch descent, was a miller by trade, at Freehold, Monmouth county, New Jersey, and had four sons and four daughters. One of these sons, William H., the father of Ebenezer S., was born at Freehold in 1827 and died at Farmingdale in 1876. He was also a miller by trade, but later in life engaged in bridge building. He was a stanch Republiean, was at one time the nominee of his party for assembly, was an assessor and held various loeal offices in Howell township. His children were Charles R. L .; William V .; Belle V., who married Halsted Wainwright, prominent member of the Monmouth eounty bar ; Ebenezer S .; James I .; Mary E., who married William Hewlett, of Long Branch; Lineoln G .; Clarence D. and Harvey.
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