George William Schenck
George William Schenck was a lifelong South Brunswick resident. He grew up near Monmouth Junction on or near Ridge Road close to Route 1 where the Ayerst plant is now located. He has many memories of school and growing up in the Monmouth Junction area. He describes the businesses and activities in the area. He farmed with his father and later worked for South Brunswick Township. He was very active in the Miller Memorial Church and the Monmouth Junction Volunteer Fire Department and First Aid Squad.
John, Frank Kuhn & Maria Kuhn Habiak
John 1906-2003 Frank 1912 Marie 1932-2005 The Kuhn family descents from Fred Kuhn who came from Germany in 1882. He had nine children, 3 girls and 6 boys. They lived on Deans-Rhode Hall Road on 84 acres of Pierson land purchased in 1906. They describe farm life, fixing up their farmhouse, Fresh Ponds, Rhode Hall businesses, thier windmill, growing potatoes during WWII. They provide many details of their rural lives. Marie worked in nursing for 43 years.
Marian Witcher Burnett 1916-1998
John 1906-2003 Frank 1912 Marie 1932-2005 The Kuhn family descents from Fred Kuhn who came from Germany in 1882. He had nine children, 3 girls and 6 boys. They lived on Deans-Rhode Hall Road on 84 acres of Pierson land purchased in 1906. They describe farm life, fixing up their farmhouse, Fresh Ponds, Rhode Hall businesses, thier windmill, growing potatoes during WWII. They provide many details of their rural lives. Marie worked in nursing for 43 years.
Dayton-Deans School Talks
Teachers and Residents Kathy Hunt, Anthony Santowasso, and Al Reichler remember the days of the Dayton and Deans schools.
Agnes Schuh Brabson and Charles Weber
Agnes was born and grew up in the Deans area. Her father’s family is German and her mother’s Irish. She went to the old and new Deans schools, later graduating from New Brunswick High School. She married George Brabson of Monmouth Junction and they moved there after WWII. They had three daughters. In the interviewer she talks about growing up in the Deans area, people she knew, even Dr. Carroll of Dayton. Charles is a member of the Weber family of Deans known for the Weber TV and Appliance store that was there. The building is now occupied by Orange Key Realty. He tells of many people in the Deans area-hunting, picking potatoes, playing baseball etc. After serving in WWII in the Pacific, he returned to South Brunswick and later moved to Monmouth Junction. He served in executive positions in the South Brunswick Lions Club, American Legion Post 401 and was past chief of Monmouth Junction Volunteer Fire Company. He had a lifelong interest in auto racing at various local speedways.
Les Luchonock talks about South Brunswick History to elementary school students
Les Luchonock member of the SB Planning Department talks to elementary school students about South Brunswick history.
Dave & Millie Steinberg Kutliroff Part I
Dave & Millie Steinberg Kutliroff were immigrants who lived successful lives in South Brunswick. They were immortalized by statues created by George Segal. Millicent Steinberg Kutliroff grew up in the Fresh Ponds area by the trolley line. David’s family lived on Ridge Road near the Von Thuns. Their parents immigrated from Europe. Their families were poor, but survived. Roads were dirt, but the trolley provided transportation. Both Jewish with stories of discrimination. Dave graduated from college and worked for various companies. She eventually became a physics teacher. Millie worked at the Monmouth Junction Post Office for 20 years. Her sister married George Segal.
Dave & Millie Steinberg Kutliroff Part II
Dave & Millie Steinberg Kutliroff were immigrants who lived successful lives in South Brunswick. They were immortalized by statues created by George Segal. Millicent Steinberg Kutliroff grew up in the Fresh Ponds area by the trolley line. David’s family lived on Ridge Road near the Von Thuns. Their parents immigrated from Europe. Their families were poor, but survived. Roads were dirt, but the trolley provided transportation. Both Jewish with stories of discrimination. Dave graduated from college and worked for various companies. She eventually became a physics teacher. Millie worked at the Monmouth Junction Post Office for 20 years. Her sister married George Segal.
Doris Daust Sigle Part I
Doris Daust Sigle b. 1925 married Mr. Sigle and farmed on Ridge Road east of Dayton. Doris Daust Sigle on her mother’s side comes from several old South Brunswick families. Her father, born in New York had immigrant parents from Europe. Doris talks about life in Monmouth Junction when she was growing up, schools, skating and neighbors. At one time her father worked for the Miner-Levy Company as an engineer. Doris later married Warren Sigle. He died in 1999, but she still lived on the Pleasant Hill Farm on Ridge Road.
Doris Daust Sigle Part II
Doris Daust Sigle b. 1925 married Mr. Sigle and farmed on Ridge Road east of Dayton. Doris Daust Sigle on her mother’s side comes from several old South Brunswick families. Her father, born in New York had immigrant parents from Europe. Doris talks about life in Monmouth Junction when she was growing up, schools, skating and neighbors. At one time her father worked for the Miner-Levy Company as an engineer. Doris later married Warren Sigle. He died in 1999, but she still lived on the Pleasant Hill Farm on Ridge Road.
Mary Crawford 1907-1999
Mary Crawford was a longtime resident of Monmouth Junction. Mary Crawford was a born a Luttman about 1907. Her parents, Julius and Annie were both born in Germany. She married Raymond M. “Buck” Crawford (1907-1988). He worked for the railroad and enjoyed hunting. Mary was a member of the Miller Memorial Church and active in the community. She went to Dayton school and New Brunswick High School.
George and Helen Luck I
George Luck 1925-1988 George T. and Helen Green Luck were active in the Kingston Fire and First Aid companies and the Presbyterian Church. George and Helen Luck were important members of the Kingston community. His father came from England and worked at Princeton Nurseries. George lived most of his life in Kingston. He describes his growing up here remembering the businesses, schools, and skating on the canal and playing baseball all over New Jersey. He served in WWII and was active in the Kingston Fire Department. He started the Kingston First Aid and Rescue Squad. He received the Barry Indik Memorial Award in 1995. He also helped organize the South Brunswick Township Little League. Helen came from Trenton and they raised three sons and a daughter.
George and Helen Luck II
George Luck 1925-1988 George T. and Helen Green Luck were active in the Kingston Fire and First Aid companies and the Presbyterian Church. George and Helen Luck were important members of the Kingston community. His father came from England and worked at Princeton Nurseries. George lived most of his life in Kingston. He describes his growing up here remembering the businesses, schools, and skating on the canal and playing baseball all over New Jersey. He served in WWII and was active in the Kingston Fire Department. He started the Kingston First Aid and Rescue Squad. He received the Barry Indik Memorial Award in 1995. He also helped organize the South Brunswick Township Little League. Helen came from Trenton and they raised three sons and a daughter.
George and Helen Luck III
George Luck 1925-1988 George T. and Helen Green Luck were active in the Kingston Fire and First Aid companies and the Presbyterian Church. George and Helen Luck were important members of the Kingston community. His father came from England and worked at Princeton Nurseries. George lived most of his life in Kingston. He describes his growing up here remembering the businesses, schools, and skating on the canal and playing baseball all over New Jersey. He served in WWII and was active in the Kingston Fire Department. He started the Kingston First Aid and Rescue Squad. He received the Barry Indik Memorial Award in 1995. He also helped organize the South Brunswick Township Little League. Helen came from Trenton and they raised three sons and a daughter.
Suse and Walter Rosenstock I
Suse Rosenstock 1931-2002 Walter Rosenstock 1924-2008 Suse and Walter Rosenstock discuss their life in South Brunswick and Walter’s experiences growning up in South Brunswick and their association with the local Jewish community and hers as a Holocaust Survivor. The Rosenstocks were born in Germany, both escaping Jewish persecution there. Suse went to England as a youth, later emigrating to the U.S. She met Walter in New Brunswick. Walter grew up on a chicken farm in South Brunswick that housed 3,000 chickens. They married and continued to work the family business on Kingston Lane where they operated the Triple R Farms. There are many details about South Brunswick villages in this interview about life in the 1940s and 50s. Life centered around the Jewish Community Center’s activities. They raised a son and two daughters.
Suse and Walter Rosenstock II
Suse Rosenstock 1931-2002 Walter Rosenstock 1924-2008 Suse and Walter Rosenstock discuss their life in South Brunswick and Walter’s experiences growning up in South Brunswick and their association with the local Jewish community and hers as a Holocaust Survivor. The Rosenstocks were born in Germany, both escaping Jewish persecution there. Suse went to England as a youth, later emigrating to the U.S. She met Walter in New Brunswick. Walter grew up on a chicken farm in South Brunswick that housed 3,000 chickens. They married and continued to work the family business on Kingston Lane where they operated the Triple R Farms. There are many details about South Brunswick villages in this interview about life in the 1940s and 50s. Life centered around the Jewish Community Center’s activities. They raised a son and two daughters.
Suse and Walter Rosenstock III
Suse Rosenstock 1931-2002 Walter Rosenstock 1924-2008 Suse and Walter Rosenstock discuss their life in South Brunswick and Walter’s experiences growning up in South Brunswick and their association with the local Jewish community and hers as a Holocaust Survivor. The Rosenstocks were born in Germany, both escaping Jewish persecution there. Suse went to England as a youth, later emigrating to the U.S. She met Walter in New Brunswick. Walter grew up on a chicken farm in South Brunswick that housed 3,000 chickens. They married and continued to work the family business on Kingston Lane where they operated the Triple R Farms. There are many details about South Brunswick villages in this interview about life in the 1940s and 50s. Life centered around the Jewish Community Center’s activities. They raised a son and two daughters.
Herman & Alma Smith Von Thun I
Herman Von Thun 1911-2005 Alma Von Thun 1915-2000 Herman Von Thun, son of a German immigrant, grew up on the Von Thun Farm on Ridge Road. He talks about farm life, family history, school in Dayton, and trolley and train transportation. Alma came from Monroe and they met at Dayton Presbyterian Church where they were active lifelong members. She was a teacher at Dayton-Deans Schools for 20 years. Herman served on the Township Committee for 30 years and the Planning and Zoning Boards. They mention many changes of Post Offices in the area and other memories of growing up in South Brunswick.
Herman & Alma Smith Von Thun II
Herman Von Thun 1911-2005 Alma Von Thun 1915-2000 Herman Von Thun, son of a German immigrant, grew up on the Von Thun Farm on Ridge Road. He talks about farm life, family history, school in Dayton, and trolley and train transportation. Alma came from Monroe and they met at Dayton Presbyterian Church where they were active lifelong members. She was a teacher at Dayton-Deans Schools for 20 years. Herman served on the Township Committee for 30 years and the Planning and Zoning Boards. They mention many changes of Post Offices in the area and other memories of growing up in South Brunswick.
Herman & Alma Smith Von Thun III
Herman Von Thun 1911-2005 Alma Von Thun 1915-2000 Herman Von Thun, son of a German immigrant, grew up on the Von Thun Farm on Ridge Road. He talks about farm life, family history, school in Dayton, and trolley and train transportation. Alma came from Monroe and they met at Dayton Presbyterian Church where they were active lifelong members. She was a teacher at Dayton-Deans Schools for 20 years. Herman served on the Township Committee for 30 years and the Planning and Zoning Boards. They mention many changes of Post Offices in the area and other memories of growing up in South Brunswick.
Catherine Klaus Santowasso & Helen Huber Part I
Catherine Klaus Santowasso 1912-2009 Helen Huber Breese 1915-2006 Catherine Klaus Santowasso married Anthony Santowasso and is the mother of Tony Santowasso who created these interviews. Catherine’s parents were born in Austria. Helen’s grandparents were born in Germany and her parents born in the U.S. Helen came to Monmouth Junction when she was four, while Catherine came here in her teens. Both describe life in Monmouth Junction, ice skating on Stouts Pond, Kip Emens postmaster, the railroad, Santa Claus, Miller Memorial Church, the telephone company and other aspects of local life there. Catherine and Anthony took over his father’s business near the railroad.
Catherine Klaus Santowasso & Helen Huber Part II
Catherine Klaus Santowasso 1912-2009 Helen Huber Breese 1915-2006 Catherine Klaus Santowasso married Anthony Santowasso and is the mother of Tony Santowasso who created these interviews. Catherine’s parents were born in Austria. Helen’s grandparents were born in Germany and her parents born in the U.S. Helen came to Monmouth Junction when she was four, while Catherine came here in her teens. Both describe life in Monmouth Junction, ice skating on Stouts Pond, Kip Emens postmaster, the railroad, Santa Claus, Miller Memorial Church, the telephone company and other aspects of local life there. Catherine and Anthony took over his father’s business near the railroad.
Catherine Klaus Santowasso & Helen Huber Part III
Catherine Klaus Santowasso 1912-2009 Helen Huber Breese 1915-2006 Catherine Klaus Santowasso married Anthony Santowasso and is the mother of Tony Santowasso who created these interviews. Catherine’s parents were born in Austria. Helen’s grandparents were born in Germany and her parents born in the U.S. Helen came to Monmouth Junction when she was four, while Catherine came here in her teens. Both describe life in Monmouth Junction, ice skating on Stouts Pond, Kip Emens postmaster, the railroad, Santa Claus, Miller Memorial Church, the telephone company and other aspects of local life there. Catherine and Anthony took over his father’s business near the railroad.
Viola Santowasso Aversano 1909-1999 Part I
Viola Santowasso Aversano. Member of large Santowasso family and local telephone operator. Viola is a younger member of this large Italian family that moved to Monmouth Junction in the early 1900s. She gives a lot of family history, describes growing up in Monmouth Junction, her time as a telephone operator and memories of Dr. Carroll of Dayton. She married Charles Aversano and they lived in Monmouth Junction.
Viola Santowasso Aversano 1909-1999 Part II
Viola Santowasso Aversano. Member of large Santowasso family and local telephone operator. Viola is a younger member of this large Italian family that moved to Monmouth Junction in the early 1900s. She gives a lot of family history, describes growing up in Monmouth Junction, her time as a telephone operator and memories of Dr. Carroll of Dayton. She married Charles Aversano and they lived in Monmouth Junction.
Viola Santowasso Aversano 1909-1999 Part III
Viola Santowasso Aversano. Member of large Santowasso family and local telephone operator. Viola is a younger member of this large Italian family that moved to Monmouth Junction in the early 1900s. She gives a lot of family history, describes growing up in Monmouth Junction, her time as a telephone operator and memories of Dr. Carroll of Dayton. She married Charles Aversano and they lived in Monmouth Junction.
Jack & Alice Griggs Lackey 1915-2003 Part I
Jack and Alice Griggs Lackey. Alice Griggs of Monmouth Junction and Jack Lackey a retired railroad man. John J. “Jack” Lackey was born in Kingston. He played baseball, served in the Army in WWII, married Alice Griggs of Monmouth Junction, and lived on Hillside Avenue in the house built by her father, Frank Griggs. Jack worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad as a conductor on the “Dinky” ran between Princeton and Princeton Junction. Alice grew up in Monmouth Junction, went to Princeton High School and worked for Educational Testing Service in Princeton. They have two sons and one daughter and nine grandchildren. Recorded January 1997.
Jack & Alice Griggs Lackey 1915-2003 Part II
Jack and Alice Griggs Lackey. Alice Griggs of Monmouth Junction and Jack Lackey a retired railroad man. John J. “Jack” Lackey was born in Kingston. He played baseball, served in the Army in WWII, married Alice Griggs of Monmouth Junction, and lived on Hillside Avenue in the house built by her father, Frank Griggs. Jack worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad as a conductor on the “Dinky” ran between Princeton and Princeton Junction. Alice grew up in Monmouth Junction, went to Princeton High School and worked for Educational Testing Service in Princeton. They have two sons and one daughter and nine grandchildren. Recorded January 1997.
William Flemer III Part I
Jack and Alice Griggs Lackey. Alice Griggs of Monmouth Junction and Jack Lackey a retired railroad man. John J. “Jack” Lackey was born in Kingston. He played baseball, served in the Army in WWII, married Alice Griggs of Monmouth Junction, and lived on Hillside Avenue in the house built by her father, Frank Griggs. Jack worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad as a conductor on the “Dinky” ran between Princeton and Princeton Junction. Alice grew up in Monmouth Junction, went to Princeton High School and worked for Educational Testing Service in Princeton. They have two sons and one daughter and nine grandchildren. Recorded January 1997.
William Flemer III Part II
William Flemer III discusses his work as head of the world famous Princeton Nurseries located in South Brunswick. William Flemer III is the grandson of William Flemer Sr. who purchased land in the Kingston area beginning in 1913 for a branch of a Springfield nursery now known as Princeton Nursery. William Flemer III was raised there attending private schools and getting a BA degree in Botany from Yale. He continued the work of his father in growing nursery stock and developing new cultivars of nursery plants. He was active in state and national horticultural associations and represented the Princeton Nursery known worldwide for its unique cultivars. He lived in the Matthias Van Dyke House until his death in 2007.
William Flemer III Part III
William Flemer III discusses his work as head of the world famous Princeton Nurseries located in South Brunswick. William Flemer III is the grandson of William Flemer Sr. who purchased land in the Kingston area beginning in 1913 for a branch of a Springfield nursery now known as Princeton Nursery. William Flemer III was raised there attending private schools and getting a BA degree in Botany from Yale. He continued the work of his father in growing nursery stock and developing new cultivars of nursery plants. He was active in state and national horticultural associations and represented the Princeton Nursery known worldwide for its unique cultivars. He lived in the Matthias Van Dyke House until his death in 2007.
George H. Baker 1905-1999 Part I
George H. Baker with Sue Schneider Baker George Baker of Brown/Baker’s Corner in Monroe Township at Cranbury Road. Recalls skating on Deans Pond (the dam on the pond broke and the pond is no longer there). George remembers the first automobile in the area in 1915. His first car/truck was a Chrysler Roadster. George played baseball in local leagues and remembers riding his bicycle to Freehold along the railroad tracks. That’s about 15 miles. George was a county surveyor and remembers Kendall being planned.
Ceil Leedom South Brunswick Town Historian Part I
South Brunswick Town Historian Ceil Leedom describes what it was like growing up the the Baltimore area. Ceil was born on October 5, 1940 in Annapolis, Maryland to Thelma and Jesse Coop. Ceil graduated from Juniata College in 1961 shortly after her marriage to Marvin Leedom at the Willow Grove Methodist Church. Ceil and Marvin lived in Warminster, PA and later South Brunswick, NJ while raising their children David, James, Kenneth, and Karen. Later Ceil went on to receive a Masters Degree in Library Science from Rutgers University in 1984. Ceil believed that “…each person has a contribution to make. Most of us are concerned with our immediate world, but a historian usually takes a longer look at the past, present and future,” and she was a historian. She used her education to play a key role in her local community’s mission to help future generations understand their heritage.
Ceil Leedom South Brunswick Town Historian Part II
South Brunswick Town Historian Ceil Leedom describes what it was like growing up the the Baltimore area. Ceil was born on October 5, 1940 in Annapolis, Maryland to Thelma and Jesse Coop. Ceil graduated from Juniata College in 1961 shortly after her marriage to Marvin Leedom at the Willow Grove Methodist Church. Ceil and Marvin lived in Warminster, PA and later South Brunswick, NJ while raising their children David, James, Kenneth, and Karen. Later Ceil went on to receive a Masters Degree in Library Science from Rutgers University in 1984. Ceil believed that “…each person has a contribution to make. Most of us are concerned with our immediate world, but a historian usually takes a longer look at the past, present and future,” and she was a historian. She used her education to play a key role in her local community’s mission to help future generations understand their heritage.
Joseph Spataro former mayor of South Brunswick
Mr. Spataro was elected to the Township Committee in 1968 and served two terms until 1973, including two years as the elected mayor in 1970-72. Spataro was a member of the Monmouth Junction First Aid Squad for more than 25 years, a member of the South Brunswick Lions Club for 25 years where he was named Lion of the Year in 1988. He served in the Pacific during World War II as a member of the U.S. Navy in the 35th Special Battalion, and then worked at Dupont and the Title Council of the American Research Center for many years.
Fred A. Holsten 1913-2002 Part I
Fred was born and lived in the Dayton area all of his life. His parents, Charles and Minnie Holsten were born in Germany. They had a large family. His father raised potatoes. Fred became a constable in 1933. He and others patrolled the community in their own cars. Appointed Chief in 1942, the first full-time police force was started in 1962. He served as chief until 1974. Community minded, he was a charter member of the SB Lions Club and an early member of the Monmouth Junction Volunteer Fire Department.
Thelbert & Anne Hunt
Ted and Anne Hunt both come to South Brunswick from Virginia. Ted first came as a high school student in the 1930s looking for work. He later moved here and married Anne East also from Virginia. They lived in Monmouth Gulf Station on Route 27 for 30 years. He as active in the South Brunswick Lions Club and Miller Memorial Presbyterian Church. Anne taught school and was active in local organizations.
George Kaltschmidt & Betty Mcgovern Petrozzini
Betty and George grew up in Kingston and have stories of that place. Betty also lived in Monmouth Junction. George Kaltschidt’s grandfather came from German to Princeton and worked in various business, but George and his father were carpenters living in Kingston. George was active in baseball and talks about things the local residents did for sports. Betty and George went to school in Kingston. Later Betty moved to Monmouth Junction and attend school there. Betty mentioned Gypsies (Romani) at Princeton Nurseries. Many in Kingston worked in Princeton.
Fannie Pietrefesa & Ethel Pietrefesa Scurato
Fannie Pietrefesa 1905-2002 Ethel Pietrefesa Scurato 1919-2006 Fannie was the oldest of 14 children born to Vincenza and Angela Pietrefesa from Italy. Fannie (Filomena) was born in Deans and lived there all her life. Ethel was the youngest Pietrefesa. She married Salvatore Scurato and lived in Monmouth Junction. All grew up in Deans. They talked about growing up by the railroad tracks, walking to Monmouth Junction, Deans School, Deans Post Office, and other businesses in Deans. They also recounted train wrecks, and when Deans Garage was established in 1932.