Ocean County , NJ History

Asbury Park Press 30 Nov 2001 Efforts to preserve an old fishing shack in Stafford are expected to get the Board of Freeholders' endorsement at its next meeting on Wednesday. Freeholder James J. Mancini said at this week's caucus meeting that he "passes that shack every day" as he travels along Route 72. Mancini said he supports the efforts of the Alliance for a Living Ocean and its board of trustees president, Joan Koons, to preserve the shack. The landmark structure on Cedar Bonnett Island was at one time used by hunters as a gunning shack, Mancini said. During the discussion, Freeholder Director John P. Kelly suggested the board pass a formal resolution of support, which was welcomed by Mancini and Freeholder Joseph H. Vicari. Freeholders John C. Bartlett Jr. and James F. Lacey were absent from the caucus meeting. The freeholders' regular meeting will be held at 4 p.m. Wednesday in the Ocean County administration building, 101 Hooper Ave.

9 DEC 1869 - New Jersey Mirror: James Reynolds, of Bass River, committed suicide, on Sunday, the 29th ult.(November, 1868). He was in the last stage of consumption, and so weak that he was confined to his bed--but he gathered strength enough to leave it and grasp a razor, lying on a stand a few feet away. Staggering back to the bed, he deliberately drew the razor across the left side of his throat, severing the main artery, and causing death in a short time. The deceased was a laboring man, about 37 years old. No one but his mother was in the house at the time of his death.

New Jersey Mirror 27 Nov 1907 Startling disclosures made by State Detective Parker, of Mount Holly, after information had been received by Prosecutor Atkinson on Wednesday last, have proven beyond all question that Burlington county has another murder case to record, with the pine belt in the vicinity of Atsion as the scene of the crime, and Guiseppe Merchurio, an Italian, the victim of a fellow countryman whose name has not been divulged. The fact thus established is the third murder to be chronicled in Burlington county within a week, the crimes committed in Burlington on Thursday and Friday nights being the other two. The information received by Prosecutor Atkinson on Wednesday last was to the effect that on October 29 Merchurio and his companion left the camp on the cranberry bogs of Rider & Wilkinson, near Atsion, where they were employed as pickers, and started on a gunning trip. Soon after their departure in the direction of Hampton, which is north of the bogs, a single g...

from the Asbury Park Press 25 Nov 1991 FRANTISEK CINA, 60 of HOWELL TOWNSHIP, died yesterday at home. Mr. Cina, known as 'Frank', was a maintenance worker for Brockway Glass, Freehold, for 20 years. He was a communicant of St. Veronica's Roman Catholic Church, Howell. Mr. Cina was born in Czechoslovakia and came to the United States in 1969, settling in Howell. Surviving are his wife, Margit; his father, Frank Fabian, Chicago; three brothers, Joseph Fabian and Evzen Fabian, both of Toronto, Canada, and Rudy Fabian, Chicago; and two sisters, Clara Kalis, Toronot and Anna Cina.

from the Asbury Park Press, 25 Nov 1991 BERTHA FROOT, 82, of OCEAN TOWNSHIP, died yesterday at Jersey Shore Medical Center, Neptune. She was a member of the Sisterhood of Congregation Agudath Achim of Bradley Beach, a member of ORT and a survivor of the Holocaust. She was born in Czechoslovakia and lived in New York before moving to Ocean Township 19 years ago. Her husband, Jacob, died in 1983. She is survived by two sons, Milan, Ocean Township, and Rudolph, Hawaii, and four grandchildren. Bloomfield-Cooper Jewish Funeral Chapels, Ocean Township, is in charge of arrangements.

from the Asbury Park Press 25 Nov 1991 WALTER J. EGAN, 81, of LITTLE EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP, died Saturday at home. He was partner and harbor pilot with the New Jersey Sandy Hook Pilots Association, Middletown Township, for 45 years, retiring in 1973. He was a Coast Guard commander during World War II. He was a member of the Master Mates and Pilots and American Pilots of Washington, both of Washington, D.C.. He also belonged to the Rudder Club, Propeller Club and the New York Athletic Club, all of New York. He was a member of St. Theresa's Roman Catholic Church, Tuckerton. Mr. Egan was born in Fort Monroe, VA, living in Closter most of his life before moving to Little Egg Harbor in 1973. Surviving are his wife of 52 years, Lucilla; a son, David E., Forked River section of Lacey Township; two daughters, Maureen C. Vernel, Ontario, Canada and Celeste M., Little Egg Harbor, and five grandchildren. Layton's Home For Funerals, Forked River, is in charge of arrangements.

New Jersey Mirror 25 Nov 1841: Died-Near Bass River Hotel on November 13, 1841, Charles Adams, aged 71 years.

from the Asbury Park Press 25 Nov 1991 MARY B. BOLTE, 66, of KEYPORT, died on Saturday at Bayshore Community Hospital, Holmdel. She was a communicant of St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, Keyport. Mrs. Bolte was born in New York, living in the Bronx before moving to Keyport over 40 years ago. Surviving are her husband, George P.; three sons, Christopher, John and Michael, all of Keyport; two brothers, John P. McGuinness, New City, N.Y., and George F. McGuinness, Bronxville, N.Y.; five grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. David J. Hodder and Son Funeral Home, Yonkers, in charge of arrangements.

from the Asbury Park Press 25 Nov 1991 MARY B. BOLTE, 66, of KEYPORT, died on Saturday at Bayshore Community Hospital, Holmdel. She was a communicant of St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, Keyport. Mrs. Bolte was born in New York, living in the Bronx before moving to Keyport over 40 years ago. Surviving are her husband, George P.; three sons, Christopher, John and Michael, all of Keyport; two brothers, John P. McGuinness, New City, N.Y., and George F. McGuinness, Bronxville, N.Y.; five grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. David J. Hodder and Son Funeral Home, Yonkers, in charge of arrangements.

From the New Jersey Courier, 24 Nov 1910 Austin "Dayton spent Sunday evening at Bayville. Miss Elsie Worth is visiting in Bayville. Mrs. Westbrook and daughter of Cambridge, MD and Miss Clara Worth of Bayville spent the weeks end with Mrs. George H. Wainwright and family. William Platt has moved into the Phillips cottage. Miss Mabel Worth is home from Toms River for Thanksgiving week. Mrs. Joseph Platt has been visiting in Mt. Holly. Edward Crabbe and Reed Tilton have returned from a week's gunning down the bay. Fred Wilbert the night watchman of this place is laid up with an abcess on the arm. George Wainwright is filling the vacancy. Frank Keegan, who has been laid up with a very bad foot is slowly improving. Miss Lucy Hulse has been visiting Mrs. Ralph Cummings.

In the last few months of 1870, there was a great deal of building going on in Bricksburg. On November 22nd of that year, the New Jersey Courier gives us some more examples of the town's rapid growth: Rev. Mr. Graw, of Long Branch, visited Bricksburg a few days since and lectured on Temperance, and formed a Lodge of Good Templars, with about 35 or 40 members. A list of those members appeared the following week: they are: M. Bunker Mrs. Emma Patterson Mrs. Jones J. Tushingham Miss Huntley G.B. Stratton Jas. Patterson Henry Hoft Miss Rich Miss Bunker Clearly not a complete list, as both article mention between 30 and 40 members. The Bricksburg Bakery under the management of F.M. Marston and S. Lewis, has gained a widespread popularity. A.S. Larrabee, has been making recent changes in his buildings and they now cover nearly half an acre of ground, for the transaction of his country merchandising business. Later, in the Dec 11th issue of the Courier, a description of his...

NEW JERSEY COURIER 21 NOV 1930 A jury in Judge Gallagher's court on Tuesday gave a verdict of $650 to Mrs. Lucy A. Dorsett, wife of A.W. Dorsett in a suit growing out of an auto collission near Beach Haven. Mrs. Dorsett sued the Gehrig Motor Company of Philadelphia and John H. Cressman of that city. A non-suit as to the company was ordered by the court. Another auto accident suit resulted in a verdict of no cause for action. This was the case of Martin Pederson of Orange, against Jas. Cheneworth, of Toms River.

NEW JERSEY COURIER 21 NOV 1930 Mr. and Mrs. JWm. Holloway and daughters were callers in Manahawkin Sunday. Roy Cox of Barnegat was in town Tuesday. Mr. and Mrs. John Harbolt of Jobstown spent Sunday afternoon with Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Holloway. Arch Parker and friend of Parkertown were in town Wednesday. S.C. Haverley of Plainfield has been spending a few days with George Cranmer. Wm. Berry of Beach Haven was in town Friday evening. Mr. and Mrs. Edward Ridgeway of Barnegat were recent callers in town. Mrs. Sallie Penn, Marion and Dorothy Penn, of Waretown, were Friday afternoon callers on Mrs. Chas. Holloway. Wm. and Jack Wescott of Camden were in town Tuesday. Howard Wainwright of Waretown was in town Tuesday. Hill Corlis was in Sim Place Saturday. Mrs. Rogers of Bayville was a visitor in town Wednesday. H. King of Beach Haven was in town Friday. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Genone and children of Chatsworth, were in town Sunday. Ellsworth Harris, Tracey Hitchner and Everett Hitchn...

New Jersey Mirror 21 Nov 1906 Drinking a two-ounce vial of carbolic acid on Saturday night, Mrs. Charles Workman, of Palmyra, committed suicide. She was despondent over continued ill health.

NEW JERSEY COURIER 21 Nov 1878: Samuel ROBBINS, a young son of Theodore ROBBINS, met with a severe accident last Thursday, by which one of his arms was broken. We learn that a horse which he was driving became unmanageable and ran away. Two other boys who were in the wagon with him were thrown out and were more or less bruised. This, we understand, is the seventh time the father has been called upon to have broken bones adjusted. A little daughter of Samuel GRAVATT, 18 mos. old, was severely scalded one day last week by upsetting a measure of boiling water upon itself which had been carelessly placed too near to the edge of the table by it's mother. The child was horribly burned about the face and body, but little hopes are entertained for it's recovery.

From the New Jersey Mirror 20 Nov 1907 Judge Horner held a session of court this morning and sentenced Caleb Rogers, convicted of manslaughter, to the Rahway Reformatory, and Theodore Wells, convicted of atrocious assault, to three months in the county jail and to pay a fine of $200. After a series of postponements, the trial of Caleb Rogers, Theodore Wells and Walter Simons, of Tabernacle, under an indictment charging them with manslaughter in connection with the death of David Beebe, at Chairville, on April 27, was begun on Thursday and ended on Friday afternoon, with the result that after about twenty hours of deliberation, terminating at one o'clock on Saturday afternoon, a verdict was rendered convicting Rogers of manslaughter, Wells of atrocious assault and battery, and acquitting Simons. The jury was confronted with a difficult task, as the case was more or less complicated in view of some of the testimony that was surprisingly contradictory. The crime that resulted in ...

from the New Jersey Mirror 20 NOV 1912 J. Frank Hickey, a well-known chemist, was arrested near Whitings, Ocean county, by Sheriff Chilton, yesterday, at the request of the Buffalo, N.Y., authorities on a charge of murder. It is alleged that he was the slayer of little Joseph Josephs, whose dismembered body was found in a cesspool at Lackawanna, near Buffalo, Saturday. The Sheriff went to Keswick, just outside of Whitings, and placed Hickey under arrest, taking him to Toms River, where he will be held until the authorities arrive from Buffalo. According to the Sheriff, Hickey denied positively any knowledge of the murder of the boy. He denounced his arrest as an outrage and said that he would be able to prove his innocence very easily. The arrest was made on the telegraphed order of Chief of Police Regan, of Buffalo, who said that Hickey was employed at the Lackawanna Steel Company's plant at the time the Josephs boy was missed and that his handwriting corresponds with that of the...

New Jersey Courier 21 Nov 1930 November 19--Addison Abramowitz entertained a few of his friends in honor of his fifteenth birthday on Tuesday evening, November 19. Those present were: Ernest Cramer, Martin Tolbert, William Gaskill, Kenneth Erwin, Lloyd Chadwick, Veldren Lewis, Howard Conover, Arthur Birdsall, Robert Griffin, William Aghjan, Marvin Cramer. An enjoyable evening was spent by all followed by refreshments.

From the New Jersey Courier 18 Nov 1875: On Thursday night, Captains John Hall and Daniel Cole, of Lower Bank, started from Egg Harbor City for home. Owing to the intense darkness, the horse missed the road and overturned the vehicle into the creek at Gloucester Landing. The horse, a valuable one, was drowned, the wagon demolished, and the two men badly hurt.

Thomas and Molly O'Connor of Queens, 1940s

Tom O'Connor of Queens, somewhere in the Pacific during WWII

New Jersey Mirror 15 Nov 1871 Married--At his residence in Timbuctoo, on the 9th instant(November, 1871), by Rev. William Williams, after a long and tedious courtship, KING DAVID PARKER, of Timbuctoo, and CLARISSA COLE, formerly of Philadelphia.

New Jersey Courier 15 Nov 1918 Collector and Mrs. Ernet L. Worth announce the marriage of their daughter, Gertrude Edith, to Charles P. Lippincott of Philadelphia. The bride is one of the popular young ladies of Bayville and Camden, a graduate of Toms River high school and Trenton normal, and has been teaching the past three years in the Cramer school, Camden. Mr. Lippincott is assistant cashier in the Fourth Street National bank of Philadelphia, and comes from a well known Camden family. The Ladies Aid Society will meet at the home of Miss Carrie Bonnell on Wednesday evening, Nov 20, at 8 o'clock. Coastguard James Brower is spending a few days at his home here. Mrs. A.B. VanWickle, Mrs. Annie Hess, Miss Mae Kelly and Fred Tappen of Asbury Park visited Devine Butler and wife on Sunday. Miss Ida Ward of Toms River spent Sunday with her brother, Geo. Ward and wife.

NEW JERSEY COURIER 15 NOV 1918 Miss Jennie May of Jersey City returned home Sunday evening after spending a few days with Mrs. Ivins Clayton and family. Miss Lida Brower of Bayville spent the week end with Miss Rita Clayton. Rev. J.W. Stokes, wife and and Mrs. Wm. Bryant and wife of Cedar Grove spent Wednesday evening with Mr. and Mrs. Ivins Clayton and family

New Jersey Courier 15 Nov 1918 Roscoe Conkling was in town Tuesday. J. Fields of New York was a Monday visitor. Mrs. Kate Falkinburgh and son Alton are visiting her daughter, Mrs. W. Bailey, at Barnegat City. Mrs. Tillie Steer of Philadelphia spent the week end with Mrs. Sallie Exel. Miss Martha Throckmorton has been spending a few days with Mrs. Harry Van Note. Mrs. Forrest Carter has been entertaining her mother. Mrs. A.J. Bugbee spent a few days with her mother in Camden this week. The First National Bank has erected a new flag pole alongside the bank, with all of the colors flying. Barnegat had a great celebration on Tuesday over the great victory. They had a parade by school children. Red Cross and all the prominent citizens of the town turned out in the grand march. After marching all through the town they stopped in front of the bank where a few addressess were made by Prof. W. Brown of the high school, Mrs. Sarah Hernburgh, J. Horace Sprague and Henry A. Tolbert, which...

New Jersey Courier 14 Nov 1930 Mr. and Mrs. Thomas B. Voorhees of Lakewood were granted the adoption of Gloria May Wallace, whose name was changed to Gloria May Voorhees. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harry A. Wallace, gave their consent to the adoption.

NEW JERSEY COURIER 14 NOV 1930 OYSTER SUPPER Lanoka Harbor M.E. Church, Tuesday, Nov 18, beginning at 5:30. Tickets 50c EGG MARKET MOVED The Toms River Egg Market moved its headquarters on November 1 from Newark to 503 Rahway Ave, Elizabeth, NJ TUNE IN On the Philco Hour next Sunday night, November 16 and hear Leopold Stokowski and the Philadelphia Orchestra in a wonderful Philco Symphonic concert; then hear a Philco radio, the world's largest selling and most complete radio line at the Traco Music Store For $1.00 We will insure you against personal injury, property damage and fire. Joseph Bottler, agent, Main and Washington Streets, Phone 415, Toms River. NOTICE Dr. Lela Garrison of Brooklyn, NY will have visiting days in Toms River during the winter months. For appointment call Mrs. Schenck, Milady's Beauty Shoppe.

New Jersey Courier 14 Nov 1930 Among the cases before the grand jury on Wednesday it is assumed was the famous primary election of last June in the Borough of Harvey Cedars. In this borough, with a census population of 47, there were about 200 votes polled. A number of Harvey Cedars residents were at the courthouse

New Jersey Courier 14 Nov 1930 Buy your own bathroom and plumbing fixtures on easy terms, I will install them for you at a surprisingly low figure for the winter months. Why not let me figure with you. Just drop a card to H.I. Wright, Box 61, Holly Park, Bayville, NJ

NEW JERSEY COURIER 14 NOV 1930 Judge Gallagher signed orders of adoption of two small children Wednesday, Nov 12. Capt. and Mrs. William Thomas of Parkertown adopted as their own child Harry Brown, a lad of five years, who takes the name of William Harry Thomas. Capt. Thomas, a party boat man, big and sturdy, and his fine looking young wife seemed delighted and so did the bright eyed little lad.

NEW JERSEY COURIER 14 Nov 1930 Engineers who planned and are building the ship to shore radio plant at Good Luck meadows assert that a story in the Courier last week is all wrong. They say that their plant will not interfere with radio or telephone service, and that the disturbance recently occurring in Seaside Heights from time to time is probably caused by radio on freighters still using the old dot and dash system, and plying up and down the coast. They say that the sending and receiving stations at Lawrenceville do not interfere with either phone or radio reception anywhere around.

from the Asbury Park Press 13 Nov 1997 Chasey-- Gloria R., on Nov 11 1997, age 65. Funeral service on Saturday Nov 15 at 10 a.m. at the Francioni Taylor and Lopez Funeral Home, 1200 10th and Atkins Avenue, Neptune. Entombment, Monmouth Memorial Park, Tinton Falls.

from the Asbury Park Press 13 Nov 1997 Charnecki--- Mary A. (nee Konanez) of Linden, wife of the late William Charnecki; devoted mother of Mrs. John (and Eleanor) Falcichio of Neptune; sister of the late Peter and John Konanez; Ann Grafenberg and Julia Ciaffone; grandmother of Jonathan. Interment Rosedale Cemetery.

from the Asbury Park Press 13 Nov 1997 DEMAREST-- Wilma, age 76, on Nov 11, 1997 of Lakewood. Beloved wife of Theodore Demarest, loving mother of Barbara Ann Demarest, Carol Demarest Pippin, James David Demarest, Sister of Olliver Jefferson Morgan, Robert Morgan, Charlotta Logston, Marion Hotchkiss. No visitiation. Memorial services will be held Sunday, Nov 23 at 1:30 pm at the Church in Brielle, NJ. Cremation will be private. Memorial donations can be made to: The Church in Brielle Memorial Fund, PO Box 25, Brielle, NJ 08730.

New Jersey Mirror 13 Nov 1867 Pursuant to an order of the Orphans' Court of the county of Burlington, made on the Nineteenth of September last past, the subscribers will sell at public vendue, on SATURDAY, the Fourteenth of December next, between the hours of 12 and 5 o'clock in the afternoon of said day, at the hotel of William Davis, in Mount Holly, in said county of Burlington, a certain tract of WOOD-LAND, whereof Martha Harker, late of said county, died seized, situate near Timbuctoo, in the township of Westampton, in the county aforesaid, on the south side of the Mount Holly and Rancocas turnpike, adjoining lands of Joseph S. Hulme, William Hultz and others, containing About 4 1/2 Acres of Land, with a good growth of young pine, suitable for cord wood. The premises will be shown before the day of sale by Joseph S. Hulme, living near. Sale to commence at 2 o'clock, P. M. Conditions at sale. WM. M. RISDON, WILLIAM BLACK, AARON S. WHITE, Commissioners. November 12, 1867

Asbury Park Press 10 Nov 2006 STAFFORD TOWNSHIP — Two sisters died minutes apart Thursday after they were shot in the driveway of their home by their mother's ex-boyfriend, who then turned the gun on himself. On most Thursday mornings, 15-year-old Jessica Veitch would be in school. But with school out for the New Jersey Education Association's convention, the Southern Regional High School sophomore was able to spend the morning with her 21-year-old sister, Melissa. The young women were shot before they were able to make it to the front steps of their Mercer Avenue home after returning at about 11:30 a.m. from a trip to a convenience store. Neighbors who heard the shots and screams called 911. "I was in the service, so I knew it wasn't firecrackers," said Thomas Niemiec, 61, who lives a few houses away from the Veitches. Police arrived to find both girls on the ground next to the car, which had its passenger-side window shattered. They were transported to Souther...

From New Jersey Courier 9 Nov 1870 On the first instant we paid our esteemed friend, A. Jameson, Esq., of Bricksburg, a visit. We found him full of business, and received from him the same honest cordial greeting , as of olden time. Our friend at the present time is the president and general manager of a new enterprise which he has inaugurated at Bricksburg, a few miles to the north of us. When we knew A. Jameson long years ago, we always found him the same truthful, temperate, upright and industrious man as now. Scrupulously prompt in his business he, as a matter of course, succeeded. With an energy that brooked no denial, he has worked his way up, until he has become a self made man, and the architect of his own fortune. We rejoice at his prosperity. After a cordial interchange of friendly greeting, we placed ourselves under his guidance, and we proceeded to visit his water power, formerly known as Bergen Iron Works. A large massive well built raceway has been constructed underg...

from the Asbury Park Press 8 Nov 1985 Irving Goldstein, 74, of Amberly Drive, Manalapan Township, died Wednesday at Freehold Area Hospital, Freehold Township. Mr. Goldstein was born in New York and lived there before moving to Manalapan more than nine years ago. His wife, the former Gertrude Abrams, died in 1983. Surviving are two daughters, Janet Halpern, East Brunswick Township, and Sheila Jacobs, Valley Streams, NY; a brother, Sam, and sister, Doris Pinsky, both Brooklyn; and five grandchildren. Rezem Funeral Home, East Brunswick, is in charge of arrangements.

from the Asbury Park Press, 8 Nov 1985 Rose A. Coughlin, 73, of Hightstown, died yesterday at Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank. Mrs. Coughlin was born in Brooklyn and lived in Malone, NY, before moving to Highlands 30 years ago. She was a secretary and treasurer for W.C. Galligan Sugarwares, New York, retiring 11 years ago. Mrs. Coughlin was a communicant of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Roman Catholic Church, Highlands,and a member of it's Rosary Altar Society. Her husband, Charles, died in January. Surviving are several nieces and nephews. John P. Condon Funeral Home, Leonardo, Middletown Township, is in charge of arrangements.

from the Asbury Park Press 8 Nov 1985 Charles Galante, 72, of Toms River, died yesterday at Community Memorial Hospital, Toms River. He was born in Jersey City and lived in Passaic and Howell Township before moving to Toms River in 1973. He was a butcher for the Allen Packing Co., Elizabeth, for 30 years, retiring in 1974. Surviving are his wife, the former Josephine Scalice; three daughters, Beatrice Schaadt, Marie Artese, and Alice Murtagh, and eight grandchildren. C.H.T. Clayton and Son Funeral Home, Adelphia section of Howell, is in charge of arrangements.

New Jersey Mirror 17 Nov 1886 Died-At Timbuctoo, November 5, 1886, Abigail Ann, wife of Theophilus Pinion, aged 36 years

New Jersey Mirror 4 Nov 1818 Sale of 30 acres of woodland near Ong's Hat, adjoining lands of William Hilyard and others. The land is covered with pine, chestnut, and white oak. Also a house and lot with a blacksmith shop in the Village of Frogtown. The lot contains 5 acres and an apple orchard in its prime. For terms apply to John L. Stratton of Mount Holly.

New Jersey Mirror Nov 3 1937: Failing in one attempt, J. George Lowery, 58, of Manahawkin, committed suicide early yesterday the same way his brother ended his life two years ago. Lowery, a laborer, who lived alone on Stafford avenue, Manahawkin, stabbed himself twice over the heart with a butcher knife. Then he tied a rope around a second-floor bannister, the other end around his neck, and jumped. Lowery's brother, John, hanged himself in his Manahawkin home in 1935.

New Jersey Courier 3 Nov 1910 Mrs. Julia Bunnell and Miss Lou Frazee were delegates last Friday to the County Sunday school convention in Lakehurst.

The following is reprinted from the Bass River Gazzette, Issue No.2, Oct 1998, with the author's permission: "Herrintown was used locally to refer to New Gretna. When used by a Clamtown (Tuckerton) resident it was a derogatory term, but New Gretna residents used the term proudly as "herrin" was important to the local economy for many years."