Sherman B. Oviatt, speaker of the New Jersey house of assembly in 1880, and one of the most prominent business men of Monmouth county, died last Friday at the residence of Dr. Johnson at Asbury Park. Mr. Oviatt was one of the best known railroad contractors in the state. He laid out part of the New York and Long Branch railroad, the Freehold and Jamesburg road, the Atlantic Highlands and Red Bank road and was building a railroad in Delaware at the time of his death. He was formerly a director in the First national bank of Asbury Park, a member of the Monmouth club and a prominent Mason. He was twice elected to the Assembly from Monmouth county and in 1880 he was speaker of the body. He had been a lifelong Republican, and was highly respected for his business qualities.

Mr. Oviatt was stricken with heart disease while on his way home from New Mexico a few weeks ago.

Source: Red Bank Register, Wednesday, Dec 18, 1901

Some additional excellent resources for your research are:

• New Jersey Census, 1772-1890 - Ancestry.com

• Calendar of New Jersey Wills, 1670-1760 - Ancestry.com

• Interment.net - NJ ~ New Jersey Cemetery Transcriptions on the net.

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