Truex Blacksmith Shop
Southwest Corner of Kings Highway and Conover Avenue.
Source: Newsletter of the Middletown Township Historical Society,Vol. III No. 6, December 1987
The Truex Blacksmith Shop was built around 1825 and is located on the southwest corner of Kings Highway and Conover Avenue.
This one story brick building, later stucco covered, is not attractive. But, is unusual as a brick business building of the period surviving virtually unaltered. It was once part of a complex including harness and wheelwright shops. Fire and obsolescence took a large toll. The wheelwright shop burned, as did successive brick stores on the southeast corner. An 1890 fire destroyed a c.1875 store, while a later fire consumed its replacement.
The Truex Blacksmith Shop was in the Casler family for most of its existence. Construction records are obscure, but a c.1850 business directory indicated John Casler as Middletown's blacksmith.
Jacob Brower, recalling 1866 Kings Highway thirty-five years later, remembered him conducting "The blacksmith business now owned by his son William T. Casler.” Casler was renting the business by century's end as is indicated by brief notes in the press. H.G. Holloway left the site in 1897,was succeeded by Daniel D. Bray who stayed until 1901, who was succeeded by Edward Johnson.
This one story brick building, later stucco covered, is not attractive. But, is unusual as a brick business building of the period surviving virtually unaltered. It was once part of a complex including harness and wheelwright shops. Fire and obsolescence took a large toll. The wheelwright shop burned, as did successive brick stores on the southeast corner. An 1890 fire destroyed a c.1875 store, while a later fire consumed its replacement.
The Truex Blacksmith Shop was in the Casler family for most of its existence. Construction records are obscure, but a c.1850 business directory indicated John Casler as Middletown's blacksmith.
Jacob Brower, recalling 1866 Kings Highway thirty-five years later, remembered him conducting "The blacksmith business now owned by his son William T. Casler.” Casler was renting the business by century's end as is indicated by brief notes in the press. H.G. Holloway left the site in 1897,was succeeded by Daniel D. Bray who stayed until 1901, who was succeeded by Edward Johnson.
The Truex Connection
The Truex connection, with his name association with the shop, is more interesting that a string of horseshoers. The Truex origin is not clear. An account of Truex is told in Mandeville's "Story of Middletown.” It was traced to the Newark Evening News in February 1925.
Briefly, William Snyder Truex is claimed to have organized and drilled at the shop a private militia company between the wars (Mexican and Civil). Truex was born in Middletown October 2, 1818. He studied briefly at West Point and joined the army afterwards.
Accurate biographical information is difficult to assemble for Truex. There is an inconsistency in dates in the lengthiest account of his life. Truex served in the Mexican War and was a farmer before and after it . The record between the wars is vague. Numerous private militia companies existed, but there is no other evidence of one of Truex. He was in command as officer of the day of four military groups as the Middletown Point (Matawan) July 4th celebration in 1857, but not one was his. Truex joined the Utah Expedition in 1858 and was with it until 1861.
Truex, then a colonel, organized the 14th Regiment of New Jersey Volunteers in 1862. They trained at Camp Vredenburgh in Manalapan Township, just outside of Freehold. One wonders if some engaged in preliminary drilling at the shop. Perhaps the shop was the site of a pre-1857 organization. Some of the most noted members of the Truex crew entered the Civil War from other states. Time may have permitted the Middletown group to scatter. In any event, it is fitting to honor this brave soldier.
Briefly, William Snyder Truex is claimed to have organized and drilled at the shop a private militia company between the wars (Mexican and Civil). Truex was born in Middletown October 2, 1818. He studied briefly at West Point and joined the army afterwards.
Accurate biographical information is difficult to assemble for Truex. There is an inconsistency in dates in the lengthiest account of his life. Truex served in the Mexican War and was a farmer before and after it . The record between the wars is vague. Numerous private militia companies existed, but there is no other evidence of one of Truex. He was in command as officer of the day of four military groups as the Middletown Point (Matawan) July 4th celebration in 1857, but not one was his. Truex joined the Utah Expedition in 1858 and was with it until 1861.
Truex, then a colonel, organized the 14th Regiment of New Jersey Volunteers in 1862. They trained at Camp Vredenburgh in Manalapan Township, just outside of Freehold. One wonders if some engaged in preliminary drilling at the shop. Perhaps the shop was the site of a pre-1857 organization. Some of the most noted members of the Truex crew entered the Civil War from other states. Time may have permitted the Middletown group to scatter. In any event, it is fitting to honor this brave soldier.