USA > New Jersey > Morris County > A history of Morris County, New Jersey : embracing upwards of two centuries, 1710-1913, Volume I > Part 12
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His interest in religious matters was deep and abiding, and of long standing. He became a vestryman of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in 1863, became junior warden in 1866, and served as senior warden from 1873 to 1913. He attended the conventions of his diocese as a deputy an- nually from 1864. For a quarter of a century he served as a member of its standing committee, and so thorough was his knowledge of church law considered, and his helpfulness so universally recognized, that his advice was sought in the solution of church troubles in all sections of the State. The country at large was also greatly benefited by the universal interest he took in church affairs. He served as trustee of the General Theological Seminary for a number of years, and in 1883 became one of the board of managers of the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of the Epis-
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copal church in the United States. When this was reorganized he became a member of the Board of Missions, and attended its meetings with the greatest regularity until he was past eighty years of age. He was chosen a deputy to the General Convention of the Episcopal Church in the United States in 1874, and thereafter was regularly chosen every three years for thirteen consecutive times to each triennial meeting as a lay deputy of his diocese, representing the Diocese of New Jersey in 1874, and since that time, when the diocese was divided, representing the Diocese of Newark, formerly known as that of Northern New Jersey. He served as a member of many important committees at these meetings.
The legal cases which had the benefit of Mr. Mills' conduct were noted for the careful preparation with which they were invariably presented, and the precision and accuracy with which the facts were marshaled. His arguments were always clear and convincing, and the details of his presenta- tion were absolutely correct. He never ceased to keep abreast of the times in his professional reading, which he always considered recreation as well as in the nature of work.
Mr. Mills married, September 24, 1857, Katharine Elmer, a daughter of Judge Aaron and Katharine (Elmer) Coe, of Westfield, New Jersey, and they had four daughters and two sons. His two sons, Alfred Elmer and Edward Kirkpatrick, are both lawyers.
Mr. Mills, after a long life filled with useful service and crowned with happiness and honor, died at his home in Morristown on December 13, 1913. The Bar of Morris county, in a special meeting, expressed and recorded its estimate of his life and character.
JAMES C. YOUNGBLOOD
Hon. James C. Youngblood, who occupied a large space in the political history of his native county, was born in Morristown, in 1840, and pursued an academic course in that town. In 1860 he entered the office of Hon. Vancleve Dalrimple, with whom he remained three years, and then pursued his clerkship in the office of Henry C. Pitney and was licensed in June, 1864. He was for nearly twenty years a partner with Mr. Pitney, and dur- ing those years the firm conducted a large and varied practice.
Mr. Youngblood was a man of great integrity and wonderful industry, incessant in his application to his practice. He was a frank, outspoken man, never failing to express his convictions whenever necessary. He was elected to the Assembly in 1874, and continued a member until 1877. In 1880 he became State Senator, and was re-elected in 1883. As a mem- ber of the legislature he was untiring in the discharge of his duties. While acknowledging his allegiance to his party, he never permitted himself to serve from the strict path of right to serve his political organization. In the legislature he secured the confidence of his political opponents to such a degree, that when the Republicans, at the end of his first term as senator, were discussing the nomination of his successor, a Democratic senator openly declared that Morris county could only be true to herself by the return of Senator Youngblood ; that he was one of the most valuable mem- bers of the senate, and that his services while in that body were invaluable to the State. This praise, under the circumstances, was the highest en- comium could be given, but no more than was deserved.
AUGUSTUS CASS CANFIELD
Hon. Augustus C. Canfield was born in Morris county in 1842. He obtained his education at Princeton College, and entered the office of Hon.
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Jacob Vanatta as a student-at-law. After being licensed, he opened an office in Morristown, where he practised his profession with some success for several years. He was a member of the House of Assembly in 1871, 1872 and 1873, and while in that position showed great aptitude for the per- formance of his duties as a legislator. His merits had so strong a hold upon his party, that in 1877 he was nominated as State Senator, and elec- ted by a large majority.
Mr. Canfield was not what is called a pushing, driving man, but he evinced enough determination to assert himself in taking whenever neces- sary a respectable position as legislator. He was not a talking man, seldom found his feet in debate, but he could speak well and sensibly when he chose, and took his proper place whenever occasion demanded. His utter- ances always received the respectful attention of his fellow Senators. His stay at the bar in Morristown was short. He soon retired from active practice, and resided unmarried at his birthplace. He was closely con- nected with Hon. Mahlon Dickerson, of whom his father was a nephew. It was much regretted that Mr. Canfield by his retirement should have deprived the bar of one whose talents would have added lustre to its record.
GEORGE T. WERTS
Hon. George T. Werts, while yet a young man, won a remarkable dis- tinction. Most men pass through gradations before reaching high position, especially in the political field, but Senator Werts achieved what rarely falls to the lot of a mere politician. He secured an elevation which could only have been the result of inherent qualities, entitling him to recognition as a man of superior talent.
He was born in Hackettstown, New Jersey, March 24, 1846. When he was three years old his parents removed to Bordentown, where he at- tended the public school, advancing to the high school, and later was a student in the State Model School in Trenton. At the early age of seven- teen he began his law studies, under his relative, Hon. Jacob Vanatta. He was admitted to the bar in November, 1867, and entered upon practice in Morristown. During his professional career he won an enviable reputation, especially in the trial of causes, in which he was ever cool, deliberate, ready, quickwitted and alert. An examination of the list of causes before the court, at any term of the circuit of his day, affirms that he had a full share.
His principal distinction, however, was in public life. He became re- corder of the town in 1883, and served as such until he resigned in 1892, and he also served most acceptably as mayor of Morristown. In 1887 he was elected to the State Senate, defeating a gentleman of high character, and who had the advantage of several years' experience in legislative life. As a senator, Mr. Werts proved most efficient, and he was made president in the session of 1889. As floor leader, perhaps none displayed greater ability in directing the movements of a party in the midst of arduous political strife, and his great powers in that direction were particularly noticeable during the stormy session of the memorable year 1889. He proved himself a remarkable tactician, keen in his perceptions of the proper course to pur- sue, a forceful speaker, convincing in argument and ever ready in debate. As president of the senate, he displayed fine qualities of wisdom and im- partiality. He was the author of effective liquor and ballot reform laws.
Mr. Werts resigned his seat in the senate in February, 1892, to accept the office of Justice of the Supreme Court, to which he had been appointed
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by Governor Abbett, receiving the high compliment of unanimous confirma- tion by the Senate. In the autumn of 1892 he received the unanimous vote of the Democratic State Convention as its gubernatorial nominee. In the ensuing canvass he absolutely took no part, only writing the usual letter of acceptance, and continued in his judicial duties with quiet dignity until his election as governor, defeating Hon. John Kean Jr. by a plurality of 7,625.
FRANCIS CHILD
Hon. Francis Child was born in Morristown, in 1842. His father was a life-long resident of the town, and for more than three consecutive terms a judge of the Court of Common Pleas. The son entered the office of Theodore Little, Esq., as a student-at-law, and was licensed as an attorney in 1867, and as a counsellor in 1870. He began the practice of his pro- fession at once, and continued it with success until 1878.
For many years there had been a very strong objection in the minds of lawyers against the Court of Common Pleas, as then constituted. There was no lawyer on the bench of those courts. Matters of the very highest importance were subject to their jurisdiction, especially in the Orphans' Court branch, where large estates were settled and the rights of individuals in those estates were determined. Questions of intricate law were pre- sented for solution, construction of statutes was demanded, with no educated lawyer among the judges to decide. These conditions were disadvantage- ous alike to suitors and to the community. The bar and citizens generally demanded a change. Such an attempt had been made early in the century, but had failed. At last, in 1878, the legislature afforded a remedy, and a law was enacted which provided that the presiding judge of the county courts should be a counsellor of at least three years' standing. Judge Child was one of the first appointed under this act. He received his com- mission as Presiding Judge of the Court of Common Pleas from Governor George B. McClellan, on February 26, 1878, and continued in office from that time through his third term. Judge Child, before reaching the bench, had exhibited qualities which fully showed that he was fitted for a judicial appointment, and his discharge of the duties of his office proved that his friends were not mistaken. He was a young man when first appointed, but he had the benefit of a practice of ten years at the bar. This experi- ence, however, would not have proven adequate had he not otherwise been equipped. His attainments assisted his experience, but without them he could not have succeeded. Judge Child displayed great industry, rare promptness, sound common sense and excellent judgment. The volume of business while he was on the bench was large, including many cases of great importance and involving quite complicated principles. He dis- played great wisdom in disposing of these cases, and commendable industry in mastering the principles involved, and Judge Child secured by his ad- ministration of justice in the courts the respectful commendation of the bar.
In 1893 Judge Child was appointed by Governor Werts to be one of the Circuit Judges authorized by act of the legislature. In order to perform the duties of this office, which engaged him mainly in Essex county, Judge Child took a residence in Newark and has lived there ever since. He was re-appointed in 1900 and served through two terms of seven years each until 1907, with great satisfaction to the bar and the public.
Judge Child is genial and popular in personality and manners. He sometimes revisits Morris county, and always receives a cordial greeting and welcome from his old friends and associates there.
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CHARLES F. AXTELL
Charles F. Axtell traced his ancestry through a term of more than three hundred and fifty years. The pioneer ancestor, Thomas Axtell, a native of England, settled in Sudbury, Massachusetts, about 1635 or 1640. He died in Sudbury in 1646. His great-grandson, Henry Axtell, settled near Mend- ham in Morris county, New Jersey, about 1740. The latter's son, Henry Axtell, participated in the Revolutionary War, attaining the rank of major. His son, Silas C. Axtell, was a native of Morris county, and he was the father of Jacob T. Axtell. The wife of Jacob T. Axtell was Rachel, the daughter of William Enslee, and granddaughter of John Enslee, who served in the Revolutionary War, enlisting from Morris county. One of the children of Jacob and Rachel was Charles F. Axtell, born in Morristown on May 26, 1845.
He acquired a practical education in the schools of Morristown. After enlisting and serving as a volunteer in the critical season of 1863 in the Civil War, he learned the trade of a printer at Morristown and at Wash- ington, D. C., and further at Berlin, Leipzig, Frankfort, Mainz and other cities of Germany.
In 1873 he became a student of the law in the office of Pitney & Youngblood, at Morristown; and he was admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court as an attorney in 1877 and as a counselor in 1891. In 1877 he began the active practice of his profession at Morristown, and continued therein until his death, which came on December 13, 1913.
Mr. Axtell was active, quick and versatile, and also sturdy, persistent and industrious. He was consistent, honorable and trustworthy, generous, faithful and loyal. He attracted many trustful clients and he served them well and faithfully.
The same good traits fitted him for public service. He performed, with popularity and success, the duties of a succession of offices in his com- munity, and was a useful member of the House of Assembly for two years. He served actively and successfully in the judicial office of a Justice of the Peace through a term of years when this office was important and good service was specially needed. He was sound in principles and in morals. He always felt the obligations of a gentleman.
Mr. Axtell married Miss Ella M. Patterson, of Stratford, Connecticut, and they had three children.
FREDERICK HALSEY BEACH
Frederick H. Beach was born at Beach-Glen, Morris county, New Jersey, July 25, 1849, a son of Columbus Beach, M.D., and his wife, Susan E., daughter of Judge Samuel B. Halsey.
He studied law in the office of his uncle, Edmund D. Halsey, and was admitted to the bar as an attorney in November, 1880. From the death of his father he had the care and active management of his large ancestral farm at Beach-Glen. But from 1896 he pursued the practice of his pro- fession at Morristown, and conducted a number of important trusts which were committed to him. He also took part in the conduct of the National Union Bank of Dover, New Jersey, and of the Morris County Savings Bank at Morristown. And he served the town of Dover as mayor.
Mr. Beach represented an old and influential family of this county. He was clear-headed and capable; he had a large experience in affairs ; his judgment was sound and decided; he had a warm desire to give a large
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service. His genuine character commanded the respect of his brothers at the bar and his genial temper and agreeable manners won and held their love and affection. For some years his activity was impaired by rheuma- tism, under which he suffered severely. His death came on November 8, 1913.
MEMBERS OF MORRIS COUNTY BAR.
The members of the Morris County Bar in the year 1914 are named below. The following abbreviations will afford all necessary information : Ad., Advisory Master; ex., Examiner in Chancery; m., Master in Chan- cery; sp., Special Master; sup., Supreme Court Commissioner; s. exm., Supreme Court Examiner. The first date given after each name shows term when admitted as Attorney, and the second, admission as Counsellor. If the person in question was admitted as Counsellor at a term correspond- ing to that of his admission as Attorney, the term of the second date is omitted.
Axtell, Charles F., June '77, Nov. '91, m., Morristown, died Dec., 1913.
Bacot, John V., Feb. '81-'84, m., ex., Morristown (not in practice).
Barkman, David F., June '97, Feb. 'or, m., Morristown.
Barrett, Howard F., June 'II, Madison.
Beach, Frederick H., Nov. '80, m., Morristown, died Oct., 1913.
Beach, William N., June '12, Morristown.
Beam, James V., June '04, Boonton.
Bolitho, James H., Feb. 'og, Rockaway.
Bonsall, John H., Feb. '06, Morristown.
Bradley, Charles B., June '08, 'II, m., Morristown.
Burnham, Frederick G., Feb. '68, June '71, sp., m., Morristown.
Buttenheim, Percy R., Feb. '10, Madison.
Cobbett, Frederick B., Feb. '10, Morristown.
Collins, James A., Nov. '12, Morristown.
Condit, Louis O., Feb. 'og, New York, h., Boonton.
Cooper, Eugene J., Nov. '88, m., Dover.
Cornish, Gilbert M., June '04, Nov. '07, m., Newark, h., Gillette.
Cutler, Willard W., Nov. '78-'81, sp., m., ex., sup., Morristown.
Davenport, Ulysses G., Nov. '92, June '99, m., Dover.
Dawson, Raymond, June 'oo, Feb. '05, m., I Exchange Place, Jersey City, h. Boonton.
Day, Oliver K., June '02-'05, m., Judge Ist Judicial District Court, Morris County, Morristown.
Day, Lawrence, Feb. '03, Jan. '06, m., Morristown, h. Chatham.
Day, Harry Pierson, Nov. '06-'09, m., Newark, h. Morristown.
Dempsey, Henry F., June '08, Morristown.
Duyckinck, Richard B., Nov. '96, Plainfield.
Ellicott, Benjamin W., Feb. '80-'96, m., Dover.
Emery, John R., Feb. '65-'67, sp., ad., m., Vice-Chancellor, Newark and Morris- town.
Fennell, John E., June '89, Nov. '97, m., Morristown.
Ferriss, Stark B., June 'oo-'05, m., New York; h. Madison.
Fitzherbert, Richard, Feb. '87, m., Dover.
Frapwell, Douglass H., Feb. 'oo, m., Morristown.
Garrison, S. Claude, June '04, '12, m., Boonton and Dover.
Garretson, Leland B., Feb. 'og, Morristown.
Gordon, Albert H., June '99, m., Wharton and Milton.
Hillery, Thomas J., Feb. 'or, June '05, m., Boonton.
Holland, Albert H., Feb. '13, Morristown.
Hinchman, Joseph, Nov. '83, m., Morristown.
Hurd, James L., Feb. 'oo, m., Dover.
Jenkins, George Walker, Nov. '73, Feb. '80, sp., m., ex., sup., Morristown.
King, Elmer (King & Vogt), Nov. '92-'95, m., ex., sp., Morristown, h. Netcong. Lindabury, Harrison P., Feb. '02-'05, m., Ass't U. S. Dist. Atty., Chester and Newark.
Lindabury, Richard W., Feb. '03, Chester.
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Little, Stephen H., June '71-'74, m., ex., 155 Broadway, New York, h. Morristown. Lukeman, Joseph P., June 'or, Morristown.
Lum, Ernest C. (Lum, Tamblyn & Colyer), June '05, Nov. '08, m., Prudential Building, Newark, h. Chatham.
Lum, Ralph E. (Lum, Tamblyn & Colyer ), Nov. '00-'03, m., Prudential Building, Newark, h. Chatham.
Lum, Charles M. (Lum, Tamblyn & Colyer), June '84, Feb. '89, m., Prudential Building, Newark, h. Chatham.
Matthews, Raymond C., Feb. '08, '1I, m., Babbitt Building, Morristown.
McCue, William L., June '89, m., Butler.
Mills, Alfred, Jan. 51, Feb. '55, sp., m., ex., sup., Morristown, died Dec. 13, 1913.
Mills, Alfred Elmer, June '86-'89, m., ex., Morristown.
Mills, John M., June '99-'02, m., Morristown.
Mills, Edward K., Feb. 'oo, June '04, m., Morristown.
Minton, Guy, June '68, m., Morristown, h. Chatham.
Mott, Elias Bertram, Feb. 'o1, County Clerk, Morristown, h. Rockaway.
Muir, C. Aug., June '80, m., Morristown, died 1913.
Neighbour, James H., Nov. '53, Feb. '69, sp., m., ex., sup., Dover.
O'Keefe, Martin R., June '12, Morristown.
Philbrook, Mary, June '95-'98, m., Newark, h. Millington.
Pierce, Frank H., Nov. '06, New York, h. Boonton.
Pierson, Philander B., June '77-'80, sp., m., ex., sup., Morristown.
Pitney, Henry C., Jr., June '80, Feb. '84, sp., m., sup., Morristown.
Pitney, Mahlon, June '82-'85, sp., m., U. S. Supreme Court Justice, Morristown.
Pitney, John O. H., June '84-'87, sp., m., ex., Newark, h. Morristown.
Pollard, George S. (Riker & Riker), Nov. '79, m., Lawyer's Building, Newark, h. Chatham.
Quackenbush, Ernest L., Nov. '10, Newark, h. Chatham.
Quayle, Edward A., Nov. '75-'81, m., Morristown.
Quayle, Edward A., Jr., June 'II, Morristown.
Randolph, Coleman, June '85-'88, m., Savings Bank Building, Morristown.
Randolph, Joseph F., Nov. '67-'70, sp., ad., m., ex., 15 Broad, New York and Morristown.
Rathbun, Charles A., June '89-'92, sp., ex., m., sup., Morristown, h. Madison. Reed, Charlton A., June '89-'92, sp., m., ex., sup., Pros. Pleas, Morris County, Morristown.
Romine, Elmer W., June 'Io, Morristown.
Runyon, George G., Nov. '92, June 'oI, m., ex., sup., Morristown.
Ryerson, Louis J., Nov. '77, m., Pompton Plains.
Salmon, Joshua R., June '04, Feb. 'og, m., Law Judge, Morris County, Boonton. Schenck, Robert H., June 'I0, Dover, h. Morristown.
Scribner, Charles E., Nov. 'og-'12, m., Newark, h. Boonton.
Sherman, Gordon E., Nov. '79, Feb. '83, m., ex., sp., Morristown and New York. Smith, Lyman M., June '01, Dover.
Smith, E. Irwin, Nov. '74, m., Chester.
Stevens, Frederic W., Nov. '68-'71, sp., ad., m., ex., sup., Vice-Chancellor, Morris- town.
Stickle, Francis S., Nov. '04-'07, m., New York, h. Rockaway.
Stickle, John F., Feb. '60-'66, m., Rockaway.
Stilwell, Charles, Jr., Feb. '96, m., Morristown, died 1913.
Tippett, Clarence B., June 'Io, New York, h. Dover.
Toms, Nathaniel C., June '98-'01, m., ex., sp., Morristown.
Twining, Kinsley (Lindabury, Depue & Faulks), Nov. '05-'08, m., ex., sp., Pru- dential Building, Newark, h. Morristown.
Tyacke, William, Jr., Feb. 'II, Madison.
Vanderpool, Wynant D., Nov. '03, Newark and Morristown.
Vogt, Carl V. (King & Vogt), June 'oo-'03, m., ex., sp., Morristown.
Voorhees, Daniel S., Feb. '96, m., Morristown.
Vreeland, John B. (Vreeland & Wilson), Nov. '75, June '79, sp., m., ex., sup., U. S. Dis. Atty., Newark and Morristown.
Wilson, C. Franklin (Vreeland & Wilson), Feb. '00-'04, m., ex., sp., h. Morris- town.
Wood, Walter B., Feb. '81, m., Morristown (not in practice).
CHAPTER VIII.
BANKS AND BANKERS-STATE BANK AT MORRIS-LATER INSTITUTIONS- BANKS UNDER NATIONAL BANK ACT-TRUST COMPANIES.
When we consider that at the present time the greater part of the business of the country is carried on by means of checks drawn on banks and other financial institutions, it seems incredible that in this portion of the State, now known as Morris county, prior to 1812, there was not a bank in existence, and that every one had to depend on his friends and neighbors if he desired any financial assistance.
This condition of affairs existed in many parts of the State, and as business increased it became inconvenient and in order to remedy this, the Council and General Assembly, on January 28, 1812, passed "An Act to Es- tablish State Banks in New Jersey," by which it incorporated a State bank at Camden, Trenton, New Brunswick, Elizabeth, Newark and Morris, each bank being a separate and distinct corporation, but the notes of all the banks had to be of the same design and not under the denomination of three dollars, but the following year an act removing the restriction as to the designs of the notes, and authorizing the banks to issue them or not less than the denomination of one dollar, was passed.
By this act the subscribers to the stock of the State Bank at Morris, their successors and assigns, were incorporated by the name of "The Presi- dent, Directors and Company of the State Bank at Morris," until the first Monday of February, 1832, with an authorized capital of $200,000, divided into shares of $50 each, one-half of its capital stock being reserved to the State.
After the first year the Council and General Assembly were to select six directors and a president, who should be ex officio a director, and the the stockholders were to select six other directors. Each stockholder was entitled to one vote for every share of stock held from one to five, two votes for every five shares of stock held above five to fifty, and one vote for each share of stock held over fifty, but no stockhlder should have more than fifty votes. This bank was not allowed to loan more than twice the amount of its subscribed capital stock (but this restriction was removed the following year), and could not own ships or vessels, or directly or indirectly be concerned in trade, and could not charge more than six per cent. interest or discount.
On February 15th of the following year, the Legislature passed an act entitled "An act to authorize the transfer of the right of subscription reserved to this State in the State banks and for other purposes." By this act, authority was given to the Governor to sell the State's right to sub- scribe for the stock of this bank within three months, for not less than $1,000; if the right was not sold within that time, then to sell it for one- half that sum, and, if not sold at that sum, the State's right to subscribe was extinguished. This act also provided that in case of a sale or the extinguishment of the State's right to subscribe, all the directors should be selected by the stockholders.
The Governor refused to act under the authority thus given him, and on the 20th of February of the same year a supplement to this act was passed, appointing John Beatty, Peter Gordon and Aaron D. Woodruff, to
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receive sealed proposals from the president and directors of any of the six banks, or from any other persons or corporations to purchase the State's right to subscribe until March 15th, of the same year, at twelve o'clock noon, and, if two bids were equal, the president and directors of any bank was entitled to preference.
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