USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Newark > Biographical and genealogical history of the city of Newark and Essex County, New Jersey, V. 1 > Part 12
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perous importing merchant of New York city and Amboy, having for his partner Beverly Robinson.
James Parker (second), who was born in Bethlehem, Hunterdon county, New Jer- sey, March 1, 1776, and who died in Perth Amboy, April 2, 1868, was the son of the foregoing, and ably perpetuated the dis- tinguished traditions of his family. He was educated at Columbia College, where he graduated in 1793, second in his class. He then entered the counting-house of John Murray, intending to be a merchant. On the death of his father he was com- pelled to return home as acting executor of his estate, a task involving the support of a large circle of dependents, and requir- ing assiduous labor and much acquaintance with law. In 1806, when about thirty years of age, he was elected a member of the legislature, and was re-elected eight successive years; again from 1815 to 1819, and afterward in 1827-28. He was a Federalist of the school of Washington and Hamilton. In 1806 he was appointed one of five commissioners to settle the boun- daries and jurisdiction of the states of New York and New Jersey. In 1827 this commission was renewed, and he was again made a member. With Theodore Frelinghuysen and L. Q. C. Elmer he signed the treaty between said states of New York and New Jersey, September 16, 1833. In 1829 he was made collector of Perth Amboy, then a place of much com- merce. In 1832 and again in 1834 he was elected to congress, serving two terms with much distinction. In 1844 he was elected a member of the convention for the forma- tion of a new constitution for New Jersey. Thus he was engaged in legislation during at least seventeen years of his life, while he
also served a long period as mayor of Amboy.
Though never one of the party of the majority in any or the legislative bodies mentioned, he was always a leading and influential member. He inaugurated the system of public schools in New Jersey, suggesting and following up the idea in different legislatures from 1809 to .1817, and the act, drawn by him, to create a fund for free schools, became a law. After- ward, in the constitutional convention, this subject received his careful attention, and at his instance the New Jersey constitution provided that "It shall not be competent for the legislature to borrow, appropriate, or use the said fund (for the support of common schools), or any part thereof, for any purpose, under any pretense what- ever." He was the author of the attach- ment law; the law enabling aliens to hold land in the state; the law authorizing com- missioners to take proof, etc., of deeds; the law prohibiting, under severe penalties, the exportation of slaves from the state, thus ending the domestic slave trade in New Jersey; and of laws for the suppression of intemperance, for aiding internal improve- ments, encouraging manufacturers, for putting habitual drunkards under guardi- anship, and others of similar importance. In the constitutional convention he re- ported the bill of rights. He was a prin- cipal advocate for the construction of the Delaware and Raritan canal, and a director of that company for nearly forty years. His last year's service in the legislature was undertaken with this enterprise in view.
In congress he was known as a leading practical member, a strong "tariff man." a defender of the right of petition, aiding John Quincy Adams in the struggle for
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the admission of petitions praying the abolition of slavery in the District of Co- lumbia, and was celebrated for outspoken sincerity and honesty.
He was for years a trustee of the two colleges, Princeton and Rutgers, and to the latter gave the land whereon the col- lege buildings were erected. In the Protestant Episcopal diocesan conventions, as well as in his own church in Amboy, he was prominent and active. He was from the beginning a vice-president, and for years before his death president, of the New Jersey Historical Society. He closed his long life in 1868, having attained the age of ninety-two years and one month.
Renowned for purity of character and an intense love for usefulness, independent though earnest in his support of what he thought right, rather than what was ex- pedient, never giving up to party what was meant for mankind, never an aspirant for office and valuing only that popularity which follows a good man, practicing warm-hearted charity in thought, word, and deed, and always evincing an ability more than adequate for all he undertook,- such are the qualities which characterized him and which are attributed to him in the memorial address (before the New Jer- sey Historical Society) from which this brief sketch is chiefly compiled.
Cortlandt Parker, the distinguished lawyer, son of the preceding, was born at Perth Amboy, New Jersey, June 27, 1818. That he does not fall behind any of his illustrious line in character and attainments is manifest when it is considered that he stands confessedly at the head of the bar of the state of New Jersey. Not merely has he figured in the most prominent litiga- tions, served the state in many important
capacities and refused a remarkable num- ber of high official positions, but he has also represented his profession in literature to a marked degree. He is the author of such papers and addresses as: The Moral Guilt of the Rebellion (1862); Philip Kear- ny, Soldier and Patriot (1863); Our Tri- umphs and Our Duties (1865); New Jer- sey: Her Present and Future (1870); Abraham Lincoln (1872); The Open Bible, or Tolerant Christianity (1876); Alexander Hamilton and William Paterson (1880); the Three Successful Generals of the Army of the Potomac,-McClellan, Meade, and Grant; Justice Joseph P. Bradley (1893); and many others treating similar themes.
Mr. Parker has served as president of the American Bar Association. While he has held only one public office,-that of prose- cutor of pleas for Essex county, New Jer- sey, during the ten years from 1857 to 1867,-yet this has been due solely to his persistence in refusing, one after another, the most honorable positions. In 1857 his name was brought before the state leg- islature for the office of chancellor; he was twice proposed for attorney-general of New Jersey; a justiceship on the supreme bench of the same commonwealth was of- fered him; President Grant solicited him to accept a judgeship in the court for set- tling the Alabama claims; President .Hayes tendered him the post of minister to Russia; President Arthur offered him the mission to Vienna; a Republican conven- tion nominated him for congress,-but all these honors were declined. It is doubt- ful if such an instance can be duplicated.
All the considerations thus cited, as be- ing outside the strict lines of his profession, are of the more significance in estimating the peculiar prominence which Mr. Parker
Cortlandt Herkes
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enjoys. In the actual practice of law he has figured in litigations of the greatest magnitude, although this feature cannot be entered here. The famous Meeker will case, however, which was carried through the various jurisdictions to the United States courts, may be mentioned as one in which Mr. Parker distinguished himself when comparatively a young man, against such opposing counsel as Justice Bradley of the United States supreme court, Gov- ernor Pennington, United States Senator Dayton, and Chancellor Halsted. He also upheld the commerce and navigation in- terests of Newark in the litigation to pre- vent the erection of two bridges across the Passaic river, involving the constitutional question whether "tidal waters leading to a port could be obstructed under authority of a state legislature." Again, in the fa- mous Lease case, Mr. Parker helped to secure to the Pennsylvania Railroad Com- pany the right to acquire the United Rail- road and Canal Companies of New Jersey; while he successfully represented the Mor- ris & Essex Railroad in its contest with the Erie for the occupation of the tunnel leading to New York. After this he be- came the Erie counsel for New Jersey, a post he has held since 1873. Very lately (1894) he was senior counsel in suits of great public note, the result of one of which was to prevent future gerrymanders by a construction of the state constitution requiring election to the lower house by counties instead of districts; that of the other was breaking the deadlock in the New Jersey senate. These few cases are cited as merely indicative of the important nature of Mr. Parker's private practice.
Another characteristic is yet to be no- ticed,-his readiness, while refusing per-
sonal honors, to undertake the most oner- ous duties where it is purely a question .of subserving the public interests. Thus after referring to Mr. Parker's persistent declination of political positions, Judge Ricord adds: "His legal knowledge and experience were, however, never withheld from the state when, upon important occa- sions, they were demanded. The difficult task of revising the laws was assigned to him, jointly with Chief-Justice Beasley and Justice Depue, by the legislature, and was performed to the satisfaction of the courts and the people. He served also as a com- missioner to settle the disputed boundary lines between New Jersey and Delaware. To him is the state mainly indebted for the passage of the general railroad law, which has been the means of ridding it of its abundant sources of corruption. In such and other ways has Mr. Parker rendered to the state services which are not commonly known to many, and to the publicity of which he has always seemed indifferent. But not to the state alone has he given the benefit of his legal attainments and his experience. The Protestant Episcopal church, with which he is connected, num- bers him among its most valued laymen, and to its diocesan convention he is year after year a chosen delegate; while he has been a member likewise at the General Convention six times."-The National Magazine, February-March, 1894.
It is an interesting fact that Mr. Parker's pre-eminence among his fellows dates from boyhood. At fourteen years of age he entered Rutgers College, graduating four years later (1836) as valedictorian of his class. Mr. Parker's class was a remark- able one, containing, according to Judge Ricord, "Joseph S. Bradley, late justice of
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the United States supreme court; Freder- ick T. Frelinghuysen, late secretary of state of the. United States; William A. Newell, formerly governor of New Jersey; Henry Waldron, long member of congress from Michigan; Professor Coakley, of New York University, and several doctors of divinity in the Reformed Dutch church." -The National Magazine. He studied law in the office of Hon. Theodore Fre- linghuysen, father of one of his classmates, and later with Hon. Amzi Armstrong, and was admitted to the bar in 1839.
Mr. Parker takes rank as one of the most prominent figures in that remarkable group of jurists and lawyers whose advent must ever mark a sort of golden age in the history of the judiciary of New Jersey.
SHEPARD ROWLAND.
Distinctively identified with the welfare and advancement of Montclair for a num- ber of years, public-spirited and broad- minded, Mr. Rowland is a representative citizen of Essex county and a prominent and honored resident of his home city. He was born August 15, 1845, near Deer Park, Long Island, New York, the son of Au- gustus Rowland and Maria (Snedecor) Rowland. The grandfather, Frank Row- land, married Sarah Rowland, and the great-grandfather, Alexander Rowland, was born on Long Island, where he died at the venerable age of ninety-six years, his wife being ninety-four years old at her death and in the possession of all her facul- ties.
Shepard Rowland passed the first six- teen years of his life on Long Island, where he received his educational discipline in the public schools. Upon attaining his eight-
eenth year he went to New York city and there secured employment in the pro- duce house of Abram Snedecor, remaining in his employ for two years, after which he accepted a position with W. H. Horton, who was likewise engaged in the produce business, and later became associated with W. L. Smith, continuing with him for eighteen months. In 1867 Mr. Row- land established a produce house on his own responsibility, in New York city, in connection with
which he dealt in butter and cheese on a large scale, and actively conducted this enter- prise until 1896, when the firm name was changed to Fitch, Rowland & Company. Prosperity has attended the labors of Mr. Rowland, and he owns valuable property in New York and Montclair, including a handsome residence in the latter city, lo- cated on Park street and furnished throughout with taste and elegance and possessing all the modern improvements.
The marriage of Mr. Rowland was cele- brated in 1867, in which year he was united to Miss Mary Cooper, of Jersey City, a daughter of Garret Cooper, a prominent citizen of that place. Of their children two sons survive, namely: Alfred C., a resident of New York city and a member of the firm of Fitch, Rowland & Company; and Harry S., who resides at home.
In 1896 Mr. Rowland retired from the active management of his business and now devotes his time and attention to look- ing after his various other interests. In his political belief he is a Republican and gives his stanch support to the principles and policies of that party, and in his social relations he is a member of the Royal Ar- canum. He was one of the members of the board of citizens' committee, number-
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ing one hundred, which was organized to restrain the liquor traffic in Montclair, and he and his wife are adherents of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, in which he has served as a trustee for several years. He was twice elected a member of the common council of Montclair and served two years, after which he refused to again become a candidate for the office.
CHARLES W. ENGLISH.
The man of merit and distinction who by his own efforts has attained a prominent position in business circles and by his worth commands a high place in social circles is certainly deserving of biographic honors, and as such a one we present Mr. English to our readers. He is widely known and as to his high standing in pub- lic and private life no comment is needed, but the outline of his career cannot fail to prove of interest to his many friends.
Born in Newark on the 22d of August, 1847, Mr. English is descended from one who left the mother country as a Britishsol- dier and came to America. His son, Joseph English, the grandfather of our subject, was one of the early settlers of Philadel- phia and died in 1858. Daniel Smith Eng- lish, the father, was born in Green street, Philadelphia, and in that city was reared to manhood, after which he embarked in the saddlery hardware business, continuing in that line in the city of his birth for some time. He then removed to Newark, where he enjoyed a very extensive and profitable trade as a dealer in cutlery and saddlery hardware. His death occurred in 1850. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary P. Sayre, was born on the ancestral homestead in New York city, and died in
1891. She was a daughter of James R. Sayre, of Newark, who was a mason by trade, but for many years conducted business at the foot of Center street, New- ark, carrying a full line of masons' mater- ials. The Sayre family originated in France and the ancestry can be traced back for more than two centuries.
Charles W. English, the subject of this review, spent the greater part of his youth in the city of Newark, where he acquired a good common-school education, supple- mented by study in a parish school taught by Professor Robert Gray, a most thorough and competent teacher of that day. He entered upon his business career when fif- teen years of age, clerking in a lumber yard in which a large stock of masons' materials were also kept, and thus he received train- ing in the handling of the commodities which he now carries. He continued clerking for six years, after which he spent fifteen years in the Importers' and Traders' National Bank of New York city, serving as bookkeeper and in other capacities. On the expiration of that period he came to Montclair and entered into partnership with his cousin, Frederick F. Sayre, under the firm name of F. F. Sayre & Company, dealers in lumber and masons' materials. This connection was continued for seven years when Mr. English purchased the in- terest of F. F. Sayre, his partner. His lumber yard is conveniently located near the Greenwood Railroad station and the extensive sheds, well filled with all kinds of lumber, indicate the volume of his busi- ness. He also deals largely in masons' building materials, and from both branches of the enterprise derives a good income.
On the Ioth of March, 1869, Mr. Eng- lish was united in marriage to Miss Mary
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J. Brewster, a daughter of Benjamin Brewster, a mason, originally from Wood- bridge, New Jersey. Six children have been born of this union, two sons and four daughters: Arthur Sayre, who is associ- ated with his father in business; Mary B., wife of E. R. North, an architect of Mont- clair; Charles W., who is assisting his fa- ther in the office; Bessie Titus; Grace; and Mildred. The family have an elegant home at No. 112 Park street, Montclair, and the members of the household occupy an enviable position in social circles.
Mr. English has been called to several positions of honor and trust within the gift of his fellow townsmen. He was a com- missioner for six years and served as a member of the first town council. His deep interest in the welfare of the com- munity is shown by his active champion- ship of all measures for the public good. He is a worthy exemplar of the true spirit of Masonry and for twenty-seven years has been connected with that fraternity, now holding membership in Orange Chap- ter, R. A. M. In politics he is a stalwart Republican and is an active and influential member of the Republican county com- mittee. Socially he is a valued representa- tive of the Montclair Club, also of the Ath- letic Club, and is a trustee of the Grace Presbyterian church. He is popular with all classes and commands the respect of all who know him.
DAVID H. BALDWIN.
In tracing back the genealogy of the Baldwin family, we find that the progeni- tor of the American branch was Simeon Baldwin, who emigrated to this country and first settled in New England. Just
where he located is not known, but his son David was born in Essex county, New Jer- sey, where he was reared and married, and of his children Simeon Baldwin, grand- father of our subject, was born in Bloom- field in 1780. Nathaniel Baldwin, son of Simeon and father of David H., was born August 27, 1817, in Bloomfield, and in his twenty-second year he married Miss Ab- bie Ball, also of Bloomfield, who departed this life in 1867, leaving two children, one, Sarah E., having died in her twenty-second year. The other two are our subject and Emma A., the latter being the wife of H. H. Biddulph, and four of the children born to them are living. The grandmother of David H. was, in her maidenhood, Miss Elizabeth Ward, daughter of Samuel Ward and a native of Cranetown, West Bloom- field. Her father was born in Essex county and was a representative of one of the pioneer families.
David H. Baldwin was the youngest child and was reared in Bloomfield, where his preliminary educational discipline was acquired in the public schools. This was supplemented by his attending the Bloom- field Academy, and also the Newark Acad- emy, after which he completed his studies at Columbus College, taking a full course, including chemistry and mining engineer- ing. He engaged in the drug business on his own responsibility under the firm name of Griffen & Baldwin, which contin- ued for two and a half years, and then, in the latter part of 1879, he purchased his partner's interest and has since conducted the enterprise alone. His store is newly fitted up and completely equipped with everything that pertains to a first-class apothecary shop. He has an excellent and well selected stock, and, being centrally lo-
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cated, he does a large and remunerative business. He is one of the leading drug- gists of Montclair, and the factors of his success comprise a high order of intelli- gence, distinct ability, a genial disposition and an undoubted integrity of character.
The marriage of Mr. Baldwin was sol- emnized in 1877, when he was united to Miss Effie H. Lyon, of New York city, a daughter of William P. Lyon. Of this union four sons have been born.
Politically considered, Mr. Baldwin is a stanch Republican and advocates the prin- ciples and policies of his chosen party. He takes a deep interest in all matters per- taining to the public welfare, is bacteriolo- gist in the Mountainside Hospital, and is a member of the Montclair Club. In 1894 he took a special course in bacteriology at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York city.
CHARLES ARTHUR BURT,
a merchant of South Orange, was born in the city which is still his home, October 20, 1851, a son of Nathaniel and Fanny J. (Ball) Burt. The father was born near Basking Ridge, Somerset county, New Jersey, in 1812, and was a son of Abraham Burt. When he was a lad he was appren- ticed to Joseph Baldwin, of South Orange, to learn the shoemaker's trade and later carried on an extensive business along that line, engaging in the manufacture of shoes for the New York market and later for the army during the civil war. In connection with this industry he opened a general store, and after the introduction of the modern machinery for the manufacture of shoes, he abandoned that business and devoted his entire attention to his mercan- tile trade.
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Mr. Burt was united in marriage to Miss Fanny J. Ball, of South Orange, and to them were born eight children: George M., of South Orange; Mary, wife of Wilson Decker, of South Orange; Daniel F., who died in 1869, at the age of twenty-six years; Emma F .; Lewis C., of South Orange; Charles A .; Ella J., wife of S. L. Crowell, of Caldwell, and Nettie, wife of George T. Hatt, of East Orange.
The father of this family was quite prom- inent in public affairs and served for three years as township collector of South Orange. In his political views he was a Democrat. His death occurred December 10, 1881, and his wife passed away August 5, 1894.
Charles A. Burt spent the greater part of his youth in school and on attaining his ma- jority embarked in business with his father, succeeding to the ownership of the store on his father's death. His stock is complete and well selected, his goods modern and his prices reasonable, and he has a liberal patronage by reason of his honorable deal- ing and his earnest desire to please his pa- trons. The energy and progressiveness necessary for successful competition in this busy, bustling age are his, and his well di- rected efforts have brought to him good financial returns.
In 1891 Mr. Burt was united in marriage to Miss Anna Davenport, of Morris county, New Jersey, a daughter of Lewis Daven- port, also a native of Morris county. They have now an interesting little daughter, Tina Leona. Mr. Burt belongs to the First Presbyterian church. He is independent in his political views, and takes no active part in politics, preferring to devote his at- tention to his business interests and the enjoyment of the home life.
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HALSEY M. BARRETT
is a well known member of the bar of Es- sex county. He entered upon practice in June, 1878. His advancement has been continuous and commendable and to-day he is recognized as one of the leaders in the Essex bar.
Mr. Barrett was born in Cornwall, Orange county, New York, on the 14th of July, 1852, being the son of James M. and Sarah (Randolph) Barrett. His mother was also a native of New Jersey, as was her father, Hugh F. Randolph. The father of our subject was born in Cornwall, New York, and grew to manhood there, after which he followed merchandizing for a number of years in the neighbor- hood in which his youth was passed. In 1865 he moved to Bloomfield, New Jersey, and became a merchant in New York city. His death occurred in March, 1887. His father was Lewis Bar- rett, a native of Bedford, Westchester county, New York, and a descendant of English ancestors who located in the Em- pire state at an early period in its history.
Halsey M. Barrett, whose name intro- duces this review, remained in his native state during the first twelve years of his life and began his education in the district schools near his home. In 1865 he accom- panied his parents on their removal to New Jersey, and entered the Bloomfield Academy, where he pursued his studies for a time, followed by a course in Newark Academy. Subsequently he entered Phil- lips Academy, in Andover, Massachusetts, where he was graduated in the class of 1870. Soon afterward he matriculated in Yale College, but, owing to impaired health, he abandoned his college course
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