USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Newark > Biographical and genealogical history of the city of Newark and Essex County, New Jersey, V. 1 > Part 6
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"The exercises opened with a national hymn, 'My Native Land,' by Abraham Coles, sung by the children, teachers and friends of the public and private schools of Newark, and elsewhere in the state, led by Professor Thomas Bott, James V. Orchard, and David B. Dana, cornetist, under the direction of Mr. Frank E. Drake.
"Just as the hymn was finished the statue was unveiled by the drawing back of a large American flag, by Miss Lucy Depue Ogden, granddaughter of Supreme Court Justice Depue, and Master Robert B. Bradley, grandson of the late United States Supreme Court Justice Bradley. A great cheer went up from the crowd as the group was disclosed to view, and when it had sub- sided Dr. J. A. Coles made a brief presenta- tion speech, which embodied what he said, in his letter to Mayor Lebkuecher, in offer- ing the group to the city.
"On behalf of the citizens of Newark, Mayor Lebkuecher then made an address of acceptance. He said: 'It gives me great pleasure to receive and accept, on be- half of the people of Newark, the beautiful piece of bronze statuary which your gener- osity has prompted you to present to this city. The people will appreciate in its full- est sense this artistic gift, and will hold in grateful remembrance the generous giver. In accepting it, I tender to you the thanks of all the people of our city. It should be a matter of self-congratulation and satis- faction that the city of Newark has reached that stage in its history and development when its citizens are able to give expression to their more cultured tastes. And now, Mr. President of the board of street and
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water commissioners, upon your board de- volves the duty of seeing to the safe keep- ing of this statue, and I now deliver it over to your care.'
"President Van Duyne, of the board of works, followed with a short address, and then followed one of the most interesting features of the whole ceremony. It was the delivery, by the pretty little Miss Grace E. Bates, grandniece of David D. Bragaw, president of the common council, of the keys of the metal boxes placed in the pe- destal (containing the names of more than thirty thousand school children, a copy of the bible, a Newark directory, and various objects of local and general interest) to the equally pretty and tiny Miss Helen Coy- kendall, while held in the arms of her grandfather, Chief of Police Henry Hop- per. It will be the duty of little Miss Coy- kendall to drop the keys into the Passaic river, from the draw of the Bridge street bridge, for safe keeping.
"Then another national hymn, 'Colum- bia, the Land of the Free,' was sung, and an address was made by the president of the board of education, Dr. Henry J. An- derson. This was followed by the singing of the 'Fourth of July,' a national hymn, and an address by the superintendent of public schools, Dr. William N. Barringer. The subject of his talk was 'A Nation's History, as shown by its Monuments.' 'Our Country's Banner' was sung; there was an address by the Rev. Dr. D. R. Fra- zer, of the First Presbyterian church; the singing of a bicentennial ode, entitled 'Two Hundred Years Ago,' and then the bene- diction, by Rev. Dr. R. M. Luther, pastor of the South Park Baptist church.
"All the national hymns and the ode sung were the compositions of the late Dr.
Abraham Coles, in whose memory the group will really stand."
The Free Public Library is the possessor of one of the choicest specimens of artistic work in steel and bronze ever seen in New- ark. It is a German Columbian memorial shield, executed for the German depart- ment of the Liberal Arts Building at the World's Fair, and is the gift of the family of the late Dr. Abraham Coles.
The following description is from the Newark Evening News: The shield is of polished steel and bronze, and is about three feet in diameter. It is surmounted by the American eagle, which, with out- spread wings, holds in its claws arrows, sprays of myrtle and a banner bearing the legend, "Westward the Star of Empire Takes Its Way." Around the margin of the shield are the inscriptions: "Dedicated to the American People in Honor of the Four Hundredth Anniversary of the Dis- covery of America." "1492-United We Stand, Divided We Fall-1892."
In the center of the shield in high relief stands a beautiful female figure represent- ing Science, or the Goddess of Discovery. She is lifting a mantle from the Western Hemisphere, which is illuminated by the golden rays of the rising sun. Beneath are shown the mariner's compass and palms of victory.
Around the central group are placed the coats-of-arms of all the States and Terri- tories (49 in all), tied together with bands bearing the words "E pluribus unum," "In God We Trust." Eight bas relief bronze medallions represent principal events in the history of America, viz .: "The Landing of Columbus," "The Landing of the Pil- grim Fathers," "The Signing of the Dec- laration of Independence," "Washington
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Crossing the Delaware," "The Battle of Churubusco," in which the Mexicans, un- der Santa Anna, were totally defeated by the Americans, under General Scott (1847); "The Emancipation Proclama- tion," "The Capitol at Washington," "An allegorical picture representing progress in science, industry and commerce, with Co- lumbia welcoming all to the World's Fair."
There are also eight bronze portraits on the shield, those of Washington, Franklin, Jefferson, Lincoln, Grant, Garfield, Morse and Longfellow. Eight small shields re- cord the names and population of the eight largest cities-New York, 1,627,000; Chi- cago, 1,100,000; Philadelphia, 1,040,000; Boston, 418,000; St. Louis, 450,000; Cin- cinnati, 306,000; Baltimore, 500,000, and San Francisco, 320,000.
"Dr. Coles and his sister, Miss E. S. Coles," says the Christian Herald, "have given to the Newark Public Library, from the estate of their father, the statue of Ben- jamin Franklin and his whistle, executed in Cararra marble by Pasquale Romanelli. It was made in Italy, in 1863, and attracted much attention at the Centennial Exhibi- tion in 1876."
It stands on a carved pedestal of dark marble. The figure is exquisitely graceful, and the execution shows the highest tech- nical power. The conception is based on the incident described by Franklin himself, in a letter written to a friend in Philadel- phia, in November, 1779.
"When I was a child," he wrote, "seven years old, my friends, on a holiday, filled my pockets with coppers. I went directly to a shop where they sold toys for children, and being charmed with the sound of a whistle that I met by the way in the hands of another boy, I voluntarily offered and
gave all my money for one. I then came home and went whistling all over the house, much pleased with my whistle, but disturb- ing all the family. My brothers and sisters
FRANKLIN AND HIS WHISTLE.
and cousins, understanding the bargain I had made, told me I had given four times as much for it as it was worth, put me in mind what good things I might have bought with the rest of the money, and laughed at me so much for my folly that I cried with vexation, and the reflection gave me more chagrin than the whistle gave me pleasure.
"This, however, was afterwards of use to me, the impression continuing on my mind so that often when I was tempted to buy some unnecessary thing I said to myself, 'Don't give too much for the whistle,' and I saved my money.
3
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"As I grew up, came into the world, and observed the actions of men, I thought I met with many, very many, who gave too much for the whistle. * In short, I conceive that great part of the miseries of mankind are brought upon them by the false estimates they have made of the value of things, and by giving too much for their whistles."
The New York Tribune, April 20, 1897, says: "The Newark Free Library, which is soon to occupy a new and handsome building to be erected this year on a site selected, facing Washington Park, in New- ark, has begun to receive gifts from citizens of wealth and culture. Yesterday the li- brary trustees received, and placed in the library, two beautiful life-size medallions in high relief. Accompanying the gift was the following letter from the donor :
Prominent among the art treasures in the marble palace of the late A. T. Stewart, on Fifth avenue and Thirty-fourth street, in New York city, were two pieces of statuary, designated "Sappho" and "First Love," by the well known American sculptor, Richard Hamilton Park. Visitors to the Metropolitan Museum of Art will also remember this artist's beautiful mem- orial of marble and bronze, in "The Poet's Corner," to the memory of Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849).
Two other works, to some fully as interesting, and to many, perhaps, more fascinating, are his two beautiful life-size medallions, in Cararra marble, portraying in high relief the profiles of two little girls, appropriately designated "Evening" and "Morning." The counten- ance of the one, as attractive as an evening sunset, bears the impress of weariness, attendant upon the close of a well spent day; while that of the other, bright and joyous, after refreshing sleep, is equally suggestive of early sunrise and the singing of birds.
All who love children and their innocent pleasures will find in these two medallions much to admire, and it is, therefore, with a feeling of confidence and pleasure that I, presuming upon your acceptance of the same, have ordered them, with their elegantly carved frames and pedestals, costing, originally, in Florence, Italy, about eight hundred dollars, to be sent this day as gifts to the Free Public Library of Newark, believing that vistors thereto will find in them additional in- centives to the cultivation of the refined and beautiful in art. Sincerely and respectfully yours,
J. ACKERMAN COLES.
Newark, April 19, 1897.
"A letter sent to-day," says the Newark Daily Advertiser, "by Dr. J. Ackerman Coles, to Principal Edmund O. Hovey, of
the High School, announces the writer's gift to the school of an elaborate copper- bronze globe. A hint is also given of an- other gift for the new High School.
"Here is the text of the letter :
"My Dear Sir :- I am in receipt of your courteous letter, in which you kindly refer to the time when the late Dr. Abrahamn Coles, my father, was, for a number of years, a member of the board of education, chairman of the normal-school committee, and ever active in advancing the varied in- terests of the public schools of Newark.
"I appreciate your appreciation of the addresses you mention as made by him, in presenting to the president of the board of education, for graduation, the classes of 1872, 1873 and 1874.
"You, moreover, suggest the propriety of my giving something in bronze to re- mind the one thousand two hundred and four bright and intelligent boys and girls now in the high school, of the interest taken by Dr. Coles in the education of their parents, and in them, their successors.
"Your letter reached me at an opportune moment, soon after the arrival at my office of a box, not yet opened, containing a large copper-bronze globe, with its stand, which I had been successful in obtaining as an intended gift for the new High School of Newark.
"This globe is a model of the earth, and is remarkably interesting as representing, as it were, a survey of the bottom of the sea, of the lakes and of the rivers. It also shows the comparative heights of the mountains and the depths of the valleys on land. It shows us what every man, wo- man and child has always been curious to know, viz .: How the bottom of the sea looks. Here we see the cause of the dif-
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ferent currents, and the results of volcanic eruptions beneath the ocean's bed. It is interesting to note and compare the oce- anic levels, also the sudden and gradual de- pressions, and the varied elevations of the two hemispheres.
"No school in New York city, nor in New Jersey, I am informed, has such a model of the earth, and it was, in a measure, due to my desire that the metropolis of New Jersey should continue to lead in edu- cational matters, that caused me to pur- chase the same as a gift for its High School. When you get into your new fire-proof building, it may be my privilege and pleas- ure to donate something else. When agreeable to the board of education, I will send the bronze globe and its pedestal, and locate them where you desire."
"Another acceptable gift to the Newark Free Public Library," says the New York Tribune, "is announced in the following letter :"
Gentlemen,-Of the more than seven hundred sculp- tures in marble that line the walls of the Museo Chia- ramonti, of the Vatican, at Rome, Italy, there is, probably, no one that receives more attention from, or is better remembered by visitors, than the one known as the "Bust of Young Augustus," found at Ostia, A. D. 1808.
A beautiful life-size copy of this celebrated work, I was so fortunate as to discover a few days ago in the store of an importer, in New York city. Knowing the r'arity and value of the bust, it being made of the finest Cararra marble, and of the same size and finish as the original, I immediately purchased it, with a suitable marble pedestal, as a gift to the Free Public Library, of Newark, where, anticipating your accept- ance of the same, it, with its pedestal, will probably arrive to-morrow. With great respect, I have the honor to be Yours truly, J. ACKERMAN COLES.
The trustees subsequently acknowledged the receipt of and acceptance of the gift.
. "To the New Jersey Historical Society," says the New York Commercial Adver- tiser, "for the erection thereon of a suitable fire-proof building, Dr. J. A. Coles has of- fered to give either one of two valuable
plots of land in the city of Newark, front- ing on and overlooking the Branch Brook Park. One plot is near its Sixth avenue entrance, with a frontage of fifty feet on the park, thence running back two hun- dred feet, to Fifth street, with a front there- on of fifty feet. The other plot is at the Boulevard entrance, and has a frontage of one hundred and twelve feet on the park, and fifty feet on Fifth avenue."
In order that the New Jersey Historical Society might, in addition to its other treasures, possess a complete and compre- hensive library of reference, Dr. Coles has given it, in addition to other works, Apple- ton's Annual Cyclopædias and Registry of Important Events of the years 1876 to 1896, inclusive, embracing political, mili- tary and ecclesiastical affairs, public docu- ments, biography, statistics, commerce, finance, literature, science, agriculture and mechanical industry, being twenty-two vol- umes, bound in half morocco, handsomely illustrated and indexed, the latest editions; also, as executor of the estate of his father, the late Dr. Abraham Coles, one of the special sets of the Encyclopædia Britan- nica, consisting of twenty-five volumes, bound in half morocco, and printed in Edinburgh (1891) from the original plates, with the corrections authorized by the edi- tor, the late William Robertson Smith, to which gift was added Appleton's Cyclopæ- dia of American Biography, six volumes, half morocco, and Appleton's Cyclopædia of General Knowledge, sixteen volumes, half morocco, last editions.
These seventy volumes in all constitute a complete and comprehensive condensation of the history of all ages and peoples. Every article is brought down to the latest possible date, thus including the most re-
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cent events in history, and researches in science, art and manufactures.
On March 29, 1897, Dr. J. A. Coles wrote :
To the Hon. John W. Griggs, LL. D., Governor of the State of New Jersey.
Dear Sir,-I am the owner of the celebrated oil paint- ing known as "The Good Samaritan," by our distin- guished American artist, Daniel Huntington. The picture, with its frame, measures about nine feet in width by eleven feet in height, the principal figures being life size. It was executed by Daniel Huntington, in his studio, in Paris, France, in the years 1852-3, and in illustration, or interpretation of the second great commandment of the law: "Thou shalt love thy neigh- bor as thyself." Here, with wonderful skill, is vividly portrayed the arrival at the inn, the sympathetic in- terest of the host and others, and the respectful atten- tion given to the orders of "The Good Samaritan."
Mr. Huntington informs me that while engaged on this painting he was visited in his studio by Paul Delaroche, the eminent historical painter of France, who took a deep interest in the progress of his work, and by friendly suggestions as to detail, color, etc., rendered him much assistance, a circumstance which adds immensely to the value of this picture, as it may be regarded as the joint work of these two great master minds. After its completion, requiring several months, it was, after attracting much attention in Paris, sent to this country, exhibited at the National Academy, then on Broadway, and formed one of the chief attractions at the Sanitary Fair Exhibition of Paintings, held in Fourteenth street, New York city, during the late civil war.
Mr. Huntington, having learned that I contemplated giving this picture, through you, to the people of New · Jersey, wrote to me a few weeks ago, suggesting that I should first send the canvas to his studio in New York city, and leave it with him for a month, in order that he might retouch and restore any injuries done by the hand of time. This I have done, and Mr. Hunt- ington has not only gone over the whole canvas, but has at the suggestion and request of friends, intro- duced a portrait of himself as the host of the inn. I have also had its artistic and beautiful frame relaid with the best of gold leaf.
Upon receipt of word from you, that as a gift, the painting will be acceptable to the state, I will, as soon as practicable, at my own expense, send it to Trenton, and have it hung in the place deemed most suitable for its reception in the capitol, a building associated with pleasant meetings therein of my father, the late Abraham Coles, A. M., M. D., Ph. D., LL. D., with his friends, some of whom are still living, while the portraits of others adorn its walls. It is with special pride I recall the recorded words of the late Governor Daniel Haines, and those of the late Henry Woodhull Green, chief justice and chancellor, who, in referring to the life and writings of Dr. Abraham Coles, affirm that "to him the world owes a debt of gratitude for his labor and research, which redound to the honor of our state." Awaiting your reply, I am, with great re- spect, Yours sincerely,
J. ACKERMAN COLES. Governor Griggs' reply is as follows :
State of New Jersey, Executive Department. Trenton, March 30, 1897.
Dr. J. Ackerman Coles.
My Dear Sir,-I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your esteemed favor of the 29th inst., tender-
ing to the state of New Jersey the painting known as "The Good Samaritan." I assure you nothing would delight me more than to accept at your hands such a valuable gift on behalf of the people of the state. The picture will be accorded the best hanging that can be selected for it in the state house, and I will have an engraved plate, if it meets your pleasure, placed upon. it, giving the name of the generous donor. Permit me to say that your generosity and goodness to your native state are deserving of the highest appreciation on behalf of the people, and when the picture shall have been received, I hope to express to you in a more formal way, the thanks and gratitude of the executive for your generous donation.
Whenever it shall suit your convenience to forward the picture, it will be received and cared for with all the consideration that it deserves. Very sincerely yours,
JOHN W. GRIGGS, Governor.
A special to the New York Sun, dated Trenton, New Jersey, June II, 1897, says : "Daniel Huntington's painting, 'The Good Samaritan,' was received at the capitol this. morning.
"The painting was so large that it could not be put in a freight car. It was brought here on a large truck, which started from Newark yesterday morning. A brass plate at the bottom of the frame bears this in- scription : 'A gift to the people of New Jersey, in memory of Abraham Coles, A. M., M. D., Ph. D., LL. D.,' and this quo- tation, from one of Dr. Coles' works: 'We can weigh actions better than we can mo- tives. The hand of Omniscience needs to. hold the scales when hearts are to be judged.'"
"The painting was hung in the state house, opposite the front stairway."
Harper's Weekly referred to New Jersey as getting "an admirable painting in mem- ory of a good and distinguished citizen."
The Newark Sunday Call and other papers also took occasion to speak of the value and appropriateness of the gift.
The two following incidents in the sur- gical life of Dr. Abraham Coles have but recently come to light and are here given as understood and reported: In fixing the ceiling of one of the churches in the city of
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Newark, the scaffolding tipped and one of the workmen fell to the floor, where he lay unconscious and apparently dead. Several surgeons were hastily summoned, but see- ing the case abandoned it as hopeless. Dr. Coles at last arrived, and listening at the man's breast thought he detected signs of life. He had him immediately removed to his home and placed on a couch. Kneeling beside him, after engaging for a few mo- ments in silent prayer, he carefully tre- phined his fractured skull and lifted a por- tion of depressed bone from off his brain, whereupon the man regained conscious- ness and subsequently his wonted health.
A boy laughing, while eating a piece of watermelon, inhaled a large seed, which, lodging in his pharynx, produced symp- toms threatening death. Dr. Coles was sent for and removed the seed by tracheot- omy. The boy's mother saved the seed, had it mounted in gold, and wore it con- stantly thereafter in grateful remembrance of her son's deliverer. The boy grew to manhood and became a useful citizen of Newark.
At a meeting of the Trustees of Colum- bia College, held at the college on Monday, the fourth day of January, one thousand eight hundred and ninety-seven, the fol- lowing action was taken :
"EXTRACT FROM THE MINUTES.
"Resolved: That the thanks of the Trustees be tendered to Dr. J. Ackerman Coles for his most welcome and valuable gift to the University of several bronze busts, handsomely and appropriately mounted.
"I. A copy of the Olympian Zeus, by Phidias.
"2. A copy of the bust of Plato, found in the house of the Papyri, Herculaneum.
"3. A copy of the Hermes of Prax- iteles, found in the Temple of Hera, in Olympia.
"A true copy. [Seal.] "JOHN B. PINE, Clerk."
Previous to the receipt by Dr. Coles of an engrossed copy of the above resolution, he had received a personal note, which read as follows :
Columbia University, in the City of New York. President's Room, December 16, 1896. My Dear Dr. Coles:
I have just seen the bronzes in the library. They are beautiful, and I am very sure they will be accepted with gratitude. I had the pleasure of telling the Alumni last evening of your generosity, and in due time you will receive the formal thanks of the Trustees, The Alumni received the announcement with applause. Yours faithfully,
SETH LOW, President.
On June 29, 1897, to Dr. Coles was sent the following, also beautifully engrossed : "The Trustees of Columbia College in the city of New York.
"At a meeting of the Trustees of Colum- bia College, in the city of New York, held at the college on Monday, the seventh day of June in the year of our Lord, one thou- sand eight hundred and ninety-seven, the following action was taken :
"EXTRACT FROM THE MINUTES.
"Resolved: That the thanks of the Trustees be rendered to Dr. J. Ackerman Coles, for his gift to the University of an heroic-size marble bust of the Parthenon Minerva, with its pedestal, bearing a bronze medallion portrait of Pericles, and also of an heroic bronze bust of Homer, a copy of the one in the Louvre which he has had cast especially for the University library building.
"A true copy. [Seal. ] "JOHN B. PINE, Clerk."
Upon the completion of the Columbia University Library the New York Tribune said: "The front, with its massive colon-
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nade, gives at once the idea of grandeur and simplicity. And when the visitor steps inside, over the large tablet of brass near the threshold, which sets forth that the build- ing is given by Seth Low in memory of his father, it is evident that the interior ful- fils the external promise. Just within the entrance stands a magnificent bust of Mi- nerva, upon a high pedestal, presented to _the University by Dr. Coles. As the light falls upon this through the aisles of lofty pillars the effect is wonderfully beautiful."
"For Columbia University, on Morning- side Heights, New York city," says the New York Herald, "Messrs. Tiffany & Co. have completed an elegant and very inter- esting work of art as a gift from Dr. J. Ack- erman Coles, of Newark, N. J., an alumnus of Columbia College. It consists of a bronze bust of Homer, heroic size, a copy of the one in the Louvre, Paris, and was cast especially for the university at the cele- brated foundry of Barbedienne, in France.
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