USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Newark > Biographical and genealogical history of the city of Newark and Essex County, New Jersey, V. 2 > Part 57
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supreme court and court of errors of New Jersey. There was no lawyer in the state better known in the supreme court of the United States than he. He had a large prac- tice in patent causes, and his great familiar- ity with the principles of equity, combined with an intense interest in new inventions and discoveries, gave him an advantage in these causes over many men who devoted themselves entirely to the law of patents. He was especially at home in equity prac- tice, had a clear and strong sense of equity, rejoicing in the powers of the courts of equity, and saw clearly and almost intuitive- ly how they might be applied to furnish an adequate remedy where the common law was deficient for the purposes of his case, and in such litigation he was a most persua- sive advocate.
It was not only as a lawyer that Mr. Keas- bey was conspicuous and helpful in the community. He took a keen interest in all public affairs. As a young man he was act- ive in the organization of the Republican party, and was all his life an earnest advo- cate of its principles, taking an active part in many campaigns. He was always ready to devote to this cause his great powers as an orator, and as a clear and forcible writer. He was distinguished as a public speaker and made orations and addresses on many important public occasions. Mr. Keasbey had great faith in the future of Newark, a broad sympathy with its people and its in- terests of every kind. By suggestion and en- couragement he promoted many plans de- vised for the improvement of the city. He took part in the building up of the system of street railways, and after many discour- agements and long delay he took a leading part in carrying out the plan by which the different lines were consolidated and equip-
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ped for operation by electricity. He was one of the incorporators of the Howard Sav- ings Institution, and served for nearly forty years on the board of managers. He was one of the founders of the Hospital of St. Barnabas. From 1867 until his death he took part in its management and contrib- uted to its support. He was one of the charter members of the Essex Club, and served for many years on the board of gov- ernors. He was also a member of the His- torical Society, and contributed some im- portant papers to its records, notably his ad- dresses on the life of Judge Field and Judge Nixon, and a paper on the bicentennial of the purchase of East New Jersey.
His opinions on political affairs and legal questions of public interest were fre- quently expressed in the editorial columns of newspapers in Newark and New York. He was especially interested in the inven- tions and discoveries which began with his boyhood and marked the age in which he lived, and he followed with keen delight the progress of modern science, and inspired others with his enthusiasm on the subject. His reading was very extensive and varied, and he was familiar not only with the best literature of the past but also with the lat- est writings of the authors of the day.
A few years before his death Mr. Keas- bey built a country house in Morristown, and in the latter part of 1894 he gave up his house in Newark and took his library to his house in Morristown. In the spring of 1895 he went to Italy with his daughters for a short vacation, and was taken suddenly ill in Rome, and died there on the 4th of April of that year.
The following estimate of his character is taken from an editorial in the Newark Daily Advertiser of that day :
Mr. Keasbey was, in a multitude of re- spects, one of the most eminent men of the state. In learning, in culture, in refinement, in the profundity of his legal knowledge, in the sagacity of his business judgment, in the clarity of his intellectual opinions, in his ap- preciation of the true, the beautiful and the good, in the warmth of his social life and the intensity of his friendship, he was a re- markable and distinguished man. Few men in our state have the wide range and sweep that marked Mr. Keasbey's intellectual equipment. He could have shone in many fields of endeavor, but he chose the law, in which he achieved so many and so brilliant triumphs. In the world of letters, had he chosen to walk in that field, he would have made a high name and fame for himself, so rich was his power of expression, so well stored his mind, so wide his grasp of essen- tial things. Even in his busy career he found time to write much, and in every- thing he wrote there was a fineness of ex- pression, a delicacy of touch, a force, vigor and charm which disclosed the true man. Of his private and per- sonal life this is not the time or place to speak. His wide circle of friends feel too keenly the sad blow of his death, to give any definite form or expression to the sense of their profound loss. He was the most genial of companions, the most devoted of friends, most affectionate in all the sacred and beautiful relations of his home. Time cannot diminish the intensity of the loss created by his death, nor will it efface the recollection of his distinguished career as a lawyer, jurist, author and citizen, nor the memory of his rare qualities as a friend, counselor, companion and father.
Death came too soon for Mr. Keasbey, but none the less it found him prepared and in that beautiful attitude of readiness which he loved to describe in his favorite poem, Emerson's "Terminus :"
"As the bird trims her to the gale,
I trim myself to the storm of time.
I man the rudder, reef the sail,
Obey the voice at eve, obeyed at prime;
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"Lowly faithful, banish fear, Right onward drive unharmed; The port, well worth the cruise, is near, And every wave is charmed."
WINTHROP DODD MITCHELL,
eldest son of Aaron P. and Anna Elizabeth (Dodd) Mitchell, was born at the home- stead on South Grove street, East Orange, May 7, 1862. His knowledge of the ele- mentary branches was obtained at the pub- lic schools of his native town, and he was afterward sent to Phillips Academy, Ando- ver, Massachusetts, to prepare for college. In 1884 he began the study of medicine with Professor Frederic S. Dennis, profes- sor of surgery in Bellevue College. He was graduated at Bellevue Hospital Medi- cal College in 1887, and afterward served two years as intern in St. Vincent's Hos- pital, New York. He then went abroad for eighteen months, prosecuting his stud- ies at Vienna, Munich, London and Dub- lin. On his return he served as assistant to his old preceptor, Professor Dennis, for about eighteen months. In 1892 he be- gan practice in Newark. Dr. Mitchell re- moved permanently to East Orange in 1895, where he now has a successful prac- tice, being located at the old residence of his parents on Grove street. While devot- ing a large portion of his time to general practice he has given much to surgery, and has been successful in a number of difficult cases. As visiting surgeon to the Home for Crippled Children and house surgeon at St. Michael's Hospital he has had an ex- perience of great advantage to him in his practice. He is a close student and keeps himself well informed on all matters per- taining to his profession. He is a member
of the Medical and Surgical Society of New- ark, of the Physicians' Club of Newark, and of Essex County Medical Society.
He married, in 1889, Miss Harriet Mor- gan, daughter of Charles H. Morgan, of Worcester, Massachusetts, a well known mechanical engineer, and a descendant of Miles Morgan, who sailed from Bristol, England, in March, 1636, and was one of the early settlers of Springfield, Massachu- setts.
MORRIS B. LINDSLEY,
one of the most extensive real-estate dealers of Essex county, is also identified with the business interests of this section as an in- surance agent, and follows conveyancing and abstract work. Through these lines he has won a creditable success, due to close application, careful oversight and sound judgment. His interests are carried on in strict conformity to the ethics of commer- cial life, and his name is therefore synony- mous with honorable business dealing.
Mr. Lindsley was born at the corner of Mulberry and Green streets, in Newark, June 1, 1838, and is a son of John P. and Catharine H. (Mandeville) Lindsley. His father was born in Orange, New Jersey, about 1812, and was a son of John M. Lind- sley, who was for many years a leading mer- chant of Orange. The Lindsleys were among the original settlers of that city, and the name is inseparably woven with the his- tory of the development and progress of Es- sex and other New Jersey counties. During his youth the father of our subject learned the carriage trimmer's trade in New- ark, and followed that business during the greater part of his life. In connection with his brothers, George and Nelson Lindsley,
Maw Shirley
-احدزاً.
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he was also extensively engaged in the coal business in Newark, where he made his home until 1871, when he removed to Ver- ona, there living retired until his death, in 1888. His wife passed away in 1890. In politics John P. Lindsley was a firm believer in the principles of the Whig and Repub- lican parties, and in early life was a great admirer of Henry Clay. He was a man of firm convictions, unwavering in his support, and in political affairs took quite an active interest. His wife was a daughter of Corne- lius Mandeville, who at an early day was one of Newark's carpenters and builders, and a descendant of one of the pioneer families of the county. Mr. and Mrs. John P. Linds- ley were consistent members of the Presby- terian church and people of the highest re- spectability. Their family numbered three children: Morris B .; Jane C., who married Austin Hedden, of Verona, and died in 1896; and Theodore P., who is now en- gaged in the bicycle business in Montclair.
Morris B. Lindsley acquired a good Eng- lish education in the schools of Newark and was thereby fitted for the practical duties of life. In his early manhood he became in- terested in the manufacture of machinery in Newark, and carried on business along that line until 1878, since which time he has engaged in thereal-estate and insurance business. He has made judicious invest- ments in realty and handles a large amount of property, from the sales of which he has derived a comfortable competence. His in- surance business is also a profitable source of income, and he is now numbered among the substantial citizens of Caldwell, where he has made his home since 1871.
Mr. Lindsley was married in 1863 to Miss Virginia C. Personett, daughter of Dr. Stephen and Sarah A. (Mandeville) Per-
sonett, both of whom are now deceased. Mrs. Lindsley was born in Caldwell, where her father practiced medicine for years, be- ing one of the best-known physicians of that part of the county. To our subject and his wife have been born seven children, namely: Charles S., Walter P., Josie, Al- lan, Kate, Stephen J. and Clara B. The first four were born in Newark, the others in Caldwell, and the family circle yet re- mains unbroken by the hand of death.
In politics Mr. Lindsley is a stalwart Re- publican. In 1878-9 he was a member of the county board of chosen freeholders from Caldwell township; was a prominent factor in the formation of the borough of Caldwell, in 1892; was clerk of the same for two years and has been engineer for the past six years. For a number of years he served as justice of the peace, and in all these positions his fidelity to duty has made him a popular and valued official. He is very active in the work of the Republican party, doing all in his power to promote its growth and insure its success. He served as a member of the Republican county committee from 1872 until 1881; was its president in 1878, and previous to that time served as vice-presi- dent. He is often sent as a delegate to county and state conventions, where he is an influential member. He has assisted largely in the development of Caldwell, and lends an active support to all measures for the public good.
Socially he is connected with Caldwell Lodge, No. 59, F. & A. M., of which he is past master.
JACOB COHEN.
The subject of this review, a well known resident of Newark, was born in the old city of Varchow, Russia, on the 8th of
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March, 1872, and is a son of Herman and Sarah Cohen. The father was a wholesale. dry-goods merchant of his native city. In the family were eight children: Mary, wife of Moses Burstein, who is in the wholesale shoe business at Varchow, Russia; Moses, who is engaged in the manufacture of hats in Newark; Lena, wife of Philip Flum, who is in the employ of our subject; Jacob; Rosie, wife of Charles Lundsman, also em- ployed by Jacob Cohen; Wolf and Charles, who are employed in their brother's fac- tory; and Max, who is pursuing his edu- cation under the supervision of his brother Jacob.
In the common schools of his native vil- lage Jacob Cohen acquired his education, and at the age of eighteen began to learn the hatter's trade. Having served a two- years apprenticeship he decided to come to America, hoping to find better opportuni- ties in the New World; nor was he destined to disappointment in this direction, for "the land of the free" holds out equal chances to all and offers its rewards to all those who diligently strive, guiding their efforts by sound judgment and honorable purpose. Mr. Cohen landed in New York, in Decem- ber, 1891, and came to Newark, where he secured employment with Messrs. Yudizky and Budisch, for whom he worked as a journeyman for two years. In 1894 he formed a partnership with Herman Isen- berg, under the name of Cohen & Isenberg, locating on School street, where they rent- ed a factory room for eight dollars per month. This partnership continued for four months, when Mr. Cohen purchased the interest of his partner and continued business alone. His first venture did not prove a success, but he did not become dis- couraged by adversity, and manifesting an
earnest desire to liquidate his liabilities, he thus won for himself renewed credit. With tireless purpose he worked to build up a business, and after a time his efforts were crowned with success. After he had suc- ceeded in getting a start his patronage in- creased rapidly and he was soon forced to seek more commodious quarters. He there- fore removed to Sumner street, where he secured factory room at a rental of thirty- five dollars per month, and there continued until his fast growing business again de- manded larger quarters, which he found on Camden street, at a rental of sixty dollars per month. On the 13th of March, 1897, he had the misfortune of being robbed of goods to the value of two thousand dollars, burglars entering his factory at night, but his business had become so extensive that his loss did not prove so severe a blow as it would have done had it come earlier in his business career. In 1897 he purchased a tract of ground at Nos. 15 and 17 Kent street, and erected thereon a three-story brick building, equipped with all the mod- ern devices and machinery for the manu- facture of soft felt hats. The capacity of the factory is over one hundred dozen hats per day, and employment is furnished to one hundred and fifty operatives, including both men and women. The excellence of the workmanship, the honorable business methods of the house, and the promptness with which all orders are filled have secured for Mr. Cohen a very liberal patronage. He is also engaged in the purchase and sale of stiff felt hats.
Mr. Cohen was married in Newark, March 8, 1894, to Miss Berty Budisch, and to them were born two children, but both died in early life. Mrs. Cohen is a lady of refinement and culture, who shares with
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her husband in his plans and ambitions, and who presides with gracious hospitality over their pleasant home. Her parents were natives of the city of Kive, Russia, where her father spent his life as a whole- sale grocer. He died June 15, 1890. He was a highly respected man, devoted to his family, and was a consistent and worthy member of the Jewish church, adhering closely to his faith. Since his death his wife has made her home with Mr. and Mrs. Cohen. Her children were Lillie, who mar- ried Beres Rudolph, of Kive, Russia; May- er, who also resides in Kive; Bernard, of Newark, New Jersey; Sarah, wife of Charles Rosenberg, of Kive, Russia; Mrs. Cohen; Rosie, wife of Benjamin Beniff, of New York; and Nettie, who makes her home with Mr. and Mrs. Cohen. Our subject is a man of marked generosity and has been especially helpful to his relatives. Think- ing that his father might find better busi- ness opportunities in America, in 1892 he sent for him to come with his family to this country, and defrayed all the expenses of the voyage. After two years, however, the father returned to his native land, where his death occurred May 28, 1895. Mr. Cohen then again sent for his mother, and she has since made her home with him. His kind- ness and liberality, his fidelity to the duties of citizenship, and his honorable business record have won him the regard of all with whom he has been brought in contact, and he well deserves mention among the lead- ing manufacturers of Newark.
ROBERT DELOS MARTIN.
Although the subject of this sketch has practiced at the Chicago bar only since 1891, he is already well known to the craft
for his successful methods and his large clientage. Like all lawyers well versed in the common law he easily and readily adapted himself to the Illinois statutes and now is undoubtedly one of the most reli- able local practitioners. He is clean, con- servative and able, and clients find that he 'is qualified to preserve and maintain all their rights under the law.
He was born at Freeport, Illinois, Au- gust 28, 1859, and is the son of Dr. Chan- cellor Martin, a pioneer of northern Illinois and a native of Hudson county, New York. Dr. Martin was a man of unusual ability and prominence and served with distinction in various official positions to which he was called. During the civil war he was one of the most active surgeons in the state and one of the most prominent of the Illinois Examining Board. He came from the east before there was a railroad west of Chicago and identified himself thoroughly with the new country, participating in the trials of the pioneers and winning for himself an honorable place in the history of the state. His wife was formerly Miss Mary F. Hall, a sister of Luther A. Hall, Esq., one of the most talented lawyers of northern Ohio.
Robert D. Martin first attended the com- mon schools and later was prepared for col- lege at Phillips Academy, Andover, Massa- chusetts. In 1876 he entered the freshman class of Yale College and four years later was duly graduated with honor. He then entered the law department of Columbia College and in 1882 graduated with the de- gree of LL. B. He was now thoroughly educated and ready for the duties of life.
He first connected himself with the law firm of Nash & Nash, Wall street, New York, but later went west and practiced for six years in South Dakota and then moved
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to Salt Lake City, Utah. While practic- ing there he saw the change in state admin- istration from Mormon to Gentile. Dur- ing all these years he actively participated in a mixed practice and gained a great deal of valuable experience and the reputation of being a first-class lawyer. In 1891 he came to Chicago and has since been promi- nent here in the profession, confining his attention mainly to civil law.
In 1891 he was united in marriage to Miss Harriet S. Joy, a daughter of Colonel Edmund L. Joy, of Newark, New Jersey, a prominent lawyer and business man of that state, who also served as one of the gov- ernment directors of the Union Pacific Rail- road. They have two children-a son, Joy Delos Martin, and a daughter, Helen Theresa. In politics, Mr. Martin is a Re- publican. He is a member of the Ken- wood Country and Hamilton clubs, and is strongly domestic in his tastes, loving and appreciating the affectionate ties of home.
His oldest brother, Chancellor Martin, was appointed to a cadetship at West Point, by Elihu Washburn, and after his gradua- tion therefrom served in the regular army for several years, or until his appointment by General Sherman as one of the five men to instruct the Egyptian army in American military tactics, and stationed at Cairo, Egypt. Later he resigned and is now dep- uty collector of customs in New York.
FRITZ TREPKAU,
of Orange, is one of America's adopted sons. His patriotic devotion to this coun- try is a matter of record. On many a south- ern battlefield he gave evidence of his loy- alty to the Union, and in all the walks of private life he has displayed the same fidelity to the duties of citizenship.
He was born in the town of Grube, in the province of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, March II, 1838, and is a son of Martin and Julia (Radden) Trepkau. It is supposed that the Trepkau family originated in Hol- land, while the maternal ancestors were Germans. The parents of our subject spent their entire lives in the Fatherland. Fred- erica Trepkau, a sister of Mr. Trepkau, was the first of the family to emigrate to Amer- ica; but no trace of her has been obtained since her arrival in the New World. The father continued to follow agricultural pur- suits in Germany until his death, which oc- curred when our subject was thirteen years of age. His widow survived him for many years, passing away in 1892. They had ten children, five of whom are still living, name- ly: Fritz; Julia, now Mrs. Bold; Louisa, wife of Henry Searox, of Iowa; Adolph and Theodore.
Mr. Fritz Trepkau spent his boyhood days in his native land and acquired his ed- ucation in the public schools near his home. Early in life he began learning the cabinet- maker's trade, and on the completion of his term of apprenticeship he worked as a jour- neyman in his native land until 1860, when he determined to seek a home and fortune in America. Accordingly he took passage on a westward-bound vessel and landed at New York on the 5th of September. A few days later he proceeded to Orange, and has been a continuous resident of this city for thirty- seven years. For the past twelve years he has been engaged in the undertaking busi- ness, and has been one of the leaders in his line. He has built up a good trade and thereby has accumulated a comfortable competence.
His business career, however, was inter- rupted soon after coming to the United
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States. The civil war was inaugurated, and, his sympathies being with the Union, he of- fered his services to the government, enlist- ing in Battery C, First Battalion of New York Artillery, January 10, 1862; Febru- ary 29, 1864, he re-enlisted for three years, or during the war; October 25th following he was transferred to the Thirtieth New York Independent Battery; February 15, 1865, he was promoted to the position of corporal; and January 23d following he was honorably discharged as acting sergeant, being a veteran at the close of the war.
The battery which he at first joined was recruited and organized in New York city, where it was mustered into service September 16, 1861; October 20th following it left the state and served in the Department of Wash- ington; in the Army of the Potomac from March, 1862, to May, 1863; in the artillery reserve from March, 1862; Third Brigade, Artillery Reserve, Fifth Army Corps, from May, 1862; Artillery Reserve, Fifth Army Corps, from September, 1862; Artillery Reserve, Army of the Potomac, from December, 1862 (designation changed to the Thirty-first New York Independent Battery, March 16, 1863); served in the Department of Washington, Twenty-sec- ond Army Corps, from May, 1863; Eighth Army Corps, Military District of Harper's Ferry, and Department of West Virginia, from July, 1863; Artillery Brigade, First In- fantry Division, Department of West Vir- ginia, from January, 1864; Artillery Brig- ade, Department of West Virginia, from May, 1864; and Reserve Division from July, 1864; District of Harper's Ferry, Middle Military Division, from August, 1864.
A more particular account of Mr. Trep- kau's military service comprises the follow-
ing items: Moved to Washington, D. C., October 20, 1861, and on duty there and in that vicinity until March 26, 1862; in the Peninsular (Virginia) campaign, April to August, 1862; siege of Yorktown, April 5th to May 4th; action with battery near Urini's Mills, or Redoubt A, April 28, 1862; ad- vance to the Chickahominy, May 9th to 22d; Seven Days' battles, June 25th to July 2d; battle of Mechanicsville, June 26th; Garnett's farm and Gaines' Mills, June 27th; Garnett's and Golding's farms, June 28th; battle of Glendale, June 30th; engage- ment at Turkey Bridge, or Malvern Cliff, June 30th; battle of Malvern Hill, July Ist; on duty at Harrison's Landing, July 2d to August 16th; moved to Alexandria to re-en- force General Pope's army, August 16th to 29th; Maryland campaign, September 6th to 20th; action on Antietam creek, Sep- tember 16th; battle of Antietam, September 17th; action at Boteler's Ford, September 20th; on duty in Pleasant Valley until Oc- tober 3Ist; advanced to Falmouth, Virginia, November Ist to 18th; held position on the heights at Falmouth from November 20th; battle of Fredericksburg, December 1Ith to 15th; covered the crossing of General Franklin's grand division at Deep Run, Rappahannock river, December IIth to 14th; held position on Gray's farm, enfilad- ing Massaponax creek, December 14th and 15th; held position near Franklin's Cross- ing, from December, 1862, to May, 1863; action at Franklin's Crossing, or Deep Run, April 28 to May 2, 1863; Maryes' Heights and Salem Church, May 3d and 4th; on duty near Falmouth until June 13th; marched to Fairfax Court House, June 13 to 15, 1863; detached from the Artillery Reserve, June 25th, for duty in the defenses of Wash- ington; moved to a point near Frederick,
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