USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Newark > Biographical and genealogical history of the city of Newark and Essex County, New Jersey, V. 2 > Part 60
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Joseph Kingsland
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ESSEX COUNTY.
The father of our subject, Joseph Kings- land, was born in New York city in the year 1792, and when four years old accompanied his parents on their removal to Essex county, where the remainder of his life was passed. He early engaged in milling enter- prises and conducted both grist and saw mills at an early day, while later, in 1812, he began the manufacture of paper in the old Madison mills. A few years later he erected the mills which still stand in Passaic, and conducted the new enterprise with success until his retirement from active business in 1856. He was married in 1812 to Miss Martha Ackerman, of Bergen county, and had two sons and three daughters. His death occurred in 1878. Of this family Margaret and Martha are living on the old family homestead which was located by their grandfather; Mrs. Nix, another sister, is a resident of Brooklyn, New York, and Richard, a brother, died in 1879. He mar- ried Miss Sarah Pegg, of New York city.
Joseph Kingsland, the subject of this sketch, was reared in Essex county, and having attained his majority was married, October 12, 1850, to Miss Margaret Stew- art, a daughter of Charles and Minerva (Chittendon) Stewart, of Delaware county, New York, the wedding being celebrated in Saugerties. Her father was of Scotch de- scent, and was the youngest son of James Stewart, who, on leaving his native land, was furnished with a passport which reads as follows:
The bearer, James Stewart, Gentleman, and Margaret Fraser, his sponso, both na- tives of the United parishes of Aberfeldy and Kincardine, and counties of Inverness and Moray, are descended from honorable parentage and always behaving themselves decently, honestly and inoffensively, main- taining exceptionally honest characters, so
that there is nothing known there that may prevent their reception to any society or congregation where Providence may order their lot.
Given by appointment of the Kirk ses- sion of said under parishes of Aberfeldy and Kincardine this fourteenth day of May, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five. Reass and signed by
John Grant, Minister. David McDonald, Sess. C. M.
The above is attested by John Grant of Ballamore, one of his Majesty's parties of the fue for the county of Moray & Inver- ness. John Grant, I. S.
Captain Ludovich Grant, Edinburgh, at- tests the above Lare d Grant, I, James Stewart and Margaret Fraser, were married in seventeen hundred . and seventy-four. Coming to America they acquired several hundred acres of land in Stamford, Dela- ware county, which yet remains in the pos- session of the Stewart family. They had several children, of whom Charles was the youngest. The family crest is a hand grasping a dagger .- Semper Paratus, (Al- ways prepared).
Mrs. Kingsland was born in New York city, March 18, 1833, attended the common schools and later was graduated in Gilbert College, of Hobart, Delaware county. She was the second in a family of seven children, the others being: Laban Clarkson, who married Miss Atwell, of Poughkeepsie, New York, and is still living, as are three of their six children; Elma A., a resident of Orange, New Jersey; Nathaniel, who died at the age of twenty years; Catherine, who married Arthur Hoffman and resides in Orange; Anna, wife of Charles Bates, of Brooklyn; and Eva, wife of George Ring, of New York, now a resident of Orange. The father of this family was a scholarly gen- tleman, well educated in the classics, and with a cultured literary taste, and was also
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ESSEX COUNTY.
very charitable and benevolent. His life embodied the Christian principles in which he so firmly believed, and the Methodist church numbered him among its valued members.
The children of our subject and his wife are as follows: Joseph, who is living in California; Charles, who resides at home; Martha, who married Mr. Carryl, of New York, and is now living at home; and Cath- erine, wife of Robert Brownlee, of Glasgow, Scotland. For several generations the Kingsland family has been represented in the office of warden of the Episcopal church, of Belleville, New Jersey. The Kingslands have long, prominently and honorably been connected with the history of Essex county, and Joseph Kingsland, of this review, has worthily upheld the high reputation of the family.
WILLIAM McCHESNEY.
The ancestral history of the McChesney family is one of close connection with New Jersey from an early period. Its represen- tatives of the last century certainly should be mentioned among the "old settlers" even in this state, which is rich in its ancient American history and which occupies an exalted position in the constellation of states, as a result of the superior qualities of the founders of its domain. The pioneers of New Jersey were of the purest blood and brightest intellects of Europe. They were not of the "cast-offs" of effete monarchies nor outcasts of royal house- holds. They were lovers of the truth, and sacrificed their dearest ties that they might plant the seed of a new nation where that truth could be sought and loved for its own sake. Of Scotch-Irish blood the an-
cestors of the McChesney family first set- tled in Monmouth county, New Jersey. The grandparents of our subject were Jo- seph and Sarah (Powell) McChesney, who reared four sons and three daughters who reached years of maturity. John, the eld- est, made his home in Philadelphia, and at his death left a family. Thomas, who learned a trade and afterward engaged in farming for a number of years, finally lo- cated in Brooklyn, where his death oc- curred; he married and had one daughter, who married and resided in Brooklyn. Jo- seph always spent his life in his native town, and at his death left two sons. William was the next of the family. Elizabeth became the wife of Hezekiah Everett and resided on the old homestead. They had one son, Joseph. Jane became the wife of Thomas Page, of Cranbury, and they had three chil- dren,-Edward, Joseph and Catherine. Isabella A. became the wife of John R. Holmes and had one son, John Calvin, who is now living with his mother in Cranbury. The grandparents of our subject reached a ripe old age the grandfather dying at the age of eighty-two, the grandmother when about seventy-six years of age.
William McChesney, Sr., father of the well known chief of police of Orange, was born in Middlesex county, acquired his education in the district schools and learned the wheelwright's trade. He be- came a coach manufacturer and wagon builder at Cranbury, then a station on the stage line between Philadelphia and New York, and at one time an Indian missionary station. For many years he followed that business but in the latter years of his active life engaged in railroad construction, build- ing a section of the Camden & Amboy Railroad, from Heightstown to Jamesburg.
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ESSEX COUNTY.
On the completion of the road he entered the employ of the company, with which he continued until his death. He was born in 1806 and died about 1854, while his wife, who was born in 1804, lived to be about seventy-six years of age. In early life they held membership in the First Presbyterian church of Cranbury, and afterward placed their membership in the Second Presby- terian church of which the grandfather, Jo- seph McChesney, had been an officer for a number of years. Mrs. McChesney bore the maiden name of Sarah Disbrow and was a daughter of Samuel Disbrow, who was of English descent, the family having been founded in Middlesex county prior to the war of the Revolution.
Mr. and Mrs. McChesney became the parents of five children : Elizabeth M. died in early childhood; Samuel Disbrow mar- ried Caroline V. Allen and resides in Brook- lyn, New York; Charles H., who is now chief of police of Trenton, New Jersey, mar- ried and his wife died, leaving two children, Frank and Ella; Elizabeth is the wife of Robert C. Hill, of Paterson, New Jersey; Ansie Disbrow is the wife of Benjamin Dyer, of Melrose Highlands, Massachu- setts, and they have one daughter, Wini- fred.
William McChesney, the efficient and popular chief of police of Orange, was born in the ancient village of Cranbury, Middle- . sex county, New Jersey, August 4, 1833, and in his native town acquired his prelim- inary education. He pursued his more ad- vanced studies in an academy there, and at the age of seventeen began to learn the car- penter's trade, in New York city. He fol- lowed that vocation as a journeyman for a short time in Orange, but when the civil war came on, he put aside the pursuits of peace
to respond to his country's call for aid, en- listing on the 31st of January, 1862, in the Second District of Columbia Volunteers, of the Second Division, Second Brigade, Fifth Army Corps. He participated in a number of important engagements, including the hard-fought battle of Antietam and the second battle of Bull Run, and in Washing- ton, D. C., September 25, 1865, he was honorably discharged.
Returning home Mr. McChesney then entered the confectionery and catering business, which he followed for a number of years in East Orange, doing a very large and profitable business. His trade steadily and rapidly increased and he thereby ac- cumulated a comfortable competence. On the 5th of April, 1881, however, he aban- doned commercial pursuits to enter the ser- vice of the city, having been appointed chief of police of Orange, in which capacity he has since served uninterruptedly. No more trustworthy official has ever filled the office. Such a position demands a man with sound judgment, coolness in times of excitement, unquestioned loyalty and unflinching brav- ery,-all of which are possessed by Mr. Mc- Chesney, and' his official service is one which reflects credit and honor alike upon the city and himself.
On the Ist of January, 1859, Mr. Mc- Chesney was united in marriage to Miss Charlotte Perry, a daughter of Matthias and Mary Perry, and to them were born four children, as follows: Edith died at the age of fourteen months; Samuel D., a graduate of the Orange high school and now engaged in business in New York city, married Rebecca Kerr, and they now have three children : Elsie Estelle, a graduate of the Orange high school and for three years a teacher in that institution, is now the wife
448
ESSEX COUNTY.
of David W. Ball; William F., a graduate of the high school of Orange, completes the family.
Mr. McChesney gives his political sup- port to the Republican party and is deeply interested in its success and growth. He is well informed on the issues of the day and on all subjects of general interest. Socially he is a valued member of Union lodge No. II, F. & A. M., of Orange, and is one of the charter members of Uzal Dodd Post, G. A. R., of which he is past commander and now chaplain. He belongs to the Baptist church and his wife holds membership in the Brick Presbyterian church, of East Orange.
RICHARD WAYNE PARKER.
In the last half of the present century the lawyer has been a pre-eminent factor in all affairs of private concern and national importance. The man versed in the laws of the country, as distinguished from busi- ness men or professional politicians, has been a recognized power. He has been de- pended upon to conserve the best and per- manent interests of the whole people, and without him and the approval of his practical judgment the effort of the states- man and the industry of the business man and mechanic would have proved futile. The reason is not far to seek. The pro- fessional lawyer is never the creature of circumstance. The profession is open to talent, and eminence or success cannot be obtained except by indomitable energy, perseverance, patience and strong men- tality. That these qualities are possessed by Mr. Parker is evident to all who know him. He has won distinctive preferment both at the bar and in the council chambers of the
nation, and has left the impress of his individuality both upon the judicial and legislative departments of our government.
Mr. Parker was born in Morristown, New Jersey, on the 6th of August, 1848, and is a son of Cortlandt and Elizabeth Wolcott Parker, the latter a daughter of Richard W. Stites, of Morristown. At an early age he came with his parents to Newark, where he acquired his preliminary education in the public schools. Later he pursued a course in Phillips Academy, of Andover, Massa- chusetts, and after his graduation from that institution, in 1864, he entered Princeton College, where he was graduated with the class of 1867. With a broad general knowl- edge on which to rear the superstructure of professional learning, he took up the study of law. He pursued his legal studies in the office of the well known firm of Par- ker & Keasbey, and in 1869 was graduated in the Columbia College of Law. In 1870 he was admitted to the New Jersey bar as an attorney, and in June, 1873, as counselor at law. From the beginning he has en- joyed a large clientage, and while engaging in general practice, the litigation with which he has been connected has usually been of a very important character. From the begin- ning of his career as a legal practitioner his efforts have been attended with success. He has mastered the science of jurispru- dence, and his deep research and thorough preparation of every case committed to his care enables him to meet at once any con- tingency that may arise. His cause is fenced about with unanswerable logic, and his ar- guments are strong, clear and decided, and follow each other in natural sequence, form- ing a chain of reasoning that his opponent finds very difficult to overthrow. His de- livery is graceful and his eloquence is often
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ESSEX COUNTY.
convincing,-not the adornment of words or flowery phrases, which often obscure the thought, but the eloquence born of the oc- casion and inspired by a sense of true justice and regard for human rights and liberties.
Mr. Parker is a close student of the politi- cal questions of the day, and his opinions, based on mature reflection and sound judg- ment, are in harmony with the principles of the Republican party. In 1884 he was elected to the state legislature, and again in 1885. He was an active working member of the general assembly and gained special prominence in his connection with the Staten Island bridge scheme and the im- peachment of John H. Laverty. His labors were herculean in organizing and conduct- ing the opposition to the gerrymander, the result being that the supreme court de- cided that assemblymen must be elected on the general ticket. In the senate contest of 1894 Mr. Parker, acting with Joseph Coult, gave the matter his complete per- sonal attention, attended all the examin- ations, took testimony and filed the brief. Success crowned his efforts, and the great victory won will go down in the annals of history as one of the splendid achievements of this able member of the New Jersey bar.
In 1892 Mr. Parker was nominated for congress but met defeat in the general land- slide of that year. In 1894 he was again a candidate, and once more in 1896, and in those two years was triumphantly elected. His comprehensive knowledge of constitu- tional law and his deep study of political problems have made him a valued member of congress, and in the discussion of numer- ous important measures he has commanded the close attention of the house by the able and eloquent manner in which he has dis- cussed the situation and showed forth the
consequences which would result from the adoption of such measures. Believing firmly in the money system advocated by his party, when the house was considering the bill to maintain and protect the coin- redemption fund, and to authorize the issue of certificates of indebtedness to meet tem- porary deficiencies of revenue, Mr. Parker fought to quell the debate that threatened to result in complication irrelevant to the question. He said that "the remedy is proposed by the bill and we must grant it. Amendments would only confuse the direct, the simple, the earnest, the imme- diate purpose of this bill-patriotic as well as simple-to give relief to the government and the people of the United States." Mr. Parker was greeted with great applause, and it was largely due to his efforts that the bill was passed. On another occasion he spoke on the money question as follows: "Mr. Chairman: There is more before this house than the mere silver question. The house of representatives of the United States proposed to the senate that the in- terest on government bonds be reduced. It was a distinct proposition asking a reply. The senate gave us no reply, but asked us in return that we agree that every man who had fifty cents' worth of silver the world over may be allowed to mark it a dol- lar and pay it out as such. I believe both as to gold and silver with that most prac- tical of men, even if he were a poet:
'The rank is but the guinea's stamp, The gold's the gold for all that.' "
On the Cuban question Mr. Parker dis- tinguished himself on the 3d of March, 1896, when in a lengthy speech hesupported the resolution to accord belligerent rights, saying: "The accord of belligerent rights
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ESSEX COUNTY.
is an act. It is necessary for fairness when war is really being carried on. If any party really carrying on war is to be blockaded, or rather embargoed by every civilized na- tion, its condition is wretched indeed. It is not neutrality, but taking sides, to refuse to give each of two belligerents the rights of war and peace." Mr. Parker was also par- ticularly active on all matters pertaining to military affairs. He introduced house resolution 4575, to amend chapter 67, vol- ume 23 of the Statutes at Large of the United States, and was a prominent figure in the debate concerning the army appro- priation bill. His congressional career has been most commendable and his public life is above reproach.
On the 2d of January, 1884, Mr. Parker was married, in Savannah, Georgia, to Miss Eleanor K. Gordon, a daughter of William W. and Eleanor L. (Kinzie) Gordon, of that city. The charming hospitality of the Par- ker home is enjoyed by many friends, for our subject and his wife have a wide circle of acquaintances in Newark. Mr. Parker is a man of scholarly attainments, broad cul- ture and cordial manner, and his deport- ment ever bespeaks the true gentleman. In his political career self-aggrandizement has had no place, while devotion to duty and loyalty to his country have marked his every public act.
JAMES DODGE.
America has led the world in inventions, and has thereby compelled a tribute of ad- miration from all nations. The labors of many men of genius in this country have entirely revolutionized trade and brought about an activity in commercial circles that has not only contributed largely to the prosperity of our own country but has also
been the means of adding to the wealth of all nations. Among those whose marked ability has brought about this desirable re- sult is James Dodge, of Newark, who has gained distinctive preferment by reason of his inventive and mechanical genius.
Mr. Dodge was born in Saratoga county, New York, October 3, 1830, and is a son of James and Sarah H. (Carey) Dodge. His mother was a daughter of a Joseph and Elizabeth (Vincent) Carey, both of whom were of English descent, their ancestors having located along the banks of the beau- tiful Hudson river prior to the war of the Revolution. The paternal grandparents of our subject were Henry and Mary (Doty) Dodge. The former was a representative of a prominent old New England family, and in colonial days his ancestors also lo- cated in the Hudson valley. He engaged in agricultural pursuits as a life work, and when the colonies went forth to battle for independence he joined the army and aided in the successful attempt to throw off the yoke of British tyranny and establish the American republic. He lived to be three- score and ten years of age. He had a family of four sons who attained to man's estate, including James Dodge, father of our subject, who was educated in the com- mon schools, and followed farming as a life work. His death occurred in April, 1851, and his wife passed away in 1876. They were the parents of six sons and four daugh- ters, as follows: Stephen, who died at the age of eighty years, married and had a fam- ily of two sons and five daughters; Joseph died at the age of twenty-one years; Henry, who resides in Rochester, Minnesota, is married and has three sons and three daughters; James; of this review, is the fourth of the family; Levi, who married and
James Dodge.
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ESSEX COUNTY.
has a family of two sons and one daughter, resides in Delphi, Indiana; Joseph, of New- ark, is married and has one son; Phoebe died in early childhood; Ann is the wife of Stephen Lewis and has two sons and two daughters; Hannah is now Mrs. Ten Eyck and has three sons and three daughters; and Sarah F. is the wife of Andrew Robert- son, of Newark, and has two sons.
James Dodge, whose name introduces this review, acquired his early education in the schools near his home, and in early life manifested a special aptitude in the use of tools and displaying much mechanical in- genuity. His evident ability in this direc- tion and his decided taste for mechanical pursuits led him to enter upon an appren- ticeship to learn the trade of machinist and edged-tool maker when sixteen years of age. Rapidly did he master the tasks set him, and, becoming thoroughly familiar with the principles of mechanics, he was soon enabled to engage in business on his own account, which he did in Waterford, New York, meeting with excellent success in his undertakings. His fertile brain evolved many plans for perfecting machin- ery and bringing forth new inventions, and soon he gave his entire attention to such work, his labors being all in the line of use- ful machinery. His first endeavor in this direction was the invention of the patent process of grinding saws and polishing ma- chinery, which has since come into general use in America and Europe. In 1861 Mr. Dodge went to England with a view of in- troducing his invention into the large manufacturing establishments of that coun- try, and also another invention for grinding and cutting files. In this undertaking he met with immediate encouragement and soon returned to America, having secured
contracts for supplying some of the large establishments of England with these in- ventions. He manufactured the same in America, and shipped them for trial to Eng- land, where they gave such complete satis- faction that he arranged for and erected a plant for the manufacture of his machinery in Manchester, England, and from that point introduced them into the other im- portant industrial centers of the Old World.
Mr. Dodge is one of the few men who have been awarded gold medals by the So- ciety for the Promotion of Scientific In- dustry, in England. He also became a member of the Society of Mechanical En- gineers, of Great Britain. Upon his return to America he again turned his attention to the manufacture of machinery of his own special design and invention, including the construction of machines used in the manu- facture of saws and edged tools, files, etc. He subsequently turned his attention to the manufacture of crucible steel, and in that as in all his other undertakings he met with a high degree of success. In 1890 he par- tially retired from active business life and now spends much of his time on his estate among the orange groves of Florida.
Mr. Dodge was married December 24, 1850, to Miss Cynthia H. Buell, a daughter of Hiram and Asacinith (Kelsey) Buell. She is descended from French ancestors, who on coming to America located in Washington county, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Dodge became the parents of a daugh- ter, Cynthia Josephine, who was born Janu- ary 8, 1857, and married William W. Lyons. Mrs. Dodge was called to her final rest, April 30, 1896, at the age of sixty-five years. Her father, Hiram Buell, is still liv- ing and has reached the very venerable age of ninety-five.
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The life of Mr. Dodge has been one of eminent success, not alone because he has accumulated a handsome fortune, but be- cause he has persevered in the pursuit of a persistent purpose until honorable accom- plishment has crowned his efforts. Unlike so many inventors, he possesses excellent executive ability, as well as wonderful me- chanical genius, is discriminating, sagacious and energetic, and as the result of his splen- didly directed efforts he has attained to a position of prominence in industrial and financial circles. Man's worth to the world and his claim to fame are determined by. what he has done for his fellow men, and in this regard Mr. Dodge is certainly deserv- ing of very honorable mention, for his labor- saving inventions have been of incalculable benefit in the industrial arts, and the influ- ence of his work is therefore far-reaching. He has justly earned the rest which he is now enjoying, and among his many friends he is a courteous, genial gentleman, who wears his honors with becoming modesty and who is ever ready to acknowledge and appreciate true worth in others.
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