USA > New Jersey > Cyclopedia of New Jersey Biography > Part 31
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Mr. Delp married Anne E. Biddle, also a native of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, who survives him with their children : Mrs. W. A. Lebernight, Mrs. U. E. Apple, of Red Lion; Frances C. and Hiram A., of Trenton. Four brothers and three sisters of Mr. Delp are also living.
ROW, James W.,
Prominent Bank Official.
James W. Row, late of Paterson, New Jersey, was one of those men whose value to the community is hardly to be gauged by the positions they hold or the offices in which they have served. The weight and force of a fine example is of a benefit to a community not to be estimated in figures, nor set forth exactly in words, and to this class of men belonged the late James W. Row. He was a son of William Row, of the firm of Daggers & Row, bobbin mak- ers, well known in their day in Paterson.
James W. Row was born in Paterson, New Jersey, September 25, 1850, and died May 16, 1913. His earlier education was acquired in the public schools of his native
city, where he displayed unusual ability in all mathematical studies, and this was sup- plemented by a comprehensive course at the Bryant & Stratton Business College in New York City. Upon the completion of his education he obtained a position with the firm of Valentine & Company, in New York City, having become an expert ac- countant. His next field of activity was in the office of the clerk of Passaic county, New Jersey, which position he held until he accepted the position of bookkeeper in the Second National Bank of Paterson in 1871. It was not long before he succeed- ed David Barnet as cashier in this institu- tion, an office he filled with ability for more than fifteen years. When he retired from this position in March, 1891, the Directors of the bank presented him with a handsome silver service. While Mr. Row was cashier, the other officers of the bank were: James Jackson, president ; F. C. Van Dyk, vice- president ; William D. Blauvelt, assistant cashier. The bank had been established by George M. Simpson and others as the Pas- saic County Bank, in 1865. It passed into the hands of James Jackson and others in 1871, and was reorganized as the Passaic County National Bank. In 1874 Congress passed an act making it the Second National Bank of Paterson.
As an attendant of the Baptist church, Mr. Row was a liberal contributor to its support, as, indeed, he was also to numer- ous charitable undertakings. He never as- pired to public office, but gave his staunch support to the Republican party. He was of an intensely patriotic nature, and was one of the original members of the Phelps Guards of Paterson. He was a member of Monitor Lodge, No. 219, Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows, had held all the chairs in this order, and was always active in its service.
Mr. Row married, September 24, 1873, Sophia Dougherty, a daughter of Joseph and Caroline (Spear) Dougherty, and a descendant of an old and wealthy family
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of Paterson. Children : Martha, who mar- ried George M. Rusling, and has two chil- dren: Thelma and Earl; William, a mer- chant in Paterson; Joseph D., cashier of the Public Service Company at Passaic, New Jersey. Mrs. Row still lives at No. 269 Park avenue, Paterson.
Mr. Row had a cheerful, friendly dis- position, and a finely developed character. He had gained an enviable position, and had implanted himself firmly in all that was best in business, in civic and in religious matters. His death deprived many inter- ests of a potent factor for good, and his associates and friends of a strong and lov- ing character.
MELLSOP, John,
Leading Importer, Ideal Citizen.
In a long life of eighty-five years, John Mellsop, long a prominent tea importer of Philadelphia, completed the cycle of condi- tions and experiences that attend the achievement of fortune and position from humble estate. Coming to the United States from Ireland, his birthplace, in his youth, his only assets strong health and physical vigor, in Philadelphia he rose to important place in the tea trade, and for many years was one of the two heads of the firm of James A. Aull & Company. With Mr. Aull he retired from business in his later years, took up his residence in Haddonfield, New Jersey, and there passed his remain- ing years. He took with him to the quiet of his rural home the regard and respect of his business associates, gained through years of upright and honorable transactions.
John Mellsop, of Scotch Irish ancestry, was born at Belfast, Londonderry county, Ireland, December 9, 1827, son of Charles and Eliza (Bryson) Mellsop. His father, Charles Mellsop, died January 2, 1835, his mother, whom Charles Mellsop married November 3, 1820, dying March 8, 1832. John Mellsop attended the public schools of the county of his birth until his fifteenth
year, when he entered upon an apprentice- ship with Hugh and Thomas Bellas, dealers in hardware, his indenture papers calling for five years service. This term he com- pleted, but immediately afterward put into action a plan he had formulated in that time, immigration to the United States. Arriving in Philadelphia after a long sail of several months, he at once sought work. The impulse that drove him from his native land was one of restless ambition that saw no opportunity for gratification in Ireland, and when on American shores he accepted the first position that was open to him, that of porter in a large tea importing house. His strength and agility were the qualifica- tions that won him this position, but it so chanced that he had immediately found the field in which he was destined to continue.
Faithfulness and industry found their due reward in sucessive promotions, and his close attention and devotion to the in- terests of the house caused those in au- thority above him to repose in him unbound- ed confidence and to place upon his shoul- ders weighty responsibility. Admission to the firm was at length offered him, the title of the concern, which had formerly been Clark & Aull, then becoming James A. Aull & Company. As partner Mr. Mellsop exert- ed even greater efforts for the success and prosperity of the business than he had put forth as trusted employee, and for nearly half a century the house of James A. Aull & Company held a position of leadership in the tea importing trade in Philadelphia. The business, located on South Front street, was dissolved in the height of its success- ful existence, when Mr. Aull and Mr. Mell- sop felt that the cares of its management were too weighty for their increasing years.
A resident of Philadelphia for the greater part of his life, Mr. Mellsop made the at- tractions of his retirement complete by his residence in the beautiful and historic town of Haddonfield, New Jersey, a short dis- tance across the Delaware from the scene of his life's activities. He was a Presby-
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terian in religious belief, and throughout his entire life took a worker's part in that denomination. For a number of years he served the Fourth Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia as elder, and was long con- nected with its Sunday school in the ca- pacity of superintendent. In Haddonfield he became affiliated with the First Church. He supported church organizations with his means and services, and in a quiet and unostentatious manner gave liberally to many charities. His responsibilities to- ward his fellow men, and particularly to- ward those to whom fortune had been less kind than to him, were met in a manly and sympathetic manner. He died, February 13, 1912, as he had lived, a Christian gentle- man.
John Mellsop married Sophia Cunning- ham, born in Ireland, who came to the United States shortly after his arrival. They were the parents of one daughter, Elizabeth Anne, who married the late Charles Jordan, of Philadelphia, and now resides in Had- donfield, the mother of two daughters, Ethel and Hazel.
BREAKENRIDGE, John H.,
Man of Large Affairs.
The name of John H. Breakenridge will be remembered as typical of that high or- der of citizenship the members of which, as a class, are, perhaps, the most valuable section of the community, the citizenship which, while taking an active interest in all matters of the common weal, social, finan- cial and political, and participating in the active life of the world as far as private duties demand, yet prefers to remain aloof from the contaminating influences of pub- lic life, content to impress itself upon the environment through a judicious but firm expression of opinion, and a consistent ad- herence to its own ideals of virtue and hon- or. In the case of Mr. Breakenridge, the Republican party, with which he was affil- iated, often pressed warmly upon him many
of the offices within its gift, yet not les frequently did he refuse the proffered dis tinction.
Mr. Breakenridge was a native of New York City, where he was born November 12, 1862, a son of Andrew and Elizabeth Taylor Breakenridge of that city, yet his life was nevertheless identified with New- ark, the city of his adoption, where he liv- ed and carried on his business, and with whose social life he was associated. When he was still a little child, his father moved to the latter place, and here, in the public schools of the region, he gained his edu- cation. When the time came for forming business connections, Mr. Breakenridge entered the employ of the great Lister Chemical Works, where he gained such a reputation for probity and business acu- men that he later was chosen manager of the huge Lister estate, a position he held for many years. On March 20, 1889, he formed a partnership in real estate and in- surance with Mr. Halsey Tichenor, and this connection continued until the time of his death. From the start, the firm was eminently successful and later grew to be one of the wealthiest of its kind in the city.
Mr. Breakenridge was married to Miss Emily Wood, a daughter of Isaac and Katherine (Mattershead) Wood, and their union was blessed with one son, John H. Breakenridge, born December 27, 1892, who now is grown to early manhood.
The great variety of Mr. Breakenridge's activities and interests is nowhere better evidenced than in a recital of the various organizations of which he was a member. It has already been mentioned that he was a Republican of sufficient prominence to be frequently urged to hold office. He was also a member of the Newark Board of Trade, a member of Trinity Church, a trus- tee of St. Barnabas Hospital and a mem- ber of the Baltusrol and Forest Hill Golf clubs.
The death of Mr. Breakenridge occurred on February 20, 1907, when he was but
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forty-five years old, in the midst of a career, which, already successful, gave ample promise of increasing usefulness and influence. He left a name which will not cease to be remembered with affection by his friends and with respect by the whole community.
LAMBERT, George Henry,
Civil War Veteran, Enterprising Citizen.
In the death of George Henry Lambert, brevet major of United States Volunteers, the city of New Brunswick, New Jersey, lost one of its most devoted citizens, and the community in general an esteemed and honored fellow worker. He was a son of George and Caroline (Haskell) Lambert, the former born in Dublin, April 9, 1809, the latter born in Newbury, June 26, 1808, died July 2, 1839. The Lambert family is a very ancient one, and originated as fol- lows :
The name was formerly spelled Lom- bard, and some branches still retain this form. The earliest accounts of the Lom- bards indicate that they were a roving clan from Scandinavia (Norway), that they settled and lived for a time in Vindili (in Germany), until, attracted by the fine plains of Modena, they quit their mountain fast- nesses, and took possession of and found- ed one of the most powerful states in Italy. The significance of the name Lom- bard in their language was "long beard," as history informs us that the members of this clan parted their hair and suffered it to grow to whatever length it might attain. From this circumstance the ancient state in which they established themselves took its name. When William the Conqueror in- vaded England, he took with him Rodolph de Lambert, as his armor bearer or knight at arms. His name appears to indicate that his family was from Lombardy, as the "de" signifies "from" or "of." It appears by English heraldry that Rodolph de Lambert had a family in Normandy prior to going
into England. "Of this ancient family of Norman-French extraction, one branch set- tled in Bologna in Italy, and has always been considered one of the most illustrious in that place. Cardinal Lambertini of this family was elected Bishop of Rome, 1730, and took the title of Benedict XIV. He claims relationship with the family of the Earl of Craven, whose descent is traced from Rodolph de Lambert, who went to England with William the Conqueror." Rodolph de Lambert left one son, Hugh, and from him are descended all of the sur- name in England and North America. Hugh, had by his wife, Matilda, Sir Wil- liam, his heir, who married Gundred, daughter of the Earl of Warren and Sur- rey, by Gundred, fourth daughter of Wil- liam the Conqueror, and widow of Robert de Bellamont, Earl of Warwick. By her he had a son, Henry, standard bearer to Henry II. He married Alice, sister of Wil- liam Manderville, Earl of Essex. He had a son, John, who settled in Skipton, in York, and who had two sons, Sir Edmund and Thomas, and from these there descend- ed many.
George Henry Lambert was born in Newburyport, Massachusetts, July 14, 1837, and died at his home in New Bruns- wick, New Jersey, February 19, 1910. His education was a liberal one, and was ac- quired in schools in his native town, and in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In the early seventies he removed to New Brunswick, New Jersey, where he became greatly in- terested in farming operations for some time. In connection with this line of indus- try he became the secretary of the Mid- dlesex Farmers' Club, in which office he rendered excellent service. Subsequently he was a member of the staff of the "Home News" for a number of years, and finally became associated with the Janeway & Car- penter Company, manufacturers of wall paper, as secretary of the corporation, and was the incumbent of this office at the time of his death, having held it for many years.
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He was a devout and consistent member of Christ Episcopal Church of New Bruns- wick. Mr. Lambert married, December 10, 1900, Antonia, a daughter of Gustavus and Emma (Hauffbauer) Fischer. He had no children. The military career of Brevet Major Lambert is an interesting one, and is given in the words of the Report of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, in which organization he took a deep interest, and rarely failed to attend its meetings :
"George H. Lambert was appointed from civil life a first lieutenant in the 116th United States Infantry, and was mustered into service as such August 14, 1864, at Camp Nelson, Kentucky. During September and October of 1864 he took part with his company and three other com- panies of his regiment, in the expedition under General Burbridge, which sought to destroy the Confederate salt works in Southwest Virginia, and the East Tennessee & Virginia railroad. Upon the return of his command to Camp Nel- son, it was ordered to rejoin the regiment which it did at Chapin's Farm, Virginia, in front of Richmond, early in November, 1864, and became a part of the 10th Army Corps. Upon the or- ganization of the 25th Army Corps, the 116th U. S. C. Infantry became a part of the Second Division of this corps, and was included in the Army of the James. Lieutenant Lambert serv- ed with his regiment in the siege of Richmond until March 25, 1865; was with it in the move- ment of part of the Army of the James to the vicinity of Hatcher's Run, Virginia, on the left of the Army of the Potomac; took part in the capture of the outer defences of Petersburg, April 3rd, and then, under Sheridan and Ord, took up the rapid pursuit of Lee, which ended in his surrender at Appomattox Court House, on April 9, 1865. On April 8th, his regiment made a march of forty-seven miles and halted at one o'clock in the morning of April 9th about three miles from Appomattox Court House. In the early morning of April 9th, General Gordon, commanding the Confederate advance, sought to move out of Appomattox Court House toward Lynchburg, when he soon encountered out Cavalry and the Infantry Divisions of the 24th and 25th Corps were sent forward on the double quick to meet him and stop his advance, which they soon did, and the surrender of Gen- eral Lee and his army followed soon thereafter. On April IIth the regiment began its re-
turn march to City Point, Virginia, where it re- mained until May 26th, when it embarked with the rest of the 25th Army Corps for Texas and disembarked at Brazos Santiago, '1 exas, June 23, 1865. Lieutenant Lambert was promoted to cap- tain, May 22, 1865, and on July 6th was assign- ed to the command of Company D of his reg- iment. He served with it at Roma and White's Ranch, Texas, until September, 1866, and at New Orleans, Louisianna, from September 29, 1866, until his regiment was mustered out of service at New Orleans, January 17, 1867. He was breveted major for faithful and meritor- ious services."
BARRETT, Col. Michael T.,
Lawyer, Financier, Legislator.
It cannot be denied that the members of the legal fraternity are more prominent ac- tors in public affairs than any other class of the community, this being but the natural result of causes which are mani- fest and require no explanation. The abil- ity and training which qualify a man to practice law also qualify him in many re- spects for duties which are outside the strict path of his profession, and which touch the general interests of society. Hav- ing held marked precedence among the members of the bar in New Jersey, was the late Ex-State Senator Michael T. Barrett, of Newark, who was distinguished for mental clearness and vigor and for high standards of professional honor. He was a son of Timothy Barrett, a hatter by trade, and one of the pioneer Catholic settlers in New Jersey.
Michael T. Barrett was born August 9, 1856, on the Barrett homestead, which is now in Woodside township, but was at that time a part of Belleville. His death oc- curred at his summer home at Elberon, New Jersey, June 7, 1914, after an illness of about two years' duration. His elemen- tary education was obtained in a school in Belleville, and he then became a pupil in St. Patrick's Cathedral School, then known as the Christian Brothers' School. This was located several miles from the home
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of Mr. Barrett, and he walked this distance every day in the company of several friends, among them being Judge Thomas J. Lintott. Upon leaving this institution, Mr. Barrett matriculated at St. Benedict's College, and when he had finished his stud- ies there, entered a broker's office, where he was busied for a period of five years, during which time he utilized all his spare moments in broad and diversified reading. Having decided that he was best fitted for legal work he engaged in the study of law with the earnestness which characterized all he undertook, and was admitted to prac- tice at the bar in 1879. During his earlier years as an attorney he was obliged to en- counter the difficulties usually in store for beginners in this field who are without in- fluence, but his ambition and indomitable energy overcame all obstacles, and gradu- ally success came to him. For more than thirty years he was the town counsel of Harrison, being still in practice in this of- fice at the time of his death, and during this long period of time had kept the town free from litigation. As a mark of appre- ciation of these services, the town council had on several occasions wished to increase his salary, but Mr. Barrett had consistently refused. He was the counsel for the United States Brewing Association, and in this capacity went to England and sold sev- eral millions of dollars worth of association stock control to a British syndicate. He was counsel and director of the German Savings Bank of Newark, for twenty-five years counsel of the Belleville Building and Loan Association, and counsel for the fol- lowing corporations individually: Gott- fried Krueger Brewing Company, Peter Hauck & Company, the Home Brewing Company, the Essex Brewing Company, Lyons' Brewery, Christian Feigenspan, In- corporated, Union Brewing Company, and the Eagle Brewing Company.
In 1886 Mr. Barrett was elected to the State Assembly from what was at that time the Fifth District, receiving a plurali-
ty of 437. The following year he was a Democratic candidate for the State Senate, but was defeated by a Republican plurali- ty of 1029. In 1890 he was again the Dem- ocratic candidate for the State Senate, was elected by a majority of 1961, being the first Democrat to be elected to that office in thirty years. Upon the expiration of his term of office he was renominated, but the panic which swamped the Democratic party in 1893 caused his defeat. During his term as State Senator, Mr. Barrett served on many important committees and, when Governor Abbett commenced his sec- ond term of office, he at once appointed Mr. Barrett a member of his personal staff, with the honorary rank of colonel. When Governor Werts entered upon the duties of his office, he conferred a similar ap- pointment and rank upon Mr. Barrett. For the sixteen years that the Democratic party was out of power, Mr. Barrett devoted his time and attention wholly to his profession- al work. Governor John Franklin Fort appointed him a trustee of the State Re- formatory at Rahway, he was reappointed by Governor Woodrow Wilson, and his term of office would have expired in 1916.
He married, in 1883, Catherine, a daug'ı- ter of Peter Hauck, Sr., the well known brewer of Harrison. They had one son : Hugh C., who had been associatd with his father as an attorney. Mr. Barrett was al- so survived by a sister, Mrs. John Wade, of Harrison.
The law offices of Mr. Barrett had al- ways been located in the old Kinney build- ing, and he took other offices elsewhere only long enough to permit the new Kin- ney building to be erected, when he return- ed to that location. The death of Mr. Bar- rett was a great shock in all circles in the city, although it had been known that he was a sufferer for at least two years. His was a nature of such courage and deter- mination that he fought illness inch by inch, long after many a man might have suc- cumbed. Through all the varied responsi-
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bilities of life he acquitted himself with dignity, fidelity and honor, winning the ap- probation and esteem of opponents as well as friends. Eminently democratic in his manners and associations, he was cool, cal- culating and safe in all he undertook, a man of strong and clear convictions, the result of independent thought and careful study. His culture and refinement, coupled with his genial manners and the warmth of his attachment toward friends, secured for him a high place in the affection and es- teem of his circle of acquaintance. His heart was ever in sympathy with the sor- rows of others, and his hand ready to con- tribute to the alleviation of distress. He was a plain man whom prosperity had not elated, and who looked with pride to his early life with its hardships and struggles. He labored, and not in vain, for the wel- fare of the city in which he resided.
McPHERSON, John Roderick, Financier, Legislator.
John Roderick McPherson was born May 9, 1833, in York, Livingston county, New York, of pure Scotch parentage. His grandfather, James McPherson, had come from Culloden, Scotland, in 1801, and set- tled in Delhi, New York, and his father, Donald McPherson, married Jean Calder, whose parents had also come from Scot- land.
Mr. McPherson gained his education in the public schools and later in the Geneseo Academy. He became interested in stock raising and, upon graduating from this in- stitution, he took up the same as a business and engaged in it successfully until his twenty-sixth year. He then removed to Jersey City (then Hudson City) and fol- lowing up his interest, became a dealer in cattle, an important industry of the place. In that city, in 1863-4, he constructed the city stock yards, of which he became part owner. He also designed and built the enormous stock yards and abattoir at Har-
simus Cove, New Jersey, for many years the finest in existence. These great yards cover an area of twenty-two acres, over which entire region the tide ebbs and flows. There is storage capacity here for seven thousand head of cattle and twenty thous- and sheep, and a slaughtering capacity of two thousand cattle and ten thousand sheep daily. Mr. McPherson was keenly alive to the abuses existing at that time in the trans- portation and storage of cattle, and it was to remedy these that his inventive genius and resources were called into play. Be- sides the improved yards and abattoirs which he devised, and which revolutioniz- ed these constructions, he also invented a new form of stock car in which it was pos- sible to feed and water the animals en route, and which have now come into prac- tically universal use. Mr. McPherson be- came in course of time wealthy from his various enterprises, and his probity and business acumen brought his services into great demand, so that he served upon vari- ous boards and committees in connection with many business concerns. He found- ed the Peoples' Gas Light Company of Hudson City, and served as the first pres- ident for a number of years. He was very active in politics also and was a member of the board of aldermen of Hudson City from 1863 to 1869, and president of that body for the last three years. In 1872 he was elected on the Democratic ticket to the State Legislature, an office he held for three years. During this time he took a strong stand against the undue encroachments of the great railroad monopolies in the State and was instrumental in securing the pas- sage of the general railroad law governing these bodies. In 1877 he was elected by the State Legislature to the United States Senate to succeed the Hon. Frederick T. Frelinghuysen, and was twice reelected, occupying this high office from 1877 to 1895, and during his third term was chosen chairman of the Senate committee on naval affairs. He was offered the Secretaryship
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