USA > New Jersey > Cyclopedia of New Jersey Biography > Part 53
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Generously interested in the cause of higher education, he was a trustee of Rut- gers College at New Brunswick, and founded several scholarships there. He was one of the original directors of the Library Association, and vice-president of the New Jersey Historical Society. He was for many years a member of the First Reformed Church, on Market street, leaving this to establish the North Reformed Church, of which he was an elder at the time of his
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death, and always a liberal supporter. He was also a trustee of the Corporation of the Reformed Church in America.
Mr. Duryee married, in Newark, June 20, 1834, Susan, a daughter of William and Abigail (Ogden) Rankin, the former being the partner of Mr. Duryee. Of this union there were children : William Rankin, who became pastor of the Reformed Church at Lafayette; Anne Brower; Mary Ogden ; John Goble; Charlotte Rankin; George Sharpe; Joseph Rankin; Edward Henry ; Amy Caroline.
In order to give an estimate of the char- acter of Mr. Duryee, we can do no better than to quote a few extracts from the ser- mon preached in his memory by the Rev. C. E. Hart :
"There was great unity in his character. He was a practical man of great and ceaseless activity. Mr. Duryee kept at what engaged his mind, and worked with intense enthusiasm to its results. To the spirit and vivacity of the Huguenot he added the settled purpose of the Hollander, and showed in his career the value of such a combination. His life shows the value of singleness of aim in the application of one's energies. It is the secret of growth. Such a course is constructive. It is the foundation of a name and a character. This practical man had what is not often found in such natures, an ardent temperament. He was a man of strong affection and sentiment, as evinced in his great fondness for the poetry of Burns and the romances of Scott."
DURYEE, Rev. William Rankin, D. D., Distinguished Clergyman and Educator.
That the influence of the church is declin- ing, is a remark frequently made by those who lack the discernment to perceive that, while creeds and outward observances are undoubtedly losing their hold upon the world at large, there is convincing evidence that the essentials of religion are daily be- coming more deeply rooted in the heart of mankind. When the representatives of the church are such men as the late Rev. Wil- liam Rankin Duryee, D. D., a professor in
Rutgers College, New Jersey, its influence becomes exercised in the most beneficial manner and in the highest degree. He was the eldest son of the late Peter S. Duryee, whose sketch appears also in this work.
Rev. William Rankin Duryee, D. D., was born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1838, and died at his home in New Brunswick, New Jersey, January 20, 1897. He was gradu- ated in the class of 1856 from Rutgers Col- lege, and for a time devoted himself to the study of law in the office of Frederick T. Frelinghuysen. In less than a year he had decided to make the ministry his life work, and accordingly, in the fall of 1857, matric- ulated at the Theological Seminary in New Brunswick, but interrupted his studies at the end of his junior year in order to spend one and a half years in European travel. Returning to the seminary, he was gradu- ated from this institution in 1861. He was at once appointed chaplain of the First Ken- tucky Infantry, but a severe attack of camp fever obliged him to abandon his field ac- tivity. In 1863, having fully recovered, he assumed charge of a mission at East Wil- liamsburg, Long Island, and the following year was appointed pastor of the newly or- ganized Lafayette Church of Jersey City, New Jersey. He developed this into a strong church during the twenty-seven years it remained in his charge, and while the con- gregation was in a great part a transient one, he won their confidence and love in an eminent degree. He had a number of calls to other fields, but the love of his congrega- tion prevailed over all offered inducements to leave them. In 1876 Rutgers gave him a Doctorate of Divinity, and upon the death of his father, in 1877, he was chosen to suc- ceed him as a member of the board of trus- tees, and held this post until he accepted a professorship. In 1891 he was elected Pro- fessor of Ethics, Evidences of Christianity and the English Bible, in Rutgers College, and he accepted this as being in harmony with his chosen life work, although he had previously declined the chair of History
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and Political Economy in the same institu- tion.
From the commencement of his minis- terial life he had been an active member of the Board of Foreign Missions, and it is im- possible to measure the extent and value of his services in this direction. He was pres- ident of the General Synod in session at Al- bany in 1883. As a reformer Rev. Duryee held high rank. As an orator he had few equals in his circle, not alone as a speaker upon religious topics, but as a speaker on any subject, social, educational or literary in its nature, it was always a great pleasure to be one in his audience. His contributions to the world of literature were numerous, and for the most part appeared in "The Christian Intelligencer." Published in "The Hearth and Home" was a prize poem by Rev. Duryee, and this was later included in Bryant's "Library of Poetry and Song." He wrote a number of hymns which have been published in collected form, a variety of tracts and addresses, and many reviews of books and church and religious topics, mainly for "The Christian Intelligencer."
Rev. Duryee married (first) in Jersey City, Charlotte W. Nuttman, of Newark, until her death treasurer of the Woman's Board of Foreign Missions, and in whose honor the Charlotte W. Duryee School for Women, in connection with the Amoy Mis- sion, was created. He married (second) Mrs. Anna M. R. (Varick) Goesbeck, of Jersey City, who was until her resignation treasurer of the Women's Executive Com- mittee of Domestic Missions. It is but a fitting close to this short review to give a few extracts from addresses made in mem- ory of Rev. Duryee by those who knew him or his works intimately, and are therefore best able to estimate his worth.
President Scott, of Rutgers College, said, in part : "But it is the students, I suppose, who will claim him as all their own. Each one of them recognized in him a 'fellow' and a friend. His heart kept even pulse with theirs. When, in the excitement of their
sports, or in their jollity their heartbeats were hurried, his never lost a throb. When their aspirations were quickened as the pos- sibilities of a noble life filled them with high hopes, his breath came and went as fast as theirs. And when the time came for sym- pathy or counsel, no wonder, therefore, that the heart of the comrade, older in years only, gave the steadying measure for thought and purpose. To every student he stretched out his hand, not to keep him at arm's length, but to draw him close to him- self."
Rev. Charles E. Hart, D. D., said : "Among the many elements of gentle life so mixed in our brother's character, none pos- sessed him with such power as the senti- ments and affections which can be satisfied only with definite and living realities. He had a clear and active intellect and a sound judgment; his reading and learning were wide, discriminating and enriching ; he pos- sessed a vigorous imagination and poetic sensibility ; a fine literary taste, a quick wit, a genuine subtle and refined humor in close alliance with the tenderest pathos. These abilities and graces were shown in the pul- pit, in the contributions of his pen, in charming letters and lectures, and, not least, in the social circle in which his presence was infectious good cheer."
Rev. Jacob Cooper said: "There was such a blending of strength and beauty, of intellect and culture, of playful humor and quiet dignity, making the tout ensemble so perfect that there is no room for the esti- mation of special characteristics .- Our col- league was a man of most varied reading, and his mind was as bright and penetrating as quicksilver. It fastened upon grains of gold and left the dirt and dross .- The in- fluence of our colleague is appreciated not merely now that he has been called from us to a more exalted duty ; but was known and felt by us from the day he came among us. -Such characters as William Rankin Dur- yee, reckoned among her pupils, make a col- lege rich; and whether alive on earth and
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ministering to her growth, or called to a yet higher service, are still her priceless treasures."
DURYEE, Edward H.,
Lawyer, Library Official.
For a quarter of a century identified with the Essex county bar, associated in practice with his brother, George S. Duryee, also deceased, and with the late Judge Howard B. Hayes as his law partner, Mr. Duryee passed a useful professional life marked by strict adherence to the ethics of his profes- sion and the sacred observance of those laws of probity that exist between men of honor. His life was devoted strictly to his profession, the only exception being the deep interest he exhibited in the manage- ment of the Public Library in his official capacity as trustee.
Edward H., son of Peter S. Duryee, was born in Newark, and died at the Duryee mansion on Park Place, Newark, New Jer- sey, December 7, 1905. After elementary courses in Newark, he entered the Law- renceville Preparatory School at Lawrence- ville, New Jersey, and then entered Rutgers College, whence he was graduated with the class of '76. Deciding upon the law as his profession, he began study in the law offices of Dudley F. Field and Robert E. Deyo, of the eminent New York law firm of Field & Deyo, continuing under Oscar Keen, of Newark, and completing his preparation at Columbia University Law School, receiving his degree with the class of '78. He began his professional career as managing clerk for Field & Deyo, and was admitted to the New York bar in May, 1879. He was ad- mitted to the New Jersey bar at Trenton as an attorney in June, 1881, and as a counsel- lor at the June term, 1884. After his ad- mission to the New Jersey bar he began practice in Newark in association with his brother, George S. Duryee, now deceased. This became one of the successful law firms of the city, conducting a large practice in all
State and Federal courts of the district. Later in life Edward H. Duryee and the late Judge Howard W. Hayes, formed a law partnership that continued for several years, both members of the firm being men of highest legal standing and local promi- nence.
Mr. Duryee gave to his profession his undivided devotion, never seeking public preferment or accepting political office. He was a Democrat, and helpful in council, but took little active part in public affairs. The one exception was his term of service begin- ning in 1890 as trustee of Newark Public Library, where he is remembered by his contemporaries as one of the earnest de- voted men who contributed largely to plac- ing the library in its present condition of helpfulness and benefit. His social clubs were the Essex of Newark and the Univer- sity of New York. Fond of out of door exercise and sport, he held membership in several country clubs and there gratified his love of open air sports. Mr. Duryee never married.
RANDOLPH, Theodore Frelinghuysen,
Governor, Statesman.
Theodore Frelinghuysen Randolph, twenty-fourth Governor of New Jersey, (1869-72), was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, June 24, 1816, son of James F. Randolph, founder and for forty years editor of the New Brunswick "Fredonian," and representative in Congress from 1824 to 1830. His ancestors emigrated from Nottinghamshire, England, in 1622, and re- moved from Barnstable, Massachusetts, to Middlesex county, New Jersey, in 1630. His grandparents were active revolution- ists in the War for Independence.
His early education was received at Rut gers Grammar school, and while still a mere boy, he entered business life as a clerk. In 1840 he went south and lived in Vicksburg, Mississippi, where he was engaged in mer-
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cantile pursuits for about ten years. In 185I he married Fanny F., daughter of N. D. Colman, of Kentucky, and grandniece, on her mother's side, of Chief Justice Mar- shall. Soon after his marriage he return- ed to New Jersey and lived in Jersey City, and was successfully engaged in the mining of coal and transportation of iron and ores. He was also for many years president of the Morris & Essex railroad, a position in which he achieved remarkable success, and showed his administrative and financial ca- pacity. He was elected a member of the House of Assembly of New Jersey from the first district of Hudson county in 1859, was re-elected in 1860, and was a member of the special session of 1860, convened by a call of the governor on account of the outbreak of the Civil War. He was prom- inent as a War Democrat, and served on important committees, including that on federal relations, and introduced and se- cured the passage of the first bill giving relief to the families of volunteers. In 1861 he was elected State Senator from Hudson county to fill a vacancy, and in 1862 was re-elected for the full term of three years. He was energetic and efficient in the dis- charge of his duties, and served on the committees on education, civil service re- form, centennial exposition, and others. The office of State Comptroller was created in 1865 and through his instrumentality, and within five years it is said to have saved the State $500,000. He removed to Morristown, New Jersey, where he after- ward resided, and was elected Governor of New Jersey in the fall of 1868. His ad- ministration was vigorous and successful, and measures advocated and secured by him have been of lasting benefit to the State. Among these may be mentioned the establishment of the State riparian commis- sion, which has resulted in a large income to the State school fund; the passage of a
system of general laws by which special legislation was avoided, and the repeal of the Camden & Amboy railroad monopoly tax, which had so long burdened the State. He also originated the plan on which the Morris Plains Lunatic Asylum, one of the largest in the world, was constructed. His firm course on the occasion of a riot in Jer- sey City on the anniversary of the battle of the Boyne, July 12, 1871, was much ap- plauded not only in New Jersey but throughout the country. He issued a proc- lamation in which, while he deprecated re- ligious and factional strife over issues of the past, he vindicated the American right to the largest liberty of expression of opin- ion, and followed it by calling out a brigade of State troops to preserve the peace, which they did so that no serious injuries occurred, although on the New York side of the Hudson river many lives were lost on the same day, owing to similar excite- ment there.
He was elected United States Senator from New Jersey in 1875, and served until 1881, with credit to himself and his native State. He was a member of the commit- tees on mines and mining, military affairs and commerce, for all of which 'he was particularly well qualified. Governor Ran- dolph was prominent in the councils of his party, both in State and national conven- tions, and was for several years chairman of the National Democratic Committee. He was a trustee of Rutgers College, a di- rector in many corporations and institu- tions, and was one of the founders and president of the Washington Headquarters Association of Morristown, New Jersey. For many years he had been a member of the Presbyterian church, and after his death it was found that he had given away over one-tenth of his income in unostenta- tious charity. He died in Morristown, New Jersey, November 7, 1883.
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HEALD, John Oxenbridge,
Lawyer, Enterprising Citizen.
John Oxenbridge Heald, a noted attorney of New York, whose residence was in Orange, New Jersey, was a descendant of one of the oldest families in New England. The name Heald is supposed to be of Dan- ish origin, but is found in England in many generations. The coat armorial of one branch of the family, as given by Burke, is: Arms, quarterly gules and azure, in the first and fourth quarters an eagle with wings elevated or; in the second and third, a fret of the last, over all a fesse argent thereon between two crosses pattée, a rose, of the first, barbed and seeded proper. Crest : On a mount vert a bundle of arrows fesseways, the points toward the dexter, proper bound gules, thereon an eagle, wings elevated, criminois, in the beak a sprig of oak, also proper ; the dexter claw resting on a cross pattée as in the arms. Motto: Mea gloria crux.
John Heald, the American ancestor, came from Berwick, England, and settled in Con- cord, Massachusetts, in 1635, and was made a freeman in 1641. From him the line of descent is as follows: John Heald, who was born in Concord, and married Sarah Dean; John Heald, son of John and Sarah (Dean) Heald, commonly known as Lieu- tenant John, married Mary, daughter of John Chandler ; Amos Heald, son of John and Mary (Chandler ) Heald, married Eliz- abeth, daughter of Nathaniel Billings, of Concord.
Daniel Heald, son of Amos and Elizabeth (Billings) Heald, was born in Concord, in 1739, and died in Chester, Vermont, in 1833. He was deputy sheriff in Concord in 1774. He would not enroll at the battle of Concord, but shouldered his musket and fought side by side with the patriots, join- ing them at "The Bridge." He served in Colonel Prescott's division at the battle of Bunker Hill. In 1775 he served at Ticon- deroga, and his sympathies were with the
patriots all during this memorable struggle. For many years he was a deacon in the Congregational church. While the Revolu- tionary War was in progress he removed to Chester, Vermont. He married Abigail Wheeler.
Amos Heald, son of Daniel and Abigail (Wheeler) Heald, was born in Lincoln, Massachusetts, in 1765, and died in Ches- ter, Vermont. He was but nine years of age when he was a witness of the battle of Concord, and he was thoroughly imbued with the spirit of patriotism from his earli- est years. During his earlier years he worked on the farm in Chester, and later taught school for a time. He was a man of prominence in the community, held a num- ber of public positions, among them being those of town clerk, justice of the peace, judge of the county court, sheriff of the county, and he represented his town in the State Legislature. For many years he was a deacon in the Congregational church. He married Lydia Edwards, daughter of Cap- tain Ebenezer Edwards, of Acton, who was a participant in the battle which took place at Concord Bridge, was at the battle of Bunker Hill, and worked on the fortifica- tions at Dorchester Heights ; she was also a granddaughter of Nathaniel Edwards, who also fought at Concord Bridge.
Daniel Addison Heald, son of Amos and Lydia (Edwards) Heald, was born at Ches- ter, in 1818, and lived on the farm until the age of sixteen years. His elementary edu- cation was acquired in the common schools, and he then attended in succession, Kim- berly Union Academy, Meriden, New Hampshire, and Yale College, from which he was graduated in the class of 1841. He also read law with Judges Duggett and Washburn, and was admitted to the bar in 1843. He was not alone an able lawyer but a financier as well, and as a statesman earned much commendation. As a repre- sentative of the Whig party he was elected to the lower house of the Vermont State Legislature in 1850, and in 1854 was elected
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to the State Senate. For two years he prac- ticed law in Galena, Illinois, having been admitted to the Galena bar. After he began the practice of law in his native town, Mr. Heald became identified with insurance in- terests, becoming first general agent then vice-president and finally president of the Home Insurance Company of New York. Mr. Heald was prominent in the New York Board of Underwriters many years, and it was largely owing to his efforts that the National Board of Underwriters was called into existence. He was regarded as an insurance expert without a peer, and as a public speaker on matters of this kind ex- erted a widespread and beneficial influence. He became identified with the improvement of the Oranges, New Jersey, in 1857, and was a leading spirit in the development of the beautiful Llewellyn Park; he was secre- tary of the Board of Proprietors from 1858, and was the incumbent of this office many years. He was one of the nine original members of the New England Society of Orange, and was twice elected its president ; one of the original members of the Orange Valley Congregational Church, and a trus- tee six years; one of the organizers of the Orange Memorial Hospital, president of the advisory board fifteen years, and treasurer of the endowment fund from the time of its establishment. Mr. Heald married (first) Sarah Elizabeth Washburn, also of dis- tinguished ancestry ; (second) Elizabeth M. Goddard.
John Oxenbridge Heald, son of Daniel Addison and Sarah Elizabeth (Washburn) Heald, was born in Ludlow, Windsor coun- ty, Vermont, October 18, 1850, and died in Orange, New Jersey, October 10, 19II. His education which was a comprehensive and thorough one, was commenced at Phil- lips Exeter Academy, New Hampshire, and continued at Yale University, being gradu- ated in chemistry and metallurgy from the Sheffield Scientific School in the class of 1873, and then became a student at the Law School of Columbia University, New York
City, from which he was graduated in the class of 1875. He established himself in the practice of his chosen profession in the city of New York, having offices at No. 62 Wall street, and at No. 141 Broadway. His residence was at No. 182 Park avenue, Orange, New Jersey, in which city he also achieved prominence in various fields, and served as president of the Second National Bank of Orange. His political affiliations were with the Republican party, and he was a member of the Trinity Congregational Church of Orange. He held membership and official position in many organizations, a list of these being as follows: Delta Kappa, Phi Theta Psi, Psi Upsilon, and Scroll and Key societies at Yale; Men- delssohn Glee Club of New York twenty years; president of the Mendelssohn Union almost twenty years; president of the Yale Alumni Association of Essex county ; presi- dent of the New York Alumni Association of Exeter Academy; Society of the Cin- cinnati; University and Yale clubs; New York Bar Association of New York; Graduates' Club of New Haven ; president of the New England Society ; Essex Coun- ty Country Club.
Mr. Heald married (first) in October, 1876, Gertrude A. Gardner, of New Haven, who died the following July. He married (second) in Philadelphia, September 3, 1885, Elizabeth Manning, daughter of Jo- seph Estabrook and Hannah Amanda (Estabrook) Manning. Children: Ruth Washburn, born August 1I, 1886; Daniel Addison, May 16, 1889; Elizabeth Esta- brook, born October 13, 1894, died June 22, 1913.
CONDIT, William Peck,
Leader in Development of Orange.
William Peck Condit, for many years prominently connected with real estate af- fairs and public matters in the Oranges, New Jersey, was a representative of an old family of Essex county. He possessed su-
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perior business ability, keen discernment and sound judgment, and his well directed efforts were a great benefit to the commun- ity in which he resided. He won the re- spect and esteem of all with whom he came in contact, and his loss was mourned in all circles.
The Condit family of New Jersey, which played an important and prominent part in the history of Essex county from its earliest period down to the present day, is of Nor- man descent, and the name has had honor- able mention more than once in English history. Among the most prominent of the English members of the family was John Conduit, Knight, who married, in England, Catherine Barton, widow, niece of Sir Isaac Newton, with whom the couple resided dur- ing Sir Isaac's life, and from whom they inherited his estate. Sir John Conduit suc- ceeded Sir Isaac also as master and warden of the mint, and died January 20, 1739, at the age of eighty years. His wife died May 27, 1737, aged forty-nine. Their monument is in Westminster Abbey. They had one child who married a Mr. Wallap, eldest son of Lord Lynington. The Kensington estate descended to the Earl of Portsmouth.
(I) John Cunditt, first known member of the family in this country, came to Amer- ica in 1678 with his son Peter, and settled at Newark, New Jersey. He bought land there in 1689 and 1691, and died in 1713. By his first wife he had a son Peter, of further mention. By his second wife, De- borah, he had a son John, who died before attaining his majority. There is reason to believe that his second wife was a widow when he married her, and that she had a daughter Mary, who married Captain John Morris.
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