USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Essex county, N.J., illustrated > Part 20
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In 1874 he was appointed, with Chief Justice Beasley and Cortlandt Parker, to revise the laws of New Jersey, a work which was com- pleted to the great satisfaction of the bench and bar throughout the State.
In 1874 Judge Depue received the degree of LL. I. from Rutgers College, New Brunswick, and in 18So, the same degree was con- ferred upon him by Princeton Col- lege, New Jersey.
EX-ASSEMBLYMAN JOSEPH P. CLARK.
HENRY T. MILLER, PATENT ATTORNEY.
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ESSEX COUNTY, N. J., ILLUSTRATED.
JOHN B. RICHMOND, CITY HOME TRUSTEE.
South Orange, Central, Park, Bloomfield and Washington were constructed. Newark containing the greater part of the population and taxable property of the county, was the centre from which these roads radiated to all parts of the county. Macadam road building was then, comparatively, a new art in this country. The pleasure and comfort for driving purposes, economy in transportation, and advantages to real estate values derived from these roads, proved to the people of Essex County the truth of Lord Bacon's maxim, that, " There be three things which make a nation great and prosperous, fertile fields, busy workshops and easy means of transportation for men and goods."
These roads were built by the Essex Public Road Board, and were maintained by it in splendid condition for many years under the leadership of Mr. James Peck, County Engineer Owens and others. In 1894 the Road Board was abolished by the Legislature, and its duties thereafter devolved upon a com- mittee of the Board of Freeholders. In December, 1894, Director Thomas McGowan appointed as this committee, Joseph
TREEHOLDER JOHN MEDCRAFT.
ROAD BOARD COMMITTEE.
FEW people care to trace great rivers back to their sources in mountain springs, or great ideas which have had far-reaching influence to the minds which conceived then.
More than a third of a century has passed since Llewellyn Haskell pro- posed, for the welfare and happiness of the people of the County of Essex, a great county park made accessible to the people of all parts of the county, by a system of improved and well kept county roads.
Mr. Haskell did not live to see the recent progress in developing his county park idea, but he did have the pleasure of seeing a complete system of county roads, which became a source of pride to the people of Essex, and an educator to those of other parts of the State.
Between 1870 and 1875, seven great HENRY MERZ, CITY HOME TRUSTEE. avenues, Frelinghuysen, Springfield, B. Bray. J. Wesley Van Geison, T. Madison Condit, Wallace Ougheltree and Fillmore Condit. Mr. Bray served with credit in the Union army during the war, subsequently residing in Orange, where he has been engaged in business. Mr. Van Geison has been a lifelong resident of Montclair, where he has been highly esteemed and influential in public affairs. T. Madison Condit represents the Roseville district in the Board of Freeholders, and is connected with the D. L. & W. R. R. Mr. Ougheltree, previous to 1879, was engaged in business in Newark, but subsequently became a resident of East Orange.
Besides the responsibility for maintaining the original avenues in proper condition, the collection and settlement of a large amount of outstanding assessments, the improvement of other roads under the provisions of the State Road Act, and of deal- ing with important questions relating to electric street railway construction upon the county roads, fell upon this committee. That these important trusts, under the leadership of Chairman Bray, have been executed with intelligent fidelity to the public interests, justifying the judgement of Director McGowan in his selec- tion of the committee, and reflect- ing credit upon the Board of Free- holders, is generally believed.
Filmore Condit represents the Verona district in the Board of Chosen Freeholders, and he is one of the most active members on the Committee on Roads and Assess- ments. Hle is well known to the people of Essex County, and con- duets a manufacturing plant in the hardware line in the city of Newark. In the projection and improvement of the roads and avenues of the county, the Road Board has been a prominent factor. its membership having included some of the most unselfish and enterprising citizens, whose wisdom has contributed much to the ad- vancement of the community.
FREEHOLDER JOSEPH B. BRAY.
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ESSEX COUNTY, N. J., ILLUSTRATED.
PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE.
A T the end of the hall, acting (if such a word may be applied to the two small but cozy little offices) as guardians to the larger and more imposing room set apart for the uses and purposes of the grand jury, which holds within three stated sessions during the year, is where the Prosecutor of the Pleas transacts his office busi- ness. For the past ten years. Elvin W. Crane, Esq., a lawyer of fine attainments, has occupied the position. To say that the criminal class have a wholesome dread of his power before judge and jury, to arraign and convict. is only to record the truth as they often rehearse it, and keep as clear of their nefarious busi- ness of law-breaking as it is possible in the deep depravity of their natures to do. Not a small part of that decrease in the number of cases with which the criminal courts have to deal, it is safe to say, is largely due from the fear of conviction and punishment, which is almost certain to follow when the offenders get into the hands of Prosecutor Crane or his learned assistant Louis Hood, who has proved an apt scholar in the convicting ways of Elvin W. Crane. Although Mr. Crane and his assistant, often find pitted against them, in the trial of important cases, some of the most noted talent of the bar of the State of New Jersey and the County of Essex, they seldom fail to score a success, the criminal receiving his just deserts.
Elvin W. Crane was born in Brooklyn, on October 20, 1853. He received a public school education, and when 16 years old entered the office of Bradley & Abeel as a student-at-law. He was admitted as attorney in February, 1875, and as a counselor in February, 1882. When Colonel Abeel received his second appointment as Prosecutor, in 1877, Mr. Crane became his assistant, and acted in that capacity throughout the terms of
FILMORE CONDIT, FREEHOLDER.
age of 9 years, he arrived in America, and three years later he came to Newark, where he he- gan his school-life under the tute- lage of ex-Mayor Ilaynes. After passing through the Iligh School he became a student at Yale and Columbia Colleges, and taking a course of law in those two in- stitutions, he was admitted to the bar in 188o. Ile received the Civil Law degree in 1882, and continued his studies in the office of Smith & Martin, New York and with John R. Emery, of Newark, and was admitted an attorney in 1882.
When the Democatic party came into power in 1884, Mr. Hood was made a Police Justice, and held that position while the Democratic party remained in control. During this period, and after his retirement. he was associated with Judge
HTUWITH
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VIEW ON JERSEY STREET.
Colonel Abeel and his successor, Oscar Keene. On the expira- tion of the term of the latter, in 1888, Governor Green appointed Mr. Crane Prosecutor of the Pleas of Essex County, and Gover- nor Werts re-appointed him in 1893. Mr. Crane makes an able Prosecutor, and has won the admiration of the entire State by his skilful manner of conducting difficult cases.
For many years Mr. Crane has been a member of the Jeffersonian Club, and taken an active part in the m magement of this Democratic institution tilling neatly all the more in- portant offices, with credit to himself and with honor to the club, and is at this time (1897) its president. Mr. Crane was for several years a member of the Board of Trustees of the Newark City Home. at Verona.
LOUIS HOOD.
OUIS HOOD is the Assistant Prosecuting Attorney of L Essex County. He was born at Radwonke, in Ponsen, a province of the German Empire, on February 13. 1857. At the
DR. D. M. DILL, FREEHO] DER.
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ESSEX COUNTY, N. J., ILLUSTRATED.
Ludlow MeCarter as partner. In 1888 Mr. Hood was ap- pointed Assistant Prosecutor by Elvin W. Crane, and is (1897) still serving in this capacity. He conducted the prosecution ind secured the conviction of Robert Alden Fales, the young murderer, whose case excited great interest throughout the country.
While ardent in the prosecu- tion and punishment of the guilty. Mr. Hood is desirous of saving the innocent; and doubtless this theory of public duty is approved by the com- munity.
Mr. Hood is practically it- sponsible for settling an import- ant question of electric-railroad law, having, in association with Samuel Kalisch, secured a de- cision of the Supreme Court con- firming a verdict of $15,000 for Fannie Bloch, who lost a band and leg by an electric car. Mr. Hood is a bachelor and a mem- ber of the Democratic Society and of the Progress Club.
TIMOTHY E. SCALES
W E would not consider that equal and exact justice to this part of the Court House was done did we fail to mention the fact, that the Grand Jury has a permanent clerk in the person of Timothy E. Scales, who succeeded to the place on the retire- ment of Walter J. Knight. Of few men or officials can the old song be sung with a greater degree of appropriateness, nor with greater propriety, for he is indeed a " jolly good fellow," but aside from being all this, he brings to the conduct of the affairs of his office, all those qualities which, when applied as he applies them, call for the rarest sort of commendation.
Timothy E. Scales was born in Newark, November 1, 1869. lle went to the public schools, and when he left the High School he went into the office of Frederick Adams to pursue his studies in the law. This was April 15, 1874, and by the time
VIEW ON MARKET STREET.
he had attained bis majority he was so well equipped with legal lore, that he was admitted to practice as an attorney on the twenty-first anniversary of his birth. He remained an associate of Mr. Adams until 1893, but has been connected with the Prosecutor's office for the last six years, acting as clerk to the Grand Jury and to the Prosecutor, being appointed by the court.
Mr. Scales was elected to the Board of Education from the Eleventh Ward, and was a school commissioner for four years : from 1883 to 1888. TTe was a charter member of the Jeffer- sonian Club, and has been a member of the Democratic Execu- ive Committee of his ward for thirteen years.
DANIEL M. DILL, M. D.
T HE subject of this sketch, who for more than twenty years has been engaged in the successful practice of his pro- fession in that part of the city known as the Eleventh Ward, has by many kindly acts, proved himself worthy of a tribute in the pages of this souvenir. Few physicians who have had no more years in which to do the works of humanity, to extend
AREALDLAD. CLERK BOARD OF WORKS.
relief to the sick and suffering, have more to their credit than Dr. Dill. While responding to his every call in the practice of his pro- fession, he never forgets that to be philanthropic, pays. While busy as most men, during all the hours of the twemy-four during which labor ought to be performed, he always remembers that he is a citizen, and has ever stood ready to respond to the people's call. The Doctor is modest, unassuming and unaggres- sive, and has never let his right band know what his left hand doeth. On several occasions he has been called to act the citizen's part in meeting political duty calls. On several occasions he has filled offices of trust and honor in his ward, and so creditably and un- selfishly has he acquitted himself, as to have been called to a seat in
&X FREEHOLDER K. R. COURSEN.
131
ESSEX COUNTY, N. J., ILLUSTRATED.
the county legislature, commonly termed the Board of Chosen Freeholders, where he has demonstrated a watchful eare over all the county's interests in general, and his immediate consti- tuancy in particular.
GEORGE WILHELM.
W HEN the wide open arms of this land of liberty and freedom received and welcomed to her embrace the person of Ex-Freeholder George Wilhelm, she made no mistake. This son of the dear old German fatherland, long after he heard the calls of freedom coming down the lines of time, and when he could no longer feel but resistance was vain, he bade adieu to the scenes of his young life, came to America, and cast in his lot with those who had come before. That the hopes of Ex-Freeholder Wilhelm have been realized none will dleny. His business life has been one of success, and that he has proved a valued citizen, we have abundant evidence of the same, in the respect in which he is held by his promotion to a seat in the county legislature.
responsible position in the great industrial establishment . ( the Ballantines, he has on several occasions been called to the enactment of the roll of good citizenship, by being elected to the aldermanship of his ward and as the representative of his district in the State legislature. He has always taken a lively interest in all public affairs, and ready to lend his aid in pro- moting the people's welfare.
R. R. COURSEN.
A MONG the freeholders of the past, few indeed of the number have been more thoroughly devoted to the duties of the office in general, and have shown a clearer right to be the watchman on the tower, than Mr. R. R. Coursen, whose photo appears on page 130. A thorough mechanic himself. a mason and builder by occupation, he went into the board fully armed for the protection, not only of the interests of his con- stituents. but fully prepared by his ability and experience. to promote, protect and defend the general good. Space forbids us to say more than that in his business as mason and builder
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GROUP OF WELL-KNOWN CITIZENS OF ESSEX COUNTY.
HON. W. W. HAWKINS.
O NE of the old reliable citizens of the city of Newark, and county of Essex, is found in Hon. W. W. Hawkins, who has his dwelling in the same house (then the ferry) in which the great Washington stood while his defeated army was crossing the river by way of the ferry, during their retreat from the battle of Long Island, into and across New Jersey. The house having been removed from its old place, now stands at 487 Ferry Street, and near it stands a tree which was severed in twain by a cannon shot fired by the pursuing, victorious British army. Mr. Hawkins has occupied the premises for many years, and takes not a little pride in rehearsing the historical facts surrounding, and of which his pleasant home is the centre. Although Mr. Hawkins has held a prominent and
he was a success. Among the many exhibits of his skill scattered over the county, we will only call the readers attention to the new building of the East Orange National Bank, a model structure, the beautiful architecture and artistic finish of which, ought to satisfy all that our tribute has not been misplaced.
JOHN J. HANLEY.
M EN are differently endowed, one having a faculty where devotion will bring forth out of a purity of gifts, rich results, which are not alone pleasing to his neighbors, but gratifying to himself; then comes another, who with equal or even superior endowments and rarer opportunities, fails iu the application ; again, there are those to whom nature has been chary of her gifts. These latter we often see go forth ready to
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ESSEX COUNTY, N. J., ILLUSTRATED.
do and dare, and without apparent effort reach the front and become leaders of men, while many of those with far rarer gifts endowed, follow their lead and obey their commands. To the latter of these classes does Ex-Frecholder John J. Hunley belong. It is not for the waiter to define the how, but this he knows and is willing to tell it, that Essex County, has had few men, as chairman of the Jail Committee of the Board of Freeholders, in the past, who have shown themselves better able to admin- ister the county's affairs and husband her resources.
THE POST OFFICE.
INCE the pull down of the old building several S
years ago, the Newark Post Office has had its housing in the old First Baptist Church building, which stood conveniently near and just in the rear. From its doors and windows have the three hundred more or less post office officers and clerks, watched the slow growth of the new post office building which, though yet not quite finished, has reached such a stage as lent hope to the postmaster and his busy army. Although the new building will present a capacity far short of the growing requirements of the several uses for which it was designed, beside being the home of the post office. it will be a great improvement on the old and the present quarters. There are indeed few hand- somer or more beautifully constructed buildings to be found anywhere.
Already into the new quarters in the new build- ing, which are capacious and altogether comfortable enough to please the most exacting, have moved the offices of the Internal Revenue Collector and that of the Collector of Customs. The first is occupied by William D. Rutan, collector and his assistants, of the fifth Internal Revenue Collection District of New Jersey, made up of the counties of Essex, Union, Hudson, Passaic, Middlesex, Morris, Bergen, Sussex, Somerset, Warren and Hunterdon. This office has an auxillary at Jersey City, and has stamp selling deputies at Paterson, Millstone and Helmetta.
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POST OFFICE AND CUSTOM HOUSE.
ten assistants to aid him in conducting the business of this important and highly responsible office, the roster being made up as follows, viz .: William D. Rutan, Collector ; S. V. S
Mr. Rutan has Bruen, Chief Clerk ; E. Allen Smith, Cashier ; James P. McKenna, John P. Fannar, Peter Young and May Sheehan, Deputy Collectors ; Sarah E. Butterfield and Newton H. Porter, Collector's Clerks; Joseph E. Cavanaugh Derisien and Enos Runyon, Deputy Collectors. The second with Henry W. Egner, Collector of Customs for this port of entry. The Collector's full roster is made up as follows, viz .: Henry W. Egner, Collector; Samuel H. Browne. Deputy Collector and In- spector; William Martin and Fred- erick Hair, Deputy Collectors and Clerks; David F. Leonard Store- keeper.
JOSEPH E HAYNES.
S ELDOM, if ever, since the days when the post office at New- ark began its career of greatness in order to keep step with the
POSTMASTER JOSEPH 1. HAYNES.
ASST. POSTMASTER GEORGE D. HAYNES,
133
ESSEX COUNTY, N. J., ILLUSTRATED.
gigantic strides the city was making toward the grand posi- tions she holds to-day among the cities of the western world, has she been blessed with a more competent, painstaking, thoroughly safe and always af- fable postmaster, than he who handles the helm to-day, Hon. Joseph E. Haynes. Postmaster llaynes came into the office as successor to William D. Rutan. who was called to the office of the Internal Revenue Collector- ship but a few months after he had taken the oath of office. So far, Postmaster Haynes has left the roster of the office just as he found it, with the single exception of his first assistant, having been satisfied to let well enough alone where everything was running smoothly, waiting till his argus eye should cover a recreant to a confided trust before making a change. His com- mission for the term commencing June, 1896, signed by Grover Cleveland, Newark being, as a matter of course, a presidential office.
The new postmaster was not unknown to the people before he was called to the responsible place of postmaster, since he had occupied the chair of the Mayorality of Newark for five successive terms. Indeed, so well known and so well beloved was Joseph E. Haynes, and such a thoroughly upright Chief Executive Officer, and so smoothly did city affairs run under his administration, that he was asked to retain the office for the unprecedented term of a decade of years.
Postmaster Haynes began life as a teacher, and for many years was principal of the Thirteenth Ward Grammar School, and thousands of men and women in nearly all the walks of
VIEW ON THE PASSAR RIVER.
life, who have enjoyed the privilege of his tutorship, now seek opportunity to give expression to the love and affection which they bear their old teacher. Although the postmaster has passed the meridian of life, he is still hale and hearty, and exercises in his new office the same watchful care over the nearly three hundred subordinates connected with the post office, and is just as ready to pounce upon a negligent or misdoer now as he was upon the truant or laggard in the old Thirteenth Ward Grammar School, twenty years ago.
GEORGE D. HAYNES.
T is little wonder that in selecting his First Assistant, Post- master Haynes should let his choice fall upon his own son, since he was well conversant with his high character and his eminent fitness for the place. The conduct of Geo. D. Haynes has been such in the management of the affairs of his responsible position,as to please and satisfy the most exacting. Always polite and being the pos- sessor of one of those buoyant natures, it becomes a pleasure with anybody who in the course of business finds it necessary to come in contact with him, and few, if any, ever quit his presence with- out the feeling that Geo. D). Haynes is the right man in the right place.
JAMES F. CONNELLY
N far-away Osada and Hioga. I Japan, Ilon. James F. Con- nelly, one of our well-known, highly respected and popular young men, is acting the part of a good citizen by conducting the business of the two consul- ates named above, through the appointment of the President of the United States. To the con- sulate business, previous to this high and responsible position which he is filling to the entire satisfaction of Mr. Cleveland and the people with whom he comes
K. WAYNE PARKER, REPRESENTATIVE TO CONGRESS
JAMES SMITH, JR., UNITED STATES SENATOR
134
ESSEX COUNTY, N. J., ILLUSTRATED.
In business contact, Mr. Con- nelly had no acquaintance. Al- though he went into the army as a volunteer when he was not vet fifteen and passed three of his school years at the front. and often where shot and shell few thickest, he found time to push on in his studies. As young Connelly was never known to shirk his military duty and was ever found close up to the front in the midst of the fray, so he met duty in his school books and polished up his learn- ing after coming home. Busi- ness knowledge and business habits had allurements for him which continued to lead him on in such a way, that success marked his earlier efforts, and ere he himself was fully aware, reputation sat astride the ves- sel's prow where his hand bore down the helm. Before he passed bis 26th birth-day, or in 1878, he received the nommation for Tax Commissioner of the City of Newark. The writer of this sketch well remembers the occasion, having been President of the Democratic convention, asssembled in what is now Jacob's Theatre, in Washington Street, which, with great unanimity, conferred the honor of a nomination, which was ratified by a triumphant election.
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VIEW ON MARKET STREET BETWEEN CONGRESS AND PROSPECT STREETS.
In 1883 he entered the Common Council and was made chair- man of the finance committee, the now popular United States Senator James Smith, Jr., being a member. He remained in the council for four years, and when he retired in 1887, there- from, in recognition of his ability as a financier, the then Mayor, now Postmaster Joseph F. Haynes, presented his name to the Common Council for the high office of Comptroller of the City of Newark, and though he was a staunch Democrat. his reputation as a soldier and his ability as a financier, secured his confirmation In 1865 Mt. Cleveland appointed hun Collec- tor of Customs of the Port of Newark and then sent him abroad.
GIA. THEODORE RUNVON, (DECEASED).
JACOB HAUSSLING.
E CX-SHERIFF of Essex County, Jacob Haussling, is to all intents and purposes, a man of a truly marvelous character. He is what might be termed a friend maker, and in that particular has few, if any, equals in the county of Essex. Three years ago he was taken up by his party and triumphantly elected sheriff, an office as important in all particulars as any in the county. Jacob Haussling is a Democrat of the very staunch- est kind and politically, personally or in a business way speak- ing. his friends always know just where to find him, It was for this reason, then. the Democratic party was induced in the last great Presidential campaign to turn to Jacob Haussling as their leader in the county and make him their candidate a second time for the responsible office of sheriff. Unfortunately though, not only for his party but the great body of this people, he was defeated, The division of the Democratic party on the silver question, caused such a hegira from the ranks of the party which delighted to honor him, that his Republican opponent was elected over him by a large majority, notwithstanding the fact that several thousand Republicans openly voted for him as their favorite, not forgetting in the short period of three years, what they had learned of his beautiful character in a life time. It can be said that Jacob Haussling had proved himself as true to the shrievalty of this his native county, as the needle to the pole.
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