History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. I, Part 71

Author: Shaw, William H
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: [United States :]
Number of Pages: 840

USA > New Jersey > Essex County > History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. I > Part 71
USA > New Jersey > Hudson County > History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. I > Part 71

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

DAVID ABBOTT HAYES was born at Newark, N. J ..

May 29, 1810. He was a lineal descendent of Robert Hayes, who removed from Milford, Conn., to Newark, N. J., about the year 1692. His preparatory educa- tion was conducted in the school of Rev. Mr. Fair- child, at Succasunna, N. J., and in 1830 he was graduated from Amherst College. In the following year he entered, as a student, the law office of the late Governor William Pennington, under whom he pursued his studies until September, 1834, when, in company with Walter Rutherford, Abraham Browning and Staats S. Morris, he was admitted to the bar. Soou after, he opened an office in his native place, and continued the practice of his profession until the time of his death, which occurred November 11, 1875.

Mr. Hayes was not only active in his profession, but also among the foremost in enterprises having as their object the public good. In the early movement which resulted in the opening of Mount Pleasant Cemetery he was very prominent, and in the bill passed by the Legislature in 1844 for the establish- ment of that now beautiful burial-ground his name is among the corporators. Ten years after, when it became apparent that these grounds, extensive as they were, would soon prove insufficient for the rapidly- growing city, Mr. Hayes, with other citizens of Newark, obtained anthority from the Legislature to establish Fairmount Cemetery, an enterprise in every respect successful. Ile also took an active interest in the Newark Plank-Road Company, of which he was a director; likewise in the Orange and Newark Horse-Car Company, of which he was for several years the secretary. Of the Fireman's Insurance Com- pany, he was also a director, and a director, too, of the Newark and Rosendale Cement Company. In the early days of the Republican party Mr. Hayes, who was a strong opponent of slavery, took a lively inter- est in politics, and was an earnest advocate of the measures and doctrines of that party. In 1859 and 1860 he was one of the Representatives of Essex County in the General Assembly, and throughout all the war of the Rebellion was an active laborer in the Union cause. With all his multifarions duties, Mr. Hayes was able to give a great deal of time and attention to the New Jersey Historical Society, of which he was one of the original members and the recording scere- tary for more than a quarter of a century, "always active and efficient, regular in his attendance at our meetings, and solicitous to advance in every way the interests of the society," as is recorded of him in the minutes of the meeting at which his death was an- nounced.

As a lawyer, he was remarkable not only for his industry, but for the care and attention which he gave to every matter of business intrusted to him. Although an earnest and a fluent speaker, he seldom appeared as an advocate, preferring those branches of his profession which could employ him quietly in his other and at his desk. As a man, he was respected and beloved as well for the frankness of his discourses

Дино Л. Несусь.

265

THE BAR OF ESSEX COUNTY.

and for his integrity, as for his great kindnessof heart and generosity.

Mr. Hayes married, in 1851, Caroline Davis Hayes, who still survives him.

CHARLES ROONEY DAY, son of Stephen D. Day and Sally ( Lindsley) Day, of Orange, N. J., was born November 6, 1508. Ile received his preparatory education at Orange, and was graduated from the Col- lege of New Jersey in 1830. In 1835 he was admitted to the bar, and soon after began the practice of his profession. He gave great promise in youth of a brilliant and successful career, but his health being early broken, he was not permitted to proseente with desirable activity the vocation for which he seemed to be so admirably fitted. He lived a highly-respected citizen of Orange, active and influential in public affairs. Of the First Presbyterian Church of that place he was a member, and was, besides, a ruling elder from 1851 till the time of his death, which oc- curred August 19, 1870.

STEPHEN R. GROVER was born at Caldwell, Essex Co., N. J., June 30, 1791. Hle was son of the Rev. Stephen Grover, first pastor of the First Presby- terian Church of that place, where he preached for nearly fifty years, and where he died in 1836.

It was the original intention of the subject of this sketch to enter the ministry, and to this end his early education was conducted, first as astudent at the semi- nary at Bloomfield, N. J., and then under private in- structors, with whose aid he could proceed more rapidly in the acquisition of the ancient tongues. 1av- ing made considerable progress in his studies, he sought, by teaching, to render more permanent the knowledge which he had acquired, and thus it was that, for some years, he employed himself as a classical teacher in Newark and elsewhere in his native State. Close application began at length to impair his health, and he was obliged to abandon his studies for a season. He first engaged in mercantile pursuits, and for several years led a very active life. With re- turning health he renewed his studies, including among them that of the law, which having concluded to adopt as a profession, he presented himself for ex- amination, and was admitted to the bar in 1535. He now established himself as a practitioner in Newark, N. J., and became quite successful. In 1845 he was elected a member of the State Senate, being the first Senator chosen under the new constitution. In this position he served with great ability for three years. In politics Mr. Grover was a Whig. In religious training and ereed he was a Presbyterian, and for several years prior to his death was an elder in that church. Mr. Grover died in 1853 In 1×12 he was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph Byram, of Mendham, N. J. She was a descendant of John Alden and Priscilla Mullen, of the "Mayflower," of early Puritan times.

EDWARD T. HELLYER, SON Of Rev. Asa Hillyer. D.11., was born in Orange, Essex Co., N. J., August

15, 19]]. He was educated at Williams College, Massachusetts, and was admitted to the bar in 1×36. Soon afterwards he entered upon the practice of his profession in his native county, and gained con- siderable reputation as a counselor and advocate. In 1853 he was appointed by President Pierce collector of customs for the port of Newark, and held that office for the period of eight years. Mr. Hillyer con- tinued to practice in Newark until 1878, when he re- moved to Rockton, III., where he died in 1882.

JAVOR VAN ARSDALE, son of Ehas Van Arsdale, Sr., was born in Newark about the year 1817, and was graduated from the College of New Jersey, Princeton, in 1835, In 1838 he was admitted to the bar, and soon after began to practice in his native city. Mr. Van Arsdale held several very important public offices, among which was that of clerk in Chancery. In 1851 and 1852 he was a member of the Common Council of Newark, from 1852 to 1857 he was prose- cutor of the pleas of Essex county, and was also a member of the Newark Aqueduct Board; in all of which positions he exhibited good judgment and abil- ity. At a meeting of the bar of Essex County, held soon after his death, the following resolutions were adopted :

" Re olred, That our deceased brother, as a lawyer, manifested at all times that courtesy, firmin 's and integrity which are the mulent yet fra- grant flowers of professional life ; well instructed in the science of the las by his distinguished father, he was a safe and prudent connector, generous to his adversary, yet tenacious of that which he conceived to be the right, and ardent in behalf of the client, while inflexibly attached to justice

" Resolved, That the conduct of Mr. Van Arulale in public trusts id worthy of commendation. As Clerk in Chancery, na Prosecutur of the Plas En this county, as a member of the Common Council of this vily, atul of the Aqueduct Board, he was faithful, laborious, untiring. 11js fidelity in the public service secured the public confidence, and we only equaled by that frank, generous, truthful spirit which endeared him t> all within the private and domestic circle."

EDWARD COOK was born in Newark, N. J., May 28, 1816. With an excellent preliminary education, he entered Rutgers College, and was graduated there- from in 1836, in company with Cortlandt Parker, Frederick T. Frelinghuysen and .Joseph P. Bradley, all of whom afterwards became so distinguished. Soon after leaving college he began the study of law in the office of William Pennington, Esq., subsequently Giov- ernor of New Jersey, and in 1839 was, with his former classmates, admitted as an attorney, and in 18-13 as a counselor-at-law. Soon after receiving his license as an attorney he began to practice in his native city, and was rapidly growing into favor as a judicions counselor and an able advocate when he was stricken with a disease which terminated his life, May 11, 1848. It was a life of great promise that had been thus suddenly brought to an end, and the professional brethren of the deceased sought the earliest oppor- tunity to express their grief. At the opening of the Circuit Court on the following day A. C. M. Penning- ton, Esq., made a formal announcement of the death of Mr. Cook, and move I an adjournment as a mark of

266

HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

respect to the memory of the deceased. The motion | the office of his distinguished father, and in 1841, was granted by Chief Justice Green, who presided at having been admitted to the bar, began the practice of his profession in Newark, N. J. He met with great success as a practitioner, and acquired consid- erable reputation as a fearless and eloquent speaker. a meeting of the bar subsequently held, Amzi Dodd, Esq., acting as secretary. A committee, consisting of F. T. Frelinghuysen, Wm. K. McDonald, and B. Wil- liamson, reported the following resolutions, which were unanimously adopted, after a high eulogium upon the deceased by Governor Pennington :

" Resolved, That we deplore the loss of our friend and brother, stricken by death in the flower of his age and withered before the fruit came, of which there was euch almandant promise.

"That truth, candor, (quaminuty, honor and professional zral were aniong the prominent traits in the character of Edward ('ook, and would have impelled in coming years to the inevitable goal of a high career. "That we tender to the widow and family of our drerased brother our condolence, mingled with the assurance that their friend and ours brought to the profession of the luw that which is the source of all its purest achievements, as well as its highest ornament, integrity of heart. If his early death has not permitted him to add to its trophies, his faith- ful life has, at least never sullied its honor. "

WILLIAM K. MCDONALD was born at Alexandria. Va., December 31, 1807. In 1827 he was graduated from the Collegeof New Jersey, and soon after began the study of law in the office of Adjutant-General Walter Jones, at Washington, D. C. He was subsequently Professor of Languages at Washington College, Penn- sylvania, and afterwards removed to Bloomfickl, Es- -rx County, N. J., where he established a classical school. Obtaining admission to the courts of New Jersey in 1841, he opened an office in the city of Newark, and began the practice of his profession. On the 17th of April, 1844, he was appointed clerk of the Common Council, which office he held until April 5, 1850, when he was succeeded by Amzi Dodd, afterwards vice-chancellor. In 1856 and 1857 he was a member of the General Assembly. In 1865 he was appointed State comptroller by Governor Parker, and in 1868 was reappointed to the same of- fice by the Legislature. The interest which he took in the cause of learning led to his election as a men- ber of the Board of Education, with which he was connected during the years 1864, 1865 and 1866, and during the last year was president of the board. MIr. McDonald died April 14, 1871. His widow, a dangh- ter of Rev. James Carnahan, D.D., president of the College of New Jersey, and one son, James C. Me- Donald, a lawyer of Newark, N. J., survive him.

At a meeting of the members of the bar of Essex County the following, among other resolutions, was adopted :

"Resolved, That in William K. Mc Donald we recognize the accom- pushed lawyer, the rye wholar, the high-toned and true Christian gen- tleman, the friend who endrared himself to all with whom he came in contact, the citizens who discharged promptly and we'll all the duties he owed to his country, the man of unblemished integrity and spotless reputation."

OLIVER S. HALSTED, JR., son of the late Chan- cellor Halsted, was born in Elizabeth, N. J., in 1818, and was graduated from the College of New Jersey in 1838. He entered soon after, as a student-at-law.

In 1849 he went to California, and there commenced the practice of law, but after an absence of about one year he returned to his former home. When the war for the Union broke out, in 1861, he relinquished his practice in Newark, and located in Washington, where he remained till the close of the year 1865. During all this time he was actively engaged in the cause of the Union, and is said to have rendered many and important services to the government and to the country. Some months after the close of the war he returned to Newark and resumed the practice of his profession, in which he continued until the time of his death, which occurred July 2, 1871.

AARON O. BOYLAN was born in Bernardsville, N. J., in 1810, and was the son of Aaron Boylan, else- where noticed in this volume. lle studied law in the office of Chancellor O. S. Halsted, and was admitted to the bar in 1843. Establishing himself in Newark, N. J., he became very successful as a practitioner, and was highly esteemed among his professional brethren. He lived, however, but six years after ob- taining his license, his death occurring February 10, 1849. At a meeting of the Essex County bar, which took place soon after this event, Chief Justice Green presiding, the following, among other resolutions, were adopte'l :

"Resolved, That the Bench and Bar of the County of Essex have heard with deep regret of the decease of Aaron O. Boylan, Faq., their arriate and friend.

"Resolved, That while his example commeuds itself to us, his survivors, for his untiring industry and perseverance in the study of his profession, his faithfulness and zeal in the cause of his client, and his fair and hon- vralle bearing towards his adversary, his memory will be most cherished by those who best knew his intrinsic worth and elevation of character."

HENRY J. MILLS was born in Morristown, N. J., in 1820, and was admitted to the bar in IS43. Ile began the practice of his profession in Freehold, N. J., as an associate of Judge Vredenburgh, then a praeti- tioner in Monmouth County. During the war of the rebellion he was provost-marshal in the Fifth Con- gressional District of New Jersey, and resided in Newark. Subsequently he removed to Bloomfield, Essex Co., N. J., and later returned to Newark, where he continued to practice till the time of his death, which took place January 12, 1881. Mr. Mills was not an advocate, but his legal business was al- most entirely confined to taking testimony as an ad- visory master. He was a man of much refinement and culture, enjoying the esteem of those who knew him.

ABRAHAM N. MOCKRIDGE was born in Newark, N. J., in 1821. With a good preparatory education, he entered, as a student-at-law, the office of Asa White- head, Esq. He was admitted to the bar in 1843, and soon after commenced the practice of his profession

267

THE BAR OF ESSEX COUNTY.

in his native place. His business at first was chictly

son. On the expiration of Mr. Jackson's term of in the C'ourt of Chancery, and gradually became con- office Mr. Weeks was elected his successor, and offici- fined to that of a searcher of the court records and of a conveyancer. Soon after the breaking out of the Rebellion he enlisted, May 29, 1861, in the Second Regiment of New Jersey Volunteers. In June of the same year he was appointed a commissary ser- geant, and assigned to the commissary department of the regiment. On the 20th of December, 1862, he was commissioned as first lieutenant of Com- pany A, Twenty-seventh Regiment New Jersey Volun- teers, which position he occupied until July 2, 1863, when he was mustered out. On returning home he re- sumed and continued his business until his death, which occurred June 17, 1872. ated as clerk of Essex County until 1854. Soon after retiring from this position he was appointed attorney for the Mutual Benefit Insurance Company, a place which he occupied until his death. In this com any, as well as in the American Insurance Company, he was a director for many years. In pubhe education he had always taken a lively interest, and even prior to the establishment of the Board of Education was a member and secretary of the "Old School Committee." From 1868 to 1871 he represented the Second Ward in the Board of Education. In the Masonic fraternity he held at various times promi- uent and important positions, and of the church to which he belonged he was an active and useful ofli- cer. He died suddenly, September 6, 1879, and his widow survived him but a comparatively short time. Of the three sons whom he left, all have become mem- bers of the bar.

WILLIAM S. PENNINGTON, son of Governor Wil- liam Pennington, and grandson of Governor William S. Pennington, was born in Newark, N. J., March 28, 1820. He was admitted to the bar in 1844. In 1861 he was appointed Secretary of Legation at Paris, dur- ing the ministry of lon. William L. Dayton, and con- tinued in this office until Ist5. He was always noted for his genial spirit and ready wit. His death oc- curred September 4, 1868.

ANDREW LAW HOLBROOK, brother of Albert MI. Holbrook, publisher of the Newark City Directory. und son of Rev. Amos Holbrook A.M., a classical scholar and teacher of Newark, was born in that city November 20th, 1821, and after studying law with Hon. F. T. Frelinghuysen was admitted to the bar in 1×44. Ile began at once the practice of his profession, und gave promise of a brilliant career, but was sud- denly taken away by death while on a visit to friends in Brooklyn, N. Y., October 22, 1847, in his twenty- seventh year. At a meeting of the " Young Men's Society, " held soon after his death, the following reso- lution was adopted :

"Resolred, That we hear with heartfelt regret of his sudden demise,- taken away in a moment, in the flower of his days, in the commence- ment of his career, and at the dawning of his usefulness among his tel- low-men ; that we deeply lament our own love, the loss of his family atsl friends and of the community ; but whilet we Thus lament him, we can- uot but be consoled, in view of his exemplary deportment, his quiet, blameless life, his purity of purpose, bis amenity, and his many virtues, with the confident hope that our los is his infinite galu."

JOHN R. WEEKS was born in Newark, N. J., October 17, 1817, and was the son of Rev. William R. Weeks, D.D., a distinguished clergyman of that city. After receiving a good classical education under the immediate supervision of his learned father, he was placed in the printing rooms of the Newark Daily Advertiser, to learn the trade of a printer. At the age of twenty-one he went to New York, where for some time he worked as a composi- tor. Determining, however to become a lawyer, he returned to his native place, and entered as a student, the office of Lewis C'. Grover, Esq., where he pursued his studies during the prescribed term. In 1845 he was admitted to the bar, and soon after was appointed deputy county clerk under the late John P. Jack-

WILLIAM M. BABBITT WAS born in Orange, N. J .. in 1×21, and was graduated from the College of New Jersey, Princeton, in 1845. He studied law in the office of Elias Van Arsdale, Sr., in Newark, and in 1847 was admitted to the bar. He practiced law for some time in that city. In 1857 he was appointed clerk in Chancery. On the 27th of February, 1863, he was appointed a paymaster in the army, but resigned the office on the 26th of October following. Subsequently be purchased a farm in Sussex County, N. J., and finally died at Newton, in that county, September 25, 1875.

CHARLES L. V. CHIFFORD, son of the late Archer Gifford, was born in Newark, N. J., in November, 1825. In 1845 he was graduated from the Law School of Yale College, and after continuing his studies for two years in the office of his father, was admitted to the bar in 1847. He began at once the practice of his profession in Newark, N. J., where he also acted for four years as deputy collector of that port. In 1856, Mr. Gifford served as a member of the House of Assembly, and in 1857, 58 and 59, as a State Senator, and during the last year of his term as president of the Senate. In June, 1872, he was appointed Pre- siding judge of the Essex Court of Common Pleas, to fill the unexpired term of Judge Frederick HI. Teese, who had removed his residence to another county. This office he continued to fill until 1874, when he was succeeded by Judge Caleb &. Titsworth. Judge Gifford's health during the latter part of his term began to fail, and the next year he made a voy- age to Europe, in company with his estimable wife, hoping to recover his former vigor. The trip had for a short time a salutary effect, but his disease was of a nature which neither change of climate nor occupa- tion could remove. lle gradually grew worse, and finally, after many months of sickness and suffering, throughout all which he received the tenderest care from the tenderest of earthly friends, he died, March

268

IHISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

29, 1877. The high estimation in which Judge Gitlord was held by those who knew him may be learned from the following resolutions adopted at a meeting of the Essex County har soon after his death.

"Resolved, That in his career na a practicing Inwyer be combined hon- esty of purpose with legal ability of a high order, and has left a record creditable to his own memory and name, and to the profession, and one which may well be emulated by all, especially the younger members of the Bar. That ny a Judge, he was upright and conscientious in the dis- charge of every duty, and by his kindness und affability gained the love and the regard of all who appeared before him. That as a citizen and a man, the eminent virtues which characterized him as a lawyer and a Judge were combined with genial manners and a warm heart, which not only endeared him to his family and near friends, for whom he had a peculiar affection, but made him universally loved and respected, and c.suseul him to take an interest in whatever tended to the elevation and alvancement of men."

ARCHER G. MILLER, son of William W. Miller, noticed elswhere in this volume, was born in Morris- town, N. J., January 28, 1819, and was graduated from Dickinson College, Pennsylvania, in 1842. He studied law in the office of his uncle, Archer Gifford, Esq., and was admitted to the bar in 1847. Soon after, he began to praeriee in Newark, where he continued in the exercise of his profession until his death which took place January 18, 1874.

STEPHEN AUGUSTUS GROVER, son of' Stephen R. and Elizabeth Grover, was born in Newark, N. J., June 30, 1824. With a good academic education, he began the study of law, and was admitted to the bar in 1847. His inclination for a seafaring life was so strong that he soon gave up the practice of his profession, and made a voyage to California by the way of Cape Horn. Here he engaged in the mer- chant service, and, as the master and owner of a vessel, traded between California and the Sandwich Islands. His vessel having been wrecked in a storm, he entered the United States Naval service, and was employed as an officer on board of the United States ship " New Hampshire." While thus employed he died of pneumonia at Norfolk Va., in January, 1869.

CHARLES R. WAUGH was born in Morris County, N. J., in November, 1823. He was of Scotch descent. His father emigrated to America when a very young man, and settled first in Montreal, but subsequently in the locality where the subject of this sketch was born. Charles, when a lad, made such good use of the advantages afforded by the schools of the neigh- borhood in which he lived that at the age of seven- tern he became a district schoolmaster himself, and at twenty-one had earned and saved sufficient means to enable him to enter advantageously upon the study of the law. This he did, first in the office of Aaron (). Boylan, Esq., and subsequently in that of Lewis (. Grover, Esq., at Newark, and in 1848 was admitted to the bar. He began at once the practice of his profession, and continued it with great success until his call to the bench, which he received in 1859, when he was elected by the Legislature, president judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Essex County, an

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. I, Part 71

Author: Shaw, William H Publication date: 1884 Publisher: [United States :] Number of Pages: 840

Author: Shaw, William H
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: [United States :]
Number of Pages: 840