History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. I, Part 72

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 72
USA > New Jersey > Hudson County > History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. I > Part 72

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office which he held for the term of five years. In 1863 he was the Republican candidate for Senator from Essex County, but was defeated by Mr. John G. Truesdell. In the following year he was elected county clerk, and entered upon the duties of that office in the early part of the month of November. Although not in perfect health at this time, he trans- acted his daily business with great regularity for several months, but was afterwards occasionally obliged to refrain from the more arduous labors of his position. At last, when but little more than a year of his term of office had expired, he was compelled to seek his bed, to which, a victim of consumption, he was confined for many weary months, until, on the 30th of August, 1867, he was released by death. The event had been long anticipated, yet it brought gloom upon the court and the entire community. The meeting of the bar upon the occasion was numerously attended, Judge Depue presiding. Among the reso- lutions adopted the following will show the high estimation in which Judge Waugh was held by his professional brethren :

"Resolved, That in the death of Judge Waugh the Bar of Essex County mourn the loss of nn ahle and distinguished member, one who crowned the profession by his talents, his learning and his unwavering integrity. At the Bar, on the Bench and as an officer of the Court hv proved himself worthy, and wou the esteem and confidence ef all who knew him. As a lawyer, he was safe in counsel and an earnest and convincing advocate. Asn Judge, he was able, impartial, clear in mind and correct in decision. As an officer, efficient, courteous und faithful in the performance of duty. lle was a generous-hearted man, a warm friend, and excellent citizen. The county has dost a valuable officer, the city and State an honest, useful, eminent and patriotic citizen."

DAVID K. BOYLAN was born in Bernardsville, N. J., in 1816, and was the son of Aaron Boylan, else- where mentioned in this volume. After a suitable preparatory education he studied law in the office of the late Chancellor Halsted, and was admitted to the bar in 1848. Ile entered upon the practice of his profession in Newark, N. J., and was for a time a law partner of Judge John H. Meeker. More than twenty years ago, he was left some property on Washington Street, near ('linton Avenue, by John M. Mecker. The will was contested, and the case became quite famous. It was carried through all the courts, Messrs. William L. Dayton and Joseph P. Brad- ley being counsel for the will, and Messrs. Freling- huysen for the contestants. Mr. Boylan finally won, and having afterwards sokl the property for twenty thousand dollars, removed to Marietta, Ohio. He subsequently returned to New York. His death occurred in Newark, N. J., while on a visit to his brother, December 2, 18SI.

JJOHN FRAZER BARRAGE, at the age of nineteen. was graduated with honor from Rutgers College in 1846, and immediately commenced the study of law in the office of Hon. Joseph P. Bradley, at Newark, N. J. In 1849 he was admitted as an attorney, and in 1852 as a counselor-at-law. On the Ist of August, 1853, he died, having been a practitioner less than four years. At the time of his death it was said of

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him . " In all the relations of life, as a son, a brother, "hoping to restore it, but there he failed rapidly, and a classmate, a student, a counselor, and a friend, he died at Asheville, N. C., July 31, 1877. was actuated by the noblest principles and impulses of our nature, and left nothing to be desired in character or conduct."

ABRAHAM H. SHERMAN was born in Newark, N. J., in 1824, and was admitted to the bar in April, 1849. He began the practice of his profession in his native city, but was never prominently engaged in the court. At one time he had charge of the city department of the Evening Journal and was also connected with a daily paper in Washington. Mr. Sherman died at his residence in Newark, November 6, 1872.

JAMES HARRIS BOYLAN, son of Aaron Boylan, Esq., was born in Bernardsville, Somerset Co., N. J .. . the following, among other resolutions, was unani-

November 12, 1825. He studied law in Newark, N. .... in the office of Governor William Pennington, and was admitted to the bar in 1850, when he began to practice in that city. His success was very considera- ble, and he prosecuted his profession with great industry until about the year 1851, when he became broken in health, and was obliged to retire from active business. He died June 6, 1884.

TIMOTHY P. RANNEY was born in (iranville, Mass., in 1820, and was graduated from Amherst College in 1851. lle soon after entered upon the study of law in Newark, N. J., and having been admitted to the bar in 1854, began the practice of his profession in that city. He was at one time a partner of llon. Joseph P. Bradley, now one of the justices of the United States Supreme Court. Mr. Ranney was a cultivated gentleman, and highly esteemed by those who knew him. He died April 24, 1874, leaving a widow, (daughter of Dr. S. HI. Pennington) and four children, who still survive him. At a meeting of the Bar of Essex County, N. J., the following, among other resolutions, was adopted :

" Whereas, It has pleased Gud to remove by death from var companion- ship our esteemed bruther in the profession, Timothy P. Ranney ;

"Resolved, That we hear this tribute to his kindly disposition, his genial manner, his unswerving integrity, and his ability as a lawyer ; that we desire, with unaffected grief, to convey to his family and friends uur sympathy with them lu their alffictivo, and our wish to be permitted with thetn to Jeplore the loss which they, the bar and the community have austained."

GARRET C. SCHENCK was admitted to the bar in 1854, and established himself in the practice of his profession in Newark, N. J., where he remained about five years, when he removed elsewhere. He died January 14, 1869.

JOHN N. TUTTLE was born in Newark, N. J., December 9, 1831. He was admitted as an attorney in June, 1855, and as n counselor in June, 1858. Soon after receiving his license he began the practice of law in Newark, but remained in general practice for a very short time only, choosing to make a specialty of examining land titles, in which he was noted for carefulness and diligence. His health having been much impaired by close confinement, he went South,

ADRIAN V. S. SCHENCK was born in Somerset County in 1831, and was a son of the late Dr. F. S. Schenek, a distinguished citizen of that County. In 1852 he was graduated from Rutgers t'ollege, and in 1855 was admitted to the bar. Ile soon after estab- lished himself as a practitioner in Newark, N. J., and was rapidly winning the reputation of an industrious and successful lawyer when he was prostrated by a dis- ever which proved to be consumption, and of which he died August 16, 1863. Mr. Schenck was regarded as a young lawyer of great promise, and soon after his death the members of the Essex County bar assem- bled to do honor to his memory. On that occasion mously adopted :

" Resolve.l, That while we bow in subordination to the inscrutable de- erer of Providence, we mourn, in our departed friend, one whvee distinr- tien, even at au ehrly age, gave promise of a career useful to society and creditable to himself ; an advocate remarkable for faithfulnem to bis clients, anxiety in preparation, and energy, skill and talent In the fire- sentation of his causes ; a lawyer characterized by sound judgment and industrious research, and a man of more than ordinary independence and careful honesty, -one, In fine, whose death is a severe lore to his por fes- sion and our State."

EMIL SCHNIFFNER was born in Saxony about the year 1815. He received a good education in his native country, having there practiced law, and held the position of a judge prior to his emigration to the United States. In 1848 he became involved in the Dresden revolution, aud was compelled to fly from his native land. Soon after his arrival in America he settled in Newark, N. J., and immediately commenced the study of law in the office of John Whitehead, Esq. In 1855 he was admitted to the bar, and thereupon began the practice of his profession in this country, and with considerable success. Mr. Schuiffner was an ardent Abolitionist, and became identified with the Republican party from its organization. He was, moreover, a man of refined taste and culture, and his death was deeply lamented. This event occurred July 22, 1878.

CHRISTIAN HENRY SCHARFF was born at Amster- dam, Holland, February 26, 1534, and at an early age came to America with his parents, who settled in Newark, N. J. His preparatory education was con- ducted at home by a private tutor, and under the direction of his father, Mr. Adrian Scharff, a man of refined taste and culture. In 1850, Christian entered the sophomore class of the College of New Jersey, at Princeton, and was graduated in 1853. Imme- diately thereafter he begau the study of law, and in 1856 was admitted to the bar. For further improve- ment, he went to his native city, Amsterdam, and having spent one year there in the study of law, re- turned to Newark, and in July, 1857, began the prac- tice of his profession, and continued in it until the time of his death, which occurred July 13, 1868, at Florida, Orange Co., N. Y., while on a visit to

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HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

relatives residing in that place. Mr. Scharff left a wife (daughter of Edwin P. Seward and nicee of Wil- liam II. Seward) and six children.

At a meeting of the bar of Essex County, held a few days after his death, the following resolutions were adopted :

"* Resolved, That the Bar learn, with the deepest grief, of the unex- pected death of their brother, Christian H. Sebarff, to whom they have been warmly attached, and in whose character, as a man and a lawyer, they have indulged a just prid ..

" Resolved, That among the younger mon of the Bar none was more distinguished for thoroughness and exactness in the knowledge of his profession, for love of it as a science and au art ; for faithfulness as an advocate, careful preparation for duty and industry in its performance ; phile, as an adviser, a trustee, and in the discharge of business generally, his judgment, integrity and efficiency not only promised for him a life of useful influence, but had already obtained for him an uncommon amount of public regard. It is, indeed, seldom that a man su young has 80 woon attained so great and laudable professional success.

" Realved, That while we thus record our judgment of the strict pro- fersional carrer of our deceased brother, we dwell with grief on the en- dvaring virtues of his daily life, upon his uniform courtesy, his kindness, his genial ninnders, and his nuuffected, carnest piety. It is these which jaihitter our grief at his early death, and deepen our sympathy for his family and kiudred, whose loss is so much greater than our own."

CHARLES T. ZIEGLER was born in Germany in 1815, and in the universities of his native country received a thorough education. He was one of the revolu- tionists of 1848, and was arrested as such, and sentenced to ten years' imprisonment. Escaping, however, into Switzerland, he succeeded in reaching the United States, and settled in Newark, N. J. Here he entered upon the study of law, and was admitted to the bar in 1857. In 1869 he was the Democratic candidate for surrogate of Essex County, but was de- feated by Mr. G. D. G. Moore. Mr. Ziegler was es- teemed as a good lawyer and a good citizen. He died January 11, 1882.

LOUIS GREINER was a native of Germany, and was boru about the year 1814. He was a man of fine edu- cation and a Doctor of Laws in his own country. In the revolutionary movement in Germany, in 1848, he took a prominent part, and being arrested and tried, was sentenced to death with many other political offenders. Escaping, he went to Switzerland and thence to England, where he remained until 1851, when he removed to the United States, and settled in Newark, N. J. After making himself familiar with the practice of the courts and other essentials he applied for a license, and was admitted to the bar in 1858. In a short time he secured not only a large and lucrative practice, but the esteem and confidence of all around him. At the time of his death he was a director of the Newark City Insurance Company, of the Merchants' National Bank, also of the Dime Savings Institution, and was, moreover, the possessor of much valuable property. He died suddenly of apo- plexy, October 25, 1874, leaving a widow, who still survives him.

CORRA DRAKE was born in the year 1824, and was admitted to the bar in 1858. He began to practice at once in the city of Newark, N. J., and achieved con- siderable success. In 1861 he was elected a member

of the State General Assembly, and was re-elected the following year to the same position. In 1864 he was the Democratic candidate for the office of register, but was defeated. Mr. Drake was well known and esteemed throughout the county as a good lawyer and a worthy citizen.

ISAAC M. TUCKER was born in Springfield, Essex Co., N. J., in 1832, and while a boy was placed in the hat manufactory of Messrs. Rankin & Co., of Newark, N. J. Having a great desire to obtain an education, he applied himself diligently to study dur- ing his leisure hours, and finally entered as a student the office of the late David A. Hayes, Esq. In Feb- ruary, 1859, he was admitted to the bar, and immedi- ately entered upon the practice of his profession. At the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion he joined the Second Regiment New Jersey Volunteers, and was commissioned lieutenant-colonel May 22, 1861. On the resignation of Col. MeLean, of the same regi- ment. December 31, 1861, Col. Tucker was ap- pointed to the command. In the action at Gaines' Farms, Va., he fell at the head of his regiment, fight- ing against overwhelming numbers. His body went into the possession of the enemy, and was never re- covered. Ile died bravely, and his memory is revered by all who knew him.

JOHN P. JACKSON, JR., third son of John P. Jack- son, a sketch of whose life is elsewhere given in this volume, was born in Newark, N. J., February 6, 1837. With a good preparatory education, he entered the College of New Jersey, and was graduated therefrom in 1856. He subsequently read law in Newark, and attended a course of lectures at the Cambridge Law School, where he received one of the prizes for the best treatise. On being admitted to the bar, in 1859, he began the practice of his profession in his native city. In 1865 he became associated in business with J. II. Stone, Esq., forming the law firm of Stone & Jackson, which continued until within a year of the death of Mr. Jackson. Prior to this partnership, in 1862 and 1863, he was a member of the General As- sembly, and in the latter year received the compli- mentary nomination of the Republican members for Speaker. From 1866 to 1870 he was city counsel, and in 1878 was prominently named for member of Congress from his district, and received a number of votes in the convention. At the time of his death he was occupied as a member of the special commission appointed by Governor Mcclellan to frame a general tax law. He was also a trustee of the Newark Acad- emy, secretary of the New Jersey Colonization Soci- ety, a useful member of the South Park Presbyterian Church, and prominent in various other organizations, many of which, on the announcement of his death, which occurred December 17, 1880, assembled to ex- press their sorrow. The meeting of the bar of Essex County on the occasion was numerously attended, and grief over the sad event was manifest in the appear- ance and expressions of all its members. The follow-

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ing minute was adopted and placed on the records of the court :

"The announcement of the death of our brother, Johu P Jucksun, striken us with the shock of an unextweeted blow We know not why it is when he hnal just fairly entored upon a sutrer Justifying the brilliant promises of his youth, le should so suddenly be required to lay aside all his hopes and leave us. We feel his lom with a sorrow that can come only from a personal affliction, and it is with mournful submission we re- ognize in it the hand of a Disposer whose winken we might not to question.

"As n mark of regard for his memory, we, the embers of the Essex County Bar, desiring tu place mjam recort our great estimation of his worth, do therefore adopt the following minute

' We feel a pride that our late brother was a member of our profession. We heartily attest to his purity of life, his delicate sense of propriety, his conscientimanes to his clients and his fidelity to all men.

"As n counselor he added learning, dignity and respect to the Bar ; As a companion he furnished beyond most others the attractiveness of kitolly courtesy and pers oral magnetism ; us u man he supplied some- thing to the happiness of every one who knew him."

MYRON W. SMITH, son of Dr. Lyndon A. Smith, elsewhere noticed in this volume, was born in New- ark, N. J., in 1839, and was graduated from Rutgers College in 1858. Hle began at once the study of law in the office of Hon. F. T. Frelinghuysen, and was admitted to the bar in 1861. On the breaking out of the Rebellion he entered the Union army, and at the time of his death was acting assistant adjutant-general, first Brigade, third Division, eighteenth Corps. Lieut. Smith was wounded in the chest by a guerrilla sharp- shooter after the repulse of the rebels in their attack on the 30th of September, 1864, at Chapin's Farm, near Richmond. He lingered until October 5, 1864, when he died. His remains were brought to Newark, N. J., and buried. At a meeting of the bar of Essex County, October 12th, of the same year, the following, among other resolution-, was adopted :

" Resolved, That while the death of a young man so well disciplined and instructed in sound learning and morality is an inestimable how to the profession, and to the State, we cannot but be assured from his pare and commendable lite, and his solde und honorable death he bus gained the sure and lasting reward for those whose principles and conduct are In conformity with the teachings of religion."

EDWARD PAYSON HIGGINS was born in Newark, N. J., March 10, 1811. He received a good common- school education in his native city, and after study- ing law in the office of John Whitehead, Esq., was ad- mitted to the bar in 1862. He was beginning the practice of his profession in Newark, with promise of great success, when he died, humne 16, 1868. Mr. Higgins is spoken of in the highest terms by his former preceptor and by all who knew him.

GUSTAVUR N. ABEEL was born at Geneva, N. Y., in 1839, and was the son of Rev. Gustavus Abeel, D.D., then pastor of the Reformed Church of that place. In 1851 the family removed to Newark, N. JJ., where Dr. Abeel was called to minister to the Second Re- formed Church. Young Gustavus having been suit- ably prepared, entered Rutgers College, New Bruns- wick, and was graduated from that institution in 1859. He entered soon after, as a student-at-law, the office of llon. Frederick T. Frelinghuysen, now Secretary of State, and in June, 1862, was admitted

to the bar. On the 7th of October of the same year he was commissioned second Heute nant in Company Hof the First Regiment of New Jersey Volunteers (three years' meu.) On the 30th of August, 1863, he was promoted to be first lieutenant of Company B of the same regiment, and in November following was ap- pointed major in the Thirty-fourth Regiment. March 13, 1865, he was promoted to the rank of brevet lieutenant-colonel, and resigned from the service about the same time. On his return home he began the practice of law, and for several years was the part- ner of Hon. Theodore Runyon, now chancellor. In 1872 he was appointed prosecutor of the pleas for Essex County, and was reappointed to the same office in 1877. On the expiration of his term, in 1852, he was again reappointed by the Governor, but the Senate failing to confirm, he was continued in this office by Judge Depue until the appointment of his successor, in 1883. But before the last year of his service as prosecutor had expired C'ol. Abeel's health had so completely failed that he was obliged to retire from active duty ; and although he at one time rallied so much as to propose to resume his practice, he found himself unable to do so, and finally died of apoplexy, January 4, 1884.

A full meeting of the bar of Essex County was held a few days after his death, and many eloquent tributes were paid to his memory. Judge Ludlow MeCarter said, concerning him : " As a lawyer he was great. of the prosecutors of this state, he, by common consent, stood at the head. As an advocate, he was the very impersonation of force and power. As a soldier in the field, he was brave, and many times faced death without flinching. As a man, he was honest, generous and noble, the truest of friends, the most honorable of foes." Hon, Cortland Parker, in a note addressed to the meeting, which he was unable to attend, says, among other things: "Poor Abeel! may he rest in peace! I see that the public prints do justice to his character He was no copyist ; nor did he truckle one whit to any one. What he wished he wished, and went for it. What he thought he thought, and was apt to say it. . In a certain direction of ability he had fow equal -. Those whom he opposed had to look out. He asked no quarter and gave little." The following are the resolutions adopted on the occasion :

. Resolved, That in the sudden death of Col. Gustavus > AAbeel the Bar lowa one of it allest and m wt experienced members , an acute alwarser of mon, instinctively alde to detect sham, endowed with a minel distinguished for its quickness of apprehension and fertility of ro- murro, displaying great tact und skill in the examination of witnewww, powerful and convincing in argument, fearler and independent in the performance of duty, be filled the reap neible office of Prosecutor of the Pleas uf Essex County for eleven years with { redit to himself and safety

to the community, and in that most important proition his zeal in the exposure and punishment of crime was only equaled by the cary with which he sought to discriminate accused innocence from guilt.

". lis mind was full of individuality and native strength, and had his health bren restored to him, a career in which he wonll have had few pour luy before him.

" Herved with distinction in the war of the Union, and rise by suc- creative steps to an honurable rank in the service.

HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

"His nature was genial and kindly : his friendship was close and en- during ; he was a gallant & klier, a warm-hearted gentleman, and an upright man ; aad we, members of the Bar of Feeex County, join in ten- dering vur sincere and heartfelt sympathies to his family, from whom he has been to suddenly snatched by the hand of an overruling and wise Providence. "

LEWIS C. GROVER, JR., eldest son of Lewis C. Grover and Caroline Grover, was born in Newark, N. J., May 20, 1842. After receiving a good aca- demic education he entered upon the study of law, and was admitted as an attorney in 1863, and as a counselor in 1567. Soon after obtaining his license as an attorney he became associated with his father in practice, and on the retirement of his father from the profession he assumed and conducted the business of the late firm. In 1864 he offered his services as a soldier in the Union army, and was appointed second lien- tenant, Company E, Thirty-seventh Regiment New Jersey Volunteers. In this capacity he performed duty in front of Petersburg and at other points in Virginia until the term of his enlistment had expired, when he was mustered out of service with his regi- ment and returned home. It was during his service in the camp and field that he contracted the pul- monary disease of which he finally died, in May, 1870, at the age of twenty-eight. Lieut. Grover was in- defatigable as a lawyer, as a soldier, and as a mem- ber of the Christian Church, to which he belonged. He was married, in 1866, to Irene, daughter of Alex- ander Dana, Esq., of New York, by whom he had two children, a son and a daughter, who survive him.

MICHAEL R. KENNY was boru in the town of Long- NEHEMIAH PERRY, JR., was born at Newark, N. J., in 1841, and was graduated from the College of New Jersey, at Princeton, in 1861. Having read law for the preseribed term, and attended a course of lectures at the Cambridge Law School, he was admitted to the bar in 1864. He began at once the practice of his death, which occurred March 5, 1875, he held the office of city counsel. This event took place a few hours prior to the regular meeting of the Common Council on that day, and its announcement having been formally made, the board adjourned without transacting any other business than the adoption of a series of resolutions, among which is the following: ford, county of Longford, Ireland, February 17, 1830, and settled in Newark, N. J., about the year 1855, and here he taught school for several years. Ile was educated in Trinity College, Dublin, and was re- garded as a good classical scholar and mathematician. During the years 1859 and 1860 he was a member of profession in his native city ; and at the time of his , the Board of Education of Newark. In 1868 he was admitted to the bar, and immediately began the prae- tice of his profession with great success, especially among his countrymen, whose respect and confidence he enjoyed. He was solicitor for several building and loan associations, and in 1870 was elected city at- torney. A few years before his death Mr. Kenny pur- chased a place in Stone House Plains, Essex Co., to which he retired. He died April 22, 1878.

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History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. I, Part 72

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