USA > New Jersey > Hudson County > Jersey City > History of Jersey City, N.J. : a record of its early settlement and corporate progress, sketches of the towns and cities that were absorbed in the growth of the present municipality, its business, finance, manufactures and form of government, with some notice of the men who built the city > Part 20
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On his return from the army he was em- BENJAMIN MURPHY ployed in the Jersey City post-office, where he remained until he was appointed on the police force. Soon after returning from the war he was one of the active organizers of Company C, Fourth Regiment, called the Hooker Rifles. He was its second captain, and remained in command until he joined the police force. He served four years as Inspector and two and a half years as Sergeant, when he was appointed on August 4, 1879, as Chief of the department, a position he still retains. He drew and secured the pas- sage of the tenure-of-office law, which to a large extent eliminated polities from the police de- partment, and improved the police force of the entire State. His military training and good executive ability has secured good order and discipline in the department, and his skill in the
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HISTORY OF JERSEY CITY.
detective line has resulted in many successful attacks upon crimes and criminals. He is a member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, and of Lodge No. 66, I. O. O. F.
Inspector William H. Lange was born in Germany in 1840. After coming to America he was employed as bookkeeper and clerk in a wholesale drug store in New York City. He was appointed a Chanceman, November, 1871 ; pro- moted to Patrolman, 1872: promoted to Rounds- man, 1873; promoted to Sergeant, 1876; removed from the force for political reasons, 1877; ap- pointed Captain, 1880; assigned Captain of Third Precinet, 1884; assigned as Inspector, 1885 ; as- signed Captain of Fourth and Sixth Precincts, 1885; assigned Inspector, 1880 ; assigned Captain of the Seventh Precinct, 1891 ; assigned Captain of the Fourth Precinct, 1892 ; assigned Captain of the Seventh Precinet, 1893; assigned In- spector, 1894. In 1887, during the great railroad strike, he was in charge of the police and about 150 men from the Pinkerton Detective Agency. He has for the past nine years been Chief Murphy's close adviser.
WILLIAM H. LANGE. Gilbert P. Robinson was born in Ireland, April 11, 1831. He received an education in the schools of his native place. After learning the trade of a house painter he emigrated to America in 1852, settling in New York City. In 1854 he enlisted in the Second Regiment, United States Artillery. He was sent to Florida in February of the same year and joined Com- pany I. He was promoted corporal on June ist of that year, and in the following September was made a sergeant ; he held the latter position until 1860, when he received an honorable discharge from the Secretary of War. In 1861 he organized a company and was mustered into the service, with the rank of captain, at Williamsport, Mld., with the First West Virginia Regi- ment, which was afterwards consolidated with the Third Regiment, Maryland Infantry. In August, 1862, he was promoted major, and in October of the same year was made lieutenant- colonel. He served under the leading U'nion Generals, and was in all the important battles during the entire four years of the rebellion. In August, 1865, he commanded a brigade at the Weldon Railroad, for which he was bre- veted colonel. On July 31, 1865, he was mus- tered out of service, and was the only one of the original officers of the regiment as it was when it entered service. At the close of the war Mr. Robinson located in Jersey City. where he purchased a home at the corner of Webster and Booraem avenues, and where he has resided with his family ever since. He was appointed Chief of Police of old Hudson City in August, 1866. When that place was consolidated with Jersey City, Mr. Robinson was made Captain of the Third Precinct. a position he held until i8;1, when he was ap- pointed Assessor for the Fourth District for two years. In 1873 he was employed as . painter, and held that position until 1870. GINKUP KOLOS-OS. at which time he became a clerk in Singer's needle department. In April, isso, he was appointed to his present position, that of
THIRD PRECINCT, JERSEY CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT.
1. Capt. Mies Newton. 2. bergt. Dan el 1 .. Moriarity, .. Bernard Wade,
5. Sergt. Richard W. Battersby,
6. Patrolman Detailed H. Clay Keenan.
7. Roundsman Cornelius Noonan,
4. John Kelly,
8. Third Precinet Police Station.
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HISTORY OF JERSEY CITY.
Clerk to the Board of Police Commissioners. Mr. Robinson is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Knights of Honor, the Royal Society of Good Fellows, Police Mutual Aid Society, etc.
Mr. Robinson distinguished himself in many ways during his service in the defense of his country. lle was a brave, efficient officer, and his many promotions were well deserved. Since his return to civil life he has been honored many times by his fellow-citizens with positions of honor and trust. He enjoys a pure social and political rec- ord that he may well feel proud of.
William H. Foley was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., in 1865. His parents removed to Jersey City in 1870. He was educated in Public School No. 3 and became an office boy in the office of Police Commissioner Clayland Tilden, in the freight department of the Pennsylvania Railroad. on leaving school. He left there to become a tele- graph operator on the road. lle was known all along the line as the " boy operator." His chief, William Ettinger, took him to the general office and he became operator for the train despatcher. He entered the Western Union employ and some years later was operator for Lamson Bros. & Co., WILLIAM H. FOLEY. Wall Street brokers. On December 21, 1891, he was appointed Superintendent of the Police Patrol telegraph system in Jersey City, a position he still retains.
Col. Abernethy is the fourth son of the late Dr. H. H. Abernethy and Mary J. Maxwell, his wife. He was born in Eastern Pennsylvania, but during his early years his parents removed to Warren County, New Jersey. He was graduated at the Blairstown Presbyterian Academy in 1865 and taught school until 1807, when he removed to Jersey City to accept a position as shipping agent for the coal firm of Randolph Bros., of which the late Senator Theodore F. Randolph was the senior partner. At present he is superintendent of the Communipaw Coal Company and has charge of their extensive docks and piers in this city.
He was elected to represent the third district in the board of aldermen in 1883, and served two years as chairman of the committees on baths and armories and streets. On May 13, 1884. he was nominated by Mayor Collins, with A. A. Hardenbergh and Henry Lembeck, as a com- missioner under the act of March =5, 1884, for the construction of a city hall and armory. In 1889 he was nominated by the republicans as a candidate for assembly in the second district. He was elected by the people, but was counted out by the ballot-box stuffers, who were especially active that year. He inherited a love for military matters from his ancestors, the Maxwell family, who were famous military leaders under Gen. Washington.
He is now commandant of the Fourth Regiment, having been connected with it from its organization and risen from a private through all the grades to the top. Under his command the regiment has become one of the best in the National Guard of the State. He enlisted as a private in Company E of the Rifle Corps on April 8, 1868. When the Fourth Regiment was organized he became a private in it, on April 14, 1869. Since then his record has been a series of promotions. He became first sergeant of his company on July 8. 1869, and was chosen as sergeant-major of the regiment on October 20, 1869. He was elected first-lieu- tenant of Company E on December 22, 1800, and became captain on April 23, 1873. He was appointed captain and aide-de-camp on the staff of the First Brigade on June 25, 1875. Hc was elected major of the Fourth Regiment on May 23. 1885, and promoted to the lieutenant- coloneley on February 20, 1889. He was elected colonel on June 20, 1892.
He wears the Creedmoor decoration of New York, and the silver cross of honor of New Jersey for marksmanship. He has been a strict disciplinarian in military matters, but has been a favorite with the members of the Fourth Regiment, rank and file, ever since it was organized. He has taken an active interest in promoting the welfare of the regiment, and has been an in-
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HISTORY OF JERSEY CITY.
defatigable worker for the new armory. There was no appropriation to build it, and the colonel went to the legislature to secure one. When it was made the money was insufficient, and the
adornment of the armory was reduced. Even then more money was required to complete the building, and when it was built another appropria- tion became necessary to provide lockers and gun cases. This legislation consumed a great deal of time, but he was determined to succeed, and this made the colonel a familiar figure at the State house for several years.
He was appointed a police commissioner by Mayor Wanser on April 22, 1893, but was com- pelled to seek the aid of the courts, and was not admitted to his seat in the board until the ensuing December. On April 23, 1894, he was elected President of the Board as well as President of the City Board of Health, positions he still fills. He is chairman of the committee on hospital and dispensary, and has introduced many reforms in the city hospital. It is now on a parity with the best hospitals in the country. Under his COL. H. H. ABERNETHY. direction during the past year, the police com- missioners paid all the debts of the board and entered the new fiscal year on December 1, 1894, with a balance on hand. This is the first time this has been done in the history of the board.
The colonel has always been a republican in politics and an active partisan, but in his official capacity he has achieved a reputation for impartial fairness, and has conducted the police business on business principles.
John P. Feeney was born November 8, 1859, in Jersey City. At the age of nine years he displayed the energy which has ever since characterized him by building up a news route and delivering the Evening Journal to numerous readers in his district. At the same time he dili- gently attended school, and acquired the rudiments of a good education. In 1882 he was al- most unanimously elected Constable, and two years later he was appointed doorkeeper in the House of Assembly. In the same year he was re-elected Constable without any opposition. In 1887 he obtained a seat in the Assembly, and was returned with increasing majorities in 1888 - and 1889. During the same period he filled the important office of Chief Detective of the Prose- 1 cutor of the Pleas. He still retains this post, in which he has repeatedly distinguished himself by clever professional work, and by discovering and bringing to justice some of the most des- perate criminals who have been tried in our courts. In 1889 he was appointed by Mayor Cleveland under the new charter a member of the board of police commissioners, and for five consecutive terms was chosen by his colleagues as President of that department. lle was instrumental in causing the erection of new police stations and the establishment of the present elee- tric alarm system, and largely through his efforts the discipline and morals of the department were JOHN P. FEENEY. vastly improved.
As President of the Police Board he was ex-officio President of the City Board of Health,
3
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FOURTH PRECINCT. JERSEY CITY POLR E DI PARTMENT.
1. Capt. Archibald M. K ... 2. Seryt. Jatmmas F'ink s, 1 the W all Higkins,
1.arh Pro m' Pohne Station,
.. George W Sp. 8 .. Patrick Mefaug'' n.
Ki gt: I-man Abner | Welsh,
135
HISTORY OF JERSEY CITY.
and to the intelligent and indefatigable zeal which he evineed in maintaining and enforcing sani- tary precautions during the threatened invasion of cholera in the suminer of 1893, it is mainly due that the city escaped the ravages of that epidemic. For his invaluable services in this matter he re- ceived the applause of the people and the press regardless of polities, and the official thanks of Sur- geon-General Wymen, of the United States Marine Hospital Staff, and of Health Officer Jenkins of the Port of New York.
In 1891 an act was passed by the legislature pro- viding for a State police, and Governor Abbett commissioned Mr. Feeney without any solicitation on his part as Chief of that force. The bill was passed in consequence of the labor riots in Kearny, at which the police of Jersey City were summoned to act as special deputy-sheriffs to protect prop- erty and maintain order. Mr. Feeney, as Presi- dent of the Police Board, did not favor the em- ployment of the Jersey City police in such a capac- ity in another municipality, and to avoid a repe- tition of such an experience the law creating the State police was enacted.
Peter W. M. West was born in Van Vorst Town- ship July 27, 1848. Hle is the son of Aaron W. PETER W. M. WEST. West and Margaret Baker, his wife. He was educated in the public schools of Jersey City. From 1861 to 1865 he was employed in various mercantile establishments. In 1865 he entered the banking house of William De Mott & Co., 40 Wall Street, New York. This firm was suc- eeeded by Martin & Runyon and Martin & Co. He became a member of the latter firm, and has continued in the banking business to the present time. In 1872 he married Miss Kate A. Smith, of New York, and four children, two sons and two daughters, are the issue of the mar- riage. He was a member of " Two Truck " in the volunteer fire department, and was one of the organizers of Company F, Fourth Regiment. He filled all the offices in the company to captain, and retired in 1883. He is a member of Jersey City Lodge, F. & A. M., the Pavonia Yacht Club, Lafayette Battery, Union League Club, Hudson County Republican Committee and other organizations. He was a member of the Grand Jury that indicted the raee-track gamblers, and in 1894 was appointed a member of the Jersey City police commission.
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Benjamin Van Keuren was born in Pongh- keepsie, N. Y., in 1825. He came to Jersey City in 1853, and in 1868 was appointed Street Com- missioner and served until 1870, when he was elected a member of the board of aldermen in the consolidated city, and served one year, when he was again elected to the position of Street Com- missioner and served in that capacity until 1877.
In 1879 he was elected a member of the board of works and served until 1881. He was re- elected and served until 1883, and again re- elected and served until 1885.
BENJAMIN VAN AFL KEN. In 1887 Mr. Van Keuren was again elected to the board of public works and served until 1889, when the law was changed, making the incumbent of the office of commissioner of publie works to be appointed by the mayor. The mayor then appointed him to that office, which he
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HISTORY OF JERSEY CITY.
continued to fill until he was appointed Police Commissioner, on the 23d of April, 1891, for three years. Mr. Van Keuren is a republican, and has the reputation of being able to be elected to any office his party might put him in nomination for. He has been in business as a contractor for many years.
James E. Kelly was born in San Francisco, Cal., in 1858. When he was nineteen years of age he came East, locating in Jersey City, where he has resided ever since. After coming to Jersey City Mr. Kelly engaged in the liquor business. He has always taken an active interest in politics. In 1887 he was nominated for the office of Police Commissioner. The contest was a warm one at the polls, there being two oppo- nents-republican and labor candidates-against him. He was elected to the office by a good ma- jority. At the expiration of his first term he was renominated and elected by an increased majority. During his second term the legislature enacted a new law touching on police boards, making its members appointive by the mayor. Mr. Kelly was among the first of the board to receive an appointment from Mayor Cleveland. His appoint- ment was for one year. At the expiration of that term he was immediately reappointed for a term of three years. MIr. Kelly is a member of the Ever Faithful Council, No. 237, American Legion of Honor, and has officiated as treasurer of that council for the past seven years. He is also a member of Paulus Hook Catholic Benevolent Legion, the Ancient Order of Foresters of America, the Police Mutual Aid Society and a JAMES E. KELLY. number of political organizations.
HEADQUARTERS.
Detective John Clos was born in New York City, June 22, 1842. He was appointed on the police force as a Patrolman in May, 1866, and was made a Detective in 1873.
Detective Michael Doyle was born in Ireland in 1844, and has lived in Jersey City nearly all his life. He joined the Jersey City police force as a Patrolman in 1870, and was made a De- tective in June, 1885.
Detective Michael Kilcauly was appointed on the police force in 1858, under Chief Haines, and has served successively under the administrations of Chiefs Marinus, Reilly, Jordan, McManus and Murphy. In 1879 he was legislated out of office, but was reappointed in 1889.
Detective Michael MeNally was born in February, 1860. He was appointed a Chanceman May 15, 1882, and served as such for six months, when he was promoted Patrolman. In 1887 he was made a Detective.
Detective Robert H. Pearson was born in Jersey City in 1856. He was appointed a Patrol- man in 1880, and promoted to Detective in 1886.
Detective Colville Smith was born in New York City, May 17, 1843. On June 1, 1877, he was appointed on the Jersey City police force as Patrolman. He was promoted to Roundsman May 2, 1884, and to his present position May 15, 1804.
Detective Peter Morris was born in Jersey City, and has been a member of the police force since May 2, 1880. He has proved an efficient officer.
Sergt. Joseph Carroll was born in New York City in 1837. He has resided in Jersey City since he was ten years old. At the age of 21 he was made a Patrolman on the Jersey City police force, and subsequently served three years as a Detective. For political reasons he was removed in 1871. In 1887 he was reappointed to the force as a Sergeant.
Sergt. Samuel A. Archibald was born in New York City, March 18, 1856. He has resided
1
FIFTH PRECINCT, JERSEY CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT.
I. Capt. Thomas F. Nugent.
Kodad- הan Ionis McIntyre.
2. Roundsman Michael Casey.
. N.c. Thomas Toomey.
3 Fifth Precinct Police Nia! .. n. . Th'« five \ chacl Ecan.
7. MA Thema Kelly
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HISTORY OF JERSEY CITY.
here since 1865. In August, 1883, he was appointed a Patrolman on the Jersey City police foree. In October, same year, he resigned, and in July, 1885, he returned to the force. He was promoted Sergeant in 1886.
FIRST PRECINCT.
Capt. Frederick T. Farrier, First Precinct, was born in Jersey City in 1836. In 1851 he went to sea. In 1854 he returned to Jersey City and learned the trade of steam and gas fitting. In 1861 he enlisted in the Second Regiment, N. J. State Militia, for three months, and re-enlisted for the war in Company G, Tenth N. J. Volunteers as a private. He served until July 5, 1865, and was mustered out as captain. In 1866 he engaged at his trade in Jersey City. In 1867 he was elected Justice of the Peace and served ten years. In 1873 he was appointed Commissioner of the Board of Public Works and served one year. In 1875, was elected to the board of free- holders for one year from First District. In ISSo he was appointed Captain of the First Pre- cinct and has held that position continuously ever since, excepting one year when he was in charge of the Fourth Precinct.
. Sergt. Charles B. McGinnis, born in New York City in 1847. He served in the War of the Rebellion. He was appointed to his present position-he is Acting Detective.
Sergt. William Duffy was born in England, November 19, 1862. He became a member of the Jersey City police force May 22, 1891, and promoted to Sergeant November 21st, same year. He has resided in Jersey City since he was twenty-five years of age.
Sergt. James Hopkins was born in Ireland, August 15, 1848. He came to America in 1866, and is a painter and paper hanger by trade. He became a member of the Jersey City police force in 1875 and was promoted Roundsman in 1890, and to his present position in Octo- ber, 1894.
Patrick M. Malone was born in Ireland, March 10, 1848; came to America in 1849, and resided in New York, where he was educated at publie schools. At the age of fifteen he started to learn the boiler-maker trade ; after serving his apprenticeship, he came to Jersey City in 1863, and has been here since. He was appointed on the police force December, 1891, as Ser- geant, and attached to the Fourth Precinct. He was appointed Police Commissioner and served for one term, and was re-elected but counted out.
Sergt. James ()'Brien was born in Ireland in December, 1847. He was appointed Ser- geant in 1878, and on account of political reasons was removed in 1881. He was reinstated January 1, 1891.
Roundsman Frederick C. Hellmer was born September 15, 1848. He became connected with the Jersey City Police Department in 1871, and was promoted to his present position April 16, 1894.
SECOND PRECINCT.
Capt. John F. Kelly, Second Precinct, was born in Ireland. He came to America when two years old. He took up his permanent residence in Jersey City about twenty-two years ago. He joined the police force January 1. 1891, and was appointed to his present position.
Sergt. Robt. Jelly was born in Jersey City, September 11, 1841. He was appointed a Pa- trolman November 1, 1866, and promoted as Sergeant May, 1872; served as such until April, 1877, when he was removed on account of polities. He was reinstated in 1880.
Sergt. William H. Coffin was born at New Bedford, Mass., in 1849, and came to Jersey City in 1859. When he was twenty-eight years old he was appointed in the Second Precinct in the Police Department, in which capacity he served nine months. He was then made Pa- trolman, and later Roundsman, and in May, 1888, was promoted to his present position.
Sergt. Charles MeDevitt was born in Ireland in 1854 and came to Jersey City in 1868. He was appointed on the police force in 1890 as a Patrolman, promoted to Roundsman in 1892 and to his present rank in 1893.
Roundsman Nicholas A. Toppin was born in Jersey City, May 15, 1862, was appointed Patrolman in 1888 and promoted to his present rank March 29, 1893.
Roundsman J. Engles was born in New York City in 1843. He is a butcher by trade and has resided in Jersey City for thirty years. He is a veteran of the war and was a member of the Seventy-second Regiment under Daniel Sickles. He was appointed to his present position November, 1879.
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HISTORY OF JERSEY CITY.
Detective Michael F. Clark was born in New York, November 16, 1858, and came to Jersey City in 1860. He was appointed Keeper in the Penitentiary at Snake Hill January, 1886, and resigned July 1, 1889 : was appointed Patrolman July, 1889, and promoted as Detective Decem- ber, 1889.
THIRD PRECINCT.
Capt. Moses E. Newton was born in New York City, October 31, 1832. He is the son of Wm. and Mary Newton, both natives of New York City. His father was a member of the New York police department early in the Thirties. Early in life Capt. Newton served an apprentice- ship to the iron moulding trade. In 1861 he located in Hudson City, where he engaged in the trucking business. In 1870 he was appointed Sergeant of the Jersey City police. In 1887 he was promoted to Captain of the Third Precinct. Capt. Newton is a member of Exempt Fire- men's Association, of New York, having served his time with Company 14 of that city. He is also a member of the Firemen's Association of Hudson City ; the Central Assembly of Good Fellows, and several other organizations. On December 31, 1855, Capt. Newton married Miss Margaret A. Lannuier, of New York City. They have two sons and three daughters living.
Sergt. John Kelly was born in Jersey City in June, 1861. He entered the police department as Chanceman in April, 1887, and was promoted to Patrolman November, 1867, and to his pres- ent position in 1890.
Sergt. Bernard Wade was born in Ireland, March 7, 1856, and came to America when a child. He was appointed to the force in June, 1877, and was promoted to Sergeant in April, 1889.
Sergt. Daniel S. Moriarty was born in England, August 10, 1855. He is a machinist and engineer by trade. He was appointed on the police force of Jersey City in December, 1890, and was made Sergeant May 22, 1891.
Sergt. R. T. Battersby was born in Jersey City, November 10, 1864. He is a painter by trade, and has been a member of the Jersey City police force since 1891.
Roundsman Frank Duffy was born in Troy, N. Y., June 24, 1856. He was appointed a Patrolman on the Jersey City police force in 1886, and was promoted to Roundsman January 1, 1893.
Roundsman Cornelius Noonan was born in Jersey City, October 28, 1866. He joined the Jersey City police force in April, 1890, and was promoted to his present position in 1893.
FOURTH PRECINCT.
Capt. Archibald McKaig was born in Ireland in 1838, and came to America in 1858, when he became a clerk in the employ of Colgate & Co., with whom he remained until 1861. He served in the War of the Rebellion and received several promotions during that period. At the close of the war he returned to his former position with Colgate & Co. In 1866 he became connected with the Jersey City police force as a Patrolman : was promoted to Sergeant October 1, 1871, and to Captain in October, 1875. Ile was reduced to Sergeant in June, 1877, and promoted to Captain in May, 1880.
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