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 30
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standing committee of the diocese of Northern New Jersey, treasurer of the Convocation of Jersey City, and trustee of the General Theological Seminary. In 1869 he was elected a mem- ber of the Hackensack Improvement Commission, and was its president until 1872, and its treasurer until 1873. He was one of the founders of the Hackensack Academy and of Christ Church, having presented the ground for the rectory. He organized the First National Bank of Hackensack in 1871, the Hackensack Savings Bank in 1873, and was president of both until October, 1879, and owned a majority of the capital stock. He organized the Hackensack Water Company in 1873, was delegate to the national republican convention in 1864, and was ap- pointed Law Judge for Bergen County in 1868. In 1878 he was elected a member of Congress. The panic of 1873, and the succeeding years of depression, wrecked the fortune which had been built by years of labor, but Judge Voorhees, being a good lawyer and popular, is regaining what he lost.
"JAMES FLEMMING was the oldest son of Jantes Flemming, Sr., the grandson of Isaac Edge, and was born in Jersey City, January 24, 1832. His early education was received in the old school in Sussex Street. He then attended and graduated from the High School in New York City, and afterwards, under the kind- ly eye of Dr. Barry, whom many of the older generation remember with affection, he got his first glimpse of the classics and imbibed a love for them which continued to the end.
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He had been destined for a university education, but instead, in company with A. A. Lutkins and Washington B. Will- iams, began the study of medicine under Dr. Clerk.
It took, however, but a short experience to show him that medicine was not to his liking and he abandoned it for law. He was a student at law in the office of Edgar B. Wakeman, was admitted as attorney at the February term, 1855, and as counselor in June, 1858. On admission to the bar he formed a copartnership with his preceptor, which lasted for several years. After this was dissolved another was entered into with Washington B. Williams, for whom, too, the mortar and pestle had lost their charm.
Mr. Flemming's distinguishing charac- JAMES FLEMMING. teristics as a lawyer were pertinacity and indefatigable energy. United with these were consummate skill in the conduct of a cause and strict honesty with the court and opposing counsel. Once started in a case, no labor was too great, no task too difficult. He knew not only his own side of the case, but was quick to discover the weakness or strength of his opponents. If painstaking effort, directed by keen, logical reason- ing and ready wit, would avail, his client had the benefit of them.
His method of conducting the very first case gave promise of the qualities which later years and ripe experience brought together full fruition. With John P. Vroom, Esq .. he was assigned by the court to defend Margaret Hogan, who was under indictment for the murder of her infant child. An intensely dramatic scene was presented at the end of the trial. Night had fallen. There were no lights in the court-room save those on the judge's desk. They served only to make the half-revealed faces of the crowd grotesque and unreal. The jury, already deeply moved by the eloquent pleading and forceful logic of the mere stripling, were completely carried away by his falling in a faint at the close of his appeal. The verdict was "Not guilty."
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The annals of the bar contain no more celebrated trial than that of Jennie E. Smith and Covert D. Bennett, indicted for the murder of Mrs. Smith's husband, a Jersey City police officer. This case will always be cited as one of the most stubbornly and bravely contested legal battles for human lives.
The evidence presented on the part of the State was largely circumstantial, but so strong was the chain that, despite the efforts of Gilbert Collins, William T. Hoffman, Charles H. Win- field and James Flemming the defendants were found guilty of murder in the first degree. This verdict was set aside by the Court of Errors and Appeals, on the exceptions taken by Mr. Flemming, and a new trial granted. The second trial closed with the acquittal of the accused, but not until eighteen months had elapsed.
The interest in this case was national. In response to a call for subscriptions by the Rev. Spencer M. Rice, D. D., Miss Emma Abbott gave a benefit concert in New York, the proceeds of which were expended part in payment of the printing of the case on appeal, and the balance given to the prisoners when liberated.
The accused were too poor to pay, and not only did all their counsel work wholly without remuneration, but in addition Mr. Flemming spent large sums out of his private purse on the expenses incident to so protracted a trial.
The Law and Chancery Reports bear witness that he conducted with great distinction and uniform success many civil suits.
The cases of Sisson against Donnelly and O'Neill against Lawless, the latter lasting more than twelve years, and fought out in the courts of New York as well as our own State, show his untiring energy.
But another case, in which the validity of a bond was brought into question, shows how. to his trained mind and fertility of resource, every scrap of evidence, every little circumstance was of use in the conduct of a trial.
He was the first to use, and did in this trial use for the first time, a photographic enlarge- ment of a signature to prove forgery.
The climax was reached when at the moment most opportune for himself, and disastrous to his opponent, he proved that the revenue stamp claimed to have been affixed to the bond at the time of its execution, was not issued by the government until two years afterward. This knowledge had been procured by Mr. Flemming on a visit to Washington for that purpose, and was kept secret until sprung upon his adversary when too late to recover from the blow.
James Flemming's interest in life was keen, and his knowledge of men deep. He was pre- eminently a student, a man of intellect, of refinement and rare mental ability.
His broad learning was gained, like that of all true scholars, by following the bent of a mind earnestly seeking for knowledge. This, supplemented by extended travel at home and abroad, and preserved by a phenomenal memory, made him a delightful social companion.
He prized his family beyond everything earthly, and wherever he went, there were they also. His beautiful home on Grand Strect was filled with good books, fine bronzes, and rare paintings, European and American, and its generous hospitality will not soon be forgotten. Simple in taste, unostentatious in manner, he was respected alike by high and low. Though surrounded on all sides by a stress of work, he always found time to devote to religion and charity. He was at the time of his death a member of the state board of charities, a warden of Grace P. E. Church, one of the directors of the Second National Bank, director and counsel of the New Jersey Dry Dock & Transportation Company, a member of the Board of Trade, of the Hudson County and United States Bar Associations and of the Cosmos Club, of which he had been president for many years. He married Sarah Laton, daughter of the late Robert Latou, Esq., of New York City, and she, with his three children, Alice, wife of John Linton Kirk, Esq., of the New York bar, Sallie, wife of the Rev. Elmer Severence Forbes, of St. John's Church, Jersey City, and Robert L., of the Hudson County bar survive him.
WILLIAM ALLEN LEWIS was born near Red Bank, Monmouth County, N. J., May 16. 18 ;6. He was educated at Freehold Institute and Madison University. He read law with Judge Jus S. Nevius and received the degree of LL. B. at the Albany Law School. He was admitted to the New York bar as attorney and counselor. After being for some time in the other of Isaac W. Scudder, he was admitted to the bar in 1862 and became counselor in 186; He was
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in partnership with N. C. Slaight until 1868, when Slaight's death ended the partnership. He was Counsel for the City of Bergen in 1868. He was a member of the board of freeholders in 1872 and 1873. In 1872 he was Corporation Attor- ney for Jersey City and Corporation Counsel in 1873-76. In 1875 he was elected to the assembly.
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JOHN KENNY was born in Ireland, May 7, 1835. He was edueated in the Catholic parochial schools and in the schools established by the national board of education. After leaving school he was appointed a member of the revenue police, and served until the force was disbanded by an act of Parliament in 1857. Positions in the Irish con- stabulary were tendered to the ex-members of the revenue poliee who were young, of the re- quired height, and able to pass the examination. Mr. Kenny was appointed a member of the force on October 1, 1857, and continued in the service until the Fenian agitation in 1866, when he re- signed, in spite of proffered promotion. He enter- ed the employment of Barber Bros., the noted linen manufacturers, and remained with them JOHN KENNY. many years. He came to the United States in 1866, and after leaving Barber Bros. he entered the employment of G. A. Clark Bros., the thread manufacturers. In 1889 he was appointed a member of the Jersey City board of finance, and served acceptably three years. In April, 1892, he was appointed by Gov. Abbett as a Lay Judge for the Hudson County Common Pleas Court. The acceptance of this position caused him to sever his connection with Clark Bros., after nearly fifteen years' service. Judge Kenny was one of the charter members of St. Michael's Total Abstinence Society when it was organized in 1869, and has been its president for several terms, and a delegate to State and national conventions. He is a democrat and an enthusiastie total abstainer.
CORNELIUS CHRISTIE was born at Leonia, Bergen County, N. J., December 6, 1835. He was
prepared for college by the Rev. W. V. V. Mabon, of New; Durham, N. J .; after graduating he began the study of law with - Zabriskie. Later on he attended Harvard Law School, and was a classmate of Chief Justice Beasley, of the New Jersey Supreme Court. He was admitted to the bar as an attorney in 1860, and as a coun- selor in 1863. During the years of 1867 and 1868 he was a member of the New Jersey assembly, and was from 1870 to 1876 editor and publisher of the Hackensack Jersey Citisen.
LEON ABBETT was born in Philadelphia, Octo- ber 8, 1836. He graduated at the High School in that eity in 1853, and studied law in the office of District-Attorney John W. Ashnicad in Phila- delphia. He was admitted to the New York bar. and formed a partnership with W. J. A. Fuller, continuing in business thirty years. In 1862 he V moved to Hoboken, and was Corporation Counsel for that city in 1863. He was admitted to the New Jersey bar as attorney and counselor in CORNELIU'S CHRISTIE. 1865. In 1864 he was elected to the assembly and again in 1865. In 1866 he removed to Jersey City. In 1868 he was re-elected to the assembly and again in 1869. Both terms
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he became speaker. In 1874 he was elected senator from Hudson. He was president of the senate in 1879. He was a member of the Jersey City hoard of education for severaly ears, being president in 1869. He was Corpora- tion Counsel of Jersey City eight years from 1876, resigning when he was elected governor in 1883. He was re-elected gov- ernor in 1889. In 1893 he was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. His term would have expired in 1900. He was a member of the constitut- ional convention of 1873. He was a dele- gate to the democratic national conventions of 1872, 1876 and 1884, and was named for Vice-president on the national ticket in 1884, but would not consider the propo- sition. He had a large, lucrative practice and took the highest rank at the bar. He died after a brief illness on December 4, 1894.
ELIJAH STRONG COWLES, born at Coven- try, Vt., April 30, 1836, was educated in the common schools and St. Johnsbury Academy, fitted for Dartmouth College, but was prevented by sickness from enter- ing. He studied law in the office of Hon. Ephraim Paddock, one of the justices of the Supreme Court of Vermont, and was admitted to the bar and practised for two years in Coventry, \'t., his native town. He came to New York in 1866 and was admitted to the bar and practised for about two years.
LEON ABBETT.
In 1868 he came to Jersey City and entered the law office of Washington B. Williams, where he be- came acquainted with Mr. Edgar B. Wakeman, then a prominent lawyer, who was retiring from the practice, and, entering his office, he succeeded to such of his business as remained.
In 1875 Mr. Cowles became associated with Mr. Williams again, and the firm of Willianis & Cowles was well known and continued for twelve years. Recently Mr. Cowles has formed a partnership with Mr. William H. Carey, formerly one of the professors in Hasbrouck Institute. The law firm of Cowles & Carey is now practising both in Jer- sey City and in New York.
Mr. Cowles is also interested in a corporation in New York known as the Automatic Fire Alarm and Extinguisher Company, and for several years has been president of that company. Much time 1 has been devoted by him to the organization and development of christian and charitable work. He is one of the active members of the board of ELIJAH STRONG COWLES. The Children's Home, was one of the founders of the Young Men's Christian Association, and for five years the president of that organization. Mr. Cowles has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Sarah L. Persons, of Coventry, \'t., who died in 1871. In 1875 he married Miss
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Sarah E. Woodward, of New York City, who died in 1893 without issue. Two children by the first marriage are both deceased. Mr. Cowles is a member of the board of education of Jersey City, appointed by Mayor Wanser, chairman of the High School committee, and takes an active interest in the work of the board. Mr. Cowles is a republican and at times takes an active part in political campaigns.
NATHANIEL COWPERTHWAITE SLAIGHT was born at Tuckerton, Burlington County, N. J., February 26, 1837. He was educated in the Philadelphia High School, and studied law in the office of E. B. Wakeman in Jersey City. He was admitted in 1858, and became a counselor in 1861. He was a member of assembly in 1860, and in 1863 formed a partnership with W. A. Lewis, which was continued until February, 1868, when he died. He was highly respected as a citizen and had a large practice.
LANSING ZABRISKIE, eldest son of Chancellor Zabriskie, was born in Hackensack, April 20, 1837. He was educated in Columbia College, studied law in his father's office, and admitted to the bar.in 1859, becoming a counselor in 1862. He practised for about twenty-five years, but being fond of travel spent a number of years abroad. He was an accomplished gentleman.
ABRAHAM S. JACKSON was born at Passaic and graduated from Columbia College in 1853. He studied law with Chancellor Zabriskie, and practised in Jersey City for many years. He was United States Commissioner, and was an enthusiastic worker in St. Matthew's Church and Sunday-school. He has retired from active practice.
JAMES MANNERS WEART was born at Hopewell, Mercer County, N. J., June 30, 1839, and died at Independence, Buckingham County, Iowa, December 11, 1874. His death resulted from an accidental gunshot wound while gunning. He was the seventh and youngest son of Spencer Stout Weart and Sarah Garrison, his wife. He studied law in the office of his brother Jacob Weart in Jersey City. When the war broke out, and a call was made for troops, Mir. Thomas Potter was instrumental in having a meeting called at the Hudson House on Grand Street, Jersey City, on Monday, April 15. 1861, to see if the Second Regiment would volunteer. I. W. Scudder was chosen chairman, and a vice-president was elected from each ward in the city. Charles H. Dummer was elected secretary. No one was present with authority to speak for the regiment. Capt. Frederick Grain, Jr., of Company C., was present, but could not speak for his company. He said he was ready to lead a company to the front, but did not know whether a single man would volunteer. Mr. Thomas Potter then moved that a roll be opened, . and volunteers were called for. James M. Weart was the first to go forward and sign the roll. Thirty names were put down at that meeting, and Capt. Grain led them to the front. This was the first meeting held in the State to raise volunteers, and Mr. Weart was the first volunteer from New Jersey. His older brother, George, also volunteered, and they were corporals in Com- pany C. Mr. Weart was the correspondent of the Courier and Advertiser while at the front. On his return from the war he was adinitted at the November term of 1861, and opened an office in Hoboken. In 1862 he helped to raise the Twenty-first Regiment of nine months men, and went to the front as second-lieutenant of Company H. He served until the regiment was mustered out. He located at Independence, Iowa, and was city clerk. He also held the city criminal court, and was subsequently seerctary of the Iowa senate andelerk of the house. The Grand Army Post, No 108, at Hopewell, N. J., is named after Mr. Weart as the first New Jersey volunteer. James M. Weart was married on August 30, 1866, to Miss Jane Maria Taylor, at Philadelphia, and five children were born to them. They are : Katie Taylor, James Taylor, Spencer Stout, William Garrison and Lucy Taylor Weart. After the death of Lieut. Weart the family returned to Philadelphia, Pa., and are still all living, Deecmber, 1894.
NORMAN LESLIE ROWE was born in New York City, December 12, 1839. When he was one year of age his parents removed to Greenville, where his father still resides.
Mr. Rowe obtained his early education in the public schools of Jersey City, after which he entered the Free Academy of New York City, and from which he was graduated. After com- pleting his education, he engaged in the coal business with his father, with whom he remained until 1860, at which time he decided to take up the study of law. He began that profession under the preceptorship of the Hon. Isaac W. Sendder, with whom he remained until the Civil War began. In 1861 Mr. Rowe enlisted as a private in Company E, Second Regiment, New
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Jersey Volunteers, in the three months' service. After returning home, he engaged in the iron business with Louis Stevens, of Jersey City, continuing in that until 1865, when he again took up his law studies in the office of William Voor- hees. He was admitted to the bar in 1867 as an attorney and counselor, after which he began active practice of his profession for himself.
Mr. Rowe served three years as a member of the school board of Greenville, prior to its annexa- tion to Jersey City. He is now Assistant Counsel to the Board of Chosen Freeholders of Hudson County. As a criminal lawyer he has but few equals in this part of New Jersey. He is the senior partner of the well-known law firm of Rowe & Braden, of Jersey City.
Mr. Rowe is a member of Bergen Lodge, F. & A. M., having been identified with that lodge since 1862. He is also a member of Post Henry Wilson, G. A. R., Improved Order of Red Men, Protective Order of Elks, and is commodore of the Pavonia Yacht Club, and a member of several auxiliary organizations.
In 1862 Mr. Rowe married Miss Mary F. Davis, of Monmouth County. Three sons have been born to the marriage.
NORMAN LESLIE ROWE.
JONATHAN DIXON was born in Liverpool, England, July 6, 1839. His family removed to New Brunswick, N. J., during his childhood. He was educated at Rutgers, and read law with Warren Hardenbergh, George Dutton and Congressman Robert Adrain. He was admitted to the bar in 1862 and began practice in the office of E. B. Wakeman, Jersey City. In 1870 he formed a partnership with Gilbert Collins, who had been a law student with him, and the firm of Dixon & Collins continued until his elevation to the bench in 1875. He was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court in 1875, reappointed in 1882 and in 1889. In 1883 he
was nominated for governor by the republican party. He accepted as a part of a citizen's duty, but remained quietly on the bench. He is remarkably quick of apprehension, and delivers his opinions in concise logical terms.
Ex-JUDGE JOHN GARRICK was born at Bolton, Lancashire, England, November 15, 1840. When he was seven years of age his parents came to America and settled in Jersey City, where Mr. Gar- rick attended St. Peter's Catholic School, and afterwards Public School No. 2. His education was completed at St. Francis Xavier College, of New York City. After completing his college course he began reading law under the preceptor- ship of Isaac W. Scudder, and was admitted to the bar in 1862. He immediately thereafter began practising his profession in Jersey City. In 1870 he was appointed Counsel to the Board of Police Commissioners under the new consolidated city. He held that position one year, and in 1878 he was appointed by Gov. George Mcclellan Judge JOHN GARRICK. of the District Court of Jersey City. He was the incumbent of that office for five years. Since the conclusion of his term in 1883 he has devoted his time exclusively to his large law practice. In 1874 Judge Garrick married Miss Wright, a daughter of Gen. E. R. V. Wright. Three
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children have been born to the union, one of whom is living, a son, and who is at present a student at Stevens' Institute, in Hoboken, N. J.
Judge Garrick is a member of the Palma, Carteret and Hudson County Democratic clubs. He is also a member of the Catholic church.
Judge Garrick's father, John Garriek, Esq., was one of the Serrell. Engineer Corps engaged in building the works before Fort Pulaski to attack that fortification. He died while the works were in course of construction.
PHILIP J. RYALL was born at Freehold. His father, Daniel B. Ryall, was a prominent lawyer there. Philip graduated at Rutgers in 1854, and studied law in the office of Gov. Bedle in Freehold. He was admitted in 1857, and became counselor in 1860. He practised in Jersey City for several years, but his health became impaired, and he returned to Freeliold, where he died.
ISAAC ROMAINE was born in the township of Bergen, May 4, 1840. He prepared for college at the Columbia District School, Bergen Square, and at a classical school, which numbered among its teachers Hon. Charles H. Voorhis and Hon. L. A. Brigham, afterwards members of Congress. He graduated at Rutgers in 1859, and studied law with Hon. A. O. Zabriskie, subse- quently chancellor. He was admitted at the No- vember term, 1862, and became counselor in due season. He was Corporation Counsel of the town of Bergen from 1865 to 1867. He was elected alderman of the city of Bergen in 1869, and was president of the board in 1870, when the city was consolidated. He was a member of the Jersey City board of education from 1880 to 1885. In 1883 he was made a member of the Jersey City board of finance, but owing to legal complications did not take his seat until 1885. He was a mem- ber of assembly in 1884. In 1863 he was married to Annie Martin, and they reside at 407 Bergen Avenne Mr. Romaine is a member of the Jersey City, Carteret and Union League clubs, and of a number of other social, civil and political organiza- tions. He is a member of the Bergen Reformed Church, and a republican.
ELIJAH T. PAXTON was born near Jamesburgh, ISAAC ROMAINE. Middlesex County, N. J. He was educated at the Englishtown Academy, and at Harvard Law School. He read law with Gov. J. D. Bedle in Freehold, and was admitted to the bar in 1866, and has been in active practice ever sinee. He was Corporation Counsel for Union Hill a number of years. He was an assemblyman from Hudson in 1877. The same year he was ap- pointed to the Common Pleas Bench in Hudson, to fill a vacancy caused by the death of Judge John Wiggins. He was elected to the State senate in 1880, and served three years. He was Corporation Attorney for Jersey City, Assistant Prosecutor for Hudson, and is now Judge of the Hoboken District Court.
HENRY TRAPHAGEN was born in Jersey City, June 1, 1842. He was educated in Rutgers and Brown University, and studied law with Isaae W. Sendder. He was admitted to the bar in 1864, and became counselor in 1867. He was mayor of Jersey City in 1874, 1875 and 1876, and was Corporation Counsel of Jersey City in 1876 to 1879. His family is one of the oldest in the city. His great-grandfather, Henry, was a trustee of Queen's College, now Rutgers, in 1782. His grandfather, Henry, graduated at Rutgers in the class of 1791, and married a daughter of Cornelius Van Vorst. His father, Henry Magnus, was a wealthy and prominent citizen of Jersey City.
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