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 33
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64
EZRA K. SEGUINE.
He is a native of Jersey City, N. J., where he was born, March 10, 1858, and where he has always resided. His father, Valentine Puster, a native of Bavaria, came to America about the year 1850 and located in Jersey City, where his son enjoyed the advantages of the public as well as the German private schools.
While but a youth he made choice of the jewelry business as his life work, but after a short apprenticeship he became convinced that his tastes, abilities and natural aptitudes pointed to a very different sphere of action. Hence, with more mature judgment revising his former de- cision, he resolved to make the law his profession. In the light of subsequent events no one can doubt that this was a most fortunate change. Mr. Puster now entered the law office of Hon. William D. Daly, since State senator. For four years following he received kindly advice and in- struction from Mr. Daly, also from his partner (at that time), Mr. Wyncoop, who took a lively and warın interest in him, seeing his aptitude and in- dustrious endeavors, and coached him through all the intricacies confronting the law student. Mr. Puster also found a warm friend in the late Hon. Bennington F. Randolph, judge of the Jersey City district court, who did much for him while pursu- ing the rugged course of the law student, and now has the extreme pleasure of succeeding his said benefactor and friend on the district court bench.
At the close of this period Mr. Puster took his examination, in company with a number of fellow- students from the same building (Flemming build- ing), and to-day is the only living and successful lawyer of all those who took the journey to Tren- HENRY PUSTER. ton with him bent on attaining the same goal. After becoming regularly adınitted to the bar of New Jersey he at once entered upon the practice of his profession in his native city, where his courtesy, ability, his knowledge of the law, his tireless activity, with prompt and thorough at-
220
HISTORY OF JERSEY CITY.
tention to business, rapidly added to his circle of friends and steadily built up for him an ex- tensive and valuable practice.
He is a man of kind and generous impulses, as is evidenced by the fact that he is known as a friend of the poorer classes, who often receive the benefit of his legal services and advice with little remuneration or quite gratuitously.
So bright and energetic a man eould scarcely fail to become a leader in politics. He comes of democratic stock and has always been true to the democratic standard, and hence enjoys the fullest confidence of his party.
As early as 1881, when but twenty-three years of age, he was elected alderman of his dis- trict (the sixth), whieli position he held for two years, and labored assiduously for his district with good effect. In 1890 he was chosen assemblyman for the same district by a large majority over his opponent. The duties of this office he discharged with ability till the late Hon. Leon Abbett, having discovered his fitness for the honors and responsibilities of the bench, in April, 1891, appointed him to succeed William P. Douglass as Judge of the First District Court of Jersey City. As a judge he fully meets the high expectation of his friends, presiding with marked dignity, ability, justice and decision.
Judge Puster is a member of Grant Lodge, No. 89, K. of P .; of Unique Council, R. A .; of the Order of Good Fellows; Past Grand of Lincoln Lodge, No. 126, 1. O. O. F., and president of the Home for Aged and Indigent Odd Fellows of New Jersey. He has also served as repre- sentative to the Grand Lodge of Odd Fellows of New Jersey. He is one of the managers of the Aged German Home, known as the Raymond Roth Altenheim, under the management of the German Pioneer Verein, as well as counsel for the same institution. He is also counsel for five building and loan associations.
On the 23d day of January, 1883, Judge Puster was married to Miss Julia A. Wenner, daughter of John C. Wenner, for many years past a leading business man and manufacturer of Jersey City, and is now blessed with three pretty daughters, in whom he has a great and fatherly pride.
Recently Judge Puster has become associated in partnership with Hon. Robert S. Hud- speth, presiding judge of the Hudson County Court of Common Pleas, and has a suit of finely appointed offices in the Davidson building, Jersey City.
Mr. Puster is still quite young, having scarcely reached the prime of life, and has every prospect of a brilliant future before him.
WILLIAM H. CAREY was born in South Warren, Pa., June 21, 1860. He received his educa- tion in the public schools of his native place. In 1879 he entered the State Normal School at Oswego, N. Y., where he remained one year. In 1882 he entered Lafayette College at Easton, Pa., and was graduated from that institution in 1886. After traveling for one year in the in- terest of a large manufacturing concern located at U'tica, N. Y., in 1887 he became connected with the Hasorouck Institute of Jersey City as a teacher, and continued in that position until 1891. Just after Mr. Carey had graduated from the Lafayette College he began reading law, and during his connection with the Hasbrouck Institute he devoted his leisure time to his legal studies under the preceptorship of Elijah S. Cowles, Esq. In 1891 he was admitted to the bar, and, after serving one year in the capacity of managing clerk in Mr. Cowles' office, a partner- ship arrangement was made between that gentleman and Mr. Carey which has existed ever since. At the time Mr. Carey graduated from college ne was the recipient of one of the highest honors of the class, having received three out of the four prizes offered. He is a mem- ber of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity, and is also prominently connected with the Methodist church.
In 1887 Mr. Carey married Miss Zoe W. Hopson, of Oswego, N. Y. One child, a daughter, has been born to the union.
WILLIAM B. GILMORE was born at West Point. November 14, 1856. He received his rudi- mentary education in a private school at Sing Sing, N. Y., after which he entered Rutgers Col- lege, and was graduated from that institution in 1876. Mr. Gilmore is the son of Gen. Q. A. Gilmore, a distinguished army officer, and a hero of the late civil war.
After Mr. Gilmore hail completed his college course at Rutgers he decided to adopt the legal profession. He began reading law in the offee of Attorney-General Gilchrist, with whom
221
HISTORY OF JERSEY CITY.
he remained until 1879. In that year he was admitted to the bar, and immediately thereafter he formed a partnership with his brother, Edward D. Gilmore, Esq., which was continued until 1884, when he decided to practise alone, and which he has done ever since that time.
Mr. Gilmore is a member of the Palma and Catholic clubs, and is very popular in social walks of life. In politics he is a democrat of unbiased opinions.
In 1892 Mr. Gilmore married Miss Aimee Girar- din, and resides in a pleasant home at No. 4 Idaho Avenue.
THOMAS F. NOONAN, JR., was born in Hudson City, December 9, 1859. He received his edu- cation in the public and parochial schools, and was recalled from college by reason of financial re- verses sustained by his father. He obtained em- ployment in the Hudson County register's office, and attended Cooper Institute in New York at night. He became a student in the law office of M. T. Newbold. In 1883 he was elected reading clerk of the assembly and re-elected in 1884. For several years after that he was chosen as reading THOMAS F. NOONAN, JR. secretary at the State democratic conventions. In 1886 and 1887 he was a member of assembly from the eighth Hudson County district. He took an active part in securing the passage of the Martin act, and introduced the bill which forced the D. L. & W. Railroad Company to pay taxes. In 1889 and 1890 he was clerk of the house, and in the latter year was appointed Judge of the Bayonne District Court. He completed his law studies in the office of Job H. Lippincott, now of the Supreme Court, and was admitted as counselor in 1892. He was married on June 25, 1891, to Miss Hannah Paterson Kelly, of Bordentown, N. J. He has achieved a reputation all over the State as a political speaker on. the democratic side of politics.
WILLIAM C. GEBHARDT was born at Croton, Hun- terdon County, N. J., March 28, 1859. He was educated in the Clinton Institute, and studied law with T. J. Hoffman at Clinton. He was admitted at the June term, 1887. He began to practise his profession at Clinton and still retains an oflice there, and is Corporation Counsel for Clinton, and president of its board of education. He has had an office in Jersey City for a number of years. llc married a daughter of the late Philip G. Reading, a prominent citizen of Frenchtown, N. J.
JOHN STEVENSON MCMASTER was born at Poco- moke City, Worcester County, Maryland, Decem- ber 29, 1859. He was educated at Pocomoke City High School, Delaware College and Lafayette College, where he graduated in 1883 as Latin salutatorian. He studied law with Vice-Chancel- lor Pitney at Morristown, and later in the U'niver- sity of Virginia. He was admitted as attorney in WILLIAM C. GEBHARDT. 1888, and three years later as counselor. le prac- tised law with Mahlon Pitney at Dover until rssg, when he removed to Jersey City, and in 1892 he became a member of the firm of Inckinson, Thompson & McMaster. He was private secretary to President Werts in the senate in Esso.
222
HISTORY OF JERSEY CITY.
private secretary to Speaker Heppenheimner in the assembly of 1890, and secretary to President Adrain, in the senate, during 1891 and 1892. He served as Gov. Werts' secretary during the term of the governor.
WILLIAM D. DALY.
WILLIAM D. DALY was born in Jersey City in 1851, and has been a resident of Hudson County all his life. He received his earlier education in Public School No. 1, under Principal Lindsley. At the age of fourteen he entered the iron foundry of Uzal Cory, at the foot of Greene Street, Jersey City, as an apprentice. He con- tinued at his trade, working at the Erie foundry and at Blackmore's foundry on Railroad Avenue. In 1870, while in the Erie foundry the great strike occurred, and he went out with the other moulders. He then entered the law office of S. B. Ransom and Judge Blair in Jersey City as a student in May, 1871. In 1874 he was admitted to the bar, and in due time be- came a counselor. He has been a con- spicuous member of the bar ever since, having been engaged in a number of nota- ble cases. He was Assistant United States District Attorney for the District of New Jersey under the first Cleveland adminis- tration. He was an alternate delegate to the national democratic convention at St. Louis in 1888, and was elected a member of assembly from the eighth Hudson dis- He was appointed Judge of the Hoboken
trict in 1891, and was his party leader on the floor. District Court in 1891, and served until he resigned in 1893 to become the senator from Hud- son, to which position he was elected at the fall election of 1892 by a plurality of 5,645. Senator
Daly is a forcible public speaker, and very popu- Iar with his party in Hudson County.
ARTHUR B. ARCHIBALD Was born in Jersey City, July 16, 1870. He was educated in the public schools. After completing his studies he attended the New York Law School, from which he was graduated in 1892. He began the study of law in the office of Judge Henry Puster, and later with William M. Dougherty. He was admitted to the bar as an attorney June 9, 1892. He is a member of the Empire Bowling Club and several other organizations of Jersey City.
WILLIAM MARK DOUGHERTY was born in Jersey City in 1859. His early education was obtained at private schools and at St. Mary's Institute in that city. He afterwards attended the De La Salle Institute in New York City, being graduated therefrom in 1874, at the early age of fifteen years, with the highest honors in his class. Not being desirous of further pursuing classical studies, ARTHUR B. ARCHIBALD. but wishing to acquire further knowledge in scientific branches, he entered the Stevens Institute of Technology at Hoboken, N. J., took the full course in science, and was grad-
223
HISTORY OF JERSEY CITY.
uated therefrom in 1878 with the degree of Bachelor of Science. Immediately thereafter he attended the Law School of Columbia College, New York City, then in charge of the cele- brated Prof. Theodore W. Dwight, and upon grad- uation therefrom in 1880 had conferred upon him the degree of Bachelor of Laws, and entered the bar of the State of New York as attorney and counselor during the same year.
Mr. Dougherty has many interesting and valua- ble tokens received by him as evidences and re- wards of his intelligent and industrious pursuit of knowledge during the period of his student life, including a diploma of the special degree of Bach- elor of Science cum laude received by him from Columbia College Law School in 1880, that being the first year when such diplomas were granted, and when they were awarded to but thirteen of the 225 graduates of that year.
Mr. Dougherty entered the bar of New Jersey as an attorney in June, 1881, and as counselor in June, 1884, and has since practised the profession of law at Jersey City. His scientific attainments render him of special value in cases involving engineer- ing, architectural, toxicological and other scientific questions, and he has therefore had a large experi- WILLIAM MARK DOUGHERTY. ence in mechanics' lien law, while his earlier studies, by enlarging his vocabulary and cultivat- ing his memory, have enabled him to especially distinguish himself as an advocate and public speaker. Among the cases of general and public interest in which he has appeared as counsel may be mentioned the Trainor murder case in Hudson County Oyer and Terminer, in which he was appointed by the late Justice Knapp, had only three days to prepare his defense, and saved his client's life ; also the trial of Joseph Schlemmer for the murder of his wife, in which he ob- tained a reversal of the death sentence on error to the Supreme Court of this State, and thereby, against many adverse circumstances, prevented the hanging of the prisoner. He was also the counsel in the contest for senator for Hudson County in 1890, between William S. Stuhr, contest-
ant, and Edward F. McDonald, incumbent, in which case over 42,000 ballots were counted and nearly 1,000 witnesses examined, and during which the much- talked-of ballot-box frauds were exposed. As a result of this case Mr. Stuhr, the contestant, his client, was seated by the senate, and the exposure of the frauds caused the enactment of our present election laws. Previous to this contest people talked and editors wrote about fraud at the ballot-box and in elections, but it remained for Mr. Dougherty and his client to demonstrate it. This he did conclusively, and for this we believe the people of the State, as well as of his county, owe him a debt of gratitude. He has neither held nor sought public office, preferring the practice of his profession, and the honors incidental to success therein.
DE WITT VAN BUSKIRK Was born at Bayonne, N J. . - April 22, 1858. His father, Nicholas C. Van Buskirk, DE WITT VAN BUSKIRK. is a son of the late James C. Van Buskirk, whose tarm extended from New York Bay to Newark Bay, and now forms that part of Bayonne from 35th to 4ist streets. Mr. Van Buskirk's mother was Elizabeth Vreeland, daughter of the late Captain Peter Vreeland, and a granddaughter of
224
HISTORY OF JERSEY CITY.
Steven Vreeland, of Caven Point. Mr. Van Buskirk was educated in the public schools of Bayonne, and was graduated from the High School of Jersey City in 1877. He entered the law offices of Messrs. Cortlandt and Wayne Parker, of Newark, N. J., and continued with that firm until 1885. He was admitted to the bar of New Jersey as an attorney in 1881. He con- tinued in the office of Messrs. Parker in the capacity of managing clerk until he was admitted to practice as a counselor-at-law in 1884. He then opened an office for the practice of law at Bayonne City. While studying law with Messrs. C. and W. Parker Mr. Van Buskirk attended Columbia Law School of New York City, and was graduated from that institution in 1880.
In 1885 Mr. Van Buskirk organized a movement for the formation of a bank at Bayonne. After interesting a number of the leading citizens of that city, including the late James W. Trask, Hiram Van Buskirk and Solon Humphreys, his efforts resulted in the incorporation of the Mechanics' Trust Company, of which he is a director.
Mr. Van Buskirk was one of the original subscribers to the stock of the New Jersey Title Guarantee and Trust Company of Jersey City. He has been one of the directors of that institu- tion since its incorporation.
CHARLES WOLCOTT PARKER was born at Newark, N. J., October 22, 1862. His ancestors have long been prominent in the history of the State of New Jersey. His father, Cortlandt Parker, Esq., so long a member of the New Jer- sey bar, is a son of the late James Parker, who was one of the Board of Proprietors of New Jersey, and also a member of Congress, both having been born in Perth Amboy, N. J., the latter having been deceased since 1868. The mother of the subject of this sketch is also a descendant of an old and honorable Southern family, her father being the late Richard W. Stites, formerly of Savannah, Ga., but later of Morristown, N. J., where he resided at the time of his death.
Mr. Parker received his rudimentary education at the Pingry School in Elizabeth, N. J. He afterwards took an academic course at Phillips Academy at Exeter, N. H., and in 1879 he entered Princeton College, graduating therefrom in 1882. After an apprenticeship of a year in his father's office he entered Columbia Law School in New York City, graduating in 1885, and in June of the same year he was admitted to the bar of New Jer- CHARLES WOLCOTT PARKER. sey, and has practised his profession continuously since that time. In 1890 Mr. Parker entered into a partnership with Mr. De Witt Van Buskirk, of Bayonne, N. J. The firm retain offices in that city in connection with their Jersey City office.
On November 22, 1893, Mr. Parker was married to Miss Emily Fuller, of Boonton, N. J. They reside at Bergen Point, N. J.
JOSEPH D. BEDLE, JR., son of ex-Gov. Bedle, was born at Freehold, Monmouth County, N. J., February 18, 1864. Mr. Bedle received his early education at Hasbrouck Institute, and was graduated therefrom in 1881, after which he entered Princeton College, graduating in 1885. He then entered the Law School department of Columbia College, New York City, and in 1888 he was admitted to the bar of New Jersey as an attorney, and as a counselor in 1891. Before his admission to the bar Mr. Bedle studied law in the offices of Messrs. Bedle, Muirheid & McGee. In 1888 he was admitted as a partner to that firm, under the title of Bedle, Muirheid, McGee & Bedle, Jr. After the decease of Mr. Muirheid the firm name was changed to Bedle, McGee & Bedle.
He is now a member of the governor's staff with the rank of colonel. Heis also a member of the Palma and Carteret clubs, and has been one of the trustees of the former for two years. He is one of the board of governors of the Hudson Democratic Society, and a member of the
225
HISTORY OF JERSEY CITY.
Princeton and Reform clubs, of New York City. He was chairman of the Hudson. County delegation to the State convention that nominated Gov. Werts. In 1888 Mr. Bedle married Miss Fanny D. Ege, a daughter of Horatio N. Ege, of Jersey City.
JARVIS NORRIS ATKINSON was born in 1867. He graduated at Pennington Seminary, and entered Princeton College, where he remained for a time, but pursued his studies at the New York Univer- sity, where he received his B. A. degree in 1889. He received the degree of Bachelor of Laws from the University Law School in 1891, and the same year was admitted to the bar, both in New Jersey and New York. He married Miss Mary Franeis, daughter of the late James C. Cloyd, of Glenhead, Long Island, and they have one child, Thalia. Mr. Atkinson located in Jersey City, and his brother, John W., is associated with him in a good legal praetice.
WARREN DIXON was born July 2, 1865, at New Brunswick, N. J. He is the son of Judge Jonathan Dixon, of the New Jersey Supreme Court. He received his rudimentary education in the public schools, after which he entered Rutgers College, JARVIS NORRIS ATKINSON. and was graduated from that institution. After completing his college eourse he began reading law in the office of Messrs. Collins & Corbin, of Jersey City. In 1889 he was admitted to the bar, and for about two years practised alone. In 1891 the present copartnership of McGrath & Dixon was formed.
Mr. Dixon is a member of the Hudson County Democratie Club, and is viee-president of the Third District Democratie Club.
THOMAS FRANCIS BEDLE, the third son of ex-Gov. Bedle was born at Freehold, Monmouth County, N. J., August 1, 1865. He received his early education at Hasbrouck Institute. After leaving that institution he entered the Lawrence- ville (N. J.) Institute, popularly known as the " Hamill School." He was graduated from there in 1883, after which he entered Princeton College. and was graduated therefrom in 1887 as a civil engineer. He afterwards decided to study law. In 1891 he was admitted to the bar as an attor- ney, and is now a member of the firm of which his father was the head. He is quartermaster of the First Brigade, National Guard of New Jersey, and has the rank of major. He is also a member of the Palma and Carteret clubs, the Hudson County Democratie Society and the Princeton Club of New York City.
WILLIAM M. KLINk was born in Indiana, in De- cember, 1868. Hle removed to Jersey City when five years of age. He studied law with Randolph, Condiet & Black, and was admitted to the bar in February, 1892. He is a member of the Palmna, Cosmos and Union League clubs, He is a me. WILLIAM M. KLINK. ber of the law firm of Van Winkle & Khink. In the Letts embezzlement case Mr. Klink was pub liely complimented from the beneh for skill and ability shown in a ease which was tried three times and oeeupied the attention of the court for a large portion of the summer of iso ;
226
HISTORY OF JERSEY CITY.
MARSHALL VAN WINKLE was born in Jersey City, September 28, 1869. He studied law with Vredenburgh & Garretson in Jersey City, was admitted to the bar in November, 1890, and became counselor February 23, 1894. He began practice as a member of the firm of Bedle & Van Winkle and is now a member of the firm of Van Winkle & Klink. He is secretary of the Hudson County Bar Association, a member of the Holland Society of New York, the Palma Club and other organizations.
WILLARD C. FISK was born in New York City, March 26, 1856. He is a son of Lyman and Jane Fisk, both of whom are natives of Massachusetts, but who removed to Jersey City in 1869, where the subject of this sketch obtained an academic edu- cation at Hasbrouck Institute. In 1872 he entered the University of the City of New York, and was graduated therefrom in 1876. After completing his college course he decided to adopt the legal profession, and graduated from the Columbia Law School, and from 1876 to 1878 he studied law under ex-Gov. Abbett, and at the June term of the latter year he was admitted to the bar as an at- MARSHALL VAN WINKLE. torney, and in 1880 as counselor. He is now a member of the firm of Parmly, Olendorf & Fisk. Mr. Fisk is a member of the Palma Club, the Hudson County Democratic Committee and Society. He served as private secretary to Gov. Abbett during his first term as governor, and since 1890 has been a member of the State riparian commission, being appointed to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Judge Randolph.
ROBERT CAREY was born in Greenville on September 16, 1872. His father, Thomas Carey, was a member of the New York and New Jersey bar and a member of the New Jersey legislature. Robert studied in Public School No. 20, the Jersey City High School, class of '88, and received the degree of LL. B. at the New York Law School in 1893. He read law in the office of Judges Hudspeth and Puster, and was admitted to the bar at the Novem- ber term, 1893. Prior to his admission he was connected with several newspapers as a local writer.
H. W. WINFIELD was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, January 4, 1857.
Mr. Winfield received a careful education at Hasbrouck Institute and Rutgers College. He was graduated from the latter institution in 1876, after which he began reading law with Gilchrist, McGill & Gilmore, and subsequently studied with Mr. McGill, the present chancellor. In 1878 he entered Columbia College Law School, in New York City, taking the degree of Bachelor of Laws in June of 1879. In the same month he was admit- ted to the New Jersey bar, and was made coun- selor in June of 1882. In 1879 he entered into a copartnership with his father, which was con- tinued until 1883, at which time the elder Win- field entered upon the duties of the district attor- . ney's office.
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.