USA > New Jersey > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex County, New Jersey, 1664-1920, Volume II > Part 21
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MATORY
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BIOGRAPHICAL
newspaper, book and job work, and is located in the Christie building at Nos. 11-13-15 Peace street, New Brunswick, New Jersey.
Mr. Christie is a member of St. Cecile Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of New York City, and Corinthian Chapter, also of New York City, the original matinee lodge and chapter in the world. He has been active in church work and is a member of the Reformed church of High- land Park, New Jersey, and of the Young Men's Christian Association. Mr. Christie finds his chief recreation in playing bridge and in reading, being especially interested in fiction and historical subjects.
Mr. Christie was united in marriage, May 10, 1898, with Isabella Meickle, a daughter of Gavin N. Meickle, born in Hamilton, Scotland, now residing in Jersey City, where he is identified with the Singer Manufacturing Company, and of Margaret (Durie) Meickle, his wife. Mr. and Mrs. Christie are the parents of one child, Lorna B., born April 29, 1899, who graduated in 1921 from Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania.
HENRY BREWSTER WILLIS .- Although a minister of the Gospel, Rev. Ralph Willis was for nineteen years superintendent of public instruction for the county of Middlesex, New Jersey, and when he laid down the burdens and responsibilities of that important office, they were assumed by his son, Henry Brewster Willis, the present incumbent. Five children of Rev. Ralph Willis followed the bend of the paternal mind and embraced pedagogy as a profession, three of them yet living and prominent educators: Jane V. Willis, of Newark, New Jersey ; W. Spader Willis, principal of the Newark State Normal School; and Henry B. Willis, superintendent of public instruction, Middlesex county. In addition to ripe scholarship, Mr. Willis brought to the office of county superintendent broad experience as teacher in all departments of public school education, from the little district school in the county to the pre- tentious city high school, and that experience was part of a perfect equipment for the head of the county school system.
Henry Brewster Willis, son of Rev. Ralph Willis, was born in Albany, New York, but early in the lad's life his father accepted a call to a pastorate in Monmouth county, New Jersey, and in that State Henry B. Willis was educated in both public and private schools, and later was graduated from the State Normal School at Trenton. He taught school for several years, during which time he prepared for the practice of law, and in 1881 was admitted to the New Jersey bar as an attorney, and in 1884 as a counsellor. He began the practice of law in the county in which he has long served as superintendent of public schools. While engaged in the practice of law, he was appointed a special examiner for the State ; was counsel to the Board of Freeholders of Middlesex county for ten years, and became well known throughout the State as a specialist in school law, acting as adviser to many boards of education.
After his choice as county superintendent of schools, the rule of the State Board of Education went into effect which required the county
Mid-2
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superintendents to give their individual time to the office. When that ruling was made, Mr. Willis unhesitatingly chose to retain the superin- tendency, though his practice as a lawyer was much the more remunera- tive of the two professions. Choosing as he did, under the circumstances, was indicative of a fine sense of devotion to human service that is all too rare in our day ; and yet just such choosing brings, as in his case, the rich reward of universal esteem which far more than compensates for the losses of a material nature. Like most of men whose highest ideal is that of service, Superintendent Willis has not limited his field of activity to the narrow confines of a county. Some measure of his capac- ity for work may be taken from a partial list of organizations of which he is still a working member, as follows: National Educational Associa- tion, of which he was both a director and vice-president; State Teachers' Association, of which he was president ; State Sanitary Association, also its president ; State Council of Education ; New York School Masters' Association ; and the Summer School Faculty of Rutgers College, holding official position in the three last-named.
As an organizer of forces making for harmony and efficiency in all the related agencies tending to the development of the educational possibilities within his county, Mr. Willis' record is truly an enviable one. The following organizations in Middlesex-all the first of the kind in the State-evidence his remarkable talent in this direction : Middlesex County Pedagogical Library Association, which was organized in 1895 -this organization now has over two thousand five hundred up-to-date books on pedagogy in its library ; Middlesex County School Board Asso- ciation, organized in 1896; District Monthly Conferences in 1900; Super- vising Principals' Association in 1902; County Medical Inspectors' Association in 1909, and the Middlesex County Vocational School Board Work in 1914. At the 1917 commencement of Rutgers College the trustees conferred on Mr. Willis the degree of Master of Arts. In con- ferring this degree, President Demarest said it was in recognition of original school work and in further honor of thirty years of successful superintendency of the public schools in Middlesex county. One of the unusual and noteworthy facts in connection with the above organizations is that all are working as a county unit. The three cities, New Bruns- wick, Perth Amboy and South Amboy share in the activities of all these bodies, and their educational machinery works in admirable harmony with that in operation under Mr. Willis' direct supervision. With all these available forces organized, all at work, and intelligently and enthusiastically directed, it but naturally follows that the schools under the supervision of Mr. Willis are second to none in this or any other State.
JUDGE WOODBRIDGE STRONG .- Could family characteristics be attributed to a name, the temptation would be irresistable to credit the surname Strong with the strong professional eminence of Wood- bridge and his ancestors, from the coming of "Elder" John Strong, the first of the name who came from England to New England in 1630. The line of descent from "Elder" John Strong and his wife, Rachel Holton, is
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BIOGRAPHICAL
through their son, "Justice" Joseph Strong, and his wife, Sarah Allen ; their son, Captain Joseph Strong, and his wife, Elizabeth Strong ; their son, Rev. Joseph Strong, and his wife, Jane Gelston; their son, Rev. Joseph (2) Strong, and his wife, Sophia Woodbridge; their son, Pro- fessor Theodore Strong, and his wife, Lucy Dix; their son, Judge Wood- bridge Strong, to whose memory this review is dedicated.
Professor Theodore Strong was born in South Hadley, Massachu- setts, July 26, 1790, died at New Brunswick, New Jersey, February I, 1869. At graduation from Yale, A. B., 1812, he took the first prize in mathematics; was professor of mathematics and natural philosophy at Hamilton College, 1816-27, and filled the same chairs at Rutgers College, 1827-1863, and knew no superior as a mathematician. For thirty-six years he served Rutgers College, as a member of the faculty, retiring at the age of seventy-three. He married, September 23, 1818, Lucy Dix, of Littleton, Massachusetts.
Woodbridge Strong, son of Professor Theodore and Lucy (Dix) Strong, was born in Clinton, Oneida county, New York, (seat of Ham- ilton College), February 21, 1827. He was brought by his parents to New Brunswick, New Jersey, the same year, and died there, August 23, 1907. Originally christened Benjamin Ruggles Woodbridge Strong, he cut the name in the middle and was always known as Woodbridge Strong. He entered Rutgers College in 1847, but turned from classical to professional study and read law with his brother-in-law, John Van Dyke, of New Brunswick, afterward a justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court. He caught the "gold fever" in 1849, journeyed to California, and is credited with being among the pioneers who made gold discov- eries in Oregon. He returned to New Brunswick in 1851, resumed the study of law, and in 1852 was admitted to the New Jersey bar as an attorney and in November, 1872, as a counsellor. From 1874 to 1879, and again from 1896 to 1906, he served Middlesex county as judge of the Court of Common Pleas. He was an eminent lawyer, a learned, just and upright judge, holding as lawyer and as jurist the highest respect of his brethren of the profession.
Judge Strong married Harriet A. Hartwell, who died February 9, 1909, daughter of Jonathan Hartwell, of Littleton, Massachusetts, a lineal descendant of William Hartwell, who settled in Concord, Massa- chusetts, in 1636, and of Anthony Dix, who came to Plymouth Colony in 1623. Woodbridge and Harriet A. (Hartwell ) Strong are the parents of the following children: Alan H., a lawyer; Theodore, a lawyer ; Edward W., a lawyer; and Elizabeth B. The sons studied law under their honored father, and all became eminent in the profession.
THEODORE F. RANDOLPH .- There were important reforms inaugurated in New Jersey during the three years following the election of Theodore F. Randolph as governor, and his administration has been generally commended. He is a native son of Middlesex county, New Jersey, born in New Brunswick, June 24, 1826, his father, James F. Randolph, editor and publisher of the "Fredonian" at New Brunswick
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for thirty-six years, and for eight years a Whig representative in Con- gress.
Theodore F. Randolph was liberally educated, read law, and came to the bar in 1848. He had been brought up by his father in the Whig political faith, and when quite young was writing editorials for the "Fredonian." When a young man he went to Mississippi for a season, and his first vote was cast in Vicksburg, in that State, in 1847. After his return to New Jersey, in 1850, he settled in Hudson county, where in 1860 he was a member of the State Legislature. In 1861 _e was elected State Senator, an office he held four years. He was a member of the special committee on the Peace Conference in 1861, and was the author of the measure for the relief of the families of soldiers who should serve in the Union army. In 1867 he was elected president of the Morris & Essex Railroad. In 1868 he was the candidate of the Democratic party for governor of New Jersey, and was successful over his Republican opponent, John I. Blair, by four thousand six hundred and eighteen votes. He served with highest honor for three years, then, as no gov- ernor of New Jersey may succeed himself, he was retired to private life. But in 1874, the Democrats having a majority in both houses of the New Jersey Legislature, he was chosen United States Senator. He served his time with great honor, and after retiring to private · e devoted himself to mining and farming operations. During his term as State Senator he introduced a bill providing for a State comptroller. During his administration as governor the State Riparian Commission was established, the Camden & Amboy monopoly tax was repealed, and the Morris Plains lunatic asylum was constructed. On July 12, 1871, the anniversary of the battle of the Boyne, he issued a proclamation insuring the right of parade to the Orangemen of New Jersey and giving them State protection. He was a member of the Democratic Na:'-nal Com- mittee, a trustee of Rutgers College, and a founder and president of the Washington Headquarters Association, of Morristown, New Jersey.
Governor Randolph married, in 1851, Fanny F., daughter of N. D. Colman, of Kentucky, and a granddaughter of Chief Justice John Mar- shall. He resided in Morristown from 1865 until his death, November 7, 1883.
REV. WILLIAM WHITE KNOX, D. D .- There is no way by which the value of a life to a community can be estimated and especially is this true of the life of the minister of the gospel. Since coming to the First Presbyterian Church, of New Brunswick, in 1893, all departments of this church, of which Rev. Knox is now pastor emeritus, have advanced to a large degree, but these are but the tangible evidences of the value of his pastorate, and constitute but a part of the real benefit his pure life and inspiring leadership have meant to the church which he has served so long and devotedly. The spiritual advancement cannot be measured or told, and the great record alone will ever reveal what the life of this eloquent, devoted divine has meant to his people and to the community.
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BIOGRAPHICAL
Rev. John Pray Knox, LL. D., father of Rev. William White Knox, was born in Savannah, Georgia, the son of Andrew and Rebecca (Rice) Knox. After graduating from Rutgers College, in 1830, he matriculated at New Brunswick Theological Seminary, graduating in the class of 1837. His services were in Reformed Dutch churches, as follows: Nassau, New York, 1838-41; Utica, New York, 1841-44; St. Thomas, West Indies, 1847-53, and at the end of this time he was called to the Presby- terian hurch of Newtown (now Elmhurst), Long Island, where he filled't, e pulpit for twenty-seven years. Dr. Knox was also an author of considerable note and wrote a history of the Reformed Church of Nassau, New York, of the Newtown Presbyterian Church, and also a history of St. Thomas, West Indies, with notices of St. Croix and St. Joh 3. Rev. John Pray Knox was united in marriage with Aletta Van Doren, of Somerville, New Jersey, June 2, 1838, and the union was blessed with seven children.
William White Knox, the third child, was born December 14, 1842, at Utica, New York. At the age of nine, he entered Rev. E. T. Mack's School at New Brunswick, where he remained for two years, subsequently going to Fairchild's Institute at Flushing, Long Island, for another two years, and thence to William Woodhull's School at Freehold, New Jersey, ti is completing his preparation for Princeton University, whence he was graduated in the class of 1862, with the degree of A. B., receiv- ing from this same institution the degree of Master of Arts in 1865. From 1862 until 1863 he taught at Hamill's School, Lawrenceville, New Jersey, and then took the regular three-year course at the Theological Sen inary at Princeton, graduating in 1866, and was ordained a clergy- man of the Presbyterian church, July 29, 1867, by the Presbytery of Nassau at Woodhaven, Long Island, New York, and was at the same time in" illed pastor of Woodhaven Presbyterian Church. He also acted as' supply of the Presbyterian church at Springfield, Long Island. In 1869 he resigned to accept a call to the Presbyterian church of Hun- tington, Long Island, where he remained until December 4, 1881. He then accepted a call from the First Reformed Church, of Bayonne, New Jersey, where he remained until September 17, 1893, when, after a happy and successful pastorate, he came to the First Presbyterian Church, of New Brunswick, New Jersey, and served until July 29, 1917, the fiftieth anniversary of his ordination to the ministry, when he resigned the pastorate and was made pastor-emeritus. Upon coming to this parish enthusiasm gave way to earnest settled purpose and mature judgment which rendered him valuable in counsel and leadership. As an eloquent, pleasing orator, greatly in demand, he labored abundantly in behalf of the church at large and safely guided his own church to great heights of Christian usefulness. Under his guidance and fostering care, the Magyar Presbyterian Church of New Brunswick was estab- lished and maintained, and the Italian Mission on Throop avenue was begun. By his personal influence and suggestion Mr. Anthony Dey presented Buccleuch Park to the city. In 1894, he received his degree of Doctor of Divinity from Rutgers College; in 1910 was chosen mod-
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erator of the Synod of New Jersey ; and is a trustee of Princeton Theo- logical Seminary.
Outside of his church, Dr. Knox was affiliated with various societies and associations, as follows: Phi Beta Kappa Alpha of New Jersey ; Scientific Society of New Jersey ; Historical Society of New Jersey ; the New Jersey Children's Home Society ; the Ministerial Associations of New York and New Brunswick; the local branch of the Young Men's Christian Association ; and served on the boards of several local charities.
On November 16, 1870, at St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church, of New York City, Rev. Dr. Knox was united in marriage with Anna Maria Van Santvoord, daughter of Cornelius and Susan (Varick) Van Santvoord, the former a lawyer of New York City, the latter a resident of Jersey City. Dr. and Mrs. Knox are the parents of seven children : Susan Varick; William W., deceased; Elizabeth Vroom, who married Asher Atkinson, of New Brunswick, New Jersey ; Anna Romeyn; Kath- erine Veghte, deceased ; Evelyn Van Santvoord, who married William Huntington Russell, of New Haven, Connecticut; Lieutenant Cornelius Van Santvoord, who married Gladys Channell, of Haverhill, Massachu- setts. Residing at No. 175 Livingston avenue, New Brunswick, New Jersey, Dr. and Mrs. Knox are still active in church life and community service. On November 16, 1920, it was their pleasure, with family and friends, to celebrate their golden wedding.
CHESTER RIGGS HOLMAN .- That this is the name of one of those members of the New Jersey bar who are rapidly coming to the front Mr. Holman's fellow-citizens of New Brunswick do not need to be told. In addition to his increasing professional reputation, he has an honorable record of foreign service during the recent World War.
Ralph T. Holman, father of Chester Riggs Holman, was born in New Brunswick, and is a well known print cutter. He was formerly national president of the Print Cutters' Association of America ; served New Brunswick as a Republican member of Common Council for a period of four years; is assistant secretary of the State Firemen's Relief Asso- ciation, and an officer in a number of local lodges and clubs. Mr. Hol- man married Ella Dilts, a native of Quakertown, Hunterdon county, New Jersey, and their other children are: Allen P. and Florence M., both of New Brunswick.
Chester Riggs Holman, son of Ralph T. and Ella (Dilts) Holman, was born May 10, 1892, in New Brunswick, and in 1910 graduated from the New Brunswick High School. In 1912 he received from the New Jersey Law School the degree of Bachelor of Laws. He studied with ex-Judge Edward W. Hicks, of New Brunswick, and was admitted as attorney in 1914, at the June term of the Supreme Court, and as coun- sellor at the November term, 1920. Immediately thereafter, Mr. Holman began practice in New Brunswick, having his office in the National Bank building. During the next few years, by dint of indomitable energy, thorough knowledge of the law, and strict attention to the interests of his clients, he made for himself an assured standing at the bar of his native city.
Chester P. Holman
LIBRARY
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BIOGRAPHICAL
Soon, however, his professional career suffered an interruption. The United States entered the great conflict of nations and it was not long before Mr. Holman, with many other young men of his generation, exchanged the court room for the camp. Enlisting as drafted, February 25, 1918, he was assigned to Battery B, 307th Field Artillery, stationed at Camp Dix, and on May 27, 1918, sailed for France. During the period of his service there he participated in the following battles: St. Mihiel offensive; Meuse-Argonne offensive; Toul sector; Preny Raid offensive; and Grand Pré attack. He was made corporal while in the Argonne, and had received instructions to report to officers' training camp when the armistice was signed. While in France he had charge of gas and gas offense work. On May 22, 1919, he was discharged at Camp Dix.
On June 14, 1919, Mr. Holman resumed the active practice of his profession and has ever since been continuously engaged in adding to the enviable reputation which he had begun to rear on a sure and solid foundation. The principles of the Republican party are those to which Mr. Holman gives his political allegiance, and he is now serving as a member of the Middlesex County Board of Election. He is affiliated with Union Lodge, No. 19, Free and Accepted Masons; New Brunswick Forest, No. 12, Tall Cedars of Lebanon; Friendship Lodge, No. 30, Knights of Pythias; Goodwill Council, No. 32, Junior Order of United American Mechanics; New Brunswick Camp, No. 40, Sons of Veterans ; and Charles Henry Post, No. 29, American Legion. His clubs are the Craftsmen's and the New Brunswick Boat. He is a member of the First Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Holman married, April 27, 1918, at Flemington, New Jersey, Ruth Cleveland Vogel, daughter of George and Mary Vogel, of that place.
Busy man though he is, Mr. Holman has far too much wisdom to believe in "all work and no play." He delights in canoeing and is an ardent football fan. He has proved himself a good citizen, a brave soldier, and an able lawyer, and everything seems to indicate that the years to come hold for him professional advancement.
JOHN JACOB MORRISON was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, the son of Daniel and Anna (Dale) Morrison, his father a farmer and merchant.
John J. Morrison was educated in the public schools and began mer- cantile life as a clerk, later becoming a successful merchant. He is also president of the Middlesex Building and Loan Association, and influen- tial in his city.
A Republican in politics, Mr. Morrison has taken an active part in public affairs, and gives much time to the public service. He has served as alderman, city treasurer, collector of taxes and city commis- sioner, and in 1919 was elected mayor of New Brunswick, an office he has most capably filled until the present time (1921).
Mr. Morrison is a member of the Masonic order, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Junior Order of United American Mechanics,
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Royal Arcanum, Improved Order of Red Men, New Brunswick Board of Trade, and the Young Men's Christian Association, his clubs the Lions, and Craftsmen's, his church affiliation the Protestant Episcopal.
Mr. Morrison married, in New Brunswick, New Jersey, February 20, 1895, Mary Hilda Otis, daughter of Charles Ruggles and Mary Catherine (Bennett ) Otis.
REV. EDWARD PAYSON JOHNSON, A. M., D. D .- For more than forty years Dr. Johnson has been a minister of the gospel, having had pastorates in the Presbyterian and Reformed churches, and since 1906 he has been professor of Old Testament and Church History in the New Brunswick Theological Seminary of the Reformed church in America. He comes from an ancient Colonial family, and his honored father, Rev. Asa Johnson, was a home missionary of the Presbyterian church for nearly sixty years, first in Missouri, then in Western New York, and later in Indiana and Western Iowa. He married Julia Warner Sadd. As a Phi Beta Kappa honor man, he was graduated from Union College, Schenectady, New York, and later was graduated from Auburn Theological Seminary.
Edward Payson Johnson was born at Peru, Miami county, Indiana, January 26, 1850. He prepared for college at Knox Academy, Galesburg, Illinois, going thence (after teaching a year) to Wabash College, Craw- fordsville, Indiana, where he pursued the full classical course, and was graduated with the usual B. A. degree, class of 1871. Having decided upon the gospel ministry, he pursued the regular studies at Auburn Theological Seminary, Auburn, New York, whence he was graduated with the class of 1875. He was ordained a minister of the Presbyterian church in June of that year, and the same day was installed pastor of the Presbyterian church, Sandy Hill (now Hudson Falls), New York, remaining there from 1875 to 1879. He also served as pastor of the Presbyterian church at Marshall, Michigan, 1879-1886, and Woodlawn Park, Chicago, Illinois, 1886-1890. On January 29, 1891, he was received as a member of the classis of Albany, R. C. A., and was installed pastor of the First Reformed Church of Albany, New York, where he continued in service till October, 1906. In June, 1906, he was elected by the General Synod, R. C. A., pro- fessor of Church History in the Theological Seminary of the Reformed church in America at New Brunswick, removing to that city late in October.
Dr. Johnson is a member of the Phi Kappa Psi Greek college fra- ternity ; the Phi Beta Kappa of Rutgers College, as well as the New York Phi Beta Kappa; the American Society of Church History; the American Historical Association ; the New York Society of the Founders and Patriots of America ; Palestine Lodge, No. 11I, Free and Accepted Masons; the New York Society of Wabash College Alumni ; the Clergy Club of New York City ; the United States Seniors' Golf Association ; and the New Brunswick Country and Golf Club. He and his family are members of the Second Reformed Church of New Brunswick. In 1876 Wabash College gave him the A. M. degree; Rutgers College, in 1896, conferred upon him the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity.
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