History of Monmouth County, New Jersey. Pt. 1, Part 56

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Philadelphia : R.T. Peck & Co.
Number of Pages: 974

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welfare of the State. He has done both in the most honorable and successful manner."

The following testimony comes from two strong Democrats, and men known throughout New Jersey as truthful and able men. They, too, had every opportunity to know and judge, as one represented Burlington County in the Senate in 1879 and the other represented Hun- terdon County in 1880-81.

Ex-Senator Ridgway, of Burlington County, writes, under date of September 13, 1881, as follows:

" I have been spending the summer down in your county ; I hear you are accused of parti- sanship in your actions in the Senate, after having been elected as an independent Senator. Now I think this very unjust ; having had the pleasure of serving the State with you during your first term; I know, to the contrary, that you were looked upon at that time by all your fellow colleagues as thoroughly independent ; you positively refused to go into any of the caucuses of the Democrats whatsoever; you did vote for the Hon. George C. Ludlow for president of the Senate, and if I remember rightly, without any of your friends knowing who was your choice for that position. I wish there were more men like you sent to the Sen- ate. It would redound to the credit of the State. I learn that you are not a candidate for re-election; but I, for one, think your county will lose a faithful representative ; but perhaps it may be your gain. Pardon my writing you in ref- ference to this matter, but I think it is my duty when you are being falsely accused, etc., etc.

"Resp't'y yours, " C. G. RIDGWAY."

Ex-Senator Bosenburg, of Hunterdon County, under date of September 16, 1881, writes :

" I was glad to hear from you after spending two pleasant sessions with you in the Senate, and always finding you ready to defend any measure that you considered just and right, without regard to party ; and maintaining your independence,-not going into either Democratic or Republican caucus,-which was entirely con- sistent with your election. As you state you are not a candidate for re-election, I hope your

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THE BENCH AND BAR OF MONMOUTH COUNTY.

mantle may fall on some one that will be as true to the interests of the State as you have been-always ready to defend the right. Will always be pleased to hear from you, etc.

" Yours truly,

"E. BOSENBURG."

In addition to the testimony from both polit- · ical parties, the non-partisan press of New Jer- sey were unanimous in their approval of his course as Senator.

Mr. Beekman has devoted time and labor to the local history of his county. The documents and records published by him in the Monmouth Democrat during the years of 1877-78 have rescued from oblivion many historical events and facts. This, with him, was purely a labor of love, as he did not receive or expect any pecuniary compensation. By his researches in this direction he accidentally discovered the missing link in President Lincoln's genealogy, and that he was connected with two of the old- est and most-respected families of this county,- viz., the Bownes and Saltars,-by ties of kin- ship.

Mr. Beekman belongs to the Masonic frater- nity, and has taken degrees as high as the Royal Arch. He served four years as Wor- shipful Master of the Masonic lodge at Free- hold.1

For many years he has been an earnest stu- dent of the Sacred Scriptures, and attributes to their teachings the present progress of the human race, the superiority of the Christian nations, and also the future hopes of mankind.

CHILION ROBBINS, born December 31, 1842, in Allentown, Monmouth County, N. J., was a son of Augustus and Lucy (Savidge) Robbins, both natives of New Jersey. His father was a mason by trade, and the family has for many years been identified with Monmouth County. His mother is of English lineage, a descendant of the Leigh family of Great Britain. He was educated in the public schools of his district ; studied law in the office of Judge Scudder, of Trenton; was licensed an attorney in 1866 and a counselor-at-law in 1869; prac-

ticed in Allentown till 1872, when he was ap- pointed presiding judge of the Court of Common Pleas, of Monmouth County, to fill the unex- pired term of Judge Beekman; judge from May 14, 1872, to April 1, 1874; delegate to Republican National Convention at Chicago in 1880; an advocate of Blaine and member of Committee on Credentials for New Jersey ; Re- publican candidate for Third New Jersey Dis- trict the same year ; ran ahead of his ticket, but was defeated ; has always been an active Repub- lican in politics, and assisted his party on the stump and elsewhere; a member of the State Executive Committee for five or six years and of the County Executive Committee for a longer time, and its chairman since 1877.

Judge Robbins, as a magistrate, commanded the confidence of the public, and was regarded by the bar as a strictly impartial and upright judge. He administered the criminal laws mercifully and allowed no innocent man to be con- victed. In those cases where the need of a severe example was necessary he was firm, and did not hesitate in fully discharging his duty without fear of the powerful, or the pressure of influence. He possesses a mind singularly adapted for the position of a judge. His knowledge of hu- man nature, and the absence of all prejudice in connection with his knowledge of the law, and his untiring industry, gave promise of great usefulness if he had remained on the bench.

As a lawyer he has been engaged in many important jury cases tried at Freehold and elsewhere.

The New Jersey Law and Equity Reports show many important causes which he has argued before the highest courts of the State. For several years he has stood in the front rank of the members of the Monmouth bar.

Judge Robbins is plain and unassuming in his manner, very zealous in whatever he under- takes, a good citizen, a true friend, an upright man and a conscientious adviser. He has the entire confidence of his clients and his party ; re- spected by the people and valued by his friends, if restored to health, he has an enviable career before him.

Although his family originally belonged to the Society of Friends, the judge himself is

' History of Olive Branch Lodge, No. 16, F. and A. M.

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HISTORY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

an attendant of the Presbyterian Church, and contributes liberally to religious and benevolent purposes.

AMZI C. McLEAN was born in Ross County, Ohio ; entered Princeton College in 1835, in the freshman class, and graduated in 1839. He entered the office of Judge Veech, of Pittsburgh, Pa., as a law student, and was admitted to the bar in Pennsylvania in 1843. He then came to Freehold, intending to open an office, but the law required that he should study one year in New Jersey before he could get a license here ; he then entered the office of the late Judge Vredenburgh, and in 1844 was admitted to the bar of New Jersey, and has since practiced his profession in this State. In 1858 he was appointed Prosecutor of the Pleas for Monmouth County, and at the end of five years was again reap- pointed for another five years, and served out his term. In 1874 he was appointed law judge for Monmouth County, and filled that office for five years. At the close of that time he resumed the practice of law, and is still engaged in the business of his profession.

ALFRED WALLING, JR .- Judge Walling is the grandson of Cornelius Walling, a resident of Middletown (then Raritan) township, Mon- mouth County, where he was a prosperous farmer. He married Elizabeth Murphy, a member of one of the oldest families of the county. The surviving children of this marriage are Alfred, Eusebius, Elizabeth (widow of Thomas V. Arrowsmith, of Keyport) and Amelia (wife of Thomas B. Stout, also of Keyport). Mr. Walling was an influential citizen of the county, having represented his district in the State Legislature and filled various offices of lesser importance. His son, Alfred, whose birth occurred at the homestead in Raritan township, on the tenth of June 1812, at a later period of his life removed to Keyport, where he resided until his death, having been among its earliest citizens and largely identified with its development and progress. He was for years associated with Leonard Walling, Esq., as a merchant, and later adopted the profession of a land surveyor. His services were also much sought in the 'settlement of cstates and the execution of im-

portant trusts requiring not only financial ability but marked integrity.

He was elected to the State Legislature in 1844, and was especially active in affairs of a local character. His death occurred on the 8th of November, 1875. Mr. Walling married Elizabeth, daughter of John Stout, whose surviving children are Matilda, wife of Jeremiah Hoff; Eusebius, who died at the age of eighteen ; and Alfred Jr. The last named, Judge Alfred Walling, Jr., was born on the 26th of October, 1845, at Keyport, Monmouth County, where, with the exception of two years spent in mercantile life in New York, he has since resided. He was educated in the public schools of his native place, and for ten years associated with his father as an engineer and surveyor, combining with this pursuit the busi- ness of conveyancing. Meanwhile, having begun the study of law, he was admitted to the bar in 1874, and at once became established in practice in Keyport. He continued the suc- cessful pursuit of his profession until 1879, the date of his appointment as law judge of Mon- mouth County by Governor Mcclellan, which was continued for the year 1880 by the same official. On the election of Governor Abbett he enjoyed a similar distinction in 1885, which office he at present fills. Judge Walling manifested his patriotism at the age of sixteen by enlisting for the late civil war ; but being a minor, his services were rejected. He has, how- ever, been identified with the State militia as captain of Company G, Third Regiment National Guards of New Jersey in 1869, and as major of the same regiment, which commis- sion was also received during that year. Judge Walling has been and is identified with the material, social and moral interests of Keyport, and has co-operated in various enterprises tending to advance the development of the place. He is a director of the First National Bank of Keyport, having formerly held the same relation to the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank of Matawan. His political affiliations are with the Democracy, by which party he was once nomi- nated for a legislative position but he declined the honor.

A prominent member of the bar of Mon-

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mouth County pays the following tribute to Judge Walling : " As a man he is mild and unassum- ing in his manner, yet very resolute and in- flexible when once convinced as to his proper course. He is courteous in his relations and honorable in his dealings, having established an enviable reputation both as a lawyer and judge. Since presiding on the bench he has examined with great care both the law and the facts in the various cases under his jurisdiction. Impartial

training was chiefly obtained at Burlington, N. J., but he completed his collegiate course and was graduated at Rutgers College, in the class of 1854. He then entered his father's office as a law student, remaining there until his father retired from practice, and then completing his studies in the office of the Hon- orable Joseph D. Bedle, afterwards Governor of New Jersey. At the November term of the Supreme Court in 1857 he was admitted as an

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in his dealings, he has commanded the unani- mous approval and respect of the Monmouth County bar." Judge Walling, on the 9th of January, 1867, married Henrietta, daughter of Rufus Ogden, of Keyport. Their living children are Alnetta and Rufus Ogden.

PHILIP JOHNSTON RYALL, youngest son of the Honorable Daniel B. Ryall, and for several years one of the most promising lawyers of Monmouth County, was born at Freehold on the 28th of June, 1836. His educational 20

attorney, and at the November term in 1860 he became a counselor-at-law.

He commenced the practice of his profession at Jersey City, where he at once became promi- nent, and where he remained about two years, until, having had serious premonitions that the atmosphere of that city was affecting his lungs injuriously, he removed thence to his native town of Frechold. There he quickly took a leading part in the litigation which came into the courts for settlement. His practice in-

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HISTORY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

creased rapidly, and he soon became concerned in the most noted and important cases that were tried in the Monmouth and Ocean County Cir- cuits, as well as in the controversies which arose from those counties to the Chancery and Su- preme Courts of the State. In the year 1865 he formed a law partnership with William H. Vredenburgh, -the first partnership of that nature ever formed in Monmouth County,-and continued in the closest application to his chosen profession, until a severe pulmonary attack warned him to desist. Reluctantly he did so, and retired from the practice of his profession. Soon afterwards he purchased a property at St. Augustine, Fla., where, during the re- mainder of his life, he passed his winters, in the hope that the mild climate of the South would re-establish his health. But the hope was a delusive one ; his disease was too deeply seated to be removed by climate or medical skill, and he died on his estate at St. Augustine, March 14, 1874.

In the field of the law, Mr. Ryall was par- ticularly distinguished for the care, energy and address he displayed in his efforts to secure the fullest rights of his clients, and for the remark- able success which followed those efforts. He never deserted a client, and his exertions on their behalf never ceased while there was the remotest probability that any step he could take would benefit them. He yielded only to the inevitable, and when nothing more could be accomplished by prolonging the struggle. At the same time his judgment was excellent, and he knew the right case and the best time for a compromise.

Of the many exciting trials in Ocean County in which he was engaged, the case of Archer vs. Foulkes was perhaps most conspicuous. That trial established his reputation beyond all question as a jury lawyer in that county. In the Monmouth Circuit his skill in the manage- ment of trials and his other characteristics, already mentioned, were shown in a marked degree in his successful defense of the negro, Charles Downing, for murder, and in his con- duct of the celebrated trial of Peter Slocum, for the murder of his wife. In the Downing . case, his adroit management was shown in an

amusing way. His first act was to select from among his own discarded clothes a black dress- coat and suit, which he soon substituted in place of the dilapidated garments which he found upon his poor client when assigned by the court to defend him. The transformation was a complete surprise to both the court and the prisoner, and went far in the minds of the jury towards proving the defendant's respectability. Afterwards, Mr. Ryall frequently laughed at the recollection of the proud look with which the poor negro faced the court and the jury when arraigned before them for trial in his suit of fine broadeloth.

In the social life of Philip J. Ryall, even all through his long and distressing sickness, there was exhibited in him a cheerful disposition, a genial flow of spirits, a lively wit and a kindly hospitality which will live long in the memories of those with whom he came in contact. His culture, his high and chivalrous sense of honor ; his detestation of all double dealing, and of everything that partook of meanness or deceit: his faith in his friends, and his championship of their honor, whether present or absent; his constancy toward them, which never wavered or faltered; his constant observance of the gentle- manly instinct which made it impossible for him to violate the confidence reposed in him,- all these were qualities which marked his char- acter, and placed him on a high plane in the estimation of all who knew him.

He was, in a remarkable degree, the possessor of courage such as must always stamp the char- acter of so pronounced and perfect a gentleman as he. That courage never forsook him ; and in the supreme hour, even in his last moments, he contemplated his long-expected death with unshaken nerve and unfaltering firmness.

In 1858, Mr. Ryall was married to Ella V., daughter of Dr. Arthur V. Conover. She, with their daughter, Juliet Scudder Ryall, sur- vived him, and are now living at Freehold.

JOHN STILWELL APPLEGATE, of Red Bank, was born in Middletown, Monmouth County, N. J., August 6, 1837. He is a descend- ant of Bartholomew Applegate, of whom it is recorded, in the first volume of " the New Jersey Archives," that he applied to a council

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THE BENCH AND BAR OF MONMOUTH COUNTY.

assembled at Fort Willem Hendrick, in 1674, for permission to purchase land from the In- dians, in Middletown, " near the Navesings," fit for a settlement of six or eight families. A patent was granted him for this land, located on the Raritan Bay, at what is now known as " Applegate's Landing," a portion of which is now occupied by William Conover, whose wife, Annie Cooper, is also a descendant of Bartholo- mew Applegate. His mother was a descendant of Rev. John Bray, a Baptist minister from England, who, about the year 1688, organized the first Baptist Church at Holmdel, and built the meeting-house and parsonage at his own ex- pense, and gave the land, four and one-half acres, for that purpose.

In the period of the Revolution his ancestors were active Whigs and soldiers in that heroic struggle. His parents, Joseph S. and Ann (Bray) Applegate followed agricultural pursuits, and their son grew up amid the quiet and health- giving surroundings of farm-life. His prelim- inary educational training was obtained in the neighboring schools, where he made good use of his opportunities. Being destined for a learned profession, his parents sent him to college, his course being taken at Madison University, at Hamilton, N. Y., from which he graduated in 1858, after four years' study, receiving the degree of A.B. Choosing the law for a career, he pursned his studies for a time at Red Bank, in the office of Robert Allen, Jr., and afterwards entered the office of Hon. William L. Dayton, at Trenton. Under the superintendence of that learned lawyer and polished advocate, he prose- cuted his studies until his preceptor was offered and accepted the responsible position of minister to the court of France. Then he removed to Jer- sey City, and completed his term of study with E. B. Wakeman. In due time he received his license as an attorney, in November, 1861, and subsequently, at the February term of 1865, he was admitted as counselor. He began, and has always continued, practice at Red Bank, and is acknowledged to stand among the leaders of the bar in that section. His practice lies principally in the State and county courts. He is a man of large public spirit, and has always manifested an active and intelligent

interest in all projects which, in his judgment, would tend to the advancement of his town. Additional banking facilities being a plain necessity of the locality, he initiated a move- ment which resulted in the organization, in 1875, of the Second National Bank of Red Bank. His executive ability and financial standing marked him out as eminently fitted for the suc- cessful conduct of the new enterprise, and he was accordingly elected the first president of the insti- tution. This post he has since continued to fill, and under his management the bank has secured an assured financial position and the high favor of the community. In politics he is and has always been an earnest Republican, devoting himself at all times to the promotion of his party's success in the simple faith that the country's welfare is inseparably bound up in the supremacy of Re- publican principles. In 1862 he was com- missioned as president for Monmouth County of the Union League of America, and he organized a chapter of that patriotic organization in nearly every township of the county. Following that year he was four times elected superintendent of public schools of Shrewsbury township, over- coming at each election, a strong opposition put forth by his political opponents to defeat him.

In 1871 some of his fellow-citizens, not pleased with the regular nomination for chief com- missioner of his town, organized a meeting which tendered him the independent nomination for that office, which he accepted, and was elected after a warm local contest. He was a member of the Republican State Executive Committee in 1865, and in that capacity rendered most efficient service to the cause. In 1881 he was nominated by his party with an enthusiastic unanimity for State Senator, to which office he was elected by a majority of nine hundred and ninety-three, being the first Republican Senator ever elected from Monmouth County. His services as a legislator have been important as well as conspicuous, his ability and influence having been exerted with marked effect in pro- moting good legislation and opposing bad. Among the important acts drawn by him and passed under the pressure of his influence was the act requiring the public printing to be awarded to the lowest bidder, by which a saving

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HISTORY OF MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

to the State was effected of $50,000 per annum; the act extending the Mechanics' Lien Law to alterations of buildings, which was highly popular with the workingmen ; the act author- izing taxes on chancellor's mortgages to be de- ducted from the interest; the act authorizing incorporated towns and boroughs to construct water-works. Under the last act his town con- structed its excellent and economical system of, water-works, and he was chosen to serve for three years on the first board of water com- missioners.

He was married, in 1865, to Deborah Catha- rine, daughter of Charles G. Allen, of Red Bank, and his surviving children are Annie, John S. and Catharine Trafferd Applegate.

HOLMES W. MURPHY is a son of Joseph Murphy, late of Freehold, in this county, who died on the 6th day of May, A.D. 1884, in the eighty-eighth year of his age. Joseph Murphy was born at Bethany, in this county, near Keyport, January 1, 1797. His father, Timothy Murphy, was an emigrant from Ireland, who came to America about 1750, and served against the Tories in this county during the war of the Revolution. He was an educated man and a school-teacher, a justice of the peace and a judge of the Common Pleas. He also taught surveying and navigation. Among other prominent men of our county who were educated by him was Garret D. Wall, after- wards United States Senator. He married Mary Garrison, daughter of a Baptist clergy- man, and granddaughter of Richard Harts- horne, one of the first settlers of the eastern part of the county, and the original owner of Sandy Hook. They had eight children,-four sons and four daughters,-who all lived to an advanced age, the youngest of whom was Joseph. Of the daughters, Anne married George Ingra- ham, of Dutchess County, N. Y., and their descendants are among the most honored citi- zens of that county ; and among the grand- children are Richard Ingraham and William M. Ingraham, well-known lawyers of Brooklyn, N. Y. Mary married Henry Greenwood, also of New York, and their descendants are also numerous and highly respected. Joseph .M. Greenwood, a successful lawyer of Brooklyn,

is one of their children. Elizabeth married Cornelius Walling, and among their children was the late Alfred Walling, the well-known surveyor, and father of the Hon. Alfred Wal- ling, Jr., the present law judge of this county. Catharine, the other daughter, never married.

Of the sons, William formerly lived in New York City, and was the builder of the second old John Street Methodist Episcopal Church. His son, Timothy Murphy, Esq., is still living in Keyport at an advanced age. John, at an early period in his life, moved to Brooklyn, N. Y., and grew up with the place. He filled many important positions in that city, and was the father of the late Hon. Henry C. Murphy, who was minister of the United States to the Hague, under President Buchanan's adminis- tration ; member of the House of Representa- tives, and for many years Senator of the State of New York. Francis always lived in this county, near Keyport, and was the father of a large family, some of whom are still living, highly respected and honored. He was for a great number of years a justice of the peace and a local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Joseph, the youngest of the children and the father of the subject of this sketch, re- moved to Freehold about the year 1819, and established a tannery nearly opposite the "Cowart Place," on the Keyport road. On January 1, 1820, he was married to Alice Holmes, daughter of Stout Holmes, then of Freehold, and former- ly of Middletown township. By this alliance he became connected with one of the most numer- ous and influential families in the county, whose members are principally found in Holmdel and Middletown townships. His wife's mother had previously been married to Samuel Bray, and their descendants also are numerous, and among our most respected citizens. His wife died July 10, 1880. They had nine children,- Timothy, the eldest, was accidentally drowned when a young child; Holmes W., the sub- ject of this sketch; Mary, wife of Seth R. Robins, of Brooklyn, who died in 1853; Louisa S., who married A. A. Wheeler, and who is still living ; Kate, wife of Alfred Walters, still living; Phebe, unmarried, who died in 1866; Joseph, who died unmarried in 1866; Anne,

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History of Monmouth County, New Jersey. Pt. 1, Part 56

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885 Publication date: 1885 Publisher: Philadelphia : R.T. Peck & Co. Number of Pages: 974

Author: Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Philadelphia : R.T. Peck & Co.
Number of Pages: 974