History of Sussex and Warren counties, New Jersey, with Illustration and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 56

Author: Snell, James P; Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford)
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1140

USA > New Jersey > Sussex County > History of Sussex and Warren counties, New Jersey, with Illustration and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers > Part 56
USA > New Jersey > Warren County > History of Sussex and Warren counties, New Jersey, with Illustration and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers > Part 56

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The next editor and proprietor was Gilbert Jndson Beebe, a son of Elder Gilbert Beebe, of Orange Co., N. Y. He assumed control in November, 1843, and continued until November, 1845. Mr. Beebe was a young man of splendid natural abilities and fine edu- cation. In addition to being an accomplished writer he was a brilliant stump-speaker, and in the Polk and Dallas campaign of 1844, in connection with Judge Martin Ryerson, he addressed the people of every township in the county, and aroused their enthusiasm for the Democratic nominees.

After two years of editorial life in Sussex, Mr. Beebe retired, in 1845, and in November of that year he was succeeded by Victor M. Drake, of Goshen, N. Y. Mr. Drake, the oldest son of Rufus J. Drake, was born at Milford, Pike Co., Pa., in 1813. In 1824 he entered the office of the Independent Republican, at Goshen, to learn the printer's art under Henry H. Van Dyck, who was then the publisher of that paper. After learning the trade he became the copartner with Mr. Van Dyck as the owner and editor, and subsequently became the sole owner. In 1840 he sold the Independent Republican and removed to New York, where he became connected with Hunt's "Mer- chants' Magazine," and where he remained until November, 1845, when he came to Newton and be- came editor and proprietor of the Herald.

Under Mr. Drake's management the circulation of the paper was largely increased. In addition to his labors in the office, he managed to spend much time among the people both in Sussex and Warren Coun- ties, distributing his papers, collecting subscriptions, and soliciting new subscribers. His genial manner and sympathetic nature made him very popular with the people. It is believed that he was better ac- quainted with and could call more persons by name than any man living in the county. The paper, which had been slightly enlarged under Mr. Beebe, was expanded to twenty-eight columns by Mr. Drake, and the general appearance of the paper greatly im- proved.

In December, 1853, Mr. Drake was succeeded by Thomas Anderson,-now Judge Anderson,-who was the editor and proprietor until Aug. 4, 1855, when he was succeeded by Col. Morris R. Hamilton, a native of Oxford, Warren Co., and a son of Samuel Hamil- ton, Esq. Col. Hamilton was a graduate of Prince-

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ton College, and had been admitted to the bar as a member of the legal profession. He came to Newton and took charge of the Herald at the solicitation of Col. Samuel Fowler when the wave of political Know- Nothingism was at its highest. In the first issue of the paper under his editorship Col. Hamilton assailed that proscriptive organization, and kept in the fight with great ability and earnestness until he had the satisfaction of witnessing the demise of that political cabal.

Col. Hamilton remained in charge of the Herald until August, 1858, when he was succeeded by James J. MeNally, of Orange Co., N. Y., who, assisted by Victor M. Drake, conducted the Herald until August, 1861. In the mean time, the Sussex Democrat, under the editorship of George R. MeCarter, had been started, had gained a large subscription among the Anti-Lecompton Democrats of the county, and had materially interfered with the prosperity of the Herald.

Another change in the management of the Herald became necessary, and Henry C. Kelsey, now the Secretary of State of New Jersey, became Mr. Me- Nally's successor. In March, 1862, Mr. Kelsey pur-

' chased the Democrat and merged it with the Herald, John W. Gillam, who had beeu foreman and assist- ant editor of the Democrat, becoming MIr. Kelsey's partner as editor and proprietor. In February, 1866, Mr. Kelsey became the editor, and Mr. Gillam the publisher. The form was then changed from a four- page to an eight-page paper.

The office had been removed by Thomas Anderson to the old chair-factory building, above the park, by Col. Hamilton to the Park Hall building, on Main Street, and from there to the Snook building, on Spring Street, and by Mr. MeNally to the Nelden & Bodine foundry-building, on Spring Street. From there Mr. Kelsey removed it to the old Sussex foundry-building, where ex-Sherith Smith's building now stands, where, on Friday morning, July 7, 1865, the office, with presses, type, books, files, and furni- ture, was destroyed by fire. The Sussex True Democrat, which was started after the sale of the Sussex Demo- crat to Mr. Kelsey, had also been purchased by Mr. Kelsey after being published one year by George D. Wallace. The press and materials of this office still remained in the Nelden & Bodine building, and were brought into use on the morning after the fire. With

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this press and material, and with the generous aid of the Sussex Register, the Herald was enabled to continue its publication without missing a single issue.

On the 28th of June, 1866, Mr. Kelsey sold his half-interest in the Herald to William H. Bell, of Branchville, and Bell & Gillam became editors and proprietors. Mr. Bell was editor only in name. The paper was edited by Mr. Gillam, assisted by George R. MeCarter, until March 4, 1867, when Thomas G. Bunnell succeeded Mr. McCarter as local editor, in which capacity he served until August of the same year, when a company of leading Democrats purchased the establishment of Bell & Gillam and took possession of the office. Thomas G. Bunnell, being one of the largest stockholders, was chosen to be the editor and publisher.

Edwin Owen was the foreman of the office. He was succeeded by Henry C. Bonnell in August, 1868, at which time Victor M. Drake returned from Orange Co., N. Y., to become local editor.

Oct. 15, 1868, the form of the paper was changed back from an eight-page to a four-page, and the size of the paper increased to its present dimensions,- twenty-nine by forty-three inches.

Mr. Drake remained until January, 1871, when he was succeeded by John S. Gibson, who remained until June, 1873. After the retirement of Mr. Gib- son, Henry C. Bonnell, in addition to his duties as foreman, became local editor of the paper, in which double capacity he is still serving faithfully and well.

In 1868 the office was removed to the new brick building on Spring Street, now occupied by Roe & Co.'s drug-store, where it remained for five years. In the spring of 1873 it was removed to the library- building, on Main Street, where it is still located. Thomas G. Bunnell is still the editor and publisher of the Herald, the circulation of which is now larger than at any previous period of its existence. In the fall of 1879 a new Cottrell & Babcock, with all the latest improvements, was added.

HENRY COOPER KELSEY.

Henry C. Kelsey, Secretary of State of New Jersey, was born in Sparta, Sussex Co., N. J., Dec. 4, 1837. His great-grandfather, John Kelsey, was one of the early residents of Newton, where he died ; he was a tanner and currier by trade. His grandfather, Henry Cooper Kelsey, was also a tanner and currier, and carried on his business at Sparta. His father, John Kelsey, was born in Sparta, Feb. 15, 1809. For several years he kept a public-house in his native place, but for twenty years during the latter part of his life he was a farmer and merchant in Green township, where he died April 5, 1867. His mother is Ellen M., daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (Mills) Vankirk, and granddaughter of the late Judge Thomas Vankirk, of Sparta. She was born Oct. 30, 1815, and now resides in Newton.

Young Kelsey received a sound elementary educa- tion at the public schools, and at an early age became

a clerk in a general store at Sparta. Here he gained an experience that enabled him to subsequently suc- ceed his father as proprietor of a store at Huntsville, where he prosecuted business until 1858. Iu that year he removed to Newton and there engaged in mer- cantile pursuits, at the same time taking an active part in public affairs. His political tendencies drew him into close affiliation with the Democratic party, and to promote its success his most earnest lahors were always devoted.

In 1859, President Buchanan appointed him to the postmastership of Newton, the duties of which posi- tion he fulfilled with his characteristic strict integrity and uniform courtesy until the summer of 1861, when custom required that he should give way to the suc- cessful political party. In August of the same year he purchased the New Jersey Herald, the Democratic organ of Sussex County, and devoted his energies ex- clusively to journalism. In March, 1862, he purchased the Sussex Democrat, the organ of the Douglas De- mocracy, which was founded in 1858. These two journals he merged into one, under the name of the former, and continued in the editorial harness until June, 1866. During these five years he conducted the Herald with conspicuous ability and success, in- creasing its value and widening its circulation and influence, which, as the paper had always been one of the ablest Democratic sheets in the State, had been extensive.

In 1868 he was appointed a judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Sussex County, to fill a vacancy on the bench occasioned by the resignation of Judge Townsend, and in 1869 he received the appointment for a full term. The following year, in July, 1870, Judge Kelsey resigned the judgeship to accept from Governor Randolph the appointment of Secretary of State, to fill the nnexpired term of H. N. Conger, who had resigned. So well were his duties in this new and responsible position performed that on the assembling of the Legislature in 1871 he was nominated by the Governor for a full term, and confirmed by the Senate, notwithstanding that body was Republican. On the expiration of his term, in 1876, he was reappointed hy Governor Bedle, and was again confirmed by a Republican Senate.

The duties, at once arduous and delicate, have been discharged by him in a manner satisfactory to fair- minded men of all shades of political opinion, and he enjoys the high esteem of all whose good opinions are worth having. Notwithstanding his official cares and responsibilities, he finds time for indulging a strongly- developed taste for agriculture as the owner and sue- cessful manager of an extensive farm near Newton.

In 1872, his health suffering from close and con- tinuous application to public duties and his individual affairs, his physicians recommended the relaxation af- forded by foreign travel; and in accordance with their advice he visited Europe, spending several months in Italy, and being greatly benefited therehy.

thos Burwell

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Mr. Kelsey is er officio commissioner of insurance, and in this capacity has rendered the public valuable service in ferreting out and bringing to account a number of worthless concerns that had by false show- ings been eovering their corrupt condition and prey- ing on the public. In the latter part of the year 1876, Mr. Kelsey had reason to suspect that the Hope Mu- tual Life Insurance Company of New York-which was officially composed of a gang of swindlers known as "insurance-wreckers," and in 1872 had selected as one of their victims the New Jersey Mutual, of New- ark-was not in a sound condition, and he therefore instituted an examination into its affairs. Desiring to get possession of the valuable assets of the New Jersey Mutual,-over one million of dollars,-and believing that they could carry on their questionable speenlations with more security in New Jersey than in New York, and that they could use the New Jersey Mutual as a machine with which to swallow up other insurance companies under the guise of reinsurance, they approached the directors of that company and proposed to give them one hundred and fifty thousand dollars for its one hundred thousand dollars capital stock and the control of the company. This arrange- ment was consummated by the Hope Company of New York reinsuring the risks of the New Jersey Mutual. This arrangement continued for about three months, the business being conducted in the office of the Mutual at Newark, where the Hope managers brought into active existence the old New Jersey Mu- tual, and it, in turn, reinsured the risks of the Hope. From that period until the summer of 1876 matters ran on smoothly ; during this time they had by re- insurance or otherwise swallowed up several other companies, and are reported as having made enormous sums of money.

After Mr. Kelsey began the examination, it was soon found not only that this company was insolvent, but that gross frauds had been practiced. Some of the officers attempted, under the guise of reinsurance, to transfer all-and, in fact, did transfer most-of its assets to the National Capital Life Insurance Com- pany, of the District of Columbia, an irresponsible concern. At this juncture Mr. Kelsey instituted the necessary proceedings in chancery to prevent said fraudulent transfer and removal. The law was too slow for the rapid operation of the dishonest officials, and before the court could get the strong hand of the Inw on them most of the valuable assets had been re- moved beyond its jurisdiction. Immediately upon this development Mr. Kelsey laid the facts before the Essex County grand jury, and it found bills of indict- ment against several of the principal conspirators. Some of them fled the country. One was then in New York ; a requisition was sent from the Governor of New Jersey to the Governor of that State for his rendi- tion as a fugitive from justice, but it was not honored.

At this particular time was formed a conspiracy against the Secretary of State which was intended to

crush and overthrow him,-aiming to destroy hi- official honor, drive him from oflice, and make matters so uncomfortable for him that his successor would not dare further to resist them in their operations. An important part of the conspiracy was to subsidize as many of the New Jersey newspapers as possible. Two Newark papers were selected as the principal instruments in New Jersey, and were to lead off in the attack. Mr. Kelsey was to be assailed in the foulest manner and driven out in disgrace. The New York fugitive, from his secure retreat, furnished the libelous matter, and the organs in Newark gave it its first publication in New Jersey. The amount thus expended in spreading broadcast over the State, among prominent men, by means of these and other papers hired for the purpose, information libeling Mr. Kelsey, was stated by one of the principal conspirators to ex- ceed thirty thousand dollars. The Sussex grand jury, at the December term, 1877, found bills of indictment against the two Newark editors for libels published in their respective papers against MIr. Kelsey, charging him with criminal conduct in office. One of them was tried, convicted, and imprisoned, but the other made a suitable retraction in his paper, and was not brought to trial. Another of the conspirators was subsequently captured, brought to Newark, tried before Judge Depue in the Essex County Court, convicted, and sentenced to a term in the State prison. Thus, al- though sorely tried, Mr. Kelsey was fully vindicated in his honest and fearless attempt to bring to justice corrupt and desperate men holding high and influen- tial positions.

Mr. Kelsey, as commissioner of insurance, has per- formed much arduous and useful labor, and has re- duced that department of the State government to a regular and complete system, as his annual reports to the State Legislature show. By this system and the thorough modification of the statutes the citizens of New Jersey are now protected from the former impo- sitions of "wild-cat" and insolveut insurance com- panies, both in and out of the State, and by which our own sound and reliable companies are protected.

For many years Mr. Kelsey has taken an active and prominent part in the politics of the State, and in many a hard-fought contest has proved his skill as a leader and organizer of the Democratic party.

In 1861 he married Miss Prudence, a daughter of the late Judge John Townsend, of Newton.

In addition to his other positions of trust and re- sponsibility, Mr. Kelsey is a director of the old Sussex National Bank, of Newton, a director in the Newton Library Association, and a director of the Citizens' Gaslight Company of Newark. In March, 1851, Gov- ernor Ludlow nominated him for a third full term as Secretary of State.

THOMAS G. NUNNELL ..

William Bunnell, the progenitor of the family in America, so far as is known, was a native of Cheshire,

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England, and came to New Haven, Conn., in 1638. He was a farmer and tanner in West Haven, and married Anna Wilmot, daughter of Benjamin Wilmot, of New Haven, in 1640; she bore him five children.

Benjamin, eldest child of William Bunnell, was born in 1642, and married Rebecca, daughter of Peter Mallory, of New Haven, in 1664, by whom he had ten children. He died in New Haven. His sixth child, Benjamin, was born in 1686. Whom he mar- ried is unknown, but the names of his children are found on the New Haven records, among whom was Solomon, born in New Haven in 1705, and married Mary Holdren, a native of Holland, who bore him children as follows: Isaac, Benjamin, and Solomon. He removed and settled at Kingwood, Hunterdon Co., N. J., about the time of his marriage. During the French and Indian war he started with his family to remove to the valley of the Susquehanna, but, on his way meeting the people fleeing from Wyoming to escape from the Indians, he turned his course and came to what is called "The Hollow," in Middle Smithfield township, Monroe Co., Pa., where he pur- chased land and settled. Remnants of the orchard planted by him in "The Hollow" are still in exist- ence.

Isaac, eldest son of Solomon, was born in King- wood, N. J., July 13, 1738, and married Lanah Barkalow, by whom he had eight children,-viz., James, Mary, Gershom, John, Henry, William, David, and Barnett. Isaac lived and died where he settled, in Monroe Co., Pa.

Henry, fifth child of Isaac, was born in Monroe Co., Pa., July 3, 1778. He married Mary Nihart, of the same county, who bore him twelve children, -- viz., George, Julia, Gershom, David, Robert, Isaac, James, Barnett, John, Mary, Henry, and Eleanor. The first five were born in Middle Smithfield, Pa., and the remaining seven in the township of Wal- pack, Sussex Co., N. J., on the farm now occupied by David Bunnell. This farm was purchased and occu- pied by their father, Henry Bunnell, in 1809, and, in addition to farming, he carried on blacksmithing. He died Aug. 4, 1826, and his wife April 27, 1858. Both were buried in the old Walpack churchyard.

David, fourth child of Henry, and father of Thomas G. Bunnell, was born March 1, 1806, and married, Sept. 16, 1828, Catharine, daughter of William Smith, of Walpack. He still occupies the old homestead in Walpack where his father settled, and his golden wedding was celebrated by his relations and friends Sept. 16, 1878. Seven of his children are living in 1881,-viz., Thomas G .; Sarah, wife of George Ru- bert, of Sandyston ; Mary, wife of George C. Stoll, of the same township; Martha, wife of John Youngs, of Dingman's Ferry, Pike Co., Pa .; Henry, a farmer in Tioga Co., N. Y .; Joseph W., keeps a public-house in Sandyston; and Frank P., a merchant in Blairstown, N. J.

Thomas G. Bunnell, son of David and Catharine

(Smith) Bunnell, was born in the township of Wal- pack, March 14, 1834. His early education was re- ceived in the schools of his native place and at the Blairstown Presbyterian Academy, under the princi- palship of the well-known teacher J. Henry Johnson, and for three terms he was a teacher. He married, Sept. 19, 1857, Mary A., daughter of Jonas and Sarah A. (Decker) Smith, of Walpack. Their children are Carrie, Alice A., Willard, John S., and Edith.

For several years after his marriage, Mr. Bunnell was engaged in farming in Walpack and Sandyston townships, and in .1865 he purchased the Benjamin Hull farm, in Walpack, upon which he remained for two years, then removed to Newton, where he has since resided. For several years prior to his removal he had acted as local correspondent of the New Jer- sey Herald, published at Newton, then owned by John W. Gillam. In August, 1867, Mr. Gillam sold out this paper to an association. Mr. Bunnell, one of its members, was chosen as editor and publisher, and has conducted it with marked ability since.

In early manhood Mr. Bunnell began to take an active part in local politics, and in 1859 served as town clerk of Walpack, and in 1863 and 1864 in the same capacity in Sandyston. In 1865 he was elected a justice of the peace of Walpack, officiating until he settled in Newton. In 1874 he was chosen to the same office in Newton, to fill the unexpired term of William E. Ross, who was elected sheriff. In 1876 he was selected to head the citizens' ticket as one of the town committee favoring the payment of the railroad bonds, was elected, has continuously held the office for five years, and for two years served as chairman of the town committee. During the same time he was also street commissioner of Newton. In January, 1877, he was elected engrossing clerk of the State Senate, and the following year he was re-elected without opposition in his own party. In all these public positions his sole aim has been to discharge the duties incumbent upon him fearlessly, with a view to justice to all, and for the good and general prosperity of the people whom he has represented.

For many years Mr. Bunnell, in connection with his other business, has been collecting historical data, ancient manuscripts, and rare books relating to the history of Northern New Jersey, which he has kindly placed in the hands of the publishers of the history of Sussex County. For his untiring research and in- defatigable perseverance in collecting this very valu- able material he is entitled to much credit for honest labor, not for money, but from a love for historical truth.

III .- OTHER SUSSEX NEWSPAPERS.

Other newspapers have been published in Newton, as follows :

The Sussex County Home Journal was started in 1850 by Rev. Joseph L. Barlow, but was discontinued in a few years.

The Sussex Democrat was first issued by George R.

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SUSSEX COUNTY SOCIETIES AND ORGANIZATIONS.

MeCarter in 1858. It continued to be published till 1861, when it was consolidated with the New Jersey Herald.

The Susser True Democrat was published about one year by George D. Wallace. Its first issue appeared in 1863.

The Sussex Record, edited by Col. Morris R. Ham- ilton, made its first appearance in the fall of 1867, and continued to be published little more than a year.

CHAPTER X.

SUSSEX COUNTY SOCIETIES AND ORGANIZA- TIONS.

I .- AUXILIARY BIBLE SOCIETY OF THIE COUNTY OF SUSSEX.

Titis society was formed in 1817, two years after the State society, and three years subsequent to the British and Foreign Bible Society of England. The names prominently identified with its origin are those of John Linn, Thomas Stewart, Rev. Dr. Joseph L. Shafer, and Peter D. Vroom, Jr. A meeting of a number of inhabitants of the county of Sussex was held at Newton on the 19th of February, 1817, when Mr. Linn was chosen chairman, and Mr. Vroom secre- tary. It was

" Resolved, That it Is expedient to form a Bible society In the county of Sussex, to be auxiliary to the New Jersey Bible Society."

A constitution was adopted, drawn up by Messrs. Shafer, Stewart, and Vroom. The name chosen was "The Sussex Auxiliary Bible Society." Twenty- three managers were intrusted with the selection of a president, four vice-presidents, and a corresponding secretary from among themselves. The second Tues- day of June was chosen for the time of the annual meeting, but the managers were directed to meet twice in each year. The following are the names of the first officers: John Linn, President; Henry Bidleman, Rev. Joseph Campbell, Rev. Joseph L. Shafer, Evi A. Sayre, Vice-Presidents; Peter D. Vroom, Corres- ponding Secretary; Samuel Johnson (of Newton), Treasurer.

The young society soon met with the discourage- ments which menace all such organizations. The managers, at the meeting March 27, 1817, resolved to reduce the quorum number from seven to five, evi- dently finding public interest insufficient to fill their meetings. But collections began to be made, and the work advanced. The treasurer's report made June 8, 1818, shows the subscriptions from the organization of the society to that date to have been thirty-six dollars and sixty-four cents. The money was directed to be used in buying Bibles. The board in 1819 recommended that an auxiliary society be formed in each township in the county. The treasurer's report for 1820 showed a gratifying advance, the receipts for

the year having accumulated to ninety dollars, exclu- sive of twelve Bibles on hand.

The society was reorganized at its ninth annual meeting to bring it into immediate connection with the American Bible Society. On May 26, 1825, at Newton, the constitution was framed, under the style of "The Auxiliary Bible Society of the County of Sus- sex," as it remains at the present. The officers chosen at the reorganization were Robert Ogden, President ; Jacob Ayers, Benjamin Halsey, Vice-Presidents; Rev. J. L. Shafer, Corresponding Secretary ; Job .J. Ilalsted, Recording Secretary ; David Ryerson, Treas- urer.

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History of Sussex and Warren counties, New Jersey, with Illustration and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 56

Author: Snell, James P; Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford) Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Peck Number of Pages: 1140

Author: Snell, James P; Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford)
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1140