USA > New Jersey > Mercer County > Trenton > History of Trenton, New Jersey : the record of its early settlement and corporate progress. > Part 25
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184
THE CITY OF TRENTON.
GENERAL SAMUEL DUNCAN OLIPHANT was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, August 1st, 1826. He was prepared for college at the Uniontown Academy and the Grove Academy, at Stuben- ville, Ohio. He matriculated at Jefferson College, from which institution he was graduated in the Class of '44. After this he took a law course in Harvard University, graduating in 1846. From 1847 to 1861 he practiced law in Uniontown and Pittsburgh, and was interested in various railroad and manufacturing enterprises. In the fall of 1847, he joined the Old Union Volunteers, in January, 1848, was commissioned their Captain, and in 1849 was made Lieutenant-Colonel. His actual war record was particularly noteworthy. In 1861 he entered as Lieutenant-Colonel, com- manding the uniformed militia of Fayette county, Pennsylvania. In 1862, he was so badly injured in the line of duty that he was honorably discharged from the service on account of physical disability, but in June, 1863, he was again able to enter the service as Major of the United States Veteran Reserve Corps. In August, he was made Lieutenant-Colonel, and in October, Colonel. He was for some time the President of the board for the examination of officers recommended for promotion, and also senior officer of a General Court-Martial held in Washington. He served as Special Inspector of men in hospitals, and July 1st, 1866, was finally honorably discharged with the rank of Brigadier-General by Brevet. He received his brevet rank in July, 1865, and was assigned to the command of the Second Brigade of the Garrison of Washington, District of Columbia. He participated in seventeen battles and affairs, and always performed his duty bravely and commendably. In the spring of 1867, General Oliphant moved to Princeton, New Jersey, where he lived and practiced law seven years. After 1870, however, he was much of the time in Trenton, as during that year he was appointed Clerk of the United States Circuit Court by the late Hon. William MeKenna, a posi- tion which he still holds. In 1874, he moved his family to Trenton, and now occupies his handsome home-West State street on the corner of Calhoun. General Oliphant was for one year counsel to the Board of Chosen Freeholders. He is a member of the Loyal Legion and the Society of the Army of the Potomac and Sons of the Revolution. In March, 1847, he married Mary C. Camp- bell, of Uniontown, Pennsylvania, who died in October, 1875, leaving ten sons, nine of whom are now in active life in Trenton. John C., civil engineer, now engaged in preliminary survey of Ohio river and Erie canal ; Hughes, of the Bellmark Pottery Company ; Richard C., President Trenton Malleable Iron Company and member Common Council ; Henry D., Deputy Clerk United States Circuit Court ; Nelson B., physician ; Alexander C., graduate Naval Academy, Annapolis, Mary- land ; Samuel D., Jr., lawyer of the firm of Lowthorp & Oliphant ; Robert N., of the Bellmark Pottery Company ; James V., of the Bellmark Pottery Company, and Sydney M., of the Bellmark Pottery Company. General Oliphant was again married, this time to Beulah A. Oliphant, a cultured and accomplished woman of Medford, New Jersey, and a member of the oldest Quaker families of Burlington county. General Oliphant is a typical military officer. In his younger days, he was an effective public speaker, and took great interest in politics, being an active Republican.
BENNET VAN SYCKEL, LL. D., was born in Bethlehem, Hunterdon county, New Jersey, April 17th, 1830. His father was a successful business man of that place, and his grandfather, Aaron Van Syckel, was at one time Sheriff of the county and a member of the State Legislature. Judge Van Syckel was prepared for college at Easton, Pennsylvania, and was graduated from Princeton at the early age of sixteen years. He immediately entered the law office of Hon. Alex- ander Wurts, of Flemington, New Jersey, and made such rapid progress in the study of law that on the very day that he was twenty-one years of age he was admitted to the bar as an attorney-at- law. His commission as counselor came three years later. He began the practice of his chosen profession in Flemington, New Jersey, and achieved such remarkable success that in February, 1869, he was appointed Justice of the Supreme Court of New Jersey by Governor Randolph. He has been continually re-appointed at the expiration of each term of seven years, and is now on the latter half of his fourth term. At present he is the third oldest Justice in the State in point of ser- vice. Ilis district comprises Ocean and Union counties. In 1880 Princeton College conferred upon him the degree of LL. D. Judge Van Syckel moved to Trenton upon his appointment as Justice of the Supreme Court, in 1869, and in the following year he built the large and handsome residence, No. 125 Greenwood avenue, where he has since resided. He was married in 1857 to Mary Eliza- beth, daughter of William H. Sloan, a prominent lawyer of Flemington, New Jersey. They have three children, William S., a lawyer of this city ; Charles S., Secretary and Treasurer of the Trenton China Company, and Bessic.
GENERAL SAMUEL D. OLIPHANT.
185
THE CITY OF TRENTON.
LEWIS PARKER was born in South Trenton, near his present residence, on November 16th, 1839. Graduating at an early age from the Trenton Academy, he immediately entered upon the study of law with the late Judge Scudder. Mr. Parker was admitted as an attorney-at-law in 1861, and as a counselor in 1864. After practicing his chosen profession about five years, he was called to his present position with the Trenton Saving Fund Society in September, 1869. Mr. Parker has served his native eity and county in a great variety of positions, which of them- selves speak in the highest terms of his faithfulness in office. He was County Solicitor in 1863 and 1864 ; City Solicitor in 1863, 1864 and 1865 ; member of Common Council in 1861 and President of that body in 1862, and was also a member from 1874 to 1877. He was a member of the Board of School Trustees in 1861, and President of the Board from 1874 to 1877. He was Receiver of Taxes for two terms, commencing in 1866, being the first Receiver of Taxes of the city. As Trustee of the Industrial School for Girls he has served since 1889, and is Secretary and Treasurer of the Board. Mr. Parker was appointed member of the Board of State Hospitals in 1894, and was also the Democratic candidate for Congress from this district in 1882, but was defeated. He suc- ceeded in pulling down the Republican majority from three thousand to one thousand. In 1864, Mr. Parker was made County Commis- sioner, and was intrusted with paying off the Volunteer Bounty bonds. Previous to his appointment as Commissioner he had drawn up the resolutions looking to the offering of bounty, and had drafted the bill to confirm the action, which he succeeded in getting through the State Legislature. Mr. Parker is an active Odd Fellow, having been a member of that organization since 1862. He has held the position of Grand Secretary of the State con- tinuously since 1871. He was also Grand Representative to the Sovereign Grand Lodge for three terms of two years each, commencing in 1882. His local membership is with South Trenton Lodge, No. 36. He is a member of Trenton Lodge, No. 5, F. and A. M., and has been through all the offices in that lodge. Mr. Parker is an orator of more than local reputa- tion. He has frequently spoken on the princi- ples of Odd Fellowship and Free Masonry, LEWIS PARKER. and other matters, not only in this State but in nearly every State in the Union. In early life he was an active fireman in the Volunteer Department, and President of the old Delaware Fire Com- pany for many years. He was also a member of the first Board of Fire Commissioners of the city and served as its President. He is an efficient member of the Board of Trade, and has been President for two terms. Always interested in the progress of the city, he has been a diligent student of municipal government, and has frequently submitted his views to the members in care- fully-prepared lectures. He served for one term in the Board of Health, and had much to do with the preparation of the original eode, which is, to-day, the foundation of its legislation. He has also been the Treasurer and general adviser of the Standard Fire Insurance Company of Trenton for many years, as well as the President of the Trenton Gas Light Company. Mr. Parker was married April 14th, 1868, to Lydia A. Mulford, of Trenton. They have one daughter, Mrs. Harry F. Auten, and one son, William J. His library, one of the largest of a private character in New Jersey, contains about fourteen thousand volumes, and is rich in material relating to his native State. He has written largely for the press both in this city and elsewhere. His "Local Reminiscences " recently published in a local paper give evidence of his literary taste as well as his assiduity in gathering together a large accumulation of valuable local historical knowledge.
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186
THE CITY OF TRENTON.
Hos. JOHN T. BIRD, one of the Vice Chancellors of New Jersey, was born in Hunterdon county, New Jersey, in 1829. He spent his early years with his father at farming, and in attending the common schools in the neighborhood, until November, 1848. He took charge of a day school in Monroe county, Pennsylvania, during the following winter. In April, 1849, he entered the academy at Hackettstown, and continued there for eighteen months. In a short time thereafter he commenced the study of the law with Augustus G. Richey, Esquire, late of Trenton, who then resided at Asbury, Warren county. At the expiration of five years he was admitted to the bar, having spent one of those years in teaching the public school in the neighborhood in which he was born. He received his counselor's license in 1862. He practiced law in Hunterdon county from 1855 to 1882, first in Bloomsbury, then in Clinton, and later, in Flemington, the county seat. In 1862, he was made Prosecutor of the Pleas for Hunterdon county, a position which he held for five years. He was elected to Congress from the Third Congressional District, in 1868, and re-elected in 1870. While in Congress, he served upon the Committees of Pensions and Naval Affairs. He several times addressed the House on the subjects of the Tariff and Reconstruction. In politics, he has always been a Democrat and an earnest advocate of Revenue Reform. In 1876, he was appointed a member of the Constitutional Commission by Governor Bedle. On April 8th, 1882, Chancellor Runyon appointed him Vice Chancellor, and at the expiration of his term of seven years he was re-appointed by Chancellor MeGill, serving continuously since his first appointment. Immediately after his appointment, he took up his residence in Trenton. By virtue of the law creating the office of Vice Chancellor, he hears causes in equity, in the different districts throughout the State, upon such causes being first referred to him by the Chancellor.
JOHN P. STOCKTON is one of the most prominent lawyers and politicians that this State has ever produced. He is a son of Commodore Stockton, of the United States Navy. The subject of this sketch was born in Princeton, New Jersey, August 2d, 1826. He was educated in his native town, and graduated from the College of New Jersey in 1843. He immediately turned his attention to law and entered the office of Judge R. S. Field, with whom he studied for several years. In 1847, he was admitted to the bar of New Jersey as an attorney-at-law, and three years later, as a counselor. Until 1857, he was diligently engaged in the practice of his chosen profession, and, at the same time, he began to come into prominence, as a politician. During the administration of President Buchanan, he was selected to be United States Minister to Rome, and for four years he faithfully and efficiently discharged the responsible duties of that important position. In 1861, he returned to Trenton and resumed the practice of law. General Stockton was elected United States Senator for the six-year term commencing March 4th, 1865, but after serving only one year, he was unseated on the ground of informality in the election, having been elected by a plurality wanting one of the majority of the whole number. He was re-elected for the term beginning March 4th, 1869, and served the full term. His liberal elassieal and professional education and his long experience as a member of the bar of New Jersey, together with his ministerial experience at Rome, and his participation in the political life at home, made him a very able and useful member of the United States Senate. He soon eame to be looked upon as one of the leaders of the Demo- cratie forces, and a very worthy one he was. After leaving Congress he again took up the practice of law in this city. He was not indifferent to politics meantime, but served his party whenever opportunity offered. He has been a delegate to several national Democratie conventions. When the commission to revise and simplify the proceedings and practice in the courts of law was instituted, he was appointed one of its members, and did a large part of the work. On April 8th, 1877, he was appointed Attorney-General of the State of New Jersey, and has been re-appointed at the expiration of every term. For several years General Stockton resided at his elegant home on West State street, which he purchased of Mr. Babbitt, and which is now occupied by Mr. F. W. Roebling. General Stockton is at present making his home at the Trenton House. In 1845, he was married to Sarah Marks, of New Orleans, Louisiana. They have three children living. Their eldest son, John P. Stockton, Jr., is connected with the Erie Railroad Company ; their youngest son, Richard Stockton, was, at one time, United States Consul to Rotterdam, afterward Charge d' Affaires, Holland, and is now a member of a New York importing firm. Their only daughter, Julia, married Mr. Richard C. St. John, of St. Catherines, Canada, a civil engineer, now a resident of Philadelphia. Mr. St. John is now a naturalized citizen.
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HON, JOHN T. BIRD,
187
THE CITY OF TRENTON.
WILLIAM M. LANNING was born in Ewing township, Mercer county, New Jersey, January 1st, 1849. His aneestors were among the earliest settlers of New Jersey, the family having resided within what is now the limits of Mereer county since 1698. He obtained a liberal education at the Lawrenceville High School, whenee he was graduated in 1866. For six years subsequent to his graduation he taught in the district schools of Mercer county, and from 1872 until 1880 he was engaged in the same capacity at the Trenton Academy. In the year 1876 he was elected a Justice of the Peace in Ewing township, and, having no previous knowledge of the law, studied diligently to fit himself for the duties of that posi- tion. His study soon created a deeided legal taste and he determined to make the law his pro- fession. During the last four years of his stay at the Academy he devoted his entire leisure time to preparing for his life work. He first studied law with the late George Allen Anderson, finishing his course with General Edward L. Campbell ; being admitted to the bar as an attorney-at-law in November, 1880. Three years later he was licensed as a counselor. In 1884 he was made City Solici- tor of Trenton, continuing in that eapacity until 1887, when he was appointed Judge of the City District Court. With great credit he presided over that court until 1891, when, with other District Court Judges in New Jersey, he was legis- lated out of office. The laws of New Jersey, pub- lished in 1887 in the "Supplement to the Revis- ion," were compiled by Judge Lanning and the Hon. Garret D. W. Vroom. By acts of the Legis- lature in 1894 and 1895 these gentlemen were WILLIAM M. LANNING. authorized to compile and publish the entire statutory law of the State. Judge Lanning is a Director and counsel for the Mechanics National Bank, and from the time of Judge Caleb S. Green's death until January 1st, 1894, was also counsel for the Trenton Banking Company. He was a member of the Constitutional Commission of 1894. In 1885 Judge Lanning published a book, entitled "Help for Township Officers," which valuable work has had a second edition. It is accepted in New Jersey as authority on township matters. He was married August 3d, 1881, to Jennie Hemenway, who for several years prior to her marriage was special teacher of "Methods " at the State Normal School.
EDWARD GRANT COOK is descended from an old Ewing township family. His father, William G. Cook was for a long time one of the most prominent citizens of Trenton. He was an active business man, eonneeted with many of the financial institutions of the eity, and did a great deal to improve real estate here. At one time he owned more real estate than any other man in the city. He improved East State street from about half-way between Broad and Warren streets to where the Hotel Windsor now stands, and built many houses in various parts of the eity. Mr. Edward G. Cook was born in Trenton, New Jersey, May 13th, 1845. He was educated at Lawrenceville and Princeton, graduating from the latter institution with the Class of '65. He read law with the Hon. James Wilson, of Trenton, and took a course in the Harvard Law School, at Cambridge, Massachusetts. In 1868, he was admitted as an attorney, and in 1871 as a counselor-at-law. Since then he has been doing a general office praetiee almost exclusively, appearing before the courts but seldom. He settles up estates, aets as trustee, guardian, &e. He is a member of the Board of Managers and Direetors of the Mercer Hospital, and also a Director of the Trenton Trust and Safe Deposit Company. Mr. Cook travels quite extensively in this and foreign countries. When in Trenton he occupies rooms in the State Street House. ITis office is at No. 27 East State street, second floor front.
1SS
THE CITY OF TRENTON.
MERCER BEASLEY, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of New Jersey, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1815, while his father, the Rev. Frederick Beasley, was the honored President of the University of Pennsylvania. With his father's assistance he prepared himself for entrance in the Junior Class of Princeton College, and after spending one year in that institution he resumed his studies with his father and soon commenced to read law in the office of Samuel L. Southard and later with ex-Chancellor Benjamin Williamson, at Elizabeth, New Jersey. In 1838 he was admitted to the bar as an attorney and as counselor in 1842. Coming from a literary family, his father being a great scholar, he was very fond of study and research, and found in the study of law a field in which he fairly reveled. For years he studied carefully English law practice, comparing it with ours, thereby receiving the practical as well as the theoretical side of a lawyer's education. He carly gained distinction as a special pleader. This was due simply to his thorough knowledge of the law as it applied to the case in court, and his well-trained and disciplined mind, which enabled him to follow his arguments to their logical conclusions. He had confidence in himself and always spoke with assurance and a degree of positiveness which carried conviction with it. He had a strong, loud, effective voice, and as he rose to speak he received the undivided attention of judge and jury. While he was a young lawyer in this city he served as City Solicitor when that office paid only 815 annually. He also served in the city Common Council and in 1850 was President of that body. He reached such a high position in the bar of New Jersey that in 1864 he was chosen by Governor Parker to become Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of New Jersey, a position which he has filled with marked ability and fidelity ever since. Chief Justice Beasley is now the oldest member of the bar in New Jersey, and is holding the highest position in his profession in this city. All branches of science and religion have received his careful investigation, and he is to-day undoubtedly one of the best-informed men to be found in the State. His advancing years have in no perceptible degree dampened his ardor for study or original research. He is fully abreast of the times, not only in matters pertaining to his profession but in current events and in the discoveries of science, &e. He works now as easily as he did forty or fifty years ago and with as little fatigue. Chief Justice Beasley has twice been honored by having the degree of Doctor of Laws conferred upon him, by Princeton College in 1864, and by Rutgers later. He has been twice married, first to Miss Higbee, of this city, and the second time to Miss Haven, daughter of Chas. C. Haven, for many years a prominent citizen of Trenton. He has had four children, two sons and two daughters. His sons both took up the profession of the law and attained eminence in it, both reaching judgeships. Mercer, Jr., died a few years ago, and at the time of his death was Prosecutor of the Pleas of Mercer county. Chauncey H. is now Judge of the District Court, and is one of the most prominent lawyers in this city. While his daughters have not devoted themselves to the study of law they have married men who have become prominent lawyers in this city and State. One of his daughters is now Mrs. Judge Edward T. Green, and the other is Mrs. Judge William S. Gummere. Chief Justice Beasley was raised an Episcopalian ; his father was for several years rector of Saint Michael's Protestant Episcopal Church of this city. He and his son reside in a commodious residence, No. 143 East State street. Although he is now seventy-nine years old "his eye is not dim, nor his natural force abated." He seems as young as many men twenty or thirty years his junior, and bids fair to continue to discharge the duties of his high and important position for many years yet, as all who have met him in social intercourse hope that he may.
SAMUEL WALKER, JR., is a native of Trenton, having been born here October 1st, 1860. His education was received in the city public schools, and he is a graduate of the Trenton High School, Class of '79. He entered the law office of ex-Judge Buchanan, and was admitted to the bar as attorney-at-law November, 1883, and as counselor June, 1888. In 1884, he formed a partnership with Charles B. Case, and for two years they conducted a general law and real estate business under the firm name of Case & Walker. In 1886, this partnership was dissolved, and since that time Mr. Walker has been devoting his time and attention to his law practice, which has been steadily increasing. He was made a member of the Board of School Trustees in 1882. In 1891, he became a member of the Board of Health of the city for a term of three years. In 1892, he was appointed City Treasurer, a position of great importance and responsibility, the duties of which for two years he discharged faithfully and satisfactorily. He has also been elected Collector for Mercer county for the term of three years. He has frequently been Chairman of the City Demo- cratic Executive Committee, and is one of the leading Democrats of the city.
SAMUEL WALKER, JR.
189
THE CITY OF TRENTON.
JOHN RELLSTAB was born September 19th, 1858, at Trenton, New Jersey, where he has virtually lived ever since, though some years ago he moved to the borough of Chambersburg, to become the Borough Solicitor. Soon after, however, he became a resident of Trenton again by the annexa- tion of Chambersburg to the city of Trenton proper. In 1877, he took up the study of law, registering with Levi T. Hannum, and continued his studies until the November Term of 1882, when he was admitted as an attorney-at-law. In 1889, he was elected City Solicitor, and the same year was admitted as counselor-at-law. He filled this position until 1892, when, on account of Democratic legislation, he, with others, was legislated out of office, but through a restoration of the laws under which he first held office, he was again elected to that position, and has creditably discharged the duties of that office ever since. In the year 1880, Mr. Rellstab was married to Mary L. Francis, of Trenton, New Jersey. Two children were born to them, both of whom died in infancy.
GARRET DORSET WALL VROOM, son of the late Governor Peter Dumont Vroom and grandson of United States Senator Garret D. Wall, was born in Trenton, December 17th, 1843. After a preparatory course at Trenton Academy, he entered Rutgers College, graduating therefrom in the Class of '62. After studying law with his father, Mr. Vroom was admitted to the bar in the year 1865. He at once began the practice of his profession at Trenton, where he has since resided. Mr. Vroom was elected City Solicitor in 1866, and held that office until 1870, and again from 1873 to 1876. He was appointed Prosecutor of the Pleas of Mercer county in May, 1870, to succeed General C. K. Hall, deceased, which office he resigned in Decem- ber, 1873, on being appointed Reporter of the Supreme Court. From 1881 to 1883, Mr. Vroom was Mayor of the city of Trenton, and on the creation of the Board of Public Works of the city of Trenton, was appointed a member and held the office of President throughout the existence of that body. In 1877, in conjunction with the late John H. Stewart, he prepared for publication the "Revision of the Statutes of New Jersey," under the direction of the commissioners, which publication included the statutes revised, as well as the entire body of the statute laws of the State. In 1887, in conjunction with the Hon. William M. Lanning, Mr. Vroom GARRET D. W. VROOM. issued the "Supplement " to the above " Revision," and in 1894 these gentlemen were authorized to prepare a new Revision in three volumes, entitled "The General Statutes of New Jersey." This will include the body of the laws to January 1st, 1896. Mr. Vroom is Vice President of the General Society of the Sons of the Revolution and one of those most instrumental in the organization of that body in this State. He is also a member from New Jersey of the National Commission to Promote Uniformity of Laws throughout the United States.
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