Memorial cyclopedia of New Jersey, Volume II, Part 11

Author: Ogden, Mary Depue
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: Newark, N.J. : Memorial History Company
Number of Pages: 940


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The following minute has been adopted by a committee of clergy present at the services in The House of Prayer on Thursday. The committee was appointed by the Bishop of the Diocese immediately after the services.


In the death of the Rev. Hannibal Goodwin, a heroic figure and one long identified with the re- ligious life of the City of Newark, has been re- moved from the Church on earth. We recognize him as having been a zealous minister of the


Word and Sacraments, a laborious workman of Christ, a most instructive and faithful parish priest, an eloquent preacher and a friend to the poor and outcast. In the various fields of labor in which he was engaged, he proved himself firm in maintaining the Catholic faith; and at a time when the principles of divine worship in the beauty of holiness were less understood and less in evidence than they are now, he was always a steadfast leader in the advanced movement. While for the last thirteen years he was relieved from parochial cares, he did not forget the sac- red responsibilities of his sacred office, and his ministrations in different parishes where his ser- vices were required, kept him in touch with the active life of the church. He retained to the last the respect and affection of those among whom it had been his duty to minister, and he was heid in high esteem by the community at large. We de- sire on behalf of the clergy present at his burial, to bear our testimony to the high value of the life and services of our departed brother.


VREELAND, Warren,


Man of Many-sided Ability.


The many and sterling qualities possess- ed by the late Warren Vreeland, of Nut- ley, New Jersey, can be more thoroughly understood when we trace the earlier his- tory of his family, for there we will find those virtues which distinguished the early pioneers and made many of the names noted in history.


Michael Jansen Vreelandt founded this family in America. He left Broeckhuy- sen, in North Brabant, in the ship "Rens- selaerwyck," October 1, 1636, and settled at what is now Greenbush, opposite Al- bany, New York. There he was a "boer- eknecht," or farm servant, a kind of work he soon abandoned for the more lucrative one of fur trading, in which it is said "he made his fortune in two years." The Dutch West India Company, however, claimed this trade as its sole prerogative, and Mr. Vreelandt removed to New Am- sterdam, prior to November 4, 1644, em- powering Arent Van Curler to settle his accounts and differences with Patroon Van Rensselaer. In 1646 he settled in Com-


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munipaw, on the bouwerie owned by Jan Evertsen Bout, and in 1647-49-50, he rep- resented Pavonia in the Council of Nine, and joined his associates in their crusade against Governor Peter Stuyvesant. It was at his house that the journal of Van der Donck was seized, and it is supposed that the seizure was on information furnished by himself. July 26, 1649, he was one of the signers of the application for the first municipal government in New Nether- land. He was also the inventor and inau- gurator of the excise license system in New Jersey, his plan and petition being present- ed and granted, June 15, 1654. On Sep- tember 15, 1655, the Indians massacred everyone in the Pavonia community except the family of Mr. Vreelandt, which was obliged to take refuge in New Am- sterdam; and there, because he was "an old man with. a heavy fam- ily," who had lost his all. he was allowed to open a taproom, November 22, 1655. In February. 1656, he was granted a lot in the city for the same reason, and February 21, 1657, he was appointed one of the measurers of lime and grain. April 13, 1657, he was enrolled as one of the lesser burghers. January 22, 1658, he ask- ed for permission to return to Communi- paw, and three years later he was living there on his own farm in competence. He was one of the first magistrates of the new court at Bergen, and in December, 1662, he joined in the petition to the Governor for a minister of the Gospel, to whose sup- . port he pledged twenty-five florins. His death occurred in 1663. He married Fitje Hartmans, who died September 21, 1697. They had six sons and two daughters, and from these the Vreelands are descended. The old homestead of the Vreeland family bears the date 1702, and is still standing on the west bank of the Passaic river, a little to the north of the Avondale bridge, and is now known as the "Bend View House."


On the maternal side the ancestry of


Warren Vreeland is no less worthy of men- tion. His great-grandfather, John Spear, located about two hundred yards north of the Belleville bridge, on the east side of the street, the house being still there, and serves as one of the old and valued land- marks of the section. He became the owner of much real estate, on a part of which the Dutch church and the residence of Mrs.Tucker (a great-granddaughter ! are situated. From the old church steeple in Belleville, he shot a British refugee on the other side of the river, and the watch found in the dead man's pocket was giv- en him as a reward for his excellent marks- manship. Captain Jolin Spear, Jr., was in charge of the guard house in Belleville, and rendered excellent service in this ca- pacity. He participated in many engage- ments, notably the hard winter at Valley Forge. The sword which he carried throughout this war, his commission from Governor Livingston of New Jersey, hi- book of accounts, and the watch referred to above, are in the possession of his grand- daughter, Mrs. Tucker. One of the treas- ured possessions, which was especially val- ued by the late Warren Vreeland, was the pistol used by his grandfather, John Vree- land, during the Revolutionary War.


Warren Vreeland was born in the old stone house on Chestnut street, Nutley, April 15, 1822, and died April 20, 1909. The first twenty years of his life were spent under the same roof with his grandmother, and .in this way he received much informa- tion regarding Revolutionary events which he could not otherwise have obtained. The house in which he was born, still stand- ing in an excellent state of preservation, is owned by his daughter, Laura-Mrs. W. J. Tuers, and is occupied as a club house by the Woman's Club. His education was acquired in the public school of Nutley. and he supplemented this by considerable reading, mainly on the subject of mechan- ics and inventions. He was broad minded and in his ideas was ahead of his day.


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Long before the Hague Tribunal was thought of he advocated the settlement of International differences by arbitration rather than the sword. In early manhood he went west, settling on a farm in Wis- consin, which he cultivated for a period of seven years, and then decided that he was better fitted for mechanical work and re- turned to Nutley. There he had formerly worked in the woolen mills of the Dun- cans, and upon his return, meeting one of the Duncans on the street, he was imme- diately informed that his old place in the mills was open to him if he chose to oc- cupy it, so highly was his ability as a ma- chinist appreciated. Mr. Vreeland was the owner of a blacksmith's shop and wheel wright establishment in Nutley, which he conducted with a very satisfactory amount of success. He became the owner of a large quantity of real estate, which is now in the possession of his children. Mr. Vreeland was a man of many-sided ability. While he had never learned the trade. he was a capable carpenter, and could build a house as well as an expert in this line. In fact, he could turn his hand to almost any- thing in the mechanical line, and make a decided success of the undertaking. He was a man of action and influence in local politi- cal matters, and served many times as a member of the Commission of Appeals. At first a strong supporter of the Whig party, he later affiliated with the Greenbackers, and finally became a strong Prohibitionist. While he never was a regular or frequent church-goer, he was a man of deep and true religious convictions, and his entire life was one of good will to all.


Mr. Vreeland married, March 17. 1847. Jane E. Lloyd, born July 10, 1819. died April 12, 1907, a daughter of John W. Lloyd, of Morristown, New Jersey. In 1897 they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary, and both were living at the time of the sixtieth anniversary. Children : I. Virginia, married (first) William Mc- Farland, and had children: Eva, Harvey


and Grace; after his death she married (second) his brother, John McFarland. 2. Everett, who died in 1804. 3. Laura Mason, who married W. J. Tuers, of Paterson, New Jersey, and has one child: Russell.


RUNYON, Theodore.


Lawyer, Jurist, Diplomat.


When Joel Parker, the first of the Dem- ocratic Governors after the war, was called upon in 1873 to appoint a Chancellor of the State of New Jersey, he selected a Democrat who had been a loyal soldier and was a brilliant advocate at the bar, Theo- dore Runyon. He was not then known as a learned lawyer, but he was a man of quiet intelligence, clear perceptions and strong sense of justice, accomplished, versatile with a wide knowledge of affairs and of men (Courts and Lawyers of New Jersey, Keasby).


As Chancellor and Presiding Judge of the Court of Errors, he displayed wonder- ful powers and so fully proved his quali- fications for this position of great power and trust that the New Jeresy bar after fourteen years association with him urged upon Governor Green the wisdom of again appointing him, stating in a petition that "He has in the whole administration of his office exhibited the intellect, learning, in- dustry, wisdom, spirit and temper which go to make up a great equity judge."


As Ambassador to Germany he gained favor with the German government, filling his high office with dignity and credit. Whether he be considered as lawyer. jur- ist, soldier, diplomat or citizen, his charac- ter shines forth with a brilliancy that for- ever insures him a permanent place in the New Jersey Hall of Fame.


Theodore Runyon was born in Somer- ville, New Jersey, October 25, 1822, son of Abraham Runyon, and a descendant of the Huguenot, Vincent Rognion, one of the earliest settlers of Piscataway township, Middlesex county, New Jersey. He receiv-


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ed his preparatory education in the schools of Plainfield and New York; later entered Yale College where he was graduated in 1842. He and his friend, A. Q. Keasby, were among the founders of the famous College Society, Scroll and Keys, and on the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the Society, both delivered eloquent ad- dresses. After graduating Mr. Runyon began the study of law in Newark, under Asa Whitehead, continuing until the July term, 1846, when he was admitted to the bar and licensed an attorney. Three years later he was admitted a counselor. He be- gan practice in Newark at once rising rap- idly in public favor until 1853, when he was made city attorney and advanced to city counsel in 1856, holding the latter of- fice for eight years. He evinced the great- est interest in public affairs and developed a strong liking for military life. He join- ed the militia and in 1857 was appointed Brigadier General for Essex county. He was fond of his title, and was commonly known as General Runyon, even when he became Chancellor and Ambassador, and at the Court of Berlin wore the uniform of a major general of the United States Army. When the Civil War was inevitable, he en- listed and in 1861 was commissioned brig- adier-general of the First Brigade, New Jersey Volunteers, and assumed command on April 27th of that year. His regiment attained its full quoto on April 30th, and was one of the first to leave for the seat of war, reaching Washington on May 6th, nineteen days after the first man was mus- tered in. The regiment was engaged on the defences of Washington and one of these, Fort Runyon, was named for the General. The regiment served its full term of enlist- ment, three months, then returning. When General Runyon returned in August, 1861, before quitting the field he received the thanks of President Lincoln, personally tendered in the presence of the cabinet, for his services and those of the New Jersey Brigade. Complimentary resolutions were


passed by the New Jersey Legislature, and on February 26, 1862, he was appointed in compliance with the recommendation of the House of Assembly, major-general by brevet.


He at once began the practice of law in Newark and became very influential in po- litical affairs. He had been a presidential elector in 1860. Was elected mayor of Newark in 1864 and was the candidate of his party for Governor of the State in 1865, only failing an election by two thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine votes, meeting defeat at the hands of Mar- cus L. Ward, the Republican candidate. He was appointed major-general of the New Jersey National Guard in 1869, holding that rank until his appointment as Chancellor, four years later. During all these years he was actively engaged in the practice of his profession and had gained a good repu- tation as a successful jury lawyer. A bright and ready speaker, persuasive and forceful, his manner pleasing and his logic convincing, he was one of the strong men of the Essex bar and recognized as one of the most capable and efficient lawyers of the decade following the Civil War. On April 29, 1873, Governor Joel Parker appointed him, with Abraham O. Zabriskie, Robert Gilchrist, Augustus W. Cutter, Mercer Beasley and other commissioners, to prepare amendments to the State constitution, and about the same time Governor Parker an- nouced the appointment of Theodore Run- yon to succeed Abraham O. Zabriskie as Chancellor of the State. At this time he was president of the Manufacturers' Bank of Newark, resigning that position on as- suming the new office. He took his seat at the May term, 1873, and for fourteen years thereafter most ably filled his high position and covered by his numerous opin- ions the whole province of equity, enriching and developing that most important branch of the jurisprudence of the State. His ex- tensive learning, remarkable facility of thought and expression, his sound judg-


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ARNam Houten


CYCLOPEDIA OF NEW JERSEY


ment, instinctive sense of equity, indefat- igable industry, and as the years progressed, his long experience on the bench rendered him particularly qualified to fill the high position to which he was twice appointed. The whole bar was indignant and disap- pointed when he was not appointed the third time, voicing their displeasure in no uncertain manner. It was not only his great ability as a judge, nor his wise ex- ecutive qualities, but his sympathy, winning personality and charming manner made personal friends of all who came under his influence. To the younger men of the bar he was especially kind and helpful, giving them a sense of companionship and in help- ing them in obtaining justice for their cli- ents, thus stimulating and encouraging them to do their best. His decisions while Chancellor were numerous, exceedingly weighty and valuable, these discussions al! being reported in connection with the im- portant cases thus decided and comprising an important addition to judicial precedent and literature. After retiring from the bench, the ex-Chancellor returned to pri- vate practice in Newark and became one of the busiest lawyers, his proved ability and the prestige of his high office bringing him clients of the highest class and cases of the greatest importance.


In 1893 President Cleveland appointed him Minister to Germany, that post being soon afterwards raised in rank by Act of Congress to that of Ambassador. As a diplomat he gained additional renown, and with dignity and credit upheld the highest American traditions. While in Berlin his old college mate and lifetime friend, A. Q. Keasbey, died in Rome, Italy, the Am- bassador rendering the greatest assistance and almost tenderness to the daughters of his friend. He filled his exalted office with the greatest credit, until his sudden death at the German capital, January 27, 1896.


There is no eulogy of General Runyon that can overestimate his greatness. He was tried under every circumstance and his


career graces the annals of his native Statt shining with brightest lustre when respon sibility was greatest and qualities of trues manhood demanded. He is best remember- ed as the gifted Chancellor but as Ambassa- dor he won a reputation as the equal of any representative of a foreign power at the German capitol, his deep learning in both law and literature, his mastery of several modern languages. his accomplished ora- tory and his brilliant writings making a deep impression upon the German Court and upon the foreign diplomats there ac- credited. Wesleyan University recognized his scholarly attainments by conferring the honorary degree of LL.D., August 15, 1869, Rutgers College conferred the same degree in 1875 and Yale University in 1882.


General Runyon married, in 1864, Clem- entina, daughter of William D. Bruen of Newark, who survives him. Children : Mary Clementine, married Harry C. Has- kins of New York: Frederick T. : Julie B. Leonard C .; and Helen L. married E. Al vah Wilkinson.


VAN HOUTEN, Anthony B.,


Prominent Builder and Man of Affairs.


Anthony B. Van Houten, for many years one of the most active business men of Pat- erson, New Jersey, was born September 8, 1833, at Oakland, Bergen county, New Jer - sey, son of Martin and Hester (Bartram) Van Houten. He was a descendant of one of the oldest Dutch families of New Jer- sey, which was originally planted in Bergen county, and shortly afterward was active in the settlement of what is now Passaic.


Among the early settlers of the ancient town of Bergen, which is now Jersey City, were three brothers, Helmigh, Cornelis and Tunis Roelofse, that is, sons of Roelof. One of these, Cornelis Roelofse, who took the surname Van Houten, indicating the locali- ty whence he came in Holland, was among the patentees of Acquackanonck, which en1- braced the present city of Passaic, in 1684.


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His descendants have continued to reside in that section down to the present day, and have ever proved themselves worthy and useful citizens. The farm on which An- thony B. Van Houten was born had been, for many generations, in the family, and a part of it is still owned by his heirs. The original homestead is now a part of the Page summer home.


Anthony B. Van Houten attended the local schools for a period of eight months only, and was chiefly self-educated. He was eight years old at the time of his fath- er's death, when the family included nine children, and he was early obliged to make his own way in the world. While still a boy he went to New York City, where he served an apprenticeship with a well-known builder named Christy, learning the trade of carpenter. At the age of twenty-one years he was working on and had charge of the construction of the building of the Pacific National Bank building in New York. He continued at his trade in that city until 1866, when he removed to Pater- son, New Jersey, and engaged in building construction with his brothers William H. twenty-one years of this association the H. and James Van Houten. During the brothers constructed many of the principal buildings of Paterson, among the first of which was that of the First National Bank. During his activities in this connection, Anthony B. Van Houten became known as the leading builder of the city. Among the numerous churches which he con- structed were the Church of the Redeemer and the Second Presbyterian Church, Bap- tist Church and Grace Methodist Episcopal Church, and he also erected Washington Hall. About 1888, James Van Houten re- tired from the firm, and in 1892 Anthony B. Van Houten purchased the interest of the other brother, and continued business under the name of A. B. Van Houten unti! 1900, when his son, Edmund Van Houten, was admitted, and the business was after- wards conducted under the style of A. B.


Van Houten & Son. The headquarters of the concern has been located, since 1868, at 68-78 Paterson street, where a planing mill and lumber yard are maintained, and a general mill business carried on.


Anthony B. Van Houten continued ac- tively in business until a very short time preceding his death, which oc- curred August 25, 1914. He was early in life a member of the Market Street Methodist Episcopal Church, and later united with the Grace Methodist Epis- copal Church, of which he was one of the founders and treasurer for twenty years, and near which he resided for some time. He again joined the Market Street Church, of which he was treasurer over twenty years and trustee twenty-six years. In his earlier years he was among the most active workers in the Sunday school. For forty- seven years his home was at No. 83 Ham- ilton avenue, Paterson, in the first building constructed by the brothers when they started in business in Paterson. For many years preceding his death his summers were spent in Oakland, where he had a country home, within half a mile of his birth place, and there he died in his eighty-first year.


Mr. Van Houten was a patriot, ever in- terested in the welfare of his country, state and city, but did not devote much time to political matters, his only official service being in the capacity of judge of election. His time was very largely devoted to his home and church. In 1909, when seventy- five years of age, he made a trip to Europe, visiting many countries. He had previous- ly been an extensive traveler in his native land, spending considerable time at the Yel- lowstone Park, in California, Florida and Canada, and was thoroughly familiar with the interesting scenes of his home country. A great lover of nature, he ever maintained that the natural scenery in this country sur- passed in grandeur and beauty any to be found in Europe. A self-made man, he was ever interested in movements calculat- ed to build up and promote the welfare of


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the city of Paterson. Of genial, kindly dis- position, he was respected by all, and was especially active in all religious works. He married (first) Sarah Davis, and they were the parents of two children: Hester and Martin. He married (second) Euphemia F. Stephens, a native of Westchester coun- ty, New York, daughter of Daniel and Jeanette (Odell) Stephens, of old West- chester county families. The parental home- stead is now a part of Kensico Cemetery. Mrs. Van Houten was ever the coadjutor of her husband in good works, ever active in the labors of the church, and in every charitable undertaking. After a life com- panionship of over fifty years, they were separated but a short time by death. She passed away March 3, 1915, surviving her husband less than seven months. They were the parents of three children: Ed- mund. Jennie and Nellie.


TALMAGE, Thomas De Witt,


Noted Divine and Lecturer.


Rev. Thomas De Witt Talmage was born at Bound Brook, Somerset county, New Jersey, January 7, 1832, the youngest cf twelve children-five girls and seven boys. His father, David T. Talmage, was a farm- er, whose predominant traits were geni- ality, firmness and decision of character .. His mother was a woman of marked ami- ability, gentleness. and keen wit. In the son's character these traits appeared to be very nearly united. For more than a quar- ter of a century the Talmage ancestry were members of the Reformed Dutch Church, in which David T. Talmage was a leading official.


Thomas De Witt Talmage's preliminary studies were made in the grammar school at New Brunswick, New Jersey, under Pro- fessor Thompson. In his early life he showed the possession of acute powers of observation and a retentive memory. En- dowed with great bodily vigor, he was en- thusiastic in all that he undertook. His


entrance into the church was undoubtedly on account of the fact that two of his uncles, one brother-in-law, and three brothers had become ministers of the gospel. At the age of eighteen he joined the church, and the following year entered the University of the City of New York. Here he did not exhibit any great brilliancy, but displayed a talent in oratory and dramatic capacity which made him notable and attracted at- tention on exhibition days. It is said of lim, also, that as a scholar in belles-lettres he was without a rival among all the stil- dents of his period in the university. He was graduated in May, 1853, the exercises being held in Niblo's Garden, New York City, and his oration aroused the audience to a high pitch of enthusiasm. Its subject was, "The Moral Effects of Sculpture and Ar- chitecture," and it was published in full in one of the New York daily papers, being the first literary article of Mr. Talmage's ever printed. At the close of his college studies De Witt imagined himself interest- ed in the law, and became a student in a law office, where he remained for tlirce years. He then conceived that he had made a mistake, and prepared himself for the ministry at the Reformed Dutch Church Theological Seminary in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and was ordained by the Reformed Dutch Classis of Bergen.




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