USA > New Jersey > Memorial cyclopedia of New Jersey, Volume II > Part 25
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56
Among the many families of promin- ence whose names are inseparably con-
nected and associated with the State of New Jersey from its early history to the present time, is the Yardley family, a fanii- ly conspicuous for its men of sterling pro- bity and integrity, eminent in business and social circles, active and public-spirited. both in church and state affairs, and whose women have also brought the name into deserved notice. The family is a large one, and many branches are found in the various States of the Union, particularly in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, where they have made the name conspicuous by their achievements in the varied callings chosen by them for their active careers, and their records cast no shadow on the untarnished name.
Samuel Swan Yardley, son of Charles Burleigh and Margaret Tufts (Swan) Yardley, was born in South Orange, New Jersey, December 5, 1873, and died in his native city, March 1I, 1914. His mother, an energetic, earnest and progressive wo- man, has been an active factor in many of the movements for the enlargement of use- fulness of the women of New Jersey, and under the auspices of the board of man- agers of the Columbian Exposition, of which she was a member, she made a col- lection of the books and writings of the women of New Jersey, amounting to over four hundred published volumes, besides considerable additional unpublished mat- ter. She also compiled in two volumes a choice selection from two hundred and seventy authors who contributed news- paper and magazine articles from time to time, not previously published in book form. These, together with all the other volumes collected. were placed on exhibi- tion in the women's department at the World's Fair, and later were placed in Trenton, the capital of the State, and in recognition of her efforts in behalf of the authors of New Jersey, she was award- ed by the managing committee of the ex- hibition a gold medal. For several de- cades she has held membership in the
.
155
CYCLOPEDIA OF NEW JERSEY
Sorosis, the Women's Club, of Orange, and the Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, in the latter named organization having been honored by elec- tion to the office of regent of the national organization. In 1894 she organized the New Jersey State Federation of Women's Clubs, consisting of fifty-two women's lit- erary and other clubs, of which she was the president, and an exhibit of this work was sent to the Atlanta Exposition.
Samuel Swan Yardley acquired his pre- liminary education in Miss Mckinnon's school, the Dearborn Morgan school and Mr. Bahler's school, in Orange, and then pursued advanced studies at Andover Phil- lips Academy, which he attended four years and from which he was graduated, and at Yale College, being forced to re- linquish his studies there after a few months, owing to impaired health, and subsequently he pursued a special course at Stevens Institute of Technology at Ho- boken, New Jersey. Being thus thorough- ly well equipped, he entered upon his ac- tive career, engaging as chemist with a well known firm of Newark, New Jersey, W. Reuziehausen & Company, refiners of gold and silver, with whom he remained until his untimely death, in the prime of life, his future bright with promise. He was painstaking and conscientious in the performance of his duties, characteristics which are essential in every line of work. and he was held in high esteem by his employers, who valued his services high- ly. He was a member of the New Jersey Naval Reserve; Hope Lodge, No. 124, Free and Accepted Masons ; and the Paint and Powder Club. He was also a con- sistent member of Christ Church, East Orange, in which he took a keen interest and an active part in the work of the var- ions societies connected therewith. As every true American citizen should do, he kept well informed on the issues of the day, and gave a loyal support to the prin-
ciples in which he believed, and wherever he was known he was held in the highest regard by reason of his sterling worth and fidelity to principle.
Mr. Yardley married, April 18, 1900, in Grace Church, Newark, Maria Dorothy, daughter of Frederick William and Emma (Beiderhass) Reuziehausen, of Newark. One child, Frederick William, born Sep- tember 7, 1902.
ORCUTT, Calvin Barber,
Financier, Active in Charitable Work.
A central figure in the business life of Elizabeth, New Jersey, for many years, Calvin Barber Orcutt owed the success which crowned his efforts to his discre- tion, his foresight and superior business ability. His example was probably of more benefit to mankind than that of he- roes, statesmen and writers. In addition to his extensive business interests, his en- ergies were largely devoted to the further- ance of many enterprises which had for their object the uplifting of man and the promulgation of higher standards among humanity. Honorable in business, loyal in citizenship, charitable in thought, kindly in action, true to every trust confided to his care, his life was the highest type of Christian manhood. His parents, Phineas C. and Sophronia (Barber) Orcutt, were of old families of Vermont and Connecti- cut, and inherited the sterling qualities of a long line of English ancestors.
Calvin Barber Orcutt was born in Wyoming, New York, September 5, 1847, and died in Elizabetlı, New Jersey. Janu- ary 30, 1911. His elementary education was acquired in the common school at Wyoming, and he then worked his way through the academy at Wyoming, known as Millbury College. The curriculum at this institution was but a limited one, and. after his arrival in the city of New York. Mr. Orcutt studied percentage and brok-
156
,
CYCLOPEDIA OF NEW JERSEY
erage by himself, and thus fitted himself for a higher position in the financial world. For a time he was in the employ of a drug house in New York City, but soon formed a connection with Fisk & Hatch, bankers, who dealt largely in government securities. His faithful discharge of the duties entrusted to him soon earned him promotion. While this firm was financing the Chesapeake & Ohio railway, the at .. tention of the late Collis P. Huntington was attracted to Mr. Orcutt, and he select- ed him to have charge of the marketing of the coal produced along the route which came to tidewater at Newport News, Vir- ginia. Subsequently, when the legislature compened the separation of the coal busi- ness from the railroad company, the Ches- apeake & Ohio Coal Agency Company was organized, with Mr. Orcutt as its president. He was also one of the organ- izers of the Newport News Ship Building and Dry Dock Company: was president of the Newport News Light and Water Company; and a director in the First Na- tional Bank of Newport News, and the Seaboard Transportation Company.
He was one of the founders of the Young Men's Christian Association in Elizabeth, and donated a fine gymnasium and locker room in memory of his son. In addition to this he paid the remaining debt of $7,000 still resting on the new building in Jersey street. He served as president of the board of trustees, and was president of the As- sociation in 1909. He assisted in founding the Elizabeth Rescue Mission in 1894, and until his death gave liberally of both his time and money towards its maintenance. Another institution in which his co-opera- tion and support were of inestimable bene- fit was the Elizabeth General Hospital, of v 'ch he was a director for more than fif- teen years, and he was an active worker in the interests of the Home for Aged Women and the Orphan Asylum. He was a devout member of the Second Presbyterian Church,
having united with this church by letter Oc- tober 2, 1868, was an elder, and superinten- dent of the Sunday school from June 16, 1875. He was ordained and installed a ruling eider, October 30, 1887. He was chairman of the finance committee of the Presbyterian Board of Home Missions. He Was a member of the Chamber of Com- merce of New York City; New England Society and the Congregational Society in the City of New York; Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers of New York; Lawyers' Club; Automobile Club of America ; Thousand Islands and Chippewa Bay Yacht clubs, and numerous others.
Mr. Orcutt married, in North Granville, New York, September 18, 1872, Harriet M., a daughter of Addison and Sarah Me- linda ( Wyeman ) Willett, and had children : Mary Willett; Russell Barber, born Octo- ber 12, 1883, died October 1, 1901; Helen Marguerite.
It is difficult to sum up in few words a character of such dignity, sweetness and beneficence as that of Mr. Orcutt. It can perhaps best be accomplished by repeating the tribute paid to his memory at his funeral by his pastor and friend, the Rev. E. B. Cobb, D. D., who said :
"I can think of no more appropriate words in which to give expression to what I am sure you all think, than the words of King David with ref- erence to Abner, 'Know ye not that a prince and a great man is fallen this day in Israel?' For Mr. Orcutt was truly a prince and a great man. First of all he had a 'Princely Mind.' God had richly endowed him with that which for want of a bet- te: name, we call brains. And this intellect with which he had been endowed, had been cultivated in one of the best of all schools, the school of ex- perience. More quickly than most, he was able to grasp the meaning of great problems, and to work these problems out through all their intri- cate details. And what he was able thus to grasp and work out, he was able also to put down upon paper and to express in speech, and his intellect thus disciplined, he further developed by contin- ually measuring up to still larger problems, and by constant and judicious reading. He had a princely mind, and he had also a 'Princely Heart.'
157
CYCLOPEDIA OF NEW JERSEY
Indeed, if I should be called upon to state what in my judgment was his most prominent character- istic, I should 'at once name his big, warm. gen- erous, tender and loving heart, a heart which al- ways beat in sympathy with others, especially with those who were in need, and which was con- tinually impelling his mind to think of ways in which to relieve this need, and his hands and his feet and his purse to execute these ways. He was a truly liberal man, not ready merely to give when asked, but devoting much time and strength also in devising new ways in which to give. In the highest, richest, sweetest meaning of these words, 'He was an ideal friend-he did a Prince- ly Work.' If you should go to Newport News, Virginia, where the strength of his business activ- ity was expended, you would see there buildings, organizations and institutions, which would at once arrest your attention because of their size and importance, which confessedly are the mon- uments of his broad vision and indefatigable toil. Or if, returning to this city, you should look into the church in which he was a ruling elder, and into the Sunday School of which for thirty-five years he was the efficient superintendent, you would see building, equipment, organization and membership-another monument of his consecrat- ed life. Or if you should cross the street to the Young Men's Christian Association Building, you would find a gymnasium, with all modern equip- ment, fitted up by Mr. Orcutt in memory of a young son of eighteen who preceded him into glory a few years ago. Should you visit the Res- cue Mission, or go to the Elizabeth General Hos- pital, where he was one of its active managers for many years, or any other charitable and philan- thropic institutions of this city, you would find them in all, to a greater or less degree, other monuments of his generous thought. Or if you should be permitted to look into the hearts of many in this and other communities who have re- cently suffered financial loss, or passed through the deep waters of affliction, or in other ways have been in distress, you would find enshrined in them all the name of this good man who in quiet yet numerous ways had ministered to them in their time of need. He has left a 'Princely Name.' A good name which is more to be de- sired than riches-the name of a man who feared God and kept His commandments-who loved his fellow men and prayed unto God always-a name which will grow brighter and brighter as removed a little farther from him in time, we are the bet- ter able to appreciate how great he really was."
.
These words describe the personal char- acter of Mr. Orcutt most perfectly.
BABBITT, Robert Oscar,
Lawyer, Mian of Admirable Traits.
Robert Oscar Babbitt, of Jersey City, whose long and active career at the bar brought him into prominence throughout the State of New Jersey, was born in Mend- ham, Morris county, on the 5th of Novem- ber, 1848. his parents being Robert Millen Babbitt and Henrietta Jolley. On his fath- er's side he was of English descent, and on his mother's of French extraction.
He obtained his preparatory education in the district schools and in the academy of William Rankin at Mendham, and pre- pared for Princeton, but did not enter the university. He studied law for two years with Frederick G. Burnham, of Morris- town, and, removing to Jersey City in 1871, entered the office of Potts & Linn. He was admitted to the New Jersey bar as an at- torney in February, 1873, and as a counsel- lor in November, 1878. After his admis- sion to practice, Mr. Babbitt became a mem- ber of the firm of Potts & Linn, with whom he had pursued his studies, and continued this association, under the firm name of Potts, Linn & Babbitt, for one year, after which the firm was reorganized as Linn & Babbitt, and so continued for seven years. In 1882 he formed a partnership with Rob- ert Linn Lawrence, which remained in ex- istence until September, 1900, when it was dissolved, Mr. Babbitt retiring in order to devote his whole time and attention to his large legal Spanish-American business, which had been for many years his special- ty. In the successful conduct of important affairs in this field of practice, he achieved a wide as well as a high reputation.
Mr. Babbitt died at Laredo, Texas, De- cember 31, 1903, on the journey from the city of Mexico to his home in New Jer- sey, his death following an attack of pneu- monia. He is survived by his wife, Mary Elizabeth (McCrea) Babbitt, of an old Orange county, New York, family, whom he married in 1875, and by three children-
158
R.O. Darbill
CYCLOPEDIA OF NEW JERSEY
Robert Millen, Helen and Mary. Mr. Bab- bitt was a member of the Lawyers' Club of New York, and of the Carteret and Union League clubs of Jersey City. He was in- dependent in politics, and never accepted public office.
No record of Mr. Babbitt's life would be complete without an appreciation of his character, and no better insight into this can be found than in the following quota- tions, the first from the pen of a friend and associate in the City of Mexico, the second from that of a lifelong friend in New Jer- sey :
"Personally, he was a splendid specimen of an American gentleman of the old school, courteous, considerate, kindly, always brimming over with the liveliest humor, and above all a conservative, clear-headed business man."
"His was a very rich nature-rich in senti- ment, in the feeling for the noble in art and litera- ture and life, with a delight in the beautiful, wheth- er in the character or in the works and words of men. He had the passion of the artist for a fine painting. He took exquisite enjoyment in the writings not only of poets, but of essayists, think- ers and philosophers. He surrounded himself and enriched his home with many beautiful works of art, and the priceless treasures of the world's literature, Through his busy and la- borious life he kept continuously drawing at these fountains of noble sentiment and culture, and thus made himself a most companionable and stimulating man, charming with delightful talk, full of quickening thoughts and memories of those who have done and written great things in the world.
-
"But his sentiment was not exhausted upon beautiful things. He was rich in feeling for liv- ing men, and sympathy for all human interests. Full of admiration for whatever is fine and worthy and unselfish in human character and ac- tion : quick and ardent in sympathy and generosity for noble causes that help the world and aim at human good: compassionate and open-handed toward whatever was pitiable or whomever was in need. His heart was big and loving and kind. In somewhat strange union with this warmth and depth of sentiment in him, was a masterful force of nature. He did things. He had an unbreakable pertinacity of purpose. He had an exhaustless fund of energy. He loved to ac- complish things and he did accomplish them. During the last few years of his life he did a
work which will put thousands of men directly or indirectly in bis debt for generations to come. He was a builder-up, a man of large, useful, con- structive affairs, who had in his power and gift to leave a conspicuous world mark as the result of his life."
MacIL VAINE, Edward Shippen,
Civil War Veteran, Financier.
Edward Shippen MacIlvaine, late of Trenton, New Jersey, who was well known in the world of finance, was a scion of an old and distinguished family, whose history is a most interesting one.
In the early part of the sixteenth century the Makilvanes were large landed propri- etors, powerful and influential. The es- tates of Upper and Nether Grimet extend- ed for many miles along the Doon. The houses of Grimet were quite extensive, but are now in ruins. The site, marked by foundations and piles of cut stones, is own- ed by the Marquis of Ailsa, Earl of Cassil- lis. The ancient castle of Thomaston, beautifully situated within sight of the Firth of Clyde, opposite Ailsa Crag, was acquired by the Makilvane family by mar- riage. It was built by a nephew of King Robert the Bruce, about 1335, who died soon after its completion, when it was possessed by the Corries of Kelwood. Robert Corrie, and Euphan, his spouse, daughter of Thomas Tortherwald, who was slain at the battle of Durham, had a charter from King David II. for the lands of Cowlyn and Buchan in the county of Dumfries. One of their descendants mar- ried a MacIlvaine, and brought with her this magnificent castle in which the family lived for several generations. It was pure Norman in style, built of cut sandstone, surrounded by a moat, with drawbridge and portcullis, and was of remarkable strength, as proved by the many long-con- tested fights waged against its walls. In the old statistical account, Thomaston is de- scribed as one of the great places of the country side, "It has been exceedingly
159
CYCLOPEDIA OF NEW JERSEY
strong and of very considerable extent." In the description of Carrick, in Ayrshire, by Sir James Balfour, Lyon King at Arms, is a list of "the most ancient gentrey, now possessors thereoffe, as-Mackilvanes of the House of Grimmat, Shaws of the House of Keires, and Cathcarts, descendit of the Housse of Carltone, Fergusons, of the House of Kilkerrane, Corries, of the Housse of Kelwood, Mures, of the Housse of Muchemarrane, Mac Alexander, of the Housse of Corstyre." Pitcairn frequently mentions the "Makilvenes" as Lords of. "Grymet." They were allied by marriage to several powerful families, among these being the Kennedys. Through maternal lines they have descent from the Bruce, the royal Stewarts, the Maxwells and the Montgomeries.
(I) Alan Makilvane was confirmed in the possession of the lands of Grimet and Attiquin by a charter from King James the Fifth, October 10, 1529. He married, about 1520, in Ayrshire, - Kennedy, a niece of the Earl of Cassilas. The Makil- vanes had evidently come from the High- lands to Ayr but a short time previously, as the only reference made to them in that locality was by Pitcairn, who mentions the young laird of Attiquin in 1512. The orig- inal name was Mac Beth, "son of the liv- ing one," and they were a sept of the pow- erful clan Chattin. The name was chang- ed in various ways, that of the head of the family now in Scotland being Mac Bean. The coat-of-arms now registered in the of- fice of the Lyon King of Arms at Edin- burgh, about 1673, but borne much earlier, is: Gules, two covered cups or, in chief, a star argent. The emblem of the clan was a sprig of boxwood, signifying "Live for- ever." Alan Makilvane lived in turbulent times; of him this record has been found : "July 28, 1528, Alan Makilvne, Laird of Grymet, for not entereing his friend Gil- bert Kennedy of Kirckmechell for slaugh- ter of some of the Campbells 1100." There
was a bitter feud and much blood shed between the Kennedys and the Campbells. and concealing and protecting their accus- ed friends was a necessity.
(II) Gilbert Macilvane, entered as Gil- berto McIlvene filio et haerdi Alan Mcll- vene de Grumet, was killed in the battle of Fawside. He married Janet Cory or Cor- rie, and had a charter in confirmation of his lands from Queen Mary, May 4, 1546.
The family of Corrie was one of distinction in the sixteenth century. "Thomas Corrie de Kelwood fined for not entering Bargany for the slaughter of the young laird of Attiquane Ilm 15 12." The same Thomas Corrie had a charter for Kelwood from King James IV. in 1507. The Corries had intermarried with the families of Napier, Blair and Chalmers before uniting with the MacIlvaines.
(III) Sir Patrick MacIlvaine, of Grim- et, son of Gilbert and Janet (Cory or Cor- rie) MacIlvaine, became vested in his fath- er's lands of Nether and Over Grimet and Attyquyne, October 25, 1547. He fought with the Earl of Cassillis at Lady Gorse, in 1601, and was knighted on the field of battle for bravery. He married Julianna Schaw, of the Schaws of Leir, and died in 1613.
(IV) John MacIlvaine, son of Sir Pat- rick and Julianna (Schaw) MacIlvaine, had a charter granted him by King James VI. in 1597, for his lands. He died before his father, being killed at the battle of Lady Gorse. It is recorded that at this battle John MacIlvaine received a fatal thrust by falling down the bank upon his own spear. Pitcairn says, however, "The young laird of Grimak was struckin throu the chin and he and horse boyth struckin to the eird." He married - Kennedy.
(V) John MacIlvaine, son of John and (Kennedy) MacIlvaine, was living in 1632. He married Anna Corrie, of the Corries of Kelwood, who died in the year 1632, and whose will is in the register's of-
16
CYCLOPEDIA OF NEW JERSEY
fice in Edinburgh. She inherited the es- tates of, her family by the death of her brother.
(VI) John MacIlvaine, son of John and Anna (Corrie) MacIlvaine, died Septem- ber 21, 1669. He is believed to have mar- ried - Cunningham, niece of William, Earl of Glencairn. She is mentioned in the will of Quentin MacIlvaine in connection with his nephews, "the young sons of Jolin MacIlvaine of Grimet." Quentin MacIl- vaine made disposition of Thomaston in his will, but in a codicil stated that it was no longer in his possession, having been sold for the payment of fines and debts.
(VII) John MacIlvaine, a son of John and --- (Cunningham) MacIlvaine, suc- ceeded to Grimet, but with him the proper- ty passed from the family as a result of their being Convenanters. At this time re- ligious persecutions forced the family to take refuge for a short time in the North of Ireland, making their home by the shores of Loughneagh, in Ulster. Their names are to be found on record as mem- bers of the session of the Old Kirk until 1692, and their names appear on almost all the documents signed by the gentry, and known as the "Solemn League and Cove- nant."
(VIII) Joseph MacIlvaine, a son of (probably) John MacIlvaine, was born in 1700, and died in Ayr, in May, 1762. his "will being in the register's office in Edin- burgh. He was a man of prominence and influence in Ayr, holding positions of im- portance. He married (first) June 1, 1721, Anna Rogerson, daughter of Thomas Rog- erson, of Dumfries, descended from a fam- ily of County Tyrone, Ireland, which de- scended from Rory, son of Ruadbrigh, the "red haired king." He married (second) Jane, daughter of Adam Hunter, baillie of Ayr. Children, all by the first marriage : William, of further mention; David, born September 22, 1723, married Elizabeth Graydon ; John, born April 17. 1725: Eliz- abeth, born June 5, 1726, married William
Gairdner; Robert, born May 16, 1728; Anna, born January 8, 1731, married, 1762, John Fleming.
(IX) William MacIlvaine, a son of Joseph and Anna ( Rogerson) MacIlvaine, was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, March 31, 1722, and died in Bucks county, Pennsyl- vania, at his estate Fairview, near Bristol. He and his brother David came to Ameri- ca about 1745, and settled in Philadelphia, where they were prominent as merchants and ship owners. In one storm they lost forty vessels. He was a charter member of the Philadelphia Assembly in 1749, and an elder of the First Presbyterian Church from 1760 to 1770. In 1756 he was a mem- ber of the "Independent Company of Foot, Philadelphia," commanded by Captain Jolin Kidd. Some years prior to his death Mr. MacIlvaine retired from business and led the life of a country gentleman at his home in Bucks county, Pennsylvania. His will is dated there, January 26, 1770, and prov- ed, October 4, 1770. He appointed Wil- liam Humphrey, of Philadelphia, executor. Mr. MacIlvaine married (first) Anne Em- erson, daughter of Caleb and Mary (North) Emerson, of Philadelphia. Mary (North) Emerson was a descendant of the Right Honorable Dudley North, and of Sir Edward North, treasurer and guardian for Queen Elizabeth. The Emerson fam- ily of Durham is descended from the Counts of Habsbruck, tracing back several generations before the Norman Conquest. Mr. MacIlvaine married (second) Mar- garet Cross. Children, all by first marriage : I. William, of further mention. 2. Jo seph, of "Bristol township, Bucks county, gentleman." 3. Mary, married General Joseph Bloomfield, Governor of New Jer- sey, 1801, 1803-1812. He was born Octo- ber 18, 1753, son of Dr. Moses and Eunice Bloomfield, served as a surgeon in the Rev- olutionary War; attorney-general of New Jersey ; brigadier-general : member of Con- gress, 1817-1821 ; died October 3, 1825.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.