USA > New Jersey > Memorial cyclopedia of New Jersey, Volume II > Part 42
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In 1861 he was one of the first to volun- teer his services in the Union army, and in May of that year was appointed major of the Sixth United States Cavalry, and aide- de-camp on the staff of Lieutenant-General Winfield Scott, with the rank of colonel. and held the same rank on the staff of Gen- eral George B. McClellan, upon the retire- ment of General Scott. On the Peninsula of Virginia and during the Maryland cam- paign, Major Wright rendered such signal service, that he was twice breveted for gal-
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lant and meritorious conduct. At the close of the Maryland campaign he was ordered to report with his commander at Trenton, New Jersey, after which he returned to the duties of civil life. He became interested in a variety of enterprises, and held official position in a number of them, as follows : Director of the Mutual Benefit Life Insur- ance Company, the Firemen's Insurance Company and the Newark Gas Company ; member of the board of trustees of the Epis- copal Fund of the Division of Newark; president of the board of managers of the New Jersey Home for Disabled Soldiers, being the active executive officer of the board for a quarter of a century. He was companion in the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States: mem- ber of Marcus L. Ward Post, No. 88, Grand Army of the Republic, in which he held office as commander and past commander ; member of the Essex Club of Newark, and served as vice-president several terms : and affiliated with the Union Club of New York City. He was a member of the Episcopal church, and for a period of fifty-four years a devout communicant of the parish of the House of Prayer of Newark, and active in its support.
Major Wright married, in Ascension Church, New York City, October 9, 1860, Dorothe Eliza Mason, who was born at the home of Thaddeus Phelps, No. 23 Park Place, New York City, at that time one of the finest residential sections. She was a daughter of Stevens Thomson and Julia (Phelps) Mason, the former the first gov- ernor of the State of Michigan, and found- er of the University of Michigan. Major and Mrs. Wright had children : Minerva, married Rowland Parry Keasby: William Mason, at one time major of the Eighth In- fantry, and stationed at Monterey. Califor- nia, married Marjorie Jerauld ; Emily Vir- ginia ; Julia Phelps : Katherine Maria ; Dora Mason, married Chauncey G. Parker : Edith Howard; Amabel Phelps ; Edward Henry, Jr., married Caroline Lesher Firth.
The time and means of Major Wright were ever freely given to the interests of the public, and he ranked among the best citi- zens. Liberal in his views without being radical, his ideas in many instances were in advance of his time, but later events have proven the wisdom which underlay them. Thoroughness, devotion to work and an un- shakable integrity furnished the keynotes to his business character, the other side of which showed the broad-minded Christian gentleman, with charity and sympathy for all classes, creeds and conditions.
WRIGHT, William,
Prominent Manufacturer, Business Man.
It has been universally conceded that the busiest men are those who always have time to spare in order to assume additional du- ties, and apparently they are able to accon- plish wonders. The very simple principle lying at the root of this state of affairs is systematic and methodical work. Every moment of time is given its full valuation, and every phase of life is appreciated in proportion to the useful work which has been faithfully performed. A man who was a fine exponent of this admirable class of men was William Wright, manufacturer, financier and statesman, whose efforts in be- half of the welfare and improvement of the community were unremitting, and who was successful in the accomplishment of projects which a less energetic and enter- prising man would have lost courage in es- tablishing.
William Wright was born in Clarkstown, Rockland county, New York, November 13, 1794. and died in Newark, New Jersey. No- vember 1. 1866. He was a son of Dr. Wil- liam Wright, who was graduated from Yale College in the class of 1774, and a lineal de- scendant of Benjamin Wright, who emigrat- ed from England to Virginia in 1645, re- moved to Guilford. Connecticut, five years later, and not long afterward to a farm at the mouth of Wright's river, near Saybrook,
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Connecticut, where the family has lived for a number of generations. He was the recip- ient of a thorough college preparatory edu- cation in Poughkeepsie, New York, but was obliged to forego entering college by reason of the death of his father in 1808, this ne- cessitating his taking a business position at once. He found this in Bridgeport, Con- necticut, where he became an apprentice in the harness manufacturing business of An- son G. Phelps, and while there volunteered against the British in the defense of Ston- ington. Some years later, in association with William Peet and Sheldon Smith, he was one of the organizers of the firm of Peet, Smith & Company, manufacturers of saddlery and harness, and so successful did this enterprise prove, that a branch house was established in Charleston, South Caro- lina.
Newark, to which city Mr. Wright mov- ed in 1821, was the next scene of his ac- tivity, and he became a partner in the firm of Smith & Wright, later members of the firm being Messrs. Hanford Smith, Edwin Van Antwerp and William S. Faitoute. This soon became the most noted establishment of its kind in the city, and was the leader in the manufacture of leather goods in the State, and most probably in the United States, of that period. The factory was lo- cated at the southeast corner of Broad and Fair streets, and Mr. Wright was the lead- ing spirit in its affairs until his retirement when he was about sixty years of age. A number of other important business enter- prises of the city had the benefit of his co- operation, among them being the Newark Mechanics' Bank, the Mechanics' Insurance Company and the Newark Savings Institu- tion, in all of which he held official position, being president of the last named from its organization until his death. The Morris & Essex railroad had the benefit of his ex- ecutive ability from the time of its organi- zation until death called him away. The manifold demands made upon the time of Mr. Wright by his weighty business re-
sponsibilities did not prevent him from fol- lowing public affairs with the closest atten- tion, greatly to the benefit of the communi- ty in which he resided, and the country at large. His earlier political affiliation was with the Whig party, and later his princi- ples were those of the Democratic party. He was honored by election as mayor of New. ark in 1840, as a representative of the Whig party, and filied this office with distinguish- ed ability for a period of three years. In 1842, while still in office as mayor, he was nominated, and later elected, to Congress, defeating William B. Kinney, later minister to Italy. Mr. Wright was re-elected in 1844, and served in the House of Representatives from: December, 1843, until March, 1847, and was considered one of the ablest men of these sessions. In 1847 he was elected for the office of governor of the State of New Jersey, but was defeated. Henry Clay al- ways received his active support as a pres- idential candidate. and he was a delegate from New Jersey to the national convention of 1848. During the administration of President Fillmore, Mr. Wright was among those who abandoned the Whig party, deeming the principles supported by the Democratic party best suited to the needs and development of the country, and from that time forward, the Democratic party had no more ardent advocate than he. In the campaign of 1852 he was an active worker in the interests of the Democratic nominees and his reputation and influence were of great advantage to the party in many directions. He was elected to the Senate of the United States by this party, his term extending from March 3. 1853. to March 3. 1859, was succeeded by a Repub- lican, whom he succeeded in 1863, and again was chosen to serve a full term. During his first term in this honorable body he was chosen chairman of the committee on man- ufactures, and during his second term lie was a member of the committees on manu- factures, public lands and revolutionary claims. His death occurred while he was
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serving his second term as a United States Senator, For many years he was a member of the Episcopal Church, a liberal supporter of this institution, and a prominent commu- nicant of the Newark House of Prayer.
Mr. Wright married, September 2, 1819, Minerva, a daughter of William and Jemi- ma (Tomlinson) Darrow, and they had chil- dren : Frederick William. born May 21, 1820; Catherine Maria, born March 23, 1822; Edward Henry, a sketch of whom also appears in this work. Mr. Wright was a man of broad and liberal ideas, and his stern integrity was recognized in the busi- ness world. He combined an extraordinary genius for administration with indomitable perseverance, and his self-reliance never failed him. Genial, yet dignified, in his man- ner, he won the respect of those with whom he had relations in the business, social and political world, and the affection of a large circle of friends. In his home life he was a loving and devoted husband and father.
PLUM, Stephen Haines,
Manufacturer, Man of Affairs.
The late Stephen H. Plum, who through- out his active and honored life was a prom- inent and influential citizen of Newark, trusted and esteemed for his excellent char- acteristics, winning and retaining the confi- dence of all with whom he was brought in contact, whether in business, religious or social life, was a worthy representative of a family of prominence, whose names are prominently connected and associated with the States of Connecticut and New Jersey, especially the latter, from its early history down to the present time, a family conspic- uous for its men of sterling probity and in- tegrity, active and public-spirited, progres- sive and enterprising. The name has been variously spelled during the preceding gen- erations, Plume, Plumb, Plumbe being some of the forms. The coat-of-arms of the Plume family are as follows: Ermine, a
blend vair or and gules cottised vert. Crest (English) : Out of a ducal coronet or, a plume of ostrich feathers argent. The Plumbs are an ancient Norman family, and are traced back to Normandy, A. D., 1180, and in England to A. D., 1240. In Ameri- ca the Plumes and Plums are among the old- est New England Colonial families.
John Plume, progenitor of the branch of the family herein recorded, a son of Robert and Grace (Crackbone) Plume, was born in Spaynes Hall, at Great Yeldham, Essex, England, from which country he removed to the New World, locating in Wethersfield, Connecticut, in 1635, and there became a prominent and influential citizen. His wife Dorothy bore him eight children, among whom was Samuel. His death occurred in Branford, Connecticut, in 1648. Samuel Plum, son of John and Dorothy Plume, was born in England, January 4, 1625-26, died in Newark, New Jersey, January 22, 1703. He was also a resident of Wethersfield and Branford, Connecticut, removing to Newark in 1668. He married, name of wife un- known, and among his children was John Plum, born in Branford, Connecticut, Oc- tober 28. 1657. died in Newark, New Jer- sey. July 12, 1710. He accompanied his father and the family there in 1668, and there spent the remainder of his days. He married Hannah Crane, who bore him five children, among whom was John Plume, born in Newark, New Jersey, about 1696. died there, after 1785. His entire life was spent in that city, and he appears to have been one of the few who wrote his surname Plume. He married (first) Joanna Crane, and (second) Mary -, and among the children of his first wife was John Plum, born in Newark, New Jersey, about 1743. died there, about January, 1771. He mar- ried Susan Crane, who bore him four chil- dren, among whom was Matthias Plum, born in Newark, New Jersey, 1768. died there, in 1852, having spent his entire life in his native city. He married Phebe Wood-
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ruff, who bore him five children, among whom was Stephen Haines, of whom fur- ther.
Stephen Haines Plum, born in Newark, New Jersey, January 7, 1800, died there, April 11, 1885, having long passed the al- lotted span of three score years and ten. After completing his studies in the common schools of his native city, he entered upon an apprenticeship to learn the trade of shoe -. making, remaining until he thoroughly mas- tered the trade in all its details, and then es- tablished a business in that line on his own account in New York City, which was a suc- cess from the beginning, he later extend- ing his operations throughout the southern and western States, which also proved a profitable enterprise. His goods were man- ufactured in the city of Newark, and he was among the first manufacturers of that city to gain for it its well-deserved reputation as a manufacturing center. About the year 1850 he gradually withdrew from business of a mercantile and manufacturing nature and invested his capital in other directions, be- coming actively interested in the Newark Gas Light Company, he having been a mem- ber of the board of directors for a number of years. He was also a stockholder and director in the New Jersey Fire Insurance Company, the Mechanics' Fire Insurance Company and the St. Mark's Fire Insur- ance Company of New York. He was a man of great force of character, of unim- peachable integrity, and to a natural dignity of manner added a geniality that won him numerous friends. He was charitable and generous, with a ready sympathy for those in affliction or need, and exerted a powerful influence for good in his community. A keynote to his success in his numerous ac- tivities was his executive force and mastery of detail in whatever engaged his attention.
Mr. Plum married Margaret Monteith Todd, born in Belvidere, New Jersey, died in Newark, New Jersey, .January 6, 1883. She was a daughter of Michael and Martha (Ramsden) Todd, the former of whom em-
igrated from Glasgow, Scotland, to America in the latter part of the eighteenth century. Children of Mr. and Mrs. Pium, all born in Newark: 1. Charlotte, born 1835; became the wife of Theodore B. Coe. 2. Matthias, born November 24, 1839; a prominent bus- iness man of Newark, engaged in the sale of books and stationery, also in printing and book binding, and has an extensive paper warehouse ; married Josephine A. Terhune ; children : Anne Howard, became the wife of George W. Downs; Matthias, married Mary Campbell Gaddis; Stephen Haines, married Madge Wilder ; William Terhune, niarried Bertha Krueger. 3. Stephen Haines, (q. v.).
PLUM, Stephen Haines, Jr.,
Man of Affairs, Philanthropist.
Stephen Haines Plum, Jr., son of Stephen Haines Pluni (q. v. ), was born in Newark, New Jersey, November 12, 1842, and died there. May 30, 1906. He attended the pri- vate school conducted by Mr. Hedges, and this knowledge was supplemented by a course in the high schools of Newark, which thoroughly prepared him for an active bus- iness career. He obtained his first insight of business by becoming a clerk in a drug establishment, and his next employment was in the City Bank of Newark, and at the ex- piration of eighteen months' service there, he accepted a position in the National Bank of the Republic, New York City, where his ability and faithfulness was rewarded by promotion from time to time. His connec- tion with this institution continued for al- most a quarter of a century, and for about eighteen years of that period he served in the capacity of paying teller. He resigned his position in the bank in order to devote his entire time and attention to his individ- ual property interests, which came to him upon the death of his father in 1885, he having left an extensive estate. He spent eighteen months abroad visiting England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Italy, Germany,
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Algeria and other foreign countries, thus adding considerably to his store of knowl- edge and also gaining for him a much-need- ed rest.
Mr. Plum was a philanthropist in the highest sense of the word, contributing lib- erally of his means to various charities, al- though in such an unostentatious and quiet manner that few except those directly bene- fitted were aware of the donor, this being true charity and the essence of true refine- ment of character. One of his most noble acts of charity was the building of the Eighth Avenue Day Nursery in Newark, in honor of his mother, this institution being a great boon to mothers who are compelled to leave their children in order to make a living for them. In connection with the late Mr. Horace Alling, he was an active factor in securing the subscriptions for the erection of the building for the Children's Aid and Prevention of Cruelty to Children Society in Newark, in which worthy undertaking he took a keen interest, contributing liberally toward its support and maintenance, and which he served in the capacity of presi- dent, filling that position at the time of his decease and for many years prior to that event. Mr. Plum joined the First Baptist Peddie Memorial Church, in 1858, at the age of sixteen years, and was thereafter an ac- tive and consistent member, serving for nineteen years as treasurer, for several years as president of its Board of Trustees, and an active worker in the missionary movement. He was also for many years a teacher in its Sunday school, using there his great influence and power over many young men, his daily life serving as an example for others to follow. In national and State affairs, Mr. Plum was in favor of the can- didates of the Republican party. but in local affairs he cast his vote for the man who in his opinion was best qualified for office, ir- respective of party affiliation. He was a man whom to know was to honor, one of the men whose careers were of signal useful- ness, using their great talents and wealth to
the best advantage, thus gaining what is far better than wealth or power, an honored and untarnished name.
Mr. Plum married, October 25, 1865, Mary, daughter of David C. and Lydia (Dodd) Runyon, of Newark, New Jersey. Children: I. Margaret Monteith, became the wife of Henry G. Atha, treasurer of the Cast Steel Works of New Jersey ; children : Margaret Monteith, born July 17, 1898, and Sarah, born March 8, 1901. 2. Martha J. 3. Stephen Haines (3), born January 18, 1877, in Newark; educated in Newark Academy and Princeton College, graduating from the latter in the class of 1901 ; engaged in the real estate business in Newark ; a Re- publican in politics, member of the Peddie Memorial Church, in which he serves as trustee, and interested in all the good work in which his father took such a prominent part : married Blanche Devereux ; children : Stephen Haines (4), born October 30, 1906, and Lucretia Mary, born December 30, 1907.
HUSTON, Judge Henry,
Prominent Lawyer and Jurist.
The comment has often been truthfully made that deserved appreciation of really great men is too frequently withheld until death awakens society, or a State, to a sense of its loss. This is less true of the late Judge Henry Huston, of Newton, New Jer- sey, than of most distinguished personages. There was never a period in his notable career when his mental equipment was not recognized by friend and foe alike as of a superior order. None ever failed to credit him with high moral purpose, true nobility of character, sterling sense of justice, and firm adherence to the loftiest political, social and professional ideals. Nor did he disap- point any intelligent opinion of his excep- tional qualities of head and heart, and this universal estimate of his character became more pronounced after his sudden passing away. Sentiment assumed free and open
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expression. He was deliberately reweighed in all his attributes of character, in all his ac- complishments, in all his relations to public and civic affairs, and what had been the common verdict was only rendered the more emphatic. Honors, no matter how profuse, were all too insufficient for the distinguish- ed dead. Mourning, however sincere and general, was but a feeble expression of the deep seated sense of bereavement. Through critical, yet most kind analysis, through sympathetic eulogium, and through touching dirge, was assigned his deservedly exalted niche in the hall of fame, there to stand as an encouragement to noble endeavor and as an inspiration to ambitious youths.
The Huston family in this country is of Scotch-Irish origin. and was founded here by John Huston, a linen weaver of the North of Ireland, who came to America about one hundred and fifty years ago and made his home near the Town of Newton, New Jersey. His son, Alexander Huston, was a farmer by occupation, prospered ex- ceedingly, and was a man of influence in the section, filling the office of assessor of the Township of Newton, for about thirty-five years. One of his sons, John Huston, was also a successful farmer in this township.
James B. Huston, son of this second John Huston, was born in 1818. and died at La- fayette, Sussex county. New Jersey, March 18, 1894. During almost all the active years of his life he held positions of trust. He served as a lay judge of the Sussex Court of Common Pleas for a period of ten years ; was for many years a member of the Board of Chosen Freeholders of the county : dur- ing a quarter of a century he was a member of the board of directors of the Sussex National Bank of Newton : and was engag- ed in the milling and mercantile business at Lafayette approximately forty years. He married Martha Kays, a daughter of Thomas Kays, and a granddaughter of John Kays, a Revolutionary soldier, who married a daughter of Benjamin Hull, an early set- tler of Sussex county, who had thirteen chil-
dren, one hundred grandchildren, and whose descendants may be found in almost every State in the Union. Martha ( Kays) Hus- ton was a descendant of Henry Bale, a German, who came to America about 1750, and in Sussex county built the first grist mill east of the Blue Ridge. Among the children of Mr. Huston were: John, now living in Portland, Maine: Henry, the sub- ject of this sketch ; and Mrs. Mary Clay, of Newark.
Judge Henry Huston was born at La- fayette, Sussex county, New Jersey, No- vember 26, 1853, and died at his home on Elm street, Newton, April 17, 1915, after an illness of only a few hours' duration. His elementary education was acquired in his native town at the private school conducted by Professor E. A. Stiles, of the Mount Retirement Seminary, and he was prepared for entrance to college at the Blair Presby- terian Academy. There he pursued his studies far enough to enable him to enter Princeton College in the sophomore class and he was graduated from this institution with honors in the class of 1874. For some time he had already decided to follow the legal profession, and he commenced his preparation toward this end in the office of his uncle, Thomas Kays, an eminent lawyer of Newton, was admitted to the bar of New Jersey as an attorney in 1877. and as a coun- selor in 1880. He at once commenced the active practice of his profession, and in 1884 became associated with his uncle in a part- nership which lasted until 1891, and which was conducted under the firm name of Kays, Huston & Kays.
During the thirty-five years of his prac- tice in Sussex county, the services of Judge Huston were continuously in demand. It almost seemed a foregone conclusion that he would win cases, even under the greatest difficulties. Upon attaining his majority he had joined the ranks of the Republican party, and from the outset was looked upon as a leader. As a political speaker and writ- er, he took part in every campaign since
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1876; his contributions to the newspapers always aroused deep interest, and on several occasions his was the leading spirit to im- portant and greatly needed reforms. As a public speaker, he was fluent and convinc- ing, his high literary attainments and pleas- ing address enabling him to sway his audi- ences at will. But it was not alone in the political field that his services as an orator were in demand. In the service of churches and organizations of varied scope and char- acter, his talents were as freely given, and were the subject grave or gay, it was sure to be attractively handled by Judge Huston. He was particularly impressive and charming as an impromptu speaker, his brilliant ideas and quaint, whimsical and telling turns of speech being inimitable. His professional services were always in demand, and at the time of his death he had been retained on eighteen of the forty-two cases on the dock- et for the April term of court. He was ap- pointed United States Circuit Court Com- missioner for the District of New Jersey in 1879, and was admitted to practice in the United States Circuit and District Courts in 1881; in 1884 he was appointed a Special Master in Chancery by Chancellor Runyon. In April, 1896, Governor Griggs appointed him law judge for Sussex county to fill a vacancy, and in January, 1897, he was reappointed by the Governor, and con- firmed by the Senate for a full term of five years. In 1907 he was appointed Prosecu- tor of Sussex county, was reappointed sub- sequently, and retired in 1912.
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