USA > New Jersey > Memorial cyclopedia of New Jersey, Volume II > Part 45
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capacity from 1853 to 1869. He was sec- retary of the board for six years, and its president in 1867-68-69. During this period he was also appointed State Superintendent of Public Schools, and served a term of four years. In 1865 he was elected sheriff of Es- sex county, and was twice reelected. In 1869 he was elected mayor of the city of Newark, reelected in 1871, and served alto- gether four years. Not long after the ex- piration of this last mentioned term of pub- lice service he was appointed lay judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Essex coun- ty. Later he served for many years as li- brarian of the New Jersey Historical So- ciety. While in office as inayor, Judge Ri- cord, against the long continued opposition of the common council, refused his consent to an ordinance giving the city wood pave- ments, and, although all means were tried to make him change his course, he carried the matter to the Supreme Court and the Court of Errors, was victorious, and thus saved the city great and needless expense.
His literary work, however, was always considered by Judge Ricord the most impor- tant feature of his life. He wrote and pub- lished the following works: "An English Grammar," D. Appleton & Company ; "His- tory of Rome," A. S. Barnes & Company : "Life of Madame de Longueville, from the French of Cousin," D. Appleton & Com- pany; "The Henriade, from the French of Voltaire," H. W. Derby; "English Songs from Foreign Tongues," Charles Scribner's Sons. He also translated the "Comedies of Terence" from the Latin, and "More Eng- lish Songs from Foreign Tongues," which comprised translations from the Latin, Dan- ish, Flemish, German, French, Portugese and other languages.
ROGERS, Major Peter F.,
Civil War Veteran, Public Official.
Physically and morally, Major * Rogers was literally "tried as by fire," his life his- tory including chapters of years of railroad
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life as fireman, years of service as an of- ficer of New Jersey troops in the Civil War, and also years of service as a member of the police force of Newark. He emerged from these fierce trials of physical and moral courage unscathed, and with honor untarnished was advanced to the post he filled with further distinction for so many years, that of superintendent of the Home for Disabled Soldiers at Kearny, New Jer- sey. As a boy he learned the trade of silver plating. At the age of nineteen he became a locomotive fireman ; and from April, 1861, until June, 1865, was numbered among the gallant Jerseymen who on the field of bat- tle won honor and fame for themselves and their State. Then as an officer of the peace and as chief of the police department of the city of Newark, he rendered the highest service, beginning in 1878 his long term as superintendent of the Soldiers' Home, that ended in 1911. But his official connection with the Home did not end, his service as member of the board of man- agers continuing until his death in 1915.
Although nearing his seventy-ninth year, until stricken with fatal illness two weeks prior to his death, he was working on re- ports to be made at the annual encampment of veterans to be held in Washington in September, 1915, when he expected to be present in his official capacity as aide-de- camp and assistant inspector-general. Among the soldiers of New Jersey who served in wars of the past and in the National Guard of New Jersey, few men were so well or so favorably known as Major Rogers. Him- self a gallant soldier, he had a personal sympathy with all who wore the blue, and as superintendent of the Home he endeared himself to the soldiers and their friends by his wise and businesslike administration. His rank of major was by brevet, his gal- lantry as captain when leading his men in frequent assaults at Petersburg and else- where winning him the honor. His career as lieutenant, captain, and chief of the Newark police force was highly creditable,
and was terminated when the demands of politics and politicians prevailed. But what the city lost the State gained, and as su- perintendent of the Soldiers' Home for thirty-two years his service was invaluable.
Major Rogers was of English and Scotch parentage. His father, Peter Jones Rogers, was born in London, England; his mother, Elizabeth McEwen, in Paisley, Scotland. They were married in Glasgow, Scotland, and in 1843 came to the United States, bringing their children, a son, Peter F., and two daughters. They spent two years in New York City, then moved to Newark, New Jersey, where the mother died in 1849. The father later went west with the colony that founded the town of Greeley, Colorado, and there died in 1887.
Peter F. Rogers was born in Glasgow, Scotland, October 20, 1836, and died at his residence, No. 15 Seeley avenue, Arlington. New Jersey, May 8, 1915, aged seventy- eight years, six months, eighteen days. He was seven years of age when brought to New York by his parents, and nine years of age when they located in Newark, where he acquired his education in the public schools. His school life terminated at the age of fourteen, and his life as a wage earn- er then began. He worked at silver plating until he was nineteen years of age, as ap- prentice and journeyman, and then secured employment with the Morris and Essex Railroad Company. He continued in rail- road engagements until .858, part of that time being spent with the pioneer railroads of the west. His western experiences, wild and exciting as they were. did not induce him to permanent residence, and leaving railroad employ he located in Morristown. New Jersey, then in Somerville, New Jer- sey, working at his trade of silver plating in both places.
When "war's alarums" roused the north, Major Rogers entered heartily into the fray, and after recruiting a company of volunteers was chosen its captain. The company was recruited in April, 1861, sworn into service
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1. Company G, Third Regiment New Jer- charged, returning to his home in Newark. The Twenty-sixth Regiment New Jersey Volunteer Infantry was organized and mustered in September 18, 1862, served in General Henry S. Brigg's provisional com- mand from September 30, 1862, and in the Second Brigade, Second Division, Sixth Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, from October 11, 1862. With this regiment Major Rogers was on duty in the defence of Washington, District of Columbia, Sep- tember 27 to 30, 1862 ; moved to Frederick, Maryland, September 30, thence to Hagers- town, and remained there until October 31 ; advanced to New Baltimore, Virginia, Octo- ber 31-November 9; marched to Stafford Court House, November 16-17, and to White Oak Church, December 4-6. Was in action at the battle of Fredericksburg, December 12-15; on duty near Belle Plain Landing from December 20, 1862, to April 28, 1863; on the "Mud March," January 20-23. 1863 : operations at Franklin's Cross- ing from April 29 to May 2, 1863 ; second battle of Fredericksburg, May 3-4, 1863; assault and capture of Marye's Heights and occupation of Fredericksburg, May 3; bat- tle of Salem Church, May 3-4; actions at Downman's Farm and near Bank's Ford May 4; operations at Franklin's Crossing or Deep Run Ravine, June 5-10; occupied a. position in the front line of battle across the Bowling Green road, . near thie Bernard House, June 6-7. The regiment moved to Washington, District of Columbia, June 14- 17, and to Newark, New Jersey, June 19, being mustered out June 27, 1863. sey Volunteer Infantry, on May 29, 1861, and was sent to the front. He served in the First Brigade, Fourth Division, Army of Northeastern Virginia, from July, 1861 ; Kearny's Brigade, Franklin's Division, Ariny of the Potomac, from August, 1861 ; was at the battle of Bull Run, Virginia, July 21, 1861 ; in the action at Cloud's Mills, August 29 ; and at Springfield Station, October 2. Two months after the first bat- tle of Bull Run, Captain Rogers was taken seriously ill, was sent to Fairfax Hospital, and when sufficiently convalescent resigned on October 26, 1861, being honorably dis- charged on a surgeon's certificate, and re- turned home. He was physically incapable until the spring of 1862, and in August of that year he again enlisted as a private, then receiving a commission as second lieutenant of Company K. Twenty-sixth Regiment New Jersey Volunteer Infantry, September II, 1862, and first lieutenant November 19, 1862. On February 12, 1863, he was com- missioned captain of Company K. his sev- eral promotions being awarded for "gallant and meritorious service on the field of bat- tle." Captain Rogers served under Generals Burnside and Hooker in their Rappahan- nock river campaigns, and with the Twenty- sixth Regiment was mustered out at the ex- piration of its term of service, June 27, 1863. He again located in Newark, but could not long remain inactive while his country was in peril. He recruited a com- pany of volunteers, and with it entered the service as Company E, Thirty-ninth Regi- ment New Jersey Volunteer Infantry, re- The regiment with which Major Rogers saw his last service, the Thirty-ninth New Jersey Volunteer Infantry, was organized at Newark, New Jersey, September 23 to Oc- tober 11, 1864, and served in the First Brig- ade, Second Division, Ninth Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, from October, 1864. Its service follows : Companies E, F, G, H, and K left the State on October 4; Company D, October 9; Companies B and I, October ceiving a captain's commission September 19, 1864. The Thirty-ninth saw hard ser- vice with the Army of the Potomac, and again "for gallant and meritorious service" at the head of troops before Petersburg, Captain Rogers was brevetted major of United States Volunteers, to date from April 2, 1865. He continued in command of Company E until the close of the war, and on June 17, 1865, was honorably dis- 10; Companies A and C, with field and staff,
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October 14, 1864. The first five companies reported to Benham's Engineer Brigade, Army of the Potomac, October 9, and the other companies October 17. On fatigue duty in the defence of City Point, Virginia, until October 22; joined the Army of the Potomac at Poplar Grove Church, October 23 ; siege operations before Petersburg, Oc- tober 23, 1864, to April 2, 1865 ; in position near Hawk's House during the reconnois- sance in force toward Hatcher's Run, Oc- tober 27-28, 1864: with the brigade, covered the withdrawal of the forces by Duncan road, October 28; in the line of defences near the Pegram House until November 29, 1864 ; posted in the rear of Fort Sedgwick, November 30, 1864, to February 15, IS65; reconnoissance to the Nottoway river, coop- erating with Warren's raid on the Weldon railroad, December 9-17, 1864; garrison of Fort Davis until April 2, 1865 : under arms near Fort Sedgwick during the night of April 1-2; led the charge on Fort Mahone, April 2: capture of Fort Mahone and fall of Petersburg, April 2; pursuit of the ene- my, April 2-6; guard of trains, prisoners, and on picket duty at Burkeville Junction, April 6-9; duty at Farmville until April 20; moved to Alexandria, April 20-28. Partici- pating in the Grand Review at Washington on May 23, the regiment was mustered out on June 17, 1865.
After his return to private life, Major Rogers was in 1867 appointed to a lieuten- ancy on the Newark police force. In 1869 he was promoted captain, but in 1870 a polit- ical change gave the city to the opposition party, and Major Rogers retired from the police force, shortly afterward being ap- pointed street commissioner and holding that office until another political upheaval restored him to the police force as its chief. He served as chief of police during 1873 and 1874, then, with many others, was for political reasons retired.
The most important and longest continued public service rendered by Major Rogers be- gan October 31, 1878, with his appointment
as superintendent of the New Jersey Home for Disabled Soldiers, at Kearny. He en- deared himself to the many occupants of the Home who during his more than thirty-two years as superintendent were directly under his care, and when in 1911 ill health de- manded that he retire, deep and genuine was the sorrow of all connected with the home. The years of 1911 to his death in May, 1915; were spent by Major Rogers practi- cally retired, although as a member of the board of managers of the Soldiers' Home he retained the liveliest interest in the men whom so long he had served as chief. He was one of the charter members of Lincoln Post, Grand Army of the Republic, and the last survivor of the band of veterans who signed the original charter of that post. Later he was one of the leading spirits in the organization of Marcus L. Ward Post. and fully expected to represent that post at Washington, District of Columbia, in Sep- tember, 1915. in celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the disbanding of the Union army, and again to march proudly up Penn- sylvania avenue with the few survivors of his old command. He was preparing, when stricken with his fatal illness, papers and reports for the national encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic, and had al- ready received an appointment at aide-de- camp and assistant inspector-general of the encampment. Most worthy of preservation in a record of Major Rogers' life are the following resolutions :
New Jersey Home for Disabled Soldiers :
Whereas for the past thirty-three years Major Peter F. Rogers has been Sur erintendent of the New Jersey Home for Disabled Soldiers and by his kindness, probity and the careful and exact discharge of his duty and the paternal treat- ment of the Veterans under his care he has merited and earned the affection, good will and respect of each and every Veteran of said Home; therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Veterans of the New Jer- sey Home for Disabled Soldiers aforesaid here- by express their profound sorrow at his re- linquishment of the office he has so long and ably filled, feeling that they have lost a kind,
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(cascientious, and sympathetic friend, and they uncerely pray that his future years may be long, ; perous, and happy.
Resolved, That as a further appreciation of bis services these resolutions be suitably engrossed and presented to Major Peter F. Rogers.
Kearny, N. J., Feb. 16, 1911.
Major Rogers was a man universally loved and respected, and had a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. He was hon- vred for his sterling character, and attracted men by his kindly heart, genial disposition, and unfailing charity. He was broad-mind- ed and liberal in his views, holding the re- spect even of his opponents. His ability as an executive was severely tested in the vari- ous important positions he held, and, wheth- er in camp or on the field of battle, as police lieutenant, captain, or chief, or as superin- tendent or manager of the Kearny Home, Le was never found wanting in any of the qualities that constitute the efficient, honor- able soldier, the official, or the man. His funeral was largely attended, officials, com- rades and friends vying in their last marks of respect for their friend, comrade, and as- sociate.
He was laid to rest in the family burial plot at Hanover, Morris county, New Jersey, the Rev. John D. Ferguson, chaplain of the Soldiers' Home, conducting the fun- eral services.
Major Rogers married, in 1860, in New- ark, Nancy Osborn Ball, daughter of Alex- ander and Charlotte Ball, of Hanover, New Jersey. Children, all living : Frank Morris, Virginia B., Charlotte E., and Aimee L., the last named the wife of George Smith, Jr., of Kearny.
HINCHLIFFE, John,
Fire Mayor of Paterson.
The late John Hinchliffe was prominently connected with the business and public life of Paterson, New Jersey, was pre-eminently a man of affairs, and one who wielded a wide and beneficial influence. His business capacity placed him in the foremost rank
among the successful men of the day and he was, moreover, one of the world's work- ers whose labors are attended with results both for individual prosperity and for pub- lic good. Not so abnormally developed in any one direction as to be a genius, his was a well rounded character. His relations with his fellow men, the course he followed in his business life, the work that he did for the amelioration of hard conditions for the unfortunate and for the adoption of pro- gressive measures along lines of intellectual and moral advancement, constituted a prac- tical solution of the great sociological, econ- omic and labor problems which are charac- teristic of the age.
Mayor John Hinchliffe was born in New York City, May 19, 1850, and died at St. Augustine, Florida, March 18, 1915, after an illness of about one year's duration. At the age of one year he was taken to Pater- son, New Jersey, by his parents, and that city was his home from that time forth. A part of his education was acquired in the public schools of Paterson, and another part at King James Grammar School in Yorkshire, England, where his father had been born. In business, Mayor Hinchliffe had followed the avocation of a brewer of ale and beer. He was associated with his brothers, William and James, and with them conducted the Hinchliffe Brewing Company, which had been established by their father. Mayor Hinchliffe was also president of the Paterson Brewing and Malting Company, and of the Empire State Granite Com- pany. He was associated with a number of other business enterprises, ar .. ong them be- ing his holding of extensive trolley interests on Staten Island, New York, and a big summer resort on the south shore of that island; and zinc prospecting at Franklin Furnace, in Sussex county. He was a mem- ber of the Paterson Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Knights of Col- umbus; and Hamilton Club, of Patersòn.
Mr. Hinchliffe married (first) Julia Greenhalgh, who died about 1887. He mar-
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ried (second) in 1890, Mary A. Master- son, of New York City, who survives him with a son, John D., who was graduated from Princeton University in the class of 1913 ; an only daughter, Julia, died recently.
But it is as a public official that the name of Mayor Hinchliffe will be best known to posterity. From the time of his first elec- tion to public office, when he was barely twenty-five years of age, he has been prom- inently identified with public affairs. He was a member of the Board of Education from 1875 to 1877 ; a commissioner of taxes and assessments for two terms, from 1877 to 1881, and was president of this board during his last term. He was elected to the State Senate in 1891 by a plurality of 112 over Eugene Emley, Republican. The Sen- ator was mayor of the city of Paterson for three successive terms, from 1897 to De- cember 31, 1903, inclusive, six and one-half years altogether. He was mayor during the fire and floods of 1902 and 1903. He suspended the chief of police during the riots of 1902, and took command of the police force himself, placing the city under martial law and restoring peace and quiet. He refused outside aid during the fire, and his slogan, "Paterson can take care of her own," has been echoed and reechoed throughout the civilized world. He served as a member of the State Sewerage Com- mission from 1899 to 1902, and was treas- urer of that body until he resigned his mem- bership. He was again elected to the State Senate in 1906, by a plurality of 4,348 over Wood McKee, Republican, it being the larg- est ever given a Democratic candidate for any office in Passaic county. In that year he served on the committees on clergy, labor and industry, municipal corporations. sta- tionery and incidental expenses, Federal re- lations, and Sanatorium for Tuberculous Diseases. John Hinchliffe, as a member of the Legislature, was largely responsible for giving to Paterson its present form of appointive commission government. He ac- complished this under fierce opposition from
the advocates of the old board of aldermen system.
Upon the ruins of flame-ridden Paterson one man mounted to a high eminence of fame. When the story of the terrible sweep of wind and fire that wrought devastation on all that was best and fairest in the Lyons of America was told, Mayor John Hinch- liffe was installed in the minds of the Amer- ican people as the man of the hour in Pat- erson. Out of that night and day of awful terror and rending suspense, this man, who had retired to his home Saturday night little more than an ordinary citizen of an ordinary city, emerged with many laurels upon his singed and grimy brow.
The Paterson fire will live in the mem- ory of man as one of the great conflagra- tions of a century. Involving as it did a loss of millions of dollars, the utter destruction of the finest municipal and commercial homes of the city, and transforming with its fiery breath hundreds of dwellings into ashes and ruins, the fiend of flame did not require any human holocaust, though it be- gan its mad feast of destruction in the dead hour of midnight, a thing remarkable in it- self. One hundred thousand persons were appalled witnesses of that monstrous con- flagration. Most of them stood mute and helpless and watched the work of destruc- tion.
It was by the very contrast of his atti- tude with the general helplessness that John . Hinchliffe won his fame. Dismayed, but undaunted, by the magnitude of the attack upon the life and being of the city, he began to fight for preservation with his first wak- ing instinct, and although wounded, bleed- ing and sore, this indefatigable man fought on, never pausing even to refreshien his wan- ing vigor with food or stimulant ; com- manding when commands were necessary, exhorting and pleading when prayers were most efficacious ; urging on the heroes who were aiding hin in the fight, even when the smoke and dirt so begrimed his countenance as to make him a grewsome siglit indeed.
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And it was only after the conflagration was over, and the tired firemen had quenched the last sullen lick of flame, that John Hinchliffe's thoughts turned upon himself, and he deigned to give consideration to the fact that he was fatigued to the extremity of human endurance, that his clothing was caked with mud and soaked with water, and that his flesh had been torn and bruised in the savage ordeal through which he had passed. A hundred tales are told of the prodigious feats performed by Mayor Hinchliffe during the progress of the fire. He not only aided the firemen in their ef- forts, but whenever the emergency demand- ed a directing influence he did not hesitate to assume command. His advice to the fire- men was at all times heeded, because vet- erans of many a "smoke-eating" experience say it was always good. It was by his ad- vice that outside help was asked when the full realization of the danger dawned upon the people.
When the fire had been conquered the Mayor's thoughts were not of himself and his own comfort, but of the hundreds of his people who had lost home and property. He was the leading spirit in the taking of meas- ures for the relief of the distressed. Through his instrumentality churches were thrown open as asylums and the city armory was converted into a temporary hospital for the shelter and care of many who were homeless. It was not until every needy per- soni was housed and food and clothing sup- plied to meet the immediate wants of the sufferers, that Mayor Hinchliffe thought of his own needs, and then only after remain- ing on duty for nearly twenty hours, did he consent to retire to his own home to snatch a few hours' rest to fortify him for the equally trying ordeal of the morrow. Be- fore he retired, however, Mayor Hinchliffe sounded the note proclaiming to the world the spirit of patriotism and independence which was to call forth words of praise. Offers of relief from neighboring cities came to Paterson ere the conflagration was men. He displayed fine judgment, ready
done. The people were bereft and, in the language of their mayor himself, Paterson was transformed into a "city of poverty." But the thought of accepting the aid so kind- ly offered did not for one instant enter the mind of Mayor Hinchliffe. "Paterson has suffered grievously," said this mayor, "she is very grateful to the many who have dis- played such magnificent sympathy, but Pat- erson can and will take care of itself."
So not a dollar of money nor contribu- tions of any kind were accepted, save that which was contributed by the citizens and business men of the stricken city. The at- titude of the Mayor awakened all the spirit of pride in his people. They ratified his stoical rejection of the extended hand of charity and said with him "Paterson is grateful, but will take care of herself." It was this spirit of pride, independence and self-reliance in the very darkest hour of her history that attracted the attention of the nation to Paterson. It was a unique pic- ture and a display of fine spirit that has rarely been equalled, and it was due to the unyielding attitude of Mayor Hinchliffe that Paterson has maintained her position. That Mayor Hinchliffe undertook a most serious task when he turned away, in the name of Paterson, the thousands of dollars that were offered in contributions, none will deny. It was not believed that he could maintain this attitude, and predictions were made that he would recede and consent to accept outside aid. Even the people of Paterson appealed to the Mayor to consent to receive such con- tributions of money as were made unsolicit- ed. The request was made by a delegation sent to the Mayor from the Central Relief Committee. But even to the official plead- ers he turned an unwilling ear, and to their importunities said: "No, we will not accept a penny from abroad. Paterson can and will rehabilitate herself." All through the trying week, the most crucial period in Paterson's history, Mayor Hinchliffe proved himself to be a natural leader of his fellow
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