USA > New Jersey > Memorial cyclopedia of New Jersey, Volume III > Part 8
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Samuel Parry
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
New York, a branch later settling in New Jersey. Samuel Parry, father of the Rev. Samuel Parry, was a miller, son of Samuel Parry, a farmer near Philadelphia, Penn- sylvania. . Selinda Van Syckel was a daughter of Daniel Van Syckel, a mer- chant of Milford, New Jersey.
Not long after the birth of the Rev. Samuel Parry, his parents moved to Clin- ton, New Jersey, where at the age of sixteen years he joined the Presbyterian church. He attended the public schools until about seventeen, then entered Blairs- town Academy, where he thoroughly pre- pared for college. He chose Yale as his alma mater, there pursued a full course, a conscientious, painstaking student, ranked in scholarship in the upper third of a class of strong men, and was gradu- ated A. B., class of 1868. Of strong build and great physical as well as intellectual power, the young man took the keenest delight in athletics, and at Yale was prominent in aquatic sports. He made his freshman crew, rowed in the Varuna shell in his sophomore year, rowed in the varsity crew against Harvard in his junior and senior years, being stroke of the var- sity shell in the memorable race with Har- vard in 1868, which was rowed on Lake Quinsigamond at Worcester, Massachu- setts. He was also Commodore of the Yale navy, and is remembered at Yale as one of the men of the long ago whose courage and determination carried the "blue" to victory and built up that tangi- ble something known as the "Yale spirit." The next four years following his tri- umphs and graduation at Yale, with Phi Beta Kappa mark in scholarship, were spent : One year at Blairstown Academy as instructor, two years at Princeton in theological study at the seminary, one year at Union Theological Seminary, New York City, whence he was graduated, class of 1872. Thus prepared for the holy profession he had chosen, he became a
member of the Elizabeth (New Jersey) Presbytery, and on April 30, 1873, was ordained and installed pastor of the Pres- byterian church at Pluckemin, Somerset county, New Jersey. There he took root in the hearts of his people and for exactly thirty-three years they knew no other pastor and he no other pastorate; in fact Pluckemin was his first, last and only pastorate, although after his resignation, April 30, 1906, until his death, he found congenial fellowship and a sphere of in- creasing usefulness as teacher of a Men's Bible Class in Somerville First Reformed Church, and as an interested helper in the chapel at East. Somerville. The Pres- bytery of Elizabeth chose Rev. Samuel Parry as its permanent clerk in 1885. and in 1888 he was chosen to be its stated clerk, an office he held continuously until the day of his death. He represented the Presbytery at three sessions of the Gen- eral Assembly of the Presbyterian church, was for a long time permanent secretary of the Raritan Ministeria! Association, and from its organization until 1912 was secretary of the Inter-Church Federation of Somerset County.
Mr. Parry was a life-long student of history, and after his retirement devoted a large part of his time to historical re- search and reading. He was an authority on local history and biography, his inves- tigations covering the entire history of the Raritan Valley. On Tuesday, March 12, 1901, he delivered an historical dis- course on the occasion of the fiftieth an- niversary of the organization of the Pluck- emin Presbyterian Church, in which he sketched the history of the churches of the village and vicinity from the year 1720 and gave the biographies of the pastors and most of the ruling elders of the Pres- byterian churches since 1851.
A notable attendance of his fellow min- isters on the occasion of his simple funeral gave evidence of the high esteem in which
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he was held. From the discourse de- livered by the Rev. Dr. John T. Kerr, we quote :
Samuel Parry needs no one to speak for him. His life has been an open book. It speaks for itself to all who look or listen. He was a man. physically. God had endowed him richly with strength which he loved to use in work or sport, and coupled with his great strength was great skill. He could throw himself into a hard ath -. letic struggle, then turn from it and, taking into his strong hands so small an instrument as a pen, he could produce handwriting which seemed rather the work of an engraver than that of an athlete. He was a Christian man in every sense, and a manly Christian. Men took refuge under the shadow of his manliness. He merited their confidence by the integrity of his own character, and rewarded it. -
Wherever he was known, that same feel- ing of confidence was felt. His brotherly manner, his modest bearing, the evident sincerity of his Christian life and the genial play of his humor greatly endeared him to all. After his death the Synod of New Jersey, in a manner unusual to that body, thus expressed their appreciation of his life and service :
The committee appointed to examine the rec- ords of the Presbytery of Elizabeth make note of the fact that the hand which for twenty-seven years has been submitting the records of this Presbytery to the Synod is now stilled in death. The work of Rev. Samuel Parry as stated clerk of the Presbytery of Elizabeth has been notable for the period of its continuance and the remark- able fidelity with which it has been performed. The volumes of minutes as written by him are models of neatness and accuracy and it is recom- mended that the Synod bear testimony to this fact by entering this statement upon the minutes of the Presbytery of Elizabeth.
Rev. Samuel Parry married at Somer- ville, New Jersey, December 1, 1875, Har- riet E. Cornell, who survives him. Dur- ing their forty years of married life, Mr. and Mrs. Parry made many extended tours of travel both at home and abroad,
their foreign journeyings including tours of the Holy Land and Europe. After his retirement they removed to Somerville, New Jersey, where Mrs. Parry yet resides. Their only child, a son, born March 24, 1881, died the following day.
Mrs. Parry is a daughter of Rev. Fred- erick Frelinghuysen Cornell, a former pastor of Pluckemin Presbyterian Church, son of Rev. John Cornell and his wife, Maria Frelinghuysen, daughter of Gen- eral Frederick Frelinghuysen of the cele- brated New Jersey family. Rev. John Cornell was born at Northampton, Penn- sylvania, in 1774. He pursued courses of classical study at the Log College, Ne- shaminy, Pennsylvania, entered Queen's College at New Brunswick where he com- pleted his course in 1795. He then pur- sued the study of theology under Dr. Livingston, at Flatbush, Long Island, and was licensed to preach about the year 1798. He was engaged in the holy calling of a minister of the Presbyterian church from 1798 until 1821 at Allentown, New Jersey. He was highly regarded as an amiable and faithful teacher of the Gospel. In 1821 he retired from the active min- istry, and from that year until 1828 con- ducted a classical academy at Somerville, New Jersey, and from 1828 until 1835 a similar institution at Millstone, New Jer- sey, where he died. In his academies he devoted himself seduously to the instruc- tion of youth, and there passed from under his teachings many young men who later hecame eminent in the ministry and other learned professions. Professor Lindsey, of Princeton, voiced his appreciation of his work by a public statement that of all the students who came to him none were better prepared than those who came from under the instruction of the Rev. John Cornell. He married Maria. daughter of General Frederick Frelinghuysen, a lady of great amiability and eminent piety.
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Rev. Frederick Frelinghuysen Cornell, son of Rev. John Cornell and his wife, Maria Frelinghuysen, was born at Allen- town, New Jersey, November 16, 1804. He was graduated from Princeton (Col- lege of New Jersey), class of 1825, and New Brunswick Theological Seminary, 1828. He became a member of the New- town Presbytery in 1829; professor of languages, College of Mississippi, at Nat- chez, 1828-29; missionary at Stuyvesant for three months in 1829; at Columbia- ville, 1829-31 ; at Marshallville, 1831-32; Montville, 1833-36; pastor of Manhattan Reformed Dutch Church, New York City, 1836-56, and pastor of Pluckemin Presby- terian Church, 1856-64. In 1866 he re- ceived the degree of Doctor of Divinity from Union College. He died August 7, 1875, aged seventy-one years, half a cen- tury of which had been spent in the Chris- tian ministry as student, instructor, mis- sionary and pastor. He was a man of strong intellectuality, consecrated pur- pose and charming personality. He mar- ried Elizabeth Clock Bell, daughter of Jacob and Phebe (Clock) Bell, who was born February 28, 1822, died February 21, 1882. Their eldest daughter, Harriet E. Cornell, married the Rev. Samuel Parry whom she survives. To the memory of three earnest, faithful, consecrated min- isters of the Gospel and their devoted wives, this tribute of love and respect is dedicated.
EMERY, John Runkle, LL. D., Lawyer, Jurist.
When on December 31, 1915, Judge Emery retired by resignation caused by ill health, he had held the high position of vice-chancellor of the State of New Jersey for twenty years under appoint- ments from Chancellors McGill (1895), Magie (1902), Pitney (1909). He was a native son of New Jersey, a graduate of
her great university, a soldier of the State, serving in the Civil War, a member of the State bar, an advisory master in chan- cery, and vice-chancellor. He was in his seventy-fourth year and there was no period during those years when New Jersey was not his residence and the scene of his labors. The Commonwealth of New Jersey has never lacked noble sons,men of learning and high character, who as lawyers and jurists have been her pride, men who by their devotion made "Jersey Justice" proverbial, and a terror to evil doers. Among all the bright gal- axy of sons who have adorned her bench no name outranks that of John Runkle Emery for faithfulness, broad and deep knowledge of the law, fairness, sound judgment and common sense. His de- cisions as vice-chancellor fill thirty-two volumes of the Equity Reports of the State of New Jersey, a fact remarked by Supreme Court Justice Francis J. Swayze : "The best tribute that could be paid to Mr. Emery's memory."
Vice-Chancellor Emery was a son of William Patry Emery, born near Flem- ington, New Jersey, July 17, 1811, died there in 1888, one of the successful busi- ness men of his day and an honored citi- zen. He began business life as a clerk at the age of fourteen years, opened later a general store in Flemington under his own name, became a leading merchant of that town, continuing until 1864, when he sold his mercantile interests to engage in timber land and lumber dealing in North- ern New Jersey and Pennsylvania. He was mainly instrumental in the construc- tion of the Flemington Railroad to con- nect with the Central Railroad of New Jersey at Flemington Junction ; was one of the organizers of the Hunterdon County Bank, serving on the directorates of both railroad and bank. He was a devout Presbyterian, served as elder for many years, was deeply interested in the work
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of the American Bible Society and County Bible Society, and aided in all good works. He married Ann Runkle, who was highly esteemed in the community for her broad charities and many adornments of char- acter, being ever distinguished for her service to others. She was a remark- able woman in many ways, possessing a wonderfully retentive memory, a pleasing personality, was a great reader of good literature, an active factor in church work and charitable organizations, and was a noted character for the aid rendered the soldiers by her during the period of the Civil War.
John Runkle Emery, son of William Patry and Ann (Runkle) Emery, was born at Flemington, New Jersey, July 6, 1842, died at his home in Morristown, New Jersey, January 30, 1916. He ob- tained his early education in Flemington private schools, continuing his studies at Dr. Augustus Studdiford's School at Lam- bertville, and Edge Hill School at Prince- ton, New Jersey. In 1858 he entered Princeton University, collegiate depart- ment, whence he was graduated A. B., class of 1861, president of his class. He was then nineteen years of age, but had decided upon the profession he would fol- low, and immediately after graduation from Princeton began carrying his plans into effect. He began the study of law under the direction of Bennett Van Syc- kel, later a Justice of the Supreme Court, and Abraham .V. Van Fleet, whom Mr. Emery succeeded as vice-chancellor, both then eminent members of the Hunterdon county bar. His legal study continued until August, 1862, when he decided it was his duty to march to the defense of his country's flag. He enlisted as a pri- vate in the Fifteenth Regiment, New Jersey Volunteer Infantry, known as the "Mountain Regiment," having been re- cruited from the hill sections of Warren, Sussex and Hunterdon counties. The first
engagement of this regiment was at Fred- ericksburg, after which it took part in the famous "mud march." It was next engaged in the Chancellorsville campaign, and in all of these Mr. Emery was an active partici- pant. He received the commission of second lieutenant, but after an attack of dysentery he was sent from Bakersville to Baltimore and not recovering health was honorably discharged, February 23, 1863, on surgeon's certificate of disability ; he was not in battle but in active service.
Returning home he resumed his law studies under his former preceptors, con- tinuing until entering Harvard Law School, where he was a student during the years 1863-64. In the latter year he received the degree of A. M. from Prince- ton, and in 1865 passed all the required tests and was admitted to the New Jersey bar as an attorney and in 1868 as a coun- sellor. He began the active practice of his profession in Flemington, in 1865, be- ing admitted a partner with his former preceptor, Abraham V. Van Fleet. This relation existed one year, then was ter- minated by Mr. Emery's removal to Tren- ton, where he became a partner with former Senator Augustus G. Richey. They practiced very successfully until 1874, when Mr. Emery's health failed and he was advised to take a trip abroad, where he remained one year, then re- turned with health restored.
On his return from abroad Mr. Emery located in Newark, New Jersey, where he engaged in practice and won high recog- nition as an able lawyer. In 1885 he was appointed advisory master in chancery by Chancellor Runyon. He grew rapidly in legal power and in public esteem. He was ever a hard worker and was noted for the great painstaking and conscientious labor he performed in the preparation of his cases. Clear and concise in his argu- ment and authority, eloquent in his speech, he was a powerful advocate of the
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cause he represented. In 1901 Princeton University recognized the learning and ability of her son and conferred upon him the honorary degree of LL. D. On Janu- ary 29, 1895, he was appointed vice-chan- cellor by Chancellor McGill, succeeding his former preceptor and partner, Abra- ham V. Van Fleet. At the expiration of his term in 1902 he was reappointed by Chancellor William J. Magie, and was appointed for a third term in 1909 by Chancellor Mahlon Pitney, now a justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. During his terms as vice-chancel- lor he held his chambers in Newark, re- siding, however, in Morristown, New Jer- sey. In 1912 his health again failed and be took a short rest later resuming his judicial duties, but was not ever again in good health. In September, 1915, he had a severe attack from which he did not fully recover, and he then tendered his resigna- tion to take effect, January 1, 1916. It was accepted and he was placed upon the retired list under the veterans retirement act of 1912. He took an active interest in the Uniform Divorce Law Congress.
Shortly after his retirement Mr. Emery was presented with a silver loving cup in honor of his twenty years and eleven months' service, coming as a gift from Chancellor Edward Robert Walker and Vice-Chancellors Frederic W. Stevens, Eugene Stevenson, Edmund B. Leaming, James E. Howell, Vivian M. Lewis, John H. Backes, and John Griffin. Mr. Emery was ill at his home and could not receive the donors, therefore, the honor of making the presentation was delegated to the Vice-Chancellor's old friend, Wickliffe B. Sayre, sergeant-at-arms of the local Chan- cery Chamber, who performed the duty on Thursday, January 27, 1916, three days preceding his death.
Vice-Chancellor Emery was a Republi- can in politics. He was a member of the standing committee of the diocese of
Newark, first chancellor of the diocese appointed by Bishop Edwin S. Lines, and for many years was a vestryman of the Church of the Redeemer at Morris- town. He was a member of the New Jer- sey State Bar Association; New York Chapter, Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States; A. T. A. Torbert Post, Grand Army of the Re- public, Morristown; Washington Associ- ation of New Jersey; Fifteenth Regiment Association of New Jersey Volunteers ; Essex Club of Newark; Morristown, Morristown Field and Morris County Golf clubs of Morristown, and a life member of the American Bible Society. His college fraternities were: Phi Kappa Sigma and Clio Hall, Princeton University.
Vice-Chancellor Emery married at Mount Savage, Maryland, October 6, 1885, Alla, daughter of James S. and Annie (Robb) Mackie, and in 1891 located their home in Morristown where Mrs. Emery continues her residence. Children : Allita, born January 10, 1887, wife of Paul Ray Applegate, of Pitts- burgh; John MacKie, born August 15, 1888; Steuart MacKie, born January 12, 1891 ; Theodore, born November, 1893.
While there were many tributes paid to the memory of Vice-Chancellor Emery by his brethren of the bench and bar and by organizations of which he was a member. one of the most touching was that paid by the members of the Lawyers' Club of Essex County where the older members of the club spoke feelingly of their dead friend while the younger members paid tribute as listeners.
The meeting was called to order by President Frank Bergen and on motion of Supreme Court Justice Francis J. Swayze, Vice-Chancellor Frederic W. Stevens was chosen as presiding officer. Vice-Chan- cellor Stevens remarked that "No sadder task could be imposed upon one than that of paying the last tribute to a departed
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friend." He then read a lengthy eulogy of Mr. Emery.
Richard V. Lindabury, Robert H. Mc- Carter and Edward M. Colie were named a committee to draw up suitable resolu- tions on behalf of the club and later in the meeting submitted the following minute, which was read by Mr. Colie.
The members of the Lawyers' Club of Essex County, as an expression of their high apprecia- tion of the Honorable John Runkle Emnery, late vice-chancellor, unanimously adopt the following minute :
More than twenty years prior to his appoint- ment to the equity bench, Mr. Emery adopted this as his home bar. He quicky and easily won for himself the respect and admiration of the profession, and a place as a leader not only here but throughout the State. This position was justly his in recognition of his character, his high ideals, his uniform professional courtesy and his learning. In 1895, upon the death of Vice-Chan- cellor Van Fleet, the selection of Mr. Emery as his successor, not only met with approbation, "but was welcomed as an appointment of one especially equipped for the place. For more than twenty years it has been our privilege to practice before him as a vice-chancellor. Not only did he possess character, good judgment and learning-essentials in a judge-but his equity knowledge was so complete and he pos- sessed such skill in applying it that he became conspicuous throughout the country as an ex- ceptionally able equity judge. He was called upon to decide many of the complicated and novel questions involved in the important litiga- tion of recent days and he has made one of the largest and most important contributions to the equity jurisprudence of this State. His mind was mature. He heard a cause patiently, con- sidered it conscientiously and brought to its solution his extraordinary knowledge, and liti- gants in most cases were willing to rest upon his decisions as just and final. He was a man of re- markable industry and his fidelity to his work beyond all question shortened his life. In his death this bar has lost a revered member, the equity bench an efficient and distinguished vice- chancellor and the State a citizen who has well and conspicuously served it and brought to its courts high honor. We direct that this minute be entered at length upon the records and re-
quest a copy recorded in the minutes of the Cir- cuit Court of this county and a copy sent to the family of Vice-Chancellor Emery.
After the reading of the resolution Sec- retary Clarence S. Blake read a letter from Chancellor Edwin R. Walker who, after deploring his inability to be present, owing to illness, paid a high tribute to Mr. Emery's worth as a lawyer and a vice-chancellor.
Justice Swayze said that the work of Mr. Emery would live forever in the juris- prudence of New Jersey, and cited the fact that his decisions filled thirty-two volumes of the equity reports of the State of New Jersey, the total reports for the States filling eighty-two volumes. This, declared Justice Swayze was the best tribute that could be paid to Mr. Emery's inemory.
Richard V. Lindabury said :
The estimate of the character of Vice-Chan- cellor Emery, as given by Vice-Chancellor Ste- vens and Justice Swayze were so accurate in describing his attainments and his work that it is not necessary to say anything more except that they speak for the bar. To the members of the bar he was what he was to his associates on the bench. He was an able and fair judge. He had an instinct for the truth and an instinct for the right in a case. Even if he had not been the great lawyer he was he would have been a great judge.
Judge Frederic Adams, of the Circuit Court, who was a classmate of the late vice-chancellor at the Harvard Law School, in 1863, said :
Many were more intimately acquainted with him at the bar, but few here knew Mr. Emery earlier than I did. It is more than fifty years ago in the winter of 1863 that I first met him. Then we were fellow students at Harvard Law School, together with Nehemiah Perry, Henry Young, Job H. Lippincott and Abram Q. Garretson. Those four are all gone, and the veteran jurist's voice trailed off to a whisper, as he slowly said, "row Emery is gone."
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Judge Adams said he had always re- gretted that the path of Mr. Emery and himself in legal work kept them apart, except on rare occasions, and paid a high tribute to him as a judge and a lawyer.
Others who spoke were former At- torney Robert H. McCarter, Edward Q. Keasby, Clarence Sackett and Edwin J. Raynor, the latter having been a student in Mr. Emery's office in the early 80's. He related many instances of kindliness and carefulness with which Mr. Emery aided those in his office.
COOK, Joseph Swift, Old-School Physician.
About 1640, Ellis Cook settled at South- ampton, Long Island, New York, and there three succeeding generations of his descendants resided, through whom Joseph Swift Cook traced his lineage. The line of descent is through Abiel Cook, son of the founder, Abiel (2) Cook, his grandson, and Ellis Cook, his great-grand- son, who first settled in Morris county, New Jersey, in Hanover township. This Ellis Cook was the father of Colonel James Cook, who moved from Hanover to Succasunna, Morris county, and there lived for many years. Colonel James Cook married Ruth Pierson, who died in 1795. They were the parents of Dr. Silas C. Cook, father of Joseph Swift Cook.
Dr. Silas C. Cook was born December 25, 1791, died in 1873. He was four years of age when his mother died and after his father's second marriage, he was adopted by Mrs. Judge Condit, of Morris- town, New Jersey, by whom he was care- fully reared. He was educated in the public schools and in the town academy, obtaining a good English education. He chose the profession of medicine and pre- pared therefore under the guidance of Dr. Lewis Condit, one of the leading physi- cians of Morris county. In addition to
his study under Dr. Condit, he attended the courses of medical lectures at the University of Pennsylvania during the winters of 1812 and 1813. On September 13, 1813, he was licensed to practice by the New Jersey State Board of Examiners, and at once began practice at Hughesville, Warren county. He there formed a part- nership with old Dr. Hughes, one of the early practitioners of Warren county, and continued with him one year. He then located at Stewartsville, New Jersey, re- maining there until 1828, when he moved to Hackettstown, New Jersey, there con- ducting a successful practice until 1842. From 1842 until 1857, he was located at Easton, Pennsylvania, there being rated as one of Easton's most skillful and suc- cessful physicians. In 1857 he returned to Hackettstown, New Jersey, and con- tinued in practice until his death in 1873. He was the perfect type of the old school country doctor, bluff, frank and out- spoken, devoted to his profession, every- body's friend and everybody's confidant. It is hard to realize in this day just what the country doctor meant to the commu- nity in those days. He covered a wide extent of territory which he rode on horse- back. There were no drug stores, which meant he must carry his medicines, there were no specialists, which demanded that he be physician, surgeon, oculist and den- tist, prepared to set or amputate a limb, pull a tooth and treat every form of dis- ease. There were few ministers in the early days and often it was the lot of the doctor to read the last prayer and utter the last words over a departed one. The young came to him for advice and the old looked to him for the work of comfort and hope to cheer them in their closing days. Long and wearisome rides were his por- tion, tempestuous weather must not delay him and often on a return from a night's work he must at once respond to an urgent call as far in another direction.
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