The biographical encyclopaedia of New Jersey of the nineteenth century, Part 11

Author: Robson, Charles, ed; Galaxy Publishing Company, publisher
Publication date: 1877
Publisher: Philadelphia, Galaxy publishing company
Number of Pages: 924

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Um H. Berry

BIOGRAFIIICAL ENCYCLOPÆDIA.

zeal, ability, and constant fidelity to the public interests. He takes a deep interest in the affairs of the town, and his value as a citizen and popularity as a man are attested by the fact that for three years past he has been chosen its mayor. Among other responsible trusts he holds he is Vice-President of the First National Bank, of Red Bank, and one of the Trustees of the State Normal School, upon whose Board he is now serving his second term. In poli- tics he is a staunch Republican, and has yielded his party good service. Several valuable campaign papers have issued from his pen, as did also the first editorial article in any paper earnestly advocating the nomination of Governor Hayes for President. He was married, February 14th, 1855, to Rebecca S. Crawford, of Middletown, New Jersey.

ERRY, WILLIAM H., Manufacturer, of Wood- bridge, is a native of New England, having been born in Litchfield, Mainc, September 18th, 1805. HIe comes of revolutionary stock, his grand- father, Nathaniel Berry, having served through- out the revolutionary war with bravery and dis-

tinction. Shortly after December, 1777, Nathaniel Berry became attached to General Washington's Life Guard, a body of men selected for their courage, hardihood and trustworthiness. IIe died, August 20th, 1850, at Pittston, Maine, in the ninety-fourth year of his age, and his ob- sequies were celebrated in a manner befitting a man so devoted in his patriotism; he was buried with civic and military honors, and was followed to his grave by large numbers of citizens, who continued to cherish the remem- brance of his virtues and services. He was a man of natu- rally strong character, and retained the use of his faculties to the last. At the time of his death he was the last sur- viving member of Washington's Life Guard. Nathaniel Berry's son, John Berry, was a farmer, who married Eliza- beth Robinson, also a native of Maine. When well ad- vanced in life they removed from Litchfield to Gardiner, Maine, and there their son, William II. Berry, received his education, attending the public schools at Gardiner. He continued his attendance at school until he was nineteen years of age, when he entered upon the active business of life on his own account. On leaving school he entered upon a maritime career, and followed the sea for a period of six years. Ile commenced his sea-going experiences as a common sailor before the mast, and finished them as first officer. On retiring from the sea he established himself in Jersey City, New Jersey, where he remained for a term of two years, associated with his brother in the business of baling and shipping hay. In the year 1832 he removed from Jersey City to Woodbridge, where he continued in the hay business by himself. This he pursued until the year 1845, also carrying on in the meantime the coal business at Woodbridge. Ile was the first person to introduce anthra-

cite coal to that community, bringing it from Rondout, on the Hudson river; and it is a curious thing to know that, so slowly did anthracite coal come into general favor, only forty tons of it were sold in the first two years after its in- troduction into Woodbridge. In 1845 he embarked in his present business, the manufacturing of fire-brick. With his characteristic energy he speedily rendered this one of the leading interests of the community. ITis conduct of it has been eminently successful, and his operations have been greatly enlarged, the present capacity of the works being three times what it was originally .- From time to time, as the pressure of increasing demands rendered it necessary, the manufactory has been enlarged, until now, when run- ning with a full complement of hands, it can produce 1,000,000 fire-bricks per annum, and at a trifling additional cost could be made to turn out 2,000,000 bricks in a year. The works are located on the creek, so that the advantage of water transportation is gained, as well as that of trans- portation by rail. The reputation of the work done at this manufactory is widespread and of the highest character. William H. Berry, besides devoting himself with energy and eminent success to his private concerns, is a most public- spirited citizen, always taking an active interest in the public affairs of the community in which he resides. For a number of years lie has been a member of the Township Committee, and since the year 1873 he has acted as its chairman. In the winter of 1871 he obtained from the Legislature a charter for a Dime Savings Bank, and has held the office of President of the Board of Directors since the organization of the institution. At the present time he is Trustee of the Public Schools, and is engaged in building a school-house which, when completed, will cost between $25,000 and $30,000, and will be an ornament to the village. IIe was also the first person to erect in Wood- bridge scales of heavy draught. During the war of the rebellion he was an ardent supporter of the Union causc, giving time and money freely to aid the administration to subdue the rebellion. Ile fitted up a portion of one of the factory buildings for drill purposes, and here, for about one year, troops, organized in the vicinity for actual service in the field, were exercised in the army drill. llis son, Wil- liam C. Berry, on the breaking out of the rebellion, organ- ized a company of young men of the village, and in August, 1861, a part of his command joined Company 11, 5th New Jersey Volunteers, he himself being commissioned as First- Lieutenant. On the 5th of May, i862, while leading his men in the battle of Williamsburg, he fell a martyr to his country's cause. Ilis body was recovered and now rests in the Alpine Cemetery, between Woodbridge and Perth Am- boy, to await the final coming forth of all that sleep in their graves. William 11. Berry was married in May, 1835, to Margaret Coddington, of Woodbridge, New Jersey, whose grandfather, Robert Coddington, was one of a party of three who, during the revolutionary war, captured, off Perth Amboy, a British vessel loaded with stores. It was a bitter

BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPÆDIA.

cold night in winter when the attack was made. The ice ter county. She was descended from a family well known was thick enough along the shores to sustain a heavy bur- den. The stores were subsequently drawn on the ice to Perth Amboy, together with one of the British cannon, which was used in Woodbridge for many years in celebrat- ing American independence; in 1874 the town committee presented the gun to the New Jersey Museum of Revolu- tionary Relics, at Morristown, New Jersey. Mr. Berry is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. For one-third of a century he has acted as a Trustee of the church at Woodbridge, for the greater part of that time as President of the Board. He has also held the position of class-leader for upward of twenty-five years, and that of Superintendent of the Sunday-school for five years.

OWNE, HON. HUGH H., Farmer, of Rahway, was born at Oak Ridge, Rahway, New Jersey, November 30th, 1814. His parents were Robert H. Bowne, born in Shrewsbury, New Jersey, and Sarah (Hartshorne) Bowne, a native of Milford, Pennsylvania. His educational training was ob- tained in the High School, New York, at West Town, Pennsylvania, and at John Gummere's celebrated academy at Burlington, New Jersey. For a year subsequent to leav- ing school he was engaged as a clerk in New York city, but since 1834 he has lived on the Oak Ridge farm. Al- ways a Republican, and an earnest laborer for the success of Republican principles, he has filled many political posi- tions of responsibility and honor. Twice he was elected to represent his district in the State Legislature, and has filled most of the county offices. For the past nine years he has sat on the bench as Lay Judge. He was a Delegate to the Convention which nominated Fremont for the Presidency in 1856, and to that which nominated Lincoln in 1860. Governor Ward appointed him as one of the representatives of New Jersey at the Philadelphia Convention of 1866. He is a man of high character, and is greatly respected in the county.

OPER, JAMES, M. D., Physician, of Millville, New Jersey, was born at Pittsgrove, Salem county, New Jersey, April 24th, 1812. His father, Wil- liam Loper, was also a native of that section of the State, and was engaged in agricultural pur- suits. His worth and integrity being appreciated by the community in which he resided, he was for several years chosen as Justice of the Peace, and for twenty-five years he served as an Associate Judge of the Common Pleas Court of Salem County. He died in 1871 at the ripe age of cighty-eight, respected and esteemed by all who had in- tercourse with him either in public or private life. The mother of Dr. Loper was Mera Abbott, a native of Glouces-

in this section of the State. Her grandfather, Rev. Benja- min Abbott, who came from England, was a Methodist divine who for many years travelled an extended circuit in West Jersey, and became widely known and beloved as a Christian teacher. Her father, Jeptha Abbott, following in the footsteps of his father, became a Methodist divine, and labored in that church for many years. The preliminary education of Dr. Loper was obtained in his native county, and after mastering the elementary rudiments he attended the old-established school of Samuel Miller, at Bridgeton ; here he acquired proficiency in Latin and Greek, and fin- ished his course of studies. Selecting the time-honored profession of medicine for his future vocation, he immedi- ately commenced studying to that end in the office of Dr. William C. Mulford, of Daretown, Pittsgrove township, and in the fall of 1834 matriculated at Jefferson Medical College, from which he was graduated in the spring of 1836. For a few months he practised at Pittsgrove, but in the fall of 1836 he located at Millville, where he has since resided. Thus, for a period of forty years, has Dr. Loper devoted himself to the arduous labors of an extensive and extended practice. For a long period the only physician of note in the vicinity, he was called upon from far and near to ad- minister to the needs of the sick. Being wrapped up in his professional life, he has avoided and declined participa- tion in political and public office, although having been fre- quently solicited to accept of positions of honor and trust. He was married, March 15th, 1837, to Rebecca K. Rich- mond, a native of Pittsgrove. This estimable lady died November 20th, 1869. The issue of this marriage was three sons, all of whom are now deceased.

OPER, WILLIAM F., A. B., and M. D., son of Dr. James Loper, was born, July 18th, 1839, at Mill- ville. After a thorough preparatory course se- cured at the West Jersey Academy, in Bridgeton, he entered, in 1857, the freshman class of Prince- ton College, and received therefrom in 1861 the degree of A. B. at the conclusion of a four years' course. Inheriting, as it were, a love for the profession of his father he pursued the regular courses of study at Jefferson Medical College, graduating therefrom in the spring of 1863, and immediately returned to his native town and entered upon his professional career. He died January 15th, 1864, his death being caused by the error of a druggist in furnishing a prescription which he took. Thus, in the flower of life, was cut down one who gave much promise of a bright career; one who would have been an honor to the profession at large, and a joy to the community in which he residcd. His professional brethren felt that in his premature death their ranks had lost one who would have rapidly acquired a leading position in the profession, had his life hcen spared.

BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPÆDIA.

PEAR, HENRY, Printer and Stationer, was born, | the rare ability, genial spirit and characteristic unselfishness January 26th, 1817, at Boston. His father, a native of the same place, was by occupation a

printer, and transacted a large business. His mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Fisk, was born in Massachusetts. Mr. Spear's early education was obtained at New Hampton Academy, New Hampshire, which he left when eleven years of age, moving to New York city. Here he entered the printing-house of Spear & Nesbit, and served a full apprenticeship. Upon at- taining his majority he commenced business on his own account, and rapidly built up a large printing trade, with which he combined the manufacture and sale of stationery and book-binding. He lias been thus engaged ever since, and is now located at the corner of Wall and Water streets, New York. For seventeen years he has resided at Rahway, New Jersey, and has taken great interest in origin. ting and carrying out many local improvements for the embellish- ment of the town where he resides and the comfort of its citizens. He is a Director of the Rahway Savings Institu- tion, and is prominently identified with a number of other social and business organizations. In 1840 he married Sophia H. Whitman, of Boston.

BERNETHY, SAMUEL, M. D., late of Rahway, was born in Tinieum township, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, February 22d, 1806. His mother died when he was three years of age, and his father before he had reached his thirteenth year. Being thus early left an orphan, he was sent to pursue his studies with the Rev. Mr. Boyd, at Newtown, Bucks county, Pennsylvania. From there he went to Union College, New York, where he graduated in the year 1827. He commenced the study of medicine with the eminent physician and surgeon, Dr. Delos White, of Cherry Valley, Otsego county. Having laid a foundation of medical knowl- edge, he entered the Medical University of Pennsylvania, graduating in 1830. Directly after he was appointed Sur- geon to the hospital in Philadelphia, and honorary member of the Medical Society of Philadelphia. In March, 1831, he removed to Rahway, where, at the age of twenty-five, he commenced practice. This place remained the scene of his labors until his death, which took place February 13th, 1874. He had an extensive praetiec, and was widely known as an eminent physician and surgeon. Ilis genius was too great to allow his reputation to be merely local. Neighboring cities and States acknowledged him the peer of their most distinguished practitioners, and brought to him their tribute. Notwithstanding his great merits he was peculiarly unostentatious, and was never known to speak of what he had done, but seemed always to be looking forward to what he could do in the future. Forty-three years as a practitioner would naturally endear one to his patients; but

of Dr. Abernethy endeared him to the people of Rahway in a manner rarely known. Ile was a bachelor, and could therefore be truly wedded to his profession, not for his own emolument, however, but for the good that through his ageney he could do his fellow-ereature. He was reticent and reserved in disposition ; his silence was proverbial; yet the young as well as the old felt their gatherings incomplete without him. He was truly Rahway's own, and his death caused such a demonstration as was never before seen there. Meetings of the city authorities and of the citizens were called and resolutions passed. His body lay in state in the First Presbyterian Church, from which he was buried, some hours before the funeral, which was largely attended by citizens, officials and the medieal profession. Business was suspended, and flags displayed at half-mast showed unmis- takably that the place of his labors mourned a great man and a good, gone.

UI.FORD, HON. DAVID, Judge of the Common Pleas, was born in Linden township, New Jersey, April 12th, 1825, his father, Lewis Mulford, hav- ing been born in the same township on August 5th, 1790. The latter was by trade a carpenter, but in 1832 he took up farming, and has since followed it with success and without interruption. His wife was Charlotte Williams, who was born in Union township in 1795. Mr. Mulford's education was conducted in his native township, and the loss ineurred by him from the lack of great facilities in those days was made up by his own indefatigable efforts in private study. Ile followed, with his father, agricultural pursuits until 1858, when he entered business as a coal and lumber merchant. IIe had been, from the date of his majority, an active and intelligent par- tisan of the Democraey, and became a leader to the people of his township, who, in 1859 and in 1860, elceted him as their representative in the lower house of the State Assembly. In 1862 he was appointed Judge of the Common Pleas for a term of five years, and in 1868 the distinction of a reappoint- ment for a similar period was conferred on him. During his first term Daniel Harris was president judge of the court, and William Gibley and Theodore Kirson, associates. During his second term, David A. Depue was president judge, and William Gibley and Hugh H !. Bowne, asso- ciates. Ilis service on the bench was marked by a clear knowledge of the letter and a keen appreciation of the spirit of the law, and his rulings and charges were admira- ble in their summary of facts and their application of laws bearing upon them. For ten years Mr. Mulford has been a Director in the State Bank, for a long period a Director of the National Fire and Marine Insurance Company, and a Manager of the Dimes Saving Institution. For several terms he filled with general approval a seat in the Board of Chosen Freeholders, and for three years acted as one of its

BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPAEDIA.

Directors. In his various capacities, as a business man, as a civic official, he has, by his firm integrity and substantial ability, secured the esteem of all brought in contact with him, and is justly regarded as one of the foremost citizens of his township. He was married, in 1847, to Charity O., daughter of Townley Mulford, of Linden.

NDRUS, CHIARLES HI., M. D., Physician, of Metuchen, was born in Winham, Greene county, New York, October 13th, 1823. He sprang from New England stock, his parents, Sylvester and Elizabeth P. (Clark) Andrus, being both natives of Connecticut. His early educational training he obtained at Roxbury district school, from which he pro- ceeded, in 1840, to Delaware academy, Delphi, Delaware county, New York. At this latter institution he remained a student for three years, becoming during the last a tutor as well as a student, assisting in the instruction of chemistry and Latin. Having selected the medical profession for his life-work, he began the study of its principles under Dr. E. Steel. This he followed up with a two years' course at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, of New York, and then took a single year's course at Berkshire Medical College, Pittsfield, Massachusetts. His degree was conferred by the College of Physicians and Surgeons, of New York, in 1845. Thus carefully prepared for the duties of a medical practitioner, he began practice in his native place, but soon after, in 1846, chose Poughkeepsie, New York, as his field of labor. Here he became associated with Dr. A. B. Har- vey, and the connection continued for two years, after which he pursued practice alone until 1857, when he removed to Balston Spa, Saratoga county. In this new sphere he re- mained until the spring of 1862, when, desirous of contribut- ing his services to the cause of his country, he entered the army as Assistant Surgeon of the 128th Regiment of New York Volunteers. In 1864 his skill and devotion met with recognition in a commission as Surgeon of the 176th New York Infantry, with which he served until its disbandment in April, 1866, the regiment being retained on duty in Georgia after the close of the war, During three months in the year 1864 he was detailed for duty at Sheridan's Field Hospital in the valley of the Shenandoah as Medical In- spector and Operating Surgeon. After leaving the army he resumed practice at Poughkeepsie, where he remained until 1872. In that year he settled in Metuchen, the present scene of his labors. He enjoys a considerable and valuable practice, and is highly esteemed both as a medical man and as a large-hearted and public-spirited citizen. During his residence in Poughkeepsie he served for several years as a member of the Board of Education, and for two terms as Coroner for Dutchess county. In this latter capacity he has also officiated in Middlesex county, New Jersey, for one year. While living at Balston Spa, he was twice elected

President of the Saratoga County Medical Association. IIe was married, October 7th, 1845, to Louisa C. Cowles, daughter of Dr. Jonathan B. Cowles, of Durham, Greene county, New York.

ICKINSON, GENERAL PHILEMON, Soldier and Statesman, was born in 1740, and was de- scended from Philemon Dickerson, who with his brothers emigrated from England, and landed in Massachusetts in 1638. He was admitted a free- man of the town of Salem in 1641, and removed to Long Island in 1672. He had two sons, Thomas and Peter. Thomas had four sons, all of whom moved to Morris county, New Jersey, about 1745, and from these the Dicker- sons and Dickinsons, as their names were sometimes written, are descended. During the war of the Revolution, General Dickinson took an early and active part in the struggle for his country, and hazarded his ample fortune as well as his life to establish independence. In the memorable battle of Monmouth, at the head of the New Jersey militia, he ex- hibited the gallantry and spirit of a soldier of liberty. After the establishment of the national government he became a member of Congress. In the various stations, both civil and military, with which he was honored, he discharged his du- ties with great zeal and ability. During the last twelve or fifteen years of his life, he retired from active life, passing the remainder of his days at his country-seat, near Trenton, where he died, February 4th, 1809.

OODBRIDGE, REV. SAMUEL M., D. D., Cler- gyman and Professor of Ecclesiastical History and Government in the Theological Seminary of the Reformed Dutch Church, New Brunswick, was born, April 5th, 1819, in Greenfield, Massachu- setts, and is the son of the late Rev. Dr. Sylvester and Elizabeth (Brewster) Woodbridge. Ilis father had been at one period pastor of the orthodox Congregational Church of South Hampton, Massachusetts, whence he re- moved to New Orleans, where he became pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church for some years previous to his death, which occurred in the autumn of 1862. ITis mother was a native of Sharon, Connecticut. He received his pre- liminary education in an academy in his native town, which he attended for five years, and thence proceeded to the city of New York, where he became a pupil in the select academy of William Sherwood. In 1834 he matriculated at the New York University, from which institution he graduated in 1838. He next entered the Theological Seminary of the Reformed Dutch, Church, at New Brunswick, for the study. of divinity, and received his diploma on the completion of the course in 1841. Shortly after leaving this institution he received a call to become the pastor of the South Reformed

BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA.

Dutch Church of Brooklyn, which he accepted, and labored | of the community in which he resides. He lent his ener- there for the period of nine years. Having, at the end of gies to the promotion of the Columbus, Kincora & Spring- field Railroad, and has been its Treasurer since the organiz- ation of the company. In politics, however, he takes no active part, desiring no other distinction than accrues in the strict line of his profession. He was married in 1856 to Elizabeth F. Wills, daughter of Judge Moses Wills, of Columbus. this time, received a call to the pulpit of the Second Re- formed Dutch Church of Coxsackie, New York, he removed to that place and became its pastor for two years, 1850 to 1852. In the latter year he assumed charge of the Second Reformed Dutch Church of New Brunswick, where he re- mained until his appointment, in 1856, as Professor of Mental Philosophy in Rutgers College in that city. He filled this chair with acceptability for the period of three years, when he was chosen as Professor of Ecclesiastical History and Government in the Theological Seminary of the Reformed Dutch Church, New Brunswick, which position he still retains. IIe was married, February, 1845, to Caro- line Bergen, of Brooklyn, New York, who died in 1860. After a widowerhood of seven years, he was united in mar- riage to Anna W., daughter of Charles P. Dayton, for many years an extensive dry-goods merchant of New Brunswick.

AGE, RICHIARD H., M. D., Physician, of Colum- bus, Burlington county, was born near Medford, in the same county of New Jersey, September 22d, IS28. He is a member of the medical profession by inheritance, as it were, his father, Thomas Page, having been a well-known practitioner in and around Tuckerton, in the same county, while his grand- father, William Page, was also a physician. On the mater- nal side, also, his descent is from a New Jersey family, his mother being Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Butcher, of Burlington county. He obtained his early education in the public and select schools of Tuckerton, and from 1843 to 1846 he was a pupil in the Pennington Academy. The study of medicine he began with Dr. Budd, of Mount IIolly, and continued under the direction of that gentleman during the summer months. In the winters he attended the regular course of lectures at the University of Pennsylvania, and pursued his readings under the care of Dr. S. G. Morton, of Philadelphia, who was then President of the Academy of Natural Sciences. After a full course at the University of Pennsylvania, he was graduated from that institution with the degree of M. D. in March, 1850. In July of the same year he located in Columbus and began the practice of his profession. From that time he has been actively engaged in the same sphere of usefulness, his practice expanding year by ycar, and assuming always a more influential and lucrative character. He occupies a high position in the re- spect and regard of his professional brethren. In the county medical society he has held the offices of Secretary and President, has frequently been a delegate therefrom to the State Medical Society, and was a Delegate to the Con- vention of the North American Medical Association held in Philadelphia. A public-spirited citizen, he takes an carnest interest in all movements calculated to advance the welfare

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The biographical encyclopaedia of New Jersey of the nineteenth century, Part 11

Author: Robson, Charles, ed; Galaxy Publishing Company, publisher Publication date: 1877 Publisher: Philadelphia, Galaxy publishing company Number of Pages: 924

Author: Robson, Charles, ed; Galaxy Publishing Company, publisher
Publication date: 1877
Publisher: Philadelphia, Galaxy publishing company
Number of Pages: 924