The biographical encyclopaedia of New Jersey of the nineteenth century, Part 24

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

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labored in his chosen path with much success. He soon took rank among the leaders in the medical fraternity of Bloomington, and during his sojourn there, which extended to 1857, enjoyed their utmost respect and confidence, as well as that of the community at large. Within two years from the date of his settling at Bloomington a project was started of establishing a medical college in that city. An organiza- tion was effected under the general laws of the State; a large brick building (afterward known as " College Hall" ) was erected in which to locate a medical museum and de- liver the lectures; and a faculty was formed, of which Dr. Freese was made the Professor of Surgery, and also Presi- dent of the college; but before the institution could get into operation it was concluded that its proximity to the older colleges of Chicago and St. Louis made its support doubt- ful, if not impossible, and the whole project was finally abandoned as impracticable. Aside from his numerous pro- fessional duties in Bloomington, Dr. Freese took a leading and active part in all things tending to the improvement and development of the town. He assisted in erecting in the heart of the city a fine block of buildings for business pur- poses, which at that time were among the finest in the place. In 1857, at the solicitation of his wife, he returned to his native State and located in Trenton. This estimable lady was née Lily S. Swayze, a native of New Jersey, to whom he was married December 25th, 1847. She was a lady of more than ordinary ability ; possessed with a literary mind, she frequently contributed to the various magazines both in poetry and prose. During the absence of her husband in the army she conducted with marked ability the newspaper which he then owned and edited, the State Gazette. She died November 7th, 1871, mourned by a large circle, which had held her in high esteem for her many noble traits of character. On returning to New Jersey Dr. Freese fully expected to follow up in his new home the successes he had already achieved in his profession during his sojourn in the West. Shortly after locating in Trenton, however, he was prevailed upon to purchase the State Gazette, one of the oldest newspapers in the State, having been established as far back as 1792, and at the same time another paper known as the New Jersey Republican. These papers he merged into one which he issued for a short time under the title of the State Gasette and Republican. The latter name, how- ever, was soon dropped, and the paper has since been known as the State Gazette. Ile now relinquished the practice of medicine and devoted himself entirely to the publication of this paper, which he continued to publish and own up to 1866, when he went abroad. In 1858 he was commissioned Lieutenant-Colonel of State Militia. In 1859 he was appointed Bank Commissioner of New Jersey. Soon after the breaking out of the rebellion in the summer of 1861, at the request of the Governor of New Jersey, hc ac- companied to Washington one of the regiments from this State, expecting in a few days to return home and resume his editorial duties. However, while in Washington, he

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was prevailed upon to enter the service, and upon tendering himself to President Lincoln he was immediately appointed Assistant Adjutant-General of United States Volunteers, on August 24th, 1861, and at once entered upon active duty. He was assigned to the staff of Brigadier-General Mont- gomery, who had only a few days previous been appointed

Military Governor of the city of Alexandria. Having entered the service of his country without making any pro- vision for the performance of his duties at home pertaining to the management of his newspaper, the emergency was promptly and ably met by his wife, Lily S., of whom we have already spoken. She at once assumed the manage- ment of the State Gasette, and her administration of affairs

was attended by an increase in the circulation of the paper; and while the husband was upholding the government in the field, she through the columns of the press nobly con- tributed her support to the cause of the Union. In addition to his duties as Assistant Adjutant-General to General Mont- gomery at Alexandria, Colonel Freese was appointed Pro- vost Judge of the city. Upon the Union troops taking possession the local government of all kind had vacated; merchants had left their stores, and disorder generally reigned. Being possessed of great executive ability he soon created order out of chaos, and his administration as Provost Judge, which continued until January, 1862, was a marked success in every feature. One point therein is particularly noteworthy. As before stated, the merchants generally of Alexandria had closed their stores and fled the town; they were largely indebted to the men of the North for their goods. The creditors had no legal recourse, as all courts of law had ceased to exist in that locality, thus pro- hibiting the usual procedure in cases of debt. Judge Freese issued a rule or order of the court, in which he stated that where claims were thoroughly and truly established by these Northern merchants they should be allowed to take of the goods of absconded debtors, at an appraisement to be made by disinterested parties, a sufficient amount of the abandoned goods to liquidate their claims; all proceedings to be only by order of the court and under the direct surveillance of its officers. Upon his establishing this precedent many mer- chants of the North repaired to Alexandria, and were thus enabled to recover thousands of dollars which otherwise would have been lost. His action on this point was a bold one, and though not in strict accordance with the letter of the law, his views on the subject were thoroughly indorsed by President Lincoln and the press of the North in general. Had this precedent established by him been sustained by the government, and carried out in all places when our armies took possession, millions of dollars could have been justly returned to the Northern merchants and the enemy also deprived of immense quantities of supplies. The Attorney-General, however, demurred, and the court was finally discontinued. In January, 1862, Colonel Freese joined the Army of the Potomac, and was attached to the staff of General Heintzelman as Provost Marshal of his

division. In this capacity he served up to the battle of Williamsburg, in which engagement he was disabled while serving as an aide to General Frank Patterson, and was compelled to return home. Upon his recovery he returned to the staff of General Montgomery and was stationed in Philadelphia, where he did duty until the spring of 1863. He was then ordered to Cairo, Illinois, where he remained during the summer of 1863, acting as Assistant Adjutant- General and Judge Advocate, being principally engaged in courts-martial. In the fall of 1863 he was sent to Grand

Rapids, Michigan, to assist in organizing troops that had been drafted in that State. Here he remained until January, 1864, when he resigned his commission, and returning to Trenton resumed the management of the State Gazette. In 1866, having been appointed by President Johnson one of the United States Commissioners to the Paris Exposition, he disposed of his paper and accompanied by his wife, Lily S., and his son, Louie K., started for a tour abroad. They journeyed through all parts of Europe; visited Egypt, Pales- tine, Syria, Asia Minor and Turkey, and after attending to his duties at the Exposition returned to Trenton in the winter of 1867. Two volumes of his travels were pub-

lished after his return ; the one on Palestine, of which three editions were sold; the other on Egypt. He now deter- mined to engage in the banking business, together with that of real estate, and accordingly established the banking and real estate office of Freese & Co., in which vocation he is at present engaged, having associated with him his two sons, L. K. and H. C. Freese. This establishment was the first of its kind established in Trenton, and under the able man- agement of its founder has proved an entire success. Colonel Freese since his locating in Trenton has always been fore- most in all matters of public improvement. Possessing great energy and push, he has striven in various and numerous ways to advance the interests of the city. He is connected with several monetary institutions, among which may be named the State Savings Bank of Trenton, of which he was elected Vice-President and Treasurer in 1869, which posi- tion he still holds. In 1866 he was chosen a Director in the First National Bank, and still acts in that capacity. In 1869 he was chosen President of the Standard Fire Insur- ance Company, of Trenton, and held the office for three years. He was elected President of the Board of Trade in 1870, and lately became Treasurer of the City Railway Company. In politics he was originally a Whig, and such was his admiration of Henry Clay that he named his first- born after that world-renowned statesman. When, in 1856, that party virtually dissolved, he joined the Republican party, and was one of only six men to hold the first Republican convention ever held in the United States. In 1872 he joined the standard of his old personal and political friend, Horace Greeley, and made many speeches in different parts of New Jersey to secure his election to the Presidency. From 1872 to 1876 he took no part in politics, and only voted for such men and measures as his judgment approved.

BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPÆDIA.

When, in 1876, Governor Hayes was nominated for the ' elsewhere. In 1855 he was nominated by the Democracy Presidency, he at once wrote an open letter heartily approv- ing the nomination and fully indorsing the platform adopted at Cincinnati. Though often solicited, never, except in one instance, and then against his most earnest protest, has he permitted his name to be used as a candidate for any political office, nor is he ever likely to permit such use, un- less the demand should be for the public good rather than from personal ambition. He was again married, June 9th, 1874, to Mrs. E. P. Nostrand, of New Jersey.

URNETT, HON. DAVID, Printer and Journalist, late of Paterson, was born, in the year 1800, at Springfield, New Jersey, where also he was edit- cated. When eighteen years of age he went to New York city, where he learned the trade of a printer, and after becoming thoroughly versed in that art went to Paterson, New Jersey, where he was en- gaged as a journeyman, and worked at his trade for some three years. In September, 1823, in connection with Mr. Day, he started the Paterson Intelligencer. In April, 1845, he was appointed Surrogate of Passaic county. For ten years he was Clerk of the Board of Chosen Freeholders of that county, and was also connected with several banking institutions. He died at Paterson, August 28th, 1873.

ITTENHOUSE JOHN P., School-Teacher and ex-Sheriff of Hunterdon County, was born, 1820, near Sergeantsville, New Jersey, and is a son of Samuel Rittenhouse, and a great-grand-nephew of the celebrated astronomer David Rittenhouse; the family is of German descent, and among the early settlers of New Jersey. John attended school until he was twelve years of age, and was then apprenticed to learn the trade of a saddler and harness-inaker, and worked at that business until he was sixteen years old, when he relinquished the same and engaged in teaching school. He pursued this latter vocation for ten years quite success- fully in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Ohio. In 1849 he went to California, and was one of the pioncer traders in what is now the city of Sacramento. In company with his partners, he purchased and had recorded in the proper office a title for the first city lot in Sacramento, after the site had been laid off in town-lots, and was situated at the corner of K and Fifth strects. He remained in California somewhat less than a year, but, although successful in his business, hc was obliged through failing health to dispose of his interests in Sacramento and return to the States. On his arrival in New Jersey he settled on a farm near Flemington, where he has since continued, except when absent on official dutics

of the First District of Hunterdon county as their candidate for member of Assembly, and was elected by a large ma- jority, and was also re-elected the following year. During his legislative career he filled a position on several impor- tant committees, and served as Chairman on that of Public Printing. In 1857 he was appointed one of the Inspectors of Customs for the Port of New York, and filled that posi- tion throughout President Buchanan's administration, and during a portion of President Lincoln's first term, relin- quishing the office in September, 1862. In 1868 he was appointed Deputy Sheriff, as the sheriff elected, Richard Bellis, was at that time engaged in business in New York. The entire duties of this responsible position therefore de- volved on him. At the expiration of Sheriff Bellis' term in 1871 he was nominated for the office, and elected by a large majority, and served for the three years' term ; all parties conceded that his administration was most successful, and that he proved to have been one of the most faith- ful and efficient officers who ever held that position in Hunterdon county. He was kind and courteous in all his official relations, and never failed in retaining the regard, esteem and confidence of all, even including those persons towards whom his duties were of an unfortunate or perplex- ing character. His oldest son, H. O. Rittenhouse, is a graduate of the Annapolis Naval School, and is at present a Lieutenant in the United States navy.

IKE, BRIGADIER-GENERAL ZEBULON MONTGOMERY, of the United States Army, was born, January 5th, 1779, at Lamberton, New Jersey, and was the son of Zebulon Pike, a brevet- colonel in the service of the United States during the war of the Revolution. He was a lineal descendant of John Pike, who lived at Newbury, Massa- chusetts, in 1635, and whose son, John, removed to Wood- bridge, New Jersey, in 1669, and settled there. Young Pike received an elegant education, including a knowledge of the higher mathematics, and was a thorough master of the Latin, French and Spanish languages. After the pur- chase of the Territory of Louisiana, which not only em- braced the present State of that name but all the lands on the west side of the Mississippi river, now included in the States of Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa and the western shore of Minnesota, President Jefferson in 1805 gave him authority to explore the sources of the Mississippi river. Soon after his return from this survey he was sent on a similar expedi- tion into the interior of Louisiana. He appears to have travelled far beyond the western limit of that Territory, for he was scized by a Spanish force on the banks of the Rio del Norte, who captured all his papers. He returned to the States in 1807. Subsequently he published an account

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of his expedition to the sources of the Mississippi, etc., which is comprised in an octavo volume, dated 1810. During the war with Great Britain he was appointed a Brigadier-General in the United States army, and com- manded the land forces in the attack upon York, Upper Canada. In the explosion of the British magazine he was struck by a large stone, and died in a few hours on board of the commodore's ship. When the British standard was brought to him he caused it to be placed under his head. His wife was a Miss Brown, of Cincinnati; his only daughter married in 1819 J. C. S. Harrison, of Ohio. General Pike died April 27th, 1813.

URR, COLONEL AARON, Lawyer and Vice- President of the United States, was born, Feb- ruary 6th, 1756, in the city of Newark, and was a son of President Burr and a grandson of Presi- dent Edwards, of Princeton College. His father died when he was but a year old, and his mother's decease followed in less than a twelvemonth after her hus- band's. He was thus left an orphan in his very infancy, and the moulding of his character thus left to stranger hands doubtless influenced his whole after life. He re- ceived, however, an excellent education, and graduated from Princeton College in 1773. He subsequently com- menced the study of law, but before being admitted to the bar the conflict with Great Britain commenced, and when nineteen years of age he joined the Continental army at Cambridge, and accompanied Arnold in his expedition against Quebec. In the year 1776 he was invited to join the military family of General Washington, and accepted the offer ; but the commander-in-chief soon lost confidence in him. He retired from military duties in 1779, having reached the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. He commenced the practice of law in 1782 at Albany, but after a short so- journ in that city removed to New York. He took a prom- inent part in political matters, and in 1791 he was elected by the Legislature of his adopted State a Senator of the United States, and served in that body until the expiration of his term in 1797, and was a prominent member of the then Democratic party. In 1800 he and Jefferson each had seventy-three votes in the Electoral College for the Presi- dency. There being no choice, the election for President devolved on the House of Representatives, according to the Constitution. After thirty-five ineffectual trials, Thomas Jefferson was elected on the thirty-sixth ballot, when Colonel Burr was chosen Vice-President. During his term occurred the lamentable controversy with Alexander Hamilton, the challenge and the duel, when the latter fell mortally wounded by the hand of the Vice-President. After the expiration_of his term he seems to have meditated the founding of a new empire in the Southwest, this scheme being solely for his own aggrandizement. He journeyed to the West, and having formed an intimacy with the wife of Herman Blen-

nerhasset, endeavored to seek his co-operation in his pro- ject through the influence of Mrs. Blennerhasset. The great scheme failed, and Blennerhasset, who was a man of great wealth, was totally ruined, he having made liberal advances of money to promote the matter. Colonel Burr was arrested for treason; tried at Richmond, Virginia, but managed to be acquitted, as no overt act could be proved. For the rest of his life he resided chiefly in New York, living in obscurity and neglect. IIe had the reputation of being a thoroughly unprincipled, licentious and profligate man, and even his biographer, Davis, has stamped him with infamy. He died at Staten Island, New York, September 14th, 1836.

OUTHARD, HON. HENRY, Soldier and States- man, late of Baskingridge, was born, in the year 1747, on Long Island, and was a son of Abraham Southard. When he was about eight years old his father removed to the then colony of New Jersey, and settled at Baskingridge, where the family have since continued to reside. The son received but an ordinary English education, and when a young man was thrown upon his own resources, laboring as a common hired man at thirty cents a day. By his untiring industry he collected enough money wherewith to purchase a farm. His energy and talents distinguished him from the mass, and at an early date he was appointed a Justice of the Peace. Over nine hundred cases were heard by him, and decisions rendered in each of them, and so just were these decisions that there were but four cases appealed. During the war of the Revolution he entered the service and con- tributed a share towards the attainment of our independence. He was among the earliest members of the State Legisla- ture, subsequent to the adoption of the Federal Constitution in 1789, and usefully served in that body for nine years, and then was elected a member of Congress. This post of honor he held by successive re-elections for twenty-one years, when in 1821, admonished by tl:e growing weight of years, he voluntarily retired, having already passed the ordi- nary limit of three-score years and ten. A short time pre- vious his distinguished son, Samuel L. Southard, had been elected a member of the United States Senate; and they had the pleasure of meeting in the Joint Committee of the two Houses, upon whom, as a final resort, devolved the settlement of the famous Missouri Compromise, a circum- stance probably without a parallel in our political history. Until within three years of his death he had never worn glasses or used a staff, and was accustomed to a daily walk of three miles. His memory was remarkably strong, for he could not only recollect every question which had come before Congress while a member, but could mention the different speakers, and their very arguments. He died within a few days of his distinguished son, June 2d, 1842, at the advanced age of ninety-five years.

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CHENCK, JOHN V., A. M., M. D., Physician, of Camden, New Jersey, was born, November 17th, 1824, at a place long known as Six Mile Run, but now called Franklin Park, in Somerset county, New Jersey. His parents were Ferdinand S. and Leah (Voorhees) Schenck, both natives of New Jersey. John Schenck obtained his preliminary eduea- tion at the common schools in his neighborhood, and subse- quently entered upon the usual preparatory course of study before entering college. His preparation being complete, he entered Rutgers College, at New Brunswick, in 1841, and graduated with the class of 1844. After leaving col- lege he at once set about preparing himself to enter the medical profession. With this view he entered the office of his father, who had been for many years a leading prac- titioner at Six Mile Run. He studied under his father's direction until the year 1845, when he entered the Univer- sity of Pennsylvania. His studies were prosecuted with the utmost diligence and industry, and his rapid progress in them was remarkable. In the spring of 1847 he graduated from the university, and at once entered upon the practice of his profession in company with his father in his native place. He continued this practice until December, 1848, when he removed to the eity of Camden, where he has con- tinued ever since to reside. His success as a practitioner was very rapidly attained, and being based on thorough skill and enthusiastic and unwearied devotion to his profes- sion, it has proved a lasting and inereasing success. He rapidly built up an extensive and very valuable praetiee in Camden, and is among the first-perhaps the foremost-of the profession in that city. His is not a self-seeking profes- sional devotion. He labors constantly to elevate his calling, and always takes a part of unwearied activity in the various medical societies of which he is and has been a member. He is a member of the Camden County Medieal Associa- tion, and has served two terms as President of that organi- zation. IIe was elected President of the New Jersey State Medical Society at its annual meeting in May, 1876. He was married, July 6th, 1857, to Martha McKeen, of Phila- delphia.

ENDRICKSON, HON. WILLIAM HI., Farmer and State Senator, of Middletown, was born, June 3d, 1813, in that town, and is a son of the late William II. and Eleanor (Dubois) Hendrickson. His paternal ancestors were among the pioneer settlers of Monmouth county, having located there as early as 1698, and he still owns and resides upon the old homestead, which has always been in the possession of the family. His education was obtained at the grammar- school of Rutgers College, New Brunswick, which he left on the death of his father, he then being a member of the sophomore class. He has always followed agricultural pur- suits, and with marked success. Hc commands the respect

of the community for his sterling worth and integrity of character. In appreciation of these traits he has been hon- ored several times by the people of Monmouth county, who have elected him a member of the State Senate. He was first chosen in 1858, and served until 1861. He was again elected in 1872, and served until 1875, when he was re- elected, so that his term will expire in 1878. During his legislative career he has been a member of the Finance, Printing, and Education Committees, and during his first senatorial term was Chairman of the last-named committee. He has always giver his constituents great satisfaction. His election in 1872 was without opposition ; and in 1875 his opponent was a gentleman of great popularity in the county. He made no effort whatever to secure the nomination ; the office sought him, the people and his party demanding his services. He has been a member of the Board of Free- holders of Monmouth county for eight years, and has been President of the Middletown & Keyport Steamboat Com- pany for the past fifteen years ; also a Director of the Far- mers' & Merchants' Bank, of Matawan. He was married, February 28th, 1839, to. Elizabeth E. Woodward, of Cream Ridge, Monmouth county ; she died December 13th, 1865. His second wife is Rebecca C. F. Patterson, to whom he was united June 24th, 1868.

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The biographical encyclopaedia of New Jersey of the nineteenth century, Part 24

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