The biographical encyclopaedia of New Jersey of the nineteenth century, Part 27

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

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the bay, but was soon obscured by the haze on the water. It was not long before the enemy began to fire at the ketch, which by this time was quite near the batteries, though the reports were neither rapid nor numerous. At this moment, near ten o'clock, Captain Stewart and Lieutenant Carrol were standing in the " Siren's " gangway, looking intently towards the place where the ketch was known to be, when the latter exclaimed, " Look, see the light." At that mo- ment a light was seen passing and waving, as if a lantern were carried by some person in quick motion along the ves- sel's deck, and then it sank from view. Half a minute may have elapsed when the whole firmament was lighted by a fiery glow; a burning mast, with its sails, was seen in the air; the whole harbor was momentarily illuminated; the awful explosion came, and a darkness like that of doom succeeded ; the whole was over in less than a minute. The flames, the quaking of towers, the reeling of ships, and even the bursting of shells, of which the majority fell into the water, though some lodged on the rocks, all became silent. The firing ceased, and from that moment Tripoli passed the night in as profound a stillness as that in which the victims of the explosion have lain from that fatal hour to the pres- ent time. In the American squadron the opinion was preva- lent that Somers and his determined crew had blown them- selves up to prevent capture ; but subsequent light has rendered it more probable that it was the result of an acci- dent, or perhaps occasioned by a hot shot from the enemy. Thus perished one of the bravest of the brave. Notwith- standing all hypotheses, and all the great efforts of human ingenuity in reasoning, there will remain a melancholy in- terest around the manner of his end, which, by the Almighty will, is forever veiled from human eyes in a sad and solemn mystery. He was mild, amiable and affectionate, both in disposition and deportment, although of singularly chival- rous ideas of honor and duty. As a proof of the estimation in which he was held, many vessels have been named after him, and among these the clipper brig-of-war " Somers," on which the celebrated mutiny took place when under the command of Alexander Slidell Mackenzie-an event with- out a parallel in the history of the United States navy.

AN DEURSEN, WILLIAM, M. D., Physician, late of New Brunswick, was born in that city, May 16th, 1791, where also he was educated, and graduated at Rutgers College, in the class of 1809, with the first honor, and on which occa- sion he pronounced the valedictory address. He studied medicine in New York city, and after receiving his diploma served as physician and surgeon in one of the hospitals of that city. Subsequently he removed to Mon- mouth county, New Jersey, where he commenced the prac- tice of medicine, and resided there for several years; but

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eventually returned to his native city, and there established He eruised in the "Cyane," under Captain Trenchard, on a reputation for professional skill which he maintained until his retirement from the active duties of his calling. He was the eldest living Trustee of Rutgers College, hav- ing been elected to that office in 1823. He died at New Brunswick, February 20th, 1873.

ONTGOMERY, REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN B., of the United States Navy, was born at Allen- town, New Jersey, and was appointed from that · State, June 4th, 1812, receiving at that date a mid- shipman's warrant. Early in September of the same year he reported at Sackett's Harbor for duty in the squadron on Lake Ontario, and served succes- sively on board the " Hamilton " and flag-ships " Madi- son " and " General Pike." He participated in the naval attack on Kingston, Upper Canada, November 10th, 1812, and also in the capture of Little York (now Toronto), April 27th, 1813, and of Fort George and Newark on the 27th of the following month. In conjunction with seven other officers and one hundred sailors he volunteered for service on Lake Erie, August 4th, 1813, and joined the United States brig " Niagara," Captain Elliott, and took part in the general naval action of September 10th, which resulted in the capture of the British fleet. For this service he re- ceived a sword and the thanks of Congress awarded to the officers of his grade. IIe was present during the blockade and subsequent attack on Mackinaw (Lake Huron), in August, 1814, and also, during the same month, at the de- struetion of a block-house and gun-brig on the British side of the lake. During the last siege of Fort Erie the " Niagara " was employed in protecting communication be- tween the fort and the United States hospitals at Buffalo, and the transportation of troops between the two shores of the lake during the months of September and October. Ile continued on board that vessel until the elose of the war, and returned to New York late in February, IS15, in time to witness the general illumination in celebration of peace. Early in the following month of March, the United States being at war with Algiers, he was ordered to the sloop-of- war "Ontario," at Baltimore, then under the command of Captain Jesse Dunean Elliott, and sailed with the first squadron under Commodore Decatur, May 15th, 1815, for the Mediterranean. He participated in the capture of an Algerine frigate and a man-of-war brig in June, and in the bloekade of Algiers to the elose of the war, in July, 1815. HIc continued to serve on board the "Ontario " and frigate " United States " in the Mediterranean until 1817, when he returned to the United States in the storc.ship "Alert," and in August of the sune ycar was ordered to the sloop - of-war " Hornet," then preparing for sea at New York. In Feb- ruary, 1818, he was transferred to the sloop-of-war " Cyanc," and shortly afterwards promoted to the rank of Lieutenant.

the coast of Africa, returning to the United States in IS20, and almost immediately afterwards was ordered to the sloop- of-war " Erie," at New York. He served on that vessel, under Captain Deacon, until her return from a three-years' cruise in the Mediterranean, in November, 1826. After a furlough of some eighteen months, he was placed in 1828 on recruiting service, in which he was engaged during that and the following year. In 1830 he was ordered to the West Indies as Executive Officer of the sloop-of-war " Pea- cock," Captain McCall. He was subsequently transferred to the flag-ship " Erie," and at a later period commanded that ship on a cruise along the coast of Mexico. In July, 1831, he was relieved from the command of the " Erie " by Captain Clark, and ordered to the flag-ship " Natchez," and returned in her to Norfolk, Virginia, towards the close of August, 1831, when he was detached on leave. From January, 1833, until February, 1835, he was engaged on recruiting service in Philadelphia and New York, when he received orders to join the frigate " Constitution," at Boston, as Executive Officer, Captain Elliott being in command. This vessel sailed March 2d, 1835, for New York, and thence on the 15th of the same month proceeded to Havre, France, to convey Mr. Livingston, the United States Min- ister, and family to the United States. He returned on the frigate in July and was detached on leave. In March, IS37, he was ordered to the command of the receiving-ship " Co- lumbus," seventy-four, at Boston ; and was detached there- from in May, 1839, and on the 9th of December following promoted to the rank of Commander. In May, 1841, he was ordered to the recruiting rendezvous at Boston, where he continued until February, IS44, when he was detached on leave. In October of the same year he was ordered to the command of the sloop-of-war " Portsmouth," at Ports- mouth, New Hampshire, and sailed in her for Norfolk, Virginia, on the 9th of December. From the latter port he put to sea in January, 1845, bound to the Pacific Ocean, where he continued until near the close of the war with Mexico, returning with the ship to Boston, in May, IS48, when he was detached on leave. During this cruise of the " Portsmouth," of three years and seven months duration, the officers and crew under command of Commander Mont- gomery took possession of and permanently established the authority of the United States at San Francisco, Sonoma, New Helvetia, and Santa Clara, Upper California. They also maintained a blockade of Mazatlan, Mexico, for some months ; and in March and April, 1847, took possession of and hoisted the first United States flags at San Jose, Cape St. Lucas and La Paz, in Lower California, which ports were held until relinquished at the closc of the war. In October, 1847, in company with the frigate "Congress," Captain Lavallette, he bombarded and captured the fortified town and port of Guaymas, on the Gulf of California. In April, 1849, he was ordered as Exccutive Officer to the Navy Yard, Washington, from which he was relieved, No-

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vember Ist, 1851, and placed on leave. He was commis- ] that place he has remained ever since, and has developed a sioned as Captain January 6th, 1853. In April, 1857, he large and valuable practice. In the estimation of his brother practitioners and of the general community he holds a high place both as a doctor and as a man. He is a member of the County Medical Society, and has been sent as a dele- gate to the State Society a number of times.

was ordered to the command of the new steam frigate " Roanoke," at Norfolk, Virginia, and sailed thence to Aspinwall, returning in August of that year to New York with two hundred and fifty of the deluded followers of Gen- eral Walker, who had proposed to liberate Cuba. In the following month he was ordered to Washington as a mem- ber of one of the Court of Inquiry on Retired Officers. In January, 1858, the court was dissolved, when he was placed on leave. In April, 1859, he was ordered to the command of the Pacific Squadron, and to hoist his flag on the steam- corvette " Lancaster," at Philadelphia. He was relieved from this command by Commodore Charles H. Bell, in January, 1862, and arrived in New York on the 11th of the same month and placed on waiting orders (retired list). In the following month of May he was ordered to command the Navy Yard, Boston, and was transferred to the Navy Yard, Washington, December 31st, 1863. He remained at the Capital until October 13th, 1865, when he was placed on waiting orders. On July 10th, 1866, he was ordered to the command of the naval station at Sackett's Harbor, from which he was relieved September Ist, 1869, and again placed on waiting orders. His last service was, it will be seen, in command of the station where he first made his entree upon his profession fifty-seven years previously. He was promoted to the ranks of Commodore and Rear- Admiral (retired list), and passed the remainder of his days at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where he died March 25th, 1873.

OUNG, ERENCE D., M. D., Physician, of Borden- town, was born in Newcastle county, Delaware, May 12th, 1827. His father, William W. Young, was a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who moved into Delaware; he was a manufacturer in quite an extensive way. On the maternal side he is a Jerseyman, his mother having been Julia E. Ander- son, of Trenton. The early education of the subject of this sketch was received at the select school of John H. Wil- lets, in Philadelphia, whence he proceeded to the Newark Academy, Newark, Delaware. From that institution he was graduated in 1845, and immediately began the study of medicine with Dr. William R. Grant, Professor of Anatomy in the University of Pennsylvania. He attended the regular course of lectures in that university, and in due course was graduated, on March 8th, 1848. After receiving his diploma he was appointed Resident Physician of Wills Hospital for Diseases of the Eye, in Philadelphia, and the duties of this position he filled for about a year. Then he was stationed at the Pennsylvania Hospital, in the same city, for about a year. On June 25th, 1849, he removed to Bordentown, and opened an office for the practice of his profession. In

INKHAM, WILLIAM E., D. D. S., Dentist, of Newark, was born, May 21st, 1844, in the town of Winslow, Kennebec county, Maine, and is a son of Elias and Fannie (Sampson) Pinkham, who are also both natives of that State. He received his rudimentary education in the schools of his native county, and subsequently became a pupil at a Friends' academy in Providence. When sixteen years of age he commenced the study of dentistry at the Boston Dental College, where he attended one course of lectures ; and subsequently matriculated at the Philadelphia Dental College, where he completed his studies and graduated in the spring of 1873 with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. He then removed to New Jersey, locating at Newark, where he has since been actively engaged in the practice of his profession. He is a member of the New Jersey State Dental Society.

OWNLEY, ROBERT W., Mayor of Elizabeth, New Jersey, was born, July 13th, 1813, at Spring- field, in that State, and is the eldest son of Richard and Hannah Wade Townley, both of whom were also Jersey-born. His father was devoted to agricultural pursuits near Elizabeth, and his family for four generations have been identified with that "neighborhood. The old family homestead was destroyed by fire in 1875, having stood for about one hundred and twenty-five years. It was of the old English style of archi- tecture. The family itself is of English origin, being lineal descendants of Lord Charles Townley, of Great Britain. His preliminary education was obtained in a country school- house on the homestead, after which he attended a classical school for two years in Elizabeth, having in view a liberal education. But his tastes and preferences were found to be in the direction of business, and in 1828 he entered a general country store in Elizabeth as clerk, and a few years afterwards engaged in business on his own account. He . so continued until 1840, when he removed to Fort Wayne, Indiana, then in its infancy, and became one of the pioneer settlers of that section of the State, which was then largely populated by Indians. He remained there actively engaged in mercantile pursuits until 1859, when he returned to Eliza- beth to reside, although he still retained his business interests in Fort Wayne until 1870. Shortly after his return to New

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Jersey the great rebellion broke out, when he took an active part in sustaining the Union cause, with both his influence and purse. During the years 1872 and 1873 he was a member of the City Council of Elizabeth; and in 1874 was elected Mayor of the city, being re-elected in 1875 and 1876, filling that position with marked satisfaction to his constituents. He is identified with various charitable and financial institutions in the city, and is highly respected by the community, as being a man of sound principles, broad views, and more than ordinary executive ability.

ARON, JOHN, late Chief-Engineer in the United States Navy, was born in New Jersey, and entered the service from that State in 1840. When the steam-frigate " Powhatan " was nearly completed he was ordered to that vessel as one of her officers, and served in her during the cruise of three years and six months which she made, first in the Gulf of Mexico and thence to China and Japan. On his return to the United States he was variously employed for. a period of some years, when he was assigned as Senior Assistant- Engineer on board the " Niagara," which vessel, in con- junction with several British men-of-war, were engaged in laying the first Atlantic cable. Shortly after the war of the rebellion broke out he was ordered to the " San Jacinto," steam-sloop, and was in charge of the engineer department on board that vessel when she captured the rebel commis- sioners, Mason and Slidell. After his return from that memorable cruise he was Superintendent of the monitors which were in course of building at the iron ship-building yards at Jersey City, and, among others, supervised the building of the " Tecumseh." Before the completion of that vessel he was ordered to the " Onondaga," but prefer- ring to go to sea in a vessel of his own construction, he succeeded in getting detached and ordered to the " Tecum- seh," and had left a sick-bed to be present at the engage- ment during which he lost his life. The monitor " Tecum- seh" was sunk in Mobile Bay on the 5th day of August, 1864.

ROWN, HON. JOHN J., President of the First National Bank, of Paterson, New Jersey, was born, in the year 1817, in the city of New York. When he was five years old his parents were compelled to leave New York owing to an epi- demic of yellow fever, and they removed to New Jersey, scttling in Paterson, which then was but a mere village. They at first intended to return to New York, but finally decided to remain, and his father engaged in the grocery business. John attended school until he was thir- teen years old, when he withdrew and became a clerk in a dry-goods store, where he remained about four years. In

1834 he went to New York, where he effected an engage- ment as clerk to James La Tourette, at that time a noted fur, cap and stock manufacturer, in whose employ he con- tinued for some three years, including the winter of 1836-37, which he passed in New Orleans. Returning to New York, in May, 1837, he found his employer had failed, as had also happened to many other small and large establish- ments, all of which had gone down before the great finan- cial storm of that year. This failure prevented him from entering into business himself, as he otherwise would have done, and he accordingly went to Paterson. He there found employment as a clerk in a dry-goods store, and a few years later succeeded to his father's grocery business. He carried the latter on until 1844, when he changed his avocation and embarked in dry-goods on his own account; this venture proved a very successful one, and he continued it for twenty- three years, when he retired in 1867. At the close of his mercantile career he had a large establishment on Main street, and had built up the most extensive business houses of the kind in the city. The First National Bank, of Pater- son, was established in April, 1864, but it did not prosper, and during the summer of that year application had been made to the proper authorities to close the institution, and surrender the bonds which had been deposited in accordance with the law. About this time, however, Mr. Brown's atten- tion was called to the matter, when he stepped forward and saved the charter. With some effort, the sum of one hun- dred thousand dollars was subscribed, a first-class board of directors selected, who chose John J. Brown as President of the bank, which was reorganized in September, 1864, since which time he has continued in that position, and to which he has devoted all his time and talents since he with- drew from active mercantile pursuits. In three months from the time the bank commenced business its capital was in- creased to two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and on January Ist, 1868, another sum of one hundred thousand dollars was added. It has a large surplus fund in addition to the present capital of $400,000, and continues to pay its stockholders a handsome dividend semi-annually. He has also been connected with the Passaic Water-Works Com- pany since its organization ; and this corporation is greatly indebted to him for the earnest thought, labor and sacrifices which this great work demanded. Through his manage- ment the financial difficulties, which ever attend improve- ments of this nature, have been ovcrcome, and the works have proved a complete success, not only financially but in all other respects. IIe has also been interested in other measures for the improvement of the city, and among these may be named the Cedar Lawn Cemetery. In conjunction with a number of other gentlemen, he purchased about one hundred acres of land, which was laid out in 1866-67, and dedicated in September, 1867. It is situated on the bank of the Passaic river, about two miles distance from the city. From almost the very organization of Paterson as a city he was chosen one of the Board of Aldermen, and while absent

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in Europe, was again elected to that office. In 1854 he | of the surgeons of New Jersey. In 1865 he was commis- was selected as the first Mayor of the municipality, but after sioned Surgeon-General of the National Guard of New Jersey, with the rank of Brigadier-General, and held that position until 1869. He was married, September 14th, 1853, to Henrietta Badwin, of Elizabeth, and after her death was united in marriage, March 18th, 1863, to Anna, second daughter of Rev. David Magie, D. D., also of Elizabeth, New Jersey. he had served his term, declined any further nomination. During his mayoralty he projected and carried out the measure for paving the sidewalks, which before this time had been almost entirely neglected. In 1856 he was in- duced to become the nominee of the Republican party for the Legislature, and was elected. He served in the lower house for one year, but since that period has invariably de- clined all offices which have been tendered him. He is a man of very active, energetic temperament, system and practical judgment in regard to everything that he does, and of great courtesy and blandness in demeanor to all persons. As a business man and bank director he has no superior, and his earnest spirit and good sense in executive manage- ment make him invaluable as a co-worker in all enterprises. He avoids ostentation in every particular, and is as discreet and practical in all his tastes as he is reliable in his charac- ter. Socially he is noted for his genial traits, kindness of heart, and steadfastness in the discharge of all moral and religious duties.

AKLEY, LEWIS W., M. D., of Elizabeth, Physi- cian and Surgeon, ex-Surgeon-General of New Jersey, was born, November 22d, 1828, in the city of New York, and is a son of Samuel and Abby (Williams) Oakley, both of whom were also natives of New York, and of English de-

scent. His father was for many years a leading merchant of that city. He received a first-class education, and entered Princeton College, where, after passing the usual course of study in that ancient and celebrated institution, he gradu- ated with the class of 1849. In the same year he com- menced the study of medicine and matriculated at the Col- lege of Physicians and Surgeons, in New York city, from which he graduated in 1852. He then went abroad for travel and study, remaining a year or more. Returning to the United States, he selected Elizabeth as his residence in 1854, where he has since continued, and controls an exten- sive practice. At the outbreak of the rebellion he entered the service as Assistant Surgeon of the 2d Regiment New Jersey Volunteers, May 21st, 1861, and was promoted on the 12th of October of the same year to the rank of Surgeon of the 4th New Jersey Regiment. He was transferred to the 2d Regi- ment, January 2d, 1862, and from that date was Surgeon-in- Chief of the Ist New Jersey Brigade, Ist Division, 6th Corps, until the expiration of the term for which he had enlisted in 1864. IIe participated with the Army of the Potomac in all the battles of the war in Virginia in which that army was engaged, from the first battle of Bull Run down to the con- test at Cold Harbor, frequently performing arduous hospital duty ; was in charge of the 6th Corps Hospital during May and June, 1863, and was present at the battle of Gettysburg, July, 1863, and was among the most efficient and esteemed

ALRIMPLE, HON. VAN CLEVE, of Morris- town, Lawyer, and an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of New Jersey, was born, 1821, in Morris county, in that State, and is a son of Joseph and Abigail (Bryant) Dalrimple, both of whom were of Jersey birth. His father was a mer- chant and a native of Morris county, while his mother was from Essex county. Ile received an excellent education at the academy in Morristown, and when nineteen years of age left school and commenced the study of the law in the office of Henry A. Ford, an eminent attorney of Morristown, whom he had selected as his preceptor. Having pursued his legal studies for the required time, he was licensed as an attorney in 1843, and advanced to the rank of counsellor-at- "law in 1847. He immediately after his admission to the bar commenced the practice of his profession at Morristown, where he at once made his mark, and took a front rank among the legal practitioners in that section of the State. He was appointed in 1852 Prosecutor of the Pleas for Morris county, and filled that position with great ability during his term of office, which expired in 1857. He was nominated as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court in 1866, and having been duly confirmed by the Senate, took his seat on the bench, which office he has since held. He was a Democrat in opinion and practice until the troubles arose in connection with the repeal of the Missouri Compromise, when he left that organization and united with the Free- soil, afterwards termed the Republican party. IIe was married, 1853, to Mary Anna, daughter of Dr. Isaac W. Canfield, of Morristown, New Jersey.

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The biographical encyclopaedia of New Jersey of the nineteenth century, Part 27

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