The biographical encyclopaedia of New Jersey of the nineteenth century, Part 30

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

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treasurer, and to this Joel not only had access, but also for a considerable period had it in charge. After his father retired from the treasury, he purchased a farm in his native county, with the intention of removing thither to spend the balance of his days; but being elected to the presidency of the Mechanics' and Manufacturers' Bank, of Trenton, and urged to accept that important trust, he consented; and ac- cordingly sent his son Joel to Monmouth, to manage the farm, which he did for two or three years, and much to the advantage of his physical development. He next entered Princeton College, and after the usual course of study graduated with honor in the class of 1839. Selecting the profession of the law he entered the office of Hon. Henry W. Green, afterwards chief-justice and chancellor of the State, where he pursued his studies in that direction. He was admitted to the bar in 1842, and commenced the prac- tice of his profession at Freehold, in his native county, dur- ing the same year, where he has ever since continued to reside. In 1844 he first took an active part in political matters, and attracted much attention as a public speaker in the interests of the then Democratic party. In 1847 he was clected to the Assembly from Monmouth county, as then constituted. In the House, being the only lawyer on the Democratic side, he became the decided leader in his party, especially on all questions having a legal bearing. Among the first bills which he offered was one to equalize taxation, by taxing personal as well as real property. The Whigs were in the majority, but they did not want to place them- selves on record against the bill, nor did they wish to favor it. It was a firebrand in their midst, that seriously threat- ened disruption. The former members of both parties fol- lowed the lead of Representative Parker. Finally the mat- ter was laid over, and the publication of the bill with its author's speech was ordered in all the papers in the State -a distinguished compliment to the young member. The natural result was to give him a State reputation, which, together with the merits of the measure, redounded to his credit, and perhaps contributed to the election of Governor Fort in 1850, besides the final passage of the measure, which remains on the statute-book at this day. At the close of the session he opposed the usual appropriation for " Inci- dentals," and being defeated, he declined to take his ratio; consequently that amount still remains in the treasury. He declined being a candidate in 1851, as his practice was so rapidly increasing as to demand all his care and attention. Soon after this he was appointed Prosecutor of the Pleas for Monmouth county, and served the usual term of five years; and this position brought him in contact with some of the highest and brightest practitioners of the State. In 1860 he was chosen a United States Elector by 5,000 majority, and was one of the three northern electors who cast their votes for the Hon. Stephen A. Douglas for the Presidency. For several years prior to the late civil war he had been Briga-

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taken an interest in military matters. In 1861 Governor Olden, although a Republican, nominated him to the Senate as Major-General of the five counties of Monmouth, Ocean, Mercer, Union and Middlesex, with a view to promote vol- unteering and to organize the forces. He was unanimously confirmed by the Senate, and the result shows that the con- fidence thus reposed in him, although a member of the Democratic party, was not over-cstimated; his district promptly forwarded several regiments to the field, many of them being his old militia followers. In 1862 his county presented him as their candidate for Governor. But other counties and districts placed their favorites in the field, and not enough votes could be counted for either one. Finally all agreed on Joel Parker, who was unanimously nominated and elected over Hon. Marcus L. Ward by 14,600 majority, being three times as great as any majority ever received by any candidate since the office became elective. IIe was in- augurated for his term of three years in January, 1863, and will be remembered in all time to come as New Jersey's " War Governor." His administration of the office was distinguished for its financial policy and efficiency in pro- moting and aiding the general government in the suppres- sion of the rebellion and in keeping up, by personal exer- tion, the system of volunteering for one year, after all other States were drafting. When he took charge of the State government, the civil account had been for years largely in arrears, but by his checks on extravagance this was not only entirely obliterated, but at the end of his term there was a large surplus in the treasury. In the despatching of troops he was second to none in the country, and for his solicitude for the welfare of all who went into the field he received and merited much public commendation as well as private appreciation. When Pennsylvania was invaded by the rebels he threw into that State regiment after regiment, and that, too, before the Pennsylvanians themselves realized their danger. After the close of his term as Governor he remained at home engaged in his legal business, wholly re- fusing to become a candidate for any office. In 1868 his State delegation in the National Democratic Convention in New York cast the full vote of New Jersey on every ballot for him as President. He was again solicited in 1871 to become a candidate for Governor, and yielded to the wishes of his friends. In the fall of that year he was a second time elected, and served with approbation for the full term of his office. He manifested a deep interest in the success of the International Exhibition, at Philadelphia, in com. memoration of the Centennial of American independence, and favored the subscription of $100,000, which New Jer- sey made to that object. Personally he is of a commanding appearance, over six feet in height, has an open, ingenuous countenance, and a well balanced head. He mingles freely with his fellow-citizens of all classes without distinction, and never refuses to befriend the most humble. The middle classes love him for his benevolence, and those more favored for his fine intellect, great executive ability, and, above all,

his unimpeachable honesty. He was married in 1843 to Maria M., eldest daughter of Samuel R. Gummere, of Bur- lington, New Jersey.

ALL, WILLIAM, President of the Middlesex County Bank, of Perth Amboy, was born, March Ioth, 1816, in Somerset county, New Jersey, and is the son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Strimple) Hall. His father followed agricultural pursuits upon a farm which had been purchased by his ancestors direct from William Penn, whose name is signed to the original deed of conveyance. His mother was a native of Wyoming, Pennsylvania,' and a daughter of Christopher Strimple, a soldier of the Revolution, also of that place. Young Hall was educated in the district schools of Somerset county, which he attended until he was sixteen years of age, when he began to learn the trade of carriage-trimming in Newark, remaining there until he was twenty-three years old. He then commenced the manufacturing of carriages at « Milford, where he continued for several years, and then re- moved to Greenville, in Sussex county, where he engaged in general merchandising. After a sojourn there for two years he transferred his business to Perth Amboy, which oc- cupied his attention for about twenty-one years, and until the incorporation, in January, 1873, of the Middlesex County Bank, of which institution he was elected Presi- dent, and has since continued to hold that position. He has also been the President and Treasurer of the Perth Am- boy Gaslight Company since its organization in 1871. Of the Middlesex County Land Company he is the Vice- Presi- dent, and of the Perth Amboy Savings Institution, incorpo- rated in April, 1869, the Treasurer. He has also been a member of the City Council at various times. He was mar- ried in 1842 to Charlotte Clark, of Connecticut.

ARD, JOHN W., A. M., M. D., Physician, and Superintendent of the State Lunatic Asylum, at Trenton, New Jersey, was born, February 12th, 1840, in the city of Salem in that State, and is a son of Samuel and Esther (Griffiths ). Ward. He received a first-class education at Fairfield, Herki- mer county, State of New York, where he pursued a thor- ough and entire collegiate course, lasting from 1854 to 1862. Returning to New Jersey, he engaged in teaching at Harrisonville, near Salem, which avocation he followed for several months, and during this period decided to adopt a professional life. Adopting that of medicine, he entered the office of Dr. John Kirby, an old and successful practi- tioner of Salem, and commenced his studies there in the autumn of 1863, at the same time matriculating at the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania, from which institution he graduated

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in the spring of 1866, having attended an extra course be- yond the number usually required. After practising his profession for about a year he was appointed, May 14th, 1867, as Second Assistant Physician at the New Jersey State Lunatic Asylum, Trenton, which was then under the charge of Dr. H. A. Buttolph. He filled that position with great acceptation for a period of five years, when he was promoted to be First Assistant Physician of the same insti- tution. After acting in that capacity for a term of four years he was appointed, on April Ist, 1876, as Physician in Charge and Superintendent of the asylum, succeeding Dr. Buttolph, who had been transferred to the new State asylum, at Morristown. Though he has been but a few months in charge, his management has given every proof of his ability in all respects, and great success has so far attended his efforts. He has, during his nine years' con- nection with the institution, devoted his whole time to the thorough study of insanity in all its phases, and has at the same time kept pace with all the literature which has ap- peared bearing on that disease. His views on the treatment of insanity are those of all of the humane and most ad- vanced authorities on the subject. The institution over which he presides is a model of order and cleanliness in all its departments, and every effort is constantly being made to alleviate and improve the sufferings and mental condition of the inmates. The asylum contains nearly 500 patients. Dr. Ward was married, March 5th, 1873, to Horacana B., daughter of the late Caleb Sager, who for many years was the able and thoroughly efficient steward of the asylum.

appearance of Home's tragedy of " Douglas." In 1757 he was installed as pastor of the Low Church in Paisley, where he lived in high reputation and in great usefulness, although some opposition was raised by the presbytery of that town on account of their dislike to the "Characteristics." So ex- tensively was he, at this time, known that he was invited to take the charge of different congregations in Dublin, Dundee and Rotterdam. In 1764 he went to London, where he published three volumes of " Essays on Important Subjects." In 1766 President Finley, of Princeton College, died, and the Rev. Dr. Witherspoon was chosen his suc- cessor. At first he declined the appointment, but afterwards accepted the same. He arrived, with his family, in Prince- ton in the month of August, 1768, and shortly after was duly inaugurated. This college had been already presided over by Dickinson, Burr, Edwards, Davies and Finley, all of them men distinguished for their genius, learning and piety. Dr. Witherspoon, by his name, brought a great ac- cession of students to the college, thus considerably raising the reputation of the college. He was also instrumental in obtaining a large increase in its funds, which he raised by subscription. He also accepted the position of Professor of Divinity, in addition to his other duties, and was like- wise pastor of the church in Princeton during the whole period of his presidency. But the war of the American Revolution prostrated everything. While the academical shades were deserted, and his functions as President were sus- pended, he was introduced into a new field of labor. When he landed on the shores of the new world he became at once an American, as if to the manor born. The citizens of New Jersey, who were cognizant of his distinguished abilities, ap- pointed him a member of the Provincial Congress, of New Jersey, which framed the constitution of that State; and in that body he appeared as profound a civilian as he had before been known as a philosopher and divine. From the revolutionary committees and conventions of the State he was sent, early in 1776, as a representative to the Conti- nental Congress. On May 17th of that year, the day ap- pointed by the Congress to be observed as a fast, with reference to the peculiar circumstances of the country, he preached a sermon entitled " The Dominion of Providence over the Passions of Men," which entered fully into the great political questions of the day. He was for the space of seven years a member of that great patriotic, illustrious body-the governing power of the colonies, the Continental Congress-during which period he drew up many of the important State papers of the period. In far-reaching in- sight into the future, it can safely be said that he had not his superior in that body. He was always collected, firm and wise, amidst the embarrassing circumstances in which Congress was placed. He was one of the glorious fifty-six whose signatures were appended to the declaration that all men are created free and equal, and the only elergyman who signed that immortal document. His signature is also

ITHERSPOON, REV. JOHN, D. D., LL. D., Clergyman, Patriot and President of the College of New Jersey, was born, February 5th, 1722, in the parish of Yester, near Edinburgh, Hadding- tonshire, Scotland, and was the son of the min- ister of that parish. On the maternal side he was a lineal descendant of the celebrated reformer John Knox. When fourteen years of age he entered the University of Edinburgh, as a student, where he remained until nearly twenty-one, when he was licensed to preach the gospel. In the year 1745 he was ordained and settled as minister of the parish of Beith, in the western part of Scotland. He was present at the battle of Falkirk, as a spectator, January 17th, 1746, and was taken a prisoner, although he was sub- sequently released after being in confinement for two weeks, during which time his health received permanent injury. In 1753 he published, anonymously, " Ecclesiastical Char- acteristics," or the "Arcana of Church Policy," followed a few years later by "A Serious Apology for the Character- istics," in which he avowed himself the author of the work he defended. In 1756 he published the " Essay on Justifi- cation," and in the following ycar his "Serious Inquiry into the Nature and Effects of the Stage," called forth by the | affixed to the Articles of Confederation, adopted by the

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States at the close of the contest. But while he was thus engaged in political affairs, he did not lay aside his min- istry. He gladly embraced every opportunity for preaching, and his character as a minister of the gospel he ever con- sidered as the highest honor. As soon as the state of the country would permit the college was re-established, and its instruction was recommenced under the immediate care of the Vice-President, Dr. Smith ; but during the war the institution had suffered greatly, and the trustees earnestly solicited Dr. Witherspoon to cross the ocean and endeavor to enlist sympathy in its behalf. He accepted the trust confided in him, and returned to Great Britain. His mis- sion thither was not only an utter failure, but he found himself placed in circumstances of the most painful embar- rassment. On his return to America he entered into that retirement which was dear to him, and his attention was principally confined to the duties of his office, as President, and as a minister of the gospel. During the latter part of his life he suffered not a little in consequence of having ventured upon some imprudent speculations in Vermont lands. He resided for several year, prior to his death, on his farm, near Princeton, and for the last two years of his life was entirely blind. But during this darkened period he was frequently led to the pulpit, whence he delivered his sermons with his accustomed ease, and always acquitted himself with his usual accuracy and animation. He, how- ever, became more and more feeble, and sank to rest under the pressure of his infirmities. He possessed a mass of in- formation, well selected and thoroughly digested. Scarcely any man of the age had a more vigorous mind or a more sound understanding. As President of the college he ren- dered literary inquiries more liberal, extensive and pro- found; and was the means of introducing an important revolution in the system of education. He extended the study of mathematical science, and it is believed he was the first man who taught in America the substance of those doctrines of the philosophy of the mind which Dr. Reid afterwards developed with so much success. He was very distinguished as a preacher. Although he wrote his ser- mons, and afterwards committed them to memory, yet, as he was governed by the desire of doing good, and wished to bring his discourses to the level of every understanding, he was not confined, when addressing his hearers, within the boundaries of what he had written. Although a very serious writer, he possessed a fund of refined humor and delicate satire. In his ecclesiastical characteristics his wit was directed at certain corruptions in principle and practice prevalent in the Church of Scotland, and it was keen and cutting. He formed a union of those who accorded with him, and became their leader. His reputation, learning and solid judgment were deservedly high. His influence upon the interests of literature was greatly beneficial, and his talents as a professor were of the most popular kind. Ile died at his farm, near Princeton, September 15th, 1794, in the seventy third year of his age. This brief record

of his life seems called for, as in the Centennial year of the nation which he aided in establishing, a fitting memo- rial of the patriotic clergyman, cast in enduring bronze, was erected and inaugurated October 20th, 1876, in Fair- mount park, Philadelphia, by the Presbyterians of the United States, with grand civic and religious ceremonies befitting the occasion. The statue is of heroic size, and is a faithful embodiment of the features of the beloved President of Nassau Hall and signer of the Declaration of Independence.

OGERS, RICHARD R., M. D., Physician, of Trenton, was born, September 15th, 1823, in West Windsor township, Mercer county, New Jersey, and is a son of Ezekiel and Mary (Run- yan) Rogers. He was reared on his father's farm, until he attained his majority, meanwhile acquiring as much education as he could obtain by attend- ing the district school during the winter months. For several years after attaining his majority he was engaged in a general country store; and during this period was also School Superintendent of the township and a Justice of the Peace. In 1852 he was elected Surrogate of Mercer County for a term of five years, and in 1857 re-elected to the same office. During his latter term as Surrogate he pursued the study of medicine, and after attending the usual number of courses of lectures graduated from the University of Penn- sylvania in the spring of 1862. He then was appointed, by President Lincoln, the Examining Surgeon for the Second Congressional District of New Jersey, and filled the duties of that office until the close of the war. He also entered upon the practice of his profession in Trenton, immediately after receiving his diploma as doctor of medicine, and has since resided there, meeting with considerable success. In 1872 he was elected by the Republican party to the Legis- lature, where he served one term. At present (1876) he is a member of the City Council of Trenton. He is a member of the Mercer County District Medical Society, and has also on various occasions been a delegate to the State Medical Society. He was married, in 1844, to Mary A. Hutchinson, of Mercer county.

HITNEY, REV. GEORGE HENRY, D. D., Clergyman, Teacher, Author and President of the Centenary Collegiate Institute of the Newark Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, at Hackettstown, was born, July 30th, 1830, in the city of Georgetown, District of Columbia, and is a son of William Whitney, a native of Connecticut. The family are of both French and English descent, and were among the early settlers of Connecticut; many of

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them having left their names and impress as among the | safety of the students seems to have been omitted. The lo- benefactors of mankind; and notably so was Eli Whitney, cation, overlooking the village of Hackettstown and its beautiful surroundings, is exceedingly attractive. In ad- dition to his other labors Dr. Whitney has written several works, among which may be mentioned "A Bible Geo- graphy," the result of years of patient investigation, and which has reached a. very large sale. Another work is entitled "Commentary on International Sunday school Les- sons; " and he has also contributed largely to various magazines and periodicals. He is at the present time (1876) engaged on a work to be known as "Old Testament Archæology." It is intended to be one of fifteen volumes, and to be published by the Methodist Book Concern, the whole set being entitled "The Theological Library." Since he has been located at this institution, Dr. Whitney has been called to some of the oldest leading institutions of learning in the country; but he has chosen to remain at Hackettstown, to continue the work so auspiciously com- menced and successfully carried on. He was married, November 17th, 1858, to Carrie A. Shepard, of Northern New York, who died, December 19th, 1865. After a widowerhood of two years he was again married, Decem- her 24th, 1867, to Nettie, daughter of P. M. French, of Plainfield, New Jersey. the inventor of the celebrated cotton gin. While yet in his infancy his father removed to the city of Washington, where young Whitney obtained his rudimentary education. After leaving school he became a book-keeper in a large estab- lishment ; and subsequently, when only seventeen years of age, was the city editor of the Daily National Whig. Two years later he removed to Irvington, New Jersey, where he taught a select school for two years. On attaining his ma- jority he became one of the teachers of the Wesleyan Insti- tute, at Newark, where he was thus occupied for three years. On terminating his connection with that institution he entered the Wesleyan University, at Middletown, Con- necticut, where he graduated with the class of 1858. Among his classmates were H. P. Shepard, Professor in the Albert University, of Canada; Nathaniel Fellows, Prin- cipal of Wilbraham Academy, Massachusetts, and Daniel C. Knowles, Principal of Pennington Seminary, New Jersey. Soon after graduating he was chosen Principal of Macedon Seminary, at Macedon Centre, State of New York; and from 1859 to 1861 occupied the same position at Oneida Seminary, Madison county, New York. In 1861 he joined the Newark Conference of the Methodist Episco- pal Church, and was stationed the first year at Somerville, removing thence to Elizaheth, where he sojourned two years, and was transferred to Newton, where he passed three years. Two years were devoted to Plainfield, and HARO, TIMOTHY, late of Tuckerton, Manu- facturer and Merchant, was born, October 30th, 1792, at West Creek, Monmouth (now, Ocean) county, and was the son of Timothy and Hannah Pharo. He was a grandson of James Pharo, who emigrated from England during the latter part of the seventeenth century, and located first in Springfield, Burlington county, but subsequently settled at West Creek. Young Timothy was engaged in agricultural pursuits, having inherited the property which he cultivated, but was required to pay certain legacies, entailed on the property, and this to so considerable an amount as to reduce his original patri- mony to a very moderate sum. While he carried on the farm he also engaged in mercantile and other business, among which, and the most lucrative, was the manufacture of castor oil, his own farm supplying much of the raw material. In 1824 his multifarious engagements induced him to abandon his farm and devote his time more exclu- sively to the former. For a period of over forty years he gave an unceasing, indefatigable energy and attention to the prosecution of various private enterprises and business operations, which resulted in the accumulation of a moder- ate fortune. He seemed to be possessed with such a dis- criminating judgment, united to a remarkable energy of will, as to have rendered him peculiarly successful in all his undertakings. His business was always extensive and varied. Assisted by his sons, he operated a grist-mill, saw- mill, general store, ship-building-sometimes having several two years to the pastorate of Trinity Church, Jersey City. He next was appointed to Passaic, where he ministered for three years, and during his incumhency he was the means of having a fine stone church building erected, at a cost of $80,000. A short time previous to laying the corner-stone of the Centenary Collegiate Institute, which took place September 9th, 1869, he was elected its President. He superintended the construction of the buildings, and during its erection performed pastoral duty, preaching educational sermons and soliciting aid for the completion of the build- ings, etc. The institute was finished and dedicated, Sep- tember 9th, 1874, and he at once entered upon his duties as President of the educational department. The institution opened with large classes, and the attendance has been to the fullest capacity of the cdifice ever since. It is designed to afford the amplest facilities for both sexes to receive a superior education ; and to prepare young men for the higher classes in college or in the theological seminary. The department for ladies is a regularly chartered college, empowered to confer degrees upon those who complete the prescribed course of study. The edifice, which cost about $200,000, is an clegant and substantial one; and, in taste and adaptation to its purpose, is one of the most admirable structures of the kind in the Union, and, in every respect, impresses the most scrutinizing visitor with the forethought displayed in its construction and the ability of its present management. No detail that adds to the care, comfort or

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The biographical encyclopaedia of New Jersey of the nineteenth century, Part 30

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