USA > New Jersey > The biographical encyclopaedia of New Jersey of the nineteenth century > Part 39
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CHENK, J. RUTSEN, Journalist, of Somerville, was born, May 23d, 1831, at Flemington, New Jersey, and is a son of Dr. John F. Schenk. His education was received at the public schools of his native town, and when he reached the age of seventeen years he was apprenticed to the printing business in the office of the Hunterdon Democrat, then under the editorial charge of George C. Seymour. He passed through all the grades of the business, and when he attained his majority he founded a Democratic newspaper at Woodstown, Salem county, New Jersey, which is still known as the Woodstow Register. He was successfully connected with this journal, as both editor and publisher, for about a year. In 1857 he established a Democratic organ at Middletown Point-now Matawan-which he con- ducted with marked ability until the breaking out of the rebellion. He was appointed by President Buchanan Postmaster of that town in 1859, which position he retained until 1861. Under the call for nine months troops he as- sisted to organize the 29th Regiment New Jersey Volun- teers, from Monmouth county, and entered the regiment as a private. He was promoted from the ranks to the grade of First Lieutenant for good conduct, and at the close of the term for which he enlisted was mustered out of the service in June, 1863. During the same year he purchased the Hunterdon Gazette, which he published successfully until 1865, when he disposed of the concern, and it was finally merged with the Hunterdon Democrat. In the winter of 1867 he founded the Constitutional Democrat at Clinton,
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New Jersey, and managed that paper until 1869; it is now the Clinton Democrat. In 1871 he purchased the Somer- set Messenger, the Democratic organ of Somerset county, and conducted it with great success until the spring of 1876, when he disposed of it to the present .proprietors. He is an unwavering member of the Democratic party, and at the present time (November, 1876) is Chairman of the Somer- set County Executive Committee.
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ICHARDS, IION. GEORGE, Mayor of Dover, New Jersey, was born, 1833, in Pottsville, Penn- sylvania. He received a common school educa- tion, and at an early age was thrown on his own resources. When about eighteen years of age he went to New Jersey, where he found em- ployment in an iron mine, and, being a remarkably indus- trious and observant young man, speedily won the respect and esteem of his employers. IIe seemed to be innately cognizant of the presence of iron ore in hitherto unsuspected localities, and wherever he has selected any particular spot, which in his judgment indicated a bed of this valuable ore, subsequent investigations have proved that he never was mistaken in his surmises. In 1852 the northern region of New Jersey was under the control of the Glenden Iron Company, and the energy and good judgment which young Richards displayed soon won recognition, and in 1853 he was made Superintendent of their numerous mines. But even this responsible position did not deter him from aim- ing to become still more prominent in the community, and he steadily rose, until in 1860 he became identified with the largest iron interests of the State. At the present time he holds perhaps the most prominent position of any citizen of New Jersey who has embarked in the iron business. IIe is President and Director of the Ogden Iron Company ; the Ogden Mine Railroad Company ; the Hibernia Mine Railroad Company; the Morris County Machine and Iron Company ; a Director of the Chester Iron Company ; Direc- tor, organizer and chief owner of the National Union Bank of Dover; Director of the Delaware & Bound Brook Railroad Company, and other institutions of a similar character. His interests in the Lehigh valley compass its vast trade for iron ore. He is the senior partner in the firms of George Richards & Co .; Richards, Beach & Co., and Richards, Simpson & Co., who control the largest retail trade in that State. Ile was State Director of the United Railroads of New Jersey in 1871 and 1872, and his duty was to super- vise the large trust funds of the State invested in those securities. During his term of office the great question of the lease of those roads to the Pennsylvania Company arose. Ilis answer as State Director, on behalf of his State, in the memorable litigation which ensued, though decided ad- versely by Chancellor Zabriskie, was subsequently sanc. tioned by the Court of Errors and Appcals. The point
taken was that under a somewhat blind act of the Legisla- ture, passed, however, for the purpose, it was not lawful for the old companies to make the lease. It was necessary subsequently to obtain further legislation upon the subject. He labored earnestly and successfully against the efforts of the monopoly and its adherents, and devoted his best energies towards the establishment of competing lines of travel, which culminated in the passage of the free railroad law. In political feeling he is an ardent member of the Republican party, but has persistently declined all nomi- nations for any prominent position. He has, however, yielded to the persuasions of his fellow-townsmen in be- coming their Mayor, and was the first one to fill that office after its creation, and has been ever since re-elected. IIe has also taken a deep interest in the promotion of agricul- ture, and is a member of the State society ; and he also holds a membership in Washington's Home Association, by which the ancient building at Morristown has been pre- served. In private life he is social, generous and kind. He is unobtrusive in his charities, and knowing the value of money, as those who have earned it only can, his hand and heart are ever open to the deserving. He resides with his family in a beautiful mansion in Dover, which is in every respect a happy home. He was married in 1860 to Eliza- beth Anna McCarty, of Morris county, New Jersey.
DRAIN, ROBERT, LL.D., Professor of Mathc- matics in Rutgers College, was born at Carrick- fergus, Ireland, September 30th, 1775. He was of French ancestry, his father having been a native of France, who left that country after the revoca- tion of the edict of Nantes. With his two brothers, Donald and Hugh, he settled in the northern part of Ireland, and there set about solving the problem of gain- ing a livelihood in a strange land, and by unaccustomed methods. In their native country the three brothers had been manufacturers of mathematical instruments, but in their new home this branch of industry promised but meagre results, so they turned their attention in various directions in the effort to earn sufficient bread. Among their enter- prises, they travelled through the country teaching school here and there as they went. The struggle was a brave one; there was no lack of will and no lack of courage. Success was won at last, but before that time the family came into greatly reduced circumstances, and the father of Robert for a time sailed a small vessel from the north of Ireland to the neighboring islands, and thereby gained a subsistence for himself and those dependent upon him. He was a man of fine cultivation, and was remarkable for his brilliant wit and his great and versatile powers of conversa- tion. After coming to Ireland he married, and a family of five children gathered about him. The eldest of these was Robert. IIc carly developed an intellectual quickness and
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aptitude that amounted to genius. This his father was quick to perceive, and determined him to make every possible exertion to give the boy a thorough education and fit him for the ministry. He carried this purpose into effect so far as lay in his power. Robert Adrain was placed at school, where his precocity and thirst for knowledge endeared him to all his instructors, and insured his wonderfully rapid pro- gress in his studies. But when he was only fifteen years old both his father and mother died, and he was thrown wholly upon his own resources. His experience as a pupil ended and his experience as a teacher hegan almost simul- taneously. Young as he was, he opened a school at Bally- carry and commenced teaching for a livelihood. It was through this necessity that his wonderful talent for mathe- matics was developed. One day he was looking through an old arithmetic and noticed a series of algebraic signs at the end of the book ; he did not know the meaning of these, and at once determined to find it out ; by his own efforts he mastered the task, and in a short time he was able to solve any problem in arithmetic by algebraic processes. This was the first step in the mathematical career which ultimately resulted so brilliantly. His success in teaching was so great that a Mr. Mortimer, a man of great wealth and influence in the town of Cumber, engaged him as an instructor of his children. His position here was a pleasant one, but not of long duration. The Irish rebellion of 1798 broke out; Mr. Mortimer, an officer of the government, learned that the young tutor in his employ was at the head of an Irish com- pany ; he was greatly enraged and offered fifty pounds for the young man's capture, at the same time sending out emissaries after liim in every direction. The next day Mr. Mortimer was mortally wounded in the battle of Saintfield, and the pursuit, so far as he was concerned, came to an end. The result would probably have been the same in any case, however, for young Adrain was a genuine Inde- pendent, and spoke his mind in regard to his own party as well as others. He opposed some measure proposed in his division of the army, and in resentment of this opposi- tion one of his own men treacherously wounded him in the back, producing such injuries that there seemed no possi- bility of recovery. This gave rise to the statement that he was dead, and all efforts for his capture came to an end. He recovered, after much suffering, and by assuming the disguise of a weaver he was enabled to escape to America. Arriving in New York he found the yellow fever prevailing there. He heard, moreover, that employment as a teacher could be obtained in New Jersey; so he hastened across the Hudson river and walked all the way to Princeton, seeking employment. He found it, and on the day of his arrival obtained a position in the Princeton Academy. He remained there two or three years, and then removed to York, Pennsylvania, and hecame the Principal of the York County Academy. While here his mathematical talents and accomplishments were brought hefore the public by frequent contributions to the Mathematical Correspondent,
published in New York, and, although still a young man, received several of the prize medals awarded for the best solutions of problems published in the columns of that periodical. In 1805 he removed from York to Reading, Pennsylvania, and took charge of the academy at that place. While here he was offered the editorship of the Mathe- matical Correspondent, and also the mathematical school, in New York, of Mr. Baron, proprietor of the Correspondent, but both offers were declined. Shortly afterwards he him- self commenced the publication of a mathematical periodical, called the Analyst, which he continued to publish for two or three years, and which was characterized by brilliant ability and great culture. The publication of this periodi- cal made him extensively and favorably known throughout the country as an able and leading mathematician, and in the year 1810 he was called to the Professorship of Mathe- matics and Natural Philosophy in Queens (now Rutgers) College, at New Brunswick, New Jersey. Shortly after going to New Brunswick the degree of Doctor of Laws was conferred upon him, and in 1812 he was elected a member of the American Philosophical Society; in the following year of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and subsequently of several of the philosophical societies of Europe. Besides fulfilling his college duties he edited the third American edition of Hutton's " Course of . Mathe- matics." In the fall of 1813, upon the death of Dr. Kemp, he was elected to supply his place as Professor of Mathe- matics and Natural Philosophy in Columbia College, New York, the choice being made without any application on his part. He accepted the position, and in New York be- came the centre of a brilliant collection of mathematical talent and culture. All gathered about him, and all did him honor as their rightful leader. His contributions to the literature of mathematical science while in New York, and subsequently, were voluminous, and all were marked by a force and clearness, a profound and exhaustive knowl- edge, and an elegance of style that won for them universal admiration and commanded the respectful attention of the scientists of the world. In 1825 he commenced editing the Mathematical Diary, a work superior to anything that had ever been previously published in this country. He continued this editorial work until 1826, when he relin- quished his position in Columbia College and returned to Rutgers, the change being made necessary by the delicate state of his wife's health. His departure from Columbia College was the occasion of great regret among his brother professors and the students of the institution, and many were the fitting and substantial tokens of their regard that they bestowed upon him at parting. He remained at Rutgers only two or three years, when, in response to pressing solici- tations, he accepted a professorship in the University of Pennsylvania. He was also Vice-Provost of that institution. He retained this professorship until 1834, discharging its duties with the ability that characterized all his work. His wife's health, however, compelled her to remain at their
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country home, near New Brunswick, New Jersey, and in | tion of Democrats at Somerville, and he was put in nomi- the year named, that he might be more with her and their family, he resigned his position and went to his New Bruns- wick home. At his departure the trustees and faculty of the university passed resolutions of regret at his leaving them. The habit of teaching was strong upon him and lie could not remain at home in idleness, so after two or three years he moved to the city of New York and taught in the grammar school connected with Columbia College. This he continued to do until within three years of his death ; then, yielding to the entreaties of his family and friends, he relin- quished the work of teaching forever, and returned to New Brunswick. Although several very flattering offers of posi- tions were made to him, he refused them all. It was not long before his clear mind began to grow clouded and his strong faculties to fail, and the painfulness of this fact was increased by his keen appreciation of it. On the 10th of August, 1843, he breathed his last, surrounded by his family, and mourned sincerely by all to whom his name had become so familiarly known. The mourning was not simply that one of the brightest intellectual lights had dis- appeared, but that a man who won the love of all who came in contact with him was no more.
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DRAIN, HON. GARNETT B., A. M. and A. B., Lawyer, of New Brunswick, was born in the city of New York, December 20th, 1815. His father was the celebrated Professor Robert Adrain, of Rutgers College, a native of Belfast, Ireland, and his mother was Annie (Pollock) Adrain, a native also of Belfast. Professor Adrain came to this country about the year 1800, establishing himself first at Princeton, New Jersey, and later at New Brunswick. There his son, Garnett, received his education. He attended first the Rutgers College Grammar School, and in the year 1829 entered Rutgers College. He graduated from that insti tution with the class of 1833. After his graduation he entered the law office of his brother, Robert Adrain, who was then a leading lawyer in New Brunswick. Here he pursued the necessary course of study to fit him for the pro- fession he had chosen, and was licensed as an attorney in 1836. Three years later, in 1839, he was licensed as a counsellor. IIe at once entered upon the practice of his profession in New Brunswick, and has continued in active and eminently successful practice there to the present time. He speedily took high rank in his profession, and holds a commanding position at the bar. In politics he is a Demo- crat of the old school. He was an ardent adherent of Stephen A. Douglas, and concurred with him in the position he took on the Lecompton Compromise issue. In 1856 he was nominated for Congress by the Democrats of the Third District, and was elected and served his term. In 1858 there was a " bolt " from the regular Congressional conven
nation by the bolting convention. He went through the canvass as a Douglas Democrat, and was elected a second time to Congress, gaining a handsome majority over William Patterson, of Perth Amboy, the regular Democratic nominec. His career in Congress was an active one, and was charac- terized by great ability and high toned earnestness. His speeches were pointed, eloquent and effective, and his in- fluence, on some of the issues presented during his terms of service, was strongly felt. Among the more noteworthy of the speeches delivered by him during his terms in the House of Representatives were : one on the "Treasury- Note Bill," on the 22d of December, 1857; one on the " Neutrality Laws," January 7th, 1858; another against the "Admission of Kansas," March 20th, 1858; one on the " Impeachment of Judge Watrous," December 13th, 1858; one on the " Elcction of Speaker," December 14th, 1859; one on the " Organization of the House," January 6th, 1860, and one on the " State of the Union," January 15th, 1861. Since his retirement from Congress at the end of his second term he has not taken any active part in politics. He was married, January 3d, 1838, to Mary Griggs, daughter of Joseph C. Griggs, Esq., who was for many years one of the leading merchants of New Brunswick.
AN LIEW, REV. JOHN, D. D., Clergyman and late Pastor of the Reformed Dutch Church, at Readington, was born, September 30th, 1798, in Neshanic, Somerset county, New Jersey, and was a son of Dennis and Maria (Suydam) Van Liew. His ancestors emigrated to America from Holland at an early day, and were among the first settlers on Long Island. He received a first-class academical edu- cation preparatory to entering Queens (now Rutgers) Col- lege, New Brunswick, from which institution he graduated with the class of 1816. Having resolved to devote himself to the gospel ministry, he matriculated at the Theological Seminary of the Reformed Dutch Church connected with the college, and was licensed to preach by the Classis of New Brunswick in June, 1820. In the summer of the same year he commenced his ministerial labors at the Pres- byterian Church of Meadville, Pennsylvania, and was or- dained its pastor by the Presbytery of Erie, August 22d, 1821. This relation continued until June 21st, 1824, when, on account of impaired health, it was dissolved, and the next day he was dismissed to the Presbytery of New Jersey. In the spring of the following year, his health having im- proved, he accepted a call to the Presbyterian Church of Mendham, New Jersey, where he remained until IS25, when his relations with this congregation were dissolved by reason of his health again failing him. He then made the tour of the Southern States, spending several months in travel, extending as far south as Georgia, and returned
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home with renewed health. He shortly afterwards received and accepted a call to the pastorate of the Reformed Church of Readington, New Jersey. At that place he remained and labored faithfully and successfully for forty-three years. Ilis relations with this congregation terminated in 1869, owing to a severe cold he had contracted the previous winter, which, with advanced age, so far enfeebled him as to render his further efficiency in the manifold labors of his large parish entirely beyond his powers of endurance; and, to the great regret of his congregation, he resigned his pas- torate, and was succeeded by Rev. J. G. Van Slyke. The church resolved to continue his salary during life, and it was the earnest wish of the congregation that he would continue to meet and worship with them, and also preach as often as his health would permit ; but their hopes in this respect were not realized. While on a visit to his son-in- law, J. F. Randolph, at Bloomfield, who insisted on his remaining with him until his health was in a measure re- stored, he gradually failed, and on October 18th, 1869, he calmly passed away. ITis life and ministerial services at Readington had very much endeared him to that congrega- tion, and his death was deeply felt hy them. The funeral discourses were delivered by Rev. Dr. A. Messh and Rev. Joseph P. Thompson, who eloquently and touchingly no- ticed the long period of his pastorate. He was married, June 20th, 1827, to Anna M., daughter of Dr. H. S. Woodruff, of Mendham, New Jersey.
AN LIEW, CORNELIUS S., of Washington, Superintendent of the Morris Canal, was born, August 18th, 1828, in Readington, New Jersey, and is the eldest son of the late Rev. Dr. John Van Liew, whose biographical sketch will be found above. The family are of Hollander de- scent ; the original emigrant ancestor settled near Fort Hamilton, on Long Island. Tredvick Van Liew, great- grandfather of Cornelius, settled at Three Mile Run, in Middlesex county, New Jersey, where his son, Dennis, resided when the war of the Revolution commenced. He was then a young man of nineteen, and after serving a short time as a substitute for a neighbor, who desired the oppor- tunity to harvest his crops, he assisted to organize and he- came a member of a volunteer cavalry organization, who equipped and furnished themselves; and in this capacity served till the close of the war. His military equipments are still in the possession of his grandson. Cornelius was educated at the grammar school of Rutgers College, New Brunswick, under the direction of Rev. W. J. Thompson, having previously heen for two years under his tutelage before entering the school. He was fully prepared to enter the junior class ; but, instead of taking a collegiate course, he determined to devote himself to business pursuits, and
effected an engagement as clerk in a general retail store at Morristown, where he remained four years. Subsequently, in connection with his brother-in-law, J. F. Randolph, he embarked in a general country trade at Somerville, where they continued four years, and then purchased a mill for the manufacture of paper at Bloomfield, New Jersey. The firm occupied the mill and transacted a very good business for nine years. In the fall of 1861 the mill was burned, and in. the following spring he removed to the old home- stead-his grandfather's farm, at Neshanic-where he re- sided until 1869, when he located at Washington, and was elected, by the Board of Directors, Assistant Superintendent of the Morris Canal. He has the charge of the canal interests on its western division, from Lake Hopatcong to Philipsburg. He is highly esteemed by his fellow-towns- men as an amiable and valuable citizen, and as a business man of rare foresight and ability. His residence at Washington bears good evidence of a fine architectural taste. His political predilections are favorable to the principles held by the Republican party. He was married, January 3d, 1856, to Sarah, daughter of Hon. David Oakes, of Bloomfield ; she died, June Ist, 1858. He was a second time married to Susan, daughter of James Moore, also of Bloomfield, April 3d, 1862.
WAYZE, JACOB L., Cashier of the Merchants' National Bank, of Newton, New Jersey, was horn, March 3d, 1824, in the village of Hope, Warren county, and is a son of Israel and Mary Ann (Lowrance) Swayze, both of whom were also natives of New Jersey. On his father's side he is of Welsh descent, and his mother's family were of Hollander ancestry. The Swayze family emigrated to America about 1660, and a portion settled on Long Island, while others located, at a later date, in both Warren and Morris counties, New Jersey. Young Swayze received his education in the common schools of his native county, con- tinuing to attend them until he was thirteen years old. He then assisted his father in farm work for about a year, and subsequently entered the country store of his uncles, at
Hope, as a clerk. In June, 1842, he purchased the in- terests of the partner of one of these uncles, continuing the husiness under the firm-name of C. & J. L. Swayze until January, 1845, when the other uncle disposed of his share of the concern to his nephew, and the latter became sole proprietor. He carried on the establishment until the spring of 1847, when he relinquished the business, and afterwards went to New York city, where he effected an engagement in a wholesale dry-goods house as clerk. He remained there for about four months, and, returning to New Jersey, at first located in Stanhope, Sussex county, and once more started in business, carrying on a general country store until the spring of 1854, when he sold out the con-
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