The biographical encyclopaedia of New Jersey of the nineteenth century, Part 48

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

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without the consent of the Delaware & Raritan Canal and Camden & Amboy Railroad and Transportation Companies (called the joint companies) to construct any railroad or railroads in this State, or to compete in business with the railroads of said joint companies." From that time all legal restraints against building railroads in New Jersey have been removed, and in 1873 a general railroad law was passed, and the people left at liberty and encouraged to build railroads wherever the public good required. Being a member of the Whig party whilst in existence, he was chosen President of the first Republican Convention which assembled in the State. It was held in Newark, April, 1856, to organize the Republican party, at which conven- tion resolutions were passed taking strong grounds against the repeal of the Missouri Compromise, and to resist the aggressive spirit of slavery, and to accept the issue thus forced upon the free States, regarding the momentous issues at the then approaching election to be whether slavery or freedom should be national, and in favor of admitting Kan- sis as a free State. He is identified with the interests of the county and State, and is foremost in all matters that pertain to the welfare of the public. He contributed more largely than any other person towards erecting and main- taining the public free school in the district, where more than one hundred scholars are regularly taught free of charge. He now holds many honorable positions in the State. He was the International Judge from New Jersey in the department of pomology, at the late Centennial Ex- position, held in Philadelphia. He is a member of the New Jersey State Board of Agriculture; is one of the Man- agers of the New Jersey State Geological Survey ; is Presi- dent of the West Jersey Surveyors' Association ; is President of the State Board of Visitors to Rutgers Scientific College for the benefit of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts; is Presi- dent of the Westfield and Camden Turnpike Company; is President of Rake Pond Cranberry Company; is Vice- President of the American Pomological Society ; is a mcm- ber of the Horticultural Societies of both New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and an honorary member of the Pennsylvania Historical Society ; and at the present time is Judge of the Court of Common Pleas and Master in the Court of Chan. cery. He is highly respected and esteemed by the commu- nity where he resides, and in fact by all those who have the pleasure of his acquaintance. March 23d, 1843, he married Alice, daughter of Charles Stokes. She has been a constant and faithful helpmate through all the vicissitudes of life ; wise in counsel, mild and exemplary in deportment, performing household duties in a Christian spirit; ever mindful of their dependence on Infinite Wisdom, whom she believed would at all times rightly direct those who obey Divine admoni- tions. To her he thinks he is mainly indebted for what- ever good he has accomplished or happiness attained. They had seven children, as follows, viz. : Charles, married Anna Sill; Hannah, died at the age of fourteen years ; John R., William, Oliver, Howard, and Tacie Parry.

ERVIS, IIOWARD, M. D., of Junction, was born, October 6th, 1829, near Ringoes, New Jersey. His father was Garret Servis, a prominent citizen of Hunterdon county, who was for three years sheriff, was twice elected to the New Jersey Leg. islature, and was for several years postmaster at Clinton. Ilis mother was Susan Stout, a granddaughter of John Hart, one of the signers of the Declaration of Inde- pendence. Dr. Servis was educated solely by his father. In 1856 he entered the medical department of the Univer- sity of Pennsylvania. Being over twenty-one years of age at the time of entering he was required to take but two terms, and in 1858 received his degree. He at once estab- lished himself at Fairmount, Hunterdon county, New Jersey, and soon built up an extensive practice. With unusual pro- fessional ardor he determined, after having been in active practice for two years, to resume his academic studies, and he accordingly in the winter of 1860 attended a special course of lectures at the University of Pennsylvania. He returned to Fairmount, but at the end of a year he removed to New Hampton, and succeeded to the practice of Dr. McLenahen, a prominent physician whom failing health compelled to give up professional labor, and at whose rc- quest Dr. Servis made the change. With such indorse- ment, he succeeded to the full practice of Dr. Lenahen, and has since considerably increased it, and has won the respect and esteem of the community in which he resides, both as a useful citizen and as an eminently successful physician and surgeon. He was married, June 12th, 1867, to Belinda, daughter of Philip Johnston, Esq., of Washington, New Jersey.

OBINS, HON. AMOS, late of New Brunswick, Legislator, was born in the fourth ward of the city of New York, August 30th, 1815. IIe was educated at a boarding-school in Connecticut, and in his later youth served as a clerk in the dry- goods house of J. & N. Robins, Pearl strect, New York, the junior member of the firm being his father, the senior his uncle. In his early manhood he superintended the construction of the railroad from Vicksburg to Jackson, in Mississippi. He afterwards purchased a farm near Me- tuchen, Middlesex county, New Jersey, on which he lived until 1866, when he removed to New Brunswick, where he died June 27th, 1871. He married, in Metuchen, Margarct, daughter of Mr. William Ross. For sixteen years Mr. Robins occupied as a public man a large share of the ad- miring attention of his county and State. Under President Buchanan he filled the office of Collector of the Port of Perth Amboy. In 1856 and 1857 he represented the sec- ond district of Middlesex county in the Assembly. He represented Middlesex county in the Senate from IS62 to 1871, having been elected for three consecutive terms. He was twice elected President of the Senate-in 1864 and in

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1870; and in 1868 was President pro tem. during the illness | city, and, having just passed his majority, entered as an of the permanent President. In this latter year he was a active partner the establishment of his father and uncle, in which relation he continued for about sixteen years, the entire charge of the immense business devolving on him for the last few years of this period, which was closed by the death of his uncle, the senior member of the firm; whereupon, his father being also dead, he closed up the affairs of the house, and removed to the old homestead in Metuchen, New Jersey, where he has since resided, devot- ing his time and means to the development of the town, and now and then relieving the tension of his generous en- terprise by the delights of foreign travel. He takes his ease with dignity, sweetening it with a life of beneficence and charity. He was married, in 1855, to Delia Dally, County Longford, Ireland. prominent candidate in the Democratic State Convention for the nomination for the office of Governor, but, after a very close contest, was defeated by Theodore F. Randolph. Mr. Robins was equally estimable in public and in private, never in either relation betraying a friend or shunning an enemy, and, above all, never breaking his faith or his word. His character was at once strong and balanced. The ele- ments in him were so mixed that, although each was stren- nous, the whole was harmonious. A staunch and thorough- going Democrat, he was a tolerant partisan and a whole- souled citizen. Of intense prejudices, and, for that matter, of intense feelings in general, he was forgiving, magnani- mous, and just. Stern of will, he was genial in spirit, making him alike trusted and beloved. A shrewd man of the world, he carried his heart on his sleeve, leaving the politi- cal daws, at their pleasure, to peck at it or to wonder at it, which last they generally were drawn to do. His perfect frankness and integrity, conjoined with his astuteness, was often indeed a marvel to those of his friends who had not yet penetrated, as he himself had, to the fruitful truth that a firm stand on these qualities lends inspiration to policy, and that, while the trickster needs surpassing resources of mind, and after all must fail in the long run, the address of the upright man is in the end invincible. Though it would not be well, if it were possible, to be honest because honesty is the best policy, it is well to realize that honesty is the best policy, for it does no harm to honesty and infinite good to policy ; and in this point of view the public career of Amos Robins shines forth, in the apt words of one of his oldest and closest friends, as " a beacon light to all young men entering on a political course." Their attention can- not be too frequently or too carefully directed towards it.

OBINS, WRIGHT, of Metuchen, a Retired Mer- chant of great public spirit, brother to the subject of the preceding sketch, was born in the city of New York, November, 1823. His father, Nathan Robins, a native of New Jersey, was a sea-captain previously to the war of 1812, when he abandoned the sea, and engaged, with his brother John, in the whole- sale dry-goods trade in New York city, the firm, J. & N. Robins, at 426 Pearl street, becoming one of the most ex- tensive in its day. His mother was Elizabeth Hassan, of Connecticut. In 1840 his father retired from active busi- ness, and took up his abode in Metuchen, New Jersey, where he built a fine homestead, and died in November, 1859. The son laid the foundations of his education in the public schools of the city of New York, completing the edi- fice in the collegiate school at Poughkeepsie, New York, which he entered at the age of sixteen, and from which he graduated five years later. IIe then returned to New York

TOKES, N. NEWLIN, M. D., was born near Moorestown, Burlington county, New Jersey. His parents, like himself, were natives of New Jersey, his mother, Nancy E. Stokes, having been born in the same county as himself. His father, Nathaniel N. Stokes, was a farmer. The ances- tors of both were English Quakers, one of whom, Joseph Stokes, came to this country in William Penn's time, and settled as a farmer in the county above mentioned. The subject of this sketch was educated at the Quaker school in West-Town, Chester county, Pennsylvania. Ile began the study of medicine in 1851, with his uncle, Dr. John H. Stokes, of Moorestown, now deceased, a physician of excel- lent repute, who practised his profession at Moorestown for more than forty years. The nephew attended the regular course at the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, study- ing during the winter months in the office of Dr. Da Costa, of that city. Receiving his diploma in March, 1854, he im- mediately entered upon the practice at Moorestown in part- nership with his uncle, continuing in this relation until 1869, when his uncle, on account of his failing health, re- tired from practice, throwing the double burden on the shoulders of the nephew, which, however, proved broad enough and strong enough to carry it with ease and distin- guished success. Dr. Newlin Stokes is in fact one of the most esteemed and successful physicians in the wide region of his practice. He is devoted to his profession, which, in return, has bestowed abundant favors upon him. He has been President of the Burlington County Medical Association, and has many times represented the county in the State Association. IIe was also a delegate to the National Medical Convention that met in Philadelphia in Junc, 1876. He is examining surgeon for a number of prominent life insurance companies, among which may be mentioned the Providence, John Hancock, and National. Ile was married in 1861 to Martha E. Stokes, of Strouds- burg, Pennsylvania.

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OBBINS, IION. GEORGE R., M. D., Physician and Member of Congress, late of Hamilton Square, was born in Monmouth county, New Jersey, September 24th, ISOS. After a good literary education, having decided to follow the medical profession, he studied medicine under the direction of Dr. John McKelway, then a prominent practitioner of Trenton. Ilis preliminary studies com- pleted, he matriculated at the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, from which he was graduated at the conclusion of a full course. After graduation he opened an office in the village of Fallsington, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, where he practised for twelve months. In the spring of 1837 he removed to Hamilton Square, Mercer county, New Jersey, and there he lived engaged in active professional duties for nearly thirty-eight years. Upon the organization of the Mercer County District Medical Society in 1848, he became one of its members, and was chosen its Treasurer, a position he continued to fill with much acceptability. He always manifested a deep interest in public affairs, and in 1854 received the nomination in the Second Congressional District of New Jersey; was elected, and gave such lively satisfaction to his constituents by his labors in the House of Representatives as to secure a re-election in 1858. Pro- fessionally, he was a successful man, his skill, care, and many estimable qualities securing him a large and widely extended practice, with the confidence and affection of his patients. His death occurred February 22d, 1875, and was regretted by a large circle which had benefited by his pro- fessional and public-spirited labors.

AMSEY, JOIIN, Brevet Major-General, was one of the many soldiers sent out from New Jersey to the late war, who, by gallantry in the field and marked ability in handling troops, rose to the rank of a general officer. Entering the service as First Lieutenant of Company G, 2d Regiment -under the call for volunteers to serve for three months- the election of his Captain to the colonelcy of the regiment raised him to the rank of Captain, and in this capacity he served during the terin of his enlistment. When the regi- ment was withdrawn, Captain Ramsey recruited a company for the three years term, was commissioned Captain, and was attached to the 5th Regiment. The 5th-as was the case with almost all of the New Jersey regiments-was engaged in active service during the entire war, and Cap- tiin Ramsey had ample opportunity for displaying his sol lierly qualities. In May, 1862, for " distinguished gal- lintry at Williamsburg," he received his commission as Mijor, and on the 21st of the following October he was made Lieutenant-Colonel. The colonelcy of the 8th Regi- ment falling vacant in April, 1863, he was raised to that position ; and in December, 1864, was brevetted Brigadier-

General. In April, 1865, he received the further promotion of Brevet Major-General, and two months later, the war ended, he was mustered out of the service. General Ram- sey saw his first active service under Mcclellan on the Peninsula, taking part in the various battles of that cam- paign, and participating in the siege of Yorktown and in the memorable change of base. In the second Bull Run, and in the battles of Bristow, Chantilly, McLean's Ford, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Wilder- ness and Petersburg-not to mention a dozen or more of less important engagements-he bore a distinguished part, being thrice wounded and on several occasions honorably mentioned in official reports. As a commander he united, in a remarkable degree, prudence and dashing bravery ; and this combination of soldierly qualities secured him the confidence of his men and made him a rarely successful officer.

ETSON, JOHNSON, Merchant and Manufacturer, of New Brunswick, New Jersey, was born in that place, December 8th, 1806. He is the son of Thomas and Ann Letson, both of whom were natives of New Jersey, the former having been born at the Raritan Landing, October 12th, 1763, the latter at Piscataway, in 1774. The father, while yet a young man, removed to New Brunswick, in which he es- tablished the leather manufacturing business, pursuing it until about 1832, when he retired to his farm at Three Mile Run, where he residcd till his death, May 13th, 1851. The mother died in New Brunswick, Octoher, 1856, at the house of her son, the subject of this sketch. Young John- son was educated in New Brunswick, closing his education at the grammar school auxiliary to Rutgers College, in the main building of which it was then held, under the Rev. John Mabon, D. D. His education, though not polite, was solid, like the understanding it trained, and afforded, on the whole, a fair preparation for the long and active and useful life before him. When about the age of fourteen, he went to New York as clerk in a hardware store, and remained there in that capacity for some three years, after which he returned to New Brunswick, where he served in the same capacity until 1827, when he again went to New York, en- gaging this time in the book business, which he pursued for about two years, and then sold out, returning once more to his native city. The needle in his life's compass now began to rest ; and, seeing his way clearly, he followed it henceforward steadily. In March, 1830, he started the hardware business in Burnet street, New Brunswick, and prosecuted it there till 1855, a quarter of a century, when, content with his large success, and preferring perhaps a more retired and quiet life, he disposed of all his interests in it, and has since devoted himself mainly to the discharge of his duties as an officer of various corporations, conspicu- ously the duties devolving on him as President of the New

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Brunswick Rubber Company, an office which he has held since the organization of the company in 1850. In con- junction with several other gentlemen he organized, in 1863, the Norfolk and New Brunswick Hosiery Company, of which he was then made one of the Directors, a position he has ever since held. On the organization of the National Bank of New Jersey, he was chosen a Director, and has re- mained one to the present time. He was also chosen a Director of the Willow Grove Cemetery Association on its organization, and, after serving a number of years in that capacity, was elected its President, which he continues to be. There would seem to be no relief for him when he has accepted an office at the hands of a corporation. Such is the sense of his business capacity and of his general trust- worthiness, that, if he serves once, he has no choice but to serve ever. Corporations never die, and they will not let him resign. Glorious servitude, in which the fetters are forged of honor, and fastened by estecm ! Mr. Letson has never taken an active part in politics, although long ago he served as a member of the City Council for several years, and was always identificd with the Whig party before it dissolved, as he has been with the Republican party since. Ile is indeed as little of a politician as is consistent with good citizenship, his catholic tastes and his broad feclings chafing against the limitations set up by political organiza- tions. In September, 1830, he was married to Eliza L., daughter of Cornelius and Eliza W. Shaddu, of the city of New York.

AIL, BENJAMIN A., Lawyer, of Rahway, was born near Rahway, Middlesex county, New Jer- sey, August 15th, 1844. His father, too, Benjamin F. Vail, was a native of New Jersey, as also his mother, who was a Miss Martha C. Parker. His education was begun in West-Town, Chester county, Pennsylvania, and finished at Haverford College, in the adjoining county, from which institution he graduated in the class of 1865. Entering the law office of Parker & Keasby, Ncwark, he studied the requisite term, attending during the winter of 1867-68 the Columbia Law School in New York city, and was licensed as attorney in November, 1868, and as counsellor in 1871. Ile began the practice at Rahway, where he has since pursued it, achieving a proud success, and establishing himself, both as a man and a lawyer, in the confidence of the community. He served as a member of the Rahway Common Council during 1870 and 1871. In the fall of 1875 he was elected to the As- sembly on the Republican ticket. He is a Director of the Rahway Savings Bank, and Counsel for the Rahway Rail- road, in which he is also a Director, and of which he was one of the projectors. He is an honorary member of the New Jersey llistorical Society. He is a rising man, and bids fair to rise high enough to make his mark among the loftiest names of the State.

SZARD, JACOB, M. D., of Glassborough, was born in Glassborough, Gloucester county, New Jersey, May 23d, 1829. His father, Rev. Joseph Iszard, an Episcopal minister, was also a native of Glou- cester county, in which he preached for many years. His mother was Mary Swope, daughter of Mr. John Swope, of Squankum, now called Williams- town. He was educated at home and at the Pennington Seminary, both excellent seats of learning, and turning out in his case, as in that of so many others, jointly or sepa. rately, a thoroughly educated man. When about the age of twenty-one, he engaged in teaching school at Malaga, in Gloucester county, where he continued in this pursuit for some nine months, when he transferred the sphere of his calling to Bowenstown, a few miles below Bridgeton, rc- maining there for three winters. Ile next taught one sea- son at Swedcsborough, and then removed to Clarksborough, teaching in that place, as Principal of the village academy, for about four years and a half. Leaving Clarksborough, he returned to Glassborough, in which he served as Princi- pal of the public schools, until the summer of 1868, when he decided to become a homeopathic physician, and ac- cordingly entered the office of Dr. D. R. Gardner, of Woodbury, New Jersey, with whom he prosecuted his studies for two years, attending meanwhile the regular course at the Hahnemann Medical College, from which he graduated in the spring of 1870. He at once opened an office in Glassborough, where he has since resided, prac- tising with notable success. His independence of charac- ter, combined with his conservative instincts, his intellect- ual training, and his varied experience, renders him a bold and at the same time a safe practitioner. His high merits are widely recognized. Immediately after graduating, he connected himself with the Homoeopathic Medical Society of West Jersey, and has always taken an active part in its transactions, serving in 1875 as its President, and being at present the Chairman of its Bureau of Practice. He was married in 1854 to Eliza, daughter of Mr. Solomon H. Stanger, a well-known citizen of Glassborough, the family having been among the original settlers of the town,

ARNES, ORSON, M. D., late of Paterson, was born in Baldwinsville, Onondaga county, New York, in the year 1830. His early education was obtained in his native place at a private school conducted by Professor Stilwell. On leaving this establishment he completed a course of study at the Syracuse Academy. With his mind thus carefully trained, he took up medical reading in 1848, under the superintendence of Dr. J. V. Kendall; subse- quently becoming a pupil of Dr. D. T. Jones, a physi- cian of celebrity in western New York. He matriculated at the Albany Medical College, took three full courses of

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lectures, and graduated therefrom in 1854. Thereupon he State, having among its faculty Professor F. H. Hamilton, made an extensive tour through the Western States, at the conclusion of which he returned to his native State, and began the practice of his profession at Succa Falls. About two years later he was persuaded to remove to Athens, Pennsylvania, where he built up a large practice. In Sep- tember, 1861, he married the daughter of Charles Danforth, of Paterson, New Jersey, and two years subsequently, after the death of that lady's brother, Captain Charles Danforth, removed to Paterson, where he gradually worked together a large and lucrative practice. Thoroughly devoted to his profession and the interests of his patients, he won for him- self a high reputation among his brethren and the fullest confidence of those who experienced his ministrations. ITIs characteristics as a practitioner were rapid analysis, ready judgment, and prompt and decided action. Courageous and hopeful himself, his firm tread and self-reliant air in- spired hope when despair was rapidly settling down upon the mind of his patient, while his ready sympathy incited the warmest attachments between himself and his patients. A man of fine natural abilities, of commanding presence, pleasing address, and a good conversationalist, he was wel- comed and at home in any society. By nature he was a politician. While never seeking political preferment, he was deeply interested in every contest, national, State and municipal, and exercised considerable influence over the result in his neighborhood. In December, 1874, he was prostrated by an attack of pneumonia. From this he made a good recovery, but exposing himself too early by a return to professional labors, he brought on acute rheumatism, which resulted in disease of the heart and general dropsy. Death released him from great suffering, July 23d, 1875. The esteem in which he was held was manifested in the tributes of respect paid his memory by his numerous friends and professional brethren.

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The biographical encyclopaedia of New Jersey of the nineteenth century, Part 48

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