The biographical encyclopaedia of New Jersey of the nineteenth century, Part 69

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

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ing motive for plunging into the sea of troubles which [ lished in 1843; and a comedy written by him was performed aw :ited him. .... But the immunity of personal character at Burton's Theatre, New York, in 1850; he published also " Gleanings in Europe," six volumes, and " Sketches of Switzerland." He was married, January Ist, 1811, to Susan de Lancey, sister of the Bishop of the Western Diocese of New York, a woman of great excellence of character, cul. tivated tastes, and unaffected piety. Susan Fenimore Cooper, his daughter, was author and editor of several pop- ular works, chiefly descriptive of rural life. The first, " Ru- ral Hours," was published in 1850, and is an excellent and interesting volume; in 1854 it was followed by " Rhyme and Reason of Country Life ;" and in 1858 hy her "Trib- ute to the Character of Washington." He died at Coopers- town, New York, September 14th, 1851. he believed in, and, after a contest of years, established." During this period some twenty distinct suits for libel were brought by him, and in all, or nearly all, he met with suc- cess. He was thus chiefly instrumental in bringing about a reform in the habits and manners of the press, and in reviv- ing the practical efficiency of a safeguard that had been much and blamably neglected. While occupied in con- ducting these libel suits in person he published " The Path- finder," which, renewing the scenes and characters of his most popular tales, was warmly welcomed by a divided community. After the issue of " Mercedes of Castile " came the last of the Leather-Stocking Tales, " The Deerslayer," which was greeted with enthusiasm scarcely inferior to that which heralded " The Spy " or " The Pilot." About 1844 hc became interested in the political questions growing out of the tenure of lands in certain portions of the State of New York, and the organized refusal of the tenants or occupants to pay the accustomed rent toll. Every instinct of personal feeling, as well as political conviction, arrayed him strongly against the novel doctrines, and led to the preparation of the "Littlepage " tales-"Satanstoe," "The Redskins," and " The Chainbearer "-which, " had they advocated the popular side of the question, would have been regarded as models of their kind." From the termination of his suits till the time of his decease he was constantly occupied in literary labors, and there appeared in rapid succession " The Two Admirals," 1842; " Wing-and-Wing " and " Ned Myers," in 1843; " Wyandotte," " Afloat and Ashore," and " Miles Wallingford," in 1844; "The Crater," in 1846; "Jack Tier" and "Oak Openings," in 1848; " The Sea-Lions," in 1849; and " The Ways of the Hour," his last, in 1850. While engaged in the following year upon a work of historical character, after a few months' rapid de- cline, his extraordinary physical powers gave way, and he died, to the surprise and grief, not less of his family than of the public. Personally, he was of massive and compact proportions, with a countenance "glowing with manly beauty," and eloquent of intellectual strength. In his so- cial traits, so far as his innate reserve and strong predilec- tions would permit, he was magnanimous and hospitable. " Frank, generous, independent, and not over-refined either by native constitution or culture, enemies were as plenti- fully made as easily reconciled by his singular admixture of opposing qualities." Although his works, for some cause, secured him but a limited remuneration, they have had an unparalleled sale, both at home and abroad. Not only have all the chief stories been reproduced as they appeared in numerous editions in France, Germany, Russia, and many other European countries, and were circulated largely and continuously in Great Britain, but they had and still have an unceasing sale in the United States and the Canadas, also the settled portions of Australia, and the English sec- tions of East India. His " Battle of Lake Erie " was pub-

OORE, EDWARD M., M. D., Professor of Surgery in the Buffalo Medical College of New York, was born in Rahway, New Jersey, July 15th, 1814, and graduated from the University of Pennsylva- nia in 1838. In the course of this year, in con- junction with Dr. C. L. Pennock, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he performed a series of original experiments relative to the heart, and the condition and phases of that organ under certain conditions, which attracted much atten- tion in medical circles. Removing to Rochester, New York, about 1840, he rapidly acquired a high reputation in his profession, and a leading position among the eastern practitioners. He was for many years Professor of Surgery in the Buffalo Medical College, where he won the admira- tion and respect of all by his sterling attainments as a lecturer and teacher.

AN CLEVE, HORATIO PHILLIPS, Brigadier- General of Volunteers in the United States army, of Minnesota, was born in Princeton, New Jersey, November 23d, 1809. He graduated at West Point in 1831, after having passed through a course of preparatory studies at Princeton College. He then obtained a commission as Brevet Second Lieutenant in the 5th Infantry, but resigned in 1836. Ile subsequently resided temporarily in Missouri and Ohio, afterward remov. ing to Michigan, where he was principally occupied in agricultural pursuits, although occasionally employed as a civil engineer. In 1856 he removed to Minnesota, and there, until 1861, pursucd the vocation of farmer. July 22d, 1861, he received a commission as Colonel of thic 2d Regiment of Minnesota Volunteers, and was ordered to Ken- tucky to assist in upholding the menaced cause of the Union in that section. This regiment he commanded at the battle lof Mill Spring, January 19th, 1862, and for gallantry dis-

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played during that action was appointed Brigadier-General | Board of Education, being continuously re-elected until of Volunteers, March 2Ist, 1862. He also commanded a brigade in Crittenden's division, before Corinth, through northern Alabama; and at Louisville took command of the division, on Crittenden's promotion, October Ist, 1862. Upon joining Rosecrans, in the following December, he was an active participant at the battle of Stone River, where, after having rendered distinguished and efficient service, he was painfully wounded. September 11th and 13th, 1863, he was engaged at Ringgold, Georgia, and Gordon's Mills; took part in the battle of Chickamauga, September 19th and 20th, 1863; and from 1863 to 1865 was in command of Murfreesboro', Tennessee. He has since acted as Adjutant-General of the State of Minnesota, a position to which he was appointed in January, 1866.

1862, when he refused renomination. In 1855 he was elected President of the Board, both parties uniting in his nomination and giving him their widivided vote. He held the office uninterruptedly until his retirement, in 1862. In 1833 he was elected a member of the Board of Trustees of the Newark Academy, and in 1854 became President of that body, a position that he still holds. In 1856 he was chosen a Trustee of Princeton College, and about the same time a Trustee of the Presbyterian Theological Seminary at the same place, the duties of both of which trusts he has since continued to discharge. In his several different re- lations with education in the State, he has displayed a broad liberality, and has done excellent service in advan- cing the welfare of the institutions in the government of which he has been concerned. For nearly thirty years he has been President of the Newark City Bank-of which he was one of the founders-retaining his position through its change from a State to a national institution, and display- ing in its management a sound business ability. Under his care the bank has become one of the most successful finan- cial corporations in the State. Dr. Pennington has not aimed at a reputation for authorship, his efforts in that direction having been limited to addresses and essays, on medical, educational and kindred subjects, demanded by his official position in the societies and boards with which he has been connected. These have given evidence of careful consideration, and borne marks of the scientific and classical culture to which he is known to have devoted much of his leisure.

ENNINGTON, SAMUEL HAYES, M. D., New- ark, son of Samuel and Sarah (Hayes) Penning- ton-his father being for many years an influen- tial member of the New Jersey Legislature; his maternal grandfather, Major Samuel Hayes, a distinguished militia officer in the revolutionary service-was born at Newark, October 16th, 1806. Having graduated from the Newark Academy, he entered Princeton College in 1823, receiving from that institution the degree of A. B. in 1825, and A. M. in 1828. In the latter year he began the study of medicine under his maternal uncle, Dr. Samuel Hayes; subsequently attended lectures under the Rutgers Medical Faculty of Geneva College, and in 1829 received his degree of M. D. Entering into partner- ship with his uncle, at Newark, he succeeded to his practice MITH, SAMUEL J., Poet, late of Burlington, New Jersey, was born in that city in 1771. Possessing a large inherited income, he lived tranquilly on his estate during the major portion. of his life, dividing his time and attention between litera- ture, agricultural pursuits and public benefactions. A volume of his poetry was published, Svo., 1836. Two of his lyrics, noted for their beauty, are in the " Lyra Sacra Americana." He died in Burlington, New Jersey, in 1835. in 1839, and during the ensuing thirty years led an active professional life. During the latter portion of this period he was a recognized leader of the medical profession in East Jersey, and his consulting practice was very extensive. Some twelve years back he began the gradual circumscrip- tion of his professional duties, and has now for a consider- able period ceased to practice save in a small circle of old aud attached friends. In the Medical Society of the State he has been an active member, contributing largely toward the promotion of its interests and taking a leading part in moulding and directing its policy. In 1848 he was elected its President, filling the position in such a manner as to give very general satisfaction. He is also a member of the AN SYCKEL, AARON, Merchant and Real-estate Dealer, late of Van Syckelville, was born, May 26th, 1793, at Mount Pleasant, Hunterdon county, New Jersey. His father, after whom he was named, was a farmer. His grandfather came to this country from Holland, and settled in Ring- wood township, in Hunterdon county. Young Aaron re- ceived a good business education in the common schools of the neighborhood, and when still quite young entered County Medical Society. His professional standing has been recognized outside of his State by his election to hon orary membership in the Connecticut Medical Society, and outside of his country by his election to corresponding membership with the Medical Society of Munich and with the Royal Botanical Society of Ratisbon. He has for many years been prominent in educational matters, and his labors in this connection have been persistent and to good effect. In 1845 he was elected a member of the Newark | upon a mercantile career. For a long time he kept a

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country store in Bethlehem township, but eventually his mercantile career, prosperous in its sphere, opened into a cognate career of greater profit to himself as well as of greater benefit to the community. In 1832 he, in company with Charles Bartles, of Flemington, engaged extensively in the real estate business, in which they continued to operate heavily up to 1860, more farms and farming lands having profession. His only daughter living is the wife of T. J. Hoffman, a prominent lawyer of Clinton. Mr. Van Syckel was through life a pronounced Democrat, and, considering his acknowledged abilities and his high standing among his fellow-citizens, it should perhaps be set down as one of his titles to distinction that he never either held or sought an office. He died, January 4th, 1874, leaving, as the fruit passed through their hands in the intervening period than of rare business qualifications and wise economy, a large fortune, which, having bequeathed a handsome fund for the endowment of the Bethlehem Baptist Church, he divided equally among his children. It is the memory of such as he that smells sweet and blossoms in the dust.

were handled hy any other parties in that section of the State, not a single acre of which, be it recorded to the signal credit of this firm, out of all the thousands, amount- ing in value to hundreds of thousands of dollars, being ever taken hack, sold under foreclosure, or made in any way the occasion of distressing a purchaser for payment. This remarkable feature was due not more to the consider- ateness and humanity with which they conducted their HITE, COLONEL ANTHONY WALTON, Revolutionary Soldier, late of New Brunswick, New Jersey, was born in Virginia, in 1751. He received the following grades and appointments from 1775 to 1780: Major and Aide-de-Camp to General Washington, October, 1775; Lieutenant- Colonel, Third Battalion, First Establishment, February 9th, 1776, Lieutenant-Colonel, 4th Regiment, Light Dra- goons, Continental Army, February 13th, 1777; Lieutenant- Colonel Commandant, Ist Regiment, Continental Army, December 10th, 1779; and later, Colonel, Continental Army, with orders to assume command over all cavalry in the southern army. He commanded the cavalry also after the defeat at Monk's Corner, in April, 1780, and with the greater portion of his regiment was surprised and captured at Lannean's Ferry, on the ensuing May 6th. For some time, from July 19th, 1798, he acted in the capacity of Brigadier-General of the provisional army. IIe died at New Brunswick, New Jersey, February 10th, 1803. business than to their plan of operating, which was to sell property on credit to those only in whose integrity and energy they had confidence, and then to see the purchaser through adverse times, helping him to tide over temporary difficulties, a policy indeed equally beneficial to themselves, to the purchaser, and to the community at large; yet not on this account the less worthy of praise, since it requires exceptional qualities of head and heart to perceive self-in- terest in the interest of all. Between the two members of the firm the utmost confidence existed throughout their con nection, each buying property when and where he chose, the one not consulted having the privilege of taking a half- interest in the purchase or not, at his pleasure. Mr. Van Syckel, as might be inferred from what has been said, was distinguished alike for his integrity, his judgment, his knowledge of human nature, and his good feeling. He consciously wronged no man, seldom made a mistake in his estimate of the value of lands or merchandise, measured with unfailing accuracy the motives and abilities of all with whom he had business relations, and the honest and indus- trious poor invariably found in him a safe counsellor and a sympathizing friend, his generous forbearance towards those ADDELL, REV. JAMES, D. D. (degree conferred by the Dickinson College, in 1792), eloquent Presbyterian divine, father-in-law of Rev. Archi- bald Alexander, D. D., late of Louisa county, Virginia, was born in Newry, Ireland, in July, 1739. His parents emigrated with him to the United States during his infancy, and settled on White Clay creek, Pennsylvania. He was educated at the classi - cal school of Rev. Dr. Finley, in Nottingham, Maryland, and in that establishment at a very early age acted as as- sistant tutor. Subsequently he was engaged in teaching for a time at Pcquea, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. Ile was also engaged as assistant to President Smith, of the IIamp- den-Sidney College, and I'resident S. S. Smith, of the New Jersey College, where he was very popular with the stu- dents, and admired also by the inhabitants of the town. He began the study of medicine, but having been induced struggling to secure a home, not to mention his more gen- erous aid, being gratefully remembered in many a happy family that but for him might now be plunged in misery. Ile never deceived, was rarely deceived himself, and the dew of his charity, like the rain of heaven, fell upon the just and the unjust. He was married, November 30th, 1816, to Mary Bird, of Hunterdon county, who died Sep- tember 11th, 1863. Of their ten children, five only are now living, four sons and one daughter. Ilis eldest son, Joseph, is President of the Clinton National Bank, and an esteemed citizen as well as an efficient officer. His second son, Sylvester, is a physician of Clinton, standing in the front rank of his profession. Bennett, his third son, is one of the Judges of the Supreme Court of New Jersey, and is regarded as a lawyer and jurist of the first order. ILIs youngest son, Chester, is a member of the Hunterdon e ounty bar, and bids fair to attain the highest prizes in the | by the celebrated prcacher, Rev. Samuel Davies, to enter

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the ministry, he devoted himself to the study of theology, and in 1761 was licensed as a probationer at Tinkling Spring, Virginia, by the Presbytery of Hanover. He was ordained in June, 1762, and accepted a call from the churches of Lancaster and Northumberland, Pennsylvania, but resigned his charge in 1776, and removed to the valley of the Shenandoah. In 1785 he settled on a large estate, purchased by him in Louisa county, which he called " Hope- well," and preachied in various churches in that region during the remaining twenty years of his life. Shortly after his last removal he became blind. His reputation as a preacher and pulpit-orator has become widespread through the well-known description of his preaching given by Wil- liam Wirt, early in the present century, in the volume entitled "The British Spy." Mr. Wirt heard him after he had become blind and paralytic, but says that " he exceeded all that he had been able to conceive of the sublimity of Mas- sillon, or the force of Bourdalone." At his death he ordered all his manuscripts to be destroyed. He died in Louisa county, Virginia, September 17th, 1805.

ICHENOR, IION. ISAAC, LL.D., Judge, Gover- nor, late of Bennington, Vermont, was born in Newark, New Jersey, February 8th, 1754, and graduated from the New Jersey College in 1775. While studying law at Schenectady, New York, early in 1777, he was appointed Assistant Com- missary-General, and stationed at Burlington, New Jersey, where he entered upon the practice of his profession, and soon became prominent in public affairs as an able exponent of his political views, and as promoter or opposer of the measures and movements of those in power. From 1781 to 1784 he served as a Representative in Congress ; in 1782 was the Agent of the State to Congress ; acted as a member of the State Council from 1787 to 1792; from 1791 to 1794 held the position of Judge of the Supreme Court; was Chief-Justice in the years 1795 and 1796; a member of the Council of Censors in 1792 and in 1813 ; Commissioner for adjusting the controversy with New York in 1791 ; Senator in 1795 and 1797; Governor from 1797 to 1807, and from 1808 to 1809; and again United States Senator from 1815 to 1821. He died at Bennington, Vermont, December 11th, 1838.

AMPBELL, E. L., Lawyer, of Trenton, was born February 2d, 1833, near Belvidere, Warren county, New Jersey. His parents were natives of New Hampshire. Reared partly on a farm and partly in Belvidere, he was educated at Lafayette College, Pennsylvania, from which he gradu- ated in 1855. After his graduation, he engaged in teaching at Belvidere, teaching successively in the Classical Academy

and the Female Seminary of the town. In 1860 he was admitted to the bar, and entered upon the practice of the law at Belvidere. But fate had ordained that his first laurels were not to be won in the forum. On the fall of Sumter in April, 1861, and the consequent call for 75,000 three months' troops, he immediately took an active interest in the raising of men. Finding that the only way to get anything done was to lead, he led accordingly, calling a public meeting on the 18th of April, and enlisting himself in advance not only . of all the rest of the meeting, but of all the rest of the county. This was a kind of eloquence nobly adapted to the occasion, and not easily resisted, the result being that a company, with him as its Captain, was formed by the next night. His company was ordered to Trenton by Governor Olden on the 27th of April; but, the brigade assigned to New Jersey being full, and overflowing to the extent of eleven companies, the greater number of the company returned to their homes, while he enlisted in Company D, of the Ist New Jersey (three years') Volunteers, then just ordered, serving successively for some days as private, corporal, and sergeant. Whilst thus engaged, he received from Governor Olden, unsolicited and unanticipated, authority to raise a three years' company, which he at once acted upon by re- organizing his first company, effecting the work so promptly that the company was mustered in on the 28th of May, 1861, being enrolled as Company E, of the 3d New Jersey Volun- teers. In less than a month afterwards his company, form- ing a part of the Ist Brigade, was at the front, receiving the baptism of fire and blood on the banks of the Chickahominy. Through this sanguinary campaign and the succeeding one, he served at the head of his company, and as Acting-Major of the regiment, until he received, on the battle-field of Chantilly, September 2d, 1862, a commission as Lieutenant- Colonel of the 15th New Jersey Volunteers ; when, with the view of joining his new regiment at Washington, he ten- dered the resignation of his Captaincy, which, however, the corps commander refused to accept until the operations of the command became less active. After the battle of Antietam, in which he was wounded in the head, his resig- nation was accepted, and, September 27th, 1862, he joined his regiment at Washington, already on its way to the front. He served as Lieutenant-Colonel of the 15th-assigned to the Ist Brigade, containing his old regiment, the 3d-until the 16th of February, 1865, when he was commissioned as Colonel of the 4th New Jersey Volunteers, having previously been brevetted Colonel from the 19th of October, 1864, for " conspicuous gallantry " in the battle of Cedar Creek. In this battle he was severely wounded, the incident bringing into strong relief not merely his coolness, but the devotion of his men. " During the action," says Foster, "Colonel Campbell was struck by a bullet which shattered his left arm, but he kept command until the greatest danger was over, when, weak from the loss of blood, he was forced to mount an orderly's horse and leave the field. The word flew along the line, ' Colonel Campbell is wounded,' and

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even in the excitement of the hour the men turned from the [ before they ever marched a field ; but their proudest boast is observation of the enemy to follow him with their eyes. As he rode away he lifted his uninjured hand and motioned to them, which they interpreted to mean, 'Hold on."" In February, 1865, while still suffering from this wound, he was ordered by General Meade to join his staff as Judge- Advocate-General of the Army of the Potomac, a position which he filled until the army was mustered out of service, when he rejoined his regiment, mustered out on the 12th of July, 1865, and conducted it home. His military record, as may be seen, is thoroughly a fighting one. He was a fighting soldier, and commanded a fighting regiment in a fighting brigade, which latter indeed he also commanded in many memorable engagements, including particularly Sheri- dan's immortal battles in the Valley, heing in fact brevetted Brigadier General, April 9th, 1865, for " gallant and meri- torious services." To him at least war was a reality, as will be readily acknowledged by those who learn, that, out of the one hundred and fifty or one hundred and eighty original officers in his brigade, he was the only one left with the body so early as October, in 1864. He served in the Army of the Potomac, at the front, throughout the war, from Bull Run to Appomattox ; never missing a battle, and, with a single exception, never missing a skirmish ; never being absent from the front but eight or ten days each winter when well, and never so much as three months altogether, even when wounded; and, what perhaps is most remarka- ble, never asking a promotion or encouraging a friend to ask it for him. Evidently he went into the army to fight. And certainly he took the right way to get fighting to do. Ile chose his comrades shrewdly. Of the Ist Brigade, to which his regiment belonged, and which he commanded on many a famous field, Foster, in his history of " New Jersey and the Rebellion," thus speaks : " But the memory of this scarred and storied command still remains. On a score of fields it had exhibited the rarest heroism. In discipline, in sturdy, faultless eourage, in unwavering and sublime devo- tion, it justified, down to the latest field, the high expecta- tions of that knightly soldier who made it what it was. Tried in many a fierce and pitiless fire, it had never faltered. Exposed, sometimes, to peculiar hardships, thinned by disease, weakened by heavy loss, it never for an hour lost its faith in the cause. The hospital devoured and the trench swallowed up many of its bravest and best, but the Ist Brigade, even when but a remnant of its strength remained, was still undaunted. No danger appalled, no privation dismayed, no losses disheartened the veterans who with a lofty pride fought and died for Freedom's sake. When at last, with torn standards and lean ranks, it marched from the field, where it had helped to achieve an honorable peace, it was welcomed home with right royal greeting; the people hailing it with glad acclaim, and with it rejoicing that the sound of war had ceased from the land. To-day, scattered in all the walks of life, those of its members who yct survive perform the old dutics and bear the old burdens, familiar

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The biographical encyclopaedia of New Jersey of the nineteenth century, Part 69

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