Biography

Biography of John H. Post of Hudson County

Genealogical history of Hudson and Bergen counties, New Jersey

Captain Adriaen Post first came to America from Harlengen, Holland, about 1653, as agent or manager of Baron Van der Cappellan’s colony on Staten Island. Upon the destruction of that colony by the savages early in 1655, Mr. Post lied to Bergen (Jersey City), whence, in September following, he, with his wife, five children, two servants, and one girl, were taken prisoners by the savages at what is known as the second massacre at Pavonia. The family escaped by the payment of a heavy ransom, and Post was thereupon dispatched by the Bergen colonists to treat with the sachems of … Read more

Biography of Gilbert Collins of Bergen County

Genealogical history of Hudson and Bergen counties, New Jersey

Gilbert Collins, a Justice of the Supreme Court of New Jersey, was born in Stonington, New London County, Conn., August 26, 1846, and is a descendant of an old English family which originally came from Kent. England. His great-great-grandparents were Daniel Collins and Alice Pell. His great-grandfather, Daniel Collins (1732-1819), of Stonington, served in the Revolutionary War, and according to existing records was First Lieutenant in the First Regiment Connecticut line, formation of 1777, and it is also known that he was in service from 1775. He married Anne Potter. His son Gilbert (1789-1865), grandfather of the present Gilbert Collins, … Read more

Biography of Edmund W. Kingsland of Bergen County

Genealogical history of Hudson and Bergen counties, New Jersey

Edmund W. Kingsland, President of the Provident Institution for Savings of Jersey City and one of the ablest and best known financiers in Eastern New Jersey, was born in Jersey City on the 15th of December, 1839, his parents being Edmund W. and Sarah A. Kingsland. He is a direct descendant in the sixth generation from Isaac Kingsland, an Englishman from the Parish of Christ Church, on the Island of Barbadoes, W. I., and a nephew of Major Nathaniel Kingsland, of the same place. On July 4, 1668, one Captain William Sandford, also of Barbadoes, W. 1., purchased of the … Read more

Biography of Alexander Taggart McGill of Bergen County

Genealogical history of Hudson and Bergen counties, New Jersey

Alexander Taggart McGill, A.M., LL.D., for thirteen years Chancellor of the State of New Jersey, was born October 20, 1845, in Allegheny City, Pa., where his father, Rev. Alexander T. McGill, D.D., LL.I)., was a professor in the Western Theological Seminary. His great-grandfather was an Indian fighter of note in Pennsylvania, and served as a Lieutenant-Colonel in the Continental Army under Washington at Trenton and Princeton. The Chancellor’s father was for some years a lawyer in Georgia, but later studied theology and became professor in the Western Theological Seminary. When the Chancellor was nine years old, in 1854, his father … Read more

Biography of Charles A. Hamilton of Bergen County

Genealogical history of Hudson and Bergen counties, New Jersey

Charles A. Hamilton, of Closter, Bergen County, N. J., was born at Cannan Four Corners, Columbia County, N. Y., March 24, 1859. He is the son of Silas B. and Emily J. (Haight) Hamilton, a grandson of James Hamilton and William Haight, and a descendant of a long line of Scotch ancestors. Mr. Hamilton received his education in his native State. He left school at the age of seventeen and entered a railroad office, where he remained three and a half years. He then accepted a position with the Mutual Life Insurance Company, of New York City, and has since … Read more

Biography of John Engel of Bergen County

Genealogical history of Hudson and Bergen counties, New Jersey

John Engel, formerly Postmaster of Hackensack, and one of the most popular hotel proprietors in Bergen County, was born in Prussia, Germany, on the 16th of April, 1845. His parents, Charles Engel and Agustia Kuehn, ere both born and married in Prussia. Major Engel received his education at the military school at Schloss, Annaburg, Province of Saxony, and in 1860 came to this country, arriving in New York City on the 16th of October. His first business here was as a barber in New York. In 1868 he removed to Hackensack, N. J., where he has since resided, and where … Read more

Biography of Garret I. Demarest of Bergen County

Genealogical history of Hudson and Bergen counties, New Jersey

Garret I. Demarest is descended from the same common ancestor as is Elmer Wilson Demarest (see sketch on page 64). David des Marest, the first American emigrant of the name, had a great-grandson, Garret Jacobus des Marest (5), who married Jacomyntie Tunis Helms, and had fifteen children. One of these, John G. Demarest (6), was born at Schraalenburgh, January 23, 1771, and died there November 6, 1834. He married Catharine Blawvelt, who died May 4, 1849, aged seventy-one years eleven months. John G. was a farmer and had issue ten children, of whom John J. Demarest (7), born at Schraalenburgh, … Read more

Biography of David Demarest of Bergen County

Genealogical history of Hudson and Bergen counties, New Jersey

David Demarest is another of the lineal descendants of David des Marest and his wife, Maria Sohier, who came to American in 1662. The emigrant had a great-grandson, David Demarest, who resided at Schraalenburgh more than a hundred years ago. This last named David had several children, one of whom was James D. Demarest (6), born at Schraalenburgh March 2, 1763, died there April 28, 1830. His wife Rachel, born July 28, 1768, died April 26, 1828. James D. was a farmer residing at Schraalenburgh. One of his several children was Abraham J. Demarest (7), who married Rachel Blawvelt, daughter … Read more

Biography of Cook Conkling of Bergen County

Genealogical history of Hudson and Bergen counties, New Jersey

Cook Conkling, of Rutherford N. J., is the son of Calvin B. Conkling, a native of Sag Harbor, Long Island, and a descendant of one of two brothers who came from England in Cromwell’s time and settled originally in Salem, Mass. This ancestor married Mary Gardiner, daughter of Lyon Gardiner, proprietor of Gardiner’s Island, and moved from Salem to Long Island. Calvin B. Conkling’s wife was Harriet A. W. King, who was also descended from an old New England family. Cook Conkling was born in Ledgewood, N. J., on the 4th of November, 1858. He received his preparatory education at … Read more

Biography of Walter Christie of Bergen County

Genealogical history of Hudson and Bergen counties, New Jersey

Walter Christie is descended from the same American ancestor as Cornelius Christie (see sketch on page 106), James Christie, of Aberdeen, Scotland, the emigrant, who had ten children or more of the second generation, one of whom, William (2), married Catharine Demarest and by her had ten or twelve children. One of these was “Captain James,” and another was Peter W. Christie (3), who married Belitie Westervelt, by whom he had several children, one of whom Ralph P. Christie (4), born at Schraalenburgh, October 12, 1783, died June 15, 1873, married Catharine Westervelt, born October 7, 1787, died April 26, … Read more