History of Cranbury, (Middlesex County) New Jersey United States of America

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Biographies:

Marcus Stults Farr, zo?logist, was born in Cranbury, N.J., Feb. 19, 1870; son of James and Mary (Stults) Farr; grandson of Frederick and Margaret (Gulick) Farr and a direct descendant from Frederick Farr, who emigrated from England about 1700 and settled at Cranbury, N.J. He was prepared for college by the Rev. William S. Steen of Philadelphia, and was graduated at the College of New Jersey in 1892. He was awarded a fellowship in biology at his graduation and was a post-graduate student one year, gaining the degree of S.M. in 1893. In June, 1893, he received an appointment to a fellowship in zo?logy at the University of Chicago where he did special research work in reptilian morphology and philogeny. For his thesis on this subject and on examination, he received the degree of A.M. in 1894. In September, 1894, he returned to Princeton and was for two years engaged in resident graduate work in biology and geology, devoting especial attention to paleontology, and receiving the degree of Sc.D. in 1896. He was assistant in paleontology at Princeton university, 1896-98, and on Dec. 1, 1898, was appointed assistant in zo?logy at the New York state museum. He was married Oct. 24, 1894, to Luella, daughter of Peter and Cordelia Bergen. His doctor's thesis was published in Proceedings of the American Philosophical society, Vol. XXXV., pp. 147-75, May 15, 1896.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Simon Barclay Conover, senator, was born in Cranbury, N. J., Sept. 23, 1840; son of Samuel and Ann Maria (Barclay) Conover, and grandson of Johnson Conover. He studied medicine at the University of Nashville and was graduated as M.D. in 1864. He joined the Union army as assistant surgeon, was assigned to the army of the Cumberland and stationed at Nashville, Tenn. In 1866 he was ordered to Lake City, Fla., and resigned from the army on being appointed state treasurer by Governor Reed in 1868. He was a member of the State constitutional convention, 1868, a delegate to the Republican national convention at Chicago, and a member of the national committee. At the close of Governor Reed's administration he was elected to the state legislature and was made speaker of the house. He was elected by the legislature of Florida U.S. senator and served 1873-79. In 1880 he was the unsuccessful candidate for governor of the state and resumed his medical practice, afterward removing to Montana where he was an invalid in 1899.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Charles McKnight, surgeon, was born in Cranbury, N.J., Oct. 10, 1750; son of the Rev. Charles and Elizabeth (Stevens) McKnight, and a grandson of the Rev. John McKnight, a Presbyterian clergyman of the north of Ireland, and of Richard Steveus of New Jersey. His father was educated in Ireland, fitted for the ministry, came to America, and settled in New Jersey, where he joined the New Brunswick presbytery in 1741, was ordained in 1749 and installed at Cranbury and Allentown in 1744. By opposing the crown He displeased the Tories and in 1777 they burned his church at Middletown Point, and imprisoned him as a disloyal subject. He was soon after released, but died from the effects of his treatment in 1778. Charles McKnight was graduated from the College of New Jersey in 1771 with first honors. He studied medicine with Dr. William Shippen of Philadelphia, Pa., but at the outbreak of the Revolutionary war entered the army before he completed his professional course. He soon attracted the attention of General Washington and on April 11, 1777, he was appointed senior surgeon of the flying hospital of the Middle Department. He served on the Hudson River at New Windsor as surgeon-general and was with Washington's army, 1779-82. After the war He became one of the original members of the Seciety of the Cincinnati; practised in New York city, lectured on anatomy and surgery and was professor of anatomy at Columbia college, 1785-91. He was appointed a regent of the University of the State of New York, Nov. 26, 1784; was a trustee of Columbia college, 1784-87, and post-surgeon of New York, 1781-91. He Was married, April 22, 1778, to Mary, daughter of Gen. John Morin Scott , and widow of Col. John Litchfleld, and their son, John Morin Scott McKnight, became a celebrated physician in New York city. Dr. Charles McKnight died in New York city, Nov. 10, 1791.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor