History of Morristown, (Morris County) New Jersey United States of America

Our database does not include an historic photo for Morristown, (Morris County) New Jersey, do you have one you would like to contribute? Contact Us!

Biographies:

Samuel Ware Fisher, educator, was born at Morristown, N.J., April 5, 1814. He was graduated from Yale in 1835, studied at Princeton theological seminary, 1836-37, and was graduated from Union theological seminary in 1839. He was ordained to the Presbyterian ministry in April of that year and was pastor at West Bloomfield, N.J., 1839-43; at Albany, N.Y., 1843-46, and at Cincinnati, Ohio, 1847-58. He was moderator of the general assembly, 1857. In 1858 he succeeded the Rev. Simeon North, LL.D., S.T.D., as president of Hamilton college, and held the office until 1866, when he resigned to return to the pulpit. He was pastor at Utica, N.Y., 1867-71, and was a trustee of Auburn theological seminary, 1860-71. He received the degree of D.D. from Miami university in 1852, and that of LL. D. from the University of the city of New York in 1866. He wrote: Three Great Temptations to Young Men (1852); Sermons and Addresses (1860); and Life of Christ. He died at College Hill, near Cincinnati, Ohio, Jan. 18, 1874.

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

Augustus William Cutler, representative, was born in Morristown, N.J., Oct. 22, 1827; son of Gen. Joseph and Elizabeth P. (Cook) Cutler; grandson of Abijah and Dinah (Lee) Cutler; great-grandson of the Hon. Silas Condit, a member of the first continental congress and president of the council of safety; and a direct descendant on his father's side of Sir Gervase Cutler, Baronet, of Yarmouth, England, whose second son, Capt. John Cutler, came to America in 1660, and was well known during the Indian war with King Philip. Augustus was admitted to the bar in 1850, was prosecutor of the pleas, 1856-61, and a member of the New Jersey senate, 1871-74. He was a representative in the 44th and 45th congresses, 1875-79; declined re-election to the 46th congress, and was an unsuccessful candidate for the 47th and 55th congresses. In 1861 he drew the original free school bill, and in 1864 he inaugurated the fight against the railroads of the state, to obtain control of and "to secure the proceeds of the sales and rentals of the riparian lands of the state for the benefit of free schools." The contest was successful, and during the first year over a million of dollars was paid into the free school fund. This and other services in the interest of education caused him to be called the "father of the free school system" of New Jersey. He introduced in congress the bill creating the department of agriculture; he also introduced and advocated the general railroad law, and a bill providing for the back pensions of soldiers; and was active in promoting the passage of the "civil rights" bill. He was married in 1854 to Julia Rebecca Walker of Albany, N.Y., a lineal descendant of Peregrine White, and had three sons, Judge Willard Walker Cutler, Dr. Condict Walker Cutler, and the Roy. Frederick Walker Cutler. Mr. Cutler died at his home in Morristown, N.J., which had been in the family for five generations, having been built by Silas Condit in 1798. The date of his death is Jan. 1, 1897.

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

Anna Symmes Harrison, wife of William Henry Harrison, ninth President of the United States, was born at Morristown. N.J., July 25, 1775; daughter of Col. John Cleves and Anna (Tuthill) Symmes. Her mother died soon after the birth of Anna, who was brought up by her maternal grandparents at East Hampton, L.I., where she attended school. She completed her school course at the Isabella Graham school, New York city. In 1794 with her father and step-mother she removed to North Bend, Ohio, and in 1795 while on a visit to her sister at Lexington, Ky., she met Captain Harrison, who was in command of Fort Washington, now Cincinnati, Ohio. They were married at North Bend Nov. 22, 1795, during the temporary absence of Colonel Symmes, who opposed the match, and after visiting Philadelphia and different army posts in Ohio and Indiana with her husband, she settled in a home at North Bend, where she had the care and charge of the education of her ten children. On account of delicate health she did not accompany her husband to Washington when he was inaugurated President of the United States and before she could assume the duties or mistress of the White House her husband died, April 4, 1841. Mrs. Harrison remained at North Bend and continued the education of her children and in 1855 she made her home with her only surviving son, John Scott Harrison, at Cleves, Ohio, where she died, Feb. 25, 1864.

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

David Howell, delegate to the Continental congress, was born in Morristown, N.J., Jan. 1, 1747; son of Aaron and Sarah Howell. He prepared for college at the Rev. Isaac Eaton's academy, Hopewell, N.J., where James Manning, president of Brown university, was also a student, and was graduated at the College of New Jersey, A.B., 1766, A.M., 1769. He then went to Brown at the suggestion of President Manning and was a tutor there, 1766-69; and professor of natural philosophy, 1769-79. He also taught French,, German and Hebrew. When the war caused a suspension of college exercises in 1779, he resigned his professorship and entered public service. He was a lawyer in Providence, R.I., 1779-1812; a delegate to the Continenal congress from Rhode Island, 1782-85 associate justice of the Rhode Island supreme court, 1786-87; and attorney-general of the state, 1789. He was again at Brown as professor of jurisprudence, 1790-1824 ; and acting president ad interim, 1791-92. He was U.S. boundary commissioner; district attorney of Rhode Island; and U.S. judge of the Rhode Island district, 1812-26. He was married to Mary, daughter of the Rev. Jeremiah Brown, pastor of the First Baptist church, Providence. He was a fellow of Brown university, 1773-1824, and secretary of the corporation, 1780-1806. He received the degree of A.M. from Brown university and Philadelphia college in 1769, and Yale in 1772, and that of LL.D. from Brown in 1793. He died in Providence, R.I, July 29, 1824.

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