Lewis William Van Blarcom Biography by James P. Snell

Added: Dec 17, 2017
Snell, James P. "History of Sussex and Warren counties, New Jersey". Eveerts & Peck, Philadelphia: 1881, between pp. 194 & 195.

LEWIS VAN BLARCOM

The paternal grandfather of Lewis, Garret, was born in Bergen Co., N. J., about the year 1780, and married Mary DeGraw about tbo year 1804. Of this union were born two sons and two daughters, - viz., Samuel. William, Susan (wife of L. L. Conklin, of Paterson, N. J.), and Mary A. (wife of J. F. Dunn. of Belle Plain, Iowa).

Garret Van Blarcom served in the war of 1812. He was a mason by trado; settled in Sussex County about 1820, where he carried on farming tho remainder of his life. Both he and his wife were members of the North Church (Presbyterian) of Hardyston. He died in 1834. His wife was descended from one of the Huguenot families, was a devout Christian woman, and died in 1864, aged about eighty years.

Of their children, William was father of our subject, and was born at the "Ponds," in Bergen County, in 1814. He removed to Lafayette township, Susses Co., in 1852, and died in 1854. He was a practical farmer, led a quiet life, and never sought political place or the emoluments of office.

His wife was Catherine A., daughter of Jacob and Hannah (Rorick) Sutton, of Hardyston. Her parents removed to Miohigan in 1853, where both died. She was born in 1814, and survives in 1881. Both William Van Blarcom and his wife were active members of the Christian Church, and assisted in building the church-edifice at Monroe Corners.

Their children are Lewis, Garret, Lucy A. (wife of James E. Price, of Romeo, Mich.), Susan C. (wife of Nelson Ackerson, of Lafayette), Joseph, Andrew J., and Hannah (wife of Charles Y. Dolson, of Newton).

Lewis, eldest son of William Van Blarcom, was born in Sparta township, July 19, 1835. His early education was obtained at the common school in his native township, and under the private instruction of Edward A. Stiles, a well-known teacher of Wantage.

His minority was mostly spont at home, where he became inured to farm work. and learned the inestimable lessons of self-reliance and perservance. After reaching the proper age he was a teacher for four terms.

In 1868 he began to read law with M. R. Kimble, of Hamburg, and after one year entered the law-office of John Linn, of Newton.

On Aug. 25, 1862, Mr. Van Blarcom enlisted as first lieutenant, Company D, Fifteenth Regiment New Jersey Volunteers, and for meritorious service he was promoted in June, 1863, to captain of Company C. This regiment was a part of the First New Jersey Brigade, which formed a part of the Army of the Potomac, First Division, Sixth Army Corps.

Capt. Van Blarcom was in the following engagements : Fredericksburg, December, 1862: second Fredericksburg, at Salem Heights, May, 1863; Gettysburg, July, 1863; Rappahannock Station, November, 1863; Spottsylvania, May 8, 1864.

In this last engagement he was wounded and captured by the rebels, and had his leg amputated by them. After remaining in the hospital for ten days, he was carried to Richmond and placed in Libby Prison, whero he remained until Sept. 12, 1864, when he was exchanged and placed in the hospital at Annapolis. He received his discharge from service on Dec. 19, 1864, and returned home.

After his return to Newton he resumed tbe study of the law, which he completed, and was admitted to the bar as an attorney at Trenton, at the June term in 1865, and as counselor at the June term in 1868.

After his admission as an attorney be began the praotice of law in Newton, where he has suooessfully practiced his profession since. From 1869 to 1873, Joseph Coult was associated with him in business, and from 1873 to 1880, Lewis Cochran. He was appointed prosecutor of pleas by Governor Randolph, Maroh 25, 1889, and discharged the duties of that office with acknowledged ability and juatice for a term of five years.

Capt. Van Blarcom is, politically, a Republican, and leading and influential in his party in Sussex County.

Upon his return from the war in the fall of 1864 be was the Republican candidate for county clerk, but failed of election on account of his party being largely in the minority.

For two years he was one of the chosen board of freeholders, and he has been chairman of the Republican county committee for the past eight years.

He married Aug. 17, 1871, Mary, daughter of Dr. Alexander H. Thompson, of Marksborough, Warren Co., N. J. His children are Kate and Andrew.