The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1886-12-01
Death of Martin corxell. Esq.

Mr.. Cofyeii was born IN New nope,
Pa, July 90, 1915 His father was the
late Lewis S. Coryell, of New Hope, who
is we'll remembered by middle aged peo-
pie as man of unusual ability.
Mr.. Coryell was educated in the schools
of his native town and at the select school
of Rev. Dir. Peter o. Studdiford, at Lam
bertvillc. For two years he was a pupil
lin his fourteenth and fifteenth years. of
the then eminent mathematician and as.
bnt failing health compelled him to re-
linquish his studies and to learn the car
penter's trade, which he followed for a
year with results beneficial to his health,
but his energies were directed into other
channels. While at work upon the
estate dam" in the Delaware River at
Wells Falls, Canvass White, an engineer
of eminence selected to construct the
Delaware and Raritan Canal, came upon
the work to examine and consult with
those in charge of the dam upon the feast
bility of extending that work across the
river and making it feeder for the Della.
ware and Raritan Canal. In making a
close examination of the river, Mr.. Cory
was selected to manage the boat in the
somewhat dangerous rapids. Mr.. White
was so well pleased with this service that
he requested Col Simpson Torbert to en-
ploy him to establish and determine high
and low water marks along the river; and,
later be was given position as rodman
on the Delaware and Raritan Canal.
While at home on visit in the winter
of 1889 40, freshet occurred which
seriously damaged the Delaware Division
Canal. He was called upon TO examine
into the extent of the damage and to esti-
mate the cost and time necessary to re-
store navigation. This service was salts
factorily performed, aud Mr.. Coryell was
retained in the State employ as a princi-
pal assistant on the Delaware Division
Canal until tho year 1912, when he took
charge of the Morris Canal as engineer,
under John Cryder, representing the Eng
lish bondholders. This proved trouble,
some and pecuniarily, disastrous affair,
and owing to the monetary arrangements
which followed and the cessation OF work
on public improvements, Mr.. Coryell's
energies were turned into other channels.
He soon after, at the suggestion of Judge
John Fox, of Bucks Co., Pa, turned his
attention to the law, especially land and
water cases, and his name was enrolled as
law student in the Office of b. Ii. Brew
ster, of Philadelphia, fellow student of
Senator Don Cameron but, on account
of injury to his eyes, the result of night
reading, he sought other employment.
In 1874 he was employed by the canal
commissioners of Pennsylvania on the
Columbia Railroad. His duties were to
inangurate and popularize the use OF
steam as a motive. power on the West
Chester Railroad (theu operated as a
horse power railroad), which he success
fully achieved in spite of much local OPP.
position. lie was then made superinten-
dent of the Schuylkill level of the Colum.
bia road, extending from Philadelphia to
the Plane-an important and difficult pc.
sition in those days of combined railroad
and canal transportation.
During the next few years he OBLIGATED
as engineer in various parts of the coun-
try he surveyed the underground work.
ings of the Hazclton Coal Company't
mines was engineer and manager of the
Lake Superior Copper Company, aud wal
one of the early pioneers in that mining
region. In 1S47 he returned to New Jer
sey, and was employed to construct coal
wharf at Bergen Point, and soon after
entered the employ of the Delaware and
Raritan Canal Company, uoder Ashbe
WEIGH, Esq, under whose superintend
ence Mr.. Coryell located the greater part
prepared and put down the superstructure
from Trenton to Lambertville. In 1865
he was engineer in chief of the Brunswick
Canal, and during the next six or sever
years he was engaged in like capacity
upon the railroads and canals of Pennsyl
wanna and New Jersey, particularly de
velopng the coal region Of Hazeton and
what is now the Lehigh Valley Railroad
In 1862 be removed TO the Wyoming
Valley, settling at Wilksbarre, where hi
pursued his profession Of civil and mining
engineer. He was, in 1864, upon the or
ganization of the Warrior Run Mining
Company, made director, secretary, treas
urer, aud manager. The colliery wal
placed on business basis and then leas
ed, when Mr.. Coryell's connection al
manager ceased.
His professional duties have taken hin
to all parts of the land, and rendered hin
familiar with the various coal-fields ant
mining regions of Pennsylvania, Mich
gan, Virginia, Kentucky, etc. He spen
one season at Cape Breton, examining thu
coal property of Robert Belloni at Cow
Bay.
He was member of the American In
stitute of Mining Engineers, having beer
one of the projectors of the association
in which he has since taken an activ,
interest.
He was also prominent member o
the American Society Of Civil Engi
neers, and has read several papers before
that body, one or two of which have at
tracted especial attention.
Mr.. Coryell removed to Lambertville il
1876, where be has since lived. He hal
shown great public spirit, and has beer
foremost in advocating public improve
ments. He was the leading spirit 10 thu
organization of the Lambertville Waite
Company and in the building of thu
Water Works. For some years he hal
been Director of the Amwell National
Bank.
Mr.. Coryell was man of much force