The Press., 1890-07-10

distinction in ecclesiastical courts as well as state and federal. He has been forever helping to educate others preparatory to business and professional life. Not an ex- ception to the rule, while some have re- ciprocated with gratitude, others have vi- plated obligations both to their benefactor. and to themselves. For many years he has been frequent contributor to college and other journals, and delivered many addresses at the universities referred to, and before gatherings of other college men and elsewhere. At the inauguration of Dr. Howard Crosby as chancellor of the University of the City of New York, in 1870, he was selected to deliver the ad- dress on behalf of the Alumni Association of the law department, and again in 1888, on their behalf, he delivered the address on the occasion of the presentation to the council of the university of the memorial portrait of Professor John Norton Pome- roy, LL.D., formerly dean of its faculty. On the retirement of President Hill from Bucknell University in 1888, Dr. Ripley was chosen to prepare the valedictory ad- dress on behalf of the alumni, and at the inauguration of his successor, Dr. Harris, in 1889, he made the salutatory address to the new president of Bucknell. His writ ings and addresses are characterized by force and elegance, and his arguments, true to his legal training, are logical, di- rect and convincing.
 Away from professional duties and other literary engagements, his time is largely spent at his country seat. Here the work of twenty years, done at odd spells, during vacations and on holidays, has re- warded the proprietor in affording him both pleasure and profit. During his en- tire professional career, he has resided at Westfeld, Union county, New Jersey, where, in 1865, he married Cornelia Ross, daughter of the late Hon. Gideon Ross. Mrs. Ripley died in 1883. In Westfield he has acquired real estate from time to time, and for many years has been the largest holder there. He, MT. Warren Alderman, John Taylor Johnston and John Kean, are the largest real estate owners in Union county. Residing on his estates, now comprising over four hundred acres, he has bestowed time and money liberally in substantial improvements. His grounds are said to be laid out with much taste, and cared for as thoroughly and well as the grounds in Central Park. He has opened and graded more than ten miles of streets and avenues, some of them hundred feet in width, planting the mar gins with shade trees, building cottages and otherwise beautifying his premises. It was estimated, some years ago, that the ornamental shade trees, then growing on these grounds along the front, if set in @ continuous line, the usual spaces lnterven- ing, would reach from his residence in Westfield to his law office in the New York Times building, distance of about nineteen miles. The number is much greater now than then many of the trees are set in double rows, and the bodies of those planted earliest are from twelve to twenty -four inches in diameter. His lands are in the highest state of cultivation, and 8 force of not less than 8 dozen men are constantly employed in their cultivation and care. A herd of high bred Jersey cattle, kept on the premises, consume all hay and grain produced. For the last few years building sites have been sold, and costly private residences and public buildings have been erected, developing, in that way, this property, which is re- garded the most desirable for suburban residences on the line of the Central rail. road of New Jersey. If we'll managed, with the natural growth of the town, or even at the prices paid for the plots re. gently sold, the improved and unimproved real estate owned by him in Westfield is alone worth many hundred thousand dol
 lars. It would not be an exaRgeration to say, that he is at least, a prospective mil lionaire. The subject of this sketch is Ijustly regarded liberal and public spirited
 He has contributed much and often to
 worthy charities, and is acknowledged to
 have done more for the advancement oi
 public interests, especially in the matter of improved country roads, than any othe, citizen in Union county. With the aid oi
 his friends and neiphbors Senator James l.. Miller, Assemblymen Foster M. Voor.
 hees and Fred. O. Marsh, and Frank Der
 gen, Esq, the entire system of construct ing and maintaining public roads in Unior county has been radically reformed, anG roads of his construction have long beer recognized as the best in the county
 Greater than scholastic honors, more valu able than wealth in tenures, Chauncey B
 Ripley esteems integrity of character, o
 which he himself is shining example.