New-York tribune., 1891-04-23
OBITUARY..
BENJAMIN BUCKLEY.

Ex-senator BENJAMIN Buckley, who the most
nromincnt man among the older citizens of Paterson,
y j. and who twice refused the Office Of United
states senator died yesterday morning, after a long
Illness at his home. lie was born in 1s0S at New
Earth near Oldham England. His parents were poor
and he was one Of six children. His father weaver
mt the boy to work IN a cotton-m at the age af SIX
winding bobbIns At twelve he was an accomplished
mule-lpinner At fourteen he was apprenticed to
maker Of rollers for cotton-spinnng machinery, and
served his time. In 1881 he 10 America and got
employment in the machine shops Of Benjamin
Brundred at Oldham, Ialedon suburb of Pater-
son. After few months he went to work near VIII
mngton Del, and later at Brdesburg, near Phlladel
phia
In 1s3r he returned to Paterson, and went back to
working for Brundred. turning rollers for cotton
machinery In 1s42 he started in business with Mex
ander Anderson partner Mr.. Anderson soon
retired and Mr. Buckley pro9pered until the taih OF
1916 prOstrated American industries. KUN stared
him in the face but he found friends and was enabled
10 build up prosperous business of mlHtg splAdeS,
flyers etc. which is still continued by his son, William
j. Buckley. The elder buckley was also for short
Hme. before the war, engaged in the cotton man
ufacure.
Mr. Buckley was Wing from early manhood, and
cast his first vote in 1910 for Harrison.
In 1852 Mr.. Buckley was nominated for the
Assembly as a Whlg and defeated by a few votes;
In 1s55 he was elected TO that body and was re-
elected in 1856 and 1887. In 1853 he was chosen
as Republican to represent the county In the state
senate The combined opposition consisting OF Whss,
Americans and Republicans, had bare majority over
the Democrats hut jeaousies threatened to defeat the
choice Of an auti-DemocratC United states Senator
until, at Mr. Bucklcy'S suggestion, no names were
mentioned in caucus, and it decided to take q
secret ballot and abide By II. The result was the
election Of John &. Ten Eyck, Republican. Mr.
Buckley was reelected twice to the state Senate,
serving three TERMS nine years in all. In 1854
lie was nominated for Congress by the Republicans OF
the IV,h District but declined 10 stand. In the
Legislature Mr.. Buckley highly respected for his
unhncing integrity in time OF fragrant corrup-
ton In loG7 he was President Of the senate and
that year closed his career Of twelve consecutive
years in the Legislature Of NcwJerscy.
At one time the Democratic leaders offered him the
United states Senatorshp condition that he exclude
on some techncaty certain Democratic state
senator from voting the organization, but Mr..
Buckley firmly refused to he party u the bargain.
Al another time the same Ocr was made 70 llm ms
own vote being all that necessary % elect him,
and no conditions being attached bur he refused to
accept Office at the hands Of his political foes. lie was
an influential member OF the Commission that framed
the amendments to the state Constitution in 1879.
in 1919 he elected Mayor OF Paterson and
served four years being reelected in 1877. IN 1871
he elected president Of tho Second National Bank
Of Paterson.
About l541 he joined the Cross street Methodist
Episcopal Church, and later Of the organizers
If the Prospect street Church. lie twice married
died In infancy. The funeral will take place on
saturday, at his home I'm ClarHst, at p.