The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1893-10-11

cauuIuaGS Oh Tue HSSpuutC1H party IN Lne
Shrievalty contest. This fall, unless dis
sention breaks out in the party and the
delegates seem divided on a choice, has
an exceedingly interesting life history.
From an active political life Mr.. Toffey
| retired to private life sometime ago. and
would probably never again have
entered the political arena, but
for the fact that the Republican leaders
have waited upon him. and, assuring him
that he is the strongest candidate the
party can name. implored him to head
their ticket. Colonel Toffey has express
ed himself as being perfectly willing to
accept the nomination under such cir
cumstances. II d~issentiou arises In the
convention and anyone Opposes aim he
will simply insist that hi, mama be
Withdrawn Immediately.
ETC OF HIS LIFE.
John j. Toffey was born at Quaker
Hill In Dutchess county, New York.
When he was vet an infant his father
moved to New York City. When be had
attained the age of ten years his father
left New York and took up a permanent
residence In this city. He FIRST attended
school at old No. l and there became
acquainted with lads. who since. like
himself. nave held high and honorable
positions. All the time he was attend
ing OLD No. he was also receiving prf-
waite instruction. When he was seventeen
years old, having received a good public
school education. ha entered the pre-
paratory department. of the New York
University aud while there secured an
txcellsnt collegiate education.
ENLISTED IN THE WAR.
While still ID attendance aG the Uni
| U0rGifU tho n hPnKn nnE mud ntt h.
but eighteen, he enlisted in Company q
of the TwenLy-irst New Jersey Volun-
teers. He was present aud took art in
the battle OF fredericksburg, the charge
of ST. Mary's Heights and other Skin.
mishes and small engagements. He was
mastered out of service at the expiration
or nine months. the term of the regiment
having expired. Governor Parker OF this
State then Conferred upon him a high
honor by appointing him. first lleuten
ant OF Company G, Thlrty-third New
Jersey Volunteers.
DANGEROUSLY WOUNDED.
He entered npon his duties al once aud
was ordered with his company to Sher-
mans army, and at the battle of Mission
Ridge, Tennessee, while In the foremost
ranks of his com .,any. ne Was danger
ously wounded about the right hip by a
gun shot. He was removed with many
other wounded n dyiug men to the
hospital at Chattanooga. Tenn. where
his life hung in the balance for
a period OF six months. His con-
dltlon became 50 critical taat
he was removed to his home and for six
months longer was scompelie to move
about Oh %crutches. Upou regaining his
strength he again eviucsd a desire to be
in the front ranks of his countrYmen
fighting for right, He applied for a
position ID the Veter N Reserve Corps,
which was a branch of the regular army,
admission to which was Gully gained after
passing a rigid examination Of a
admitted to the corps and sub
seauently was. commissioned by Pres
1dent Lincoln a second lieutenant.
His wound had not healed yet wneu he
again entered into active service, aud he
was compelled 10 do light duty at Wash.
lngton, Baltimore and Philadelphia: He
was noe mustered out until June, 1856.
CAPTURED L%INCoLN'S AssAssIN'S HORSE.
While acting in the capacity of Lieu
tenant of the Reserve Corps he captured
ole of the horses ridden by the assassin
OF President Lincoln. aud was a witness
againtt the conspIrators. and also against
John H. Surratt.
After leaving the army he entered the
cattle and beef business with his father
and brothers, and, as a firm. they'claimed
the distinction OF being The first 30 begin
the shipment OF dressed beef TO Europe.
HIS FIRST POLITICAL OFFICE.
Ills buslue 8 principles aud so ;lal rela-
tons had male MIN an exceedingly po;-
ular man. and, In 1874. he first en- er d
politics by being nominated aud cleo ed
an Alderman from the old Fifth district.
In the capacity of Alderman he
served two years to the satisfaction Of
his purity u his constituents.
In 1879 he was called upon 10 accept an
Assembly nomination. He became the
Republican candidate in the Fifth district
aud was elected by a handsome. mai ,rity,
lu 1875 he was returned to the L5gis>
lature. In 1873 be accepted the uomtna,
ton OF his party to be the Shrievalty
candidate. His opponent was John Null
ltns. A hot campaign was wagei with
the result that Col. Toffey was elected
Sheriff OF this county by no less majority
than $3.50. He served his full ter n of
three years as Sher IF aud cond the
office we'll and satisfactorily.
APPOINTED TAT TREASURER.
In 1881 he retired from active political
life returned to the beef business, in
which he would undoubtedly have con-
tlnued to this day had it not been for the
fact that in 1885. by a joint meeting of
the Senate nnh Legislature, be was made
State Treasurer. In 1888 he was re-
appointed and served in all six years as
State Treasurer. Upon retiring once
again from politics he formed q partner
ship with his friend, Ex-State Comprrol-
Ter John Anderson, and the first business
OF the new firm was TO &C ;ept quite will
iDgly the Ellis Islaud subsistence
contract. given by Secretary Foster. He
remained In this business until last
April, when a change in the administra-
lion OF the country's Affairs resulted in
the Ellis Island plum going ito a Demo-
crat. Successful business speculations
up TO this tlme placed Colonel Toffsy in
an independent financial condition and
the Oulv business eupuuiuH HIS attanIton
at the present time is 4 receivership
given him. by Chancellor McGill OF o
construction company 10Y building the
Decatur, Chesapeake n New Orleans
Railroad.
HIS MOST P~IsAISEWoRTHY ACT.
Col Toffey has done many PRAISE
worthy things put of the usual run of
life. One Is that In 1870 he woosd aud
won Miss Mary e. Sip, a daughter OF old
Colonel Sip, one OF the old Bergen
settlers. Today he relides at No. l55,