2015.001

Purchase

Purchase

Museum Collections.

1900 - 1910

Date: 1900-1910

4 in

6 in

Notes: Biography as found in: GENEALOGICAL HISTORY OF Hudson and Bergen Counties, NEW JERSEY CORNELIUS BURNHAM HARVEY, EDITOR New York: The New Jersey Genealogical Publishing, 1900. Pages 225-226, including photo portrait: SAMUEL AUSTIN BESSON, member of the well known law firm of Besson & Spohr, of Hoboken, and one of the foremost attorneys and advocates in Hudson County, was born in Everittstown, Hunterdon County, N. J., April 6,1853. His great-great-grandfather, Francis Besson, a French Huguenot, came to this country in the latter part of the seventeenth century and settled in the Township of Amwell, in Hunterdon County, where he was an extensive landowner. In that vicinity the family has been established for several generations, always wielding a potent influence in public affairs and taking a prominent part in all matters affecting the welfare of the community. Mr. Bessou's great-grandfather, John Besson, Sr., was an ensign in the American Revolution and present at the siege and capture of Yorktown, and at the close of the war married Margaret, daughter of John Opdycke. Their son, John Besson, Jr., had a son William, who, by his wife, Margaret A. Case, was the father of Samuel Austin Besson, the subject of this article. Mrs. Margaret A. tCase) Besson was the daughter of Godfrey and Elizabeth tWelch) Case and a descendant on her father's side of one of the oldest families in the southern part of Hunterdon County. Mr. Besson attended the public schools of Everittstown, the State Normal School at Carversville, Pa., and Lafayette College at Easton, from which he was graduated in 1876. During his college course he was Principal of the Franklin (Pa.) High School for one year, and immediately after his graduation became Principal of the High School at Phillipsburg, N. J. In 1877 he moved to Hoboken, and for three years read law in the office of his brother, Hon. John C. Besson, one of the leaders of the Hudson County bar and one of the ablest lawyers in the State. It was Mr. Besson's intention to complete a course of study at the Columbia Law School in New York, but business matters compelled him to abandon this hope. Under his brother's instruction, however, he enjoyed, practically, the full benefits of such a course, and when he came to the New Jersey bar as an attorney in June, 1879, he was well fitted for the general practice of his profession. Entering at once upon his legal career in Hoboken, he soon displayed qualifications of the highest order, and in May, 1882, was appointed Corporation Counsel. At this time he was a Republican. He served as Corporation Counsel one year, when there was a complete change in the political offices of the city. During his term, however, he rendered valuable and important services to the municipality in various cases, including those which raised the question of the waterfront rights. In 1886. finding the majority of the Republican party hopelessly under the influence of the liquor dealers and the Democratic politicians, Mr. Besson resigned his membership on the Hudson County Republican Committee, and in that year, and again in 1887, was the candidate for Mayor of Hoboken on the Prohibition ticket. In 1888 he was the candidate of the same party for member of Congress: and though defeated in each campaign, he demonstrated his popularity by polling a very flattering vote. Subsequently he returned to the Republican party, and has ever since actively associated himself with its interests and exerted himself for its welfare, and until a year past has been an influential member of the Hudson County General Republican Committee. As a lawyer he enjoys an extensive general and corporation practice. He was counsel for the Hoboken Land Improvement Company, and the Hoboken Ferry Company until March. 1898. the First National Bank of Hoboken until 1894, and is yet counsel of the Hudson Trust and Savings Institution and various other important corporations and financial enterprises. He was a member of the law firm of J. C. & S. A. Besson from the time of his admission to the bar until the death of his brother. John C. Besson. December 15, 1894, when the firm of Besson, Stevens & Lewis was organized, which continued until April 1, 1898, when by request of Mr. Besson that firm was dissolved, and Mr. Besson took as a partner John R. Spohr, a young lawyer of good reputation, the present firm name being Besson & Spohr, with offices in the Hoboken Savings Bank Building on the southwest corner of Washington and Newark Streets in the City of Hoboken. Mr. Besson devotes considerable time to the study of political economy, history, English literature, etc. He is a close student, a man of broad culture and accurate learning, a sound and able lawyer, a public spirited, progressive citizen, and a ruling elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Hoboken. He was one of the two founders and one of the first Trustees of the Columbia Club of Hoboken, of which he is still a popular member; and is also a member of Columbia Lodge. No. 63, I. O. O. F., of Euclid Lodge, F. and A. M., and of the Hudson County Bar Association, which he has served as President. Mr. Besson was married on the10th of Novembe, 1881, to Arabella, daughter of Joseph M. Roseberry. of Belvidere. N. J. Their children are Henrietta and Harlan. ==== ==== Original or Copy: Original Status: OK Status By: dw Status Date: 2015-03-01