Martin V. Bergen
MARTIN V. BERGEN and his brother Christopher A. Bergen were prominent lawyers in Camden for many years in Camden.
His son, Martin V. Bergen Jr., was a member of the Camden County Historical Society.
From Prowell’s History of Camden County, New Jersey
1886
Martin Voorhees Bergen and his brother Christopher A. (of whom a sketch follows) are descendants of an old and prominent family, after whom Bergen County, N. J., was named, and they are representatives of the eighth generation in this country.
The common ancestor of the family of Long Island, New Jersey and adjacent regions was Hans Hansen Bergen, of Bergen, in Norway, who removed from there to Holland, and thence, in 1633, to New Amsterdam (now New York). Some of his descendants settled in what is now Bergen County about fifty years later. Samuel Disbrow Bergen, of the seventh generation in America, and his wife, Charity (daughter of Judge Peter Voorhees, of Blawenburgh, Somerset County), were residents early in the present century of Middlesex County, N. J., near Cranberry, and lived at what was known as the Bergen Farm or Homestead. Their son Martin V. was born there February 12, 1839. He prepared for college at Edge Hill School and entered the sophomore class at Princeton in September, 1860. Graduating from the college in 1863, he commenced the study of law the same year in the office of Peter L. Voorhees, of Camden, where he continued until he graduated in November, 1866, as an attorney-at-law. He was licensed as a counselor-at-law in November, 1869. He opened an office in the fall of 1866 at 119 Market Street, Camden, and continued to practice there until he formed a partnership with his brother and removed to 110 Market Street. He has been twice elected superintendent of the Camden City schools and now holds that position. He was married, in February, 1880, to Mary Atkinson, of Merchantville, N. J.
The firm of Bergen & Bergen (M. V. & C. A.) has been quite uniformly and steadily successful, and probably has as large and as widespread a clientage and correspondence as any law firm in Camden. They have been frequently opposed by the best legal talent in the county and State, and have fully as often been victors as vanquished, and enjoy a high reputation. Two of the most notable cases in which they have won success were those of the Marshall estate, and the Jesse W. Starr Camden Iron-Works case in bankruptcy.
The former, which aroused much interest in the southern part of the county, was an action charging breach of trust on the part of the executors, and involved the title to five farms and a large part of the village of Blackwood. Bergen & Bergen appeared for the creditors against the executors, who were represented by S. H. Grey, and Peter L. Voorhees, Esqs. In the bankruptcy suit against Jesse W. Starr, above alluded to, in which about three hundred thousand dollars were involved, Bergen Brothers were also successful in forcing the creditors of Mr. Starr, to terms. Christopher A. Bergen, as a rule, attends to the court business and Martin V. devotes his attention more particularly to that department of practice which is the function of the counsel, though he also appears frequently in court. Both are well-read lawyers and able advocates.
Both of the brothers are pronounced Republicans, though neither is an active politician. Christopher A. in 1884 was the choice of a large section of his party for the position of State Senator, but declined making any effort to secure the nomination. He was elected president of the Camden County Republican Club in 1886. Martin V. Bergen has also been named as a candidate for legislative honors, but has held no offices of consequence other than the school superintendency..
New Jersey News
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Camden Board of Education and Other Local Gossip.
President Toone called the meeting of the Board of Education of 1887-1889, of Camden, to order last night. A motion to adjourn sine die prevailed, and after swearing in the following newly elected members the board organized: First ward, James R. Corson; Second ward, I. C. Beatty; Third ward, Edward Gillingham; Fourth ward, W. H. Husted; Fifth ward, Homer Snyder; Sixth ward, J. Wesley Sell; Seventh ward, Edward A. Martin; Eighth ward, James Ware; all of whom are Republicans. Those marked thus (*) are re-elected members.
James A. Carson, of the First ward, was elected president, receiving 10 votes to 6 for Joseph M. Engard, of the Fifth ward. Charles Copewall, of the Fifth ward, was re-elected secretary on the third ballot. Martin V Bergen, Fred. A. Rex and C. V. D. Joline were re-elected superintendent, treasurer, and solicitor respectively.
The Fire Department were called out last night by a slight fire at Frank Lee Dickinson’s flour and feed store, Water and Vine Street.
The case of the estate of the late A. J. Greene again occupied the attention of the Camden Orphans’ Court yesterday.
The Camden Press Club will take charge of their newly fitted-up headquarters at No. 139 Federal Street to-day. At a meeting held last night the following were added to the list of members: C. S. Magrath, editor Camden Democrat; Adam P. Sloan, Call and News; Robert F. McDougall, Item and Bulletin, and Alexander Schlessinger, editor Camden County Journal.
Camden’s News Budget
Philadelphia Inquirer —
A Train Dashes Into a Wagon, Injuring Two Men—Council Meeting.
As the Bridgeton accommodation train to Camden reached Chestnut Street, in that city, at 4.40 o’clock yesterday afternoon, belated by the terrific storm which had flooded the tracks below Wenonah, it struck a furniture wagon, owned by Thomas Guthridge, demolishing it and seriously injuring Mr. Guthridge about the arms and body and injuring Charles L. Roehr, of 829 South Fourth Street, Camden, very badly about the head. Both men were taken to the Cooper Hospital. Another man, who was in the wagon with them, escaped injury.
The train was running slowly at the time of the accident. The wagon had crossed the track and turned up Seventh Street. The engine struck the rear of the vehicle, and the felloe of one of the wheels clung to one of the engine’s driving wheels. Roehr may die.
At a meeting of Camden’s City Council last night the bond of City Comptroller-elect Rex for $10,000 was approved. The bondsmen were F. H. Rex, Congressman C. A. Bergen and M. V. Bergen. The award of the commissioners for the opening of Seventh Street, from Royden to Pine Streets, was confirmed. It gives Joseph Hatch $3,500 and Deborah Jones $360.
Martin V. Bergen Jr.
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Martin Bergen has returned from Iowa, where he has been coaching the Grinnell University football team.
Browning Brothers Estate
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Judge Joline yesterday dismissed the petition of Judge Bergen in the assigned estate of Browning Brothers, in which he asked that the orders in the case be expunged from the records of the New Jersey courts. H. B. Hanford, the assignee, was ordered to hold the $60,000.