Page:The Biographical Dictionary of America, vol. 03.djvu/375

 DURYEA

DURYEE

rhetoric in 1859. While a pastor he served as acting professor of Biblical theology in Andover theological seminary one year; as acting pro- fessor of political economy at Boston university one year ; as lecturer on philosophy at Wellesley college, 1881-90; and as lecturer on psychology and ethics at the Conservatory of music and art, Boston, three years. In 1885 he declined the presidency of Union college, Schenectady, N.Y., and he was also solicited to become chancellor of two universities and president of three colleges, declining in every instance. He received the degree of D.D. from the College of New Jersey in 1865, and that of LL.D. from the University of Nebraska in 1894. He published : Presbyterian Hymnal; Psalter for Pesponsive Peadiny ; Vesper Services; Sermons; and various articles as staff editor of three religious journals. He died in Boston, Mass., May 17, 1898.

DURYEA, Samuel Bowne, philanthropist, was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., March 27, 1845; son of Harmanus B. and Elizabeth A. (Bowne) Dur- yea. He was graduated from the University of the city of New York in 1866, and studied at the Yale divinity school in 1869. He was admitted to the bar and pi-actised in Brooklyn, actively identifying himself with charitable institutions. He was president of the Society of children's parks and playgrounds; president of Franklin literary society ; president of the Tree-planting and fountain society; trustee of the Children's aid society ; director of Brooklyn library ; tru'stee of Froebel academy ; director of the Society for the suppression of vice ; president of Kensington association; director in the Young Men's Chris- tian association, and a trustee of the Brooklyn art association. He founded the Duryea essay prize in the University of the city of New York. He was a member of many social clubs in New York city, and was a major in the state militia. He was married in 1869 to Kate, daughter of Walter P. Flanders. He left a large amount of property to various religious and educational institutions. He died in Brooklyn, N.Y., June 7, 1892.

DURYEE, Abram, soldier, was born in New York city, April 29, 1815. His father and two uncles were officers in the U.S. army in the war of 1812, and his grandfather was a soldier in the war of the American Revolution, and one of the prisoners confined for a time in tlie old sugar house on Liberty street, when New York was in possession of the British. He received a high school education, and became wealthy through dealing in mahogany. When eighteen years old he joined the 142d regiment N.Y. S.M., and in 1838 transferred his membership to the 27th (afterward 7th) regiment. In 1 849 he had risen from private to the rank of colonel of the 7th regiment, which position he held for fourteen

years. He commanded the regiment in five des- perate riots. He was wounded in the Astor Place riot, and his prompt action suppressed a serious outbreak, but not without the loss of .some lives. In 1861 he was among the first to recruit volun- teers for the suppression of rebellion, and in April, 1861, raised the 5th New York volunteers, " Duryee's Zouaves," within a week and led them to the front, participating in the first im- portant battle of the war at Big Bethel, Va., June 10, 1861. After the disastrous defeat, he superseded General Pierce as commander of the brigade and was commissioned brigadier-general of volunteers in August, 1861. He was in com- mand of his brigade at Cedar Mountain, Thor- oughfare Gap, 2d Bull Run and Chantilly. At South Mountain and Antietam, he commanded Ricketts's division, when General Ricketts suc- ceeded Hooker to the command of the corps. After this he was absent for a time on furlough, and on returning to the army he resigned in Jan- uary, 1863, upon finding an officer of inferior rank assigned to his command, and his request for re- instatement not regarded. At the close of the war he was brevetted major-general of volun- teers for distinguished services. He was after- ward elected colonel of the 71st regiment, N.G. S.N.Y., and brigadier-general in command of the 4th brigade, N.Y.S.M., but declined both com- missions. He was appointed police commissioner of New York in 1873, and commanded the police force in its action against the assembled com- munists in Tompkins square in 1874, when they were driven from the public streets and subse- quently quelled. He was dock master, 1884-87. His pension of §30 per month granted by the Fed- eral government was increased by act of con- gress to §100 per month in February, 1890. He was a member of the New Y^ork historical so- ciety, and of the St. Nicholas society. He died in New York city, Sept. 27, 1890.

DURYEE. William Rankin, educator was born in Newark, N.J., April 10, 1838; son of Peter Sharpe and Susan (Rankin) Duryee. His first American ancestor came from Manheim-on- the-Rhine about 1680 and settled on Long Island. He was graduated from Rutgers college in 1856, and studied law with Frederick T. Frelinghuysen in 1857. He then attended the theological semi- nary at New Brunswick, N.J., spending over one year in European travel before he was graduated in 1861. He became chaplain of the 1st Ken- tucky infantry in the Union army, but was com- pelled to resign in 1862, having contracted camp fever. In 1863 he became missionary in East Williamsburg, N.Y^., and in 1864 pastor of Lafay- ette Reformed churcli of Jersey' City, N.J., re- signing in 1891 to accept the chair of ethics and evidences of Christianity and the English Bible in