Josiah Hornblower

Josiah Hornblower (February 23 1729 – January 21 1809) was a statesman in Belleville, New Jersey. He was a delegate for New Jersey in the Continental Congress in 1785 and 1786.

Engineering career

Josiah was born in Staffordshire, England, the son of steam power pioneer Jonathan Hornblower. As a young man, he studied mechanics and mathematics. In 1745, he started working for his brother, also named Jonathan, as an engineering apprentice. They went to Cornwall, England and built Newcomen steam engines for use in tin mines. Josiah became an expert in both the engines and mining operations.

Around 1753, the Schuyler family brought him to America to support their copper mines in New Jersey. Hornblower settled in Belleville, New Jersey and is credited with building the first steam engine in America in 1755. There is some dispute about the validity of the project, since he apparently (and illegally) brought two or three sets of critical engine parts with him from England.

He continued to practice mechanical and civil engineering for much of his life. In 1794, he built the first stamping mill in America. (A stamping mill mechanically crushes raw ore for further processing.)

Before the revolution

In 1755, Josiah married Elizabeth Kingsland, the daughter of Colonel William Kingsland of Bergen County. One of their sons was Joseph Coerten Hornblower, who later became chief justice of New Jersey’s supreme court.

Over the years, Hornblower became American in his attitude as well as by residence. In the French and Indian War, he was a captain in the Essex County Regiment of the New Jersey militia. However, his company was assigned for defence and he didn’t see action. In 1760, he opened a hardware store as an adjunct to his engineering work, and became a prosperous merchant.

Political career

For several years, Josiah had acted as a leading citizen. He served as clerk in various town meetings and for his county. As New Jersey established a revolutionary government, Essex County sent him to the state’s Assembly from 1777-1780, and in 1780, the Assembly named him its speaker. From 1781 until 1784, he was a member of the Governor’s Council, which functioned as an upper house in the legislature.

Then in 1785, the New Jersey assembly sent Hornblower as one of their delegates to the Continental Congress. His term started in November of 1785 and ran for a year. While he was diligent in attendance and voting, he wasn’t a leading member of the Congress. After his year, he returned home to attend to his engineering and mercantile pursuits.

Later life

Josiah remained active in engineering circles, and for a time served as the head of a mine association. He expanded his operations, opening various mills in along the Second River and the Passaic River over the next two decades.

He remained somewhat active in public life as well, serving as a County Judge from 1790 until 1808, when his failing health forced him to resign. Josiah died in Newark on January 21 1809 and is buried in the yard of the Dutch Reformed Church at Belleville.

External links

* [http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=H000791 Hornblower’s Congressional biography]