Suydam, Charles Crooke

SUYDAM, Charles Crooke, lawyer; b. at New York, June 15, 1836; s. Henry and Almira (Van Nostrand) S.; grad. Columbia, 1856 (A.M.); studied law in office of Kent, Eaton & Davis, New York; m. Elizabeth. N. J., Apr. 18, 1860, Eliza Gracie Halsey (died Nov. 17, 1901).  Admitted to bar, served Union army, in Civil war Aug., 1861, to Nov., 1864; 1st lt.  5th N. Y. vol. cav.; capt. and lt.-col. (chief of staff, 4th Army Corps, Gen. Keyes).  Republican.  Member Mil. Order Loyal Legion, Holland Soc. Counsel for U. S. Gov’t before Am.  Spanish Comm'n, 1882; asso. counsel U.S. Gov’t before Court of Comm'rs of Alabama Claims, 1882-5.  Residence: Elizabeth, N.J.  Office: 206 Broadway, New York.

CHARLES CROOKE SUYDAM was born June 15, 1836, in New York City and was the son of Henry Suydam and Almira Van Nostrand.  He was graduated with honors from Columbia College in 1856, studied law and was admitted to the bar.  He enlisted as a private in the Fifth New York Cavalry, September 7, 1861, and the following day was commissioned First Lieutenant of Troop L of the same regiment.  March 14, 1862, he was made Captain and Assistant Adjutant General in the Fourth Army Corps and later was Chief of Staff.  When the Fourth Corps was abolished, he became Chief of Staff under General Pleasanton, commanding the Cavalry Forces of the Army of the Potomac. December 31, 1863, he accepted the Lieutenant Colonelcy of the Third New Jersey Cavalry.  He was honorably discharged November 15, 1865. During the war he participated in twelve important engagements and was twice taken prisoner.
    After the war, Colonel Suydam began business in Wall Street and in 1874 resumed the practice of Law, the firm of Whitehead & Suydam being located at 206 Broadway.  He represented the State Department as Counsel for the United States in the Spanish-American claims and continued practice until his death. He was one of the founders of the Psi Upsilon fraternity of Columbia College, and a member of the Loyal Legion and The Holland Society, of the last since October 24, 1885.
    Colonel Suydam died November 9, 1911, at his home in Elizabeth, N. J.  His wife was Eliza Gracie Halsey, daughter of Rev. Charles Halsey and Eliza Gracie King, whose father was president of Columbia College when Colonel Suydam was graduated.  He is survived by six daughters: Miss Elizabeth Suydam, Mrs. J.N.S. Brewster, Miss Emily Suydam, Mrs. Edward A. Weeks, Mrs. Joseph Bigley, and Mrs. Raymond Stone.