In 1849 the family started for America in a stanch sailing vessel. When off the cove of Cork, Ireland, the ship was wrecked, and Captain Symes's father, his twin brother Henry, another brother Albert, and a sister Ellen died during the trip, which lasted four months. Undaunted, however, by this terrible disaster, which included also the loss of nearly all their goods, the brave mother continued the voyage, arriving in New York January 17, 1850, with her remaining seven children: John Symes, now of Elmira, N. Y.; Louisa, wife of Joseph Steffens, of Sacramento, Cal.; Emma, wife of William W. Whitman, of Oakland, Cal.; Cecelia Symes, also of Oakland; Aaron Symes, of California; and Sarah, who died in 1888. Arriving in this country, with scarcely a friend or acquaintance, and bereft of her husband and three children under circumstances at once sudden and sad, the mother lost no time in establishing a home for her family in what is now the Town of Union, then North Bergen, N. J. She died there in September, 1881, aged seventy-four. Her life was one of great self-sacrifice, of genuine heroism, and in every respect exemplary. The manner in which she reared her fatherless family attests the goodness and purity of her character.

Captain Symes was educated in the public schools of the Town of Union and at the Free Academy in New York City, and at the age of seventeen entered a New York broker's office, remaining there from 1862 to 1867. He was then made teller of the New York Gold Exchange Bank, an institution doing a gold clearing house and banking business, and continued in that capacity until after the memorable Black Friday of September, 1869. This experience has been of inestimable value to Captain Symes, and is one that he regards with peculiar satisfaction. It enabled him to acquire a broad and liberal knowledge of general business matters as well as of the intricacies of banking, and by strict industry and perseverance he gained an honorable record. His fondness and skill in mathematics made him an expert, while his ability and sound judgment attracted no little attention.

The panic of 1873, however, turned the course of his life into channels outside of banking, and, becoming active in political affairs as a member of the Democratic party, he served as Town Clerk of the Town of Union for three terms between 1871 and 1876. He was also Town Recorder for two years and a Justice of the Peace. About 1878 he entered the office of Speelman & Bruch, map publishers of Hoboken, and assisted then on the surveys and in the publication of maps for New York City and Hudson County for three years. He not only did much of the selling, but also acted as financial man and confidential clerk.

In 1881 he purchased property in West New York, Hudson County. and took up his permanent residence there, and there, in September, 1882, he established a lumber yard and at once entered upon an energetic business. He was successful from the first. Starting on a modest scale, he gradually and steadily built up an immense trade, aggregating over $100,000 a year – a sum not exceeded and probably unequaled by any similar business in North Hudson County. He conducted this business with uninterrupted success until the spring of 1898, when, having acquired other large and important interests, he sold it to the Dodge & Bliss Company, the present owners.

During the decade between 1885 and 1895 he also purchased large tracts of land in the Towns of West New York, North Bergen, and Weehawken, which he laid out into lots, streets, and avenues, with all the modern improvements, and upon which he built many houses, factories, etc., thus contributing materially to the growth and development of those communities. He has developed properties amounting to over 1,000 city lots, and has built up and sold over a quarter of a million dollars' worth of holdings. He still owns large properties, principally real estate, to the development of which he is devoting all his time and energies. With a number of other gentlemen he is actively interested in a project having for its purpose the establishment of a grand railroad terminal, with coaling and other facilities, on the Hudson County Boulevard in North Bergen, at the head of Drain Street.

Captain Symes has always been actively interested in educational matters, in politics, and in every movement affecting the future of his town and county. He has always been one of the most generous and benevolent of men, giving liberally of time and means to every worthy object. Though often urged to accept public office lie has generally declined to do so, on account of engrossing business cares, yet he has never failed to discharge with promptness and fidelity all the duties of a citizen. In 1896-97 he was a prominent member of the Board of Council of West New York, being the only Democrat in that body. He has also been a delegate to many town, county, district, and State Democratic conventions.

He has been especially prominent in the National Guard of New Jersey and in rifle practice, being widely known as an expert marksman. In 1867 he joined Company B, First Battalion, N. G. N. J., as a private, and was successively promoted to be Corporal, Sergeant, Second Lieutenant, and, in 1872, Captain, and served until 1877, when he resigned, the battalion in the meantime becoming the Ninth Regiment. He declined a Major's commission in order to take care of his company, which he built up, and which gained the reputation of being one of the best disciplined companies in the State. In 1878 and 1879 Captain Synres acted as Quartermaster of the regiment, and at the end of that period he took command of Company E, a position he was urged to accept to save and re-organize the company, which had scarcely enough members to give it a standing. About this time the Ninth became the Second Regiment, N. G. N. J. He was Captain of Company E for about three years, and recruited and re-organized it, put it in good shape, and then resigned. When James A. Garfield was inaugurated President he induced the regiment to go to Washington, where it received the honor of being the largest and best military organization in line. In 1888 Captain Symes was persuaded by Colonel Edwin A. Stevens and the other officers of the Second Regiment, and by the members of Company B, to accept the captaincy of that company, which he did, although he had retired from the other command with the intention of devoting himself entirely to private affairs. The company had run down to a membership of about fifteen, but under his able guidance it was soon recruited to its full quota and became one of the "crack" companies of New Jersey.

Enthusiastic, patriotic, and popular, he gained the love of his men and the respect and esteem of his superior officers, and was noted as a good disciplinarian. In rifle practice lie was expert and proficient. He was a member of the State team of 1880, which won the Hilton trophy, a statue of the " Soldier of Marathon." This match occurred at Creedmore, and was open to every State in the Union and to the United States regular army. In 1881 Captain Symes won the first prize-a rifle-a prize offered by the Governor in a match open to all line officers in New Jersey, five shots each, the distance being from 200 and 500 yards. He has also won many other honors as an expert marksman, both in military and in private contests.

He is a close student of natural history and science, an expert mathema- tician, and deeply interested in all questions of current import, and has a large and valuable collection of scientific works. His travels include two trips to California, one to the Yellowstone Park, and another with team through the entire Adirondack region. Tie is a member and Past Master of Mystic Tie Lodge, No. 123, F. and A. M., and a member of Cyrus Chapter, No. 84, R. A. M.