USA > New Jersey > Biographical, genealogical and descriptive history of the first congressional district of New Jersey, Volume I > Part 55
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John Goff, the father of these children, was a witness of the first funeral and the first interment in the old burying-ground at Eldora, and after that saw more than four hundred interments there. He was a Republican in his political views and was a faithful and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Eldora for seventy-two years. He held many offices in the church, was active in Sunday-school work, long taught in the school and was a thorough and well informed Bible student.
JOSEPH JESSUP.
For almost two centuries the name of Jessup has figured in connection with the business interests of Gloucester county and with the record of the county's advancement along social, intellectual and moral lines. Its repre- sentatives have ever been prominent and respected citizens, and no man in Gloucester county was more esteemed and honored for sterling worth or character than he whose name introduces this review. Joseph Jessup was born in this county, May 10, 1802, in the town of Greenwich, where he spent his early life. The ancestry in America can be traced back to 1737. when John Jessup, his great-grandfather, crossed the Atlantic from his English home and took up his abode in the township of Deptford, near the village of Woodbury. A more complete ancestral history of the Jessups is given in connection with the sketch of Charles Clark Jessup on another page of this work. From his native township Joseph Jessup removed to Harrison town- ship, where he became extensively engaged in agricultural pursuits, owning
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large tracts of land. He was also connected with the lumber business, and was known as one of the county's most prosperous and enterprising residents. He became one of the incorporators of the Gloucester County Bank, now the First National Bank, and served as a member of its directorate. His business judgment was sound and reliable, and in the careful conduct of his affairs he won a handsome competence. His integrity in commercial life was proverbial and in all trade transactions he was known to be most reliable. He was deeply interested in the growth and development of the community and assisted its progress in every way in his power.
Mr. Jessup was twice married. He first wedded Mary Wood, and unto them was born one child that died in infancy. After the death of his first wife he was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Clark, and they became the parents of seven children, namely: Annie E. J .; James B .; John S .; Joseph, deceased; Charles C .; Edward H., deceased; and Sarah, who has also passed away. The eldest son is now a retired farmer residing in Woodstown, this state. John S., the second son, has attained distinction as a member of the legal profession. He was born August 28, 1842, in Lincoln, Harrison town- ship, Gloucester county, and in the public schools acquired his primary education, which was supplemented by a collegiate course in the West Jersey Academy of Bridgeton, in which institution he was graduated in 1862. He then entered Princeton College and was graduated there with the class of 1865. During the same year he began the study of law under the direction of Hon. Frederick T. Frelinghuysen, of Newark, New Jersey, and subse- quently spent one year in the law department of Harvard College. He was admitted to the bar of New Jersey in 1868 and at once began the practice of his chosen profession in Woodbury. His natural ability was supplemented by careful and thorough preparation, and his added experience as the years have passed has given him marked prestige as a representative of his chosen calling. He is thoroughly informed in all departments of law and is recog- nized as a leading member of the bar of southern New Jersey. He was appointed the presiding judge of the court of common pleas on the Ist of April, 1897, and still holds that position, which he fills with a dignity and ability that reflect credit and honor upon himself, his office and his constit- uents. He has been a member of the Woodbury city council for nine years and for ten years has served as the clerk and counselor of the board of free- holders. The Judge has also been the solicitor of the First National Bank of Woodbury for thirty years. He is a stanch Republican in his political views, but never allows party preferences to interfere with the impartial dis- charge of his judicial duties. He holds membership in the Presbyterian church. On the 2d of November, 1871, he was united in marriage to Miss
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Mary Moore Howell, a daughter of Dr. Benjamin P. and Rachel L. Howell, of Woodbury. The children born to them are: Joseph, who was born Jan- uary 19, 1873, and is now an electrical engineer; Benjamin H., who died in childhood; John S., a civil engineer; Mary H., Rachel L., Anna G. and Sarah.
Joseph Jessup gave his political support to the Whig party in early man- hood and on the organization of the Republican party joined its ranks and continued to advocate its principles throughout the remainder of his life. He was never an aspirant for political honors, although he accepted the office of sheriff at the earnest solicitation of his friends and served for two terms. He worshiped with the Society of Friends, and his life, which exemplified his Christian faith, was characterized by uprightness and integrity that com- manded the respect and confidence of his fellow men wherever he was known. His death occurred very suddenly February 5, 1885, and his loss was mourned throughout the entire community. He was a man whose depth of character and strong adherency to principle excited the admiration of his contem- poraries, and all who knew him recognized that his character was above reproach.
REV. DR. JOHN EWING.
One of the most eminent representatives of the Presbyterian clergy of the east is the gentleman whose name initiates this review-the present pastor of the Presbyterian church of Pittsgrove, at Daretown. A man of broad scholarly attainments, gifted with strong intellectuality, he has devoted his life to this most holy calling and has been a marked power for good in advancing the work of the church and promoting the cause of Chris- tianity among men. He was born in Ewingville, Pennsylvania, near the city of Pittsburg, and is a son of James Ewing. The ancestry of the family can be traced back to early colonial days, when Finley Ewing crossed the Atlantic to the new world. He received a sword from the King of England in recognition of the great bravery which he displayed in the battle of Burgoyne. The grandfather, James Ewing, Sr., was one of the first settlers of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, and built the first gristmill there. By the judicious management of his business interests he accumulated con- siderable wealth and was regarded as one of the most prominent and influ- ential citizens of his community.
Dr. Ewing spent his boyhood days in his parents' home, and supple- mented his early educational privileges by a course at Jefferson College,
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now Washington and Jefferson College, where he was graduated in 1858, in a class of seventy-six students-the largest class that has ever been graduated west of the Allegheny mountains up to that time. The degree of Bachelor of Arts was conferred upon him, and later his alma mater bestowed upon him the degrees of Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy. The degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by Windsor College of Maryland-an indication of his scholarly acquirements and his eminent position in ministerial circles.
Determining to devote his life to the proclamation among men of the glad tidings of great joy, he matriculated in the Allegheny Presbyterian Theological Seminary and was graduated in 1861. His first pastorate was over Trinity church, in Philadelphia. Through his instrumentality the house of worship was erected, and he remained in charge of the congrega- tion from 1862 until 1869, when he accepted a call from the church in Clinton, New Jersey, where he remained until 1882. During that time the present governor of New Jersey was a scholar in the Sunday-school. On leaving Clinton he accepted the pastorate of the Presbyterian church in Plymouth, Pennsylvania, where he continued two years, and on the Ist of September, 1885, he came to the Pittsgrove Presbyterian church, at Daretown, where he has now remained for fifteen years. His church asso- ciations here are very pleasant. He has the largest congregation in the county, and the various departments of the church work are in a very flourishing condition. In the pulpit he is a fluent and entertaining speaker, profound in his reasoning, logical in his deductions and convincing in argu- ment. He has that broad general knowledge and culture which only travel can bring, and his reminiscences of Europe and the Holy Land enrich and adorn his discourses, making them both instructive and entertaining. In 1874 he went abroad as a delegate from the Presbyterian church of the United States to the general assembly of the church of Scotland and delivered one of the most able addresses before that assemblage. He has also visited many places of historic and modern interest on the continent and has traveled amid the scenes of Palestine, made sacred by the holy associations connected therewith.
At this point it would be almost tautological to enter into any series of statements as showing Dr. Ewing to be a man of broad intelligence and genuine public spirit, for these have been shadowed forth between the lines of this review. Strong in his individuality, he never lacks the courage of his convictions, but there are as dominating elements in this individuality a lively human sympathy and an abiding charity, which, as taken in con-
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nection with the sterling integrity and honor of his character, have naturally gained to Dr. Ewing the respect and confidence of men.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF PITTSGROVE.
The Presbyterian Church of Pittsgrove, located at Daretown, New Jersey, has been in existence for more than one hundred and fifty years. April 30, 1741, has generally been accepted as the date of its organiza- tion, although there was a congregation formed prior to that time, services being held at intervals. More or less trouble occurred in the church and the society was not regularly under the superintendence of the presbytery
until about 1741. At a date not known a house for public worship was erected by the congregation not far from the village of Woodston, but it was neglected, and fell into decay soon after the year 1740. About the beginning of May, 1740, the Rev. David Evans, of Tredyffrin, in Pennsyl- vania, began to preach for the congregation, and soon after assumed pas- toral charge. On the 30th of April, 1741, he formed and organized a Presbyterian church, when forty-nine members were admitted to the enjoy- ment of the special ordinances of the gospel. About the time of the arrival of Mr. Evans a new meeting house was erected on the site of the present house of worship. He continued to officiate in the ministry there until November, 1750, during which time he received to the communion of the
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church one hundred and fourteen persons and baptized two hundred and eighty-four. He was succeeded in the pastorate, December 12, 1752, by the Rev. Nehemiah Greenman, who was ordained December 5, 1753, and during his ministry the present church edifice was erected. While he continued in the pastorate there he baptized three hundred persons, and the congregation greatly increased in numbers and also greatly increased its property holdings.
The Rev. William Schenck, the third pastor of the congregation, was installed May 3, 1780, did good work for the church, and at length was dismissed on account of his failing health, in 1786. His successor was the Rev. Isaac Foster, who became pastor of the church in June, 1790. He was followed by Rev. Samuel Laycock, October 22, 1794, and he was suc- ceeded, June 4, 1799, by Rev. Buckley Carll, who remained in charge of the church for three and a half years. The next regular minister was Rev. Hezekiah North Woodruff, and he was followed by Rev. John Clark, who took charge of the congregation in February, 1806. In April, 1807, he reported ninety-five communicants. He retired from that pastorate the following year, and until 1812 the church was without a regular minister. The next to accept the pastorate was Rev. G. W. Janvier, who had charge of the congregation for nearly forty-seven years a period of great pros- perity to the church, and one mutually helpful, beneficial and pleasant to pastor and people. When he assumed charge the membership was ninety- eight, and at the time of his resignation was five hundred and forty-seven. He was a cultured gentleman, and his politeness was proverbial. As pastor, preacher and presbyter, he was justly held in high esteem. He took a lively interest in the affairs of the church and country, was a faithful friend and a wise counsellor.
The next pastor was the Rev. Edward Patrick Shields, D.D., who was installed in June, 1858. In the spring of 1863 the congregation decided to build a new church, but it was not until August 1I, 1867, that it was dedicated. Rev. Dr. Shields remained in charge of the Pittsgrove church. for nearly thirteen years, and was highly appreciated and greatly beloved by the entire congregation. He was succeeded by the Rev. William A. Fer- guson, in 1871. The last named was a gentleman of scholarly attainments, a graduate of the Princeton Theological Seminary, a faithful pastor and an excellent preacher. The church grew rapidly under his care, and he continued at its head until 1881, when he removed to Marysville, Ohio. The next pastor was the Rev. J. D. Randolph, who was installed June 15, 1882. He was a very able minister, but tendered his resignation in April, 1884, and in August of that year his pastoral relation with the Pittsgrove
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church was discontinued. On the 13th of October, 1885, Rev. John Ewing, D.D., was installed as pastor, and has since been in charge of the church, his work being most acceptable. The church has grown in numbers, strength and influence under his care and is now the largest congregation in the county.
S. D. LODGE.
More than a century has passed since the ancestors of S. D. Lodge left their home in England and crossed the Atlantic to America, taking up their abode in Greenwich township, Gloucester county, on the bank of the Dela- ware river. Property was there purchased and the family remained in that locality for many years. Joseph Lodge, the grandfather, engaged in shad fishing on a river at that place. His son, Joseph, the father of our subject, was born in Greenwich township and removed to Mantua in 1829. He en- gaged in merchandising and also in shipping cord-wood to Philadelphia. In 1842, however, he took up his abode upon a farm in this locality, where he made his home until his death, which occurred in 1864. He served as a commissioner of deeds and was at one time a candidate for the state legisla- ture. The cause of temperance found in him a zealous advocate and he was largely instrumental in advancing its interests. He married Amanda Dare, a daughter of Samuel Dare, of Daretown, Salem county. She died in 1893, and three of her four children survive her, namely: Fanny, who is living in Philadelphia; Kate, the wife of A. H. Moses, of that city; and S. D.
Mr. Lodge, of this review, pursued his education in the common schools and afterward engaged in teaching for two years in this neighborhood. He was born in Mantua, in 1833, and has passed his entire life in this locality. He engaged in farming for some years after attaining his majority and is still the owner of sixty acres of farming land, constituting one of the best farms in the county. In 1887 he took up his abode in Mantua, where he purchased a place. He is also engaged to some extent in the real-estate business, and draws up many wills for people in this locality. His business interests are ably conducted and have brought to him creditable success.
In 1856 Mr. Lodge married Sarah Eastlock, a daughter of John Eastlock, of this locality. Three children were born to them, of whom two are living: Rolla, a graduate of Drexler Institute, and now a civil engineer of Philadel- phia; and Annie, the wife of J. R. Wilson, of Philadelphia. In his political views Mr. Lodge is a Democrat and his fellow townsmen recognize his worth and ability, frequently calling him to public office. He has served in all the township positions, being clerk of the town when only twenty-one
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years of age. For seventeen years he has served as township collector, and what higher testimony could be given? He is a progressive and public- spirited citizen and takes a deep interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of the community.
FRANKLIN LIPPINCOTT.
Franklin Lippincott, a well-known veterinary surgeon and farmer of Woolwich township, Gloucester county, New Jersey, is a native of this state, born at Gibbstown, June 10, 1846, and is a representative of a family whose residence in this county covers the past century.
Dr. Lippincott is a son of Howell and Ann (Styles) Lippincott, his mother's widowed name having been Pancoast. His grandparents, George and Tacey (Lippincott) Lippincott, came to Greenwich township, Gloucester county, soon after 1800 and reared four children: Howell; Hannah, the wife of Jonathan Bennett, of Swedesboro; Mary, the wife of Enos Stretch, of Gibbstown; and Sarah, the wife of Isaac Warner of Paulsboro. Howell Lippincott was a school-teacher. He died in 1848, at the age of thirty-five years, leaving two children: William, who died at the age of eight years, and Franklin, the subject of this sketch.
Franklin received his education in the Chestnut Hill and Clarksboro pub- lic schools of Greenwich township and in the Gloucester high school, and pursued his studies in veterinary surgery under the instructions of Peter F. Locke, whose father and grandfather were veterinary surgeons. Thus be- sides the ordinary means of acquiring text-book theories, Dr. Lippincott had an opportunity of obtaining the practical knowledge of the art and science of veterinary surgery, which came of three generations of practice and pro- fessional observation. In the practice of his profession he has been very successful, and in addition to meeting the demands of his practice, traveling over a large territory, he carries on farming operations. Nine years he resided on the Judge Thompson farm and during the past fifteen years has occupied his present place, known as the John K. Clark estate.
Dr. Lippincott married Miss Josephine Casperson, a daughter of Samuel L. Casperson, a Delaware river captain; and the fruits of their union have been seven children, namely: Harriet, a trained nurse, of Philadelphia; Lizzie, at home; Samuel, who died in childhood; Margaret, a school- teacher; Ada and Ida, twins, the latter the wife of Charles Fedzer, of Man- tua, New Jersey, and they have one son, Franklin Lewis, and Dora, who is still in school.
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The Doctor is a member of the A. O. U. W. and is a stanch Democrat in his political views.
PETER VAN VOORHEES.
Whatever else may be said of the legal fraternity, it cannot be denied that members of the bar have been more important actors in public affairs than any other class of American people. The lawyer stands as the pro- tector of the rights and liberties of his fellow men, and is the representative of a profession whose followers, if they would gain honor, fame and success, must be men of merit and ability. Such a one is Mr. Van Voorhees, who is now serving as the judge of the Court of Errors and Appeals, winning high commendation by his fair and impartial administration of justice.
The Judge was born in North Brunswick township, near New Bruns- wick, Middlesex county, New Jersey, June 18, 1852, and is a son of John S. and Sarah S. (Van Doren) Voorhees. On both sides he is of Holland descent, and is connected with one of the oldest and most prominent families of New Jersey. On the paternal side he traces his ancestry back to Count Albert Van Voorhees, whose son, Stephen Coerte Van Voorhees, was the founder of the family in America, having emigrated from Holland in April, 1660.
During his boyhood Judge Voorhees attended the grammar school of New Brunswick, and in 1869 entered Rutgers College, where he was gradu- ated with the degree of A.B. in 1873, receiving the degree of A.M. three years later. He commenced the study of law with Peter L. Voorhees, of Camden, and was admitted to the New Jersey bar as an attorney in 1876 and as a counsellor in 1879. He was then associated in practice with his pre- ceptor until the latter's death, in 1895, a period of nearly twenty years. To-day the Judge is one of the ablest members of the Camden bar, and during his professional life has always enjoyed the respect and confidence of not only his fellow lawyers, but also of the public. He has made a specialty of railroad and corporation law, in which he is well versed, and in these lines has gained a most enviable reputation. He has also been conspicuous in other departments of the profession. He is a lawyer of the highest rank, and a most persuasive and powerful advocate. On the 6th of March, 1900, he was appointed judge of the Court of Errors and Appeals, succeeding Judge Nixon, who resigned, and is now most creditably filling that office. In business affairs the Judge has also met with success, and is to-day a director of the Camden Deposit & Trust Company, of the First National Bank of Camden, and of the West Jersey Title & Guarantee
Petro Voorhees
Sheppard Of avis
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Company. He is also one of the managers of the Cooper Hospital. a trustee of the Cooper estate, and a vestryman of St. Paul's Episcopal Church of Camden, and he takes quite an active interest in public affairs.
On the 21st of April, 1881, Judge Voorhees was united in marriage with Miss Louisa C. Dayton, a daughter of James B. and Louisa (Clarke) Dayton, of Camden.
SHEPPARD HARRIS.
Sheppard Harris was born in Salem county, New Jersey, September 22, 1838, a son of Silas and Elizabeth (Ireland) Harris, both of whom were natives of this county. The paternal grandfather was Sheppard Harris and the maternal grandfather, Benjamin Ireland, and both represented old fami- lies of this county. The father of our subject was engaged in farming until 1851, when he began the manufacture of lumber, operating a sawmill for some time at Penn Grove, New Jersey. He died in 1877, at the age of sixty-eight years, and his widow survived till 1900, passing the eighty- third milestone on life's journey. In their family were five children, namely: Benjamin I., Sheppard, Mary W., Annie E. and Harriet R.
Sheppard Harris spent the first thirteen years of his life on a farm in Lower Alloway Creek township and for seven years thereafter was a resident of Penn Grove, but since his twenty-first year his home has been in Salem. He attended the Friends' school of this city and in 1858 began teaching, which profession he followed for five years with excellent success. He after- ward engaged in the manufacture of brushes for a short time and subse- quently was in the grocery and butchering business, in which he continued until 1895, since which time he has been in the office of the South Jersey- man.
Mr. Harris has long been recognized as one of the leading and representa- tive citizens of his community and has taken an active part in many move- ments and measures which have contributed to the public good. He was on the election board for several years and for ten years was the secretary of the Salem board of education. The school system has ever found in him a warm friend, and during his incumbency he gave his active support toward the erection of the new Walnut street school and toward the advancement of every measure that he believed would promote the educational interests of the city. During his interval of teaching, in the year 1859, he accepted a position as clerk in a general store at Bridgeport with A. A. Jordan for a short time. Spirituous liquors were sold at that time in all such stores, ostensibly for medicinal purposes but really as a beverage. During his short
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stay with Mr. Jordan he succeeded in effectually persuading him to discon- tinue the traffic, much to the satisfaction of the Christian community. Twelve years later he was the bookkeeper for P. S. Hill & Company in Paschallville, who had a large general store with a lumber-yard, stone quarry, brick-yard, etc., doing a large business. Spirituous liquors were largely sold in them also, much to his disgust. Twelve years later he had a similar expe- rience, with the same success, with P. S. Hill & Company, of Paschallville, Pennsylvania, who had a large general store, lumber-yard, brick-yard and stone quarry, for whom he was a bookkeeper. He was the first to advocate the teaching of music in the public schools in Salem, and which has since proved to be a good thing. He holds membership in the First Methodist Episcopal church, has served as a member of its official board and was a member of its building committee during the erection of the new church in 1887. Socially he is connected with Fenwick Lodge, No. 164, I. O. O. F., Salem Lodge, No. 37, A. O. U. W., Salem Conclave, I. O. H., Salem Di- vision of the Sons of Temperance and the Good Templars society during their existence in Salem. In church and temperance work he takes a very active interest and for a long period has served as a teacher in the Sunday- school. He withholds his support from no movement or measure which he believes will promote the public welfare and uplift humanity, and his labors have been productive of great good.
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