USA > New Jersey > Salem County > History of the counties of Gloucester, Salem, and Cumberland New Jersey, with biographical sketches of their prominent citizens, vol. 1 > Part 37
USA > New Jersey > Gloucester County > History of the counties of Gloucester, Salem, and Cumberland New Jersey, with biographical sketches of their prominent citizens, vol. 1 > Part 37
USA > New Jersey > Cumberland County > History of the counties of Gloucester, Salem, and Cumberland New Jersey, with biographical sketches of their prominent citizens, vol. 1 > Part 37
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88
Joseph Ii skip.
John P. Curtis. Joel Bodine. Benjamin Harding. John B. Miller. George T. Hisdon. Ira Bradshaw.
1853. Alex. Wentz, Deptford M. C. Fisher, R. Burwell, J. P. Sheets, Woolwich Caleb Itvof,
1854. Casp. Wirshamn, " Benj. Salisbury, 4 B. C. Downs, Franklin Benj. Harding. Samuel Porch, 44 M. Madden,
1855. Saminel Pimm, Harrison H
James Lippincott, " Simon Sparks, Deptford " Jas. M. Wolf, Greenwich " John Stetsir, C. Wir-bain, Woolwich 44
C. P. Shivers, J. S. Bendler, Mantua J. M. Kit ben, " 1856. James Gibson, Harrison J. L. Stratton,
Israel M. Scattergood.
James M. Glover. John Pierson. Michael C. Fisher. James W. Slono. Josiah Harrison. William 31. Graft. Amasa Garwood. Samuel C. Champion.
1838. Richard Stafford. Charles Il. French. Daniel Forcer.
John D. Glover. Joseph C. Gill.
John K. Cowperthwaite. Joshua P. Browning. Marmaduke Buckley. Samuel B. Hont. Isaac Wilkins.
James Stoy. Joseph B. Harker. Samuel Milier. Samuel Porch.
John Daniels. Benjamin C. Downs. Joseph Reed. Ephraim Miller. Alex. Wentz, Deptford twp.
1836. Joseph C. Collios. John Dunham. Simon Sparks. Joseph Stafford. Samnel Sauler. Joseph C. Staro.
Benjamin II. Fisler, Simon Sparks. Isaac Lodge.
142
HISTORY OF GLOUCESTER COUNTY. ,
1857. M. C. Horuer, Harrison twp. 1858. Samuel Tatem, Deptford " Alex. Wentz, = Joshun Matlack,
J. P. Sheets, Woolwich 1839. N. F. Iredeli, Harrison Chas, Holton, Woolwich " Jos. Lashley, Franklin Jacob Porch,
- 1860. Samuel Pimm, Harrison N F. Iredell, Simon Sparks, Deptford E. C. Mount, = N. C. Jordan, Greenwich J. M. Wolf, C. P. Shivers, Woolwich Eph. Waters, = L. L. Campbell, Clayton Benj. Harding,
1861. 1. C. Ervan, Harrison J. W. Eastlack, Deptford W'm. D. Scott, = David B. Gill, Greenwich " Isaac linchman, " J. S. Bendler, Mantua John Daniels, Sainl. L. I-zard, Clayton Benj. F. Duboist.
1862. Levi B Davis, Harrison Benj. C. Downs, Clayton 1863. W. R Mankin, Deptford " Benj. D. Sparks, Alex. Wentz,
John Ford, Greenwich J. P. Sheetz, Woolwich G. J. Abbott, Claytoo
1864. Jas. Il. l'iersoo, Deptford " I. J. Cowgill, Greenwich " John S. Mullen, " Chas. Ilotton, Woolwich W. P. Crane, Franklin Jos. P. Lashley, " Charles B. Wolf, Clayton 1865. N. F. Iredell, Harrison Samuel Pimm, Jeptha Abbott, Deptford J. V. Cheeseman, “ C. P. Shivers, Woolwich E. Waters, Jr., " Benj. Harding, Clayton 1866. Jesse C. Chew, Deptford I. J. Cowgill, Greenwich “ David B. Gill, = Joseph Wolf,
Jolin T. Ogden, Mantua 11. M Mellvaine, "
1867. J. B Sinuous, Greenwich " S. P. Haines, Harrison Chas. P. Souder,
John Ford, Woolwich Joel Locke, 11 1868. C. M. Campbell, Clayton " Alex. Wentz, Deptford, John P. Sheets, Woolwich " 1869. Chas. B Wolf, Clayton Saml. L. Iszard, "
Win. P. Crane, Franklin Jos. Lashley,
1870. John R Morton, Clayton 12 Jas. Pennington,
Jeptha Abbott, Deptford N. F. Iredell, Harrison J. Lippincott,
John F. Truitt, Woolwich "
Epl :. S. Watere,
=
1871. Benj. Harding, Clayton " H. F. Kennedy, Deptford "
1871. T. W. Harris, Franklin twp. Joseph Wolf. Greenwich " I. J. Congill, John T. Orden, Mantua John Daniels, D. S. Aldrich, Washington " 1872. S. Peacock, Pepiford Win. Miller, Greenwich " Geo, Walters, Harrison " Jno. S. Bulon, " John Ford, Woolwich D. B. Leshe, W. Deptford " 1873. Jno. HI. Coffin, Franklin " Francis B. Ridgeway, Harri- son twp. Matt. M Chew, Monroe twp. C. W. Insted,
J. P. Sheet-, Woolwich " S. H. Ladd, Woodbury City. Jobn P. Sheets, Logan twp. 1874. C. Buckman, Deptford " R. A. Rosenbanm, Franklin twp.
W. P'. Crane, Franklin twp. J. Keen, Washington
=
1875. B. M. Turner, Clayton Chas. B. Wolf,
Juo. J. Combs.
Chas. B. Wolf. Glassboro " G. C. Sithens, Harrison " N. F. Iredell,
C. W. Husted, Monroe Eph. Waters, Woolwich " C. P. Shivers, =
J. Abbott, Woodbury City. T. Pilling. Washington twp. 1×76. Benj. Harding, Clayton " S. B. Fullerton, Deptford " Chas. Young, Franklin " Joseph Wolf, Greenwich " I. J. Cowgill, =
John T. Ogden, Mantua " John Daniels. =
W. H. Livermore, Woodbury City.
William C. Fletcher, Wood- bury City.
J. Keen, Washington twp. S. Chew. West Deptford "
1877. S. Peacock, Deptford John S. Rulon, Harrison " John Ford, Woolwich :
I. J. Ilill, Woodbury City. John F. Truitt, Logan twp. 1878. A. Eastlack, Deptford T. U. Atkins, Franklin $4
J. l'. Recce, Harrison Win. Bodine, Monroe S. Il. Ladd, Woodbury City. Daniel L. Lamb, Washing- ton twp
John P. Sheets, Logan twp. 1879. J. A. Riggins, Franklin " Wmn. P. Crane, 14
Philip Schlag, Logau ..
1880. E. M. Turner, Clayton R. Edmonds.
Wm. A. Warriner, Franklin twp.
E. D. Riley, Franklin twp. Chas. B. Wolf, Glassboro " G. C. Sithens, Harrison " N. F. Fredell,
C. W. Husted, Monroe twp. C. P. Shivers, Wool wich " W'm. C. Nichoben, Washing- ton twp.
1580. J. Abbott, Woodbury City. 1881. Joseph Wolf. Deptford twp.
A. C. Dalton, Franklin " 1. J. Cowgill, Greenwich " John Daniels, Mantua " Joseph Shuster, " = W. H. Livermore, Woodbury City.
Stille Chew, West Deptford twp.
: 1882. Frank De Merchant, Dept- ford twp.
G. Jennings, Deptford twp J. P. Watson, Glassboro 4 N. J. Justice, Harrison " John Ford, Woolwich " W. Watkins, Woodbury City Jacob S. Bendler, Washing- ton twp. Philip Schlag, Logan twp.
CHAPTER XXX.
MEDICAL PROFESSION OF GLOUCESTER COUNTY.1
IN the early half of the present century there were very few regularly licensed or graduated physicians. All sorts of quacks-herb, Indian, Thomsonian, and. finally, eclectic and hommeopathic- settled in and practiced through the county.
Here, as elsewhere, are always found those who are ready to impose on the ignorance and credulity of people who know nothing of professional matters, but the proportion of such in Gloucester County cannot be considered excessive.
Medical Societies .- No medical society is known to have been formed here prior to 1818. In that year one was organized by authority of the State society. The physicians signing the application for authority to form this society were Drs. Dayton Lummi-, Thomas Hendry, Joseph Fithian, Lorenzo Fisler, Isaac Davis, Benjamin Erwin, Francis Hoover, Wil- liam Hunt, Samuel Harris, Bowman Hendry, J. . I. Foster, Ezra Baker, and John C. Warner.
The society continued to hold its regular annual and semi-annual meetings up to December, 1821, and then from some cause they were discontinued. It was reorganized in March, 1830, at which time Dr. Charles Garrison was elected a member. After this meeting no records appear till May, 1846, when a charter was granted by the State society to Drs. Jo- seph Fithian, C. F. Clark, Joseph C. Weatherby, Thomas J. Saanders, John R. Siekler, and Benjamin P. Howell. Under this charter the society was organ- ized, with Dr. Joseph Fithian, president ; Charles Garrison, vice-president ; Thomas J. Saunders, secre- tary ; and Joseph C. Weatherby, treasurer. Sections 9 and 10 of the con-titution adopted by the society were as follows:
" SEC. 9. Tinties of Members .- At each annual and semi-annual meet- ing there shall be an essay read on some medical subject by the meui- her designated at the previous meeting by the president. Shall not be excused, and a fallure being one dollar fine.
"SEC. 10. The president shall appoint a member who shall report all epidemics of the county during the year, -this at annual meeting .-- their nature, mortality, and treatment."
The first address was delivered by the president, Dr. Joseph Fithian, on the subject of hygiene. At
1 By Luther F. Halsey, M. D.
--
---------
%
143
GENERAL HISTORY.
the next meeting an essay on the subject of scarla- tina was read by Dr. C. Garrison. At the meeting in October, 1847, Dr. Sickler gave an essay on " The Philosophy of the Human Mind," and Dr. Howell one on the " Asiatic Cholera." At the meeting in 1849, Dr. Saunders read an essay on " Lunatic Asy- lums, and the Duty of Physicians Respecting Them." At the annual meeting in 1850, Dr. J. F. Garrison read an essay on " Periodic or Recurring Colica." At this meeting the delegates to the State Medical Society were instructed to bring before that body the importance of a high standard of preliminary educa- tion among those entering the profession. At the semi-annual meeting in the same year, Dr. Fithian gave an essay on the " Philosophy of Man," and at the annual meeting in 1851, Dr. C. Garrison was the essayist; subject, "Thrombus of the Labium and O -- ification of the Placenta." The essay by Dr. Clark, at the annual meeting in 1852, was on " Dys- entery." At that meeting the following fee-bill and resolution were adopted :
"Counsel fees, .50 to $5.00; visit in town, .50 to $1.00; visit at night in country, $2.00; in town at night, $1.00; visit out of town to four miles, $1 00, and .2% for each additional mile: consultation fees, $3.00 to $5.00 for first visit, $2.00 for second, and $1.00 for third: both physi- cians receiving like fees. All other rates same as adopted by the State Medical Society .- Rerised Luis of 1851.
" Resolved, That any violation of the above adopted rates of charges le consideted as dishonorable and a violation of professional honesty."
The essayi-ts in 1853 were Drs. Sickler and Howell. Dr. Siekler's subject was " Erysipelas." and Dr. How- ell treated of the then recent epidemie of yellow fever in Philadelphia, in which he had volunteered his ; civil and political affairs, was judge of the court, and services. In 1857, Dr. S. T. Miller read an essay on "Medieine as a Science;" in 1858, Dr. II. C. Clark was the essayist, subject, " Amputation ;" and in 1859, Dr. Halsey read an essay on "Scrofula."
No meeting of the society was held after 1861 till 1866, on account of the ab-ence in the war of the Re- bellion of many of the members.
In 1867 the constitution of the society was revised, though but few alterations were made. One change provided that meetings should be held quarterly, the code of charges was revised, a minimum was estab- lished, and the rates ordered by the State society were ent down.
During the past fifteen years the society has met regularly, often being entertained in a most princely manner by different members of the society at their re-idences. Representatives of the press and honor- able gentlemen from various parts often convening with the members at these meetings, all highly en- joyable and instructive.
we find the name of Richard Stratton. Ta 1660, and after the death of Sachem Wyandaneh, his widow, called Squaw Sachem, and her son united in a deed of confirmation to the original purchase of Montauk. Among the names in the original conveyance are those of Richard and John Stratton. One of them was the father of Benjamin, who removed from East Hampton about 1700 to Fairfield. Cumberland Co., N. J., and became the first of the family of this name in New Jersey. (Thompson's "Long Island.")
The subject of our record was a sou of Benjamin and Sarah, born August, 1755. Of his early life and education we are not informed. He studied medicine with Dr. Benjamin Harris, of Pittsgrove, Salem Co., N. J. Almost his only book was Cullen's "First Lines." He married a daughter of his pre- ceptor before he was of age, and first settled in Clarksboro, Gloucester Co., six miles from Swedes- boro, where he began his practice. Upon the breaking out of the war in 1776 he gave his services to his country's eause. After the war, though he had a wife and three children, he went to Philadelphia. and attended medical lectures in the University of Pennsylvania for one winter. He then removed to Swedesboro, and entered upon the service of his life in the practice of medicine. He soon became the leading physician in that portion of the State. His practice, extending over a country of thirteen or four- teen miles, taking Swedesboro as a centre, extended in each direction. He was very popular and eminently successful. He was also a man of great influence in administrator and executor of many large estates.
His practice often called him from Woodbury to Salem, and from the Delaware River to twenty miles in the interior. His habit was to rise early, do his writing and preparations for the day, breakfast by candle-light, and then start in his two-wheel sulky, without a top, and return if he could before night ; with a change of horses, start again, seldom getting home till late at night. His students, of which he had a number, were employed on his return in com- pounding his medical preparations for the next day's necessities.
His obstetrical practice was not correspondingly large, as at that time and in the sparse population it was necessarily in the hands of women midwives, though his services were always sought in all difficult and preternatural cases. He used Smillie's forceps. but was probably not an adept in the employment of the instrument, as few at that time were.
Upon the death of his wife he married (2) Miss Mary Creighton, of Haddonfield. Ry his first mar- ringe he had one son, who died early, and two daughters. By his second marriage he had seven children, one dying in infancy. He was the father of the Rev. Sammel V. stratton, of the Protestant
PERSONAL REMINISCENCES .- DR. JAMES STRAT- TON .- The Stratton family emigrated from Stratton Hill, in England, to New England in the -even- teenth century. In the title to East Hampton, Long Island, acquired by Eaton and Hopkins, in 1618, of the sachems of the four eastern Indian tribes of the island, . Episcopal Church, and the Hon. Charles C. Stratton, and transferred by them to the settlers of the town, who was elected Governor of the State of New Jer-
144
HISTORY OF GLOUCESTER COUNTY.
sey. Dr. Stratton was remarkable for his striet moral and religious habits. lle early joined the Protestant Episcopal Church, and was an efficient member. Being very fond of music, he usually led the songs of the congregation. He venerated the Lord's Day, and so timed his professional engagements as to seenre for himself the privileges of the sanctuary. He retained his predilections for the Puritan faith, and assembled his family on Sunday afternoon to in- struet them in the Westminster Catechism. He was possessed of a fine, commanding figure, of genial manners, and Christian tenderness, and full of sym- . as a gentleman.
pathy. He was one whom everybody loved and re- speeted. As a politician he was a Federalist, and his influence with the people was such that, with the exception of six persons, he controlled the entire vote of the township.
He left a large landed estate, but the fall of priees after the war of 1812 very much reduced its value. He was grandfather of Dr. Benjamin Harris Stratton, of Mount Holly, recently deceased, one of the Fel- lows of the Medical Society of New Jersey, of which his grandfather was a member in 1786, and president in 1788.
The following obituary notice was published at the time of his decease :
"On Sunday, the 29th ult., departed this life at his residence near Swedesboro, Gloucester Co., in this State, after a short illness, Dr. James Stratton, aged fifty-seven years. Thus, in the midst of life and usefulness, in possession of the love and esteem of all who knew him, is this amiable aud respectable man snatched from his family and so- ciety by the hand of death. May his bereaved family and friends find consolation in the well-grounded hope that be has exchanged a world of nosatisfying enjoyments for scenes of bliss and glory.
"Dr. Stratton was of that description of men who are justly styled the pillars of society, active, intelligent, sensible, dignified, a Christian and a patriot. The chasm created by his death will long be marked in mournful recollections by bis surviving relations and neighbors and fellow-citizens."
His tomb in the old churchyard of the Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church of Raccoon ( as Swedes- boro was then ealled), now Trinity Protestant Epis- copal Church, bears this inscription :
"Sacred to the memory of Dr. James Stratton, who departed this life March 29th, 1812, in the 57th year of his life. With a mind strong and well cultivated, he was uncommonly useful as a citizen and as a Chris- tian. His piety and virtue will long be held in remembrance."
James Strutton Genealogy .- Married (1) daughter of his preceptor, Benjamin R. Harris, and had Anna, who married Dr. John L. Stratton ; Sarah, who mar- ried Edward Carpenter, father of Hon. T. P. Carpen- ter, of Camden.
Married (2) daughter of Ingh Creighton, and had Samuel, a clergyman in the Episcopal Church, who died about fifteen years since.
Charles C., first Governor of New Jersey under the new constitution.
Maria, who married (1) Dr. Ercuries Fithian, and (2) Daniel P. Stratton.
1
Isabella, who married Burgh Howey. Harriet, who married Dr. Joseph Fithian.
Frances. now still living in Philadelphia.
DR. ERCURIES B. FITHIAN succeeded Dr. James Stratton in the practice of medicine in Swedesboro; was a son of Joel Fithian, who was sheriff and also in the Legislature. Ile studied medicine with Dr. James Stratton, and married his daughter Maria. In 1816 he associated with him in practice Dr. Joseph Fithian. He died suddenly in the same year. He was a very popular physician, and was much esteemed
DR. DAYTON LUMMIS, one of the founders of the- Gloucester County Medieal Society in 1818, was a na- tive of Salem, N. J. He married a Miss Cooper, who died before him without issue. He practiced medi- cine in Swedesboro for a short time, and afterwards in Woodbury, Gloucester Co. Ile is described as a dashing, energetic young man, very popular and effi- cient as a practitioner. He was stricken down by disease in early manhood, which terminated his life in 1821. The Gloucester Herald and Farmer, in the number for Ang. 8, 1821, has the following notice :
" Died, on Sunday morning last, at his Jate residence in Woodbury, Dayton Lummis, M.D., in the forty-first year of his age, of consump- tion, after an indisposition of eight years, which be bore with almost unexampled patience and resignation. He was a good neighbor, a sin- cere friend and bashand, and he died as be had lived, beloved and esteemed by all who knew him."
His remains were buried in Christ Church burying- place, Philadelphia, where was erected a stone bearing a brief inscription of his age and date of his death.
DR. WILLIAM LUMMIS was an elder brother of Dayton. He also practiced in Woodbury, and was a physician of great experience and intelligence. Dr. Rush, professor in University of Pennsylvania, in hi- writings upon yellow fever, frequently alludes to Dr. Lummis. In 1798 he wrote a letter upon yellow fever as occurring in Woodbury, to which allusion is made in Part I., section " Pestilence." In the early part of this century he left New Jersey, and settled in Ontario, in the State of New York, when it was al- most a wilderness.
DR. BENJAMIN ERWIN was a practitioner of medi- cine in Swedesboro early in this century and prob- ably in the latter part of the last. His outfit was a poor, raw-boned, sluggish horse of the Rozinante make, his carriage a rickety, one-horse vehicle called a sulky on two wheels, with no top. He was gross in person, with a face rough and red, ornamented by a nose of the tomato pattern, full of brag. and a great talker. IFe bad the confidence of the people and a very large practice, though it was a common saying in regard of him, " What a pity it is that he will drink !" Ile died about 1823. ( From the Recollec- tions of Dr. Joseph Fithian.)
DR. ISAAC DAVIS, JR., was one of the original found- ers of the Gloucester County District Medical Society, which he joined Dec. 8, 1818. He settled in Swedes-
145
GENERAL HISTORY.
boro, and practiced there for a number of years; was quite popular up to the time of Rev. Mr. Norman Nash, whose cause and course he very warmly sup- ported, and which resulted in much trouble in the Episcopal Church at that time. He owned a large farm-very valuable-in Pittsgrove, Salem Co., and
in active practice, having scqmred a competency, he retired there from and gave himself up almost entirely to what was the greatest pleasure of his life, reading and study, and for the last fifteen years few mien spent more hours with books than Dr. Fithian His extensive read- ing and his retentive memory furnished his discriminating mind with a rich store of knowledge, which made him one of the most interesting conversationalists I have ever met. To this was added a most imposing presence, and n genial and courteous manner, which won the respect al-o the place known as the Jennings farm, near . and regard of all who came in contact with him. He was, moreover, Swedesboro. He afterward lost much of his prop- erty, and, I understand, removed to the western coun- try. His wife was Miss Sarah Ivans, a very lovely and estimable lady, and greatly beloved by all who knew her.
DR. DANIEL VANNEMAN succeeded him in prac- tice, but became discouraged by losing his first pa- ! tient, soon left, and settled in Salem County, N. J.
JOSEPH FirMIAN, M.D .- Dr. Fithian was born : death. He had passed the extreme humuit assigned by the l'salm'st as the June 25, 1795, in Fairton, Cumberland Co., N. J., duration of human hfe, and in the full possession of all his faculties, mental and physical, in a beautiful green oll age he thed, full of years and full of honors, at his own home, in the bosom of his family, sur- rounded by those he most loved, and has gone to reap the reward of a well-spent life." and spent the early years of his life in Fairfield. HIere he engaged in study followed by a period as teacher, after which he prepared for the University of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia, where he graduated. Swedesboro was chosen as his earliest field of labor. DR. CHARLES GARRISON was born at Deerfield, Cumberland Co., N. J., March 17, 1800; studied med- ieine with Dr. Buck, of Bridgeton ; married Hannah L. Fithian, sister of Dr. Joseph Fithian, before he was of age, and before he graduated from the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania. He entered upon the prae- tice of medicine in Fairton, Cumberland Co., where he remained only about one year, and where his son, Rev. Joseph Fithian Garrison, MI.D., was born. He removed to Clarksboro, Gloucester Co., in 1823, and from there to Swedesboro in 1824, where he con- tinned in active practice till stricken down by pa- ralysis in November, 1871, and died April 12, 1875, of abscess and softening of the brain, as a seqnelæ of his attack in 1871. Here he remained one year, and at the expiration of that time established himself at Woodbury, N. J., having entered into partnership with Dr. Eli Ayres, who soon relinquished his share of the practice, which was continued uninterruptedly by Dr. Fithian for a period of half a century. He was married, Nov. 12, 1817, to Miss Harriet, daughter of Dr. Stratton, of Swedesboro, and sister of ex-Governor Stratton, who died May 9, 1850. IIe was a second time married, Oct. 28, 1852, to Miss Hettie G. Cattell, daughter of Thomas W. Cattell, and sister of ex-United States Senator Cattell, of Salem, N. J. To this marriage . were born children,-Josephine, wife of Rev. E. W. Iliteheoek, D.D., and Sallie C., who died at the age of twenty years, Dr. Fithian's death occurred, after an extended life, memorable for its usefulness, on the 9th of January, 1881, in his eighty-sixth year. The following memorial prepared by an attached friend embodies a just estimate of his character and abilities:
"In the death of Dr. J. Fithian, the community in which he has lived so long has sustained the loss of a venerable citizen, distinguished for hi- bigh personal character and a long oneer of usefulness both in his profession and in his private life. For full half a century he was ac- tively engaged in his profession, and won for himself an enviable repu- talion for his skill as a physician, and his untiring devotion to a large and widely extended practice.
" A man of studions habits, his acute logical mind grasped the princi- ples upon which the science of medicine is based, and doubtless in some wider field than that in which he located he would have risen to dis- tinction among medical celebrities of luis age.
"In the earlier years of his professional life he wrote frequently for the medical journals, and also prepared numerons pipers of value, which were read at the meetings of the New Jersey Medical Society, and were published in their annual reports. Among his brethren in New Jersey he was an authority in the profession, and was held in high esteem as a Most successful practitioner by many of the eminent medical men of Philadelphia, both of the past and present generation. The late Dr. George B. Wood, in his work on the 'Practice of Medicine,' quotes him as high authority on some questions of practice, and that eminent scholar and author, Professor Gross, who knew him personally, spoke of him since his death to one of his nephews in the most complimentary terms as a man of note in the profession. After a career uf fifty years
a Christian philosopher. He brought to the examination of the great questions which affect our relations to things beyond the grave his well-balanced reasoning powers, and while recognizing in its fullest memning the force of the declaration of the greit apostle, that 'with- out controversy great is the mystery of godliness,' he accepted the Middle as the revealed word of God, and Christ Jesus as the savionr of mankind. In this faith he lived and died, exercising for more than fifty years the office of elder in the Presbyterian Church. Profoundly convinced that the Bible was the ordained means for the conversion of the world, he organized nearly fifty years ago the Gloucester County Bible Society ; was its first president, and remained at its head until his
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.