Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1851-03-20
EGGGGG GlJIUmo
SIGNERS OF THE DECLARATION OF
INDEPENDENCE.
JOHN wIruERspooS. OF NEW JERSEY

John Witherspoon was born in the parish OF
1es,er, near Edinburgh Scotland on The If Ia OF
February. 1922. He wa linell descendant OF
tie great TeioraIer, John Knox. His ia1i.er was "a
minister in the Scottish church. at Yesrer and
was greatly beloved. He took great pains 10
have the early education OF his son based upon
sound moral and religious principles, and early
determined 10 NJ hlm for Ire gospel ministry
Ills primary education was received in a school
Il IladdIugton, and at the age Of fourteen years
he was placed Ia tie University OF Edinburgh
He was q very dlhgent student, ard to the delight
Of his father, his mind was specially directed TO-
ward sacred literature. tie went through a reg
uar theological course of study. aud at the aye OF
twenty-five years he graduated licensed preacher.
lie was requested TO remain in lcs,er. as an as
s!stanS Of ms father, but he accepted a ca. al
Beth. in the west OF Scotland, where lie laboGed
faithfully tor several years
From Beth he removed to Paisley, where he
became widely known Tor his pie;y and Learning
He was severaIy invited 10 take charge OF d par
.sh and flock at Dublin. in Ireland, Dundee, IN
Scotland and Rotterdam IN Holland but lie de-
cl.aed them al. In 1866 lie was invited, by
unanimous vote OF the trustees OF New Jersey
College, 10 become It's president, but this too lie
iechEet, partly account Of the uuVillugUess
of lis wife 10 leave the laud ot her nativity. But
3eiHg strongly urged by Richard Stockton [atter-
ward Ids co..ea.5l .u Congress. and fellow sguer
u the Declaration OF l-tePeuieuce.) thcu on a
-Isit ID jhat country he accepted the appointment.
.nd sailed Tor America. lie carI.NCd q. Pr.uce,ai.
Alfh A-s family. IA August 1868, and on the
;aH eateeuth OF that month he WIS Exaggerated
oresten. OF the College. His nar.c arl ~ ez-
.rtoas WTog1hc great change In the affairs O.
hat Institution. and from q low condition 10 It's
finances and other essential elements Of prosper
y, II soon rose To "a proud eIaineucc among tie
institutions OF learning in America.
When the British army invaded New Jersey.
he College al Princeton was broEen uP. aGd he
extensive knowledge Of Or. NitLersraou was
called into play IN a vastly different arena lie
vas called upon early IN 1916, TO ASSIST IN tie
formation OF new Constitution for New Jersey.
and las patriotic sentiments and souat Judgment
we're so conspicuous, tuat ia jane OF tu1t yc1r. he
was tI5c e3 a delegate 10 the General Congress.
lie had already formed dec ldcd opinion IN favor
q Independence. and he gave his support TO the
resoiauon declaring the states free forever. On
lae second of August 1875. he affixed las sisne-
IRE 10 the Declaration
Doctor Wlfherspoon was q member OF Congress
from the PERIOD of his first election Enti I7S'..
except part Of the year 1880, and so strict was
be III his attendance that i was .ery rare thins
- frd hun absent He was placed upon rLc
most important committees, and lntrHstea with
delicate commissions. He took a conspicuous
part IN both military and financial matters aId
colleagues were astou.saed AZ the yersat.Ltyo of
Ia knowledge
After the restoration OF pence in 1888. Doctor,
y ltAaTspoou withdrew from public lie. except SO
FIR q his duties as minister OF the gospel brought
h n before h.s focs He endeayored to resusci-
tate the PROSTATE institution over VL.cA lie bad
n e~-ted Although 10 his sou-in-i1yy. .cc Pre-
ldent smith, iurusted the active duties IN tie
q fort yet II cannot be doubted that the name ard
iHduerce of Doctor Wi-Eerspoon were chiefly IN
st-uU entail IN effectng the result which followed.
\ ter urgent solicitation. he consented - 20 70
tr-eat Britain and ask for pecuniury AID for the
College. In this movement his own Judgment
dd not concur. Tor he knew enough oI human
nature 10 believe that while political resentment
WIS sun so warm there against people who had
Just cut asun3er the bond Of union with tacm. no
enterprise could offer charms sufficient 10 over
come 1t. In tn.s he was correct Tor Ne collected
barrel enough 10 pay the expense OF his voyage
About two years before ms death. he lost ms
evs-si ght yer his ministerial duties were not relln
qushed. Aided by the guiding hand OF another,
he would ascent the pulpit, and with all the terVor
of his prime and vigoT. b-eiS the Bread Of Lie
70 the eager listeners 10 his message.
As a theological writer. Doctor Witaers7oon
aa = tew superjois. ard as statesman lac held the
Ir.t rank In him were centre; the social eie
ms nis Of upright citizen, fond parent. last
tutor. and humble Christians and when. on the
Ter tn of November, 1924. at the age of nearly
earythree years, his useful life closed, II was
wielY felt thai great man had fallen N Israel