Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1859-09-15
Historical shtttbes.
Written for the Monmouth Weekly Herald.
LIVES OF
Distinguished Jerseymen.
New Series.
BY HENRY WARD,
Member of tie Litchfeld Co. Historical Socicts
XXI.
Rt. Rev. John Croes, DID.

patriotism, than the clergy of the Revo
luton. They not only preached the doe
trine of resistance to tyranny. and oppres
sion, but in most instances, practiced wha
they taught. Such was the character o
the venerable subject Of this Sketch.
John Croes was born at Elizabeth town
in New Jersey, in 1862, June 1st.) Hi.
parents came to this country from Ger
many, few years previous to his birth
Being very industrious and economical
his father, who was remarkable for his
honesty and integrity, designed to ap
prentice him to some lucrative trade -
But John had such an Unsuitable avidity
for books, that his parents changed theil
minds, and gave him his choice, either tc
engage in some mechanical employment
or to obtain an education by his own per
severing efforts. He determined upon
the latter expedient.
But check was put upon his laudabTe
career by the war of the Revolution
Four years after its commencement, he
YVES called upon to take up arms in de-
lence of his country. Although mere
youth, he promptly obeyed the mandate
and served with great efficiency in the
army Of Washington, until the conclu.
sion Of peace, in 1882. He had grown
up to manhood, with an hercuean frame
and an iron constitution. He was reso
lutte, persevering, and courageous; and
with such qualities, what could be not
accomplish?
The war being ended, he resumed his
studies with redoubled ardor. He soon
became complete master of the Greek
and Latin Languages, and was one of
the best English scholars in his day and
generation.
Thus being thoroughly furnished, he
engaged in teaching an academy, with
the highest degree OF reputation and sue
cess. At the same time, he pursued his
theological studies, with great perseve,
rance; and in 1890, was ordained Dea.
con in the Protestant Episcopal Church.
In 1892, he was admitted to the order of
the Church in Swede5borough, where he
officiated with great ability, for several
years. In 1901, he received an urgent
call TO take the rectorship Of Christ's
Church i'll New Brunswick, and of St.
Peters Church at Spotswood. At the
same time, be was called upon to take
charge of the Academy at New Bruins.
wick. But his untiring zeal and energy
were principally devoted to the interests
Of the Church in that City.
In 1915, the Protestant Episcopal Con.
vention chose him Bishop Of Connecticut:
but he respectfully declined the Office
During the same year, he was elected
Bishop of the Diocese of New Jersey, and
was ordained to that high, eccl .siastical
station in November. He now had am
pie scope for carrying out to their utmost
extent the great principles involved in
his office. He made it a general rule, al
most every year, to visit every church in
his Diocese. He greatly augmented the
Missionary fund; founded new Churches.
and revived old ones. In the midst of
these almost unparalleled labors, and in
the full height of his usefulness, he died
at his residence in New Brunswick. July
Both, 1882.
OF Bishop Croes, it may with truth be
said, that be was selftaught man. The
prominent traits Of his character were,
unwearied industry, astonishing perseye-
rance, sound and discriminating judg
ment, sincere piety, and temper ever Sc
rene, and never responding. The writer
wei! recollects hearing him preach in
New Brunswick, some thirty-fuu or five
years since. His appearance in the pull
pit was commanding, dignifed, and even
majestic. His sermons were character
lied by great depth, soundness, perspicu
ity, and elegance of diction.
In conclusion; with this Sketch, we
close our Biography of Distinguished
Jerseymen." To u.s. it has been pleas
ant task; and we trust not wholly with
out profit. The State of our adoption
it will be seen, has had her full share of
eminently great and worthy men. We
have chosen the most conspicuous. 1t
was our intention, to have written
Sketches of the lives of Bishop Doane,
DR.. Alexander, and others; but as they
have already appeared in the Herald, the
task would be superfuous. New jersey
can boast of bright Galaxy of living
worthless, to whom the pen Of some future
bi"grapher, we trust will do ample jus.
tice. 10 the Editor of the Herald, and
his numerous readers, permit me to pre-.
sent my sincere thanks for their patience
and forbearance, and the kind regard
with which they have received my hum.
BILE efforts. May prosperity attend them
through life; and they be destined at last
to join that immortal band of Worthless
in the upper world; whose Lives the wri
ter has thus been permitted to SKETCH
Instead of the usual In .Memoriam," We
quote the following, as applicable to the
venerable Bishop Croes:-
He's gone the spotless soul is gone,
Triumphant to his place above;
The prison walls are broken down;
The angels speed his swift remove,
And shouting, on their wings he flies,
And gains his rest in Paradise
may we all, like him, believe,
And keep the faith, and win the prize!
Father, prepare, and then receive
Our hallowed spirits to the skies,
To chant, with all our friends above,
| Thy glorious, everlasting love-
LITcaFIELD. Sept. s. 1859.
u.s. A stiff necked old politician, iy
ing near Detroit recently refused to allow
his daughter to marry the man Of heI