Woodstown register. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 187?-1892, 1883-06-19
REV. r. P. DUBOIS.

AS we have about Woodstown some
relatives of the late Rev. Robert Pat
| terson Dubois, who died at New Lon
don, Pa, on 2Ist of February last, we
| give the subjoined sketch from the
| Oxford Press.
The deceased vas one of the oldest and
most widely known ministers of the Pres
| byterian Church In Chester county, hav.
ing been pastor of the New London church
for a period of forty years.
| He was a descendant from a French
Protestant or Huguenot, who emigrated 10
America in 1000, for conscience sake
He was born at Doylestown, Bucks county
Pa, August 10, 1905. being the second
son of a family of FIVE soas and three
daughters. His father was Rev. Uriah
Dubois, pastor of the Presbyterian Church
at Doylestown his mother, Miss Martha
Patterson of Philadelphia. He received
his academical education under his father
and was graduated at the University of
Pennsylvania in 1924. Taking up the
study Of medicine he continued it for two
years and afterward tur led his attention to
teaching and became principal of the
Chester County Academy in the Great
Valley remained there three years and
then went to Doylestown where he taught
| until he entered Princeton Theological
Seminary, in 1884. He married Miss
Jane Haight Latla, daughter Of Rev.
John Latta, April 5, 1890, was licensed to
preach Oct. 8, 1885. and Oct. 10. 1896,
accepted a call to the New London Pres-
| byterian Church. He resigned his charge
in 1876, after a pastorate OF forty years.
His wife has been dead about 80 years
and he leaves a son DR.. Francis L.
Dubois, Surgeon in the u. S. Navy, and
one daughter, Emilia, who resides with
| him.
This eminent man of God and most ex-
cellent citizen spent a long and useful
life and worked unsel6shly for the tenn
| poral and eternal welfare Of the people of
bis town and n~eighborhood nor was his
| work and Influence confined to narrow
honored by the people Of the whole south
ern portion of the county. He was a man
of great industry and was one of the most
~methodical and sys matte of men,
Everything of interest pertaining to church
affairs while he was pastor, or clerk of the
Presbytery Of New Castle, a position he
filled for twenty-five years, was recorded
and preserved for future use or reference.
All financial operations with which he
was concerned were carefully noted and
accurately accounted, and nothing requir.
ing attention was neglected by him.
Mr9Bcassis was a man of winning yan-
ners, kind and gentle, and was a great
~favorite with the young people. He was
easily approached and possessed to a great
degree the power of drawing and gaining
the confidence Of the timid. He perform
ed the marriage ceremony for a large
number of couples than often falls to the
lot of a minister, particularly to one re-
siding in the country. The number ex-
ceeds one thousand, and he oficiated at a
large number of funerals. The number
of sermons and addresses delivered by
him exceeds six thousand.
He was a mar of broad knowledge and
scholarly a~ttaInments. He preached with
q persuasive eloquence and great earnest
ness, expounding the scriptures clearly
convincing many and offending nome
He was an excellent writer, philosophical
perspicuous and interesting. His writings
over the signature Of "West End" pub
lished in series in our paper from time
to time, and other frequent contributions,
showed his versatile mind ard were read
with interest by many of our reads. His
manuscripts. even at his advanced age,
for communications were received from
him up to the week preceding his death
were models of exact penmanship, after a
style peculiarly his own.
Mr.. Dubois was a lifelong advocate
and worker in the cause of temperance
and the advance ground taken by the
people of that community upon this vital
question is largely due to his Efforts
Shortly after he took up his residence In
New London, in 1888. the first total alb
s~tinence society was formed. He took an
active interest in it from the first, and held
to its principles unfalteringly 10 the end
of life. This society at one time had 500
members on Its roll. He took an active
part in educational work aud labored
long and earnestly for the success of the
New London Academy and the public
schools.
A good man has fallen from our midst,
like a sheaf of wheat fully ripe and gath
cred in at the harvest time. he has filled
his mission here and passed on. His sick
ness was of short duration. having taken
cold about twelve days previous to his
death. His son. Dr.. Dubois. was with
him a portion Of the time and was present
at the funeral, being nov stationed at the
Philadelphia Navy Yard.
Tit iunerei took place on S'sur1ay and