Bridgeton pioneer., 1892-05-12

pToleeSlouhl ldDOr, after successful
career of ferty-one years
During all these years, the physician
labored arduously, and his duties re-
quired not less professional skill and
large experience than great physical
endurance, as a result of the widely
extended area of general practice.
Great regret was manifested by all
upon his retirement, and certainly no
greater compliment can be paid his
professional abilities.
DIR. Fithian has always been an act
i've man, and central figure in all the
important movements inaugurated
about his home in Greenwich. In his
professional life he was regarded as a
leading physician by his fellow prac-
titioners, and held important posi-
tions in the County Medical Society.
He was its first Secretary, and after
years of inactivity, the Society was re-
organized and he was made its Presi-
dent, and from the very beginning of
his administration of affairs, the So.
ciety took on degree of vitality and
usefulness that has since remained
closely allied to it. On several occa-
sions DIR. Fithian represented the
County Society in the State Conven.
ton, and upon more than one occa-
sion has been delegate from New
Jersey to the Convention of the Ma
tional Society. The elderly gentle
man attended the session of the So.
ciety at its meeting in the Hotel Cum
berland the last time four years ago,
when he was ninety-six years OF age.
In religious views, DIR. Fithian has
always been Presbyterian, and has
been a liberal supporter as we'll as
member of the Greenwich Presbyter-
ian Church, of which his father and
great-grandfather were elders. Dur
ing his entire life. the Doctor has been
an active worker in this historic
church, and a sketch of the church
written by him years ago, gives its
earliest history as 1700 This history
was most admirable one and in its
preparation the venerable doctor be
slowed the utmost pains in gathering
information from all accessible sources.
He has lived for sixty years directly
opposite the church building, which in
1885, he, with Thomas E. Hunt, and
Phillip Fithian, as Committee, built
| for the church.
In politics. DR.. Fithian is Republi-
| can, coming from old line Wing stock,
his father having been Whig during
the Revolution. and after the adoption
| of the Constitution-a Federalist. His
father served as a member of both
houses of the Legislature, and was the
first sheriff elected in Cumberland
County. beside having sat as Common
Pleas Judge. DIR. Fithian, was never
particularly interested in politics, other
than faithfully voting his principles at
every election, until within two years
ago, when he cast his vote for the last
time under the then newly inaugur-
ated ballot reform system of voting.
1t is remarkable fact that this aged
| ply s1cian has lived under the admins
tration of every president the United
States has ever had, his birth occur
ring during the second term of the
immortal Washington.
The house in which DIR. Flthian re-
sides is of ancient architecture. 1t
was built and occupied by Dr..
Samuel Ward, whose body lies in
the old burying ground, and upon
! slab which marks his resting place, is
the date of his death-1774, showing
him to have been dead 11S years, so
that the house must be at least 1876
years old. 1t Is in good repair, and
both it's interior and exterior indicates
every comfort, if not the later day
conveniences. The house is situated
upon knoll, and in front of the white
paling fence are two great oak trees
which throw delightful shade over the
entire house.
In the little sitting room the Doctor
spends the most of his days, in con-
stant company with his nephe W, Lieut..
Samuel r. Fithian, and his nieces Mary
@. Fithian and Mrs. Christiana @.
Glaspey.
The Doctor, as is we'll known, Is a
bachelor, and for thirty-four years he
has lived In this same house with his
niece Mary. In his big old fashioned
arm chair he sits hour after hour. He
cannot see to read, and he derives all
his information from the members of
his household. Notwithstanding the
great weight of years he is still able to
fully understand everything, and often
enters into conversation spiritedly.
His memory is wonderful, considering
his years, and often he is asked of
something of the past, and while he
may be obliged to stop moment or
two to collect his thoughts, he invari-
ably answers, and that correctly.
DR.. Fithian's health is generally
good. He is easily fatigued of course,
but he suffers no sickness and needs
no medicine. 1t is singular fact that
he requires no physician, and has had
no medical attendance since the death
Of the late DIR. Stathems. who formerly
lived three doors west of the Doctor.
For weeks the centenarian has apx-
iously and eagerly looked forward to
yesterday, and has anticipated the
greatest pleasure with the reunion
with his friends and relatives.
The longevity of this centenarian
has caused wide spread attention.
Only few days since, the Philadel-
phia Press. named him as the oldest
Free Mason in the United States, hav-
ing been member of Brearley Lodge,
this city, for seventy.six years. He is
today by many years the oldest living