Bridgeton pioneer. (Bridgeton, N.J.) 1884-1919, 1892-01-07
HE SOON FOLLOWS.
James stiles Passes Away on the
Day of His Wtfe's Funeral.

closing, MRS. margaret Stiles was called |
away from earth. She and her hus-
band had been attacked with the grip
pc, which developed into pneumonia.
At the time of his wife's death, Mr..
Stiles was unconscious and very low
his death being expected at any time.
He fingered until Monday afternoon,
when shortly after the body of his
companion had been laid in mother
earth, his spirit took its fight. How
singular, and yet how fitting. that two
who for SO many years had been close
ly attached to each other, should SO
soon meet on the other side.
There is many poor person in this
city, who will remember with grateful
heart, Mrs. Stiles. For years, she was
actively connected with the Female
Benevolent Society, in this city. Her
charity, however, was not confined to
the limit of the funds of the Society,
but her great heart was ever open to
the call of the distressed. Frail as she
was, she was one of the most energetic
women we ever knew. Late at night,
in the pelting storm, she has been
known to go forth 10 her work of love,
to minister to the wants of some poor
one, of whom she had heard. She
was generously seconded in her benev-
olence by her husband, who constant
ly aided her.
But it is in the immediate family
where the blow will fall heaviest.
They know full we'll that home and
father and mother meant more than
this pen can picture.
James Stiles was native of Stiles
vile, near Deposit, Delaware county,
N. Y. He was the son of the Rev.
Stephen Stiles, Baptist clergyman,
after whom Stilesville was named.
The Rev. Michael Frederick, who
was once pastor of the Baptist
Church here, and whose remains are
now in the Pearl ST. Baptist cemetery,
came from that locality, and was a
friend young Stiles. After coming
here hi wrote to Mr.. Stiles, requesting
him to come to Jersey, informing him
that he could get school here. Upon
this invitation, Mr.. Stiles came to
Bridgeton somewhere about 1885, and
secured school, which he taught on
Laurel Hill, as all North Bridge on
was then called. He was also @ vocal
list, and taught singing school.
Il was introduced to. and became
acquainted with Miss Margaret Miller,
the daughter OF Jacob Miller,a wealthy
farmer, of those days. Their acquaint-
ance ripened into love, and resulted in
their marriage in 1887 or 1888. The
newly married couple took up their
residence cn farm in Dutch Neck,
which was part of his wife's> dowry,
and he became a farmer. Here, three
of their children were born, Jacob,
John and Sarah.
He took an active part in local poll
tics, while living in Dutch Neck, as
we'll as being popular in church,
social and puolic life. He became a
Director of the Cumberland Mutual
Fire Insurance Company, being elec,
ted to that position in March, 1858, and
was also elected Sheriff of the county,
his terV as Sheriff expiring in the fall
of 1854, when he was succeeded by Ma
thaniel Strattop, of Millville. When
elected Sheriff, he moved off the farm,
taking up his residence in this city, on
North Laurel street.
On September, 1857 he, with Smith
Dalrymple, purchased the Bridgeton
Chronicle from F. F. Patterson, which
they published under the firm name of
Stiles s. Dalrymple. He continued in
this business until January 1860, when
he sold out to Geo. F. Nixon. who had
purchased Dalrymple's interest in the
paper in 1853. His sons had meantime
learned the art of printing in the
Chronicle office.
Mr.. Stiles was elected school trus-
tee April 4th, 1858. and served as a
member of the School Board twenty
Eve years. He always took a great
interest in the public schools of the
city, and was an,efficient member of
the Board
He was the third oldest member of
the Board of Directors of the Cumber-
land Mutual Fire Insurance Company.
having served in that capacity since
1858 up to the time of his death-a
period Of almost 80 years. He has
been Township Clerk, before Bridge.
ton was incorporated; has been JUS
tice of the Peace, and held several
other minor positions of trust; has
been many times entrusted with the
settlement of estates, and has acted
in many capacities of public charac-
ter.
He was a staunch member of the
Baptist Church, in which both he and
his wife were constant and earnest
workers. He assisted materially in
h,,i1liro. kha Do "a