Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1905-03-02
REV. DANIEL THACKARA.

hLTs DHWiLL IHAUNHhH.
Rev. Daniel Thaekara, whose death was
briefly referred to in last weeks issue, was
one of the oldest residents in Woodbury.,
having lived in this clty since 1910.
In early life be was farmer and later on
became brick manufacturer The old
brick yard back Of ihe Woodbury. Glass
Works, on German street, was started by
him, and sold to his brother the late Benja-
min S. Thaekara, in the COS {sixties) For
many years be was coal dealer in Pbila-
delphia and largely interested in the lum-
Der business, owning extensive forests in
Virginia, cutting the trees aud selling the
timber in Baltimore. Phlaie phia and New
York
He was also interested in real estate, and
built many dwelling houses in the Second
ward He furnished the bricks for the Sons
o. Temperance Hall on Delaware street,
(now owned by Christ Cbutchl, and super
intended the construction Of the Woodbury.
Town Hall, Broad and German streets His
varied industries occupied his time eatia
declining health compelled some cessation
of his labors
Daniel Thackara was self-educated man
and entered the ministry Of the Methodist
Protestant Church oyer forty years ago.
Although he preached for years in The
Westville Church. and acted as It's pastor,
he never accepted any salary or remunera-,
tion for his services. On the other hand
for many years he was the chief contributor
towards the church expenses Up to the
time Of his death he maintained his mem-
bership with this church, and was always
Jealous for its welfare.
Mr.. Thackara was an active worker in
the temperance cause and, by request, pre-
pared the article on Temperance in Glou-
cester County, in Cushing's History of
Gloucester. Salem and Cumberland counties
published in 1888
In September, 1872, in the old Court
House at Woodbury., the Gloucester County
Temperance Alliance was instituted, and
he was selected President During the
term of years the Alliance maintained its
organization be was always chosen for this
post of honor. twas he who appointed the
Legal Advisory Committee TO attend To the
legal work of the Alliance and it was this
committee that contributed much 10 re-
duce the number Of licensed taverns in
Gloucester County during the period be-
tween 1874 and 1890.
In the 70's Mr.. Thackara and Others made
a personal canvass Of the legal voters in
Woodbury., and secured the signatures of a
majority OF them to petitions to Council to
repeal the Beer Ordinance He and other
citizens attended the Council meetings
when the repeater was under consideration,
and by their presence encouraged the ma
iority of Councilmen to vote FOR the repeater
The temperance men were successful, and
no ordinance permitting the licensed sale Of
malt liquors has been on the statutes OF
Woodbury. for over a quarter of a century.
Later on in 1887 and 1855 when the Local
| Option Law was passed, and an election
was asked for by hundreds Of voters in
Gloucester County, the combined liquor
traffic Of the State contested the matter in
the Courts and a large sum was raised in
| this county to sustain the constitutionality
of the law. Two thousand dollars were
asked for, and Daniel Thackara was made
custodian of these funds The Local Option
Law was sustained in the Supreme Court
and in the Court of Errors and appeals,
tine election was held. .and Gloucester County
went Dry During all this time Mr..
Thackara was unceasing in bis efforts to mp
hold the law.
| Daniel Thackara was a member and officer
of the Gloucester County Bible Society for
over half century, being the oldest mem-
Der of the Society at the time of his decease.
He assisted materially in its work, and con-
tributed of his means towards supplying
the destitute with the word Of God. He
was interested In the work Of the Glouces-