The Penn's Grove record., 1911-06-23

Grove, passed away at s O'Clock on Thurs
day morning. He had been unwell for
fine months with chronic kidney trouble.
He was confined to his house all winter,
but vent out some when spring came.
He was able to be about until about ten
days before his death which was quite
peaceful, notwithstanding he suffered
much the last few days.
The funeral will take place OH Sunday,
25th, at his late residence at 2 p. m. Ser
vices at the house. Interment in River
view Cemetery.
LEAP FAMILY
Peter Leap, a German, settled in
Gloucester county in the latter part OF
the 18th century. The late John Pier
son, ~centenarian at Swedesboro, knew
him. He said: "Peler Leap Was a
very respectable man and a member OF
the Episcopal Church at Swedesboro.
He lived ona farm about Two and a
half miles below S~wedeSb0ro, where
he died about 1922 Peter Leap by
his first wife had Thomas who was the
father of the late Seth Leap, ST., OF
Upper P.nn7s Neck. By his second
wife he had six sons ana four daugh-
tiers. The fourth son, john 2. Leap
was born in 1900 and died i'll 1859.
John 2. Leap, after his fathers death,
became an apprentice to the father OF
the late John 2%ierson, to learn the
blacksmith trade John PiersOn, who
lived TO he over 100 years old, married
Rebecca, sister of John Z. Leap, fol
his first wife.
After being a blacksmith some years
at Sculltown, o known as Auburn
John p. Leap moved to Penn's Grove
in 1888, onto the farm now ownoa end
occupied by Samuel S. Borden, on
which was a blacksmith shop. In 1888
he bought of Joseph Guest, the land
now bounded 10y Main Street, Oak
Street, the Railroad Compauy's land
and the Delaware River. He bough.
the store bpsiless OF Clalkey Haines,
who had kept it for several years. In
a year or two he sold the store to
Matthew Dubois.
John P. Leap married Eunice Dennis.
SEDGWICK RUSHING LEAP
was one OF their ten children. John r.
Leap was II noted local Methodist
neaeher. In 1880 Sedgwick Rushing
was the junior preacher on Salem Cir
cult with Jacob Gruber. Among the
several boys whom he clrisrened and
received his name was Sedgwick Rus
ling Leap.
About 1858 S. R. Leap (being gem
orally known by his i%nitials) bought
the general store business of Matthew
Dubois and continued merchandising
until his death, excepting IN 1861, he
engage,tin the butcher bu 'lness while
Samuel G. Springer conducted the
store. His brother d ,vil ID. Leap was
his partner for about % years. About
20 wears ago lis son John 2. Leap was
taken into partnership and the last ten
Years lie has had the burden of business
management.
AS a business man he showed enter
prise, not only in improving his prop
erty so us to be the finest and best store
in Penn's Grove, but had a lively inter
est in tie ad yancement and business
welfare OF the Borough. The first issue
of The Pem's Grove RECORD in 1878
contained he advertisement of his store
and he continued TO advertise with few
in,elmiSsions up 10 the present. Not
outstanding the changes of proprietors,
4 edi ors. policies and opinions and dlf-
l~erences oil interests Mr.. Leap contin-
ued 10 support Lhe home paper. While
lirIa III his beliefs and principles, lie was
generous and ch litable
MI. Leaps atfable manner, accom-
q modatnig ways and excellent business
ability won him a continuous patronage
that made him the most popular and
most successful general Store keeper
ever in Penn's Grove. No other per-
s)n ever continued so long in one bust
n IS in Penn's Grove.
Mr.. Leap served his fello wmen long
i. er and in more varied positions THAI
any resident OF Penn's Grove. During
L,,e civil war he was enrolling otlioer
: About 1868 he was appointed post
! master and continued to hold the posi-
tim until a change of administrator
in 1885. He Was The sacrifice candidate
. Of his party for Chosen FreeLolde
twice in the township, usually running
ahead against a big Democratic ma
jority.
Being ready of speech and a goo
Judge of the value OF articles he WA
the most popular aactioneer for a gen
Grafton in the upper part OF the county
. He was a member of the Knights 0
: Pythias, Odd Fellows and Free AN
Accepted Masons. He held offices q
trust in all the secret societies to whic
- he belonged. He Was treasurer of til
4 Odd Fellows for many years. He wa
d treasurer OF Tie M tsoIls from the stan
5. ing Of penn's Grove Lodge No, 1872 i
: 1888 until 1911, ceasing to be becaus
OF failure i'll health. For several yea
lie was a member Of the Board of Ed