Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-05-02
GEN. CONGDON,
ERRORS JUDGE,
LONG ILL, DIES
Paterson Silk Manufacturer and
$ Mason, Once Decorated by
Japanese Emperor.
Especial to the Evening Start

| EhoON, May Oh ~
| seph Wadsworth Congdon, lay judge
of the New Jersey Court of Errors
and Appeals and one of the most
prominent citizens of Paterson, died
at the General Hospital here last
| night. He was In his sevent eth year.
For the last ten years he had been
suffering from diabetes and Brighe's
disease. His death had been expect
ed for the last two days.
General Congdon was silk manu-
facturer, being president of the Phoe-
nix Manufacturing Company and the
United States Silk Conditioning Com
pany. He was president of the SIX
Association of America for num-
Der of years He was one of the most
prominent members of the Masonic
| fraternity in this State. In 1903 he
visited Japan as the representative
of the six industry of the United
States. The emperor of Japan at that
time conferred on aim court honors
with the rank OF commander.
The deceased was perhaps the most
active civic leader that Paterson ever
had He figured prominently In many
local o'se lizations and was leader
In char able enterprises. The popu-
larity of General Congdon was not
confined to any particular class. He
was a friend of the thousands whom
he employed and he was known per-
sonally to al creeds and to all races.
Funeral Monday.
The funeral services will be held
Monday afternoon at o'clock at
the Second Presbyterian Church, and
will be conducted by Rev. Hugh B
MacCau.ey, pastor In addition, ser
vices will be conducted by the Grand
Lodge of the Most Ancient and Hon
orable Society of Free and Accepted
Masons for the State of New Jersey,
of which Judge Congdon was past
grand master. The family have asked
that flowers be m,tted. Interment
will follow in Cedar Lawn Cemetery.
General Congdon was born in New
York November 26, 1874. He was edu-
Gated in the famous Grammar School
No 80, on Thirteenth street. under
Professor Thomas Hunter. He lived
in this State since 1867.
Judge Congdon began in the book
and wholesale furnishing buiiness,
and continued in that line until 1886.
when he became vice-pres dent OF the
Phoenix in 1900.
In 1858 Mr.. Congdon married a
daughter of Thomas Burlock, of An
sonia county. He had four children
from the union, three sons and one
daughter, of whom only the daughter
survives.
Lifelong Republican.
Judge Congden was a lifelong Re-
publican. He was a marshal of the
Paterson Republican clubs in the
Hayes and Garfield campaigns. and
was on the executive committee of
the Commercial Travellers Republi-
can League of New York. He was
also a marshal of the Central Dry
Goods division of New York city, and
money parades of 1896, 1870 and 1874.
In 1907 Mr.. Congdon was chosen
president of the Central Dry Goods
| division, which he held for many
years In 1907 he served on the Re-
publican committee of the state.
When Governor Stokes took office he
appointed Judge congdon railroad
commissioner.
From 1867 to 1876 Judge Congdon
was lieutenant and captain in the
Twenty second Regiment of the New
| York National Guard. and for four
years following that date was colonel
! of the Twenty second Regiment Vet
| eran Corps. In 1880 Judge Congdon
organized the Paterson Light Guards.
the first military organization IN TINS
| city following the Civil War, and
which afterward became the First
| Battalion, N. G. N. j.
For ten years Judge Congdon was
an active member of the Old Guard.
of New York, and since then he was
an honorary member of the organiza-
ton.
Member of Salaam Temple.
Judge Congdon was most prominent
ir the Masonic order of the East. He
was a past master of Ivanhoe Lodge
No. IS, past commander of Melita
| Commandery No. 10, knights Tenn
plar, of this city; was member of
| Salaam Temple, Newark; past grand
master of Masons in New Jersey;
former president of the Masonic Vet
Grams Association, and a member of
the Supreme Council of the Scottish
Rite Masons of the thirty-thrd de-
gree. He was also past grand, com
nander of the Knights Templar of
| New Jersey.
He belonged to the Sons of the
| American Revolution, the New jersey
| Historical Society, was at one time a
trustee of the Second Presbyterian
| Church, acting as pres dent % the
| Noard; was a member of the japan
| Society. of New York; an honorary
member of the Royal Red Cross So
| CiCIy VI JAPAN "a A'fSNADNA VI VIZ -
P. o. E., this city.
Judge Congdon was a former pres
dent of the North Jereey Couns.'v
Club, a former vice-president of the
Hamilton Club. former president of
the Drawing Room Club. He was
likewise prominently identified W n
the Union League of New York. The
Army and Navy Club, the IIotos Cllb.
the New York Athletic Club and the
Plea Club.
General Congdon was confirmed as
a Judge of the Court of Errors and
Appeals in 1909 for full term of six
years, to succeed the late Elmer
Ewing Green. His term runs until
1915
He was POSTMASTER at the golden
Jubilee in honor of Very Rev. Dean
William McNulty last fall in Entire
Nous Hall.
In 1895 Judge Congdon placed in
nomination at the State Republican
convention the name of John w
Griggs as a candidate for governor.
and in 1907 he nominated Vivian M.
Lewis for the same office.