The Penn's Grove record., 1917-09-07
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OBITUARY
JAMES d. TORTON

Former Mayor James ID. Torton died
last Sunday morning, September ,, 1917.
aged II years. He had been failing in
health during the past few wears. but
was about the house until two weeks
previous to his death.
The funeral service was held at his
late residence. at the corner of South
Broad and Main streets. ON Wednesday
morning. the 9TH. 1t was the largest
attended house funeral in Penns Grove
for some time because he was widely
known as Il public man in business and
political affairs during the past genera
ton.
Rev. John w. Lynch. pastor Of st
PauPs NJ. Il. Church. preached the SER
mon from the words of st. Paul: The
time of my departure is at hand. l
have fought a good fight. L have kept
the faith" 2nd Timothy 81. He said
st. Paul had "A checkered career. but
he did great work to advance the cause
of Christianity which was a great in
SEPARATION to others. He tried hard to
live well and feared not death. Mr..
Torton had done great work for the
church by his activities as a member of
st. PauIs Church organized in 1884.
He was one of the original members
and was a trustee during most of the
past thirty-three years. He thanked
tod for such a man who had been faithful
to his church. when there are so many
men with means and leisure who take no
interest in religious affairs. He also
spoke Of his active life in public affairs
as Mayor of Penns rove.
Pow w L A+Enn., e E--.1
Church. and Rev. Fred J.. Peters. of the
Baptist Church. assisted with the SER
vice. Burial was in Riverview Gene
terry.
No man in Penns Grove during the
past generation took a more active part
in the business. political, social and re-
liglous activities of the mmunt He
was born at Quinton. February "A. 1910.
one of the large family of Thomas Tor
ton and Ann Duer. In youth he learned
the carpenter trade and also sailed the
sea. In 1862 he became a member of
Company X. 24th Regiment. and did SER
vice for the preservation of the Union
of States at the battles of Fredericks-
burg and fhancellorville. At the expira-
ton of his enlistment he became a car
penter in the Navy.
In 1865 he bought the undertaken
business of his brother-in-law Augustus
Cam. and continued the business in
Penns Grove with intermission of a. few
years in Bridgeton and Camden. He
was elected Coroner four terms of three
years and was a member of the County
Almshouse Trustees which made him
widely known over the county.
He took an active part in the corpor-
alton of Penns Grove as a borough in
1891 and was elected the first Mayor.
He was reelected in 1897. 1899. 1901
and 1905. As Mayor he was progressive
in improving the streets and sidewalks
and encouraging public utilities.
In 1866 he married hannah. daughter
of Michael and Sarah Dolbow. After
the great revival in Emmanuel NJ. +.
Church. under Mrs. Lizzie Smith. in
1867. Mr.. and. Mrs. Torton became act,
i've workers in the social ana church life
of the community. They were the jovial
leaders in most social affairs and the
ministers of the gospel were ever vel
coined in their home. She was the fore
most leader Of .she w. C. 7. L. for many
years and they were the hardest work
ers for the upbuilding of st. PauIs NJ
Z. Church.