South Jersey: A History 1624–1924
Joseph F. Wallworth, while a successful realtor of Camden, is Camden County’s leading political figure. He has been a State Senator and a State Assemblyman, and in 1923 was president of the New Jersey State Senate, occupying the position that is equivalent to lieutenant-governor of the State. At present he is chairman of the Republican Camden County Committee. He was active in Red Cross, Salvation Army and Young Men’s Christian Association drives, and is probably the most influential citizen of Camden County.
Joseph F. Wallworth was born in Philadelphia, February 24, 1876, the son of Joseph Wallworth, born in Manchester, England, June 12, 1850, who came to the United States when he was six years old and settled in Chester, Pennsylvania, where he remained until he was a young man, then going to Philadelphia and entering cotton and wool waste business. His wife, the mother of Joseph F. Wallworth, was Georgiana (Dean) Wallworth, a native of Culpeper, Virginia, who died when her son was only ten years old. He was educated in the public schools of Philadelphia and Upland, Pennsylvania, and at the age of fifteen, entered his father’s firm, dealers in cotton and wool waste. For several years he was road salesman for the concern and eventually was admitted to an interest. In 1914, he took over the business and conducted it himself. In 1921 he sold out and is at present engaged in real estate development in Camden County, maintaining offices in the Smith-Austermuhl Building, Camden, and in Ocean City, New Jersey.
Early in his youth, Joseph F. Wallworth became identified with the Republican party, and he was active in many civic and political campaigns. His first political office was that of representative from Haddonfield to the Republican County Committee. In 1919 he was elected on the Republican ticket to the New Jersey State Assembly, serving until 1920 and was reelected in that year for another term of one year. In 1921 the county returned him to the State Legislature as Senator, and in 1923 he became president of the State Senate, a position that is tantamount to lieutenant-governor. On his return from Trenton, he became chairman of the Republican County Committee, and holds that post today.
Mr. Wallworth is a member of various bodies of the Free and Accepted Masons, and belongs to Camden Lodge, No. 293, of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Union League Club, of Philadelphia, the Camden Club, and the Tavistock Country Club. During the World War he was chairman of the Red Cross campaign in Camden, and he was active in the Salvation Army’s drive.
Mr. Wallworth married, in Philadelphia, at the Hotel Stenton, April 18, 1906, Emma W. Gerber, a native of Wilmington, Delaware, and daughter of Alfonse and Louise Gerber, formerly of Wilmington and later of Philadelphia. They have one daughter, Josephine Ellen Wallworth, born April 25, 1907. The Wallworths belong to the Presbyterian Church of Haddonfield, where they make their home.
Keown Named Head of County G.O.P. as Wallworth Resigns
Camden Courier-Post —
Mrs. Verga Re-elected Vice Chairman at Reorganization Meeting of Committee
OTHER OFFICERS CHOSEN
When the Camden County Republican Executive Committee reorganized last night Walter S. Keown was elected chairman without opposition.
He succeeds former State Senator Joseph F. Wallworth, who was Republican county chairman six years, and a member 12 years. At a dinner preceding the executive session a silver set and a vase were presented to Wallworth by the committee. The retiring members of the committee received bronze elephants as emblems of the party.
At the executive session Mrs. Elizabeth Grotty Verga was re-elected vice chairman; Harry C. Sharp, treasurer; William D. Sayrs, assistant treasurer; Howard B. Dyer, secretary, and Mrs. Laura Silbers and Mrs. Lottie Stinson, assistant secretaries. Harold W. Bennett, Edward R. Diebert, Bernard Bertman, L. Scott Chercesky, Carl Kisselman and Frank Voigt were chosen solicitors.
Wallworth Reviews Work
Upon retiring as chairman Senator Wallworth said:
“During the six years I acted as your chairman considerable political history has been made in our county. The Republican party was on the rocks and loyalty seemed to have drifted away when Frank Patterson, Al Matthews, Penn Corson and Senator Baird begged me to take the chairmanship. In doing so I quickly discovered I had undertaken one of the hardest up hill battles of my life.”
When Keown took over the gavel he pointed out to the committee members they were political leaders of their districts. He said it was their duty to find out the cause of unrest.
“In some of your districts the trouble is your tax rates are too high,” said the chairman. “High taxe [sic] rates are an evil and it is your duty to find the cause and remedy the situation. When there is a spirit of satisfaction in your district there is satisfaction throughout the county.”
Wolverton Favors Plan
Congressman Charles A. Wolverton complimented the new chairman on his advice. Sharp and Sayrs, who have been identified with the committee more than 20 years, were also speakers.
Keown then turned the gavel over to Mrs. Verga, who thanked the committee for her re-election. She introduced Mrs. Silbers and Mrs. Stinson, who urged loyalty and work on the part of the women members of the committee.
Keown was nominated by Daniel Silbers, Pennsauken township. Colonel George L. Selby nominated Sharp and Dyer. All of the officers received a unanimous vote.
Ten new members took seats from the five boroughs recently created out of Clementon township. Among them was Clinton L. Bardo, president of New York Shipbuilding Corp., who was elected from the new borough of Pine Valley last Tuesday. Twelve members of last year’s committee retired either as a result of the primary election or not being candidates.