Introduction
DR. LORENZO F. FISLER was born on a farm in the upper end of Cumberland County, near Fislerville, on the 20th of April, 1797. He was the son of Dr. Benjamin and Catharine Fisler. He studied medicine with his father who then practiced medicine in Port Elizabeth, and as early as 1815 he assisted the latter in his profession. Dr. Fisler attended lectures at the University of Pennsylvania and graduated there from in 1819. He had two brothers, physicians— Samuel, his twin brother, and Jacob who practiced in Mays Landing, Atlantic County. Dr. Lorenzo F. Fisler began his professional career with his brother Benjamin in the latter place, where, being a good speaker, he occasionally preached in the Methodist Church. He remained here only a short time. He removed to Woodstown, in Salem County, and in 1825 he passed his examination before the board of censors of that county. In 1832 he returned to Port Elizabeth, and in 1836 he located in Camden, his office being on Second Street below Market. In this city he soon secured a good practice, at the same time joining actively in public affairs.
Dr. Lorenzo Fisler was elected to City Council in 1839, and he was chosen to be Mayor in 1840 and held that post until 1844, when the mayor’s office first became a post that was popularly elected. Dr. Fisler ran for mayor in 1848 on the Whig ticket, but was defeated. He ran again in 1851, and was elected, but failed to win the following year, losing to journalist Charles D. Hineline. He ran again in 1853 and won, and won another election in 1854, defeating former mayor John K. Cowperthwaite. He ran unsuccessfully three more times, in 1859, 1866, and 1869.
Dr. Fisler was a clear and logical writer, and was the author of a pamphlet history of Camden, published in 1858, called A LOCAL HISTORY OF CAMDEN, an excellent account of events up to and conditions existing at that time. As a public lecturer he was noted for his pleasing address and humorous satire, and he was frequently invited to deliver addresses before associations of a benevolent or charitable character. On June 2, 1853 he founded the Camden City Medical Society, in company with Dr. Sylvester Birdsell, Dr. Othaniel Taylor, Dr. Richard M. Cooper, Dr. Isaac S. Mulford, Dr. Thomas F. Cullen, and Dr. John V. Schenck. He never joined either the State or County Medical Societies. He was also president of the Camden Bible Society in the late 1850s.
Dr. Lorenzo F. Fisler died in Camden, March 31, 1871, survived by his wife Anna, and five children. His son, Weston D. “Wes” Fisler, had a career as major league ballplayer in the 1870s, and is known as having scored the first run in National League history.
Camden Bible Society
Camden Weekly Phœnix —
This issue of the Camden Weekly Phœnix was found in a Time Capsule buried at 5th and Federal Streets in 1858. Dr. Fisler is listed as President of the Camden Bible Society in the notice below.
The Depository of the “Camden Bible Society” has been removed from the Store of J. C. De La Cour to the Shoe Store of C. Mayhew, Federal Street below Fourth. Persons desirous of purchasing Bibles can procure them at the Depository, at the original cost of the same in New York; no advance is asked. The Society have engaged the services of J. W. Donnell, as Colportuer, to canvass the county of Camden, for the purpose of supplying every family with a copy of the Scriptures. We commend him to the kind regard of the families in the county.
To enable the Society to carry out this very desirable object, the hearty co-operation of every Christian and benevolent person is solicited. Contributions in aid of the Society may be handed to the Colporteur, or sent to the Treasurer, James H. Stevees, at the Farmers’ and Mechanics’ Bank, Camden, N. J.
L. F. Fisler, M. D., President
Rev. W. E. Perry, Secretary
AN OLD CITIZEN GONE
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Yesterday morning Dr. L. F. Fisler, an old and respected physician of Camden, died at his residence on Federal street, above Eleventh. He had filled several positions of trust, and was Mayor of Camden for a number of years.
The History of Camden County New Jersey
1886
The History of Camden County New Jersey — George Reeser Prowell, 1886
Lorenzo F. Fisler, M.D., was elected mayor by Council in 1840 and re-elected in 1841–42 and ‘43, he being one of the aldermen of the city and as such taking his seat in the Council in 1839. He was a candidate for mayor on the Whig ticket in 1848, but was defeated by Benjamin A. Hammell, American. The vote was, Hammell, 269; Fisler, 243; Jonathan Burr, Democrat, 249.
In 1851 he was elected as the American candidate, receiving 440 votes to 345 votes for John Sands, Democrat, and 135 for Dr. Othniel H. Taylor, Whig. In 1852 he was defeated by Charles D. Hineline, Democrat, the vote being, Hineline, 514; Fisler, 512; Walter Patton, Whig, 60.
He was the Whig and American candidate in 1853, and was elected, his vote being 649 to 477 for Albert W. Markley, Democrat, and was re-elected in 1854 as the American and anti-Nebraska nominee, receiving 833 votes to 450 for John K. Cowperthwaite. He was the Republican candidate in 1859, but was defeated, as he was in 1866 and 1869, when on the Democratic ticket. He was born in Cumberland County in 1797, came to Camden in 1836 and died in 1871.