Ralph G. Van Hart

Ralph Gifford Van Hart was a prominent realtor with offices in Camden in the 1910s and 1920s, having worked for and succeeded in business Charles S. Newkirk.

Ralph Van Hart does not appear as of this writing to have been related to Frank S. Van Hart, Mayor of Camden in 1922 and 1923.

Ralph Gifford Van Hart—Prominent among the successful realtors of Camden, New Jersey, is Ralph G. Van Hart, whose offices are located at No. 320 Market Street, in Camden. He specializes in suburban real estate, and is recognized as one of the leading realtors of Camden County in that specialized field.

Theodore Gifford Van Hart, father of Mr. Van Hart, was born October 28, 1848. Until the time of his retirement from business he was associated with the Dr. De Jong Patent Medicine Company. After the death of his brother, George Van Hart, a member of the Collis Zouaves, Pennsylvania Volunteers, who was killed in the battle of Fredericksburg, he was very anxious to join the ranks, but circumstances did not permit him to fulfill his desire. He married Matilda P. Sparks, who was born in 1850.

Ralph Gifford Van Hart, son of Theodore Gifford and Matilda P. (Sparks) Van Hart, was born in Haddonfield, New Jersey, December 1, 1886. After attending the Haddonfield public schools, and completing his course in the High School, he became a student in Peirce’s Business College, Philadelphia, where he completed a two years’ commercial course. He then further prepared for an active career by two years’ study of real estate law in Temple University, Philadelphia. Upon the completion of his legal course his first business connection was with Frederick Sylvester, a realtor of Philadelphia, with whom he remained until just before he identified himself with C. S. Newkirk & Company, located at No. 615 Broadway, Camden. This second connection he maintained until 1910, when he purchased Mr. Newkirk’s business, and removed to his present offices at No. 320 Market Street, Camden. He specializes in suburban real estate, and during the thirteen years in which he is engaged in business for himself, he has established an unusual reputation for good judgment and keen discernment in appraising real estate values. Though only a young man, he is already recognized as one of the most expert in his special field in Camden County, and has bought and sold a large amount of suburban real property. He is identified with several financial institutions and organizations, including the Republic Building and Loan Association, of Camden, of which he is a director; Our Town Building and Loan Association, of Haddon Heights, of which he is a director; Camden Real Estate Board, of which he is a member of the board of directors; and the Mortgage and Finance Company of Camden, of which he is also a director. He is vice-president of the Co-workers of Camden, and a member of the Delaware River Bridge Appraisal Board, which estimates values on all properties effected by the construction of and approaches to bridges spanning that river.

Politically, he gives his support to the Republican party. He has a host of friends in Camden, Haddonfield, and throughout Camden County, and is well known in Masonic circles, being a member of Haddon Heights Lodge, No. 191, Free and Accepted Masons; the Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; the Council, Royal and Select Masters; the Commandery, Knights Templar; Excelsior Consistory, in which he holds the thirty-second degree; and Crescent Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the National League of Masonic Clubs. Originally he was admitted and received his initiation in Masonic circles in Trimble Lodge, No. 117, of Camden, but later transferred his membership to Haddon Heights Lodge. He is very prominent in club activities, being a member of the Lions Club, Camden Shrine Club, Norristown (Pennsylvania) Outing Club, South Ocean City Fishing Club, Camden Club, West Collingswood Rod and Gun Club, English Setter Club of America, Feaster Gun Club, West Side Tennis Club, of Audubon, the Civic Association of Haddonfield, and the Camden Chamber of Commerce. His religious affiliation is with the Methodist Episcopal Church at Haddon Heights, New Jersey. Mr. Van Hart is the owner of an old Revolutionary home in Haddonfield which is famous for its old box wood trees which are the second oldest trees of this variety in the United States, second only to those on General Washington’s Mt. Vernon estate and memorial. The gardens are also famous and descriptions of them have been published in “The Home and Garden Magazine.”

At Camden, New Jersey, October 2, 1912, Ralph Gifford Van Hart married Marian S. Newkirk, born February 9, 1888, daughter of Charles S. and Emma (Hollinshed) Newkirk, the former of whom, now deceased, was the owner of the real estate business purchased by Mr. Van Hart in 1910. Mr. and Mrs. Van Hart are the parents of two children: Earl Newkirk, born February 2, 1914; and Elizabeth, born September 24, 1919.