Introduction
Ralph W. Wescott, circa 1930 (left) and circa 1950 (right).
RALPH W. WESCOTT was born in New Jersey in 1883 to John W. and Frances Oatman Wescott. His father, John W. Wescott, was a noted trial lawyer and judge. John W. Wescott was also known for having given both of President Woodrow Wilson’s nominating addresses. One was at the Democratic Convention in Baltimore on June 27, 1912, and the other at the Democratic Convention in St. Louis MO on June 10, 1916. Afterwards, when he was Attorney General of New Jersey he wrote a book on the events in Woodrow Wilson’s life.
Ralph Wescott grew up in Haddonfield NJ, where his family owned a home at 43 Chestnut Street. He lived his entire life at that address. He studied law at Yale, Harvard, and in London, England. After completing his education he passed the bar in 1910, following his father into the legal profession. He served in the United States Navy as a Lieutenant during World War I, retiring in 1919. Ralph W. Wescott wed in 1924. His wife Marion bore him a son in April of 1925, Roger. In the late 1920s and early 1930s as an adjunct to his law practice he taught tort law at South Jersey Law College in Camden.
After the erection of the Hotel Walt Whitman and the opening of the Admiral Wilson Boulevard, many of the same individuals involved in the hotel project became interested in establishing an athletic club on the new thoroughfare. This group was originally known as the City Athletic Club, and among its members were J. David Stern, publisher of the Evening Courier and Morning Post newspapers, James J. Scott, lawyer Ralph W. Wescott, and realtor Samuel B. Dobbs. The first part of the planned building opened in the early 1930s. This building, which was razed in 2000, was known from the 1960s on as the Oasis Motel.
Ralph W. Wescott was slated to run for the New Jersey State assembly when, in the fall of 1933, he was appointed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to the position of comptroller of customs for the Port of Philadelphia. He held this post from 1933 to 1938. He also was a commissioner for the New Jersey State Supreme Court, and was a vice president and president of the Camden County Bar Association. He was also a member of the Walt Whitman Foundation.
Ralph W. Wescott had a long career as a lawyer and in the civic affairs of Camden and Camden County. A Democrat, he was elected Register of Deeds for Camden County in 1940 and served in that post into the 1950s. He also served as a member of the Delaware River Port Authority. His brother, Ethan P. Wescott was at one time the Prosecutor for Camden County.
Ralph W. Wescott passed away in 1955. He was buried at the family plot at Harleigh Cemetery in Camden NJ, where he rests with his father and other family members.
City Athletic Club of Camden, N.J.
Camden Courier-Post —
City Athletic Club of Camden, N.J.
Patrick H. Harding, President — John O. Wilson, First Vice President — J. C. Remington, Jr., Second Vice President — John B. Kates, Treasurer — James J. Scott, Secretary
Executive Offices: Wilson Bldg. Phone: 4718
Organized by Public Spirited Men, to Advance the Interests of Camden and to Promote Sports and Athletics
Social Features — Select Environments
The First 500 Founder Members Will Determine the Definite Selection of the Club Site
Board of Governors: Joseph Carr, Samuel O. Clemens, Samuel B. Dobbs, Patrick H. Harding, William Harris, John B. Kates, Herbert J. Koehler, Louis Bledsoe, J. C. Remington, Jr., J. David Stern, James J. Scott, Ralph W. Wescott, John O. Wilson
3 Democratic Rallies Scheduled Tonight
Camden Courier-Post —
A combined A. Harry Moore rally and social evening will be conducted by Democratic voters of the Eleventh Ward tonight at the Maennerchor Hall, Twenty-seventh Street below River Avenue.
Former Sheriff Joseph E. Nowrey, Mrs. Florence Melnik, Gene Mariano and Assembly candidates, Vincent de P. Costello, William French, Jr., and Frederick Stanton, will speak. Mrs. Lillian Pisko, committeewoman, will preside. Mrs. Anna Rush is chairman of the committee in charge of the affair.
Rallies in interest of Moore and other Democratic candidates will also be conducted in Collingswood and Lawnside tonight.
Mrs. Emma E. Hyland, state committeewoman; Ralph Wescott, Haddonfield freeholder candidate, and Gene Mariano will address the voters in Collingswood at a mass meeting to be held at the Independent headquarters, Lees and Haddon Avenue.
Isaac Eason, former attorney general of the United States; Rev. Robert A. Jackson and Albert Melnik, will speak at the Lawnside A. Harry Moore Club at the Lawnside fire hall on Warwick Road.
Vets Pledge to Aid Moore in 14th Ward
Camden Courier-Post —
More than 200 World War veterans last night pledged their support to A. Harry Moore. Democratic gubernatorial candidate, at a meeting of the Camden County A. Harry Moore Veterans’ League, held in the Fourteenth Ward Democratic Club, Seventh and Morgan streets.
The veterans, including members of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars in Camden county, were addressed by Judge Frank F. Neutze, who was a lieutenant during the war; Ralph Wescott, Haddonfield freeholder candidate; Frank Suttill and Edward L. Canning.
Judge Neutze, chairman of the Camden league, announced that 678 veterans of Camden county have now pledged their support to Moore.
Democrats to Stage Meetings Tonight
Camden Courier-Post —
Six meetings, three in the city and three in the county, will be conducted by Democrats tonight in the interest of A. Harry Moore, gubernatorial candidate, and local candidates on the Democratic ticket.
The meetings are:
Tenth Ward Democratic Club, Camden, 822 North Eighth Street, Firmin Michel Frank Connors, speakers.
Woodrow Wilson, Democratic Club, Atlantic and Louis Streets, Thomas Madden, speaker.
First Ward Democratic Club, 315 North Second Street; former Assistant Prosecutor C. Lawrence Gregorio, and David Visor, speakers.
Haddon Heights A. Harry Moore Club, Station Avenue; Ralph Wescott, Haddonfield freeholder candidate, speaking.
A. Harry Moore Colored Club of Delaware Township; former Assistant Prosecutor Joseph Varbalow and Rev. Robert A. Jackson, speakers.
Bellmawr Democratic Club, At home of Harry L. Maloney, Democratic State Committeeman; Leon H. Rose and John Delaney, speakers.
Democrats to Hold Meetings Tonight
Camden Courier-Post —
Candidacy of Moore to Be Expounded at Meetings in City and Suburbs
The campaign for A. Harry Moore, gubernatorial candidate, and local Democratic candidates, will be carried into six wards of the city and in seven communities of the county tonight.
All meetings and speakers are as follows:
Second Ward Democratic Club, 841 Market Street; Eugene Aumetre, John Crean, Vincent Gallagher, Leon H. Rose and Charles Woods.
Fourth Ward A. Harry Moore Club, 455 Berkley Street; Samuel T. French, Victor King, Thomas Madden, Leon H. Rose, Gene Mariano, Samuel P. Orlando and Rev. Robert H. Jackson.
Sixth Ward Democratic Club, Fourth and Walnut Street; Frank Connor, Albert Melnik and Thomas Madden.
Tenth Ward Democratic Club, Fifth and Vine Streets; Boyd Morrison, Joseph E. Nowrey, Charles Degnan and David L. Visor.
Seventh Ward A. Harry Moore Club, Seventh Street and Kaighn Avenue; Dr. Leroy Baxter, of Jersey City; Isaac Eason, Dr. Clement Branch, Rev. Robert H. Jackson, Mrs. Bertha Shippen Irving and Frank Suttill.
Eleventh Ward Democratic Club, 927 North Twenty-seventh street; Boyd Morrison, Firmin Michel, Victor King, Mrs. Bertha Shippen Irving.
Gloucester City Democratic Club, 308 Monmouth street; Boyd Morrison, Gene Mariano, Joseph Varbalow.
Magnolia A. Harry Moore Club, Evesham and Gloucester avenues; Firmin Michel, Edward L. Canning, John Delaney, Marie V. Kelley and Francis Homan.
Lindenwold Colored Voters’ Club, Blackstone Hall, Lindenwold, Eugene Aumetre, William Williams and Oliver Bond.
Somerdale Club, Whelen home, Somerdale road and Oggs Avenue; Marie V. Kelly, David L. Visor and Mrs. Emma E. Hyland.
Somerdale Democratic Club, Leone Hall, Warwick Road and Helena Avenue; Samuel P. Orlando, Aaron Heine, Lawrence Gregorio and E. George Aaron.
East Haddonfield Democrat Club, Crescent and Berlin Road; Edward L. Canning, Albert Melnik and Judge Frank F. Neutze.
East Haddonfield Improvement Association, Batesville, Delaware Township; Ralph Wescott, Judge Frank F. Neutze and Mrs. Florence Melnik.
More than five speakers from North Jersey will appear at as many meetings as possible.
400 Friends Pay Homage To ‘Good Gray Poet’
Camden Courier-Post —
Men and Women From Many Sections Visit Walt Whitman’s Tomb and Old Mickle Street Home on His 114th Anniversary
“It’s just a little street where old friends meet”
That’s Mickle Street where Walt Whitman, the “Good Gray Poet,” once lived, and old friends came back here from near and far yesterday to mingle under the portals of the house in which he wrote his famous works, on the 114th anniversary of his birth.
Among them was Mrs. Augusta K. Dole, 71, of Metuchen, whose husband has been a sports writer on New York newspapers for 45 years.
“They call it a dingy street and some are ashamed to return and say they lived there,” Mrs. Dole said. And with a gesture of the hand she pointed out the homes of some of neighbors, who became famous.
Among them was Button; famous artist [architect]. Another was the grandmother of J. B. Van Sciver.
“I lived at 319 Mickle Street when I was a young lady,” she said. “I was one year old when we moved into the house right across the street from Whitman. I remember when he lived on Stevens Street before he moved to Mickle Street.”
Knew Whitman Well
“We lived at the Mickle street address about 15 or 16 or 20 years; I knew Whitman well. He always stopped and exchanged greetings with me. I frequently saw him on the ferryboats crossing the rivers.
“I want to take issue right here with those who have questioned his chastity. He was more like Christ than anyone else. I saw him admiring me as a young woman one day on a ferryboat.”
“Years later I read a description of myself in one of his works. I did not begin to read his work until 30 years ago. He wrote of the true things in life. He wrote of life as it is and as we see it. I am glad to come here today at the invitation of the committee,”
Mrs. Dole sat in the last chair in which the poet rested before his last illness. She was introduced to Dr. Alexander MacAlister, who was his personal physician in his last illness and who is a member of the Walt Whitman foundation.
Then she posed with an etching by Lewis Daniel, New York artist, at the Walt Whitman art gallery, 641 Market Street. It is one of 14 the young artist drew on “The Song of the Open Road.” Two lines taken from the book are sketched under the etching as follows:
“The earth is crude and incomprehensible at first— Nature is rude and incomprehensible at first.”
400 Visit Home
More than 400 guests visited the home of the poet during the day to be welcomed by members of the foundation, Mrs. Charles A. Wolverton, wife of Congressman Wolverton, was chairman of the reception committee.
Many of the guests visited the tomb of the poet in Harleigh Cemetery where the door is ajar at his request “that his spirit may come and go as I choose.” But no flowers were placed there as he requested none.
Born on May 31, 1819, near Huntingdon, Long Island, he had a varied career as a writer, war correspondent and poet. During the Civil War he ministered the wounded of both the North and South at Washington. He spent the last 19 years of his life in Camden, where he died in 1892.
Under the bed in his second story front bedroom today is a huge metal bathtub, which he designed for use in his invalid days. His library, horsehair furniture, his favorite rocking chair and a cane with which he knocked on the floor to call his housekeeper.
Some of his writings, manuscripts and other works are the property of Miss Ann Harned and Madge Barton Feurer. They are now at the New Jerseyanna Exhibition at the State House at Trenton.
New Painting Viewed
A new painting of Walt Whitman has been completed by Byron T. Connor, of 4320 Manor Avenue, Merchantville, and is now on display at the Hotel Walt Whitman. The painting was completed in three weeks, so as to be ready for the birthday ceremonies.
Later it will be moved from the hotel and placed either in the Whitman home or hung in the lobby of the Walt Whitman Theatre.
Miss Harned, daughter of the late Thomas B. Harned, one of Whitman’s literary executors; Joseph Praissman and Mrs. Martha Davis curator of the Whitman home, were members of the anniversary committee headed by Mrs. Wolverton.
With few exceptions, members of the Walt Whitman Foundation attended yesterday’s program, including Dr. Macalister, chairman; Dr. Cornelius Weygandt, vice chairman; Mrs. Juliet Lit Stern, Joseph M. Conover, Mrs. Helen Taft Manning, Mrs. Allen Drew Cook, Mrs. Nicholas Douty, Dr. Herbert Spencer Harned, J. Frederick Harned, Roy Helton, William T. Innes, Eldridge R. Johnson, William H. Ketler, Dr. Rufus M. Jones, former Mayor Victor King, Oscar Wolf, John Frederick Lewis, Jr., Dr. Bliss Perry, Harrison S. Morris, Agnes Repplier, former Mayor Winfield S. Price, Vernon Whitman Rich, Dr. J. Duncan Spaeth, Dr. Felix E. Schelling, Dr. Robert E. Spiller, Mrs. David Abeel Storer, Frederick Von Nieda and Ralph W. Wescott.
Among the visitors was former Assemblyman William H. Iszard, who is secretary of the committee, which acquired the home as a national shrine. Iszard sponsored legislation in the Assembly for its upkeep.
Democrats Arrange for ‘Maloney Day’
Camden Courier-Post —
July 9 Set for Reception and Picnic to New Revenue Collector
“Harry L. Maloney Day” will be celebrated by South Jersey Democrats, Sunday, July 9, when the newly-appointed collector of internal revenue will be guest of honor at a picnic at Silver Lake Park. State leaders of the party will attend. Maloney, Democratic state committeeman from Camden County and Mayor of Bellmawr, was named by President Roosevelt to succeed Edward L. Sturgess and is expected to take office by July 1.
Plans for the outing were made last night at a meeting in Democratic headquarters, 538 Stevens Street, at which Albert S. Marvel, Jr., was named chairman of the general committee. Vincent de P. Costello was elected secretary and former Mayor Victor King treasurer.
The committees follow:
Ways and means — Sidney Kaplan, chairman; Judge Samuel M. Shay, Judge Frank F. Neutze, Victor King, Vincent de P. Costello, Ralph W. Wescott, John Fitzgerald, Jr., and Harry L. Maloney, Jr.
‘Gym’ Attendance Record Winner Fails to Attend to Get Silver Cup
Camden Courier-Post —
‘Twas a lovely perspiring noon-hour and a good crowd was there — to see Albert Melnick, Camden lawyer, receive a silver cup for the best attendance record of members of the business men’s gym class of the Y. M. C. A.
There was only one thing wrong — Melnick didn’t show up to claim the best attendance trophy.
As a result, Commissioner Frank J. Hartmann, who ranked second from September to December, inclusive, received his own prize, a sweat-shirt, as well as the cup, which he will turn over to Melnick.
Melnick, until today, had a record of 42 attendances in the little black book of Wayne L. Bush, who served the class as trainer. Hartmann had a record of 40. If the commissioner had not been ill recently, it is likely that his mark would have been even better.
Well-known business and professional men attended the class, drilling, exercising, playing volleyball, hand-ball and other indoors sports guaranteed to reduce the curves and rebuild the sagging muscles.
In the group were Howard Lee, William Zink, A. Moulton McNutt, David Greenberg, Philip Zinman, Lawrence Wingate, Edwin Eichmann, James Stockwell, Ralph W. Wescott, Jesse Sattenstein, Ben Rudd, Linwood Moses, Charles Gandar and many others. No matter what their official position was, they became just “that noon-hour class in gym suits” in an effort to get into condition.
The class is continuing to be one of the most popular at the “Y,” according to Bush and Kenneth R. Smullin, secretary in charge of athletics.
Walt Whitman Acclaimed as ‘International Prophet’
Camden Courier-Post —
Wescott Recalls Friendship with Poet at Ceremonies Here Marking 120th Anniversary of his birth; Donaldson Tells of Buggy Gift.
By Walter B. Batezel
Acknowledged by the world as the poet of democracy, Camden’s own Walt Whitman was acclaimed here yesterday on the 120th anniversary of his birth as the “prophet of a new internationalism.”
This interpretation of Whitman and his famous “Leaves of Grass,” which introduced free verse to the world and the rugged liberty loving character of America so lustily praised in his songs, was offered by Ralph W. Wescott, of Haddonfield.
Wescott was one of three speakers for the Walt Whitman Foundation which is charged with maintenance of the Whitman home at 330 Mickle street as a literary shrine. Also speaking on Whitman were Thomas B. Donaldson, Philadelphia insurance man, who as a boy knew Whitman, and Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Conover, also of Philadelphia.
The meeting was held at the headquarters of the Camden County Historical Society, Euclid Avenue and Park Boulevard. Wescott, former comptroller of customs of the Port of Philadelphia and son of the late Judge John W. Wescott, who was an intimate friend of Whitman in Camden and who twice nominated Woodrow Wilson for the presidency, based his lauding of Whitman as an “international prophet” upon excerpts from Whitman’s books.
Urged Universal Freedom
“It is the very catholicity of the man which causes us to celebrate his birthday anniversary,” said Wescott. “He has been seen as the precursor of socialism and the completely going anti-socialist.”
“We almost shrink from news abroad, and we are bound to consider what Whitman’s response would have been. In his poem ‘Salutation’, I think we find in Whitman the prophecy of a new internationalism, a poem in which he asked for universal freedom against slavery, and called for an international brotherhood.”
Suttill, Wescott Are Picked for Renomination
Camden Courier-Post —
Democrats to Slate Rest of Ticket at Parley Monday
County Clerk Frank J. Suttill and Register of Deeds Ralph W. Wescott will be the Democratic candidates for renomination to those offices at the April 18 primary.
James J. McCarthy, county Democratic chairman, revealed those two selections today and added the remainder of the county ticket will be selected at a third meeting of the nominating committee in Mayor Brunner’s office at 8 p. m. Monday.
“We have yet to select candidates for congressman, sheriff and the two freeholder vacancies,” McCarthy said. “However, we have agreed unanimously upon Suttill and Wescott for reelection because we feel these two men have done outstanding jobs in the 10 years they have been in office.
Helpful to Party
“Wescott and Suttill have been helpful to our Democratic party and to the people of Camden county and therefore deserve to be returned to their respective offices.”
Wescott, a lifelong resident of Haddonfield, studied law at Yale, Harvard and London universities. He was admitted to the New Jersey Bar in 1910 and practiced here with his father and a brother, Ethan, a former county prosecutor.
During War I Wescott served in the Navy, retiring in 1919 as a lieutenant. He is a former Supreme Court Commissioner and from 1933 until 1938 served as comptroller of customs for the Port of Philadelphia. He served as vice president and president of the Camden County Bar Association.
Judge Boyle Rites Held After 600 Pay Tribute
Camden Courier-Post —
Nearly 600 persons including jurists, lawyers and business associates paid their respects Tuesday night at the bier of former Common Pleas Judge William T. Boyle. The viewing was held in a funeral home at Kings Highway and Haddon avenue, Haddonfield. Requiem high Mass was sung today in Christ the King Church, Haddonfield. Burial was in Calvary cemetery.
Judge Boyle, one of the most revered members of the bar in this state, was a member of the City Lyceum and a member of the Notre Dame Society. He had been a patient 13 weeks. He was 79. He resided at 45 Linden avenue, Haddonfield.
Admitted to the bar in 1894, he was appointed Camden county prosecutor in 1912. A year later, he was named to the common pleas court where he served until 1917. He was a director of the First Camden National Bank & Trust Co.
Headed Bar 10 Years
President of the Camden county Bar Association for 10 years, Judge Boyle was president of the Bar Association in 1932 and 1933; he was an official of the American Bar Association for six years and a member of the American Law Institute.
A Rotarian and life member of the Knights of Columbus, Judge Boyle served as president of the Catholic Lyceum and was a member of the Holy Name Society. Judge Boyle had been a member of Christ the King Church since its organization.
In 1947, Judge Boyle was made a Knight of St. Gregory by Pope Pius XII in recognition of service to his community and the Catholic Church.
Members of Christ the King Church Holy Name Society participated in services for Judge Boyle at the viewing with the Rt. Rev. Msgr. Joseph B. McIntyre, pastor, officiating.
The Camden County Bar Association adjourned its meeting Tuesday night so members could attend the viewing. Also present were members of Camden Council Knights of Columbus and of the Camden Rotary club.
Judges at Viewing
Among those attending the viewing were Supreme Court Justice Albert E. Burling, Superior Court Judge Elmer F. Woods, Superior Court Judge Ralph W. E. Donges, retired; County Judge Bartholomew J. Sheehan, and District Judge Edward J. Martino, county bar association president.
Also Edward J. Currie, state bar association vice president; Mayor Donald Connolly, of Trenton; Dr. Emma Dillon, state bar association secretary; William C. Gotshalk, assistant prosecutor; Prosecutor Cohen, Assistant Prosecutor Asbell, Ralph W. Wescott, Frederick A. Reeder, F. Morse Archer Jr. and Frederick Greiner, law partners of Judge Boyle.
Also Gene R. Mariano, former prosecutor; John J. Crean, city solicitor; Miss Maude Lawrinson, assistant trust officer of First Camden National Bank & Trust Co.; J. Hartley Bowen, Haddon Heights; Eugene Verga, administrator; Emmons G. Elizey, real estate broker; William B. Macdonald, former court stenographer; Sylvan Fletcher, Camden Trust Co.; Isadore Herman, assistant city solicitor.
Also Fred Albert, court stenographer; Howard C. Wickes Sr., Camden industrialist; Herbert Richardson, former chancery court sergeant at arms; Dr. Everett H. Hemphill, of Haddonfield, Robert Y. Garrett Jr., Haddonfield school board president; William Lipkin, federal referee in Bar.
Bar Group Present
Bar Association members and attorneys attending included: John H. Reiners Jr., J. Claude Simon, J. Norman Brierley, Carl Geiman, Carl Geiges, Frank M. Travaine, Vincent L. Gallaher, Lawrence White, Henry Stockwell and Grover C. Richman Sr., Byron Seabrook, William Zink, Robert Deighan Jr., S. Robert Teitelman, Bryan B. McKernan, William F. Hyland Jr., Donald Wolverton and Joseph Lipkin.
Also present were members of the Bishop Bayley Building & Loan Association of Camden.
Judge Boyle is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Mary B. Armstrong, Haddonfield; three sisters, Mrs. Morris Hertz and Mrs. J. Goldman, both of Camden, and Mrs. B. F. Gillespie, Atlantic City; a brother, Frank Camden; and three grandchildren. Judge Boyle’s wife, Emma W. Boyle, died in April 1950.
The Wescott Family Plot at Harleigh Cemetery
The Wescott family plot at Harleigh Cemetery, Camden NJ, where Ralph W. Wescott rests alongside his father, John W. Wescott, and other family members.