Rash's Surname Index
Notes for John Price WETHERILL
John Price Wetherill was born in Philadelphia, on the 17th October, 1794, of most esteemed and respectable parentage. His early life was guarded by the hopes and anxieties of a singularly devoted mother. His father was an active, upright, worthy, and enterprising man. The family of Mr. Wetherill were well known as among the founders of the Society of Free Quakers.
John Price Wetherill followed in the path which his fathers trod. In early life he became engaged in the lead and chemical business with other members of the family; a firm yet existing, after some changes, the oldes, and as highly respectable as any in the land. As he grew in years, his mind, naturally strong and inquiring, and active, became engaged in scientific pursuits: in these he delighted. He devoted himself to business, and rose to a commanding position in his occupation, as a scientific manufacturer. To science, he gave aid and attention. Whatever he had to do he did faithfully. Thus, at early manhood, he held a first place in the community.
In the year 1817 he became a member of the Academy of Natural Sciences; and, during his life, he devoted much time to the objects of this society. He was Vice-President for many years. In 1827, he became a member of the American Philosophical Society. The requirements necessary for an active participation of these distinguished bodies, composed of learned and celebrated men, were of no common kind. It was necessary to be more than an amateur; knowledge of large and varied character, was essential to those who were proposed for membership. Mr Wetherill had gained his diplomas by self-tuition, and he stood on the level of the most gifted.
In 1832, he was elected a member of the Geological Society. In this branch of science, he was an adept. He, soon after its formation, joined the Franklin Institute, where his experience was of value to the objects of that association.
In 1837, the Boston Society of Natural History honored him with membership. His scientific character and usefulness became no longer local; and, in 1844, he was elected a member of the Mineralogical Society of St. Petersburg. In 1848, he was elected to membership in the American Association for the Advancement of Science. The State of New Jersey, the home of his ancestors, in the year 1851, elected him a member of the State Society of Natural History.
Thus, as a man of scientific attainments, Mr. Wetherill was highly respected at home and in other learned communities. he was modest and unassuming in this, as in every act of his life, in all departments of his active duties.
As a religionist, he adhered to the Free Quakers, the Society his grandfather so signally served. To the meeting-house of that decreasing sect he went for worship when not in attendance with his family at other places, or other engagements permitted.
In the year 1829, October 13th, Mr. Wetherill was elected a member of the local legislature of this city. Like his father and grandfather, he was placed in the responsible and arduous post of a member of the City Councils, a public responsibility, which should ever be regarded as one of a representative character, that of the interests of citizen tax-payers for the greatest public benefits, and not a delegate of organized patronage. He held by his first election a seat in the Common Council, where he served till October 9th, 1832. At the election then held he was placed in the Select branch. In these brances of Select and Common Council, Mr. Wetherill was a member until his death, in July, 1853, a period of twenty-three years, ten months, and eleven days.
Mr. Wetherill was a Whig; but not a Whig who believed his party and its policy were to be strenghened by political intolerance. He had no partisan blindness, which prevented his perception of equal rights, merits, or principles, in another political party.
His fatal disease was contracted while offering his personal attentions to one who, though elected President of the United States, was not the favorite of the party to which Mr. Wetherill belonged.
John Price Wetherill was a true man, a warm and sincere friend. he understood, respected, and served the people. He was liberal, charitable, kind. In all his domestic relations he was most affectionate. The remarkable and spontaneous demonstration at his obsequies by his fellow-citizens proved that his character was appreciated, his worth acknowledged, and his death deplored.
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