Charles J. Massinger M.D.

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

Source: History Morris County New Jersey, Volume II, Lewis Publishing Co., 1914

It is entirely within the province of true history to commemorate and perpetuate the lives and character, the achievements and honor, of the illustrious sons of the state. High on the roll of those who have made the history of medicine in New Jersey a work of fame appears the name of Dr. Charles Jerome MASSINGER, who has been actively engaged in medical work for nearly a quarter of a century and who for the past three and a half years has maintained his home and professional headquarters at Butler, in Morris county, this state.

In the maternal line Dr. MASSINGER is descended from Bishop Henry FUNCK, first Mennonite bishop in America. He was born and reared in Germany, but left his native land as the result of religious persecution and came to America in 1692, settling in what is now Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. The father of the Doctor was Charles MASSINGER, a native of Germany, whence he immigrated to America at the age of sixteen years. In 1850 he crossed the plains to Colorado, and at one time was part owner of Central City, that state. He was a pioneer gold miner in the west and remained in Colorado until 1866, when he returned east and located in Bucks county, Pennsylvania. In the latter section he became owner of several valuable farms, and he was called to eternal rest in 1897. His wife, Mary Amanda HECKLER, was a native of the Keystone commonwealth, and died in June, 1897, aged sixty-nine years. Six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Charles MASSINGER: Eber, is a veterinary surgeon by profession and he is milk inspector for eastern Pennsylvania; Omray, is a physician and surgeon at Bridgeport, Connecticut; Mabel, is wife of William S. PHILLIPS, manager of a publishing company at Santiago, Chile; William, is a prominent real estate operator in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Charles J., is the immediate subject of this review.

Dr. Charles Jerome MASSINGER was born at Chalfont, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, August 31, 1868. After completing the curriculum of the public schools of his native place he was matriculated as a student in the University of Pennsylvania, in which well known institution he was graduated as a member of the class of 1888. He then entered Washington and Jefferson College, and in the medical department thereof was graduated in 1890, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Subsequently he was a student for one year in the Southern Homeopathic College of Baltimore. He initiated the active work of his profession at Mays Landing, New Jersey, and continued to reside there for a period of five years, at the end of which he removed to Collingswood, near Camden, New Jersey. Dr. MASSINGER remained at Collingswood from 1895 until 1910, and there controlled a large and lucrative patronage. In the latter year he came to Butler and here succeeded to the practice of Dr. H. V. DAY. During the three and a half years that represent the period of his residence in Butler, Dr. MASSINGER has won renown for himself as one of the ablest and most reliable physicians and surgeons in Morris county. He has kept abreast with the advancements made in the medical profession during the last decade and has accomplished some remarkable cures among his patrons. In connection with his life work he is a valued and appreciative member of the Morris County Medical Society, and is a fellow of the American Medical Association. In a fraternal way he has passed through the circle of York Rite Masonry, being affiliated with Trumble Lodge, No. 117, F. and A. M., at Camden; Siloam Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Cyrene Commandery, Kinghts of Templars; Excelsior, Consistory, at Camden; and Lulu Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Philadelphia. His religious views coincide with the tenets of the Presbyterian church, of which he is a zealous member.

June 4, 1891, was celebrated the marriage of Dr. MASSINGER to Miss Alphoretta CHESTER, a daughter of Captain James and Mary (JONES) CHESTER, the former of whom was a sea captain and a pioneer settler in Cape May county, New Jersey. Dr. and Mrs. MASSINGER have four children: James, a student in Dickerson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania; Charles Jerome Jr., attending William College, Williamstown, Massachusetts; and Eva Gladys and Mabel, aged eleven and nine years respectively, both at the parental home.

Transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003)