Elijah Woodward Stoddard, D.D.

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

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

The late Rev. Elijah Woodward STODDARD, D. D., of Succasunna, who up to the time of decease, although in his ninety-fourth year, was the active pastor of the Presbyterian church of Succasunna, after fifty years of service to that parish, and sixty-one in the Gospel ministry, was a lineal descendent of a family who can trace back to the year 1490, to records in London, England. The tradition is that their ancestor came to England with his cousin, William the Conqueror, from Normandy, in 1066. The name STODDARD was derived from the office of the standard bearer.

The pioneer ancestor of the family was Anthony STODDARD, who in 1639 emigrated from London, England, to Boston, Massachusetts. He was a linen merchant. He married and was the father of thirteen children, among whom were Solomon, Samson and Simeon. Solomon, the eldest son, was born October 4, 1643, died February 11, 1729, was educated at Harvard College, graduating in 1662, and was a noted minister in Northhampton, Massachusetts, being called to the church there in 1669. He married Mrs. Esther MATHER, the widow of his predecessor, who bore him twelve children; of these the oldest three were daughters and married ministers; the second, Esther, born June 2, 1672, married, November 6, 1694, Rev. Timothy EDWARDS, of East Windsor, Connecticut, and their son, Jonathan EDWARDS, born October 5, 1703, died March 22, 1758, was famous for his preaching and theological writings, became president of Princeton College one month before his death, and his burial was among the presidents in the cemetery at Princeton, New Jersey. The seventh child of Solomon STODDARD, Anthony, was born August 9, 1678, died September 6, 1760. He graduated at Harvard College, 1697, and settled as a minister at Woodbury, Litchfield county, Connecticut, where he continued for sixty years. He married and was the father of eleven children. Eliakim, son of Anthony STODDARD, was born April 3, 1705, married Joanne CURTIS, in 1729, and resided in Woodbury, Connecticut. John, the eldest son of nine children, born January 26, 1730, married, April 15, 1751, Mary ATWOOD, and resided in Watertown, Connecticut. John, the fifth child of nine children, born July 1, 1763, married Sarah WOODWARD, in 1785, and their home was in Watertown, Connecticut, until 1802, when they removed to Coventry, Chenango county, New York. John, the third son of nine children, was born July 15, 1794, at Watertown, Connecticut, died January 20, 1855. He married, in September, 1817, Merab PARKER, born at Chesire, Connecticut, September 3, 1796, died March 29, 1857. They were the parents of seven children, among whom was Elijah Woodward, of whom further.

Elijah Woodward STODDARD, second son of John and Merab (PARKER) STODDARD, was born at Coventryville, Chenango county, New York, April 23, 1820. He resided on his father's farm until he attained his majority, assisting in the arduous toil of clearing the land for tilling and cultivating. He attended school in a log house during the winter months, the seats of the school room being slabs of pine logs, with two oaken pins at each end for support, and the writing desk was a smooth board fastened against the wall, the writer turning his back to the school. Being of a studious nature and early displaying a fondness for books and study, Elijah W. STODDARD devoted every moment of leisure time to acquiring an education. The Bible was the book of all books in his home, and this he read daily, becoming a Christian and uniting with the church at the early age of thirteen years. Upon attaining the age of eighteen years, having mastered the English branches sufficiently to pass an examination for teacher, he was appointed as such, serving in that capacity for the following five winters, boarding at the homes of the pupils, and during the summer months he resided at home, assisting with the labors of the farm. At the age of twenty-three years, having decided to enter the ministry, he became a pupil at Norwich and Oxford academies, in New York state, attending during the summer seasons of 1844-45, the winter months being devoted to teaching. He entered Amherst College, in September, 1845, and was a student there for four years, graduating in June, 1849, in a class of thirty-two members, eight of whom became ministers; one of them, Julius H. SEELYE, became president of Amherst College in 1876; another was Professor William J. ROLFE, of Shakesperian fame, and still another, Professor Edward HITCHCOCK, of Amherst College. He matriculated in Union Theological Seminary, of New York, in September, 1849, and was graduated in May, 1852, and he was licensed and ordained by the Third Presbytery of New York in 1852. His leisure hours in the seminary and college were spent in some useful service or in teaching.

He was delegated by the American Home Missionary Society to Momence, Kankakee county, Illinois, and labored there a short time, but the uncongenial climate made it expedient for him to remove to Hawley, Pennsylvania, his pastorate continuing there for three years, from November, 1852, to November, 1855. He then received a call to the Presbyterian church in Amenia, Dutchess county, New York, where he remained until May, 1860, when he received a call to the Presbyterian church in Angelica, Allegheny county, New York, where he remained until May, 1864, when he received a call to the Presbyterian church at Succasunna, Morris county, New Jersey, where he remained until death terminated his labors. During his ministry hundreds were added to the church membership, he performed 488 marriages, and officiated at 897 funerals. His sermons were both eloquent and forceful, compelling his hearers to ponder and think on the Life Eternal and to lead lives of piety and usefulness, he himself setting an example well worthy of emulation. In September, 1880, Maryville College, of East Tennessee, conferred upon him the unexpected degree of Doctor of Divinity, while those who knew him best felt that it was an honor given where honor was due.

Rev. Dr. STODDARD was also an enthusiastic Christian Endeavor worker, attending the national and international Christian Endeavor conventions, bringing from them inspiration to the societies at home. He stood on the platform at Atlantic City, New Jersey, with Fanny Crosby, who claimed him to be her "twin brother" as there was but one month’s difference in their ages. Dr. STODDARD was made a life member by the Morris County Christian Endeavor Union. His later years were a remarkable demonstration of the truth of LONGFELLOW’s maxim that "Age has its opportunities, no less than youth." In all walks of life he exhibited characteristics which compelled respect and won admiration. He was an example of a man whose life was his creed. No taint ever touched his stewardship. His manhood and lofty character won and magnetized all true hearts. His life was beautiful and complete in its symmetry, and was a benediction and a benefaction. Every act of his daily life was made to accord with the highest standards and never fell short of the highest ideals of Christianity. His work viewed from different angles was a noble and inspiring achievement. As a Sunday school teacher and organizer. Dr. STODDARD had but few peers. In all his commerce with the world the predominance of his ecclesiastical character was manifest. The preacher, the useful minister, was the picture which he kept constantly before his eyes. He never forgot the ermine which he wore, "Behold an Israelite indeed in whom is no guile." He was a humanized interpretation of the Golden Rule, an incarnation of the Sermon on the Mount. Charity for every human weakness was the dominating element in his character, and mercy the controlling force in every judgement. Among all his qualities none was more engaging than his positive genius for making friends.

Rev. Dr. STODDARD married (first) July 16, 1852, Eliza West CONCKLIN, born in New York City, April 26, 1829, died October 23, 1874, in Succasunna, New Jersey. One son, George Henry, born in Hawley, Wayne county, Pennsylvania, June 7, 1853, died July 30, 1853; mother and son were buried in Oak Hill cemetery, Nyack, New York, in the family plot of Jonas W. CONCKLIN. Mrs. STODDARD was a daughter of Jonas W. and Eliza (WEST) CONCKLIN. He married (second) November 28, 1877, Mrs. Eliza A. STODDARD, born June 15, 1838, in New York City, daughter of George W. and Eliza PLATT, and the widow of Professor John F. STODDARD, the mathematician. She had a daughter by her first marriage, Eliza Platt STODDARD, born July 21, 1869, died May 19, 1886, who was a member of the household at the Succasunna parsonage for eight years, a bright, intellectual and beautiful Christian character. The Memorial Chapel, standing near the Presbyterian church, erected by Mrs. STODDARD in 1887, is her most fitting monument. So long as this chapel can do service in the worship of God, it will emphasize her words, "You need Christ and Christ needs you to work for Him." "I want to do real work for Christ."

Rev. Dr. STODDARD died at his home in Succasunna, October 29, 1913. His work lives invisible but mighty in the souls of those whom he influenced, and "although dead he yet speaketh." It is pleasant to reflect that in his later years he was surrounded with all that should accompany old age, honor, love, troops of friends, and that he wore the crown of all men’s good-will around his brow, and we are confident that he shall hear the words of the Master, "Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."

Transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003)