On Sabbath afternoon, May 15, there passed from this life to the heavenly, one who, far more than the ordinary, occupied a large place in the church, in the community, and in the lives and hearts of a large circle of relatives and friends. While never occupying any exalted official position in the state, or attaining a wide notoriety, during a long and active life he exerted an influence for righteousness and for enlightened progressiveness in all things that pertain to man's good, more potent than that of many whose names have been upon the lips of the multitude.
Deacon Isaac D. Titsworth was born in Piscataway township, Middlesex county, N. J., June 13, 1805, and was at the time of his death, 91 years, 11 months and two days of age. He was the fifth child and second son of Dea. Lewis and Keziah (Dunham) Titsworth. He had but small opportunity for gaining even a common-school education, and at the early age of eleven began to earn a livelihood by conducting a paper route in Middlesex and Monmouth counties. When he was fifteen years of age he was apprenticed to Dea. Randolph Dunham, of Plainfield, N. J., to learn the trade of tanner and currier.
In 1830 Mr. Titsworth bought out his employer, and continued the business until 1838, when he moved with his family to Shiloh, N. J., where he remained for fourteen years, being chiefly engaged in the mercantile business, and holding also the position of postmaster; he being the first postmaster of that place.
In 1852 he returned to Plainfield, where he remained until the following year, when he bought a tannery and farm in New Market, N. J. (now within the precincts of Dunellen), where he has since continued to reside. Here he carried on a very successful tannery business until the close of the war. For about twenty years Mr. Titsworth was a director of the First National Bank of Plainfield, serving fourteen years as Vice President, and for three years as President of its board of directors.
On August 25, 1831, he was married to Hannah Ann Sheppard, of Shiloh, N. J., who was called to meet her Saviour about two years before her husband, her death occurring May 6, 1895. To them were given ten children, three daughters and seven sons, all but two of whom are living: Anna S., wife of Geo. Larkin, of Dunellen; Rebecca J., wife of Prof. Wm. A. Rogers, of Colby University, Waterville, Me.; Keziah D., wife of Wm. R. Potter, of Hammond, La.; Dr. Abel S., deceased, August 10, 1892; Thomas B., of Dunellen; B. Franklin, of Moreno, Cal.; Rev. Judson, of Milwaukee, Wis.; Rev. Wardner C., deceased, April 24, 1892; Lewis T., of Dunellen; Prof. Alfred A., of Rutgers College, New Brunswick, N. J. He has one brother and two sisters still living: Edward B.; Phoebe, widow of Austin Ross.; and Cornelia, widow of Isaac S. Dunn.
Mr. Titsworth was converted in young manhood and united with the Piscataway Seventh-day Baptist church. He was ordained deacon of the Marlboro church while residing at Shiloh, and performed its duties faithfully until his death. In his relation to the church, Dea. Titsworth was faithful and helpful to an unusual degree. Naturally a leader, by his wise counsel and liberal support he was most truly a "pillar of the church." Nor was his interest and support confined to the local church of which he was a member. The active part that he took for many years in the Annual Conference and Associational gatherings made his influence felt throughout the denomination.
In looking over the minutes of our various denominational societies, from the 30's to the 90's, for more than half a century, we see his name frequently occurring on important committees in the General Conferences, as an office of the Sabbath-school Board, a life member and vice-president of the Education Society, a life-member of the Board of Managers of the Missionary Society, director of the Seventh-day Baptist Publishing Society, and as life-member, vice-president, and president of the American Sabbath Tract Society. In all of these positions he performed his duty with eminent efficiency and energetic faithfulness.
As a citizen of the state and member of society, Dea. Titsworth was equally patriotic and actively helpful. For many years he was prominent in temperance work, instituting in Plainfield, with the co-operation of nine other young men, while he was yet an apprentice, the first total abstinence society in New Jersey. Of this society he was made president, in which capacity he served until his removal to the southern part of the state.
During the Rebellion he was active in sustaining the government. Four of his sons and two sons-in-law enlisting in the army and navy. All served their country faithfully, and were promoted to positions of honor.
In disposition Dea. Titsworth was cheerful and hopeful, a pleasant companion, a good conversationalist, a true friend, a man of broad views, of deliberate judgment, of quick, decisive action, and of deep piety, of staunch principles, and of unbounded and undaunted zeal for the church and for every cause that makes for righteousness. It is no small tribute to the parental attributes of him and his faithful wife, that every one of their ten children were so reared that they early gave their hearts to the Saviour, and became strong, active members of the church. F. E. Peterson.
