Ralph W. Wescott, born in New Jersey in 1883 to John W. and Frances Oatman Wescott, was a prominent figure in Camden’s legal and civic spheres. His father, John W. Wescott, was a distinguished trial lawyer, judge, and a notable figure in President Woodrow Wilson’s political career, giving nominating addresses for Wilson and later writing a book about the President’s life.
Ralph grew up in Haddonfield, NJ, at the family home at 43 Chestnut Street, where he lived his entire life. He pursued an extensive education in law at Yale, Harvard, and in London, England. Following in his father’s footsteps, he passed the bar in 1910 and served as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy during World War I, retiring in 1919.
In 1924, Ralph married Marion, with whom he had a son, Roger, born in April 1925. His career in the late 1920s and early 1930s included teaching tort law at the South Jersey Law College in Camden.
Ralph Wescott was also involved in the establishment of an athletic club on the newly opened Admiral Wilson Boulevard, initially known as the City Athletic Club. This venture involved notable local figures such as J. David Stern, James J. Scott, and Samuel B. Dobbs, and led to the opening of a building that would later become the Oasis Motel.
In the fall of 1933, Wescott was appointed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as the comptroller of customs for the Port of Philadelphia, a position he held until 1938. His career also included roles as a commissioner for the New Jersey State Supreme Court and leadership positions in the Camden County Bar Association. He was a member of the Walt Whitman Foundation, showcasing his involvement in cultural and civic activities.
A committed Democrat, Ralph W. Wescott was elected as the Register of Deeds for Camden County in 1940, serving into the 1950s. He also played a role in the Delaware River Port Authority. His brother, Ethan P. Wescott, also held a significant legal position as the Prosecutor for Camden County.
Ralph W. Wescott passed away in 1955 and was buried in the family plot at Harleigh Cemetery in Camden, NJ. His life and career reflected a deep commitment to legal practice, public service, and the civic life of Camden and Camden County.
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