Atlantic County NJ Archives Biographies.....Joseph Steelman CHAMPION, 1847 - 1915
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 November 8, 2008, 9:15 am

Author: Mary Depue Ogden, Editor  (1917)

CHAMPION, Joseph Steelman, 
Useful Citizen.

  Descendant of one of the old and prominent families of the colonial period in
New Jersey, Joseph S. Champion won for himself an honored name in the county of
his birth, where for nearly half a century he was engaged in business as cabinet
maker and funeral director. In 1881 he moved from Mays Landing to Atlantic City,
there founding the business now conducted by his sons. At that time he was the
only funeral director in Atlantic City, and there had been but little done to
improve that section lying inland from Baltic avenue. He became prominent in
business, prospered abundantly, and won the esteem of all. He early saw the
possibility of making Atlantic City a great resort and invested heavily in real
estate. He was among the pioneers in apartment house building, and the present
Champion Building is one of the many buildings he erected. He conducted real
estate operations in various sections of the city and aided materially in the
development of Atlantic City, particularly that section lying north of Baltic
avenue.

  Joseph Steelman Champion was born on the family homestead near Mays Landing,
Atlantic county, New Jersey, August 3, 1847, and died in Atlantic City, June 2,
1915. When he was but a boy his parents left the farm, locating in Mays Landing,
where he obtained a good education in the public schools. He was blessed with
mechanical genius, was fond as a boy of working with tools, and on arriving at
suitable age began serving an apprenticeship with his father, a carpenter and
cabinet maker. He became an expert workman, and, choosing the finer branch of
his trade, confined himself to cabinet making and other woodwork requiring
delicate skill. About 1870 he opened his own shop in Mays Landing and to fine,
fancy, and artistic woodwork, furniture and cabinets, he added an undertaking
department. With the introduction of factory made furniture his trade
languished, and undertaking became his principal business. In 1881 he moved to
Atlantic City, locating at No. 1026 Atlantic avenue. For ten years thereafter
there were but two funeral directors in Atlantic City, and of these Mr. Champion
was the leader, a position he always maintained even when numerous followers of
his calling made Atlantic City their places of business. He moved his
establishment to the present location in the Pennsylvania avenue building,
continuing until his death, his two sons coming with him and in his later years
assuming the heavier burdens. He operated successfully in real estate and
profited greatly through the growth of Atlantic City, a growth in which he was
an active agent. He was popular in many fraternities, was highly esteemed by his
brethren and by the public at large. Mr. Champion was a pioneer in his business
and his services were in demand in both city and surrounding country. His life
was a useful one, and when old age overtook him he laid aside his work without
regret, for he had borne well his part and was ready to render an account of his
stewardship. He was ill for but six weeks at his home, No. 27 North Pennsylvania
avenue, and then peacefully passed to his long rest. He is remembered as one of
Atlantic City's foremost citizens, as a man of enterprise and integrity, worthy
of any trust.

  Mr. Champion married, in 1876, Rachel A. Bartlett, daughter of David G. and
Sarah (Chamberlain) Bartlett, who survives him with two sons. Otto M. and Aaron
S., and a daughter, Marjorie B.


Additional Comments:

Extracted from:

MEMORIAL CYCLOPEDIA OF NEW JERSEY

UNDER THE EDITORIAL SUPERVISION OF MARY DEPUE OGDEN

VOLUME III
MEMORIAL HISTORY COMPANY NEWARK,  NEW JERSEY
1917

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