Joseph D. Bedle


Joseph Dorsett Bedle, Sr. was an American Democratic Party politician, who served as the 23rd Governor of New Jersey from 1875 to 1878.

Biography

Bedle was born in Middletown Point on January 5, 1831. He was educated in the local schools and attended State and National Law School in Ballston Spa, New York, was admitted to the bar in New York and New Jersey, and established himself in practice. He married Altha Fitz Randolph. They had a son, Joseph Dorsett Bedle, Jr..
He served as a delegate to 1864 Democratic National Convention. In 1865, Governor Joel Parker appointed Bedle as an associate justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court, where he served until 1875. Bedle was elected Governor of New Jersey, and served a single term, from 1875–1878. Bedle died at St. Luke's Hospital in New York City on October 21, 1894 from complications from surgery. He was buried at Maplewood Cemetery in Freehold Township.
Bedle was an Honorary Member of the Society of the Cincinnati.