Joseph D. Bedle

Joseph Dorsett Bedle, Sr. (January 5, 1831 – October 21, 1894) was an American attorney, jurist, and Democratic Party politician who served as the 23rd governor of New Jersey from 1875 to 1878.

Early life Joseph Dorsett Bedle was born in Middletown Point, New Jersey (now known as Matawan), on January 5, 1831, to Thomas and Hannah (née Dorsett) Bedle. His father was a merchant, justice of the peace, and judge of the Monmouth County Court of Common Pleas. Through his mother, Joseph Bedle was related to Garret D. Wall, a former U.S. Senator. but did not attend college due to his delicate health, instead working in a general store. He had a strong desire to study law, and studied in the law offices of William L. Dayton in Trenton for roughly three years before attending State and National Law School in Ballston Spa, New York, for a winter and spending another winter in the Poughkeepsie, New York, offices of Thompson and Weeks.

Bedle was an Honorary Member of the Society of the Cincinnati.

Death and legacy Bedle died at St. Luke's Hospital in New York City on October 21, 1894, from complications from surgery for bladder stones. He was buried at Maplewood Cemetery in Freehold Township.