Joseph SKELLINGER, was the last son born to Furman and Mary McCullough Schellinger of Bridgeton, Cumberland Co, New Jersey. The 1850 census data indicates that Joseph was an indentured worker living with the Robert Moore family of Hopewell, Cumberland Co, NJ, until he reached the age of 18 years in 1855.
Subsequently, Joseph married Martha Jane Hall, daughter of Oliver and Elizabeth Hall of Fairfield Township, Cumberland Co, NJ, at Stow Creek, Cumberland Co, NJ, circa 1858; a daughter, Ida B, was born to them the following year. A second daughter, Martha, was born to them in 1862 and their son, Oliver H, was born in Feb 1861. Census data of 1860 shows Joseph and his family living in Stow Creek, Cumberland Co, NJ.
Subsequent to the start of the Civil War, Joseph enlisted in the Union Army on 8 Oct 1861 and was assigned to Co D, 10th Regiment, 1st Brigade of the NJ Volunteer Infantry. He served in this unit as a musician in the drum corps for the duration of the conflict earning the rank of Corporal. Joseph was wounded by friendly fire (mini-ball through his left ankle) on/about 14 June 1864, near Cold Harbor, VA. He was hospitalized for several months, finally returning to his unit in Nov 1864. Joseph's older brother, Cornelius also served in Co D as an infantryman. Joseph was honorably discharged from military service on 14 Jul 1865 at Trenton, NJ. Tragically, his marriage to Martha Jane ended on 30 Aug 1863 when she died of diphtheria; all of their children; infant daughters, Ida B and Martha, and son Oliver H, also died of this disease during the two months preceding the death of their mother.
Eventually, Joseph removed to the Philadelphia, PA area and there married Ella N Border of PA in 1869. Their only child, an adopted daughter, Carrie E, was born in Philadelphia, PA, in Jul 1872. Census data from 1880 through 1910 indicates Joseph and his family spent their lives together in Philadelphia in the Port Richmond area until his death on 9 Jul 1910. Joseph was originally buried in Bellevue Cemetery in Philadelphia on 13 July 1910. However, about the year 1951 that cemetery was disestablished and his remains were re-interned in the Philadelphia Memorial Park of Chester Co, PA; both Joseph, his wife Ella N, along with his niece, Sarah F Skellinger, are buried there together.