Elected Day 1, 1814; served to 1817

The Rev. John Croes served one term as President of the House. He was born in Elizabethtown, New Jersey, on June 1, 1762, the son of two German immigrants. He had hoped to lead a life of intellectual pursuits, however, the Revolutionary War put and all thoughts of schooling to one side while he served in the Continental Army. After the war he set up as a merchant, but his earlier aspirations to an intellectual life led him finally to teach himself Greek and Latin and, after a brief career as a teacher, he ultimately sought theological training under Bishop White. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1792. Croes served at Trinity Church in Swedesborough, New Jersey, from 1790-1801, and from 1801 until his death he served at Christ Church, New Brunswick. He was consecrated as the first Bishop of New Jersey in Philadelphia in 1815, and died in 1832 after years of failing health.