GOETSCHIUS, Johannes Henricus, clergyman, born in Liguria, Switzerland, in 1718; died in Hackensack, New Jersey, about 1800. He studied at the University of Zurich, and emigrated to the United States, probably in 1728. He studied divinity, and in 1737 applied for ordination to the presbytery of Philadelphia, but was refused, and he was ordained by his instructor. At the end of ten years' work in the ministry the question of his ordination again arose; it was submitted to the New York and Long Island conferences, and Mr. Goetschius was reordained. During the contest Churches were closed against him, and some of his parishioners had their children rebaptized. In 1749 he removed to Hackensack, New Jersey, disagreed with his colleague on ecclesiastical questions, and so hot was the discussion as to his ordination that one Sunday, apprehending a resistance to his preaching, he buckled on a sword and entered the pulpit, prepared to use the weapon if forcibly ejected. Mr. Goetschius was an instructor in divinity and a trustee in Queens (now Rutgers) College, and, although of violent passions, was learned and devout. His publications are "The Unknown God" and " Sermons " (Newton, New Jersey, 1742).--His brother, John Mauritius, born in Liguria, Switzerland, in 1720; died in New Jersey about 1800, removed to this country in 1744, and practiced medicine, but was persuaded by his brother, Johannes, to study for the ministry. He preached to both Dutch and Germans in Schoharie, New York, and also practiced medicine, he was one of the original trustees of King's (now Columbia) College.