F CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY FROM Date Due BR MAY 2 '6 4 jBS: FRAGILE PAPER Please handle this book with care, as the paper is brittle. Cornell University Library F 157B8 B72 + . . .:— -phies: thig.,r,f.Via»«m ^^ Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924028852304 HON. GEORGE ROSS. ^OOK OF BIOGRAPHIES THIS VOLUME CONTAINS ia®©®4®l.a©^i SEit©aii -OF- Leading Citizens -OF- BUCKS COUNTY, PENNA. " Biography is the only true history."— Emerson, BIOGRAPHICAL PUBLISHING CO., BUFFALO, N. Y. 1899. KB /j7^^-'7l YVIi'Si.iVIKiU 1)3 PRE FAC K "AVING brought to a successful termination our labors in Bucks County in compiling and ^1 editing the sketches herein contained, we desire, in presenting this Book of Biographies b r to our patrons, to make a few remarks, necessarily brief, in regard to the value and importance of local works of this nature. We agree with Ralph Waldo Emerson "that Biography is the only true History," and also are of the opinion that a collection of the biographies of the leading men of a nation would give a more interesting, as well as authentic, history of their country than any other that could be written. The value of such a production as this cannot be too highly estimated. With each succeeding year the haze of Obscurity removes more and more from our view the fast disappearing landmarks of the past. Oblivion sprinkles her dust of forget- fulness on men and their deeds, effectually concealing them from the public eye, and because of the many living objects which claim our attention, few of those who have been removed from the busy world linger long in our memory. Even the glorious achievements of the present age may not insure it from being lost in the glare of greater things to come, and so it is manifestly a duty to posterity for the men of the present time to preserve a record of their lives and a story of their progress from low and humble beginnings to great and noble deeds, in order that future generations may read the account of their successful struggles, and profit by their example. A local history affords the best means of preserving ancestral history, and it also becomes, imme- diately upon its publication, a ready book of reference for those who have occasion to seek bio- graphical data of the leading and early settled families. Names, dates and events are not easily remembered by the average man, so it behooves the generations now living, who wish to live in the memory of their descendants, to write their own records, making them full and broad in scope, and minute in detail, and insure their preservation by having them put in printed form. We firmly believe that in these collated personal memoirs will be found as true and as faithful a record of Bucks Count3' as may be obtained anywhere, for the very sufiicient reason that its growth and development are identified with that of the men who have made her what she is to-day — the representative, leading men, whose personal sketches it has been a pleasure to us to write and give a place in this volume. From the time when the hand of civilized man had not yet violated iv PREFACE the virgin soil with desecrating plough, nor with the ever-ready frontiersman's ax felled the noble, almost limitless, forests, to the present period of activity in all branches of industry, we may read in the histories of the county's leading men, and of their ancestors, the steady growth and development which has been going on here for a century and a half, and bids fair to continue for centuries to come. A hundred years from now, whatever records of the present time are. then extant, having withstood the ravages of time and the ceaseless war of the elements, will be viewed with an absorbing interest, equalling, if not surpassing, that which is taken to-day in the history of the early settlements of America. It has been our purpose in the preparation of this work to pass over no phase or portion of it slightingly, but to give attention to the smallest points, and thus invest it with an air of accuracy, to be obtained in no other way. The result has amply justified the care that has been taken, for it is our honest belief that no more reliable production, under the circumstance?, could have been compiled. One feature of this work, to which we have given special prominence, and which we are sure will prove of extraordinary interest, is the collection of portraits of the representative and leading citizens, which appear throughout the volume. We have tried to represent the different spheres of industrial and professional activity as well as we might. To those who have been so uniformly obliging and have kindly interested themselves in the success of this work, volunteering informa- tion and data, which have been very helpful to us in preparing this Book of Biographies of Bucks County, we desire to express our grateful and profound acknowledgment of their valued services. BuFi-ALO, N. Y., February, 1899. THE PUBLISHERS. N OT E All the biographical sketches published in this volume were submitted to their respective subjects, or to the subscribers, from whom the facts were primarily obtained, for their approval or correction before going- to press ; and a reasonable time was allowed in each case for the return of the type-written copies. Most of them were returned to us within the time allotted, or before the work was printed, after being corrected or revised ; and these may therefore be regarded as reasonably accurate. A few, however, were not returned to us ; and, as we have no means of knowing whether they contain errors or not, we cannot vouch for their accuracy. In justice to our readers, and to render this work more valuable for reference purposes, we have indicated these uncorrected sketches by a small asterisk (*), placed immediately after the name of the subject. They will all be found on the last pages of the book. BIOGRAPHICAL PUBLISHING CO. Book of Biographies bucks county, penna. BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES BUCKS COUNTY ■ON. GEORGE ROSS, deceased. No other family of Bucks County has furnished our country with as many illustrious sons, men who have attained distinction as pleaders before the bar and in political circles, as has the Ross family, of which the gentleman whose name appears above was a conspicuous member. As far back as the family history is recorded, its members have been prominent figures in the public eye. Thomas Ross, who, as a preacher in the Society of Friends, was well known in many parts of England, was a son of Thomas Ross, a native of Scotland, and was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, in 1708. At the age of twenty-one years he departed from the coun- try of his nativity for the Colonies, locating in Solebury township, Bucks County, Pa., where he soon after joined the Wrightstown Friends Meeting. Being a man of superior educa- tion for that day, he became a noted preacher and a prime factor of that sect. Being heartily in sympathy with the Revolution- ary movement, he paid a military fine, for which he was excommunicated, as the creed of the Society was most strict against the support of warfare in any form. In 1786 that body sent him to England on a mission, and, while taking the trip across the water, he sustained injuries from a fall down a hatchway which finally resulted in his death at Holegate, England, in the home of lyind- ley Murray, the noted grammarian of that day. He married Kesiah Wilkenson, by whom he reared a large family of children, one of whom was Thomas Ross, the great- grandfather of our subject. Thomas Ross was born in Solebury town- ship, Bucks County, where he lived during his entire life, and as the records show was a large land-owner in that section. He fol- lowed that most honorable of callings, farm- ing, and was a very prosperous man. He was the father of two sons, namely : Thomas, who was an attorney-at-law and a large land- owner of this county, resided at Newtown, which was then the county seat of Bucks 12 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES County, and served as prothonotary of the county in 1800; and Hon. John Ross, the grandfather of our subject. Hon. John Ross was born at Easton, Pa., February 29, 1770, and obtained his intel- lectual training largely in the schools of Easton, where he also read law, being ad- mitted to the Bucks County Bar in 1792. Being an able lawyer and a man of sound judgment, he rose rapidly in the ranks of his profession, and became judge of the Circuit Court January 13, 1818, continuing as such until April 9, 1830, the district consisting of Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware and Chester Counties. He then accepted an appointment to the Supreme Bench of the state, and served in that capacity until his death, Janu- ary 31, 1834, although an eifort was made to impeach him, the charge being neglect and weakening mental powers. This effort re- coiled upon the instigators, and in conduct- ing his own defense he showed clearly the calibre and vigor of his mind. He was of a stern, unrelenting nature, independent of the opinions of others, and possessed of many ec- centricities, one of his hobbies being a fond- ness for spotted horses, which were rare in those days, and are not very common now. His lumbering coach, in which he rode from place to place, was drawn by a team of at- tractive spotted horses, which were greatly admired and known far and wide. Charac- teristic of the man, prior to his death, he set aside a family burial lot in the Wind Gap of the Blue Mountains, a wild and secluded spot at Rosscommon, Monroe County, where he now lies buried. Politically, he was an un- swerving supporter of what is now the Demo- cratic party. He was united in matrimonial bonds with Mary Jenkins of Jenkintown, Montgomery County, a woman well educated, of large mind, and great force of character. This union resulted in his leaving the So- ciety of Friends, as she did not belong to that body, and when it came to making a choice between the one he loved and the church, he unhesitatingly chose the former. Their happy union resulted in the birth of several children, among whom were : J. Jen- kins, who was at one time consul to Sicily ; Thomas, the father of our subject ; and George, who was graduated from Princeton College, Nassau Hall, in 18 15, — he became involved in a duel fought in row boats on the Delaware River, and mysteriously disap- peared, and was never heard from after. Hon. Thomas Ross was born in Doyles- town. Pa., and received a good education in the common schools and at Princeton Col- lege, from which he was graduated in 1825. Being admitted to the Bucks County Bar, February 9, 1829, he practiced in that county throughout his entire life. He was a fine pleader and a logical thinker, and stood high in the legal profession. He was a Democrat in politics, and was elected deputy attorney- general, an office now known as district attorney, during which time he was prose- cuting attorney in the trial of Mina, a Spaniard, and Mrs. Chapman, — a celebrated trial which attracted attention throughout the country. He was a man of great popu- larity, and represented Bucks and Lehigh Counties in the United States Congress dur- ing the years 1848-49-50-51. It may truly be said that the district was never more ably BUCKS COUNTY 13 represented, and his speech upon the admis- sion of California as a state was a masterly effort, and gained for him a national reputa- tion. He was a man of noble impulses, and was held in high esteem by his many friends and acquaintances throughout this section of the state. His star was at its zenith when he was called to his final rest, July 7, 1865. He was joined in wedlock with Elizabeth Pawling, a daughter of Levi Pawling, a dis- tinguished lawyer of Montgomery County, and a granddaughter of Gov. Heister, by whom he had two sons : Henry P. and George. Judge Henry P. Ross, who was brought prominently before the public as president judge of the Seventh Judicial District of Pennsylvania, was a man of scholarly attain- ments. In his boyhood days he attended a private school under the tutelage of the Messrs. Long, near Hartsville, Bucks County, Pa., where he was prepared to enter college ; he then took a classical course at Princeton College, graduating with honors in 1857. He then read law under the direction of his father, and after his admission to the bar in December, 1859, became his partner, remain- ing as such until his father's death. He was a brilliant lawyer and possessed of high am- bitions, following closely in the footsteps of his father, after whose death he became asso- ciated with his brother, George. In 1862 he was appointed district attorney, and held that office until 1865; in 1864 and 1866 he was the candidate on the Democratic ticket for Congress, but both times met with defeat. He was one of the leaders of the party, and in 1864 and 1868 was sent as a delegate to the national conventions. In 1865 he was appointed deputy escheater-general, in which capacity he served with credit. In 1869 he became additional law judge of the Seventh Judicial District, comprising the counties of Bucks and Montgomery, and two years later succeeded Judge Chapman as president judge, continuing as such until 1874, when, upon the division of the district. Judge Ross chose the bench of Montgomery County. He was re-elected to the president judgeship of that county in 1880 and 1881, and died at Norristown on April 13, 1883. He was a man of strong convictions, which, when once formed, were unchangeable. He was very popular with the masses, and when a candi- date for office not only received the support of his own party, but also the aid of his many friends in the Republican party. Hon. George Ross, the subject of this per- sonal history, was born in Doylestown, Au- gust 24, 1 84 1, and obtained his primary education in the private school conducted by Messrs. Long at Hartsville, this county, and at the Lawrenceville School at Lawrence- ville, N. J., under Dr. Hamill, a noted educa- tor of his day. In January, 1858, he entered the freshmen class of Princeton College, which was half advanced in the year's work, and by close application to his studies over- took the class, and was graduated in 1861. His brother Henry's success in his chosen profession was an incentive for our subject to work hard, and between the two there was considerable good-natured rivalry. He read law with Henry P. Ross, and later they formed a partnership which lasted until the latter was elected judge, when our subject became associated with Levi L. James, firm H BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES name Ross & James. They acquired a large practice, and, both being superior lawyers, were decidedly successful, and continued until 1889, when Mr. James died, and J. Fer- dinand Long, Esq. , succeeded him as a mem- ber of the firm. Mr. Ross enjoyed a wide reputation as a lawyer and pleader, and there were few cases of any importance in which he did not appear, either upon the one side or other. He was one of the leading Demo- crats of the county, and was frequently called upon to serve in different ofiicial capacities. In 1872 he was elected from Bucks and Northampton Counties as a member of the Constitutional Convention, serving to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. He was chosen as a delegate to the National Demo- cratic Conventions in the years 1876, 1884 and 1892, being a delegate-at-large in 1892 In 1884 he was the popular candidate of his party for Member of Congress, but was de- feated at the election. In 1886 he was elected to the Senate by the Democratic party, and served with such satisfaction to his constitu- ents that he was re-elected in 1890. He was also the Democratic nominee for United States Senator in 1893. He was greatly in- terested in the advancement of the interests of Doylestown, and was closely identified with a number of leading enterprises. He was an original incorporator and director of the Bucks County Trust Company, and was its president at the time of his death, Novem- ber 19, 1894, and was also a director of the Doylestown Publishing Company, which was organized for the purpose of maintaining a vigorous Democratic paper in the county. He was also one of the trustees of the State Hospital at Norristown from 1884 until his death. Mr. Ross formed a matrimonial alliance with Ellen Phipps of Massachusetts, a daugh- ter of George W. Phipps, and a descendant from one of the founders of Harvard Univer- sity. Mrs. Ross took an active and helpful interest in all of his undertakings, and was frequently spoken of as the best Democrat in the county. They became the parents of six children, namely : Thomas ; Elizabeth Pawling; George, who is in attendance at college ; Ellen Phipps ; Mary ; and Gertrude. Religiously, he and his family were faithful members of St. Paul's Episcopal Church of Doylestown, he serving as a vestryman many years prior to his decease. Thomas RoSS is also a member of the legal profession at Doylestown, and promises to add further honors to the family name. He was born in Doylestown, Bucks County, September 16, 1873, and received his prepar- atory education at Lawrenceville, after which he attended Princeton College, and was grad- uated with the class of 1895. He had regis- tered as a student- at-law the preceding fall, and began study under the direction of J. Fer- dinand lyong, Esq., and Hon. Harman Yerkes, presidentjudgeoftheCourtsof Bucks County, and was admitted to the bar in December, 1897. Immediately thereafter he formed a partnership with his former preceptor, Mr. Ivong, the firm name being Ross & Long, and they have since continued in practice. We present on a preceding page a portrait of Hon. George Ross, which we trust will be viewed with pleasure by all who knew and appreciated his worth in life. BUCKS COUNTY 15 'OHN C. SWARTI.EY, ESQ., was born in Franconia township, Montgomery County, Pa., September 14, 1865, and is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Cassel) Swartley. Mr. Swartley's ancestors, who were of Ger- man origin on his father's side, have lived for a century and a half in one locality in Franconia township, Montgomery County, Pa. His ancestors on his mother's side were of English origin. In religious views they were Mennonites and held very steadfastly to the faith. Philip Swartley, the grandfather of the subject of these lines, was a native of Franconia township and lived on the same farm that his father and grandfather had oc- cupied before him. He owned a large tract of land, and was very extensively engaged in agricultural pursuits ; he also had a flour and grist mill which he operated in connection with farming. He died upon his farm in 1880, aged eighty-four years. Jacob Swartley, the father of Johii C. Swartley, was born on the homestead in 182 1, and spent his entire life there, dying in 1867. He became the owner of his father's mill and a portion of the parental acres, and throughout his life fol- lowed the occupations of a farmer and miller. His wife, Elizabeth Cassel, was a native of Montgomery County, Pa. , and now resides in Lansdale. John C. Swartley was bereaved of his father at the age of two years and spent his early life on a farm — the home of an uncle, Abra- ham F. Delp— in New Britain township, Bucks County, Pa. He was educated in the common schools of New Britain township, and entered the Millersville State Normal School in 1885, from which institution he was graduated in 1888. From 1888 to 1890 he was principal of the North Wales High School, Montgomery County. He then became a student in the Law Department of the University of Penn- sylvania in 1890, and graduated in 1893. He read law with Henry Lear, Esq., of Doyles- town, having first become a student in that gentleman's office when attending the Uni- versity. He was admitted to the Philadel- phia Bar in June, 1893, and to the Bucks County Bar in August, 1893. He at once located in Doylestown. Mr. Swartley has taken an active part in politics, and is a Re- publican. He was chairman of the Repub- lican County Committee for the term of three years. In the fall of 1 897 he was elected to the office of district attorney of Bucks County, and entered upon the duties of his office on the first Monday in January, 1898. His ad- ministration of that office was attended with marked success. kRS. LUCY WHARTON DREXEL The subject of this biographical record, who is the relict of the late Joseph W. Drexel, a prominent banker of New York City and Philadelphia, and a gentleman whose name will long be remem- bered for his many philanthropic acts, resides on the old Bickley homestead in Bensalem township, Bucks County. She is a repre- sentative of the present day of a family which has been identified with the growth of our country from its very infancy. She is a i6 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES daughter of Thomas Lloyd and Sarah How- ell (Smith) Wharton, and was born in the city of Philadelphia. She is descended from Thomas Wharton, the first constitutional governor of Pennsyl- vania who was a great and personal friend of George Washington. He was a son of John Wharton, of England, and died while in office at I^ancaster, Pa., in 1778, aged forty years. His business was that of a merchant, and he resided in Philadelphia. He married Susanna Lloyd, a descendant of Thomas lyloyd, the first provincial governor of Penn- sylvania, receiving the appointment from William Penn. Kearney Wharton, the oldest son of Thomas, and the grandfather of our subject, was also a merchant and well-known citizen of Philadelphia. He was a lawyer by pro- fession and stood high in the social world. He was a member of the Common Council and was called upon to serve as president of that body ; he did much toward supplying the city with wholesome water. He was joined in wedlock with Maria Saltar of Ta- cony, Philadelphia County, Pa., on Novem- ber II, 179S, and five children blessed tlieir home : Thomas L,loyd ; John ; Elizabeth, the wife of Thomas Morris ; George ; and James. He reached the age of eighty-two years, when he passed into the unknown world on Janu- ary 4, 1848. Mrs. Wharton attained the ad- vanced age of ninety-two years before over- taken by death in 1 867. Religiously, he was a member of the Society of Friends. Thomas Lloyd Wharton, the father of Mrs. Drexel, was born in Philadelphia in 1799, but was reared on a farm in Tacony, where he subsequently became the owner of a farm. He was interested in banking in the city, and was connected with the Philadelphia bank for forty years as confidential adviser. He was a member of the Masonic Order. He died in 1869 at the age of seventy. He was united in marriage with Sarah Howell Smith, a daughter of Richard R. and Sarah Ann (Howell) Smith, by^ whom he had two children, namely : Fanny, born in 1843, who was the wife of Brigadier-General Guy V. Henry, and Lucy W., the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Wharton died in 1846. Mrs. Lucy W. Drexel was born in 1841, and obtained a good intellectual training in St. Mary's Hall, at Burlington, N. J. In 1865 she was married to Joseph W. Drexel, who was a member of a well-known banking firm of Philadelphia. Joseph W. Drexel was a son of Francis M. Drexel, a native of Austria, who during the early years of his life was an artist of ability. He went to South America, where he painted the first and only portrait of General Simon Bolivar. It was under the patronage of that distinguished South American patriot that Mr. Drexel established a bank in Philadel- phia, and it was General Bolivar who loaned the money with which to begin. This ad- venture was a success from the very start, and was soon in a prosperous condition. Frank Drexel, a son of Francis, was also identified with the bank from the beginning, and very soon after the bank was established, Anthony and Joseph W. became members of the firm. In 1 87 1 Joseph W. Drexel went to New York City and conducted a branch, house for BUCKS COUNTY 17 a period of five years, when he retired and devoted the last twelve years of his life to philanthropic works, his aim in life being to ameliorate the condition of mankind. He organized many plans for the benefit of the poor, and carried them into effect. Owning thousands of acres of land in Maryland, incor- porated in his estate of Klej Grange, he encouraged poor families to move there by keeping them for the first year, and only exacting small sums in payment for their land. He solved the problem of providing the poor of New York City with coal at a much cheaper rate. Besides Klej Grange farm of the Eastern Shore, Maryland, he also owned another, the Cedar Hill farm, in New Jersey, where poor men without work could go, and work, be fed, and receive good clothes. Work was also sought for them, and the amount of good accomplished is beyond calculation. Mr. Drexel was a musician of talent, and every Thursday a quartet met at his house. He was president of the Philharmonic So- ciety at the time of his death, and was also a member of a number of other musical or- ganizations. He was one of the organizers and life members of the Metropolitan Art Museum. Mr. Drexel closed his eyes in final sleep in 1888. He and his worthy wife reared four children, namely : Katharine, the wife of Dr. Charles B. Penrose of Phila- delphia ; Lucy, the wife of Eric B. Dahlgren; Elizabeth, the wife of John V. Dahlgren of New York City ; and Josephine Wharton. Mrs. Drexel now owns and resides on the original Bickley estate, known as Penn Rhyn. A look back through a long vista of years will show the year 1744 to the mind's eye, when Abraham Bickley, Sr., sought the shores of what was then one of the colonies of his native country. He purchased a tract of land on the Delaware River, which was known as "Belle Voir," but has more re- cently borne the name of Penn Rhyn. He was of Welsh descent, but came to this coun- try directly from Sussex County, Eng. After his marriage, he remodeled the old house in 1793 by adding a larger front portion, and later the back buildings, in which condition it still stands, with the exception of a portion added to the south side by our subject. He married a Miss Shewel of Philadelphia, by whom he had six children : Robert S., Abraham, Jr., Isaac, Elizabeth, Hannah and Lydia, all of whom died unmarried. He built the vault after the death of his wife, and there the family have all been buried but Abraham, Jr. , who lies buried at Mt. Moriah Cemetery. Desiring to keep the estate in the family, and also to perpetuate the family name, the property was left to Lloyd Whar- ton, the nearest relative with male issue, on condition that his name be changed to Bick- ley. He was subsequently known as Lloyd Wharton Bickley. He reared four sons, who, upon his death, came into possession of the property. Mrs. Drexel purchased it from the widow of Lloyd Wharton Bickley. In addition to the enlargement of the house she has made many grand and important im- provements upon the grounds surrounding the house. The land is drained and terraced, and the beautiful lawns are decorated with fine pieces of statuary. The stately old house sits back on a rolling piece of land, i8 BOOK OP BIOGRAPHIES and commands an elegant view of the river and the country surrounding. The old family coach, imported from England, which is an exact fac simile of the coach used by Gen. George Washington at that time, was also acquired by Mrs. Drexel, and is prized very highly by her. It is more than one hundred and twenty years old, and is in perfect running order. Our subject is a woman of high character, and has a large number of friends, number- ing them almost by her acquaintances. She owns a residence in the city of New York, where she spends her winter months and also has many friends there. TT^HESTON HUTCHINSON. Tlievil- I jp lage of Morrisville can boast of no ^«» ' worthier nor more dutiful citizen than the gentleman whose name appears above, who was for many years a prominent contractor and builder in that community, but who has recently been living in retire- ment owing to ill health. He is a son of Joseph and Maria (Cheston) Hutchinson, and was born in Tullytown, Bucks County, Pa., August 26, 1826. Joseph Hutchinson, the father of the sub- ject of this personal history, was born in Falls township, Bucks County, and during his early career plied the trade of a carpenter with good results, after which he became a sailor and subsequently attained the rank of sea captain. He continued as such for a few years, but, tiring of life upon the sea, he lo- cated in Bristol township, Bucks County, where he conducted an inn for some years and then moved to Tullytown, where he passed from this life at the age of seventy years. His wife, Maria Cheston, also at- tained the age of seventy years before suc- cumbing to the inevitable. Their happy union was blessed by the birth of four children, namely : Cheston, the subject of this biographical record ; Jackson, deceased ; Ann (Scott) ; and Emily (Morris). Cheston Hutchinson obtained his educa- tion in the common schools of his native place, after which he learned the trade of a carpenter, which he followed there for a time, but subsequently moved to Morrisville, where he was the principal contractor for many years. He was an industrious and conscien- tious workman and always fulfilled the terms of his contracts to the letter. He erected many large buildings and residences in Mor- risville, including the new public school- house, the tile factory, and remodeled the rubber works plant. Of late he has not en- joyed the best of health, and he recently re- linquished his business in order that he might recuperate more rapidly with the weight of business cares off his mind. He is a man of sound judgment, a good neighbor and friend, and possesses the highest esteem of his fel- low townsmen. In 1 847, he was united in marriage with Hannah Wharton, a daughter of Timothy Wharton, and their union has resulted in the following issue : Joseph, deceased; Edward; William ; Frank ; Maria (Craft) ; Louisa (Mof- fit) ; and Medora (Sine). He has always been an active worker in church affairs and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, HARMAN YERKES. BUCKS COUNTY 21 ill which he has held various offices. Poli- tically, he is a firm adherent of Republican principles, and has been a member of the council for many years. r|2)|"ARMAN YERKES, of Doylestown, [ ^^ Bucks County, Pa. , who has attained the highest distinction as president judge of the Seventh Judicial District of Pennsylvania, has long been a prominent fig- ure in the political and business circles in this district, where he has the unwavering support and confidence of scores of loyal friends. He is of German and French origin, and was born October 8, 1843, in Warminster, Bucks County, being a son of Stephen and Amy Hart (Montanye) Yerkes. Paternally, he is descended in the fifth generation from Anthony Yerkes, who was of German birth and came to America prior to the eighteenth century. He located at Germantown, Pa., where he was one of the. early settlers, and in 1 803-0 \. served as burgess of the borough. He was the progenitor of a son, Harman, who formed a matrimonial al- liance with Elizabeth Watts, a daughter of Rev. John Watts,, pastor of Upper Dublin Baptist Church of Philadelphia. This union resulted in the birth of a large family of chil- dren, the fifth of whom was Harman, the great-grandfather of our subject. He was born January 18, 1721, and was married January 22, 1750, to Mary Stroud, of White Marsh, Montgomery County, and a daughter of Edward Stroud. Their son, Harman, who first saw the light of day. July 25, 1767, was united in wedlock, in 1790, with Margaret Ivong, a daughter of Captain An- drew Long, of the Continental Army, and they reared a son, Stephen. Stephen Yerkes, the father of tlie gentleman whose name ap- pears above, was born May 19, 1809, and was united in marriage with Amy Hart Montanye, January 13, 1831. She came of distinguished French stock, being a daughter of Rev. Thomas B. Montanye, a grandson of the noted French-Huguenot physician. Count Jean L,e; La Montaigne, who came to New York City in 1624, and was director-general and member of , the council of that province under the Dutch Government. Mr. and Mrs. Yerkes passed to their final rest when their son, Harman, was still a boy attending school. Hannan Yerkes, the subject of this notice, was.educated in the common schools of his native- county,-: at the. Tennant School of Hartsville, and, at East- Hampton, Mass., where he. graduated from WiHiston with the class of 1862.' In that year he also taught school and began the study of law under the direction of Hon. Thomas Ross and his son, the late Judge Henry P. Ross, having for his fellow-students such prominent men as Senator George Ross, Judge Henry Harvey, of AUentown, and Judge Henry W. Scott, of Easton. He was admitted to the bar in No- vember, 1865, and practiced law with much success until his election to the bench. He immediately took an active part in political affairs, becoming a member of the Democratic State Committee, and continuing as such for several years. In 1872-73, he was chairman of the judicial committee of conference of the Seventh District, comprising Bucks and 22 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES Montgomery Counties, and was a delegate to the Judicial Conventions of that district in the years 1869, 1871 and 1872. In 1872, he was a delegate from the Fifth District to the National Democratic Convention at Balti- more, with Lewis C. Cassidy as a colleague, and was one of the twenty-one members of that body who voted for the nomination of Judge Black against Horace Greeley. In 1880, he was again a national delegate to Cincinnati and earnestly supported the nomi- nation of General Hancock. He also acted as chairman of the county committee of Bucks in that year, and as a result of his energetic work in that capacity. General Hancock car- ried the county by 250 votes, whereas in the previous campaign the Republican party re- ceived an overwhelming majority. He was also a delegate to the Democratic State Con- ventions, which met at Wilkes-Barre in 1873, at Pittsburg in 1874, at Erie in 1875, where he was chairman of the committee on creden- tials, at Harrisburg in 1 877, at Pittsburg in 1878, and at Harrisburg in 1882. Judge Yerkes even in boyhood had the happy fac- ulty of making friends, and these friendships have been retained throughout his life and have resulted in his election to many promi- nent offices. As early as 1868 he was favored with the nomination of district attorney and was elected for a term of three years. In 1873, he was the popular choice of Bucks and Northampton Counties for the State Senate, and served his constituents in such a manner as to gain there-election in 1876. At the ex- piration of his second term he declined a re- election. While in the Senate he was caucus nominee for speaker, was chairman of the caucus of the two houses and served upon the judiciary general, constitutional and other important committees. In 1883, he was unanimously nominated by the Democrats for the office of president judge of the Sev- enth District, and was elected by a large majority over the sitting judge, Hon. Richard Watson. He immediately devoted his atten- tion with much vigor to bringing up the busi- ness of his district which had fallen in ar- rear, and discharged his duties with such satisfaction that when the end of his term ap- proached, all members of the bar, irrespective of party, addressed him a letter requesting the use of his name for re-election. He was unanimously renominated by the Democratic Convention, and- the Republican Judiciary Convention declined to nominate a candidate against him, declaring this expedient on their part. He was again elected and is now serv- ing his second term. The Democratic State Convention, which met at Williamsport in 1875, nominated Judge Yerkes as one of the six candidates for judge of the Supreme Court ; he received the highest vote in the convention and at the subsequent election ran several thousand votes ahead of the regular ticket. The vast amount of good accom- plished by him in his various official capaci- ties can hardly be reckoned, but it is needless to say that it is greatly appreciated by his legions of supporters and the residents of the district in general, who are ever ready to praise him for his honest and conscientious effi)rts. He is the author of the law creating theNorristown Hospital for Insane, and while in the Senate successfully pressed the bill to passage, notwithstanding great obstacles. He BUCKS COUNTY 23 was then selected as one of the first managers of the institution and was very active in its organization. He is also a director of the Doylestown Cemetery Co. June 24, 1 869, Judge Yerkes was united in hymeneal bonds with Emma Buckman, a daughter of Monroe Buckmdn, of Doylestown, and a woman greatly admired by a host of friends for her many excellent traits of char- acter. Religiously, they are consistent members of St. Paul's Episcopal Church of Doylestown, of which he is a vestryman and rector's warden. Socially, he is a member of the Sons of the Revolution, of the Historical Societies of Bucks County and Pennsylvania, and of the Doylestown Masonic Lodge, of which he is past master. Judge Yerkes' por- trait is shown on another page. -Y^TUTCHINSON P. YERKES, D.D.S., r^ one of the oldest and most relia- -i-^ V ^ ble of the many dentists in Bucks County, is a highly esteemed citizen of Doylestown, where he has been engaged in practice since 1861. He comes from a prominent family in the county and is de- scended in the fifth generation from Anthony Yerkes, the founder of the family in America, and an ancestor in a direct line of Hon. Har- man Yerkes, president judge of the Seventh Judicial District of Pennsylvania. His pa- rents are Andrew and Eliza (Everhart) Yerkes, and he was ' born in Warminster township, Bucks County, February i, 1841. Andrew Yerkes, the father of our subject, was born in Warminster township in 1797, and during his entire life lived within a ra- dius of a half mile. He owned a very large farm and throughout life carried on agricul- tural pursuits, accumulating a handsome competency. He was a man of public enter- prise, taking a deep interest in all that per- tained to the welfare of his community, and for many years served as justice of the peace. Politically, he aflBliated with the Democratic party. He passed away in 1862, at the age of sixty-five years, and his wife survived him several years, dying in 1 871, at the age of seventy-one years. He married Eliza Ever- hart of Philadelphia, who was born February 5, 1800, and they were the parents of seven children : Harman, deceased ; Sarah, the wife of Rev. A. J. Hay, a Baptist minister residing in Germantown ; Elwood, of West Philadel- phia ; John, deceased; Andrew, deceased; Margaret, the wife of Dr. I. Z. Coffinan, of Phoenixville, Chester County, Pa. ; and Hut- chinson P., the subject of this biographical record. Dr. Hutchinson P. Yerkes was reared on his father's farm in Warminster township, and attended the Tennant School, conducted by Prof. Mahlon Long at Hartsville, a very popular school from which were graduated many men who are now holding prominent positions in different sections of the state. Upon leaving school at the age of twenty years, he took up the study of dentistry under the preceptorship of his brother Andrew, who was at the time the leading dentist in Doyles- town. He studied with him for three full years, after which he spent one and a half years at his profession in Norristown, re- maining there during a part of 1 863 and 1 864. 24 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIKS In 1865, he returned to Doylestown and formed a partnership with his brother which continued with good results until the latter's death in 1868. He then assumed the entire practice, and his success has been continuous. He is one of the oldest and most skilled den- tists in this section of the state, and the con- fidence of the people is reposed in him to a very large degree. He has kept thoroughly abreast of the rapid strides made in the science of dentistry and employs only the most improved methods in his work. In private life, he is of a social disposition and has made hosts of friends. September 6, 1866, he was united in mar- riage with Elizabeth Yerkes Dager, a daugh- ter of Daniel H. and Mary W. Dager of Cedar Grove, Montgomery County, Pa. Mr. Dager owned and operated a large blue marble quarry in Montgomery County. Our subject and his wife are faithful members of the Episcopal Church, of which he is a vestry- man. Politically, he is a Republican, but has never held ofi&ce. 'TEPHEN YERKES, one of the representative agriculturists of War- minster township, who comes of one of the most prominent families of Bucks County, was born April 11, 1835, in War- minster township, and is a son of Stephen and Amy Hart (Montanye) Yerkes. He is of German and French descent, and on his paternal side traces his ancestry to Anthony Yerkes, who was born in Germany and came to America prior to the eighteenth century, locating in German town, Pa., where he was one of the early settlers, and in 1803-04 served as burgess of the borough. His son Harman was joined in wedlock with Eliza- beth Watts, a daughter of Rev. John Watts, pastor of Upper Dublin Baptist Church, of Philadelphia. This union was blessed by a large family of children, the fifth born being Harman, the great-grandfather of our subject. He was born January 18, 1721, and was mar- ried January 22, 1750, to Mary Stroud, a daughter of Edward Stroud, of White Marsh, Montgomery County. Their union was blessed by the birth of a large family of children, one of whom, Harman, was born July 25, 1767. He formed a marital union with Miss Margaret lyong, a daughter of Cap- tain lyong of the Continental army, in 1790, and they reared a son, Stephen. Stephen Yerkes, the father of our subject, was born on the old homestead in Warminster town- ship. May 19, 1809, where he was always engaged in agricultural pursuits, and became quite prominent. He was married to Amy Hart Montanye, January 13, 1831. She came of distinguished French stock, being a daugh- ter of the Rev. Thomas B. Montanye, a grand- son of the noted French Huguenot physician. Count Jean I^e. L,a Montaigne, who came to New York City in 1624, and was director- general and member of the council of that province under the Dutch Government. This happy union resulted in the following issue : Thomas, who is now engaged in mining, in Santa Ana, Sonora, Mexico ; Adolphus, who died at an early age ; Stephen, a record of whose life is here given ; Judge Harman, whose biography appears elsewhere in this HON. HARRY J. SHOEMAKER. BUCKS COUNTY 27 work ; Anna Margaret, the widow of Captain George H. Buker, who resides in German- town, Pa. ; Alfred E., who resides on a farm in Warminster, married Mary A. Haslett ; and Edwin A., wlio is superintendent of a mine at Tucson, Arizona. Mrs. Yerkes was called to her eternal rest in i860, and her husband survived her but five years. Stephen Yerkes, in whom the interest of this sketch centers, after completing his pri- mary education in the district schools of his native town, attended college at East Hamp- ton, Mass., where he obtained a good English education. He then returned home, and has since been engaged in the cultivation of the old homestea.d, and now owns a tract of 100 acres. He carries on general farming and stock raising, and has been decidedly suc- cessful, being one of the highly-respected citizens of the community. He has made many important improvements upon his property, and every thing appears carefully arranged and has about it an air of prosperity and successful management. In 1859 lis was joined in the bonds of wed- lock with Elizabeth S. Jamison, a woman of high character, a daughter of Major George and l/ouisa (Stuckert) Jamison. Two child- ren have been born to this union : Louise Amy and Elizabeth Jamison, both of whom reside at home. Politically, Mr. Yerkes has always been a stanch Democrat and has been school director for eleven years. Fraternally, he is a member of Fortuna I^odge, No. 245, K. of P., and a charter member of Hatboro Lodge, F. & A. M. The father of Mrs. Stephen Yerkes, Major George Jamison, son of John Jamison, was born March 27, 1807, in Warwick, Bucks County, Pa. He was of Scotch-Irish descent, his earliest ancestor in America being Henry Jamison, who settled in Warwick township in 1724, on a tract of 500 acres. Major George Jamison married Louisa Stuckert, and their children were named : John, Elizabeth S., Jane and George. Aside from the manage- ment of his five farms, on which his chief pleasure was to plant and build, he found much time for reading, kept informed in matters of church and state, and took an active interest therein — all new movements and improvements meeting with a hearty sympathy. Being himself in early life an educator, prevented by ill-health from enter- ing a profession, subjects of an educational character, particularly historical, engaged his attention. His was a generous natuie, liber- ality being not the least of his many virtues. Mr. Jamison died January 31, 1886, in his seventy-ninth year. -J^TON. HARRY J. SHOEMAKER, l-^J whose recent portrait we present on J-^ V ^ the opposite page, is an able attor- ney-at-law, of Doylestown, who has won high distinction in the practice of his profession and in political afiairs. He served one term in the State Legislature of Pennsylvania, and has held many other ofiices of public trust, the duties of which he has discharged in a faith- ful and impartial manner. In recent years, his attention has been mainly devoted to practice; his business is largely that of commercial and corporation law, and he is solicitor and 28 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES director in several prominent land compa- nies. Essentially, he possesses a legal mind, is thorough and careful in the preparation of his cases, and, being a fluent and convincing speaker, his efforts have been attended by more than ordinary success. He is a son of James and Phoebe Shoemaker, and was born on his father's farm in Horsham township, Montgomery County, on Christmas Day of 1855- Mr. Shoemaker is a direct descendant of Peter Shoemaker, who was a prominent mem- ber of the Society of Friends and a companion of William Penn, and who settled in German- town, Philadelphia,' where, in 1668, he built what has since been known as " Shoemaker's first house," believed to have been the first house erected in Germantown. James Shoemaker, the great-grandfather of our subject, was a native and life-long resi- dent of Montgomery County, Pa., where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was also a Quaker in his religious views. He was the father of Jesse Shoemaker, who was born in Upper Dublin township, Montgomery County. The latter was an extensive farmer in that county throughout his life, and was a man of prominence locally, and was called upon to fill a number of township offices. His last days were spent iu Horsham town- ship, Montgomery County, where he died in 1882, at the ripe old age of ninety years. His union with Edith Longstreet resulted in the birth of three children : James, the father of the gentleman whose name heads these lines ; John ; and Charlotte, who died in in- fancy. John Shoemaker became an attorney- at-law in Philadelphia, and established an enviable reputation. He served in the Com- mon and Select Councils, and took an active part in securing the Centennial Exhibition for Philadelphia in 1876, being solicitor for the Centennial Commission. James Shoemaker was born in Upper Dub- lin township in 1823, and soon after his marriage moved to Horsham, an adjoining township, where he has since resided, and is numbered among the good reliable citizens. His life's vocation has been that of farming, and his success has been continuous. In re- ligious attachments, he, as were all his ances- tors, is a faithful member of the Society of Friends, of which he is a liberal supporter. He is the progenitor of a family of eight children, five daughters and three sons, namely : Bella, who lives at home with her father, his wife having died in April, 1896; Adeline, the wife of Charles E. Chandler, of Germantown ; Jesse, who died in infancy ; Harry J., the subject of this personal history ; Augustus Brock, of Tullytown, Bucks County, a miller and lumber dealer, who married Ida Burton, the eldest daughter of Elwood and Anna Burton, and they have one son, I^ester ; Charlotte ly. married Russell Twining,"a pros- perous farmer of Horsham township, Mont- gomery County, and they have two children, Jennie and Laura ; Emily married Edward B. Webster, and they have one child, Harold — Mr. Webster, who conducts a livery and boarding stable in Philadelphia, Pa., is a son of Ivukens Webster, a prominent minister of the Society of Friends ; and Mary, who mar- ried Isaac Warner, a progressive farmer of Horsham township, and they have one daugh- ter, Edith. BUCKS COUNTY 29 Harry J. Shoemaker was reared upon his father's farm, and received his education in the public schools of his neighborhood, and also in Doylestown Seminary. At the age of nineteen years he began teaching school, and, after four years of that service, engaged in merchandising in Tullytown, Bucks County, in the meantime taking up the study of law under the tutelage of Hon. B. F. Gilkeson, the present Banking Commissioner of Penn- sylvania. He applied himself assiduously, and was admitted to the bar of Bucks and Montgomery Counties, and also became a member of the Supreme Bar of the statei as well as the Supreme Bar of the District of Columbia. Immediately after his admis- sion to the bar, he began practice and soon established a good paying clientage. He entered actively into politics, and, in 1881, was appointed postmaster of Tullytown, where he then resided, serving until 1884, when, in November of the latter year, he was elected to the State Legislature on the Repub- lican ticket to represent the then strong Demo- cratic district of Bucks County, being the first Republican elected since 1 878. In the Assem- bly he served with marked distinction, intro- ducing and advocating important measures ; he was also secretary of the Agricultural Committee, which office he held throughout his term. In 1884, he was sent to the Na- tional Republican Convention from his dis- trict as an alternate delegate, and four years later was elected as alternate delegate-at-large from the state of Pennsylvania to the Na- tional Convention, and, owing to the absence of one of the delegates-at-large, he served as delegate in that convention which nominated Benjamin Harrison for President. During Harrison's administration he held the office of confidential clerk to the second comptroller of the United States Treasury, and at the close of his term of four years settled in Doylestown to resume the practice of his profession. In 1886, he was the unsuccess- ful candidate for the nomination of his dis- trict to Congress, and came within two votes of being the clioice of the convention. In 1893, Mr. Shoemaker was appointed a judge of awards at the World's Fair in Chicago, and served in that capacity as secretary of the committee on food products. In 1896, he was the choice of the county among the Bucks County candidates for the nomination for Congress, but the nomination went to tlie Montgomery County candidate. As a law- yer, Mr. Shoemaker is an honorable repre- sentative of his profession, and is the solicitor for several leading business firms in the county and elsewhere. He is a director and one of the charter members of the Doylestown Trust Company, having served as director since its organization. He is solicitor for, and one of the directors of, the Point Abino Sand Company of New York, and is also solicitor for, and a director in, several im- portant land companies. He is a man of high quality, of a kindly and charitable dis- position, and has legions of friends through- out this section of the state. On the 28th day of November, 1878, he was joined in Hymen's bonds with Ella B. Wright, a daughter of John H. and Elizabeth Wright, of Bucks County, and they are the parents of two children; the elder, Elsie C. Shoemaker, a charming young miss of seventeen summers, 30 BOO'K OF BIOGRAPHIES and Edith B., who died in infancy. The friends of the family say that theirs is a charming household where domestic dis- putes do not arise, and where the sunshine of contentment is ever present. In his adopted county of Bucks, Mr. Shoemaker is looked upon as a man who is destined to remain a favoriteof the people with whom he keeps in close touch. On November 30, 1898, Miss Elsie C. Shoemaker, only child of the subject of our sketch, died with heart trouble ; she was aged seventeen years and nine months. YS|Vr\ATHIAS J. LOUX has been a resi- r= I =/ dent of Bucks County all his life, H -L V_^ and, having been reared to man- hood within its boundaries and brought up to the noble calling of a farmer, he has done his part in its agricultural development ; he is now living in retirement enjoying a well- earned competency and spending his latter days in quiet and peace. This worthy citizen of New Britain township was born in Hill- town township, this county, July 13, 1841, and is a son of Mathias and Catherine (Yost) Loux and grandson of Andrew Loux. Our subject is of sturdy German stock, and the name lyoux has long been connected with the early history of this county ; the family was founded by Andrew Ivoux, the great-grandfather of our subject, who emi- grated from Germany with his two brothers, Jacob and John ; Andrew first took up a tract of land in Bedminster township, Bucks County, Pa., but later disposed of his first purchase and bought a large farm in Hill- town township, this county, and continued to reside there until death claimed him. He was a farmer all his life. Andrew Loux, the grandfather of our subject, was born and reared in Hilltown township, and his voca- tion was that of a farmer. His son, Mathias Loux, the father of our subject, was born in Hilltown township, and learned the trade of a weaver, which he successfully prosecuted in addition to carrying on general farming. His entire life was spent in Hilltown town- ship, where he died on the homestead in 1874. He chose Catherine Yost as his life companion and they became the parents of a family of fourteen children, who were named as follows : Andrew, deceased, was a resident of Mahanoy City, Pa.; Isaac, de- ceased ; Daniel, deceased ; Hannah, deceased, was the wife of William Mace ; Catherine, wife of Mathias Hartnian, of Line Lexing- ton, this county; Mary, wife of John Kratz, a retired farmer of Sterling, 111, ; Elizabeth, wife of Charles Miller ; Noah resides at Sterling, 111 , and is a carriage and furniture maker ; Adrian died, aged three years ; Anna and Eli, also deceased ; Israel, who resides on the old homestead ; David died, aged fif- teen years ; and Mathias J. , our subject. The mother of our subject died in 1874. Mathias J. Loux acquired a liberal educa- tion in the district schools of Hilltown town- ship, and remained under the parental roof until he attained the age of twenty years ; at that time the Civil War broke out, and, being inspired by a patriotic spirit, Mr. Loux offered his services in defense of the Union, and on the sixth day of September, BUCKS COUNTY 31 1 861, enlisted in Co. A, 104th Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf., which was under the command of Col. Davis and Capt. Rogers. Our subject partici- pated in many eugagenients, among which the most notable were Fair Oaks, Seven Days' Fighting, Siege of Charleston, which lasted nine months, John's Island and many others. He was in eleven battles and skir- mishes the first year of his service. Our subject received an honorable discharge September 23, 1864, at Philadelphia, but on March 30, 1865, he re-enlisted in Hancock's Corps in which he served until the following April, when the war was brought to a close. Returning home, our subject learned the trade of a mason, which he followed two years, and then engaged in farming, which he successfully prosecuted for a period of eleven years ; he then took up his former trade which he has continued up to the present time, but on account of his bad health since the war he has been unable to do much work. In 1880, Mr. Loux pur- chased his present residence, which he has remodeled into a neat, little home. Our subject takes an active interest in the wel- fare of his community of which he has so long been a member, and is highly respected by his fellow-townsmen. Mr. Loux is a solid Democrat in politics, but is not an aspirant to office ; religiously, both he and his devoted wife are members of the Reformed Church of Dublin, this county. Mr. lyoux on August 12, 1865, married Annie Elizabeth Bryan, a fourth cousin to Hon. William Jennings Bryan, who was the Democratic candidate for Pres- ident in 1896; she was born in Plumstead township, this county, November 12, 1840, and is a daughter of William G. and Louise (Leidy) Bryan ; her father was a resident of Line Lexington, and was a hatter by trade, which occupation he followed until his death. Mr. and Mrs. Loux have reared one son, Harvey Monroe, born October 23, 1875. Harvey resides on a farm near where our subject resides, and he married Anna E. Haldeman by whom he reared one daughter, Grace Marcella. T. MARK'S CATHOLIC CHURCH. In the early Forties, the Catholic population of Bristol was so small that its spiritual wants were attended to by clergymen from Philadelphia and Trenton, one of whom was Rev. Father Mackin, pastor of St. John's Church, now the Sacred Heart of Trenton, N. J., who came to Bristol twice a month for that purpose, services being held in private houses, among them the house of Mr. Brady in Adam's Hollow, just beyond the creek bounding the borough on the north- east. ' The Catholics so increased in number that Father Mackin soon realized the neces- sity for better and more suitable accommo- dations for that portion of his flock, and immediately inaugurated a movement toward the erection of St. Mark's. As his plans met with approval and sympathy on all sides, he accordingly lost no time in securing the plot of ground on RadcliflFe street, where now stand the handsome church edifice and rec- tory. In the year 1845 the zealous pastor and his devoted supporters had the happiness 32 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES of seeing the building completed and ready for occupancy. Encouraged by the success of their undertaking and the increasing membership, the congregation petitioned Bishop Kenrick, of Philadelphia, for a resi- dent pastor. It was but a few months later when they had the satisfaction of having one in their midst in the person of the Rev. J. C. Flanigan, who had been ordained in Philadelphia dur- ing the previous March. From that time on, the increase in the congregation was marked and it was but a few years before it became necessary to erect an addition to the church, doubling its seating capacity. The labor consequent on this work, together with mis- sionary duties over a large section of country, including Newtown, Yardleyville, New Hope and other places equally distant, soon im- paired Father Flanigan's health, yet he was not deterred in the performance of his work until July, 1858, when he was forced to give up and go to Europe under the physician's orders, in the hope that rest and a milder climate would restore his healtli. His hope was never to be realized, however, as he died soon after his arrival in Ireland. The church during his enforced vacation and after his demise was attended temporarily, until the appointment of a regular pastor, by F^'athers Brennan, Quinn and others. In September, 1858, Rev. Patrick Nugent assumed charge and labored faithfully at St. Mark's until August, i860, when he was transferred to Pottsville. Rev. Father L. A. Brennan suc- ceeded him, and remained until 1861, wlien he was succeeded b)- Rev. Daniel Kelly. Upon th^ letter's rertjoval tp Tamaqua in 1S63, Rev. P. M. McSwiggan became pastor, remaining a little over a year. Rev. James Cutten was pastor from 1864 to 1867, and in December of the latter year the church was accidentally burned to the ground. Feeling that the labor of rebuilding the church would be too onerous for a man of his advanced years, he resigned and was succeeded by Rev. E. F. Prendergast, now the Coadjutor-Bishop of Philadelphia. Fatlier Prendergast set to work with a will and energy which was not to be daunted, and at the time of his transfer to Allen'own in July, 1870, the church was under roof Much yet remained to be done before the church would be complete, and in the next pastor, Father L,ynch, they found one, who through his untiring energy and his great devotion to the cause, did more for the temporal and spiritual welfare of St. Mark's congregation than any other before or since. He assumed the guidance of this congregation in July, 1870, and during his rectorship the church was completed, as was also the pastoral resi- dence and St. Andrew's Church of Newtown, of which he had charge. Father Lynch, although a suiFerer for years from consump- tion, never relaxed his energy or zeal, and his memory is still justly held in benediction by the parishioners. He died in Bristol, April 28, 1879, and was succeeded by Father Ward the following month. Father Ward continued the good work of his predecessor, frescoing the church, making other improve- ments, and continued in charge until August, 1887. The building was again partially de- stroyed by fire; after repairing the damage caused thereby, he turned his attention toward BUCKS COUNTY 33 the establishment of a parochial school, pur- chasing the site now used for that purpose. The building progressed rapidly and was ready for occupancy when he removed to Philadelphia, and the Sisters of the Immacu- late Heart of Mary were selected to conduct the school, which opened a month later with an attendance of 300 pupils. Rev. Hugh McGlinn followed as pastor of St. Mark's, and continued until February, 1889, when he was appointed to the irremov- able rectorship of St. Paul's Church of Phil- adelphia, being succeeded in the pastorate at Bristol by Rev. E. V. McElhone, who resigned in December of the same year to establish a refuge for homeless working boys at Eighth and Pine streets, Philadelphia. Rev. Charles J. Vandegrift took charge of the parish in the fall of 1889, and his pastorate may well be considered one of the brightest and most prosperous in the history of the church. Through various accidents from fire, etc., a heavy debt had been contracted, and the pros- pect was anything but cheering when he assumed the managerial reins. Being en- dowed with splendid financial abilities, which he entirely applied to the work before him, he wrought order out of chaos, and the pros- pects became brighter and brighter as time went on. He beautified the interior of the church, having it newly frescoed, a new and costly altar rail put in place, and also a set of imported stations of the cross. After liqui- dating the debt on the school building, he organized a literary society and fitted up a spacious room for the accommodation of its members in the basement of the school. Seeing that the old graveyard of St. Mark's was no longer suitable for burial purposes, he purchased a desirable tract of land on the pike to tlie west of Bristol Cemetery. He was ably assisted in his undertakings by Rev. Father Magher, and continued in Bristol until June, 1896, when he received the ap- pointment to St. Edward's Church, in Phila- delphia. Rev. Hugh Garvey has since been pastor of St. Mark's ; his congregation has no fear that either its temporal or spiritual interests will suffer during his administration. St. Mark's congregation may be justly proud of its accomplishments under the guidance of the faithful pastors in the past as well as the present, for the parish is one of the best equipped in the Arch-diocese of Philadelphia. ^AMES P. HELPINGS, a shrewd and influential politician of Middletown township, is descended from one of the old and prominent families of this coun- ty. He was born at Wliite Hall, Philadel- phia County, Pa., Oct. 2, 1848, and is a son of Jacob and grandson of Tunis Hellings. The great-grandfather of our subject, John Hellings, was born about 1752, and resided in Bristol township, where he was engaged in farming. He was supervisor and filled many township ofiices. He was twice married, his first wife being Anna Bennett, by whom he reared five children : two sons, John and Samuel ; and three daughters. His second marriage was with Hannah Bowman, a daughter of Daniel Bowman, and they raised three sons and five daughters, namely : Jesse ; 34 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES Tunis ; Jonathan ; Mary ; Lucretia (Mrs. Paxton), now residing at Bristol ; Katherine ; Martha ; and Hannah. The family were members of the Christian Church at Tully- town, in the building of which in 1822 John Hellings was largely instrumental. He died about 1837, while his wife died in 1852. Tunis Hellings, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was a native of Middletown township, and he reared the following children : John ; Jacob ; Nathan ; Tunis ; Margaret ; Mary ; Rachael ; and Elizabeth. He died in 181 1. Jacob Hellings, the youngest child born to his father, was born in Middletown township, in 181 1; he was a farmer in early life, but later went to Bridesburg, Philadelphia Coun- ty, where he conducted the old Arsenal Ho- tel for a period of twenty years ; he then moveji to Philadelphia, and located on Second street, between Race and Vine streets, and there conducted a hotel a short time. This proving a failure, as he lost about 1 100. 00 per month, he moved in 1859 to Middletown Cross Roads, then known as Helling' s Cross Roads ; he purchased the tavern located there, and conducted the same until his death, which occurred Jan. 27, 1879 He was an active, wide-awake business man, and was an acknowledged leader in the Republican party in his township ; he served as school- tax collector ; as constable for many years ; and as county coroner. Fraternally, he was a member of the Sr. O. U. A. M. During his career as a tavern keeper, he sold liquors, but was never seen intoxicated nor heard to swear, and always guarded against tempta- tions being placed in the way of his sons. He was married to Elizabeth Hunter, who was born in this county in 18 14, and they were blessed by the following children : I^ewis J. ; Rachael, the wife of William C. McEuen ; Nathan died young ; Jacob A. ; James P., our subject ; and Sarah F., the wife of the late Howard Roberts. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Hellings conducted the hotel for two years, was succeeded by her son-in-law, W. C. McEuen, and then sold out to her son James P. , who closed the house as a hotel and has since used it as a private residence. The mother of our subject died Feb. 4, 1894, at the age of eighty years, nine months, and twenty-four days. James P. Hellings obtained a common school education, but the better part of his education was obtained through actual busi- ness experience. He remained at home until twenty-two years of age, when he went to Ben- salem township, but, in 1872, he moved back to Middletown township and was engaged in various business enterprises. In 1883, he moved to his mother's place which he later purchased, and which consists of 13^ acres. Our subject has always been connected with public affairs and is one of the leaders of the Republican party in the community. In 1880 he was elected assessor, which office he has held ever since, being elected at the last election in February, 1898, for a term of one year ; has held the office of constable since 1878; has been school-tax collector twenty years ; has served as a delegate to nearly all the county Republican conventions ; and in 1 898 was delegated to the congressional con- vention at Newtown. Mr. Hellings is an ac- tive and influential politician, always work- ing for the advancement of his party, and is B.UCKS COUNTY 35 widely known throughout the county as a leader and a man of many sterling qualities. Mr. Hellings was wedded on Oct. i, 1870, to Mary E. Keen, a native of Bensalem town- ship, and a daughter of Samuel and Rebecca (Mood) Keen. Five daughters have been born to them, namely : Mamie E., wife of Rush K. Hellyer ; Ella R., who died young ; Marion T., the wife of George M. Reed, Jr. ; Clara K. ; and Edna G. Socially, he is a member and past grand of Neshaminy I/odge, No. 422, I. O. O. F., of Hulmeville ; and was representative of his lodge to the Grand Ivodge held at York, Pa., May 23, 1889 ; has been on the relief committee twenty years; is a member and chief patriarch of the Odd Fellows' Encampment ; and is a member of the Jr. O. U. A. M. Religiously, he and his wife are members of the Methodist Church at Neshaminy, of which he is steward, treasurer, and trustee, while his wife is treasurer of the I/adies' Aid Society. Mr. Hellings has for many years been a gratuitous funeral direc- tor of his community for miles around. B R. WII^IylAM HENRY STETT- I/ER. This rising young physi- cian is thoroughly abreast of the times in the advancement of medical science, and stands in the foremost ranks of the lead- ing physicians and surgeons of Bucks County, having a large and lucrative practice in the village of Spinnerstown and the immediate vicinity. He was born in Upper Macungie township, Lehigh County, Pa., October 10, 1869, and is a son of Adam W. and Susan (Lichtenwallner) Stettler, and grandson of Henry Stettler. Adam W. Stettler was born in Upper Ma- cungie township, L,ehigh county, and was reared to agricultural pursuits, which voca- tion he followed until his health failed him, when he retired to the village of Ivitzenberg, where he passed from this earth at the age of thirty-three. He was joined in the bonds of wedlock with Susan Ivichtenwallner, a daughter of Samuel I/ichtenwallner, a prom- inent resident of Long Swamp township, Berks County, P^. Our subject was the only child born to his . parents, and his boyhood days were spent on the farm ; he received his intellectual training in private and public schools and at Muhlenberg College, Allentown, Pa. ; when in his Junior year he left college, and became a medical student under A. P. Fetherolf, of Ivitzenberg. Later he entered Bellevue Hos- pital Medical College, and was graduated from that institution with the class of 1891. In May of the same year Dr. Stettler came to his present field of operation, and is the only physician and surgeon in his section of the township. The Doctor is a very suc- cessful practitioner, and has already gained prominence in the medical profession. As a citizen he is highly valued, and is assisting materially in maintaining the existing sys- tem of good order and progress. Dr. Stettler formed a matrimonial alliance with Maggie Schantz, a daughter of Jacob T. Schantz, of Litzenberg, and this union has been blessed by the birth of one child, A. Howard, born April 16, 1898. Our sub- ject purchased the residence of Elias Moyer, 36 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES which he has fitted into a handsome office and home. Politically, the Doctor is an un- wavering Republican ; fraternally, he is past chief and district grand master of the Knights of the Golden Eagle ; he is also a member of the Bucks County Medical Society. "ARVEY H. GILIvAM is a prominent real estate dealer and public-spirited citizen of the village of Lang- horne, Bucks County, Pa., and is a worthy representative of an old and pioneer family of Bucks County. He was born in the above village July 23, 1846, and is a son of Harvey and Hannah (Hunt) Gillam, and grandson of William Gillam. Simon Gillam, our subject's great-grand- father, was also a native of Bucks County, and was of English parentage ; he was a Quaker preacher and owned an estate of 400 acres of land in this county. His son Wil- liam, the grandfather of our subject, was also born in this county, and upon the death of his father inherited the property, and followed agricultural pursuits the remainder of his ac- tive days. He was joined in marriage with Su- sanna Woolston, by whom he reared a family of four sons and five daughters, namely : Harvey, Jonathan, William, Simon, Eliza- beth, Anna, Hannah, Susan and Mary. Wil- liam Gillam died in 1840 at the age of fifty- four ; his widow attained the age of seventy- two. He and his family were prominent members of the Society of Friends. Mr. Gillam was a hard and industrious worker, and enjoyed the good-will of many friends. Harvey Gillam, Sr., was born on the old farm, near Langhorne, in 1814, and was en- gaged in tilling the soil during his early days. He purchased a farm two miles east of the village, but on account of poor health he later sold that property and engaged in the mercantile business in Langhorne, and then returned to farming, purchasing a small farm of 30 acres near the village. He soon gave up farming and went to Philadelphia, where he was engaged in the wholesale boot and shoe business ; after closing out that business he became a member of the Farrell Herring Co., fire-proof safe manufacturers, remaining in that business until his death occurred. In politics he was a strong Republican. He was wedded to Hannah Hunt, of Chester County, Pa., and they became the parents of four children, as follows : Mary W., the wife of William Albertson, of Philadelphia; W. Henry died, aged thirty years ; Morris, also deceased, and Harvey H., the subject of this memoir. The mother of our subject departed from this life in 1857. Harvey H. Gillam was intellectually trained in the Friends' School, and completed his ed- ucation at the Friends' Central School in Phil- adelphia; when a young man he embarked in agricultural pursuits, purchasing a farm of 1 50 acres in Middletown township, this county, upon which he resided for a period of twenty years. In 1886 he rented his farm and moved to Langhorne, where he has since been en- gaged in the real estate business. Mr. Gillam is a thorough business man and occupies a prominent position among the other substan- tial business men of his vicinity. Fraternally, Mr. Gillam is a member of the GEORGE LEAR. HENRY LEAR. BUCKS COUNTY 41 Masonic Order, Bristol I/odge, No. 25 ; relig- iously, he is a member of the Society of Hicksite Friends. Politically, he is a Repub- lican, and has served ten years as justice of the peace, during which time he has settled many estates. Mr. Gillam was one of the chief promoters of the Langhorne, Newtown & Bristol Electric Street Railway Co., and was also secretary and a director of the same; he is a member and director of the L,anghorne Building & Loan Association ; and is a di- rector of the Farmers' National Bank of Bucks County at Bristol, Pa. Our subject was mar- ried October 2, 1873, to Mary Mitchell, a daughter of Pierson and Caroline Mitchell. Her father was president of the Farmers' National Bank of Bucks County, at Bristol, Pa., and director of the People's National Bank of I/anghorne, Pa. As a result of this happy union, a family of two daughters was reared, namely: Caroline M. and May. Mr. Gillam has been remarkably successful in his busi- ness ventures ; is enterprising and progres- sive, and commands the confidence and re- spect of a multitude of acquaintances through- out the county. "ENRY LEAR, president of the Doyles- town National Bank for the past fifteen years, is a leading member of the legal profession in Eastern Pennsyl- vania. He was admitted to the Bucks County Bar September 11, 1871, and has been in con- tinuous practice ever since, especially distin- guishing himself as a counsellor, skilled in all departments of the legal profession ; there is no attorney in Bucks County his equal in knowledge of law. Other interests than professional have also claimed much of his attention and talents, and he is prominently connected with many commercial enterprises of Doylestown and Bucks County. Mr. Lear was born in Doylestown March 21, 1848, and is a son of George and Sidney (White) Lear, and grandson of Robert and Mary (Meloy) Lear, the grandfather being an early settler of Bucks County. George Lear, the father of the subject of these lines, was born in Warwick township, Bucks County, February 16, 1818, and fin- ished his education, begun in the county schools, with a term at Newtown Academy. From the time he first began to look after his own wants and direct his future, at the age of thirteen years, until he had become nineteen years old, he was employed as a farm laborer. Then for four years he was a teacher in the schools, after which he secured a situation in a country store, and devoted his spare time to the study of law, under the direction of E. T. McDowell, of Doylestown, a lawyer of prominence in that day. In April, 1844, George Lear left the country store, and removed to Doylestown, where he finished his professional education, and was admitted to the bar November 16, 1844. He soon proved his ability to be of the highest order, and rapidly rose to prominence in the com- munity. In August, 1848, he was appointed deputy attorney-general by Hon. James Cooper, was re-appointed by Hon. Cornelius Darragh, and held the position until the office of district attorney was created in 1850, thus superseding that of deputy attor- 42 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIBS ney-general. He was made president of the Doylestown National Bank in March, 1865, and held the office until his death, May 23, 1884, being succeeded by his son, Henry, the subject of this brief sketch. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1872-73, from the Seventh Senatorial Dis- trict, but did not sign his name to nor vote for the constitution adopted by the conven- tion ; while he was in favor of many measures of reform, he was opposed to the constitution as finally adopted, because of its encroach- ments upon the rights of the people. In the cause of temperance he labored earnestly. He was appointed attorney-general of the Commonwealth by Governor Hartranft in 1875. He attained a high position among his fellow-citizens by the force of industry and intellect ably directed. His strong will and indomitable courage were marked traits of his character. As a speaker he was con- vincing and forceful in his utterances, and had great power before juries. His addresses, though delivered with great oratorical ability, had a substratum of sound sense, and inevit- ably appealed to the decision of the intellect. In January, 1845, Mr. I^ear married Sidney White, of Montgomery County, and their three children were named : Henry, Cordelia, and Mary, who became the wife of George P. Brock. Henry I^ear was given the best of educa- tional advantages, and that he profited by his superior training is self-evident, for he gives the impression of being scholarly and learned' on first acquaintance, and further knowledge of his ability but strengthens this opinion and makes it a grounded belief. After re- ceiving a thorough preparatory training in the schools of Doylestown and Philadelphia, he became a student at Yale, and graduated from that institution in 1869. He attended lectures on law in the University of Pennsyl- vania during the winter of 1870-71, and was admitted to the bar in the fall of 1871. With the prestige of his father to aid him, and with his own ability of a high nature to push him to the front, our subject rapidly rose to prominence, and soon came to be re- garded as a leading lawyer of the county. He represented the Philadelphia & Read- ing Railroad until it went into the receiver's hands ; he now represents the Pennsylvania Railroad. As already stated above, he was made president of the Doylestown Na- tional Bank upon the death of his father, and has held the position since. He was the leading spirit in the organizatioti of the following companies, and is directing their policies as president : Lahaska Mutual Fire Insurance Company, Doylestown Elec- tric Iviglit Company, Doylestown Gas Com- pany and Bucks County Traction Com- pany. Our subject was married June 10, 1875, to Louisa P. Brock, daughter of John J. and Julia (Philler) Brock, and their children number three sons and two daughters, as follows: John B., George, William P., Julia B. and Sidney. Mrs. Lear is a member of the Episcopal Church. Mr. L,ear is a very popular man with all classes, and wields a great amount of influence for good in the county. Although pleasant and genial in his manners, he is strictly a business man in every sense of the word, and he is held all BUCKS COUNTY 43 the more in esteem because of his devotion to the sober duties of life. The publishers of this work take pleasure in presenting on preceding pages portraits of George I^ear and his son, Heniy I^ear, the subject of the above life history. EORGE CHAPMAN BLACKFAN, a highly esteemed citizen of New- town, Bucks County, Pa. , is, after many years of activity in the business world, still finan- cially identified with many enterprises, which were established for the public welfare. The family, of which he is a worthy representative of the present day, was one of the first Quaker families that located in America, where they were free from the persecutions to which they were subjected in England. Among the friends and counsellors of William Penn, the great founder of that sect in this country, and bound to him by ties of kinship, was one Edward Blackfan, who was mentioned fre- quently in the records of the Province and in the letters of Penn. The family was among the early converts to Quakerism and attended the Meeting at Isfield, England, which the Penn family also attended. They too sufiered the penalties for adhering to that faith, and John Blackfan, the father of Edward, was imprisoned and finally excommunicated for refusing to attend the Established Church or to pay tithes. The latter was a resident of Steyning, Sussex County. Edward Blackfan was united in marriage with Rebecca Crispin, a cousin of William Penn, their fathers having married sisters. The nuptials took place at the Isfield Friends' Meeting, and the marriage certificate bears the date, "8th month, 24th day, 1688," and was witnessed by William Penn, his wife, son, and daughter. It is not strange that the ties of consanguinity and faith alike should grow into the warmth of friendship and the confidence which was displayed in the letters of the proprietary during the last five years of Edward's life. The last authentic record of the latter is the letter dated London, 1689, which he wrote to Richard Morris in America, containing an order proclaiming William and Mary, King and Queen of England, France, and Ireland. Tradition has it, however, that he purchased or obtained grants of valuable land in the Province from the Penns, and was making ready to immigrate to America with his wife and only son, when death cut short his plans, about the year 1690. The papers of transfer were either lost or de- stroyed, when he was taken sick, as they could not be found after his death. The widow and her son came to America in 1700, settling in Pennsburg, where they took charge of the proprietary house and were well received by their kinsmen. The son, William, upon attaining his ma- jority, by a deed of gift from Thomas and William Penn, became the owner of 500 acres of land in Solebury township, Bucks County. The original deed is in existence at the pres- ent time and is the property of Ogden Black- fan of Trenton, N. J. He married Eleanor Wood of Philadelphia in 1721, and many prominent names appear in the marriage certificate, including those of the mayor, sur- veyor-general, provincial commissioner, and 44 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES the attorney- general. About 171 8, he moved upon his estate in Solebury township, and lipon his death it was divided between his two sons, Crispin and William, the former taking the western half, and the latter the remaining half After the marriage of her son, Mrs. Blackfan formed a second union with Nehe- miah Allen, a prominent citizen and a mem- ber of the city council of Philadelphia. Wil- liam and his wife Eleanor reared six children, namely: Crispin; Elizabeth; Rebecca; Sarah; William; and Hannah. Crispin Blackfan after his marriage to Martha Davis moved to Trenton, N. J., where his family has since lived. He was the father of nine children, eight daughters and one son, Edward, who married Mary Smith, by whom he had four children, three of whom were sons : Crispin, who settled in Trenton, N. J., where lie lived throughout his life; Samuel, who succeeded to the ownership of the old homestead, which passed out of the family name upon his death, it now being owned by Charles S. Atkinson, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Eastburn, a daughter of Moses Eastburn ; and Joseph, who studied medicine and prac- ticed at Radnor, Delaware County, Pa., but whose descendants now live at Norristown. William Blackfan, the great-grandfather of our subject and a son of William and Eleanor Blackfan, was a farmer of Solebury township. He married Esther Dawson, who came from a well-known family of that section; her grand- father was John Dawson, to whom 500 acres of land in Solebury township, two miles west of New Hope, were deeded by Ralph Jackson and Thomas Harding. This prop- erty was left to Thomas Dawson, the father of Mrs. Blackfan, who in turn left it to his grandsons, John and Thomas Blackfan. Wil- liam and Esther Blackfan had six children, three of whom were sons : John, the grand- father of our subject ; Thomas, who died un- married ; and Jesse, who married Jane Def- fendorf, a native of New York City. Mr. Blackfan died in 1796, and his wife in 1806. John Blackfan located upon the farm left to him by his grandfather, which he culti- vated until his death in 1 806. He was united in matrimonial bonds with Martha Quinby, and they reared one son, John. After his death, Mrs. Blackfan formed a second union with Dr. Isaac Chapman, of Wrightstown. John Blackfan, our subject's father, was born in 1799, on the old Dawson homestead, and after his marriage succeeded to the own- ership of that property. In 1835, the house and everything within it was destroyed by fire, and he subsequently erected the building now standing near the old site. In 1821, he mar- ried Elizabeth R. Chapman of Wrightstown, a descendant of John Chapman, who was born in Stanhope, Durham County, England, November 24, 1624. He immigrated to this country in 1684, locating in Wrightstown township, Bucks County, where he purchased 400 acres of land and established the Chap- man homestead, which is now owned by our subject. The union mentioned above was blessed by the birth of seven children, three of whom died young ; the remaining mem- bers of the family were as follows : Hetty Ann, who married George Watson, died in 1867; William C, who lives on the old home- stead in Solebury township, married Eliza- beth Ely of Philadelphia ; George Chapman, BUCKS COUNTY 45 whose name appears at the head of this bio- graphical record ; and Martha C, the wife of George Watson, lives in Philadelphia. Upon the death of his'wife in 1856, John Blackfan married Francenia Ely in 1864, and soon after moved to Yardley, where he passed away in 1878. Such is the record of the descendants, down to the present generation, of the stanch old Quakers, whom it pleased William Penn to call cousins and honor with his friendship and confidence. There have been no great statesmen nor politicians among them ; they have led upright and exemplary lives, and their descendants are proud of an inheritance, which, if it brings no great riches nor fame, brings that which is far more desirable, — a good name. George Chapman Blackfan was born upon a farm in Solebury township, January 14, 1836, and obtained a good education in the Tremont Seminary at Norristown, Pa., and in the Samuel Gummere School at Burling- ton, N. J. In i860, he moved upon the farm of 140 acres in Wrightstown township, which was left to him by his uncle, George Chap- man, and there he successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1880. He then moved to Newtown, where he erected a hand- some brown-stone residence at No. 32 Chan- cellor street, where he has since continued his active business life. Since his residence in Newtown, he has taken a great interest in the welfare of the town and has lent his aid to many improvements, both financially and by his personal support. He has served as a councilman, and has been a director of the First National Bank for twelve years. He was one of the organizers and is a director of the Newtown Electric Street Railway, New- town Electric I^ight Co., and Newtown Water Works. He still retains his farm in Wrights- town township, and also owns property in Newtown. He is a man of unquestioned in- tegrity, and has many friends throughout the county. May 21, 1867, he was married to Lavinia T. Worstall, a daughter of Edward H. and Maria E. (Smith) Worstall, of Newtown, and they are the parents of two children. John, born April 22, 1869, who is a member of the firm of Worstall Bros. & Co., of Newtown, married Mary Ivinton, May 24, 1893, ^^^ has one daughter, L,avinia L,inton. Walter W. was born October 16, 1873, and died June 30, 1 88 1. Religiously, Mr. and Mrs. Blackfan and family are faithful members of the Friends' Meeting. Our subject has always been identified with the Republican party, but has never been an ofiice seeker. (^>r'I,FRED EIvY FIRMAN, a prbminent and influential business man of the m an village of Churchville, Pa. , is en- gaged in dealing in real estate and is also a notary public. He is enterprising and pub- lic-spirited, and is performing all the obliga- tions of a dutiful citizen. He was born in Falls township, Bucks County, August 25, 1 84 1, and is a son of David and Eliza (Keen) Firman, and grandson of George Firman, who was a resident of Plumstead township and was a farmer by occupation. David Firman, the father of our subject, 46 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES was born and reared in Plumstead township, this county, and his early days were spent learning the trade of a blacksmith, which oc- cupation he followed at Fallsington, Pa., the most of his active period. At the time of his death, which occurred in 1884, he was resid- ing at Ocean City, N. J. He was joined in the bonds of wedlock with Eliza Keen, a native of Philadelphia, and this union was blessed by the birth of four children : George A., a retired blacksmith and an old soldier, residing at Fallsington, Pa., was married to Deborah Adams, by whom he reared two children, David and Georgiana ; Alfred E. , the subject of this memoir ; Alama died, aged twelve years, and Anna M., of Ocean City, N. J., was united in marriage with Cornelius Mahan. The mother of our subject passed from this life at Camden, N. J., in 1885. Alfred E. Firman enjoys a good common school education, which he obtained in the public schools of his native township ; he remained at home until twenty-two years of age, and then went West as far as Omaha, Neb. After remaining there a short time, he located in Chicago, 111., where he was em- ployed as time-keeper for the city railroad, occupying that position for a period of twenty- two months. He then returned East and worked for the United States Government near Washington, D. C., in a horse hospital about one year. In 1869, our subject went to Doylestown, Pa., and for sixteen years held the office of deputy prothonotary. In 1886, he became a resident of Churchville, and pur- chased the Krusen estate. In the spring of 1889, he was elected justice of the peace, and in 189S, notary public, the duties of which offices he faithfully and honestly performs. He also represents the Mutual Benefit I/ife Insurance Co. , of Newark, N. J., and is en- gaged in the buying and selling of real estate. He has settled many estates since becoming a resident of the village, and is the owner of a fine farm of 15 acres of land, which he rents. Alfred E. Firman was wedded September 25, 1869, to Adeline S- Dungan, who was born in Warminster township, December 25, 1844, and who is a daughter of Jesse and Adreanna (Cornell) Dungan. Her parents were de- scended from old and prominent families of Bucks County, her father having been born in Northampton township, and her mother being a native of Southampton township. Mr. Dungan was a farmer the most of his life, and died May 4, 1892 ; his wife died in Octo- ber, 1868. They were the parents of nine children, namely : Isaac, deceased, was twice married, — his first wife was Rebecca Booz, and his second wife was Cynthia Ann Doan ; George is living in retirement in Upper Makefield township, and he was married to Adeline Scott ; John resides in Northampton township, and his wife is Esther Cooper; David is a resident of Trenton, N. J., and he wedded Emma Cadwallader ; Mary Jane, de- ceased, was the wife of Franklin Fetter, who is also deceased ; Ann Eliza is the wife of John K. Tranck, and they live in Philadel- phia ; lyouisa was the wife of William Cook, and they are both deceased ; Sarah is the wife of S. Keller; and Adeline S., the wife of our subject. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Firman was Isaac Dungan, of Northampton township, and he married Mary Dyer, by SAMUEL Z. FREED. BUCKS COUNTY 49 whom he reared three children : Jesse, Thomas and John. Her maternal grandfather was Gillian Cornell, of Southampton township, and he wedded Jane Craven, of Warminster township, and four children were born to them, namely: Adreanna, Catherine, Jane and Craven. In politics, Mr. Firman is a strong Democrat ; fraternally, he is a member of the Doylestown Ivodge, No. 193, I. O. O. F. Both our subject and wife attend the Re- formed Church at Churchville. 'AMUEL Z. FREED, attorney-at- law, whose portrait is presented on the opposite page, is one of the most prominent and distinguished members of his profession in Bucks County, and is located in Doylestown, where he has a lucra- tive practice. He is finely educated and well versed in the intricacies of his calling, and stands high among the members of his pro- fession in this section. He is a son of Henry F. and Sarah Ann (Ziegenfuss) Freed, and was bom in Richland township, this county, November 10, 1856. The Freed family is of sturdy German origin. Henry Freed, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Richland township, where he resided all his life, dying in 1865 at the age of sixty-four. He learned the stone-mason's trade, which he followed dur- ing his early days, but later turned his entire attention to agricultural pursuits. Relig- iously, he was a consistent member of the Reformed Church ; in political views, he was a decided Democrat, taking an intelligent interest in party affairs. He was united in marriage with Sophia Flnck of Richland township, and they became the parents of nine children, namely : John, deceased, re- sided at Allentown, Pa. ; lycvi is a farmer near Big Rapids, Mich. ; Elizabeth, deceased, was married to George Keiper, also deceased ; Henry F,, the father of our subject ; Joseph, deceased ; Amanda, deceased, was the wife of Henry Trumbore ; Josiah is a carpenter and builder of Bethlehem, Pa. ; Michael is also a carpenter of Bethlehem ; and Sallie, who resides in Allentown, Pa. Henry F. Freed, our subject's father, was born in Richland township, October 6, 1839, and resided there throughout his life. He received a limited education in the common schools of his neighborhood, and early in life began to learn the trade of a carpenter, following the same until he attained the age of thirty years, when he took to farming ; he has also followed undertaking to a large ex- tent during recent years. He was drafted during the Civil War,' serving eleven months in the army, being stationed at Buford, S. C. In his political views, he is a strong Demo- crat, has served as supervisor, and has taken an unusual amount of interest in local poli- tics ; religiously, he is an active member and liberal supporter of the Dutheran Church, being the only Lutheran in the family. Oc- tober 8, 1853, he was wedded to Sarah Ann Ziegenfuss, born in Richland township, Feb- ruary 22, 1833, and a daughter of Samuel Ziegenfuss. Samuel Ziegenfuss was born in Northampton County, but became a resident of Richland township, Bucks County, upon attaining his majority ; he married Catherine 50 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES Rosenberger, and they reared a family of seven children: Sarah Ann, the mother of our subject ; Henry, a retired carpenter of Bethlehem, Pa. ; William is a carpenter of Bethlehem ; lyucy Etta is the wife of I,ewis Deaterly, of Line I^exington, Pa. ; Laviua is the widow of the late John Stover ; Rev. Samuel Addison is a graduate and now a director of the Lutheran Tlieological Semi- nary at Mount Airy, and is pastor of the St. Michael's Lutheran Church of Germantown, Pa. ; and Blias, a cigar manufacturer of Quakertown, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Freed are the parents of the following children, all of whom are living except one, who died aged six months : Samuel Z., the subject of this sketch ; Jonas E. , shipping clerk at Phila- delphia ' for the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad; Albanas, foreman in the cigar fac- tory of William R. Roedel of Quakertown ; Amandus, deceased ; Lucy Etta, first married John C. Hilleguss, and upon his death wedded Amandus Fosbenner of Rockhill township ; Wilson is an expert operator and works in New York City ; Matilda is the wife of Amandus K. Stoneback, of Richland township ; Jacob is a bricklayer of Richland township ; Sylvanus is a carpenter and stonecutter of Richland township ; Katie is the wife of Elmer E. Weaver, and they reside in Springfield township ; William is a farmer of Richland township ; Sallie ; and Isaac, a bricklayer by trade, who lives in Richland township. Samuel Z. Freed was intellectually trained for the battles of life in the common schools of his native town.ship and in the Quaker- town High School ; at eighteen years of age he engaged in teaching school, continuing the same for a period of four years. Having determined upon the profession of a lawyer in the meantime, on April 5, 1880, he entered the office of J. M. Shellenberger, a prominent attorney, and was admitted to the bar Octo- ber 23, 1882. He was admitted to the Mont- gomery County Bar in 1889, and on Febru- ary 6, 1888, he was admitted to the State Supreme Bar. Mr. Freed is one of the most eminent and distinguished attorneys of this county, and stands foremost among the many worthy men of this section of the state as an energetic, able and upright attorney, a courteous gentleman, and a kind neighbor and friend. Mr. Freed and Lizzie Y. Nicholas, of Rich- land township, were happily united in the bonds of matrimony May 15, 1880, and they are the proud parents of two children, John Ralphus and Henry Graf. Our subject is a director of the Doylestown Trust Company, and is a director and secretary of the Doyles- town Gas Company. He is a Democrat in politics, decided in his views, and casts his vote for those principles which he believes to be the only ones which will safely perpetuate our excellent system of government. He has served as a member of the school board six years, his term expiring in June, 1897. Mr. Freed made many campaign speeches in this state during the campaign of Garfield and Hancock, and has made many speeches since during presidential campaigns. In 1888 he was honored with the nomination of district attorney by his party, but was defeated by his opponent, Mahlon H. Stout, by a narrow majority of 51 votes. Religiously, he is a BUCKS COUNTY 51 prominent member of the L,utheran Church, of which he is an elder, superintendent of the Sabbath School, and secretary of the board of trustees. Fraternally, Mr. Freed is a past grand master of the Doylestown Lodge, No. 94 ; P. C. P. Doylestown Encampment, No. 35, I. O. O. F. ; a member of the Grand Lodge and Grand Encampment, and has been a representative of the subordinate body to the Grand Lodge of the same order. He is also a member and past chief of St. Tam- many Castle, K. of G. E- Yf^YAN RAPP, a descendant of one ot I yyr the old families of Bucks County, is -^ V.^ the well-known editor and pro- prietor of the Riegelsville News^ a publica- tion that makes its appearance weekly and has a large circulation in the- village and vicinity. He is a son of William M. and Sybilla (Groover) Rapp, and was born at Kintnersville, Nockamixon township, Bucks County, Pa., Nov. 12, 1864. He is descended from Philip Henry Rapp, a Lutheran minister, who emigrated from Germany prior to 1750, and became pastor of a church in Germantown. Later he preached in New York, near the' entrance to the Brook- lyn Bridge, and returned to Philadelphia some time afterward. About 1766 he dedicated the Tohickon Lutheran Church, in Bucks County, being the pastor at that time. After the Revolutionary War broke out he moved to Nockamixon township, where he now lies buried. His son, Philip Henry, was a farmer, and took up his abode in Holland township. New Jersey, where he also taught a free school, being, perhaps, the first public school teacher in this section of the country. The latter's son, John George, the great- grandfather of our subject, returned to the old homestead in Nockamixon township, now in possession of Mrs. Francis Rapp. David Rapp, the grandfather of Ryan, was born on the old homestead and followed the tailor's trade. His wife was Anna Margaret Rymond. William M. Rapp, the editor's father, was born on what was formerly a part of the old homestead. He is a carpen- ter, millwright and boatbuilder. In 1859 he was married to Miss Sybilla Groover, and began housekeeping at Kintnersville, where he resided until 1872, when he and his family moved to Monroe, now Lehnenburg, Pa., and in 1873 to Riegelsville. Since the death of his wife, in 1894, he has been fol- lowing millwrighting, chiefly in New York and surrounding cities. The children of William M. Rapp and his wife, Sybilla (Groover) Rapp, are as follows : Ancenetta, deceased ; Oscar ; Ryan ; Irvin ; Ada ; Otto ; William O. ; and twins, who died in infancy. Ryan Rapp started in life as a drover's boy, worked on a farm during the summer, and subsequently as a cart driver at the Dur- ham Iron Works. At the age of eighteen he began teaching public school and taught eight terms, proving himself an able in- structor. In 1890 he purchased the Riegels- ville Advocate^ established in 1889, and, in 1 89 1, obtained possession of the Riegelsville News, established in 1891 also, and consoli- dated the two. Up to 1893 the News was published by Otto Rapp & Bro., but since 52 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES that time it has been published by the sub- ject of this sketch. The News is an eight- column paper, 26 X 40, neatly printed, and abounding in items of local and general interest. The editorials, being substantial and well written, are a credit to the writer. The editor of this journal is also musically inclined. He has taught music successfully, plays several instruments, and has composed a number of pretty selections. 'OHN BURTON, ESQ., who for many years followed the vocation of a farmer with great diligence and success, has acquired a handsome competency and a com- fortable home, and is now living in retire- ment upon his farm within the corporate limits of Tullytowu borough, Bucks County, Pa. He is a son of Anthony and Mary (Headley) Burton, and was born in the town of his residence, August 3 1829. He is descended from one Anthony Burton, one of the first settlers of Bucks County, then known as Buckingham, Pa., and a native of England, although the date of his immigra- tion to this country is doubtful. It is authen- tic, however, that he was a large land-owner of Buckingham prior to 1684, as the book of cattle marks of that date, belonging to Phin- eas Pemberton, describes and records his brand. He is also known to have been a slave-owner at that time. March 16, 1695, he, in association with Thomas Burk, pur- chased from Peter White and others a tract of land, covering the present site of Bristol, which they laid out in town lots and called New Bristol. In 1720, upon petitioning Governor Keith, a charter was granted for the incorporation of Bristol, which continueli in effect until the Revolutionary War. An- thony Burton was a man of education and refinement and held considerable influence in the county, serving as justice of the peace for several years, beginning in 1715. In religious attachments he was a member of the Estab- lished Church, and, besides giving the land for the church and churchyard of St. James' Episcopal Church of Bristol, contributed lib- erally toward the erection of the church edi- fice in 171 2. In the records of the church, it appears that he and many of his lineal de- scendants are entitled to the occupancy of two pews in the church forever. December 18, 1687, he was joined in wedlock with Sarah Gibbs, a widow, whose death occurred on the 28th of June, 17 18. He formed a second al- liance on July 28, 1720, with Susan Keene, and two children were born to them, namely : Martha, who died unmarried, and Anthony, Jr. Mr. Burton was called to his final rest in 1739, and was laid to rest in St. James' Churchyard at Bristol. Anthony Burton, Jr., who was born July 17, 1721, became an extensive landowner and resided on his estate, lying about midway between Bristol and the Ealls of the Dela- ware, in Bristol township. February 12, 1752, he was united in marriage with Mary Hough, an earnest member of the Society of Friends and a daughter of Richard Hough, who was a prominent worker in that body. It is thought that Mr. Burton was converted to the faith of his wife, as after his marriage he did not attend the Bristol Church, and his BUCKS COUNTY 53 children all became Friends. He was the father of eight children, four of whom sur- vived his death, namely : John ; Martha, born July 25, 1756; Anthony, born August 9, 1758, and Jonathan, born August 21, 1765. John Burton, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was born September 17, 1753, and dur- ing a major portion of his life lived upon the old homestead, but the latter years of his life were spent in Falls township, where he died September 3, 1835, and now lies buried at Fallsington. Remarried in February, 1778, Mrs. Rachel Wilson (ne^ Satcher), a widow of Henry Wilson, and their union resulted in the birth of two children : Joseph and John. After her demise in 1781, he was again mar- ried to Hannah Watson, and they became the parents of the following children ; Benjami'n, Mary, Rachel, Anthony and Charles. Anthony Burton, the father of our subject, although his vocation was that of a farmer, was connected with many business enter- prises and was one of the prominent and in- fluential men in his community. For twenty- four years he was president of the Farmers' National Bank of Bucks County, was presi- dent of the Delaware River Steamboat Co., and was called upon to fill many other posi- tions of trust, in all of which he acquitted himself with honor. He was also a member of the Society of Friends, in which he was an earnest and consistent worker. He was a man of unblemished character and the great- est reliance was placed in him by his fellow- citizens without fear that their confidence would be betrayed. Kind and gentle in man- ner, sympathetic and charitable in disposi- tion, he always lent his aid to those not so fortunate as he, and to the worthy poor. He was a pleasant and interesting companion, and his death in 1874 was a cause of lamen- tation not only to his numerous friends, but to the community in general, which held him in the highest esteem as a man of great worth and influence. He was joined in a matri- monial alliance with Mary Headley, a de- scendant of a very prominent Bucks County family, and after her death was married to Anna Paxson. He was the progenitor of the following children : Hannah, Joshua, Caro- line, Anna, Elwood, a successful merchant of Tullytown, and John, the subject of this life record. John Burton spent his early life upon the farm of his father, but after attaining the years of manhood he engaged in the mercan- tile business in Tullytown for some time. When the Civil War broke out he gave his patriotic ardor full sway and enlisted in the famous Anderson Cavalry, serving in eigh- teen fights and skirmishes. He went into the service as a private, but was later promoted to the rank of lieutenant, which he held when he was mustered out. Upon returning home, he again engaged in agricultural pursuits, which he followed industriously until the time of his retirement, acquiring a handsome fortune in that period. He has always taken much pride in the advancement and develop- ment of the interests of Bucks County, and has liberally supported many enterprises and measures tending to that end. At the present time he is a director of the Farmers' National Bank of Bucks County, president of the Bris- tol Improvement Co., and has been treasurer of the William Penn Mutual I^oan & Build- 54 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES ing Association since the time of its organi- zation in 1873. He is also president of the Tullytown Borough Council. On the 7th of February, 1867, he was joined in hymeneal bonds with Elizabeth Headley, a daughter of Edward and Eliza Headley, by whom he has the following chil- dren : Franklin, born February 27, 1 868, de- ceased ; El wood, born August 2, 1870, de- ceased ; Horace H., born March 30, 1877 ; and A. Russell, born July 17, 1881. Politically, he is a Republican, whilst in religious faith and fellowship he is a member of the Society of Friends. rfy)i"ENRY C. DICKEL is one of the well-to-do gardeners of Penn Valley, Falls township, Bucks County, Pa., and hauls his produce to the markets of Trenton, N. J. He was born in Kensington, Philadelphia County, Pa., the date of his birth being June 19, 1841, and he is a son of John B. and Eliza (Brady) Dickel. The founder of this well-known and pros- perous family in the United States was the grandfather of our subject, John Dickel, who was born and reared in Germany, and who immigrated to this country and located in Philadelphia. John B. Dickel, the father of our subject, was born in that city, and his boyhood days were spent working on a farm in Falls township, Bucks County, which was owned by his aunt. He began to work on his own account soon after attaining his majority; moving to Kensington, he pur- chased a farm and began raising garden truck and, as he lived near Philadelphia, hauled his produce to the markets of that city where good prices were always obtain- able. Gardening continued to be his occu- pation until 1880, when he retired from the active duties of life, and in 1886 moved to Falls township to spend his latter days with our subject. The spirit of Mr. Dickel was called from earth in 1888, at the age of eighty-seven. He was united in marriage with Eliza Brady, a native of England, and this union was productive of the following children : Harriet (L,ovett) resides in Phila- delphia ; Louisa (Miller) also lives in Phila- delphia ; Emma (Morton); Anna (Coller), de- ceased ; Henry C. ; John B. , who is a resident of l/ong Branch, N. J. ; and William L,., de- ceased. Mr. Dickel in politics was an old- line Whig, but in religious views, he and his family favored the Lutheran Church. The mother of our subject entered the world of rest at the age of sixty-eight years. Henry C. Dickel acquired a good, practical education in the schools of his native place, and early in life began to learn the trade of a blacksmith ; at the breaking out of the Civil War our subject began working for the Government at Washington, D. C. Two years later he went to City Point, Va., where he pursued his trade until the war was brought to a close ; the next year was spent at Frankford, Pa, where he continued his chosen vocation. He then engaged in gar- dening at Baltimore, Md., and, after remain- ing there two and a half years, in 1869 moved to Falls township, this county, and located on his father's farm and began to carry on gardening, disposing of his produce BUCKS COUNTY 55 at the Trenton markets. He soon afterwards purchased his father's farm, and in 1896 bought the farm just across the road from his first purchase, and has since carried on gardening with marked success. Mr. Dickel is well known throughout Bucks County, and is greatly respected by the citizens of his community. In the year 1867, Mr. Dickel was united in the bonds of wedlock with Mary E. Mc- Gurk, a native of Baltimore, and as a result of this marriage the following children were reared : Eliza is the wife of William Dun- bracco of Falls township, and they are the parents of three children. May, Edith, and Mary E. ; John H. wedded Carrie Paff, and they reside in Falls township ; Emma H. is the wife of John Braley, and they live in Mercer County, N. J., and are the parents of one daughter, Irene ; George R. ; Henry C, Jr.; Clara M.; Charles M.; William K.; and Henrietta. Religiously, Mr. Dickel and family are prominent members of the Pres- byterian Church. Fraternally, our subject is a member of Bristol I^odge, No. 25, F. & A. M., and the South Trenton Lodge, No. 36, I. 0. O. F. In politics, our subject sup- ports the Republican party, but he is a busy man and has no time to spend in seeking office. w> 'lIvIvIAM WISE is a typical repre- sentative of the agricultural class of Bucks County, Pa., and is located on a fine and productive farm in Falls township, near the village of Tullytown, where he was born and was reared to manhood ; the date of his birth is January 23, 1827, and he is a son of Charles and Lydia (Headley) Wise. Charles Wise was born in Philadelphia, where his father had lived the greater part of his active days. Charles possessed a good education, which he received in the public schools ; in his early manhood he left the city, and, coming to Bucks County, located in Falls township, where he purchased the farm now in the possession of our subject. Farming was his occupation, and he success- fully carried on that independent calling all his life. His spirit was called from earth at the age of seventy-eight years, and his de- mise was deeply lamented by a host of friends, who knew him to be a good citizen and an excellent neighbor. He was united in the bonds of wedlock with Lydia Headley, a daughter of Joseph Headley, who was a pros- perous farmer of Falls township. She en- tered the world of rest at the age of fifty- four. Seven children resulted from this happy union, namely : Joseph ; Thomas, de- ceased ; Amos, deceased ; Charles, deceased ; and William, our subject, were twins ; John, deceased ; and Rebecca (Everitt), who resides in Mason County, Illinois. Our subject's father took au active interest in the politics of his community, strongly upholding the principles of the Whig party in his early days and later those of the Republican party. He served his fellow-citizens as school direc- tor a number of years. William Wise, the subject of this brief no- tice, was intellectually trained in the district schools of his native township, and spent the most of his boyhood days assisting his father in the cultivation of the farm, thus acq^uiring 56 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES a good education in farming. Our subject has always resided on the old homestead, of which he became the owner at his father's death, and general farming is his principal occupa- tion. Our subject is an honor to his vocation, and is regarded as one of the most enterprising and progressive farmers of Falls township > he is well known throughout his section of the county, and is highly esteemed by all with whom he is bound by ties of local interest. Mr. Wise is strictly upright in all his dealings, and courteous to all, and those who know him repose in him unbounded confidence. Politically, Mr. Wise is an ardent Repub- lican, and votes and works conscientiously with that party. He has served one term as county director of the poor, and was honored, in 1880, by his party with the nomination for the State Legislature. SCAR F. BECK. This well-to-do and enterprising citizen of the vil- lage of Morrisville, Pa., has been connected with the Goodyear Vulcanite Co. since the year 1886, and is the eflBcient fore- man of the stock department of that well- known company. He was born in the borough of Tamaqua, Pa., August 4, 1862, and is a son of Captain Lewis and Caroline (Boehler) Beck. The Beck family is of German origin, and its founder in this country was Captain Lewis Beck, who was born in Freiburg, Germany, in 1822, and who emigated to the United States in 1848. His first work in this coun- try was on the Lehigh Canal, and from there he drifted to the city of Reading, where he resided a number of years, finally moving to Tamaqua, Pa., where he opened up the first bakery in the borough. In addition to con- ducting a bakery he was proprietor of a hotel, the first one in the place. Mr. Beck was well known throughout the county, and for a number of years was captain of a com- pany of the state militia, which he organized and which was composed of Germans. Dur- ing the Civil War he served in the Union Army for a term of nine months. Ten years prior to the death of our subject's father, he retired from active business and spent his latter days in comfort and happiness. The demise of this well-known and highly es- teemed gentleman occurred in 1894, and was deeply deplored by a host of acquaintances. Mr. Beck was joined in the bonds of matri- mony with Caroline Boehler, and she entered the world of rest in 1 876 at the age of fifty- two. As a result of this union the following children were born: Lewis, deceased; Caro- line (Scheid), who resides at Tamaqua, Pa.; Emelia ; Laura ; and Oscar F. , the subject of this personal history. Religiously, Mr. and Mrs. Beck were prominent members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Beck took an active, interest in politics, was a stanch supporter of the Democratic party, and was frequently delegated to county conventions. The subject of this notice received his ele- mentary training in the common schools of his native village, and at an early age served an apprenticeship to the machinist's trade ; at twenty-one years of age he went to New York City, where he found employment in a tin -foil works, and worked in that city some three years. In 1886 he moved to Morris- RICHARD RANDOLPH PARRY. BUCKS COUNTY 59 ville, Pa., to take charge of the tin depart- ment of the Goodyear Vulcanite Co., and after remaining in that capacity about two years he was advanced to be foreman of the stock department, his present position. Mr. Beck is a conscientious worker, and has not only won the confidence and respect of his superior officers, but of those also who are under his charge. Mr. Beck chose for his life companion Phebe Garman, a daughter of Jacob Garman, of Morrisville, and they were happily united in the bonds of wedlock in the year 1891. Fraternally, our subject is a member of the Patriotic Order Sons of America. tICHARD RANDOLPH PARRY. This gentleman, of New Hope bor- ^^ ough, Bucks County, Pa., the second son of Oliver Parry, Esq. , and his wife Rachel Randolph Parry, was born in Phil- adelphia December 5, 1835. He was edu- cated in private schools, and at Haverford College, Pa., and resided at Mankato, Minn., from 1856 to 1861, inclusive, in which place he was engaged in the banking business. In Neill's " History of the Minnesota Valley " he is mentioned as one of the early pioneers of the valley. In 1861 Mr. Parry returned to Pennsylvania to live. He resides in the "Old* Parry Mansion" in New Hope bor- ough, erected for his ancestor, Benjamin Parry, in 1784. Two different portions of this estate were occupied by the Continental troops in December, 1776, just prior to the battle of Trenton, when General William Alexander, more commonly known as Lord Stirling, held New Hope (then named "Cor- yell's Ferry ") in a state of armed defense with earth-work and redoubt against the British troops ; and here, as stated in "Wash- ington and his Generals," Lord Stirling again signalized himself by his successful defense of "Coryell's Ferry." On October 11, 1866, Mr. Parry was mar- ried in St. Luke's Protestant Episcopal Church, Portland, Maine, to Miss Ellen L. Reed, daughter of Rufus and Martha (Ger- rish) Reed, of Portland, and granddaughter of Hon. Joseph M. Gerrish, who was at one time a representative in the Maine Legisla- ture, and was a large land-holder at Portland. Our subject has three children : Gertrude R., Adelaide R. ; and Oliver Randolph, born March 29, 1873. ^'^- Parry is a man of literary tastes and historical interests ; and has frequently contributed articles to the press, and published works. He is a member of the Bucks County Historical Society and a life member of the Historical Society of Pennsyl- vania. He is also a member of the Society of the Sons of the Revolution, and a companion of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, Commandery of Pennsyl- vania. He is senior warden of St. Andrew's Protestant Episcopal Church, Lambertville, N. J., and for a number of years past has been president of the New Hope Delaware Bridge Company, which was formerly a banking corporation as well as bridge company, char- tered, A. D. 1 8 1 2, by the states of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The father of Richard Randolph Parry, Oliver Parry, gentleman, of Philadelphia and Bucks County, Pa., was born at the 6o BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES "Old Parry Mansion" in Bucks County on December 20, 1794, and died at his city resi- dence in Philadelphia, February 20, 1874. He was born a member of the Society of Friends, and lived and died in the faith, walking through life with a singleness and direct honesty of purpose that made the name of Oliver Parry synonymous with truth and honor. He was in his day a most active and useful citizen, and owned large tracts of valu- able land. He and his nephew and partner in business, Nathaniel Randolph, owned much of the famous "Bush Hill Estate" in the now built-up portion of Philadelphia, and which was the residence of Governor Hamilton in colonial times. It was to these two that the city of Philadelphia is indebted for the improvements on "Bush Hill," for they transformed what was once a barren waste or vast gullies into one of the hand- somest neighborhoods in the ' ' City of Brotherly L,ove." On May i, 1827, Oliver Parry married Rachel Randolph, daughter of Captain Edward F. Randolph, a patriot of 1776, who commanded the outlying guard at the " Massacre of Paoli," where he was des- perately wounded and left upon the field for dead. He fought in many of the principal battles of the Revolutionary War, and his portrait hangs upon the walls of the Histori- cal Society of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia. Later in life Captain Randolph became a prominent member of the Society of Friends, and the following verses, written by the late Joseph Kite, author and editor of "The Arm Chair," were published after his death : Strong in thy will and purpose, earlier life Saw thee a combatant in martial strife ; Where drums and trumpets fired the angry mood ; With honors rife, and garments rolled in blood. Another warfare it was thine to know, A strife more arduous with an inward foe. To know a victory over wrong desire, In warfare, marked by a consuming fire. May we not hope a conqueror in this field, Did Edward Randolph know his foes to yield ; O'er the last enemy, victorious prove. Through Him who lent the armory of Love. The final combat ended, loosed amain ; The passport gained, through struggling, and through pain . Safely we trust, thy weary feet have pressed Through swelling Jordan, to the land of rest. Oliver Parry had four sons : Major Edward Randolph ; Richard Randolph, the subject of this article ; Dr. George Randolph, and Oliver Paxson. The eldest. Major Edward Randolph Parry, of the United States Army, was born at the "Old Parry Mansion," in New Hope, Pa., July 27, 1832, and died there on April 13, 1874. He was one of the few officers of the Regular Army from Bucks County during the Civil War. In May, 1861, he entered the army as first lieutenant in the nth U. S. Inf., and served throughout the war with credit. In 1864 he was made a captain in the nth; afterward transferred to the 20th ; and on the re-organization of the army was promoted to the position of major for gallant services. He was in the terrible fighting along the line of the Weldon Rail- road, and in the engagements before Peters- burg, commanding his regiment in several actions. In 1865 he was assistant adjutant- general of the Regular Brigade, Army of the Potomac, and served upon the staff of General Winthrop, when that able officer was killed. At Lee's surrender he was attached to army BUCKS COUNTY 6i headquarters. In 1868 Major Parry com- manded Forts Jackson and St. Philip, at the mouth of the Mississippi River, and Fort Ripley, in Minnesota, in 1 869. He resigned on account of ill health in 1 87 1 . His portrait is on the walls of the Bucks County Histori- cal Society. Major Parry married, December 17, 1863, Frances Dimick, daughter of Gen. Justin Dimick, U. S. Army. His wife and daughter, Catherine, survive him ; two other children, daughters, died young, one (Rachel) at Fortress Monroe, Va., and the other (Mary) at Camp Grant, Richmond, Va. Dr. George Randolph Parry of New Hope, Bucks County, Pa., third son of Oliver Parry, was born September 3, 1839, in Philadelphia, and was educated in private schools of that city. He began the study of medicine in the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, from which he graduated in the class of 1862. In 1864 he entered the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania, and was graduated in 1 867. For some years he prac- ticed his profession in Cayuga County, N. Y. On returning to Pennsylvania in 1880 he located at New Hope, living at the " Old Parry Mansion" until his death, June 12, 1893. He enjoyed a large practice, and died much esteemed and lamented. He married Elizabeth Van Etten, of Cayuga County, N. Y., whom he survived twelve years ; they had two children : Elizabeth Randolph and Jane Paxson, the latter now deceased. Dr. Parry was a member of the medical societies of Bucks County, Pa., and Hunterdon Coun- ty, N. J , and was also a member of the Bucks County Historical Society, and a life member of the Historical Society of Pennsyl- vania, Philadelphia. Oliver Paxson Parry, the fourth son of Oliver Parry, was born June 20, 1846, and died December 13, 1852, in his seventh year. Oliver Parry, the elder, his wife, Rachel Randolph Parry, and his sons. Major Edward Randolph Parry, U. S. Army, and Dr. George Randolph Parry, are all buried in the family lot in the Friends' Solebury Burying Ground, Bucks County, Pa. Benjamin Parry, Esq., the grandfather of our subject, was born March i, 1757, and died at the "Old Parry Mansion" November 22, 1839. He was a very prominent citizen of Bucks County, whither he had come, in 1784, from that portion of Philadelphia County that is now included in Montgomery County, settling at Coryell's Ferry, by which name the locality of New Hope borough was then known. He was the original promoter of the New Hope Delaware Bridge enterprise, and a member of the first board of directors in 1812; in 1898, eighty -six years later, we find the family still connected with this ancient corporation, Richard Randolph Parry, grandson of Benjamin Parry, being president of the Company at the present time (1898). In 1 8 10 he invented the well-known kiln- drying process, and was largely engaged in exporting corn meal to the West Indies and other tropical countries. Besides being the proprietor of the linseed oil factory at New Hope, he owned mills for the manufacture of varied products, both at New Hope and in Amwell township, N. J., the latter being called the "Prime Hope Mills." He also had an interest in a warehouse and store in New Hope with his brothers, Thomas, 62 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES David and Daniel. At that time the Parry family owned much of what was then New Hope. Benjamin Parry was senior member of the firm of B. Parry & Co., a partner in Parry & Cresson, and was also connected in Philadelphia with the old flour commission house of Timothy Paxson & Co., of which his relative, Mr. Paxson, one of the executors named in the will of the famous Stephen Girard, was the head. Benjamin Parry mar- ried, on November 4, 1787, Jane Paxson, daughterof Oliver Paxson, the elder of "Ma- ple Grove," in New Hope borough, Bucks County, Pa., descended from the ancient and honorable family of Paxsons of Oxfordshire and Bucks County, England. The first ancestor of the Paxson family in America was James Paxson, who came from England to America in the ship Samuel in 1682, with his brothers, William and Hon. Henry Pax- son of "Bycot House," Oxfordshire. Jane Paxson Parry, wife of Benjamin Parry, died at Philadelphia May 13, 1826, and he sur- vived her until 1839. Their children were : Oliver, noted above, born in 1794; and Ruth, Jane and Margaret. Of the daughters, only Margaret married, her husband being Charles Buckman Knowles, of Bucks County ; they never had children. Benjamin Parry and all his children, as well as his son-in-law, C. B. Knowles, lie buried in the family lot in the Friends' Solebury Burying Ground, Bucks County, Pa. Benjamin Parry was fond of study, and his reading covered a wide range. General Davis' " History of Bucks County, Pa.," says of him at page 683 that " he was a man of considerable scientific attainment, having patented one or more useful inventions ; of varied and extensive reading ; was public-spirited, and took deep interest in all that would improve his neigh- borhood or the county. His death was a serious loss to the community." His por- trait hangs on the walls of the Bucks County Historical Society. The father of the above-mentioned Benja- min Parry was John Parry, styled of " Moor- land Manor," who was born in Montgoniery County, Pa., July 25, 172 1, and died there November 10, 1789. He was active in gen-, eral affairs, and was an elder in the Society of Friends. On September 21, 1751, he married Margaret Tyson, daughter of Derick and Ann Tyson, and granddaughter of Rey- nier Tyson, who came to America in 1683 from Crefeld, Germany, and settled at Ger- man town. Pa., of which borough he was twice elected chief burgess. He afterwards moved to Montgomery County, Pa., where he became possessed of a large estate. The father of John Parry of " Moorland Manor," and great -great-grandfather of our subject, was Thomas Parry, of Montgomery County, Pa., born in Caernarvonshire, Wales, in 1680, and died in Montgomery County, Pa., in 175 1. In 17 1 5 he married Jane Mor- ris, of an early and distinguished colonial family, and ten children were born to them. Thomas Parry was a large landholder, and is recorded as owning over 1000 acres of land in Montgomery County, a part of which was the "Moorland Manor" tract, owned later by his son, John Parry. The Parrys of Caernarvonshire, North Wales, a family that in point of antiquity takes rank with the most ancient in the king- BUCKS COUNTY 63 dom, belonged to the nobility. Their coat of arms may be found in Burke's "General Armory of England, Scotland and Ireland," published in L,cndon in 1842, and is thus given : Arms — vert — a stag trippant — Ppr. for Parry; Crest — a war charger's head and neck, argent. Lord Richard Parry, Bishop of St. Asaph from 1604 to the time of his death, in 1623, was of this family. Col- onel Geoffrey Parry, a cadet of this family, married Margaret Hughes of Cefn Llanfair, and their son, I/Ove Parry, Esq., of Wanfqur, was high sheriff of Caernarvonshire in 1685. The latest named married Ellen Wynn, daughter and heiress of Hugh Wynn of Pen- arth, by wliom he is believed to have had two sons, Ivove Parry, Esq., and Thomas Parry, gentleman, the great-great-grandfather of our subject. A descendant of Colonel Geoffrey Parry, Sir lyove Jones Parry, of " Madryn Castle " in Caernarvonshire (born in 1781), was a general in the British Army at the battle of Waterloo. The vicinity of New Hope borough is very rich in items of historical interest, for the Revolutionary struggles of the War of Independence happened all around, and often soldiers would make the district their camp- ing grounds for a season.. In 1893 the old historic chestnut tree, known as "The Washington Tree" was cut down to make way for improvements. It had stood for 150 years upon the Paxson estate, a few feet to the north of the Old York Road, in New Hope borough. It measured 22 feet in cir- cumference, and though many of its limbs were dead, it still furnished abundant shade. Before it, on many an occasion, there passed the Continental Army in full array as it entered into or was driven from New Jersey. The whole section about New Hope abounds in historic incidents connected with Colonial and Revolutionary days. At the time of the Revohition, New Hope was known as "Coryell's Ferry," and many letters from Washington and others of his prominent generals were dated from there. Upon vari- ous occasions throughout the war, troops were quartered there, and at the time of the battle of Trenton the whole district was held by the Continental forces. New Hope, itself, was then in a state of armed defense, under General William Alexander, better known as Ivord Stirling, who threw up a strong redoubt on top of the hill, across the pond in a south- westerly direction from the "Old Parry Mansion" and a part of that estate. Lord Stirling also had another redoubt thrown up on the Old York Road, at the corner of Bridge and Ferry streets, opposite where "The Washington Tree" stood. These, together with stockade entrenchments and batteries placed just above and below the ferry landing, on the river bank, north and south of the Old York Road, constituted the defenses of New Hope, in 1776, against what General Washington evidently anticipated — an advance movement of the British Army at that time. The old hip-roof house near by was known as "The Old Fort," and is said to have been Lord Stirling's headquar- ters when he was defending New Hope. There Washington met Lord Stirling and General Greene, and under "The Washing- ton Tree" they first are said to have planned the battle of Trenton. Washington had his 64 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES own headquarters a few miles below New Hope, at the Keith homestead, and probably halted under the ancient tree to confer with I/Ord Stirling on more than one occasion. On Christmas, 1776, the Continental troops marched down the Old York Road into the Trenton Road thereby passing the " Old Parry Mansion " on two sides, and down the Trenton Road with hurrying steps to a point on the river now known as " Washington's Crossing." Crossing the river in boats that night, the next morning found them attack- ing the Hessians at Trenton, and fighting the memorable engagement that has passed into history as the battle of Trenton. Many of the boats used had been collected at New Hope, and secreted behind Malta Island, whence they were floated down under cover of the night to the crossing-place. lyord Cornwallis had been informed of the boats being collected, and had sent troops to Lam- bertville, N. J., to seize them, but the sol- diers were evidently afraid to risk a crossing to the Pennsylvania shore in the face of the frowning batteries at New Hope. General Benedict Arnold, the traitor, was at New Hope (" Coryell's Ferry") on June 16, 1777, and wrote General Washington from there, and on July 29, 1777, we find Alexander Hamilton, then a captain of artillery, who was killed by Aaron Burr in their memora- ble duel, writing to Robert Morris from the same place. Col. James Monroe, afterwards President of the United States, was quar- tered in December, 1776, on the Neely farm, just below New Hope. The New Hope Delaware Bridge was com- pleted in 1 8 14, and the first wagon driven over on September 13th of that year. Its cost was #67,936.37, |2, 800.00 of which was subscribed in New Jersey, and the balance in Pennsylvania. The Bridge Company was chartered in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, January 12, 181 2, mainly through the un- tiring efibrts of Benjamin Parry, Hon. Samuel D. Ingham and their associates. Banking privileges were a part of the franchise of the company, and a bank was conducted either in New Hope or lyambertville for many years. Subsequently it failed, wrecking the company, and causing the judicial sale of the property by receivers. After pass- ing through other hands, it came into the possession of Samuel Grant, Esq., of Phila- delphia, Pa., through whose heirs it was purchased by the present Bridge Com- pany. The east half of the original struc- ture was carried away by the great freshet of January 8, 1841 ; it was rebuilt, but not so substantially as the old part. In Mr. Grant's time it had become very twisted and strained ; he had it thoroughly overhauled and strength- ened. The present Bridge Company has done much to improve its property by liberal expenditures for laying iron tramways, etc. , etc. The executive staff of the Bridge Com- pany (1898) consists of Richard Randolph Parry, president ; John S. Williams, secre- tary and treasurer ; directors : Charles Crook, M. A. Marjarum, J. S. Studdiford, William H. Closson, John S. Williams and Carroll R. Williams. The president of the company, the subject of this sketch, is the grandson of Benjamin Parry, to whom, more than any other person, the bridge owes its existence. The New Hope Delaware Bridge Company BUCKS COUNTY 65 acquired the vested rights of ' ' Coryell's Ferry" in 18 12, and this purchase gave the Bridge Company control of navigation for one mile either way from the bridge. The publishers of this volume take plea- sure in announcing that there is presented on a preceding page an excellent likeness of our subject, Richard Randolph Parry, exe- cuted from a portrait taken in 1 894. 'ESSE MORRIS, a prominent and ener- getic business man of Morrisville, Pa., is successfully engaged in the under- taking business in that village, having con- d acted his father's old stand since 1881, his father dying in the spring of that year. This highly esteemed gentleman was born in Lower Makefield township, Bucks County, the date of his birth being October 24, 1841, and he is a son of Henry S. and Ellen (Wright) Morris, and grandson of Jesse and Jane (Smith) Morris. Jesse Morris, the grandfather of our subject, resided near the village of Bristol the major part of his active days, and his vocation was that of a farmer ; he is known to have owned a large estate near the village. As a result of his marriage with Miss Jane Smith, a family of four children was reared, namely: Henry S., the father of our subject; Benja- min, Ann Eliza (Coneley) ; and Phineas. After the death of her husband she formed a second alliance with Jacob Vanhart, and four cliildren were born to them, all of whom are now deceased. Our subject's grandmother was over eighty years of age when she died. Henry S. Morris was born and reared on his father's homestead in Bristol, and was edu- cated to agricultural pursuits, but never fol- lowed that vocation after attaining manhood. He was a lad of thirteen years when his father died, and early in life he began to learn a trade as a means of obtaining a livelihood ; he chose the trade of a carpenter and under- taker and followed the same all his life ; dur- ing the latter days of his life he gave up car- pentering and devoted his entire attention to his undertaking business. He resided in Lower Makefield township a few years, but after his marriage he became a resident of Morrisville, where he resided until death claimed him, which was in 1 881, at the age of sixty-eight. In 1835 ^r- Morris was united in marriage with Ellen Wright, of Bristol, and she passed from this life on Jan- uary 5, 1866, at the age of fifty-four years, one month and twenty-five days. Seven children resulted from this union, two of whom died in infancy; the others were: Mary J. (Barber), deceased ; Elner (Bailey) (Scar- borough), deceased ; Jesse, the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this brief notice ; Emma (Heston), deceased ; and Elias A., deceased. Religiously, Mr. Morris and his wife were members of the Methodist Church ; politically, he was an ardent Republican, Jesse Morris received a liberal education in the common schools of his native township and at Morrisville, his father having moved to the latter place when our subject was but a mere boy. Our subject served an appren- ticeship to the carpenter and cabinetmaker's trade in his father's shop ; later he learned the profession of an undertaker, and in i88i 66 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES took charge of the business and has conducted the same up to the present time. Mr. Morris has built up a large trade by his strict atten- tion to business, and commands the respect and good-will of the entire community. Mr. Morris was wedded in 1864 to Hannah W. Slack, a daughter of Isaac and Maria (Woolston) Slack, of Fallsington, Pa., and to this happy union one child was born : Kath- erine (Fabian), and she has three children : Jesse, Mary and Maud. Politically, our subject firmly supports the principles of the Republi- can party ; religiously, he and his family are de- voted members of the Methodist Church. Fra- ternally, Mr. Morris is a member of the South Trenton Lodge, No. 36, I. O. O. F. ; and the K. of P., Delaware Falls I/odge, No. 340. TT^HARIvES H. HUMPHREYS, who I jp has been engaged in railroad life ^»ii ^ since 1883, and who is well known to patrons and employees of the Pennsylvania Railroad in Bucks County, is now station agent at Morrisville, Pa., in which capacity he has acted since April, 1892. He is also one of the progressive and enterprising citi- zens of the village, and is held in high esteem by the citizens of his community. He was born in the village of Fox Chase, Philadel- phia County, Pa., the date of his birth being March 9, 1859. Humphrey Humphreys, our subject's father, was born in Marty rtidvil, Wales, in 182 1, and in his boyhood days formed the resolution to come to America to live ; he accordingly went to work to secure the necessary funds to pay his passage across the Atlantic, and after seven long years of constant labor he succeeded in raising the necessary amount, and, in 1836, he left his native land, and, after a voyage of nine weeks, landed in Philadel- phia. He soon found employment in the village of Bustleton, and by the exercise of economy succeeded in acquiring enough money with which to purchase a farm, and by the time of his death he was the owner of a large estate. Farming was his life voca- tion, in which occupation he was very suc- cessful. He was united in marriage with Adeline Harper, a daughter of William Har- per, a prominent farmer of Fox Chase ; she died at the age of seventy-three. She was a highly educated lady, and had taught school at Abington during her younger days. To this union the following children were born : Edward, a practicing physician of Somerton, Pa.; Charles H., the subject of this brief notice ; and Henry, who is engaged in farm- ing near the village of Somerton. Politically, Mr. Humphreys was a strong Republican, and served as school director of the town- ship ; religiously, he and his family were identified with the Baptist Church. Mr. Humphreys passed from this earth in 1896, and his death was mourned by a large circle of acquaintances, who held him in high esteem ; he may well be classed among the self-made men of Philadelphia County, for he landed in this country with but seventy- five cents in his -pocket, and by his own perseverance and untiring energy succeeded in acquiring a handsome estate. Charles H. Humphreys received his prim- ary education at home, being instructed by BENJAMIN J. TAYLOR. BUCKS COUNTY 69 his mother ; later he attended the Millersville State Normal School, near Lancaster, Pa. He also assisted his father in the labors about the farm during his boyhood days, and carried on agricultural pursuits until 1883. In that year he took to railroading, becoming assist- ant agent at Chestnut Hill for the Pennsyl- vania Railroad ; from there he was promoted to -agent at Highland Street, where he re- mained for a period of five years. On March II, 1892, he was promoted to his present position as agent at Morrisville, this county ; he is well known along the line by the rail- road boys, who hold him in high esteem. Mr. Humphreys is also agent for the New York Horse Manure Co. , and carries on quite an extensive business in that line in his section. Mr. Humphreys was united in the bonds of matrimony, in 1882, with Ella Heritage, a daughter of Joseph Heritage, of Bustleton, Pa. Fraternally, our subject is a member of the Bristol Lodge, No. 25, F. & A. M. He is a supporter of the Republican party, but has never sought political distinction. pjENJAMIN J. TAYLOR, president Ov of the Farmers' National Bank of Bucks County and a prominent business man of Bristol, is descended from an old and prominent family in Eastern Penn- sylvania and the state of New Jersey. The earliest ancestor of whom there is any record is Samuel Taylor, husbandman of the parish of Doare, County of Derbyshire, England. In the summer of 1677, he came to America, landing where Burlington, N. J., is now lo- cated. He was one of the proprietors of West New Jersey and owned one thirty-second part of seven undivided nineteenth parts. In the spring of 1678, he settled upon 1200 acres in Chesterfield township, Burlington County, N. J., the whole of which remained in the family until a recent day, and a large portion of which is still in their possession. To his second son, Robert Taylor, he gave a 500 acre tract, which is now known as the Brook- dale farm ; from him it passed to his son Anthony, the great-grandfather of our subject, and then to the latter' s son, Michael. Anthony Taylor was a soldier of the Rev- olutionary War, and was an ardent patriot. He died in 1785. His third son, Anthony Taylor, was the grandfather of our subject. He was born on the Brookdale farm in 1 772, and in 1789 was apprenticed to John Thomp- son, an extensive shipping merchant of Phil- adelphia. In 1793 he entered in the same line of business in partnership with Thomas Newbold, under the firm name of Taylor & Newbold. In 1808 he purchased 200 acres of land in Bristol township, Bucks County, which he named "Sunbury," and used for a country-seat for a time. Upon retiring from business in 18 10, he located upon it and made it his home for the remainder of his life. He took great interest in farming, and was the largest land-owner in the county. Upon the failure of the Farmers' Bank of Bucks County, then located at Hulmeville, he with the co-operation of others restored its capital and caused it to be removed to Bristol. He was elected president and continued as such until his death in 1837. In 1802 he was 70 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES joined in marriage with Mary Newbold, a daughter and the tenth child of Caleb New- bold, of Springfield, N.J. She was descended from Michael Newbold, who was a faithful member of the Society of Friends in Eng- land. He left his home at Newbold Manor, County of Derbyshire, England, in 1680, and located in Springfield township, Burlington County, N. J., near the Taylor family, where he purchased 1000 acres of land. Anthony Taylor and his wife reared eleven children, all of whom grew to maturity. Nine of them survived him, and they were as follows: Robert ; Sarah ; William ; Edward; Eawrence; Michael ; Caleb N. ; Thomas N. ; Emma h. ; and Franklin. The family from Samuel Taylor down have been conscientious mem- bers and supporters of the Society of Friends. Hon. Caleb Newbold Taylor, an uncle of our subject, who attained much prominence in political and business circles, was born on the old homestead, "Sunbury," in Bristol township, of which he in after years became the owner. He was a stanch Whig originally, but in later years became a Republican, and after meeting defeat at the three previous elections, in 1866 he was elected to the United States Congress, and was re-elected in 1868. He also succeeded his father as president of the Farmers' National Bank of Bucks County at Bristol. He remained unmarried through- out his entire life. Dr. Robert Taylor, the father of our sub- ject, was born in Philadelphia in 1803, and chose the medical profession as his life work. He lived in Philadelphia, then in Burling- ton County, N. J., and finally in Bristol. In politics, he was a Democrat for some years, but subsequently became a Republican. He was joined in Hymen's bonds with Elizabetli Jones, a daughter of Benjamin Jones, Jr., of Philadelphia, and they became the parents of five children : Benjamin J. ; Anthony; Robert ; Fanny; and Alice J. Dr. Taylor died at "Sunbury" farm in August, 1872, at the age of sixty-nine years, and was laid to rest in the burying ground of St. James the Eess at Falls of Schuylkill, near Philadelphia. Mrs. Taylor, who was born in April, 18 13, died January 29, 1893, at Bristol, Pa., aged about eighty years. Benjamin J. Taylor, the subject of this personal history, was educated in the com- mon schools and in the Episcopal Academy at Philadelphia, graduating from the latter institution. He then engaged in mercantile pursuits in Philadelphia for a period of eight years, after which he devoted most of his time looking after the affairs of others, acting in the capacity of business agent. He spent his summers upon the farm at "Sunbury," and his winters in Philadelphia for some years, but for the past six years he has resided in the borough of Bristol, although he calls his home " Sunbury." He became a director of the Farmers' National Bank of Bucks County at Bristol, and a few days later became vice-president of the same, being the first and only vice-president that organization has ever had. Upon the death of Pierson Mitchell in 1894, he succeeded him as president, thus making the third generation of the family as president of that bank. He is a man of good business ability, shrewd and far-sighted, and is just the man desired at the head of such a business. He is also a man of honor and BUCKvS COUNTY 71 is highly respected by all with whom he is acquainted, both in business and social rela- tions. His brother, Anthony Taylor, served a full term of three years in the famous 15th Regi- ment, Pennsylvania Cavalry, or the Anderson Cavalry, as it was better known, and when mustered out held the rank of captain. In 1893 he was voted a medal by Congress for his bravery while in the service. He actively participated in the battles of Lookout Moun- tain and Stony Run, also in all other engage- ments in which his regiment took part. He served for a time on the staff of Maj.-Gen. Rosecrans. His death occurred on May 21, 1 894. He was united in marriage with Caro- line Johnson, a daughter of lyawrence John- son, of Philadelphia, and she survives him, living in Philadelphia. Two children blessed their union, namely: Mary Lawrence and Elizabeth Elmslie. The former was married to Bromley Wharton, of Philadelphia, who served in the United States Army against Spain. He went out with the First City Troop, Philadelphia Cavalry, which was sent to Porto Rico, where he was promoted to second lieutenant of Battery C. Mr. and Mrs. Wharton have one daughter, Alice Taylor Wharton, and they live at "Sunbury," being the fifth generation of the family to make that their home. In 1863 our subject served for three months with the Grey Reserves, and was at the shell- ing of Carlyle by Gen. Eitzhugh Lee, and also saw service in Tennessee and Mississippi. For a time he was a volunteer aide on differ- ent staflFs. He is now a member of the H. Clay Beatty Post, G. A. R. Benjamin J. Taylor and his sister Alice are the owners of the "Sunbury" farm, an estate consisting of 400 acres of land, upon which is located a large and magnificent residence. Mr. Tay- lor's portrait is shown on another page in connection with this sketch. Ji R. ISAAC N. WOODMAN is the leading physician and surgeon of Morrisville, Pa., and as such en- joys the confidence and esteem of a large cir- cle of patrons in that place and scattered about in the surrounding country. The profes- sional attainments of the Doctor are superior, and toward every one he manifests a kind and gentlemanly demeanor, which gives him the good-will and respect of the entire com- munity. Our subject was born August 7, 1869, and is a son of Henry and Margaret (Neall) Woodman, grandson of Henry and Mary (Smith) Woodman, and great-grandson of Edward Woodman. Edward Woodman was a native of Eng- land, and was the founder of this branch of the Woodman family in America, having come here when about ten years of age, set- tling in Maryland. At an early age he went with a relief expedition to Daniel Boone in Kentucky, and when the Revolutionary War broke out he was one of the first to shoulder arms in that mighty struggle for indepen- dence, nor did he lay them down until the freedom of the Colonies had been gained. He assisted in the erection of Fort Moultrie, and immediately after went North and joined Washington's Army, with which he remained 72 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES throughout the seven years. Our subject has a chair which was used by Gen. Washington at Valley Forge, when the army camped through the winter there. After the war had been brought to a close Edward started home, but was taken sick and stopped in Val- ley Forge, and it was there that he met Miss Stevens, whom he afterwards wedded, and they resided there the rest of their life. They reared a family of five children, namely : Ruth, Mary, Abigail, William and Henry. Henry Woodman, our subject's grand- father, was born on the old Woodman home- stead, Christmas Day, 179S, and in early life began teaching school in his native town- ship ; later his work drifted into that of a conveyancer and surveyor, and the compass that was then used by him is now in the hands of Harvey Walker. Mr. Woodman was joined in marriage in 1827 with Mary Smith, a daughter of Benjamin Smith, of Wrightstown, this county, and this union was blessed by the birth of the following chil- dren : Benjamin ; Edward, deceased ; Mary ; Henry, the father of our subject ; William ; Comly ; and Wilson. Our subject's grand- fatheir passed from this life in 1879, within one day of completing his eighty-fourth year. His wife entered the world of rest some three years later, and they both lie buried in the old cemetery at Wrightstown. The parents of Henry were buried at Valley Friends Cemetery, at Valley Forge, and in that noted graveyard lie the remains of a number of Revolutionary officers and soldiers, whose spirits were called from this earth during the encampment of Washington's Army in Val- ley Forge in the winter of 1776-77. Henry Woodman, our subject's father, was born in Buckingham township, this county, in 1836, and received his intellectual training in the common schools of his native town- ship. He was educated to agricultural pur- suits, which occupation he carried on on the homestead for a period of thirty years ; he has since retired from the more active duties of life and is now residing with our subject at Morrisville. He was wedded with Mar- garet Neall, a daughter of Isaac Neall, a prominent citizen of Philadelphia of his day, and a family of five children blessed tlieir home, namely : Edward ; Agnes (Gregg) ; Isaac N., the subject of this sketch ; I,ewis S., deceased; and Edith L. Our subject's father is a strong temperance man, firmly supporting the principles of the Prohibition party. Religiously, he is a member of the Society of Friends. Dr. Isaac N. Woodman received his pri- mary education in the public schools of Con- cord, Pa., and at the Friends' Schools at lyanghorne, and later at Doylestown, Pa. He then tauglit school three years, and during this period, having already fixed his aim on the medical profession, he was pre- paring himself by judicious reading to prose- cute with credit his studies in that chosen field. Entering Hahnemann's Medical Col- lege of Philadelphia he was graduated in the class of '93, and immediately came to his present field of practice. Our subject has met with the most flattering recognition of his ability and wofth during his short resi- dence in Morrisville, and has won golden opinions from all fair-minded men for his honorable and professional methods of treat- BUCKS COUNTY 73 ing all applications for his skilled assistance. His practice has grown phenomenally, and he can well lay claim to the largest practice in the borough, and this practice is still growing and extending its bounds. Dr. Woodman, in 1896, formed a matrimo nial alliance with Matilda Blaker, a daughter of Achilles Blaker, of Wrightstown, Pa. The doctor is a member of the South Trenton Ivodge, No. 36, I. O. O. F. ; K. of P., Lodge No. 390 ; Jr. O. U. A. M., Lodge No. 915, of Morrisville ; and is examiner for the Metro- politan Life Insurance Co. of New York. m ROBERT W. MULL, a retired mer- chant who is residing in the village of Morrisville, Pa. , is a prominent and worthy representative of an old and highly respected family of Falls township, Bucks County, Pa. Prior to the year 1895, our subject conducted a general store in the village, but since that year he has been spending his latter days in quiet and peace, enjoying the fruits of his early toil. This highly esteemed citizen is of German extrac- tion, and was born on the old Mull home- stead in Falls township, March 21, 1828 ; he is a sop of Martin, Jr., and Lydia (Hance) Mull, grandson of Martin, St., and Lucy (Silvers) Mull, and great-grandson of Michael Mull. Michael Mull was born in Germany, and at an early age left his native land and sailed for the American shores, landing in Balti- more ; he did not remain there long, but moved to the state of Delaware, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits. Martin, our subject's grandfather, was also born in Ger- many, and was but a mere lad, when his par- ents came to this country. When Martin started out in life on his own account, he located in Falls township, Bucks County, where he took up a large tract of land, and there he carried on general farming until his death, which occurred in his fifty-eighth year. He was united in marriage with Lucy Silvers, a native of Delaware, who died at the age of seventy years. The following children blessed this union: Lydia; Margaret (Cox); Mary (Haines) ; Catherine; and Martin, the father of our subject. Religiously, Mr. Mull and family were devoted members of the Baptist Church. Martin Mull, Jr., was born on the home- stead in Falls township in 1792, and was reared to agricultural pursuits, which voca- tion he followed throughout his entire life. He passed from this life at the age of sixty- two years. Mr. Mull was widely known throughout his section of the county, was a man of considerable influence, and his advice on public matters and on points of the law was often sought by his neighbors and ac- quaintances. In his religious views he was a Baptist, and was a regular attendant and supporter of the church of that denomination in Trenton, N. J. He was joined in marriage with Lydia Hance, a daughter of Ebenezer and Esther Hance of Falls township, and she entered the world of rest at the ripe old age of eighty -nine years. Our subject's parents were blessed by the following children: Ebenezer, a resident of Fallsington, this county ; Wil- liam S., deceased; Lucy A. (Potts) resides in 74 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES Washington, D. C. ; Stacy H., deceased ; and Robert W., an account of whose life follows. Robert W. Mull acquired a good education in the district schools of Falls township, and was reared to agricultural pursuits, but never followed that vocation, for upon leaving school, which was in 1845, he began clerk- ing in a store in Morrisville; in 1850, he went to the city of Philadelphia, where he clerked in a dry goods store for eight years. Having acquired much experience in that business, and having saved a large portion of his earn- ings, he decided to embark in the mercantile business on his own account, and accord- ingly, in 1858, he returned to Morrisville, and started a general store, conducting the same until 1895, when he retired. In the year 1855 our subject was wedded to l/ouisa Hall, a daughter of Isaac and Susan Hall of Philadelphia, and this union was productive of the following children : Edwin Martin, married Anna M. McGlathery, who bore him one child, Nellie ; and Harry, en- gaged in the drug business at Stewartstown, Pa., who wedded Ivillie Bell, by whom he reared one son, Robert M. Mr. Mull, fra- ternally, is a member of Trenton Lodge, No. 5, F. & A. M.; and South Trenton Lodge, No. 36, I. O. O. F. He has also served as grand master of the state of New Jersey. Politically, he is a firm Republican, and has served as county auditor one term of three years ; is now serving his second term as jus- tice of the peace; and was assistant postmaster of the village from Johnson's administration until the election of President Cleveland. Religiously, he is an active member and lib- eral supporter of the Episcopal Church. Our subject's son, Edwin Martin, has in his pos- session a large clock that was made in Ger- many ; the case is made of cherry, the wood being cut from a tree from his great-grand- father's farm, and was brought to this country by his great-grandfather. During the Revo- lutionary War this valuable old relic was buried in the woods to keep it from falling into the hands of the British. Wi ILLIAM G. HOWELL. Conspicu- ous among the leading business men of Bucks County is the subject of this biography, who is engaged in the real estate and insurance business in the village of Mor- risville, and who owns a large interest in a flouring mill at Trenton, N. J., and is also interested in many other enterprises in that thriving community. He is an active and energetic man, and is a good example of what constant effort, constantly directed, can in a short time accomplish. This much re- spected citizen was born and reared in Tren- ton, N. J., the date of his birth being June 17, 1844, and he is a son of James and Adaline (Gillingham) Howell, and grandson of Amos Howell. Amos Howell lived in the Sixth Ward of Trenton, N. J., and died there at the age of forty-eight years. He was joined in marriage with Emeline Wooley, who passed from this life aged sixty years, and to this marriage a family of five children was born, namely : William, Amos, Emeline, Jonathan and James. James Howell, the father of our subject, was born in the Sixth Ward of BUCKS COUNTY 75 Trenton, and during his boyhood days learned the trade of a cooper, in which occupation he did not long continue to busy himself, as he entered the mercantile business in his native ward, and successfully carried on that line of business for a period of fifteen years. At the expiration of that time he purchased a tract of land at Hidestown, and engaged in farm- ing some eight years ; he then became a resi- dent of Morrisville, Pa., and under the firm name of Howell & Son embarked in the milling business, and carried on the same until his death, which occurred in 1886, at the age of seventy-five years. He was wedded to Adaline Gillingham, a daughter of William Gillingham of Morrisville, and six children blessed the home of this union, namely : Gershom M. ; William G.,the subject of this biographical sketch ; Charles W. (i) ; James B. ; Charles W. (2) ; and George A., deceased. Politically, Mr. Howell was a stanch Demo- crat, and while a resident of Trenton took an active part in the politics of that city. Re- ligiously, he was a member and deacon of the Baptist Church. William G. Howell was intellectually trained for the battles of life in the public schools of Trenton, N. J., and in a private school of Utica, N. Y., and later entered Eastman's Business College at Poughkeepsie, N. Y. At twenty-one years he entered the employ of Philip H. Wentz, of Trenton, as bookkeeper, remaining in that gentleman's employ some three years ; at the expiration of that time he embarked in the mercantile business in his native city and conducted the same three years; selling his store he re- moved to Morrisville, and with his father started in the milling business under the name of Howell & Son. In 1 893 our subject sold his interest to his brother, Charles W. Howell, and devoted most of his time to milling ; in 1 882 he had built a mill along the river in Trenton, and in 1886 he built an elevator in Morrisville and conducted both until 1893, when the old river mill was aban- doned and the Trenton Mill built, in which our subject is a large stockholder. Mr. Howell owns considerable unimproved land, which he determined to improve and sell in town lots, and through his efforts has devel- oped a good real estate business ; he is also agent for a number of first-class insurance companies. Mr. Howell's well-deserved suc- cess in life is what might have been expected from a man who combined an unusual amount of energy with a certain amount of conserva- tiveness that never led him to indulge in ex- cesses or in untried projects. He is popular and companionable, and counts his friends by the score. In his dealings he is distin- guished by square and honest methods, and has conscientious scruples against taking the least advantage of any one with whom he may chance to have business. In the com- munity at large he is known as one of the best citizens, whose every endeavor has been to bring about needed improvements, to elevate the moral tone, and keep it fixed at a high standard. In 1870 Mr. Howell was wedded to Susanna Worthington, a daughter of Charles Worth- ington of Tullytown, and they are the proud parents of five children, as follows : Marion, deceased ; Walter M. ; Mabel W. ; Thirza A., and Gershom M. Fraternally, our subject is 76 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES a member of Fraternal lyodge, No. 436, F. & A. M., and South Trenton Lodge, No. 36, I. O. O. F. Religiously, he is a member of the Presbyterian Church ; politically, he is a solid Democrat, and served as a member of the city council of Trenton a number of years, as burgess of Morrisville two terms, as school director, and in other local offices. Mr. Howell is president of the Morrisville Mechanics' Mutual Building & lyoan Asso- ciation and was also one of its organizers ; he is vice-president of tlie Broad Street National Bank of Trenton, N. J. ; president of the Cannel Coal Co., and a director of the Tren- ton Bone Fertilizer Co. 'ONATHAN K. CORNEIvL. The name Cornell is an old and familiar one in Bucks County, Pa., and for the past three generations the family, of which the gentleman whose name heads these brief lines is a worthy representative, has been engaged in agricultural pursuits in North- ampton township, on the old. Cornell home- stead. Jonathan K. Cornell was born on the above homestead July i, 1850, and is a son of David and Ann (Knight) Cornell. Adrian Cornell was our subject's grand- father, and he also resided on the homestead. His wife was Rachel Feaster. The maternal grandfather of our subject was Amos Knight, and he was a farmer of Southampton town- ship. David Cornell, the father of our subject, was born on the homestead in North- ampton township, where he resided all his active career, pursuing the vocation of an agriculturist ; he also owned a fine farm in Northampton township. He was twice mar- ried ; his first wife was Mary Vanzant, by whom he reared a family of two children, namely : Charles, deceased, was wedded to Julia Cornell ; and Thomas, deceased, was united in marriage with Elizabeth Headley. His second marriage was with Ann Knight, and this union was blessed by the birth of five children, as follows : Amos, who died aged four years ; Rebecca is the wife of Lamar Lean, a retired farmer, now residing at Dolington, Pa., and the mother of four children— David, Mary, deceased, Etta and Joseph ; Samuel resides in Philadelphia, and his wife is Louise Willard, and they are the parents of four children — David, Harold, Horace and Mary, deceased ; Anna is the wife of Samuel Willard, formerly proprietor of the Temperance House, Newtown, and two chil- dren have been born to them, Mary and Cora; and Jonathan K., the subject of this history. Jonathan K. Cornell, as did his brothers and sisters, spent his early days under the parental roof, during which time he attended the public schools of the vicinity, and later of Langhorne. After his marriage, he took charge of the homestead and successfully prosecuted the calling of a farmer up to the year 1887, when he retired from the active duties of life. His homestead consists of 109 acres of land, which, under his immediate management, has been put under a fine state of cultivation, now ranking among the best in the township. He is a valued member of his community, and by his upright dealings and habits of thrift and industry has secured NEWTON CROMWELL FETTER. BUCKS COUNTY 79 the confidence and esteem of his many ac- quaintances. February 22, 1871, Mr. Cornell was united in the bonds of matrimony with Hannah Vansant, a daughter of Charles and Eveline Vansant, of Ivanghorne, and she died Novem- ber 29, 1 88 1, leaving a family of three chil- dren, namely : Annie, Rebie, the wife of Howard Mitchell, who is engaged in farming in Middletown township ; and Harry. Our subject's second marriage was formed Decem- ber 24, 1 890, with Emily Knight, daughter of Aaron and Hannah (Tomlinson) Knight, the former of Philadelphia, and the latter a na- tive of Southampton. Mr. Knight was a farmer, and died May 13, 1897; his wife is now living on the old homestead in South- ampton township. They reared three chil- dren, as follows : Deborah was wedded to Jacob Randall, and he, died in February, 1892, and she now lives in Bensalem ; Phcebe died in May, 1 890, and was the wife of Richard Dolton ; and Emily, the wife of our subject. One child has blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Cornell: May, born June 7, 1894, and died in infancy. In politics, our subject is a Democrat, and has served one term as assessor. -|^EWTON CROMWEI.L FETTER, I =i pastor of the First Baptist Church -L^ V , _ ^ of Doylestown, Pa. , was born on his father's farm near Churchville, South- ampton township, Bucks County, Pa., June 22, 1848, and is a son of Samuel Edmondand Jane Elizabeth (Twining) Fetter. As to ancestry, the, family regard with special historic honor their great-grandfather. Rev. Thomas B. Montanye, (originally spelled Montague) who was an eminent Baptist min- ister. The names of Montanye and Fetter on the father's side, and Cornell and Twining on the mother's side, indicate French, Ger- man, Dutch, and Welsh descent. Samuel Edmond Fetter, the father of our subject, engaged successfully, during his prime, in agricultural pursuits in Southampton and Warminster townships, this county, and is now living retired. He was united in mar- riage with Jane Elizabeth Twining, Novem- ber 20, 184s, and their home was blessed by the birth of a family of six children, namely: Newton Cromwell, the oldest ; George Camp- bell, now a prominent real estate man of Chicago ; Isaac Comley, a member of the Reading bar ; Eugene Chalmers, a practicing physician of Bustleton, Pa. ; Caroline L,ewars, the wife of Stephen Edwards, now residing at Ivy land. Pa., and Janette Cornell, who died at the age of fourteen years. In early childhood . Mr. Fetter's father re- moved from Southampton to Warminster township, where, until seventeen years of age, his son Newton worked on a farm with little prospect of anything but a life of hard manual labor. The few short winter months spent at school each year were very attractive, because of fondness for learning, dread of home drudgery, and the encouraging influ- ence of wise and sympathetic teachers, among whom were the noted instructors, Lizzie Croasdale, Hugh Morrow and James Ander- son. On the farm, owing to constant pres- sure of work, little time was allowed for mental improvement. As the result of an 8o BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES earnest request for an opportunity to study away from home, a term at the Millersville State Normal School was secured in the winter of 1865-66. This was the extent of help received by Mr. Fetter toward the edu- cation which he afterward gained mainly through his own personal effort and the in- fluence of friends who took an interest in his purpose. At the close of the six months' session at Millersville, as the result of too sudden and severe exposure on the farm in the spring of 1866, a severe cold was con- tracted which resulted in serious pulmonary trouble lasting over two years. Cough, night- sweats, and alarming hemorrhages led friends to feel that the issue would be fatal and speedy, but, encouraged by physicians and the reading of Dio Ivcwis, on " How to Make Weak lyungs Strong," there was awakened a hope and determination to get well if possi- ble. These long months of sickness were utilized, so far as strength allowed, in the study of Scripture, and in quietly poring over Greek and algebra under Rev. I. C. Wynn, D.D., an able teacher and pastor who generously gave much time to his pupil. At length, weary of waiting for accustomed health, and contrary to the judgment of phy- sician and parent, our subject commenced teaching in the fall of 1868, near Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, at a salary of forty dollars per month. This congenial employment and diversion of mind in a delightful and con- siderate community proved more helpful than harmful, and the very fact of the teacher's delicate condition gave him the sympathy of pupils and parents to such a degree that the government of the school was made easy and the labor of teaching reduced to a minimum. Other favoring circumstances made it possible to save money enough to re- enter the Normal School at Millersville the next year. On returning to the Normal in the fall of 1869, it was a question in the minds of the faculty whether a student should be admitted whose health was so uncertain and whose general appearance indicated the danger of a death which might compromise the interests of the institution. The risk, however, was taken, and the student's health watched until time and congenial surroundings had so re- stored strength and vitality that the case was no longer one of solicitude. The principal, Dr. Edward Brooks, and other members of the faculty took special interest in the invalid student, and the following year he was given a class or two to teach, which soon resulted in his becoming a regular assistant in teach- ing, which position he held until he gradu- ated with the highest class honors in 1872. His work as pupil-assistant more than covered all cost of completing the Elementary, with parts of the Scientific and Classical courses. Being elected to full membership in the faculty upon graduating, Mr. Fetter re- mained two years as teacher of Latin and pedagogics, and also continued study. In 1875, he decided to devote a year exclusively to the study of Greek and Latin ; it was his intention to take a special course at Harvard, but was induced by Dr. Wynn, his former preceptor, to read Greek under Dr. Trask, President of South Jersey Institute, and Latin under Professor Rockwood, now of Bucknell University. " At the end of the BUCKS COUNTY 8i year he was called to the Chair of Ancient Classics in the high school of Reading, Pa., and was also appointed one of the lecturers in the normal course given on Saturday mornings before the teachers of the city. In the Berks County Teachers' Institute, 1876, Mr. Fetter presented " Inductive Methods of Teaching Grammar." As a teacher, Mr. Fetter's course brought yearly an advance in position and pay, and, besides his regular teaching, much time was given to private pupils, which considerably supplemented his salary. Although re-elected each year wher- ever he taught, Mr. Fetter finally decided to heed his call to the ministry, which had long been heard and the answer painfully delayed. Theological Education and Pastoral Charges. In youth, before ever becoming a Christian, a presentment was felt that some day the Gospel ministry would be reached in spite of many forces that seemed so unlikely to pro- duce such a result, and on experiencing the great change of "passing from darkness to light " at about the age of eighteen, during a religious revival at the Millersville Normal School, the conviction almost at once became positive and deep that to prea'ch Christ was duty, and notwithstanding all effort to get out of this condition of mind, fearing it might possibly be a delusion, the impression intensified as the years went by and refused to be smothered by any process of logic or devices to forget. The question of an open confession of re- ligion also began simultaneously with con- version and persistently pressed upon the mind for solution. Having been brought up to believe that the church problem had been solved in infancy through a form of christening and consecration on the part of parents, a little study and reflection on that point revealed the Unscripturalness and even danger of an act which ignores the individual will in the " Sacred Symbolism of the New Birth," and which deprives the church of a voluntary witnessing for Christ on the part of young converts through the holy and eloquent ordinance of baptism. After a long, careful and independent com- parison of various faiths with the simple teachings of the New Testament, and being convinced that God's Word alone is the Christian's law of religious faith and duty ; that even the least of Christ's commands are not to be trifled with ; that a Christian Church should represent the principles of a strictly regenerate membership ; and that the indi- vidual at the point of his personal relations to Christ should be taught to think and act in the full freedom and radiance of his own divinely enlightened conscience without the least fear of persecution or social ostracism, the Baptist denomination was chosen as seem- ing, more nearly than any other, to represent these principles, together with Apostolic simplicity in the ordinances and government of the church ; and although, like the primi- tive disciples, ' ' a sect everywhere spoken against," the views and practices of this body were adopted, and on September 2, 1867, Mr. Fetter was baptized and received into the fel- lowship of the Hatboro Baptist Church. It was not without a struggle that this change was made in church relationship, for 82 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES the associations of youth, the memories of Godly Sunday School teachers, and the in- fluence of social friendships were not lost sight of in choosing a church. In September, 1876, special preparation for the pastorate was commenced at Crozer Theological Seminary, from which, at the end of three years, Mr. Fetter was graduated, delivering, on Commencement day, an ad- dress on "The Economy of Resistance." During the seminary period he spent one of his summer vacations in training under Mark Bailey, Instructor of Elocution at Yale Col- lege, and preached nearly every Sunday as supply in various pulpits, or as pastor of Jenkintown and Immanuel Missions, both of which were under his care. The former has since become an independent church, and the latter remains under the care of the First Baptist Church of Philadelphia. Near the close of his seminary course, Mr. Fetter was confronted with a call to become assistant pastor of the First Baptist Church in Phila- delphia in connection with George Dana Boardman, D.D., and also with a call to be- come pastor of the New Britain Baptist Church, Bucks County, Pa., one of the largest and most prosperous country churches in the state. He accepted the latter, and on June 24, 1 879, was ordained at New Britain. Dur- ing this pastorate, Mr. Fetter was married June 4, 1884, to Anna Catharine Wittich, an accomplished musician of Reading, Pa., and to them have been born three sons, namely : Newton, born May 4, 1885 ; George, born June 17, 1887; and John, born July 14, 1890. After serving New Britain Church nearly eleven years, baptizing over 100 converts, and seeing the church repaired, remodeled and newly furnished, also a new chapel built and equipped, all without debt, Mr. Fetter re- signed, February, 1890, to take charge of a new interest in Spokane, Washington. This young and important church increased from 18 to nearly 140 members in less than four years ; purchased a church site for $7,000.00 ; and erected a parsonage and temporary house of worship. A Sunday School was also gath- ered with a membership roll of nearly 200, and an efficient Young People's Union or- ganized. The name of the church was The North Side, afterwards changed to Grace Baptist. While in the West, Mr. Fetter was president of the Baptist State Convention of Eastern Washington. Although work in the Far West was ex- ceedingly fascinating, yet on receiving a unanimous call to the First Baptist Church in Doylestown, September 21, 1893, Mr. Fetter, after a long period of hesitation, ac- cepted and entered upon this interesting but difficult field, May i, 1894, since which time 50 converts have been baptized, besides a number of additions by letter. The church building has been reroofed and painted out- side ; the large auditorium frescoed ; 300 new Hymnals introduced ; the pew-renting system changed to free seats and free-will offerings ; and this year (1898) the church entertained the North Philadelphia Association, Sep- tember 27-29. All this advance has been wrought as by miracle. Comparatively, the congregations are excellent, and the Sun- day School flourishing. Notwithstanding the limited circupistances of the church, all im- BUCKS COUNTY 83 proveinents have been made without involv- ing the church in debt. On December 4, 1895, Mr. Fetter received a unanimous call to the First Baptist Church of McKeesport, Pa., a much larger field, but declined on account of a general and most earnest request from his people that he remain in Doylestown. It is with feelings of great pleasure, which we feel sure are shared by his many friends and acquaint- ances, that we present on another page a most excellent portrait of Mr. Fetter, who has thoroughly identified himself with Bucks County and her interests. 'ACOB W. VANSANT, who for many years industriously followed farming, is now living in quiet retirement on his farm near Feasterville, Southampton township, Bucks County. He is a son of Nathaniel and Alice (Vanartsdalen) Vansant, and was born in the township in which he now resides, March 7, 1833. He comes from an old and distinguished family in the county, and one which has been prominently identified with its growth and development. The section now known as Bucks County was in its very infancy when it numbered among its residents Captain Na- thaniel Vansant, the earliest family ancestor of whom there is any record, who lived at Brownville. Captain Nathaniel Vansant, the great-grandfather of our subject, was a sol- dier in the Revolutionary War ; he was taken prisoner by the British while in the service of our country and was incarcerated on Staten Island, but after the war returned to his native town, Brownville, where his birth had occurred March 13, 1745. He married Hannah Britton, who was born Jan- uary 16, 1746, and died August 19, 18 19, and among the children who blessed tlieir union was one, Nicholas, the grandfather of the gentleman whose name heads these lines. Captain Vansant responded to the final sum- mons on August 8, 1825. Nicholas Vansant was born in Brownville, February 23, 1771, but he subsequently moved to Bensalem township, where he fol- lowed the calling of a fanner. He was joined in wedlock with Mary I^arzalere, who was born September 8, 1772, and they were the parents of the following children : Mary, who married Jacob Vansant ; Nathaniel, the father of our subject ; Benjamin, who married Sarah Campbell, and after her death married Jane Ivukens ; L,arzalere, who married Margaret Vandegrift ; and Elizabeth, who married Silas Rhoades. Nicholas died April 19, 1850, and his wife died October 27, 1863. Nathaniel Vansant was born in 1796, in Southampton township ; he afterwards be- came one of its good substantial citizens and farmers. He was a man of high principles and took an active interest in all matters tending toward public advancement, espe- cially along educational lines ; for a number of years he rendered valuable service as a member of the school board. Politically, he was a strong supporter of the Democratic party, whilst in his religious views he was an adherent to the doctrines of the Presby- terian Church, being a member of the church of that denomination in Bensalem township. 84 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES He was called to his final rest in 1889. His companion in the pathways of life was Alice Vanartsdalen, who was born in 1 795, a daugh- ter of Jacob Vanartsdalen. The latter was married to Jemima Hicks of Bensalem town- ship, by whom he had the following off- spring : Joseph ; Mary, who married Horace Reading; Alice, the mother of our subject, who died in 1876; Sarah, who became the wife of Howard K. Sager ; Simon, who died single ; George, who married Jane Cornell ; and Mahlon, who married Sarah Nott. Mr. and Mrs. Vansant reared seven children, namely : Amanda, who married Anderson Leedon, deceased, lives in Bensalem town- ship with her three children — Thomas, Alice, and Nathaniel ; Casper M., deceased, married Ellen Field, who now resides in Southamp- ton township with her two children, Natha- niel and lycvi ; Nicholas, who died unmarried ; Hiram, who also died single; Jacob W., the subject of this biographical record; Howard, deceased, who married Elizabeth Fetter — his widow afterwards became the wife of Grant Praul by whom she has a daughter, Virginia ; and Martin V. B., who is living in retirement in Bensalem township. Jacob W. Vansant was reared on the farm and attended the common schools until he was seventeen years of age, when he left home to learn the trade of a miller in Middle- town. He remained there for four years, after which he engaged in milling at Harts- ville, Bucks County, for eight years, and still later followed that occupation for two years in Moreland township, Montgomery County. After his marriage, in 1863, he resided in Southampton township, Bucks County, for seventeen years, and upon the death of his father bought the latter's farm, which he cultivated for a short time. He disposed of the estate in 1884, and purchased the farm upon which he now lives, known as the Worthington place. He is a shrewd business man and success has attended his efforts on every hand, and besides the farm upon which he lives he owns another piece of property, consisting of 70 acres, which he rents. On July 2, 1863, Mr. Vansant was united in matrimonial bonds with Miss Esther Ann Buckman, of Moreland township, Mont- gomery County, a daughter of Amos and Esther (Reese) Buckman. Mr. Buckman was a farmer of that township and one of its leading citizens ; he died in 1870 and his wife passed away in the year following. They had seven children, namely : Dilworth, de- ceased, who married Emily Gillingham ; William, who married Martha Johnson; Jane Maria, the wife of Leonard Comley ; Mary I/., the wife of Watson Tomlinson ; Amos B. ; Esther Ann ; and Joseph G., who married Rebecca Addis. Our subject and his wife have six children, whose records follow: Alice, who married William Brad- field and lives in Abington, Pa. ; Watson T. , who married Anna Reft, by whom he has one child, Ethel May, is a farmer of South- ampton township ; Howard, a farmer of Ben- salem township, married Eliza Stout; I,eo- nard C. , a farmer of Southampton township, married Sarah Yerkes, and has one son, William ; Mary, unmarried ; and John Read- ing, also single, and a farmer by occupation. Politically, Mr. Vansant is a stanch Demo- MILTON H. WEAVER, M, D. BUCKS COUNTY 87 crat, and was elected justice of the peace in 1887 ; he served as school director for three years and takes an active interest in educa- tional matters. Religiously, he and his wife are members of the Dutch Reformed Church. He is a man held in the highest esteem, and possesses the confidence of all to such an ex- tent that he has not infrequently been called upon to settle estates and do other work of a trustworthy nature. YJV^^II.TON H. WEAVER, M.D., whose 1 1 =/ portrait is shown on the opposite gl "^il^ ^_^ page, ranks among the leading physicians and surgeons of Bucks County, and resides in his beautiful home in Rich- landtown, Richland township, where he has been successfully engaged in practice since 1877. He is a man of public enterprise, and has always had the interests of his commun- ity at heart, liberally supporting all enter- prises tending toward the public's benefit. He was born in that township, October 13, 1854, and is a son of Elias and Anna Cath- erine (Harwick) Weaver. He comes of sturdy German stock, being a descendant of John George Weaver, a native of Wurtemberg, Germany. The latter, with his wife and only child, immigrated to Amer- ica in 1 7 16, and purchased a tract of 300 acres of land, which originally belonged to the Penn tract, in the northeast corner of Rich- land township, Bucks County, Pa., near the village of California. There he build a good, substantial log-house, which is standing at the present day and is owned by one of his descendants, Lewis Weaver. His wife was Mrs. Gross, a native of Germany, and they had but one child, John George, the great- grandfather of our subject. Mr. and Mrs. Weaver lie buried in the Richlandtown Cemetery, where all of the deceased mem- bers of the family have since been buried. John George Weaver, Jr. , succeeded to the ownership of the home property, and it is now divided up among three of his descend- ants, — Reuben H., Lewis, and William H. He was united in marriage with Catherine Harter, who was also a native of Germany, and they reared the following children : Mrs. William Hager ; Mrs. Gross ; Mrs. William Frankenfield ; Mrs. Abraham Rice ; Samuel ; John, who married Savina Stoneback ; and George, who married Elizabeth Wimmer. Samuel Weaver, the grandfather of our subject, came into possession of the old homestead, and made many of the improve- ments which make it a very valuable estate at the present day. He erected new build- ings, rebuilt and enlarged the old ones, set out many fruit trees, and carried on farming with much success, being one of the good substantial citizens of that section. On one part of the farm, he built a good comfortable home, and a barn for his son, Reuben H. ; and on another section built a house and barn for another son, William H. He was joined in wedlock with Catherine Horn, and their children were as follows : Elias, our subject's father ; Caroline, the wife of Samuel Stunk ; Sarah Ann, the wife of Samuel Cressman ; Lewis H., who married Lydia Lowriglit ; Reuben H., who married Annie Hultzhocker ; and William H., deceased, who married Sarah Huffert. BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES Elias Weaver was bornjinie 30, 1822, and, after conducting his father's farm for twenty- six years, moved to his present home near Richlandtown. During his active days, he successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits, but is now spending his declining years in retired life. He was joined in matrimonial bonds with Anna Catherine Harwick, who was born in Milford township, November 21, 1 82 1, a daughter of Samuel Harwick, and they became the parents of six children, of whom the sons were as follows : Milton H. ; l/ouis M. ; Elias H., Jr., who for some time was engaged in teaching school, subse- quently served as deputy register of Bucks County, and at the present time is engaged in farming, — he was united in marriage with Phlinda Detweiler, and they have two chil- dren, Aaron D., and Chester Allen ; and Charles H., M.D., who died at the age of twenty- six years. Charles H. Weaver, M.D., was engaged in a successful practice in asso- ciation with the subject of this record, and was also quite active in politics, serving one term as register of wills, being elected on the Republican ticket. He was joined in hyme- neal bonds with Miana Myers, by whom he had two children : Minnie and Charles, both of whom died. The other children of Elias Weaver were two daughters : Sabina, now deceased ; and Christina, also deceased, who was the wife of Robert Cope, an attorney of Bethlehem, Pa. Dr. Milton H. Weaver, whose name heads these lines, after completing the course pre- scribed in the public schools, engaged as a teacher for a period of seven terms. He then entered the Keystone State Normal School, of Kutztown, Pa., from which he was graduated in 1873, and subsequently became a medical student under L,. T. Trum- bower, M.D., who is now practicing at Nor- ristown. Pa. He then entered the Bellevue Hospital Medical College of New York City, and applied himself with much diligence until his graduation in 1877, when he entered upon a practice in that city. After practic- ing there for one year, he returned to his native town where he has since followed his profession. He purchased a home, adjoining that of his father, which is now owned by his brother, Elias, Jr., and in 1883 built a drugstore and office in the heart of the vil- lage of Richlandtown. He has the only drugstore in the township, and for nine years was the only physician and surgeon in Richland township. He was successful from the very start, and in a very short time his practice reached enormous proportions. He has also been identified with many public improvements and has supported all meas- ures having for their ultimate factor the advancement of the interests of the village. In 1884 he built him a handsome brick resi- dence, which with its beautiful lawn and shade trees is one of the finest in the sec- tion. He is a very popular man, a pleasant companion and has many friends throughout Bucks County. In 1876, Dr. Weaver was united in mar- riage with Matilda Sell, who is a native of Upper Saucon township, Lehigh County, and a daughter of Henry B. and Mary Sell. They have adopted one daughter, L,izzie Rebecca Kistler Weaver, a daughter of Rev. R. B. Kistler. She was married September BUCKS COUNTY 89 29, 1898, to Irving Riegel of Durham town- ship, this county. Religiously, the Doctor and his family are faithful members of the German Reformed Church. In politics our subject has always been a faithful Republi- can, has served as justice of the peace two terms and is now serving as notary public. He is a member of Bucks County, Lehigh County and New York Medical Societies ; is examining surgeon for the New York Mu- tual, Prudential, and Metropolitan Insurance Companies, and is also a member of various other organizations. "jClDWARD W. TWINING. Among the J 3! industrious and energetic farmers of Bucks County, Pa. , is the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this notice, who is not only pursuing that independent calling, farming, but is also successfully engaged in dairying and poultry raising. The home of Mr. Twining is pleasantly located in Lower Makefield township in the borough of Yard- ley ; he also owns another farm of 100 acres located 2>}^ miles north of the town, which he also operates. This prominent and influ- ential citizen of Yardley was born in Upper Makefield township, Bucks County, March 4, 1 846, and is a son of Charles and Elizabeth H. (West) Twining, and grandson of Stephen Twining. Stephen Twining was born and reared in Troy, N. Y., where he resided until after his marriage, when he became a resident of Upper Makefield township, this county ; his voca- tion was that of an agriculturist, in which occupation he was very successful. He was the progenitor of one daughter and one son, both of whom were born in Troy, N. Y. They were named as follows : Charles, the father of our subject, and Sarah B. (Simpson). Charles Twining was born in 1820, and with his parents moved to Bucks County, where he assisted his father in the cultivation of the farm ; having acquired a good education in the art of farming he began that vocation on his own account in Upper Makefield town- ship, when he came to mature years ; having dealt extensively in the lime business in the meantime. In 1853 he gave up farming and moved to Yardley, where he devoted his entire attention to the lime business ; he also dealt largely in grain, hay and fertilizers. In 1887 Mr. Twining disposed of his business in Yardley and became a resident of Newtown, Pa., where he dealt exclusively in lime; a few years later he retired from the active duties of life, and is now passing the sunset of life in quiet and peace. Mr. Twining was married to Elizabeth H. West, who died in 1884, after having given birth to the follow- ing children : Stephen B., deceased ; Mary E. (Eastburn); Edward W., the subject of this sketch; Emma T. (Scofield) ; and Rebecca R. (Large). Edward W. Twining obtained a good edu- cation in the public schools of his native township and at Yardley, and completed his schooling in the Westtown Boarding School. He remained with his parents until he became of age, and the early part of his. business career was spent in company with his father and brother Stephen B. ; after his father had disposed of his interests in Yardley, our sub- go BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES ject and his brother, Stephen B., conducted a stone quarry for a period of about twenty- five years, which they operated on a large scale, giving employment to a large force of men. In 1893 the brothers dissolved partner- ship, and our subject turned his attention toward farming. He purchased a fine farm near Yardley, and in connection with farm- ing also engaged in dairying and raising poultry. Our subject takes great pride in his fine herd of some 40 Jersey cows, which are unsurpassed in his section of the county; he makes large daily shipments of cream to Crane's Ice Cream Co., of Philadelphia, of which he is a prominent stockholder. Mr. Twining deals largely in poultry, and for the season of 1897 shipped over 7000 broilers, mostly to the markets of New York City. Our subject is truly a representative farmer of Bucks County, and enjoys the respect and esteem of a host of friends and acquaint- ances. In 1878 Mr. Twining wedded Mary S. Walker, daughter of Phineas and Deborah Walker, of Trenton, N. J., and their home has been blessed by. one child, Stephen B. Fraternally, Mr. Twining belongs to Uncas lyodge, No. 426, I. O. R. M., of Yardley, Pa., and is also a member of the A. O. U. W. 7T\ MONROE HARTZELL, one of the I 21 ■ ™ost popular landlords of Rockhill ^ ^ township, is proprietor of that well- known haven of rest to the traveling public, the Central House of Sellersville. He was born in Milford township, Bucks County, April 16, 1854, and is a son of Marcus K. and Catherine (Gearhart) Hartzell. Marcus K. Hartzell, the father of our sub- ject, at an early age became proprietor of a hotel at Milford Square, Milford township, which he conducted for some five years, after which he moved to Quakertown, this county. There he conducted the old Continental Hotel until about 1852, when the North Penn Rail- road was run to Sellersville, where he then located. He began the manufacture of cigars, at which he continued for a period of fifteen years, but finally abandoned that trade and moved to Bull's Head, Rockhill township, where he conducted the hotel bearing that name until his death, aged sixty-four years. He was joined in wedlock with Catherine Gearhart, a daughter of Isaac Gearhart of Milford township, and they reared four chil- dren, namely: Winfield S., a resident of Philadelphia ; Lizzie (Smith), whose home is in Rockhill township ; C. Monroe, the subject of this biographical record ; and Kate (Jones), a resident of Philadelphia. C. Monroe Hartzell, after completing his education in the common schools, entered the world of business as foreman in his father's cigar factory at Sellersville. He next ac- cepted a position as foreman of a similar concern at L,ansdale, Pa., which was owned by Jacob Beever, but soon after went to Phil- adelphia to conduct a cigar store for Geori,e E. Hagelnan, at the corner of Third and Arch streets. He remained there for three and a half years, after which he embarked in the hotel business at White Horse Hotel, this county, continuing for one year, and then took charge of the Washington House BUCKS COUNTY 91 in Sellersville. He conducted that hostelry for five years, after which he secured the County Line House at Telford, Montgomery County, which he ran with good results until 189S, in which year he disposed of his property in that village and again returned to Sellersville, where he has since conducted the Central House. In addition to enlarging the building one story, he has remodeled it throughout, enlarged the dining parlor, and made it a first-class stopping place in every respect. A good livery is run in connec- tion with the house, and the hospitable landlord devotes his untiring efforts toward making his guests comfortable. The viands which appear upon the table set by this house are well and carefully cooked so as to satisfy the demands of the most fastidious appetite, and this feature alone has made an enduring reputation throughout the county for this most popular house. Mr. Hartzell is of a genial and good natured disposition, and has made friends rapidly in the various communities in which he has resided. Besides his hotel property, he owns a fine, modern, three-story private dwelling, which, with its French style of roof, makes an attractive appearance. It is located at 414 Flower street, Chester City, Pa. In 1876, Mr. Hartzell was united in matri- monial bonds with Uzzie G. Allen, a daugh- ter of John Allen of Rockhill township, and they are the happy parents of three children : Roscoe, Katie May, and Noble Mark. Like his father, in political affiliations he is a Democrat, and has served as high conptable for three years and as a member of the town council. Socially, he is a member of Mac- Calla lyodge, No. 596, F. & A. M., also of the Brotherhood of the Union. -OHN T. GILKYSON is a prominent and prosperous farmer of Northamp- ton township, Bucks County, Pa., where he owns a farm of 35 acres, which he has put under a fine state of cultiva- tion. He is engaged in farming and dairy- ing, and takes the greater part of his produce to the markets of Philadelphia. This well- to-do citizen is a native of this county, having been born in l/ower Makefield township June 12, 1 83 1, and being a son of Brittan and Re- becca (Terry) Gilkyson. Our subject's great-grandfather, James Gil- kyson, was born in Scotland and immigrated to this country when young and settled in Lower Makefield township, where he followed farming. He was a colonel in the Revolu- tionary War, and participated in several engagements. After the surrender of the British he returned to his former vocation and lived to the ripe old age of one hundred and two years. Our subject's grandfather, Andrew Gilky- son, was a prominent farmer of Lower Make- field township, this county, and held many township offices ; he was also a colonel in the War of 181 2. He was married to a Miss Lasheler, and their children were as follows : Gilbert died in Ohio ; Brittan, the father of our subject ; Jane also died at her home in Ohio, and Margaret, the wife of William Hock. The maternal grandfather of our 92 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES subject was John Terry, a farmer of I/Ower Makefield township, who was twice united in marriage. Brittan Gilkyson was born and reared on his father's farm in Lower Makefield town- ship ; he learned the trade of a mason, which he followed up to the time of his marriage, when he took to farming. He farmed tliree years in his native township, four years in Upper Makefield township, eleven years in the lower end of Upper Makefield township, and then thirty years in Northampton town- ship ; he also followed the trade of a mason to a large extent. He passed from earth March 30, 1881, at Richboro. In politics he was a solid Democrat, and served as judge of elections many years. As a result of his mar- riage with Rebecca Terry a family of ten children was reared, namely : Sarah, wife of Samuel Gill, a farmer of Northampton town- ship — both are now deceased; John T. , whose name heads these lines ; Mary Ann was mar- ried to Thomas Willard, both deceased; Mar- garet, deceased, was the wife of John Palmer; Gilbert, a farmer of Southampton township, was wedded to Elizabeth Clayton, who is now deceased; Jane Eliza is the wife of Oliver lyuff, of Northampton township ; Hannah is the wife of Joseph Fenton, of Philadelphia ; Andrew, deceased, was joined in marriage with Jennie Yerkes ; Caroline is the wife of John Barcolo, and they reside at Churchville ; and Franklin, a resident of Northampton township, who was united in marriage with Vinne Dungan. John T. Gilkyson received a common school education and remained at home, working with his father, until he attained the age of twenty-seven years ; he then be- came a resident of Newtown township, and carried on general farming there for a period of seventeen years. In 1875, he purchased the Hibbs property, his present farm, and has since made many improvements upon the same. He hauls his produce to the Philadelphia markets, where he obtains a good price for his goods ; he is also engaged in dairying in connection with general farm- ing. Our subject is an industrious worker, a good neighbor and citizen, and commands the esteem and confidence of a multitude of acquaintances. Mr. Gilkyson formed a matrimonial alli- ance with Mary Yerkes, a daughter of Silas and Margaret (Fetter) Yerkes, the former a well-to-do farmer of Northampton township. In politics our subject is a Democrat; reli- giously, a member of the Presbyterian Church ; and fraternally, a member of New- town Lodge, No. 427, F. & A. M. ; Chapter, No. 229, and St. John's Commandery, No. 4. ~Cdwd DWIN WORTHINGTON is a promi- J! nent and influential farmer of Wrightstown township, where he owns a valuable farm of 150 acres. He is a son of Benjamin and Patience (Heston) Worthing- ton, and was born on the old homestead farm, the one he now owns, on the Sth of October, 1845. Benjamin Worthington, the father of our subject, came from an old and widely-known family of Bucks County, and was born in Buckingham township, and subsequently /._J DR. ISAIAH ;M1CHENER. BUCKS COUNTY 95 moved to Wrightstown township at twenty- one years of age, where he lived throughout life, engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was a dutiful and law-abiding citizen and lived a long, useful life, passing to his eter- nal rest in May, 1892. He was married to Patience Heston, who was born in Bucking- ham township, and died in 1882, and their union was blessed by the birth of eight chil- dren, five of whom are living, namely : Eliza- beth, who resides in Newtown, this county ; Watson, a farmer of Warminster township, who married Annie Custer ; Lydia M. C, the relict of E. C. Thompson, lives in Newtown ; Mary, who lives with her sister in Newtown, and Edwin are twins. Edwin Worthington was educated in the common schools of his native township and , upon reaching man's estate assumed charge of the old homestead, consisting of 150 acres,: and has since carried on general farming. The property is well fenced, is supplied with good substantial buildings, which are so es- sential to successful farming, and has many other improvements, most of which, were. eflFected by his father. He carries on the cul- tivation of the soil by the latest. improved, methods, and has met with unbounded suc- cess. Mr. Worthington is widely known throughout this section, and is a worthy representative of the agricultural class. February 17, 1876, our subject was joined in the holy bonds of wedlock with Jane Elizabeth Twining, of Wrightstown town- ship, who was born December 25, 1852, a daughter of Elias and Eleanor (DeCoursey) Twining. Mr. Twining is a farmer by occu- pation, and resides at Penn's Park, Bucks 6 County. Four children blessed our subject's home: Warren, born June 4, 1877; Morris, March 17, 1881 ; Eleanor M., July 23, 1882; and Evelyn L,. He has always taken an active interest in matters affecting the public welfare and has supported public enterprises ; at present he is a director of the Newtown National Bank, of Newtown, and has served as such for five years. In political attach- ments, he is a member of the Republican party, and for thirteen years has served as a school director.. Socially, he is a member of the Junior Order of United American Me- chanics I/odge at Penn's Park. M R.ISAIAH MICHENERis no doubt the. oldest practicing veterinary surgeon in the state of Pennsyl- vania, having successfully followed his chosen profession for nioxe than the last three score :of years, his;fiel,d of .practice extending over I the southeastern pairt of thejtiate. He is de- ' scended. from an old and prosperous family of Bucks -.County, where he was born January 25, 1812, and is. a son of,- Thomas and Sarah (Bradshaw), Michener. His grandfather, Meshach Michener, was also a native of Bucks County, and was a farmer throughout his entire life. Thomas Michener, the father of our subject, was born on his father's farm in Buckingham town- ship, and, although reared to agricultural pursuits, began to follow the trade of a shoe- maker when he attained his manhood, at which occupation he continued most of his days. At the time of his death he was a resi- 96 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES dent of Montgomery County, Pa. He departed this life May i6, 1865, at the ripe old age of eighty-six years. He was joined in marriage with Sarah Bradshaw, a native of Warrington township, this county, who died February 9, 1862. This union resulted in a family often children, all of whom are deceased, with the exception of our subject. Their names are as follows : Jane and Mary, twins ; James ; Clarissa ; Dr. Isaiah, the gentleman whose name heads this notice ; Sarah Ann ; Susan ; Eliza ; Hannah, and Rebecca. Isaiah Michener, after receiving his ele- mentary education in the schools of his native township, began to prepare himself for the career of a veterinary surgeon, and accord- ingly entered the Veterinary Department of Dr. Dadd's College, at Boston, Mass. Upon graduating from that institution, he later en- tered and graduated from the same depart- ment of the Penn College of Philadelphia. In 1836, he began to practice in Buckingham township, remaining there until the year 1883, during which time he was called upon to make many long drives, going as far as the state of Delaware. In 1883, he became a resident of the village of Carversville, this county, where he has since pursued his pro- fession with marked success. He has estab- lished an excellent reputation throughout the state, and is everywhere considered an author- ity on all matters relating to the equine fam- ily. He wrote the first article ever published on Cerebro-spinal Meningitis, which appeared in a publication, " The Modern Horse Doc- tor," in 1856. This book was the result of the efforts of his former preceptor, George H. Dadd, M.D., V.S., of Boston, Mass., who was also the author of the works, " An- atomy and Physiology of the Horse," and " The Reformed Cattle Doctor." Dr. Mich- ener is an honorary member of the United States Veterinarian Medical Association, and his is the honor of having given that body its name. At a meeting of the prominent veter- inarians of our country in New York City, a name for their society became the topic of discussion, and many were presented and all rejected until our subject finally presented the name by which it is known to-day, and this was immediately pronounced appropriate and was adopted. He owns two fine farms in this county, both of which he rents, and is regarded as a valued citizen of the commu- nity ; he is a good neighbor, a generous friend and a dutiful citizen. Dr. Michener was married in November, 1836, to Esther Good, a native of Plumstead township, and a daughter of John and Sarah (Smith) Good ; her father was a farmer and carpenter of Plumstead township, and is now deceased. A family of ten children were born to bless this union, namely : Ezra, who mar- ried Margaret Smith, lives near our subject's farm ; Sarah is the wife of Charles Paxson, of Solebury township ; John C. , a veterinary surgeon, of Colmar, Pa., was wedded to Anna Ely ; Thomas died at the age of two years ; Mary Ellen is the widow of Asher M. Fell, and resides at Doylestown ; Anna Margaret, deceased, was the wife of Marshall Williams ; Horace is a farmer of Doylestown township, and married Sarah Jane Fell ; Clara is the wife of Willis Neal, and they live in Osage, Mitchell County, Iowa; Charles Byron, a professor in a veterinary college, at Washing- BUCKS COUNTY 97 ton, D. C, died in that city, August 9, 1894 ; and Anson B., living on the old Michener homestead, who was united in marriage with Mary Jane Worthington. Dr. Michener's wife died in November, 1875, and he formed a second matrimonial alliance with Mrs. Rebecca Scott, in 1877. She was born in Buckingham township, December 11, 1838, and is a daughter of David and Milicent (L,arge) Bradshaw, and the widow of Samuel Scott, a farmer in Buckingham township, who died April 5, 1872. She is the mother of seven children by her first husband, namely • George W., who died in 1872; William S. and Edward B. , who are in the ice business in Chicago, 111. ; David Heston, who lives at Carversville ; Samuel M. , deceased ; Anna M., a resident of Doylestown ; and Sarah, de- ceased. Dr. and Mrs. Michener are promi- nent members of the Society of Friends of Buckingham. Politically, he is a strong Re- publican, and in his early days was a recog- nized leader in his community. He has held the office of school director for six years. He l]as served \wenty-one years as president of the Doylestown Agricultural Society and was president of the Carversville Normal Institute as long as it existed. Dr. Michener's portrait is shown on a preceding page in proximity to this. tLFRED JOHNSON. A biographical record of the pioneer residents of y Bucks County would be incom- plete were not prominent mention made of the Johnson family of Southampton town- ship, which have been intimately connected with every movement tending to the ad- vancement of the interests and welfare of the community at large. Alfred Johnson, of whom this sketch makes particular mention, is now living in retirement ; he was born in Upper Makefield township, October 9, 1828, and is a son of John and Eliza (Harvey) John- son, and grandson of Garrett Johnson. The first member of this prominent family, of whom we have a record, is Garrett John- son, the grandfather of our subject, who was of Scotch- Irish extraction. He, in company with his two brothers, came to America during the colonial days, and located in Up- per Makefield township, this county. One of his brothers located on Long Island, while the other made a settlement in Virginia. His vocation was that of a farmer. He was the progenitor of these children : John ; James ; Amos ; Ira ; Charles ; Garrett, the only one living, an esteemed resident of Tini- cum township; Huldah ; and Joanna. The maternal grandfather of our subject, Henry Harvey, was of English descent, and was a life-long farmer of Upper Makefield township. He married a Miss Vanzant by whom he had four children : Eliza, the mother of our sub- ject ; Martha ; Abner ; and Amos. John Johnson, the father of our subject, was born March 4, 1791, in Upper Makefield township ; upon attaining his manhood, he inherited one of his father's farms, and re- sided upon it many years engaged in agri- cultural pursuits. Later in life he moved to Shelby County, Ohio, where he resided until death claimed him, in 1863. He married Eliza Harvey, who was a native of Upper Makefield township, the date of her birth 98 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES being November 17, 1790 ; as a result of this marriage they became the parents of a family of thirteen children : Emiline, born Novem- ber 24, 1 8 17, resides in Shelby County, Ohio ; Mary, born April 23, 18 19, married John C. Leedam, M. D., now deceased, and she also lives in Ohio ; Harvey, born September 10, 1820, is deceased, — he married Kate Green, and she now lives in Shelby County, Ohio ; Charles B., born January 27, 1822, married Elizabeth Matthews, — both are now deceased ; Martha A., born March 24, 1824, was wedded to R. Atkinson, now deceased, and her home is also in Shelby County, Ohio ; Jane V., born November 12, 1825, was joined in marriage with Solomon Wetherell, — both are now de- ceased ; Alfred, the subject of this personal history ; Eliza, born February 20, 1830, was twice married, — her first husband was William lyuker, and her second marriage was with John Adlard ; Achges, deceased, was born Novem- ber 6, 1832 ; John, deceased, was born May 22, 183s ; Ellen D., born May 17, 1837, is the wife of R. Staley, and they live in Shelby County, Ohio ; James, deceased, was born Sep- tember 19, 1840 ; and Joseph J., deceased, who was born November 4, 1 842. Religiously, Mr. Johnson was a devoted member of the Pres- byterian Church. He served as director of the poor three years, from 1838 to 1841, and also held many other township oflfices. Our subject received his elementary edu- cation in the schools of his native township and remained at home until he attained the age of twenty-eight years ; at that age he took charge of his father-in-law's farm, re- maining on the same for a period of thirteen years. He then bought a farm of B. Vanzant, consisting of 2 1 acres and lived there eighteen years, when he sold his farm to Normal Ste- phens ; in 1889, he built his present place on what is known as the McDowan property, and now has one of the most beautiful homes in Bucks County ; his house is built of brown stone and has all the modem improvements. Farming has been his sole occupation, and in it he was very successful, and ranked, during the active period of his life, among the fore- most agriculturists of his community. He possesses the esteem and respect of a multi- tude of friends, and is spending his declining years in life in the peaceful happiness of com- fortable circumstances, the result of many years of care and labor. Mr. Johnson on February 18, 1858, wedded Harriet Hogeland, born in Southampton township July S, 1834, a daughter of Isaac and Phcebe (States) Hogeland ; the former was born September 16, 1792, and died Sep- tember 7, 1 874, and the latter was born Jan- uary 18, 1795, and died January 11, 1873. Mr. and Mrs. Hogeland were the parents of the following children: William S., born October 7, 1820; Julia Ann, born June 13, 1823, was wedded to Charles Tillyer, now de- ceased; Louise, born February 26, 1826, died August 21, 1853; Alfred, born March 12, 1828; Abraham, born November 16, 1831, married Eliza Knight, and both are now de- ceased ; and Harriet, the wife of our subject. In religious views, Mr. Johnson is a liberal supporter of the Presbyterian Church. In politics, he has always given his support in favor of the Democratic party, and served as county treasurer in 1864 and 1865, and has held the office of school director. Mr. John- BUCKS COUNTY 99 son is leading the life of a good citizen, kind neighbor and generous friend, and filling his position in life as the promoter, to the best of his ability, of every good work and pur- pose socially, morally, religiously, and poli- tically. AIvVA Gllyly, an industrious and pro- gressive farmer of Northampton town- ship, Bucks County, is a descendant of an old and well-known family of that town- ship. He was born on the old Gill homestead there January 2, 1857, and is a son of Samuel and Sarah T. (Gilkyson) Gill. He is descended from John Gill, whose parents were of English birth. John Gill lived for many years in Philadelphia, and sub- sequently purchased a farm in New Britain township, Bucks County, and still later 100 acres in Northampton township, which has since been the family homestead. He was the progenitor of the following children : John ; Rebecca, who married George Edwards and lived in Ohio ; Anna, who became the wife of Joseph Carrell ; Lydia, who married Joel Carver; Sidney, who married Ivcwis Hart ; and Henry, who was married to Mary Fretz. John Gill, the grandfather of our subject, was born on the old homestead, but spent most of his life in agricultural pursuits in Southampton township, where he was very well known. He passed- into the world of rest in Solebury, Pa., about the year 1849. He was united in marriage with Jane Dun- gan, a daughter of Thomas Dungan, a farmer of Bucks County, and his wife whose maiden name was Sarah Krusen. John Gill and his wife reared the following children : Sarah, deceased, who was the wife of John Lefferts ; John, who resides on a farm in Northampton township ; Samuel, deceased, the father of our subject ; Henry, a record of whose life appears elsewhere in this volume; Eliza, the wife of Andrew J. Ely, a farmer living in New Hope ; James, a retired lumber dealer of Philadelphia, who married Susan Gill ; Ann, the wife of .David Krusen, a farmer of Northampton township ; Isaac, a farmer in the same locality; Jacob, who met his death by accident at Pike's Peak, Colo., — he was hauling a load of lumber and upon falling off of his wagon rolled under the wheels and was killed ; Abraham, deceased, was killed at the battle of Fair Oaks, Va., — ^^his wife was Ellen Mattis ; Mary, deceased, was the wife of Henry Vantilburg, a farmer of Ohio ; Jona- than, who died out West ; and Thomas and Ivizzie, who died in infancy. Samuel Gill, the father of the gentleman whose name heads these lines, was born gn the homestead August 10, 18 19, and was reared to agricultural pursuits, becoming one of the most prosperous farmers in his section. He was a man of high principles and was held in high esteem by a large circle of ac- quaintances. Politically, he was not very active, but took a deep interest in town af- fairs. In religious belief, he was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and his wife was a faithful member of the Society of Friends. His union with Sarah T. Gilkyson was formed November 18, 1849, which resulted in the following issue: Joseph T., who was born March 2, 1852, and died on the twenty-first lOO BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES day of the same month; the second child died in infancy; Britton G., who was born February 12, 1854, died June 22, 1880; J. Alva, our subject ; John, born March 4, 1859, is a farmer of Richboro, Pa., and married Nettie Addis ; Franklin, born September 27, 1 86 1, married Carrie Clayton, a daughter of Dr. A. H. Clayton, of Richboro ; Rebecca Jane, born September 17, 1864, died February 18, 1881 ; and Mary G., born March 11, 1868, who married Harry W. Feaster, a conductor on the Pennsylvania Railroad. Mr. Gill died July 21, 187s, and his worthy wife, who was born on August 7, 1827, in Northampton township, died in December, 1883. J. Alva Gill was reared upon the home farm and attended the public schools of New- town. In 1862 he left the parental roof and purchased what was known as the Talbert place, a tract of 100 acres upon which he has since resided. He has ever been energetic and industrious, and has been more than ordinarily successful in the pursuance of his occupation. He has effected many notable improvements upon the property and has one of the best residences in his section. He is a man of genial disposition, a pleasant com- panion, and is very popular with his fellow- citizens. He carries on general farming and has followed the Philadelphia markets since he was seventeen years of age. Politically, he is a stanch supporter of the principles of the Democratic party. Socially, he is a member of Newtown L,odge, No. 427, F. & A. M.; and North Star I^odge, I. O. O. F., of Richboro, Pa. January 28, 1886, Mr. Gill was joined in Hymen's bonds with Laura E. Feaster, a daughter of Captain David V. and Mary A. (lyUgar) Feaster. Captain Feaster was born in Northampton township, and throughout life followed the occupation of a machinist. He died December 2, 1894, and his wife passed away January 4, 1890. Captain Feaster and his wife had three children : Harry W. , a conductor on the Pennsylvania Railroad, married Mary G. Gill, named above ; James died in December, 1890; and Laura E., the wife of our subject. Our subject is the father of two sons, namely: Harry T., who was born October 14, 1887; and J. Alva, Jr., who was born September 5, 1891. Wi IIvLIAM H. MOON, whose post office is Morrisville, throughout his ac- tive live has been engaged in horticultural pursuits; in 1872, he established the Glen- wood Nurseries, which rank among the best in this country, and are well known through- out the United States and Canada. Having made a careful study of the requirements of each variety of plants and improved the soil to the proper state, the nurseries have wit- nessed a rapid advancement during their twenty-five years of existence, and now a customer, in search of anything in the horti- cultural line, can find what he wishes, both in quality and variety, at the Glenwood Nur- series. It has always been his aim to excel in quality, and the success with which he has met in that direction is amply proven by the prestige he enjoys. Mr. Moon was born March 6, 1849, and is a son of Mahlon and Jane (Craft) Moon, and ALONZO NICHOLAS. BUCKS COUNTY 103 is a grandson of James Moon, who was a farmer of Middletown township. The family is of English extraction. Mahlon Moon, who was a native of Middletown township, in 1839 established a nursery near Morrisville, in which line he was one of the most promi- nent men of the state. Religiously, he was a member of the Society of Friends. He was united in marriage with Jane Craft, who was born in 1 8 1 7, and died in Falls township, in 1870; their union resulted in the follow- ing issue.: William H., the subject of this personal history ; Mary C. , who died in March, 1884; Samuel C., a nurseryman of Falls township; and James M., who is asso- ciated in business with our subject. Mr. Moon, who was born Februairy 14, 18 14, was called to his eternal rest in 1 887. William H. Moon lived at home and worked for his father until 1872, when he established the Glenwood Nurseries near Morrisville, Lower Makefield township. The business has assumed vast proportions, and there is now included in the property peach orchards at Riegelsville, as well as 125 acres at Morris- ville. In 1890 he organized a stock company, incorporated under the state laws of Pennsyl- vania, and the following officers were elec- ted : James M. Moon, president ; Henry W. Comfort, vice-president : William H. Moon, secretary and treasurer ; the first two in con- nection with Edward C. Williamson forming the board of directors. They cultivate horti- cultural novelties extensively, and are known as the peach kings of Bucks County, having 25,000 trees at Riegelsville. Their produc- tions are sold in all sections of the United States and Canada, and they employ from 50 to 60 men. Each succeeding year shows a good increase in amount of business trans- acted, for which much credit is due to the efficient work of our subject. He is an earn- est worker in the Horticultural Association of Pennsylvania, of which he served as president from 1892 to 1895. He has ever endeavored to perform the obligations of a dutiful citizen, and has won the confidence and respect of his army of acquaintances throughout the Union. He was joined in the holy bonds of wed- lock, in 1875, with Ellen M. Taylor, a daugh- ter of Jesse W. Taylor of Philadelphia, and they became the parents. of four children : Edith C; Henry T.; James E. and Maria B. In religious attachments he is a member of the Society of Friends. He has always taken a deep interest in matters of an educational nature, and- for twelve years served as a mem- ber of the school board. He is a man of educational attainments, having attended the schools of his native town, a boarding school, and a commercial college at Trenton, N. J. M Buck /^^\^^ ne; LONZO NICHOLAS, ex-sheriff of Bucks County, and a leading busi- ness man of Doylestown, whose portrait is shown on the opposite page, is a member of the enterprising firm of Nicholas & Bean, real estate brokers, and writers of life and fire insurance. He is one of the best known men in the county, and possesses a large amount of influence in political circles. He is a son of Peter L. and Samantha (Over- ton) Nicholas, and was born in Durham town- ship, this county, July 23, 1847. I04 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES Our subject's ancestry is German on his father's side, and English on his mother's. His great-grandfather, John Nicholas, who was born in Wittenberg, Germany, and im- migrated to this country during colonial days, settled in Haycock township, this county, where he engaged in farming and lumber- ing. His son, also named John Nicholas, was born in Haycock township, and followed farming all his life near Keller's Church, being buried in the churchyard there upon his decease. In politics he was a Republi- caii, and filled many of the local offices, in- cluding those of school director and super- visor of his township. He was a Lutheran in his religious views. He married Mary hong, and had a family of five sons and one daughter. Peter L. Nicholas, the father of our sub- ject, was born in Haycock township, and grew to manhood there and in the adjoining township of Springfield. Shortly after com- ing of age, he removed to Durham township, settled down on a farm, and in that place was engaged for the remainder of his life in agri- cultural pursuits. He owned a large farm, and could be called very successful. He was quite active in politics as a Republican, and filled many of the township offices, serving as school director a number of terms. He was at one time a candidate for the State Assem- bly, but was defeated by only one vote. He was a kind friend and dutiful citizen. He was most highly regarded and esteemed by his neighbors for his many sterling traits of character ; he was always lending a helping hand to some unfortunate one, and would stop ploughing in the middle of the field to aid the sick. He was a Lutheran, and was deacon and elder in the church for many years. His death occurred June 15, 1882, when he was aged sixty-eight years. His wife, who died June 12, 1884, aged seventy- one years, bore him three sons and three daughters, as follows : John, a farmer and gardener of Durham township ; Hespert, who served four years in the Civil War, and moved to Texas, where, in Mason County, he was elected to the offices of sheriff and treasurer ; Alonzo ; Mary, wife of Mahlon Trauger, who lives in Nockamixon township, this county ; Elizabeth, deceased, who was the wife of Tobias T. Bean ; and Alice, wife of John Moser. Alonzo Nicholas, the subject of these lines, was reared in Durham township, and re- mained there until 1894. He was there en- gaged in gardening, general farming and trucking ; he also dealt extensively in hay, baling it and having it shipped into this sec- tion from the West. He also bought and sold grain. Mr. Nicholas has always been very active in Republican politics of the county and state. He was director of the poor from 1889 to 1892, and in 1892 was elected sheriff of the county, taking hold of the duties of that office on the first Monday in January, 1893, and serving a full three years' term. In 1893 he removed to Doyles- town, the county seat, where it was necessary he should be to perform his work efficiently. After his term of office as sheriff was over, he still continued to live in Doylestown, and in 1 897, with Herbert J. Bean, under the firm name of Nicholas & Bean, engaged in a real estate brokerage business, which arrange- BUCKS COUNTY 105 ment continues to the present. They do a general business in making collections, ef- fecting loans, and represent a number of the old-line insurance companies. There was need for a business enterprise of just this sort, and the firm of Nicholas & Bean has prospered beyond the sanguine expectations of the partners. In September, 1898, Mr. Nicholas assumed control, by purchase, of the Gem Folding Box Co., in Perkasie, and manufactures one of the neatest and handiest lunch boxes on the market. Its points of excellence are many, and render it a favorite with those who are obliged to carry a. lunch to work with them. It is constructed of composi' tion material that is free from arsenic and other deleterious substances ; it is trimmed in leather, presents a very handsome appear- ance, and withal is made to stand years of wear. In the bottom are placed such articles that cannot damage each other, such as sand- wiches, eggs, pickles, etc. ; over these is a snug-fitting tray, holding the dessert and a flask for coflFee or milk. Over all goes a nap- kin. Everything stays where it is placed. When the lunch is disposed of, the box is quickly folded, and can be placed in the coat pocket, for it is capable of being reduced from eight inches to one inch in height. The box is a most excellent article, and in point of lightness, convenience, and dura- bility, has no superior. Mr. Nicholas is a member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church at Riegelsville, this county, and has distinguished himself by his hearty support of every good work advanced by the church. He was deacon for six years, also 6* held the office of trustee, and has had a class in the Sunday School. He is a member of Treatena O. Ryan Lodge, No. 56, F. & A. M., of Frenchtown, N. J., and Pochanoco Tribe, No. ()j^ Improved Order of Red Men, at Kintnersville, this county. He was united in marriage, March 24, 1872, with Catherine Rufe, of Nockamixon township, and they have a family of four children, namely : Car- rie ; Sadie ; Isaac ; and Herbert. At the present time Mr. Nicholas is making an ag- gressive campaign for the appointment of Surveyor of the Port of Philadelphia, and has the endorsement of many leading poli- ticians of the state. During his term of office as sheriff, Mr. Nicholas superintended the execution of Wallace Burt, a half-breed Indian, on a gal- lows that was originally used in Mauch Chunk, Carbon County, for the execution of notorious Molly Maguires in 1877, Burt being the eighth condemned man to suflfer on it the extreme penalty of the law. The crime for which he was executed was most brutal and cold-blooded : he murdered in their bed-chamber with an axe. an aged, unoffending couple, living near Richboro, this county, Samuel M. and Lena Rightly by name, and then, when his dastardly deed was done, sought to cover it up" by setting fire to the bed. Strong circumstantial evi- dence went far to fasten the guilt on Burt, but the first trial ended in a disagreement of the jury, and the accused might have escaped if he had not confessed voluntarily to the deed. It is hard to state what was his motive, for the money he secured after the murder was not enough to induce a man to io6 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES take human life ; it will probably remain a mystery, for the prisoner would never say anything as to the manner in which he did the deed, or why it was done. On July 26, 1894, ten months after the murder, the execu- tion was conducted in the jail-yard, the spec- tators being limited to the jurors that brought in the fatal verdict, two clergymen who at- tended the condemned man, a number of prominent doctors summoned to perform the autopsy after death, the sheriif, Mr. Nicholas, and his assistants, all being sworn in as depu- ties. The prisoner had eaten and slept well the night before, and had been prepared for his exit from this world by Revs. Sheip and Moore. He met his fate unflinchingly, and at a few minutes past 1 1 o'clock was launched into eternity by the drop of the trap. Every- thing moved like clockwork, and no hitch or accident happened to delay the proceed- ings, or give to the execution the element of horror. (JOSEPH FINNEY is a prominent and enterprising business man of the vil- lage of Holland, Pa., of which he is postmaster. He has been engaged in the flour and feed business since 1888, and is also the owner of a fine farm of 5 5 acres in Northampton township. This highly es- teemed citizen was born in the above-men- tioned township, November 3, 1849, and is a son of John F. and Mary (Hagainan) Finney. The grandfather of our subject was Joseph Finney, a prominent farmer of Northampton township ; he settled many estates during his active days. He was joined in marriage with Sarah Tillyer, and they became the parents of four children, namely: William, Elizabeth, Ellen, and John F. The ma- ternal grandfather of our subject was Ivcwis Hagaman, and he was also a well-to-do farmer of Northampton township, and re- sided near Newtown. He was wedded to Sarah Wood, and of their children the fol- lowing grew to maturity: John, Joshua, Samuel, Mary, and Sarah. John F. Finney was born and reared on his father's farm ; he learned the trade of a car- penter and later that of an undertaker, which he pursued a number of years with marked success. He then turned his attention toward agricultural pursuits and continued that voca- tion until his death, which occurred March 31, 1893. He was one of the leading men of his qommunity, and enjoyed the respect of many acquaintances throughout the county; he served twenty-five years as justice of the peace, which tends to show the confidence in which he was held by his fellow-citizens. Politically, he upheld the principles of the Democratic party both by ballot and by voice. Religiously, his family worshiped in the Methodist Church. He was joined in the bonds of wedlock with Mary Hagaman, a native of Dolington, this county, and she passed from this earth December 17, 1887. As a result of this happy marriage the fol- lowing eight children were born to them : Lewis, who died aged forty-nine years, was married to Mary Jane Harding ; Sallie is the wife of Aaron B. Reeder and they reside near Pennington, N. J. ; Elizabeth is the wife of Joshua P. Vanartsdalen of Newportville, Pa. ; HON. JAMES PATTEKSON. BUCKS COUNTY 109 Joseph, the subject of this notice ; William is a farmer, miner and blacksmith, and resides in the state of Idaho ; Anna Mary is the wife of Andrew Scott of Northampton, and two children have been born to them, John and Sarah Emma ; Emma M. lives in Philadelphia ; and Frank, a farmer and car- penter of Montgomery County, Pa., who married Alice Duval. Joseph Finney was intellectually trained in the public schools of his native township and worked about his father's homestead until he attained the age of twenty-four years ; he then located in the village of Holland, and in partnership with William B. Hagaman, embarked in the mercantile business. This partnership was continued for a period of three years, when our sub- ject became sole proprietor; in 1888, Mr. Finney bought a grist and flour mill, and a farm of 55 acres of highly cultivated land. He does all kinds of grinding and makes a choice grade of flour ; his favorite make is rye flour. Mr. Finney is an honest, upright citizen, and his intelligence and worth are greatly appreciated in his com- munity. Mr. Finney was married, in 1876, to Sarah E. Cornell, a daughter of Benjamin F. and Sallie (Everett) Cornell, the former a native of Northampton township, and the latter a native of Solebury township, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Finney are the parents of two children, named as follows : L,afayette C. , who works in his father's store; and Clar- ence, who died aged five years. In politics, our subject is an unwavering Democrat, and has served nine years as a school director, and as auditor. Fraternally, he is a member of the Doylestown Lodge, No. 245, F. & A. M.; Northern Star I^odge, No. 34, I. O. O. F. ; and Curtis Encampment, No. "jj^ of Newtown. ■ON. JAMES PATTERSON, a prom- inent and influential farmer of Bris- tol township, Bucks County, and a veterinarian of superior ability, whose por- trait is shown on the opposite page, is a highly esteemed citizen of that section which he so ably represents in the state legislative halls. He is a son of Jesse and Hilda (Mor- gan) Patterson, and was born in Wrightstown township, Bucks County, June 19, 1843. His grandfather was Jesse Patterson, a native of England, who was brought to this country in boyhood by his parents, who loca- ted in New Jersey ; later Jesse Patterson came to Bucks County, Pa., where he en- gaged in farming. He fought bravely for this country in our second war with England, in 1 81 2. His companion along the pathways of life was Charity Barr, by whom he had two children, one son and one daughter. Mrs. Patterson died in 1830, at the age of eighty-eight years, and her husband sur- vived her but a few years. Jesse Patterson, the father of our subject, was born in Warwick township in 18 10, and upon growing to manhood became a farmer in Wrightstown township, where he pur- chased a small farm upon which he resided the remainder of his life. He was a power in the political affairs of his town, and was a Democrat prior to 1865, but in that year he no BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES took sides with the Republican party. He was elected to the office of supervisor and held other offices of trust. His wife was Hilda Morgan, who was born in this county in 1820, and was a daughter of Samuel Mor- gan ; they had the following issue : Mary, born May 19, 1838 ; William, September 6, 1839; I/izzie, September 19, 1841 ; James, the subject of this personal history ; Martha, March 15, J846; Anna M., July 23, 1849; Benjamin, May 11, 1851 ; Henry, September 4, 1857; and Amos, September 26, 1859. Mr. and Mrs. Patterson were both faithful mem- bers of the Friends' Meeting, and lie buried in the Friends' Burying Ground in Wrights- town township, Bucks County. She was called Home on April i, 1884, and her hus- band joined her beyond the river of Death in April, 1886. James Patterson lived upon the farm with his parents and attended the common schools until he was fourteen years of age, when he began to work out as a farm hand. He con- tinued as such and also remained in school until 1864, when he enlisted in Co. H., 5th Reg., Pa. Vol. Cav., and served until the close of the war, establishing an excellent reputation as a dutiful and daring soldier. His regiment was immediately sent to the front under General Butler, and participated in many engagements, the principal ones being before Fort Fisher, South Side Rail- road, Petersburg, and Richmond. At the battle of Five Forks he miraculously escaped death by a ball from the gun of a sharp- shooter; it passed through his right arm, through his body not more than one inch from his heart, and lodged in a book which he carried in the pocket of his blouse. The book and the bullet are now in his possession, and he prizes them highly, which his family will continue to do for many generations. They will pass them down as heirlooms of the family to perpetuate his glory and that of the cause for which he fought. He received the wound on April 2, and it was with small hopes that he was picked up and later con- veyed to the Hairwood Hospital near Wash- ington, but his sturdy constitution asserted itself, and by May 26, much to the astonish- ment of the attending physicians, he was able to return home, receiving his discharge upon that date. Upon his complete recovery, he engaged in farming and continued until 1875, when he entered the School of Veter- inary Surgery at Trenton, N. J., and took a complete course, being graduated in 1878. He immediately after began the practice of his profession in Newportville, Bristol town- ship, and two years later he purchased his present estate of 28 acres, where he has since lived and had his office. He readily acquired a large and lucrative practice and soon re- ceived the patronage of the wealthy class of people residing along the river toward Phila- delphia. For several years the doctor had full charge, in his line, of all the stock on the Drexel School Farm, and purchased all the horses and cows for that establishment. He has ever proved himself honest and straightforward in all of his business trans- actions, and is highly respected by all with whom he comes in contact, both in business and social relations. Since early manhood, he has evinced a keen and lively interest in affairs of a political nature in his section and BUCKS COUNTY III is a stanch Republican. He has been a school director for nine years ; is a member of the Bristol township Republican commit- tee ; and has been a delegate to many con- ventions. In 1894 he was elected to the State I^egislature, and was re-elected in 1 896 ; he has won many friends by the able manner in which he has served in that capacity ; while a member of that body he was on the committees on City Passenger Railways, Cor- porations, Military Affairs, and was chairman of the committee on Compare Bills. In 1867, Dr. Patterson married Elizabeth Wright, of English descent, and a daughter of Charles Rhodes and Maria (Vanzant) Wright, and a granddaughter of Joshua and Bersheba (Rue) Wright. The following chil- dren blessed their union : Ivillian, the wife of Chapman Cooper ; May, the wife of John G. Embree of Chester County ; Charles R. ; and Alice T. Socially, he is a member of Captain H. Clay Beatty Post, No. 73, G. A. R., of Bristol; of Bristol lyodge, No. 25, F. & A. M.; and an ex-member of the Odd Fel- low I/odge of Hulmeville. He was one of the organizers and is a director of the Bristol Driving Association. /^TeORGE W. CORNELL, a gentle- Vf> I man in the prime of life and an en- terprising citizen of Northampton township, Bucks County, Pa., is residing on the old Cornell homestead, which was founded by the great-great-grandfather of our subject. He was born at his present place October 17, 1 84 1, and is a son of Adrian and Mary (Van- horn) Cornell, and grandson of Adrian and Lenah (Craven) Cornell. The great-great-grandfather of this branch of the Cornell family was Rem Cornell, who first settled on the old homestead property after coming to this country from Holland, being accompanied by three brothers, who located at Flatbush, Long Island. Adrian Cornell, the great-grandfather, was born on the old homestead, and his life's vocation was that of a farmer. His son, Adrian Cornell, was likewise born on the home farm, where he resided throughout life, engaged in the cultivation of the soil. He wedded Lenah Craven, of Johnsville, Pa., and they reared the following children : Ellen married James Krusen; James C. married Judith Everett; John wedded a Miss Bean ; Eliza was the wife of James McNair ; Lydia was married to Henry Wynkoop, and now lives in Upper Makefield ; Charles married Elizabeth Van- zant, and Mary Jane, now a resident of Upper Makefield township, who was twice married, her first husband being Francis Vanartsdalen, and her second James Boilean. Adrian Cor- nell, the father of our subject, was born on the Cornell homestead, where he spent most of his life tilling the soil, being one of the prosperous and well to-do agriculturists of the community. During the latter years of his life — from 1 860 to 1 870 — he was engaged as a traveling salesman. He was prominently known in this county and served as president of the Bucks County Agricultural Society many years, always taking an unusual amount of interest in such organizations. He de- parted this life in 1870, and his wife died in 1893. She was also a native of Northampton 112 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIKS township, and they became the parents of one child, George W., the subject of this bio- graphy. George W. Cornell always remained at home and spent his youthful days in attend- ing the schools of the neighborhood and of Hartsville, attending school at the latter place for three years. In i860 he entered into partnership with his father, and upon the latter's death took entire charge of the farm. The Cornell homestead is one of the most beautiful in Bucks County, and con- sists of 17s acres of rich and productive land. In connection with general farming, he car- ries on dairying to a large extent; he is a good neighbor and an excellent citizen, com- manding the respect and good-will of all who know him. Mr. Cornell has been twice united in the bonds of matrimony ; his first wife was Sallie I^ukens of Newtown, who died in June, 1873. His second union was with Elizabeth B. Camm, of Northampton township, and a daughter of Joseph C. and Martha (Feaster) Camm. On the maternal side of the family, she is a descendant from a very prominent family of Bucks County, the Feasters having been located here for almost two centuries. John Feaster, the earliest known ancestor, was born in Holland in 1708, and with his wife Rachel came to America, locating in Bucks County. She was born in 1706, and died on May 28, 1774. He died December 19, 1775- One of their sons, David Feaster, born April 8, 1740, married Mary Hageman in September, 1768, and died on September 30, 1808. She was born in 1743, and died in 1783. Aaron, a son of David and Mary (Hageman) Feaster, was born October 30, 1772, and died July 18, i860. In 1801 he married Matilda Cornell, who died December 22, 1858, and they had a daughter Martha, who was the mother of our subject's wife. Martha Feaster was born March 17, 1822, and became the wife of Joseph C. Camm, February 8, 1843. Joseph C. Camm was of English descent, and was born in Philadel- phia August 10, 1819, subsequently coming to Northampton township, Bucks County, where he became the owner of the old his toric homestead of Judge Henry Wynkoop. There is an interesting romance connected with this house, concerning James Monroe afterwards President of the United States. In the Revolutionary War he was a lieuten- ant in the American Army, and, having re- ceived a wound, he was sent by General Washington to the home of Judge Wynkoop to recuperate; while a guest at the latter's house, he fell deeply in love with his daugh- ter, then a lass of fourteen, and after the close of the war, some six years later, he made a second visit in company with General Washington and General Lafayette. While the latter two were discussing the future of the American Republic with the learned Judge, Colonel Monroe was scouring the surrounding country on horseback with the daughter of the host, always accompanied by a young physician. He finally determined to ask for the daughter's hand, and in fact did so before making his departure, but the Judge as kindly as possible told him that she had been promised to the young doctor. This did not sadden his life for long, how- ever, as a few years later he was united in BUCKS COUNTY 113 marriage with a lady, who became the first lady of our country. Mr. Camm and his wife became the parents of five children : William, who died at the age of four years ; Matilda, the wife of Dr. William T. Sudler, a resident of Delaware ; Elizabeth, our sub- ject's wife ; Edward ; and Addie, the wife of Isaac T. Vanartsdalen, of Newtown. Mr. Camm died December 31, 1897, and his wife on March 2, 1897. Religiously, our subject and his wife take a deep interest in church work and are prominent members of the Dutch Reformed Church. Politically, he is a solid Republi- can, as were hisfatherand grandfather before him. [AMVEl, BERGER, who is located on the old Fulmer place, a fine farm of 56 acres in Hilltown town- ship, operates a hide and tallow factory, besides carrying on general farming. He is one of the good, substantial, and progressive citizens of the township and is widely known throughout the county. He is a son of Levi and Susan (Large) Berger, and was born in Gardenville, Bucks County, Pa., February 8, 1856. Levi Berger, the father of our subject, was born in Durham, Bucks County, where he grew to manhood, and then located in Plum- stead township, whence he subsequently moved to Doylestown. He was reared upon the farm and chose farming as his life occu- pation, coming to be a very prosperous man. From Doylestown he moved to Solebury township, where he followed his occupation for some time, when he returned to Doyles- town and there resided for a period of twenty years. At the expiration of that time he moved to Glendon, Northampton County, where he has since been engaged in agricul- tural pursuits. He was united in hymeneal bonds with Susan Large, who departed this life in February, 1892, and they became the parents of four children, as follows : Emma, the wife of Peter Dumont, who lives in Craw- ford, N. J., but is a salesman in New York City ; Samuel, the subject of this biograph- ical record ; Harry, who married Hannah Barner of Hilltown, is a farmer and is en- gaged in the manufacture of fertilizers and in dealing in hides and tallow at Glendon, Northampton County, where he resides with his father ; and Willis, who resides with his father and brother, Harry, on the farm at Glendon, was married to Amelia Barner, by whom he has one daughter. Amy. All of these children were reared under Christian influences, and given good educations in the public schools and in the Doylestown High School. Samuel Berger, after completing his intel- lectual training, worked upon the farm and resided at home with his parents until he was twenty-eight years old, when he was mar- ried and immediately after located in Doyles- town, where he was employed in a tannery by Francis Lydin. He acquired a thorough knowledge of the business, and at the end of four years purchased the establishment and conducted it alone for two years. Having disposed of it at the expiration of that time, he was employed in various capacities for 114 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES the succeeding two years. He then moved to Hilltown township and purchased Ihe Ful- mer place, upon which he has since resided. He has added many improvements in the way of wells, barns, and out-buildings, and carries on farming by modern methods. He raises wheat, rye, oats, hay, and corn, and, because he has a thorough understanding of the na- ture and requirements of these products, his land yields as much to the acre as any land in the county. In 1894, he erected a hide and tallow factory upon his estate, and has also been engaged in the manufacture of fer- tilizers, turning out two brands, the L,ehigli and Sandow, which are used throughout the county. He is possessed of excellent busi- ness capacities, being shrewd, energetic and ambitious, and has won his way to the front rank among the young and hustling business men of his community. On January 30, 1885, he was united in marriage with Sallie Shive, a daughter of Martin and Catherine (Sorver) Shive. Mr. Shive was a native of Haycock township, Bucks County, and his wife of Telford, Pa., where they lived for many years. He passed to his eternal rest in 1883, and Mrs. Shive is now living with our subject and his wife, at the age of sixty-seven years. Four children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Berger, namely: Walter, born May 30, 1885; Carrie, born May 16, 1886, died July 29, 1887; Eliza, born December 18, 1888; and Harry, born June 28, 1890, died September 5, 1 89 1. Socially, he is a member of Lehigh lyodge, A. I. O. U. of Philadelphia, while in religious belief he is a member of the Doyles- towu Reformed Church. ACOB B. ROSENBERGER. Among the successful and enterprising busi- ness men of Hilltown township, Bucks County, Pa., is the gentleman whose name heads this brief notice, who is now the owner of a mercantile store at Dublin, and who has been connected with that line of business more or less all his life. This highly esteemed citizen is also postmaster of the village, and one of the leading men of his community. He was born in this county, January 8, 1847, and is a son of Isaac and Susanna (Bishop) Rosenberger and grandson of Eli Rosenberger. Eli Rosenberger, the grandfather of our subject, was a resident of Rockhill township, this county, where he owned a large tract of land and followed the vocation of a farmer. The maternal grandfather of our subject, Jacob Bishop, who passed from this life while a young man, was also a farmer of this county; he was married to Anna Fretz, a native of Bucks County. Isaac Rosenberger, our subject's father, was born on his father's farm in Rockhill township, and was there reared to manhood. He first learned the trade of a chairmaker, but finding that occu- pation unsuited to his tastes he discontinued it after following it a short time and took to farming, in which occupation he was very successful. Although not active in politics, he consented to fill the office of school direc- tor, to which he was elected. Religiously, he was a member of the Mennonite Church. Mr. Rosenberger was well known throughout the township and was greatly respected by his fellow countrymen. He was joined in Hymen's bonds with Susanna Bishop, a MR. AND MRS. GUSTAVUS H. SCH LACHTER. BUCKS COUNTY 117 daughter of Jacob Bishop, and to this union a family of seven children was born, namely : Henry, a prominent farmer of Hilltown township, was united in marriage with Mary A. Shaddinger; Jacob B., our subject; Eli, deceased; Isaac, also deceased ; Abraham, who is farming on the homestead, married Mary Godshalk ; Anna was wedded to Edward Shaddinger, both are deceased ; and Mary, who died . aged twenty-three. Mr. Rosen- berger entered the silent land in 1886 ; his wife passed from this life two years later. Jacob B. Rosenberger remained with his parents until he became of age, during which period he attended the district school and assisted his father in the management of the farm. After teaching school several terms he entered the employ of Jonas D. Moyer, of Dublin, and worked with him some two years ; when that firm was changed to J. S. Rickert & Co., he became a member of the firm ; ten years later the firm was known as B. F. Shearer & Co., and business was car- ried on under that name for a period of eight years. September 29, 189S, our subject became sole proprietor, and under his man- agement its trade has been greatly increased; he carries a complete stock of general mer- chandise, ready-made clothing, paints, oils, flour and feed. He has been engaged in the flour and feed business since 1883. Mr. Rosenberger has established a reputation for honesty and straightforward dealings, and possesses the confidence and esteem of the entire community. In 1889, Mr. Rosen- berger purchased what is known as the Detweiler grist and saw mills, which are located in the northern part of Hilltown township, and has successfully operated the same to the present time. In December, 1 874, our subject was united in marriage with Sarah Moyer, a native of New Britain township, this county, and a daughter of William F. and Elizabeth Moyer. Her father, who is now deceased, was a farmer, and her mother now resides with our subject. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Rosenberger, namely: William, born August 9, 1871, was formerly a grain dealer, but is now employed in his father's store, — he was married December 6, 1896, to Sallie Hunsicker ; Allen M. was born in December, 1881, and Susan May, who was born in October, 1886. Our subject is a solid Republican in politics, and has served as town auditor several years, a'nd, since 1 897, has been serving as postmaster of the village. He has been a director of the Doylestown National Bank since 1894. Re- ligiously, he and his family are members of the Merinonite Church at Blooming Glen. /!> USTAVUS H. SCHIvACHTER, one \^^J[ of the progressive and industrious young farmers of Upper Makefield township, Bucks County, is of German descent. He has resided upon his present estate since March 17, 1864, the date of his birth, and he is a son of George and Catherine (Myers) Schlachter. George Schlachter, the father of our sub- ject, was born in Germany, and came to the United States in 1855 ; the first four years in this country were spent in working out by ii8 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES the month, but after that he bought our sub- > ject's present homestead in 1861, and there carried on general farming on his own ac- count. He entered the world of rest July 2 1 , 1890, and his death was deeply lamented by a large circle of acquaintances. He was joined in the bonds of wedlock with Cath- erine Myers, also a native of Germany, and they became the parents of a family of five children, who were named as follows : Alice, deceased; John, a prominent farmer of Wrightstown township, and his wife is Maggie Masten ; Charles, a blacksmith by trade, has married, and resides in Delaware County, Pa. ; Caroline, deceased ; and George H. Our subject's mother departed this world February 8, 1881. Gustavus H. Schlachter has spent his en- tire life on the farm where he now lives, and his boyhood days were spent attending the district schools of Upper Makefield town- ship. Since his marriage in 1891, he has had charge of the homestead, and carries on both farming and stock-raising. His farm, consisting of 85 acres, has been put under a fine state of cultivation; the land is fertile and the improvements are all of a first-class order. Mr. Schlachter and Anna Masten were united in matrimonial bonds March 18, 1891. She was born in New Hope, this county, January 16, 1866, and is a daughter of Elias and Elizabeth (Smith) Masten ; the former, who is farming near New Hope, is a native of the state of New York, and the latter is a native of New Hope, Pa. Two children blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Schlachter, as follows: Elias, born January 2, 1892; and May, born May 25, 1896. Mrs. Schlachter is a member and earnest worker of the Presby- terian Church of New Hope. In politics, our subject is an ardent Democrat. On a preced- ing page, in connection with the above life history, appears a portrait of Mr. and Mrs. Schlachter. W^ II.I.IAM BAI.DERSTON. Among the leading representative families of Bucks County, Pa., none are more worthy of special mention in this volume than the one of which the gentleman, whose name opens this sketch, is an honored member. Following agricultural pursuits has been our subject's principal occupation in life, and he is the owner of a fine farm, handsomely situ- ated in I^ower Makefield township, near the village of Dolington ; he is enterprising, public-spirited, and enjoys the respect and good-will of many acquaintances throughout the county. The gentleman whose biography we write was born in the above township, January 27, 1821, and is a son of John and Phoebe (lyongshore) Balderston, and grand- son of Timothy Balderston. The Balderston family was founded in this country by John Balderston, the great-grand- father of our subject, who was a native of Holland. In 1688 he departed from his na- tive land and went to England, where he remained until 1727, when he came to Amer- ica. He first located in Wrightstown town- ship, Bucks County, and at the time of his death he was residing in Solebury township. In 1739 he married Hannah Cooper, by whom he reared seven sons and four daughters, BUCKS COUNTY 119 namely : John, Jonathan, Bartholomew, Tim- othy, Jacob, Joshua, Hannah, Sarah, Mor- decai, Lydia, and Mary. Timothy, the grandfather of our subject, early in life set- tled in Upper Makefield township, this county, where he purchased a large tract of land and engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was united in marriage with a Miss Twining, and their home was blessed by the birth of ten children, who were named as follows : John, Timothy, David, Isaiah, Ivydia, Elizabeth, Sarah, Hannah, Mary and Rachel. John Balderston, our subject's father, was born in Upper Makefield township April 13, 1779, and was reared to agricultural pursuits ; after attaining his majority he began the cultivation of the soil on his own account, living in his native county all his life. He was a prominent Quaker of his day, and was known throughout his section. He was joined in the bonds of wedlock with Phoebe I^ongshore, who was born in Lower Makefield township, November 10, 1781, and to this happy union a family of twelve children was born, most all of whom grew to maturity, and were prosperous and well- known citizens in the various communities in which they resided. They were named as follows : James, born August 6, 1805, married Elizabeth Kelly, both now deceased ; Tim- othy, born November 1 3, 1 806, died September 14, 1826; Rachel, deceased, born December 2^, 1807, was the wife of Z. Force, and they lived in Lower Makefield township ; Robert, born in March, 1809, died July 14, 181 5 ; Timothy, born July 6, 18 10, died September 7, 1831 ; Sarah, deceased, was born Septem- ber 20, 181 1, and was the wife of Albert Lam- bert; Hannah, born September 3, 1813, was the wife of George Banninster ; David, born May 13, 181 5, was twice married, — his first wife was Hannah Margerum, and his second, Rebecca, a sister of his first wife ; John I,., deceased, was born March 31, 18 17; William, our subject ; Jonathan, deceased, was born February 4, 1823; and Isaiah, born July 9, 1825, and died August 2, 1825. Our subject's father entered the world of rest, February 20, 1828, while his mother died. May 10, 1851. William Balderston was intellectually trained in the common schools at home and at Joseph Foulk's boarding school in Mont- gomery County, Pa., and at Alexandria, Va. The father of William died when our subject was but a lad of seven years, and he remained with his mother until he attained his man- hood ; he started out in life as a school teacher, and taught four years at Fallsington, Pa., and two years in the Friends' School, near Mount Holly, N. J. Returning home in the spring of 1 849, our subject in the same year bought a farm, near New Egypt, N. J., consisting of 168 acres, and carried on general farming for a period of ten years. He then leased his farm until his marriage, in 1 867, and in the following year he added to his possessions by buying his present farm in Lower Makefield township. Our subject has made many im- provements upon the farm since taking pos- session of it, and, in connection with farming, for the past two score of years he has been engaged in cattle buying and selling, and also runs a dairy. Mr. Balderston is a model farmer, and is an honor to his chosen occupa- tion ; he is an upright and honest citizen ; is I20 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES progressive and enterprising, and commands the respect of the citizens in the community of which he has so long been a valued member. Mr. Balderston was united in the bonds of matrimony with Anna H. Boggs, who was born in Camden, N. J., January 9, 1839, a daughter of Francis and Rosanna Boggs. Nine children blessed the home of this happy union, namely: Anna, born March 21, 1868, is the wife of Andrew Biles, and they have two children, Stanley and Olive; Emma, born February 23, 1869, died young; Olive, born July 7, 1870, is at home; Frances, Sep- tember 19, 1872 ; Martha, September 4, 1874; I,aura, February 29, 1876 ; Julia, January 19, 1878 ; Edith, October 14, 1879 ; and William Penn, June 27, 1881. The wife of our sub- ject was called to rest on February 26, 1895, and her demise was deeply felt by a large circle of friends and relatives, who held her in dear esteem. She was a kind and true wife and mother, and an excellent neighbor. Politically, Mr. Balderston has always sup- ported the principles of the Republican party, and has served as a school director in his township. Religiously, he is a devoted mem- ber of the Society of Friends. mI HEC HEODORE CORNEIvIv. The family, eLL of which the gentleman whose name heads this personal history is a worthy repre- sentative, is an old and well-established one in this county, and has been prominently identified with the progress and development of Bucks County for the past century. Our subject has been engaged in agricultural pur- suits all his life, and since 1 862 has occupied the old Cornell homestead, one of the finest farms in the state, which consists of 240 acres of highly improved land. He was born on his present farm February 14, 1841, and is a son of James C. and Judith S. (Everitt) Cornell. James C. Cornell was born and reared on the old Cornell homestead where George W. Cornell now resides, and he was educated to farming, which occupation he followed all his active days. After his marriage, he moved to the farm now occupied by our subject, and there spent the remainder of his life. He entered the world of rest in 1865 at the age of sixty-three. He was widely known throughout the country for his many sterling qualities, and was interested in all movements that tended to promote the gen- eral welfare of his county and township. Politically, he was a loyal Republican, but did not take an active interest in politics. He served a number of years as president of the Bucks County Agricultural Society. He was united in marriage with Judith S. Everitt of I^ambertsville, N. J., and they became the parents of ten children, namely: Julia Ann married Charles V. Cornell, and they reared two children, Thompson and Rachael; Joseph W., a retired citizen of Rockville, Pa., married Eveline Cooper by whom he had two children, William and lyinford; Elizabeth is the wife of Charles Knight of Churchville, Pa. ; Hiram, a com- mission merchant of Churchville, was wed- ded to Henriette Fetter; Sarah, deceased; Henriette, deceased ; Levi, also deceased ; BUCKS COUNTY 121 John, who was killed by a horse in 1866, was married to Mary Jane Craven, and two children were born to them, Elmer and John ; Theodore, the subject of this sketch ; and Ivouisa, who married Dr. John Kuight, a practicing physician of Fox Chase, Pa., and a family of four children were born to them, — Joseph Ryers, Charles, Clarence, de- ceased, and George. Theodore Cornell remained under the pa- rental roof until he attained his majority and received his elementary education in the public schools of his native township. He began farming on Jiis own account after his marriage ; in connection with general farm- ing he is also engaged in the dairy busi- ness, making on an average 100 pounds of butter per week, and has regular customers in Philadelphia. He has followed that busi- ness for the past two score of years. The home of our subject is one of the most beau- tiful in Bucks County and the improvements are among the best; in 1885, he erected a brown stone house, with all the modern con- veniences, such as hot and cold water, gas, and bath. Mr. Cornell is an honor to his chosen occupation ; he is honest and upright in ail his dealings ; is performing all the obligations of a dutiful citizen ; and enjoys, as he deserves, the confidence and esteem of a wide circle of acquaintances. Mr. Cornell was married February 20, 1 866, to Anna -Buckman, a daughter of Levi and Ellen (Yardley) Buckman, the former a native of Middletown, Pa., and the latter of Makefield. Levi Buckman was a farmer and drover and died in 1893 ; his wife died in 1850. Mr. Buckman's second marriage was contracted with Lettia Yardley, a sister of his first wife; she died in November, 1894. He was the father of a family of ten children, namely: Joseph, a farmer, married Mary Ann Watson of Middletown, Pa. ; Mary, deceased; William, deceased; Sarah Elizabeth, who died in 1865, was the wife of William Livezey; Franklin, who died in 1883, married Rachael Smith; Frederick, deceased ; Anna, the wife of our subject ; Willis and Edward, both deceased ; and Ella, the wife of Frank Vanhorn. Our subject and wife have been blessed by the birth of three children, namely: Eva B., born De- cember 15, 1867, is the wife of Ellis Tomlin- son, a farmer of Northampton township ; J. Russell, born December 21, 1869, who is at home; and Walter L., born in 1881, de- ceased. Politically, Mr. Cornell has always supported the Republican party ; fraternally, he is a member of the Newtown Lodge, No. 427, F. & A. M. Mrs. Cornell is a member of the Friends' Meeting at Newtown. W^ ILLIAM W. HALL. This worthy and esteemed gentleman of Plum- stead township is a descendant of one of the oldest families in Eastern Pennsylvania. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, in which he' continues to be occupied, and he resides on one of the best improved farms in his sec- tion ; he is also justice of the peace of Plum- stead township, which office he has held since 1887. Our subject was born in Buckingham township, this county, November 2, 185 1, and is a son of Benjamin and Sarah (Carlisle) Hall. 122 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES William Hall, the paternal ancestor of our subject, with his brother emigrated from his native country, England, to America with William Penn. He became the owner of a tract of land in West Philadelphia, which is now a park, where the Centennial Exposition was held in 1 876. This was the home of the Halls for many generations, where they were engaged in agricultural pursuits. William Hall and family were members of the Society of Friends. His son Mahlon and grandson Mahlon were both reared on this farm, and were successful farmers ; the latter built a substantial stone dwelling, which is still standing, and an old landmark of that section of the country. Mahlon Hall, a great-grand- son of William Hall, is the grandfather of our subject, and came to Bucks County at an early day, and followed the trade of a black- smith one year. Then, in partnership with his brother, he purchased a farm in West Philadelphia, and, after farming there a num- ber of years, he returned to Bucks County, and at the time of his death was residing in Doylestown township. He was eighty years of age when he passed from this life. He was twice married, his first wife being Hannah P. Hampton, who bore him a family of five children. His second wife was Isa- bella Robinson, and to this union twelve children were reared. Benjamin Hall, the father of our subject, was born in Buckingham township, this county, September 30, 1823, and is the third child born to his father's first wife. While a young man he worked for his uncle, who resided in West Philadelphia, where he drove a milk wagon to the city for many years. Ivater he came to Mechanics Valley, this county, where he clerked in the store owned by his brother Thomas. In partnership with his brother Moses, he went to Buckingham, and embarked in the mercantile business ; four years later he purchased his present homestead, where he followed the vocation of a farmer for thirteen years. He then re- entered the mercantile business, opening a store at Smith's Corner, this county, which he conducted some two years, when he went to Mechanics Valley, and embarked in a like business for a period of six years. In 1875 he returned to the homestead near Danboro, Plumstead township, and, in addition to car- rying on general farming, owns a large herd of milch cows and ships milk to Philadel- phia. He is a member of the Society of Friends ; politically, he is a stanch Repub- lican. He was married to Sarah Carlisle, a daughter of Benjamin Carlisle, a prominent farmer and Friend of the central section of the county. Two sons and one daughter resulted from the union, of whom one son and a daughter died in infancy. William W. Hall was the oldest child born to his parents, and he was reared on his father's farm and attended the district schools of Plumstead township. Our subject was thirteen years of age when the Civil War broke out ; he and four companions, all of the same age, left their homes and went to Philadelphia, where they offered their services in defence of the Union, but owing to their ages they were refused enlistment. Returning home he clerked in a store at Buckingham eight years, and then returned to the farm, where he has since carried on farming in a successful manner. JOSEPH W. REITER. BUCKS COUNTY 125 Mr. Hall is a very loyal Republican, and has contributed much toward the success of his party in his community ; in 1887 he was elected justice of the peace, which position he has continued to hold to the present time. Religiously, he is a member and active sup- porter of the Society of Friends ; socially, he is a member of the I. O. R. M., in which he has filled all the chairs, and was elected five terms as the representative of the local lodge to the Great Council ; he is also a member and past chief of the Knights of the Golden Eagle, in which he has filled all the chairs. In 1 880 our subject was wedded to Anna M. Fry, a daughter of the late Michael Fry, of Foun- tainville, this county, and they are the parents of the following children : Chester Arthur ; Roscoe T. ; Minnie Blanche, deceased ; War- ren Russell ; .Florence Ethel; Norman D.; Aleta Fry ; Eleanor E., deceased, and Sarah. 'OSEPH W. REITER. Among the prominent and enterprising citizens of Bucks County is the gentleman whose biography we write, and whose por- trait appears on the opposite page, who is one of the most reliable business men of the village of Cressman, and is a member of the well-known firm of J. W. Reiter & Co., known as the Fidelity Manufacturing Com- pany, the largest cigar manufacturers in the northwestern section of the county. The honesty of the proprietors of this establish- ment is never questioned, and the prosperity with which it is meeting is solely due to their integrity and untiring industry. Our subject was born at Trumbauersville, Milford township, January 5, 1853, ^n^ is a son of Tobias and Edith (Wonsidler) Reiter, grand- son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Heist) Reiter, and great-grandson of Michael and Elizabeth (Sack) Reiter. Michael Reiter, with his brothers John and George, left his native country. Saxony, Ger- many, and came to America about 1790 ; the two brothers settled in the western part of the state, while Michael located in Montgom- ery County, near the village of Hanover. He followed the occupation of a farmer, and died at the age of seventy years. He was married to Elizabeth Sack, who died at the age of eighty years ; they were members of the Lutheran Church. To this union the fol- lowing children were born, namely : George ; Michael ; Joseph ; Samuel ; Jonathan ; Lydia; Helen ; and Maria. Joseph Reiter, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was born on his father's farm in Mont- gomery County, and resided there many years, carrying on agricultural pursuits. Later he moved to Trumbauersville, where he kept a hotel, it being located where Henry F. Reiter now resides ; it was on the direct road to Phil- adelphia, and it was the stopping place for all the farmers who drove into the city. He also dealt in cattle, buying and selling to the farmers of his community ; he raised sheep, and carried on farming to a certain extent. His marriage with Elizabeth Heist, a daugh- ter of George Heist, resulted in the birth of the following children : Tobias ; Josiah ; Ed- ward ; and Maria. He died at the age of seventy-seven years, while his wife lived to be over ninety years old. 126 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIKS Tobias Reiter was born at Red Hill, Mont- gomery County, Pa., August ii, 1825, and followed farming in his early days in his native township, and later bought a farm near Trumbauersville, where he carried on general farming the rest of his active days ; he built the present house and barn, and made many other improvements upon, his farm, which property he sold to his son, Ed- ward W., in 1878, and retired. He. is the oldest man in his vicinity, enjoys splendid health for one of his years, is still active and hearty, and is highly esteemed and respected by many acquaintances. He is a stanch Dem- ocrat in politics, and has held many township offices. He is a member and past chancellor of the K. of P. ; religiously, he is a member of the Lutheran Church. He was thrice married ; his first wife, Edith Wonsidler, whom he wedded in 1848, was a daughter of George Wonsidler; she died in 1865, aged forty years. They were the parents of the following children : Alfred and Maria, de- ceased ; Joseph W., the subject of these lines ; Edward W. , who resides on the homestead ; and Henry and Tobias, both deceased. His second marriage occurred in 1866, to Sarah Cressman, a daughter of Abraham Cressman, and she died in 1874, aged fifty-four years. He was married a third time to Christina Steifel, a daughter of Jacob Steifel. Joseph W. Reiter, at the age of fifteen years, commenced to learn the trade of a cigarmaker, and at the same time attended the public schools. He followed his trade until 1873, when he entered into partnership with J. W. Brunner, under the firm name of Reiter & Brunner; in 1874 they built a 2^^ story frame house, 24 by 36 feet, and carried on the business until April i, 1877, when they dissolved partnership and our subject became sole proprietor; October i, 1883, F. W. Brunner became a partner, and they dis- solved partnership July i, 1885, our subject continuing alone. In the same year he em- barked in the mercantile business with David T. Breisch and also established the Fidelity Cigar Manufacturing Company ; in 1893, our subject sold his mercantile store and has devoted his entire attention to his present business. The present firm employs as high as 120 hands, who turn out 400,000 cigars per month ; they deal in Havana and Su- matra leaf tobacco ; and also handle fancy domestic fillers, packing presses, and Chas- kell's cigar flavors. The firm owns several large warehouses in Cressman ; one at Easton, Pa. ; one at Cato, N. Y. ; and one at Janes- ville. Wis. In 1883, Mr. Reiter built his present house, and later erected warehouses on the same property ; he also owns two other houses in Cressman, a single and a double tenement house. Mr. Reiter was wedded to Mary Benner, of Milford township, a daughter of David Ben- ner, and they are the parents of four children, namely : Maurice Revellen, deceased ; Frank- lin Pierce, a bookkeeper residing in Phila- delphia ; and Katie M. and Jennie Victoria, students. Fraternally, he is a member of Saucon Lodge, No. 469, F. & A. M., of which he is also past master ; and is a member, past chancellor, keeper of records and secretary of the K. of P. Lodge, No. 372. Mr. Reiter has been a resident of Cressman the major por- tion of his life, and as a business man has BUCKS COUNTY 127 won the highest respect of the mercantile and manufacturing classes. He is a careful, shrewd and upright business man, and a respecter of the rights of others. As a citi- zen, he is pleasant, affable, and approachable, with a ready good will to enter into anything that stands for the public good. He knows how to get and hold customers, and those who deal with Mr. Reiter know that when he says a piece of goods is so and so, the article will every time come up to the recommen- dation. SThE BIDDLE FAMIIvY, which has (, I been domiciled in Pennsylvania for two centuries, is one of the best known in the state, and through its talented members, who have figured prominently in all the rela- tions of life, has aided in making the history of Pennsylvania and the United States. As lawyers, jurists, soldiers, and as distinguished servants of the people in many a position of public trust, they have valiantly labored for the right and truth as they saw it. No more patriotic men have ever served their country than those who bore the name of Biddle. As prominent citizens of Bucks and Philadelphia Counties, they have dis- charged every obligation of dutiful citizens and trusted public officials. The very name is in Philadelphia a synonym for honesty and adherence to the paths of duty. Nicholas Biddle, father of Judge Craig Biddle, and Charles J. Biddle, and grand- father of Charles Biddle, the latter a lawyer of Philadelphia, whose residence is in Ben- salem township, this county, was born Janu- ary 8, 1786, in Philadelphia. Nicholas Bid- dle at a very early age began his education in an academy, from which he was sent to the University of Pennsylvania ; in that institution he assiduously prosecuted his studies with the result that he had finished the required course, and was ready to take his degree in 1799, but was prevented from doing so, because of his extreme youth, being then only thirteen years of age. This occasioned his beifag sent to Princeton Col- lege, where he remained two years and a half, being graduated in September, 1801. His college course was brilliant almost beyond parallel, and prepared those who witnessed it, comprising several who later became well known public men of great ability, for the subsequent and loftier tri- umphs of his intellect. His standing and scholarship were of the highest order, as is shown by the fact that he, though the youngest person it is understood that ever graduated before or since from that college, shared the first honors of the class with Edward Watts of Virginia, a gentleman much his senior. Mr. Biddle delivered the valedictory oration at commencement. Upon leaving college, he applied himself to the study of law. About this time, his abilities attracted the attention and excited the ad- miration of Colonel Burr, who predicted for him a career of brilliance. In 1804, when General Armstrong was appointed minister of the United States to France, he took Nicholas Biddle with him as his secretary, and remained three years in Europe. His residence in France was one of extraordi- 128 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIKS nary interest, as it embraced the career of Napoleon, when he was in the height of his power, and also the complicated relations between the United States and France. The examination of claims of this country on France, and the payment of the same, de- volved almost entirely on the young secre- tary. The French officers were men ripe in years, while Mr. Biddle was then but eighteen years of age, and even more juve- nile in his appearance than his years would indicate. The advent among these grave dignitaries of this youthful depository of so important a trust was viewed with wonder, that was increased when they found him performing his arduous duties with the abil- ity, firmness, and perseverance of a veteran statesman. He then went to England, where he joined James Monroe, then United States Minister to England, and afterwards Presi- dent of the United States, whom he served in the capacity of secretary. Nicholas Biddle returned to his native land in the autumn of 1807, and commenced the practice of law. In the fragments of time saved from more severe pursuits, he occasionally relaxed his mind with contribu- tions to the scientific and literary periodicals of the day. He prepared and wrote for Mr. Clarke the history of Lewis & Clarke's expe- dition across the continent of America ; Paul Allen piloted this work through the press. The winter of 1810-11 he spent in Lancaster as one of the representatives of the city of Philadelphia in the State Legislature. In this new sphere of action he at once assumed a commanding position, and proved himself a statesman of enlarged and enlightened views ; one of the first measures undertaken by Mr. Biddle was for the establishment of a system of popular education. He urged the scheme with zeal and power, but he was in advance of the times, for the Commonwealth was not prepared to endorse or adopt such novelties. The school law of 1836 was the ripe fruit of Mr. Biddle's bill of 181 1. He refused re-election and retired from public life, and devoted his time to his studies and to agricultural work, for which he had ever manifested a decided predilection. In 1 8 14, he was elected to represent the city and county of Philadelphia in the State Senate; at this time, of the seven brothers composing his family one was an officer in the navy (Com- modore James Biddle), two were in the regular army, three were in active service in the mili- tia, while Nicholas, the youngest, was serving in the Senate. Philadelphia: was then threat- ened with invasion by British forces, and Mr. Biddle presented a measure in the Senate, that provided for paying bounties to sailors to man the floating batteries for the defense of the city, the purchase of arms, the levy of a permanent military force of 8,000 men, and a loan on the credit of the Common- wealth to defray the expenses of these meas- ures. All these provisions were adopted. In 1817, Mr. Biddle, after a legislative career that exhibited great genius, retired volun- tarily from the Senate, before the expiration of his term. In the following year, however, he was nominated by the Democratic party to represent the city and county of Philadel- phia in Congress, but he was defeated at the polls, because his party was in the minority. This was repeated in 1820 with the same re- BUCKS COUNTY 129 suit. In 1 819, Mr. Biddle first became con- nected with the Bank of the United States. The institution of that name was considered in great jeopardy, its president had resigned, and its affairs had become sadly deranged. Mr. Biddle was nominated as a director of the Bank by President Monroe, without Mr. Biddle's knowledge, he having previously declined being a director on the part of the stockholders. He accepted this nomination of the President as a public duty, and in con- junction with Mr. I^angdon Cheves labored with great industry in arranging its affairs, and re-establishing the character of the in- stitution. In 1 82 1, Mr. Biddle removed per- manently to his farm in Bucks County. In 1823 he was appointed a director of the Bank on tlie part of the United States, and for over ten years he was successively nomi- nated to the office as a government director. Mr. Biddle was president of the Agricul- tural Society of Philadelphia and president of the Board of Trustees of Girard College. The credit has been given to him for nmch of the success of this College ; it was espe- cially due to his exertions that the building was erected. He was determined that the structure should be built for posterity, and the result was that one of the most beauti- ful and imposing of modern buildings was erected. In public life, he won distinction as a speaker ; his elocution was exceedingly graceful and polished. In 181 1 he married, and to him were born six children. His ancestors came to this country with William Penn, and participated in all the privations of the early settlers. When the War of the Revolution broke out, the family distin- guished itself in its zealous and heroic espousal of the cause of Independence. Com- modore Nicholas Biddle was blown up with his ship " Randolph," when in an action with the English man-of-war, "Yarmouth." In the War of 181 2, the entire family was given to the country, and Charles Biddle, father of Nicholas, was throughout the con- test eminent for his active services and firm devotion to the cause. At the birth of Nicholas Biddle, his father was vice-presi- dent of the Commonwealth of which Benja- min Franklin was president. Edward Bid- dle, uncle of Nicholas, served as a captain in the sanguinary war of 1756. He too was among the foremost advocates of Independ- ence, and was elected a representative from Pennsylvania to Congress in 1774. He was afterwards speaker of the House of Repre- sentatives of Pennsylvania. Charles John Biddle, son of Nicholas, was born in Philadelphia, April 30, 1819, and was admitted to the Philadelphia County Bar, November 21, 1840. He had received a classical education in Princeton College, and was a fine scholar, fully read in all the literature of the English and other languages. After his admission to the bar, he went to Europe, and spent a considerable period in traveling and studying. Upon his return to this country, he took up the practice of law, and was engaged in professional duties until the outbreak of the Mexican War, when he applied for a commission in the regular army, then to be increased in force, and was accordingly appointed a captain in the new regiment of voltigeurs. He was not without military experience, for he had been for I30 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES about three years a member of one of the volunteer militia companies raised in Phila- delphia, in consequence of the destructive and dangerous riots of 1844. That he was impelled in this course was but natural, for his family had distinguished itself in every American war. He proved himself a most capable officer, and kept his men in the best of shape throughout the campaign. He was engaged with distinction in most of the hard-fought battles on the line of General Scott's approach to the City of Mexico from Vera Cruz. Just before the storming of Chapultepec, he was taken very sick with a malarial fever, that sapped the strength of his body, that was never in very robust health, and left him weak and helpless. On the morn- ing of the battle, he was left alone on a pallet on the floor of a ranch house, his brother offi- ■ cers and attendants having left him to attend to their own pressing duties. When the noise of the cannonading came to him, all his lethargy was driven off, he seemed to be given a new lease of life ; crawling to the door, he sees a horse, saddled and bridled, standing near by motionless from weakness ; with great exertions he gets into the saddle, and urges the decrepit old creature to the front with a musket ramrod. Appearing before his command, he is greeted with cheers, and is followed in the charge on the heights, he being the second American upon the fortification. For this gallantry in action he was brevetted a major of the United States Army. In 1848, Mr. Biddle resumed the practice of law, and continued to be thus engaged until the Civil War broke out in 1 86 1. He was one of the committee of pub- lic safety for Philadelphia, and acted as prize commissioner in cases of naval capture until he joined the army on the first organization of the Pennsylvania Volunteers. He was at first lieutenant-colonel, but soon became the colonel of a regiment, known as the " Buck- tails," which he brought in a very short time to a state of serviceable discipline. While in the field he was elected on July 2, 1 86 1, a representative from Philadelphia to Congress, but would not take his seat until December, when he felt free to resign his command, the army having gone into winter quarters. He was offered a commission as a brigadier-general, but declined it on the ground that he owed a duty to his constit- uents who had elected him to Congress. Afterwards, when Pennsylvania was threat- ened with invasion, he volunteered as a pri- vate, and was temporarily assigned to his former brevet rank of major, and served until the disbandment of the forces raised for the occasion. He was ever a stanch Democrat, and opposed to any infringements on per- sonal liberty; indeed, his political rule was that men should mind their own business, and should be prevented from interfering with business not their own. He continued as a member of the Thirty-seventh Congress until 1 863, when he returned to the practice of law, which he finally relinquished, in 1868, to become the editor of a daily newspaper. The Age. He was the editor and one of the proprie- tors of the paper when he died, September 28, 1873, at the age of fifty-four. He was widely mourned as a virtuous citizen, an accomplished scholar, an eloquent and elegant speaker and writer, a patriot, a hero and a statesman. BUCKS COUNTY 131 Hon. Craig Biddle, president judge of the Court of Common Pleas, No. i, the youngest son of Nicholas Biddle, and maternal grand- son of John Craig, from whom he takes his christian name, was born in Philadelphia, January 10, 1823. He was given the benefit of a thorough education at Princeton College, New Jersey, from which he was graduated ill 1841. Entering as a student-at-law in the office of John Cadwalader, Esq., afterwards judge of the United States District Court, he was admitted to the Philadelphia Bar in December, 1844. He early took an active interest in politics as an adherent of the Whig party, and was elected to the Penn- sylvania House of Representatives, in which he served his constituents during the ses- sions of 1849-50. He was distinguished for the proposition and support of several im- portant enactments, referring principally to his own county. He was afterwards clerk of the Common Council of Philadelphia. At the outbreak of the War of the Rebellion, Mr. Biddle offered his services to the Common- wealth, and was commissioned major on the staff of General Patterson. In this post he served through the three months' campaign in the Shenandoah Valley, and was then transferred to the staff of Governor Curtin. He enlisted as a private in the Gray Re- serves, during I^e's invasion of Maryland in 1863. After the war, Mr. Biddle resumed the practice of law, and achieved prominence for his knowledge of legal principles, and his skill in directing cases. Upon the elec- tion of Judge Paxson to the Supreme Bench, Mr. Biddle was appointed, January 12, 1875, by Governor Hartranft to fill the vacant chair of judge of the Court of Common Pleas, greatly to the satisfaction of the Phil- adelphia Bar and the general public. In the succeeding June, he was nominated by the Republicans of the judicial district for the full term, and against an excellent Demo- cratic nominee, the late E. Coppee Mitchell, Esq., he received the largest majority on the ticket. Upon the conclusion of his term. Judge Biddle was renominated by both the leading parties, and was unanimously elected in November, 1885 ; again in 1895 he was elected, and is now in his third term. Judge Biddle was for ten years president of the Philadelphia Agricultural Society, and has always taken a great interest in farming ; he own a fine farm in Andalusia, Bensalem township, Bucks County, that has been in the possession of the family for five generations. Judge Biddle is very popular with the Bar, the younger members finding him ready to give assistance, when with unexperienced hands they present their cases before him, and the older members are always certain that he will apply to the decision of their cases the sterling good sense and discretion for which he is particularly remarkable. Naturally gifted with a judicial mind, he quickly distinguishes the cardinal points of a case, and by this making his opinions noted for the brevity and clearness with which he disposes of the knotty questions of law presented. Not a few of his decisions are now quoted as defining the law upon questions of much intricacy and doubt, nota- bly in the case of Brinkley vs. Brinkley, where the law of marriage in Pennsylvania 132 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES was laid down with a terseness and force that won encomiums from both the Bench and Bar. Ivikewise in the case of the Common- wealth vs. Fletcher, the popular belief that drunkenness was an excuse for murder was exploded in language so forcible and clear as to do away forever with an error dangerous alike to the peace and safety of every citizen. Many other cases of equal importance might also be cited to illustrate his ability as a jurist. The mantle of ancestry, noted for their bravery and uprightness, has fallen upon him, and he ranks with the highest of Philadelphia's judges as a man fearless and independent of public sentiment or excite- ment. Judge Biddle is a member and vice- president of the Philadelphia Historical So- ciety; member of the Philosophical Society; president of the Alumni of Princeton College ; president of the Rittenhouse Club ; director of the Philadelphia I/ibrary ; and one of the man- agers of Hand-in-Hand Insurance Company. fEVI SHELLENBERGER, who is the well-known proprietor of a hotel at —i*^ Hagersville, East Rockhill town- ship, Bucks County, was born in Hilltown township, June 19, 1831, and is a son of John L,. and Catherine (Snyder) Shellenberger. John L,. Shellenberger, the father of our subject, was born in Hilltown township, and throughout life was engaged in the pursuits of an agriculturist. He was quite a promi- nent man in the township, and held a num- ber of political offices in the county. He was also a director in the Doylestown Na- tional Bank. Religiously, he was a consist- ent member of the Reformed Church, being a regular attendant on divine worship. As a result of his union with Miss Snyder, he be- came the father of the following children : Eva, deceased ; Elizabeth, deceased ; Elias, deceased ; Jacob, deceased ; John, who resides with our subject ; Catherine, the relict of the late Francis D. Hartzel, who lives in Chalfont, Pa. ; Levi, whose name heads these lines ; and Amelia, who is also deceased. After the demise of his wife in 1833, Mr. Shellenberger formed a second alliance with Mrs. Savacole, of Rockhill township, and they reared one son, Henry H., who married Sarah GrofF, and is engaged in farming on the old homestead. Mr. Shellenberger was called to his final rest April 29, 1882, and his worthy wife survived him three years. Levi Shellenberger was reared on the farm and obtained his intellectual training in the public schools, after which he worked upon his father's farm until he was twenty-five years of age. He was then married and took up farming on his own account, at which he continued until 1868, when he purchased his present hotel property in Hagersville, and has since conducted it in a very successful manner. He is of a genial and good-natured disposition and never fails to extend a hearty welcome to his guests. The establishment is well known throughout his section of the county as a high class hotel at which the best of accommodations may be had. He is a very enterprising business man, being in- terested in a number of important enterprises in his section, and he also owns a tract of 40 acres of fine farm land. He has been a SIMON V. LEFFERTS. BUCKS COUNTY 135 director in the Sellersville National Bank of Sellersville since it started. Mr. Shellenberger was united in marriage with Caroline Weisel, a native of Bedmin- ster township, and a daughter of Samuel and Catherine (Salladay) Weisel. Mrs. Shel- lenberger closed her eyes in final sleep June 16, 1882. On April 6, 1884, our subject formed a second union with Catherine F. Fellman, who was born in Rockhill town- ship, and is a daughter of Jacob and Hannah (Bean) Fellman, both of whom are now de- ceased. Politically, our subject is an active member of the Democratic party. In reli- gious faith and fellowship, he is a member of the Hagersville Reformed Church, of which he has been treasurer for twenty-two years. Socially, he belongs to the Brotherhood of the Union, No. 37, of Hagersville. 'IMON V. LEFFERTS. In every community there are men who have finished their part in the arduous labors of daily life ; they are usually men who have struggled against adverse cir- curhstances and who have overcome the obstacles to success, reaching the calm only after severe and exhausting efforts. They command the veneration and respect of the younger generations. Such a man and such a character is Simon V. Lefferts, whom we represent with a recent portrait on a preceding page. He entered the world in Southampton township, this county, September 23, 1818, and is a son of John and Helena (Du Bois) Ufierts. Abraham L,efrerts was the grandfather of our subject, and resided in Southampton township, where he was engaged in agricul- tural pursuits. He was twice wedded; by his first wife he reared two children, John, our subject's father, and Alice, who first married a Mr. Porter, and later Samuel Winner. His second marriage resulted in three chil- dren : Abraham, who married Alice Hoge- land ; James wedded Jemima Hicks ; and Anna, who was the wife of John Thompson. The maternal grandfather of our subject was Rev. Jonathan Du Bois, who occupied the pulpit in the Dutch Reformed Church at Churchville many years. John Lefferts was born and reared in South- ampton township, and followed farming all his active career. He was a very prominent man of his day, being widely known throughout the county ; in politics, he was always to the front, giving his support to the Democratic party. He was elected constable, school director, and held many other township offices. Religiously, he was a member of the Dutch Reformed Church. He lived to the ripe old age of ninety-six years. Nine chil- dren resulted from his marriage with Helena Du Bois. They were named as follows : Cynthia, wedded to Peter Bennett, both of. whom are now deceased ; Susanna was joined in marriage with Isaiah Delaney, now de- ceased ; Jonathan, deceased, was married to Jane Cornell, also deceased ; Simon V. was next in order ; Charles, deceased, was wedded to Sarah Cornell, who is also deceased ; Mary Catherine is the wife of John Fetter, and they reside at Churchville, Pa. ; Henry married Susanna S. Hogeland, now deceased ; Abra- 136 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES ham died young; and Alice, who also died young. Simon V. LefFerts obtained a limited educa- tion in the common schools of his native township, and spent the most of his days assisting his father in the cultivation of the soil. At twenty-four years of age our sub- ject moved on the old Hogeland homestead in Moreland township, Montgomery County, Pa., and was successfully engaged in agricul- tural pursuits for some fifty-two years. In the spring of 189S, he returned to his native township and purchased his present home, where he is spending his latter days in the enjoyment of the fruits of his early labors ; this home was the property of his father, who spent his last days there. During his active period our subject sold his produce at the Philadelphia markets, and general farming was his principal occupation. Politically, Mr. lyefferts was formerly a Democrat, but later became a Republican ; he has served as assessor of Moreland town- ship, and has held other township offices. He was also county committeeman of Mont- gomery County for a period of twenty-five years. Fraternally, he is a member of the Grange Star Lodge, No. 562, P. of H., of Moreland township. Religiously, he is a de- voted member of the Dutch Reformed Church, and has been elder of the same three years. Mr. Lefferts was joined in marriage February 16, 1843, with Susanna States, of Bensalem township, and a daugh- ter of Abraham and Mary (Tomlinson j States, and her mother was born in Lancaster County, Pa. Abraham States, who was a native of Bensalem township, lived there, and followed the occupation of a farmer and stonemason ; his wife was born in Lancaster County, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. States were the parents of seven children, namely : Joseph, deceased ; Tomlinson, deceased ; Rachael ; Susanna, the wife of our subject ; Anna E. ; Mary ; and Alfred. Mr. Lefferts has now attained an advanced age, and enjoys the esteem and respect of a host of friends; bright, hale and happy, with a constitution strong and unimpaired, he stands surrounded with the fruits of his life work, a true exam- ple of the best American manhood. Two children blessed the union of our sub- ject and wife. John, the elder, ijiarried Helen Rich, of Churchville, Pa., and has two chil- dren, Walter and Helen ; Mary Ann married Henry L- Search, of Southampton township. Pa., and also has two children, Susanna L. and Theodore C. AMUEL J. PENROSE. With the well-known and influential hus- bandmen of Doylestown township our subject is prominently identified, occupy- ing a leading position among the agricultural and business men. He is a worthy repre- sentative of an old and well-known pioneer family of Montgomery County. He is the youngest child of Jarrett and Tasy Ann (Kirk) Penrose, and was born in Horsham township, Montgomery County, Pa., May 5, 1855. The Penrose family is of English-Quaker stock, and the original emigrant came to this country with William Penn in his second voyage in 1683. They, along with a large BUCKS COUNTY 137 Quaker body, founded the village of Quaker- town, this county, which was for some time the largest Quaker settlement of this county. There the Penroses lived for several genera- tions, and were a thrifty, prosperous, agricul- tural people, contributing largely to the clear- ing up and development of that section. There are numerous Penrose families through- out this section of the state, all of whom sprang from the original one of the Quaker- town settlement, and all are devoted and con- sistent Friends. William Penrose, the grandfather of our subject, was a brother to the grandfather of Senator Boies A. Penrose of Pennsylvania, and both of them were natives of Quaker- town, but William after his marriage moved to Horsham township, Montgomery County, Pa., and there purchased the Graham Park farm, consisting of 300 acres of rich and pro- ductive land, — one of the most valuable farms in Eastern Pennsylvania. He was a prominent member and regular attendant of the Society of Friends ; politically, he was a Whig early in life, but later became a Republican. He was the father of three sons and two daugh- ters, namely : Jarrett ; Abel, deceased ; Ann, deceased ; Hannah, deceased, was wedded to Isaac Hicks ; and Tasy, the wife of Morris Davis. Jarrett Penrose, the father of our subject, was boru on the Graham Park farm in Hor- sham township, Montgomery County, and spent his entire life in that township, en- gaged in the cultivation of the soil ; he owned a fine farm of 128 acres, and was a scientific and careful farmer. He was industrious, kind-hearted and prosperous, and possessed many friends. Religiously, he was a faithful and good member of the Society of Friends. As a result of his marriage with Tasy Ann Kirk the following children were born, name- ly : Ella, the wife of Edward Betts of Buffalo, N. Y. ; Elizabeth is the wife of Alfred Moore, and they reside in Horsham township, Mont- gomery County ; William, a farmer of War- rington township, this county, was married to Hannah Paul ; and Samuel J. , the subject of this biography. Samuel J. Penrose was reared upon his father's farm, and was trained from early youth to the vocation of a husbandman, which he has continued up to the present time. He obtained his early elementary training in the Carversville Academy, which was later supplemented by a course at Swarthmore Col- lege. He then returned home, and at seven- teen years of age assumed the management of his father's farm, and successfully con- ducted the same until 1884. In that year, he left his native township, and settled on a farm three miles south of Doylestown; his homestead consists of 128 acres of highly improved land, and it is one of tlie most beautiful farms in Bucks County, ranking second to none. The house is comfortable and commodious, and the outbuildings are large and substantial. Our subject, who is an enterprising and progressive farmer, has purchased two other farms in his vicinity, aggregating 300 acres, and gives employment to a number of hands, who carry on the work under his instructions. Our subject is highly respected by his fellow-citizens; he is an enterprising and successful business man, and a cheerful, kind- 138 boo;k of biographies hearted neighbor, ever ready to aid the needy. Mr. Penrose was united in marriage, June i6, 1881, with Mary C. Farren, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Fretz) Farren, and this union was blessed with three children, namely: Cyril F., a student at St. Joseph's College, Baltimore, Md. ; and Ralph J. and Norman S., both at home. John Farren, the father of Mrs. Penrose, was a native of Lan- caster County, Pa., and was an intelligent and active business man. Soon after his marriage in 1840, he went to Pittsburg, Pa., where he engaged in the forwarding business, buying and shipping all kinds of produce to the Eastern markets. At that time the rail- road facilities were very limited, hence the forwarding business, by canal and river, was very remunerative. In 1850, he moved to Doylestown township and carried on gen- eral farming until his death, which occurred in 1879 at the age of seventy-nine; his wife died in 1897. They reared a family of one son and one daughter, namely : Mary C, our subject's wife, and John A., who married IvCtitia Bleiler, died in 1883, aged twenty- eight. John Farren, father of Mrs. Penrose, was also a large contractor and built the old Doylestown and Willow Grove turnpike; he also did other contracting, the most import- ant being on the Hoosac Tunnel. Mr. Pen- rose is a member of the Society of Friends; in politics, he is a solid Republican. This highly esteemed gentleman is sur- rounded by a host of admiring and affectionate friends, all of whom are ever welcome to en- joy the comforts and luxuries of his pleasant home. AMES CONRAD. For the past score and eight years the gentleman, whose name heads this brief notice, has been successfully engaged in the undertaking busi- ness in the village of Mozart, Buckingham township, Bucks County, and is recognized as one of the prominent and enterprising business men of that village and ranks with the most highly respected citizens. Our sub- ject has been a life-long resident of Bucks County, was born in Warwick township July 12, 1835, and is a son of Charles and Mary (Patterson) Conrad, and grandson of William and Hannah (DeCoursey) Conrad. William Conrad was a farmer all his life, and at the time of his death he was pursuing his vocation in Buckingham township, this county. As a result of his union with Han- nah DeCoursey a large family of children was born to them, one of whom was Charles, tlie father of our subject, who was born in Buckingham township on his father's farm. Charles Conrad worked as a day laborer the greater part of his active days, but also did considerable farming. He passed from this life in the year 1 873. Mr. Conrad was united in marriage with Mary Patterson and they became the parents of four children, who were named as follows : John, a well-to-do farmer of Rushland, this county; Anna, de- ceased, was the wife of Charles M. Cadwalla- der, a resident of Warrington township, this county, and a gentleman whose sketch may also be found in this Book of Biographies ; Robert is an engineer and resides in Phila- delphia, and James, the subject of this sketch. The mother of our subject entered the world of rest in 1837. BUCKS COUNTY 139 James Conrad received his elementary edu- cation in the public schools of his native township, but the better part of his education was received through actual business experi- ence. At an early age our subject settled on what is now known as the old Woodman farm, and there carried on agricultural pur- suits a number of years ; at the age of eighteen he was apprenticed to the carpenter's trade and pursued that vocation some three years, when he began to manufacture pumps. Mr. Conrad next turned his attention toward the undertaking business, and in 1870 erected his present shop and is now filling out his twenty-eighth year in that line of business. Our subject by strict attention to his work and practical business methods has estab- lished a large patronage; he buries over 100 bodies every year ; he has. a fine hearse and everything necessary to make a first-class un- dertaking establishment. Mr. Conrad is a man of high business principles and has won the confidence and esteem of the community of which he has so long been a valuable member. On the thirteenth day of March, 1862, our subject was joined in the bonds of matrimony with Martha C. Worthington, who was born in Wrightstown township February 28, 1840; she is a daughter of William and Seraphina (Taylor) Worthington, the former a native of Warwick (now Buckingham) township, while it is thought the latter was born in Newtown township ; he was a farmer and stonemason by trade, and continued the latter occupation until overtaken by death. Mr. and Mrs. Conrad have been blessed by the birth of one daughter, Mary Jane, born March 4, 1864, and died April 17, 1885. Mr. Conrad has always been a strong supporter of the Repub- lican ticket, and has held ofiice as school director. Fraternally, he is a member of Doylestown Lodge, No. 245, F. & A. M. ; he and his wife attend the Friends' Meetings at Wrightstown, of which she is a member. AMUEIy R. KRAMER, one of the most prominent Democrats in this section of Bucks County and an enterprising and progressive citizen of Per- kasie, is a member of the firm of Kramer & Moyer, proprietors of the Perkasie News. He was born in Rockhill township, Bucks County, March 28, 1861, and is a son of Abraham and Elizabeth (Sames) Kramer. Abraham Kramer, the father of our subject, was also born in Rockhill township, in 181 3, and early in life learned the trade of a mason, which he followed for some time. He then conducted an inn for a few years, after which he again took up his trade, entering the em- ploy of the Mount Penn Railroad. While at work he had the misfortune to receive an injury which subsequently resulted in his death, in 1869. He was united in the holy bonds of wedlock with Elizabeth Sames, and they became the fond parents of the following children: William, deceased; Isaiah, a resi- dent of Perkagie ; Ellen (Werdenhoper) ; Louisa (Reimer) ; Lizzie (Vaders) ; Lucy (Dettre); and Samuel R., the subject of this biographical sketch. Samuel R. Kramer obtained his intellec- tual training in the public schools of Quaker- 140 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES town, after which he became an apprentice to the jeweler's trade, but did not follow it long. He then entered a printing office at Lansdale as an apprentice, in which capacity he served for three years, when he became foreman in the office. In 1882, he moved to Perkasie and accepted the position of fore- man in the mechanical department of the Perkasie News, of which Sellers & Moyer were then proprietors. In the same year occurred the death of Mr. Sellers, whose in- terest in the plant was disposed of to our sub- ject, which he has since retained. They publish one of the brightest and newsiest papers in the county, and by industrious work and successful management they have made it a paying enterprise and placed it in the foremost rank of weekly newspapers. Mr. Kramer has always been an active Democrat, and has been a magistrate since attaining his .majority. Time and again, he has been a delegate to county, district, and state conven- tions, while, in 1896, he represented the Na- tional Democratic party as a delegate to the National Convention at Indianapolis. In 1 889, he was a candidate for member of the State Legislature, but after one of the hottest fights in the history of the county, he was defeated by the small margin of one vote. He has frequently stumped the county, and is known far and wide as an able speaker and an honest and conscientious worker for the interests of his party. He organized the Menlo Park Association, of which he has been manager since 1892, and is president of the Perkasie Board of Trade. In 1882, Mr. Kramer took as his companion in the pathway of life Mary Swartly, which happy union is blessed by the following issue: Samueljr.; Russell S.; Lulu D. ; Mary; Stew- art ; Kolwell; Clara M. ; and Randall S. So- cially, he is a member of the following or- ders: MacCalla Lodge, No. 596, F. &A. M,, of which he was secretary from the time of its organization until 1 898 ; I. O. O. F. ; Knights of the Golden Eagle ; and Knights of Pythias. WATSON MOON is a prominent . and well-to-do merchant of the village of Fallsington, where he has been engaged in the mercantile busi- ness all his life, having worked in his father's store during his early days. This highly respected citizen was born December 4, 1845, and is a son of Andrew and Anna M. (Wat- son) Moon, grandson of Daniel and Mercy (Lovett) Moon, great-grandson of William Moon, great-great-grandson of Robert Moon, great-great-great-grandson of Roger Moon, and great-great-great-great-grandson of James Moon. James Moon was born and reared in Eng- land, and came to America about the time of William Penn ; Roger Moon was born on the Atlantic while his parents were en route for America. Robert Moon purchased the island in the Delaware River that now bears his name ; upon this island is where the celebrated fisheries were established. Daniel Moon, the grandfather of our subject, was born on Moon Island, and was a farmer all his life ; he also owned one of the finest fish- eries along the Delaware River. He was married to Mercy Lovett by whom he reared WALTER R. AND WINDER L. JOHNSON. BUCKS COUNTY 143 a family of eight children, namely : William, who lives at lyanghorne. Pa. ; Hutchinson, deceased ; Andrew, deceased ; Benjamin, de- ceased ; Sarah (Thompson), deceased ; Phoebe A. (Hellings); Anna M. (Crozier), of Falls- ington ; and Evan I,., deceased. Andrew Moon, the father of our subject, was born on Moon Island in 1 824, and dur- ing his younger days clerked in a mercantile store ; later he settled in Fallsington, Pa., where he opened and conducted a general store on his own account, and carried on that line of business until his death, which oc- curred in 1897. He was joined in marriage with Anna M. Watson, a daughter of Miles Watson, of Falls township, and she is now passed her seventy-fourth year, and enjoying the best of health for a lady of her years. She is the mother of the following children : M. Watson, the s'ubject of this sketch ; Em- ma (Farley) ; and Annie. Mr. Moon was a strong Republican in politics, and served as school director. He was president and one of the organizers of the Fallsington Horse Company ; religiously, he favored the Society of Friends. M. Watson Moon received his primary education in the public schools of Fallsing- ton, and at the age of thirteen years entered the store of his father, and was later taken in as a partner, the firm name being A. Moon & Son. The business was carried under that name until the death of Andrew Moon, when our subject became sole proprietor, and has conducted the same up to the present time ; he has established a large trade, and is one of the prominent business men of the village. Mr. Moon was united in marriage with Charlotte G. Mull, a daughter of Ebenezer H. and Sarah A. (Greene) Mull, and three children blessed the home of our subject and wife, namely: Jennie B. ; Lydia M.; and Emma F. Politically, Mr. Moon is a firm supporter of the Republican party and has contributed much toward the success of his chosen party in his community. He has served as judge of elections and as town clerk. Religiously, Mr. Moon's family are members of the Episcopal Church. Wi INDER LAWRENCE JOHNSON, a prominent young man of Bucks County, was born on his present farm, where he was reared to agricultural pursuits, and where he has since continued that calling. He is a son of Walter R. and Mary R. (Win- der) Johnson, grandson of Lawrence J. and Mary (Winder) Johnson, and great-grandson of Edward Johnson. Edward Johnson was born in February, 1772, in Barrow, Lincolnshire, England, where his family had resided for many gen- erations. Later he moved to Hull, where he owned several houses ; he was the father of five sons and six daughters, and in the hopes of bettering his financial condition and secur- ing his children a better start in life, he left his native country and sailed for the Ameri- can shores in 1818. Upon his arrival in this country he located near Auburn, ■ Cayuga County, N. Y., where he took up a large tract of land. His second son was Lawrence J., our subject's grandfather, who was born in Hull, England, January 23, 1801 ; a short 144 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES time prior to his coming to America, he was employed in a printing-office in Bristol, Eng. He and his two brothers came to this country together, and I^awrenceJ. located in Phila- delphia, where he opened the first stereotype foundry in that city ; he also owned one in Cincinnati, Ohio, and several others in this country. Later he took in a partner, and their foundry was located on Sansom street of that city. His latter years were spent on a fine farm along Neshaminy Creek in Bristol township, which he had purchased, and which is now owned by his sons, — R. Winder John- son and Lawrence. He died in i860, leaving a large estate. His wife was Mary R. Win- der, a native of Makefield township, and a daughter of Aaron and Sarah (Van Horn) Winder, and their family consisted of seven sons and three daughters. The Van Horns were also early settlers of Bucks County, and date back to Christian Barentzen Van Horn, who emigrated to America from Holland, and located in New York State. He assisted the Dutch in driv- ing out the Swedes from Delaware, and after- wards settled in Wilmington, where he built the first mill in that state ; this mill was operated by the rise and fall of the tide. January 18, 1656, he was made fire warden of Ft. Amsterdam, N. Y., and on August i, 1657, he received a patent of land on Man- hattan Island. He was one of the two pro- vincial representatives from Bucks County in 1721-22. The Winder family is also an old and prom- inent family of Bucks County, the founder being Thomas Winder, a native of England ; his name is on the records of the meeting of the property holders, held in Trenton, N. J. , in 1 703. He bought a tract of land consist- ing of 600 acres, situated along the road be- tween Newtown and Yardley in Makefield township, the purchase being made in 1722. He owned an island in the Delaware River which still bears his name. In 1734, while boarding a ship on the Delaware River for England, whither he was going to settle his affairs, he was drowned. John Winder, the father of Aaron Winder, inherited his father's estate, on which he spent his entire life farm- ing. During the Indian outbreaks in 1759, he resided in the village of Langhorne ; he and one of his neighbors assisted in trans- porting troops for the protection of the set- tlers in his vicinity, for. which he was called before the Friends' Meeting to explain his conduct ; the matter was of such importance that it was referred to the Quarterly Meeting where it was finally settled, they being warned that if the offense was repeated they would be suspended from the Society. He died in 1770. His wife was Rebecca Richards. Walter R. Johnson was the seventh child born to his parents, and acquired a good edu- cation in the schools of Philadelphia, Pa., and Wilmington, Del. ; having learned fann- ing from his father, at the age of nineteen years he began farming on his own account. He owned several farms in this county, also considerable property in Hulmeville ; he was an industrious farmer, and besides carrying on agricultural pursuits was a breeder of fine cattle. Before attaining his manhood he be- gan to manifest a keen interest in politics, firmly upholding the principles advocated by the Republican party. He served as school BUCKS COUNTY 145 director several terms and two terras as over- seer of the poor. Fraternally, he was a mem- ber of the Masonic Order, and had taken all the degrees up to the Maltese Cross ; he was also a member and past grand of the I. O. O. F., Neshaminy Lodge, No. 422, of Hulme- ville ; and a member of the K. of P. Mr. Johnson was joined in marriage with Mary R. Winder, of Bucks County, a daughter of Moses and Margaret T. (Thornton) Winder, and one child, our subject, blessed their happy home. Mr. Johnson was called from this earth March 26, 1 897, the cause of his death being typhoid pneumonia ; his wife entered the world of rest January 4, 1 892. Winder lyawrence Johnson entered the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania to study medicine, but owing to his ill health was compelled to leave school, and consequently he returned home to the farm, where he has since resided. The farm, comprising 72 acres of rich and fertile soil, lias been put under a high state of cultivation under the supervision of our subject. Upon this farm is a chestnut tree that measures eight feet in diameter, which is the largest tree of its kind in the county. With our subject resides his aged grandmother Margaret T. (Thornton) Winder, who is en- joying excellent health for one of her years. Mr. Johnson has traveled extensively and has often hunted game in the swamps of Florida. In one of these hunting expeditions he and his party came across an alligator, with which they had a lively time, as the creature was very ugly and showed fight. A timely shot from the gun in the hands of our subject killed the reptile, thus saving the life of his cousin, who accompanied the party. The alligator was found to be ten feet long. Mr. Johnson is a member of the 2d Philadel- phia City Cavalry. In connection with the above biography, we take pleasure in presenting on a preced- ing page a portrait of Walter R. and Winder It. Johnson, which was taken in April, 1893. (STThoi HOMAS PRFSTON CHAMBERS, Jl who for many years prior to 1888 was extensively engaged in petroleum refining at Titusville, Pa., is now living in retire- ment at his handsome home at Newtown, Bucks County, Pa. His life has been one of the greatest activity, and years of industry have resulted in fruitful results. To-day he is one of the leading and influential citizens of the borough, and is president of the New- town Electric Railway Co., in which he holds a controlling interest. He was born in the city of Philadelphia in 1836, and is a son of Alexander and Frances (Wayne) Chambers. Our siibject traces his ancestral history back to William Chalmers, who was born in Perth, Scotland. His son, Alexander Chal- mers, was born at Concordyshire, Scotland, came to America when a lad, and was a sailor during his early manhood. He located in Philadelphia, where in 1746 he was married to Ann Fox of that city, and at their marriage they changed the name to Chambers, by which the family has since been known. Al- exander Chambers died in London, England, and was buried in St. Andrew's Cemetery, of that city. They reared one son, John, who died April 3, 1776 ; he was married in March, 146 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES 1 770, to Deborah Hall, and they reared one son, George, the grandfather of our subject, who was born in August, 1774, and died January 7, 1 8 14. George Chambers was married Au- gust 14, 1796, to Mary Preston, and they were the parents of the following children : John, who died at the age of twenty years ; George died in 1867 ; Thomas died in infancy; Alex- ander, the father of our subject ; Clara became the wife of a Mr. Brooks, and Mary. Upon the death of her husband, Mrs. Chambers married a Mr. Harris, and they came to Bucks County and located in Newtown township, where they purchased the Cadwallader farm, a tract of 100 acres which the ancestors of the previous owner had purchased direct from William Penn. She died in 1864. Alexander Chambers was born in Philadel- phia, June 4, 1808, but moved with his mother to Bucks County, where he engaged in farm- ing. Prior to his coming to this county he was engaged in the mercantile business in Philadelphia, but, in 1841, retired from active life and resided on the homestead. He erected nearly all of the buildings now on the farm, and was a prominent farmer and citizen of the community. His wife's maiden name was Francis Wayne, and two children blessed their home; Thomas Preston, our subject, and Francis Wayne, who died in 1859. Alex- ander Chambers was very active in church work, being a consistent member of the Epis- copal Church. Thomas Preston Chambers, our subject, moved West in 1855 and located in the state of Illinois, where he followed farming two years and then returned home. In 1 861, when the Civil War broke out, he enlisted in the 104th Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf. ; after serving a short time he was stricken down with the small-pox and was sent home ; upon his re- covery, he re-enlisted for a term of three years in the 20th Reg., Pa. Vol. Cav., and was commissioned a first lieutenant. In 1864, he was taken sick with typhoid fever and was discharged ; in March, 1865, he raised a regi- .ment of cavalrymen, and they were on their way south and had gotten as far as Harris- burg, Pa., when the war was brought to a close. In 1869, he went to Titusville, Pa., and worked at petroleum refining until 1 888, when he retired from active labor and re- turned home to care for his aged parents. Mr. Chambers has traveled extensively abroad, and is one of the prominent and influential citizens of Newtown. He purchased the Swing estate in that borough, upon which he erected a large and handsome house. October 16, i860, Mr. Chambers married Hannah H. Barnsley, a daughter of John and Mary Barnsley, and granddaughter of William Barnsley, who was a son of John Barnsley. The last named emigrated to this country from England and became the adopted son of his uncle, Thomas Barnsley, who came to America in 1756. Thomas Barnsley was a major in the British Army and served in the French and Indian War ; resigning his com- mission, he went to Philadelphia in 1763 and bought 537 acres of land near Croydon this county. He imported the necessary brick from England and built a colonial mansion, which he willed to his adopted son, John. John Barnsley was married, in 1777, to Eliz- abeth Van court, and they reared one son, William, who wedded Jane Van Horn. Wil- BUCKS COUNTY 147 liani and his newly-made wife came to New- town township, where they occupied the house built by his father, now known as the Bamsley home, and a part of the Barnsley estate. His son, John, the father of our sub- ject's wife, married Mary Hough, a cousin of Gen. U. S. Grant. .He took an active part in politics and served as justice- of the peace, civil engineer and conveyancer. Upon his death, he left a large estate to his children, who were as follows : Ann J. ; William ; Han- nali H., the wife of Thomas Preston Chambers ; Wallace, who died young ; Henry C. ; Eliza- beth ; Wilhelmina H. ; Mary W. ; and John H. Mr. and Mrs. Chambers are the parents of the following offspring : Mary, who was born August 12, 1861 ; Frances W. , born April 19, 1863, is the wife of R. E. Hopkins, and they are the parents of one child, Robert E. ; Alex- ander; Helen T., born December 28, 1869, was wedded to E- T. Roberts, and their union has been blessed by the birth of one child, Walter V.; Anna P., born April 24, 1872; John B., born February 28, 1874; Elizabeth C, born June 12, 1879, and Clarissa W., born November 13, 1880. Fraternally, Mr. Cham- bers is a member of Newtown L,odge, No. 427, F. &. A. M., and of the Philadelphia Commandery of the lyoyal lyegion. Alexander Chambers, the well-known man- ufacturer of threshing machines and farming implements, was born in Newtown, October 20, 1865. He attended the district schools and the Swarthmore and I^ehigh Universities, and, had his health not failed him, he would have graduated from the latter institution with the class of 1888. He first engaged in the oil business with the Tidewater Oil Co., of New York, in which business he remained until 1894. In the same year he purchased his present manufacturing plant, which was established by Garret Brown in 1840, who was succeeded by Alfred Baker, from whom Mr. Chambers purchased it. He manufactures the celebrated Newtown and Peerless Thresh- ers ; an improved blaker, horse rakes, land rowers, plows, harrows, corn shellers and many other farming implements. He also raakes ash ejectors for steamboats ; he fitted out the U. S. S. "New York " with these eject- ors, and has the fitting out of all of the Hud- son River boats. He is an admirer of fine horses and is the owner of many thorough- bred animals, some of which cannot be ex- celled in the county. He is secretary and treasurer of the Newtown Electric Railway Co. Socially, he is a member and grand- master of Newtown Lodge, No. 427, F. & A. M. Mr. Chambers is one of the enterprising business men of Newtown, is a popular citizen and commands the respect of his fellow- towns- men and his many acquaintances. RANK BEAN, the present popular post- master of Ferndale, Pa., is one of the foremost and progressive business men of that village, and is also the proprietor of the lead- ing mercantile store there ; he enjoys the well- merited confidence of his community and is doing his share toward the building up of the business portion of it. He was born near Ferndale, Bucks County, in 1840, and is the son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Trouger) Bean. 8* 148 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES Jacob Bean was a native of Richland town- ship, Bucks County, and his youthful days were spent learning the trade of a tailor ; he did not continue his trade for any great length of time, for in early life he moved to Nockamixon township, and purchased a farm, carrying on agricultural pursuits the rest of his life. His home was located where the hotel at Ferndale is now situated. He was an energetic and enterprising man, and was held in high esteem by his fellow-citizens, whom he served in many township offices. He was called to rest at the age of seventy- three years, in 1883. He was married to Elizabeth Trouger, and she has now passed her eighty-seventh year in life, and is sur- rounded by many warm friends who hold her in dear esteem. She is the mother of the following children : Harriet ; William ; Frank, the subject of this brief memoir; Josiah; David; and Ivouisa. Frank Bean possesses a fine education which he acquired in the public schools of his native township and through actual business experience ; realizing the advantages of a trade, he learned that of a brickmason, in which he became very skilled. He always found steady employment and continued his chosen occupation until 1870. In that year he located at Ferndale and established a general store, which he has conducted up to the present time ; he carries a large stock, and in the endeavor to supply the wants of his customers, coupled with honest and straight- forward dealings, he has built up a large and enviable patronage. He established the post- office at Ferndale, which was at first known as Nockamixon, and has served in the capa- city of postmaster ever since. In 1 887, he, in company with other gentlemen, built the Ferndale Creamery, which they sold later,, and which is now being conducted by Theo- dore Moyer; in 1892, he remodeled his father's old home into a fine hotel, which is now being conducted by J. H. Rufe. Our subject has done his share toward building up his adopted village. He is a careful, con- scientious business man, and is known to be of undoubted integrity and substantial busi- ness ability. He performs all his transactions in such a manner as to win the respect and esteem of his fellow-citizens. Mr. Bean was wedded to Rose Keifer, a daughter of Joseph Keifer, of Williams township, Northampton County, Pa., and they have adopted one child, Laura Kei- fer. Mr. Bean is also the owner of one of the finest libraries in the county; he owns a fine farm and other property in Bucks County. In religious views, our subject and wife are prominent members of the I,utheran Church. ■^TENRY H. BEAN is a prominent boot ■ ^ and shoe manufacturer of the village of Bridgeton, Pa., and has been engaged in that business all his life, having learned the trade in his father's shop when a boy. He is a native of Ferndale, Nocka- mixon township, Bucks County, Pa., the date of his birth being July 7, 1848, and is a son of Henry and Sarah (Hager) Bean. The father of our subject was born in Rich- land township, Bucks County, Pa., in 18 13, and during his boyhood days learned the JOSEPH A. HENDRICKS, BUCKS COUNTY 151 trade of a shoemaker, and continued the same throughout his entire life. After attaining his manhood, he moved to Nockamixon township, this county, and settled where the village of Ferndale is now located ; prior to that time he resided on the Bethlehem Pike where he worked at his trade and would haul his stock to Philadelphia, where he obtained the best prices for his goods, which prices indeed were not large. He continued that business until his death ; he may be classed among the typical self-made men of Bucks County, having started out in life a poor boy and succeeded in accumulating an estate, valued at 1 17,000 by the time of his death, which occurred in 1882. He resided on the Harmon estate, upon which he made many improvements. He was united in marriage with Sarah Hager, daughter of John Hager, a farmer of Nockamixon township, and she died in 1857, aged forty- four years, after having brought into the world the following- children: Alfred, deceased; Laamine, de- ceased; Mary; Andrew; Henry H., the sub- ject of this personal history ; Catherine E. ; Emeline; Wilson W.; and Julian. In 1862, Mr. Bean formed a second matrimonial al- liance with Sarah Fritz, and this union was blessed by the birth of four children, namely: Charles H.; Ida A.; Irvin; and William R. Henry H. Bean was educated in' the com- mon schools, and at the age of thirteen years began to work in his father's boot and shoe factory, where he continued one year; in 1862, he accepted a government position working at the recruiting stables at Geese- boro Point, near Washington, D. C. ; after the close of the Civil War, he returned to his father's factory to finish his trade. In 1 87 1 , our subject moved to Bridgeton, Pa., where he began to follow his trade, making a spe- cialty of custom work; his trade gradually in- creased to such a large extent, that he was compelled to erect his present establishment and give employment to a larger force of men. He employs none but the most skillful work- men, and his factory contains the latest and most improved machinery. Our subject's hon- esty has never been doubted, and he is much respected by his fellow-citizens. Mr. Bean has purchased several lots and has erected many houses in the village, and has sold them all at a good profit. Henry H. Bean was united in the bonds of matrimony with Amanda Piatt, a daughter of Philip Piatt, of Bucksville, Pa., and to this happy union a family of four children has been born, namely: Wilson A., agent for the. Prudential Insurance Company, resides at Bridgeport, Conn.; Ella, a dressmaker by trade; Sally lives in Philadelphia; and Katie, a milliner by trade. Religiously, our subject and wife are devoted members and consistent workers of the Presbyterian Church. ■OSEPH A. HENDRICKS. The beau- tiful and flourishing borough of Per- kasie will stand as a monument to the name of the gentleman above-mentioned long after he has been laid to rest. It was he who in connection with Mahlon H. Myers' pur- chased a tract of 73 acres in 1870, and laid it out in town lots. He established a mer- cantile business there and acquired a large 152 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES trade, which he held until the time of his re- tirement in 1 890. He became a man of in- fluence, which he exerted in behalf of the in- terests of the town, inducing many citizens and enterprises to locate there. It is mainly due to this enterprising and progressive citi- zen that Perkasie can now boast of a popu- lation of 1800. Mr. Hendricks is a son of John and Mary (Alderfer) Hendricks, and was born May 20, 1827, near the old homestead in Hilltown township, Bucks County. His grandfather was Benjamin Hendricks, who was a lead- ing agriculturist of Blooming Glen, Hill- town township, where he died at the ad- vanced age of eighty-six years. He was united in marriage with Elizabeth Clemens, who died at the age of eighty years, and they reared the following children : Benjamin, Jr. ; John, the father of our subject ; Joseph ; Susan; and Mary. John Hendricks was born in Hilltown township and lived on the old homestead, en- gaged in agricultural pursuits during the ac- tive years of his life. He then disposed of the estate to one of his sons and moved to Blooming Glen, where he spent the remainder of his life in retirement, living with his chil- dren. After withstanding, the vicissitudes of life for eighty-six long years, he passed to his final rest. He married Mary Alderfer, a daughter of Frederick Alderfer, of Montgom- ery County, and seven children blessed their union, namely : Frederick, a resident of Per- kasie ; Jacob, deceased; Joseph A., the sub- ject of this biographical record ; Abraham, who makes his home at Perkasie ; Elizabeth (Panapacker), of Perkasie, and Hettie Ann, widow of Jacob Landis. Politically, he was a Republican, whilst in religious views he was a member of the Mennonite Church. Mrs. Hendricks closed her eyes in final sleep at the age of sixty-four years. Joseph A. Hendricks, after receiving a good common school education in his native town- ship, became an apprentice to the trade of a carpenter, which he followed for four years. In 1857, he relinquished his trade to engage in the coal and lumber business at Sellers- ville. Pa., where he successfully conducted a yard for a period of thirteen years. Having disposed of that business, with wonderful foresight as to the possibility of establishing a village where Perkasie is now located, he, in connection with Mahlon H. Myers, pur- chased 73 acres of land, which have since been built up and become a prosperous little borough. Our subject engaged in the mer- cantile business and for many years was the leading business man in the town, which in point of beauty and the number of good sub- stantial buildings surpasses any other place of its size in Eastern Pennsylvania. He con- tinued to conduct his store there until his re- tirement in 1890, after a very prosperous ca- reer, when he disposed of his business to his son-in-law, Mr. Tobias Bissey, and Irvin Bar- inger, under whose management it still re- mains. Mr. Hendricks owns considerable real estate in the borough and resides in a handsome home on Market and Seventh streets. In political belief, he is a stanch Republican and has considerable influence in the party. He has held many public offices and has been treasurer of the borough almost the entire time since its organization. It was BUCKS COUNTY 153 mainly through his efforts that Perkasie now enjoys such excellent train service. He was one of the organizers of the Perkasie Improve- ment Company and also a prime mover in the establishment of the Persakie Water Works, of which he is treasurer. For the past twenty- six years he has been a director of the L,ans- dale Bank. In 1858, he was joined in hymeneal bonds with Mary Yeakel, a daughter of Samuel Yeakel, of Hilltown township, and they are the proud parents of a daughter, Emma, who married Tobias Bissey, by whom she has one child, Estella. As a prominent and represen- tative citizen of Bucks County, we take pleasure in presenting Mr. Hendricks' por- trait on a preceding page. C. BURI.EIGH JOHN, a gentleman of excellent business propensities and one of the highly respected citizens of the borough of New Hope, Bucks County, is in partnership with a Mr. Cook, and they conduct a first-class hardware store. He is a son of John J. and Rachel (I/ittle) John, and was born in Philadelphia, August II, 1847. His grandfather was Amos John, who spent most of his life at Valley Forge, but at the time of his death was living with his daughter at Burlington, N. J., where he died at the advanced age of ninety years. His wife, whose maiden name was Quay, was a relative of Matthew Stanley Quay, and she too attained an advanced age before suc- cumbing to the inevitable. They became the parents of the following children : Moore ; Adam ; Hannah ; John J. ; and Adrian. John J. John was born at Valley Forge, Pa., and early in life learned the trade of a bricklayer, which he followed but a short time. Finding it unsuited to him, he ac- cepted a clerical position in the ofiice of a coal yard, which he held until his death at the early age of twenty-six years. He was united in matrimonial bonds with Rachel lyittle, a daughter of John and Rachel Little, of Ivumberville, Bucks County, and they became the fond parents of one son, C. C. Burleigh, the subject of this biographical sketch. Mrs. John survived her husband many years, dying in 1892, at the age of sixty-five years. C. C. Burleigh John was reared in Bucks County until he was ten years old, when at that immature age he began to battle against the tide of life. Upon leaving home, he went to lyimeport, where he entered the employ of Mr. Cook, doing labor upon the farm. He has remained in business with that gentleman ever since, with the excep- tion of two years. In 1882, they embarked in the hardware business at New Hope, and were successful from the very start. They carry a comprehensive stock of goods in the hardware line, also farming implements, and by their honest and conscientious efforts have established a large and lucrative trade, which compares favorably with any similar establishment in that section of the county. He is an energetic and progressive citizen and is well thought of by every member of the community. 154 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIKS In 1866, Mr. John was united in the holy bonds of wedlock with Anna M. Kitchen, a daughter of William B. Kitchen, of Mont- gomery County, and they are the fond parents of two children, namely: William B. , who is connected with the L,ambertville Rubber Company, married Ollie Sollieday; and George C, who is also identified with the I/ambertville Rubber Company. He has been quite prominent in affairs of a political nature, and is a stanch supporter of the principles of the Republican party. In 1889, he was a candidate for county treas- u^rer, but was defeated after a hard fight ; he has served as chief burgess a number of times, and in 1897 was appointed justice of the peace by the governor to fill the unex- pired term of T. T. Eastburn, which office he still holds. Socially, he is also quite prominent, being a member of the following orders : Unity I^odge, No. 300, I. O. O. F., of which he is past grand master ; L,one Star Lodge, Knights of Pythias of L,ambertville, N. J. ; and the O. I. H. of New Hope, of which he is sitting past arclion. 'ACOB F. SASSAMAN. This worthy and influential farmer, who is a typical representative of the agricultural class of Bucks County, Pa., resides on a fine farm of 103 acres, which is located in Nockamixon township, near the village of Ferndale. The land is rich and productive and the improve- ments are the best, thus making it one of the best farms in the county; the property is a piece of sloping ground from which a view may be had of the neighboring country for many miles around. Our subject is de- scended from one of the pioneer families of this section, and was born on the pres- ent homestead December 25, 1837, and is a son of Jacob and Mary (Fishier) Sassa- man, grandson of Jacob and. Catherine (Rei- gel) Sassaman, and great-grandson of Jacob Sassaman. The great-grandfather of our subject was of German descent and came to this country with his father and took up a tract of land in Berks County, Pa. I^ater he came to Nock- amixon township, this county, where he learned the hatter's trade ; while at this lat- ter place he made the acquaintance of a Miss Pearson, who was of a prominent family of the community, and whom he afterwards married. After his marriage he returned to Berks County; but as his wife did not like that arrangement they returned to Nocka- mixon township, where Jacob purchased of Mr. Overpeck a tract of land consisting of 250 acres, the most of which was covered by a dense forest. The original homestead has since been divided into six farms, of which our subject owns one hundred and three acres, and the remainder is divided into farms owned by W. Kilmer, A. Trauger, W. Fabeon, Joe Haney and J. Nicholas. Jacob also purchased the old St. Luke's Reformed Church, which was a log church, the price paid being ;^ioo ; the wood in this old church was hand carved and stained, and it now forms a part of the granary that stands upon our subject's farm. Jacob Sassaman was the progenitor of the following children : Jacob ; John ; Samuel ; Elizabeth, the wife of a Mr. Wolfinger ; Sarah, BUCKS COUNTY 155 the wife of Mr. Kolil, and Mary, who was wedded to a Mr. Lightcap. Jacob Sassaman, the grandfather of our subject, was born and reared on the Sassaman homestead and carried on general farming all his life. He cleared a large portion of the land, remodeled the barn and built a new house. He was joined in the bonds of matri- mony with Catherine Reigel and they became the parents of five children, who were named as follows : 5acob ; Elizabeth, who wedded a Mr. Reigel ; Catherine, the wife of a Mr. Stone ; Heniy S. ; and Samuel. Jacob Sassa- man was well known throughout the town- ship and was constable for a number of years. Jacob Sassaman, the father of our subject, who was better known as Captain Jacob Sas- saman, was born on the homestead October 1 8, 1 794 ; he was reared to agricultural pursuits, which occupation he continued throughout his entire life. In his latter days, as he was about to retire from the more active duties of life, he built an addition to the house, in which he resided, and our subject moved into the part of the house which Jiad just been vacated by his father, and operated the farm for his father. Jacob Sassaman was not only well known throughout the county, but throughout the state, and was greatly re- spected for his many excellent personal traits of character. He served three terms of seven years each as captain in the state militia; settled many estates ; held the office of super- visor many years, and officiated in other town- ship offices. He was wedded to Mary Fishier, who was- born November 10, 1794, and this union was blessed by the birth of six children, namely : Levi F., who died in 1848 ; Charles, who resides in Chicago, 111. ; Dianna, widow of the late John Hager; Julia, the wife of Levi Hager ; Mary, deceased, was the wife of James Hoffman, and Jacob F., whose name heads the above lines. Mr. Sassaman de- parted from this life May 18, 1884, at the age of ninety years ; his wife passed from earth on April 8th, of the same year, aged ninety years. Jacob F. Sassaman obtained his education in the schools of his native township, and early in life began clerking for his brother Levi in his store at Kintnersville, Nocka- mixon township ; after remaining there one year, at the request of his father he returned to the homestead, which he operated on shares and took care of liis aged parents during their latter days. Upon the death of his father he purchased from the heirs the homestead for the sum of $5000, and has since expended $1000 in improvements. It may be truly said that his farm stands second to none in this section of the state, and in connection with carrying on general farming, he deals extensively in cattle and has a large dairy. Mr. Sassaman is recognized as one of the en- terprising and progressive farmers of Bucks County, and is a man whose sterling qualities have won for him the respect and good-will of the entire community. Mr. Sassaman chose for his life companion Emeline Wildonger, a daughter of Moses Wildonger, of Tinicum township, this county, where our subject's wife owns a handsome estate. As a result of this happy marriage two children were reared, namely : Alice, the wife of Webster Grim, whose personal history may also be found in this biographical book. 156 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES and they have two children, Ruth and George W. ; and Jacob Stewart, a telegraph operator at Elizabeth, N. J., who wedded Alice Sump- stone. Politically, Mr. Sassaman is an un- wavering Democrat ; fraternally, lie is a mem- ber of the Knights of the Golden Eagle ; and religiously he is a member of the Reformed Church. yZyAi lUJAH S. TORBERT is a descendant J of one of the oldest and most highly respected families of Bucks County, Pa., that has been connected with its growth and prosperity since colonial days. This well-to-do and prosperous gentleman is en- gaged in tilling the soil in Newtown town- ship, this county. He was born in that town- ship, February 22, 1847, and is a son of William S. and Rosanna K. (Slack) Torbert, grandson of James M. and Mary W. (Simp- son) Torbert, and great-grandson of James Torbert. James Torbert was a son of James Torbert, Sr., and was one of the pioneer settlers of Upper Makefield township, this county ; he was educated to agricultural pursuits and followed that vocation throughout his entire life. He was joined in marriage with Mar- garet McNair, by whom he reared a family of eleven children, namely : Martha ; Absa- lom ; Hannah ; Ann ; Alice ; James M. ; Elizabeth ; Samuel ; John K. ; Charles ; and Margaret. James M. Torbert, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Upper Makefield township, December 25, 179S, and resided in his native township all his active days, en- gaged in agricultural pursuits. His wife was Mary W. Simpson, a daughter of William Simpson of Upper Makefield township, and this union was blessed by the birth of seven children, namely: William S., the father of our subject; Isabella M., the wife of John Keith ; Caroliue, the wife of James Robinson ; Mary A., was wedded to Joseph M. Scott ; James h. ; John W. ; and Anthony T. William S. Torbert was a native of New- town township, this county, and his vocation was also that of a farmer, in which occupa- tion he was very successful. He was an intelligent and enterprising citizen, always ready to support any measure that in his opinion tended to promote the interests of his community, and was held in esteem by a host of friends. He passed from this earth in 1 89 1. He was twice married; his first wife was Rosanna K. Slack, and upon her death he wedded Kate B. Craven ; he was the progenitor of five children, who were named as follows : Elijah S., the subject of this brief memoir ; Fremont, who died young ; Mary also died young ; Francis, de- ceased ; and Sidney K., who resides with his mother in Newtown, Pa. The mother of our subject, Mrs. Rosanna K. (Slack) Torbert, entered the world of rest in 1881. Relig- iously, Mr. Torbert was active in church work, and was a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church, in which he held many offices. Our subject received a common school education, and remained under the parental roof until his marriage, assisting his father in the labors about the homestead ; after his marriage, he took charge of the homestead. ROBERT SHOEMAKER DANA, M. D. BUCKS COUNTY 159 and carried on general farming until 1890, when he purchased his present farm of E. White; this farm consists of 70 acres of well- improved land, and general farming is our subject's principal occupation. Mr. Torbert is very industrious and carries on his farming in a successful manner ; he is well known throughout the township, and enjoys the re- spect and good-will of his fellow-citizens. Politically, Mr. Torbert is a stanch Repub- lican ; fraternally, he is a member of the A. O. U. W., Lodge No. 205, of Newtown ; re- ligiously, he is a member of the Presbyterian Church. On February 24, 1 876, our subject and Mary A. Wynkoop, a daughter of Ger- ardus and Matilda Wynkoop, were united in marriage, and three children have blessed the home of this union, as follows : William S., who is at home; Samuel S., who is in the employ of the Baldwin lyocomotive Works ; and George W., who is also at home. \\~^ M.D. -L^V^ risv kOBERT SHOEMAKER DANA, a practicing physician of Mor- risville, Bucks County, has attained nmch distinction at his profession, and also served long and faithfully in the Civil War as a surgeon, at the time of his discharge bearing the rank of major-surgeon. He is a man of noble character, sympathetic and charitable, and is ever ready to aid those in all walks of life who unlike himself have not received the smile of Dame Fortune. Act- ing as friend and personal adviser to his many patients, and not merely in the capa- city of physician, they recognize his good intent and the true sympathetic nature back of it, and as a result he occupies a high place in their esteem. He is a son of Sylvester and Elizabeth (Brown) Dana, and was born in Circleville, Ohio, November 10, 1833. The family is descended from French- Huguenot stock, and traces its ancestry to Richard Dana, who was born in France about 161 2 and fled to England in 1629, . bearing with him a French silver cup, which is a family heirloom and is now in the pos- session of Hon. Judas Dana of Fryeburgh, Me. In 1640 he emigrated from England to this country, at first locating in the Plymouth Colony, but subsequently in West Cambridge, .Mass., near Boston. His death occurred in rthat , place on April 2, 1690. He was the father of Jacob, whose son Jacob was the .father of Anderson Dana, Sr., who was a .very, prominent man of his day. He was bojn in 1733, and migrated to Wyoming Valley, then in Westmoreland, now in I^u- zerne County, Pa. - He .was a representative in the Connecticut Legislature from the West- moreland District, and was serving as such when, he met his death in the Massacre of Wilkes-Barre, July 3, 1778, his body never being recovered after his death. Anderson Dana, Jr., the grandfather of our subject, was born August 11, 1765, at Ash- ford, Conn., and went to Wyoming Valley with his father. He was but twelve years of age when tlie massacre took place, and in company with many others, of whom he was the oldest male, he made his way back to Connecticut. Many of the party were una- ble to withstand the hardships of the journey and died on the way. A few years later. i6o BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES accompanied by a younger brother, lie re- turned to Wilkes-Barre to look after his father's estate ; he located upon the old home- stead and erected a log house, and at first their only stock was the cow and horse which they took with them. There he engaged in farming, and followed the trade of a cooper until his demise, which occurred about 1852. He held a number of important offices, being associate judge for a time, councilman, and collector of taxes. He was one of the good substantial residents of the community, and lived to reach the age of eighty-four years. He formed a matrimonial alliance with Sarah Stevens of Wilkes-Barre, and their children were as follows : Amelia, the wife of A. Whitcomb, born July 23, 1791 ; Laura, born May 28, 1793, and died August 16, 1794; Asa Stevens, born December 17, 1794, mar- ried Hannah Pruner, and after her death married her sister Nancy ; Sarah, the wife of Rowland Metcalf, born September 16, 1796 ; Francis, born May 23, 1798, married Sophia Whitcomb; l/ouisa H., born March 17, 1800, died in 1841; Anderson, born February 26, 1802, married Ann Jameson, and upon her demise formed a second union with Mary Hammer; Eleazer, born April 23, 18^4; Syl- vester, the father of the gentleman whose name heads these lines; Mary, born June 16, 1808, married Lyman C. Kidder; and Charles, born August 6, 181 1, who died in Philadel- phia. Sylvester Dana, a gentleman of renown in his day both as a lawyer and educator, was born May 28, 1806, in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., where he was reared. was educated in Yale College, from which he was graduated in 1826, with the degree of Master of Arts. He then returned to Wilkes-Barre, where he entered upon the study of law under Judge Garrick Mallory, and subsequently moved to . Circleville, Ohio, where he was associated with Judge Olds for some time. But, owing to ill health, he was unable to continue in practice, and as a result accepted a position as principal of Worthington Seminary, near Columbus, Ohio, where he remained for three years. He then returned to the practice of his profession for three years, but as his health would not permit of the arduous duties attached to that work, he took charge of the seminary at Wilkes-Barre. Two years later, in 1839, he built a fine private academy of his own for young men, known as the Dana Academy, and he successfully conducted that institution until 1855. He then went to Jersey Shore, Lycoming County, near Wil- liamsport on the West Branch of the Susque- hanna River, where he served as principal of the academy for two years, after which he went to Saltsburg, Allegheny County, Pa., near Pittsburg, where he acted in a like capacity for two years. He then returned to Wilkes-Barre and conducted the academy bearing his name until October, 1865, when he moved to the place now owned by our subject near Morrisville, Bucks County, where he resided until his death, June 19, 1882. Politically, he was a Whig for some time and later became an enthusiastic Republican. For a brief period he edited a publication in Circleville, O., known as the Olive Branchy but abandoned it upon assuming the duties of principal of the academy at Wilkes-Barre. In religious belief he was a member of the BUCKS COUNTY i6i Presbyterian Church, and served as deacon a number of years. He was widely known and was highly esteemed wherever known. He was united in marriage, March 26, 1832, with Blizabeth Brown, of Circleville, Ohio, and the following children were born to them : Robert Shoemaker, the subject of this per- sonal history ; Eunice A., September 9, 1837; Elizabeth, March 4, 1840; Louisa A., Febru- ary 3, 1842; and Ella, September 16, 1850. Mrs. Dana passed into the world of rest on February 6, 1878. Robert S. Dana obtained his intellectual training under the direction of his father, after which he began the study of medicine with Dr. George Chamberlain, who had his oflBce and drug-store at Ninth and Shippen streets, Philadelphia. He remained with the latter for five years, or until March, 1857, during which time he attended the Jefferson Medical College, from which he was gradu- ated in the above year. In October of that year he located at Nanticoke, Pa., where he practiced for one year, and then practiced at Wilkes-Barre during the following two years, in connection with which he conducted a drug-store. In 1861 he answered the call made for surgeons in the army, and went^to Camp Curtin, near Harrisburg, Pa., where he attended the sick until the troops were called into active service, when his services were refused owing to an oversupply of physicians at the time. He returned home until August, 1 86 1, when he became a mem- ber of the Yeager Military Band, which joined the 9th Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf. They were called into service in October, 1861, and the band continued with the regiment until August 18, 1862, when they were mustered out in Kentucky. They went to Louisville, drew their pay, and Dr. Dana returned home, remaining just six days, when he went to Harrisburg and was examined and assigned as assistant surgeon to the 107th Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf. He joined the regiment at Antie- tam on the day of the battle, and was on the field in all of the battles in which his regi- ment was engaged up to the date of its con- solidation with the Fifth Corps. He re- enlisted in 1864, and was joined to the Fifth Corps, and in the following year he was com- missioned a surgeon with the rank of major, continuing until he was mustered out at Ball's Cross Roads. Receiving his discharge at Harrisburg, Pa., July 18, 1865, he returned to Wilkes-Barre, where he remained until his removal to where he now resides on June I, 1866, and in March, 1867, moved to Mor- risville. He has since been engaged in prac- tice, and has established a reputation which is unsurpassed and will compare favorably with that of any other in the section. In 1872 he was one of the organizers of the Morrisville Manufacturing Company, manu- facturers of soft rubber goods, and it has since been a flourishing enterprise, and has resulted in much benefit to the village. He served efiiciently as treasurer of the concern for eight years, or until 1889, when it was rented. In the summer of 1882 our subject removed to where he now resides. He lives in a beautiful residence one mile from Mor- risville, which is made doubly beautiful by the lawn and flower beds which surround the house on all sides. June 13, 1872, Dr. Dana was joined in mar- 1 62 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES riage with Fannie Pawling of Philadelphia, a daughter of James M. and I,ydia (Wood) Pawling. Mr. Pawling was a prominent attorney-at-law at Norristown, Pa., but is now deceased ; after his death Mrs. Pawling mar- ried John H. Osborne, and they are both now deceased. One son has blessed the home of our subject, namely : Sylvester, who was born May 14, 1873, and who was compelled to give up his course in Stewart's Business College of Trenton, owing to a weakness of the eyes, is now living at home. Politically, Dr. Dana is a Republican, and for seven years served as a member of the school board, and for two years was a member of the town council. He was one of the organizers and is a member of the Mercer County (N. J.) Medical Association ; and is a member and surgeon of the Aaron Wilkes Post, No. 23,0. A. R., of Trenton, N.J. Religiously, he is an active worker in the Presbyterian Church. Dr. Dana's portrait is shown on another page in proximity to this. ^OSIAH ERNEST SCOTT, M. D., an eminent physician of New Hope, Bucks County, was born September 16, 1856, near the village of Eldersville, Washington County, Pa. He is a direct de- scendant of Hugh Scott, who was born in the north of Ireland, but was of Scotch blood. Hugh Scott came to America about 1670, and settled in Chester County, Pa. ; his son Abraham came next in the line of descent ; then his son Josiah, father of General Samuel, and grandfather of Josiah N., the father of the subject of this biographical sketch. Josiah Scott was born three years after the birth of George Washington ; it was during his young manhood days that his family, with several others, moved to Washington County, Pa. General Samuel Scott was born near Washington, Pa., in 1785 ; he was for many years a member of the state militia, and rose rapidly through the offices until he ranked as brigadier-general, and during the War of 1812 he offered his services for the defence of his country, and they were readily accepted. His company began the march to the front when they were directed to " wait for further orders," — which never came. General Samuel Scott passed from this life in 1 8 19. Josiah N. Scott, the father of our subject, was born near Washington, Pa., June 26, 181 3; after his marriage to Rachael Vance, he settled on a farm near Eldersville, where he followed the occupation of an agri- culturist the rest of his days. He entered the world of rest in the year 1891; his wife died in 1881. Dr. Josiah Ernest Scott is the youngest of a family of eight children. When quite young he exhibited a taste for reading and study ; mainly by his own efforts, sustained by his inherited Scotch-Irish elements of character, he worked his way through normal and other schools into a recognized standing in the Ohio Wesleyan University with the class of 188 1. He represented his literary society on various occasions as orator and essayist. June 26, 1882, the Doctor was united in the bonds of matrimony with Eliza beth T. Ivaizure of Cadiz, Ohio: and in her found an aid and spur in a cherished ambi- tion to qualify himself for the healing art. BUCKS COUNTY 163 He farmed in the summer months and taught in the winter ; she looked after the house- hold cares and found time to compete for and win prizes offered by various journals. For a time she had charge of the Women's Department of the National Stockman^ pub- lished at Pittsburg, Pa. In 1887, the Doctor removed to Philadelphia, where he entered the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania, from which institution he was graduated with the highest honors in the class of 1890. An opportunity soon pre- sented itself for a lucrative and very success- ful practice of his profession in the beautiful borough of New Hope, Pa., which is situated on the banks of the picturesque Delaware River. This town is not far distant from the first location of the Scott family in this country more than 200 years ago. Our sub- ject's practice extends into the neighboring state of New Jersey. Aiming for the top- most round on the professional ladder, he has taken post-graduate courses in various spec- ialties in Philadelphia. Dr. Scott already has the respect and confidence of those most competent to judge of his professional ability. Dr. Scott and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, and our subject is super- intendent of the Sunday School, and presi- dent of the Bucks County Christian Endeavor Union. Politically, he is a stanch Repub- lican, and has served on the local school board and is at present chief burgess of New Hope. He was one of the organizers of the New Hope Improvement Company, and is president of the same. Dr. Scott is a mem- ber of the Dr. D. Hayes Agnew Surgical Society of Philadelphia ; he enjoyed the per- sonal friendship of the eminent Dr. Agnew, but neither of them were aware, during Dr. Agnew' s life, of the ties of blood that bound them ; both having descended from Abraham Scott, the son of the patriarch, Hugh Scott. He is a member of the board of censors of the Medico-Chirurgical College in Philadel- phia. His fraternal associations are with the K. of G. E. ; and Improved Order of Hepta- sophs, of which he is grand archon. The Doctor is a member of the Bucks County Medical Association, and was its president during 1897; Pennsylvania State Medical Association ; and the American Medical Association. The home of Dr. and Mrs. Scott has been brightened by the birth of one daughter, Gail Winters, who was born July 2, 1889. -pjVrVILTON H. I.EIDY, who has been 1 1 =y engaged in the mercantile busi- r* -J- V ness all his life, is one of the prominent citizens and enterprising mer- chants of Blooming Glen, Pa., and is senior member of the well-known firm of I,eidy & Moyer, who conduct a general store. Our subject is a native of Souderton, Pa., and the date of his birth is January 13, 1856; he is a son of Thomas and Catherine (Hartzel) Leidy, and grandson of Samuel and Lydia (Gerhart) lycidy. Samuel I^eidy was a native of Montgomery County, Pa., and his life's vocation was that of a farmer and tanner. He was joined in marriage with lyydia Gerhart, and they be- came the parents of the following children : 164 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES Samuel, Jonas, and Jacob are deceased ; Wil- liam, who resides at Telford, Pa. ; Maria, de- ceased ; Lavina ; Susan ; and Thomas. Mf. lycidy and family were members and active supporters of the Reformed Church. The maternal grandfather of our subject was Paul Hartzel, a native of Telford, Montgomery County, Pa. , where he lived all his life busy- ing himself at the occupation of an agriciil- turist. He was widely known throughout the county, and served as county commis- sioner and in other township offices. He was wedded to Sarah Cressman, by whom he reared two children : Catherine, our subject's mother ; and Henry C, of Telford, Pa. Thomas I/cidy, the father of our subject, was born at Souderton, Pa., where he was reared to agricultural pursuits and made that occupation his life's work ; he resided there until 1896, successfully carrying on general farming and succeeded in accumulating a handsome competency, and in that year he retired from the active duties of life and moved to the village of Souderton, where he purchased a neat residence and is spending his latter days in quiet and peace. He was united in the bonds of wedlock with Cathe- rine Hartzel, who was born near the village of Telford, Pa., and to this union has been born a family of five children, who have all received a common school education and are well-to-do citizens in the various localities in which they now reside. They were named as follows: Milton H., the subject of this narrative ; Francis married Hannah Shive, and is a dealer in hides, residing in Philadel- phia ; Theodore, also a hide buyer, residing in Philadelphia, was joined in marriage with Lena Souder ; Ellen ; and Annie, who mar- ried Morris Wile, and they are residents of Souderton, Pa. Milton H. Leidy first attended the primary schools of his native township and then spent one term at Carvers ville Academy ; at the early age of sixteen years he was employed as a clerk in the store of Jacob G. Leidy, his uncle, which was located at South Hatfield. Pour years later the store became the prop- erty of J. S. Shelly, who conducted the same but two years when he sold out to Houck & Longaker, and our subject remained in their employ but one year. Having become thoroughly familiar with the mercantile busi- ness, in 1 879 he decided to enter the field of trade on his own account, and accordingly went to Pricks, this county, and started a general store. Two years later he sold out, and in 1 88 1 moved to Blooming Glen, and in 1882 built the Blooming Glen Hotel, which he conducted for a period of nine years; in 1893 he sold his hotel and erected him a handsome home, and the next two years were spent in dealing in cattle. In September, 1894, in partnership with C. S. Gulick, he again embarked in the mercantile business ; two years later Mr.' Gulick sold his interest to A. M. Moyer, and the business has since been conducted under the firm name of Leidy & Moyer. They carry a complete line of ready-made clothing, and, being men of hustling ability, have established an enviable trade. Mr. I>eidy holds the confidence of his fellow-citizens and is one of the leading citi- zens of the village. Mr. Leidy has been treasurer of the Dublin & Souderton Turn- pike Company since 1891. BUCKS COUNTY 165 May 31, 1879, our subject was united in marriage with Martha S. Moyer of Hatfield, Pa., a daughter of Samuel Moyer, a farmer by occupation. They are the parents of three children, namely : Harvey, born No- vember 16, 1881, is teaching school in Hill- town township; Olin, born April 2, 1886; and Vera, born October 8, 1895. Our sub- ject is not active in politics, but is a stanch Democrat ; religiously, he and his family are members of the Reformed Church. 7T%HARI.ES F. SCHWENK, one of the I Ji leading and enterprising citizens and ^•«— ^ business men who have contributed largely toward making Perkasie what it is to-day, is the secretary and manager of the Standard Hay Baling Company, which has been in operation there since 1889. He was born in Franconia township, Montgomery County, June 30, 1862, and is a son of Charles A. and Diana (Fossbenner) Schwenk. His grandfather was George Schwenk of Franconia township, Montgomery County, who was one of a family of five children, namely : Abraham, a carpenter by vocation ; Maria; Mary; Elizabeth ; and George. The latter was born in Berks County, but after attaining manhood located upon a farm in Franconia township, where he operated a saw mill and plied his trade, that of a black- smith. He was united in hymeneal bonds with Margaret Althouse, and they became the happy parents of three children, one son and two daughters : Charles A. , the father of our subject; Catherine, who married Dr. George Fry, and had two sons and two daughters; and Sophia, whose union with Peter Hoffman resulted in the birth of one son and two daughters. Mr. Schwenk, whose birth occurred on the first day of April, 1780, was called to his final rest, May 25, 1856, at the age of seventy-six years, one month, and twenty-four days ; and his worthy wife, who was born on the twenty- eighth day of. No- vember, 1773, was called Home, May 24, 1854, at the age of eighty years, five months and twenty-six days. Charles A. Schwenk was born in Franconia township, Montgomery County, July 21, 18 13, and was reared upon his father's farm. He chose the life of a farmer and became one of the leading agriculturists of that section, owning a very large farm. His first matri- monial alliance was with Maria Wampole, and after her demise he was joined in mar- riage with Catherine Hartzell, by whom he had one daughter, lyucy. He was married a third time to Diana Fossbenner, and the fol- lowing offspring blessed their union : George F., a leading citizen of Lansdale, Pa. ; Amanda (Nice) of Hatfield; Harry F. of Telford; and Charles F. , the subject of this biographical record. Mr. Schwenk closed his eyes in final sleep, January 6, 1 874, aged sixty years, five months and sixteen days; and his wife, Diana, who was born March 29, 1830, and was a daughter of Samuel Fossbenner, of East Rockhill township, Bucks County, died April 8, 1 89 1, aged sixty-one years and nine days. Charles F. Schwenk obtained his intellec- tual training in the common schools of his native town until he was fifteen years of age. 1 66 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES when he accepted a clerical position and con- tinued in that capacity for a period of ten years. He then in the village of Hatfield embarked on his own account in the mer- cantile business, which he carried on for one year, when he disposed of it and moved to Perkasie, becoming secretary and manager of the Standard Hay Baling Company, which was organized in that year. It has been under his ef&cient management that the con- cern has been most successful, and it was found necessary to build their present and commodious establishment. Our subject is a man of excellent business ability, honest, and trustworthy, and stands high in the esteem of his fellow-citizens and acquain- tances throughout his section of the county. He has built him a fine new residence in re- cent years and also owns a tenement. In 1884, he was joined in wedlock with Annie L,. Moyer, a daughter of J. H. Moyer, of Souderton, Pa., and to them were born the following children : L,eonidas ; Catherine ; and Esther. Politically, Mr. Schwenk is an un- swerving supporter of the Republican party. 'ARON BAIvIy, of the well-known firm of Aaron Ball & Sons, the largest furniture and undertaking estab- lishment of Bucks County, whose store is lo- cated at 322 Broad street, Quakertown, is one of the enterprising and prominent citizens of that borough. He was born in Richland town- ship, this county, October 8, 1827, and is a son of William H. and Martha (Cadwalder) Ball, and grandson of Aaron and Margaret Ball. Aaron Ball, the grandfather of our subject, was a native of Bucks County, Pa., and was a descendant of one of the early settlers of this section. His occupation was that of an agriculturist, in which he was very success- ful. He was the father of four children, who were named as follows: William H., the father of our subject ; Aaron was united in marriage with Sarah Jones ; Rebecca was wedded to Evan Penrose ; and Hannah. Our subject's father was born and reared in Bucks County, and early in life began to learn the trade of a cabinetmaker and the undertaking business. He purchased the farm in Rich- land township which James Roberts now owns, and there he carried on general farm- ing, and in addition he worked at his trade. He was a skilled mechanic and was the only undertaker in his section of the county. I/ater he sold his farm and moved to Fort Washington, this county, and there he fol- lowed farming and operated a mill and feed store until his death, which occurred at the age of seventy-three years. He was joined in marriage with Martha Cadwalder, a daugh- ter of Abraham Cadwalder, a prominent farmer of Fox Chase, Pa. They were the parents of the following children: Margaret, the wife of Charles Reeder ; Elmira, the wife of William Blake ; Joel was married to Mary E. Neighbors ; Mary was first married to John Edwards, and upon his death wedded Penrose Hicks ; Martha was married to Al- bert Conard ; Aaron married Rebecca Strawn ; and Owen. Mr. Ball was supervisor of his township and was a member of the Society of Friends. The mother of our subject entered the world of rest at the age of ninety-one years. ^'V'^i^A j.',f ^rU,ur Eu.- ^A'""- BUCKS COUNTY 169 Aaron Ball was educated in the Friends' School at Quakertown and at the Westtown Boarding School, Chester County ; he then assisted his father in tilling the soil and spent considerable time in his father's shop serving an apprenticeship to the cabinetmaker's trade. In 1870, he located in Quakertown and opened and conducted an undertaking establishment on Main street in the old Or- phans' School block ; nine years later he re- moved to Broad street, and in 1884, Evan H. Strong erected a handsome three-story struc- ture at 322 Broad street, into which our sub- ject moved his establishment. In 1895. the building was enlarged to 50 by 65 feet and additional workrooms built ; our subject oc- cupies the three floors, which are well stocked with a complete line of furniture and house- hold furnishings. Mr. Ball is' a man of hus- tling ability and is entitled to much of the credit of the success of this firm ; the proprie- tors are well known throughout the county, and their honesty and straightforward meth- ; ods in business transactions not only bring them a large patronage from the borough, but from the surrounding townships. Mr. Ball chose for his life companion Re- becca Strawn, daughter of Miles Strawn, a resident of Richland township, this county, and this union has been blessed by the fol- lowing children : Miles, who died in infancy ; Washington, who died in youth ; Franklin is a member of the firm and he married Emma Weldy, and they have reared three children, Allen, deceased, Annie and Ethel ; Annie, who died aged nineteen years ; and Joel, who is a member of the firm, was wedded to Ella Beers, and one son, Earl, blessed their home. Our subject purchased the Joseph Himelright property at 28 Front street, and has remod- eled and enlarged the same into a beautiful home. Mr. Ball has served in the borough council one year ; has been treasurer of Rich- landtown I^ibrary thirty years ; has served as treasurer of Union Cemetery, and has held other minor township offices. Our subject's wife laid down life's burdens to enter upon the final rest on September 16, 1898, after an illness of only three weeks. She is not only greatly missed by her own immediate family, . but by a large circle of relatives and jfriends. (^>r^LG^RNON S. CADWAIvLADER, ' tm\ who for ■ many years has played a ^ . V.^ prominent part in the political affairs of this section of the state, and who is one :6f the leading citizens of Yardley borough. Lower Makefield township, Bucks -County, is now living a retired life in the fine old home that was erected by his mater- nal great-great-great-grandfather, Thomas Yardley, in 1728. He was born in Lower Makefield township in 1828, and his ances- tors were among the early settlers of Penn- sylvania, being upper servants of William Penn. Paternally, he is descended from the Cadwalladers and Taylors, and on the mater- nal side from the Yardleys and Staplers, all of whom were prominent members of the Society of Friends and intimate acquaint- ances of William Penn. Algernon S. Cadwallader was reared upon the farm, and for a time was in attendance at lyo BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES tlie public schools of his native town ; but at the age of sixteen years he was sent to a private boarding-school in Chester County, which was efficiently presided over by Ben- jamin Price, Esq. , a well-known educator of that day. He completed his education in the Attleboro Academy under the tutelage of James Anderson, after which he returned home and resided with his father on the farm, engaged in agricultural pursuits until he was twenty-one years of age, when he moved to Yardley and engaged in mercantile business for some years. Early in life he manifested a deep interest in aflFairs of a political nature, and cast his first vote for that Whig of Whigs, Henry Clay. He early became an earnest advocate of the principle of protection to American labor and Ameri- can institutions, which he still believes is the foundation upon which rests the pros- perity of our country, being at the present time an ardent Republican. In 1861 he was the popular candidate of his party for State Senator, and although the party was at that time greatly in the minority in the county, he was defeated but by a few votes. This was all the more remarkable when the fact is considered that from the time of his nomi- nation until after the election he was con- fined to his bed by a serious illness. It has always been his opinion that every man should take a deep interest in the govern- ment of his country, and the only time in his life when he failed to cast his vote was when he was too sick to do so, the instance referred to above. In 1 865 he was appointed collector of internal revenue for the Fifth District of Pennsylvania, and held that office satisfactorily for a number of years. In 1878 he became a candidate for the nomina- tion for Member of Congress from the Sixth District, and although the delegates from his county supported him in the proper manner, he was defeated by the delegates from Mont- gomery County. In 1886 he was again a candidate for the nomination to that office, but after the first ballot, in which he received a plurality in his own county, he withdrew his name. In 1 862, in accordance with the request of Governor Curtin, he unhesitat- ingly acted as superintendent of enrollment of the Bucks County militia, proving his loyalty to the cause of the Union, which he actively supported throughout the war. In 1864 he was a delegate to the national con- vention which renominated Abraham I^in- coln for President, and four years later served in like capacity when General Grant received the nomination. Mr. Cadwallader has always been a progressive and enterprising citizen and has done much toward the advancement of Yardley, of which borough he was an organizer and its first burgess. He is a man of high principles, well educated and well versed in matters of current interest to the people. Being a dutiful citizen, a true friend and a kind neighbor, he has made and re- tained the friendship of scores of acquaint- ances. In 1853 Mr. Cadwallader was united in hy- meneal bonds with Susan Josephine Yardley, a daughter of William and Sarah (Hart) Yardley, and a woman greatly loved for her many estimable traits of character. This happy union has been blessed by the birth of nine children, a record of whom is as fol- BUCKS COUNTY 171 lows : L,ydia Yardley, the wife of George Warner, Jr., of Philadelphia; William Y., married to Carrie E. Lansing of Trenton, N. J. ; J. Seymonr, who was called Home as he was entering upon a manly career, died at the age of twenty-one years ; Letitia S., the wife of Edmund R. Willets of Trenton, N. J. ; T. Sidney married Ida R. Weeks, whose home was at Lancaster, Pa. ; Sarah Yardley, married to George F. Craig of Philadelphia ; Augustus J. ; Mary Ann, the wife of Mal- colm Franklin of Philadelphia ; and Helen Marr, who is residing at home with her parents. A fine engraving of Mr. Cadwallader ap- pears on a preceding page. yFpHRi PHRAIM S. NEIDIG, president of the J — borough council, and a prominent citizen of Sellersville, Bucks County, was for many years a prosperous grocer of Philadel- phia, but is now living a retired life. He is a son of Adam and Catherine (Schuler) Nei- dig, and was born near Sumneytown, Pa,. The first of this prominent family of whom we have any record is John Adam Neidig, who left his home at Odenwald, near the river Negger, Germany, and came to America August II, 1732, with the Palatines, on the ship "Samuel," of London, Hugh Piercy, master, which sailed from Rotterdam. He was the father of one Leonard Neidig, who lived to reach an advanced age. One night Leon- ard Neidig was riding his horse, and as it be- came very cold, he was frozen to death near where Sassaman's Church now stands in Montgomery County, Pa. The animal re- turned home in the night, and its rider was found the following morning and buried at the Six Cornered Church. He had two sons, namely : John Adam, who was born March 31, 1 77 1, and lies buried at the Six Cornered Church, and Michael, the grandfather of our subject. The latter was born September 29, 1 77 1, and died February 20, 1843, being bur- ied at the old Goshenhoppen Church in Mont- gomery County, Pa. He married Elizabeth Gilbert, and their union resulted in the fol- lowing offspring: Adam, the father of our subject ; Elizabeth, the wife of Jesse Oxen- ford ; Rebecca, the wife of Jesse Larkins ; Mary, who married Jacob Hutt, and Susan, the wife of John Shelly. Adam Neidig was born in Chester County, Pa., but spent his younger days in Montgom- ery County, where he learned the trade of a stone mason. This he followed in connection with farming throughout his active life, own- ing an excellent farm near Sumneytown. About 1 86 1, he sold his property and moved to Norristown, where the latter days of his life were spent in retirement. He was a man of high qualities and esteemed wherever known. After a long and useful life he passed to his eternal reward at the age of sixty-one years, and was buried at the old Goshenhop- pen Church. Politically, he was a supporter of the Democratic party, whilst in religious belief he was afSliated with the Lutheran Church. He married Catherine Schuler, a daughter of William Schuler, who resided near Sumneytown, and two children blessed their happy home, namely: Sarah (Wam- bold) ; and Ephraim S. , in whom the inter- 172 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES est of this sketch centers. Mrs. Neidig lived to reach the advanced age of eighty years, dying April 8, 1 896. Ephraim S. Neidig was reared on his father's farm in Montgomery County, where he obtained his primary education in the dis- trict schools. He then went to Philadelphia, where he took a course in Crittenden's Busi- ness College, after which he accepted a cleri- cal position in that city. Continuing in that capacity for two years, he then entered the grocery business on his own account, estab- lishing a store in Philadelphia on the corner of American and Oxford streets, which he conducted with great success until 1 890. Be- ginning in a very small way and by the prac- tice of the strictest economy during the Civil War, when large numbers of firms were forced to the wall, he placed the business on a firm paying basis and gradually increased his stock until he had a very large and well equipped establishment. He is a man of excellent busi- ness propensities, and his shrewd judgment enabled him to surmount many trying ob- stacles, and he established a very large and lucrative trade. He had a reputation for honesty and fair dealing, and his customers always found it a pleasure to patronize him. In 1 890, after years of prosperity, he disposed of his store to his son, Milton H. Neidig, who inherited many of his father's excellent traits of character and still conducts that business. In that year, Mr. Neidig moved to Sellers- ville, Bucks County, where he has since en- joyed the peace and quiet of retired life. He has taken a deep interest in the progress of the interests of his adopted village, and from 1894 to 1897 served as burgess, gince the latter date, he has served as president of the borough council, and has made many friends by the conscientious manner in which he has discharged the duties of that office. Mr. Neidig was united in marriage with Catherine Scholl, by whom he had one son and two daughters, as follows: Milton H., who married IJzzie Phann, and has one daughter, Edith ; Clara, who married John F. Myers, of Philadelphia, and has one son, Walter, and Maggie. Mrs. Neidig was called to her home beyond the river of Death at the age of thirty-eight years, and he formed a second marital union with her cousin, Diana Scholl. In his political affiliations, he is an unswerving Democrat. Fraternally, he is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men, lycni Lenape Tribe, No. 3, in which he has held all of the offices ; Fidelity Lodge, No. 8, Knights of the Golden Eagle ; and also of the Order of Sparta, Delphi Lodge, No. 5. During the Civil War he enlisted in the 21st Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf , which was organized for the state defense, and served until the regi- ment was discharged. EV. SAMUEL S. DIEHL, pastor of St. Luke's Lutheran Church of Nockamixon township, and the Upper Tinicum Lutheran Church of Tini- cum township, is a prominent and highly esteemed resident of Kintnersville, Bucks County. Rev. Mr. Diehl is a native of Wil- liams township, Northampton County, Pa., the date of his birth being January 13, 1862, and he is a son of John H. and Lovina BUCKS COUNTY 173 (Schmell) Diehl, grandson of Samuel and Mary (Heist) Diehl, great-grandson of Daniel and Magdalene (Amy) Diehl, and great-great- grandson of William Diehl. William Diehl was the founder of this branch of the Diehl family in this country ; with his six brothers he left his native land, Wurtemberg, Germany, and immigrated to America prior to the Revolutionary War. According to tradition, he was a teamster in the Revolutionary War, and after it had been brought to a close, he settled in Haycock township, Bucks County, where he took up a large tract of land and followed farming. Of the seven brothers who came to this country, five located in Bedford County, Pa., while the remaining two settled in this county. Daniel Diehl was born in Haycock township, where he resided all his life ; he built a tavern, which he conducted in con- nection with farming, and his property now lies within the village of Strawntown. He was joined in marriage with Magdalene Amy, who bore him a family of five children, namely : Samuel ; John ; Tobias ; William ; and Betsey, the wife of a Mr. Smith. Samuel Diehl, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was born in Haycock township, but early in life became a resident of Springfield township, where he engaged in farming. Samuel was a veteran of the War of 1812, and after its close joined a volunteer com- pany and was commissioned a colonel. As a result of his union with Mary Heist, the fol- lowing children were born : Elizabeth, the wife of William Hinkle, of Allentown ; Mary, the wife of Oliver Dunlap, of Haycock township ; Susanna, who was wedded to David Mumbauer ; Catherine, who married Abraham R. Mann ; Eliza, who was united in marriage with William Campbell of Rich- land, Pa.; William B., who was married to Emma Amey ; Levi P. married Isabella Cress- man ; and John H., the father of our subject. John H. Diehl was born February 6, 1820, and his early days were spent working in his father's mill, learning the trade of a miller ; he settled in Williams township, Northamp- ton County, where he carried on agricultural pursuits for a period of seventeen years ; at the expiration of that time, which was in 1867, he moved to Bedminster township, where he pursued his former vocation until 1876. He then moved upon a large farm in Springfield township, where he lived until 1 886, when he returned to Bedmiiister town- ship and lived in retirement until his death in 1 89 1. He was united in marriage with lyovina Schmell, a daughter of Michael Schmell, and she now resides on the old homestead with her son, David. Three chil- dren resulted from this union. David, the eldest, a farmer by occupation, married Sarah Ann Stever, a daughter of Reuben Stever, by whom he has the following children, all of whom are living : John H., who graduated in 189s from Gettysburg College; Reuben, a member of the class of 1899 of the same in- stitution ; Joseph T. ; James W.; David H. ; Samuel A.; Richard; Elmer; Sally; Isabella; and Herbert. Eliza, who died in 1894, was the wife of Samuel R. Stever, and they reared the following children : William ; Lo- vina; Sally; Francis; Levi; Ida; Samuel, deceased ; and Annie. Samuel S. , our subject, was the youngest child born to his parents. 174 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES Rev. Samuel S. Diehl was educated in the public schools and in the West Chester State Normal, which he attended for two terms. Then, after teaching school for some four years, he entered Gettysburg College and was graduated in 1889; three years later he grad- uated from the Theological Seminary of the same institution. Rev. Mr. Diehl was then called to Kintnersville where he took charge of St. Ivuke's lyUtheran Church, succeeding Rev. O. H. Melchor, and also became pastor of the Upper Tinicum L,utheran Church of Tinicum township. Among the early settlers of Nockamixon township were many of German nationality, and with them they brought the religion of their native land. The Lutheran congrega- tion of Kintnersville may properly be called a child of the Springfield congregation. It was organized about the year 1755, and its first house of worship was an humble log building, which was erected on a site near the present Center Hill School House. Who the first pastor was is a question, as the records of the church at that time were not preserved. The first pastor of whom we have any record is J. Michael Enderline, who had charge in 1766, and was succeeded by Jacob T. Miller in 1773. A Mr. Sanna was then pastor for some time, and was followed by Peter Ahl in 1789. The following were his successors : Augustus Herman Schmidt, 1798; Rev. Kramer, 1801 ; John Nicholas Mensch, 1803; Henry E. Miller, 1823; C. F. Welden, 1838 ; C. P. Miller, 1842 ; W. S. Emery, 1865 ; O. H. Melchor, 1880; and S. S. Diehl, 1892. At some time during the Revolutionary War the Reformed congregation erected a church near the site of the present building, and in 1804 the Lutheran congregation began to worship with their Reformed brethren, and ever since the church has been Union. On Easter Monday, April 19, 181 3, the corner- stone of a new church was laid, and the church completed in 18 14, and was used as a house of worship until 1875, when a fine new edifice was erected. The corner-stone was laid on July 3, 1875, and the church was dedicated on May 20, 1 877. It is beautifully furnished, and is one of the finest churches in Bucks County. In 1891 a new pipe organ was purchased at a cost of ;^2,ooo, and in 1895 steam heat was also added to its many other conveniences. The church services for many years were exclusively in the German lan- guage, but English was gradually introduced until now only on every sixth Sunday are the services partially in German. The con- gregation is large and influential, and the present membership is over 500. There is connected with the church a flourishing Sun- day School, an active Missionary Society, and a regular Thursday Evening Bible Class; The officers of the church at the present time are as follows : Trustees, William H. Nickel and Andrew J. Bean ; elders, William E. Litzenberger and Wilson W. Bean; dea- cons, Peter F. Herstine, Henry L. Fox, George A. Purdy and H. Clayton Franken- field. The congregation is united and is doing a good work in the cause of our com- mon Master. The Upper Tinicum Lutheran congrega^ tion, the other of Rev. Mr. Diehl's congrega- tions, was organized as a result of the mission- ary labors of Rev. John R. Wilcox, of Riegels- BUCKS COUNTY 175 ville. He began his labors by preaching in the Bridgeton School House, August 17, 185 1, but after preaching there for several Sundays without sufficient encouragement, he opened services at Calvin's School House, a few miles distant, on September 14, 185 1. There he met with better success, and a congregation was organized and a church built, the corner- stone being laid May, 31, 1852. It was a Union church (I^utheran and Reformed), and was dedicated November 20, 1852. Rev. Mr. Wilcox served as pastor until i860. His successor was C. L- Keedy, who remained until 1862, and was in turn succeeded by the following in the order given : Rev. Nathan Yeager, 1863; Rev. Theophilus Heilig, from 1864 to 1876; Rev. D. T. Koser, from 1877 to 1887; Rev. C. L. Fleck, from 1887 to 1892; and Rev. S. S. Diehl, from 1892 up to the present time. The congregation was con- nected with the Riegelsville congregation until 1892, when a new charge called the Kintnersville charge was created, comprising this and the Nockamixon congregation. The new charge called Rev. S. S. Diehl, of the Theological Seminary of Gettysburg, as its first pastor. The old church was at this time in a bad condition, and would have necessi- tated a large outlay of money for repairs, so it was decided to erect a new church. The corner-stone was laid on July 30, 1893, ^^^ the new church was dedicated May 27, 1894; it is a very handsome edifice, and is a credit to the congregations which make it their house of worship. The church has an enroll- ment of 350 members, and has accomplished much good in the community. The officers are as follows : Trustees, Gustavus A. Ziegler and John Nice, Esq. ; elders, Aaron F. Har- wick and Isaac H. White ; deacons, Reuben F. Riegel, Henry C. Sigafoos, William Shoudt and I^uther S. Tettemer. Rev. Mr. Diehl is a highly respected citizen of Kint- nersville, and is prominent in the denomi- nation in which he is a worthy minister. His natural talent and fine education consti- tute him a valued member of the community, in which his influence is exercised only for the good. Our subject was united in marriage June 23, 1892, with Ida May Swartz, a daughter of Morris M. and Eliza Swartz, of Coopers- burg, Pa., and to them has come one son, Irvin David, born December 6, 1895. Rev. Mr. Diehl owns a handsome home in Kint- nersville, which he purchased of Rev. D. Rothrock. -r-SypVITCHELI. WOOD, who has re- 1 1 =y sided in Bucks County, Pa., for a H -L \„_^ period of fifty-four years, is now living on a lot near the village of Johnsville, Warminster township, Bucks County, and since 1 879 he has been living in retirement, enjoying the fruits of his early toil. This worthy and honored citizen was born in. Moreland township, Montgomery County, Pa., December ii, 18 19, and is a son of John and Rebecca (Walton) Wood. John Wood was born in Montgomery County, Pa., where he resided all his life, pursuing the vocation of an agriculturist, in which he was quite successful. He died on the 9th of September, 1856, at the age of 176 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES sixty-five years. He was joined in marriage with Rebecca Walton, who died September II, 1870. They became the parents of seven children. Mitchell Wood possesses a common school education which he received in the schools of his native township, and he remained under the parental roof until he attained his ma- jority, during which time he assisted his father in working the farm. Our subject farmed in Montgomery County a number of years, and after his marriage moved to War- minster township, where he continued his former occupation with marked success. In 1879 he took possession of his present resi- dence near the village of Johnsville, War- minster township, and has since lived in re- tirement, spending his latter days in quiet and peace and enjoying a well-earned com- petency. Mr. Wood is widely known throughout the township and village and is held in high esteem by his fellow-townsmen. Mr. Wood has served as a school director of the township for a period of four years ; in politics, he has always given his support to the Republican party. On the nth of April, 1844, Mr. Wood was wedded to Mary H. Walton, who was born in Montgomery County, Pa., June 26, 1824 ; she is a daughter of Seth and Margaret (Walton) Walton, and her father was a mason during his early days, but later engaged in agricultural pursuits. Two children resulted from this marriage, and were named as follows: Alice B., who was born October 10, 1845, is the wife of Simpson B. Michener, a farmer of New Hope, Pa. ; and Milton, born September 1 2, 1857, who is a resident of Philadelphia, where he is engaged in the wholesale and retail grocery business, — he was united in the bonds of matrimony with Alice Beans. Religiously, Mr. Wood is a member of the Society of Friends. ,RS. MARY ANN WIGGINS is the widow of Benjamin Wiggins, and resides in the village of Wrights- town, where she is held in high esteem by her many acquaintances for her many excel- lent qualities. Benjamin Wiggins was de- scended from an old and pioneer family of Upper Makefield township, Bucks County, Pa., where he was born October 29, 1808. He was a son of Benjamin and Margaret (Buckman) Wiggins, and great-grandson of Bezaleel Wiggins, who was a son of Benjamin Wiggins, the founder of the Wiggins family in Upper Makefield township. Bezaleel Wiggins resided in Upper Make- field township the greater part of his life, engaged in agricultural pursuits. Benjamin Wiggins, the father of the husband of our subject, was born on the homestead in Upper Makefield township ; his wife was Margaret Buckman, a native of Newtown township, this county. Farming was the chief voca- tion of Mr. Wiggins. Mrs. Mary Ann Wiggins was born in Wiightstown, November 4, 18 14, and is a daughter of Dr. Thomas and Rachel (Betts) Chapman, atjd granddaughter of Joseph Chapman. Joseph Chapman was a son of Abraham Chapman, and both were life-long farmers of Wrightstown township. John JACOB L. SWENK. BUCKS COUNTY 179 Chapman, the great-great-grandfather of our subject, was the founder of this well-known and prosperous family in this country, having come from his native country, England, to America in 1684. Dr. Thomas Chapman was born in Wrightstown township, and he was the leading physician of his community for many years, having established a large and lucrative practice. He departed from this life in March, 1849. He was wedded to Rachel Betts, who died in May, 1848, and they \^ere the parents of a family of seven children, namely : Mary Ann, the subject of this personal history ; Susanna, deceased ; Joseph, deceased ; Isaac, a retired resident of Wrightstown ; and Thomas, Wilhelmina, and Charles, the last three all deceased. On November 16, 1836, Mary Ann Chap- man was united in marriage with Benjamin Wiggins, and he was engaged in the cultiva- tion of the soil in Upper Makefield township all his life. He was prominently identified with all measures that tended to promote the general welfare of his community, and en- joyed the respect and good-will of. rnany friends throughout the county. His spirit was called from this earth September 12, 1 88 1, and his death was deeply lamented by his relations and acquaintances; he was a kind and generous neighbor and friend and a faithful and loving father and husband. Poli- tically, he was a stanch Republican. He was the inventor of the well-known Wiggins Plow. He was an active member of the Society of Friends, of which our subject is also a prominent and devoted member. Mrs. Wiggins is the mother of four children, who were named as follows : Margaret, who lives at the home of our subject ; Elizabeth also resides with her mother ; Rachel is the wife of Uriah Borton, a surveyor residing at Moores- town, N. J., and they are the parents of two children — Mary C. and William J. ; and Sa- rah, deceased, who married Edward Home, of Newtown, and they reared one son, Benja- min. Mrs. Wiggins has attained an advanced age in life, and is surrounded by relatives and many warm friends, who hold her in dear esteem. •ACOB h. SWENK, who was reared a miller, has followed that vocation ever since, and is now the owner and proprietor of a mill at Blooming Glen, Hill- town - township, Bucks County, Pa., and is one of the highly esteemed residents of that village. Our subject was born in the above township October 25, 185 1, and is a son of Jacob and Fannie (lycidy) Swenk, and grand- son of William Swenk. - William Swenk was a native of Hilltown township, Bucks County, Pa., and resided there nearly a:ll his life pursuing the occupa- tion of an agriculturist. He was united in marriage with a Miss GroflP. Jacob Swenk, the father of our subject, was born and reared in Hilltown township on his father's farm. During his early man- hood he sold hardware at Leidytown, this county ; later he became the proprietor of a general merchandise store and also dealt in produce, carting the same to Philadelphia by wagon, where it was exchanged for different kinds of merchandise. He successfully car- ried on that business many years. He died i8o BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES in 185 1 ; his wife passed from this life in September, 1888. They were members of the Hilltown Methodist Church. His wife was Fannie Leidy, a native of Montgomery County, Pa., and a family of ten children was born to them, as follows : Mary, the wife of Joseph HofiFord of Philadelphia ; Amanda resides at Leidytown, Pa.; Ellen died aged twenty years ; Hannah died in 1 879 ; Addie, the wife of Isaac Kroute of New Britain township, this county; Juliette, widow of the late Henry Yost, now resides at Silverdale, Bucks County; Sarah died at the age of twenty-five yeai;s ; Amos, who now resides at I^eidytown, this county, where he is engaged in the manufacture of rake, axe and hatchet handles ; Emeline, wedded to William Yost of Benjamin, Pa., who was formerly a machine agent, but is now en- gaged in farming ; and Jacob L. , our subject, who was the youngest child. Jacob L. Swenk acquired a good education in the public schools of Hilltown, Doyles- town ahd New Britain townships. At the age of seven years he went to live with his uncle, Zachariah I^eidy, of Chalfont, and remaiued with him until he attained the age of sixteen years. He then taught school one term in Hilltown township, and in 1874 be- gan to learn the trade of a miller, working with his brother-in-law, Henry Yost, who owned our subject's present mill. He re- mained with him eight years, when Mr. Yost died, and in 1884 our subject purchased the mill property from Mrs. Yost and has operated the same up to the present time. In 1896 the mill was destroyed by fire, and, although our subject sustained a heavy loss, he imme- diately built the present one. This mill is operated by both steam and water power, and our subject does all kinds of grinding and chopping, and also handles all grades of flour and feed. Mr. Swenk also owns a small farm which adjoins the mill property. He is widely known throughout the county, is one of the valued citizens of his community, and is highly respected by his fellow-townsmen. Mr. Swenk was twice united in marriage ; his first wife was lyizzie Gabel of Bedminster township, Bucks County, and she died July, 1893, leaving a family of three children, namely: Willie, born February 2, 1887; Robert, December 20, 1890; and Paul, May II, 1893. Our subject's second matrimonial alliance was with Mrs. Sarah Fulmer, widow of the late Louis Fulmer, a farmer of Hill- town township, and they were united in marriage June 9, 1897. Mr. and Mrs. Swenk are members of the Lutheran Church. Our subject has always supported the Republican party, but has never aspired to public ofEce. His portrait appears on another page in prox- imity to this. -OSEPH A. HESTON. Among the prosperous citizens of Buckingham township, none have been more pro- minently identified with the interests of the community than the above-named gentleman, who is a worthy representative of one of the oldest pioneer families of Bucks County, Pa , whose descendants are very numerous, and are numbered among the most energetic and prominent citizens of the county. Mr. BUCKS COUNTY i8i Heston is now living in retirement, having succeeded in acquiring a handsome fortune in pursuing the occupation of an agricul- turist and cattle dealer. He was born in Buckingham township, this county, February I, 1826, and is a son of Jacob and 3arah (At- kinson) Heston, and grandson of Jacob Hes- ton, Sr. The Heston family was founded in Bucks County by the great-grandfather of our sub- ject, who was a farmer in Buckingham town- ship many years. Jacob Heston, the grand- father of our subject, was born in this county in November, 1749, and he conducted a store in the village of Pineville, Pa. ; at the time of his death, which was in 1846, he was re- siding in Buckingham township. Jacob Hes- ton had a brother, Hon. Edward W. Heston, who was widely known throughout Pennsyl- vania ; he was a State Senator many years, and the village of Hestonville was named in honor of him; he died in the year 1824, aged seventy-eight years. Jacob Heston, our sub- ject's father, was born in the village of Pine- ville, June 18, 1796, and his boyhood days were spent in his father's store and in attend- ing the district school. He conducted the store in Pineville on his own account for many years, but later moved to Buckingham town- ship, where he purchased a tract of land and took to farming; he pursued that vocation until death claimed him, which was in March, 1852. He was twice united in marriage ; his first wife was Sarah Atkinson, a native 01 Wrightstown township, and she died March 10, 1 826, leaving a family of three children, namely : Elizabeth, who was wedded to Jo- siah B. Smith, both now deceased ; Sarah A. , widow of the late Charles Smith, of Buck- ingham township; and Joseph A., the subject of this personal history. Mr. Heston chose for his second wife, Sarah Smith, who lived to the ripe old age of ninety-seven years. This union resulted in the birth of two children, as follows: Ann, who died aged fourteen years ; and Mary B., the wife of T. O. Atkinson, of Doylestown, Pa., who is at the head of the Bucks County Trust Com- pany, and whose sketch appears on another page of this work. The boyhood of our subject was passed in attending the common schools, and in assist- ing in the work about the farm; early in life he took charge of the homestead in Bucking- ham township, and carried on general agri- cultural pursuits. In April, 1867, our sub- ject located at Pineville, where he engaged in the cattle business, buying cattle and fat- tening them for the market; he successfully carried on that line of business until a few years ago, when he retired from further active labors, and is now passing the sunset of his life in quiet and peace. He has disposed of all of his real estate. Mr. Heston is well known throughout his section of Bucks County, and commands the respect of a wide circle of friends ; he takes an active interest in any measure that tends to benefit his fellow-citizens or the community at large. Politically, Mr. Heston was a Whig in his former days; but upon the formation of the Republican party, he joined its ranks and has remained identified with that party up to the present time. Mr. Heston chose for his life companion Margaret Smith, and they were united in 1 82 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES marriage March 23, 1854. She was a daugh- ter of William and Margaret (Worthington) Smith ; her father was a farmer and pump- maker all his active days. Our subject's wife passed from this earth February 27, 1892, leaving one child, Sarah M., the wife of George L. Eastburn, with whom our subject now resides. ■QN. HENRY S. FUNK, who stands in the foremost rank of the promi- nent men of the northern part of the county, is the editor and proprietor of the Springtown Times^ and is closely identi- fied with many other industries which have aided in the advancement of the standing of the village and Bucks County. He is a son of Henry and Susanna (Sleiffer) Funk, and was born on the old family homestead in Springtown, Springfield township, Bucks County, December 23, 1844. He comes of a family that has for many years past been closely connected with the advancement and development of Springfield township, and traces his ancestry back to Bishop Henry Funk, a native of Germany, who, upon coming to America in 17 19, located in Montgomery County, Pa., being the first bishop of the Mennonite Church in this country. He settled on Indian Creek, and died in 1760. He was the author of a num- ber of religious works and was appointed by the Mennonite Church to supervise the trans- lation of "Van Bracht's Martyrs' Mirror" from the Dutch to the German ; a folio of 1)514 pages, and was printed in 1748. Bishop Funk was a highly educated man for the times in which he lived. His son, Henry Funk, the great-grandfather of our subject, was born in Montgomery County, but finally purchased a tract of 600 acres of valuable land in Springfield township, Bucks County, which became a very valuable estate. He settled upon it in 1736, erected a home and built a grist and saw mill on the site of our subject's present mills, and after a time dis- posed of a portion of the property, on which Springtown now stands, but reserved the water right through the town. He lived there the remainder of his life in the pur- suance of his duties on the farm and in the mill, living to reach an advanced age. He was a shrewd and successful business man. Henry Funk, the grandfather of the gentle- man whose name heads this record, was born in Springfield township on the home estate, which he later inherited. In 1776, he erected the old stone house which is still standing on the property, and also the new mill in 1782, which he operated in connection with farm- ing. He was extensively engaged in stock- raising, having many cattle, horses and sheep. He was married to Barbara Kaufman, who lived for almost a century, and they reared the following children : Ralph ; Kaufman ; Henry; Sarah; Mary; and Elizabeth. Mr. Funk was a Whig, and quite a prominent man in political circleSj serving as justice of the peace for some years, and representing the county in the State Senate from 1805 to 1809. He was called to his eternal rest at the age of fifty-two years. Henry Funk, the father of the subject of this personal history, was also born on the BUCKS COUNTY 183 homestead in Springtown, and after attaining man's estate inherited the homestead, grist and saw mills, and 150 acres of land. Many improvements were effected while it was in his charge, new barns and houses being built, and other important changes being made. He operated the grist and saw mills through- out his life with more than ordinary success. He departed this life in 1845, at the age of forty one years, while in the midst of an in- dustrious career. He was united in matrimo- nial bonds with a daughter of Henry Sleiffer, Susanna, who is still living and enjoys the best of health at the advanced age of ninety- five years. This happy union was blessed by the birth of the following children: Mary, who married Jacob Trauger ; Enos, who died at the age of eighteen years ; Elizabeth, whose death also occurred at the early age of eighteen years, and Henry S., our subject. Hon. Henry S. Funk attended the Spring- town Academy until he was sixteen years of age, when at that immature age he assumed charge of the mills and real estate bequeathed him by his father, and displayed unusual judg- ment for one of his years in so responsible a position. He tore down the mill erected by his grandfather and erected upon its site one of the most complete flouring mills in the state, together with handle works and saw-mills, and operated them with good results until 1869, when they were destroyed by fire. He imme- diately rebuilt them, and they are with the homestead farms still under his personal su- pervision. In 1885 he established the Spring- toivn Times^ a forty-eight column, eight-page sheet, which, after a long, hard struggle, he placed on a firm paying basis. It has had an ever-increasing circulation and is now esti- mated at over 1600 copies per issue. He is still its editor with his son, Henry H., as business manager. In 1883 he built a large store and dwelling house in the village, and upon the second floor is the printing and job ofiices and his own private office. He has built several tenement houses which he rents, and owns 200 acres of land with valuable water-powers in the vicinity of Springtown. He has also been interested in a number of enterprises in Springtown and established the Keystone Paper Box Company, which he still operates. It was mainly through his influence that the village has the accommo- dation of the Quakertown & Eastern Rail- road, of which company he is secretary, a director and large stock-holder. He is also the secretary of an insurance company, and president of a building and loan association. Politically, he is a stanch Republican, and, besides serving as justice of the peace for many years, he was called upon to represent this district in the State House of Represen- tatives in 1894-98, acquitting himself with credit to his constituents. He was postmas- ter of Springtown during Garfield's and Har- rison's administrations. He is a man of high principles ; has a well-balanced mind, and is highly respected wherever known. Mr. Funk was united in hymeneal bonds with Ellen Horlocher, a daughter of David Horlocher, of Saucon Valley, I^ehigh County, and they reared two children : Henry H. , who is associated with his father both in the Paper Box Manufacturing Company and in the Springtown Times, married Minnie E. Hess, and has one son, Henry ; and Susie E., 1 84 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES who is a bookkeeper in her father's oiSce and a violinist of talent. Mrs. Funk was called to her home beyond the river of Death in 1884, and he formed a second alliance with Sallie C. Ivaubach, a daughter of William lyau- bach, of Durham township, Bucks County. Socially, he is a member of I/odge, No. 512, F. & A. M. ; and the Patriotic Order Sons of America, of both of which his son is also a member. Wi IIvLIAM H. RAUDENBUSH, Esq., who was one of the prominent and progressive agriculturists of Bucks County, Pa., has for the past score of years been living in retirement, enjoying the labors of his early toil, and is one of the esteemed resi- dents of Church Hill. He was born in Hay- cock township, this county, February 16, 1833, and is a son of Samuel and Mary Ann (Frankenfield) Raudenbush and grandson of Nicholas and Catherine (Applebach) Rauden- bush. Nicholas Raudenbush was an old innkeeper at Pleasant Hill, Pa., many years; his early days were spent following the vocation of a tailor. He was a resident of Strawntown, Pa., at the time of his death. His wife, whose maiden name was Catherine Applebach, bore him four children. The maternal grandfather of our subject was Michael Frankenfield, who was a native of Springfield township, this county; his wife was Elizabeth Hess. Samuel Raudenbush, the father of our sub- ject, was a native of Springfield township, Bucks County, and was reared to agricultural pursuits, and followed farming throughout his entire active period. He resided in Rock- hill township the greater part of his life, and was the owner of a large tract of land. Sam- uel Raudenbush was widely known through- out the county and served his fellow-country- men as constable and school director many years ; he was also captain in the state mili- tia many years. Politically, he was a stanch Democrat, and was a leader in his community. He passed from this life in 1863. He was joined in marriage with Mary Ann Franken- field, a native of Springfield township, this county, and they became the parents of a family of three children, namely : Harriet, the wife of Samuel Y. Fluck ; our subject was next in order ; and Catherine Ann, the wife of Andrew J. Walp. Our subject's mother entered the world of rest in 1 878. William H. Raudenbush acquired a good education in the common schools of his native township and at Quakertown, and then en- gaged in school teaching for four terms in Rockhill township. He remained under the parental roof until his marriage, when he purchased the homestead, which consisted of go acres of well- improved land, and carried on farming there many years. I^ater he bought his present home, which consists of 27 acres, and successfully carried on general farming until 1878, when he retired from the active duties of life. He ■ carried on that occupation in a successful manner and was an honor to his calling. On November 6, 1859, Mr. Raudenbush was joined in the bonds of matrimony with L,ivy Fulmer, a native of Hilltown township, Bucks County, and a daughter of John and Cathe- BUCKS COUNTY 185 rine (Kramer) Fulmer. She died May 25, 1863, Her only child, Mary Ellen, married John A. Weisel, a farmer on our subject's farm, and they have three children, William Francis, Henry Edgar and Clara May. Our subject's second matrimonial alliance was with Elizabeth Walp, a native of Richland township, this county, and a daughter of George and Elizabeth (Bartholomew) Walp ; her father was a shoemaker and farmer by trade. Mr. Raudenbush is a member, deacon and trustee of the Lutheran Church of East Rockhill, and is also one of its most active supporters. He is an excellent citizen, tak- ing an interest in the welfare of his com- munity, and, while willing to promote its interests in every possible manner, has not been an office seeker. He has, however, consented to fill the office of justice of the peace and other minor offices to which he has been elected. Politically, he is an ardent supporter of Democratic principles. fHOMAS BRIGGS, a descendant of one of the early families of Bucks County, Pa., is a prominent and highly-esteemed citi- zen of Newtown, this county, and has been successfully connected with the Provident Life & Trust Company of Philadelphia since 1 88 1. He is a native of Upper Makefield township, Bucks County, and is a son of Theodore S. and Sarah (Leedom) Briggs, and is a grandson of Phineas Briggs. Our subject's grandfather was the founder of the Briggs family in Bucks County ; he settled in Newtown township, and resided on the farm now owned by William Barnsley, and carried on agricultural pursuits there until his death. His wife was Sarah Taylor, a daughter of Timothy and Sarah (Yardley) Taylor, granddaughter of Timothy and Leti- tia (Kirkbride) Taylor, and great-grand- daughter of Benjamin and Hannah (Towne) Taylor, the originators in America of the old and historical family of Taylors. Phineas Briggs was the father of the following chil- dren : William ; Samuel ; Yardley ; James ; Stacy ; and Theodore S. Theodore S. Briggs, the father of our sub- ject, after his marriage, settled in Newtown township, where he followed farming a num- ber of years, when he moved to Penn Manor, this county ; there he continued his former occupation some ten years, and on April 5, 1847, purchased our subject's present farm, upon which he made many improvements. In 1868 he bought the adjoining farm, where he resided until death claimed him. He was married to Sarah Leedom, a daughter of Benjamin and Mary Leedom, who were of English origin.* This union was blessed by the following children: Emily K., de- ceased, was the wife of Edward Smith ; Annie M. died, aged thirty-nine years ; Almarine W., who died in 1894 at the age of fifty- one years, was married to Zoanna Paxon ; Wilmer A. , who married Frances Janney, is engaged in the upholstering business in New * The first of the Leedoms to come to this country was Richard Leedom and family which was in 1712 ; they located at Middletown, where he was. engaged in agricultural pursuits. He brought his certificate from York, England, Monthly Meeting, February 4, 1712. i86 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES York City ; and Thomas, our subject. Mr. Briggs was a solid Republican, and served as school' director. Religiously, he and his family were members of the Society of Friends. His death occurred August 20, 1882, in his seventy-first year; his wife passed from this earth in October, 1896, aged seventy-nine years. Thomas Briggs first attended the primary schools of his native township, and later en- tered the State Normal School at West Ches- ter. Upon leaving school he taught four years, and after clerking in a store a short time, he became associated, April 16, 1881, with the Provident I/ife & Trust Company, of Philadelphia, in which business he has been very successful, and his work extends throughout Pennsylvania. Since our subject has been connected with this business he has been a resident of Newtown, where he has made many friends, and has won the esteem and confidence of the entire community. June 5, 1881, Mr. Briggs was wedded to Ruthanna Eastburn, a daughter of John S. and Martha (Hellburn) Eastburn. John East- burn was a son of Bezaleel Eastburn, and was the father of four children, namely : Re- becca; Albert; Ruthanna; and Ellen. Our subject and wife were blessed by a family of four children, as follows : Marion E. ; Edward A. ; Agnes M. ; and Helen S. Mr. Briggs has served as school director twelve years, five of which he was president of the board. He is now one of the directors of the Newtown Improvement Company. He owns a brown- stone residence on Washington avenue, which is one of the most handsome in the township, and is surrounded by a beautiful and well- kept lawn. Our subject has always been a stanch Republican. Religiously, he and his wife are members of the Society of Friends. 1:^^ ATSON P. CHURCH, the well- known proprietor and editor of the Newtown Enterprise^ one of the leading weekly papers of Bucks County, is a deep thinker, and a witty and versatile writer. He is a son of Eleazer F. and Hannah Brock (Price) Church, and was born at Center Bridge, Solebury township, Bucks County, February 7, 1849. Eleazer Church, the father of our subject, was of English descent, and first saw the light of day in Buckingham township, Bucks County, in 1820. At an early day he was apprenticed to the printer's trade in the ofiice of the Doylestown Democrat^ but later was engaged in mercantile pursuits at Center Bridge, Solebury township, until 1850. In that year, he went to Cockeysville, Baltimore County, Md., and published the Baltimore County Advocate^ and shortly afterwards re- moved it to Towson, in the same county. In 1865, he disposed of the plant in order to accept an appointment as revenue inspector, and in the following year he purchased a half interest in the Herald and Torchlight^ at Hagerstown, Md. He later located at Tow- son, Md., and started the Baltimore County Free Press, which he sold after a period of six months, and moved to Newtown, Bucks County, in Marqh, 1 868, where he established the Newtown Enterprise. He built a hand- some two-story brick block, in which he OLIVER H. FRETZ, A.M., M. D. BUCKS COUNTY 189 published his paper, and also built what is now the Edward Taylor residence on Chan- cellor street at a cost of $4,500. The En- terprise was originally a seven column, four page sheet, 1 8 by 24 inches, and it was a suc- cess from the very start. It was a great factor in advancing the interests of Newtown and in fact the township, and was patronized by the leading citizens of the district. He was one of the original stockholders in build- ing the new railroad to Philadelphia, and was also connected with many of the leading enterprises of Newtown. He lived a long and useful life, and was called to his final rest June 15, 1893, in the seventy-third year of his age. He formed a matrimonial alli- ance with Hannah Brock Price, who.se death occurred at the age of seventy-seven years, and their union was blessed by the birth of the following children : William, a farmer ; Watson P., in whom the interest of this sketch centers; Mary C, the wife of G. M. Wright of Philadelphia; Harry F., who fol- lows the trade of a printer in Newtown ; and Fannie M., of Philadelphia. Watson P. Church attended the . public schools, after which he was engaged in teach- ing and assisting his father in the office. He also held a clerical position for some time, but finally succeeded his father as editor and proprietor of the Newtown Enterprise. He has instituted many improvemehts since tak- ing the reins in his hands. The. paper is chiefly of local interest, but its well-written articles attract attention throughout the county. The paper is up-to-date in every respect and has a large circulation of 2675 copies. Mr. Church is one of the original 10* stockholders and promoters of the Standard Telephone Company of Newtown, which was established in May, 1896, and is also a stock- holder in the Water Works, Electric Light Plant, and the First National Bank of New- town. He is a public-spirited man, and is held in high esteem wherever known for his many excellent traits of character. IvIVER H. FRETZ, A.M., M D.,whom we represent with a portrait on the opposite page, is a son of William and Catherine (HoflFord) Fretz, and grandson of Isaac and Mary (Moyer) Fretz, and was born in Richland township, Bucks County, April 9, 1858. There he lived till he was ten years old, when he removed with his parents to Quakertown, where he received the best school advahta'gesthe borough afforded, and was subsequently seiit to Muhlenberg Col- lege, AUentownJ Pa.; to complete his educa- tion. He began the "study of medicine in 1879, first undeir that able practitioner and scientist. Dr. I. S. Moyer, of Quakertown ; afterward in the same year he entered the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pa., and, after pursuing a three years' graded course . of study, graduated March 30, 1882, receiving the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He began the practice of medicine at Sal- fordville, Montgomery County, Pa., but, owing to ill health, at the end of three years he sold his practice and removed to Quakei- town, where he is now successfully engaged in the drug business, combined with a large and lucrative office and consulting practice. I go BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES In 1886-87 he took a post-graduate course of instruction at the Philadelphia Polyclinic and College for Graduates in Medicine, fitting himself as a specialist in diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. In 1 889 he completed a course in pharmacy at the National Insti- tute of Pharmacy, Chicago, 111. Since 1886, when he was elected a school director of Quakertown borough, he has been closely identified with the educational interests of his town and the county. He was re-elected school director in 1889, and served three years as president and one year as treasurer of the board. In 1890 Dr. Fretz was nominated on the first ballot for Assembly by the Bucks County Democratic convention, and was elected by nearly 300 majority. He represented his county in the I,egislature of 1891 with marked ability, and to the utmost satisfaction of his constituents. In the fall of 1892 he was renominated by acclimation and re-elected by a largely increased majority. In the ses- sion of 1893 he served on the following im- portant committees : Educational, Municipal Corporations, Public Health and Sanitation, and Congressional Apportionment. He in- troduced a number of bills in the lycgislature, the most important of which was an act to authorize the State Superintendent of Public Instruction to grant permanent state teachers' certificates to graduates of recognized literary and scientific colleges. He was elected by the House of Representatives a member of the Pennsylvania Election Commission for 1893-94, whose duty it was to open, compute and publish the vote for state treasurer. June 21, 1893, Ursinus College conferred the hon- orary degree of Master of Arts (A.M.) upon him. In January, 1 894, Dr. Fretz was appointed a clinical assistant in the eye department of the Jefferson Medical College Hospital, Phila- delphia, Pa. He received the appointment of borough physician of Quakertown in 1888, and has since been re-appointed annually. In July, 1893, he was appointed by the borough council a member of the borough board of health, a position he still holds, he having recently been elected president of the board. November 2, 1898, he was elected presi- dent of the Bucks County Medical Society. He is also a member of the State Medical Society of Pennsylvania, the L,ehigli Valley Medical Association, the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Politi- cal and Social Science of Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania Forestry Association, and the Bucks County School Directors' Association, of which he served as vice-president. He is also medical examiner for various life insur- ance companies. On November 21, 1898, Dr. Fretz was elected by the board of trustees a censor of the Medico-Chirurgical College of Philadel- phia. He is a member of the following organizations : Quakertown Lodge, No. 5 1 2, F. & A. M. ; Zinzendorf Chapter, No. 216, Royal Arch Masons, Bethlehem, Pa. ; Penn- sylvania Commandery, No. 70, Knights Tem- plar, of Philadelphia ; Secona Tribe, No. 263, I. O. of R. M. ; and Marion Circle, No. 16, B. U. (H. F.), of Pennsylvania. On October 26, 1882, he married Elmira A. Roeder, daughter of Nathan C. and L,ucinda (Antrim) BUCKS COUNTY 191 Roeder. Both are members of the Reformed Church, and their union was blessed with two children : Roberts Bartholomew, born January 19, 1884, and died October i, 1884; and Raymond Lamar, born April 24, 1885. ^EV. CYRUS I.. FLECK is the highly esteemed and beloved pastor of the Lutheran Church at Riegelsville, Pa., and has presided over the congregation of that church since 1887. The Lutheran Congregation at Riegels- ville was founded in 1850 by Rev. George Diehl and Rev. John McCron, who held ser- vices in the little old school house, which is now the residence of Mrs. Mary Steckle. In that year a union church was erected for the use of the Lutheran and Reformed Congre- gations, with Rev. George Diehl as pastor of the former. Later, Rev. J. R. Wilcox assumed charge of the Lutheran body. He soon organ- ized another congregation in Tinicum town- ship, about eleven miles south of Riegels- ville, building and dedicating a church in 1852. He also preached at Raubsville, Pa., and in Holland School House, N. J. He served until i860. Rev. C L. Keedy then went to Riegelsville and occupied the pulpit of that church until 1862, when he was suc- ceeded by Rev. Nathan Yeager, whose death his parishioners were called upon to mourn in 1863, and he now lies buried in the little churchyard. Rev. Mr. Wilcox and family are also buried there. Rev. Theophilus Heilig was the next pastor, taking charge in 1863, and continuing until Rev. David T. Koser came to occupy the pulpit_in 1877. On Janu- ary 20, 1872, the old Union Church and grounds became the property of the Lutheran Congregation at a cost of $2,200, and in 1878, by a vote of the members, $1,300 was spent in repairing the church building. Rev. Koser remained until 1887, when he was succeeded by Rev. Cyrus L. Eleck, who has since served as pastor, and his good work, perseverance and business methods have made for him a host of admirers, not only among his parishioners, but among the people in general, who never fail to show their appre- ciation of honest endeavor. In 1889, it was decided, to build a new house of worship, and accordingly, while the old church was being torn down, services were held in the G. A. R. Hall, which the congregation had rented until the completion of their church. This hall took fire one day and the building burned to the ground, the church sustaining a loss in church furniture of. $200. They then rented Mechanics' Hall until January 5, 1890, when the lecture-room of their church was completed. In the meantime the founda- tion of their church had been laid, and on the fifth day of May, 1889, the corner-stone was put in place with appropriate ceremonies, impressive sermons being delivered by Rev. R. W. HufiFord, of Easton, Pa., and by Rev. A. R. Steck, of Stewartsville, N. J. In Sep- tember, 1890, the Lutheran Congregation dedicated their new edifice, which is one of the handsomest churches in the village. It was planned by Rev. A. K. Eelton, a Luthe- ran minister, and was erected at a cost of 1 1 2, 000. Considerable debt existed at the time of dedication. But our subject, with 192 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES his faithful congregation, set about the task of liquidating this amount with an energy that was not to be denied, and have succeeded in raising all but |i,ooo of the amount, and that they expect to have by the close of the present year. The church is built of granite with brown stone trimmings, and is beautifully situated on a rise of ground over- looking the village and commanding an ex- cellent view of the Delaware River. It seats 400 persons, has a lecture-room with a seating capacity of 250, and in addition a primary and class-room, the entire church being lighted by Bailey reflectors. The congregation now numbers 336 members, and is one of the largest and most influential bodies in the village. Rev. Mr. Fleck is an agreeable and convincing speaker, and there is a practica- bility about his sermons that always finds a resting place in the minds of his hearers. He is a man of fine executive abilities and is thoroughly capable of caring for his large flock, both as to their temporal and spiritual wants. He possesses the confidence and esteem of all his people whom he has served faithfully and well. Rev. Cyrus L,. Fleck was born in Sinking Valley, Pa., the date of his birth being Janu- ary 12, 1855, and is a son of Gabriel and Re- becca (Stoner) Fleck. He traces his ancestry back to George Fleck, who was one of four brothers who came to America prior to the Revolutionary War ; two settled in Mont- gomery County, Pa., and the other two, of whom George was one, settled in Blair County, of the same state. They were among the early settlers in that county, and both served in the Revolutionary War. George Fleck was born in Germany in 1748, and died in 1836, at the age of eighty-eight years. He was a healthy, vigorous old gen- tleman, reaping grain with his sickle in his eighty-seventh year, just one year prior to his death. His descendants number over 1,500, and are scattered throughout the United States, as far east as New Jersey, and west as far as California. He was the father of nine children, namely : George ; Conrad ; Margaret ; Jacob ; Catharine ; Elizabeth ; Henry, whose son, Rev. H. R. Fleck, is now minister of the Lutheran Church at New Kingston, Pa. ; David ; and Mollie. He and all of his children except one are buried in the little cemetery in Sinking Valley, Blair County, which he deeded to the lyUtheran Church from his own farm. The Flecks, almost without exception, are Lutherans, and he gave land for both a church and cemetery and a school house. The tract of land he owned lies in the heart of the valley, and numbers over 350 acres, and is still in the possession of his descendants, having been handed down to his two sous, Henry and David, between whom it was almost equally divided. David Fleck, the youngest son born to his parents, lived to reach the advanced age of seventy-seven years, and reared a family of nine children. Gabriel, his oldest son and the father of our subject, fell heir to his father's share of the original farm, and was a well-to-do farmer. He died at the age of seventy-one years, but his wife still survives him, being surrounded by many warm friends, who hold her in dear esteem. Their union resulted in the birth of twelve children : Ira ; BUCKS COUNTY 193 Eli; John Mosheim ; Lindley ; Elizabeth; Clara ; Cyrus Iv., whose name appears at the head of these lines; Sarah; Harry; John Stoner; Clair; and David. All of these are living at the present date except John Mos- heim, who died in infancy about 1850, from an attack of scarlet fever. Lindley and our subject are ministers of the Gospel in the IvUtheran Church, and all of the sons with the exception of the youngest have taught school. Ira located in Kansas some time in the '70's, where he taught school and became county superintendent of public instruction. He also served one term in the State I^egis- lature, and is now serving his fourth term as clerk of Russell County. Harry and John served in the Spanish-American War, the former being a first lieutenant and the latter a sergeant of the Sheridan Troop Cavalry, Pennsylvania Volunteers from Tyrone, Blair County, Pa. They were eucamped at Mt. Gretna, Pa., and at Camp Alger, Va., and set sail for Porto Rico from Newport News, land- ing at their destination, after being held a day and night on a sand bar, shortly after the signing of the protocol had put an end to hostilities. Rev. Cyrus I/. Fleck received his primary education in the common schools, and this was supplemented by a course in the Penn- sylvania College, from which institution he was graduated in 1 884 ; he then took a theo- logical course and was graduated with the class of 1887. On the seventeenth day of July, of that year, he took charge of his pre- sent pastorate in Riegelsville. Prior to enter- ing college he taught school a number of terms in Blair County, Pa., and during the last three years of his college days he was proctor in the college. Rev. Fleck was united in the bonds of matrimony with Annie K. Leas, a daughter of John Leas, of Granite Hill, Pa., October 26, 1887, and this union has been blessed by the birth of two children, namely: Carl Weiser, born January 24, 1890, and John Gabriel, born October 3, 1891. EV. JACOB B. KREWSON, who has had charge of the Presbyterian Church at the village of Forest Grove, Buckingham township, since 1869, is a worthy representative of one of the o.ld and well-known families of Bucks County. The Presbyterian Church, of which our subject is pastor, was dedicated in 1855, and the first pastor was Rev. Henry E. Spayde, who had charge of the same until April, 1867, and two years later Rev. Mr. Krewson became its pastor. Rev. Mr. Krewson was born in Montgomery County, November 3, 1838, and is a son of John and Sarah Ann (Barnes) Krewson. John Krewson was born and reared at Rockville, Bucks County, Pa., and resided in Montgomery and Bucks County all his life. His vocation was that of a carpenter, which trade he learned during his early days. He passed from this life in Philadelphia in January, 1882. Mr. Krewson was united in marriage with Sarah Ann Barnes, a native of Montgomery County, and she now resides in Philadelphia with one of her sons. Eight children were born to this union, namely : 194 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES Howard H., a carpenter, residing in Phila- delphia; William E., a druggist of Phila- delphia ; Harriet also resides in Philadelphia; Rev. Jacob, the subject of this sketch ; and Mary, Isaac, Samuel Rush, and Robert Steele, the last four deceased. Rev. Jacob Krewson was intellectually trained in the public schools of his native township, and at the Tennant School of Harts- ville, Pa., where he studied four years, grad- uating in 1863; in that year he entered Princeton College, New Jersey (now Prince- ton University), graduating three years later ; he then entered the Theological Seminary of Princeton and was graduated in 1869. In that year he took charge of his present parish. Rev. Mr. Krewson has increased the membership of his congregation to 75 members, whom he serves faithfully, and he is not only much beloved and dearly esteemed by his congregation, but by the entire com- munity as well. Rev. Mr. Krewson was united in the bonds of wedlock with Mary Alice Ward, who was born in Bath, Northampton County, Pa., September S, 1840, and who is a daughter of William and Rebecca (Wallace) Ward ; her father, who is now deceased, was a promi- nent farmer of Bucks County, but subse- quently moved to Carlisle, Pa., where he died in 1843. To our subject and wife a family of eight children was born, namely: J. Ward, a prominent groceryman of Phila- delphia, was wedded to I/illian Harberger; Catherine is the wife of Francis Durell Weaver, and they reside at Belmar, N. J.; Carrie Edith Hodges ; Jennie, widow of the late Dr. William J. Kelley of Forest Grove, Bucks County; Mary Polk; Robert Steele; Carroll Brelsford; and Emma Mumford. Rev. Mr. Krewson has been secretary of the Farmers & Mechanics Mutual Insurance Company of Bucks County for the past twelve years. Fraternally, he is a member of the A. O. U. W., Quaker City Lodge, No. 1 16, of Philadelphia; and is also a member of Neshaminy Castle, No. 139, Knights of the Golden Eagle of Jamison's Corners, Pa. He has also been treasurer of the Philadelphia North Presbytery nearly twenty-five years. ^TARVEY R. SMITH is a prominent '^1 and enterprising young agriculturist of Upper Makefield township, Bucks County, and comes from an old and well-known family, which was established in this county when it was in a primitive state, almost untouched by the hand of civilized man, and inhabited by Indians who attempted to repel the advances made by the white race into their territory. William Smith, the first of the family tq come to this country, was a native of Yorkshire, England, and located in Wrightstown township, Bucks County, Pa , in 1684. Ralph Smith, the grandfather of our sub- ject, a son of Ezra and Margaret (Hayhurst) Smith, was born in Upper Makefield town- ship and cultivated the soil as a means of earning a livelihood. He settled upon the farm now owned by the gentleman whose name heads these lines, and there followed his occupation for many years, or until 1868, and making it his home until his death, in BUCKS COUNTY 195 1893, in Buckingham township. He was united in marriage with Miranda Walton, a native of Montgomery County, Pa., who died in 1878, and three years later he formed a second union with Susan Warner, who is also deceased. His first marriage resulted in the following offspring: Amos W., who died at the age of twenty-one years; Margery, the relict of William Keyser, resides in the vil- lage of Wrightstown ; Barclay J., a merchant of San Francisco, Cal., married L,ydia Wood; and Edwin E., the father of our subject. Edwin E- Smith was born in Buckingham township, April 8, 1839, and although he be- came a farmer, he also conducted a general merchandise store at Buckmanville for a. short time. In 1868, he located upon the old homestead in Upper Makefield township and there carried on farming until his death, Jan- uary 14, 1897. He was one of the good, substantial citizens of that section, and was held in highest esteem. He formed a marital union with Esther lyivezey, who was born in Philadelphia, a daughter of Edward and Mary (Shallcross) lyivezey, the former of whom was a farmer. Three children were born to them, namely : Thirza M., born Octo- ber 28, 1 86 1, the wife of John Stackhouse, a farmer residing near Davisville, Pa. ; E. Ru- dolph, a farmer and butcher, residing on a farm in Upper Makefield township, was born July 10, 1868, and married Sarah W. Balder- ston, of Dolington, Pa. ; and Harvey R., the subject of this record. Harvey R. Smith obtained his educational training in the common schools of Upper Makefield township, where he was born on the homestead, June 8, 1872. Upon leaving .school, he was employed on the railroad and subsequently worked in different mills until his father's death, when he took charge of his present farm in February, 1897. He has since engaged in general farming, and suc- cess has attended his efforts on all sides. His farm consists of 100 acres of well-im- proved land, and he cultivates it according to modern principles and with the latest im- proved machinery, which forms an essential factor in successful farming. March 25, 1897, Mr. Smith formed a ma- trimonial alliance with Flora B. Gilmore, who was born in lyambertville, N. J., February 27, 1869, and is a daughter of Eli H. and Matilda (Barber) Gilmore, the former of whom is a mason by trade in Centerville, Pa. Our subject is a Republican in politics, but is not active. Religiously, he is a member of the Friends' Meeting, and his wife is a faithful member of the Baptist Church. EV. CHARI.es H. RORER, a bril- liant orator and an efficient and faithful minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, is installed as such in the church of that denomination in Bristol, the most beautiful church edifice in Bucks County. He is a son of David and Mary F. (Bickley) Rorer, and was born in the city of Philadelphia, being the fifth generation of the family to make that city their home. He comes of a family of great distinction and is descended from one bearing the name of Rorer, who was one of seven men selected by Martin Luther to make a translation of 196 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES the Bible. Henry Rorer was the first of the family to leave his native country, Switzer- land, and seek a home in the new world. He located near Frankford, Philadelphia County, Pa., in 1750, but after Gen. Brad- dock's defeat he moved to Oak Lane, where the family has since lived. His brother, Joseph Rorer, an extensive agriculturist of his day, was one of the heroic soldiers of the Revolutionary War. John Rorer, the great-grandfather of our subject and a son of Henry, resided on ^he family homestead at Oak I^ane, where he always followed farming. He was the pro- genitor of a large family of children, among whom was David, the grandfather of our subject, who became one of the substantial and highly respected citizens of that com- munity. David Rorer, the father of the gentleman whose name heads these lines, was also born on the family homestead at Oak L,ane, and like his forefathers his occu- pation was that of an agriculturist. He was a man of good character, an excellent busi- ness man, and became quite prosperous. June 24, 1897, he met his death as a result of an accident on the trolley system on the Old York Road, and he is sadly mourned by his family and a large circle of friends, among whom he had resided during his entire life. Prior to his time the Rorer family was always affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, but David Rorer became an active and consis- tent Baptist. He was united in hymeneal bonds with Mary F. Bickley, a daughter of George Bickley, who was widely known as a local minister about Frankford, Philadelphia County, and this happy union was blessed i by the birth of three sons, who have attained the highest distinction in their chosen fields of labor, namely : Rev. Charles H. ; Rev. Virgil Eugene, pastor of the Nineteenth ' Street M. E. Church of Philadelphia ; and Prof. William D., the efl&cient principal of the Girls' High School of Philadelphia, the largest institution of its kind in the state. Rev. Charles H. Rorer obtained his pre- liminary training in the public schools of Frankford, and in 1871 was promoted into the Central High School of Philadelphia, from which he was graduated in 1875. He then entered upon a course of study in Dick- inson College of Carlisle, Pa., and upon graduating in 1881 received the degree of A. B., and in 1884 received the degree of A. M. In 1882, he entered the Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Phila- delphia, and was first stationed at Cochran- ville, where he held one charge and another at Friendship. In 1884, he was ordained a deacon and accepted a charge at Tasker, Philadelphia County, and during his pastor- ate a new church was erected and dedicated as a result of his excellent work in that com- munity. He continued there for three years, and in 1886 was made an elder. In 1887 he was assigned to Kedron, Delaware County, Pa., from whence, in 1889, he went to Cata- sauqua, Lehigh County, and officiated as pastor of the M. E. Church of that borough for three years, and caused to be erected a beautiful new church. In 1892, he was called to Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia County, where he remained luitil 1895, when he ac- cepted the pastorate of the M. E. Church of Bristol, where he has since remained. He IRVIN AARON. BUCKS COUNTY 199 aided materially in the erection of a n,ew church in 1895 and 1896, which is undoubted- ly the handsomest in Bucks County, as well as the largest. It is of the Romanesque style of architecture, and has an auditorium which will comfortably seat 700 people, and is so arranged that a chapel can be annexed so as to accommodate from 700 to 800 additional. The architect of this edifice was Mr. 1,. S. Jacoby, formerly of Bucks County, but now of Allentown, Pa., and the builders were Charles Walton & Son of Bensalem, Bucks County. Rev. Mr. Rorer immediately sprang into favor with his congregation, and by his honorable and charitable disposition he won his way into the affection of the entire popu- lace of Bristol. He is a clear and logical thinker, and a pleasing and convincing speaker, both in the pulpit and. on public occasions, when he is honored with an invi- tation to make an address, as is frequently the case. He has an easy and masterly grace, and, speaking without th^ use of manuscript, he invariably commands the attention of his hearers. As to his character too much can not be said in praise. He places a high ideal as to true manhood, which he lives up to in every respect. The membership of the church has been greatly increased under his skillful guidance and now numbers 530 persons, while the Sunday School has an enrollment of 600. December 4, 1884, Rev. Mr. Rorer formed a matrimonial alliance with Carrie Adelaide Walton, the youngest daughter of Joseph Walton, Esq., of Chester County, and a de- scendant of Revolutionary stock. She is a woman of maiiy virtues and has been a true help-meet to her husband. fRVIN AARON, the popular and efficient sheriff of Bucks County, whose portrait appears on the opposite page, is also a member of the firm of Comly & Aaron, dealers in lumber and coal at Yardley, Bucks County, and is one of the leading Republi- cans of Doylestown. He is a son of Deros- tus and Caroline (Bodder) Aaron, and was born at Hilltown, Bucks County, April 22, 1842. Paternally, he is of Welsh descent, whilst on the maternal side he is of German stock. His grandfather, Obed Aaron, was a native of New Britain township, Bucks County, where he spent his entire life in agricultural pursuits. He was the progenitor of a large family of children, one of whom was Deros- tus Aaron, the father of our subject. Derostus Aaron was born in New Britain township, where he followed the occupation of a farmer throughout his active life. He passed to his eternal rest in 1856. Politi- cally, he was an unswerving Democrat. He was united in hymeneal bonds with Caroline Bodder, and they became the happy parents of seven children, five sons and two daugh- ters, namely: Horatio, deceased; Samuel, deceased; John P., a resident of Lansdale, Montgomery County; Irvin, the subject of this biographical sketch ; Hughes O., who makes his home in Philadelphia ; Arabella, deceased, the wife of Robert Ritchie of Mont- gomery County; and Amelia, the widow of Charles Detterer of Philadelphia. Irvin Aaron was reared in Hilltown town- ship, where he attended the public schools and obtained a good English education. He remained upon the home farm until after his 200 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES father's demise. In 1861 he went to Mont- gomery County and engaged in tilling the soil for one year. He then went to Johns- ville, where he worked at farming for seven- teen years, being employed by the year. He then received an appointment as deputy sheriff and went to Doylestown, where he entered upon the duties of that office the first Monday in January, 1879, serving under Samuel L,. Ely for three years. The next four years he was engaged as traveling sales- man, handling windmills for B. S. Williams & Co., of Kalamazoo, Mich. During the years 1886 and 1887 he again served as deputy sheriff under Elias Eastburn, and during the succeeding four years under Jo- seph R. Comly. In the fall of 1890 he was nominated by the Republican party for sheriff by acclamation, but, owing to the Dela- mater slump of that year, was defeated after a hard fight by his opponent, J. Johnson Beans. The Democratic majority for that office is usually about 600 votes, but our sub- ject was defeated by a scanty majority of 95. This fact alone goes to prove the esteem in which he is held, for he received the votes of many of the opposing party to the detriment of their party attachments, in order to place a good man in ofiice. In the spring of 1891, he formed a partnership with Joseph R. Comly, under the firm name of Comly & Aaron, and they embarked in the coal and lumber business at Yardley, Bucks County, where they have since been doing a large and prosperous business. Mr. Aaron re- mained there in charge of the business until 1896, when he was given the Republican nomination for sheriff over a number of other candidates. He was duly elected, de- feating his opponent for political distinction, William Sellner, by the overwhelming ma- jority of 2806 votes. He entered upon the duties of the office on the first Monday of Jan- uary, 1897, and his term will expire in 1900. Mr. Aaron is a stanch and loyal Republican, having broken from the political affiliations of his Democratic ancestors early in life, casting his first vote for A. G. Curtin, the old War Governor. His first presidential vote was for lyincoln in 1864. He was united in matrimonial bonds Feb- ruary 22, 1893, with Sarah P. Weiss, a daugh- ter of William B. and Amanda Weiss of Doylestown, and they were the parents of one child that died in infancy. Socially, he is a member of Aquetong Lodge, No. 193, I. O. O. P. TT^HARLES WALTON, a well-known I jp contractor and builder who has done ^*— ^ an extensive business in various sections of Bucks County, resides in a plea- sant home in Andalusia, Bensalem township, and is a representative of one of the oldest families in that community. He is a son of John and Martha (Wilkinson) Walton, and was born on the old family homestead in the township in which he now lives April 17, 1834. The family is of English descent, but at an early day became established in this country. The first of whom we have any authentic record is William Walton, the great- grandfather of our subject, who was a resi- dent of Byberry, Philadelphia County, for a BUCKS COUNTY 20 1 time, and later of Buckingham, Bucks County. His son, William Walton, was born in Byberry, October 7, 1779, and in early manhood located upon a farm in Bensalem township, which continued as the family homestead until the death of our subject's mother. His occupation was that of a farmer, and he lived a long and usefuMife, dying in 1862, at the advanced age of eighty- four years. He was united in marriage with Rachel Sipler, and five children were born to them: Elizabeth; John; Sarah; and two who died in infancy. He was a prominent member of the old state militia. John Walton, the father of the gentleman whose name heads these lines, was born on the home farm December 12, 1805, and spent his entire life in Bensalem township, engaged in agricultural pursuits. When he was a young man he walked across the country to Indiana, where his sister and brother-in-law were located, with the object of making his home there, but he returned home again, making the long and tedious journey on foot. Politically, he was a Democrat, and served as school-tax collector one term, and as super- visor of the township for two years. He took an active interest in the success of the party's ticket, and urged all of the voters out on elec- tion day as a duty which they owed to them- selves and to the government. While not a member of any church, he inclined towards the religious doctrines of the Quakers, and brought up his children under religious influences. He was united in mar- riage with Martha Wilkinson, who was born in Lower Dublin township, Philadelphia County, July i, 18 16, and was a daughter of Bryan and Rebecca Wilkinson. This union resulted in the birth of twelve children, seven of whom live at the present day: Mary, deceased ; Charles ; Joseph, deceased ; Alfred, deceased ; Caroline ; William ; Rebecca, de- ceased ; Rachel; Anne; Emma; Edward, who died young; and John. Mr. Walton passed away June 2, 1869, and his wife joined him beyond the river of Death November 27, 1882. Charles Walton, the subject of this personal history, was reared upon his father's farm and attended the public schools. Upon leav- ing school he was employed as a farm hand for different parties until he was twenty years of age, when he moved to Camden, N. J., and there learned the trade of a carpen- ter, which line of business he has since fol- lowed with the best of results. Being ambi- tious and an industrious worker, he extended his business and began contracting and building, and since his residence in Andalu- sia has made contracts for work in different parts of the county, especially in Holmes- burg, where he has erected many buildings. He enjoys an enviable reputation for good honest work, and is patronized by many of the best citizens of the community. He contracted for and built the M. E. Church in Bristol, this county, which is said to be as fine a church building as there is in the county. He has ever been found a dutiful citizen, and is held in highest esteem by all with whom he comes in contact, both in business and social relations. In 1859 he was united in marriage with Anna Elizabeth Rue, who was born in New- portville, Bristol township, in 1840, and is a 202 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES daughter of I,ewis and Ann Rue. Our sub- ject and his worthy companion in life are the parents of three children : John E., who was a carpenter by occupation, died of lung trouble in Denver, Colo., when thirty- three years of age ; Lewis R., a contractor and builder who is associated in business with his father, and Agnes G. 'OHN R J. SENSENDERFER, who was city commissioner of Philadel- phia for three terms of three years each, is now one of the prominent and sub- stantial business men of that city, where he resides during the winter months, but during the summer he makes his home in Ivyland, Bucks County, Pa. , where he owns a magnifi- cent residence. This worthy and esteemed citizen was born in Philadelphia, the date of his birth being December 28, 1848, and he is a son of James and Mary (Weaver) Sen- senderfer. James Sensenderfer was born and reared in Hanover, Montgomery County, Pa., and while a young man he left his native country village and went to Philadelphia, believing that a city afforded many more opportunities for an ambitious young man to seek fortune and fame. Having learned the trade of a carpenter and builder during his early days, he pursued that occupation in Philadelphia with marked success. He was united in marriage with Mary Weaver, a native of Philadelphia, and a family of ten children blessed their happy home, namely: George, a carpenter by trade and a resident of Phila- delphia ; William, deceased ; James, also de- ceased ; one that died in infancy; John P. J., whose name heads this narrative ; Elizabeth, who resides in Philadelphia ; Hannah, who became the wife of Joseph Canfield, and they are highly esteemed residents of Oak Lane, Pa. ; and Katie, Sallie, and Wilimina, who are deceased. Mr. Sensenderfer passed from this earth November 28, 1888. The mother of our subject resides with her daughter Elizabeth in Philadelphia, where she is sur- rounded by a large circle of friends, who hold her in dear esteem. John P. J. Sensenderfer prepared himself intellectually for the battles of life in the public schools of his native city; having decided upon the career of a lawyer as a means of obtaining a livelihood, he entered the law office of David W. Sellers and Judge Mitchell of Philadelphia, where he pursued his studies for two years. For ten years our subject was the star center fielder of the famous Athletic base-ball team of Philadel- phia, which flourished long before the forma- tion of the National League of the present day. In 1874 our subject accompanied that team on a tour throughout Europe for three months. Upon his return he entered the tax office of Philadelphia, where he remained six years ; at the expiration of that time he was elected city commissioner of Philadel- phia for a term of three years. In 1892, Mr. Sensenderfer moved to Bucks County, set- tling in the village of Ivyland, where he built the most beautiful summer residence in the county ; on the first of May of each year our subject and family take up their summer residence there, and in November they return BUCKS COUNTY 203 to the city where he owns another handsome home. Mr. Sensenderfer is a solid Democrat polit- ically, and by every means in his power pro- motes the interests of that party, which he believes to be for the interest of his com- munity and country. Our subject has served as school director of Philadelphia of the Fourteenth Ward for three years ; was secre- tary of the Democratic City Committee eighteen years ; has represented his party in city and county conventions and was a dele- gate to the National Democratic Convention which nominated Grover Cleveland for his first term. On October 18, 1881, Mr. Sen- senderfer was united in the bonds of matri- mony with Mary E. Wagner of Philadelphia, a daughter of William and Catherine (Menns) Wagner, who reside with our subject and wife. Mr. and Mrs. Sensenderfer have reared two children : Robert E. Pattison, and Helen. "ON. HENRY G. MOYER, a man well known throughout Bucks County as a member of the firm of Kramer & Moyer, proprietors of the Cen- tral News of Perkasie, one of the leading weekly publications of this section, has at- tained greatest prominence as a State Sena- tor. He is a son of Henry A. and Sarah (Gerhart) Moyer, and was born August 28, 1848, in Hilltown township, Bucks County, in which county he has always been a lead- ing resident. After completing his education in the common schools of his native township, our subject entered the Quaker City Business College of Philadelphia, from which he was graduated with honors at the age of twenty years. He was reared upon his father's farm, and in 1870 removed to Perkasie, where he began his business career as a clerk and salesman, in which capacity he had served in Philadelphia and in villages of Bucks County. In 1882 he purchased a half interest in the Central News of Perkasie, and in con- nection with Mr. Kramer has published that paper since, placing it upon a firm financial basis and bringing it up to the standard of the best weekly paper in the county. From the very first he has taken an active part in the councils of the Republican party and has been called upon to serve in various official capacities. When Perkasie became a borough in 1879, he was installed as justice of the peace and served as such for three terms of five years' duration each. In 1894 he was elected to the State Senate on the Republican ticket from the Tenth District of Pennsylvania, and served with much satis- faction to his constituents. He was an active member of that body, and during the ses- sions of 1895 and 1897 was chairman of the committee on Public Grounds, and also served on the committees on Appropriations, Banks and Banking, and others of import- ance. He is a man of high intellectual training and has a thorough understanding of all subjects of current interest to the pub- lic, with which he is a favorite, and is held in high esteem wherever known. He was united in marriage with Emeline Seiple of AUentown, and their happy union has been blessed by the following ofispring : 204 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES Bertha M., deceased; Wallace B., deceased; Henrietta, deceased ; Jennie, deceased ; Ma- bel R. ; Emily, deceased ; . and Henry C. Socially, he is a member of the MacCalla Lodge, No. 596, F. & A. M, of which he is past master ; he is also connected with the Order of United American Mechanics ; I. O. O. F. ; and the Knights of Pythias. (sTrNTc NTON HOFMEIER is without a doubt the largest contractor and builder in the southeastern portion of the county, and has erected many fine buildings in the neighboring villages and in his adopted borough, Andalusia. He is one of its foremost and enterprising citizens, and has contributed largely toward its advance- ment. He is a son of Anton and Katherine (Shazle) Hofmeier, and was born in Baden, Germany, January 17, 1840. Our subject's father always resided in his native country, where he followed the trade of a stonemason and surveyor ; he was prom- inently known in his community and was building inspector a number of years. He died about 1874, and his wife died in 1870. He was a member of the Catholic Church, being the only one of the family to attend that church. As a result of his marriage with Katherine Shazle, the following children were born: Gabriel; William; Anton, our subject; Joseph; Cecelia; and Mary. Theresia and Amelia were the fruits of his second union with a Miss Binder. Cecelia was the first to immigrate to this country ; she married a butcher, and they settled in the state of Ohio, and nothing more has been ever heard of them. Anton Hofmeier obtained a fine education in the common schools of his native town, and spent most ^of his early days working with his father, learning the trade of a stone- mason, which he has followed, more or less, all his active life. In 1 866 he left his native country and came across the Atlantic to the United States, landing in the city of New York August loth ; three weeks later he went to Philadelphia, where he had many friends, who were also natives of the village where he was born and reared. He had but ^5.00 in his pocket, but was rich in determination ; after a ten days' visit with friends, he began working in a terra cotta works at $2.00 per day and remained at that employment three weeks. He then took up his trade as a stone- mason, which he followed about a month, when he became a resident of Andalu- sia, where he has since resided. Being a skillful mechanic he was never seek- ing employment, and after continuing his chosen occupation four years, he engaged in contracting on his own account, which has kept him busy to the present time. At first he gave employment to but one other man, but as the work gradually increased, he added more men, until he had as high as forty-one. In Andalusia he erected St. Elizabeth's Convent and many other build- ings ; he also built the Methodist Church at Bristol; and the Presbyterian Church and St. Francis' Industrial School at Eddington, Pa. Our subject owns five houses in Anda- lusia, which he rents. Mr. Hofmeier has BUCKS COUNTY 205 many warm friends in his vicinity, is highly respected and esteemed, and is performing all the obligations of a dutiful citizen. Mr. Hofmeier was wedded to Theresia Haaf, a native of Baden, Germany, and a daughter of Moritz and Mary A. (Wagner) Haaf, and granddaughter of Nicholas Haaf. She was a member of a family of six children, namely : Katherine ; John ; Joseph, deceased ; Valentine was killed in the Franco-German War ; Barbara ; and Francisca. Mr. and Mrs. Hofmeier are the parents of two sons — Albert F. and Anton I,., both of whom are assisting their father. Albert F. Hofmeier was united in marriage with Anna Diehl, a daughter of John and Cecelia Diehl of Phila- delphia, and they are the parents of two children— Rita T. and Anna C. All the members of the family are regular attendants of the Catholic Church. In 1894 Mr. and Mrs. Hofmeier and son, Anton L,. , surprised their relatives and many friends in Baden, Germany, by making them a visit. Our subject had an exciting adventure in October, 1879, with a tiger that had escaped from Forepaugh's show. One night he heard a most pitiful crying, which he thought was the voice of a human being, and after listen- ing a while he awakened his wife, and they located the noise in the swamp near the rail- road crossing. Against the will of his wife he went out in the darkness to assist what he thought was a woman in distress, and after crossing the open fields a short distance, he saw through the darkness what he took to be a cow ; thinking the cow had been wounded in some way, he approached the dark-looking object -until within a few steps, when he found two fiery eyes glaring at him. He quickly retreated and aroused some of his neighbors, who could scarcely realize the truth of his statements ; but upon becoming convinced, they proceeded with guns to cap- ture the beast, and succeeded in killing a Royal Bengal tiger that weighed 205 pounds and was three feet high and seven feet and nine inches in length. Mr. Hall, of the Red Ivion Hotel had the animal stuffed, and it is now in a large glass case in his hotel. That Mr. Hofmeier escaped at all was due to the guiding hand of Providence, and in the future, he has decided, should he be called upon to investigate any mysterious sounds of the night, he will go equipped with a- shot- gun and accompanied by several of his neighbors. Mr. Hofmeier is a large, robust and power- ful man, enjoying the best of health. A few months ago, while working at his trade, he had the misfortune to meet with an accident by being hit with a chip in the eye, causing the loss of that member. •AMES E. MAGII.I. is one of that in- dustrious class of Bucks County, Pa., who are engaged in the prosecution of the independent calling, farming, and is located on a fine farm in Bristol township, where he is also successfully engaged in dairying, keeping a herd of 25 good milch cows. The family, of which this gentleman is a worthy representative, is of sturdy Scotch- Irish extraction, and has been connected with the growth and prosperity of Bucks County 2o6 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES since the year 1727. This prominent and in- fluential citizen was born in Solebury town- ship, this county, April 24, 1844, and is a son of Henry and Ruth E. (Breece) Magill, grandson of John and Anna (Ely) Magill, and great-grandson of John and Amy (Whit- son) Magill. The founder of this industrious and pros- perous family in America was William Ma- gill, who with his brother Alexander emi- grated from his native place in Ireland in 1727. Alexander died in Troy, N. Y., and William came to Bucks County, Pa., and settled in Falls township, where he pursued his trade as a tailor. He was joined in mar- riage with Sarah Simcock, by whom he reared a family of six children, one of whom was John, the great-grandfather of our sub- ject. John Magill was born in Falls township, and his vocation was farming; he married Amy Whitson, and six children resulted from this union, namely : Jacob, Jane, Rachael, William, David, and John. John Magill, Jr. , was united in the bonds of wedlock with Anna Ely, a daughter of Joseph and Mary (Whitson) Ely, and they became the parents of six children, namely : Jane, the wife of Jo- seph Wiley ; Joseph E. ; Mrs. James H. Ely ; William; Henry, the father of our subject; and Mary, who married Isaac Ely. John Magill was born and reared in Solebury township, and he carried on general farming the most of his active days; he spent his lat- ter days in retirement. Religiously, he and his family were prominent members of the Society of Friends. He died in 1865 at the age of eighty-seven years; his wife died about 1850. Henry Magill, the father of our subject, was born on his father's farm in Solebury township, October 19, 1818, and devoted his entire life to agricultural pursuits, working in his native township. For the past six years he has been living in retirement and resides with his son, James E., the subject of this sketch. Politically, he was formerly a Whig, but when that party was abandoned, he became identified with the Republican organization ; he served as supervisor of Sole- bury township several years, while a resident of that township. He was united in marriage with Ruth E. Breece, a native of Solebury township, and a daughter of Henry Breece, and a family of ten children was born to them, namely; James E., our subject; Han- nah, the wife of James Beatty; Angeline, the wife of Samuel Overholt ; Emma, wedded to Enos Overholt; Susan was joined in marriage with Samuel Mathews; Katherine W. was married to John Cryer; Ruth A. is the wife of John Whitlock ; Harriet married William Crewson ;■ William Henry ; and Jonathan B. The mother of our subject entered the world of rest in 1869, and Mr. Magill formed a second matrimonial alliance with Mrs. Han- nah C. Scarboure, who died in May, 1898. James E. Magill spent his boyhood days in his native township, where he attended the district schools and at the same time as- sisted his father in the cultivation of the homestead ; he remained under the parental roof until i86r, when in response to Presi- dent Lincoln's call for soldiers to aid in put- ting down the Rebellion, he set aside all plans for the future and enlisted for nine months in Co. C, 128th Reg., Pa. Vol. REV. WJLLIAM K. PRESTON. BUCKS COUNTY 209 Inf., during which term he participated in the battles of South Mountain, Antietam, and Chancellorsville. At the expiration of his first term of enlistment, he re-enlisted in Co. G, I32d Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf, and served until 1864. In that year he returned home and began working on his father's farm; in 1 866 our subject took possession of a farm in Bristol township and began farming on his own account. A few years later he began working for Caleb N. Taylor and remained with him until 1889, when he moved to the farm of Benjamin J. Taylor, where he has remained up to the present time. Besides being successfully engaged in farming, he is also engaged in dairying, and keeps a herd of choice milch cows. Mr. Magill is highly respected by his fellow-citizens ; is well known throughout the county ; and is re- garded as one of the enterprising and public- spirited citizens of Bristol township. Mr. Magill is an enthusiastic supporter of the Republican party, and from 1867 to 1877 served as supervisor of East Bristol township; as school director one term; in 1885 he was elected justice of the peace and is now serving his third term in that office ; and has been delegated to county, assembly, judicial, and state conventions. Fraternally, our subject is a member of the Bristol I/odge, No. 25, F. & A. M. For the past few years he has made auctioneering a part of his business. Mr. Magill was united in matrimonial bonds with Sally Jones, a native of Falls township, and a daughter of John and Sarah Jones. Mr. and Mrs. Magill are the proud parents of three children, namely: Jesse J., a resident of Philadelphia; John H., also in Philadelphia; II* and Frank B., who died in March, 1898, aged twenty-five years. Mrs. Magill is of Welsh origin ; religiously, she is a member of the Society of Friends. iEV. WILLIAM K. PRESTON, whose portrait we take pleasure in present- ing on the opposite page, has faithfully performed his duties as pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Neshaminy, War- wick township, Bucks County, for the past thirteen years. He is a man of scholarly attainments and noble impulses, and occupies a high place in the affections of the citizens of that place. He is a son of John T. and Sarah A. (Kent) Preston, and was born in Washington County, 111., October 27, 1852. Rev. Mr. Preston is a grandson of John Preston, who was born September 23, 1776, and a great-grandson of John Preston, who was born January 22, 1750. The last named had one brother, William. There were three brothers in Virginia who were cousins to John and William Preston just named, and this makes our subject a relative of the Vir- ginia Prestons. Such noted statesmen as Patrick Henry, William C. Preston, John C. Breckenridge, and William C. P. Brecken- ridge descended from the Virginia branch of the family. John T. Preston, the father of our subject, was born in the state of Virginia, and when a young man moved to Indiana, whence he later removed to Louisiana and followed the occupation of a planter for some time. He then moved to Natchez, Miss. , where he con- 210 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES ducted a merchandise store for a few years, and in 1852 moved to Illinois, locating in Washington County, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred May 3, 1861. He formed a matri- monial alliance with Sarah A. Kent, a native of New Hampshire, and they became' the happy parents of six children : Ivouis C. , who resides at Richview, 111. ; Zenas, deceased; William K., the subject of this biographical record ; Martha, the wife of John Mathews, who resides in Andover, Kan.; John A., a merchant and general agent at Jacksonville, Fla. ; and Thomas, who died in infancy. Mrs. Preston is now spending her declining years in Richview, 111., where she has resided for many years and has a host of friends. Rev. William K. Preston attended the common schools of his native place, after which he took a course in the Washington Seminary at Richview, 111., and also at McKendree College at Lebanon, 111. I^ater he entered Wabash College at Crawfordsville, 111., from which he was graduated in 1880. He was then prepared for the ministry by a course in Princeton Seminary at Princeton, N. J., from which he was graduated in 1884, and accepted his first charge at Port Penn, Del., where he remained for one year. He then moved to Hartsville and assumed the duties of pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Neshaminy, where he has since continued with much satisfaction to the congregation, and is a universal favorite. The membership has increased largely under his efficient guidance, and the enrollment now numbers 200 persons. The following are the officials of the church : members of session, — R. H. Darrah, Wilson B. McKinstry, Stacy B. Beans, G. W. Rubinskem, Ezra B. Carrell, Sr., H. E. McNair, and Cephas Ross; trus- tees,— J. M. Darrah, R. T. Engart, William M. Jamison, Theodore Flack, T. B. Patterson, H. M. McKinstry, Jesse McKinstry, Joseph Carrell, and Stacy B. Beans. The efficient superintendent of the Sunday School is Rev. D. K. Turner. Rev. Mr. Preston and his family reside in the handsome parsonage, which is located near the church. In 1884 our subject formed a marital union with Mary G. Ferguson, a native of Prince- ton, N. J., and a daughter of William G. Ferguson, by whom he has two children : Mabel G., and William Leroy. Socially, he is a member of the Hatboro I/odge, F. & A. M. ; Doylestown Chapter, R. A. M. ; War- rington I/odge, No. 447, I. O. O. F.; and Fortune lyodge, No. 118, K. of P., of Hat- boro, Pa. The land on which Memorial Hall in Philadelphia now stands was purchased by our subject's great- great-great-grandfather, Richard Vickris, on September 22, 1683. The warrant was dated May 13, 1700. His granddaughter, Rebecca Vickris, wife of John Preston, lies buried in the Fourth and Arch street Friends' Burying Ground, Phila- delphia. Her grandfather, Richard Vickris, lived near Bristol, England, and suffered persecution because he was a Friend. She was what we would call a preacher among the Friends. Rev. Mr. Preston's grandfather, John Preston, was born in Bucks County, and lived there till he was seven years of age, whence he removed to Virginia with his parents, John and Rebecca Preston. John BUCKS COUNTY 211 Preston ' died in Virginia, June 23, 1820. After this his wife, Rebecca, returned to Philadelphia, where she died September 12, 1834. "ENRY B. SCHEID. Among the en- terprising industrial establishments of Bucks County is the boot and shoe manufacturing plant located at 229-231 Franklin street, Quakertown, of which the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this notice is the proprietor and owner. This valuable and esteemed citizen, was born at Pennsburg, Montgomery County, Pa., August 31, 1846, and is a son of Reuben and Hester (Blank) Scheid. Our subject's grandfather, Jacob Scheid, the first of the family to come to this coun- try, was a native of Wittenberg, Germany ; upon coming to America he located near the village of Sumneytown, Montgomery County, and resided there, following the vo- cation of a farmer the rest of his life. He lived to the advanced age of ninety-seven years, and was well known throughout the county for his many sterling qualities. He was the progenitor of a family of six chil- dren, namely: William; Elias ; Thomas; Ephraim ; Hannah ; and Reuben. Reuben Scheid, our subject's father, was born in Montgomery County, Pa., and in early manhood learned the trade of a black- smith, but. later took up coopering; in 1870 he became a resident of Quakertown and fol- lowed carpentering until his death. His wife was Hester Blank, a daughter of William Blank, a resident of Montgomery County, Pa., and the home of this union was blessed by the birth of seven children, namely: Mary, deceased ; Christian A., deceased ; our subject was next in order ; Emma, deceased ; Edwin, a resident of Quakertown; Kate, deceased ; and William, a prominent citizen of Souderton, Pa. Mr. Scheid entered the world of rest, aged fifty-eight years ; his wife survives him and is past her seventy-fifth year in life, and is enjoying remarkably good health for one of her years. Our sub- ject's father was a member of the Lutheran Church. Henry B. Scheid was educated in the pub- lic schools of his native township, and at the age of seventeen years went to Trumbauers- ville, this county, and served an apprentice- ship to the shoemaker's trade and followed that occupation as a journeyman until 1879, when he became a partner in the firm of A. B. Walp & Co., boot and shoe manufacturers of Quakertown. Four years later, after hav- ing become thoroughly acquainted with that line of business, he embarked in the manu- facture of boots and shoes on his own ac- count; he sold his interest in the above firm and started a shop at the corner of East Broad and Hellertown avenue, giving em- ployment to six hands. July 14, 1891, our subject erected a handsome three-story stone building, 33 by 45 feet, located at 229-231 Franklin street, into which he moved his shop; the building is heated throughout by steam, has steam power, and the latest and most improved machinery. He employs about twenty skilled workmen the year around, and they have a reputation of turn- ing out nothing but first-class work. Mr. BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES Scheid is widely known throughout the county and is held in high esteem by his employees and fellow-citizens. Mr. Scheid was wedded to Elizabeth Fluck, a daughter of John Fluck, a prominent citi- zen of Richland township, Bucks County, Pa. Our subject, in politics, is a Democrat and is now serving his third term in the village council ; socially, he is a member of the Quakertown Lodge, No. 512, F. & A. M.; I. O. O. F.; Knights of Malta; Se- cona Tribe, I. O. R. M. ; and Brotherhood of the Union. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church. B R. RICHARD C. FOULKF, who is a descendant of one of the pioneer families of the state of Pennsyl- vania, is one of the oldest and most eminent physicians of Bucks County, and is a prom- inent and well-to-do citizen of the borough of New Hope. He was born there Novem- ber 2, 1843, and is a son of Charles and Har- riet (Corson) Foulke, and grandson of Edward Foulke. Our subject is a direct descendant of Edward Foulke, who in 1698, accompanied by his wife and children, sailed from Liver- pool, England, for the American shores ; after a voyage of eleven weeks they landed in the city of Philadelphia. Edward Foulke was the father of Thomas, who was the father of William and grandfather of Amos ; the last named gentleman was the father of Edward, the grandfather of our subject. Edward Foulke, our subject's grandfather. was born in Gwynned, Montgomery County, Pa. , where he resided all his life, following the vocation of a farmer and miller. He passed from this life at an advanced age. His second son, Charles, the father of our subject, was born on the homestead Decem- ber 14, 1815, and died December 30, 1871. He received his primary education in the common school and in the Westchester Academy ; he then began the study of medi- cine under Dr. Hiram Corson, his brother- in-law, a prominent physician of Plymouth, Pa. Later he took a course of lectures in the University of Pennsylvania and was graduated in 1838 ; after practicing medicine at Penllyn, Pa. , four years, he moved to New Hope, this county, where he continued his profession until his death. He was wedded to Harriet Corson, a daughter of Dr. Richard D. Corson, the nuptials occurring in 1843. Three sons blessed this union, namely : Richard C, whose name heads this brief notice ; Edward ; and Thomas, deceased. Our subject's father was a member of the Society of Friends ; politically, he was a Republican. Dr. Richard C. Foulke, the oldest of his parents' children, received his intellectual training in the public schools of New Hope and at Westchester Academy. He was em- ployed in the civil service department of the government at Washington, D. C, and left that department in 1863, being injured by an explosion in the cartridge factory. In 1866 our subject commenced the study of medi- cine under his father, and, enrolling himself as a student at the University of Pennsyl- vania, was graduated with the class of 1869. BUCKS COUNTY 213 He immediately returned to his native town- ship, where he soon built up a large and lucrative practice, which extends throughout much of the county. Dr. Foulke is one of the enterprising citizens of New Hope and has won the confidence and respect of the entire community. The Doctor was united in marriage, in 1872, with Louisa W. Vansant and their home has been blessed by the birth of three children, named as follows : Charles, a prom- inent real estate man of Philadelphia ; Clara- bel ; and Rebecca C. , deceased. Dr. Foulke is a member of the Bucks County Medical Association ; American Medical Association ; and has been a member of the I. O. O. F. for the past twenty-nine years, and has been through all the chairs and has been dele- gated to the grand lodge. Politically, Dr. Foulke is a Republican, and has served four terms as burgess and is now president of the borough council. He has also served three years as secretary of the school board. HOMAS HARRISON, who through- out his entire active business life was a prominent and successful manufacturing chemist of Philadelphia, has been living in happy retirement at his beautiful home, Win- dermere, at Torresdale, Bensalem township, Bucks Coimty, since 1890. He is well known throughout the county, is everywhere re- spected, and numbers his friends by the score. He is past ninety-three years of age, and is wonderfully preserved. Tall, of massive form, his weight being something over 200 pounds, and as straight as an arrow, he is a striking figure and his appearance leads one to believe him many years younger than the records indicate. Mr. Harrison is a son of John and Lydia (L,eib) Harrison, and was born in Philadel- phia, Pa., on April i, 1805. His grandfather, Thomas Harrison, was born in England, and was a country gentleman, owning a valuable estate in the northern part of England. He had two sons : John, the father of our subject ; and Robert, who died on the voyage to this country. John Harrison was born in Philadelphia, and there studied for the profession of a chemist under the tutelage of Dr. Priestly, after which he took an advanced course of study in chemistry in London, Eng. He then returned to Philadelphia and engaged in the manufacture of chemicals with great success. His enterprise prospered, and he con- tinued in it for many years, finally transfer- ring the business to his sons. He was united in marriage to Lydia Leib, a sister of Dr. Michael Leib, who won distinction in his day as a Member of Congress. This union was blessed by the birth of five children, namely: Thomas ; Michael L. ; George, who became a member of the firm of Harrison, Havemeyer & Co., which was later merged into the Franklin Sugar Refining Company ; Caroline, who married Captain Leib ; and Adelaide L. Mr. Harrison died in his fifty-seventh year. The business which was transferred to the three brothers was conducted by them jointly until George withdrew from the firm to or- ganize a sugar refining company. Michael and Thomas continued together for many 214 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES years, but finally Michael retired and lived in Philadelphia until his death some years ago. Our subject continued in the business until 1 890, for many years living at his present home during the summer months, spending the winters in Philadelphia. He was very successful, and during that time amassed con- siderable wealth through his strict business methods and good management. He is of a generous and sympathetic nature, and always treated his employees and those with whom he had dealings with the greatest kindness. About 1864 he purchased Windermere of Jonathan Thomas, the original owner being Mr. Coates, who is familiar throughout this country as the manufacturer of spool cotton. The pleasant, long, old-fashioned house stands in an ample, well-wooded lawn on the river bank, where a good view may be obtained of the ever beautiful Delaware River. Mr. Harrison is exceedingly fond of fine "horses, and is a good judge of horse blood, having owned some very fast horses, among them being : Harry Bluff; Sir Peter, who made an excellent record in competition on the race track, and Pale Face. In recent years he has shown a preference for roadsters. In 1 83 1 he was united in marriage with Sarah Crosby, who was born in Delaware County in 1815, and is a daughter of Pierce Crosby, who was a farmer and miller by oc- cupation and the president of the Delaware County Bank. They are the parents of the following children: Millicent, the wife of William H. Tevis ; George I^. ; Edward G. ; Anna, the wife of Edward Farquhar ; Virgi- nia, the wife of James N. Whelen ; and Eliza- beth, the wife of Charles Neilson. Mrs. Harrison had a very bad fall in October, 1897, which injured her spine to such an extent that she has been obliged to keep her bed since. Our subject is now enjoying the best of health. M R. JOSEPH REED OSMAN, an eminent physician and surgeon of Bucks County, Pa. , has been prac- ticing in the town of Bristol and vicinity since 1 884, and ranks among the foremost of the professional men of his community. He was born in Philadelphia, October 25, 1848, and is a son of James Hugh and Harriet De Hart (Ringler) Osman, and grandson of Leonard Osman. lyconard Osman was born in York, Pa., and was a ship builder by trade, and followed that occupation in Philadelphia the most of his life. He was a veteran of the Mexican War, entering as lieutenant and going out of the service at the close of the war with the commission of captain. After the war was over he went to Philadelphia, where he pur- sued his former occupation until death claimed him, which was in 1 850. James Hugh Osman was born in York, Pa., and early in life became a resident of Philadelphia, where he engaged in the hardware business all his life. Mr. Osman was very successful in his busi- ness undertakings, and succeeded in accumu- lating a small fortune by the time of his death. He passed from this life at his home in Philadelphia in 1 881, at the age of fifty- five years. He was united in marriage with Harriet De Hart Ringler; her father, Israel Ringler, was a prominent merchant of Read- BUCKS COUNTY 215 ing, Pa. Four children blessed this union, — one son and three daughters. Dr. Joseph Reed Osman received his pri- mary education in the common schools of his native city, and also took lessons of a private teacher ; he then entered the Philadelphia High School, and was graduated with the class of 1868. Having decided upon the career of a physician as a means of obtaining a livelihood, he entered the office of Dr. John Wurtz of Philadelphia, where he prepared himself for college ; later he entered the Hahnemann Medical College of that city, and was graduated from that institution in 1 884. Dr. Osman has been a resident of Bristol since that year, and has followed his chosen profession in that town since his graduation, having established a large and lucrative prac- tice. Dr. Osman has taken a special course in anatomy and surgery in the Hahnemann Medical College, and in 1883-84 took a special course in surgery in the Pennsylvania Hospital at Philadelphia. Since the Doctor located at Bristol he has prospered, and has become a successful physician and a popular member of the community. October 13, 1 861, our subject enlisted in the Union Army as a drummer boy ; on September 4 of the same year he enlisted in the Gosline Zouaves of the 9Sth Regt., Pa. Vol. Inf. He partici- pated in thirty-three battles, all with the Army of the Potomac. After three years and two months of active service our subject returned home and entered school. Dr. Osman was wounded by a shell at the battle of the Wilderness. Dr. Osman was wedded to Sarah Elizabeth Kulp of Philadelphia on February 28, 1876, and they have reared two sons, namely : Willis A. , a signal boy on the U. S. S. " Massa- chusetts" ; and Frederick De Hart, who is attending school in Bristol. Mrs. Osman died. March 22, 1893. The Doctor formed a second matrimonial alliance with Elizabeth L,a Rue of Bristol, and they were united in marriage February 19, 1895. The Doctor is a member of the American Medical Association; presi- dent of the Twenty-third Medical Associa- tion of Philadelphia ; has served six years as a school director of Bristol ; and is a member of the General H. Clay Beatty Post, No. J^, G. A. R., of Bristol. Politically Dr. Osman is a conscientious Republican, and since attaining his majority has faithfully cast his vote with that party. The Doctor is an intel- ligent man, and takes a lively interest in local and general matters, and in all respects is a representative citizen of an intelligent community. The Doctor is a prominent vocalist, and is treasurer of the Bristol Choral Society. nrx ANIEL G. GROSS is a successful I =H merchant and citizen of Danboro, r-^^^ Plumstead township, having lo- cated there in 1895. He is a son of John L. and Esther (Gotwals) Gross, and was born near the village of Gardenville, this county, December 26, 1851. The great-grandfather of our subject was Jacob Gross, who was born on the river Rhine, Germany; when he immigrated to America, he first located in Skippack, Mont- gomery County, Pa., but later in Bedminster township, Bucks County. There he owned 2l6 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES 60 acres of land, which is now the property of David Landis, and, in addition to carrying on general farming, also followed the vocation of a shoemaker and weaver. He was a bishop of the Mennonite Church. His wife was Mary Grail, a native of the state of Mary- land, by whom he reared the following chil- dren : Christian, a farmer by vocation ; John, who farmed on the homestead ; Jacob moved to Canada, and was a farmer and minister of the Mennonite Church ; Mary was twice mar- ried; her first husband was Abraham Nash, and upon his death she moved to Canada, where she was wedded to Jacob Fry ; and Daniel. John Gross, the grandfather of our subject, resided near Fountainville, this county, where he owned a large tract of land, and farming was his sole occupation. He died aged seventy- seven years. He was a member of the Mennonite Church. Our subject's grand- father was twice married ; his first wife was a Miss lycatherman, by whom he had five chil- dren, namely : Jacob, deceased; John I^., the father of our subject ; Joseph ; Annie ; and Mary, deceased. His second marriage was with Mrs. Christina Overholtzer, and three children were born to this union, as follows : William, who resides on the homestead ; Samuel, deceased, was a bishop of the Men- nonite Church ; and Sarah. John I/. Gross ran a commission wagon to Philadelphia during the early part of his life, and then in partnership with his brother-in- law, Henry Rosenberger, he embarked in the mercantile business at Dublin, Bedminster township, this county; four years later he purchased a small tract of land at Fountain- ville, this county, and erected a store house and conducted a merchandise store for thirteen years. After farming some ten years he again engaged in the mercantile business at Foun- tainville, and successfully carried on that business until 1892, when he retired from active labors. He is a member and elder of the Mennonite Church ; politically, he is a solid Republican. He was joined in marriage with Esther Gotwals, a daughter of the late Adam Gotwals, a prominent farmer of Gar- denville. Two sons and two daughters blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Gross, namely : Daniel G., our subject ; Mary Ann, the wife of Henry S. Johnson, a farmer of Buckingham township, this county ; John A., a prominent merchant of Fountainville ; and Emma, the wife of John F. Mood, a farmer of Plumstead township. Our subject's mother died December 30, 1893, when aged over sixty-two years. Daniel G. Gross was reared on his father's farm, and his younger days were spent attending the district school of the neighbor- hood; he then taught school, some nine terms in all, after which he turned his attention toward agricultural pursuits. After fourteen years of farm life, he and his brother engaged in the mercantile business at Fountainville, under the firm name of Gross Brothers ; four years later, in the spring of 1895, our subject located in Danboro, and embarked in the same business on his own account, and has, by his hustling ability and honest dealing, established a large patronage. He also oper- ates a commission wagon in partnership with George L,. Fretz, and they make trips to Philadelphia once a week. GEORGE A. JENKS. BUCKS COUNTY 219 December 5, 1877, Mr. Gross was wedded to Mary H. Meyers, a daughter of John S. Meyers, a well-to-do farmer of Plumstead township. Five children were born to our subject and wife : Clara, deceased ; Martha, a graduate of Schissler's Business College of Bucks County; Charles W.; John Howard; and Daniel Arthur. Politically, Mr. Gross is a stanch Republican ; religiously, he is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and is assistant superintendent of the Sabbath School at Danboro, Pa. EORGE A. JENKS, whom we repre- sent with a portrait on the opposite page, is a gentleman who has won consider- able distinction as an attorney-at-law of New- town, and possesses high intellectual attain- ments. He is a son of Dr. Phineas and Amelia (Snyder) Jenks, and was born in Newtown October 9, 1829. He is of Welsh ancestry and is descended from Thomas and Susan Jenks, who were both born in Wales. After the death of Thomas Jenks in that country, Mrs. Susan Jenks, who was possessed of ample means, with her son Thomas immigrated to Amer- ica, where she formed a second alliance in 1708 or 1709 with Benjamin Wiggins of Buckingham, Pa. Thomas Jenks, Jr., the great-grandfather of our subject, was born in Wales in 1699, and after attaining his majority located in Middletown township, Bucks County, Pa., where he purchased 600 acres of choice land. He erected the house which is standing to-day, known as Jenks' Hall and owned by William Barnsley. He also built a fulling mill on Core Creek prior to 1742, and operated it with good success the remainder of his life. In 1723 he be- came a member of the Society of Friends and was ever after a faithful worker in that body. He married Mercy Wildman in 173 1, and they reared the following children : John ; Thomas ; Joseph ; Mary ; Elizabeth ; and Ann. Mr. Jenks, after withstanding the vicissitudes of fortune for ninety-eight long years, passed to his final rest on May 4, 1 797. Thomas Jenks, the grandfather of our sub- ject, fell heir to the old homestead, and, besides carrying on farming, operated the fulling mill for many years. However, he won the greatest prominence in the field of politics, in which he was very active. In 1790 he was a member of the Constitutional Convention, and the maternal grandfather. Governor Snyder, was also a member of the convention at that time. At the time of his death, May 4, i797, Thomas Jenks was a member of the State Senate. His union with Miss • Richardson resulted in the following children : Thomas ; Joseph ; Phineas, M.D. ; Rebecca (Fell) ; Mercy (Carlisle) ; and Ann. Dr. Phineas Jenks, the father of our subject, came in for the portion of the original tract of 600 acres which is now owned by Mrs. Zepheniah Force. Having chosen the medi- cal profession as his field of labor, he began study under Dr. Benjamin Rush, the famed physician of Philadelphia, and was gradu- ated from the University of Pennsylvania. Immediately thereafter he began practice in Newtown, and rapidly established an endur- ing reputation as a skilled physician and surgeon, continuing in practice for forty- 220 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES seven years. He, too, was an active politi- cian and served ofBcially in many capacities ; he was a member of the State lyCgislature for three years, and in 1836 was a member of the Constitutional Convention. He was the first president of the Bucks County Medical Society, and held that office until his demise. He was one of the founders of St. Luke's Episcopal Church at Newtown, of which he was rector's warden. As an extemporaneous speaker. Dr. Jenks was without a peer in his section of the county, and was often called upon for stump speeches in the different bodies with which he was connected. So- cially, he was a member of Bristol Lodge, No. 25, F. & A. M. He built and resided in a handsome home in Newtown, the one in which Cyrus Hillborn now lives. While on official duty in Harrisburg, Pa., he met and was married to Amelia Snyder, the old- est child and only daughter of Governor Simon Snyder, and this happy union was blessed by the birth of six children, as fol- lows : Elizabeth Mary, the wife of Rev. J. I. Elsegood ; William Wallace, whose death occurred in 1856; Frederick A., who died in infancy ; George A., the subject of this bio- graphical record, and Henry L,., who died at the age of nine months, were twins, and bore such a striking resemblance to each other that it was necessary to tie a ribbon about the arm of one to determine one from the other ; and P. Frederick, who lost his life while in the service of the Union during the Civil War. Dr. Jenks died August 6, 1851, at the age of seventy-two years, and his beloved wife died at the age of sixty- nine years, August 6, 1859. George A. Jenks, after completing the re- quired course in the Newtown Academy, obtained a high classical education in the University of Pennsylvania, from which in- stitution he was graduated July 4, 1850. Having determined to enter the legal profes- sion, he began the study of law under the preceptorship of James C. Van Dyke, who was then United States District Attorney of Philadelphia. Having taken a full course of study in the Law Department of the Univer- sity of Pennsylvania, the degrees of Master of Arts and Bachelor of Laws were conferred upon him July 3, 1853. April 16, of the same year, he was admitted to practice in the District Court of Common Pleas of Philadel- phia, and on January 13, 1854, was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court. He prac- ticed in that city with good success until February, 1859, having been admitted to the Circuit and District Courts October 8, 1855. He then moved to Newtown, Bucks County, and has been engaged in practice there from that time to this. As an advocate his know- ledge is various and extensive, his judgment sound, and his counsel recognized as of a high order. By his brethren of the bar his merits as a sincere friend and as an able practitioner are highly appreciated, and he performs the various duties of lawyer and citizen with recognized promptness and ac- knowledged ability. His strict integrity has won for him the confidence of all who have come to know him or to transact business with him, and his uniform courtesy to all of the members of the bar is a prominent char- acteristic of his everyday life for which he is highly regarded by them. Although not a BUCKS COUNTY 221 politician nor an aspirant to office, he be- lieves in performing his duty when called upon, and as a result has been chief burgess for seven years, justice of the peace for thirty- seven years, and school director for nineteen years. Mr. Jenks, June 15, i860, formed a marital union with Ella Davis, a daughter of Jesse and Susan B. Davis, and they became the parents of two children : Sylvia P., who died in infancy ; and Elizabeth M., who died at the age of five years. Religiously, they are members of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, of which Mr. Jenks has been a member of the vestry for thirty years. Socially, he is a member of Newtown lyodge. No. 427, F. & A. M ., of which he was the first master ; and of the Newtown Chapter, No. 229, of which he was the first high priest. He was dis- trict deputy grand master for five years, and then resigned the office. tNTHONY BURKHARDT. This highly esteemed citizen of Blooming ^_^ Glen, Pa., may be justly classed among the self-made men of Bucks County, who started out in life poor in pocket, but rich in determination. Our subject is the owner and proprietor of one of the prominent and successful manufacturing industries of Bucks County; he located in the above named village in 1877, and has up to the present time been engaged in the manu- facture of all kinds of clothing. Mr. Burk- hardt is a native of Germany, his birth-place being at Wertenberg, and the date of his birth being March 12, 1848. His parents are George and Kate (Schwartz) Burkhardt. George Burkhardt was also a native of Wertenberg, Germany, and was a day la- borer; he died in 1857. His wife, Kate Schwartz, was a native of Wertenberg, Ger- many, and they became the parents of a family of six children, who were named as follows: Henry died, aged tweiity-eight years; Amelia ; Christina ; Anthony, our subject ; Mary ; and Kate. The mother of our sub- ject passed from earth in 1 868. Anthony Burkhardt was educated in the common schools, and at the age of seventeen years he went to work in a brewery, where he continued to remain some three years. In September, 1 867, he came to the United States, and first located in Philadelphia, where he worked about six months. He then went to Souderton, Pa., and followed farming four years, after which he became a resident of L,ine Lexington, where he con- tinued his work as an agriculturist two years. After spending one year at different places, he drove a tailor's wagon two years for Jacob Dietrich ; having saved a large portion of his salary, in the spring of 1877, he came to Blooming Glen, this county, where he built his present factory, and has since been en- gaged in the manufacture of all kinds of clothing. He gives steady employment to 45 men, and most of the clothing manufactured at his factory is sent to large Philadelphia firms. Mr. Burkhardt has erected a handsome home near his factory ; he also owns a well- improved farm of 32 acres near the village. He is one of the progressive business men of his section, and takes an active interest in 222 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIKS all movements which tend to benefit his fel- low-townsmen. In 1877, Mr. Burkhardt was wedded to Mary Newbold, of Hatfield, Pa., a daughter of John and L,ena Newbold ; her father was a farmer all his life. Nine children were the fruits of this happy union, as follows : Laura died, aged seven months ; Horace, born April 23, 1879, and has always been in business with his father ; Charles is attending school at West Chester, Pa. ; Elida died, aged seven months ; Alice, Edward, Oscar, and Willis are at home. Socially, Mr. Burkhardt is a member of the Masonic I/odge at Sellers- ville. Pa. ; and the Odd Fellows' Lodge at Perkasie, Pa. In politics our subject favors Democracy, but holds himself ready to vote for whom he considers the best man, regard- less of party ties. tARON B. DETWILER, the popular proprietor of the Blooming Glen ^^ Hotel of Blooming Glen, Hilltown township, Bucks County, is one of the most progressive and highly respected citizens of that community. He is a son of Samuel and Anna (Bewighouse) Detwiler, and was born in Hilltown township, September 19, 1862. Samuel Detwiler, the father of our subject, was born in Hilltown township, where he has always resided. Early in life he learned the occupation of a miller, which in connec- tion with farming he followed until his re- tirement. He is a man of sound judgment and excellent business capacities, and has the respect and esteem of a large circle of ac- quaintances in Hilltown township, where he still resides. He was twice united in hymeneal bonds, his first union being with Anna Bewig- house, by whom he had the following chil- dren : Abraham, who married Anna Smith, is an engineer in a mill at Souderton, Pa.; Isaac, a farmer of Hilltown township, mar- ried Amanda Stover ; Alvin, who died at the age of four years; Aaron B., the subject of this personal history; Amanda, the wife of Edward Smith, a farmer and carpenter of Silverdale, Pa. ; and William, a miller, of Lansdale, Pa. His second marriage was with a sister of his first wife, Rebecca Bewighouse, to whom were born two children, Anna; and Allen. Aaron B. Detwiler attended the common schools and was reared upon his father's farm. He was employed by his father until he was twenty-three years of age, when he rented the latter's saw and grist mill, which he operated until 1888, when he bought a gristmill in Doylestown, Bucks County, and conducted it with excellent results until March 9, 1 896. Upon that date he purchased the Blooming Glen Hotel for the sum of |8,ooo, and has since spent an additional $4,000 in improve- ment, making it one of the best hotels in the county. It is equipped throughout in the latest and most improved style, and every possible convenience is arranged for the com- fort of the guests. It is a model hotel in every respect, and the excellent meals to be had is one of the strongest points of this popular house. But still the most important factor in the success of the Blooming Glen Hotel remains to be mentioned, namely, — the cordial hospitality which Mr. Detwiler BUCKS COUNTY 223 extends to every guest and the manner in which he caters to their wants has made a name for him and his establishment through- out the district. He has always been an am- bitious and energetic worker, and it is wholly through his own efforts that he occupies his present standing in Blooming Glen. September 26, 1885, he was united in the holy bonds of wedlock with Lizzie Stover, a daughter of Gideon and Sarah (Detwi- ler) Stover, of Bedminster township, Bucks County, and they are the happy parents of seven children ; Emma ; Stella ; I/illie ; Laura, who died at the age of four years ; Howard ; Harvey; and another who died in infancy. Religiously, they are faithful members of the Reformed Church at Dublin, Pa. KRANK B. WENTWORTH. Figuring conspicuously as a leading and repre- sentative business house of Newtown, is the general merchandise store conducted by the gentleman whose name appears above. This establishment, although not the oldest in the vicinity, in point of size, stock carried, and the amount of business transacted, is one of the largest in the county. Mr. Went worth has a thorough understanding of the wants of his many customers, and his advantages in buying the goods in his different lines make his place a desirable one at which to trade. He is a son of George W. and Sophia C. (Deimer) Wentworth, and was born at West Liberty, Ohio, April 9, 1866. George W. Wentworth, the father of our subject, was born in Philadelphia, where he was reared, and where early in life he entered the mercantile business. After a time he moved to Ohio, where he purchased a farm and was engaged in agricultural pursuits for a few years. He again returned to the state of Pennsylvania and operated a hotel in Montgomery County during the rest of his active life. The latter years of his life were spent in retirement, and he resided with our subject at Newtown, where he passed into the unknown beyond in 1896, aged sixty-eight years. He was joined in wedlock with Sophia C. Deimer, and they became the proud parents of the following children : George, whose trade is that of a blacksmith, is now serving in the Pennsylvania National Guard in the War against Spain ; Walter, a clerk and bookkeeper of Philadelphia ; Fan- nie, the wife of Theodore Ambler ; Ida, who is a clerk in her brother's establishment at Newtown ; and Frank B. , the subject of this personal history. Frank B. Wentworth, after obtaining a good training in the public schools, moved to North Wales in 1884 and embarked in the mercantile business. Three years later he purchased the old Township Hotel at New- town, to which he transferred his stock and opened a general store. His father assumed charge of the store, and Mr. Wentworth operated the Newtown Creamery for a year. The manner in which his store flourished warranted him in turning his entire atten- tion to that line of business. He built an addition to the hotel building, 32 by 32 ft., with two stories and a basement, and his establishment now covers more space than any other of a like nature in the county. 224 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES Besides a comprehensive line of dry goods and groceries, he carries a complete stock of furniture, paints, oils, crockery, etc. He has built up a very large trade in Newtown and in the villages and country surrounding, and his patronage has grown to such an extent that he was obliged to erect a warehouse near his store. On the north end of his property he erected a handsome double house, one half of the house for himself and family, and the other half for his aged mother. He enlarged the barns, made nu- merous improvements, and now has one of the best residences in the village. Frank B. Wentworth was united in the holy bonds of wedlock with Agnes Miller, a daughter of Captain Mathias Miller, and they are the parents of two children : Eva S. and Abbie May. Politically, he is an un- swerving supporter of the Republican party, while in religious views he is a Presbyterian. Socially, he is a member of Newtown lyodge, I. O. O. F. 'AMES S. RICH, a prosperous and en- terprising agriculturist of Bucking- ham township, Bucks County, and a gentleman who made an honorable record as a soldier in the Civil War, resides on a fine estate of 103 acres near the village of Holi- cong. He is a son of Jonathan and Alice (Slack) Rich, and was born in Buckingham township, January 17, 1840. He comes from an old and well-known family of the county and is a grandson of An- thony Rich, who was born in Plumstead town- ship, but subsequently moved to Doylestown township, where he carried on farming. He finally located in Buckingham township and established the family homestead, now owned by his son Preston J. There he was engaged in tilling the soil until his death in 1843. He married Maria Mann, and the following children were born to them : Benjamin ; Jona- than, the father of our subject; Mary; John; Martha; Preston J., whose biographical re- cord appears elsewhere in this work ; Josiah ; Elizabeth ; Elmira ; James S. ; Susan W. ; An- thony W. ; Emily C. ; and Sarah E. Jonathan Rich was born on the old home- stead in Buckingham township, and received his education in the common schools. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, and after his marriage left the parental roof and en- gaged in farming on his own account in Buckingham township. He was quite pro- minent in his section and held many of the township offices. He was united in marriage with Alice Slack, and five children blessed their home: Mary K., the wife of Paxson Pursell, a conductor on the Philadelphia Street Railway; James S., whose name ap- pears at the head of these lines; John M., whose death occurred in 1887; Margaret S., a resident of Atlantic City, N.J. ; and William S., a grocer of Philadelphia. Mrs. Rich was called to her home beyond the river of Death in July, 1885, and her husband joined her in October of the same year. James S. Rich attended the common schools of his native township and was reared upon the farm. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he enlisted in George W. Durrell's Battery, in September of 1861, with which he remained and participated in all of the battles in which THEODORE P. HARVEY. BUCKS COUNTY 227 the battery was engaged until his discharge in September, 1864. He was under fire for ninety-seven days in all, and although at times he was in the thickest of the fight, he luckily escaped unscathed. The battles in which he participated are: Second Bull Run; Antie- tam ; South Mountain ; Chantilla ; Fredericks- burg; Vicksburg; Jackson, Miss.; and the Wilderness. He was discharged at Peters- burg, Va., in September, 1864, after which he returned home. After his marriage in 1866, he moved to Yardley, Bucks County, where he embarked in the mercantile business, and continued with fair success for five years. He then went to Philadelphia and engaged in the wholesale hat business for nine years, and then in the grocery business for seven years with good results. Upon the expiration of that- time, he moved to his present farm in Buckingham township, which he has since cultivated, carrying on general farming. He has greatly improved the property, both land and buildings, and the place presents an ap- pearance of neatness and other indications of good management, which unfortunately are too often absent on most farms. He is a man of excellent business propensities and practi- cal experience in business dealings, and the success which has attended his efforts is due to those qualities, combined with his industry and honest methods. He performs every ob- ligation of a dutiful citizen, and is one of the good solid men of the community. In 1866, Mr. Rich was joined in wedlock with Madaline, a daughter of Charles and Margaret Henderson, the former of whom was a wholesale hatter in Philadelphia. Seven children blessed thjs union, three of whom still live, the latter as follows: Charles H., who married Jane Cuthburt, and lives near Pittsburg ; Margaret, the wife of Rev. Charles B. Williams, a Presbyterian minister of I^ex- ington. 111. ; and William S. Those who have passed away are: Anthony W.; R. Madaline; Alice T. ; and Madaline Henderson. In poli- tical afiiliations, he is a Republican, and has held the ofiice of school director for a number of terms. Religiously, both he and his worthy wife are members of the Presbyterian Church of Carversville, Pa. m HE( HEODORE P. HARVEY, deceased, e>J_ was an expert telegrapher of Doyles- town for a period of over twenty-five years, being one of the first operators of the tele- graph in the state of Pennsylvania. He was a son of Joseph and Ann (Horner) Harvey, and was born in Doylestown township, just outside of the borough line, February 18, 1833- Mr. Harvey was reared upon the farm and obtained a good intellectual training in the common schools, and in a private school, under the tutelage of Rev. S. M. Andrews, D. D., a minister of the Gospel and an edu- cator of state-wide reputation. Our subject was a very apt student and acquired an ex- cellent English education. From boyhood he was an expert telegrapher, and his career along that line was almost as long as the history of the magnetic telegraph system, being the fourth in Doylestown to learn the code and the manipulation of the key. Joseph Steward was the first and transmitted his 228 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES knowledge to Edward Campbell, who in turn taught Thomas H. Walton, from whom our subject acquired his knowledge of tele- graphy. He was seventeen years of age when he began to learn the craft and he soon became proficient as an operator, being en- trusted with responsible positions from the very start. As he gained in experience better positions were offered him, and from Doyles- town he moved to Allentown, and thence to Norristown, where he also conducted a drug store with good results. In 1858, he went to Cincinnati where he remained for one year, during which time it fell to his duty to trans- mit a presidential message, which he did faithfully and accurately. In 1859, he re- turned to Doylestown, where he assumed the management of the local telegraph business and served efhciently in that capacity until his demise. He was a careful business man, a good accountant, and was always faithful to the confidence reposed in him. He was also interested in a number of business enter- prises and was in partnership with James Kane, with whom he owned the Gas Works and supplied the gas for the borough for many years. In 1 86 1, he was united in marriage with Lydia A. Shearer, a daughter of Jesse W. and Margaret (Kneedler) Shearer of Doylestown township. Mrs. Harvey was a devoted and dutiful wife, and possesses many other excel- lent traits of character which have won the love and respect of a large circle of acquaint- ances in Doylestown, where she now resides. Politically, Mr. Harvey was a stanch Demo- crat and served as a member of the water committee at the time of the introduction of the Holly Water System, of which he was a strong advocate. Socially, he was a member of the Doylestown Council, No. 166, Jr. O. U. A. M., of which he was treasurer for many years and was serving in that capacity at the time of his death, February 5, 1886. Mr. Harvey's portrait is shown on another page in connection with the above life history. r^HILIP S. CRESSMAN, the proprie- ^~^ tor of the American House of Per- kasie, Bucks County, Pa., is well and favorably known throughout the county, and his establishment is patronized by the leading commercial travelers, and is a pleasant resort for summer boarders. He is a son of Henry and Sarah A. (Snyder) Cressman, and was born in Hilltown township. May 31, i860. His grandfather was Philip Cressman, who was born in Rockhill township, where he conducted a farm and followed the trade of a blacksmith all his life. He formed a marital union with a Miss Stout, and they were the parents of two children, namely : Henry ; and Eliza (Leidy). Mrs. Cressman passed to her final rest at the age of fifty-six years, and was joined by her husband beyond the river of death a few years later. Henry Cressman, the father of our subject, was born in Rockhill township, but at the age of six years moved to Hilltown township with his parents. There he was reared and educated to agricultural pursuits, which he always followed, and became one of the good substantial farmers of the community. He BUCKS COUNTY 229 was united in marriage with Sarah A. Snyder, who was born in 1833, and now resides in Sellersvill^, and their union resulted in the following issue : James, who lives in Hill- town township; William, a resident of Rich- land township, Bucks County ; Philip S., the subject of this sketch ; Henry, who is princi- pal of schools at Egg Harbor, N. J., and a well-known educator; and Mary, deceased. Mr. Cressinan passed away at the age of fifty- six years. In religious attachments, he and his family were members of the Lutheran Church. Philip S. Cressman was reared and spent his early manhood upon his father's farm, but six months after his marriage he went to Hagersville, where he was employed in a clerical position for a period of eighteen months. He then located at Perkasie, where he became proprietor of the old American Hotel, and although he had no practical experience in that line of business, he had all of the necessary characteristics which go to make an ideal landlord. By good manage- ment he made the venture pay welly and in 1893 erected a handsome new hotel, as the old one proved inadequate for his rapidly increasing business. It is a modern building of three stories, and has thirty pleasant, well- furnished and nicely arranged rooms, with all modern conveniences for the comfort of his guests. One of the most pleasing features of this establishment is the excellent table that is set. He not only caters to the commercial trade, but to summer boarders as well, who find the quiet and retired town of Perkasie, with its excellent facilities for pleasure, a good burial place for their business cares, and 12* a retreat from the noise and turmoil of city life. He is genial and good natured, and makes friends of all with whom he meets, being especially popular with the residents of Perkasie. He has done much to advance the interests of the place, being one of its most progressive citizens and business men. Ift 1884 he built a lai-ge store building on Seventh and Market streets, one of the best buildings in the town, and in 1895 erected a good livery barn, which is conducted in connection with the hotel, thus affording another con- venience to his guests. In the latter build- ing are also rooms for a cigar factory, the Perkasie Hose Company, and lodge rooms. In 1885 Mr. Cressman was united in mar- riage with Mary Crouthamel, a daughter of Reuben Crouthamel of Hagersville, and they became the happy parents of the following children : Howard ; Frank ; Mabel ; and I/. Winfield. Politically, he is an unswerving Democrat, and has served as school director of the borough. Socially, he is a member of MacCalla L,odge, No. 596, F. & A. M. ; Junior Order of United American Mechanics ; and I. O. O. F. ISAIAH HESTON. The Heston family, of whom the subject of these lines is a well-known member, has for many years been closely associated with the pro- gress and improvement of Bucks County. Our subject, although living in retirement, resides on his fine farm, which is located in Newtown township, and consists of 76 acres of highly improved land. He was born in Upper Makefield township, this county, the 230 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES date of his birth being November 7, 1823, and he is a son of Joshua and Mary (Rooks) Heston. Our subject traces his ancestral history back to Zebulon Heston, who came from the manor house of "Heston" near London, England, about 1650, and settled in Eastham, Barnstable County, Mass. In 1686, Zebulon located in Burlington, N. J., where he owned several hundred acres of land ; he also owned 300 acres in Bucks County, Pa., and was one of the well-to-do men of his time. His wife's name was Dorothy, and they had a family of nine children. Joshua Heston, the father of our subject, was born in Wrightstown township, this county, but early in life moved to Upper Makefield township where he pursued his vocation as a shoemaker. He was united in marriage with Mary Rooks, a native of New Jersey, and of German descent. She was twice married ; her first husband was a Mr. Dean and two children were born to them, — John and Anna, both now deceased. Five children resulted from her second mar- riage, namely: Mary, who died September 5, 1 8 19, aged sixteen years; Cyrus, deceased, was a miller of Upper Makefield township in early life, but at the time of his death he was a resident of Piqiia, Ohio ; Isaiah, our subject; Elizabeth, born July 25, 1826, is the wife of Joseph Reeder, a retired farmer of Shelby, Ohio ; and Amy, born December 22, 1828, deceased, was the wife of C. A. Atkin- son, a farmer of Pemberton, Ohio. The father of our subject died in the year 1832, and his mother passed from this life in 1852. Isaiah Heston received a common school education, and at nine years of age left the parental roof and began working on the farm of John Harmon, of Upper Makefield town- ship, remaining in that gentleman's employ some ten years, during which time he also learned the trade of a blacksmith. In 1848 our subject located in Newtown township, but soon after moved to Lower Makefield township, and in the spring of 1874 purchased his present farm of Dr. Gordon, formerly known as the Thomas Yardley place. This rich and productive farm consists of 76 acres of land, and our subject makes & specialty of raising potatoes, raising as high as 2500 bushels a year ; he also raises small fruits and has a large orchard. Mr. Heston is esteemed by a host of acquaintances, and in all his business transactions is recognized as an hon- orable, straightforward man, bne who makes and keeps hosts of friends, and wields an influence for good in his community. Mr. Heston, December 17, 1848, was joined in marriage with Margaret E. Reeder, of New- town, Pa. , a daughter of Joseph and Maria (Krewson) Reeder. Mr. Reeder was a native of Newtown and died October 2, 1852 ; his trade was that of a mason ; his wife was born at Somerton, Pa., and died November 18, 1889. They were the parents of six children, namely : Emily, the wife of M. Green, both deceased ; Yardley married Emily German, now deceased, and he is a bricklayer at New- town ; Margaret E., the wife of our subject ; Sarah J., whose first husband was C. Benford, and her second, Wesley Swartworth ; and Alford, a cabinetmaker of Newtown, Pa. Mrs. Heston's maternal grandfather was John Krewson, a farmer and weaver of Somer- REV. JAMES RILEY BERGEY. BUCKS COUNTY 233 ton, Pa. Her grandfather Reeder was a har- nessmaker of Newtown, and he married Sarah Yardley, by whom he reared the following children : John, Jacob, George, Maria, Ann, Mary Ann, Mercy, Sarah, and Cornelia. Mr. and Mrs. Heston are the parents of six chil- dren, as follows; Anna M., born May 8, 1850, died December 8, 187 1, was the wife of Charles Pedcock, of Upper Makefield town- ship, and they reared one child, Maggie, who now lives with our subject and wife; Ran- dolph, born April 24, 1852, married Florence Young by whom he reared three children, — Frank, Ella, and Isaiah ; Sallie, born Novem- ber 27, 1854, is the wife of Charles .Taylor, a carriage maker of Pennington, N. J., and one child blessed this union, Ella; Lafayette, born January 14, 1857, died January 23, 1861 ; Ella G., born March 14, 1861, is the wife of S. W. Bergen, a retired citizen of Trenton, N. J.; and Harry C, born March 24, 1864, who married Sallie C. Young, July 14, 1891, and they are the proud parents of two chil- dren, Bessie and Hermon. ^EV. JAMES RILEY BERGEY, the beloved pastor of the Salem Re- formed Church of Doylestown, Bucks County, whose portrait is shown on the opposite page, is a man of good educa- tion, a clear and logical thinker, and a pleas- ing and entertaining speaker. He has had charge of his present pastorate only one year, but he has become firmly established in the affections of his congregation. He is a son of Jacob R. and Susanna D. (Bertolet) Bergey, and was born in Lower Salford township, Montgomery County, Pa., November 26, 1867. The family is of German descent, and the various families of that name in Bucks County all trace their ancestry back to one, John Ulrich Bergey, who located in the cen- tral portion of Montgomery County about the beginning of the eighteenth century. He was one of the pioneer farmers of Lower Sal- ford township, where he continued to reside until his death. Jacob Bergey, the great-grandfather of our subject, was a native and life-long resident of Lower Salford township, where he owned some hundred acres of land and engaged in farming. He also was a weaver, as were many of the heads of families of that day. As far back as known, the family belonged to the Mennonite Church. He died on his farm in 1828, aged sixty-seven years. He married Elizabeth Gottshall, the widow of Jacob Brachtheiser, and they had a large family of children, one of whom was David, the grandfather of the gentleman whose name heads these lines. David Bergey was born in Lower Salford township, Montgomery County, in 1804, and was a farmer and a minister of the Reformed Mennonite Church, being an able and popular minister of the Conference. He was a forcible speaker and an earnest Christian man, and for many years had two charges, one at Skip- pack, Montgomery County, and the other, Gehman's Meeting House at Rockhill, Bucks County. He retained these charges until his death at the age of eighty, a period of thirty years. He was united in marriage with Elizabeth ReifF, the widow of John 234 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES Kolb, who had two children by her first mar- riage. Mr. and Mrs. Bergey reared seven children, two of whom died in childhood, pur subject's father, Jacob R., being the youngest born to them. Jacob R. Bergey was born on the old home- stead November i,. 1838, and lived there all of his life. He was a farmer for many years, but in his latter years was serving as director of the poor and was president of the Montgom- ery Home for five years, in which capacity he was serving at the time of his death, February 13, 1897. In political belief, he was an ar- deut Republican, and was elected director of the poor in 1892. At the expiration of that term in 1895, he was re-elected by the largest majority of any man on the ticket. Relig- iously, he was a member of the Trinity Reformed Church of Skippack, and served successively as trustee, deacon and elder, fill- ing the latter office at the time of his death. In 1863, he was united in matrimonial bonds with Susanna D. Bertolet, a native of Fred- erick, Montgomery County, and they reared the following children: John B., a teacher and general insurance man of West Point; L,iz7.ie, the wife of Joseph Detwiler, who resides on the old Bergey homestead; and Rev. James Riley, the subject of this personal history. Rev. James Riley Bergey, after attending the public schools of his native township, entered Ursinus College, where he completed an elective course, and one year's study in the Theological Seminary. He then took the remaining two years' course in the Theo- logical Seminary of the Reformed Church of America at I/ancaster. He was graduated with the class of 1894, in which he stood very high, being one of the eight chosen to deliver an address at Commencement. Rev. Mr. Bergey is also a talented musician, and, while attending college at lyancaster, sang in the chorus oi the Jewish Synagogue and in the choir of the Protestant Episcopal Church. Immediately after his graduation, he took charge of three congregations in the West Susquehanna Classis, Union County, Pa. , and served them faithfully for three years, or until June i, 1897, when he was called to accept the pastorate of the Salem Reformed Church of Doylestown, succeeding Rev. L,. C. Sheip, deceased. He has since continued in his duties as pastor of that church and stands high in the estimation of the citizens of Doylestown, regardless of religious faith. Rev. Mr. Bergey was united in hymeneal bonds with Ella Naomi Huber, a daughter of Rev. S. M. K. Huber, of Skippack, Mont- gomery County, October 16, 1894, and they are the proud parents of one daughter, Helen Elizabeth. W: II.MER A. TWINING. Members of the Twining family are num- bered with the most influential citizens of Bucks County, Pa., and of the many, who deserve an honored mention in the annals of history, this gentleman certainly should be noticed. He is pursuing the vocation of a farmer, and occupies a fine farm located in Wrightstown township, consisting of 141 acres. He was born in the house in which he now resides, the date of his birth being April 17, 1865, and is a son of Cyrus B. and BUCKS COUNTY 235 Sally M. (Atkinson) Twining, and grandson of Jacob and Priscilla (Buckman) Twining. The grandfather of our subject was born in Northampton township, this county, and his occupation was that of an agriculturist, in which he was very successful. Cyrus B. Twining, the father of our subject, was also born in Northampton township, and was reared to manhood on his father's farm ; he located in Wrightstown township in 1853 and purchased what is now our subject's present farm. In addition to general farming he was also engaged in pork packing, and followed the two occupations until his death. In 1866 he bought another farm and resided, there until his spirit was called from earth, which was February 14, 1892. He was joined in marriage with Sally M. Atkinson, who was born in Wrightstown township January 19, 1825, and they became the proud parents of six children, named as follows : Jonathan A., whose sketch also appears in this Book of Biographies; Nellie T., the wife of Stephen K. Cooper, of Wrightstown township; Wil- mer A., the subject of this sketch ; Thomas O. died, aged three years; Willie, died in infancy; and Frank, who died at the age of five years. Wilmer A. Twining received his elementary education in the common schools of his native township and in Pierce's Business College of Philadelphia; our subject was reared to agricultural pursuits and remained during his boyhood days on the homestead which Ijas been in his possession since he attained his manhood. He has made many improvements upon the homestead and is engaged in farming and dairying. He is well known throughout the township and commands the good-will and respect of his fellow-citizens. Wilmer A. Twining was united in marriage October 14, 1886, with Lottie B. Vandergrift, a native of Buckingham township, and a daughter of James M. and Sadie (Gaine) Van- dergrift; her father is living in retirement in Pineville, Pa., and her mother is deceased. Our subject and wife are the proud parents of two children. Religiously, the members of the family are attendants of the Friends' Meeting. Politically, he has always been a Republican, as was his father, and he has served three years as school director, in which capacity his father had served for seventeen years. -t^T-ENRY C. DETWEILER is a musi- r^4 cal instructor of recognized ability -i-^ V, ^ and a well-known manufacturer of cigars. He has been a highly esteemed resident of Hagersville, Bedminster town- ship, since 1871, but his business has called him to all parts of the county. He is a son of Henry and Anna (Clymer) Detweiler, and was born in Milford township, Bucks County, October i, 1850. His grandfather, Jacob Detweiler, was one of the good substantial farmers of Upper Milford township, L,ehigh County, Pa. He married a Miss Heist, and the following children blessed their union : Jacob ; Samuel ; Jonas; Daniel; Henry; Elizabeth; and Ca- therine. Henry Detweiler, the father of our subject, was born on April 24, 181 7, and early in life learned the trade of a shoemaker, which he 236 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES followed a few years and then took up the occupation of a farmer. He was a very pros- perous man and spent the latter years of his life in retirement. He died December 23, 1895, at a ripe old age. He was united in hymeneal bonds with Anna Clymer, who was born February 22, 1817, and is now enjoying life at the advanced age of eighty-one years in Richland Center, where she resides with one of her sons. Her father was a farmer of Milford township, and as a result of his union with a Miss Schaffer, nine children were born : Esther; Polly; Hannah ; Sallie ; Susan; Anna; one who died in infancy ; Henry ; and John. Mr. and Mrs. Detweiler were the happy parents of nine children : Mary, the wife of Jacob D. Clymer, a resident of Quakertown ; Aaron C, who married Anna Clymer, is now a merchant of Quakertown, and has three children, — Frances, Henry, and Elizabeth; Mahlon C, who is postmaster of Richland Center, married Elizabeth Trumbauer; Wil- liam C, who died at the age of twenty-four years, was a school teacher and a clerk; Henry C, the subject of this biographical sketch ; Susan, whose death occurred at the age of twenty years ; Anna, deceased, had two children, — Clara, who married John Ben- ner, a cigarmaker of Quakertown, and a son who died in infancy; Catherine married Samuel Slifer of Milford Square, and has one child living, Freddie, and four deceased, — Kate, Florence, Carrie, and Willis ; and Fran- cis, who died at the age of two years. Henry C. Detweiler was reared on the farm and obtained his education in the public schools of Milford towtlship. At the age of twenty years, he left the parental roof and located at Hagersville. He had studied mu- sic with Jacob Bibighouse, of Trumbauers- ville, Pa. , for two years and with Prof. Hess of Bethlehem for a short time, and displayed much talent in that direction. Upon re- moving to Hagersville, he became organist of the Lutheran Church of that village which position he has since held, and for the past fourteen years has been organist of the Lu- theran and Reformed Churches of Tohickon* He has also served in that capacity for two years in Keller's Church and in the Appel- bach Lutheran Church, and has played at diiferent times in Bridgeton. For the past twenty-five years, he has been an able in- structor in music and has a large number of scholars, from whom he derives the best possible results by his most efi&cient methods. He manufactures a high grade of cigars and they find a ready sale throughout the county, which goes to prove that had he been unsuccessful in the field of music, he would have been successful in other fields. He also had the agency for the Royal Piano & Organ Company of Washington, N. J., for some years, and in his different business capacities he has become well known throughout the county, and has made many fast friends. March 29, 1873, Mr. Detweiler was united in marriage with Alice Hartzel, who is a native of Richland township, and a daughter of Elias and Barbara (Eckert) Hartzel. Elias Hartzel was always a good, solid farmer of this county, where he was born May 3, 18 17, and died January 28, i860. Mrs. Hartzel was born September 15, 1821, and is now residing with the subject of this sketch. Their union BUCKS COUNTY 237 was blessed by the following offspring : a son who died in infancy ; Alice (Mrs. Detweiler) ; Phares, a plasterer of Perkasie, who was twice married, — his first marriage with Carrie Eck- ert resulted in one daughter, Gertrude, and his second wife, Sallie Furnorman, bore him a son, Calvin ; Mary married Pierson Stout, a plasterer of Perkasie, and they have two sons, Oscar and Edwin, and the fifth and sixth children born to them died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs: Detweiler are the proud parents of six children : I^izzie H., who was born March 28, 1874, married Frank Maurer, a painter of Perkasie, and they have two sons, Raymond and Clarence L,eon; William H., born March 27, 1876, is a cigarmaker by trade; Mary H., born May 8, 1880; Charles H., who was born February 21, 1883, died on March 14, follow- ing; Frederick H-, born September 22, 1884; and Henry Paul, born November 9, 1892. Religiously, they are faithful members of the Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church of Church Hill. Mr. Detweiler is an active Democrat in 'politics, and served as assessor from 1880 to 1886 in a highly satisfactory manner, and has also held other minor ofl&ces. ; '.EORGE SCHOOL, a boarding school si_J- for both sexes, located near the borough of Newtown, is under the care of a committee of the Yearly Meeting of Friends of Philadelphia, Pa. George L. Maris, A. M. , is principal of the same, having been called to his present position upon the organization ■of the school in 1893. The philanthropic gentleman, who made: the school a possibility, by giving largely of his means towards its founding, was John Malin George, who was born in 1802, and died in his eighty-fifth year. He was elder of the Radnor Monthly Meeting of Friends, and a member of the Merion Preparative Meeting of Friends. His parents were Randall and Elizabeth (Malin) George. His family coming to an end with his death, and having no im- mediate relatives to whom he could leave his wealth, he provided in his last will and testa- ment that all his estate, which amounted in value to $625,000, be employed to erect and maintain in the eastern part of Pennsyl- vania a " boarding school for the education of children, members of the Society of Friends, and such others as a committee ap- pointed by the Yearly Meeting may think proper." The terms of his legacy were carried out with promptness, and the committee, that was appointed to select a suitable site for the future school, decided on the present loca- tion, selecting it from about 100 sites offered. The grounds, which contain 227 acres, have a beautiful location half a mile south of New- town, Pa., on an elevation, that furnishes a wide view of the surrounding rich farming district. Immediately north of the build- ings is a tract of 46 acres of thriving timber. Two streams of water run through the farm, and three fine, living springs furnish an abundance of cool, pure water. The build- ings consist of one main building with two wings, having a total frontage of 242 feet, and a depth of 140 feet ; a dormitory for boys 43 feet by 58 feet; a gymnasium and infirmary. The main building is an impos- 238 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES ing, modern structure, four stories in height, built of brick with white stone trimmings, the architecture of the building being on a whole Old Colonial. The rooms are large, well-lighted and airy, and the halls are very spacious.- The building is heated through- out with direct radiators, and lighted by gas and electricity. The appointments in every department are most complete and finished, for no expense was spared to obtain the best, and provide well for the health and comfort of the inmates. The gymnasium is a two- story, brick building, 45 by 70 feet, and is well fitted up with Swedish apparatus ; also with rings, Indian clubs, wands, dumb bells, and chest weights. Ten feet above the floor is a running track of the latest model, with adjoining dressing-room. The two-story in- firmary is attached to the east wing of the main building, and is so constructed that cases of contagious diseases can be entirely isolated from the other parts of the house. The students' rooms are well lighted and ventilated, and are taken care of by the in- mates. The library and reading room has a well-selected list of books for reference and general reading, and suitable provision has' been made for teaching the sciences by means . of laboratories equipped with modern appli-. ances. Both boys and girls are given instruc- tion in working wood and metal, the object being to develop accuracy of the eye and precision of hand, to impart readiness and skill in the use of tools, a knowledge of materials, and an acquaintance with mechan- ical processes. Teachers and students attend Friends' Meeting in Newtown on First-days, and all the students are members of the First- day school, which holds its sessions in the school building each First-day morning be- fore Meeting. The Young Friends' Associa- tion, or, as it is generally called, the Y. F. A., has a stated meeting once a month, which all members of the school attend for the pur- pose of studying the history and literature of the Religious Society of Friends. A meet- ing for religious services is also held in the assembly room of the school building each Fourth-day evening. Two literary societies, "The Penn" and "The Whittier," include all the students, and keep up a lively interest in reading, declamation and debate. The total cost of all the improvements on the property of George School, including the original cost of the land and the out-lajr for the erection of buildings, has been $315,- 000. In the summer of 1897, Jacob Fritz, of I/umberville, Bucks County, died and bequeathed the whole of his estate, amount- ing to $87,000, to George School, reserving from this amount $55,000 for the iise of his three surviving sisters during their lives, which sum was to revert to George School on their deaths. A large part of the estate is conducted as a farm, under the superin- tendence of Charles Jessups. A great deal of produce, berries and fruit in season is raised for the School. The Philadelphia & Read- ing Railroad runs through the grounds, and "George School Station" is only about 400 yards from the school buildings. A post- office is conducted in the main building. George School opened November 6, 1893, with about 150 students, and there are now in attendance from 180 to 190 boys and girls. The faculty for the year 1898-99 is as- follows; HOWARD Y, RICH. BUCKS COUNTY 241 George I,. Maris, A.M., principal; Charles M. Stabler, A.B., instructor in I^atin; Jesse H. Holmes, Ph.D., instructor in astronomy, chemistry and physics ; George H. Nutt, B.S., whose department is manual training and draughting ; J. Russell Smith, teacher of history; Albert T. Yarnall, B.I/:, instructor in higher mathematics ; Mary E. Speakman, teacher of composition and rhetoric ; Belle Vansant, teacher of biology; Sophie I/ange, teacher of German, French and drawing ; Mary Underbill, M;S;, teacher of mathe- matics and German ; Gertrude C. Smith, in- structor in reading; Mary Esther Sawyer, whose department is physical training; Curtis Eves, who also has charge of the departruent of physical training ; Helen M. Maris, assist- ant in French and German ; Estelle Brinton, assistant in English branches; Anna Jackson, librarian ; and Cassandra H. Rice; matron. George L,. Maris, principal of George School from its inception, was born in Chester County, Pa., and is a son of Norris and Ann (Davis) Maris, natives of that county, whose family genealogies may be traced in Am^erican history .back ;to 1683. George L. Maris prepared for college at West Chester Academy, and then taught two years in the public schools, and two years in West Chester Academy. Resuming his, collegiate education, he completed the same in the University of Michigan, graduating from that institution in 1 867. He was then teacher in West Chester Academy until 1869, when he was elected superintendent of the schools of Chester County., Pa, for three years. When his term of public service was completed, he was elected principal of the West Chester State Normal School, and held that position until 1873, when he became principal of the Friends' Central School at Fifteenth and Race streets, Philadelphia. While filling that posi- tion, he served as a member of the committee appointed to select a site for George School, and was elected principal of the same in 1893. In 1887, Mr. Maris served as president of the State Teachers' Association at Erie, Pa. Mr. Maris was married to Annie Pink- erton, daughter of Elisha Pinkerton, of Ches- ter County, Pa., and has two children living, namely : Helen M., a graduate of George School ; and Herbert L,., now a student at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich. As has. been shown in the above account of his life, the principal of George School is a man of wide experience along educational lines, and it is indeed fortunate that the com- mittee of the Yearly Meeting made so wise a choice' at the very beginning. Every depart- ment of the school has prospered and ad- vanced under the guidance of his hand. He is a cultured, refined gentleman of decided literary tastes, and is excellently adapted for the position he is now filling. * "OWARD Y. RICH. This honored and esteemed citizen of Dyerstown, Plumstead township, Bucks Coun- ty, Pa., whose portrait, executed from a re- cent photograph, is shown on the opposite page, is spending his latter days in quiet and peace, enjoying the fruits of his early toil He was born near his present home in Plum- stead township, this county, October 17, 1849, «3 242 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES and is a son of Daniel C. and Hannah (Yarnall) Rich. The Rich family is of English Quaker stock, and is a family long established in this county. Alexander Rich, our subject's great- grandfather, resided in Bucks County all his life, and his life occupation was that of a farmer. He was the father of a large family of children, one of whom was John, the grandfather of our subject, who was born in this county, and was reared to agricultural pursuits. He, like his father, was a mem- ber of the Society of Friends. John Rich was joined in the bonds of wedlock with Ra- chael Carlisle, by whom he reared a family of two sons and three daughters, namely : Daniel C, our subject's father ; Elizabeth ; Mary Ann ; Millicent ; and a son that died in infancy. Daniel C. Rich was born in Plum- stead township, this county, and his younger days were spent working on his father's farm, and attending the district school during the winter months. After he grew to manhood, he took possession of the homestead, and successfully carried on general farming the rest of his active days. Mr. Rich was widely known throughout the county, and was held in high esteem by his fellow-countrymen. He was a member and active supporter of the Society of Friends ; politically, he was an un- wavering Republican. He was wedded to Hannah Yarnall, a daughter of Enoch Yar- nall, a prominent farmer and Friend of Del- aware County, Pa. Three sons and two daughters were the fruits of this union. ,They were as follows : Deborah, a resident of Dyerstown, this county ; Howard Y., whose name heads this brief notice ; Rachael, also a resident of Plumstead township ; and two sons that died in infancy. Our subject's father died in 1894, at the age of eighty-four years. Howard Y. Rich was reared on the home- stead and received his elementary education in the district schools of Plumstead township, and at the Westtown Friends' School at Westtown, Chester County, Pa. Our subject then took up farming as a means of obtain- ing a livelihood, and successfully prosecuted that occupation until 1896, when he retired from the more active duties of life. He gave special attention to stock raising, in addition to farming. His farm gives every evidence of the skill, taste and enterprise of its owner. Mr. Rich has the esteem, confidence and affection of a wide circle of friends, who de- light to do him honor. Mr. Rich firmly upholds the principles of the Republican party, has served seven years as a school director, and in 1896 was elected poor director of Bucks County. He is a di- rector of the Republican Printing Company of Doylestown, Pa. ; president of the Doyles- town & Danboro Turnpike Company ; and a director of the Doylestown & Dublin Turn- pike Company. September 16, 1875, Mr. Rich and Miss Mary Ann Stradling were united in marriage. She is a daughter of Thomas Stradling, a teacher and farmer of Plumstead township. Two children blessed the home of our subject and wife: Edward, who is a graduate of George School of Newtown, this county, spent two years at Swarthmore College, and is now a student of the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania ; and one that died in infancy. BUCKS COUNTY 243 Wi IlylylAM H. BUSH, a respected and honored citizen of Quakertown, where, he passed thirty-five years of active business life, is now living in quiet retire- ment from active labor. For many years he won distinction as a landlord and proprietor of the Bush House, which was one of the best hotels in Bucks County. He was born in Northampton County, Pa., June 3, 1815, and is a son of John and Esther (McHose) Bush, John Bush was born in Northampton County, Pa., and was a life-long resident of that county; his occupation was that of an agriculturist, in which he was very success- ful. He wedded Esther McHose, and they reared a number of children. William H. Bush was reared to manhood upon his father's farm, and acquired a good education in the public schools of his native township. He assisted his father in the cul- tivation of the farm until 1840, when he went to Philadelphia, and there he engaged in the hotel business, being proprietor of the Merchants' House on Third street. There he rapidly built up a large trade and estab- lished quite a reputation as a host. In con- nection with the hotel business he ran a stage line from Philadelphia to Allentown, and it was during one of his trips to the latter village that he became acquainted with the flourishing village of Quakertown. In 1863 he sold his interests in Philadelphia and moved to Quakertown, where he purchased a hotel, which was just nearing completion, and named it the Bush House. The Bush House was located on the corner of Broad and Front streets, just opposite the depot, one of the best sites in the village, and there the weary traveler always found a welcome. The hotel was first class in every respect ; it was a three-story building, with rooms con- veniently arranged and well furnished, and was in all respects one of the most popular houses in the vicinity. Mr. Bush was a very genial and hospitable landlord, and estab- lished a fine reputation as a host. After accumulating a comfortable fortune, in 1 884 our subject sold his property to H. H. Bon- ders and retired from the active duties of life. He owns the handsome home at No. 1 14 Juniper street, where he resides. He chose for his life companion Christina Cope, who was born in Bucks County, Pa. , August 9, 1823; she has been a kind and loving mother and wife, and was a most ex- cellent hostess and faithful assistant to her husband while he was conducting the hotel. Mr. and Mrs. Bush are the parents of a family of eleven children, namely : Caroline U., wife of Phaon B. Derr of Philadelphia ; Joanna, wife of Worman Stoneback of Qua- kertown ; Ella E., wedded to Dr. D. P. Moyer, now deceased; Sallie A., united in marriage with Howard Hemmelwright of Wildwood Springs, Cambria County, Pa. ; I^aura A., the wife of J. F. Shive; George E. died young; Samuel E., a resident of Philadelphia ; Ida, married to Frederick M. Leppincott of Quakertown, now deceased ; Lizzie A., a twin sister of Ida, died aged twenty-five years; Mary E.; and Edwin H., a traveling salesman whose headquarters are in Philadelphia. ■ Mr. Bush is an ex-member and past grand master of the Quakertown Lodge, I. O. O. F. Religiously, he and his 244 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES wife are members of the I^utheran Church. Mr. and Mrs. Bush have labored hand-in- hand through the years that have passed and gone, and both have done their share in ac- quiring the competency they possess, and in administering to the prosperity and educa- tion of their children. This aged couple are held in dear esteem by a large circle of ac- quaintances, among whom they have lived for so many years. Ji R. CI.AYTON D. FRETZ, a scion of one of the most highly respected of Bucks County's early families, is a gentleman of high educational attain- ments, residing in the borough of Sellersville ; he is an accomplished physician and enjoys the patronage of the leading citizens within a radius of many miles of that town. He is a son of Abraham and Sarah (Detwiler) Fretz and was born in Bedminster township, Bucks County, November i6, 1844. He is of German nationality and is de- scended from John Fretz, who in connection with his brother, Christian, established the family in America, having left their home in the Palatinate, now the Grand Duchy of Baden, Germany, in 1720, during the era knowfa as the "Last Persecution." John Fretz located in Bucks County, Pa., where he lived until his demise in 1772. He was twice married, his first wife being Barbara Meyer, a daughter of John Meyer who came to America in 1708. The surname of his second wife is unknown, her given name being Maria ; by her he had eight children, namely : John, Jacob, Christian, Abraham, Elizabeth (Kulb), Mark, Henry, and Barbara. Christian Fretz was born, in 1734, on the old homestead in Bucks County, where he was reared and educated to agricultural pur- suits. He was appointed executor of his father's estate and continued at farming throughout his life, encountering the many difficulties to which the pioneers of that day were subjected. They had frequent quarrels over trivial matters with the unfriendly Indians which inhabited this section ; had the Indians been allowed their way further differ- ences of greater importance would have arisen and might have proved disastrous. The Indians are well known for their fixedness of purpose and great tenacity ; once having determined upon a thing or plan, they are as immovable as the Rock of Gibraltar. Mr. Fretz was the unfortunate owner of a horse which was greatly admired upon all sides and was much coveted by the Indians, who offered to buy it and then upon being refused the sale stole it, under cover of night. The sturdy old pioneer was at a loss how to regain his lost property, but having ascertained its whereabouts he finally decided to recover it in the same manner it was taken. He went to the camp of the red men one evening and waited until darkness enshrouded the wig- wams of the enemy and the Indians had given their customary wild shouts to frighten away wild beasts before retiring, when he stealthily located and made off with his horse, which happened to be out on pasture. In 1757, Mr. Fretz was united in marriage with Barbara Oberholtzer, who was born November 20, 1737, and died in 1 823, by whom he had twelve BUCKS COUNTY 245 children, one hundred and nine grandchil- dren, and one hundred and three great-grand- children. The record of their children are as follows : Manasseh, Barbara, Abraham, Eph- raim, Judith, Moses, Anna, Dianna, Sarah, and Elizabeth, all of whom were born on the old homestead in Bedminster township. His death occurred in 1803, after a long and use- ful life. Abraham Fretz, the grandfather of our subject, was born March 30, 1 769, and followed that most honorable of occupations, farming. He was well known as an honest and upright man and was a deacon of the church, which title clung to him through life. He was married, April 30, 1793, to Magdalena Kratz, who was born in Hilltown township August 30, 1776, and they reared the following off- spring : Anna (Myers), Rebecca, Jacob, Chris- tian, John, Isaac, Martin, Elizabeth, Barbara (Myers), and Abraham. Politically, he was a Whig, whilst in religious views he was a Mennonite, as were all of his ancestors. Abraham Fretz, the father of our subject, was born October 9, 181 5, on the old home- stead, where he continued a prominent farmer and drover until he attained the advanced age of seventy-six years, when he retired from active life and lived with his daughter, Mrs. Myers, until his death, which occurred in 1892. He was united in marriage with Sarah Detwiler, who was born January 5, 1818, and died July 18, 1850, and the following children blessed their union : Oliver, who lives in Springfield township; Titus, deceased ; Le- vina (Myers), of Perkasie ; Clayton D., the subject of this biographical record ; Clement- ine (Hockman), of Bedminster township ; and Sarah (Myers), deceased. After the demise of his first wife, he formed a second matri- monial alliance with Catherine Fry, who was born January 12, 1827, and died July 5, 1886, by whom he had the following issue : Lewis, who resides in Philadelphia ; Sybilla (Fen- ton), of Doylestown ; Laura, deceased ; Kati^ (Hudson), of Philadelphia ; Laura, deceased ; Alice (Lewis), of Philadelphia ; and Abra- ham, deceased. Dr. Clayton D. Fretz, when he was but six years of age, was deprived of the loving care of his mother, who passed away after a lin- gering illness. He remained at home with his father until the spring of 1855, when he hired out on the farm of the late Jonas Myers, of Bedminster township, where he remained for nearly two years ; the following year he was with the late Reuben Stover, and in the year succeeding was with Aaron Tyson, working on the farm during the sum- mer months and attending school during the winters at Bedminster. His father having again taken to farming, he returned home in 1859, assisting in the duties on the farm and during the winter months attending school at Fretz Valley. In the spring of 1862, he attended the North Wales Institute under the principalship of Mr. A. S. Overholt, and in the succeeding spring was a student of that institution. In the summer of 1 864, he took a course in Eastman's Business College, at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., of which he is a gradu- ate, after which he taught his first term of school in the old Octogon School near Foun- tainville, having received a certificate from County Superintendent A. S. Overholt. He taught for three years, going from the latter 246 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES place to the Monroe School and subsequently to the Fretz Valley School. During the last term he began reading medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. I. S. Moyer, then of Plumsteadville, and after he finished teaching became a regular student in the latter's office, matriculating in 1866 at the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylva- nia. During the succeeding two years, he closely applied himself to study and was graduated in March, 1868, having acquired a thorough knowledge of his profession. Ten days later, he formed a partnership with Dr. Nelson Applebach, of Sellersville, and they practiced with much success until 1 871, when they dissolved partnership and our subject has since continued alone, with the exception of the past two years, during which time his eldest son has aided in caring for his large practice. He is a man of high character and has many friends throughout the county, who honor him as a dutiful citizen, a kind neigh- bor and a true friend. The study of botany and the collection of specimens of plants and flowers has afforded him much pleasure. He is considered an authority on such matters and has added many new and rare plants to the known flora of Bucks County, about twelve to the state flora, and also a variety unknown to science. His herbarium not only contains a complete set of all the plants of Bucks County, but a large majority of the plants growing east of the Mississippi, in- cluding not less than 10,000 specimens of about 4,000 species and varieties. In connec- tion with his extensive practice, he has con- ducted a drug store for the past twenty-two years. November 10, 1871, Dr. Fretz was joined in wedlock with Kate B. Everhart, a daugh- ter of Charles W. Everhart, of Sellersville, and they are the proud parents of two sons. Alfred E., the elder, born August 30, 1874, completed the required course in the high school of Sellersville, after which he taught school for two terms and then entered the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania. After a term of four years, he was graduated in 1896, and was appointed resident physician in Mercy Hospital at Pittsburg, Pa., where he remained for six months and then returned to Sellersville where he has since assisted in caring for his father's practice, which requires the entire attention of both. He is a member of the Bucks County Medical Society, the Ivchigh Valley Medical Society, and the Pennsylva- nia State Medical Association. Socially, he is a member of Ivodge No. 658, I. O. O. F., and of the local camp of the P. O. S. of A. S. Edward, the younger son, was born Aug- ust 30, 1878, and after graduating from high school took a course of one year in the Bio- logical Department of the University of Pennsylvania, and is now in the class of 1900 in the Medical Department of that institu- tion. Politically, Dr. Fretz is a stanch Republican, and was a delegate to the State Convention of 1895. He has served as school director for a period of fifteen years, and has been president of the Sellersville Bank since 1894, also taking a deep interest in many other enterprises of the community. He is a member of the Bucks County MedicafSoci- ety, the I^ehigh Valley Medical Society, the Bucks County Historical Association, the DR. JAMES E. GROFF. BUCKS COUNTY 249 Bucks County Branch of the Pennsylvania Forestry Association, the Philadelphia Bot- anical Society, the General Alumni Society of the University of Pennsylvania, MacCalla lyodge. No. 596, F. & A. M.; Doylestown Chapter, R. A. M.; Pennsylvania Command- ery. Knights Templar, of Philadelphia ; and Sellersville Lodge, I. O. O. F. Ji R. JAMES E. GROFF, one of the most popular and successful physi- cians in Bucks County, whose recent portrait we take pleasure in present- ing on the opposite page, is located in Doylestown, where he has built up an im- mense practice, to attend to which taxes his utmost endeavors. He is a native of this county, his birth having occurred near Sel- lersville, August 3, 1856, his parents being Isaac S. and Mary A. (Fellman) Groff. The family is of Holland Dutch descent. Jacob GrofiF, his grandfather, was a native of Rockhill townshipj this county, where his entire life was spent in agricultural pursuits. In his chosen calling he achieved much suc- cess, and came to own 350 acres of valuable and well improved land, thus occupying a position among the most prosperous and well-to-do farmers of his section and day. He was a Mennonite in respect to his reli- gious views and attachments, and in politics was a stanch supporter of Whig and Repub- lican principles. Isaac S. GrofF was born in Rockhill town- ship, August 13, 1834, grew to manhood there, and carried on merchant tailoring at Benjamin, in that township, for many years. He later engaged in general merchandising at Chalfont, New Britain township, and in his later years again occupied himself at mer- chant tailoring at Line Lexington, this county, where his death occurred in 1890. He was a member of the Reformed Church. He married Mary A. Fellman, daughter of Jacob Fellman, a well-to-do farmer living near Quakertown, Richland township, who was a member of a well-known family of that vifcinity, his brother, Charles Fell- man, having served as a sheriff of the county in the early days. This brother was a popular man, and, although a Whig, was elected sheriff when the county was strongly Democratic in its political complexion. Dr. Groff was the only child in his parents' family. He was given a good knowledge of the common branches in the schools at Ben- jamin, attending them until fifteen years of age, when he engaged in teaching, and con- tinued as a pedagogue: for two years. He then entered Ursinus College at Collegeville, Pa. , and attended to his studies very assidu- ously for two years and, a half, in that time reaching the Sophomore year. Because of his father's serious illness he was forced to leave school and returned home, where for two years and a half he had charge of his father's business, and had half made up his mind to remain a merchant through life. However, these plans suffered a radical change, for his father sold the business, and our subject, in the spring of 1877, resumed his studies, reading medicine with Dr. A. J. Matthews, of Chalfont, until the fall of the same year, when he entered himself as a 250 BOOK OP BIOGRAPHIES student at JefFerson Medical College, Phila- delphia, Pa. He graduated in 1880, having taken a thorough three years' course, and at first located for the practice of his profession at Tradesville, a village three miles from Doylestown, where he continued until 1886, removing in that year to the county seat, where he has lived and practiced ever since, though his patients are to be found both there and in remote parts of the county. He is held in the highest esteem as a skilled and thoroughly competent master of his calling, and merits well the confidence that is reposed in him. He is regarded by all who have had an occasion of employing his services as a well-read, enterprising member of the medical profession, who has at his command the latest methods in the treatment of diseases and the requisite knowledge and ability to utilize them with benefit. His unvarying good nature and pleasant manners have been large factors of his popularity with all classes and the consequent size of his practice. The returns from his professional labors have been large, and he has accumulated con- siderable property ; he lately built a fine home on Court street, and is looked upon as one of the best citizens of Doylestown. Dr. GrofF sought and obtained in marriage the hand of Adelaide Grove, daughter of Charles R. Grove, of New Britain township, Bucks County; the words that made them man and wife were spoken on November 16, 1876. They have one son, Howard R., born November 26, 1877. Our subject is a mem- ber of the Bucks County Medical Society, and has taken a prominent part in its meet- ings. He is also a member of the Pennsyl- vania State Medical Society and American Medical Association. He is a member, socially, of Doylestown Lodge, No. 245, F. & A. M. ; Aquetong I^odge, No. 193, I. O. O. P., and Lenape Council, No. 11 17, Royal Arcanum. He is a Republican in his political sympathies, and was a member of the borough council three years. He was prison physician of the county three years, and is now a member of the board of U. S. pension examining surgeons, having received his appointment in August, 1897. He is a member and an active worker of the Re- formed Church of Doylestown. He has fully developed in him the Christian virtues which are made still stronger with every passing year that sees him still practicing his profes- sion, for medical experience has the eflfect of making a man sympathetic, true and noble in every sense of the word. "I^ATHAN HOUK, a prosperous and I ==t progressive agriculturist of New -■- V^ - Britain township, Bucks County, was born in Moore's, Montgomery County, in 1844, and is a son of John and Susan (Fell) Houk. John Houk, the father of our subject, was born in Berks County, Pa., and when a young man moved to Bucks County, where he became a farm laborer. After continuing at that occupation for some time there, he moved to Montgomery County, and for twenty-one years was engaged in tilling the soil near Moore's with much success. He passed into the unknown beyond in 1892, BUCKvS COUNTY 251 after living a long and useful life. He was united in marriage with Susan Fell, whose death occurred in 1897, and they were the happy parents of four children, a record of whom is as follows : Seneca, a farmer living near Doylestown, Bucks County ; Wilhelmina, the wife of Joel Harrow, a resi- dent of Montgomery County ; Nathan, the subject of this biographical sketch ; and Joseph F., a well-known farmer, residing near Colmar, Montgomery County. Nathan Honk obtained as good an intel- lectual training as the public schools of his native township afforded, and was reared upon his father's farm, with whom he lived until after his marriage at the age of twenty- six years. He then located upon a farm. at Warrington, Bucks County, and there en- gaged in farming for a period of twenty-two years. After the demise of his father in 1892, he moved to the village of New Britain, where he has since resided, and owns a fine farm of 94 acres in the vicinity, which is in a high state of cultivation. Under his suc- cessful management many improvements have taken place, and he has carried on gen- eral farming with good results. He is now practically living in retirement, performing just the lighter duties of farm life. He is a man of excellent qualities, and is highly esteemed by a large circle of friends and acquaintances in his neighborhood. In 1870 Mr. Houk was joined in wedlock with Elizabeth Sellers, a native of Mont- gomery township, Montgomery County, and a daughter of Philip and Susanna Sellers, the former of whom was a harness-maker of that section. Mrs. Sellers is at the present time residing with our subject. This happy union has been blessed by the birth of eight chil- dren, whose names are as follows : Walter ; Susan ; Elmer, who married Kate Lapp and lives in Ivyland, Bucks County; John; Walter ; Mabel ; and two that died in infancy. In politics Mr. Houk is an unswerving sup- porter of the principles of the Republican party, but has never aspired to office. (^^Y^THONY H. SLOTTER. Among tjj the many prominent agriculturists y el l»\__^ who have contributed substantially to the material prosperity of Bedminster township, and indeed it may be said of the entire county, stands the worthy gentleman ■ whose well-known name begins this bio- graphical sketch. He is a worthy representa- tive of one of the prominent and pioneer families of Bucks County, and is of German origin. He owns a rich and productive farm consisting of 125 acres, handsomely situated in Bedminster township, in one of the best farming communities in Bucks County ; in addition to carrying on general farming, he also deals extensively in cattle, and is agent for lyister's Fertilizer. This popular and enterprising citizen was born on his present farm February 14, 1855, and is a son of Jacob and Leah (Hockman) Slotter, grandson of Anthony and Elizabeth (Idem) Slotter, and great-grandson of Anthony Slotter. The founder of this well-known and pros- perous family in America,. Anthony Slotter, the great-grandfather of our subject, came from Germany and settled in Bedminster 252 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES township, Bucks County, Pa. , where he took up a tract of land and began farming. He was the father of two children, a son, Anthony, and a daughter. Anthony Slotter, the grand- father of our subject, was born in Bedminster township. May 22, 1777, and died in 1825. His vocation was also that of a farmer, and he was one of the upright and progressive citizens of his community. He married Elizabeth Idem, who was born in this county, and who died in 1 862 at the ripe old age of eighty-five years. They were members of the Tohickon Ivutheran Church. Three children were born to them, namely : Mary, who died June 21, 1877, aged sixty-four years; Jacob, the father of our subject ; and John M., born in 1817, and died in 1868. Anthony also worked with his father at teaming and freight- ing between Easton, Pa., and Philadelphia. The maternal grandfather of our subject was Ulrich Hockman, who was a farmer all his life in Bedminster township ; he married a Miss Detweiler, and the following children were born to them : John, deceased, was a dealer in horses ; Jacob died young ; Barbara married Jacob Rosenberger, and they live in Bedminster township ; Annie was joined in marriage with John Rohr, now deceased ; Ulrich, deceased ; Aaron, a blacksmith and farmer of Bedminster township ; Elizabeth, deceased; Ivcah, the mother of our subject; Abraham, deceased ; Peter married I/izzie Bergis, and they reside in Doylestown, Pa. ; and two that died in infancy. Jacob Slotter, our subject's father, was born on his father's farm in Bedminster township, October 31, 1815, and farming was his life's vocation, in which occupation he was very successful. He was educated in the district schools of Bedminster township, and in 1843 he left the homestead and went to Haycock township, where he carried on farming and droving one year, and then moved to Tinicum township ; after farming there two years he bought a farm in the eastern part of Bedmin- ster township, and lived there for a period of eight years ; in 1854 Mr. Slotter sold his farm, and one year later purchased of Joseph Fretz the farm now owned by our subject. He made many improvements upon the same, in 1 872 erecting a house and three years later building the present barns. In 1884, Mr. Slotter retired from further active work, and is now enjoying a well-earned, peaceful repose from the labors of an honored and useful life. On April 7, 1842, he married L,eah Hockman, who was born in Bedminster township August 24, 1823, and died January 9, 1886. They were blessed by a family of thirteen children, namely: William H., born August 5, 1842, also has his personal history in this Book of Biographies; Anna Maria, born March 23, 1844, is the wife of A. A. Stover, and their son Harry is a prominent liveryman of Doylestown; Elizabeth H., born July 22, 1845, died December i, 1862; Mary Ann, born November 29, 1846, died December 4, 1862; I^eah H., born June 25, 1848, is the wife of Milton Crouthamel ; Jacob T., bom April 17, 1850, first married Emma Kerns, and upon her death married I^izzie Cadwalla- der, and they live at Lahaska, Pa. ; Martha H., born July 27, 1852, married I,ewis A. Ott, a harnessmaker of Rockhill township ; Anthony H., the subject of this sketch ; John H., born March 7, 1857, died March 15, 1858 ; JOSEPH R. COMLY. BUCKS COUNTY 255 Aaron H., born January 27, 1859, was joined in the bonds of wedlock with Amanda Moyer and he resides in Philadelphia ; Abraham lyincoln, born vSeptember 13, 1861, married Josephine Flack, and. he is proprietor of the Doylestown-Carversville Stage route, and resides in Mechanicsville ; Barbara Ann, born August 10, 1863, was married to Aaron Lan- dis, a farmer of Buckingham township ; and Reuben H., born February 15, 1865, who was wedded to Ella Crouthamel, and he is farm- ing on the old Blotter homestead. Anthony H. Slotter remained on the home- stead during his younger days, assisting his father in the duties about the farm and attend- ing the district school; in 1884, when his father retired, he took charge of the home- stead, and has successfully carried on general farifiing up to the present time ; our subject also carries on da:irying, owning a large herd of cattle, some of which he fattens for the market. Mr. Slotter also handles all kinds of farming machinery, and is agent for Lister's Fertilizers, and his last year's sales amounted to over seventy-five tons. Mr. Slotter is an enterprising, progressive, and upright citizen, enjoying the respect and good-will of a multitude of acquaintances. Mr. Slotter chose for his life companion Sarah Amanda Nace, and they were wedded December 21, 1876; she was born in Sellers- ville, Pa., November 6, 1853, and is a daugh- ter of Philip and Elizabeth Nace. Mr. Nace is now deceased. A family of eight children blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Slotter, namely: I/izzie Olive, born September 29, 1877 ; Theodore N., born December 25, 1879, attended school at West Chester State Normal, and is now engaged in teaching in Bedmin- ster township; William N., born October 17, 1882, died June 26, 1885 ; Maria Belle, born February 15, 1885; Lillie May and Carrie May, twins, born March 7, 1888,— the former died February 14, 1890; Leah A., born De- cember 17, 1891 ; and Jacob Luther, born June 9, 1898. Politically^ our subject is a strong Republican, and, although he does not seek public office, he is always ready to lend his support in favor of any measure that tends to advance his community and county. Fra- ternally, he is a member of the K. of G. E. , Castle No. 248, of Bedminster. In religious views he and his family are members of the Lutheran Church at Sellersville. OSEPH R. COMLY, a widely known and representative citizen of Bucks County, Pa., of which he served as sheriff from 1887 until 1890, is connected with one of the successful business enter- prises of the borough of Yardley, being senior member of the well-known firm of Comly & Aaron, dealers in coal and lumber. Our subject and partner are also connected with a flouring mill in Mercer County, N. J. This valuable citizen of Yardley is a native of Mercer County, N. J., the date of his birth being July 9, 1840, and he is a son of Jona- than T. and Lucy E. (Reading) Comly, and grandson of Joshua and Amelia (Van Zant) Comly. Joshua Comly, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was born and reared in Byberry town- ship, Philadelphia County, Pa. Although 256 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES educated to agricultural pursuits, at an early age he took up carpentering, whicli occupa- tion he made his life's vocation. He served in the second conflict against England, and, shortly after his return from the war, died in Wilmington, Del. As a result of his mar- riage with Amelia Van Zant, three children were reared, as follows : Jonathan T., the father of our subject ; Harriet ; and Eliza- beth. Jonathan T. Comly was also born in By- berry township, Philadelphia County, where he remained during his early boyhood. At sixteen he left the parental roof and moved to Middletown township, Bucks County, where, for a period of five years, he served an apprenticeship to the miller's trade, which occupation he chose as a means of obtaining a livelihood. He then located at Lambert- ville, N. J., where he remained but a short time, when he became a resident of Mercer County, the same state. There, in connec- tion with following his trade, he operated a farm for a period of thirty years; at the expiration of that time he returned to Bucks County and settled in Yardley. During the Civil War, in 1864, when the Union was hard pressed for soldiers to put down the Rebellion, Mr. Comly offered his services, but, after being in the army for a year, he contracted a disease from which he died, when aged fifty-four years. He was joined in marriage with Lucy E. Reading, a daugh- ter of Elisha and Ann (Reading) Reading, and a direct descendant of John Reading, who emigrated from England in 1685, and whose son was once Governor of New Jersey. Our subject's mother was called from earth in 1863 at the age of fifty-two years. She was the mother of five children, who were known as follows : Jonathan, who died when entering manhood; William, who died in early boyhood ; Joseph R., whose name heads this personal history ; Harriet ; and Edward, who is a highly esteemed citizen of Yardley. Jonathan T. Comly was one of the active politicians of his community, and firmly advocated the principles of the Whig party, and, when that party was abandoned, he, as did the majority of his party, joined the ranks of the Republican organization. Mr. Comly was an intelligent and well-read citizen, a man of considerable influence, and was held in high esteem by a large circle of acquaintances. Joseph R. Comly prepared himself intellec- tually in the common schools of his native township and in a private school at Trenton and at Pennington, N. J. Upon leaving school, for three years during the Civil War, our subject served as sutler's clerk and was at the front of the army most of the time. After peace had been restored throughout the land, our subject returned to his home in Yardley; after spending two years in the milling business there, he went to Philadel- phia, whence after two years he returned to Yardley, where he again took to milling, pursuing that business for a period of twenty- two years. In 1891 our subject entered into partnership with Irvin Aaron, and under the firm name of Comly & Aaron they carry on a large coal and lumber business; the pro- prietors are well known throughout the coun- ty, and, being men of untiring energy and of hustling ability, have secured a large and BUCKS COUNTY 257 paying patronage. These gentlemen are also interested in a flouring mill in Mercer County, N. J., which alone yields them a handsome income. In 1877 Mr. Comly was wedded to Anna Smith, a daughter of William Smith, a prom- inent citizen of Yardley, and this union has been blessed by two children : Edward and Mabel. Fraternally, our subject is a member of Uncas Lodge, No. 426, I. O. O. F. of Yard- ley; Howard Encampment, No. 33, Phila- delphia ; and Bristol Lodge, No. 25, A. Y. M. He is also president of the Yardley Building & Loan Association. In 1887, Mr. Comly was elected sheriflF of Bucks County, which office he retained until 1890 ; he is now serv- ing the third year of his first term as justice of the peace. His portrait is shown on another page of this work. "YSLER J. ZANE, justice of the peace of Sellersville, Fa., is one of the en- terprising and well-to-do business men of the borough and has for the past twelve years been successfully engaged in house painting. He was born in the above town September 4, 1859, and is a son of Jacob and Aquilla M. (Schlichter) Zane, and a grandson of Jonathan antl Catherine (Conver) Zane. Jonathan Zane was a native of Montgomery County, Pa., and during his younger days learned the trade of a wheelwright, which was his life's vocation. He was married to Catherine Conver, who was born at Hatfield, Montgomery County, Pa.; soon after his mar- riage he moved to Philadelphia, where he spent many years ; later he became a resident of North East, Maryland, and lived there a number of years. Returning to Philadelphia he lived in retirement; later he moved to Colmar and spent a few years, and his latter days were spent with his son, who resided at Sellersville, Pa. He was the father of four children, who were named as follows : Eliza, Rebecca, Catherine, and Jacob. Jacob Zane, the father of our subject, was born in Montgomery County, Pa., November 25, 1825 ; he was a blacksmith by trade, hav- ing served an apprenticeship to that trade at Wilmington, Del. He followed his trade in Philadelphia a number of years, and upon his marriage became a resident of Sellersville, where he purchased a portion of the Schlich- ter farm, and there pursued the vocation of an agriculturist until 1875, when he retired from the more active duties of life. Mr. Zane was recognized as one of the progressive farmers of his community, and was held in high esteem as a citizen and neighbor. His wife was Aquilla M. Schlichter, born July 8, 1830, a daughter of Thomas Schlichter, a prominent citizen of Sellersville, and they became the parents of the following children : Jacob and Josephine, deceased; Thomas S., a resident of Philadelphia; Jonathan F. resides at Lansdale, Pa.; and Hysler J., whose name heads this personal history. Our subject's father passed from this life July 29, 1882, and was joined by his wife seven years later, April 29, 1889, at the age of fifty-eight. Mr. and Mrs. Zane were active members and supporters of the Lutheran Church; in politics, he was a solid Democrat,. was actively interested in school afiairs, and served as a school director 258 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES of East Rockhill township a number of years. Hysler J. Zane possesses a good education, which he received in the public schools of Sellersville ; he served an apprenticeship to the trade of a carriage trimmer after leaving school, and followed that trade under Thomas B. Deitz, of Sellersville, for a period of ten years. In 1886 our subject began the voca- tion of a painter, which occupation he has continued up to the present time. Politically, he is a stanch Democrat, an earnest worker, and has contributed much toward the success of his chosen party in his neighborhood. In 1 890 he was appointed justice of the peace by Governor Beaver to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Henry C. Moore; he is now serving his second term by election to that ofSce. In 1890 he served the unexpired term of chief burgess of Sellersville caused by the removal of H. C. Stout. He has also served as clerk of the town council since 1891, and is the present incumbent of that office. He is also secretary of the Sellersville Volunteer Fire Company and was one of its founders. He is secretary of the board of health, secre- tary of the Sellersville Building Company, and Sellersville Improvement Company, and a director of the Sellersville Building & L,oan Association. He writes deeds, wills, and set- tles estates, and his varied duties are quite sufficient to keep him busy at all times. Mr. Zane is one of the leading citizens of Sellers- ville, commands the respect and good-will of the entire community, and takes an active interest in all enterprises which tend to bene- fit his township and county. In 1883 Mr. Zane was united in marriage with Mary ly. Walz, a daughter of Rev. Fred- erick Walz, of Sellersville, and this union has been blessed by four children, namely : Hysler J., Jr.; Charlotte and Frederick are twins, and the former is deceased ; and Robert T. Our subject is a member of the I. O. O. F., Lodge No. 658, of which he is secretary and representative; and is scribe and a repre- sentative of Camp No. 252, I. O. O. F. ^/^i ILLIAM WIIvSON, a retired paper V^ V> manufacturer of Bristol, Pa., who was senior member of the firm of Wilson & Fenemore, which sold out in 1 892, since which time our subject has been living in retire- ment, is recognized as one of the most worthy and esteemed citizens of that borough. He is a son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Peak) Wilson, and was born near Manchester, England, the date of his birth being October 17, 1830. Our subject's parents, both of whom were natives of Manchester, England, immigrated to the United States in 1830, first settling in Philadelphia, where they remained until 1850, when they became residents of New York City. Later they returned to Phila- delphia, where our subject's father died, in 1879, aged seventy years. Mr. Wilson, while residing in England, was engaged in the manufacture of cotton cloth, and owned a large mill, and employed many hands; he successfully carried on that line of business until 1827, when a general panic prevailed throughout England, and he was forced to the wall. Two years later he came to this country, and settled in Philadelphia, where BUCKS COUNTY 259 he began the manufacture of shoeblacking and matches ; later he engaged in work on similar lines in New York City, where he did an extensive business. The mother of our subject entered the world of rest in 1 874. William Wilson was reared in Philadel- phia, and received his intellectual training in the public schools of that city; at the age of twenty-one years, as a means of obtaining a livelihood, he began the manufacture of wall paper on a very small scale. He was very successful in this line of business, and in 1882 moved to Bristol, Pa., a more suitable location; through his successful management the business was greatly increased ; later he entered into partnership with Francis Fenemore, and the business was carried on under the firm name of Wilson & Fenemore. They had a large factory built by the Bristol Improvement Company, and gave employ- ment to a large number of hands, the annual output amounting to $500,000. In 1892, our subject and Mr. Fenemore sold out to the National Wall Paper Association of New York City, of which Mr. Wilson is a large stockholder. Mr. Wilson is a philanthropic and public-spirited gentleman, actively sup- porting all public enterprises which tend to benefit his town and fellow-townsmen, and contributes largely to all charitable purposes. In 1862, when the battle of Antietam was fought, our subject aided in organizing an emergency company known as Co. I, 9th Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf, of which he was first lieutenant. In 1 863, when General I^ee again invaded Pennsylvania, our subject went out with Co. F, 4th Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf Fraternally, Mr. Wilson is a member of lyodge No, 187, F. & A. M., and Hancock Lodge, I. O. O. F., both of Philadelphia; Knights of Friendship of Bristol ; and be- longs to the Baker Post No. 8, G. A. R., of Philadelphia. Mr. Wilson chose for his life companion Mary M. Bannon of Philadelphia, and they were happily united in marriage in 1 866. Mr. Wilson in all respects stands high in the estimation of his fellow- citizens ; his good judgment and unswerving integrity make him a leader among men. Both he and his devoted wife have the esteem and good-will of all who know them. They are first and foremost in all good works, and their influence is widely felt. DWIN M. BUNTING, a prominent and industrious citizen of Doylestown, Pa., who has served in the capacity of stew- ard of the Bucks County Almshouse since 1894, was born in Bensalem township, this county, August 25, 1847, and is a son of Joseph and I^avina (Kessler) Bunting, and grandson of Solomon Bunting. Our subject's grandfather was a native of Bristol township, this county, but spent the greater part of his active days in Bensalem township, where he followed the vocation of an agriculturist. His latter days were spent in Philadelphia, where he passed from this life in 1883, at the age of seventy-seven years. He was an old-line Whig in politics, but upon the formation of the Republican party he joined the ranks of the latter organ- ization. In his religious views he was a member of the Society of Friends. He was 26o BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES the father of three daughters and three sons, one of whom was Joseph, the father of our subject, who was born in Philadelphia County, Pa., in 1 82 1. His life was spent mostly in Bristol, Middletown and Bensalem townships, where he followed the occupation of a farmer until 1889, in which year his death occurred. He was quite successful in his life's vocation, and ranked among the foremost farmers of this county. Politically, he was an ardent Republican. He was joined in marriage with I,avina Kessler, and they were the parents of three sons and four daughters, all of whom are prosperous and well-to-do citi- zens in the various localities in which they reside. Edwin M. Bunting acquired a good educa- tion in the district schools of his native town- ship, and his leisure hours were spent labor- ing upon his father's farm. He was engaged in the tilling of the soil in his native town- ship and in Middletown township until the spring of 1894, when he entered upon the duties of steward of the Bucks County Almshouse, to which ofBce he had been elected the preceding year. He has held that position to the present time, and the duties of the office are being honestly and faithfully performed. Mr. Bunting is a Republican in politics, and votes uniformly and conscientiously with his party. He is very popular in his town- ship and county, and in 1880, 1881 and 1882 was elected supervisor of Bensalem township. He has also been delegated to county con- ventions. Socially, Mr. Bunting is a member of Bristol Ivodge, No. 25, F. & A. M.; and the Hulmeville Lodge, No. 422, I. O. O. F. In March, 1871, our subject was united in the bonds of matrimony with Ellen Powell, a native of Bensalem township, this county, and two children blessed this union, namely : Leslie and Bertha. DWIN JOHNSON. Farming has been the sole occupation of our subject since his early manhood, and that he has succeeded so well in his favorite occupation is due to his industrious and untiring efforts. His homestead is handsomely situated in Upper Makefield township, where he was born June 14, 1852 ; his parents are Richard and Elizabeth (Hampton) Johnson. Richard Johnson was born at Center Bridge, Bucks County, and upon moving to Upper Makefield township located on our subject's present farm ; there he continued the vocation of an agriculturist until 1877, when he went to Centerville ; there he pur- chased a farm where he remained until death claimed him, which was April 5, 1878. His wife was a native of this county and a daughter of Jqseph and Rebecca (Quinby) Hampton ; they became the proud parents of a family of fourteen children, namely : Wilmer, after the death of his first wife. Belle Blieler, married Alice Hoffman, and they reside at North Wales ; Joseph married Ella Vanartsdalen, both now deceased; Edwin, our subject ; Sarah is the wife of Dr. Andrew A. Wemmell, and they reside in Brooklyn, N. Y.; Clara is the wife of Stephen Carver, a blacksmith of Centerville, Pa.; Rachael mar- ried William Ramsey, both now deceased ; ZENO W. WEIERBACH. BUCKS COUNTY 263 Anna is the wife of Heston Smith, a farmer of Pineville, Pa. ; Quinby, deceased ; Frank, deceased; Martha married Robert Siddall, now deceased, and formed a second alliance with Frank Hogate, — they reside at I^ansdale, Pa. ; John I,ivezey married Helen Siddall, — he is a bookkeeper and resides in Philadelphia ; Clarence, who is a farmer living near Yard- ley, Pa., married Ethel Wollery; Albert S.j who married Katie Koch, is a painter by trade and resides near Centerville, Pa. ; and one that died in infancy. Our subject's mother formed a second marriage with Wil- liam Gary, now deceased ; she now resides in Philadelphia. The youthful days of our subject were spent working on his father's farm aud attending the district schbol whenever the opportunity presented itself. . Arriving at manhood, he took possession of the hoine-; stead, and has since resided there, carrying on general farming ; his farm consists of 87 acres of land, upon which he has made many improvements, and it now ranks among the best in the community. Our subject is pop- ular among his fellowrcitizens, and is re- garded a good neighbor and 'citizen. Mr. Johnson was married. February 10, 1876, to Sarah Emma.Goslin, a native of Upper Makefield township and. a daughter of Charles and Sarah (Gregg) Goslin ; Mr. Gos- lin resides with our subject, but his wife is deceased. One child has been born to our subject and wife, Annabel G. , who resides at home. Mr. Johnson and his family are prominent members and liberal supporters of the Society of Friends at Dolington. Politically, Mr. Johnson is an active Repub- lican, and has held the oiSce of school director of Upper Makefield township several years. 14 ENO W. WEIERBACH. Of the rep- resentative and flourishing farmers of this section of the Keystone State who have contributed- largely toward its prosperity and who'have been intimately connected with its advancement and progress, none take a more prominent part than the gentleman whose- name heads this brief no- tice, and whose success in life is attributable to his own efforts and perseverance. As a representative of the agricultural class of Bucks County, we take pleasure in present- ing a few, facts connected with the life of Zeno W. Weierbach, who is descended from one of the pioneer families of this state. The home of our subject is situated in Springfield township, near the village of Pleasant Val- ley, and in one of -the best, farming commu- nities in the county ; his farm, which consists of 127 acres, ranks among the best in the C9unty, the land being. rich and fertile, and it. possesses a large and substantial stone barn and many out-buildings. Our subject was born on a farm he owns, which adjoins the one where he now resides, the date of his birth being July 15, 1845. He is a son of Adam and Eliza (Weierbach) Weierbach, grandson of John Henry and Maria (Johnson) Weierbach, and great-grandson of Isaac and Anna (Frey) Weierbach. This old and honored family of Bucks County was founded by the great-great-grand- father of our subject, Nicholas Weierbach 264 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES who was born and reared in Switzerland, and wlio came to America and settled in Spring- field township, this county, during the colon- ial days. In 1754 he purchased a tract of land of Conrad Reizley, who had bought the same directly from the Penns. There he spent the rest of his life engaged in farming. His son, Isaac Weierbach, had the homestead which is now owned by Aaron Krammer ; Isaac was born April 10, 1730, and died March 11, 1805. He had a sister that was stolen by the Indians. Isaac Weierbach was married to Anna Frey, who was born February 24, 1741, and who died January 15, 1838. Of their children, John Henry was born on the home- stead in Springfield township, September 17, 1779, and his days were spent pursuing the vocation of a farmer, residing in Springfield township all his life. He was a very promi- nent man of his day, having held many town- ship offices and was colonel in the state mili- tia. As a result of his marriage with Maria Johnson a large family of children was born, all of whom were reared to manhood except the eldest, who died in infancy. Those who grew to maturity were : John, Jesse, Henry, Susan, Kate, Adam, David, Mary, Daniel and Aaron. Adam Weierbach was born on his father's farm in Springfield township March 29, 18 17, and was reared to agricultural pursuits, which he made his life's vocation. In early manhood he bought the Joseph Amey farm, which con- sisted of 66 acres, which he greatly improved by not only placing the land under a high state of cultivation, but by erecting an addi- tion to the house. Mr. Weierbach resided upon this farm until his spirit was called to its Master, in 1895. He was well known throughout the township, and was greatly re- spected by his fellow-countrymen. Relig- iously, he was a member and liberal supporter of the Reformed Church, and was also trustee of the same. His wife was Eliza Weierbach, a daughter of Anthony Weierbach, and she passed from this earth in 1872, at the age of fifty-one years. Their children were named as follows: Emma, the wife of Rev. J. J. Rush ; Zeno W., the subject of this personal history ; Sabina was married to Llewellyn Knechel ; Ralph was wedded to Alice Eby ; Sarah, Maria and Eliza died young ; William was united in marriage with Annie Worces- ter, and Albert, who was married to Annie Miller. Zeno W. Weierbach possesses a good edu- cation which he received in the schools of his native township, and his early manhood was spent in teaching school, teaching five terms in all ; he is a fluent spedker of both Eng- lish and German. In 1876 our subject purchased a part of his father's farm, and from time to time has added to his original purchase until he now owns 127 acres of highly improved land. In addition to carry- ing on general farming, our subject deals largely in cattle and in hogs, keeping from 70 to 100 head of milch cows and beef cattle, fattening the latter for the market. In 1876, Mr. Weierbach erected a beautiful residence, which is built of the granite obtained from the quarry on his farm ; he also built the lar- gest and most substantial barn in the town- ship, which is 73 feet long and 59 feet wide, and contains a basement, that can shelter much stock. BUCKS COUNTY 265 Mr. Weierbach chose for his life compan- ion Olive Moyer, a daughter of Joseph Moyer, and they are the parents of the following children : Xerxes, born May 2, 1 877 ; Dona- tus, bom August 7, 1878, died March 12, 1879 ; Calvin, born January 26, i88q, died January 3, 1881 ; Telephes, born September 3, 1882; and Gwynett, born August 12, 1885. Our subject has served as auditor, school director and six years as assessor. Fraternally, Mr. Weierbach is a member of Lodge No. 469, F. & A. M. ; Chapter No. 203, R. A. M., of Allen- town, and is a past master of the blue lodge. Our subject is a representative farmer of Bucks County, and is highly respected by his neigh- bors and acquaintances for his uprightness, intelligence and kindliness of manner. We take pleasure in announcing that Mr. Weier- bach's portrait is shown on a page in prox- imity. Is ^HARES ALBRIGHT, a well known produce commission merchant and a leading agriculturibt of Hilltown township, Bucks County, was born in that township, September 17, 185 1, on the old Daniel Albright place, and is a son of John and Mary (Bryan) Albright. His grandfather was Daniel Albright, who was born in Germany, but came to America with the parental family in infancy, locating in Lehigh County. He was the iirst of that family to settle in Bucks County, and he fol- lowed agricultural pursuits in Hilltown town- ship thereafter until his death. He was the father of the following children: Charles, a commission merchant of Philadelphia; Rev. Benjamin, a minister of the Methodist Epis- copal Church ; Margaret, the relict of Jacob Funk, resides in Philadelphia ; Catherine, the wife of George Levers, of Hilltown town- ship; John; Henry, now deceased, married Catherine High ; Maria, now deceased, mar- ried John Cuffel, who is also deceased ; Bar- bara, deceased, married Nathan Stahl, also deceased; Lydia, married John Kline; and Elizabeth, deceased, who married Hiram Yeakel. John Albright, the father of our subject, was born in Hilltown township, and was reared upon the farm. For many years he was a commission merchant and farmer, buy- ing up produce in his vicinity and disposing of it in Philadelphia. Politically, he was a stanch Republican, whilst in religious views he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Leidytown, Pa. His first marriage was with Mary Bryan, by whom he had twelve children, namely : Daniel, a manufac- turer of ice in Carbon County, Pa. ; Amanda, deceased ; Enos, a carpenter living at Allen- town, Pa. ; Edwin, deceased ; Phares, the sub- ject of this biographical record; John, a farmer of Hilltown township; Emma, the wife of James Rice, a grocer of Philadelphia; Ade- line, the wife of William Yoder, of Philadel- phia ; Hiram, a resident of Hilltown township ; Lincoln, a policeman in Philadelphia; Ella, the wife of Mahlon Keller, a merchant of Perkasie, Bucks County ; and Harvey, who is engaged in the ice business at Weissport, Pa. After the demise of his wife in the spring of 1877, he formed a second union with Amanda Fretz, a native of this county, and two chil- dren were born to them, as follows: Warren, 266 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES who died young ; and Wesley, who resides at home. Phares Albright obtained his education in the public schools of his native township, and worked for his father until he was twenty- three years of age, when he entered the realms of matrimony and embarked in business on his own account. He went into the produce commission business, purchasing butter, eggs, and poultry, and shipping them to Philadel- phia markets. In 1876, he purchased his present home, known as the Broad Street Hotel, and 16 acres of land of William Yoder, and has since engaged in general farming in connection with his other business. Since that time he has purchased additional land from time to time as his means justified, and he now owns some very valuable property- He has been deservedly prosperous in his different lines of business, for his success did not come without a hard and continuous strug- gle, but energy and industry, well-directed, will win in the end and reap a just reward for their owner. He is a man of strict integrity and honesty, and has won friends wherever he is known by his straightforward methods of conducting business. May IS, 187s, Mr. Albright was united in marriage with Tillie Smith, a daughter of Samuel and Frances (Yost) Smith, both of whom are now deceased. Mr. Smith was a shoemaker of Leidytown. Our subject and his beloved wife are the happy parents of eleven children, as follows : George W., who married Annie King of New Britain, Pa.; Ad- die S., the wife of Charles Smith, a carpenter of Hilltown township; Anna Bella; Dora; Ida; John, whose death occurred in infancy; Emma ; Chester ; L,izzie ; Ella ; and Amanda. Politically, Mr. Albright has always been ac- tive in politics and is an unswerving Repub- lican ; he served as town auditor at one time, and in the spring of 1890 was appointed jus- tice of the peace, in which capacity he has since faithfully served. Religiously, he and his family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church. -ONATHAN A. TWINING is a pros- perous citizen of Wrightstown town- ship, Bucks County, Pa., and a worthy representative of an early pioneer family. He is engaged in farming and stock-raising and is recognized as one of the enterprising and progressive members of his community. He was born on the homestead in Northamp- ton township, this county, September 10, 1852, and is a son of Cyrus B. and Sally (Atkinson) Twining. The grandfather of our subject was Jacob Twining, who was an extensive farmer of Northampton township, where he resided all his life; he was married to Priscilla Buck- man, who was descended from an old and influential family of Bucks County. Cyrus B. Twining, the father of our sub- ject, was born in Northampton township September 27, 1827, and the years of his early life were spent in farming on his father's homestead, and farming continued to be his chief occupation throughout his entire life. In 1853, he became a resident of Wrightstown township, where he bought the farm now resided upon by Wilmer A. Twining; he farmed there until 1866, when he bought BUCKS COUNTY 267 another farm in Wrightstown township, and lived there until death claimed him, which was February 14, 1892. His wife was Sally M. Atkinson, who was born in Wrightstown township January 19, 1825, and they were blessed by the birth of six children, namely : Jonathan A., the subject of this personal his- tory ; Nellie T., the wife of Stephen K. Cooper of Wrightstown township ; Wilmer A., whose biography also appears in this book ; Thomas O. died, aged three years ; Willie died in his infancy ; and Frank, who died at the age of five years. Politically, Cyrus B. Twining was a believer in the principles of the Republican party, and was kept in office as school director for a period of seventeen years by successive elections. Religiously, he and his wife were members of the Society of Friends. Jonathan A. Twining was intellectually trained in the common schools and in the Doylestown Seminary, and had a thorough practical training in agricultural work on his father's farm. He farmed on the homestead some eight years, when he and his father went to Philadelphia and engaged in busi- ness there ; ten years later he returned to Wrightstown township and took up his present farm of 50 acres. He also owns 4 acres at Wycombe Station, and 75 acres in the old homestead. He is engaged ex- tensively in stock-raising, but farming is his principal occupation. Our subject takes an active interest in all public measures that tend to the advancement and prosperity of the community at large ; he is a good, upright, intelligent citizen, and enjoys the respect and esteem of a host of acquaintances. Politically, Mr. Twining is a strong Repub- lican, and has done much toward the success of the party in his district ; he is now serv- ing as president of the Wrightstown board of school directors. He is a director of the Danboro lyive-Stock Company ; and is also a member of the Pineville Protective Horse Association. Mr. Twining was wedded Jan- uary 15, 1874, to Belle Warner, who was born in Wrightstown township, January 19, 1850, and is a daughter of Jonathan and Anna Maria (Thackery) Warner. Mrs. Twining' s parents are both natives of Upper Makefield township, this county ; Mr. Warner is a farmer and resides in the village of Wrights- town. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Twining has been blessed by one child, F. Cyrus, born June IS, 1879. Ji R. WIIvIvIAM MARTIN, a prac- titioner of medicine standing in the foremost ranks of his profes- sion, enjoys a large and lucrative practice in Bristol and its vicinity, of which he is one of the leading and progressive citizens. He is a son of William L,. and Lucy H. (Haines) Martin, and was born in Rancocas, Burling- ton County, N. J., May 4, 1868. His grandfather, Thomas Martin, was a native of Chester County, Pa. , where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits throughout his entire life. William 1,. Martin, the father of our subject, was also born in Ches* ter County, near I^ondon Grove, and was educated in the Uniontown Academy, after which he read medicine under the tutelage 268 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES of Dr. Murphy, of Parkesburg, Chester County. He was graduated from the Jeflfer- son Medical College, of Philadelphia, in 1852, after which he entered upon a practice at Rancocas, Burlington County, N. J., and became one of the most prominent and able physicians of that locality. He has been engaged in practice there from that day to this, and no man stands higher in public esteem, both in public and private life. Religiously, he is a member of the Friends' Meeting. He was united in matrimonial bonds with Lucy H. Haines, a daughter of Ezra Haines, of Rancocas, N. J., who owned a farm there and followed the occupation of a cooper. This happy union resulted in the birth of two sons and two daughters, namely : Emlen, a druggist of Bristol and a graduate of the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy; Dr. William, in whom the interest of this sketch centers ; Annie, who lives at home ; and Phebe. Dr. William Martin obtained his intellec- tual training in the Moorestown Academy at Moorestown, N. J., after which he spent one year in the Philadelphia College of Phar- macy. He then read medicine under the direction of his father, and took a three years' course in the Jefferson Medical College, from which he was graduated in 1889. The following summer was spent in the Frank- ford Asylum for the Insane, where he was a member of the staff of physicians, and then for one year he was on the medical staff at the Cooper Hospital at Camden, N. J., after which, in the fall of 1890, he located in Bristol. He immediately sprang into favor and acquired a large general practice, but makes a specialty of diseases of the ear, nose, and throat, of which he has made a thorough study. He is a member of the Bucks County Medical Society; the Burlington County (N. J.) Medical Association; Pennsylvania Medical Society; the Cooper Medical Club of Camden, N. J. ; and the American Medical Association. He is of a pleasant and genial disposition, and since his residence in Bristol has made many friends. He was united in the holy bonds of wed- lock October 8, 1891, with Alice D. Maule, a daughter of John C. and Charlotte W. Maule, of Bristol, and they are the proud parents of two bright and interesting chil- dren, namely: Eleanor M. ; and W. Harold. Religiously, they are members of the Society of Friends. w. ILUAM FENTON GEIIv, deceased, who was the foremost undertaker and cabinetmaker of Doylestown, was pos- sessed of considerable mechanical genius and could turn his hand to any line of work with good results. He was a man who commanded the respect and esteem of all with whom he was acquainted, and his death, which oc- curred April I, 1898, was a cause for general commiseration by his many friends and his devoted family. He was interred in the New Britain Cemetery, and was followed to the grave by scores of friends, who wished to pay a final tribute to one who was a kind and loving husband, a good neighbor and a true friend. Mr. Geil was a son of George and Lydia N. (Kephart) Geil, and was born in Doyles- JOHN L. ATKINSON. BUCKS COUNTY 271 town township, Bucks County, January 31, 1843. George Geil was a native of Bucks County, where he spent his entire life in agricultural pursuits. He was one of the good, substantial men of his township, and was quite successful in his business affairs. He was united in matrimonial bonds with Lydia N. Kephart, who was also a native of this county, and they reared one son, our subject. William Fenton Geil was reared on the farm and obtained his intellectual training in the public schools at Pebble Hill. He con- tinued to perform the duties of farm life on his father's estate until 1876, when he moved to Doylestown. Being a natural born me- chanic, he followed the occupation of a car- penter and cabinetmaker, at which line of work he acquired great skill and created a demand for his services. Having met with such success, he decided to add undertaking to his business in 1882. He also enlarged his shop, added steam powfer, and did a large and lucrative business until the time of his death. He was a man of high principles, well versed on the current topics of the day, and conscientiously performed the duties of a loyal American citizen. In 1876 he became foreman on the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad, but as he found the work unsuited to him he continued in that capacity but a short time. January 25, 1866, he was joined in hy- meneal bonds with Phebe A. Flack, a woman whose many excellent traits of character have won for her the love and friendship of a large circle of acquaintances. She is a daughter of James and Elizabeth Flack, and a granddaughter of James Flack, Sr., who was a native and a life-long resident of Doyles- town township. He was a very prosperous farmer, and followed that occupation until his death, in 1864, at the age of eighty years. James Flack, Jr., was born in Doylestown township, March 4, 18 18, and he too was en- gaged in tilling the soil all of his life ; he and his good wife still reside on the farm in Doylestown township. Politically, Mr. Geil was a consistent Republican. Socially, he was quite a prominent figure, being an active worker in the following orders : Doylestown I/odge, No. 193, I. O. O. F.; the Manichora Club, a social organization ; the German Aid Society ; and St. Tammany Castle, Knights of the Golden Eagle. •OHN ly. ATKINSON, deceased, was descended from an old arid highly- respected family of Bucks County, and was the fifth generation of the Atkin- son family that resided on the old home- stead in Upper Makefield township, where our subject spent his entire life. The date of his birth was January 23, 1813, and he was a son of John and Elizabeth (Harding) Atkinson, grandson of John Atkinson, and great-grandson of William Atkinson. John Atkinson, the father of our subject, was also born on the homestead in Upper Makefield township, and his vocation was that of a farmer. He was twice married, his first wife being Mary Atkinson, and his second wife being Elizabeth Harding. As a result of his second union, a family of nine children 272 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES was born, namely : Jacob, deceased, wedded to Elizabeth Daniels, who is now living in Shelby County, Iowa, and who has attained the age of eighty-two years ; Mary, deceased ; Eliza, deceased ; Amy, deceased ; John I/., our subject; Wilson, who died young; Thomas C. , deceased ; Abraham resides in Bucking- ham township ; and Ann, the wife of William Y. Daniels, a tobacco merchant of Cape Cod. John L,. Atkinson was intellectually trained in the schools of his native township, and at the age of nineteen years, upon the death of his father, took charge of the homestead, which he operated until death claimed him. The homestead consists of 91 acres of land, upon which our subject made improvements ; he was well known throughout his native county, and commanded the respect and good- will of many acquaintances. Mr. Atkinson was united in marriage June 19, 1856, with Margaret Raylman, born March 27, 1836, and a daughter of Eli D. and Mary Ann (Johnson) Raylman, the former a native of Upper Makefield township, and the latter of Bristol township. Mrs. Atkinson's father was a son of Henry Raylman, who came to this country with his father from Germany and settled in Upper Makefield township, where he ever afterwards resided. Eli D. Raylman was a farmer and carpet weaver during his early life, but later followed the trade of a butcher. He died May 15, 1898, and his wife died February 13, 1879. As a result of his marriage with Mary Ann John- son, twelve children were born, namely; Margaret, the wife of our subject ; Addie, the wife of Joseph Shupe, of Solebury township; I/ydia Ann, deceased, was the wife of Joseph Haynes ; Elizabeth, the wife of Richard Bridge; Henry died in 1877; Sarah; Matilda was wedded to John Stockdale of Bustleton, Pa. ; Charles B. resides at Holmesburg, Pa. ; Edward lives at Lexington, Mass.; Emily was joined in marriage with Harry Knowles of Bustleton, Pa.; Harriet is the wife of Thomas Jones of Byberry, Pa. ; and Anna was married to John Wesley, also of Byberry, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Atkinson were the parents of two children, twins, — Adela, who died aged eighteen months, and Almeda, deceased, who was the wife of George Harrison, an editor of Hulmeville, Pa. Mr. Atkinson was a di- rector of the Newtown Bank twenty years ; politically, he was a strong Republican ; and in his religious attachments he was an active member of the Society of Friends. Mrs. Atkinson now resides on the old homestead, surrounded by her many warm friends, who greatly respect her ; she is a member of the Society of Friends. In connection with this sketch, we present on a nearby page a por- trait of Mr. Atkinson, executed from a pho- tograph taken when he was about fifty years old. ENRY S. BEIDLER, the well-known secretary and treasurer of the Swart- ley Bros. Milling & Trading Com- pany of Doylestown, is also the manager of the large flour mills which are located be- tween Clinton and Main streets. He is a son of Henry C. and Eva (Slifer) Beidler, and was born in Milford township, Bucks County, January 28, 1852. Henry C. Beidler, the father of our subject, BUCKS COUNTY 273 was born in Springfield township, in 1802, and there grew to manhood. He learned the trade of a shoemaker and followed it in Plumstead until 1851, when he moved to Milford township. He then engaged in agri- cultural pursuits on his farm of 75 acres until his death, which occurred in 1890. He was an unswerving Republican in his polit- ical affiliations, and religiously was a member of the Mennonite Church. He formed a matrimonial alliance with Eva Slifer, who was born in Springfield township, July 5, 1 808, and is now a resident of Milford town- ship, where she is enjoying life at the ad- vanced age of ninety years. Their happy union was blessed by the birth of five chil- dren, namely; Samuel, who is engaged in farming on the old homestead farm in Mil- ford township; Enos, who conducts a farm in the vicinity of the home property ; Mary, who married Josiah F. Jacoby, a farmer liv- ing near Locust Valley, I^ehigh County; Jacob, whose death occurred at the age of one year; and Henry S., the subject of this personal history. Henry S. Beidler, after obtaining a good public school education in the schools of his native town, was employed as a clerk in a store at Blooming Glen, Pa., at the age of nineteen years. He continued at that line of work for four years, and at the age of twenty-three learned telegraphy at Sellers- ville, Bucks County, with the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad, remaining there for one year. He continued in the employ of that company for ten years, becoming, after leav- ing Sellersville, station agent at Bethayres on the Bound Brook Division. After a period 14* of three years, he was transferred to North Wales, Montgomery County, on the North Penn Branch, and continued until 1884, when he moved to Doylestown, and engaged in the flour and feed business with the Swartley Bros. Company, acting as manager of the concern. The business flourished, and in 1890 they determined to operate a mill also. They built a large 3-story brick structure, 56^^ by 59^^ feet, with a cap^icity of 1 50 barrels per day, and fitted it out with the latest improved machinery. They employ a constant force of 14 or 15 men of exper- ience, and turn out four brands of high grade flour, namely : Best Patent, White I/oaf, White I/ily, and Gold Brand, which find a ready sale on the market. Mr. Beidler is a man of excellent business propensities as the prosperous condition of the plant under his management indicates, and he stands high in public esteem. He is also a director of the Doylestown Trust Company, and takes rank with the leading business men of the borough. He was united in marriage Seprember 2, 1 876, with I/ydia Leidy, a native of Hilltown township, and they became the parents of four children, two of whom are livi:gg. I/aura ; Howard, who died at the age of five years; Viola, who died at the age of eight months ; and George W. Politically he is a stanch supporter of the Republican party, whilst in religious views he is a member of the Salem Reformed Church. Socially, he is a member of the Doylestown Lodge, No. 94, I. O. O. F., of which he is assistant sec- retary ; and of the Doylestown Encampment, No. 35, I. O. O. F. 274 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES ■ARRY H. HEADLEY, one of the ^1 enterprising and hustling business - V • men of the borough of Bristol, is the owner and proprietor of a neat drug store, which is located on the corner of Washington and Wood streets. He is de- scended from one of the old and pioneer families of Bucks County, that has been identified with the progress of- this section since the days of William Penn. This worthy and esteemed citizen of Bristol was born there in 1864, and is a son of Howard and Keturah (Hibbs) Headley. The first Headley to locate in America came from England about the time of Wil- liam Penn. The first of this prominent fam- ily, of whom anything definite is known, is Joshua Headley, who was a prosperous farmer of Tullytown, and was the owner of a large tract of land in that community; he also owned mills at Bristol and operated a brick- yard there. He established the fisheries in Tullytown, which became noted all over that part of the country, and they still remain in possession of one of his descendants, John Burton. Joshua Headley supplied nearly all the settlers of this section and the interior part of the state with fish, the settlers com- ing for hundreds of miles with their large wagons to haul the fish to the fisheries in their vicinity. He reared a family of six sons and two daughters, one of whom was William Headley, the next in line of descent to our subject. William settled in Bristol township, where he owned several farms, and agricultural work was his principal voca- tion. In his religious views he was a mem- ber of the Society of Friends. During the Revolutionary War, while Washington was taking his army across the Delaware, a num- ber of soldiers of the army made their way back through the snow and ice, and with bleeding feet arrived at the house of William Headley. His home was always at the dis- posal of the Colonial Army ; taking them in, he began to feed the famished soldiers and while they were partaking of the plentiful store of food set before them, a man on horse- back hurriedly rode up and gave the warn- ing that the British were on their trail ; the soldiers immediately scattered in all direc- tions and secreted themselves in Headley' s woods. William Headley married Elizabeth Starkey, and they reared two children, — Amasiah and Sarah, the wife of Joseph White. Amasiah Headley, the grandfather of our subject, was a farmer all his life and resided on a farm that was given to him by his father ; he was quite prominent in his com- munity, and was a firm supporter of the Whig party in politics ; religiously he was a member of the Society of Friends. His wife Susan, a daughter of Benjamin White, made him the father of these children : Eliza, the wife of Judge Amos Briggs of Tullytown ; Mary A.; Sarah; Caroline; Juliette; Elma ; Howard ; Emma ; William Henry Harrison ; and Louise. William Henry Harrison Head- ley was a member of the famous Anderson Cavalry during the Civil War, and lost his life while serving his country. Howard Headley, the father of our subject, was born on the Headley homestead in Bris- tol township in 1835, and was educated to agricultural pursuits. He possessed a com- mon school education, and early in life WILSON PEARSON. BUCKS COUNTY 277 learned the trade of a carpenter and builder, ■vvhicli trade lie continued to follow in Bristol a number of years ; he then went West to the state of Missouri, where he remained several years pursuing his trade, but on ac- count of ill health he returned to Bristol and embarked in the mercantile business, and followed the same until death claimed him, which was in March, 1878. Politically, he was a Republican, while in his religious views he was a member of the Society of Friends. He was married to Keturah Hibbs, a daughter of Samuel and Susan (Shelings- burg) Hibbs; Susan Shelingsburg was a granddaughter of General Greene of Revo- lutionary War fame. Mr. and Mrs. Headley reared two children, namely : Clara, who died in 1 880 ; and William Henry Harrison, the subject of this personal history. Our subject acquired a good education in the public schools of Bristol, and later en- tered the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, and was graduated in 1884; immediately after graduating, he returned to Bristol, where he clerked for three years, and then worked for Louis Hognet, in whose employ he remained for a period of thirteen years. In September, 189S, our subject began busi- ness on his own account, and opened a neat drug store on the corner of Washington and Wood streets, where he has established a large and paying trade. Mr. Headley carries a complete stock of drugs ; is popular among his fellow-citizens as well as in social circles ; and enjoys the confidence and respect of a large circle of acquaintances. Mr. Headley takes an active part in local politics, and is an ardent supporter of the principles of the Republican party; frater- nally, he is a member of the I. O. O. F., and the Foresters. He formed a matrimonial alliance with Carrie Brudon, a daughter of Edward and Caroline Brudon, and grand- daughter of James Brudon ; she is a promi- nent member of the Episcopal Church of Bristol. Mr. Headley is one of the progres- sive men of his community ; he is public- spirited, and takes an active interest in all measures that in his opinion tend to promote the general welfare of Bristol. W: IIvSON PEARSON, who has been a resident of Solebury township, Bucks County, Pa., for nearly four-score years, is the largest and most successful farmer of the township ; he was born on his present farm January 6, 1 820, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Maskell) Pearson, and grandson of Crispin and Hannah (Willson) Pearson. Crispin Pearson was a farmer and lived all his active career in Solebury township, this county; he owned and operated the same farm now occupied by our subject, which contains 1 26 acres of highly improved land. He was joined in the bonds of wedlock with Hannah Willson, who bore him a family of twelve children, namely : Amie (Scharbor- ough); John ; Jonathan ; James; Crispin, Jr. ; Mordecai; Robert; Benjamin; Charles; Eli- jah ; William ; and Hannah (Vasey). John Pearson, the father of our subject, was -born and reared on the homestead in the little stone house which still stands in a state 278 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES of good preservation and which is one of the old landmarks of the section. His early days were spent attending the district school of the neighborhood and in assisting his father in carrying on the farm. After his father's death he purchased a portion of the homestead and began farming on his own account, and was one of the substantial and progressive farmers of his community. He passed from earth at the age of eighty-six years. His wife was Elizabeth Maskell, a daughter of Henry Maskell, a native of Eng- land ; to this union a family of four children were reared, namely : Patience (Naylor) ; Mary ; Sarah ; and Wilson, whose name heads this brief notice. The mother of our subject entered the world of rest at the age of seventy-two years. Politically, Mr. Pear- son was a stanch Republican, but was not an office seeker. Wilson Pearson attended the common schools of his native township, and his boy- hood days were spent aiding his father in the cultivation of the farm, and our subject has continued agricultural pursuits up to the present day. Mr. Pearson has been very suc- cessful in his chosen occupation, and has by his perseverance and untiring energy suc- ceeded in purchasing four good farms besides the homestead, four of which farms he rents. He owns the homestead, which comprises 126 acres; three adjacent farms, one of 103 acres, one of 69 acres, and another of 65 acres; and another, situated three miles northeast of the homestead, consisting of 85 acres. They are all under a splendid state of cultivation. Our subject still farms the homestead, and at his advanced age is still a steady worker. Mr. Pearson is widely known throughout the township, is an honor to his chosen occupation, and is greatly respected by his neighbors and acquaintances. On November i, 1849, our subject was united in marriage with Rachael Fell, a daughter of Eli Fell, a native of Bucking- ham township, Bucks County, Pa. As a result of this happy union, ten children were born to them, namely : Maria, Sarah Ann, and John, deceased; Hulda (Mattison); Wilson, Jr. ; Watson, deceased ; Josephine, (Brown) ; Rachael, deceased ; Annie E. ; and Ruth B. (Ely). Although our subject is a solid Republican and takes an active interest in politics, he has never consented to accept any public office. A recent portrait of Mr. Pearson is presented on a preceding page, in connection with the above sketch of his life. |RS. JANE G. KINSEY, a highly esteemed resident of Quakertown, and a faithful and devout mem- ber of the Friends' Meeting, is a daughter of Dr. Samuel and Abigail (Green) Carey, and the relict of the late Samuel Kinsey. Samuel Kinsey, who was one of the early and prosperous business men of Quakertown, was engaged in agricultural pursuits during the latter years of his life. He was a son of John and Margaret (Woodward) Kinsey, and was born in New Castle County, Del., Feb- ruary 24, 1822. He traces his ancestors back to Samuel Kinsey, a farmer and a member of the Society of Friends, who emigrated from England to America, locating in Buckingham BUCKS COUNTY 279 townshipj Bucks County, Pa. His son, John, the grandfather of our subject's husband, was born in that township, where he engaged in tilling the soil. He married Margaret Kitchen, a Solebury Friend, and of their children one was John Kinsey, the father of Samuel. In 181 1 John Kinsey, the last named, moved with his parents to Delaware and entered upon the study of medicine with Dr. Baker, of Wilmington, and later was graduated from the Pennsylvania Medical College. He was a consistent member of the Society of Friends and a successful physician. He lived a long and useful life before passing to his eternal rest, in 1 864. Samuel Kinsey moved to Chester County, Pa., in 1 83 1, with his parents, and in 1839 located in Quakertown, where he learned the trade of a potter with Richard Moore, and eventually engaged in that business there. He continued until 1852, when he disposed of his business and purchased a farm in Rich- land township, where he carried on farming and stock dealing during the remainder of his life, passing to the unknown beyond in 1888. He was a shrewd and upright busi- ness man, and held the esteem and respect of all with whom he came in contact, both in social and business relations. He was twice united in hymeneal bonds, his first union being with Martha F. Custard, a daughter of George and Hannah (Foulke) Custard, and they had three children, namely: Charles F., a resident of Georgetown, S. C; George C, of Richland township, Bucks County; and Emma Irene, who married Dr. William H. Meredith, who is one of the leading phy- sicians and surgeons of Bucks County. Dr. Meredith is descended from an old and well- known Welsh family, which was established in this country by Simon Meredith, his great-grandfather. Dr. Joseph Meredith, a son of Simon, was born in Doylestown, Bucks County, and, after graduating , from the Jefferson Medical College of Philadel- phia, began practicing at Gwynedd, Pa., where he contini^ed until his removal to Quakertown in 1836. There he practiced until 1888, when he retired and lived there until his demise, in 1 896. His sou, Charles F. Meredith, was one of the good and substan- tial citizens of Quakertown for many years. He married Olivia Weisel, and the following children blessed their union : Isabella ; Rachel; Sarah; William H.; and Florence M. Dr. William H. Meredith was graduated from the Jefferson Medical College of Phila- delphia, and has since been engaged in prac- tice in Quakertown, having a large and lu- crative patronage. Mrs. Kinsey died in i860, at the age of forty years. Mr. Kinsey formed a second alliance with Jane G. Carey, the subject of this biograph- ical record. She comes of one of Bucks County's oldest and most highly respected families, and is a descendant of Enoch Carey, who was one of the leading agriculturists of the county. He reared a large family of children, one of whom was Elias, grandfather of our subject. Elias Carey was a native of Bucks County, and, after reaching manhood, followed the occupation of a farmer. He was also justice of the peace for many years and lived a long and useful life, dying at the remarkable old age of ninety-one years- He was joined in wedlock with Hannah Armit- 28o BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES age, who lived to reach the advanced age of eighty-seven years, and they became the parents of the following offspring : Enoch, who married Martha Dean ; Elizabeth, de- ceased ; Hannah, who married James Brad- shaw ; Eleanor, the wife of William Kitchen ; Elias, who died young; John, deceased; Mary, who married David McCray ; Samuel, the father of our subject ; and several others who died in infancy. Dr. Samuel Carey ob- tained a good intellectual training, after which he was engaged in teaching school for some time. Having decided upon a medical career, he began study under the tutelage of Dr. Hendrie, of Doylestown, and later grad- uated from the Medical University of New York City. He entered upon his first prac- tice at Sellersville, Bucks County, but in 1825 moved to Quakertown and practiced there until his death, on August 16, 1865, being associated for many years with Dr. Samuel Bradshaw. He was a man of noble disposition, and possessed the confidence of his large number of patients throughout this section. He was not only a skilled physi- cian and surgeon, but was well versed on all topics of current interest, being an active politician. He was closely identified with the advancement of all public enterprises for the progress of Quakertown. He was a director of the Doylestown Bank, president of the Quakertown Turnpike Co., a member of the town council for some years, during which time he was a member of the commit- tee on the alteration of the constitution in 1835. He received the nomination for county treasurer and also for associate judge, and, although importuned by many to accept, he respectfully declined the proffered honors.. He was united in marriage with Abigail Green, by whom he had five children, only one of whom now lives, Jane G., the subject of this personal history. Mrs. Carey closed her eyes in final sleep in 1854. Mrs. Kinsey possesses many excellent traits of character for which she is greatly admired and loved by a large circle of ac- quaintances in Quakertown, and is of that disposition which enriches true womanhood to a priceless value. She is a member of that noble sect, the Society of Friends of Quakertown, of which she is one of the most active supporters. /^ te( C^Jy^-NTHONY K. JOYCE is a much es- teemed and influential citizen of Bristol, Pa., and has been in the employ of the water works of that borough since 1874, having occupied his present posi- tion as superintendent for the past fifteen years. He is of Irish extraction; he was born at Mount Airy, Pa., February 15, 1848, and is a son of Anthony K. and Iconise M. (lyivingston) Joyce, and grandson of James and Rebecca (Risk) Joyce. The maternal great-grandfather of our sub- ject, John Risk, who was a native of the Emerald Isle, was the first of the family to locate in America ; he came to this country with his family, and settled in Middletown township, Bucks County, and there con- tinued farming the remainder of his active days. He was the father of two sons and three daughters, one of whom was Rebecca BUCKS COUNTY 281 Risk, the grandmother of our subject. James Joyce lived near Pittsburg, Pa., where he followed farming the major part of his life. As a result of his union with Rebecca Risk, they became the parents of three sons and three daughters. Anthony K. Joyce, the father of our sub- ject, obtained his education in Princeton College, and at Frankford College; during his early manhood he taught school a num- ber of years; from 1855 to 1857, he was en- gaged in the mercantile business in Bristol, but, after two years of that line of business, he began tilling the soil, having purchased a farm in Bristol township, known as the Pigeon Swamp farm, noted for its great pigeon roosts. At the time he departed from this life, which was in 1 866, he resided in the borough of Bristol. He was joined in the bonds of matrimony with l/ouise M. I^iv- ingston, a daughter of Thomas F. Livingston of New York City, and she passed from this world at the age of sixty-seven years. They were the happy parents of a family of eight children, namely: Mrs. Mary L,. Booz; An- thony K. , the subject of this brief sketch ; Caleb T. ; William ly. ; Robert S. ; Frank S. ; Howard J. ; and C. Duane. Mr. Joyce was a prominent Repiiblican, and filled many town- ship offices, including that of county auditor. He was a relative of Anthony D. Kennedy, formerly U. S. Senator from Maryland, and the Joyce family, of which he was a worthy representative, dates back to the colonial days of America. Anthony K. Joyce, our subject, possesses a fine education, and his boyhood days were spent in learning farming on his father's farm, continuing at the same until 1867. In 1874, his services were sought by the Bristol Water Works Company; his work being of such a high character, he was soon promoted to the position of night engineer, serving in that capacity until 1883 ; in that year he was made superintendent of the works, and has held the same up to the present time, making this his fifteenth consecutive year. Our sub- ject has entire charge of the works, which have proved a decided success under his ex- cellent management, and the people of Bris- tol may proudly boast of the excellent water system maintained by the Water Works Company. Mr. Joyce is respected and es- teemed by a host of friends, who know him to be an enterprising and valuable citizen, always assisting in the progress and welfare of his adopted borough. Mr. Joyce has for many years manifested a keen interest in town and county political aflFairs, firmly supporting the principles of the Republican party ; his influence is felt in conventions, and although the nominations for public office have often been tendered him, he has always refused, much preferring to assist his friends to office. Fraternally, he is a member of the Royal Arcanum. Mr. Joyce has been twice joined in matrimonial bonds, his first wife being Sarah F. Green, who died in 1871, leaving two children, namely : Louise and Inman. His second mar- riage was with Isabella Thomas, a daughter of Job Thomas of Philadelphia, and a family of two children blessed their happy home, as follows: Isabella E- and Livingston. Our subject supports the Episcopal Church, while his wife attends the Baptist. 282 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES 'AMUEI/ Y. APPLE, a prominent and substantial citizen of Bucks County, who has been a resident of Haycock township all his life, where he has been engaged in farming and carpenter- ing, is now residing in the village of Apple- bachsville, having located there in 1889, where he has since lived in retirement, en- joying the fruits of his early toil. This worthy citizen was born in Haycock town- ship, March 21, 1833, and is a son of Samuel and Annie (Yost) Apple, and grandson of Jacob and Peggie (lyitzenberg) Apple. Jacob Apple, the grandfather of our sub- ject, with his father, came from Germany to the United States, and Jacob settled in Hill- town township, Bucks County, Pa., where ~ he pursued his former occupation as a car- penter and builder with marked success. He was united in the bonds of wedlock with Peggie I/itzenberg and they became the pa- rents of a family of six children, named as follows: Enos, Elias, Jacob, Catherine, Peg- gie, and Elizabeth. Jacob Apple passed from this life, aged about sixty years; his wife died at the age of seventy years. Samuel Apple was born in Hilltown town- ship, this county, and his early days were spent learning the occupation of a carpenter, working under the directions of his father. In early manhood he became a resident of Bedminster township, this county, and re- sided there all his life following his chosen occupation. Mr. Apple entered the world beyond at the age of sixty-seven years, and his death was not only mourned by his family and relatives, but by a large circle of friends, who realized that they had lost one of the valuable members of the community. He was joined in marriage with Annie Yost, and they reared a family of eight children, all of whom are still living and are well-to-do and prosperous citizens in the various communi- ties in which they reside. They are as fol- lows : lyydia, the wife of Jacob Rhodes ; Eli- zabeth, wedded to Levi Ruth; Samuel Y., the subject of this personal history ; Ephraim; Annie, married to John Hilligus; Lovina, the wife of Henry King ; Sarah, the wife of Aaron Ruth ; and Cornelia, who was united in the bonds of wedlock with Matilda Scheetz. The mother of our subject died, aged seventy- seven years ; she was a kind and loving mo- ther and wife, and she was held in dear esteem by a large circle of acquaintances. Samuel Y. Apple was educated in the schools of his native township and remained under the parental roof until he attained the age of twenty-one years ; having learned the trade of a carpenter from his father he then moved to Strawntown, Bucks County, where he purchased the farm owned by Charles Brown, and carried on general farming and in addition followed his trade to a large ex- tent. He immediately set about improving the farm, building a new house, barn, and many out-buildings, and put the land under a high state of cultivation, and was recog- nized as one of the leading and progressive farmers of his community. In 1889 our sub- ject sold his property and moved to the vil- lage of Applebachsville and purchased the William Nicholas residence, which he re- modeled into a handsome home. He has since lived in retirement and is one of the prominent and highly respected citizens of CHARLES PHILLIPS. BUCKS COUNTY 285 his community and always lends his aid and influence to any enterprise which in his opinion is conducive to the public welfare. Mr. Apple chose for his life companion Maria Brown, a daughter of Charles and Ca- therine Brown; in religious views they are members of the I^utheran Church. TT^HARLES PHILLIPS, whose portrait I Sr is shown on the opposite page, is a ^>-° ^ retired farmer and miller of Bucks County, and is one of the honored and es- teemed residents of New Hope borough. He was born on the homestead November 12, 1820, and is a son of Aaron and Sarah C. (Crosdale) Phillips, grandson of Thomas Phil- lips, and great-grandson of Aaron Phillips. Aaron Phillips settled in Solebury tavjn- ship, this county, and purchased a tract of land consisting of 112 acres on the banks of the Delaware River, built a flour mill, and resided there all his life. Thomas Phillips was reared on his father's farm and upon his father's death took possession of the mill and farm and operated the same until death claimed him. He was married to Sarah Eastburn, who was born in 1766, and was a daughter of Robert Eastburn. They were the parents of the following family of chil- dren : Elizabeth; Mary; Aaron; Moses; Thomas; Robert; Rachael; Samuel; Mercy; and David. Our subject's grandfather died in 1832, his wife having preceded him several years. Aaron Phillips was born on the homestead August 28, 1790, and he acquired a good edu- cation in the district schools of Solebury township, and at Westtown Academy ; upon leaving school he taught several years, and after his marriage began the cultivation of the soil. In 1836 when the homestead was divided among the children, Aaron took pos- session of the mill and a portion of the farm, and remained there pursuing the vocation of a miller and farmer the rest of his active days. His death occurred in 1858. He was joined in the bonds of wedlock with Sarah C. Crosdale, a daughter of Jeremiah Crosdale, a prominent resident of Middletown town- ship, Bucks County. She was .born in 1785 and died in 1848. The following children resulted from this union : Edward, who died in 1825, aged ten years; Anna (Tirgo) died in 1857, at the age of forty years; Mary (Knight), born in 1819, died in 1857 ; Charles, our subject ; and Martha (Young), who was born in -1826, and resides at Long Island, N. Y. The father of our subject favored the Friends ; politically, he was formerly an old line Whig, but later in life he became an Abolitionist. Charles Phillips was reared on the home- stead and received his elementary education in the schools of his native township; his younger days were spent working in the mill owned by his father, learning the trade of a miller, and from 1836 to 1888 he was success- fully pnrsuing that occupation. In 1858, upon the decease of his father, he came into possession of the mill property and operated the same on his own account; in 1889 he sold the mill and moved to the borough of New Hope, where he has since resided en- joying a well-earned competency. In 1896 286 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES he sold the farm. Mr. Phillips, during the period when he was actively engaged in following his vocation, was regarded as one of the enterprising and progressive farmers of Solebury township, and is held in high esteem by the citizens of his community. Mr. Phillips was wedded, in 1847, to Sarah B. Smith, a daughter of Joseph Smith, a resident of Makefield township, this county, and a family of five children blessed their home, namely : Edward W., who is a resi- dent of Ambler, Montgomery County, Pa., was wedded to Miss Kenderdine and they are the parents of two children, Watson K. and Fannie C. ; Fanny S. is the wife of Mathew Cunningham of Philadelphia ; Frank A., assistant cashier of the I^ambertville (N. J.) National Bank, was married to Anna Beans and one child, Robert, blessed their home ; Mary E. ; and Addie M. Mr. Phillips is an unwavering Republican and has served as township school director, and is now serving in the capacity of town treasurer of New Hope. Our subject has been a director of the Ivambertville National Bank for the past twenty-five years. 'OHN H. NICKEIv. This genial and hospitable landlord, who is the pro- prietor of the Bucksville Hotel, lo- cated at Bucksville, Pa., is not only highly esteemed by the traveling salesmen whose business brings them to the village of Bucks- ville, but is also very popular with the citi- zens of the village. Our subject conducts a model hotel, which is beautifully situated on a rise commanding a beautiful view of the surrounding country for miles around, and it is an ideal place for summer boarding. Mr. Nickel was born in the village of Ferndale, Nockamixon township, Bucks County, March 20, 1858, and is a son of William and Regina (Hines) Nickel, and grandson of Harris Christopher Nickel, the last-named a life- long resident of Nassau, Germany. William Nickel, the father of our subject, was born in Nassau, Germany, November 24, 1826, and after acquiring a liberal education in the schools of his native town, learned the trade of a blacksmith, which occupation he followed in his native country until 1848; in that year he immigrated to the United States and settled in Easton, Pa., where he followed coachmaking and also worked in a ship-yard to a certain extent. He remained in Easton, Pa., until 1857, when, in April of that year, he moved to Ferndale, Bucks County, and bought out David Sheetz, and continued his former occupation ; after having continued as a resident of the village for twenty years, he sold his property to his son William, who is now carrying on the business with marked success. Our subject's father then went to Pleasant Valley, where he again took up his former business, and some fifteen years later sold his shop to his son Clinton, and moved to Applebachsville, where he now re- sides and where he is carrying on his former business. Mr. Nickel is an industrious worker and has been remarkably successful in his business undertakings. He was mar- ried to Regina Hines, a daughter of John H. Hines. She was born in Wurtemberg, Ger- many, and came to this country with her BUCKS COUNTY 287 parents when she was but two years of age. This union has been blessed by the following children : William H., a blacksmith of Fern- dale, who married Mary C. Keller, and they have adopted a child, Marion Haney; Cathe- rine, the wife of J. H. Haney ; Emma, the wife of Milton Apple ; John H., the subject of this biographical sketch ; David, a black- smith by trade, who resides at South Bethle- hem, Pa. ; Clinton resides at Pleasant Valley, Pa.; George B., deceased; Mahlon, deceased ; Lizzie was wedded to E. B. Cressman ; Mary and Alice are deceased ; Frank, a blacksmith residing at Quakertown, this county ; War- ren is a Lutheran minister, and is a resident of Applebachsville, Pa. ; James, also a black- smith of Pleasant Valley ; and Maggie, who resides with her parents. Mr. Nickel and family are members of the Lutheran Church. John H. Nickel acquired his intellectual training in the Central Hill School, and at the age of eighteen years left school and for two years served an apprenticeship to the carriagemaker's trade. He then embarked in the business on his own account, purchas- ing his father's wood-working stand, and besides building both light and heavy wagons he operated a repair shop. He conducted this stand for a period of fourteen years, and at the expiration of that time he rented the BUcksville Hotel of the Bucks estate, and has conducted the same since 1892. The hotel has twelve large rooms and a large dining room, all of which are well furnished. In connection with the hotel business our sub- ject deals extensively in cattle, and to him belongs the title of being the largest cattle dealer in Bucks County ; during the season of 1 897 he purchased seven carloads of choice cattle in this and New York State, which he disposed of to the farmers of this county ; and during this year he bids fair to outdo last year's business in that line. Mr. Nickel chose for his helpmeet Miss Isabella Kohl, a daughter of Michael D. Kohl, a prominent resident of Nockamixon township, this county, and to this union a family of three children has been reared, namely: Harvey, who assists his father; Alice ; and William C. Politically, our sub- ject is an unwavering Democrat, and has filled many township oflSces. Religiously, he and his family are members and supporters of the Reformed Church. Fraternally, he is a past ofBcer of the Knights of the Golden Eagle. Wi ILLIAM SHICK. One of the prom- inent and successful manufacturing concerns of Bucks County, Pa., is the Fern- dale Boot & Shoe Manufacturing Company, which is located in the village of Ferndale ; the manager of this prosperous enterprise is the gentleman whose name heads the above lines, and who was one of its chief organizers in 1884. This highly-esteemed gentleman has been a life-long resident of the village, where he was born February 13, 1847 i 1^^ is a son of Frederick and Catherine (Deemer) Shick, and grandson of Frederick Shick, who was a prominent farmer in Nockamixon township, this county. Frederick Shick, the father of our subject, was born in Nockamixon township, this county, and his vocation was that of a farmer. 288 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES which occupation he continued throughout his entire life. He died at the advanced age of ninety-three years, and his death was deeply mourned by a large circle of acquaint- ances. He was joined in the bonds of wed- lock with Catherine Deemer, and they be- came the parents of thirteen children, who were named as follows : lycvi, Frederick and David are deceased ; John ; Jacob ; Ephraim ; Michael ; William ; Caroline ; Catherine, de- ceased ; Mary ; Sarah ; and Eliza. The mother of our subject passed from this life at the age of seventy-seven years. Our subject received his mental training in the public schools of Ferndale, and re- mained with his parents until he attained his majority; his boyhood days were spent working in his father's shoemaking shop, where he learned to make shoes. He pur- sued that vocation until 1884, when he as- sisted in the organizing of the Ferndale Boot & Shoe Manufacturing Company, of which he is manager and a prominent stockholder. The officers of this company are as follows : Dr. F. H. Grim, president; S. F. Mann, treasurer ; T. M. Moyer, secretary ; and Wil- liam Shick, manager. In the year the com- pany was organized, they erected a two-story brick building, 50 by 30 feet, and the shop is equipped with the latest and most improved machinery ; they employ some twenty skilled workmen, who are kept constantly at work; the daily output of this shop is 100 pairs of shoes, the principal shoe being a first grade of union brogans. The success of this enter- prise has been mainly due to the untiring efforts of our subject; the firm has already established a large patronage, which is con- stantly on the increase, and in order to sup- ply the large demand of their customers it will soon be necessary for them to enlarge their plant. Mr, Shick is recognized as one of the enterprising business men of Ferndale, and commands the respect and confidence of the entire community. Mr. Shick was united in the bonds of matrimony with Emma Jane Kohl, a daugh- ter of Michael Kohl; she died in 1882, aged twenty-six years, leaving three children, namely : Estella ; Ella ; and Minnie. Our subject has served as school director three years. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle, and the Jr. O. U. A. M. Religiously, he is a member of the Reformed Church. "ON. CHRISTIAN E. HINDENACH, a prosperous merchant of Durham, Bucks Co., Pa., is a prominent figure in the political affairs of his section, which he represented in the State Legislature for two terms of two years each. He is a son of John and Elizabeth Catherine (Guten- kunts) Hindenach, and was born in Warring- ton township, this county, February 27, 1853. John Hindenach, the father of our subject, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, and after attaining man's estate sought a home and fortune in America, first locating in Warring- ton, Bucks Co., Pa. He was possessed of small means when he entered upon his career as an agriculturist, but being a man of great industry and good habits he laid by a suffi- cient sum with which, in 1863, to buy a farm BUCKS COUNTY 289 in Bedminster township. After following farming upon that estate for a period of two years, he disposed of it at a good profit and rented a farm in Springfield township, which he occupied three years. He then rented a farm in Durham township, known as the A. Kramer farm, and there successfully contin- ued at his vocation until his demise at the age of sixty-six years. He was one of the good substantial residents of the community and served for ten years as supervisor. In religious faith, he was an adherent to the doctrines of the lyutheran Church. As a result of his union with Elizabeth Catherine Gutenkunts, who was bom in Germany and died at the age of seventy-three years, the fol- lowing children were born : Frederick, who was a stonemason early in life, is now the outside manager of the AUentown Iron Works, of AUentown, Pa. , — he formed a mat- rimonial alliance with Angeline Amber, by whom he has four children, Walter, John, Bertha and Charles ; George, a farmer of Montgomery County, has two children, Ma- mie and Araminda, by his wife, Mary ; Paul, a retired engineer of Parsons City, Kan., is now a capitalist ; Mary is the wife of J. C. Funk, of Quakertown, Pa.; Charles, a farmer of Montgomery County ; John, a wheelwright of Pleasant Hill, Pa.; Christian E., the gen- tleman whose name heads these lines ; Peter, who is a partner in the mercantile business with our subject, married Addie Nicholas, by whom he has two sons, Wilmer and Chester; William F., a farmer of Williams township, Northampton County, Pa., married Ida R. Leidich, and has one child. Bayard ; l/ouisa, the wife of F. Bowman, of Easton, Pa.; and Henry E., a farmer of Durham township, married Ada Frankenfield, and two children, William and Maynard, have been born to them. Christian E. Hindenach was reared upon his father's farm and attended the public schools for some years, after which he began teaching. Subsequently, he attended the Keystone State Normal School, of Kutztown, Pa. , and was a member of the class of 1 877. After completing his studies he again took up the profession of a teacher as a means of earning a competency and continued for a period of twenty years, the last fourteen years of which he efficiently served in the capacity of principal of the Durham public schools. In 1894, he gave up that vocation and pur- chased the R. K. Bachman & Bro. store and residence in Durham, where he has since resided. He has a model mercantile store, occupying two floors and a basement, in which he has in stock almost anything that his customers may desire. It is carefully sys- tematized, neat in appearance, and the great- est courtesy is extended to all the patrons who find it a pleasure to trade with Mr. Hin- denach. He is of genial disposition and has a large circle of acquaintances throughout his section of the county. He is a man of high principles and is without doubt the best versed man on public affairs in the village." He has frequently been called upon to accept public ofl&ce, and for three years served as postmaster, also as overseer of the poor, asses- sor, and is now school director. In 1 886, he was elected to the State Legislature by a large majority and served with such satisfac- tion to his constituents that he was re-elected ago BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES without much opposition in 1888. In that office he won the high esteem of his col- leagues by a quiet, straightforward and im- partial course in the discharge of his duties. He was very active while in that body and assisted in passing many important bills ; he presented amendments to both the Prison and Reformation Bills, both of which amend- ments passed the House. In the year 1 893, he was again placed in nomination much against his will, as his was the minority party, but owing to the great pressure under which he was placed, he suffered his name to be used on the ticket, knowing well that there was not one chance of his success, and in the election following met with defeat. In 1897, he was elected justice of the peace, which office he still retains. Mr. Hindenach formed a marital union with Mary I^aubach, who cotnes of a promi- nent Bucks County family, a record of which appears elsewhere in this biographical work. Her father is Peter lyaubach, who was born in Durham township, Bucks County, January I, 1 816. He fell heir to the old family home- stead and has since been engaged in farming and huckstering, being one of the well-to-do residents of that section. He is a musician of ability and for thirty-one years led the choir and played the organ in the Union Church in Durham township. He married Lovina Bachman, a daughter of Solomon and Anna (Antherhold) Bachman, who was born March 15, 1823, and their union was blessed by the birth of the following offspring : a son who died in infancy ; Annie, the wife of W. Rinker; Jacob; David; Josephine; Sarah, who married Samuel Rnfe ; Emma, deceased; Mary, the wife of our subject; and Edwin. Mr. Laubach and his worthy wife are still enjoying life on the old home farm at an advanced age. He served as justice of the peace, school director, supervisor, and in a number of other township offices. Our sub- ject and his wife are the happy parents of two children : David H., who was born January 29, 1 878, and is clerking in a dry goods store in Easton, Pa.; and Elsie E., born September 3, 1880, who is a student in the class of 1899 at the Keystone State Normal School, of Kutztown, Pa. Mr. Hindenach is a member of the Lutheran Church, and is a member and past master of Prosperity Lodge, No. 567, F. & A. M., of Riegelsville. Our subject's wife died April 26, 1885, at the age of twenty- seven years. ■ACOB S. GROFP, the present popular postmaster of the borough of New- town, and an enterprising and influen- tial business man of that place, was born near Sellersville, Bucks County, Pa., June 26, 1844, and is a son of Jacob and Mary (Stout) Groff, and a grandson of Abraham Groff. Our subject's grandfather, Abraham Groff, was a native of Holland, and at an early age he departed from his native country and im- migrated to the United States, locating in Rockhill township, Bucks County, Pa., where he continued his vocation as a farmer the rest of his active days. He was the father of a family of children, one of whom was Jacob, the father of our subject. Jacob Groff worked upon his father's farm during his younger days, and at the same time attended the dis- ADAM MARKGRAF. BUCKS COUNTY 293 trict school of the neighborhood ; during his early manhood he served an apprenticeship to the blacksmith's trade, and followed that line of business a number of years, when he purchased a tract of land and engaged in the cultivation of the soil. He was united in marriage with Mary Stout, by whom he reared a family of seven children, who were named as follows : Elizabeth ; Owen ; Isaac S.; Charles; Abraham; Jacob S., whose name heads the above lines ; and Mary. Our sub- ject's mother passed from this life at an early age ; Mr. GrofF chose for his second wife Mrs. Moore. Jacob S. Groff acquired a liberal education in the public schools of his native township, and at an early age learned the trade of a tailor ; he then went to Philadelphia, where he learned the trade of a cigarmaker, and then followed that line of business for a period of twelve years. August i, 1877, our subject became a resident of Newtown, where be began the manufacture of cigars, and car- ried on a wholesale and retail business until 1 896, when he disposed of his manufacturing establishment, and conducted a cigar and tobacco store alone. Mr. Groff was thor- oughly familiar with the manufacture of cigars, and turned out a fine grade, his cigars commanding ready sale. August I, 1896, our subject was appointed postmaster of Newtown, as a successor to Joseph P. Carver, and has served in that posi- tion to the present time ; he is one of the best postmasters the borough has ever had. Mr. Groff chose for his life companion Emma Shaffer, a daughter of John Shaffer of Coopers- burg, Pa., and they are the parents of four children, namely : A. Howard, born in 1873 ; Emily Ray and Mary Elizabeth, twins, born in 1875 ; and Elsie May, born in 1890, who is the only child living. He is a member of the Newtown lyodge, F. & A. M. ; religiously, he is a Lutheran. DAM MARKGRAF. Among the many successful industries of this part of the Keystone State is the Eden Manufacturing Company, located at Eden, Bucks County, and at. the head of this enter- prise is the gentleman whose name appears at the opening of this biography, who is superintendent and a large stockholder. He was born in Bohemia, Austria, in April, 1845, and is a son of Andrew and Josepha (Fisher) Markgraf. Our subject's father was a farmer and weaver, and had several looms in his house ; he and his wife died at about the age of seventy-eight years. They were the parents of a family of nine children, four of whom are now living, namely : John, Adam, Chris- tian, and Kate. Adam Markgraf obtained a good education in the schools of his native country, and worked with his father, learning the trade of weaving dress goods ; he also spent much of his time learning music. In 1866 he con- cluded to come to the United States, and was followed a year later by his two brothers, — John, who died in Philadelphia, and Chris- tian. Adam Markgraf landed in New York City and soon left for Philadelphia, where a week after his arrival he began working at his trade as a weaver, continuing the same 294 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES for about one year. He then entered the United States Navy as a musician, going out on U. S. S. "Minnesota" on a seven months' cruise, visiting England, France, Portugal, Spain, Africa, Madeira Islands, West Indies, South America, and then back to the starting point, — the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Returning to Philadelphia he again engaged in weaving, but later moved to Hulmeville, this county, where he spent two years at his trade ; at the expiration of that time he again enlisted for two years in the United States Navy as a musician. At the expiration of his term of enlistment he started a small carpet weaving business, but in 1874 engaged with P. T. Barnum, the famous showman, as a musician, being with him one year. Then for the third time he enlisted in the U. S. Navy, only to be discharged on account of there not being enough money appropriated to defray the ex- penses. In July, 1876, he opened a grocery store in Philadelphia, which he conducted three years with marked success; he then spent several years as a workman and fore- man of a weaving establishment; in 1885 he returned to Hulmeville, Pa., and engaged in the manufacture of window-curtains, in part- nership with Max Shoen and F. Falzman, the partnership terminating a year and a half later; our subject then took as partner Edwin Henry, which arrangement continued until 1888, when our subject bought his partner's interests and conducted the business on his own account until the fall of 1888. In that year he started his present establishment, and in the following year a stock company was organized, known as the Eden Manufacturing Company. Mr. Markgraf has since served in the capacity of superintendent, and much of the success the Company has met with has been entirely due to his untiring energy and perseverance ; the business started with three power looms, which have been increased to twenty. The Eden Manufacturing Company produces a fine grade of curtains, draperies, decorations, upholstery fabrics, cotton and silk goods, tapestry, etc., all of the most exquisite design. Our subject in addition to superin- tending the mills is also the designer, in which line he has shown rare ability, for the beautiful designs shown in the fabrics pro- duced would require an artist with much experience to equal. Mr. Markgraf is well known throughout his community as a man of sterling quality, and enjoys the respect of both his neighbors and fellow-citizens. Mr. Markgraf was united in marriage, in 1869, with Ernestine Gunthert, also a native of Bohemia. Our subject is a Republican in politics; he is a member of the Philadelphia Musical Society, and is a fine cornet soloist, the cornet being his favorite instrument, but he does not confine himself to the one instrument, for he can play almost any. Mr. Markgraf s portrait is presented on a preceding page. -OHN F. COOPER. The family of which this gentleman is a worthy representative is one of the oldest of Tinicum township, Bucks County, Pa. They are descendants of English Quakers, and the founder of this prominent and prosperous family in this country was the great-grand- father of our subject. The gentleman whose BUCKS COUNTY 295 name appears at the head of this notice is one of the self-made men of which Bucks County can so proudly boast, having started out in life to battle against the tide when a mere boy, at the age of ten years, and has gradually worked his way up until he now occupies a prominent position among the foremost business men of Point Pleasant, Pa., being the junior member of the firm of Stover & Cooper, proprietors of a coal, wood, hay and lime store. Mr. Cooper was born in Tinicum township July 24, 1857, ^^^ is a son of Samuel and Catherine (Frankenfield) Cooper, grand- son of Bethel Cooper, and great-grandson of William Cooper. William Cooper, the founder of the Cooper family in this country, upon his arrival in America took up a tract of land in Tinicum township, consisting of 300 acres, which is now the property of Hiram Haney, of Phila- delphia. He pursued the vocation of a farmer all his life, and passed from this earth on his farm at the advanced age of ninety-two years. He was the progenitor of the following chil- dren: James; Samuel; and Bethel. Bethel, the grandfather of our subject, was born on the homestead in Tinicum township, and his vocation was also that of a farmer, in which occupation he was very successful. He was twice united in marriage, and by his first wife reared one son, Samuel, the father of our stib- ject. His second wife was Sarah Fox, and this union resulted in the birth of five children, namely : James ; William ; Nelson ; Polly ; and Jane. Samuel Cooper was born on the homestead January i, 1824, and was reared to agricultural pursuits, which vocation he pursued through- out his entire life. In addition to farming he helped to build a lime-kiln for William Wolfinger in 1852, and for forty years prior to his retirement was also engaged in the lime business. He was united in marriage with Catherine Frankenfield, a daughter of Philip Frankenfield, and she died June 29, 1897, at the age of sixty-nine years, six months and nine days. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Cooper, namely : Eve, who was wedded to William Aulthouse, and they have reared four children,— Ella, Amanda, Harry, and Maggie ; Catherine is the wife of Frank Hamilton, and they have been blessed by the birth of one child, Rebecca; John F., our subject ; Clara and lyouise, twins ; Jane de- ceased ; and Eliza, the wife of Heston Frank- enfield. Our subject at the age of ten years was thrown upon his own resources and began working by the month as a farm-hand ; being possessed of great ambition he was not slow to avail himself of every opportunity which presented itself for the betterment of his con- dition. He attended the grammar schools during the winter months and obtained a fair education and remained on the farm for a period of twenty years. Then, in 1894, with Hugh Stover, under the name of Stover & Cooper, he leased the Jacob Stover estate and embarked in the coal, wood, hay and lime business. They manufacture as high as 40,- 000 bushels of lime per year, and in addition carry on a large trade in coal, wood and hay. The members of the firm of Stover & Cooper are well known throughout the township, and possess the confidence and respect of many acquaintances. 296 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES Mr. Cooper strongly upholds the principles of the Democratic party, but has never sought public office ; fraternally, he is a member of the Patriotic Order Sons of America. Wi II.I.IAM H. H. FINE, the popular proprietor and manager of the Railroad Hotel, which is located in the . borough of Bristol, Pa., and a highly es- teemed resident of that town, was born at Finesville, Warren County, N. J., the date of his birth being February 15, 1841, and he is a son of William and Susan (Smith) Fine, and grandson of William and Mary (Carpen- ter) Fine. William Fine, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was also born at Finesville, N. J., where this prominent and prosperous family has been connected with the growth and de- velopment of Warren County, N. J., from prior to the breaking out of the Revolution- ary War, and it was after some of our sub- ject's ancestors that the village of Finesville derived its name. William Fine owned a large tract of land which laid along the Musckonetcong Creek, and in addition to carrying on general farming, he owned and operated a distillery. He was united in marriage with a Mary Carpenter of Carpen- tersville, N. J., who was descended from an old and prominent family of that place. One son and four daughters resulted from this union, namely: William; Elizabeth; Catherine ; Mary ; and a daughter unnamed. He passed from this life in the 30' s, when about forty-four years of age. William Fine, the father of our subject, was born and reared on his father's farm in Warren County, N. J., and was educated to agricultural pursuits, but early in life con- ducted a general store at Finesville, hauling his goods from Philadelphia; in 1854, his store was destroyed by fire, and in the follow- ing year he moved to Bristol, Bucks County, Pa., where he engaged in stable-keeping on the canal for a period of three years. In 1858 he engaged in the hotel business, con- ducting the Exchange which was located on the corners of Bath, Otter, and Mill streets, where the Closson House now stands. He continued that line of business until death claimed him, which was in 1864. He was a very prominent man of his community, was an old line Whig in politics, and served three terms as constable of Bristol. Fra- ternally, he was a member of the I. O. O. F. He was joined in marriage with Susan Smith, who was born at Milford, N. J., and they became the parents of the following children : William H. H., the subject of this biographical sketch; James S.; Jacob Y.; who died in childhood ; and John L,. Mrs. Fine, who was a daughter of James and Hannah (Black) Smith, survived her hus- band some twenty years. William H. H. Fine acquired a good edu- cation in the schools of Finesville, N. J., and at Bristol, Pa., and for a short time was a student at Attleboro Academy in the village of lyanghorne. Our subject remained under the parental roof until his father's death, and from 1864 until 1868 conducted the hotel ; in that year he left the hotel and embarked in the bottling business; in the WARNER C, THOMPSON. BUCKS COUNTY 299 following year (1869) lie took charge of The Farmers' Hotel, located on Bath street, and conducted the same for three years, having sold the bottling business to his brother, James S. In the spring of 1872, our subject moved to Bensalem, this county, where for three years he conducted the Red I^ion Hotel ; in April, 1875, he moved to Philadel- phia, where he had charge of a livery stable some time ; in the following year he returned to Bristol, and in 1877 took charge of his present hotel, one of the best hotels in the borough of Bristol. Mr. Fine is an unwavering Republican in politics, and has contributed much toward the success of the party in his community ; he has served as notary of the public a num- ber of years ; has served as a "delegate to county conventions several times ; was dele- gated twice to represent his district at the state convention ; and was appointed post- master in August, 1889, by President Harri- son and remained in that oflSce until March, 1895. Socially, he is a member of Bristol Lodge, No. 25, F. & A. M. ; and Knights of Birmingham, No. 8, of Philadelphia. Our subject also served as deputy sheriff under Sheriff Samuel L. Ely. Mr. Fine formed a matrimonial alliance with Jennie E. Fer- guson, a native of New York City, but reared in Philadelphia, and a daughter of Jesse R. and Elizabeth (Webb) Ferguson. Mr. and Mrs. Fine are the parents of the following children : William Parker ; James H. ; Budd D.; Jennie, the wife ot Dr. Francis I/. Ab- bott ; Jesse died, aged ten years ; Lilly M. ; Susan D. ; Laura R.; Dorance Lee died, aged two years ; Agnes also died in infancy ; and May Aurelia. Mrs. Fine is a devoted mem- ber of the Episcopal Church, is president of several ladies' societies, is a teacher in the Sabbath School, and is a lady held in dear esteem by a large circle of acquaintances. Wi ARNER C. THOMPSON, whose portrait is shown on the opposite page, the son of Albert and Susanna (Carey) Thompson, was born in Wrightstown town- ship, April 7, 1848. The Thompson family is of Scotch-Irish descent and came to Bucks County in the early part of 1700. Elizabeth (McGrandy) Thompson with four . sons took up a tract of land along the Neshaminy. Mr. Thompson's home, since he was two years of age, has been on a part of the original tract and he is a direct descendant of those first settlers. Albert Thompson, the father of our sub- ject, was born in Northampton township, and spent the greater part of his life on the farm where our subject now resides, engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was successful in his chosen ' occupation. He and his wife are now residing in Newtown, Bucks Coun- ty, Pa. In 1844, he was joined in the bonds of wedlock with Susanna Carey of Wrights- town township, and this marriage was blessed by the birth of two children : Warner C, the gentleman whose name heads this biography; and Amos W., who died at the age of four years. Warner C. Thompson was married in 1871 to Lydia M. Ely, a native of Upper Make- field township, and a daughter of Joseph S. 300 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES Ely and Phoebe (Cadwallader) Ely. Mr. Ely was a wheelwright by trade, and sherifiF of Bucks County a number of years. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Thompson, namely: Albert J., born Septem- ber 27, 1873, is a dealer in lumber and coal at Wycombe, Pa.; and Louis E., born Octo- ber 21, 1877. kRS. ELIZABETH (BROWN) HEADIvY is one of the highly esteemed ladies of the borough of Bristol, where she has been a resident for so many years, and is a worthy representative of one of the first families to settle in this section of Bucks County. She is the widow of Thomas Headly, who was born in Tully- town, this county, in November, 1801, and who was a son of Joseph Headly, and grand- son of Joseph Headly. Joseph Headly, Jr., resided in Tullytown, where he owned a large estate, and he suc- cessfully carried on agricultural pursuits, and in addition operated a mill ; he and his brother were also interested in a fishery which had been built by their grandfather. Joseph Headly was married to Edith Bur- gess, and they reared two daughters and five sons; religiously, he and his family were members of the Society of Friends. Thomas Headly was born and reared on the homestead, and was educated to agricul- tural pursuits, which he made his life work in connection with operating the saw, grist and plaster mills that stood on the homestead. He retired in 1873, and moved to the borough of Bristol, and left his farm and mills in pos- session of his son, Amos. Politically, he was a Whig, and when that party was dissolved he joined the ranks of the Republican party ; religiously, he and his wife were members of the Society of Friends. He passed from this life in 1888, and his death was mourned by a host of acquaintances. Mr. Headly was joined in matrimonial bonds with Elizabeth Brown, who was born at Penn's Manor, Pa., June 29, 1 816. She traces her ancestral history back to George Brown, who was born in England, and who came to America prior to or about the time of William Penn ; he was the father of nine sons, one of whom was Samuel, the next in line of descent, who also married and reared a family of nine sons. Samuel be- longed to the Society of Friends. Of his sons, John, the great-grandfather of our sub- ject, was born in Bristol township, Bucks County, and was commonly known as the "fox hunter;" he owned a large number of slaves and kept a pack of hounds, and hunt- ing was his chief pastime. He also owned considerable land and was well-to-do finan- cially. He erected a house in the village of Emilie, Bristol township, many years before the Revolutionary War, and this house is still standing in a state of perfect preservation, and is one of the old landmarks of that section. One of his children was John Brown, the grandfather of our subject, and he was also a farmer. He married Martha Harvey, by whom he reared three sons and one daughter, namely : Moses, the father of our subject ; Abraham ; David ; and Ann. John and Martha Brown were prominent members of the Society of Friends. Moses Brown was born at Penn's Manor in 1786, and was a BUCKS COUNTY 301 prominent farmer, and owned a large estate in Falls township ; several years prior to his death he retired to the borough of Bristol, where he purchased the house in which our subject now resides, and there he spent his remaining days in happiness and comfort. He passed from this earth in 1 874, and was cared for in his old age by his daughter, Elizabeth Headly. He married Ann Harvey, and they reared five daughters ; his wife died at the age of fifty-nine years. Thomas and Elizabeth Headly were the proud parents of four children, named as fol- lows : El wood died in 1868; Anna M., who died in 1871, was the wife of David Brown ; Amos B. , and Harvey, who died aged three years. Amos B. Headly, the only surviving child, is now residing in Tullytown and follows farming ; he was born in Bristol township, March 30, 1842, and received his education in his native township at Carversville Academy and at Eastman's Business College at Pough- keepsie, N. Y. Farming and milling were his chief occupations, and in after years he also carried on lumbering. In 1875, he rented his mill and now attends strictly to farming. He is a member of Bristol I^odge, No. 25, F. & A. M. ; director of the Bucks County Mutual Farm & Building Associa- tion ; director of the Industrial State Fair Association, of which he is superintendent of the machinery department ; and is treasurer of the borough of Tullytown. In politics he is a Republican, and represents Bucks County at the State Hospital for the Insane at Norris- town, Pa. He was married in 1868 to Emma T. Ivins, a daughter of Isaac Ivins, of Falls township, and two children have blessed their home, namely : Irene, the wife of William H. Skirm, of Trenton, N. J., and they have two children, Catherine and Amos B. ; and Edith. Mrs. Elizabeth Headly has passed her eighty-second year, and is now on the sunny slope of life ; she is enjoying excellent health for one of her years ; is spending her latter days in Bristol in the home left her by her father, and is surrounded by a large circle of friends who cherish and hold her in dear esteem. ,ROF. WIIvIylAM H. SLOTTER, a respected and honored educator, who is most highly esteemed for his success in matters of an educational nature, has been superintendent of the public schools of Bucks County for a period of almost twelve years. Ever since completing his intellectual training he has been deeply interested in school work, and in 1887 his efforts were crowned with the prominence which they so richly merited by his election to his present position. He has exhibited marked qualifications for the position, and during his term of ofiice has added greatly to the efficiency of the schools throughout the county. Prof. Slotter comes of an old and well established family of the county, and is of German descent. His great-grandfather was Anthony Slotter, who was born in Germany, where he lived until coming to this country. He located upon a farm in Bedminster town- ship, Bucks County, where he followed agri- cultural pursuits during the remainder of his 302 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES days. He had two children, one of whom, Anthony, the grandfather of our subject, was born, lived and died upon the farm settled by his father. He too was a farmer by occu- pation and a man of great worth to the com- munity. Religiously, he was a devout mem- ber of the Tohickon Lutheran Church. He was joined in Hymen's bonds with Elizabeth Idem, who was born May 22, 1777, and they reared three children : John, deceased ; Mary, deceased ; and Jacob. Mr. Slotter was called Home in 1825, and his wife joined him in the unknown beyond in 1862, in the eighty- fifth year of her age. Jacob Slotter, the father of the gentleman whose name heads these lines, was born on the homestead in Bedminster township, Oc- tober 31, 1815, and was but ten years of age when deprived of a father's protection and advice. He lived with his mother until after his marriage, and, like his forefathers, prose- cuted- that most honorable of callings, farm- ing. He moved to Haycock township, and after one year there moved to Tiriicum town- ship, where he made his home for two years. He then moved to Bedminster township, and lived along the Tohickon for about eight years, when he located on the old Fretz farm in 1854, which he purchased two years later. He has always been an industrious and upright man, and greatly respected by his neighbors, many of whom have been his life-long friends. In religious attachments he is a member of the Tohickon Reformed Church. In 1843 he formed a matrimonial alliance with lycah Hockman, who was born August 24, 1823, and they became the parents of thirteen children, ten of whom are living at the present day, namely : William H., the subject of this biographical record, who makes his home in Doylestown ; Anna Maria, the wife of Abel Stover of Doylestown ; Leah, the wife of Milton Crouthamel, who lives on the old homestead ; Jacob Titus, a resident of Lahaska, this county ; Martha H., the wife of Lewis Ott, of Rockhill ; Anthony K., who is farming his father's place; Aaron H., whose home is in Philadelphia ; A. Lincoln, a resident of Mechanicsville ; Barbara Ann, the wife of Aaron Landis, of Buckingham township ; and Reuben H. , who is located upon a portion of his father's farm. Those who are deceased are : Elizabeth H. ; Mary- Ann; and John H. Jacob Slotter was be- reaved of the companionship of his beloved wife by death, January 9, 1886. USTIN O'CONNELL, M.D., one of the rising young physicians and sur- geons of Bucksville, Pa., who has been practicing his chosen profession in this section since 1897, was born and reared in Nockamixon township, Bucks County, Pa., on the old O'Connell homestead, and is a son of Isaac D. and Joanna (McCarty) O'Connell, grandson of Philip and Ann (Brenen) O'Con- nell, and great-grandson of Hugh and Cath- erine O'Connell. Hugh O'Connell was born in County Long- ford, Ireland, and resided there all his life ; his wife was also born and reared there. They were the parents of a family of children, one of whom was Philip, the grandfather of our subject, -who was born in Longfordtown, BUCKS COUNTY 303 County Longford, Ireland; he possessed a fine education -whicli he received in the schools of his native town, and then began teaching as a means of obtaining a liveli- hood ; not being suited with the position he had attained in life in his native country and believing that a new country afforded better opportunities for an ambitious young man to seek a fortune, he accordingly came to the United States, locating in Doylestown, this county. His first employment was with Sam- uel Yardley, of that town, who owned and operated a linseed oil mill, and our subject's grandfather was manager of the same for a period of fifteen years. In 1 847, Philip be- came a resident of Nockamixon township, where he purchased a tract of land of Andrew Heller, which consisted of 84 acres ; he at once set about making many improvements upon the same, and in addition to carrying on general farming he taught school during the winter months, teaching in all some thirty- one years. Philip O' Connell was one of the prominent and progressive men of his com- munity and was a man greatly respected by. his fellow-countrymen. He was a Democrat in politics, and served six years as assessor. Mr. O'Connell passed from this life June 25, 1 89 1, in his eighty -fifth year, dying at St. Agnes' Hospital, Philadelphia, his death re- sulting from an operation. He was joined in marriage with Ann Brenen, daughter of Nicholas and Ellen (Brenen) Brenen ; she was born in County Cavan, Ireland, and died on the homestead at the age of seventy-two years. The following children resulted from this union : Hugh, a resident of PhcEuixville, Pa., was wedded to Caroline McCarty, by whom he reared one son, Harry ; Peter was twice married, his first wife was Mary A. Doyle, and they became the parents of four children, Frank, Lizzie, Ann and William, his second wife was Rebecca Barr, who bore him a family of six children, who were named as follows, Russell, Charles, Floyd, Philip, Mary and Sally ; Eleanor ; Isaac D., the father of our subject, and John, who died in 1872, aged twenty-eight years. Isaac D. O' Connell was born on the home- stead in Nockamixon township November 25, 1 84 1, and was educated in the district schools ; he always remained with his parents and cared for them during their latter days. He is an upright and enterprising farmer and is recognized as one of the valued members of his community ; in connection with his farm- ing he successfully carries on dairying. Poli- tically, Mr. O'Connell was a Democrat and served as county recorder from 1890 until 1893. He was united in the bonds of matri- mony with Joanna McCarty, a daughter of Nicholas and Julianna (Kohl) McCarthy, and to this happy union a family of three children was born, namely: Lucinda, deceased, Anas- tatia, and Austin, whose name heads these brief lines. Dr. Austin O'Connell received his early mental training in the public schools of Bucksville and then prepared himself for col- lege in the I>salle Preparatory College of Philadelphia ; having decided upon a medical career, he entered the Jefferson Medical Col- lege of Philadelphia, and was graduated with the class of 1897. Dr. O'Connell immedi- ately returned to his father's home in Bucks- ville, where he has since continued his pro- 304 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES fession, and during this short time has built up a very nice practice in which his success has shown him to be a master of his profes- sion. Dr. O' Connell thoroughly understands the intricacies of his calling and bids fair to rank among the foremost physicians and sur- geons of Bucks County. Religiously, Dr- O'Connell is a member and liberal supporter of the Roman Catholic Church at Bucksville. Y^TENRY H. YOUNGKEN, one of the r^ worthy and influential farmers and -*- V millers of Nockamixon township, whom the people of northern Bucks County have regarded for the past two score and ten years as a typical representative of the agri- cultural class, is descended from one of the pioneer settlers of Southeastern Pennsylva- nia. The gentleman, whose name heads the above lines, was born and reared on his pre- sent homestead, and is a son of John Nicho- las and Mary (Young) Youngken, and grand- son of John and Mary (Essey) Youngken. John Youngken was a native of England, where he was reared to manhood; in com- pany with his brother, Harmon, he immi- grated to the new and uncultivated lands of America, locating in Nockamixon township, this county, prior to the Revolutionary War ; his first purchase was in the northwestern part of the township, and the land is now the property of a Mr. Haney. He was a black- smith by trade, but upon coming to this country he did not pursue that occupation to a large extent, farming being his principal occupation. I,ater, John Youngken pur- chased the present homestead, buying di- rectly from the Penns, and the property has been in the possession of the family up to the present day. According to records, the road that runs through the farm was laid out in 1793. He erected a log house and saw mill, both of which are still in good condi- tion, and are landmarks of the district; he cleared the land and carried on agricultural pursuits the remainder of his active days. As a result of his marriage with Mary Essey, the following children were born : John Nich- olas ; Michael ; Abraham ; Mrs. Conrad I^ut- roe; Mrs. Anthony Huffman; and Elizabeth. John Nicholas Youngken, the father of our subject, was born on the homestead, and was reared to agricultural pursuits, which occupation he continued through his entire life ; he also operated the mill that stood on the land. He was joined in marriage with Mary Young, and they became the parents of the following children : John married Ma- rie Kressler; Nicholas farmed on the home- stead a number of years; Jesse moved out West, where he now resides; Heniy H., our subject; Abraham wedded Mary Franken- field ; Sarah married William Mensch ; Mary is the wife of John Mussehnan ; Julia married John Kohl ; and Catherine, the wife of Charles Sellner. The father of our subject passed from this life aged seventy-six years ; his wife died at the age of eighty-seven years. Our subject possesses a fine education, which he received in the district schools of his native township, and at an early age began to learn the trade of a cabinetmaker, which vocation he followed at Bethlehem and Easton, Pa., until 1858. He then gave MR. AND MRS. JOHN N. YOUNGKEN. BUCKS COUNTY 307 up his trade and returned to the homestead, where he has since been engaged in farming in partnership with his brother Nicholas. They rebuilt the mill, which they also operate in connection with farming. Our subject is highly esteemed by his .neighbors and by a large circle of acquaintances,' and takes an active interest in .any enterprise that tends to benefit the conditions: of his fellow- countrymen. Mr. Youngken was united .in. marriage with Annie lycnning, a daughter of Adam I/Cnning, and this union has been .blessed by the birth of four children, namely..: Alice, the wife of Robert Carlaw o.f Philadelphia, and they have one child, David, M.; John N., whose sketch may also be found, in. this Book of Biographies; Abraham. wedded Eva Overholzer, and they reside.. in Philadelphia; and Emma, the wife of West jFahe,n of Bucks- ville, this county, and they. are ihe p.ar-euts'^of one child, Edith May. Mr'. YoUngken. and family are devoted members' of the -lyUtherah Church. > ; ' i. : : 'OHN N. youngken; owner and pro- prietor of the best hotel in northern Bucks County, — the, Central Hotel, located at Riegelsville, Pa., — is one of the prominent and influential citizens of the vil- lage ; this worthy and esteemed citizen was born on the old Youngken homestead in Nockamixon township, the date of his birth being August 15, 1862, and he is a son of Henry H. and Annie (penning) Youngken, grandson of John Nicholas and Mary (Young) Youngken, and great-grandson of John and Mary (Essey) Youngken. John Youngken, the great-grandfather of our subject, was born and reared in England, and during his early manhood learned the -trade of a blacksmith, which occupation he ■pursued 'in his native .cou^n try but a short time, when, he ;and his brother Harmon im- nligrated to America, which was prior to the Revolutionary i War, John j located in the iiortliern .part of Nockamixon township, isv;here he purchased a tract of land, which is -now the property of a Mr, Haney ; later he ,p.Urchased:the^ present Youngken homestead, which; is still in the possession of his de- iscendants ; he purchased . directly from the Penns, and; upon his new purchase he erected a. log, house and saw mill, ;wliich are still sjtanding. and ,-in good condition. He was .united in. marriage with Mary Essey, who bore him a family of six children, namely: John ' Nicholas ; jVIichael ; Abraham; Mrs. •Conrad I^utroe;. Mrs_. Anthony Huffman ; and EUzabfet.h. ,' ; Johu Nicholas: Youngken, the grandfather of our .subject, was born , and reared on his father's. farm in Nockamixon township; he was educated to agricultural .pursuits,' which vocatio.n he, followed: throughout his active days.. John, Nicholas was, united in the bonds of wedlock with Mary Young, and this union was blessed by the following children : John married Marie Kressler ; Nicholas had posses- sion of the homestead a number of years ; Jesse early in life went West, where he still resides; Henry H., our subject's father; Abraham married Mary Frankenfield ; Sarah was the wife of William Mensch ; Mary is 3o8 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIKS the wife of John Musselmen ; Julia was wed- ded to John Kohl ; and Catherine, the wife of Charles Sellner. Our subject's grandfather died aged seventy-six years, and his wife died at the age of eighty-seven years. Henry H. Youngken, the father, of our subject, was also born and reared on the homestead, and was educated in the district schools of Nockamixon township ; in early life he learned the trade of a cabinetmaker, which occupation he followed at Bethlehem and Easton, Pa., until 1858 ; in that year he gave up his trade and returned to the home- stead, where he and his brother Nicholas have since been engaged in general farming. Since taking possession of the homestead they have rebuilt the mill, which they oper- ate in addition to farming. Our subject's father is widely known throughout his sec- tion of the county and commands the respect of a large circle of acquaintances. He chose for his life companion Annie penning, a daughter of Adam I/cnning, and they have reared four children, who were named as fol- lows : Alice married Robert Carlow, of Phil- adelphia, and one child, David M., has been born to them; John N., the subject of this narrative : Abraham was united in marriagfe with Eva Overholzer, and they are residents of Philadelphia; and Emma, the wife of West Faben, of Bucksville, this county, and the mother of one child, Edith May. Mr. and Mrs. Youngken are active members and liberal supporters of the lyutheran Church. John N. Youngken acquired a liberal edu- cation in Uie common schools of his native township, and his boyhood days were spent in assisting his father in the work about the farm. Arriving at manhood he became driver for Wilaball Kubeler, of Easton, Pa., and remained at that work for a period of five years ; at the expiration of that time he be- came landlord of the Chapman Quarry's Hotel, in Northampton County, and con- ducted the same for four years. In 1895, our subject purchased the Central Hotel at Riegel- ville. Pa., of Edward Deamer. The Central Hotel was built by Allen Fritz, about 1876, and it has been greatly remodeled into the handsomest hotel in the northern part of Bucks County. It is a two-story structure; contains seventeen large rooms and a large dining room elegantly furnished ; a piazza that extends around three sides of the hotel, which adds greatly to the appearance of the house and affords much pleasure to the guests ; and surrounding the hotel is a beau- tiful and well-kept lawn and a large variety of flowers and shrubbery. Mr. Youngken is a hospitable and genial landlord, and is held in high esteem by his many acquaintances. Our subject also keeps a large barn, and takes great pride in riding behind some of the best horses in this part of the state. Our subject's wife, who is a pleasant and affable lady and does her part in assisting him in his enterprise, was known to her friends before her marriage as I^illie T. McCarty ; she is a daughter of Charles and Lizzie (Yost) McCarty, and granddaughter of Paul Abner and Louise (Mclntyre) McCarty. Paul A. McCarty was a son of Nicholas McCarty, one of the early settlers of Haycock township, this county, who died in 1848, aged eighty- seven years. Paul A. McCarty had two brothers, Thomas and John. He was a BUCKS COUNTY 309 farmer by vocation and resided on the home- stead. He was born March 14, 1799, and died April 11, 1869. His wife passed from this life aged eighty-nine years. They were the parents of the following children : . Pres- ton ; Eleazer; Nathan; Charles; Nicholas; Enoch ; Thomas Y. ; Hannah ; and Eliza- beth. Charles McCarty was born in Hay- cock township, and was a farmer all his life ; he farmed in Bedminster, Ottsville, Burson- ville, and Stony Point, all in Bucks County, Pa., and died at the latter village March 6, 1892, aged fifty-seven years. He was mar- ried to Lizzie Yost, who was born March 10, 1836, and died March 8, 1893. This union was blessed by one child, Lizzie M., the wife of our subject. Mr. and Mrs. Youngken are the parents of one child, Florence Adeline, who died aged six months. Mr. Youngken, in his political views sides with the Demo- crats; religiously, he and his devoted wife are members of the Catholic Church. We present on a preceding page a portrait of Mr. and Mrs. Youngken. 1:^: ILL/IS WAIvL, a well-known and influential citizen of Doylestown, is engaged in the insurance business, and is serving in an official capacity as justice of the peace of Doylestown borough, Bucks County. He is a son of George and Sarah (Lear) Wall, and was born in Warwick township, Bucks County, March 14, 1844; The family is either of Welsh or Irish origin, and the following record is extracted from an old family Bible, which is now in the possession of Thomas Wall, of Lumber- ville, this county: "George Wall, son of George Wall, grandson of George Wall, and great-grandson of George Wall, who was born June 12, 1745." The last mentioned was the great-great-grandfather of the subject of this biographical record. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and purchased property in Solebury township, Bucks Coun- ty, where he lived during the latter years of his life. His name appears attached to deeds and records in transferring property in Sole- bury township, as does also the name of George Wall upon many older records, which shows that this well-known family was among the earliest settlers of the township. The name George has descended from father to son in this family through six generations. Mr. Wall was united in marriage with Sarah Kitchen, August 10, 1770, at Amwell, N. J., the ceremonies being those established by the Church of England. Mrs. Wall was a daughter of Thomas Kitchen. George Wall, the great-grandfather of our subject, was born at Amwell, N. J., April i, 1779, and was a farmer by occupation, spend- ing the latter years of his Hfe at that vocation in Solebury township. His companion along the pathways of life was Sarah Closson, and they became the parents of George, the grandfather of our subject, who was a native and life-long resident of Solebury township. The latter George was a mill-wright by trade, which he followed in connection with farming. He was united in marriage with Sarah Closson, by whom he had a large family of children, one of whom was George, our subject's father. George Wall was born in Solebury town- 3IO BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES ship, December 26, 1804, and there grew to manhood. After attaining his majority, he moved to Warwick township, where he spent the remainder of his life employed at the craft of a shoemaker. The final summons came in June, 1890, after a long and useful life of eighty-six years. In his political affili- ations, he was an unswerving Democrat. As a result of his matrimonial alliance with Sarah I^ear he became the father of six sons and five daughters, of whom Willis was the tenth born. Willis Wall was reared in Warwick town- ship, and acquired a good education in the common schools, after which he turned his attention to tilling the soil, hiring out as a farm hand at the age of twelve years. He continued at that work until he was eighteen years of age, or until September 6, 1861, when he went to Doylestown and enlisted in Co. A, 104th Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf , serving for nearly thirty-seven months in the Civil War ; he received his honorable discharge Septem- ber 30, 1864, at Philadelphia. He made a good reputation as a brave and faithful ser- vant to his country, in the hour of peril, serving with McClellan in the Peninsular Campaign and later participated in the siege of Charleston. After leaving the service, he returned to Warwick township, and worked as a laborer for one year, and then took up the trade of a carpenter, which he continued until 1873. In that year, he removed to War- rington township, and engaged in carpenter- ing until 1 89 1, when he was elected to the office of clerk of the Orphans' Court for a three years' term. He moved to Doylestown and has since made his residence there. In political belief, he is a stanch supporter of the Democratic party, and has often been called upon to serve as a delegate to conven- tions. He served as justice of the peace at Warrington for a period of eleven years, and resigned upon moving to Doylestown, where he was also elected to that office in February, 1895. He is also general agent for a number of the most substantial and reliable insur- ance companies in the world, namely : the North British of I^ondon, the Mercantile In- surance Company of Edinburgh, and the Caledonian Insurance Company of Scotland. He does a large and remunerative business throughout the county, and is held in high esteem by every one with whom he is asso- ciated in business and social circles. Mr. Wall was united in the holy bonds of wedlock with Kate B. Fryling, of Bucking- ham township, November 12, 1872, and they are the proud parents of three children : Let- tie F., who was born in 1873; Raymond, who died in infancy, aged eighteen months ; and Irene P., who is an interesting child of eight years. Socially, he is a member of Fisher Post, No. loi, G. A. R., of Hatboro. TT^HRISTOPHER S. GUUCK, county I J[ register of wills, is a valued and much ^Si. respected citizen of the borough of Doylestown, and has been a life-long resident of Bucks County. He was born in Hilltown township, June 11, 1859, and is a son of Me- rari and Christinna (Swartz) Gulick. The paternal ancestry of our subject is of Welsh origin, while the maternal side is of BUCKS COUNTY 311 German extraction. The great-grandfather of our subject was Samuel Gulick, a native and life-long resident of Northampton County, Pa. His son, Jonathan, the grandfather of our subject, was also born in Northampton Coun- ty, but in 1818 he settled in Towamensing township, Montgomery County, residing there until 1870, engaged in the cultivation of the soil. In that year he became a resident of Hilltown township, this county, where he re- sided until death claimed him, which was in 1873, at the age of seventy-seven years. He was a member of the Reformed Church. He was joined in marriage with Urey Aaron, and they reared a family of one son and three daughters, namely: Merari, our subject's father; Harriet, Isabella, and Urey, all de- ceased. Merari Gulick was born on his father's farm in Montgomery County, in 1819, and was reared to manhood in that county ; in 1843, he came to Hilltown township and pur- chased a farm of 1 17 acres, which he still owns and has put it under a fine state of cul- tivation. He followed the markets some twenty-nine years and was a cattle drover many years. He and his family are mem- bers of the German Reformed Church. In 1 84 1, he was united in marriage with Chris- tinna Swartz, who was born in 18 19 and died in 1877. She was a daughter of Christian Swartz who was a native and life-long resi- dent of New Britain township, this county, and his vocation was that of a farmer. Mr. Swartz married Mary Funk, and they be- came the parents of eight children, namely : Andrew F. ; Elizabeth, the wife of John Rosenberger ; Mary, the wife of Samuel Ro- senberger ; John ; Amelia ; Lydia ; Margaret ; and Christinna, the mother of our subject. Mr. and Mrs. Gulick reared a family of five sons and two daughters, as follows : Mary, the wife of William D. Yocum, a farmer of Hilltown township ; Urey, the wife of Joseph B. Allabach, also a farmer of Hilltown town- ship ; Jonathan, a farmer of Hilltown town- ship ; O. Aaron resides in Philadelphia ; Me- rari, deceased ; Samuel S. is justice of the peace and an auctioneer of Rockhill town- ship ; Christopher S., the subject of this me- moir ; and John, deceased. Christopher S. Gulick was reared to man- hood in Hilltown township, and obtained his elementary education in the schools of the vicinity and at the Sellersville High School. At nineteen years of age he began teaching, and taught one year in Bedminster township, and ten years in his native township, of which eight years were spent teaching in one school at Blooming Glen. In the fall of 1895, he was elected to the office of register of wills of Bucks County, which position he is filling with great credit to himself and con- stituents; his term expires January i, 1899. In politics, Mr. Gulick is an unwavering Republican, and in 1889, under Harrison's ad- ministration, he was appointed deputy col- lector of internal revenue for Bucks County. In 1 894, he embarked in the mercantile busi- ness with M. H. Leidy, the firm name being lycidy & Gulick, and they dissolved partner- ship two years later. Our subject has contri- buted much toward the success of his chosen party in the community, and has been dele- gated to national, state and county conven- tions. He was elected justice of the peace BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES of Hill town township in 1885, and served in that capacity until he was appointed collec- tor of internal revenue. Religiously, he is a member of the Reformed Church ; socially, he is a member of MacCalla lyodge, F. & A. M. ; Doylestown Chapter, No. 270, R. A. M. ; Perkasie L,odge, No. 671, I. O. O.F.; and is past high priest of the Doylestown Encamp- ment, No 35, I. O. O. F. Mr. Gulick was joined in the bonds of matrimony, February 28, 1885, with Emma H. Moyer, a daughter of Rev. Abraham and Hester (Huntsberger) Moyer, and they are the proud parents of five' children, namely: Aaron, Mabel, Gertrude Hester, Blanche, and Russell Blair. yOMU] I DMUND R. HELUNGS, who has been X L a life-long resident of Bristol township, is gate keeper on the turnpike road between Bristol and TuUytown. This prom- inent and much-respected citizen was born on his father's farm in Bristol township in 1838, and is a son of Jesse and Elizabeth (Iva Rue) Hellings, and grandson of John Hellings. John Hellings, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was born about 1752, and resided in Bristol township the major part of his days, engaged in the cultivation of the soil. He was a very prominent man of his day, serving as supervisor of the town, and holding many other township offices. His first wife was Anna Bennett, by whom he reared two sons, John and Samuel, and three daughters. His second wife was Hannah Bowman, a daugh- ter of Daniel Bowman, and this union resulted in the advent of three sons and five daughters, namely: Jesse; Tunis ; Jonathan ; Mary; I/U- cretia; Katherine; Martha; and Hannah. Lucretia is now Mrs. Paxson, and lives in Bristol, Pa. Mr. Hellings and family were prominent members of the Christian Church at Tullytown, and he was one of the organ- izers of that society and had charge of the erection of the church in 1822. He died in March, 1837, while his wife died in 1852. Jesse Hellings, the father of our subject, was born in Bristol township in 181 2, and spent his entire life on the old homestead, having purchased a part of the interests of the heirs upon the death of his mother. He was a well-informed gentleman, a progressive and enterprising citizen, and was held in high esteem by many acquaintances. In politics, he was a solid Republican. Fraternally, he was a member of the Bristol Lodge, No. 25, F. & A. M. He was a strong advocate of the temperance cause. His wife was Elizabeth lya Rue, of Falls township, born in 18 15, and a daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Vande- grift) La Rue ; they reared the following children : Edmund R. ; William H., who died in childhood; John P., deceased ; Ange- line, who is now deceased, was the wife of Thomas C. Ivins, of Penn's Manor, Pa. ; and Jesse L,. The oldest and youngest children are the only ones in the family now living, with the exception of the mother, who resides with her youngest son. She is a member of the Christian Church ; her husband died in February, 1892. Edmund R. Hellings, after attaining his majority, enlisted in the Union Army in May, 1 86 1, becoming a member of Co. I, 3rd BUCKS COUNTY 3^3 Pennsylvania Reserves. He served a year and a half, and was shot twice in the shoulder in the Seven Days Battle, was taken a pris- oner at Charles City Cross Roads, and was held twenty-two days in Libby Prison, when he was exchanged and brought to the hos- pital in Philadelphia; there he was dis- charged September 17, 1862. Returning home, he began farming on the homestead, continuing there until the fall of 1868, when he rented a farm in Lower Makefield town- ship. In March, 1892, he gave up farming, and, selling his farm, accepted a position as gate-keeper on the turnpike road between Bristol and Tullytown. He is a strong Re- publican and has served as assessor three years, as real estate assessor two years, and as school director one term of three years. Mr. Hellings was married, in 1867, to Rachael J. Carter, of Bristol township, who was born in 1844, and is a daughter of Charles and Rachael (Farrell) Carter ; this union has been blessed by the birth of one child, Frank H., a telegraph operator. Socially, our sub- ject is a member of the G. A. R. Post, No. 73. John P. Hellings, a brother of our subject, enlisted in the Civil War in the fall of 1 862, in Co. G., 119th Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf, and served three years. At the battle of the Wilderness he was wounded and again at the battle of Petersburg; he was at the front in many a hard and bloody engagement, and always dis- played the courage and fearlessness of a true American soldier. After peace had been re- stored throughout the land, he returned home, where he engaged as a clerk in a store ; later he took up farming, and at 'the time of his death, which was in 1885, he was railroading. He left a widow, who was before marriage M. Christine Vaudegrift, a daughter of Alfred and Catherine (Gibbs) Vandegrift, of Edding- ton, Bensalem township, and two children, namely: Edmund S. and Elizabeth L,., both of whom reside with their mother at Wil- mington, Del. Ji R. W. G. BENNER is the leading veterinarian of Doylestown, Pa., where he has very successfully oc- cupied himself in the duties that pertain to his profession since 1890, having received his diploma in that year from the Ontario Veter- inary College at Toronto, Canada. The doc- tor was born in South White Hall township, Ivchigh County, Pa., December 27, 1867, and is a son of Thomas W. and Hannah (Jacobs) Benner and grandson of Abraham Benner, This prosperous family is of German origin, and Abraham Benner, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Springfield township, this county, where he resided the major part of his active days, engaged in the cultivation of the soil. At the time of his death he was residing in Montgomery County, Pa. He had born to him three sons and two daugh- ters. Prior to the Civil War he was engaged in general farming; he was an industrious and an economic farmer and accumulated a competency, but at the breaking out of the Rebellion he lost nearly all his fortune. Thomas W. Benner was a native of Spring- field township. As a young man he went to Philadelphia, where he found employment in 314 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES a linseed oil mill, studying during the even- ings, preparing himself for a teacher. He moved to Montgomery County, where he opened a pay school. He was afterwards elected organist to a church, which position he filled at different places, being organist continually for thirty-two years at the Jordan Reformed Church and Jordan I^utheran Church. In connection with his other line of work he during this time engaged in manu- facturing tombstones and in teaching. In 189S he retired and now lives near Siegers- ville. Pa. As a result of his marriage with Hannah Jacobs, a family of twelve children was born — eight daughters and four sons. Dr. Benner grew to manhood in South White Hall township, Lehigh County, and his intellectual training was obtained in the select schools of that vicinity ; upon leaving school he taught from 1886 to 1888 in Lehigh and Northampton Counties, and during his last year, while teaching at Bethlehem, he took lectures in chemistry, Latin and Greek in Lehigh University. Having decided upon his present profession in the meantime, in the fall of 1888 he entered the Ontario Veterinary College at Toronto, Canada, and was gradu- ated from that institution April 3, 1890. He immediately located in Doylestown, where he has since continued his chosen profession. In the community, although a comparatively young man, he is highly rated as having ex- tremely good judgment and an experience which stands him in good stead in all the varied duties of life. The doctor is eminently social and is esteemed and respected by all. Dr. Benner in 1895 erected the Doylestown Veterinary Sanitarium; he is a member of the Pennsylvania State Veterinary Medical Association, of which he was secretary three years. Politically, the doctor is a firm Re- publican and has held local borough offices. In his religious views, he is a member of the Reformed Church. Fraternally, he is a mem- ber of the Doylestown Lodge, No. 245, F. & A. M. ; member and past chief of St. Tam- many Castle, No. 273, K. of G. F. ; and the Royal Arcanum. October 6, 1888, Dr. Ben- ner and Fmma L. Sieger, a daughter of Owen Sieger, of Siegersville, Pa., were happily united in marriage, and they are the parents of three children, namely : Vernie Irene ; Thomas Roy ; and Marion Sieger. ^/^. ILMFR W. OTT, who is extensively V? Vi engaged in the coal business at Eddington Wharf, is also one of the good, substantial agriculturists of Bensalem town- ship. No man has inspired the respect and confidence of the people to a higher degree. He is a son of Andrew and Eliza (Sipler) Ott, and was born on the farm of his father in Bensalem township, Bucks County, Pa., December 30, 1847. He comes of a sturdy German family, and is descended from William Ott, who was born in Germany, and upon coming to this country became a soldier in the Revolution- ary War, actively participating until its close. He lived to reach the very unusual age of one hundred and two years, six months and four days, and many of his descendants have also reached advanced ages before sub- mitting to the inevitable, strong constitutions •^'-^t^^^^,,,^./?* '*■'*■ --t-^^. BUCKS COUNTY 317 characterizing the members of the family down to the present day. William Ott, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was born in Bucks County about 1777, and became a farmer. Politically, he was a member of the Democratic party. His wife, Mary ly., died in 1849, leaving two children, Andrew and Rachel. Andrew Ott, the father of the gentleman whose name heads these lilies, was born in 1809, in Byberry, Philadelphia County, lyike his forefathers, he engaged in the culti- vation of the soil, and after a time moved to Bensalem township, Bucks County, where he resided on one farm for a period of twenty- eight years. He took an active interest in politics and all public affairs, at one time serving as treasurer of Bucks County. He was a strong supporter of the Democratic party, and often served as a delegate to con- ventions and held numerous township of- fices. He was united in marriage with Eliza Sipler, who was born in Bensalem township in 1808, and was a daughter of Samuel Sip- ler ; by her he had four children, namely : Charles E., who died at the age of two years ; Rachel, who died at the age of thirty-eight years ; Wilmer W., the subject of this per- sonal history ; and Mary, who passed away at the age of forty-four years. Mrs. Ott was called to her final rest March 15, 1896, and he joined her on the farther shore January 4, 1897. Wilmer W. Ott was reared upon the farm and attended the schools of Eddington and Center, after which he engaged in farming on his father's farm, remaining there until he was thirty-five years of age. He then left 16* home and followed farming on his own ac- ' couut for three years, when he also embarked in the coal business at Eddington Wharf. His business prospered, and he has since con- tinued at that, in connection with agricul- tural pursuits. He has made his home there, where he cared for his parents during the last years of their lives with the devotion of , a true son. He is a man of principle, and stands high in the esteem of his fellow- ' citizens. ■ Mr. ,Ott was united in marriage with Sarah ' Powell, who was boirn in Bensalem township in 1843, and is a daughter of David and ' Mary Ann (Moore) Powell,, and they are the ' parents of one son, Francis K. , who was born January 24, 1877. Our subject in his politi- cal affiliations is a Democrat, and has filled all of the township ofiices, at the present time i serving as county commissioner. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and is now serving as trustee. Mrs. Ott also be- longs to the same religious organization, and is a member of the lyadies' Aid Society, : 1 ^ I fJJY'OHN ROBBINS, a retired and highly respected farmer of Falls township, Bucks County, who is now spending the sunset of life in the borough of Morris- ville, is a typical representative of the agri- cultural class of his community, and is a worthy representative of one of the old and pioneer families of Falls township. Mr. Rob- bins was born June 20, 1809, and is a son of Isaac I. and Jane (Thompson) Robbins, and grandson of John and Ann (Ivins) Robbins. 3i8 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES John Robbins, the founder of this promi- nent and prosperous family of Falls township, was born in 175 1, in Freehold township, Mon- mouth County, N. J., and was a son of Joseph, and grandson of Moses, who was a son of Moses, Sr. , and grandson of Daniel, the founder of this family in America, who emi- grated to America from England and settled in New Jersey. John Robbins, the grand- father of our subject, was a farmer by trade, and followed that vocation in New Jersey until his death, which occurred in 1837. He was joined in marriage with Ann Ivins, who was born in 1757, and who died in 1830. One child was the result of this marriage, Isaac I., the father of our subject, who was -born on the homestead in New Jersey, December 23, 1782. Ke was educated in the district school and was reared to agricultural pursuits, and continued that occupation throughout his en- tire life, having possession of the homestead during his latter days. He entered the world of rest June 21, 1823. He was united in marriage with Jane Thompson, who was born in Ireland in 1784; she passed from this life March i, 1856, and was the mother of the following children : John, the subject of this personal history ; Hector C, who died in 1894, at the age of eighty-one years ; Isaac I., who died in 1896, aged eighty-one years; James T., who died in 1896, aged seventy-eight years ; Ann I., who died in 1829, aged eleven years; and Joseph, born in 1821, who is a prominent farmer of Falls township. Our subject's father was a prominent member of the Society of Friends. John Robbins received his intellectual train- ing in the private and boarding schools of Wilmington, Del., and his boyhood days were spent in assisting his father in the cultivation of the homestead ; when he grew to manhood he took charge of the Robbins homestead and successfully carried on agricultural pursuits until 1870, in that year retiring from the active duties of life and locating in Morris- ville, where he is enjoying the fruits of his early toil. Mr. Robbins is one of the honored residents of the township, with whose inter- ests he has always been prominently identi- fied, and commands the respect and esteem of a large circle of friends and acquaintances. Mr. Robbins has twice been united in mar- riage ; in 1 836 he was joined in the bonds of wedlock with Mary Ivins, who was born in 1812, and who died in 1874. One child was born to them, Isaac I. , who died in childhood. His second matrimonial alliance was with Mary E- Worthington, a daughter of Edward and Cynthia (Carver) Worthington. Edward Worthington, a prominent farmer of Buck- ingham township, Bucks County, passed from this earth in 1857, at the age of thirty-seven years ; his wife died at the age of seventy-three years. They were the parents of a family of nine children, who were named as follows : Joseph ; Mary E. , the wife of our subject ; Kizzie ; Sarah ; Silas ; Henry ; Edward, de- ceased ; and Cynthia (Carver). Mr. and Mrs. Worthington were members of the Society of Friends ; politically, he was a stanch Repub- lican. Mr. Robbins was president of the Bucks County Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and was one of its chief organizers in 1 870 ; and had served as a director of the Line Lexing- ton Company seven years prior to the organ- BUCKS COUNTY 319 ization of the first-named company. Mr. Robbins has taken an active part in local and county politics, firmly supporting the principles of the Republican party, and has been honored with a seat in the State I/egis- lature, being elected to that office in 1 846 ; has served ten years as justice of the peace ; has been a school director; and has been a member of the borough council. In religious belief he is a convert to the Society of Friends. Mr. Robbins' portrait is shown on a preced- ing page. HE CI^EMENS FAMILY has been as- sociated with the history and progress of Bucks County, Pa. , for the past two cen- turies, and is one of the best known and most highly respected families in the county. This prosperous and well-to-do family is of Holland-Dutch extraction, and was founded in America by three brothers, who came from Holland about the beginning of the seventeenth century ; one of the brothers was Garrett Clemens, the lineal ancestor of the branch of the family of which we treat, and father of George Clemens, the great- grandfather of the Clemens brothers, and he located in Bucks County. George Clemens was born in this county November 20, 1741, and his wife, Elizabeth Clemens, was born April 10, 1744. They were the parents of the following children : Abrahani, born June 24, 1764; Christian, May 7, 1766; Cathe- rine, April 22, 1770; Mary, April 14, 1775; George, July 19, 1777; and Jacob, November 7, 1779- Christian Clemens was born in Bucks County, where he resided all his life, en- gaged in the cultivation of the soil. Upon attaining his manhood, he purchased a tract of 175 acres in Doylestown township, just outside the corporate limits of the then vil- lage of Doylestown. The old homestead is now in the possession of his grandsons, John and Lewis H. Clemens ; it was originally a portion of the Penn grant and was bought of him through his agents, John and Wil- liam Lacey, by Messrs. Growden and Lang- horne, who transferred it to Robert Scott in 1753 ; in 1769, he in turn transferred the property to Valentine Kratz, who later sold it to lyudwick Sweitzer, and from him Chris- tian Clemens bought it in 1797. Christian immediately took possession of the same, and resided there until 'death claimed him, July 5, 1847. In addition to carrying on agricultural pursuits, he was successfully en- gaged in lumbering and contracting. Politi- cally, he was an old line Whig and took an intelligent interest in the affairs of his party, and filled most of the township offices, in- cluding that of director of the poor. Relig- iously, he was a prominent member of the Mennonite Church. He was joined in the bonds of wedlock October 7, 1792, with Mary Sweitzer, who died December 3, 1849, and this union resulted in the birth of ten chil- dren, namely: Anna, born January 22, 1794; Eliza, December 28, 1795; Catherine, June 19, 1797 ; George, September 27, 1799 ; Eliza- beth, March i, 1802; Leah, June 16, 1804; Lewis, September 1 2, 1 806 ; Jacob, Decem- ber 29, 1 808; Henry, December 20, 18 10; and John, February 6, 18 14. 320 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES I^ewis Clemens was born on the home- stead, where he was educated to agricultural pursuits, and upon the death of his father inherited 107 acres of the same. He was of a quiet disposition, but was a man of great energy and perseverance, and was one of the few who made farming a financial success. Politically, he was an ardent Republican, whilst in religious views, he was a member of the Presbyterian Church. In 1838, he was wedded to Eliza Kulp of Montgomery County, and they became the proud parents of three sons, Jacob, John, and L,ewis H., whose personal sketches follow. Mr. Clemens departed this life June 3, 1883, and his wife entered the world of rest in 1 848. Jacob CIvEmens was born on the home- stead October 8, 1840, and remained under the parental roof until he attained the age of twenty-seven years, during which time he attended the public schools of the vicinity and later a private school. During the Civil War, upon Lincoln's first call for troops to put down the Rebellion, Jacob was among the first to go to the front, and enlisted in Co. K, 25th Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf., for a term of three months. His regiment marched through Virginia and Maryland and across the Poto- mac, but was never in any engagements ; at the expiration of his term he returned home, and with Samuel Hart raised a company during Lee's invasion of Pennsylvania, and went out as a private. The following year he again went out with an emergency com- pany, which was stationed at Hagerstown, Md., to protect a large quantity of govern- ment supplies and ammunition. In 1867, he purchased his present farm, consisting of 80 acres, and situated one mile southeast of Doylestown ; since then he has made many improvements, both in the way of erecting buildings and in enriching the soil. At present the land is under a fine state of cul- tivation and the buildings are of the best ; he erected a handsome and commodious resi- dence, 2^ stories high, finished with brown stone trimmings ; it contains eleven large rooms and has all the conveniences of a modern house. Mr. Clemens has retired from farming and is now engaged in selling fertilizers, agricultural implements, and Page's Woven Wire Fence. In 1895, Mr. Clemens became one of the organizers of the Republican Printing Company, which prints The Daily Republican^ one of the leading journals of Bucks County. He has since served as a director and secretary of the Company. Mr. Clemens is an active and influential worker of the Republican party, and has filled nearly all the offices in Doylestown township, and is now serving his third term as school director ; he has also served as sec- retary of the board several years. He has been frequently delegated to county and con- gressional conventions, and in 1886 he was honored by his party with the nomination for the office of State Senator, but, with the rest of the ticket, went down with defeat before the Democratic landslide; although his opponent was the late Hon. George Ross, then one of the most popular and eminent attorneys of Bucks County, our subject suc- ceeded in polling a full party vote. He and his family are members and liberal supporters of the Presbyterian Church of Doylestown, BUCKS COUNTY 321 of which he has served as a trustee. Frater- nally, he is a member of the General Robert ly. Bodine Post, No. 306, G. A. R., of which he is past commander ; he has been delegated by that lodge to the state convention and has been inspector-at-large of this county for three years ; he is also an honorary member of the A. O. U. W. On March 4, 1868, Mr. Clemens was united in the bonds of matri- mony with Mary Meyers, a daughter of George and Margaret (Perkins) Meyers, and they are the parents of three children, namely : Harry M., who is farming the homestead, wedded Alice Scott ; and Mar- garet E. and Nannie, both living at home. Mrs. Clemens' ancestors originally came from Holland, and she is in the direct line of de- scent from Baron Von Moyer, whose descend- ants came to this country prior to the Revo- lutionary War. After a number of years' residence in America, the name of the family was changed to Meyers. Mrs. Clemens' grandfather, Henry Meyers, served in the Revolutionary War ; after its close he loca- ted in Philadelphia, where he engaged in mercantile business, and where Mrs. Clemens' father was bom. George Meyers was also engaged in the mercantile business all his life. Both he and his wife died, when their daughter, Mrs. Clemens, was in childhood. Mrs. Clemens is the youngest of four chil- dren, all of whom grew to maturity. She received her educational training in the Moravian Seminary at Bethlehem, Pa. John Ci,Bmens was born on the home- stead, January i, 1842. At twenty years of age, after the battle of Antietam had been fought, being inspired with a patriotic feel- ing, he enlisted in Captain Hart's Emer- gency Company, nth Regiment; in the following year, when General I^ee invaded a part of Pennsylvania, he again entered Cap- tain Hart's Emergency Company, 31st Regi- ment. Mr. Clemens is a well read and intel- ligent citizen, and is interested in all en- terprises that tend to promote the general welfare of the town ; he is popular and highly esteemed by all who know him. Mr. Clemens was joined in marriage May 18, 1873, with Hannah Johnson, a daughter of David and Margaret Johnson, and they have had several children born to them, all of whom are deceased except Emma. Mrs. Clemens is a devoted member of the Baptist Church. Our subject is a member of the Pres- byterian Church. Politically, he is a decided Republican, and, although taking an unusual amount of interest in local politics, he has never sought public office. Fraternally, Mr. Clemens belongs to the General Robert 1,. Bodine Post, No. 306, G. A. R. of Doyles- town, of which he is adjutant. Lewis H. Clemens, justice of the peace and senior member of the firm of Clemens & Palmer, florists of Doylestown, was born on the old Clemens homestead, November 22, 1 844 ; he was mentally equipped for the battles of life in the public schools and in the Doyles- town Academy. He possesses considerable natural ability as an artist, and has executed some fine drawings and has done some very fine sign painting; he has had flattering offers to become a sketch artist on metropol- itan newspapers, and, had he accepted, he would have no doubt stood in the front ranks of artistic illustrators. He takes consider- 322 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES able interest in collecting relics, having many articles of historic interest: among them are moccasins and arrows used by var- ious Indian tribes ; a flint-lock musket used in the Revolutionary War ; revolvers used in committing murders and suicides; and many other articles of interest. He was engaged in the cultivation of the soil with his brother John until 1883, and was an energetic and prosperous farmer. Mr. Clemens in 1890 formed a partnership with Reading Palmer, under the firm name of Clemens & Palmer, and embarked in the florist business ; their plant is located just outside the corporate limits of the borough of Doylestown, and covers an acre of land, all of which is cov- ered with glass. They have a very large local trade, but ship most of their stock to Philadelphia. Mr. Palmer is manager of the firm and is in all respects a first-class busi- ness man, commanding the respect and good- will of a host of friends. Mr. Clemens has always taken a lively interest in township and county political affairs, and is an ardent supporter of the Republican party; in 1882, he was elected justice of the peace of Doylestown township, and was re-elected in 1 896, in which capacity he is now officiating; he has been deputy coroner of Bucks County ; and has served as clerk of the directors of the Bucks County Almshouse. On May 29, 1879, Mr. Clemens was united in the bonds of matrimony with Ida M. Palmer, a daughter of John and Margaret Palmer of Buckingham town- ship, and three children have blessed their home, namely: George R. ; lyizzie; and Alma. OHN JACKSON BARNEY, a much respected citizen of the village of Cornwells, Bensalem township, Bucks County, Pa., has been engaged in the shoe business all his life and is now keeping a shoe store in the above village. He is a sou of Captain William Burlingham, and was born in North Carolina, December 28, 1828. Captain William Burlingham was of Scotch- Irish origin; and was a prosperous planter ; he was a captain of a company under General Jackson during the War of 18 12. General Jackson made his home at our subject's fa- ther's plantation, and he took a great deal of interest in our subject, and used to rock him upon his knee. Upon the death of our sub- ject's father, in 1833, the, General sent John Jackson and his brother James, North in 1834. James Barney, his brother, was a sailor ; while rounding Cape Horn, the vessel was wrecked, and all the crew, who managed to get ashore, were killed by the Indians, with the exception of him and two others. The three made their way back to Rio de Janeiro, South America; in 1856, James Barney wrote a letter to our subject stating that he was about to leave on a vessel for Honolulu, but since then has never been heard from. John Jackson Barney resided with one family in Bristol township for ten -years and then went to Philadelphia to learn the trade of a shoemaker, residing in that city five years ; after his marriage, he moved west to Ohio and settled in Xenia, where he engaged in the wholesale and retail shoe business. His health failing, he returned to Bucks County, where he remained a short time, BUCKS COUNTY 323 when he moved to Byberry, Philadelphia County ; there he continued the shoe business for a period of thirty-three years. In 1886, Mr. Barney became a resident of Cornwells, where he has since kept a shoe store on the Bristol turnpike. Our subject is well known throughout his community as a kind neigh- bor and friend, and a valued citizen. February 10, 1850, Mr. Barney was united in marriage with Caroline Makle, and they have become the parents of a family of seven chil- dren, namely : Maria, who married Rev. R. B. Johns, lives in North Carolina, and has three children : I^aura F. is a teacher residing at Washington, D. C. ; Ida died, aged eighteen years ; Emma J. is a teacher, and a resident of Hagerstown, Md. ; John J., Jr., is a resi- dent of Philadelphia, where he is clerking in the water department of that city ; Mamie E. is a teacher at Washington, D. C. ; and Fanny, who is also a teacher at Washington, D. C. In politics, our subject is a Republi- can, although he is strongly in favor of the Prohibition platform, being very much op- posed to the use of liquor. For many years he was a member of the Masonic Order. At the age of twenty-one years, he inherited a portion of his father's estate, and now has the will that was made out by his father. Our subject had two half-brothers ; the oldest was George W. Bolivar, who was forage inspector during the war, and later was clerk of the court at Memphis, Tenn. He died there with yellow fever. Nicholas G. Bolivar was a tobacco trader, and while on a business-trip to Cuba died in Havana from yellow fever. Mr. Barney is a devoted member of the Methodist Church. He is a self-made man in every respect, and has had a very success- ful business career ; while in Ohio he did a wholesale shoe business, shipping by the car load. Mr. Barney is justly proud of his chil- dren, all of whom, through the liberal edu- cational advantages granted them by him, have attained high and honorable positions. Now on the decline of life, Mr. Barney is well able to enjoy the comforts of a profitable and well-spent life. L. WORTHINGTON has been en- gaged in the mercantile business all his life, and is the owner and proprietor of a large store situated on the corner of Clin- ton and Ashland streets, Doylestown, Pa. He is also engaged in the real estate business, and has built and sold many houses in the vicinity of Doylestown. He is truly one of the leading and influential business men of Doylestown, is prominently identified with many of its leading enterprises, and is a firm supporter of all measures that tend to pro- mote the public welfare and the prosperity of the community. He is a son of John and Amy Worthington, and was born in Buck- ingham township, Bucks County, Pa., April 29, 1839. The grandfather of our subject was Joel Worthington, a native and life-long resident of Buckingham township, who came of Eng- lish stock ; he owned a farm of 60 acres, and farming was his chief occupation. He was a strong Democrat, and took an active part in local politics. Religiously, he was a mem- ber of the Society of Friends. He was the 324 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES father of a family of four children, namely : Abner, who died in 1897, aged eighty-seven years ; Deborah, the widow of John R. Hoopes of New Brighton, Pa. ; John, the father of our subject; and Sarah Ann, the widow of William States of Philadelphia. John Worthington was born in Bucking- ham township, as were all his children, the date of his birth being in September, 18 14. He resides in his native township on a farm containing 65 acres ; he also owns four other farms and a mill in that township. For forty years he conducted a mercantile store at Bridge Valley, this county, and retired from that business in 1893. During his active days he was a very prominent man of his community, and a leader in all public enter- prises ; he is an intelligent citizen, and enjoys the respect of a multitude of acquaintances. He was a'director for twenty-five years in the National Bank of Doylestown. He is a de- cided Republican, and, although taking an active interest in the political affairs of his community, has never consented to hold pub- lic offices. His wife. Amy, was also born in Buckingham township, in 18 18, and is now past her eightieth year ; they were married in 1837, and are the parents of four sons and one daughter, as follows : F. L,., our subject ; Lewis, a farmer of Warwick township ; Rienzi, a merchant and a director of the National Bank of Doylestown; Edwin, a farmer of Warwick township ; and Laura, the wife of William P. Ely, a member of the firm of J. Worthington & Son, general merchants of Lower Buckingham. F. L. Wortlriiigton was reared in his native township, residing there until 1869, and re- ceived his intellectual training in the schools of that vicinity. He was engaged in his father's store until the above year, when he moved to Warrington township, and there started a mercantile store, conducting the same for some fifteen years; in 1884 our sub- ject located in Doylestown, opening a store on the southwest corner of Clinton and Ash- land streets; in 1894 he erected a handsome 3-story block, 65 by 29 feet, on the opposite corner of the street. He carries a fine line of gents' furnishings and clothing, and also handles bicycles. Mr. Worthington is en- gaged in contracting and building, and de- rives good profits in the real estate business ; he has erected many houses, which he sells or rents ; in late years he has erected seven houses on Decatur street, and fifteen houses on Clinton street, all of which he rents. Our subject has contributed his share toward the building up of his adopted borough, and is regarded by all as one of its most progressive citizens. Mr. Worthington is a director and large stockholder in the National Bank of Doyles- town ; a director of the Gas Company of Doylestown, which was purchased by the present company in 1895 ; a director of the Doylestown Electric Light Company ; direc- tor of the Bucks County Electric Railway ; and a director of the National Farm of Bucks County, a charitable institution located near the borough. In politics, he is an unwaver- ing Republican, whilst in religious views he is a member of the Baptist Church, of which he is a liberal supporter. Mr. Worthington formed a matrimonial alliance with Mary M. Allen, a daughter of William and Sarah Ann ALLEN LIVEZEY. BUCKS COUNTY 327 Allen, both now deceased, and they were wedded February i, 1866. This union re- sulted in the birth of two children, namely : Harry J., now engaged in business with his father, wedded Addie Frankenfield, who died just recently; and I^aura, deceased. Harry J. Worthington is the father of twins, — Helen and Grace. (sTrLLBN I fjX life pre J^^^^ acti^ 'LLEN LIVEZEY, a record of whose presents a career of remarkable activity and industry, was a well- known contractor and builder of his day, but since 1867 he has been enjoying, in retire- ment at Yardley, the fruits of his early toil. He is a son of Robert and , Sarah (Paxson) lyivezey, and was born January 11, 18 14, in Solebury township, Bucks County, Pa. This old and highly respected family of Bucks County traces its ancestry in a direct line to Thomas Livezey, a friend of William Penn, and one of the first purchasers of land chartered to the latter by King Charles II. William Penn received, on March 5, 1681, the grant of land which included the entire province of Pennsylvania, which he wished to establish as an asylum of rest for the op- pressed Friends of England, who were fre- quently cast in prison or exiled because of their religious belief. Thomas Livezey was also a devout Friend, and, having unfal- tering faith in the glowing accounts of the New World by the champion of their cause, he was among the first purchasers, acquiring the title to 250 acres of land, the conveyance being effected by deed of lease and release. the former bearing the date of March 2, 168 1, and the latter, March 3, of the same year. In these instruments Penn is described as being ' ' of Worminghurst, in the Co. of Sus- sex," and lyivezey "of Norton, in the Co. of Chester, husbandman." The latter accom- panied the body of emigrants, who, respond- ing to the invitation of William Penn, went to the new country with the latter's agent, William Markham, who was also deputy- governor of the province. This expedition landed in America in May, 1681, and the first authentic record of Thomas is found in the minutes of the first court held' in Phila- delphia, where, it is noted he was a member of the grand jury, January 1 1 , 1682. As was the custom, he also received with the pur- chase of . land a lot of ground within the limits of the city, which Penn contemplated founding, and this lot is numbered "150" , on the "portraiture of the city of Philadel- phia, in the province of Pennsylvania, in America, by Thohias Holme, Surveyor-Gen- eral, I^ondon, 1683." It was located at what is now near the corner of Fourth and Chest- nut streets, and there he built a house, for the record of the sale to Thomas Green, October 20, 1683, describes the property as a house and lot. By his will it is seen that he later purchased an additional tract of 290 acres, which he sold to his son Jonathan, to whom he also willed the original tract upon his death in 1691 or 1692, the will bearing the date June 12, 1691. As the records of Phila- delphia do not mention the name of his wife, it is not unlikely that she died before he came to America. Jonathan Livezey, it is thought, was born 328 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES in Chester County, England, and immigrated to this country with his father in 1681, dying in Philadelphia September 23, 1698. By his wife Rachel he had six children, a record of whom follows : Mary, born March 9, 1687, or 1688 ; Thomas, born January 17, 1689, or 1690, and died June 5, 1759, married Elizabeth Heath, a daughter of Robert Heath; Jonathan ; Martha, born March 3, 1694, or 1695, married Robert Thomas, March 25, 1721 or 1722; Rachel, born May 15, 1696, married Evan Thomas, January 30, 17 17; David, born March 20, 1697 or 1698, married Rebecca Hinkson October 25, 1721, and was called to his final rest in July, 1750. Jonathan lyivezey was born in Philadel- phia, Pa., June 15, 1692, and resided there at the time of his death, June 24, 1764. He was joined in wedlock March 24, 17 17, or 17 1 8, with Esther Eastburn, a daughter of Robert Eastburn. She reached an advanced age before submitting to the inevitable, July 18, 1788, aged ninety-four years and eleven days. Their union resulted in the following issue : Jonathan, who was born March 8, 1719, or 1720, died November 11, 1789; Joseph, born October 23, 1722, and died in January, 1800, married, March 20, 1753, Ann Roberts, a daughter of John Roberts ; Sarah, born January 12, 1724, died March 23, 1790; Benjamin, born August 31, 1728, and died November 28, 1793, married on the isth of May, 1753, Phcebe Roberts, a daughter of John Roberts; Mary, born April 21, 1730, died at the age of one year and seven months ; and Nathan, born July 11, 1739, and died in 1823, — his companion in life was Hannah Williams, and they were married in 1763. Jonathan lyivezey, the great-grandfather of our subject, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., March 8, 17 19, or 1720, and formed a marital union, January 22, 1747, with Catherine Thomas, who was born March 18, 1 721, or 1722, and was a daughter of Daniel and Catherine (Morris) Thomas. This union re- sulted in the birth of nine children : Esther, born June 14, 1749, who became the wife of Jacob Holcombe, a son of Thomas and Cath- erine Holcombe; Jonathan, born January 21, 1750, or 17s I ; Daniel ; Susanna, born August 3, 1754 ; Sarah, who died in infancy, was born September 7, 1756 ; Martha, born De- cember 29, 1757, died in infancy; Thomas, born July i, 1762 ; Joshua, born March 24, 1764, died in infancy; and Isaac, born Feb- ruary 20, 1767, who also died in infancy. After the death of his first wife Mr. Livezey formed a second union, which was blessed by the birth of three children, namely : Rachel, born June 4, 1776; David, February i6, 1778 ; and Elizabeth, July 6, 1781. Thomas lyivezey, a cousin of Jonathan L,ive- zey, the third, was a man who moved in the highest intellectual circles and attained dis- tinction in public affairs, being a conspicuous member of the Pennsylvania Assembly in the years 1 765-66-67-68-69-70-7 1 . He was also a member of that noted organization, the American Philosophical Society, of which Benjamin Franklin was the founder, and was an intimate acquaintance of the latter. He resided in a handsome residence at Roxboro, Philadelphia County, bordering on the beau- tiful Wissahickon, where he owned mills which he operated in connection with culti- vating a farm. He also had a large vineyard, BUCKS COUNTY 329 as it was customary in those days to make one's own wine. In speaking of the excel- lency of the wine made by Thomas lyivezey, in a communication to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, of which he was vice-president, Hon. Horatio Gates Jones wrote : " No doubt it was good, for in 1768 Robert Wharton sent a dozen bottles to Dr. Franklin, who, in a letter dated 20th of February, 1768, wrote to Wharton as follows : ' Dear Friend, I received your favor of November 17th and i8th, with another dozen of excellent wine, the manu- facture of our friend I/ivezey. I thank you for the care you have taken in forwarding them, and for your good wishes that accompanied them.' Mr. I^ivezey was a member of the So- ciety of Friends, and when the British were in Philadelphia, and our troops used to go about seeking provender, he sunk a number of barrels of wine in his dam in the Wissa- hickon, where it remained until the close of the war. Some of that wine was bottled and preserved by the late Mr. John Livezey, a grandson of the said Thomas Ivivezey, until a short time before he died, in 1878. He gave me a small bottle of this Revolutionary wine, which I shall deposit in our Society." Many prominent men were numbered among his friends, one of whom was Joseph Galloway, a noted lawyer, with whom he served in the Assembly. Their intimate social relations, together with the wit for which Mr. I^ivezey was well known, is shown in the letter which follows : " To Joseph Galloway, Dear Friend : — As thou hast often concluded from the low- ness of my situation that I must be connected with the Lower Regions or some Infernal place of abode, I have sent thee the following true description of the place of my residence in order to convince thee of that error : Near Wissahickon's mossy banks, where purling foun- tains glide, Beneath the Spruces' shady boughs and Laurels' bloom- ing pride, Where little fishes sport and play, diverting to the sight, Whilst all the warbling winged race afforded my ear delight. Here are evergreens by nature set, on which those warblers sing, And flowery aromatic groves from an eternal Spring ; Refreshing breezes round me move, which with the bowers play. And balmy odors on their wings through all my vale convey. Those charming scenes — did'st thou dwell here — would all thy care beguile, And in the room of anxious fear, would cause a harmless smile. Here's innocence and harmony, which give me thoughts sublime. Little inferior to the place call'd Bden in the prime. Thus situated, here I dwell, where these sweet zephyrs move, And little rivulets from rocks add beauty to my grove. I drink the wine my hills produce ; on wholesome food I dine ; My little offspring round me, like clusters on the vine. I hand in hand with second self oft' walk amidst the bowers. Whilst all our little prattling ones are gathering open- ing flowers. In this low station here I'm fixed, nor envy court nor King, Nor crave the honors statesmen crave, nor cares which riches bring. Honor's a dangerous, tempting thing, which oft' leads men astray. Riches, like insects, spread their wings and quickly flee away. My meditations here are free from interrupting strife, Whilst different ways, aspiring men pursue indifferent life; I see what are the clergy's use, who will be paid to pray, And how poor clients are abused by lawyers' long delay. I see what cunning artifice the busy men employ. Whilst I this lonely seat of bliss unenvied here enjoy. This is the place of my abode, where humbly here I dwell, Which, in romantic mood, thou hast compared to Hell. But Paradise where Adam dwelt in blissful love and ease, 330 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES A lawyer would compare to Hell, if thence he got no fees. Canst thou prefer thy heaven on earth — thy fee the root of evil, To this my lowly harmless place — my Hell without a devil ? " Permit me from my low situation to thine of eminence, to do myself the justice to say, I am, with much respect. Thy sincere friend, Thomas I^ivezey. I shall conclude with the words made use of to Zaccheus of old, 'come down — come down quickly,' for I want thee to dine at my house." Daniel lyivezey, a son of Jonathan and Catherine (Thomas) lyivezey, was born in lyower Dublin township, Philadelphia Coun- ty, Pa., December 14, 1752, and died in Bucks County, Pa., in 1796. In 1778, he formed a matrimonial alliance with Margery Croasdale, a daughter of Robert and Margery Croasdale, and they reared the following children : Robert ; Jonathan, born January 22, 1782, was a resident of Ohio, where he died; Sarah, who was born March 4, 1784, died at Centre Hill, this county; Isaac, born April 20, 1786, died February 27, 1864, at lyanghorne; Deborah, born April 20, 1788, died at Centre Hill; Ezra, born March 20, 1792, died in New York City; and Samuel, born April 23, 1794, and died July 19, 1813. Mrs. I/ivezey was born July 3, 1758, and lived to reach an advanced age. Robert lyivezey, the father of our subject, was born February 22, 1780, and died on the 14th of March, 1864, in Solebury township, Bucks County. His wife, Sarah Paxson, to whom he was married November 14, 1804, was a daughter of Abraham and Elizabeth (Brown) Paxson, and was born July i, 1779. The following issue resulted from their union: Cyrus, born August 14, 1805, died December 12, 1885 ; Eliz;abeth, bom Feb- ruary 26, 1807, died June i, 1896; Ann, born April 5, 1809, died April i, 1892; Albert, born September 12, 181 1, is living at this date (1898); Allen, the subject of this bio- graphical sketch ; Samuel, born September 18, 1816, died November 25, 1863; Elias, born June 3, 1819, resides in Baltimore, Md.; and Abraham, born September 15, 1821, and died August 31, 1896. Allen lyivezey was reared in his native township, where he lived until after his mar- riage in 1839, when he moved to lyumber- ville, Bucks County, where he followed his calling, that of a contractor and builder. He met with much success and remained there until 1850, when he purchased an estate on the corner of State and Sugan roads, in Sole- bury township, erected buildings, and there lived for four years. He tlien disposed of his property and moved to Philadelphia, where he accepted a position as foreman with a well-known contractor and builder. In 1862, he returned to Bucks County, locat- ing at Taylorsville, where he followed his trade for three years, after which he moved to Yardley. He at first rented the property upon which he now resides, but in 1867 he purchased it and has resided there up to the present time. Since that year he has been living in retirement. He was always honest and straightforward, energetic and indus- trious, and he richly deserves the success that came to him. He is a man of high character, and possesses the friendship and esteem of all with whom he is acquainted. BUCKS COUNTY 33T He was united in marriage November 28, 1839, with Mary Ann Gordon, a daughter of John and Sarah Gordon, and the following children were born to them : Theodore, born August 20, 1840, resides at Newport News, Va.; Henry Clay, born August 23, 1843, died in Yardley, January 8, 1895 ; B. Frank- lin, born December 12, 1847, "whose personal history is elsewhere recorded in this book ; and John Gordon, born February 4, 1853, who is living in Newport News, Va. Mr. I/ivezey's beloved wife was called to her home beyond the river of Death, July i r, 1876. Mr. lyivezey's portrait, which appears on a preceding page, is a decided and valua- ble addition to our collection of portraits of representative men of Bucks County. I YRON M. FELI/, D.D.S., a success- ful practitioner of dentistry of Doylestown and a prominent citi- zen of that community, is a son of James B. and Josephine B. (Conrad) Fell, and was born December 21, 1872. The Fell family is one of the most numerous and representative families of Bucks County; it is of English-Quaker origin, and the family was founded in this country by Joseph Fell, about the time of William Penn. Joseph was a native of lyonglands, parish of Rock- dale, County of Cumberland, England ; in 1705 he and his family left White Haven, England, on the ship "Cumberland," Cap- tain Matthew Gale, for America, and after an uneventful voyage of twenty-nine days reached the capes of Virginia. This not being their destination, they took the coast- ing vessel "Bristol," and sailed to Make- field, at which place they did not remain long, for in 1706 they moved to Bucking- ham, Pa., in the development of which sec- tion their descendants have been prominent factors. Joseph was born October 19, 1668, and, when he attained the age of thirty years, was married to Bridget Wilson, and two sons were born to them in England, Joseph and Benjamin ; and two daughters were born in this country, Tamar and Mary. The mother survived the birth of the last- named only eleven days. Joseph was mar- ried three years later to Elizabeth' Doyle, of Welsh descent, and this union was blessed by seven children, namely : John ; Isaac ; Titus ; Thomas ; George ; Sarah ; and Ra- chel. Joseph Fell, the second of the name, was united in marriage with Mary Kinsey, a daughter of Edmund Kinsey of Bucking- ham, and two sons and three daughters resulted from this union, namely : Joseph ; David ; Sarah ; Rachel ; and Martha. Joseph Fell, the third of the name, was wedded to Rachel Wilson, who bore the following chil- dren : Joseph ; John ; Martha ; Rachel ; Mary ; David ; and Jonathan. David Fell wedded Phoebe Scofield, and five children blessed this union, namely: Joseph; Bushrod; Edith; Sarah A.; and Elizabeth. David Fell was one of the pioneer physicians of this section of the state, and was a graduate of the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania. He had a large practice in Buckingham and the surround- ing townships ; he died at the advanced age of eighty-two years. Eli Fell, the grandfather of our subject, 332 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIKS was a native and life-long resident of Buck- ingham township, and was one of the suc- cessful pioneer farmers of the township. He was a member of the Friends' Meeting. He was the father of the following children : Eli ; James B. ; Elias ; Morris ; Mrs. Rachel Pierson ; Mrs. Hulda Kirk ; Ruth ; Mrs. Patsy Burgess ; Mrs. Charles Shaw ; Mrs. Shepard ; and Mrs. Geil. James B. Fell was born on the old homestead in Buckingham township in 1828, and resided there all his life, engaged in the pursuits of an agricul- turist, dying in 188 1. He was a meniber and regular attendant of the Friends' Meeting. He was married to Josephine B. Conrad, a daughter of Jacob G. Conrad, who was en- gaged in the flour and feed business in Phila- delphia. Having acquired a competency by the time he was fifty years of age, he moved to Buckingham township and settled in Spring Valley, where he spent the remainder of his life in retirement, dying in 1890, aged seventy-six years. Mr. and Mrs. Fell were the parents of three sons and four daughters, who were named as follows : Ella, deceased ; Clara, the wife of Elmer W. Kirk, a livery- man of Doylestown ; J. Conrad, proprietor of a meat market at New Hope, this county ; Eli, an employ^ of the N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R., is a resident of New York ; Marian graduated from the hospital of the Univer- sity of Pennsylvania, and is a trained nurse of Philadelphia; a daughter who died in infancy ; and Dr. Byron M. Dr-. Fell, our subject, supplemented his primary education which he received in the public schools of his native township, by a course at the Trenton Business College. April I, 1892, he entered the employ of the P. & R. R. R. at Philadelphia, and remained in the employ of that company until Septem- ber I, 1893, when he entered the Philadel- phia Dental College, from which institution he was graduated March 5, 1896. Imme- diately thereafter, he entered upon the duties of his profession in Doylestown, Pa., where he has since practiced and is meeting with fair success. The Doctor has made many friends since becoming a resident of the borough, and bids fair to become one of the prominent men of the town. Dr. Byron M. Fell is a member of the Doylestown I/odge, No. 94, I. O. O. F.; St. Tammany Castle, No. 173, Knights of the Golden Eagle. Our subject was joined in the bonds of matrimony with Katharine E. Kenney of Philadelphia, and they were happily wedded February 17, 1897. 19 ^HINEAS BRIGGS, an old and prom- inent agriculturist of Upper Make- field township, Bucks County, has been engaged in farming all his life, and is the owner and proprietor of the Henry Iceland farm, which consists of 103 acres of well-im- proved land. This prominent and greatly respected citizen was born in the above town- ship December 25, 1836, and is a son of James and Tacy (Croasdale) Briggs, and grandson of Phineas Briggs. Phineas Briggs, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was born in Middletown township, Bucks County, and spent his entire life there engaged in the cultivation of the soil, being the owner BUCKS COUNTY 333 of a fine farm. James Briggs, the father of our subject, was born in Middletown town- ship, this county. He was intellectually trained in the common schools and spent his early days working on the home farm, and serving an apprenticeship to the coachmak- ing trade. He did not follow his trade long, as he moved to Solebury township, this county, and began farming ; later he returned to Upper Makefield township and retired from the active duties of life, spending his latter days in the village of Dolington, where he died September i8, 1897. He married Tacy Croasdale, by whom he reared a family of four children, namely : Caroline, deceased, was the wife of Isaac H. Hillborn ; Phineas, the subject of this brief memoir; Robert Croasdale, deceased, was united in marriage with Mary Warner, and she now resides in Newtown, Pa. ; and Jonathan Taylor, de- ceased, who was joined in marriage with Hannah McDowal, who is a resident of Lower Makefield township. The mother of our sub- ject is still living, surrounded by many warm friends, and is residing at the home of her only child, Phineas. Phineas Briggs acquired a liberal education in the schools of his native township and was educated to farming, which vocation he has successfully pursued up to the present time. He began life on his own account at Penn's Manor, this county, where he followed farm- ing two years; he then, in 1867, located on his present farm, and has made many im- provements upon his first purchase, until it now ranks among the best farms in Upper Makefield township. Mr. Briggs is an up- right and enterprising farmer, and possesses the esteem and confidence of his many ac- quaintances. Mr. Briggs chose for his life companion Hannah T. Warner, of Falls township, Bucks County, and they were united in marriage March 2, 1865. She was born March 31, 1842, and her parents are Abraham and Sarah Ann (Taylor) Warner, the former a native of Falls township, and the latter a native of I^oudoun County, Virginia. Mr. Warner was a farmer by trade and upon his death, Mrs. Warner became the wife of John Wildman, of Lang- liorne, Pa. Politically, our subject is a stanch Republican ; he and his wife are prominent members of the Friends' Meeting at Makefield. TTSIvARENCE C. WII.DMAN, one of I Vf the good substantial business men V»^_^' and reliable citizens of Middle- town township, Bucks County, Pa., is the owner and proprietor of the large carriage and wagon manufacturing plant which was established at Oxford Valley, Middletown township, in 1865, by his father. He was born in Newtown, Bucks County, in May, 1859, and is a son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Bunting) Wildman. His grandfather, also named Joseph Wild- man, was engaged for many years in agricul- tural pursuits in Middletown township. He and his wife Sarah were the parents of three children, two sons and one daughter, namely : Katharine; Joseph; and Oscar. Joseph Wildman, the father of our subject, was born in Middletown township in 1831, and when a young man learned the carriage 334 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES and wagon-maker's trade at Oxford Valley. After thoroughly mastering his trade, he en- gaged in business for himself, locating near Jenny's Mills, on the plank road between Newtown and Yardley, when he was twenty- two years of age. There he built a shop and plied his trade with much success until 1865, when he returned to Oxford Valley and pur- chased the small shop, which stood upon the same ground where he learned his trade. There he erected a larger shop, and, as busi- ness rapidly increased, subsequently enlarged his plant, and rebuilt it from time to time, and was conducting an extensive establish- ment when his death occurred. It was oper- ated by steam power, and was fitted out with saws, planes, and lathes, and all modern machinery which would facilitate the manu- facture of carriages and wagons. He turned out goods of the finest quality, and established a good reputation throughout the section. He also conducted a blacksmith shop just across the street, where not only the general patronage was cared for, but the smithing necessary in the manufacture of wagons. He was an enterprising business man, and his great success was due to his own individual eflForts. In politics, he was an active Repub- lican, and, although he always refused to run for office, he willingly acted as judge of elec- tion, or as school director, when called upon to do so, believing that it was ever a man's duty to take an interest in good government and good schools. Socially, he was a mem- ber of Neshaminy lyodge, No. 422, 1. O. O. F., of Hulmeville ; and the Knights of Pythias. He was joined in matrimonial bonds with Elizabeth Bunting, of Oxford Valley, a daughter of James and Betsey (Green) Bunt- ing, and they became the parents of seven children : Anna May, who died at the age of three years ; Alfred and Clarence C, twins ; John ; Mary ; Frank ; and Oscar. Mr. Wild- man was called into the unknown world on January i, 1893, and was buried in the Friends' Burying Ground ; his wife still sur- vives him, and resides in Yardley with her youngest son, Oscar, although she spends much time at the homes of her other children. Clarence C, Wildman, the subject of this sketch, attended the common schools Jov a time, after which he began working in the shop of his father, although very young in years. He learned the trade, and upon ar- riving at manhood was possessed of much skill in that line of work. He continued to work with his father, and, in 1881, he and his twin brother, Alfred, were taken into the business as partners. The latter withdrew in 1884, but our subject continued in the firm, and by an arrangement one year previous to his father's death, he succeeded to the owner- ship of the plant when his father died. Soon after he became sole proprietor, the works were burned to the ground; this was natur- ally a great loss, but was doubly so to him as he was just starting out in his own behalf Undaunted by this reverse, he immediately erected the present large building, which is a great improvement over the former one, both in regard to size and convenience. He has since been actively engaged in the manu- facture of carriages and wagons, and has es- tablished a good name for them throughout the county. He constantly employs seven or eight men, and uses none but the best DR. WILLIAM E. DOUGHTY. BUCKS COUNTY 337 machinery for carrying on the work. He is a man of excellent business ability, energetic, and enterprising, and by the honest methods, which he makes use of in his business deal- ings, has won the esteem and respect of the community. Mr. Wildman was united in marriage with Charlotte Dixon, of Bensalem township, a daughter of William and Jane Dixon, and they have one daughter, Jennie. ' Religiously, our subject's wife is a member of the Presby- terian Church. He is a Republican in poli- tics. Socially, he and his two brothers, John and Oscar, are members of Neshaminy L,6dge, No. 422, I. O. O. F., of Hulmeville, of which he is a past grand master. For thirteen years, our subject lived in the village in the old home, where his mother was born, and which his father purchased from' James Bunt- ing. At the present time, he is living upon the old home place, where his father resided at the time of his demise. B R. WILLIAM E. DOUGHTY, a scion of a proniineiit old Bucks County family, whose recent por- trait appears on the opposite page,- is a learned doctor of medicine who has been engaged in the practice of his profession at Hartsville, Bucks County, Pa., for almost twenty-seven years. He is a son of the late Samuel Willett Doughty and Mary Ann Preston Gillingham. He was born in the village of Carversville, Bucks County, Pa., on June 26, 1836. On his father's side he is descended from the Earl of Cassilis, a Scottish nobleman. The Cas- silis coat of arms is the white hand and dagger, with a half moon and three stars in the background. Samuel Willett Doughty, the father of our subject, was. born in this county, where he resided throughout life, engaged in the pur- suit of anagriculturist. On March 17, 1839, he bought and . located Upon " Fox Run Farm," in :Plumstead township, and there followed fanning in a successful manner until his death, July 10, 1897, at the advanced age of eightyrnihe years,' seven months and ten days, having been born November 30, 1807. He was riot a man given to public life, and never held nbr;aspired,to ofSce. He was joined in marriage with.Mary Ann Preston Gilling- ham in 1835. Samuel Willett Doughty was a. man of great steadiness of purpose, coupled with a special exemption from vices. Labor and economy were traits of character which i were followed unfalteringly. . Roll out and ; not roll over, when awake in the morning, ; was a maxim Iwhich was followed by himself ! and exacted from ^11 about him with a pur- ] pose as fixed as the laws of the Medes and i Persians. - He was warmly, attached to friends, ; but obstinately opposed.to Ms .enemies. His wife was a consistent member , of the Hicksite ; Friends' Meeting at Buckingham. She was \ a daughter of John Gillinghain, a very prom- inent man of his generation. Her brother, John, was the grandfather of Hon. Samuel H. Ashbridge, the present Mayor of Philadel- phia [i 899]. ' ' Her children arise up and call her blessed." They never saw her in a pas- sion to scold nor ever heard her say an ob- scene or a profane word. The lamp of her correct and beautiful life went out on the 338 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES morning of October 12,1 874, after a linger- ing and painful illness of four years, from intestinal carcinoma. From this marriage came two children, William E., a record of whose life is here presented to the readers, and Miss Caroline Gillingham, who was born April 15, 1 84 1. She now resides on and owns the old homestead in Plumstead township, where she was born. William Evans Doughty, a son of the Doctor, manages the farm for his aunt. Dr. William E. Doughty received his pri- mary education in the common schools of his neighborhood. His primary or kindergarten effort at Point Pleasant, three miles distant, was under the kindly care of David R. War- ford ; later at Carversville or Kirk's Corner, with Miss Sarah Ann Walker, Charles Carver and Edgar E. Mitchell as tutors. Again a change was made, a new school house being built, about a mile distant from his home, which was named appropriately, " Cold Cor- ner." The winds of winter found no barrier to their velocity or fierceness, after leaving the Haycock Mountain, nearly twenty miles to the northwest. Here he had as instructors Wil- son Doan, Samuel Bradshaw, Esq., and D. Wesley Bartine, since a noted teacher in a Philadelphia school. Owing to the excellent endowments and capabilities, as a teacher of Dr. George Passmore Betts, a winter was well and profitably spent at Cottageville, in Sole- bury township. Eight months of the year were spent in arduous labor. "The days went by and took their time, Those days of golden charm ; And Satan found no mischief For him, down there on the farm : And some days it was piping hot, And some days it would rain, But always was there work to do, Of jobs an endless chain." When the days became so short that the middle of the afternoon came at half-past two, he began to go to school, and when the vernal equinox and the blue-birds came up from the Sotith, arm in arm, the books closed, the wheels in the machinery of labor sang a song that was a requiem to the farm lad's winter schoolday pleasures. By assiduous industry and rigid economy he was enabled to enter the First State Normal School, at Millersville, Pa., in 1857; the School at that time being under the charge of Hon. J. P. Wickersham, who became State Superinten- dent of Public Instruction and afterwards Commissioner of Education to Sweden. The Doctor- spent a part of two years at this school, ending in the spring of 1859. Soon after leaving Millersville, he had a public examination by William H. Johnson, who was the County Superintendent of Common Schools of Bucks County. This examina- tion of the class took place in an upper room at the Gardenville tavern. The Plumstead Board of School Directors appointed him to the Western Brick School, where he made his maiden effort at school teaching about the middle of April, 1859. He taught at this place for five months, receiving eighteen dollars a month. He afterwards taught school at Groveland, Point Pleasant and Cold Corner, all in Plumstead, a school in Milford township near Zion's Hill Church, for two years, at Collegeville in Solebury township, and finally at L,umberville, from which posi- BUCKS COUNTY 339 tion he resigned, and was succeeded by his sister. During this time, although his time was nearly all taken up with his duties as pedagogue, he assiduously devoted his spare moments in preparation for his chosen pro- fession, that of medicine, under the late Dr. Kemble Wiley, of Carversville. Subse- quently he entered the University of Penn- sylvania, from which he was graduated in the class of i868, March 13. This class is known as the Centennial Class. The doctor was one alumnus of twenty-two who sat down to an alumni dinner at the Bellevue Hotel, June 7, 1898. At that date thirty-three mem- bers of that class of one hundred and fifty- three were known to have gone over the di- vide. Immediately after graduating, he lo- cated at Jamison's Corner, having purchased the practice of the late Dr. Washington Mat- thews. Here he was successfully engaged in practice for a period of three years. He then moved to Hartsville, where he has since con- tinued to practice. He has a large and lucra- tive practice, and is patronized by many of the leading citizens of the community. He is a man who bears acquaintance, and has made friends rapidly, always retaining a friendship once formed. Politically he is quite prominent. He was a school director for a period of fifteen 5'ears, and held all the offices in the gift of the board. He was elected president of the School Directors' Association of Bucks County. This is an office without perquisites or emoluments, but rich in honor. During the presidential ad- ministration of Hon. Benjamin Harrison, the Doctor was appointed Democratic member of the Doylestown and Bristol United States Pension Examining Boards for the Bucks County district. His colleagues from the Republican party were, Drs. J. I. Cawley and l/cvi S. Walton. The board was made en- tirely Democratic at the beginning of Grover Cleveland's second term of office, and con- sisted of Drs. William E. Doughty, George H. Stroup and F. H. Grim. Our subject went on duty April i, 1891, and continued as a member until September i, 1898. In 1896 he was a candidate for State Represen- tative on the Democratic ticket in Bucks County, but as that was the year of the down- fall of the party throughout the county, he met with defeat. Being a man of superior education and ability as a writer, he acts as correspondent to a number of newspapers, besides writing an occasional article for a medical periodical. Socially, he is a member of the following orders : Warrington lyodge, No. 447, 1. 0. 0. F., of Jamison, of which he is a P. G. ; Hatboro Encampment, No. 169, I. O. O. F., which meets in LoUer Hall, Hatboro. He is at the present time S. W. of this encampment. He is a member of Fortuna Lodge, No. 1 1 8, Knights of Pythias, at Hatboro. He is a member in good standing of the Bucks Coun- ty Medical Society. He is also surgeon in L,ieutenant John H. Fisher Post, No. loi, G. A. R., which is located at Hatboro, Mont- gomery County, Pa. In 1862 and 1863 he was called out with the Pennsylvania militia to repel the invasion of the Confederate Army. In 1863 he enlisted in Company C, Capt. A. A. Slack, 45 th Regiment, Union I/cague Brigade. During the campaign he con- tracted typhoid fever, which almost resulted 340 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES fatally. In i860 he engaged with the firm of Geil & Harley to do some topographical sur- veying in Michigan. He left home on May 7, 1 860, and returned through Canada and by the way of Niagara Falls, January 7, 1861. While there he surveyed large parts of the northern portion of the southern peninsula of Michigan. It was a business destitute of large moneyed returns, but left a rich legacy in experience and travel. In 1862 he made a like survey of Howard County, Maryland. On Sunday, January 31, 1869, Dr. Doughty was united in marriage with Miss Amanda I/eidy, a daughter of Zachariah and Catherine Ann (Gabel) lycidy, at the manorial residence in Chalfont, Pa. The marriage ceremony was performed by Rev. N. S. Allen. Their children are : William E., born June 9, 1870, who resides on the old homestead farm in Plumstead [1899]; Gillingham Fell, born July 9, 1872. He graduated from the First State Normal School at Millersville, Pa., in the class of 1892, receiving his degree of Bachelor of Flements. In 1894 the State of Pennsylvania, for good services in the field of teaching, gave him a diploma making him a Master of Elements. January 8, 1896, he received an appointment by the Trustees of Girard College, as a Prefect in that institu- tion, which is a life-long oflice, while desire and good behavior continue. He has the reputation of being an especially good officer. Mary Eleanor was born January 16, of Cen- tennial year, 1876. She graduated from the First State Normal School at Millersville, Pa., in the class of 1896, receiving the de- gree of B. E. She is a teacher in the public schools of Bucks County, Pa. Religiously the Doctor is a Presbyterian, being a communicant of Rev. Wm. K. Pres- ton's Neshaminy Presbyterian Church, of Warwick. His ancestors on his father's side have been Presbyterians since the Wilson women were drowned in the rising tides of the Bladnoch, on the coast of Scotland, for their heresy. These martyred women have left a record in church history, by sacrificing their young lives for their religious convic- tions. Perhaps the Doctor inherits his re- spect for the church and its teachings from his sanguine relationship to these noble mar- tyrs. He certainly inherits his love for in- dustry and steadfastness of purpose from both his paternal and maternal ancestors. He started in life with one sole purpose, and that was to succeed. He never spent a dol- lar that he did not first earn, and he has the most heartfelt respect for the man who eats the bread earned by honest labor, and he whose hands are hard with honest toil. " No man is born into the world whose work Is not born with him. There is always work, And tools to work withal, for those who will ; And blessed are the horny hands of toil." — I,OWEi»^«;^S»i;2a. J, LEVI HEACOCK, BUCKS COUNTY 347 manufacturers of Manila paper. It is a very large plant and employs a force of 150 hands. Mr. Riegel owns a fine stone resi- dence which with its beautiful lawn and trees forms one of the handsomest homes in the county. He was joined in wedlock with Marion Griffin, a daughter of C. N. Griffin of Finesville, N. J., and they are the parents of three children : Helen, Marjorie, and John Lawrence. His wife died in 1873, and on June 19, 1876, Mr. Riegel nlarried Mary. Easton, a daughter of John B. Easton of Sparta, and their happy union was blessed by the birth of one son, George E-, .who is now in attendance at school. LEVI HEACOCK,. a gentleman of scholarly attainments who for many years followed the ' profession of a teacher, is now a member of the Quaker- town borough council and is serving as jus- tice of the peace. He was ■ born in Rockhill township, Bucks County,' October 2, 1843, and is a son of Joel and Abigail ■ (Roberts) Heacock. He is of English descent, his great-great- grandfather, Jonathan Heacock, coming from the north of England, in 171 1, with two brothers, and locating in Delaware County, Pa. Some time previous to 1748, Jonathan Heacock located in Rockhill township, Bucks County ; in that year, he purchased 200 acres of the Penn estate from Thomas and William Penn, upon which tract of land he erected a stone house, which is still stand- ing and in good shape, although it has since been remodeled to some extent. Owing to the excellent facilities for obtaining water power, it was a desirable place to erect a mill, and he accordingly erected the neces- sary buildings and operated both a grist and linseed oil mill for many years. At the pres- ent time a saw mill stands upon the same spot where the oil mill was located. Wil- liam Heacock, the great-grandfather of our subject, succeeded his father in the business and conducted it all his life. He married Ann Roberts of Milford, and they reared a large family of children, the youngest of whom was Jesse, the grandfather of our sub- ject. Jesse Heacock was also engaged in farm- ing and milling on the homestead and was one of the good substantial men of his sec- tion of the. township. He formed a matri- monial alUiance with Tacy Thompson, by whoni he had the following children : John ; Jonah; William;' Joel; Margaret; Enos ; Ann ;' Je'^se ;■ Joseph ; Nathan ; and Aaron. Joel Heacock, our subject's father, was born on the homestead farm," March 26, 1794, and besides operating the mill carried on farming all of his life. He died suddenly March 17, 1853, as the result of an attack of inflamma- tion of the bowels. He married Abigail Roberts, a daughter of Levi Roberts of Mil- ford, Pa., and they became the proud parents of one son, J. Levi, whose name appears at the beginning of these lines. Mrs. Heacock closed her eyes in final sleep March 21, 1882, at an advanced age. Mr. Heacock was a strong Anti-Slavery man, and before the war his house was one of the stations of the "Underground Railroad," which gave free- 348 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES dom to so many of the slaves. He was also a consistent member of the Society of Friends. J. lycvi Heacock lived upon the homestead with his mother until 1858, when the farm was disposed of and they moved to Quaker- town, where he has since resided. He at- tended the Bucks County Normal and Classi- cal School in Quaker town, and after com- pleting his education was engaged as an instructor, first as an assistant in the school where he received his own education and later conducted a private school of his own. Proving himself well qualified to follow that line of work, he was subsequently a teacher in a private school and finally in the Friends' School, which position he held until he re- tired from active life. For sixteen years, he held the office of notary public, and was chief burgess for five years. At present, he is serving in an official capacity as a member of the town council, and in 1 898 was elected justice of the peace. In 1 866, he purchased the David Roberts estate, fitted up the house in modern style, and there has since resided. He is not only a great reader and one of the best posted men of the county, but has one of the largest and most select libraries of any private family in the district. Mr. Heacock is a man of noble impulses and his acquaint- ance is cultivated by the leading citizens of the community. I^ike his forefathers, he is a member of the Society of Friends. In his political belief he has always supported the Republican party. Our subject never mar- ried and lives in quiet retirement. Miss Susan J. Foulke, a cousin, attends to the household duties. As a proniinent and representative resident of Quakertown, and loyal citizen of Bucks County, where he has spent his entire life, we are pleased to be able to present Mr. Heacock's portrait on a preceding page. W:. II^LIAM H. IvANDIS. Of the nu- merous well-to-do farmers residing within the boundaries of Bucks County, who have attained success through the following of their independent calling, and that, too, by their own indomitable energy and perse- verance and not as the recipient of a legacy, Mr. lyandis certainly deserves mention. For the past year our subject has been living in retirement, but still resides on his. farm, which is beautifully situated in Richland township, near Quakertown. Our subject was born in Haycock township, this county, September ^9) 1^35) and is a son of Daniel G. and Mary (Hoffman) I^andis, and grandson of Henry I^andis. Henry L,andis was a life-long farmer, and followed that occupation in Richland town- ship the most of his active days ; he died at the age of eighty-three years and eighteen days, the date of his death occurring on the 17th day of September, 1848 ; he was buried in the churchyard in Springfield township. Religiously, he was a member of the Men- nonite Church. He was married to a Miss Gerhart, who bore him a family of six chil- dren, namely: Tobiah; Daniel G.; Eliza- beth; Fanny; Mary; and Barbara. Daniel G. I^andis, our subject's father, was born in Richland township August 24, 1799, and assisted his father in the labors about the BUCKS COUNTY 349 farm until he attained his majority ; he then settled in Springfield township, where he pursued his former occupation for a period of ten years ; then moving to Quakertown, he spent his remaining days in retirement ; he passed from this life March 20, 1886, and his death was mourned by a large circle of friends. Mr. I/andis was a man of a very strong constitution, never knowing a day's illness until he experienced the sickness which caused his death. He was joined in marriage with Mary Hoffman, who was born November 8, 1807, and died July 9, 1887; she was a daughter of John Hoffman. As a result of this union the following children were born : lycwis H., a resident of New York City ; William H., our subject; Eliza- beth, the wife of A. S. Weis, of Lansdale, Pa. ; Maria, deceased ; Mahlon died, aged twenty-three years ; and Amanda, deceased, who was the wife of W. H. Roth. William H. I,andis acquired only a com- mon school education, and started out in life at an early date to battle for himself; he was wholly dependent on his own resources, re- ceiving no financial assistance from any one in his fight for life and sustenance. He began farming in Springfield township, and through his perseverance and industry pros- pered in his undertaking, and, in 1883, purchased the David Wireback farm, which consists of 40 acres of land, which our sub- ject greatly improved by not only replacing the house, barns and out- buildings with new ones, but by putting the land under a high state of cultivation. The house is a hand- some farm dwelling, and is surrounded with beautiful and well kept lawn and shrub- beries of all kinds; our subject, since 1897, has given up the more active duties of life and is now spending his latter days in quiet and peace. Mr. I/andis was united in marriage with Elizabeth Moyer, a daughter of Henry A. Moyer, of Springfield township, and to this imion two children were born, namely : Henry M., born October 3, 1862, is a farmer by vocation, and he wedded Emma Moyer, a daughter of Peter Moyer, and they are the parents of three children, — Ervin, William, and Annie ; and Daniel W., born July 10, 1864, now farming on the homestead, who married Emma Moyer, a daughter of Levi Moyer, and three children were born to them, namely, — Wilmer, Ada, and Bertha. Mr. and Mrs. Landis are both prominent members of the Mennonite Church. Our subject is widely known throughout the township and takes an active part in any project that tends to benefit his township and county. Mr. Landis is held in the highest respect by his fellow-citizens, who have noted his honorable industry and the many admir- able traits of his character. MOS S. HEIvIyYER. Conspicuous among the enterprising and reliable business, men of Bucks County, is the gentleman whose biography we write, who is the senior member of the well- known firm, A. S. Hellyer & Son, the largest and leading general merchants of Doyles- town. The proprietors are active and ener- getic, their honesty is never questioned, and the prosperity with which they are meeting 350 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES is solely due to their integrity and untiring energy. Our subject was born in Bucking- ham township, this county, May 20, 1828, and is a son of Joshua and Mary Ann (Cress) Hellyer. The great-grandfather of our subject was Tolnian Hellyer, who was born in England, and who came to America during the colonial days, settling in the southern part of Bucks County. His son, Baronet, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Buckingham township, and spent his entire life there, en- gaged in agricultural pursuits. He was very fond of hunting, and, as the woods of those days were filled with all kinds of game, he, being an excellent marksman, spent much time gunning. He died about 1830. He first married a Miss Van Horn, by whom he had one son, David, now deceased. His second wife was a Miss Walton, and this union resulted in the birth of four children, all of whom are now deceased : Joshua Ander- son, our subject's father ; Benjamin ; Mary ; and Hattie. Joshua Anderson Hellyer was born in Buck- ingham township, five miles from Doyles- town, and spent his entire life there prose- cuting the vocation of a farmer. He also burned lime for many years, and was quite successful in all his business undertakings. He wedded Mary Ann Cress, and they reared a family of eight sons and one daughter, of which our subject was the second child. He died in 1866. Amos S. Hellyer was reared and educated in Buckingham and Plumstead townships; at ten years of age he began paddling his own canoe, working out on a farm as a laborer, and continued the same until the spring of 1857, when he conducted the Spring Valley Hotel of Buckingham one year. In 1858, he began going out on the road as a salesman of lightning rods, and continued the same for a period of fifteen years. In 1873, ^^ returned to farming, and for thirteen years he rented and operated a farm in Buckingham township, near Center- ville. In 1886, he and his son embarked in the mercantile business under the firm name of A. S. Hellyer & Son, and opened their store in the Armstrong Building on Main street, Doylestown ; their patronage increased so rapidly that it soon became necessary for them to enlarge their stock and store room, and they accordingly erected their present handsome brick structure, into which they moved on Christmas, 1 897 ; the building is 3 stories high, with a 50 foot front and a depth of 140 feet. They carry the largest stock of goods of any general store in Bucks County, keeping a general line of gents' furnishing goods, dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, clothing, carpets, and all other goods which go to make a complete department store. The firm does an exceedingly large business, having built up an enviable patronage by its capable and honest business methods, and by keeping the kind of store that is desired by the people; they give employment to six clerks who are constantly kept busy in order to wait on the customers. Amos S. Hellyer was married, in 1854, to Anna C. Penrose, a daughter of Samuel and Catherine Penrose, of Plumstead town- ship, and they have a family of two sons and one daughter, namely; Arametta B. ; Val- BUCKvS COUNTY 351 more M. ; and Samuel A. Valmore M. oper- ates a stone crusher and sells fertilizers at Centerville, and is recognized as one of the able and successful business men of that vil- lage. He wedded I,ettie Fell, a member of the numerous Fell family of Eastern Penn- sylvania, and they are the parents of two children. Alma and Amos N. Samuel A. Hellyer is a member of the firm of A. S. Hellyer & Son, and has had much experience in mercantile business. He received a good elementary- education in the schools of Cen- terville, and at the Doylestown Classical Seminary, and upon leaving school spent his first year in the mercantile business at Green- ville ; the next five years was spent in a store at Yardley ; and after continuing several years in the same business at Trenton, N. J., he located at Doylestown, and with his father embarked in merchandising. The instinctive uprightness of Samuel A. Hellyer in his dealings with his fellow men, his charity for the worthy poor, and the generous support he gives to all measures tending to promote the interests of the county and state, mark him as a man worthy of the esteem and con- fidence in which he is held by his friends and neighbors. He was united in the bonds of matrimony with Martie White, of Trenton, N. J., and both of them vie with each other in dispensing a generous hospitality to all those who come under their roof. They are the proud parents of two daughters, Grace and Caroline. Amos S. Hellyer is a well-informed and public-spirited man and takes a deep interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of the public. Mr. and Mrs. Hellyer are warmly beloved and highly esteemed by a large circle of friends, for their probity of conduct, kind- liness of heart, and their unswerving fidelity to every obligation in life endear them as nothing else can. Is ^AUL H. APPLEBACH, who ranks among the foremost of the many able attorneys-at-laws of Doyles- town, is descended from an old and highly respected family, well known throughout Bucks County, having been established in this country in 1770. He is a son of William and Sarali (Walp) Applebach, and was born near Applebachsville, Haycock township, Bucks County, February 8, 1854. His ancestors were natives of Germany, and for a remote period lived at Wittgen- stein, in Westphalia, which is located upon the Rhine about sixty miles northeast of Cologne. It is thought that the family name originated there subsequent to 1350; in at- tempts to Anglicise it, in this country, it has been variously spelled, as OfHerbach, Apple- back, Afiierbage, but the name is generally spelled Applebach or Afflerbach. The first of this prominent family to im- migrate to this country was Johan Henrich Afterbach, who made the voyage from Rot- terdam, Holland, on the good ship "Sally," landing in Philadelphia October 29, 1770, He subsequently located in Springfield town- ship, Bucks County, and it is recorded that he was admitted as a member of the Company of Associators, August 21, 1775. There he was married to Marie Renshimer, by whom 352 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES he had the following offspring: John, who moved to Mifflin County, Pa., and whose descendants spell their names Applebaugh ; Henry, who located about a mile above Bursonville, Springfield township, where he spent his life ; Daniel, the grandfather of our subject; Elizabeth, the wife of Abraham Raudenbush; Catharine, the wife of Nich- olas Raudenbush ; and Rosina. Daniel Applebach, who was born in Spring- field township, July 12, 1788, was a cooper by trade, but followed farming a greater part of his life. He moved to Haycock township and settled near what is now Applebachsville, where he became the owner of considerable land. On May 15, 1833, he was appointed justice of the peace by Governor George Wolf, and continued in that capacity imtil his death, August 18, 1852, at the age of sixty-four years, his wife surviving him four years. On June 2, 181 1, he formed a marital union with Catherine Apple, a daughter of Paul and Christina (Kappes) Apple, and they had six children. Paul, the eldest, born in 1816, be- came one of the prominent men of his section, both in business and military circles. He and his brother dealt extensively in horses and cattle, and in partnership they purchased a tract of 377 acres, known as the Stokes farm, in 1847. In the following year they began the erection of buildings, and through their industry and that of their brother Wil- liam, built up a flourishing village, which was named Applebachsville in their honor. Paul Applebach was called to his home be- yond the river of Death, March 26, 1872, at the age of fifty-six years and four months, and his high standing in the community was evidenced by the fact that no less than eight hundred people were in attendance upon his funeral. Henry Applebach, born November 28, 1818, was also a well-known and enter- prising man, and for some years served as postmaster and kept a hotel at Applebachs- ville. He married August 29, 1848, Sarah Jane Ely, a daughter of James Ely, of Mon- roe County, and they became the parents of four children : James ; Daniel ; Camilla ; and Sarah Jane. The rest of the children born to Daniel Applebach were: William, the father of our subject ; Harriet ; Catherine ; and L/Ucy Ann. William Applebach was born in Haycock township, Bucks County, May 18, 1821, and during his entire life was engaged in farming and droving. Politically, he was a Democrat, whilst in religious attachments, he was a member of the German Reformed Church and served as an elder for a number of years. His death occurred in August, 1891, aged seventy years. He was joined in marriage January 1 1, 1846, with Sarah Walp, a daugh- ter of George Walp, and their union resulted in the followed issue: Emma, of Applebachs- ville ; Paul H., the gentleman whose name heads these lines ; and Lizzie, who also re- sides at Applebachsville. Paul H. Applebach received his primary education in the public schools and then attended the Keystone State Normal School of Kutztown, Pa., from which excellent school he was graduated in 1 874. One year prior to his graduation he taught school in lychigh County, and after leaving school taught in Allentown, becoming principal of the Third Ward School. He met with much BUCKS COUNTY 353 success in that line of work, and as time advanced was made principal of the High School at Hummelstown, Dauphin County, where he remained one year, relinquishing that position to accept that of superintendent of public schools at Cape May C. H., N. J. He continued in the latter capacity for two years, when he took up the study of law under the direction of Hon. Harman Yerkes, the president judge of the Seventh Judicial District of Pennsylvania. Upon his admis- sion to the bar in 1880, he entered upon his practice at Doylestown, and soon established a good clientage. He was admitted to the Supreme Court in 1883. In the fall of 1891, he was elected district attorney, and assumed the duties of that oiEce on the first Monday in January, 1892, serving a term of three years. He has a thorough knowledge of the law, is earnest and untiring in the prosecu- tion of cases for his clients, remains cool and unruffled in the heat of an argument, and, being a convincing speaker, he has won the major portion of the actions in which he has been engaged. He is a man who is every- where respected, and he has many friends throughout the county. May 18, 1893, Mr. Applebach formed a matrimonial alliance with May Hulshizer, a daughter of Daniel and Margaret Hulshizer, of Doylestown. For twenty years he has been an active worker in the Democratic party, and has. been a delegate to county, district, state, and national conventions. In 1896 he was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention held in Chicago. So- cially, he is a member of the Doylestown Ivodge, No. 24s, F. & A. M. ; is past master. and past high priest of Doylestown R. A. C, No. 270; and of the Aquetong Lodge, No. 193, I. O. O. F., of which he is a past grand. He was also one of the founders of the Doylestown Trust Company in 1896, and is one of the directors of that organization. In religious belief, he is a member of the Reformed Church. fEWIS R WORTHINGTON, the pre- sent popular cashier of the Doyles- —i*^ town National Bank, and a highly esteemed and respected business man of that borough, is descended from an old and pioneer family of this county of English Quaker origin. He was born in Buckingham town- ship, Bucks County, Pa., June 26, 1833, and is a son of Joel and Mary (Palmer) Worthing- ton, and grandson of Anthony Worthington. The founders of the Worthington family in this country were three brothers, John, Samuel and Thomas, who emigrated from lyancashire, England, to America in 1705 ; one of the brothers, of whom our subject is a direct descendant, settled in Byberry, Phila- delphia County, where the two succeeding generations resided, and their principal occu- pation was the following of agricultural pur- suits ; they were all prominently identified with the Society of Friends. Anthony Wor- thington, our subject's grandfather, was also born in Byberry, Philadelphia County, on the old homestead, but in early life came to Buckingham township, this county. He was engaged in tilling the soil all his life, in which he was remarkably successful; he also was a devoted and consistent member of 354 BOOK OP BIOGRAPHIES the Friends' Meeting. He was joined in marriage with Deborah Walton, by whom he reared a family of five children, — three sons and two daughters. Joel Worthingtoii,' the father of our sub- ject, was born on the old Worthington home- stead in Buckingham township, where he spent his entire life prosecuting the vocation of a farmer; he was well known throughout his township, and was an industrious and energetic worker, enjoying the good-will of a host of friends. He was a member of the Society of Friends. He departed from this life in 1872. As a result of his marriage with "Mary Palmer, a family of four children was born to them, namely : Elizabeth, de- ceased ; Lewis P., the subject of this brief memoir ; Dr. Anthony H. is a practicing physician of Trenton, N. J. ; and Howard, deceased. Ivcwis P. Worthington was reared to man- hood upon his father's farm, and was in- tellectually trained for the battles of life in the common schools of that vicinity, and later attended a boarding school at Norris- town, Pa. leaving school at the age of nineteen years, the three succeeding years were spent in teaching in the public schools ; in the meantime he had studied civil engi- neering, and, in 1855, entered the employ of the Huntingdon & Broadtop Railroad, re- maining in its service until 1857, when he gave up that position to accept a position as bookkeeper in the Doylestown National Bank, in which capacity he remained until 1896, upon the death of John J. Brock, cashier of the bank, when he was appointed to his present position, that of cashier. In 1897 the present bank building was com- pleted ; its rooms are large and commodious and are elegantly furnished. Our subject is widely known in his township as a man of many sterling qualities ; he is a kind and generous friend and neighbor, a dutiful citi- zen, and enjoys the confidence and respect of a large circle of acquaintances. Mr. Worthington was joined in the bonds of matrimony with Ivouisa Cooke of L,itch- field. Conn., and they are the proud parents of two children, namely : Caroline, the wife of Rev. James S. Stone, pastor of the St. James' Episcopal Church of Chicago, 111., and formerly pastor of the Grace Episcopal Church of Philadelphia, one of the leading churches of that city ; and Mary, the wife of Isaac Judson Booth. Religiously, Mr. Wor- thington is a prominent member and liberal supporter of the Episcopal Church of Doyles- town, and has held the office of warden since i860. yMII,^ Mil, W. HARING, who has been serving J — ^ as prothonotary since 1897, is a highly respected resident of Doylestown. He is a son of Charles C. and Fredericke (Ma- melle) Haring, and was born in Philadelphia, July 7, 1854. Charles C. Haring, the father of our sub- ject, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, December 19, 1820, and there grew to man- hood. In 1848, he immigrated to the United States and located in Philadelphia, where he followed the trade of a cabinetmaker until 1 86 1, when he moved to Richland township, Bucks County. He then turned his atten- "SSWk;!, VJ^. e^Meia u a. j^clojirn. A',_/ ^. ^^. ^J^Uyl-^2^fA^_ BUCKS COUNTY 357 tion to cultivating the soil, and by good management and industrious labor accumu- lated a handsome competency, which enabled him to spend his declining years in retire- ment. He passed to his eternal reward De- cember 19, 1897. He was a Republican in his political affiliations, and in religious be- lief was a consistent Lutheran. Prior to coming to this country, he married Fredericke: Mamelle, in Kierchain, Germany, in. 1848, and their union was blessed by the birth of four children : Louisa, the wife of Adolph Jaeckel, of Philadelphia ; Charles C, "the popular cashier of the Quakertown National Bank ; Emil W. , whose name appears at the head of these lines ; and Henry G;, who ; is' connected with the Pacific Express Company at Terrell, Texas. Emil W. Haring was but seyen .years of age when he came to Richland .township: with his fatherJs family, and there he was- reared and educated in the schools. He the"n entered a store at Quakertown as clerk, where he gained a varied experience in different lines of work as the store was combined with the express office and also the post office. He remained in that capacity for five years, after which he became station agent at Shelly for the North Pennsylvania Rail- road, which has since been merged into the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad. At the expiration of five years, he engaged in the .coal and feed business in Shelly, continuing until 1896, and in the year following he was elected prothonotary by the Republican party. The candidate of the opposition for that office was W. H. Benner, of Richlandtown, who was defeated by the overwhelming majority of 1400 votes. Mr. Haring is well known throughout the county for his honesty, strict integrity, and superior executive ability, which well qualify him for a position of so much importance. He has previously served as auditor, registration assessor, and was post- master of Shelly for a period of eight years, being first appointed in 1878. He has been a very active supporter of tlie Republican party in local politics. He was united in the holy bonds of matri- mony with Sarah J. Whetzell, of Danville,. Montour Coimty, November 19, 1878, and they are the happy parents of four children : Freda ; ■. Bertha ; Charles ; and Emil. Reli- giously, he is a member of the Mennonite Church of East Swamp, Milford township. flTNEV. DOUGLAS K. TURNER, who is descended from a prominent New England family, is a man of high educational attainments, and was for a quar- ter of a century pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Neshaminy, but since I073 ^i^s been spending his declining years in retire- ment, although he is still ^n active member of the Bucks County Bible Society and the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. He is a son of Bela and Mary (Nash) Turner, and was born in Stockbridge, Mass., December 17, 1823. He traces his ancestry back to the year 1630, when the family was established in this country by Nathaniel Turner, who came from England with Governor Winthrop and landed at Salem, Mass. He was one of the early 358 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES settlers of the colony, and soon after landing moved to Lynn, Mass., where he remained for some time, but finally in company with a party numbering loo in all emigrated to Con- necticut, where they founded New Haven, which has become widely known throughout the world as the seat of Yale University. In the New Haven colony he was made captain of all military affairs, as he was a man of ex- perience in that line, having taken an active part in the Pequot Indian War in 1636-37. He held all of the offices of the colony and owned considerable land in that district. Prior to coming to America, he made a repu- tation as a military man by serving as cap- tain in the army of Holland. For some years he was a member of the General Court of Boston. His daughter married a Mr. Yale, which union resulted in the birth of Gover- nor Yale, whose name has gone down in his- tory as the founder of the famous university bearing that name. Bela Turner, the father of our subject, was born in New Haven, Conn., and was eight years of age when he moved to Stockbridge, Mass., with his father, Jebez Turner, and there learned the trade of a mechanic, which he followed until he moved to Hartford, Conn., in 1835. He then became steward in the Asylum for Deaf and Dumb, in which capacity he served for eleven years, after which he moved to Jackson, Mich., and there engaged as a purchaser of wool for an eastern firm. The latter city was his home until his demise, which occurred March 30, 1879. His companion in the pathways of life was Mary Nash, who died November 3, 1863, and they reared the following children: George, de- ceased ; Mary, deceased ; Eliza, deceased ; Douglas K., a record of whose life is here given ; Susan, who died young ; Cornelia, the wife of George H. Lathrop, of Traverse City, Mich , a farmer and fruit grower and agent for a dry goods house of New York City ; Sarah, who resides with her sister, Cornelia ; and Walter Henry, who died at the age of seven years. Rev. Douglas K. Turner obtained his early education in the Hartford Grammar School, and in 1839 entered upon his college career at Yale College, and after taking a complete course was graduated with the class of 1843. He was then engaged as a teacher in the Hart- ford Grammar School for one year, after which he went to Andover, Mass., as a stu- dent in the Theological Seminary. After a lapse of one year he returned to New Haven and entered the Yale Theological Seminary, where he remained for one year, and then, in 1846, came to Hartsville, Bucks County, where he taught in the public schools for a period of eighteen months. In April, 1848, he was installed as pastor of the Neshaminy Presbyterian Church, and continued as such until his retirement in 1873. He is a man whose great works of charity have gained for him a high place in the affections of the peo- ple and have resulted in vast good to the com- munity at large. He always took great pride in the advancement and progress of his adopted township, and is highly respected by all as a man of true worth and influence in the community. He is now a trustee and treasurer of the Bucks County Bible Soci- ety, a member of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, and a member of the Presby- BUCKS COUNTY 359 tefian Historical Society of Philadelphia, of which he was secretary from 1883 to 1893. Rev. Mr. Turner is living a peaceful life at present in his handsome home in Hartsville. On May 14, 1856, he was joined in wed- lock with Rachael H. Darrah, a daughter of Robert and Catherine (Gait) Darrah ; she was called Home August 13, 1863. He formed a second marital union May 28, 1868, with a sister of his former wife, Rebecca Darrah, who was born March 7, 1833, and has proved a true help-meet to her worthy husband. We take pleasure in announcing to the many friends and acquaintances of Rev. Mr. Turner that his portrait is shown on a preceding page. Wi EBSTER GRIM, an attorney-at-law and an influential citizen of Doyles- town, Pa., was born in Nockamixou town- ship, this county, August 11, 1866, and is a son of Dr. George W. and Elizabeth P. (Koous) Grim. The Grim family is of German and Scotch- Irish ancestry, as the grandfather of our sub- ject, Adam Grim, was united in marriage with Catherine Desmond, a lady of Scotch- Irish extraction and a native of Chester County, Pa. Dr. George W. Grim, the father, was born in Montgomery County, Pa., March 13, 1832, and in his early life learned the trade of a stove moulder, which he followed a number of years, until he met with an ac- cident, seriously burning his foot with a moulder, which injury made it impossible for him to continue his vocation. Dr. Grim pos- sessed a good 'education, which he received in the schools of his native township and in the well-known White Hall Academy of Montgomery County. After meeting with the accident referred to above he decided upon the profession of medicine. Upon his recovery, he accordingly took up the study of medicine under Dr. Gross, of Harleysville, Pa. Later he entered the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, and upon his gradu- ation, which was in 1859, he located in Nock- amixon township, where he soon built up a large and lucrative practice, and was engaged in professional work in that vicinity for nearly thirty-five years. Dr. Grim was regarded as one of the leading physicians of Bucks Coun- ty, and was a very successful practitioner ; he was a man of excellent judgment, and his unswerving integrity in business transactions won for him the esteem and confidence of his community. He was first and foremost in all good works, and took a leading part in the material development of his township and county, and besides he contributed largely to moral, social and charitable objects. Politi- cally, he was an ardent Democrat. He passed from this life March 6, 1892 ; his death was not only mourned by his family and relatives, but by a large circle of friends, and his was the largest attended funeral ever in that sec- tion of the county— all turned out to pay him a last homage. He was a devoted member of the Reformed Church. He married Elizabeth P. Koons, and a family of six sons and three daughters blessed this union, all of whom were well educated, and who have at various times taught in the public schools of this county. At one time all six sons were teach- ing in various schools throughout Bucks 36o BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES County, but all have since changed their vo- cation : three of them are now practicing physicians; two are prominent members of the Bucks County Bar, and one is a minister. Webster Grim received his intellectual training in the public schools, Riegelsville Academy, and in 1887 was graduated from the Keystone State Normal School of Kutz- town. Pa. Prior to his graduating from the State Normal, he taught school five years, and in 1887 began the study of law in the offices of N. C. and J. D. James, attorneys-at- law, of Doylestown. He was admitted to the bar in September, 1889, and has since prac- ticed in the courts of Bucks County. He was elected justice of the peace in 1890, and is now serving his second term in that capacity, having been elected in 1895. He is possessed of much natural musical talent, and has been a close student of music ; he has during his leisure hours composed many selections. He organized and conducted the Vocal Union of Doylestown a number of years ; is a director of the Arion Glee Club, and for five years was precentor of the Presbyterian Church in Doylestown. He also had charge of the music at the teachers' county institute for some eight years, and directed the music at the dedication of the new public school building, the Governor of Pennsylvania and other dig- nitaries being present. Mr. Grim is a Democrat in politics, a leader in his community, and has represented his fellow-citizens in county, district and state conventions. In 1894 he was the nominee of his party for district attorney, but was de- feated in the general landslide, though he polled a large vote. Socially, he is a member of the Aquetong I^odge, No. 193, I. O. O. F. ; is past chief of the St. Tammany Castle, and an officer of the Grand Castle, K. G. E., and is a member and collector of Ivcnaipe Council, Royal Arcanum. He is the author of the index and digest of the new K. G. B. consti- tution, which has a large sale throughout the state. He edited and published the Bucks County Directory for 1 894-98, and assisted in , the publication of the County Atlas of 1891. Our subject formed a matrimonial alliance with Alice Sassaman, a daughter of Jacob F. and Emeline Sassaman, of Bucksville, Pa., and they were happily wedded August 9, 1 890. This union has been blessed by two children, namely : Ruth S. and George W. w. XIvIAM SIMPSON, who is ef- ficiently serving in the capacity of clerk of the Orphans' Court of Bucks County, is an influential citizen of Doyles- town and a prominent member of the Repub- lican party. For almost two centuries, on both the paternal and maternal sides of the house, his ancestors have been prominently identified with the agricultural interests of Bucks County, and have aided materially in establishing the prestige that county now enjoys in its relations with other counties of the state. Our subject is a son of Benjamin and Rebecca (Satterthwaite) Simpson, and was born near New Hope, Solebury town- ship, Bucks County, November 24, 1864. The Simpson family is of Scotch-Irish extraction, and traces its ancestry to John Simpson, who was born in the north of Ire- BUCKS COUNTY ,361 land in 1712, and, in 1730, in company with two brothers sought a home in America, finally locating in Solebury township, Bucks County, Pa. He acquired an extensive tract of land, most of which was located in that township, and to this day a portion of the original estate has remained in the posses- sion of his descendants. He was one of the pioneers of that section, and passed through all of the vicissitudes characteristic of farm life in that day, dying in 1746. He was married to Hannah Delaplane, and of five children born to them one was John. John Simpson was born in Solebury town- ship, October 23, 1739, and during his active days was engaged in the cultivation of the soil, dying in August, 181 1. He was a minis- ter of the Gospel and an active worker in the Friends' Meeting at Buckingham. He was joined in wedlock with Ruth Whitson, and they had a family of five children, namely : David ; Hannah ; John ; Ruth ; and James. Hannah became the wife of Samuel Shim, and among their descendants might be men- tioned : James P. Shim, formerly a druggist at Broad and Spruce streets, but now a direc- tor of the Pennsylvania Hospital at Philadel- phia ; his brother. Earl Shim, who was an artist of much prominence ; Samuel Ash, a prominent minister in the Society of Friends, and formerly associated in business with Amos Hillborn & Co. ; his brother, Humph- rey Ash, who is treasurer of Delaware County, Pa.; and Anna Shim, the wife of Samuel Shipley, president of the Provident L,ife & Trust Company of Philadelphia. John Simp- son married Elizabeth Blackfan, and among those descended from this branch are : T. O. Atkinson, a record of whose life appears else- where in this Book of Biographies ; Dr. Col- lins, a prominent physician of Philadelphia ; and a daughter, who married Mark Wright, who attained distinction as a minister of the Society of Friends. Ruth married Amos Hillborn, whose grandson, Amos, was the senior member of the firm of Amos Hillborn & Co., well known furniture dealers of Phila- delphia. James married Susanna Satterth- waite, and their descendants are principally located in Falls and lyower Makefield town- ships. David Simpson, the great-grandfather of our subject, was born on the old homestead in 1765, and after reaching manhood occu- pied a portion of that estate, and carried on farming dviring life, dying in 1831. He was a Friend in his religious views. He married Agnes Wiggins, whose nephew, Benjamin Wiggins, was at one time commissioner of Bucks County, and their union was blessed with the following children ; Ruth, who married William Betts, by whom she had five children, — Sarah, who married Hugh Michener, and whose daughter became the wife of Warren S. Ely, ex-clerk of the Or- phans' Court, William Betts, Samuel, J. Simpson, and Stephen ; Sarah, the wife of Merick Reeder; John, the grandfather of otSr subject; Rachel, Hannah, and Agnes were never married. John Simpson was also one of the leading agriculturists of Solebury township. He married Letitia Buckman, a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Linton) Buckman, and they reared five children, namely : Jo- seph B. ; Benjamin W. ; David ; Elizabeth ; 362 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES and Agnes. Joseph B. married Macre Ann Flowers, and upon her demise formed a se- cond union with Sarah P. Eyre, daughter of Preston and Macre (Pickering) Eyre, by whom he had three children: Edward, Charles and Martha. David married Tacy Satter- thwaite, and they had one daughter, Anna. Elizabeth married Amos Sattertliwaite, and their union was blessed by the birth of four children : Agnes ; Mary, the relict of Mahlon Taylor; William married Mary Croasdale of Byberry; and Pierson Mitchell, bookkeeper of the William C. Newport Co., manufac- turers of fertilizers, who married lyouise Burr of Mount Holly, N. J., and resides at Willow Grove. Agnes Simpson married David Pal- mer of Lower Makefield township, and they have two children ; Elizabeth and Anna. Mrs. Palmer is now matron of the Friends' Home of Newtown, this county, and is a vir- tuous woman, possessing the love and admir- ation of all with whom she comes in con- tact, for her many charitable deeds. Benjamin W. Simpson, the father of the gentleman whose name heads these lines, was born February 23, 1830, on the old homestead, where he spent his youthful days in performing the labors upon the farm. Upon attaining maturity, he went to live ■^ith his uncle, L,evi Buckman, working on his farm for a period of two years, when he took charge of the estate of his two aunts, Hannah and Agnes, and continued to man- age it until their demise. He then conducted it on his own account until 1874, when he moved to New Hope, and there dealt in cat- tle until his death on February 12, 1877. He was united in hymeneal bonds with Re- becca Satterthwaite, and one son was born to them. Mrs. Simpson comes of a very prominent family and is of English descent. The ear- liest ancestor of whom there is any authen- tic record was Clement S. Satterthwaite, a re- sident of Cragg, Coulthouse, in Claff, Palan- tine, County of Lancaster, Eng., where his son William was born. The latter married Agnes Baithwaite, and a son Michael was born to them in 1678. Michael Satter- thwaite was united in marriage with Esther Tyson, and they had a son William, who was born in England, ist month, 28th day, 1 709, and at the age of twenty-five years im- migrated to America, locating in Lower Makefield township, Bucks County, Pa. He formed a matrimonial alliance, 2d month, 15th day, 1736, with Pleasant Meade, a daugh- ter of William Meade, who came to this country with William Penn, and was a lineal ancestor of General Meade, the victor of the battle of Gettysburg. They reared one son, William, who followed the occupation of his father, that of farming. This son was a mem- ber of the Friends' Meeting, as were his an- cestors, his father having brought a certificate from the Friends of Swarthmore, Eng., to the Friends at Middletown, where he became a member. William Satterthwaite, Jr., mar- ried Mary Knight, a daughter of Giles Knight, who was of English birth, but after coming to this country represented Philadelphia County in Congress. Among the children reared by them, William married Elizabeth Watson, and Susanna married James Simpson, a bro- ther of David, who is mentioned above. William and his wife Elizabeth reared ten BUCKS COUNTY 363 children, the eldest of whom was Amos Sat- terthwaite, the grandfather of our subject on the maternal side. The latter married Re- becca Carlisle, and three children blessed their home, one of whom, Rebecca, was joined in wedlock with Benjamin W. Simp- son, our subject's father. William Simpson, the subject of this per- sonal history, was nine years of age when he moved with his parents to the borough of New Hope in 1873. He attended the public schools there until he was fifteen years of age, when he went to live with an uncle upon a farm in Solebury township, working during the summer months and attending school during the winters for the following two years. Being studious by nature, he dili- gently applied himself to his school books, and acquired an excellent training in the English language. Upon leaving school at the age of seventeen years, he entered the employ of the I^ambertville Spoke Manufac- turing Company, as shipping clerk, and con- tinued in that capacity for thirteen months, relinquishing that position on April i, 1883. The following September he engaged in teaching school, and, as he proved an able instructor, he continued at that occupation for three years in Solebury township. For the following three years he was not engaged in any line of work, as his health would not permit it, but in 1889 he took up agricul- tural pursuits, and followed farming until 1 896, when he was elected clerk of the Or- phans' Court, a position for which he is eminently qualified. He entered upon the duties of that office January 4, 1897, and his term will expire January 3, 1900. He has always been an enthusiastic Republican, and is an influential worker in the councils of the party. He served as auditor of New Hope for three years, and has served as a delegate to county, district and state con- ventions. Mr. Simpson and Eazetta Townsend Tom- linson, of Middletown township, took the marriage vows on June 10, 1896. They are both devout members of the Society of Friends of Middletown. He is a man of high character, and has added many to his large circle of friends since moving to Doyles- town. ]CpWARD RICHARDSON is of the fifth J generation of the Richardson fa- mily who have spent .their lives on our sub- ject's present homestead, and he is a worthy representative of one of the oldest and long remembered families of Bucks County. He is a son of Joshua and Mary (Knight) Richard- son, and grandson of Joseph and Mary (Dixon) Richardson. The first of this prosperous family to cross the great waters of the Atlantic, to make a new home on American soil, was Joseph Richardson, the great great grandfather of our subject, who landed in this country about the year 1724, and settled, in 1732, at a place called Four Lanes' End ; it was later known as Attleboro and is now Langhorne. He was born in England, January 4, 1696 (Old Style), and was a son of William and Elizabeth Richardson. Joseph brought with him- a flail for threshing, a small bundle of clothes, and a piece of money called a groat, equal to 364 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES four pence, which constituted his worldly possessions. He hired to William Paxson to thresh grain during the winter. About 1738 he erected the house in L,anghorne, in which our subject and his sisters now live, which is still standing, and bids fair to stand many years to come ; it is one of the old landmarks of this county. He was two years in erect- ing this substantial dwelling, as the timber was hewed by hand from yellow pine and oak ; the doors and window- frames are of yel- low poplar, worked out of solid wood. After the house was completed, he opened his store in its southeast corner; his goods were brought from Bristol by cart to which place they were taken by boat. It was the only store between Bristol and Durham. Joseph soon built up quite a trade, the profits of which were used in buying lands, and at the time of his death, which occurred April 15, 1772, he left an estate of 1023 acres of land. He married Mary Paxson in 1732, and she died in 1786. During the Revolutionary War, after the battle of Trenton, some of the soldiers came to this neighborhood, and the kitchen was used by part of them, while the officers occupied one of the rooms in the other part of the house. Our subject re- members that his great-aunt, Jane Richard- son, often spoke of how she saw the muskets stacked up in the corner of the room occu- pied by the officers, around the old clock, which is still ticking away in the same old place. Joshua Richardson, our subject's great- grandfather, was also born on the old home- stead, and inherited his father's property, and lived there all his life. As a result of his union with Sarah Preston, a daughter of Jonas Preston, of Chester County, Pa., in 1761, they had six children, viz., Sarah, Mary, Jane, Joseph, Martha, and Ruth. Joseph owned much of the original estate, and was a well-to-do man of his community. He married Mary Dixon, who came from Eng- land with her parents when but a child of six years. They reared the following chil- dren : Joshua, John, Rachael, Mary and Sarah. He died August 28, 1826, aged fifty-seven years and eleven months, while his wife de- parted from this earth. May 29, 1834, aged fifty-six years and six months. Joshua Richardson was born March 6, 1803, and attended the Friends' school of his vi- cinity ; he always pursued the vocation of a farmer, and spent his entire life on the home- stead, dying there May 16, 1874. He was twice married, his first wife being Mary C. Hunt, a daughter of James and Mary W. Hunt ; his second union was with Mary Knight, a native of L,ower Makefield town, ship, and a daughter of Joshua and Jane Knight. She died February 2, 1883, leaving a family of three children, namely: Joseph^ _ who is engaged in farming in Middletown township ; and Edward and Mary J., who re- side on the homestead. Edward Richardson, the subject of this memoir, has always been engaged in the cul- tivation of the soil, but is now living in re- tirement ; he is well known throughout the southern portion of the county, possessing many warm friends. He and his sister, Mary J., have spent their lives on the home- stead. They made a pleasure trip to Cali- fornia, Oregon, Washington, Montana, visited CAPT. RICHARD MARTIN DONNALDSON. BUCKS COUNTY 367 the Yellowstone National Park, and many other places of interest in the West. Our subject, as was his father, is a strong Repub- lican in politics ; religiously, he and his sister are devoted members of the Society of Friends. tlDWARD M. DONNAIvDSON, a prom- -* — inent and prosperous farmer of Bucks County, Pa., is the owner of a farm beautifully situated in New Britain town- ship, which consists of 167 acres of highly improved land. This highly esteemed citi- zen was born on his present farm March 4, 1837, and is a son of Captain Richard Martin and Harriet (Currie) Donnaldson, and grand- son of John Donnaldson. John' Donnaldson, the grandfather of our subject, was born and reared in the city of Philadelphia ; he was a broker in that city many years, and was one of the founders of the City Troop of Philadelphia, and at the battle of Trenton was one of General Wash- ington's aides. In 1760, John purchased our subject's present farm in New Britain town- ship, this county, arid built a part of the house which is now being occupied by our subject. Captain Richard Martin Donnaldson, the father of our subject, was born and reared in Philadelphia. Early in life he began work- ing on a merchant vessel, and at fourteen years was a captain at sea, and with his brother, Edward M., followed that line of business until he attained the age of forty years ; while at sea en route for China, his brother Hugh, who had accompanied him. died, and when Captain Donnaldson returned from his voyage he gave up life on the sea, and went to farming on the homestead. He died in 1873. He was joined in marriage with Harriet Currie, a descendant of one of the pioneer families of this county ; three children blessed the home of this union, namely: Helen, born January 5, 1834, re- sides with our subject during the summer months, and in the winter makes her home in Philadelphia ; John died in infancy ; and Edward M., the subject of this sketch. Our subject's mother passed from this life in 1882. Edward M. Donnaldson prepared himself to encounter the difl&culties of life in the public and private schools of his native town- ship and Tremont Seminary at Norristown, Pa. Upon leaving school our subject took possession' of the homestead, which he has since greatly improved and put in a high state of cultivation,' and has successfully car- ried on general farming up to the present time. Mr. ' Donnaldson is widely known throughout- the township, and is classed among the leading and representative farmers of his community ; he actively supports any enterprise which in his opinion is conducive to the general welfare of the township and county. In politics, our subject upholds the princi- ples of the Republican party, and has served his fellow-citizens as school director and as judge of elections. Religiously, he is an active member and supporter of the Episco- pal Church, and his wife is a Methodist. Mr. Donnaldson, in 1 864, married Anna Stagner, of Montgomery County, Pa. , and a daughter of Lewis and Rachael Stagner, both of whom »9 •368 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES are now deceased; her father died in 1873, and her mother in 1891. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Donnaldson, as follows : Sarah Milner ; Rachael S. ; and Helen, all of whom remain at home. Our subject has a valuable collection of old relics, such as war clubs, which he takes great pride in showing; they were left to him by his father. We take pleasure in announcing that a portrait of Captain Richard Martin Donnald- son appears in connection with the above life history. W". II.I.IAM D. HARVEY is well known throughout Upper Makefield town- ship as being an active and progressive citi- zen and a man of many excellent qualities. He has been occupied with agricultural pur- suits in the above township all his life, and is the owner of a handsome homestead. He was born on the old Harvey homestead, June 16, 1839, and is a son of Kinsey and Eveline (Doan) Harvey, and a grandson of Mathias Harvey. The Harvey family was first founded in this country by the great-grandfather of our subject, who came from England and made a settlement in Upper Makefield township. Mathias Harvey was born in that township, and lived there all his life engaged in agri- cultural pursuits. Kinsey Harvey, the father of our subject, was also born on the Harvey homestead and was educated to farming, which was his life's vocation. He was twice joined in marriage ; his first wife was Eveline Doan, by whom he reared a family of ten children, namely: Edward, deceased ; Benja- min, deceased; Williaxn D., the subject of this sketch ; Sarah, deceased ; Harrison died in the Union Army during the Civil War ; Mathias is a farmer and lives in the state of Kansas ; Theodore is a resident of Philadel- phia, where he is engaged in the manufacture of cider, and all other soft drinks ; Everitt, deceased; Eveline, deceased; and Kinsey, a resident of Lower Makefield township. The mother of our subject died in 1852. Mr. Harvey was married the second time to Mrs. Martha Murfit, widow of Joshua Murfit ; she died February 6, 1891. Mr. Harvey de- parted this earth in February, 1882. William D. Harvey obtained a common school education, and early in life began farming; in August, 1862, however, he en- listed in Co. C, 128th Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf., at Doylestown, and at the battle of Antietam was wounded in the left shoulder by a bul- let ; after remaining four and a half months in the hospital at Philadelphia, he received an honorable discharge in March, 1863. He immediately returned home and took charge of the homestead, which he has held to the present time. Besides general farming, he is also engaged in stock-raising to a large ex- tent ; his farm, comprising 87 acres, he has put under a high state of cultivation. Mr. Harvey has many friends throughout his sec- tion of the county, who hold him in high esteem ; he is a good neighbor and citizen, and is always ready to assist in measures which in his opinion tend to promote the general welfare. In 1864, Mr. Harvey was wedded to Sarah A. Vansant of Middletown, a daughter of BUCKS COUNTY 369 John Vansant, now deceased, who was a prominent farmer of Middletown township. She died in 1882, leaving a family of three children : Anna M., the wife of Russell Cooper, a farmer of Northampton township ; Harrison, deceased ; and Andrew V., a resi- dent of I^ambertville, N. J. Our subject formed a second matrimonial alliance with Mrs. Anna Ivce, ne6 Mahan, of Newtown, Pa. Fraternally, Mr. Harvey is a member of the G. A. R., Post No. 427, of Newtown ; in his political views, he is identified with the Republican party, with which he uni- formly and conscientiously casts his vote. He has served twelve years as a school direc- tor of Upper Makefield township. Wi INFIELD S. POOL is an energetic and industrious farmer of Upper Makefield township, Bucks County, and is descended from one of the pioneer families of this section. He is prominent in his com- munity of which he is a life-long resident, and his friends are many. He was born on his present farm March 8, 1 849, and is a son of Edward Q. and Mary (Thornton) Pool. The grandfather of our subject was Wil- liam Pool, of Buckingham township, and later a resident of Southampton township ; his vocation was that of a farmer, and at the time of his death he was living in the village of Moreland. He died at the age of eighty- eight years, while his wife passed from life at the age of seventy seven years. He was the father of five children, namely: William; Ezra ; Edward ; Thomas ; and Martha, de- ceased, the wife of Samuel King, who is also deceased. Edward Pool, the father of our subject, was born in Buckingham township May i, 1809, and was educated to agricultural pursuits, which vocation he followed throughout his active career. In 1 840 he married and settled down on our subject's present farm, then known as the Warner farm ; he has been very prominent in his community and served his fellow-citizens twenty-five years as justice of the peace, the duties of which office he honestly and faithfully discharged. Mr. Pool is still living ; he was always an active and public-spirited citizen, ready at all times to assist in the advancement and prosperity of his community and county. In politics he was a Republican. He was wedded to Mary Thornton, who was born in Upper Makefield township in 1808, and died there October 30, 1895. They reared a family of six children, as follows : Maggie, deceased, was the wife of Jacob LeSerts, a hat manufacturer of Phila- delphia ; Rachel is the wife of William L. Lalue, a farmer of -Solebury township ; Elmira was united in marriage with Hiram Hellyer, a farmer of Upper Makefield township ; Martha wedded Albert Slack, also a farmer of the same township; Winfield S., the subject of this memoir ; and Victoria, deceased. Winfield S. Pool passed his boyhood days on the farm, and attended the district school, presided over by his father, who taught there some twelve years. Later he farmed on the homestead; April i, 1877, he took possession of his present estate, which consists of 96 acres. Our subject is exten- sively interested in stock-raising and is classed 370 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES among the progressive and enterprising far- mers of Bucks County. On October i6, 1872, Mr. Pool and Eliza Van Hart were joined in marriage ; she was born in Upper Makefield township May 5, 1855, and is the daughter of Charles and Eliza (Tomblinson) Van Hart, both of whom are now deceased. Three children have been born to our subject and wife, namely : Mag- gie L,., born August 31, 1873 ; John T., Feb- ruary 1 2, 1 879 ; and Reba E. , November 9, 1887. Mr. Pool is a firm Republican in poli- tics ; socially he is a member of the I. O. O. E. lyodge of New Hope. UTrANKIvIN p. I.UEF is a prosperous _L « farmer of Northampton township, Bucks County, Pa., and learned the methods of farming from his father, who resided in the same township. He owns two fine farms, both finely cultivated, the old L,uff homestead, and the J. K. Craven property, making the latter place his home. He was born on the old homestead in Northampton township, August 27, 1853, and is a son of Alfred and Ruth (Slack) I,uff. His grand- father was David I^uff, of Tinicum township, who married Sarah Garis of the same town- ship, and reared a family of nine children, six daughters and three sons. Alfred lyuff and his brother Joseph bought a farm near Richboro, and operated the same in partnership for three years, at the ex- piration of which period our subject's father became sole proprietor, and resided thereon twenty-eight years. He then moved to his other farm near Richboro, and resided there until his death, which occurred September 24, 1882; he also owned two other farms in Northampton township, including the well- known White Bear Hotel property, and was recognized as a thorough-going business man in every respect. He was joined in marriage with Ruth Slack of Tinicum township, a daughter of Jesse and Amy Slack; her father was a farmer and died in this county Septem- ber 25, 1882, and her mother died July 14, 1876. Mr. I^uff was a member of the Baptist Church. He was the father of six children, as follows : Oliver J. , a retired farmer of Richboro, married Jane Gilkyson, and has two children, — Minnie, the wife of Rowland Bennett, a farmer of Hartsville, and Carrie, the wife of Joshua Atkinson, a painter of Richboro ; Franklin P. , the subject of this sketch ; George R., a farmer of Northampton township, wedded Elizabeth Wyncoop, and has five children, — William, Ruth, Mabel, Kate, and Rachael ; Harry K., a farmer of Northampton township, whose sketch may be found on another page of this Book of Biographies ; Stephen B., who lives out West, wedded Belle K. Scott of Newtown town- ship ; and Sarah who died in childhood. Franklin P. L,uflF received a limited educa- tion in the common schools, as did the rest of his brothers and sisters, and began the cultivation of the soil on his father's farm, remaining there until he attained the age of twenty-six. After his marriage he began working the farm on his own account and remained upon the same until the spring of 1 890, when he bought his present homestead of John K. Craven, which property consists BUCKS COUNTY 371 of 61 acres; he rents the old homestead, which comprises 157 acres. He buih the present barn on the homestead in 1885, and remodeled the house in 1890. He has pur- chased the Ryan lots adjoining his present farm, since taking possession of it. Our subject has followed the markets of Phila- delphia for the last twenty-five years, making several trips a week to that city. Mr. I,uflF is a practical farmer, being thoroughly ac- quainted with all the improved methods of his calling ; he is a good neighbor and citi- zen, enjoying the respect and esteem of a host of friends. Mr. L,ufF was joined in marriage February n, 1880, with Ella Grace Raab, a native of Willow Grove, Pa. , and a daughter of James B. and Hannah (Harding) Raab. James B. Raab was born April 7, 18 16, near Horsham, Montgomery County, and died October 6, 1 892, aged seventy-six years ; his wife, to whom he was married .March 12, 1846, was born October 25, 181 8, on the Harding homestead, near Willow Grove, Montgomery County, and resided there until her death October 22, 1886, at the age of sixty-eight years. Mrs. LfUfi" had one sister, who died at the age of six months. Her three brothers, Isaac H., Hiram W., and John J., are all living and are prosperous members of the communities in which they reside. Isaac H. Raab, who is a prominent farmer at Wil- low Grove, Pa., married Emma K. Mann, daughter of George and Anna Bella Mann, and has two children, — Frank M. and A. Bell. Hiram W. Raab, a leading farmer of Warminster township, this county, married Sallie N. Fleshour, daughter of Jacob and Annetta Fleshour, and has four children, — Walter, Annetta, Elsie, and Harvey R. John J.. Raab, a prosperous farmer, living near Huntingdon Valley, married Louisa Martin, daughter of George and Margaret Martin, and has two children, — Hannah H., and G. Martin. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Luff, and are as follows : Alfred H., born May 2, 1881 ; J. Milton, May 20, 1884; Horace R., July 31, 1887; and George R., February 25, 1895. Politically, our subject is a stanch Democrat, whilst in religious attachments he is a Presbyterian. RAN KLIN CARTER is a retired and much respected citizen of Northamp- ton township, and comes from one of the old and prominent pioneer families of Bucks County, Pa. He has been engaged in the cultivation of the soil all his active days, on the old Carter homestead, -W^hich came into his father's possession in 1830. He was born in Warminster township, this county, De- cember 14, 1826, and is a son of Mordecai and Martha (Walton) Carter, and grandson of James and Phoebe (Tomlinson) Carter. James Carter had two brothers, — William, who married and settled in Darby, Pa., and Joseph, who married and remained in Bucks County. Their father, William Carter, whose marriage to Mary Mayhurst is recorded in the Middletown Friends' Meeting, was in all probability the son of William Carter, who was mayor of Philadelphia in 171 1. James, son of William and Mary (Hay hurst) Carter, was born and reared in Southampton town- 372 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES ship, Bucks County. Mary Hayhurst was a granddaughter of Cuthbert Hayhurst from Easington, Yorkshire, England, who came over in the "Welcome" with William Penn, and was one of the original purchasers. The Carter homestead therefore has been in the family from that early .date. James Carter was better known as Squire Carter ; he learned the trade of a blacksmith at Langhorne, Pa., (then known as Eour L/ane's End), and followed the same at By- berry, Philadelphia County, Pa. In 1819, he gave up his trade and bought a farm some miles north of Byberry, and spent the re- mainder of his life there engaged in agri- cultural pursuits. He was widely known throughout the county, and in 1 813 was com- missioned justice of the peace by Governor Snyder, officiating in that capacity until he was compelled to give it up on account of old age. He died August 8, i860. He was twice united in marriage ; his first wife and mother of his children was Phoebe Tomlin- son ; and his second was Ann Harding. His children were as follows : Mordecai ; Tacy ; Emily ; Stephen ; Thomas ; Mary ; James ; and William. The maternal grandfather of our subject, Jonathan Walton, son of Isaac and Susanna Walton, was born in 1779; he was married December 14, 1803, to Hannah Worthington, and they reared the following children : Mar- tha; Agnes; Emily; Hannah; Isaac; Ben- jamin ; and Josiah. He was a well-to-do farmer of Warminster township, this county. The first of the name of Walton to come from England to America were four brothers : Nathaniel ; Thomas ; Daniel ; and William. They ascended the Delaware River and set- tled in Byberry in the year 1675. William Walton married Sarah Howell, April 20, 1689. He was the first preacher of Byberry Friends' Meeting after the Keithian separa- tion, and continued the principal, if not the only one, for the following forty years. He had six sons and four daughters. The sixth son. Job, married Agnes .Walmsley, daughter of Thomas Walmsley, and settled on what is now the home of Nathaniel Richardson in Byberry; he was also a preacher in Byberry Friends' Meeting. He died April 16, 1784. His family consisted of six sons and two daughters, the oldest son, Isaac, being the one spoken of above as father of Jonathan Walton. Mordecai Carter was born in Byberry, Pa. , in 1801, and spent his boyhood days in that village ; he then spent two years in farming in Warminster township, and, in 1830, moved to Northampton township, and bought the present farm of our subject and his brother James, which farm consists of 1 30 acres of highly cultivated land. He cleared the prop- erty and erected good substantial outbuild- ings and a fine house. He resided there until death claimed him, which was May 14, 1848. He was wedded to Martha Walton, who was born in Warminster township September 30, 1804, and they became the parents of eight children. Franklin, our subject, is the oldest. Aaron T., born January 24, 1829, died June 9, 1894. James, born November 22, 1830, is a farmer and his wife is Ruth Tomlinson, of Northampton township. I^ydia Ann, born October 6, 1831, died November 30, 1882; she was the wife of Charles M. Osmond, by BUCKS COUNTY 373 whom she had the following children : Emmaretta, the wife of Jonathan Clayton; Maurice Elwyn died young; Anna Rebecca, who graduated from the Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania and is practicing medicine in Philadelphia; Franklin C, a farmer, wedded Louisa Pickering Newbold, of Middletown township, and has one child, Marian N. ; Martha E. graduated from the Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania, and is practicing in Baltimore, Md. ; James Ross, a farmer, wedded Agnes I^eonard, and they have two children, — James L,. and Leila Willett. The Osmonds trace their origin through their Welsh and English ancestry back to Edward I, King of England. Re- becca was the fifth child born to Mr. and Mrs. Carter, the date of her birth being August i6, 1834, and she resides with our subject. Stephen, born October 23, 1836, is farming in Northampton township, and his wife is Lucinda Praul; by her he had two children : Emma Rebecca, who died in infancy ; and Jesse Walter, who wedded Minnie Smith, and has one ' child, Jesse M. Benton W. , born May 19, 1839, died aged nine years. Emily Anna, the youngest of the family, was bom December 21, 1841, and died March 11, 1 888 ; she was the wife of Francis Tomlin- son of Southampton township, and two chil- dren blessed their union, — Anna Louise, who married Henry Stackhouse of Falls town- ship, and Emma Rebecca, deceased. Our subject's father was a strong Democrat, and was quite active in local politics. His wife died January 31, 1884. Franklin Carter received a common school education, and always remained at home ; upon reaching his manhood, he and his brother James rented the farm for a period of three years, and at the expiration of that time, they bought the homestead, which was about i860. General farming was their chief occupation, and they both retired in 1889; in the year of their retirement, they erected a fine house on a commanding site on the homestead, and it is now occupied by James Carter. In 1895 our subject purchased the J. W. Cornell farm, which he rents. Mr. Carter is a valued member of his community, and is respected by all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance. W'^ IIvLIAM HENRY HARRISON FELL- The family, of which Mr. Fell is an honored member, is well known and highly respected in Buckingham township, and the name has been an honored one from the time of the settlement of the family on American soil. Our subject is a prominent and progressive farmer and a worthy repre- sentative of the agricultural class of Bucks County, and is the owner of a valuable tract of land, consisting of 100 acres, which yields him a large annual profit. He was born in Buckingham township, February 7, 1843, and is a son of Charles K. and Letitia (Large) Fell, and grandson of Stacy Fell. Stacy Fell was the founder of the Fell family in Buckingham township ; he pur- chased our subject's present farm and carried on general farming until death claimed him. He was married, and was the father of a family of children, one of whom was Charles 374 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES K., the father of our subject, who was also born in the above township. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, which occupation he successfully prosecuted all his active days. He was one of the prominent men of his community, and was honored with many township offices, the duties of which he faith- fully and honestly discharged. He passed from this life December 2, 1887, and his death was deeply lamented by a large circle of acquaintances. He was united in the bonds of wedlock with I,etitia I^arge, a native of Buckingham township, and this union was blessed by the following children : Joseph, deceased ; Howard, deceased ; Lizzie, deceased, was the wife of George Wolf; Wil- liam Henry Harrison, the subject of this biographical sketch; Harriet, the wife of Wilson M. lyippincott, a prominent farmer of Buckingham township ; A. Calvin, a resident of Philadelphia ; Emma, the wife of Samuel B. Hudnit, of Philadelphia, and he is a con- ductor on the P. & R. R. R. ; and I^etitia, who was wedded to Valmore M. Hellyer, and they reside at Centerville, this county. William Henry Harrison Fell was educated in the common schools of his native town- ship, and at Carversville College, of Carvers- ville. Pa., and had a thorough practical train- ing in agriculture on his father's farm. Upon leaving school, he returned to the homestead where he followed farming, and after his marriage took charge of the same, and has since carried on agricultural pursuits on his own account. His present farm consists of 100 acres of rich and productive land, and our subject has made many improvements upon the homestead, such as erecting new outbuildings and barns. Mr. Fell is a promi- nent and influential citizen of the central part of Bucks County, and is a leader in his township, taking a lively and substantial interest in all public measures tending to the advancement and prosperity of the commu- nity at large. Politically, Mr. Fell is a solid Republican, and an active participant in local and politi- cal matters, and has done much to further the cause of his party in his own county. He is now serving his fifteenth year as township assessor, which office he fills to the satisfac- tion of the entire community. Fraternally, our subject is a member and past officer of the Knights of the Golden Eagle, Danbury Castle, of Plumstead, Pa.; and the Improved Order of Red Men, Kittatinny Tribe, of Dan- boro. Pa. On the sixteenth day of November, 1865, Mr. Fell was united in the bonds of matrimony with Mary Johnson, who was born in Plumstead township, this county, October 22, 1841, and who is a daughter of Gibson and Sarah D. (Jones) Johnson. Her father, who is now deceased, was a prominent farmer of this county, and her mother is now living at Doylestown, Pa. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Fell, and are as follows: Charles, who died aged twenty-five years, was married to Anna Martendale ; Harry S. resides at Ogoutz, Pa. ; lyilly is the wife of Albert Fell, and they reside in Buckingham town- ship ; Elsie B. is the wife of Albert Mahan, of Warringtown township, this county ; Sadie J. is bookkeeper for Hellyer' s store in Doyles- town, Pa. ; and Rodman was united in mar- riage with Florence Hamilton, and they reside at Doylestown. FERDINAND REETZ. BUCKS COUNTY 377 TEFeRDINAND REETZ, who during his I Is day was one of the most skilled weav- ers and designers in America, has borne the vicissitudes of fortune with great fortitude, and at the time of his retiirement occupied a prominent place in the foremost rank of the manufacturers of Bucks County, being owner and proprietor of a large haircloth manufac- turing establishment at Hulmeville, Bucks County. This establishment, which was founded by him in 1884, is now under the able management of his son, Ewald, although he still retains a half interest in the works. His success was not attained without much hard labor and many misfortunes, and at times he was inclined to give up the battle against the tide which opposed him, but by unceasing industry and the dogged determi- nation which characterizes his race, he ulti- mately arrived at the desired goal, which enables him to spend his declining -years in happy retirement. Mr. Reetz was born in I/Uckenwalde, Prussia, May 7, 1822,- and is a son of Gotleib and Sophia (Doell) Reetz. Gotleib Reetz, the father of our subjeclj was a soldier, and after leaving the army, lived on his pension. He served in 1813, 1 8 14, and 18 15, in the wars against Napo- leon, and had a good record as a soldier. Ferdinand Reetz attended the common schools, and early in life learned the trade of a weaver, at which he acquired great skill, following that line of work until he came to America. He engaged in business on his own account and became quite wealthy, but in 1 866 lost all he had saved. He then came to America, landing in New York City, where he and his son Ewald, who accom- panied him, obtained work at the weaving trade. He at first received the small sum of I5.00 per week for his efforts, but his skill was not long in making itself apparent, and he accepted an offer to go to Fort Washing- ton, Montgomery County, Pa. , on a salary of ;^2o.oo per week. During the subsequent three years, he laid by the sum of ^3,000, and made double that amount for his em- ployer. He then moved to Philadelphia and in the short space of six months lost the en- tire earnings of years, through the dishonesty of a commission house in New York to whom his goods were sent. He was thoroughly disheartened for the time being, but as he had some material left in the way of scraps, odds. and ends, etc, he conceived the bright idea as a last resort, of making these up in a shawl. Being an artist in his business and an excellent designer, he made up four shawls of surpassing beauty. This done, another perplexing problem confronted him. How was he to obtain the money necessary for the trip to New York to display his goods? It was solved ' by his generous wife and help- ineet who generou^y gave him her watch to be pawned. Thus he was enabled to journey to New York, where his goods were shown to a large wholesale and importing house. It was with a heavy heart and slight hope that he made known his business to the man- agement of this extensive establishment, which imported shawls of the highest grade from every country in the world. To his great amazement, they were astonished at the beauty and excellence of the shawls and eagerly inquired as to who was the maker. Upon being informed that they were the re- 378 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES suit of his handicraft, they immediately placed an order in his hands, amounting to |8oo, with a promise of a larger one if that proved to their satisfaction. He hurriedly returned to Philadelphia, bought the neces- sary material, and manufactured the goods with which he filled the order. He received many larger orders at frequent intervals, and as they proved satisfactory to the house, his employment was steady. In a period of eight months' time, he made the large sum of $10,000, with which he erected a factory of his own in Philadelphia, which he operated with success until 1876, when he again met with reverses and lost nearly all he had. He then moved to Hulmeville, Bucks County, where he engaged in the manufacture of woolen shawls of every de- scription during the following three years. At the expiration of that period he again went to Philadelphia, where, in 1882, he be- gan the manufacture of haircloth, at which he continued until his retirement. In 1884, he returned to Hulmeville, where the factory is now located, and there he established one of the largest plants of the kind in the United States. The firm of Ferdinand Reetz & Son bears an unblemished reputation, and the goods are noted throughout the country. During the past few years Mr. Reetz has been living in retirement, enjoying the good re- sults of a well-spent past. His son, who has shared the many changes of fortune with him, manages the business with an experienced hand, and has sustained the reputation of the plant established by his father. Our sub- ject has been an extensive traveler through- out the United States and Europe, and has twice visited his native town in Germany. In 1895, he and his son, and also a son-in-law, took an extended trip throughout Europe. In 1847, he was united in marriage with Amelia Fudickar, a native of Germany, and to them were born fourteen children, four of whom are living at the present time, namely: Ewald; lyaura; Lena; and Elizabeth. After a residence of nine months in this country, Mr. Reetz sent for his wife and children, whom he had left in Germany. Mrs. Reetz was called to her final rest in 1891. Politi- cally, he is a Republican, whilst socially, he is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellow Orders. We take pleasure in presenting on a preceding page a portrait of Mr. Reetz, which adds to the value of the life history given above. -AMES ANDERSON. One of the pro- gressive and well-to-do agriculturists of Bucks County, Pa., and an influen- tial and highly esteemed citizen, is the gen- tleman whose biography we write, who is the proprietor of a well-improved farm consisting of 80 acres, which is located in Buckingham township, near the village of Forest Grove, and who is successfully engaged in handling all kinds of agricultural implements. Our subject is descended from Scotch-Irish an- cestry, and is a self-made man in every par- ticular, having acquired by industry and strict integrity the wealth he now possesses. He is a native of Buckingham township, the date of his birth being February 2, 1844, and he is a son of James and Eliza (Lewis) An- derson, and grandson of William Anderson. BUCKS COUNTY 379 William Anderson was a native of Scot- land, but his father was born and reared in Ireland. William immigrated to America at an early age and settled in Buckingham township, this county, where he took up a large tract of land and followed agricultural pursuits until his death. James Anderson, the father of our subject, was born and reared on his father's farm, and was educated to agricultural pursuits, which vocation he fol- lowed throughout his entire life. Starting out in life on his own account, he settled on a farm near the village of Centerville ; after following his vocation there a number of years, he moved to Smithfield, this county, where he carried on general farming until death claimed him, which was in 1870. He was wedded to Eliza Lewis, a native of New Jersey, and this union was blessed by a family of seven children, four of whom are now living, namely : Sally, widow of Robert Brown, and she resides in Philadelphia ; James, the subject of this personal history ; Ross ; Elizabeth, the wife of Joseph Roberts, and they are residents of Buckingham town- ship ; and William, Lewis, and Edward, who are deceased. Our subject was reared upon his father's farm until eight years old, and received his intellectual training in the district school ; he started out in life as a clerk, working in a store at .Forest Grove, remaining there some four years ; he then began working on his own account, purchasing his present farm, formerly known as the Burns farm; the estate consists of 80 acres, upon which he has made many improvements and has succeeded in putting the land under a high state of culti- vation. He not only carries on agricultural pursuits, but is engaged in handling agricul- tural implements and fertilizers, which is in fact his chief business. He carries a large stock of implements and has, by his strict at- tention to business and honest ways of deal- ing, established a large and paying patron- age ; he has also won the confidence and re- spect not only of the community in which he resides, but of all those with whom he has had any business transactions. In 1868, our subject was united in the bonds of matrimony with Emma R. Kirk, a native of Buckingham township, and a daughter of John M. and Mary (Veasy) Kirk, both of whom are deceased, — Mr. Kirk was a promi- nent farmer of this county. Two children have been born to this happy union, namely: Laura V. ; and Nettie. Religiously, Mr. An- derson and his devoted wife are members of the Presbyterian Church of Doylestown ; fra- ternally, he is a member of the Shields of Honor, of Centerville, Pa. Although our subject conscientiously endorses and upholds the principles of the Republican party, he has never consented to hold any political ofi&ce. YRON M. PETERS, M.D., a phy- sician who has a thorough under- standing of the intricacies of the medical profession, is the only Homeopathic practitioner in the borough of Doylestown, where he is firmly established in a large and lucrative practice. He is a son of Emanuel and Margaret A. (Deal) Peters, and was born in Philadelphia, Pa., September 12, 1861, 38o BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES Emanuel Peters, the father of our subject, was born in York, York County, Pa., Sep- tember 1 8, 1818, and attended the public schools. Being an apt and attentive pupil, he acquired a good English education. At the age of twenty-two years, he moved to Philadelphia, which he made his home the remainder of his life. One year later he became connected with the quarry business, and, being possessed of untiring energy and perseverance, built up a large business and operated on an extensive scale. Erom this he drifted into street and railroad contracting, and, as he was a man of honesty and trust- worthy in every respect, he gained the most implicit confidence of a large circle of friends and business acquaintances. In 1859 he con- structed the North Philadelphia Railroad, which was later merged into the Central Pas- senger Railroad, for which he was to receive the sum of $108,000. Upon the completion of the road the company was unable to pay the stipulated amount, and as a result he purchased stocks and bonds amounting to $50,000, and finally cancelled the indebted- ness for 1150,000. In 1865 the State Legis- lature repealed the charter of the road, and Mr. Peters lost the entire earnings and sav- ings of years of industrious labor. After that sad misfortune he again turned his attention to the quarry business at which he continued the remainder of his life, endeavoring to re- gain his lost fortune. He was a stanch Re- publican and took an active part in local politics. Religiously, he was a faithful mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church of which he was a deacon. He was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Margaret A. Deal, of Philadelphia, and they reared a family of eight sons and four daughters. Three of the sons became prominent physicians, namely : J. Elwood Peters, M.D., who practiced in Jenkintown, Montgomery County, for many years ; Dr. William C, who lives in Harris- burg, where he took the Pitcairn practice ; and Dr. Byron M., the subject of this bio- graphical sketch. Mr. Peters folded his hands in final rest in 1888, at the age of seventy years. Dr. Byron M. Peters attended the public schools of Philadelphia, from which he was graduated in the spring of 1881 ; he subse- quently pursued higher branches of study under a private tutor. Prof. H. R. Harvey, a well-known instructor of Philadelphia. In 1882 he began the study of medicine, enter- ing Rush Medical College of Chicago, one of the first medical schools of this country, and there took a two years' course. In 1883 he returned to Philadelphia and pursued study under Drs. John Allen and William Gurnsey, of Philadelphia. In the fall of that year he entered the Hahnemann Medical College of Philadelphia and was graduated in 1886. Immediately thereafter he located at Jenkin- town, where he practiced with his brother a few months, after which he took up his residence in Doylestown, where he has since practiced . He is a man honored and respected by his fellow-citizens, and has a very large practice, numbering the leading citizens of Doylestown as his patients. He is a member of the Hahnemann Alumni, and the German- town Medical Society. Dr. Peters was joined in wedlock with Fan- nie Livzey, of Doylestown, April 16, 1891, BUCKS COUNTY 381 and they are the happy parents of one daugh- ter, Clara I., who was born in 1892. Politic- ally, he is a Republican, but only takes a passing interest in politics as his practice re- quires his entire attention. Religiously, he is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Socially, he is a member of the St. Tammany Castle, No. 163, Knights of the Golden Eagle. rrsi TARRY K. L,UFF, a prominent and enterprising farmer of Northampton township, Bucks County, was born in that township on the old Alfred L,uff homestead, which is now owned by his brother, Franklin P. He is a son of Alfred and Ruth (Slack) Luff, and his birth occurred June 12, 1858. Alfred Luff's father, the grandfather of Harry K., was David Luff, of Tinicum township, who married Sarah Garis, of the same township, and he reared nine children, — six daughters and three sons. Alfred Luff was a native of Tinicum town- ship, where his father resided and followed his trade, that of a tailor. Leaving the par- ental roof at the age of eighteen years, Alfred was employed by various persons until 1849, when, in connection with his brother Joseph, he purchased a farm in his native township, near Richboro. Three years later he pur- chased his brother's interest, and for twenty- eight years carried on the occupation of a farmer, after which he moved to another farm which he owned near Richboro, North- ampton township, where he died September 24, 1882. He was an excellent business man of surpassing judgment, and during his life- time accumulated considerable valuable prop- erty, owning at the time of his demise four farms, the White Bear Hotel at Richboro, and other interests. He was united in wed- lock with Ruth Slack, of Tinicum township, a daughter of Jesse and Amy Slack, and they reared the following children : Oliver J., who married Jane Gilkyson, is a retired farmer of Richboro, and has two children, — Minnie, the wife of Rowland Bennett, a farmer of Hartsville, and Carrie, the wife of Joshua Atkinson, a painter of Richboro ; Franklin P., a record of whose life appears elsewhere in this volume ; George R. , who married Elizabeth Wyncoop and has five children, — William, Ruth, Mabel, Kate, and Rachel ; Harry K., the subject of this sketch; Ste- phen, who moved out West, married Belle K. Scott of Newtown township ; and Sarah, who died in childhood. Harry K. Luff was educated in the com- mon schools and attended the Newtown Academy for two years ; he lived on the home farm until after his marriage in 1883, when he purchased his present estate of 127 acres, known as the Britton Gilkyson place, and has since engaged in farming thereon. He has a fine, highly-improved farm, and carries on general farming, raising hay, grains of all kinds, potatoes, and fruits, and has followed the Philadelphia markets for some years. He is a man of energy and in- dustry, and has been very successful. He is a good citizen and has many friends through- out this district. January 10, 1883, Harry K. Luff and Sallie Scott took upon themselves mutual marriage vows. She is a daughter of Joseph and Mary (Torbert) Scott, of Upper Makefield township. 382 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES who were the parents of the following chil- dren : Frank, a farmer in Upper Makefield township, married Amanda Pittinger, and has one son, Samuel : Sallie, the wife of our subject ; Wilford, whose union with Jennie Williams of Mechanicsville has been blessed with four children, lyottie, Mary, Martha, and Sarah; George, a creamery man, who married Eva Merrick, and has four children, — Wilmer, Herbert, Ida and Eva; and Joseph and Isabella, twins. Joseph Scott is a hard- ware dealer in Trenton, N. J., and married Mary Pittinger, by whom he has one daugh- ter, Harriet. Isabella Scott married Watson Hunter, a farmer of Horsham, Pa. , and they have two children, Cheston and Grace. Po- litically, Mr. L/VlS is a firm supporter of the Democratic party, but is not an active worker in that organization. His wife is a meinber of the Presbyterian Church, and he is a mem- ber of Defiance Lodge, No. 335, K. of P., of Newtown. Ji R. MAHDON B. DILL, whose en- tire life has been spent in relieving the diseases of suffering humanity, is one of the leading physicians of Rockhill township, and a progressive citizen of Per- kasie. He is a son of Thomas and Sarah (Button) Dill, and was born in Rockhill township, Bucks County, July 24, 1852. He traces his ancestry back to his great- grandfather, Frederick Dill, who, accom- panied by his brother, Peter, immigrated to America some time in . the seventeenth cen- tury. Peter Dill moved to Georgia, but has never since been heard of, and Frederick lo- cated in Rockhill township, Bucks County, Pa., where he reared a family of three children, namely: Mary (Frank) ; Susan (Smith); and Jacob, the grandfather of our subject. Jacob Dill was born in Rockhill township, where he was reared and educated. He learned the trade of a tanner, which in connection with farming he followed his entire life. He was a public- spirited man and served in various oiBcial capacities. He was a county commis- sioner for a number of years, and many of the old stones in bridges throughout this section of the country bear his name. He was united in matrimonial bonds with Eliza- beth Kramm, whose death occurred at the age of ninety-four years, and they were the happy parents of ,the following children : Phoebe ; Thomas, the father of our subject ; Kate (Rosenberger) ; Maria (Raisner); and Frederick, who died young. Thomas Dill was born in Rockhill tpwn- ship in 1818, and obtained his intellectual training in the district schools of his native place, and in the high school at Doylestown. He farmed during his early manhood, but the most of his active business career has been spent in handling nursery stock, buy- ing and selling his own stock. He was a man of excellent business qualifications, and was quite successful in his diflFerent business ventures. Since leaving the farm he has lived in retirement in Perkasie and is now enjoying life at the advanced age of eighty- one years. He was joined in wedlock with Sarah Button, a daughter of Rev. Jacob But- ton, of Rockhill township, and they have the following children: Maria (Cope); Susan (Moyer); Dr. Mahlon B. ; Irwin; Elizabeth, BUCKS COUNTY 383 who died young; Emma, deceased; Hannah, deceased ; Ellen N. , deceased ; Sally I. lives at home ; Salena ; and Jacob, deceased. Mrs. Dill was born in Rockhill township, and is now passed seventy-two years of age. Mr. Dill is a firm Democrat and has held various township offices. Dr. Mahlon B. Dill obtained his education in the public schools of Perkasie, and also in a private school of that borough, when, after clerking for five years, he took up the study of his chosen profession, medicine, under the direction of Dr. H. W. Ritter, of Perkasie. He then took a course of lectures in Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, from which he was gra,duated with the class of 1881, and immediately entered upon a practice in Shimerville, Lehigh County. He remained there one year and then moved to Doyles- town, where he acquired a good paying prac- tice, and remained until 1890, in that year removing to Perkasie, where he has always been well known. He has a large patronage, including the leading citizens of the borough and township, and is held in high esteem by all with whom he comes in contact. He is deeply interested in the advancement of the interests of the town, and has been identified with a number of enterprises. He was one of the organizers and is a director of the Per- kasie Building & Loan Association, and a director of the Perkasie Improvement Com- pany, of which he is secretary. Dr. Dill, in 1881, was joined in hymeneal bonds with Ida S. Dirstine, a daughter of Henry Dirstine of Philadelphia, and they are the happy parents of the following children : Gertrude B. ; Nellie I. ; Henry T. ; Irwin R. ; and Frances Ruth. Socially, he is a mem- ber of the Bucks County Medical Society; Lehigh Valley Medical Society ; Knights of Pythias ; Brotherhood of the Union at Ha- gersville ; Patriotic Order Sons of America ; and the MacCalla Lodge, No. 596, F. & A. M. FERDINAND LONG, a prominent member of the Bucks County Bar, and senior member of the well- known firm of Ross & Long of Doylestown, occupies a secure position in society as a lawyer and solicitor of unusual talents. That he is a man of marked ability and enterprise may be judged from a study of his life, and the rapid rise he has effected, not without toil and efforts put forth intelligently, up the ladder of influence and financial success. Thrown on his own resources at the age of nine years, with but a small pittance to keep him from actual want, he has had a hard up- hill struggle with the obstacles that confront young men starting in life, but now that he has so far succeeded, he can look back upon his years of hard work with complacency, for they made a man of him, and gave him a command over himself and others that he could obtain in no other way. He is a self- made man, and as such is entitled to the highest regard and esteem of his fellow citizens. Mr. Long was born at Esslingen, Kingdom ofWurtemberg, Germany, September;, 1863, his parents being Frederick and Christianna (Wolf) Long, both natives of that place. Not long after our subject was born, in 1863, 384 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES his parents, with the four children then born, came to the United States, and settled at Pipersville, Bedminster township, this coun- ty, where four years later, in 1867, the mother died. Our subject's father, who in his native country was a viniculturist, upon becoming a resident of this country became the owner of a small farm in this county, upon which he lived and labored until his death at the age of forty- eight years. In his religious attachments he was an active I/Utheran. Six children — five sons and one daughter — were born to him and his wife, as follows : William, who lives at Gardenville, this county, and follows agricultural pur- suits ; Julius, a farmer of Gardenville ; Fred- erick also lives at Gardenville, engaged in operating a fine farm ; J. Ferdinand, the sub- ject of these lines ; John, a shoemaker of Point Pleasant, Bucks County ; and lyouisa, wife of John Rothfoos of Philadelphia. J. Ferdinand lyong was brought as an in- fant to this county, and passed the years of his early boyhood much as the average lad of his age did. The death of his father, when our subject was nine years old, changed his surroundings about as much as was possi- ble. This bereavement left him to shift for himself, the only proceeds coming to him from his father's property being $24, and to work he set with a will to fulfill his ambi- tions and be somebody in the busy world. He worked on a farm until 1882, all the while improving himself by every means at hand ; he managed to attend four months of school every winter, and as he was naturally of a studious turn of mind he found it an easy matter to stay at home in the evenings and study and read, while other boys of his age spent their evenings at the store of the neighborhood. He was thus fairly grounded in the fundamental elements of an education, when, in the spring of 1882, he entered the Keystone State Normal School at Kutztown, Berks County, Pa., where he remained eleven weeks. He then returned home, obtained a provisional teacher's certificate, and taught school two terms in Plumstead township. After that he once more became a student at the Normal in the graduating class, but was then, in 1884, appointed as clerk under County Treasurer Jacob Hagerty, and filled that position in 1884 and 1885. In the fall of 1885 he was elected teacher of the school at Plumsteadville, where he had taught but three days, when he received the appoint- ment of prefect in Girard College, Philadel- phia. He at once gave up his school, and removed to the new scene of his labors, where he remained one year, being finally obliged to give up the position because of the general state of his health, which had suffered considerably from the confinement. In the fall of 1886, he registered as a law student in the office of I^ouis H. James, Esq., an eminent attorney of Doylestown, and was admitted to the bar September 13, 1888. As soon as he became a barrister, he was taken into the law office of Ross & James as an assistant, and remained with the firm until the spring of 1889. I'he practical knowl- edge, which thus became his, served him in good stead in gathering about him clients, when he opened an office of his own in Quakertown, where he practiced until No- vember 18, 1889. On that date he became a DR. F. HARVEY GRIM. BUCKS COUNTY 387 member of the firm of Ross, James & Long, as it became known after his admission. He was put in charge of the branch office the firm conducted in Bristol, where he con- tinued to transact legal business until May, 1890, when Mr. James died. The office at Bristol was then closed, and the firm of Ross & Long carried on legal business in Doyles- town until the death, in 1894, of the senior member of the firm, Hon. George Ross. Thereafter our subject continued to practice alone until January i, 1897, when he ad- mitted as a partner Thomas Ross, son of Hon. George Ross, reviving the old firm name of Ross & Long. To this firm has come a large quantity of important litiga- tion, that entitles it to rank as one of the yery best in the county. Mr. Long was admitted to practice in the State Supreme Court of Pennsylvania in 1892. He is a director of the Bucks County Trust Com- pany, and has been one since 1894. Among corporations, the firm of Ross & Loiig repre- sents in Bucks County, the National Transit Company, and takes care of the legal busi- ness of the boroughs of Sellersvilk and Langhorne Manor, Sellersville National Bank, but its most extensive business comes direct from the people of the county. Mr. Long was united in marriage Decem- ber 23, 1892, with Lilorah B. Scholl, daugh- ter of William H. and Leanna Scholl of Quakertown, Bucks County. Three children have blessed this union : Marion B.; Harold Ross ; and Stanley W. Our subject is a strong and active member of the German Reformed Church of Doylestown, and by his valuable services on the building committee aided in building the new church edifice, that was completed last year. He takes a keen interest in politics, and keeps himself well posted on political literature. As one of the speakers of the Democratic party he has assisted in stumping the county several times, and is seen at county, district and state conventions, always as a very inter- ested observer, and usually as a delegate. He has been secretary of the county com- mittee two or three times. Although very active in politics, he has never aspired to any official position. Mr. Long is a member of Doylestown Lodge, No. 245, F. & A. M. ; Doylestown Chapter, No. 270, R. A. M. ; St. Tammany Castle, No. 173, K. of G. E., of which he is past chief, and was a charter member. R. F. HARVEY GRIM, a recent , portrait of whom is 'Shown on the opposite page, is an eminent and highly esteemed physician and surgeon of Bucks County, Pa., and has been pursuing his chosen profession in -the village of Re- vere and immediate vicinity, for the past eighteen years. ' The doctor is a deep stu- dent, and has a thorough understanding of the intricacies ■ of his calling. He is de- scended from one of the oldest and best known families of Bucks County ; he was born in Nockamixon township, this county, September 4, 1859, and is a son of Dr. George W. Grim, grandson of Adam Grim, great- grandson of George Grim, and great-great- grandson of John Grim. John Grim was born and reared in Prussia, 388 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES and with his wife, whose maiden name was Fisher, and twelve children, came to America, settling at the present site of the village of Norristown, Montgomery County, Pa., about 1700. Most of the sons of John Grim fol- lowed agricultural pursuits, and some located in Montgomery County with their father, while others settled in Berks, I^ehigh, Schuyl- kill and Bucks Counties. George Grim, the great-grandfather of our subject, remained in Montgomery County ; he married Elizabeth Favinger, whose parents also came to this country from Prussia. Three children re- sulted from this union, — one daughter and two sons. Adam Grim, our subject's grand- father, was also a farmer by vocation, and as a result of his marriage with Christiana Dis- mant, daughter of Daniel Dismant, who was of English-Irish extraction, a family of chil- dren was reared, one of whom was George W., the father of our subject. George W. Grim was reared on his father's farm, and was but a lad of fourteen years when his father was killed on the Reading Railroad, and George was thrown on his own resources to battle against the tide of life, and it was only through his untiring energy and perseverance that he succeeded in making a comfortable living and in attaining a highly respected position in society. He began as a moulder, serving an apprenticeship to the moulder's trade for nine years; he then at- tended school and taught some during the winter months ; later he entered Washington Hall, of Trappe, Montgomery County. Hav- ing decided upon the career of a physician as a means of obtaining a livelihood, he en- tered Jefferson Medical College, where he completed his studies in that direction, and was graduated in 1859. In the same year Dr. George W. Grim located in Ferndale, Pa. , and followed his profession until 1865, when he became a resident of Revere, where he pursued his chosen profession until death claimed him. He was a careful practitioner, and possessed the confidence and esteem of a very large patronage. He was very suc- cessful, for he amassed a fortune that was entirely the result of his own unabatable in- dustry and energy. Dr. George W. Grim was a man of generous impulses, strict integrity, and pure moral character, and a kind and loving husband and father. He died March 7, 1892, aged sixty years, and his death was deeply felt and deplored by all who knew him, and by all the citizens of the northern section of the county. He purchased the Reden Miller and David Riesner property and erected a handsome residence and ofiice ; his old home was given to our subject. In 1857 Dr. George W. Grim was wedded to Elizabeth Koons, a daughter of Frederick and Rebecca (Prizer) Koons, and to this union were born the following children: Ida, deceased ; F. Harvey, the subject of this personal history ; Warren, deceased ; George Melvin, a physician of Ottsville, this county, married Sally Fetler, who bore him a fam- ily of three children,— Harold, Helen, and Alma ; A. Florence is the wife of A. H. Big- ley, and they have reared three children, —Grace, Charles and Esther ; I. Webster is a prominent attorney of Doylestown, and his sketch may also be found in this Book of Biographies ; Frank S. is a practicing physi- cian of New Jersey, and he was wedded to BUCKS COUNTY 389 Mary E. Fabian; Harry E., an attorney of Perkasie, -was united in marriage with Annie Moyer, and tliey are the parents of one child,^-Anna D. ; Cora B. and Nora E. are twins, — the former is the wife of W. H. Rufe, of Riegelsville, and the latter is a school teacher ; and James S., a student at Lafayette College. The mother of our sub- ject is strong physically and mentally for one of her years ; she largely contributed to the success of her husband, and is a kind and generous neighbor and friend, a true and faithful wife and devoted mother. F. Harvey Grim was intellectually trained in the West Chester Normal School and the Keystone State Normal School of Kutz- town ; he then took up the study of medi- cine under his father, and later entered Jef- ferson Medical College, from which institu- tion he was graduated with the class of 188 1. Dr. Grim returned to his home and practiced with his father, acquiring a large and lucra- tive practice alone, but since his father's death our subject has been called to fill his place. He was eminently fitted to assume these duties, as his subsequent career goes to prove, for he' is thoroughly reliable and capable of handling even the most complicated of cases. Dr. Grim still keeps up the reputa- tion his father had before him, of being a physician of superior merit, and of being one who thinks that every case upon which he is called to attend is well worth his best efibrts, and no pains are spared to alleviate the sufierer, be he rich or poor. The Doctor is a friend as well as a physician to his patients, and enjoys the friendship and confi- dence of many people in his community. Dr. Grim was united in the bonds of matri- mony with Ella Rufe, daughter of Reden and Mary Ann (Hillpot) Rufe ; her father was born at Revere Tavern, Nockamixon township, June 20, 1824. Reden Rufe was a son of John and Catherine (Hager) Rufe, and grand- son of George Rufe, an early settler of Nock- amixon township, who was a farmer by vo- cation. George Rufe was the father of the following children : George ; John ; Fred- erick ; Samuel ; and four daughters. John Rufe was a blacksmith by trade, which occupation he followed with farming. He was the owner of the Bucks farm and tavern, and resided there until death claimed him, which was at the age of seventy-five years. He was married to Catherine Hager, a daughter of Valentine Hager, and this union was blessed with the following children : Isaac ; Reden ; Amanda ; Josiah ; William ; and John H. Reden Rufe owned 90 acres of the homestead, but at an early age learned the trade of a carpenter, which occupation he pursued for a period of twenty-five years ; at the expiration of that time he returned to his farm, where he has been carrying on agri- cultural pursuits up to the present time. Reden has been married twice ; his first wife was Sarah Berghstresser, who died at the age of thirty-one years. His second matri- monial alliance was with Mary Ann Hillpot, and they' reared four children, namely : Ella, the wife of our subject ; Josiah ; Seymore, married Cora Kohl ; and Annie was wedded to O. Stone. Dr. and Mrs. Grim are the parents of seven children, who are named as follows ; Edna F. ; Minnie B. ; lyizzie E. ; George W. ; Clara F. ; Esther ; and Horace. 390 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES Dr. Grim and family are devoted members of the Reformed Church. He is now serving his seventh year as school director, and dur- ing this time he has been secretary of the board ; served four years as United States Pension Examiner; and August 23, 1893, he helped establish the Ferndale Manufacturing Company, and our subject has served as presi- dent since that time. Fraternally, the Doc- tor is a member of L,odge No. 567, F. & A. M. , of Riegelsville ; past master of the Knights of the Golden Eagle ; member of the Junior Order of United American Me- chanics of Ferndale; and member of the I. O. R. M. of Kintnersville. Our subject was instrumental in having the post-office established at Revere, and was the first postmaster. That was in the year 1885, and prior to that time the place was known as Kintners and Rufe's. fcfREI REDERICK T. BEANS, a prosperous _L « farmer of Lower Makefield township, and a representative of an old and well- known family of Bucks County, was born on the estate he now owns, October 31, 1836, and is a son of Benjamin and Mary (Hol- comb) Beans. His grandfather was Benjamin Beans, whose trade was that of a shoemaker, which he followed in connection with farming in Ivower Makefield township. He married Mary Smith of Wrightstown, Pa., and the following issue resulted: Sarah R., born July 7, 1784; Rachael, born March 10, 1786; Charles, born June 27, 1788, married Sarah Buckman ; Jonathan, born December 1 7, 1789, married Elizabeth Winder ; Elizabeth, born October 15, 1793 ; Benjamin, the father of our subject ; and Seneca, born November 21, 1798, who married Ann Briggs. Benjamin Beans was born January 16, 1796, in l/ower Makefield township, and was reared to agricultural pursuits.' In 1833, he purchased the property upon which our sub- ject now resides and became one of the prom- inent farmers of that section. He was widely known and highly respected, taking an in- terest in all matters pertaining to the public welfare, especially in matters of an educa- tional nature. Religiously, he was a faith- ful member of the Society of Friends. He was united in marriage with Mary Holcomb, by whom he had four children, namely: Phoebe Ann, born December 14, 1832, was united in wedlock with Robert K. Burroughs, a farmer of Upper Makefield township, and they had three children, — Henrietta, deceased, Benjamin B. , and Ellen J. ; S. Ellen, born April 19, 183s, and died June 16, 1893, was the wife of Dr. W. S. Janney of Philadel- phia, by whom she had two children, Mary Anna, and William; Frederick T. our sub- ject; and Caroline M., who was born May 15, 1844, and died January 2, 1859. Our subject's mother was born in Upper Makefield township, December 14, 1799, and was a daughter of Samuel Holcomb. The latter was a farmer of Upper Makefield town- ship; he formed a marital union with Anna A. Van Horn, and they became the parents of the following children : Sarah, Mary, Eliza- beth, John, Hannah, Samuel, Phoebe, Matilda, De Witt C. , and George W. After the death of BUCKS COUNTY 391 his first wife, Mr. Holcomb married Elizabeth Firman, and they had one daughter, Phoebe. Frederick T. Beans was educated in the public schools of his native township and in the academy at Norristown, after which he worked for his father on the old homestead until after his marriage in 1858, when the latter retired from the active duties of farm life. Since then, our subject has had com- plete charge of the estate, and, by successful management and a free use of the qualities endowed by nature, has won his way to a prominent place among the foremost agricul- turists of the county. He is not only engaged in general farming, but also in dairying, his dairy products being especially commend- able. In addition to the 147 acres of the old homestead, he owns another farm of 63 acres, which is also under a high state of cultiva- tion. He has made many substantial im- provements upon both buildings and land since assuming the management, and the general appearance of the place indicates the prosperity of the owner, attained only after many years of unceasing toil. The success with which he has met is pleasing not only to himself, but to his many friends and well- wishers throughout the count}-. April 13, 1858, Mr. Beans was joined in Hymen's bonds with Sarah J. Walker, a daughter of J. Holcomb and Sarah A. (I^ong- shore) Walker, and granddaughter of Phineas Walker. The latter, who was a farmer of Buckingham and later of Northampton town- ship, married Sarah Holcomb, by whom he had the following offspring : Mary, born June 3, 1800; Robert, born November 16, 1 801; Margaret, born December 3, 1803; J. Holcomb; Sarah, born November 2, 1807; Susanna ; Asaneth, who died March 5, 1884; and Phineas, Jr., of Trenton, N. J. J. Hol- comb Walker, who was born at Northamp- ton, July 30, 1 80s, spent most of his life as a farmer in Solebury township, this county. He married Sarah A. I^ongshore, a daughter of Abraham L,ongshore, who was a native of Middletown township. Mr. lyongshore mar- ried Rhoda Skilton of Solebury township, November 3, 1807, and the following chil- dren were born to them: Sarah A., born December 26, 1807 ; Joseph S., born Septem- ber 8, 1809; Mary, born August 16,. 181 1, and died September 27, 1812; Thomas, born November 11, 18 12, and died August 19, 1898 ; Carry, born August 8, 18 14, died March 24, 1888 ; Joseph Watson, born March 5, 181 8, died November i, 1839; William E., born February 22, 1820, died September 11, of the same year; Samuel C, born Novem- ber 2, 1822; Elizabeth, born November 28, 1825 ; and Ann, born April 16, 1829. Mr. and Mrs. Walker were the parents of five children, namely : Sarah J. , the wife of our subject, who was born December 27, 1836; William L,., born May 31, 1837, married Elizabeth Hellings, and after her death, De- borah Cadwallader, — he is a milk dealer in Newtown; Abraham,. a grocer of Los Ange- les, Cal., was born November 27, 1836, and married Hannah Witson, by whom he had one son, Oscar, — after his wife's death, he remarried, and had three children, Harry, Sarah and Flora; Elizabeth H., born Sep- tember 15, 1840, and died November 22, 1892, was the wife, of Samuel Walton, who lives in Newtown ; and John H., who was born 392 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES October 20, 1842, and died in infancy. Upon tlie demise of Mr. Walker, his wife formed a second union with Mahlon K. Taylor. To our subject and his worthy wife six children have been given, a record of whom follows: Caroline L,., born May 24, 1859 ; B. Franklin, born September 13, i860, died in infancy; Horace H., born October 25, 1863, was united in marriage with Jennie M. Scott, January 30, 1889, at Sheldon, Iowa, where he is in the employ of Sigbee & Co., — they have one child, Elsie, who was born Decem- ber 10, 1890 ; Eugene L,., a farmer of Wrights- town, was born June 23, 1865, was married to Adeline B. Davis, November 21, 1889, and has two children, — Frederick W., born Sep- tember 4, 1890, and Raymond S., born June 10, 1892; Mary L,., born January 27, 1873; and Annie E., born February i, 1875. Polit- ically, Mr. Beans is a firm Republican, and was a member of the school board for eigh- teen years, his services in that capacity re- sulting in much benefit to the educational interests of the district. In religious belief, he is a Friend. ^OSIAH H. RUFE, who is the well- known proprietor of the Ferndale Hotel, an establishment conducted on the most improved plans, and one which stands high in public favor, is also one of the most progressive and highly respected citizens of Ferndale, Nockamixon township, Bucks County, Pa. He was born on Novem- ber 9, 1862, on the old homestead at Revere, this township, and is a son of Readden and Mary Ann (Hillpot) Rufe. His great-grandfather on the paternal side was George Rufe, a native of Germany, who located on what is now Henry Dewise's farm in Nockamixon township, where he followed the trade of a blacksmith in connection with agricultural pursuits. He lived to reach the age of sixty-three years, and now lies buried in the churchyard of the Nockamixon Church. He and his wife Sarah reared the following children : Jacob ; Frederick ; Samuel ; John F. ; George ; Sarah, who married James Fulmer; Mrs. Michael Worman; and two daughters who passed away in early life. John F. Rufe also learned the trade of a blacksmith, and engaged in that business at The Swamp, where Mr. Shelley now resides, and in 1824 he bought the Bucks estate, con- sisting of a hotel and farm, where Revere is located. He also built a blacksmith shop, and besides farming he conducted a hotel, which was very well patronized, as it was on the stage route and the principal road for general teaming. He also erected a new set of buildings on the property now owned by his son, Readden Rufe, and upon his death left a fine estate to be divided among the members of his family. He was united in matrimonial bonds with Catherine Hager, a daughter of Valentine Hager ; by her he had the following issue : Isaac ; Readden ; Amanda ; Josiah ; William ; and John H. Mrs. Rufe survived her husband some years, dying at the age of eighty-eight. Readden Rufe, the father of the subject of this biographical record, was born June 20, 1824, in the Revere Hotel, and from boyhood has followed farming, although for twenty- five years he also worked at the carpenter's BUCKS COUNTY 393 trade. He is a man of good business quali- fications, and lias been quite successful in his business affairs. He was joined in wed- lock with Sarah Berghstresser, a daughter of George Berghstresser, and her sad death occurred at the early age of thirty-one years. In 1856 he formed a second alliance with Mary Ann Hillpot, who was born in 1835, and was a daughter of Peter Hillpot. This union resulted in the birth of the following children : Ella, the wife of Dr. F. H. Grim, a record of whose life appears elsewhere in this book ; Josiah H. ; Seymore, who married Cora Kohl ; and Annie C., whose union with Oscar Stone was blessed with two children, Walter and a daughter. Josiah H. Rufe attended the Rufe school of Revere, after which he learned the trade of a stone cutter and followed it for a period of four years. At the expiration of that time he accepted a position as salesman with the Ferndale Shoe Manufacturing Company of Ferndale, and was identified with that com- pany in different capacities until 1 897, when he succeeded George Bailey as proprietor of the Ferndale Hotel. It is a commodious, well-kept house of 20 rooms, with every possible convenience arranged for the com- fort of guests. Mr. Rufe is of a genial and good-natured disposition, and has won his way into the good-will of the traveling pub- lic. Having had considerable experience upon the road, he has a thorough under- standing of the wants of that body of people. He formed a marital union with Flora B. Kiefer, a daughter of Joseph Kiefer, by whom he had one daughter who died at an early age. After the demise of his wife, Mr. Rufe formed a second alliance with Emma Trouts, a daughter of Henry Trouts of Nockamixon township, and they have one daughter, Min- nie Mabel. Politically, he is a stanch sup- porter of the Democratic party, and has served in an official capacity in many of the township offices. In religious faith and fel- lowship, he and his wife are faithful mem- bers of the lyUtheran Church. -OHN WIIvIvIAM FAHR, M.D. Tlie Fahr family, of which the subject of these lines is a well-known member, has since the early colonial days been closely associated with the progress and improvement of Bucks County. Our subject is the owner of the Riverview Farm, one of the finest farms along the beautiful Delaware River, located in Tinicum township, this county, and con- sisting of 200 acres of highly improved land. This worthy and esteemed gentleman was born and reared in Nockamixon township, Bucks County, his birth being in 1866, and he is a son of William and Esther (Cole) Fahr, grandson of John Jesse and Sarah (Hawk) Fahr, and great-grandson of Jesse Fahr. Jesse Fahr was of German extraction, but resided in the New England States, where he was a prosperous farmer before the Revolu- tionary War ; he was among the first to shoulder arms in that mighty struggle, and was among the last to lay them down after seven years upon the battle field. After inde- pendence had been gained, Jesse settled on a farm near the city of Philadelphia, but soon afterwards moved to Nockamixon township, where he took up a large tract of land, which 394 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES now comprises several farms. He erected a nide, but substantial log house, which was one of the first log houses built in the town- ship ; it had, as most log houses had those days, a large, old fashioned fireplace and one little window on the side. Jesse Fahr was married and was the father of a family of children, one of whom was John Jesse, the grandfather of our subject, who was born and reared on the homestead in Nockamixon township. In connection with carrying on agricultural pursuits, he followed boating and rafting on the Delaware River until he at- tained an advanced age. He was joined in marriage with Sarah Hawk, who died in 1896, at the ripe old age of one hundred and four years, and who now lies buried in the Upper Tinicum burial grounds. She was the mother of the following children : Jacob ; Samuel ; James ; Ellen ; Ann ; Jennie ; and William. William Fahr, the father of our subject, was born and reared on the homestead in Nocka- mixon township, and was trained to mercan- tile pursuits ; he followed that vocation but a few years, when he passed from this life at the age of twenty- two years, the cause of -his death being typhoid fever. He chose Esther Cole as his companion in life ; she was a daughter of William and Dorothy Cole, and as a result of this marriage one son was born, John Wil- liam, the subject of this narrative. Our sub- ject's mother, after the death of her husband, was wedded to William Wolfinger, a mason and builder, residing at Riegelsville, Pa., and they are the parents of four children, namely : Eluier ; Thomas S. ; Annie ; and Allen W. Our subject's mother entered the world of rest in 1896, at the age of fifty-one years. John William Fahr possesses a fine edu- cation, which he received in the common schools and at Gettysburg College; having decided upon the career of a physician as a means of obtaining a livelihood, he entered Jefferson Medical College, from which insti- tution he was graduated in 1887. He imme- diately began his professional career in the village of Milford, N. J., and vicinity, where he not only soon established a reputation as being one of the best physicians in his com- munity, but built up a large and lucrative practice. He erected a fine home in Milford, but in 1896 he sold the place and purchased the Patrick McGee estate, better known as the Riverview Farm, which comprises 200 acres of land, and which cannot be excelled by any farm along the Delaware River. It has a handsome mansion, which is surrounded by a large and well-kept lawn ; this property, during the colonial days, was known as the Erwin estate, and in front of the beautiful mansion may be seen the dock timber, where Washington had planned to take his army across the Delaware River, but was forced to cross the river further down the stream. Arthur Erwin, who built the docks for Wash- ington's army to cross the river, was murdered on the night of July 9, 1 791, by an English spy ; he was buried in the burial grounds on the farm, around which burial grounds is a heavy brick wall, the only access to the yard being through a little iron gate. Dr. Fahr has made many improvements upon the property since taking possession of it, and is now enjoying all the comforts of life. He is devoting much time to fruit culture, and his collection of various domestic and foreign ;>?»:^rr<:w?»»®i?*?«Sf;gs;^'f*^'S*?s^:???^^^ > SAMUEL WEIRBACH. BUCKS COUNTY 397 varieties is one of the largest and most com- plete in this section of the country ; he has fine young 6rchards of all kinds of fruits, that flourish in the temperate zone. His farm is in many respects the most complete farm in the state of Pennsylvania. He has a great fondness for Jersey cattle and fine stock of all kinds. His poultry yards contain all species of fowls — from swans and foreign geese and ducks down to the old, reliable hen. The library of our subject is one of the most complete in the vicinity, containing a large and select lot of books and magazines. Dr. Fahr is a highly esteemed resident of Tini- cum township, and commands the respect and good-will of a large circle of acquaintances. Dr. Fahr was wedded to Cora E. Worman, only daughter of Henry and Mary (Bowes) Worman, distinguished citizens of Easton, Pa., and to this union was born one child, a boy, which died in its infancy. Religiously^ Mr. and Mrs. Fahr are members of the Pres- byterian Church ; politically, our subject is a solid Republican. 'OSEPH WEIRBACH, one of Rich- land township's honored and influen- tial farmers, who has successfuly en- gaged in agricultural work all his life, and who is descended from one of the pioneer settlers of Bucks County, was born on his present farm June 2, 1846, and is a son of Samuel and Hannah (Penrose) Weirbach, and grandson of Peter and Susan (Croman) Weir- bach. Peter Weirbach was born and reared in Bucks County, and his life vocation was that of a farmer ; as a result of his marriage with Susan Croman, the following children were born to them : Samuel ; John ; Joseph ; Han- nah ; and several others who died in their in- fancy. Samuel Weirbach, the father of our subject, was born in Richland township March 27, 18 14. His father died while he was a mere lad, and at the early age of eight years he was bound out to John Narran- gand, a farmer of Richland township, with whom he remained until he attained the age of eighteen years. He then served an ap- prenticeship of two years at the shoeinaking trade with l/cwis Berger, and continued to follow that occupation as a journeyman for a period of four years ; being dissatisfied with his trade, he went to work for Charles Him- melwright, on the farm where he resided until his death, and continued to remain in his employ twenty-five years, or to the time of his employer's death, which was in 1861. Charles Himmelwright was an old bachelor, and owned .the farm which was owned by our subject's father ; upon the farm was a hand- some two-story . mansion built by Joseph Himmelwright, which is still standing, and in the best of condition. The rooms are large and spacious, finished with hard wood, which is beautifully carved by hand, and con- tains several old-style fire-places, and the mansion is sirrrounded by a beautiful and well-kept lawn, which is shaded and orna- mented with mammoth palmetto, cedar and basswood trees. The first house that stood on the farm was situated across the little creek that runs through the farm, which site is now marked by two large pear trees and a 398 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES few broken bricks. In 1843 Samuel Weirbach was married to Hannah Penrose, who was born October 15, 18 13, and died in 1868; they were the parents of the following children : Charles P., born July 20, 1844, is an iron worker of Lebanon, Pa., and was wedded to Mary Ann Frey ; Joseph, the subject of this narra'tive ; and Samuel, born March 20, 1849, who mar- ried Carrie Rapp, a daughter of Charles A. Rapp, of Quakertown, and two children blessed their home — ^William H. and James A. Mr. Weirbach also owned the Samuel Berger farm, which is now being farmed by his son Samuel. Mr. Weirbach passed from this life October 3, 1898, surrounded by many warm friends of the present and the dear memories of the past ; his share of the work of this busy world was performed carefully and well to the best of his ability, and the success which attended his efforts was deserv- ing, and came to him as a natural result of his methods of life. Joseph Weirbach acquired a liberal educa- tion in the district schools of his native town- ship, and spent his boyhood days working on the farm, and now has charge of the homestead ; he is one of the progressive and enterprising farmers of Richland township, and is liighly esteemed by his fellow-country- men. In 1869 our subject was united in the bonds of matrimony with Mary Stump, a daughter of Enos and Elizabeth (Lewis) Stump, of Rockhill township, and this union has been blessed by the birth of three chil- dren, namely : Annie May, who died in childhood days; Harvey E., born April 13, 1881 ; and Howard H., born July 5, 1884. Mr. Weirbach is a Republican, and has served as auditor two yedrs, and has been delegated to county conventions two years ; religiously, he and his family are all devoted members of the Reformed Church. A portrait of Samuel Weirbach appears on a preceding page in connection with the above narrative. EV. EDWARD MILLER JEF- FERYS, B.A., B.D., rector of St., Paul's Church (Episcopal), Doyles- town, Bucks County, Pa., id the second son of Charles P. B. Jefferys, Esq., of Philadel- phia, a retired civil engineer, and of his wife, Elizabeth (Miller) Jeflferys. He was born in Philadelphia May 4, 1865. Rev. Mr. Jefferys is of English, Scotch and American descent. His paternal grandfather, the Hon. Peter Jeflferys, a lieiitenant-colonel in the English Army, was botn in the island of Nevis, British West Indies, where he was an extensive planter and landed proprietor. Peter Jefferys studied at the University of Edinburgh, where he was graduated a phy- sician, returning to the West Indies at the completion of his professional studies. He was Lieutenant-Governor of the island ; his official title being, " President of the Council of Nevis." Colonel Jefferys had four sons, of whom two are living. One of these, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in 1831 at Hal in Belgium. Charles P. B. Jefferys pursued his early studies in Antwerp, later entering the University of Li^ge where he took the course in Mining Engineering, at the same time taking a liberal course in the Classics. At the early age of eighteen BUCKS COUNTY 399 years he came to America, where his father had many friends and considerable property. After some time spent in travel, Charles P. B. Jefferys entered upon his professional career as civil engineer on the Pennsylvania Rail- road, where he held several positions in the engineer corps under Mr. John Edgar Thom- son, at that time chief engineer of the road. Mr. Jefferys also built the Sand-patch tunnel on the line of the Pittsburg & Connellsville Railroad, which was one of the important railroad constructions of that period. In 1857 he became connected with the Missouri Pacific Railroad which he located from the Laraine River west, as principal as- sistant engineer. His chief was the distin- guished civil engineer, Edward Miller, who had been successively chief engineer of the Catawissa Railroad, the Morris & Essex Canal, the Sunbury & Erie Railroad, the New York & Erie Railroad and the Schuylkill Naviga- tion Co. Mr. Miller was associate engineer of the Western Division of the Pennsylvania Central Railroad in 1847; chief engineer of that railroad in 1850; chief engineer of the North Pennsylvania Railroad in 1853, and president of the same in 1856; and in 1856, as we have already stated, chief engineer of the Missouri Pacific. In 1857 Charles P. B. Jefferys married his chief's eldest daughter, Miss Elizabeth Miller, a member of one of the oldest and best families in Philadelphia, and went abroad for a time. There were born to them eight children, five sons and three daughters, six of whom are now living. Two of the daughters were born in Europe. Edward Miller, grandfather of the subject of the present sketch, was a son of William Miller, Jr. , who was Commissioner of Internal Revenue from 1798 to 1803, during parts of the administrations of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. The office which Mr. William Miller held is now that of the Sec- retary of the Interior. William Miller and his son Edward were members of the First Troop, Philadelphia City Cavalry. Rev. Edward M. Jefferys has a brother in the ministry of the Church ; another brother is a physician ; and a third is administering a family estate in the West. Rev. Edward Miller Jefferys pursued his preparatory studies at Rugby Academy, Phil- adelphia. He entered the University of Penn- sylvania in 1882 and graduated therefrom in 1886, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He entered the Berkeley Divinity School, Middletown, Conn., in the autumn of the same year. He completed his theological studies in 1889 and was ordained deacon by the Right Reverend Bishop Williams, in the Church of The Holy Trinity, Middletown, Conn. ; being advanced to the priesthood the following year in the same church by Bishop Williams. During his diaconate Mr. Jefferys was assistant at St. Peter's Church, Philadel- phia. In June, 1890, his alma mater, the University of Pennsylvania, conferred upon him the degree of Bachelor of Divinity. After one year at St. Peter's, he went to Detroit to be assistant in St. John's Parish in that city. He served at St. John's until 1893, being for one year in sole charge of that very large parish during a change of rectors. In the spring of 1 894, Mr. Jefferys traveled in the East, visiting Egypt, Turkey, Syria, and, more especially, the Holy Land. 40O BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES Upon his return to America Mr. JeiFerys was called to St. Paul's Church, Doylestown, Pa., where he is now the rector. He married Miss Amy Elizabeth Faulconer, of Detroit, Mich., April 24, 1895. Two children have been born to him : Robert Faulconer ; and Charles P. B., the third of that name. Mr. Jefferys has had a successful and useful career at St. Paul's, and his work in Doyles- town has been abundantly blessed. The church edifice has been enlarged during his rectorate, by extending and deepening the chancel and by building a choir. Mr. Jefferys is an earnest and vigorous preacher and a zealous and faithful parish priest. He has taken a lively interest in the moral welfare of the community outside his parish, as well as ministering to the spiritual needs of his congregation. He recently led in a move- ment to establish a library and reading-room for the youth of the town, and the result has been success beyond all expectations. ^EV. CHARI.es B. weaver, an earnest and conscientious laborer in *^ the vineyard of the Master, is held in dear esteem by not only the members of the congregation of St. I^uke's Reformed Church of Nockamixon township, over whom he presides, but by the citizens of the com- munity as well. Rev. Mr. Weaver is also pastor of the Solomon Reformed Church, Bedminster township. St. Luke's Reformed Church is the oldest religious society of the northern section of the county, and its history goes back to a date prior to the Revolutionary War. This congregation was organized in 1775 ; half an acre of land was purchased of a Mr. Shoup, and a log church was erected, in which meetings were held many years, and was the only house of worship in Nocka- mixon township at that time. Besides this little, old picturesque chapel stood a school house, which was located near where the present church is situated. In 1 797, a small strip of land adjoining the churchyard was purchased of Lawrence Pearson, which was used as the church burial ground, in which many generations of the old and prominent families of this vicinity lie buried. In 1830, the Lutheran and Reformed congregations joined, and they erected a new and larger brick church ; the old log church was sold to Jacob Sassaman for the sum of |ioo, and the timber and boards of this old church, which were finely engraved and stained, are now in the barns of Jacob F. Sassaman. In 1875, the brick church was taken down and the present handsome edifice erected in its stead. Rev. Casper Wack, the founder of St. Luke's Reformed congregation, of Nocka- mixon township, upon the completion of the log edifice, was placed in charge of the church, and held that position until 1787, when he was succeeded by Rev. Frederick William VonDerSloot; in 1792, John Mann became pastor of the church, and he in turn gave way to Rev. Hoffmeyer in 1796; and he was succeeded by Jacob William Dechant in 1808, who was succeeded in order by Sam- uel Stahr, in 1811 ; W. T. Gerhart, in 1844; D. Rothrock, in May, 1859; and then by Charles B. Weaver, the subject of this sketch, BUCKS COUNTY 401 in 1893. Rev. Mr. Weaver has greatly in- creased the membership of the church, the church now having an enrollment of 375 members ; since the founding of the church 2,514 members have been enrolled. Our subject also served six years in the pulpit at Keller's Church, and was succeeded by Rev. D. Rothrock. Rev. Charles B. Weaver was born in Hel- lertown, Pa., April 18, 1863, and is a son of Tobias S. and Louisa (Hess) Weaver, grand- son of Tobias and Annie (Schimef) Weaver, and great-grandson of George Adam Weaver. Tobias Weaver, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was a farmer all his life and resided near the village of Hellertown, Pa. Tobias S. Weaver, the father of our subject, was also born in Hellertown, and was reared to agri- cultural pursuits, which continued to be his vocation through life. Mr. Weaver was a ■very prominent man of his community, and held many township oiEces. Our subject's mother was Louisa Hess, a daughter of Joseph Hess, and she was the mother of the following children: Emma, born April 17, 1858, died aged seventeen years; Cyrus O., born January 5, i860, was married to Emma Wagoner, and they have reared four children, Hattie, Annie, Stella, and Katie ; and Charles B., whose name heads this sketch. Rev. Charles B. Weaver, upon the comple- tion of his education in the common schools, entered Hellertown Collegiate Institute, and later Franklin and Marshall College, from which institution he was graduated in 1884. He then began studying and fitting himself for the ministry ; taking a theological course at Lancaster Seminary, he was graduated with the class of 1889. He immediately com- menced his service for God and humanity in his first field of labor, at Sciota, Monroe County, Pa., where he remained three years ; in 1893, Rev. Mr. Weaver took charge of his present pastorate; he is a very pleasant speaker and commands the closest of atten- tion, and is a minister highly esteemed and much beloved by his congregation. Rev. C. B. Weaver was united in marriage with Mary Person, a daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth Person, of South Bethlehem, Pa., and the following children have blessed their happy home : Margaret, born November 19, 1890, died May 10, 1892; Harriet, born July II, 1892; George Person, born July 11, 1893; Elizabeth, born July 30, 1894; Martha, born January 24, 1896; and Helen, born August 2, 1898. Rev. Mr. Weaver resides in a fine house, which he erected in 1895, and has one of the finest and most complete libraries in the village of Ferndale. •OHN G. RANDALL, who is engaged in dealing in real estate, is also business manager of the Doylestown Democrat. He is a son of Isaac and Jane (Van Zant) Randall, and was born in Attle- boro, now Langhorne, Bucks County, De- cember 10, 1837. The ancestors, on the paternal side of the house, as the name Randall indicates, were English, but through his mother our subject is of Holland Dutch descent. His grand- father was Jonathan Randall, who lived and died in the southern section of Bucks County. 402 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES Isaac Randall was born in Bensalem town- ship, and early in life at Newtown learned the trade of a stonemason, which he followed for many years. He located at I/anghorne, and, being a man of industry and energy, became the leading contractor in that section of the county. He also engaged in farming for a short time. He was united in marriage with Jane Van Zant, daughter of Garret Van Zant, and they became the parents of six children, all of whom were boys, namely: Garret V-, of Langhorne, Bucks County ; Andrew V., a resident of Ocheyedeu, Iowa ; John G., the gentleman whose name heads these lines ; and three others who died before reaching adult age. John G. Randall attended the public schools of Langhorne and lived at home until he was twelve years of age. His father having died when he was ten years old, he went to live upon the farm of Henry Hicks, a Quaker fiiend of the family, and continued in school until he was sixteen. He then learned the trade of a shoe manufacturer, after which he followed it in Langhorne until 1 869, when he was elected by the Democratic party as clerk of the Courts of Quarter Ses- sion and Oyer and Terminer, Bucks County. Upon the expiration of his term in 1873, he engaged in merchandizing with Silas L,. At- kinson in Doylestown, the firm being Ran- dall & Atkinson. In that year, he was also appointed deputy clerk of the courts named above, and served in that capacity for six years. In 1874, Mr. Randall purchased his partner's interest in the business, and later formed a partnership with George E. Donald- son, removing the stock to the L,enape Hall building, then just erected. They carried a large line of clothing, shoes, wall paper, and jewelry, and conducted the business with good results for two years, when our subject disposed of his interest, and became clerk in the office of the recorder of deeds. He was soon after appointed one of two commissioners to index the county records, the new combi- nation system having been adopted. He spent two years at that work. He then en- gaged in the mercantile business again, as a member of the firm of Randall & Etteuger until he sold out his interest, after which he accepted a position as business manager of the Doylestown Democrat^ then owned and edited by Gen. W. W. H. Davis. He served in that capacity for some five years in a very satisfactory manner, but resigned to accept the appointment of postmaster of Doyles- town, serving during Cleveland's first ad- ministration. In 1890, the Doylestown Pub- lishing Company was organized, in which he was the leading spirit, and became the busi- ness manager. The company purchased the plant of the Doylestown Democrat and con- tinued to publish it under that name. In 1895, Mr. Randall resigned his position as manager, and entered the real estate business, in which he is still engaged. In 1 898, he was reappointed business manager of the Doylestown Democrat^ and, between the news- paper and real estate business, every minute of his time is occupied. He is a self-made man of many excellent qualities, and has the respect and esteem of all with whom he is acquainted. Mr. Randall is well known as a local poli- tical writer, and as an active member of the BUCKS COUNTY 403 Democratic party ; he has frequently served as delegate to county, district, and state con- ventions, and as a member of the borough council, and was clerk for that body several years. In the spring, of 1 898, he was re- elected to the Doylestown borough council, and has served in various other capacities. Socially, he is a member of Bristol Lodge,, No. 25, F. & A. M., one of ths oldest lodges in the state of Pennsylvania : and the Orionto I/odge, No 177, 1. O. O. F., of Langhorne. In 1858, he was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Elizabeth S. Boyce, a wo- man of many lovable traits of character. ~Cdwa IDWARD N. ELY is a prosperous and J well-to-do agriculturist of Bucks County, Pa., where he^has resided the greater portion of his^life ; since 1862, he has resided on his present homestead in Lower Makefield township ' near the borough of Yardley, and is recognized as one of the thrifty and ener- getic farmers of Lower Makefield township. He was born at New Hope, this county, No- vember 10, 1832, and is a son of Joseph and Ann (Nickleson) Ely. The [^maternal grandfather of our subject was McCormick Nickleson, a native of Ire- land, and he was the first of his family to locate in this country ; he followed teaming before the railroads were built, but after that, he took to farming, which he continued the rest of his active days. His wife was a Miss Bailey of Lower Makefield township. Joseph Ely was born at New Hope, where he always resided, engaged in the pursuits of an agriculturist ; he was also interested in the cement and lime business many years. He retired from the active duties of life at the age of eighty years, and died at Somer- ville, N. J., at the age of ninety-one. He was a prominent man of his day and was active in the political affairs of his commun- ity, being a firm supporter of the Democratic party. Religiously, he was a member of the Society of Friends. He was united in the bonds of wedlock with Ann Nickleson of Yardley, Pa., and theybecame the parents of a family of seven children, as follows : Maria, married to William Van Marter, both of whom are now deceased ; Mercy, the wife of Jacob S. Phillips, a retired grain dealer of Somerville, N. J. ; Susanna, the wife of David W. Small, ex-judge and a prominent citizen of Oconoraowoc, Wis. ; Mary, the wife of Nathan Worthington of Solebury township, who runs a commission wagon to the mar- kets of Philadelphia ; Edward N., the sub- ject of these lines; Elias E., deceased, who was a prominent hardware merchant of Ocon- omowoc, Wis., married Ella Babcock, also deceased; and Frank, who lives at Pewau- kee, Wis. Edward N. Ely obtained his intellectual training in the public schools of his native township, and at Stroudsburg Academy. After his marriage, in 1862, he came to his present place ; he was engaged in the lumber business at New Hope for two years with Samuel Soliday, and then, in 1857, went West to Wisconsin and settled in Oconomo- woc, where he bought grain for Rockwall, Luck & Co., for two years ; he then went into the lumber business at New Hope, but 404 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES on April 6, 1862, he turned his attention to farming and has since resided upon his pres- ent homestead, which consists of 1 1 5 acres of highly tilled land. October 20, 1882, his barn was destroyed by fire, and it was rebuilt immediately, but, on the same date in 1895, the barn was again destroyed by fire, and our subject sustained a heavy loss, having lost nearly all his cattle, grain aud farming im- plements. In 1890, his present beautiful home was completed. Mr. Ely is well known throughout the county, as a worthy and influential citizen, and commands the respect of a host of friends. Politically, he is a strong Democrat and takes an active interest in local politics. Socially, he is a member of Doylestown Lodge, No. 245, F. & A. M., and the A. O. U. W. ; religiously, he is an attendant of the Episcopal Church, of which his wife is a member. Mr. Ely was married February 26, 1 862, to Mary E. Howell of Lower Makefield town- ship, and a daughter of David Y. Howell. His parents were Timothy and Rebecca Howell, the first of the family to locate in Bucks County, he having purchased 140 acres of land in 1 8 10. They were the parents of the following children : Sarah, who was twice married, her first husband being a Mr. Fenton, and her second, Lewis Moore ; Susan was also twice wedded, her first husband being John Hogeland, and her second, John Temple, all of whom are deceased ; Mary died single; Martha, deceased, was married to Samuel Slack, who is also now deceased ; David Y., the father of our subject's wife married Harriet E. Sandoz ; and John, who married Elizabeth Richardson. David Y. Howell, the father of Mrs. Ely, who was a farmer, died August 2, 1864, and her mother resides with our subject and is aged eighty- eight years. She is the mother of seven children, namely : Mary E. , the wife of our subject; Ella A., who died young; Martha A. was united in marriage with Joshua Maris, now deceased, and she lives in Trenton, N. J. ; Emma ; Carrie, the wife of Samuel W. Throp of Trenton, N. J. ; Wilhelmina, who died young ; and H. Amelia. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ely, namely: Howell, born December 4, 1862, died July 29, 1865 ; Carrie H. ; and Harriet S. M R. S. H. WILSON, a leading physi- cian of the village of Mechanics- ville, Buckingham township, is a representative of one of the oldest and most distinguished families of the Keystone State. The lives of its members are indissolubly linked with the early history of Bucks County, with whose progress they were most promi- nently identified. This prominent physician was born in Mechanicsville December 23, 1854, and he is a son of Samuel and Maria (Webster) Wilson. Our subject can trace his ancestral history back to the year 1721, when the family was first founded in this county; his ancestors were among those undaunted pioneers who braved the hard- ships and dangers of frontier life to make a home in Bucks County. Samuel Wilson, the father of our subject, was born and reared in Mechanicsville, and was educated to agricultural pursuits, which WALLACE DUNGAN. BUCKS COUNTY 407 vocation he followed many years ; he after- wards started The Samuel Wilson Company, seed growers and florists. This Company is still in existence and is well known throtigh- out every state in the Union. Mr. Wilson continued that line of business until his death, May 23, 1897. He was widely known throughout Bucks County, was greatly re-~ spected for his many sterling qualities, and his death was deeply lamented by a Istrge cir- cle of acquaintances. He was joined in the bonds of matrimony with Maria Webster, and they became the parents of" a family of three children, namely : Dr. S. H., the subject of this brief notice ; William E., born Octo- ber 23, 1856, resides on the old- Wilson home- stead in Buckingham township ;' and Eliza- beth, born October 11, 1859, who resides on the homestead with her brother. The mother of our subject passed from this life January 24, 1895. Dr. S. H. Wilson received bis primary edu-^ cation at the common schools of his native village, which was later supplemented by a thorough course in the Doylestowa' Academy ; having decided upon: a itnedical' career, he entered Jefferson Medical College. of Philadel- phia, where he pursued his studies for three years and was graduated frofnthat in^titutron with the class of 1 88 1. His first field of ope-, ration was Carversville, Pa. , and vicinity, whither he went immediately after gradua- tion, and he remained in that village some five years, during which time he established quite a reputation as a physician ; his next move was to Centerville, where he bought out Dr. Fell, and for ten years pursued his chosen calling in that village and vicinity with marked success ; in 1 896 he took up his practice in his native village, where he has achieved a well-earned reputation as a skillful and intelligent physician, having already es- tablished a large and lucrative practice. Dr. Wilson is popular with -his fellow-physicians of the county, and is recogflized as one of the leading and enterprising citizens of his native village. He is a member of the Bucks County Medical Society. \ Politically, the Doctor is a strong Republican; and -fraternally, he is a member of the Shields of Honor of Bucking- ham. ALLACE DUNGAN. The gentle- man whose name heads this brief notice, and who is represented with a portrait appearing on the ^opposite page, is truly one of the self-made inen of Bucks County, and is t)ne of the enterprising- and energetic busi- ness men of Dbylestown, and a prominent and prosperous citizen. He is successfully engaged in : the maniifactute of phosphate and tallow, and' also deals- in hides ; he is a son of Isaac and RebfcccaK(Booz) Dungan, and: was born in Doylesto.wn township, near the Aimshouseof Biicks County, July 8, 1845. Our subject's, grandfather was Jesse Dun- gan, who was born near Frankford, Phila- delphia County, Pa., but the most of his active career was spent in Bucks County, where he pursued the vocation of an agricul- turist. He died in Northampton township, this county, in 1895, at the advanced age of ninety-one years. He was a stanch Demo- crat in politics, firm and unchangeable in his 4o8 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES belief in the principles of his chosen party. He was an attendant of the Presbyterian Church ; he was an honest and industrious citizen and was held in high esteem by his fellow-countrymen. His wife was Adreann Cornell, and they were the parents of four sons and four daughters. Isaac Dungan, the father of our subject, was born on his father's farm in Bucks County, and spent nearly all his life in Northampton and Southampton townships, dying in the latter township in 1887 at the age of sixty-five years. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, and chose the vocation of a farmer as his life's work. Politically, he was a solid Democrat, taking an active part in politics, and filled several township ofiSces. He was a consistent and earnest member of the Baptist Church of Davisville, Pa. His wife was Rebecca Booz, by whom he reared two sons, namely ; our subject ; and Mahlon H. , a prominent citizen of Doylestown who is engaged in house paint- ing and paper hanging. Mahlon H. is also a strong Democrat, and has served fifteen years as a school director ; he is also a director of the Doylestown Trust Company. Our sub- ject's mother passed from this life in 1849 at Richboro, this county. Mr. Dungan chose for his second wife Cynthia Ann Doan, and two children were born to them that grew to maturity: Sallie, the wife of Albert Fesmyre of Hartsville, this county; and William, a resident of Southampton township. Wallace Dungan was but a lad when his parents moved to Northampton township, and at the age of thirteen years he went to Tinicum township where he remained three years. He lived with his parents until he attained his majority, during which time he attended the district schools in the township in which he resided, and at the age of twen- ty-two years he began farming on his own account, following that occupation five years. In 1873, our subject embarked in the hide and tallow business and erected a factory where Swartley's mill is located in Doyles- town. Our subject attended strictly to busi- ness, and in time began to build i:p a pros- perous trade ; he is a man of good financial judgment, and his integrity and fair deal- ings are without question. June 29, 1880, the plant was totally destroyed by fire ; but in the same year he erected another factory near his present home, and followed that line of business with marked success until 1892. In that year he purchased a tract of land consisting of 75 acres, located one mile south of the borough of Doyles- town, and moved his factory there ; this building was destroyed April 8, 1 897, but it was immediately rebuilt, and our subject still continues to manufacture tallow and phos- phate, and to deal in hides. The plant is a brick structure, equipped with the latest machinery, and employment is given to eight hands. In 1877, Mr. Dungan purchased the property on Maple avenue, where he now resides ; it contained but 1 3 acres at the time our subject purchased it, but at various times he has added to it, until he now owns 75 acres ; it is in the best possible state of cultivation, and ranks among the foremost farms in the county. In 1878, he erected his present home, which is surrounded by a beautiful lawn. Our subject owns in all BUCKS COUNTY 409 some 177 acres of land, and also two houses in Bushington, this county. Mr. Dungan is a Democrat in politics, but he always casts his vote in favor of the best men in local politics ; he is a stockholder in the Doylestown Trust Company, and is one of the enterprising and progressive business men of the town. Socially, he is a member of Doylestown lyodge, No. 245, F. & A. M. ; Doylestown Chapter, No. 270, R. A. M. ; and Mary Commandery, No. 36, K. T., of Phila- delphia. February 21, 1867, Mr. Dungan was wedded to Rachel Heaton of Moreland, Pa., and one child has blessed this happy union, Effie T., the wife of William Worth- ington who is employed in our subject's fac- tory. Mr. Dungan is a member and deacon of the Baptist Church of Doylestown, of which his wife is also a member. Ji AVID S. FETTER is a represent- ative of one of the early pioneer families of Bucks County, and is engaged in the cultivation of the soil in Northampton township, where he occupies a fine farm. He was born in Huntingdon Valley, Montgomery County, Pa., March 30, 1835, and is a son of George and Cornelia (Montanye) Fetter, and grandson of Casper Fetter. Casper Fetter was a well-to-do farmer of his day, and carried on that occupation all his life. The maternal grandfather of our subject was Rev. Thomas B. Montanye, who was born in New York State, January 29, 1769, and died September 27, 1829; He located in Pennsylvania in 1801, and was pastor of the' Southampton Baptist Church until his death. His wife Ann (Edmunds) Montanye, was also born in New York" State January 27, 1771, and passed from life January 2, i860. George Fetter, the father of our subject, was born in Huntingdon Valley, Pa., August 16, 1786, arid resided in his native county all his life pursuing the vocatiori of an agricul- turist, his death occurring February 16, 1865. In politics, he was a strong Democrat, but was not an office seeker. He was married December 16, 18 13, to Cornelia Montanye, a native of the Empire State, and a daughter of. Rev. Thorhas B. and Ann (Edmunds) Montanye ; they became the parents of a family of twelve children, named as follows : Casper G., who died at the age of seventy- five years, was a farmer of Southampton, Pa., and his wife was Ann Search ; Eliza Ann, who now resides in Huntingdon Val- ley, Pa., was married three times, — her first husband 'was Evan Barcalo, her second, Samuel Robison, and her third, Seereck Shalcross ; Margaret, deceased, was the wife of Christopher Search, also deceased ; Samuel E., a retired farmer, was twice united in mar- riage, — his first wife was Elizabeth Twining, and his second was Emma McDowell ;| Lousia, deceased, was the wife of Griffith M. Search, a farmer; Amy is the wife of Edmund Craven, a retired citizen of Philadelphia ; Thomas M. , a farmer, married Rachael I^eu- den ; David S., the subject of this biography ; Harriet is' the wife of Hiram Cornell ; and three that died in infancy. David S. Fetter received a common school 4IO BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES education and remained on the homestead until he attained the age of twenty-three years, when he engaged in the milling busi ■ ness at Pennypack, Pa., for six years; the ensuing four years were spent in the city of Philadelphia, where he was engaged, in the flour and feed business. Upon the death of his father-in-law in 1865, he moved to his present place, and carried on farming until 1878, when he became a resident of Doyles- town. Pa. , and while there he was steward of the Almshouse ; he remained in that capacity until 1882, in that year returning to his farm, where he has resided up to the present time. Our subject is an intelligent and well-read man, and is highly respected by his fellow- citizens. Mr. Fetter was wedded December 30, 1858, to Mary Dungan of Northampton township, and a daughter of John and Eliza (Reed) Dungan, both natives of Northampton town- ship ; the former died July 18, 1868, and the latter died November 23,1 894. Mr. and Mrs. Dungan were the parents of the - following children : Harmon Y., born December 30, 1832, died February 26, 1835 ; Dyer C, born August 30, 1835, died December 24, 1859 i Mary, born June 22, 1837, is the wife of our subject ; and John, born July 14, 1842, and died October 6, 1 862 . The home of our sub- ject and wife has been blessed by the follow- ing children: Albert M., born November 8, 1859, is bookkeeper for Hunt, Wilkinson & Co., of Philadelphia ; Elmer E., born August 5, 1861, is a piano tuner; I^izzie is the wife of Walter W. S. Worthington, a merchant of Neshaminy, Pa.; John D., bom June 8, 1866, a resident of Philadelphia; and F. Seeley, born January 23, 1869. Mr. and Mrs. Worthington are the parents of four children,— David, W. Raymond, Albert C, and Ralph E- Politically, Mr. Fetter is a solid Democrat. (j^,AMES MONROE VANDEGRIFT, a descendant of one of the old and well known families of Bucks County, has been living in retirement since 1895, en- joying the fruits of his early labors. This old and honored citizen has been a life-long resident of Buckingham township, and has been engaged in the milling business in the village of Pineville the greater part of his life. The date of our subject's birth was March 9, 1826, and he is a son of James and Ann (Van Horn) Vandegrift. James Vandegrift was born and reared in Northampton township, and he, too, resided in Bucks County all his life. During his boyhood days he learned the trade of a tailor, and followed the same a number of years, when he took to farming and carried on agri- cultural pursuits the rest of his active days. He was joined in marriage with Ann Van Horn and they became the parents of five children, who were named as follows : Willi- mina, the wife of Strickland Ridge, and they reside at Tullytown, this county ; James Mon- roe, whose name appears at the head of this notice; John, deceased; Mary Ann, also de- ceased ; and Charlotte, deceased. The mother of our subject departed from this life at her home in Middletown township, Bucks Coun- ty, Pa. BUCKS COUNTY 411 James Monroe Vandegrift remained at home during his early days, and was educated in the district schools of his native township ; al- though our, subject was reared to agricultural pursuits, he never followed that vocation other than working on his father's farm, and early in life he became a resident of Wrights- town, this county, and there embarked in the milling business; he was employed to operate several mills while residing in.that vicinity. In 1872, as our subject had become thorough- ly acquainted witli that line of business, he decided upon entering the .milling business on his own account, and accprdingly he and his brother, John C, purchased a mill in Buck- ingham, and operated the same until 1895, when he retired from the more active duties of life. Upon Mr. Vandegrift' s retirement from the milling business, he moved to the village of Pineville ; he is spending his latter days in hap- piness and comfort, and is surrounded by a large circle of acquaintances, who greatly re- spect him for his many excellent personal traits of character. He is an upright and honest citi- zen in every respect, and takes an active in- terest in the advancement of the general wel- fare of the community. Mr. Vandegrift has been thrice united in marriage; his first wife was Emily Bodine, and upon her death he wedded Sarah Gaine; she died, and he formed a third alliance with Mrs. Sarah Eastburn, of Lower Makefield township. She was the widow of Benjamin Eastburn and a daughter of Amos Doan. By her first husband she reared four children, two of whom are now living, Isabella M.; and George L., who married Sarah Heston, of Pineville, and has four children, — Mary O., L,aura, Benjamin, and one that died in in- fancy. Our subject and his first wife were the parents of one child, which died, aged five years; and by his second wife he reared one daughter, Lottie B., the wife of Wilmer Twining, a resident of Wrightstown, this county. Prior to the Civil War our subject was a strong Democrat, but when that terri- ble war began, being opposed to slavery, he joined the ranks of the Republicans. Mr. and -Mrs. Vandegrift are members of the Friends' Meeting ; fraternally, our subject is a member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge, of Rich- boro, Pa., and Doylestown Lodge, No. 245, F. & A. M. MOS W. KIRK. No township in Bucks County has been more favored in the matter of fine farm land, and prosperous, intelligent husbandmen, than Buckingham, and a record of its prominent citizens would be incomplete were the life sketch of Amos W. Kirk omitted. He is now retired from active work and is a worthy representative of a family, long and favora- bly known in Buckingham township ; he was born in Solebury township, this county, February i, 1827, and is a son of Charles and Mary (Walton) Kirk, and grandson of Amos Kirk. Our subject's grandfather was a life- long resident of Buckingham township, where he successfully carried on agricultural pursuits. Charles Kirk, the father of our subject, was born and reared in Buckingham town- ship. In addition to carrying on general 412 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES farming, he operated the old mill that stood on the homestead ; he moved to Solebury early in life, and when our subject was but a mere boy of five years became a resident of Warwick township; there he continued his occupation as a farmer until our subject at- tained the age of twenty years, when he returned to his native township and there prosecuted his former occupation until death claimed him, which was on May i8, 1856. He was joined in marriage with Mary Walton, a native of Horsham, Montgomery County, Pa. , and she passed from this life November 30, 1865. This union was blessed by the birth of four children, who were named as follows : Amos W., the subject of this notice; George D., who resides on the homestead ; . Miranda S., the wife of Edward Roberts, a resident of Buckingham township ; and Ellen W., the wife of Theodore Doan, a re- tired resident of Pineville, Pa. Our subject was reared to farm life almost from the cradle, and in his boyhood days attended the district school that stood a short distance from his home ; although his educa- tional advantages were quite limited, yet his opportunities for learning in the school of practical life were abundant. After our subject's marriage, he commenced life for himself as an agriculturist, and with the aid of his faithful wife he has met with well- merited success, being now the owner of the old homestead. He moved to Pineville in 1892, where he is now living retired, enjoy- ing the fruits of his early toil. Mr. Kirk on October 20, 1859, married Jane S. Worthington, a native of Bucking- ham township, and a daughter of William Worthington ; she died in 1 860, and March 7, 1866, our subject was united in marriage with Mary H. Mahah, who was born Decem- ber 16, 1843, ^n_^ a prdminferit and ekterprising citi- zen of the village of Lahaska, where he is still continuing his profession as a surveyor, was born in the borough of New Hope, this county, April 3, 1840, and is a son of Thomas and Mary H. (Ely) Ely. Thomas Ely was born in New Hope, where he always resided, with the exception of a few years, when he lived in Solebury town- ship. His vocation was that of a farmer, 428 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES pursuing that independent calling all his active days. Mr. Ely was in all respects an honest and good citizen, and contributed his share toward maintaining the good reputa- tion and prosperity of his town. He served as school director of New Hope in 1854 ; re- ligiously, he was a prominent member of the Friends' Meeting, and was elder of the same eight years. He passed from life in Solebury townsliip in 187S ; he was joined on the far- ther shore by his wife in 188 1. As a result of his nnion with Mary H. Ely, who was a native of Chester County, Pa., a family of nine children was born, four of whom are now living, namely : Jeremiah S. , a well-to- do farmer of Solebury township; Mahlon D.; Henry P., whose name heads the above lines; and I^etitia, who resides with our subject, Howard, Deborah, Lucy and Eleanor died in their childhood. Henry Paxson Ely was intellectually trained for the battles of life in the common schools of his native town, and prepared himself for a school teacher, but early in life he learned surveying, which profession he has followed up to the present time. Mr. Ely is widely known throughout Bucks County, and was honored by the people of this county in 1889 by being elected to the office of county sur- veyor, in which capacity he continued for a period of two terms. Our subject owns in Buckingham township a highly improved farm of 76 acres, which he rents. In 1878 Mr. Ely became a resident of Lahaska, where he now resides, and in that year purchased his present home, and with him resides his sister Letitia. Mr. Ely is a member of the Friends' Meet- ing of Buckingham, while his sister is a member of the Friends' Meeting of Solebury. Politically, our subject takes an active inter- est in both local and general politics, but is independent in his views. Mr. Ely is still in the prime of life, is active and enterprising, and is esteemed a man of great worth and influence in his community. Mr. Ely is a compositor on the New Hope News. He is also a first-class jeweler. In 1896 he was a candidate for the officeof justice of the peace, but was defeated. Mr. Ely's portrait is shown on a preceding page. -OHN NICHOIvAS, one of the largest vegetable and small fruit growers in Bucks County, is located on a fine farm of 52 acres in Durham township, near the village of Kintnersville, and adjoining the old homestead, where he was born. The date of his birth was April 8, 1838, and he is a son of John Peter and Samantha (Foster) Nicholas, grandson of John and Mary (I,ong) Nicholas, and great grandson of Christian Nicholas. Our subject traces his ancestral history back to John Nicholas, who settled in Haycock township prior to 1745, and was one of the petitioners asking for township organization. Rupp in his "Names of Thirty Thousand German Immigrants," gives the names of John and Jacob Nicholas as arriving at Phil- adelphia September 23, 1741, in the ship "Marlborough." Jacob Nicholas was but seventeen years of age when he landed in America. Three years prior to John Nicholas coming BUCKS COUNTY 429 to America, a member of another branch of the Nicholas family located here ; this was Valentine Nicholas, who was born in Germany April 8, 1711, and when he was twenty-seven years of age he sailed from Amsterdam in the ship " Davy," Captain William Patton, and with 180 other Palatines landed at Philadel- phia October 25, 1738. As early as 1749 we find him a settler in Haycock township, along the head waters of the Tohickon, where he had taken up a tract of land and was carrying on the vocation of an agriculturist. He was a Lutheran, and was one of the founders of Keller's Church ; in 1766 he was one of the elders of that congregation. He died October I, 1807, have attained the advanced age of ninety-six years, five months and five days. His wife was Anna Elizabeth, and they reared the following children : Catherine, wedded to Henry Emich December 4, 1759 ; John mar- ried. May 29, 1769, Christina Hartzel, daugh- ter of Michael Hartzel, of Haycock ; Abra- ham, born February 17, 1752, and died Feb- ruary 22, 1762 ; Elizabeth, born February 6, 1754, and died February 22, 1754; John Henry, born February 20, 1755 ; George, born December 3, 1758 ; Daniel, born August 13, 1761 ; Vailentine married Anna Maria Young ; and Christian, who was born August 4, 1 764. A number of the above-named mar- ried and left descendants, and to them the families of this name still living in the vicin- ity of Keller's Church can trace their origin. Christian Nicholas, who was probably a son of the above-named John Nicholas, and great- grandfather of our subject, was married to Susannah Kiefer, a native of Tinicum town- ship. The name of Christian as well as that of his father, John, appears among those who belong to Captain Stever's company of Hay- cock militia in 1780. Christian was the pro- genitor of five children, namely : Daniel, born April 8, 1782; Joseph, April 8, 1782; Samuel, April 19, 1783 ; John, the grand- father of our subject, September 2, 1 793 ; and Magdalena, July 19, 1797. Of the above, Daniel married Christina Hovy, of Plumstead township, and of their children we have record of one daughter named Magdalena, born October 3, 1806. Daniel Nicholas and wife spent their entire life in Haycock town- ship, where they died at an advanced age. Joseph Nicholas also lived in Haycock town- ship a short time, but at the age of twenty- one years located in Bushkill, two miles above Easton, Northampton County, Pa., and there he purchased a farm and engaged in farming. He married Sarah Walter, of Mount Bethel township, Northampton County. Samuel Nicholas married a Miss Wambold ; her father was a man of considerable means, and after his daugliter's marriage he and his son-in-law located in New York City, where they en- gaged in the mercantile business. Samuel Nicholas was the father of fifteen children, and died at the age of ninety-one years. John Nicholas, the grandfather of our sub- ject, bought his father's farm in Haycock township and carried on general farming. He married Mary Long, a daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (Worman) Long, of Durham, and she died aged eighty-five j'^ears. He passed from this earth aged thirty-two years. They were the parents of seven children, namely: John Peter, the father of our subject ; Samuel, who married Margaret Stem, was 430 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES born June 28, 1816, and died in Durham Jan- uary 17, 1896 ; Ivydia, born February 23, 1820, married Elias Weaver, and they reside at Hel- lertown, Pa.; John, born August 25, 1821, was wedded to a Miss Klotz, and they live in the state of Ohio ; I^ewis, born February 23, 1826; and Christian, who died near Heller- town, Pa., several years ago. John Peter Nicholas, the father of our sub- ject, was born April 23, 1815, and died at Kintnersville, June 7, 1882. He .married Samantha Foster, a daughter of Daniel and Martha Foster. "Grandmother Foster," as she was known in the family, had a romantic history: She was born in England, but in childhood was brought by her parents to Wyoming Valley, Pa.; there she witnessed the terrible massacre by the Indians in 1778, and was familiar with the early history of Wyoming Valley. Her daughter Samantha was born March 14, 18 14, and was brought to Durham by John Mills, who was a teamster, and hauled coal and merchandise between Wyoming and Philadelphia. He adopted her into his family; she died June 17, 1887. She was the mother of the following children : John, the subject of this sketch ; Alonzo, ex- sheriff of Bucks County, and a resident of Doylestown, whose history appears elsewhere in this work; Hespert lives in the state of Texas ; Mrs. John Moser, of Easton, Pa. ; and Mrs. Mahlon Trauger, of Kintnersville. Our subject was taught the art of an agri- culturist when a lad, and from early manhood has been a practical farmer. In 1862 he pur- chased the Riegel property, which adjoins the homestead, and which consists of 51 acres. The land is rich and productive and well adapted for farming purposes and gardening, and our subject has made many improvements upon the same, and it ranks among the best farms in the . county. At first our subject would, take his produce to the markets of Allentown and Bethlehem by boat, but he has since discontinued that route and now transfers his produce to those cities by wagon. He also ships the greater part of his produce to the markets at Easton and New York City, where his vegetables and fruit command a ready sale.; he has especially won distinction in raising cantaloupes, to the growth of which product he has devoted much time for the past two score of years. Mr. Nicholas ships as high as 100 barrels of melons a day to the markets, and each year he is obliged to en- large his melon patch in order to supply the demand ; he also raises 400 barrels of sweet potatoes per year ; 500 bushels of onions ; 6 acres of sweet corn; 100 crates of strawber- ries, and many other kinds of fruit. Our subject makes a specialty of raising not only the finest fruit, but the earliest. Mr. Nicholas is one of the industrious and energetic garden- ers of Bucks County, is upright and strictly honest in all his dealings, and commands the confidence and respect of the entire com- munity. Mr. Nicholas was united in the bonds of matrimony with Juliann Trauger, a daughter of Samuel Trauger, a prominent farmer of Nockamixon township, this county ; she died at the age of thirty-four years leaving the following children : Mahlon, a commis- sion merchant of Danbury, Pa., married Mrs. Ellen L,ear ; Samuel is a Lutheran minis- ter residing at Allegheny City, Pa., and he BUCKS COUNTY 431 wedded Elizabeth Spangler, by whom he reared one son, John S.; Peter is a commission merchant residing at Philadelphia; John, who resides on a fine farm adjoining the homestead, was married to Cora George, and they are the parents of three children, — Ray- mond, Earl, and Mabel ; and Kate married John Ruth, of Bethlehem, Pa., and two chil- dren blessed this union, Charles and Bertha. Our subject's second marriage was with Susan Weider, a daughter of Jacob Weider, of Fines- ville, N. J. As a result of this union five children were born, namely: William, who is a commission merchant at Jersey City, N. J., was wedded to Emma Evans, by whom he reared two children, Paul and Jennie; Hes- pert ; Jacob ; Cyrus ; and I^izzie. Mr. Nich- olas is independent in his political views, and has served his township as school director and in other township oflSces. Religiously, he and his family are members of the Lutheran Church ; fraternally, he is a member and past master of the I. O. O. F. Lodge of Riegels- ville. Pa. 'AMUEL BASSETT has been a resi- dent of Upper Makefield township, Bucks County, Pa., for the past thirty years, during which period he has been engaged in tilling the soil, owning a fine farm of 37 acres. He was born iii Cash- town (now known as Prospectville), Mont- gomery County, Pa., January 24, 1850, and is a son of Samuel T. and Sarah (Daniels) Bassett. Samuel T. Bassett was born in Philadel- phia, and resided there during his early days. learning the trade of a tailor; in 1848, he left his native city and moved to Cashtown, Pa., and there resided about two years, when he became a resident of Camden, N. J. He continued his chosen occupation throughout his entire life, and passed from this earth at his home in Camden in April, 1875. He was joined in the bonds of wedlock with Sarah Daniels, a native of Philadelphia, Pa., and this union was blessed by the following nine children : Annie, a resident of Camden, N. J.; William, a painter by trade, lives in Phila- delphia; Samuel, our subject, was next in order ; Andrew, a machinist of Camden, N. J. ; Hartley died in infancy ; Edward, a prominent shipper of Camden, N. J., who wedded Rebecca Duncan ; Harvey and Frank died young; and Jennie, who lives in New York City. The mother of our subject en- tered the world of rest in October, 1 87 1 . Samuel Bassett obtained a good education in the common schools and in the high school at Camden, N. J., and then served an apprenticeship to the machinist's trade in that city for a period of three years. He then came to Upper Makefield township, and embarked in farming, and has resided there ever since, with the exception of two years, whicli were spent in Carversville, Pa., where he was engaged in the restaurant business. He owns a nice farm of 37 acres, and runs a commission wagon to the city once a week ; he also does a large business in fertilizers, representing Downwood & Co. In politics, Mr. Bassett is an ardent Demo- crat; socially, he is a member of the I. O. R. M., Tuscarora Lodge of Lambertville, N. J. In religious views, his wife is a promi- 432 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES nent member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Bassett and Lizzie Wesner, a native of Mechanicsville, Pa., were happily united in the bonds of matrimony January 28, 1875 ; she was bom June 9, 1853, and is a daughter of Stephen and Emma (White) Wesner, the former of whom is a farmer of Upper Make- field township. The home of our subject and wife has been blessed by the birth of two children : Frank F., born January 6, 1876, resides at home ; and Howard Eldridge, born January 1 1 , 1 879, who is serving as an ap: prentice to the tinsmith's trade. w. IIvLIAM L. COOPER, who is a scion of an old and highly re- spected Quaker family of Bucks County, is at present serving as deputy recorder of deeds and makes his residence in the borough of Doylestown. He is a son of Jesse P. and Jane (Lee) Cooper, and was born in North- ampton township, Bucks County, September 21, 1839. The family is of Scotch descent, and our subject's great-grandfather was William Cooper, a native of Pottstown, Montgomery County, who came to Bucks County, settling in Northampton township about 1758, being one of the earliest pioneer settlers. Like his forefathers as far back as is known, he fol- lowed the calling of a farmer, at which he was very successful and became a prosperous man. His son, John Cooper, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Northampton township, where he spent his entire life en- gaged in the pursuits of an agriculturist. He was a Whig, and only took an interest in politics such as should be taken by every good citizen. He was a member of the So- ciety of Friends, as were his ancestors for many generations before him. He folded his hands in final rest in 1851, aged seventy- six years. He chose as his companion in life Elizabeth Hibbs, and they reared a family of ten children, two of whom died in infancy ; the names of the remainder are as follows : Henry, who was a farmer for many years, is now living in retirement in Solebury township, and is past ninety-three years of age ; Jesse P. , the father of our sub- ject ; Mary, deceased, was the wife of Charles Knight; Sarah, deceased, married William Buckman ; Margaret, deceased, was the wife of Isaac Buckman; Susan, deceased; Caro- line, deceased ; William resides on the farm in Northampton township, which was form- erly owned by his father and grandfather, and is one of the good substantial men of that section. Jesse P. Cooper was born on the old home- stead farm in 1808, and always engaged ex- tensively in farming, owning some 1 10 acres of good land. He was a Whig for many years ; during the latter portion of his life he was a stanch supporter of the Republican party. He married Jane Lee, and they became the parents of ten children, namely: Dr. Ralph L., a practicing physician of Ogontz, Mont- gomery County, where he has lived for many years ; Sarah, the wife of William Buckman ; William L., the subject of this personal his- tory ; John D., the well-known proprietor of the Windom House of Ambler, Pa. ; Eleanor, the wife of Theodore J. Leedom of Butler, BUCKS COUNTY 433 Pa. ; Rebecca, the wife of William H. De Coiirsey of Orey, Colo.; Mary, who married William Ettinger of Bustleton, a suburb of Philadelphia ; Robert C, a resident of Beulah, Colo. ; Jesse P., Jr., of Seattle, Wash. ; and James, who died iu infancy. Jesse P. Cooper was called Home in 1891, at the age of eighty-three. William I/. Cooper^was reared in Nortli- arapton township, and obtained his prelim- inary educational training in the public schools, after which he took a course in the Newtown Academy and in the State Normal School at Millersville, passing an excellent examination and receiving a teacher's certifi- cate, intending to make teaching his profes- sion. But owing to the' fact that his two older brothers were soldiers in the Union Army, fighting against Secession, he was obliged to remain at home and help support the family. He remained upon the farm until he was twenty-four years of age, or until 1863, when he enlisted in an emergency company as a member of the 169th Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf , under Jos. B. Roberts, — this was when I^ee made his well-known invasion into Pennsylvania, which culminated at the battle of Gettysburg. The regiment was called to Hagerstown, Md., where Lee was defeated and forced to leave Pennsylvania soil, after which it returned home as the ser- vices of the men were no longer required. He re-enlisted in a company which was being formed at Richboro, Bucks County, but, owing to the captain's inability to get the requisite number of recruits to form a com- pany, the project was abandoned. He soon after moved upon a farm in Doylestown town- ship, and in 1864 was drafted into service, but, just prior to the draft being made, re- ceived a kick upon the leg which seriously crippled him for a time. However, he went to Frankford on crutches, where he hired a substitute for #300, the first money he had earned, although he had two signed certifi- cates exempting him from service on account of his physical disability. He continued to farm in Doylestown township for four years, after which he moved to Newtown township, where he also remained a period of four years. At the expiration of that time, he moved to I^ower Makefield township, whence he went to Middletown township, and there continued tilling the soil for two years. He then returned to Newtown township for six years, during which time he was called upon to serve as county supervisor for two terms. He next moved to Bensalem township, where he was engaged in farming for fifteen years and was one of the good, solid residents of that district. July 4, 1897, he was appointed deputy recorder of deeds, which necessitated his removal to Doylestown, where he has since resided and faithfully performed the duties of his office. Mr. Cooper, even before attaining his majority, was a warm supporter of the Republican party and has frequently served on election boards and county com- mittees. At present he is the popular candi- date of the Republican party for the office of recorder of deeds and all indications point to his success. He is a man of untiring energy and honesty, and stands high in the estima- tion of the public. October 10, 1862, he was united in the holy bonds of wedlock with I^avinia Thomp- 434 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES son, a daughter of Dr. Samuel. Thompson of Richborb, Northampton township, and they are the parents of the following children, who are still living: Samuel T., who is a farmer on the old homestead; M. Russell, who is engaged in farming on an adjoining farm ; Jennie E. , the wife of George C. McMullin of Philadelphia ; and Anna, who is living at home. 'OHN K. YOUNG, a prominent and influential citizen of the borough of Bristol, Pa., is prominently connected with the business and industrial interests of the town, and as his reward he receives the esteem and confidence of the entire commu- nity. The date of tlie birth of this worthy citizen was June 22, 1848, and his birthplace was in Northampton township, this county. He is a son of Joseph and Jane E- (Brown) Young, and grandson of Samuel Young. Samuel Young, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was a farmer the most of his active days and was the owner of a fine farm in North- ampton township, Bucks County; he also conducted a hotel known as Hotel Washing- ton, which was located on Bainbridge street, Philadelphia. The greater part of his life was spent in the city of Philadelphia, where his death occurred; he was run down by a train on Ninth street near Girard avenue. The father of our subject, Joseph Young, was born in Northampton township in 1821, and died in Warminster township, this county, in 1888, at the age of sixty-seven years. His vocation was. that of a shoemaker, which oc- cupation he continued to follow throughout his entire life, and as a citizen he was highly respected. Mr. Young chose for his life com- panion Jane E. Brown, who passed from this life in February, 1897, at the age of sixty- seven years, leaving a family of three chil- dren and a large circle of friends to mourn her death. Our subject has a brother and a sister, namely : Thomas, a paper hanger and painter residing at Johnsville, this county; and Flora, the wife of Frank W. Scott, a well-to-do farmer, residing in Northampton township. John K. Young possesses a fine education, which he received in the public schools of his native township, and in the old Tennent School at Hartsville, this county, a school in which many of the leading business and pro- fessional men of this county obtained their education. Our subject left school at the age of sixteen years. The years 1864 and 1865 were spent in the drug store of Dr. John De L,acy, of Philadelphia, fitting himself to be a druggist ; in the latter \ear Mr. De Lacy died, and our subject completed his education in that line in the drug store of Dr. James P. Milner, also of Philadelphia, remaining in that gentleman's employ fourteen years. In 1882 Mr. Young returned to his native county, and settled in the borough of Bristol, where he embarked in the drug business on his own account and has remained in that business up to the present time. He carries a complete line of drugs, stationery and paints, and by his own untiring energy and industrious ef- forts has succeeded in establishing a large and paying patronage. Mr. Young is an unwavering Democrat, JOHN R. STACKHOUSE. BUCKS COUNTY 437 and casts his- support in favor of that party whenever the opportunity occurs, and has held both township and county offices. He has served six years as a school director, was secretary of the board during that time, and has served one term as county auditor. So- cially, he is a member of the Fourth of July lyodge. No. 196, K. of P., of Philadelphia- Wayne Ivodge, No. 3, I. O. O. P., also of Philadelphia; Bristol Castle, Knights of the Mystic Chain; Bristol Castle, No. 409, K. of G. E. ; Nonpareil I^odge, No. 1037, Royal Arcanum ; and Oriental Ir'BRAHAM GEORGE MOYER, a t^ highly respected citizen of Milford ^^ '= V_^ Square, Pa., is the proprietor and owner of the Milford Square Creamery and the Rushing Springs Creamery, both of which are located in Milford township, Bucks County, and situated in the heart of one of the best farming and dairy communi- ties in Bucks County. He was born in Hill- town township, this county, April 4, 1867, and is a son of Joseph H. and Elizabeth (George) Moyer, and grandson of Samuel Moyer, who was a well-to-do farmer of this county. Joseph H. Moyer, the father of our subject, was born and reared to manhood on his father's farm in Hilltown township, and when he attained his majority became a resident of Plumstead township, this county, where he purchased a farm and carried on agricultural pursuits the rest of his active days. He was an industrious and energetic farmer, and was well known throughout the township as being a very practical and progressive farmer. His property is now in the possession of his son- in-law, J. M. Rush. Mr. Moyer was joined in the bonds of wedlock with Elizabeth George, a daughter of Abraham George, of Milford township, and this union was blessed by the following children : Mary, the wife of J. M. Rush, who is farming on the homestead ; Emma, the wife of John Bergstresser ; Abra- ham G., the subject of this sketch ; Daniel was married to Maggie Souder ; I/izzie was wedded to J. M. Stauffer ; Kate is the wife of H. C. Beidler ; Addie was united in marriage with J. Fluck ; and Joseph, who died in boy- hood. The father of our subject entered the world of rest at the age of forty-five years. Abraham George Moyer prepared himself for the battles of life in the public schools and at the Normal School at West Chester, Pa. After finishing his schooling, he engaged in teaching for some time, but thinking that a mercantile business was more suited to his tastes, in 1891 he rented the general store at Milford Square, which was owned by C. R. Himmelwright & Son, and our subject con- ducted the same with marked success until 189S, when the store was sold to H. H. Erdman. He then purchased the Milford Square Creamery, which was owned by Henry George; he has enlarged and im- proved the creamery, and its patronage has also been greatly increased, there being now over 80 regular customers. As the business proved successful to our subject, in 1 897 he built the Rushing Springs Creamery, which now has 52 regular customers, and is steadily BUCKS COUNTY 443 on the increase. Our subject makes a choice grade of dairy butter, which he sends to the markets of Philadelphia, where it always commands a ready sale. Mr. Moyer pays strict attention to business, which, co.upled with his honest and straightforward methods of dealing, has secured for him not only a large and paying patronage, but the respect and confidence of the entire community. Our subject chose for his companion Han- nah Fretz, a daughter of Levi Fretz, a resi- dent of Plumstead township, this county, and a family of three children has been born to this union, namely: Willis F.; Pearl F.; and Edna F. Mr. Moyer, in his political belief, sides with the Republican party. Religi- ously, he and his family are devoted members of the Mennonite Church. vETER B. WOOLSEY. Tilling the soil has been the chief occupation of Peter B. Woolsey since his early manhood, in which calling he has been re- markably successful, now owning lOO acres of highly cultivated land, located in the heart of one of the best farming communities in Bucks County. He has been prominently identified with the growth and prosperity of Upper Makefield township since his marriage in i860. He was born in Newtown town- ship, this county, August 25, 1835, and is a son of Benjamin and Eliza (Doan) Woolsey. Benjamin Woolsey was also a native of Bucks County, Pa., and his first occupation was that of a shoemaker, which he had learned during his boyhood days ; he then followed farming in Newtown township, and at the time of his death, which was in 1873, he was living in retirement at the home of ,the sub- ject of this sketch. His union with Eliza Doan resulted in the following issue: Thomas, Robert, Henry, and George, all deceased ; Peter B., the subject of this sketch ; Charles, a resident of Camden, N. J. ; Benjamin lives in Chicago, 111. ; Jane is the widow of David Drummond, and they are residents of Wil- mington, Del. ; and Howard, who also lives in Wilmington, Del. The mother of our subject departed this life in 1 869. Peter B. Woolsey and his brothers and sisters were educated in the common schools, and at seventeen years our subject went to Byberry, Philadelphia County, Pa., where he spent eight years working at the trade of a wheelwright ; he then became a resident of Upper Makefield township, and has since given his undivided attention to farming and stock-raising. His farm is rich and produc- tive, and ranks among the best in the town- ship ; our subject is a kind neighbor and good citizen, possessing the confidence of all who know him. Mr. Woolsey and Violette Van Horn were united in marriage February 29, i860; she was born in Middletown township, this coun- ty. May S, 1828, and is a daughter of Garrett and Elizabeth (Randall) Van Horn, both of whom are now deceased. Mr. Van Horn was a farmer of Middletown township, and later of Upper Makefield township. A family of four children was born to this happy union, namely: Elizabeth, the wife of Elmer Har- vey, a farmer of Upper Makefield township, and they are the parents of two children. 444 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES Clarence and Elva ; Anna died in infancy ; Ivcttie also died in cliildhood days ; and Harry S., a farmer of Upper Makefield town- ship, who married Clara Van Pelt, by whom he has one child, Irvin. Politically, Mr. Woolsey is a stanch Democrat. Religiously, he and his wife are devoted members of the Thompson Memorial Church of Solebury township, and our subject is elder of the same, while his son is superintendent of the Sunday School. (^Yt'ARON H. TRUMBAUER, who is /■A descended from one of the early fami- >' « V ' lies of Bucks County, Pa., is jus- tice of the peace of the village of Trumbauers- ville, having being elected to that office in 1896, and is recognized as one of the enter- prising business men of that community. Our subject is a son of Jacob and Rachel (Hating) Trumbauer, grandson of Henry and Catherine (Blihler) Trumbauer, and great- grandson of Michael Trumbauer. Michael Trumbauer was born in Richland township, Bucks County, Pa., and resided there all his life, pursuing the vocation of an agriculturist; his death occurred at the age of ninety years. He was the father of the following family of children : John, Henry, Andrew, and Mrs. Peter Heist. Henry Trum- bauer was also born in Richland town- ship, and was reared to agricultural pursuits, which he made his life occupation ; in addi- tion to carrying on general farming, he fol- lowed the trade of a shoemaker, which he had learned in early manhood. He died aged eighty-eight years. He was joined in marriage with Catherine Blihler, by whom he reared the following children: Hannah,, David, Jacob, Sally, Daniel, Henry, and Pe- ter. His first wife dying young, he formed a second marriage with Hannah Blihler, a sis- ter to his first wife, and widow of a Mr. Sholl. Jacob Trumbauer, the father of our subject, was born in Milford township, this county, and his boyhood days were spent working in a wagon shop, learning the trade of a wheel- wright; later he started in business on his own account in the village of Trumbauers- ville, and had followed that occupation but a short time when death claimed him. Mr Trumbauer was twice united in marriage, his first wife was a Miss Aulthouse who died young, and to this union twins were born, both of whom died young; his second wife was Rachel Haring by whom he reared a son and daughter, namely : Aaron H., our subject ; and Sophia, the wife of M. B. Kline. Our subject's father resided in Trumbauersville, in the house which is now the home of Jo- seph W. Reiter; religiously, he and his fam- ily were members of the I/Utheran Church. Aaron H. Trumbauer received his educa- tional training in the schools of his native township, and while yet a boy began to leani the trade of a cigarmaker and packer, and followed that occupation a number of years, when he was elected county auditor, which position he retained for a period of six years. Our subject has served sixteen years as secre- tary of the Horse Insurance & Detective Com- pany of Trumbauersville, and in 1896 was elected justice of the peace, which office he is at present filling. Upon the death of his JOHN M. PURDY. BUCKS COUNTY 447 mother, he purchased her residence, which he remodeled, and then built a new office and barn. As an honest man and a good citizen, Mr. Trumbauer occupies a place in the front ranks of that class in the community, and has been an important factor in the building up of his township and county. Mr. Trum- bauer owns a small farm of 30 acres, which is'well improved and highly cultivated, and it is farmed by our subject and his son. Aaron H. Trumbauer was wedded to Ca- therine Heist, a daughter of Joseph Heist, of Rockhill township, this county, and they are the parents of a family of nine children, namely: Oswin; Jennie, who was married December 24, 1898, to Harry M. Detweiler, of Trumbauersville ; Harvey, deceased ; Her- bert, who assists his father; I/izzie, deceased; Addie ; Ida ; Seth ; and Nettie. Fraternally, he is a member of the K. of P. , Lodge No. 372, and the K. of G. E., Castle No. 165, and passed the chairs of both orders and is treasurer of the latter organization.. Reli- giously, he and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church. In politics, our subject has always been a stanch Democrat. 'OHN M. PURDY, the popular and genial landlord of the old historical Red Lion Inn on Bristol turnpike in Bensalem township, Bucks County, and ex- sheriflf of the county, was born in Doylestown in the Green Tree Hotel, of which his father was proprietor, the date of his birth being January 17, 1833. He is the fourth generation from John Purdy, an Irish Presbyterian, who immi-! grated to this country in 1740 and took up a large tract of land on Pennypack Creek ; later he returned to his native town in Ire- land and wedded Grissey Dunlap and imme- diately brought his wife to America and again started in agricultural pursuits. He lost his life at an election in Newtown. In those days it was the custom to make an election day a day of sports, and as he was crossing the race track, not knowing there was a race going on at the time, he was struck by a large white horse and instantly killed. It is said that the night before the election, his wife dreamed that a white horse tore down a part of their house, while he dreamed that while Ije was driving, his horse turned from the road into a cemetery and began rolling. Their' dreams were related to each other the next day, and the same day he attended the election with the above results. They reared a family of several sons and daughters. William Purdy, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was once prothonofary of Bucks County ; he was -also, a soldier in the War of 1812. His wife was Mary Folwell, and they were the parents of four sons and several daugh- ters, namely : William ; John ; Joseph ; and Thomas. His wife died in 1848. Thomas Purdy, the father of our subject, was born in Southampton township in 1801, and began life as a farmer ; later he engaged in the hotel business, purchasing the Green Tree Hotel at Doylestown. He next em- barked in the mercantile business for a num- ber of years at Richboro, but soon took up farming again in Southampton township. He took an active interest in the Bucks 448 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES Comity militia, of which he was colonel ; in politics he was very prominent, and served from 1842 to 1844 as sheriff of Bucks County. He was a member of the Baptist Church of Southampton, and, was trustee many years. He was united in the bonds of matrimony with Elizabeth Cornell, born in Northampton township in 181 1, aud a daughter of John S. Cornell. The mother of our subject died in 1887. They were the parents of six children, as follows: Mary J.; John M., whose name heads these lines; Elizabeth A.; Matilda; Amanda ; and Kate. John M. Purdy was reared in Davisville, Southampton township, and attended the common schools of that vicinity, and spent one year in the military school at China Hall, in Bristol township. Upon the death of his father he went to live with his aunt, Mercy Warner, with whom he remained until 1849, when he was apprenticed to the carpenter's trade and followed the same at Somertou, Pa., about ten years; he then began farming on the old Vanzant farm, near that town, remaining there until 1867, when he bought the New Hope Hotel, conducting the same until the spring of 1873. In that year he was elected sheriff of Bucks County, the only time in the history of the county, where father and son were elected to the same office. At the expiration of his term, in 1876, he en- gaged in the lumber and coal business at Doylestown, and in 1878 bought the old ■Cowell House; five years later he sold out and took possession of the Fountain House, where he remained ten years. After filling the office of postmaster for four years, being appointed by Cleveland in 1893, on April i. 1897, he took possession of his present hotel, the Red I^ion Hotel. This hotel is one of the oldest hotels in this country; according to the "Bucks County History," gotten up by W. J. Buck, in 1850, and according to Scull's "Maps of 1770," this hotel was first estab- lished by an Englishman named Phelps Ames, and was conducted by his widow after his death. It was erected in 1750, and is a large, substantial brick, the brick being brought from England. In 1781 Washington's army, on the march to Yorktown to attack Cornwal- lis, encamped there over night ; many of the most notable men of the colonial days stopped at this hotel, the most eminent of whom were Messrs. Bowdoin, Cushing, Samuel Adams, John Adams and Robert T. Paine, who dined there August 29, 1787, they being en route for Philadelphia, to attend the First Continental Congress. Again on December 9, 177s, and October 13, 1776, John Adams stopped at the Red Lion Inn. Socially, our subject is a member of the Masonic Order, Frankford Lodge, No. 292 ; and the I. O. R. M. of Doylestown. Our subject's first wife was Sarah Roberts, of Somerton, a daughter of John and Rebecca Roberts, and five children were born to them : Rebecca, the wife of Robert M. Yardley; Thomas, assistant passenger agent of the Long Branch Division of the Pennsylvania Railroad; Harry R., a physician of New York City ; Cora May, the wife of Edward McElroy, of Beverly, N. J.; and Frank V., of Jersey City, who is conductor on a dining car on the P. & R. R. R. Our subject's second wife, Carrie, is a daughter of Chris- tian and Cordelia Pearson of New Hope, Pa. ; BUCKS COUNTY 449 five children have been born to them: George S. ; Charles C; Anna V.; John M., Jr.; and J. W. Closson. Mr. Purdy's portrait is shown on another page. "ON. ROBERT M. YARDIvEY, whose home is in Doylestown, has met with the most marked success in life in practicing law in the courts of Bucks County. He is also prominent as a business ' man, politician and statesman. He was born in Yardley, this county, October 9, 1850, and is of English descent. He was educated and reared in his native place, receiving an academic training, after which he engaged for a short while in the coal and lumber busi- ness with his father, John Yardley. At the age of eighteen years he began to prepare himself for a career in the legal profession, and obtained his elementary knowledge of law in the office of his brother, Mahlon Yardley. He was admitted to the bar in 1872, and at once began to practice in Doyles- town, whither he removed and located. He soon proved himself to be an able and strong lawyer, and merited the confidence that was early placed in his ability by those who knew him. The courts of Bucks County know no more eloquent pleader, and it can almost be said that every jury he addresses he takes by storm, such is the force of his arguments and the splendid manner in which they are grouped and presented to his audience. His addresses, whether in the courts or before political gatherings, are always to the point and incisive. Our subject is a son of John and Ann (Van Horn) Yardley, both natives of Bucks County. The great-great-grandfather, Thomas Yard- ley, was the original immigrant and founder of the family in this country ; he came from England at a very early date, and made a settlement in what is now Lower Makefield township, and Yardleyville was named after him. Our subject's grandfather, Mahlon Yardley, was a farmer all his life. His son, John, also followed agricultural pursuits, and dealt in coal and lumber in Yardleyville. He was a very prominent man in the county, and had hosts of friends. He served one term in the State Assembly, and was a justice of the peace of his township for twenty-five years. He died in 1873, and was survived by his wife, who lived until 1883, and then joined those gathered on the farther shore. The subject of this sketch was appointed a notary public in 1877, by Governor Hart- ranft, and filled that office until 1880, when he resigned to accept the office of district attorney of the county, to which office he had been elected in the November election of the previous year. He went to the National Re- publican Convention held in Chicago in 1884, as a delegate, and in 1886 was elected on the Republican ticket to the Fiftieth Congress from the Seventh Pennsylvania Congres- sional District, composed of Montgomery County, and all that part of Bucks County not included in the Tenth District. In this election he received a majority of 1,299 votes over the Democratic and Prohibition candi- dates. In May, 1891, Mr. Yardley was ap- pointed receiver of the Keystone National Bank of Philadelphia, and his labors in 'ISO BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES winding up the affairs of that institution proved so generally satisfactory that in Au- gust, 1894, he was appointed receiver of the Spring Garden National Bank of Philadel- phia. He is actively interested in a number of semi-public enterprises that have benefited Doylestown and Bucks County to no small extent. In this connection he is a director of the Doylestown Electric Light Company, Doylestown Gas Company, and Bucks Coun- ty Trust .Company. Socially, he is well liked and very popular, and holds a membership in the Masonic Order, and I. O. O. F. ■ In 1874, Mr. Yardley was united in mar- riage with Clara Bell, whose death occurred in 1883. Several years after this sad event, he formed a second union with Mrs. Reba M. James, daughter of Ex-sheriiBF John M. Purdy, and widow of I,evi Lt- James. Neither of these marriages resulted in any issue. Our subject and wife have a beautiful home in Doylestown, and take delight in entertaining their friends, who unite in ascribing to them the finest qualities of mind and soul. 'OSHUA D. K. REINHART, ex-sheriff of Bucks County, and a prominent and influential citizen of Quakertown, who is now enjoying the fruits of his early life, has fought his way to success by the ex- ercise of his own industry and perseverance. He was born in South Whitehall township, L,ehigh Co., Pa., Dec. 16, 1827, and is a son of George M. and Catherine (Glick) Reinhart. George M. Reinhart, who was a native of Greenwich township, Berks County, Pa., set- tled in l/ower Milford township, I/chigh County, and successfully pursued the voca- tion of a farmer all his life. He passed from this life when in his eighty-sixth year. He was joined in the bonds of wedlock with Catherine Glick, and four children blessed this union, namely: Ephraim, a stonemason and farmer of I^ehigh County, was united in marriage with Elizabeth Newmoyer; Mary is the wife of Israel Larosch ; George, form- erly a shoemaker, and later a hotel-keeper, was at the time of his death residing at I^ine Lexington, Bucks County., — his wife was ' Judith Fredrick; and Joshua D. K., whose name heads this sketch. Joshua D. K. Reinhart possesses a fine education ; after attending the district schools of his native township, he began life by teaching in L,ehigh and Berks Counties. He then became a clerk in a general merchan- dise store in Lehigh County, and soon be- came quite familiar with that line of busi- ness ; by the exercise of economy he suc- ceeded in laying aside a portion of his salary, and in 1855 went to Lambert, Pa., where he conducted a mercantile store for two years. The next eleven years were spent at Trum- bauersville, "Bucks County, Pa., where he engaged in a like business, meeting with the best of success. Our subject was one of the valued mem- bers of Trunibauersville,' where he served fif- teen years as justice of the peace. In 1875 he ran for sheriff of Bucks County on the Demo-, cratic ticket, and was elected over the oppos- ing candidates by an overwhelming majority^ which is only one more proof of his popu- larity, arid the esteem in which he is held by BUCKvS COUNTY 451 the citizens of Bucks County. He also served as postmaster of Trumbauersville. In Au- gust, 1883, he became a resident of Quaker- town, where he bought the Joshua Hess property, and has since lived in retirement, enjoying a well-earned competency. Mr. Reinhart has served many years as a director of the Quakertown National Bank, and as treasurer of the Milford & Richmond Turn- pike Co. ; and there is no doubt but what our subject has settled more estates than any other man in Bucks County. October 24, 1854, Mr. Reinhart was married to Susanna Hofford, a daughter of Daniel and Susanna (Mangle) Hofford, and they are the parents of four children, namely : Ambrose died at the age of seven years; Erasmus died, aged eighteen months ; Vessie, deceased, was the wife of Frank Eagle ; and Hercules, who is a clerk in the Quakertown National Bank, and a prominent citizen of that borough. Our subject is a ■ member and liberal sup- porter of the Lutheran Church. His es- teemed wife attends the German Reformed Church. c kOBERT A. SHIMER is a man whose natural abilities, strict attention to business and pleasing personality, have most deservedly gained for him a prom- inent place. among the successful business men of Riegelsville, Pa. This prominent and influential citizen was born and reared at Ereemansburg, Northampton County, Pa., and. is a son of John and Mary (Switzer) Shimer. John Shimex resided at Shimersyille, Pa.,. the major portion of his active days, and busied himself in farming labors all his life, and was very successful in that occupation. As a result of his union with Mary Switzer, the following children were born : William ; George; Samuel; Mary; Sarah; Jacob; and Robert A., the subject of this personal his- tory. Mr. Shimer died at the advanced age of eighty-six years, and his death was mourned by a large circle of acquaintances, who respected him for his many excellent traits of character. The demise of our sub- ject's mother occurred in her seventy-sixth year ; she was not only a kind and loving mother and faithful wife, but was a lady highly respected for her kindness of heart. Mr. and Mrs. Shimer were devoted and con- sistent members of the Lutheran Church. Robert A. Shimer was but a mere lad of twelve years when he made his home with his brother-in-law John L,. Riegel of Riegels- ville, N. J., and it was in the public schools of that place that our subject received his intellectual training. His youthful days were also spent in the general store of his brother- in-law, where he clerked for a. period of five and a half years, after which he was given the entire management of the store. Later Mr. Shimer was given an interest in the business, and in 1858 Mr. John L. Riegel disposed of his entire stock and our subject became sole proprietor ; the place was then known as Riegel's Mills and Mr. Shimer also kept the post office there. In 1868 the name of the post office was changed to Rie- gelsville, N. J. When our subject first en- gaged in the merchandise business, his store occupied the front part of a large store room. 452 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES while in the rear a family resided; as the trade steadily increased it was necessary to increase the stock, consequently more store room was required, hence our subject moved the family to another part of the building and himself occupied the rear of the store room with part of his stock ; even with this enlargement it soon proved to be much too small, and in 189S Mr. B. Riegel proposed to build a new store house, and would arrange for the construction of a new brick building, 30 by 90 feet. Accordingly, in the same year, a three-story building with plate glass front was erected ; it is heated throughout by steam and is equipped with electric lights and elevators. The first floor is stocked with general merchandise, and in the center of this floor is a beautiful winding staircase that leads to the second floor, which is also stocked with everything necessary to com- plete a general store ; our subject also occu- pies the third floor and the large basement which is under the entire building. It is by far the most complete general store in the section, and it is the only one of its kind for miles around. Mr. Shimer is a man of sterling integrity, and enjoys the confidence and esteem of a wide circle of patrons. Our subject conducts the business on a commend- able policy of fair dealings and honest repre- sentations in every instance. Mr. Shimer was united in marriage with Sabella Baker, daughter of Warren and Ann Baker of Roxbury, N. J., and she was born in Northampton County, Pa. One child has been born to this union, Florence h- With the exception of Cleveland's Administration our subject has served as postmaster of Rie- gelsville, N. J., since the election of Presi- dent Buchanan. Mr. Shimer is treasurer of the Building & Loan Association of Riegels- ville, and is interested in the Fulton Pulp & Paper Company of Fulton, N. J. Our sub- ject is broad and liberal in his views, pleasant t(5 those he meets in business and social cir- cles, and indulgent to his employees. g)| ARVEY W. STONEBACK is a con- ^\ tractor and proprietor of a planing >> y, ^ mill, which is located at the corner of Front and Strawn streets, Quakertown, Pa. The subject of our sketch is one of those whose work is well done and who is possessed of a natural taste and an eye to symmetry. The evidence of this is observable in the structures that have gone up under his eye and superintendence. He was born in Bed- minster township, this county, September n, 1844, and is a son of John T. and Elizabeth (Weisel) Stoneback, and grandson of John Stoneback. Steinbach was tlie way our subject's great- grandfather, Henry Steinbach, spelled the name ; Henry, who was born in Germany in 1750, immigrated to America, and settled in Dublin, Bucks County, Pa., where he engaged in farming. He died in 1795 and was buried in Keller's Churchyard in Bedminster town- ship. His children were : John, George^ Jacob, Christian, and Mrs. Fox. John Stone- back, our subject's grandfather, was born at Dublin, Bedminster township, this county, in 1782 ; he was a farmer all his life and followed I that occupation in Rockhill, Haycock and BUCKS COUNTY 453 Milford townships, dying in the latter town- ship in 1864. He was joined in marriage with Elizabeth Tresler, who died at an ad- vanced age. They were the parents of the following children : Robert; David; Frank; Henry ; Jacob ; John T., our subject's father ; Sarah ; Mary ; and Eliza. Mr. and Mrs. Stoneback were members of the I,utlreran Church. John T. Stoneback, a native of Bucks County, Pa., during his early manhood learned the occupation of a carpenter, and followed that trade in Bedminster and Milford townships a number of years. Later he em- barked in the mercantile business, and con- ducted a store where J. H. Shelly now has his store ; after he sold his store he bought a farm in Rockhill township, and successfully carried on general farming until he moved to Quakertown, where he lived in retirement, enjoying a well-earned competency. He died in 1897, at the age of seventy-nine years. He was wedded to Elizabeth Weisel, a daughter of George Weisel, and she passed from this life, aged sixty-eight years. She was the mother of the following children : Leidy and Emma, deceased ; David, a resident of Perka- sie, Pa. ; Jane, deceased ; James, who resides in Quakertown ; Lucy Ann, the wife of A. Egolf, of Perkasie; George and John, de- ceased ; Jacob, a well-to-do citizen of Quaker- town ; and Amandis, of Rich Hill, Pa. Our subject's parents were active members of the Lutheran Church. Our subject worked with his father in early life, learning the trade of a carpenter ; upon attaining his majority he located in Quaker- town and engaged in the contracting bus- iness, and has erected some of the finest business houses and dwellings in the borough, especially in the lower end. Mr. Stoneback successfully carried on that business until 1880, when he purchased a portion of the Strawn estate, which is located on the corner of Front and Strawn streets ; there he built a planing mill, and has since been engaged in the manufacture of doors, sashes, blinds, stair- cases and all other kinds of house furnishings. Our subject employs some 20 skilled mechan- ics, whose work gives the best of satisfaction, and trade not only comes from Quakertown, but also from many of the surrounding vil- lages. This planing mill is the only one of its kind in the northern section of the county, and is one of the successful industries of Bucks County. Mr. Stoneback was imited in the bonds of matrimony with Phcebe Brown, a daughter of John Brown, of Ohio ; she died at the age of forty-five years, leaving the following chil- dren : George, a resident of the state of Ohio ; Susan, the wife of John Aaron, of Quaker- town, and they are the parents of three children, George, Winefred, and Irene ; and Chauncey E., chief burgess of Quakertown, who married Laura Greinswig, and has a family of three children, Grace,. Henry and Marion. Our subject, after the death of his first wife, married Kate R. Hartman, a daugh- ter of Francis and Catherine R. (Winsted) Hartman. Francis Hartman was a son of Thomas and Elizabeth Hartman, and was born in Rockhill township, this county; in early life he was a cooper, but later was en- gaged in the real estate and hotel business. Locating in Quakertown, he purchased the Eagle Hotel, which he practically rebuilt and 454 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES operated it the rest of his life ; he owned con- siderable real estate in Philadelphia. His death occurred at the age of fifty-eight years. His wife died aged seventy-one years, leaving the following children : Elizabeth, the wife of Aaron F. Sloves, of Quakertown ; Joseph married Celesta E. Woodring, both of whom are now deceased, and they were the parents of seven children, — William, assistant post- master of Quakertown, Oliver, Robert, Frank, Scott, and Martin and Lamar, who reside with our subject ; Sarah, deceased ; Kate R., the wife of our subject ; and Amanda, deceased. Mr. Stoneback is a member of the I. O. R. M. ; K. of P.; Marion Circle; and is a member and past grand of the I. O. O. F. and Encamp- ment. Our subject is a man greatly esteemed in his community, and is one of the solid citizens of Quakertown. ^ RLENZO C. REEDER is a prominent and energetic business man of New- town, Bucks County, Pa., and has been engaged in the milling business the greater part of his active career. He is one of the best examples of self-made men in the county, and all his worldly possessions have been gathered together by his untiring energy and perseverance. This enterprising and public-spirited gentleman was born at Penn's Park, this county, April i, 1864, and is a son of Elias and Maria L. (Twining) Reeder. Elias Reeder' s wife, Maria L,. Twining-, was born at Penn's Park, Pa., and was a daughter of Mahlon Reeder, a prominent resident of that place, where he followed the trade of a watchmaker all his life. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Reeder mar- ried Joseph Carton, and one child was born to them, namely : Rynaldo, who married Lottie Gleason, and is now engaged in farm- ing in New Jersey. Orlenzo C. Reeder after obtaining a com- mon school education, was apprenticed to the miller's trade and continued in the capacity of apprentice three years and four months. Becoming then a journeyman miller, he went to Newtown, where he entered the employ of T. H. Fetter, proprietor of the Newtown Mills ; later he worked for C. Posler & Son of Ogontz, Montgomery County, Pa., re- maining in the firm's employ one year. After attending college six months, he again took up his trade as a miller, and some two years later purchased the mills now known as the Ashland Mills, which he operated until 1888, when he moved to Chelton Hills, Pa., where he ran an electric plant. Two years later, he returned to Newtown, and has since been engaged in all kinds of milling and grinding in the mills that he purchased in 1887. The mills, which are operated by both water and steam power, have been greatly improved and remodeled by Mr. Reeder. He also owns a small farm and is engaged in the poultry business, raising broilers and ducks for the market, and does a good business in that line. Politically, our subject is a stanch Repub- lican ; fraternally, he is a member of Siloam Lodge, No. 265, I. O. O. F., Newtown; and Curtis Encampment of Newtown. On Feb- ruary 6, 1886, Mr. Reeder was married td Miss E. S. Hampton of Ogontz, Montgomery DR. S. P. KERNS. BUCKS COUNTY 457 County, Pa., a daughter of Thomas P. and Edith B. Hampton. They have been blessed ■with five children, namely : Chester L,., who died in infancy ; Mary ; Thomas P. ; Willis W. ; and Edith. M R. S. P. KERNS, a prominent and progressive citizen of the village of Chalfont, New Britain township, whose portrait is shown on the opposite page, has the largest practice of any physician in the county southwest of Doylestown, and one which is richly deserved, for he stands with- out a peer in the treatment of the most com- plicated diseases. He is a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Proctor) Kerns, and was born in Chalfont, October 3, 1862. Thomas Kerns, the father of the gentleman whose name heads these lines, was born in Sellersville, Bucks County, but while a young man moved to New Britain township, ■\^here he learned the trade of a carpenter and en- gaged in agricultural pursuits. He now re- sides upon a farm in New Britain township, and is quite a prosperous man. As a result of his union with Elizabe;th Proctor, who was born in Hilltown township, and is a daughter of Thomas Proctor, he had seven children, namely : Allen, a harness-maker by- trade who resides in New Britain township; S. P., the subject of this biographical record ; Emma Catherine, deceased ; John, deceased ; Thomas, deceased ; and William, who died young. Dr. S. P. Kerns received his early educa- tion in the common schools of his native 23* township and then attended Doylestown Sem- inary for one and a half years. He next took a full three years' course in the Keystone State Normal School of Kutztown, Berks County, from which he graduated with the class of 1 887. He then engaged as a school teacher in the district in which he now lives, and proved an able instructor. After con- tinuing for a period of two years, he took up the study of medicine in Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, where he took a thorough course, and was graduated with the class of 1893, and received a certificate to practice. He immediately returned to Chal- font, where he succeeded to the practice of Dr. A. J. Mathews, and has since enjoyed a large and lucrative patronage. He is a ifikn who, having a true sense of professional honor, treats his brother practitioners with consideration and fairness, thereby winning their highest esteem. Having been born and reared in the district where he lives, he is widely k^own and has innumerable friends by whom he is patronized. He has one of the best practices in the county, and is kept constantly busy, being at home only during offifce hours, which are from 7 to 9 o'clock A. M. ; I to 2 -p. M. ; and from 7 to 8 p. m. Sdcialiy, he is a metnber of the Bucks County Medical Society, and has been sent as a dele- gate ■ to the state convention. He owns a fine residence on Main street, in the center of the village, being one of the most beauti- ful in the locality, with office adjoining. ■ February 7, 1894, be was joined in hynien- eal bonds with Julia B. Summers, a daughter of John and Ellen (Martin) Summers. Mr. Summers was at one time a wholesale clothier 458 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES of Philadelphia, but in 1891 moved to Chal- font, where he died December 10, 1896. Dr. and Mrs. Kerns are the proud parents of two children : Winfred, born in 1895 ; and Ethel, born in 1897. Politically, he is a firm Dem- ocrat. In religious faith and fellowship he is a member of the Reformed Church, whilst his wife is an adherent to the faith of the Baptist Church. (^aTlvYSSES G IvOUX, the present pop- //-J ular postmaster of Geryville, Bucks V-^l*""^ County, and the proprietor of a general store of that village, — the only estab- lishment of its kind in his section of Mil- ford township, — was born November 5, 1872, in Plumstead township, this county, near the village of Plumsteadville. He is a son of Joseph W. and I,ucy A. (Hunsberger) Lk)Ux. The Lionx family is of German ancestry. Our subject's great-grandfather, Andrew Loux, who was born in 1 780, married Maria Hartman, who was born in 1781, and their union was blessed with these children : Peter, John, Nancy, Mathias, Catharine, Andrew, Mary, and Samuel. Samuel L,oux, the grandfather of Ulysses G., was born April 12, 1813, and died December 25, 1865, aged fifty-two years, eight months and thirteen days. He married Lydia A. Weisel, who was born August 11, 181 3, and died in April, 1 878. The following-named children consti- tuted their family: Maria, born July 9, 1842, unmarried ; Joseph W., our subject's father ; Anna C, born December 13, 1847, who mar- ried Cary B. Nace; -and I^ydia Ann, born September 21, 1852, who married Peter Steely, Samuel I,oux was a farmer of Hill- town township, and followed agricultural pursuits all his life. Joseph W. Ivoux, our subject's father, was born October 20, 1845, and married, August 14, 1869, lyucy A. Hunsberger, a daughter of Abraham Hunsberger who was a well-to-do fanner of Hilltown township. Two chil- dren were born to them : Ulysses G., in whom the interest of this life history centers ; and Abraham W., who was born February 26, 1877, and died December 31, 1895, aged eighteen years, ten months and five days. Joseph W. Loux is now living in retirement in Plumstead township. Ulysses G. Loux received his early mental training in the schools of Plumstead town- ship, and when a yotmg man engaged as a clerk in a store at Dublin, this county ; in 1895, our subject's father purchased the Owen Heist store and dwelling at Geryville, and, as our subject had become thoroughly acquainted with that line of business while clerking at Dublin, Ulysses G. took charge of the store and has successfully conducted the same up to the present time. Mr. Loux displayed good judgment in purchasing such a store in such a good community, for it is situated in the center of a good farming and dairy community, of which it commands almost the exclusive trade. Our subject car- ries a large stock of merchandise and gro- ceries, and through his honest business methods and evident desire to please has secured the patronage of the farmers for many miles around. November i, 1891, our BUCKS COUNTY 459 subject was appointed postmaster of the vil- lage and has retained that position to the present time, filling the same with great credit to himself and to the satisfaction of the entire community. Mr. Loux is well known throughout the county and is greatly respected by his fellow-countrymen. Ulysses G. l/oux was married, March lo, 1894, to Lizzie K. Strohm, a daughter of Levi Strohm, a well-to-do citizen of Dublin, Pa., and this union has been blessed by the birth of two children, named as follows : Miriam, born at Dublin, October 10,1894; and Paul Raymond, born at Geryville, De- cember 6, 1896. Although our subject takes an active part in the advancement and pro- gress of his community and township and displays an unusual amount of interest in local politics, he has never sought political distinction, but firmly upholds the principles of the Republican party. Religiously, Mr. Loux and family are devoted members of the Reformed Church, toward the support of which he liberally contributes. p^ ^ FRANKLIN LIVEZEY, a promi- nent contractor and builder, whose office is in the city of Philadelphia, is an influential citizen of Yardley, where he has resided and been engaged in business since 1 880. He is a man of great enterprise and has erected some of the handsomest homes to be found in Bucks County, also a number in Phil- adelphia. He is a son of Allen and Mary Ann (Gordon) Livezey, and was born in Solebury township, this county, December 12, 1847. The old and highly respected family of which he is a conspicuous member, traces its ancestry in a direct line to Thomas Livezey, a friend of William Penn, and one of the first purchasers of the land chartered to the latter by King Charles II. On March 5, 1681, Wil- liam Penn received the grant of land, inclu- ding the entire province of Pennsylvania, which he wished to establish as an asylum of rest for the oppressed Friends of England, who were frequently cast in prison or sent into exile because of their religious belief. Thomas Livezey was also a devout Friend and, having unfaltering faith in the glowing accounts of the New World by the champion of their cause, he was among the first pur- chasers, acquiring the title to 250 acres of land, the conveyance being effected by the deed of lease and release, the former bearing the date of March 2, 168 1, and the latter, Marcli 3, of the same year. In these instru- ments, Penn is described as being "of Worm- inghurst, in the County of Sussex," and Livezey, " of Norton, in the County of Ches- ter, husbandman." The latter accompanied the body of emigrants, who, responding to the invitation of William Penn, went to the new country with the latter's agent, William Markham, who was also deputy-governor of the province. This expedition landed in America in May, 1681, and the first authentic record of Thomas is found in the minutes of the first court held in Philadelphia, January II, 1682, where it is noted he was a member of the grand jury. As was the custom, he also received, ■ with his purchase of land, a lot of ground within the limits of the city, which Penn contemplated founding, and this lot is 460 BOOK OF. BIOGRAPHIES numbered " 150" on the "portraiture of the City of Philadelphia, in the province of Penn- sylvania, in America, by Thomas Holme, Surveyor-General, London, 1683." It is lo- cated at what is now near the corner of Fourth and Chestnut streets, and there he built a house, for the record of the sale to Thomas Green, October 20, 1683, describes the prop- erty as a house and lot. By his will, it is seen that he purchased an additional tract of 290 acres, which he sold to his son, Jonathan, to whom he also bequeathed the original tract upon his death in 1691 or 1692, the will bear- ing the date of June 12, 1691. As the records of Philadelphia do not mention the name of his wife, it is not unlikely that she died be- fore he came to America. Jonathan Livezey, it is thought, was born in Chester County, Eng., and immigrated, to this country with his father in 1681, dying in Philadelphia September 23, 1698. By his wife Rachel he had six children, a record of whom follows : Mary, born March 9, 1687 or 1688; Thomas, born January 17, 1689 or 1690, and died June 5, 1759, married Eliza- beth Heath, a daughter of Robert Heath ; Jonathan; Martha, born March 3, 1694 or 169s, married Robert Thomas, March 25, 1721 or 1722 ; Rachel, born May 15, 1696, married Evan Thomas, January 30, 1717; David, born March 20, 1697 or 1698, married Rebecca Hinkson, October 25, 1721, and was called •to his final rest in July, 1750. Jonathan L/iyezey was born in Philadel- .phia. Pa., June 15, 1692, and resided thereat the time of his death, June 24, 1764. He was joined in wedlock, March 24, 17 17 or 171 8, with Esther Eastburn, a daughter of Robert Eastburn. She reached an advanced age be- fore submitting to the inevitable, July 18, 1788, aged ninety-fpur years and eleven days. Their union resulted in the following issue : Jonathan, born March 8, 17 19 or 1720, died November 11, 1789; Joseph, born October 23, 1722, and died in January, 1800'; married, March 20, 1753, Ann Roberts, a daughter of John Roberts ; Sarah, born January 12, 1724, died March 23, 1790; Benjamin, born August 31, 1728, and died November 28, 1793, mar- ried, on the 15th of May, 1753, Phoebe Rob- erts, a daughter of John Roberts ; Mary, born April 21, 1730, died at the age of one year and seven months; and Nathan, born July 11, 1739, and died in 1823, — his companion in life was Hannah Williams, and they were married in 1763. Jonathan Ivivezey was born in Philadelphia, Pa., March 8, 1719 or 1720, and formed a marital union January 22, 1747, with Cather- ine Thomas, who was born March 18, 172 1 or 1722, and was a daughter of Daniel and Catherine (Morris) .Thomas. This union re- sulted in the birth of nine children, namely : Esther, born June 14, 1749, who became the wife of Jacob Holcombe, a son of Thomas and Catherine Holcombe; Jonathan, born Janu- ary 21, 1750 or 1751 ; Daniel ; Susanna, born August 3, 1754; Sarah, who died in infancy, was born September 7, 1756; Martha, born December 29, 1757, died in infancy ; Thomas, born July i, 1762; Joshua, born March 24, 1764, died in infancy; and Isaac, born Feb- ruary 20, 1767, who also died in childhood. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Livezey formed a second union, which was blessed by the birth of three children, namely : Rachel, BUCKS COUNTY 461 born June 4, 1776; David, February 16, 1778 ; and Elizabeth, July 6, 1781. Thomas Livezey, a cousin of Jonathan Ivivezey, the third, was a man who moved in the highest intellectual circles, and attained distinction in public affairs, being a con- spicuous member of the Pennsylvania Assem- bly in the years 1765-66-67-68-69-70-71. He was also a member of that noted organization, the American Philosophical Society, of which Benjamin Franklin was the founder, and was an intimate acquaintance of the latter. He resided in a handsome residence at Roxboro, Philadelphia County, bordering on the beau- tiful Wissahickon, where he owned and oper- ated mills in connection with the cultivation of his farm. He also had a large vineyard, as it was customary in those days to make one's own wine. In speaking of the excel- lence of the wine made by Thomas Livezey, Hon. Horatio Gates Jones, in his communi- cation to the Historical Society of Pennsyl- vania, of which he was vice-president, wrote ; " No doubt it was good, for in 1768 Robert Wharton sent a dozen bottles to Dr. Frank- lin, who, in a letter dated 20th of February, 1768, wrote to Wharton as follows: 'Dear Friend — I received your favors of November 17th and 1 8th, with another dozen of ex- cellent wine, the manufacture of our friend Ivivezey. I thank you for the care you have taken in forwarding them, and for your good wishes that accompanied them.' Mr. Live- zey was a member of the Society of Friends, and when the British were in Philadelphia, and our troops used to go about seeking pro- vender, he sunk a number of barrels of wine in his dam in the Wissahickon, where it re- mained until the close of the war. Some of that wine was bottled and preserved by the late Mr. John Livezey, a grandson of the said Thomas Livezey, until a short time before he died, in 1878. He gave me a small bottle of this Revolutionary wine, which I shall de- posit in our Society." Many prominent men were numbered among his acquaintances, one of whom was Joseph Galloway, a noted law- yer, with whom he served in the Assembly. Their intimate social relations, together with the wit for which Mr. Livezey was well known, is shown in the letter which follows : " To Joseph Galloway, Dear Friend : — As thou hast often concluded from the lowness of my situ- ation that I must be connected with the Lower Regions or some Infernal place of abode, I have sent thee the following true description of the place of my residence in order to con- vince thee of that error : Near Wissahickon's mossy banks, where purling foun- tains glide, Beneath the Spruces' shady boughs and Laurels' bloom- ing pride, Where little fishes sport and play, diverting to the sight, Whilst all ,the warbling winged race afford my ear delight. Here are evergreens by nature set, on which those warblers sing. And flowery aromatic groves from an eternal Spring ; Refreshing breezes round me move, which with the bowers play, And balmy odors on their wings through all my vale convey. Those charming scenes — did'st thou dwell here — would all thy care beguile. And in the room of anxious fear, would cause a harmless smile. Here's innocence and harmony, which give me thoughts sublime, Little inferior to the place call'd Eden in the prime. Thus situated, here I dwell, where these sweet zephyrs move. And little rivulets from rocks add beauty to my grove. 462 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES I drink the wine my hills produce ; on wholesome food I dine ; My little ofiFspring round me, like clusters on the vine. I hand in hand with second self oft' walk amidst the bowers, Whilst all our little prattling ones are gathering open- ing flowers. In this low station here I'm fixed, nor envy court nor King, Nor crave the honors statesmen crave, nor cares which riches bring. Honor's a dangerous, tempting thing, which oft' leads men astray, Riches, like insects, spread their wings and quickly flee away. My meditations here are free from interrupting strife. Whilst different ways, aspiring men pursue indifferent life; I see what are the clergy's use, who will be paid to pray. And how poor clients are abused by lawyers' long delay. I see what cunning artifice the busy men employ, Whilst I this lonely seat of bliss unenvied here enjoy. This is the place of my abode, where humbly here I dwell. Which, in romantic mood, thou hast compared to Hell. But Paradise where Adam dwelt in blissful love and ease, A- lawyer would compare to Hell, if thence he got no fees. Canst thou prefer thy heaven on earth— thy fee the root of evil. To this my lowly harmless place — my Hell without a devil ? " Permit me from my low situation to thine of eminence, to do myself the justice to say, I am, with much respect, Thy sincere friend, Thomas Livezey. I shall conclude with the words made use of to Zaccheus of old, 'come down — come down quickly,' for I want thee to dine at my house. ' ' Daniel I^ivezey, a son of Jonathan and Catlierine (Thomas) lyivezey, was born in l/ower Dublin township, Philadelphia Coun- ty, Pa., December 14, 1752, and died in Bucks County, Pa., in 1796. In 1778, he formed a matrimonial alliance with Margery Croasdale, a daughter of Robert and Margery Croasdale, and they reared the following children : Robert ; Jonathan, born January 22, 1782, was a resident of Ohio, where he died; Sarah, who was born March 4, 1784, died at Centre Hill, this county; Isaac, born April 20, 1786, died February 27, 1864, at Langhorne; Deborah, born April 20, 1788, died at Centre Hill ; Ezra, born March 20, 1 792, died in New York City ; and Samuel, born April 23, 1794, died July 19, 1813. Mrs. Livezey was born July 3, 1758, and lived to reach an advanced age. Robert Livezey, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was born February 22, 1780, and died on the 14th of March, 1864, in Solebury town- ship, Bucks County. His wife, Sarah Paxson, to whom he was married November 14, 1 804, was a daughter of Abraham and Elizabeth (Brown) Paxson, and was born July i, 1779. The following issue resulted from their union: Cyrus, born August 14, 1805, died December 12, 1885 ; Elizabeth, born Feb- ruary 26, 1807, died June i, 1896; Ann, born April 5, 1809, died April i, 1892 ; Albert, born September 12, i8u, is living at this date (1898) ; Allen, the father of our subject ; Sam- uel, born September 18, 18 16, died November 25, 1863 ; Elias, born June 3, 1819, resides in Baltimore, Md.; and Abraham, born Sep- tember 15, 1821, and died August 31, 1896. Allen I/ivezey was born in Solebury town- ship, Bucks County, January 11, 18 14, and was there reared to manhood. Early in life he learned the trade of a carpenter, and after his marriage moved to Lumberville, this county, where he was engaged in contracting until 1850, when he purchased a farm on the corner of State and Sugan roads, in Sole- bury township. After residing there for a BUCKS COUNTY 463 period of four years, he disposed of his prop- erty and followed his trade in Philadelphia until 1 862, when he located at Taylorsville, Bucks County. Three years later he moved to Yardley, and since 1 897 has lived in retire- ment in that borough. Being industrious and of frugal habits, he acquired the means with which to spend his declining years in com- fort. He was united in marriage November 28, 1839, with Mary Ann Gordon, a daughter of John and Sarah Gordon, and she was called to her final rest July 11, 1876. This union was blessed with the following children : Theodore, born August 20, 1840, resides in Newport News, Va. ; Henry Clay, born Au- gust 23, 1843, died in Yardley, January 8, 1895 ; B. Franklin, whose name appears at the head of these lines ; and John Gordon, a resident of Newport News, Va., who was born February 4, 1853. B. Franklin lyivezey attended the public schools of Philadelphia for some time, and also took a five years' course in the Society of Orthodox Friends' School in that city. He then learned the trade of a carpenter from his father, and at the age of sixteen years enlisted in Company M, 198th Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf., which was with the Army of the Potomac. He received an honorable discharge in 1865, after two years of active service, in which he had many exciting adventures and rendered gallant aid to the cause of the Union., After the close of the war, he followed his trade in association with his father for eight years, and then went to New York City to accept a position as superintendent of construction with a firm in that city. He faithfully dis- charged the duties of that ofiice.for seven years, when he returned to Yardley and be- gan contracting, in which line of work he has since been engaged, soon after establishing his office in Philadelphia. The first building of importance which he erected was the Lang- horne Manor Hotel, and he has since erected many fine ones throughout the county and in Philadelphia, among them : Judge Fell's house in Buckingham township, Mayor War- wick's Philadelphia home, Yardley National Bank, Yardley Episcopal Church, St. Mar- tin's Episcopal Church of Oak I^ane and the residences of T. H. Asbury, at Oak lyane, C. H. Salmon at Ashbourne, C. R. Williams in Philadelphia, and Theodore Phillips at Lang- horne, one of the finest in the county. He is also an architect of no mean ability, having drawn up the plans and erected the residence of Moses Paxson of Radnor, Delaware County, the Frankford Insurance Building of Frank- ford, Pa., the residence of Judge Fell of Buck- ingham township, the Philadelphia home of Mayor Warwick, and a number of others. He has always taken an active interest in all that pertains to the welfare of the borough, sup- porting all enterprises tending to that end. In political belief, he is an ardent Republi- can, and at present is serving as chief burgess of the borough council; By the honest and impartial course he has pursued in the dis- charge of the duties of that office, he has won the respect and friendship of every citizen who has the welfare of the borough at heart. He was also a director of the school board for seven years, serving two years as president and a like number as treasurer of that body. He is a local director of the Yardley & Dela- ware Bridge Company. Mr. Yardley is a 464 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES member of Grand Army of the Republic Post No. 2, of Philadelphia, Pa. In 1877, onr subject formed a matrimonial alliance with Sarah Van Horn, a daughter of Joseph and Sarah H. (Tonkin) Van Horn, and their union has been blessed with one daughter, Grace V. H. In religious attach- ments, they are members of the Society of Friends. ETrei REDERICK LEIBFREID, an able at- I w torney of Bucks County, resides in a fine home on the bank of the Delaware River and facing RadclifFe street in Bristol, Pa., the principal residence street of the borough. He is a son of Frederick and Eliza West (Hig- gins) Eeibfreid, and was born in Philadel- phia, August 7, 1874. He is of German descent and is a grandson of Frederick Leibfreid, who was a native of Germany and for many years was a sea cap- tain. He subsequently came to America, locating in Philadelphia, Pa., where he en- gaged in the ship brokerage business. He was at one time considered a very wealthy man, but through unfortunate business trans- actions in this country lost much of his wealth. He was the progenitor of a family of four sons, all of whom grew to maturity. The last days of his life were spent at the home of his son Frederick. Frederick Leibfreid, the father of the gen- tleman whose name heads these lines, was born in Philadelphia in 1832, and during his younger days followed various vocations. He was engaged in the manufacture of sil- verware for many years with much success, but finally engaged, in the brokerage busi- ness which he has since followed. He is a man of many good qualities and is highly respected by all with whom he is acquainted. In his political affiliations, he is a sturdy Republican. Socially, he has been an active worker in the Masonic Order since early manhood. He was joined in marriage with Eliza West Higgins, a daughter of Captain Higgins, who was a sea captain and lost his life while at sea. His father also was lost at sea. This union was blessed by the birth of four children, two of whom grew to maturity, namely: Fanny Burt; and Frederick, the subject of this personal history. Frederick lycibfreid, after obtaining a good preliminary training in the public grammar schools and the Friends' Central School of Philadelphia, entered the University of Penn- sylvania, where he took a complete course and was graduated in June, 1896. In the meantime he had diligently applied himself to the study of law under the preceptorship of Gen. John Q. L^ane, and C. Stuart Pat- terson, and immediately after graduation was admitted to practice. He is a man of great energy and enterprise, and a successful career is assured him. He has always identified himself with the interests of Bucks County and the borough of Bristol, and has their welfare at heart. Being a man of strong personality and genial disposition, he has won many friends and is a favorite socially. In September, 1897, he was united in mar- riage with Elizabeth Rutter, a daughter of Jacob R. Rutter, county commissioner of lyancaster County, Pa. On the maternal side of the house, Mrs. L,eibfreid is related WILSON W. BEAN. BUCKS COUNTY 467 to the Lincoln family, and Abraham Lin- coln was a frequent visitor at the home of her parents. Our subject on both sides of the house is descended from sea-faring men, and has inherited a fondness for the water. His home, situated as it is on the bank of the Delaware River, affords him an excellent opportunity for sailing and bathing. He has also made several voyages to the West Indies with friends of the family. W^. ILSON W. BEAN. The thriving little village of Ferndale possesses many manufacturing industries, among the foremost of which is the well-known Bean Boot & Shoe Manufacturers, of which the gentleman whose name heads this brief notice is general manager. This enterpris- ing and public-spirited citizen was, born in the above village February 22, 1853, and is a son of Henry and Sarah (Hager) Bean. Henry Bean was born in Richland town- ship, Bucks County, in the year 1813, and in his younger years was apprenticed to the shoemaker's trade, which occupation he fol- lowed throughout his active career. He lo- cated in Nockamixon township at an early ■date, and settled at what is now known as Ferndale ; be began the manufacture of shoes, doing a large business, and his stock was hauled to the city of Philadelphia, where he obtained but a small price for his goods. Mr. Bean was a typical self-made man, and his worldly possessions were the result of his .own perseverance and untiring energy, and at the time of his death he left an esta:te valued at 1 17,000; he was a man of many sterling qualities ; he was an active and shrewd business man, and his honest and straightforward business methods won for him a multitude of friends. He bought the Harmon estate, and remodeled the house into a handsome home. He was joined in mar- riage with Sarah Hager, a daughter of John Hager, and she died in 1857, at the age of forty-four years ; this union was blessed by the following children : Alfred, deceased ; Leahanna, deceased ; Mary ; Andrew ; Henry H. ; Catherine E.; Emeline; Wilson W.; and Julianna. In 1 862 he was wedded to Sarah Fretz, and they were the parents of four chil- dren, namely : Charles H.; Ida A. ; Irvin ; and William R. The father of our subject- passed from this life in 1882. Wilson W. Bean was intellectually trained for the battles of life in the public schools of his native township and at Muhlenberg Col- lege ; at fifteen years of age our subject began work for his father, learning the trade of a shoemaker, and at eighteen years he con- tinued his chosen occupation until the year 1871, when he succeeded his father in the business. From 1884 to 1889 our subject was also engaged in the mercantile business ; in July, 1895, our subject was made general manager of the Bean Boot & Shoe Manufac- turers. This firm makes a high grade of miners' brogans, and give employment to 18 skillful hands, who turn out on an average 100 pairs of shoes per day. In 1880 the busi- ness had increased to such an extent that it was necessary to enlarge the factory, and ac- cordingly the present two-and-a-half story building was erected. The success of this 468 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES firm is mostly due to the energetic ability of our subject ; he is an intelligent and well- read citizen ; is public-spirited and lends his influence in support of all measures that tend to promote the welfare of the village; and is recognized as one of the valued members of his community. Mr. Bean formed a matrimonial alliance with Ida C. Rufe, a daughter of Josiah and Mary Jane (Wyker) Rufe. Josiah Rufe was born January 3, 1832, and learned the trade of a carpenter during his early days ; attain- ing his manhood, he bought the Abraham Wyker grist and saw mills on the Delaware River, and operated the same until 1896, when he retired from active work, and the mills are now being operated by his son William C. Rufe. He was married to Mary Jane Wyker, a daughter of Abraham and Frances (Fulmer) Wyker, and they reared four children, namely : William ; Ida A.; Estella ; and Herbert, deceased. Mr. Rufe is a strong Democrat in politics ; religiously, he is a I^utheran. Socially, he is a member of Poknoket Tribe, No. 178, I. O. R. M., of Kintnersville, of which he has served as trea- surer for the past ten years. Mr. Bean is the owner of one of the most beautiful homes in the northern section of the county^ having erected a fine residence at a cost of $7,000, and surrounding his home is a large and well-kept lawn, which is filled with many shade trees and beautiful shrubbery. Our subject and wife are the proud parents of four children, namely : Bertha Estella; Ches- ter Clarence ; Raymond Arthur, deceased ; and Roy. Fraternally Mr. Bean is a member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle and Jr. O. U. A. M. Our subject is superintendent of St. Luke's Sunday School and an elder in the church. He is also president of the school board, to which position he was elected in February, 1898. In April, 1899, Mr. Bean will embark in the boot and shoe business for himself, occu- pying a building opposite his dwelling. He will give employment to about i S hands, and will increase this force as the demand re- quires. As a thoroughly representative and enter- prising business man of Bucks County, we take pleasure in publishing Mr. Bean's por- trait on a preceding page. ^-fAMPTON WATSON JOHNSON, whom the people in the northern part of Bucks County have hon- ored for many years as a model farmer and highly esteemed citizen, was born on the farm where he now resides, the date of his birth being November 10, 1832, and he is the fourth generation of the Johnsons who have resided in Richland township and on the original tract which was purchased by our subject's great-grandfather; there our subject is now enjoying the fruits of his early toil, and his home is a handsome stone structure which he erected himself This worthy and highly respected gentleman is a son of Charles and Esther R. (Strawn) Johnson, grandson of Casper and Deborah (Adams) Johnson and great-grandson of Casper Johnson. Our subject's great-grandfather, who was a native of Germany, left his native land at an BUCKS COUNTY 469 early day and came to America, where he took up a large tract of land in Richland township, Bucks County, and built a house which stood near the home of A. Johnson, one of his descendants. He divided his land among his sons, and Casper, the grandfather of our subject, received the eastern tract of the farm, which is now the property of our subject. Casper Johnson, Jr., built a house beyond where our subject's barn stands, but later erected a two-story stone house 52 by 22 feet ; he also built a cooper-shop in the yard near the spring, and in addition to carrying on general farming also successfully followed the occupation of a cooper. He cleared a portion of the farm, which was covered with a dense forest, and put the land under a high state of cultivation. He also built a very large barn, which with many improvements and enlargements is still one of the best in the township. He and his wife were mem- bers of the Society of Friends ; he died in 1825. As a result of his marriage with Deb- orah Adams, the following family of children was born : Thomas, John and Joel all went to the state of Ohio and settled ; Charles, the father of our subject ; James resides in I^ehigh County, Pa. ; Casper resided in East Rockhill township; Catherine was the wife of Hugh Foulke ; Mary wedded Theodore Strawn ; and Ann, the wife of James Griffith. Charles Johnson was born on the old home- stead, and with his father carried on farming and coopering all his life; he passed from this life in 1879, in his eighty-ninth year. He was joined in marriage with Esther R. Strawn, a daughter of Abel Strawn, and they were the parents of four children, namely : Hampton Watson, whose name heads this life history ; Mary Ann, the wife of A. B. Walp; Olive James, a resident of Haycock township, this county; and Anna Maria, the wife of L,. M. Shelly. The mother of our subject died in 1884, at the age of seventy- seven years. Hampton Watson Johnson attended the schools of Richland township, and in early manhood began to clerk in a general store; < but, his father wishing his services, he re- turned home and aided his parent in running the farm, and cared for his father and mother during their last days. Upon the death of his father, he took possession of the homestead, and has since purchased adjoining land until he now owns 145 acres of highly improved land. In addition to farming, our subject engages extensively in dairying, and is the owner of a choice herd of Holstein cattle. In 1887, Mr. Johnson tore down the old house, which had stood there for many years, and with the stone of which it was constructed erected a handsome 2 ^-story house ; the house is trimmed with brown stone, which gives it a beautiful appearance. Mr. Johnson is recog- nized as one of the leading agriculturists of Richland township, and as a citizen and neighbor is greatly esteemed by the members of his community of which he has so long been a member. In 1855, Mr. Johnson was wedded to Mar- garet Kratz, a daughter of Jacob and Eliza (Fretz) Kratz, and granddaughter of Philip and Elizabeth (Stover) Kratz. Our subject's wife has been a most kind and loving mother and helpmeet, and the interior of the home shows the result of many hard" hours of 470 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES work ; she has won the esteem of a large circle of acquaintances, and is loved by all. Five children were born to our subject and wife, as follows : Erwin T., a practicing phy- sician of I/cidytown, this county ; Charles died aged twenty years; Oliver K., a railroad man, resides at Kansas City, Mo. ; Harvey E. works upon the homestead with his father; and Mary Jane, the wife of Dr. Wilson S. Erdman, of Richlandtowu. Mr. Johnson is a solid Republican, and has served fifteen years as school director; in 1874, he was a candidate for the State I/Cgislature, and was defeated by only twenty-two votes, the county being Democratic by over a thousand. Our subject is a director of the I/ine l/cxington Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Bucks & Montgomery Counties ; and has been pres- ident of the Richland Turnpike Company many years, and still continues in that capacity. |DWIN p. FRANKENFIEIvD, one of the substantial and valued citizens of the village of Passer, Bucks County, where he is engaged in the manufacture of clothing, is a descendant of one of the pioneer families of this county, the family having been founded in this country by the great-great-grandfather of our subject, who with his family immi- grated to America prior to the Revolutionary War and settled in Springfield township, Bucks County. Mr. Frankenfield was born in Springfield township, this county, Febru- uary 17, 1867, and is a son of Simon and Eliza (Brinker) Frankenfield, grandson of Philip and Elizabeth (Rinker) Frankenfield, and great-grandson of Adam Frankenfield. Adam Frankenfield, the great-grandfather of our subject, was born on the Atlantic Ocean while his parents were en route for America ; they settled in Springfield township, this county, where Adam grew to manhood and passed all his life engaged in the cultivation of the soil. The house in which Adam lived stood close by to where the Springfield Church now stands, and near where Edward R. Frankenfield now resides. Adam died at the age of sixty-seven years. Philip Franken- field, the grandfather of our subject, was a son born to his father's second marriage, and his birth-place was the old homestead. He learned the trade of a carpenter, which occu- pation he followed throughout his entire life ; he resided near the village of Passer, where F. Hess now lives. His death occurred in 1855, at the age of seventy-two years. He was married to Elizabeth Rinker, who died in 1845, aged fifty- two years. They were the parents of the following children : John ; Hannah, the wife of James Mullen ; Simon, our subject's father ; Adam married Cather- ine Gross ; Samuel was twice married, his first wife being a Miss Cressman, after whose death he wedded a Mrs. Klotz; David was wedded to Mary Fultz ; and Joshua, who was united in marriage with Julia Brinker. Simon Frankenfield was born on the home- stead August 30, 1830, and was reared to agricultural pursuits, but while yet a young man went to Coopersburg, where he learned the trade of a tailor ; he first started in the tailoring business at L,ocust Valley, but soon located in Springfield township, and pur- BUCKS COUNTY 471 chased the Weaver estate opposite his father's farm, where he began the manufacture of clothing ; he erected a large shop and gave employment to a large force of hands; he also let a large amount of his work out to farmers' wives for them to do at their homes. Mr. Frankenfield established a good reputa- tion for honest and straightforward dealings, which is still maintained by his sons, who were educated to the art of tailoring and who have now charge of the business. The goods manufactured by this establishment are mostly shipped to wholesale dealers of Phila- delphia and Allentown, Pa. Our subject's father entered the world of rest in March, 1888, and his death was deeply mourned not only by his family and relatives, but by a large circle of friends. For ten years he was licensed to preach and was a member of the Evangelical Church. He was married to Eliza Brinker in 1849 ; she was born in Upper Saucon township, I^ehigh County, Pa., May 28, 1829, and now resides in the village of Passer. She is the mother of the following children : Catherine ; Adeline married Jacob H. Rickert, and they have two children, Ida and Delia ; Wesley died, aged two years ; Emma was married to Monroe Groh, of Coop- ersburg, and they have reared the following children, — I/illie, Kate, Calvin, Herbert, and Eugene ; Henry, who with his brother Wil- liam, succeeded his father in the business, conducted the business under the firm name of Frankenfield Bros., and they built a new and large shop, — he married Emma Meyers, and their children are, — Ira, William, Warren, Florence, Delia and Daniel ; William, a mem- ber of the firm, was wedded to Mary Ham- mel, who bore him the following children, — Eva, Clyde, Austin, Carrie, and Sally ; Alice, the wife of Fred Peffer, of Hellertown, Pa., and they are the parents of six children, — Stella, Carrie, Webster, Grace, Willis, and Thomas ; Edwin P., our subject, was next in order ; Caroline ; and Annie, the wife of Oscar Bealer, of Passer. Edwin P. Frankenfield spent his younger days working in the tailoring shop of his father, but later learned telegraphy and was an operator for the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad for five years ; returning home, he entered the employ of his brothers Henry and William, who had succeeded to the owner- ship of their father's tailoring establishment. The proprietors are men of great ability, and through their untiring energy have succeeded in establishing a large and enviable patron- age ; they are popular and highly respected members of their community and take an active interest in any enterprise that tends to benefit the welfare of the township. Mr. Frankenfield was united in the bonds of mat- rimony witli Annie Kramer, and they are the happy parents of two children. Bertha and Frank. ON. CHARLES S. VANDEGRIFT, who has attained high distinction in political and business circles in Bucks County, is now practically living in retirement in his fine home on the banks of the Delaware River, near Eddington, Ben- salem township. He is a man of high char- acter and possesses a large amount of influ- ence throughout this section, in whose welfare 472 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES and interest he has labored zealously for many years. He was born in the village of Eddington, Bensalem township, August 20, 1839, and is a son of Alfred and Catherine (Gibbs) Vandegrift. Among the earliest accessions to the Eng- lish settlement in Bensalem township, in or about the year 1660, was a Dutch family, which is stiir well represented in that sec- tion, the Vandygrift family, consisting of four brothers, Nicholas, Leonard, Johannes, and Frederick. They purchased lands of the Growdens, and the family has since been an important factor in the growth and develop- ment of the county. Jacob Vandegrift, Sr., the great-grand- fathei: of our subject, was born in Bensalem township on the old homestead. He was a farmer, and during the Revolutionary War rendered valuable service to the cause of lib- erty. He was the commander of a corps known as the Bensalem Associators, but did not belong to the regular army. It was his duty when the British soldiers were occupy- ing Philadelphia, to supply our army with provisions, and many attempts were made by the enemy to effect his capture, but their efforts were always fruitless. While at home, he kept his slaves always on guard, and when the red coats made their appearance he con- cealed himself in some unlookedfor place. At one time he had the satisfaction of being up in a chestnut tree while they made a dili- gent search of the premises for him, going through the house and barn, and prodding the haystacks with their bayonets. He was a very prominent man of the time, and his name will long be held in sacred remem- brance by the family for his valiant services to our country in its struggles for existence. William B. Vandegrift, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Bensalem township about 1767, and was one of two sons born to his father that grew to maturity. He was a farmer by occupation, and was also quite ac- tive in political circles, serving in a number of township offices. His wife was Christina Souders, and the following were their chil- dren : Sarah ; Eliza ; Ellen ; Susan ; Alfred ; Charles S. ; and William B. Religiously, they were members of the Presbyterian Church. His wife died in 1842, and he laid down life's burden and entered into rest three years later. Alfred Vandegrift, the father of our sub- ject, was born on the old homestead, about one mile from Eddington, in 1808, and dur- ing his entire life was engaged in the culti- vation of the farm. After his marriage, he purchased a farm on the edge of Eddington,' where he spent the remainder of his days. Politically, he was a Democrat, and served for some time as school director of Bensalem township. He was united in marriage with Catherine Gibbs, a daughter of John Gibbs, an Englishman, and their children were : John G. ; William B. ; Eleanor ; Charles S. ; Augustus ; Henry S. ; lyouis H. ; Susan ; Mary C. ; Alfred ; and Elizabeth. William B. moved to Alabama, and upon the out- break of the Civil War enlisted in the Con- federate cavalry from that state. He served until the close of the struggle, and four years later passed away as a result of the many wounds he received in battle. Mr. Vande- grift died in 1861, but his beloved wife, who was born in 181 1, still survives him and lives BUCKS COUNTY 473 •with her daughter in Camden, N. J. Of the eleven children all grew to maturity. Charles S. Vandegrift, the subject of this biographical record, was reared upon the farm, and attended the public schools for a time, after which he was a student in Gen. Partridge's Military Academy, near Bristol, Pa., for two years. He then engaged as a clerk in the store of his uncle, Charles S. Vandegrift, in Eddington, with whom he had gone to live at the age of thirteen years. In 1856, his clerkship began and his knowledge of the business became so extensive that his uncle retired in 1862, and left the sole man- agement to him. He continued in that busi- ness until 1 874, when he engaged in the lum- ber business with J. and E. Thomas, in Ed- dington. After a period of six years, they moved to Torresdale, where they manufac- tured and dealt in lumber, flour, feed, and cement. The business prospered under ex- cellent management, and they continued un- til January, 1890, when our subject retired from active business life. However, for sev- eral years past, owing to his extensive knowl- edge of business affairs, he has acted as gen- eral business agent for many parties in his vicinity. Since his retirement, he and ,his worthy wife have spent much time in travel, and have visited all of the points of interest in the United States. He owns a fine 28-acre tract of land on the banks of the Delaware River, where he erected a fine house in 1874, in which he has since lived. Altogether, he owns three farms, one of which is the old homestead, which has been in the family for so many years and which was the place where he was born. Since he was eighteen years of age, Mr. Vandegrift has evinced a deep interest in public and political affairs, and has held a number of high offices. He is a stanch Demo- crat, and, in 1882, was elected State Senator, which office he filled with credit until 1886. In 1896, his party honored him with the nom- ination for Member of Congress, but, with the rest of the ticket, he met defeat. The only township office which our subject ever consented to accept was that of auditor, which he filled for nine years, and although strongly importuned refused to serve in that capacity longer. He exerts vast influence in behalf of his party and has often served as delegate in state, county, senatorial, congres- sional, and judicial conventions. Socially, he is a member of Bristol Lodge, No. 25, F. & A. M., of which he is past master, and district deputy grand master; Harmony Chapter, No. 25, R. A. M. ; and St. John Commandery, No. 4, Knights Tem- plar, of Philadelphia. In 1862, he was joined in Hymen's bonds with Mary H. Rowland, a native of Chester County, Pa., and a daugh- ter of Charles Rowland ; by her he has one son, Frederick B. The latter was born in 1 862, and is now an energetic and progressive business man of Philadelphia. He is at the head of the firm of F. B. Vandegrift & Co., custom-house brokers and general forwarders of Philadelphia. He is also a lawyer and a member of the Philadelphia Bar. The firm, of which he is a member, has offices in New York, Philadelphia, and Chicago, and in all employ about fifty clerks. He is the author and compiler of the Hand Book of United States Tariff Customs, interpreting the tariff +74 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES act of 1897. This work has brought him world-wide renown, and has been adopted by the United States Government, and is every- where recognized as the most complete and highest authority published. A copy of this valuable work is to be found in every custom house in the world. ^EV. IvEVI C. SHEIP, deceased, who will long be remembered for his great works in the ministerial and edu- cational fields of labor, for some years faith- fully filled the pulpit of the Doylestown Re- formed Church. He was one of a family of six children born to John and Hannah (Sny- der) Sheip, and was born in New Britain township, Bucks County, December 30, 1833. The Sheip family is of Swiss descent, and for more than a century past has been lo- cated in Bucks County, where its members have been engaged in agricultural pursuits, and have ranked among the leading citi- zens of the various communities in which they lived. Mr. Sheip was also reared, upon the farm, and, although he attended the district schools in his younger days, he obtained a good pre- liminary training as he applied himself with unusual diligence and took advantage of every opportunity for advancement. At the age of twelve years he entered Doylestown Academy and upon leaving that institution began teach- ing school. Subsequently he was prepared for college at Frederick Institute in Mont- gomery County, after which he entered the Franklin and Marshall College at I^ancaster. Upon his graduation he was prepared for the ministry in the -Reformed Seminary, and in the meantime was engaged as a teacher in a school for boys in Doylestown, located in the upper story of the building in which Mr. Beerer's bottling establishment is now lo- cated. He was licensed to preach by the Goshenhoppen Classis in 1864, and in the following year accepted his first charge in Bloomsburg, Columbia County, Pa., continu- ing until 1867, when he taught school in West Philadelphia for one year. In 1868 he was called to the Salem Reformed Church of Doylestown, and served as its pastor continu- ously until called to his final rest. In addition to his pastorate he labored zealously for the promotion of the educational interests of the community, and in 1869 established a girls' school in what is now the Masonic Hall. In 1871, aided by Henry H. Hough, Esq., he established the L,inden Female Seminary, and taught in that institution until the sum- mer of 1879, the last year of which he was sole principal. In the fall of 1879 ^^ became principal of the Doylestown borough schools, which at the time were located in the old building, but several months prior to his re- linquishment of that position were located in the present building. He served in that ca- pacity until June, 1890, after which he devoted his time to church work. He was a man of educational attainments and also literary abil- ity, and translated several works from the German ; in 1875, after some time spent in a sojourn in Europe, he lectured on what he had seen, much interest being added to his lectures by pictorial illustrations. Our subject was of a genial disposition, Wtv'MM^M^ A. WEIR GILKESON. BUCKS COUNTY 477 gentle mannered, and had a large circle of ac- quaintances throughout the county, by whom he was greatly loved and respected. He was sympathetic and kindly, fond of humanity, and a general favorite in the community, where his ministrations were freely given during a long period of years. Socially, he was a member of Doylestown Lodge, No. 245, F. & A. M., of which he was chaplain for many years. He died apparently without a struggle. He had retired as usual, and the next morning he was found in bed as if he were stili quietly sleeping. WEIR GII/KESON, whose portrait is shown on the opposite page, has attained prominence throughout Bucks County as a learned lawyer, and is one of the most enterprising and public- spirited citizens Bristol borough has ever known. He is a son of A. W. and Margaret (Kinsey) Gilkeson, and first saw the light of day in Bristol, Pa., in 1853. He is descended from an old and well- known English family, that, upon coming to America, located in Horsham township, Montgomery County, Pa., where our subject's grandfather, Elias G., was born. Later Elias G. Gilkeson located in Bucks County, set- tling in the vicinity of Bristol. A. W. Gilkeson, the father of our subject, was born in Horsham township, Montgomery County, and was a very young man when he came to Bristol with his parents. After completing his education in the common schools, he read law and was admitted to the bar April 29, 1840, and took up practice at Bristol, where he lived until his death, in i860, aged forty-five years. He was very well known throughout the town, and served in various official capacities, being prothono- tary for a number of years. He was united in the holy bonds of wedlock with Margaret Kinsey, of English descent, and a daughter of John Kinsey, of Bristol, by whom he had three sons and one daughter, namely : B. Frank, who was admitted to the bar February 2, 1 864, and practiced in Bristol ; Allan G. was adrnitted to the bar in 1870, and went West,- locating in Ellis County, Kan., where he -became district attorney and finally was elevated -to the county bench; A. Weir, the . subject of this biographical .record ; and a sister who now resides in Bristol. A. Weir Gilkeson, after completing the re- quired course in the common schools of his native -town, entered St. Stephen's College, Annahdale,-" N. Y. , from which he was grad- uated -in 1873. Then after reading law for some time and in a very thorough manner, he was admitted to the bar in 1879, imme- diately^ thereafter entering upon a practice in Bristol, where he has attained the highest success as a legal adviser and a citizen. He is shrewd, calculating, learned and honora- ble, which qualities, combined with aggres- siveness and energy, have been the main cause of his success in his chosen profession and in the other channels of business in which he has entered. He has dealt to a considera- ble extent in real estate with some success ; is a director in the Electric Light Company of Bristol ; is secretary of the Bristol Improve- ment Company ; director and attorney for the 478 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES Ivanghorne Trolley Company ; was one of the organizers and for many years treasurer of the Bristol lyibrary ; and is secretary of three building associations. He is a man of genial disposition, and has made scores of friends since entering upon his practice in Bristol. In 1882 he was united in marriage with Mary E. Eairbairn of Annandale, N. Y., and they are the fond parents of one son, Fair- bairn. Politically, he is an unswerving member of the Republican party. In social circles he is also well known, and is affili- ated with Bristol lyodge, F. & A. M.; and is the presiding officer of Hermone Lodge, K. of P. Religiously, he is a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, of Bristol, of which he is an officer. B R. J. DE BENNEVIIvI.E ABBOTT, a gentleman of high educational attainments, who has made a thor- ough study of the medical profession, is en- gaged in practice at Bristol, Bucks County, where he is held in high esteem by the com- munity at large. He is a son of Francis and Julia Churchman (Shewell) Abbott. He is descended on the paternal side from John Abbott, who emigrated from his native country, England, in 1685, and came to America, locating on a large tract of land in New Jersey, between Yardville and Tren- ton, a portion of which is still owned by his descendants. He married Ann Maleverer, whose ancestry is traced directly to Alice Markenfield. Timothy Abbott, the grandfather of our subject, was a prominent citizen of Trenton, N. J., and for twenty years prior to his death, which occurred in 1885, was president of the Mechanics' Nafional Bank of that city. Formerly he was president of the New Jersey Steel & Iron Company, which is now Cooper, Hewitt & Co., and was also a direc- tor of the Camden & Amboy Railroad, which was the first steam road built in the United States. He was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Susan Conrad, a sister of Dr. John Conrad, who was resident physician at the Pennsylvania Hospital for a period of forty years. This union resulted in the birth of three sons and one daughter, namely : Capt. Joseph, who met his death bravely bat- tling for his country in the Civil War at Bull Run; Dr. Charles C. of Trenton, who was formerly a professor of archaeology in the University of Pennsylvania, has written the following books, which merit the attention they have attracted throughout the country, — "Days Out of Doors," "Waste Land Wanderings," "Travels in a Tree Top," and "A Colonial Wooing;" Francis, the father of our subject ; and Mary G., a maiden lady residing in Trenton, N. J. Francis Abbott was born in Trenton, N. J., and received his schooling in the public schools and in the Trenton Academy, from which he was graduated in 1858. At the age of eighteen years, he entered the employ of Drexel & Co. of Philadelphia, and has continued with them up to the present time, or a period of thirty-nine years. He was united in marriage with Julia Churchman Shewell, who was of French descent and came from a prominent family. She is de- BUCKS COUNTY 479 scended from the noted Dr. George de Benne- ville who was of French-Huguenot birth, and was the real founder of Universalism in this country. He lived near Branchtown, a sub- urb of Philadelphia. Her father was Lin- ington Shewell, a prominent dry goods im- porter, who made his headquarters at Bir- mingham, England, and was -a member of the firm, Thomas Shewell & Son, merchants of Philadelphia. His father, Thomas, was a native of Coventry, England, and a graduate of Cambridge University, from which he re- ceived the degree A. M. lyinington Shewell crossed the Atlantic Ocean many times and was on the third day of his voyage for the eighty-ninth time when he was overtaken by the silent reaper Death. Three sons blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Abbott, whose names are as follows : J. de Benneville, in whom the interest of this sketch centers ; Francis Iv. , a physician who is practicing in Philadelphia; and Charles S., who has ac- cepted a position as resident physician in the City Hospital at Melbourne, Australia. Dr. J. de Benneville Abbott was born in Philadelphia, near Tioga Station, June 28, 1866. At the age of eighteen months his father removed to German town, where our subject attended the Germantown Academy, from which he was graduated in 1882. He then entered the Hahnemann College of Philadelphia, and read medicine with Dr. Malcolm McFarlan, graduating in 1887 after completing a full course. In order to be- come competent to handle even the most intricate diseases, he went abroad for one year, and he took an advanced course in instruction, visiting all the prominent insti- tutions of Paris and London, and attending the clinics. He visited the London Chil- dren's Hospital, St. Thomas' Hospital, Good Samaritan Hospital, London University Hos- pital, and Soho Square Hospital. He then returned to America and became the assistant of Dr. M. J. Buck of Altoona, Pa., and in 1889 opened his office at Bristol, where he has since practiced with much success. Among his many patients are numbered the leading citizens of the community, whose confidence and esteem he has won by the able manner in which he conducts his affairs. He is well versed in all matters of current interest and is especially interested in natural history. He took a course in biology under the tutelage of the noted Englishman, Hux- ley, and is a deep close student. November i, 1897, Dr. Abbott was united in matrimonial bonds with Helen Keim, a woman of many virtues, who comes of one of the best families of Bristol. Our subject is a Republican, but has never taken any active part in political affairs. ■OWARD W. ATKINSON, who is a well-known funeral director of Doyles- town, with offices in the Lenape Building, is a gentleman of unquestioned honor and integrity. He is a son of Mahlon R. and Mary Ann (Wood) Atkinson, and grandson of Mahlon and Martha (Walmsley) Atkinson, and was born in Davisville, South- ampton township, Bucks County, November 22, 1853. He comes of English Quaker and Puritan 48o BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES stock, and his ancestors were among the early pioneer settlers of Eastern Pennsyl- vania. Through his grandmother's grand- mother, Mrs. Elizabeth (Hicks) Willet, he is related to the Hicks family of Puritan blood and antecedents. Robert Hicks, the ancestor of the family in America, came over with the second body of Puritans in the ship " For- tune," arriving at Plymouth, Mass., Novem- ber II, 1 62 1. He was a leather-dresser from Bermondesey street, Southwark, London. His father, James Hicks, was lineally descended from Ellis Hicks, who was knighted by Ed- ward the Black Prince, on the battlefield of Poictiers, September 9, 1356, for bravery in capturing a set of colors from the French. Margaret, the wife of Robert Hicks, and her children, came over in the ship "Ann," which arrived at Plymouth during the latter part of June, 1622. The family settled in Duxbury, Mass., but two of the sous, John and Stephen, subsequently (about 1642) moved to Long Island. Robert Hicks' first wife, Eliz- abeth Morgan, bore him four children : Eliz- abeth; Thomas; John; and Stephen. He was married the second time to Margaret Winslow, and haid four children : Samuel ; Ephraim; Lydia; and Phoebe. John Hicks, the third child by the first wife, married Elizabeth Morton, and they had three chil- dren; Thomas; .Hannah; and Elizabeth. In October, 1645, Governor Kieft granted a pa- tent to Thomas Farrington, John Hicks and others, for the township of Flushing, L,. I. John Hicks seems to have taken a leading part in the affairs of the settlement, and was appointed at various times to fill the most important ofl&ces. His name, and that of his eldest son, Thomas, appear in connection with almost every public measure for many years. . This son Thomas was twice married. His first wife, Mary Washburn, made him the father of Thomas and Jacob. After her death, he married Mary Doughty, and had these children: Isaac; William; Stephen; John; Charles ; Benjamin ; Phoebe ; Charity ; Mary ; and Elizabeth. Isaac Hicks, the eldest son of this second family, married Elizabeth Moore, and their union was blessed with eleven children: Charles; Benjamin; Isaac; Gilbert ; James ; Thomas ; Henry ; John ; Ed- ward ; Margaret ; and Mary. Gilbert Hicks took for his wife Mary Rodman, and five children constituted their family : Isaac ; Sarah; Elizabeth; Mary; and Joseph Rod- man. Elizabeth Hicks, the second daughter of the family just named, married General Augustine Willett, who achieved distinction in the Revolutionary War. They had ten children, as follows : Mary; Elizabeth; Abi- gail; Horatio G. ; Joseph R. ; Sarah A.; Mar- garet ; Euphemia ; Grace ; and Lydia. Mary Willett married Daniel T. Walmsley, and had these children : Elizabeth ; Martha, our sub- ject's grandmother ; Sarah ; Mary ; Grace ; and Madison. Mahlon Atkinson, the grandfather of How- ard W., was a prosperous farmer of Byberry, Philadelphia County, Pa, where he lived a great portion of his life. At the date of his death, he was residing in Drumore, Lancas- ter County, Pa. He married Martha Walm- sley, referred to above, and their union was blessed with five children : Mary ; Howard H.; Violetta ; Angelina; and Mahlon R., our subject's father. BUCKS COUNTY 481 Mahlon R. Atkinson was born at Byberry Cross Roads, Philadelphia County, Pa., Feb- ruary I, 1827, but early in life moved to Bucks County, where, in Southampton town- ship, he lived for many years, but is now a highly respected resident of Ivyland, War- minster township. He is a painter by trade, and followed that occupation with the best of success all his active life, but is now spending his declining years in the peace and quiet to be found in retired life. December 21, 1850, he was united in the holy bonds of wedlock with Mary Ann Wood, and their happy union was blessed with the birth of five sons and five daughters, as follows : S. Emma; Charles S. ; Howard W., our subject; ViolettaS.; Law- rence R. ; M. Matilda ; Anna ; Joshua J. ; A. Louise ; and Harry B. Howard W. Atkinson, in whom the inter-, est of this sketch centers, was reared in Davisville until he was eight years of age, when he went to Huntingdon Valley. After remaining there eight years, he returned home and learned the trade of a house-painter with his father, continuing at that occupation un- til he was twenty-two years of age, when, in 1 876, he moved to Doylestown. He continued at his trade in that borough and vicinity, and was the leading house-painter there, employ- ing a force of from 12 to 15 men. In 1884, he embarked in the undertaking business, opening an office in the Lenape Building, on Main street. His establishment is the lead- ing one of its kind in Doylestown, and he has the patronage of the leading citizens, who repose full confidence in his integrity. In 1890, he became proprietor of "Oakland," a summer resort, which is pleasantly located and well arranged for the comfort and conve- nience of guests. It has always been well patronized, and Mr. Atkinson's success in that direction has far exceeded his expecta- tions. Socially, Mr. Atkinson is a member of several societies, viz. : Doylestown Lodge, No. 245, F. & A. M,, of Doylestown; Royal Arch Chapter, No. 270, of Doylestown ; Royal Arcanum; I. O. O. F. Lodge and Encamp- ment. On March 9, 1885, Howard W. Atkinson was united in wedlock with Emma Wilson, of Doylestown, and they are the parents of four children : Mary; Julia; Augustine; and Frances. ■OHN K. BENNER. Among the prom- inent residents of this county, who have accumulated largely of this world's goods through their own efforts, backed up by a conquering energy and per- severance, and who are now retired from the active labors of life upon a well-earned com- petency, is the gentleman whose name heads this biographical notice, and whose home is in the borough of Doylestown. He is a son of Michael and Sarah (Kober) Benner, and was born in Rockhill township, this county, June S, 1845- His grandfather was Henry Benner, who resided in Rockhill township all his life, pursuing the vocation of a farmer. He died in 1850. He was married to a Miss Wam- bold by whom he reared a large family of children. Michael Benner was born in Rock- hill township, Bucks County, in 1812, and was educated to agricultural pursuits, which 482 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES calling he continued in his native township until 1888, when he moved to Doylestown and lived the remainder of his life in re- tirement. He departed from this life in 1889. He was an earnest and consistent member of the lyUtheran Church of which he was a liberal supporter, and held many church offices. He was united in marriage with Sarah Kober, who died in 1880, and they reared a family of five children, of whom two sons are now living. John K. Benner pursued his educational ca- reer in the district schools of Rockhill town- ship, remaining closely at home throughout his boyhood days, assisting his father about the farm. At twenty-one years he began to learn the trade of a shoe manufacturer, serv- ing an apprenticeship with Daniel Horn ; in 1872 he started in business in Bedminster township on his own account. One year later he built a factory in Dublin, this county, which he successfully operated for a period of fifteen years; in 1888, he rented a store room of Frank Worthington in Doylestown, and there opened a general store, which he con- ducted up to 1896, when he closed out and retired. Mr. Benner started in business with but very little capital, and when he had made a number of pair of shoes, he would go out and sell them, in that way introduc- ing his goods to a good trade ; the first five years the shoes were made by hand, and be- cause of their excellent quality he had no further difficulty in placing them on the market. As his trade picked up, he began to employ help, gradually increasing as the busi- ness increased, until he employed as high as 10 men, and during the latter part of his busi- ness career in that line, he went out on the road and sold his goods. He was ably as- sisted by his wife in the store in selling his goods, she being an expert saleslady, having had much experience in that line. Mr. Ben- ner,,although practically retired, occupies his time in representing the Bucks County Mu- tual Life Insurance Company. He has been very successful in all his business ventures, and his honorable, upright dealings in all transactions have won him a high place in the regard of the entire community. Mr. Benner was wedded to Sarah Bean, of Quakertown, Pa., who has proved a true help-meet, is a woman of many virtues, ex- cellent qualities, and is beloved by all. This union has been blessed by the birth of five children : Henry Oscar, deceased ; Samuel Edgar, a bookkeeper by profession ; Lillie May, deceased ; Herbert B. ; and Austin B. In 1896 our subject erected his present resi- dence, a handsome and commodious brick structure, with stone trimmings. Mr. Ben- ner is a believer in education, is in touch with modern progress, and is in all matters a thoughtful and considerate gentleman. In business and private life he has been equally successful, and is now reaping the justly earned rewards of a life well spent. ^I'SVrVATHIAS STROBELE, a promi- 1= I =/ nent representative of the thrifty H J- \_^ German class of citizens resi- ding in Bucks County, Pa., is a large property owner and proprietor of the Delaware House, one of the leading hotels of the borough of BUCKS COUNTY 483 Bristol, which is ably conducted by his daughter, Mrs. Sophia B. L,incoln. lyanding in America in 1850, without means and with only a strong constitution and willingness to work, he plied his trade, which was that of a harness maker, with great industry, and by the practice of economy he accumulated wealth with which he made safe investments. He became the owner of property in Bristol, and at the present time is one of the oldest and best known citizens of that place, where he resides with his daughter. He is a son of Anthony and Katharine (Kaiser) Strobele, and was born in Ahlen, Ober-Amt-Bieberach, Germany, February S, 1826. Anthony Stro- bele, the father of the gentleman whose name heads these lines, was a farmer by occupation and resided in Germany. His union with Katharine Kaiser resulted in the birth of ten children, four of whom were sons, namely : Martin ; Xavier ; Mathias ; and Johan. Mathias Strobele was educated in the pub- lic schools and worked upon his father's farm until he was sixteen years of age, when he became apprenticed to the trade of a har- ness maker. He was eighteen years old when he went to Switzerland where he plied his trade for some three years, but upon attain- ing man's estate he returned home to enter the German Army. He served for two years in a regiment of cavalry during the Revolu- tion of 1848, enduring many hardships owing to the inclemency of the weather and the many long hours of guard duty, and his health finally failed him. He was taken to the hospital at Ulm, where he was confined to his bed twenty-one weeks, and as the army physician despaired of his life he kindly per- mitted him to be taken to the home of his sister at Bieberach, where he also lay in his bed for several weeks. One day he arose and taking up a flail went out to the barn, where he worked as vigorously as his feeble health would permit until the perspiration dripped from him. Although the operation was very painful, it proved an effectual re- medy, however, and in a short time he was fully recovered and again took up his trade, which he followed until he immigrated to America, in 1850, being the only member of the family to locate in this country. The voyage across the Atlantic took exactly forty- two days ; soon after landing in New York City, he moved to Philadelphia, and in i860 took out his naturalization papers. His first employment in the latter city was in a large harness shop where he worked for two years, but upon the expiration of that time he moved to Bristol to evade the yellow fever which at that time was raging in Philadelphia. There, during the winter months, he was en- gaged in cutting ice on the Delaware River, but subsequently he was employed at various other occupations, one of which was as a har- ness maker and repairer in the canal stables. In 1853, he was united in marriage with Clementina Schatzle, with whom he was ac- quainted in the old country, and during the first year of their wedded life she resided in Philadelphia, and it was his custom to run into the city every Saturday night, remaining until Monday morning. He was taken sick in that year, and remained at his home in Philadelphia because of rheumatism until 1854, when he and his wife rented a house in Bristol, of John Dorrance, in which they 484 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES lived for a period of twenty years. He worked at his trade, repairing and making harnesses for the canal boatmen, and was ably assisted by his wife, who kept track of his finances and when necessity required would sit on the bench and finish a harness or collar with al- most as much skill as he could. Thus they worked faithfully as man and wife, each with the intent to aid the other, and by their frugal and economical habits of life, they were enabled to lay by a neat sum and in time to purchase the Allen estate in the borough, which consisted of a large tract of land and numerous houses. In connection with the harness business, he conducted a large coal yard which he established on his property, and acquired a large patronage. During this time, the Pennsylvania Railroad was built and crossed his land, the right of way passing through four of his houses. In the settlement with the railroad company, he encountered considerable trouble and was ob- liged to resort to law. During the long pe- riod of litigation, his wife's health failed under the strain and worry, and he was bereaved of her companionship, December 14, 1883. The controversy was finally settled by the pay- ment of g6,ooo on the part of the railroad, and the running of a switch into the coal yard of Mr. Strobele. Soon after, the latter bought the Van Horn estate in Bristol, con- sisting of a hotel building, two dwellings, a large canal barn, and considerable unoccupied land, which he still owns. In 1892, he pur- chased the Delaware Hotel property, which consists of the hotel proper, a building uti- lized for a pool room, a store building on the opposite side of the street, a large barn, and in addition a large area of land. Immediately after taking possession, he expended $8,000 in improving the hotel and putting it in first class condition, and it has since been con- ducted by his daughter, Mrs. Sophia E. Lin- coln, with whom he now resides. In 1894, he rented his coal yard and also rented it in the two years following, but in 1897 he placed his son in charge, and the latter has since had complete control. Our subject in recent years has not been. engaged actively in any work other than looking after his busi- ness interests. The secret of his great suc- cess is the practice of economy and shrewd business transactions, which although they resulted in much benefit to him, were not de- trimental to the success of others. He is a man of high character and is respected by a large circle of acquaintances throughout his section who have known and dealt with him for many years. He is of a charitable dispo- sition and is liberal in his aid of the poor. Mr. Strobele and his worthy wife, who was born in Kopple, Germany, May 18, 1825, be- came the parents of three children. William, who died at the age of six years, was born October 20, 1861. Sophia E., born December 9, 1856, was united in matrimonial bonds with Steadman Hellings X,incoln, who was born in Morrisville, N. J., December 25, 1854, and they are the parents of five children : Clementina Josephine, who died at the age of two years ; Ivillian Hellings, born October 7, 1879; Mathias John, born May 4, 1881, was educated in the schools of Villanova, Dela- ware County, Pa., and in the Rider Business College, at Trenton, N. J., and is now aiding his motlier in the hotel business ; Clementina GEORGE WASHINGTON FACKENTHAL. BUCKS COUNTY 487 Josephine, born May 17, 1884, died February 9, 1885 ; and Lillian Clementina, who was born February 5, 1887. William J., born December i, 1861, was the third child born to our subject ; he married Clara Terry, and they have one child, William J., born in 1895. ; '.EORGE WASHINGTON FACK- '* ' ENTHAIvI/, ex-postmaster of Rie- gelsville, whose portrait appears on the op- posite page, is descended from one of the pioneer families of Bucks County, Pa., and is one of the prominent and influential citi- zens of his community, of which he has so long been a member. This worthy citizen of Riegelsville was born in Durham, town- ship, this county, March 29, 1836, and is a" son of Peter Fackenthall, and grandson of Michael Fackenthall. The founder of this old and substantial family in Bucks County, Pa., was' Philip Fackenthall, the great-grandfatherof our sub- ject, who sailed from Rotterdam, Holland, in the ship " Robert Nallis," and, after a success- ful voyage across the Atlantic, landed in the city of Philadelphia in 1734. He at once moved to the wild and uncultivated lands of Springfield township, this county, where he took up a large tract of land, a part of which he cleared, and pursued the vocation of a farmer until death claimed him, which was in 1755. His son Michael, the grandfather of our subject, was one of a family of five children, and was born in Springfield town- ship May 23, 1756 ; he was reared to agricul- tural pursuits, and was one of the wealthy 25 and influential farmers of the northern sec- tion of the county. At the time of his death, which was January 26, 1 846, he bequeathed a handsome estate to his children. He was the progenitor of five children, namely : Cathe- rine, the wife of K. Yonkin; Annie Maria, deceased ; John, married a Miss Adams ; Peter, the father of our subject ; and Michael who wedded Anna M. Gillick. The wife of Michael was Christina Derr, a daughter of John :Derr, of I^ehigh County, Pa. Peter Fackenthall was a life-long farmer, and pur- sued that vocatioii on the farm now owned by Jacob Richard. His life was a successful . one, and he succeeded in accumulating a handsome competency by the time of his ; death, which occurred at the age of seventy- : one years. He chose for his life companion , Elizabeth I^ong, who died aged eighty years; they were the parents of a family of twelve children, 'all of whom grew to maturity and a'ire wfell-to-do and prosperous citizens in the ; conlmUnities in -which they now reside. ; They were named as follows: Henry; Michael ;' Jonathan ; Peter; George Wash- ington,' our subject ; Samuel ; Rachael ; Sarah ; Elizabeth ; Catherine ; Matilda ; and ■ Hannah. George Washington Fackenthall acquired a good education in the district schools of his native township, and his youthful days were spent assisting his father in the cultiva- tion of the farm ; after attaining his majority he began life as a farmer, which occupation he continued for eight years. At the end of that time he went to Riegelsville, N. J., where he entered the employ of the paper mills of that village, and for twenty-one 488 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES years was finisher and shipper of the same. Our subject for thirty-five years followed the life of an auctioneer, and during this long period he has cried over 1400 sales, and dur- ing this time has also settled many estates. Mr. Fackenthall was postmaster of the vil- lage for eight years. He has also served five years as justice of the peace. In 1857 our subject was married to Mary C. Hager, a daughter of Michael Hager, and she died in 1865 aged twenty-seven years, leaving two children, namely : Elizabeth, deceased, was the wife of Eugene Scott, and they reared one son, George ; and Jacob M, an insurance agent, who married Annie Marr, which union has been blessed by eight children, five of whom are living, — Benja- min, Frank, John, George, and Annie. Mr. Fackenthall formed a second marriage in 1870 with Mary Jane Mill, a daughter of John Mill, and widow of Joseph H. I/car, and she died in 1894, aged fifty-six years. Three children resulted from this union, namely: Etta, Edith, and Uoyd. Our subject chose as his third wife Sarah C. Tranch, widow of Charles Wolf, and two children have been born to them, — Grace and Bebtress, In 1862 our subject enlisted as sergeant in Co. F, 3 1st Regt. New Jersey Volunteers, and served nine months; he is now a member of the G. A. R. Post, of which he is past commander. Mr. Fackenthall some twelve years ago began to gather colonial relics, and has succeeded in getting a large collection of ancient tools and other valuable relics ; he gave a large collection of these relics to the Bucks County Historical Society, and also a number to the University of Pennsylvania. On the ist of August, 1898, owing to the change of ad- ministration, our subject retired from the position of postmaster, and opened up a meat market in the same building, and is now doing a thriving business. He has been a life-long Democrat, and has served as school director, auditor of Durham township and in other ofiicial capacities. Both our subject and wife are members of the Reformed Church. "f/^. ICENZA WETHERILI., who for many \^ years was a traveling salesman, rep- resenting various agricultural implement houses, but who for the past three years has been conducting the Doylesto'wn Agricultural Works, is one of the most prominent and in- dustrious citizens of that borough. He was born at New Galena, New Britain township, this county, March 20, 1833, and is a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Brown) Wetherill. The grandfather of our subject was William Wetherill, a native of Wrightstown township, Bucks County, where he resided in one house nearly all his life. His occupation was that of a farmer, in which he was very successful, owning at the time of his death a large tract of land. He was a deep thinker, a fluent speaker and was local minister of the Metho- dist Church. He married Hannah Phillips. Samuel Wetherill, our subject's father, was born on his father's farm in Wrightstown township, and at the age of nineteen years married, and with his wife moved to New Galena, this county, where he purchased a tract of 100 acres of land and engaged in the pursuits of an agriculturist. He erected a BUCKS COUNTY 489 grist and saw mill, -which he operated in con- nection with his farm work. During the winter months when work was slack, he taught in the district school. He was very prominent among the citizens of his district, and served as justice of the peace fifteen years; politically, he was formerly an old line Whig, but became a Republican upon the organization of that party, and was hon- ored by an election to the State I^egislature. Our subject's father in 1854 moved to Harford County, Md., and located near the village of ^; Bel Air ; having disposed of his property in Bucks County, he then purchased a mill in Harford County, which he operated but a short time, when he bought a farm and built another ^mill, and operated both until his death. He was a member and active sup- porter of the Methodist Church, of which he was steward for many years, and he was also a licensed exhorter. He was united in mar- riage with Klizabeth Brown, by whom he reared a family of twelve children, four sons and eight daughters. Vicenza Wetherill was the fifth of his father's children, and was reared in New Brit- ain township and educated in the schools of New Galena ; he also took three terms in a private school that was under the charge of Prof. Thomas Clark. His school vacations and leisure hours were spent at work in his father's mills, learning the trade of a miller, and when he attained his majority, his father having moved with his family to Harford County, Md., he was given charge of one of his father's mills, which he operated for three years. Tn 1859, ^^ returned to Bucks County, locating at Doylestown, where he purchased an interest in the Doylestown Agricultural Works, and the business was conducted under the name of Martin & Wetherill for a period of eight years ; our subject sold his interest to Daniel Hulshizer and became a traveling salesman, representing the Doylestown Agri- cultural Works for eight years. He then went to Lansdale, Montgomery County, Pa., and for nine years traveled for Heebner & Sons, manufacturers of agricultural imple- ments; he then represented the Hulshizer Agricultural Works of Doylestown, Pa., three years ; he next went on the road for the Cham- pion Harvester Company of Springfield, Ohio, and continued three years; after this he trav- eled for D. M. Osborne & Co. a short time, and lastly represented the Richisoh Manufac- turing Company of Worcester, Mass., three years. In 1895 our subject purchased the Doylestown Agricultural Works, which he has conducted to the present time, meeting with the best of success. He manufactures horse-power threshers, separators, fodder cut- ters and does a general foundry business, em- ploying 16 men. Politically, Mr. Wetherill is a solid Repub- lican ; in his religious belief he is a member of the Methodist Church of Doylestown, Pa. He is a member of the I^ansdale Ivodge, I. O. 0. F. Our subject was joined in the bonds of matrimony with Mary Martin, of Stewarts- ville, N. J., and three children blessed their home, namely : Nellie, a teacher in the pub- lic schools of Doylestown ; Maude is a teacher in the schools at Coatesville, Pa., and is a graduate of the Doylestown Seminary and the State Normal School of West Chester, Pa. ; and Claude, an employee of the firm of 490 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES Bowker & Swain, of Philadelphia, who is a graduate of the Doylestown public schools and Prickett's Business College of Philadel- phia. RED CONSTANTINE, the popular and well-known editor of the Bucks County Mirror, of Doylestown, is one of the good substantial citizens of that borough and is one of the leaders of the Democratic party in this section. He is a son of Frederick and Margaret Constantine, and was born in Doylestown, February 23, 1853. Frederick Constantine, Sr., was a native of Germany, and after his marriage came to America in 1848, locating in Doylestown, where he resided until his death. His worthy wife has also passed into that coun- try from which no traveler returns. Fred Constantine was intellectually equip- ped for the battles of life in the public schools of Doylestown, one of his tutors be- ing the Hon. Thomas McReynolds, who has since represented this district two terms in the State Legislature. At the age of twelve years, he left school and became an appren- tice to the trade of a printer in the oflfice of the Bucks County Express and Reform, a leading German paper of the time. After completing his apprenticeship, he spent three years in traveling about in the West, visiting in Nebraska, Wyoming and other Western States. In 1873, he returned to his native borough and entered the ofSce in which he had learned his trade, but in which also an English paper, the Bucks County Mirror, was then being printed. His first duty was that of compositor, but, being an earnest and con- scientious worker of untiring energy, he soon arose to a higher position, that of foreman of the office. He served in the latter capac- ity until 1880, when he was again promoted, becoming editor of the sheet published, which position he still fills. Although he left school at a very early age, Mr. Constan- tine is a man of scholarly attainments, hav- ing given up much of his time to reading and study, thus becoming well qualified to , assume the duties of his present charge. He is a deep thinker, a witty, and versatile writer, and the editorials are the very life of the paper. For the past eight years, both German and English editions have been printed and are widely read throughout the county. The Bucks County Mirror is a powerful expounder of Democratic princi- ples, of which party he is one of the leaders in this section. Mr. Constantine has been importuned to accept many offices, his first official position being that of assessor of Doylestown, to which he was elected in 1885. He was elected to the same office in the two successive terms, each time by an increased majority, which fact shows the rapidity in which he sprang into public favor and the character of his work. In 1892, he con- sented to become a candidate for school di- rector, and was duly elected for a three years' term, the last two years of which he was chosen, by a unanimous vote of the members of that body, president of the board. While acting in that capacity, the borough was divided into wards, and at the expiration of his term, he was elected by the Second Ward to represent them in that body, the Republi- BUCKS COUNTY 491 cans placing no one in opposition as they con- sidered him the right man in the right place. He was again called upon to serve as president and has continued as such up to the present time. His term expired in February, 1898, when he was again elected. In the spring of 1894, when the board of health was organ- ized, Mr. Constantine was appointed a mem- ber and was chosen as president upon motion of ex-Congressman Robert M. Yardley. His term of three years having expired in 1895, he was re-elected to that body for three years, and again in 1 897 for five years, being chosen president. He is a faithful and untiring worker in whatever capacity he is serving, as his record will show upon examination ; in his many }'ears of work upon the school board, he has missed but two meetings al- though special sessions have been frequent during the past few years. His record on the board of health is even better, for he has not missed a single meeting, even under the most trying circumstances. In 1 895 he was the Democratic nominee for register of wills of Bucks County, but went down with the remainder of the ticket in that year, although he was the highest man on the Democratic ticket. In 1878, he was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Mary E. White, a daugh- ter of William W. White, who was for many years a well-known resident of Bedminster township. She is a descendant of the dis- tinguished Mickley family, numbered among the pioneer settlers of Bucks County. This happy union resulted in the birth of three children, all of whom were taken away in infancy. Socially, our subject is a member of the following orders : Doylestown Lodge, No. 24s, F. & A. M., of which he is secre- tary; Doylestown Chapter, No. 270, R. A. M.; Doylestown Lodge, No. 94, L O. O. F., of which organization he has been secretary for 10 years past ; Doylestown Encampment, No. 35, I. O. O. F.; Lenape Council, Royal Arcanum, No. H17; and Doylestown Ger- man Aid Society. He was formerly a mem- ber of the Pennsylvania National Guards, in which he was a first lieutenant when he re- signed. Ml HOI HOMAS O. ATKINSON, a scion of alL an old and well established family of Bucks County, and a prominent figure in the business circles of Doylestown, is a real es- tate broker and occupies the responsible posi- tion of treasurer of the Bucks County Trust Company. He is a son of Edmund S. and Ruth (Simpson) Atkinson, and was born in Wrightstown township, Bucks County, on the 12th of October, 1834. He is of English-Irish descent, and is de- scended from John Atkinson, who lived in England up to the year 1699, when he came to this country with his wife and family, bearing a certificate from Lancaster Monthly Meeting of Friends, England, dated Febru- ary 3, 1699, for himself, wife, and children, to the Friends of the Province of Penn. It is presumed the parents died before the ship landed in America, leaving three chil- dren : William ; Mary ; and John. The lat- ter was the father of Thomas, whose son Thomas, the great-grandfather of our sub- ject, in turn reared Timothy Atkinson, who 492 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES became a good substantial farmer of Bucks County. Bdmund S. Atkinson, the father of our subject, was a son of Timothy, and was born in Bucks County. He took to agricul- tural pursuits and owned a valuable farm in Wrightstown township, which he cultivated until the time of his death, which occurred in 1885, in his eighty-seventh year. The farm is now occupied by his son, George G. Atkinson. He was a man of many good traits of character, a successful business man, and stood high in the estimation of his fellow- citizens. His marriage with Ruth Simpson resulted in the following issue : Robert ; Tliomas O., the gentleman whose name heads these lines ; and J. Simpson, who has been an active business man in the West for some years and is now a resident of Spring- field, Mo. Thomas O. Atkinson was reared on his father's farm and attended the district schools for some years. Upon leaving school, he engaged as a teacher in the common schools for a few years, or until he was twenty-four years of age. He then, in 1858, left his parental roof and moved to I^inn County, Kan., where he followed mercantile pursuits for about one year, after which he returned to Wrightstown township, Bucks County, and followed the same line of business at Penn's Park. He continued there with un- bounded success until his removal to Doyles- town on January i, 1871, when he embarked in the real estate business. He formed a partnership with A. J. lyarne, who is now deceased, and subsequently with S. A. Fir- man. In 1886, he was elected treasurer of the Bucks County Trust Company, and still occupies that position. He is a man of strict integrity, and excellent business quali- fications, and his many financial transactions have been attended with success. He is a man of public spirit and enterprise, and performs every obligation of a dutiful citizen. In March, 1861, he was joined in wedlock with Mary B. Heston of Buckingham town- ship. Mr. and Mrs. Atkinson are members of the Society of Friends. TT^HARI^ES MOORE CADWAIvI.ADER. I Sr Among the prosperous and honored V,i£_^ members of the farming commun- ity, scattered over the fertile fields of Bucks County, Pa., the subject of our sketch takes a position in the front ranks. His home- stead comprises a finely cultivated tract of land of 69 acres, located in Warrington town- ship ; it is embellished with an attractive dwelling, good barns and out-houses, and all the appliances and farming implements requisite to the carrying on of agricultural work in a proper and systematic manner. This highly esteemed resident of Warrington township was born in Philadelphia, Novem- ber 6, 1830, and is a son of Yarley and Chris- tianna (Moore) Cadwallader, and grandson of Benjamin and Hannah (Bradfield) Cadwal- lader. Benjamin Cadwallader was a native of Buckingham township, Bucks County, and lived in that township all his active days, engaged in the cultivation of the soil ; his latter days were spent in Philadelphia, where he died about 1836. As a result of his union BUCKS COUNTY 493 with Hannah Bradfield a large family was reared, one of whom was Yarley, the father of our subject, who was born in Horshaui township, Montgomery County, Pa. ; during his early manhood he moved to Buckingham township, this county, where he carried on farming until after his marriage, when he moved to Moreland township, Montgomery County ; his next move was to Abingtdn township, where he remained for a few years, when he changed his place of residence to Byberry township, Philadelphia County, and there he farmed and conducted a general mercantile store for ten years. Returning to Montgomery County, he purchased a farm in Upper Dublin township, where he carried on farming for twenty-one years ; he then moved to Warrington township, and resided with our subject until his death, which occurred in September, 1872. He married Christianna Moore, and a family of eleven children blessed their home, namely : Mary, born September 28, 1820, is the widow of the late Thomas Ivightfoot; Peter, born June 4, 1822, died July 8, 1850; Howard M., born September 10, 1823, was married February 24, 1853, to Martha Agnew, and they reside in Norris- town, Pa.; Sarah, born February 10, 1825, died February 16, 1826; Susan, born March 4, 1826, died April 16, 1826; Joseph and Isaiah, twins, were born March 5, 1827, and the former died August 18, 1827, and the latter died a day later ; Elizabeth, born Au- gust 31, 1829, is the widow of Francis Dia- ment, and resides in Philadelphia; Charles Moore, our subject; Ruth Anna, born Octo- ber 17, 1833, died October 4, 1835 ; and Sarah Ann, born September 24, 1836, the widow of Samuel Ely, and she now resides near Kansas City, Mo. The mother of our subject died in November, 1879. Charles Moore Cadwallader and his broth- ers and sisters were educated in the common schools and in the Friends' School at By- berry, Pa. , where some of them became teach- ers in later years; at the age of eighteen years our subject began to learn the trade of a miller, working in Southampton township, this county. Four years later he rented a mill and conducted the same on his own ac- count for a period of two years ; in the spring of 1857, lie rented a farm in Upper Dublin township, where he farmed until 1867, and then moved to his present farm. Our subject has remained on his present farm thirty-one years, during which time he has made many improvements, and his farm ranks among the best in the township. Our subject has retired from the more active duties of life, and the farm is now being operated by his son. Mr. Cadwallader is an uncompromising Republican, and, since attaining his majority, has never failed to cast his vote in support of his chosen party. Religiously, he and his family are members and supporters of the Friends' Meeting at Horsham, Pa. On Feb- ruary 15, 1855, Mr. Cadwallader was united in marriage with Anna Conrad, who was born in Warwick township, this county, February 16, 1830; she was a daughter of Charles and Mary (Patterson) Conrad, both of whom are now deceased. She died Jan- uary 1 8, 1 890, after having given birth to the following children : Elizabeth D., born June 16, 1856, the wife of George Corson, of Mont- gomery County ; Gueilla Elma, born August 494 BOOK OF BIO-GRAPHIES i8, 1861, died February S, 1865; Martha Agnew, born February 23, 1866, resides with her father; and Howard Moore, born Jan- uary 9, 1869, who also resides with Mr. Cad- wallader. I^ATHAN M. WISER, an influential I =f farmer and large property owner -L V»_^ of Warrington township, Bucks County, Pa., owns and occupies a beautiful homestead, known as the old McKinstry pro- perty, which consists of 84 acres, and has a commodious farmhouse, fine barns and out- houses erected by our subject, and all the appliances of an intelligent and experienced agriculturist. Our subject is truly a self- made man, having attained his present posi- tion by his own industry, economy and per- severance ; he has accomplished this by fair means and enjoys the confidence and esteem of the community of which he has so long been a valued member. Mr. Wiser was born in Hatboro, Montgomery County, Pa., Sep- tember 30, 1833, and is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Marple) Wiser. Jacob Wiser was born and reared at Mul- lica Hill, N. J., and when a young man moved to Montgomery County, Pa., where he operated a mill several years; in 1838, he became a resident of Warminster township, this county, and settled on his father-in-law's farm, remaining there for a period of six years ; at the expiration of that time he moved to Warwick township, this county, and after carrying on farming there three years, he pur- chased a farm in Hilltown township and pur- sued his vocation until 1848, and then moved to New Britain township, where he remained until death claimed him. As a result of his union with Elizabeth Marple, a family of five children was born, namely : Thomas, a resident of Doylestown, this county, was married to Eliza Heaton ; Nathan M., the subject of this biographical sketch; Jacob, deceased, was a harness maker by trade, and his wife was Mary Fisher, who is also de- ceased ; Louisa, a resident of Philadelphia ; and one that died in infancy. Nathan M. Wiser possesses a common school education which he acquired in the schools of his native township; remained under the parental roof assisting his father until his marriage, when he settled on a farm in Hilltown township, and there began to carry on general farming on his own account. Nine years later he located in Warwick town- ship, where he followed his former occupa- tion until he came to his present farm, which is known as the McKinstry farm. The estate contains 84 acres of highly improved land, and since taking possession of the farm our subject has replaced the old buildings and outhouses by new ones, and is recognized as one of the leading farmers of Warrington township ; he also owns two properties in Philadelphia, which he rents. Mr. Wiser is now a director of the Ambler Bank, of Ambler, Pa., and has held that po- sition for several years. In politics, he is an uncompromising Democrat, and has always given his support in favor of his chosen party ; he has served as school director of his township for the past thirteen years. Frater- nally, our subject is a member of Doylestown Lodge, No. 34, 1. O. O. F. ; religiously, he and /f^l .&, DR. ANDREW J. HINES. BUCKS COUNTY 497 his wife are devoted members of the Re- formed Church and our subject has always taken an active interest in church work. On November 12, 1857, Mr. Wiser was united in marriage with Wilhelmina Snyder, ■who was born in Hilltown township, October 7, 1834. She is a daughter of John and Han- nah (Jacoby) Snyder, both of whom are de- ceased ; her father was a farmer all his life. A family of six children were born to our subject and wife, namely ; John J., who died in infancy ; Lizzie H., who died at the age of three years and ten months ; Charles O., who runs a boarding house at No. 709 Seven- teenth street, Philadelphia, was married to Hannah Lazelere; Alfred died, aged seven months; Emma M., the wife of Edmund L. Thompson, a farmer residing at Mechanics^ ville, this county; and Walter B., who died- aged eight years. B R. ANDREW J. HINES, a gentle- man of scholarly attainments, and one of the oldest practitioners of medicine of Doylestown, whose portrait the publishers of this work present on the oppo- site page, is a gentleman whose trained abil- ity and skilled resources have brought him into public notice, and have won for him the regard, esteem and respect that are justly due a man of his usefulness in the life of a com- munity. The work of a physician, from its innate nature, is of a kind that brings him into the closest relationship with the people. The way in which he carries his heavy re- sponsibilities is ever to the public a matter of the most vital importance. That Dr. Hines fully knows the ethics of his profes- sion, as well as the teachings, and every day of his life lives up to them, admits of no dis- cussion. His high standing everywhere proves his fidelity to his patients' interests, and his success proves his talents. He was born on the old homestead in Warrington township, Bucks County, five miles south- west of Doylestown, on August S, 1826, and is a son of William C. and Elizabeth (James) Hines. He comes of a prominent family of that community, and is descended from Mathew Hynes, who. settled in this county in 1740. He was born in Ireland in 171 8, and, accord- ing to tradition, was a son of L,ord Mathew Hynes, who was. a, member of the Irish Par- liament from 1697, to 17 10. Upon coming to the United States, Mathew Hynes located in. , White Marsh township, Montgomery Pounty-, , Pa., where he was married to a widow, Mrs. Ann Simpson, who by her for- mer marriage had one son, William Simp- son. They became the parents of three sons : Mathew ; Samuel ; and William, the grand- father of our subject. In 1773 Mathew Hynes, Sr., purchased a tract of 500 acres of land lying in Bucks and Montgomery Coun- ties, of Delaney, the agent of the Penns. This he subsequently divided among his three sons and his step-son, but the title was not to take effect until each had an heir of twenty years of age. Mr. Hines was a trus- tee of the Neshaminy Church in 1755, and his son later became collector of pew-rents of that church. He died on the old farm on December 23, 1804, and was buried at Nesha- 498 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES miny, where a tombstone also marks the grave of his wife, who died in 1790, aged eighty years. In 1790 the four sons came into possession of their respective shares of the property granted by their father, and William, our subject's grandfather, received the northeast side of the tract, containing 112 acres, which remained in the family for three generations, until 1895. Prior to 1790 the family name was spelled Hynes, but it has since been spelled Hines by the entire family. William Hines was born on the old homestead, and there lived all his life, engaged in the pur- suits of an agriculturist. He was one of the heroes of the Revolutionary War, and served as first lieutenant in Captain Robert's Com- pany of Volunteers for a time, and subse- quently held the command of a regiment of volunteers. At the time of the invasion of Philadelphia by the British, he was home on a short furlough. He had taken his horse to the blacksmith shop at Montgomery Square, when news of the enemy's advance was brought ; sending the horse home, he imme- diately made his way to the head of the regi- ment, rendering valuable services. He es- tablished an excellent record while in the service, one of which his descendants may justly feel proud. He was joined in wedlock with Elizabeth Harris, who died September 30, 1830, at the age of seventy-eight years. He died on January 17, 1830, in the eightieth year of his age, and lies buried in the New Britain Graveyard. William C. Hines, the father of our sub- ject, was one of a large family of children, and was born on the old homestead in 1788. He was a progressive farmer, and lived upon the homestead until his death, in 1858. In his political affiliations he was a Democrat, and held many local oifices. Religiously, he was an active member of the Baptist Church, but his ancestors for many genera- tions back had been Presbyterians. He was united in marriage with Elizabeth James, a daughter of Abiah James, and four children blessed their home, namely : Nathan J., de- ceased ; Emeline E., deceased ; Elizabeth, deceased ; and Dr. Andrew J. , the subject of this biographical record. Dr. Hines was reared on the farm, and during his early boyhood days attended the common schools, which were blessed with superior teachers for that day. He obtained a thorough English education, and subse- quently attended a private school, known as the Hermitage School, in Doylestown, under the preceptorship of Prof. T. J. Clarke, a fine classical scholar and an eminent educa- tor. Of the class of ten of which he was a member, all became professional men who made their mark in the world ; eight became physicians, one an able attorney, and another a minister. After leaving school our subject read medicine under the late Dr. O. P. James, of Doylestown, and in 1853 was grad- uated from Jefferson Medical College. He then engaged in practice at Leidytown, Bucks County, having purchased the practice and property of Dr. Joseph Moyer, and continued with much success for a period of eight years. He then sold out to Dr. Moyer and located in Jarrettown, Montgomery County, where he succeeded to the practice and property of Dr. Albanus Styre, and practiced there until BUCKS COUNTY 499 1870. In that year he moved to Doylestown, where he has since been located and has an extensive patronage. Owing to his declining years he has decided to give up a portion of his large practice and enjoy a much-needed rest after so many years of unceasing ac- tivity. Dr. Hines was united in matrimonial bonds with Anna M. Armstrong, June 5, i86o, and they became the proud parents of three chil- dren, namely : Elizabeth A. ; Ella E- ; and a son who died in early life. Socially, our sub- ject is a prominent member of the Bucks County Medical Society, whilst in religious attachments he is a member of the Baptist Church. (JOSEPH ATKINSON, a prominent and influential retired farmer of Bucking- ham township, residing in lyahaska, owns considerable valuable property in Bucks County, and is a director of the Bucks County Trust Company. He is a son of Thomas and Jane (Smith) Atkinson, and was born in Buckingham township, August 19, 1823. Thomas Atkinson, the father of our sub- ject, was born in Wrightstown township, Bucks County, October 8, 1786, and early in life learned the trade of a blacksmith. He followed that vocation for some time and aided in building the old Doylestown Jail, taking the contract for the iron work ; soon after this he located upon a farm and engaged in the cultivation of the soil until his death, which occurred July 3, 1864. He was a man of good principles and was well thought of by his fellow citizens. He was united in mar- riage with Jane Smith, who was born in Upper Makefield township, Bucks County, October 5, 1789, and their union resulted in the following offspring : Mahlon, deceased ; Mary, deceased ; Martha, deceased ; Eleanor, deceased ; Timothy, deceased ; Joseph, the subject of this biographical record ; Sarah Jane, born October 7, 1825, the widow of Ben- jamin W. Smith, resides near Holicong vil- lage with her daughter ; Ogborn, deceased ; and Thomas Smith, deceased. Mrs. Atkin- son was called to her home beyond the river of Death, July 23, 1867. Joseph Atkinson received his mental train- ing in the common schools, after which he took up the occupation of a farmer, which he has since followed, although at the present time he is living in practical retirement. He has worked industriously, and by successful management has accumulated considerable property, having two or three farms in the vicinity of Lahaska. He is a man who has won the esteem and confidence of his fellow- citizens by the honest and straightforward manner in which he conducted his business affairs, and the good-will which he manifests toward all men. Mr. Atkinson was joined in wedlock with Eliza Hibbs, of Buckingham township, a daughter of William and Margery (Kirk) Hibbs, the former of whom was an agricul- turist. Four children were born to bless this union : William, who married Elmira Har- per, is an extensive farmer and operates a coal yard at Lahaska Station, being one of the good, reliable men of that section ; Thomas, a farmer of Solebury township, married Min- nie Price ; Albert died in infancy ; and Mary 500 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES A., the wife of George Watson, who is assist- ant trust officer in the Bucks County Trust Co., of Doylestown, Pa. Politically, he has always been an active Republican, whilst in religious views he is a consistent member of the Friends' Meeting of Buckingham. y|ZRA ZRA P. CARREIylv. Among the pros- J — perous and well-to-do farmers of Bucks County, Pa., who have succeeded in accumulating a competency through their industrious efforts and untiring energy, is the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this notice, who has been living a retired life for more than a score and two years and is one of the worthy and honored citizens of Warminster township. This es- teemed gentleman was born in the, above township January i6, 1826, and is a son of Joseph and Mary (Gill) Carrell, and grandson of Jacob Carrell. The founder of this family in this country was James Carrell, the great-grandfather of our subject, who was born and reared in the north of Ireland and came in 1700 to this country. He took up a large tract of land in Northampton township, Bucks County, Pa., and there carried on farming the rest of his days. He was quite prominent in his fcommunity and was one of the founders of the first church of his section of the county. Jacob Carrell, the grandfather of our subject, was born on his father's farm in Northamp- ton township, this county, and resided there following the pursuits of an agriculturist, in which he was remarkably successful. i Joseph Carrell, the father of our subject, was also born in Northampton township, the date of his birth being June 1, 1792; his boyhood days were spent assisting his father in the work about the farm, and at the same time he served an apprenticeship to the car- penter's trade. He continued at the occupa- tion of a carpenter during his early manhood in Springville, Northampton township ; from the latter township he moved to Warminster township, about 1823, and there he pur- chased a farm, where he carried on general farming until his death, which occurred April 20, 1883. Mr. Carrell was twice joined in wedlock ; his first wife was Mary Gill, a native of Philadelphia, and she died April 3, 1828, leaving the following children : Hugh, born January 13, 1822, is a retired citizen of Hatboro, Montgomery County, Pa., and he wedded Abigail D. Addis ; Emily, born Jan- uary 21, 1824, died September 16, 1848; and Ezra P. , our subject. After the death of his wife, Mary, he married Anne Gill, a sister of his first wife, and she died May 30, 1846; this union was blessed by the birth of two chil- dren, namely: Sidney Ann, born August 30, 1 83 1, is the wife of Thomas B. Montanye, a farmer residing near Johnsville, Pa.; and Elizabeth, born October 31, 1833, who is the wife of Robert T. Engart, a prosperous farmer of Warminster township. Ezra P. Carrell received his primary edu- cation in the common and private schools of his native township, which was supplemented by a course in the academy at Hatboro, Montgomery County, Pa. Returning to the farm, he began the life of a farmer and after his marriage took possession of the home- BUCKS COUNTY 501 stead, where he was engaged in farming for a period of twenty- seven years, and was recognized as one of the most progressive and enterprising farmers of his community. At the expiration of that time, our subject pur- chased 3 acres of land of his father, and built his present home, where he has resided for the past twenty-two years, living in retire- ment, enjoying the fruits of his early labors. Our subject was an honor to his vocation, and is a man widely known throughout the township for his many sterling qualities. Mr. Carrell in his political views has been a solid Republican since the formation of that party, but prior to that he was a sup- porter of the Whig party ; he has served as president of the Turnpike Company, as School director, and held a number of minor township offices. Religiously, he and his family are members of the Presbyterian Church of Warwick township, and our sub- ject is now elder of the same. On the 15th day of March, 1849, Mr. Car- rell and Margaret I/. Beans were united in marriage ; she is a native of Warminster township, the date of her birth being March 8, 1828, and she is a daughter of John C. and Elizabeth (Yerkes) Beans, both of whom are now deceased ; her father was a farmer throughout his entire life. Five children blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Carrell, namely: Joseph, born March .25, 1850, a farmer of Warrington township, this county, was married to Elizabeth W. Hampton ; John Beans, born July 11, 185 1, a practicing physician of Hatboro, married I,izzie Danen- hower; Emily, born March 29, 1853, ^^d •died November 9, 1856; Ezra P., born No- vember 25, 1857, 3. farmer of Warwick town- ship, this county, wedded Mary S. McCarter; and Stacy Beans, born April 23, 1866, a traveling salesman for a grocery house, who was united in the bonds of matrimony with lycah Reeves, and they reside at Glenside, Montgomery County, Pa. M R. WII.LIAM S. ERDMAN, vice- president of the Bucks County Medical Society, is the only prac- ticing physician and surgeon in the village of Buckingham and its immediate vicinity, where he has been pursuing his chosen call- ing since November 2, 1896. This rising young physician was born and reared in Richland township, this county, the date of his birth being October 5, 1869, and he is a son of Owen and Mary Ann (Singmaster) Erdman. Owen Erdman was born and reared in Lehigh County, Pa., and was educated to ag- ricultural puj»uit$ ; he resided in his native county until the year 1863, when he moved to this county and settled in Richland town- ship ; as the Civil War was in progress he enlisted in Co. E, 3rd Reg. Pennsylvania Reserves and participated in several engage- ments, the most notable being the battle of Bull Run, where he received a wound, which made it necessary for him to be sent to the hospital. After peace had been proclaimed and Mr. Erdman had been honorably dis- charged from further service he returned to Richland township, where he began buying and shipping cattle, and successfully con- 502 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES tinued that line of business until a few years ago, when he retired from the more active duties of life and is now spending his latter days in quiet and peace. Mr. Erdman was joined in the bonds of matrimony with Mary Ann Singmaster, a native of Richland town- ship, and to this union was born a family of four children, namely: Dr. Milton S., a prac- ticing physician- of -Quakertown, this county; Sarah Catherine, who resides with her elder brother ; Dr. Wilson S. is one of the promi- nent physicians of Richlandtown, Pa., — he was wedded to Jennie Johnson ; and Dr. Wil- liam S., the subject of this sketch. Dr. William S. Erdman received his pri- mary training in the public schools of his native township, and later attended the high school at Quakertown, graduating in 1890; he then went to Philadelphia where he began to study medicine, taking three terms, and his spare time was spent working in a drug store. In 1896 he was graduated, and in the same year went to Atlantic City, N. J., where he practiced with Dr. Reed, of that city, until November 2, 1896, when he came to his present field of operation, succeeding Dr. Folk, who now lives retired. The Doctor is a very successful practitioner, is well read and is an intelligent physician, and has proved his ability as a skillful physician by being able to treat the most complicated of diseases. Dr. Erdman has a handsome residence and ofl&ce located on Main street, and he carries a complete line of drugs. This prominent member of the medical fraternity is now serv- ing in the capacity of vice-president of the Bucks County Medical Society. He is also a member of the Knights of Malta of Quaker- town ; and Knights of the Mystic Chain of Buckingham. Religiously, he is a member of the I/Utheran Church of Richlandtown ; politically, he is independent in his views, always supporting the best man. n^^ RESTON J. RICH, a sketch of whose life records a career of remarkable activity and industry, is now living in retirement upon his farm of 90 acres in Buckingham township, Bucks County, on which he located shortly after his marriage in 1848. He always followed the vocation of a farmer and his efforts were crowned with success, and this enables him to spend the declining years of his life in peace and happiness, knowing that his labors have been well done. He is a son of Anthony and Maria (Mann) Rich, and was born in Buck- ingham township, Bucks County, October 17, 1818. Anthony Rich, the father of our subject, was born in Plumstead township, and early in life moved to Doylestown township, where he engaged in farming for some time. He next located in Buckingham township on the estate now owned by his son Preston J., and there remained until his demise in 1843. He was united in marriage with Maria Mann, a native of Doylestown township, and their union resulted in the birth of fifteen children, five of whom are living at the present time, namely : John M., a resident of Solebury township, Bucks County; Preston J., the gentleman whose name heads these lines ; Elmira, who resides in Solebury township ; BUCKS COUNTY 503 Anthony W., of Solebury township ; and Emily C, also of Solebury township. Those deceased are : Benjamin ; Jonathan ; Maria ; Mary ; Martha ; Elizabeth ; James ; Josiah ; Sarah Ellen ; and Susan W. Preston J. Rich was reared upon the farm and obtained his mental training in the com- mon schools. He then took up the occupa- tion of a farmer as a means of earning a com- petency and soon after his marriage took charge of his present estate, which he greatly improved and successfully cultivated until his retirement, since which time his sons have conducted it. He has been a faithful hus- band, a kind father, and a good neighbor, and has won a high place in the esteem of his fellow-citizens, who join in wishing him many years of continued happiness. On November 16, 1848, Mr. Rich formed a marital union with Mary H. Atkinson, a daughter of Abner and Sarah (Harvey) Atkin- son ; the former was a blacksmith and farmer by occupation and resided in Solebury town- ship. This union resulted in the following issue: Anna C, born December 8, 1849, is the wife of B. Frank Goss, a supervisor and resident of Buckingham township ; Franklin J., born May 24, 1852, married Juliet Ivamb- rite and they reside in Buckingham town- ship ; Clinton A., who died at the age of one year and ten months ; Anthony W. , a fancy fruit dealer of Philadelphia, born March 17, •1857, married Celia Cousins; Florence A., born September 10, 1858, resides on the old homestead ; and Carlton E. , a teller in the bank at Yardley, born February 2^ 1861, and married Carrie A. Rich. Mr. Rich was be- reaved of his wife's companionship by death in May, 1883. Politically, he has always supported the principles of the Republican party. In religious attachments, he is a member of the Presbyterian Church of Doyles- town. rr^ROF. HENRY F. REITER, notary "^ public and principal of the public schools of Trumbauersville, Pa., is one of the prominent citizens of that village, and was born near where he now resides Oc- tober 9, 1856, and is a son of Josiah and Eliz- abeth (Faul) Reiter, grandson of Joseph and Elizabeth (Heist) Reiter, and great-grandson of Michael Reiter. Joseph Reiter was of German descent and was a native of Montgomery County, Pa. ; he was the father of four children : Tobias ; Ed- ward ; Josiah ; and Maria. In 1829, with his family, he moved to what is now known as the Reiter homestead, and there he conducted a hotel and dealt extensively in cattle. Josiah Reiter, our subject's father, was born in Trumbauersville, this county, December 19, 1832, and was educated in the private schools of his native township, and took one term at Price's Seminary, at I,ine Lexington, Pa. Upon leaving school, he taught several terms, but early in life began dealing in cattle. When a mere lad of fifteen years, his father gave him money and sent him to Center County, Pa., a distance of 150 miles, to pur- chase a flock of sheep ; he was obliged to walk all the way, and he accomplished the feat in sixty days. While stopping at Pottsville, Pa., on his way home, dogs killed one-third of his flock ; selling the remaining two-thirds. 504 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES he returned to Center County and purchased another flock and a horse, and again pro- ceeded on his way home. In the meantime his father had become quite alarmed as to the whereabouts of his son and started out to meet him. When Josiah Reiter grew to ma- turity, he continued in dealing iu stock to within a few years of his death, when he farmed. On the morning of April 28, 1884, he went into the fields in good spirits and ap- parent good health with a new roller ; while greasing the roller, the horses became fright- ened and ran away. He jumped up from be- hind the roller and started for the horses, and had run a few rails' length, when he fell dead from heart failure. He was one of the promi- nent and valued citizens of his community, and his death was mourned by a large circle of friends who held him in dear esteem. Re- ligiously, he was a member of Christ's Evan- gelical Lutheran Church of Trumbauersville. October 20, 1855, Mr. Reiter and Elizabeth Paul, a daughter of Christian and Elizabeth (Orange) Paul, of Pennsburg, Pa., were united in marriage, and they became the parents of three children, namely : Henry P. , whose name heads the above lines ; Thomas Jeffer- son ; and A. Sylvania. Rev. Prederick Waage officiated at the baptism, confirmation and marriage of our subject's father, and he also baptized his three children. Henry P. Reiter received his elementary education in the public schools, and in 1876 graduated from the Keystone State Normal School, of Kutztown, Pa.; in 1873 lie com- menced teaching and taught school two terms in Ivchigh County, Pa., and then located in Trumbauersville, where he has remained and taught up to the present time. Our subject was appointed notary public in 1891, which office he still retains. Mr. Reiter is one of the popular members of his community and is a man greatly respected for his sterling worth and integrity. Socially, Mr. Reiter is a member and past master of the Masonic Order ; and is a mem- ber and past chancellor of the K. of P. Mr. Reiter chose for his life companion Laura H. Lynch, of Pennsburg, Pa., a daughter of Thomas J. Lynch, first lieutenant in Co. C, 51st Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf, who was mortally wounded in the battle of Spottsylvania Court House, May 12, 1864. This union has been blessed by the birth of two children, namely.: J. Luther, a student ; and Emma, who died in her eighth year. Mr. and Mrs. Reiter are both members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Reiter has always been a Democrat, as were his forefathers before him. LIAS HICKS PELL, one of the promi- nent and sturdy farmers of the central section of Bucks County, who has been successfully engaged in farming all the days of his life, resides on a rich and pro- ductive farm consisting of 43 acres, which is handsomely located in Buckingham town- ship, near the borough of Doylestown. He was born on his present homestead, February II, 1829, and is a son of EH and Rachaeil (Bradshaw) Pell. Eli Pell was born and reared on our sub- ject's present farm, and was educated to agricultural pursuits, which occupation he JOSEPH N. SCOTT. BUCKS COUNTY 507 followed throughout his entire life ; he was very successful in the prosecution of this vo. cation, which was wholly due to his good management of the farm and his improved methods of farming. Mr. Fell was recognized as one of the progressive members of his community, and was a man well known throughout the township; he served his fel. low-countrymen in several township offices. Mr. Fell was united in the bonds of matri- mony with Rachael Bradshaw, who was born in Montgomery County, Fa., and this union was blessed by the birth of fourteen children, three of whom are still living and are named as follows : Rachael, the wife of Wilson Pear- son, a prominent farmer of Solebury town- ship, this county, who is represented on another page of this work with a portrait and sketch of his life ; Elias Hicks, the subject of this brief notice ; and Hulda, Ann, widow of the late John M. Kirk, — she now resides in Buckingham township, Bucks County. Mr. Fell entered the world of rest March 3, 1859; the mother of our subject passed from this earth March 15, 1851. Blias Hicks Fell received his early .mental training in the district schools of his native township, and spent his boyhood days work- ing with his father about the farm, thus acquiring a good education in the art of farming. Upon the death of our subject's father, he took charge of the property, and has been engaged in agricultural pursuits up to the present time; our subject has made many improvements upon the farm since taking possession of it, and it now ranks among the best in the community. Mr. Fell is one of the prosperous and energetic farm- ers of Buckingham township, and commands the respect and confidence of a large circle of acquaintances. Mr. Fell chose for his life companion Mary Emma Dudley, and they were happily united in marriage October 16, 186 1. She was born in Burlington County, N.J,, August 10, 1843, and is a daughter of El wood and Sarah (Haines) Dudley. Residing with our subject is Mrs. Rebecca A. Reed, a -sister of Mrs. Fell, and her daiighter, Mary E. Politically, our subject adheres to the principles of the Republican party. In religious belief Mr. Fell is a member of the Friends' Meeting at Buckingham. OSEPH N. SCOTT. ■ Prominent and influential among the leading and en- terprising business men of the village of Penn's Park, is the gentleman whose bi- ography we write, and whom we represent with a portrait that appears on the opposite page. He is doing his share toward the pros- perity and building up of the community, and is recognized as being the largest pork packer and commission merchant in his sec- tion of the county.: He is also the proprietor of the well-known Penn's Park Hotel. He is a native of Newtown township, being born on his father's farm August 31, 1862, and is a son of Thomas B. and Annie (Wanamaker) Scott. Thomas B. Scott was also born in New- town township, and was engaged in farming and stock-raising, in which he was quite suc- cessful. He now resides in Buckingham township, where he owns a fine farm. As a 26 5oS BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES result of his union with Annie Wanamaker, who was a native of Center Bridge, Pa., a family of six children was born, namely : Winfield, deceased ; Victoria, deceased ; Anna Permelia, deceased ; Thomas B., deceased ; Joseph N., our subject ; and Bella A., who resides with her parents. Joseph N. Scott attended the common schools and Newtown Academy, but received the better part of his education through ac- tual business experience. After our subject's marriage, he took charge of the old home- stead in Newtown township for three years ; he then went to Upper Makefield township, where he drove a wagon one year, after which he embarked in business for himself, selling butter and eggs. That business was contin- ued six years, when he located in Penn's Park, and in the spring of 1894 bought his present establishment ; he kills some 6000 hogs per year, 500 calves, makes some 300 pounds of butter per week ; handles many cases of eggs ; and ships many broilers to the markets of the large cities. He has established a very large patronage, which is constantly increasing, and is well worthy of the success with which he is meeting ; he is an energetic and popular citizen and is a favorite in both business and social circles. He purchased the Penn's Park Hotel when he became a resident of the vil- lage, and is a genial and hospitable landlord ; in his hotel he keeps a confectionery stand, selling all kinds of candies, ice cream and soft drinks. Mr. Scott was wedded January 29, 1885, to Anna Worthington, of Wrightstown town- ship, and a daughter of Alfred H. and Wil- helmina (Ruth) Worthington ; her father is a miller, residing in Wrightstdwn township. Mr. and Mrs. Scott are the parents of one child, Norman, born in October, 1887. Re- ligiously, he and his family are attendants of the Methodist Church, of which Mrs. Scott is a member. Politically, he has always been a decided Democrat, while fraternally, he is a member of the Jr. O. U. A. M. ; and the A. O. U. W. of Newtown. (^JY^^ER'^ KASTBURN. Of those who fjX are engaged in the prosecution of >''"'» V._^ the calling of a farmer in Bucks County, Pa., the gentleman whose name ap- pears at the head of these lines takes a prom- inent part. He is descended from an old and pioneer family of this county, and his pres- ent homestead, which is located in Upper Makefield township, was first settled upon by his great-grandfather. He was born in the above township, November 24, 1855, and is a son of John S. and Martha (Hillborn) East- burn, and grandson of Bazeleel and Ruth Eastburn. The Eastburn family is of Scotch descent, and this branch of the family was founded in America by John Eastburn, the great- grandfather of our subject, who, coming to this new and uncultivated country, took up a tract of land in Upper Makefield township, this county, a part of which constitutes our subject's farm. Bazeleel Eastburn, our sub- ject's grandfather, was born in Upper Make- field township, and his life's vocation was also that of a farmer. His wife was Ruth Stocktell, and of their children was John S., BUCKS COUNTY 509 our subject's father, who was born in Upper Makefield township on the homestead. He was engaged in the cultivation of the soil until his death, which occurred in 1873. He was joined in marriage with Martha Hillborn, a native of Wrightstown township, this coun- ty, and she now resides in Newtown, this county. She is the mother of a family of five children, named as follows : Rebecca, the wife of Horace T. Smith, a farmer of Upper Makefield township ; Albert, our sub- ject, was next in order; Ruthanna is the wife of Thomas Briggs, a resident of New- town, and his sketch may also be found in this Book of Biographies ; Ellen is the wife of George H. Thompson, who is clerking in a store in Philadelphia ; and Edward, who died in infancy. Albert Eastburn remained on the farm in early life, and attended the common schools of his native township. After his marriage in 1877, he took possession of the homestead property, and has since continued agricul- tural pursuits. His farm consists of 97 acres, which he has put under a fine state of culti- vation, and the improvements are among the best found in the township. In connection with his farming he is also engaged in pigeon raising, he now having some 240 pairs, and he ships many hundreds yearly to the markets of New York City. In political views, Mr. Eastburn is a Re- publican ; socially, he is a member of Lodge No. 300, I. O. O. F., of New Hope; in relig- ious views, he and his family are members of the Friends' Meeting at Wrightstown. On the fourth day of September, 1877, Mr. East- burn was joined in matrimonial bonds with Elizabeth Booz, a native of Solebury town- ship, and a daughter of Walker C. and Eliza- beth (Price) Booz; her mother is deceased, and her father is following his trade as a carpenter at New Hope, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Eastburn are the parents of three children, namely : Mary ; Alice ; and John S. Wt IIvSON S. ERDMAN, M.D., one of the rising young physicians of the village of Riclilandtown, Pa., who has been practicing in that vicinity since 1893, and who may be justly classed among the foremost of his profession in his district, was born in Steinsburg, Bucks County, Pa., the date of his birth being October 5, 1868. He is a son of Owen and Mary Ann (Singmas- ter) Erdman, grandson of Daniel and Maria (Bitts) Erdman, and great-grandson of John Erdman- John Erdman was born and reared in Holland, Germany ; early in life he bade farewell to his native country and immi- grated to America, locating at Limeport, Lehigh County, Pa., where he took up a large tract of land and pursued the vocation of a farmer. His son Daniel, the grand- father of our subject, was born on the home- stead at Limeport, Lehigh County, and his boyhood days were spent tilling the soil on his father's farm, and when he grew to ma- turity he followed the occupation of an agri- culturist ; later he conducted a hotel in addi- tion to farming. He passed from life at a ripe old age, the cause of his death being: typhoid fever. He was joined in the bonds of 5IO BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES wedlock with Maria Bitts, and they reared the following children : Owen, the father of our subject; Daniel was united in marriage with a Miss Huber ; Maria is the wife of a Mr. Huber ; and Sally, the wife of Abraham Moyer. Owen Erdman was born and reared on his father's farm in I^ehigh County, Pa., and his education was acquired in the district schools of his native township ; he ran his father's hotel prior to his moving to Steinsburg, this county, where he purchased a farm and entered the cattle business, eventually drift- ing into the commission business ; moving to the city of Philadelphia he conducted a commission house, handling produce from his farm and from the farmers of his community. Returning to Bucks County he settled in Richland Center, where he began making leather fly-nets for horse and harness; he followed that occupation until the Civil War broke put when he enlisted in the Union Army. He served as a member of Co. E, Third Regiment, Pennsylvania Reserves, being engaged in the quartermaster's depart- ment. Our subject's father was united in marriage with Mary Ann Singmaster, and they reared a family of three 5ons and one daughter, namely: Milton S., one of the leading physicians and surgeons of Quaker- town, Pa., — he is a graduate of Bellevue Hos- pital Medical College of New York City, graduating with the class of 1883 ; Sarah Catherine is a professional nurse and resides at Quakertown ; Wilson S., the subject of this brief notice; and William S., who is also a practicing physician and surgeon, pursuing his profession in the village of Buckingham, Pa., and vicinity. Dr. Wilson S. Erdman received his intel- lectual training in the Quakertown High School and the West Chester State Normal. School and then entered a drug store at No. 22 Chestnut street, Philadelphia, as a clerk ; studying medicine there a short time, he en- tered the Medical Department of the Medico- Chirurgical College and was graduated with the class of 1892. The year following his graduation, he served on the medical staflf of the Medico-Chirurgical Hospital, and in 1893 he came to his present field of opera- tion, where he has pursued his chosen pro- fession with marked success. Dr. Erdman is well-informed and skillful in his profes- sion and enjoys a lucrative practice. He is ambitious and energetic, and keeps abreast with all the advancements of the day relative to his profession, and among his patrons are included some of the best people of the township. The Doctor always keeps the best of horses of which he is a lover, and upon receiving a call from one of his patrons, he may be depended upon to ar- rive at his destination in the shortest pos- sible time, as he takes great pride in riding behind some of the fastest horses in the township, which he utilizes in answering calls promptly. In 1896, Dr. Erdman built a handsome residence and office combined, 45 by 46 feet, of Rockhill granite, and it contains all the latest and modern conveniences. The Doc- tor was wedded to Mary J. Johnson, a daugh- ter of H. W. Johnson, whose sketch may also be found in this Book of Biographies. One child blessed the home of this union, namely : Johnson Stewart, who was ; born BUCKS COUNTY 511 July 5, 1896. Fraternally, the Doctor is a member of the K. O. T. M.; K. of G. E.; and the Brotherhood L,odge. Both our sub- ject and his wife are members of the Luth- eran Church. Politically, the Doctor is a Democrat. pOHN T. POORE, county commissioner and a prominent and influential farmer of Upper Makefield township, Bucks County, resides on the old family estate near Buckmanville, upon which he was born December 18, 1829. He is a son of Daniel and Maria (Merrick) Poore. Daniel Poore, the father of our subject, was born in Solebury township, but early in the nineteenth century located in Upper Make- field township, upon the property now owned by the gentleman whose name heads these lines. He erected buildings in 1818, greatly improved the soil, and engaged in the culti- vation of it for many years. He was elected justice of the peace at New Hope, whither he went to live and continued as such for ten years, or until 1842, when he returned to his farm and engaged in farming until his death, April 12, 1888, at the ripe old age of ninety- four years and six months. He was joined in wedlock with Maria Merrick, a native of Upper Makefield township, who was called to the land of rest October i, 1879. Their happy union resulted in the following issue : Eliza, deceased, was the wife of George F. Smith, who is also deceased ; Martha, the relict of Bryce M. Pursell, residing at Bristol, Pa., with her son. Dr. Pursell ; and John T., our subject, and Robert Alpheus, express agent on the Pennsylvania Railroad at Riegelsville, who are twins. John T. Poore received a good education in the common schools, after which he took charge of the homestead property. He has made material improvements in both land and buildings and has continued to carry on farming up to the present time. His untir- ing energy and industry, coupled with his shrewdness in business transactions, has re- sulted in his success, and he has amassed con- siderable in the way of the world's goods during his many years of activity. Politi- cally, he is a stanch Republican, and has fre- quently served in an ofl5cial capacity ; he was assessor in Upper Makefield township for fifteen years, beginning in 1882; was supervisor of the township for five years; and on January i, 1897, was elected a county commissioner, which ofiice he still retains, and is filling to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. He is a man of high princi- ples and possesses the respect of all with whom he comes in contact, both in business and social circles. In February, 1861, Mr. Poore was united in Hymen's bonds with Rachael Lefferts, who was born in Southampton township, May 19, 1836, and is a daughter of Elias and Margaret (Search) Lefierts. Elias Lefferts, a farmer and laborer by occupation, died Feb- ruary 12, 1880, but his wife still survives him and is living in Southampton township, at the advanced age of eighty-five years. Two children have blessed our subject's home. Augustus, a conductor on the railroad, was born January 11, 1863, and formed a matri- monial alliance with Josephine Van Pelt; 512 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES he resides in Norristown, Pa. Elias Iv-, born April 3, 1864, was married to Theodora Wil- liamson, and lives in Frenchtown, N. J., where he conducts a general furnishing store. Mr. and Mrs. Poore are both faithful mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church of Solebury, of which he is a trustee. k-A en ARON R. TRUMBOWER. Of the enterprising and successful business men of Springfield township, who have contributed their share toward main- taining and building up the village of Passer, the gentleman, whose name heads this notice, is one who has taken a prominent part. Mr. Trumbower is at present serving in the capa- city of postmaster of the above village, and is also successfully engaged in the mercantile business, being the proprietor of one of the largest and best-kept general stores in Spring- field township. Our subject was born in the house in which he now resides, the date of his birth being May 27, 1859, and he is a son of Henry T. and Elizabeth (Ranch) Trum- bower, grandson of Henry and Sarah (Treich- ler) Trumbower, great-grandson of Henry and Elizabeth (Frick) Trumbower, and great- great-grandson of Henry and Veronica (Yel- les) Trumbower. The prominent and distinguished Trum- bower family, that has been long established in this county, is of German descent, and the founder of the branch of the Trumbower family in America, to which our subject be- longs, was Andrew Trumbauer, who with his two brothers left his native country, Ger- many, at an early date ; upon arriving in America, one took up his residence in the state of Ohio, the other settled in Lancaster, Pa., and Andrew located on a large tract of land in Milford township, Bucks County, Pa., near the village of Trumbauersville, which was named in his honor. His oldest son, Henry, was born near Trumbauersville in 174s, and died November 13, 1813. As a result of Henry's marriage with Veronica Yelles, a son, Henry, was born, the date of his birth being 1774; he was reared on his father's farm, and in addition to carrying on general farming when he grew to maturity, he successfully operated a tannery and resided on the farm now owned by Lewis Trumbauer, who now lives in Norristown, Pa. He passed from earth in 1831 at the age of fifty-seven years. His second son was Henry, the grandfather of our subject, who was born on the homestead in Richland township, June II, 1801, and died there August 21, 1873. His younger days were spent working in his father's tannery and upon his farm, and when he attained his majority took charge of the same and successfully engaged in the two in- dustries named above until death claimed him. He was joined in marriage with Sarah Treichler, who was born September 4, 1802, and died February 9, 1866. This union was blessed by the birth of the following children ; Henry T., the father of our subject ; Hannah, born February 2, 1826; Olive died young; Aaron, born in 1832 ; Reuben T., born in 1834; Lewis T. , born in 1837; and Andrew J., born in 1843. Henry T. Trumbower was of the fifth generation of this family and was born in BUCKS COUNTY 5'3 Richland township, this county, February i, 1824; he grew to maturity on his father's farm, where he was reared to agricultural pursuits and to the occupation of a tanner. Becoming dissatisfied with his trade, he took to teaching, which profession he continued a number of terms, when he purchased the mercantile business of Amos Snyder, in Springfield township, and carried on that line of business in that place four years ; he also purchased the Joseph Moyer property and the hotel conducted by Henry Beidler at Fair- mount, Springfield township. Mr. Trum, bower erected a house and a large store and- closing the hotel, devoted his entire attention to the mercantile business, which he success- fully carried on for a period of thirty-five years. At the expiration of that time he sold his stock of goods to his son Aaron R. , our subject, and retired from the more active duties of life. Mr. Trumbower established a reputation as a man of many sterling busi- ness qualities, and his honest and straightfor. ward business methods won for him the re- spect and confidence of the entire community. His demise occurred April 30, 1893, and his death was not only mourned by his wife, a devoted companion, and a large family of children, who always loved and honored him," but by a large circle of acquaintances. Our subject's father served as justice of the peace from 1856 to 1893, and as county auditor from 1 86 1 to 1864. Religiously, he was a consis- tent member of the Lutheran church. Octo- ber 29, 1S48, Mr. Trumbower was wedded to Elizabeth Ranch, who was born in Berks County, Pa., March 29, 1830, and is a daugh- ter of' David and Sarah (HoflFman) Rauch, and to this marriage the following children were born : Milton R., born May 18, 1850, and who married Nancy A. Stoner, is a prac- ticing physician of Monett, Mo., and was veterinary surgeon of the state of Illinois for four years when he was a resident of that state; Sarah Ann, born August 11, 1851, died in 1858 ; Emma Malinda, born April 25, 1854, is the wife of Rev. Peter A. Grover, of Phoenixville, Pa. ; Henry R., born September 9, 1856, died in 1876 ; A^ron R., the subject of this biographical sketch ; and Julia Ann, born December 22, 1865, and died in 1866. Aaron R. Trumbower received his intel- lectual training in the district schools of his native township and at Muhlenberg Academy of Allentown, Pa. He then taught school, and, during the suijimer months while at home, assisted his father in the store, thus becoming well acquainted with that line of business. In 1882, when his father retired from the mercantile business, our subject purchased the entire stock, which he has since greatly enlarged, and now conducts one of the largest general mercantile stores in Spring- field township. The store could never have been placed in a more suitable location ; it not only commands a beautiful view of the surrounding country, but is located in the heart of one of the best farming communi- ties in Bucks County. In 1893, our subject purchased the homestead upon which he has since made improvements, and where he now resides. Mr. Trumbower in 1893 was appointed jus- tice of the peace, and in 1888 he established a post oflSce and called it Passer instead of Fairmount, and since January i, 1898, has 514 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES served as postmaster. He is. also a director of the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company. He was united in the bonds of matrimony with Amelia Koch, a daughter of Daniel and Mary (Stohl) Koch, and they are the parents of three children, namely : Henry Roscoe, who is attending the Lehigh Preparatory School of Bethlehem, Pa. ; and Mabel Eliza- beth and Paul, who are both living at home. Our subject and family are members of the I/Utheran Church. Fraternally, he is a mem- ber of the Masonic Order, No. 469, F. & A. M. ; and the Allen Chapter, No. 203. In politics our subject is a Democrat, but holds himself ready to vote for whom he considers most fit to serve the people. Mr. Trumbower stands high in the estimation of his fellow-men, and is one of the most prosperous and highly re- spected citizens of Bucks County. ~CjDWI> jDWIN J. KIRK, a prosperous and en- J terprising dealer in general mer- chandise in the villages of Holicong and Buckingham Valley, Bucks County, is a highly esteemed resident of the former place, of which he has also served as postmaster since June 2, 1881. He is a son of John M. and Mary (Vasey) Kirk, and was born in Buckingham township, Bucks County, Pa., Septembers, 1855. John M. Kirk, our subject's father, was born in Bucks County, on a farm, and was reared to agricultural pursuits, following that occu- pation throughout life. He was a man of high character and was possessed of many friends throughout Buckingham township, in which he lived. He was united in marriage with Mary Vasey, by whom he had five chil- dren, namely: Emma R., the wife of James Anderson, whose life sketch appears in this work ; Pearson, a coal and lumber dealer of Buckingham Valley; Edwin J., the subject of this personal history ; I^aura, deceased ; and William, deceased. Mrs. Kirk died when our subject was quite young, and Mr. Kirk formed a second alliance wath Hulda Fell, who now lives at Forest Grove, and they had one child : Harry W., a farmer residing at Forest Grove. Our subject's father was called to his final rest in 1893. Edwin J. Kirk obtained a good common school training and lived upon the farm until he embarked in the mercantile business at Holicong, and opened the only store of its kind in the village. He purchased a superior line of goods, and by his enterprise and the courtesy, which he extended toward his cus- tomers, gained the patronage of the leading citizens in the village and vicinity, which he retains to the present day. Realizing the necessity for a similar store at Buckingham Valley, he established one there which has flourished and is in a prosperous condition. In 1880, Mr. Kirk was joined in Hymen's bonds with Mary Trego, a native of Pineville, Bucks County, and a daughter of Dr. Albert Trego. Dr. Trego had a large practice at Pineville, where he was one of the most prominent citizens. Two children were born to bless this union, namely : Newton ; and Robert. Our subject is a man of learning, well-read and versed in all topics of interest to the people, and takes an active interest in the development of Holicong. Politically, JOHN B. WALTER. MRS. ADELINE E. WALTER. BUCKS COUNTY 519 he is a Republican and has served as post- master since June 2, 1881. He is an active worker in the Doylestown Lodge, No. 93, I. O. O. F. ; and also the Encampment. Re- ligiously, both he and his faithful wife are members of the Friends' Meeting of Buck- ingham. 'OHN B. WALTER, one of Bucks County's prominent and progressive farmers, and highly respected citi- zens, is located on a handsome farm in War- rington township, consisting of 131 acres of highly cultivated land. He is a self-made man in every respect, having started out in life without a dollar, but rich in determina- tion and perseverance, and is now the pos- sessor of a fine estate. He was born in the above township, February 14, 1835, and is a son of Samuel and Deborah (Brunner) Walter. George Walter, the grandfather, was a blacksmith at Doylestown, Pa., during his early manhood, but later moved to Warring- ton township and settled on what is now our subject's present farm. Before moving on the farm he operated a saw mill and followed blacksmithing, his wife taking charge of the saw mill a good part of the time. Samuel Walter, the father, was born in Warrington township on the present homestead and was reared to agricultural pursuits, which occu- pation he followed all his active days. He was a very prominent man of his day and was at one time a candidate on the Republi- can ticket for the State Legislature. He en- tered the world of rest in the year 185 1. He was joined in inarriage with Deborah Brun- ner, a daughter of John Brunner, who was a hotel keeper in the city of Philadelphia, having at an earlier period worked at farm- ing and milling; he is now deceased. The mother of our subject died in 1874, and she was the mother of six children, namely : John B., the subject of this sketch ; George, a plasterer of Doylestown, wedded Mary Young; Catherine is the wife of William A. Smith, a hardware merchant of Newtown, Pa. ; Eliza- beth is the widow of John Marks, and she now resides in Philadelphia, where she is engaged in dressmaking; Anna M. is the wife of Joshua W. Scott, who is a retired farmer and cattle dealer of Doylestown; and Frances, who is the wife of Preston Bissey, a carpenter by trade, and they live in Phila- delphia. Our subject received a common school edu- cation and after marriage took charge of the homestead, where he has since resided and is considered one of the valued members of the community. He has made many improve- ments upon the homestead since taking pos- session of it, and it ranks among the best farms in his section of the township ; in ad- dition to carrying on general farming, he is also engaged in stock-raising. Mr. Walter was married December 2, 1856, to Adeline E. Hoover, a native of Warring- ton township and a daughter of Frederick W. and Maria (Fleck) Hoover, the former a farmer and a native of Warrington township, and the latter a native of Montgomery Coun- ty, Pa. A family of eight children has blessed the home of our subject and wife, namely: Mary H., a school teacher; Ida 520 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES Elizabeih, the wife of Frank I,arzalere, a farmer of Warrington township ; Maria, the wife of Edwin Garges, a farmer of Doyles- town, Pa.; Willie died aged nineteen years; Samuel died aged two years; Andrew J. is preparing himself for the ministry at New Brunswick College; Gertrude died aged six years; and Mattie h- is the wife of H. Mar- tyn McKinstry, and they reside on a farm adjoining the one owned by our subject. Politically, Mr. Walter is a Democrat and has served nineteen years as school director and has held several minor township offices. Socially, he is a member of Doylestown Lodge, No. 245, F. & A. M.; Doylestown Chapter; Pennsylvania Commandery, No. 70, Knights Templar of Philadelphia; and I. O. O. F., Warrington Lodge, No. 447. Mr. Walter and family are prominent mem- bers of the German Reformed Church, and all take an active interest in church work. We take pleasure in announcing that por- traits of Mr. and Mrs. Walter appear on pre- ceding pages. U'rANKUN ELY. Among the largest _L « . eedsmen and florists of the Keystone State is The Samuel Wilson Company, one of the oldest and most reliable firms of its kind in the state, and is well known through- out every state in the Union. This Company, which is located in the village of Mechanics- ville, Buckingham township, Bucks County, was established by Samuel Wilson more than a score of years ago, and since his death Mr. Ely has had possession of the same. Mr. Ely has had much experience in this line of business, and is a man well worthy of being at the head of. a company so well known. Our subject has always been identified with the growth of his native county, and is re- garded as one of the substantial members of his community ; he was born in Solebury township, this county, June 27, 1862, and is a son of Joseph and Martha (Stout) Ely. Joseph Ely was also born in Solebury town- ship, Bucks County, and was reared to agri- cultural pursuits, which vocation he is at present pursuing in his native township. For many years he was engaged in trucking, but has since devoted his attention to general farming. As a result of his marriage with Martha Stout a family of five children was reared, namely : Franklin, the subject of this sketch ; Nathan, a harnessmaker, who re- mains at home assisting his father; Cathe- rine, the wife of John Worthington, of Tre- vose, this county ; Ella was united in marriage with Albert Worthington, and they reside at Bridge Valley, Pa. ; and Rachael, who re- mains at home. Our subject possesses a common school education, which he acquired in the schools of his native township ; early in life he began to work out on a farm, and, at twenty-one years of age, went to Mechanicsville, where he entered the employ of Samuel Wilson, and, after becoming thoroughly acquainted with that line of business, some six years later moved to Doylestown, where he embarked in a like business ; after two years of that business on his own account he re-entered the employ of Mr. Wilson, and worked in his store at Doylestown. Upon the death of BUCKS COUNTY 521 our subject's employer Mr. Ely purchased the business at Mechanicsville, and has since devoted his entire attention to the seed busi- ness. He operates a large building and 20 acres of land, from which he raises his seed. In connection with this business our subject has a small printing office;, and during each year he prints labels, seed bags, circulars, etc. ; 50,000 catalogues, which are annually distri- buted throughout the l/nited States, are printed in Philadelphia. Our subject makes a specialty of seed wheat, seeds of all kinds of small fruits and flowers, fancy poultry and German hares. Wilson's New Red Wonder Wheat, one of our subject's specialties, has been tried in almost every section of the United States, and the results have been most gratifying. At the World's Eair, Chicago, 111., 1893, Samuel Wilson made an exhibit of thirty different varieties of winter wheat, all of his own growing ; among these was the New Red Wonder, which was pro- nounced by competent and experienced judges to be one of the best milling wheats out of more than five thousand samples ex- hibited at the Exposition. At Mr. Wilson's death, in 1897, Mr. Ely assumed charge and carried on the business under the style of The Samuel Wilson Com- pany, as noted above. Among our subject's specialties in the poultry line are the American Dominique, Buff I^eghorn, White Plymouth Rocks, Barred Plymouth Rocks, Imperial P. Ducks, and the Light Brahmas. The Samuel Wilson Company does an exceedingly large business, and ships by mail, express, and freight to every state in the Union. Mr. Ely was married, in 1888, to Isabella Flack, a daughter of J. Mathias and Sarah Jane Flack, who reside in Forest Grove, Pa., and this union has been blessed by the birth of three children, named as follows : Florence May ; Sarah Jane ; and Harold R. Politi- cally, our subject is a solid Republican ; fra- ternally, he is a member of the I. O. O. F., Aquetong I,odge, No. 193, of Doylestown, Pa. ; and Knights of the Golden Eagle, Dan- boro Castle, No. 137, of Danboro, Pa. Reli- giously, he and his family are devoted mem- bers of the Baptist Church of Doylestown. OHN K. DUNGAN has been living in retirement since 1888, having accu- mulated a competency in the prosecu- tion of the calling of a farmer ; he is now spending his declining days in happiness and comfort, on his fine farm in Northampton township, where he is surrounded by a mul- tude of friends who respect his many sterling qualities. He was born in the above town- ship June 27, 1826, and is a son of Jesse and Adreann (Cornell) Dungan. The grandparents of our subject were Isaac and Mary (Dyer) Dungan, the former also a native of the above township and the latter of Frankford, Pa. Isaac Dungan was a farmer of Northampton township all his life. Three children were born to him and his wife, namely : Thomas, a farmer of Buckingham township, who married Rebecca Montanye ; John, a farmer of Northampton township, who married Eliza Reed ; and Jesse, the father of our subject, and eldest of his father's chil- dren. The maternal grandfather of our sub- 522 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES ject was Gilliam Cornell, a native of South- ampton township, where he was engaged in mercantile business many years and later devoted himself to farming. He married a Miss Craven, by whom he reared four chil- dren, namely : Adreann, the mother of our subject ; Catherine, the wife of John Terry, a farmer and carpenter of Southampton town- ship; Jane, the wife of Thomas Twining; and Craven, who married Martha Vanzant, and they formerly lived in Southampton township, but are now both deceased. Jesse Dungan spent the major portion of his active days in Northampton township, engaged in the cultivation of the soil. He was a very prominent man of his day and held the oiBce of county collector many years, and was elected to other township offices. He died in Northampton township in 1895, at the advanced age of ninety-one years ; his wife passed from this life in Tinicum town- ship. As a result of his union with Adreann Cornell, a family of nine children was born to them, namely : Isaac, deceased, was a farmer of Southampton township, — his first wife was Rebecca Booz, and his second, Cynthia Ann Doan ; George, a retired commission merchant of Philadelphia, living at Brownsburg, Pa., was formerly a seamau, following that life fourteen years ; John K., the subject of this sketch, was next in order ; David is retired and lives at Trenton, N. J. ; Mary Jane was the wife of Franklin Fetter,— both are now deceased ; Anna Eliza, wife of John Trauck ; Ivouisa was wedded to William Cook, who is now deceased ; Adeline is the wife of A. E. Firman, whose sketch also appears in this Book of Biographies ; Sallie was wedded to Smith Keller, a baggageman on the P. & R. R. R., who was killed in a wreck in 1895. John K. Dungan received his education in the common schools, and later paid his way through a pay school ; he started out in life without a cent and without a suit of clothes, and has shown what a man with willine hands and an unusually large amount of de- termination can do. He first worked four or five years on the farm of William Yonker, receiving a salary of $100 per year; he then spent two or three years working on his father- in-law's farm. After this he went to Wrights- town, where for four years he resided, renting Giles Gordon's farm. He then removed to Huntingdon Valley, Pa., where he followed farming two years. The next eight years were spent in farming in Upper Makefield township, and in 1873 he purchased of Josiah Roberts his present farm, which consisted of 100 acres, for which he was obliged to pay the sum of $140 per acre. He has since purchased the G. J. Gallagher property of 70 acres, and has sold oflF land at different times until he now owns 117 acres of highly im- proved land. In connection with general farming he has run a commission wagon to the Philadelphia markets for the past twenty years, taking to the markets at one time as high as 800 pounds of butter, a product that was always easily disposed of, because of its good quality. Our subject has always been a lover of fine horses, and has bought and sold horses for many years. Mr. Dungan was wedded September 9, 1855, with Esther Cooper, of Northampton township, a daughter of Joseph and Tacy (Scarber) Cooper, the former a farmer of that BUCK-S COUNTY 523 township. Three children have been born to this union, namely : Lavina, the wife of B. Franklin Gilkyson, a farmer of Northampton township, is the mother of three children, Britton, Esther, and Lizzie ; Josephine is the wife of George Gill, also a farmer of the above-named township, and three children have been born to them. Flora, John and George ; and J. Cooper, who married Addie McNair, and runs the old farm. Politically, our subject is a Democrat and has served as supervisor many years ; socially, he is a mem- ber of the Grange at Richboro ; L,odge No. 247, F. & A. M. of Newtown ; and I. O. O. F. of Richboro. Religiously, he is an attendant of the Reformed Church. Mr. Dungan has always been an industrious worker, good neighbor, generous friend, dutiful citizen, and has won the respect and good-will of many friends throughout the county. ^RS. ELIZABETH K. GREER, a daughter of Joseph and Cynthia (Kirk) Carver, is the relict of Joseph J. Greer, who was a prosperous mer- chant of the borough of Newtown and a gen- tleman of noble impulses, who was held in high esteem by a large circle of acquaint- ances throughout Bucks County. Joseph J. Greer was born in Plumstead township, Bucks County, in 1828, and was a son of James Jeflferson and Eliza (Jones) Greer. He was descended from Mathew Greer, who, with his brother John, came from Dublin, Ireland, about 1732, and located in Bucks County, Pa. They were possessed of means, and purchased some 300 acres of land in Plumstead township, where they built a home and resided the remainder of their lives. Mathew Greer took Jane Sav- idge to wife, and they had six children, the second child born being Mathew, the grand- father of our subject's husband. Mathew Greer, Jr., throughout his career continued to farm the old homestead, and lived a long and useful life, dying in 181 1. He married Sarah Snodgrass, a daughter of James Snod- grass, and they reared four children, namely : John ; James JeflFerson ; Jane ; and Ann. James JeflFerson Greer was born on the old homestead August 29, 1801, and after reach- ing maturity engaged in mercantile pursuits at Dublin, Bucks County, where he became a man of considerable prominence. For many years he was president of the Doylestown & Dublin Turnpike Company. Politically, he was a stanch Democrat, whilst in religious belief he was a Presbyterian. He formed a matrimonial alliance with Eliza Jones, a daughter of Griffith and Mary (Mathias) Jones, by whom he had the following chil- dren : Joseph J. , our subject's departed hus- band ; John, who is engaged in tilling the soil on the old homestead ; Mary ; Sarah ; James, an attorney-at-law of Philadelphia; and Jane Ann.- Joseph J. Greer, in his younger days, as- sisted his father in the store, and later em- barked in the mercantile business at Newtown, with his brother-in-law, William K. Carver. He was a shrewd business man, an excellent manager, and, being of industrious habits, made a success of life and accumulated a handsome competency. He conducted his 524 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES store in Newtown until 1890, when he re- tired. He died in 1895, at the age of sixty- eight years. He was a man of many excel- lent traits of character, a kind neighbor and a true friend, and was dearly beloved by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. Mr. Greer was joined in Hymen's bonds with Elizabeth K. Carver, who is of English descent, and traces her ancestry back to William Carver, who came from England in 1682 and located at Byberry, Philadelphia County, Pa. In 1700 he moved to Bucking- ham township, Bucks County, where he fol- lowed the vocation of a farmer. His son, William, the great-grandfather of otir sub- ject, was a carpenter by trade and followed it all his life in connection with farming. One of the results of his workmanship is the old brick hotel which still stands in Newtown. His wife's maiden name was Strickler, and their union resulted in the birth of the fol- lowing : Joseph ; Mary, the wife of William Kirk ; and William, who died in childhood. Joseph was a farmer and a miller by trade, and during the latter years of his life operated a saw and flour mill in Buckingham, Pa. He died in 1835, at the ripe old age of seventy-five years. His companion in life was Elizabeth Kimble, and their union re- sulted in the following issue : Jesse P.; Es- ther, who married William McDowell; Joseph, the father of our subject; Eliza, the wife of Samuel Kirk ; and Anthony, who died young. Joseph Carver was born in Buckingham township, and during his younger days was a farmer, but later en- gaged in the milling business with his father at Buckingham, Pa. ; he was residing, at the time of his death, in Philadelphia, Pa. He married Cynthia Kirk, and their happy union was blessed by the birth of six children, namely : William K., a record of whose life appears elsewhere in this Book of Biogra- phies ; Wilson J. ; Jesse H. ; Joseph C. ; Mary, the wife of Edward Woodman ; and Eliza- beth K., whose name heads these lines. Mr. and Mrs. Greer became the proud parents of one daughter, Alice ;G., who is the wife of Edward H. Buckman. Edward H. Buckman, who is one of the enterprising and progressive citizens of New- town, was born July 4, 1857, and is a son of l/cwis and Clarissa (Lee) Buckman, and a grandson of Thomas Buckman. Lewis Buckman was born November 2, 1815. Samuel T. Buckman purchased the home farm where Thomas Buckman now resides in Newtown, and disposed of this property to his brother, Lewis, who, at a later day, sold it to Eli Buckman. Lewis Buckman also owned several farms in different sections of the township. He dealt largely in real estate and loans, and being a shrewd and calculating business man, made money rapidly and by honest methods. He was president of the Newtown Building & Loan Association; trustee of the Newtown Hall; director of the Bridge ton & Newtown Turn- pike Company ; and of the Newtown First National Bank. Socially, he was a member and past master of the Masonic Lodge of Newtown. Mr. Buckman's useful career came to an end January 8, 1895. He was joined in wedlock with Clarissa Lee, a daughter of Reuben Lee, of Milford town- ship, and they had the following children : BUCKS COUNTY 525 Katie, born in 1854, died in 187 1 ; lyizzie, born in 1855, died in 1862 ; Edward H. ; and Willie, who was born in i860, and died in 1862. Mrs. Buckman, who was born De- cember 21, 1 8 19, died June 23, 1889, at the age of seventy years. Edward H. Buckman, after obtaining a good business education in the Business College of Trenton, N. J., de- voted his time to caring for his property and has also been identified with many of the leading enterprises about the borough of Newtown. He takes great pride in his native town, and has done all within his power to advance its interests. He owns a controlling interest in the Gas Works, of which he is secretary and treasurer; he is one of the original stockholders and directors of the Electric Street Railway; a charter member of the Newtown Building & Loan Association,, of which he is a director; a director of the Electric lyight Plant ; director and secretary of the Newtown Water Works ; director and secretary of the Newtown & Bridgeton Turnpike Company; trustee and secretary of Newtown Hall ; and a director of the Newtown Improvement Company. As a result of his union with our subject's daughter, Mr. Buckman is the father of two children, namely : Clara I,., who was born March 31, 1884; and Edith G., who was born June 3, 1890. He resides in one of the most beautiful and attractive homes in his section of the county, having remodeled it, erected large barns, and made other modern improvements. The lawn, which is well set out with shrubbery and trees, is the largest as well as the most beautiful in the borough, and is greatly admired by all who see it. Mrs. Greer is now residing at the home of Mr. Buckman, and has many friends in that locality, for she has lived there for many years, and to know her is to love her. "I® I ENRY GILIv, ex-county commissioner r^ and a retired farmer of Northamp- -■- V ton township, Bucks County, Pa., where he was engaged in agricultural pur- suits nearly all his active career, is now spending his latter days in peace and comfort in the village of Richboro, where he owns a handsome home. He owns the old Dungan homestead in Northampton township, which homestead comprises 216 acres of the best farming land in the district. This much re- spected citizen was born in Southampton township, this county, September 8, 1821, and is a son of John and Jane (Dungan) Gill, and grandson of John Gill. John Gill, our subject's paternal grand- father, was of English origin, and was a resi- dent of Philadelphia many years, where he was engaged in the manufacture of shoes; later he came to New Britain township, this county, and was the first of the family to lo- cate in Bucks County. He took up a large tract of land in Northampton township, and carried on agricultural pursuits the rest of his active days; he was prominent in his com- munity and commanded the respect and good- will of a host of acquaintances. He was the progenitor of the following children : John; Rebecca, the wife of George Edwards, of Ohio ; Anna, the wife of Joseph Carrell • I^ydia, wedded to Joel Carver ; Sidney, who married 526 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES Laura Hart; and Henry, who married Mary Fretz. The maternal grandfather of our subject was Thomas Dungan, a farmer of Bucks County ; he married Sarah Krusen, and they became the parents of one child, Jane, the mother of our subject. John Gill was born in Northamptom town- ship, and died in Solebury, Pa., in 1849. He was reared to agricultural pursuits and con- tinued that occupation throughout his entire days. He was a very prominent man of his day, enterprising and public spirited, and en- joyed the esteem and respect of a large circle of friends. He took an active interest in politics, and firmly upheld the principles of the Democratic party. Religiously, he was a member of the Reformed Church. He was united in marriage with Jane Dungan, a na- tive of Northampton township, and this union was blessed by the birth of twelve children, the most of whom lived to be well-to-do and prosperous citizens : Sarah, deceased, was the wife of John Lefferts, of Northampton town- ship; John lives in the same township, and is a retired farmer ; Samuel, deceased, was a far- mer also of Northampton township, and his wife was Sarah Gilkyson; Henry, the subject of this memoir; Eliza, the wife of Andrew J. Ely, a farmer of Solebury, Pa.; James, a prominent lumber dealer of Philadelphia, was married to Susan Gill ; Ann, the wife of David Krusen, of Northampton township; Isaac resides in Illinois, and is a farmer by occupation; Jacob, deceased, was killed at Pike's Peak by falling under a wagon load of lumber; Abraham, deceased, was killed in the battle of Fair Oaks, during the Civil War, and his wife was Ellen Mattison ; Mary, de- ceased, was the wife of Henry Vantilburg, a farmer of Ohio; and Jonathan, deceased. Henry Gill possesses a good education, which he received in the district schools of his native township; he remained under the parental roof until he attained his majority, assisting his father in the work about the farm. Leaving home, he spent four years working out on a farm, and after his mar- riage purchased the old Dungan homestead, north of the village of Richboro, which con- sists of 216 acres; our subject has made many improvements upon the same, and, in addition to carrying on general farming, sold milk for nearly three years, and for forty years sold produce to the markets of Philadelphia, never missing a trip during that period. He was very successful in all his undertakings, which may be attributed lo his untiring energy and perseverance, and in all business transactions he preserved his reputation for honesty and square dealings ; he enjoyed the distinction of being one of the foremost and enterprising farmers of his community. In February, 1846, our subject was wedded to Ann Eliza Banes, a native of Southamp- ton township, and a daughter of Hoglen and Eliza (Roberts) Banes, both of whom are now deceased. Our subject's second wife is Eliza- beth A. Price, and they were married May 2, 1893 ; she was the widow of Edward CafFey, of Wrightstown, Pa., and a daughter of William and Sarah Price, both natives of Northampton township; the former died in August, 1890; the latter now resides with her daughter, Mrs. W. G. Glab, in North- ampton township. Six children were the WIILLIAM S. SCHLICHTER. BUCKS COUNTY 529 fruits of our subject's first marriage, namely: Josephine, the wife of Albert Lefferts, of Phil- adelphia, is the mother of five children — Harry, Anna, Lizzie, Charles, and Parks; Elwood wedded Caroline Finney, by whom he reared three children — Harriet, Anna, and Henry; George, a farmer of Northampton; township, married Josephine .Dungan, and they are the parents of three children — rFlor^ ence, John, and George; and Stephen, who married Ellen Carr, and has charge of the, homestead. Politically, Mr. Gill is aij ardent supporter of Democratic principles, and, has served as inspector of elections several times,; and from 1891 to 1894 held the ofiice of county commissioner, the. duties of which of- fice he honestly and faithfully discharged. Religiously, he is a devoted member and lib- eral supporter of the Reformed Church of Richboro. Since 1887, our subject has been, living in retirement, in that year purchasing the home of Mrs. Sarah Campbell, of Rich- boro, where he has since resided, enjoying the fruits of his early toil. Wi ILUAM S. SCHLICHTER, who has efiiciently served as postmas- ter of Sellersville since 1897, is a- man of great energy and enterprise, and has proba- bly done more toward the advancement of the interests of that borough than any other man. He was born in Sellersville, Septemr ber 22, 1866, and is a son of William and Mary (Mangle) Schlichter. The great-grandfather of our subject was Andrew Schlichter, who was born in the city of Philadelphia, but took up farming as his life's vocation and settled in Rockhill town- ship. He was an extensive land owner and one of the influential men of his day. He was twice married, his first wife being a Miss Hu'nsberger, : who was, the mother of our subject's grandfather. After her demise he formed a-second alliance, with a Philadelphia lady and :\a,tex ; reitioVed,' to ; Philadelphia, where hedied.at an advancedvage. His grandfather was Henry Schlichter, who was one of the early and extensive land ; owners of this section, owning a large estate in the original township of Rockhill, which now forms almost the entire site of Sellers- ville. He was an extensive farmer and regu- larly;once a week went to Philadelphia with produce from his community. He was a very prosperous ma'b. arid was well known throughout the township. When the North Perin Railroad was under construction, he became one of the stockholders ; upon the completion of the road a great excursion was to be given and each' stockholder was entitled to, ride free; but upon the eventful day he was stricken with paralysis and died in 1859. He chose as his companion in life -Mary Senn, whose deatth occurred at the age of severity-seven years,, arid .they were the parents of ,twoi children : William, the father of our' subject; and Elizabeth (Billger). William Schlicher was born on the farm Romyen Kuen now occupies, in the month of May, 1826, and was reared and educated to agricultural pursuits. After a time he acquired a large portion of his father's estate, where he established a home and still resides, enjoying the best of health. He is one of 530 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES the good substantial citizens of his commu- nity, and is held in high esteem by a large circle of acquaintances. He formed a marital union with Mary Maugle, who died at the age of sixty-six years, and to them were born four children : Annie, deceased ; Henry M., who makes his home in the state of Kansas; Thomas M., who conducts a general store in Sellersville ; and William S., a record of whose life is here given. Mr. Schlichter is an unswerving Republican in his political affiliations, and for fifteen years served as a councilman of the village organization. William S. Schlichter, after completing the course prescribed in the common schools, took a course in Pierce's Business College, Philadelphia, where he obtained a good busi- ness education. He then, in 1891, conducted a mercantile store in Hellertown for three years, after which he accepted a position as teller in the Sellersville Bank, in which capacity he served in a faithful manner for a period of five years, but finally resigned upon receiving the appointment as postmas- ter in 1897. He has since performed the duties of that office in a conscientious man- ner and has gained the respect and good-will of every one concerned. In 1 89 1, Mr. Schlichter was united in hymeneal bonds with Ada R. Day, a daugh- ter of Frank Day of Philadelphiaj and they are the proud parents of one bright and in- teresting son, Ralph. Politically, he is a firm Republican, and has served as commit- teeman of the district ever since he attained his majority with the exception of one and a half years. He also served as councilman one term, being the only Republican ever elected to that position on a regular ticket. Socially, he is of considerable prominence, being one of the prime movers in the Odd Fellow Ivodge of Sellersville. It was greatly through his influence that the Odd Fellows' Temple, which has resulted in much benefit to the borough, was erected during the sum- mer of 1896. This handsome structure which cost in the neighborhood of |i 8,000, was dedicated in April, 1897, and as our sub- ject was in the chair at the time, he presided over the ceremonies with a dignity befitting the occasion. He is also a member of the McCalla I/odge, No. 596, F. & A. M. of Sel- lersville. In religious attachments, he and his wife are faithful members of the Reformed Church, as were his ancestors before him. Mr. Schlichter's portrait appears on another page, in connection with th^ above account of his life. B R. HARRISON SMITH, a success- ful practitioner of medicine, who is located upon his farm of 87 acres, in Upper Makefield township, Bucks County, is also engaged in agricultural pursuits. He is a man of high principles and is one of the good substantial citizens of that section. He is a son of Watson and Amy (Scarborough) Smith, and was born in Wrightstown town- ship, Bucks County, August 16, 1847. Watson Smith, the father of our subject, was born in Upper Makefield township and there resided and engaged in farming until 1838, when he located upon a farm in Wrightstown township. In his early days he was not only engaged in farming, but plied BUCKS COUNTY 531 the trade of a shoemaker as well. He resided in Wrightstown township until his death, which occurred April 14, 1883. His compan- ion in the pathways of life was Amy Scar- borough, a native of Solebury township, Bucks County, and their union resulted in the following issue : Theodore, who died at the age of twenty years ; Anna Maria, who died at the age of three ; Elias, who reached the age of fifty-six years before succumbing to the inevitable; Margery S., the wife of Croasdale Worthington, a farmer residing at Penn's Park, Bucks County; and Harrison, whose name heads this record. Mrs. Smith was called to her final rest in 1 877. Dr. Harrison Smith obtained his education in the common schools and at the Carvers- ville Institute, attending the latter for two and a half years. He then engaged as a teacher in Rockhill township for three months, after which he served in a similar capacity in the places cited below for the length of time stated: Southampton town- ship, one and a half years ; Camden County , N. J., in the village of HurfiFville, seven months ; Solebury township, this county, for one year, beginning in 1 872 ; Bristol town- ship, one year; Warrington township, one term ; and Spring House, Montgomery County, for one year. Being a man of excep- tional intellectual training and a student by nature, he proved an able instructor, impart- ing his knowledge to others with surprising ease, thereby gaining the respect and hearty support of the citizens of the various commu- nities named above. In 1 876, he decided upon a medical career, and in the fall of that year began the study for that profession under Dr. George W. Gross, of Washington, D. C. One year later he went to Cincinnati, O., where he entered the Physico-Medical College, grad- uating on January 21, 1878, and receiving a certificate to practice. He then returned to Bucks County, Pa., locating at Wycombe, where he purchased a farm and cultivated it for a period of seven years. He then moved to Pineville, this county, where he was en- gaged in practice on a small scale for five years, after which he purchased his present farm in Upper Makefield township, in 1895, and there has since been engaged in farming in connection with the practice of his pro- fession. He owns 87 acres and carries on general farming. Professionally, he is well patronized and has a stock of drugs on hand at all times, including all necessary medicines for the relief of the suffering. He is popular, a pleasant companion, and is well thought of by his large circle of acquaintances. Politically, Dr. Smith was reared a Repub- lican and cast his first vote for Gen. Grant, in 1868, but has since become an enthusi- astic Prohibitionist, because of his belief that liquor is the curse of mankind. ,He is a director of the Newtown National Bank, and, socially, is a member of the Grange. TT^HARLES CRAVEN, a veteran of the I St^ Civil War, is one of the prosperous ^■^ ^ farmers of Northampton town- ship, Bucks County, Pa., where he owns a fine farm of 130 acres of well improved land, and has been engaged in the cultivation of the soil all his life. He was born in the 532 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES above township January 26, 1843, and is a son of James and Mary (Cornell) Craven, and grandson of Thomas Craven. Thomas Craven was a farmer of Warmin- ster township, this county, and was married to Jane Krusen, by whom he reared the fol- lowing children : Cynthia, the wife of Isaac Van Horn ; Matilda was wedded to Aaron Cornell, who is now deceased, and she lives in Churchville, Pa. ; Jane was married, to William Moore, who is now deceased, and she now resides at Somertori, Pa. ; and James, the father of our subject. The maternal grandfather of our subject was John Cornell, a farmer of Northampton township, and his wife was Elizabeth Vandegrift, and they be- came the parents of five children, namely : William, who was married to Cornelia Krusen, and they live at Richboro, Pa. ; Mary, the mother of our subject ; Alfred, de- ceased, was wedded to Rebecca Van Buskirk, who is also deceased ; L/Ouisa was the wife of Isaac Rightly, and they are both deceased ; and John, a resident of Richboro, Pa., who was united in marriage with Ella Bennett. James Craven was a native of Northamp- ton township and was educated to agricul- tural pursuits, which occupation he continued all his life. He died when in the prime of life, December 20, 1848. He was joined in the bonds of matrimony with Mary Cornell, also a native of Northampton township, and a family of four children was born to them, as follows : Annie, the wife of John Thomp- son, a carpenter of Richboro; Charles, our subject ; Elizabeth, who was the wife of John Addis, died in 1874; and Matilda, the wife of John Pedcock, a farmer of this county. Religiously, Mr. Craven was a member of the Reformed Church. The mother of our subject resides in Richboro, Pa. Charles Craven, as well as his sisters, was educated in the public schools of his native township. He remained at home until the breaking out of the Civil War, and then in June, 1861, enlisted in Co. I, 68th Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf , at Philadelphia, and was mustered into the United States service June 7, 1862. His record is one of which any soldier would be proud, he having participated in twenty- eight engagements, and was wounded but twice: December 13, 1862, at the battle of Fredericksburg, he was shot through the right arm, and later at Petersburg he was shot through the leg. At the time he was mustered out, which was in June, 1865, he was with the Army of the Potomac. After peace had been restored, our subject returned to the old homestead and took charge of the same three years prior to his grandfather's death ; the homestead then consisted of 80 acres, but, in 1897, our subject added 50 acres by purchase from Thomas I/ivezey. Farming is his principal occupation, and he is regarded as one of the vakied members of his com- munity. Mr. Craven was wedded September 17, 1867, to Caroline W. Cook, a native of Northampton township, and a daughter of A. P. and Margaret (Wyncoop) Cook ; her father was a farmer of Pennington, N. J. , but at the , time of her birth he resided where his daugh- ter now lives. Six children blessed the home of our subject and wife, namely : Wil- liam, a farmer, who wedded Jennie Garner, of Williamsport, Pa. ; Abraham Lincoln, a BUCKS COUNTY 533 printer, has his office in Nos. 29 and 31 South Sixth street, Philadelphia; Thomas remains at home ; Fred works in the Enter- prise office at Newtown, Pa. ; Samuel ; and Charles Edgar, who is attending the Rich- boro High School. AH our subject's chil- dren were educated in the public schools and William is a graduate of Stewart's College. Abraham L,incoln, Thomas and Fred attend- ed the Hatboro High School, while Samuel is a graduate of the Newtown High School. Politically, Mr. Craven is a stanch Republi- can, whilst religiously, he and his family are members of the Reformed Church at Church- ville. Pa. Socially Mr. Craven is a member of the John H.Fisher Post, No. loi, G. A. R. , at Hatboro, Pa. 7T\HARI.ES DAUBACH, who is now I St^ living in practical retirement at his ^- ^ home in Riegelsville, Bucks Coun- ty, is a gentleman who has attained high dis- tinction as a master of ethnology and phreno- logy. At an early age he manifested a desire to delve into these intricate and interesting branches of science, and has made them a life-long study. He came to be known as an authority upon the subjects, and for many years has been a constant contributor to the press and different scientific . magazines ; his writings are seized with avidity by all stu- dents of science and receive hearty recogni- tion at the hands of professors in the leading scientific institutions in this country. Al- though his time has been mainly taken up with that line of work, he has been identified with a number of business enterprises, in which he has been very successful, and is one of the good reliable citizens of Durham township. He was born on the old family property now owned by his brother, S. H. lyaubach, in Durham township, Bucks Coun- ty, August 29, 1836, and is a son of Anthony and Elizabeth (Hess) lyaubach. He is descended from Rhinehart Laubach, a native of Germany ; he was the father of Capt. Christian Laubach, who was born in Germany, about thirty miles south of Straus- burg, on the Rhine River. The latter came to America with his wife, children, and his father, leaving the Palatinate, Germany, on the ship " Queen Elizabeth," and landing in Philadelphia, Pa., September 16, 1738. He soon after located on I,aubach creek, lyower Saucon township, Bucks County, but now in Northampton County, where his fa- ther died in 1 768. He followed the trade of a blacksmith, being extensively engaged in the manufacture of iron and cast iron kettles, and was connected with the Durham Fur- nace. He was a very progressive man and became the owner of several large tracts of land, and also built and operated a saw and grist mill ou Ivaubach creek, which is now owned by Theodore I/aubach. He was a captain in the Saucon Rangers in the French and Indian War, from 1755 to 1762. While still a resident of the old country, he mar- ried, and this union resulted in the birth of six children, two of whom were born in this country ; the record is as follows : John George; Elizabeth, born May 15, 1730, mar- ried Adam Kuckert ; Peter, born in 1734, married a Miss Krupley; Conrad, born in 534 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES 1737, married Catherine Houck ; Frederick, born in 1744, married Catherine Bitting; and Rhinehart, born in 1748, who married Mar- garet Bidleman. John George Laubach, the great-grand- father of our subject, was born November 1 1 , 1729, and upon coming to this country with his father located with him in I,ower Saucon township. He learned the trade of a black- smith, and became a skilled workman on tools and steel work. He married Elizabeth Yonson, and they reared twelve children ; Susan, born November 7, 1757, was the wife of John Michael, and upon his death became the wife of John Adams ; John C, born No- vember 28, 1759, married Elizabeth Writ- kneclit ; Adam, born November 20, 1761, mar- ried a Miss Berger; Ciiristian, born June 7, 1762, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War and married Anna May Steblers ; Annie Ma- rie, born in October, 1764, became the wife of Johnjacoby; John, born November 23, 1766; Conrad, born March 7, 1768; Anna Margaret, born January 19, 1770, was the wife of Dr. Peter Saylor ; Catherine, born November 7, 1772, was the wife of Daniel Writknecht; John George; Walburg, born February 15, 1776 ; and Elizabeth, born April 10, 1779. John George Daubach, the grandfather of our subject, was born March 5, 1774, and became a blacksmith and a carpenter. He assisted in building the Durham Church, and also built the house in which S. H. I/aubach now resides, the one in which Peter L,aubach lives, and also the one in which George Daubach lives. He became an extensive land-owner and a very wealthy man. He died at the advanced age of eighty- eight years, and his wife preceded him some years, dying at the age of sixty. He formed a matrimonial alliance in 1798 with Eliza- beth Reil, who was born in Williams town- ship, Northampton County, and they had the following oflFspririg : Mary, born Novem- ber 21, 1799, the wife of Jacob Boyer, lived for almost a century, dying in the ninety- eighth year of her age ; I^ydia, born June 7, 1802, became the wife of Joseph Trauger; An- thony, born October 18, 1804, married Eliza- beth Hess, a daughter of Judge George Hess, a captain in the War of 1812 ; Elizabeth, born June 23, 1807, married Samuel Rinker ; John born Julys, 18 10, died in infancy; Susan, born January 8, 1813, married Simon Illick ; Peter, born January i, 1816, married Lavina Bachman ; Anna Margaret, born May 30, 1 8 19, married Jacob Hess; and Sarah, born January 14, 1826, became the wife of David W. Hess. Mr. lyaubach was a supervisor for some years, and in religious belief was a member of the Reformed Church. Anthony I^aubach, our subject's father, settled in Durham township, Bucks County, on the farm now owned by Samuel H. I^au- bach, where he carried on agricultural pur- suits throughout his life. He was a very ac- tive man and one who possessed the confi- dence of all, being frequently called upon to settle estates. He was a school director and supervisor for many years. Religiously, he was a faithful member of the Reformed Church, and liberally contributed towards its maintenance. March 17, 1829, he married Elizabeth Hess, of lyower Saucon, and be- came the father of the following children : BUCKS COUNTY 535 Hannah, born March 21, 1830, became the wife of Rev. L,eidy N. Worman ; George W., born December 23, 1832, married Maria Fra- ley ; Samuel H., born March 23, 1834, mar- ried Sarah Rufe; Charles, whose name ap- pears at the head of these lines; Franklin, born September 13, 1838, married Elmira Heller ; Elizabeth, who was born May 4, 1841, died at an early age ; David Anthony, born December 18, 1843, died in infancy; James Francis, born April 25, 1847, also died in in- fancy ; and Benjamin H. , born March 30, 1853, who married Elizabeth Stover. Mr. Laubach passed to his final rest at the age of eighty-seven years, and his wife at sixty- eight. Charles L,aubacli was reared upon a farm and attended the public schools for some time, applying himself in a diligent manner and taking advantage of every opportunity for advancement. He subsequently took a classical course in the well known Vande- veer School at Easton, and in 1855 took a course of phrenological studies, including the Fowler & Wells system of that science. He made rapid strides in advancement in the knowledge of that science and in time took to lecturing on ethnology and phrenology, and continues to give delineations of charac- ter. In 1857, he studied obstetrics with Dr. John lyudlow, of Easton, and later practiced with him, using medical electricity with success for thirteen months, when he relinquished that profession owing to poor health. He retired to the farm and there continued in the study of science, devoting much of his time to geology and archaeology, during which time he collected many interesting specimen of minerals, relics, and curios of all kinds, which he has since donated to the Bucks County Historical Society, of which he is a charter member, and is also a member of Archaeology and Palaeontology of the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania, of which he is a field worker. He has done much surveying for mines in his section, and can give a geo- graphical and mineral description of Dur- ham and adjoining townships. At the pre- sent time, he is engaged in a historical work on the early Indians of Bucks County, with a description of their camps and manner of living, which will be an interesting and valuable work upon its completion. He has always taken a deep interest in educational matters, and for four years, beginning in 1885, he was superintendent of the Durham schools. He has also engaged in a number of enter- prises, and in connection with his brother, Samuel H., established a plant for the manu- facture of all kinds of brick for building pur- poses, which is now conducted for them by John W. Huffman. In 1865, they established a saw mill, which they operated for some fif- teen years, and which Samuel H. now con- ducts alone. Our subject embarked in the lime business and still owns the establish- ment, which is conducted by his nephew, H. R. I/aubach. He has been very successful in life, and has made a host of friends through- out the county, who hold him in the highest esteem. He still lives upon his farm, which he has greatly improved and made one of the finest in the section. March 29, i860, he was joined in Hymen's bonds with Jane Raub, a daughter of Joseph K. Raub, and she has indeed been a true 536 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES help-meet. They became the parents of one daughter, who was taken from them in her infancy, and they have since adopted a daugh- ter, lyizzie M. Sutton. 7TXHARLES D. BEANS, postmaster of I j/ the village of Fallsington, is one of ^••fc— -^ the oldest and most prominent business men of that community, and has, for more than the past quarter of a century, been engaged in the mercantile business. The name of Beans is an old and familiar one in Bucks County, and the people of that name have been connected with the growth and progress of this county for the past century and a half. The gentleman, whose name appears at the head of this notice, was born in Lower Makefield township, Bucks County, Pa., April ii, 1827, and is a son of Charles and Sarah (Buckman) Beans, and grandson of Benjamin Beans. Benjamin Beans lived all his life in the western part of L/Ower Makefield township and his vocation was that of an agriculturist, in which occupation he was very successful. He was joined in the bonds of wedlock with Mary Smith, and they became the parents of six children, who were named as follows: Charles ; Jonathan ; Elizabeth ; Sarah ; Ben- jamin ; and Seneca. Mr. Beans passed from this life at the age of eighty-four years, and his wife died aged eighty years. Religiously, they were prominent members of the Society of Friends. Charles Beans was born and reared in Lower Makefield township, Bucks County, and his education was obtained in the district schools of his native township ; although reared to agricultural pursuits, early in life he began to learn the trade of a tailor, which occupation he continued during his early manhood, be- ing at last obliged to give it up on account of poor health. He then took to farming and followed that throughout his remaining active days, and during the Civil War moved to the village Of Fallsington, where he en- tered the world of rest at the age of eighty- six years. Mr. Beans was united in marriage with Sarah Buckman, a daughter of William Buckman, a prominent farmer of Lower Makefield township, and to this union the following children were born : William, a resident of Yardley, Pa. ; Mary (Garwood), deceased ; Hannah (Twining), who lives at Newtown, Pa. ; Benjamin, deceased ; Lydia W. (Comfort), who resides in the village of Fallsington; and Charles D., the subject of this brief notice. Our subject's mother passed to the unknown beyond at the age of eighty years. Religiously, our subject's parents were members of the Society of Friends ; po- litically, Mr. Beans was formerly a Whig, but later became a Republican upon the forma- tion of that party. Charles D. Beans spent his boyhood days on his father's farm and attending the dis- trict schools ; attaining his manhood, he pur- sued the vocation of a farmer until 1872, when he decided to give up that occupation and move to some village to live ; accordingly, in that year he disposed of his farm and moved to Fallsington, where he embarked in the mercantile business, and has since been engaged in that line of business up to the EDWARD WORRELL. BUCKS COUNTY 539 present time; our subject . carries a full line of goods, and lias by his honest and straight- forward dealings built up a large and paying patronage. Mr. Beans is one of the energetic business men of Fallsington, is public spir- ited, and lends his influence in support' of any measure that tends to promote tlie welfare of Jiis adopted village. Mr. Beans chose for his life companion Mary T. Comfort, a daughter of Josiah and Rachael Gomfbrt, of Falls township, this county, and they were • happily iwedded in 185 1 ; thrfee children blessed the honie of this marriage, nainely : William, who married Hannah Van Horn, and they are the parents of two children, Clara and Willis ; Rachael C, deJceased; and Edward B., who married Emma Woolston. Our subject: and family are members of the Society of Friends ; po- litically, he is an unwavering Republican, and served as postmaster iseven . weeks . in Arthur's administration, held the same posi- tion throughout Harrison's administration, and is at present officiating in that capacity. y DWARD WORRELL, a prominent citi- J — zen of Bristol, Pa., whose portrait is shown on the opposite page, resides in his beautiful residence in that village" on Rad- cliffe street, along the banks of the Delaware River, and is engaged in looking after his private affairs. He was born at Penn's Manor, Pa., February 19, i8'47, and is a son of Edward S. and Mary (Pritchett) Worrell, and grandson of William and Margaret (Sol- oman) Worrell. William Worrell was a native of Philadel- phia, and upon attaining, his manhood en- gaged in the cloth -business in that city under the firm name of Worrell, Coates & Co. : In later years he left the city and moved on his farm, west of Philadelphia, where he spent his remaining. days. As a result of his marriage with . Margaret Soloman five children were raised, namely: Edward S., our subject's father; Sally; Caroline; Mary; and Albert. He and his family were Pres- byterians. Edward S. Worrell was also born in Phila- delphia, his bittli occurring in 1795 ; there he obtained his ielementary education and grew to manhood. A short time after reachh irig his majority, ; he. foUowpd the life of a seainan, but later located in Penn's Manor, where I he purchased a farm of 83 acres; he also bought land at Point Rock, this county, and J owned iconsiderable land in Clinton County, Pa. Beside farming he was engaged in the .irotl business, having a large interest in i a ; furnace at ' Shamokin, Pa, For many years he^was president of the Camden Rolling Mills.; ;Mr. Worrell was an active business man, a dutiful citizen, and was respected and esteemed for his many -exeelknt personal traits of character. In politics, he was a standh Whig ; he was a member of several secret fraternities. His wife, Mary Pritchett, was a daughter of William Pritchett, a whole- sale leather merchant of Philadelphia, and six children were born to them, as follows; Margaret; John; Elizabeth; William; Al- bert; and Edward. Religiously, he was a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Worrell was called to his final resting place 27* '54° BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES in i860, while the spirit of his wife was called from earth in 1 867. Our subject was a lad of six years when his parents moved to Morrisville, Pa., and it was thirteen years later when they returned to Philadelphia ; in the latter place our sub- ject was reared to manhood, and educated in a private school in that city. Mr. Worrell has always been engaged in business in Bristol and Philadelphia, but since the death of his mother he has resided in Bristol, where his wife purchased their present beautiful home that fronts the Delaware River. He is spending the closing days of his life in quiet and peace, and is surrounded by many warm friends. Mr. Worrell was wedded to Mary E. Eck- ard, a native of Philadelphia, and a daughter of Henry and Margaret (Wier) Eckard. Her grandfather, Henry Eckard, was a native of Germany. Her parents reared a family of six sons and one daughter, all of whom were born and raised in Philadelphia ; but two are living to-day, our subject's wife and her youngest brother. Mrs. Worrell is a devoted Baptist. In politics our subject is a Demo- crat. -OSEPH G. MOVER, one of Bucks County's most enterprising business men, and a progressive citizen of Per- kasie, was born in Hilltown township, Feb- ruary 10, 1840, and is a son of Henry A. and Sarah (Gerhart) Moyer. He is a direct descendant of Christian Moyer, who emigrated from Switzerland about 1700, and located in America. He was the progenitor of the following children : Christian, Jr. ; Jacob ; Samuel ; Elizabeth ; and Barbara. His son, Christian Moyer, Jr., was born in Franconia township, Montgo- mery Co., Pa., in 1705, and passed to the eternal realms in 1787. His family was composed of the following children : Chris- tian ; Rev. Jacob ; Esther ; Samuel ; Anna ; Maria ; Fronica ; Esther ; and Barbara. Rev. Jacob Moyer was born in Franconia township, Montgomery County, in 1730, but moved to Hilltown township, Bucks County, where he died in 1778. His first wife, whose name is unknown, left him three children : Christian ; Jacob, Jr. ; and Mary. His second alliance was with Barbara Dirstine, and they reared the following children : Michael ; Ag- nes : Samuel ; Barbara ; Joseph ; and David. Joseph Moyer, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Hilltown township, Bucks Coun- ty, June 19, 1774. He attained great promi- nence throughout this section of the state as an artist. His master piece was a life-size portrait of himself, which for true facial expression is the perfection of his art, and has received nothing but praise from lovers of art and art critics. He was united in matrimonial bonds with Barbara Angny, and their union resulted in the following oflf- spring: Jacob; Samuel; Abraham ; Joseph ; William; Henry A.; Elizabeth (Gerhart); and Mary (Hunsberger). Mr. Moyer was called to his final rest in 1815, and his wife, who was born in 1770, died in 1857. Henry A. Moyer, the father of the gentle- man whose name appears at the head of these lines, was born in Hilltown township, October 26, 1807, and after completing his schooling BUCKS COUNTY 541 "was engaged as a teacher for a short term of years. He then took up agricultural pursuits as a source of earning a competency, and fol- lowed that occupation throughout the re- mainder of his life, being a very prosperous man ; he was united in marriage with Sarah Gerhart, by whom he had the following chil- dren : Lydia, who married Samuel Gerhart, of Perkasie; Abraham, deceased ; Joseph G. ; Barbara, the Wife of Samuel G. Kramer ; Sarah, the wife of H. O. Moyer, of Perkasie ; Hon. Henry G., a record of whose life appears elsewhere in this Book of Biographies ; Jacob ; and Isaiah, deceased. Mrs. Moyer was a daughter of Abraham Gerhart, of Hilltown township, and was born August 20, 1814, dying February 20, 1890. He was called to his final sleep on August 4, 1875. Joseph G. Moyer, the subject of this per- sonal history, was educated in the district schools of his native township, and spent his boyhood days upon his father's farm. Find- ing the pursuits of an agriculturist unsuited to him, at an early age he embarked in the mercantile business with a brother at Hill- town, and they conducted a store for five years, when his brother purchased the entire stock. In 1870, our subject moved to Per- kasie and started a baled hay and feed busi- ness, with which he was identified for a period of three years, when, in 1873, he bought the lumber and coal business from J. A. Hendricks. This he has since success- fully conducted, and has thoroughly estab- lished himself in the county as a reliable business man. In connection with that work, he has operated a saw mill for the past six years with more than ordinary suc- cess. Mr. Moyer has resided in Perkasie since its incorporation, and has done much to further the interests of the place. He has erected several houses there, and taken an active interest in aill public improvements. In 1895, he erected a handsome three-story office building on the corner of Seventh and Market streets, in which are located his own offices, the post office, a restaurant, and pro- fessional ofiices, the top floor being occupied by the Perkasie Band. He has been a director of the Sellersville National Bank since its organization. He is a man well known for his honesty and integrity, and stands high in the public estimation. In 1863, he was joined in the holy bonds of wedlock with Mary A. Kratz, a daughter of Simeon Kratz, of New Britain township, Bucks County, and they reared the following children : Madora, the wife of B. F. Hartzel, of New Britain township, by whom she has four children, — Ru.'^sell, Edith, Percy, and Joseph, superintendent of his father's ship- ping yards and a well-known business man of Perkasie; H. Irvin, who married Eliza Moyer, a daughter of David R. Moyer, of Hill- town, and has three children, — Marion, Irvin, Jr., and Joseph Nevin; Elmer, assistant post- master of the borough, married I^aura Wick- ert, and has three children, — Earnest, Grace, and Harold; Delilah, the wife of Charles Wampole, of Perkasie ; J. Dyre ; and Ger- trude K. Politically, Mr. Moyer is a Repub- lican, and was appointed postmaster in 1897. In religious views, he is a member of the Re- formed Church. 542 BOO^ Off' BIOGRAPHIES W^ ILIvIAM A. RIDGE.- Among th^ many prominent agriculturists who have contributed substantially to- the- mate- rial prosperity of Tinicum township, and indeed it may be said of the entire county; stands the worthy gentleman whose well- known name opens this biographical sketch. Mr. Ridge is spending his latter days in quiet and peace and is residing on one of the best farms in Tinicum township, if not one of the best in the northern part of the county. He was born on his present farm and is a worthy representative of an old and well- known pioneer family of this county; He is a son of Moses M. and Sarah (McFarland) Ridge, and grandson of William and Cathe- rine (Marshall) Ridge. The great-grandfather of our subject came from England about the time of the Penns, and took up a tract of land in Beusalem township, Philadelphia County, Pa., and fol- lowed farming. His son, William Ridge, was born in Bensalem township, October 6, 1726, but early in life ascended the Delaware River, and finding the land rich and fertile at a place now known as Tinicum township, decided to lay claim to some of the land, and accordingly took up a tract of 400 acres, which included an island of 200 acres; at that time the plac^ was an unbroken wilder- ness, inhabited only by wild beasts and wan- dering Indians. William cleared a part of the land and built a rude log cabin iri'w'hich he resided a short time, when he erected a stone house, which is still standing in good condition, even though it has an age of over 100 years. There he carried on farming until his death. He married Catherine Mar- shall, si daughter of Edward Marshall. Her father made an 8$ mile walk through this cotinty, having been sent on a mission by Williarh Penn, and was happily rewarded by receiving a grant of land in Bucks County, consisting Of 560 actes ; this made the Indians of this district angry, and they afterwards kidnapped the wife and a daughter of Mr. Marshall ; and after that Mr. Marshall had lit- tle use for Indians, and many of them fell as the result of his unerring aim with the rifle ; this gun is now in the possession of our sub- ject who prizes it very highly. At the death of our subject's grandparents, they were buried in the Marshall burial grounds in this county. William was the father of the fol- lowing children : Thomas ; Edward ; Wil- liam ; Josep]] ; Henry ; MoSes M. ; Rebecca ; Grace ; Mrs. Wood ; and Mrs. Neis. Moses M. Ridge, the father of our subject, was born on his father's farm in Tinicum township, December 2, 1782, and was reared to agricultural pursuits ; he became the pos- sessor of a part of the homestead, upon which he erected a house and resided there the rest of his active days. He learned the trade of a carpenter, which occupation he pursued when he was not carrying on farm- ing. He passed from this life July 22, i860, ; and lies buried in the femily lot in the Mar- shall burial grounds. He Was joined in mar- riage with Sarah McFarland, who was of i Scotch extraction, and she died October 21, I 1846, aged sixty years. This union was ! blessed by the following children : Catherine, '■ deceased. Was the wife of James Cooper; Ed- ! ward, deeea-sed, was wedded to Elizabeth Snyder; Rebecca died young; Sarah A. is BUCKS CO'UTJTY ; 543 the wife of Eli Goddard ; :niomas and Wib^ Ham A., our subject,' are twins, aiid the for-- mer is deceased ; and James is a practicing physician of Camden, N. J. William A. Ridge was reducat'ed in the disr trict schools of his native township, and has remained on the homestead up to the present time. When his father retired from the active duties of life, our subject took upon himself the management of the farm, and upon his father's "death bought out the heirs and engaged in gardening in addition to. carrying on general farming. Our subject has made many improvements upon the land and his farm ranks among the' foremost in the district; the soil is exceedingly fertile and very suitable for the raising of melons and sweet potatoes. Mr. Ridge is now living in retirement and is spending his latter days in quiet and comfort, and is surrounded by ■many warm friends, who hold him in high respect. Politically our subject is a Demo- crat. W: ILLIAM M. STACKHOUSE.* The gentleman whose name appears at the head of this notice is an important factor of a well-to-do and intelligent community, and is contributing his share toward the maintenance of morality, good order and all those things which constitute the welfare and prosperity of a prosperous city or village. This enterprising and public-spirited citizen, who is a worthy representative of one of the old and pioneer families of Bucks County, :, Pa., has been successfully engaged in the drug and real estate business in the village of Emilie for more than the past quarter of a century,'- He was born in the village where he now resides, March 9, 1 849, and is a son of Jesse I/, and Mary B. (Headly) Stack- house, grandson of John V. and Cassandra (Cobper) Stackhouse, and great-grandson of Stephen and Amy (Vandike) Stackhouse. Stephen Stackhouse was a native of Falls township, Bucks County, and resided there all his life ; he lived on a large farm, but his chief occupation was that of a weaver, which he continued the major part of his active days. September 15, 1784, he was united in marriage with Amy Vandike, and the follow- ing children blessed this union : Sarah, born in 1785 ; John V., the grandfather of our subject ; Mary, born in 1 788 ; James, born in 1790; Stephen, Jr., born in 1793; Samuel, born in 179S ; Anna, born in 1797; Amy, born in 1799; and Elizabeth, born in 1802, who is the only one of the above children who is living at present. Stephen Stack- house died May i, 1834, at the age of seventy- two years. John Vanzant Stackhouse was born in Falls township on his father's farm February 18, 1787, and early in life moved to Bristol township, settling near the village of Emilie^ where he took up a large tract of land ; in connection with carrying on general fanning, he followed the trade of a weaver, which he had learned from his father, but during his lat- ter active days his time was entirely devoted to agricultural pursuits. Mr. Stackhouse was well known throughout the township; he took an active interest in politics, firmly Upholding the principles of the Democratic party, and served as supervisor of Bristol 544 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES township a number of years. Religiously, he was inclined to favor the Society of Friends. He married Cassandra Cooper of Middletown township, and four children ■were born to them, all of whom are deceased, namely: William C, born January 19, 1800; Samuel C, June 11, 1809; Joseph S., April 25, 1812; and Jesse ly., our subject's father. John Vanzant Stackhouse died September 17, 1874, and his wife entered the world of rest in 1848. William C, the oldest son, was chief engineer on the steamboat "Argus," which plied the Mississippi River between St. lyouis and New Orleans, and while on one of his trips down the river, he caught his fingers in the machinery while oiling the engine; the fingers were cut ofi" and later lock-jaw set in; he was taken to a public house in Vicksburg, where he died, aged thirty-one years. Jesse I/. Stackhouse was born in Bristol township, August 29, 1819, and in early man- hood taught school in his native township a number of years; later he engaged in the manufacture of oil cloth in the village of Emilie. He served as justice of the peace thirty years, during which time he settled many estates; he owned considerable land and dealt extensively in real estate. In 1849 he established a drug store, which he con- ducted until his retirement, when his son William M., our subject, took charge of it. Mr. Stackhouse was a man of much influence in his community; was an intelligent and public-spirited citizen ; and performed all the obligations of a dutiful citizen. He erected every house in the village of Emilie except one, and contributed much toward any meas- ure that tended to promote tiie welfare of the village. Fraternally, he was a member and past master of Bristol I/odge, No. 25, F. & A. M. ; a member of the Royal Arch Chapter of Bristol; Palestine Commandery of Tren- ton, N. J. ; and the Crusade Commandery, of Allegheny City, Pa. Our subject's father was a member of the latter order, when that lodge in 1878 spent a year visiting the Holy Land and other places of interest in the Old World. Mr. Stackhouse was united in the bonds of wedlock with Mary B. Headly, daughter of John and Hannah (Butler) Headly, and grand- daughter of Daniel and Grace Headly, and they reared a family of three children, as fol- lows : Emma J., born in 1847, and died in 1 89 1, was the wife of Philip Halzell ; William M., the subject of this narrative; and J. Headly, born June 30, 1853, and died April lo, 1874. Mr. and Mrs. Stackhouse were prominent members of the Presbyterian Church. Our subject's father passed to the unknown beyond July 10, 1879, and the de- mise of his mother occurred June 9, 1876. William M. Stackhouse, after receiving his primary education in the common schools of Bristol township, entered Penn State College in 1865, and was graduated July, 1869, with the degree of B. S. ; the following year was spent touring through the Western States; returning home in 1872, he took charge of the drug store, and has successfully conducted the same to the present time. He also suc- ceeded his father in his other business enter- prises, and is the largest real estate dealer in the village. Mr. Stackhouse is one of the foremost business men in the village, is pop- ular in both business and social circles, and BUCKS COUNTY 545 is a leader in all movements that tend to build up the village. , Politically, Mr. Stackhouse is an unwaver- ing Democrat, and in 1891 was elected pro- thonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Bucks County and served three years ; in 1895 he was elected justice of the peace of Bristol township; has been secretary of the school board six years ; has represented his party in town, coivnty and judicial conventions ; and was a delegate at the' convention that nomi- nated Judge Yerkes for president judge. Onr subject has been delegated to state conven- tions and has attended two national Demo- cratic conventions, although not as a dele- gate. Mr. Stackhouse was married Novem- ber 19, 1874, to Anna S. Headly, who was born November 2, 1853, and who is a daugh- ter of Thomas C. and Susan M. (Stackhouse) Headly. Two children blessed the home of Mr. Stackhouse and wife, as follows : Charles H., born October 17, 1876, and Jesse Thomas, born July i, 1883. Charles H. was graduated from Pierce's Business College and is now head clerk in a general store at Penllyn, Montgomery County, Pa. Mrs. Stackhouse is a member of the Society of Friends. Wi ILLIAM H. HALL.* This pros- perous and highly respected citi- zen of Bristol, Pa., who has been in the em- ploy of the Pennsylvania Railroad since 1863, is now freight agent of that railroad at Bristol, having assumed the duties of that oiBce in 1 873. Our subject was born in the above-named town, July 27, 1839, and is a son of Isaac W. and Mary Ann (Guy) Hall, and grandson of Thomas Hall. Thomas Hall, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was a carpenter by trade, having learned that craft in early manhood, and pursued the same the major part of his active days. He resided at Burlington, N. J., the most of his life, passing away in that city at the ad- vanced age of eighty-two years. He was united in marriage with Miss Church, by whom he reared a family of nine children. Isaac W. Hall, the youngest of his parents' children, was born in Burlington, N. J., and his education was received in the schools of his native place; in early manhood he was apprenticed to the tailor's trade and followed tliat trade during the early part of his life, but in the '40's he established an express route between Bristol and Philadelphia, which was later known as the Bristol & Philadelphia Express Company ; at the time our subject's father was connected with the express company he resided at Bristol, but his latter days were spent in the city of Phil- adelphia, where he passed from this life at the age of eighty-six years. Mr. Hall was very successful in his business undertakings, which was entirely due to his energetic abil- ity and perseverance, and at the time of his retirement he was the possessor of a hand- some competency. He was joined in mar- riage with Mary Ann Guy of Bristol, who passed from this earth at the age of seventy- seven years. Six children resulted from this happy marriage, namely: Edward, Meribah, and Elizabeth (Tice), all deceased; Rebecca (Cone) of Philadelphia; William H., the gentleman whose name appears at the head 546 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES of this -sketch ; and lyorenzo, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Hall were active members and liberal supporters of the Methodist Church. Politically, he was formerly an old line Whig, but upon the formation of the Repub- lican party, he joined the latter organization. William H. Hall, the subject of this sketch, acquired a good' education in the public schools of Bristol, and early in life accepted a position on the vessel "Henriette'' as cook; this vessel operated between Bristol and Boston, Mass. He followed that occu- pation a number of years, and then entered the employ of the Delaware River Steamboat Company as ticket clerk, remaining with that company until 1863, when he accepted a position as receiving clerk for the Pennsyl- vania Railroad, the ofHces being located on Walnut street, Philadelphia. He was pro- moted step by step, and in 1873 became sta- tion and freight agent at Bristol, and has remained in that capacity up to the present time. Mr. Hall is recognized as one of the worthy and influential members of his com- munity, and commands both the respect and good-will of the entire borough and of his superior ofScers. Mr. Hall was wedded, in 1863, to Martha A. Banes, a daughter of G. Banes, of Bristol, and this happy marriage resulted in the birth of three children, who were named as follows: William; Bertha; and Walter. Religiously, Mr. Hall and family are active members of the Methodist Church; politically, he is a solid Republican, and has served as a school director in Bristol several years, and was at one time president of the board for a period of six years. Socially, he is a member of the Jefferson Lodge, I. O. O. P.; K. of P., and has passed through all the chairs of this order and is now a trustee; K. of G. E.; and K. of F. Our subject was one of the organizers of the Bristol Fire Company, No. 2, which was organized in 1874, and he is now an honorary member of the same. ^ ' EORGE B. WISI.ER.* This prom- inent and influential gentleman is one of the foremost agriculturists of Bucks County, Pa. ; he has been engaged in farm- ing all his life, having been taught the rudi- ments on his father's farm during his boy- hood days. Mr. Wisler owns a fine farm, well improved and under a high state of cul- tivation, consisting of 75 acres, and it is handsomely located in Bristol township, near the village of Newportville, one of the best agricultural districts in this county. Our subject was born and reared on his present farm, the date of his birth being August, 1854, and he is a son of Philip- F. and Anna (Edwards) Wisler, and grandson of Louis Wisler. Louis Wisler was a native of Montgomery County, Pa., and he was engaged in farming and distilling the major part of his active days, but was interested at different times in various enterprises. He was a member of the state militia organization in which he was a colonel. Politically, he was a solid Demor crat and held various township offices; he was well known throughout his native coun- ty, and was highly esteemed for his many excellent traits of character. He was the BUCKS COUNTY 547 father of seven sons and two daughters, all of whom grew to maturity and are well-to-do members of the various communities in which they reside; the sons were all large, robust men, and their father often boasted that he had forty-two feet of Democrats. They were named as follows i John ; Jacob ; Samuel ; I,ouis ; Michael ; Henry ; Philip F. ; Mary ; and Anna. Philip F. Wisler, the father of our subject, was born in lyancaster County, Pa., in 1811, and was educated to agricultui^al pursuits, which was his principal occupation through- out his entire life. When about thirty-three years of age, he moved to Bristol township, this county, and purchased a brick-yard near the village of Newportville, which he oper- ated many years ; he also owned the farm now the home of our subject, upon which he made many improvements, such as erecting new buildings and putting the land under a high state of cultivation. Mr. Wisler was born and reared a Democrat, and always up- held the principles of that party both by ballot and by vote; he was elected township auditor for a period of twenty years, and was also elected justice of the peace two terms, much against his will. He was an intelli- gent and well-read citizen, and during his latter days, when he became disabled from rheumatism, he wrote many articles for news- papers. He was joined in the bonds of wed- lock with Anna Edwards, who was born in the Twenty-third Ward of Philadelphia in . 1814, and who is a daughter of Jesse and Sarah (Wentz) Edwards. Two children re- sulted from this marriage, namely : Sairah Elizabeth, the wife of Wilner Scott of Phila- 28 delphia ; and George B., the subject of this personal history. The father of our subject passed from this life in 1890, and his mother died in 1894. George B. Wisler received his intellectual training in the common schools and in the select school of Miss Pierce, of Bristol ; his early life was spent on the farm, and from choice and inclination he delights in agricul- tural pursuits ; at seventeen years he took charge of the homestead, under the direc- tion of his father, who had retired from the active labors of life. Our subject is held in high esteem by his fellow- citizens ; he is popular and enjoys the distinction of being one of the enterprising and pirogressive farmers of -his section. Mr. Wisler still owns the brickyard which was once oper- ated by his father, and upon this piece of property stands a large brick building which is now used as a rope manufacturing estab- lishment; the work is superintended by our subject's father-in-law, and they carry on quite an extensive business in that line. Mr. Wisler is an earnest supporter of the Democratic party, and has served his fellow- citizens as township auditor for a term of four years. Our subject chose for his life companion Mary Benton Garsed, and they were happily wedded in 1890; she is a daughter of John and Mary (Benton) Garsed, and was born in Frankford, Philadelphia County, Pa. Three children blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Wisler, namely : Rowland; Margaret M.; and Joyce G. -Mrs. Wisler is a devoted member of the Episco- pal Church. 548 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES 'AMES W. ROBERTS,* who will long be remembered as the leading mer- chant and produce dealer of Milford Square, and one of its early citizens, is now spending his declining years in retirement and in the enjoyment of the fruits of a laborious and well-spent past. He was born in Milford township, Bucks County, August 28, 1824, and is a son of Samuel and Jane (Walton) Roberts, and grandson of David Roberts. His great-grandfather came to this country with two brothers from Wales, and located in Milford township, Bucks County, where he purchased 250 acres of choice land and put it under a high state of cultivation. Upon this property David Roberts was born and reared. He inherited the estate and erected a fine stone house from native rock, which is to-day in an excellent state of preservation. He was the progenitor of six children, as follows : Samuel, the father of our subject ; William ; Abigail; Jane J.; Eliza; and Mary. Samuel Roberts was reared on the old homestead, and after attaining manhood be- came its owner. He added to his property by the purchase of the A. Morgan estate, where he rebuilt the house and barns and erected other new buildings and engaged in agricultural pursuits the remainder of his active life. He died at the age of seventy-two years. He was twice united in marital bonds, his first union being with a Miss Pen- rose, who died young as did also their only child. He was again married to Jane Wal- ton, a daughter of David Walton, and the fol- lowing children blessed their happy home : James W.; Barton, a produce commission merchant of Philadelphia; and Smith, a cigar manufacturer of Philadelphia. Reli- giously, they were consistent members of the Society of Friends. Mrs. Roberts also reached an advanced age before overtaken by the silent reaper. Death, at the age of seventy years. James W. Roberts, in whom the interest of this sketch centers, attended the Friends' School of Quakertown and assisted his father in the duties upon the farm until he was twenty-two years of age, when he launched upon the sea of life in his own behalf with scarcely any capital. He went to Ohio and began dealing in cattle, sheep, and horses, in which business he continued with much suc- cess for seven years. Being a man of unerr- ing judgment, and an excellent judge of stock, he bought and sold to good advantage, and during that period accumulated consider- able money for one of his years. From Ohio he went to New York, and finally to Penn- sylvania, where he continued at that line of business until he moved to Trumbauersville, Pa., and entered upon mercantile pursuits. Four years later, about 1843, he located in Milford Square, when there were but three buildings in what is now a thriving borough, the three buildings consisting of a hotel, a store, and one dwelling house. Mr. Roberts purchased the corner lot of the estate of Mr. Album, upon which he built a large house and opened a store. He became extensively engaged in the produce commission business, cariying butter, eggs, and like produce to the markets in Philadelphia and returning with stock for his and seven other stores which were situated upon his route. His business reached enormous proportions and he had BUCKS COUNTY 549 large loads both ways, at times carrying 1500 pounds of butter and other produce. It I'equired from four to six horses on every trip and it took four or five days to cover the forty miles to Philadelphia. He followed that business with the greatest of success for a period of forty years, when the railroad was built to Milford Square and greatly interfered with his work. He then purchased a tract of 20 acres of land, which he now oversees, but performs none of the active duties him- self. In 1873, he erected a handsome 3-story house, a wagon house, and large barns, mak- ing his farm one of the most modern and best equipped in this section of the country. For some years, Mr. Roberts was president of the turnpike of the township, and at one time was nominated for sheriff, but was defeated liy the small margin of seven votes. He has made the interests of Milford Square his interests and has aided in building up and elevating the village to its present standing. He has a large circle of friends throughout the northern part of the county, where he was one of the progressive men for so many years, and is held in high esteem by all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance. Our subject was united in matrimonial bonds with Susan Anderson, and they be- came the proud parents of the following chil- dren : John, who died young ; Jane, the wife of Rev. John Bears, a missionary of the Men- nonite Church ; Samuel, a farmer and com- mission merchant of Milford Square, who married Ida Farley, by whom he has one daughter, Jane Irene ; and one daughter who died in infancy. In religious belief, they are faithful members of the Mennonite Church. Tg I -ARRY W. CRESSMAN, * the popular " ^\ and efficient postmaster of Hagers- ville, Bedminster township, Bucks County, is also the proprietor of the leading general merchandise store of that village. He was born in Philadelphia, Pa., July 23, 1865, and is a son of Jacob B. and Sarah (Wesco) Cressman. His grandfather on the paternal side was Elias Cressman, who lived in Quakertown, Pa., and followed farming throughout his entire life. He was joined in wedlock with Maria Brandt, and four children were born to them, as follows : Jacob B. ; Mabel; Wash- ington ; and Mary. Jacob B. Cressman, the father of our sub- ject, was born in Rockhill township, Bucks County, and throughout life was engaged in the occupation of a farmer and blacksmith, at which he has been decidedly successful. He resided at Quakertown for some time and then moved to Trumbauersville, where he is now following agricultural pursuits. He was united in marriage with Sarah Wesco, who was born in Wescosville, I^ehigh County, where her father was the proprietor of a hotel. This union was blessed by the birth of two children, namely: Harry W., the sub- ject of this biographical sketch ; and Frank I/., born April, 1869, who is a cigarmaker of Sellersville, and married Amanda Trum- bauer, by whom he has two children, Mary and Ward. Harry W. Cressman obtained his intellec- tual training in the public schools and at the Keystone State Normal School at Kutztown, Berks County, from which he was graduated in 1884, He then became a teacher in the 550 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES public schools in Milford township, where he remained for two years, and then at Sellers- ville for five years, proving himself an able instructor. In September, 1891, he pur- chased a portion of the Aaron Fretz estate, which he still owns, and upon which he erected a store, equipped with a comprehen- sive line of general merchandise. He has acquired a large patronage by hard and honest work, and his success is entirely due to his own efforts. He is shrewd and calculating, but his success was not made to the detriment of the welfare of others. He has made many friends since his resi- dence in Hagersville and stands in high esteem. He has been postmaster of the vil- lage since 1891, and performs the duties of that ofSce in a satisfactory manner. Politically, he is, a stanch Deinocrat and has served in an oflScial capacity as school director, although he has never sought office. December 24, 1885, he was united in mar- riage with Salvina Reiter of Trumbauers- ville, a daughter of Josiah and Elizabeth Reiter, and they have three children, namely : R. Gertrude, born October 31, 1886; Jacob Frederick, who was born March 10, 1890, and died at the age of six months ; and Helen Katherine, born March 29, 1894. Religiously, they are consistent members of the lyutheran Church. Socially, Mr. Cress- man is a member of I^odge No. 658, I. O. O. F., of Sellersville ; and Brotherhood of the Union, No. 36, of Hagersville. He has been greatly interested in the advancement of the village and supports all worthy enter- prises. jEV. FERDINAND BERKEMEYER,* a man of noble impulses and schol- arly attainments, was for many years pastor of two charges near Sellersville, which he served faithfully and well for a period of thirty-six years, but is now spending his declining years in the enjoyment of retired life after so many years of activity. He is a son of Ferdinand Berkemeyer, and was born in Al- bany township, Berks County, April 10, 1828. Ferdinand Berkemeyer, the father of our subject, was born in Westphalia, Oerlinghau- sen, Germany, February 13, 1790, and came to this country at about the age of twenty years, so it is thought. Having received an excellent education in the schools of Ger- many, which surpass those of any other countiy, he was well qualified to follow the profession of a teacher. He first located in Greenwich township, Berks County, where he taught for some time, and later was like- wise employed in Albany township, Berks County, after which he moved to Heidelberg township, I/chigh County, and there lived and taught for a period of twenty-four years. It was mainly by his earnest endeavors that the citizens of Lehigh County adopted the present public school system, for which ser- vice he deserves the greatest credit. He was well known as a man of integrity and good judgment, and his advice was frequently sought, and he was called upon to draw up many, wills, and act as clerk of sales. After living a useful and unassuming life, he passed into the unknown beyond in the sixty-seventh year of his age. . He was united in marriage with Judith Glaser, a native of Kutztown, Pa., who was born November 24, 1800, and BUCKS COUNTY 551 died in 1882, at an advanced age. Their union resulted in the following issue : Caro- line (Ross), deceased ; Augustus, deceased ; Wilhelmina (Kemmerer), deceased; Ferdi- nand, in -whom the interest of this sketch centers ; I^ouisa (Bowman), deceased ; Wil- liam, a resident of AUentown ; Henrietta (Snyder), whose home is in Slatington, Le- high County ; Amelia, deceased ; Dr. lyouis, a practicing physician of AUentown ; Charles, deceased ; Henry, who lives at AUentown ; and Jacob, of Hazelton, Pa. In religious attachments, Mr. Berkemeyer was a member of the German Reformed Church, and his worthy wife belonged to the lyUtheran de- nomination. Politically, during his latter days he supported the principles of the old line Whig party. Rev. Ferdinand Berkemeyer obtained his primary education under the tutelage of his father, this instruction being entirely in Ger- man, after which he attended the AUentown Academy for a short time. After the Allen- town Seminary was established by Rev. Rob- ert Kessler, he took a course in that institu- tion, and was prepared for college. In 1853, he matriculated at the Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, where he was prepared for the ministry, graduating in 1855 after a two years' course. He was ordained in the lyUth- eran Church of Reading in that year, and his first charge was in the Chohansey Church at Friesburg, N. J., where he served for two years. He then moved to AUentown, where he served different charges in the neighbor- hood for three years, when he came to Sel- lersville, Bucks County, in the fall of 1859. He assumed the duties of pastor of a number of charges, which now form six different pas- torates, but later filled the pulpits of only two churches, continuing for a period of thirty-six years. During his early career in Bucks County, he would often conduct services at two different points on the same day, which necessitated long journeys in carriages. In addition to this, he was called upon to offici- ate at funerals throughout the district. Rev. Mr. Berkemeyer was an earnest and convinc- ing speaker, a consistent and God-fearing Christian, and the vast amount of good resulting from his labors can never be esti- mated. In 189s, he retired from active duties to spend his declining years in the peace and quiet of his happy home in Sellers- ville, where he is dearly loved by a large cir- cle of acquaintances and friends. He is nat- urally of a literary mind and has written a number of articles for the Church Review^ which attracted considerable attention and showed a marked degree of merit. In 1892, he published a work entitled "Pastor and People," or which might be called " Pastoral Theology" as it describes such ministerial acts as are not prescribed in the rituals of the church. It is an excellent literary effort and is highly valued by ministers far and wide who have read it. Rev. Mr. Berkemeyer has an ingenious mind as well as literary talent, and has patents on a number of important inventions, which are the results of his labors. One of these is a very comfortable aud useful library chair which is now being placed upon the market and introduced throughout the country. Another invention of value, and a great labor-saver, is a machine, which prints, cuts, counts and packs ribbons 552 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES of any length into bundles of lOO each, the four acts being done simultaneously. The inventive genius was also characteristic of his father as he put upon the market a cabbage cutter, whose sales reached large proportions. Rev. Mr. Berkemeyer was united in the holy bonds of wedlock with Catherine Habe- racker, a daughter of George Haberacker, of Allentown, Pa., and they are the happy par- ents of five children. Sarah E. is the eldest. Charles M., who was born September 21, i860, after obtaining an education in the schools of Sellersville, established a printing office in that village in 1875. In 1889, he built him a home, and two years later remod- eled the building in the rear of the house, in which he has since conducted his business. He is an enterprising and progressive man, and does a large and lucrative business. He married Augusta L^imberg, a daughter of Frederick and Carolina I^imberg, of Kohl- stadt, Ivippe-Detmold, Germany, and they are the parents of two children: Catherine M., born May 4, 1890; and Margaret E., born October 15, 1892. The remaining members of our subject's family are : Anna L,., Flora C.,and George M. In his political affilia- tions. Rev. Mr. Berkemeyer is a Republican, and votes uniformly and conscientiously with that party. Wi ILIvIAM M. KROUT.* The gen- tleman whose name heads this biographical sketch is a widely known and successful farmer and stock-raiser, and is located in New Britain township on the old Todd farm, which consists of 162I acres of highly cultivated land. The Krout family is an old and honored one of the county, as its members were among the early residents of this section of the state. William M. Krout was born in the above township, Sep- tember 19, 1863, and is a son of Joseph and Catherine (Musselman) Krout. The grandfather of our subject, John Krout, was born in New Britain township, Bucks County, where he was a life-long resi- dent; his vocation was that of a farmer, which he pursued throughout his entire life. He was the father of a family of children, one of whom was Joseph, the father of our subject, who was also a native of New Britain township ; he was reared to agricultural pur- suits and made farming his life's vocation, and made his home all his life where our subject now resides. As a result of his mar- riage with Catherine Musselman, a family of ten children was born, namely : John, a resi- dent of Montgomery County, Pa. ; William M., whose name heads the above lines ; Sam- uel, a resident of Chester County, Pa. ; Sallie, the wife of Daniel Spetty, and they reside at Ft. Washington, Pa.; Addie, the wife of Joseph Whitesides, a resident of Frog Hollow, Chester County, Pa. ; Catherine and I/izzie, deceased; Joseph and Henry also deceased; and Annie Mary who is attending school at Ft. Washington, Pa. William M. Krout attended the district schools during his boyhood days and his leis- ure hours were spent aiding his father in run- ning the farm, thus he acquired a good educa- tion in farm life ; after our subject's marriage, he took possession of his present farm, which he has since greatly improved and put under BUCKS COUNTY 553 a high state of cultivation'. He not only carries on general farming, but is one of the largest stock raisers in the township. Mr. Krout has always been a careful and thrifty farmer, and his possessions are the results of his own energy and perseverance ; he stands high in the estimation of every one who knows him, as a prosperous farmer, a good citizen and an excellent neighbor. Politically, Mr. Krout firmly endorses the principles of the Republican party; relig- iously, he is a member and deacon of the Reformed Church of Pleasantville, Pa., to the support of which he cheerfully con- tributes. The wife of Mr. Krout, who before her marriage was Sallie Hoover, to whom he was married on December 17, 1885, was born in Warrington township, Bucks Coun- ty, December 10, 1865, and is a daughter of Tilman A. and Maria (Garner) Hoover ; her father was a school teacher in early life, but is now engaged in farming. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Krout, and were named as follows: Myrtle, born April 6, 1888; and Cassie, who died aged three years. UTrANK H. bean,* a well-known and I Is esteemed school teacher of Milford township, Bucks County, Pa., is one of the prominent and enterprising citizens of Brick Tavern. This worthy gentleman was born at Milford Square, this county, August 13, 1869, and is a son of Milton W. and Mary (Heller) Bean, grandson of John and Sarah (Weirbach) Bean, and great-grandson of Peter Bean. Peter Bean was born near the river Rhine in Germany, where he resided many years ; when he came to this country to seek a home aud fortune, he located in Bucks County, and may be justly classed among this sec- tion's pioneers. He took up a large tract of land in Rockhill township, where he carried on farming until death claimed him. He was the father of the following children, — Michael ; Samuel ; Peter ; Mary ; Eva; Han- nah ; and John. John Bean, the grandfather of our subject, was born and reared in Rock- hill township ; early in life he learned the trade of a carpet weaver, which occupation he successfully carried on with farming, hav- ing purchased a farm of Elias Kiser, which property was located near the village of Brick Tavern. His union with Sarah Weir- bach was blessed with the birth of seven children, named as follows : Peter ; Hannah ; Samuel ; Susan ; John ; Catherine ; and Mil- ton W. Mr. Bean and family were mem- bers and active supporters of the Reformed Church. He died at the age of fifty-seven, and his wife at the age of sixty-two years. Milton W. Bean, the father of our subject, was born at Brick Tavern June 1 1, 1846, and his boyhood days were spent in assisting his father, and in learning the trade of a shoe- maker, which occupation he has since fol- lowed to a large extent. He purchased the George Kline farm, upon which he has made many improvements ; in addition to general farming, he does considerable butchering and peddles meat throughout the township. Mr. Bean is widely known throughout the coun- ty, and is highly esteemed by his fellow- countrymen. He was joined in the bonds of 554 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIKS wedlock with Mary Heller, a daughter of Samuel Heller, a prominent resident of Mil- ford township, and this union has been blessed by the following children : Frank H., whose name heads this personal history ; Ellen Kate; Eleanor H.; Sally H. ; and John S. They are all members of the Re- formed Church. The subject of this brief notice received his education in the public schools of his native township, and in 1888 began teaching in Milford township and adjoining districts, and has successfully continued that profes- sion for a period of ten years. He is now attending the Perkiomen Seminary of Penns- burgj Pa., where he is taking a special course for teaching. He is well fitted for his pro- fession and is a master of both the English and German languages. During the sum- mer months he also assists his father in the work about the farm, and prepares him- self for the opening of school in the fall. Mr. Bean is actively interested in every mea- sure affecting the welfare of Brick Tavern, and he is very popular with his fellow-towns- men. INDEX Biograpbical A PAGE Aaron, Irvin 199 Abbott, Dr. J. de Benneville . . 478 Albright, Phares 265 Anderson, James 378 Apple, Samuel Y 282 Applebach, Paul H 351 Atkinson, Howard W 479 Atkinson, John L 271 Atkinson, Joseph 499 Atkinson, Thomas 491 Aveyard, William 439 B Balderston, William 118 Ball, Aaron . . 166 Barney, John Jackson . . . 322 Bassett, Samuel 431 Bean, Frank . .... 147 Bean, Frank H 553 Bean, Henry H. 148 Bean, Wilson W 467 Beans, Charles D 536 Beans, Frederick T 390 Beans, J. Johnson 440 Beck, Oscar P 56 Beidler, Henry S 272 Benner, John K 481 Benner, Dr. W. G Berger, Samuel . . . Bergey, Rev. James Riley . . Berkemeyer, Rev. Ferdinand Biddle Family, The . . . Blackfan, George Chapman . Briggs, Phineas . . Briggs, Thomas Brock, John J. Bunting, Edwin M. Burkhardt, Anthony Burton, John, Esq. Bush, William H. . PAGE 3'3 113 233 550 127 43 332 •85 413 259 221 52 243 C Cadwallader, Algernon S. . . 169 Cad wall ader, Charles Moore . 492 Carrell, Ezra P. . . . . . 500 Carter, Franklin . 371 Carver, William K . 423 Cawley, Dr. James Irving . -417 Chambers, Thomas Preston . . 145 Church, Watson P 186 Clemens Family, The . . . . 319 Comly, Joseph R 255 Conrad, James 138 Constantine, Fred 490 Cooper, John F. . Cooper, William I,. Cornell, George W. Cornell, Jonathan K. Cornell, Theodore . Craven, Charles . Craven, Linford R. . Cressman, Harry W. Cressman, Philip S. Dana, Robert Shoemaker, M.D Detweiler, Aaron B. Detwiler, Henry C. . . Detweiler, Mahlon C. Dickel, Henry C. . . Diehl, Rev. Samuel S. . Dill, Dr. Mahlon B. . . Donnaldson, Edward M. Doughty, Dr. William E. Drexel, Mrs. Lucy Wharton Dungan, John K Dungan, Wallace . . . £ FAGB 294 432 III 76 120 531 419 549 228 Eastburn, Albert , Ely, Edward N. 159 222 235 341 54 172 382 367 337 15 521 407 508 403 555 556 INDEX Ely, Franklin . . Ely, Henry Paxson Erdman, Dr. William S. . Erdman, Wilson S., M. D. PAGE 520 427 509 F Fackenthall, George Washington. 487 Fahr, John William, M.D. . . 393 Fell, Byron M., D. D.S. . . . 331 Fell, EHas Hicks 504 Fell, William Henry Harrison . 373 Fetter, David S 409 Fetter, Newton Cromwell .... 79 Fine, William H. H 296 Finney, Joseph ... 106 Firman, Alfred Ely ... 45 Fleck, Rev. Cyrus 1, 191 Foulke, Dr. Richard C. . . 212 Frankenfield, Edwin P. . 470 Freed, Samuel Z. . 49 Fretz, Dr. Clayton D. . . . . 244 Fretz, Oliver H., A.M., M.D. . 1S9 Funk, Hon. Henry S. . . . 182 G Geil, William Fenton 268 George School 237 Gilkeson, A. Weir 477 Gilkyson, John T gi Gill, Henry 525 Gill, J. Alva 99 Gillam, Harvey H. . . 36 Greer, Mrs. Elizabeth K. . . .523 Grim, Dr. F. Harvey .... 387 Grim, Webster 359 GrofF, Dr. James E 249 Groff, Jacob S 290 Gross, Daniel G 215 Gulick, Christopher S 310 H Hall, William H 545 Hall, William W 121 PAGE Haring, Emil W 354 Harrison, Thomas . . . . 213 Hartzell, C. Monroe 90 Harvey, Theodore P. . . 227 Harvey, William D. . . . 368 Heacock, J. Levi 347 Headley, Harry H 274 Headly, Mrs. Elizabeth (Brown) . 300 Hellings, Edmund R 312 Hellings, James P 33 Hellyer, Amos S . . 349 Hendricks, Joseph A. . . . 151 Heston, Isaiah 229 Heston, Joseph A 180 Hindenach, Hon. Christian E. . . 288 Hines, Dr. Andrew J 497 Hobensack Brothers . . . 340 Hofmeier, Anton . . , 204 Howell, William G. . -74 Houk, Nathan 250 Humphreys, Charles H. . . .66 Hutchinson, Cheston 18 Jefferys, Rev. Edward Miller, B.A., B.D 398 Jenks, George A 219 John, C. C. Burleigh 153 Johnson, Alfred . . .... 97 Johnson, Benjamin E. • . 424 Johnson, Edwin 260 Johnson, Hampton Watson . . 468 Johnson, Winder Lawrence . . 143 Joyce, Anthony K 280 K Kerns, Dr. S. P 457 Kinsey, Mrs. Jane G. . . . 278 Kirk, Amos W 411 Kirk, Edwin J 514 Kramer, Samuel R 139 Krewson, Rev. Jacob B 193 Krout, William M 552 Landis, William H. . Laubach, Charles . Lear, Henry . . Le£Ferts, Simon V. . Leibfreid, Frederick Leidy, Milton H. . . Livezey, Allen . . . Livezey, B. Franklin Long, J. Ferdinand . Loux, Mathias J. . Loux, Ulysses G. . . Luff, Franklin P. . . Luff, Harry K. . . . M Magill, James E. . . Markgraf, Adam . . Maris, George L. . . Martin, Dr. William Michener, Dr. Isaiah Moon, M. Watson Moon, William-H. Morris, Jesse Moyer, Abraham George Moyer, Hon. Henry G. Moyer, Joseph G. . . . Mull, Robert W . PAGE 533 41 13s 464 163 327 4S9 383 30 458 370 381 ios 293 241 267 95 140 lod 65 442 203 540 73 N Neidig, Ephraim S. . . , 171 Nicholas, Alonzo 103 Nicholas, John • 428 Nickel, John H 286 O O'Connell, Austin, M. D. . . . 302 Osman, Dr. Joseph Reed . . 214 Ott, Wilmer W 314 Parry, Richard Randolph .... 59 Patterson, Hon. James . . . . 109 Pearson, Wilson 277 Penrose, Samuel J 136 INDEX 557 PAGE Peters, Byron M., M.D. . . . 379 Phillips, Charles 285 Pool, Winfield S 369 Poore, JohnT 511 Preston, Rev. William K. . . . 209 Purdy, John M. . , . . . 447 R Randall, John G 401 Rapp, Ryan 51 Raudenbush, William H 184 Reeder, Orlenzo C. . . ... 454 Reetz, Ferdinand 377 Reinhart, Joshua D. K 450 Reiter, Prof. Henry F 503 Reiter, Joseph W 125 Rich, Howard Y. ... . 241 Rich, James S 224 Rich, Preston J 502 Richardson, Edward 363 Ridge, William A. ... 542 Riegel, John L 343 Robbins, John . ... 317 Roberts, James W 548 Rorer, Rev. Charles H 195 Rosenberger, Jacob B 114 Ross, Hon. George 11 Rufe, Josiah H 392 Rufe, William 420 S Sassaman, Jacob F. . ... 154 Scheid, Henry B 211 Schlachter, Gustavus H. . . . 117 Schlichter, William S 529 Schwenk, Charles P 165 Scott, Josiah Ernest, M. D. . . 162 Scott, Joseph N Sensenderfer, John P. J. . Sheip, Rev. Levi C Shellenberger, Levi . . . Shick, William . . Shimer, Robert A Shoemaker, Hon. Harry J. . Simpson, William Slack, Miss Mary . . Slotter, Anthony H. ... Slotter, Prof. William H. . . Smith, Dr. Harrison . Smith, Harvey R Stackhouse, John R Stackhouse, William M. . . Stettler, Dr. William Henry St. Mark's Catholic Church . Stoneback, Harvey W. Strobele, Mathias . . Summers, Edmund L. Swartley, John C, Esq. . Swenk, Jacob L. . . PAGE 507 202 474 132 287 45' 27 360 412 251 301 530 194 437 543 35 31 452 482 422 IS 179 w T Taylor, Benjamin J. . . . 69 Thompson, Warner C. . . 299 Torbert, Elijah S 156 PAGE Wall, Willis . ■ 309 Walter, John B. . . • ■ 519 Walton, Charles . 200 Weaver, Rev. Charles B. . . 400 Weaver, Milton H., M.D. . . 87 Weirbach, Joseph • 397 Weierbach, Zeno W. . 263 Wentworth, Frank B. . 223 Wetherill, Vicenza ... 488 Wiggins, Mrs. Mary Ann . 176 Wildman, Clarence C. . . • 333 Wilson, Dr. S. H. 404 Wilson, William . . . 258 Wise, William 55 Wiser, Nathan M. . 494 Wisler, George B. . 546 Wood, Mitchell 175 Woodman, Dr. Isaac N. . . 71 Woolsey, Peter B. . . • • 443 Worrell, Edward ■ 539 Worthington, Edwin .... 92 Worthington,E. L. . . . 323 Worthington, Lewis P. . • • 353 Trumbauer, Aaron H. . . . ■ . 444 Yardley, Hon. Robert M. . . 449 Trumbower, Aaron R . . . . . . 512 Yerkes, Harman 21 Turner, Rev. Douglas K. . . • ■ 357 Yerkes, Hutchinson P., D.D.S. • 23 Twining, Edward W . . 89 Yerkes, Stephen 24 Twining, Jonathan A. . . 266- Young, John K. , . . 434 Twining, Wilmer A.. . . ■ 234 -Youugken, Henry H ■ 304 V Youngken, John N ■ 307 Vandegrift, James Monroe. . . 410 Vandegrift, Hon. Charles S. . ■ 471 Z Vansant, Jacob W 83 Zane, Hysler J ■ 2S7 portraits Aaron, Irvin ... . . 198 Atkinson, John L,. . 270 Bean, Wilson W 466 Bergey, Rev. James Riley .... 234 Cadwallader, Algernon S. ■ . .168 Cawley, Dr. James Irving . . . . 416 Comly, Joseph R. . . ... 254 Dana, Robert Shoemaker, M.D. 158 Donnaldson, Capt. Richard Martin 366 Doughty, Dr. William E. . . 336 Dungan, Wallace 406 Ely, Henry Faxson 426 Fackenthall, George Washington 486 Fetter, Newton Cromwell . . -78 Freed, Samuel Z. 48 Fretz, Oliver H., A.M., M.D. . . r88 Gilkeson, A. Weir . . . . 476 Grim, Dr. F. Harvey . . .386 Gro£f, Dr. James E *. 248 Harvey, Theodore P 226 Heacock, J. I^evi 346 558 PAGE Hendricks, Joseph A. . . . . 150 Hines, Dr. Andrew J 496 Jenks, George A 218 Johnson, Walter R. and Winder T-, 142 Kerns, Dr. S. P 456 Lear, George 38 Lear, Henry . 39 LeflFerts, Simon V 134 Livezey, Allen . 326 Markgraf, Adam 292 Michener, Dr. Isaiah 94 Nicholas, Alonzo . 102 Parry, Richard Randolph .... 58 Patterson, Hon. James . ... 108 Pearson, Wilson 276 Phillips, Charles .... . . 284 Preston, Rev. William K. . . . 208 Purdy, John M 446 Reetz, Ferdinand 376 Reiter, Joseph W 124 PAGE Rich, Howard Y. " 240 Robbins, John . ... .316 Ross, Hon. George . . . Frontispiece Scott, Joseph N 506 Schlachter, Mr. and Mrs. Gusta- vus H 116 Schlichter, William S., . 528 Shoemaker, Hon. Harry J. . . 26 Stackhouse, John R 436 Swenk, Jacob L. . . '.'^. . . 178 Taylor, Benjamin J. 68 Thompson, Warner C. . . . 298 Turner, Rev. Douglas K 356 Walter, John B 516 Walter, Mrs. Adeline E. ■ • . Si7 Weaver.MiltonH., M.D. . 86 Weirbach, Samuel 396 Weierbach, Zeno W 262 Worrell, Edward ... .538 Yerkes, Harman 20 Youngken, Mr. and Mrs. John N. 306