Montgomery County PA Archives Biographies.....Detwiler, William March 12, 1834 - 
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Source: Biographical Annals of Montgomery County Pennsylvania, T. S. Benham & Company and the Lewis Publishing Company, 1904
Author: Ellwood Roberts, Editor

WILLIAM DETWILER, a well known farmer of Lower Providence, 
has been highly successful in his occupation, and has 
accumulated a considerable estate. Besides the homestead of 
fifty-four acres, he has his capital invested in other 
valuable property, including a large farm which is rented. 
He is a descendant of one of the oldest families in 
Montgomery county. He was born March 12, 1834, being reared 
to the occupation of farming, and attending the public 
schools of the neighborhood in the intervals of farm work, 
as was customary in those days. Mr. Detwiler is the son of 
Henry and Margaret (Zeigler) Detwiler, both of that 
vicinity.

Henry Detwiler (father) was the son of John Detwiler, the 
family being of German descent, the first ancestor in 
America coming to this country in colonial days. John 
Detwiler (grandfather) was also a prominent farmer, and was 
highly respected by his neighbors and all that knew him. The 
family were Mennonites. His children: Henry (father), Jacob, 
John, Abraham, Elizabeth, Susanna, Barbara, Anna. Henry 
Detwiler (father) was a carpenter, and settled in Worcester 
township. When young he followed his trade, but afterwards 
abandoned it and became a farmer. He was a Republican in 
politics, but never aspired to office. He was a practical 
and successful farmer, and created a good estate. He was 
born in 1801, and died at the age of fifty years. His wife 
survived him until about 1870. She was a daughter of Tillman 
Zeigler. The Zeigler family were of Montgomery county, and 
were of German descent. Tillman Zeigler retired from work 
during the last part of his life. He was also a Mennonite. 
His children: Margaret (mother); John, William and Andrew.

The children of Henry and Margaret (Zeigler) Detwiler: 
Abraham, died in 1883; William, the subject of this sketch; 
Jacob, (deceased); Mary A. (Mrs. J. C. Saylor); Fanny, died 
voting; Sarah (Mrs. J. C. Tyson), and Elizabeth (Mrs. 
Hallman).

William Detwiler has been a lifelong resident of the county. 
He remained under the parental roof until he had grown to 
manhood, when he spent one year at the homestead, and then 
bought the farm on which he still lives. He has given all 
his attention to his occupation of farming, and has been 
attending the Norristown markets for about forty years. He 
is a practical and successful farmer, and among the solid 
men of the vicinity in which he lives, being highly 
respected by the whole community.
 
Mr. Detwiler married Mary A. Hendricks, daughter of Abraham 
and Mary (Stover) Hendricks. At one time Mr. Hendricks was a 
hotel keeper, and later became interested in the occupation 
of farming. The latter part of his life he lived retired 
from farm labor, and made his home with a daughter. He was a 
Mennonite in religious faith. His children: Elizabeth (Mrs. 
J. Hartsell); Isabel (Mrs. H. Harley); Mary A., wife of Mr. 
Detwiler; Aaron, of Philadelphia, who is a professional man; 
Miltsena (Mrs. L. Shroyer).

The children of Mr. and Mrs. William Detwiler: Elizabeth 
(Mrs. E. Freed); Rebecca (Mrs. Rittenhouse); Cerena (Mrs. 
McHone); Theodore, who is engaged in farming the homestead; 
Diary (Mrs. William Heyser). Mr. and Mrs. Detwiler were 
members of the Presbyterian church.Mrs. Detwiler died in 
1895.

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