(Picture of Rev. Theodore Heysham, Ph. D.)

 

REV. THEODORE HEYSHAM, PH. D., second son of Robert and Sarah Elizabeth Heysham, was born January 14, 1864, near Cold Point in Plymouth township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania.

When he was quite young his parents removed to Norristown, where he was educated in the public schools, first at Sandy street school, and later at Oak street. On account of his health he did not remain in the high school to graduate, but went into the country, remaining there several years. In the winter of 1886 he joined the Lower Providence Baptist church. Relieving himself called to breach the gospel, he entered on a course of preparative study.

In the spring of 1887 he entered the National School of Elocution and Oratory in Philadelphia, and in the autumn of the same year entered Bucknell Academy at Lewisburg. After a three years' course of study he graduated with honor in 1890. While at that institution he won two prizes; the David P. Leas prize for the best declamation, and the William E. Martin prize for the best oration at commencement. He was also largely instrumental in forming the Adelphia Literary Society, and was one of its presidents.

In 1890 Mr. Heysham entered Bucknell College, passing through the freshman and sophomore years. He engaged in all the activities and sports of college life; and was a member of the football team, of the Euepia Literary Society, the Young Men's Christian Association, and the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. In the freshman year he won the William C. Gretzinger prize for the best declamation, and the C. L. William prize for the best essay. In consequence of the death of his father in 1892 he entered the junior class of the University of Pennsylvania. At that institution he won the second prize for oratory in the junior year, and was elected a member of

 

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the honorary fraternity, Phi Beta Kappa, in the senior year. He was also a member of the Zelesophic Society, of the Red and Blue staff, and was one of the three representatives of the University of Pennsylvania in the first intercollegiate debate with Cornell at Ithaca in 1894, in which the decision was given to the University of Pennsylvania. He graduated in June 1894, with the degree of A. B. In the autumn of that year he entered Crozer Theological Seminary, also taking up work in the Department of Philosophy of the University of Pennsylvania. A serious illness of three months interfered somewhat with Mr. Heysham's studies at Crozer, but in June, 1897, he graduated with honor in the regular course, being one of the speakers at commencement. In the summer of the same year he was ordained to the gospel ministry by a council in the Lower Providence Baptist church.

In June, 1898, the degree of Doctor of Philosophy was conferred upon him by the University of Pennsylvania, -the subject of his thesis being "St. Augustine and his Doctrine of the Will." After supplying churches at Wayne, Germantown, Swarthmore and Philadelphia, Dr. Heysham was called to the pastorate of the First Baptist church of Bridgeport, Pennsylvania, and accepted it September 10, 1899. The congregation grew rapidly under his ministry of five years. The church building was remodeled and considerably enlarged, the cost of the improvements being about $7,000. Of this amount $5,000 was paid and the balance provided for. There were large additions to the membership of the congregation, and the church prospered in every way.

On October 24, 1900, Dr. Heysham married Ella May Reese, daughter of William J. and Anna R. Reese, in the Lower Providence Baptist church, Rev. William M. Courson, the pastor, officiating. They have two children, Anna Stewart, born July 30, 1901, and Theodore, Jr., born January 9, 1904.

In addition to his pastorate, Dr. Heysham has interested himself in many kindred lines. He is a member of the Philadelphia Conference of Baptist Ministers, and has read several papers before it; he is a member of the North Philadelphia Baptist Association, and also of the Baptist Ministerial Union of Pennsylvania, being first vice-president in 1903-4. He is a member of Charity Lodge, No. 190, Free and Accepted Masons; of Norristown Chapter, No. 190, Royal Arch Masons; and of Hutchinson Commandery, No. 32, Knights Templar. He organized the Citizens' Committee, which took action to put a stop to the outrages committed by the so-called "Shirt-Waist Gang," of Bridgeport, in January, 1904. He is connected with the Alumni Societies of Bucknell University, the University of Pennsylvania and Crozer Theological Seminary, and is deeply interested in the improvement of the Sunday school system.

On February 1, 1904, Dr. Heysham presented his resignation as pastor of the Bridgeport church, on account of ill-health, which he believed would be benefited by a change of scene. His last sermons were preached on February 29, 1904. The church presented a written testimonial of appreciation of the retiring pastor's work, and of sorrow because of the necessity for separation from his congregation, which was published ill full in Norristown Daily Herald of February 29. His letter of resignation had been published in the same paper in the issue of February 22, and an earnest tribute from a prominent member of the community on February 24, 1904.

On March 9, 1904, Dr. Heysham left Norristown for southern California, for the purpose of recuperating his health, visiting during his travels the principal points of interest in Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and southern California and other states. He returned home July, 14, of the same year, after visiting St. Paul and Minneapolis. Several letters descriptive of Dr. Heysham's experiences in traveling have been published in the Norristown Daily Herald.

On October 6, 1904, the Central Baptist church of Minneapolis, Minnesota, extended a unanimous call to Dr. Heysham to become its pastor. After careful deliberation and a second visit to the field, the call was accepted October 16, and the work begun in November of the same year.

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The Central Baptist church is one of the strongest and most influential of that denomination in the Northwest, having a membership of nearly 700. The Standard, of Chicago (Baptist), October 29, 1904, has the following: "Dr. Heysham is a man possessed by the spirit of Christ and furnished with the best from the schools. He is just at the threshold of a strong manhood, matured by- training, experience and sincere Christianity. His single pastorate of five years at Bridgeport, Pennsylvania, proved him to be a plan capable of marshaling all the forces at his command in such a way as to accomplish the utmost possible."

The Norristown Daily Herald, October 20, 1904, observes: "Rev. Dr. Heysham will leave with the well wishes of his friends, who are legion in Norristown, where he has lived since childhood, and in Bridgeport, where he served so faithfully the Baptist congregation for several years, building it up spiritually and materially, as the membership was greatly increased during his incumbency as pastor, and the church building was practically renewed."

"His popularity was not confined to his congregation, for his devotion to duty created for him many friends who held other church connections."

The Heysham family are traced to Lancashire, England, where the name has left its impress upon many places of historic interest. The little hamlet or resort called "Heysham" is one of the oldest settlements in that section of England, dating from early Saxon times. In the Domesday Survey it has the name "Hessam," which signifies the house or home of Hesse or Hessa, the original proprietor who took possession of the rocky tract of land now called Heysham Point which projects into the sea. The old Saxon spirit lingers around the rugged coast at Heysham, and all the turmoil of modern life cannot drive it away. It is a pleasure, says a recent visitor, to betake one's self to the graveyard of St. Peter's church, beneath the shade of great trees. Nothing could be more picturesque than this hallowed ground on the crest of the cliff, the paradise of painters. Miss Tomlinson, in her description of the place, says: "It is mentioned in the Domesday Survey as Hessam, when with Halton and the neighboring villages, it belonged to Earl Tosti, and subsequently to Roger of Poitou.

The situation of the old village is charming, and it makes a pretty picture as it is approached from Lancaster and Morecombe road. It has been the subject of more than one of Turner's beautiful paintings. The old parish church, which is dedicated to St. Peter, is very ancient, the older portions being Saxon. The Heysham Chapel must be either Saxon or Celtic, and its dedication to St. Patrick points to an Irish origin. Whether the Saint himself had visited Heysham and founded the chapel, or whether it was built by Irish missionaries who came over in the sixth or seventh century to convert the inhabitants of northern Britain, or whether it was erected as some suggest, by Hesse, and is a Saxon church, cannot be proved. St. Patrick's day was apparently observed at Heysham, for among the conveyances of land preserved in the record office in London, there is one of the date of 1272, from Adam de Hessayne to Thomas de Travers, for which the yearly tribute was an arrow St. Patrick's day."

There is a harbor at Lancaster called Heysham Harbor. There is also an estate in Lancashire, left by the Heysham family, the proceeds of which are distributed each year to the poor. Candelabra of brass bear the name of Heysham in the cathedral at Lancaster, and in the churchyard attached to the Carlisle Cathedral is a tomb bearing the following inscription:

"Here lie the remains of Christopher Hey-

sham, Esq., late of Lancaster, who departed this

life May XIth MDCCCII aged LXXVIII years."

"Prepare to meet thy God in judgment."

It is this Christopher Heysham who makes the connecting link between the families in England and America. He is the brother of Captain William Heysham, from whom the family in America trace their descent. Christopher and William Heysham were the younger brothers of an ancient English family who dated their entrance into the island from the time of William the Conqueror. Being the younger brothers, and not having any inclination to serve his majesty in the church, army or navy, they became merchants at Hull. Christopher attended to the domestic and William to the foreign business. After a few voyages to Philadelphia and some of the southern ports, the brothers relinquished the business at Hull, and emigrated to America in the early part of 1774 they were located on Water street, Philadelphia, are merchants. William married an American lady whom he met on one of his former visits. Christopher remained single. The brothers prospered and worked harmoniously until the war broke out between England and America. Christopher held firm to his king, but William espoused the cause of liberty. Christopher sold out his share of the business to William, and returned to the mother country. William continued in business and became a respected citizen, beloved even by his Tory neighbors.

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Captain William Heysham died September 27, 1797. His wife, Mary, died March 27, 1791. Their children: William, Jr., died December 10, 1798; Captain Robert, died November 16, 1822, married Mary _______; Mary married ______ Gibbons; Ann married Francis Bowes Sayre, M. D.; Jane, died September 26, 1764.

Captain Robert and Mary Heysham, of Philadelphia, had the following children: Robert, born October 3, 1798, died December 2, 1867, married Ann Stewart; Hamilton; John, who had a son William, and the a son Samuel; William; and Fannie, who married _________ Hampton.

The children of Robert (grandfather) and Ann (Stewart) Heysham: Robert, born February 24, 1824, died May 26, 1892, married Sarah Elizabeth Hoopes; Charles Stewart, born November 17, 1825, died July 27, 1887, married (first wife) Margaret Brooke, by whom one child survived, Elizabeth, and (second wife) Fannie P. Rushton, by whom one child survived, Grace; Elizabeth Greenleafe, born August 18, 1829, died October 22, 1845; Theodore, born September 21, 1834, died September 10, 1852.

The children of Robert (father) and Sarah E. (Hoopes) Heysham: Stewart C., born March 18, 1862, died November 25, 1884; Theodore, subject of this sketch; Horace Besson, born November 22, 1873.

Captain William Heysham emigrated to America before 1773, and was a merchant on Water street, Philadelphia. He was an enthusiastic friend of the American cause. He it was who removed the chime of bells from Christ church tower when Lord Howe with his army entered the city, that they might not be rung in honor of the King, and replaced then after the British evacuation. He was appointed warden of the port of Philadelphia, July 23, 1778; and was one of the commissioners for procuring a supply of salt for the city in 1779. He resided on the north side of Mulberry street, between Third and Fourth. Captain Robert Heysham was born in Philadelphia about 1758 or 1759, and died in the sixty-third year of his age. He was captain of a volunteer company in the provisional army June 11, 1798, holding his commission under President James Madison. His parchment commission is in the possession of Rev. Theodore Heysham, Ph. D., of Norristown.

Robert Heysham (grandfather) son of Captain Robert, died near Cold Point, in Plymouth township. His wife, Ann Stewart, was the daughter of Charles Stewart. They were married May 1, 1823, and she died May 10, 1838. He held a position in the Philadelphia custom house for a number of years, severing his connection with it May 20, 1853. He also held a naval office to April 15, 1846. At the time of his death he was living retired in the country with his son Robert, near Cold Point. Of his children, Theodore died unmarried, September 10, 1852, aged eighteen years; Elizabeth Greenleafe died unmarried, October 22, 1845: Charles Stewart was born in Philadelphia and grew to manhood there, studied medicine, graduated from the University of Pennsylvania as a Doctor of Medicine, and had a very large practice at Newton Square, Delaware county, Pennsylvania; his children surviving are Mrs. Elizabeth Jones and Mrs. Grace H. Yerkes.

Robert Heysham, Jr., (father) was born in Philadelphia and died in Norristown. Being delicate in youth he sought a home in the country, amid the healthful scenes of rural life. He secured a farm about a mile from Cold Point, on which he resided for many years.

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On September 27, 1860, Robert married Sarah Elizabeth Hoopes. About 1868 he removed to Norristown, and resided on the south side of Penn street, between Green and Arch, taking up the study of law with George N. Corson, but never applied for admission to the bar. In 1875 he removed from Penn street to No. 225 Jacoby street, where he resided at the time of his death. During his residence in Norristown he was engaged in real estate transactions. He was a Democrat in politics. He was a member of the association formed to celebrate the centennial of Montgomery county in 1884. He was also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

Stewart C. Heysham, born at Cold Point, was educated in the public schools of Norristown. At sixteen years of age he entered the drug store of Atwood Yeakle, intending to devote his life to pharmacy, but later he entered the office of Dr. J. K. Weaver, and devoted himself to the study of medicine. He graduated Iron Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, in 1882. He married Miss Lydie Adle, August 7, 1881, they having one child, Marion E., who was born August 2, 1882. Dr. Heysham practiced first at Port Kennedy, and later removed to Lansdale, where he opened a drug store in connection with his practice. After a short but successful career, he died of an attack of typhoid fever.

Rev. Theodore Heysham was very much beloved by his Bridgeport congregation, and they yielded with much regret to his resignation as their pastor. Candid, sincere and earnest in his work in the ministry, he has made many friends.

 

 

(Picture of Benjamin Bertolet)

 

BENJAMIN BERTOLET. The Bertolet family were among the early French Huguenot settlers in Pennsylvania. Jean Bertolet arrived in the colonies in 1726, and his brother, Peter Bertolet, eight or ten years earlier. The descendants of Peter are not able to give an authentic account of his arrival in the colony, but he signed a petition to incorporate Oley township, in Berks county, which bears date 1720, and is on the at Reading. He was a married man, and left a family, a son Jonathan becoming a physician and marrying Charlotta, daughter of Dr. George de Benneville. The couple were second cousins, as Dr. Benneville's wife Esther was the daughter of Jean Bertolet.

Dr. Jonathan Bertolet practiced medicine at Pottsgrove, now Pottstown, in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, and later at New Hanover Square, where he died at the age of thirty-five years in 1789. His remains lie in Bertolet's burying-ground in Frederick township, Montgomery County. His preceptor was evidently Dr. George de Benneville, also of a French Huguenot family, who lived in Oley to the time that he located at Branchtown, near York road and Green lane, Philadelphia, in 1755. He purchased a farm of twenty acres of land at Branchtown with a mansion, and practiced medicine there for many years Dr. De Benneville reserved from this farm about an acre of land for a burial place for himself and his family. It is located at the corner of York road and Green lane, extending by a parallel line Green lane from York road to Broad street. At the corner of Broad street Dr. de Benneville and his wife Esther were buried. He died in 1793, in the ninetieth year of his age. He became an inspired religious teacher and leader, preaching in French, German and English, a fact which furnishes additional evidence of his thorough education.

Jean Bertolet was born in Chartieu Deux, in Alsace-Lorraine, at that time a part of France. His ancestors had resided in Flanders and were exiled therefrom during the Reformation, they being what are known as French Huguenots refugees. The Huguenots carried on an unequal contest against the dominant Catholic church from 1500 to 1595, the period generally known as that of the French Reformation. The first of the Huguenots martyred perished at Metz in 1525. One of the most dreadful features of the conflict was the massacre of twelve thousand Huguenots who were prisoners, at Amboise, in 1560. The

 

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Bertolet family still have in their possession the French Protestant Bible which was printed in 1557.

Jean Bertolet removed from the canton of Chartien Deux to Berne, in western Switzerland. It had been from this country that the doctrines of the Reformation originally extended into France where they took such deep hold. It might seem as though those almost inaccessible Alpine regions-mountains and valleys-were placed in the heart of Europe in order that they -night afford a refuge for these religious exiles. Hundreds of persecuted French Protestants betook themselves to Switzerland and applied themselves to the various pursuits of life. Some of them became tenants on the congregational estates then just acquired. Among these was Jean Bertolet. He and his wife Susanna took charge of one of these in 1712. As nearly as can be ascertained, he was thus engaged as a farmer for a period of fourteen years, after which time he, with his wife and five children, emigrated to America, for the purpose, as he phrased it, of bettering their temporal condition. French was his mother tongue and that language was at first almost exclusively spoken in the family but it was lost in the second and third generations in Pennsylvania, owing to intermarriages with English-speaking neighbors. Jean Bertolet was an adherent of the Zwinglian and Calvinistic doctrines. After coming to Pennsylvania he associated himself with the Moravians with whom the Huguenots had much in common. He was a pious, honest man, as is proved abundantly by contemporary evidence. A good name was given him when he left Switzerland, by a passport from the church, townspeople and law officers. It read as follows:

"We, the undersigned, High Bailiff of the Church of the illustrious Count Palatine of Gutenburg, attest herewith in virtue of this belief that the bearer hereof, worthy, honorable and discrete Jean Bertolet, born at Chartien Deux in Switzerland, in the district of Berne, together with his wife he has for 14 years resided constantly in this place as a tenant on the high estimable bishopric or estate with its appertaining farm, as a pious, honest, upright ant reasonable and in such a manner as becomes an honest man of laudable conduct so that we know nothing to say after him, as well as his housewife, otherwise than all love and goodness. Besides these married people have with them their five children and in prospect for their better advantage and opportunity they wish to repair to the new land of Pennsylvania, and there peaceably settle themselves, being fully resolved and disposed.

"By virtue of our office we command respect toward, also service and friendly salutations and order the aforesaid Jean Bertolet with his housewife Susanna and their five children, not only to pass free and unmolested but also by side roads, besides their commendable good demeanor of all just intent and assistance be rendered them.

"In such are we by similar occasion cheerful to reciprocate, so with the assurance, as before mentioned, they have this as their true passport (unarkundt) to which we have with our own hand subscribed our customary Palatinate, which is hereunto appended.

"Given and executed at the place of Chief justice Wimpfeldten the nine and twentieth day of the month of April as we count One thousand seven hundred and twenty-six. (April 20, 1726).

"Attest: Hanz Erhard Beyer.

"J. G. Wimpfeldten. ( Seal.)

"Nicholas Schoernblant, Atty." ( Seal. )

It can be seen in the above that jean Bertolet is spoken of as being a native of Switzerland, although it is found on investigation that Chartien Deux is located in Alsace-Lorraine, then a part of France. To this document were attached two seals, one of them in wax. It is not alone from this official document that the character of Jean Bertolet is known. He has left his footprints as it were, in the path that he passed along, which are plainly visible to those who come after him. Benjamin Bertolet, his descendant, has three other official documents which show that he was the official Christian leader of the French Huguenot settlement of Oley, in Berks county, Pennsylvania.

On arriving in Pennsylvania in 1720, Jean Bertolet resided temporarily in the upper part of Germantown, now Mount Airy, Philadelphia. Later he settled at Oley, where he purchased two hundred acres of land on quit rent on which he built a house in 1731. The date was cut upon the sill above the doorway. He erected his house on the log cabin plan, although it was roomy and durable. It was taken down in 1826, sold and re-erected at Stonersville, where it will stand in good condition for several generations more.

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Jean Bertolet held prayer meetings every Sabbath to which he kindly invited his Indian neighbors, some of whom soon became regular attendants. As the services were conducted in his native tongue, French, his neighboring Huguenot brethren also attended. The Indians told him that they could understand little of his prayers; yet they believed them to be good because of the fervent and sincere manner in which they were expressed. He generally knelt in prayer, and the Indians, by way of showing their profound reverence in their own fashion, prostrated themselves on the ground.

 

Jean Bertolet directed his attention to the cultivation of the soil in his new home as in his own country. He not only cultivated the soil, however, but also the minds of his children. For this purpose he engaged the most capable teachers he could find, in order that the young people might grow to be useful citizens of their adopted country. He employed a nobleman, the young Count George de Benneville, a Huguenot, to teach them.

Count Zinzendorf visited Jean Bertolet at Oley. When the Moravian church held its one hundred and fiftieth anniversary at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, on December 21, 1801, an account of it was given in one of the papers read. When Zinzendorf left his home in Saxony to join the Moravians in this country he was accompanied by his daughter, the Countess Benigan, then sixteen years of age, and Rosina, the wife of Bishop Neitchman, and also by Abraham and Judith Meinnue and Henry Miller, a printer. They landed in New York, December 10, 1741, reaching Philadelphia on the 21st of the same month.

They occupied a three-story brick house on the east side of Second street, above Race, which had been secured for them. Without any delay the Count instituted a series of religious meetings in this house which became very popular German and English people attended them, in order that no suspicion of unlawful teaching might be aroused. On December 18, the Count and his companions began their notable journey to Bethlehem, going first to Germantown, where the Count remained over night with Rev. John Bechtel, a member of the Reformed church. On the following day they set out for Wagner's, where they passed the night, and the next day journeyed on.

They arrived, on the 24th, at the forks of the Lehigh and Monocacy rivers. Count Zinzendorf, whose energy was remarkable, did not make a protracted stay in Bethlehem, but on Christmas day, a few hours after thus impressive services in the log house at which Bethlehem was named, he set out and journeyed to Oley, where he preached at the house of Jean Bertolet. Thence he journeyed to Ephrata to investigate the case of one Habrecht who had left the Brethren. He immediately returned to Germantown. The Oley church-book shows that Henry Antes preached there in 1736.

The Moravian, Spangenberg, was introduced by Henry Antes in 1737, and preached his second sermon at the house of Jean Bertolet in 1741. In a list of persons given in the Church-book as leaving taken part in a great revival at Oley, are the names of Jean Bertolet and his sons, as well as that of his wife.

Julius F. Sachse, in his "German Sectarians," Vol. I, page 123, describes the part taken by Jean Bertolet in spreading the gospel among the early settlers in Pennsylvania. Their gatherings resulted in the organization of a religious society independent of any denominational creed, known as the Vereinigte Skippack Bruden (Associated Brethren of the Skippack).

The leading members of this new sect were Henry Frey, John Cooper, George Merkel, Christian Weber, John Boun, Jacob Wenzen, Joshua Schmidt, William Bossen and Joshua Becker, of Skippack; Henry Antes, William Frey, George Stiefel, Henry Holstein and Andrew Frey, of Frederick township; Matthias Gemaehle and Abraham Wagner, of Matetsche (Methacton); Jean Bertelot, Francis Ritter and William Potts, of Oley; John Bechtel, John Adam Gruber, Blasius Macknet and George Benzel, of Germantown.

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The following is the inscription on the memorial stone erected to Jean Bertolet

 

IN MEMORIAM

JEAN BERTOLET

AND HIS WIFE

SUSANNA, NEE DE HARCOURT,

EMIGRATED TO AMERICA

A. D. 1726.

ERECTED BY HIS DESCENDANTS

SEPT. 4TH, 1902.

A PIOUS, UPRIGHT FRENCH

HUGUENOT BISHOP.

The location in which Jean Bertolet settled at Oley was about one mile west of what is now known as Yellow House. He died about the year 1743. His oldest son Abraham (2) was born December 11, 1712, married Esther De Turk in 1750, and died in July, 1766. He was a blacksmith by trade, and a very good mechanic. He built entirely with his own hands a saw mill, complete in all its arrangements, on a branch of the Manatawney creek. It is still in running order on the old farm.

His other children were (2) Maria, born 1715, died 1802, married Stephen Barnet; (3) John, born 1717, died 1789, married a daughter of Peter Ballio; (4) Esther, born 1720, died 1796, married Dr. George De Benneville; (5) Susanna, born 1722, married Jacob Frey, son of William and grandson of Henry Frey, who arrived in America in 1675. Susanna died in 1805; (6)Frederick, born 1727, died 1779, the only child of Jean and Susanna Bertolet born in America, married Esther, daughter of Abraham Le Van, and lived all his life on the Bertolet homestead, one of his sons operating the charcoal forge and furnace for many years.

The children of Abraham and Esther Bertolet: John, born in 1731; Mary, born 1737, married Daniel Hoch; Daniel, born May 9, 1741, married Maria Yoder, and resided on his father's farm; Elizabeth, born in 1742, married John De Turk; Samuel, born in Oley, September 14, 1743, married Esther Frey, his first cousin, daughter of Jacob Frey of Falkner Swamp, and died January 1, 1805; Esther, born in 1746, married George Yoder.

Among the children of Daniel Bertolet, oldest son of Abraham and Esther Bertolet, was Daniel Bertolet, Jr. He was born on the old homestead in Oley, near Friedensburg, January 11, 1781. He married Mary Griesemer. He died September 1, 1868, aged eighty-eight years. He became the Pietist, and was very eccentric, forbidding all smoking in his house. He was one of the earliest to join the Evangelical Methodist church, and erected a church building for the organization on his farm at Friedensburg. His family became one of the most popular in Berks county in those days.

His children were as follows: Daniel G., born January 17, 1809, married Hettie Bertolet. He was a merchant miller. Maria, married Moses Miller, who was one of the early coal operators in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania. Isaac, born April 11, 1810, became an iron manufacturer; operating a rolling mill in Reading. He had two sons, Jonathan and Daniel N., both of whole became physicians and served in the United States navy. Jonathan died in Berlin, Germany, in 1863. He was sunstruck while serving with General N. P. Banks' Division, then operating on the Mississippi river, and, partly recovering, went abroad to recuperate his health. Dying, as stated, he was buried at Berlin. Dr. Daniel N. Bertolet is still serving in the navy, standing at the head of his profession.

Jacob became a minister in the Evangelical organization and was popular among that people. He had a son Israel who still owns the old Abraham homestead and sawmill, and is also interested in financial affairs at Reading. The farm in question was originally owned by Isaac De Turk, a brother-in-law of Jean Bertolet. Abraham's wife Esther took it as her share of her father's estate.

 

Of the children of Jacob Bertolet, Israel has two sons, Haman and Samuel. Haman is a civil engineer in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. Samuel is an attorney-at-law, and is engaged in practice at Reading. J Samuel Bertolet, the second son of Abraham and Esther Bertolet, married his cousin, Esther Frey, and removed to Falkner Swamp. Benjamin Bertolet, subject of this sketch, is one of his descendants.

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Samuel served during the Revolutionary war in Colonel Frederick Antes' Regiment, in 1777, from May to December, in the Philadelphia County Militia. He followed his commander from Newton in Bucks county, to Falls of Schuylkill. From that place the army marched to the Brandywine where the battle of the Brandywine was fought, September 11, 1777. That night the army retreated to Chester and the next day to the old camp at Falls of Schuylkill. Two days later the army moved to Muck Tavern and White Horse Tavern, where some of the militia had a skirmish with the British, September 16, 1777. When the rainy season, the autumnal equinox, set in, the army moved to Chester Springs, and again to Warwick Furnace, and then to Parker's Ford, recrossing the Schuylkill. From that point the army marched to Trappe. It was about this time that General Wayne's division was surprised in the night by the British troops at Paoli, and many of his men killed. In that engagement Samuel Bertolet with his team narrowly escaped being taken prisoner by the British. Samuel and Esther Bertolet had several children: Abraham, the eldest, born August 26, 1773, married Elizabeth Hunsicker who was born September 7, 1775, they having three sons, Henry, Samuel and Abraham, the father dying March 28, 1862.

This Henry was the father of Abraham R. Bertolet, the provost marshal who was shot and killed by a deserter, William Howe, in 1863, during the Rebellion, while Abraham was endeavoring to arrest him, the occurrence causing much excitement in Montgomery county at the time.

Samuel H., the second son of Abraham and Elizabeth Bertolet, born in July, 1805, died in 1852, married Elizabeth Pennypacker, born 1803, died in 1863, of the same family as Governor Samuel W. Pennypacker. Samuel H. was a justice of the peace in Frederick township for many years, spelling his name Bartolet. He had five sons and three daughters. Samuel's sons were Abraham P., Samuel P., Albert G., Benjamin F. and Ephraim.

Jacob, second son of Samuel and Esther (Frey) Bertolet, born in March, 1776, died in March, 1843, married Hannah Leidy, and had three sons and two daughters, the sons being John L., Samuel and Jacob.

Samuel, third son of Samuel and Esther Bertolet, born in May, 1779, died February 28, 1845, married Hannah Urick, who was born in 1784, and died in 1861. They resided near Pughtown, in Chester county, Pennsylvania, he being engaged in the milling business on French creek, and had four sons and three daughters, the sons being Benjamin, John, Samuel and Jacob.

John Bertolet, son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Frey) Bertolet (second wife), born November 5, 1790, died January 12, 1864, resided on the Frey-Bertolet homestead. It was at this place that General Washington established his army office, and it was used as such by his officers while he established his headquarters with Colonel Frederick Antes on the adjoining farm, the army being encamped at Fagleysville, in New Hanover township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, known in history as Camp Pottsgrove, September 18th to 26th, 1777. He has seven daughters and one son.

Of the daughters who reached womanhood, Elizabeth married Silas Grubb, and was the mother of Rev. N. Bertolet Grubb; Catharine married John Hartzel; Mary married Edward Willauer; Esther married Noah Fagley; Susanna married Jacob Bergey; Lydia married John Longacre. John, the only son, died young.

Daniel Bertolet (father), the youngest son of Samuel and Elizabeth, born April 20, 1796, and died February 26, 1868, married Catharine Gabel, born in 1803, and died in 1887. They had eleven children: Elizabeth married Elias Fagley; Esther married Jacob Bleim; John married Elizabeth Borneman; Ezra married Eleana Knipe; Susanna married H. B. Nace; Daniel married Eleanor Dunn; Abraham married Amanda More; Benjamin married Amelia Heberling; Maria married Michael Diehl; Samuel married Mary Barndt, and (second wife) Mary Borneman; and Abner married Maggie Davidson.

Daniel Bertolet, son of Samuel, was allotted one-half of the old Frey-Bertolet homestead which consisted of two hundred acres. He improved it and became a noted farmer, brick manufacturer and builder. In the deed to him a half acre was reserved for the Bertolet burying

 

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ground. He was in the habit of purchasing unimproved land and erecting buildings them, and selling it for farms. The most important building, he erected was the Frederick Institute, a school for higher education, which he built for a company composed of prominent citizens of that locality. This building was bought by the Mennonite church on behalf of their eastern district conference, in 1806, and has ever since been used by them for their Home for the Aged. Five of Daniel Bertolet's sons settled in Philadelphia, and all entered into business of different kinds. Ezra and Abraham carried on the iron business for a number of years. Benjamin engaged in brick manufacturing and extensive building operations. Samuel and Abner also engaged in the manufacture of brick. John remained in Frederick township, and followed farming. He had two sons, Amos B. and John B. Ezra had four sons: Conrad K. and Charles H., both of whom died after they had reached manhood; William, who is engaged in the sand business; and Ira B., who is engaged in selling dyes; Daniel removed to Brooklyn. He has no children. Abraham has two sons, Calvin M. and Abraham Lincoln. Both are printers and unmarried. Benjamin has two sons, Daniel H., of Pottstown, engaged in the real estate and building business, and Walter Benjamin, who is a real-estate and insurance broker in Philadelphia. They are both, like their father, the subject of this sketch, active businessmen. Walter Benjamin has a son, Benjamin 2d.

In the foregoing genealogy of the Bertolet family, only- two of its branches have been brought down to 1904. The family has had many medical men among its members: Jean Bertolet's son John became a physician, and also Peter's son Jonathan, and in every generation there have been representatives in the learned professions. Dr. Peter Bertolet, son of the second Daniel, was noted as a historian and much of his manuscript is found with the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. At the present time there are five Reading physicians who belong to the family.

Benjamin Bertolet attended the common pay schools and for a short term the Frederick Institute in Montgomery county. He was married, October 24, 1864, to Miss Amelia Heberling, a daughter of Daniel Heberling, a prominent citizen of Carbon county, who for twenty years was a justice of the peace and was also associate judge. Mrs. Bertolet died April 16, 1859. In politics he was a Republican but never sought or desired office. He was ever loyal in citizenship and as business prevented him from joining the army he sent a substitute to the war.

In his early business career he became connected with the iron industry, and after ten years he turned his attention to the manufacture of brick, in which he continued until the spring of 1902, covering thirty-five years. He still owns the old homestead near Fredrick, Montgomery county, and spends his summers thereon. He belongs to both the Pennsylvania and the Montgomery County Historical Societies.

He has three daughters Minnie E., who is the wife of Boyd Macmerty, and has a daughter, Harriet. Anna B., who married Charles F. Hillegass and has two sons, Charles F. and Jonathan B. Catherine B., who married Dr. Byron F. Porter, of Lincoln, Maine.

 

 

(Picture of Dr. Milton Newberry)

 

DR. MILTON NEWBERRY, one of the most successful medical practitioners of Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, is of English and Scotch descent on his paternal side and of German descent on the maternal side. He is a native of Whitemarsh township, where he was born October 4, 1829.

When he was a mere infant, his parents removed to the state of Ohio, where he remained until he had attained his ninth year, when Montgomery county again became his home. After securing the ordinary advantages of education at the public school near his home, he pursued academically studies at the Treemount school at Hartsville, in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and still later he entered as a student at the celebrated institution, Treemount Seminary, Norristown, then conducted by Rev. Samuel Aaron, who won a wide reputation as a teacher.

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Having chosen medicine as his profession, he entered the office of Dr. John A. Martin, at that time a leading physician of Whitemarsh township. He also entered as a student in the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania, from which institution he graduated in 1855. Dr. Newberry at once associated himself with his former preceptor, Dr. Martin, of Whitemarsh, and continued this professional relation until the autumn of 1858. Dr. Martin then retired from active practice, and Dr. Newberry at once entered on a successful career as a practitioner of medicine, his office being located in a very thickly populated section of country, in which he took at once a leading position as a physician which he has ever since maintained, during a period of time, covering nearly a half century.

Dr. Newberry married, April 29, 1858, Lucinda C., daughter of Dr. Frederick A. Martin, of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Their children were two sons, Frederick M. and George, the latter now deceased.

In his political affiliations, Dr. Newberry is a staunch Democrat, but he has been too busy attending to the urgent demands of a constantly increasing practice to seek office. He is a member of the Montgomery County Medical Society, which he represented as delegate at the meeting of the State Medical Society in 1878. He also served as a delegate from the Pennsylvania Medical Society at the meeting of the American Medical Association which convened at Washington in the same year.

Dr. Newberry's family are of Quaker descent, but he was a member of the Reformed congregation of the Whitemarsh Union church and now of St. Paul's Reformed church, of Fort Washington. Henry Newberry (great-grandfather) resided in Skippackville, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, prior to the Revolutionary war. He married Miss Ann Bull. Their children were: Israel, Henry, Thomas, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Jemima, Ann, Mary and John.

John Newberry, the youngest of the family (grandfather), married Miss Sarah Gordon, whose three children were Eliza (Mrs. Samuel Martin), George and Hannah (Mrs. George Shriver). George Newberry was born in Cheltenham township, but in early manhood removed to the state of Ohio, where he resided until his death. He married Catharine Shriver, of Springfield township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, and had three children: John, Milton and Anna M.

Dr. Newberry is a man who is deeply interested in the affairs of the community in which he resides, and he is always ready to assist in any movement that will promote the welfare of those around him.

 

 

JONATHAN L. BLAKE. The record of the Blake family extends to 1286. The first of the name of whom there is any authentic account is Robert Blake. He was a landholder, and resided in Wiltshire, England. His son Robert resided in Caln, in Wiltshire. He married Annie Cole, and had a son Humphrey, among others, who inherited the family estates, in accordance with the English custom.

Humphrey Blake married Elizabeth Durant, and had a son, among others, who was named William. William Blake married Mrs. Powers, and had several children. One of them was Henry Blake, of Caln, who married Mrs. Billett. Among their children was Robert Blake, also of Caln, who married Alice Wallop. William Blake, of White Parish, in Wiltshire, died in 1471. He was the son of Robert and Alice, the estates descending regularly from father to son. William Blake, son of the preceding William, resided in Oldhall parish, Andover, until his death in 1547.

Humphrey Blake, named for his maternal grandfather Cole, married early in the sixteenth century and removed from Wiltshire into Somerset county. He became lord of the manor of Plainfield, where in the great hall are still to be seen the names of the Blake family cut in solid stone, as borne by their ancestors.

The arms of the family were: A shield (white) bearing three sheaves (black), two above and one below a chevron. Humphrey and Agues Blake had the following son,: John, the elder, who had two sons, John and Robert: Robert, Humphrey Blake, Jr. Humphrey Blake, Jr., had a son Robert Blake, the famous admiral of English history. He was born in 1609, and died on his ship in Plymouth Harbor in 1657.

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Robert Blake, son of John the elder, was the father of William Blake, the first ancestor of the Blake family in America. He came from England in the ship "Mary and John" in 1630, and settled in Dorchester, Massachusetts. His wife Agues came with him, and they had four sons, William, James, Edward and John, and a daughter Ann, all born in England. Edward, his third son, had a son Solomon. Solomon had a son Joseph. Joseph had a son John.

John Blake, born August 27, 1740, removed from Hingham, Massachusetts, to Pennsylvania, and married Catharine Stevens, April 14, 1770. He died November 6, 1829. His wife died March 19, 1829.

The couple had four sons, as follows Abraham, born February 23, 1775; John, born August 10, 1778; Henry, born August 6, 1780; Jacob, bore September 20, 1784. John Blake (grandfather) married Jane Worrell, and had twelve children, as follows: Jonathan, Elizabeth, Charles, Jacob, George, Edward, Isaac, Jane, Alice, Eleanor, Robert S. and John. Jane, wife of John Blake, died October 28, 1836. John Blake survived his wife nearly thirteen years, dying June 20, 1849.

The first Robert Blake, of Wiltshire, England, and his brother Richard are said to have been Frenchmen, and were driven out of that country on account of religious persecution. The name is said originally to have been Cading, or Caden. After coming into England, they took the nacre of LeBlaque, or LeBlack, which ultimately became Blake.

William Blake, of Dorchester, Massachusetts, the American ancestor, left England on account of his religious views, he Being a "Roundhead," commonly known as a Puritan.

Jonathan L. Blake was born at Fox Chase, in Philadelphia county, October 31, 1850. He is the son of Robert Steel and Margaret (Snyder) Blake. Robert S. Blake was born at Fox Chase, February 12, 1820. He, acquired his educational training in the schools of the neighborhood. He was reared on his father's farm located at Fox Chase, adjoining the village. At the age of twenty-eight years he was deeded a portion of his father's land, consisting of about sixty acres.

He cultivated this land for about eight years, after which he engaged in mercantile business in the village of Fox Chase, keeping a general store. After spending five years in this way he disposed of his business at Fox Chase and occupied the old Stone Post farm, at Hollingshead's Corner. He remained there four years, after which he farmed the Megargee land at Chestnut Hill four years.

From that he went to the Jay Cooke farm, at Washington Lane and Church Road, remaining there ten years. He then went to Ogontz and farmed the Fisher farm on the Old York Road, for John Cadwallader. He remained there three years, and then relinquished farming, engaging in the butchering business with his son, Jonathan L., remaining at this business until his death, which occurred March 8, 1885.

Mr. Blake married, February 27, 1848, Margaret Snyder, a daughter of Amos and Matilda Snyder. Their children:

1. Amos S., married S. Lillie Clayton, of Ashbourne, they leaving five children: Margaret S., Thomas C., Maria S., Reba D., Ramsey S.

2. Jonathan L., subject of this sketch.

3. William G., married Clara Leach, of Ogontz, they leaving five children: i. Jennie E. of this family married Thomas J. Donnell, of Roxborough, Philadelphia county, and they had five children: Kathreen, born May 31, 1891; Ramsey, born July 13, 1894; Dorothy, born June 1, 1896, died September 21, 1896; Robert Blake, born March 6, 1898; Henry, born June 21, 1900. 2. Edna E. 3. Roberta S., deceased; 4. Elsie D. 5. Madeline L.

4. Ella M., married George Myers Patterson, and to them were born eleven children: George M., Charles, Nellie, Sarah M., Frank J., Jonathan B., Russell C., Florence, Margaret S., Walter H., and M. Ramsey.

 

Jonathan L. Blake was born at Fox Chase as already mentioned, and engaged in the butchering business, while the family resided as tenants on the Jay Cooke farm. In 1880 he purchased the lamb situated on Church Road, near Ogontz, on which he has erected a handsome residence and other buildings suitable for his business. He was elected supervisor of Cheltenham township.

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From the time of his first election he has served fourteen of the sixteen years in this capacity, and is now filling the position. Mr. Blake is a selfmade man, beginning life in a humble way. By his thrift and perseverance he has made life a success. He has established a business as contractor for the construction of roads, grading and farming, giving employment to from twenty to fifty men on the average, according to the season. He also owns from thirty to sixty head of horses, with all the necessary machinery for carrying on his business. Mr. Blake married Hannah Clapp, daughter of Jonathan and Hannah (Niel) Clapp. They have four children, Robert S., born July 6, 1876: Sarah deceased Warner R., deceased: Byrd E.

 

 

(Picture of Rev. Lewis J. Bickel)

 

REV. LEWIS J. BICKEL, pastor of St. James' and St. Peter's Lutheran churches of Pottstown, was born in Lower Pottsgrove township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, July 7, 1857.

The founder of the Bickel family came from Mosbach on the Rhine, near Mayence, Germany, and emigrated to this country in 1732, being a passenger on the good ship Mary. His son Ludwig, who was seven years old when his father emigrated, settled in Falkner's Swamp, New Hanover township, Montgomery County and he and his wife, Eva Barbara Bickel, were the parents of the following named children Anna Maria, born July 2, 1732; Jacob, born December 15, 1754, baptized December 20, 1754, married by Rev. Henry Melchior Muhlenberg to Elizabeth Schitler, and he was the great-grandfather of the Rev. Lewis J. Bikel; Johannes, who was the great-grandfather of John W. Bickel, Esq., of Norristown; Ludwig, who died when seventeen years of age; Magdalene, and Daniel. Ludwig Bickel, father of these children, died November 4, 1801, aged seventy-six years, seven months and one day. He was one of the victims of a very severe plague of dysentery. He left an estate valued at eight thousand pounds.

Lewis Bickel (grandfather), son of Jacob and Elizabeth Bickel, followed farming in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, during all the years of his active career. He married Susanna Reigner, and their children were: Elizabeth, who became the wife of Joseph Reifsnyder, and after his death became the wife of Samuel Levengood; John; Susan, who became the wife of George Yohn; George; Maria, who became the wife of Henry Yohn; Sarah, who became the wife of James Gilbert; Lewis, mentioned hereinafter; Lydia, who became the wife of Solomon Fegely; Esther who became the wife of William Gilbert. All of these children are now deceased. Both Mr. Bickel and his wife lived to an advanced age. Their remains are interred in the old church yard at Hanover and Walnut streets, Pottstown.

Jacob Erb (maternal grandfather) was a son of Caspar Erb (maternal great-grandfather), who started a mill on the Erb farm in Lower Pottsgrove township, which he sold for $40,000 just before his death; the mill was afterward destroyed by fire. His father, George Erb, came to America from Germany, but died soon after his arrival. The estate in Germany has never been settled, but is being attended to at the present time (1904). Jacob Erb (grandfather) was born and lived all his life on the farm in Lower Pottsgrove township, where his son Israel M. Erb now lives. He married Elizabeth Miller, whose father, Peter Miller, was a soldier in the war of 1812, a member of the Pennsylvania legislature in 1836, and who belonged to, a prominent Montgomery county family. He and his wife were members of the Lutheran church, and buried in the Lutheran church-yard in New Hanover township. He was a Democrat. Mr. Erb was the owner of one of the earliest and finest apple distilleries in the country. He died in 1864 at the age of seventy-three years, and his wife died in 1877 at the age of eighty-six years.

Their children were: Maria, who became the wife of James Missimer, of Pottstown both deceased. Leah, who became the wife of Isaac Shalkop, of Linfield: both deceased. Rebecca, mother of the Rev. Lewis J. Bickel; Hannah, who became the wife of Peter Henricks, and after his death the wife of Isaac Hatfield, of Limerick township; both deceased. Elizabeth, who became the wife of Conrad Snell, of Lower Pottsgrove. Sarah,

 

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who became the wife of Isaac Geist, of Pottstown; both deceased. Solomon, deceased, was a resident of Philadelphia. Israel M., of Lower Pottsgrove township. Jacob F., deceased, was a resident of Pottstown.

Lewis Nickel (father) was born in Montgomery county and lived there all his life. He was a farmer in Lower Pottsgrove township until within sixteen years of the time of his death, when he removed to Pottstown and lived retired. He died September 17, 1902, at the age of eighty-three years, five months and seventy-one days. His wife, Rebecca (Erb) Nickel, also a dative of Montgomery county, died January 16, 1898, aged seventy-five years and six days. They were Lutherans in religious faith. Mr. Nickel was a school director for a number of years, always took an interest in educational matters, and was an active man both in politics and the church. Lewis and Rebecca Nickel had seven children, three of whom are now living: Sarah A., wife of Henry G. Rahn; Rev. Lewis J.; Mary C., wife of Irvin A. Kepner.

Rev. Lewis J. Nickel was reared in Pottsgrove township. He received his elementary education iii the district schools, and afterward attended the Hill school of Pottstown and the Pottstown high school. He entered the academic department of Muhlenberg College in the spring of 1878, and in the fall of 1878 he became a member of the freshman class, and was graduated from the same in the classical course in 1882, receiving the third honor in his class, and he also delivered the historical oration. He also won the prize for oratory in the junior prize oratorical contest. While at college he was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. In 1885 he received the degree of Master of Arts from his Alma Mater; For four terms prior to entering college, he taught school in Pottsgrove township.

After studying at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia for three years, he graduated in 1885, and was ordained June 2, 1885, in St. John's Lutheran church, Allentown, Pennsylvania. His first charge was that of assistant to Dr. J. Fry, of Trinity church at Reading, where he remained five year, and during this time he organized three congregations-Hope, Faith and Peace.

He was then called to the pastorate of St. Stephen's Lutheran church at Wilmington, Delaware, where he preached for the next five years. On removing to Pottstown, in 1895, he became the assistant of Rev. D. K. Kepner, of Emmanuel congregation, and was largely instrumental in the organization in 1896 of the two churches of which he now has charge-St. James', with a membership of one hundred and seventy-five, and St. Peter's, with a membership of two hundred and twenty-five. For a time he was secretary of the Third District Conference, and later of the Norristown Conference of the Ministerium of Pennsylvania and adjacent states. Politically he has been a Democrat.

On June 27, 1889, Rev. Lewis J. Bickel married Miss Gertrude Frick Beideman, of Reading, who was a graduate of the Reading high school, and taught for five terms in the Young Ladies' Seminar at Reading, and an adopted daughter of Daniel H. and Louisa (Willauer) Beideman. They have had four children as follows: Louis, died at the age of five years; Edgar Clifton, Marion Louise, and Gertrude Mary.

Mrs. Bickel is the daughter of Elhannan W. and Angeline (Willatter) Frick; their other children were: Mary H., who became the wife of William S. Monyer, of Reading; Samuel Edgar, station agent of the Pennsylvania Railroad at Sluing City; and Louie, deceased. The mother died while Mrs. Nickel was an infant, and the child was adopted by her uncle and aunt, Daniel H. and Louisa (Willauer) Beideman. The father of Mrs. Nickel, Elhannan W. Frick, was a descendant of Christopher Sower, who came from Germany in 1724, locating in Germantown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he became a noted publisher and printer and published the first German Bible printed in America. He was the maternal great-grandfather of Elhannan W. Trick. The latter named was a resident of Frick's Lock, Chester county, where he conducted a mercantile business, and later retired.

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In the maternal side the grandparents of Mrs. Bickel, Samuel and Hannah (Grubb) Willaner, were residents near Kenilworth, Chester county, where Samuel was a justice of the peace for many years. He was a public-spirited man. In religion he was reared in the Quaker faith. He and his wife had a fancily of nine children: 1. Elizabeth, died in infancy; 2. Mary, married George W. West, of Texas; 3. Anna Louisa, married D. H. Beideman; 4. Angeline Married Elhannan W. Frick; 5. Seneca G., a prominent citizen of West Chester, Pennsylvania, ex-prothonotary, and present inspector of soldiers' orphans' homes; he recruited a company for service in the Civil War, in which he served for six years; he went to the field as first lieutenant, and was promoted to major; he was severely wounded at the battle of Fredericksburg, December 13, 1862; 6. Jonathan W. was a soldier in the Confederate army and was killed in the battle at Blutesville, Louisiana ; 7. Samuel served in the Union army and received at the battle of Fredericksburg wounds from which he died; 8. Catharine, married Jerome Titlow ; 9. Samuel Paul died in infancy.

 

 

LEIDY L. COPE, M. D. Among the many professions in which men engage, none requires more skill and ability than does the medical profession, of which Dr. Leidy L. Cope, of Hatfield, Hatfield township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, is a representative. He was born on the old homestead in Hilltown, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, in 1859.

Yost Cope, the founder of the American branch of the family, who settled in Hilltown township, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, in 1727, was an enterprising, hard-working man, and during his lifetime accumulated considerable land. He married Dorothea, and several children were born to them.

John A. Cope (great-grandfather), a son of Yost and Dorothea Cope, was born in Hilltown township, Bucks county. He earned a comfortable livelihood by the tilling of the soil, and in the community was regarded as a man of excellent character and probity. He married and reared a family of children to lead useful and active lives.

John A. Cope, Jr. (grandfather) was born on the old homestead in Hilltown township, Bucks county. His education was acquired in the common schools, and his active business career was devoted to the quiet but useful calling of agriculture, which proved remunerative and to his liking. He took an active interest in all enterprises that lead for their object the welfare of his township and county. By his marriage to Suzanna Savocool, of Hilltown township, he became the father of one child, John F. Cope.

John F. Cope (father) was born in 1808, on the home farm in Hilltown township, Bucks county. He gained a thorough knowledge of the rudimentary branches of education in the common schools of the neighborhood, after which he turned his attention to farming, which he followed until his advanced years compelled him to retire from active pursuits. He was a strong Democrat in politics, was recognized as a local leader, and took an active part in political campaigns. He married Marie Leidy, deceased, a representative of an old Bucks county family, who bore him two sons: Milton L. and Leidy L. Cope. John F. Cope (father) died in 1892, in the eighty fourth year of his age.

The educational advantages enjoyed by Leidy L. Cope were obtained in the common schools of Hilltown and the Sellersville high school. In 1880 he took up the study of medicine under Drs. Fritz and Ritter, at Perkasie, Pennsylvania, and in April of the swine year entered Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, from which institution he was graduated with honors in 1883. He practiced his profession at Hilltown until 1887, a period of four years, and then came to his present home in Hatfield, Hatfield township, where he is in receipt of a large practice. He is skillful and accurate in the diagnosis and treatment of disease, and not only has he gained the good will of his numerous patients, but that of his professional brethren as well. He is a member of the board of health, and for several years was the incumbent of the office of school director. He is a member of the Lutheran church of Souderton, and since 1885 has served as organist of the same, being endowed with rare musical genius and ability. He is a stanch Democrat, and, like his father, in earnest and active party worker.

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In 1886 Dr. Cope was married to Miss Sadie E. Zeigler, a daughter of Eli and Sarah (Rothrock) Zeigler. Eli Zeigler was formerly a merchant of Hatfield. Their family consists of five children, all of whom are unmarried and reside at home: Roscoe, who is reading medicine under the preceptorship of his father; Webster, Zeigler, Emma, and Sarah Cope.

 

 

JEREMIAH BERRELL LARZELERE. JR., a leader among the younger members of the bar in Norristown, is descended from an old Moreland family of French Huguenots. The emigrant was Nicholas Larzelere, who, accompanied by his brother John, came to this country and settled on Staten Island, New York. In 1741 his son Nicholas removed to Bucks county, Pennsylvania, where he settled in Lower Makefield township. He reared eight children, and died in that township at the age of eighty-four years, and was buried in the Episcopal graveyard at Bristol. His son Nicholas, born on Staten Island in 1734, married Hannah Britton, of Bristol township, and removed to Bensalem township, in Bucks county, where he owned a large estate and raised a family of ten children. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. He died at the age of eighty-four.

Benjamin Larzelere, the eldest son of Nicholas, was the great-grandfather of J. B. Larzelere, Jr., the subject of this sketch. He married Sarah Brown, of an old Bucks county family residing in Bristol township, to which he removed. He had eight children, and died at the age of eighty-four years. Part of the present borough of Bristol is built on the site occupied by his farm.

The eldest son of Benjamin was Nicholas (grandfather). He married Esther, daughter of Colonel Jeremiah Berrell, of Abington township, in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. He removed into that township about 1825, and resided there and in Moreland township, adjoining, the remainder of his life. He reared a family of twelve children. He died in the year 1858, at the age of sixty-seven years, and was buried in the Presbyterian graveyard at Abington, as was also his widow, who died February 20, 1895, at the age of ninety-two years.

Jeremiah B. Larzelere (father) was the third son of Nicholas. He was born in August, 1828, and with the exception of a short residence in the state of Ohio has always lived in Montgomery county. In 1858 he married Elmina, daughter of James Lovett, of Doylestown, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, who died in 1874. Their children Frank E., born June 8, 1859, now engaged in the livery business in Norristown; John Henry, born in 1861, died December 31, 1882; Bertmond, born in 1863, for many years, engaged in the Baldwin Locomotive Works is a contracting superintendent; Jeremiah B., Jr., subject of this sketch; Samuel D., born in September, 1868, graduated second of his class in the veterinary department of the University of Pennsylvania, and is now a veterinarian at Jenkintown, with a large practice; Esther Elizabeth, born in 1871, married H. Allen Krips, who is engaged in business in Philadelphia as a photographer; Florence E., born November 26, 187_?, married William B. Vrooman, president of the American Trust Company, Philadelphia. Mr. Larzelere (father) married again in June, 1876, Caroline F., daughter of Dilworth Wentz, of Philadelphia, long since deceased. There are no children by the second marriage. Jeremiah Larzelere, when he was a young man, taught school in Horsham township. He was long engaged in business as a drover. He was one of the projectors of the Northeast Pennsylvania Railroad, opened in 1870, and became a member of its board of directors. He held for many years the position of school director in Moreland. He has also been a bank director for many years. Mr. Larzelere is a Democrat in politics.

In 1871 he became the candidate of his party for sheriff, and was elected by more than a thousand majority, standing highest among the Democratic nominees. He held the position three years, performing its duties in a satisfactory manner. He now resides on his fine farm at Willow Grove.

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Jeremiah B. Larzelere, Jr., was born at Willow Grove, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, November 26, 1866. He acquired his early education in the schools of Moreland township, and later the Central High School, Philadelphia, and the University of Pennsylvania. He very early in life displayed an aptitude for debating and elocution, and was for many years a member of the Willow Grove Debating Society. He participated in every debate except two, and was on the successful side except in a single instance. While a student in the Philadelphia High School he always received the highest average in elocution, the marks being given as the result of contests before the school. He took the University scholarship in the Philadelphia High School, and in 1887 entered the junior class of '89, in the higher institution of learning, taking the Wharton course in finance and economy.

In the autumn of that year he passed a preliminary examination to read law in Norristown, and was registered as a student with his cousin, Nicholas H. Larzelere, a leading member of the Norristown bar. He was the first student under the rule requiring a three year course of study. At the end of the three years he passed a very creditable examination, and was admitted to the bar of Montgomery county, December 5, 1802. He was subsequently admitted to practice in the supreme and superior courts of the state of Pennsylvania, and also in the United States circuit and district courts.

In April, 1900, Mr. Larzelere became the senior member of the law firm of Hillegass & Larzelere, his partner being Jacob B. Hillegass, and the firm is generally recognized as one of the leading, most responsible and successful firms in Norristown. Hillegass & Larzelere have had charge of much important litigation, and the represent large interests, including many well known corporations.

In 1903 Mr. Larzelere was elected borough solicitor of Jenkintown, and of the school district of Moreland, to which positions he has been reelected each successive year, notwithstanding the fact a large majority of the members of the school board and of the town council are usually of the opposite party in politics.

Mr. Larzelere organized the Hatboro Water Company and the Hatboro Electric Company, and is solicitor for each, as well as a member of the board of directors of each. He has secured charters for a number of the important corporations of the community, and represents them as counsel. As a lawyer his characteristics are thoroughness in the preparation of his cases, and persistence in attention to the interests of his clients.

Mr. Larzelere is an earnest and active Democrat, and has always participated in campaigns, frequently speaking at various points in behalf of the party ticket. In the summer and fall of 1902 he was urged to become the Democratic nominee for congress, and has also been frequently suggested for comity chairman and for the nomination for district attorney and assemblyman. The only position he has held is that of member of the town council of Norristown. He has been twice elected from the Tenth ward, in which he resides, by large majorities, although the ward has a normal Republican majority of about 250 in a poll of 500 votes. As a member of town council he has steadily endeavored to serve his constituents, looking carefully into the character of all proposed borough legislation.

He has held the following positions in the Democratic organization. For several years secretary of the county committee; chairman of the campaign committee of the same body; chairman of its finance committee. He is the president of the Jefferson Club, the leading Democratic organization of the kind in the county. He is solicitor for Sheriff John Larzelere. He was one of the organizers of the Hancock Chemical Fire Engine Company of Norristown, and one of its board of directors since its organization.

Mr. Larzelere, on February 21, 1805, married Marie Louise, daughter of Josiah B. and Mary Melvina (Fable) Trumbauer, of Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, and sister of Horace Trumbauer, one of the best known and most successful architects in the United States. Mrs. Larzelere's ancestors on both sides were of Pennsylvania German stock. On her father's side, her immigrant ancestors settled at Trumbauersville, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, where the family owned large estates. Her mother's ancestors settled in Philadelphia, where they were large property owners in the vicinity of Fifth, Sixth and Button-

(Page 41)

wood and Franklin streets. Five of the Trumbauer family, of Milford township, to which Mrs. Larzelere belonged, and one of her ancestors on her mother's side, served in the Revolutionary war.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Larzelere are Marie Louise, born September 5. 1896; Clara Virginia, born November 3, 1897; Horace Trumbauer, born December 18, 1902. Mr. Larzelere has a handsome residence at the south corner of Main and Noble streets, Norristown. He is highly respected by all, and enjoys the confidence of the entire community.

 

 

(Picture of Charles H. Duffield)

 

CHARLES HASSELL DUFFIELD, son of Edwin F. and Eliza A. (Musselman) Duffield, is a native of Frankford, in Philadelphia county, Pennsylvania, where he was born May 31, 1857.

The Duffield family are of English origin. Robert Duffield when he was seventy-one years of age, in 1682, with his daughter Mary and son-in-law, Allen Foster, came to America and settled at Burlington, New Jersey. In 1683 the real founder of the family in the United States, Benjamin Duffield, son of Robert, came to Burlington, and very soon afterwards removed to Pennsylvania. He owned a plantation called Benfield, located at Byberry, in Philadelphia County. The great-grandfather of Charles H. Duffield, Abraham Duffield, was an officer in the cavalry, and participated in the Revolutionary war. He was the owner of the old Swedes' mill, at Frankford, which property was in the hands of the family until 1900. He married Mary Wilmerton, and had one child, Thomas, who was a major in the regiment commanded by Colonel Provost, and served in the War of 1812, being subsequently promoted to colonel. He married Mary Hassell.

Their children were: Ann, Abraham, William, Charles, Colonel Thomas W., Jr., Louise, Edwin F., father of the subject of this sketch; Julia, Washington, and Harry, all now deceased.

Edwin F. Duffield was born on the homestead and spent his entire life in Frankford. He lived in retirement the latter part of his life. He married Eliza A. Musselman. The couple had the following children: William and Julia, both died in infancy; Kate, wife of Frank S. Lowland, of Frankford, Pennsylvania; Louisa died in early womanhood, and Charles H., subject of this sketch.

Charles H. Duffield acquired his education in the public schools of Frankford. After leaving school he served two years in the engineering department of the United States navy. He then engaged in the printing business successfully for several years on Market street, in the city of Philadelphia. Removing to Virginia, he was after a short residence in that state elected an alderman. He resided there five years, and then returned to Pennsylvania. Since that time he has been engaged in the manufacture and sale of soda water fountains. Mr. Duffield is a thoroughly progressive and energetic citizen, favoring all measures that are calculated to promote the welfare of the community in which he lives. He is an active worker in the Republican party, and has frequently been a delegate to its county and state conventions. It is party through his instrumentality that Montgomery township has made so much progress in the work of road improvement. Mr. Duffield is a vestryman of Holy Trinity Protestant Episcopal church of Lansdale.

Mr. Duffield married, November 21, 1881, Martha G., daughter of Daniel and Emma (Taylor) Steinmetz. Mr. and Mrs. Duffield have had three children, all of whom died young. The residence of Mr. Duffield is situated on the Bethlehem turnpike, near Calmar, and is one of the handsomest in the vicinity, being surrounded with a beautiful lawn clotted with shrubbery, making it an ideal home. The well kept grounds and the neat appearance of the outbuildings and other surroundings are an indication of thrift and prosperity. Since purchasing the property Mr. Duffield has thoroughly remodeled the dwelling, and beautified the exterior as well as the interior. It is equipped with all desirable modern improvements, and has all the comforts of a city home.

(Page 42)

SIMON KNIPE, whose death occurred at his home in Upper Gwynedd township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, in 1901, was for many years one of the prosperous and progressive farmers of that section, where his birth occurred in the year 1839. He was a son of the late Frederick and Matilda (Nevel) Knipe, residents of Upper Gwynedd township, the former named a farmer, whose family consisted of four children, one son, Simon, and three daughters.

Simon Knipe attended the common schools of Quakertown, thereby obtaining a practical education which qualified him for the position of teacher, in which capacity he served successfully for several years. He then turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, conducting his operations on the farm whereon he resided at the time of his decease. As a citizen he was public spirited and active, contributing in a large measure to the success of every enterprise that had for its object the development and welfare of the people and community. He gave his support to the Democratic party and was active in behalf of its interests, but never sought or held public office. He attended the Lutheran church, and was a liberal donator toward its support.

In 1889 Mr. Knipe married Miss Marietta Young, who was born in Franconia township, July 17, 1863, a daughter of Charles and Maria (Latshaw) Young, and granddaughter of Christian Young, one of the early settlers of Franconia township, Montgomery county. Charles Young (father) was born in Franconia township, educated in the common schools thereof, after which he took up milling in the same township, and for thirty years followed that line of work. At the expiration of that period of time he removed to Souderton, Pennsylvania, where he has since led a retired life. In religion he adheres to the tenets of the Mennonite faith, and in politics affiliates with the Republican party.

Mr. Young was twice married. His second wife, whose maiden name was Maria Latshaw, a native of Franconia township, died in 1901, having borne him twelve children, Mrs. Knipe being one of this number. His first wife, Sarah (Souder) Young, a native of Souderton, bore him five children and died in 1860.

Mr. and Mrs. Knipe were the parents of three children: Simon, born 1890; Charles, 1892; and Walter, 1885. Mrs. Knipe, who survived her husband, resides on the farm in Upper Gwynedd township. She is a woman of most amiable character, and has faithfully perforated all the duties of daughter, wife and mother.

 

 

NATHAN CASSELL, a representative farmer of Upper Gwynedd township, Montgomery county Pennsylvania, where his extensive operations have met with a large degree of prosperity, traces his ancestry to Julius Cassell, who was for many years a minister of the Mennonite church in the Palatinate, Germany. He was a man of note and prominence, and exerted, a powerful influence for good in the community. He married, and among the children born to him was a son, Hubert Cassell, whose birth occurred in Germany. In 1715 he migrated to this country, becoming the pioneer ancestor of the American branch of the family, and settled in Towamencin township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, where he followed agricultural pursuits.

 

Joseph Cassell (grandfather), son of Hubert Cassell, was horn in Towamencin township, Montgomery county, and his entire lifetime was spent in the vicinity of his birthplace. He was indebted to the common schools of his neighborhood for his educational advantages. He followed the useful calling of farming, and was thereby enabled to provide a comfortable home for his family. He married a Miss Metz, a native of Montgomery county, and the issue of this union was, one son Joseph M. Cassell.

Joseph M. Cassell (father) was born in Towamencin township, Montgomery county, June 14, 1834. He was educated in the common schools adjacent to his home and after completing his studies became a farmer, which occupation he followed throughout the active years of his life, and for which he was qualified by experience on his father's farm. He removed to Skippack, and later to Lower Salford township, Montgomery county, where he resided up to the time of his death. He stood high in the community, and was chosen by his fellow citizens to fill the office of school director. He was a Mennonite in religion, and a staunch Republican in politics. He married Miss Hannah Smith, of Towamencin township, Montgomery county, who is living at the present time (1904) in the city of Philadelphia. Their children were Louise, born October 16, 1858; Nathan, November 27, 1860; Sylvester, December 10, 1862 Mary, October 6, 1864; Andrew, January 1, 1867; and Wilson, April 16, 1869.

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Nathan Cassell, eldest son of Joseph M. and Hannah Cassell, was born in Skippack township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, November 27, 1860. During his early childhood his parents removed to Upper Salford township, same county, and in the schools of that and Hatfield township he acquired a practical education which qualified him for a life of usefulness and activity. At the age of seventeen years he left the parental homestead and took up his residence on a farm in Towamencin township, where he remained until 1877, in which year he moved to his present home in Upper Gwynedd township. His farm is under a high state of cultivation, yields a goodly crop in return for his labors, and with the substantial buildings thereon, which are kept in perfect order, makes it one of the most valuable pieces of property in that section of the county. He is a Republican in his politics, but has never sought or held office, preferring to devote his time entirely to business interests. He attends the Schwenkfelder church.

In 1883 Mr. Cassell married Miss Hannah Snyder, a daughter of George and Abbie (Heebner) Snyder, residents of Upper Gwynedd township. Their children were: George, born September 24, 1884; Hiram, September 17, 1886; Alice, March 23, 1890, died in 1898; Mary E., April 19, 1893, died in 1894. Mrs. Cassell, mother of these children, died September 15, 1897.

Mr. Cassell married for his second wife Mrs. Nathaniel Kriebel, widow of Nathaniel Kriebel, and daughter of Edward Seibert, of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania. The ceremony was performed January 27, 1900. They are the parents of one child, Wilson, born August 14, 1902.

 

 

JOHN K. KULP, a progressive farmer of Skippack township, was born on the old homestead where he still lives, on March 26, 1858. He is the son of Abraham H. and Magdalena (Keyser) Kulp.

Abraham H. Kulp (father) was also born on the Kulp homestead in Skippack township. He received the place from his father and continued there during life. He made alterations in the buildings as modern inventions came into rise, and attended market regularly. He was a Mennonite in religions faith and a Republican in politics. He was born April 27, 1827, and died June 25, 1867. He married Magdalena, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Cassel) Keyser, who was born November 8, 1832, and died May 9, 1896. Their children: John K., the subject of this sketch; Amanda, born August 26, 1861, still unmarried; Mary, born August 22, 1863, married David Glismer; Sally, born August 26, 1866, married Isaac Kulp.

John Kulp (grandfather) was born at the old homestead in Skippack township, and married Magdalena Himbaugh, a native of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania. He carried forward what his father had undertaken in farming, and inherited his portion of the original tract of land, the fifty-two acres where John K. Kulp now lives. He built commodious buildings of stone, and carried on general farming. He was a member of the Mennonite church. His wife survived him several years, dying in 1886 at the age of ninety-five years. Their children: Catharine, born in 1812, unmarried; Elizabeth, born in 1815, died young; Johannes, died in Ohio, leaving three children; Magdalena, born in 1821, married (first husband) Mr. Saurs, having two children, and (second husband) J. Undercoffler, they having no children; David, born in 1823, died in Montgomery county, leaving five children; Anna, born in 1825, married William Bean, they having six children: Abraham H. (father), born in April, 1827; Daniel, born in 1829, living, having three children: Rebecca, born in 1830, married Hiram Ritter, living, no children; Sarah, born in 1830, never married, died in Illinois in 1870; Mary, born in 1834, married Mr. Clymer, they having no children. All of these children were Mennonites except Daniel, who is a Dunkard. The family were nearly all farmers.

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Yellis Kulp (great-grandfather) was the first of this branch of the Kulp family in America. He emigrated from Germany and purchased a tract of land which included what is now four good farms in Skippack township, Montgomery county (then Perkiomen township). This purchase was made in 1774. He settled there and lived as a farmer for the rest of his life.

In the assessment list of Perkiomen township for 1766 we find that Yillus Kulp was the possessor of two acres, two horses, and five cows. On the tombstones in the graveyard of the New Mennonite meeting house near Harmony Square, the name of Kulp appears very frequently.

John Keyser (maternal grandfather) was a farmer and carpenter who lived in Skippack township all his life and died there. He was a Mennonite. He married Elizabeth Cassel, daughter of Hupert Cassel, born May 1, 1775. Second married Catharine Kolb, who was born August 21, 1782, daughter of Isaac Kolb, of North Wales, Montgomery county, Isaac Kolb being a farmer and Mennonite. Hupert Cassel, father of Mrs. Keyser, was the son of Hupert Cassel (grandfather), born August 13, 1751, died in 1840, married Magdalena Johnson, daughter of Nicholas Jans or Johnson, on June 9, 1774.

Hupert Cassel was the grandfather of Abraham Cassel, the antiquarian at Harleysville, Pennsylvania. Hupert Cassel (grandfather) was the son of Yellis Cassel, born March 30, 1722. died in 1781, his children being Hupert, Barbara, Christian, Henry, Elizabeth and Abraham. Yellis Cassel was the son of Hupert Cassel, who emigrated in 1715 or 1720 from Kriesheim, the Palatinate, in Germany, west of the Rhine, married Miss Syche and settled in Skippack township. His children were: Yellis, Elizabeth, Henry, Abraham and Mary. John Keyser (maternal grandfather of John Kulp), who married Elizabeth Cassel, had the following children: Sarah, married Abraham Kolb, a farmer in Skippack, the son of David Kolb; Mary, married Charles Baringer and had no children: Magdalena (mother), married Abraham Kulp, the son of John Kolb; Isaac, married Lizzie Tyson; Sadie (deceased), Henry (deceased), and Sisie (deceased).

John K. Kulp was reared on the farm and received a practical education, attending the public schools at intervals. At the time of his father's death he was eight years old, and as the oldest child began while still young to take some of the responsibility of the farm from his mother. Till all the children were grown John K. Kulp administered his father's estate, purchased the farm, and has lived there ever since. His mother continued to reside there, being cared for by her son until her death. Mr. Kulp is one of the representative men of the community. He manages his farm carefully and intelligently, and raises some stock. He is a stockholder in the creamery, in the Norristown banks and in the Schwenkville banks. In politics he is a Republican, but does not desire public office. He is a trustee in the Mennonite church, of which he and his family are members.

Mr. Kulp married, in 1885, Mary A., daughter of John and Lavina Cassel Detwiler who was born May 16, 1856, in Skippack township. Her father was the son of Abraham and Mary (Kratz) Detwiler.

Abraham Detwiler (grandfather of Mrs. Kelp) was the son of the immigrant. He was a farmer, a Whig in politics, and a Mennonite in religious faith. he lived in Skippack township, and died there. His wife was the daughter of John Kratz, a prominent farmer, who first opened the Detwiler homestead and afterward sold it to Abram Detwiler. The children of John Kratz: Mary (Mrs. Detwiler); and Elizabeth (Mrs. Fritz).

The children of Abraham and Mary K. Detwiler: Jacob, a retired farmer; John, father of Mrs. Kulp; Lydia, married A. Seipt.

John Detwiler, father of Mrs. Kulp, was born on the Detwiler farm, and spent his life in general farming and in attending the Philadelphia market. He was a Republican and a Mennonite. His father's farm came into his possession and there he reared his family, dying October 11, 1888.

 

 

(Page 45)

He married Lavina, daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Smith) Cassel, who was born May 15, 1826, and who is still living. Their children: Abraham C., lives on his father's farm, with whom his mother resides; Eliza Jane, married Aaron Gouldy, and died leaving one child; Mary Ann (Mrs. John Kulp); Mahlon, married Sarah Detwiler, and is a farmer in Worcester township; John, of New York city, and Sarah. Abraham Detwiler, the oldest child, married Lydia Kulp, daughter of Henry Kulp, of Skippack township.

Benjamin Cassel, maternal grandfather of Mrs. Kulp, was the son of Henry Cassel, and was born March 22, 1795, died November 17, 1862. He married Elizabeth Smith, and they resided on the Skippack farmer. His children: Jesse, born May 28, 1832, married Elizabeth Johnson, their children being Benjamin, William and Harriet; Lavina, mother of Mrs. Kulp, born May 15, 1826; James, born August 22, 1842, married Mary Umstead, their children being Walter, Jesse, Charles, John, J. Arthur, Benjamin; they reside in Philadelphia.

Henry Cassel, maternal great-grandfather of Mrs. Kulp, had the following children: Benjamin (grandfather); Samuel and Catharine, resided in Skippack. Henry Cassel, great-great-grandfather, was the son of Yelles or Julius Cassel, and was born November 10, 1750, married Rachel, and had one child, Henry. Yelles Cassel, great-great-great-grandfather, was the son of Hupert Cassel, the immigrant, who came to Pennsylvania from Germany. His children have already been mentioned. Yelles Cassel was born March 30, 1722, died 1781.

Mr. and Mrs. John K. Kulp have only one child, Norman, born November 18, 1888. He is attending school in the vicinity.

 

 

ROBERT STEEL CRAVEN. Energy, industry and perseverance have been the essential factors in the business career of Robert S. Craven, a well known and respected citizen of Ashbourne, Cheltenham township, Montgomery county, whose birthplace was Hilltown, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and the date of his birth November 26, 1858. He is a son of Joseph F. and Ann (Ritchie) Craven, and a grandson of Abraham and Hannah (Finney) Craven.

Abraham Craven (grandfather) received his early educational advantages in the schools adjacent to his home in Hatboro, Pennsylvania. Subsequently he became the owner of the old homestead, which consisted of one hundred and fifty acres of arable land, and this he tilled and brought to a fine state of cultivation, obtaining a comfortable livelihood from the sale of the proceeds thereof. He was a man of sound judgment and practical sense, and was highly esteemed by his fellow townsmen. His wife, whose maiden name was Hannah Finney was a daughter of John and Lainar Finney, and became the mother of the following named children: Isaac, married Christina Cornell, and their children are John, Mary Ellen, Beckey, deceased, and Howard, deceased, Joseph F., mentioned hereinafter. Eliza Ann, who became the wife of Benjamin Fetter, and they are the parents of five children, as follows: Abraham, Hannah Maria, Elizabeth, Thomas, and William. Jesse, married Rachel Clift, and their children are: Charles, Frank and Lizzie. Hannah, who became the wife of Alfred Hagerman, and mother of three children.

Joseph F. Craven (father) was reared on his father's farm, which is located at Churchville, Bucks county, and consists of about four hundred acres. He obtained a good English education in the schools of the neighborhood, and was thoroughly qualified to fill the position of teacher in the village school, in which capacity he served during the winter months, devoting the remainder of his time to agricultural pursuits. Being a man of indomitable energy and thorough business capability, he achieved success in both his undertakings, thereby enabling him to lay by a competence for his declining years and also provide his home with everything necessary for the comfort of its inmates. He is now leading a retired life, and although in his eighty-fourth year, and his wife (whose maiden name was Ann Ritchie) being in her eighty-third year, they both enjoy good health and are very active.

(Page 46)

They are the parents of seven children, namely 1. Susanna, wife of Frank McVaugh, and mother of one child, Edna May McVaugh. 2. Johanna, wife of Lewis Khall, no issue. 3. Eliba W., married Almina Young, and their children are: Estelle, Alfred Y., Cherrie, Anna, and Francis. 4. Linford R., married Fanny Johnson, no issue. 5. Edward F., married Ethie Lukens, and their children are: Ethel, Grace, Marion, and Muriel. 6. Robert Steel, mentioned hereinafter. 7. Mary Steel, deceased, who was the wife of Elmer Smith.

Robert S. Craven was reared to manhood on his father's farm, and his early boyhood days were spent in the same manner as the majority of boys reared in the country-attending the district school during the winter, and assisting with the manifold duties of the farm during the spring and summer. His first employment as clerk in the store of Hutchinson Smith, at Weldon, Montgomery county, where he remained for two years, during which time he obtained a clear insight into the details of business life. He then removed to Ashbourne and clerked for J. L. Ervin in the mercantile business, remaining there about nine years, thereby acquiring sufficient knowledge to enable him to establish a business on his own account, which he accordingly did in 1885. He engaged in the produce and laundry business, but shortly afterward disposed of the latter, and since then has continued the former, his trade being now one of the most extensive in that line in the township of Cheltenham. His many friends honor and respect him for his sterling worth, honor and integrity.

Mr. Craven married, in 1888, Mary Kulp, of North Wales, a daughter of Simon and Isabella Kulp. Their children are: Harry P. and Earle Montgomery, both deceased, and Laura, the only one living.

 

 

(Picture of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Asure)

 

EDWARD ASURE, one of the best known farmers of Montgomery township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, was born in Bucks county, October 31, 1840. He is the son of Abraham and Tacy (Stradling) Asure, both natives of Bucks county.

Abraham Asure (father) spent the early portion of his life in Bucks county, but about 1860 removed to Montgomery township, where he engaged in farming, and passed the remainder of his life. He married Tacy Stradling, the couple having the following children: William, residing at Edge Hill; Edward, subject of this sketch; Anna A., widow of William Bender, residing in Philadelphia; Susanna, widow of Chalkley Kenderdine; George and Thomas, both residing in Jenkintown. Mr. and Mrs. Asure affiliated with the Society of Friends.

Edward Asure acquired his education in the public schools of the vicinity in which the family resided in Bucks county. From early boyhood he has been engaged in farming pursuits, in which he has been successful. He has been a farmer for more than forty years in Montgomery township. He has resided on the farm of sixty-two acres on which he now lives for more than thirty years. In politics he is an active Republican, being on many occasions a delegate to county conventions of the party, and has taken a very prominent part in their deliberations, being an efficient party worker. He has served as township auditor and as assessor, although the district has always been Democratic. He is a man of the highest integrity, stands well in the community in which he lives, enjoying the confidence of his neighbors.

Mr. Asure married Amanda, who died in 1866, daughter of Frederick Geisel, in old resident of the vicinity, of German descent. No children were born of this marriage. Mrs. Asure was a member of the Hilltown Lutheran church.

Amanda Geisel (Mrs. Edward Asure) was a daughter of Frederick and Frederica (Speck) Geisel, and was born at Hilltown, Bucks county, November 15, 1815. Frederick and Frederica (Speck) Geisel were both natives of Germany, born in the province of Wurtemberg. Frederick Geisel came to America in early manhood, locating in Philadelphia, where he worked at butchering. Later he removed to Line Lexington, Bucks county, where he purchased a farm and for a number of years was engaged in agricultural pursuits; he subsequently sold that farm and purchased a farm in Montgomery township, on which he resided for many years. The declining years of his life were spent with his son-in-law, Jacob Ulmer, at whose residence he died May 5, 1888.

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The children born to him and his wife are as follows: Caroline, wife of Henry Zollar, residing at Line Lexington; Christian, died from the effects of a wound received while serving in defense of his country in 1864; Hannah, deceased, wife of Jacob Ulmer; Annie, widow of George Swallow; Amanda (Mrs. Asure); Louisa, deceased wife of Sebastian Ebinger; William J., married Martha Madee, residing in the west; Frederick, married Morgan Morgan, resides in West Chester, Pennsylvania; Franklin P., deceased, married May Bailey: Wilhelmina, wife of Ellwood Land, resides at Pottstown.

 

(Picture of Edward B. Conard)

 

EDWARD B. CONARD, one of the leading farmers of Upper Merion township, was born on the farm on which he now resides, October 15, 1843. He was reared on the farm, attending the public school of the neighborhood, and later he was a student two terms in the Bucks County Normal Institute at Carversville, and also for some time in Quaker City Business College, Philadelphia, graduating from the latter institution.

In politics Mr. Conard is an earnest Republican, but has never sought office. He has been a school director many years. He never fails to attend primary meetings of the party or the general or township elections. He has been president of the Ridge Avenue Market Company for nine years, having been a director for many years and one of the prominent workers in its organization.

On August 4, 1862, he joined a company called the Wetheral Blues, organized by Dr. Wetheral for nine months' service, which became Company I of the One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. It was mustered into service at Harrisburg, August 15, 1863, and went at once to Washington, where he spent a few weeks in drilling. When the Army of the Potomac returned to Washington after the Peninsular campaign the company became part of the First Brigade, Third Division, Fifth Corps, commanded by General Humphrey. They were under the first fire at the second battle of Bull Run. In the retreat that followed they fell back to protect the capital (Washington), remaining here one day, time enough to procure seven days' rations, for the long and tedious march to Antietam, here to head off the enemy again. Their division being held in reserve at Frederick City, did not arrive on the battle field till the 18th of September, 1862. The hard-fought battle on the 17th proved too much for the enemy, who commenced retreating that evening.

When the Third Division of the Fifth Corps reached the Potomac, they found the enemy on the opposite bank. They lay near the Potomac, doing picket duty for about one month. Then a reconnaissance was made over into Virginia, and they were under fire at Kearneysville, forcing the enemy back to Winchester. Here they found the enemy in force and they were obliged to fall back and recross the Potomac. November found Mr. Conard's regiment crossing the Potomac at Harper's Ferry. Passing through Virginia to the Rappahannock, they found the enemy in force at Fredericksburg, where on December 13, 1862, his division was in the terrible charge of Marye's Heights, his regiment being on the front line and farther up the heights than any other regiment, as shown by the number of their slain. In the five days' battle of Chancellorsville, beginning May 1863, Mr. Conard was in the thickest of the fight.

At the close of their term of service the company came back to Harrisburg and was mustered out May 18, 1863. Content with what he had seen of war, and with his participation in military movements, Mr. Conard returned to his home and settled down to tilling the soil on the farm where he was born and expected to pass the remainder of his life. He has been a member of Zook Post, No. 11, of Norristown, since 1892. October 19, 1875, he married Ella V., daughter of David and Hannah M. (Cowgill) Walker, born February 20, 1850. David Walker (father of Ella V. Conard) was born October 8, 1818, in Tredyffrin township, Chester county, where he grew to manhood. He received his primary education in the public school and afterwards attended Joseph Foulke's Friends' Boarding School at Gwynedd. On reaching manhood he inherited in the same township in which he was born a farm of fifty acres, increasing it later by purchasing fifty acres near it, on which he lived the remainder of his life. He died May 13, 1889. He was a member of the Society of Friends. In politics he was a Whig and became a Republican on the organization of that party in 1856. He served as supervisor two terms October 27, 1841, he married Hannah H. Cowgill, who was born in Frederick county, Virginia, November 16, 1816, and died June 3, 1870.

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Their children: Eliza C., born August 15, 1842, unmarried and now resides with her sister, Mrs. Conard. Ella V. Winfield H., born April 29, 1852, died November 24, 1876. Louis, born August 14, 1860, unmarried, and now resides with Mrs. Conard.

The children of Edward B. and Ella V. Conard

Winfield Walker, born November 11, 1876, married, April 8, 1903, to Mary Kemble Walker, daughter of Jacob B. Walker, deceased, and Hannah S. Walker.

Eliza Cowgill, born December 9, 1879, Married, November 2, 1901[2?], to Jacob Beiden Walker, son of Jacob B. Walker, deceased, and Hannah S. Walker.

Juanita, born November 23, 1881, died November 23, 1892.

Winfield W. Conard was reared on his father's farm and graduated in the public schools of Upper Merion at thirteen years of age and then entered Friends' Central School at fifteenth and Race streets, Philadelphia, graduating in 1893. He entered the University of Pennsylvania in the same year and graduated in June, 1897, as Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. He received Engineer in 1903. Soon after graduating he accepted a position at the Pencoyd Iron Works and remained with the American Bridge Company as draughtsman, estimator and designer, for over six years. He is now an estimator and designer for the Phoenix Iron Works.

The Conard family was one of the first to settle in this part of the state of Pennsylvania. Thones Kunders located in Germantown, being among those who sailed from Crefeld, Germany, in the ship, Concord, Seventh-month, 24, 1683. He landed at Philadelphia, Tenth-month, 6, 1683. He married Elin Streypers, and died in 1729. Their children:

Cunraed Cunraeds, married first Ann Klinken, second Anne Burson.

Madtis Conders, married Barbara Tyson.

John Cunrads, Horsham, married first Alice Lukens, second, Elizabeth Denis.

Ann married a Streeper.

Agnes, married Samuel Powell.

Elizabeth, married Griffith Jones.

Henry Cunraeds, Whitpain, married Katherine Streeper.

Of these children John Conrads of Horsham had several children by the first wife, Alice Lukens. By the second wife, Elizabeth Dennis, he had one son, Dennis Conrad, who lived in Lower Merion.

Dennis Conrad had the following children Isaac, Alice, married a Blaker; John (great-grandfather of Edward B. Conard); Jonathan, and Mary, married a Likens.

John Conard's children were: Jonathan, Dennis (grandfather), Hannah, Ann, married a Norton, Deborah.

Dennis Canard was born in 1785, and married Mary Huff. Their children: Joseph H. (father), John C., married a Widener; Susan, married William Carver. She was born February 10, 1810.

Mary H., born July 21, 1812; married Charles Waltz.

Ann, born November 17, 1815.

Lydia H., born January 18, 1818.

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John H., born September 22, 1820.

Charlotte H., born October 17, 1822.

In 1820 Dennis Conrad bought the farm now owned by Edward B. Conrad, of John Moore at sheriff's sale. John Moore had bought it of Mr. Jenkins, and Mr. Jenkins of Robert Morris.

Joseph H. Conard, son of Dennis, was born in Horsham township, Montgomery county, December 14, 1808, died October 10, 1863. September 20, 1842, he married Eliza A. Bright, daughter of Edward and Martha (Lukens) Bright.

Edward Bright was born August 17, 1789, and died October 31, 1832, and his wife, Martha, was born July 4, 1796, and died March 1, 1831.

Mrs. Joseph Conard was born August 8, 1824, and died January 2, 1897. The children of Joseph and Eliza Conard were:

Edward B.

Melissa, born January 18, 1845, married Daniel F. Moore. They had one child, Madison, who died in childhood. Melissa died February 26, 1869.

Martha H., born June 24, 1847, died January 8, 1848.

Theodore, born October 18, 1848, died April 14, 1849.

Lydia A., born February 12, 1850, married Henry McKinney. Their children: Henry N., died in infancy: Melissa, died in infancy; William A., born December 3, 1878, married September 8, 1903, to Roberta Montgomery of Rochester, New York, now a missionary in West China; Helen F., born April 6, 1889.

Susanna, born December 14, 1852, died October 22, 1861.

William C., born May 25, 1856, died December 3, 1875.

Joseph H. Conard came with his parents to the farm now owned by his son, Edward, in 1820, and became the owner of the place by inheritance and purchase about 1861. He was a farmer. He was a Whig, and was a member of the Underground Railroad, helping several slaves to escape. After his death the farm came into the possession of his wife and afterwards of his son Edward.