(Picture of The Orange Home, Hatboro)

 

THE ORANGE HOME, HATBORO. REV. GEORGE WORRELL, PRESIDENT.

The Orange Home, near Hatboro, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, is unique and peculiarly interesting in view of the fact that it is the only institution of its class in the United States. Its establishment and maintenance has been entirely through the effort and influence of the Loyal Orangemen of the United States, whose membership is restricted to Protestants, but without respect to church affiliations, and who are for the greater number descendants of those Protestants in Ireland, England; Germany and at that time the American dependency in Virginia, who, in the day of Prince William of Orange (from whom their name is derived), maintained the Protestant ascendency against the fierce assaults of catholicism. The institution has become Americanized, and is independent of like bodies in other lands today. The present supreme grand master of the United States is Dr. Henry Hull, of Boston, Massachusetts, who is president of a sanitarium there.

 

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Desirous of establishing a broadly useful educational institution for their children and for the infirm and aged of their own numbers, the Loyal Orangemen In the year 1900 appointed a committee to secure funds amid erect a school and home. The means were entirely obtained through voluntary donations and in small sums. The smallest contribution was twenty-five cents, and the largest sum received from any one person was only five hundred dollars. The Rev. George Worrell was appointed chairman of the building committee, and he devoted himself to his task with remarkable enthusiasm and industry.

On September 26, 1901, was purchased a sixty-eight-acre farm tract a portion of the Ritchie and Rhoades estate, adjoining the borough of Hatboro, and two miles from Willow Grove. On November 28, 1901, Thanksgiving Day, the corner stone of the main building was laid, and on September 1, 1902, the Home was dedicated. May 30, 1903, it was opened and received as its first occupants ten children and one adult.

The Orange Home building is of granite, four stories in height, and contains forty-two rooms. On the first floor are two spacious dining rooms, a store room and a swimming room. The second, or principal floor, contains the reception room, the chapel, and the superintendent's office and apartments. The third floor accommodates the girls and aged women's dormitories; and the fourth, those for the boys and aged men. The rooms are all connected by telephone, are lighted by electricity generated by a power plant on the premises, and heated by steam. Water of unsurpassable purity is drawn from an artesian well on the grounds, and is distributed throughout the building by electrical pumps. Additional buildings to be erected as soon as the necessary funds can be procured are the Old Folks' Home, an Industrial Hall, a school house and a church, together with two wing extensions to the present building, cottages for girls, and a hospital at the extreme corner of the farm.

The Home, which is a national institution, is managed by a board of directors chosen from the fifteen states whence aid has been procured. From this board is chosen a local executive board of seven members, which has immediate oversight of the Home and keeps in close touch with the classes which it seeks to aid, in all parts of the United States. Only children of purely Protestant parentage are received, but denominational ideas are totally disregarded. Children as young as three years are admitted, some of them under guardianship. The course of instruction includes Bible training in addition, to the English branches, by duly accredited public school teachers, and on the industrial side are taught to the boys farming and the use of tools, and to the girls ribbon weaving, knitting, sewing and cooking. Provision is shortly to be made for printing a newspaper upon the premises and teaching the art of printing. Besides thus providing for the youth, the Home is open to the aged, both men and women, who are cared for with tender solicitude. The means for the support of this splendid charity are altogether derived from voluntary subscriptions, and its supporters are found in all parts of the United States, many of whom, the majority, indeed, have never seen the property which their benefactions have created.

The Rev. George Worrell, president of the Home Association, and also the superintendent, came to his laudable work with an intelligence and zeal befitting his cause. A native of Ireland, he was born in Lisbellaw, near Enniskillen, the shire town of County Fermanagh, in the Province of Ulster, which was the scat of the Protestant movement under William, Prince of Orange, and his ancestors doubtless fought at the battle of the Boyne. He came to America as a youth of fourteen, thoroughly imbued with the religious and political principles of his forbears, yet young enough to enter into sympathy with American spirit, and well fitted to realize and act upon the opportunities here for beneficent effort. He received his theological training in the Reformed Episcopal Seminary at Forty-third and Chestnut streets, Philadelphia, and was ordained to the ministry in St. Paul's church in the same city, by the Right Rev. Bishop Sabin, D. D. He subsequently built a church at Collingdale, of which he has been pastor for the past nine years, and in which he has labored most usefully, notwithstanding the attention he has given to the Orange Home, neither suffering for lack of his attention because of the other.

 

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Mr. Worrell was married, April 1, 1899, to Miss Eliza Jane Hoffman, a niece of Bishop H. S. Hoffman, of Broad street, Philadelphia; and of this union has been born one child, Herman Hoffman, May 1, 1901. Mrs. Worrell is the matron of the Orange Home, a position to which she brings every necessary qualification, and the duties of which she performs with conscientious interest and exactness.

 

 

MRS. EMMA LYNCH. George W. Lynch, a prominent farmer of Montgomery township, was born in Kent county, Maryland, December 5, 1857. He was the son of Evan and Sarah (Merritt) Lynch, both natives of Maryland, and both now deceased. He acquired his education in the schools of New Castle county, Delaware, to which his parents removed when he was a young child. After leaving school he entered at once on the duties of farm life. He remained in Delaware until he was about eighteen years of age. During 1878 and 1879 he farmed in Camden county, New Jersey. From 1880 until 1885 he conducted a truck farm for his father-in-law, Stewart L. Lyle, at Manayunk, Pennsylvania. In 1885 he located in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, near Colmar, where he managed the J. F. Page farm for several years.

In 1890 he purchased his present farm of twelve acres, removing to it in 1892. This tract of land has been brought into a high state of cultivation. He made a specialty of tomatoes, producing some of the finest varieties. He is a Democrat in politics, taking an active interest in the success of his party. He has filled the positions of judge of elections, inspector and is efficiently filling the office of township auditor. Mr. Lynch married, at Manayunk, December 11, 1883, Emma, daughter of Stewart L. and Susan (Adams) Lyle. Mrs. Lynch was born in Manayunk, December 11, 1846. The couple have no children. Mr. Lynch is a Methodist. His wife is a Baptist.

Stewart L. Lyle is a descendant of an old American family. He was born in Trenton, New Jersey, October 31, 1821, and when he was young his parents removed with their children to Manayunk, where he acquired his education. After being for some time employed in the Ripka Mills, he engaged in canal boating on the Schuylkill, a vocation in which he was very successful, being at one time the owner of several lines of boats. In 1877 he retired from active business life with a competency, and spent the remainder of his life in comparative retirement. In 1861 Mr. Lyle enlisted in a three months' company and served for that period. He was a cousin of the late Colonel Peter Lyle and of David Lyle, the well known chief of the old Philadelphia Volunteer Fire Department. Mr. Lyle was a member of the Baptist church. He died August 31, 1893. His wife died April 9, 1888.

Their children: Emma (Mrs. George W. Lynch); William, Margaret, wife of Robert McMaster; and Albert. By a previous marriage Mrs. Lynch had three children: Albert, born December 6, 1864, died December 15, 1902; Esther L., born March 27, 1866, wife of John Brown, of Chesapeake City, Maryland; William, born July 4, 1874, married Amanda Benner, of Doylestown, and has three children: Stewart L. Lyle was also the owner of a large farm in Cecil county, Maryland, and of a fruit farm of twenty-seven acres known as Ashland Hill farm, in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. He was a selfmade man in every sense of the word, his property being acquired by his own unaided exertions. Stewart L. Lyle and Susan Adams were married December 28, 1844. They had a daughter Anna, born December to, 1847, died January 24, 1865; Hester Lyle was born August 3, 1849, died October 10, 1864; William Lyle, born January 1, 1851; Albert Lyle, born November 8, 1852; Margaret Lyle, born August 18, 1855.

 

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ALONZO R. LEWIS, one of the most successful farmers of Montgomery township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, is a native of the city of Philadelphia, where he was born March 23, 1862, being the son of Jesse and Elizabeth (Lowry) Lewis. The Lewis family are of Welsh descent. The progenitor of the family came to Pennsylvania with William Penn, and located in Delaware county. Phineas Lewis (grandfather) was a son of John Lewis, Phineas Was born in Delaware county, where he spent his entire life, dying at the age of eighty years. He married Mary Caley, their children being: Mordecai, Orpha, Sarah, Hannah, John, Evan, Jesse, David, Lewis, William, Samuel, Phineas.

Jesse Lewis (father) was born in Delaware county, Pennsylvania, March 18, 1819. He spent his early life in that vicinity. After completing his education he went to Downingtown, where he learned the wheelwright trade. He was employed in this occupation only a short time, however, removing to Philadelphia, where he engaged in the flour and feed business on the site of what became the West Philadelphia station of the Pennsylvania Railroad. For some time Mr. Lewis was engaged in the wholesale liquor business, but he abandoned it and again engaged in the flour and feed business, which he continued to the time of his death, which occurred June 8, 1901, when he was in his eighty-first year. He married, in Mantua, West Philadelphia, May 6, 1858, Elizabeth, daughter of Philip and Elizabeth Lowry, who was born in West Philadelphia, September 10, 1828. Their children: Emma V., born March 7, 1859; Alonzo R., subject of this sketch; Elizabeth, born February, 29, 1864, now deceased; Jesse F., born October 7, 1870, died in 1874. Mr. Lewis was a member of American Star Lodge, No. 504, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, for a period of fifty years. He affiliated with Friends in his religious belief.

The family of Mrs. Lewis, the Lowrys, were French on the side of the father, and of German origin on the side of the mother. The grandfather of Mrs. Lewis, Philip Louria, as the name was spelled, was born in France, but came to America in early manhood and settled in the district of Spring Garden, in the city of Philadelphia, previous to the Revolutionary war, and held the rank of colonel in that struggle. He was a butcher by occupation, and conducted the business successfully in Philadelphia for many years. In later life he purchased a farm in Delaware county, and engaged in agricultural pursuits. He died on the farm in his ninety-first year. He was twice married, and had a family by each marriage.

His children by the first marriage were Susan, Maria, Martin V., Peter and Philip. By the second Marriage his children were Sarah, Margaret, Andrew, George, Emanuel and Napoleon. Philip Lowry was born in Philadelphia, and educated there. He resided all his life in that city. He was a butcher, and conducted a successful business. He died June 18, 1875. His wife died June, 1866. Their children were: Susanna, deceased, married Alexander Garvin; George F. and Philip, both deceased; Martin Van Buren, deceased; Elizabeth, mother of Alonzo R. Lewis; Caspar. The Lowry family were Lutherans. The grandfather, however, adhered to the Presbyterian faith. Philip Lowry participated in the war of 1812, and was a member of the Philadelphia council.

Alonzo R. Lewis was educated in the public schools of Philadelphia, and after leaving school engaged in business with his father in the flour and feed trade, remaining with him until his death, and continuing the same for a year afterwards. In October, 1901, he purchased eighteen acres of land and a handsome residence from Dr. Bostock, on the Bethlehem turnpike, and on February 1, 1902, removed to the property on which he still resides. He married, in Philadelphia, September 10, 1890, Sarah Elizabeth Hill, born in Marietta, Ohio, January 28, 1866. The couple have no children. In his political views Mr. Lewis is a Republican. Mrs. Lewis is a member of the Episcopal church.

 

REV. URIAH WEIDNER, a retired Reformed minister, residing in Montgomery township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, was born in Whitpain township, September 16, 1828. He is a son of Samuel and Mary (Sechler) Weidner. The ancestors of the Rev. Uriah Weidner were Germans, of Wurtemberg, who left their native land became of the religious persecution which drove so many of the best people of that and other European countries into exile. Several brothers of the Weidner family came to America at an early date and located in Oley township, Berks county, Pennsylvania.

 

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In the line of descent from one of these was Leonard Weidner (grandfather), who resided in Bucks county, Pennsylvania. He married Christiana Hinckle, whose father owned very extensive tracts of land in Bucks county. Their children were: Samuel (father), Hannah (Mrs. Rhoads), David, Maria (Mrs. Thomas), all now deceased.

Samuel Weidner (father) was born in Quakertown, Bucks county, in 1790, and spent his early life there. When he was eighteen years of age he removed with his parents to Whitpain township, where his father had purchased a farm, now the site of the Mercer Home for Disabled Clergymen, located near the borough of Ambler. He was employed in farming there until 1853, when he sold his farm to Saunders Lewis and purchased five acres on the opposite side of the road, where he spent the latter part of his life in retirement. Mr. Weidner was a quiet and unassuming man. In the old Jackson days he was a Democrat, but he forsook that party when the American Union was menaced by rebellion and became a Republican, voting for Abraham Lincoln in 1860. He was a pronounced prohibitionist, and was one of the first to dispense with liquor on all occasions. He was for a long time a member of the Reformed church, but subsequently became a member of the Methodist church, in which he took a very active part, being a class leader and steward. He served as corporal in the war of 1812.

He married Mary Sechler, and their children were: Mary Ann, who died in childhood. Josiah, born May 2, 1821, married Louisa Malloy, and their children were: Mary, wife of Theodore Worthington, Samuel K., who married Sarah Peterson; Elizabeth, wife of a Mr. Russell; Ethan, unmarried; Uriah, married a Miss Long, and is now deceased; William, deceased; Amanda, deceased; and Henrietta. Both Josiah and Louisa (Malloy) Weidner are deceased. Lavina, born February 14, 1825, married Henry Taney, and is now deceased; their children were: Albert, deceased; Flora, deceased; Ida, wife of Newton Watson, of Hatboro; Harry, Eva, wife of Abraham Hallman, of Norristown; and a son deceased; Uriah, subject of this sketch. Ethan J., born April 27, 1832, married Anna Ellis, deceased, and their children were: George Washington, deceased; Loretta, deceased; Lavinia, wife of Harry Wanton; Mary, Sherman, who married a Miss Clare; Leonard; Ethan, deceased; Emma, deceased; Minnie, Carrie, and Annie.

Uriah Weidner resided on the homestead farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits until he was twenty-two years of age. He acquired his education in the common schools of Whitpain township, which was supplemented by a course at Treemount Seminary, Norristown, conducted by the Rev. Samuel Aaron, a celebrated teacher in his day. After leaving school he became a teacher, and was engaged in that occupation for a period of fourteen years, twelve years being spent in teaching at Mount Pleasant school, which he had attended in his boyhood. The following two years he taught at Marble Hall school in Whitemarsh township. In 1866 he abandoned teaching on account of failing health, and engaged again in farming in Worcester township, Montgomery county.

In 1869 he removed to New Britain, Bucks county, purchased a farm of sixty acres, and resided there until 1881. In that year he purchased the farm on which he now resides. Mr. Weidner until 1875, was a member of the Methodist church, and held the office of deacon. In 1875 he was ordained a minister in the Reformed church, and in the same year installed as a minister in the Pleasantville church, and held this charge fourteen years. In 1889 he resigned this charge, and since that time has not engaged in the work of the ministry by filling any particular charge, although still fulfilling many of the duties of the position.

Rev. Uriah Weidner married, at Norristown, June 21, 1855, Margaret L. Supplee, daughter of Joel and Phebe (Supplee) Supplee. Mrs. Weidner was born in Worcester township, May 31, 1838. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Uriah Weidner were: Frank N., born October 22, 1856, married R. Ella Danehower, and has one child, Myrtie; Flora A., born November 8, 1857, died March 31, 1862; Willing U. G., born May 18, 1863, married Catherine (Kate) Fillman, and has five living children, Maggie, Gertrude, Irene Viola, Raymond Atwood, Judson; and Vivian, and another, Frank, died in childhood; Charles L., born November 1, 1868, married Sarah McNair, November 12, 1888, their children being: Elsie Mildred, Ivy Pearl, Irma Pauline, Melva Valeria, Geraldine Alphea, and Margaret Supplee; Lily May, born May 1, 1871, wife of Charles Kramer (married November 28, 1895), and has six children, Stanley, Uriah, Lawrence, Marcus, James P. and Margaret W.; Rose M., born December 17, 1881, married March 19, 1902, Harry Tyre, died January 12, 1903, and had one son, Sylvan W.

 

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Joel Supplee, the father of Mrs. Weidner, was born May 5, 1810, in Worcester township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, a son of Nathan and Sarah (Wetherill) Supplee. He was a resident of Worcester township until 1851, at which date he purchased a farm in Whitpain township, and removing there spent the remainder of his life on that farm.

He married Phebe (Supplee) Supplee, October 7, 1834. He died April 21, 1883, his wife died May 25, 1877. Mrs. Weidner was their only child, Phebe Supplee was a daughter of Jesse and Mary Supplee, and was born in Norriton township, October 7, 1811.

Nathan Supplee, paternal grandfather of Mrs. Weidner, was born June 24, 1783. He married Sarah (Sallie) Wetherill, March 26, 1806, who was born April 5, 1786. He died February 21, 1871; she died November 25, 1854. Their children were: Euphemia, born April 5, 1807, married Joel Smith; she died October 13, 1881. Emeline, born October 20, 1808, married John Taney; she died February 21, 1879. Joel (father), Franklin, born September 27, 1811, died May 20, 1886. Abraham, born October 10, 1814, died March 23, 1891. Jonathan, born April 6, 1816, died December 16, 1872; William, born April 12, 1817, died July 20, 1817. Eliza M., born April 8, 1819, died July 4, 1863. Amanda, born June 11, 1820, died December 15, 1880. Melissa, born April 5, 1822, died January 5, 1823. Aaron, born April 12, 1823, died September 12, 1825. Maria Ann born December 15, 1828, died May 14, 1850. Abraham Supplee, great-grandfather of Mrs. Supplee, was born April 1, 1746, married Margaret McGlathery, who was born March 10, 1749. He died March 8, 1827; she died November 18, 1840. Their children were: Samuel, Nathan, Phebe, Sarah.

 

The great-great-grandfather of Mrs. Weidner was Hans, a son of Johannes Supplee, who was the progenitor of the family in America. He was a French Huguenot, and built the old Bethel Methodist Episcopal church on the Skippack road in Worcester township in 1770. He died the same year. It was free for all denominations for fourteen years, and afterwards was used by the Methodists, the first regular pastor being Joseph Pillmore, a minister sent from England.

[Ed. Note: The history of the Supplee family shown here is not complete. Hans (Hance) was a son of Andrew Supplee, son of the progenitor Andris Souplis, who became a resident of Germantown by 1686, arriving in New York, 17 September 1685.]

 

 

DAVID H. WENTZ, M. D., of Ashbourne, is a native of Upper Dublin township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, being the son of Albert D. and Anna C. (Heist) Wentz, both families being descended from early settlers of that part of Pennsylvania. The Wentz family were originally from Holland. The ancestor of the Heists came from Germany.

Albert D. Wentz (father) was the son of Charles R. Wentz, who married a Miss Shriver. He was born in Whitemarsh, and his wife in Springfield township, in Montgomery county, in which both of them spent their entire lives. Charles R. Wentz was occupied all his life in agricultural pursuits, in which he was uniformly successful. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Charles R. Wentz: Dr. George, who died at the age of seventy-five years; Dr. John S. Wentz, who resides in Philadelphia; Charles R., Hannah, Sallie, Ellen and Albert. Albert was born on the homestead farm in Whitemarsh, and spent his early years there, assisting in the ordinary work of the farm. He obtained his education under Professor Lock, of Norristown, and graduated at Trappe. He subsequently removed to Fitzwatertown, and taught school at Jarrettown, two years. In 1883 he abandoned farming and lived retired, residing at Edge Hill, Jenkintown and elsewhere in that vicinity. He died several years ago. His widow survives, and resides at Atlantic City. The children of Albert D. and Anna (Heist) Wentz: Dr. David H. Wentz, Margaret H. Wentz, and three who died in infancy.

 

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Dr. David H. Wentz acquired the rudiments of an education in the public school at Fitzwatertown, and in the public schools of Philadelphia. He attended the Boys' High School in that city, graduating there from in the class of 1880. He entered the University of Pennsylvania as a student in its medical department, graduating from that institution in the class of 1883. After his graduation from the University he practiced medicine one year at the town of Jeddo, in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania. Since 1884, when he located at Ashbourne, he has been in continuous practice at that place, being very generally recognized as a successful physician.

Dr. Wentz married, October 13, 1886, Alice W., born October 27, 1867, and now deceased, was a daughter of John M. and Alice (Noble) Earnest, also of an old Montgomery county family. The couple have had three children: Lorraine E., born May 9, 1890; Alice N., born November 9, 1892, died August 8, 1893; and Dorothy C., born September 3, 1896. The family attend the Reformed church.

 

 

LOUIS F. SLOAN, one of the most prominent farmers of Montgomery township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, was born at Willow Grove, in Moreland township, January 1, 1848. He is the son of William and Eliza (Shiveley) Sloan.

William L. Sloan (father) was the son of James and Mary (Moore) Sloan, both natives of Ireland who emigrated to America. William L. Sloan was born in Philadelphia, where his parents resided at Thirteenth and Market streets, where is now the extensive establishment of John Wanamaker, September 5, 1812. He acquired his education in Philadelphia, and engaged in business in connection with his brother John, they conducting a store. Some years later he abandoned mercantile pursuits and removed to Willow Grove, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1859, when he purchased the farm of thirty-seven acres now occupied by his son, Louis F. Sloan. He spent the remainder of his life on the farm. He was a popular citizen, taking an active interest in public affairs. Although he was not in any sense an office seeker, he held for many years the position of school director. He was a Democrat in politics, being in his youth an earnest supporter of Andrew Jackson, and casting his last presidential ballot for Grover Cleveland. After a useful and well spent life he died December 6, 1888. His wife died March 28, 1882. The couple had ten children, as follows: William Henry, born November 24, 1836, married, July 3, 1862, Rachel Haman, and resides in Philadelphia; James Francis, born November 6, 1833, died in childhood; Virginia Adelaide, born June 29, 1840, wife of William Hamilton, and resides in Gloucester county, New Jersey; Ida G., born January 4, 1842, widow of Andrew Gault, and resides near Doylestown, Pennsylvania; Dorothea S., born April 20, 1846, wife of Frederick Arnold, and resides at Prospectville, Pennsylvania; Louis F., subject of this sketch; Eliza S., born October 1, 1849, wife of Edward Felton, and resides at Penn Square; Pennsylvania; Rosalie I., born October 22, 1851, wife of William Kirk, and resides at Doylestown, Pennsylvania; Ella B., born May 11, 1853, died September 15, 1859; Francis S., born August 4, 1855, married April 6, 1880, Ella R. Jarden. After her death he married Mary Gollogy, and resides in Lansdale.

Louis F. Sloan acquired his education in the schools of Montgomery township, and from boyhood has been engaged in the occupation of farming. He has resided on the homestead farm for more thin forty years, having purchased it after his father's death. He is a thoroughly practical farmer, and is deeply interested in public affairs. He is not an office seeker, but has held the position of school director for more than a dozen years. He married, at the home of his wife's parents, near Ambler, March 16, 1876, Jane, daughter of James and Anna M. Gillin, born December 4, 1848. The couple have three children: 1. Robert H., born March 18, 1877, educated in the public schools of Montgomery township, from which he graduated in 1894, and then attending Schissler's Business College, at Norristown, from which he graduated in 1896, and also graduated from the Conservatory of Music at Philadelphia in 1900, and is now a teacher of piano-forte at Lansdale and in the Philadelphia Conservatory of Music, and is organist at St. John's Reformed church at Lansdale.

 

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He married at Naugatuck, Connecticut, August 13, 1902, Miss Marie L. Payne, daughter of S. F. and Mary Payne. 2. Thomas M., born April 21, 1819, educated in the public schools of Montgomery township, Philadelphia Conservatory of Music, and Schissler's Business College, Norristown, graduating from the public schools in 1894 and from the last named institution in 1896, and is now head bookkeeper for L. F. Miller & Sons, of Philadelphia. 3. Cynthia D., born August 30, 1881, graduated at Montgomery township schools, and attended the Philadelphia Conservatory of Music for several terms. Mrs. Robert H. Sloan is a graduate in music, and is leader of the choir of St. John's Reformed church, Lansdale.

Mr. Sloan, his wife and family are all members of the Pleasantville Reformed church at Eureka, of which he is a deacon. In politics he is a Democrat. He has a beautiful home and surroundings, and is a man who enjoys the confidence and respect of the community in which he lives.

 

 

FRANK B. STONG, a well known farmer of Montgomery township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, is a native of the adjoining township, Horsham, where he was born January 5, 1860. He is the son of Lewis and Sallie (McGooken) Stong.

Lewis Stong (father) was the son of Conrad Stong, who was also a native of Horsham township, born March 17, 1815. He was a stone mason by occupation, but spent the greater portion of his life in agricultural pursuits. He spent his boyhood on what is now the Ingersoll farm, which was owned by his father. He obtained his education at a pay school in the vicinity, taught by one of the Cleaver family. He subsequently purchased a farm in Hatfield township, where he engaged for several years in farming. He then removed to Philadelphia, where he resided for two years. Returning to Montgomery county, he purchased a small farm of five acres on which he resided until his death, which occurred May 18, 1892. His wife, Sallie McGooken, was a native of Ireland, where she was born in 1836. She came to America in early womanhood and resided in Montgomery county the remainder of her life. She died May 18, 1900. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Stong: Frank; Elizabeth, born February 9, 1861, wife of Charles Weber, and resides in Philadelphia; Anna Marie, born April 11, 1862; Lewis, born January 31, 1864; Sarah Jane, born October 10, 1865, married George Yerger, and resides in West Philadelphia; Mary Catharine, born March 13, 1867, married Patrick Byron, and resides in Philadelphia; Philip, born April 17, 1869, married Mary Devine and resides in Philadelphia; Camilla, born February 27, 1871, died December 14, 1871; Peter, died in infancy.

Frank B. Stong acquired his education in the public schools of Hatfield township and Montgomery township. On leaving school he engaged in farming pursuits, which have occupied his attention ever since. In 1900 he purchased the farm on which he lives. It contains sixty acres of excellent land in a high state of cultivation. He has improved it greatly during his ownership. He is a progressive and successful farmer, and a popular citizen, being highly esteemed in the community in which he lives. In politics Mr. Stong is a Democrat. In religious faith the family are Catholics. Mr. Stong is unmarried.

 

 

ALBERT SHAFFER, one of the best known and most prosperous farmers of Montgomery township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, was born at Camp Hill, in Springfield township, April 15, 1863. He is the son of William and Caroline (Yeakle) Shaffer, both residents of that vicinity, and both now deceased.

William Shaffer (father) in early life was engaged in agricultural pursuits and in the dairy business.

 

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He also operated a lime kiln for a number of years. He subsequently removed to Fort Washington, where he was engaged in the lumber and coal business. He was also the owner of the Fort Washington Hotel, which he conducted for several years. He died in 1894, and his widow died in 1896.

Albert Shaffer was educated in the Whitemarsh public school, near Fort Washington, where he was a pupil for several years. In early life he was engaged in teaming until he had attained the age of sixteen years. He was then engaged in bridge building for two years. The following four years were spent in sinking artesian wells. Since that time he has devoted his entire attention to agricultural pursuits. In February, 1901, Mr. Shaffer purchased the farm which he now occupies in Montgomery township. It contains 62 acres, and is in a high state of cultivation, yielding heavy crops.

Mr. Shaffer married, in Philadelphia, Miss Alice, daughter of George W. and Rebecca Snyder. They have had three children: Carrie May, deceased; Rennie A. and George Frederick.

 

 

GEORGE B. WOOD, justice of the peace and harness maker, is one of the best known citizens of Ogontz. He is a native of the borough of Jenkintown where he was born March 4, 1858. He is the son of William and Naomi (Bullard) Wood. Mr. Wood's education was acquired in the public schools of Jenkintown, and under private tutors. After completing his studies he served an apprenticeship of three years at the harness making business, and subsequently worked for three years as a journeyman at this trade.

In 1882 he established his present business at Ogontz. He has been very successful in his business, and is a prosperous business man. He has always been an active worker in the ranks of the Republican party, exerting himself in behalf of its ticket and its policy, and has been a delegate to many party conventions. He also participates actively in public affairs, and is always ready to forward any movement that is likely to redound to the interest of the community in which he lives, or be of any advantage to his fellow-citizens. He is popular with the people of Cheltenham township, and has held several local positions, including those of town clerk and member of the election board. He was elected justice of the peace in 1898, and re-elected for another term of five years in 1903. Fraternally he is a member of the following organizations: Friendship Lodge, No. 400, Free and Accepted Masons, of Jenkintown; Jenkintown Lodge, No. 476, Knights of Pythias, of which he has been secretary for a period of twenty-three years, and is a charter member: He is also secretary of Samaritan Castle No. 214, Knights of the Golden Eagle, of Jenkintown.

Mr. Wood was married at Ashbourne on January 1, 1884, to Ada Summerfield, daughter of John and Margaret (Linson) Summerfield. They have the following children: Naomi B., born 1885; Margaret S., born 1887; Virginia L., born October, 1889. The family attend St. Paul's Episcopal church at Ogontz, and Mr. Wood is organist for the Jay Cooke Bible class.

William Wood, father of Mr. Wood, was born in Huntingdonshire, England, and came to this country in 1855, locating at first at Gwynedd, and removing to Jenkintown in 1858, where he has resided ever since, a period of nearly half a century. He is among the oldest residents of the vicinity. He was married in England. His children are: William, deceased; George B., subject of this sketch; Mary, wife of Romeo Loomis; Sarah, deceased; Washington, deceased.

 

 

GEORGE W. SOLLIDAY, a well known farmer of Montgomery township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, was born on the homestead farm at Montgomeryville, July 15, 1853. He is the son of Lafayette and Catherine (Hottel) Solliday.

Lafayette Solliday (father) was the son of George Solliday, who in his day was a somewhat noted clock and watch maker. He was a native and lifelong resident of Montgomery township, where he carried on his occupation of clockmaking in connection with farming. His son, George W. Solliday, subject of this sketch, has in his possession an eight-day clock made by his father in the year 1802. He also has another clock made by his great-grandfather many years previous to that time, both the timepieces being in a perfect state of preservation.

 

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Lafayette Solliday was a Democrat in politics, and was earnestly devoted to the success of his party principles, a tendency that has been a characteristic of the family in its various generations. Lafayette Solliday served as a justice of the peace for many years, his efforts being devoted to the settlement of cases brought before him wherever it was possible, rather than to the encouragement of litigation. He was also a friend of educational interests, and served as a member of the school board of Montgomery township for many years. He was one of the leading citizens of the township, and interested in every measure which was calculated to benefit the community in which he lived. The family were originally from France, and its representatives are found in various sections of eastern Pennsylvania, the name being spelled differently, according to the fancy of those who bear it. Mr. Solliday married and his children were as follows: Lafayette; Benjamin, deceased; Margaret, deceased; Mary, deceased; George, residing at Hagerstown, Maryland; Hannah, deceased, wife of William T. Exlie.

Lafayette Solliday was born at Montgomeryville, and spent his entire life in Montgomery township, where he was extensively engaged in farming. In politics he was a Democrat, but he never sought or held office aside from the position of school director, for which he was eminently fitted. His wife, Catherine Hottel, was the daughter of Michael and Barbara (Boehm) Hottel. Their children were: George, Ella, born June 24, 1857, now deceased, who was the wife of C. J. Baldwin; Frank, born November 17, 1863, married Emily Knapp, daughter of Charles S. Knapp; Charles, born August 15, 1860, died January 18, 1879.

George W. Solliday was educated in the public schools of Montgomery township, and after leaving school learned the trade of bricklaying, at which occupation he was employed for three years. He then engaged in farming until 1896. For the following three years he was engaged in the coining room of the United States Mint at Philadelphia. Since that date he has conducted the homestead farm, which he purchased in 1897.

Since 1899 he has also been engaged in business as a pork butcher. He attends the market at Ninth street and Girard avenue, Philadelphia. He is a Democrat in politics, and participates actively in the management of its campaigns. He has been a delegate to state conventions of his party, and very frequently to county conventions. He holds the position of auditor of the township, and has been judge of elections and a member of the township school board. He is a member of Springhouse Lodge, No. 310, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a member and a trustee of Montgomery Baptist church, and his wife is also a member.

Mr. Solliday married in Philadelphia, February 4, 1875, Adelaide, daughter of Aaron and Mary A. (Bunting) Jones of Philadelphia, born in 1851. They have two children: Lafayette, born January 2, 1876, and Lelia C., born August 10, 1883.

 

 

BAYARD TAYLOR, merchant and postmaster at Montgomeryville, Montgomery township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, is a progressive young business man. He is the son of Jonathan. Taylor, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Bayard Taylor was born at Prospectville, in Horsham township, October 5, 1871. He acquired his education in the schools of Montgomery township, the knowledge thus gained being supplemented by a thorough course in a business college. After leaving school he engaged in the occupation of farming on the homestead until March 10, 1902, since which time he has been successfully engaged in conducting the store at Montgomeryville. On June 17, 1902, Mr. Taylor was appointed postmaster at Montgomeryville, and fills the office very efficiently, and to the entire satisfaction of its patrons.

 

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Mr. Taylor married at Line Lexington, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, September 18, 1898, Jessie R., daughter of Samuel and Ella Brunner, of Bucks county the couple having one child, Verda B., born December 21, 1899. In political affiliations Mr. Taylor, like his father, is a Democrat. He and his wife are both members of the Montgomery Baptist church, in which Mr. Taylor holds the position of trustee.

 

 

DANIEL F. HILTNER, one of the best known residents of Whitemarsh township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, who resides near Plymouth Meeting, is the son of Samuel and Sarah (Freas) Hiltner, both now deceased. He was born on the homestead farm in Whitemarsh, November 29, 1834. The Hiltner family are of German origin, the great-grandfather of Daniel F. Hiltner being the immigrant, he having come to this country more than a hundred and fifty years ago and settled in the section of Pennsylvania in which his descendants are still more or less prominent citizens. He married and among his children was a son, Michael Hiltner, (grandfather), who was a farmer by occupation.

Samuel Hiltner (father) was born in the year 1800 and died in 1881. He was educated in the schools of the neighborhood, and his studies alternated with the occupation of farming, which he followed most of his life. He was a Democrat in politics, but he swerved from his allegiance to that organization during the so-called "Know Nothing" excitement in the fifties, as did so many of the members of the old-line Whig and Democratic parties. He held the position of supervisor in the township for several years, being a faithful official, although he was not an office seeker in the ordinary acceptation of the term. Daring his early manhood he married Sarah Freas, and their children were: Elizabeth, who became the wife of George Lare; Daniel F., mentioned hereinafter; Sarah and Samuel (twins), neither of whom married; Annie, who died at the age of ten years; Mary, who became the wife of Lewis Allen. The mother of these children, Sarah (Freas) Hiltner, died in 1848, and Samuel Hiltner married for his second wife Catharine Saylor, who bore him the following named children: Joseph, unmarried; Ellen, who became the wife of William Chew; Bartley, who married and resides in Upper Merion township; Calvin, who married Miss McCoy; Amanda, who became the wife of Charles Parven; Jane, who married and resides in Norristown; Andrew, who married Lydia Caesner. The mother of these children, Catharine (Saylor) Hiltner, died in 1900.

Daniel F. Hiltner was educated in the public school at Barren Hill, and the Jeffersonville school, and upon the completion of his studies became an apprentice to the plastering trade under Zebulon Bolton, of Plymouth township. After acquiring some proficiency in his trade he engaged in business for himself, and has successfully conducted the same up to the present time with the exception of fourteen years when he was in charge of the Hiltner marble quarries on the farm. He has done the plastering of most of the houses in his section of the township, and also of many of those in adjoining districts. He has gained an enviable reputation as an excellent and skillful workman, and his services are constantly in demand. He is a Democrat in politics, and since attaining his majority has been steadfast in his advocacy of the principles of his party. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, and the Knights of the Golden Eagle. He is highly respected in his community, and is popular wherever he is known.

On May 6, 1860, Mr. Hiltner married Emeline W. Yetter, (daughter of Abraham and Martha (Pettit) Yetter, who was born November 10, 1840. Their children are: 1. Frank W., who married Ida Reigner, and their children are: 1. Emma, who married George Horner; Bessie, Frank, Grover S., and Rachel Hiltner. 2. Annie, born July 20, 1862, who became the wife of Samuel Weidner, and their children are- Elsie and Daniel, both deceased. 3. Elve J., born September 19, 1864, who became the wife of Alexander McQuirns, and they are the parents of two children- John and Mattie McQuirns. 4. Harry. F., born July 17, 1866, who married Louisa Carr, and their children are- John K., Daniel F., Harry, and Samuel Hiltner; the father of these children, Harry F. Hiltner, died January 8, 1904. 5. William Y., born November 14, 1868. 6., Mattie Y., born February 29, 1872, died August 17, 1883. 7. Mary E., born January 7, 1875, became the wife of Jesse Keys, and their children are- Emma, Mary, and Sarah Keys. 8. Rachel L., born August 23, 1878. 9. Freddie F., born December 20, 1881. Mr. Hiltner and his family attend the Lutheran church.

 

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JONATHAN TAYLOR, a retired farmer of Montgomery township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, is a native of Upper Dublin township, where he was born in a house directly opposite the Dunkard church, February 29, 1828, that being a leap year. He is the son of Jonathan and Margaret (Sturger) Taylor. His mother was a daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Sturger.

The ancestors of the Taylors were of English birth. They located at an early date at or near where is now the borough of Ambler. Jonathan Taylor's father was born there, and spent a large part of his life in that vicinity, learning the shoemaking trade, and being employed at that occupation until 1831 or 1832. He them rented the farm of Casper Slaughter, in Horsham township, where he engaged in farming for three years. He then removed to a farm in Gwynedd township, where he remained one year. He then resided for three years on another farm owned by Adam Kneedler, in Horsham township, on the Welsh road. In 1838 he purchased the farm of Stephen Day, located in Horsham township, near Prospectville, and removed to it, where he resided, engaged in the occupation of farming, until his death.

Jonathan Taylor, Jr., subject of this sketch, attended the neighboring schools until he had acquired a fair education, and on leaving school learned the carpenter trade, being employed in that occupation for several years. After spending four years in agricultural pursuits on the homestead farm, he purchased in 1879 the farm on which he now resides, containing ninety-five acres, which by dint of industry and good management he has brought to a very high state of cultivation. He married, at Chestnut Hill, in 1857, Caroline, daughter of John and Ann Shaffer, of Whitemarsh township, in Montgomery county. She died in September, 1901.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Taylor: Ida and Clara, both deceased; Wilson, Frank, Bayard, Irvin, Walter, Harriet. In politics Mr. Taylor is a Democrat, although lie has never sought or held office. In his religious views he affiliates with the Lutheran church. Mr. Taylor is one of the most respected citizens of his section of the county, enjoying the confidence of the community. He has spent an honorable and useful life, and now lives retired in his own home, surrounded by the comforts and conveniences of life.

 

 

ROBERT S. MANN. The Mann family, of which Robert S. Mann, a well known resident of Montgomery township, is a representative, are originally of Scotch-Irish ancestry. John Mann, whose remains are interred in the Neshaminy, Creek church graveyard, was the founder of the family in this section of Pennsylvania. He was the son of James Mann and Mary Carrot, who emigrated from Scotland to North Ireland about the year 1690. In the year 1732 he emigrated from county Antrim, Ireland, to America, so that he came here at twenty years of age.

He married Miss Margaret Mitchel, about the year 1736. They were farmers in Warwick, Bucks county, for a little time, then John purchased 164 acres in Horsham. Their family consisted of seven children of whom five lived to maturity: Samuel, John, William, Ann and Mary. John Mann died June 17, 1779, and Margaret Mitchel, his wife, died August 24, 1769. Both are interred as above stated.

Samuel Mann (great-grandfather) was born in Horsham township, in 1755, the estate being still in the possession of the family. He spent his entire life In this township and upon the homestead farm, and was a farmer by occupation. He was prominent in the community, and was active in all public affairs. He was in 1776 enrolled in Captain David Marple's Fifth Company of Infantry, Fourth Battalion (or regiment) of Philadelphia County Militia, Colonel William Dean commanding. He was a writer of deeds, and a magistrate. He died in 1826, aged seventy-one years. His brother, Captain John Mann, born in 1742, was of the Philadelphia county militia in 1776; on war committee, 1777; commissioner 1790; member of Pennsylvania legislature, 1803; and a private in the war of 1812. Samuel Mann married Margaret Keith, May 13, 1777, who was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, 1757; she was a sister of Rev. Isaac Stockton Keith, a Congregationalist minister of Charleston, South Carolina.

 

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The children of Samuel and Margaret (Keith) Mann were: Isaac, born June 25, 1778, married Hannah Huston, and died in 1851. Martha, born December 12, 1779, married for her first husband, a Mr. Holmes, and for her second husband, a Mr. Ramsey, and died in 1859. Samuel M., born in 1781, married Susan Burrows, of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and died in 1859. Margaret Keith, born in 1783. Mary, born in 1784, died in 1785. Mary S., born in 1786, married Abraham Slack, of Bucks county, and died in 1872. Elizabeth, born in 1788. Josiah S., born in 1789, married Susan Yerkes, and died in 1863. Ann, born in 1791, married James McNair, of Mount Morris, New York, and died in 1870. James A., born in 1792, died 1794. Sarah, born in 1793, married Charles Craven, of Bucks county, and died in 1880. Hannah, born in 1798, died in 1871, unmarried. Josiah Mann (grandfather) was born on the old homestead farm, where he spent his early life. On attaining maturity his father settled on him about forty acres, and on this farm he lived for many years, cultivating and improving it, but the autumn of his life was spent with his son Samuel in the Huntingdon Valley, near Bethayres. By his marriage to Susan Yerkes he became the father of six children, as follows: Samuel, who married Julia Roberts; George Y., mentioned hereinafter; Charles, who married Lucy Boutcher; Margaret, died unmarried; William, who married Rachel Closson; and Aaron, died unmarried.

George Y. Mann (father) was born on the homestead farm about 1813 or 1814. He spent his early life at home engaged in agricultural pursuits, and when he attained his majority purchased a farm of sixty acres situated about a mile from the old homestead, to which he subsequently added by purchase twenty-five acres, and on this farm he passed his life with the exception of about two years which were spent in Jenkintown, where he died after a useful and well-spent life on January to, 1901. His wife, Isabella (Shoemaker) Mann, died in Jenkintown, September 3, 1899. They were the parents of two children: Robert S., mentioned hereinafter; and. Anna Mary, born October 12, 1848, unmarried.

Robert S. Mann was born in Horsham township, February 14, 1845. He attended the public schools of his native township and also the Friends' school, and the knowledge thus obtained prepared him for a life of usefulness and activity. He resided on the homestead farm until manhood, thus acquiring a practical experience in all the duties pertaining to farm life.

In 1872 he removed to Wilmington, Delaware, and resided there for three years, during which time he was employed as an accountant. In 1875 he removed to Livingston county, New York, where he resided for three years, after which he returned to the state of Pennsylvania, locating in Moreland township, near Willow Grove, where for thirteen years he followed agricultural pursuits on rented farms. In 1901 he purchased the farm of fifty acres on which he now resides, and by progressive methods and unceasing labor he has it under a perfect state of cultivation; realizing a goodly profit from the proceeds thereof. Mr. Mann is a Republican in political views, but has never sought or desired public office, preferring to devote his time to his business interests. In all matters pertaining to the social and material welfare of the community he evinces a deep interest and concern, aiding to the best of his ability in the fulfillment of all enterprises promoted for the public good.

On January 18, 1872, in the Presbyterian church at Abington, Mr. Mann was united in marriage to Sarah Letitia Mann, who was born in Livingston county, New York, January 27, 1845, daughter of William K. and Sarah D. (McNair) Mann. One son is the issue of this union, Ralph H., born in Livingston county, New York, April 16, 1876, married, June 15, 1904, Bertha A. Steever, daughter of Ephraim Steever. Mr. Mann and his wife are consistent members of the Abington Presbyterian church.

 

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Mrs. Mann is also a direct descendant of the original John Mann, the founder of the family in Pennsylvania. Her paternal grandfather was Samuel, a son of Samuel and grandson of John Mann; he was born in Horsham township, was there educated, and afterwards learned the trade of blacksmith. In early manhood he left the homestead farm and started out in life for himself. He went first to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, where he married Susan Burrows, daughter of General John Burrows. From Williamsport he went to Livingston county, New York, where he took up land, made his home for the remainder of his life, and worked at his trade of blacksmith in connection with agricultural pursuits. The following named children were born to Samuel and Susan (Burrows) Mann: Samuel, deceased; John, deceased; William, Isaac, deceased; Jane, who became the wife of Isaac Slack; Margaret, widow of the Rev. Thomas Aitken, of Scotland; Mary, deceased, was the wife of William McNair; and Nathaniel B. Mann.

William K. Mann, father of Mrs. Mann, was born in Livingston county, New York, September 15, 1811. He has been a resident of Groveland township, Livingston county, during his entire life. He was an extensive land owner, and devoted his time to the tilling of the soil and the sale of grain, dealing largely in that commodity. He now lives retired on a farm adjoining the one on which he was born. He always took an active part in political matters, and was an earliest worker in the ranks of the Republican party, but never a seeker after office. Mr. Mann was twice married. His first wife, Sarah D. (McNair) Mann, bore him the following named children: William Henry, deceased; Frances, who was accidentally killed by a train at Ambler Station in 1897; Mary, wife of the Rev. Andrew L. McNair; Sarah Letitia, aforementioned as the wife of Robert S. Mann; Theresa, wife of Thomas Titsworth; Franklin K., unmarried, residing in Denver, Colorado. His second wife, Fannie (Dodge) Mann, who was the widow of Charles Wheelock, bore him one daughter, Wilhelmina, who is unmarried, and resides with her father.

 

 

THE ACADEMY OF THE NEW CHURCH is an independent association of members of the New Church, a religious organization founded upon the doctrines revealed by the Lord through Emanuel Swedenborg, incorporated under the laws of the state of Pennsylvania. The corporation, as at present constituted, consists of William F. Pendleton, Samuel H. Flicks, C. E. Doering, John Pitcairn, Walter C. Childs, William H. Benade, Hugh L. Burnham, C. F. W. June, George A. Macbeth, George M. Cooper, and Paul Synnestvedt. The board of directors consists of William F. Pendleton, president; Samuel H. Hicks, secretary; C. E. Doering, treasurer; John Pitcairn, Walter C. Childs.

The schools of the Academy are located on a tract of land in Moreland township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, fifteen miles to the northeast of the city of Philadelphia, in the New Church settlement at Bryn Athyn, near the village of Huntingdon Valley; and are reached by trains from the Reading Terminal at Philadelphia, at Bethayres station, on the Bound Brook railroad, or at Bryn Athyn station on the Newtown railroad. The Academy of the New Church, to use the language of one of its own publications, exists for the purpose of propagating the heavenly doctrines of the New Jerusalem, and establishing the New Church signified in the Apocalypse by the New Jerusalem; promoting education in its various forms; educating young men for the ministry; publishing books, pamphlets, and other printed matter; and establishing a library.

The Academy building is a stone structure, with Spanish tile roof, having a front of 160 feet, and a depth of ninety feet through its central part. The building contains fifty rooms. On the first floor are the library, book rooms, class rooms for the local school at Bryn Athyn, and the offices

 

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of the superintendent of the Theological school, the dean of the schools, the treasurer, the editors of the New Church Life, and other offices. On the second floor, besides the chapel, are eleven class rooms. On the third floor are ten rooms, including an art room and rooms for chemistry and physics. In the basement is a gymnasium, fitted up in the most approved style. There are eighteen acres of ground used as a campus, surrounding the Academy. No pupil is received into the Academy unless previously baptized into the New Church. The collection of a complete library of the literature of the New Church is one of the cherished objects of the Academy. Many rare works and editions have been secured, and additions are constantly being made. Among the special features of the library are the theological works of Emanuel Swedenborg in the original Latin editions; nearly a complete set of his scientific and philosophical works in the original editions; a large collection of his works in most of the editions and in all the languages in which they have appeared; files of New Church magazines; reproduced manuscripts of Swedenborg; a collection of the philosophical and anatomical works to which he refers in his published writings; portraits, general literature, etc. The faculty of the various departments includes some of the most eminent lights of the Swedenborgian or New Church faith: Right Rev. W. F. Pendleton is the president of the Academy; Rev. Enoch S Price, Dean; Rev. C. Th. Odhner and Rev. Alfred Acton, Professors of Theology; Mr. Camille Vinet, Professor of Natural Sciences; Rev. Charles E. Doering, Professor of Mathematics: Dr. George M. Cooper, teacher of Anatomy. Among the lady teachers in the institution are the following: Misses Ellen Sherman, Harriet S. Ashley, Caroline Hobart, Jane Potts, and others. The course of instruction in the Theological School, extending over a period of three years, is intended to give the student for the ministry a thorough and systematic understanding of the theology of the New Church, and a familiar grasp of the languages used in divine revelation. Among the subjects taught are the theology of the New Church, Church History, the Greek, Hebrew and other learned languages, and Swedenborg's science and philosophy.

The New Church gives especial attention to the education of women. Bishop Pendleton said in a recent address: "When we consider the influence of women upon the church, and more especially the influence of the mother on the mind of the child, that it is the mother through whom the first and the most far reaching impressions are conveyed to the infantile mind, we have before us a sufficient reason for taking into serious consideration the subject of the higher education of girls, and even of giving it precedence over that of boys, since the education of the clergy has been provided for."

A feature of the teaching at the Academy of the New Church is the Phenomena of the Spiritual World. The student is instructed in the laws which operate in the government of the universe as illustrated in the phenomena of the other life. The subjects treated are: The resurrection; life in the world of spirits; the last judgment and the state of the world of spirits then and afterwards; the form of heaven and hell; the daily life of the angels in heaven and the spirits of hell, their societies, government (worship), speech, habitations, clothing, manners, and customs. This subject of spiritual phenomena is taught as necessary not only to the obtaining of a real and tangible idea of the other world, but also to a clear conception of the doctrines of the church, which are seen in fullness in their operation in the spiritual world.

The history of the New Church movement is very interesting. Its first general conference was held in London in 1789. It was founded on the idea that the Old Church implanted highly dangerous ideas in teaching a trinity of three divine persons, tending to the idea of three distinct gods, the consequence of which is spiritual death to all who confirm themselves in such an opinion. Another tenet then promulgated and still adhered to is that it is the duty of every Christian to train his children in the principles and heavenly doctrines of the New Jerusalem Church alone, the two grand essentials of which are as follows

 

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That the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is the only God of heaven and earth; that His human is divine; and that, in order to be saved, man must live a life according to the ten commandments, by shunning evils as sins against God. For many years the members of the New Church in general failed to impress the faith of the church upon the children, it being supposed that the immature mind was incapable of comprehending divine things. That error has been corrected, and the education of the young in the faith of the denomination now receives the most diligent attention. Several attempts were made to establish a general system of education in the tenets of the New Church, but they were failures until the organization of the Academy of the New Church, which dates back to 1874, when Messrs. Benade, Pitcairn, Childs and Ballow met in Pittsburg to consider what could be done to counteract the growing influence of the negative spirit in the church. It was decided to publish a pamphlet in defense of the two essential principles which have been mentioned. Initial steps towards a more thorough organization were taken, which two years later resulted in the establishment of the Academy of the New Church. At the time of the Centennial of American Independence, an organization was effected in Philadelphia, as it happened, on the nineteenth day of June, which date in 1770 was an anniversary of importance in the church, being the time when the Lord, called together his twelve apostles in the spiritual world for the purpose of sending them forth to proclaim the second advent and the everlasting kingdom. It is celebrated as the natal day of the New Church, and also as the birthday of the Academy of the New Church. Schools were opened in a modest way on Cherry street, Philadelphia. In June, 1886, the Academy celebrated its decennial at Beach Haven, New Jersey. The schools advanced, their location being frequently changed. For some time it had been the intention of the Academy to locate its schools somewhere in the country, in the neighborhood of Philadelphia, and the beautiful district around Huntingdon Valley, in Montgomery county, was finally selected. The friends of the Academy purchased land, and a New Church settlement grew up in the vicinity. On October 11, 1895, a school for young children was opened at Huntingdon Valley, out of which has grown the present educational system of the Academy. The movement prospered, and the work of the Academy was placed on a secure financial basis by the endowment fund, which was received on January 29, 1899. In August, 1900, work was commenced on the large building, now the permanent home of the Academy. "The schools of the Academy have thus," to use the language of Professor Odhner, "reached a point of development when a larger field of usefulness presents itself. The instrumentalities for the work have greatly increased. But the prayers and the hope of the Academy are for spiritual blessings, the increase in wisdom. This hope is based upon the belief that there still dwells with the Institution the same spirit which has characterized it from the beginning, the spirit of determination to abide loyally in .the heavenly doctrines of the New Jerusalem, and to adhere to the ideal of New Church education which is there revealed to those who seek it."

 

 

(Picture of Evin T. Kimbel)

 

EVIN T. KIMBEL, a progressive and highly respected agriculturist of Abington township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, is a native of Buckingham township, Bucks county, same state, born June 9, 1846, a son of Abel M. and Sophia (Stradlin) Kimbel, both of whom were natives of Bucks county.

Evin T. Kimbel was reared in his native township, and acquired a fair education in the common school adjacent to his home. Being brought up on a farm he naturally chose that occupation for his active career, which he pursued in Bucks county until 1881. He resided in Moreland township for three years, from 1881 to 1884, and then took up his residence on the farm which he is now cultivating in Abington township, in the vicinity of Willow Grove. This property formerly belonged to his uncle William Kimbel, but at the time of his death in 1897 was deeded to Evin T. Kimbel. The land is fertile and productive, and by persistent and painstaking labor it is made to

 

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yield a goodly profit annually. In his political views Mr. Kimbel adheres faithfully to the principles of the Republican party, and in local affairs gives his support to the measures which tend to promote the growth and advancement of the community.

On February 5, 1881, in Moreland township, Pennsylvania, Mr. Kimbel was married to Anna Mary Pierce, born February 14, 1856, daughter of Samuel and Bridget (McNulty) Pierce, and the issue of this marriage was the following named children: Emma V., born March 7, 1882; Margaret J., born March 19, 1883; Agnes F., born March 19, 1886; Charlotte M., born May 28, 1890; William, born July 12 1893, died September 3, 1900; Anna M., born June 19, 1897; and Evin T., Jr., born November 11, 1902. The family are consistent members of the Roman Catholic church of the Immaculate Conception at Jenkintown.

 

 

THOMAS B. HARPER, the popular burgess of Jenkintown, and one of its most progressive citizens, is the son of Charles, deceased, and Mary (Buckman) Harper. He was born at Jenkintown, September 9, 1859.

Mr. Harper grew to manhood in that borough, and was educated at Abington Friends' School, and at the Friends' Central School in Philadelphia. At an early age he entered his father's store, at that time the leading establishment of the kind in that vicinity, remaining there until 1885, when he engaged in the business of artesian well digging, in which he is still very extensively interested. January 1, 1898, Mr. Harper organized the Tioga Steel Forge Company, in Philadelphia, and became its president and treasurer, which position he still holds. He served three terms in the town council of Jenkintown. He was the last burgess under the old law, and the first under the new law, and is now serving his fourth term in that capacity. He is a member of Peace and Love Lodge, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Jenkintown.

Mr. Harper was married, at Ivy Land, October 8, 1879, to Margaret M. Carrell, of Bucks county, Pennsylvania. Their children are: William Carrell, Mary Elizabeth (deceased), Mabel M., Annie Grace, and Thomas B.

The Harper family is one of the oldest in English history. At the battle of Hastings, in 1066, a Norman French officer by that name was knighted on the field by William the Conqueror for bravery in that celebrated conflict. This is the first mention of the name. The roll of "Battle Abbey," containing the names of those who fought in the conquest, gives the Norman aristocracy so that a biographer of Chaucer declared that all names to be found in it ennobled those who bore them later. The want of consistency in the matter of surnames at that time makes it very difficult to complete an English family record as far back as the thirteenth century, as surnames were only beginning to be used by a few of the nobility, changes being constantly made for a long time thereafter, and brothers frequently assuming different surnames.

Comparatively little is known of the Harper family for several centuries after the date which was first mentioned. About 1650 some of the prominent members of the family, through the teachings of George Fox, united with the Religious Society of Friends or Quakers, as they were called at first in derision. The scruples of the Friends against taking oaths or serving in armies, they claiming to be disciples of the Prince of Peace and therefore unable to fight, along with other peculiarities, caused violent persecution, so that in 1662 over four thousand of them were confined in English prisons. There are no Harpers in the battle fields of modern history, probably on this account, In 1681 William Penn obtained from King Charles II a grant of land for the colony which he proposed to lead to the new world. In the next year three brothers Harper sailed for America. One of them settled in New York, and from him descended the Harper Brothers, the noted publishers. The second brother, with his family, essayed to go to Virginia, but was prevented by high water from crossing the Potomac river. He afterwards established a ferry on that river which became known as Harper's Ferry, a locality that has since become historic ground. Several years

 

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later a branch of the family located in Kentucky and another branch in eastern Ohio. From that stock is descended Professor William R. Harper the distinguished president of the Chicago University.

The third brother, from whom the Harpers of Montgomery and adjacent counties in Pennsylvania are descended, bought a farm and settled in what was then Lower Dublin township, in the city of Philadelphia. Thomas Roberts, who became closely identified with the Harper family because of the intermarriage of his descendants with them, came to America from Wales on a vessel called the "Campbell," in company with John Logan and William Penn, on his second voyage to Pennsylvania, and arrived in Philadelphia, December 24, 1699. Thomas Roberts settled at Germantown, where he became a prominent resident. He had a son Thomas, who married, in 1705, Eleanor Potts, whose children were Thomas, John, Mary and Sarah. Thomas (third) married Rachel Livezey, of Lower Dublin, and settled on a six-hundred-acre tract of land at what is now York Road and Fisher's Lane. Thomas and Rachel Roberts had eight children- Thomas, Mary, Elizabeth, Ann, Jonathan, John, James and Daniel. Ann Roberts was twice married. Her first husband was Isaac Shoemaker, by whom she had one son Thomas. They resided near Shoemakertown, now Ogontz. Her second husband was Samuel Harper, who was a manufacturer of gimlets. By the second marriage there were two sons: George and Nathan; and two daughters: Rachel, who married Andrew French; and Sarah, who married John Nice, March 18, 1794. At a reunion of the Nice family in 1883 there were present 266 of the direct descendants of John Nice.

On August 2, 1892, there was a family reunion of the descendants of George Harper, born in 1770, the great-great-grandson of the Harper who settled in Lower Dublin township in 1682. This reunion was held at Lake View Cottage, with its beautiful surroundings of lawn, orchard lakes and groves, the country residence of Smith Harper, of Abington township. It was the second reunion of this branch of the Harper family. The early part of the day was so stormy that many of the members of the family were unable to be present, but those who were in attendance had a most enjoyable time. Most of those who gathered at this reunion were from the immediate vicinity of Philadelphia. Descendants from this branch of the family are now known to reside in the following states: Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Missouri, Nebraska, Louisiana, California and Nevada.

The Harper who settled in Lower Dublin in 1682 was John, descended from a Norman French nobleman, who was knighted by William the Conqueror at the battle of Hastings in 1066. Robert, his grandson, died in 1774, his wife being Sarah and they having twelve children, six sons and six daughters, all of whom grew to manhood and womanhood, married and reared families, who resided in or near Frankford, in Philadelphia. The oldest son was Samuel, and the youngest Benjamin, who died of yellow fever in Philadelphia in 1797.

The children of Samuel and Ann (Roberts) Harper: George, Samuel, Nathan (a bachelor), Sarah, who married John Nice, March 18, 1794.

The children of George and Mary (Collins) Harper were: William, born 2d mo. 5, 1795; Ann (Harper) Holt, born 9th mo. 13, 1796; Maria (Harper) Wilkinson, born 5th mo. 11, 1798; Susanna (Harper) Davis, born 3d mo. 19, 1800; Daniel DeBenneville, born 9th mo. 27, 1801; Elizabeth (Harper) Logan, born 10th mo. 10, 1803 Samuel, born 7th mo. 11, 1805; Martha, born 9th mo. 7, 1807; Nathan and Margaret (Harper) Livezey (twins), born 8th mo. 24, 1810. This record is from Margaret Porter's Bible. She was born 6th mo. 10, 1722, and died 11th mo. 24, 1815, at the age of ninety-three years, five months and fourteen days. This Bible was presented to burgess Thomas B. Harper by Mrs. Tacie Livezey Smith. It belonged to Mrs. Porter, who was her great-great-grandmother.

 

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The children of George and Mary (Collins) Harper's children are as follows: William and Esther (Smith) Harper, Adaline (Harper) Humphreys, Reuben, Henry, William, Smith, Charles, Mary (Harper) Steele, Edwin, Catherine (Harper) Buckman, Esther A. (Harper) Shoemaker.

Ann (Harper) Holt- Jesse Holt, Sarah (Holt) Dungan, Mary Ann (Holt) Cornell, George, Samuel and Charles.

Maria (Harper) Wilkinson- Ellen (Wilkinson) Rufe, Charles, Lydia (Wilkinson) Boucher, Mary (Wilkinson) Porchaske. Susanna (Harper) Davis-Harper, Susan (Davis) Parker, Charles, Mary.

Daniel DeB. and Sarah (Sims) Harper- Martha Ann (Harper) Fries, Sarah (Harper) Winall, Mary E. (Harper) Winall, Eliza H., George W., Stephen Sims, Minerva (Harper) Butters, Daniel, Willamina (Harper) Spillard, Emmabella, Charles Asbury.

Elizabeth (Harper) Logan- Harriet (Logan) Coughlan, Ada.

Samuel and Mary (Mowery) Harper- Margaret (Harper) Chase, George, Ann (Harper) Fulkioner, Philip, Nathan, John, Mary (Harper) Fox.

Nathan and Ellen (nosier) Harper- Hannah B., Mary, Jane (Harper) Snyder, Cornelia, Louise (Harper) Davis, Clara (Harper) Bickley, Lyman, Helen (Harper) Cullum, Linnaeus.

Margaret (Harper) Livezey - Thomas, Martha (Livezey) Pate, Rebecca Ann (Livezey) Stout, Tace (Livezey) Smith, Jesse.

The Harper family undoubtedly came from Normandy with William the Conqueror in 1066, and afterwards intermarried with the English. Later the American branch of the family was established, and the ancestor of the Jenkintown family allied themselves by marriage with other families, among them the descendants of Thomas Roberts, a native of Wales. The mixture of these three hardy races has produced a long lived sturdy race of people. The early alliance of the family with the Society of Friends also probably had much to do with the strong and sturdy character of their descendants. George Fox, the founder of Friends, taught the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of men, and urged upon his followers plainness of speech, of dress, and of manners, and a perfect faith in the direction of the spirit of the Omnipotent Father in the management of the minutest affairs of life. Such a belief would naturally conduce to peace of mind and a long, and happy life.

 

 

THE CORSON FAMILY. The pioneer ancestor of the Corson family was Cornelius Corsson, who emigrated to America in 1685 on a vessel bound for South Carolina, the passengers being principally French Huguenots from Vendee, France, but for some unknown reason the vessel landed at Staten Island. Among his children was a son, Benjamin Corson, who removed to Bucks county, Pennsylvania, from Staten Island, about the year 1726. Among the children born to Benjamin and his wife Nelly Corson was a son, Benjamin Corson, who was united in marriage to Maria Sedam (or Suydam), and among the children born of this union was a son, Benjamin Corson, who married Sarah Dungan, and their son, Joseph Corson, was born March 15, 1764, in Dublin township, Philadelphia county, Pennsylvania. He married Hannah Dickinson, and among their children was a son, Charles Corson.

Charles Corson was born at the Hickorytown home of the family in Plymouth township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, January 22, 1801. He resided for more than forty years on a farm located at the junction of Skippack and Perkiomen creeks, in Lower Providence township, Montgomery county. He was an ardent anti-slavery man, and an efficient agent of the "Underground Railroad," as were also his brothers, George, Hiram, and Alan W. Corson. Charles Corson married Sarah Egbert, who was born March 17, 1801, and their children were: Richard R., who married Louisa Williams; William E., who married Hannah Highley; George Norman, mentioned hereinafter; Adelaide, who became the wife of Albert Crawford; Susan Rogers, who became the wife of Felix F. Highley; John J., who married Rebecca Freedley; Mary Francis, and Lawrence E. Charles Corson, father of these children, died May 5, 1878, aged seventy-six years; his wife died August 23, 1864. Both were interred in Montgomery cemetery, Norristown, Pennsylvania.

 

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George Norman Corson, third son of Charles and Sarah (Egbert) Corson, was born March 11, 1833, on his father's place, at the mouth of the Skippack, on the Perkiomen creek, in Lower Providence, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. He served in the capacity of teacher in the public schools for a period of time, after which he commenced the study of law and was admitted to the bar. He volunteered at President Lincoln's call for 75,000 men and served the term of three months in the Fourth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. On being mustered out he was about to re-enlist in the Fifty-first Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, when he was thrown from his horse and received a compound fracture of the right arm, incapacitating him for further military duty.

Returning home he resumed his professional duties. The practice of law in 1865-1867 was not what it is at the present time. Then there were but fifty state reports in Montgomery county, and in those days a lawyer found it difficult to consult books and find precedents to cover the case in hand, and it required ingenuity to develop the application. This Mr. Corson possessed to a wonderful degree, and it was to this characteristic that he owed his brilliant success. He had a wonderful capacity for work and study. He was not a case lawyer who hunted precedents to cover all points of the case under consideration, but was guided by well defined principles which he discovered in the issue, and was always successful in perceiving the application of the matter in all its bearings.

He was one of the first members of the Republican party in Montgomery county, and an active member, and for many years his eloquence from the rostrum was a potent and much sought factor in the strife. He took an active part for Fremont, Lincoln, Grant, Hayes, Garfield and Blaine. In 1862 he was appointed notary public by Governor Curtin, when there were but two in Montgomery county.

In 1867 he was appointed register in bankruptcy for Montgomery and Lehigh counties, and in that position adjudged millions of dollars of property, and in no decision ever given by him was his opinion reversed. In 1869 he was nominated by acclamation for law judge in Bucks and Montgomery counties, and in the year 1873 was a member of the constitutional convention of Pennsylvania. He was the first to move the expurging of the word "white" from the fundamental law of the state, the word having been inserted in the old constitution for the purpose of disfranchising the negroes. He was active in the construction of the great enactment under which the Keystone State has ever since been so admirably governed. He contributed a series of articles descriptive of the convention, and the "Pen Portraits" were widely read and admired. As each member died he republished his pen portrait and wrote a touching obituary. He was a writer of marked ability, and his numerous instructive and interesting newspaper articles on almost every subject abounded in wit and humor. During his active political career he stood up manfully for the principles which he thought were right, and it was largely through his efforts that the provision was made advocating the right of the minority to he represented on the supreme and superior court benches of the state of Pennsylvania. He numbered among his lifelong friends Hon. Wayne MacVeagh, who was his classmate, and a member of the constitutional convention; and Hon. Simon Cameron, at one time secretary of war, and who acted as godfather to his eldest son, S. Cameron Corson.

On September 29, 1859, George N. Corson married Maria Hurst, and their children were Georgine, who became the wife of J. S. Singer; S. Cameron, mentioned hereinafter; Rosalie, who became the wife of George N. Weaver; Harold, a conveyancer and justice of the peace in the sixth ward of Norristown, Pennsylvania. He married Carrie Gautier, now deceased, who was a daughter of Ephraim and Margaret Gautier Chalfred, who married Bertha Eckhardt, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. George N. Corson died April 12, 1902; he survived his wife several years, she having passed away September 21, 1899. The death of Mr. Corson, who was a man of brilliant mind and rare attainments, was sadly deplored by the journalistic world and the community at large.

 

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Maria (Hurst) Corson, wife of George N. Corson, was the eldest child of Alfred and Wilhelmina (Smith) Hurst, whose other children were as follows: Georgine, who became the wife of Dr. Louis W. Read; Wilhelmina H., who became the wife of Judge William H. Yerkes, of Philadelphia; Alice, who became the wife of Henry R. Brown, of Norristown. Alfred Hurst was born August 12, 1806, and died December 30, 1890. He was the son of Jonathan Harvey and Patience (Wescott) Hurst, and the grandson of Timothy and Mary (Brownjohn) Hurst, the latter named having been a daughter of Dr. William Brownjohn, of New York.

The family have in their possession a genealogical table based on authentic researches showing the descent of Timothy Hurst from the royal line of England, both from Richard, King of the Romans, and Edward IV, King of England, and also from the noble families of Beaumont or Bellamont, Earls of Warwick and Leicester, who were descended from the royal lines of France; also from the Beauchamps, the Earl of Warwick, the famous John Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury, the Greys from Edward Grey, Viscount Lisle, son of Edward L., Lord Grey, of Grooby; and from Frances Monk, daughter of George Monk, Duke of Albemarle, through the ancient family of the Herveys. Also from the families of Hastings and Ferrers. Wilhelmina (Smith) Hurst, wife of Alfred Hurst, was a daughter of Captain William S. Smith, of Glasgow, Scotland, and Maria C. Smith, whose mother, Elizabeth (Rawle) Steinhauer, was the daughter of Francis and Martha (Turner) Rawle. Martha Rawle was the daughter of Robert and Martha (Fisher) Turner. Robert Turner was an early Friend of Dublin, Ireland, a minister in the society, who in 1683 came to Pennsylvania, purchasing a large tract of land from William Penn.

Simon Cameron Corson, eldest son of George Norman and Maria (Hurst) Corson, was born February 12, 1863, in the dwelling at the south corner of Main and Cherry streets, Norristown, Pennsylvania, now occupied by L. G. Stritzinger, a confectioner, then owned and occupied by his parents. He was educated in the public schools of Norristown, and in Treemount Seminary.

In 1881 he entered the office of an architect in Philadelphia to finish his education, or rather to continue it. It soon became necessary, however, for him to earn his own livelihood, and on July 1, 1883, he accepted the position of rodman in an engineering corps of the Pennsylvania Schuylkill Valley Railroad, then in course of construction, and was stationed at Pottstown, Pennsylvania. In October, 1883, he was ordered to assist in preliminary and location work between North Reading and Auburn, Pennsylvania. In 1885 he accepted a position with Alan W. Corson, then borough engineer of Norristown, and continued as his assistant until, September, 1887. During this period he was employed in laying out nearly all of West Norristown, including the Griffith farm, purchased by Evans, Yerkes and the Robertses, and the tract laid out by Haines & Brown, beyond Basin street, between Markley and Powell streets.

In 1887 Mr. Corson was again employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. He was stationed at Baltimore, Maryland, during the construction of the large piers and bonded warehouses of the Northern Central Railroad Company, at Canton, which adjoins Baltimore, and is opposite the historical Fort McHenry. He continued in this work and in other surveys, including the elevated roads through Baltimore and several changes of line north and south of Baltimore, until the famous Johnstown flood. In June, 1889, he was ordered to South Fork, along with all the other available engineers who could be spared, for the reconstruction of the destroyed property of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. He had charge of the construction of the new Conemaugh river channel, the Conemaugh round house, and the rebuilding of the embankment from Johnstown station to the famous stone bridge. Mr. Corson was promoted, February 11, 1890, to the maintenance of way department, and stationed as assistant engineer at Altoona, Pennsylvania, in the office of the general superintendent.

 

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On August 1, same year, he was ordered to the Tyrone Division of the Pennsylvania Railroad, but resigning his position there in March, 1891; he accepted a similar position with the Philadelphia and Reading Railway Company, being stationed at Pottsville, Pennsylvania. He held this until the following November, when he was appointed assistant engineer of construction of the Sigua Iron Company, of Santiago, Cuba, where a railroad, ore pier, breakwater and inclined planes were constructed. On completing this work he sailed for home just prior to the first shipment of iron ore to this country, which was unloaded at Norfolk, Virginia.

In December, 1893, after his return from Cuba, Mr. Corson was employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company and stationed at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, as a member of one of the largest construction corps ever collected by that company, under William Pritchert, assistant engineer. During the following March he was again sent to the Altoona office, remaining there until December, 1893. From January 1, 1894, until September, 1897, he had an office at Altoona, where he attended to all kinds of surveying, and was borough engineer of Juniata, which town lies northeast of Altoona. He was special assistant engineer in the construction of the fourth district sewer of Altoona, and assistant engineer tinder Chief Engineer Knight, of Altoona, in the construction of the new reservoir built by the city of Altoona. He also made the first surveys for the Lewistown Water Company. In 1897 he was again employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company and stationed at Atlantic City, New Jersey, where he had charge of the rebuilding of all the bridges and culverts and their extensions from Egg Harbor City to the drawbridge, serving under William H. Brown, chief engineer.

When war was declared between the United States and Spain, in April, 1898, Mr. Corson tendered his services as an engineer to Major Craige of the recruiting office in Philadelphia, explaining to Mr. Craige how he acquired a knowledge of Sigua Harbor and vicinity and thought that knowledge would be of service to the government. Major Craige said to him, "Mr. Corson, Adjutant General Corbin is looking for just such men who have a knowledge of the Santiago province, and at you have resided, surveyed and handled men in that district, I am sure he will be more than pleased to enlist you by a special commission. Please communicate with him at once in person, or by letter." Mr. Corson did so by letter, then by representatives, and finally by a personal visit to Washington, D. C., but there was too much red tape, and the war was practically over before the received a copy of a letter of apology. General Corbin had written to Adjutant General Thomas J. Stewart, N. G. P., concerning his discourtesy to him. When Mr. Corson was located at Sigua, he was only twelve miles from Daiquiri, where the army landed, and forty miles by water to Santiago de Cuba. He had made the survey and soundings of Sigua harbor, and had maps and plans of that vicinity which were considered of the greatest value to this government in the early stages of the war.

Since March 1, 1899, Mr. Corson has served as borough engineer of Norristown, and in that capacity has had charge of the construction of improved permanent pavement and separate sewer system authorized under loans voted upon by the citizens of the borough. He has given excellent satisfaction in this position, and has been elected from year to year, usually by the unanimous vote of the town council. As an engineer, Mr. Corson's wide experience in railroad and other surveys has made him thorough, and the office was never conducted more efficiently than it is at the present time.

Mr. Corson is a Republican in politics, and an earnest worker in behalf of the principles and candidates of the party. He is an active member of the Engineers' Club of Philadelphia; Lodge No. 620, Free and Accepted Masons; Beaver Tribe, No. 62, Improved Order of Red Men; John F. Hartranft Lodge, No. 714, Order of Heptasophs; the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; and the Norristown Hose Company. All of the above named organizations are of Norristown.

 

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On July 19, 1899, Mr. Corson married Anne Eliza Ramey, of Altoona, Pennsylvania. Their children are: Mary Pauline, born August 10, 1903; David Ramey, born September 13, 1902; and S. Cameron (second), born September 16, 1904.

The Ramey family, of which Mrs. S. Cameron Corson is a member, are descended from Francis Remote (great-great-grandfather), who emigrated to this country from the province of Alsace-Lorraine in 1788. He purchased and settled on an extensive tract of land near Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, and his house has been noted as one of the frontier forts of Pennsylvania. Frederick Ramey (great-grandfather), a son of Francis Remme, was born in Alsace-Lorraine, in 1785, and was only three years old when he came to America with his father. He was with Commodore Perry on the "Niagara," Lake Erie, in 1813. In 1807 he married Martha Keller, and they were the parents of seven children. David Keller Ramey (grandfather), fourth child of Frederick and Martha Ramey, was born in 1821. He resided in Altoona, Pennsylvania.

His first wife, Catherine (Leamer) Ramey, bore him seven children; his second, wife, Rebecca (Knight) Ramey, bore, him five children, David K. Ramey died in the spring of 1904, aged eighty-three years. Frederick Ramey (father), first child of David K. and Catherine (Learner) Ramey, married Mary Taylor, and they were the parents of the following named children: Jean, who became the wife of Dr. Collier F. Martin; Anne Eliza, aforementioned as the wife of S. Cameron Corson; Thomas, who died at the age of one year; Helen, and Ruth Ramey.