(Picture of John J. Campbell)

 

JOHN J. CAMPBELL, a prominent citizen of the borough of Rockledge, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, where he is a real estate broker, conveyancer and justice of the peace, is a native of the city of Philadelphia. He was born October 21, 1850, a son of Thomas and Catherine (Dowling) Campbell.

The Campbells are of Scotch origin, as the name indicates, but Mr. Campbell's father and grandfather were both natives of Ireland. Thomas Campbell (father) was born in County Louth, about 1820, and came to America in early manhood. He resided in Wilmington, Delaware, and at Harper's Ferry, Virginia, but was a resident of Philadelphia for nearly forty years. He carried on the business of a contractor and builder for many years in Kensington, a manufacturing district of Philadelphia, erecting many houses there. He also operated stone quarries very extensively at the corner of Front and Clearfield streets. He died November 2, 1892. Mr. Campbell was twice married. His first wife was Catherine Dowling, also a native of Ireland. Their children were: John J., subject of this sketch; William J., residing in Philadelphia; Mary A., wife of John Gormley, also residing in Philadelphia. Mrs. Campbell died in 1855. Her parents were Luke and Annie Dowling, and her mother lived to the advanced age of ninety-five years. The second wife of Thomas Campbell was Mary McBride, also a native of Ireland. Their children: Joseph E., Thomas F., Alice, Frank and Mrs. Campbell, who died in 1899.

John J. Campbell, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the public schools of Philadelphia, in St. Michael's parochial school in that city, and in a night school which he subsequently attended, at which he studied German, bookkeeping and other useful accessories of a business education. On leaving school he engaged in the business of a contractor and builder, in connection with his father, who had already established it. In 1890 he entered into the real estate business at 103 East Lehigh avenue, in the city of Philadelphia, conducting it very successfully at that place for a half-dozen years.

 

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The next two years he was engaged in the same pursuit in Germantown. For the past five years he has conducted a prosperous real estate and general conveyancing business in Rockledge, and has aided greatly in the development of the borough, one of the youngest in Montgomery county. He also holds the office of justice of the peace, having been appointed April 15, 1904. He has been an active worker in the ranks of the Democratic party, but is in no sense an office seeker. During the years 1895 and 1896 he was employed in the office of the recorder of deeds in Philadelphia. The family are Catholics in religious faith, and attend services at the Church of the Presentation, in Cheltenham. Mr. Campbell is one of the most prominent and progressive citizens of Rockledge. During his residence in the borough he has (lone much to advance its interests, leaving nothing undone that is calculated to promote the public welfare.

Mr. Campbell married, in Philadelphia, May 3, 1876, Clara A. Donahoe. The couple have had seven children, as follows: Thomas, deceased; John L.: Louis, deceased; Edward F.; Agnes G.; Eugene; Mary, deceased. Mrs. Campbell died September 22, 1900.

 

 

[USGenWeb Ed. Note: Errata: THE SUPLEE FAMILY. The information on the early part of the Suplee family, while widely used, is not factual. For example:

Andris arrived in New York in 1685, not Philadelphia. {Ship's list} Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine, Vol. 18, No. 2, entitled "Denization of Andris Souplis." "Whereas Andris Suplis, being admitted a Burger of this Citty and having an intent to Reside in these Parts, has requested of mee that he may be a free Denizen of his Majestyes Colony." Signed at Fort James in New York on 17 September 1685 by Thomas Dongan (Lieutenant Governor and Vice Admiral of New York and its dependencies.)

Andris Souplis was never sheriff of Philadelphia county, rather Germantown. {Proper citation of existing records.}

Andris or Andrew did not marry Gertrude Stressinger in Germany in 1682. His wife on arrival in this country was Anneke; her maiden name is unknown. His second wife was Gertrude Stressinger by whom he had no children. Gertrude had been married at least twice previously; first to Garrett, and later to his brother, Harman Enoch.

Approximate period of death of Gertrude Supplee or Suplea, is known. Her will is filed in Philadelphia Will Book F, page 75; made Oct. 5, 1737, proved Nov. 20, 1738. Gertrude's will abstract is available in these archives.

With this quantity of known errors, other data may be suspect as well.]

 

 

THE SUPLEE FAMILY. The pioneer of the Suplee family in America was Andris Souplis, a Frenchman, born in France, in the year 1634, a man of distinguished parentage, a soldier, an officer in the French army, and also a Huguenot. He left France in 1682. France at that time was, a monarchical government, and the established religion was Roman Catholic. The Huguenots, on account of their religious belief, were persecuted by the Roman Catholics under the reign of Louis XIV, who was then King of France. These persecutions became intolerable, and ten of thousands of Huguenots left France, to seek homes in foreign lands. Amongst them was Andris Souplis, who left France in 1682 and went to Germany. He was virtually a refugee, fleeing from persecution. Whilst, in Germany, he married a German lady, Gertrude Stressinger, who was born in Germany in 1642.

They left Germany in 1683, and with a party of German emigrants came to America, arriving in Philadelphia in the early part of 1684. History informs us that Andris Souplis was a man of great intelligence and ability, and was held in high esteem by William Penn, who was then residing in Philadelphia, and was governor of the province of Pennsylvania at that time. Andris Souplis was sheriff of Philadelphia county in 1691. With his wife he settled in Germantown. They had five children, as follows in the order of birth: Bartholomew, Margaret, Andrew, Ann, and Jacob. Andris Souplis, in his will dated March 25th, 1724, states that he was aged, but of sound mind and good health. He also states that he was then living upon his plantation in Kingsessing township, Philadelphia county, in the province of Pennsylvania. He died in the early part of the year 1726, aged ninety-two years. His wife survived him, but we have no record of the time of her death.

Their eldest son Bartholomew settled upon a farm in Blockley township, which territory is now within the city limits of Philadelphia. His dwelling house stood whereon the Cathedral cemetery is now located in West Philadelphia. The remainder of the farm is now covered with streets and buildings. Upon this farm was erected a grist and saw mill. The ground whereon the Blockley Baptist church now stands was a portion of this farm, and was donated by John Suplee. The eldest daughter Margaret married Peter Cayson, and Ann married Charles Yocum; the husbands of both were Swedes. The youngest son, Jacob, married Elizabeth Enoch. They purchased and settled upon a farm in Upper Merion, Philadelphia (now Montgomery) county, near Swedeland, and some of their descendants are now living in that neighborhood.

 

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Andrew Supplee, second son of the emigrant, Andris Souplis, was born in Germantown, Pennsylvania, in 1688. Andrew was the ancestor of the branch of the family to which the writer of this sketch belongs, and who has confined his research to the territory of Andrew and his descendants. Andrew was twice married. His first wife was Anna Stackhouse, and his second wife was Deborah Thomas. There was but one child by the first marriage, a son Hance. By the second wife there were four children: James, Andrew, John, and Sarah. Andrew purchased in 1712 and settled upon a farm in Upper Merion, Philadelphia (now Montgomery) county, near the village of Matsunk, and resided there the remainder of his life. He died in 1747, aged fifty-nine years. His remains, with those of sixteen others, were buried in a vault in Morris City cemetery, two miles north of Norristown, Pennsylvania.

Hance Supplee, eldest son of Andrew, was born in Upper Merion, July 14, 1714. His wife, Magdaline Deborah De Haven, was born November 25, 1716. They were married in Philadelphia, August 5, 1736. The DeHavens were also French Huguenots. Hance Supplee and wife also resided in Upper Merion, until about 1750, when Hance purchased and with his family moved upon a farm in Worcester township, Montgomery county. This property is known as the "Supplee Homestead Farm," The dwelling house built by Hance Supplee in 1753 is still standing, and although erected one hundred and fifty-one years ago is in very good condition, and from present appearances will endure another century at least. Hance Supplee and his wife Magdaline were the parents of a large family- six sons and eight daughters: Andrew, Elizabeth, Sarah, Deborah, Catharine, Peter, Abraham, Rebecca, Hannah, Rachel, Isaac, Jacob, John, and Mary. Hance Supplee in 1770 gave a plot of land from his farm and built thereon a meeting house which is now known as the Bethel Meeting House. He also donated an adjoining lot for a cemetery, which is named the Bethel cemetery. Strange to relate, Hance Supplee's remains were the first to be buried in the grounds he donated. He died December 16, 1770, aged fifty-six years and five months. His widow, Magdaline, resided at the homestead place the remainder of her life, and died October 5, 1801, aged eighty-five years.

Peter Supplee, the Revolutionary soldier, became owner of this property after the death of his father. Peter was the sixth child of Hance and Magdaline Supplee, and was born in Upper Merion, September 2, 1745. His wife, Susanna Wagoner, was born in 1750. They were married in 1774, and had but two children- a daughter, Rachel, born January 18, 1775, and a son, Peter, born February 8, 1778. Peter Supplee and wife were living upon this homestead property when the Revolutionary war broke out. September 12, 1777, Peter volunteered as a soldier in the Revolutionary army, joining Captain Charles Wilson Peale's company of Philadelphia Militia. Captain Peale's company belonged to the Fourth Battalion of the Philadelphia Regiment of Foot. Jacob and John Supplee, younger brothers of Peter Supplee, were also soldiers in the Revolutionary army, and served in the same company with Peter. Jacob was the twelfth, and John was the thirteenth child of the family. Their captain, Charles Wilson Peale, was a man of note, and was a warm friend of General Washington. In colonial days he was a noted landscape and portrait painter, and, when Washington's army was encamped at Valley Forge in the winter of 1777-78, Captain Peale there painted the Washington portrait which is now the property of the Pennsylvania State Normal School at West Chester, Pennsylvania.

SOLDIERS' CERTIFICATES.

Harrisburg, Pa., May 1st, 1901. To whom it may concern: I hereby certify to the following military services of Peter Supplee. One Peter Supplee, of Worcester township, Philadelphia county, was a private soldier in Capt. Charles Wilson Peale's Company, Philadelphia Militia, volunteered September 12, 1777. For this reference see Penna. MSS. Archives in possession of the State of Pennsylvania.

GEORGE EDWARD REED,

State Librarian and Editor Penna. Archives.

 

Harrisburg, Pa., March 10, 1904.

 

To whom it may concern: I hereby certify to the following Revolutionary record of one Jacob Supplee. Jacob Supplee was a private soldier in the war of the Revolution in Captain Chas. Wilson Peale's Company. Enlisted Sept. 12, 1777. This company was of the Fourth class, Philada. Militia, now in the service of the United States, commanded by Lieut. Col. Will. For reference see Penna. Archives, 2d series, Vol. 13, Page 678.

Thos. L. MONTGOMERY,

State Librarian and Editor Penna. Archives.

Harrisburg, Pa., March 10, 1904.

 

 

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To whom it may concern: I hereby certify to the following Revolutionary record of one John Supplee. John Supplee was a private soldier in the war of the Revolution in Captain Charles Wilson Peale's Company. Enlisted Sept. 12th, 1777. This company was of the Fourth class, Philada. Militia, now in the service of the United States, commanded by Lieut. Col. Will. For reference see Penna. Archives, second series, Vol 13, Page 678.

Thos. L. MONTGOMERY,

State Librarian and Editor Penna. Archives.

 

The old Supplee homestead property is historic, ground, a Revolutionary landmark. General Washington's army was twice encamped upon this property in the month of October, 1777, when that distinguished soldier led his troops from Pennypacker's Mills, at Perkiomen, about October 1, 1777, to give battle to the British army at Germantown. He came with the army to this place, and was encamped there on the second and third days of October. Whilst the army was encamped upon the farm, General Washington and General Greene had their headquarters in the Supplee dwelling house and October 3rd General Washington and his officers held a council f war on the lawn in front of the house. That afternoon the army broke camp and marched to Germantown. The battle of Germantown took place the next day, October 4, 1777. Owing to a dense fog existing at that time, that battle proved disastrous to the American Army. It was defeated, and on October 5 retreated to Pennypacker's Mills, on the same road by which it had advanced to Germantown, two days before. After resting at Pennypacker's Mills until October 8, Washington advanced his army to Towamencin township, remaining there until October 15. The army again came to the Supplee homestead, and was encamped there from October 15 to October 21. The army then advanced to Whitpain township, remaining there until November 1. On November 2, Washington advanced his army to Whitemarsh, and took a position there, intending to give battle to the enemy. On December 3 General Howe, with the British army, marched out from Philadelphia and took a position at Chestnut Hill, some three miles distant from Washington's army. After the armies had confronted each other in these positions without coming to a general engagement, General Howe, on December 10, suddenly withdrew his army and marched back to Philadelphia, where the troops went into winter quarters. December 11, General Washington took up his march with his army to Valley Forge, crossing the Schuylkill river at Swedes' Ford on the 12, and the army arrived at the Gulf Mills on December 13. Peter, Jacob and John Supplee were soldiers in the ranks of the American army during the campaigns herein recited, and Peter's teams were also used at that time in removing the army supplies from Whitmarsh to Valley Forge.

December 18 the army resumed its march from the Gulf Mills over the snow-covered roads to Valley Forge. That march, history informs us, could be traced by the blood stains upon the trodden snow left there by the shoeless feet of the American soldiers. December 19, 1777, the American army went into winter quarters among the snowclad hills of Valley Forge. That whole winter there was a panorama of suffering, endurance and patriotism, and there upon the bended knee Washington invoked the Divine assistance. On January 24, in that memorable cold winter of 1777-78, encamped with Washington's army upon the bleak hills of Valley Forge, surrounded by his compatriots in arms, in the darkest days of the American Revolution, Peter Supplee, a martyr to liberty, gave his life for the liberty we now enjoy. After his death at Valley Forge, his remains were taken to the Bethel cemetery and there interred. After Peter Supplee had been dead one hundred and twenty-five years, his great-grandson, Edwin M. Suplee of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, after discovering his resting place, conceived the project of erecting a monument at his grave in grateful remembrance of his services and great sacrifice to his country's cause, and after a year's labor amongst Peter Supplee's descendants succeeded in raising money enough to erect a monument.

 

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On November 28, 1903, the monument was erected at Bethel cemetery. It bears the following inscription:

In memory of Peter Supplee,

A Revolutionary Soldier,

Born Sept. 2nd, 1745, Enlisted Sept 12, 1777,

Died whilst encamped at Valley Forge,

January 24th, 1778,

A Martyr to Liberty.

Andrew, the eldest son of Hance and Magdaline Supplee, was born in Upper Merion, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, September 13, 1737. He was twice married. His first wife was Mary Zimmerman. By this marriage there were three children- Hance, Susanna, and Peter.

By the second wife, Rachel Davis there were five children- Ruth, Phoebe, Deborah, Randolph, and Mary. They resided in Worcester, Montgomery county. Andrew and both his wives were buried in Bethel cemetery.

Elizabeth, the second child, born in Upper Merion, November 30, 1738, and Catharine, the fifth child, born in Upper Merion, December 4, 1743, both died in infancy.

Sarah, the third child, born in Upper Merion, October 14, 1740, and Rachel, the tenth child, born in Worcester, March 6, 1753. No records of their lives are obtainable.

Deborah, the fourth child, born in Upper Merion, November 30, 1741, married Christopher Zimmerman, December 1, 1763.

Abraham, the seventh child, born in Upper Merion, April 11, 1748, was a local preacher. He died in 1826, leaving many descendants.

Hannah, the ninth child, born in Worcester, September 13, 1749, married Jacob Kern. They settled in Wallace township, Chester county, Pennsylvania, near Glen More. Some of their descendants are living in that vicinity.

Rebecca, the tenth child, born in Upper Merion, November 25, 1751, married David Wagoner, about the year 1785. They emigrated to Yates county, New York, where they settled.

Isaac, the eleventh child, was born in Worcester, September 7, 1754. He had three children- John, Magdaline, and Martha. Isaac became the owner of the farm which had belonged to his grandfather, Andrew Supplee, in Upper Merion. John succeeded to the farm of his father's. He had several descendants living in Philadelphia.

Jacob, the twelfth child, born in Worcester, August 2, 1756, was a Revolutionary soldier, and a certificate of his military service is given in this sketch. He appears to have served throughout the whole war. After the war was ended he emigrated to Kentucky. He never married. Some time after his death, some property belonging to his estate was discovered at Columbus, Ohio, which was disposed of, and the proceeds of the sale were divided amongst his nearest heirs.

John, the thirteenth child, born in Worcester, September 11, 1758, was also a Revolutionary soldier, and a copy of the certificate of his military service in the war of the Revolution is also given in this sketch. After the close of the war he emigrated to Yates county, New York. He there married Achsah Botsford, and they had three children- Peter, John, and Jonathan.

Mary, the fourteenth and youngest child, born in Worcester, December 3, 1761, also emigrated to Yates county, New York, in 1785. She married Isaac Sherman. Some of their descendants are living in that county. The writer of this sketch had the pleasure of visiting their homestead place in 1870. It was then owned by their sons.

Susanna Supplee, the widow of Peter Supplee, the Revolutionary soldier, some time after the close of the war emigrated to Yates county, New York. She took her daughter Rachel with her, leaving her son Peter with his grandmother Magdaline, at the old homestead place in Worcester, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. Rachel belonged to the fifth generation of the Supplee family in America. She married Morris F. Sheppard, and their children were: Charles, George, and Sarah. Rachel died January 16, 1853, aged seventy-eight years. The eldest son Charles was a merchant and afterward a banker in the town of Penn Yan, New York. He was a prominent citizen and became wealthy. He married Jane Bradley, and their children were: Jane, John S., Morris, Bradley, and Sarah. George was a farmer living near Penn Yan. His children are: George S., and Walter B.

 

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Peter Suplee, only son of Peter Supplee, the Revolutionary soldier, belonged to the fifth generation of the Suplee family. He was born in Worcester, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, February 8, 1778. Fifteen days after the death of his father, his mother, Susanna Supplee, with her daughter Rachel, emigrated to Penn Yan, New York, when he was but seven years old, leaving with his grandmother Magdaline to raise at the Supplee homestead in Worcester. After passing his boyhood days upon the farm he learned the carpenter trade. At the age of twenty-one years, in 1799, he married Hannah Eastburn, of Upper Merion, Montgomery county. They purchased and settled upon a tract of three hundred acres of land in Charlestown (now Schuylkill) township, Chester county, Pennsylvania. This tract adjoined the Moore Hall tract on the north, and the James Anderson tract on the south. There they erected buildings and made their home. This property is historic ground. A tribe of Delaware Indians once had a village and also a graveyard on this property. The first white settlers in this neighborhood, James Anderson and wife, their first winter there, lived in a cave near the Indian village. Until quite recently the mounds in the Indian graveyard were visible. Many relics, such as stone axes, arrow heads, etc., were found upon this property when ploughing the ground. At the time Peter and his wife Hannah settled here, everything was very primitive. Their farming implements and means of conveyance were rude. No Dearborns or carriages existed among the farmers then. They attended Philadelphia market on horseback, using saddle bags to carry their farm and dairy products to market.

The writer of this sketch in his boyhood days often heard his grandmother, Hannah Suplee, relate her experiences attending the Philadelphia market. That appears to have been one of the duties of the women folk during the busy seasons. The country at that time was sparsely settled, much of it being covered with woods. For company for each other they traveled to market in groups of eight and ten persons, and on their homeward journey they sometimes would test the speed of their steeds by doing a little horse racing. The distance they had to travel to Philadelphia market was twenty-five miles. Those sturdy pioneers did not have the conveniences we now enjoy. They, however, laid the foundation of this wonderful country. They now, rest from their labors.

Peter and Hannah Suplee were the parents of eleven children, all born at the homestead where they settled in 1799. The children were: Rachel, born August 21, 1799; Samuel, April 27, 1801; Cadwalader E., July 30, 1804; Benjamin, November 5, 1806; Horatio J., November 8, 1808; Margaretta, February 11, 1811; Silas G., May 19, 1813; Susanna, August 18, 1815; Peter, December 23, 1817; Hannah E., June 9, 1822; Abigail Eliza, December 4, 1824. Abigail Eliza is the only one of the before named children now living (August 1, 1904). She is also the only living grandchild of Peter Supplee, the Revolutionary soldier. Rachel and Benjamin Suplee, children of Peter and Hannah Suplee, died in 1807. The remaining nine children lived to a good age.

Samuel married Catharine Rinewalb, December 18, 1823. They purchased and settled upon a farm in Upper Providence, Montgomery county. Their children were: George K., Emeline, John R., and Mary S. Samuel died April 21, 1875, and Catharine died in 1885.

Cadwalader E. Suplee married Catharine Jones, of Lower Merion, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, March 22, 1827. The Jones family were Welsh Quakers, who came to Pennsylvania with William Penn on one of his trips to this country. Penn granted Silas Jones, the ancestor of the Jones family, a tract of land in Lower Merion, nearly opposite Manayunk, where he settled.

 

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After his death the land was divided between his three sons- Charles, Silas, and Cadwalader. The above named Catharine was the eldest child of Charles and Mary Alloway Jones. Cadwalader and Catharine Suplee purchased and settled upon a one hundred acre farm, which was a portion of the farm whereon Peter Suplee settled in 1799. Their children were: B. Franklin, born February 23, 1828, died February 5, 1862; Mary J., December 12, 1830; Edwin M., November 15, 1832; Hannah C., December 24, 1834, died in August, 1898; Adaline R., June 29, 1837; Sarah J., November 18, 1841; and Esther A., September 15, 1844, died January 23, 1881.

Cadwalader E. Suplee was a successful farmer and dairyman. He attended Philadelphia market with farm products for a period of forty-three years in succession from the same farm. He was a man of few words, was very reliable and dependable, and was held in high esteem by all of his acquaintances. He died January 23, 1882, aged seventy-seven years and live months. His widow Catharine died January 1, 1892, aged eighty-eight years, eight months and eleven days. They were buried in Morris cemetery, Phoenixville, Pennsylvania.

Horatio J. Suplee married Elizabeth Kennedy, daughter of Alexander Kennedy, of Port Kennedy, Pennsylvania, October 31, 1831. They purchased and resided upon a farm in Honeybrook, Chester county, Pennsylvania. Their children were: Margaret K., Peter, Rachel S., Robinson, Hannah, William A., Horatio J., and Esther. Horatio died in 1876, and Elizabeth in 1890. Their remains were buried in the village of Honeybrook.

Margaretta Suplee married Joseph H. Rapp, November 17, 1831. They purchased and resided upon a farm in East Pikeland, Chester county, Pennsylvania. Their children were: B. Franklin, Joseph E., George W., Silas S., Peter S., and Eliza J. Joseph died in 1884, and Margaretta in 1883. Susanna Suplee married Samuel N. Rowland, October 31, 1837. They settled in East Coventry, Chester county, Pennsylvania. Their children were: Thomas J., A. Judson, Albert, Daniel W., Howard, and Horace C. Samuel N. died August 7, 1893, and Susanna died March 26, 1860.

Silas G. married Sarah Cleaver, November 5, 1838. They settled upon a farm in Trumbull county, Ohio. Their children were: John, Euchid M., Peter Stiles, and Allen.

Peter married, Elizabeth Kennedy, daughter of William Kennedy, November 5, 1845. They purchased and lived on a farm in Easttown township, Chester county, Pennsylvania. Their children were: William, Louisa, Willard F., and Anna M. Hannah F. Suplee married John Reese, of Norristown, Pennsylvania, February 14, 1861. They had but one child- Frank.

Abigail Eliza married William Robinson Kennedy, February 20, 1845. They purchased and resided upon a farm in Norriton, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. Their children were: William B., Frank, John, Robinson, and Emma.

The name Suplee is of French origin. The emigrant, Andris, spelled his name Souplies. His son Bartholomew spelled it Suplee; his sons Andrew and Jacob spelled it Supplee. It would seem that Suplee is the proper pronunciation of the name. The family has become very numerous, and its members are scattered from New York city on the east to California on the west, from the Atlantic to the Pacific oceans.

The following named grandsons of Peter Suplee, of Schuylkill, Chester county, Pennsylvania, were soldiers in the war of the Rebellion from 1861 to 1865: Peter Suplee, son of Horatio and Elizabeth Suplee, served in Company F, Seventy-eighth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, Colonel Sirwell. This regiment served in the southwest.

Euchid M. Suplee, son of Silas G. and Sarah Suplee, served in the Twenty-ninth Ohio Infantry, and the Sixth Ohio Cavalry, both raised in Trumbull county, Ohio. The Sixth Regiment served in the southwest, and also under General Sheridan at the closing of the war.

 

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Silas S., son of Joseph H. and Margaretta Rapp, served in the Ninety-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteer Regiment of Infantry. He died at Hilton Head, South Carolina, May 10, 1862, while in the service of his country.

Thomas M., son of Samuel N. and Susanna Rowland, served in the One Hundred and Sixteenth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. He was killed at the battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia, December 13, 1862. His remains were never recovered.

Howard G., son of Samuel N. and Susanna Rowland, served in the One Hundred and Sixteenth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, which served in the Army of the Potomac.

Judson, son of Samuel and Susanna Rowland, was chaplain of the One Hundred and Seventy-fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Infantry.

Captain Edwin M. Suplee, a grandson of Horatio J. and Elizabeth Suplee, is a graduate of West Point Military Academy. He has been in the service some fifteen years in the regular army, and is now (1904) stationed at Davenport, Iowa.

William A. Suplee, son of Horatio and Elizabeth Suplee, served in a volunteer regiment of emergency soldiers in Pennsylvania in 1863.

 

 

(Picture of Thomas McMahon)

 

THOMAS McMAHON. The life and character of Thomas McMahon, deceased, who for many years was an enterprising and public-spirited citizen of Bethayres, Moreland township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, is well worthy of praise and emulation. Although a native of Ireland, born in County Kildare, March 6, 1829, he took a keen and active, interest in all that pertained to the welfare and progress of this country, to which he came when seventeen years of age, and during his long residence in the state of Pennsylvania he faithfully discharged the duties and obligations resting upon him as a citizen of this great republic.

Francis McMahon, father of Thomas McMahon, was a native of Ireland, a sea captain by occupation, and lost his life by the sinking of the steamer he commanded while off the French coast. His wife, Mary McMahon, bore him the following named children: 1. John, unmarried, who was the incumbent of a government position in his native land, Ireland, and at the time of his death left a considerable estate. 2. James, who was born in County Kildare, Ireland, came to America after reaching manhood, and for a number of years was engaged in the grocery business in Germantown, Pennsylvania, in which town his death occurred January 19, 1901. He was twice married; his first wife was Jane (McCormick) McMahon, whom he married in Ireland; his second wife, Mary (O'Rourke) McMahon, whom he married in Germantown in 1878, survives him and inherited his estate, there having been no children born of either marriage; she is still a resident of Germantown. 3. Mary, who died at the age of eighteen years. 4. Thomas, mentioned at length hereinafter.

Thomas McMahon was reared and educated in the County of Kildare, Ireland, obtaining a practical education in the schools adjacent to his home. At the age of seventeen years he emigrated to the United States, and located in Willow Grove, where he resided for ten or twelve years. He subsequently purchased a farm in Abington township, which he cultivated, improved and operated for many years, and finally disposed of this property to the Rev. Dr. Mutchmore, it celebrated Presbyterian minister. He then purchased another farm in the same vicinity from John Wanamaker, upon which he spent the remainder of his days, By adopting practical and progressive methods he was enabled to realize a goodly income from his well-directed efforts along the line of agriculture. He was strictly upright and honest in all his transactions, and therefore was highly respected by the community at large. For thirteen consecutive years he served as supervisor of Abington township, his administration of the duties of the office being noted for zeal and efficiency.

 

Mr. McMahon was united in marriage, November 25, 1866, to Mary Pendergast, who was born in County Wexford, Ireland, January 6, 1839, a daughter of Eden and Mary (Whalen) Pendergast, and granddaughter of George Marshall and Mary (Behar) Pendergast, the latter named having been natives of England, where George M. Pendergast was engaged in the leather business; one of the early members of the family emigrated to Ireland, and continued the same line of business in that country.

 

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George Marshall and Mary (Behan) Pendergast were the parents of two children- Jeremiah, who died in San Francisco, California, about 1896; and Eden, father of Mrs. McMahon, who died in Ireland, April 25, 1893. The children of Eden and Mary (Whalen) Pendergast were as follows: George, a resident of County Wexford, Ireland, where he is engaged the leather business with his sons; Moses, born in County Wexford, Ireland, June 14, 1837, married Ann Sinnott, now deceased, and they were the parents of one child, Thomas J. Pendergast; Moses died in Philadelphia, May 12, 1904; Mary, aforementioned as the wife of Thomas McMahon; James, who was accidentally killed in the city of Baltimore, Maryland, in 1865; Margaret, wife of Alfred Young, they residing in Philadelphia; Annie, deceased, who was the wife of John Feeny, no children; Catherine, wife of James Reilly, and mother of six children; they reside in Ireland; Elizabeth, wife of Burns, and mother of five children; they reside in Ireland.

The following named children were born to Thomas and Mary (Pendergast) McMahon: 1. Francis X., born July 29, 1867, married Sylvia Gulden, and resides near the homestead farm in Abington, their children are: Sylvia, Mary, Moses E., Jennie, who died in infancy, and Catherine. 2. James, born in Abington township, October 9, 1868, married Cora Metzger, and died September 12, 1901, leaving no children. 3. Thomas, who died in infancy. 4. Margaret, who also died in infancy. 5. Jennie. 6. George, born April 22, 1874, married Joie Morris, of Newtown, Bucks county, and has one child, Helen; he resides in Moreland township. 7. Thomas Charles, born April 25, 1875, died October 19, 1903; he was educated in the public schools of Abington, and in Prickett's Business College, Philadelphia, from which institution he was graduated with honors in 1893, receiving a medal for penmanship. After his graduation he became a bookkeeper in the Jefferson Medical College Hospital in Philadelphia, but resigned this position on account of ill health, and became a patient at Dr. Trudeau's Sanitarium at Saranac Lake, New York. Later he returned to Bethayres, Pennsylvania, where he and his brother, Moses E., engaged in the grocery business, which is now conducted by Moses E. McMahon. 8. Moses E., born at Bethayres, Montgomery county, August 22, 1876, was educated in the public schools of Abington township, and later studied telegraphy at Meadowbrook station with his brother, Francis X., who at that time was station master and postmaster. Moses E. received the appointment of station master at Neshaminy Falls, Bucks county, which office he held for five years, and in 1899 he engaged in the grocery business with his brother, Thomas Charles, as aforementioned, and in addition to this he held the position of postmaster at Bethayres for two years. 9. John, who died in infancy. Thomas McMahon, the father of these children, died at his home in Abington township, July 31, 1893, leaving behind him an untarnished reputation, which is more to be desired than riches.

 

 

MRS. EMILY NORRIS VAUX. Jacob Waln Vaux, son of Richard and Mary (Waln) Vaux, was born November 17, 1849, at Germantown, in Philadelphia county, Pennsylvania. He attended the school conducted by Rev. John B. Faires.

Early in life he engaged in the insurance business, and later became president of the Trust Company of North America. He married, February 1, 1877, Emily Norris, daughter of Henry and Sallie (Norris) Pepper. Their children: Richard, born December 13, 1877, attended Penn Charter and DeLancy schools, after which he engaged in banking, is unmarried, and resides with his mother on the Windridge Farm at Penllyn; Henry Pepper, born June 12, 1879, and attended Penn Charter and DeLaney schools, in Philadelphia, engaged in the banking business, and resides at Windridge Farm; Norris Wistar, born September 1881, attended DeLaney school, and is a student in the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania; Jacob, born July 21, 1883, died August 1, 1885; Emily Norris, born June 1, 1885, attended Miss Irwin's school in Philadelphia, and resides with her mother at the family residence. Windridge Farm, the country seat of the family, near Penllyn, contains ninety-one acres of land, and has been for a number of years the permanent home of the family.

 

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Richard Vaux, father of Jacob Waln Vaux, was born in Philadelphia, December 19, 1816. He was the son of Roberts Vaux, an eminent Philadelphian and a prominent member of the Society of Friends, who married a member of the Wistar family, long prominent in Germantown and vicinity. Richard Vaux was at first a Whig, and later a Democrat, and became very prominent in his day in city, state and national politics. He attended Friends' schools and a school for the acquisition of the French language at West Chester. He studied law in the office of William M. Meredith, one of the foremost lawyers of Pennsylvania, and was admitted to the Philadelphia bar April 15, 1837. Very soon after his admission to the bar be was designated by President Van Buren to bear important dispatches to Andrew Stevenson, United States Minister to England. Mr. Vaux was appointed secretary of legation at London, and it was while he was so engaged that he had the honor of being a partner of Victoria, the young Queen of England. He retained the position of secretary of legation until the following December, when Benjamin Rush was appointed American minister, when Mr. Vaux resigned, returned to Philadelphia, and resumed the duties of his profession, which had been temporarily laid aside during his sojourn in London. During a long life he remained almost constantly before the public, whether in the capacity of one of the leading lawyers of the city and state, as mayor of his native town, or in his later years as a member of the national congress. He was always to the end of his career an honored party leader, and one whose counsel it was always wise to heed. He brought to every position which he filled the high characteristics of honor anti fitness which were natural to him, and he enjoyed to the last the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens of all parties. In his advanced years Mr. Vaux was everywhere regarded as a worthy of the period known as the Golden Age of the Republic, when Clay, Webster, Benton, Calhoun and a host of other statesmen worthy of the name were influential in congress, not only in the senate, but also in the house of representatives, and in other departments of the national government, enforcing the principles to which they were attached, and laying the foundations for the future prosperity and greatness of the country.

Mr. Vaux married, March 12, 1840, Mary Morris, daughter of Jacob Shoemaker and Sarah Morris Waln. Richard and Mary Vaux had six children, of whom Jacob W. Vaux was the fifth.

 

 

CHARLES SIDNEY KNAPP, of North Wales, actively and prominently connected with the agricultural, political and social life, of Montgomery township, and later of Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, possesses those qualities of genuine worth which everywhere command respect. Honorable in all trade transactions, thoroughly reliable in the discharge of public duties, and courteous and kindly in social circles, he is one of the popular and valued citizens of the county, and the circle of his friends is very extensive. He was born on his father's farm near Montgomery Square, in Montgomery township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, July 6, 1837.

Abiram Phelps Knapp, father of Charles S. Knapp, was a son of Alijah and Rubie (Phelps) Knapp, and his birth occurred near Springfield, Massachusetts, where he spent his early days and acquired a good education in the common schools. About 1812, he, with Stephen Belknapp and Matthias Baldwin, who in later years became the founder of the Baldwin Locomotive Works, came to the city of Philadelphia to find their fortunes. Subsequently he removed to Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, and purchased the farm upon which his son Charles S., now resides. He was cordial and kindly in disposition, and won, the respect of all with whom he came in contact. On May 30, 1816, Mr. Knapp married Mary Worrell, daughter of John Hawley and Mary (Neff) Worrell, of Frankford, Pennsylvania, and their children were: I. William Lowman, born June 29, 1818; married Margaret Gilmer, of Hatfield township; resided in Philadelphia, and died March 11, 1878. 2. John Phelps, born July 27, 1821; married Mary Gilmer, sister of Margaret Gilmer, died in November, 1897. 3. Thomas J. born March 30, 1824, died February 28, 1904; married Elizabeth D. Latch. 4. Mary Ann, born August 4, 1826, still living. 5. Dr. Moses R., born November 2, 1830; he now lives and practices his profession in Gwynedd, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania.

 

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He married Annie R., a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Acuff, of Gwynedd. 6. Charles S., to be further mentioned hereinafter; and three who died in infancy previous to the year 1830.

Charles S. Knapp attended the free public schools of his district until his seventeenth year, his teachers being Charles S. Jenkins, who later became cashier of the Lansdale Bank, and Enoch Stewart. Mr. Stewart was the father of Mrs. R. F. Hoffecker, whose husband was the late superintendent of schools of Montgomery county. He taught at Montgomery Square for a number of years, and the dwelling part of the school building was the birthplace of General W. S. Hancock, whose father lived there and taught the school. Charles S. Knapp was a pupil of Mr. Stewart's in this building. After completing his studies he worked with his father on the homefarm, succeeding the latter in its management with his brother William Lowman. Apart from his work as a farmer, Mr. Knapp has always taken an active part in the affairs of the community. He is conservative in his judgment of men and things, but progressive and alive to whatever concerns general interest. In politics he is a Democrat, and active in the interests of his party. As justice of the peace he served for ten years, attended as delegate many county conventions of his party; served as school director of his district, and also as secretary of that body, for about twenty years. The family are members of the Baptist church of Montgomery.

Mr. Knapp was united in marriage, February 18, 1869, to Elizabeth Amanda Johnson, daughter of John B. and Catherine (Clark) Johnson, the former named having been a farmer of Gwynedd township. Their children are: 1. John Rudolph, born December 24, 1869; he attended the Montgomery Square public school, also graduated at Brunner's Academy, North Wales, and graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine from the University of Pennsylvania in June, 1894. He is now assistant physician at the Manhattan State Hospital for the Insane, Wards Island, New York City; married Isabel O'Donnell, daughter of the late Colonel O'Donnell, of the British Army. 2. Emily, born December 9, 1870; she attended Montgomery Square public school, Brunner's Academy, North Wales, and the West Chester State Normal School, and for a time taught school. She is now the wife of B. Franklin Solliday, son of Lafayette and Catharine Solliday. 3. May, born March 3, 1872, died July 6, 1872. 4. Florence, born October 10, 1873; she attended Montgomery Square public school, and the Friends' School at Gwynedd; graduated at the State Normal School at West Chester in 1894, after which she taught school at Gwynedd and at Ellwyn, Delaware county, and at the present time (1904) is engaged at the branch of the Friends' Central School, West Philadelphia. 5. Mary Catharine, born April 25, 1875; she attended Montgomery Square school, graduated at Brunner's Academy, North Wales, in 1893, and graduated as nurse from the Germantown Hospital in 1897. She is now engaged in private practice in Philadelphia. 6. Elizabeth Johnson, born June 22, 1876 she attended Montgomery Square school, and resides on the Knapp homestead farm. 7. Annie Worrell, born January 3, 1879; she attended Montgomery Square public school, also the West Chester State Normal School, and is now engaged in teaching in the public schools of Montgomery county. She resides on the Knapp homestead. 8. Chauncey Bayard, born January 10, 1880; he attended Montgomery Square public school, also Brunner's Academy, North Wales, and a private school in Philadelphia, and is now engaged on the homestead farm. 9. Charles Howard, born February 2, 1885; he attended public schools at Montgomery Square and Lansdale, and graduated from North Wales high school in 1904. She resides on the homestead farms. 10. Henrietta Adelaide born December 31,1886; she attended the public schools at Montgomery Square and Lansdale and graduated from North Wales high school in the class of 1904. She resides on the home farm.

(Picture of Knapp Homestead)

 

The old Knapp homestead now occupied by Mr. Charles S. Knapp, is over two hundred years old, and is still in perfect state of preservation. It has been in the possession of the Knapp family since 1834. It was formerly owned by Samuel Preston Moore, and after the battle of Germantown in 1777. General George Washington made it his headquarters for three days by invitation of Dr. Moore.

 

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JOHN BRANT was born May 13, 1850, in Lower Pottsgrove township. He is the son of Isaac and Rachel (Zoller) Brant.

Isaac Brant (father) was born in Limerick township, where he engaged in farming. He was a Democrat and a member of St. James' Reformed church. He had three children, of whom John is the only one now living. Katie died unmarried at the age of twenty-seven years, and Frank died very young. The grandfather of John Brant lived on the farm at Limerick.

John Brant left school when he was sixteen years of age, and worked on the farm for his father until his father died, and he purchased the farm. He was at that time twenty-three years of age. He has since resided upon the same farm. John Brant married Hannah Umstead, daughter of Joseph Umstead (deceased), who was a farmer and a blacksmith in Lower Pottsgrove township. Mr. and Mrs. Brant had four children, of whom Annie died at the age of four years. The other three are: 1. Frank, married Miss Trout, of Berks county, where they are engaged in fanning, he residing on the homestead and assisting in conducting the farm. 2. Harry C., unmarried, lived with his parents until May, 1903. He is now employed at Royersford, where he is learning the trade of molding. 3. Laura, unmarried, residing with her parents. John Brant is a Democrat in politics, and is a member of the same church as his parents.

 

 

CALVIN M. DE LONG, pastor of the New Goshenhoppen Reformed church of East Greenville, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, which is one of the very oldest congregations in the United States, and possesses the oldest Reformed church record in the country, is widely and favorably known, is a graduate of the Reformed Theological Seminary at Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He was born July 7, 1876, in Maxatawny township, near Topton, Berks county, Pennsylvania, and is a son of the late Joseph De Long.

He was reared on the farm owned by his parents, and received his early education in the schools of his native township. Later this knowledge was supplemented by attendance at the Keystone State Normal School at Kutztown, from which he was graduated in the class of 1894. The two following years he was engaged as a teacher in the public schools, after which he again attended the Normal School and prepared for college, at the same time graduating in the scientific course, In the fall of 1897 he entered Franklin and Marshall College, from which he was graduated in June, 1900, at the head of his class. He also won first prize in the senior prize debate. Several months after his graduation he entered the Reformed Theological Seminary at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and at Christmas of the same year he was elected instructor of mathematics and natural science at Franklin and Marshall Academy, the duties of which position he discharged in connection with his theological work. Mr. De Long spent the summer of 1901 in special study at the University of Chicago, and during the same year was elected as professor of Latin at the Franklin and Marshall Academy, at the same time carrying on his seminary work.

 

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While a student of the Reformed Theological Seminary, Mr. De Long served one summer as supply pastor of the St. Stephen's Reformed church, Reading, Pennsylvania. On Sunday forenoon, November 30, 1902, the New Goshenhoppen Reformed Congregation held an election at which they decided to instruct the consistory to wait for the licentiation of Calvin M. De Long, with whom arrangements had been made to preach for them every other Sunday until his ordination. Since Mr. De Long accepted the pastorate of the church the work has progressed in a remarkably, gratifying manner, and many additions have been, made to the membership roll, which now numbers about one thousand. M. De Long is an able and fluent speaker, and his sermons possess the power of giving strength and comfort to the members of his flock, and at the same time touching the hearts of those present who are not followers of the Divine Master. During the present year (1904), he enjoyed a European trip of three months duration during which time he studied at the University of Berlin, and traveled through Germany, Switzerland, France and England; thereby increasing his store of knowledge in a large degree.

 

 

(Picture of F. Sebring Slifer)

 

F. SEBRING SLIFER, a physician and surgeon of Glenside, is a native of the city of Philadelphia, where he was born September 20, 1867. He is the son of John and Sarah L. (Goetchieus) Slifer. The father died in 1893, and the mother in 1883. The father was a well known citizen of Philadelphia, and for over thirty years was engaged in the restaurant business in that city. The parents of the subject of this sketch had two children, himself and Jennie, wife of Francis Colgate Barnes, of Jersey City.

Dr. Slifer acquired his primary education at the public schools of Philadelphia, and subsequently took a three-year course at a Philadelphia business college. In 1886 he entered Jefferson Medical College, pursuing his studies at that institution until he graduated in 1888. Soon afterwards Dr. Slifer began the practice of medicine in Philadelphia, continuing it very actively and successfully for a period of ten years. In 1896 Dr. Slifer removed to Glenside, where he has a very extensive and lucrative practice.

Dr. Slifer was assistant surgeon in Jefferson Medical College during the years 1888 and 1889. He was a member of the Northern Medical Society of Philadelphia for eight years. He was visiting physician at the Northern Dispensary of Philadelphia for three years, and consulting surgeon at the same institution for three years. He was also director of the John B. Stetson Laboratory for one year. Dr. Slifer married, October 3, 1899, at Glenside, Anna, daughter of George D. Heist. The couple have had two children, both daughters, Eleanor Heist and Ruth Lester. Dr. and Mrs. Shier are members of the Lutheran church.

 

 

DANIEL R COFRODE, deceased, was born in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, September 25, 1841, a son of Jesse and Elizabeth (Howell) Cofrode. He was for many years one of the prominent and public-spirited citizens of Pottstown, Pennsylvania, where he was instrumental in the organization and forwarding of many enterprises which had for their object the well-being of the community, and by his generosity and open-handedness contributed materially to various charitable organizations, and also to the needs of poor and deserving individuals.

 

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Jesse Cofrode (father) traced his origin to German ancestors who lived lives of usefulness and activity. He was a resident of Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, an iron worker by occupation, and by industry and perseverance was enabled to provide a comfortable home for his family, which consisted of his wife, Elizabeth (Howell) Cofrode, and seven children, all sons, all of whom are now deceased but the eldest, Joseph Cofrode, a resident of Philadelphia, Jesse Cofrode died at his home in Dauphin county at the age of eighty-four years.

Daniel Cofrode was reared and educated in Dauphin county. His first business was canal boating, but the greater part of his life was spent in bridge building. For many years he was superintendent of the Cofrode & Saylor Bridge Works, of Pottstown, Pennsylvania. This company was established in 1877, its buildings and improvements covered an area of about thirteen acres, and they gave constant employment to nearly one thousand men, thus making it one of the leading industries of that section of the county. Subsequently he formed a partnership with Mr. Lewis Evans, under the firm name of Cofrode & Evans, contractors, and at one time they required the services of six hundred workmen to carry out their contracts in the specified time. They were actively engaged in bridge building until the death of Mr. Cofrode, February 3, 1893, in the fifty-second year of his age. He was one of the organizers of the Citizens' Bank of Pottstown of which institution he was president from its organization until his death, and he also served as director in a number of other institutions. He attended the Methodist Episcopal church, and was a strong adherent of the principles of Republicanism. He was an active and zealous member of the Masonic fraternity, having filled all the chairs in both the blue lodge and commandery. He was a member of Stichter Lodge, F. and A. M., was one of the instigators of Nativity Commandery, and originally belonged to Hutchinson Commandery of Norristown.

On May 12, 1870, Daniel R. Cofrode married Miss Susanna McBride, daughter of Daniel and Jane (Long) McBride, the latter named having been the daughter of Joseph Long, a resident of Delaware county, Pennsylvania, and the former a son of Daniel and Rachel (Bird) McBride. The McBride family resided in America for many generations. Daniel and Jane (Long) McBride were natives of Delaware county, where Mr. McBride conducted a successful business at his trade of blacksmith. They were the parents of twelve children, three sons and nine daughters, six of whom are now living.

Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Cofrode, as follows: Jane E., who became the wife of Cleaver Root; D. Frank, who is employed in the custom house in Philadelphia; he married Miss Evelyn Atchison, and they reside in Pottstown; and Florence H., who resides with her mother in her home in Pottstown. Mrs. Cofrode is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which she takes an active part.

 

 

AUGUSTUS K. LORAH, one of the leading grocers of Pottstown, was born in Amity township, Berks county, Pennsylvania, July 4, 1828. He is the son of Daniel and Hannah (Knabb) Lorah. Daniel Lorah (father) was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania. He was a farmer, and lived in one house all his life. He died there in 1853, at the age of seventy-four years, six months, and twenty-three days. His wife died in 1833, at the age of forty-nine years. They belonged to the Reformed church. His wife was also born in Berks county. They had seven daughters and four sons, two now living: Amanda, wife of David B. Mauger, of Douglasville, Pennsylvania, and Augustus Lorah. George Lorah (grandfather) was also a native of Berks county and a farmer. He was justice of the peace for many years, and died well advanced in life. He was married three times, but had children only by his first wife. They had six children. The founder of the family in this country came from Switzerland. The maternal grandfather Knabb was born in Olie township, Berks county, Pennsylvania, and his name is believed to have been Peter Knabb. He was a farmer and had a large family. He was of German origin.

Augustus K. Lorah was reared on his father's farm in Berks county, and lived there for forty years. He attended the old-fashioned subscription schools, and finished his education at a preparatory school. He taught school in Berks county for several years.

 

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For the next six years he conducted a general merchandise store at Brumfield, and then began farming, sheep raising, and droving, which he continued until 1868, when he removed to Pottstown. For the first eight years of his residence in that borough Mr. Lorah kept the Pottstown Hotel, now called the Merchants' Hotel. At the same time he carried on a merchant tailoring establishment on the northeast corner of High and York streets, which property he still owns, and where he now conducts a grocery business. For some years he dealt in hardware in Pottstown, and after living retired for a short time he opened the grocery and commission store which he now keeps.

September 23, 1852, Mr. Augustus K. Lorah married Miss Emma Van Reed, daughter of Jacob and Margaret (Gilbert) Van Reed. Their children were as follows: 1. Alice Louisa, married Darlington Buckwalter, and they reside in Pottstown. They had two children, both of whom are deceased. 2. Charles Henry, a clerk in his father's store. 3. Van Reed, a shipping clerk for Orr & Sembower, of Reading. He married Labessa Bechtel (deceased), and they had six children, three now living. Those living are: Gertrude, Louanna, and Ralph Darlington Buckwalter Lorah. Mrs. Emma Louisa Lorah, wife of Augustus K. Lorah, died April 12, 1897, at the age of more than sixty-five years. She was a member of the Reformed church, as is also Mr. Lorah and their children.

Augustus K. Lorah is a Master Mason, and joined the Odd Fellows many years ago. Politically he is a Democrat. He was a member of the borough council for six years, and was borough auditor before that time. In Amity township he was a school director. Mr. Lorah is a conscientious man, gentle in manner, slow to speak, and slow to anger. He is known as a peacemaker, and his councils are much appreciated. He has arrived at that time of life when his thoughts are turned to the future rather than to affairs of this earth. Always charitably inclined, with a tender regard for the poor and suffering, he lives to do all the good he can in this world. The lesson of such a life as his should not be lost upon those around him. He is well entitled to the high esteem entertained towards him by his community, and his example is worthy of emulation.

 

 

WILLIAM G. MILLER, M. D., one of the most successful of the younger physicians of Norristown, Pennsylvania, is a native of Whitpain township, where he was born August 24, 1874. He is a son of William G. (deceased) and Caroline (Roberts) Miller.

The paternal grandfather of Dr. Miller was John Miller, who was born, resided all his life and died at Pennsburg. He was a builder and contractor as well as farmer, and was of German descent, his ancestors coming to Pennsylvania with the great tide of German immigration more than a hundred and fifty years ago. He opened the first English school in his community, which was conducted in his carpenter shop amid rather uncongenial surroundings, as may be imagined. He employed and paid the teacher. He held a number of local offices at various times, and was a prominent man in his neighborhood. He was a Democrat in politics, like the majority of his neighbors in that day, and was highly esteemed by all. His wife was Henrietta Faber, daughter of the Rev. John Theobold Faber, a Lutheran clergyman, as was also his father, both of whom were preachers in the old Goshenhoppen church, Both died of apoplexy while preaching funeral sermons in the same church. A large family of children were born to John and Henrietta (Faber) Miller.

The maternal grandfather of Dr. Miller was Charles Roberts, who was descended from Welsh ancestors who settled at Gwynedd and became the founders of numerous families, whose members for many generations have belonged to the Society of Friends. He married Keziah Comly, also of an old family of Friends, In early life he was a teacher, but later engaged in farming on a tract of land in Whitpain township, which is still owned by the family.

 

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William G. Miller father of Dr. Miller, was a native of the upper end of Montgomery county, born in the vicinity of Pennsburg, where he spent his earlier years. In early life he studied theology with a view of entering the ministry, but abandoned that idea. He entered upon the vocation of teaching in which he was successful, continuing it for a number of years, After his marriage he resided for a time in the lower end of the county, engaged either in farming or teaching. During the last thirty years of his life he was engaged in a wholesale mercantile business in Philadelphia in which he was a partner with his brothers. In religious belief he was a Lutheran, but his wife, who survives him, belongs to an old family of Friends, the ancestors on the Roberts side having settled at Gwynedd more than two hundred years ago. He married Caroline Roberts, and eight children were born to them, six sons and two daughters, as follows: Charles Roberts, of Philadelphia; John Faber, who resides at Chestnut Hill, and who is a successful lawyer of Norristown; Edwin L., of Philadelphia; L. Eugene and Ellwood F., of Penllyn; Dr. William G., of Norristown; Sarah, wife of William G. Taylor, of Swarthmore; and Joanna M., wife of Thomas H. Livezey, of Norristown. All the children, including Dr. William G., are members of the Society to which their progenitors on their mother's side belonged. They have also in nearly every case married within the Society. William G. Miller (father) died in the city of Philadelphia, February 23, 1892, on his sixtieth birthday.

Dr. William G. Miller was reared on the farm purchased by his maternal grandfather, Charles Roberts, in Whitpain township. He attended the public schools of the neighborhood and Friends' schools, including Friends' Central School of Philadelphia. In the fall of 1892 he entered the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, and after taking the regular four years course in medicine received his degree of Doctor of Medicine, in June, 1897. Shortly after his graduation he was elected resident physician of Charity Hospital of Norristown. After serving a year in that capacity he immediately entered upon private practice in Norristown, which he has followed continuously ever since. From 1898 to 1901 he served as coroner's physician of the county under the Hon. Grant R. McGlathery, then coroner. In 1902 he was appointed physician to the Friends' Home at Norristown, which position he still holds.

Dr. Miller holds membership in the following named medical organizations: Montgomery County Medical Society, Medical Society of the State of Pennsylvania, and the American Medical Association. He is also a member of Charity Lodge, No. 190, Free and Accepted Masons, Improved Order of Red Men, Foresters of America, and the Republican Invincibles. In politics he has always been a Republican, taking an active part in county conventions as delegate from his district, and he also represents the third ward of Norristown in the council of that borough.

On December 15, 1898, Dr. Miller married Anna C., daughter of T. Ellwood and Mary (Childs) Livezey, of Plymouth Meeting, the ceremony, according to the rites of Friends, being performed in the presence of a large company of relatives and friends in the two century old place of worship, Plymouth Meeting House. Their children are Mary Livezey, and Sarah Roberts Miller.

 

 

ALGERNON GORDON YOTHERS is the son of Jacob Freed and Lydia (Gordon) Yothers, of Hilltown township, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, where he was born April 13, 1857. His father was at that time engaged in the general commission business in that locality.

He attended the public schools of that vicinity. In 1870, when he was thirteen years of age, his mother died and he was compelled to earn his own subsistence. He became an apprentice to John Stem, a well known saddler and harness maker at Springhouse, in Lower Gwynedd township, to learn the trade. He remained at that occupation for a little more than two years, but abandoned it to tend bar at the Springhouse Hotel, then kept by Samuel Delp. At the end of his year of employment with Delp he sold the hotel, and Mr. Yothers continued in the employ of the new proprietor, Frank Hughes, for the following six months.

 

(Page 366)

 

He then secured a situation at the hotel of Mr. Bush at Doylestown, the county seat of Bucks. Later he went to Philadelphia, where he engaged in the same business on South Ninth street, nearly opposite the post office, the place being very popular with the professional and business men of that section of the city. He next removed to Norristown, Pennsylvania, where he remained a year, and returned to Philadelphia, and followed his calling at various places for eight years. In the meantime he was for a brief period at Atlantic City. He then went to Ambler, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, where he was employed in the same capacity by William Blackburn, at the Hotel Ambler. In 1897 Mr. Yothers bought the Three Tuns hotel, in Upper Dublin township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. at which place he remained until December, 1900, when, having bought the hotel rights at the Gwynedd hotel, he commenced business at that place. That hotel has been for many years one of the leading hotels of the county. He took possession of the hotel in December, 1900, and has since conducted it under the name of the William Penn Inn. Since Mr. Yothers has been proprietor the appearance of the property has been greatly improved. The hotel is so situated on the heights overlooking the Wissahickon as to have a view of the country for miles, and Mr. Yothers is extensively patronized by summer boarders, permanent and transient. At night the lights at Chestnut Hill, miles away, can be plainly seen.

Mr. Yothers married, February 3, 1898, Elizabeth Jane, daughter of Edward and Amanda (Zook) Burgess, of Northampton county, Pennsylvania. For some years previous to her marriage Mrs. Yothers had made her home in Ambler. Although her opportunities for obtaining an education were somewhat limited, she made the most of them, and she makes an excellent hostess. Mr. and Mrs. Yothers are members of Montgomery Baptist church in Montgomery township. In politics Mr. Yothers is a Republican, and has always taken an active interest in party affairs. He has served as delegate to the county convention, and as town clerk. While residing in Philadelphia he served as assessor, and also as judge of elections.

Jacob Freed (father) was born in 1813. He obtained an ordinary education in neighboring schools. He married Lydia, daughter of Robert Gordon, whose wife was a Miss Hoxworth. The Hoxworth family is well known in that section of Montgomery county, the mother of General Winfield Scott Hancock having been a member of it. The children of Jacob F. and Lydia Yothers; Mary Ann, Henry, Hilary, Robert, Winfield Hancock, Jacob, Algernon Gordon, and Amelia Virginia. The only members of this family now living are Algeron G. (the subject of this sketch) and Amelia Virginia.

Fraternally Mr. Yothers is a member of the blue lodge, chapter and commandery of the Masonic order in New Jersey, and of the Scottish. Rite, thirty-second degree, and the Mystic Shrine, grand council of New Jersey. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

 

 

JOSEPH HEACOCK, the well-known florist, and proprietor of extensive greenhouses at Wyncote, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, is a native of the vicinity, having been born on the Abington Meeting farm. The Heacock family came from England and settled in what is Delaware county about 1711.

The immigrant ancestors were Jonathan and Ann Heacock, who brought certificates of membership from the Wolverhampton Monthly Meeting of Staffordshire, England, dated the 13th of the 12th mo., 1710, to Chester Monthly Meeting of Chester county, Pennsylvania. Ann Heacock, wife of Jonathan Heacock, was the daughter of John Till, of White Grove, Staffordshire, England. In 1666 John Till with others was committed to prison for absence from national worship, and remained there until 1672, a period of six years, when Charles II issued his letters patent discharging the people called Quakers from prison.

 

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William Heacock, son of Jonathan and Ann Heacock, settled in what is now Rockhill township, Bucks county, in 1740. The house which he erected is still standing and bears the date 1748. He married Ann Roberts, of Milford, Bucks county, and among their children was a son named Jesse, who married Tacy Thompson, and the following named children were born to them: John, born August 28, 1786; Jonah, born February 18, 1788; William, burn January 19, 1790; Ann, born December 27, 1791, married Samuel M. Foulk; Joel, born March 26, 1794, died March 7, 1853; Margaret, born March 27, 1796, married John Good, and (second husband) Jonathan Carr; Jesse, born June 12, 1798, married Elizabeth Reece, died February 25, 1873; Joseph (father), born August 26, 1800, married Esther Hallowell, died March 22, 1883; Enos, born December 20, 1802, married Sarah Foulke; Nathan, born April 27, 1806, married Elizabeth Hallowell, died March 15, 1879; Aaron, born July 27, 1808. Jesse Heacock, father of these children, died September 30, 1841, and his wife Tacy died February 10, 1823.

Joseph Heacock (father) was born August 26, 1800, in Rockhill township, Bucks county, Pennsylvania. In early manhood he removed from Rockhill township to Abington. He was a blacksmith by trade, but the latter part of his life was spent in agricultural pursuits. He married Esther Hallowell, who was born May 31, 1804, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Johnson) Hallowell, and the children born of this union are as follows: John, deceased; Eliza, Gayner, William, deceased; Edward, Ellwood, deceased; Annie, Jane, Martha, Joseph, mentioned hereinafter; Henry S.

The pioneer ancestors of the Hallowell family were John and Mary (Sharp) Hallowell, who emigrated from Hucknow, parish of Sutton, Nottinghamshire, England, bringing with them a Quaker certificate dated 12th mo. 19, 1682, and settled at Darby, Pennsylvania. They afterwards bought a tract of land in Abington township, between the Susquehanna St. Road and the new Welsh Road. The Willow Grove Park is on this tract, a part of which is owned and occupied by the Hon. Edwin Hallowell, one of his descendants. Thomas Hallowell, son of John and Mary Hallowell, was born 1 mo. 6, 1679, married Rosamond Till, a daughter of John Till, of Staffordshire, England, mentioned above. William Hallowell, son of Thomas and Rosamond Hallowell, was born 6 mo. 1, 1707, married Margaret Tyson. Matthew Hallowell, son of William and Margaret Hallowell, was born 2 mo. 8, 1733, married Mary Cadwalader. John Hallowell, father of Esther Heacock, son of Matthew and Mary Hallowell, was born 6 mo. 11, 1772, married Elizabeth Johnson. Joseph Heacock (father) died March 22, 1883; he survived his wife many years, her death having occurred April 26, 1874.

Joseph Heacock, fifth son of Joseph and Esther Heacock, was educated at Abington Friends' school and at Friends' Central School in Philadelphia. His early life was devoted to agricultural pursuits, but for many years he has given his entire time and attention to the occupation of florist, succeeding well in it. The wife and several of the sisters of Mr. Heacock have been successful teachers of Friends' schools, at Fourth and Green, and Fifteenth and Race streets, Philadelphia, and elsewhere, and later have had a large and very successful school of their own at Chelten Hills. His sisters, Eliza and Jane, were in charge of the Colored Orphans' Home of Washington, D. C., for twenty-two years, an institution maintained by the United States government. His brother, John Heacock, was collector of school taxes in Cheltenham township for twenty-three years, Mr. Heacock married Elizabeth B. Walker, who was born May 8, 1843, a daughter of Thomas R. and Mary (Baynes) Walker, of Treddyffrin township, Chester county, Pennsylvania. Their children are: Fannie B., died in childhood; James W., Esther, Mary B., died in childhood; Priscilla W., and Edward R. Mr. Heacock and his family are members of the Society of Friends, of which organization their ancestors for many generations have been members. The members of the family are intelligent, refined and cultured people, of the strictest morality and integrity, and they have exercised an influence for good in the communities in which they have lived.

 

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(Picture of John S. Hipple)

 

JOHN S. HIPPLE, one of the old and respected citizens of Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, where he has resided for many years, was born in West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, June 29, 1836, and is a son of George and Esther (Clinger) Hipple, the latter named having been a daughter of Jacob Clinger, who was of German extraction, a farmer by occupation, and upon his arrival in this country, settled in Chester county, Pennsylvania, where he spent the remaining years of his life.

George Hipple, father of John S. Hipple, was born in Pikeland township, Chester county, Pennsylvania, where his father was engaged in farming pursuits, and he was a descendant of a German ancestry. George Hipple pursued various occupations during the active years of his life in his native county, and finally settled in West Philadelphia, where his death occurred in 1883, his wife, Esther (Clinger) Hipple, having died in 1878. This worthy couple were the parents of seven children, the three eldest being daughters who died during the early years of childhood. Their fourth child was Jacob C., who married Elizabeth Carpenter, and had born to him eleven children. The fifth child was Isaac Anderson, who married Elizabeth Worsher, who bore him two children. The sixth child was George, who married S. Josephine Worsher, who bore him seven children. The seventh and youngest of this family was John S., mentioned at length in the following paragraphs.

John S. Hipple was educated and reared to the age of seventeen years in the place of his nativity. About the year 1854 he came to Conshohocken, where he began to learn the trade of carpenter, and upon the conclusion of his apprenticeship worked for a brief period of time as a journeyman. In 1857 he began business on his own account at contracting and building, meeting with immediate success at the beginning of his career as a result of his straightforward and honorable business methods. During the forty-three years of his active business career he has erected many buildings in Conshohocken, and other places in Montgomery county, many of which reflect merit upon his skill and handicraft.

Since 1900 Mr. Hipple has been retired from active business pursuits. During the many years of his residence in Conshohocken he has taken an active interest in the civil affairs of the borough, having served two terms in the council, and for eighteen years as a member of the school board, during most of which period he was also the treasurer of the board. Mr. Hipple is an ardent supporter of the principles of the Republican party.

Mr. Hipple was married April 9, 1856, at Ballagomingo, to Emilie Y. Jones, who was born December 17, 1837 a daughter of Jonathan and Martha (Mealy) Jones, and to this marriage were born four children: 1. Cyrus E., born November 2, 1856; 2. Harry C., born March 17, 1858; 3. Laura Estella, born February 25, 1860, died January 9, 1865; 4. George W., born August 29, 1862, he married Kate Herring, and their children are: Harry C., Elmer, and Norman Hipple.

(Picture of Cyrus E. Hipple)

 

Cyrus E. Hipple, eldest child of John S. and Emilie Y. (Jones) Hipple, was born at Conshohocken, November 2, 1856. His educational training was acquired in the schools of his native town. Upon taking up the practical duties of life he learned the trade of carpentering, which occupation he pursued in connection with his father's building and contracting business. He conducted these lines of business successfully up to 1900, when he became a candidate for the office of postmaster at Conshohocken, and having the indorsement and recommendation of many of the leading citizens of Conshohocken, he was appointed by President McKinley on February 24, 1900, since which time he has discharged the duties of his office with marked ability. He was appointed for a second term by President Roosevelt on March 8, 1904. His administration and management of the affairs of the office has led to a large increase of the business, the office force upon the beginning of Mr. Hipple's administration being but four men, and at the present time consisting of nineteen men. He is an ardent supporter of the principles of the Republican party, and active in its councils. He is identified with several fraternal organizations, including the Masons, Odd Fellows, Sons of America, and the Junior Order of United American Mechanics. Community affairs elicit his deep interest, and many measures for the public good have received his hearty cooperation. He is an ex-president of the Conshohocken Fire Company.

Cyrus E. Hipple was married January 21, 1880, to Clara E. Hollis, who was born February 2, 1856, a daughter of Henson and Sallie E. (Murray) Hollis, and the following named children were the issue of this union: Eva M., born May 13, 1883; Ella E., born May 7, 1886, and John S., born June 27, 1888.

 

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JOSEPH W. HUNTER, of Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, state commissioner of highways, to which responsible position he was appointed in 1903, is one of the best known citizens of the lower section of Montgomery county, with whose interests he has for many years been actively and prominently identified. He is a native of Haverford township, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, born July 23, 1853, eldest son of Thomas and Henrietta (Schwend) Hunter.

Adam Hunter (grandfather) resided in the vicinity of Londonderry, Ireland, where he followed agricultural pursuits, which proved a lucrative means of livelihood. Among the citizens of that locality he was recognized as an honorable man, conscientious and faithful in the performance of all the duties of life. He married a Miss Wray, of Glasgow, Scotland, and their children were: Thomas, mentioned hereinafter; and Martha, who became the wife of Andrew Scanlan.

Thomas Hunter (father) was born in Ireland, whence he emigrated to the United States in 1842, settling first in Philadelphia and later in Delaware county, where he devoted his time and attention to the tilling of the soil. By practical and progressive methods of cultivation his farm yielded an abundant harvest, which enabled him. to provide a comfortable home for his family. His wife was Henrietta (Schwend) Hunter, daughter of Joseph Schwend, a military engineer and staff officer in the French army under Napoleon, who afterward emigrated to the United States and was employed for a time on the engineering work connected with the construction of the Raritan Canal. She bore to her husband the following named children: Joseph W., mentioned hereinafter; Sarah W., who became the wife of Robert T. Love; Martha, Mary, Rebecca, and Henrietta Hunter.

Joseph W. Hunter attended private and public schools in the vicinity of his home, and the knowledge thus obtained was supplemented by a course of study at Mantua Academy, in West Philadelphia, from which he was graduated second in a large class. He was reared in Delaware county, assisting in the work of the farm during his boyhood days, and subsequently his parents removed to Lower Merion township, Montgomery county. In 1870, immediately after his graduation from Mantua Academy, he entered the office of Samuel L. Smedley, who was in charge of the eleventh survey district of Philadelphia, and studied practical surveying under Mr. Smedley and his successor, George W. Hancock. Mr. Hunter was employed by Mr. Smedley to take charge of topographical surveys in various sections of Philadelphia, and also of map surveying. In 1875 Mr. Hunter located in Jenkintown, and in addition to his Philadelphia pursuits engaged in farm surveying in Jenkintown and vicinity. His business increased rapidly in volume and importance, owing to the thoroughness of integrity of his methods, and in a short period of time he ranked among the foremost of the real estate and general business agents of the county.

In 1878 Mr. Hunter was elected to the office of justice of the peace, and re-elected for several terms of five years each. He was, however, destined to still longer political honors. Being an active Republican he soon became a leader in the party organization, and was given a unanimous nomination for county surveyor in 1882, and his incumbency of the office proved satisfactory to all concerned. In 1887 he was nominated for the important and lucrative position of register of wills, to which he was triumphantly elected, and the duties of which he performed in a thoroughly conscientious manner for three years.

 

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When the legislature of 1903 (largely through the exertions of Senator Algernon B. Roberts and other Montgomery county men) at Harrisburg, adopted the new road law which provided for a state appropriation for road improvement, it devolved upon Governor Pennypacker to select a state highway commissioner. In the meantime the townships of Abington and Cheltenham had made much progress in the construction of permanent highways, Mr. Hunter, in his capacity of engineer having superintended much of the work done in the vicinity of Jenkintown, thereby gaining a thorough knowledge of to construction of macadamized roads, which, it was believed, would be of great value in the office of the newly created position of commissioner of highways, and the appointment was at once offered to Mr. Hunter by the governor of the state and was accepted. Mr. Hunter went to work immediately to organize the new department, succeeding admirably in the introduction of the new order of things. He visited most of the counties of Pennsylvania and explained the operations of the road law, thus familiarizing the county and township officials and the public with the methods and workings of the new legislation.

In addition to his work of organization, Mr. Hunter prepared many letters and newspaper articles, intended to make clear the object and the effect of the road law, which accomplished much to render it effective and satisfactory. He has proved to be a model official in every respect, thorough and painstaking in his work, for which he is eminently well qualified both by natural and acquired ability and experience, and the state is fortunate in securing the services of so capable and competent a person in this position. There has seldom been a law enacted in Pennsylvania whose workings were so literally understood; and which required so much explanation to make it understood by the authorities of county and township, on whom the responsibility of its enforcement rested. Mr. Hunter was for a number of years a director of the Cheltenham and Willow Grove Turnpike Company, and was secretary for a number of years of the Abington and Cheltenham Building and Loan Association, and is now a director in the Jenkintown, Abington and Huntingdon Valley Building Association. He is a member of Friendship Lodge, No. 400, Free and Accepted Masons, of Jenkintown; of Jenkintown Lodge, No. 476, Knights of Pythias; of Peace and Love Lodge, No. 337, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of Norristown Lodge, No. 714, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. His religious affiliations are with the Jenkintown Presbyterian church.

Mr. Hunter married, in 1878, Miss Kate Gentry, daughter of Thomas Gentry, a well known farmer of Byberry, Philadelphia county.

 

 

HARMAN CUSTER was born in Norriton township, Montgomery county, February 4, 1850. When about three years of age his father, removed to East Coventry, Chester county, and bought a farm on which the resided until his death. At the age of eight years Harman left home and became a driver on the Schuylkill Canal, going as far as New York city, Hartford, Connecticut, and many other points. He was on the canal seven years, and learned everything pertaining to that work, ending as a steersman. On one occasion, in 1863, young Custer went to Alexandria with a load of coal for the use of the government, and on Chesapeake Bay encountered a storm which would have tried the nerve of the most experienced men in the business. In 1864, becoming tired of "following the water," he went to Pottstown and became an apprentice to the carpenter trade. He served his time, but never followed the business, as the firm of Jack & Geist, with whom he had learned the trade, failed in business about the time his apprenticeship was ended. In 1867 he entered the employ of the Philadelphia and Reading Railway Company as a laborer, and has been with them ever since. About 1868 he was made a brakeman, and three and a half years later was promoted to the position of conductor, which he held about three years, and then became a fireman for three years, and for twenty-six years has been one of the trusted engineers of the road in all these years he has always stood by the company in their

 

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many strikes and labor troubles, even going to the company when he felt that a raise in pay was due him, and never in vain. He has never been in a wreck, never even running into the rear of a train. In 1880 he went to Bridgeport; and has since lived there. Mr. Custer is a Republican, and is one of the men to whom the question is never asked, On which side is he? He is a member of the Ancient Order of Unwed Workmen.

On November 14, 1868, Mr. Custer married Miss Mary Elizabeth, daughter of George and Ellen (Pyle) Schaffer, who was born at Pawlings Bridge; Chester county, July 14, 1850. At the time of her birth her father was keeping a hotel at that place, and was also supervisor for the Philadelphia and Reading Railway Company, which position he had held ten years before he met his death, which occurred while in the line of his duty, he having been caught in the Phoenix tunnel by two trains. He lay down on the ground between the trains, and, while his body showed no sign of being touched; he never regained consciousness. Mrs. Custer's mother was a Pyle, of the family now contesting the claim of the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company for a valuable tract of four hundred and sixteen acres of coal land at Tamaqua.

Mr. and Mrs. Harman Custer's children: 1. Jennie, born in 1869, married William Schnable, of Spring City, who is engaged in the glass works as shipping clerk. They have seven children: Bertha, Ellwood Harman, Ida, Stella, William, James and Anna C. 2. William, born June 17, 1870, married Rebecca Keely, and has one son, William. Mr. Custer was killed on the Chester Valley Railroad, on which he was employed as a brakeman. He was struck by a bridge on June 6, 1893. 3. Jesse and James (twins) born November 14, 1872, and died in infancy. 4. Anna C., born in 1873, unmarried, and resides with her parents. 5. Emma, born November 2, 1874, and lives with her parents. 6. James M., born Mardi 1876. 7. Rachel R., born August 23, 1877, died March 25, 1897. She married Samuel Sickle. 8. Irene, born January 8, 1879.

Peter Custer (great-grandfather), came from Switzerland and settled in Pennsylvania. He married, and reared a family of three sons and one daughter. Of the sons, Harman (grandfather) was born in Worcester township, Montgomery county, July 2, 1788. In early life he followed the trade of a weaver, but became a farmer, and at his death owned the farm where Custer Station is located, on the Stony Creek Railroad. He married Catharine Beyer, who was born January 9, 1790. Their Children: Mary February 6, 1811; Lydia, born January 11, 1812; Abraham, born February 16, 1813; Susanna, born March 12, 1815, Mary, born June 23, 1817; Philip B., born June 2, 1821; Levi, born March 25, 1825; John S.; born September 18, 1827; Ann B., born December 9, 1831.

Of their children, Abraham (father), married Mary Shrawder, in December, 1837. Their children: Catharine, Ann, Jesse and Harman. Mrs. Custer died January 5, 1859, Abraham married (second wife) Ann Forges, in October, 1859. Their children were Sallie, Abraham C., Lyman and Ida. Mrs. Custer died June 29, 1899. Abraham Custer (father of Harman) died May 4, 1886. He was a farmer in Chester county, and at the time of his death owned a farm in East Vincent township, near Parkerford. He was a Republican in politics but not a politician. He was a member of the Reformed church of East Vincent, and one of its officers.

 

 

ROBERT BOWNE HAINES, deceased, was born in Germantown, Philadelphia county, Pennsylvania; 2d mo. 16, 1827. The progenitor of the family in this country was Richard Haines, who sailed with his family for America, leaving Oxfordshire, England, in 1680. He never reached this country, however; as he died on the voyage and his body was buried at sea. Margaret Haines, his widow, and children settled at Rancocas, Burlington county, New Jersey, and the descendants are now widely scattered in that state, Pennsylvania and elsewhere. The line of descent from Richard and Margaret Haines is as follows: John, who married Esther Barton; Josiah, who married Martha Burr; Reuben, who

 

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married Margaret Wistar; Casper Wistar, who married Hannah Marshall; Reuben, who married Jane Bowne, and they resided in Germantown, Philadelphia county, Pennsylvania. The last named were the parents of Robert Bowne Haines. Robert B. Haines graduated from Haverford College, a well known institution of learning, in 1844. His father having died when he was a mere child, his training so far as the home was concerned devolved upon his mother, who was a woman of rare ability for such a task. Immediately after completing his studies he accompanied an employee of the firm of Wood, Bacon & Co., of Philadelphia, on a collecting tour, traveling one thousand miles on horseback through the southwestern states in the interest of the firm. In early manhood, a few years after leaving college, he became attached to a scientific expedition which was to go to the then comparatively unknown northwest, and which was in charge of State Botanist C. C. Parry, Dr. B. F. Shumard, mineralogist, and H. Pratton, ornithologist. They journeyed through that country mostly on horseback and in Indian canoes made of bark. Records of the discoveries of the expedition were preserved by Mr. Haines, which are full of interest. In the same year he accompanied Professor O. M. Mitchell in the survey of the Ohio and Mississippi. Railroad, assisting in that work under some difficulty, owing to swollen rivers, flooded prairies, and intense cold on the setting in of winter. The party overcame all obstacles, however, and carried out successfully the purpose which they had in mind. In the following year (1849), Mr. Haines accompanied Thomas Wistar and Alfred Cope on their mission to investigate and settle the claims of the Menominee Indians at Green Bay, Wisconsin, making this trip at the urgent request, of Thomas Wistar. These were adjusted after the most thorough and careful investigation, and Messrs. Wistar and Haines, returning to New York, carried back the money of the Indians, paid by the general government, to the amount of forty thousand dollars in gold coin, and distributed it by authority of President Taylor to the Indians, to their satisfaction and that of the government. By invitation of Mr. Albert K. Smiley, proprietor of Lake Mohonk House, which was located in the state of New York, there was held a conference on the subject of our North American Indians, in which Mr. Haines had a deep interest and sympathy with this humane effort for the better conditions of the Indian race. These conferences have been held for many years in the past and are still kept up, and are attended by eminent and philanthropic men representing several states of the Union.

In 1850 Mr. Haines purchased from the late Amos Jones his farm of one hundred acres in Cheltenham township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, and in, the spring of 1852 removed from his ancestral home at Germantown, Pennsylvania, to take up his residence on his new possession. It was on part of this farm that Mr. Haines established his nurseries, in 1857, which. are still in successful operation. He was for twelve years an active member of the Cheltenham. township school board, and for some years its president. For a quarter of a century he was an active member of the board of managers of Haverford College, his alma mater, being thus connected at the time of his decease.

His most important work, however, was connection with religious and charitable objects. In 1870, at the age of forty-three years, he entered, into the service he belied was required of him with zeal and enthusiasm. In company with his friend, Isaac Robson, of Huddersfield, England, then on a religious visit to America with a minute from his meetings in that country, he spent the greater part of the winter of 1870-71 in attending Friends meetings in the states of North Carolina, Tennessee and others bordering on the Mississippi river as far as Southland, in Arkansas. He always retained an active interest in the institution established by Friends for the benefit of colored people at that place, and encouraged Alida and Calvin Clark in their work for the education and uplifting of the down trodden race. In 1872 he visited North Carolina, and was present at the yearly meeting of Friends. In 1875, with Stanley Pumphrey, he attended North Carolina yearly meeting, and with him visited the subordinate meetings of that state.

 

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He attended North Carolina yearly meeting again with Stanley Pumphrey in 1878, it being held at Friendsville, Tennessee, that year. In conjunction with his two friends, Edward L. Scull and E. H. Farnum, of Philadelphia, he purchased a fine old mansion in Maryville, Tennessee, and placed it in the hands of trustees for educational purposes, the education of white children of both sexes, an institution being established Which was known as the Maryville Normal School, and has proved a blessing to many of the young people of that part of the country, affording them educational advantages which they could not otherwise obtain.

In addition to the religious visits mentioned, Mr. Haines attended the yearly meetings of New England, Baltimore and North Carolina; was twice present at those of New York, Ohio and Indiana; and in 1878 was at Canada yearly meetings and at Virginia half-year meetings. He was greatly interested in all these yearly meetings, as well as his own. He also took a deep interest in the cause of education, contributing largely of his means for the advancement of the same, in the spread of the Gospel, of which he was such an effective minister, and the spiritual life of The meetings. He scrupulously lived up to the scriptural injunction "Let not thy left band know what thy right hand doeth," and carried on his benevolent work so quietly and unobtrusively that it was known only by its effects. He gave his thought, time and means for the benefit of his fellow beings as was required without a hope of reward, except that which flows from the consciousness of having lived in accordance with ones best impulses. He loved little children, and never allowed an opportunity to pass of giving them a kind word or a pleasant smile. He was very fond of distributing books as gifts, and these were so appropriate that they were highly valued by their recipients. His influence was at all times in accordance with the spirit of gentleness and peace which characterized hint throughout life. As a minister he was brief, fervent and to the point, and his words carried with them the sense of being prompted by the right source and centre of all truly spiritual life. Wherever known he was beloved and respected.

Robert Bowne Haines married Margaret Vaux, daughter of Dr. Caspar and Lydia (Jones) Wistar, and a descendant of two very old Pennsylvania families of Friends. Her great-great-grandfather was Caspar Wistar, who emigrated from Baden to America, landing in Philadelphia, September 16, 1717. Her mother's family are of Welsh descent. She was also a lineal descendant of Samuel Carpenter, who came with William Penn, and a member of the provincial council and treasurer of the province.

Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Haines, as follows: Caspar Wistar, Robert Bowne, Jr., who married Mary West Huston, they having four children: Isabelle Pennock, Robert Bowne (3d), Margaret Wistar, and Charles Huston Haines; Mary Morton; William Jones, who married Catherine Wirt Cheston, they having one child, Murray Cheston Haines; Jane Bowne, and D. Jansen. Robert Bowne Haines, father of these children, died at his home in Cheltenham, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, 8th mo. 9, 1895, in his sixty-ninth year. Mrs. Haines survives him.

 

 

LOUIS W. READ, late of Norristown, Pennsylvania, was a skillful and accomplished surgeon, who pursued an active professional career in civil life, and also won a distinguished record in the military corp during the war of the Rebellion. He was born at Plymouth Meeting, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, July 5, 1828, the eldest son of Thomas and Sarah (Corson) Read, the latter named being a daughter of Joseph Corson, and a sister of Drs. Hiram and William Corson, both of whom were eminent physicians in their day. His parents were natives of Delaware county, Pennsylvania, as were also his grandparents, William and Susan Read.

Louis W. Read spent his early youth at Reads Mill, in Upper Merion township, and received his education at the public schools, and in Treemount Academy, taught by the Rev. Samuel Aaron, a celebrated educator. On leaving school he read medicine with his uncle, Dr. William

 

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Corson, and entered the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated in the class of 1849. He devoted himself assiduously to obtaining all the knowledge he could gain that promised to aid him in his life work, the medical profession. When the Crimean war began in Europe, he offered his services to the Russian government, which were accepted, and he became a surgeon and served in that capacity throughout the war. He was at Sebastopol during the memorable siege by the allied forces. During his service in this war he affected important improvements in the treatment of gunshot wounds, which have since been generally adopted in army hospitals throughout the world. Leaving Russia at the close of the Crimean war, Dr. Read spent six months in the hospitals of Paris, France, giving attention to serious wounds and diseases which were complicated in their nature. Returning to Norristown, Pennsylvania, in the autumn of 1857, he engaged the practice of medicine and surgery, in which he was very successful. He stood in the front rank of the physicians and surgeons of the country. He was one of the commission to select a site for the Norristown Hospital for the Insane, and took a prominent part in its erection. On the breaking out of the Civil war Dr. Read tendered his services to the United States government. In May, 1861, he was appointed surgeon with the rank of major, of the Thirteenth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry (First Regiment Pennsylvania Reserves), and served in this capacity until July 17, 1863, when he resigned to accept promotion as surgeon of United States Volunteers, and was assigned to duty as medical director of the famous old division; known as the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps. In November, 1864, he was assigned to the charge of the McKim United States Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, where he remained until March, 1866, when, the war being long closed, he was mustered out of service with the rank of brevet lieutenant-colonel of the United States Volunteers, his commission stating that his promotion was for faithful and meritorious service during the war for the Union. His superior skill as a surgeon was exemplified in the removal of a ball from the leg of General Hancock, who had been wounded in the battle of Gettysburg, after other physicians had failed. He was an intimate friend of that distinguished officer, and had a very extensive acquaintance among the prominent generals of that day as the result of his service in the army.

in 1866, after an absence of five years in public life, Dr. Read returned to Norristown, and for thirty years continued successfully in the practice of his profession. He was appointed surgeon general of Pennsylvania, with the rank of brigadier-general, by Governor John Frederic Hartranft, May 15, 1874, and held the position by successive reappointinents for twenty-nine years, or until 1899. He was a prominent member of the Historical Society of Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Country Club, the United Service Club of Philadelphia, the Genealogical Society of Philadelphia, the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, the Society of the Sons of the Revolution, and the Union League, in all of which he was an ardent and zealous worker, an enthusiastic advocate and a liberal supporter. A few years prior to his death he was elected to preside over the Association of Military Surgeons at their annual meeting in Buffalo, New York, and for a period of time he served in the capacity of president of the same. The honor was all the more acceptable because it was entirely unexpected and unsolicited, and actually conferred in the absence of the recipient. The career of Dr. Read from his first entrance upon his career to the end of his life was as honorable as it was useful, and his memory will long be cherished by his many friends in Norristown and throughout the country. His kindly and sympathetic nature commended him to all who knew him. His patriotism, public spirit and his ability in his profession were qualities which endeared him to his fellow citizens, and guaranteed him a wide circle of friends.

Louis W. Read as married June 3, 1858, to Georgine Thirst, daughter of Alfred Hurst; she died August 5, 1885, leaving two children: Nina B., and Dr. Alfred Hurst, a practicing physician of Norristown, who is also president of the Norristown board of health. Dr. Read died October 31, 1900.

 

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THOMAS TAYLOR, manager of the Pottstown Daily News, was born in Easton, Pennsylvania; December 9, 1845. He is the son of Mahlon and Elizabeth (Overfield) Taylor. They had nine children, seven sons and two daughters, five now living: Thomas Jefferson Taylor, Thomas Taylor, Charles D. Taylor, Mahlon G. Taylor, and Benjamin Franklin Taylor.

Mahlon Taylor (father) was born in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, and spent most of his life in Easton, where he was a shoe Merchant. He retired from business twenty-five years before his death, and removed to Reading He died in that city at the age of eighty-seven years, and his wife died in July, 1904, aged ninety-seven years. They were members of the Universalist church. Mahlon Taylor was a member of the town council of the borough of Easton, and was also a member of the state Militia.

Thomas Taylor lived in Easton and New York city, and afterwards in Reading. He learned the confectioners trade, but abandoned it and devoted himself to the art of photographing, which he followed for a number of years. He received his schooling in Easton. He Went to Pottstown in 1870, and has spent almost all his time there since that time. He is the president of the Beshore Drug Company, and is a director in the Pottstown Cold Storage and Ice Plant, and in the Pottstown Manufacturing Company. Thomas Taylor answered the emergency call during the Civil war, and was in the three months militia. He is a member of the Society of Elks. Politically he is a Republican.

In 1870 Thomas Taylor married Miss Lillian Estella Kerper, daughter of Daniel and Eliza (Boas) Kerper. They had four children, as follows: Edward Livingston, died at the age of six years; Florence, died at the age of three months; Pearl, married George L. Egolf; Maud, resides with her parents.

Mrs. Lillian E. Taylor died December 20, 1901, at the age of fifty-four years. Her parents, both now deceased, were born in Berks county. Her maternal grandfather, Daniel Boas, was engaged in the lumber business, and was a large property owner in the city of Reading. He died at an advanced age. Her paternal grandfather was a tanner. He also died at an advanced age, had several soils and daughters.