Bucks County PA Archives Biographies.....Closson, John W.
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joe Patterson, Patricia Bastik & Susan Walters Dec 2009

Source: History of Bucks County, Pennsylvania; edited by 
J.H. Battle; A. Warner & Co.; 1887
Bristol Township


JOHN W. CLOSSON deceased, who was county coroner of Bucks 
county, and for fifteen years proprietor of the Closson 
House, Bristol, was a man of more than ordinary intelligence 
and ability.  He was born near Point Pleasant, Tinicum 
township, June 16, 1839, being a son of George W. and 
Charlotte (Wyker) Closson.  They were natives of Bucks 
county.  "Obituary:   George W. Closson, an old and 
well-known resident of Bucks county, died at his residence 
on the Delaware, below Point Pleasant, in Plumstead 
township, on Tuesday last, aged over seventy-two years.  For 
several years his health and faculties had been giving way, 
and for some time previous to his death he was in quite a 
weak condition.  Mr. Closson was extensively known as a 
business man and politician.  About thirty years ago he was 
elected county treasurer, holding the office for two years, 
which was the term then prescribed.  It was during his term 
that the tenure of office of the treasurer was limited to 
one year, by an act of the legislature, in consequence of 
the great number of candidates, who could not otherwise be 
so well accommodated.  Mr. Closson made a good officer, and 
in his transactions at the Doylestown Bank made the 
acquaintance of Abraham Chapman, then its president.  At the 
request of Mr. Chapman he bought a few shares of stock in 
the bank and became one of its directors.  He occupied that 
position for nearly or quite twenty years.  He was 
supervisor of the Delaware Canal for many years, while it 
was the property of the State, receiving his appointment 
from the board of canal commissioners.  As a politician Mr. 
Closson was an active democrat, and was always interested in 
party affairs, though not generally bitter in his feelings. 
On Friday his remains were interred in the Doylestown 
cemetery, the funeral being attended by many friends and 
relations and the member of the Masonic lodge at Doylestown, 
to which he belonged."  He was a son of William and Sarah 
Closson.  Mrs. George W. Closson was born September 16, 
1803, and is still living.  She was a daughter of Henry and 
Mary Wyker.  Mr and Mrs. George W. Closson had three sons 
and four daughters.  John W., our subject, was the fifth 
child.  He was educated at Point Pleasant.  He clerked in 
stores for his father and brother until the outbreaking of 
the late war.  Mr. Closson was one of the gallant young men 
of Bucks county who joined the Doylestown Guards April, 
1861, and hurried to the defense of the flag.  Mr. Closson 
returned home, was mustered out and soon after was engaged 
in the  mercantile business for himself at Point Pleasant.  
November 16, 1865, he married Miss Mary Leslie, a daughter 
of James and Mary (Boyle) Leslie, natives of Ireland, where 
they were married.  They first settled in Mauch Chunk, 
Carbon county, Pa., afterward in Bristol.  After Mr. and 
Mrs. John W. Closson were married they moved to the 
"Exchange Hotel" in Bristol, which Mr. Closson purchased in 
1872 of his father-in-law, James Leslie, and in 1875 
remodeled, and which has since been the Closson House.  In 
1872 he was elected coroner, and by a special act of the 
legislature he was empowered to appoint deputies throughout 
the county of Bucks, and served six years, when his health 
failing him, he gave up political life and turned his 
attention to his hotel, where he died November 8, 1882.  
Mrs. Closson took charge of the hotel at once, and being a 
lady of excellent mind and business talent, she has by hard 
work and good management made her house one of the most 
popular in the state.  Owing to the increase in trade, she 
has erected a fine three-story brick building with pressed 
brick front and all the most modern improvements.  The 
chambers of the Closson House are spacious, handsomely 
furnished, well ventilated and comfortable.  The parlors and 
reception rooms are attractive and elegant.  Mrs. Closson 
possesses every possible qualification for the position she 
fills with so much womanly grace and dignity.  During her 
management of the Closson house she has maintained the high 
reputation it has always held, and makes it a home for all 
who seek rest of refreshment beneath its quiet roof.