Bucks County PA Archives Biographies.....Vandegrift, Joseph J.
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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
Bensalem Township


JOSEPH J. VANDEGRIFT deceased, was for many years the 
proprietor of the Half Way House.  He was born in Bucks 
county, February 21, 1837, and was a son of John and Sarah 
A. (Jackson) Vandegrift, natives of Bucks county, and of 
German descent.  His father was a well-to-do man, and during 
his life owned considerable real estate.  He was the owner 
of Dunkin's ferry, and conducted the hotel there for years.  
Joseph J. very naturally took up the hotel business as his 
future occupation, but was cut off in the prime of life.  He 
died in 1873.  He was a man eminently qualified to entertain 
the weary traveler, having made the hotel business the 
occupation of his lifetime.  He married Louisa A., daughter 
of Thomas and Sarah (Howell) Fenton.  She is of French and 
German descent.  Her father was a blacksmith, and for many 
years carried on business in this county.  Three of their 
children are living: Josephine, John (clerk in the hotel), 
and Regina.  He was a democrat.