History: Local: Chapters LII- Part II, LIII, LIV : Cheltenham, Douglas and Franconia Twps : Bean's 1884 History of Montgomery Co, PA Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Susan Walters USGENWEB NOTICE: Printing this file by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/montgomery/beantoc.htm URL of html Table of Contents and illustrations. 技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技 BEAN'S HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技 808 (cont.) CHAPTER LII - PART II. Cheltenham Township. ST PAUL'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH. -Services having been held for several years in a private residence and a Sunday school organized it became apparent that efforts should now be made for the erection of church. The first meeting for this purpose was held June 23, 1860, at which were resent residents of Chelten Hills and vicinity, and on which occasion a fair amount was subscribed. A resolution was adopted that the church should be built it the intersection of the old York road and Cheltenham Avenue. A vestry was elected, consisting of John W. Thomas Jay Cooke J. F. Penistan Wm. C. Houston John Biard Robert Shoemaker Wm G. Moorhead Frederick Fraley H. P. Birchall Isaac Starr, Jr George C. Thomas Wm. Elliott. 809 Such was the success attending the enterprise that at the second meeting, convened August 27, 1860, the bishop of the diocese, Right Rev. Alonzo Potter, was requested to lay the corner-stone, September 3, 1860. Addresses were delivered on the occasion by Rev. William Bacon Stevens and the Rev. Richard Newton. The Rev. Robert J. Parvin was elected the first rector April 19, 1861. The church was consecrated the following May 16th by the bishop, rector and the Revs. Charles D. Cooper Benjamin Watson D. C. Millitt J. W. Cracraft 0. B. Keith. The sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. Newton, rector of St. Paul's Church, Philadelphia. The church was now opened for regular services. On March 28, 1864, plans for a new building for the Sunday-school and library were submitted to the vestry, and its erection was decided upon. A new organ was placed in the church in 1866. Mr. Parvin having been elected general secretary of the Evangelical Educational Society, December 26th of this year, resigned the rectorship after a ministry of more than five and a half years, to take effect January 1, 1867. About two years later he perished in a terrible steamboat disaster on the Ohio River. The present incumbent, Rev. Edward W. Appleton, was elected to the rectorship June 19, 1867, and entered on its duties the 30th of said month. The congregation worshiped in their enlarged church the first time February 23, 1868, Bishop Lee, of Iowa, preaching the sermon. The improvements to the church cost more than seven thousand dollars. In the same year the rectory was completed, also a large and commodious hall intended for the use of the Young Men's Bible Class, and a sexton's house adjoining being the gift of two of the vestry. The tower of the church was commenced in 1869 and finished the following year, A portion of the grounds in the rear of the edifice were now set apart for burial purposes. In the autumn of 1879 a large and admirable organ, built by Roosevelt, of New York, was placed in the church. For this improvement, as well is the tower and clock; the parish is indebted to the younger members of the congregation. During Dr. Appleton's rectorate, to November, 1881, exclusive, of pew-rents, the handsome sum of one hundred and thirty-six thousand seven hundred and fifteen dollars been contributed by the members for religious and benevolent purposes. During that period two hundred and forty three infants and seventy adults were baptized, one hundred and ninety-seven confirmed, sixty-three married, and there were one hundred and twenty-one interments in the burial-ground. The church is a handsome, commodious and substantial one-story Gothic edifice, of stone, with stained-glass windows and slate roof. The tower is square, above seventy feet in height, with a clock and chime of ten bells; the latter presented by Mrs. John W. Thomas, December 9, 1882. A transept on the south side of the church was completed in February, 1883, built at the expense of Charles B. Wright, Esq. Other substantial improvements have also been lately made, costing two thousand five hundred dollars. The rectory adjoining is a fair-sized two-story building. The grounds comprise about five acres; they are neatly laid out, and the buildings modeled after the most approved architectural designs. ASSESSMENT OF CHELTENHAM FOR 1776. Bartholomew Mather, assessor, and Peter Rush, collector. George Shoemaker, 93 acres, 4 horses and 5 cows Benjamin Shoemaker, 93 a., 2 h., 5 c., 22 acres in Horsham George Abercost, 1c., 10 children Hugh Hugh, 3/4 a William Shoemaker, 55 a., 2 h, 2 c David Harmer, 1h Richard Mather, 120a., 1 servant, 4h., 8c., 1/2 saw-mill, 1/4 grist-mill Bartholomew Mather, 93a., 3 h., 4 c., 1/2 saw-mill, 1/2 gristmill Isaac Cleaver, 95a., 3h., 3c George Carr, 7 a., 1 c John Stump; John Goodwin, cordwainer, 1 c Samuel Leech, 170 a., 3 h., 5 c Stephen Hall, 1h., 4 c John McLaughlin, 60 a., 3 h., 2 c Anthony Williams, Jr., 200 a., 1 servant, 3 h., 6 c Jeremiah Lap Jacob Piper John Miller, cordwainer, 40 a, 2 h, 1 c Jacob Miller, 200 a., 3 servants, 4 h., 5 c Jacob Nase, 100 a., 2 h., 3 c Baltus Ernst, 46 a., 2 h, 3 c John Harry, 57 a., 2 h, 4 c Henry Fetter, 2 h., 3 c Christian Cress, 65 a., 2 h., 3 c Jacob Funk, 100a., 5 h., 8 c Jacob Strunk John Slingluff, 10 a., I h., 1 c., aged Henry Slingluff, 100a., 2 h., 3 c., aged Henry Slingluff, Jr Charles Long; Valentine Puff, 2 h, 2 c William Stevens, 1 h Caspar Martin, mason, 80 a., 2 h., 1 c Amos Thomas, 64 a 1 h, 2 c William Leedom, 116 a., 3 h., 4 c John Lap, 1c John Webster, 120 a., 2 h, 1 c James Gold, 16 a., 1 c. Richard Rob, 1 c Nathan Williams Thomas Martin Jacob McVaugh Enoch Thomas, 94 a., 2 h., 2 c Matthew Hague, 1h., 1 c Edward Kennedy Jacob Leech, 168 a., 2 servants, 3 h., 4 c Fred. Emerich, 2 h., 6 c John Emerich Isaac Leech John Updyke, 1 c William Burk Peter Rush, 86 a., 1 servant, fulling-mill, 3 a, 4 c John Thompson, 60 a., 2 h., 1 c. Mary Hopple, widow, 100 a., 3h., 2 c Ulrich Rouner, 20 a., 1 h., 2 c. Isaac Bowdeman, 1 c John Hallowell, miller, 1 h, 2 c William Thompson, 53 a., 2 h., 3 c Joseph Linn, 84 a, 1 negro, 1 h., 4 c Patrick McGargey, 1h, 2 c Jacob Mier, 70 a., 3 h., 4 c Matthew Ray, 3 h, 5 c Peter Taylor, carpenter, 60 a., 2 h., 2 c William McGargey, 1 h., 3 c John Smith Frederick Altemus, 72 a., 2 h., 3 c Henry Child, 3 h., 4 c Isaac Jones, 116 a., 3 h., 4 c Jacob Gier, 2 c John Vandyke, 1 c George Dilker, weaver, 2 h., 2 c Samuel Jones, 50 a Jonathan Jones, 2 h John Young, 3h, 4 c Henry Young William Hallowell, 100 a, 2 h, 5 c., grist and saw-mill Richard Martin, tanner, 46 a., and tan-yard, 1 servant, 1 Negro, 3 h., 3c. Samuel McElhoes, 1 c. Henry Love John Shoemaker, 60 a., 1 servant, 9 h., 6 c., grist-mill, 1/4 of a grist- mill, 60 a, and house Daniel Foy Solomon Williams, 1 c SINGLE MEN Benjamin Mather William Gilman Samuel Grimes Thomas Kennedy Lawrence Reif John Rob Abraham Kennard William Hawkins Samuel Crosby Jesse Thompson John Hase John McGargey John Child Thomas Jones William Jeans Thomas Shoemaker Samuel Butler. 810 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. JOHN J. WILLIAMS. John William's, the great-grandfather of the subject of this biographical sketch, born in 1670, was a resident of Merineth, in Wales. While yet in his minority he associated himself with a land company, where, by warrant dated 13th of Tenth Month, 1690. William Markham, Robert Turner and John Goodson surveyed five thousand acres of "Welsh Tract," part of Merion, of liberty lands, to John Thomas, John Williams and others. He also invested at later periods largely in lands in Cheltenham and Bristol townships, as well as in other sections of the new country. The same John Williams married Ellen Klincken on the 3d of Sixth Month, 1696, at the place of religious meetings of Friends, in Germantown. Ellen was the daughter of Arents Klincken, who came from Dalem, near Creyfelt, in Holland, to this country in 1683, having known William Penn in Holland. He built the first two-story house ever raised in Germantown, Penn having been present and partaken of the raising-dinner. It stood near the southwest corner of Main and Tulpehocken Streets. Arents Klincken served several years as burgess of Germantown, but finally, in 1691, declined longer service for conscience' sake. He died at the age of eighty, leaving a son, Anthony, a noted hunter, who spent a long life in such exercises in the vicinity, and from whom the traditional name of Anthony has since been perpetuated in the Williams family. John Williams and Ellen, his wife, had six children,- Mary, born 7th of Fourth month, 1697, married to Anthony Dennis Hannah, born 29th Ninth Month, 1702, married to Lewis Roberts John, born the 4th of Second Month, 1705, married to Katherine Marl in 1732, who left a son, Joseph, and died the 14th of Tenth Month, 1737 Arrett, born 13th of Twelfth Month, 1707-8, died young Ann, married Joseph Ambler Anthony, the youngest and only son surviving his parents, was born the 13th of Sixth Month, 1711, and to him was bequeathed all his father's lands and messuages. He married Sarah Shoemaker, daughter of George Shoemaker and granddaughter of Richard Wall, who bought land and settled in Cheltenham previous to Seventh Month 1, 1683. Richard came from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England. Anthony and Sarah were married at Abington Friends' Meeting-house the 17th of First Month, 1736. They settled in Bristol Township, adjoining the homestead farm in Cheltenham; had a family of eighteen children, many of whom died in youth. Sarah, the mother, died Twelfth Month 13, 1758, aged forty-one years, six months, leaving the father with a very responsible charge. Among twelve children who grew to man's estate and married was George Williams, who lived opposite Abington Meeting and served as clerk of that meeting for many years; Isaac, who settled in Whitemarsh on a large farm, and died in his eighty-ninth year; and Anthony Williams, Jr., who was born the 30th day of the Ninth Mouth, 1743, and married Rachel Jarrett. It will here be necessary to review two generations to obtain the correct genealogy of the Jarrett family, the ancestors of the mother of John J. Williams,- John Jarrett, the grandfather of said Rachel Jarrett, came from Scotland in the early days of the province, and settled in Horsham township. His name appears in 1714 as a land-holder in Germantown. He married Mary Lucken, born 18th of Eleventh Month, 1693, daughter of Jan Lucken, who came from Holland, in company with many other Friends, and landed at Chester the 3d of Ninth Month, 1683. They later settled in Germantown, and were closely associated with Francis Daniel Pastorious in their allegiance to the principles of William Penn. John and Mary Jarrett had a son, John, born to them the 3d of Third Month, 1718. He married Alce Conrad, born 9th of Eighth Month, 1718, at Abington Meeting, Third Month, 1740. Their twelve children were John Mary Elizabeth Hannah Rachel William Alice Jonathan David Jesse Tacy Joseph. Many of who lived to be very aged people, and were remarkable for their healthful and vigorous constitutions and industrious habits. Anthony Williams and Rachel Jarrett were married at Abington Meeting the 25th of Eleventh Month, 1772. They settled and lived on the old homestead farm, on the Limekiln road, in Cheltenham, where was raised a family of three brothers Joseph, John J. and Anthony and one sister, Alice, who died a young woman, unmarried. Joseph, the oldest, was born the 2d of Seventh Month, 1777; married Ann Hallowell, daughter of John and Martha Hallowell, the 15th of Fifth Month, 1800, at Abington. About this time they removed to a farm in Whitemarsh Township, where six children were born to them Charles (first), died young Alice Anthony Martha Charles (second) Ann. Martha and Ann lived to be young women, but died unmarried and the parents resided here until the other children had grown to mature years, when they removed to Philadelphia. Joseph Williams, an exemplary Friend, was many respects a remarkable man, being gifted with great force of will and nerve-power, which qualified him for an active, energetic and successful business life. Kind and generous, he was ever ready to assist a worthy neighbor or friend in a substantial way, and many families now living in Montgomery County owe their present prosperous condition, in a great measure, to the propitious help given their ancestors at a critical time, when overshadowed with a cloud of adversity. As he in time became aged and infirm, it was considered expedient that he should return to the farm, that his son Charles could minister to his personal comforts, where he died 19th of Third Month, 1863, in his eight-seventh year. He was interred at Friends' burying-ground in Plymouth. Anthony Williams, the youngest son of Anthony and Rachel Williams was born in 1785, and married Elizabeth daughter of George Craft, 10th of Tenth Month, 1811. She was a consistent and devoted wife. Thomas Williams education was limited. The schools in the neighborhood, through the force of circumstances did not maintain a very high standard, and much of his time was occupied with duties on the farm, the winter being devoted to study. Later, however, for about two years, he became a pupil of a boarding-school and made satisfactory progress, especially at Hallowell's, in Alexandria, D. C. He has served as school director for twelve consecutive years in his district, and held many positions of public and private trust, all of which have been filled with fidelity to the interests of all concerned. 811 an affectionate and Christian mother and a useful and obliging neighbor and friend. May her good example be emulated by the present and future generations Anthony and his wife resided on a farm adjoining the old homestead east of Limekiln road and lived to the ripe old age of fourscore years and upward. John J. Williams, the second son of Anthony Williams Jr., and Rachel his wife, was born the 7th of First Month, 1783 and married Lydia Knight born 13th of Twelfth Month, 1799 daughter of Jonathan and Mary Cleaver Knight in the autumn of 1823. PICTURE OF JOHN J. WILLIAMS, APPEARS HERE. John J. Williams as a consequence of his marriage to Lydia Knight, who was not in membership with the Society of Friends, and therefore not in accordance with the exacting discipline of the society in use in those times, was formally dealt with as was the custom, by the meeting. He was urged by many Friends to make the required acknowledgment, which he considered unreasonable. Seeing the dissensions already operating in the society at this time, which, if not corrected, must inevitably lead to a dissolution of the entire membership, he concluded to relinquish his rights as a member, whereby he was released from the grave responsibility of the church, and by so doing not be compelled to compromise the feelings of his wife. He still, however, entertained a strong affection for the society, which had endeared itself to him by long association, his ancestry from the time of William Penn having affiliated with the Friends, and he, with his entire family continued to attend the meeting on the First-day of the week. They resided on the old farm from the date of their marriage until the spring of 1850, when as their son Thomas was about to marry, and as some of the family had a desire to remove to the city the father reluctantly gave up the management of the property to his son and moved his family to Philadelphia. He still manifested a lively interest in the affairs of the old neighborhood, to which he was much attached and among other duties served as director of Cheltenham school district one year after he and his family had removed to the city, a position he held from the time of its adoption in 1838. Although not a politician he was a great admirer Henry Clay and Daniel Webster, and was always identified with the old Whig party. He took great delight in encouraging enterprising persons venturing into business without sufficient capital and would aid them in many ways, lending them money even to stinting himself and indorsing there paper to such in extent as to alarm his family and friends. When remonstrated with by some of his best and most conservative friends, he would reply that he was "trying to make a man of such and such a person." In his efforts to assist others he, in several instances, lost very heavily and on one occasion was so reduced financially by indorsing paper as to be in imminent peril. His friends advised him to make an assignment, but his manly and indomitable spirit scorned the suggestion, and he replied that if he had any friends to stand by him so that he could retain the old farm he would eventually pay all his obligations and recuperate his fortune. He found in this crisis true friend in his brother, Joseph, who having like himself a large heart and ample means together with the aid he received from his father-in-law Jonathan Knight, President of the old Northern Liberty Bank at that time, he was able to bridge over the financial chasm which threatened to engulf him. The old homestead, which had been in the family since 1716, was thus saved from the hands of the sheriff. This period of tribulation was about 1833 and 1835, and John J. Williams blessed with an excellent wife, through economical management and persevering industry, was able to acquire a competency in his latter years at the same time maintaining the social duties of a good citizen and performing many acts of neighborly kindness. He trained up his children to habits of industry and instilled in their minds correct views of their moral responsibility, which he and his wife considered more important than any material inheritance which they could bequeath to their family. He died in Philadelphia 23d of Eleventh Month, 1851 and was buried at Abington. His wife's death occurred 20th of Fifth Month, 1864. She was buried beside him. John J. and Lydia Williams had four children, - one daughter and three sons, all born and reared on he old homestead. Mary K. whose birth occurred 17th Sixth Month, 1824 is now living in Germantown unmarried Thomas born 20th of Eleventh Month, 1826 resides at the old place Jonathan K. born 25th Fifth Month, 1828 removed to Delaware on a farm near Middletown; a short time previous to his father's death, and still resides in that state, owning one thousand acres of good land, which he cultivates (he married Fannie daughter of Jacob and Margaret Shallcross) John Jay was born 17th of Second Month, 1838 being a young man at the time of the late Rebellion. He enlisted in the One Hundred and Nineteenth Pennsylvania Volunteers; was very seriously wounded in the battle of the Wilderness Fifth Month, 1864, which disabled him for several weeks. He was afterwards dangerously wounded at Appomattox Court-House 8th of Fourth Month, 1865, the evening previous to General Lee's surrender by a minie-ball passing entirely through his loins. It seemed impossible at the time that he could survive the terrible hurt; but with skillful surgery careful and incessant nursing for weeks with a vigorous constitution he was able to rally and finally recovered sufficiently to engage in business. He later purchased a farm in Cecil County, Md., where he still resides as a successful farmer. He married Laura Peach, daughter of John and Eliza Peach. 812 THOMAS WILLIAMS. The paternal genealogy of Thomas Williams' family having been already given in the preceding biography of John J. Williams, it is fitting that something should be said of the ancestry of his mother whose maiden-name was Lydia Knight, daughter of Jonathan Knight, born Eighth Month 6, 1764 who married Mary Cleaver, daughter of Isaac and Ann Cleaver, born Sixth Month 12, 1771. This Mary Knight was one of those women destined to make the right kind of husband entirely contented with his condition. Though the family circle be increased by the addition of many children, still there is peace, plenty and prosperity, abounding where such a wife and mother dwells. Such was the wife of Jonathan Knight, and such was their happy lot. It is said mothers mould the nation and wield an influence for many generations. May it be the pleasure of a kind and merciful Creator that the good seed sown by this Christian mother may fructify and bring forth its good fruits in future generations! It is reasonable that Lydia the mother of Thomas was endowed with many of the gifted qualities which her mother developed. Jonathan Knight, the grandfather of Thomas Williams was descended from two very worthy English families, -Giles and Mary Knight and John and Mary Carver. Both families came to this country with Penn on the ship "Welcome" in 1682. Jonathan was the son of Joshua and Sarah Knight. Joshua and John Knight, his brother, sons of Isaac and grandsons of Joseph Knight, were residents of Abington township during the Revolutionary war. They had strong affiliations with the mother-country and sympathized with the English, for which acts of disloyalty to the colonial government their property, embracing two hundred and forty-one acres in Abington, was confiscated in 1779 and applied to the support of the University of Pennsylvania. Their lives were threatened, which necessitated their leaving the country, taking their families to Nova Scotia with the exception of Jonathan, who was then a boy about fourteen years of age. His father desired to take him also, but his grandfather with whom he lived, was unwilling to part with him. He therefore remained under the protection of his grandfather and a bachelor uncle, then living in the same township to whom the boy became very much attached. He requested his friends when dying "to bury him as near his Uncle Isaac as possible," at Abington burying-ground, which was accordingly done. PICTURE OF THOMAS WILLIAMS, APPEARS HERE. The birth of Thomas Williams occurred in Cheltenham township, Montgomery Co., Pa. It was his fortune to be born in moderate circumstances. Although it seemed to impose on him a burden of hardships and trials it aroused a spirit of persevering industry which built up the physical condition of the man, while it tended to establish correct views of his general moral responsibility in all business and social intercourse. Thomas Williams Fifth Month 1, 1850, married Elizabeth A. Comly, daughter of A. Lukens and Margaret Comly and granddaughter on the paternal side of Nathan and Elizabeth Comly. Her maternal grandfather was _____ Hallowell, both old and well- known families of Montgomery County. Thomas Williams and his wife had five children, two sons and three daughters as follows: Comly Sr., born Seventh Month 10, 1852, who died in youth Mary K., born First Month 4, 1854, who died young Comly Jr., born Eighth Month 28, 1856, married, Second Month 2, 1882, to Ellen H. Walker, daughter of Thomas M. Walker Mary K., born Eleventh Month 23, 1857, and married to Dr. William C. Powell Maggie, born 1860, who died when three years of age Elizabeth, the mother, died Twelfth Month 10, 1865. She and all the deceased children are interred at Abington. Thomas Williams married a second time First Month 26 1871 Susanna D. Nice born Twelfth Month 2, 1838, daughter of William and Mary Nice. William Nice is a descendent of Anthony Nice who came to this country from Wales about 1700 and settled in Nicetown, then called De Neustown. John Nice, the father of William, married Sarah Harper, the great-great-granddaughter of Thomas Roberts, who came to this country with Penn on the "Canterberry" arriving December 24, 1699, and took up about six hundred acres of land at York road and Fisher's Lane. Mary, the wife of William Nice, was the daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Haslam, who came with their family from Bolton, Lancashire, England, in 1824, the former having been a manufacturer in Philadelphia. Susanna had six brothers,- George Robert Edward Theodore Thomas William. George lost his life by an accident when a child. Edward enlisted in the One Hundred and Nineteenth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and died from a wound received in the memorable battle of the Wilderness May, 1864. Susanna has also a half sister living, now the wife of Joel Price. Thomas Williams and wife and their five children, - John Thomas Edith Robert N. Elizabeth and Lydia are now living on the paternal "homestead farm," on Limekiln pike, in Cheltenham township. This property has been in the possession of the family for several generations, one deed from Conrad Conrad to John Williams for one hundred and thirty-three acres being dated 16th of Twelfth Month, (called February) 1716-17; consideration one hundred and fifty pounds, lawful silver money of America. This deed is written and witnessed by Francis Daniel Pastorious. Another deed is from William Howell's heirs to John Williams for ninety- three acres, and dated 16th day of June, 1724; consideration money, eighty- five pounds showing that land was low in price at that time in Cheltenham. This was at the period when John Williams, with his family, came from Merion Township to reside in Cheltenham. Thomas Williams education was limited. The schools in the neighborhood, through the force of circumstances, did not maintain a very high standard, and much of his time was occupied with duties on the farm, the winter only being devoted to study. Later, however, for about two years, He became a pupil of a boarding-school and. made satisfactory progress, especially at Hallowell's, in Alexandria, D. C. He has served as school director for twelve consecutive years in his district, and held many positions of public and private trust, all of which have been filled with fidelity to the interests of all concerned. 813 DAVID HEIST. Henry Heist, the great grandfather of the subject of this sketch, with his wife, Catharine, came from Germany to the United States a boat the year 1753. Three children accompanied them, one of whom died on the passage and was buried on landing. Mr. Heist, soon after his arrival, settled in Goshenhoppen, Montgomery County. His son George was born August 3, 1754, at Goshenhoppen, Upper Hanover township and died September 11, 1809, in his fifty-sixth year. Among his thirteen children was George Heist, father of David Heist, whose birth occurred December 29, 1781, in Upper Hanover, on the homestead farm, from whence he removed to Salsburg, in Northampton County and later to Flourtown, in Montgomery County. He was united in marriage to Catharine Cope, of Hilltown township, on the 25th of March, 1806, and had sons,- Charles Joseph David, and daughters,- Mary Ann Catharine Elizabeth Lavinia Julia Ann. Mary Ann, became Mrs. Henry Stout Catherine, Mrs. Benjamin Fisher Elizabeth, Mrs. Arnold Green Lavinia, Mrs. William Coffman Julia Ann, Mrs. William Conover. The death of George Heist occurred May 20, 1855. David Heist, his son was born January 17, 1810 in Salsburg, Northampton Co., and at the age of eighteen became a resident of Cheltenham township, where he at once engaged in the employment of a farmer, his opportunities for acquiring a thorough or even a rudimentary education having been exceedingly limited. He was married to Dorothea L. Ottinger, of Springfield township, and had children, - George D., married to Eleanor, daughter of Jesse and Ann Gilbert, who has five children; Henrietta (Mrs. Daniel H. Wentz) Anna Cecilia (Mrs. Albert D. Wentz). PICTURE OF DAVID HEIST, APPEARS HERE. Mr. Heist was a second time married to Margaret Lenhart, of Cheltenham, whose only child was Lizzie F. (deceased), wife of H. P. Appleman, of Bethlehem. Mr. Heist for twelve years after his first marriage leased a farm in Cheltenham township, and subsequently purchased property near Abington Station, to which he removed in the spring of 1847 and continued to reside upon until his death, when it became by inheritance the estate of his son George D. He received little aid in his early efforts, and by his own force and strength of character achieved a position of independence and marked influence in the community where be resided. He was for many years a director of the Limekiln Turnpike Company and active in promoting the business industries of the township. In politics he was a Democrat, but rarely participated in the active strifes of party or sought the honors of office. Mr. Heist was a man of strong religious impulses and on active member, first, of the Lutheran Church of Germantown, and, later, of the church at Whitemarsh. His benevolent instincts led him to remember the latter church by a bequest, as also the Lutheran Church at Chestnut Hill. The death of Mr. Heist occurred on the 13th of June, 1881, in his seventy-second year. GEORGE BRANIN. Among the representative farmers of Montgomery County who have made agriculture a study and a success we find the name of George Branin. The first of his ancestors of whom anything definite is known was Francis Branin, who was born in Ireland about the year 1683, and emigrated to America some time previous to the birth of his son Michael, who was born September 9, 1708. On the 24th day of November, 1730, Michael Branin was joined in marriage to Elizabeth Norcross, daughter of John and Mary (Antrim) Norcross. Their son, William, was born December 15, 1749, and married, in 1778, Abigail, daughter of Abner Rodgers. William Branin died February 14, 1813. His son, Abijah, was born in the State of New Jersey May 9, 1783. On the 18th day of October, 1804, he married Mary Houston, daughter of John Houston, of Burlington County, State above named. Their children were John Elizabeth Mark William Almira Richard. PICTURE OF GEORGE BRANIN, APPEARS HERE. He learned the trade of a blacksmith, which occupation he pursued until about the year 1821, when he removed with his family to Philadelphia County, and engaged in agricultural pursuits. Afterwards he purchased a farm in the township of Abington, Montgomery Co. Pa., upon which he resided up to the time of his death, which occurred August 18, 1855. John, the first of the family, was born in New Jersey on the 16th day of December, 1806, and with his parents came to Philadelphia County, and ultimately became a farmer. He married Ann, daughter of Samuel Jones, of Hatfield township, Montgomery Co., who married Hannah Clayton, a daughter of Richard and Margaret Clayton, whose maiden name was Margaret Kenderdine, of Horsham township, in the last named county. Their surviving children were Ann and Ruth. After his marriage John Branin lived on the farm of his father-in-law, Samuel Jones, which had been in his possession since 1797. On this farm John Branin died October 4, 1866. His wife died December 13, 1884. 814 Their only child, George was born on the above named farm December 30, 1833. After a period spent at the neighboring school he completed his studies at Treemont Seminary, in Norristown, then under the charge of the late Rev. Samuel Aaron. On his return from school, Mr. Branin gave his entire attention to the cultivation of the farm, and on the death of his father assumed the management of the property, and still continues in that relation. On the 26th day of February, 1863, he was joined in marriage to Miss Ann Elizabeth, daughter of John Branin (who married Abigail Ann Jones), of Burlington County, N. J. Here a very singular circumstance occurred. Their fathers, being of the same name and somewhat distantly related but unknown to each other, were both married the same day, month and year to women of almost identical names, each of whose father's name was Samuel Jones, but of no relationship or knowledge of each other. The surviving children of Mr. and Mrs. Branin are a son, John W., and a daughter, Ruth Ann. Another daughter, Marietta, died in infancy. Mr. Branin's political sympathies are with the Republican party, of which he is a stanch adherent, though he has never entered the arena of politics nor been diverted from the routine of duties incident to the life of a farmer. He was educated in the faith of the Society of Friends, and attends the Abington Friends' Meeting. JOHN M. FENTON. Eleazar Fenton emigrated from England to America in or prior to the year 1680, and settled in Burlington County, West Jersey. Of his family, Ephraim Fenton, his son, moved into Buckingham township, Bucks Co., Pa., and took up five hundred and forty acres of land previous to or in the year 1710. He died in 1748, leaving three sons Eleazar Josiah Samuel, whose death occurred in 1796, was the great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch. His son Ephraim married, in 1782, Mary Thomas, of Milestown, Philadelphia Co., (a relative of the painter, Benjamin West), and settled in Cheltenham township, Montgomery Co., where he died in 1826. The eldest of his eight children was Samuel, who married Mary Mann, of Upper Dublin township, Montgomery Co., and had one daughter, Harriet, married to Andrew Long, of Hartsville, Bucks Co., and a son, John M. Fenton. Samuel Fenton was actively engaged in farming pursuits, until his death, in 1862, at his home in Cheltenham. His son, John M. Fenton, was born on the 18th of May, 1810, on the homestead, which is now his residence. In 1843 he married Elizabeth W. Kennedy, of Abington township, whose three children are Samuel W. (deceased), Franklin K., and Hattie L. Mr. Fenton was elected treasurer of Montgomery County for the years 1856 and 1857. He has filled nearly all the offices in Cheltenham township, being in official position continuously for forty years, ten years of which he was a justice of the peace. In politics he has always voted with the Democrats. He has been for many years a member of Abington Presbyterian Church; for thirty-six years a trustee and for seventeen years its treasurer. He has been president of the Limekiln Turnpike Company for twelve years, and is at present a director of the Jenkintown National Bank. Mr. Fenton has also acted as executor, administrator, trustee and assignee in the settlement of estates, beside being appointed guardian and having charge of several large trust funds. PICTURE OF JOHN M. FENTON, APPEARS HERE. ALBERT J. ENGLE. Albert J. Engle, one of the most prominent business men of Shoemakertown, Cheltenham township, Montgomery Co., Pa., was born on his father's farm in what was then Bristol township, Philadelphia Co. (now merged in the city), January 2, 1826, where he made his home until he was twenty-four years of age, learning, in the mean time the honorable trade of stone-mason. He was married, in 1849, to Miss Annetta, daughter of Joseph and Mary Megargee, of Cheltenham township, and in 1850 moved to Shoemakertown and engaged in the mercantile business in the old store that had for many years been occupied as a storehouse by Richard Shoemaker. After doing business in the limited quarters of the old Shoemaker store for a few years he purchased the old Tyson property, on which he built his present large and commodious store, which he has well-stocked with a large and well-selected variety of goods suited to the wants of the community around him. He also remodeled the old Tyson mansion, making the comfortable, convenient and sightly residence he now occupies. He has been prominently identified with all the progressive movements in and around the village of Shoemakertown. Although having held several elective political offices, he enjoyed the higher privilege of a seat in the council of the leaders of the party with which he affiliates and whose candidates he supports. His townsmen have honored him with a seat in the board of school directors of the township, which he still occupies with honor to himself and profit to the educational interests of Cheltenham. In 1858 he was appointed postmaster at Shoemakertown, which office be has held continuously to the present time (1885). Twenty-seven years continuous service in one official position is the lot of but few, and is the best evidence of Mr. Engle's fitness for the responsible position he now holds. Mr. Engle is the father of children as follows,- Anna born April 24, 1850 (married to William H. Parker, of Philadelphia and is the mother of two son and two daughters) Mary E. born June 20, 1852 Albert J. Jr., born January 4, 1854 William Megargee, born December 17, 1857, and died when about two years of age Annetta R., born May 2, 1860 Frank, born December 15, 1861 Irwin J., born January 11, 1864 Olive May, born June 27, 1866, and died when two and a half years of age. Mr. Engle's parents, Jacob and Elizabeth Engle, were aged and prominent residents of Bristol township, and lived near Cheltenham township line, on the farm that had been in the Engle family for three generations. 815 The parents of Mrs. Engle, Joseph and Mary Megargee, were residents of Cheltenham township for over half a century, and owned the property on the North Penn Branch of the Reading Railroad, at what is known as City Line Station. PICTURE OF A. J. ENGLE, APPEARS HERE. Mrs. SARAH T. BETTS. Mrs. Sarah T. Betts was a lineal descendant of William Thompson, who came to Cheltenham township in the early part of the last century and purchased one hundred acres of land out of the old Ashmead tract of two hundred acres. This one hundred acres lay on the north side of what is known as the Church road, and on the southeast side of what is now known as the Cedar road. The Church road was so named from the fact of its being traveled for a number of years by the late George Keith, then a celebrated minister of the Society of Friends, who preached at Oxford and at Whitemarsh. His oft- repeated journeys over this then crooked path gave it the name of Church road, which it has since retained. Cedar road was so named from the fact of there being a row of cedar trees on either side of the road for a long distance. It was in the angle of these two roads, and nearly a mile from what is now Shoemakertown, that Mr. Thompson located his one hundred acres, then considered a wilderness, but now one of the most pleasantly located and valuable farms in the township. William Thompson had also another lot of land lying along Tacony Creek, upon which he resided for many years, and upon which he died. Catharine, wife of William Thompson, died the 15th of the Sixth Month, 1786, aged about seventy-four years. Their children were Jessie, born the 26th of the Eighth Month, 1745, and died, unmarried, the 22d of the Seventh Month, 1778. 816 John Thomson (for so his name was written, he having dropped the letter "p") was born the 22d of the Twelfth Mouth, 1750; married Abigail, daughter of Thomas and Letitia Roberts, of Trumbauerville, Bucks Co., Pa., and died the 28th of the Ninth Month, 1838. His wife, Abigail, was born on the 28th of the Seventh Month, 1751, and died the 12th of the Tenth Month, 1802. John, having outlived his father and brother, inherited the one hundred and the forty-acre tract of land. Thomas, son of John and Abigail Roberts Thomson, was born the 30th of the Ninth Month, 1775, and died the 26th of the Twelfth Month, 1825. Thomas inherited the one hundred and forty acres owned by his father, John. The children of Thomas Thomson were as follows: Ann, born the 19th of Third Month, 1800; married Jacob E. Jarrett, of Horsham township. Mrs. Jarrett is still living. Hannah, born the 27th of Eight Month, 1802 ; married John Roberts, of Byberry, and died the 14th of Sixth Mouth, 1872. Kitty, born 15th of Eleventh Month, 1804; married Richard Roberts, and died 21st of Ninth Month, 1880. Sarah, the subject of this sketch. PICTURE OF SARAH T. BETTS, APPEARS HERE. John, born the 1st of Tenth Month, 1810, and is still living. He inherited the one hundred and forty acres, owned by his great grand-father William Thompson, and is still the owner of the one hundred acre tract, having sold the forty acre lot. Abigail, born 28th of Fifth Month, 1812; married John Wileman, of Langhorne, Bucks Co., Pa., and died the 23d of Second Month, 1868. Elizabeth, born 20th of Sixth Mouth, 1816, and died the 21st of Second Month, 1817. John, above mentioned, married 8th of Third Month, 1828, Caroline, daughter of Amos Jones, who was the son of Amos Jones, of Cheltenham township. Caroline was born the 24th of Tenth Month, 1814, and died the 14th of First Month, 1877. Their children are as follows: Charles, born 23d of Fifth Month, 1839; died 22d of Sixth Month, 1848. Alice J., born 31st of Tenth Month, 1840; married Benjamin F. Penrose, of Quakertown, and now resides in Cheltenham township, on the farm adjoining the old William Thompson and the Ashmead tracts. Thomas Thomson, born 28th of Second Month, 1842; married Miss Eyre, of Bucks County, and now occupies the old Thompson one hundred acre farm, and is the fifth generation of the Thomson family that has continuously occupied the old farm. 817 Samuel J., born 30th of First Month, 1844, died 13th of Twelfth Month, 1882. Jane, born 1st of Ninth Month, 1845. Margaret T., born 6th of First Month, 1848; married Henry W. Hallowell, of Moreland township. John, born 1st of Tenth Month, 1849, died 19th of Third Month, 1851. William and George, (twins), died in infancy. John, Jr., born 16th of Seventh Month, 1853, died 17th of Fifth Month, 1874. William P., born 24th of Second Month, 1855. J. Dawson, born 1st of Second Month, 1858. Sarah Thomson, the fourth daughter and fourth child of Thomas Thomson, was born the 8th of the Eighth Month, 1807, and married for her first husband Anthony Williams. The result of this union was four sons Charles Williams Edward H. Williams Joseph Williams Anthony Williams. After the death of Mr. Williams she married Jesse Shoemaker, by whom she had one daughter, Sarah Shoemaker, who married Alvin Haines, and now resides on the Williams-Shoemaker-Betts homestead, Cheltenham township. Mr. Shoemaker died, and Sarah Thomson, his widow, married Cyrus Betts, of Solebury, Pa. Mr. Betts died, leaving only Mrs. Betts, whose portrait is herewith presented. Mrs. Betts has been well and favorably known for the last forty years as a faithful and devoted minister of the Society of Friends. She was all her life, with the exception of a few years residence in Bucks County, a member of Abington Monthly Meeting, and for the last forty years her residence was in Cheltenham township, where she was highly respected for her kindness and love towards all with whom she associated. She died Third Month 8, 1885, in the seventy-eighth year of her age, leaving behind her a host of friends who revered her, and who had been the better for her life and precepts. PICTURE OF JOHN LENHART, APPEARS HERE. JOHN F. LENHART. George Lenhardt, who was born on the 8th of March, 1754, emigrated from Germany to America, when seventeen years of age, in company with his brother Peter, their parents, with whom they sailed, having died and been buried at sea. 818 The boys were sold for their passage, George serving three years and nine months with Jonathan Tyson. At the expiration of this period of service he settled in Upper Dublin Township, Montgomery Co., and engaged in lime- burning, as also in the purchase and sale of real estate. He was connected by membership with the Reformed Church of Germantown, in which he was an exemplary and active worker. Mr. Lenhart married Catherine Hoffman, who died on the 31st of January, 1783. Their children were John George Jonathan and one who died in early life He was a second time married to Christiana Kohler, whose children are Mary Henry Joseph Sarah Christiana Margaret. Joseph was born on the 30th of January 1788 in Upper Dublin township and in the year 1801 removed to the farm in Cheltenham township now owned by the subject of this sketch. He married Elizabeth, daughter of John Funk, whose children are John F. Margaret (Mrs. David Heist) Catherine (Mrs. Isaiah Campbell, deceased). The death of Mr. Lenhart occurred on the 7th of January 1845. His son, John F. Lenhart, was born November 25, 1821 on the homestead where he had been industriously employed as a farmer during his lifetime having in youth been made familiar with the labor of the farm. On the death of his father, in 1845, he inherited a portion and purchased the remainder of the estate, the land of which he has since cultivated and greatly improved. He has paid much attention to horticulture, and won a reputation as a propagator of fine varieties of fruit, though also successful in other departments of agriculture. Mr. Lenhart was married, November 13, 1851, to Ruth, daughter of Joseph Addis, of Moreland Township. Their children are Amy (deceased) Margaret (Mrs. John D. Stout Joseph (deceased) Eliza (Mrs. Franklin P. Bryan) John and an infant (deceased). Mr. Lenhart is a director of the Limekiln Turnpike Company, fills the same office in connection with the Willow Grove and Germantown Turnpike Company, and is one of the directors of the Keystone Stone Quarry Company, of which he is a charter member. He is a Democrat in politics, though not especially interested in questions of a political character. His religion is a Presbyterian his membership being with the Market Square Presbyterian Church, of Germantown. PICTURE OF THOS. C. YEAKLE, APPEARS HERE. THOMAS C. YEAKLE. Mr. Yeakle is a lineal descendant of Christopher Yeakle (Jaeckel), whose widow, Regina, came to America settled in Pennsylvania in 1734, his ancestry having been elsewhere mentioned. 819 He is the grandson of Jacob and Gertrude Urffer Yeakle, the son of Joseph and Mary Huston Yeakle. The children of the latter marriage are John H., born August 12, 1853, who died March 7, 1854; Thomas C., whose birth occurred January 19, 1855, in Springfield Township, where the years of his youth, was spent. He became a pupil of the public school near his home, and afterwards enjoyed superior advantages at Treemount Seminary, Norristown. On completing his studies he returned to the farm and became interested in its varied occupations, but later removed to Flourtown and engaged in mercantile pursuits. In 1877, preferring the healthful employment of the agriculturist to a sedentary life, he purchased the valuable property in Cheltenham township now owned by him, and has since been numbered among the successful farmers of the township. Mr. Yeakle was married, on the 7th of February 1878, to Emma C., daughter of Joseph Stahlnecker, of Flourtown, whose children are Lizzie Mary Emma. He was again married in November 1882, to Emma, daughter of Jessie McCombs, of Montgomery County. Their only child is a son, Thomas C., Jr. Mr. Yeakle is in politics a Republican, though not ambitious for the honors of office. He is a supporter of the Presbyterian Church of Flourtown. His daily routine of duties in connection with his own business leave little leisure for participation in enterprises of a public character. PICTURE OF S. M. WILSON, APPEARS HERE. SAMUEL M. WILSON. Frederick L. Wilson, the grandfather of Samuel L., was by birth a Norwegian, and captain of a vessel wrecked off the coast of Ireland. By his marriage to a lady of Irish lineage he had one son, William, whose residence was in the immediate vicinity of Londonderry, in the north of Ireland, where he filled the office of land steward, and was also an industrious farmer. He married Elizabeth, daughter of William Mackey, of Londonderry, whose children were Robert, Samuel M., William, Elizabeth, James, Joanna Mary and John. The death of Mr. Wilson occurred in 1854, in County Donegal, Ireland. His son, Samuel M., was born on the 12th of January, 1840, near Londonderry, in the latter county where the first eighteen years of his life were spent, a portion of this time being devoted to acquiring a modest education and assisting in the labor of the farm. Being impressed with the superior advantages offered the workingman in America, he decided to emigrate, and in 1858 sailed alone for Philadelphia. He readily found employment on a farm n Bucks County, and served for eighteen months in that capacity, when Montgomery County became his home. 820 For six years his industry brought a comfortable support, principally as a farm laborer, after which, in 1866, he rented a farm, and for six years cultivated it successfully. During the four succeeding years Mr. Wilson was engaged in the grocery business in Philadelphia, after which he removed to Edge Hill and became proprietor of a country store, holding also the commission as postmaster of the place. Having previously invested capital in mining enterprises, he determined to devote his exclusive attention to the mining of hematite ore. In this industry he is still engaged, his energy and business tact making him one of the important factors in the development of the ore-beds of the county. Mr. Wilson was, on the 28th of November 1862, married to Margaret, daughter of Robert Bustard, of the same county. Their children are Anna Mary Ellen D. Margaret Samuel M. George Jane Maria William Lizzie. Mr. Wilson's political sympathies are with the Republican Party, although he is rarely active in the field of politics. He accepts the creed of the Baptist faith, and is a member of the church of that denomination in Jenkintown. PICTURE OF G. K. HELLER, APPEARS HERE. GEORGE K. HELLER. Mr. Heller is of German descent, his grandfather, Christopher Heller, having emigrated from Germany to America, and settled in Northampton County, where he founded the hamlet of Hellertown. Here he engaged in farming. Among his children was Daniel, born in or near Hellertown, who afterwards became a farmer in Bucks County. He married Margaret, daughter of Henry Scheetz, Esq., of Whitemarsh Township, Montgomery Co., whose children were Catharine (Mrs. Jacob Wentz) Elizabeth, Sarah (Mrs. Samuel Nice) Ann (Mrs. George McCleland), George K. Mary (Mrs. John M. Jones) Margaret (Mrs. Robert H. Hinckley) Hannah (Mrs. Samuel Nice). George K. Heller was born March 14, 1803, in Springfield Township, Montgomery Co.; to which township his father removed from Bucks County. The common school afforded at this early date the only opportunities for education. These, however, were improved by him, after which, for eleven years, he engaged in teaching in Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties, respectively. Desiring a less sedentary life than that of a teacher, he purchased a farm in Cheltenham township, which for twenty-two years he cultivated, and at the expiration of that time having abandoned active labor, he sold his farm and retired to his present residence, in the village of Cheltenham, in the same township. 821 Mr. Heller was married on the 10th of March, 1829, to Sarah, daughter of John Nice, of Philadelphia County. Their children are Charles, of Philadelphia Margaret H. (Mrs. Dilworth Wentz), of Cheltenham Elizabeth (Mrs. Dr. H. B. Buck), of Springfield, Ill George N., of Philadelphia. Mr. Heller formerly affiliated with the Democratic Party, but later became a Republican. He has been identified in various relations with the township, having for a period of thirty-three years filled the office of school director of Cheltenham and been one of the first agitators of the public school system in the township. He was also director of the Independent Mutual Fire Insurance Company. Mr. Heller's known ability and integrity have caused his services to be much in demand as guardian and trustee, more than forty estates having been settled by him or through his aid. For forty-six years It has been it member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and for more than forty years recording steward of the same church. THOMAS T. MATHER. The subject of this biographical sketch, Thomas T. Mather, traces his lineage through a line of worthy ancestors, who espoused the belief of the Society of Friends. His is father was Jonathan Mather, who married Elizabeth Tyson, of Edge Hill, Montgomery Co., and had children,- Sarah (Mrs. Newlin Schofield) Mary Ann Thomas T. Hannah M. (Mrs. William Stapler) Eleanor. Thomas T. was born on the homestead, in Cheltenham, where his father was a successful farmer on the 7th of February 1814. This property, which is now occupied by his widow subsequently became his by inheritance and purchase, and was the scene of his lifetime labors. His education was superior to that obtained by most of the youth of the vicinity, schools in Montgomery County and also in Wilmington, Del., affording him the advantages of a thorough scholastic training. His mathematical mind here found an ample field for development, and enabled him to take high rank in the science in which he was proficient. Not desiring to follow a professional career, he returned to the home of his parents, and devoted his attention to the employments of a farmer. He was well versed in the science of horticulture and skillful in the propagation of choice varieties of fruit, the nature and growth on which he thoroughly understood. Mr. Mather, while gratifying his taste in this direction, was also it successful farmer, and thoroughly practical in all his business undertakings. He was married, on the 3d of December, 1856; to Rachel G., daughter of William and Susan G. Nicholson, of Philadelphia. Their children are Jonathan Elizabeth (Mrs. I. W. Linton) Susan N. Sarah Eleanor William N. Rachel, Jr. Thomas T., Jr William N., (second). Mr. Mather, though diligent in matters pertaining to his private business interests, exhibited much public spirit and a laudable zeal in all measures tending to the welfare of the county of his residence. He was a director of the Jenkintown National Bank, a director in the Germantown National Bank, and held the same official connection with the Limekiln Turnpike Company. His acknowledged ability and probity led him frequently to be suggested for positions of trust, notable among which was that of treasurer of the Chelton Hills Mutual Improvement Association. Mr. Mather was in politics, a Republican, and courageous in the defense of any principle of the party, while indifferent to the official positions which are the rewards of party service. He was an earnest advocate of the Free-Soil doctrine, and cast the earliest vote in the township in its favor when that question was first agitated. He was educated in the belief of the Society of Friends, and never departed from the faith, having been a member of the Abington Monthly Meeting at the time of his death, which occurred on the 21st of June, 1877. Mr. Mather was a man of marked influence in the community, not less for his judgment and executive ability than for the elevated sentiments, which actuated his whole life. CHARLES B. WRIGHT. Charles B. Wright, who has been for the past twenty years a resident of Cheltenham township, was born January 8, 1822, in Wysox Valley, Bradford Co., Pa., to which place his parents had emigrated from New London, Conn., in 1814. His father, Rufus Wright, who was a currier by trade, had (with it number of other Connecticut people) intended to settle in the Wyoming Valley, but was afterwards induced to locate at Wysox, where he established the first tannery that was put in operation in the valley of the Upper Susquehanna. In that business he continued with success until the year 1830, when he removed to Tioga Point, or (as better known in later years) Athens, Pa., where he was connected with the business of the toll-bridge across the North Branch of the Susquehanna River. Five years later, when Charles was thirteen years of age, his father removed to a farm located about five miles from the river, on the uplands in Smithfield, Bradford Co. Until that time Charles had been kept, at the Athens Academy, but after his removal with the family to the farm he only enjoyed the advantages of the winter terms of the common school for the completion of his education. He had sisters older and younger than himself and an elder brother, who was engaged in business in the West. On him, therefore, his father principally relied for assistance on the farm, and he was constantly employed in the work required upon it, except during the winter season. The farm was well adapted for the purpose of stock-raising, and this business his father made a specialty, having a large number of cattle, sheep and horses. 822 Charles became in expert rider, and made frequent trips on horseback to the village, two miles from the farm, to market the butter, eggs and other produce, and to purchase the store goods necessary for the use of the family, -sometimes including ammunition for his shot-gun. On these trips the young farmer usually rode a fleet horse, of which there were always several in his father's pasture, and he seldom returned home without having had a race with some of the boys or men of the surrounding county, who could always depend on his being ready to engage in that kind of amusement. In the spring of 1837, on one occasion, when young Wright was engaged in trading his butter and eggs at the village store, he was particularly noticed by a gentleman who was visiting there from the eastern part of the county, and who, after the his departure, made inquiries of the merchant concerning him, receiving very favorable replies. On the following day he visited the Wright homestead, and, in the absence of the boy and his father, informed Mrs. Wright that he was the proprietor of a trading-post, or store of general merchandise, at Le Raysville on the border of Susquehanna County; that he had seen her son, and being very favorably impressed by his appearance, had come to offer him a position as clerk in his store. This information Mrs. Wright imparted to her husband and son on their return, and by the boy it was received with delight. During the second year of their residence on the farm he had begun to grow restless. The growth of the crops was too slow a process for him; it was taking too long a time for the steers (which his father had given him) to become oxen; in short, the quiet farm-life had begun to be distasteful to him, and be therefore eagerly urged the acceptance of the merchant's proposal. Mr. Wright, however, opposed it, telling his son that he wished him to remain on the farm, and in a few years to assume its management. The mother also opposed the plan, but Charles reasoned with her, begging so earnestly that site finally gave her assent, which also secured that of her husband, though both yielded in the full belief that homesickness would very soon bring their boy back to them, to settle down and be contented with the farmer's life. The next day Charles met the merchant at the village, where the arrangement was made for him to go to Le Raysville in about thirty days. At the end of that time he took the stage (then the only means of conveyance), and after a long day's ride reached the place of his destination, tired, sad and already feeling the pang of homesickness, which, however, was soon dispelled on meeting his employer's wife, a kind and pleasant lady, who had no children, and who received him cordially, assuring him that he was to be one of their family trio. Afterwards, for a little time, symptoms of homesickness returned at intervals, but he resolutely repressed them. He had read the "Life of Benjamin Franklin," and from it he had learned the lesson that only by perseverance in his undertakings could he hope to win success in the world. He kept steadily on, winning the confidence of his employer, who, in 1841, gave him an interest in the business, he being then only nineteen years of age. He continued in the business two years longer but at the age of twenty-one years having become restless and desirous of entering a wider field of enterprise, he decided to leave Le Raysville and travel in the Western States, a part of big plan being to visit his sister, Mrs. William Spaulding, who was then residing in the new town of Janesville, Rock Co., Wis. His purpose having become known to Christopher L. Ward, president of the Bank of Towanda the latter invited him to visit him before his departure. He did so, and while at Towanda Mr. Ward and the other directors of the bank intrusted him with the charge of important landed interests in various parts of Illinois and Wisconsin, and in Chicago, which at that time was a town of only five thousand inhabitants with this trust and the most sanguine hopes the young man started for the West early in May, 1843. At that time such a journey as he proposed to make, was regarded as so serious a matter that on his departure he was bidden good-by by many of his friends, who believed that the farewell was to be a final one. Traveling by stage and canal for eight days he reached Buffalo N. Y., whence he proceeded by way of the Lakes, and was landed at Milwaukee in sixteen days from the time of his leaving Towanda. From Milwaukee to Janesville, sixty miles over mud roads, the conveyance was a mail-wagon, which ran three times a week. After a stay of about two weeks, traveled on horseback to Chicago, a distance of one hundred and thirty mile much of the route being through a region where there were neither settlements nor roads, and where his only guide was his pocket compass. PICTURE OF CHARLES B. WRIGHT, APPEARS HERE. Attending to the business with which he had been entrusted he remained in Chicago two years. At the end of about that time he received intelligence of the death of his father and returned to his old home in the Susquehanna Valley. The estate was soon settled and he again set out for the West, having while in Pennsylvania purchased (on time) the lands of which he had had charge in Chicago and vicinity, and which in consequence of the great western emigration the years 1845-46, appreciated so rapidly in value that he was enabled to dispose of them during those years at a price which, after paying all his indebtedness left him a profit of about ten thousand dollars, which was then a considerable fortune for a young man of twenty- four years. In his travels, backward and forward, between the East and the West, Mr. Wright had repeatedly visited his mother's brother, Dr. Beebe, at Erie, Pa. There he formed the acquaintance of Miss Cordelia Williams, daughter of an old merchant of that place. 823 In August, 1847, they were married, and, in accordance with a condition exacted by the bride's mother, took up their residence in Erie; but in a few months the young wife was prostrated by a violent hemorrhage of the lungs resulting in a lingering but fatal consumption. At Erie Mr. Wright was associated in partnership in mercantile business with his father-in-law, under the firm name of Williams & Wright. This was continued for about three years, after which they opened, at Erie, the first banking-house ever established in Pennsylvania northwest of Pittsburg. It proved successful, and Mr. Wright retained his interest in it for about eight years, though in the meantime engaged in other business enterprises. In 1855 he opened a branch of the Erie bank in Third Street, Philadelphia, and the business was continued under the firm-name of C. B. Wright & Co., Mr. Williams retiring from the concern. In the year 1855, Charles B. Wright was made a director of the Sunbury and Erie (now Philadelphia and Erie) Railroad, representing the entire interest on the road west of the Alleghenies. In February 1857, he sailed for Europe as bearer of dispatches from the United States government to its ministers at London, Paris, Rome, Naples and the Hague, and while engaged in the duties of this mission, and after they were completed, he made an extended tour of six months' duration on the Continent. While at Naples, Italy, he met Miss Sue Townsend, daughter of the late William Townsend, of Sandusky, Ohio. After his return to the United States he was married (in August, 1858) to Miss Townsend, at Sandusky. He then retired from the Erie banking firm, (which been very successful in its business), and devoted most of his time and energies to the construction of the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad, which was completed in 1863, and leased to the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. During this period the discovery of oil had been made in Venango County and Mr. Wright, with a few associates, commenced the construction of the Warren and Franklin Railroad, to run from a point on the Philadelphia and Erie line, near Warren, down the Allegheny River, to Oil City. This enterprise was quickly carried through, and the road was consolidated with the Oil Creek road, under the name of the Oil Creek and Allegheny River Railroad. Mr. Wright took sole charge of the finances of the company, as also of the auditing department, and he had supervision of the other departments. This road yielded an immense revenue for seven years, covering the period of the oil excitement in that region. In February, 1870, Mr. Wright sold the control of the road to the Allegheny River Railroad Company, and on the 2d of March to entered the direction of the Northern Pacific Railroad Company, representing the five million syndicate raised by Jay Cooke & Co. This fund was the first money that went into the construction of the road, the amount being subsequently increased to more than twenty millions. Since the autumn of 1873 perhaps no one connected with the Northern Pacific Railroad has given its affairs closer attention than the subject of this narrative. When the financial crash of that year fell upon the whole country Mr. Wright was acting in the capacity of vice-president. The financial agents had disposed of nearly or quite thirty millions of first mortgage bonds; the company had a floating debt of five million six hundred thousand dollars; there were about six hundred miles of completed road, including one hundred miles on the Pacific coast; some two hundred miles could not pay its running expenses, and, with hungry contractors, the situation was critical. To prevent the creditors from seizing the road by foreclosure, through the United States Courts at St. Paul, Mr. Wright, with his counsel, took prompt action before the United States Court at New York, threw the company into bankruptcy, and immediately asked for a receiver. The president of the road, General George W. Cass, was made receiver, and Mr. Wright was elected president. The fortunes of the enterprise were at their lowest ebb at that time the company had no credit, and was pressed with debts it could not pay. By skillful and conciliatory management Mr. Wright managed to retire the floating debt, trading the assets of the company, of various sorts, with the creditors for its obligation. He operated the road with great economy so that it began to earn a steadily increasing surplus over its expenses. In 1876, to satisfy the people of Washington Territory that the company had not abandoned its original purpose of building a transcontinental line, he ordered work to be at Tacoma, on Puget Sound, and the portion of the Cascade Branch reaching from that town to the Puyallup coal-fields was constructed. It was important to promptly disarm the opposition to the company in Congress and on the Pacific coast, and Mr. Wright purchased the first cargo of iron for the new work on his own credit, the company having none at the time. In 1877, Mr. Wright secured for the Northern Pacific a terminus in St. Paul, an important point which had been overlooked in the charter, by purchasing the franchise of a local Minnesota road, reorganizing the corporation under the name of the Western Railroad Company, securing for the Northern Pacific Company a majority of its capital stock and building a line from Brainerd southward to Sauk Rapids, a distance of sixty miles. He let this work, purchased the rails on his own responsibility, and in less than five months opened the connection between the main line at Brainerd, and St. Paul, a distance of one hundred and thirty-seven miles. In 1878 the credit of the Northern Pacific Company had been restored to such an extent that a plan for resuming construction on the main line west of the Missouri River was adopted, and was and means provided to build two hundred and ten miles to the Yellowstone River. A similar plan was also adopted to construct two hundred miles from the head of navigation on the Columbia River, on the Pacific slope, to Spokane Falls. The whole four hundred and ten miles were at once placed under contract and pushed to completion. 824 In the spring of 1879 the long-continued strain for six continuous years had made such an inroad upon his physical condition that it became necessary for him to retire from his active duties, and, contrary to the wishes of the entire board of directors, Mr. Wright decided to be relieved from the responsibility as president, and on the 24th of May, 1879 addressed the following letter to the board of directors: "GENTLEMEN, -Duty to myself and family compels me to resign my position as President of the Company. A long continued strain upon me, mentally and physically, makes withdrawal for a time from active labor necessary to establish a condition favorable to the success of a critical operation which I am advised to have performed for the restoration of my sight. "In retiring from the Presidency of the Northern Pacific Railroad Company I beg to express my gratitude for the confidence you have bestowed upon me during the entire period since the reorganization, and for the kind, considerate and efficient support you have at all times given to my efforts. "My constant desire has been to see the affairs of the Company established upon such a basis as would, with due regard to prudence and safety, enable the work of construction to be resumed. And now it is highly gratifying to be able to say that the time has arrived when this great enterprise may be vigorously pushed with every prospect of speedy completion. "The finances of the Company are in a healthy condition. No cash liabilities exist, except these recently incurred for materials for construction, and to meet these ample means are provided. "On the 19th of September, 1873 the Company's bills payable and other floating indebtedness amounted to five and a half millions of dollars. Many of these debts were of a peculiarly sacred character, such at wages due for labor, the cost of materials purchased on credit and for construction, money borrowed under circumstances that demanded payment in every principle of good faith. There was also a large amount due on the Pacific coast for wages and materials, which was afterwards increased by reason of the extraordinary efforts made to reach Puget Sound within the time limited by law. "The larger part of these debts and liabilities of the old organization were secured by collaterals, which were more value than the particular debts they severally secured; and so it was for the interest and advantages of the reorganized Company to pay these in order to protect and save the collaterals. I am happy to say that all these debts and liabilities have been settled and wiped out of existence, except that about $40,000 (the payment of which has been postponed one or two years) has been carried to the account of Bills Payable in the new organization. The last matter in litigation growing out of that old indebtedness has been settled by payment of $500. The present financial condition of the company is a subject on which you well may be congratulated. "It is also a pleasure to me to say that my official and personal relations with the officers of the Company have been, without exception, uninterruptedly harmonious; and to each of them I extend my thanks and best wishes. Although I resign the office of President of the Company, my interest in its affairs will never be abated, and its future prosperity and final success will remain objects of my most cherished hopes. "With great respect, I am, "Yours faithfully, "Charles B. Wright, President." In June, 1879, Mr. Wright sailed for Europe where he made a somewhat extended tour for the restoration of his health. On his return home in the autumn of that year, a committee of the directors of the Northern Pacific Railroad Company presented him with a handsomely-bound book containing the following words, beautifully engrossed: "The Directors of the Northern Pacific Railroad Company have listened with great regret to the announcement by their President, Charles B. Wright, of his resignation of that office. While the Board had not been unprepared for this decision on his part, they had hoped that it might not of been found imperatively necessary, but that Mr. Wright might have been able by temporary absence to have obtained the repose needed. "It cannot but be a source of special sorrow to us all that the skillful and prudent pilot who took the helm in the darkest moments of the storm in which our company bid fair at one time to be engulfed, should now, spent by his labors for our enterprise be compelled to quit the control and guidance of the company at the time when he has, by his caution watchfulness and unceasing care, brought us into smooth and clear waters, and when every breeze seems to waft prosperity. "The Board is deeply sensible of the obligation which both this company at ourselves to Mr. Wright. From the moment of reorganization he has labored unceasingly and with absolute unselfishness, for the common good. He has never spared himself, nor has he sought for himself either profit or glory. He has even been satisfied not to receive honor well-merited for his services. If the company has obtained the benefit, he has not cared who reaped the praise. "To have successful brought the company to its present position has been a task which required talent of no common order. To rebuild the fallen edifice of credit, which, when once shaken, is the most difficult of all things to restore; to combine, as he has done, a through and searching economy, with the full maintenance of efficiency; to have preserved friendship where it existed. and to have conciliated almost every hostile element to be encountered, -these are indeed laurels to any administrator. "But the directors are perhaps excusable for dwelling most at this little upon those qualities and characteristics of Mr. Wright which have most strongly come home to themselves. His uniform courtesy, urbanity and kindness; his readiness to listen fully and patiently to every one's view; his total lack of pride of opinion; his just and equal balance of mind, have so especially endeared him to those over whom he has presided for the past years that our personal regrets are as strong as those we feel for the great enterprise we have been laboring for together, and which now, for a season at least, loses the guidance of his firm and gentle control. "FREDERICK BILLINGS, President. "SAM'L WILKESON, Secretary." Mr. Wright still continue an active director in the Northern Pacific enterprise. He is, perhaps, the largest individual owner, and devotes much of his valuable time to its interests. He is also president of life Tacoma Land Company, which owns the Pacific coast terminus of the Northern Pacific road. He takes a warm interest in the growth of Tacoma, and has recently erected in that city a beautiful memorial church as a monument to his deceased wife and daughter, and he has also endowed a school for girls, bearing the name of the Annie Wright Seminary. For the past twenty years Mr. Wright has resided during about even months of each year on one of the Chelton Hills, in Cheltenham township, his railroad station being that of the old York Road, on the North Pennsylvania line. He has at that place fifteen acres of land, worked and cultivated as a miniature model farm. There he has a fine country house and commodious stables, all built of stone and surrounded by spacious grounds, beautifully embellished. His Philadelphia residence is the mansion formerly occupied by William Moorhead, on the southeast corner of Chestnut and Thirty-ninth Streets. 825 ANTHONY WILLIAMS. The direct line of descent from the progenitors of William family in America to Anthony Williams is John (first), Anthony (second), Anthony (third) and Anthony (fourth). John Williams was born in Wales, in 1671, and came to America about the time of William Penn's advent here. His wife, Eleanor, was born in 1670, and died Second Month 21, 1736. John Williams died Sixth Month 13, 1740. His son Anthony was born Sixth Month 11, 1711 and died 1793. His wife, Sarah, was born 1717, and died 1758. His son Anthony was born Sixth Month 11, 1711, and died 1793. His wife, Sarah, was born 1717, and died 1758. Anthony Williams, son of Anthony and Sarah Williams, was born Ninth Month 30, 1743 and died Fourth Month 29, 1805. He married Rachel Jarrett, daughter of John and Alice Jarrett, of Horsham township, Eleventh Month 25, 1772. She died First Month 12, 1818. They were the parents of seven children, all of whom died young excepting Joseph, John and Anthony. Anthony, son of Anthony and Rachel Jarret Williams, was born Third Mouth 2, 1785, in Cheltenham township, and resided during his youth upon the homestead. After very limited advantages of education derived from the country schools near his home, he assisted his father on the farm until abut twenty-one years of age, when he removed to a tract of land adjoining the homestead, purchased by the latter. On this he erected a dwelling which he occupied, and during the remainder of his life followed the pursuits of a farmer. He married Elizabeth, daughter of George Craft and Rebecca, his wife, Tenth Month 10, 1811. They were residents of Upper Dublin Township. Elizabeth (Craft) Williams was born First Month 19, 1793. The children of this marriage are Rachel, born in 1812, who married John Hallowell (their children were Williams Elizabeth Frank; Reuben born in 1814, who died in 1843, having married Elizabeth Tyson, whose children are Lydia George Rebecca Anna; George C., born in 1817, who died in 1884, his wife being Susan Stokes, to whom were born children,- Elizabeth Israel Frank Harriet; Daniel, born in 1820, who died in 1821; Rebecca, born in 1822, who married Israel Hallowell, and has children Mary Anna Henry; Jane, born in 1827, wife of Hallowell Twining, whose children are Fanny Harriet A. Williams Watson (deceased, the last two being twins) Laura, Watson (second) Russell Silas H.; Daniel, the youngest child, was born in 1830, and married Priscilla J., daughter of John and Tabitha Kirk, of Abington they have children Alfred K. Mary K. Edward C. Howard H. Walter John K. PICTURE OF ANTHONY WILLIAMS, APPEARS HERE. Anthony Williams was from the date of marriage until his death, actively interested in the cultivation of his farm, though its management during the later years of his life was transferred to his son, Geo. C. Williams. He was on all occasions public-spirited and earnest in the promotion of the best interests of society and diligent in the prosecution of his business, with little inclination for speculative enterprises. He was in politics a stanch Whig and later a Republican, but did not aspire to official position in either township or county. As a man of undoubted integrity and business capacity, he wielded a commanding influence in the community. Anthony Williams was a birth-right member of the Society of Friends and worshiped with the Abington Monthly Meeting. His death occurred Second Mouth 15, 1868, in his eighty-third year, and that of his wife Third Month 31, 1875. The parents of Elizabeth Craft, wife of the third Anthony Williams, were George Craft, son of Bernard Craft, who was born in 1764 and died Second Month 4, 1798, and Rebecca Tyson, daughter of Joseph Tyson. Rebecca Tyson was born Second Month 14, 1767, and died Fourth Month 10, 1851. George and Rebecca (Tyson) Craft, were married Sixth Month 10, 1790. CHAPTER LIII. DOUGLAS TOWNSHIP. THIS township is situated in the northwestern part of the county, adjoining Upper Hanover, New Hanover and Pottsgrove townships. It also, adjoins Douglas, Colebrookdale and Washington townships of Berks County. The area is fifteen square wiles, or nine thousand six hundred acres. The population, as shown by the census of 1880, was six hundred and seventy- six. The surface is rolling, the soil red shale. The natural or surface drainage is good, and perpetual springs rise in many places, forming the head-waters of streams known as the Swamp, West Branch of Perkiomen and Middle Creeks. There is considerable fall in these streams in their passage through the township, affording water-power and mill-sites, which are utilized for the convenience and advantage of the farmers, many of whom are remote from railroad stations. In the year 1701, William Penn conveyed to his son, John Penn, a tract of twelve thousand acres of land, bounded and described as follows, viz.: "Beginning at corner of the German's tract of land on the bank of the Schuylkill and on the east side thereof, and extending north forty degrees east 3420 perches o a hickory tree, near the west branch of Perkiomen creek; thence, crossing said branch, north fifty degrees west 620 perches; thence out; south forty degrees west 3840 perches to the aforesaid river, and thence down by the same on the several courses 840 perches to the place of beginning." Thirty-four years later (1735) John Penn sold and conveyed his interest in this tract to George McCall, a merchant then residing in Philadelphia. Upon a new survey, McCall found the tract to contain two thousand and sixty acres more land than the grant was supposed to describe. The price paid was two thousand guineas. For several years thereafter this purchase was known as "McCall's Manor," and subsequently as Douglas township. It appears to have been decreed a township as early as 1741, when fifty-eight taxables were returned to the commissioners' office, at Philadelphia, as permanently located on improved lands therein. In 1776 the township appears to have been generally settled, as Colonel Burd's battalion of infantry troops was credited to it, and are referred to incidentally by the Rev. Henry N. Muhlenberg, whose journal contains the following: "August 16, 1776,- Colonel Burd's battalion, from Douglas township, marched past, among which there are many members of our congregation from Pottsgrove and New Hanover, who took leave of me with emotion." The population in 1810 was 687 in 1830, 941 in 1350, 1265 in 1870, 1604 in 1880, 1676. 826 In 1785, the year following the creation of the county and before the township of Pottsgrove was in part cut off from it, this township returned, among other taxable property, four hotels, four grist-mills, five saw-mills, one paper-mill, one tannery and one forge. Its boundaries then, however, extended to the Schuylkill River, and one of the mills and the forge referred to were located upon the portion cut off and known as Pottsgrove township and Pottstown borough. There are three villages in the township, Gilbertsville, Douglas, and Engleville. Post-offices are located at the two former, and recently a third post-office has been established in the northern part of the township, close to the Berks County line, known as Niantic post-office. Gilbertsville is a large and flourishing village, containing sixty-six dwellings, including the hotels, and stores. Among other industries usually carried on in an inland village such as wheelwrighting, smithing, plow-making carpet-weaving, tinsmithing and carpentering, there are also a great many segars [sic] manufactured at this place. It is noted as a place where frequent public sales of horses and live stock are held the accommodation of the agriculturists of that vicinity. The following places of public business were returned by the mercantile appraiser for the year 1884: A. L. Bausman, dry goods _____ Bechtel, merchandise Matthias Custer, live stock V. B. Emery, live stock _____ Eschbach, tobacco Eshbach & Weand, live stock J. Fegley, merchandise Charles Fegley, live stock A. Gresch, coal and lumber F. B. Geyer, live stock Jonathan Geyer, live stock J. Himmelwright, flour and feed Hillegas & Hoffman, dry goods J. J. Leinbach, boots, and shoes Leidy & Ritter, live stock J. Matthias, butcher H. Renninger, live stock F. A. Streicher, merchandise Robert Taggart, feed Amandus Weand, live stock Yerger & Ritter, butchers. The farm land of this region is in a high state of cultivation and very productive. Modern machinery is generally used by skillful laborers, and crops are harvested in a husbandman-like manner. Among the improvements that distinguish this and other townships in the northern part of the county are the substantial residences and commodious barns that are the pride of the characteristic German farmer; most of the barns are built of stone or brick, and conspicuously ornamented, having noticed some located on the prominent highways so neatly painted as to leave the impression in passing of actual brick-work. Public roads traverse the township in all directions, one of the main thoroughfares being the Colebrook and Limerick turnpike. Other highways of equal importance run parallel to and at right angles with it, all of which are kept in good order and repair, with bridges and plank and stone culverts placed over all the creeks and streams of any importance to public travel. In recent travels over this township we observed that the supervisors fulfill their ditties with fidelity in keeping in place index boards at the many and important cross-roads, -a matter of great importance to the traveler from a distance. EDUCATIONAL. -The common-school system is in operation, and increasing in popularity. There are ten schools, having an enrolled attendance for the year 1884 of four hundred and thirty-two pupils. The term taught is five months. The teachers receive a salary of thirty dollars per month. The school-houses are substantially built, easily ventilated, and all have ample grounds for the recreation of the pupils. Although the German language is generally spoken in the daily intercourse of the people of this region, and the religious worship of the two churches in the township is partly conducted in the same language, yet all the instruction in the common schools is in English. All the teachers employed in this township are males. RELIGIOUS WORSHIP. -There are two established places of public worship in the township. The one known a Huber's Church, Lutheran, is located at or near Niantic; there is a large congregation in regular attendance upon this church, which is a substantially-built edifice, with a seating capacity of from three to four hundred persons. The present pastor is the Rev. L. Groh, who resides in the borough of Boyerstown, Berks Co. The burial-grounds are ample, well inclosed, and evince commendable care for the many dead who are buried within the inclosed grounds. The other church referred to is located at Douglas. This church unites the Lutheran and Reformed congregations of that neighborhood. The pastor is Rev. William B. Fox. It is eligibly located in the midst of an agricultural people and is largely attended. The burial-grounds are well inclosed, and exhibit that are and solicitude for the dust and memory of the dead that everywhere prevails among the kindly- hearted German people of this region. ELECTIONS. -This township was first created an election district by act of Assembly approved April 16, 1827. The first election was held at the public-house of Abraham Stetler. The township was divided into two election districts by decree of the Court of Quarter Sessions dated March 5, 1873; these districts are designated East and West Douglas. TAXABLES AND TAXABLE VALUES. - Number of taxables, 464 value of improved lands, $792,335 value of unimproved lands, $47,560 number of horses and mules, 361 number of horned cattle, 773 assessed value of all cattle, $50,245 total value of taxable property for county purposes, $890,140. 827 CHAPTER LIV. FRANCONIA TOWNSHIP. FRANCONIA is situated in the northeastern part of the county, joining Bucks County on the northeast, and joining Upper and Lower Salford and Hatfield townships on the west, south and east. Its area is 14,875 square miles, or 9520 acres. The surface is generally level, but sufficiently undulating to be susceptible of surface drainage into the headwaters of the Skippack and Indian Creeks, both of which flow through the township, affording light but useful water-powers and mill-sites. The East Branch of the Perkiomen Creek flows along the northwestern boundary of the township. The name Franconia is derived from an old duchy which afterwards formed a circle of the Germanic Empire, and signifies "Land of the Franks," whence also France. On Holme's map of it is called "The Dutch township," from which we infer that the Germans were its earliest settlers. In 1734 the township contained thirty-four taxables and land-holders, nearly all German. Amongst these may be mentioned John Fry, 150 acres Henry Rosenberger, 125 Jacob Oberholtzer, 150 Christian Meyor, 150 Ulrich Hunsberger, 150 Jacob Hunsberger, 50 Frederick Gottschalk, 100 Michael Bing, 75 Michael Hentz, 100 George Hartzel, 50 Andrew Barndt, 75 Henry Barndt, 100 Frederick Sholl, 100 Jacob Bayard, 100 John Wilhelm, 50 Most of these have descendants residing in the township. Christian Meyor arrived in 1727; Frederick Sholl in 1728; Hans Jacob Oberholtz George Hartzel Ludwig Hartzel Hans Michael Wilhelm and Johannes Fry in 1730; Jacob Oberholtzer in August, 1732. These, perhaps, all came from the Palatinate or Pfaltz. One of the first settlers of the township is said to have been Christian Funk, who settled on Indian Creek below the mill of George S. Reiff. The Souders of the township are descended from his family, and some of the name are still in the township. Leidy's tannery, one mile south of Souderton, was founded in 1780 by Jacob Leidy, grandfather of the present proprietor. In 1785, there was one tavern licensed, two grist-mills, one tannery and two slaves assessed. In 1794, George Bilger, a tax collector for that year, returned ninety-six owners and occupiers of improved lands in the township. Seventy-three of the number are assessed for taxable valuables over two hundred pounds, and twenty-three for sums less than two hundred pounds The tax assessed was for the purpose of defraying the public expenses of the county. The total sum of duplicate was seventy-four pounds, five shillings and two pence. In addition to this tax laid upon real and personal property, the sum of three pounds and ten shillings was laid upon eleven single men. This latter subject of taxation seems so remarkable in these days that we give place to their names George Hertole Jacob Landes John Hunsberger George Cope Christian Hunsberger Abraham Rosenberger Abraham Moyer Samuel Moyer Christian Halteman Joseph Smith. The law under which these young bachelors were taxed was general throughout the State at the date of this assessment. Among the assessed landholders of 1794, were John Althouse George Bilger Henry Berndt Isaac Bergey Christian Benner Samuel Brode Captain John Cope Peter Conver George Cressman Henry Deitz Peter Doub Abraham Dulp John Detwiler Henry Fuhrman John Fried Jacob Gerhard Andrew Hentz, George Hertzell Christian Hunsberger John Hackman Jacob Hagey John Kindig Abraham Klemmer George Kriebel John Leister Yelles Landes Henry Isaac John and Benjamin Landes John Leidey Susanna Moyer John, Isaac Christian Moyer Abraham Neiss Jacob Oberholtzer Philip Oberdier Jacob Oberdorf Isaac, Henry, Christian and Jacob Souder George Shoemaker George Sholl John Schwertly George Schnieder Andrew Schwartz Jacob Wambold Daniel Wambold Michael Weirman John Wilson George Wunderlick James Yocum. It will be observed, by reference to the tax duplicate of 1884, that many of these family names are to be found, doubtless descendants of those named; possibly some may be the progeny of the "Single men," who were made the invidious subjects of taxation, and thus hastened in their steps towards married life. The number of taxable persons has increased in a just ratio with values in this township. In 1734 there were 34 in 1741, 59 in 1828, 190 in 1858, 380 in 1884, 678. The estimated value of all real and personal property assessed in 1794 was $127,470; the value as returned by the assessor for the year 1884 is $1,456,330. The per capita taxable value to each person assessed in 1794 was $1327, and in 1884 it was $2148. The increase in population has been in like ratio,- in 1800 it was 629 in 1830, 998 in 1850, 1270 in 1870, 1950 in 1880, 2556. 828 The last two decades seem to have been the most favorable of any in the history of this township; an increase of thirteen hundred and eighty souls, in a total population of two thousand five hundred and fifty-six persons within a period of twenty years, argues well for an inland township. It is doubtless due, in some measure, to the opening of the North Pennsylvania Railroad, and the local commercial enterprise and village life brought with it. The following exhibit, as taken from the return of the mercantile appraiser for 1884, shows the capitalized energy and thrift of the Franconia people. H. G. Barnes, live stock A. H. Barndt, live stock C. G. Barndt & Son, hay C. G. Barndt & Son, flour and feed B. C. Barndt, hardware Clemmers & Alderfer, flour and feed Clemmers & Alderfer, coal Joseph Derstein, agricultural implements Freed & Hackman, live stock W. H. Freed, butcher J. Frederick, boots and shoes John A. Freed, butcher A. H. Gehman, Merchandise John Gerhab, lumber Enos Hagey, boots and shoes H. F. Hackman, merchandise G. Z. Hunsicker, flour and feed S. D. Hunsberger & Brother, hay S. D. Hunsberger & Brother, flour and feed C. S. Hunsberger, jeweler J. W. Hoff, merchandise M. S. Kulp, live stock S. D. Koffle, flour and feed M. S. Kulp & Brother, lumber M. S. Kulp & Brother, feed and corn M. S. Kulp & Brother, hay J. M. Landis & Co., merchandise J. M. Landis & Co., furniture W. Landis, butcher Abm Landis, butcher J. G. Leidy, merchandise Moyer & Brother, flour and feed Moyer & Brother, hay George S. Reiff, flour and feed A. G. Reiff merchandise Samuel Steiner, confectioner L. L. Sholl, flour and feed W. M. Souders, lumber H. H. Souders, coal and lime A. G. Stover, tobacco and cigars William Wach, butcher M. D. Zendt, merchandise. The villages of this township are Franconia Square, near the centre; Franconiaville, in the southern end of the township; and Souderton and Telford, situated on the line of the railroad, in the eastern portion of the township. The post-offices are Franconia, Gehman's, Souderton and Telford. The ground on which Telford village stands was bought, in 1737, by Conrad Detterer from Humphrey Murray. It embraces about one hundred and twenty acres, the greater part lying on the Montgomery County side, and quite early it became an important junction of public roads, what is known as the County Line road being opened in 1752. Since the location and construction of the North Pennsylvania Railroad it has become an important place of business, supporting the usual industries of a village, wheel-wrighting and carriage- making, smithing, tin-smithing, stone-cutting, harness-making, carpentering and cabinet-making. Mention may also be made of a steam planing-mill, a steam cheese-box factory and a steam agricultural repair-shop. The County Line Hotel, in this village, was erected in 1857. The wash and bake-house still attached to the hotel was the first building erected in the village, and Jonathan Barnet, still living near the place, hauled the first load of stone for its erection. There are stores and dealers in lumber, coal, feed, flour, hay and live stock, all of which attract to it the patronage of a fine agricultural neighborhood. There is also located here a large, brick Union Chapel, built in 1876, used principally for Sunday-school purposes. The railroad facilities have made the place desirable or residences, and the population now numbers about six hundred. The village of Souderton is situated on the line of the North Pennsylvania Railroad and about twenty-seven miles distant from Philadelphia. It contains over one hundred residences, with all the industries and commercial thrift that mark the enterprising towns along this line of railroad from Philadelphia to Bethlehem. The Union National Bank of Souderton is located here. It was established in 1876 with a capital of ninety thousand dollars. It has been well managed, and is an indispensable institution to the community. Franconia Square and Franconiaville are old-time land-marks, founded by the opening; of hotels, stores, mechanical industries and post-offices, the origin of which is now scarcely known to the oldest inhabitant of the vicinity. The buildings of these old villages are plain and substantial, but have about them the evidence of the solid comforts and necessities of life characteristic of the unassuming and self-denying people who possess and inhabit them. EDUCATIONAL. -There are twelve public schools in this township. There were five hundred and thirty-six scholars enrolled for the school year ending June 1884 the length of time taught for the year named was five month. The salary paid to the teachers was thirty-five dollars a month. One of the number received thirty-seven dollars and fifty cents one thirty-two dollars an] fifty cents and one thirty dollars per month. Male and female teachers are employed in their schools. The school buildings are plain but substantial with ample grounds surrounding them and conveniently located with reference to population. TAXABLES AND TAXABLE VALUES. -Number of taxables, 678 value of improved lands, $1,262,290 value of unimproved land, $27,515 number of horses, 518 assessed value of horses, $39,620 number of cattle, 1051 assessed value of cattle, $31,135 total value of taxable property for county $1,456,330. RELIGIOUS. -The Indian Field or Zion's Lutheran Church is among the oldest Lutheran Congregations in Pennsylvania and was from the beginning entirely Lutheran. A log church was built about 1730, enlarged in 1766, and gave place to the present stone church in 1792, which in 1868, received for the third time a new roof of slate. An organ was procured in 1820. A fire in 1834 unfortunately destroyed many of the old church documents of the church. The creation of a congregation at Sellersville took away many members but there where still, in 1878, two hundred communicants. As a part of the Goshenhoppen charge, it has since 1753 been connected with the Ministerium of Pennsylvania. Some of the names of the early founders are still represented in the church, Wambold (Wampole), Cressman and Rees. 829 The present constitution of the congregation was adopted in 1836. The existing church record was begun in 1753 by Pastor Frederick Schultz. The earliest pastor known was John Conrad Andraea, who came to this country from Zweibruecken in 1742, landed in Philadelphia, and soon settled at Goshenhoppen. He assumed charge of Goshenhoppen, New Gosbenhoppen and Indian Field Churches, where he remained until 1751. In that year Lucas Raus began service as catechet under Pastor H. M. Muhlenberg's direction. He closed his services in 1752, when the Rev. Frederick Schultz became pastor and served until 1763, when Rev. John Joseph Roth succeeded him. From 1768 to 1770, Rev. John Michael Enterlein was pastor. From that time to the present it has been served in connection with the Old Goshenhoppen Church, and since 1865 served by the Rev. Frederick Wolz, who also has charge of the church at Sellersville. The Reformed Church on Indian Creek was founded in 1753 by the Rev. Jacob Rees, who was its first pastor, and began his labors June 3d, in that year. Among the founders of the church were John Nice, Jacob Arndt, Peter Gerhart, Jacob Leidy, John Schellenberger, John Henry Sellers, William Althouse and Abram Arndt. With the exception of Arndt, these families are all represented in the congregation at present. In 1754 the present church lot was purchased of Michael Bergey, and in that year a log church was erected. This was replaced, in 1775, by a rough-stone church, with a hip-roof, which was used till 1826, when the third church, forty-two by forty-eight feet, also of stone, was erected. The present church, forty-two by sixty-five feet, was built of brick in 1879, and is still used. The Rev. Jacob Rees remained as pastor from 1753 to 1766, and was succeeded as follows: Rev Christopher Gobrecht, 1766 to 1772 Caspar Wack, 1772 to 1780 John Theobold Faber, 1780 to 1787 John Michael Kern, 1787 to 1788, and died Nicholas Pomp 1788 to 1796 Jacob Lenn, 1796 to 1818, and died John Andrew Strasburger, 1818 to 1854 Joshua Derr, 1854 to 1858 P. S. Fisher, 1858 to 1871 Jacob Kehm, 1871 to the present time. The church has a membership of four hundred. What is known as the Leidy Reformed Church, is located below Souderton, and was built in 1858. A school house was there and a graveyard over one hundred years ago. The school-house was also used for public worship. Its members were from Indian Creek Church, of which it was for a time a part. Its pastors have been Revs. J. S. Fisher, and J. G. Dengler, the latter of whom are still in charge. The first Mennonite meeting-house in Franconia Township was of stone, and built between the years 1730 and 1750. The second, also a stone house, forty-five by seventy-five feet, was built in 1833, and has it seating capacity of over seven hundred. The present membership is between four hundred and five hundred. Bishop Josiah Clemmer was elected in 1861. The Souderton meeting-house, was built, in 1879, of brick, forty-three by fifty-three feet. The Leidy's Church was built in 1858. A school-house and graveyard were there over one hundred years before, the school-house being used for public worship. ELECTIONS. -By act of the General Assembly, approved March 16, 1847, the township of Franconia was first formed into a separate election district, and by the terms of the act the elections were ordered to be held at the store-house of Daniel L. Moyer. By a subsequent act approved April 26, 1850, the elections were ordered to be held at the public-house of Tobias Gerhart. The postmasters of Souderton have been William Souder, W. B. Sleifer and M. D. Zendt, the present one; of Telford, T. S. Weird. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. J. TREMPER. The paternal grandfather of the subject of this biographical sketch was a native of the north of Europe, whence he emigrated to America, before the war of the Revolution, and settled on the banks of the Hudson River, in the province of New York. After the close of the war he removed to Philadelphia, where he made his home until his death, which occurred some years afterwards. His youngest son, Henry, engaged in commercial pursuits in Philadelphia, and became one of the prominent merchants of the city during the latter part of the last, and beginning of the present century, amassing a large fortune, and retiring from business in 1811. He was a large owner of real estate in the city, and he also, in company with his brother-in-law, Mr. Maley, purchased and owned large tracts of valuable land in the Mohawk Valley and more western parts of the State of New York, one of which was a tract of about twelve hundred acres, which had been embraced in the Royal Grant of "Kingsland" to Sir William Johnson, and including the "Johnson Hall" mansion, which had been the home of Sir William and, after him, of his son, Sir John Johnson, and which, at the time here referred to, was the residence of Mr. Tremper's brother-in-law and partner, Mr. Maley. Within the walls of that manorial mansion Mr. Tremper and Mr. Maley debated their projects, and from it they set out to explore the Seneca country and view the rich lands of which they became the purchasers. Mr. Tremper, however, did not live to carry out the plans which he had formed for the development of his projects in New York. 830 He died in Philadelphia in 1826. The family residence at that time was in the west part of the city, to which they had not long before removed from the house which Mr. Tremper had occupied during the years of his active career as a merchant. It was located on Front Street, north of Market, Front Street being at that time the most important street of the city. J. Tremper was born in the Front Street mansion in the year 1805. He obtained his preparatory education in the principal schools of the city, and afterwards studied law in the office of the learned Peter S. Duponceau. Upon the death of his father (he being then twenty-one years of age) it was thought necessary for him to go to the State of New York to take charge of the large landed interests there, which formed a large part of the estate of Henry Tremper, as has already been mentioned. He set out on the journey (which at that time was considered a long and difficult one) in the fall of 1826, starting from the "Swan" stage-house, in Race Street, above Third. The route was by the way of Bethlehem and Wilkesbarre (passing the scene of the Wyoming massacres of 1778) to Montrose, Pa.; thence to Ithaca, N. Y., and from there to Geneva, at the foot of Seneca Lake, which place was reached in the evening of the fifth day from Philadelphia. Prior to the commencement of the present century Philadelphia was the monetary centre of the country and the home of the leading capitalists, the principal of whom was Robert Morris. A number of Philadelphians, among whom was Henry Tremper, were members of what was called the Lessee Company (under the old Genesee Land Company), who had obtained from the State of New York a great tract of nine hundred thousand acres of land, lying west of Seneca Lake, and which, with what was known as the Robert Morris Purchase, extended westward to within about twenty miles of the Niagara River. PICTURE OF J. TREMPER, APPEARS HERE. The settlement at Geneva had been made under the auspices of the Lessee Company. When Mr. Tremper went there in 1826 it was still a new town, but many of the settlers were people of education, and all were kind and hospitable. From Mr. Bogert, the resident professional agent, and from Captain Remer, the lay agent of the owners, Mr. Tremper received much kindness and consideration. Upon his arrival he was pleasantly domiciled in the family of Dr. Hazzard, whose mansion was surrounded by a noble farm of twelve hundred acres. The adjacent forests, the beautiful lake, the brisk young town with its genial and hospitable people, offered attractions which rendered the prospect of a protracted stay at that place far from disagreeable to the young Philadelphian. Afterwards he purchased a fine farm, having a frontage of one mile on Seneca Lake, with a mansion situated within fifty yards of the water's edge. There he made his home during the year of his residence in Western New York. A short time after his removal to Geneva, Mr. Tremper was admitted to the bar and subsequently as counselor in the Supreme Court of New York, as also in the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. In 1838 he was appointed by Governor William L. Marcy judge of the courts of Ontario County, and at the expiration of his term was reappointed, but before the close of his second term, on receiving intelligence of the death of his mother, he resigned the office and returned to Philadelphia to attend to the settlement of the estate. From that time he resided in the city until 1873, when, to be free from its turmoil and to realize his lifelong desire for country life, he purchased and removed to the property on which he now resides, in Franconia township. Now, when just entering on his ninth decade, he can review the events of the past with much satisfaction in the belief that his long life has been well spent.