History: Local: CHAPTER LXXII: Upper Providence Township : 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 1056 (cont.) CHAPTER LXXII. UPPER PROVIDENCE TOWNSHIP. By F. M. Hobson. THE township of Upper Providence, as established in 1805, is bounded on the north by Perkiomen township; on the east by the Perkiomen Creek, separating it from Lower Providence; on the southwest by the Schulykill River and on the northwest by Limerick township. Its length is nearly six miles, and breadth three miles, and it contains twelve thousand and ninety-five acres of land. The lands are nearly all productive, the assessment of 1882 showing the total value of real estate in the township to be $2,420,465; number of taxable, 877. The census of 1880 shows the number of inhabitants to be 3592, which is only surpassed, by two townships of the county, to wit: Lower Merion and Pottsgrove. From the formation of the township to the year 1832 the general elections were held at the public-house of David Dewees Trapp; from 1832 to 1844, at the tavern of Jacob Heebner, and from that date to the present at the "Lamb Tavern," Trappe, excepting since December 2 1878, the township being divided into two election districts, the electors of the new, or Lower District, have been voting at the Port Providence Band Hall. The township elections are held at the public-house of Jacob Frederick, known as the "Fountain Inn." They have been held here since 1852 or 1853. Before that time they were held at the house of Catharine Dewees, widow of David Dewees. The names of the justices of the peace up to the year 1838 are given in Providence Township. Since that date the following persons have been elected and have served in that office, with the respective dates of their elections: 1840, 1845 and 1850, John Dismant 1840, 1845 and 1853, Matthias Haldeman 1850, Joshua Place 1855, 1860 and 1865, Samuel Hunsicker 1857, David Beard 1862, 1867, 1872 and 1877, Henry W. Kratz 1869 and 1874, Roger D. Shunk 1879, David R. Landis 1881, R. A. Grover 1882, Abraham D. Fetterolf. The following constables have served in the township: 1807, George Urmiller 1808, Jacob Vanderslice 1809, Peter Waggonseller 1810, John Groves 1811, Jacob Shire 1812-14, Abraham Trechler 1815-16, Samuel Smith 1817-19, Christian Stetler 1820-21, Isaac Hallman 1822, Joseph Goodwin 1823, Philip Koons 1824, Abraham Showalter 1825-28, James Miller 1829-30, Henry Shields 1831, Jacob Shuler 1832-41, John Patterson 1842, Andrew Boyer 1843-46, Charles Tyson 1847-54, William Gristock 1855, Aaron Fretz 1856-58, Samuel Hendricks 1859, Henry Fox 1860-63, Israel Place 1864, Thomas Garber 1865, Joseph Walter 1866-69, Davis A. Raudenbush 1870, Abner W. Johnson 1871-75, David Hunsicker 1876-81, Francis R. Shupe 1882, Samuel R. Pugh 1883, William B. Logan, Jr. 1884, Jonas R. Umstead. 1057 The villages of Upper Providence are Trappe Freeland Collegeville Oaks Green Tree Port Providence and Quineyville, or Mont Clare. The post-offices are Collegeville Oaks Port Providence Trappe Yerkes. The oldest village, and the one around which clusters the richest historical associations, is the ancient village of Trappe. Many men of considerable importance in State and nation have been born and bred within its limits or in its neighborhood. The first name of this village was Landau. Samuel Seely bought one hundred and fifty acres of land in the village October 19, 1762. This land lies on the west side of the turnpike road, nearly opposite the Lutheran Church. Some time between 1762 and 1765, Mr. Seely divided this land into town-lots, and named the town "Landau." An old draft shows fifty-seven lots thus laid out, the first nineteen fronting on the old Manatawny road, called Front Street. The lots were sixty-six by one hundred and sixty-five feet. The lots were all sold as follows: No. 1, Peter Hicks 2, Israel Jacob 3, James Richardson 4, Thomas Bower 5, 34 and 35, Thomas Bunn 6, James Hamer 7, Richard Lewis 8, Joseph Ramsey 9, John Buckwalter 10, 16, 23 and 29, Joseph Seely 11, P. Flanagan 12 and 27, Adam Hallman 13 and 26, John Schrack 14, Jacob Peterman 15, George Essig 17, Edwin De Haven 19 and 20, Abraham Brosius 28, John Carter. This town, which was expected, no doubt, by the founder, to rival the metropolis, existed mostly on paper, and would, no doubt, have been entirely lost had it not been recently rescued and brought to light by Dr. James Hamer, of Collegeville. About the time Mr. Seely was trying to impress this name upon the village at the upper end another name was being applied to it at the lower end, which was more successful. Before this the name of Trap or Trapp was given to the hotel, which then stood on the present site of Mr. John Longstreth's house. From this hotel the village derived its name Trappe. Concerning the origin of the name Trappe there has been considerable speculation. That the name was of local origin seems the most reasonable. Two theories of the origin of the name are worthy of attention, -the Muhlenberg and the Shunk theories. The Rev. Henry Melchior Muldenberg, the venerable and honorable founder of the Lutheran Church, made this entry in his journal kept at the time,- "November 13, 1780 -Christian Schrack, who was buried yesterday was a son of John Jacob Schrack, who came to this country in 1717 . . . They built a cabin and a cave in which they cooked. They kept a small shop in a small way and a tavern with beer with and such things. As once an English inhabitant, who had been drinking in the cave, fell asleep, and came home late, and was in consequence scolded by his wife, he excused himself by saying he had been at the Trap. From that time this neighborhood is called Trapp, and is known as such in all America." That this is the true origin of the name seems the more probable for several reasons,- 1. Muhlenberg lived right in the vicinity from 1745, and no man had better facilities for knowing. He speaks without doubt. 2. In the oldest deeds, advertisements and papers the name of the place is spelled Trap afterwards, for many years, Trapp and Trap. Very few papers of the last centuries are spelled Trappe. 3. In 1760, John Schrack, son of John Jacob Schrack above spoken of, advertises the hotel in Sower's newspaper, and calls it "Trapp" Hotel. 4. On Howell's map, 1792, it is called "Trapp." 5. The post-office, when established in 1819, was by the name of Trap. 6. The first hotel licensed by the court of Montgomery County, in 1784, was this same hotel. The record roads "License granted to George Brook, 'The Trap' hotel, Providence township," and was granted for many years under the same name. Thus the change is gradual, but marked,--T-r-a-p, T-r-a-p-p, T-r-a-p-p-e. The "Shunk theory," so called from being advocated by Governor Shunk, was to the effect that at this Schrack's tavern there were very high steps leading to the front door. As a poor fellow, the worse for drink, went headlong down the steps, he exclaimed, "Verdaint die Treppe!" and from this event the hotel received its name, "Treppe" being the German word for steps. This theory seems fatally defective, in that the history of the orthography of the name has changed, contrary to the way it should if the theory were true. It was, however, stoutly maintained by Governor Francis R. Shunk. The author has in his possession a letter from the Governor, giving his views in full and arguing that the name of the village should be spelled T-r-e-p- p-e. The discussion as to the origin of the name of the village, and how the same should be spelled, at length gave rise to a public meeting, which was held in February, 1835. Matthias Haldeman and Francis R. Shunk were the champions for "Treppe" or "Trappe," while Hon. Wright A. Bringhurst and Hon. Jacob Fry, Jr., championed the "Trap" or "Trapp." At that meeting the majority determined that the proper name was Trapp. In 1795 Trappe contained twelve houses. In 1832 it contained two, taverns, two stores and fifteen houses. In 1858 there were two hotels, three stores, three churches and about forty houses, now increased to upwards of sixty. Washington Hall Collegiate Institute was founded in 1830, and is now in charge of Professor Abel Rambo, for several years county superintendent of public schools. 1058 The post-office was established here about 1819, with John Todd as postmaster. He was succeeded by Matthias Haldeman. Where is now the dwelling-house of Philip Willard stood, before the Revolution, an inn, called the "Duke of Cumberland," which was kept as early as 1758. Father Muhlenberg, during the Revolution, complains that there was then no hotel in the place, while before, when there was not one-half as much travel, the village boasted of three public-houses. Collegeville, or Freeland, as the same village is indiscriminately called, and Perkiomen Bridge, as it was formerly known, as eight miles north of Norristown, and one of the most beautiful villages of the county. Perkiomen Bridge is the oldest name, dating back to 1799, the time of the completion of the stone bridge across the Perkiomen at that place. The first post-office was established here in 1847. Edward Evans was appointed postmaster, and the office named Perkiomen Bridge. In 1848, Henry A. Hunsicker built a boarding-school for young men. This he called Freeland Seminary of Perkiomen Bridge. Soon the village around the school took its name from its school, and was called Freeland. In 1861 the post-office of Perkiomen Bridge was removed to the store of Frank M. Hobson, who was appointed postmaster. The following year the name of the post-office was changed to Freeland. About 1855 an effort was made to have this village called Townsend, in honor of Samuel Townsend, who had removed from Philadelphia, and in the county map published about this time the village is called Townsend; but this name did not last long. When the Perkiomen Railroad was opened there was a bitter fight over the name of the station. The railroad company finally decided to give a new name to their station, and accordingly called it Collegeville. In 1869 the post-office was removed to the station and the name was changed to Collegeville. Since that time a bitter fight for the name of the village has been waged, each person calling the village the name best suiting his fancy. The village of Port Providence was first known as "Jacobs." In 1820, Thomas Jones was an extensive lumber dealer in West Chester; he bought land here and built a landing to unload lumber coining by the canal. From this fact it was called Lumberville, which name it retained for many years. The people, desiring a post-office, found "Lumberville" already appropriated, and then determined to call the post-office Port Providence, which name soon attached itself also to the village. Mont Clare, or Quineyville, is situated just opposite the borough of Phoenixville, Chester Co. Its residents are mostly engaged in business or work in the adjoining borough. There is now a station of the Pennsylvania Schuylkill Valley Railroad established here, called Mont Clare Station. The opening of the Perkiomen Railroad is responsible for establishing three new villages in the township, viz.: Oaks, Arcola and Yerkes. The people in the vicinity asked that their station be named Oakland. The railroad company named it simply Oaks, as there was another station in the State of the name suggested. A post-office is now here of the same name. Arcola was first known as "Water-Tank", next as "Doe Run" Station, but lately named Arcola, after the large mills of Messrs. Wetherill & Co. There is a very small village here. "Yerkes" is so called after Mr. Isaac Yerkes, a respectable citizen, and the owner of the land on which the station was established. Quite a village is now growing up around it, with a post- office of the same name recently established. John Robinson undertook, in 1763, to locate one of the largest towns of Eastern Pennsylvania in the township of Providence. Robinson had made great preparations for the sale of lots, offering three hundred and fifty lots at public sale, on February 10, 1763. Quite a number were sold. The following year another one hundred lots were offered. This town was entirely upon paper, on its site are now a few houses and one store, called Providence Square, situated midway between Collegeville and Phoenixville. The churches of Upper Providence are the following: Augustus Lutheran, St. Luke's Reformed, Evangelical, Mennonite, Friends', Dunkard, Trinity Christian and Episcopalian. THE AUGUSTUS LUTHERAN CHURCH, Trappe, is the most noted in the township. The old church building, erected in 1743, is still standing in a good state of preservation. Ten years before this time the Lutheran congregation of Providence was organized. In 1732, John Christian Schultz became the first pastor, and remained one year, leaving as a successor John Casper Stoever. In 1742 the Rev. Henry Melchior Muhlenberg arrived from Germany, and because, the pastor, and built the church in 1743. He has since became widely known as the founder of the Lutheran Church in America, and the Trappe Church as the oldest Lutheran Church in America, now standing. The cornerstone was laid May 2, 1743. The first service was held therein on September 12th, but it was not until October 6, 1745, that the church was dedicated. Three negroes were baptized on that occasion. The General Synod of the colonies met in this church on June 17, 1750. On October 7, 1787, Dr. Muhlenberg died, and his honored ashes now repose immediately in the rear of the old church. The congregation continued to worship in this- building until the 6th of November, 1853, when the present large brick building was dedicated. Since that time the old church was used for Sunday- school purposes until quite recently. The present structure was recently entirely remodeled, making it a two-story building. This improvement was made under the pastorate of the present incumbent, Rev. 0. P. Smith. Adjoining the church is the graveyard, containing numerous tombstones. 1059 Among the distinguished Dead here buried can be mentioned Rev. Dr. Henry M. Muhlenberg General Peter Muhlenberg Hon. Frederick A. Muhlenberg Governor Francis R. Shunk Hon. Jacob Fry and Joseph Royer. PICTURE OF EXTERIOR OF OLD TRAPPE CHURCH, APPEARS HERE. The principal family names are Allabaugh Bean Boyer Beck Buckwalter Culp Casselberry Custer Cressman Dehaven Emerich Fry Garber Goodwin Gross Heebner Hallman Isett Kugler Longaker Mausteller Miller Moyer Nieman Pennypacker Pawling Prizer Rambo Royer Rittenhouse Reiff Rawn Spare Shupe Stetler Schrack Trumbauer Wald Walter Young. PICTURE OF INTERIOR OF OLD TRAPPE CHURCH, APPEARS HERE. The pastors of this church have been as follows: 1732, John Christian Schultz 1733, John Casper Stoever 1742, Henry M. Muhlenberg 1765, John L. Voigt 1793, Frederick G. Weinland 1809, J. P. Hecht 1814, Henry A. Geissenhainer 1821, Frederick W. Geissenhainer 1823, Frederick W. Geissenhainer, Jr. 1827, Jacob Wampole 1834, John W. Richards 1838, Henry S. Miller 1853, G. A. Wentzel 1854, A. S. Link 1859, G. Sill 1864, John Kohler 1874, 0. P. Smith. REV. OLIVER PETER SMITH, A.M., son of Frederick and Mary Smith, was born September 4, 1848, at New Tripoli, Lehigh Co., Pa., and is the youngest of eight children. His early instruction was received from his father, who was then teacher of the public school of that place, and at the age of ten years his brother, Theodore, became his tutor. In his fourteenth year his father, not having employment for him at home or means to send him away to school, gave him the privilege of starting in life for himself. At the age of fifteen he was appointed teacher of one of the public schools of his native township, Lynn, and after the close of the school term he entered the Military and Collegiate Institute at Allentown, Pa., with a view to preparation for college, teaching in winter to meet his expenses. In the fall of 1867 be entered Muhlenberg College as a member of the freshman class, having just recovered from a severe attack of typhoid fever. He graduated in June, 1871, having during his college course embraced every available opportunity to earn money, that the outlay of his course might be met. For one year, while at college, be filled an appointment under the school board of Allentown as instructor of German in the public schools. In the fall of 1871 the subject of this sketch entered the Theological Seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church at Philadelphia, and finished his three years theological course in the spring of 1874, teaching during the summer vacations and preparing young men for college. He was ordained as minister of the Evangelical Lutheran Church at Lancaster, Pa., June 3d. Having received a call from the Trappe charge, composed of Augustus congregation (Trappe), St. James' congregation (Limerick) and Jerusalem congregation (Schwenksville), he was installed as pastor of the charge in the Trappe Church the Sunday following his ordination, of which charge be is still pastor. Here has been spent, thus far, the most useful part of his life laboring earnestly and zealously in the pulpit and out of it for the salvation of souls and the glory of Christ, the head of the church. The congregations have doubled in membership through his pastorate, church properties greatly improved and the liberality of the people advanced. The church at the Trappe is one of the finest houses of worship in the county, and Augustus congregation is one of the oldest and most important Lutheran congregations in this country, having had for its first regular pastor H. M. Muhlenberg, D.D., the father of Lutheranism in America. Among the list of the pastors of this congregation are the following names well known in the church: Hartwig Van Buskirk Voigt Weineland Geissenhainer Hecht Wampole Richards Miller Wenzel Link Sill Kohler, the last-named the predecessor of Rev. Mr. Smith. A Young People's Lyceum has been organized in the Trappe congregation under Mr. Smith's direction, which has been the means of cultivating and stimulating a literary taste and establishing a fine congregational library. At the meeting of the executive committee of the Ministerium of Pennsylvania, in the spring of 1884, Rev. Mr. Smith was appointed to deliver, at the One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Annual Convention of the Synod, the educational sermon, which was preached at Reading, and received with great favor. 1060 The subject of this sketch uses the English and German languages with equal ease and fluency, which give him the qualifications for distinguished usefulness in his church. His style in the pulpit is free and earnest, accompanied with great force. When preparing his sermons he draws them up with great care in manuscript form, but never uses a note in the pulpit, which makes him especially popular as a speaker. Rev. Mr. Smith has also been connected with Washington Hall Collegiate Institute, of Trappe, filling the place in the faculty of professor of the German language. PICTURE OF O. P. SMITH, APPEARS HERE. He was married, June 23, 1874, to Miss Laura Affie Barnes, second daughter of Ezra R. Barnes, Esq., of Bridgeport, Conn. Mrs. Smith died June 30,1884. By the death of this accomplished and estimable lady, Mr. Smith lost a most faithful and affectionate wife, one who never wearied in the assistance she rendered him in his work. Rev. Mr. Smith was baptized in infancy, and confirmed as a member of the Lutheran Church at the age of fourteen years. Shortly after his confirmation he felt called upon to enter the ministry. His character illustrates the maxim "where there is a will there is a way. THE ST. LUKE'S REFORMED CHURCH, whose building now stands at the lower end of Trappe, was founded October 18, 1742, by the Rev. Michael Schlatter. For a few years they worshiped in the Augustus Lutheran Church, but shortly thereafter, in 1755, they bought a small tract of land and built thereon a log church. This church stood in the present cemetery lot. Here, in this log house, the congregation continued to worship until the beginning of the present century. The first regular pastor of the church was the Rev. Philip Boehm, of whom we learn elsewhere in this history. 1061 He continued until September 15, 1748. On October 9, 1748, the Rev. John Philip Leydick was installed as pastor. Rev. Mr. Leydick was born in Germany in 1715, and emigrated to this country in 1748, when he took charge of the churches at Providence and Falkner Swamp. He continued to serve here until about 1780. He died January 4, 1784, and is buried in Frederick Township. From March 28, 1784, to April 9, 1787, Rev. John Herman Winkhaus served the congregation. Next appears the name of Rev. Frederick William Vandersloot, Sr., who served until about 1813, when he was followed by his son, Frederick William Vandersloot, Jr., from November 11, 1813, to December 29,1818. Rev. Lebecht Frederick Herman, D.D., served several years, and was followed by his student, Rev. John C. Guldin, D.D., who continued until 1840. It was during the pastorate of Rev. Dr. Guldin that the Reformed congregation left worshiping in the Lutheran Church and built a church upon the site of their first log building. This church edifice was built and dedicated in the year 1835. Following this pastorate was that of the Rev. Jacob William Hangen, who served from April 27, 1841, until the time of his death, February 22, 1843. From the fall of 1843 the Rev. Andrew S. Young served the church, and was, in turn, succeeded by Rev. John R. Kooken, whose pastorate extended from 1844 to 1846. On August 1, 1847, Rev. A. B. Shenkle was installed as pastor, and served for twenty years, until April 1, 1867. He was followed by Rev. H. H. W. Hibshman, D.D., who served from October 15, 1867, to July 1869. During this short time the congregation built a parsonage, which still stands. On April 1, 1870, Rev. J. H. A. Bomberger, D.D., was installed as pastor, and served the congregation in connection with his work as president of Ursinus College. In 1874 the old church building, erected in 1835, was torn down, and in its stead the congregation erected the present large church edifice upon the opposite side of the turnpike and by the side of the parsonage. Dr. Bomberger resigned October 1, 1883. The present incumbent, Rev. H. T. Spangler, took charge of the church April 1, 1884, and continues as a successful pastor. The cemetery is still on the east side of the turnpike, where the churches formerly stood. The oldest tombstone therein is that marking the last resting-place of Lodwick Ewalt, who died March 16, 1760. The family names found therein are Beidler Buckwalter Darringer Dull Everhart Hillbourn Longabough Reed Shenkle Smith Spear Shade Tyson Wanner. THE FRIENDS' MEETING-HOUSE was one of the early houses of worship in the township. It is situate one and a half miles northeast of Port Providence. On Scull's map, in 1770, it is marked and had been there many years. It was built in 1730, of logs. At that time the portion of the township along the river Schuylkill was settled by Friends, and the best families of that neighborhood worshiped in the old log meeting-house. The land whereon the building was erected was donated by David Hamer, who came to Providence with his brothers, James and Adam, in 1717. PICTURE OF PROVIDENCE FRIENDS' MEETING-HOUSE, APPEARS HERE. Among those worshiping in this first building may be mentioned Richardson Taylor Hopkins Barnet Tyson Ambler Rogers Jacobs Cox Sayler Hobson Corson and Hamer. The log house was, in 1828, replaced by the present one-story stone meeting-house. It is now very much dilapidated, and very few Friends are now found in its vicinity. THE PROVIDENCE MENNONITE CHURCH is a very old one. When Father Muhlenberg arrived in Trappe, in 1742, he states that there were two houses of worship in Providence, -the Episcopal at Evansburg and one built by the Mennonists. The Mennonists now have a church near Yerkes Station, which was built about 1820. It is a large, plain, stone structure, and no doubt this was preceded by a former building, which was the one referred to by Dr. Muhlenberg. The land on which the present structure is built was given by Abraham Rosenberger. John Hunsicker and Henry Bean were the first preachers, but the latter was soon after deposed on account of some irregularity, and Elias 1062 Landes was chosen in his stead. George Detwiler and John Hunsberger were still later ordained as ministers. Services are now held every two weeks, most of the preaching being in German. The following are names found on the tombstones: Bechtel Detwiler Godshall Hunsicker Tyson Buckwalter Reiner Landis Wair Horning Rittenhouse Bean Alderfer Rosenberger Hallman Wismer Kratz Johnson Kolb Ashenfelter Kindig Kepner. ST. PAUL'S MEMORIAL CHURCH, UPPER PROVIDENCE, had its inception in a Sunday-school, begun, in about 1828, by Mrs. Rachel Wetherill, widow of the late Samuel Wetherill, of Philadelphia, in the latter years of her life, at her summer residence, and which she continued to teach herself until her death, about 1844. To meet the wants of this school, and also of a place, of public worship in this community, she built an edifice at "Wetherill's Corner," in Lower Providence, on her own land, and being a consistent member of the Protestant Episcopal Church herself, she immediately established the worship of the same in third year building by securing, as she could obtain them, the services of the clergy of the Protestant Episcopal Church from Philadelphia and the neighboring regions and maintained them at her own cost as long as she lived. Her family continued the same, and in the same manner, after her death, until about 1850, when Mr. George Mintzer, then rector of St. James' Church, Perkiomen, at Evansburg, undertook to supply regularly with services this nucleus of a parish by preaching on alternate Sundays. In 1852, Mrs. Rebecca Gumbes, daughter of Mrs. Rachel Wetherill, had repairs made in this building, fitting up a chancel-rail, communion table and other churchly appliances, and further built a chapel to be used in connection with it upon the lawn of her own residence, on the opposite side of the creek, in Upper Providence. This chapel, upon the lawn of the late Mr. Samuel W. Gumbes, is still used (by sufferance) for a Sunday-school house to the, present time. Five years later, 1857, Rev. George Mintzer resigned his charge of St. James' Church, Perkiomen, and accepted a call to this new and yet unorganized parish, and Mrs. Rebecca Gumbes installed him in a house which has ever since been used as a parsonage, and which, in her will, she bequeathed to that perpetual use, with ten thousand dollars, the income of which was to be paid to the resident minister of Union Church. Until this time all the records of the ministrations here had been kept in the register of St. James' Church; but from this date, 1857, a regular record of such acts here has been kept, until they have merged down into, and are bound up with, the registry of St. Paul's Memorial Church, Upper Providence. Rev. Mr. Mintzer died in 1860, and Rev. James May, D.D., late professor in the Theological Seminary of Virginia, who had resigned his professorship in that institution at the beginning of the war troubles, and had been elected a professor in the Divinity School of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Philadelphia, wag called to fill the post made vacant by the death of Rev. George Mintzer. He entered on his duties in 1861, and continued to fulfill them until his death, in 1864. Rev. C. N. Chevrier was called to succeed him, in 1865, and continued minister in charge until he resigned, in 1868, to remove to another parish. During the incumbency of Rev. C. N. Chevrier, a parish was organized, and a charter was obtained for a church, which was to be built as a "Memorial to Rev. James May, deceased," -that good man who had died in this pastorate, so widely revered and so, deeply beloved by this whole community. Before, however, this new church building was begun the Rev. Joel Rudderow was called to be resident minister of Union Church and the chapel, in 1869. Mrs. Rebecca Gumbes, who had already deeded a commodious lot immediately alongside of the parsonage to this new corporation and who had also headed a subscription with five thousand dollars towards building the same, installed him in the parsonage. The vestry of St. Paul's Memorial Church, Upper Providence, also elected him their rector. He is still in charge of the parish. This good woman, Mrs. Rebecca Gumbes, who, by her large-hearted munificence, had been emphatically the support of this enterprise since her mother's death, and through whose liberality principally the new church was completed, died December 1869. In the year 1871 the corner-stone of the new building was laid. It was finished in 1872, and the first service, its consecration, was held by the bishop of the diocese, Right Rev. William Bacon Stevens, D.D., LL.D., on October 20th of that same year, it being the twenty-first Sunday after Trinity, 1872. The church, which is of the English rural order, is built of the light- gray sandstone from Rhodes' quarry, with Hummelstown trimmings, in rubble; with porch, bell-gable and crow, with interior finished in natural woods (ash and walnut), and open roof, ceiled in pine and oiled, and with stained-glass windows. It is thirty-two by sixty feet, with arch in rear wall to admit of piercing without injury when enlargement shall be needed. It will seat comfortably about two hundred and ten persons. St. Paul's Memorial Church, Upper Providence, continue the services in (so called) Union Church, as one of their chapels, and they hold their Sundayschool in the chapel upon the lawn of Mrs. Frances S., widow of the late Samuel W. Gumbes. THE TRINITY CHRISTIAN CHURCH, AT FREELAND, has a fine, large stone church building. This church was founded in 1854. Rev. Abraham Hunsicker, a bishop of the Mennonite Church, on account of his advanced views on education, communion and other matters, was prevented from preaching in the Mennonite Churches at Skippack, Worcester and Providence, in the year 1851. 1063 He and his adherents, therefore, constituted themselves a new body, and proceeded to erect a church building at Freeland, upon land donated by Mr. Hunsicker. The building was finished and consecrated in 1855. It was first called "Christian Meeting," and the congregation was chartered as "The Christian Society of Freeland." There was no regular minister. Rev. Abraham Hunsicker, who preached in German, and Rev. Israel Beidle, who preached in English, assisted by Rev. Henry A. Hunsicker, made themselves responsible for the religious services. Thus matters continued for several years. On May 24, 1861, a council was organized by electing deacons and elders. The first council consisted of: Ministers Henry A. Hunsicker Joseph H. Hendricks Elders Gideon Fetterolf Abraham Hendricks Deacons Henry D. Swartly Daniel H. Reiff. At the same time arrangements were made for five ministers to alternate in preaching in the following order: Revs. Israel Beidler Henry A. Hunsicker Abraham Hunsicker Abraham Grater Joseph H. Hendericks It was not until 1862 that a regular pastor was elected, when the Rev. Joseph H. Hendricks was called to fill this position. He had been ordained to the ministry June 23, 1861, but entered upon his duties of pastor April 1, 1862. Since that time he has filled that position acceptably to his people, having in all these years, missed but one appointment and that by reason of sickness. In 1862 the title of the congregation was changed to "Trinity Christian Church at Freeland." The church building was considerably enlarged and somewhat remodeled during the summer of 1874, and was rededicated October 3 and 4, 1874. The building is two stories high; the basement is divided into two rooms: a large one in which the Sunday-school is held, the other a small one for prayer-meetings and business meetings. The second floor is the main audience-room. The church is not connected with any other denomination, being entirely independent. There is a church at Skippackville, Perkiomen township, which is a branch of the Freeland Church, both being in the same charge and served by the same pastor. The church is liberal in its creed, yet strictly orthodox, recognizing all Christian Churches as parts of the true church. It has a membership of about three hundred and fifty. THE DUNKARD MEETING-HOUSE, AT GREEN TREE, was built in 1833. In 1831 a congregation was here organized, with Revs. John H. Umstad and Isaac Price as ministers, and a church were erected, in 1833, on lands donated by Mr. Umstad. It is a large one story stone building. At present there is a large congregation worshiping there, with the Rev. Mr. Myers as pastor. The cemetery was enlarged in 1858. On tombstones are found the following names: Bean Davis Dettra Gotwals Keyser Miller Oberholzer Rodda Schranger Schrack Shunk Umstad Walt. Near the Limerick line and the borough of Royer's Ford is situate the Dismants' burying-ground, being inclosed with a wall. This is nearly one hundred years old, being bequeathed by the Dismants, who were the first settlers in that locality. Several of the Dismants have made bequests to have the ground put in proper shape. There are here buried the Rambos, Dismants, Tysons, Stahls and others. Just back of the Lutheran Church, Trappe, there is a small brick building used as a house of worship by the Evangelical Association. It is of recent founding and has a fair-sized congregation. PICTURE OF REV. HENRY MELCHIOR, APPEARS HERE. PROMINENT PERSONAGES. -A number of the residents of this township have attained distinguished honors in county, State and nation, among whom are the [fol]lowing: Rev. Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, born at Eimbeck, Hanover, September 6, 1711. In 1738 he graduated from the University of Gottingen. 1064 He arrived in Philadelphia November 25, 1742, and immediately assumed the pastorate of the three Lutheran congregations at Philadelphia, Providence and New Hanover. On December 26th he first preached in Trappe. He was married to Anna Maria, daughter of the celebrated Indian interpreter, Colonel Conrad Weiser, on April 30, 1745, and shortly after this moved to Providence, where they remained until 1761. Through his exertions the old Trappe Church was built in 1743. In 1776, Muhlenberg moved back to Trappe, and lived there through the exciting times of the Revolution, an ardent patriot. His work was not confined to the churches named, but he became the overseer of all the Lutheran Churches in Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey. On May 27, 1784, the University of Pennsylvania conferred on Father Muhlenberg the title of Doctor of Sacred Theology. October 7, 1787, he went to his reward, and was buried near the old church he had built. General Peter Gabriel Muhlenberg, eldest son of Rev. Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, was born at Trappe October 1, 1746. He was educated at Halle, Germany, and was ordained a minister in 1768. He was stationed in Virginia in 1776, at the breaking out of the Revolution. It was here he delivered his powerful sermon on the "duties to country", after which he threw off his robe and appeared before his people a girded warrior. A company of volunteers was raised there and then. He served throughout the war, and rose by merit to the rank of brigadier-general. In 1775 he was elected Vice-President of Pennsylvania, and was reelected. He served in the First, Third and other Congresses with ability. In 1797 he was a member of the State Assembly. In 1801 was chosen States Senator from Pennsylvania, which honor he resigned the following year. On April 22, 1800, he was appointed major- general of Pennsylvania militia for seven years, and from 1803 to 1807 served as collector of the port of Philadelphia. He died October 1, 1807, leaving two sons. Peter was a major in the war of 1812 and Francis a Representative in Congress from Ohio. A few years ago General Muhlenberg's statue was placed in the National Gallery, at Washington, D. C., as Pennsylvania's most distinguished soldier. PICTURE OF TOMB OF GENERAL PETER MULENBERG, APPEARS HERE. Frederick Augustus Conrad Muhlenberg was born at Trappe January 2, 1750. Like his brother, he was educated at Halle and became pastor of a church in New York. In 1784 he was appointed judge of Montgomery County. He was president of the State convention in 1787 that adopted the Federal Constitution. He was the first Speaker of the National House of Representatives, being twice elected to that position, and was twice a candidate for Governor of Pennsylvania. He died in 1802. Gottlieb Henry Ernst Muhlenberg was born at Trappe November 17, 1753. He accompanied his two elder brothers to Halle when nine years of age, where he remained until he was eighteen. Returning in 1770, he became pastor of the Lutheran Church in Philadelphia, and afterwards of Providence and New Hanover. While settled in the county he devoted all his spare time to botany and mineralogy, and became one of the greatest American botanists. He died in 1815, many of the descendants of these old Muhlenberg patriots have risen to eminence in the ministry, the law and in politics, but want of space forbids their mention. Francis R. Shunk was born near Trappe August 7, 1788. His grandfather, of the same name, was mentioned as one of the first settlers of Providence. The parents of Francis were poor, and he was early compelled to support himself, which he did by teaching school and working on the farm. In 1829 he was appointed as clerk of the canal commissioners of Pennsylvania, and in 1838 Secretary of State by Governor Porter. In 1844 he was elected Governor of the commonwealth and reelected in 1847, but almost immediately resigned on account of ill health. He died July 20, 1848, and was buried in the Lutheran Churchyard, Trappe. A handsome marble shaft was erected to his memory in 1851 by the citizens of the State. General Francis Swaine was a resident of the township, was sheriff from 1787 to 1790 and was the first president of Montgomery County Bank. Gottlieb Mittelberger, who lived in the township for several years, deserves notice. He brought with him from Germany the organs in the Lutheran Churches at Philadelphia, New Hanover and Trappe, parts of which last remain to this day, he was liberally educated as a linguist and musician. He arrived in 1750, October 10th, and for four years resided in Providence, holding the position of organist and schoolmaster in the Lutheran Church, and gave private instructions in music and the German language at the house of Captain John Diemer. On his return to Germany he wrote a very interesting account of his sojourn in America, which was published in German in 1756. Parts of the book have been recently translated and published by Mr. Henry S. Dotterer, of Philadelphia. 1065 Wright A. Bringhurst was born and lived at Trappe. He was a man of intelligence, and served in the Legislature of Pennsylvania. He left a large estate to the township of Upper Providence and the borough of Norristown and Pottstown, the income of that is intended for the destitute of these districts. PICTURE OF SHUNK MONUMENT, APPEARS HERE. Hon. Jacob Fry, Jr., born at Trappe, 1802, was a member of Congress from this district, 183438, and auditor-general of the State, 1857-60. Hon. Joseph Royer, born near Trappe February, 1784, lived his whole life in Providence, was a member of the Legislature, 1821-22, associate judge of Montgomery County and several times a candidate for Congress. Two of his sons have since represented the county in the State Senate. Horace Royer was elected Senator in 1865 and Lewis Royer in 1878. Among others worthy of note should be mentioned Hon. Samuel Gross member of State Legislature, 1803-8, State Senator, 1811-14, of Congress, 1818-22 Rev Abraham Hunsicker, bishop of the Mennonist Church and founder of Trinity Christian Church, Freeland Hon. Abraham Brower, State Senator, 1840-43 Rev. John H. Umstad, a preacher of the Dunkards William W. Taylor, a noted anti-slavery advocate, and one in the line of the famous "Underground Railroad" Henry A. Hunsicker, the founder of Freeland Seminary (now Ursinus College) Rev. J. H. A. Bomberger, D.D., president of Ursinus College Professor J. Warren Sunderland, LL.D., founder of Pennsylvania Female College Professor Abel Rambo, for many years county superintendent, and now principal of Washington Hall Boarding-School. Upper Providence lays claim to the first temperance organization in the county. On the 7th of June 1817, a number of the farmers, Quakers and Dunkards, met at the Green Tree schoolhouse, and organized a temperance society by electing Jonas Umstad chairman and James White secretary. Among the resolutions adopted was the following: "We will not consider it a practice or custom to give liquors to laborers, or make use of any spirituous liquors in baying or harvest, or any other work, or knowingly suffer it to be used by laborers while in our employ; provided further, that such action is not intended to prohibit the medicinal use of it." Some time after this Jonas Umstad, John Barnett and Samuel Horning certify "that most of them have abstained without any ill, but with manifest good effects." The township has since maintained its temperance proclivities, being the only township in the county that gave a majority "against license" in the local option vote in 1873, and a large majority it was. The Lutherans at Trappe deserve the honor of founding the first school and building the first school-house. Before the first church was built, in 1743, a log schoolhouse was erected, in which, for several years, Father Muhlenberg himself taught one week in three, until relieved by Mr. Mittleberger, who taught for several years. Francis Murphy, an Irishman of learning, taught in this school-house for very many years, dying in 1855 at the advanced age of eighty-three. It is almost impossible to collect any definite information in regard to the school that sprung up for a short time and then died out. About 1827 there was something of a regular system of pay-schools introduced into the township. The teachers were paid two dollars per scholar for a term of three months, or seventy-two days. The lowest branches only were taught. Upper Providence accepted the Common-School Act about 1844, paying at that time a salary of seventy dollars for a term of thirteen weeks. The villages of Trappe, Freeland and Collegeville were erected into an independent common-school district by the court of Montgomery County on the 23d day of February 1880. It is called "The Trappe Independent District." It contains two school-houses and four schools. The length of term is seven months, and salary is forty dollars per month. In the township there are eleven school-houses and twelve schools. The term is eight months, and salary paid per month is forty-five dollars. In addition to its public schools the township boasts of two regularly chartered colleges viz., -Pennsylvania Female College and Ursinus College, now open to both sexes and one academy, Washington Hall Boarding-School. These are treated of in full under the chapter of Colleges. To speak of them here would be repetition. About 1834 a private academy was located at Port Providence. 1066 In February 1809, a public meeting was called to meet at the schoolhouse, near Joseph Cox's, for the purpose of establishing a public library. Nothing can now be ascertained in regard to its success. The county almshouse is situate in Upper Providence, but as this is treated have in another place in this history, it is unnecessary to treat it more fully here. PICTURE OF FRANK M. HOBSON, APPEARS HERE. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. FRANK M. HOBSON. Frank M. Hobson, of Collegeville, Montgomery Co., Pa., was born January 22, 1830, in Limerick township, said county. The farm upon which he was born and spent the first years of his life had been in the Hobson family since 1743, and consisted of two hundred and sixty-eight acres of the finest land in the township. Francis Hobson was the first of the family to settle in Montgomery County, having come from New Garden Township, Chester Co. He lived on the farm from 1743 to 1748, when it descended to his son Francis. In 1791 it again descended to the next generation, and Moses Hobson lived there until 1831, when his son, Francis Hobson, came into possession. This Francis, who was the father of the subject of this sketch, was married, in 1829, to Mary Matilda Bringhurst, by whom he had two children, -Frank M. and Sarah H; now the wife of Rev. Henry W. Super, D.D., vice-president of Ursinus College. Mr. Hobson completed a common English education at Washington Hall, Trappe. He taught public school three years at Trappe, and in 1856 moved to Freeland, where be kept a general store, which business he pursued for twenty-four years, until 1880, since which time he has lived a retired life. During these years he also engaged in surveying and conveyancing, besides acting in the capacity of administrator or executor in a large number of estates, conspicuous among which is the estate of his uncle, Wright A. Bringhurst. Mr. Bringhurst left about one hundred and ten thousand dollars to the boroughs of Norristown and Pottstown and the township of Upper Providence for the benefit of the worthy poor of these districts. He was also one of the trustees named in the will, and afterwards reappointed by the Montgomery County Court, whose duty it is to manage the trust. He has also frequently acted in other fiduciary capacities. 1067 He has also filled the following public offices and trusts: Postmaster at Freeland, seven years; school director, six years, township auditor, three years; an officer In the Trinity Christian Church, twenty-two, years; secretary and treasurer of Ursinus College, ten years; director of Iron Bank, of Phoenixville two years; director in First National Bank, of Norristown, several years; treasurer of Building and Loan Association, eleven years. He has recently been elected president of the Perkiomen and Reading Turnpike Road Company. Mr. Hobson has been independent in politics. Starting life a Democrat, be so remained until 1854, when he left that party on account of its striving to force slavery into the free Territories of the nation. Since that time he has been a Republican. During the reconstruction of the Southern States he opposed, in opposition to his party, the granting of the right of suffrage to the negro until he had properly qualified himself by nature and education to exercise this high prerogative. Today he is of the opinion that the developments of the past twenty years have shown that his position was the correct one. Mr. Hobson was married, October 8, 1856, to Lizzie Gotwalts, daughter of Jacob and Esther Gotwalts, of Upper Providence township. They have but two children,- Freeland G., now in his twenty-eighth year Mary M., several years younger. Freeland G. graduated at Ursinus College in 1876, was admitted to the Montgomery County bar in 1880, and is now engaged in the practice of his profession at Norristown. In 1881 he was married to Ella M., daughter of Rev. Joseph H. Hendricks, by whom he has one child, Frank H. REV. ABRAHAM HUNSICKER. Auge's "Men of Montgomery County." One of the most eminent and respectable German families in Montgomery County is that whose surname stands at the head of this page. The record of its emigration is that Valentine Hunsicker, a native of Switzerland -a nation which has preserved its freedom and independence a thousand years came to the United States in 1717, and about 1720 settled in what was then called Van Bebber, since Skippack, now Perkiomen township. He is probably the progenitor of all of the name in Montgomery County. The next generation in the direct line was Henry Hunsicker, whose wife, Esther, was the daughter of John Detwiler. Those were the parents of Rev. Abraham Hunsicker, the subject of this biography, who was born July 31, 1793, in East Perkiomen township, Montgomery Co., Pa. His ancestors being followers of Menno Simon, a plain, unworldly sect, most of whom grew up to undervalue liberal education "as of the world," Abraham Hunsicker enjoyed but the most limited educational advantages. When grown up, he felt the disadvantages of the want of scholastic training, and being of a strong natural endowment, early conceived the idea of reforming his religious brethren in reference to that subject. On May 30, 1816, he was married to Elizabeth Alderfer, and there were born to them ten children, as follows: Ann, married to John B. Landis Benjamin A., to Hannah Detwiler Esther, first married to Abraham Detwiler, and afterwards to Gideon Fetterolf Henry A., married first to Mary Weinberger, and afterwards to Anne C. Gotwals Abraham H., married to Rachel Rittenhouse Elizabeth, wife of Francis R. Hunsicker Elias A., married to Susan F. Moyer Mary A., widow of Rev. Jared T. Preston Catharine A., wife of Rev. Joseph H. Hendricks, pastor of Trinity Church, Freeland Horace M., who married Eliza Cosgrove. All the children of Abraham and Elizabeth Hunsicker, except Benjamin, the eldest son, who died in 1855, are living. Two sons reside in Philadelphia, two in Montgomery County, a daughter in Bucks County, and the others near the place of their birth. Abraham Hunsicker was ordained a minister of the Mennonist Church January 1, 1847, and soon after was elected a bishop. About that time a schism occurred in the Mennonite body, and Rev. Mr. Hunsicker was separated from the "old school" or conservative class of the society. In 1851 a second division took place, when Mr. Hunsicker set about organizing anew. He issued a pamphlet entitled "A Statement of Facts and Summary of Views on Morals and Religion, as related with Suspension from the Mennonite Meeting." In this he portrayed the excellence of that Christian charity and toleration which should prevail among religious denominations, as clearly set forth in the teachings and example of Christ. He deplored to the close of his life the undue tenacity evinced by most Christian sects for nonessentials in Christian doctrine, thus keeping them apart, instead of drawing them to co-operate in the great work of saving souls. Though brought up a Mennonite, under a rigid discipline which forbade marriage with any outside of the meeting, prohibiting members also from going to law to recover property, and regarding a liberal education as not only unnecessary, but dangerous, he was strongly impressed with a sense of duty to labor, to modify and correct these traditional views. He believed that whatever ground might have existed in early ages of the church for strict adherence to such rules, the time for a change had come. About the time of his ordination (1847) as bishop of the Mennonites of the district of Skippack, Providence and Methachen he conceived the idea, in connection with his son, Rev. Henry A. Hunsicker, of founding a boarding-school to furnish his people better means of education. This was accomplished in 1848 by the erection, upon land which belonged to him, of the extensive buildings now occupied as Ursinus College. At the head of this school his son, Henry A., who was shortly after ordained a minister, was placed, together with able assistants. The supervisory charge of bishop, which he now held, had been filled for many years previously by his father, Rev. Henry Hunsicker, Sr., who died in 1836, at the advanced age of eighty-five years, after fifty-four years service as minister. Holding it to be the right and privilege of women, as well as men, to be liberally educated, he proposed, in 1851, in conjunction with Professor J. W. Sunderland, to found Montgomery Female Institute (now Pennsylvania Female College) near by, which was also in due time accomplished. 1068 These proceedings in the cause of education, and other liberal views held by Mr. Hunsicker, led to division in the Mennonite body of the locality, and he proceeded at once to organize Trinity Christian Church of Freeland and to build a new house of worship, he tendering the ground for the purpose. This enterprise was accomplished in 1853. Unlike the society in which he had been raised, he regarded Sunday-schools as a necessary adjunct of the church, and soon had a flourishing school connected with the meeting. In a missionary spirit he planted a Reformed Church and school at Skippackville, which, like the Freeland society, has flourished, and both are ministered to by his son-in-law, Rev. Joseph H. Hendricks. These societies differ from old school Mennonites not only in the matters before stated, but also in holding protracted meetings, with a view of gathering in the unconverted. Being of a humane and practically benevolent nature, be dispensed freely what be had to give, and labored long and hard to establish, through the church, a systematic poor fund, that should supersede the necessity of beneficial organizations outside of its pale. Notwithstanding his efforts in this direction, he combated the prejudice of his late brethren in the church, who were opposed to secret societies, though he never belonged to any of them himself. He thought the church ought to feel a concern for the material welfare of its members, as it claims to overlook their spiritual wellbeing. Practcal religion, born of love and good-will to all, was pre- eminently his, and that which he labored to establish; hence he was ever impatient of meaningless customs and traditions founded on the letter, but destroying the spirit of the gospel. Accordingly, he was an advocate of free communion among evangelical sects, and set the example in the church to which he ministered. He continued to wear the plain Mennonite garb while he lived, but was not prepossessed in its favor, rather holding attire to be a thing of religious liberty, as he also thought of the form of baptism. He held, however, that the pouring on of water was the significant form of the rite, but would have every one act on his or her conscientious convictions in the matter. He was of such clear judgment and so untrammeled in thought that he followed the Divine word as he understood it. He was of a mild and generous nature, and yet uncompromising in what he regarded as vital; so that he may be set down as one of the genuine reformers of our day. In alms-giving he was free to a fault. Although he differed from his old Mennonite brethren in many things, he had the most exuberant charity for those who differed from him in their attachment to forms and dogma. In person he was tall and stoutly built, weighing over two hundred pounds, with a face expressive of honesty, force and resolution; his forehead was massive, and his temperament sanguine-bilious, indicating power and endurance; his complexion was dark, but ruddy; he enjoyed good health, as a consequence of a good constitution, vivacious spirits and temperate living; he was eminently social, finding enjoyment in the company of young or old alike, and ever giving appropriate advice arid counsel to all. From the time of settlement in Upper Providence, in 1816, he resided on the same farm until 1851. Subsequently he moved on a smaller property purchased from Wm. T. Todd in 1846, in the lower part of the village, where he continued to make until within three or four years of his death, when he and his aged partner went to live with their daughter, Mrs. Rev. J. T. Preston. Abraham Hunsicker died January 12, 1672, aged seventy-nine years. His widow still (1884) survives at an advanced age. HENRY G. HUNSICKER. The grandfather of the subject of this biography was Henry Hunsicker, a Mennonite preacher, whose children were John Jacob Henry Garrett Abram Elizabeth Annie Kate Sarah. Garrett Hunsicker was married to Catherine Detwiler, whose children are Elizabeth Henry G. Esther Christian Kate Garrett Mary Abram D. Henry G. Hunsicker was born, February 15, 1812, in East Perkiomen and enjoyed only such advantages as were to be found a the schools adjacent to his home, after which he engaged in active labor. He was, on the 10th of January, 1835, married to Hannah Stauffer, whose, birth occurred September 16, 1815. The children of this marriage are Mary Catherine Garrett S. Hannah (married to G. W. Pennepacker) Emanuel Esther Lizzie (wife of Horace Ashenfelter), whose children are Hannah Mary Amy Anna Henry H. Mr. Hunsicker is identified with the business interest of the county, having served for twenty year as director of the Montgomery National Bank, and for ten years as director of the Montgomery Mutual Fire and Storm Insurance Company. In politics he is a Republican, but not active as a politician. In religion he is a Mennonite and member of the Upper Providence Mennonite Society. Horace Ashenfelter, son-in-law of Mr. Hunsicker, is descended from John Ashenfelter, who was born June 7, 1771, and married, March 26, 1799, Mary Spare, whose birth occurred January 20, 1775. Their children were Catherine (Mrs. George Reiff), born August 25, 1801 Jonas, born November 9, 1805, married to Margaret Davis Samuel, whose birth occurred January 8, 1808, married to Rebecca Miller; John S., born December 5, 1810. The latter was married, November 1, 1846, to Susan Johnson. Their children are Henry J. William J. Abram J. John J. Horace Frank J. Katie. 1069 HENRY W. KRATZ. Mr. Kratz is of German descent, Valentine, his great- great-grandfather, having emigrated from the Fatherland and settled in Pennsylvania. The birth of his son, Valentine, occurred in Montgomery County. Among the children of the latter was a son Isaac, who resided in Perkiomen township, Montgomery Co., where he married Catharine Hunsicker and had children,- Valentine William Isaac Rebecca (Mrs. Wm. Godshall, now deceased) Catherine (Mrs. Jacob Rittenhouse) Mary (Mrs. John Bean) Elizabeth (Mrs. Wm. Young) Ann (Mrs. Henry Cassel). Valentine was born in Perkiomen township October 10, 1810, and married Mary, daughter of Henry Weikel, of the township of Upper Providence, born November 9, 1809. Their children are Henry W. Catherine (deceased) Sarah (deceased) Andora Elizabeth (deceased). PICTURE OF HENRY G. HUNSICKER, APPEARS HERE. The eldest, and subject of this biographical sketch, was born in Perkiomen township on the 31st of July, 1834, and at the age of six years removed to Trappe, in Upper Providence, since that date his residence. After a thorough English and partial classical education, received first at the common schools and later at the Washington Hall Collegiate Institute, at Trappe, he engaged in teaching at the latter point and in the immediate vicinity, and for eighteen consecutive years continued his professional labor, one year of this time having been spent at the Washington Hall Collegiate Institute. In 1862, Mr. Kratz Was elected justice of the peace. by his Republican constituents, and held the office continuously for a period of twenty years. In 1866-67 he was appointed transcribing and message clerk of the State Senate, and in the fall of 1881 was elected recorder of deeds for the county of Montgomery, remaining the incumbent of that office until 1885. These offices were filled with ability and integrity, characteristic of the man. Mr. Kratz has been and is in sympathy with every movement having for its purpose the moral, educational and material advancement of the county. He is president of the 1070 board of directors of Ursinus College, at Collegeville, director of the National Bank of Schwenksville, manager and secretary of the Perkiomen Valley Mutual Fire and Storm Insurance Company, president of the board of managers of the Black Rock Bridge Company, and manager of the Perkiomen and Reading Turnpike Company. He is a prominent representative of the Masonic fraternity, and member of Warren Lodge, No. 310, of Trappe, and of Hutchinson Commandery, No. 32, of Norristown. He is, in his religious associations, identified with the Reformed Church, and is a member of the St. Luke's Reformed Church of Trappe, in which he has, for nearly a quarter of a century, been chorister. Mr. Kratz was, on the 26th of May, 1857, married to Miss Myra, daughter of William Bean, of Trappe. Their children are Mary T., Kate B. (Mrs. Horace Royer) and Henry Elmer, now living; and Irvin B. and Jane, deceased. PICTURE OF HENRY W. KRATZ, APPEARS HERE. ANTHONY V. CUSTER. Jacob Kishter (as the name was originally spelled), the grandfather of Anthony V. Custer, emigrated from Holland and settled in Montgomery County, Pa., having purchased a tract of land in Worcester township, of that county. His children were Jacob, Samuel Joseph Peter Anne (Mrs. Pennypacker) Catherine (Mrs. Slough) Mary (Mrs. Slough) and Mrs. Rittenhouse. Peter Custer, the father of the subject of this biography, was born on the homestead, and later made Lower Providence township his home, where he remained until his removal to the property now owned by his home in Upper Providence township. He married Rebecca, daughter of Anthony Vanderslice, of the latter township, who resided upon the farm now owned by Mr. Custer. The children of this marriage are Jacob Samuel Anthony V. Elizabeth (Mrs. Jacob Garges) Nancy (Mrs. Christian Gross). Anthony V., of this number, was born July 26, 1802, on the maternal homestead, his present residence, where his whole life has been spent. The youth of that day enjoyed but limited advantages of education and were early taught habits of industry and economy. Anthony Custer was no exception to this rule, and spent many more days in cultivating his father's land than with his books at school. The lessons of diligence and thrift learned at that time proved of service to him in later years as he fought manfully the battle of life. On the 1st of December, 1829, he married Mary, daughter of Matthias Brumbach, of Lower Providence. Their children are Louisa, deceased Catherine, deceased (Mrs. Augustus Yoder) Matthias, whose children are Mary Ida (Mrs. Isaac Garmer) C. Flora Louisa S. Anthony W. Leora Werna L. Olivia M. Ann (Mrs. Elijah Brunner), whose only daughter is Elizabeth; and Anthony, deceased. 1071 PICTURE OF ANTHONY V. CUSTER, APPEARS HERE. Mr. Custer remained with his father, assisting him in his labors until 1832, when he inherited the farm. In 1852 he rented the property for a number of years, after which his son Mathias assumed charge, and now cultivates it. Mr. Custer was formerly a Whig and is now a Republican, but is neither active in politics nor a seeker after office, having been during his busy life entirely absorbed in his own business interests. He is a member of Augustus Lutheran Church, at Trappe, in which he has been for forty years an exemplary elder.