USA > Pennsylvania > Delaware County > A history of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, and its people; Volume II > Part 26
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53
( 11) Charles A., son of William and Bertha ( Weis) Nothnagle, was born in Chester, Pennsylvania, October 3. 1863, and is now a resident of Paulsboro, New Jersey. He was educated in the high school of Chester, and grew up as his father's assistant in the meat market. Later he moved to Paulsboro, New Jersey, where he is now engaged in the same line, being proprietor of a mar- ket and meat business. He is a member of Chester Lodge. No. 236, Free and Accepted Masons ; in politics is a Republican ; and in religion a member of the Episcopal Church. Mr. Nothnagle married Josephine Ireland, born in Chester, daughter of Joseph and Mary Ireland, both deceased ; children : William, died in childhood : Charles, born February 9. 1886, in Chester, now a machinist. married Beatrice Miller, of Paulsboro, where they reside; Frank R., see for- ward.
( H1) Dr. Frank R. Nothnagle, youngest son of Charles \. and Josephine (Ireland ) Nothnagle, was born in Chester, Pennsylvania, July 9, 1888. He at- tended the public school there until he was about nine years of age, when his parents moved to Paulsboro, New Jersey. Here he continued his studies, and was graduated from the high school in 1906. In September, 1906, he entered Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, whence he was graduated M. D. in the class of 1910. He served one year as interne at Chester Hospital and then began private practice, locating at Second and Penn streets, Chester, where he is becoming well established as a safe, skillful and honorable physi- cian. He is on the obstetrical staff of Chester Hospital, and is a member of the American Medical Association, the State Medical Society and the Delaware County Medical Society. He also belongs to Chester Lodge No. 236, Free and Accepted Masons.
Dr. Nothnagle married, January 25. 1913. Florence Dyson, born in Ches- ter. daughter of George and Sarah ( Miller ) Dyson, the latter born in England.
MONIHAN The Monihans of Ireland have long been an agricultural fam- ily of that isle, some of them land owners, all men of good standing and intelligence.
In this country the family was founded by James Moniban, who was well educated, a good linguist, and in New York was for many years interpre- ter at the emigration offices, aiding emigrants. He married and had issue.
John, son of James Monihan, was born in Ireland in 1843. He came to the United States before his marriage, settling in Brandywine. Pennsylvania. later moved to Landenberg, where he vet resides. He entered the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad, served for many years and is now upon the retired list. He is a Democrat in politics, and state vice-president of the Ancient Or-
587
DELAWARE COUNTY
der of Hibernians of Delaware Division, No. 4. In religious faith he is a member of the Roman Catholic church. He married Julia Haley, born in Ireland, daughter of Matthew Haley, who settled in Brandywine prior to the marriage of his daughter and there died. Children of John Monihan : 1. James, married Mary Curry, of Bellefonte, Pennsylvania ; now is general yard master for the "Nickel Plate" Railroad at Cleveland, Ohio. 2. Ella, married James Riley, of Philadelphia, both deceased. 3. Andrew, married Emily Murray, of Conshohocken, Pennsylvania ; resides in Philadelphia, freight claim investiga- tor for the Pennsylvania Railroad. 4. Julia, married Peter Lafferty, a rail- road conductor, now of Buffalo, New York. 5. Josephine, a teacher in the Avondale, ( Pennsylvania) high school. 6. Daniel Joseph, see forward.
Dr. Daniel J. Monihan, son of John and Julia ( Haley) Monihan, was born in Landenberg, Chester County, Pennsylvania, March 19, 1882. He was edu- cated in the public schools, West Chester State Normal, leaving the latter in- stitution and taking a business course at Goldeys Business College at Wilming- ton, Delaware, in 1897. He then entered the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad at Broad Street Station, Philadelphia, continuing until 1903, when he began the carrying out of a long formed plan. He entered the Medical De- partment of Medico-Chirurgical College, whence he was graduated M. D., class of May, 1907. After graduation he served as interne in the college hos- pital for eight months, then as interne in the Philadelphia General Hospital at Blockley for eighteen months. He then began general practice at Crum Lynne. Delaware County, but in 1909 removed to Chester where he is now well estab- lished in practice, with offices at Broad Street and Morton Avenue. He was a member of the Surgical Society at college ; is a present member of the Penn- sylvania State Medical Society, Delaware County Medical Society, Blockley Medical Society, Philadelphia Medical Club, Americus Council. No. 242, Knights of Columbus. In political faith Dr. Monihan is an independent, and he is a communicant of the Roman Catholic Church. He is unmarried.
NORTHAM The Northams trace to ancient Virginia families on both ma-
ternal and paternal lines, the Northams and Byrds being of both Colonial and Revolutionary fame. The Byrd ancestry leads back to William Byrd, born 1674, died 1744. He was educated in Eng- land, The Netherlands and France: was a fellow of the Royal Society of England and came to Virginia as receiver general of that province. He also served under three appointments as Colonial agent for Virginia in London. For thirty-seven years he was a member of the provincial council of Virginia and was chosen its president. He had in his famous Virginia home "West- over." the largest private library in America and was one of the literary lights of his day. An excerpt from the Westover manuscripts left by him was pub- lished in Senator Lodge's "Classics of Literature." The home seat of the Northams was in Accomack county, Virginia, where William Thomas Nort- ham owned a farm. He was of Revolutionary ancestry.
William Byrd Northam, son of William Thomas Northam, was born at the family seat in Accomack county. October 1, 1848. now a resident of Chester. Pennsylvania. He was educated in Virginia, but at the age of twenty years lo- cated in Cape May county, New Jersey, where he engaged in farming. Later he moved to Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. where until 1888 he was employed in the iron works. In the latter year he located in Chester. Pennsylvania, where he is connected with the Chester Traction company. In political faith, Mr. Northam is a Republican, and in religious belief a Baptist. He belongs to Mo-
588
DELAWARE COUNTY
zart Lodge, Philadelphia, Free and Accepted Masons; the Junior Order of American Mechanics ; the Shield of Honor and Knights of Malta.
He married Mary Elizabeth Spare, born in Montgomery county, Pennsyl- vania, daughter of John Spare, a Civil War veteran, a survivor of the battle of Gettysburg, bift died the following Angust. He was a farmer of Montgomery county and a man of substance. His wife, who was Miss Bitting, died when her daughter, Mary Elizabeth, was quite young. Children of William Byrd Northam : George V., born August 25, 1875, now foreman of the Lorain Steel Company at Lorain, Ohio, married Elizabeth Mathers of Chester, Pennsylvania; Harry S., born November 18, 1877, now an electrician in Ohio, married Maime Reynolds of Chester ; William Byrd (2) (of whom further) : Ella, born February 14, 1881. married Alfred C. Thorpe, a coal dealer of Chester, their home; J. Al- bert, born April, 1883. now a salesman for Lewis Brothers, wholesale grocers, married Annie Taylor of Chester ; Margaret M., born in 1885, married Harry Ruch, foreman of the Hot Water plant at Sharon Hill, Delaware county, Penn- sylvania : Elsie, born March 12, 1888, married Harry Hunter, clerk with the American Foundry Company and resides in Chester : Emily, born August 24, 1891. married Albert P. Taylor, advertisement broker, and resides at Upland, Pennsylvania : Charles B., born April 24, 1895, now stenographer for the Tex- as Oil company and resides in Chester.
William Byrd (2) Northam was born at Port Providence. Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, July 27, 1879. He attended the public schools of Ches- ter county : in Schuylkill township : Oak Grove and Spring City. From the age of eleven to sixteen years he worked in the cotton mills, except for one term in the Chester schools. In 1895 he entered Williamson's Free Trade School, situated two miles from Media, took a full course and was graduated a mia- chinist and mechanical draughtsman in 1899. For three years of that period he worked in a Chester machine shop, that being the practical part of the course of study. In 1900 he began the study of law under the preceptorship of George B. Lindsay and William B. Harvey and on December 29, 1902, was admitted to the Delaware county bar. He at once began practice in Chester, opening offices at 140 East Seventh street, where he is well established in a satisfactory and growing practice.
He is an independent Republican in politics ; a member of the Baptist Church ; the Junior Order of American Mechanics, Col. David Houston Coun- cil No. 739, of which he is past councillor; the Patriotic Sons of America, Washington Camp No. 81 ; and of the Delaware County Bar Association. Mr. Northam is unmarried.
TAYLOR From Rohert Taylor, of the Society of Friends from 1681. clown to the present. the Taylor family has been a leading one in Chester and Delaware counties. Robert Taylor from Little Leigh, Cheshire, England, came to this country in 1682. On March 3, of 1681. he purchased one thousand acres in Chester county, Pennsylvania, of which six hundred were in the neighborhood of the present village of Broomall, four hundred were situated south of the Springfield water basin and all conveyed to him under an original grant from William Penn, made Marchi 3. 1681. surveyed, November 11, 1682. Robert Taylor was a member of the Society of Friends, married and the founder of an important, influential family. From him through the line of his eldest son sprang the author and poet, Bayard Taylor, and from the line of his seventh son, springs James Irvin Taylor. of Chester.
Thomas Taylor, son of Robert Taylor, married Mary Howell.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
AS OR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONE.
J. Irvin Taylor
589
DELAWARE COUNTY
Thomas (2) Taylor, eldest son of Thomas (1) Taylor, married Mary Adams.
Robert (2) Taylor, eldest son of Thomas (2) Taylor, married (second) Catherine McCloskey. He was a soldier in the Revolution.
Robert (3) Taylor, son of Robert (2) Taylor, and his second wife, mar- ried Catherine Cummings, of Scotch descent. His father-in-law, James Cum- mings, was a soldier of the Revolution. William Taylor, son of Robert (3) Taylor, was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, March 1, 1815, died in 1903, a Methodist in religious faith, a Republican in politics, but later a zealous third party Prohibitionist.
He married, in 1836, Jane Boyd, with whom fifty years later he cele- brated the golden anniversary of his wedding day, surrounded by children, grandchildren and friends. His sons are: James W., Robert and Henry ; daughters : Eliza, Mary, Kate and Hannah.
Robert (4) Taylor, son of William and Jane (Boyd) Taylor, was born in New London, Chester county, Pennsylvania, in 1838, died in March, 1891. He received a good English education and early in life engaged in farming ; later became a contractor and builder. In 1884 he removed his residence to Chester, where he continued contracting and building with remarkable success. In one year he erected buildings valued at nearly one hundred thousand dollars and in each year gained in favor as an honorable, trustworthy and capable builder, and a man of upright character. He was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a faith he embraced when sixteen years of age. He was for many years a trustee of Trinity Church in Chester, superintendent of the Sunday School, and a most active, liberal supporter of all church inter- ests. He was a strong advocate of temperance and allied with the prohibition party in political faith. He served as school director of Aston township, Del- aware county, and always aided the cause of education to the full extent of his ability. He was a member of the Benevolent Lodge No. 50, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, but would never accept the lodge monetary benefits to which he was entitled. He married. in 1862, Lydia E. Howard, a daughter of Benjamin and Henrietta (Miller) Howard. the latter, daughter of Daniel (2) Miller, and granddaughter of Daniel (1) Miller, a soldier of the Revolution ; children : James Irvin, William H., Howard D., Ruth W., and Charles W.
James Irvin Taylor, eldest son of Robert (4) and Lydia E. (Howard) Taylor, was born in Middletown township, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, August 6, 1863. He was educated in the public schools and at West Chester State Normal, attending the latter, however, but one term. He then began learning the carpenter's trade under the direction of his father. He worked at his trade in the residential districts of Philadelphia, remaining there until his father had established a contracting business in Chester. He then joined him until 1891. when upon the death of his father he began contracting on his own account. After the death of Robert (4) Taylor in 1891, J. Irvin Taylor formed a partnership with his younger brother. Howard D., and under the firm name, J. I. Taylor & Brother, operated one year, erecting twenty-two buildings during that period. They then dissolved, and J. Irvin Taylor con- tinued again alone. He has continued steadily along until the present time, keeping a force of mechanics at work continuously, and has added eight hun- dred dwellings to the taxable property of Chester. Many of these, perhaps half, he has built himself and later sold. Some were for business and public purposes, but the greater part by far have been beautiful, well planned, desira- ble residences. The development and improvemnt in the Eighth and Market street district, is due to his enterprise, while at Third and Upland streets he has erected twenty-four residences. But all over the city of Chester may be found
590
DELAWARE COUNTY
residences and buildings erected by him. He is now constructing a real estate office building at Sixth and Market streets.
Not only has Chester benefitted by his public spirit and enterprise, but lie has also given much time to the public service. He was four years a member of common council, and for nine years a useful member of the board of edu- cation. He was instrumental in having the city build the Ninth street bridge over Chester Creek and in his building operations has been the means of add- ing to the city. West Ninth street, Spruce street ; Dupont, Barclay street, Penn street, Fifth street and Taylor Terrace. In politics he was for many years a Republican, but in the campaign of 1912 joined with the Progressive party and was then candidate for the legislature. In 1905 he was a candidate for the Republican nomination for mayor of Chester, and in religious faith he is a member of Madison Street Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Taylor is a member of the Masonic order, belonging to Chester Lodge No. 236. Free and Accepted Masons: Chester Commandery No. 66. Knights Templar, and to Lulu Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, Philadelphia. Other orders with which he is connected are : Leiperville Lodge No. 263, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is Past Noble Grand : Chester Lodge No. 488, Be- nevolent Protective Order of Elks: Chester Camp, Modern Woodmen of the World, and the Order of Heptasophs.
In early manhood, Mr. Taylor, in his reading and study, became interested in phrenology, and in 1886 took a course in that science at the Institute of Phrenology in New York city, from whence he was graduated. The science he retains for his own satisfaction only, never having attempted its use pro- fessionally, regarding himself simply as an amateur, but deriving a great deal of pleasure from the private exercise of his knowledge. He has the respeet of his community as a citizen and a well established standing as a capable, honor- able, substantial business man.
Mr. Taylor married, October 5. 1887, Emma Beaumont, in Calvary Epis- eopal Church at Rockdale, Rev. James Walker performing the ceremony. She is the daughter of Richard and Hannah ( Mills) Beaumont, both parents born in Huddersfield. Yorkshire, England ; children : Robert Leslie, born in Upland, Pennsylvania, graduate Chester high school, Pierce's Business College. now a student at the University of Pennsylvania ; Helen Beaumont, graduate Chester high school : Paul I., deceased : Emma Marguerite, a student in high school : Charles James Irvin, student in Chester high school: Frank Howard, attend- ing Lincoln school; Chester. The family home is at No. 512 West Ninth street, Chester, Pennsylvania.
Born in England, Basil Cooper when a young man came to this
COOPER country settling in Talbot county, Maryland, later in Kent eoun- ty, Delaware, where he spent his life engaged in farming. He was a leading member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and in political faith was a Democrat. He married Miss Cooper of Talbot county. Maryland. and founded the family of which Clarence C. Cooper of Chester, Pennsylvania, is representative ; children : Mark ( see forward ) : Mary, died in Kent county, Delaware, married James Hendrickson.
Mark Cooper, son of Basil Cooper, the English emigrant, was born in Kent county. Delaware : there lived and died aged forty-eight years. He was a farmer all his life ; a Democrat and a Methodist. He married Lucretia Hill, who did not survive her husband but a short time, dying at the age forty-five years : children: John, born in 1849. died in Kent county, a farmer. He mar- ried Lizzie Killein, who survives him a resident of Harrington city, Delaware ;
591
DELAWARE COUNTY
Lucretia, born in 1851, married William Billings, a farmer of Kent county- both deceased: James B. (see forward) : Mark (2), born 1855, deceased, a farmer, he married Emma Scott, who survives him a resident of Harrington city ; Elizabeth, born 1860, deceased, married William Rosenstock, now resid- ing in Norwood, Pennsylvania.
James B. Cooper. son of Mark and Lucretia (Hill) Cooper, was born in Kent county, Delaware, at Harrington city, September 22, 1853. He was edu- cated in the public schools, became his father's farm assistant and until 1910 was constantly engaged in the business of a farmer. In that year he joined his son, Clarence C. Cooper, in the general produce commission business in Chester and there continues. He is a Democrat in politics and an attendant of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He married Anna, daughter of Alexander and Lydia (Lewis) Simpson of Harrington city, both deceased. Alexander was a son of Clement C. Simpson, born in Maryland in 1809, died in Kent county, Delaware in 1883, a farmer and an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He married Ann Morris, born 1815, died in Kent county in 1880. Children: Alexander, married Lydia Lewis, who was the mother of his nineteen children of whom Anna, wife of James B. Cooper, was the eld- est. Eight of these children are yet living; three died unnamed; two died young, the others reaching years of maturity. Both Alexander and his wife Lydia (Lewis) Simpson are deceased. Mary, died unmarried ; John, resides in Carbondale, Kansas, a farmer. He married a widow, Mrs. Wachneyer ; Ezekiel, died in Harrington city, a carpenter. He married Louisa Calloway, who survives him; James, married Sarah Meredith and resides at Harrington city, a farmer ; Sarah, married Andrew Melvin, a farmer and resides in Dor- chester county, Maryland : Annie, died young. Children of James B. Cooper : Clarence Cecil (see forward) : Bessie, born August 24, 1883, died October 28, 1913, married Clarence Martz, a clerk in Chester, now deceased. She resides in Chester with her two children, Hazel and Cooper.
Clarence Cecil Cooper, only son of James B. and Anna (Simpson) Coop- er, was born at Harrington city, Delaware, June 16, 1881. He was educated in the public schools of Kent county, continuing his studies until 1898. He began business life as an employee of the Pennsylvania Steel Casting Com- pany in Chester, remaining until 1901. He then entered the employ of Brigh- ton and Johnson, commission merchants of Chester, remaining with that firm until 1906, becoming thoroughly familiar with the commission business, find- ing it both congenial and profitable. In 1906 he formed a partnership with 1. M. Wolf and started a similar business for himself. This association continued until 1910, when the firm dissolved, Mr. Cooper continuing in the same lines but alone, at No. 210 Edgemont Avenue, Chester. He also has a larger office and storage rooms at Second and Edgmont Avenne. He has been very successful in his business, has a good line of shippers from many localities and holds their entire confidence. His dealings are based on the principle of the "square (lea!" and both his shippers and customers have found that this principle is strictly adhered to. Mr. Cooper is a member of the Franklin Fire Company of Chester. having joined in 1902 in coming of age : also belongs to the Junior Order American Mechanics . is a Democrat in politics and attends the Episco- pal church.
He married in Chester, August 15, 1906, Minnie Brighton, born in Bos- ton, England-her parents, Abram and Jane (Lawton) Brighton, coming to the United States when she was an infant and settling in Upland, Pennsylvania, but now living in Chester, retired. Child: James Brighton, born in Chester. January 21, 1908.
592
DELAWARE COUNTY
A monument still standing to the memory of John Hoskins, HOSKINS the emigrant ancestor, is the old Hoskins House ( Edgemont Avenue, below Third street) Chester, built in 1688.
John Hoskins and wife Mary, came from England in 1682 and settled at Chester. He was one of the original purchasers under Penn, from whom he bought before leaving England, two hundred fifty acres which were laid out to him in Middletown township in 1684. In August, 1684, he purchased from John Sinnock, the property in Chester upon which he built the house in 1688. John Hoskins was a member of the Society of Friends; member of General Assembly of 1683, and kept the old house as an inn. His will is signed John Ilodgskins, but his executors in their report spell it Hoskins. He left two children, John (2) and Mary, also a widow Mary, who married (second) in 1700, George Woodier of Chester. She was an active member of the Friends Meeting at Chester, of which she and Ann Posey were appointed over- seers in 1696.
John (2) Hoskins was elected sheriff of Chester county in 1700, being then not more than twenty-three years of age and continued to hold that office until 1715, except during the year 1708. He married in 1698, Ruth Atkinson, who died in 1739-he died in 1716. They had issue : John (3), born 1699; Stephen, born 1701; George, born 1703. died young; Joseph, born 1705, and Mary, born 1707. From John (2) Hoskins springs the Chester family herein recorded.
A later John Hoskins, was born in Chester and died in Rockdale aged eighty years, born about 1750. He was a contractor and farmer, a Democrat and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He married Mary Evans, born in Chester, died in Middletown township, who bore him John R., married Mary Chever ; William (of further mention) ; Joseph, died in Maryland, a farmer ; Minerva, married Aaron Massey ; Hannah, married Joseph Griswold.
William Hoskins, son of John and Mary (Evans) Hoskins, was born in Rockdale, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, died at Lima, Pennsylvania, in 1880, aged about seventy-three years. He was a farmer all his active life ; a Demo- crat and an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He married Charlotte Taylor, born in Media, Pennsylvania, who died aged about seventy- four years, daughter of John Taylor, born in Village Green, Delaware county. John Taylor was a revolutionary soldier, captured at the battle of Long Island, and confined on a prison ship in the harbor at New Haven, Connecticut, where he nearly died from starvation and privation. He was finally released through the kindness of a commission merchant of New Haven and returned to his home, but not until he had married a Miss Richards of New Haven. He spent the remainder of his days a farmer of Delaware county. Children of William Hoskins ; Joseph, married Miss Broomall of Delhi, who survives him a resident of Darby township; John, a wheelwright, married Jane Brown, both deceased ; Aaron M. (of whom further) ; Cheyney, died aged twenty-two years : Henry, a contractor, married Sarah James and now resides in Berwyn, Pennsylvania : Hamilton, a farmer, married Emma Baumgarten, both deceased ; Esther, died young : Martha, married Robert Johnson, whom she survives a resident of Lima ; Anna, married Thomas Garrett, whom she survives, residing in Lima.
Aaron M. Hoskins, son of William and Charlotte (Taylor) Hoskins, was born in Village Green, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, May 18, 1836, died at Elwyn in the same county, March 8, 1911. He was a farmer and cattle dealer of Delaware county all his life, an active energetic man of business and a good citizen. For many years he was an elder of the Presbyterian Church and in politics a Democrat. He married Josephine Williams, born in East Media. January 24. 1844. daughter of Thomas T. and Catherine (Thomas) Williams
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.