A history of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, and its people; Volume III, Part 18

Author: Jordan, John W. (John Woolf), 1840-1921; Lewis Historical Publishing Co
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: New York, Lewis Historical Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 498


USA > Pennsylvania > Delaware County > A history of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, and its people; Volume III > Part 18


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county, Pennsylvania, daughter of William and Ida Mclaughlin. They have been blessed with children as follows: A. M. Taylor, Emily Barbara and Eliza- beth. Mr. Berner is a self-made man, and the accumulations of an enterpris- ing business career have come as the result of his able, persevering efforts. His life has been an honorable and industrious one, and he has the respect and es- teem of all who know him.


Henry P. Shimer, a well known resident of Newtown township, SHIMER Delaware county, Pennsylvania, where he has been engaged in manufacturing and agricultural pursuits for many years, was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, September 15, 1854.


Frederick Shimer, his great-grandfather, came to this country from Ger- many in 1749, and spent the greater part of his life in the vicinity of Phila- delphia. He was acompanied to this country by his wife, Mary Magdalena, and they had children: Conrad, Daniel, Bartholomew, Michael, Frederick, John, Peter, Elizabeth, Catherine, Mary, Barbara.


Frederick (2), son of Frederick (1) and Mary Magdalena Shimer, had children: John, Mary, Elizabeth.


John, son of Frederick (2) Shimer, was born in Chester county. Penn- sylvania. His business was that of farming and manufacturing cotton batting. He owns fifty-five acres of land, is a member of the Republican party, and of the Baptist church. He married Emily Duseaux, and had children: John N. M., Henry P., Samuel M., Margaret, Susan, Harriet.


Henry P. Shimer was educated in the public schools of Edgemont town- ship, and the schools of Thornbury, Chester county, Pennsylvania. He was a bright and ambitious young lad, and was not content to serve others many years. At the age of twenty years he established himself in business. He manufactured cotton batting, and engaged in farming at the same time. In 1889 he went west to the Indian Territory, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, and at the present time he still owns some land there which holds out good oil prospects. In 1899 he returned to his home in the East, where he has since remained, his fine residence being on Shimer ave- nue. He casts his vote for the Republican party, and is a member of the Bap- tist church. Mr. Shimer married, in 1884, Phoebe A. Levero, born in 1859. Children: I. Edward P., born in 1885, a molder and lives at Coraopolis : mar- ried Catherine Smyth, has one son, born in November, 1913, Edward Paul Shimer. 2. Lucy E., horn 1890; married Isaac A. Hain, December 26, 1913; lives in Cleveland.


TAYLOR For many generations the Taylor family has been established in Maryland, where the original immigrant ancestor landed on reaching this country from England. He was a tobacco planter, and his sons, and sons' sons followed that lucrative occupation. Then as the numbers increased and the original estate was found to be too small to sup- port them all, many found other occupations in different parts of the state and other states.


(I) William D. Taylor was born in Maryland, there was reared, lived and died. For many years he was a farmer, after which, owing to the needs of the community, he established a blacksmith and millwright shop in his neighborhood. In this he did remarkably well, and succeeded in accumulat- ing a handsome competence. He married Fannie Parsons, daughter of a neighboring planter. Among their children was William S., of whom further.


(II) William S., son of William D. and Fannie (Parsons) Taylor, was


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born in Maryland, near Churchill. He was educated in private schools and at Washington College. In 1893 he moved to Eddystone, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, and there established one of the best grocery stores that the town had up to that time. It was located on the corner of Second and Lex- ington streets, and there he did business until his death, August 14, 1909. Mr. Taylor was one of the most substantial citizens in Eddystone, and his death was greatly regretted by the community. He was a Republican, voted with and worked for the party. He married, in 1891, Mary Stewart, born in Ed- dystone. One child, William Davis, of whom further.


(III) William Davis, son of William S. and Mary (Stewart) Taylor, was born in Eddystone, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, in 1892. He received a thor- ough education in the Eddystone Grammar School and the Chester High School. As he was the only child of his parents he inherited the estate at his father's death, and immediately took charge of the business. One year later he erected a handsome brick structure, corner of Eleventh street and Saville avenue, and here continues the grocery and market business. Beginning under such favorable auspices there is little wonder that the dual business has grown to such proportions as it has. Mr. Taylor has added much to its. growth by his uniformly courteous treatment of his patrons. He stands high in his town, both as a business man and as a citizen. He is a member of the Eddystone Methodist Episcopal Church, supporting it generously on all occasions, and is also a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, Upland Lodge, and the Eddystone Fire Com- pany. He is a director of the Delaware' County Business Men's Association, which is doing such valiant work for that section of the state. He votes the Republican ticket, and has served as school director. He married, Septem- ber, 1911, Myrtle V. Hewlings. ..


BAXTER This branch of the Baxter family dates in this country to the


year 1849, but in England trace to Richard Baxter, an English Non-conformist divine, born 1615, died 1691. He is said to have preached more sermons, engaged in more controversies and written more books than any other Non-conformist of his age. He is perhaps best known through his work, "Saints Rest and Call to the Unconverted," although his autobiographical narrative is of great historical value, and the review of his religious opinions is spoken of by Coleridge as one of the most remarkable pieces of writing in religious literature.


Robert Baxter, of Yorkshire, England. married and had children: John ; Robert, died in 1853, and Ann.


John Baxter, son of Robert Baxter, was born in Thistleboro, Yorkshire, England, near Settle, in 1784: died in Grassington, Yorkshire, March 20, 1845. He was self-educated, but so profound was his learning that he was known as the best educated man in his village. He was manager of a quarry and later engaged in milling, making money plentifully, but spending so freely that he never accumulated. He married Mary Pollard, born in Craco, near Skipton, Yorkshire, March 26, 1794. died in Philadelphia, July 20. 1868, daughter of John and Mary Pollard, and sister of William Pollard, who died in York- shire. Children, all born in Yorkshire : 1. Mary Ann, born July 2, 1819, died November 26, 1856, married Duncan Campbell. 2. John, born November 29, 1821, died July 20, 1888, in Camden, New Jersey, a partner in business with his brother, Albert. 3. William, born February 11, 1824. After the death of his first wife he came to Philadelphia with his second, engaged in the wool business and became wealthy. Later he moved to Richmond, Indiana, where-


THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY


ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.


Henry V. Baxter


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he helped to organize and was vice-president of the Wayne County Agriculture Works. He was elected to the state senate of Indiana and is the author of the Baxter Temperance Law. He was an Orthodox Friend and died in Richmond, September 26, 1866. 4. Alfred, born September 22, 1825. He was principal of schools at Stratford-on-Avon, England, later came to the United States and settled in Colorado, where he followed his profession. He was a noted linguist, teaching Greek and Hebrew from the original. He was also a regularly ordained minister of the gospel. He was also one of the pioneer farmers of Colorado and a surveyor in the early days. He later moved to San Diego, California, where he died November 7, 1903. 5. Ellen, born June 8, 1827, married Donald MacGregor and lived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; she died September 29, 1905. 6. Maria, born February 23, 1829, married Thomas Hodgson, both died in Yorkshire, she August 5, 1855. 7. Robert, born Decem- ber 5, 1831, died at Philadelphia, August 5, 1849. 8. Jane, born June 16, 1833, died in Yorkshire, April 8, 1848. 9. Richard, born March 12, 1855, died in Yorkshire, January 8, 1848. 10. Albert (of whom further).


Albert Baxter, son of John and Mary (Pollard) Baxter, was born in Bradford, Yorkshire, England, January 25, 1837, now living retired in Ches- ter, Pennsylvania. He came to the United States when a lad of twelve years of age, locating in Philadelphia, where he joined his brother, William, for whom he worked as a wool sorter and in other capacities. Later he located in Camden, New Jersey, where he established a hide and tallow business, whichi he afterward sold to his brother, John, and returned to Philadelphia. He there engaged in the wool business, but owing to the money stringency in 1877, he went into voluntary liquidation, and in 1878 settled in Chester, Pennsyl- vania, where he established a plant for the manufacture of tallow, grease, oils and fertilizer, also dealing in hides. This he continued until 1897, when he sold out to his son, Henry V. Baxter, and retired. He was a successful busi- ness man, honorable and upright in all his dealings. While in Camden he was a member of the vigilance committee, formed to cope with the epidemic of arson and burglary that swept that city until the heroic measures taken by the committee made it too dangerous for the criminals to continue. He is an active member of the First Baptist Church, and for ten years was leader of the choir. In political faith he is a Republican.


Albert Baxter married December 3, 1866, Annie E. Brace, born in Phil- adelphia, October 4, 1842, died in Chester, March 7, 1879. daughter of Jolin Brace, born in Oldham, England. October 16, 1819, and his wife, Elizabeth Beideman, born September 14, 1821, both deceased. Children: Henry Vin- cent (of whom further ) ; Edward Everett, died in youth ; Nellie, died young ; Howard Brace, born November 8, 1874, a carpenter of Chester for many years in the employ of his brother. He married Isabelle Lawrence, of Mar- tins Corners, Chester county, Pennsylvania.


Henry Vincent Baxter, eldest son of Albert and Annie E. (Brace) Bax- ter, was born in Camden, New Jersey, March 8, 1868. He attended the pub- lic school there until he was ten years of age, then his parents moved to Ches- ter, Pennsylvania, where he attended Gilbert's Academy until he was sixteen years of age. He then began working for his father at the grease, tallow, oil and fertilizer plant, located in the outskirts of Chester, continuing until 1897, when he purchased the business which he yet continues. In 1908 he pur- chased a similar business from a competitor, Otto Walther, and now operates the only plant of this nature in his locality. Mr. Baxter is an accomplished per former on the pipe organ; is a graduate of Philadelphia Musical Academy, 1887, where he was under the instruction of Prof. Richard Zeckwer. For twenty-three years he was organist of the First Baptist Church of Chester, for


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the same length of time has been a member of the board of trustees, for six- teen years has been treasurer, and for thirty years has been a member of that church. He is a Republican in politics and has always been a supporter of all reform movements within his party, never, however, seeking or accepting pub- lic office for himself. He belongs to the United Order of Independent Me- chanics, Council No. 36, Chester ; is a charter member of Chester Camp, Modern Woodmen of America; the Grand Fraternity, Philadelphia, and the Business Men's Science Club of Philadelphia. His tastes are varied in their nature and his works show that in business, church, fraternity and town, he is active, earnest and helpful.


Mr. Baxter married, April 11, 1889, in Chester, Mary Elizabeth Miller, born in Bridgeport. Pennsylvania, February 10, 1867. daughter of James Miller, a veteran, who died of injuries received in the civil war, and his wife, Jane Day, born in Oxfordshire, England, August 23, 1846, daughter of Daniel and Mary ( Gardner ) Day and granddaughter of John Day. James Miller was the son of Andrew and Mary ( Crocker) Miller. Mrs. Mary E. (Miller) Baxter was educated in the Soldiers Orphans' Home at Chester Springs, and has resided in Chester ever since. the family home of the Baxters now being at No. 1016 Kerlin street in that city. Children: Ella Miller, born March 28, 1892, graduate of Friends Select School of Philadelphia, now a teacher of music, also a student : Anna Jane, born May 25. 1904.


PASCHALL Isaac Paschall, of Newtown Square, Delaware county, Penn- sylvania, a prominent Grand Army man and honored citizen, descends from an ancient English family of Derbyshire. Eng- land. There were many notable members of the family, some of whom were made famous through being martyrs because they would not recant or give up their Protestant religion during the reign of Bloody Mary, Queen of England. It is not definitely known when the emigrant member of the family came to America, but it is thought to be about the time of William Penn, as the latter is known to have had among his intimates and friends one Jeremiah Paschall. Among the descendants of the immigrant Paschall was Abraham J. Paschall, of whom further.


Abraham J. Paschall, father of Isaac Paschall, was born in Pennsylvania, at the Paschall homestead, and died in Chester, Pennsylvania, aged sixty- eight. He married Ann Linculm, born near Darby. Pennsylvania. died near Eagle, Pennsylvania. They were members of the Quakers or Friends, and were devout in their observances of their religion. They were the parents of ten children, all of whom are dead except Isaac, of whom further.


Isaac Paschall, son of Abraham J. and Ann (Linculm) Paschall, was born in Media, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, in 1836. His parents died when he was quite young and he was reared away from the family, and near Media. He attended the common schools in Newtown township, and the schools in Media. He worked on various farms until he purchased land, when he improved it, but at the call of the bugle "to boots and saddles" in 1861. he enlisted in Com- pany C. 97th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, commanded by Colonel Henry R. Guss, of West Chester. The regiment was attached to the Army of the South, and saw much active service. It was in numberless engagements, but its specialty was siege work, and among those in which the regiment took part were Fort Sumter and Fort Wagner. Mr. Paschall enlisted for three years, but arduous duty in the field brought about a decline in his health and he was honorably discharged in 1863. He returned to Newtown township where he took up the broken threads of life and began to farm. This vocation he followed


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successfully until he retired in 1893. He lives at the present time (1913) a quiet retired life at Newtown Square. Through his probity and high sense of duty he holds an influential position in the regard of his fellow men, and com- mands their respect and esteem. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, of West Chester, Pennsylvania, and of the Friends' congregation.


He married, in 1888, Amelia Acker, born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, died, January 8, 1910, a daughter of Conrad Acker, a farmer of the county. Mrs. Paschall was a member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. and Mrs. Pas- chall had no children.


SCHOFIELD The Schofield family has been resident in the State of Pennsylvania for a number of generations, and has taken an active interest in the business affairs of the sections in which the various members have resided. They have been especially identi- fied with agricultural interests for many years.


(I) John Schofield was born near Manchester, England, in 1774, and he came to America in 1827.


(II) James, son of John Schofield, was born in Lancashire, England, in 1800, came to America, and resided in Aston township, Delaware county, Penn- sylvania, and later removed to Middletown township. He was a farmer and settled on a tract of land which is the present site of Williamson Trades School. His death occurred in 1865. His children were: Hiram, see forward; Mary Ann, married John Smith ; John, married Mary Evanson ; all were members of the Episcopal church.


(III) Hiram, eldest child of James Schofield, was born in Lancashire, England, and was seven years of age when his parents came to this country with their family. He grew up in Middletown township, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, where he acquired only a limited education in the district schools, as he was obliged to assist at a very early age in the cultivation of the home farm. In fact his entire life was spent in agricultural pursuits, and he was a regular attendant contributor to the Philadelphia markets. He was an active worker in the interests of the Democratic party, and served as school director and in several other public offices. His death occurred in 1906, at the age of eighty-six years. He and his family were members of the Episcopal church. He married Esther Burk, of Avondale, Delaware county, Pennsyl- vania, who died in 1902 at the age of eighty years. She was the daughter of William Burk, a cooper of Avondale, who was seventy-two years old at the time of his death. Mr. Burk married Martha, a danghter of Matthias Cooper, an Englishman, who was a soldier in the Continental army during the revolu- tionary war. They had children: John, Thomas, Samuel, Matthew, William ; Esther, who married Hiram Schofield; Jane, Mary, Elizabeth and Margaret. Hiram and Esther (Burk) Schofield had children: I. James M., an inspector for the Pittsburgh Testing Laboratory; married Mary Pierson. 2. Mary E., de- ceased. 3. Mattie J., has always lived on the old homestead. 4. Winfield Scott, deceased. 5. Nellie, deceased. 6. Thomas, see forward. 7. Harry, in- spector for the Pittsburgh Testing Laboratory ; lives on a part of the old home- stead ; married Ella Hudson. 8. Orion, deceased. 9. Hiram A., civil engineer ; lives in Germantown, Pennsylvania ; is manager of the Pittsburgh Testing Lab- oratory, and has an office in the Crozier Building, Philadelphia ; he married Maude Crout. 10. Frank, deceased. II. Emma S., married D. Wilmot Go- don, a Doctor of Dental Surgery, of No. 1021 Edgemont avenue, Chester, Pennsylvania, with a summer home in Middletown township.


(IV) Thomas, son of Hiram and Esther (Burk) Schofield, was born in:


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Middletown township, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, May 19, 1854. He and his sister, Mattie J., have always resided on the old family homestead. Mr. Schofield has always been identified with farming interests, and in addition has conducted a dairy farm in a model manner. He is a Democrat in political mat- ters, but has never aspired to holding any public office, preferring to content himself with casting his vote as a good citizen should. Both he and his sister are regular attendants at the church, and are known and esteemed throughout the section of the country, for the open-handed manner in which they support all charitable and philanthropic projects. They are social and hospitable, and have a large circle of friends.


The Irvings originally came to Liverpool, Eng- IRVING-HEACOCK land, from Scotland, where Joseph Irving was born, but spent the greater portion of his life in Liverpool, where he died. His wife was a Miss Luxmor, and was the mother of his six children. Both were members of the Church of England ; he was a Tory in politics. She died in Liverpool in 1861. Children: Joseph, Agnes, Sarah, Isabella and Molyneaux, all deceased; and Harry L., mentioned below.


Harry Luxmor Irving was born in Liverpool, England, August 26, 1829. He grew to manhood in Liverpool, was educated in the church schools, and learned the trade of sailmaker. He died at New Orleans, Louisiana, aged forty-four and is buried on Gilliepie's Island. He married Mary Elizabeth Musson, whose father, a seafaring man, died and is buried at Calcutta, India. His wife was Harriet Cox, now deceased. Children of Harry Luxmor Irving, all born in Liverpool, England: Eliza (see forward) ; William Henry, born June 23, 1859, married Emma Booth; Margaret, born in July, 1861, died in infancy; John, born June 18, 1863, unmarried. The mother of these children is still living, and all are members of the Church of England.


Eliza, eldest child of Harry Luxmor and Mary Elizabeth (Musson) Irv- ing, was born in Liverpool, England, October 30, 1856. She was educated in the Church of England schools, and lived in Liverpool until sixteen years of age, then came to the United States. She married, October 14. 1875. Samuel F. Heacock, born August 23, 1842. Mrs. Heacock resides at Linwood Station, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, where she is postmistress, having been appointed in July, 1904. She is a member of the Daughters of Rebekah, and a communicant of St. Martin's Protestant Episcopal Church at Marcus Hook. Children: 1. Mary Leiper, born October 30, 1876; married George Sheing, a machinist. 2. Bessie Irving, born March 4, 1878; married John S. McCafferty, a farmer. 3. Henry Luxmor, born May 28, 1880; married Mabel Bell. 4. Isaac, born December 25, 1882: married Marion Elliott. 5. Emma Booth, born May 1, 1885; married C. K. Ryan, a clerk. 6. Harriet Musson, born January 6, 1892; unmarried.


GALLOWAY John L. Galloway, of Moores, Delaware county, Pennsyl- vania, was born in 1849, in county Antrim, Ireland. His parents. Charles and Jane (Leslie) Galloway, were natives of county Antrim, there lived and died. The former was a grocer, owning his green grocer's shop, and serving his customers the best the market afforded. They were Protestants, attending the Presbyterian church faithfully. Among their eleven children was John L.


Mr. Galloway received a fair education in the public schools of Antrim, and was reared by God-fearing, law abiding parents. At the age of twenty, in


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1869, he decided that he would cross the Atlantic to the United States and there try his fortune, as so many of his friends, young and old, were doing. After arriving in this country he located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, sought and found employment with the Lucas Brothers, in the grocery business in that city. He remained with them three years, giving the utmost satisfaction. Be- ing ambitious and desiring to rise faster in the world, he decided to adventure into the business arena on his own account. Looking over the field for an op- portunity whereby he might accomplish his desire for financial advancement, he selected that of contracting and building. He entered this line of endeavor when about twenty-three, with little money, no experience, and has succeeded beyond his most sanguine expectation. He at once solicited and received or- ders, and it is said that from the day he began to contract and build until he relinquished it, he erected from five to six hundred houses in the twenty-sixth ward alone, and over fifty houses in Prospect Park. In 1881 he built and moved into his present residence; in the meantime he had taken up his abode in Norwood, on Chester Pike, leaving there for Moores. When he came to the latter place there were only about twelve dwellings, and he has since that time seen it grow by leaps and bounds to its present not inconsiderable popula- tion. He is one of its most substantial citizens, and his keen Irish wit and genial manner make him one of its most popular inhabitants. He was the first burgess of Prospect Park, and for eleven years he has served the public wisely and well as justice of the peace. Mr. Galloway is still in the contracting busi- ness, but it is along the line of laying sidewalks and putting in sewers. He votes the Republican ticket, is a member of the Presbyterian church, the Sons of Temperance and Cadets of Temperance.


In 1872 he married Catherine Love, of Philadelphia. Children: Charles Boyd, J. Leslie, Edward R., Lillian May, Harry F. K., Catherine.


MEANEY The department of biography is crowded with the lives of men distinguished in politics, science, literature and the professions. All the embellishments of rhetoric and the imagination have been employed to captivate, stimulate and direct in these "upper walks of life" the youthful mind and ambition of the country. The result of this system is manifest, and by no means fortunate. The ranks of the professions are filled to overflowing. To instill in the minds and hearts of the young respect for great attainments, reverence for great virtues, and to excite to general emulation by holding up, as examples for admiration and imitation, the lives of the wise, the great and the good, is commendable and right. But the field of example should be extended; the lessons of industry, energy, usefulness, virtue, honor, the true aims of life and the true sources of happiness, should be gathered and enforced from all the various provinces of labor. The path of labor and usefulness should be indicated as the highway of honor. One who has walked in this path and achieved distinction in the business world, and who has merited an unusual share of commendation by his conduct in defence of his country, is to be found in the person of James Meaney Sr., of Ardmore, Haver ford township, Delaware county, Pennsylvania. He has inher- ited in full measure the admirable traits of his Irish ancestry, and has added to them the modern ideas and progressive methods which prevail in this country, where he has made his mark.




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