USA > Pennsylvania > Delaware County > A history of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, and its people; Volume III > Part 2
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Near Doylestown, in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, January 16, 1847, occur- red the birth of Charles M. Walton, a son of James and Jane (Thomas) Walton. The Walton family is one of the oldest in Pennsylvania, the pro- genitor of the name in this commonwealth, having come hither eight years prior to the arrival of William Penn. Four brothers came here about 1675 from England. They landed at Wilmington, Delaware, and proceeded thence to Byberry, Pennsylvania, locating where the old meeting-house now stands. They were devout Quakers and they purchased land from the Indians. They erected the first church at Byberry and remained there, then practically a wil- derness, until fall, when they returned to civilization, remaining at Wilming- ton during the winter months. In the following spring they returned to the vicinity of Byberry and there settled permanently. William Penn, on his arrival, did not acknowledge the deed the Walton brothers had received from the Indians and the matter was left to be settled by them and the Penn colony by arbitration. Two outsiders were chosen by each side and the Wal- tons were asked to suggest a fifth party. Very ingeniously they called for William Penn and the matter was quickly settled, the Walton deed gaining immediate recognition. William Penn gave them another deed to their prop- erty, and this is still on record in Philadelphia. The genealogy of the Walton family can be traced without any discrepancies from the original settlers down to the present time. Two Waltons, not knowing of the other's work, traced the genealogy in all its branches, and when the two completed volumes were compared at a later date, only two disagreeing facts of importance were found.
The Thomas family, the maternal ancestry of Charles M. Walton, dates back almost as far as the Walton side. The great-great-great-grandfather of Charles M. Walton was a Griffith and a native of Wales, whence he came to America and settled in the Penn colony in the early part of the eighteenth century.
Jacob Walton, paternal grandfather of Charles M. Walton, was a soldier in the Mexican war, a lieutenant, but being a Friend he never divulged the fact to any of the members of his immediate family. About eighteen years
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ago, after his demise, his honorable discharge from service was found among his papers. James Walton, father of Charles M. Walton, was a wheelwright by trade, and he was also engaged in farming operations in Bucks county, where he owned a big saw mill. He married Jane Thomas, who bore him eight children, all of whom grew to maturity, the first to die being twenty-eight years of age. Four of them are still living. James Walton died in the year 1875 and his cherished and devoted wife died in 1896. Both are interred in Bucks county.
Charles M. Walton was reared to maturity on the old homestead farm in Bucks county, in the work and management of which he early began to assist his father. He attended the district schools and supplemented his early train- ing with a course of study in the Excelsior Normal School. He then learned the trades of carpenter and miller, and in 1876 located in the city of Phila- delphia, where he gradually won success and renown as a builder. He has since devoted his attention to the building business, and conspicuous among the beautiful structures he has erected is the library at the University of Penn- sylvania. Many other fine buildings in Philadelphia and elsewhere stand as monuments of his handiwork.
In 1890 Mr. Walton established the family home at Norwood, in Dela- ware county, and here he is known as a citizen of sterling integrity and the utmost reliability. He is a stalwart Republican in his political convictions, and for the past twelve years he has served Norwood in the capacity of city asses- sor. His fraternal affiliations are with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, and with Hamilton Lodge, No. 274. Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, into which latter organization he was initiated in 1874. In religious faith he is a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal church, although his children are all Lutherans.
In 1882 Mr. Walton was united in marriage to Miss Mary F. Griswell, a daughter of Eduard and Joanna Griswell, members of pioneer families in Delaware county, Pennsylvania. This union has been prolific of five children, whose names are here entered in respective order of birth: Elsie G., Emma C., May Frances, Charles M. Jr., and Joanna D .. the three younger ones being at home. Elsie G. married Clifford Bonsall : Emma C. married Harry N. Robbins.
Mr. Walton has lived a life of usefulness such as few mien know. God- fearing, law abiding, progressive, his life is as truly that of a Christian gentle- man as any man's can well be. Unwaveringly he has done the right as he has interpreted it. While undoubtedly he has not been without that hon- orable ambition which is so powerful and useful as an incentive to activity in public affairs, he regards the pursuits of private life as being in themselves abundantly worthy of his best efforts. In community affairs he is active and influential, and his support is readily and generously given to many measures for the general progress and improvement. His life history is certainly worthy of commendation and of emulation, for along honorable and straightforward lines he has won the success which crowns his efforts. and which makes him one of the substantial residents of Norwood.
SHOEMAKER In making a selection of men whose sketches form the biographical portion of this work, great care has been exercised to select none but those who have in some measure left "footprints on the sands of time." Men whose efforts and deeds are matters of public interest, and whose memories will linger long after their bodies shall have been laid in the dust. Worthy to hold an important posi-
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tion in this class is Richardson Shoemaker, than whom there is not a more prominent resident in Lansdowne, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, or one who is better entitled to the high esteem in which his fellow citizens hold him. He has been a pioneer and leading spirit in many important business enter- prises which have tended materially to increase the prosperity of the town, and is a descendant of one of the oldest families of the state of Pennsylvania .. The name was very probably Schuhmacher in Germany, and has been literally translated.
George Shoemaker, who was married in Heidelberg, Germany, in 1662, died at sea while on his way to this country with his wife and family. His widow, Sarah, and their eight children, arrived at Philadelphia, January 20, 1686, and soon afterward purchased two hundred acres of land in Chelten- ham township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, on the York road, the place now being called Ogontz. Her children were: George, of further men- tion; Sarah; Barbara; Abraham; Isaac; Susanna; Elizabeth; Benjamin. George, son of George and Sarah Shoemaker, also born in Germany, mar- ried, December 14, 1694, Sarah Wall.
Abraham, son of George and Sarah (Wall) Shoemaker, married Amelia Levering.
William, son of Abraham and Amelia (Levering) Shoemaker, married at Abington Friends' Meeting, 10 mo., 25, 1752, Susanna, a daughter of Aubrey and Margaret Richardson, of Cheltenham, and granddaughter of Joseph Richardson, whose seat was Olethgo, on the Perkiomen, in Providence. township.
William, son of William and Susanna (Richardson) Shoemaker, was born in Cheltenham township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, September 8, 1761. He was a farmer all his life, and removed to Delaware county about the year 1800. He was a member of the Society of Friends. He married Sarah Miers, a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Draper) Bowman, of Philadelphia. Children: Eliza; Thomas B .; William D .; Miers; Edward ; Richardson, of further mention; Manlove; Joshua.
Richardson, son of William and Sarah Miers ( Bowman) Shoemaker, was born at Shoemakerville, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, in 1813. He was the proprietor of a country store in his native town and operated quarries on Ridley creek from which he furnished the stone for the Delaware Break - water at Lewis, Delaware, by three schooners which were also his property. He was a member of the Society of Friends, an overseer in Chester Meeting under the Darby Quarterly Meeting. He married at Philadelphia, in 1861, Annie. Gray Clark, born at Fifth and Pine streets, February 18, 1825. She was a daughter of Lewis and Saralı ( Morton) Clark, granddaughter of Judge Mor- ton, and great-granddaughter of George Gray, of Gray's Ferry, Philadelphia. Children of Mr. and Mrs. Shoemaker: Lewis Clark; Richardson, of further mention; Sarah A., born December 31, 1865.
Richardson, son of Richardson and Annie Gray (Clark) Shoemaker, was born at Shoemakerville, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, March 1, 1864. His education, which was an excellent and practical one, was obtained in the public school at Fernwood, the Friends' Central High School at Fifteenth and Race streets, Philadelphia, and at the Pierce Business College, from which institution he was graduated in 1883. He found employment as a clerk in the lumber yard office of J. Alfred Bartram, with whom he remained until 1892, and while there commenced the livery business which has since grown to such proportions. This was in 1889, at Bartram Lodge, and at the same time he inaugurated the stage line running to and from the railroad station, and this has been operated continuously since it was first established. It
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was commenced in order to accommodate the summer guests stopping at Bartram Lodge, which was conducted as a suburban summer apartment house by the mother of Mr. Shoemaker. In 1908 this was torn down to make way for modern improvements. The house itself had been erected in the year 1800, while a stable on the premises had been built one year previously. Mr. Shoemaker resided there from 1889 to 1892, when he purchased property at the corner of Baltimore and Lansdowne avenues, and erected stables which were destroyed by fire December 9, 1903. On the same site he then erected a large storage warehouse and stable, which is now used as a garage, and in 1910 had an improved warehouse erected, this being constructed of concrete and being practically fireproof, at Nos. 8 and 10 South Lansdowne avenue. He is the owner of a large quantity of real estate, both improved and unim- proved, a portion of it being the property occupied by the Crucible Steel Cast- ing Company, at South Union avenue and the railroad, and has erected a num- ber of houses. For many years Mr. Shoemaker has been an active worker in Republican interests, and has represented the Southern Precinct in the county committee for the past fifteen years; at the present time he is still a member of this committee. November 4, 1913, he was elected a member of the com- mon council of the borough. He served as judge of election in the borough from 1892 to 1902. His connection with organizations of varied character is as follows: Charter member of the Lansdowne Fire Company; charter member, and at present vice-president of the Lansdowne Republican Club ; member of Fernwood Lodge, No. 543, Free and Accepted Masons, having joined September 17, 1889; director of the Philadelphia Liverymen's Asso- ciation ; member of the Lansdowne Country Club. He and his family have been connected with the Lansdowne Baptist church since its incorporation, and Mrs. Shoemaker is a manager of the Baptist Orphanage at Angora.
Mr. Shoemaker married, in Philadelphia, November 26, 1890, Jean, born in Philadelphia, January 24, 1864, a daughter of John and Mary Shedden, both born in Scotland. Mr. Shedden was a tailor by occupation, was chief of the Caledonia Club, and was a member of the Philadelphia Board of Education for a period of twenty years. They had two other daughters: Margaret and Annie P. Mr. and Mrs. Shoemaker had children: John Shedden, born February 10, 1892, attended the Lansdowne public school, being graduated in the class of 1911, and is at present a farmer; Richardson Jr., born January IO, 1898, is a student at the Lansdowne high school.
Mr. Shoemaker enjoys an enviable reputation for integrity and high- mindedness in every phase of life. He has high business ideals and he lives up to them in every detail. This is recognized by all with whom he has business dealings, and they respect him accordingly. While he is the owner of a number of motor vehicles he has never lost his fondness for horses, and his stables are always well filled with horses of excellent breed and blood. He has ever evinced a public spirit which it would be well for others to emu- late, and strives in every manner to improve conditions in the community to the extent of his power and ability.
SCHWARTZ Of straight Teutonic descent is George C. Schwartz, of
Essington, Delaware county, Pennsylvania. For genera- tions his forbears were among the expert industrial work- ers in the Fatherland, on work which required skill or careful handling. The family also served Germany in time of war, and was known for the bravery of its men.
(I) Ezekiel Schwartz, father of George C. Schwartz, was born in Ger-
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many, where he was reared and educated. He became a glass packer while a youth, which occupation he followed in Germany and afterward in the United States. About fifty years ago he decided that he would move with his family to the United States. He located in Glassborough, New Jersey, engaged in his line of work for a while, and later moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he again plied his vocation. He lived the remainder of his life in Philadel- phia, and there died. He married Anna Christina Weber, born and reared in Germany, who accompanied her husband to the United States. They were the parents of ten children, among whom was George C., of whom further.
(II) George C. Schwartz, son of Ezekiel and Anna Christina (Weber) Schwartz, was born in 1876, in Philadelphia, there reared and educated. After leaving school, while a lad, he learned furniture varnishing, which requires great dexterity of touch and a judicious judgment. This occupation he followed for years with various furniture and piano firms. When the Lester Piano Company moved its manufactory to Essington, Pennsylvania, he was one of its employees, and has been with the company fifteen years in the capacity of expert varnisher of the finest instruments. He takes the greatest pride in his work, putting the finishing touches with loving care on the handsome piano under his hands. He and his family are members of the German Lutheran Church, and occupy one of the pretty cottages in Essington that are put at the disposal of the employees by the Lester Company. In politics Mr. Schwartz is a Republican, voting with and working for the party enthusiastically. At the present time (1913) he is secretary of the school district of Tinicum township, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, which position he has held for the past ten years, and in which he gives supreme satisfaction. He is a mem- ber of Workmen of the World, giving it the benefit of his counsel and experi- ence. There are few men who stand higher in the estimation of their fellow citizens and co-workers than Mr. Schwartz. He is known for his energy, ex- cellent workmanship in his chosen line, his probity and fairmindedness in his dealings, business, social and political.
He married, in 1896, Nancy R. McIntyre, of Philadelphia. Children : Sarah, Anna, Kathe, Elmyra, William, Samuel, Harry, Lorenz, and three chil- dren who died in infancy.
BARLOW The American ancestry of this old English family dates back to one, Arthur Barlow, who was among the earliest settlers of Virginia in the seventeenth century.
(I) Aaron Barlow, a direct descendant of Arthur Barlow, came to the United States early in the eighteenth century, settling in Delaware county, Pennsylvania, where he died, near Chelsea, aged seventy years. He and his wife were communicants of the Methodist Episcopal church. He married Mary Eyre, who died near Chelsea. aged sixty years. Children : Malachi, of whom further; Robert, Curtis, William, John, Rebecca, Lydia, Jane, Eliza, Lavina, Sarah.
(II) Malachi, son of Aaron and Mary (Eyre) Barlow, was born near Chelsea, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, 1808, died in Wilmington, Delaware, 1885. He obtained a public school education, and immediately after leaving school learned the trade of carpenter, which he followed in all parts of Dela- ware county. His political faith was Democratic, and he was much interested in all the affairs of the township, holding several offices, among them super- visor and. school director. Later he moved to Wilmington, Delaware, and for eleven years was steward of the almshouse there, a position he later resigned, With his wife he belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church. He married
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Eliza Taylor, of Concord township, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, daughter of Emmor and Mary ( Miller) Taylor, the former named a farmer of Con- cord township, who died in Brandywine Hundred, Delaware. Eliza (Taylor) Barlow died in Ridley township, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, aged fifty- one years. Children of Emmor and Mary ( Miller) Taylor : Eliza, above men- tioned; Emmor; William: Anna, married, and living in Wilmington, Dela- ware ; Hannah ; George; Mollie ; Mary ; Marsh ; Samuel. Children of Malachi and Eliza (Taylor) Barlow: I. Henry, deceased ; was a carpenter and col- lector of the port in Wilmington, Delaware; married Eliza Whitcroft, living in Delaware. 2. Mary Jane, married William Weer, now deceased; she lives in Brandywine Hundred, Delaware. 3. Lydia Ann, deceased; married Rob- ert Morrow, a veteran of the civil war, living in Delaware county, Pennsyl- vania. 4. Elizabeth, married Richard Downs ; lives at Marcus Hook, Pennsyl- vania. 5. Susanna, married Joseph Pierce: both deceased. 6. E. Lewis, of whom further. 7. Margaret, widow of Thomas Aaron; lives at Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania. 8. Anna Eliza, married Lewis Miller; lives in Brandy- wine Hundred, Delaware. 9. Rebecca, deceased; married Thomas Zelby. 10. Emma, died aged eleven years. II. Estella, married Harry Schlice; lives at Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania.
(III) E. Lewis, second son and fifth child of Malachi and Eliza (Taylor) Barlow, was born in Birmingham township, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, January 25, 1844. His early life was spent in Birmingham township, and in Brandywine Hundred, Delaware, where he obtained a public school education. He learned the carpenter's trade and moved to Chester township, where he followed his trade and also engaged in the pursuit of agriculture. In 1909 he purchased and remodeled a house in Brookhaven, Chester township, Delaware county, selling the same in 1912 and buying his present home in Brook- haven, which he has since remodeled and greatly improved. In politics he is a Democrat and for three years held the office of county commissioner, as well as holding a position on the school board.
He married, January 1, 1867. at Germantown, Sarah Emma, daughter of James A. Bayard Smith, a farmer of Brandywine Hundred, prominent in county politics, died 1893, aged eighty-four years, and Sarah (Pennell) Smith, of Chichester township, Delaware county, died 1868, aged fifty-seven years. Chil- dren of James A. Bayard and Sarah ( Pennell) Smith ; Mary, Pennell, Alfred, Rebecca, Francis, Elwood, Sarah Emma, married E. Lewis Barlow; Simon, Atmore and Atwood, twins : Wilson, Harry, Margaret. Mr. and Mrs. Barlow had the following children: I. Sara Florence, born October 16, 1867. died March 13, 1886; she was noted for her remarkable beauty, and strength of character, and had just finished preparing for a teacher's career, when stricken with illness, resulting in her death. 2. Harry Llewellyn, born July 26, 1869, died January 24. 1909: married Anna, daughter of Jacob and Sara Reis, of Reading, Pennsylvania : for several years he conducted a flour and feed store at Twelfth street and Edgmont avenue. Chester, Pennsylvania ; to this union two children were born, Rodney Kipton and Sara Emma. 3. George Lewis, born December 21, 1870; he married Mabel Christine, daughter of Robert and Christine Dempster, of Louisville, Kentucky; for many years he was a retail milk dealer of Chester : to this union three children were born : Florence Marie, Mabel Christine, and Emmor Lewis, the latter dying in infancy. 4. Eliza Mad- aline, born February II, 1872, died in infancy. 5. Alfred Calvin, born Febru- ary I, 1875 ; married Bertha, daughter of Howard and Ella Cloud, of Moylan, Delaware county. Pennsylvania : he is a prosperous agriculturist and dairyman, and also holds office as township commissioner of Chester township: to this union two children were born: Alberta Cloud and Anna Rebecca. 6. Margaret
E. Lewis Barlow
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDA N8.
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Theresa, born April 29, 1876; she married Albert Lewis Flounders, son of Isaac and Mary Flounders, of Media ; he is one of Delaware county's most prominent contractors and builders, he having built many of the finest resi- dences of Media and Delaware county ; to this union was born one daughter, Margaret Barlow. 7. Anna Rebecca, born May 20, 1878; married Ira Sankey Williamson, son of Garrett and Ella Williamson, of Media ; he is a very promi- rent salesman for one of Media's oldest and best established coal and feed companies ; Anna Rebecca was for many years a popular school teacher in Delaware county ; one son, Stanley Barlow, was born to this union ; he died at the age of five weeks. Both daughters were noted for their daring horseman- ship.
FLOUNDERS The name Flounders has always been borne by the mem- bers of the family in the United States with the same dig- nity and honor which made the line famous in England, whence it springs. The earliest obtainable record of any of the name in this country is of Nathaniel Flounders, of Darby township, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, a farmer and cattle drover. He was a lover and owner of many fine horses and cattle, a trait common to the following generations of the family. Both he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and both died at Cherry Hill, Maryland. He was twice married. Children of first marriage: Sarah, Mary, Nathaniel, John, of further men- tion; Benjamin, and Thomas. All of these are now deceased.
(II) John, son of Nathaniel Flounders, was born in 1830, died Novem- ber, 1902. He obtained an education in the public school near Holmes Sta- tion, Delaware county, and went with his family to Maryland, returning to Delaware county in 1876. He followed the occupation of farmer all his life, and was noted throughout the neighborhood for his knowledge of horses and cattle, and for his veterinary skill. His services were often in demand among the farmers around, but he did not make this his profession and never accepted any remuneration for his assistance. Through solitary study and through a close acquaintance with nature, he had acquired a wide knowledge of for- estry, and was an excellent judge of timber. For six years he was employed by John B. Roach, of Chester, Pennsylvania, as timber inspector. He was a Democrat in political belief and held several county offices in Maryland. He married Catherine, of English descent, born in Cecil county, Maryland, died in Chester, Pennsylvania, aged seventy-seven years, daughter of Solo- mon Blake, a farmer, died in Cecil county, aged seventy-seven years. He was thrice married, his third wife being Polly Linch. Children of Solomon and Polly (Linch) Blake; Catherine, of previous mention, married John Flound- ers; and Solomon Kennard. Solomon Blake was grandson of Lord Admiral Blake, of England. Children of John and Catherine ( Blake) Flounders : I. Kennard Blake, of Philadelphia, married (first) Elizabeth McGuire, (second) Clara Applegate. 2. Mary, lives in Chester, Pennsylvania. 3. Elizabeth, lives in Chester. 4. John, deceased. 5. Theodore, deceased. 6. Wilbur, a tinsmith of Philadelphia, married Mary Brinton. 7. Edward T., of whom further. 8. Alfred E., a farmer and horse breeder of Chester township; he married (first) Sarah Halsey, born in Philadelphia, June 30, 1872, died March 25, 1898; children: Elma May, born March 12, 1893; Sallie Mary, born June 22, 1894; Charles Laird, born February 17, 1896; he married (second) Flor- ence Cox, of Wilmington, born February 22, 1878, Camden, New Jersey ; one child, John Alfred Flounders, November 7, 1909. 9. Emmor Lovell, a tinsmith of Philadelphia, married (first) Lillie Moyland, (second) Clara
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Rindge. 10. Edith May. deceased. II. Catherine, married Frank Vandergrift, of Philadelphia.
(III) Edward T., son of John and Catherine ( Blake) Flounders, was born in Cecil county, Maryland, April 17, 1867. He obtained a public school education in his native locality and in Delaware county, where he moved when he was eleven years of age. For six years he was employed by the S. A. Cro- zer and Sons Company, leaving this firm to enter the dairy business, in which he has continued for twenty-five years. He farms one hundred and six acres of the old Joseph Engle farm, owned by John P. Crozer. He owns fifty head of cattle and operates two milk wagons, supplying the towns of Chester and Upland. He is one of the leading dairymen of the county, and conducts a modern, well-equipped, and highly sanitary dairy. He is a lover of blooded horses and has several fine ones upon his farm. With his wife he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Fraternally he is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men and the Knights of Pythias. In politics he is actively interested and has held the offices of tax collector. school director, and treasurer. He married. November, 1892, Mary E. Hon- nen, born in Philadelphia. Children of Edward T. and Mary E. (Honnen) Flounders: 1. Lawrence Dutton, born July 10, 1896, attends Drexel school, Philadelphia, preparing to become an electrical engineer. 2. Edward War- ren, born December 6, 1898. 3. John W., born May 15, 1901. 4. Earl Honnen, born August 21, 1907.
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