A history of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, and its people; Volume III, Part 30

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 30


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 | Part 54 | Part 55


He married, July 25, 1910. in New Holland, Pennsylvania, Eva D. Ber- nard, born in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, October 6, 1887, daughter of Nelson G. and Hannah Bernard. Children: 1. Charles K., born in Chester. Feb- ruary 17. 1912. 2. An infant, vet unnamed.


Harriet Ann (Lecture-Hagele) Hall, mother of J. Kenneth Hall, is a daughter of William S. Lecture, born January 5. 1812, in Philadelphia, died there January 5, 1879. He was a carpenter and builder, following his trade for many years in Petersburg, Virginia, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He married Georgeanna Weaver, born December 25. 1846, who survives him, and who married a second husband. Children of Mr. and Mrs. Lecture, born in Philadelphia : 1. Harriet Ann, wife of John David Hall ( see Hall ). 2. Anna Irene, born February 3. 1869: married John Pendleton, born in England, now residing in Chester. 3. Elizabeth, born December 27. 1870; married Albert B. Collier, of Philadelphia. Georgeanna ( Weaver ) Lecture married ( second ) Samuel M. Krauser, who died October, 1912: he was a native of Downington,.


971


DELAWARE COUNTY


Pennsylvania, and in his younger years a lawyer. She also survives her sec- ond husband, and is now a resident of Philadelphia. Children by her second husband: Gny D., married Fannie Warner ; Henrietta, married Harry Kirby. Georgeanna is a daughter of George Pierce Weaver, born in Philadelphia in 1817, died there in 1878. He was a captain of police in Philadelphia for sev- eral years. He married Rachel Morton, born in Philadelphia in 1819, died there in 1855. She was a great-granddaughter of John Morton, a signer of the declaration of independence. Children of Mr. and Mrs. Weaver: George- anna, of previous mention; John, a veteran of the civil war, now a resident of the Soldier's Home at Hampton Roads, Virginia, and with his sister, George- anna, the only survivors of their family; Emma; Charles; Frances; Sinetta.


SHARPLESS This name was spelled by its first owner in Pennsylvania, Sharples, but in after years, Sharpless has been univer- sally used. The family is one of the oldest in what is now Delaware county and from the first settlement they have been loyal and de- vout members of the Society of Friends. For substantial worth and upright- ness, they have long been noted, later generations holding to the faith and ex- ample bequeathed them by their forbears. The founder of the family in Pennsylvania was John Sharples, baptized at Wybunbury, Cheshire, England, Angust 15, 1624, died 4 mo. 11, 1685, near Chester, Pennsylvania. In England he was a tenant of Sir Thomas Delves and left his native country to take pos- session of land in Pennsylvania, which he had received from William Penn by grant of April 5, 1682. The grant covered territory in Nether Providence township, Delaware county, Pennsylvania. At the time of his departure from England he did not dispose of all his home property, lest he be dissatisfied with the New World and should desire to return home. He married 4 mo. (April) 27, 1662, Jane E. Moor, born 1638, died near Chester, Pennsylvania, 9 mo. I, 1722. Children : I. Phoebe, born at Mearemore, 10 mo. 20, 1663, died near Chester, Pennsylvania, 4 mo. 2, 1685. 2. John, of whom further. 3. Thomas, born at Hatherton, England, II mo. 2, 1668, died at sea 5 mo. 17, 1682. 4. James, born at Hatherton, England, I mo. 5, 1670, married (first) Mary Edge, (second) Mary Lewis. 5. Caleb, born at Hatherton, England, 2 mo. 22, 1673, died near Chester, Pennsylvania, 7 mo. 17, 1686, from the bite of a snake. 6. Jane, born at Hatherton, England, 6 mo. 13, 1676, died near Chester, Penn- sylvania, 3 mo. 28, 1685. 7. Joseph, born at Hatherton, England, 9 mo. 28, 1678, married Lydia Lewis.


(II) John (2), son of John (I) and Jane E. (Moor) Sharples, was born at Blakenhall, Cheshire, England, II mo. 16, 1666, died near Chester, Pennsyl- vania, 7 mo. 9, 1747. He married, 9 mo. 23, 1692. at a meeting at John Bowater's house in Middletown township, Chester (now Delaware) county, Pennsylvania, Hannah Pennell, born 7 mo. 23, 1673, died 10 mo. 31, 1721. Children : I. Caleb, born 7 mo. 27, 1693, died 2 mo. 29, 1720. 2. Jane, born 12 mo. 24, 1695, died 6 mo. 29, 1725, married George Smedley. 3. Hannah, born 8 mo. 5, 1697, died 10 mo. 17, 1780; married Henry Howard. 4. John born 8 mo. 16, 1699, died 8 mo. 17, 1769; married (first) Mary Key, (second) Elizabeth Ashbridge. 5. Phoebe, born II mo. 9, 1701, died 3 mo. 29, 1772, married Benjamin Hibberd. 6. Rebecca, born 12 mo. 17, 1703, died 9 mo. 30, 1727. 7. Margaret, born 4 mo. 21, 1706, died 9 mo. 2 (or 28), 1727. 8. Ann, born 6 mo. 23. 1708, died 8 mo. 22, 1786; married Samuel Bond. 9. Daniel, of whom further.


(III) Daniel, youngest child of John (2) and Hannah (Pennell) Sharp- les, was born at Ridley, Pennsylvania, 12 mo. 24. 1710, died there 8 mo. 17,


972


DELAWARE COUNTY


1775. He married, 2 mo. 15, 1736, at Springfield Meeting, Sarah Coppock, born 7 mo. 22, 1712, died II mo. 30, 1797, daughter of Bartholomew and Phoebe (Massey) Coppock. Children : I. Thomas, born 8 mo. 29, 1738, died 1797; married Martha Preston. 2. Rebecca, born 10 mo. 22, 1740, died 2 mo. 3, 1796; married John Eyre. 3. Phoebe, born 6 mo. II, 1744, died 7 mo. 30, 1746. 4. Abigail, born 9 mo. 29, 1746, died 10 mo. 5, 1818; married Solomon Mercer. 5. Daniel (2), of whom further.


(IV) Daniel (2). son of Daniel (1) and Sarah (Coppock) Sharples, was born in Ridley, Pennsylvania, 4 mo. 12, 1751, died 6 mo. 20, 1816. He was a conspicuous figure in the Society of Friends and was appointed overseer of Friends Meeting in Chester, Pennsylvania, 12 mo. 30, 1776, being made elder 5 mo. 31, 1784. He married (first) II mo. 22, 1775, at Newtown Meeting, Hannah Thomas, born 10 mo. 31. 1751, died 9 mo. 22, 1785. daughter of Isaac and Mary (Townsend) Thomas, of Willistown; (second) II mo. 20, 1788, at Chichester Meeting. Sarah Reynolds, born 12 mo. 15, 1758, died 9 mo. 29, 1842, daughter of Henry and Sarah Reynolds, of Upper Chichester township, Pennsylvania. Children of Daniel (2) and Hannah (Thomas) Sharples: I. Isaac, born 4 mo. 10, 1777, died I mo. 17. 1866, married Elizabeth Larkin. 2. John, of whom further. 3. Enos, born 3 mo. 1, 1781, died 5 mo. 9, 1866; mar- ried (first) Beulah Martin, (second) Hannah Webster. 4. Sarah, born 4 mo. 17, 1783, died 1798. 5. Daniel, born 8 mo. 23. 1785. died soon after his mother. Children of Daniel (2) Sharples by his second wife, Sarah (Reynolds) Sharp- les: 6. Henry, born II mo. II, 1790, died II mo. 19. 1853: married Anne Mendenhall. 7. Beulah, born 4 mo. 19. 1793, died 3 mo. 10. 1871 : married William Thatcher. 8. Hannah, born 7 mo. 7. 1796. died II mo. 28. 1841 : mar- ried John Mendenhall.


(V) John Sharpless. second son and child of Daniel (2) and Hannah (Thomas) Sharples, was born 9 mo. 31. 1778, died 3 mo. 12, 1854. He after his marriage lived on the northern section of his father's farm, in a house he later inherited by the terms of his father's will, together with ninety acres of land. In 1826 he purchased at sheriff's sale the adjoining homestead of Ellis Roberts, and of his father, Reuben Roberts. On 4 mo. 29, 1816, he was appointed overseer of Chester Meeting, a position he retained for several years. He married, 10 mo. 13, 1803, at Chichester Meeting. Ruth Martin, born IO mo. 17, 1780, died I mo. 17, 1878, daughter of George and Elizabeth (Reyn- olds) Martin, of Upper Chichester, a niece of his stepmother. Children of John and Ruth ( Martin) Sharpless: I. Sarah, born 8 mo. 21, 1804. died 3 mo. 12, 1872; married Thomas Chalkley Palmer. 2. Elizabeth, born 10 mo. 24, 1806, died 2 mo. 21, 1885: married James Pennell. 3. George, of whom further. 4. Lydia, born I mo. 2, 1812. died 9 mo. 12. 1898; married Ste- phen M. Trimble. 5. Sidney, born 9 mo. 17, 1814: married Haydock Gar- rigues. 6. Abigail, born 3 mo. 7. 1817, died 9 mo. 15, 1823. 7. Beulah, born 5 mo. 5, 1820: married Isaac Leeds. 8. Lewis, born 9 mo. 22, 1822, died 4 mo. 8, 1823. 9. John, born I mo. 25, 1824, died II mo. 22, 1885; married Susan H. Pratt. 10. Jane, born II mo. 28, 1826: married Charles L. War- ner.


(VI) George, son of John and Ruth (Martin) Sharpless, was born 3 mo. I day. 1809. in Nether Providence township, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, died 6 mo. 22, 1896. He obtained an education in the public schools and later improved this greatly by studying alone. At times his services were greatly in demand for survey. a profession of which he had considerable knowledge. In partnership with his son. Charles, he held an interest in a steam flour mill in Chester for several years. His interest in public affairs was deep and unflagging, and as a Republican he held the office of supervisor for thirty


THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY


ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.


George Sharpless


Hannah L. Sharpless


THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY


ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.


973


DELAWARE COUNTY


years; also being one of the school directors. Religious affairs, too, occupied much of his attention and he was one of the most earnest workers of the orthodox branch of the Friends Meeting at Twenty-fourth and Chestnut streets, Chester, Pennsylvania. In 1839 he erected a stone house upon the property originally granted by Penn, and supervised many other improvements, which greatly enhanced the value of the estate as well as improving its appearance.


He married, 5 mo. 9, 1832, at Concord Meeting, Hannah Larkin, born at Concord, 8 mo. 5, 1809, died 1 mo. 10, 1892, daughter of John and Martha (Thomas) Larkin, of Concord, Delaware county, Pennsylvania. Children : I. Charles, born 3 mo. 14, 1833, died II mo. 23, 1896; a miller of Chester, Pennsylvania; married, 4 mo. 25, 1861, Hannah Hannum. 2. Thomas, born 8 mo. 5, 1834, a retired carpenter ; married 2 mo. 26, 1862, Cornelia E. Fenni- more, and lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 3. Lewis, born 12 mo, 1836, died 12 mo. 21, 1898, a machinist ; married, 12 mo. 25, 1861, Jane E. Burk. 4. Nathan, born 10 mo. 22, 1838, a carpenter; married, 8 mo. 17, 1864, Eliza- beth D. Tomlinson, and lives in Chester, Pennsylvania. 5. Enos, born- 9 mo. I, 1840, died 12 mo. 1, 1840. 6. Martha S., born 9 mo. 8, 1842: married Aaron Harford Cooper, a farmer of Nether Providence township. Delaware county, Pennsylvania. 7. William, born 6 mo. 28, 1844, died 6 mo. 14, 1912, a farmer; he was a Republican and held the offices of road commissioner and supervisor. 8. Ruth Anna, born 5 mo. 1, 1847. She and her brother, Wil- liam, always lived at home and cared for their parents until death. They sold the old homestead and bought the home in Brookhaven, Chester township, Delaware county, into which they moved 4 mo. 2, 1912, and her brother died two months later; Miss Sharpless resides there in the midst of her many friends. She is a member of the Society of Friends and very active in religious work. 9. George, born I mo. 17, 1849, died 8 mo. 23, 1850.


A descendant of the emigrant, John Sharples, of Chester,


SHARPLESS England, Pennock E. Sharpless is of the seventh genera- tion of his family in Delaware county, Pennsylvania. The emigrants, John and Jane (Moor) Sharpless, had seven children, of whom Joseph was the youngest.


Joseph Sharpless, son of John Sharpless, was born at Hankelow, Cheshire, England, 9 mo. 28, 1678. He married in Haverford Monthly Meeting, Lydia Lewis. He died in Middletown, Chester, (now Delaware) county, Pennsyl- vania, in the spring of 1757. Of his ten children, Samuel was the fourth.


Samuel Sharpless, son of Joseph Sharpless, was born in Nether Provi- dence township, Delaware county, 12 mo. 7, 1710-1711, died in Middletown, II mo. 24, 1790. He married at Concord Meeting, Jane Newlin. Of their twelve children, Joel was the youngest.


Joel Sharpless, son of Samuel Sharpless, was born in Middletown, Dela- ware county, II mo. 28, 1760, died there 9 mo. 25, 1795. He married at East Caln Meeting, Hannah Mendenhall; of their four children, Samuel was the eldest.


Samuel (2) Sharpless, son of Joel Sharpless, was born at Middletown, II mo. 14, 1785, died at Edgmont, II mo. 21, 1866, by being thrown from his- horse. He was a carpenter and farmer. He inherited the homestead from his father, that later was the residence of his son, Joel, part of a tract his grandfather, Samuel Sharpless, bought from Thomas Grisell. He married, I, 5, 1807, in Philadelphia, Ruth Iddings; of his twelve children, William was the fifth.


William Sharpless, son of Samuel (2) Sharpless, was born 2, 25, 1816,


974


DELAWARE COUNTY


died at Tough Kenamon, Chester county, 10-12-1886. He bought a part of the homestead from his father, but afterward sold it to his brother, Joel. He married, 10-12-1837, Sarah Ann Yarnall, born 4-12-1812, died II-10-1876, daughter of James and Sarah Yarnall, of Middletown. Children: Joseph Townsend, died young; Sarah, married Joseph Haines Pyle; Enos, married Ellen Wood; Emma, married Edmond Scott; William, married Sarah E. Harford; Pennock E.


Pennock E. Sharpless, son of William and Sarah Ann (Yarnall) Sharp- less, was born 5-15-1852, in Middletown, Delaware county, Pennsylvania. He was educated in the public schools, finishing his studies and graduating from West Chester High School. He then returned to the home farm where he remained his father's assistant until of legal age. In 1873 he began dairy- ing, making a specialty of high grade butter, his production of fifty pounds weekly being taken by private customers in Philadelphia. His success in this small way induced him to go into the business more extensively, and in 1876 he erected and placed in operation the first creamery known in the state of Pennsylvania. When he began business at the creamery, the milk was placed in pans and the cream removed by hand skimming, but this practice Mr. Sharpless soon relegated to the rear, installing at the creamery the "Danish Western," the first imported separator that is known to have been used in the United States. In 1882 he moved his business to the village of Concord- ville, where he purchased the creamery plant of the Farmer's Association. His business grew to such proportions that in 1902 he organized a corporation. This company has seven branch creameries in Delaware and Chester counties, handling about one hundred and twenty-five thousand pounds of milk daily. An important department of the business is that of evaporated milk, and still another is the manufacture of fancy soft cheese, about one thousand three pound boxes being the daily output. So far as known this is the only cream- ery plant in the state, making a fancy soft cheese. The product of the Sharp- less creameries is of high grade and it is known throughout the trade that their trade-mark is above suspicion.


Mr. Sharpless married, in July, 1854, Phoebe Ann. daughter of Wayne Bishop. Children : Percival, born August 25, 1875: Albert, August 10, 1877; Casper P., November 17, 1878. The family home is at Concordville, Delaware county.


SPRINGFIELD James Turner Springfield, who made a brilliant record as a member of the police force, of which he was a mem- ber for many years, now enjoying a pension for his ser- vices, and who at the present time ( 1914) is greatly interested in expert gar- dening near Drexel Hill, is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, born Octo- ber 31, 1859. son of Maurice and Ann (Turner) Springfield.


(I) James Springfield, grandfather of James T. Springfield, was a native of France, from which country he went to England, where he married a Welsh woman, Miss Biddle, who accompanied him to the United States, they locating in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in which city Mr. Springfield died. He was a shoemaker by trade, which line of work he followed both in Eng- land and this country. He reared a large family, four of whom are living at the present time (1914) : Robert, William and Rogers, all of whom are living retired in Philadelphia, and Belle, who married Charles Emersel.


(II) Maurice Springfield, father of James T. Springfield, was born in Manchester, England, 1835, died February 18, 1898. In early life he learned the trade of shoemaker, becoming an expert worker, and in young manhood


975


DELAWARE COUNTY


conducted a retail shoe store for a number of years, which was a successful undertaking. He then entered the United States Custom service at Philadel- phia, continuing for a quarter of a century, this long tenure of office testifying to his capability and faithful performance of duty. He and his wife were members of the Episcopal church. He married Ann Turner, born in Bolton, near Manchester, England, 1839, died in Philadelphia, 1889, daughter of James and - (Fielding) Turner, the former of whom came to this country from England, locating in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he died. He was an ardent Episcopalian, and for a number of years took a leading part in the church choir. Mrs. Turner died when her daughter, Ann, was a baby, and the latter was reared by Mr. and Mrs. Bromley, of Philadelphia. Children of Mr. and Mrs. Springfield: 1. James Turner, of whom further. 2. John, a retired foreman; resides in Philadelphia. 3. Maurice, a moulder by trade ; resides in Philadelphia. 4. Lizzie, married James Pusey, now deceased. 5. William, employed by the Pennsylvania Traction Company. 6. Anna, mar- ried Harry Clemson. 7. Henry, an engineer on the Pennsylvania Railroad.


(III) James T. Springfield obtained his education in the public school located at the corner of Fortieth street and Lancaster avenue, Philadelphia. At the age of fifteen he went to Iowa and lived on a farm with his uncle, Wil- liam Turner Bromley, but later returned to his home in Philadelphia. On February 28, 1885, he joined the Philadelphia police force, being attached to the Sixteenth District Station, located at the corner of Thirty-ninth street and Lancaster avenue. He remained there for ten years, performing efficient work, meriting the approval and approbation of his superior officers. He then became connected with the harbor police force, being placed in the Schuyl- kill Harbor boat, serving for thirteen years, during which time he often risked his life in saving others from danger, being well rewarded by the consciousness of work faithfully performed. In November, 1908, he was placed on the retired list and since then has received a pension. He then purchased the Hillside farm in Upper Darby township, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, near Drexel Hill, to which he removed in the spring of 1909, and during the inter- vening years he has devoted his attention to gardening, in which he has become an expert, and which has also proven successful from a financial standpoint. He gives his hearty support to all enterprises for the good of the community, is popular among his neighbors, and is respected for his honorable character and energetic nature. He is a Baptist in religion, and a Republican in politics.


Mr. Springfield married, October 28, 1891, Mary Albina Potter, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, February 22, 1868, daughter of John E. and Margaret Ann (Hoffman) Potter. Children: Roy Potter, born August 28, 1893; J. Turner, December 8, 1895; Edgar C., May 28, 1901. John E. Pot- ter was born in Philadelphia, being the only child of his parents, who were residents of Philadelphia, to attain adult years. He was a stage carpenter during the early years of his life, but his health failed and he was obliged to seek other employment, and accordingly he opened a cigar store at No. 640 Thirty-seventh street, Philadelphia, which he conducted for thirty years. He was one of the company who enlisted his service for three months at the first call for men to defend their country in the civil war. He and his wife were members of the Lutheran church. She was born at Balla Station, Pennsyl- vania, and is now living with her daughter, Mrs. Springfield. She has one other daughter, Anne, wife of J. C. McGonigal. Mrs. Potter is the daughte of John and Ann (Price) Hoffman, both natives of Philadelphia. The maiden name of the mother of Ann (Price) Hoffman was Morton, and her grand- father, John Morton, was one of the signers of the Declaration of Inde- pendence.


976


DELAWARE COUNTY


The Grisdale family of Clifton Heights, Delaware county, GRISDALE Pennsylvania, are of English origin, England having been the home of the family for many generations. The first of the name of whom authentic record can be found, is John Grisdale, a weaver of England. He married Mary , also of English birth: Children : John, of whom further ; infant, died unnamed; infant died unnamed; Jona- than, Thomas, Mary Ann, Elizabeth.


John (2) Grisdale, son of John ( I) and Mary Grisdale, was born in Bol- ton, Laughan, England, December 22, 1836. He was educated in the com- mon schools of his native country, and obtained his first employment in a cot- ton mill. His rise in the business was rapid, and when only twenty-two years of age he was promoted to the position of manager. In 1863 he immigrated to the United States and worked for two years at the machinists trade, later serving an apprenticeship and learning the trade of a mason and bricklayer. In 1883 he retired from active labor and has since lived a quiet life of ease. The old school house of Clifton Heights was erected upon land sold by him to the borough. He has held several prominent political positions in the bor- ough, having been a member of the council for eight years and for two years was treasurer. When the local fire department was organized he was one of the charter members and contributed his most earnest efforts to raising it to its present high plane of efficiency. He is at present inspector for the borough. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.


He married, November 20, 1861, Catherine Taylor, a native of England, who came to America in 1863. Children : Infant died unnamed; Mary Alice, deceased: Sarah Jane; Elizabeth Ann, a trained nurse, born October 23, 1868; she is president of the Women's Club and a strong advocate of woman's political equality ; she is the present efficient treasurer of the borough poor fund and active in promoting all good causes.


The Gettz family of Pennsylvania has been closely identified with


GETTZ the agricultural and horticultural interests of the state since their first appearance in it shortly after the revolutionary period.


(I) George Gettz, the first of whom we have record in this country, emi- grated to the United States in the latter part of the eighteenth century from Germany, and brought with him the habits of thrift and industry which char- acterize the Germans, and transmitted them to his descendants. He located in the southern part of Philadelphia where he followed truck farming. There he purchased a small farm, which he cultivated to its fullest extent. He set out many fruit trees and had two houses erected on this land. He was a mem- ber of the Lutheran church, and died at the same time as one of his sons, about the year 1840. He married Catherine Bruner and became the father of seven or eight children.


(II) George, son of George and Catherine (Bruner) Gettz, was born on the homestead farm which he later inherited. For a time he rented a small farm on Bucks road, then removed to Fifth and Morris streets, and returned to Bucks road, near Eleventh street. During the war of 1812 he was in active service, and he affiliated with the Whig party; upon the formation of the Re- publican party he gave his political adherence to that organization. He and his wife were members of the Lutheran church. He married Margaret, daughter of Jacob and (Librain) Westenburger, both of German descent, and who lived on a large tract of land which they owned on Point Breeze avenue, and which he cultivated ; he also owned a number of smaller farms and was a


977


DELAWARE COUNTY


man of considerable wealth. They had nine children all of whom are now de- ceased. Mr. and Mrs. Gettz had children: Charles Washington, see forward; George, died in Delaware county, Pennsylvania; Francis, died in Bucks Road; Elizabeth, also now deceased, married Benjamin Hunter; Edward, died in Philadelphia ; Margaret, married the Rev. S. A. K. Francis, and lives in Phila- delphia; two others died in early youth.


(III) Charles Washington, son of George and Margaret ( Westenburger) Gettz, was born in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, February 22, 1829. He was the recipient of an excellent education which was acquired in private schools, and upon its completion, engaged in farming on his father's place. Later he rented from his mother a farm of fourteen acres, and cultivated this as a truck farm. About 1877 he removed to Haverford township and there purchased a plot of eighteen and one-half acres, at four hundred and fifty dol- lars per acre. He erected a fine, well built house on this land, made many im- provements upon it, and is now considered as one of the oldest truck farmers in the township. He raises all kinds of garden truck, both of the older and the more modern variety. He was one of the organizers of the Trinity Luther- an Church, and he and his wife are still members of it. He has been a mem- ber of the church council, and for a period of thirteen years he was superin- tendent of the Sunday school. He has helped in many ways to organize other Sunday schools, and it is due directly to his influence that the attendance is as large as it is. In political opinion he is a Republican, and has served as a mem- ber of the school board and also as assistant assessor. He has always taken an active part when projects were discussed which appeared to be for the general good of the community. He was a member of the committees which had charge of the construction of good roads, and the general improvements, and much credit for these improvements is due to him personally for the good results achieved.




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.