USA > Pennsylvania > Delaware County > A history of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, and its people; Volume III > Part 33
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THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
Casoge Foster White
991
DELAWARE COUNTY
9th month 9, 1772, Elizabeth Scholey, born Ist month 24, 1752, died 8th month 25, 1801, the last two the parents of Rebecca Smith, wife of Joseph White.
Barclay, son of Joseph and Rebecca (Smith) White, was born April 4. 1821, died November 23, 1906. He was descended in the seventh generation from the Quaker, Samuel Jennings, who was appointed by the Crown the first Governor of the Province of West Jersey. He also in the eighth generation was a descendant of John Jasper, a merchant of Rotterdam, grandfather of William Penn. He was, like his forbears, a member of the Society of Friends, and for many years was an elder of that church. He married Rebecca Merritt Lamb, born March 22, 1824, died February 20, 1850, daughter of Restore S. and Mary (Ridgway) Lamb, of Mount Holly, Burlington county, New Jersey. Rebecca Merritt Lamb was a descendant of Ann Mauleverer. an elder of the Chesterfield Friends Meeting, New Jersey, who was descended through twelve distinct strains from Edward I, of England. (See the Mauleverer Chart His- torical Society of Penna.). The descent is as follows: John Abbott married 3rd month 26, 1696, Anne Mauleverer. Their daughter, Jane, born 3rd month 9, 1701, died Ist month 3, 1780, married, 12th month 16, 1726, Joseph Burr, born IIth month 5, 1693, died 4th month 13, 1767. Their daughter, Mary, born 6th month II, 1729, died Ist month 17, 1802, married IIth month 20, 1747, Solomon Ridgway, born 8th month 18, 1723, died in 1788. Their son, Benjamin E. Ridgway, born 6th month 20, 1770, died 4th month 14, 1856; mar- ried 8th month 17, 1794, Prudence Borton, born 12th month 25, 1762, died 3d month 25, 1854. The daughter of this marriage, Mary, born 6th month 12, 1795, died 3rd month 25, 1837, married Restore S. Lamb, born 12th month 27, 1788, died 8 month 16, 1867, one of their daughters being Rebecca Merritt, of previous mention, who married Barclay White. Children of Barclay and Re- becca Merritt (Lamb) White: I. Howard, born April 12, 1844. 2. Joseph Josiah, born January 22, 1846. 3. George Foster, of whom further. 4. Bar- clay Jr., born February 20, 1850.
George Foster, third of the four sons of Barclay and Rebecca Merritt (Lamb) White, was born on his father's farm, "Urie," about one mile from Mount Holly, Burlington county, New Jersey, November 13, 1847. His schol- astic training was obtained in various primary schools of that locality, finishing his studies when fifteen and a half years of age at the Mount Holly Institute, conducted by Rev. Samuel Aaron and his son, Charles. This was his last in- struction in graded schools, although after he had begun his business career in Philadelphia he completed a course in business subjects at Crittenden's Com- mercial College. In 1863, aged sixteen years, he entered the employ of Lippin- cott & Parry, cloth merchants, situated on the southwest corner of Second and Market streets, in the capacity of clerk, in the early part of the next decade be- coming interested in the lumber business in that city. On January 1, 1881, he became associated with his brother, Joseph J. White, in the retail sale of ma- chinery, and ten years later, still in the same connection, organizing the Penn- sylvania Machine Company. This concern's place of business was at No. 31 North Seventh street, Philadelphia, and until 1900 Mr. White held the posi- tions of secretary and treasurer in its organization. During this time he con- tracted relations with various financial institutions, and in 1900 he withdrew from the mercantile business to give those interests the time and attention that their importance deserved, leaving behind him an honorable, successful record in the world that had been the scene of his youthful endeavors and his ma- ture accomplishments, the many friends that he had formed in that business regretting his departure for other fields. At the present time (January I) 1914, he is actively connected with the following companies, societies, and as- sociations, the breadth of human life and action they cover giving an indication
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DELAWARE COUNTY
of the diverse natures of his pursuits : the Lansdowne and Darby Saving Fund and Trust Company, of which he has been president, treasurer, and trust offi- cer since its incorporation in 1902: the Lansdowne Building and Loan Asso- ciation, of which he has been secretary since its organization in 1889 ; director, since 1889, of the First National Bank of Darby; treasurer of the Darby Library Company, Darby, Pennsylvania, established in 1743: treasurer of the Associated Charities of Eastern Delaware county ; treasurer of the Lansdowne Playground Association : treasurer of the Lansdowne Troop, Boy Scouts of America ; treasurer of Darby Creek Foot-bridge Association; and is a mem- ber of the executive committees of the Darby Home Protection Society, the People's Rights Association of Delaware county, Lansdowne Natural History Club, and the Lansdowne Boy Scouts of America ; vice-president of the Lans- downe Men's Suffrage League ; and is a member of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania, the National Geo- graphic Society, the Geographical Society of Philadelphia, and the American Academy of Political and Social Science. That Mr. White is able not only to render valuable service to all of the above organizations but also to derive considerable pleasure therefrom is an eloquent testimonial to his wide range of human sympathy, which enables him to rise from a committee conferring upon the dispensation of charities in the district, hasten to a meeting of a troop of Boy Scouts and there receive the Scout's salute as an honored and privileged guest. He is closely in touch with all that pertains to the advancement and betterment of Lansdowne and Delaware county, ably assisting and encouraging each new project for the community's welfare.
Mr. White married Mary Jeanes Walter, born at No. 1233 Market street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, June 28, 1853, daughter of William Penn and Sarah ( Rhoads) Walter. Sarah Rhoads was a daughter of Joseph and Naomi (Thomas ) Rhoads. The hardware business of William Penn Walter, estab- lished in 1831, is still conducted by his sons, trading under the name William P. Walter's Sons. Children of George Foster and Mary Jeanes ( Walter ) White: I. Rebecca Lamb, born January 21, 1878; married Arthur Shrigley, an architect, son of John M. Shrigley, president of the Williamson Trade School ; children: Margaret, born November 7, 1904, and Edward White, born February 20, 1908. 2. Walter Rhoads White, born January 7, 1887; a grad- uate of William Penn Charter School, Philadelphia, the University of Penn- sylvania, and the University of Pennsylvania Law School; now a practicing lawyer, with offices at No. TOII Chestnut street, Philadelphia.
STATZELL Probably no class of manufacturers in the United States can show so striking an advance, in both output and quality, as can the linen shirt, collar and cuff makers of the United States. This great industry is one with which George W. Statzell has been intimately and prominently connected all his active business life as salesman and high official, of one of the largest firms of Troy, New York, that city of manufacturing fame.
The Statzells spring from an ancestry long seated in the Empire of Ger- many, from whence came Peter MI. Statzell, the founder of this branch in the United States in 1800. He settled in Philadelphia, married and reared a fam- ily. His son, Peter M. Statzell, married Anna, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Bartholomew and resided in Philadelphia, where their children were born. Peter MI. Statzell died in Philadelphia, February 19, 1882, his wife sur- viving him. Two only of their eight children are now living: George W., of whom further, and Cecelia, who married Isaac T. Wolff.
993
DELAWARE COUNTY
Henry Clay Statzell, an elder brother of George W., was born in Philadel- phia, August 12, 1852. He attended the public schools, but at the age of twelve years became a worker in a mercantile establishment in Philadelphia. About 1878 he became manager of the Philadelphia branch of Coon & Com- pany, shirt, collar and cuff manufacturers of Troy, New York, and in 1881 became a member of the firm. In 1891 changes and consolidations resulted in the firm Coon & Company forming with Cluett Brothers & Company the new firm, Cluett, Coon & Company, with which firm Henry C. Statzell was asso- ciated. In 1896 he retired from active business, established his residence in Lansdowne and was ever afterward identified with the development and pros- perity of that borough until his death, September 8, 1902. Among his inter- ests was the Lansdowne Electric Light Company, of which he was one of the organizers and president until his death. In religious faith he was an Epis- copalian.
George W. Statzell, son of Peter M. and Anna ( Bartholomew) Statzell, was born in Philadelphia, February 14, 1858. He attended the public school, but at an early age became a worker, beginning his business life as office boy in a mercantile establishment in Philadelphia. He decided later to learn a trade, and for three and a half years served an apprenticeship with a Phila- delphia stair builder, becoming an expert worker and thoroughly familiar with all the detail of stair building as then practiced. He did not, however, put the knowledge gained into practical use for any great length of time, deciding instead to engage in mercantile life. The rapid improvement in laundry' machinery had driven the once popular paper collar and cuff from the market, and that business was being captured by the linen shirt, collar and cuff makers of Troy, New York, a city then, as now, the principal seat of this particular branch of linen manufacturing. In 1880 he became associated with the Troy house of Coon & Company, then a leader in the collar and cuff business. He was one of their Philadelphia representatives, his brother, Henry C. Statzell, being manager of the Philadelphia branch. Mr. Statzell continued with this house during its changes in firm personnel, won a high position in the regard of his business associates and in the final firm organization as Cluett, Peabody & Company, was chosen vice-president and manager of their selling forces, and retired at the age of fifty. No other name than "self-made," hackneyed though it be, can describe Mr. Statzell, who from a poor boy rose to the posi- tion he occupied, not by any lucky turn of fortune's wheel, but by his own efforts, step by step. A resident of Philadelphia until 1894, Mr. Statzell in that year moved to Lansdowne which has ever since been his home. He has done much to improve that borough, having erected many of the most modern and attractive residences there found. He has taken a deep interest in local public affairs and aided in many ways the progress of that community, from a small country village to a populous, popular, prosperous borough. He is most gen- erous in his support of all churches and charities, and has spent a great deal of time in foreign travel. He was champion sculler of Philadelphia and Penn- sylvania during the eighties; was captain of Pennsylvania Barge Club of Schuylkill Navy for eight years; commodore of Schuylkill Navy and after- wards president of National Association of Amateur Oarsmen; president of the Belmont Cricket Club a cricketer of some note; president of Lansdowne C. Club, now president of the Aronamink Country Club.
Mr. Statzell married, May 1, 1877, Alice, daughter of William and Eliza- beth (Miller) Bauer. Children: Harlan Page, born September 22, 1878, married Adele Clayborn and has Alice and Harlan Page (2) ; Henry Clay (2), born June 23, 1884; George Washington, September 28, 1894.
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994
DELAWARE COUNTY
For many generations the progenitors of Rev. Thomas F. Ryan, RYAN of Chester, have been native of the county of Tipperary, Ireland. His grandfather, Jeremiah Ryan, was a well to do farmer, a de- vout Catholic and all his life lived near Moss Cross Abbey near Tipperary where he is buried. His three sons, Thomas F., John and Matthew, all came to the United States, both John and Matthew serving in the civil war. John Ryan was captured in battle, confined in Libby prison, there contracted disease that caused his death not long after his release. Matthew served in the United States Navy and after the war settled in California where he was employed in the government mint. His son, Matthew (2), took holy orders and is now a priest of the Roman Catholic Church located in California.
Thomas Francis Ryan, son of Jeremiah Ryan, was born in Tipperary, Ire- land, and there lived until sixteen years of age. He attended the parish schools and was a classmate of the late Archbishop Ryan of Philadelphia. He came to the United States at the age of sixteen years, locating in Providence, Rhode Island, where he learned the trades of machinist and patternmaker-later he came to Philadelphia where for many years he was in the employ of the Sell- ers Company, and there died in 1888 aged forty-five years. He was a member of the Roman Catholic Church, and in politics an independent Democrat. He married Mary T. O'Donnell, born in Limerick, Ireland, came to the L'nited States when twelve years of age, living until her marriage in Providence, Rhode Island, having there risen to the position of forewoman in Walsh's Department Store. After marriage the young couple settled in Philadelphia, where they resided in the tenth ward and there all their children were born : William H., now chief clerk under the auditor of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, a position he has held for thirty years, now having a force of three hundred clerks under his direction : Rev. Thomas F., see forward ; John P., a retired officer of the United States Navy. now residing at the American Lega- tion in Pekin, China; Mary, resides at No. 5106 Springfield avenue, Philadel- phia.
Rev. Thomas F. Ryan, second son of Thomas Francis and Mary T. (O'Donnell) Ryan, was born in Philadelphia, September 20, 1860. After pre- paratory courses he entered La Salle College, Philadelphia, whence he was graduated class of 1880, entered Mount St. Mary's, Baltimore, Maryland, and was graduated after a classical and scientific course in 1885. He then entered the Theological Seminary connected with Mount St. Mary's, took the full course in Divinity following with a two years course at St. Charles College, Overbrook, Pennsylvania. He was ordained to the priesthood of the Roman Catholic Church, September 12, 1890, and was first stationed at St. Patrick's church in Norristown. After a year there, he spent another year at St. Agatha's, Thirty-eighth and Spring Garden streets, Philadelphia, then for the next ten years was connected with St. Ann's in Port Richmond, Philadelphia, with the exception of one year spent as chaplain of Fifth Regiment United States Cavalry during the Spanish war. On November 20, 1903, he was ap- pointed pastor in charge of the Parish of St. Rosa Lima at Eddystone, Dela- ware county, where his labors have been greatly blessed and he still remains. During the nine years he has been in charge of the parish he has been in- strumental in having a church erected in Ridley Park costing twenty-five thou- sand dollars, now fully paid and now a separate parish. The church at Nor- wood has also been greatly improved. In Eddystone the old church has been torn down, although erected but nineteen years earlier. In its place a beauti- ful stone church costing forty thousand dollars was completed in 1910. These and other evidences of material prosperity stand as evidences of Father Ryan's earnest, well directed efforts, while spiritually the increase has been very large.
995
DELAWARE COUNTY
The parish before its division about ten years ago contained an area of forty- two square miles and about three hundred souls that depended on the Catholic church for their spiritual food. Now the parish of Eddystone alone contains three times that number, the new church providing for the accommodation of nine hundred. A faithful minister of God must often await the final judgment for the fruits of his labor, but to Father Ryan has it been given to see much good resulting from his labors. Scholarly, cultured and in social intercourse, the genial, courteous gentleman, he is the forceful, eloquent, earnest orator in the pulpit, while as the pastor he is most firm, yet kindly, ever striving by pre- cept, exhortation and example to encourage all to a higher and better life. The various societies of the church are prosperous and each is doing its utmost to carry forward the special object of its foundation.
RONEY The descent of the Roney family of Clifton Heights, Delaware
county, Pennsylvania, is English and Scotch. The earliest rec- ord of any of its members in this country is of James Roney, a printer of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he died aged about fifty years. He was a Whig in politics. He married Margaret MacPherson, died in Phil- adelphia, aged sixty-five years; children: Theodore, married Anna Roney ; Charles Taylor, of whom further.
(II) Charles Taylor, son of James and Margaret ( MacPherson) Roney, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where his early life was spent, and where he died. He obtained an education in the public schools and was grad- uated from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy. For many years he con- ducted a pharmacy in Philadelphia and built up a large and profitable business. Both he and his wife were members of the Society of Friends. He was a Democrat in politics. He married Angelina C. White, of Philadelphia, where she resides, aged seventy-three years, daughter of John White, a cabinet maker, who died in Easton, Maryland, aged seventy-four years. Child of Charles Taylor and Angelina C. (White) Roney: Charles Henry, of whom further.
(III) Charles Henry, only son and child of Charles Taylor and Angelina C. (White) Roney, was born in Camden, New Jersey, June 9, 1861. He was brought to Philadelphia when only two years of age and obtained an educa- tion in the public schools. Leaving school he was employed for a time as clerk in a real estate office, then in the same capacity worked for the John Tucker Cigar Company, leaving there to accept his present position with the Pennsyl- vania railroad, which is that of ticket clerk at Broad street station, Philadel- phia, Pennsylvania. He is a Republican in politics, and with his wife attends the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a member of the Volunteer Relief Association, Pennsylvania Railroad. He married, June 22, 1888, Anna Long, born in Primos, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, May 9, 1869, daughter of Adam and Margaret (Allyine) Long, of Philadelphia. Adam Long was born in Primos, Pennsylvania, a brick burner, now deceased, and his wife was a native of Philadelphia. Children of Adam and Margaret (Allyine) Long : Adam (deceased) ; Rebecca (deceased) ; Catherine; Elizabeth; Margaret ; Samuel; John (deceased) ; William (deceased) ; Sarah; Anna (of previous mention ) married Charles Henry Roney; and two who died in infancy. Chil- dren of Charles Henry and Anna (Long) Roney: I. Charles Earnest, born February 20, 1889, employed in the freight department of the Pennsylvania railroad. 2. Violet May, born May 10, 1895. 3. Mildred White, born June 26, 1901.
The family home is on Broadway, Clifton Heights, Pennsylvania.
996
DELAWARE COUNTY
Joseph M. Collom, an enterprising and public-spirited citizen COLLOM of Drexel Hill, in harmony with advanced ideas, intelligent, progressive, whose active career has been above reproach and whose success has been well merited, is a descendant of a Scotch-Irish ances- try, the founder of the family coming to this country at or near the time of the coming of William Penn. They were Friends in their religious belief.
Asher S. Collom, father of Joseph M. Collom, was born near Danboro. Bucks county, Pennsylvania, September 27, 1832, died November 14, 1876. His parents were natives of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and died of the chol- era in the year 1846, within a week of each other, and they were the parents of four children: 1. Josephine, married William Gougher; resided in Bucks county, Pennsylvania. 2. Elizabeth, married James Martin ; resided in Schuyl- kill county. 3. William, owner of a slave ship, and the supposition is that he was captured by pirates. 4. Asher S. Collom. Asher S. Collom after com- pleting his studies in the public schools, acted in the capacity of school teacher for some time, later opened an oyster house in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, was the first one to carry express between Doylestown and Philadelphia prior to the establishment of the large express companies, conducted a general store in the country and was the proprietor of a hotel called "The Lamb," located near Doylestown, Pennsylvania. During the civil war he served for ten months in the Pennsylvania Infantry, being attached to the hospital corp. He took an active interest in local politics, affiliating with the Republican party, and was a Friend in religion. He married Mary Catherine Walker, born in Bucks coun- ty, Pennsylvania, January 7, 1842, daughter of George and Julia (Brunner) Walker, residents of Bucks county, he a farmer and a Presbyterian. Children of Mr. and Mrs. Collom: Joseph Moore, of whom further; George Walker, deceased, married Josie -, and resided in California ; William Bertram, a veterinarian in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, married Emma Werner.
Joseph M. Collom was born in the town of Danboro, Bucks county, Penn- sylvania, February 1, 1862. He attended the schools adjacent to his home, pursued advanced studies at Doylestown Seminary, and later took a course in a commercial college in Philadelphia. His father established a general store in Danboro, placing Joseph M. in charge of it, while he looked after his other Interests, and when Joseph M. attained the age of eighteen years, his father having died three years previously, he disposed of the store. He then took a trip out west, traveling extensively through the western states and Mexico, re- maining for eight years, and during this time he introduced telephones into Mexico, the natives being amazed at the wonderful instruments. In 1888 he returned to his native state, locating in Philadelphia, and there engaged in elec- trical work for Mr. W. S. Griffith, in whose employ he remained for two years. He then accepted a position with the Reading railroad, in the electrical depart- ment, and filled the same for a period of six years. He then became connected with Lit Bros., in the electrical department of their extensive store in Philadel- phia, and has been so occupied since 1902, giving entire satisfaction in the per- formance of his duties. He is also interested in the real estate business, his transactions being in the vicinity of his home. He is a Republican in politics, and affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of Malta, Ancient Order Knights of the Mystic Chain, Improved Order of Red Men and Patriotic Order Sons of America.
Mr. Collom married, November 5, 1888, Nellie B. Black, born in Phila- delphia, Pennsylvania, March 2, 1863, daughter of Jenks B. and Catherine Black, both deceased. Children of Mr. and Mrs. Collom: Percy Wilber, born June 26, 1893; Russell S., born February 2, 1895. The family resides in the house erected by Mr. Collom in 1909, on the corner of Drexel and Bonsall ave- nues, Drexel Hill.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LFNOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
Ges I Garrett
997
DELAWARE COUNTY
From the days of William Penn, the Garretts have been land GARRETT owners and prominent Friends of Chester, now Delaware county, including William and Ann (Kirke) Garrett, who came in 1684. Seven generations of Garretts have lived in Delaware county, the line of descent to Arthur S. Garrett being as follows: William and Ann (Kirke) Garrett; Samuel and Jane (Pennell) Garrett; Nathan and Ann (Knowles) Garrett; Thomas and Sarah (Price) Garrett; Edward and Abi- gail (Sellers) Garrett; George Sellers and Mary W. (Maris) Garrett; Arthur Sellers and Hannah Worrel (Ogden) Garrett.
In each generation the heads of these families have been Friends, and with few exceptions the children have adhered to the family faith. In the line of Arthur S. Garrett, each generation were farmers, although his father had large business interests, principally in banks of the county.
George Sellers Garrett, of the sixth generation in America, father of Arthur S. Garrett, was born in Upper Darby township, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, December 20, 1838, died January 16, 1889. He was educated in public and private schools, completing his studies at Friends Boarding School, Westtown, Chester county, Pennsylvania, intending to enter college, but ill health prevented him from doing so. He then returned home and thereafter was his father's assistant on the homestead, which consisted of one hundred and ninety-three acres, part of the original homestead purchased from William Penn by a Mr. Ferne and sold by him to a member of the Garrett family, the original deed from Penn to Ferne being preserved in the family. After the death of his father, George S. Garrett engaged in mercantile business and became interested in banking institutions, also administering many trusts. He was one of the founders of the Thompson-Houston Electric Company. For five years he was a director of the First National Bank of Darby, being re-elected for a sixth term on the day he was stricken with apoplexy. In 1881 he succeeded Nathan Garrett as secretary of the Upper Darby Building and Loan Association, serving until his death; also was a director of the Media Title and Trust Company. He was for several years supervisor of Upper Darby and an elected auditor of Delaware county, but declined to serve. He was deeply interested in the cause of education, serving for many years as a member of the board of managers of the Elwyn Training School for Feeble Minded Children, and was for a time trustee of Haverford College.
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