USA > Pennsylvania > Delaware County > A history of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, and its people; Volume III > Part 42
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Mr. Durnall is a paternal grandson of Joseph Durnall, who resided in East Bradford township. His wife, Sarah P. (Bailey) Durnall, born in 1818, was a daughter of Reuben Bailey. Among the children of Joseph and Sarah P. Dur- nall was a son, Edwin J. Durnall, who was born in East Bradford township, Chester county, Pennsylvania, October 1, 1847. He was educated in the public schools, and for several years was a teacher in the public school of his native county. Ill health resulting from confinement in the school room caused him to seek out of doors employment and for thirteen years he engaged successfully in farming at East Goshen, Chester county. He then was induced to accept the superintendency of the farm and grounds connected with Swarthmore College, where he yet continues. He is a member of the Masonic order, the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, the Patrons of Husbandry, and is a past master of Pomona Grange of the latter order. He married, in Westtown, Chester county, Pennsylvania, October 31, 1872, Sidney Anna Cox, born November II, 1846, daughter of Caleb H. and Mary H. (Minster) Cox, whose descent has been given. Children: Gertrude C., born February 3, 1874; Joseph Dillwyn, see forward : Charles R., born February 5, 1879; C. Walter, February 25, 1881 ; Pauline M., February 27, 1885.
Joseph Dillwyn Durnall, eldest son of Edwin J. and Sidney Anna ( Cox) Durnall, was born in Westtown, Chester county, Pennsylvania, October 16, 1877. He attended the public schools at Rocky Hill and Goshenville in East Goshen township; the high schools of Goshenville and West Chester, finishing his studies at Swarthmore preparatory school, but after leaving high school
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served an apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade, before attending Swarthmore. After leaving school finally, he spent three years in Philadelphia as clerk in the Central Hardware store. He then located in Swarthmore, where until 1912 he was engaged successfully as a contractor and builder. In 1912 he opened a hardware store in Swarthmore, where he has a well established and profitable business in both store and contracting departments. Mr. Durnall is a Republi- can in politics, and in religious faith adheres to the religious belief of his ances- tors, belonging to the Society of Friends. He is a member of George W. Bar- tram Lodge, No. 298, Free and Accepted Masons; Brook Haven Grange, Pa- trons of Husbandry, and of the Cosmos Club of Swarthmore. He is unmarried.
The Gaffneys came to Pennsylvania from County Caven, Ire-
GAFFNEY land, where Thomas Gaffney was born in 1828. He came to Philadelphia when a young man settling in Kensington mill district, where he died January 19, 1871. He was an engineer by trade, a man of energy and good character. He married Catherine Mahan ; children : Anna, married James Gonuly, of Belleville, New Jersey; Elizabeth, married William Birdsell ; Thomas.
Thomas (2) Gaffney, only son of Thomas ( 1) and Catherine ( Mahan) Gaffney, was born in the Kensington district, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Oc- tober 15, 1861. He attended the Sherman public school on Frankford road, and began a wage earner's life as a weaver in a Philadelphia stocking factory. In 1872 he located in Clifton Heights, Delaware county, where since 1885 he has been in business for himself, having the leading tonsorial parlor in the borough. He has been assessor of the middle ward of the borough for the past fourteen years; is a member of the Foresters and the Knights of Columbus, and in religious faith a Roman Catholic. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Daniel McDermott ; children : Thomas (3), Agnes, married Lawrence Hughes, and resides in Chester county ; Mildred.
GALLAGHER The readiness and celerity with which those of foreign birth adapt themselves to the customs and methods of trans- acting business in this country is truly remarkable. Not only do they make themselves self-supporting, but they attain positions of prominence and wealth. Edward Gallagher, of Clifton Heights, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, is a case in point.
Edward Gallagher was born in County Megail, Ireland, in 1831, and came to the United States when still a young lad. He obtained a position as assist- ant to a farmer in Delaware county, Pennsylvania, in the year 1851, and be- came thoroughly familiar with all the numerous details connected with the proper cultivation of a farm. Upon the outbreak of the civil war he was drafted for service in the army, but having furnished a paid substitute, he was exempt from performing this duty. It was not a lack of patriotism which caused him to secure a substitute, but he considered that he could give his coun- try better service by attending to the business in which he had engaged. He was a very young man when he established himself in the moving business, and was actively identified with this until his retirement from active business life about nine years ago. He displayed much executive ability in the manage- ment of his business, which increased greatly in the course of years, and he re- tired after having accumulated a considerable fortune. He has never been away from Clifton Heights since the time he first took up his residence there, and he has furthered many projects for the improvement of the place. His re- ligious allegiance is given to the Roman Catholic church.
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Mr. Gallagher married Sarah Gallan, and had children: Cass, John Ed- ward, Patrick, Sally, Hugh and Michael, of whom Michael and John are no longer living. Mr. Gallagher is hale and hearty for his years, and keeps well in touch with the times on all subjects of importance. He is greatly respected both as a private and as a public citizen.
The Emerald Isle has contributed many a substantial and enter- GORDON prising citizen to the upbuilding of the great Keystone common- wealth. James Gordon was born in Ireland, in the year 1840. He is a son of William Gordon, who passed his entire life in Ireland and who was there engaged in business during his active career.
James Gordon received a fair education in the public schools of his native land. He came to America in 1888, locating at Glen Riddle, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, where he secured work in a textile mill. He came to Clifton Heights and here has been an employee of the Charles Crawford Stocking Fac- tory for a number of years. Through careful investments he has gained a com- petency and he is the owner of an attractive little residence on Arch street in this city. While he has never sought public preferment of any sort, he is an unswerving Republican in his political faith and is a stalwart supporter of all measures and enterprises projected for the good of the general welfare. He is reliable and honorable in all his business dealings and everywhere commands the respect of those who know him. In their religious belief he and his wife are devout members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Clifton Heights and in the faith of that denomination have reared their children.
In Ireland, in the year 1873, occurred the marriage of Mr. Gordon to Jane Buchanan, a native of that country and a daughter of Alexander and Fannie (Forest) Buchanan. All of Mrs. Gordon's relatives live in Ireland, as do also those of Mr. Gordon. Mr. and Mrs. Gordon are the parents of seven children. all of whom are living and whose names are here entered in respective order of birth: Fannie, Mary, Lizzie, James, Alexander, William, Lillian.
HAFFELFINGER The record following is of the Haffelfinger family, of German descent, which is represented in the United States by the branch residing in Delaware county. The name has been borne with equal honor in the homeland and in this country, its members having always been tillers of the soil and exponents of the useful arts. William Haffelfinger was a farmer in Germany and came to Ridley town- ship, Delaware county, where he likewise engaged in farming. He was a Baptist in religion, and after learning American political customs and practices, became a supporter of the Republican party. He married Phoebe and had two sons: Theodore, of further mention, and Samuel, born May I, 1831.
Theodore Haffelfinger, eldest of the tv. o sons of William and Phoebe Haf- felfinger, was born near Cedar Hollow, Chester county, Pennsylvania, July 12, 1829. He attended the Oakdale public school at Springfield, Delaware county, and here obtained his entire education. He spent the earlier part of his life in the pursuit of the wheelwright's trade, later engaged in general farming, on a very pretentious scale, having a large farm, many cattle, numerous employees, and the other varied adjuncts of a large commercia' undertaking of that nature. At the present time, however, he farms only a few acres, approaching old age causing him to seek a more retired and more quiet occupation. He has the satis- faction and pleasure of looking upon, in retrospect, a life well lived in a well- ordered and useful existence, and in his later years has the comfort of his five
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children, in whom he has all of a father's pride, and in whom centers all of a father's affection. He has always been a believer in the Baptist faith, although his family are members of the Society of Friends. In politics he supports his father's party, the Republican, and has always been extremely active in further- ing the interests of that organization.
He married, near Chadds Ford, Delaware county. Pennsylvania, March 10, 1859. Margaret Moore Butler, born near Chadds Ford, August 31, 1828, daugh- ter of William S., a millwright, and Margaret Carrol ( Moore) Butler. Chil- dren of William S. and Margaret Carrol ( Moore) Butler : Martha, Isabella, Margaret Moore, of previous mention, married Theodore Haffelfinger, Lydia, Anna, Emma. E'mund, John, William. Children of Theodore and Margaret Moore (Butler ) Haffelfinger : Anna Phoebe, born February 8, 1860; Elizabeth Belle. July 15, 1863: Martin William, May 1, 1865 : Emma Virginia, March 23, 1868, married John P. Twaddell, of Wilmington, Delaware, children: Lulu, Anna, Emma, Letitia, Margaret, Frances, Catherine, Pauline, John, Alfred Theodore.
The Hartels were among the very early settlers of Colmar,
HARTEL Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, having come to that sec- tion prior to 1700. For the most part they were farmers and land owners, and by their efforts aided materially in bringing prosperity to that section of the state. They erected the first Baptist church in Colmar, and since that time there has always been a Hartel pew there.
Ashur D. Hartel was born in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, and after his marriage removed to Philadelphia. He was a shoemaker in that city for thirty-five years, his place of business being at Tenth and Race streets and when he retired from business he removed to Haddonville, New Jersey, about 1895, and lived there for the remainder of his days. He married Phoebe B. John- son, a native of New Jersey. They had children: George, who died in Had- donville, New Jersey; John J., see forward; Ashur D., a machinist and civil engineer, an expert in his line, and lives in Camden, New Jersey.
John J. Hartel, son of Ashur D. and Phoebe B. (Johnson ) Hartel, was born in Philadelphia, December 25. 1844, and died January 17, 1903. He was educated in the public schools of his native city, and was apprenticed to learn the trade of carriage making at Twelfth and Brown streets. This occupation he followed until the outbreak of the civil war, when he put aside all considera- tions of personal profit and offered his services to his country. He enlisted in Company B. Baxter's Fire Zouaves. Seventy-second Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served three years and ten days. Altogether he was actively engaged in thirty-seven battles, among them being the Wilderness, Antietam, Gettysburg and Malvern Hill. Unselfish to the last degree, it never entered his head to ask for a pension, and he never became a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He was wounded twice during this memorable struggle, once at Gettysburg, and again at Antietam, and for a time was a prisoner. At the close of the war he returned to his home and resumed his trade for a few years, then entered the employ of the Knickerbocker Ice Company, with whom he was associated for twenty-seven years .. During a number of these years he served them in the capacity of foreman. After a leave of absence of three months' duration, Mr. Hartel went to Mexico as superintendent of the Coahuila Syndi- cate Mines, remained there for a period of three years, and upon his return to the north resumed his old relations with the ice company. In 1890 he estab- lished himself in the grocery business in Lansdowne, at the corner of Balti- more and Lansdowne streets. He purchased this property and there erected a
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large combination store and dwelling, in which he continued thirteen years. It was due to the personal efforts of his wife that this business was started, and it was her courage and help that has brought it to be such a successful enter- prise. Mr. Hartel was a staunch supporter of the Democratic party, and he was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Mr. Hartel married, December 23, 1880, Eliza C. Disher, born in St. Catherine's, Canada, a daughter of William D. and Eliza Jane ( Birch) Disher, and they had children: John Joseph Jr., engaged in the grocery business, and married Anna E. Supiot, and has children: Evan and Jeannette; Anna Adel : William Herbert. William D. Disher was born in Philadelphia in 1820, where he was a manufacturer of brick, and died in Philadelphia in 1910. He held the rank of first lieutenant in the militia, and for some years resided in Canada. The Disher family is an old one in Philadelphia, and Grandfather Disher was a soldier in the war of 1812, and resided in Philadelphia until his death. The great-grandfather of Mrs. Hartel, John Johnson, was a soldier in the war of the revolution, and migrated to Canada, where he remained some time. Mrs. Hartel is a very energetic and ambitious woman. Her services were invaluable to her husband during his sojourn in Mexico, and upon his death she gathered up the reins which had fallen from his hands, and has carried on the business successfully since that time.
JORDAN Philip Jordan, a farmer of County Donegal, Ireland, married, lived and died in that country, leaving issue: Patrick, of whom further ; William, Michael and John, all deceased. The family were members of the Roman Catholic church.
Patrick Jordan, son of Philip Jordan, was born in County Donegal, Ireland, where he was educated and grew to manhood. He came to the United States, settling in Philadelphia, where he followed his occupation of maltster. He married Elizabeth Kelley, born in Ireland, daughter of Frederick Keiley, a farmer who died in Ireland. Patrick Jordan died in 1871 and is buried in the cemetery of St. Charles, at Kellyville, Delaware county. Both he and his family were members of the Roman Catholic church. Children: Matthew, William, John, Patrick, Anna, Catherine, Elizabeth, James, of whom further.
James Jordan, son of Patrick and Elizabeth ( Kelley) Jordan, was horn in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, February 5, 1845, and at eight years of age came to Delaware county, where he was educated in the public schools. His first em- ployment was in the woolen mills of the neighborhood, followed by service in the cotton mills, covering a period of several years. during which he rose to the position of head of the spinning department. In 1894 he entered the service of the United States government in the mint at Philadelphia, where he still con- tinues. Mr. Jordan is a Democrat in politics ; was a member of the first borough council of Clifton Heights, and has served as both assessor and collector of taxes. He is a member of the Roman Catholic church, and is an earnest use- ful temperance worker, serving as president since 1878 of four total abstin- ence sccicties. He also is a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Branch No. 14, of the Civil Service Association, the Death Beneficiary Fund of the United States Mint, and of the Clifton Heights Veteran Association. He is an enthusiastic volunteer fireman, belonging to the local fire company of Clifton Heights, and the Delaware County and the State Firemen's associations. He is greatly interested in the prosperity of his town and of the organizations with which he is connected, lending his aid also to all that promises public good.
Mr. Jordan married, in 1870, Elizabeth A., daughter of Thomas K. Man-
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ley, of Ireland and Pennsylvania, and his wife, Ann ( Markey) Manley. Children of James and Elizabeth A. Jordan: Thomas, deceased; William ; James ; John, deceased ; Elizabeth, Catherine, and a child who died in infancy. The family home of the Jordans is at Clifton Heights, Delaware county.
LAWRENCE This is an age when energies are directed in special lines of work. The man in commercial, professional or industrial life, after gaining a varied knowledge of the basic principles of the calling to which he has consecrated his time, afterward gives his thought and effort to perfecting himself in his chosen department, thereby gaining a proficiency and prominence which he could otherwise not attain if his labors were spread over a wider field. It is by following this plan that William Pat- terson Lawrence, of Newtown Square, Haverford township, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, has achieved his present prominence and success.
His grandfather was born in Germany and emigrated to America, settling in Delaware county where Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, is now located. He and his wife, Amelia, were Methodists, and among their children were Hamnes. and Amelia, who married Howell.
Haines Lawrence, son of -- and Amelia Lawrence, was born in Germany 111 1820, and died in September, 1894. He was engaged in farming throughout the active years of his life. He married Elizabeth Irwin, born in Scotland in 1837. and still enjoying good health. She was the daughter of Robert Irwin, three of wnose children were born in Scotland, of which country he was also a native, the others being born here. He settled at Fernwood, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, where he was a farmer. His children: Elizabeth, mentioned above ; Robert, deceased, a cattle dealer : John, died in young manhood ; Mary, married Hawley; Sarah, married William Patterson; Margaret, mar- ried David Rogers; Belle, married Alexander Davis, deccased. Haines and Elizabeth (Irwin ) had children : Elwood, an engineer, who lives in Media, Delaware county ; Robert, lives in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania ; William Patterson, of whom further ; Harry, who is a widower, lives with William Pat- terson Lawrence; Margaret, married Harry Pierce and lives in Philadelphia : May, married George Kelly, and lives in West Philadelphia.
William Patterson Lawrence was born near Eagle Hotel, Haverford town- ship, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, February 26, 1856. His education was acquired in the public schools of his native township, which he attended until he had attained the age of fifteen years, at which time he went to live with an old Quaker lady, Elvira Leedom, assisting her in taking care of her place and at the same time working in Leedom's saw mill. He then lived with an old Quaker by the name of George Dickenson, on Cobbs Creek, Haverford town- ship, and had charge of the saw mill there and the lumbering until the death of Mr. Dickenson. He then operated the mill on his own account for a period of seven years, after which the Philadelphia and Western railroad was constructed and they utilized the site of the mill for a power house. In 1908 Mr. Lawrence bought a part of the old Dickenson homestead and the house which stood upon it, and he still lives in this at the present time. While the railroad was being built, he assisted in its construction by taking charge of a part of the team- ing work. Five years ago he concentrated his energies in another field of work, and it has proved a very profitable one. He has devoted his time and attention to the breeding and fattening of hogs for the market, and generally has a herd of at least three hundred on hand. He has proved himself an excellent man of business, and is in very prosperous circumstances. In national political affairs
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he gives his support to the Republican party, but in local matters he prefers to vote independently.
Mr. Lawrence married, November 8, 1900, Emma R. Leech, born in Marple township, January 30, 1866. Children: Albert, born September 8, 1902 ; Owen Dickenson, born in August, 1904. Mrs. Lawrence is the daughter of John and Mary (Briggs) Leech. John Leech was born at Kingsessing, Philadelphia, 1832, died in January, 1910. He was the son of John and `Catherine (Gall) Leech, of Dutch descent, the name being originally Latch, and had brothers and sisters as follows: Isaac, lives in Morton, Pennsylvania ; William, lives in Philadelphia; Charles, lives in Clarion county, Pennsylvania ; Sarah, married a Mr. Litzenburg; Almina, married Lewis Panquest; Harriet, married William Sidihotton; Catherine W., deceased, married Samuel Wana- maker, brother of the well known merchant and statesman, John Wanamaker ; George, deceased ; Harry, deceased ; Ellen, deceased; Elizabeth, deceased. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Lawrence lived in Media, Pennsylvania, he being English and she a Quaker, their names being respectively William and Hannah Briggs, and they had children: Isaac, a retired farmer of Media, Delaware county, Pennsylvania : William, lives in Marple township; Mary, who married John Leech, mentioned above ; Rachel, married Thomas McClure, lives in Upper Providence ; Richard, lives in Indiana; Sarah, married John Braddon ; Hannah, married Lorenzo Farrer ; Amy, died young. John and Mary (Briggs) Leech had children: Emma R., who married Mr. Lawrence; William, a car- penter and builder in Llanerch, Delaware county, Pennsylvania; Susannah, married Joshua Bowen, a steam shovel operator, and resides in Bucks county, Pennsylvania; Isaac, died in infancy ; Richard Jones, unmarried, lives with his mother in Marple township.
HANLON Alexander Hanlon is numbered among the native sons of Ire- land who in the New World have achieved success in business, demonstrating the opportunities which are afforded here to the young men of energy and enterprise. He is the son of Andrew and Jane ( Wil- son) Hanlon, the latter a daughter of Robert Wilson, a fisherman who lived and died in Killybegs, County Donegal, Ireland.
Andrew Hanlon was born in County Donegal, Ireland, and in that country his life was spent. He was a farmer of ability and highly respected in the com- munity. He died in 1880, being about eighty years of age, and his wife died about 1868 at the age of sixty-five years. They had children: I. Robert, now lives in county Waterford, Ireland, where he is the manager of the estate of the Duke of Devonshire, and is a pensioner of the constabulary. 2. Margaret, came to the United States with her brother Alexander and married here, in 1876, Richard Wilson, a veteran of the civil war. She is now a widow and lives in county Donegal, Ireland. 3. Alexander, see forward. 4. Annie, who never married, lives in Ireland. 5. Thomas, died while in the discharge of his duties as a local constable in Ireland. 6. Andrew, lives on the old homestead in Ireland. 7. George, came to America in tlie year :882, and died in Philadelphia in 1904. He was employed in a hospital and died from the results of vaccina- tion.
Alexander Hanlon, was born in County Donegal, Ireland, September 16, 1846. In his native town he pursued his studies in the public schools and spent all his early years on the home farm, materially assisting his father in its cul- tivation, and in this manner acquiring an experience which was of great bene- fit to him in later years. In 1866 he emigrated to America, landing at Philadel-
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phia, in which city he made his home at Fifty-fourth and Master streets. For a time he neld a position in a Calico Print Works, then ran a small dairy farm on Haverford road near the county line. He sold this in 1875 and went to the State of Illinois, where he settled in Livingston county and was engaged in farming for a period of two years. Removing then to Streeter, in the same state, he was engaged as a teamster for a time, owning his own horses, but traded his stock in trade after a time for real property. During the next six years he was engaged in mining coal but, when the miners commenced joining the unions Mr. Hanlon declined to join, and returned to his farming operations in Livingston county, with which he was occupied until 1888. He then sold this to advantage and in the spring of 1889 returned to Delaware county, Pennsylvania, where he located in Haverford township, and engaged in general andI dairy farming. With this he has been identified uninterruptedly since that time. His farm consists of one hundred and nine acres in a fine state of cultivation, a herd of about twenty-five cows of excellent breeds, and he does a wholesale milk business. Until recently Mr. Hanlon affiliated with the Repub- lican party. now he is a member of the Washington party.
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