USA > Pennsylvania > Delaware County > A history of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, and its people; Volume III > Part 46
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CRIDLAND The Cridland family, of Fernwood, Delaware county, Penn- sylvania, is one which has been favorably known in every community in which they have resided, and in which they have borne their share toward contributing to the general prosperity. They have earned a reputation for industry and uprightness, and have been an orna- ment to the towns in which they have made their homes. When the country has been in need of brave men to defend its rights they have ever been in the fore- most ranks to volunteer their services, and these have been as brave as they were freely given. They came to this country from England, the immigrant, who was a wealthy gentleman, settling in Philadelphia where he occupied a fine man- sion. He died at an early age leaving the following named children: Meriam,
married - - Healy, and resided in Philadelphia ; Rebecca, died unmarried ; Sylvester, see forward: Isaiah, a druggist and physician of Philadelphia ; Lean- der, a carpenter in Philadelphia : John and Nathan. wealthy men of the leisure class.
Sylvester Cridland, son of the immigrant, was born in Philadelphia county in 1812, and died there in 1854. He was a man of fine and liberal education, and devoted a large part of his time to public affairs. He affiliated with the Democratic party, and served several terms in the state legislature. He was also the incumbent of a number of municipal offices. Unfortunately for the affairs of the city lie died at an early age. He and his wife were members of the Epis- copal church. He married Sarah Murrey, born in Philadelphia county in 1810, died in 1852, whose ancestors had been in America for many generations and owned a large estate at Bustleton, on the Delaware river. She had a brother, John, who was a turnkey in the jail at Norristown, Pennsylvania, and one sis- ter, Elizabeth, who married John Geiss. Mr. and Mrs. Cridland had children : Alice, who married William Keif, a local statesman, and postmaster of West Philadelphia, both deceased : Sylvester, see forward; John, who served in the Sixth Pennsylvania Cavalry during the civil war, is unmarried, and a great traveler.
Sylvester (2) Cridland, son of Sylvester (1) and Sarah (Murrey) Crid- land, was born in Manayunk, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, August 27, 1840. The public schools furnished his education, and he was a pupil at the
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grammar school at Twelfth and Locust streets until he was fourteen years of age. He then left school and had several occupations until the outbreak of the civil war. He enlisted, June 3, 1861, in the United States Marine Corps. He was in active service at the first battle of Bull Run, and in the siege of Charles- ton; he helped storm Fort Sumter, and was identified with this momentous struggle until its close, when he was mustered out at the navy yard in Philadel- phia, June 3, 1865. He spent no time in idling, but at once sought a position, which he found as a conductor on the Market street railroad, in which he re- mained one year. Having established himself in the flour and feed business in West Philadelphia, he conducted this for one year. His next venture was in the new and secondhand furniture business, which he carried on for a period of three years, and abandoned in favor of carpentering. All this time he had been living in Philadelphia, but in 1887 he removed to Fernwood, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, where he erected the house in which he is living at the present time, at No. 23 Church Lane. Gradually he drifted from the carpen- tering to the general contracting business with which he has now been exten- sively identified for many years. He has had his office and shop at No. 1633 Camack street, Philadelphia, for more than thirty-five years, and has been pros- perous in the extreme in the building and general contracting lines. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party, and he is a member of Eastern Star Lodge, No. 186, Free and Accepted Masons.
Mr. Cridland married, November 8, 1867, Elizabeth Letitia Van Fleet, who was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, Julv 4, 1849. She is the daughter and only child of George and Mary Ann Van Fleet, who formerly lived in Philadelphia, and various other places, but have made their home in Fernwood for the past thirty years. He was a blacksmith by occupation, and during the civil war was a sutler with the Sixth Pennsylvania Cavalry Regiment. Mr. Van Fleet died in 1905, while his wife died in 1903. Mr. and Mrs. Cridland have one child: George Sylvester, born August 16, 1868, who married Emma Hinkle. He lives in Fernwood, where he is in the pool table business, and has been very successful financially. He has business connections throughout the United States.
CONAHAN T. Francis Conahan, the well known and popular proprietor of the Garrettford Hotel, one of the best known hostelries in that thriving town, is a native of Wilmington, Delaware, born March 22, 1865, son of Cornelius and Roseanne (Gallagher ) Conahan.
Cornelius Conahan was born in county Donegal. Ireland, 1836, died in 1906, his parents having been born, lived and died in Ireland, and they had a number of children, three of whom came to the United States, namely : Cornelius, Anne and Catherine, the others remaining in their native land. Cor- nelius Conahan was reared and educated in his native county, coming to this country in early manhood ; he located in Clifton, Delaware county, Pennsyl- vania, in 1848. He learned the trade of dyeing cloth at Rockdale, Pennsylvania, and was employed for some time with Mr. Samuel Riddle. Later he estab- lished a dye house in Wilmington, Delaware, conducting the same succesfully for thirteen years, after which he removed to Chester, Pennsylvania, where he resided for the remainder of his days, being employed in the Blakeley Mills. He married, at St. James' Church, Philadelphia, Roseanne Gallagher, born in county Donegal, Ireland, 1833, died in 1891, daughter of James and Jane Gallagher, who were the parents of six children, only one of whom is liv- ing at the present time (1913) Bridget Smith, of Clifton Heights, Pennsyl- vania. Mr. and Mrs. Gallagher came to the United States about 1850 and
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located in Kellyville, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, where they spent their remaining years. Children of Mr. and Mrs. Conahan: 1. Catherine, married Cornelius Lanahan ; resides in Chester. 2. James, engaged in the bottling busi- ness : married Anna Ross : resices in Philadelphia. 3. Edward, a baseball um- pire, was in the Jersey League, National League and Southern League; mar- ried Bessie Doyle. 4. T. Francis, of whom further.
T. Francis Conahan, son of Cornelius and Roseanne (Gallagher ) Conahan, attended the public schools of Wilmington and St. Michael's Parochial School of Chester, Pennsylvania, completing his studies at the age of sixteen years. He then secured employment in a cotton mill and eventually became a beamer, which line of work he followed for two decades, becoming an expert. Being prudent and thrifty, as well as industrious, he accumulated sufficient capital to invest in some more remunerative employment, and accordingly in February, 1912, purchased the Garrettford Hotel, which is well furnished and modern in every respect. He is genial and pleasant in disposition, an ideal host, and therefore has not only retained the patronage of the old guests of the house. but has considerably increased the number who find entertainment and other creature comforts. He is a Roman Catholic in religion, that being the religious faith of his ancestors, and is a Democrat in politics. He is a member of the Independent Order of Foresters, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Catholic Benevolent Legion and the Sodality of St. Michael's Church, of Chester.
Mr. Conahan married. April 18. 1895, Anna Brennan, born in Chester, Pennsylvania, daughter of James and Mary Brennan, both deceased, who were the parents of one other child. Patrick Brennan, a priest, in charge of St. Patrick's Parish, Wilmington. Delaware. Children of Mr. and Mrs. Conahan : John, born February 18. 1896, attends St. Joseph's College in Philadelphia : Mary, born February 6. 1897: J. Francis Jr., born May 6, 1900; Rose, born January 3, 1903 : Ellen, born May 19. 1905, died August 12, 1911 ; Anna, born January 19. 1909: James, born September 8, 1911. Mr. Conahan is a man of quiet, home-loving tastes, and is devoted to his family, taking a great interest in the welfare and education of his children, of whom he is justly proud.
BREARLEY James Brearley, one of the thrifty and prosperous residents of the town of Cardington, in the welfare of which he takes an active interest, and where he erected a substantial and comfortable house in the year 1892, in which he still resides, is a native of Eng- land, his ancestors on both sides being natives of that country, where their en- tire lives were spent.
Abram Brearley, the first of the line of whom we have definite informa- tion, was born, lived and died in England, his active years being spent in the cultivation of a small farm, of which he was the owner, and in working as weaver in the woolen mills. He and his wife, Alice Brearley, were members of the Church of England, in which faith they reared their children, five in number, namely: John, of whom further: Hannah, married Benjamin Ayer, and with him came to this country, locating in Illinois; Samuel, deceased, was a weaver in England; Mary, died in England: Elizabeth, married William Scofield. resided in England.
John Brearley. son of Abram and Alice Brearley, was born in Millrow, Lancashire, England, 1826, died there, in 1893. After completing his studies he learned the trade of machinist, and for the entire period of his active career was employed in Mason's Iron Works, devoted to the manufacture of textile machinery. A few years prior to his death he paid a visit to his son, James, in Cardington, Pennsylvania, remaining for two months, and deriving there-
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from a great amount of pleasure. He married Mary Shepherd, born in Mill- row, England, 1826, died 1891, daughter of -- and Mollie Shepherd, who - lived and died in England, and who were the parents of four other children : Thomas, James, Louis, Elizabeth. Children of Mr. and Mrs. Brearley : Alice, died in infancy ; Thomas, foreman in a coal mine in England, married Amelia --; Louis, deceased ; James, of whom further ; Alice Ann, died aged nine years ; John, deceased.
James Brearley, son of John and Mary (Shepherd) Brearley, was born in Millrow, Lancashire, England, March 27, 1856. He attended the public schools of the neighborhood, and at the early age of eight years, when school was not in session, he worked in the woolen mills, being employed in the spinning de- partment, in which branch of the work he has continued to the present time, and when thirteen years of age left school and thereafter devoted his entire time to work, being a spinner of yarn. In 1888, accompanied by his family, he immigrated to the United States, settling in West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he was employed in Henry's Woolen Mills for nine months, and then en- tered the employ of Wolfenden, Shore & Company, at Cardington, with whom he still continues to labor, and since 1893 has acted as overseer of their spin- ning department, giving entire satisfaction in this capacity, he being well quali- fied by long experience for the duties of the position. He casts his vote for the candidates of the Republican party, and is actively affiliated with the Im- proved Order of Red Men.
Mr. Brearley married, December 25, 1880, Ellen Anne Ormby, born in Millrow, Lancashire, England, daughter of Benjamin and Mary Ormby, the former named, now deceased, having served as foreman in a coal mine in England. Children: Edwin, born July 10, 1882, married Mary Almer; Wil- liam, born July 6, 1884, a foreman on a railroad, married Mary Rogers. Mr. Brearley is a man of character and standing in the community, and is gener- ally popular and well liked.
TRILL In the business and social life of Ardmore, Delaware county, Penn- sylvania, the figure of Oliver Trill has been a prominent one for many years, and to his discretion, foresight and superior ability is due the splendid success which has crowned his efforts. He has never sought honors of a political or public nature of any kind, but his example is probably of more benefit to the majority of mankind by force of true merit, than that of heroes, statesmen and warriors. In addition to his business interests his energies have long been devoted to plans for the furtherance of enterprises which have had for their object the uplifting of mankind in general. Honorable in business, loyal in citizenship, charitable in thought, his life is the highest type of Christian manhood.
His grandparents on both sides lived and died in England. One uncle, John Trill, served with honor in the British army. His father, Edwin Trill, was born at Epsom, county Surrey, England, 1834, and died in 1893. His entire life was spent in Brighton, England, where he also learned his trade of printing. He established himself in business independently at the age of eigh- teen years, and edited and published the Brighton Dolphin, the leading news- paper of the town. The public affairs of the town engaged a large share of his time and attention, and he served for a considerable length of time as a mem- ber of the city council. In 1891 he retired from active business life. He married Elizabeth Farrar, born in Brighton, England, 1831, died in 1888, a grand-niece of the celebrated Rev. Farrar, archbishop of Canterbury. They had children: Henry James. deceased, was associated with his father under
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the firm name of Trill & Sons ; Clara, deceased, married James Batton, superin- tendent of Guy's Hospital, London, England ; Edwin, a solicitor of Brighton, England; Charles, deceased, was also a member of the firm of Trill & Sons; Oliver, of whom further; Grace, married and lives in England; Harold, senior councilman of St. Pancras district, the largest ward of London, England, is now in line for the office of lord mayor of the city of London; Florence, lives in London with Harold.
Oliver Trill was born in Brighton, county Sussex, England, April 6. 1864. He attended private schools in his native town until he was twelve years of age, when he commenced to learn the art of architectural drafting, under the preceptorship of George Griffithi, of Scarboro, with whom he was associated for a period of five years. In 1881 he joined the English army, being with the Fifteenth Hussars seven years, when he was honorably discharged, with the rank of sergeant-major, the highest non-commissioned office in the army. For some time he had been considering the idea of emigrating to America, think- ing that the new world offered better opportunities for an ambitious young man than the old. Accordingly, in 1888, he took passage for the United States, and was landed at New York. Six weeks were spent in that city, after which he went to Philadelphia, and for a period of five years was occupied in real estate affairs, principally with the purchase and sale of houses. Thirteen years were then spent in the insurance business in Philadelphia, and he then became identified with carpentering and building work. In 1896 he located at his pre- sent home at Ardmore Park, Haverford township, Delaware county, Pennsyl- vania, where he has since resided. He does a large business in erecting and selling houses, His religious affiliations are with the Church of England.
Mr. Trill married, October 26, 1893, Martha, born at Mount Pleasant, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, daughter of Hugh and Ellen (Arkens) Houn, both of Irish extraction and the former a gardener. Children: Edwin, born September 15. 1894; Ellen, September 21, 1896; Florence, May 14, 1898; Edna, February 17. 1900: Charles, February 26, 1902. The well spent life of Mr. Trill commends him to the confidence and esteem of all with whom he has been brought in contract and his reputation in business as well as in private life is unassailable.
COCKER One of the enterprising and substantial business men of the younger generation at Clifton Heights, Pennsylvania, is Robert K. Cocker, who is here most successfully engaged in the cigar business. He was born in West Philadelphia, January 3, 1882, and is a son of James L. Cocker, who is now living, at the age of seventy years. The father was born in Manchester, England. April 19, 1843, and immigrated thence to America. He was engaged in business during many years of his active career. but is now living in retirement from the strenuous cares of business life. He married Mary Burk, of Darby Creek, and to them were born eleven children, three of whom are living, in 1913, namely: Thomas, James, Robert K.
Robert K. Cocker was educated in the public schools of West Philadelphia, and he initiated his active business career as a clerk in a grocery store. He later engaged in business for himself, opening a first-class cigar store at Clifton Heights. December 22, 1912, he purchased the McNamee property on the corner of Diamond and Baltimore avenues and there intends to locate per- manently. He has built up a splendid trade for himself, his genial disposi- tion, courtesy and affability bringing many patrons to his place of business. He has been a member of the financial committee of Clifton Heights for the past fourteen years, and in his fraternal affiliations he is a valued member of
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the Ancient Order of Foresters. Mr. Cocker is unmarried. He is deeply and sincerely interested in public affairs and his citizenship has ever been characterized by a desire to promote all measures and enterprises advanced for the good of the general welfare.
The Carr family of Aldan, Pennsylvania, is a recent one in this CARR country, there having been but one native born generation. The earliest ancestor of whom there is record is Charles Carr, a farmer of Ireland, where he spent his entire life. He was a member of the Roman Catholic church. He married Julia -, and had issue: John, Edward, Henry, of further mention ; Charles Patrick.
Henry Carr, son of Charles and Julia Carr, was born in Ireland where he died, aged forty-nine years. He obtained his education in the common schools, and followed the shoe business all his life. He was a strong upholder of the home rule policy, and a member of the Roman Catholic church. He married Mary, daughter of Charles Dowds, a farmer, died aged eighty-four years, and Margaret (O'Donnell) Dowds, who is still living aged sixty-five years. Chil- dren of Henry and Mary (Dowds) Carr: James, married Margaret Quinn; Charles, married Frances Dougherty; Elizabeth, married Peter McDevitt; Margaret, deceased; Rose, died in infancy; Thomas, died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania aged eighteen years; William, lives at St. Petersburg, Florida ; George, lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Henry, of further mention.
Henry (2) Carr, son of Henry (1) and Mary (Dowds) Carr, was born in Derry, Ireland, November 22, 1873. At the age of sixteen he came to the United States ; was educated in the public schools, and was employed for the early years of his life by the Thomas Kent Manufacturing Company of Clif- ton Heights, Delaware county, Pennsylvania. His present employment is as policeman for the borough of Aldan. He is a member of the Roman Cath- olic church, and a Republican in politics.
He married, May 4, 1894, Margaret, daughter of Bernard Kane, a farmer of Ireland. Children of Bernard Kane: Catherine ; Margaret, of previous men- tion, married Henry (2) Carr ; Joseph, lives in Chicago, Illinois ; Mary Ellen, deceased; Arthur, lives in Ireland ; Bernard, a foreman in the Baldwin Loco- motive Works; John, deceased. Children of Henry (2) and Margaret (Kane) Carr: Eleanor, Julia, Margaret, Roslyn, Elizabeth, Henry, Pauline, died in infancy ; Anna.
SHARPLESS William Jehu Sharpless, prominent among the younger business men of Lansdowne, a member of the firm of Sharp- less & Sharpless, proprietors of a modern, first-class haber- dashery, which ranks among the finest in that section of the state, is a repre- sentative of a family whose interests have been interwoven with the develop- ment and progress of the various communities in which they have resided.
Caleb Sharpless, the first of the line herein recorded of whom we have definite information, was born in Ashland, Delaware. attended its common schools, followed the pursuit of agriculture there, and there died, lamented by all who had the honor of his acquaintance, as his life was filled with good deeds, which live in the minds of others after we have passed on. He and his wife Martha (Dixon) Sharpless, also a native of Ashland, Delaware, were Quakers in their religious belief. Among their children was Caleb, of whom! further.
Caleb (2) Sharpless, son of Caleb (1) and Martha (Dixon) Sharpless, was born in Ashland, Delaware, died in Westboro. Pennsylvania, 1908. After
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completing a common school education, he gave his attention to the tilling of the soil, being inured to farm labor, and from this occupation derived a com- fortable livelihood. He adhered to the religious tenets of the Quakers, and cast his vote for the candidates of the Republican party. He married Rebecca T. Hoopes, born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, daughter of Joel and Rebecca T. Hoopes, of New Garten township, Chester county, Pennsylvania, Quakers in religious belief, the former named an extensive farmer and landholder, and they were the parents of a large family, all of whom are deceased with the ex- ception of Phoebe, unmarried, who resides in Wilmington, Delaware. Chil- dren of Mr. and Mrs. Sharpless: 1. Joel H. 2. Mary, married Charles Marshall; resides in West Chester. 3. Annie, unmarried; resides in West Chester. 4. Melinda, unmarried ; resides in West Chester. 5. Ella, married Edmund B. Spencer ; resides in New London, Chester county, Pennsylvania. 6. Edith, married Montgomery Ball; resides in Emeryville, Pennsylvania. 7. Phoebe, married Spencer P. Chandler, Jr .; resides in Dayton, Ohio. 8. Edna, married David Wilson; resides in Kesson, Delaware. 9. Martha. 10. William Jchu, of whom further. The mother of these children is residing at the present time ( 1913) in West Chester, Pennsylvania, loved and revered by her children and respected and esteemed by a wide circle of friends.
William J. Sharpless, son of Caleb (2) and Rebecca T. ( Hoopes) Sharp- less, was born in Kennett Square, Chester county, Pennsylvania, December 28, 1867. He acquired a practical education by attending the public schools and Martin Academy in Kennett Square, and began his business career by securing employment in the mercantile line, which he thoroughly mastered by presever- ance and persistency, his object being to follow that line of work, and in 1903. feeling thoroughly qualified to engage in business on his own account, estab- lished a gents furnishing store in Lansdowne, this having two entrances, one on one street and one on another, the store running through the block, this being a decided advantage as he gained customers from both streets. In due course of time his business increased to such an extent that he had to enlarge his quarters and accordingly in May, 1913, he removed to No. 125 South Broad street. where he is conducting business under the style of Sharpless & Sharp- less, his store ranking among the leading enterprises, being well stocked with goods of a high quality, entirely up-to-date, and the service throughout is of the best. Mr. Sharpless is respected by all with whom he is brought in contact, either in business or social life, for his sterling integrity of character, and cor- dially and sincerely esteemed for his many excellent characteristics. He is a member of the Baptist church of Lansdowne, the Lansdowne Country Club and the New Aronimink Country Club.
Mr. Sharpless married in 1895, Mary Y. Yeatnam, daughter of John C. Yeatnam, of the borough of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. Children: Margaret L., Grant J., John H., living : Harold C., deceased. Mrs. Sharpless is a Quakeress in religion.
YOCUM The men who succeed in any enterprise in life, the generals who win their spurs on the field of battle, the financiers who amass wealth-are the men who have confidence in themselves and the courage of their convictions. There is a time in every man's life when he reaches the conclusion that envy is ignorance; that imita- tion is suicide and that though the world is full of good, no good thing comes to him without self-reliance and the power to gain results. The man who trusts himself and who plans well his part on the stage of life is a success. A strong and sterling character is like an acrostic-read it forward or backward
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or across-it still spells the same thing. Alonzo Heap Yocum, a civil engineer by profession, has gained remarkable prominence in construction work and as a surveyor in Delaware county, Pennsylvania, where he has resided during prac- tically the entire period of his life thus far. In 1911 he was elected surveyor of this county and he is still serving in that capacity.
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