USA > Pennsylvania > Delaware County > A history of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, and its people; Volume III > Part 50
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Accepted Masons, many clubs and societies, and in any of these bodies where wits assemble his versatility and originality fairly flows and sparkles. His repartee comes with equal rapidity and ease, either from his own resources, or from a mind well-stored with the best in English literature. When he puts his whole soul into jest, it leaves no sting, but rather makes happy and brighter the lives of those about him. His memory is truly remarkable. As an instance, he familiarized himself with a very lengthy judicial opinion. Thirty years later, when the subject was touched upon, he quoted it verbatim from the beginning to the end. Burns he has from cover to cover. It is indeed a treat to hear him read, in true Scottish dialect, his favorite bard or from the prose of Ian Mac- Laren. On one occasion, while being entertained by the Caledonian Club, the members were so charmed with his renderings of Burns that they forthwith made him an honorary member, a distinction shared in Pennsylvania with the late Simon Cameron only. If Horatio P. Connell loves the lesser literary lights, he fairly worships the name of Shakespeare, and as he reads and interprets the works of the "Myriad Minded," one cannot forget the treat it gives, to weep with him over the grave of Ophelia ; to go off into fields of side-splitting laugh- ter with Sir John, or to follow the melancholy Dane through his dark specula- tions. If he loves the Bard of Avon, this poet in turn has described Horatio P. Connell in these words, which though hackneyed, fit him so aptly: "His life was gentle and the elements so mixed in him that nature might stand up and say to all the world, this was a man." Modesty has always been one of his distinguishing characteristics and although having passed the patriarchal three- score years and ten, he dislikes comment upon his deeds, which have made his life so beautiful and so replete with benefits to his fellow men. Such charming personality, sterling integrity and nobility of character must of necessity influ- ence progeny, and these inherited traits, coupled with a genial personality and a soul filled with faith in his Creator have made Joseph R. Connell popular with his friends and acquaintances and successful in his business.
BAKER After the celebrated English Quaker, William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania, had his famous interview in 1683 with the Indians under the great elm at Shakamaxon, now Kensington, Pennsyl- vania, concluding a treaty of lasting peace with the red men, he returned to England in 1684. In 1686 he was instrumental, through his influence with James II., in having sixteen hundred of his co-religionists released from prison, where they were confined because of their religious views. In April, 1687, many of the persecuted Quakers were given passage by Penn from London to Philadelphia. Among these emigrants was James Baker, a devout Quaker, a farmer and a prominent nian in his community, who for religious reasons had suffered imprisonment. With him came his wife, Mary Ann, and one child. They settled near Philadelphia, and he pursued farming until his death. He reared a large family, and from his sons descend the families of the name, allied to the Friends' congregation, now living in the state.
Aaron Baker, a direct descendant of Joseph Baker, was born in Edgmont township, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, 1795, and there spent his entire life. In his early years he learned shoemaking, and followed it for some years; though later he purchased land and farmed. He was a strong Democrat, and was a man who worked for what he considered the public good in all circum- stances. He was the captain of a military company, and under him the men were drilled and prepared for the field. Like all of his family he was a member of the Friends' congregation, as was his wife. He married Amy Carter. of
71
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English-Irish descent, the daughter of a neighboring farmer, born in Edgmont township, and there died. Children: 1. Mary. 2. Robert, enlisted in a volun- teer regiment from Pennsylvania, in 1861, and served out his enlistment 3. Phoebe Ann. 4. Hannah Rease. 5. Jackson, of whom further. 6. Ann Eliza.
Jackson Baker, son of Aaron and Amy (Carter ) Baker, was born Sep- tember 9, 1826, in Edgmont township, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, and died in the place of his birth. He received his education in the common schools of his township. On reaching maturity he took up carpentering and building, remaining at it until his marriage, after which he bought fifty-two acres of land, improved it and there lived until his death. He was among the most ardent supporters of the Friends' church in his township, upholding the faith of his fathers in every way in his power. He was a staunch Democrat, voting with and working for the party. Than Mr. Baker there was no more highly esteemed man in his immediate vicinity. In 1857 he married Emeline M. Mercer, born September 3. 1835, a daughter of Harlan W. and Mary Ann ( Lewis) Mercer, of West township, Chester county, Pennsylvania. Mr. Mercer was of English extraction ; his immigrant ancestor came over about 1600, and joined the Quaker colony in Pennsylvania. The family of Mrs. Mercer was founded by Hiram Lewis, who was released from prison in England in 1686, where he had been incarcerated for his religious belief, he also being a Quaker. He jomed the Friends' colony in Pennsylvania not later than 1691. Many of the descend- ants of both immigrants live to-day in Chester county. Mr. Mercer was a Whig in politics, and was locally active in the party. His children were: Rhodes, died in boyhood; Thomas H .: Ann E .: Emeline M., married Jackson baker, see above: Hannah, died in infancy. Children of Jackson and Emeline M. ( Mercer ) Baker: 1. William Harlan, of whom further. 2. Amy, born October 21, 1862; married J. Howard Mendenhall, a farmer in Delaware county
William Harlan Baker, son of Jackson and Emeline M. ( Mercer ) Baker, was born September 26, 1858, in Howellville, Edgmont township, Delaware county, Pennsylvania. He received his preparatory education in the public schools of his birthplace, afterward attending Friends' School and Maplewood Institute, Delaware county, for four terms, where he made a record as a diligent student. On leaving the institute he engaged in farming with his father on the homestead. where he still resides, and which he has made a model place. The farm, consisting of fifty-two acres. has been in the Baker family since the first settlement in 1685. He is successful in his farming operations which he com- bines with dairying on a small scale, and stock rising. He is influential in poli- tics, and has held township offices under the Democratic party, to which he gives his right of franchise, and is now school director. Like all of his family he belongs to the Friends' Society, supporting it generously when the need arises, while his wife is a member of the Presbyterian church. He is a member of the Masonic order ; past master of Thompson Lodge, No. 3440, Free and Accepted Masons : past master of Brook Haven Grange, No. 1173: past sachem of Red Men, No. 192; past councillor of Edgmont Council, No. 833. O. of I. A. In all of these orders he stands remarkably high, his holding office attesting his popularity.
He married, May 12, 1886, Alwilda M. Baker, daughter of William S. and Amy (Johnson) Baker, granddaughter of Abel and Ann (Sill) Baker, great- granddaughter of Edward and Jane (Green) Baker, great-great-granddaughter of Aaron and Elizabeth (Register) Baker, and great-great-great-granddaughter of Joseph Baker, one of the three brothers who founded the Baker family in Pennsylvania. William S. Baker was a farmer and merchant by occupation. and both he and his wife were members of families long established in Pennsyl-
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vania. Children: 1. Amy Mercer, born February 15, 1887, graduated in 1907 from West Chester Academy ; engaged in teaching. 2. Anna Mary, born Aug- ust 11, 1888, graduated from West Chester Academy. 3. Erna Lewis, born September 16, 1889, educated in West Chester Academy; teaching in Upper Darby township, Delaware county, Pennsylvania.
From county Donegal, Ireland, the ancestral home of the
HUGHES Hughes family for many generations, came John and Ann ( Mc- Kue) Hughes, with their young son Thomas in 1843. They settled at what was then Kellyville, now Oakview, Delaware county, Penn- sylvania, where their elder sons and daughters had preceded them, finding em- ployment in the Kelly Cotton Mills. John Hughes died in 1863, his widow Ann surviving him until 1880.
Thomas Hughes son of John and Ann (McKue) Hughes, was born in county Donegal, Ireland, April 20, 1833, and there resided until 1843. He had elder brothers and sisters in the United States and soon too the lure of that land of promise seized his parents, resulting in all coming in 1843. On arriving in Delaware county, Pennsylvania, Thomas, a boy of ten years, began work in the Kelly Cotton Mills, but a few weeks in such unsuitable labor for a child proved his inability to stand the strain. He attended public school for a few months, then secured work as water boy with a force of men employed in the con- struction of public roads in Delaware township near his home. He at first re- ceived fifty cents per day, but his employer, Nathan Garrett, was so pleased with the boy and his ready willingness to work that after the first week he raised his pay to the same figure he paid his men, seventy-five cents per day. He con- tinned with Mr. Garrett four years, then decided to learn the blacksmith's trade. He was apprentice to Thomas B. Parker, whose shop then stood on Broad be- tween Race and Vine streets, Philadelphia. He served with Mr. Parker four years, then spent four years more working at his trade in New York City. From that city he migrated to Wilmington, Delaware, following his tiade there until his enlistment in Company E, Third Regiment, Pennsylvania Cavalry, giving his occupation as a "farrier" or smith. He served under the fall of 1863, receiving an honorable discharge. He was principally employed at his trade, the services of a farrier being greatly in demand in a regiment of cavalry. He was at the front, however, at the battle of Malvern Hill, where he was em- ployed as a dispatch bearer between the commanding generals. The exposure in this, one of the hardest fought of the Seven Days battles, brought on a severe attack of sickness that left him unfit for service. After returning from the war and regaining his health, he opened a blacksmith shop at Fernwood, Dela- ware county, remaining there four years in successful business. During this period he built the first house in what is now the populous, popular borough of Lansdowne, but did not occupy it at first, renting it to another. After four years in Fernwood, he decided to cast in his fortune with that of the new town, to which he moved his business and residence, first occupying in 1883 the house he had previously erected in Lansdowne. He prospered there in his business, working at his anvil until 1893, but since that date has devoted himself solely to the management of his varied business interests. The smithing busi- ness is continued and in addition he established and has built up in association with his sons, the largest automobile business in Delaware county. The garage is located in Lansdowne at the corner of Baltimore and Wycombe avenues and is well known headquarters for the automobilists of that section. His energy and unusual business ability, coupled with his genial manner, has brought Mr. Hughes to the front in his chosen business and won him the respect of his
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townsmen and customers. He is a member of the Roman Catholic church, the Grand Army of the Republic and the Knights of Columbus, but has never taken any active part in political affairs, being first and last a man of business.
Mr. Hughes married at Kellyville (Oak View), April 7, 1866, Catherine Kelly, born in county Donegal, Ireland, daughter of William and Catherine (Gallagher) Kelly, with whom she came to the United States when a girl of twelve years. William Kelly, born in county Donegal, was for thirty years office manager of Kelly's Cotton Mills in Kellyville and there died at the great age of ninety-six years. Catherine Gallagher, born in the same county in 1810, died in 1876. Children of Thomas and Catherine Hughes now living: Cath- erine, born in 1869, now and for seventeen years a Sister of Charity in the Con- vent of The Immaculate Heart of West Chester, Pennsylvania ; William, born in 1871. married Mary Morris and resides in Lansdowne; Thomas, born in 1873, married Ella Cavender and resides in Lansdowne; Joseph, born 1881, unmar- ried; John, born 1883, married Jennie Mendinger and resides in Lansdowne; Mary, born 1889, resides at home ; seven other children are deceased.
AMSTERDAM Phillip Amsterdam, of Essington, Delaware county, Penn- sylvania, can claim a Hebraic lineage that runs back to the days of Abraham. The Amsterdam family lived in Poland during the unhappy days of the partition of that country by Germany, Russia and Austria, and that portion in which the Amsterdams made their home fell to the lot of Germany, hence they became German subjects.
Julius C. Amsterdam, the grandfather of Phillip, lived all of his life in Ger- many, though distinctly of Polish Hebrew origin. From a capable boy he grew to be a capable, well educated man, astute and diplomatic. Like all of his race he received a thorough education, being instructed by the rabbi. Reaching man- hood he elected to engage in the grain business, which he conducted, first retail then wholesale, for years. He married Sadie -, a daughter of a neiglibor, and to them were born many children, among whom was Abraham Isaac, of whom further.
Abraham Isaac Amsterdam, son of Julius C. and Sadie Amsterdam, was born, reared and educated in Germany. Like his father he was studious and acquired, with the assistance of the public schools of his native place and the rabbi, an unusually fine education, even for a race which is proverbial for its learning. As a young man he engaged with his father in the grain business. There came a time when he was dissatisfied with existing conditions under which he lived, and he sought a newer and larger field for his commercial en- deavors. In 1892, with his family, he emigrated to the United States, and located in Philadelphia, where he again entered business, gaining almost im- mediate success. He married Gertrude Weisberg, like himself born in Ger- many, of Polish Hebrew parents. Among their children was Phillip, of whom further.
Phillip Amsterdam, son of Abraham Isaac and Gertrude (Weisberg) Am- sterdam, was born in 1871, in Germany. He received instruction in a private rabbinical school, his teacher being a learned rabbi of his native place. In 1892, at the age of twenty-one, he accompanied his father and the other members of the family to the United States. He located in Philadelphia, and entered the manufacturing business, making a specialty of women's clothing, in which line he was eminently successful. He carried on this until 1903, when he decided that he would try another field, and moved to Essington, Delaware county, where he opened a real estate office. In this he succeeded beyond his most san- guine expectations. It was one step to becoming a contractor and builder, and
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since entering upon this line he has built one hundred and fourteen of the hand- somest and most substantial houses in Essington. He has acquired much prop- erty in the shape of houses and lots, besides doing a five hundred thousand dol- lar business a year. Mr. Amsterdam is one of the enterprising men of Essing- ton, and ranks high in the estimation of his fellow townsmen. He is a Repub- lican, voting with and working for the party, and is school director. While in Philadelphia he assisted in organizing the Building and Loan Association of that city. He married, in 1891, Helen Prokush, daughter of Joseph Pro- kush, like himself of Polish Hebraic extraction. Children: I. Samuel, born in 1893, educated in public school of Philadelphia ; a traveling salesman for Hast- ings, McIntosh Company. 2. Julius J., born March 1, 1895, educated in Phila- delphia public school, graduated in Essington High School in 1910, took a course in Philadelphia business college, and is now connected with his father in the real estate business.
VALENTINE That the original signification of the word Valentine was strong, robust, powerful, healthy, there is little doubt. but whether its first use as a family name was on account of any peculiar superiority in this respect, in those bearing it, cannot be stated. At what time and locality it first came into use, it is also difficult to state, but that it was known among the ancient Romans is clearly shown in history. Valen- tinus was a learned and eloquent Alexandrian, born A. D. 140. The good Saint Valentine, whose day, February 14, we still celebrate, suffered martyrdom at Rome in the year 270. Of the three Roman Emperors named Valentinian, the first ascended the throne in the year 364, the last in 425. Pope Valentine began his official career in 827. The name with slight variations in spelling is also found in the histories of France, Spain, Germany, Holland, England and Ire- land, the branch herein traced descending from the Irish family.
(I) Thomas Valentine, the American ancestor, was of Bally Brumhill, Ire- land, where he married Mary, daughter of Thomas and Rebecca Parke. She was born September 18, 1693. They came to America bearing a certificate from Carlow to New Garden (Chester county) Monthly Meeting of Friends, dated 2, 27, 1728, which no doubt represents the year of their emigration. They afterwards settled in New Providence township, now Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, where Thomas Valentine died in 1747. Children: I. Robert, born at Bally Brumhill, Ireland, 7, 21, 1717, died 7, 21, 1786; married at Caln Meeting, 4, 4, 1747, Rachel, daughter of John and Mary Edge, of Chester county ; Robert was a recommended minister in 1764 and traveled consider- ably in that capacity, visiting Great Britain at the close of the revolutionary war ; his wife Rachel was an elder in the Uwchlan Meeting, to which both belonged; they left a large family. 2. Thomas, died in Charlestown township, Chester county, in 1762 ; he married, November 23, 1752, Rebecca Robinson, who sur- vived him and married (second) May 19, 1768, Robert Dunbar. 3. John, no record. 4. Jonathan, of whom further. Perhaps others.
(II) Jonathan, son of Thomas and Mary ( Parke) Valentine, was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, about 1730, died in East Caln township, Chester county, about 1811. He married, in 1755, Lydia, daughter of John and Lydia (Pusey) Baldwin. They settled on a farm in East Caln township, where their after lives were spent. Children: Absalom, of whom further; Jehu, John, Jonathan, Elizabeth, Mary, Lydia, married Jesse Evans ; Thomas.
(III) Absalom, son of Jonathan and Lydia (Baldwin) Valentine, was born in East Caln township, Chester county, Pennsylvania, about 1757. He married Mary, daughter of Thomas and Mary Temple, of East Caln township.
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Children : Abner, William, Lydia, Thomas, Benjamin, John, of whom further ; Elizabeth, Mary, Samuel, Absalom, Temple, Joseph.
(I\') John, son of Absalom and Mary ( Temple) Valentine, was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, April 23, 1787. He became a wealthy farmer and business man, and gave his sons, Chalkley M. and John King, the best of edu- cational advantages. He resided in Chester county, where he owned a large quantity of land. He was a member of the Society of Friends, and a man held in high esteem. He married and left issue including a son John King, of whom further.
(\') John King, son of John Valentine, was born near Marlboro, Chester county, Pennsylvania, in 1818, died January 16, 1898. The son of wealthy parents he was given a liberal education. Preparing at Phillips Academy, An- dover, Massachusetts, he entered Dartmouth College, where he completed his classical education. He then entered the law department of the University of Pennsylvania, whence he was graduated LL. B., class of 1855. He was ad- mitted to the Philadelphia bar the same year and attained high rank in his pro- fession. He served as assistant United States district attorney for the eastern Pennsylvania district under District Attorney Charles Gilpin, and was appointed district attorney by President Grant, serving until the first administration of President Cleveland. He earned lasting reputation by his successful handling of the "Molly Maguire" cases and was the only prosecutor to obtain convictions in the Squire Root trials during the Star Route Mail scandals that led to the Belmont resignations. Under President Cleveland's administration he was ap- pointed, under the new federal elections law, chief of the United States election bureau. Later he was appointed United States commissioner of elections. In addition to his legal practice and official duties, Mr. Valentine had extensive business interests in Philadelphia. He was president of the Spring Garden In- surance Company and held directorship in other corporations. He maintained a country estate at Bryn Mawr and a town house at 1805 Spruce street, both being the scenes of gracious hospitality and social enjoyment.
With the exception of one other man, Charles J. Ingersol, Mr. Valentine was the longest in office of the previous long line of United States district at- torneys, and may be said to have literally been apprenticed to the office, as im- mediately after his admission to the bar, he became associated with ex-Mayor Charles Gilpin as his law assistant, and when the latter was appointed United States district attorney, Mr. Valentine as his chief deputy began the study of the intracacies and requirements of the office with which he was destined to be identified through several administrations. When Mr. Gilpin left the office, Mr. Valentine was retained as chief assistant, under Aubrey H. Smith, John P. O'Neill and Colonel William McMichael. In the early part of General Grant's term, when Colonel McMichael resigned, Mr. Valentine was appointed to the office this resignation left vacant. He entered upon his duties, after such a preparation as no other incumbent ever had, his clear understanding of the re- quirements of the office and the long years of training, acquired under ex- Mayor Gilpin and his successors, making him a most valuable official. He was also a most able lawer and made a public record unrivalled in the history of the eastern district. After his retirement from public life, he re- sumed private practice, forming a partnership with his son, John Reed Valen- tine, and Henry P. Brown, so continuing with offices on Seventh near Walnut street. Philadelphia, until his sudden death at his Spruce street home, January 16. 1898. He was ever interested in his Alma Mater, the University of Penn- sylvania, was president of the Alumni Association at the time of his death. His college fraternity was Psi Upsilon, while in religious belief he adhered to the
John si Valentina
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faith of his fathers, worshiping with the Hicksite Society of Friends. He was a man of high mental and legal attainments, lovable in disposition and highly regarded by all who knew him.
Jolin King Valentine married Virginia Penelope Reed, who survives him. She was born on her father's estate near New Orleans, Louisiana, daughter of James and Adele La Tell ( De La Tour ) Reed, The De La Tours were of royal French blood, driven out of France during the revolution, taking refuge in San Domingo. When the blacks rose and proclaimed the republic of Hayti, the family came to the United States, locating in New Orleans. James Reed, presi- dent of the Bank of New Orleans, was one of the financial and social leaders of that city. He owned many cotton plantations and a line of ships trading between New Orleans and Liverpool. He was the leading cotton factor of New Orleans and kept his ships in commission largely on his own shipments of cotton. After his marriage to Miss De La Tour, he established a magnifi- cent mansion and estate near New Orleans, where his children were born. He had two sons and two daughters: 1. Henry, died aged nineteen years, un- married. 2. John, a lieutenant commander in the United States navy under Farragut during the civil war ; his health was seriously impaired by the exposure incident to his naval service, compelling a California ranch residence for several years ; he finally returned east and died in 1880: he married, but left no issue. 3. Elizabeth Louisiana, died in 1878, unmarried. 4. Virginia Penelope, now widow of John King Valentine. Their only child John Reed Valentine, of whom further.
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