USA > Pennsylvania > Delaware County > A history of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, and its people; Volume III > Part 51
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(VI) John Reed, only son of John King and Virginia Penelope ( Reed) Valentine, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, July 22, 1869. His pre- paratory education was obtained at Haver ford College grammar school, he being a member of the first class graduated from that institution. He then entered Haverford College, but was compelled to discontinue his studies there for a time. He then took special courses at the University of Pennsylvania for two years, later entering the law department of the University, whence he was graduated LL. B., class of 1895. His university career was one of fine achieve- ment as witnessed by his membership in the Sharswood Law Club, a requisite for admission there being perfect scholarship in both collegiate and law courses. Although fully equipped for the profession of law, Mr. Valentine chose the life of a country gentleman, a career he has followed with great usefulness to his community and not from the standpoint of an "idle rich man." Shortly after his graduation he inherited a sum of money that he invested in "Highland Farm," his present home. This farm located in the northern part of Haverford township, Delaware county, originally consisted of sixty-three acres, adjoining his father's estate of one hundred and forty-six acres. After inheriting the latter, Mr. Valentine consolidated the two farms and purchased an additional one hundred acres, which now gives Highland Farm an area of nearly three hun- dred acres of exceedingly valuable land. The original house was built in 1704, but has been remodelled and enlarged until it stands as a splendid example of a country gentleman's home. The farm was the original Lewis tract, descend- ing by inheritance to the Sheafs, by them sold to the Epwrights, from whom it was purchased by Mr. Valentine, the two transfers being the only ones by sale during the two and one-half centuries, since it was first patented to a Lewis. Interesting as is the past history "Highland Farm" has a modern fame all its own. Mr. Valentine has made it the Mecca of Ayrshire cattle breeders of the United States. His herd of two hundred pure blooded Ayrshire is the largest and most noted in the eastern United States, including as it does champions in milk and butter production and a sire of unsurpassed1 performance. For twenty
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years Mr. Valentine has been developing this herd of prize dairy cows, and by importation and breeding he has become the leading and best known owner of Ayrshires in the United States. A few names of champions in the herd will be familiar to those interested in Ayrshire: "Polly Puss" from 1903 to 1905 the American champion in the production of milk and butter ; "Rena Ross" from 1905 until 1910 American Ayrshire champion in milk and butter production. Thus for seven years, 1903-10, Mr. Valentine's herd furnished the American champion milk and butter producer. In 1913, his three year old heifer "Abbess of Torr," which he imported from Scotland, after personal inspection, won the "three year old championship" for imported Ayrshires. Mr. Valentine is also owner of a famous Ayrshire sire whose daughters, in proportion to their num- ber, rank as the greatest producers of milk and butter over any similar num- ber of cows in the whole world.
The surroundings in which these cattle are kept give evidence of the deep thought and interest bestowed upon them by their owner, being roomy, modern and sanitary. To dispose of the product of his large herd, Mr. Valentine main- tains a model dairy, operated under the most perfect sanitary conditions, em- ploying the most modern approved dairy machinery and methods. But the herd is not maintained for dairy, but for breeding purposes, the young Ayr- shires being eagerly sought for by dairymen and breeders. Mr. Valen- tine is president of the Ayrshire Breeders Association of America and a recog- nized authority on that most noted of all dairy cattle. He is devotedly attached to his beautiful country home with all its varied interests, but is not unmindful of his civic and social obligations. He has taken a lively interest in the club life of Delaware county and Philadelphia, being a member of the Racquet Club of Philadelphia, the Merion Cricket Club, the Radnor Hunt, Rose Tree Hunt, Pickering Valley Hunt, Green Spring Valley Hunt, the Pennsylvania Horticultura! Society and various others. From 1901 to 1907 he was master of hounds for the Radnor Hunt, the pack of hounds now owned by the club having been bred. trained and presented by Mr. Valentine. To further gratify his love for the chase, he maintains a stable of ten high class thoroughbred hunters.
In politics a Republican, he has always taken interest in local affairs. He is a member of the county committee for the northern precinct of Haverford township, served for three years on the township board of education; was chairman of the board of supervisors four years and the first chairman of the board of township commissioners under the act of 1910. While not form- ally connected with any religious denomination, he has a birthright memher- ship in the Society of Friends, and has a special friendliness for the faith of his fathers.
Mr. Valentine married, June 8. 1898, Elizabeth Edith Simpson, born in Philadelphia, but at the time of her marriage residing at "Centre Crest," the Montgomery county home of the Simpsons. She is the only child of Thomas and Elizabeth Potter ( Moulton) Simpson, her father the long time honored head of the Eddystone Steel Works at Chester. Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Valentine have no children.
William Spence Harvey, a well known lawyer of Newtown
HARVEY Square, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, has been identified with some of the most important interests in that section of the
country
Blaney Harvey, his father, was born in county Cavan, Ireland, in 1833, and died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1903. For many years he has been
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engaged in business as a builder and contractor, and had a controlling interest in the Tradesmen's Trust Company, holding the office of president, while his son was vice-president. He was the owner of over four hundred houses in the city of Philadelphia. He served the city for many years as a member of the board of fire commissioners, and was a staunch Republican. He was a mem- ber of the Episcopal church. Mr. Harvey married Eliza, daughter of Wil- liam James, who came from Paisley, Scotland. Children: George L., who holds a position of trust in the Philadelphia post office; Margaret, Mary, Wil- liam Spence, Eleanor, Matilda West. These children are all living in Phila- delphia.
William Spence Harvey was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, November 23, 1861. The public schools of his native city furnished his preliminary education, and he went from them to Rugby Academy in order to prepare for entrance to the university. He matriculated at the University of Pennsylvania in 188t. spent two years in the Academic Department, two years in its School of Law, and was graduated from the institution in the class of 1885. He was admitted to the Philadelphia bar in 1886, and immediately commenced the practice of his profession. While his practice is in some respects a general one, he las made an especial study of real estate law, and devotes himself chiefly to this line. In political matters he gives his support to the Republican party, in whose interests he has been an active worker.
Mr. Harvey married, in 1889, Martha Wright, daughter of Dr. Thomas and Martha ( Wright) Conway. She was raised in the city of New York, and at Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia. Children: William Spence Jr., connected with the Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company ; Lawrence, a midshipman in the Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland; Sidney Wright, Jane Elizabeth Blaney. Mr. Harvey has his country home in Edgemont township, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, as he delights in outdoor sports, especially for hunting ; his city residence is at Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia. He and his family attend services at St. Thomas' Protestant Episcopal church. Mr. Harvey is a member of the Union League of Philadelphia, and president of the Rose Tree Fox Hunting Club.
DONALL The progenitor of this branch was Benjamin Donall, born in Scotland, a dresser of edged tools used in nail making. He came to the United States, settled in Pennsylvania, died in Delaware county, aged eighty-three years. He married and left issue.
Benjamin (2) Donall, son of the emigrant, was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, where his life was spent prior to his enlistment. He was a brick- layer and engineer, a man of high character and successful in business. He enlisted in the Twenty-third Regiment Pennsylvania Cavalry, and during a battle in Virginia was accidentally killed by his own men. He is buried in Cal- vary churchyard at Glen, Pennsylvania, aged about sixty years at the time of his death. Both he and his wife were members of Calvary Episcopal church. He married Catherine Barr, born in Delaware county, Pennsylvania, daughter of Isaac Barr, a hydraulic well digger, who died at Clifton Heights, Delaware county ; she died there in her eighty-third year.
Charles H. Donall, son of Benjamin (2) and Catherine (Barr) Donall, was born in Delaware county, Pennsylvania, June 9, 1859. He was educated in the public schools, and in early life worked at well building, but later en- gaged in the ice business in Clifton Heights. He is a Republican in politics and for the past twelve years has served as health officer. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias,
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and past commander of Chester Lodge, Knights of Malta. Mr. Donall mar- ried, May 8. 1884. Sarah A. Smith, born in Delaware county, Pennsylvania. daughter of Charles Smith, deceased, a dyer. Children: Charles Howard, agent of the Pennsylvania railroad at Clifton, Pennsylvania : Joseph W., as- sistant agent at Clifton for the Pennsylvania railroad ; John, engaged in busi- ness with his father : Elva, died in infancy.
WORRALL This family ( spelled both Worrall and Worrell) came to Pennsylvania from Berkshire, England, their tradition being that they are descendants of Sir Hubert de Warel, who lost three sons at the battle of Hastings, where William the Conqueror won title to the English crown.
Peter Worrall, from whom the Worralls of Marple township, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, descend, was a tanner. John Worrall, who settled in Chester township in 1684, came to America from Berkshire, England, in the ship "Welcome" in 1682. arriving in Philadelphia, before William Penn. He named one of his children Peter, and l'eter named one of his sons John, so it may be implied that if they were not brothers they were at least closely related and probably came in the same ship. Peter Worrall had three sons: Peter, located in Bucks county ; George, located in the state of Delaware, and Jona- than. who married Mary Taylor and settled in Marple township, now Delaware county, Pennsylvania ; he had among his children a son Jacob, who married Elizabeth Maddock.
Jesse Worrall. son of Jacob and Elizabeth ( Maddock) Worrall, was a farmer of Ridley township, and a member of the Society of Friends. He married a widow, Mrs. Jane ( Bishop) Bennett, daughter of Robert and Jane Bishop. Children: Elizabeth, Jacob, Tacy.
Jacob Worrall, only son of Jesse and Jane ( Bishop-Bennett ) Worrall, was born in Ridley township, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, September 7, 1806, his father having been born on the same farm. He grew to manhood on the homestead farm, remaining his father's assistant until of legal age. At the division of the estate he received the half on which the homestead stood. There he resided until October, 1882, after which date he made his home with his daughter at Leiperville. He was a Whig and a Republican, held several minor offices and was a birthright member of the Society of Friends. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Nathaniel and Mary Worrall, of Ridley township, a kins- woman. Children: William, Mary P., married Joseph K. Lukens; John Bishop. of further mention.
John Bishop Worrall, son of Jacob and Elizabeth Worrall, was born in Ridley Park. died in Crum Lynne, Pennsylvania, December 21, 1893. He was educated in the public schools. He became a carpenter and builder and followed that business all his active years, was very successful, accumulating a com- petence, then lived a retired, quiet life until death. He was a Republican in politics, and a member of the Society of Friends. He married Mary Alice Play- ford. born in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, October 12, 1847, daughter of Wil- liam Playford, who died in 1893. a farmer of Woodlyn, Delaware county, and his wife. Elizabeth ( Richardson ) Playford, born in England, died in Woodlyn in 1895. He was a supervisor of the township for many years, and both were members of the Presbyterian church. Mrs. Mary A. Worrall survives her hus- band. now residing in Woodlyn, Delaware county.
George Jonathan Worrall, son of John Bishop and Mary Alice ( Play- ford) Worrall, was born in Ridley township. Delaware county, Pennsylvania. June 4. 1878. Until fifteen years of age he attended the Thomas Leiper public
THI YORK PUBLIC, LIBRARY
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William Fields
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school at Leiperville, then began business life as a clerk in a wholesale hard- ware establishment at No. 503 Market street, Philadelphia, proving so satis- factory an employee that he remained with the same firm-The Supplee Hard- ware Company-for ten years. In 1903 he entered the employ of the Pennsyl- vania railroad at Philadelphia, but after six months accepted a position with the Bell Telephone Company at Chester, serving that company with fidelity and zeal until 1910. He was then offered and accepted a responsible position with the Baldwin Locomotive Company at Eddystone, which he now capably fills. Mr. Worrall is a Republican in politics, served as committeeman with the Fairview district of Ridley township for four years ; was register assessor three years and regular assessor of the Leiperville district for one year. In 1910 he was assessor in Ridley township for the United States government. He is president of the J. F. D. Hose Company of Leiperville, a company in which he has long been interested.
He married in the Methodist Episcopal church at Eddystone, May 9, 1906, Lydia Emma Jenkins, of Trainer, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, daughter of Artemus Jenkins, a retired farmer of Trainer, and his wife, Anna Jenkins. Child: Mary Alice, born June 21, 1907, at Crum Lynn, Delaware county.
FIELDS It is said that sons of great men seldom rise to the heights that their fathers attain, that the success which the father has attained takes away that spur to ambition which is found in necessity, but while this is sometimes true, there are many exceptions to the rule, two of which are found in the persons of John Wesley Fields, the president of the Fields Brick Company, of Chester, Pennsylvania, and Holstein Harvey Fields, secretary of the same company, men who have risen to a position of eminence in the business circles of Delaware county, having long since left the ranks of the many to stand among the successful few.
(I) Samuel Fields, the first of the line here under consideration of whom we have definite information, was born at Kensington, a part of the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, June 15, 1804, died in Media, Pennsylvania, Oc- tober 9, 1886. He spent the greater part of his life in Kensington, successfully following the trade of shoemaker, at which he served an apprenticeship, re- moving to Media several years prior to his decease. He served for three years in the United States navy on a man-of-war under Commodore Farragut, en- listing in 1828, and he enlisted as a soldier in the civil war, being a member of Company I, One Hundred and Sixth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, and for two years served as a nurse in the Crozier ( Pennsylvania) army hospital. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and active in the work of the various societies connected therewith. In early life he was a Democrat, but after the riot in Philadelphia in 1828 he became a Whig, and upon the organization of the Republican party joined its ranks, remaining loyal to its principles for the remainder of his life. He married ( first) October 15, 1826, Mary Harman, who bore him the following named children: George L., William, Samuel J., John, Sarah, Thomas, Jonas, Henry, Catherine, An- drew Jackson, Mary A., Phoebe A., Samuel, Sarah, Charles Henry, Julia A. He married (second) November 21, 1852, Margaret Stinson, who bore him nine children, among whom were: Thomas S. (q. v.), Mary J., Richard, David, Joseph, Phoebe, Benjamin F. (q. v.), Walter.
(II) William, second son of Samuel and Mary (Harman) Fields, was born at Kensington, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, March 4, 1828, died at Eddystone, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, January 8, 1904. He attended the public schools adjacent to his home, thus obtaining a practical education. He first
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engaged in the commission business with his brother, George L. Fields, on Oder street wharf, Philadelphia, after which he embarked in the brick manu- facturing business at Eddystone with another brother, John Fields, contracting to make bricks for William Simpson & Son, the bricks being used to build their manufacturing plant in that village. Prior to that time they made bricks for J. Morgan Baker at Ridley, Pennsylvania, and in 1883 made bricks at Elwyn for the building of the Institute for the Feeble Minded at that place. They were pioneers in the brickmaking business in Delaware county, and the present exten- sive plant is the outcome of the business many years ago in a small way, success crowning their well directed efforts, both partners being men of strong charac- ter, upright in their dealings, living in the fear of the Lord. William Fields re- moved from Kensington to Eddystone, where he took an active part in all public matters, serving as treasurer of the borough for a number of years up to the time of his death, also as school director and treasurer of the school board, discharging his duties in a highly satisfactory manner. He was a mem- ber and steward of the Methodist Episcopal church of Eddystone, to which he contributed liberally of his time and means.
He married, November 21, 1867, Ruth Ann Blair, born in Delaware county, Pennsylvania, June 25, 1843, died in Eddystone, Pennsylvania, November 21, 1897. daughter of William and Orpha ( Martin) Blair, who were married in Philadelphia, and were the parents of Hannah, William, Mary, Rachel, Eliza- beth, Louisa, Sarah Jane, of whom further; Ruth Ann, Joseph, John, Orpha Blair, all of whom are deceased except Mary, Sarah Jane and John. William Blair was born in county Down, Ireland, was a textile foreman by occupation, an Episcopalian in religion, and a Democrat in politics. Orpha (Martin) Blair was the daughter of Joseph and Hannah (Malin) Martin, the latter named having been a descendant of Randal and Elizabeth Malin. Orpha Mar- tin was a Quakeress, but was excommunicated on account of marrying outside of her religion. Children of Mr. and Mrs. Fields: 1. Mary Louise, born October 23, 1868, died May 10, 1888, aged seventeen years. 2. Holstein Har- vey, of whom further. 3. Mattie Virginia, born March 18, 1873 ; married Wil- liam B. Kerr, of Eddysbone, Pennsylvania, a carpenter ; they reside in Chester. 4. Sarah Jane, born May 7, 1879: married William Shaw, of Chester, a brick- layer ; they reside in Chester. 5. Frank Edward, born April 17, 1882; an iron moulder ; resides in Chester ; married (first ) Louisa England ; married (second ) Emma Boschelle. 6. Ruth Ann, born April 14, 1886; married Thomas Gibbs, of Chester, an iron moulder; they reside in Chester. 7. Joseph, died in in- fancy. 8. May, born January 1, 1877, died in early life.
(II) John, fourth son of Samuel and Mary (Harman) Fields, was born in Kensington, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, January 22, 1834, died May 12, 1896. He attended the public schools in the vicinity of his home, and in early life began work in a brick yard in Kensington, thus gaining a thorough knowledge of every detail of the work. Later he conducted a brickyard for Isaac Briggs in South Media, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, until 1864, when he accepted a position in Matthew Boyd's brick yard in Chichester township, continuing until 1867, when he moved to Ridley township, now the borough of Eddystone, and engaged with his brother William in operating a brickyard for J. Morgan Baker and William P. Beatty, under the firm name of Baker & Beatty ; later Mr. Beatty sold out to Mr. Baker, and he in turn sold out to Mendelhall & Johnson. John and William Fields then operated a brickyard nearby for J. Morgan Baker, on land owned by Hugh Sample, afterward purchased by Mr. Baker, and in 1872 the yard was purchased by William Simpson & Sons, and was operated by the Fields Brothers until 1882, when they started and operated
John Filles
THE KER P BUIC
ASTOR, UTMAK AND TILDEN FCOLDATIONS.
John W. Fielda
Itstilldo
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILIN FOUN A ONS.
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a yard for Maurice J. Smith at Elwyn, continuing until 1887, when the brothers started business on their own account, under the firm name of Fields Brothers, and so continued until their respective deaths. In 1863, during the progress of the civil war, Mr. Fields enlisted for three months service in the union army, becoming a member of Colonel Hawley's regiment, stationed at Harrisburg, but he did not engage in actual service. He was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and a Republican in politics, but never sought or held public office, devoting his entire time and attention to his business pursuits. He married, in Media, Pennsylvania, March 1, 1856, Sarah Jane Blair, born in Media, Pennsylvania, March 9, 1836, daughter of William and Orpha (Mar- tin ) Blair, aforementioned. Children: I. Clara Virginia, born July 25, 1857 ; married James B. Stevenson, of Lower Chichester township, Delaware county, Pennsylvania. 2. John Wesley, of whom further. 3. Mary Elizabeth, born August 6, 1860; married George W. Potter, of Chester, Pennsylvania. 4. Ruth Anna, born April 10, 1863; married James Mather, of Chester. 5. Sarah Ellen, born November 27, 1865, died April 29, 1870. 6. Wilhelmina, born May 22, 1867; married William Stewart, of Chester. 7. Orpha May, born April 24, 1869; married John Martin, of Chester. 8. Ellwood Harvey, born March 27, 1871, died October 30, 1876. 9. Annie Naomi, born August 31, 1873; married Charles A. Church, of Birdsboro, Berks county, Pennsylvania. 10. Gussie Violetta, born April 5, 1876; married Frederick N. Rumford, of Chester. II. Gertrude Blanche, born April 4, 1879; married Clare W. Phillips, of Folsom, Delaware county, Pennsylvania.
(III) John Wesley, son of John and Sarah Jane (Blair) Fields, was born in South Media, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, September 30, 1858. He at- tended the public schools in South Media, Lower Chichester, Linwood and Leiperville, obtaining an excellent education that qualified him for the activities of life. Upon the death of his father, in 1896, he assumed his father's interest in the business, which was then conducted under the style of Fields & Com- pany, so continuing up to July 19, 1906, when it was incorporated as the Fields Brick Company under the state laws, it being a close corporation, the three of- ficers being the sole owners, namely: John Wesley Fields, president; Hon. William H. Berry, treasurer ; Holstein Harvey Fields, secretary. The plant is located at Tenth and Broomall streets, Chester, Pennsylvania, with a yard at Twelfth street and Concord avenue, Chester, and is devoted to the manu- facture of brick and clay ware of all grades, their product being disposed of in Chester and vicinity, having an output of 6,500,000 bricks each year. The plant is thoroughly equipped with everything needful for the manufacture of their product, and the comfort and safety of their employees is one of their first considerations. The prominence of John W. Fields in business circles led to his appointment as councilman of the borough of Eddystone upon its in- corporation in February, 1889, in which office he continued for fourteen years, serving as president of the council the last four years, and is a member at the present time (1913). He is a member of Upland Lodge, No. 253, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Chester, and of Chester En- campment, No. 99, and has passed through the chairs of that order; also a member of Mocopowca Tribe, No. 149, Improved Order of Red Men, of Ches- ter, Pennsylvania.
(III) Holstein Harvey, son of William and Ruth Ann ( Blair) Fields, was born in Eddystone, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, October 3, 1870. He was educated in the public schools of his native borough and in the Leiperville grammar school, completing his studies at the age of fifteen. He went to work in the brickyard of Simpson & Sons in Eddystone, which was under the manage-
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