USA > Pennsylvania > Delaware County > A history of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, and its people; Volume III > Part 7
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He married in Philadelphia, November 3, 1875, Ellen, daughter of Wil- liam Kelley, a farmer, born in Ireland in county Lovett, died near Paoli, Pennsylvania, in July, 1893. His wife, Jane Stewart, of Scotch-Irish extrac- tion, was born in the same county as her husband; their children: 1. Annie, deceased. 2. Jane, married John Canby, an undertaker of Philadelphia. 3. Ellen, married Andrew Crooks, of previous mention. 4. Minnie, a widow,. residing in Newark, New Jersey. 5. John, residing in Philadelphia, married. 6. Carlotte, married Washington Stanley, resides in Easttown, Chester county, Pennsylvania. 7. Kate, married William Brannon, resides in West Chester, Pennsylvania. 8. Lydia, married Harry Molden, resides in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. 9. William, married Irene Wisner, lives at West Chester. 10. Emma, married Frank - , resides in Chester county.
Children of Andrew and Ellen Crooks: I. Jennie, married Robert Blank,. of the Philadelphia police force ; seven children. 2. Bessie, married Howard Rainy, a policeman, resides in Philadelphia ; four children. 3. Alfred, a con- tractor, in the employ of the Baldwin Locomotive Works; married Rhoda Ruth and resides in Norwood, Pennsylvania. 4. Warren, residing at home. 5. Walter, a gardener on an estate at Wawa, Pennsylvania; married Olga Parsons; one child. 6. Helen, married Edgar , a machinist of West Chester, and night engineer for George W. Wood, of Wawa; one child. 7. Florence, died in 1890. 8. Sharpless, died in 1890. 9. Samuel, deceased.
BOND
For several generations the Bonds have been native born residents. of Delaware county ; members of the Society of Friends and in politics, Whigs and Republicans.
Van Leer E. Bond is a grandson of Joseph and Esther (Ellis) Bond, who had issue : John Thomas, David, Sarah, Mary, Joseph and Jesse E. He and
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wife were members of the Society of Friends-he a farmer of Delaware coun- ty and a Whig in politics.
Jesse E., son of Joseph and Esther (Ellis) Bond, was born in Delaware county, in January, 1799. He was a mason by trade, well educated and for sev- eral years a school teacher. He was a member of the Society of Friends and in politics a Whig. He married in Delaware county, Elizabeth Super, born in Upper Darby township, Delaware county, in January, 1814, daughter of Philip and Hannah (Kirk) Super of Upper township; children of Jesse E. Bond : Samuel S., Esther E., Rachel E., Hannah S., Mary E. and Van Leer Eachus.
Van Leer Eachus, youngest child of Jesse E. and Elizabeth (Super) Bond, was born in Upper Darby township, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, Septem- ber 21, 1848. He was educated in the public school, finishing at Shortlidge's Academy, Delaware county, whence he was graduated class of 1866. Three years later he located in the oil fields of Western Pennsylvania, operating until 1874 in Armstrong, Butler and Clarion counties. He then returned to Dela- ware county, and in 1875 established his present mercantile business at the corner of the West Chester and Garrettford roads. He has been very suc- cessful and has a well established business in hay, grain, feed, agricultural and kindred lines. He is a director of the First National Bank of Darby, also of the Lansdowne and Darby Savings Fund and Trust Company. Mr. Bond is an active Republican at all seasons; was for several years auditor of the township and in 1909 was elected county commissioner, serving with credit a term of three years. He is a member of Cassia Lodge, No. 273, Free and Accepted Masons, and of Arcturus Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows.
He married in Philadelphia, in the presence of Mayor Stokeley, February 3, 1875, Martha L. Jones, born in Upper Darby township, August 16, 1848, daughter of Richard L. and Mary F. Jones, the former a farmer. Their chil- dren : Martha L., William H., Richard L., J. Walter, Lidie F., Howard E. and Marshall L. Children of Van Leer E. Bond: I. Elizabeth L., born February 4, 1876, married William H. Warwick of Upper Darby, and has a son, Wil- liam. 2. Richard J., born June 18, 1879, marched Anna B. Clarkson, of Jersey City, and has : Van Leer I. ; Richard C. ; Anna R. 3. Van Leer Irwin, married Elizabeth Powell and has Richard V. and Martha. 4. Marian E., born Octo- ber 31, 1892, married, November 20, 1913, Edward Anderson.
CODY Frank M. Cody, since 1897 a practicing attorney of the Delaware county bar, is a son of John B. and Amanda M. Cody, of Phila- delphia, Pennsylvania. Mr. Cody was born in Philadelphia, March 15, 1854. He was educated in the public schools, studied law in the office of William Hardcastle Browne, and was admitted to the Philadelphia bar on November 25, 1875 ; and subsequently to the Delaware county bar on June 7. 1897. He was solicitor of the borough of Lansdowne for several terms. He is a member of Eastern Star Council, No. 184, Free and Accepted Masons, and a number of other fraternal and beneficial organizations. Mr. Cody married, January 13, 1883, Mary Reynolds Camp, daughter of Rev. Joseph J. and Lodemia K. Camp-her father a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church. They have but one child living, Philip Camp Cody, who was born December 22, 1887.
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Otto R. Trefz, general superintendent of the Lester Piano Mant-
TREFZ facturing Company's plant, in Lester, Delaware county, Pennsyl- vania, is descended from German ancestry, long skilled in piano making in Stuttgart, Germany.
(I) John Trefz, was born in Stuttgart, Germany, where he was a piano maker by trade, and was considered one of the best in his native city. He emigrated to the United States in 1880 and located in Philadelphia. He at once entered the employ of the Schumacker Piano Company, with whom he remained nine years; he then entered the employ of the Lester Piano Man- ufacturing Company, as head action regulator, and continued with them until his death in 1901. He married Emma . Among his children was Otto R., of whom further.
(II) Otto R. Trefz, son of John and Emma Trefz, was born December 15, 1862, in Stuttgart, Germany. He received an excellent education in the public schools of his native city, and early learned the piano making trade, becoming a skilled workman in a short time. In this he was aided by a trained ear for music, an essential for the piano maker who would rise in his vocation. He came with his father to the United States in 1880, and with him entered the employ of the Schumacker company in Philadelphia, where he remained a year. For four years he was in the employ of another firm of piano makers. He was next employed by the North Company, where he was promoted to the managership of the repair department. Out of this company grew the Lester company, which was organized in 1887 and incorporated in 1888. Mr. Trefz made the first piano put out by the new company, and it was perfect in tone, handsome in appearance and finely finished off. During the first year of the life of the Lester Piano Manufacturing Company the output was four instru- ments a week; it has now an output of twenty times that number, and the demand is greater than the supply, so quickly and firmly has the instrument taken hold of the popular fancy. Owing to his intelligence, experience and great mechanical ability Mr. Trefz has been promoted to the position of gen- eral superintendent of the entire plant, which is modern in every respect. Besides giving special attention to the quality of the instruments placed on the market, he has introduced many innovations that materially lighten the work of the employees and facilitate matters. Among the labor saving devices is one in the lumber yard, which is a network of tracks. Upon these tracks stand cars on which is loaded lumber necessary in the making of pianos, and they wait, in readiness, to be used by the simple process of running them to that part of the plant where they are needed, thus a board is handled but once. Mr. Trefz has seen the village of Lester grow from four houses to a neat, tidy little, modern town of ninety buildings, which are occupied by the employees. Being a Lutheran he takes a great interest in the church, and in 1903 he was active in raising money with which to erect a building for that denomination to worship in. He is a Republican, and has been school director and road super- visor. He is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons of Philadelphia.
He married, in 1881, Matilda Wittig, of German descent, who was born in Philadelphia; her father also was a piano maker. Children: Otto, Robert, Edwin, Harry. Otto and Edwin learned the piano business in all its branches at the factory of the Lester Piano Manufacturing Company, and in 1912 started a factory of their own in Philadelphia, manufacturing piano bass strings for the trade. Robert and Harry are graduates of the Philadel- phia High School. Robert is the proprietor of a shoe store in Scranton, Penn- sylvania, and is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons at Scranton. Harry is manager of the North Company branch store at Trenton, New Jersey.
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RASMUSSEN Harry Rasmussen, of Essington, Pennsylvania, is a strik- ing example of what can be accomplished in the United States by a man with energy, brains and persistence. Born in a foreign country, reared and educated there, cast by a turbulent sea on strange shores, knowing not a word of the language, he has since his arrival in the United States, not only earned his living but has accumulated property. (I) Henry Rasmussen, the grandfather of Harry Rasmussen, was born, reared, lived and died in Denmark, where he was superintendent of the Castle Palsgaard. Like all of his family he possessed indomitable energy, and held his position until late in life. He and his family were members of the Church of Denmark, the Lutheran. He married Miss Shaffer, also of Denmark. Children : Stina, Holger, of whom further.
(II) Holger Rasmussen, son of Henry Rasmussen, was born May 28, 1836, in Denmark. He was a blacksmith by vocation, and his fame as such was more than local, and commanded him patronage from outlying villages. He also owned forty acres of land, and he was well repaid for his efforts in agriculture. Like his forbears he was a Lutheran, and in politics a Democrat, as that name is understood in Denmark. He married, January 10, 1859, Bar- bara Hanson, born June 8, 1834, a daughter of Hans J. and Maren (Jenson) Hanson, who were born, lived and died in Denmark. Children: I. Died in infancy. 2. Harry, of whom further. 3. Minnie, born October 12, 1861, married Jans Jorgensen. 4. Maren, born September 21, 1863, married Thomas Christian. 5. Anna, born September 29, 1865, married Martin Rasmussen, living in Wisconsin, a farmer. 6. Sorina, born June 30, 1867, married Bert Anderson. 7. Marie, born February 25, 1869, married William Nelson, lives in Iowa. 8. Sina, born February 1, 1871, died in Wisconsin.
(III) Harry Rasmussen, son of Holger and Barbara (Hanson) Rasmus- sen, was born March 31, 1860, in Denmark. After receiving his education he was apprenticed to a large ship building firm, and remained with them four years. He shipped on a sailing vessel as its carpenter, following it for two years. He was next engaged, in the same capacity, by the captain of the 'Mary Lawton," of Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. The vessel was wrecked in a heavy gale off the coast of Newfoundland. The ship went down and Mr. Rasmussen and three others were all of the crew that were rescued from the wreck by a Norwegian bark, and were brought to South Chester, Pennsyl- vania. After recovering from his harrowing experience he sought employ- ment, and again engaged in ship building with a large firm of ship builders. February 2, 1880, he was in Camden, where he remained two years. From there he went to Dover, and was employed in the construction of schooners. He was the designer and builder of "The Yankee Doodle," which was able to show a clean pair of heels to anything in her class. In 1899 he moved to Es- sington, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, and established a boat building busi- ness for himself, and since that time has built over one hundred and fifty boats, of many classes and kinds. In politics he is a Republican, taking the keenest interest in the questions of the day since his naturalization as an American cit- izen. He married, in 1886, Elizabeth Murphy, daughter of Humphrey Mur- phy, a laborer. Children of Harry and Elizabeth (Murphy) Rasmussen: I. Harry C., died in infancy. 2. Joseph F., born June 27, 1888, deceased. 3. Reginia, born October 6, 1890, employee of Wanamaker's. 4. Josephine, born August 25, 1892, employee of Bell Telephone Company. 5. Gertrude, born May, 1894, dressmaker. 6. Jeannette, born September 13, 1896, at home.
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Albert N. Diehl, postmaster of Essington, Delaware county, DIEHL Pennsylvania, descends in a direct line from old Palatine stock, which settled in Pennsylvania about 1680. During that year the . "Spotted Cow" made two voyages to America, each time filled with Palatine families, who accepted the invitation of the governor of Pennsylvania to cross the Atlantic and join their fortunes with the English emigrants. Despite the Indian massacres, so frequent in the Province of Pennsylvania, it was one of the best known of all those in the New World. Its laws were beneficent, there was none of the bigotry and religious intolerance shown in Massachusetts, nor none of the haughtiness of the Provinces of Virginia and Maryland. To the Palatine, Pennsylvania was a Mecca, a land flowing with milk and honey, al- beit attended with many dangers.
(I) Adam Diehl, the grandfather of Albert N. Diehl, was born in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, where he lived and died a prosperous farmer. He owned his own little farm, which he purchased after his marriage. Among his children was Joseph, of whom further
(II) Joseph Diehl, son of Adam Diehl, was born in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, and there reared. He moved from there to Berks, and being of a roving, or pioneer nature, he next went to Lebanon county. He was a black- smith in Berks county, opening a smithy in 1861, which he continued for many years, establishing a reputation of being the best and most careful smith in the trade, in that portion of the state. He sold his smithy, moved to a small farm in the same county that he purchased and eventually died. He mar- ried Mary Houtz. He had eight children, six of whom reached maturity, and all of whom are living. Among them was Albert N., of whom further.
(III) Albert N. Diehl, son of Joseph and Mary (Houtz) Diehl, was born in Lebanon county, Pennsylvania. He is of direct German descent on both pa- ternal and the distaff sides. He moved with his father from Berks to Leba- non county. He attended school in Lebanon county and then matriculated at the Palatinate College at Myerstown, Pennsylvania, one of the oldest and most noted institutions of learning in the state. Palatinate College was founded by the Dutch Reformed Church of Pennsylvania. At the age of twenty-two he took a course in telegraphy, and having acquired a working knowledge he was given employment by the Reading railroad; so greatly was he appreciated by the road that he has continued with them to the present time (1913). In 1889 he was moved to Essington, Delaware county, by the road and given charge of the station. At that time he was appointed postmaster, the first to hold the position, and has continued in it since. He is a member of the Protestant Epis- copal church, and of the Free and Accepted Masons. In politics he is a Repub- lican, and has held local offices, among them being school director. He mar- ried, in 1886, Lily Bordner. Children : Nevin, Mabel M., Ruth.
Gilbert Griffin, of Essington, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, is GRIFFIN one of the modern and popular Bonifaces of his section. He is of Irish and English descent, and possesses all the geniality and wit of his race. His progenitors, for many generations, have been sons of the Emerald Isle, and a large number of the name and family still reside there.
(I) Thomas Griffin, grandfather of Gilbert Griffin, was born, reared and educated in Ireland. He was a miller, a Roman Catholic in faith, and an honest man. Desiring to better his condition and that of his children, he emigrated to the United States, landing in Baltimore. With him came his
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wife and six children. Among the children of Thomas Griffin was Gilbert, of whom further.
(II ) Gilbert Griffin, son of Thomas Griffin, was born March 20, 1849, in Ireland, and died in Essington, Pennsylvania, April 10, 1907. He came with his parents when he was thirteen years old to Baltimore, Maryland, where his father entered the hotel business. He was educated in Baltimore, and on reaching his majority entered the hotel business as assistant to his father. From Baltimore he went to Philadelphia, where he was proprietor of the Girard House for years. In 1891 he moved to Essington, where he eventually died. He built the Rosedale Inn, a commodious, handsome structure, and was licensed in 1893. Besides the inn he owned ninety acres in Essington, and did a real estate business. He was a Republican and exerted a large influence in Delaware for that party, and he held several offices in the town. He, like his forbears, was a Roman Catholic, but his wife was a devout member of the Presbyterian church. He married Emma L. Powell, September, 1879. One child, Gilbert Jr., of whom further.
(III) Gilbert Griffin Jr., son of Gilbert and Emma L. ( Powell ) Griffin, was born July 27. 1887, in Philadelphia. After receiving his education in the public schools of his native city he graduated from Bank's Business College in 1902. For three years he worked as electrical machinist in the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Chester, Pennsylvania. Leaving this position he assisted his father in his hotel business, and also in the real estate. Being the only child he inherited his father's estate, with it the Rosedale Inn, in Essington. Since that time he has devoted his entire time and attention to running it suc- cessfully, making it one of the oases in the life of the commercial traveler who has to spend Sunday on the road and away from home. As a money making proposition the Rosedale Inn may be accorded the palm. It is modern, run on up-to-date lines, and the cuisine is unexcelled. Mr. Griffin is an Episco- palian, a Republican, and a highly esteemed resident of Essington, and enjoys a wide reputation as mine liost par excellence. He married, January 20, 1909, Clara Harrison, daughter of Frank Harrison, a druggist, of Philadelphia and Ridley Park, Pennsylvania; treasurer for one year of Delaware county, and an upholder of the Republican platform. She is a Protestant. Child, Gilbert Francis, born February 23, 1910, in Essington, Pennsylvania.
FOREMAN Rev. John Laverton Foreman, pastor of the Baptist church at Brandywine Summit, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, rep- resents the first generation of his immediate family in the United States, the paternal home being in London, England. He is a descend- ant on the paternal side of an Italian ancestry. and on the maternal side of a Scotch ancestry.
John Laverton Foreman, grandfather of Rev. John L. Foreman, was born in Bristol, Gloucester county, England. He was a blacksmith by occupation, a Protestant in religion, and a Liberal in politics. He married, in 1857, Cathar- ine Montgomery, who bore him two children: Emily Amelia and George Lav- erton.
George Laverton Foreman, father of Rev. John L. Foreman, was born in London, England, March 10, 1862. He is a certificated elementary school teacher by profession, a Protestant in religion, and an Independent in politics. He married, September 4, 1881, at St. Mary's Church, Old Kent Road, Lon- don, England, Elizabeth Knight, born in London, England, September II, 1852, daughter of George and Elizabeth Ann Davey (Bennetts) Knight, who were married in St. Mary's Church, Truro, Cornwall, England, in 1851, and were
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS,
Unil Sticker
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the parents of four children : Elizabeth; George, drowned while ship was in harbour along Portugese coast : Edward; James John. George Knight, who was born in Padstow, Cornwall, England, was a shipwright by occupation, a Protestant in religion, and an Independent in politics. Children of Mr. and Mrs. Foreman : George John, born November, 1882, died same month; Eliza- beth Emily Catharine, November 14, 1884: John Laverton, of whom further ; David James, May 6, 1889; Sophia Ethel, June 14, 1892; Edith Rose, Febru- ary I, 1895, died August 1, 1895.
Rev. John L. Foreman was born in Deptford, London, England, May I, 1886. He spent his early life in Deptford, Rotherhithe, Bermondsey, Upton Park and Forest Gate, all outlying districts of the city of London. He was a pupil in the Board School, East Ham, until about twelve years of age, when he entered Carpenters Company's Technical Institute, Straatford, East Lon- don, and pursued his studies there for three years. He began business life as general clerk in the great diary house of D. J. & J. Smith, Newgate street, Lon- don, with whom he remained two years, then entered the employ of the Gres- ham Publishing Company, Southampton street, Strand, London, serving in the capacity of ledger clerk and assistant cashier, remaining between five and six years. Then, acting under the inspiration of a call to China, he entered Har- ley College (Missionary Training Institute), Bow, East London, where he be- gan study in divinity. He was ordained to the ministry on July 13, 1910, at Woodgrange Baptist Church, Forest Gate, East London, John H. French, pas- tor. In July, 1910, he came to the United States to assume charge of the Pequea Baptist Church, in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and in July, 1912, he accepted a call to the pastorate of the Baptist church at Brandywine Sum- mit, where he is now located.
Rev. John L. Foreman is a zealous and successful minister of the Gospel, and his sermons are characterized by eloquence and directness of speech, his one aim being to lead his people in the right path. He possesses a warm heart and a genial nature, and the culture he has acquired makes him a safe coun- selor, an earnest friend, a pleasant companion, and an interesting and in- structive preacher.
TRICKER William H. Tricker, son of William and Margaret (Moor) Tricker, was born near London, England, January 18, 1858, and came to the United States with his parents in the 70's and settled in Middletown, Delaware county, Pennsylvania. His father was a landscape gardener of note and his skill was displayed in many of the import- ant homes and estates in eastern Pennsylvania. Both he and his wife were members of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Media, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Tricker early in life became associated with his father in his land- scape gardening operations, continuing until his twenty-fourth year, then entered the employ of Joseph Chadwick, editor and publisher of the "Dela- ware County Record" as outside business man. He gained in these years a valuable experience and formed an extensive acquaintance with men of affairs in all parts of the county. In 1882 he entered the employ of Edward A. Price, Esquire, a prominent lawyer of Delaware county, and secretary and treasurer of the Delaware County Mutual Insurance Company, as a book- keeper, continuing in that capacity until the decease of his employer in 1905, succeeding him as secretary and treasurer of the company, the position he has since held. He also conducts as a private business the only sta- tionery store in Media. In 1883 he was appointed a notary public; is secre- tary and treasurer of several corporations and director and trustee in others.
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Mr. Tricker is a Republican in politics and has always taken an active interest in the party ; was elected town clerk of the borough of Media in the year 1884, and held the office continuously for twenty-three years. When a boy he became a member of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Media, and its work has appealed to him as of the highest importance, and he has al- ways taken an active interest in all its affairs. He was elected trustee when twen- ty-one years of age and has held the office continuously since ; was also super- intendent of the Sunday school for a great many years. This brief record of the activity of Mr. Tricker, in behalf of his adopted town, shows strikingly the earnest, forceful public spirit of the man, but cannot give the high esti- mation in which he is held by his townsmen. That is shown not in words, but in the expression of their confidence by his continuance in positions of trust, bestowed by them.
Mr. Tricker married, September 20, 1881, Sarah A., daughter of Stephen O. and Caroline Malin, of an old Delaware county family. Children: Adele Price, married Elmer S. Lukens of Media ; Harry Ray, associated in business with his father. The family home is in Media at No. 311 East Front street.
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