USA > Pennsylvania > A history of the Juniata Valley and its people, Volume III > Part 42
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(I) John Strode, a descendant of William Strode, was born in what is now known as West Virginia. He married, and had a family. (II) John (2), son of John (1) Strode, moved from Virginia to Newcastle county, Delaware, where he married.
(III) Joseph, son of John (2) Strode, was born about 1750. He came into the Juniata Valley, Pennsylvania, about 1766, with his brother Isaac, and they took up a tract of land, now a part of Mifflin county. He was the first settler at Strode's Mills, having taken out his warrant for a large body of land, and returned to Virginia, his family having returned there from Delaware some time previous, and he married Catherine Smith, January 5, 1773. In 1787 they moved to Pennsylvania and resided on the land which he had warranted, and which he at once began to clear and cultivate. It is supposed that he built the first mill, called Strode's mill. He was an active business man and operated woolen, saw and grist mills. Both he and his wife were members of the Episcopal church, and they lived to be octogenarians.
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Children : I. Amor, of whom further. 2. William, married Mary Wakefield; had four daughters and one son. 3. Isaac, died unmarried, at age of thirty-eight. 4. Joseph, married Rebecca Caldwell; children : Isaac and Andrew. 5. Sarah. 6. Mary. 7. Elizabeth, married George Wakefield. 8. Orpah, married Robert McKie; children: Andrew W., Robert Strode, Harvey, Catherine, Mary, Hannah. 9. Catherine, died when quite young.
(IV) Amor Strode, son of Joseph and Catherine (Smith) Strode, was born in New Castle county, Delaware. While he was still young the family moved back to Mifflin county, Pennsylvania. He was edu- cated in the county schools, but being of a studious turn of mind suc- ceeded in obtaining much more education than most of the young men of that day. He married Catherine Stilley, October, 1800, in the Old Swedes church, in Wilmington, Delaware. Their bridal journey to the new home in Mifflin county was made on horseback. During most of his life Mr. Strode was a miller, but he combined with milling, farm- ing, cultivating part of the large tract of land originally taken up by his ancestor. Both he and his wife were Episcopalians. Children: I. Joseph, of whom further. 2. Catherine, married William Wakefield, of Oliver township; children: Colonel Amor W. Wakefield, Isabella (Mrs. William Swansey) ; Martha Elizabeth, died in childhood; James Woods, died in youth. 3. Mary, married John Ickes; one son, Jesse Boon Ickes, of Altoona, Pennsylvania. 4. Elizabeth, married George Wakefield; two sons: McClellan and George; the latter married Jennie Gregory, of Northumberland county, Pennsylvania.
(V) Joseph, son of Amor and Catherine (Stilley) Strode, was born October 18, 1815, on the Strode homestead, and died May 18, 1898, at Strode's Mills. He was educated in the district schools and at the Lewistown Academy and by private governesses and tutors, and under Rev. Robert Piggott, of Lewistown. Until he passed his ma- jority he was his father's assistant in the mills and on the farm. In 1837 he engaged in the mercantile business at Mount Union, Hunting- don county, Pennsylvania. Two years later he returned to the home- stead at Strode's Mills, where he prosperously carried on the same busi- ness until his death. Several years before his father's death he assisted him in the postoffice, to which his father was commissioned as post- master. He received his commission as postmaster soon thereafter.
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He was appointed under General Cave Johnson, during President Polk's administration, and was reputed to be the oldest postmaster in the ser- vice of the United States. He was an influential member of the com- munity and enjoyed the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens. He was first a Whig, and after the organization of the Republican party he gave it his franchise and supported it on all occasions. He married, October 18, 1840, Annie Elizabeth Horning, born October 1, 1815, in Oliver township, died October 18, 1910, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Vance) Horning. Mr. Strode was a Mason, a member of Lewistown Lodge, No. 203. He and his wife were Episcopalians in faith and church attendance. Children: I. Ellen, married James McFarlane, a farmer, died in 1893; children: Joseph William and Annie Lillie. 2. Catherine Stilley, unmarried. 3. Elizabeth Horning, married Joseph W. Kyle, of Reedsville, Pennsylvania ; children : Charles Strode, James Vance, Annie Virginia. 4. Amor Albert, of whom further. 5. Mar- garet Isabelle, unmarried, lives with brother Amor. 6. Anna Mary, unmarried.
(VI) Amor Albert Strode, son of Joseph and Annie Elizabeth (Horning) Strode, was born January 2, 1850, in Oliver township, Mif- flin county, Pennsylvania. He was carefully educated at home under governesses and tutors, and later at the Port Royal Academy. On leaving school he assisted his father in the mercantile business and also on the farm. After his father's death he assumed management of his estate until it was divided among the heirs. He owns one hundred and eighty well cultivated, highly productive acres of land, and still con- ducts a mercantile business, while doing general farming and stock raising. He is a member of the Episcopal church, the Masonic order at Lewistown-Lodge No. 203, Chapter No. 186, also Lewistown Com- mandery, No. 26. He is a Republican, and was appointed postmaster under President Mckinley to succeed his father. He has never mar- ried.
John Horning, grandfather on the distaff side of Amor A. Strode, was a substantial farmer of Oliver township. He was of direct Eng- lish descent, the family coming to America from Dorsetshire. He mar- ried Elizabeth Vance, also descended from ancient English stock. The name Vance is one of the most famous in various parts of the United States, notably General Zebulon Vance, of North Carolina, who was
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twice elected governor of his state. The Vance family of Massachu- setts is also well known, as is that of California. Children of John and Elizabeth (Vance) Horning: 1. Robert, died unmarried, at the age of seventy. 2. Michael, married Catherine Gillespie, of Illinois. 3. Annie Elizabeth, married Joseph Strode (see Strode). 4. Albert, married Jane Norton. 5. Samuel, deceased; married Margaret Dull.
George H. Weber, of Alexandria, Huntingdon county, WEBER Pennsylvania, is of direct German extraction on both the paternal and maternal sides. The immigrant member of the family who founded the American branch was John Weber, born in Würtemberg, Germany. He emigrated to the United States in 1849, and settled in Brady township, Clearfield county, Pennsylvania, and there established himself upon a farm. He died on the place where he first made his home in this country. He was accompanied from Ger- many by his wife, Louisa (Schoch) Weber, and their children, three boys and a girl; one was born in this country. The children were: Godfrey, Charlotte, Jacob, Henry and Lewis.
(II) Godfrey, son of John and Louisa (Schoch) Weber, was born in 1834, in Würtemberg, Germany, and died in 1905, in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania. He came with his parents to the United States in 1849. He received his education in the fine public schools of his native land. After his father had settled on a farm in Clearfield county, Pennsylvania, he assisted him until reaching his majority. In 1883 he moved to Huntingdon county and settled on the Adam Leffard place, where George H. Weber now lives, and here passed his last days. He was a Democrat, and after his naturalization became active in politics. He and his wife were members of the Reformed church. He married Rachel Schucker, born in Clearfield county, February 27, 1830, died in Huntingdon county, December 22, 1907, daughter of Michael and Mary (Ellinger ) Schucker, both of whom were natives of Berks county, Pennsylvania, moving to Clearfield county after marriage. Children of Godfrey and Rachel (Schucker) Weber: I. George H., of whom further. 2. Eleanora, married Paul F. Greaser, of Martinsburg, Blair county, Pennsylvania ; they have four children: Carrie, married G. H. Rhodes, and they have two children-Paul and Roy; Edna, married
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R. A. Rhule, and they have one child, Hazel; and Edith and Orpha, at home.
(III) George H. Weber, son of Godfrey and Rachel (Schucker) Weber, was born November 28, 1859, in Clearfield county, Pennsyl- vania, where he received his education. He moved with his father to Huntingdon county, where they farmed, in which occupation he has always been successful, doing general farming and devoting his atten- tion to methods that produce the best results. For the past eight years he has combined the lumber business with that of cultivating the soil, making the two pay a handsome profit. He and his family are men- bers of the Reformed church. He supports the Democratic party with his franchise, and was elected to the official position of tax collector on his party ticket. He married, in September, 1882, Lavina Bonsall, born in Clearfield county, died August 1, 1913, aged fifty-three years, daughter of Amos Bonsall. Children: I. Otto, born October 13, 1885 ; lives in Alexandria ; married, July 10, 1907, Rachel States; one child, Ralph. 2. Nora, born October 4, 1888; formerly a teacher ; mar- ried, August 27, 1913, H. Frank Shingler ; resides at home. 3. Maude, born September 2, 1890; a teacher; resides at home. 4. Ada, born July 26, 1893; a teacher; resides at home. 5. Mahlon, born April 15, 1900.
(The Bonsall Line).
Richard Bonsall, the immigrant ancestor of the Bonsalls of Penn- sylvania, settled as early as 1694 in Newton, Delaware county, Penn- sylvania. In 1697-8 he bought two hundred acres of land at Upper Darby, Delaware county, above Fearn, part of a tract of 655 acres sur- veyed by George Wood, November 6, 1682. This farm is at what is now Kellyville. In 1790 the first federal census showed that his de- scendants were then numerous. The heads of families, mostly living in Darby and vicinity, were Caleb, Edward, Enoch, Isaac, Abram, Benja- min (mentioned below), George, another Isaac, Jonathan, two Josephs, Joshua, Levi, Margaret, Mary, Obadiah, and Rachel.
(II) John, grandson or great-grandson of Richard Bonsall, was a soldier in the revolution, from Pennsylvania, and passed the winter at Valley Forge with Washington's army. According to family history he was one of those placed on guard at the time the famous order was given : "Let only Americans be on guard to-night." Among his chil-
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dren was Benjamin, mentioned below, and others mentioned in the census quoted above.
(III) Benjamin, son of John Bonsall, was born in Perry county, that state. He was a tanner by trade, and in later life he also followed farming. He married Maria Fowler, who was also of colonial ances- try. Among their children was Amos, mentioned below.
(IV) Amos, son of Benjamin Bonsall, was born in Perry county, in 1822, and is still living (1913) in Clearfield county. He was edu- cated in the public schools, and followed farming for an occupation. He is a life-long Democrat in politics, and a member of the Lutheran church. He married Catherine Kuntz, a native of Germany, who came to this country with her parents at the age of five years, daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Yockey) Kuntz. Her parents were born in Germany, emigrating to America after their marriage and locating in Clearfield county. Her father followed farming there until he died at the advanced age of ninety-four years. During his later years he was also a merchant. He and his family were Lutherans. Lavina, daugh- ter of Amos, married George H. Weber, mentioned above.
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BRUMBAUGH The men of this solid German family seemed pre- destined to the widely separated activities, agri- cultural or professional pursuits. While the ministry has called several of them to the pulpits of the Brethren church, pedagogy has also been a favored profession. The American founder, Jacob Brumbaugh, came from Germany in 1750, settling in Berks county, Pennsylvania, later moving to Huntingdon county. Since Jacob, the emigrant, successive generations have been substan- tial farmers and land owners, also furnishing to the church of the Brethren several influential, useful ministers.
Martin Grove Brumbaugh is the son of Rev. George B. and Martha Grove Brumbaugh, the former a well-known minister of the Gospel, connected with the church of the Brethren, a man of scholarly attain- ments, high character and useful life. Martin Grove was born at the old Juniata Valley homestead, April 14, 1862. His early education was obtained in the public school during a few months of each winter term, supplemented by self-study and preparatory work. He was de- termined to secure a college education and finally was sufficiently ad-
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vanced to enter Juniata College. As he advanced in learning, his boy- hood ambition to become a teacher was strengthened. To this end, after leaving Juniata, he entered the State Normal School at Millers- ville, there taking the most advanced work in pedagogy. Having ab- sorbed all the advantages there offered, he entered Harvard University, following his studies there with courses at the University of Pennsyl- vania. He had specialized in his chosen profession at all these institu- tions, covered the most advanced work, and was thoroughly furnished to enter upon the actual work for which he had so completely pre- pared. His course of preparation had been followed by those with the welfare of educational institutions upon their hearts, and in 1894 he was offered the presidency of his alma mater, Juniata College. He only occupied this position in residence one year, but continued to act as president fifteen years. In that time he accomplished much, succeed- ing in raising its standard of efficiency, injecting new ideas, and giving a fresh impulse to every department of the college.
In 1895 he removed to Philadelphia to accept the chair of pedagogy at the University of Pennsylvania. This new position was created for him. For five years he ably filled that position, infusing a spirit of vigor and enthusiasm into his department that was truly remarkable, and gained him the commendation of those responsible for the welfare of the university. His fame as an educator was firmly established, his writings, lectures and successes were well known, therefore, when the results of the Spanish war compelled the United States to acquire the island of Porto Rico and establish an educational system, Dr. Brum- baugh was appointed the first United States Commissioner of Educa- tion. He spent two years in Porto Rico, and established a system of public schools on the American plan, introducing his own most ad- vanced educational theories of instruction and method. He was also a member of the senate, the superior board of health, and president of the free library. His work done on the island, and well done, he returned in 1902 to the chair of pedagogy at the University of Penn- sylvania, where he continued his valuable work until 1906, when he was elected superintendent of public instruction for the city of Phila- delphia. This position he has ably filled, and improved conditions have followed Dr. Brumbaugh's incumbency of this office to which he has brought the close, special study of a life-time.
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His fame as an educator is national; he has lectured before teachers' institutes in almost every state in the Union, introducing new and prac- tical ideas that have resulted in great advance in educational methods. In the state of Louisiana he organized teachers' institutes for the first time, with most satisfactory results. No less well known is he as an author of educational, historical, religious and scientific works, begin- ning in 1893 with "Juniata Bible Lectures," followed in 1897 in collabo- ration with J. S. Walton by "Stories of Pennsylvania." In 1898 he published his pamphlet, "An Educational Struggle in Colonial Penn- sylvania"; in 1899. "A History of The Brethren" was published. The same year he issued his "Standard Readers," in five volumes, and also a primer in joint authorship with A. H. Hall; in 1899 followed "The Pennsylvania German"; in 1900 a pamphlet, "Educational Principles Applied to the Teaching of Literature"; and the same year he privately printed "The Two Christopher Sowers." The same year he published "Rose Day Address at Manheim, and Liberty Bell Leaflets"; "An Edu- cational Setting of Stephen Girard's Benefaction", an address in the chapel of Girard College, May 20, 1902, was published soon afterward. In 1903 he issued the pamphlet "Why Women Teach," and in 1904, "Nature as Educator," the latter published by the George School of Newtown. In 1904 the Philadelphia Ethical Society published his "Need and Scope of Moral Training of the Young," and in 1905 "The Making of a Teacher" was published by the Philadelphia Sunday School Times. In 1907 hie prepared a pamphlet on "Moral Training of the Young." and also a historical wall map, showing the Dunker congre- gations of colonial Pennsylvania. In 1898 Lippincott published his "Life and Works of Christopher Dock," and the same year he was one of the four authors of the volume, "Training the Teacher," published by the Philadelphia Sunday School Times. He is the editor of the Lippincott educational series, and of Middledyk's "History of Porto Rico," published by Appleton, 1903, and wrote the introduction to Corson's "Life of Longfellow," and the introduction to Weber's "Char- ity School Movement." He has also rendered valuable service to educa- tional societies and commissions and to the other scientific and historical societies of which he is a member, including the American Philosophi- cal Society, the Pennsylvania School Code Commission, the College and University Council of Pennsylvania, the National Educational Associa-
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tion, the National Council of Education, the National Society for Scien- tific Study of Education, the Modern Language Association of Amer- ica, the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, and many others devoted to education, history and science. He was formerly a trustee of the Free Museums of the University of Pennsylvania; a trustee of the Commercial Museums of Philadelphia; and president of the Play- ground Association of Philadelphia. His college fraternity is Phi Beta Kappa; his social clubs, the Franklin Inn, the University, and the Five O'clock. Dr. Brumbaugh won his Master of Arts degree at the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania, 1893, the university conferring Doctor of Phi- losophy in the course of the following year. The honorary degree of LL.D. has been conferred upon him three times.
Thoroughly trained as he is in the science of pedagogy, with a practical experience as instructor, and possessing to a high degree the qualities of an organizer and an executive, Doctor Brumbaugh's rule over Philadelphia's public school system has been extremely beneficial. He has won the confidence of the city's governing body and the loyal support of the teachers employed, without which his hands would be in a measure tied. Surely with such a man to guide and with such sup- port the future of the public schools of Philadelphia looks exceedingly bright.
He was married, in 1885, to Anna Konigmacher, of Ephrata, Penn- sylvania, and to this union two children have been born: Mabel, in 1887; and George Edwin, in 1890.
WOOLVERTON The Woolverton or Wolverton family is of an- cient English ancestry. The progenitor of the family in England was one Sir Ralph, who was granted a place called Wolfre, on the Isle of Wight, from which he was known as Sir Ralph de Wolfreton (town), and subsequently his descend- ants took Wolferton or Wolverton for a surname. But another tradition states that the family seat was at Wolverhampton, a city named for a Saxon princess. Various towns and parishes in England bear the name Wolverton. According to family tradition, Charles Woolverton, in the reign of Charles II., sold his property about 1682, and sailed for America with his friends, George Fox and William Penn. He was, it is thought,
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of Staffordshire, in or near Wolverhampton. It is a well-established tra- dition that his brothers Gabriel and John came with him to America, and it is believed that he left another brother in England.
(I) Charles Woolverton, the immigrant, settled first in Long Island, but no mention of him has been found in the public records. It is thoughit that the brothers died unmarried, or returned to England. Charles moved to Burlington county, New Jersey, and must have been of age August 20, 1693, when he bought a hundred acres of land there of William Biddle. He married, about 1697, Mary, daughter of John and Elizabeth Chadwick. He bought a tract of 1665 acres in Amwell town- ship, Hunterdon county, New Jersey, of William Biddle, March 2, 1714, and soon afterward settled there. He was at Chesterfield, Burlington county, April 17, 1709, when he witnessed the will of John Mills, and he was of Amwell, March 7, 1727, when he witnessed the will of Richard Kane. Charles Woolverton bought and sold land extensively after com- ing to Amwell. He was in 1721 a justice of the peace for Hunterdon county. He was a member of the Society of Friends. He died after June 13, 1737, when he signed a deed, and before July 29, 1746, when property that his son inherited was deeded. His family Bible is now owned by F. J. Tomlinson, Pittstown, New Jersey, a descendant. It is one of the very rare "Breeches Bibles" (printed in Geneva, Switzerland, by Roland Hill, 1560), and contains on the flyleaves various memoranda by the immigrant himself. He was something of a poet, and evidently a very devout Quaker. He bought the Bible of Hugh Eddy in 1704, for 30 shillings. It contains the record of births of his children, as given below, and of some of his grandchildren. The descendants of Charles include all of the early colonial families of this name. Most of the lines have been traced by A. Wolverton, of Wolverton & Co., Vancouver, B. C. Children : Charles, born January 17, 1698; Roger, December 1, 1700; Mary, April 11, 1702: Daniel, March 6, 1704; Isaac, April 24, 1706; Dennis, January 26, 1709; Dinah, March 26, 1711; Joel, March 31, 1715; Thomas, May 17, 1717.
(IV) William Woolverton, a descendant of one of the sons of Charles Woolverton, was born in New Jersey, probably at Amwell. He was probably son or nephew of Stephen Woolverton, who had brothers Thomas and Isaac, and was living in New Jersey in 1800. William had
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brothers, Stephen or Stephens, born 1774-5, died in Detroit, 1866-7; Samuel, 1785, married, in 1819, Sarah Hosac, at Uniontown, Pennsyl- vania, and died in 1865; Charles and Isaac, who settled near St. Louis, Missouri. He went to Virginia (along with other brothers) when a young man, and married Susannah Hall, a descendant of Josiah Hall, one of the English emigrants who came in the second vessel with settlers for Virginia in the spring of 1608. Josiah Hall was a tobacco planter, a noted Indian fighter, and assisted to defend Jamestown during various Indian attacks. William returned to Pennsylvania and settled in Brady township, Huntingdon county. He was a millwright by trade, and owned and operated one of the mills in that locality. Having prospered fairly well in business, he sold his property and moved to Putnam county, Indiana, in 1836, investing in farm land. He died there in Sep- tember, 1837. Children of William and Susannah (Hall) Woolverton : John Hall, of whom further; Isaac, Sarah, Nancy (married James Hauck, of Greencastle, Indiana ), Benjamin Franklin, Washington (pos- sibly George), William, Charles, Alfred, and Keturah.
(V) John Hall Woolverton, eldest son of William Woolverton, was born in Brady township, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, in 1807. He learned the trade of millwright under his father. He accompanied his father to Indiana, returning a year later to marry Miss Anna M. Stew- art, a daughter of Thomas Harris Stewart and Anne Gemmill Stewart, of Alexandria, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania. He purchased land in Indiana and engaged in the lumber business, with bright prospects and hopes of success in the new country, but both were cut short by ill health and death in the prime of life. He died in 1843. Mrs. Woolverton, with her two little children, returned to her family home in Alexandria. In 1850 she married William Kinsloe, a native of Juniata county, Penn- sylvania. He was a school teacher. After the usual removals incident to that profession, they moved from Altoona, Pennsylvania, to Phila- delphia, in 1868, where Mr. Kinsloe held a trusted position in the United States Mint until he died, in 1874. "He was always the Christian gentle- man," is the testimony of his step-daughter. Children of John Hall and Anna M. (Stewart) Woolverton: 1. Anna M., born in Indiana; un- married; lives in Philadelphia. 2. A son, died in infancy. 3. William Henderson, born in Indiana, in 1842. He received the usual common
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