USA > Pennsylvania > Chester County > Biographical and portrait cyclopedia of Chester County, Pennsylvania : comprising a historical sketch of the county, by Samuel T. Wiley, together with more than five hundred biographical sketches of the prominent men and leading citizens of the county > Part 101
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JONATHAN MORRIS, a substantial farmer of this county, and a wounded Union veteran of the late war, who fought in thirty battles for the preservation of his country, is a son of William and Caroline (Bush) Morris, and was born near Valley Forge, in Montgomery county, Pennsyl- vania, in 1826. His immigrant ancestor, George Morris, was a native of Germany, who after coming to this country settled near Gulf Mills, Montgomery county, where he died in 1844, aged seventy years. He was a farmer and democrat, married and
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had six children : Jacob, William (father), Rees, Elizabeth Famous, Martha Upright, and Sarah. William Morris, the second son, was born in 1807, and died in 1842, at thirty- five years of age. He was a farmer and demoerat, like his father before him, and served for some time in a militia company. Ile married Caroline Bush and reared a family of six children : Charles, Jonathan (subject), George, Samuel, Mary, and Sarah Cummings.
Jonathan Morris, by the untimely death of his parents, was thrown at an early age. upon the world and among strangers to do for himself. He received his education in the early common schools of Pennsylvania, and worked for several years in the cotton factories at Gulf Mills, this State. In 1861, he enlisted in Co. G, 82d Pennsylvania in- fantry, and served until August 20, 1865, when he was honorably discharged at Hall's ITill, Virginia. Ile served as a private for a time and was then promoted to corporal, and later was promoted from that position to sergeant. He served in the armies of the Potomac and the Valley of Virginia, lost a finger at Fair Oaks, but never left the field, and received two other wounds, one at Winchester and the other at Sailor's Creek, where he was held prisoner by the Confederates for three days. He partici- pated in the following battles and engage- ments : Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, Seven Days' Fight, second Bull Run, South Moun- tain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellors- ville, Gettysburg, Rappahannock, the Wil- derness fights, Spottsylvania Courthouse, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Weldon Railroad, Winchester, Fisher's Creek, Hatcher's Run, Fort Steadman, Sailor's Creek, and Appo- mattox Courthouse. After the close of the war Sergeant Morris returned home, and
now resides on his well improved farm, where he gives his time principally to farm- ing and stock raising.
Jonathan Morris married Margaret Sho- walter, a daughter of John Showalter, and they have three children: Athalia, Elsie and Carrie.
In polities Mr. Morris is a republican. He has a splendid military record, and ranks high as a citizen and as a successful farmer. He is a member of Josiah White Post, No. 45, Grand Army of the Republic, and also of Phoenix Lodge, No. 75, Free and Accepted Masons.
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ALLISON E. YEAGER, one of the prominent and leading citizens of this county, who is now engaged in the coal, mer- cantile and creamery business at Kimber- ton, is the eldest son of John and Martha S. (Emory) Yeager, and was born in East Vin- cent township, Chester county, Pennsyl- vania, November 3, 1853. He received his education in the common schools of East Pikeland and East Vincent townships, and at U'rsinus college, at which excellent edu- cational institution he took a two years course. Hle commenced life for himself as a teacher, and after two years of teaching in the public schools, he came to Kimber- ton, where he was engaged in the general mercantile business from 1876 to 1880. In the last named year he became a coal dealer, and in 1889 resmmed the general mercantile business and started his present ereamery. He has been successful in each of his differ- ent lines of business, and is a man of good executive ability and organizing power. His coal yards are large and well supplied with the best grades of coal to be found in the market ; his store is a large two-story brick structure, and is heavily stocked with dry
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goods, plain and fancy groceries, notions and everything to be found in a first-class mercantile establishment, outside of the cities and larger towns of the State; while his creamery is fully equipped with the latest machinery, and all necessary appliances for the manufacture of a high grade and popu- lar article of butter. Mr. Yeager attends the Philadelphia market during four days of each week, and ample success has naturally attended his well systematized business op- erations. He is a democrat in politics, has held various of the offices of his township, and always gives his party an honest and hearty support. He is a member of Wash- ington Camp, No. 93, Patriotic Order Sons of America, and St. Vincent's Reformed church, in which he has served as deacon and elder.
Allison E. Yeager wedded Clara Beer- brower, a daughter of Reuben Beerbrower, and to their union have been born four chil- dren, three sons and one daughter: Mabel, John R., Clarence and William.
The immigrant ancestor of the Yeager family was John Yeager, sr., a native of Germany, who settled in East Vincent town- ship during the latter part of the eighteenth century. His children were : Henry, John, Jacob, Elizabeth Golden, Polly Showalter, Peter, Mrs. Hipple, and William. John Yeager (grandfather), the second son, was born in 1799. He was a blacksmith by trade, but gave his time principally to the cultivation of his farm, which contained one hundred and forty-four acres of land. He was a democrat in politics, and originally a member of St. Vincent's Reformed church, but transferred his membership to East Vin- cent church of that denomination when the latter was organized in 1851. He was in- strumental in the establishment of East Vin-
cent church, which he served as treasurer from its organization until 1880, and its present house of worship was erected mainly through his efforts, and by his generous contributions of labor and money. After a long life of activity and usefulness he passed away in 1882, when in the eighty- third year of his age. He married Mary Painter, and to them were born a family of children : Edward, Davis, John, Nathan, Sarah Huzzard, Sophia Tyson, Mary, and Isabella Bertolet. John Yeager, the third son, and father of Allison E. Yeager, was born in 1830. He followed farming for some time, kept the "Seven Stars" hotel for nineteen years, and in 1885 removed to Spring City, where he is now engaged in the real estate business. He is a democrat in politics, was the democratic candidate for sheriff of Chester county at one election, and has served frequently as a delegate to Democratic State conventions. He isa men- ber and one of the founders of East St. Vin- cent's Reformed church, and in 1852 mar- ried Martha S. Emory, who is a daughter of Jacob and Abigail (Sloyer) Emory. To Mr. and Mrs. Yeager were born two chil- dren : Allison E., the subject of this sketch, and Jacob.
H' ENRY SLOYER, a self-made man and a comfortably situated farmer of this county, is a son of Jacob and Maria (Young) Sloyer, and was born in Pikeland township, Chester county, Pennsylvania, November 25, 1825. He received his education in the common schools, and at an early age had to do for himself. He worked for ten years for his board and clothing, and after that was engaged for a few years in any kind of work that came to hand. At twenty-five years of age he married, and rented a small
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OF CHESTER COUNTY.
farm which he left a year later to purchase a small twenty-acre tract of land on which he resided for several years. He then por- chased his present farm of one hundred acres, which is fertile and well improved and ranks as one of the most desirable farms of the Pickering creek valley. A part of his land is specially adapted to grass, and he now owns and runs a valuable dairy. Mr. Sloyer is of that enviable class of self-made men who labor patiently and perseveringly, and conquer success by diligence and good man- agement. Ile is a prohibitionist in politics, and has been a useful member of the Pres- byterian church for over a quarter of a cen- tury.
Henry Sloyer wedded Frances Patrick, a daughter of John Patrick, and to them was born three children, two sons and a dangh- ter: Robert J., who is assisting his father in farming; George W., who died in boy- hood, and Sarah R., wife of T. B. Wilson, who is engaged in the stone business at Wil- son's Corners.
Henry Sloyer, paternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, spent nearly all of his life as a resident of West likeland town- ship, in which he owned a large tract of land and was a man of considerable in- fuenee. He died there at an advanced age. Ile was a federalist in polities, married, and had four sons : Conrad, William, Jacob and George. George Sloyer (father) was born in West Pikeland township. He was a man of feeble health, which interfered greatly with the successful prosecution of his busi- ness enterprises. He owned a large farm, and was engaged for several years in the mercantile business in Pikeland township. After suffering several severe losses he was compelled to quit all his business operations on account of ill health. He was a demo-
erat in polities, and married Maria Young, who was a daughter of John Young. Jacob and Maria Sloyer reared a family of four sons and one daughter: Peter, Eli, Henry (subject), George, and Catherine Barren. The parents are now deceased.
H ENRY DEERY, one of the older citi- zens of West Pikeland township, who is held in high esteem in the community where he resides, is a son of George and Susanna ( Knerr) Deery, and was born July 10, 1810, on the farm where he now resides, in West Pikeland township, Chester county, l'ennsylvania. His early years were filled with the hard experience common to farm- er's sons. Reared on the farm, he was in- ured to hard labor, and after attending the old subscription schools of his neighborhood, he engaged in farming on the home farm, of which he now owns one hundred and nine acres. Hlis land is all well improved and under good cultivation, except a few acres of woodland. He also owns a six aere lot at some distance from his present farm, and has prospered in all of his farming oper- ations. He is a democrat in polities and a member of Pikeland Evangelical church.
Henry Deery married Salinda Stanfler. and to their union have been born eight sons and'two daughters : George K., a farmer of East Pikeland, who married Annetta March ; JJacob P., wedded Maggie Deery, and is engaged in farming in West Pikeland township; Emma D., wife of Abraham M. Deery, a hardware merchant of Philadelphia ; Benjamin F., a blacksmith of East Pikeland, who married Emma Eachus; Lewis G., a carpenter; Enos S., married Mina Francis, and is a foreman in the carpenter shops of the Pennsylvanin Railroad Company at
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BIOGRAPHY AND HISTORY
Phoenixville; Ida D., wife of Harry Snyder, a window sash and frame manufacturer of Spring City ; and Morris L., at home.
George Deery, paternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, passed the larger part of his life in West Pikeland township, this county. He was a large landholder, a strong democrat, and a strict member of the Evangelical Lutheran church. During the war of 1812 he hauled supplies to the Amer- ican forces encamped at Marcus Hook. He died in 1825, at eighty-five years of age. Among his children were: Peter, John, George, Hannah Smith and Mary Phillips. George Deery (father) was a farmer by oc- cupation, always supported the Democratic party, and held membership in the Evan- gelical Lutheran church for many years be- fore his death, which occurred in 1839. He married Susanna Knerr, and they had three children, one son and two daughters: Eliza- beth Emery, Mary March, and Henry, the subject of this sketch.
JOHN REESE, one of the older citizens and successful farmers of Chester county, is a son of Enos and Margaret (Rixstine) Reese, and was born in East Pikeland town- ship, this county, November 20, 1826. Enos Reese always resided in East Pikeland town- ship, where he died at an advanced age. He was a farmer by occupation, and partly cleared out and largely improved a farm of one hundred and two acres, in a day when farming was accomplished by the hardest of manual toil, and agricultural labor-saving machinery was unknown. He was a repub- lican in politics during the latter years of his life, while in religious belief he held to the principles and teachings of the Friends, although not a member of the society. He
was an industrious and thrifty farmer, and married Margaret Rixstine. They reared a family of four children, two sons and two daughters : John, Samuel, Anise and Sarah.
John Reese grew to manhood on the home farmn, received his education in the subscription schools of his neighborhood, and then engaged in farming, which he has steadily pursued up to the present time. He never embarked in any rash or speculative schemes, or risked his earnings on the pos- sible success of any doubtful enterprise, but satisfied himselfwith moderate returns from safe and legitimate investments in property and farming operations. Thus he acquired slowly but surely the handsome competence which he now enjoys. In 1875 he came to Kimberton and purchased a valuable farm of ninety acres of excellent land, on which he still resides. Besides this land he owns the homestead farm of one hundred and two acres in East Pikeland township, several valuable wood lots in Charlestown township, and a large double brick house at Kimberton.
John Reese married Annie Davis, and they have two children : Maggie Quay and Flora Keeler.
In politics Mr. Reese has always been a strong democrat, and has served in several of the various offices of his township. He is a consistent member of Charlestown Pres- byterian church, a good neighbor, and an unassuming and excellent citizen.
C HRISTIAN W. WAGONER, the well
known stove manufacturer of Royer's Ford, this State, who resides at Spring City, this county, is a fine example of the ener- getic, pushing, progressive and successful business men of our day. He is a son of John and Catharine (Walters) Wagoner, a
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OF CHESTER COUNTY.
native of Chester county, Pennsylvania, and was born July 26, 1844, in East Vincent township. The Wagoners trace their Amer- ican ancestry back to one John Wagoner, who emigrated from Germany and settled in what is now West Cal township, Ches- ter county, Pennsylvania, in 1768. On June 25th of that year he purchased fifty acres of land and a grist mill from John Miller, for which he paid eight hundred pounds English sterling. He died in 1794, leaving the following children : Peter, George, Wil- liam, John, Susan, who married John Skiles, and Betsey, who wedded Andrew McGill. From these have descended the now num- erous family of Wagoner in this section. John Wagoner, paternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in Chester county, and spent most of his life within her borders. He was a stone mason by trade, but in later life became a farmer and en- gaged extensively in agriculture. Politi- cally he was a Jacksonian democrat, and in religion a strict member of the Lutheran church. He married and was the father of three children, one son and two daughters: John, father of Christian; Margaret, who married a Mr. Rodawałt; and Elizabeth, who became the wife of a Mr. Hause. They are all now deceased. John Wagoner (father) was born in this county, and lived nearly all his life in East Vincent township, where he was engaged in farming and shoemaking. In politics he was a democrat, and served for a number of years as school director and supervisor of his township. He was a life long member of the Evangelical Lutheran church, and always took an active interest in religions matters, filling all the official positions in his church and becoming quite prominent. As a working member of the committee having the affair in charge, he
was largely instrumental in the erection of Zion's Lutheran church at Spring City. He married Catharine Walters, and to them was born a family of five children, four sons and a daughter: Nathan, Maggie (deceased in infancy), John F., William and Chris- tian W.
Christian W. Wagoner was reared prin- cipally on his father's farm in East Vincent township, this county, and received a good practical education in the common schools of that neighborhood. He was a bright student and acquired knowledge rapidly. After leaving school and before attaining his majority, about 1868, he engaged in general merchandising at Spring City, and continued successfully in that line until August 14, 1883, when he disposed of his mercantile business in order to devote his time entirely to the manufacture of stoves at Royer's Ford, in which enterprise he had become interested in 1882. From that time to the present he has given his attention almost exclusively to the stove business, and has built up an extensive trade. The works employ about one hundred and ten men, and the stoves and other products turned out are known far and wide for their excellence, and meet a ready sale in all parts of the country. The annual output aggre- gates over one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Mr. Wagoner also owns three large stores adjoining the property he lives in at Spring City, and three fine dwelling houses in the same borough. Ile is at present (1892) erecting a handsome brick structure at the corner of New and Church streets, to be used as his future residence. It is massive in proportions, elaborate in detail, and when finished will constitute one of the most convenient and beautiful homes to be found in Spring City.
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BIOGRAPHY AND HISTORY
Christian W. Wagoner was united in mar- riage to Mary Gracey, a daughter of James and Nioma Graccy, and to their union have been born four children, one son and three daughters : George, now chief clerk in his father's stove foundry ; Katie, Lilly and Ella, all living at home with their parents.
In politics Mr. Wagoner is a democrat, thus following the political traditions of his ancestors. He has served as one of the school directors of Spring City for nearly a decade, and is a prominent member of the Evangelical Lutheran church of that bor- ough. He is also a member of Spring City Lodge, No. 553, Free and Accepted Masons, and of Lodge, No. 91, Knights of Pythias, of which latter he has been treasurer ever since its organization eighteen years ago. In addition to these he holds membership in Spring City Lodge, No. 16, United Order of American Mechanics, and is also con- nected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is an intelligent, refined, and affable gentleman, and popular alike in fra- ternal societies, social circles, and wherever he is known.
W. D. CHANDLER, one of Oxford's ac- tive and progressive business men who has achieved substantial success, is a son of Jacob and Hannah (Kettlewood) Chandler,and was born in New Castle county, Delaware, August 25, 1845. The Chandler family has been resident for several genera- tions in Delaware, where Swithin Chandler, the grandfather of W. D. Chandler, was born and reared. He was a farmer by occupa- tion, a democrat in politics, and in religion a member of the Hicksite branch of the Society of Friends. He married Aun Greg- ory and reared a family of nine children. One of his sons, Jacob Chandler (father), was
born in 1816 in New Castle county, Dela- ware, where he died in June, 1890, at sev- enty-four years of age. He was a carpenter by trade, but was principally engaged in farming. He was a republican in politics, held several township offices, and was always active in local affairs. He was a member and ruling elder of Lower Brandywine Pres- byterian church, and married Hannah Ket- tlewood. Mr. and Mrs. Chandler reared a family of nine children, seven sons aud two danghters, all of whom are still living.
W. D. Chandler was reared in his native county, received his education at Fairview academy, and learned the trade of carriage manufacturer. After finishing his trade he engaged in business for himself at Hockes- sin, Delaware, where he remained from 1865 to 1884, and during the last three years of that time operated a general store and lun- ber yard. On August 1, 1884, Mr. Chandler came to Oxford and established his coal and lumber yards and grain store, to which, in 1889, he added his present planing mill. He is energetic, industrious and accommo- dating, and has a very fine trade in his line of business in this and adjoining coun- ties. Mr. Chandler employs from seven to eight men, and also does a good business in contracting and building. He keeps the best grades of anthracite and bituminous coal, all kinds of hard and soft lumber, and a full stock of grain, hay, feed and fertil- izers. His planing and feed mills are run by a thirty-five horse-power engine, and a side track of the railroad passes directly into his yards and to his mills and ware- honses.
On April 6, 1870, Mr. Chandler married Kate Robinson, of Newark, Delaware, who died September 22, 1881, and left three children : Lillian A., Bertha Il. and Florence
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OF CHESTER COUNTY.
. G. Mr. Chandler was remarried on Jann- ary 14, 1885, wedding Lucy L. Flinn, of Newport, Delaware.
W. D. Chandler is a member of Friend- ship Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, and is also a Knight of the Golden Eagle. He is a republican in political sen- timent, and has served his borough as a member of the council for four years and as a school director for three years. Mr. Chand- ler is well fitted for the business in which he is engaged, and ranks among the honest, honorable and substantial citizens of the county.
R. C. GHEEN, a well-known farmer and stock dealer of West Goshen town- ship, residing near Everhart, is the only son of Nathan and Alice (Cheyney) Gheen, and was born on the farm where he now resides, in February, 1836. The family have been residents of Pennsylvania since a very early day. On December 7, 1768, at Christ church, in the city of Philadelphia, Joseph Gheen married Elizabeth Ingram, and removed soon afterward, it is thought, to Goshen township, Chester county. His children were Thomas, John, William, Joseph, Jonathan and Levi. Thomas was three times married. Ilis first wife's name was Alice, his second was a Miss Brinton, and the third Ann West, a widow. His children, so far as known, were William A., Levi A., Elizabeth (married David West), Martha, Sarah and Mary Ann. JJohn Gheen was twice married, his wives being sisters, Sarah and Hannah Hicks, and to him was born seven children: Hannah, Elizabeth, Thomas, Edward, John, Enos and Mary. Of these, Edward married Hannah Hick- man, by whom he had one daughter, and by a second wife, Phebe Hickman, was the father of Francis II., Lient. Edward II., of
the United States navy, and John J., for years a member of the Chester county bar. Jonathan Gheen was born August 13, 1777, and died June 17, 1861. He married Han- nah Chamberlin, and left three children : Amy, Susan and John W. Levi Gheen, born March 3, 1783, and died December 12, 1839, married Mary Chamberlin, resided in East Goshen township and had children : Titus W., Jonathan, Palmer, Lydia (married John McCauley), Elizabeth and Taylor. The name seems to have been originally spelled "Gahagan," but changed to the present spelling about 1768.
Joseph Gheen, paternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in West Goshen township, this county, and spent all his life there, engaged in farming and stock raising, dying at an advanced age. Politi- cally he was an old-line whig, and married Hannah Osborn, by whom he had a family of five children : William, Joseph, Nathan, Sarah and Betsey. Nathan Gheen (father) was born at the homestead in West Goshen township, and died there at an advanced age. Hle was a farmer by ocenpation, and spent nearly all his active years in the cultivation of the soil and stoek raising. Ilis farm (now owned by his son, R. C. Gheen) contained seventy-five aeres of choice land, all finely improved and supplied with excellent farm buildings, including a handsome residence. He was a republican in politics, and mar- ried Alice Cheyney, by whom he had two children, a daughter named Ella, and a son, whose name heads this sketch.
R. C. Gheen grew to manhood on the farin where he now resides, in West Goshen township, and received a good practical edu- cation in the public schools of this vicinity. On leaving school he adopted agriculture as his business in life, and has given his time
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BIOGRAPHY AND HISTORY
principally to that occupation. For some years he has also been dealing in live stock, of which he is an excellent judge, and has handled a large amount. He has been quite successful, and is now in fairly independent circumstances. Politically Mr. Gheen is an ardent democrat, and while taking no very active part in politics, always gives his party a loyal support on all leading issues, and keeps well posted on public questions and passing events.
JOSEPH I. MOWREY, of the well- known firm of Davis & Mowrey, coal, wood, feed and flour merchants, of Spring City, is a son of Samuel and Leah (Cunsen- houser) Mowrey, and was born in North Coventry township, Chester county, Penn- sylvania, January 25, 1854. His paternal grandfather, Peter Mowrey, was a native of this county, where he lived all his life, and died in North Coventry township, at an ad- vanced age. By vocation he was a farmer and married a Miss Grubb, by whom he had a family of seven children, five of whom were sons : Samuel, Peter, Joseph, Abra- ham and Enos. The daughters were Lydia and Hettie. The eldest son, Samuel Mow- rey (father), was born in North Coventry township, this country, in 1817, and died at his home in East Vincent township in 1874, in the fifty-seventh year of his age. He also followed farming as a vocation, and be- came successful and prosperous. Politically he was a whig and republican, and served as a school director in his township for a number of years. Ile was a strict member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and mar- ried Leah Cunsenhouser, of this county, by which union he had a family of ten children, six sous and four daughters : Malinda, died at
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