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 24
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H ON. JOHN HICKMAN, who won National reputation, and whose con- gressional speeches attracted universal at- tention by their force and keenness of satire, was a son of John and Sarah (Jefferis) Hiek- man, and was born in what is now Pocopson township, Chester county, Pennsylvania, September 11, 1810. Francis and Elizabeth Iliekman came from England to Chester conuty prior to 1685. Their son, Ben-
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jamin Hickman, married Aun Buffington, and their son, Francis Hickman, wedded Ann Marshall, and reared a family of several children, one of whom was John Hickman, the father of the subject of this sketch.
John Hiekman received his education at " Bragg Hill" under the instruction of a private instructor, who was a graduate of Edinburgh university. He read law with Townsend Haines, was admitted to the bar in 1832, and his career as a lawyer was one of eminent success.
Mr. Hickman was a charming and win- ning speaker, and soon became popular in the Democratic party. He held the office of district attorney for three terms, and served as a member of Congress from 1855 to 1863. Ilis vote was recorded against admitting Kansas as a State under the Le- compton constitution, and in the Thirty- sixth Congress he voted with the republi- cans. He was a prominent candidate for the republican nomination for the vice-pres- ideney in 1860, and in 1863 declined a re- election to Congress. Mr. Hickman was a merciless opponent of slavery and secession, and sarcastically referred to the John Brown raid as an event in which the whole State of Virginia was frightened by seventeen men und a cow. lle also asked the State's rights leaders in Congress, during 1860, if eighteen millions of northern men, with all the appliances of art, would not be able to cope with eight millions of southern men without those appliances. During the war his views of public policy were in advance of his political contemporaries. While he gave National reputation to his district, was firm as a rock, eloquent, and of undoubted integrity, yet he lacked some qualities es- sential to politieal leadership, and never reached the higher positions in govern-
mental affairs for which he was qualified by ability and scholarship. Hewas well known throughout the country for his remarkable mental power and brilliant scintilations of wit, and died at his home at West Chester, March 23, 1875.
S AMUEL D. RAMSEY, whose active in- tellect was early attracted by the myster- ies of that profession to which Blackstone de- voted his powerful mind, has for more than a score of years maintained a position of prom- inence at the West Chester bar. He is the second son of James R. and Mary ( Dickey ) Ramsey, being born July 24, 1848. in the borough of Hopewell. Chester county, Penn- sylvania. The Ramseys are of Celtic origin. the great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, William Ramsey, having been born in Ireland, but emigrated from that country while yet a lad and located at East Notting- ham, this county. After reaching man's es- tate he married and reared a family, but con- tinued to reside at East Nottingham until his death at an advanced age. llis son William Ramsey (grandfather), was born in East Nottingham township. this county, but after attaining manhood removed to Lan- caster county and settled near Georgetown. where he died. He was a merchant, and married Rebecca Wilson, by whom he had a family of two children, one son and a dangh- ter : James R. ( father ) and Ann. James R. Ramsey was born February 14. 1815, in Lan- caster county, this State. He received what was considered a good education in that day. and became an energetic and successful busi- hess man. He engaged in a number of eu- terprises, all of which seemed to prosper in his hands. During the last twenty years of his life he served as treasurer of the Phila-
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delphia & Baltimore Central Railroad Com- pany. He died December 24, 1871, at his home near Oxford, this county. Politically he was a republican, and served during the dark days of the civil war as president of the Union League of Oxford. IIe held a number of minor offices, and was a promi- nent member of the Presbyterian church, serving as trustee for many years. He mar- ried Mary Diekey, and to them was born a family of three sons: William W., now a well known business man in the city of Chi- rago and president of the corporation of Ramsey, Rhodes & Co .: Samuel D .. the principal subject of this sketch: and 1. Everton. cashier of the National bank of Oxford. this county.
Samuel D. Ramsey was educated at Hope- well academy and Oxford seminary,and after completing his academic education he. in April, 1869, entered the office of that dis- finguished attorney and statesman, the Hon. Wayne MacVeagh, in West Chester, and began the study of law. After two years of careful preparation he was admitted to the bar on April 24, 1871, and immediately opened an office in West Chester for the practice of his profession. Being endowed with great native ability and the energy of character necessary to develop and cultivate his powers, he soon became quite successful and won an honorable position at the bar. Hle carly learned the truth of the adage that there is no excellence without great labor, and gives to every cause he undertakes that thorough consideration which is necessary to enable an advocate to handle his case with skill and success. Ile has now been in con- tinuous practice in the courts of this county for more than twenty years, and enjoys a large and constantly increasing chieutage.
On December 6, 1877, Mr. Ramsey was
united in marriage to Sarah M. Brinton, of the borough of West Chester. This union has been blessed by the birth of two daugh- ters : Eleanor B. and Edith M. In religion he is a Presbyterian, and a leading member of that denomination in the place of his resi- dence. Politically he is a stanch republican, and always gives his support and influence to that great party. He is a member of Oxford Lodge, No. 353, Free and Accepted Masons, and occupies an enviable position both in his profession and as a useful, enter- prising and influential citizen of Chester comity.
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J AMES W. MASTERS, proprietor of the Malvern creamery in East White- land township, this county, and a well known business man of Philadelphia, is the second son of Joseph and Sarah (Edwards) Masters, and was born February 12, 1845, in Colum- bia county, Pennsylvania. His paternal grandfather, David Masters, was a native of the same county, and was a son of James Masters, who, it is thought, was born in Chester county, and went from there into Columbia county among the first settlers. At any rate James Masters was among the early pioneers of Columbia county, where he cleared out a fine farm, upon which he lived and died. His son, David (grand- father), purchased the homestead after his father's death, and passed the remainder of his life there, dying in 1858, aged nearly seventy-five years. He was a farmer by occupation, and all the family were strict members of the Society of Friends. His wife was Mary Eves, a member of a numer- ons and prominent family of that county, and by her he had a family of eight chil- dren : George. James, Joseph, Parvin, Sarah, Margaret, Elizabeth and Mary. The third
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son, Joseph Masters (father), was born on the old homestead in Columbia county in 1816, where he grew to maturity, and was educated in the subscription schools of that day. In early manhood he learned the milling business and divided his time he- tween that occupation and farming, being quite successful in each. In later life he removed to Lycoming county, this State, where he died about 1887. Politically he was a staneh republican, and in religion a prominent member of the orthodox Society of Friends. He married Sarah Edwards, a daughter of Joel and Ann (Green) Ed- wards, and to Mr. and Mrs. Masters was born a family of nine children : Morris, who owns a fine farm adjoining the old home- stead in Columbia county : James, the sub- jeet of this sketch ; Parvin, now a book- keeper in the city of Chicago ; David, a res- ident of Wilmington, Delaware: Dubre, now foreman in the glass factory of Whitall, Tatum & Co .. at Millville, New Jersey : Jennie, married George Pim. a farmer of Marshallton. this county; Anna; Eliza- beth, married Henry Ferris, a printer and publisher of Philadelphia: and Harriet. who married Joseph Rhodes, of Wilming- ton, Delaware, now a member of the far- ulty of Westtown boarding school.
James W. Masters was reared principally on the farm, and educated in the Westtown boarding school, which he left in 1863 to assist his father on the farm, help for this being hard to procure during the war. In 1867 he engaged in the merchantile busi- ness in Lycoming county. where he re- mained two years. In 1869 he removed to the city of Philadelphia and embarked in the grocery business, and afterward engaged in the milk, butter, and egg trade, which he. has successfully conducted for nearly twenty
years. He now employs fifteen men regul - larly. and twelve horses are used in the de- livery of the produce he handles. lle estab- lished a creamery in East Whiteland town- ship in 1887, with a capacity for using five thousand pounds of milk per day, and has since been largely engaged in the manu- facture of butter, in addition to his general business in Philadelphia. He is a man of untiring activity, and has been very sie- cessful in his business career.
On the 1st day of May. 1867, Mr. Mas- ters was united in marriage to Rebecca Kite, a daughter of James and Lydia ( Bas- sett) Kite, and a direct descendent of Sir Admiral Kite, an English baronet in the time of Oliver Cromwell. One of the bar- onet's sons. James Kite, came to America and settled in Philadelphia, and from hint the present Kite family is descended. Mrs. Masters' mother, Lydia Bassett, was of New England stock, and a recommended minis- ter in the Society of Friends. Mrs. Masters is also a recommended minister in the So- ciety, and was educated at the Friends Westtown boarding school. She is now one of the managing committee of that in- stitution. To Mr. and Mrs. Masters have been born six children, one son and five daughters. The ellest, Marian. died at the age of nine years, and two others are also deceased. Those living are Helen B .. A. Gertrude, and Herbert W.
In politics Mr. Masters is an ardent re- publican, taking an active part in support- ing the party of his choice. His name has frequently been mentioned in connection with a nomination for assendyman and the city council, but he has always declined to become a candidate. He is strictly a self- made man, and deserves great credit for what he has accomplished by his ability and
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perseverance. He and his family are mem- bers of the orthodox Society of Friends, and reside in Philadelphia during the winter.
H ON. ISAAC D. BARNARD, United States senator from 1827 to 1831, and the most distinguished of his name, was born in 1791 at West Chester, where he died February 18, 1834. The Barnard family takes its name from Roche-Bernard, of Nor- mandy, France, in which country Barnard has been a baptismal name since the eighth century, having been derived from northern mythology, signifying bolduess. Richard Barnard, the great-grandfather of Senator Barnard, came to Chester county prior to 1686. Many of his descendants have been active and prominent in civil, political and military affairs.
Isaac D. Barnard received a good educa- tion, was admitted to the bar May 1, 1816, and practiced his profession for many years. He served with great bravery and distinc- tion at Plattsburg and Lyon Creek in the war of 1812, and was promoted from captain to major for meritorious service. Leaving the army he served successively as district attorney, State senator and secretary of the Commonwealth. He was elected to the United States senate in 1827, but resigned in 1831 on account of ill health, while the New York papers were demanding for him a seat in the cabinet. He served as a major- general of militia, declined the judgeship of Chester county, and was barely defeated for the nomination for governor in 1829 by a slight but jealous defection in his own county. Isaac D. Barnard, by his courage, boldness and dauntless character was always popular with the people, whose interests he ever protected and defended.
R EV. GEORGE HEATHCOTE HILLS, M.A., a scholarly and cour- teous gentleman, and the present able and efficient rector of the church of the Holy Trinity, West Chester, is a son of Dr. George Morgan aud Sarah (Dows ) Hills, and was born in Syracuse, New York, July 6, 1862. His paternal grandfather, Horace Hills, was a native of East Hartford, Con- necticut. He became one of the early set- thers of Auburn, New York, and married Almira Wilcox, by whom he had five chil- dren, two sons and three daughters. His son, Rev. George Morgan Hills, D. D., was born in Auburn, New York, October 10, 1825. He was graduated from Trinity col- lege, Hartford, Connecticut, in 1847; was ordered deacon September 22, 1850, by Rt. Rev. W. H. De Laney, bishop of western New York, and ordained priest September 21, 1851. Dr. Hills' first charge was at Lyons, New York, which he left to accept a call to Watertown, same State. He was rector of St. Paul's church at Syracuse, New York, from 1857 to 1870, and rector of St. Mary's church, Burlington, New Jersey, from 1870 to 1890. He died at Tacoma, Washington, October 15, 1890, while trav- eling on the Pacific slope for his health. Dr. Hills had high standing as a man of great ability and spotless life. Ilis mind was quick to perceive and ready to retain, while he had the disposition and capacity for energetic and persistent endeavor. Ile was an eloquent, scholarly preacher, a mag- nificent reader, and a faithful and devoted parish priest. For his work and holy life he will be long remembered in Burlington, where he commanded the respect of all. He received the honorary degree of doctor of divinity from his alma mater, July 13. 1871, and was made a member, honoris
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causa, of the Pennsylvania Historical society in 1876. Dr. Hills held many important offices in the church, in all of which he ac- quitted himself with honor. He was a trustee of the General Theological seminary of New York from 1862 to 1884, served as deputy to the General convention from western New York in 1865, and was presi- dent of the standing committee of the dio- cese of eentral New York from 1868 to 1870. He was dean of Burlington from 1874 to 1888, archdeacon from 1888 to 1890, and served as deputy to the General convention from New Jersey in 1877, 1880, 1883, 1886, and 1889. He was chairman of the committee on the state of the church from 1883 to 1890, and also served as com- inissioner from New Jersey of the American church building fund commission, and was a member of the commission of fifteen on Christian unity from 1886 to 1890. Dr. Ifills was a man of literary ability, and gave considerable time and attention to the history of his church and the defense of its principles. He wrote several books and pamphlets, beside many historical papers. and was the author of an excellent history of the church in Burlington. New Jersey. On October 7, 1852, in St. Bartholomew's church, in New York city, Dr. Hills was united in marriage with Sarah Dows, who was born in Jersey City, February 19, 1832. To Dr. and Mrs. Hills were born six chil- dren, of whom two died in infancy. Their oldest living chill is Rev. John Dows Hills, a graduate of Trinity college. and valedic- torian of the class of '78.
George Heathcote Hills was prepared for college at Burlington college, the Protes- tant Episcopal academy of Philadelphia, and by private tutors, after which he eu- tered the time-honored walls of Trinity
college, Ilartford, Connecticut, from which he was graduated B. A., cum honore, in the class of 1884. He was ordered deacon in St. Mary's church, Burlington, New Jer- sey, on June 11, 1885, by Rt. Rev. John Scarborough, bishop of New Jersey, and advanced to the priesthood in the same church May 12, 1887, by the same bishop. He was curate of St. Mary's church, Bur- lington, New Jersey, from 1885 to 1887. when he became assistant at St. James' church, New York city, where he served acceptably until 1888. In that year he re- signed to become rector of Christ church, Riverton, New Jersey, where he remained until October, 1891, when he accepted a call to become rector of the church of the Holy Trinity, West Chester. In this field he has labored zealously and successfully for the establishment of the principles of morality, civilization and Christianity.
On May 24, 1887. Rev. Mr. Hills was united in marriage in St. James church. New York city, with Carrie Louise Pear- son. daughter of James B. and Ellen Jose- phine ( Ferree ) Pearson, of that city. Rev. and Mrs. Hills have three children, one son and two daughters: Beatrice Heathcote Hills, born in New York city, March 21, 1888: Pearson Heathcote Hills, born at Riverton. New Jersey, October 5, 1889: and Violet Heathcote Hills, born at River- ton, June 13. 1891.
Rev. George Heatheute Hills received his degree of M. A. from Trinity college in 1887. He is a member of the fraternity of Alpha Delta Phi, was chaplain of the Girls' Friendly society of the diocese of New Jer- sey from 1889 to 1891, and registrar of that important diocese in 1991. Mr. Hills preaching is characterized by an earnest- ness and sincerity that makes it impressive
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and convincing. His sermons are scriptural and practical, and so well arranged and clearly expressed as to be understood by all thoughtful hearers. He always keeps in sight the great object of his important mis- sion, and as a consequence his ministry has been fruitful of good results. With him religion is something that concerns the understanding as well as the emotions, and through his well directed labors his congre- gation is well instructed in the great truths of Christianity and the distinctive doctrines of the Episcopal church.
E DGAR ALLEN, M. D., a graduate from Jefferson Medical college, Phila- delphia, who has been in active practice in this county since early in 1891, and has already won considerable distinction in his profession, is a son of John and Catharine ( Dalrymple) Allen, and a native of Hunter- don county, New Jersey, where he was born April 2, 1861. Ile attended the common schools of Bloomsbury, New Jersey, during his boyhood, where he made rapid progress, and when about fifteen years of age secured a position as clerk in a dry goods store at Easton, Pennsylvania, where he pursued his studies of evenings in a night school, while clerking during the day. Possessed of an earnest and ambitious disposition, and de- termined to secure an education and become a useful member of society, he rapidly mas- tered the ordinary branches, and in 1885 began the study of medicine with Dr. A. L. Kotz, of Easton, Later he matriculated at Jefferson Medical college, Philadelphia, and was graduated from that well known insti- tution in the spring of 1890. He returned to Easton and immediately opened an office for the practice of the healing art. After
one year's practice at that place he removed in 1891 to St. Mary's, Warwick township, Chester county, where he has been success- fully engaged in the duties of his profession ever since. Having thoroughly prepared himself, and naturally possessing many traits which mark the true physician, he has been successful in building up a lucrative practice that has aggregated over three thousand dollars in the short time he has been located here. Dr. Allen is inclined toward inde- pendence in political action. and in religion is a member of the German Reformed church. He is also a member of Pughtown Lodge, No. 369, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of Washington Camp, No. 335, Patriotic Order Sons of America, at the village of Nantmeal.
On October 30, 1884, Dr. Allen was wedded to Lizzie HI. Lattig, a daughter of Simon 1I. Lattig, of Northampton county, this State. To the Doctor and Mrs. Allen has been born one child. a daughter, named Katharine Ruth, whose natal day was July 16, 1892.
The Allens are of Holland descent, but have been natives of New Jersey since the early days of that Commonwealth. John B. Allen, paternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a native of Hunterdon county. New Jersey, where he lived all his life. and died at a good old age. In early life he learned the shoemaker's trade and worked at that occupation nearly all his days. Politically he was a Jacksonian dem- oerat. and soon after attaining his majority married a Miss McCullom, a native of New Jersey, by whom he had a family of nine children. One of his sons was John Allen (father), who was born in Hunterdon county, New Jersey. in 1818, and died April 6, 1891. at his home on the old Allen homestead in that county. Ile was a carpenter and builder
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by occupation, a stanch democrat in politics, and in religion a member of the Christian church. He married Catharine Dalrymple, a daughter of William Dalrymple, a pros- perons farmer of Hunterdon county, where he lived all his life, becoming influential and prominent. By his marriage with Miss Dalrymple Mr. Allen had a family of eight children, five sons and three daughters : William H., Theodore G. and David B. are engaged in contracting and building in the city of Newark, New Jersey, where they reside : Charles S. is a druggist at Blooms- . bury, in Hunterdon county, that State; Dr. Edgar, the subject of this sketch; Mary E. : Elmora, died in infancy; and Christiana, deceased at the age of twenty-three. Mrs. Catharine Allen (mother) is still living.
DR. WILLIAM DARLINGTON, LL.
D., whose name is known and respected throughout the botanical world, was the eld- est child of Edward and Hannah (Townsend) Darlington, and was born near Dilworthtown, Birmingham township, Chester county, Pennsylvania, April 28, 1782. He was the first medical student to graduate from the medieal department of the university of Pennsylvania. He always resided in his na- tive county, and while practicing his profes- sion to some extent, yet gave his time chiefly to botanical research. In 1826 he published his "Cestrica," and in 1847 his " Agricultural Botany." Besides these he published many interesting botanical papers. In 1825 he was among the first that were interested in State canals and railroads. Dr. Darlington served in the Fourteenth, Six- teenth and Seventeenth Congresses of the United States, and was opposed to the ex- tension of slavery. He died April 23, 1863.
and the memorial stone over his remains in Oakland cemetery bears the following lines written by himself twenty years before his death : "The plants of Chester, which he loved and described, may they blossom for- ever above his tomb."
BENJAMIN J. TORBERT, a well re- spected citizen of Downingtown, and who served as an officer in an emergency company when Lee invaded Pennsylvania in 1863, is a son of William and Hannah ( Lewis) Torbert, and was born at Gallagher- ville, Chester county, Pennsylvania, Jannary 7, 1830. Ilis paternal grandfather, William Torbert, sr., born January 1, 1756, was a native of Ireland, and in the latter part of the eighteenth century came to Montgomery county. Ile was a democrat, a farmer and hotel keeper. On April 18, 1782, he mar- ried Jane Oliver, who was born February 21, 1759, and had a family of seven chil- dren : Alexander, William, Samnel, Benja- min, James, Andrew and Mary Gallagher. William Torbert (father) was born near Spring House tavern, on the Lancaster pike, in Montgomery county, November 1, 1789. In early life he came to Chester county, where he was engaged in farming near Gallagherville, until his death in 1873, at eighty-four years of age. He was a demo- crat in politics, and served as an American soldier in the war of 1812. during which great contest he participated in several sovere battles. He married Hannah Lewis, and to their nion were born seven chil- dren : William, Jane, Hester, Benjamin J., Oliver, Andrew and Obed. Mrs. Torbert was a member of the Society of Friends, and died Angust 2, 1886, when in the
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ninety-first year of her age. She was a daughter of William Lewis, and a grand- daughter of Lewis Lewis, a native of Wales. William settled near Downingtown, and followed farming. He was a democrat and Presbyterian, and served in the Federal army, while his brother entered the Con- federate ranks. He married and had three children : Joseph, William, and Mrs. Han- nah Torbert.
Benjamin J. Torbert was reared on the farm, attended the common schools, and then engaged in farming and stock raising, which he followed successfully near Galla- gherville, until 1891. In that year he re- moved to Downingtown, where he has resided ever since. During Lee's invasion of Pennsylvania in 1863, Mr. Torbert en- listed in Co. H, 21st regiment of Pennsyl- vania militia, and served as a corporal until his regiment was mustered out of service.
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