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 54
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OF CHESTER COUNTY.
session of Samuel W. Pennypacker, of Philadelphia. About 1699, Heinrich Pfannebecker, born in 1674, came to America and settled at Germantown, near Philadelphia, from whence he moved to Skippack, where he died in 1754. He was the first German surveyor in Pennsylvania, and a large land owner. Several of his grandsons crossed the Schuylkill into Chester county, Jacob settling at Perkio- men junction, Matthias at Pickering, Harman, John and Benjamin near Chester Springs, and Henry at Vincent. From these have descended the now numerous Pennypacker family of this and adjoining counties, among whom a number have achieved distinction in law, politics, mili- tary life, theology, literature and other lines of human endeavor. Perhaps the most conspicuous instance of all is the career of Galusha Pennypacker, born June 1, 1842, and serving as colonel of the 16th United States infantry, and brevet major general, United States army. He is known as the hero of Fort Fisher, and was the ' youngest general officer during the civil war. The story of his rapid elevation may be found in any history of that war-an elevation due solely to gallantry and intelli- gence-from the post of a private to the rank of brigadier general at the age of twenty-two. His seven wounds in eight months, five promotions within a year, and his gallant charge at Green Plains, to- gether with his leadership, flag in Hand, over the traverse at Fort Fisher into the very jaws of death, which all thought he had met, signalize what in some respects is the most remarkable career of that gigantie struggle.
James Pennypacker, paternal grand- father of the subject of this sketch, was a
native of Chester county, born near Phoenixville. He was a farmer by occupa- tion and owned a large farm known as the "Garden spot," where he died about 1828, at an advanced age. His wife was Eliza- beth Showalter, and to them was born a family of five sons and two daughters: Jacob, Joseph, James, Oliver Perry, Daniel, Margaret and Mary. Daniel Pennypacker (father) was born in Lower Providence township, Montgomery county, this State, in October of the initial year of this century, and died at Parker Ford, Chester county, in 1873, in his seventy-third year. He served as loek tender on the old Schuyl- kill eanal for a period of twenty-six years, and was a mechanical genius of a wide local reputation, there being hardly anything he could not make with tools if he once "set his head" to do it. Politically he was a republican in later life, though an ardent whig when a young man. In early man- hood he married Rebecca Major, a daughter of Isaac Major, of York county, Penu- sylvania. She still survives, being now in the seventy-eighth year of her age. To their union was born seven sons and three daughters : James M., (subject) and Eliza- beth, twins, the latter marrying Henry Steinruck, a wheelright residing at Parker Ford; Abel F., who served nine months as a private during the civil war, married Rachael Hall and now resides in the city of Reading, where he is a prosperous shoe- maker; Isaac, deceased; Wilhelmina, D., married Thomas H. Morgan, who resides in Reading, where he is engaged in the manufacture of paints; D. Price Davis, dead; John, who resides at Royer's Ford, extensively engaged in contracting and building in that locality ; Joseph, a jeweler and florist of Phoenixville, this county ; and
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Milton M. and Mary M., twins, both of whom died early in life, the latter at the age of eighteen.
James M. Pennypacker was reared prin- cipally in East Vincent township, Chester county, and received his early education in the common schools of the neighborhood, finishing up by a course at the Trappe academy in Montgomery county, where he distinguished himself as a rapid penman and correct arithmetician. After leaving school he engaged in teaching, and was thus employed in Montgomery and Chester coun- ties for a period of nearly eight years, dur- ing which time he won considerable repu- tation as an earnest and successful teacher. He then became a book-keeper and for eighteen years has been engaged in that oc- cupation, residing mostly in Chester county. Since 1888 he has lived at Parker Ford, and is in the employ of his brother John, at Royer's Ford, Pennsylvania. Originally a republican in politics, he has always been a strong temperance advocate, and of late is inclined to adhere to the Prohibition party. In religious faith he is a Baptist, and a prominent member and deacon in the Parker Ford Baptist church, and was superinten- dent of the Sunday school seventeen years; also superintendent of the Union Sunday school at Linfield, Montgomery county, four years, its sessions being in the afternoon.
On December 25, 1865, Mr. Pennypacker was united in marriage to Catharine J. Swartz, a daughter of Henry and Catharine Swartz, of East Vincent township, this county. To Mr. and Mrs. Pennypacker has been born a family of six children, only two of whom now survive : Sallie and Henry S., both living at home with their parents. The deceased were: Bertha M., who died at the age of seventeen years; Annie W.,
at the age of six; Daniel, in infancy; and Towers, also young.
Early in the civil war Mr. Pennypacker enlisted in the emergency service, being a member of Co. B, 29th regiment, and shortly after the battle of Gettysburg enlisted in battery B, 1st regiment Pennsylvania re- serves, light artillery, with which he served in the army of the Potomac until the close of the war, his battery being attached to the first army corps during the earlier part of his service, but later constituting part of the fifth corps. The battery bore a con- spicuous part in the battles of Mine run, Wilderness, Spottsylvania Courthouse, Wel- don Railroad, Petersburg, and also partici- pated in a number of other engagements. Mr. Pennypacker enlisted as a private, but was promoted to second lieutenant of his battery, and was mustered out with that rank June 9, 1865, at Harrisburg, Penn- sylvania.
J AMES L. FUTHEY, for many years a prominent and prosperous farmer of Highland township, but now living in re- tirement at Atglen, is a son of Robert and Margaret ( Parkinson) Futhey, and was born in West Fallowfield township, Chester county, Pennsylvania, October 29, 1822. He was reared on the farm on which he was born; attended the common schools of his neighborhood, and completed his education at the Unionville and New London acad- emies. On leaving school he returned to his father's place in Highland township and engaged in farming, to which occupation he devoted nearly all the active years of his life. The property passed into his posses- sion in 1872, and he successfully continued his connection with agricultural pursuits until 1884, at which time he sold the farm
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OF CHESTER COUNTY.
and removed to Atglen, where he has led a retired life ever since, in a place where every reasonable want can be gratified, and among a people with whom he finds it pleasant to dwell.
In April, 1878, Mr. Futhey was united in marriage to Lavinia Sutton, a daughter of Joel Sutton, of Coleraine township, Lancas- ter county, this State. Mr. Futhey is of Presbyterian aneestry, and is an attendant and supporter of that church, and in poli- ties has always been a republican. In his earlier years he was an occasional contribu- tor to various journals, both in poetry and prose, and always acceptably. While living in Highland township he was frequently called to serve his fellow-citizens in official positions, and at one time or another has held nearly all the local offices of the town- ship. He is widely known and highly es- teemed for the integrity and steadfastness of his character, having been a good, honest, substantial farmer all his life, and an intel- ligent, sneeessful and useful eitizen.
The family to which Mr. Futhey belongs is of Scotch-Irish origin, and among its members have been some of the most dis- tinguished citizens of this part of the Key- stone State. Not least among these was Mr. Futhey's grandfather, Major Samnel Futhey, and his brother, Judge J. Smith Futhey, author and jurist, and his cousin, Robert Agnew Futhey, a sketch of whom appears on page 313 of this work, to which reference is made for the ancestral history of this old and prominent family.
JOHN MARSHALL PRATT, an in- telligent, successful and highly respected farmer residing near Goshenville, and a worthy representative of a worthy family,
whose history runs back to colonial days, is the fifth ehild and eldest son of Phineas and Ann (Marshall) Pratt, and was born on the old Pratt homestead, in East Goshen township, Chester county, Pennsylvania, March 22, 1827. Here he grew to man- hood, receiving his education in the country schools of the neighborhood, and here he has ever since resided, a fine example of that love for the place of one's birth which is the distinguishing characteristic of so many old world populations, but which seems to be the exception rather than the rule in America. On leaving school he en- gaged in farming, and has given his entire life to the cultivation and improvement of the ancestral aeres. In the management of the farm he has been quite successful, and he now finds himself in independent cir- cumstances, and prepared to pass the even- ing of his days free from care and that constant activity which was his pride dur- ing the more active years of his life. Politi- cally he is a republican, with whig antece- dents, and while taking no active part in politics, is always deeply interested in every movement of public importance, and gives his party a generous support on all leading . questions. He is a member of Goshen Castle, No. 78, Knights of the Golden Ea- gle, of which he is past chief, and of Goshen Grange, No. 121. Patrons of Husbandry, for which he acted as treasurer for eighteen years, and which position his sou, Harry HI .. has held since his resignation.
On March 19, 1861, Mr. Pratt was mar- ried to Lucinda Baldwin, a daughter of Abner and Pluche ( Diekinson ) Baldwin, of this county. To Mr. and Mrs. Pratt was born a family of eleven children, nine of whom lived to reach maturity : Ella, mar- ried Sharpless T. Saylor, of East Goshen,
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BIOGRAPHY AND HISTORY
and after his death wedded John F. Clarke, a prosperous farmer of East Bradford town- ship ; Maurice B., a clerk in the National bank of Chester county, at West Chester; Harry H., living at home; Charles, a clerk in Yar- nall's paint and glass store in the city of Philadelphia; Forence; J. Herbert, resides with his three aunts in West Chester, at present attending Haverford College grammar school; A. Fredd., Bertha L., and Arthur H., the three last named living at home with their parents.
Abraham Pratt, first of the name in the province of Pennsylvania, lived in Dublin township, where he died in 1709, leaving three sons: Joseph, John, and Jeremiah, and a daughter named Elizabeth. Joseph Pratt, great-great-grandfather of the sub- ject of this sketch, married Sarah, daugh- ter of William and Jane Edwards, on May 9, 1717, and settled on a farm in Edgemont. On November 25, 1728, he was again mar- ried, wedding Mary Jones, in Christ church, in the city of Philadelphia. His children, all by his first wife, were Thomas, Alice, Ann, Sarah, Rose, and Joseph. The young- est son, Joseph Pratt (great-grandfather), ยท was bornin 1727, married Jane Davis in 1752, and settled on his father's farm. To him was born a family of nine children : Abra- ham, Sarah, Jane, Joseph, David, Mary, Priscilla, Thomas and Sarah. Thomas Pratt (grandfather) was born in Delaware county, January 13, 1764, and passed his entire life in that county. He was a farmer and tanner by occupation, owning a large tan-yard at Blue Hill, and in politics an ar- dent whig. In religion he was reared a Quaker and remained a life long member of that Society. In 1786 he married Han- nah Massey, a daughter of Phineas Massey, who then owned the property on which the
subject of this sketch now lives, but later willed it to his daughter, the wife of Thomas Pratt. They had a family of seven chil- dren : Ann, Susan, Mary, Phineas, Jane, Massey, and Priscilla. After her death, in 1813, he married Hannah Haycock, by whom he had one son, Thomas, and passed away in 1820, aged fifty-six years. Phineas Pratt (father) was born in Delaware county, this State, in 1795, where he was principally reared and received a good ordinary English education in the public schools. About 1820 he removed to East Goshen township, Chester county, and taking charge of the farm now owned by his son, John M. Pratt, he erected a number of new buildings, and improved the place in many ways. Here he resideded until 1861, when he removed to West Chester and continued to live there until his death, on March 1, 1879, when in the eighty-fourth year of his age. His principal occupation in life was that of a farmer and tanner, and he was a whig and republican in politics, while steadfastly ad- hering to the religious faith of his child- hood and remaining a life long member of the Society of Friends. In 1818 he mar- ried Ann Marshall, a daughter of John and Sarah H. Marshall, then of East Goshen township, this county. By this marriage he had a family of nine children, two sons and seven daughters: Sarah, who married Edwin James and is now deceased ; Hannah M .; Martha (deceased); Elizabeth, (also dead); John M., whose name heads this sketch; Susannah (deceased); Phineas; Priscilla B., and Jennie A.
John Marshall (maternal grandfather) was born and reared in Delaware county, but moved to Chester county during the initial year of the present century and settled in East Goshen township, where he
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OF CHESTER COUNTY.
died in 1854, at the remarkable age of ninety-three years. IIe owned and occu- pied the farm of one hundred and eighty acres where Holiday J. Price now lives. In early life he learned the trade of wheel- wright, and worked at that occupation in connection with managing his farm. He married Sarah Hibberd, by whom he had two daughters: Anu (mother), born No- vember 6, 1800, died October 19, 1885, and Sarah; and after death wedded Martha Potts, but had no children by this second marriage.
H ENRY L. BRINTON, of the firm of II. L. Brinton & Sons, publishers of the Oxford Press, is a veteran in journalism. As a business man he has been successful, and is widely known as a ready writer who weilds a trenchant pen. Ile is the eldest son of Joseph and Susan ( Hackett) Brinton, and was born on the historic battle ground of Brandywine, Birmingham township, Chester county, Pennsylvania, August 6, 1836. The English family of Brinton, from those in America derive descent, took their name from the parish of Brinton in Berk- shire. The first of whom there is any definite account was Robert de Brinton, who received a manor in Shropshire from King Henry Il. about 1160. His lineal descendants removed to Staffordshire about 1450, and from that county came William Brinton in 1684 and settled in the township since called Birmingham, Chester county, Pennsylvania. As his home in England was near that town, it is supposed that he gave the name to the township. Ile had a son, William Brinton, who was a Quaker, and had suffered persecution on that ae- count in England. William married Jane Thateher, and had two sons, Joseph and
Edward, who were prominent and active citizens, and from them has descended the numerous Brinton family of this country, among whom have been many men of marked individuality and great force of character.
William Brinton, paternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a prominent Friend or Quaker of Birmingham township, and kept the church records for many years. He was a farmer by occupation, and his residence, which is still standing, was built directly on the ground made famous by being the scene of the unfortunate battle, September 11,1777, between General Wash- ington and General Howe, when the American forces were compelled to retreat after a loss of twelve hundred in killed, wounded and prisoners. William Brinton was a federalist in politics, and died at his home in Birmingham township in 1812, at the remarkable age of ninety-two years. His wife was Deborah Darlington, who was born on the Brandywine battle ground, and they reared a family of eight children, three sons and five daughters. One of these sons was Joseph Brinton (father), who was born on the old homestead in 1786, where he lived all his life, and where he died in 1865, in his eighty-first year. His entire life was devoted to agricultural pursuits, and he be- came prosperous and well-to-do, owning considerable land in his later years. In the war of 1812 he served as a soldier, and afterward held a number of local offices in his township. He was a man of great ac- tivity and fine mental powers, and unusually well informed for a man with only the lim- ited education attainable in that day. He was twice married, first to Jane Crossley, by whom he had a family of two sons and four daughters; and after her death he
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BIOGRAPHY AND HISTORY
wedded Susan Hackett. By this second marriage he had a family of ten children, eight of whom lived to reach maturity.
Henry L. Brinton was reared principally on his father's farm in Birmingham town- ship, and received a good English education in the common schools of that locality. After leaving school, at the age of seventeen he became an apprentice in the office of the Village Record, at West Chester, and learned the trade of printer. He then engaged in teaching for a time, after which he became a canvasser for the American Republican. In the summer of 1859 he became assistant editor on the latter journal and occupied that position for eighteen months. He came to Oxford in the spring of 1861 and started a job printing establishment, which he operated successfully for a period of five years. In February, 1866, he began the publication of a weekly paper called the Oxford Press, which he conducted alone un- til 1869, when he admitted D. Hayes into partnership, under the firm name of Brinton & Hayes, and they continued the printing and publishing business until 1870, when Mr. Brinton disposed of his interest to Mr. Hayes, who then conducted the enterprise under the firm name of George D. Hayes & Co. Some time in 1871 Mr. Brinton be- came editor of the Press, in the employ of Hayes & Co., and in 1876 repurchased a half interest in the business, which was afterward conducted in the name of Hayes & Brinton until 1892. In the latter year Mr. Brinton purchased his partner's inter- est, and admitting his two sons, Douglas E. and William G., into partnership, formed the firm of H. L. Brinton & Sons, who have since been the editors and publishers of the Press. The business has proved a grand suc- cess, the Press now having a circulation of
thirty-five hundred copies weekly. The Press is strictly independent in politics and depends for popularity on its merits as a newspaper, devoting much attention to local affairs. It is ably edited and its business affairs are well managed.
In January, 1859, Mr. Brinton was mar- raied to Sarah F. Fisher. a daughter of James and Sarah Fisher, and to them was born a family of three children, two sons and one daughter.
Politically Mr. Brinton is a republican, but never allows his politics to interfere with the independent attitude of his paper. He was elected school director soon after coming to Oxford, and is now president of the board. He has also served one term as member of the town council. In the fall of 1892 he was elected president of the Oxford Board of Trade. On July 6, 1863, he en- listed in Co. A, 43d Pennsylvania infantry, as a private. He served only six weeks, being discharged at Harrisburg in August, 1863. His four brothers-T. Elwood, Alfred, David R. P. and Levis-all served as soldiers in the civil war, the first being lieutenant in Co. C, independent battery ; Alfred, serving first in Co. M, 181st Penn- sylvania infantry, and afterward re-enlisting in Co. G, 20th cavalry, and participating in the campaign through the valley of Vir- ginia ; while David R. P. and Levis Brin- ton were members of Co. A, 1st Pennsyl- vania reserves. David was severely wounded while on picket duty in Virginia.
H ARRY E. WILLIAMS, M. D., a suc- cessful physician of Coatesville, who favorably impresses all who come in contact with him by his energy, honesty and straightforwardness, is a son of Henry and
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OF CHESTER COUNTY.
Jane (Beach ) Williams, and was born in New York city, April 30, 1840. The Wil- liams family is of English descent, and George Williams, the paternal grandfather of Dr. Williams, came from England in early life and settled in New York city, where he followed the hatting and furriery business for many years, and was well known in every part of the infant city and future metropolis of the new world. He served in the revolutionary war, was a member of the Protestant Episcopal church, and died December 5, 1790, at the wonder- fully advanced age of ninety-eight years. He was very successful in business, and his wife, who was a native of England, survived him but two years, and then passed away when in the ninety-eighth year of her age. Their son, Henry Williams (father), was born December 9, 1785, in New York city, where he was engaged in the dry goods bus- iness until his death, November 10, 1842, at fifty-seven years of age. He was a men- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church, and married Jane Beach, who was a Methodist, and died April 5, 1850, aged fifty-seven years. They had three children, two sons and one daughter.
Harry E. Williams passed his boyhood days in New York city, and at twelve years of age went to near New Haven, Connecticut, where he worked for three years on a farm. He then went to North Providence, Rhode Island, where he resided with his uncle un- til 1857, when he came to Philadelphia. He received his education in the common schools and a night school in Philadelphia, which he attended while working in that city. When President Lincoln's call for troops was made in those dark opening April days of 1861, Harry E. Williams was one among the first to respond to that ap-
peal for the preservation of the country. He enlisted on April 4, 1861, in Co. E, 18th Pennsylvania volunteers, and served three months. On September 10, 1862, he re- enlisted and entered the 136th Pennsylva- nia infantry as hospital steward, in which capacity he served until January 26, 1863, when he was discharged on account of dis- ability. After recruiting his health to some extent he enlisted the third time on May 10, 1863, and became hospital steward of the 6th Pennsylvania cavalry. Ile was as- signed to duty at Washington city, where he served until the close of the war. He was honorably discharged from the United States service on June 19, 1865, and re- turned to Philadelphia. He then read med- icine and entered Hahnemann Medical col- lege, from which he was graduated March 1, 1866. After graduation he assisted his uncle, Dr. J. E. Kent, in his practice in Philadelphia for one year, and at the end of that time, in August, 1867, he came to Coatesville, where he has remained ever since in the active practice of his chosen profession.
On September 10, 1868, Dr. Williams was united in marriage with Maria, daughter of William Fiss, of Philadelphia. To their union have been born three children, one son and two daughters: Harry E., jr., Marion E., and Mirabel A.
Dr. Williams is a republican in politics, and has been a member of the Protestant Episcopal church for several years. He has served several terms as a member of the school board, of which he has been secre- tary for seven years. He is a member of Onondago Tribe, No. 83, Improved Order of Red Men; and Brandywine Post, No. 54, Grand Army of the Republic, of which he is u past commander, and which he
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served as surgeon for eight years. He is prominent in Grand Army circles, and was medical director of the department of Penn- sylvania for the year 1891. Dr. Williams is a self-made man, and has a fine practice. He is an intelligent and skillful physician, a pleasant and courteous gentleman, and is deservedly popular in the community where he resides.
w M. CARROLL TAYLOR, proprie-
tor of the Main street drug store at Spring City, and an enterprising and use- ful citizen, is a son of Samuel D. and Mary A. (Wells) Taylor, and was born March 20, 1857, in Spring City, Chester county, Pennsylvania. His paternal grandfather was a native of this county, and lived at Phoenixville most of his life. His avoca- tion was that of blacksmith. He married Sarah Ann Stiteler by whom he had a family of seven children: Samuel D. (father), David S., Thomas G., William C., Hannah, and two who died in infancy. Samuel D. Taylor was born in Uwchlan town- ship, this county, and removed to Spring City about 1840, where he continued to re- side until his death in 1891, at the advanced age of sixty-five years. He was a pattern finisher by trade, but when a young man engaged for a short time in merchandising at Spring City. In political faith he was an old line whig and later embraced the doctrines of the Republican party, while in religious convictions and church member- ship he was a Dunkard or German Baptist. In 1854 he united in marriage with Mary Ann Wells, a daughter of Jesse Wells, a well-to-do farmer of East Coventry town- ship. By this union he had a family of seven children, six sons and a daughter: J. Meyers, now occupying a position in the
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