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 86
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OF CHESTER COUNTY.
His eldest son, Dr. Isaac Davis, was born in this county, July 27, 1787, educated at Norristown, read medicine and graduated from the university of Pennsylvaniain 1810. He began practice at Edgemont, Delaware county, but was soon after appointed sur- geon of the 6th United States infantry by President Madison, and served with that regiment at various points until his death- by the rupture of a blood vessel-at Ft. Jackson, Mississippi, July 21, 1814, in the twenty-seventh year of his age, and unmar- ried.
John Morton Davis, second son of Gen. John Davis and father of the subject of this sketeli, was born on the old homestead in Tredyffrin township, this county, in 1788, and died there in 1848, at the advanced age of sixty years. He was reared ou the farm, received a good English education, and de- voted his entire life to agricultural pursuits. In polities he was an ardent whig, and he and his family were all strict members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Davis was twice married, first wedding (1818) Elizabeth Knight, of the city of Philadelphia, by whom he had two children : Mary and Albert K., both now deceased. Some years after her death, in 1827 he married Anna Maria Wal- ley, a daughter of William Walley, of En- gland. To this latter union was born a family of six children, three sous and three daughters: William W., Eljzabeth, Henri- etta, John M., Isaac H., and Anna M., all of whom are now deceased except William W.
William W. Davis was reared principally on his father's farm, receiving his carly training in the common schools of his neighborhood, and completing his education in a private school at Berwig, this county, under the charge of Prof. Noble Heath. Af- ter leaving school he engaged in farming,
and has devoted all his life to that occupa- tion, believing with Washington that "agri- culture is the noblest pursuit of man." He owns a farm of one hundred and sixty-five acres of choice land, nearly all improved and in a good state of cultivation, with com- modious farm buildings and every modern convenience for carrying on his operations. Politically he is a stanch demoerat, and has been serving as justice of the peace in Tredyf- frin township for a number of years, beside having held, at one time or another, nearly all the other township offices. He is a man of good judgment and wide experience in life, and his advice is frequently sought by neighbors and friends on many important subjects, particularly on legal questions and in the settlement of estates. On current topics he is always well posted and can con- verse entertainingly and still takes a lively interest in political matters, though not so active perhaps as in earlier years. On April 18, 1876, Mr. Davis was united in marriage to Cornelia W. Davis, a daughter of Chas. J. Davis, of this county. They have one child, a son named Henry W., who was born March 15, 1877, and is living at home with his parents.
JOHN C. ENTRIKEN, the skillful chem- ist and mechanical genius, who for nearly a quarter of a century has been identified with the manufacture of platinum goods in this country, is the youngest son of Jolin and Ann I. (Fitzsimmons) Entriken, and was born October 6, 1849, in Thornbury town- ship, Chester county, Pennsylvania. His ancestors on the paternal side were English- Irish, and settled in Pennsylvania at an early day. George Entriken, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a native of Chester county, born about 1755, and
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BIOGRAPHY AND HISTORY
died near West Chester in 1830, aged nearly seventy-five years. He was a miller and millwright, and for many years did a flour- ishing business in this section. He was an old-line whig in politics, and it is thought was a member of the Society of Friends. He married Esther Carpenter and was the father of eight children, five sons and three daughters. His youngest son, John Entri- ken (father), was born in Willistown town- ship, this county, in 1806, where he grew to manhood and received the best education furnished by the schools of that day. After leaving school he learned the trade of wheel- wright, which occupation he followed for several years and then became a merchant at Birmingham, this county. In later life he purchased a farm and devoted his last active ycars to agricultural pursuits. Henow lives a retired life at Sugartown, this county. Politically he is a republican, but was form- erly a whig, and has served as school director of his township for a number of years. In 1833 he married Ann I. Fitzsimmons, a daughter of George and Mary (Ingram) Fitz- simmons, of East Whiteland. She was born in 1816, and is still living. To their union was born a family of seven children, four sons and three daughters. The eldest son is Charles, who married Margaret Thomas and now resides at Malvern. He is a mil- ler by occupation and has four sons and three daughters: Elsie (deceased), Sallie, M. Davis (deceased), Jonathan, Robert, Anna and William. The eldest daughter, Mary F., married Robert Everett, one of the foun- ders of the Philadelphia Sunday Dispatch, who now lives in retirement at Malvern, this county. They have four children liv- ing-Henry, Robert, John and William - and two dead. The second daughter, Esther, is now the widow of Jacob Rogers, and lives
with her father in Sugartown, Willistown township. The third daughter, Sarah, died at the age of twenty-two, unmarried. George Entriken, the second son, married Sallie H. Bishop, by whom he had three children- Essie, Rogers and Nellie -and after her death wedded Annie Haines, to whom was born one daughter-Ann. Caleb, the young- est son, died when only two years of age.
John C. Entriken was born in Thornbury, and received his education in the public schools and at a grammar school.
Since 1868 has been identified with the manufacture of platinum ware, and the re- fining of that metal, together with gold and silver. He served an apprenticeship of seven years with Joaquin Bishop, a native of Por- tugal, who was the first to introduce the working of platinum into this country, and the first to operate the oxo-hydrogen blow- pipe. In 1884 Mr. Entriken formed a part- nership with William Penn Evans, under the firm name of Evans & Entriken, and be- gan the manufacture of platinum ware at Malvern, where he has ever since continued the business. In 1885 Mr. Evans retired and Mr. Entriken assumed entire control of the business. His establishment is lo- cated on the corner of King street and See- ond avenue, and employs four or five men the year round. Here is manufactured plati- num stills, crucibles, dislies, retorts, blow- pipe jets, assaying apparatus, filtering cones, spoons, bottles, triangles, spatulas, wire, and many other articles. Special articles are made to order, and all kinds of platinum goods repaired. The product of these works is pronounced by competent judges to be of a superior order, and some of the work turned out here has never been surpassed in this country. Many large contracts have been filled for the United States govern-
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OF CHESTER COUNTY.
ment. In addition to his platinum works Mr. Entriken also conduets a general plomb- ing business, including steam and gas fit- ting. Part of the first floor of the building is used as the plumbing department, while the second story accommodates the plati- num works. A steam engine supplies am- ple power, and all work in either depart- ment receives the personal supervision of the energetic proprietor, whose name is familiar among scientific people in all parts of the world.
In 1874 Mr. Entriken was united in mar- riage with Laura Bishop, youngest daughter of Joaquin Bishop, his old preceptor in the platinum business. To Mr. and Mrs. En- triken were born seven children: Ralph, Clara, James, Bishop, Laura, John and Mary. Clara, Bishop, Laura and John are deceased.
Politically Mr. Entriken follows the tra- ditions of his family and is a stanch repub- lican. When the borough government of Malvern was first organized, in 1889, he was elected treasurer of the town and has held that position continuously ever since.
JAMES B. EASTWOOD, who has had over a quarter of a century's experience in the manufacture of cotton and woolen goods, and who is now the senior member of the firm of J. and J. Eastwood & Co., of Brooklyn, is a son of Edwin and Elizabeth ( Midgley) Eastwood, and was born at Bridge- port, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, September 25, 1856. He received his edu- cation in the common schools and then en- tered Worrall & Taylor's woolen mill, at Bridgeport, in which he worked for twenty- five years. During that time, from 1865 to 1890, he became thoroughly acquainted with
all the details of the manufacture of cotton and woolen goods, and in the last named year he came to Brooklyn, where he organ- ized the present firm of J. and J. Eastwood & Co., to succeed the MeClure heirs in the ownership and management of the woolen and cotton mills at that place. Refitting and remodeling the mills, Mr. Eastwood now has first class machinery in every depart- ment, and makes a specialty of jeans and cottonades. He operates fifty-six clipper looms, employs forty-six hands, and pro- duces weekly from nine to fourteen thousand vards of goods, that have quite a reputation in the market for durability and good finish. His trade has rapidly increased to such an extent that the mills are often taxed to their fullest capacity to fill the orders that he re- ceives. He is an active republican in poli- tics, and has been a member of the Baptist church for several years.
On May 1, 1874, Mr. Eastwood was uni- ted in marriage with Annie M., daughter of Michael Stetler, of Trappe, Montgomery county, who died April 15, 1891. To their union were born four childred, two sons and two daughters: Thomas, Emma. Sallie and James.
The Eastwood family has been resident of England for several centuries, where Enoch Eastwood, the paternal grandfather of James B. Eastwood, was a coal miner by occupation. He died and left two children, John and Edwin. John came to America, and after remaining for some time at Man- ayunk, near Philadelphia, removed to Vir- ginia. Edwin (father) came to Pennsylvania in 1844, and after serving for some years as a loom boss, removed to Bridgeport, where he occupied the same position in the cotton and woolen mills at that place. Edwin Eastwood was born in 1818. in Manchester.
726
BIOGRAPHY AND HISTORY
one of the great manufacturing centers of England, and died at Bridgeport in April, 1857. He was a democrat in politics, and married Elizabeth Midgley, daughter of Thomas Midgley, and sister to Thomas Midg- ley, jr., who was a soldier in the English army, and fell in an attack on Sevastopol, during the Crimean war. Mrs. Eastwood died May 22, 1872, aged fifty-two years. To Edwin and Elizabeth Eastwood were born six children : James B. (subject) ; Rev. Thomas, pastor of the Baptist church of Albany, New York; Sarah A., wife of W. E. Ritter, a builder and contractor of Phil- adelphia; John, who was a partner in the firm of J. and J. Eastwood & Co. until his death, which occurred April 15, 1892; and Elizabeth, wife of James Frith, a carder in the mills at Brooklyn, and also a member of the firm.
James B. Eastwood gives personal super- vision to every department of his important and well equipped mills, and his practical experience as a mill hand is very valuable to him in securing the manufacture of first- class and desirable goods. He is an honor- able business man and a good citizen, and is well and favorably known in this county.
FREDERICK WILLIAM HECKEL, I
M. D., who for many years has been one of the most successful physicians in Ches- ter county, is the eldest son of Dr. Freder- ick William and Margaret (Bowers) Heckel, and was born February 24, 1829, on the old Heckel homestead in East Vincent town- ship, where he now resides. He received a thorough academic education, in which he was greatly assisted by his father, and at the age of seventeen began reading medi- cine, first with his father and then with Dr.
Charles Fronefield, late of Philadelphia. After studying for some time he matricu- lated at the university of Pennsylvania, from the medical department of which institution he was graduated with the degree of M. D., April 7, 1849. He was the youngest of his class, and his diploma is signed by men who were eminent in the profession and justly regarded as the fathers of medicine in Amer- ica. Immediately after graduation Dr. F. W. Heckel formed a partnership with his father, and practiced one year in connection with the elder Dr. Heckel, after which he opened an office in his native township and began practice by himself. There he remained, carefully attending to the requirements of a constantly growing practice, until 1858, when he removed to a farm which he had recently purchased near Phoenixville, and resided on that farm until after his father's death. In 1861 Dr. Heckel removed to his present residence near Spring City, where he is still engaged in the practice of a pro- fession which he adorns by his learaing and skill. In September, 1862, Dr. Heckel was commissioned as assistant surgeon of the 5th Pennsylvania cavalry, and in December fol- lowing was promoted to be surgeon of the 165th Pennsylvania infantry. He served with this regiment until near the close of the war, part of the time doing brigade service. Returning to Chester county after the war closed, he devoted himself to his chosen pro- fession with renewed energy and increased ability. Being a man of iron constitution, inheriting from his father many of the dis- tinguishing characteristics of the true physi- cian, Dr. Heckel has successfully stood the strain of an active practice extending over nearly half a century. He has met with marked success in the treatment of disease, and his name has long been a household
Frederick William Heckel, OM.
:29
OF CHESTER COUNTY.
word throughout this entire section of coun- try. He is now the president of the Inter- County Medical association of Spring City and Royer's Ford.
On July 4, 1852, Dr. Heckel was united in marriage with Henrietta II. Christian, a daughter of Isaac and Mary (Hoffman) Christman, of Schuylkill township, this county. She died November 26, 1876, and on February 13, 1878, the doctor was again married, this time wedding Emmeline Tow- ers, youngest daughter of Michael and Re- becca (Brooke) Towers, of East Vincent township, this county. By this marriage Dr. Heckel has one son, Frederick T., now in his thirteenth year.
For many years Dr. Heckel has taken an active part in polities. He was the demo- eratie candidate for State senator in 1880, and received the largest vote of any candi- date on the State or county ticket of his party. He was also the candidate of his party for Congress in 1884. He has been heard on the stump during several presi- dential campaigns, and his political speeches have added largely to his reputation as a man of ability. He is a member of Spring City Lodge, No. 553, Free and Accepted Ma- sons. In religious faith the Doctor is a Lu- theran and has been an acceptable member of that church for many years. He is a gentleman of fine education, broad and lib- erable views, and affable manners. He has an elegant home, with pleasant surround- ings, and he and his accomplished wife are noted for their social dispositions and genu- ine hospitality.
The Heckels are of German ancestry, the family being planted in America in 1823 by Dr. Frederick William Heckel, the distin- guished father of the subject of this sketch. The elder Dr. Heckel was born at Saar-
bruck, Germany, during the first month of the first year of this century. Whentwenty- three years of age he left his native coun- try, against the advice of friends, and came to America to seek a new home under a free government, being a liberalist in opinion and not satisfied with monarchial institu- tions. After traveling extensively in this country, in 1825 he settled in East Vincent township, Chester county, Pennsylvania, purchasing a farin of one hundred and sixty acres of land, part of which is now owned by his son, the subject of this sketch. He had studied medicine in the best schools of Germany, and in his new home at onee be- gan its practice, which he continued with unceasing activity until his death, June 30, 1861-a period of thirty-six years. He was one of the most active physicians and promi- nent men of the northern part of Chester county, a finished German scholar, well ac- quainted with French, and conversant with all the ancient classics. In religion he was a Lutheran, free from sectarian bias, and exemplified in his life all the virtues of true Christianity. He was identified with the Democratic praty, and was frequently hon- ored by nomination to important official po- sition, but his party was too much in the minority ever to secure his oleetion. On May 17, 1825, he married Margaret Bowers, a danghter of John Barnard Bowers, of Ft. Washington, New York, and to their union was born a family of six children, three sons and three daughters : Louisa Rosanna, married Dr. Charles Zellar; Dr. Frederick William, the subject of this sketch : Mary Matilla, deceased; Dr. Charles Augustus. who died in 1877; Dr. Edward Bowers; and Emma, deceased. Mrs. Margaret (Bowers) Heckel survived her husband some eight years, dying in 1869. She was a lady of fine
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BIOGRAPHY AND HISTORY
education and varied accomplishments, a loving wife and affectionate mother, gifted with a genial nature that not only cheered her husband and children, but shed its light over a wide cirele of warm and devoted friends.
JOHN GYGER, one of the intelligent and progressive farmers of East Pike- land township, and the owner of Maple Spring and Sunnyside creameries, is a son of Daniel C. and Susan (Snyder) Gyger, and was born in Radnor township, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, November 1, 1846. The Gyger family is of German lineage, and is one of the old and prominent families of what is now Delaware county, while its members are settled throughout Delaware, Lancaster and Chester counties, as well as. being somewhat numerous in the western States and territories of the Union. George Gyger, the paternal great-grandfather of John Gyger, was a resident of what is now Delaware county, where he owned a four hundred acre tract of good farming land, and was among the most wealthy men of his section. He married and reared a fan- ily of children, of whom were three sons, Jolin, Jacob and Jesse. Jacob Gyger (grand- father) was born in 1774, and settled in Rad- nor township of his native county, where he owned a large tract of land. He was a coachmaker by trade, and a whig and re- publican in politics, and in 1794 served as a soldier in one of the Chester county militia companies that were called ont to aid in suppressing the whisky insurrection in west- ern Pennsylvania. He was an active, thor- onghgoing man, and married Jemima Cor- bett, of French extraction, who died and left three children, two sons and one daughter:
George (dead), Daniel C. (father), and Mary A. Hennis. For his second wife Mr. Gyger married Tacie Thomas, by whom he had one son, George. Daniel C. Gyger, father of John Gyger, was born December 14, 1814, on the farm where he grew to man- hood. He received a good English educa- tion and learned the trade of blacksmith, at which he worked but a short time. He was then variously engaged in farming and other agricultural pursuits until 1872, when he started a brick yard on the farm which he now owns, and that was once the prop- erty of his uncle, John Gyger. Ten years in the brick business was passed very quickly and with profitable returns from the invest- ment, and then Mr. Gyger retired from the labors and duties of active life. His farmi of forty-two acres is on the old Lancaster road, a quarter of a mile south of Villenova college, in Radnor township, Delaware county. IIe is a republican in polities, and a member of Radnor Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a trustee and to whose support he is a liberal contributor. He is a man of influence in his community, where he enjoys the respect and confidence of his fellow-citizens. In 1839 he married Susan Snyder, who was a daughter of John and Hannah Snyder, and who died in 1879, at sixty-nine years of age, leaving three children : Hannah, John and Mary F., who died in childhood. For his second wife Mr. Gyger married Cora Campbell, by whom he has one child, a daughter named Mary.
The eldest child by the first marriage, Hannah Gyger, received a classical educa- tion, and then traveled in France and Ger- many to perfect herself in the languages of those countries. Returning from Europe she was principal of Bryn Mawr High school for some years, which position she
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OF CHESTER COUNTY.
resigned to engage in teaching in New Mex- ico. After some time spent in that territory she went (1887) to the city of Mexico, where she accepted her present position as profes- sor of English in the leading academy of the Mexican capital. She is a woman of fine attainments and ranks high asa linguist.
Johu Gyger, after receiving a good edu- cation in the common schools of his native township, Village Green academy and the Friends' Central school of Philadelphia, commenced life for himself as a member of a civil engineering corps that was engaged in making railroad surveys. After three years' experience in that line of work he en- gaged in the briek making business with his father, and five years later removed to a farm of his father's, which he cultivated for four years. At the end of that time, in 1876, he came to a farm in Charlestown township, which he tilled until 1882, when he pur- chased his present farm of one hundred and six acres in East Pikeland township. This farm lays well, has an abundance of water and is very fertile, being considered one of the finest pieces of property in the north- eastern part of the county. In addition to farming Mr. Gyger is engaged in fruit grow- ing, and has the largest peach orchard in Chester county. He also owns and operates two creameries, one at Maple Spring and the other and the largest at Sunnyside, in Adams county. He attends the Philadel- phia market during four days of each week, and does a large business there in butter, milk and farm products.
On March 30, 1871, Mr. Gyger married Lizzie B .. daughter of Rev. Thomas Jordan Thomas, of England, and to their union have been born nine children : Daniel W., Susie, Julia D., Lizzie B. (deceased), Helen B., HI. Elsie, John T., Ferman H., and Emily S.
In religion Mr. Gyger is a Lutheran, and has been for several years an active and use- ful member of Pikeland Evangelical Luth- eran church. In politics he is a republican. Hle takes considerable interest in popular education, and has served two terms as school director-one term in Charlestown and the other in East Pikeland township. John Gyger has been remarkably successful in life and has accumulated a handsome competency. He is an energetic and thor- oughgoing man, a desirable neighbor and a well respected citizen.
GEN. JOHN RICHESSON DOBSON
is a veteran of the civil war, who spent three years in the service of his country and will carry the marks of Confederate bullets to his grave. For a period of fifteen years he served as postmaster at Phoenixville, and for seven years held a commission as major- general in the National guard of Pennsyl- vania. lle is a son of John R. and Sarah (Heybizer) Dobson. General Dobson was born and reared in Cumberland county. Pennsylvania, his natal day being December 6, 1818. IIe is descended from old English Quaker stock, received a good common school education, and at the age of sixteen became an apprentice to the iron business. In 1848 he came to Phoenixville, Chester county, and entered on the duties of super- intendent of the puddling department in the Phoenix iron works, which position he ocenpied until the breaking out of the civil war. In April, 1861, he recruited a com- pany, which afterward became Co. G, 1st Pennsylvania reserve volunteer corps, and was elected and commissioned captain of the company. He served with his company in the army of the Potomac, participating ar-
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BIOGRAPHY AND HISTORY
tively in all the important battles of that grand military organization until July, 1863. At the battle of Gaines' Mills, in June, 1862, Captain Dobson was injured by a riderless horse coming with great speed from the line of battle, while his regiment was moving into position, knocking him down, tramp- ing upon and severely bruising his left side and leg, and in the engagement at Charles City cross roads was struck on the left shoulder by a shell from the enemy's guns and severely wounded. Early in the battle of Gettysburg he was wounded in the left thigh by a spent grape shot, but he contin- ued to actively participate in the great con- test-where victory scemed uncertain, in- clined now to perch on this standard and again to abide with that-until the third day of the fight, when in the charge on Little Round Top, Captain Dobson was so severely wounded by a minnie ball, which struck him in the right leg, three inches above the ankle, as to be unable to resume active duty in the field during the remainder of his term of service. For the heroism displayed by the captain on that occasion he received a major's commission from the war department at Washington. At the ex- piration of his three year's term of enlist- ment, June 13, 1864, he was mustered out of service with his regiment and immedi- ately returned to Phoenixville. One year later he again entered the Phoenix iron works as superintendent, and remained in that capacity until 1874, when he resigned his position in order to devote his time more fully to the performance of his duties as postmaster at Phoenixville, to which office he had been appointed in 1869, and in which he served continuously until Cleveland's administration.
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