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 95
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On January 22, 1879, Mr. Beaver was united by marriage to Elmira S. Roland, a daughter of Benjamin Roland, a prosperous farmer of Charlestown township. To their union have been born two children, one son and a daughter: Mary E. and Jacob I.
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BIOGRAPHY AND HISTORY
Politically Mr. Beaver is an ardent demo- crat, as was his father, aud has served as inspector of elections, and now occupies the position of assistant assessor of his town- ship. He is a member of East Vincent Ger- man Reformed church, and widely known as a good and useful citizen. He is a nephew of Devalt Beaver and first cousin to George H. Beaver, whose sketches appear elsewhere in this volume, and to those arti- eles reference is made for additional facts concerning the history of this old and highly respected family.
LIVER B. KEELEY was a man of
such versatile talent and positive busi- ness ability that he had already elimbed the heights which lead to eminence, and stood bathed in the golden sunlight of substantial and honorable success, when removed by the pitiless hand of death from a career whose brilliant opening left its closing chapters alone with imagination. He had won his way to position side by side with the fore- most business inen of Pennsylvania, and his reputation as a manufacturer was co-exten- sive with the State. Yet he who aceon- plished this, and crowded a few brief years with achievements brilliant enough to erown a long eareer, never lived to reach manhood's noon, nor feel the full development of his power. Ile was a son of Joseph and Anna (Markle) Keeley, and was born April 30, 1845, at Spring City, this county, which afterward became the theatre of his oper- ations, and witnessed his wonderful success. Even as a boy he gave evidence of unusual talent, rapidly acquiring education and reach- ing out in every direction for new faets and additional information, which by the ehem- istry of intellect were transmitted into aet-
ual knowledge, and became a part of his working capital in practical business. While yet a lad he took and held a position as draughtsman with his father's firm, Keeley & Brownback, one of the largest contract- ing, building and lumber dealing concerns in the city of Philadelphia.
While still young Oliver B. Keeley be- came a partner with his brother-in-law, Mr. Shantz, in the stove foundry at Spring City, under the firm name of Shantz & Keeley. Here he found ample scope for his great ability and that spirit of intelligent enter- prise with which he was gifted, and it was not long till their modest business began to feel the quickening effects of his superior management in every department.
At the flood tide of their new prosperity, July 5, 1880, a disastrous fire destroyed their plant, and left ashes alone to mark the seat of former activity and wealth-producing in- dustry. In the autumn of that year Mr. Shantz sickened and died. Mr. Keeley in- mediately re-organized the business under the firm name of O. B. Keeley & Co., rebuilt the works, and with the calmu assurance that marks the masterful mind, started in to re- trieve the misfortunes he had sustained. With that steady push and trained energy which characterizes the practical man of affairs in his native element, he threw himself into the business with a vim and vigor that chal- lenged the admiration of men and dis- eounted failure before its paper could be drawn. Once more the enterprise felt his electric touch, and as trade increased the shops were enlarged, until the stove works of O. B. Keeley & Co. became the most important industrial enterprise at Spring City, and were recognized as the bone and sinew of the business life of the town.
Oliver B. Keeley.
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OF CHESTER COUNTY.
This was the condition of affairs on June 13, 1881, when Mr. Keeley met instant death in a railway accident near Spuyten Duyvil, on the Hudson River road. He had not yet reached life's meridian, being only in his thirty-sixth year, but his wide reputation and the universal respect and esteem in which he was held was well attested by the genu- ine sorrow everywhere displayed, and the tremendous out-pouring of people to attend his obsequies. The funeral was conducted by his Masonic Lodge, assisted by delega- tions of Masons from Philadelphia, Norris- town, Pottstown, and other points in this and adjoining counties, and was perhaps the largest ever held in Spring City. All the men from his shops and stove works at- tended the service in a body, wearing black satin badges upon which was inscribed " Employees of O. B. Keeley & Co." The press of his own county and of the city of Philadelphia paid eloquent tribute to his distinguished business ability and great per- soual worth. Mr. Keeley, although young in years, had won his way to prominence in the Masonic circles of the State, being a member of Spring City Lodge, No. 553, Free and Accepted Masons, of which he was a charter member and the first worshipful master after its organization; and also a member of Phoenix Chapter, No. 198, Royal Arch Masous, at Phoenixville, and of Jerusa- lem Commandery, No. 15, Knights Templar.
Oliver B. Keeley was united in marriage to Mary E. Stauffer, a daughter of John and Mary (Beary) Stauffer, of East Coventry township, this county. They had only one child, a daughter, named Clara Stantfer, who is now living with her mother in their com- modious and elegant home at Spring City, which was erected by Mr. Keeley just prior to his death. Mrs. Keeley is an intelligent,
cultivated and refined lady, and extremely popular in the social cireles of her city and wherever she is known.
BENJAMIN H. HALTEMAN, a well
known farmer and industrious, useful and respected citizen of this county, is the third son of Jacob and Sarah ( Hunsberger) Halteman, and was born in East.Coventry township, Chester county, Pennsylvania, October 7, 1841, where he has always re- sided. Ile grew to maturity on his father's farm, and reecived a good English education in the public schools here. Later he learned the trade of miller, and has been engaged in farming and milling for a number of years. He owns a nice little farm of fifteen acres of valuable and productive land, which is finely improved and kept in a good state of cultivation. In his political faith Mr. Halte- man is an ardent republican, and while tak- ing no active part in politics, yet earnestly supports the men and measures put forward by his party.
In 1865 Mr. Halteman was united in mar- riage with Rachel Detwiler, a daughter of John Detwiler, of East Coventry township, this county, and to them has been born a family of two children, one son and a daugh- ter: Perry and Lizzie, the latter now the wife of George Romig.
The paternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, for whom he was named, was Jacob Il. Halteman, a native of East Vincent township, this county, where he lived all his life and died at a good old age. By vocation he was a farmer, as his ances- tors had been, and was industrious, ener- getic and successful. Politically he was an old-line whig, and in religion a strict mem- ber of the Mennonite church, taking a deep
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BIOGRAPHY AND HISTORY
interest in everything calculated to enhance the success of his church or benefit his fel- low man. He married Fannie Funk and was the father of eight children, six sons and two daughters. The sons are : Jacob, Christian, John F., Benjamin F., Moses (deceased), and Joseph.
Jacob Halteman (father) was born in East Vincent township, this county, about 1815, where he was reared and educated. After his marriage he removed to East Coventry township, where he lived for many years and where he died in 1865, after an active and useful life extending over half a century. He was a farmer, and devoted his time entirely to agricultural pursuits. In religion he followed the traditions of his family and adhered to the Mennonite church. Politically he was first a whig and later a stanch republican. He married Sarah Huns- berger, a native of this county, and by this union had a family of five children, four sons and a daughter, all of whom are still living, and all reside in East Coventry town- ship. The eldest, Joseph H., is a farmer and saw mill operator, and married IIannah L. Detwiler, by whom he had three chil- dren-Sarah (now the wife of J. Singleton Wertz), William H. (married to Kate Brel- ton), and Benjamin F. The other sons of Jacob and Sarah Halteman were Samuel, now deceased ; Benjamin II., of whom this sketch is written; and Isaac, who married a Miss Shantz.
GI EORGE R. WALTON, a well estab- lished business man of Malvern borough and ex-coroner of Chester county, is a son of James and Jane (Thomas) Walton, and was born February 14, 1853, in Solebury township, Bucks county, Pennsylvania. He
was reared in his native township and in Philadelphia, received his education in the common schools of Bucks county and the High school of the city of Philadelphia, and then, in 1869, became a clerk in a drug store, where he remained until 1882. In that year he came to Malvern and established his present drug store in this village. Mr. Walton keeps a full stock of drugs, gives careful attention to his business and has a good trade.
His ancestors on the paternal side are of English descent. His grandfather was a native and life-long resident of Solebury township, Bucks county. IIe followed farm- ing, and reared a family of five children, two sons and three daughters. One of the sons, James Walton, the father of the sub- jeet of this sketch, was born in 1811. He resided in his native township and was en- gaged in farming until 1868, in which year he removed to Philadelphia, where he lived a retired life until his death in 1875, when he was in the sixty-sixth year of his age. He was active in the local affairs of his na- tive township, where he served for several years as a school director. IIe was a mem- ber of the Society of Friends, and married Jane Thomas, by whom he had a family of eight children, five sons and three daugh- ters, of whom were Jacob, who died in the autumn of 1890; Jesse, a resident of Phila- delphia, who is superintendent of construc- tion there for the Western Union Telegraph Company ; Charles M., of Moore's station, Delaware county ; and Albert, now deceased.
In politics Mr. Walton is a stanch repub- lican, and has always been active in support of the cardinal principles of his party. He was elected justice of the peace for the bor- ough of Malvern upon its organization in 1890, On January 5, 1891, he was appointed
801
OF CHESTER COUNTY.
coroner of Chester county. In addition to his services as a public official he has done considerable work for his party, having served for three years as a member of the Republican county and State central com- mittees.
George R. Walton married Ida J. Curri- deu, a daughter of William J. Curriden, of Camden, New Jersey. Ile has always la- bored diligently for the welfare of his bor- ough, and is a member of Camp No. 548, Patriotie Order Sous of America.
DANIEL BENNER, who has been a well-known undertaker for fifty-one years, and a leading member of the German Reformed church for half a century, is the only son of John and Susannah (IIofaker) Benner, and was born October 22, 1820, in East Coventry township, Chester county, Pennsylvania. Ile grew to manhood in his native county, and received a good English education in the public schools, after which he went into the shop with his father and thoroughly learned the carpenter and cabi- net making business in all its details. He then became an undertaker, and followed that occupation continuously for more than half a century, retiring in April, 1890, after devoting fifty-one years to the business. His trade was large and at times very re- munerative, extending over a wide territory in Chester county, and reaching parts of three or four adjoining counties. Ile now owns two fine farms in East Coventry town- ship, and is at present conducting a cream- ery, the second enterprise of the kind ever attempted in this township. He also owns a storehouse and several residences in Potts- town, Montgomery county, all of which he rents. In his political affiliations Mr. Ben-
ner has always been democratic, and may be regarded as one of the old wheel horses of democracy in this seetion. Ile has served his township as school director for several terms and is a member of the German Re- formed church, which he has served in the capacity of elder for nearly half a century.
Daniel Benner married Sarah Ellis, a daughter of James Ellis, who was a native of Ireland, but emigrated to America and resided for a time in East Coventry town- ship, this county. To Mr. and Mrs. Ben- ner was born a family of children, only two of whom now survive: Anna. married An- drew Wornvanon, a coal and feed dealer of Pottstown, Montgomery county, and has one child-Storer; and Clara, who wedded Maris Brownback, a prosperous farmer of East Coventry township, and has two chil- dren, both daughters-Anna and Sarah.
The Benner family has been resident in Chester county since an early day, and is of German origin. Daniel Benner, paternal grandfather, for whom the subject of this sketch was named, was a native of this county, and died in East Coventry township at an advanced age. He was an extensive and prosperous farmer, owning a fine farmi of one hundred and twenty-five acres of su- perior land. Hle married and reared a fan- ily of children, among his sons being John Benner (father) who was born in East Cov- entry township about 1789, and passed away in 1843. He received a good common school education, and afterward learned the trade of carpenter and cabinet maker, which occupation he followed in connection with undertaking during most of his life. In po- litical affairs he was always a democrat, and in religion a strict member of the German Reformed church. He was a man of sound judgment, wonderful energy and good busi-
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BIOGRAPHY AND HISTORY
ness ability. He married Susannah Hofaker, a daughter of Philip Hofaker, of South Cov- entry township, this county, and reared a family of seven children, one son and six danghters. A remarkable thing about this family of girls was the fact-which is per- haps without a parallel in the history of the county-that they were three pairs of twins, and all lived to reach maturity. They were : Elizabeth, now deceased ; Maria, who is the widow of Ephraim Mattis, and lives in North Coventry township; Ann, married Samuel Rigg, a farmer of Union township, Berks county, where they reside; Barbara, the widow of M. Hawk, who lives at Read- ing, this State; Sarah, married David Wan- ger, a successful farmer of East Coventry township, this county ; and Susan, who wed- ded Mahlon Miller, a clothier of Phoenix- ville, this county, where they reside.
W ILLIAM S. TAYLOR, M. D., a graduate of the Hahnemann Medical college of Philadelphia, and who has been successfully engaged in the practice of his chosen profession at Malvern since 1887, is · a son of Mordecai and Rebecca (Thompson) Taylor, and was born near Toughkenamon, in New Garden township, Chester county, Pennsylvania, February 2, 1857. He re- ceived his education at the Kennett Square academy and then took two full business courses-one at Bryant & Stratton's college, Philadelphia, and the other at Asbury Park, New Jersey. After completing his business course at Asbury Park he read medicine for three years with Dr. Hetrick of that place, and then entered Hahnemann Homeopathic Medical college of Philadel- phia, from which he was graduated in the class of 1886. After graduation, in order
to better fit and specially qualify himself for his responsible profession, he took a full course in the New York Polyclinic insti- tute, whose treatment of disease is largely of an allopathic character. Leaving the Poly- clinic institute, he opened an office at As- bury Park, where he remained until the au- tumn of 1887. He then came to Malvern, where he has built up a good practice and stands high in his profession.
Dr. Taylor is of English lineage. His pa- ternal grandfather, William Taylor, was born and reared in New Garden township, where he passed his life as a farmer. He married a Miss Vernon, and to their union were born three children, one son and two daughters. Both daughters died in infancy. The son, Mordecai Taylor (father), was born in 1824, near Toughkenamon, where he was reared and received his education. He followed farming for several years, was next engaged in contracting and building at Ken- nett Square, and then removed to West Grove, from which he went to the sea shore for his health. A stay of a few years on the Atlantic coast restored his health, and in 1890 he removed to Philadelphia, where he has lived a retired life ever since. Mr. Taylor is a republican and a member of the Society of Friends. His wife, whose maiden name was Rebecca Thompson, is a daughter of Joel Thompson, a native of New Garden township, who was engaged for many years in the brick manufacturing business at West Chester. To Mordecai and Rebecca Taylor have been born nine children: Spencer, now a carriage manufacturer of Chatham : Mary, Dr. William S., Rachel, Dr. Wilson S., a graduate of St. Louis Homeopathic college, and now practicing in Philadelphia ; Annie, wife of Rev. Lawrence Kertzholtz, a Methodist minister of Lebanon county ;
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OF CHESTER COUNTY.
Thompson, who died in 1889, at twenty-one years of age ; and Franklin, who died young.
Dr. William S. Taylor is a republican in polities, and a member of the Ilicksite So- ciety of Friends. Ile is a pleasant and agreeable gentleman, a skillful and success- ful physician, and an active and intelligent citizen, who commands publie respect and the confidence of his patients.
On October 15, 1889, Dr. Taylor was united in marriage with Phœbe M. Pass- more, daughter of Samuel W. Passmore, of Rising Sun, Maryland. Their union has been blessed with one child, a son, named Herbert, who was born on Christmas day, 1890.
JOHN FRANCIS, whose life has been one of industry and usefulness, is one of the highly respected citizens and success- ful business men of Kimberton. Hle is the fifth son of Joseph and Susannah (Suyder) Francis, and was born October 17, 1816, in East Pikeland township, this county. He spent his boyhood on the farm, received his education in the common and select schools of his neighborhood, and then assisted his father in farming until 1838. In that year he embarked in the milling business, which he left nine years later to resume farming, and was successfully engaged therein until 1877, when he came to Kimberton, where he immediately established his present flour, feed and eval business. He is honest and reliable in all his transactions, has a good trade, and enjoys the respect of all with whom he has dealings. In addition to his business interests at Kimberton, he owns a well cultivated farm of forty-three acres of land. Mr. Francis holds to the principles of the Democratic party, which he has al-
ways given a hearty support. He is a mem- ber of the German Reformed church of Kimberton, and is ever interested and al- ways active in religious affairs.
John Francis is a descendant of the Fran- cis family of Montgomery county, of Eng- lish lineage, and his paternal grandfather, Joseph Francis, was a farmer and life long resident of that county. He was a member of the Dunkard or German Baptist church. One of his sons was Joseph Francis, father of the subject of this sketch. He was born and reared in Montgomery county, from which he removed in early life to East Pike- land township, this county, where he spent the remainder of his days in agricultural pursuits. Ile was a democrat in politics and a member of the Dunkard church, and died at his home in East Pikeland at an ad- vanced age. Ile married Susannah Snyder, who passed away when in the sixtieth year of her age. They reared a family of seven children, six sons and one daughter: Thomas, Casper, Arnold, Joseph, John, Henry and Mary A., now dead.
In 1844 John Francis was united in mar- riage with Eliza Defrain, daughter of Bern- ard and Rebecca Defrain, of Chester county. To Mr. and Mrs. Francis have been born two children, a son and a danghter : Arnold, now deceased ; and Lydia, the wife of Charles Small, a resident and merchant of the city of Philadelphia.
JAMES WILSON, a prominent farmer and stock dealer of Kimberton, who for some years was engaged in merchandising at Wilson's Corners, is the only surviving son of John and Mary ( Whitesides) Wilson, and was born March 31, 1820, in the house he now occupies in West Vincent township,
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BIOGRAPHY AND HISTORY
Chester county, Pennsylvania. This family is one of the oldest in the Keystone State, and its members have been natives of Penn- sylvania since colonial times. Thomas Wil- son, paternal grandfather of James, was born in Chester county, and after attaining man- hood married and took up the land which has ever since been in the family, and which is now owned by the subject of this sketch. Here he passed the remainder of his life, ac- tively engaged in cultivating the soil and improving his farm. Here, too, he died, at an advanced age. Among his children was. John Wilson (father), who was a native of West Vincent township, and died at his home here. He was a farmer by occupa- tion, and in politics a stanch democrat. In religious faith and church membership he was an Episcopalian, and he married Mary Whitesides, of this county. By this nnion he had a family of four children, only two of whom now survive : Mary Ann and James, whose name introduces this sketch.
James Wilson grew to manhood on his father's farm, which is now his own, and re- ceived his education in the common schools of his neighborhood. Some time after leaving school he embarked in general mer- chandising at Wilson's Corners, and suc- cessfully conducted that business for a pe- riod of nine years, after which he engaged in farming on the old homestead, and like- wise began dealing in live stock. His farm consists of one hundred and twelve acres of valuable land, all well improved and sup- plied with excellent farm buildings. Fol- lowing the political traditions of his ances- tors, he has been a life-long democrat, and has frequently served as judge and super- visor of elections in his township. IIe also adheres to the religions faith in which he was reared, and for many years has been an
active and influential member of the Epis- copal church.
James Wilson married Elizabeth C. Em- ery, a daughter of Henry Emery, of West Pikeland township. To their union was born a family of five children, one son and four daughters: Emma, married Abram Pugh of Phoenix, this county ; Clara, Thomas B., who married a Miss Sloyer, and is now engaged in farming in West Vincent town- ship; Ella, living at home ; and Laura, who became the wife of Ralph P. Bush, of Roy- er's Ford, Montgomery county. Mrs. Eliza- beth C. Wilson, the mother of these chil- dren, is still living.
J. ACKER GUSS, president of the Spring City Steam Paper and Box Manufacturing Company, and chairman of the Prohibition county committee of Ches- ter, is a son of Jacob and Sarah (Keeter) Guss, and was born near the old Pikeland church in West Pikeland township, Chester county, Pennsylvania, December 28, 1848. His great-grandfather, Charles Guss, was a native of Baden, Germany, and settled in what is now East Vincent township prior to the revolutionary war. He was well edu- cated, a good linguist, and became a very successful teacher in Chester county. Charles Guss was born in 1732, and died September 1, 1795. On July 12, 1761, he married Mary Shunk, who was born May 4, 1741, and passed away on April, 30, 1821. Their children were: Mary M., Charles, Rachel, Catherine, Elizabeth, Samuel and Salome. One of these sons, the paternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in Schuylkill township, and in early life re- moved to Juniata county, where he died. Ile served as a soldier in the war of 1812,
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OF CHESTER COUNTY.
was a member of the Evangelical Lutheran church, married and reared a family. His son, Jacob Guss (father), was born near Phoenixville, received his education in the schools of his neighborhood and learned the trade of shoemaker, which he followed for many years. He married Sarah Keeter, a daughter of Henry Keeter, of East Vincent township, who was born April 5, 1803, and died at an advanced age. To them were born ten children: Levi, who died in infancy; Mary A., married Samuel Guss, and died at West Chester; Captain George W., who served as corporal in Co. C, 4th Pennsylvania infantry, raised and commanded Co. A, 138th Pennsylvania in- fantry, and died in 1872 from the effects of a wound received in one of the many battles of the army of the Potomae in which he was engaged ; Barbara A., widow of B. F. Grif- fith, a prominent abolitionist and republican, who was one of the pioneer coal operators of Schuylkill county, of which he served one term as recorder; Catherine, who mar- ried F. M. Burger, of Montgomery county, and is now dead; Frederick R., who re- ceived his education at Pughtown, served with the emergency men of 1863, and is now engaged in teaching in Buffalo, New York; Samuel M., now of Reading, this State, and superintendent of the Seyfert rolling mills of Seyfert; Henry F., enlisted in 1861, in Co. HI, 68th Pennsylvania in- fantry, and died of typhoid fever on the night of the battle of Fredericksburg; J. Acker; and William E., of St. Louis, Mis- souri, who was educated at the Pennsylvania institute for the deaf and dumb, and is a ear builder.
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