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 98
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105
felt, however, fully justified in taking this step toward the support of his country in a time of its direst need, without being at all prompted by any antagonism to the doc- trines of his religious faith. While taking so active and pronounced a part in business and public matters, he was also deeply in- terested in all things pertaining to the cul- ture of the useful and ornamental adjuncts of the farm. His father, Jonathan C. Bald- win, served as president of the County Hor- ticultural association and was a member of the Pennsylvania Pomiological society, act- ing in the latter as a representative for Chester county. Caleb Baldwin was a man of many estimable qualities and character- istics, an affectionate father and husband, a kind neighbor, a true friend, a genial and hospitable host, and a patriotic citizen of sterling integrity, frank, decided and very determined in his own ideas of right and justice. He was strong yet candid in his convictions, and was a man greatly loved in his domestic and social relations, while he was universally respected wherever he was known.
In 1866 he was married to Emma A. Lewis, by whom he had two sons, John Bald- win, born June 23, 1868, and J. Lewis Baldwin, born July 6, 1872. Caleb Baldwin died January 3, 1888.
J. Lewis Baldwin, youngest son, was born July 6, 1872, at Hanover Home, East Caln township, this county. He received his education in varions institutions-in the model department of the West Chester Nor- mal, Friends' Graded school at West Ches- ter, one year in the Biological department of the university of Pennsylvania, and is now a student in a medical department of the same institution, which department he entered in October, 1890, and from which
821
OF CHESTER COUNTY.
he will be graduated in 1893. During the summer vacations he superintends the farm- ing operations on the homestead place, which consists of one hundred and fifty acres. On this farm is situated a fine marble quarry, which furnishes a superior quality of blue marble. The stone was obtained at this quarry for the Catholic church at Vilanova, and several fine residences at Haverford. J. Lewis Baldwin is also a partner with his brother, John Baldwin, in a steam laundry at Downingtown. In polities he is a re- publican.
R EV. CALVIN DERR, the present pop- ular pastor of the Reformed church at Spring City, this county, was born at Ta- maqua, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, December 30, 1863, and is the only son of Rev. Levi K. and Rachel (Reagan) Derr. His paternal grandfather, Daniel Derr, was a native and prosperous farmer of Lehigh county, this State, and was well known there as an active member in his day of the Re- formed church of the United States. He married Susanna Knerr, also a native of that county, and reared a family of six children, dying at his home there at a good old age. Among his sons was Levi K. Derr (father), who was born in that county, and resided there until 1880, when he removed to the city of Reading, which has since been his place of residence. Ile was edneated at what is now Muhlenberg college, and after- ward studied theology with Dr. William A. IIelfrey, a leading theologian of the Re- formed church. After completing his edu- cation and being graduated, he became a minister in the Reformed church, and has devoted his life almost entirely to preaching the gospel. He now has charge of a Re- formed church at Reading, which he organ-
ized nearly eleven years ago, and has built up until it has become one of the leading churches of that city. This is the fifth church he has organized, and all have been successful and are now in a flourishing con- dition. Indeed it may be said that his whole life has been devoted to the work of organ- izing and building up new churches of his denomination throughout the western part of l'enusylvania. And the success which has constantly attended his efforts furnishes the amplest proof of his fitness for such labor and his ability as a minister. He be- gan his labors in the coal regions of Schuyl- kill county in 1857, at a time when that section was sparsely populated, and among his first successes was the work at Mahanoy City, where he organized a church which is now one of the largest in that place. Later he did similar service at Tamaqua, same county; in 1870 at Statington, Lehigh county ; and at Lehighton, Carbon county. With the two latter he remained until his removal to Reading, where his work has also been greatly blessed, the church being singularly prosperous. Rev. Levi K. Derr married Rachel Reagan, a daughter of George Reagan, a gentleman of Scotch-Irish lineage, who spent most of his life in Berks county, this State, where he was a large property holder and prosperous iron master. By this union Rev. Mr. Derr had a family of five children, one son and four daughters : Mary, now living with her brother in Spring City ; Calvin, the subject of this sketch; Emma, wedded Warren Lewis, of the city of Read- ing, who is now State agent of the Philadel- phia & Reading railroad; Deborah and Winna, the two latter living at home with their parents.
Rev. Calvin Derr was educated at Ursinus college. in Montgomery county, this State,
822
BIOGRAPHY AND HISTORY
from which institution he was graduated in the spring of 1888. He entered Yale Divin- ity school in the autumn of that year, being graduated in theology in 1891. He was called by the first Reformed church of Spring City, this county, nearly five months before his graduation at Yale, his term of service beginning here in May, 1891. Upon com- pleting his theological course he at once threw himself earnestly into his chosen life work, and is succeeding admirably in build- ing up a working church of live, devoted and enthusiastic Christians. He is a young minister of much promise, and seems en- tirely consecrated to the work of his Divine Master.
AMOS G. WILSON, who for nineteen
years has been in the grocery business at Parkesburg, and was postmaster at that place for a quarter of a century, beside serv- ing as burgess, school director and a mem- ber of the council, was born in West Caln township, Chester county, Pennsylvania, October 12, 1821, and is a son of Major William and Susannah (Griffith) Wilson. The family is of Scotch-Irish origin, and is among the oldest in the Keystone State. Major William Wilson (father) was born about 1783, and was a native of Chester county, where he grew to manhood and re- ceived such education as was afforded by the schools of that early day. He was a prosper- ous farmer of West Caln township, and only abandoned his farm to engage in hotel keep- ing at Compass, this county, three or four years previous to his death, which occurred February 22, 1838, in his fifty-fifth year. When a young man he had learned the carpenter trade, and occasionally worked at that business in connection with his farming operations. He was a democrat in ·politics,
and in the carly part of this century served as major of a regiment of Pennsylvania militia, being ever afterward known and addressed as Major Williams. In personal appearance he was stout and portly, a man of great energy and constant activity, and a well known advocate of temperance prin- ciples. He married Susannah Griffith, by whom he had a family of children. She was a native of Chester county, a life-long member of the Baptist church, and her life was a fine example of true Christian woman- hood. She died in 1872, at the advanced age of eighty-nine years.
Amos G. Wilson was reared partly ou the farm in West Caln township, and partly at Compass, this county. His education was received in the common schools and at the Unionville academy, then taught by Jonathan Gause. Leaving school he be- came a clerk for a short time in the general store of his brother William, at Wagon- town, this county, and afterward engaged in teaching for several years. In 1863 he started his present grocery business at Parkesburg, in the same building he now occupies. He has been very successful, and now has a large and lucrative trade. He was appointed postmaster here in 1861, be- ing commissioned by President Lincoln, and held the office continuously until Pres- ident Cleveland's administration, except some eighteen months during the adminis- tration of Andrew Johnson. During all his protracted term as postmaster, Mr. Wilson served acceptably, alike to the people and the postal authorities at Washington.
On July 3, 1844, Mr. Wilson married Rachel Filson, a daughter of Joseph Filson, of Sadsbury township, this county. She died in 1872, leaving five children, two sons and three daughters, all of whom are still
OF CHESTER COUNTY.
823
living : William, a druggist, owning three drug stores on Broadway, New York city ; J. Chester, a coal merchant of Philadelphia, residing at Clifton Heights; Ida, the wife of Samuel R. Parke, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume; Belle, married William Michener, elerk for the Parkes- burg Iron Company; and Pauline R., living at home. In 1882 Mr. Wilson was again married, this time wedding Mrs. Hannah A. ( Fritz) Stroud, of Highland township, Ches- ter county .
In his politieal affiliations Mr. Wilson has hitherto been republican, but now strongly inclines toward the Prohibition party. He has served two terms as burgess of Parkes- burg, and also as school director, and a member of the common council, and is now treasurer of the Parkesburg Building and Loan association. Mr. Wilson is a pleasant and popular gentleman, and ranks high as a citizen and an upright business man.
J ACOB H. GEIGER, a leading con- tractor and builder at Parker Ford, and a man who has achieved financial success in the face of adverse circumstances, is a son of Jonas and Elizabeth ( Hatfield) Geiger, and was born May 1, 1829, in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. When he was two years old his father died, and the care of a family of six children fell on the mother. The family resided near Pottstown, and the father was a mason by trade, which occupa- tion he followed until called away by death. In polities he was a democrat, and married Elizabeth Hatfield, by whom he had three sons and three daughters. One of these daughters, Sarah, married Joshua Haldeman, who is now deceased, and she lives in the city of Philadelphia.
Jacob H. Geiger was reared in his native county, where he early became accustomed to hard work, learning lessons of self-reliance and the necessity of careful management in the practical affairs of life. IFis educational advantages were few, and nine months in the publie schools formed the sum total of his scholastic training. He embraced every opportunity for improvement that came in his way, however, and in the practical school of life acquired that knowledge which has served him better, perhaps, than any mere study of text books would have done. In early manhood he learned the trade of car- penter, and has followed that occupation more or less all his life. He also does work in the line of contracting and building, and many specimens of his handiwork may be seen at and in the vicinity of Parker Ford, this county, where he has resided since 1856. Ilis natural energy and business ability, in- herited from a long line of industrious an- cestors, and quiekened into new life by the necessities surrounding his early career, have led to financial success and placed him in independent circumstances. Politically Mr. Geiger is a democrat, and while avoiding the turmoil of practical politics is ever ready to do what he can to advance the cause and principles of genuine democracy among the people. Ile is.a member of the German Reformed church, as are all his family, and active in support of his denomination and its various interests. He is also a member of Manatou Lodge, No. 214, Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Pottstown.
Jacob HI. Geiger was united in marriage with Sarah Yost, a daughter of John Yost, of Montgomery county, where he died. To Mr. and Mrs. Geiger was born a family of four children, two sons and two daughters : J. Huston, a carpenter by occupation, who
48
824
BIOGRAPHY AND HISTORY
lives in Chester county ; Mary, married F. P. Huber, of Parker Ford, who is also a car- penter by trade ; Harry, who wedded a Mrs. Shantz, nee Towers, and now lives with his father and manages the farm; and Sarah, who died at an early age.
H ARRY C. HART, one of the leading merchants of Kenilworth and a useful and highly popular citizen of Chester county, is the fifth son of Simon and Leah (Mc- Grady) Hart, and was born May 12, 1859, in the township of Providence, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. He was reared on the farm and educated in the common schools of his neighborhood. At the age of twenty-six he entered a general store and for a period of three years was engaged in clerking and as salesman. At the end of that time, in September, 1889, he embarked in business on his own account, at Potts- town, Montgomery county, where he re- mained until the spring of 1891. He then removed to Kenilworth, just opposite Potts- town, where he opened out his present busi- ness, and where he conducts a first-class general store. His location is among the best in the borough, and he carries a large and complete stock of all kinds of general merchandise, which is sold at correct prices. Here by industry and enterprise, backed up by a large share of practical ability and good business judgment, he has succeeded in building up an extensive and lucrative trade. He is a stanch republican in politics and a member of the Patriotic Order Sons of America.
Harry C. Hart married Dilla B. Uffelman, of Pottstown, and their union has been blessed by the birth of two daughters, the eldest of whom, Mabel Irene, is now de-
ceased, while the other, Hilda May, is yet an infant, having been born December 22, 1891. Mrs. Hart's father, Christian Uffel- man, is a native of Liebaca, Prussia, Ger- many, and came to this country when only thirteen years of age. He settled in Lan- caster county, this State, from which he re- moved in 1889 to Pottstown, Montgomery county, where he still resides. He married Barbara Burkholder, by whom he had a family of twelve children, Mrs. Hart being one of its younger members. Others are : Charlotte Ann, married Fred R. Reynolds, a clerk in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company at Pottstown; John F., lives in Dakota; Christian B., a hotel clerk in Lancaster city; Mary L., clerking in a millinery store; Tillie B., wife of William HI. Colandie, a telegraph operator and des- patcher of trains in Lancaster county ; Jos- eph A., deceased; Samuel C., a telegraph operator located in Washington city; Ella B., now dead; Daniel and Elsie M., the two latter living at home with their parents in Pottstown.
The paternal grandfather of the sub- ject of this sketch was Harry Hart, a native of Lancaster county, this State, who was born and reared in Providence township. He was a man of more than ordinary education for that day, and en- gaged in teaching for many years, becoming widely known. Politically he was an old- line whig and took a rather active part in the politics of his time. He married and reared a family of five children, three sons and two daughters: Amos, Oren (killed in the late civil war), Martha, Susan and Simon. Simon Hart (father) was born November 19, 1828, in Providence township, Lancaster county, and has always resided there, hav- ing never been outside of Pennsylvania.
825
OF CHESTER COUNTY.
He is a farmer by occupation and has spent his life chiefly in the cultivation of the soil, though he has also been engaged extensively in lime burning at times. In religions faith he is a Methodist and a prominent member and class leader in that denomination, be- ing also trustee of his church. He married Leah MeGrady, who was born March 9, 1824, and died August 7, 1888. By this union he had a family of eight children : Emery, foreman in a tobacco warehouse at Lancaster city ; Milton, now deceased; Al- bertis, a prosperous farmer of Conestoga township, Lancaster county; Allen J., de- ceased ; Harry C., the subject of this sketch ; Elmer E., a farmer residing at Safe Harbor, Lancaster county ; Lilly F., married Ben- jamin Beach, who lives at Mardie Ford, Laneaster county; and Oren G. Some of the family connection has been noted for longevity. The maternal great-grandfather of Harry C. Hart, Simon Groff, was a black- smith by occupation and lived to be almost ninety-eight years of age. He worked at his trade about sixty years in Lancaster county, where he lived all his life. Mr. HIart's maternal grandmother also attained a remarkable age, dying in her ninety-sixth year.
JUDSON ARMOR, a wounded Union veteran of the late war, an active, ener- getie and thoroughgoing carriage and wagon manufacturer of Downingtown, and a Thir- ty-second degree Mason of the northern Masonic jurisdiction of the United States, is a son of John G. and Catherine C. (Russel) Armor, and was born at Laughlintown, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, April 25, 1844. His paternal great-grandfather, Robert Armor, was of Scotch-Irish descent,
and served for several years as an officer in the body guard of King George II. of En- gland. He came to Chester county in 1732, with two men named Wagoner and Gault, and settled at Compassville, where he fol- lowed farming and kept the Compass inn of that place for a number of years before his death. He was a strict member of the Presbyterian church of his ancestors, and married and reared a family of seven ehil- dren : David, George, John, Robert R., Su- san, Naney and Martha. The youngest son, Robert R. Armor (grandfather), was born at Compassville, October 8, 1775, and in 1815 left that place to settle at Laughlin- town, Westmoreland county, where he re- sided until his death, March 16, 1858, when in the eighty-second year of his age. He was a whig in politics, and kept an inn and run a farm at Laughlintown until 1845, when he retired from active business. He . married and reared a family of eleven chil- dren, of whom were : James, David, George, Naney Curry, John G., and Susan, the youngest and only surviving member of the family. Of these sons, Jolın G. (father), was born at Compassville in 1806, and went with his father in 1815 to Westmoreland county, where after arriving at manhood he was engaged in the general mercantile busi- ness at Laughlintown until his death in 1876, at seventy years of age. Ile was an old-line whig and republican in politics, and an influential member and a prominent elder of the Presbyterian church, and married Cartherine Russel, who is a daughter of Robert Russel, a native of Ireland and a striet Presbyterian, who settled at Shippensburg, Cumberland county, where he engaged in the mercantile business and reared and edu- cated his family of five children : William, Dr. Robert, Susan, Eliza, and Catherine Ar-
826
BIOGRAPHY AND HISTORY
mor. John G. and Catherine (Russel) Armor were the parents of seven sons : Rob- ert R., in business at Jamestown, New York ; William C., a notary public and now en- gaged in the mercantile and real estate busi- ness ; Judson, George E., who died in 1892; Francis W., a merchant of Laughlintown ; Herbert S., a telegraph operator of Oxbury ; and Charles L., a merchant of Northumber- land county.
Judson Armor received his education in the common schools and Caldwell's acad- emy of Latrobe, Westmoreland county, and then learned the trade of carriage trimmer and painter, which he followed until the commencement of the late war, when he en- listed, in August, 1861, in Co. E, 105th Pennsylvania infantry, which was known as the "Wild Cat" regiment on account of its fearless fighting. He served under Mc- Clellan iu the Peninsular campaign, and with Pope and at second Bull Run, and then under Burnside at Fredericksburg, where he was struck in the side by a piece of a shell, and dangerously wounded. He was conveyed from the battle-field to Mansion hospital, from which he was afterward re- moved to Rhode Island hospital, where he was discharged on March 26, 1863. After being discharged he returned home and was variously engaged until 1876, when he came to Downingtown, where he worked at his trade up to 1880, in which year he en- gaged in his present carriage and wagon manufacturing business. He operates a large repair shop and employs four men. He is the pioneer dealer in foreign built carriages and wagons in Chester county, and in his three lines of business of manufacturing, selling and repairing carriages and wagons, has built up a very fine trade.
In 1869 Mr. Armor was united in mar-
riage with Amanda Compton, daughter of Gilbert Compton.
In politics Mr. Armor is a republican. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, of whose Sunday school he is superintend- ent. He is a past commander of Hancock Post, No. 255, Grand Army of the Repub- lic; a past grand of his lodge of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows; and a past master of his lodge, Free and Accepted Ma- sons. He is also district deputy grand master of his Masonic lodge district, and is a Thirty-second degree Mason of the An- cient Accepted Scottish Rite.
W ENDELL P. LAMBORN, D.D. S.,
one of the able and promising young professional men of West Chester, who is rapidly acquiring a lucrative dental practice in this borough, is a son of Richard J. and Hannah (Strode) Lamborn, and was born De- cember 24, 1862, in Newlin township, Ches- ter county, Pennsylvania. The family is of English extraction and was planted in Amer- ica as early as 1713, by Robert Lamborn, who came, when only seventeen years of age, from Berkshire, England, and settled in Chester county. IIe bought land in Lou- dongrove township, married and reared nine children, whose decendants are now numer- ous and widely scattered. The paternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, Townsend Lamborn, was a native of West Bradford township, this county, where he passed his life principally in agricultural pursuits, and where he died at an advanced age. He married and reared a family of children. Richard J. Lamborn (father) was born on the old homestead, and passed his entire life as a citizen of Chester county, dying at a good old age. He was a general
827
OF CHESTER COUNTY.
merchant and a prosperous farmer, devoting his attention mainly to farming during the latter part of his life. Politically he was a republican, and was called to fill several township offices. In business he was ener- getic and scrupulously honest, and became very successful, being a man who made friends easily and retained them for life. He married Hannah Strode, a native of Newlin township, who still resides on the old homestead in that township. She has been a devoted member of the Baptist church for many years, and is a woman of many excellent traits of character.
Wendell P. Lamborn was reared on the home farm in Newlin township, and ob- tained his education principally in the public schools of his neighborhood. He supple- mented this instruction by a two-years course of study at the Edgefield institute in this county, and after completing this course, remained on the home farm tor five or six years. In 1887 he entered the dental office of Dr. Frank P. Cobourn, at West Chester, and on February 26th of the following year graduated from the Pennsylvania Dental college of Philadelphia, with the degree of D. D. S. He did not at once begin the prac- tice of his profession, but in January, 1891, opened his present dental office in the city of West Chester, where by the exercise of skill and energy, and careful attention to business, he is rapidly building up a good trade, and winning a fine reputation as a dentist.
On September 27, 1888, Dr. Lamborn was united in marriage to Mamie L. Grubb, a daughter of Samuel W. Grubb, of West Goshen township, this county, and this buion has been blessed by the birth of a daughter, Ilazel L., who was born August 14, 1890.
Dr. Lamborn is a member of the First
Baptist church of West Chester, and in poli- ties is a straight republican, always giving his party an intelligent and hearty support. He and his wife are very popular socially, and have the respect and esteem of a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. Having thoroughly prepared himself for the practice of dentistry, and being in easy financial cir- cumstances, the doctor's well-known energy, ability and devotion to his chosen pursuit will no doubt win him an honorable position among the leading men of his profession in this State.
H. W. DAVIS, a courteous and pleasant gentlemen, and one of the prosperous farmers of Charlestown township, is a son of William J. E. and Hannah (Rixstine) Davis, and was born in East Pikeland township, Chester county, Pennsylvania, September 12, 1858. He received his education in the public schools of Charlestown, to which township he was taken when quite young by his parents. Leaving school he became an apprentice to the trade of miller, but not liking milling, he made satisfactory arrange- ments and in 1879 cancelled the remaining part of his apprenticeship. He then engaged in farming, which he has followed ever since, where he now resides in Charlestown town- ship. Ilis farm contains seventy-five acres of fertile and well watered land, which is finely improved and highly cultivated. On it he has established a first class dairy, whose products are in good demand. In his agri- cultural pursuits of farming, stock-raising and dairying, he has been successful, and particularly in the latter branch has built up a prosperous and flourishing business. Politically he is a democrat, and is a mem- ber of Phunix Lodge. No. 212, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and of Pikeland
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.