Biographical annals of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, containing genealogical records of representative families, including many of the early settlers and biographical sketches of prominent citizens, Vol. I, Part 61

Author: Roberts, Ellwood, 1846- ed
Publication date: 1904
Publisher: New York, N.Y. : T. S. Benham
Number of Pages: 826


USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > Biographical annals of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, containing genealogical records of representative families, including many of the early settlers and biographical sketches of prominent citizens, Vol. I > Part 61


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Mr. Jarrett married, February 13, 1881, Mary, daughter of Benjamin L. and Isabel (White) Lightfoot. Their children are: Benjamin L., who was born May 24, 1883, and died in in- fancy ; and William L., born May 20, 1885.


The Lightfoots are an old family in eastern Pennsylvania. Benjamin H. Lightfoot (father of Mrs. Jarret) was born in Maidencreek town- ship, Berks county, April 4, 1830. His father was Benjamin W., who resided in Berks county until his death. The family is of English origin, their ancestor having come to America in Will- iam Penn's time. The Lightfoots have intermar- ried with many of the prominent families of Friends in Montgomery and adjacent counties.


Benjamin W. (grandfather of Mrs. Jarrett) married Rachel Lee, of Exeter, Berks county, where the Lees were an old family. Rachel (Lee) Lightfoot was a granddaughter of Thomas Pim, who came to America with his father and set- tled in Chester county about 1730. He had a large family of children, one daughter, Rachel, becoming the wife of Nathan Spencer, of Ger- mantown. Hannah married Dr. Miller, of Down- ingtown, whose descendants reside near Erie, Pennsylvania. Ann married John Edge. Sarah married Amos Lee, whose youngest daughter, Rachel, was the mother of Benjamin W. Light- foot.


Benjamin W. and Rachel Lightfoot had the following children : Amos (deceased), who mar- ried Miss Bland; Sarah (deceased), who mar- ried David Hilles ; Hannah (deceased), who mar- ried Jacob Thomas; Susan (deceased) ; Anna, who is the widow of Ellwood Thomas and re- sides on Jacoby street, Norristown; Ellen, un- married ; and Benjamin H., father of Mrs. Jar- rett.


Benjamin H. Lightfoot was born in 1840 and removed with his mother and the family to Upper Dublin township, Montgomery county, near Jar- rettown, where he grew to manhood. On start- ing in life he farmed for a time, and then re- moved to Norristown, where he was engaged in the grocery business at the corner of Willow and Elm streets for thirty years. He is a Republican in politics but never sought or held office, except


that he served for six years in the town council of Norristown. He retired from the grocery business a few years ago, since which time he has assisted his son-in-law, John H. Jarrett, in the livery business.


JAMES S. CAMERON. Among those em- ployed in the service of the Philadelphia & Read- ing Railway Company, residing in Bridgeport, and are thus engaged in transporting the products of our country from point to point, James S. Cameron stands deservedly high. He was born in Port Richmond, Philadelphia county, October 18, 1864, and is therefore a comparatively young man. In 1868 his father removed to King-of- Prussia, where James attended the public schools of the vicinity until he was thirteen years of age. He then obtained employment with Howard J. Matthias, on his farm at King-of-Prussia, re- maining there several years. He next engaged with Daniel O. Hitner at his marble quarry at Hendersons Station, remaining in that employ four years, working at whatever was to be done.


In 1886 Mr. Cameron became a brakeman on the Pennsylvania & Schuylkill Valley Railroad, holding that position one year and ten months, after which he went to Bridgeport, and in Oc- tober, 1888, engaged in the occupation of brake- man on the Reading Railway, being the first man employed by Agent John H. Gehret when he as- sumed the position he now holds and which he has ably filled for many years. After two years Mr. Cameron was promoted to conductor on shift- ing work in Bridgeport, remaining in this capac- ity six years, during which time he was associated with Harman Custer as engineer on the same train. His promotion to fireman followed in 1896, and he continued as such until 1899, when he was given an engine in the Bridgeport yard, holding it ever since.


Mr. Cameron has been a member several years of the Bridgeport Presbyterian church, of which his wife is also a member. He is a Repub- lican in politics but has time only to vote.


Richard Cameron (father) was born near Burngranna, County Donegal, Ireland, in May, 1838. When he was fifteen years of age he left


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his native land and the home in which his ances- tors had lived for several generations and went to Scotland, where he resided three years, learning and working at the painter's trade. In 1856 he took passage on a sailing vessel and came to America, landing in New York, and at once came to Montgomery county, Pennsylvania.


John Cameron (grandfather) and his wife and daughter came to New York at the same time as Richard Cameron, and joined sons and daugh- ters who had previously come to this state, the men finding employment in the Henderson marble quarries in Upper Merion township. The son Richard also obtained work in the quarry, and has followed this business ever since, competing successfully with many younger men. He has been a Presbyterian nearly all his life and now belongs to the Bridgeport church of that denom- ination. In politics Richard Cameron, like most Protestant Irishmen, is a Republican.


In November, 1862, Richard Cameron mar- ried Miss Christine, daughter of James and Mary (McDonald) Smith. Mrs. Cameron was born in Burnfoot, County Donegal, Ireland, and came alone to the United States at the age of eighteen years, reaching Philadelphia after a voyage of six weeks and three days. Several years afterward her parents and the other children followed her, going to Philadelphia and making Montgomery county their home.


The children of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Cam- eron are as follows : Joseph (deceased) was born September 18, 1863. James S., is the subject of this sketch. John (deceased) was born June 26, 1866. Jane, born February 8, 1868, married David McCleery. Their children are Christiana S., Mary M. and twins, Russel and Pauline. Richard, born January 27, 1870, married Annie Kirkpatrick and they have two children, John K. and Helen. Catharine married William J. Kutz and they have one child, Mabel C. William S. (deceased) was born December 16, 1874. Mary M., born April 8, 1876, completes the family.


On September 30, 1889, James S. Cameron married Miss Ella M., daughter of Jonathan E. and Ellen (Noss) Rogers. She was born May 24, 1871. Their union has been blessed with the


following children : James S., Jr., born July 12, 1891 : Richard F., born August 22, 1893; Jona- than R., born June 23, 1897 : Lillie M., born Sep- tember 13, 1900; and Christine S., born June 18, 1903.


Jonathan E. Rogers (father of Mrs. Cam- eron) was born in Bridge Valley, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, May 3, 1842. In 1857 his father's family went to Conshohocken, and in the fall of 1858 he followed. The next spring he appren- ticed himself to Hipple & Jones to learn the car- penter trade. Before the end of his apprentice- ship the Rebellion was begun and on September 9, 1861, he enlisted in Company C, Eighth Penn- sylvania Volunteer Infantry, to serve three years. During his term of service he was engaged with his regiment in the following actions: Cedar Mountain, Rappahannock, Gainesville and the second battle of Bull Run. In the last named he received a gunshot wound in the face, and was taken prisoner, but was paroled on the field. He was sent to Philadelphia and was placed in a private hospital, but was at home most of the time on passes until his wound healed. He re- joined his regiment in time to participate in the battle of Chancellorsville, and well remembers it, as it was fought on the anniversary of his birth. Previous to the battle he was in the rear of Fred- ericksburg, in May, 1863. On June 12, of the same year, his regiment broke camp and made a forced march of twenty miles. On June 14th, they resumed their march and on the 17th reached Guilford Station, where they rested until the 19th, when they had another hard march of four- teen miles through heavy rain, reaching Goose Creek at midnight, without tents or shelter of any kind. They stayed there until June 25th and then crossed the Potomac at Edwards' Ferry, and halted at Barnesville. The next day they crossed the Monocacy and reached Middletown, where they halted for the night. On June 26th they began the march to Emmetsburg, which place they reached June 29th. On the following day the march was resumed, Marsh Creek being reached, and there they were sent out on picket duty. On July I, they reached Gettysburg, and participated in the first day's battle. The regi-


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ment made a charge, capturing many prisoners and three stands of colors. That night they were driven back to Cemetery Hill, where they lay on their arms until July 2d. With his regiment Mr. Rogers was in all the three days' fight, escaping without a scratch although he had several narrow escapes. After the battle of Gettysburg he took part with his regiment in the following actions : Mine . Run, Spottsylvania (three days), North Anna, Bethel Church, Tolopotomy (two days), Cold Harbor, White Oak Swamp, before Peters- burg (two days) Norfolk Railroad, Weldon Rail- road, Jerusalem Plank Road, Southside Railroad (December 8-11, 1864), Hatcher's Run, Quaker Road, Gravelly Run, Five Forks and Appomattox Court House.


Mr. Rogers was mustered out with his regi- ment June 30, 1865. He had re-enlisted January 25, 1864, at Culpeper, Virginia, in same company and regiment, for three years or during the war. In October, 1864, he was promoted to corporal ; May 1, 1865, to sergeant ; June 13, 1865, to first sergeant ; and to second lieutenant June 14, 1865, but was not mustered in as such.


While home on veteran furlough Mr. Rogers, married, February 27, 1864, Mary Ellen, daugh- ter of George Noss. She was born July 27, 1845. They had three children: Anna Matilda, born August 21, 1866, married Thomas R. Smith, of Conshohocken, and their children are Anna and Ellen. Martha A., born December 14, 1869, mar- ried John Huzzard and their children are Bertha and Ella. Ella M., born May 24, 1871, is the wife of James S. Cameron.


After the war Mr. Rogers worked at his trade until 1867, when he entered the employ of Alan Wood & Company, Conshohocken, remaining with them thirteen years. He has since been em- ployed by the J. Wood Brothers' Company and is one of their most trusted workmen.


In politics Mr. Rogers is a Republican but has never sought or held office. He is a member of George Smith Post, G. A. R., of Consho- hocken. His father was Andrew E. Rogers, and his mother, Margaret Kelly. The children of Andrew and Margaret Rogers are: Jonathan E .; William K .; George M. (deceased), who served


in the same company, confined in Libby Prison from August 19, 1864, and was drowned while on his way from Annapolis to City Point, to join his regiment ; Margaret Charlotte and Martha, both deceased.


Andrew E. Rogers was in the Forth-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteer Militia. He enlisted June I, 1863, and was mustered out August 13, the same year.


William K., brother of Jonathan E. also served in the Rebellion three years, being a mem- ber of the Second United States Regular Cavalry.


WILLIAM RALSTON SHULER, deceased, was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, on French creek, April 13, 1828, and died December 4, 1889. He was the son of John and Eliza (Ralston) Shuler.


John Shuler (father) was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, and devoted his life to tilling the soil. He died in Chester county, aged fifty-three years. His wife survived him many years, dying at the age of ninety years. They belonged to the Reformed church, and are buried in Benneback's churchyard. He served in the war of 1812. His wife was also a native of Chester county. They had five children, three daughters and two sons, as follows: Catharine, William Ralston and Lewis H., all deceased; Emma, wife of John Sheeler, of Spring City, Pennsylvania; and Elizabeth, wife of Martin Lapp, of Rutledge, Delaware county, Pennsyl- vania.


William Shuler (grandfather) owned an oil mill in Chester county. He was of German de- scent.


The maternal grandfather of William R. Shu- ler was born in Pennsylvania and was of Scotch descent. His wife was a Miss Hefferfinger.


William R. Shuler was reared in Chester county on the farm, and attended the old-fash- ioned neighborhood subscription schools. He re- mained at home and followed farming with his father until the latter's death when he became his successor, and continued to carry on the home farm for some years. Selling the farm, he en- gaged in merchandising at Wilson's Corner, on


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French creek. From that place he went to Birds- boro, where he conducted a hotel for three years, removing to Pottstown in 1870, and purchasing the Farmers' Hotel. He changed its name to the Shuler House and continued to conduct it until the time of his death. It still bears his name.


On October 17, 1854, William R. Shuler mar- ried Miss Elizabeth Baker, daughter of Jacob and Mary (Rosenberg) Baker. They had eight chil- dren as follows.


John Clement (deceased) married Barbara Hartenstine and they had two children, one now living, Nanna. Lewis Irwin (deceased) married (first wife) Irene Airgood, and (second wife) Mattie Malsberger, who is also deceased. Will- iam R. married Emma Weand and they have one child, Lewis Irwin. William R. Shuler is the pro- prietor of the Shuler Hotel and has been ever since his father's death, acting as manager up to the death of his mother. Mary Eliza died when nineteen years old. Emma Jane died when seven- teen years old. Carrie Theressa married Mon- tague Blaine and they live in Reading. Ella Catherine and Anna May, both live with their mother.


William R. Shuler was reared by German Re- formed parents but was not himself identified with any church. His wife was a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Transfigura- tion. Mr. Shuler was a Democrat in politics but never sought or held office.


Mrs. Shuler's parents, Jacob and Mary (Rosenberg) Baker, were also natives of Chester county and lived on the opposite side of French creek from the Shulers, at a place called Sheeter- town, where Mr. Baker kept a hotel. He died in August, 1828, aged twenty-six years. His wife survived him many years, and died at the Shuler Hotel, in February, 1883, aged seventy-eight years. They were both members of the Lutheran church. They had two children, a son and a daughter. The son, John Baker, died unmarried at the age of twenty-eight years. His sister, Mrs. Shuler, died January 12, 1904.


Mrs. Shuler's paternal grandfather was John Baker. His father came from Germany and set- tled in Chester county, where he (John) con-


ducted a hoted called the Seven Stars, and there he reared his family. His wife was Elizabeth Pelts.


Mrs. Shuler's maternal grandfather Rosen- berg was a German, and lived at Bethlehem, where he died in the prime of life, leaving a widow and a son and a daughter. His widow married Mr. Owens, who was a plantation owner in Cuba, where they both died.


GEORGE M. DETWILER, a well known contractor of Norristown, is a native of Chester county, where he was born June 30, 1862, his parents then residing at Spring City. From that place his father removed to Philadelphia, when he was six years of age. The elder Detwiler kept the Sorrel Horse Hotel, at Fourth and Vine streets, for four years, and then removed to Phoenixville, where he stayed until George M. had reached manhood.


George M. Detwiler was educated in the pub- lic schools of Philadelphia, Phoenixville and Nor- ristown. When he was seventeen years of age, he started out to learn the trade of plastering with his father. He served as an apprentice four years and after he had finished his trade he remained with his father until the latter's death, about 1888. After his father's death the son finished the contracts on which he was engaged, and then worked for five years in Philadelphia, Washington and New York, thus thoroughly mastering his trade and gaining the experience which was to be of great value to him in after life. In this way he fitted himself for any kind of work in his line, however difficult.


In 1893 Mr. Detwiler returned to Norristown, and, though almost without capital, entered upon the career of contractor and business man in which he has been so successful. He has com- pleted some of the most important contracts in Norristown, among them the reconstruction of the interior of the Montgomery National Bank ; the upper stories of the cigar manufactory of Gresh & Sons; the Elks' Home on Main street ; the parish building of All Saints' church ; the new Jeffersonville Presbyterian church; the Bridge- port Baptist church; the magnificent building of


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the Norristown Trust Company; the work on the plant of the Adam Scheidt Brewing Company ; work at Watt's Mill; the residences of Assem- blyman John H. Rex, Attorney Hillegass, Louis N. McCarter, and many others of the finest mansions on DeKalb and West Main streets, the most prominent thoroughfares of Norristown. Mr. Detwiler is straightforward in his business methods, always takes care that his employes re- ceive their wages at the end of the week and never leaves any bills unpaid.


Mr. Detwiler is a member of Tecumseh Tribe, Improved Order of Red Men, of John F. Hart- ranft Conclave of Heptasophis; and the Benevo- lent Protective Order of Elks, all of Norristown. He and his wife are both members of the Cen- tral Presbyterian church. He is a Republican in politics, but not an office-seeker, although never missing an opportunity to cast his ballot for the candidates who represent his party principles.


On May 3, 1881, he married Hattie S., daugh- ter of Levi Bolton, who was born June 20, 1861. Their children are: George, born March 19, 1885 ; Raymond B., born October 19, 1886; Amos L., born June 1, 1888; Alice N., born April 26, 1890; and Willis Bland, born March 9, 1901.


Amos Detwiler (father) was born October 25. 1816, and died December 14, 1888. He was born and grew to manhood in Lower Providence township, Montgomery county. Before his re- moval to Spring City in 1861, he learned and followed the trade of plasterer. He built the Spring City Hotel and managed it for five years until he leased the Sorrel Horse Hotel in Phila- delphia, where he remained six years. He after- wards managed the Western Hotel, on Market street, on the site of Gimbel Brothers' store and later the Ellerton House at Fourteenth and Ridge avenue. In 1872 he went to Phoenixville and en- gaged in the business which he had learned in his youth, that of a contracting plasterer, and in 1876 settled in Norristown, continuing as a plast- erer until his death. Many of the best residences of Norristown contain specimens of his work, among others the home of Charles Templeton. He was a member of the Knights of Friendship. Though his life was too busy for him to devote


much time to politics, he was a staunch Republi- can. In religion he remained in the faith of his father, the Reformed Mennonite.


Amos Detwiler was buried in the burial- ground of the Trinity Reformed church of Col- legeville. He married Elizabeth Vanderslice and they had ten children, as follows: Kate; Mary; Warren, who enlisted in 1861 and served until after he lost his arm at Antietam, when he was discharged, and remained at home for a short time, since which time he has lived in Manayunk, serving as a mail carrier and working in a mill; Anthony, who died young ; John ; Sarah ; Frank ; Milton ; Martin ; and one who died in infancy.


After the death of his first wife Amos Det- wiler married, in 1858, Mrs. Hanna Bland, daughter of Peter and Hannah Hill. She was born October 28, 1824. Amos and Hanna Det- wiler had children, as follows: Bessie, who mar- ried (first husband) Milton Harley, and (second husband) David Allabaugh ; Ellie M., who mar- ried Dr. John D. Weaver, and resides in Norris- town; George M .; and Howard A., who died in infancy. Mrs. Hanna Detwiler died March 7, 1904, in her eightieth year. By her first hus- band Mrs. Detwiler had two children: Henrietta and H. Willis Bland, a self-made man who is judge of the Orphans' Court of Berks county. H. Willis Bland enlisted in the Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry at the age of sixteen years.


John Detwiler (grandfather) was also born in Montgomery county. His wife was Catherine Krupp.


Levi Bolton, the father of Mrs. George Det- wiler, was born June 16, 1836, at the house in Norristown where he still lives. At the age of eighteen he became an apprentice to Lewis H. Davis to learn the trade of bricklaying. He had been working at his trade for several years when, on September 12, 1861, he enlisted in Company A, Fifty-first Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. to serve three years. On December 3, 1864, he was promoted to the rank of commissary sergeant. He sustained a gun-shot wound, at Antietam, and also at Spottsylvania, and each necessitated his remaining in the hospital for three months. He was mustered out of service July 27, 1865, after


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engaging in the following battles: Roanoke Island; Newbern, North Carolina; Camden, North Carolina; Chantilla; South Mountain, Maryland; Antietam; Vicksburg, Mississippi ; Siege of Jackson; Loudon, Tennessee; Camp- bell Station; Knoxville; Wilderness; Spottsyl- vania ; Hatches' Run; Fort Steadman; Peters- burg and Richmond. At the close of the war he returned to his home and has followed his trade ever since. He has been a member of the Humane Fire Company of Norristown since 1858, and be- longs to Zook Post, No. 1I, Department of the Pennsylvania G. A. R.


John Bolton, the grandfather of Mrs. George Detwiler, was also a resident of Norristown. He married Sarah Shiffy, and their children were : Caroline, Isaac (deceased), William, Josiah, and Levi. John Bolton was a prominent contractor and carpenter in Norristown for many years.


MORRIS B. OBERHOLTZER. John Oberholtzer, grandfather of Morris B. Ober- holtzer, was born in Berks county. He was de- scended from one of the early settlers of that sec- tion of Montgomery county. He was educated there in the ordinary schools, and after complet- ing his school studies engaged in farming which occupation he followed all his life. He married and reared a large family, most of them being farmers like himself. Among them was Amos B. Oberholtzer, father of Morris B. Oberholtzer, who was born at Bechtelsville, Berks county, in 1847. He was educated in the Berks county schools, and afterwards engaged in the occupa- tion of farming, which he followed for many years, but of late he has retired from active life and lives at the old home place, surrounded with all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. In politics he is a Republican, but has never sought or held office, and although repeatedly urged by his friends to accept public position has always persistently refused to do so. In relig- ious faith he is a Mennonite, like the generations of the family that have preceded, and he and his family attend that church. He married Mary Brendlinger, of the same township, and the couple


had three children, Elmer, Annie, and Morris B. Oberholtzer, born September 15, 1876.


Morris B. Oberholtzer was born on the old homestead at Bechtelsville, Berks county, Penn- sylvania, and was educated in the public schools of the neighborhood, and then entered the State Normal School, at Kutztown. In 1894 he be- came a student at the Medico-Chirurgical College in Philadelphia, where he graduated with honors in 1897. He then opened an office and engaged in medical practice at Red Hill, in Upper Hanover township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, where he practiced with success for three years, and then removed to hiis present home at Souder- ton borough, on the North Pennsylvania Railroad, where he has a very extensive practice in the town and the surrounding country, and is becoming well established in his profession. In politics Dr. Oberholtzer is a staunch supporter of the Re- publican party, and is a leader in the organiza- tion in his neighborhood. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum, of the State Medical Society, and secretary of the board of health of Souderton. He and his family attend the Mennonite church at Souderton.


Dr. Oberholtzer married, in 1897, Miss Eliza- beth Gottshall, daughter of Aaron Gottshall, of Philadelphia. By the marriage one child has been born, Ralston.


JOSEPH J. BROPHY was born at Port Kennedy, Montgomery county, March 19, 1866. In 1870 he went with his father's family to Con- shohocken, where he resided until 1872, when the family removed to Swedeland, where he grew to manhood, having the advantages afforded by public schools until he was thirteen years of age, when he went into the Albin Print Works as an employe. At that establishment it was his duty to keep the cloth smooth as it came from the rolls. After a year spent in the Print Works, he secured employment in the Joseph Lees Woolen Mills, in the vicinity of his home, as bobbin-boy. After rendering service for six months in that capacity, he was given a better job in the picker house. A few months later he




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