USA > Pennsylvania > Encyclopedia of genealogy and biography of the state of Pennsylvania with a compendium of history. A record of the achievements of her people in the making of a commonwealth and the founding of a nation, Volume II > Part 28
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ment beginning in 1841, and he was an original member of the Repub- lican party at the time of its organization in 1856.
The foregoing epitomization of a rarely useful life is of special value at the present time, when commercialism claims an exaggerated importance and lofty sentiment is depreciated. Such a character and career as that of Dr. Green serve to call attention to those things which are most enduring : services in the interest of education and morality which leave an indelible impression, and set in motion influences which reach into succeeding generations.
Dr. Green was married September 30, 1845. to Alice W., daughter of Edward and Tabitha Shields of West Chester. Pennsylvania. She (lied May 25. 1900. They have had four children, Clara, Mary, Edith and William Hatton. Edith died in her fourth year, February 8. 1859. Mary died in her thirty-fourth year. October 1. 1886. The other two are still living. Clara, the eldest, was married October 28. 1875, to Patterson DuBois, of Philadelphia. They have had four children, the youngest of whom. Constance. alone survives.
WILLIAM WHITE COTTINGHAM.
Professor William White Cottingham has for half a century heen superintendent of the public schools of Easton, a record which is unpar- alleled by that of any other public school superintendent of the country. He is the author and founder of the present school system of his city. and although now in the eightieth year of his age still stands at the head of the institution. He was born in Easton. December 6, 1824. and is a descendant of Jonathan and Margaret Cottingham, whose son. Daniel Cottingham, was married on the 24th of January. 1753, to Ann Cooper. They had a son. John, who married Priscilla Fleming, and
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settled in Maryland. His wife was a native of Fairfax county, Vir- ginia, and a daughter of William and Sarah (Cox) Fleming. Her father. William Fleming, was a descendant of Colonel John Fleming. a relative of Colonel Hiram Fleming.
Robert Cottingham, father of Professor Cottingham, was born in Maryland, September 10, 1799. and died June 28. 1880. About 1820 he arrived in Easton, Pennsylvania, where he became a dry-goods mer- chant, continuing in that business until his death. He married Miss Sophia White, a daughter of William and Susan ( Everhart ) White. The White family is of English lineage. The grandfather of Mrs. Cot- tingham bore the name of William White, and married Martha Matilda Mason, of Oxford, New Jersey. Their son, William White, Jr., wedded Susan Everhart, a daughter of John Arnold Everhart, who in 1757 married Anna Margaret Weaver, who was born in 1740 and died in 1824. Her parents were Frederick and Catherine Weaver.
Professor William W. Cottingham was the second in a family of nine children, five of whom are yet ( 1904) living. His boyhood days were spent in his native city, and he began his education in a private school conducted by Miss Gertrude Kemper, on Northampton street, in Easton. He afterward attended a school conducted by Mrs. Prior, in a frame building nearly opposite the present location of the high school of Easton, on Second street. In 1834 the law regarding public schools went into effect, and Mr. Cottingham became one of the first pupils in the first public school of Easton, conducted by Josiah Davis. Hle afterward also attended a select school taught by Mr. Davis, and later became a student under Dr. Vanderveer, prior to entering upon business life. On putting aside his text books he became an able assist- ant to his father in the dry-goods and grocery store, but two years' experience in that direction convinced him that his talent did not lie
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along that line. Leaving the store, he entered the model school of La- fayette College. then under the direction of Professor D. P. Yeomans. there preparing for college. Matriculating in Lafayette College, he pursued a four years' course, and was graduated in 1848 with the de- gree of Bachelor of Arts. Later his alma mater conferred upon him the degree of Master of Arts. The board of trustees of Lafayette Col- lege elected him a tutor in that institution immediately after his gradu- ation, and he served in that capacity for a year, but, anxious to prepare himself for still more advanced labor in the educational field. he entered Princeton Seminary. After two years spent as a student there, he was invited to take charge of the academy at Haddonfield. New Jersey, in which the classics and higher mathematics were taught. While he was serving there the board of trustees of Lafayette College recalled him to a tutorship in that institution, and he returned to his former field of labor. The financial standing of Lafayette College was not then very good. and the salaries were accordingly small, and Professor Cotting- ham, feeling that he might have better opportunities elsewhere, resigned his position. Several months later he was requested to take charge of a school in South Easton until a permanent teacher could be secured. Mr. Cottingham complied. and no other teacher was employed before the end of the term. During his residence there he became quite inter- ested in the work of teaching the canal boys, and he resolved to devote his time to that service. For half a century he has been continuously connected with Easton schools. In August. 1853. he was elected to the office of principal of the high school of Easton, and in August of the same year he became the successor of Mr. St. John as superintendent of the public schools of the city. His efforts have since been untiring and unremitting in behalf of the educational development of Easton.
At the time of his election to the superintendency. the free-school
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project was comparatively new-still an experiment. In 1843 Rev. John P. Hecht was appointed superintendent, who devoted his time and talents to the work most faithfully. He was followed in 1849 by Rev. Oliver St. John, who for the first time received a fixed salary, still having, however, the South Easton schools under his administration. He labored hard and incessantly until 1853. While the schools were then far in advance of anything yet expected in the district. says the report of the state superintendent of public schools: "They failed to secure either sympathy or encouragement from the many prominent and influential citizens of the town. This was owing partly to the fact that private schools furnished a more thorough and elevated course of in- struction than the limited provisions of the public schools would admit." Much trouble was caused by the clamor and opposition excited in the town against the then existing school management ; caprice rather than settled principle guided it. Want of harmony in the board. disputes and quarrels, resulted, and the interests of the schools were neglected. The classification of pupils was imperfect, and it gave much dissatis- faction. The board and the public soon learned that a regular and com- petent superintendent was needed, whose business it should be to devote his time to the management of the school department exclusively. In August, 1853. the office was vacated by Mr. St. John.
In January, 1854. Professor Cottingham suggested methods which still govern the management of the schools, proposing a plan for the high school. the systematic arrangement of the subordinate school, and a thorough regular course for each. This plan, on presentation to the board, was adopted. and Professor Cottingham at once hegan the thor- ough organization of the schools, drawing up a draft of graduation for all. and this, too, was endorsed by the board. His plan of work has been enlarged, improved and extended. but the basic element still re-
OF THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA. 959
mains. Ile received the active co-operation and assistance of Judge McCartney, who at once accepted Professor Cottingham's system as the most complete presented to the board. Mr. Cottingham prepared a catalogue for the high schools, to which Judge McCartney made some additions, and E. F. Stewart wrote an address to the citizens, setting forth the advantages of the high school system, and this address was printed and widely circulated through the town. The poorer classes of the city heartily endorsed the plan. and encouraged Mr. Cottingham, and as time passed he received the active co-operation of many of the leading residents of Easton. Following the adoption of his plan he at once proceeded to examine all of the schools and pupils in the town. giving each child, as well as each school, a grade with a certificate. This was the first formal examination ever made to determine the proper grade of the schools of pupils. The pupils were at once sent to their proper places in classes and schoolrooms, and the system was soon in active operation. Professor Cottingham has continually studied to benefit the schools, to broaden the system, and to make the work of education in Easton of more practical and far-reaching benefit.
While he systematized the school, however, the transactions of the school board were conducted with utter disregard of any method. The papers were stored away in old boxes in the room, or in a cellar, and Mr. Cottingham directed his labor toward securing improvement in that direction. Ile gathered all of the records, bills, petitions and re- ceipts, filed them with care, and put them in places of safety. He sug- gested the use of books for the recording of all transactions of the board, and for its accounts and regular business. He offered to keep the accounts and records of the board complete, and as the result of his diligent presentation of the subject the present system of books in use by this school board was adopted. In addition to the regular work of
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superintending the schools, Professor Cottingham also performed the clerical work now done by the secretary and librarian, for a number of years, and the manifold duties which devolved upon him in this con- nection often caused him to write busily in his office until twelve or one o'clock at night, following the arduous duties of the day. He continued to do this until his eyes were weakened to such an extent that he was obliged to place himself in the hands of a surgeon for treatment. He performed the extra service gratuitously until 1873. when he was re- licved by the appointment of a secretary.
Many original features have been introduced into the schools of Easton, and the work of the educational department of the city is now of a most practical character. Professor Cottingham largely maintains the parental attitude to a child in his relation to the pupils that come under his care, taking recognition of their dispositional tendencies in as far as is possible and practical. He labors to promote physical, mental and moral development, and thus produces a well rounded character. His interest in the individual does not cease as the pupil passes from his care in the schoolroom. and many now successful and prominent business men owe to him their entrance upon a business carcer because of the influence which he exerted in securing positions for them. Through his suggestion and influence four scholarships to Lafayette College were obtained and offered as prizes in the high school, so that each year one of these is given to the boy who wins the highest scholar- ship in the public school course of Easton. He also secured the adop- tion by the school board of the plan of issuing diplomas, and designed the certificate of graduation which is now given to cach high school pupil who completes the regular course.
An analyzation of his life work shows that Professor Cottingham is a man of scholarly attainments and strong intellectuality, and yet not
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to this alone is due his success as one of the most able public school educators of the country. One of the elements of power in his work is his earnest desire and efforts for advancement in methods, and another equally potent factor has been his interest in the individual and his co-operation for the advancement of the inherent talent of each pupil. Few men of the country have so won the love of those who come under their instruction as has Professor Cottingham, and his career as an educator has been an honor to the city which has honored him. A notable event in the life of Professor Cottingham, and also in the local history of Easton, was the celebration which was held in that city Octo- ber 28, 1903. in honor of the fiftieth anniversary of his superintendency of the public schools. On that occasion many notable educators and prominent men of Pennsylvania were present, several of whom deliv- ered addresses. and in the evening a banquet was held. It was an occa- sion long to be remembered by Professor Cottingham and his many friends, and well did he merit this public token of the esteem and con- fidence of his fellow-citizens and co-workers in educational lines throughout the state.
Socially Professor Cottingham is a Mason, and for twenty-seven years was secretary of Dallas Lodge No. 396; he also belongs to Royal Arch Chapter No. 172; Hugh DePayen Commandery No. 19. K. T., and affiliates with the Order of American Mechanics. In religious be- lief he is a Presbyterian, belonging to the First church of Easton. In the various local and state teacher's conventions he has been an impor- tant factor. serving as president of the state convention held in Harris- burg, and in many other ways promoting the success of the work in which he is so deeply interested.
Professor Cottingham was married. March 20. 1855, to Louisa C. Abel. a daughter of John and Maria E. ( Reichard) \bel. Her pa-
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ternal ancestry is traced back to Johan Jacob and Maria Sophia ( Raub) Abel, the former arriving in America from Hanover, Germany, on the 25th of October, 1652. John Abel was born September 12, 1744, and died September 12. 1822. lle married Catherine Blakeley, and among their children was John Abel, father of Mrs. Cottingham. Her mother, Maria E. (Reichard) Abel, was a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth ( Hay) Reichard. The former was a son of Daniel Reichard, who was born in Switzerland in 1752, and died in Easton, in March. 1819. His wife, Catherine Dorothy Reichard, was born in Switzerland in 1753 and died in Easton November 19. 1845. Mrs. Elizabeth ( Hay) Rei- chard, the grandmother of Mrs. Cottingham, was born in Easton, in March, 1780, and was a daughter of Peter and Margaret (Simmons) Hay. Peter Hay was a son of Melchoir Hay, and a grandson of Mal- come Hay, the progenitor of the family in America.
Four children comprise the family of Professor and Mrs. Cotting- ham, namely: Mrs. Laura S. Morrison, of St. Albans, Vermont ; Mrs. Annie W. Talmage. of New Bedford, Massachusetts; and Mrs. Jennie B. Vories, and W. W. Cottingham, Jr., both of St. Paul, Minnesota. Two children are deceased-Lizzie and Emily.
JOHN ABEL.
John Abel, deceased, for many years an active and important fac- tor in the manufacturing interests of the city of Easton, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, traced his origin to John Adam Abel, who with his son, Squire Jacob Abel, came to this country from Germany in the early period of the history of Easton, and was for many years one of its most prominent citizens. Jacob Abel was born in 1744, and at the time of the signing of the Declaration of Independence was thirty-two years
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of age. lle was engaged in the business of boating, and being familiar with the handling of the Durham boats, a patriot, and in vigor of man- hood, he assisted in collecting the boats for the passage of General Washington's army over the Delaware river in his retreat through New Jersey, after the battle of Long Island. He also carried the mail to Philadelphia for a time on horseback, the most direct route from the eastern states and from places on the upper Hudson being over the old mine road from Esopus to Van Campen's mills, above the Water Gap. Hle was the owner of the ferry in 1787. and was one of five who purchased Getter's Island during the same year. of the Penns. He was the proprietor of a hotel at the "Point." and his name appears on the tax list of 1788 as one of the large property holders of the town. He was elected justice of the peace. and held the office many years. His death occurred in 1822. aged seventy-eight years : his children were Jacob and John Abel.
John Abel. son of Jacob Abel. and father of John Abel, was a native of Easton, Pennsylvania. He engaged in boating with Durham boats until the opening of the canals, after which he carried on boating between Easton and Philadelphia. He was also for some years engaged in the grocery business in Easton. On July 7. 1825, he was appointed by Governor Shulze a commissioner for improving the navigation of the Delaware river, under the act of March 26. 1821. The first com- missioners were Lewis S. Coryell. John Kirkbride and Jacob Shouse. but. after the resignation of the latter named gentleman. Mr. AAbel was appointed in his place. He was engaged for more than three years in this important work. Mr. Abel married Catherine Bleckey, and they reared a large family of children, all of whom are now deceased.
John Abel, son of John and Catherine ( Bleckey) Abel, was born in Easton, Pennsylvania, March 29. 1814. In early life he learned the
56
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trade of cabinet-maker, which he followed up to the year 1835. when his health failed him and he was obliged to abandon that pursuit. He then established an extensive wholesale and retail confectionery busi- ness, manufacturing the goods on the premises, and in course of time built up a large and profitable trade, which has been conducted by various members of the family up to the present time ( 1903), covering a period of nearly seventy years. Mr. Abel was formerly an old-line Whig. but upon the formation of the Republican party, he joined its ranks and was elected a member of the city council of Easton. Ile held membership in St. John's Lutheran Church, serving in the capacity of vestryman for a number of years.
Mr. Abel married Maria E. Reichard, born in Easton, Pennsyl- vania, in 1811, a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth ( Hay) Reichard. Jacob Reichard was born in Easton, a son of Peter Reichard. Elizabeth (Hay) Reichard was a daughter of Peter Hay, a son of Melchoir Hay. Jr., who was a son of Melchoir Hay. Sr .. a native of Scotland, whom political reverses led to Germany, where, after serving with honor in the military duties in his adopted country, he married a German woman. Melchoir Hay came to America with his two brothers in 1738, took an active part in the trying struggle of the Revolution, and was one of the efficient members of the committee of safety. After the close of the Revolution, Melchoir Hay, having sold his South Easton property, purchased a large farm about three miles west of Easton, in the locality called the "Drylands". where he and his descendants have tilled the soil for generations.
The following named children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Abel : Louisa, wife of William W. Cottingham, of Easton, superintendent of schools: Charles J., a confectioner of Phillipsburg. New Jersey : Elizabeth, wife of William E. Hammann, of Easton; Emma M .;
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Josephine A., wife of George T. Hamann, of Bethlehem; John II., a resident of Easton; Isabel, wife of Howard A. Hartzell, of Easton; J. Edward; Mary. John Abel, father of these children, died May I. 1891, and the business was conducted by his widow and children under the firm name of M. E. AAbel, up to the time of the death of Mrs. Abel, .April 27, 1895. and from that date up to the present time (1903) it has been conducted by the children under the style of Mrs. M. E. Abel's estate.
REUBEN F. HOFFECKER.
There is not a doubt that much of the progress that has character- ized school work in Montgomery county in the past twenty-five years was due to the earnest, persistent and indefatigable efforts of County Superintendent Reuben F. Hoffecker. He filled the position by suc- cessive re-elections from 1878 to the time of his death on December 18, 1903. a period during which an incredible amount of work was done in lifting the public schools out of the ruts into which they had previously fallen, and making them what they should be-the educators of the people.
Though not a native of the county, Professor Hoffecker having been born in Chester county, near Pottstown, October 20, 1833. he had become thoroughly naturalized in the course of twenty-five years' earnest and effective labor along educational lines. He was thoroughly familiar with every nook and corner of Montgomery. He was beloved by teachers and pupils wherever he went, and his visits were looked for- ward to and enjoyed as well as by the members of school boards gen- erally.
Professor Hoffecker was the son of George and Rachel ( Smale)
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Hoffecker, who had five children, three sons and two daughters : Reuben F., John S., a farmer in Chester county : Mary Ann, deceased; Annie E., of Norristown: Cyrus H., of Chester county. The father was a black- smith in his younger days, and later a farmer, dying in 1877. in the seventy-third year of his age. llis wife died in 1879. He was a member of the Reformed church, and she of the Lutheran. Mr. George Hoffecker was a Democrat in politics, and held several local positions, but was in no sense an office-seeker.
Philip Hoffecker (grandfather) was also a Chester county farmer. He was of German descent, and a soklier in the war of 1812. His wife was Elizabeth ( Hoffecker) Hoffecker. The couple had seven children, four sons and three daughters. Philip Hoffecker's father was also Philip. He was a native of Germany, and came to America when he was eighteen years of age. He settled in Chester county, and spent the remainder of his life there.
John Smale, maternal grandfather, was a native of Chester county. owning one of the finest farms in that section of the state. llis wife was Mary Yocum. They had two sons and one daughter.
County Superintendent Hoffecker grew to manhood in Chester county on the paternal acres, alternately attending the neighborhood schools and working on the farm. Hle early imbibed the idea of becom- ing a teacher, and accordingly entered as a student at Washington Hall Collegiate Institute, Trappe. He was also a student at Pughtown Academy. He commenced teaching at the age of seventeen years, and followed that profession very successfully for twenty-seven years. In 1861 he removed to Montgomery county, and resided within its borders from that time until his death. For some years before his election as county superintendent, in May, 1878, he was principal of the Con- shohocken high school.
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On August 28. 1878, Mr. Hoffecker married Miss Lemontine L. Stewart, daughter of Enoch Harvey and Lydia Evans ( Speakman) Stewart. They had no children. Mr. Hoffecker was a member of the Reformed church; his wife is an active member of the First Baptist church, Norristown. Mrs. Hoffecker is a woman of refinement and culture, her kindly heart prompting her to engage in much benevolent work, especially in connection with the children. She has long been prominent in the Children's Aid Society and other humanitarian enter- prises.
In politics Mr. Hoffecker was a Democrat, but his nature was too kindly to permit him to be a strong partisan. Hle served as borough auditor in Conshohocken, without any pay. He owned considerable property in Norristown at the time of his death.
Mrs. Hoffecker's father was born at Doylestown, but when he was four years of age his widowed mother took him to Montgomery county, where he grew to manhood and spent the remainder of his life. He died June 8. 1876. His wife survived him, and died June 3. 1892, aged ninety-three years, lacking two months, and enjoying her mental facul- ties to the last. Both were Baptists. He was a veteran teacher, being engaged in that occupation in Norristown prior to 1836. He continued teaching until late in life. His father was Charles Stewart, a native of Pennsylvania, of Scotch descent. He died in 1804. Ilis wife was Martha Poland, and they had five children.
Thomas Speakman, Mrs. Hoffecker's maternal grandfather, of Chester county, married Lydia Evans, who died at the birth of her daughter Lydia. Thomas Speakman was a Friend, being descended from an okl Quaker family. Mrs. Hoffecker's mother's grandfather. Elisha Evans, at one time owned the present site of Bridgeport as a farm. Hle married four times, she being the daughter of his first wife,
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Sarah Neide. His second wife was Rebecca Jolly. He had children by each wife. Mrs. Hoffecker's grandmother Poland was the daughter of George and Elizabeth ( Evans) Poland. He owned a farm near Montgomery Square, for which, according to a family tradition, he took in payment Continental money. which depreciated so rapidly that he was reduced to poverty. Of his children, Jacob removed when young to Luzerne county and died there. leaving several children. His son died without any children, and the name became extinct in that branch. Mary died unmarried, Susanna married John Benner, and had one son and six daughters. Elizabeth married a Miller, who soon died, and she then married a Mauger, leaving children by both husbands. Elizabeth married Daniel Biery, and had three daughters, Elizabeth, Anna and Maria.
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