History of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, from the discovery of the Delaware to the present time, Vol. III, Part 124

Author: Davis, W. W. H. (William Watts Hart), 1820-1910; Ely, Warren S. (Warren Smedley), b. 1855; Jordan, John W. (John Woolf), 1840-1921
Publication date: 1905
Publisher: New York ; Chicago : The Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1040

USA > Pennsylvania > Bucks County > History of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, from the discovery of the Delaware to the present time, Vol. III > Part 124

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Elizabeth, wife of Levi Swartz; Mary A., and Henry, a resident of Philadelphia.

Abraham D. Nash received a good rudimentary education in the common schools of the county of his birth, and since the completion of his studies has devoted his energies to making a suc- cess of farming. In 1876 he purchased the farm where he now resides, situate about one mile west of Doylestown, and consisting of fifty-three acres of arable land. This is in a fine state of cultiva- tion, and the neat and thrifty appearance of everything connected with the prop- erty denotes the careful supervision of a master hand. He is interested in all that concerns the material and social conditions of the community, and is highly esteemed and respected. He is a member of the Presbyterian church of Doylestown. Mr. Nash married Mrs. Agnes Cramer, daughter of Adam and Agnes Bryan. Having no children of their own they adopted two girls, Lizzie Moore and Ida Loux. The former was only three years of age at the time of her adoption, has always lived with Mr. and Mrs. Nash, and is now the wife of Harry Cope. Ida is now the wife of Harry Hilton, of Philadelphia.

CHARLES S. GROFF, of South Perka- sie, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, was born November 2, 1837, and is a son of Jacob and Mary Magdalena (Stout) Groff, and a descendant of prominent and distinguished residents of the lo- cality in which he resides. Hans Jacob Groff, the paternal ancestor of the Perka- sie family, emigrated from Germany in the ship "Patience," arriving in Philadel- phia August II, 1750. He located in Rockhill town'ship, near the present site of Perkasie, where a large tract of land was surveyed to him by order of Thomas and Richard Penn in 1761, and later ac- quired other lands adjoining. He was a' blacksmith by trade and followed that vocation in connection with clearing and tilling his Perkasie plantation. He and his wife Veronica were the parents of five chldren: Jacob; Peter; John; Henry; and Mary, who married Isaac Souder. Hans Jacob Groff died April 1, 1782.

Henry Groff, youngest son of Hans Jacob and Veronica, resided all his life, on the Perkasie homestead, acquiring title to one hundred acres thereof in 1785. He and his wife Esther lived to an advanced age, residing in the later years of their life with their son Jacob, the father of the subject of this sketch. Being thoroughly grounded in the Men- nonite faith, he took no active part in the revolutionary struggle, but partici- pated actively in the local affairs of the community in which he lived.

Jacob Groff. son of Henry and Esther, was born and reared on the old home-

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HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

stead, a part of which he purchased of his father in 1826, and later purchased 200 acres of land adjoining. He was a blacksmith by trade, and followed that vocation at what is now South Perkasie until 1838, after which he devoted his attention to his farm in Rockhill town- ship, where he died in April, 1855. He married Mary Magdalen Stout, daugh- ter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Barndt) Stout, and they were the parents of eleven children, six of whom lived to mature age, viz .: Owen; Isaac S., the father of Dr. James E. Groff, of Doyles- town; Charles S., the subject of this sketch; Abraham; Mary, wife of Josiah Shearer; and Jacob. Jacob Groff and his family were Mennonites. In politics he was a staunch Whig, and took an active interest in the affairs of the community in which he lived.

On the maternal side Charles S. Groff is a descendant of Jacob Stout, who was born in Germany in the year 1711 and came to this country at the age of twen- ty-six years. He was a potter by trade, and located first in Durham township, removing later to the present site of Perkasie, where he owned the greater part of the land upon which the present town stands. He became a very large land owner in Bucks, and a very prom- inent man in the community. He died April 30, 1779, and he and three gener- ations of his descendants lie buried in a neat little family burying ground near Perkasie railroad station, on part of his original plantation. He married in 1739 Anna Leisse (Leicy), widow of John Leisse, an early German emigrant, her maiden name being Miller, and they were the parents of four children: Abraham; Salome, who married (first) Abraham Freed, and (second) Gabriel Schwartz- lander, (great-grandfather of Dr. Frank Swartzlander, of Doylestown); Isaac, of Williams township, Northampton coun- ty, (father of the distinguished phy- sician and surgeon, Dr. Isaac Stout) ; and Catharine, wife of Jacob Schlieffer, of New Britain.

Abraham Stout, eldest son of Jacob and Anna, was probably the most prom- ient Pennsylvania German of his day in Bucks county. He was educated at the famous Germantown Academy, and received a fine English education. He was for many years a justice of the peace, and did a very large amount of public business. At the outbreak of the revolution he was a member of the com- mittee of safety of Bucks county, and served as a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1790, as well as filling numerous other positions of trust and honor. He married Mary Magdalen Hartzell, and they were the parents of seven children.

Jacob Stout, third son of Abraham and Magdalena (Hartzell) Stout, was born on the Perkasie homestead, Janu-

ary 9, 1775, and died there August 15, 1820. He married Elizabeth Barndt, born November 27, 1778, died November 7. 1821, and they were the parents of eight children: Isaac; Abraham; Jacob B., the father of Judge Mahlon H. Stout; Samuel; Sarah, who married Charles Leidy; Anna, who married Isaac Drum- bore; Mary Magdalen, the mother of the subject of this sketch; and Elizabeth, who married Enos Kile.

Charles S. Groff was reared and edu- cated in Rockhill township, and early in life learned the balcksmith trade with Charles Bissey. He followed his trade until 1862, when he purchased the farm upon which he still resides, in Rockhill, near South Perkasie. He has always taken an active interest in all that per- tains to the best interests of the com- munity in which he lived. He filled the office of school director of Rockhill township for three years, and in politics is a Republican. He and his family are members of the Reformed church. He married in 1860, Caroline Shettler, daugh- ter of John Shettler, and they are the pa- rents of six children: Maurice, who married a Mrs. Drummond, of Philadel- phia, and has two children; Calvin, who married Emma Moyer, and has one child; Franklin, a large landowner in North Dakota; Ella, wife of Charles Alt- house; Katie, wife of Mahlon Dimming, of Springfield township; and Martha, wife of Ambrose Pfleiger, of Perkasie.

HENRY R. SHADDINGER. Four generations of the Shaddinger family have resided in Bucks county, the great-grand- father, a native of England, having been the founder of the family in the new world. he became a resident of Plumstead town- ship. Jacob L. Shaddinger, the grandfa- ther, was born in Plumstead township and in early life learned the business of lime burning, which he followed for many years in Buckingham township. He possessed keen business foresight and was recognized as one of the enterprising business men of his community. He married Elizabeth Leatherman, and they became the parents of six children, namely: Edward, Charles, Elias, Mary Ann, Sophia and Sallie.

Edward E. Shaddinger, eldest son of Jacob Shaddinger, was born in Solebury, Buckingham township, and when a boy accompanied his parents on their removal to Plumstead township, where he acquired his education in the public schools. After his marriage he purchased a farm in New Britain township and there carried on agri- cultural pursuits until his death, which occurred October 29, 1884, when he had reached the age of thirty-one years, ten months and eight days. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Anna Rosenberger, died November 6, 1888, at the age of thirty-

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HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

one years, ten months and seventeen days. They were the parents of two children, the daughter being Susie Shaddinger, who was born August 4, 1883, and died on the 23d of February, 1885.

Henry R. Shaddinger, the son, was born in New Britain township, May 23, 1881, and pursued his education in the schools of the neighborhood. He entered upon his busi- ness career as a clerk in the generad mer- cantile store of Kulp Brothers at Perkasie, which position he abandoned in order to enter business life on his own account at Blooming Glen in February, 1904. In con- nection with Herleigh Apple he purchased the general mercantile establishment of Christopher S. Gulick, and under the firm name of Apple & Shaddinger they are now conducting the largest business of the kind in Hilltown township, They have a care- fully selected line of general merchandise, and their business policy commends them to the patronage of the public, for it is in har- mony with high commercial ethics. Mr. Shaddinger was married March 20, 1904, to Miss Emma Hunsicker, a daughter of Isaac and Mary (Detwiler) Hunsicker, at Bloom- ing Glen, where they make their home. Mr. Shaddinger is a member of the Mennonite church, gives his political support to the Republican party, and is deeply and help- fully interested in public affairs relating to the welfare and progress of his home com- munity and native county.

CHARLES S. BALDERSTON was born in Solebury township, November 30, 1854, on the farm where he now resides. The family is of Holland lineage, and the an- cestry is traced back to John Balderston, who emigrated from Holland to England about the time the Prince of Orange went to that country to become King William III in 1688. He settled in Norwich, Eng- land, in company with his wife, Lydia Scarf, and their children, John Bartholo- mew and Mary.

(II) John Balderston, son of the pro- genitor, was born in 1702, and was trained to the weaving of silk and worsted. He remained in England until about twenty-five years of age, when in the year 1727 he emi- grated to America as a redemptioner. He located in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, where he followed weaving as a livelihood. After residing for some time at North Wales he removed to Upper Makefield, and finally settled in Solebury township, where his remaining days were passed, his death occurring in 1782. He had wedded Hannah Cooper, a daughter of Jonathan and Sarah Cooper, of Upper Makefield township. and to John and Hannah Balderston were born seven sons and four daughters, as follows : John, Jonathan, Bartholomew, Timothy, Jacob, Hannah, Isaiah. Sarah, Mordecia, Lydia and Mary, all of whom reached ma-

ture years and reared families with the exception of Mary.

(III) John, son of John and Hannah (Cooper) Balderston, was born January 15, 1740, in Bucks county, and wedded De- borah Watson, daughter of Mark and Ann Watson, of Fallsington, Bucks county. Their marriage, which occurred October 21, 1767, was blessed with five children: Merab, Hanah, John W., Mark and Ann. The fa- ther of these children died April 26, 1821.

(IV) John W. Balderston, son of John and Deborah ( Watson) Balderston, was born on the old family homestead in Sole- bury township, March 24, 1775. He there resided for some time and subsequent to his marriage removed to Fallsington, where he made his home upon a farm until 1821. He then returned to the old homestead in Solebury township, becoming the owner of that property, on which he continued to re- side until his death on the 26th of Febru- ary, 1842. He was married November 19, 1800, to Elizabeth, daughter of William and Hannah Buckman, of Newton township, and their children were John D., William, Abner, Oliver, Deborah, Hannah and Martha.

(V) Oliver Balderston, son of John W. and Elizabeth (Buckman) Balderston, was born in Fallsington, Bucks county in 1812 and followed farming as a life work. He wedded Mary P. Shaw, who died in 1881, by whom he had four children, of whom three are living: John W., now a resident of Oklahoma; Elizabeth B., the wife of Jesse B. Fell, of Solebury township; and Charles . S. Balderston, whose name intro- duces this record.

The title to the Balderston tract of land dates back to the time when it passed by warrant from William Penn to Richard Thatcher, May 4, 1682. That transfer covered one thousand acres which was after- ward divided among the children of Thatcher, three hundred and fifty acres go- ing to his sons, Bartholomew and Joseph Thatcher. It was this tract which after having passed through several ownerships was purchased by John Balderston, June 21, 1766, he buying it from the heirs of William Chadwick. The tract of three hundred and fifty acres, after being handed down from father to son, has been sub- divided until the patrimony of Oliver Bal- derston covered a farm of one hundred and twenty-eight acres, constituting that upon which Charles S. Balderston now resides. The portion of the farm on which stood the original buildings-one hundred and forty-two acres-was transferred to Joshua Ely. A part of the old residence built by John Balderston on taking possession of the place in 1766, is still standing, but the house has recently been remodeled. Oliver Balderston spent his life upon the farm now occupied by his son Charles, living there from his ninth year until his death, Febru- ary 5, 1895. The Balderstons have all been members of the Friends Meeting, and have

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HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

been advocates in more recent years of the Republican party, but while progressive and loyal in citizenship have never been office seekers.

Charles S. Balderston was rearca at home, acquiring his education in the com- mon schools and at the Doylestown English and Classical Seminary. He then returned to the farm and has continued to make it his place of residence, receiving it as his inheritage at the time of his father's death. He has ever sustained the excellent repu- tation made by the family in citizenship and in business life. In politics he is a Repub- lican, and is classed with the highly respect- ed men in Solebury township.

LEWIS M. LYNN a merchant of Yard- ley, is a son of Alexander Lynn, who was born in 1806 in Bucks county, where the days of his boyhood and youth were passed. He attended the public schools, learned the painter's trade, and followed that calling in connection with the manufacture of rope for a number of years. Eventually, how- ever, he severed his connection with in- dustrial interests and purchased a small farm, after which he carried on general agricultural pursuits in addition to paint- ing. In politics he was a stanch Republi- can, and he held the office of constable of Falls township for seventeen consecutive years. He was also supervisor for a num- ber of years, and owing to his knowledge of public affairs his opinions were often sought on matters affecting the general welfare. He was public-spirited and pro- gressive, and his efforts in behalf of his township and county were far-reaching and beneficial. He died in Falls township in 1892, respected by all who knew him. His wife bore the maiden name of Aun Cutler, and had nine children: Joseph: Cortland ; Miles V .; Charlotte, wife of Edward Severns; Elmira, wife of J. V. Lovett ; Lewis M .; Deborah; Alexander; and George B.

Lewis M. Lynn was born on the home farm in Falls township, August 17, 1846, and pursued a common-school education, after which he learned the painter's trade with his father. When he was eighteen years of age he went to work with his brother, Joseph Lynn, of Newtown, here he resided for seven years. In 1871 he began business on his on account at Yardley as a painter and paper hanger, and in 1897 broadened the scope of his labors by establishing a hardware store. There is but one business man whose connection with commercial and industrial interests in Yardley antedates that of Mr. Lynn. His business career has been characterized by progress and by suc- cess due to ready recognition and utiliza- tion of opportunity. Politically a Republi- can, Mr. Lynn has served as a member of the council of the borough of Yardley. and has held many minor offices. Fraternaliy he is connected with the Knights of the

Golden Eagle, Eyrie No. 506, at Fallsing- ton, Pennsylvania, of which he is a charter member.

Lewis M. Lynn wedded Miss Mary F. Johnson, a daughter of Dilplane and Re- becca Johnson. They have five children : Russell, who died in infancy; Victor V .; Clara E., who was graduated as a trained nurse in the Charity Hospital of Philadel- phia, on the Ist of June, 1904; Morris, who died in childhood; and Herbert, who died at the age of eighteen years.

Victor V. Lynn, born in Yardley, in 1872, pursued his education in the public schools of the borough and of the Stewart Busi- ness College at Trenton, New Jersey. On putting aside his text books he went to Philadelphia, and for four years occupied the position of shipping clerk with the firm of Loudoun & Hill, dealers in sponges. Returning to Yardley he assumed the man- agement of his father's store, which he has since conducted, and is regarded as one of the leading young business men of the borough. In the spring of 1904 he was elected collector of taxes of the borough of Yardley for a term of three years. He married Miss Clara Knipe, a daughter of William and Almira Knipe, of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and they have one daughter, Dorothy.

HERBERT S. NASE, of Sellersville, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, was born in that town May 13, 1869, and is a son of Barndt and Diana '(Strycker) Nase. The Nase family is of German extraction, and have been a prominent one in Rockhill township for many generations. Michael Nase, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in West Rockhill township, and was a farmer there all his life. He and his family were members of Jerusalem Lutheran church at Schlichters- ville. He married Lydia Barndt, of an old and prominent family in that section, and they were the parents of eight children, as follows: Sarah, wife of Charles Hartzell ; Elizabeth, wife of Samuel Getman; Isa- bella, wife of William Shive; Margaret, wife of Jacob Nungesser; Rebecca, wife of Elias Haring: Lydia, wife of Levi Nase ; Barndt, the father of the subject of this sketch; and Michael, who married Amanda King.

Barndt Nase was born January 27, 1843, was reared in Rockhill township, and fol- lowed the life of a farmer there until 1868. when he removed to Sellersville, purchased a residence there, and resided in Sellers- ville, until his death, September 5. 1901. He was an active and influential citizen and took an active interest in local politics, serving as a member of borough council and school director for a number of years. He was a member of Sellersville Lodge, No. 658, I. O. O. F., and he and his family were members of St. Michael's Lutheran church. He married, November, 1867,

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HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

Diana Strycker, daughter of Samuel and Kate ( Breisch) Strycker, and they were the parents of two children-Herbert S., and another who died in infancy.

Herbert S. Nace was born and reared in Sellersville and acquired his education at the Sellersville high school. Early in life he learned the cigarmaking trade, which he followed for several years. In 1902 he started a greenhouse for the cultivation of flowers and early vegetables, making a specialty of raising tomatoes, and has since conducted that business successfully. He is a member of St. Michael's Lutheran church and is affiliated with Sellersville Lodge, No. 658, and Sellersville Encamp- ment, No. 252, I. O. O. F. He married in 1891 Addie M. Nase, daughter of Peter and Susanna ( Walter) Nase, and the uni- on has been blessed with two children, Jennie and Helen.

J. CAMBY MILNOR, who is engaged in farming and dairying in Lower Makefield township, was born in Hulmeville, Penn- sylvania, February 4, 1853, his parents be- ing William B. and Emily H, (Brown) Mil- nor. The father was born near Bristol, in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, in 1823, and in early life learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed until 1859. in that year he began farming in Lower Makefield town- ship near the village of Yardley, and con- tinued an active representative of agricul- tural interests for almost thirty years until 1887, after which he retired from active business life and established his home in the village of Yardley. His last days were spent in Hatboro, where he died in Febru- ary, 1899. He was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and served as superintendent of the Sunday-school at Newtown, Pennsylvania, for a number of years. He married Miss Emily H. Brown, a daughter of Israel Brown, and they had six children : William E., J. Camby, Elias J., Elmer E., Laura B. and Estelle B. The last named died in childhood.

In the common schools J. Camby Milnor acquired his education, and through the per- iods of vacation assisted his father in the operation of the home farm, continuing on the old homestead until twenty-two years of age, after which he took charge of that farm and conducted it successfully for a year. In 1877 he removed to the farm upon which he now resides, and after renting the property for five years purchased it. He has since given his entire attention to agricultural pursuits in connection with the dairy business, and makes daily trips to Trenton to dispose of his dairy products. His farm comprises seventy-five acres con- veniently situated in Lower Makefield town- ship, about two miles from Trenton. It is a very valuable tract of land, and his im- provements and modern methods of culti- vation have made it one of the best farms in that locality. In local political circles

Mr. Milnor has been somewhat active, and is a stanch Republican. He has served as judge of elections for the past seven years, and in 1900 took the census for the govern- ment in Lower Makefield township. Mr. Milnor wedded Miss Mary Emma White, a daughter of Nathan and Tacy White, of Northampton township, and their marriage, which was celebrated February 22, 1870, was blessed with two children. The elder, however, Viola, who was born in 1877, died in 1881 at the age of four years and four months. The living daughter is Laura May, born April 17, 1884.

JOSEPH B. SCHAFFER, a resident farmer of Falls township, and one of its native sons, born on the evelenth of No- vember, 1848, is of German descent, the first of the name of this family in Amer- ica being John Schaffer, who September 27, 1818, crossed the Atlantic from the fatherland, bringing with him his family. He established his home in Falls township, where he secured a tract of land and be- gan farming, continuing that business up to the time of his death, which occurred about 1863. His children were: Michael; Louise, wife of William Lee; John; An- drew; Gotfrey; Nicholas; Pemberton; Charles; Catherine, wife of James Morton ; and Anna, wife of Frank White. Gotfrey Schaffer, son of John Schaffer, was born in Falls township, September 3. 1825, and his life record covered the Psalmist's allot- ted span of three score years and ten, his death occurring September 16, 1895. He, too, made farming his life work and he was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Falsington, and a respect- ed and worthy citizen of his community. He married Miss Annie Ettinger, a daugh- ter of John Ettinger, and they were the parents of eight children : Joseph B .; Anna Mary; John E .; Elwood C., deceased ; Ed- ward; Sarah, wife of Edward Appleton; Henry ; and Elizabeth, wife of Elmer John- son. The mother of these children is still living, at the age of eighty years.

Joseph B. Schaffer, eldest son of Got- frey Schaffer, pursued his education in the common schools, and through the periods of vacation assisted his father in the cul- tivation of the home farm. He remained at home until twenty-three years of age, when he began farming on his own account, and the occupation to which he was reared has been his life work. In 1882 he pur- chased the property on which he now re- sides, a tract of eighty-one acres, situated near Oxford Valley. This is rich and productive land, constituting one of the best farms of Falls township, owing to the excellent improvements which Mr. Schaf- fer has placed thereon and the splendid condition in which he keeps his land through careful cultivation. On the 6th of April, 1882, Mr. Schaffer married Miss Mary E. Hohmann, a daughter of John H.

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HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

and Anna (Collopp) Hohmann. Their chil- dren were four in number: Bertha L., born January 29, 1883; Anna, born June 10, 1834, died same month, the 13th ; Joseph Got- frey, born January 6, 1888; and Jennie Thompson, born September 27, 1891, died July 14, 1892. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Schaffer is a Republican in politics.

SPENCER BUCKMAN HIBBS. One of the largest real estate owners in Bucks county is Spencer Buckman Hibbs, of Hulmeville borough. He was born near Hulmeville, in Middletown township, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, April 16, 1843, a son of James Guyon Hibbs, and Martha (Cox) Hibbs. his wife.

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History of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, from the discovery of the Delaware to the present time, Vol. III, Part 124

Author: Davis, W. W. H. (William Watts Hart), 1820-1910; Ely, Warren S. (Warren Smedley), b. 1855; Jordan, John W. (John Woolf), 1840-1921 Publication date: 1905 Publisher: New York ; Chicago : The Lewis Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1040

Author: Davis, W. W. H. (William Watts Hart), 1820-1910; Ely, Warren S. (Warren Smedley), b. 1855; Jordan, John W. (John Woolf), 1840-1921
Publication date: 1905
Publisher: New York ; Chicago : The Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1040