History of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, from the discovery of the Delaware to the present time, Vol. III, Part 125

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 125

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William Hibbs, great-great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was an early settler in Byberry. By his marriage with Elizabeth Johnson, daughter of John and Margaret Johnson, he had three children Jacob, Jonathan and Phebe. Jacob married Elizabeth de Guyon, of French descent, in 1761. Jonathan married Sarah de Guyon, a sister of Elizabeth. and Phebe married Joseph Smith of Wrightstown, and later George Kinsey, of Buckingham. John Johnson was a son of "Jan Clauson, par Cooper," a Hollander, who settled on the Neshaminy, in Bristol township, in 1678, on a tract of land patented to him by Edmund Andross, captain-general of New York, and confirmed by patent from William Penn in 1684. He left six children, all of whom took the name of Johnson. John Johnson purchased of his brothers and sisters 520 acres, patented to his father on the Neshaminy, and at his death in 1721 devised it to his seven children, his wife Margaret to have the use of it for life. She died in 1751, and two years later the land was parti- tioned between Benjamin Brittin, who had married Mary Johnson, a granddaughter of John and Margaret, and Elizabeth Kelly, widow, the mother of Jacob, Jonathan and Phebe Hibbs. Mrs. Kelly conveyed the ninety-six acres, her share of her grand- father's estate, to her son Jacob Hibbs. Jacob Hibbs died in Bristol township in 1773, leaving a widow and children; Jemima, who married Michael Ring; Jacob; Keziah, who married William Stack- house : John G .; Stephen and Samuel.

John Guyon Hibbs, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a mason by trade, and later a farmer. and became a consider- able land owner in Middletown and Bristol townships. He married Mary Searle, a descendant of Arthur Searle, an early settler in Bensalem township. The children of John G., and Mary ( Searle) Hibbs, were ; Walter M., Mahlon G., Charlotte. John G., James G., Mary, Samuel. Jacob, Joseph G. and Daniel B. Hibbs. John G. Hibbs died in 1832, and his widow several years later. James Guyon Hibbs, father of the subject of this sketch, was a practical and success-

ful business man, and of more than ordinary intellectual ability. In early life he learned the trade of a mason, and followed it for a few years. Having received a good educa- tion he abandoned his trade and taught school at Milford (now Hulmeville) for seventeen years, and in other schools in Middletown township for eight years. He was elected prothionotary of Bucks county on the Democratic ticket in 1844, and served three years with eminent ability. He was for one year proprietor of the Hulme- ville Hotel, and lived one year in Newport- ville. The last thirty years of life were spent on his farm in Middletown township. He was a successful business man and left his family in affluent circumstances. He married Martha, daughter of Jacob and Hannah Cox, who died December 25, 1890. James G. Hibbs died December 17, 1882. James G. and Martha (Cox) Hibbs were the parents of two children, James Guyon, born January 31. 1838, died August 17, 1902, unmarried, and Spencer B.

Spencer B. Hibbs, the subject of this sketch, spent his boyhood days on his father's farm. He was educated at the public schools, at Millersville State Normal School, the Tennent School at Hartsville, and at Rev. Samuel Aaron's Seminary at Mt. Holly, New Jersey. After finishing his education he was employed in a grist mill for two years, and then filled the position of baggagemaster for the Camden & Amboy Railroad for six years, and was also assis- ant superintendent at the Kensington Rail- road yard. In 1870 he came back to the old farm and worked for the family, and later followed butchering for a few years. Mr. Hibbs is a Presbyterian in religion, and in politics is a Democrat. He has always taken an active interest in the success of his party, but has never held other than local offices. At the death of his brother he be- came the owner of much additional prop- erty, and owns fourteen farms in Bucks county, one in New Jersey, a fine grist mill, two hotels, and twenty-five dwelling houses.

Mr. Hibbs was married on July 24, 1869, to Catharine Hawk, of Morrisville, by whom he had four children; Henry Chap- man, born May 24. 1870; Olive- Martha, born June 13. 1876; James Carl, born December 6. 1881 ; and Arthur Chapman, born November 26, 1884. These children have all been well educated. Henry C. attended Rider's Business College at Trenton, New Jersey ; James C. and Arthur C. attended Pierce's Business College of Philadelphia, and Arthur C. also attended the Drexel Institute, Philadelphia. All three are now in the employ of their father. Henry C. as bookkeeper, and James C. and Arthur C. as engineers. Henry C. mar- ried June 13 1900, Viola, daughter of Samuel A. and Maria (Stackhouse) Rich- ardson, a descendant of two of the oldest families in Middletown. They are the parents of one child, Olive Lenora, born November 20, 1901. Olive Martha Hibbs was educated at the public schools and the

Spencer B. Hills

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HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

West Chester State Normal School, gradu- ating in 1895, after which she taught school in Hulmeville for eight years. She was married September 23, 1903, to John H. Geil of Rutledge, Delaware county, Penn- sylvania, a solicitor for the Land Title and Trust Company of Philadelphia.

WILLIAM H. SHERM, a retired farm- er residing in Chalfont, was born in New Britain township, November 30, 1839, and is of German lineage. His paternal grand- father was John Sherm. His father also bore the name of John Sherm, and was born in Germany in 1806, crossing the At- lantic from that country to America in 1823, at which time he took up his abode in Plymouth, Montgomery county, Penn- sylvania. A few years afterward he estab- lished his home near the Henry Fretz mill in Bucks county, and learned the milling trade under the direction of Mark Fretz. He followed that business for six years, after which he married and located upon a farm in New Britain township, carrying on agricultural pursuits throughout his remaining days. He was a member of the Lutheran church, active and influential in its work, and doing everything in his pow- er to extend its influence. For twelve years he served as a member of the church coun- cil. His political allegiance was given to the Democracy. He married Miss Barbara Rickert.

William H. Sherm, son of John and Barbara (Rickert) Sherm, was educated in a private school in Quakertown, Pennsyl- vania, and after his graduation engaged in teaching, being thus identified with the in- tellectual development of the county for some time. He taught at Sellersville for four years, was in charge of the Newville school for three years, and at the Foun- tainville school for one year. Following his marriage he concentrated his energies upon agricultural pursuits, settling on a farm in New Britain township, where he lived for a third of a century. He then removed to another farm in the same town- ship, and has since been identified with agricultural interests, having a good tract of land well developed. Mr. Sherm has been actively interested in community af- fairs, and his efforts have proved an ef- fective factor in promoting the general good. He served as school director for fifteen years, and the cause of education ever found in him a warm friend. A Re- publican in his political views, well in- formed on the questions and issues of the day, he has always given to the party stanch support. . He was judge of elec- tions for many years, and was elected county auditor, filling that position for three years. A devoted member of St. Peter's Lutheran church, he has acted as both· dea- con and elder, and thirty years ago was elected a trustee of the church and has since acted in that capacity. He is also

treasurer of the cemetery company con- nected with the same church, and is in- terested in everything relating to the pub- lic good and to the development and im- provement of his locality.

Mr. Sherm was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Bond, a daughter of Neri and Hannah (Lutz) Bond, the latter a daughter of Frederick Lutz. Four chil- dren have been born of this marriage: I. Maggie, born June 21, 1867, became the wife of Frank S. Hartzell, a son of Will- iam and Leah (Sheets) Hartzell. There are eight children by this marriage: Will- iam Henry, J. Stanley, Frank S., Elizabeth, Neri R., Leah Gertrude, Percy and Leroy. 2. Alice, born December 27, 1869, is the wife of Aaron S. Overpeck, and they have two children, Elizabeth and Blanche. 3. Neri, born February 26, 1872, deceased. 4. Hannah, born November 12, 1881, is the wife of Arthur B. Sheip, a son of Francis P. and Mary Margaret (Swartley) Sheip.

DAVID N. KRATZ. Among the fertile and productive farms which abound in Doylestown township, Bucks county, Penn- sylvania, which section was embraced in the lands conveyed to the Free Society of Traders by William Penn in 1681, may be mentioned the one owned by David N. Kratz, who was born in Plumstead town- ship, same county, June 23, 1843. The first of the name of whom there is any authen- tic information was John Phillip Kratz (great-great-grandfather), born in 1707. His son, John Valentine Kratz, (great- grandfather) was born in 1732 and died in 1812.

John Kratz (grandfather) was born No- vember 22, 1765, in Bucks county, Penn- sylvania, where he resided all his life, his active career having been devoted to farming. He was an earnest and consist- ent member of the Mennonite church. He was twice married. His first wife, whose maiden name was Anna Fried, bore him four children: Abraham, born March 7, 1791; Solomon, born May 8, 1792; Debor- ah, born November 6, 1793; and Susanna, born February 18, 1796. His second wife, a Swartzlander, bore him eight children : David, born May 1, 1801, died in infan- cy; Philip, born November 2, 1802, men- tioned hereinafter; Joseph, born June 25, 1804; Anna, born September 28, 1805, be- came the wife of James Stover; Isaac, . born September 10, 1807; Catherine, born May 2, 1809, became the wife of Enos Stout; Rachel, born January 6, 1811; and John, born February 24, 1813.

Philip Kratz (father) was born in Plum- stead' township, Bucks county, Pennsyl- vania, November 2, 1802. This region of valley, plain and winding creeks is now al- most one hundred and eighty years old ; the lower and middle parts were settled mainly by Friends, and the upper part by Scotch-Irish Presbyterians, and later by

37-3

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HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

Germans. Having been reared upon a farm, he was thoroughly familiar with the cletails of farming, which occupation he followed until his death, July 1, 1855. By his marriage to Catherine Newmaker nine children were born, three of whom died in infancy, the surviving members of the fam- ily being : David N., mentioned hereinafter ; Rosanna, born in 1844, died in 1895, who became the wife of Tobias N. Myers; Irv- ing, married Laura Jacoby first and (see- ond) a German lady ; he died in Septem- ber, 1902; Emma, wife of Theodore Hol- comb; Phillip, born July 19, 1853, married Emma Dudbridge and died November 12, 190.1.

David N. Kratz attended the common schools of his neighborhood, but his edu- cational advantages were 'limited owing to the death of his father when he was but twelve years of age. He remained on the homestead farm with his mother until he was thirty years old, and during this time managed the affairs in a thoroughly satis- factory and successful manner. After a residence of one year in Doylestown he purchased the farm where he now resides, located one and a half miles south of Doylestown, and has since given his at- tention to agricultural pursuits and slate roofing. The esteem in which he is held by his fellow citizens is evidenced by the fact that he was elected school director in 1898, which office he held three terms, performing the duties to the satisfaction of all concerned. He is a Republican in politics. In 1873 Mr. Kratz married An- nie Selver, daughter of Daniel and Sarah Selver, and one child was born of this union, Mary Jane, October 13, 1878.

CALEB SCATTERGOOD, actively and successfully engaged in agricultural pur- suits, has also been the promoter of busi- ness enterprises of importance to his lo- cality and is prominent in social affairs. Although his ancestors in early generations were not residents of Pennsylvania, they re- sided in this part of the country, the grand- father, Caleb Scattergood, being a native of Columbus, New Jersey, born on the 10th of April, 1768. He followed farming and surveying throughout his entire life, and was active in business circles in his locality. He married Sarah Atkinson, who was born February 8, 1772, and they became the pa- rents of eleven chldren: Ann, who became the wife of William Wright, and after his death married William Cooper; Joseph ; Jonathan; Mary: Sarah, wife of Robert Wright; Caleb and Nathan, both deceased ; William A .; Martha, wife of Aaron Mid- dleton; Hannah, wife of Joseph Rogers ; John, who died in childhood.

William A. Scattergood, son of Caleb Scattergood, was born February 17, 1806, in Columbus, New Jersey, and entering upon his business career in early life learned the tailor's trade, which he followed for a

number of years on Fourth street, in Phila- delphia. Later he established his home near Trenton, New Jersey, where he carried on farming for six years, and then removed to Salem, that state, where he was engaged in farm work for twelve years. Hc after- ward established his home at Rancocas, where he purchased a tract of land, giving his attention to its further development and improvement for twenty-four years. His careful management of his business inter- ests and his unflagging energy brought to him a competence sufficient to enable him to live retired, and, putting aside the active duties of the farm, he established his home in the village of Rancocas, where he passed the evening of life, his death occurring De- cember 7, 1878. He married Miss Rebecca Heaton, and they had ten children : Ellen, wife of Benjamin Hilliard; Hannah Ann, wife of David Ford; Catherine: Sarah ; Rachel, wife of Mahlon K. Hendrickson ; William W .; Caleb; Heaton and Harvard, who died in infancy; and Rebecca, wife of Alexander Thompson.

Caleb Scattergood, son of William A. and Rebecca (Heaton) Scattergood, was born in Salem, New Jersey, October 20. 1841. His preliminary education, acquired in the common schools, was supplemented by three terms attendance at the Trenton Academy. He was reared to the occupation of farming and remained with his father until thirty-one years of age, when he pur- chased his father's land within two miles of the city of Trenton, and there carried on farming on his own account for ten years. On the expiration of that decade he re- moved to the farm upon which he now re- sides, situated about two miles from Tren- ton, in Bucks county, Pennsylvania. He has here ninety acres of land lying along the river, this being one of the best farms in Lower Makefield township. The property is well improved with modern equipments. the fields are very highly cultivated, and every facility of a model farm of the twen- tieth century is there found. Mr. Scatter- good, being a man of resourceful business . ability, has likewise extended his efforts to other lines. He conducts a commission business, and loaded the first carload of potatoes that was ever shipped from Yard- ley Station. He was also one of the or- ganizers of the Yardley Water and Power Company, of which he is still a director, and is a member of the board of directors of the Building and Loan Association of that place, his enterprise proving of a char- acter that promotes public prosperity as well as individual success.

Mr. Scattergood married Miss Emma Reeves, who died November 24. 1896. They were the parents of three children : Mary and Nellie, who died in child- hood; and David T., who is with his father upon the home farm. Mr. Scattergood married March 23, 1905, Miss Lizzie Ellett Smith, daughter of Samuel T. and Lydia S. Smith, of Salem, New Jersey. The members of the family all belong to the

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HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

Friends' Meeting. Mr. Scattergood has been prominent and popular in the social circles of his locality, and was one of the organizers of the Pastime Club, of Yard- ley, of which he served as president for eight years.

HENRY H. MOORE, of Perkasie, Bucks county, was born in New Britain township, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, De- cember 26, 1870, and is a son of Jesse H. and Sophia (Hedrick) Moore, of New Britain. Jesse P. Moore, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a black- smith by trade and lived during his whole manhood in New Britain township, where he reared a family of four children-John H .; Jesse H .; Sarah, who married Abra- ham Hunsberger; and Eliza, who married Daniel Nyce. Jesse P. Moore died June 20, 1893, his wife Mary surviving him. Jesse H. Moore, the second son, married Sophia Hedrick, and is a farmer in New Britain township.

Henry H. Moore was born December 26, 1870, in New Britain township, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, where he was reared and acquired his education at the public school. During his early manhood he fol- lowed various occupations, and in 1895 pur- chased a farm in New Britain township, where he resided for five years, selling it and purchasing a farm of seventy-two acres in Hilltown in 1900, where he now resides. He is a member of the Mennonite church at Blooming Glen, and politically is a Re- publican. He married, February 6, 1892, Mary Ellen R. Moore, born July. 26, 1873, in New Britain township, daughter of John M. and Sarah Jane (Rosenberger) Kulp. Mr. and Mrs. Moore are the parents of four children: Sarah Gertrude, born April 4, 1893; Mary Sophia, born August 30, 1894; William Harvey, born September 25, 1900; and Henry Franklin, born Septem- ber 30, 1904.

DAVID D. CRESSMAN, of Sellers- ville, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, was born in that borough February 13, 1877, and is a son of Abraham S. and Hannah (Derstine) Cressman, the former for near- ly half a century one of the leading busi- ness men of the town. The Cressman fam- ily is one of the very oldest German- American families in Bucks county. The pioneer ancestor of the family was George Cressman, who settled in Franconia town- ship about 1729. Soon after this date he purchased a tract of land in Rockhill town- ship, which he conveyed to his son Jo- hannes (or Jolin) Cressman in 1747. Jo- hannes Cressman was probably also a na- tive of Germany, and was born about the year 1700. After residing for some years in Rockhill township he returned to Fran- conia township, where he died in the spring of 1786. His children were Anthony, John, Elizabeth, Mary, Catharine and Hannah.

Anthony Cressman, eldest son of Johan- nes, was born May 9, 1731, and died in Rockhill township, Bucks county, March 3, 1789. He was a farmer and considerable landowner in Rockhill, and he and his wife Magdalena were the parents of seven chil- dren, four sons : Jacob, Abraham, John, and Adam; and three daughters : Elizabeth, wife of Daniel Schileffer; Catharine and Sarah.

Jacob Cressman, eldest son of Anthony and Magdalena, was born in Rockhill town- ship, October 27, 1755. At his father's death the homestead farm of 139 acres was adjudged to him by the orphans' court and he purchased several large tracts ad- joining, becoming one of the largest land- owners in Rockhill township. He died June 15, 1832. He married Elizabeth Nace, of Rockhill, and they were the parents of twelve children, viz .: Samuel; Magdalena, who married Henry Kerr; Catharine, who married Peter Roudenbush; Elizabeth ; Margaretha, who married (first) Charles Leidy, and (second) Per Demigh; Susan- na; Jacob, who married Magdalena Hart- zell; Maria, who married Abel Kerr; Abra- ham; Henry ; Philip and Hannah.

Henry Cressman, tenth child of Jacob and Elizabeth (Nace) Cressman, was born in Rockhill township, December 15, 1795, and died April 5, 1884. He was a farmer in Rockhill township, and actively in- ested in the affairs of that locality. He migt- ried Mary Stout, and they were the par- ents of ten children, viz .: Livy, born Heb- ruary 15, 1820; Maria, born November 15, 1821 ; Magdalena, born July 17, 1823; Sam- uel, born July 21, 1825; Abraham S., born August 2, 1827; Henry, born February If, 1830; Elizabeth, born January 12, 1832; Enos, born May 26, 1834; Aaron, born Au- gust 16, 1837; and Jacob, born Augus: 8, 1844.

ABRAHAM S. CRESSMAN, son or Henry and Mary (Stout) Cressman, born August 2, 1827, was reared on his father's farm in Rockhill township, and was edu- cated at the public schools of Branch Val- ley. In early life he learned the black- smith trade with his uncle Jacob, and fol- lowed that vocation for about three years. After a few years spent on the farm, he started the manufacture of cigars at Branch Valley in 1861, and was engaged in that business until 1869, when he removed to Sellersville and purchased the Washing- ton House, but not finding the business of keeping a hotel congenial, he sold out at the end of one year and built and op- erated a general merchandise store oppo- site the Sellersville railroad depot. In 1872 he purchased the feed, . coal and lumber business of Joseph A. Hendricks, which he carried on for twenty years, doing a large business. In 1892 he sold out to Fos- benner & Lewis, and retired from active business, living a quiet life in his hand- some residence erected in 1874, until his death on May 30, 1905. Mr. Cressman lived

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HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

a life of business activity, and had the re- spect and confidence of ca who knew him. lle was always actively interested in all that pertained to the best interests of the town in which he lived, and filled many positions of trust and honor. From the time that Sellersville was incorporated into a borough in 1874, for many years he was almost constantly an official of the borough and actively interested in the im- provement of the town. He was appointed in 1874 by the court as judge of the elec- tion for the first officers of the borough; was for many years chief burgess; served repeatedly in the borough council; and also filled the position of school director for several years. He was a charter member of St. Michael's Evangelical church at Sel- Jersville, a member of the building com- mittee having-charge of its erection in 1870, and served as trustee, elder and deacon of the church for many years. He mar- ried, November 6, 1862, Kate Cressman, daughter of James Cressman, and they were the parents of two children-James Richard, born January 17, 1854; and Henry Howard, born August 20, 1867. His wife Kate died November 10, 1869, and he mar- ried (second) November 25, 1873, Hannah Derstine, daughter of Michael Derstine, of Rockhill, and their only child was David D., the subject of this sketch, who was born February .13, 1877.

DAVID D. CRESSMAN was born and reared in Sellersville, and acquired his education at the Sellersville high school, graduating in 1895. He began the print- ing trade in the office of the "Sellersville Herald," and is still employed there, fin- ishing his trade, however, in a Philadelphia job office. He is now devoting most of his time to the closing up of his father's business affairs, with which he is thorough- ly familiar, having had charge of most of his father's private business for a num- ber of years. In politics Mr. Cressman is a Democrat, and a member of the stand- ing committee. He takes an active part in the affairs of the town, and is now serving as borough auditor. He is a member of the Lutheran church.

EDWIN WARREN MARTINDELL, a man of rare literary attainments, and a well known educator of Hulmeville, Bucks county, traces his ancestry to John Martin- dell, who was born in England, August 24, 1676, and who was united in marriage to Mary Bridgmont. Among their children was a son John, who married Mary Strick- land, and among their children was a son Miles, who in 1780 was united in marriage to Susannah Harvey. Thomas Martindell, son of the last mentioned couple, married Mary Warner in 1819, and among their children was a son, Jonathan Warner, who was born September 5, 1820, died 1888. He resided in Wrightstown all his life, and served as school director for several years.

In 1851 he married Mary H. Addis, who was born October 18, 1830, died June II, 1899, a daughter of Amos and Amy (Carver) Addis; in 1845 she joined the Southhampton Baptist church, of which she remained a member up to the time of her death. The children of Jonathan W. and Mary H. (Addis)

Martindell are as follows : Thomas H., born October 5, 1852, died 1854. Miles M., born October 29, 1853. Amy Anna, born Septem- ber 29, 1855, died 1883. , Amos Addis, born March 19, 1857. Edwin Warren, born in Wrightstown township, Jannary 3, 1859, mentioned at length here- inafter. Isaiah M., born December 25, 1860. Benjamin C., born October 5, 1862, died September 12, 1863. Jonathan Warner, Jr., born February 6, 1865. Mary M., born February 22, 1867, became the wife of Amos Tomlinson. Emma J., born August 27, 1872, became the wife of Monroe Hartman.

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History of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, from the discovery of the Delaware to the present time, Vol. III, Part 125

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