History of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, from the discovery of the Delaware to the present time, Vol. III, Part 128

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 128

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HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

born to theni: The surviving members of the family are: Sarah, wife of Samuel Jacoby; Catherine, wife of Isaac Jacoby ; Solomon G .; George G., mentioned herein- after; John G .; Magdaline, wife of Ellory Loux; Susanna, wife of Isaac Laubach ; Mary, wife of Ely Cauley; and Amanda, wife of Samuel Gahman.

George G. Mill was indebted to the com- mon schools of his township for a practi- cal education. He remained home, assist- ing his father with the management of the farm, until he was twenty years of age, and the following two years worked for his uncle, Solomon Mill. He the returned home and worked for his father on the farm for four years, and at the ex- piration of this period of time began farm- ing on his own account on the old home- stead farm, where he remained six years. Having accumulated sufficient capital, he purchased a farm in Warrington township, which is the upper of the three rectangular townships that border the Montgomery county line, which he cultivated for nine years. He then disposed of this and pur- chased a farm in Buckingham township, where he gave his entire attention to farm- ing until 1885, since which time he has lived a retired life, enjoying the fruits of his many years of arduous toil. In 1880 he was instrumental in the organization of what is known as Cold Spring Dairy Association, and acted in the capacity of superintendent for almost twenty years, and treasurer for about ten years. For the long period of thirty-nine years he has held membership in the Reformed church of Doylestown, during which time he served terms as a member of the board of elders and treasurer. Mr. Mill married Miss Madame Baron, daughter of Jacob and Susanna Baron, of Bucks county. Their children are: Mary, born January 8, 1852, wife of Reuben Kohl; Emma, born Sep- tember 10, 1853, wife of Joseph Ruos; Isaiah B., born May 25, 1858; Catherine, born February 25, 1861, deceased; Elmer, born October 14, 1866, deceased ; and Clara, born July 15, 1869, deceased. Mr. Mill is one of the venerable citizens of the tow11- ship, honored and esteemed by all who come in contact with him. Mrs. Mill died Aug- ust 8, 1893, at the age of sixty-four years.

CHARLES FOULKE STRAWN of Quakertown, is a representative of one of the oldest Pennsylvania families. He is a great-grandson of Jacob and Christine (Purcell) Strawn, who were residents of Pennsylvania in its early colonial period. Daniel Strawn, son of Jacob and Christine (Purcell) Strawn, was born near Apple- bachsville, in Haycock township, and was a farmer and also a teacher in the sub- scription schools. He was an active mem- ber of the Society of Friends. He was thrice married, and was in all the father of eighteen children, sixteen of whom grew

to maturity and reared fainilies. His sec- ond wife was Margaret Purcell, by whom he was the father of a son, Thomas, men- tioned at length hereinafter. There were no children by the third wife.

Thomas Strawn, son of Daniel and Mar- garet (Purcell) Strawn, was born July 4, 1789, and received his education in the subscription school presided over by his father. He learned the cabinetmaker's trade and also the carpenter's, carrying on the business of a builder in conjunction with the labors of a farmer. He married Mary, daughter of Casper and Jane John- son, and after her death he married, April 30, 1829, Jane Foulke, who belonged to a tamity which is traced through the

following generations : Hugh Foulke, born July 6, 1685, SON of Edward

Foulke of Penllyn, married Anna

born in 1693, and they were the pa- rents of a son, Theophilus. Hugh Foulke died May 21, 1760, and his widow passed away in 1793. Their son Theophilus,

mentioned above, was born December 21, 1726, married Margaret Foulke, who was born April 3, 1734, and he died Novem- ber 4, 1785, the death of his wife occurring March 30, 1802. Their son Benjamin was born August 16, 1766, and married. March 26, 1789, Martha Roberts. Their daughter Jane became the wife of Thomas Strawn, as mentioned above. Benjamin Foulke died February 28, 1821, at Harrisburg, being then in his second term as a member of the legislature. Mr. and Mrs. Strawn were the parents of the following children: I. Rachel Foulke, born July 30, 1831, died October 14, 1885. 2. Martha F., born July 4, 1833, died 1841. 3. Charles Foulke, men- tioned at length hereinafter. The death of Mr. Strawn occurred January II, 1857.

Charles Foulke Strawn, son of Thomas and Jane (Foulke) Strawn, was born April 9, 1836, on the homestead in Richland town- ship, which was situated two miles south of Quakertown, on the Bethlehem turn- pike. He attended the Friends' meeting school and also a subscription school, after which he learned the cabinetmaker's trade and also the carpenter's, at the same time rendering assistance on the home farm. After the death of his father he conducted the business for six years, and took up more land adjoining the farm. In the spring of 1890 he sold the estate to Edward N. Conn. During the civil war he was an enrolling officer, and served in that capacity during the war, for Richland township, and subsequently held office for six years in the postoffice. He is a Republican in politics and has always taken an active in- terest in party affairs. Mr. Strawn mar- ried. April 7. 1862, Mary S., daughter of Charles F. and Margaret (Schultz) War- wick, of Philadelphia, and they were the parents of two sons and a daughter: I. Harry Warwick, born June 9, 1863, died June 1I, 1904. unmarried; 2. Frederick Percy, born April 16. 1867. engaged in the livery business at Quakertown, and died

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HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

July 20, 1891. 3. Jane Foulke, born October 2, 1869, married, May 25, 1904, David H., son of David H. and Dorothy ( Bones) Thomas, of Philadelphia, and resides in that city.

ROBERT BLANK SNYDER, son of Amos Hinkle and Mary Ann ( Blank) Sny- der, was born April 17, 1863, in Quaker- town, Pennsylvania. He is a direct descen- dant of Andrew Snyder, who was among the early settlers of Richland township, Bucks county, Pennsylvania. Andrew Sny- der was the eldest son of a noble family of the Duchy of Deux Ponts, of Rhenish Bavaria, where he was born in 1739. In order to obtain money to come to Amer- ica he sold his title to the immunities of nobility to his younger brother. He ar- rived in Philadelphia in 1759, at the age of twenty years. and apprenticed himself to Benjamin Chew, with whom he remained three years. At the expiration of this time the Chews assisted him to purchase four hundred acres of land in Richland town- ship. At the breaking out of the Revolu- tionary war, he entered the army, and was present at Trenton, Germantown and other battles, and at the end of five years' ser- vice was paid therefor in worthless cur- rency. He was appointed collector in Richland township after the war, and was rendered penniless by going security for others, but his old friends, the Chews, came to his assistance again. In 1765 he was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Ja- coby, and eleven children were born to then, five sons and six daughters, among them being John Snyder. Andrew Snyder passed away after a well-spent life, October 26, 1815, at the advanced age of seventy-six years. John Snyder, the son of Andrew Snyder and grandfather of Robert B., was married to Miss Matilda Hinkle, and among their children was Amos Hinkle Snyder. Amos Hinkle Suyder, the father of Rob- ert Blank Snyder, was born December 13, IS21, on the Snyder homestead on the Tohickon, in Richland. township, Bucks county. Pennsylvania. His early education was acquired in the subscription schools of that section, and in the summer months he assisted on the home farm. Immediately after leaving the school-room he engaged in farming and droving, and later invented and patened the Snyder creamery vats, and from 1880 to 1883 was engaged in fitting up creameries, and finally settled on the farm which is now owned and occupied by his son, Robert Blank Snyder. In 1841 Mr. Snyder was united in marriage to Mary Ann Blank, who was born Novem- ber 19. 1822, the daughter of John and Mary Blank, of Rockhill township. Bucks county, Pennsylvania. The following chil- dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Snyder : Monroe Benjamin, March 17, 1842, married Miss Susan C. Berry, daughter of Benja- man L. Berry, of Philadelphia, professor of astronomy at the Boys' High School; 2.

Oliver B., born March 18, 1845, died March 14, 1880; 3. Clementina B., born 1847, died March, 1872: 4. Mary B., born October 15, 1855, died 1866; 5. Ellen, born April 10, 1858; 6. Warren B., born May 5, 1860, married Flora Fellman, daughter of Man- assah and Alamanda (Heddman) Fellman. Her father was a farmer of Rockhill town- ship, and was later a merchant of Quaker- town, and resides at 4405 Haverford avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ; 7. Robert Blank, born April 17, 1863; 8. George B., born April 22, 1865, married Minnie Appel, daughter of Reuben and Hannah (Hess) Appel, of Springfield town- ship, and lives in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Amos Hinkle Snyder died May 23, 1901, and his wife passed away August 3, 1894.

Robert Blank Snyder, seventh child and fourth son of Amos H. and Ann ( Blank) Snyder, at the age of seven years moved with his parents to the village of Cali- fornia, which was situated a few miles northeast of Quakertown. Here he at- attended the district school, and in the sum- mer months assisted his father on the farm. In 1875 his father purchased the Joseph Evans farm, on Allentown pike, below Quakertown, which contains eighty-two acres, and where Robert now resides. Robert Blank Snyder's time was occupied chiefly in operating his farm, which he named "Locust Grove Stock Farm," and he was also actively engaged in the real estate business for some time. He actively and prominently identified with all local affairs, and is considered a valuable factor in his community. In politics Mr. Snyder is a stanch Republican, and works earnestly toward advancing the interests of that organization. He was at one time candidate for the clerk of the orphans' court. In religious affairs he and his fam- ily affiliate with St. John's Lutheran church at Quakertown, Pennsylvania.

December 30, 1896, Mr. Snyder was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Hopper Palmer, the daughter of Edward and Marie M. (Frache) Palmer, of Philadelphia. Ed- ward Palmer was born in Philadelphia, May 11, 1826, the son of Jonathan and Sarah (Hopper) Palmer. His maternal grandfather, Isaac T. Hopper, was a noted abolitionist and a promoter of what was known as the "underground railway" for the safe conduct of runaway slaves. He was also a prominent; Quaker and exhorter. Edward Palmer married Miss Marie Mada- line Frache, a native of Shuttaway, Alsace- Lorraine province, France, who came to this country and settled in Bucks county, Penn- sylvania. For a time Mr. and Mrs. Palmer engaged in farming, and later conducted a milk business. The following children were born to them: I. Henry B., July 5, 1849; married Anna Elizabeth, daughter of Ab- ner and Mary (Pabst) Reeder, of Quaker- town, and they reside on Broad street, Quakertown. Pennsylvania : 2. Charles B., born April 11, 1854, married Mary Beans, daughter of Mathias and Lucetta (Hinkle)

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HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

Beans, of Philadelphia; 3. Harriet Jack- son, born May 24, 1862, died March 1), 1876; 4: Sarah Hopper ( Mrs. Robert l'huik Snyder), born August 30, 1808.

The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Robert B. Snyder : Amos Harrold, September 16, 1897; and Marie Madaline, July 14, 1899.

THEODORE CORSON SEARCH, of Philadelphia, who for the past thirty-five years has been eminent in the manufactur- ing and business circles of that city as well as of the country at large, was born in Southampton township, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, March 20, 1841, and is a son of Jacob Miles, and Nancy (Corson) Search, both of whom are deceased.

Christopher Search, the grandfather of Theodore C., was born in Bucks county in 1764, and died in Southampton in 1842. In early life he was a blacksmith in Northamp- ton township, but in 1797 purchased the old Banes homestead in Southampton, and fol- lowed the vocation of a farmer until 1838, when he retired to a lot in Southampton, where he died. He was twice married, his first wife being Amelia Tolbert, daughter of James and Hannah (Burleigh) Tolbert, of Upper Makefield, by whom he had five children, viz .: William; James T .; Sam- uel ; John, and Sarah T., who married Will- iam H. Spencer. His second wife was Ann ( Miles) Banes, widow of William Banes of Southampton, who was born August 4, 1776, and died December 23, 1865. The children of the second marriage were: Miles, born July 5, 1807, died young ; George W., born March 20, 1809, died in Newtown, Bucks county ; Jacob Miles, born December 2, 1810, died October II, 1893 ; Margaret M., born September 22, 1811, mar- ried Elias Lefferts ; Anthony T., born Au- gust 16, 1814; Christopher, born February 3, 1816; Ann Miles, born March 22, 1818, married Casper G. Fetter; and Griffith Miles, born April 2, 1822.

Jacob Miles Search was born and reared in' Southampton township. He pur- chased the homestead farm upon which he had lived some years prior to his father's decease, and conducted it until 1879, when he erected a house on part of the farm near Southamptonville, where he lived retired until his death on October 11, 1893. He was always actively interested in educa- tional matters, and served for many years in the school board of Southampton town- ship. He was for many years trustee of the Southampton Baptist church. He mar- ried in 1837, Nancy Marple Corson, born . in Southampton, September 29, 1818, died April 6, 1898. She was the third child of Richard and Elizabeth (Bennett) Corson, the former of whom was born in Bucks county, December 4, 1768, and died October 29, 1845, and was the fifth son of Benja- min and Sarah (Dungan) Corson. Benja- min Corson was born March 6, 1743, and was a son of Benjamin and Maria ( Suy-

dam) Corson, both natives of Long Island, the former being a son of Benjamin and Nelly Corson, who came to Bucks county in 1726, when their son Benjamin was seven years of age. The children of Jacob Miles and Nancy (Corson) Search, were: El- wood, born September 22, 1838; Theodore C., the subject of this sketch; Henry Lott, born September 8, 1846, living near Yard- ley, Bucks county, Pennsylvania; Erasmus N. M., born March 7, 1851 ; and Ann Eliza- beth, who married Edwin W. Roberts.

Theodore Corson Search was born and reared on his father's farm in Southamp- ton, and attended the country school there until his seventeenth year, when he en- tered the First State Normal School at Millersville, Pennsylvania, and afterward entered the Crozier Normal High School, from which institution he graduated after taking a three years' course. He served one season as a teacher at Fallsington, Bucks county, and resigned to accept the position of principal of the high school at Middle- town. Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, which he filled for two years, and later filled a similar position in the Middletown Acad- emy at Middletown for two years. In 1866 he came to Philadelphia and was for two years an instructor in the Quaker City Business College, and one year principal of the National Commercial Institute, and then began his business career in the employ of Davis, Fiss & Banes, wholesale wool mer- chants. Four years later he became a junior partner in the firm under the name of Fiss, Banes, Erben & Co., manufacturers of worsted and woolen yarns. In 1883 the firm became Erben, Search & Co., and took a high rank as manufacturers. The busi- ness capacity of Mr. Search was univer- sally recognized, and his advice and serv- ices were sought by mercantile and finan- cial institutions. He became a director of the Bank of North America, a position which he has filled for over twenty years. He was elected president of the Colonial Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and has filled many other responsible positions. It was, however, in the organization and per- petuation of associations for the protec- tion, development and improvement of American manufacturing interests that Mr. Search has been especially prominent. He was for many years a member and presi- dent of the Philadelphia Textile Associa- tion, and a director of its successor, the Manufacturers' Club; was vice-president of the National Association of Wool Manu- facturers, of Boston; and of the American Protective Tariff Association of New York. As president of the National Mann- facturers' Association, for five years he did effective work in the molding of public opinion in favor of and shaping legislation for the protection and fostering of Amer- ican manufacturing interests. He was the originator of the Philadelphia Textile School, later merged into the Pennsylvania Museum and School of Industrial Art, to which he has given much time and atten-

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HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

593

tion, serving as vice-president and chair- man of the industrial committee of the lat- ter institution for many years, and for the last eight years as its president. In 1892 he became treasurer and executive head of the John B. Stetson Company, which position he resigned after seven years of service. He has also been interested in numerous other manufacturing and business institu- tions. He was for many years a member of the committee on science and art of the Franklin Institute; treasurer of the Bap- tist Orphanage; and president of the board of trustees of the Baptist Memorial Church, of which he and his family have long been members. Mr. Search married, December 25, 1862, Anna L. White, daughter of Eph- raim White, of Newtown, Bucks county, who was born in 1841. Their only child, Ida May, married Professor Howard Cliff, principal of the Philadelphia Normal School, now treasurer of the De Long Hook and Eye Company, and has one daughter, Anna Search Cliff.

WILLIAM L. BROOKS, connected with the industrial interests of Plumstead, where his ability in mechanical lines has retained him in one position for thirty- eight years, was born in Langhorne, Bucks county, October 31, 1837. His father, Abram Brooks, was born in Middletown township, Bucks county, about 1814, and in early life learned the millwright's trade, which he followed for many years. He married Lydia Vanhorn, and their children were: John; Ellen, wife of Kirkbride Larue ; Elizabeth, wife of Albert Mitchell; Will- iam L .; Lydia Ann, wife of Edward Mc- Mullen; Thomas; Henry; Howard; and Frank.

William L. Brooks is entirely a self-made man, and through his inherent force of character, strong determination and un- faltering diligence has gained a good living and made for himself an honorable name in industrial circles. When he was only seven years of age he was bound out to George Ettenger, with whom he remained for six years. He then went to live with Anthony Scott, and after two years entered the employ of George Flowers, occupying that position for a year. He next began learning the blacksmith's trade with Charles B. Ridge, with whom he worked until about twenty-two years of age. Removing at that time to Doylestown, he was for eighteen months employed by William Bruner, and afterward worked for one vear for George Brooks. The following year was passed in the employ of Hiram Ely, at New Hope, Pennsylvania, and, removing to Center- ville, Pennsylvania, he carried on business on his own account for two years. He after- ward spent four years as a blacksmith at Gardenville, Plumstead township, Bucks county, and in 1867 came to Plumsteadville, where he accepted a position with Aaron Kratz as a carriage blacksmith. He has re-

mained in this position continuously since, working for nearly thirty-eight years in one shop, and no higher testimonial of his efficiency and reliability could be given. In his political views Mr. Brooks is a stal- wart Democrat, but has never sought or desired office.

He wedded Miss Anna R. Martindale, who died May 8, 1905. Mr. and Mrs. Brooks reared an adopted child, Emma J., a daughter of William Martindale, and who became the wife of Lewis Grierson, of Philadelphia.

JOSEPH BECK. Like many of the lead- ing families of Bucks county, the Beck fam- ily is of German lineage, although the gen- erations represented in America have been comparatively few, for John B. Beck, the father of our subject, was the progenitor of his branch of the family in the United States. He emigrated from Germany to America about 1855, and after a short . time spent in Philadelphia removed to Bucks county. He had learned the mason's trade in his native land, but worked at it for only a short time here. He turned his attention to farming, devoting his energies exclusively to the tilling of the soil and further improvement of his home property until his death, which occurred December 10, 1901. He had married Miss Matilda Kauler, daughter of Amos Kauler, of Mont- gomery county, Pennsylvania. They be- came the parents of fifteen children: Cath- erine, born July 3, 1861, and is the wife of Willoughby Patterson; Elizabeth, born February 9, 1863, and is the wife of Thomas Scullion; Anna L., born December 16, 1864, and is the wife of Charles E. Scargle ; John, born December 8, 1866, died March 22, 1896; William A., born September 2, 1868, died in December, 1885: George, born June 2, 1870 : Amos, born March 17, 1872; Benja- min, born August 16, 1873, died at the age of seventeen months; Hannah, born Feb- ruary 6, 1875, and is the wife of John Schiele; Matilda, born October 13, 1877, and is the wife of Howard Geddes; Walter, born June 7, 1879; Joseph, February 2, 1882; Henry, May 27, 1884; Emma, March 19, 1887; and Samuel Arthur, December 22, 1888. The parents and all of their chil- dren became members of the Lutheran church at Doylestown and the father served as one of its elders for a number of years. He took a very active and helpful part in church work and contributed generously to its support. He was likewise a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge at Carvers- ville, in which he passed all of the chairs, and he belonged to Lodge No. 447. I. O. O. F., of Jamison, in which he filled all of the offices. He held membership in the German Aid Society of Doylestown, and gave his political support to the Republi- can party, holding the office of supervisor for seven years.

Joseph Beck, son of John B. Beck, was born in Plumstead township, and the pub-

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HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

lic schools afforded him the educational privileges which he enjoyed. To his father he gave the benefit of his services upon the home farm until the time of the father's death, and has since managed the estate, dis- playing excellent business ability in the con- trol of the property and in the further im- provement of the old home farm. He was married February 18, 1903, to Miss Mary Nicholas, a daughter of john and Sophia Nicholas. His fraternal relations are with Danboro Council, No. 187, Knights of the Golden Eagle, and his popularity therein is indicated by the fact that he has been elected to all of its offices.

HENRY B. LAPP, of Fricks, is .pro- prietor of one of the leading productive industries of his part of the county, and has worked his way upward from a humble financial position to one of afflui- ence, his success being achieved through determined and honorable purpose and unfaltering diligence. His ancestry is traced back to John Lapp, who was probably a native of Germany and set- tled in New Britain township, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, where he pur- chased two hundred acres of land on the 23d of May, 1747. The name of his first wife, the mother of his children, is tin- known. He was married again about 1780 to Mary Hockman, of Bedminster township, Bucks county, who survived him. His death occurred in March, 1793. His children were John, Jacob, Isaac, Abraham, Mary, Barbara and Christina.

John Lapp (2) son of John Lapp, Sr., settled on land which he purchased of his father in 1785, and there carried on farming for a number of years, but sold his property in New Britain township in 1817.

Abraham Lapp (3) son of John and Catherine Lapp, purchased land in New Britain township in 1802. He first be- came owner of fifty-three acres, after- ward bought one hundred and seven acres, and in 1810 purchased seventeen acres adjoining. He was a weaver by trade, and also gave his attention to the supervision of his agricultural interests. His death occurred in 1855. He married Ann Rosenberger, and they had seven children namely: I. John, who died in New Britain in 1883, married Ann Weiss- ler, and their children were: Eliza, wife Abraham Moyer; Maria, wife of Abra- ham High: Jonas W .; John W .; Samuel WV .; Catherine, wife of Henry Leather- man, of New Britain; Joseph W., who is living near Chalfont: Henry W., a resi- dent of Kansas: and Samuel W., who makes his home in Iowa. 2. Joseph, who died in Warrington, married Sarah Haldeman, and their children are: Rachel. the wife of Elias Shaddinger, of Plumstead; Mary, deceased wife of Will-

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History of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, from the discovery of the Delaware to the present time, Vol. III, Part 128

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