History of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, from the discovery of the Delaware to the present time, Vol. III, Part 132

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 132

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dricks, of Philadelphia; and Salome, a widow living in Trenton, New Jersey. John Holcomb, the father of the above children, died in Plumstead about 1845, at the age of sixty-two years. His widow, Catharinc, survived him many years.

John Holcomb, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Plumstead town- ship about 1820, and died in Philadelphia. He was a farmer, and followed that occu- pation in Plumstead during the active years of his life. He was twice married, his first wife being Rachel Walter, a daughter of Michael Walter, of Plumstead, a promi- nent farmer, and for many years a justice of the peace in Plumstead township. She died in 1854, leaving five children, Cath- arine, still living in Philadelphia; Isaac, the subject of this sketch; Hannah, widow of Abel Atherholt of Philadelphia; Theodore, now street commissioner of Doylestown; and Mary, who married Harry Walton, of Warwick township and died about ten years ago. John Holcomb married (second) Pamela Hann, of Plumstead, and had two sons and four daughters, who are residents of Philadelphia.

Isaac Walter Holcomb was the oldest son of John and Rachel ( Walter) Holcomb, and was born in Plumstead township in 1844. He was reared on the farm, attending the public schools in the winter season. In 1862 he went to Lambertville, New Jersey, as an apprentice to the milling trade under John Groman, for many years a prominent miller of that city. In September, 1864, Mr. Hol- comb enlisted in Company B, Thirty-eighth Regiment New Jersey Volunteers, and served until the close of the war. Return- ing to Lambertville, he entered Eastman's Business College at Poughkeepsie, New York, in October, 1865, and after his gradu- ation returned to the mill as bookkeeper and manager of the mill. In 1869 he entered into partnership with Mr. Groman, which continued until the death of the latter in the spring of 1876. In July of that year he formned a partnership with William B. Niece, under the firm name of Holcomb & Niece, and operated the mill until 1883, when they formed a co-partnership with F. F. Lear, who owned and operated another mill in Lambertville, under the firm name of Lear, Holcomb & Niece, and the new firm remodeled the Lear mill, with the latest improved machinery for the manufacture of flour, etc., and operated it on a large scale until 1896, when the firm dissolved. In July, 1896, Mr. Holcomb purchased a half- interest in the flour, feed and grain business of the Risdon Milling Company, of Tren- ton, New Jersey, and remained with that firm until January, 1900, when he purchased the flour flour, feed and saw mills of J. Simpson Betts, in New Hope, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, which he has since successfully operated. For over twenty-five ycars one of the active and leading business men of Lambertville, he took an active inter- est in all that pertained to the city's best interest ; was for a number of years a mem-

IRaad A. Holcomb

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ber of city council, and at one time its president. He is a member of Amwell lodge, F. & A. M., and of Wilson Chapter, No. 13, R. A. M., and has served as treas- urer of the former for fifteen years. He is a member of the Lambertville Baptist church, of which he has been trustee and treasurer for twenty years. His wife was Annie E. Hunt, daughter of J. Wesley and Hannah (M. Hunt) Hunt, of Lambertville. They have no children.

JACOB D. WOLFINGER, a mason of Silverdale and a veteran of the civil war, was born in Nockamixon township, Bucks county, on the Ioth of February, 1841. His grandfather, Jacob Wolfinger, was like- wise a native of Nockamixon township, which indicates that the family was es- tablished in that locality in colonial days. He always followed the occupation of farm- ing. He married Elizabeth Sassaman and their son, Reuben S. Wolfinger, was born September 15, 18II, on the home farm in Nockamixon township, while in the public schools of that locality he acquired his education. On putting aside his text-books he learned the stonemason's trade, which he followed until his later years, when he purchased a small. farm in Haycock town- ship and devoted his remaining days to the tilling of the soil. Upon that place his death occurred December 13, 1889. He married Sarah Diehl, born November 7, 1813, died September 8, 1886, daughter of John Diehl. The marriage ceremony was performed by Rev. Samuel Stahr, April 12, 1835. Reuben S. and Sarah (Diehl) Wol- finger were the parents of ten children: William, who married Lavinia Crouthan- mel; Frank, who wedded Mary Shearer ; John D., whose first wife was Susan Walp, and whose second wife was Amanda Schroy; Edwin, who married Hannah Yeakel; Lucy Ann, who married Henry Agney; Lizzie, who married Frank Myers; Emma, widow of Jacob Booz; Sarah, wife of Joseph Musselman; and Catharine, de- ceased.

Jacob D. Wolfinger was a student in the Nockamixon public schools, and later learned the mason's trade under the direc- tion of Henry Angeney, in Hilltown town- ship. He worked at his trade until 1863, and then, responding to his country's call for further aid to crush out the rebellion in the south, he enlisted as a member of Company A, One Hundred and Fourth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, under Colonel Davis, of Doylestown. He met his regiment at Hilton Head, South Carolina, and participated in two engagements, the battle of Charleston and the battle of Cedar Creek, Virginia. He was also in several skirmishes, and was honorably discharged ,from the service at Portsmouth, Virginia, August 25, 1865. Following his military service Mr. Wolfinger settled at Dublin, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, where he fol-

lowed his trade until 1890, and then built a home at Silverdale, where he has since lived. For many years he has been identi- fied with building operations in this portion of the county, and is an excellent workman. He belongs to the Bethlehem Grand Army Post, and is a member of the Dublin Re- formed church, while his political support is unfalteringly given to the Democratic party.

Mr. Wolfinger was married to Miss Cath- arine Benner, in Nockamixon township, June 29, 1867. She is a daughter of Abra- ham and Mary ( Wilson) Benner. There are four children of this marriage: Emma J., born September 15, 1870; Anna Mary, June 29, 1874; Frank, October 18, 1879; and Walter, who was born February 15, 1887 and died January 9, 1888. The elder daughter married Damon Myers, a son of Jacob and Maria (Myers) Myers, and they have one child, Anna Myers.

FRANCIS D. HARTZEL. Among the most honored of Bucks county's venerable citizens is Francis D. Hartzel, of Chalfont. Mr. Hartzel is a son of Abram G. Hart- zel, who was a farmer at Rockhill, and married Catharine Deitz. They were the parents of five children. Among their three sons was Francis D., mentioned at length hereinafter. Two daughters completed the family. Francis D. Hartzel, son of Abram G. and Catharine (Deitz) Hartzel, was born June I, 1824, and received his education in the public schools of his native town- ship. At the age of eighteen he went to live with his uncle, Jesse K. Deitz, in Upper Salford township, Montgomery county, in order to learn the milling trade. At the expiration of his time he toon entire charge of the mill and operated it successfully for nine years. In 1860 he moved to Chalfont and purchased a mill which he enlarged and rendered extremely profitable. This mill was unfortunately destroyed by fire, but Mr. Hartzel, with undaunted courage, erected another, constructed after a more modern plan, which is now operated by two of his sons. Mr. Hartzel has always been a useful, active and public-spirited citizen, ever seeking to promote by every means in his power the best interests of the com- munity and the welfare of his neighbors. Mr. Hartzel married, November 16, 1850. at Rockhill. Catharine A., daughter of John C. and Catharine (Snyder) Shellenberger. and they were the parents of the following children: I. James Monroe, who was born August 23, 1851, married Isabella, daughter of John Frick, and has three children. 2. Leidy, born July 19, 1853. 3. Benjamin Franklin, born January 9, 1856, married Madora, daughter of Joseph Moyer, and has six children. 4. Levi Morgan, December 5, 1859, married Christiana, daughter of John Sowers, and has two children. 5. Wilson, born October 30, 1862, married Margaret Drake, and has one child. 6.

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IHISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

Emma Ida, born February 20, 1867, and married (first) George Murphy, and had one child; Mr. Murphy died in 1892, and in 1903 she became the wife of Albert G. Hinds. 7. Harvey S., born March 13, 1869, married Mary Radcliff, and has two chil- dren. Two of these six sons, James Mon- roe and Benjamin Franklin, are engaged in operating their father's mill.

Francis D. Hartzel died October 2, 1888. He had been a member of the Reformed church at Hilltown for a number of years, and was for several years an elder of the church.

WILKINS HOBENSACK, of Norris- town, Pennsylvania, was born near Davis- ville, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, March 29, 1872, and is the youngest son of the late Isaac C. and the late Joanna ( Hoge- land) Hobensack, and a grandson of Isaac and Emily (Fetter ) Hobensack. Isaac Hobensack, the elder, was a farmer in Southampton township, Bucks county, until 1830, when he purchased a farm in War- minster township and lived there the re- mainder of his life, rearing a family of seven children, viz. : Margaret, wife of Will- iam L. Craven ; Rachel, wife of James Hart ; Isaac C., above mentioned; John, who re- moved to Ohio; William; Mary Ellen; wife of Thomas Mayberry; and Elizabeth, wife of Thomas Hellings.

Isaac C. Hobensack was born at Church- ville, Southampton township, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, February 4. 1828, and died at Davisville, January 9, 1904. He was a well known and prominent farmer, and took an active interest in public affairs. In politics, he was a stanch Republican, and served as county commissioner of Bucks county for the term 1884-86. A more com- plete account of his life and services is given in the sketch of his sons, B. Frank and William Hobensack, of Ivyland. His wife, Joanna Hogeland, was born at Cor- nell, Southampton township, Bucks county, June 29, 1832, and was a daughter of Abra- ham and Mary Ann ( Fenton) Hogeland, and her ancestry is given at length in con- nection with The Hogeland Family. She died at Davisville, Aprit 17, 1905.

Wilkins Hobensack is the youngest son of Isaac C. and Joanna, and was reared on the farm near Davisville, and acquired his education at the Davisville Seminary and Pierce School, Philadelphia. After leaving the latter institution he was employed for a short time with Messrs, Coale, Jobson & Co., lumber dealers, and later with Dr. W. A. Drysdale, electrical consulting en- gineer. Philadelphia. In October, 1894, he became private secretary to Hon, Irving Price Wanger, of Norristown. representa- tive in congress from the then seventh (now eighth) district, comprising Bucks and Montgomery counties, and has since filled that position. In addition to serving as secretary to Congressman Wanger in the 53d. 54th, 55th, 56th, 57th and 58th Con-

gresses, he served as clerk to the committee on expenditures in the postoffice department in the 55th, 56th, 57th and 58th Congresses. Believing thoroughly in the principles of the Republican party, Mr. Hobensack has al- ways labored zealously for its success. He is a member of the First Baptist church, Norristown, having taken his letter from the Davisville Baptist church. He is a Free and Accepted Mason, as well as a member of the Improved Order of Red Men, Patriotic Order Sons of America, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and Han- cock Chemical Fire Engine Company, No. 5, of Norristown.

On September 23, 1896, Mr. Hobensack was married in the Davisville Baptist church by the pastor, Rev. D. W. Sheppard, to Anna Heaton (born April 24. 1873), youngest daughter of the late William and Joanna (Dean) Heaton, a playmate of his youth, and a descendant of Robert Heaton, who came to Pennsylvania with William Penn in the "Welcome" in 1683, and set- tled in Southampton. In the spring of 1897 they removed from Southampton to 223 East Elm street, Norristown, and in the fall of 1904 Mr. Hobensack purchased a home at 927 West Marshall street, Norris- town, removing thereto November 9. 1904. His wife, who had been in ill health for several months, did not live long to enjoy her new home, dying March 21, 1905. Mr. and Mrs. Hobensack were the parents of two children : Harry Stout Hobensack, born at Southampton, Bucks county, Pennsyl- vania, March 31, 1898, and Ethel Carrell Hobensack, born at Norristown, Montgoni- ery county, January 20, 1904.

FARRELL MACKENZIE. Farrell Mac- Kenzie, who following farming in New Britain township, has here made his home since 1898, was born in county Sligo, Ire- land, in 1834, his parents being Richard and Mary (Lyden) Mackenzie, in whose family were the following named children : Alice, Farrell, Thomas, John, Richard, Alexander and Mary Ann.

Farrell Mackenzie received only such ad- vantages in his youth as were common to people of moderate means. Having arrived at years of maturity he wedded Miss Frances Burns, who was born April 9, 1846. a daughter of William and Elizabeth ( Mc- Ginn) Burns. Mr. and Mrs. Mackenzie were married in England on the 5th of De- cember, 1862, and two days later they went aboard a ship to sail for America, but the vessel did not leave for the new world until a week later. They landed at Castle Gar- den, New York, on the 2d of February. 1862, and almost immediately afterward went to Philadelphia, where Mr. Mackenzie secured employment in the Morris and Tas- cns Iron Works. A year later he removed to New Jersey, where he followed farming for fifteen years. Removing to Bucks county, Pennsylvania, he purchased of

HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

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Wynn James the farm in New Britain township upon which he now resides, and to the further development and equipment of which he has since devoted his energies with good results.

Mr. and Mrs. Mackenzie have become the parents of nine children: Alice, born February 27, 1865; Richard, who was born March 2, 1867, and wedded Mary Dobbs. by whom he has three children; John, who was born July 1, 1871, and married Laura Sheridan, by whom he has one child ; Lizzie, who was born February II, 1869, and is the wife of John Wilson, and the mother of three children; Tom, who was born September 15, 1873, and married Cora Mor- gan, and has one child; George, born Janu- ary 6, 1876; Annie, born May 31, 1880; Fred, born May 21, 1883; and Alexander, who was born September 10, 1878. and died in infancy. The parents and children are all members of the Episcopal church.

CHARLES CHRISTIAN HARING is of the second generation of the Haring family in America. His father, Charles Christian Haring, Sr., was a native of Kirchheim, in the kingdom of Wurtemberg, Germany. He came to this country with his wife, who bore the maiden name of K. Frederica Mamele, in 1849, landing in New York City, whence they went to Phila- delphia. It was the intention of Mr. Har- ing to go to California, but circumstances prevented his carrying out this plan, so nc remained in the city of Philadelphia, where he followed his trade of cabinet making for many years. He afterward removed to Shelly Station, in Richland township, Bucks county, where he purchased a farm. In his family were the following named : Louisa Frederica, born December, 1849, and is the wife of Adolph Jaekel, of Phila- delphia ; Charles C .; Emil W., who married Sarah Wetzel, and is teller for the Quaker- town Trust Company of Quakertown, Penn- sylvania; and Henry Gottlieb, who is liv- ing at Terrell, Texas.

Charles Christian Haring, whose name introduces this record, was born in the fam- ily home at the corner of Tenth and Mar- ket streets, Philadelphia, March 17, 1852. His father was engaged in cabinet making for the firm of Moore & Campion of that city for many years, and the son attended the public schools of Philadelphia until the spring of 1861, when the family removed to the vicinity of Shelly Station, in Rich- land township, Bucks county. There he continued his education in the district schools, and when not engaged with his text books he assisted his father in the oper- ation of the home farm until his seven- teenth year, when he entered the employ of E. T. Ochs, in the general store at Quaker- town. There he remained for three and a half years, when in the fall of 1871 he ob- tained a position as teller in the newly or-

ganized Quakertown Savings Bank, of which Dr. Joseph Thomas was cashier. Mr. Haring continued to act in that ca- pacity until 1877, when the savings bank went into liquidation, and the Quakertown National Bank was soon afterward organ- ized with Dr. Thomas as its president and Charles C. Haring as cashier. In this po- sition Mr. Haring has since continued to serve, and the success of the institution is attributable in large measures to his ef- forts. Such has been the capable manage- ment of the bank that it today ranks twen- ty-sixth among the seven hundred national banks in Pennsylvania, and is certainly a credit to a city of the size of Quakertown. Mr. Haring occupies an enviable position in financial circles, bearing an unassailable rep- utation, and wherever he is known com- mands the respect and confidence of his fellow men. In politics Mr. Haring is a stalwart Republican, deeply interested in the success of his party, yet not seeking or desiring the honors or emoluments of office. He prefers to devote his time aside from his office and business to his home and fam- ily. He has, however, held the position of member of the Quakertown board of health, also auditor of the borough for two terms.

On the 20th of October, 1875, Mr. Har- ing was married to Miss Annie Lott, a daughter of Dr. Charles F. Lott, and his wife, Eliza (McMichael) Lott, of Quaker- town. Her grandparents were Peter and Mary Heyer Lott.

The grand- father served as a quartermaster in the continental army, and resigned in 1780. He lived at Princeton and at Woodbridge, New Jersey, and died in 1787. He married Mary, daughter of Colonel Jacob Heyer, who commanded a regiment in the Continental army at Tren- ton, at Princeton, and at Monmouth, thus participating in some of the important en- gagements in the war for Independence. Her father was born in Princeton, New Jersey, in 1781, and died July 8, 1866. He attended school at New Brunswick, New Jersey, and afterward studied medicine under the direction of Dr. Moses Scott. He began practicing as physician and sur- geon in 1803. He served as assistant sur- geon with the rank of captain in the New Jersey militia under Major Reed, in the war of 1812. He was married in 1809 to Edith Newbold Lamb, of Burlington coun- ty, New Jersey, and after her death was married in 1818 to Eliza McMichael. By this marriage was born the daughter Annie, on the 29th of March, 1852. She attended the public schools at Quakertown, also the Moravian Seminary at Bethlehem, and efter reaching womanhood gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Haring.

Mr. and Mrs. Haring are the parents of the following named: Nellie Lott, who is the wife of George Echart Ozias, D. D. S., a son of John Albert Ozias of Quaker- town; Grace, Fredrica Lott. Florence. Clara, Myrtle, Gertrude, and Rachel.

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HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

AMOS BURGESS HEADLEY. de- ceased, was a descendant of one of the early pioneer families of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, who emigrated thence from their home in England. He was born in Bristol township, Bucks county, March 30, 1842, a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Brown) Headley, grandson of Joseph J. and Edith (Burgess) Head- ley, and great-grandson of Joseph Headley.

Amos B. Headley acquired an ex- cellent education, having been a pupil in the public schools, Carversville Acad- emy, and Eastman's Business College, Poughkeepsie, New York. He resided with his parents and assisted in the work of the large saw-mill which was owned by his father, who was exten- sively engaged in the lumber business in Bristol for many years. Amos B. Headley succeeded his father in the ownership of this plant, and from 1865 to 1880. a period of fifteen years, con- ducted an extensive and flourishing busi- ness. In the latter year he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, con- ducting his operations on a farm in Tul- lytown, and this line of work he fol- lowed up to the time of his decease. He served a term as jury commissioner of Bucks county, during which time he per- formed his duties in a thoroughly efficient and competent manner. He was a staunch supporter of the candi- dates and measures of the Republican party, to whom he gave his allegiance upon attaining his majority. All the en- terprises which had for their object the business, political and social growth of the community in which he lived found in him an earnest advocate.

Mr. Headley was married December IO, 1868, to Emma Taylor Ivins, of Penns Manor, Bucks county, daughter of Isaac and Sarah Ann (Hendrickson) Ivins, and granddaughter on the pater- nal and maternal sides, respectively. of Isaac and Patience (Middleton) Ivins and Amos and Sarah (Folwell) Hendrick- son. Her parents were of English or- igin, her father having been for many years a retired citizen of Bristol bor- ough. She was born December 14, 1847. Their children are: Irene, born August 22, 1870, attended the private schools of Bristol and completed her education in the schools of Philadelphia; on No- vember 24, 1894, she became the wife of William H. Skirm, Jr., of Trenton, New Jersey, and they are the parents of two children: Katharine Irene, born August 23, 1894, and and William Henry (3). born October 7, 1895. Edith, born May 2, 1878, attended the private schools of Bristol, and completed her education at Trenton. New Jersey: on April 27, 1890. she became the wife of Stanford K. Runyan, of Bristol, and they are the parents of one child. Elizabeth Head- ley. born September 29, 1902. The im- mediate ancestors of the family were

Quakers, and Mr. Headley, during his lifetime, and family

attended the Friends Meeting. Mr. Headley died No- vember 17, 1901. Mrs. Headley resides in the comfortable and substantial home left her by her husband, this being the same in which her children were born. She is beloved by a large circle of friends and relatives.

SAMUEL M. KING. One of Chalfont's honored citizens is Samuel M. King, who " has been for more than half a century a resident of the borough. The great-grand- father of Mr. King emigrated from Ger- many about the middle of the eighteenth century and settled in Pennsylvania. Mor- ton King, son of the emigrant ancestor, was a lifelong resident of Curley's Mill, and married Elizabeth Hockman, by whom he was the father of four sons and four daughters, among the former being Peter, mentioned at length hereinafter. Mr. and Mrs. King were true types of the German- American citizens of those early days.

Peter King, son of Morton and Elizabeth (Hockman) King, learned the shoemaker's trade in New Britain township, and also acquired a knowledge of the business of a mason. He helped to build the old Bucks county court-house, on the site of which the new one now stands, at Doylestown. In middle age he purchased a farm at Mount Pleasant, Hilltown township, which was his home for sixty years. He married April 18, 1812, Catharine Myers, who was born August 31, 1790, and they were the pa- rents of the following children : Annie, born May 6, 1813 Elizabeth, born July 26, 1819; Susanna, born July 26, 1821 ; Martin M., born December 5, 1824; and Samuel M., mentioned at length hereinafter. The death of Mr. King, the father of the family, oc- curred January 17, 1871, when he had reached the advanced age of eighty-six years and ten months, having been born March 17, 1784.

Samuel M. King, son of Peter and Cath- arine (Myers) King, was born November 16, 1827, in Hilltown township, and learned the cabinetmaker's trade with his cousin, John F. King, in New Britain township. From 1852 to 1862 he was engaged in the undertaking business in Chalfont. In 1860 he took up his abode on the farm where he has since resided. The estate is small but well-kept and highly cultivated. Mr. King has always been a good citizen, seeking to serve by all means in his power the best interests of his neighbors, who thoroughly appreciate his sterling qualities. He is identified with the Republican party, and is a member of the Hilltown Baptist church.

Mr. King married, February 19, 1852, Annie D., daughter of Morton and Magda- lena (Delp) Swartley, and their family con- sisted of the following children: Amanda, who was born December 9, 1852: Oliver S., born July 22, 1855. and Milton S., born April 2, 1857. Oliver S. King married

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August 25, 1877, Susanna, daughter of Henry Bergy, of Franconia township, Mont- gomery county, and the following children have been born to them: Annie, who mar- ried George Albright; Sallie, who is the wife of Irvin Cline; Samuel B .; and Florence.

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History of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, from the discovery of the Delaware to the present time, Vol. III, Part 132

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