History of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, from the discovery of the Delaware to the present time, Vol. III, Part 146

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 146

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Samuel and Margaret (Keith) Mann, and a granddaughter of William Keith, an- other early settler in Makefield, from the north of Ireland. The children of Abraham and Mary (Mann) Slack were: Samuel M., born June 27, 1808, married Margaret Rubinkam, and had ten chil- dren, of whom five yet survive-Mary R., Agnes E., and Rosanna, single, resid- ing on the homestead of their father in Upper Makefield; Jesse R., of Upper Makefield, and James M., of Forest Grove; another son, Captain Abraham A. Slack, recently died in Northampton township. John Keith. Slack, the second son of Abraham and Mary, was devised the Keith plantation, and changed his name to John Slack Keith. The remain- ing eleven children were: William H., Anthony W., Frederick A., Elijah T., Margaret, Alice, Rosanna K., Mary Ann B., Martha T., and Jane.

Elijah T. Slack, the father of the sub- ject of this sketch, was born in Lower Makefield township, in 1823, and was but ten years of age at the death of his father. He was reared on the old home- stead, which was managed by his eldest brother, Samuel M., after the death of his father, and received his education at the local schools. At the age of fifteen years he went to Philadelphia and se- cured a position in the dry goods store of Gideon Cox, and later obtained a more lucrative position with Atwood, White & Co., representing them on the road as a travelling salesman, his territory ex- tending down through the southern states, where he built up a large patron- age. About 1854. he formed a partner- ship with John R. Sparhawk, and em- barked in business for himself. Two years later this partnership was dis- solved, and he organized the firm of Cresswell, Slack & Gemmill, which existed up to the death of Mr. Slack in 1876; and was one of the well known wholesale firms of Philadelphia. Mr. Slack was a Democrat in politics, and took a prominent part in the reform movement in Philadelphia in the early seventies. He married Eliza D. Crow-' ell. of Philadelphia, who is still living with a sister in Hackettstown, New Jer- sey. They were the parents of four chil- dren, two of whom survive: Albert E., the subject of this sketch; and Helene, a single woman residing in Madison, New Jersey.

Albert E. Slack was born and reared in the city of Philadelphia, and graduated from the high school there in 1876. In the same spring he was appointed a midshipman at the Naval Academy at Annapolis, by Congressman Charles O'Neil, but, the death of his father oc- curring at about the time of his ap- pointment, and his mother being very much opposed to his accepting, he re- signed the appointment and came to Up- per Makefield township, Bucks county,

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HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

and resided until 1880, with his uncle and guardian Samuel M. Slack. In the latter year he went to Council Bluffs, Iowa, to look after a tract of land left by his father and in 1881, removed to Huntington, Indiana, where he superin- tended the large plantations of General James R. Slack for fifteen years. In 1896 he removed to Mitchell, Indiana, where he engaged in the lime business. At the end of one year he sold his inter- est in the business to his partners, and returned to Bucks county and purchased the James M. McNair farm in Upper Makefield, of 167 acres, upon which he has since resided.

Mr. Slack married, in 1886, Delila Loughsdorf, daughter of Peter and Su- san (Seifert) Loughsdorf, of Hunting- ton, Indiana, whose family were early settlers of Huntington, having purchased the land now occupied by them of the government. To Mr. and Mrs. Slack have been born three children, viz .: E. Wilmer, Ethel F. and Lamont, all resid- ing at home.

In politics Mr. Slack is an Indepen- dent. He is a member of Thompson Memorial Presbyterian . church, of which his grandfather was an elder, his ances- tors for many generations having been staunch Presbyterians.

J. TITUS SLOTTER, living in Sole- bury township, was born in Bedminster township, Bucks county, on the 17th of April, 1850. He is of German lineage, a descendant of Anthony Slotter, who came from the fatherland and settled on a farm in Bedminster township. He had two chil- dren, a son and daughter. The former was Anthony Slotter, who died in 1825, when Jacob Slotter was about twelve years of age.

Jacob Slotter, the eldost of three chil- dren, was born in Bedminster township in 1817, upon the farm now owned by his son William, and his entire life with the excep- tion of a brief period of three years was spent as an agriculturist in his native town- ship. For fifty years he resided upon the old family homestead, where he died on the 19th of February, 1904. He lived in Haycock for one year, in Tinicum for two years, and afterward in Bedminster town- ship, near Tohickon, for eight years. In 1854 he took up his abode upon the old home property, which for half a century was his place of residence. He was en- gaged in buying and driving cattle through the state, selling to the farmers in different sections of Pennsylvania. His political support was given to the Republican party. and he was a member of the Reformed church. His life was characterized by act- ivity and progress in business and relia- bility in all relations. On the 7th of April, 1842, he was married to Miss Leah Hock- man, a daughter of Ulrich Hockman, who

was born August 24, 1823, and died Janu- ary 9, 1886. They became the parents of thirteen children, of whom three have passed away : Elizabeth HI., Mary Ann and John H. The others are : William H., formerly county superintendent, and a resi- dent of Doylestown; Anna Maria, the wife of Abel Stover, of Doylestown; Leah, who married Milton Crouthamel, and resides at Keelersville; J. Titus; Martha, the wife of Louis Ott, at Church Hill; Anthony, who is living on the old homestead in Bedmin- ster township; Aaron, who is conducting a restaurant in Philadelphia; Lincoln, who married Anna Jones, and is living in Me- chanicsville, Pennsylvania; Barbara, the wife of Aaron Landus, of Mechanicsville; and Reuben, who married Ellen Crouth- amel, and resides in Richlandtown.

J. Titus Slotter, son of Jacob and Leah (Hockman) Slotter, was a student in the public schools in his boyhood days, and when not occupied with the duties of the school room assisted in the operations of the home farm, remaining thereon until his twenty-second year, when he accepted a position in the general store at Dublin. There he resided for three years. Follow- ing his marriage he returned to Bedminster township, where for two years he was em- ployed at farm labor, and later he rented a store at New Britain, there conducting a general mercantile establishment for four years. In 1881 he removed his stock of goods to Perkasie, and a year later sold his mercantile business and returned to Bed- minster township, settling on the Kerns farm. The following year he sold his farm stock and removed to Detroit, Michigan, where he was variously employed for six years, but in the spring of 1889 once more took up his abode on the Kerns farm in Bedminster township. Mr. Slotter was married to Miss Emma Kerns, of Bedmin- ster township, and they traveled life's jour- ney together for many years, but the year following their return from Michigan Mrs. Slotter died, and he broke up housekeeping. In the fall of 1890 he removed to Carvers- ville, Pennsylvania, and for two and a half years ran a stage from . Carversville to Doylestown. In 1893 he organized a com- mission route, continuing in that business until the winter of 1899, when he sold out and purchased his present farm, on which he has since lived. By his first marriage there were five children: Frank, a resi- dent of Doylestown; George, who is living in Detroit, Michigan; Florence, the wife of Howard Rose, of Lambertsville : Rolin, of Churchill; and Mabel, who resides with her aunt,; Mrs. A. A. Stover, in Doylestown. On the 23d of June, 1899, Mr. Slotter was married to Miss Elizabeth Cadwallader, a daughter of Franklin and Rachel (Slack) Cadwallader, of Solebury township. They have one child, Sara.

Mr. Slotter is a Republican in his poli- tical views, and belongs to the Reformed church, while his wife is a member of the Friends' meeting. He is one of the well

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HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

known residents of Solebury township, having gained wide acquaintance through his commercial and agricultural interests, and having won the warm regard of those with whom he has been associated by rea- son of his fidelity to honorable manly prin- ciples.

DR. JOHN W. SHADDINGER, a repre- sentative of the medical profession, resid- ing at Chalfont, Bucks county, Pennsyl- vania, was born in Lumberville, Bucks county,, Pennsylvania, February 26, 1878, a son of John F. and Wilhelmina ( Wor- man) Shaddinger.

Dr. Shaddinger obtained an excellent literary education in the public schools of the neighborhood and at West Chester State Normal School. Having decided to adopt the profession of medicine for his life work he matriculated at the Uni- versity College of Medicine Rich- mond, Virginia, from which institution he was graduated May 1, 1901. From the time of his graduation until August, 1901, he practiced at Portland, Pennsylvania, remov- ing from thence to Chalfort, same state, where he has since resided, and by display- ing great skill in the diagnosis and treat- ment of disease has established a large practice. He is devotedly attached to his profession, keeps abreast of the times by study and research, and is noted for his prompt and energetic work. He is a member of the Bucks County Med- ical Society and the State Medical So- ciety. He also holds membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Patriotic Order Sons of America, and the Knights of the Golden Eagle. Dr. Shad- dinger was married September 17, 1901, to Rosa Michener, daughter of Daniel Michener, of Plumstead township. They are the parents of one child, Elizabeth.

ABRAHAM B. ROSENBERGER, of Hilltown, was born in that township, March 27, 1853, and is a son of Isaac and Susanna (Bishop) Rosenberger. He is a descend- ant of Henry Rosenberger, the pioneer an- cestor of the family, who became a land owner in Franconia, Montgomery county, in 1729, through his son Benjamin Rosen- berger, who died in Franconia in 1777. Yellis Rosenberger, son of Benjamin, born about 1735, was the father of Benjamin Rosenberger, who married Margaret Nash. Elias Rosenberger, son of Benjamin and Margaret, settled in Rockhill township; he was twice married, his first wife being Bar- bara Fretz, and (second) Elizabeth Huns- berger. By the latter he had two sons, Isaac and Henry, twins.

Isaac, one of the twins above mentioned, born in Rockhill township, was a chair- maker by trade, and later purchased a farm in Hilltown township, where he died No-

vember 27, 1886. He was a school director in Hilltown for many years, and a member of the Mennonite Meeting at Blooming Glenn. He married September 25, 1842, Susanna Bishop, born August 10, 1820, daughter of Jacob and Anna (Fretz) Bishop, who bore him seven children as follows: Rev. Henry B. Rosenberger, born July 22, 1844, married Mary Ann Shad- dinger ; Jacob B., merchant at Dublin, born January 8, 1847, married Sarah Myers ; Elias, died in infancy; Abraham B., the subject of this sketch; Annie, born Decem- ber 19, 1855, married Edward Shaddinger ; and Mary, born December 6, 1856, died un- married April 6, 1880.

Abraham B. Rosenberger, born in Hill- town and reared on his father's farm tnere, received a good common-school education at the local schools and remained on the farm with his parents until his marriage, and then took charge of the farm. In 1887 he purchased of his father the farm upon which he still resides, and is one of the en- terprising and prosperous farmers of that vicinity. He is a Mennonite in religion, and in politics a Republican. He married January 10, 1880, Mary Godshalk, born Sep- tember 14, 1852, daughter of Henry and Annie (Gross) Godshalk, and they are the parents of six children, viz .: Isaac G., born "December 20, 1880, married Laura Keller, and has one child, Alvin; Anna, born De- cember 19, 1882; Mary Emma, born No- vember 2, 1884; Edward, born April 6, and died December 28, 1888; Martha, born April 25, 1890; and Henry G., born March 22, 1894.

HOMER TOMLINSON. Joseph Tom- linson, the great-grandfather of Homer Tomlinson, emigrated from Germany, set- tling in Ohio, where he remained until his death. His children were: Joseph, Daniel, John, and Mary, wife of A. Staats.

John Tomlinson, son of Joseph (1), born in 1782, married and settled in Bucks coun- ty, Pennsylvania, where he died. He mar- ried Martha Ridge, by whom were born five children: Josiah; Sarah, wife of Paul Blaker; Mary R., wife of Amas Twining; 4, Isaac; 5, John.

John Tomlinson, son of John (2) and the father of Homer Tomlinson, was born in Bensalem township, September 16, 1825. He followed farming all his life. He married Sarah E. Hageman, by whom four children were born : Homer; Grant; Mark; Valmer.

Homer Tomlinson was born in North- ampton township, Bucks county, October IO, 1856, and, like his ancestors, has fol- lowed farm life. He married Miss Amelia Taylor, by which union one child was born, Willmer, September 20, 1888. He is still on the farm, which he purchased in 1879. It embraces forty-nine acres, and is located about two miles from Richboro. In later days, but few families have followed in the same line of occupation so long as has this family.

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· HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

WORMAN STONEBACK. For many years one of Quakertown's most highly re- spected citizens was Worman Stoneback. The name was originally spelled Stembach, the family having been founded in this country by Henry Stembach, who was born in 1750 in Germany, died in 1795, and was buried at Keller's church, Bedminster town- ship. He left a son John, who was born in 1782, married, and became the tather of nine children. His death occurred in 1864. Robert Stoneback, son of John Stoneback, was born September 21, 1806, in Dublin, Bucks county. He was much interested in local and political affairs, and filled many positons of trust, among them that of recorder of Bucks county ; this office he held for one term. In politics he was a stanchi Democrat of the old school, and in re- ligion adhered to the Dutch Reformed church. He married June 21, 1835, Lydia, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Cope) Worman, and their children were: I. One who died in infancy; 2. Worman, men- tioned at length hereinafter; 3. Emeline, born September 17, 1840, became the wife of Jonas M. Harley, of Germantown, and has two children, Laura S. B., and Walter, who is a teacher and lives in Brooklyn; 4. Amanda, born November 30, 1842, died Jan- uary 8, 1863; 5. De Witt Clinton, born Feb- ruary 16, 1846, died July 27, 1846. Mr. . Stoneback's latter years were spent in re- tirement at Quakertown, where he died in 1880.

Worman Stoneback, son of Robert and Lydia (Worman) Stoneback, was born February 14, 1838, in Bedminster township, where his father was engaged in the milling business. He attended the district school of his birthplace until his parents moved to Philadelphia, where his father was for some time with Stoneback & Snyder, cloth merchants. During the residence of the family in Philadelphia, Worman Stoneback attended the Central High School; from which he graduated in 1855. During the construction and finishing of the North Pennsylvania Railroad he was agent for the company at Quakertown, holding this position for twenty-one years. In 1880, when the North Pennsylvania Railroad was leased by the Philadelphia & Reading Rail -. road, he engaged with David J. Ambler in the coal and lumber business, which he car- ried on successfully until 1885, when he sold out to the firm of the Walps. After spending one year in the stove-foundry business, succeeding to the interest of Oliver Scheetz, he established himself in Philadelphia as a wholesale queensware dealer, continuing to reside in Quakertown. He served a number of years as school di- rector and in town council, and also acted as delegate to county conventions. In poli- tics he was a Democrat, always taking an active interest and prominent part in the affairs of the organization. In carly life he attended the Dutch Reformed church, but later became a member of Emanuel

( Protestant Episcopal) church, in which he served as lay reader and superintendent of the Sunday School. Mr. Stoneback mar- ried, February 20, 1868, Joanna B., daugh- ter of William H1. and Christiana

(Cope) Bush, and granddaughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Cope. Mr. and Mrs. Bush were at one time residents of Philadelphia, where their daughter Joanna was born March 13, 1849, and was educated in the Northeast Grammar School and at the Oakland Seminary, Norristown. After moving to Quakertown, Mr. Bush became proprietor of the Bush House, which he conducted for many years. Mr. and Mrs. Stoneback were the parents of the follow- ing children: Ella Christiana, born Octo- ber 13, 1869, died May 16, 1870; Blanche Lydia, born June 4, 1871, resides at home ; Robert Eugene, born June 4, 1874, and lives in Philadelphia, where he is one of the firm of Bodine, Son & Company, bankers and brokers.

The death of Mr. Stoneback, which oc- curred January 26, 1890, deprived his family and the community of one whose place could not easily be filled, and who, as a business man, a neighbor and a citizen. commanded the sincere respect and cordial friendship of all to whom he was known.

DR. FELIX A. MURPHY, a general practitioner of Doylestown, Pennsylvania, was born in Ireland, June 7, 1877. He is a son of John and Anna McGurgan, but upon his adoption by Timothy J. Mur- phy, of Doylestown, Pennsylvania, he took the name of Felix A. Murphy. His ances- tors on both the paternal and maternal sides were natives of Ireland.

The early educational advantages enjoyed by Felix A. Murphy were obtained in the public schools of Doylestown and the Cath- olic high school of Philadelphia. After completing this course of instruction and having decided to lead a professional life, he entered Jefferson Medical College, and was graduated therefrom in 1901, when he received his diploma as Doctor of Medi- cine. He then received the appointment of Resident Physician of St. Joseph's Hos- pital, Philadelphia, in which capacity he served for fourteen months. In October, 1902, he established an office in Doyles- town for the general practice of medicine and surgery, and by displaying both ability and skill in his treatment of disease he has commanded the confidence of his patients, and his patronage is steadily increasing. He keeps in touch with the thoughts of the day along his line of profession by member- ship in the American Medical Society, the Pennsylvania State Medical Society, and the Bucks County Medical Society. He is a Republican in his political views, and was chosen by his party to serve in the office of overseer of the poor in the borough of Doylestown. Dr. Murphy is unmarried.

Felix Murphy Mit

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HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

ISAAC C. DETWEILER. Several generations of the Detweiler family have been residents of Bucks county. The grandfather, George Detweiler, lived and died in this county, being engaged in general work through his active busi- ness career. He married Miss Clem- mens, of Montgomery county, Pennsyl- vania, and their only child was John C. Detweiler, who was born in Montgomery county in 1844, and was brought to Bucks county by his parents when but two years of age. Here he has spent his en- tire life engaged in general work. In community affairs he is deeply inter- ested, taking an active and helpful part in many of the movements. He is now serving as a deacon in the Lutheran church of Dublin, Pennsylvania. He married Miss Esther Crouthamel, and they became the parents of five children: Isaac C .; Anna M., the wife of Charles Cassel, of Montgomery county; Esther Elizabeth, the wife of Daniel Leather- man; J. Aaron, of Philadelphia; and El- vina.

Isaac C. Detweiler was born near Dub- lin in 1873, and pursued a common-school education. In his youth he began farm labor, and was thus employed until eigh- teen years of age, when, thinking that he would find mercantile life more con- genial, he entered the employ of John Bergstresser, at Pipersville, thus becom- ing a clerk in a general store, where he remained for a year and a half. On the expiration of that period he went to Blooming Glen, Hilltown township, Bucks county, and for eight years was a salesman in the employ of Bishop & Brother. The experience which he-ac- quired through his industry and econ- omy enabled him in 1901 to purchase the business of Daniel Gross at Danboro. where he has since conducted a general mercantile enterprise. This has since become one of the best quipped stores in Bucks county, and Mr. Detweiler is justly accounted one of its most pro- gressive merchants, making a close study of the desires of the public, and so purchasing his stock as to fully meet the varied demands of the trade. His business methods are thoroughly reli- able, and have gained him a desirable patronage. Mr. Detweiler married Miss Ella May, a daughter of Reuben K. and Amanda Stover. They have two chil- dren: Willard S., born November 5, 1808: and Ruth S., born July 25, 1901. The parents hold membership in the Lu- theran church at Dublin, and Mr. Det- weiler is a Republican in his political views. On the 2d of January. 1001, he was appointed postmaster of Danboro by President Mckinley, as successor of Daniel Gross, and is now the incumbent of that office. His official service and his mercantile interests make him a lead- ing and representative man of his town.

JOHN B. SHERM. It is somewhat seldom that the characteristics of a thor- ough farmer and a successful business man are found united, but that this com- bination exists in the case of John B. Sherm, of Chalfont, all his neighbors can testify. Mr. Sherm is a grandson of John Sherm, a native of Germany, who spent his entire life in the fatherland.

John Sherm, son of John Sherm before mentioned, was born in 1806 in Ger- many, and in 1823 emigrated to the United States. He settled at Plymouth, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, and in a few years moved to Fretz's Mill, Bucks county, where he learned the mill- ing trade with Mark Fretz, and after- ward followed it for six years. He then settled on a farm in New Britain town- ship and devoted the remainder of his life to agricultural pursuits. In politics he adhered to the Democratic party. He was a member of the Lutheran church and for twelve years was a member of the church council. His wife was Bar- bara Rickert, and they were the parents of two sons: William H., and John B., mentioned at length hereinafter. Both Mr. and Mrs. Sherm were zealous in good works, and possessed, as they de- served, the sincere respect and cordial regard of all their neighbors.

John B. Sherm, son of John and Bar- bara (Rickert) Sherm, was born Septem- ber 2, 1844, in New Britain township, where he was reared on the paternal farm, in the labors of which he was from boyhood trained to assist. He at- tended the old Clymer schoolhouse on the Messenger farm. This building, stored with associations for so many of the inhabitants of Bucks county, has since been torn down. Mr. Sherm has been a lifelong farmer and has reaped the success which comes from practical ability and long experience. . In connection with his agricultural pursuits he carries on the produce commission busi- ness, having a flourishing trade and ship- ping goods from Lansdale to Philadelphia. His political affiliations are with the Re- publicans, and he is a member of St. Peter's Lutheran church at Hilltown.

Mr. Sherm married, May 27. 1864, Caro- line, daughter of Jacob and Lydia (Snyder) Savacool, and they are the parents of the following children: I. Minerva, who was born September 16, 1866, and became the wife of Henry Hetrick. 2. Wilhelmina, born May 31, 1868, married Samuel Camp- bell, and is the mother of two children, Irene and Willie. 3. Harvey S., born De- cember 1, 1870. 4. Jacob S., born October 26, 1872, and married Christian Mull. He and his wife are both deceased, leaving three children-John George, Sylva and Minerva. 5. Martha, born July 7, 1875, and is now deceased. 6. J. Frank, born July 4. 1878, married Amy Cassel. 7. M. Eliza- beth, born January 22, 1881. 8. William S., born August 19, 1886.

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HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

MILTON L. COPE, of Perkasie, dealer in pianos and other musical instruments, was born in Hilltown township, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, March 27, 1857, and is a son of the late John Frank and Maria (Leidy) Cope, grandson of Jolin and Su- sanna ( Savacool) Cope, great-grandson of Adam and Margaret ( Hartzell) Cope, and great-great-grandson of Yost and Doro- thea Cope, who emigrated from Wurtem- burg, Germany, arriving in Philadelphia on October 2, 1727, in the ship "Advent- urer," Captain John Davies, from Rotter- dam. Yost Cope settled first in what is now Montgomery county, where 150 acres of land was surveyed to him by Penn's com- missioners by warrant dated January 8, 1734. His sons Abraham and Adam set- tled in Hilltown, Bucks county, and both have left numerous descendants. Adam Cope, the great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was one of the earliest set- tlers in Hilltown, being already a resident there at the time of his purchase of large tracts of land there in 1759 and 1760. He married Margaret, daughter of Henry Hart- zell, an early settler and large landholder in Rockhill, who bore him eleven children, six sons : Jacob, Abraham, Michael, Henry, John and Paul; and five daughters. Adam Cope died in 1794, his wife Margaret sur- viving him.

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History of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, from the discovery of the Delaware to the present time, Vol. III, Part 146

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