History of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, from the discovery of the Delaware to the present time, Vol. III, Part 148

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 148

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Henry S. Shelly, son of Samuel M. and Catharine (Strunk) Shelly, was born De- cember 25. 1837. in Milford township, where he was educated in the public schools. Until attaining his majority he assisted his father in the cultivation of the homestead acres, and subsequently settled in Plumstead township. After a brief sojourn there he moved to Buck-

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ingham township, where he remained five years. In 1873 he purchased the farm in New Britain township which was ever afterward his home. True to the traditions of his family, he followed the calling of a farmer, and in thus treading in the footsteps of his ancestors was ex- ceptionally successful. He was a Repub- lican in politics, and in matters of re- ligion adhered to the belief of his father, being a deacon in the Deep Run Men- nonite church. Mr. Shelly married, De- cember 25, 1862, Mary, born April 10, 1844, daughter of Jacob M. and Sarah (Bishop) Leatherman, and they have three children: Sallie, who was born March 5, 1865; Jacob L., born December 24, 1866; and George W., born February 22, 188o. Henry S. Shelly died March 17, 1905, deeply regretted throughout the community.

THOMAS BROWN BEAUMONT. One of the old families of Bucks county is represented by Thomas Brown Beau- mont, of Solebury township. Mr. Beau- mont is a great-grandson of John Beall- mont, who was the first owner of the fam- ily estate in Upper Makefield township. He purchased the land in 1743 from John, Thomas and Richard Penn, sons of William Penn. His son, John A., was born January 10, 1757, married Elizabeth Skillman, and died February 10, 1834.

John A. Beaumont, son of John and Elizabeth (Skillman) Beaumont, men- tioned above, was born May 29, 1820, on the homestead in Upper Makefield town- ship, where he passed his entire life. He married Catherine Basso, and of their six children three survive: Edward, who is a merchant of Philadelphia, residing at Woodburn Station, Bucks county; Catherine, who is the wife of Isaac Van Pelt, of New Hope; and Thomas Brown, mentioned at length hereinafter. Mr. Beaumont died January 28, 1885.

Thomas Brown Beaumont, SO1 of John A. and Catherine (Basso) Beau- mont, was born May 16, 1856, in Upper Makefield township, where he attended the common schools. One year after his marriage he moved to a farm in Wrights- town township, near Pineville, which he cultivated as a tenant. At the end of a year he returned to Upper Makefield township, settling on the farm now owned by Edward M. Slack, but then the property of Mr. Beaumont's father. After remaining there four years he took charge of the home farm for his brother, William H. Beaumont, who had become by purchase the owner of the estate. Two years later he removed to Brownsburg, where for three years he was variously employed. In 1893 he bought his pres- ent farm in Solebury township, where he has since resided. The estate com- prises one hundred and sixty-eight acres. He is a member of New Hope Conclave,

No. 578, Improved Order of Heptasophs, and is a Democrat in politics. Mr. Beat- mont married, December 25, 1882, Alice, daughter of William B. and Sarah (Quick) Stryker, of Lambertville, New Jersey, and on the maternal side a great-great-granddaughter of John Hart, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Mr. and Mrs. Beaumont are the parents of three children: Addie who is the wife of George B. Carroll, of Trenton, New Jersey; John A., and Abraham Stryker, who reside at home.

WILLIAM HENRY BROWN. Among the many highly cultivated and productive farms in the township of Bristol, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, is the one owned and operated by William H. Brown, the products of which are of excellent quality and find a ready sale in the nearby markets.

William H. Brown was born in Flush- ing, Bensalem township, Bucks county, January 28, 1860, a son of William and Alice (Ramson) Brown, whose family consisted of eleven children, namely: I. Sarah, who became the wife of Jere- miah Spicer, and five children have been born to them: 2. George, who married Elizabeth Potts, and they are the parents of five children. 3. Ella, who became the wife of Nathan Austin, and mother of three children. 4. William Henry, men- tioned at length hereinafter. 5. Samuel, who married Louise Buckingham, and their family consists of two children. 6. Herbert, who married Catharine Mc- Dermitt, and five children have been born to them. 7. Anna, deceased. 8. Eliza- beth, who became the wife of Franklin Cadwalader, and mother of four children. 0). Joseph, deceased. 10. Richard, de- ceased. II. Thomas, deceased. The men whom their daughters married were all prosperous farmers, residents of Bucks county.

William H. Brown attended the com- mon schools of his native village, Flush- ing, and his boyhood days were spent in obtaining a thorough knowledge of the various details of farm life, assisting his father on the old homestead, and this line of work he has followed continuously ever since, deriving a goodly income therefrom. He is the owner of fifty-four acres of land, of which he is justly proud.

On November 23, 1879, Mr. Brown married Rachel Buckingham, of New Castle, Delaware, and they are the pa- rents of one child, Ira Coan, born De- cember 9. 1886, who was educated at Holland, Eddington and Bristol, and is now assisting his father on the farm. Mrs. Brown is a daughter of John and Catharine (Holland) Buckingham, of Newark, Delaware, and a granddaughter of Abel and Louise (Lincoln) Holland, on the maternal side, and of Richard and

684

HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

Mary (Chambers) Buckingham, on the paternal side. These ancestors were ac- tive business men, respected in the com- munities in which they lived. Louise (Lincoln) Holland was a first cousin of Abraham Lincoln, the martyred presi- dent. John Buckingham (father) was an architect and builder, and was well and widely known in his profession and as a benevolent and kind-hearted citizen. He was a member of the Society of Friends, and his wife was a communicant of the Protestant Episcopal church. His death occurred March 20, 1892, and his wife passed away November 10, 1890. They were beloved and respected by all.

JAMES R. BUCKMAN. The Buck- man family is of English origin, and was established in Bucks county, Pennsyl- vania, by Abden Buckman, the grand- father of J. R. Buckman, who settled near Dolington, where he continued to follow farming throughout his remaining days, his death occurring in 1856. He was a member of the Society of Friends. In early manhood he wedded Sarah Har- vey, and their children were Samuel; Ellen, wife of Robert Longshore; Benja- min; and Margaret, wife of William Carr.

Benjamin Buckman, son of Abden Buckman, was born in Dolington, Bucks county, in 1797, and received a liberal education, attending the common schools of this locality and a boarding school at Burlington, New Jersey. When he was but twenty years of age he began teach- ing in the latter state, and followed that profession for several years. After his marriage he purchased a farm in Evesam township, Burlington county,. New Jer- sey, where he spent his remaining days, conducting his agricultural interests in connection with the furtherance of many public enterprises. He was recognized as one of the leading and influential citi- zens of his community. In politics a stanch Republican, he held the office of assessor of his township for several years, and was likewise a justice of the peace and notary public. In 1856 he was elected surrogate of Burlington county for a term of five years, and about 1862 was appointed internal revenue col- lector of that county by President Lin- coln. He married Miss Ann Dobbins, of New Jersey, and their only child was James R. For his second wife he chose Miss Keziah Peacock, and his death oc- curred in Burlington, New Jersey, on the 3Ist of August, 1870, when he was about seventy-three years of age.

James R. Buckman was born at Mount Laurel, New Jersey, March 10, 1827. and supplemented his preliminary educa- tional privileges afforded by the common schools by study in the Friends boarding school at Bristol. He began life for him-

self as a farmer, and in 1861 purchased the farm at Wrightstown, Bucks county, whereon he remained for sixteen years, successfully conducting agricultural pur- suits. On the expiration of that period he sold this property and removed to Sing Sing, New York, where he re- mained for seven years in the employ of the commissioners of the state, building a dam across the Croton river. In the spring of 1884 he returned to Bucks county, and for eight years had charge of the Presbyterian and Methodist Epis- copal church and also the Morrisville school as janitor. Since that time he has lived retired, enjoying a well earned rest, for his entire life has been charac- terized by unfaltering labor and dili- gence, and it is through this means that he gained the competence that now en- ables him to rest from further labor. He married Miss Mary Fort, a daughter of John and Alice Fort, of Penn Manor.

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IRA H. CORNELL. The grandfather of Ira H. Cornell was James C. Cornell, and he was born and reared in Bucks coun- ty, Pennsylvania, where he became one of the best farmers in this famous farming section. He married Judith Everett, by whom children were born as follows : Julia : Joseph ; Elizabeth; Sarah; Hiram; John ; Theodore; Louisa.

Hiram Cornell, son of James (I) was born in Holland, Northampton township, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, in October. 1834. He followed farming during his en- tire life. He married Henrietta S. Fetter, daughter of Geo. C. Fetter. By this union one child was born, Ira H.

Ira H. Cornell, son of Hiram and Hen- rietta (Fetter) Cornell, was born January 18. 1861. He obtained his education at Newton Academy and the State Normal School at Millersville. In early life he be- gan farming, and has made that his life vocation, but has also become a popular auctioneer, and has "cried" nearly one hun- dred sales per year. Politically he is a Republican. He has held the office of school director for six years, and is now treasurer of the district. In 1887 he married Miss Anna, daughter of Mahlon Balderston, by whom two children were born: Edna B., February 16, 1890; and Raymond C., Sep- tember 1, 1893.

CHARLES HOWELL CARVER, a prominent business man of Falsington, is a lineal descendant of William Carver, who came from England in the ship "Samson" about the same time as John and Mary (Lane) Carver, of Byberry. William Car- ver married, November 14, 1689 (old style), at Middletown monthly meeting of Friends. Joan . Kinsey. After her death he married in 1723 at Falls. Bucks county, Pennsyl- vania. Grace Carter, a widow, whose

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maiden name was Paxson, a native of Bris- tol. William Carver died at Byberry, Penn- sylvania; May, 1736. The line of descent from the pioneer ancestor is as follows : William, who married Elizabeth Walms- ley; Joseph, who married ; John, who mar- ried Ann Carver; John, who married Mary Martindale; Adin, father of Charles H Carver, who was born January 4, 1830, near Buckingham, Bucks county, Pennsyl- vania. November 21, 1850, he married Sarah Howell, daughter of Charles and Sarah (Vansant) Howell.

Charles H. Carver, the next in line of descent, was born in Buckingham township, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, September II, 1851. He now owns and operates the Fal- sington Creamery, which separates milk from cream and pasteurizes milk for the Trenton market. As a citizen he has ever been alert, earnest and conscientious, keenly alive to everything which concerns in any way the well being of the town and county. January 9, 1873, Mr. Carver married Anna M. Bailey, a daughter of George and Ann (Bailey ) Bailey, and a graduate of Millers- ville State Normal School. Their children are as follows: Anna B., born November 9, 1873, graduated from West Chester Nor- mal School, and July 26, 1893, became the wife of Charles T. Windle, son of David C. and Annie (Thomas) Windle; residence Washington, D. C. Rachel B., born Jan- uary 22, 1876, a graduate from the Phila- delphia School of Design. Edward L., born December 30, 1878, died February 19, 1881.

AARON CLYMER DETWEILER. One of the representative citizens of Quaker- town, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and a man who is held in high regard by his fellow townsmen and who takes an active interest in community affairs, is Aaron Clymer Detweiler. Mr. Detweiler is the Jacob grandson of and Magdalena (Heist) Detweiler, whose son Henry was born on the home place in Upper Milford township, Lehigh county, April 24, 1817. Henry Detweiler was by occupation a boot and shoemaker, but later relinquished his trade in order to follow farming. In 1845 he removed to Milford township, where he purchased a farm comprising seventy acres, which was formerly the Detweiler home- stead. November 10, 1839, he married Anna Clymer, daughter of Henry and Mary (Shaffer) Clymer, and nine children were born to them, five sons, one of whom was Aaron C. (mentioned at length hereinafter), and four daughters.

Aaron Clymer Detweiler, son of Henry and Anna (Clymer) Detweiler, was born August 6, 1842, on a farm then owned and cultivated by his father in Richland town- ship, on the road leading from Quakertown to Spinnerstown. He was afforded but a limited education, received in the district school, which he attended irregularly until his twenty-first year. In the meantime he

was engaged in cigarmaking and assisted his father with the farm work. In 1866 Mr. Detweiler was married to Annie, daughter of John and Elizabeth Taylor, and settled at the home of his wife's parents, where he remained for one year, after which time he removed to the Detweiler farm, which he conducted on shares for his father. He remained there until 1886, when he re- moved to Quakertown and engaged in the butcher and provision business, with his brother, Mahlon, continuing for nine years. In 1899 he was engaged as janitor of the Central, or High School, of Quakertown, in which capacity he is still engaged, and the duties of which position he acquits with credit to himself and satisfaction to his employers. In politics Mr. Detweiler is a Democrat, and has always taken an active interest in the affairs of that party. He is a member of the Trinity Lutheran church of Quakertown.

HARRY PAIST DOAN. For more than a century the family of which Harry Paist Doan is a representative has been resident in Upper Makefield township. The first settler in that region was Benjamin Doan, who in 1800 purchased a large tract of land within the limits of the township, paying for it twenty dollars an acre. His wife was Sarah Kirk.

Amos Doan, son of Benjamin and Sarah (Kirk) Doan, was born December 8, 1817, on the homestead, of which, in the course of time, he became the owner. In 1889 he relinuqished the cares of an active life, and has since made his home with his chil- dren. He is now, at the age of eighty- seven, residing with his son, Harry Paist Doan. His wife was Eliza Paist, and their children are: Edward H., who is a practic- ing physician of Newtown; Eleazer T., who lives in Upper Makefield township; Benjamin F., who is a resident of Wrights- ·town township ; and Harry Paist, mentioned at length hereinafter. These sons are of the seventh generation of Doans in Bucks county, and also of the seventh generation that owned the old homestead farm, which is still in the family.

Harry Paist Doan, son of Amos and Eliza (Paist) Doan, was born November 3. 1857, on the old homestead, and was edu- cated in the common schools. For two years after his marriage he cultivated the farm for his father, and then took a western trip. going as far across the continent as Montana. After an absence of a year he returned and purchased the Roberts farm, consisting of sixty-seven acres, where he has since resided. He is a member of Newtown Lodge, No. 335, Knights of Pythias, and is a Republican in politics. Mr. Doan married, October 14, 1880, Eda, daughter of Harrison and Ella ( Walton) Hellyer, deceased, of Upper Wakefield township, and two children have been born to them: Elsie V., deceased ; and Marcus P., who resides at home.

686

HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

JOHN W. COOPER, a representative of that class of men known as agriculturists whose energy, uprightness and progressive spirit make them valuable citizens of what- ever community they cast their lot with, is a native of- Pineville. Bucks county, Pennsylvania, born May 18, 1880, a son of Stephen K. and Ellen (Twining) Cooper.

John W. Cooper was reared in his na- tive village and acquired a practical educa- tion in the John M. George school of New- town township and at Pierce's Business College, graduating from the latter insti- tution in 1899. Shortly afterward he came to Wrightstown township and assumed charge of the old home farm, which for many years was the home of his grand- father. Liking the occupation and being perfectly familiar with it. it was natural that he should select it for his life calling when the time came for him to act inde- pendently, and by his progressive methods and efficient management he has achieved a large degree of prosperity. Mr. Cooper was reared in the Friends' Meeting, but is not a member of any religious body. He is a Republican in politics. Mr. Cooper married, October 15, 1902, Anna B. Fish, daughter of John T. Fish, of Falls town- ship, ex-registrar of wills, and a prominent retired business man. They are the parents of one child, Theresa Ellen, born October 30, 1903.

MILTON KLINE ERDMAN. Promi- nent among the business men of Quaker- town is Milton Kline Erdman, grandson of John Erdman, whose son George was born February 15, 1818, in Milford township, where he attended the common schools and learned the carpenter's trade. For many years he followed this trade in conjunction with the building business. He was also at one time an undertaker, and during the latter part of his life was engaged in busi- ness as a manufacturer of cigar boxes. He was thrice married, his second wife being Mary, daughter of George and Susan (Haustach) Kline, and a native of Bucks county. Mr. and Mrs. Erdman were the parents of a son and daughter: Milton K., mentioned at length hereinafter: and Anna Maria, married Dr. E. K. Blank, of Hatfield, Montgomery county, and was the mother of two daughters-Jeanetta, who married and lives at Vinemont, Lancaster county ; and Elisa. The death of Mrs. Blank, the mother, occurred in 1897.

Milton Kline Erdman, son of George and Mary (Kline) Erdman, was born January 14, 1850, on a farm in Milford township. When he was but a year old the family moved to Trumbanersville, where they re- mained until 1864, in which year they took up their abode in Sellersville. While in Trumbauersville he attended a boarding school, and in 1867 went to Quakertown, having in that year graduated. In Quaker- town he entered the store of James Cress-

man & Company, dealers in general mer- chandise. After remaining there one year he worked for a time with his father in the manufacture of cigar boxes, and in 1876 went to Pennsburg, where he engaged in mercantile business under the firm name of Hillegas & Erdman. The following year he sold his interest and returned to Quaker- town, where he became a hardware mer- chant, his place of business until 1895 being the store now occupied by Howard Stone- back. In the above-mentioned year he re- tired from that field of endeavor, having reaped its reward. His business had been from the first a thriving one, and he stood at the head of an extensive and flourish- ing trade. Since 1896 he has been engaged in the coal, feed and hay business. He is a member of the board of directors of the Building and Loan Association. Mr. Erdman is a good citizen, and has served the community as assessor, judge of elec- tion, inspector and delegate to the county convention. He is a member and past master of Quakertown Lodge, No. 512, F. and A. M., and also belongs to the Knights of Malta, of which order he is a charter inem- ber. His political affiliations are with the Democrats. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran church, in which for thirty- three years he has held the position of organist.

Mr. Erdman married, November 14, 1873, Mary Elizabeth Springer, and they are the parents of one son, George Fred- erick, who was born December 26. 1876, and received his preparatory education in Quakertown, subsequently entering Muhlen- berg College, from which he graduated in 1898. He is now engaged in the printing business in Allentown, and married, July 30. 1899, Mame, daughter of James Crader. Mrs. Erdman is a great-granddaughter of John Springer, a farmer, whose son George was born January 18, 1786, and was a resi- dent of Bucks county, where he was en- gaged in general milling and building. He married Katherine, daughter of George Trollinger, who was the proprietor of a hotel in Trollinger's lane, now Carpenter Street, Germantown, Philadelphia. The marriage took place October 1I, 1807, and the following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Springer: I. Enos, born July 29, 1809, died unmarried. 2. Sophia, born No- vember 3. 1812, married Amos Jacoby, of Sellersville, where their son, Enos Jacob, now lives. 3. John, mentioned at length hereinafter. 4. One who died in infancy. 5. Simon, born June 12, 1817, died. 6. Maria, born April 29, 1819, married Daniel Althouse. Mr. Springer, the father, died June 3, 18 -.

John Springer, son of George and Kath- erine (Trollinger) Springer, was born Oc- tober 9, 1815, a few miles from Sellersville. He attended the subscription school, and then learned the wheelwright's trade. He was a resident of Rockhill township, where he was much respected. He married, Octo- ber 18, 1846, Hannah, daughter of Henry

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and Elizabeth (Harwick) Snyder, and they were the parents of the following children : I. Elenora, born September 5, 1847, mar- ried William Smith, of Philadelphia. 2. Mary Elizabeth, born August 27, 1849, at- tended the common schools, and remained at home until her marriage to Milton Kline Erdman, mentioned above. 3. Alfred, born September 27, 1851, married Kate Eilen- berger, of Stroudsburg. 4. Anna Catherine, born February 14, 1853, married Milton G. Erney, a cigar manufacturer. 5. Died in infancy. 6. Sallie Amelia, born December 8, 1866, married Orlando Bach Sellers, then of Sellersville, now railroad agent at , Perkasie.

MOSES HARVEY IVINS, one of the enterprising citizens of Langhorne Manor, whose success in life has been mainly due to his own exertions and business qualifica- tions, is a lineal descendant of Isaac Ivins, a native of England, who left his native land about 1700 to seek a home in the new world. He located in Mansfield, Burling- ton county, New Jersey, where he estab- lished a country store from which he de- rived a comfortable livelihood for his fam- ily, which consisted of his wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Johnson, and ten children. His death occurred July 19, 1768. Aaron Ivins, son of Isaac and Sarah (John- son) Ivins, married Ann Cheshire, and among their children was a son Aaron, who was united in marriage to Hope Aronson. and they in turn were the parents of a son Edward Aronson, who married Annie Brown.

Moses Harvey Ivins, son of Edward Aranson and Annie (Brown) Ivins, was born in Falls township, Bucks county. March 15, 1862. He attended the public schools adjacent to his home, the Friends' Central School, Philadelphia, and Ryder & Stewart's Business College of Trenton. New Jersey. The early years of his life were spent on his father's farm, whereon he remained until 1890, when he engaged in the various branches of seed farming on his own account. He pursued this line of work successfully for eleven years, in Falls township, after which he disposed of it and since then has been engaged in various financial undertakings of a public and bene- ficial nature. Mr. Ivins takes a keen in- terest in all that pertains to the welfare of the community in which he resides, and the esteem in which he is held is evidenced by the fact that he was chosen a member of the borough council. He adheres to the tenets of the Friends' faith, and his politi- can affiliations are with the Republican party. He is a member of Bristol Lodge. . No. 25, A. Y. F. and A. M., of which body he is past master. He is eligible to membership in the Sons of the Revolution through General Jacob Brown, of Bucks county. His wife is a member of the Dela- ware County Chapter of the Daughters of

the American Revolution through Second Lieutenant Cornelius Vansant.

On April 8, 1890, Mr. Ivins married Sarah Buckman Parsons, of Falls town- ship, daughter of Charles Anderson and Mary (Buckmail) Parsons, and grand- daughter on the paternal side of Isaac and Lydia (Anderson) Parsons, the latter named dying at the age of one hundred years and one day. On the maternal side she is a granddaughter of Spencer Worthington and Sarah ( Williamson) Buckman, and great- granddaughter of Mahlon and Charity ( Vansant ) Williamson. Their children are: Margaret Parsons, born March 29, 1891; Maurice Harvey, born April 18, 1896; Ralph Stanley and Alice Loraine (twins), born March 27, 1898. These children are being educated by a private tutor and in the public schools of Langhorne Manor.

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History of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, from the discovery of the Delaware to the present time, Vol. III, Part 148

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