History of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, from the discovery of the Delaware to the present time, Vol. III, Part 151

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 151

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John Poore, youngest son of Daniel and Anna (Merrill) Poore, was born at Plais- tow, (now Atkinson) New Hampshire, July 8, 1752, and received an excellent clas- sical education, graduating at Harvard Col- lege, Massachusetts, in 1775, and followed the profession of a teacher during the ac- tive years of his life, first in his native state and later in Philadelphia and Bucks county, Pennsylvania. He came to Philadelphia after the death of his wife, and in 1787 be- came the principal of a young ladies' acad- emy established there in that year, being, it is said, the first institution of its kind in the country. His pupils were from all parts of the United States, from the West Indies, Nova Scotia and Canada. Ile had mar- ried, November 2, 1777, Sarah Folsom, born

John B. Com

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HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

in Statham, New Hampshire, February 10, 1758, daughter of John and Martha Fol- som, by whom he had four children, all born in New Hampshire. His wife died August 3, 1784. While principal of the young ladies' academy in Philadelphia he married one of his pupils, Jane Neely, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Thompson) Neely, of Solebury, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, where she was born in March, 1767. Her grandfather, Robert Thompson, was one of the four brothers who with their widowed mother, Elizabeth (McGraudy) Thompson, and her brother, McGraudy, settled on the Neshaminy, in Warwick and Northampton early in the seventeenth century. They were Scotch- Irish Presbyterians, and pillars of the churches of that denomination at Nesha- miny and elsewhere. Robert, the youngest of the brothers, married in 1747-8, Hannah (Delaplaine) Simpson, born 3mo. 4, 1714, widow of John Simpson, of Solebury, and daughter of Jane and Hannah (Cock) De la Plaine, and granddaughter of Nicholas De la Plaine, a native of France, who came to New York from Holland, where he had married Susanna Cresson, daughter of Pierre Cresson, also a native of France, who had married in Holland, Rachel Claes, and later emigrated to America with his family and that of Nicholas De la Plaine and settled on Staten Island. Susanna (Cresson) De la Plaine was born at Rys- wick, Holland. Robert Thompson was one of the founders of the Presbyterian church of Lower Solebury, now known as the Thompson Memorial church in his honor, and of which he was for many years a rul- ing elder. He died in 1804 at a very ad- vanced age. The only child of Robert and Elizabeth (De la Plaine-Simpson) Thomp- son was Elizabeth, born IImo. 29, 1748-9, who married William Neeley. The later was also an elder of Solebury Presbyterian church. He died July 10, 1818, at the age of seventy-six years, and his wife Eliza- beth on February 15, 1834, in her eighty- sixth year.

In 1809 John Poore left Philadelphia and settled in Solebury, where he taught school for a number of years. In 1815 his family and others erected for him an academy building, still standing in New Hope, where hie conducted a select school for young la- dies for several years. His wife, Jane Neely, died on May 15, 1827, and hie then removed to York Haven, York county, Pennsylvania, and resided with his son, Charles M. Poore, until his death on De- cember 5, 1829, and is interred at Liver- pool, York county, Pennsylvania. He was also in his earlier years a teacher of vocal music and was an accomplished linguist. He was a staunch Presbyterian, and assisted in establishing the first Sabbath schools in Philadelphia in 1791, and taught one on Cherry street in that year. He was a rul- ing elder of the Presbyterian church during his residence in Solebury. By his first wife, Sarah Folsom, he had four children, John

Folsom, George, Charles Merrill, and Ann, who married Rev. Alfred Metcalf and lived and died in New Hampshire. Three sons all became prominent merchants in Baltimore, Maryland. John died there unmarried in 1858. George and Charles Merrill were in partnership in Baltimore until 1812, when they removed to York Haven, York county, Pennsylvania, where George died in 1821, and Charles M. in 1832, the children of the former settling in Ohio, and of the latter in New Jersey.

The children of John and Jane (Neely) Poorc, were: Daniel, born October 12, 1793, died April 12, 1888; Jane Neely, born March 16. 1796, married (first) January, 1832, Charles H. Boss, of New Jersey, who died September, 1835, and (second) in 1852, Josiah Hart, who died in 1864; and Hannah Delaplaine Poor, born February 19, 1799, married Solomon H. Opdycke. of New Jersey.

Daniel Poore, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was the eldest son of Profes- sor John Poore by his second marriage with Jane Neely, and was, born in Solebury township, October 12, 1793, and spent his whole life in that and the adjoining town- ship of Upper Makefield. By the will of his grandfather, William Neely, probated in 1818, he was devised a small farm in the latter township, near Buckmanville, where . he died April 12, 1888. He was for many years a justice of the peace, and acted as a surveyor and conveyancer in his younger days, and did a large amount of official and public business. He married, May 2, 1815. Maria Merrick, born in Upper Make- field township, April 23, 1798, daughter of Robert and Hannah ( McMasters) Merrick, of Upper Makefield, whose ancestors had been residents of Makefield for many gen- crations ; they were descendants of John Merrick, a native of Herefordshire, Eng- land, who came to America about 1699 and settled in Lower Dublin township, Phila- delphia county, where he died in 1732. He married, in 1702, Eleanor Smith, and his eldest son John, who married Hannah Hulme, settled in Bucks county, and is the ancestor of the Makefield Merricks. The children of Daniel and Maria ( Merrick) Poore were as follows: I. Eliza Thompson, born September 17, 1816, died April 25, 1863; married September 18, 1837. George F. Smith, son of Thomas and Sarah Smith, of Fallsington. 2. Martha Merrick, born in New Hope, Bucks county, February 18, 1817. died in Nockamixon township, May 2, 1902; married Brice M. Pursell. (See Pur- cell family in this work.) 3. Robert Alpheus, born December 15, 1829 .- See for- ward. 4. John Thaddeus, twin brother of Robert Alpheus, still lives on and owns the farm on which he was born in Upper Make- field. He married, February 20, 1861, Mar- tha Rachel Lefferts, daughter of Elias and Margaret (Search) Lefferts, of North- ampton township, and took charge of the home farm and continued to conduct it and care for his aged parents until their death,

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HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

later acquiring title thereto. He is an ac- tive and prominent man in the community, and served as county commissioner for the term 1896-1899, and has filled many local postions of trust. He has three sons, Ang- ustus P., of Doylestown; Elias L., and James W.

Robert Alphens Poore was born and reared in Upper Makefield township, Bucks county. He engaged in farming in his native township for many years, and on March 14, 1866, was appointed assistant station agent for the Pennsylvania Rail- road Company, at Riegelsville, New Jer- sey, he at that time residing in Bridgeton, now Upper Black Eddy, Pennsylvania. In 1872 he was advanced to the position of station agent and remained with them until January 1, 1900, when at the age of seventy years he was retired, having been in their service for thirty-four years. He is now living a retired life at Riegelsville, whither he removed from Bridgeton as soon as a suitable home was procured for his family.

He married. December 14, 1854, Hannah Bennett, daughter of John and Abi (Doane) Bennett, who was born in Upper Makefield, December 4, 1833, and they were the parents of nine children, four of whom died in childhood-Those who sur- vive are, William Wallace Trego Poore, of Rutlege, Delaware county, Pennsylvania ; Olivia, wife of S. O. Bachman, of Riegels- ville; Martha Merrick, widow of Rev. J. C. Leimbach, residing in Riegelsville; John B., the subject of this sketch; and Mary Bertha, residing at home. Mrs. Poore died in January, 190I.

John B. Poore, was born in Nock- amixon township, Bucks county, Pennsyl- vania, May 6, 1867. He was educated at the public schools and at the age of four- teen years entered the railroad office to assist his father, and remained with the Railroad Company for five years. He then entered the employ of Cooper & Hewitt, proprietors of Durham furnace, as book- keeper, and filled that position for fourteen years. In the spring of 1900 he formed a partnership with Henry Sigafoos, in the hard wood lumber business, with offices at Riegelsville, Pennsylvania. The firm has since done a large and profitable business. In the fall of 1904, Mr. Poore was elected on the Republican ticket to the office of county treasurer, and entered upon his duties the following January. He has been active in the councils of his party for sev- eral years, and is well and favorable known in all parts of the county.

Mr. Poore married, on June 7, 1893. Annie Josephine Adams, daughter of Will- jam F. and Emily (Hunt) Adams, of Riegelsville, the former a native of New York state, and the latter of New Jersey. Mr. and Mrs. Poore are the parents of three children, viz: Dorothy Adams, born March 18, 1894: Donald Norris, born Sep- tember 25. 1895; and John B., Jr., born January 25, 1904.

WILLIAM H. WHITE. The White family, represented in the present genera- tion by William H. White, of Feasterville. traces its ancestry to George and Mary White, whose family consisted of two chil- dren, namely: Thomas and William. Thomas White, son of George and Mary White, was born July 22, 1797, and died August 26, 1889. His wife, Jane ( Krewson) White, born September 8, 1793, died July 20, 1859, daughter of Garrett and Jane Krewson, bore him the following named children : George, born January 15, 1819, died October 24, 1895, mentioned herein- after. Elizabeth, born March 8, 1823, be- came the wife of John Gifford, and their faniily consisted of three children : Warner, George, and Elizabeth. Henry, born Sep- tember 30, 1825, married Anna Lefferts, who bore him two children: George and Eliza- beth. Jonathan, born July 3, 1827, married Rachel Mayurm, and they are the parents of four children: Elizabeth, William T., Ida, and Mary F. Christopher, born No- vember 15, 1834, married Elizabeth Mc- Vaugh, who bore him one child: Lydia.

George White, son of Thomas and Jane (Krewson) White, was born January 15, 1819, on the old Krewson farm near South- ampton village, which belonged to his grandfather on the maternal side. Emily (Margurm) White, his wife, whom he mar- ried October 28, 1841, was born April 30, 1821, and she bore him the following named children: Rebecca Jane, born November 16, 1842, died November 28, 1870 ; she mar- ried September 4, 1862, Louis Ashton, who died September 28, 1866; they were the pa- rents of one child, Emily, born July 19, 1863. Rachel, born April 25, 1846, married December 15, 1864, Theodore Hogeland, who died December 14, 1868; their chil- dren are: Elizabeth, born May 27, 1865, married, January 19, 1887, Howard Lefferts, and two children were the issue of this union : Theodore, born January 8, 1891, and Helen, born in October, 1897. Emily W., born November 23, 1866. George W., born January 22, 1868, died June 17, 1869. Will- iam H., mentioned at length hereinafter. George White, father of these children, died October 24, 1895, and his wife passed away September 28, 1893.

William H. White, son of George and Emily (Margurm) White, was born on the old Benson farm at Davisville, Southampton township. Bucks county, Pennsylvania, No- vember 4. 1853. He was reared in Bucks county, receiving his education in local schools. At an early age he went to farm- ing with his father, with whom he remained until 1881, when he moved to Northampton, where, however, he only remained one year, returning then to Southampton township. He rented a tract of land consisting of eighty-five acres known as the Delaney farm, now owned by John D. Landis, from whom he now rents it. He makes a specialty of dairying and the raising of fine cattle, from which he derives a goodly profit. In politics he is a Democrat, and in

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HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

religion a Baptist, attending the old school church at Southampton township. On Octo- ber II, 1876, Mr. White was united in mar- riage to Rachel M. Tomlinson, who was born August 20, 1855, daughter of Henry and Mary Tomlinson. Their children are: George, born July 29, 1878, who married Emma P. Dolton, daughter of Richard Dol- ton, September 20, 1901; WV. Harry, born April 15, 1889.

WILLIAM PENROSE. Pennsylvania owes an inestimable debt of gratitude to those English Friends who were among the first settlers of the province. Will- iam Penrose, of Quakertown, is a de- scendant of one of these pioneers, who brought to their home in the New World principles which they not only professed but practiced, and which have thus been a lasting and powerful influence for good in the province of Penn.

Robert Penrose (I), son of Robert and Jane Penrose, was born in York- shire, England, move to Ireland in 1669, and married Anna Russell, by whom he was the father of three chil- dren. His son, Robert Penrose (2), was born in 1670 in Blackane, married Mary Clayton in 1695, and had thirteen chil- dren. With part of his family he came in 1717 to Pennsylvania. His son Rob- ert Penrose (3), who was born in 1697. came to America after his father, and about 1731 married Mary Heacock. They were the parents of eleven children, one of whom, John Penrose (4), was born in 1740, in Richland township, mar- ried Anna Roberts in 1764, and died in 1813. He was the father of ten children. The ninth son, Evan Penrose (5), born in 1782, married Rebecca Ball, and the following children were born to them: Jane; Aaron (deceased) ; Evan, men- tioned at length hereinafter; and Mar- garet, who became the wife of Eli W. Strawn.

Evan Penrose (6), son of Evan (5) and Rebecca (Ball) Penrose, was born May 8, 1813, on the homestead in Rich- land township, attended the subscrip- tion schools of his birthplace, and after- ward became a pupil in the school taught by Richard Hoopes, of West Chester. He then learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for some time, but the greater part of his life was devoted to the management of the homestead. He was a Republican in politics, but never took an active part in the affairs of the organization. By birthright he was a member of Friends' meeting, but was not prominently identified with the so- · ciety. Mr. Penrose married, March 20, 1851, Anna Roberts, daughter of George and Anna (Penrose) Hicks, born No- vember 28. 1817. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Penrose consisted of the following children: I. Charles Robert, born March 10, 1853, died December 27, 1877. 2. Mary

Jane, born March 7, 1856, married, in 1877. William, son of William and Sarah (Gofman) McDevitt, of Philadelphia. 3 and 4. Evan Ellwood and George How- ard (twins), born October 22, 1857; the former died April 5, 1858, and the latter August 17, same year. 5. William, men- tioned at length hereinafter. Mr. Pen- rose, the father, retired from the active labors of the farm in 1884, and his death occurred December 24, 1888. The mother of the family expired January 29, 1903, at the advanced age of eighty-five.

William Penrose (7), son of Evan (6) and Anna Roberts (Hicks) Penrose, was born September 16, 1861, on the homestead in Richland township, and received his primary education in a school held under the auspices of the Friends' meeting and presided over by Anna Blakey. Later he became a pupil in a public school, and afterward at- tended the Quakertown high school un- til his seventeenth year. He then became the assistant of his father on the home farm. For many years he was the owner of this estate, which for more than a century was the property of the Penrose family, and proved himself an able, ener- getic and successful farmer. In 1901 he sold the estate and took up his abode in Quakertown. In politics he is a Repub- lican, but has always refused to hold of- fice, preferring to devote his time to the cultivation of his farm. He is a mem- ber of the Reformed church of Quak- ertown.

Mr. Penrose married, in 1886, Jennie Trumbauer, and they are the parents of the following children: I. John Evan, born May 26, 1888, and attended the Quakertown public schools. 2. Henry Speakman, born September 13, 1895. 3. Annie Elizabeth, born October 11, 1899. 4. Alfred, born October 29, 1903.

Mrs. Penrose is a granddaughter of John and Elizabeth (Baum) Trumbauer, whose son John was born in 1808, in Richland township, attended the sub- scription schools, learned the shoemak- er's trade, and later engaged in farming. He was a member of the Lutheran church at Trumbauersville, in which he served as elder and deacon. Mr. Trum- bauer married, in 1843, Lydia B. Scholl, daughter of Michael and Lydia (Dono- hue) Scholl, the former a farmer near Telford. and their children were: I. Henry S., born in 1845, is a carpenter at Fairview, and married May Stoneback, of Richland township. 2. Milton, born in 1848, is unmarried, and lives on the homestead. 3. Michael S., born in 1850, lives in Quakertown, and married Eliza Moyer, of Milford township. 4. Levi S., born in 1853. is a farmer and unmarried. 5. Lydia Ann, born in 1855, and became the wife of Gideon Groff, of Trum- batiersville. 6. Mary Elizabeth, born in 1859. and married Nathaniel Keely, of East Greenville, Montgomery county. 7.

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HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

Jennie, who became the wife of William Penrose, as mentioned above. Mr. Trumbauer, the father of the family, died February 2, 1898, having attained to the great age of ninety years.

JOHN ALBERT OZIAS. The Ozias family, of which John Albert Ozias is a rep- resentative, was established in America by Christopher Ozias, a native of France, who came to America about the middle of the eighteenth century. He landed at Balti- more, from which place he traveled south- ward to the French province of Louisiana, and after residing there for some time he made his way westward. Subsequently he came north and settled at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Soon, however, he removed to Roxboro, where he followed his trade of weaving, devoting his energies to that pursuit throughout his entire lite. He was married and had two sons, Joseph and Jacob. Joseph Ozias, son of Christopher Ozias was the father of three children : John, Deborah, and George.

George Ozias, father of John Albert Ozias, was born April 10, 1810, at Rox- boro, in Philadelphia county. He obtained his education in the subscription schools of the neighborhood and also in the free schools of that locality, and on putting aside his text-books he assisted his father in the trade of weaving. Later, however, he learned the carpenter's trade, and when he had mastered that business he engaged in contracting and building for many years, being actively identified with the improve- ment of the locality in which he made his home. He resided for some time at Germantown, in Philadelphia county, · where he carried on building operations, but in 1837 removed to Nashville, Ten- nessee, where he again conducted business as contractor and builder. He was for several years a resident of that southern city, and then returned with his family to Germantown in 1842. . He wedded Mar- garet Barr, and they became the parents of three children : John Albert ; George B., who is living at Vineland, New Jersey ; and one who is living at Quakertown.

John Albert Ozias was born in German- town, Philadelphia county, September 6, 1836, and the following year was taken by his parents to Nashville, Tennessee, where he remained until about six years of age. He then again became a resident of his native city, and attended the public schools there until his parents removed to what is now known as Chalfont, Pennsyl- vania, in 1859. He remained at that place for ten years, and in the meantime had be- come an active factor in business life, en- gaging in the coal and lumber trade. In 1869 he removed to Quakertown where he established a lumber business as a member of a firm. but not long afterward he pur- chased his partner's interest and continued to , conduct his lumber yard alone until

1886. He also dealt in coal, but in the year mentioned he sold his coal and lumber busi- ness to Benjamin Achey, who is still con- ducting it. Mr. Ozias has since practically lived a retired life, enjoying the fruit of his former toil. He was capable in the management of his business affairs, conduct- ing his interests so ably that he won a very desirable reputation.

As a citizen Mr. Ozias has ever been deeply interested in the public welfare, and while residing at Chalfont he served for some time as justice of the peace. His ef- forts in behalf of the public good had been exerted along other lines as well, for he was instrumental in establishing the Build- ing and Loan Association of Quakertown, and many home owners in that borough owe to his efforts the beginning which they made in securing homes of their own. In educational work Mr. Ozias has also been very active, believing that a man should not be content in merely sending his children to school, but that he should put forth every effort toward having the schools of an excellent character and that competent teachers should be employed. His labors have been effective and resultant factors in the betterment of the school equipment and facilities of Quakertown. In his politi- cal affiliations Mr. Ozias has always been a Democrat, and, although rather conserva- tive in his political views and position, he has nevertheless adhered closely to the principles of that party. His fellow towns- men, recognizing his worth and ability, have several times called him to public office. He served for six years as county auditor of Bucks county, filling the position from 1892 until 1898, his course in office being so commendable that he was reelected. Mr. Ozias was the prime mover in the work of having Richland Center incorporated into Quakertown. His efforts have ever been of a most practical character, yet all has been done in a quiet and unobtrusive man- ner. He cares not for outward display, is entirely free from ostentation, and does not seek public encomiums, but is content with the consciousness of duty well per- formed, whereby he retains his self respect.

In 1862 Mr. Ozias was married to Miss Amanda Echart, a daughter of Charles and Elizabeth (Snyder) Echart, of Chalfont, representatives of an old and respected fan- ily of that community. The Snyders were among the oldest settlers of Newtown township, and were identified with the mill business of the county in pioneer days. Mr. Echart was also closely associated with the milling business at Chalfont, and was thus a factor in the industries of the town. He was a son of George and Catherine (King) Echart. George Echart was a man of con- siderable influence and activity in public affairs of his community. His father was Charles Echart, a resident of Oley, Berks county, Pennsylvania, and it was there that George Echart was born, February 12, 1770. His death occurred March 16, 1848. Charles Echart, Sr., was a soldier of the Revolu-

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tionary war. Mrs. Ozias, a daughter of Charles Echart, Jr., was born February 19, 1840, in what is now known as Chalfont, in New Britain township, Bucks county. She attended the public schools until her seventeenth year, after which she engaged in teaching for two winters, and subsequent to her nineteenth year remained at home with her parents until her marriage in 1862 to John Albert Ozias.

To Mr. and Mrs. Ozias have been born six children: Estella, the wife of Oliver R. Schutz, a son of Edwin Schutz, of Quakertown, and they reside at Quaker- town; Carrie J., the wife of Rev. William Heist, a son of Henry Heist, of Quaker- town, and they reside at Scranton, Penn- sylvania, with their son Paul; Winnie is the wife of Ferdinand Sommer, a son of Henry Sommer, and they live at Quaker- town; Ramon married Emily Egner, of Newark, New Jersey; J. Howard married E. Irene Harley, a daughter of Jonas L. Harley, of Quakertown, and they are living in that place; and George Echart married Nellie Haring, a daughter of Charles C. Haring, of Quakertown. The Ozias fam- ily are members of St. Jolin's Lutheran church of Quakertown.

SARA E. TWINING. William Twining emigrated to this country in the early part of the seventeenth century and set- tled in Massachusetts, but later removed to Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and died at Newtown in 1703. He had a son, Stephen. Stephen Twining (2), son of the American ancestor, was born Eastham. Massachusetts, February 6,

at 1659. He became a resident of Bucks county, Pennsylvania. John Twining (3), son of Stephen, was born at New- town, Pennsylvania, March 5, 1692; he married, and had a son named Jacob. Jacob Twining (4), son of John, was born October 25, 1730, and his son. David Twining, was the subject's grandfather.

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History of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, from the discovery of the Delaware to the present time, Vol. III, Part 151

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