History of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, from the discovery of the Delaware to the present time, Vol. III, Part 152

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 152

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David Twining (5), son of Jacob, born in Wrightstown township, February 5, 1791, was a wheelwright, but usually fol- lowed farming for his livelihood. He died October 13. 1877. He was a mem- ber of that branch of the Society of Friends known as the Hicksites. He married (first) Hannah Taylor, by whom three children were born : Amas H., George, Elizabeth H., wife of Edward Atkinson. For liis second wife, Mr. Twining married Mercy VanHorn, and by his union were born: Abbott A., died in infancy: Frances M., wife of Francis V. Krusen.

Amas H. Twining (6), son of David. was born in Northampton township, May 31, 1820, on the farm where the family still resides, and where he farmed during his lifetime. He was a member of the Society of Friends. He married Mary,

daughter of John and Martha (Ridge) Tomlinson. By this union were born the following children: I. George W .; 2. William H .; 3. David; 4. John; 5. Mil- ton; 6. Walmsley R .; 7. Sara E .; 8. Mary R., wife of William Adcock, of New Jersey.

Milton Twining and Walmsley R. Twin- ing, sons of Amos H. Twining, early in life learned the carpenter trade and were engaged in building at Chicago, Pitts- burg and Denver, Colorado. Milton later returned to Bucks county, where he is engaged in farming with his brother, George, on the old homestead. Walms- ley is now a builder in Philadelphia.

Sara E. Twining, daughter of Amas H. Twining, was educated at the Belle- vite Academy and the State Normal School at Millersville. For twenty years she has been among the efficient teach- ers in the public schools of Bucks county, Pennsylvania.

CHARLES WILLIAMS, who through- out his entire life has been interested in agricultural pursuits in Bucks county, was born in Buckingham township on the 13th of May, 1833, his parents being Anthony and Sarah (Thompson) Williams, both of whom were natives of Montgomery county. The paternal grandparents were Joseph and Ann Williams. Their son, Anthony Will- iams, was born in White Marsh township, near Chestnut Hill, on the 7th of June, 1807, and was of Welsh descent. He con- tinued a resident of Montgomery county until two years after his marriage, when he removed to Bucks county, settling in Buck- ingham township in 1832. After a few years' residence here he returned to Mont- gomery county, purchasing a farm near Ogontz. His death occurred in 1844. An- thony and Sarah T. Williams had seven children, viz .: Charles; Edward H., who is living in Buckingham township; Joseph T., a resident of Easton, Pennsylvania; two daughters who died in infancy; Jane, de- ceased ; and Anthony, who has also passed away. Later she married Jesse Shoemaker, having one child Sarah, also deceased.

Charles Williams was only four years of are when his parents returned to Mont- gomery county, and he was reared on the home farm, there acquiring his early edu- cation at Abington Friends' school and afterward attending Friends' schools in Philadelphia. He was also a student in a private boarding school in Langhorne. On attaining his majority he took charge of the home farm, and continued its operation for two years, after which he removed to Buck- ingham township, Bucks county, his grand- father, Joseph Williams, having deeded him his farm there. In the spring of 1902, (having sold his property the year previous) he removed to his present home, which is owned by his wife, it being her ancestral home through her mother, a descendant of

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HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

Robert Smith, who acquired the property 111 1733.

On the 12th of April, 1860, Charles Will- iams was married to Hetty A. Eastburn, a daughter of John and Sarah W. (Smith) Eastburn, of Wrightstown. The family is of English lineage. The names of their six children are: John E., deceased; Elizabeth E., the deceased wife of George B. Brown; Edward, who has also passed away ; Howard, deceased; Sarah W., who is the wife of George B. Brown; and Edith C., at home. The family are members of the So- ciety of Friends, and in his political views Mr. Williams is a Republican. He is .one of the most esteemed citizens of Wrights- town township, interested in all progressive measures for the general good, and giving hearty co-operation to many movements which have resulted beneficially to the com- inunity.

REUBEN A. MARTIN, an enterprising young man of Bucks county, is a grandson of George Martin, a native of Wurtem- berg, Germany, where he was born Sep- tember 14, 1820. In his youth he came to the United States and took up his abode in Reading, proving himself during the Civil war, a loyal citizen by serving in the ranks of the defenders of the Union.

Adam Martin, son of George Martin, was born March 25, 1853, and was educated in the public schools. After learning the carpenter's trade with David High, of Hill- town, he spent twelve years in the practice of it. In 1880 he purchased the Jesse Garner farm, in Warrington township, and for eight years devoted himself to its cultivation. He subsequently bought the Aaron Weisell farm, which is now his home, and also the Christian Haldeman farm, adjoining. The two estates he cul- tivates as one, with extremely profitable re- sults. In New Britain township he held for three years each the offices of constable and charity commissioner, while in War- rington township he served for five years as school director, and now holds the office of auditor. Politically he is identified with the Republicans, and is a member of the Hilltown Lutheran church. He married Addie Sherm, and their children are: Reu- ben A., mentioned at length hereinafter ; Flora; Alice; Bertha; Walter; Jennie; and Edgar Harrison, deceased.

Reuben A. Martin, son of Adam and Ad- die (Sherm) Martin, was born March 1, 1880, in Warrington township, where he received his education in the public schools. His boyhood and youth were spent in assist- ing his father in the labors of the farm and in acquiring a thorough and practical knowledge of agriculture in all its branches. In 1899 he purchased the old Hillpot farm, in New Britain township, on which he has since lived. His well-tilled acres and large crops testify to his ability and industry. He is a good citizen and a steadfast Re- publican. In matters of religion he is iden-

tified with the Hilltown Lutheran church. Mr. Martin married, October 24, 1899, Ko- berta, daughter of Eli Cadwalader, and they have two children-Chester C., who was born December 15, 1901; and Howard C., born December 14, 1905.

THE CROUSE FAMILY settled in up- per Bucks county, Pennsylvania, in 1758. Michael Krouse (as the name was formerly written), the founder, and his wife Anne Barbara landed in Philadelphia from Ger- many, September 3, 1758. He located and acquired land in Nockamixon township, near the Narrows of the Delaware river. They belonged to the Reformed church. He enlisted in a company that was formed in Durham township, and served in the Revo- lutionary war. We find in the old family papers and records that the name was spelled "Krouse" down until about the year 1800, after which the name is gener- ally written "Crouse." The writer is not in possession of the exact date of the death of Michael Crouse, Sr., or his wife Anne Barbara, but the former died about 1812. They had three sons and two daughters, viz .: Jacob, Frederick and Conrad, Han- nah, and Mary Margaret. The latter mar- ried Jacob Lechleiter, who was the founder of the Lechleiter family in Nockamixon. He died March 20, 1855, aged ninety-one years. His wife, Mary Margaret, died May 23, 1847, aged seventy-nine years. Hannah married a Mr. Pursell, and they lived in what is now the village of Bridgeton, Pennsylvania. She died there at a good old age, leaving many descendants. The oldest son, Jacob Crouse, married and settled in Hunterdon county, New Jersey. He had three sons : Jacob, John and William. The former married and settled in Milford, New Jersey, where he died in 1900 at an ad- vanced age. The son, John Crouse, mar- ried Lucy Butler and they had a large fam- ily of sons. They moved to Luzerne coun- ty, Pennsylvania, about 1850, where he died leaving many descendants. The other son, William Crouse, was twice married. He settled in Warren county, New Jersey, and raised a large family .of sons and daughters, who are scattered through Warren and Hunterdon counties, New Jersey. Freder- ick, the second son of Michael Crouse, Sr., was born in 1766; he married Catharine Schell, and settled in Nockamixon town- ship, where he died April 21, 1845, aged seventy-nine years. His wife, Catharine, died February 23, 1849, aged eighty-two years. They had two children, Jacob and Sarah. The latter married Jacob Overpeck of Durham township, Bucks county. They had three children: Frederick, Philip, and Sarah; they all married and left many de- scendants. Jacob, the only son of Frederick Crouse, married Susan Mills; they raised a large family of children. Conrad Crouse, the third son of Michael Crouse, Sr., was born in 1768. He married Elizabeth Moyer,

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HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

and settled on the old homestead in Nocka- mixon township. He died in 1796, leaving a widow and three small children; his will speaks of one son Michael, and two daugh- ters, one of which must have died in child- hood, as no further mention is made of her. The other daughter Elizabeth grew to womanhood and married Joseph Raisner ; they settled in New Jersey near Lambert- ville, and had one daughter, who married Carnelious Arnett, of Lambertville, New Jersey. Michael Crouse, Jr., born January 22, 1793, was the father of the writer of this sketch; he was only three years old when his father, Conrad Crouse, died. He learned the mason trade and was educated in English and German. He taught school for many years, it being required in those days to teach both languages in the schools of the upper districts of Bucks county. He was constable of. the township for several years, and held a lieutenant's commission in the Pennsylvania militia. In 1820 he mar- ried Sarah Cole, who was born December 5, 1797. She was the daughter of Tunis and Julia Cole, who lived in Holland, New Jersey, and whose parents immigrated from Holland many years before. Tunis Cole was born February 6, 1754, and died Feb- ruary 17, 1816. His wife, Julia, born Sep- tember 10, 1762, died January 21, 1834.

Michael Crouse, Jr., after his marriage, settled on the old homestead. They had ten children, five sons and five daughters, viz .: Conrad F., Jacob W., Michael, Frederick, and Andrew Jackson. Eliza, Elizabeth, Sarah Ann, Catharine, and Hannah.

The first son, Conrad F. Crouse, born April 27, 1827, was a steam engineer by oc- cupation. He was twice married; his first wife was Julia Ann Ellicott; they had three children : Oscar, Warren, and Sallie. The mother died September 7, 1858. His second wife Caroline. Kerbaugh, to whom he was married August 27, 1859, bore him five chil- dren : John, Mary, Lizzie, Alice and Carie. The family then moved to Milnesville, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania. During the Civil war he served in the Forty-fifth Regi- ment, Pennsylvania Militia. He died June 8, 1901, in the seventy-fifth year of his age. Eliza married Andrew Shaw, of Carvers- ville, Bucks county. They had four chil- dren: Charles, Sallie, Mary, and Ella. Eliza Shaw died July 8, 1865. Elizabeth Crouse, born December 14, 1823, married Chapman Large, of Doylestown, Pennsyl- vania. They had four children: John, Martha, Alice, and Fannie. Elizabeth died July 15, 1891.

Jacob W. Crouse, second son of Michael Crouse, Jr., was born March 14, 1829; by occupation he was a carpenter. He served during the war for the Union in Company F, One Hundred and Seventy-fourth Regi- ment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. He mar- ried Eliza Freeling in 1852; they had four children : Annie S., who married B. Frank Rapp; Alice and Frederick W. died in child- hood; and Clara; who married Lee Ott, of Tinicum. Jacob W. Crouse settled in Uhler-

town, and was a consistent member and elder in the upper Tinicum Reformed church. He died November 3, 1884.

Sarah Ann Crouse, born July 13, 1831, married Amos Smith, of Smith corner, Plumstead township. They had nine chil- dren, three of whom died in childhood, and those who grew up were: Mary Ellen, wife of Israel Wismer. Michael, who mar- ried Hannah Overholt and settled at Smith Corner; he died in 1902. Alice, who mar- ried Reuben Walters; she died in 1896, leav- ing one son, Austin Walters. Jacob Smith, who married Miss Anne Gearhart; they live at Ambler, Pennsylvania. Emma, who married Samuel Lear. Kate, who married John Nash. All live at Smith Corner.

Michael Crouse, third son of Michael Crouse, Jr., born July 1, 1833, was accident- ally drowned in the Delaware river. oppo- site Burlington, New Jersey, September 24, 18.43.

Frederick Crouse, fourth son of Michael Crouse, Jr., was born July 4, 1835. He served his country during the great Civil war as a member of Company C, One Hun- dred and Twenty-eighth Regiment, Penn- sylvania Volunteers ; he was severely wounded in the battle of Antietam, Mary- land, September 17, 1862. He was by occu- pation a telegraph operator, having opened the first telegraph office at Riegelsville, New Jersey, in 1864, serving fourteen years. After being discharged from the United States army in 1863 on account of wounds received in battle, he was appointed by the provost marshal of the Fifth Military Dis- trict as enrolling officer, and served as such until the close of the war. In 1867 he was appointed postmaster at Riegelsville, Penn- sylvania, and managed the office with credit to himself and satisfaction to the govern- ment for seventeen years. In politics he is a Republican, and in 1876 was a candidate for the Pennsylvania legislature, but was de- feated by a small majority, the county being largely Democratic at that time. In 1868 he organized Fraternal Council, O. U. A. MI. He also organized the Riegelsville Building & Loan Association in 1875. In 1857 he was initiated into Peace & Union Lodge No. 456, I. O. O. F., under the juris- diction of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania of which he has been a working member for forty-eight years. In 1882 he organized Colonel Samuel Croasdale Post No. 256, Department of Pennsylvania, Grand Army of the Republic. He'became a member of St. Johns Reformed church, at Riegelsville, in 1852, and became a resident of Riegels- ville in 1853 and has resided there ever since. He married Mary A. Kerbaugh, De- cember 13, 1856; she was the daughter of Josiah and Maria Kerbaugh, of North- ampton county, Pennsylvania. They had eight children, four of whom died in child- hood. Those living Stewart C., Clara, Gertrude, and Sallie May. Stewart C. Crouse married Sallie S. Atkinson, daughter of Jesse H. and Martha Atkinson, of Dolington, Bucks county. Three chil-

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HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

dren blessed this union: Jesse Clyde, Mary and Frederick. The mother died July 13. 1888. J. Clyde Crouse married Florence Souders, of Riegelsville, Pennsylvania, June I, 1904, and settled in Elizabeth, New Jer- sey. He is a civil engineer in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad. Stewart C. Crouse was married twice, his second wife being Miss Kate Giant, of Philadelphia ; they have four children: Margarite, Wil- mot, Grace, and Emily. He resides in Bound Brook, New Jersey, and is employed in the telegraph department of the New Jersey Central Railroad. Clara, daughter of Frederick Crouse, was born June 25, 1864; she married John W. Thompson, of Riegelsville, Pennsylvania, by occupation a carriage painter. They settled in Riegels- ville and have two children living, viz: Florence May, and John. Elsworth; a third child, died in childhood, named Alma. Gert- rude, second daughter of Frederick Crouse, was born June 21, 1874; she married Syl- vester Dillon, a mechanic of Lehnensburg, and they reside in Riegelsville, and have three children : Mildred Rebecca, Laurence and Evelyne. Sallie May, third daughter of Frederick Crouse, was born in July, 1876; she married Peter Heater, a foundry- .man of Durham. They reside at Alburtis, Pennsylvania, and have one daughter, Mal- vene.

Catharine, daughter of Michael Crouse, Jr., was born March 27, 1837 ; she remained single and died March 20, 1885.

Hannah, the youngest daughter, born September 29, 1839, died December 8, 1852. Andrew Jackson Crouse, youngest son of Michael Crouse, Jr., was born January I, 1843. He grew to manhood and married Mrs. Helena Kerbaugh, widow of John B. Kerbaugh, a member of Company C, One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, who was killed at the battle of Antietam, Maryland, Sep- tember 17, 1862, leaving a daughter, Lizzie, who married Oscar Tettemer, of Tinicum township, where they reside. Andrew Jack- son Crouse resides in Riegelsville, and is employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company as clerk at the Riegelsville Sta- tion. He served his country during the Civil war in the Forty-fifth Pennsylvania Militia, Union League Regiment, and after- wards as a member of Company G, Twenty- eighth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. He is a past commander of Colonel Samuel Croasdale Post, Grand Army of the Repub- lic. He is also a member and holds office in St. John's Reformed church of Riegels- ville. In politics he is a Democrat, al- though he never sought office. They had four children, viz .; Charles W., Ada A., Idia and Jennie ; the two latter died in child- hood. The daughter, Ada A., born April 14, 1875, holds a position in the Durham Knitting Mill. The son, Charles W. Crouse, born March 5, 1868, was married to Anetta Rader, of Martins Creek. Pennsylvania. on June 10, 1891. They reside in New York city, where he holds the position of book-

keeper for a large firm. Two children have blessed this union: George, and Aubrey. Helena, wife of Andrew J. Crouse, died April 21, 1892. Mr. Crouse married, Octo- ber 24, 1894, Miss Emma Lear, of Plum- stead township, Bucks county, Pennsyl- vania.

MIRS. RACHAEL P. IRELAND oc- cupies the beautiful old homestead "Winde- mere," which was the property of her par- ents, Thomas S. and Martha ( Scarboro) Radcliff. Descended from English an- cestry, her grandfather, John L. Radcliff, was born in Bucks county, being a repre- sentative of one of the old families of this part of the state. He always followed farming, and while he did not seek to fig- ure in public life his influence was always on the side of right and progress and he was identified with the Friends' meeting, thus adhering to the religious faith of his ancestors. He married Patience Smith, also a native of Bucks county, and his death occured on the old homestead farm. Their children were: Thomas S., Mrs. Mary -, Mrs. Sally Cozens, Isaac N., who is living in Illinois; Charlotte, wife of H. Funk; Lew, a physician, who died unmarried; Theodore, who served through the civil war; Dewitt C., who was a soldier of the Union army and is now a resident of California ; Harriet, who died unmarried ; Wesley, a farmer, now de- ceased; and Amanda, wife of J. Neal.

Thomas S. Radcliff, son of John L. and Patience (Smith) Radcliff, was born in Bucks county in 1815, and was reared near Warrington on the old home farm. He received a liberal education, and in early manhood engaged in teaching school for a number of years. Subsequently he settled upon what was the old Scarbor- ough farm, formerly the property of his father-in-law, and there remained until his children had attained years of maturity. The property had at one time been owned by Jonathan Roberts, who afterward sold it to Mr. Scarborough and eventually Mr. Radcliff purchased it. It is noted for its productive soil, its attractive location and for the splendid view which it commands. In 1867 Mr. Radcliff sold the property and removed to Philadelphia, where he was employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, and subsequently he bought a farm in Maryland which remained his- place of residence throughout his life. His political "iews accorded with Repub- lican principals, and he gave to that party unfaltering support. He was called to several local offices, the duties of which he discharged with promptness and fidel- ity, and he was widely known and highly respected for the possession of many ster- ling traits of character. He held friend- ship inviolable, was chararitable and be- nevolent to the poor and needy, and in his home was an indulgent and devoted

JOHN L. RADCLIFF

THOMAS S. RADCLIFF

HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

705

husband and father. From early manhood he was a consistent member of the Bap- tist church. Thomas S. Radcliff married Martha Scarboro, who was born in Bucks county in 1816, a daughter of Amos and Sarah (Cooper) Scarboro, also natives of this county and of Scotch-Irish descent. Her father was a practical and prosperous farmer, quickly recognizing and utilizing a favorable business opportunity, and gaining at the same time an unblemished reputa- tion by reason of his straightforward deal- ing. Kindness and consideration were among his salient characteristics, and he commanded the esteem of all who knew him. Selling the old homestead, he later purchased a farm near Doylestown, Penn- sylvania, known as the Patterson farm, and on disposing of that property he bought a lot on which was a good resi- dence and therein lived retired. In his political views he was a Republican, and in religions faith a Presbyterian. His chil- dren were: Mrs. Elizabeth Rubincamp, Mrs. Martha Radcliff, and Rachael, wife of William Stuckert. Thomas and Martha (Scarboro) Radcliff had a large family, but lost several children in early life. The others are: Sarah, wife of A. Robi- son; Mrs. Ireland; Winfield S., a drug- gist ; Thomas J., a broker of New York; and John L., who died at the age of eighteen years. The father died in 1878, aged sixty-five years, and his wife died July 23, 1893.

Rachael P. Radcliff was born at the old home where she now lives, February 23, 1847, and when a young lady accompanied her parents on their removel to Philadel- phia, where she was married, in 1877, to Charles G. Ireland. He was born in that city, November 4, 1846. His father, Charles Ireland, was the adopted son of Dr. Charles Garrison, of Millville, New Jersey, who reared and educated and made him his heir. Mr. Ireland inherited all of Dr. Garrison's large estate and he was called by his foster father's name. His inheri- tance enabled him to live retired from busi- ness cares and he made his home in Philadelphia. He was married and reared his family there, and his children went by his own name of Ireland. He provided them with liberal educational privileges and also left to each a goodly inheritance. They were: Isadore, wife of J. Cassell; Lydia, who died unmarried; Charles G .; Thomas W., deceased; and Florence, who was a teacher and died unmarried.

Charles G. Ireland was a competent business man of Philadelphia, and managed and settled up his father's estate. Broad minded and intelligent, he profited by his excellent educational privileges and became an important factor in business circles in his native city, but, overtaxing his strength he was an invalid for three years prior to his death. He was generous in his benefactions to the poor and needy, con- siderate and courteous at all times, main- tained the most kindly relations with his

many friends, and in his home was a de- voted and loving husband. His political support was given the Democracy, and without political aspiration he gave effic- ient aid in matters of public moment as private citizen. He died in his fifty- fourth year.

Mrs. Ireland had one son, Walter S. Radcliff, who resides in Philadelphia. After her husband's death she purchased Windemere, the old family homestead in Bucks county, at one time the property of her maternal grandfather, and here she has since remained. The place comprises seventy-eight acres of land. The soil is rich and productive and is now highly cultivated, Mrs. Ireland giving personal supervision to the farming interests. The farm is conveniently and pleasantly situ- ated about four miles from Doylestown, and is equipped with all modern accessories and conveniences, not only in the house but also for facilitating the farm work. The residence is a three story structure which she has remodeled, making it modern in every way. It is supplied with hot and cold water, is heated throughout by fur- nace, and stands on a natural building site, commanding a wide view of the surround- ing country and also looking down upon Doylestown with its beautiful homes, orchards and groves. There is a large barn and other buildings in the rear of the house, and no equipment of the model farm of the twentieth century is lacking at Windemere. Mrs. Ireland has a wide acquaintance in her native county, and the hospitality which she so generously ac- cords to her many friends is as freely ex- tended to her. She was reared in the Baptist church and has always adhered to its teachings and faith.

WILLIAM M. HOLBERT, postmas- ter of Warrington, where he is also en- gaged in merchandising, represents one of the old families of Bucks county that through many generations has figured in business and political life here. At an early period in the settlement of the new world, the Holbert family was founded in New Jersey, where its mem- bers became prominent in agricultural circles. William Holbert, the grand- father, came to Pennsylvania soon after his marriage, settling first in Abingdon township; Montgomery county, where he remained for a few years and then re- moved to Jamison's Corners in Bucks county, where he carried on agricultural pursuits until his death. He had been reared in the faith of the Society of Friends and continued an active and con- sistent member of that sect up to his de- mise. He was a plain, honest farmer who had no aspirations for public office or public fame, being content to do his duty as a private citizen and as a hus- band and father. He married a Miss

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History of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, from the discovery of the Delaware to the present time, Vol. III, Part 152

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