History of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, from the discovery of the Delaware to the present time, Vol. III, Part 153

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 153

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HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

Brannan, who was also a native of New Jersey, and was of Welsh lineage. She survived her husband for but a short time. They reared four children. El- wood, born July 31, 1818, who resides in Wilson county, Kansas, having for a long period been a leading farmer of that locality; Nathan, born August 31, 1823; Mrs. Elizabeth Ewing, born May 18, 1836; and Lenora, born July 14, 1838, who died unmarried. All were reared in the faith of the Friends meeting, from which they never departed.

Nathan Holbert (2), born in New Jer- sey, was reared in Bucks county, Penn- sylvania, remaining under the parental roof up to the time of his marriage, when he began farming on a tract of rented land. He remained for a long period upon the farm on which he set- tled. and after many years devoted to ag- ricultural pursuits came to Warrington, where he purchased a mercantile enter- prise, renting a building in which he conducted business with the assistance of his son, William, for a number of years and eventually disposing of the store to his son. He was ever a man of marked industry and in early life was a practical and successful farmer who for many years attended the Philadelphia market. He conducted an extensive dairy business and his butter commanded the highest market prices. His capably con- ducted business affairs resulted in the acquirement of a very desirable com- petence. He adhered to the religious faith of his ancestors, and his political support was given to the Republican party. In his locality he was recognized as one of its leading advocates and he filled some township offices, but was never an aspirant for political preferment. Of social. genial nature, he enjoyed the friendship of those with whom he came in contact, and they found him a con- siderate neighbor and kind friend. He was benevolent and charitable to the poor and needy and, honored and re- spected by all, he died February 5, 1899, at the age of seventy-five years. He passed the evening of life in the home of his son, William, but his death oc- curred while he was visiting a daughter. In early manhood he wedded Sarah Yonker, who was born in Huntingdon Valley, Montgomery county, Pennsyl- vania, and was a daughter of William Yonker, who was one of the early set- tlers of Warwick township, Bucks county, where he became widely recog- nized as a leading and influential farmer. He was also highly respected in social circles and was known as "the Quaker fiddler," because of his skillful perform- ance on the violin, the young people of the neighborhood depending upon him to furnish the music for their dances. His children were: Mary, the wife of J. C. Worthington: Thomas, who died at the age of eighteen years; Emma, who

died unmarried; Mary J., who became the wife of Joseph Flack, and Sarah, wife of Nathan Holbert. The last named passed away in June, 1881, about eighteen years prior to the death of her husband. They were the parents of five children: Thomas, of St. Louis, Missouri; Maria, wife of John Cravens; William M., Agnes Y., and Jane.

William M. Holbert was born near the Warwick postoffice in Bucks county, Jan- mary 21, 1854, attended the common schools and was reared in his parents home, accompanying them on their re- moval to Warrington. He had prev- iously assisted in the labors of the fields on the old home farm, and after settling in Warrington became his father's as- sistant in the conduct of the store. Eventually he purchased the stock and engaged in business on his own account, renting the store until 1899, when he pur- chased the large block which comprises both a store and residence. He carried a large and well selected line of general merchandise, such as is required by the village and country trade, and is a prac- tical, enterprising merchant, following modern methods and utilizing every op- portunity that tends to honorable stic- cess. He has contributed to the material improvement of the town as well as to his individual prosperity by the erection of a number of houses which he rents. He is likewise a director in the Warring- ton Mutual Telephone Company, and his recognition and utilization of business opportunities have been salient features in the acquirement of the desirable com- petence that now crowns his efforts.

Mr. Holbert strongly endorses Repub- lican principles, and in as far as possible aids in the party work in his locality. In 1886 he was appointed postmaster of Warrington, which position he yet fills, and is also auditor of his township. Fra- ternally he is a worthy member of the Masonic lodge at Hatboro.

William M. Holbert was married in 1889 to Miss Sallie V. Radcliffe, who was born in Warrington, Pennsylvania, De- cember 8. 1857, a daughter of Elias H. and Emily L. (Coulter) Radcliffe, the latter named having been married July 7, 1850. Elias H. Radcliffe was the son of Robert and Mary (Cline) Radcliffe. Robert Radcliffe, who in early life learned the tanner's trade, which he fol- lowed in his young manhood, lived re- tired many years previous to his death with his son, Elias H., in Warrington. Robert Radcliffe died August 31. 1878, aged ninety-two years. his wife having died at the same place, March 26, 1860, aged sixty-five years. Elias H. Rad- cliffe resided with his parents at Hat- boro up to the time of his marriage to Emily L. Coulter, at Germantown. Sub- sequently he purchased a farm at War- rington known as the old historic Ben- jamin Hough homestead, its former

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HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

owner having been a relative of General U. S. Grant, who several times visited there. Elias H. Radcliffe conducted the farm for many years along practical, pro- gressive lines that won a fair measure of success. He had a wide acquaintance and the favorable regard of many friends. In politics a Republican, he never de- sired political preferment, wishing rather to devote his entire attention to his ag- ricultural interests. He spent his last years in the home of his daughter, Mrs. Holbert, and died November 24, 1901, while his wife's death occurred October 18, 1899. Emily L. (Coulter) Radcliffe was the daughter of Paschall and Sarah (Wolf) Coulter, and granddaughter of John Coulter, who was the proprietor of a large farm near Germantown, also the owner of an extensive coal yard there, and was one of the capable, enterprising business men of that place. The chil- dren of Elias H. and Emily L. (Coulter) Radcliffe were: Caroline Coulter, who died May 29. 1853, aged eleven months. Ellen C., wife of Oliver Gellner, of Tren- ton, New Jersey. Emily S., wife of Maurice E. Allen, of Ambler. Sallie V., wife of William M. Holbert, of Warring- ton. Robert A., a miller by trade, a mem- ber of the firm of Hoffman & Radcliffe, of Frenchtown, New Jersey. Modesta V., wife of Dr. William F. Henson, of Germantown, Pennsylvania. John C. who resides at the homestead. Margaret Wolf, who died May 14, 1882, aged eigh- teen years. William M., a practicing physician of Pennington, New Jersey. Stephen C., of Ambler, Pennsylvania. Mary, wife of Harvey S. Hartzell, of Chalfont, Pennsylvania. Paul R., who is principal of the high school at Clinton, New Jersey.

Mr. and Mrs. Holbert are the parents of two sons: William Rodney, born April 26. 1892. Howard Cadwallader, born September 26, 1894. In the maternal line Mrs. Holbert is descended from one of the old and representative families of Germantown, Pennsylvania. Early gen- erations of the family were represented by those who followed the sea, some of the name becoming captains of vessels.

John Coulter died in Philadelphia, De- cember 16, 1857, in the eighty-sixth year of his age. The deceased was one of our oldest and most respected citizens, and was in realty one of the fixtures and fea- tures of Germantown. At an early pe- riod of his life, he was among the most prominent ship owners and importers of Philadelphia-was for a series of years a director of the Bank of the United States; but for the last thirty or more, he lived in retirement upon his exten- sive farm in the very heart of the town, comprising about one hundred and twenty acres, which was cultivated in a way to challenge the admiration of every observer. He was a serious sufferer by

the spoliations of the French upon our commerce and looked year after year for that just restitution which the govern- ment of the United States pledged itself, by treaty to make to all proper claim- ants. Thus, one by one the pillars of our old edifice are crumbling to the earth until a little while, there will not be one left to look up to and to honor. But their memories which we cherish can not be taken away from us.

TOBIAS CRESSMAN HINKLE, de- ceased, who was a resident of Richland Centre, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, was born August 29, 1830, on a farm in Rich- land township, fourth son and fifth child of Elias and Rebecca (Cressman) Hinkle. The father was born on a farm, and had but limited educational op- portunities, but acquired from observa- tion a respectable fund of knowledge which enabled him to acquit himself creditably in all his life transactions, while his exemplary conduct commanded for him the respect of all about him. He took an active part in community af- fairs, was a consistent member of the Lutheran church, and in politics gave his support to the Democratic party.

Tobias Cressman Hinkle remained at home until he was eighteen years of age, assisting in farm labor, and acquiring such education as the schools of the day would afford. He then went to Bunker Hill, a small settlement on the Allentown pike, in Richland township, to learn the shoemaker's trade under Jacob Fellman, with whom he remained as apprentice and journeyman for a period of nine years. In 1859 he set up in business on his own account in a shoe store at Bun- ker Hill, and was thus profitably engaged until 1870. Determined upon seeking a broader field for his effort, he then re- moved to Quakertown, where he opened a small shoe store on Front street. This proved a most satisfactory change, his busines · developing to considerable pro- portions, and justifying his seeking a partner. In 1885 he associated with him- self Milton A. Biehn, a former appren- tice, and brother to his wife. This co- partnership was known as Hinkle & Biehn, and was maintained until Mr. Hinkle retired in 1893, being succeeded by his sons, Harry Wilson Hinkle and Nelson Biehn Hinkle. The changed partnership involved no new firm name, the old one being preserved to the pres- ent time. In religion, Mr. Hinkle was a member of the United . Evangelical As- sociation, in which body he was a trus- tee and a member of the building com- mittee, and he was also active in what- ever was for the advancement of the church or the extension of its usefulness and influence in the community. In pol- itics he was an original Republican, hav-

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HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

ing voted for Fremont, the first candi- date of that party for the presidency, in 1856. He was a quiet citizen, contented to discharge the duties incumbent upon an orderly individual, and never sought official preferment. His death occurred April 2, 1899.

Mr. Ilinkle married in 1859 Maria B., daughter of Michael and Catherine (Alt- house) Biehn. Her father was a son of Abram and Mary (Martin) Biehn, and was born in Rockhill township in 1810. He was a farmer by occupation. He married Catherine Althouse, June 10, 1838, and their children were: I. Maria, born 1840, married Tobias Hinkle. 2. Elizabeth, born 1847, who resides with her sister, Mrs. Hinkle. 3. Milton, born 1851, and is engaged in the shoe busi- ness in West Chester, Pennsylvania; he married Sarah Edwards,

daughter of Benjamin Edwards, of Quakertown.

Tobias C. and Maria (Biehn) Hinkle were the parents of the following named children: I. Harry Wilson, born 1863, and who in partnership with his brother Nelson B., succeeded to the business es- tablished by the father; he married Olivia, daughter of Levi and Sarah (Setzler) Clymer, of Quakertown, and their children are Tobias, Dorothy and Elinor. 2. Nelson, born 1869, died Au- gust 9, 1901; he was engaged in the shoe business as aforesaid; he married Clara Weile, daughter of Allen and Harriet (Hedman) Weile. Mrs. Hinkle, the mother of these children, resides on Front street, in Quakertown.

ISAAC H. MOYER. Almost two cen- turies have passed since the Moyer fan- ily was established in Pennsylvania by Hans Moyer, who came from Switzer- land or Germany about 1725. He settled in Upper Salford township, Montgomery county, where he purchased land in 1729. He died in 1748. His children were: Henry, John, Barbara, Jacob, Elizabeth, Annie and Hester.

Henry Moyer (2), son of Hans Moyer, was born in either Germany or Switzer- land and was brought to America by his parents when only a year old. He and his father were numbered among the charter members and founders of the Franconia Mennonite church. His bus- iness pursuit was that of farming. He married Barbara Miller, who came from Germany to Pennsylvania when eighteen years of age. His death occurred in 1800. His children were: Henry, born in 1750, who settled in Plumstead township, Bucks county, and married Susan Smith; Mary, wife of Abraham Kulp; Jacob, born April 18. 1754; John, born in 1756; Isaac, born December 31. 1759; Anna, wife of Abraham Kulp: Barbara, who married John Wisler, of Haycock, Penn- sylvania; Elizabeth, wife of Michael

Shelly; Christian; Abraham, who died unmarried; and Samuel, who was born August 4, 1770, and died April 19, 1860, in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania.

Christian Moyer (3), son of Henry Moyer, also engaged in farming as a life work, and like his ancestors was identified with the Mennonite church. He married a Miss Bergey and their chil- dren were: Henry, who married Annie ; Abraham, who married Eliza- beth Fretz; Mary, wife of Isaac Fretz; Susanna, wife of Jacob Button; Chris- tian, who married Barbara Fretz; and Magdalina, who died unmarried.

Abraham Moyer (4), son of Christian Moyer, was born April 21, 1784, and in early life learned and followed the mason trade, but after his marriage purchased a farm in Salford township, Montgomery county, whereon he spent his remaining days. He was married November 21, 1809, to Miss Elizabeth Fretz, and they were people of excellent worth, highly esteemed in the community where they resided. They held membership in the Mennonite church and were very active in its work. Their children were Mary, Isaac, Christian, Abraham, Anna, Eliza- beth and Barbara.

· Abram F. Moyer (5), born in Mont- gomery county, September 19, 1822, was educated in the public schools of Hill- town. After his mother's death he lived with his uncle, Martin Fretz, and at the age of sixteen started out to make his own way in the world, securing a position as salesman in a general mercantile store, in which he was employed until he had attained his majority. In 1840 he purchased a farm in Hilltown town- ship, Bucks county, whereon he made his home until his death. Long a member of the Mennonite church at Blooming Glen, he was there ordained a minister of that denomination on the 6th of No- vember, 1855, and he continued to act as pastor of the Blooming Glen church until his life's labors were ended in 1900. He was married twice. About 1844 he mar- ried Esther Hunsberger, who was born October 9, 1824, a daughter of Jacob and Mary Hunsberger, of Hilltown township. She died February 28, 1873, and in 1874 Rev. Abram F. ,Moyer, was married to. Mrs. Anna Hunsberger, widow of Henry M. Hunsberger, and a daughter of Abra- ham Moyer. of Upper Salford, Mont- gomery county. There were eleven chil- dren by the first marriage: Mary Ann, the wife of Samuel H. Moyer; Henry H., who married Sallie Bishop; Allen H., who married Sallie A. Derr; Jacob H., who married Emma Kline: Reuben H., who married Agnes Wallace; Isaac H., who married Amanda E. Detweiler; Aaron H., who married Amelia D. Sel- lers: Abram H., who married Emma Jane Bergey; Elizabeth H., wife of Charles Cassel: Emma H., wife of Christopher S. Gulick; and Annie H., who died at

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HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

the age of fourteen years. Her clothes caught fire from a stove, and running out doors, she was badly burned before the flames could be extinguished, and only lived thirty-six hours after the ac- cident.

Isaac H. Moyer, son of Rev. Abram F. Moyer, was born on the old family homestead in Hilltown township, Jan- I, 1856. He is indebted to the pub-

lis schools of the neighborhood for the educational privileges he enjoyed in his youth. He has always followed farming, and in 1884 purchased a farm in Hilltown township, where he now lives, thus providing for the wants of himself and family, and at the same time, through his careful management, improving an excellent farm property and accumulating a comfortable com- petency. Any measure or movement which tends to promote the material, so- cial, intellectual or moral progress of his community receives his endorsement and support. The cause of education in his home locality has profited by his efforts in behalf of the public schools, and he is now serving as a school direc- tor. He keeps well informed on the po- litical questions and issues of the day, and votes with the Republican party, but has never been a seeker for political office. Not like his ancestors, he is a Lutheran in religious faith, holding mem- bership with the congregation at Dub- lin, Pennsylvania, where he is serving as a deacon.

Mr. Moyer was married June 24, 1876, to Amanda Detweiler, who was born De- cember 10, 1855, and is a daughter of George A. and Esther (Eckert) Det- weiler. They became the parents of seven children: Oscar D., born Decem- ber 3, 1876, died April 30, 1877; Howard D., born January 28, 1879; Ellis D., July 15, 1882: Calvin D., February 12, 1885; Linford D., May 6, 1888; Elwood D., De- cember 24, 1890; and Mabel D., Decem- ber 24, 1895.

LEWIS R. BOND, of Morrisville, was born in Solebury township, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, January 28, 1866, and is a son of Cadwalader Dilworth and Susan T. (Breece) Bond.

Adam Bond, the paternal ancestor of the subject of this sketch, with two brothers, Abraham and Cadwalader Bond, came to America from the place of their nativity, just outside the city of London, England, about the year 1720, and located in what Delaware county, Pennsylvania. Adam Bond was the father of Abraham Bond, who was a farmer and lifelong resi- dent of Delaware county. The latter was the father of Jonathan C. Bond, who was born in Delaware county, the grandfather of Lewis R. Bond. He married Margaret Breece, daughter of Henry and Sarah Breece, of Buckingham, and resided in

Ridley, Delaware county, until 1854, when he removed to Solebury township, Bucks county, where he died August 29, 1870. His wife died in Solebury, April 14, 1866. They were the parents of five children. viz. : Henry; Cadawalader Dilworth ; Eliza- beth, who married William Turban, a Bap- tist minister and a native of England ; Adam; and Jonathan Plummer Bond.

Cadwalader Dilworth Bond was born in Ridley township, Delaware county, Penn- sylvania, February 27, 1812. Early in life he learned the shoemaker trade, which he followed for several years. At the time of the Mexican war of 1848 he was em- ployed at his trade in the United States arsenal at Gray's Ferry, Philadelphia. He later followed his trade in New Hope and Solebury, Bucks county, but an indoor life proving detrimental to his health, he en- gaged in farming and followed that voca- tion in Solebury until shortly before the death of his wife, August 20, 1893. He died at the home of his son, Lewis R. Bond, in Morrisville, January 4, 1895. Both he and his wife are buried at the Solebury Friends' burying ground. He was an industrious, hard working man and an exemplary and consistent Christian, for many years a mem- ber of the Christian church at Carversville. In politics he was a Democrat. His wife was his cousin, Susan T. Breece, daughter of Henry and Hannah (Walton) Breece, and was born in Wrightstown township, September 18, 1819. Her paternal ancestor was Hendrick Bries, who purchased in 1732 four hundred acres in Bensalem town- ship, Bucks county, and died there in 1740. He was a grandson of Hendrick Bries, who emigrated from Holland about 1660 and lo- cated near Albany, New York. The latter was a shoemaker by trade, and had at least two sons-Folkert Hendrick e Bries and Jurian Hendrickse Bries, who located at Brooklyn, Long Island. The former mar- ried April 1, 1680, Neeltje Jans, widow of Garret Dirckse Croeger, and later married Elizabeth Poulis. He was an ensign of the Brooklyn militia in 1698, and sold his land near Brooklyn on October 20, 1701, and re- moved to Piscataway, New Jersey, where he died in 1712, leaving widow Elizabeth, and children Hendrick, Gerbrandt, Neeltje, Wyntje, Elizabeth, Greetje ( Margaret) and Vnon. His will dated May 15. 1711, and proved April 15, 1712, makes his wife and brother-in-law, Johannes Poulse, executors.

The son, Hendrick, married Hannah, daughter of John Field, of Piscataway, where he was living as late as 1724. Be- tween the latter date and 1732 he removed to Bensalem township, Bucks county, where he was one of the trustees of the Dutch Reformed church. He was the eldest son of Folkert and Neeltje Bries, and was probably born about 1681 ; no record of his baptism appears at Brooklyn, though that of his half sisters Neeltje, and Weyntje in 1798 and 1701 does appear. Hendrick and Hannah (Field) Bries were the parents of six children: Margaret, who married

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HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

Jacobus Van Sandt in 1732: Hendrick; Nealke, who married John Rodman; John, who married Elizabeth Praul and died in 1751; Sarah and Hannah, who were minors at their father's death in 1740.

Hendrick (or Henry) Breece (3) married Margaret McCarty at Abington Presby- terian church, December 17, 1742. In 1755 he conveyed the two hundred acres of land in Bensalem devised to him by his father, to Isaac Larew, and soon after removed to Harford county, Maryland. In 1790 he re- turned to Bucks county with wife Sarah and at least three sons, Charles, John and Henry, and daughters Elizabeth and Mar- garet. He purchased a farm near Bush- ington, in Buckingham, Bucks county, and died there in 1802. His daughter Margaret was the wife of Jonathan C. Bond, and his son Henry was the father of Susan T., the wife of Cadwalader Dilworth Bond.

Henry Breece (4) married Hannah Wal- ton, daughter of John Walton, of Sole- bury, and lived for a time in Wrightstown township, removing later to Solebury, where he died in 1850.

Cadwalader Dilworth and Susan T. (Breece) Bond, left to survive them three sons: Dilworth and Charles, who are farmers in Solebury township; and Lewis Rice Bond, the subject of this sketch.

Lewis Rice Bond was born near Lahaska, in Solebury township, on January 28, 1866, and was reared in Solebury township, ac- quiring his education at the public schools of that township and at the New Hope High school. At the age of seventeen years he became a teacher in the public schools of the county, teaching one year in Bridgeton, one in Bedminster, and seven in Solebury, six of which he was principal of Green Hill grammar school, near Lumberville. In September, 1892, he took charge of the schools of Morrisville borough, serving as principal until July, 1896, when he removed to Doylestown and began the study of law in the office of Hugh B. Eastburn, Esq., also teaching at Sunnyside school in Doyles- town township during the term of 1896-97. He was admitted to the Bucks county bar on June 6, 1898, and began the practice of his profession at Doylestown, having a branch office in Morrisville, where he at- tended one day each week. In 1902 he re- moved to Morrisville and opened a perma- nent office, where he has since practiced his profession with success. Mr. Bond's father was a stanch Democrat in politics, but soon after attaining his majority, Lewis R. be- came a Republican, with which party he has since affiliated. He was borough auditor of Morrisville for three years, and now holds the position of borough solicitor. In Feb- ruary, 1905, he was electetd a member of the Morrisville school board by the largest majority ever given to a Republican in that borough. He is a practical surveyor and holds the position of borough surveyor and engineer. He was a charter member of Morrisville Council, No. 915, Jr. O. U. A. M., and also of the Morrisville Free

Library Association, and is a director of the Young Men's Military Association of Morrisville. He and his family are affili- ated with the Presbyterian church.

Mr. Bond married, January 29, 1887, at the Presbyterian church, Carversville, Penn- sylvania, Anna E. Moore, daughter of Will- iam and Mary (Ott) Moore, both of Ger- man ancestry, the former a native of Bed- minster, and the latter of West Rockhill township, Bucks county. Mr. Moore was born in the year 1825, and came to Buck- ingham when a young man, removing later to Solebury, and resided there until his death on August 10, 1896. He was mar- ried to Mary Ott, daughter of William Ott, of West Rockhill, then residing in Solebury, before William Fenton, Esq., of Buckingham, August 10, 1844. Their daughter Anna E. was born in Solebury, June 3, 1866, and was . educated in the public schools of that town- ship. The children of Lewis R. and Anna E. (Moore) Bond are: Roxanna Lalla, born at Lumberville, December 15, 1887, now a typewriter and stenographer in her father's law office, who was educated in the high schools of Morrisville and Doylestown, graduating from the latter in the class of 1903, and afterwards took a course in the Rider-Moore-Stewart Business College at Trenton, New Jersey; Cadwalader Moore Bond, born in Doylestown, February II, 1900; and Ruth Lewis Bond, born at Mor- risville, January 22, 1905.

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History of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, from the discovery of the Delaware to the present time, Vol. III, Part 153

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