History of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, from the discovery of the Delaware to the present time, Vol. III, Part 154

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 154

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LEWIS WORTHINGTON, of Lower Buckingham, was born in Buckingham township, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, May 6, 1843; a son of John and Amy Worthington. Both of his parents were descendants of John and Mary (Walms- ley) Worthington, of Byberry, whose ninth child, Joseph, born 6 mo. 12, 1737, came to Buckingham about 1760, where he became a large landholder. He was thrice married. By his second wife, Esther Kimble, whom he married Oc- tober 18, 1778, he had seven children- Anthony, William, Joel, Elisha, Amy, Jesse and Isaac. Joel Worthington, third son of Joseph and Esther (Kimble) Worthington, was the grandfather of the subject of this sketch. He heired from his father a farm in Buckingham, and lived there all his life. He married Ag- nes Walton, and reared a family of four children-two sons, John and Abner; and two daughters.

John Worthington, father of the sub- ject of this sketch, was the youngest son of Joel and Agnes (Walton) Worthing- ton, and was born in Buckingham, Sep- tember 27. 1814, and died there Novem- ber 13. 1901. He was one of the most prominent and successful merchants and business men in the neighborhood, con- ducting a store near Bridge Valley for upwards of fifty years. He was for many years a director of the Doylestown

HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

National Bank, and an extensive land- holder in Buckingham and elsewhere. His wife was his cousin, Amy Worthing- ton, daughter of Israel and Mary (Lov- ett) Worthington. They were the pa- rents of five children: Francis L., a suc- cessful merchant and business man of Doylestown; Lewis, of Mozart; Rienzi, of Doylestown; Edwin, of Bridge Valley; and Laura, wife of William P. Ely, of Doylestown.

Lewis Worthington was reared on the farm connected with his father's store in Buckingham, and acquired his education at the public schools. He married, De- cember 5, 1872, Henrietta Large, daugh- ter of Mathew and Elizabeth (Cress) Large, of Buckingham, both now de- ceased, and purchased a farm in War- rington, where he resided for three years. On account of ill health he sold his farm and returned to Buckingham. After residing one year at Forest Grove he took charge of his father's farm at Dark Hollow, Warwick township, where he remained for twenty-seven years. In 1903 he purchased his present farm from his father's estate, as well as the Dark Hollow farm, and another near Mozart, and removed to the former. In politics he is a Republican. To Mr. and Mrs. Worthington have been born five chil- dren: Olivia T. L., wife of William R. Bye. of Mozart; Gertrude H .; Rienzi W .; Florence B., residing at home; and John W., deceased.

JONAS H. GRUVER, farmer of Pipersville, is a native of Tinicum town- ship, and was born November 8, 1855. He is a descendant of the family that spells its name Gruber, Groover and Gruver. His great-great-grandfather, Nicholas Gruber, Sr., came from the Pal- atine district, on the Rhine, to America on the ship "Samuel" and landed in Phil- adelphia, December 3, 1740, and later settled in Tinicum township, Bucks county, Pennsylvania. Nicholas Gruber, Sr., had two sons, Philip and Nicholas, Jr. Philip made his home on the old homestead. He was twice married, and is the father of seven children: Eliza- beth, wife of Arnold Lear: Peter, who moved to Harrisburg; Elias, who lived in Haycock township; John, who moved to Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania; Adam, who moved to Nockamixon town- ship; Joseph, who lived on a farm join- ing his father's; and Andrew, mentioned hereinafter.

Andrew Groover, son of Philip Gruber, was born in Tinicum township, Bucks county, Pennsylvania. December 17, 1800, and died May 6, 1883. He spent his en- tire life as a farmer on the old Gruber homestead in Tinicum township, and was a member of the Lutheran church. He married Miss Sarah Deterly, and their children were: Fannie, wife of John

M. Swope; Mary, wife of Jeremiah Dot- terer; Lydia Ann, wife of Michael Kohl; Sarah, who married first, Aaron Croutha- mel, and second, Jacob Shull; a son, who died young; Cathrine, who died young; and John, mentioned hereinafter.

John Gruver, son of Andrew and Sarah (Deterly) Groover, was born on the old homestead in Tinicum township, July 28, 1830. He followed the life of an in- dependent farmer until his deatlı, August 8, 1880. He was an active member of the Lutheran church, in which he served as deacon for ten years. On November 16, 1854, he was married to Miss Hannah Hillpot (born October 27, 1833), by whom seven children were born; Jonas H., mentioned hereinafter; Noah, born May 1, 1858, a farmer of Bedminster township, Pennsylvania; Eva, born Jan- uary 17, 1860, who moved to Elizabeth- ville, Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, and there married Franklin Uhler; Sarah Ann, born May 11, 1862, wife of Abra- ham M. Myers, living in New Britain township, Bucks county, Pennsylvania; Emma, born July 4, 1863, and died No- vember 1, 1866; Jerome, born September 30, 1867, who is now a barber by trade, which occupation he follows in Doyles- town, Bucks county, Pennsylvania ; and Susanna, born December 25, 1873, who married Frederic Wolf, and died with consumption in December, 1898. Mr. Gruver was a man of quiet and reserved disposition, was temperate in every- thing, and educated his children as well as possible in the schools of the day.

Jonas H. Gruver, son of John and Han- nah (Hillpot) Gruver, was born in Tini- cum township, on the old homestead, November 8, 1855. He received his ed- ucation in the township schools and very early in life began to work as a farmer, and has made that a study and his chief occupation for years. In early youth he was confirmed in the Lutheran faith, and has since been a devoted member of the Lower Tinicum church, serving as dea- con for seventeen successive years. He has held the office of school director of his township for nine successive years. In politics he favors the Democratic party. In 1872 John Gruver, father of Jonas H., moved with his family on a farm about one mile southwest from the old homestead, in Tinicum twnship, where Jonas H. has since made his home.

On October 16, 1880. Jonas H. Gruver married Miss Ellen Trauger. daughter of Elias and Susanna (George) Trauger, and by this union were born seven chil- dren: Bertha, born January 7, 1882, who took up the study of stenography and typewriting, and in December, 1900, graduated from Schissler's College of Business, Inc .. Norristown, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. She then took up her occupation in Philadelphia until Feb- ruary 24, 1904, when she was married to Norman L. Worman, and now resides in

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IIISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

Bedminster township, where Mr. Worman follows the milling trade; Arthur, born July 13, 1885, who is now learning the milling trade; John Chester, born March 31, 1887: Ervin, born April 22, 1892; Cora, born December 28, 1893, and died Feb- ruary 12, 1894: Carrie, born September 28, 1895: Paul, born March 12, 1900. Bertha, Arthur and John Chester are members of the Lower Tinicum Lit- theran church.

CHARLES CRAVEN, of Northampton township, is a representative of one of the old families of Bucks county. He is a great-grandson of James Craven, who lived near Johnsville, Pennsylvania, where he owned a large tract of land. His children were: Thomas; Isaac; John; Lena, wife of Adrien Cornell; Elizabeth, wife of Jesse Finney ; and Mrs. Gilliam Cornell.

Thomas Craven, eldest son of James Craven, married Jane Krewson, and they had four children: I. Matilda, married Aaron Cornell. 2. Cynthia, married Isaac Van Horn and had three children, James, Thomas and Julia, the daughter becoming the wife of Abraham A. Slack and the mother of six children-Samuel M .. who was born August II, 1871, and died No- vember 4, following; Jeanetta C. and Mary M., twins, born October 17, 1872; Sue V., born February 12, 1874; Leonard M., born July 1, 1876; Jesse R., born April 22, 1881 ; and died March 16, 1883. 3. James, who wedded Mary Cornell. 4. Jane, became the wife of William Moore and had four children-Charles, Thomas, Annie and Jane.

James R. Craven, son of Thomas Craven, died December 20, 1848. He wedded Mary Cornell, and they had four children: Annie, wife of John Thompson: Charles; Eliza- beth, wife of John Addis; and Matilda, wife of John Pidcock.

Charles Craven, only son of James R. and Mary (Cornell) Craven, was born in Northampton township, Bucks county, January 26, 1843, and was there reared, early becoming familiar with the labors of farm life, while in the public schools he acquired his education. He remained at home until after the inauguration of the civil war when he enlisted in June, 1862, as a member of Company I, Sixty-eighth Regiment Pennsylvania Infantry, being mustered into the United States service on the 7th of that month. He participated in twenty-eight engagements and was twice wounded. December 13. 1862, at the battle of Fredericksburg, he was shot through the right arm, and later at Petersburg he was wounded in the leg. At the time when he was mustered out of the service in June, 1865, he was with the Army of the Potomac. He had been at the front for over three years, doing his full duty as a soldier.

Following the close of the war Mr. Craven returned to the family homestead

and managed the farm until his grand- father's death one year later, when he came into possession of the estate of his father- in-law, which then comprised about

eighty acres. In 1807 he purchased an additional tract of land of fifty acres from Thomas Livesey, and is still engaged in general farming, having a valuable and productive farm, which, cutivated according to modern progressive methods, is yielding to him a very desirable financial return. Mr. Craven is a member of John H. Fisher Post, No. IOI, G. A. R., at Hatboro, Montgomery county. He is interested in the welfare and advancement of his community, and mani- fests the same loyal spirit in citizenship that he displayed when upon the battle- fields of the south.

On the 17th of September, 1867. Mr. Craven was married to Miss Caroline Cook, who was born August 16, 1842, on the old family homestead in Northampton town- ship, a daughter of Absalom P. and Mar- garet (Wynkoop) Cook, the former a son of Absalom Cook and a grandson of David and Keziah Cook, of Lawrenceville, New Jersey. The children of Charles and Caro- line Craven are as follows : 1. William Cook, born July 15, 1868, married Jennie Garner, who died September 28, 1901, and had one son, Charles, born June 10, 1899. 2. Abraham Lincoln, born June 1I, 1872, and died January 17, 1903, married Annie Ross, of Plainfield, New Jersey, and at his death left a son, Claude Lincoln, born July 15, 1893. 3. Thomas, born November 9, 1874, married Ellen Brooks, February 23, 1899, and they have one' daughter Caro- line Cook, born February 10, 1903. 4. Fred- erick Firman, born November 15, 1876. 5. Samuel Cook, born May 15, 1879. 6. Charles Edgar, born March 5. 1884; the two last named are at home with their parents.

EDWARD BOILEAU ROSE, one of Bristol's successful business men, was born March 3, 1860, in Southampton, Pennsyl- vania, and is the son of George Granthon and Susan (Boileau) Rose. His grand- parents were John and Mary (Barwis) Rose and Major Isaac and Anna ( Bickley) Boileau.

Mr. Rose's boyhood was passed in New- portville, whither his parents moved in 1866. He attended the public schools of that place and afterward learned the carriage- making business in his father's shop, and for twenty years thereafter was engaged in that business. He then became a dealer in horses, carriages, harness, blankets and everything pertaining to that branch of business, and his enterprise was rewarded with a gratifying measure of success. He is at present engaged in the grocery and truck business. From 1892 to 1898 Mr. Rose filled the office of assessor of Bristol township, serving two terms. He is a mem-

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HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

ber of Peerless Lodge, No. 28, Shield of Honor, of Philadelphia.

NIr. Rose married, December 30, 1883, Ida, born December 7, 1861, daughter of Jesse and Christiana (Everett) Cabe, of Middletown township. She is the grand- daughter on the paternal side of Elisha and Martha (White) Cabe, great-granddaugh- ter of Thomas and Rebecca (Brodnaux Van Horn) Cabe, and great-great-granddaughter of Thomas and Sarah (Bidwell) Cabe. This Thomas was the first American an- cestor of the Cabe family. On the maternal side Mrs. Rose is the granddaughter of Samuel and Sarah (Bennett) Everett, great-granddaughter of Aaron and Mary Hellings ( widow of Richard Rue) Everett, and great-great-granddaughter of David and Amme Everett. Mr. and Mrs. Rose are the parents of the following children : Mildred born March 6, 1885, deceased; Mary Emily, born May 12, 1887; Louisa Bolieau, born March 21, 1890, deceased; Christiana Ever- ett, born July 16, 1892, deceased; Ida Cabe, born July 17, 1894; George Grantham, born March 17, 1900; and Willis Weaver, born July 8, 1902.

REUBEN H. RICKERT. The Rickert family is of German origin, and the de- scendants of the progenitor in America have lived here through five generations. Daniel Rickert, the first of the name born in America, opened his eyes to the light of day on the old home farm in Hilltown township, which has since been in posses- sion of his descendants. He always car- ried on agricultural pursuits and to that occupation reared his sons. He married Barbara Rosenberger, and they became the parents of six children : Henry, John, Abra- ham, Catharine, Magdaline and Isaac.

Isaac Rickert, whose birth occurred at the ancestral home in Hilltown township, likewise devoted his attention to the till- ing of the soil throughout his business career. He married Catharine Ruth, a daughter of Henry Ruth, who was likewise a native son of Hilltown township. Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Rickert were the parents of nine children, namely : David, who married Livy Funk; Abraham, who married Mary Ann Fretz, a daughter of Abram Fretz; Daniel, who married Lucy Hunter ; Annie, the wife of Enos Loux; Isaac, who was a Mennonite preacher and married Salome Gross; Henry R .; Barbara, the wife of Aaron Moyer; and two children who died in infancy. After the death of Isaac Rickert, the father of these children, the mother married Abraham Rickert, a brother of her first husband, and they had two chil- dren : Catharine, who became the wife of William Moyer; and Maggie, who was the second wife of William Moyer.

Henry R. Rickert, son of Isaac and Cath- arine Rickert, was born in Hilltown town- ship in 1829, and always followed the occu- pation of farming. He was a member of the Mennonite church of Blooming Glen,

and his political allegiance was give to the Republican party. His first wife was Eliza- beth Hunsberger, who became the mother of nine children, as follows: Mary Ann, the wife of John Barndt; Catharine, Levy H. and Enos H., all deceased; Renben H .; Rosie, wife of Samuel Yother; Salome, wife of Harry H. Moyer; Maggie; . and Mahlon, who married Della Strohm. The second wife of Henry R. Rickert was Cath- arine Stover Freed, a daughter of Samuel Freed, no issue.

Reuben H. Rickert was born June II, 1863, upon the farm which came into pos- session of his German ancestor in colonial days. He was educated in the Hilltown public schools, and when a young man he learned the creamery business. In 1885 he went west to Kansas, where he lived for two years, and subsequently he spent six months in Colorado, being employed in various ways. Later he continued his west- ward journey to California, where he de- voted seven years to the business of hop- raising, and then, because of his father's ill health, returned to Bucks county to take charge of the home farm, which he has since managed, and his early training as an agriculturist has enabled him to carry forward this work along successful lines. His political views accord with the prin- ciples of the Republican party, and he therefore exercises his right of franchise in support of its candidates. Religiously he is connected with the Mennonite church.

Reuben H. Rickert was married Febru- ary 25, 1898, to Mrs. Lavina Leatherman, a daughter of Aaron and Elizabeth (Trout) Haycock. She had three children by her first marriage, and two have been born of the second union: Catharine and Harry Freeman.

J. ANDREW FRENCH. The French family in Bucks county is of Welsh Imneage. the progenitor in America was Andrew French, who came to the new world when this country was still numbered among the colonial possessions of Great Britain and settled in Montgomery county, Pennsyl- vania.

Andrew French (2), his son, was born and reared in Montgomery county and in early life learned the wheelwright's trade, which he followed for many years. In 1799 he removed to Branchtown, Philadelphia, where he made a permanent settlement. He was distinctively a man of affairs and one who wielded a wide influence, recog- nized as an important factor in mold- ing public thought and action in his community. He was a stanch Demo- crat, and in 1816 was elected to. the Pennsylvania legislature where he capably served for one term, leaving the im- press of his individuality upon the early laws of the state. Questions affecting the commonwealth and the nation were of deep interest to him and he was a broad-minded, public-spirited citizen whose intelligently

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HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

directed effort proved of far-reaching Dene- fit. His spirit of justice was recognized as one of his strong characteristics, and therc- fore he was often called upon to act as arbitrator in settling disputes and adjusting difficulties between neighbors, thus saving the expense of litigation and more than that, often thus saving friendships, which, had they been broken, might often have brought on life-long bitterness of feeling. He had been reared in the Presbyterian church and was ever a most honorable and upright man. He married Rachel Harper, who was born in this state, and was a lady of intel- ligence and culture, belonging to one of the prominent families of Pennsylvania, con- nected with the Friends' meeting. Andrew and Rachel French became the parents of eight children: Samuel, who engaged in school teaching and later in merchandising ; William (3), Martha, wife of Stephen Whiteman; Elizabeth and Jane, who died unmarried ; Charles, Ann, and Saran, who married B. Medary.

William French (3), son of Andrew French (2), was born in Montgomery coun- ty and was reared under the parental roof. He learned the wheelwright's trade with his father and worked as a journeyman until after his marriage, when he purchased Bull's mill in Chester county, Pennsylvania, and engaged in the manufacture of lumber and the grinding of grist. He located there in 1828 and conducted the mills suc- cessfully until 1834, when he and his brother purchased a lumber business at Torresdale, which they afterward sold out. In 1835 William French came to Bucks county and bought one hundred and sixty acres of land, on which his grandson, J. Andrew French, now resides. There were meager improve- ments upon the place, but he soon began the development and cultivation of the farm and his labors wrought a speedy transfor- mation in its appearance. The old stone house and barn which were on the farm when it came into his possession are still in use, but he also built a large modern residence and added other equipments in keeping with the most modern methods of farming at that time. He placed this under a good state of cultivation, and derived from his labors a good income. His po- litical views were in accord with Democratic principles. William French married Char- lotte Medary, a native of Bucks county, and a daughter of Jacob Medary, a tailor by trade and later a farmer. He died at Miles- town. He had but two children, the younger being Bennett, who followed farm- ing in early life and subsequently became a merchant. The elder child Charlotte became the wife of William French. Mr. French died in 1858, at the age of sixty-seven years, and his wife, long surviving him, died in 1892, in the ninety-second year of her age. She was a member of the Baptist church. Their children were: Bennett M. (4) : Edmund, who owns a portion of the original French homestead, and now, retired, lives with J. Andrew French; Andrew, who died

at the age of twenty-one years; and Albert, now of Hatboro, Pennsylvania.

Bennett M. French was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, and with his parents came to Bucks county, where he passed the days of his childhood and youth in the usual manner of farmer lads, gaining practical experience of the farm work so that when he entered upon his active business career he was well equipped with a thorough un- derstanding of the best methods of farming. He and his brother Edmund purchased the old homestead and divided the property. Public honors or office had 110 attraction for him, but he supported the Republican party by his ballot. He married Miss Elizabeth Hawkins, who was born in Abingdon town- ship, Montgomery county, a daughter of John and Elizabeth Hawkins, her father a prominent farmer, widely known and highly respected. The children of the Hawkins family are: Mary A., wife of James Baird; Josephine, who died at the age of eighteen years; Mrs. Elizabeth French; Amanda, wife of R. Robb; William H., a farmer ; Leslie N. and Albert F., who carry on farming; Rebecca, wife of A. Tomlinson ; and Lydia A. The children of Bennett and Elizabeth (Hawkins) French are J. An- drew and Amanda. The father died August 24, 1886, at the age of fifty-nine years, and the mother June 13, 1900. Both were de- voted members of the Baptist church.

J. Andrew French was born on the old family homestead where he yet resides, and having acquired his education directed his energies to the improvement of the place. He now carries on general farming and keeps the place in excellent condition, so that it presents a most attractive appearance which indicates the careful supervision of a progressive owner.

B. PALMER TOMLINSON, who is successfully engaged in agricultural pur- suits in Buckmansville, Bucks county, was born on the old homestead near Browns- burg, in Upper Makefield township, the farm originally owned by his grandfather, Benjamin Tomlinson, August 31, 1869, one of seven children born to Robert K. and Mary E. (Hibbs) Tomlinson.

Robert K. Tomlinson ( father) was born March 24, 1831, a son of Benjamin P. and Hannah (Knowles) Tomlinson, in Upper Makefield township, where he was reared, and his education was acquired in the West- town school. In early life he was a school teacher, but later engaged in farming. He was a reader and student, and was one of the well informed men of the township, especially on all public questions and the financial status of the country. During his early manhood he took active part in debating societies, thus increasing his store of knowledge, and he was a prominent factor in the forwarding of the cause of lyceum work in the towns for many miles surrounding his home. He was a candidate for congress on the Greenback ticket, but

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HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

in later years was independent in politics, with prohibition tendencies. He married Miss Mary Eliza Hibbs, daughter of Will- iam and Elizabeth (Holcomb) Hibbs, of Upper Makefield township, and their chil- dren were as follows: Arthur H., proprie- tor of the Preparatory Swarthmore Gram- mar School; Edith, wife of T. Newlin Ely, of Upper Makefield township; Walter H., deceased; Alvan H., a farmer, residing at Wrightstown township; Ernest H., of Morristown, New Jersey, proprietor and publisher of The Afternoon Daily; B. Pal- mer, mentioned hereintfter; William H., a physician, at present practicing medicine in Germantown, Pennsylvania. Mr. Tom- linson, father of these children, died June 11, 1901 ; he survived his wife many years, her death having occurred August 6, 1890.

B. Palmer Tomlinson acquired his edu- cation in the public schools adjacent to his home. and at Stewart and Hammond's Business College, Trenton, New Jersey. After his marriage he located on his father-in-law's farm, and during the in- tervening years has managed the same in a thoroughly reliable manner, and, being a man of progressive and practical ideas, the property has yielded large returns for the labor expended on it. He is a Prohibi- tionist in politics.

March 18, 1897, Mr. Tomlinson married Ellie R. Johnson, daughter of Samuel A. and Anna ( Walton) Johnson. The John- son family is an old one in Bucks county, the pioneer ancestor of the family, Dirck Johnson, having settled there upon his ar- rival from Holland about the year 1684. The second in line of descent from Dirck Johnson was John Johnson, whose son, John L. Johnson, purchased the first farm north of Center Bridge, in Solebury town- ship, and also the island known for many years as Johnson's Island. Edwin Johnson, son of John L. Johnson, was reared on the old homestead in Solebury; after his mar- riage he resided for one year on Johnson's Island, and then removed to Upper Make- field township. Samuel A. Johnson, son of Edwin Johnson, was born September 27, 1846. He was reared and lived in Upper Makefield township, on the present Jolin- son homestead, the property having come to him upon the decease of his father. He married Anna Walton, and they were prom- inent members of the Friends' meeting. Samuel A. Johnson died October 28, 1897. Mrs. Anna (Walton) Johnson is a daugh- ter of Samuel and Mercy J. (Snyder) Walton, of Upper Makefield township. Samuel Walton, born August 31, 1825, died October 7, 1900, was a son of John and Martha (Gourley) Walton. and a grand- son of Jeremiah and Hannah ( Malone) Walton. John Walton was born in Mont- gomery county. The Waltons were farm- ers by occupation, and Friends in religion. Mr. and Mrs. Tomlinson, who are well known and highly honored in the commun- ity, are prominent members of the Baptist church.

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History of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, from the discovery of the Delaware to the present time, Vol. III, Part 154

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