History of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, from the discovery of the Delaware to the present time, Vol. III, Part 69

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 69

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township, Bucks county, March 28, 1771, married Mary Knight, and died May 21, 1842. Among their children was a son, Joshua Wildman, who be- came the father of George Knorr Wild- man.

Joshua Wildman (father) was born in Bensalem township. Bucks county, Pennsylvania. August 3, 1819. He was reared on the homestead farm, and in the common schools of the day obtained a good English education. He devoted his attention to farming, and the income thus derived provided his family with the necessaries of life. On August 28, 1844, Mr. Wildman married Hannah Johnson, who was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Angust 28, 1823, daughter of William and Catherine (Knorr) Johnson, and granddaughter of John and Rachel (Liozne) Johnson. Four chil- dren were the issue of this marriage: Catherine, deceased; Caroline, deceased; Lavina, wife of Edward Comly, of By- berry, Philadelphia county, Pennsyl- vania; and George Knorr, whose name heads this sketch. Edward and Lavina Comly are the parents of four children, as follows: Joshua K. Comly, who died in infancy: Edward Comly, who died at the age of eleven years; Hannah Wild- man Comly, and Deborah Ann Comly, who died at the age of ten years. Joshua Wildman, father of George K. Wild- man, died February 26, 1867.

George K. Wildman pursued his stud- ies at the Friends' school in Byberry and at the Friends' Central School at the corner of Fifteenth and Race streets, Philadelphia. Having been reared on a farm he naturally chose that occupation for his life work, and in following the same has acquired a large degree of finan- cial success as a result of his prac- tical and progressive methods and pains- taking labor. Upon the death of his father he succeeded to the fine old home- stead in Bensalem township, upon which he now resides. His political affilia- tions are with the Republican party. Mr. Wildman was united in marriage, June 9, ISSI. wth Rachel Ridge Comly, who was born in Philadelphia county, near Bustleton, was educated at Swarthmore College, and is a daughter of John and Emeline (Ridge) Comly, and grand- daughter of Robert and Esther (Shall- cross) Comly, who were the parents of ten children. Robert Comly was a suc- cessful business man, and his only brother, Samuel Comly, was one of the earliest to engage in the tea trade with China, owning his own ships, and be- came very wealthy. He, like his brother Robert, was the head of a large family. Esther (Shallcross) Comly was a daughter of Leonard Shallcross, who was a son of Leonard Shallcross. Both father and son were prominent in the business circles of Philadelphia in their day. Five children were born to Mr.

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HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

and Mrs. Wildman: Edith, born May 23, 1882, died in infancy. Allen Comly, born June 8, 1883. Clara Wilson, born Janu- ary 22. 1886. Emma Comly, born Oc- tober 18, 1888. John, born September 14, 1891, died in infancy. The children are bright and intelligent, and the family arc highly esteemed in the community in whch they live. The family are mem- bers of the Society of Friends.

JOHN L. KULP, whose enterprising spirit has prompted him to fill many public positions resulting in benefit to his community and who is well known as proprietor of a hotel in the village of Plumsteadville, was born in Bed- minster township, Bucks county, No- vember 13, 1857, and is a representative of one of the old families of this part of the state. His paternal grandfather, Henry Kulp, lived and died in Bucks county, where for many years he fol- lowed the occupation of farming. He was a member of the Old Mennonite church. His children were: Jacob, David, Abraham, Hannah, who married John Porter; Mary, the wife of Isaac Gross; and Elizabeth, the widow of Samuel Wismer.

Abraham Kulp, son of Henry Kulp, was born in Bedminster township, in 1816, and in early life learned the shoe- maker's trade, which he followed for many years in connection with general agricultural pursuits. He was a member of the Mennonite church and a law-abid- ing citizen, whose upright life won the respect of all. He wedded Miss Nancy Leatherman, a daughter of John Leath- erman, and his death occurred in August, 1900. To them were born six children: Mary, wife of Aaron M. Kulp; Annie, wife of Isaac S. Yothers; Barbara, who died in childhood; John L., Henry, who died in childhood; and Abraham.

John L. Kulp acquired his education in the common schools of Bucks county and in the State Normal schools at Mil- lersville and Westchester, Pennsylvania. He afterward engaged in teaching through the winter months, while in the summer seasons he worked at the car- penter's trade, giving his attention to the dual pursuits for about ten years. In 1887 he began farming in Bedminster township and while carrying on the work of cultivating the fields through the summer months he continued as a teacher for about ten years. He was thus closely identified with the ednica- tional development of his locality, and was acknowledged as one of the com- petent instructors in the common schools of Bucks county. In 1897 he purchased the hotel at Plumsteadville, and has since given his undivided atten- tion to its conduct, making it a popular hostelry with the traveling public. Polit-

ically a Republican, Mr. Kulp is now fill- ing the office of township auditor, and while he has never been very active as an office secker lie has always kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He belongs to the Odd Fel- lows Lodge, No. 678, now of Pluim- steadville, where he has passed all of the chairs, and he likewise belongs to the Order of United American Mechanics, No. 75, at Plumsteadville, in which he has also filled all of the offices. His re- ligious faith is indicated by his mem- bership in the Old Mennonite church. John L. Kulp was married to Miss Han- nah E. Barndt, a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Barndt, and they became the parents of nine children, of whom one died in infancy. The others are: Henry B., born July 29, 1884; Isaac Newlin, December 7, 1886; Eleanora, July 2, 1888; Anna Mary, September 20, 1889; Estella May, December 20, 1891; Abram Lincoln, September 12, 1893; Aaron Freeman, February 13. 1895; and John Walter, born April 29, 1897.

EDWARD GARGES. The Garges family came from Germany and was planted on American soil in colonial days. Almost continuously from the time that the white race had dominion over the district embraced in Bucks county, representatives of the name have been connected with its history. The family in more recent generations is rep- resented by descendants of Abraham and John Garges. Abraham was grandfather of Edward Garges, learned the black- smith's trade and lived a life of a me- chanic and farmer. He held member- ship in the Mennonite church, and was interested in public affairs to the extent that he gave hearty support to all move- ments which he believed would contrib- ute to the general good. He married Leah Ruth, and died in the year 1860. His children were William, a farmer; Henry, father of Edward Garges; Lewis, a farmer: Rebecca, who became the wife of Joseph Funk; Mrs. Mary J. Fell; Sarah A., wife of O. P. Shutt; Priscilla, wife of H. Hines; and Amy and Abra- ham, both deceased.

Henry Garges, son of Abraham and Leah Garges, was born in Doylestown, Bucks county, August 19, 1830, and reared upon the old family homestead, which is now owned by Joseph Rich. He was but sixteen years of age when his father and uncle John, who jointly owned the above property, dissolved partnership by drawing sticks, and it fell to his father's lot to leave, so he removed to another farm in Bucks county. At the time of his marriage he settled upon a tract of land in Doylestown township, near Edison, which he yet owns, al- though he is now living retired from ac-

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HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

tive farm labor. His business career was characterized by unfaltering dili- gence and perseverance, and was crowned with a very gratifying measure of success. He sold his farm products to wholesale dealers, and in connection with general farming engaged in the raising of stock. As the years passed, his financial resources increased until he has become the possessor of a good estate. A Republican in his political views, Henry Garges has filled a number of township positions. He belongs to the Presbyterian church at Doylestown, and is a man of charitable spirit, kindly nature and genial disposition, qualities which have won him the high regard and good will of those with whom he has been associated. March 13, 1862, Henry Garges married Mary E. Roberts, a native of Bucks county, whose father died during her infancy, so that little is known concerning the history of the Roberts family. Her people, however, were identified with the Friends. Mrs. Garges was an only child. She became a member of the Presbyterian church and passed away July 7, 1901, at the age of sixty-eight years, but Mr. Garges is still living, at the age of seventy-five years. Their children are Anna L., the wife of Frank Bodine; Edward; and Isaac Buck- man, a merchant of Philadelphia.

Edward Garges, the elder son of Henry and Mary E. (Roberts) Garges, was born in Doylestown township, April 6, 1865, and his elementary education ac- quired in the common schools was sup- plemented by study in the high school of Doylestown. Under his father's di- rection he gained practical and compre- hensive knowledge of farm methods and in April, 1889, he settled upon the home- stead farm, which he cultivated for thir- teen years. He then purchased the old homestead property of John B. Walter, deceased, and since 1902 has operated this tract of land, giving his undivided attention to the cultivation of field and garden and to the sale of his products on the markets. He is a practical and suc- cessful business man, watchful of oppor- tunities, and by the careful conduct of his business affairs has gained a very desirable competence. He raises stock for the support of his farm. Mr. Garges usually exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party, but is somewhat independent in his po- litical views, and does not consider himself bound by party ties. He be- longs to the Presbyterian church of Doylestown, and investigation into his life record shows many points worthy of commendation.

Edward Garges married Miss Maria F. Walter, who was born on the farm which is now her home, her parents being John B. and Adeline E. (Hoover) Walter, both natives of Bucks county. Her an- cestry can be traced back to George

Walter, who was a blacksmith of

Doylestown in early manhood. He worked at his trade on the Garges home- stead before mentioned, now occupied by Joseph Rich, while his wife run a saw mill on the same place. It is said he came there from Skippack, Mont- gomery county, to operate these trades for Mrs. Garges after her husband's death. He afterward became a resi- dent of Warrington township, where he purchased a tract of land of one hun- dred and thirty-one acres, developing this into a very productive farm, where he also conducted his blacksmith shop. His son, Samuel Walter, grandfather of Mrs. Garges, was born on his father's farm in Warrington township, and where he spent his remaining days, his death occurring before the death of his father, George Walter. He passed away in 1851. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Deborah Brunner, was a daugh- ter of John and Elizabeth Brunner, her father being proprietor of a hotel in Philadelphia. He was also a farmer

and miller at Bridge Point, Bucks county, now called Edison, where in 1800 they boarded the hands who built the stone bridge which still spans the Neshaminy at that place. Mrs. Samuel Walter died in 1874. By her marriage she had become the mother of six chil- dren: John B., father of Mrs. Edward Garges; George, a plasterer; Catherine, the wife of W. A. Smith; Elizabeth, the widow of John Marks; Anna M., the wife of Joshua W. Scott; and Frances, the wife of Preston Bissy.

John B. Walter was born February 14, 1835, on the farm now owned and oc- cupied by Edward Garges. This had been purchased . by his grandfather, George Walter, in IS05, and after his death John B. Walter bought the prop- erty at the sale. There were but meager improvements upon it then, but Mr. Walter began its further development, and in due course of time made it a splendidly improved farm. He repaired the house and erected a barn, added many modern equipments, and alto- gether developed a farm whose value was hardly second to none of the size in the county. He tilled the fields and raised stock, having some very valuable horses and cattle. He was particularly fond of horses, and many specimens of the noble steed were seen upon his place. He was also a market man, and secured a large patronage in the Philadelphia markets. In matters relating to his county he was public-spirited and pro- gressive, and at all times his business integrity was above reproach. He was devoted to his home and' family, and held friendship inviolable. Politically a Democrat, he filled many township of- fices and also served on the election board. The moral development of the community was likewise of deep interest

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HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

to him, and he was a consistent member of the Reformed church, taking a very active part in its work, and serving as trustee for a long period. He died June 14, 1900, at the age of sixty-five years. He was prominent in fraternal circles, belonging to Doylestown Lodge, No. 245, A. F. and A. M .: Doylestown Chap- ter, R. A. M .; Pennsylvania Comman- dery, No. 70, K. T., of Philadelphia; and Warrington Lodge, No. 447. I. O. O. F. He filled the position of school director for nineteen years and held other town- ship offices.

John B. Walter was married December 2, 1856, to Miss Adeline E. Hoover, who was born in Warrington township, Sep- tember 10, 1831, and died February 4, 1905. She was a lady of intelligence and culture. Her parents were Frederick W. and Maria (Fleck) Hoover, both de- scendants of early settlers of Bucks county. Her paternal grandparents were Philip and Mary (Conrad) Hoover, who were born in this county and were of German descent, the Hoover family having been established in Pennsylvania at an early epoch in the colonization of the state. Frederick W. Hoover, father of Mrs. John B. Walter, was reared on the home farm, and after his marriage engaged in merchandising in Pleasant- ville, Pennsylvania, for a number of years. Subsequently he purchased a tract of land and continued to make his home upon the farm, which he there de- veloped until his life's labors were ended in death. When he was at Pleasantville he became one of the founders and or- ganizers of the Reformed church and one of its pillars, taking a most active part in its work and serving as elder. His home was always open for the re- ception of the ministers and the church people. Possessing marked musical talent, he was a leading singer in the church and also played upon different musical instruments. His ability in this direction also added to the attractive- ness of his home. He voted with the Democracy and held different township offices, while his father and grandfather were prominent in political circles of the state, each representing his district in the general assembly. Frederick W. Hoover was married to Maria Fleck, a daughter of Adam Fleck, who died from camp fever contracted while serving in the war of 1812. He was a farmer of Montgomery county prior to entering the army. He and his brothers, Daniel and Jacob, were representatives of an old Pennsylvania family. Adam Fleck had six children: Charlotte; Samuel; Maria, who became Mrs. Frederick W. Hoover; Eliza; Benjamin; and Adam. The chil- dren of Frederick W. and Maria (Fleck) Hoover were Tilghman A .; Ade- line E., who became Mrs. John B. Wal- ter; Philip W., of Philadelphia; F. Ly- man, deceased; Samuel, of North Wales;

Truman and William L., both of Phila- delphia; Frank, who is living at Blue- bell; and Andrew, who died at the age of fourteen years. They were reared in the Reformed church, but some of the family became identified with other re- ligious denominations.

The children of John B. and Adeline E. (Hoover) Walter are: Mary H., a school teacher; Ida E., the wife of Frank Larzelere; Mattie L., the wife of H. M. Mckinstry; Maria, the wife of Edward Garges; Andrew J., pastor of the Dutch Reformed church at Harlingen, New Jer- sey; and William, who died at the age of nineteen years; Samuel, who died at the age of two years; and Gertrude, at the age of six years. The children of Ed- ward and Maria Garges are Ethel F., born March 8, 1893; John W., born Oc- . tober 1, 1894, died March 8, 1903; Mary E., born November 7, 1896; Mildred A., May 17, 1898; Henry W., December 16, 1900; and Anna M., January 12, 1903.

HART,

JOHN president of the Doylestown Trust Company, and his brother Frank Hart, of Doylestown, re- tired banker, are the sons of Josiah and Sarah (Brock) Hart. The former was born in Doylestown township, February 3, 1846, and the latter February 24, 1851. On the paternal side they are of Scotch- Irish descent.

Among the thousands of Ulster Scots who migrated to Pennsylvania in the first half of the eighteenth century were those who formed two distinct set- tlements within the present limits of Bucks county, one on the banks of the Neshaminy in Warwick, Warrington and New Britain, and the other on the banks of the Tohickon in Plumstead, Tinicum and adjacent townships. In the latter settlement were the Stewarts, Harts, Means, McGlaughlins, Pattersons, Arm- strongs, Erwins, Davies and a host of others, more or less united by ties, con- sanguinity, and common interest, whose names are found on the earliest lists of military companies organized for the defense of the frontiers against their hereditary enemies, the French and their savage allies.

Among these early settlers on the Plumstead side of the Tohickon about 1735 was Samuel Hart and his family, consisting of wife and nine children, the eldest of whom, James, was born in the year 1717, and the second son William was probably three or more years younger. Samuel Hart obtained a war- rant of survey for 100 acres of land on March 9, 1737, and settled thereon. Ten years later in 1747 when the first clouds of war appeared on the horizon, com- panies were formed in the several town- ships for the defence of the frontiers. The Plumstead company had for its cap- tain the veteran Charles Stewart, lieu-

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HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

tenant, James Hart, and ensign, William Hart, both of the latter being ancestors of the subjects of this sketch through the marriage of a grandson of the latter with a granddaughter of the former many years later. Across the Tohickon in Tinicum the captain of the company was James McGlaughlin, who had mar- ried Mary, the eldest sister of the Hart brothers, and the lieutenant was James Davies, whose son William was a broth- er-in-law to them, all three having mar- ried daughters of William Means or Main, a neighbor and compatriot. Sam- uel Hart, the elder, died in April, 1750, devising his plantation to his sons James and William. His other children than the three above mentioned were: Joseph, John, Jean, who married Samuel Math- ers and removed to North Carolina, Elinor, Samuel and Elizabeth.

James Hart, born 1717, died May 4, 1766, was an innkeeper in Phimstead, near Wismer, where he had purchased a tract of about 400 acres of land in 1751 adjoining the plantation of his father. He married Jean, daughter of William and Mary Means, and their children were: Samuel, born August 30, 1746. died January 21, 1831, unmarried. William, born March 24, 1748, died January 2, 1830, married Elizabeth Means, his cousin. John, born March 24, 1748, died February 24, 1803, married Mary Mc- Calla. Elizabeth, born February 13. 1750, died in infancy. Mary, born Janu- ary 15, 1752, married James Ruckman. James, born December 27, 1753, died young. Joseph, born February 16, 1755, married Elinor Wilson and removed to New Jersey. Elizabeth, born February 28, 1757, married John Johnston and re- moved to New Jersey. James, born March 17, 1759, married Ann Hankinson, removed to New Jersey. Solomon, born August 30, 1762, died April 27, 1810, mar- ried Isabel' Long, daughter of Captain Andrew Long, of Warrington, and set- tled in Warrington. Jane, born August 4, 1765, married Samuel Opdycke, of Hunterdon county, New Jersey. Jean (Means) Hart was born August 30, 1726, and died January 31, 1799.

William Hart, second son of James and Jean Hart, married in 1776 his cousin Elizabeth, daughter of John and Griz- elda (Patterson) Means. He purchased in 1783 of his brothers and sisters the whole of his father's plantation in Plum- stead, but a few years later removed to Hartsville, then known as "Warwick Cross Roads" and purchased the old tavern property, where he served as "mine host" for many years. He died January 2, 1830, and his widow died Jan- uary 10, 1841. She was born March 15, 1753. Their children were: Jane, born June 28, 1779, married Joseph Carr, of Warwick. John, born December 17. 1780, died January 27, 18II. Mary, born February 19, 1783, married Samuel Hart,

son of Joseph Hart, January 6, 1806. James, born March 6, 1785, married Jane Baird, of Warwick. Grizelda, born March 19, 1787, never married, died October 5, 1868. William, born January 4, 1789, married Martha Carr, daughter of Adam and Frances Carr, of Warwick. Joseph, born November 9, 1790, died 1872, un- married. Elizabeth, born April 14, 1794, married her cousin William Hart, son of John and Mary Hart. William Hart, father of the above children, was" commissioned major of second battalion of Bucks county militia, May 6, 1777, and rose to rank of colonel. Both James and William Hart, the two eldest sons of Samuel, the pioneer, died compara- tively young, whether in the service of their country or not is not known.

Of the children of William and Mar- garet (Means) Hart we have record of but one, Joseph Hart, born November 20, 1745, died August 31, 1797. His mother. Margaret (Means) Hart, mar- ried a Beatty. His early manhood was spent in the neighborhood of Hartsville. He was a member of the Associated Company of Warminster in 1775, was commissioned a captain, May 6, 1777, and rose to the rank of colonel of militia. He married, January 1, 1770, Elizabeth, daughter of Nicholas and Esther (Craven) Gilbert of Warminster. She was born July 9, 1748, and died January 26, 1841. In 1772 the 173 acre farm of which Nicholas Gilbert died seized in Warminster on the Street road and War- rington line adjudged to Joseph Hart in right of his wife Elizabeth and they settled thereon. Joseph Hart later sold the Warminster farm and removed to the mill on the York road in War- wick, near Hartsville, now owned by John M. Darrah, where he died August 31, 1797. His children were: Josiah, born October 15, 1770, died May 20, 1850, un- married. Levi, born August 16, 1773, died young. Mahlon, born March II, 1775, died young. Elizabeth, born November 2, 1777, married first Jonathan Conrad, second, Samuel Croasdale. Samuel, born November 1, 1783, died November 25. 1863, married first Mary, daughter of William and Elizabeth Hart, born Feb- ruary 19, 1783, died February 28, 1828.

Samuel Hart, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was but four- teen years of age at the death of his father, and Robert Loller, Esq., of Hat- boro, who was appointed his guardian, took him to his home and superintended his education. He studied surveying

and conveyancing and assisted his guardian in these pursuits, and at the death of the latter succeeded to his bus- iness and was employed in settling a number of estates. He was for many years a justice of the peace and surveyor. He married, January 6. 1806. Mary, daughter of Colonel William and Eliza- beth (Means) Hart, and had by her

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seven children as follows: Mary, born October 9, 1808, married June 17, 1834, William C. Jamison, of Warwick. Eliza- beth, born January 22, 1810, died unmar- ried. Josiah, born September 15, ISII, died 1898, married November 24, 1842, Sarahı Brock. William, born August 24, 1813, married April 19, 1844, Isabella Mann. He died February 25. 1867. Ir- win, born December 9, 1815, died young. George, born April 4, 1817, died Febru- ary 7, 1871. Nathaniel, born October 15, 1819, died November 14, 1862, married December 10, 1843, Susan L. Cox. Sam- uel Hart was a member of Neshaminy Presbyterian church, of which he was trustee for thirteen years-1810 to 1823. In 1829 he joined the Society of Friends. He married Amy, widow of John Ma- thews, and daughter of Benjamin Kin- sey, of Buckingham. His only child by the second marriage was Samuel Hart, of Doylestown township, born in 1832, married Ellen Eastburn.

George Hart, son of Samuel and Mary Hart, studied law and was admitted to the Bucks county bar November 16, 1843. He was a man universally ad- mired and respected for his many good qualities. He was thrice married; (first) February 1, 1842, to Zallida, daughter of James and Amelia (Brockway) Goff; (second) January 22, 1846, to Sarah, daughter of Nathan and Sarah (Cal- lender) Cornell; and (third) February 1, 1854, to Martha, daughter of John and Martha (Duncan) Watson, a sister to Judge Richard Watson.

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History of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, from the discovery of the Delaware to the present time, Vol. III, Part 69

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