History of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, from the discovery of the Delaware to the present time, Vol. III, Part 70

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 70

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Josiah Hart, son of Samuel and Mary Hart, was born in Warwick township, September 15, ISII. He received a lib- eral education and on June 18, 1834, was appointed a clerk in the Doylestown Bank and December 8, 1847, was pro- moted to the position of cashier, which position he filled for ten years, being succeeded by John J. Brock, November 19, 1857. In the following year he or- ganized a banking institution in con- nection with his brother, George Hart, Richard Watson. Willam M. Large and Jonas Fretz, under the name of J. Hart & Co. During the civil war Messrs. Fretz, Large and Watson retired, and after the death of George Hart, John and Frank Hart became partners with their father and sole proprietors of the bank. Josiah Hart died October 16, 1885, and the sons continued the busi- ness until 1896, when the business was closed out. Josiah Hart married, No- vember 24. 1842, Sarah, Daughter of Stephen and Mary (Jones) Brock. John and Frank were their only children. On the organization of the Doylestown Trust Company, March 24, 1896. John Hart became its president. Both John and Frank Hart received a liberal edu- cation and early in life became cierks in their father's bank and later proprietors as above stated. At the closing of the

bank Frank retired from active business. John married Grace Vansant, and has one child, Rebie. Frank married Lizzie Pallett, who is now deceased, and he has one son George.

MARY HOLCOMBE, of Newtown, is a native of Plumstead township, Bucks county, being a daughter of Charles and Hannah Robinson Holcombe, and a de- scendant of John and Mary (Green) Holcombe, an account of whose descen- dants is given in the preceding sketch.

Richard Holcombe, the grandfather of Mary Holcombe, was the second son of John and Mary (Closson) Holcombe, of Amwell township, Hunterdon county, New Jersey, where he was born in 1767. On November 20, 1792, he married Eliza- beth Closson, daughter of Cornelius and Jennet Closson, of Solebury, and settled on his father's farm in Amwell, where he spent his whole life, dying in 1827. He was a carpenter by trade, and was dis- tinguished from his cousins of the same name by the appelation of "Carpenter Richard Holcombe." Richard and Eliza- beth (Closson) Holcombe were the pa- rents of nine children: John C., who resided on the old Amwell plantation, dying at the age of ninety years; Thomas; Charles; Mary, married Ab- salom Phillips; Allen; Elizabeth, mar- ried Wilson Moore, and Aaron.

Charles Holcombe, son of Richard and Elizabeth, was a wheelwright by trade, but for many years prior to his death was a farmer in Plumstead township, Bucks county. He married (first) Mary Roberts, who bore him seven children, only one of whom grew to maturity, Elizabeth, who married Charles P. Fen- ton. He married (second) Hannah Rob- inson and had four children: Mary. the subject of this sketch; Allen, and Sarah Ellen, both of whom died young: and Charles, who married Phebe Ellen Betts, and is now deceased, leaving three chil- dren: Reuben, who married, September 15, 1898, Amy Cooper, daughter of George and Sarah (Miller) Cooper, of Avondale, Chester county, Pennsylvania : Rachel B., and Charles, who is a local minister of the Methodist church: he married. February 22, 1899. Flora Sny- der, daughter of Silas and Catherine Sny- der, of Bucks county, Pennsylvania; Phebe Ellen, the widow of Charles Hol- combe, Jr., resides with the subject of this sketch at Newtown. Charles Hol- combe, Sr., died in Plumstead, August 7, 1881, aged eighty-two years.

OLIVER H. HOLCOMBE. of Wrightstown. is a worthy descendant of one of the oldest families in Bucks county. He is a son of John and Eliza- beth (Hibbs) Holcombe, and was born in Upper Makefield township, Bucks

HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

32 [

county, Pennsylvania, November 7, 1830.

The progenitors of the Holcombes of Bucks county and of Hunterdon county, New Jersey, were Jacob and John Hol- combe, brothers, born in Triverton, Dev- onshire, England, about 1680. George Holcombe Larison, the historian of the family, says that their father died when they were quite young, but this does not seem to be borne out by the records, as Jacob Holcombe, while in middle age and residing in Buckingham, requested that a meeting of Buckingham Friends might be held "at the home of his aged parents." John and Jacob are sup- posed to be the sons of Richard Hol- combe and Sarah Holme, daughter of Thomas Holme, Penn's first surveyor- general. The latter, in his will in 1694, leaves a legacy "to the children of Rich- ard Holcombe by my daughter Sarah." Jacob Holcombe was one of the earliest landholders in Buckingham, and died there in 1748, leaving a son Thomas and several daughters. His wife was Mary Woolridge, whom he married at Falls Meeting in 1712.

John Holcombe purchased in 1705 a large tract of land on the Delaware in New Jersey, including a large part of the present city of Lambertville. and has left numerous descendants of the name in that vicinity. At the time of he pur- chase he was a resident of Abington, Philadelphia county, and married at Ab- ington Meeting of Friends, 4 mo. 28, 1707, Elizabeth Woolridge. He settled in Amwell township, Hunterdon county, New Jersey, where he later added to his purchase of 1705 several other large pur- chases of lands, and owning at his death in 1743 over one thousand acres of land which he devised to his sons and grand- sons. He was one of the judges of the first court held in Hnuterdon. John and Elizabeth (Woolridge) Holcombe were the parents of six children: John, who died a young man and unmarried; Samuel. see forward; Richard, married (first) Mary Harvey, and (second) Ann Emley, and had one son and two daugh- ters; Grace, married Philip Calvin: Mary, married Samuel Furnian, of Morris county. New Jersey: and Julia Ann, married Daniel Howell.

Samuel Holcombe. second son of John and Elizabeth, born in New Jersey, 1711, married Eleanor Barber, and they are the ancestors of all the Holcombes of Bucks county, as well as of Hunterdon county. New Jersey. He was a mem- ber of Buckingham Friends Meeting, and became a large landholder. He died August 26, 1769. His wife Eleanor survived him nearly a quarter of a cen- tury, dying June 2, 1793, aged about ninety years. The children of Samuel and Eleanor (Barber) Holcombe, were nine in number: 1. John, born February 16, 1739, see forward; 2. Jacob. born December 7. 1741, married Rachel,

daughter of John and Elizabeth Hyde, and had eight children. 3. Phebe, born October 23, 1743, married Henry Lott, and had ten children, three of whom died in infancy; 4. Samuel, born March 17, 1745, married first a widow Stephen- son, nee ' Stillwell, and had two sons, Samuel and George; married (second) Sarah Emley, and had children: Mary, Robert. Elisha, Atkinson. Thomas A., Solomon, Lewis and Hannah; he lived and died in New Jersey near Mt. Airy. 5. George, born April 9. 1747, married Achsah Knowles, and had five children: Joseph, George, Achsah, John and Sam- uel. He was a soldier in the Revolution, and rose to the rank of major. 6. Elijah, born September 29, 1750, married Nancy Brittain, and had eight children. He and his family migrated to Zanesville, Ohio, at an early date. He was also a soldier in the Revolution. 7. Richard, born December 30, 1752, married Hannah Emley, and had seven children: Ann, Emley, Lucilla, George, Elisha and Eli- nor. He was a revolutionary soldier. His grandson, George B. Holcombe, was sheriff of Hunterdon county, 1856-58. 8. Thomas, born November 19, 1754. married (first) Leah Deremer, whose only child died young. He married (second) Mary T. Holcombe, and had ten children, Richard, John, Abraham, Leah, Elias, Thomas, Henry, Ralph, Ann and Maria. 9. Elizabeth, born Oc- tober 14. 1758, married John Bellis and reared a family of ten children.

John Holcombe, eldest son of Samuel and Elenor (Barber) Holcombe, born February 16, 1739, married Mary Green, daughter of Richard and Elizabeth (Wolverton) Green. Mary was born in Amwell township, June 26, 1741, and died in Solebury township, Bucks county in 1829. John and Mary lived on the old homestead near Lambertville, and reared a family of nine children, several of whom became residents Bucks county. John Holcombe moved to Solebury in 1792, and died there in 1818. The children were: I. Elizabeth, died unmarried in Solebury about 1855, at the age of ninety years. 2. Samuel, see for- ward. 3. Richard, born 1767, married in 1792, Elizabeth Closson, see succeeding sketch. 4. Elenor, married Asher Ely, of Solebury, see sketch of William L. Ely in this volume. 5. John, died in Solebury in 1820; married Mary Pear- son and had children: Pearson, Rhoda, John, Hannah, Samuel, Mary, married Jesse Walton, and Elizabeth, married Thomas Paist. 6. Sarah, married Phineas Walker, see sketch of William L. Walker in this volume. 7. Margaret, never mar- ried, died in Solebury 1855. 8. Amaziah, died young. 9. Daniel, died young.

Samuel Holcombe, eldest son of John and Mary (Green) Holcombe. was born in Amwell township, Hunterdon county, New Jersey March 16. 1765. He married

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HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

November 9. 1797, Anna Amelia Van Horn, born January 25, 1775, daughter of and Sarah (Mode) Van Horn, and settled in Upper Makefield township, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, where he became a large landowner. Anna Amelia (Van Horn) Holcombe died' March 12, 1833. He married (second) Elizabeth Furman, nee Wildman, who survived him. The ceremony was performed Oc- tober 16, 1834. He died April 8, 1855. The children of Samuel and Anna Ame- lia (Van Horn) Holcombe are as fol- lows: Sarah, born July 31, 1798, married Samuel Ross. Mary, born December 14, 1799, married Benjamin Beans. Eliza- beth, born May 1, 1801, married William Hibbs. John, born December 4. 1802, see forward. Anna Amelia, born March 24. 1804, married David Phillips. Han- nah, born April 6, 1806, married William Martindale. Samuel, born August 2, 1807, died unmarried, 1870. Phebe, born September 9, 1809, died March II, 1831. Matilda, born April 25, 1811, married Carey Longshore. De Witt Clinton, born October 23, 1812, died unmarried, September 20, 1843. George, born 'May 31, 1815, married and had one son, Sam- uel, and three daughters; he died July 24, 1844. One child was born to Sam- tel and Elizabeth (Furman) Holcombe, Phebe W., born October 12, 1837, mar- ried Dr. Benjamin Collins. Samuel Hol- combe was in early life a carpenter and cabinet maker, but later in life followed the life of a farmer.

John Holcombe, son of Samuel and Anna Amelia (Van Horn) Holcombe, was born 12 mo. 4, 1802, and died in Newtown 9 mo. 15, 1894, at the age of ninety-one years. He was a farmer in Upper Makefield until 1837, when he purchased a farm in Newtown township. He was a successful farmer and an ac- tive and prominent man in the commun- ity. He took an active part in the estab- lishment of the public school system, and an active interest in all that per- tained to the best interests of the com- munity. He was a member of Wrights- town Friends' Meeting, and in politics was an ardent Whig, and later a Re- publican. His later years were spent in Newtown borough. He married Eliza- beth Hibbs, who bore him five children of whom two survive: Oliver H., the subject of this sketch, and Hannah E., residing in Philadelphia.

Oliver H. Holcombe was born in Up- per Makefield township, November 7, 1830. He acquired his education at the common schools and at a private school conducted by Jeremiah Hayhurst, at Kennett Square, Chester county, Penn- sylvania. He married on March 22, 1855, Cynthia Scarborough, daughter of John and Hannah ( Recder) Scarborough, of Solebury, and began life as a farmer on a farm recently purchased by his father in Wrightstown township. A year

later he removed to Newtown township on a farm purchased by his father across the road from the homestead, where he lived for five years, and then took charge of the homestead, where he lived for thirty-four years, having acquired the ownership of the homestead. In the spring of 1895 he removed to Newtown, and has since lived a retired life, pur- chasing his present residence in Pineville, and removing there in the spring of 1899. He has been a stockholder in the First National Bank of Newtown since its organization, and a member of the board of directors since 1899. He was one of the first to agitate the building of the Philadelphia & Newtown Rail- road, spent much time and money to that end, and was elected one of the first di- rectors of the completed road. He has served several years as a school direc- tor, and has filled other local positions. He has been for many years active in the canse of the Prohibition party; has been its candidate for congress and other of- fices; and in 1888 was a delegate to the national convention of the party in In- . dianapolis. Mrs. Holcombe has also been active in temperance work for many years, being the first president of the Bucks County Woman's Christian Tem- perance Union, which was organized in March, 1885, and under her efficient man- agement about one thousand women were enrolled as members. For more than twenty-five years she has been a monthly contributor to the Home De- partment of the Farm Journal, of Phil- adelphia, under the pseudonym of "Mary Sidney," and her essays have been copied into many papers and at- tracted much attention. Mr. and Mrs. Holcombe are both members and reg- ular attendants of Wrightstown Monthly Meeting of Friends, and for many years have been elders. They are the parents of two children: William P., now re- siding in New Hampshire; and Anna, wife of Edward R. Kirk, of Buckingham.

AMANDUS HARTZELL COPE, one of the progressive farmers of Richland Cell- ter, son of Jacob and Julia (Hartzell) Cope, was born April 17, 1852, on a. farm then owned and operated by his father in Richland township, near Richlandtown. The property consisted of forty acres, and was located on Applebachville road, near the line of Haycock township. Jacob Cope (father), son of Jacob and Julia Cope, was born in Rockhill township, Bucks county. He attended the subscription and public schools of the neighborhood. after which he served an apprenticeship at the trade of cigarmaker, which he followed for some time, and later turned his attention to farm- ing. He married Julia Hartzell, of Rock- hill township, and had issue: Euphemia, who became the wife of Jacob Allum, a

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HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

farmer; Maria, who became the wife of Jonas Suyden, and they reside in Philadel- phia; Aaron, married Savilla Gangawere, and they reside in Haycock township; Eliza, widow of Jacob Fluck, and resides near Richlandtown; Jacob, deceased ; Will- iam, married Amanda Mace, and they re- side at Tylersport, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania ; and Amandus Hartzell Cope.

In 1860, when Amandus H. Cope was eight years of age, his parents moved to Haycock township, near Tohickon creek, where they purchased a farm containing eighty-five acres, which later became the property of Peter Horn. The family re- sided thereon for the long period of twenty- eight years. After his marriage Amandus settled on his father's farm and succeeded the latter in managing the same on shares, which he continued to do until the death of his father in 1884, when the property was sold to a Mr. Gross. Amandus then moved to a place near Richlandtown, where he re- mained for one year, and in 1886 purchased a farm of twenty-two acres of improved land, situated on Mill near Third street, Quakertown, which was formerly the prop- erty of Henry Hager. He still resides on this property, which he operates as a gen- eral farm, and in addition to these duties he attends the Philadelphia market. He casts his vote for the candidates of the Democratic party, but owing to the demands made upon his time by his business takes no active part in local affairs. Mr. Cope en- joys the respect and esteem of a large cir- cle of friends and acquaintances. Novem- ber 6, 1875, Mr. Cope was united in mar- riage to Harriet Harding, who was born September 27, 1853, daughter of Reading and Emeline (Potts) Harding, farmers of Haycock township. Mr. and Mrs. Cope are members of the Reformed church at Rich- landtown.

EDWARD H. TRAUCH. In Bedmin- ·ster township there are few more popular men than Edward H. Trauch. Mr. Trauch is a grandson of Peter Trauch, for many years a prominent farmer of Williams town- ship, and later of New Britain where he died.

William H. Trauch, son of Peter Trauch, mentioned above, was born in 1847, in Williams township, and at seventeen years of age became the teacher of a school in Tinicum township, working on a farm dur- ing the summer. At the end of two years he gave his attention entirely to farming, and after his marriage was employed for three years on the farm of his father-in- law, and then purchased his present home farm in Bedminster township, where he has since resided. For twelve years he has held the office of supervisor. He is a Demo- crat in politics, and belongs to the Lutheran church, being a member of the church coun- cil. He married Mary Jane, daughter of Elias Trauger, of Bedminster township, and of the twelve children born to them

ten are now living: Emma Laura, Ella Nora, Ira Elias, Minnie May, Clara, Ed- ward H., mentioned at length hereinafter ; William, Samuel, Susanna, and Mary.

Edward H. Trauch, son of William H. and Mary- Jane (Trauger) Trauch, was born July 22, 1874, in Bedminster township, where he obtained his education in the common schools. At the age of nineteen he went to Keller's Church, where for two years he was employed as salesman. He then accepted a position with Lewis Keller, the proprietor of the extensive department of Bedminsterville, where he remained four years. In June, 1900, he purchased the bakery business of William Yost, of Bed- minsterville, which he now so successfully conducts, the patronage having greatly in- creased under his management. He has filled various election offices, but is not an office seeker. He is a member of Maratina Castle, Knights of the Golden Eagle, and Ottsville Lodge, No. 32, Shield of Honor. He is a Democrat in politics, and belongs to the Lutheran church. Mr. Trauch mar- ried, November 20, 1897, Maggie, daughter of Titus Snyder, a prominent farmer of Bedminster township, and they have three children : Ildah, Elsie and Mary.

J. OSCAR DOAN. Several generations of the Doan family have been represented in Bucks county. The grandparents of J. Oscar Doan were Jonathan and Grace (Worthington) Doan, farming people of Buckingham township. The grandfather died when his son Wilson was but nine years of age, leaving a widow and ten chil- dren, only four of whom reached mature years. His widow continued to reside upon the home farm and there reared her fam- ily, continuing upon the old home property up to the time of her demise.

Wilson Doan, son of Jonathan and Grace Doan, was born in Buckingham township, October 20, 1823, and was carefully reared by his mother. He attended the public schools and being an apt student gained a very thorough common-school education, which enabled him to successfully engage in teaching for several years in the district schools. He followed that profession both prior and subsequent to his marriage, and gained such an excellent reputation for dis- cipline that whenever there was an un- manageable school in the district he was sent to take charge and thereafter there was no trouble. He was married in 1845 and engaged in farming, leasing the Henry S. Knight farm in Buckingham township for five years. He afterward conducted a store in Cottageville for a shore time, and then engaged in teaching for several years, being identified with educational development of the county in this way for at least twenty years. He resided in Solebury township until his health became impaired, and in 1884 he purchased the home in Plumstead, the township where his daughter Elizabeth

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HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

now resides and where he continued until his death, March 2, 1904. He was a member of the Friends' meeting, was a Republican in politics, and a man of sterling integrity: his life being imbued with high ideals and honorable principles. In 1845 he wedded Hannah Fenton, who was born in Chelten- ham, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, December 14, 1819, a daughter of William and Mary (Fenton) Fenton. Mrs. Hannah Doan died August 4, 1897. There had been born seven children of that marriage, of whom four are living: William F., Harry W., J. Oscar, and Elizabeth, who as stated occupies the home farm in Plumstead town ship.

J. Oscar Doan, son of Wilson and Han- nah (Fenton) Doan, was born in Solebury township, October 26, 1854, and having ac- quired his education in the common schools worked with his father on the home farm during the periods of vacation and until his seventeenth year, when he started out in life on his own account as a farm hand. He was employed in this way for nine years, after which he spent two or three years at home. He was married April 17, 1884, to Miss Ida E. Thomas, a daughter of Newton R. and Margaret (Jamison) Thomas, both of whom died during the early girlhood of their daughter. Two children have been born of this union, Newton R. W. and Otis H. After his mar- riage Mr. Doan purchased a farm in the northwestern part of Solebury township, where he turned his attention to agricul- tural interests, and four years later re- moved to the Jacob Booz farm in Bucking- ham township, which he operated as a renter for eight years. In 1897 he purchased that property and still devotes his time and ener- gies to its further development and im- provement. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the Republican party, and he is a member of Pannaucus- sing Lodge, No. 221. K. P., of Carvers- ville. The success which he has achieved has come as the direct result of his labors, and in his business career he has proved that a competence and an honored name may be won simultaneously.

JOSEPH M. LEWIS. Bucks county is ever mindful of the seions of her old fam- ilies, watching with interest their progress and rejoicing in their prosperity. This she has not failed to do in the case of Joseph M. Lewis, of Lambertville, New Jersey. The founder of the Lewis family emigrated from Wales, and his son Ephraim was born in Bucks county. Ephraim Lewis was a volunteer in the war of 1812, serving in the Pennsylvania line and being stationed at Marcus Hook.

David M. Lewis, son of Ephraim Lewis, mentioned above, was born in Doylestown township, where he was brought up by an aunt, Mrs. Malsbury, attending the old Doylestown Academy. As a young man he

went to New Hope, where he served a nine years' apprenticeship at the tailor's trade, after which he went to Davisville, where for a short time he carried on a tail -. oring business. He then removed to Lam- bertville, and was living there in 1841, when the sweeping away of the bridge by the flood brought such disaster to the place. At the end of a year he returned to New Hope and there conducted business for many years. During the Mexican war he was orderly sergeant of the Doylestown Greys, a company of the National Guard, and en- listed for the war, but the quota being full his services were not accepted. He was for a number of years a member of the I. O. O. F., but allowed his membership to lapse prior to his death. He was a Democrat in polities, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He married Elizabeth Stackhouse, and one child was born to. them; Joseph M., mentioned at length here- inafter. The death of Mr. Lewis occurred in New Hope, of which place he had been a resident of so many years.

Joseph M. Lewis, only child of David M. and Elizabeth (Stackhouse) Lewis, was born February 15, 1840, in Davisville, and in his sixteenth year went to Lambertville to learn the jeweler's trade. His five years' apprenticeship expired in February, 1861, and the. following April witnessed the out- break of the Civil war. Mr. Lewis was among those who responded to the first call for troops, two companies being raised in Lambertville. He joined and helped to drill Company E, commanded by Captain A. W. Angel. This company was attached to the Third New Jersey Regiment, Col- onel Napton commanding, and formed part of the brigade commanded by Brigadier- General Runyon. Mr. Lewis was made drum major prior to leaving the state and served three months, his term expiring two days after the battle of Bull Run. The brigade was then resting at Fort Runyon after their retreat from Manassas. Mr Lewis then returned home, and six weeks later re-enlisted in the One Hundred and Fourth Pennsylvania Regiment, Colonel William W. H. Davis commanding. He was made a drummer in the band. serving all through the peninsula campaign, and remaining with the regiment until the pas- sage of the act of congress disbanding all regiment bands, his discharge occurring August II, 1862, at Harrison's Landing, Virginia. Mr. Lewis then returned home and accepted a position with a Doylestown jeweler, where he remained nine months, returning to Lambertville to accept a po- sition in the store where he had served his apprenticeship. For one year he worked for his former employer, who then sold the business, Mr. Lewis entering the service of the new owner. At the end of three years Mr. Lewis purchased the business which he has conducted for the last thirty-six years, and is now the leading jeweler of Lambertville. He belongs to Angel Post, No. 20, G. A. R., of Lambertville, is a

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History of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, from the discovery of the Delaware to the present time, Vol. III, Part 70

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