History of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, from the discovery of the Delaware to the present time, Vol. III, Part 80

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 80

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BURROUGHS MICHENER. Among the active and successful business men of Buckingham is Borroughs Michener, of Mechanicsville, Bucks county, Pennsylvania. He was born in Buckingham, May 7. 1855. and is a son of Samuel and Beulah T. (White) Michener. The ancestor of the Michener family of Bucks county was John Michener, who with his wife Sarah came from England to Pennsylvania, and settled in Philadelphia about 1685. He later re-

moved to Moreland township, where he died. He had several daughters and two sons : John and William. The latter, born IO mno. 14, 1696, married at Abington Meet- ing of Friends in 1720, Mary Kuster, grand- daughter of Paulus Kuster, who came to Germantown from Crefeldt, on the Rhine, in 1687. William Michener settled in Plum- stead township, Bucks county, in 1722, and became an extensive landowner there and a prominent citizen. He was for many years an elder of Friends Meeting. He died in 1782, leaving six sons and four daughters, whose descendants are now widely scattered over the United States, many of them achieving distinction in the various walks of life.

Meschach, fifth son of William and Mary (Kuster) Michener, was born in Plum- stead township, Bucks county, 4 mo. 22, 1737, and died I mo. 9, 1826. He was a farmer in Plumstead and Buckingham townships and a considerable landowner in both townships. He married, 11 mo. 24, 1761, Mary Trego, of Wrightstown, Bucks county, and they were the parents of eleven children.

Marmaduke Michener, tenth child of Meschach and Mary (Trego) Michener, was born 12 mo. 28, 1780, and died 3 1110. 25, 1864. He was a farmer and lived the greater part of his life in Plumstead town- ship. He married Hannah Stradling, of Plumstead, born 1784, died December 26, 1866.

Samuel Michener, son of Marmaduke and Hannah (Stradling) Michener, was born in Plumstead township December 15. 1805, and died March 24, 1885. He was a miller by trade, and in early life worked at that trade at Spring Valley and else- where, but later turned his attention to farming. He married Beulah T. White, born in Buckingham, July 26, 1815, died September 25, 1899, and their children were : Preston J., born August 18, 1839, now liv- ing at Oak Lane, Philadelphia county : James S., born October 22, 1842, now living at Lahaska, Bucks county ; Eli C., born Oc- tober 13, 1845; Hannah A., born Oc- tober 1, 1849, now the wife of Henry Livezey, of Hatboro, Pennsylvania; and Burroughs, the subject of this sketch.

Burroughs Michener, was reared in Buckingham and Solebury townships, Bucks county. He was thrown upon his own re- sources at an early age. His first employ- ment was at the age of eight years when he engaged with a blind man, to lead him about, and he continued with him for eight years. At the close of his engagement with the blind man he found employment on a farm in Solebury, where he remained for one year. On April 1, 1871, he apprenticed himself to John B. Davis, at Lahaska, to learn the blacksmith trade. After finishing his apprenticeship, he worked as a journey- man blacksmith for Patrick Barrett, at Me- chanics Valley, for one year, one at Pine- ville, and then removed to Jenkintown, where he remained for one year. In Au-

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gust, 1878, he purchased the blacksmith shop at Mechanicsville, Bucks county, and started into business for himself, which he continued until 1883, when, his health tail- ing, he purchased a small farm near Me- chanicsville, and sold out the blacksmith stand and business. One year later he purchased the stage route between Doyles- town and Carversville, which he conducted for seven years. He then purchased the livery business at the Fountain House, Doylestown, Pennsylvania, but after con- ducting it for fifteen months sold out and returned to Mechanicsville. In 1898 he pur- chased a lot there and conducted a plant of green houses, raising flowers for the Philadelphia markets, which he conducted for several years. In 1899 he was elected recorder of deeds of Bucks county, and served a term of three years, part of which time he resided in Doylestown. In 1902 he was elected one of the board of directors of Doylestown National Bank, a position which he still fills. He was largely instru- mental in effecting a reorganization of the bank, after its close in 1903. He was president of a company organized to build a trolley line from Doylestown to New Hope, via Mechanicsville, and was active in se- curing a right of way for the road. He is one of the trustees and directors of the Hughesian Free School, president of the Mechanicsville Cemetery Company and holds other positions of trust. He is a member of Black Eddy Lodge, No. 191, I. O. O. F .; St. Tammany Castle, No. 173, K. G. E., Lenape Council, No. 1117, Royal Arcanum, of Doylestown, and of a lodge of the I. O. R. M., of Lambert- ville. Mr. Michener married, in December, 1877, Miss Arabella Collins. They have no children.

NOAH G. TRAUGER. One of the good citizens of Bedminster is Noah G. Trauger. Mr. Trauger is a son of Elias Trauger, who was born January 1, 1820, in Nock- amixon township, son of Christian and Susanna (Long) Trauger. About 1854 Elias Trauger purchased a farm in Bed- minster township, but about twelve years ago retired from active labor. He now re- sides with his son Noah. He is a Demo- crat in politics, and a member of the Lutheran church. He married Susanna George, and their children were: Mary Jane, who married William H. Trauch, of Bedminster township; Reuben G., who re- sides in Luzerne county; Titus, who lives in Bedminster; Louise, who is the wife of John Chittick, of Gardenville; Ellen, who married Jonas Gruver, of Bedminster ; Noah G., mentioned at length hereinafter ; and Emma, who married Noah Gruver, of Pipersville. Mr. Trauger, the father, who in early life worked at the carpenter's trade, is still living at the age of eighty-five. He has two brothers, Christian. eighty-one years old, and Aaron, who is eighty. Also a sister, Mary, who is ninety-five. These

are the survivors of a family of ten chil- drei1.

Noah G. Trauger, son of Elias and Susanna (George) Trauger, was born No- vember 9, 1858, on the farm which is now his home, and received his education in the common schools. In 1882 he purchased the farm of his decease { father-in-law, where he lived three years. He then sold it and in connection with his brother Titus bought the Trauger homestead of his father. For two years he cultivated the land in partnership with his brother, whose right he then purchased and has since been the sole owner. Fle is now serving his third year as school director and at different times has held the office of judge of elec- tion. He is a Democrat in politics, and he and his family are members of the Lutheran church. Mr. Trauger married, in 1881, Emeline, daughter of Samuel and Susanna (Tettemer) Mood, of Tinicum township, and their children are: Ida M., Nora M. and Claude M. The last-named is the only grandson in the family, and is thus the one on whom rests the responsibility of transmitting the family name.

ASHER K. ANDERS, EsQ., one of the younger members of the Bucks county bar, and for the past three years chairman of the Democratic County Committee, was born in Nockamixon township, Bucks coun- ty, Pennsylvania, June 6, 1869, and is a son of William W. and Matilda (Kohl) Anders. The paternal ancestors of the An- ders family of Bucks county were residents of New Jersey, near Milford, for several generations, the name being variously spelled, Anders, Anderse, Andries, Andress, Andriesen, Anderson, and Enderse. They were probably descendants of Andries An- driesse, from Westerover, Sweden, who was among the Swedes on the Delaware from 1659 to 1670.

Paul Anderse or Enders and Gertruyd Delse were married June 5, 1754. at the "Dutch and English Presbyterian Church of Alexandria" in Alexandria township, Hunterdon county, New Jersey, near the present site of Milford. At least nine chil- dren were born to them as shown by the records of this old church, viz .: Jacob, Hubert, Margaret, Gertruvd, Abraham, Paulus. Wilhelm, Anna, and Adam.

Jacob Andress, probably the eldest son of Paul and Gertruyd, obtained patents for land in Northampton county near the Bucks county line, in 1786 and 1789, respectively, and about 1800 located in Nockamixon township, Bucks county, where he died in 1810, leaving a widow. Mary Magdalena Andress. and children : John. Jacob. George, Hannah. Elizabeth and William, and possibly others. George and William re- mained in Nockamixon and reared families there.

William Anders, son of Jacob and Mary Magdalena Andress, married Rebecca

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B. Frank Hobensack

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HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

and had at least four sons : Jacob, born in 1818; Charles, born 1820; Solomon, born March 7, 1822, and William, born 1826, died July 1, 1896. The date of death of William Anders, Sr. has not been as- certained; his wife Rebecca died March 25, 1875, at the age of seventy-six years. Solomon Anders, son of William and Rebecca, was the grandfather of the sub- ject of this sketch. He was a farmer and a lifelong resident of Nockamixon, and was a landowner there almost from his arrival at his majority, purchasing his first home in 1847. He later purchased the farm owned by the subject of this sketch near Bucksville, where he died October 25, 1897. His wife, Elizabeth. Fabian, born February 9, 1825, died December 18, 1897, belonged to a well-known family of that vicinity, and was of German ancestry, who had been residents of Upper Bucks for several generations.

William W. Andres, only son of Solomon and Elizabeth (Fabian) Anders, was born in Nockamixon, April 13, 1844. and died there September 11, 1902. He was a farmer and resided on the old homestead near Bucksville. He married Matilda Kohl, born August 14, 1851, died at the residence of her son, Asther K. Anders, in Doyles- town, October 22, 1903.

Matilda (Kohl) Anders was a daughter of Thomas and Maria (Lightcap) Kohl. both natives of Nockamixon, the former born October 21, 1821, died October 24, 1898, and the latter born April 15, 1820, died September 16, 1890. Thomas S. Kohl was a son of Conrad Kohl, who died in Nockamixon in 1843, grandson of Michael Kohl, of the same place, who died in 1828. and great-grandson of Conrad Kohl, a native of Germany, who came to America in the ship "Lydia," arriving in Philadelphia, September 20, 1743. He was twenty-four years of age at the time of his emigration, and died in Nockamixon township, Bucks county, in 1807. His descendants have been large landowners and prominent citi- zens of Upper Bucks for five generations, and are now very numerous. William W. and Matilda (Kohl) Anders were the pa- rents of two children, viz. : Lewellyn, born July 24. 1867, died, unmarried, April 3, 1901 : and Asher K.

Asher K. Anders was born and reared on the old homestead in Nockamixon and was educated at the public schools and at Kutztown Normal School, graduating from the latter in 1892. He taught for five years in the public schools of Nockamixon and Durham township, in the meantime en- tering himself as a student at law under Samuel Z. Freed, Esq., of Doylestown. He was admitted to the Bucks county bar, Au- gust 23, 1897. and opening an office at Doylestown began the practice of his chosen profession. In politics Mr. Anders is an ardent Democrat and has always taken an active part in the councils of his party. He was elected chairman of the Demojratic County Committee in March,

1902, and filled that position with ability for three years. He has also represented his party in district, congressional and state conventions, and has also served his party "on the stump" in several campaigns. Mr. Anders married, July 12, 1899, Nora E. Grim, daughter of the late Dr. George W. and Elizabeth (Koons) Grim, of Nock- amixon, and a sister to Hon. Webster Grim, of Doylestown. Their daughter Elizabeth Marion was born May 15, 1904. Mr. An- ders is a member of Doylestown Lodge, No. 245, F. & A. M., of Doylestown R. A. C. No. 270, of Aquetong Lodge, No. 193, I. O. O. F., of Doylestown, of Revere Castle, K. G. E. No. 230, of Revere, and of Sciota Tribe No. 214, I. O. of R. M. of Doylestown, Pennsylvania.

B. FRANK HOBENSACK. When Pennsylvania was numbered among the colonial possessions of Great Britain the Hobensack family was founded within its borders and representatives of the name since that time have been loyal to the in- terests of the colony and have taken an active and helpful part in its material de- velopment. The progenitor of the family in America came from Germany in pioneer times, and was the great-great-grandfather of B. Frank Hobensack. He was one of the early promoters of the development and progress of Bucks county along many beneficial lines.

Isaac Hobensack, grandfather of B. Frank Hobensack, was born in Bucks coun- ty, Pennsylvania, and became well known as a successful and enterprising farmer. In choosing this walk of life he followed in the footsteps of his ancestors. He was content to devote his time and energies to agricultural pursuits, having no aspirations for political office, although he ever kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He gave his early support to the Whig party, and he served as township supervisor and in other minor positions. He was a devoted and consistent member of the Primitive Baptist church, and was well known in the locality where he re- sided. commanding the good will and trust of all because of his own reliability and integrity in all life's relations. He wedded Emily Fetter. also a native of Bucks county. and their children were: Margaret, Rachel, Isaac C., John, William, Mary E. and Eliza- beth.

Isaac C. Hobensack, whose birth occurred in Warminster township. Bucks county, was reared upon the home farm and there re- mained until his marriage, when he rented a tract of land, which he continued to cultivate until his efforts had brought him capital sufficient to enable him to purchase land. He then bought a farm in Southamp- ton township, upon which he spent his re- maining davs. successfully carrying on gen- eral agricultural pursuits and also attend- ing the Philadelphia market. In his busi-

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HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

ness career he was progressive and practi- cal, carrying forward to successful com- pletion whatever he undertook. His in- terest in the political questions and issues of the day led him to give earnest support to the Republican party. He served as county commissioner for one term and held some minor township positions, including that of school director. He was reared in the faith of the Primitive Baptist church and never united with any other religions denomination. He possessed a genial man- ner, was kindly and charitable in disposi- tion and the poor and needy found in him a warm friend. He died January 9, 1903, respected by all who knew him. His wife, whose maiden name was Joanna Hogeland, was born June 29, 1832, in Southampton tonship, Bucks county, and died April 17, 1905, at the age of seventy-three years. Her father, Abraham Hogeland, was a farmer who settled in Bucks county at an early period in its development. He be- came prominent in community affairs and as a representative of agricultural interests. His daughter, Mrs. Hobensack, became a member of the Presbyterian church. She was the youngest in a family of nine chil- dren, the others being : Elias, a farmer, who at one time served as sheriff of Bucks coun- ty; John, Joseph, Theodore, William, Mor- ris, and Charles, all of whom follow farm- ing; and Susan, the wife of H. D. Leffert. Unto Isaac C. and Joanna (Hogeland) Hobensack were born eight children: Mary A., the wife of H. B. Krewsen, deceased ; Isaac M., a western man; William, who is engaged in business at Ivyland ; B. Frank ; Albert C., also in business in Ivyland ; Emily, the wife of W. C. Yerkes; Wilkins, of Norristown; and Joanna.

B. Frank Hobensack was born in South- ampton township, Bucks county, Septem- ber 30, 1864, and at the usual age entered the common schools, where he acquired a good practical English education. In his youth he became familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agri- culturist, and he continued to assist in the operation of the home farm until he had attained his majority. He afterward spent some time in working at the printer's trade, but following his marriage he resumed farming, renting a tract of land for four years. He then went to Ivyland, where he joined his brother, William Hobensack, in an industrial enterprise under the firm style of Hobensack Brothers, the partners being William and B. Frank Hobensack. They operated a mill for grinding, also handled feed. and dealt extensively in lumber to- gether with agricultural implements and fertilizers. Mr. Hobensack of this review continued successfully in that line of trade until 1899, when he was elected high sheriff of Bucks county, serving for a full term with credit to himself and satisfaction to all concerned. He discharged his duties without fear of favor, and his course awakened the confidence of all law-abiding citizens. On the expiration of his term

he retired from office as he had entered it -- with the confidence and good will of all concerned. He then engaged in the stone crushing business at Quakertown, also dealt in real estate and bought a large trad- ing business. He is still following those pursuits, and is regarded in his locality as a broadminded, intelligent and successful business man, meriting the respect of his fellow citizens. . His efforts have likewise extended to other lines of activity, tor he is a stockholder and director in the Jenkins- town Trust Company. He is enterprising and public-spirited, well known and highly respected. His political views are in ac- cordance with the principles of the Re- publican party, and he is deeply interested in its success, believing that it contains the best elements of good government. He attends various party conventions, has been judge of elections and has often served on the election board. He has also filled town- ship positions, has been school director, was auditor for three terms and was chosen for the position of justice of the peace. With a full recognition of the duties that devolve upon him as an officer, he has ever been true to the trust reposed in him by his fellow townsmen and in performing his public service has displayed marked fidelity and capability.

In 1886 Mr. Hobensack was married to Miss Catherine Cornell, who was born in Warwick township, Bucks county, August II, 1863, her parents being Hiram and Jen- nie (Mckinstry) Cornell, the latter of War- rington township and a member of one of the early families of Bucks county, of Scotch-Irish lineage. Hiram Cornell's an- cestors also located in this county at an early day. He became a leading farmer, well known for his activity and reliability in business. He voted with the Democracy, and was a loyal adherent of the Presbv- terian church in which he held membership. His death occurred March 29, 1895, and his widow, who still survives him, finds a good home with Mr. and Mrs. Hobensack. She is a daughter of James and Agnes Mc- Kinstry, natives of this county. Her father was a carpenter by trade and later in life followed farming, and was both a success- ful and practical mechanic and agricul- turist. He served as school director and also held some minor positions, and was deeply concerned in the welfare and progress of his community, although he did not seem to figure prominently in public life. He held membership in the Neshaminy Presbyterian church, and nearly all of the members of the Mckinstry family became identified with the same denomination. These were Robert, Jessie, Mary, William, Catherine, John. Sarah and Jane. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Cornell were born two children : James, who is married and re- sides in Ivyland ; he is a popular salesman in a clothing house in Philadelphia; and Catherine. wife of Mr. Hohensack. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Hobensack has been blessed with one son. Wilkin C., born

HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

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October 5, 1896. The parents are consistent members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Hobensack is a worthy Mason, belonging to the lodge, chapter and consistory, so that he has attained high rank in the fraternity. the leading elements and teachings of which he exemplifies in his life.

EDWARD D. WORSTALL, a popular merchant and postmaster at Jamison, is of English lineage, the early members of the family in America coming to Pennsyl- vania from England in colonial days. Jo- seph Worstall, Sr., grandfather of Edward D. Worstall, was born in Bucks county, and was a tanner by trade. After mastering that pursuit he carried on an extensive busi- ness at Newtown for a number of years, but subsequently purchased a farm upon which he established his home and there spent the evening of life. He was a con- sistent member of the Friends meeting and died in that faith. He married Jane Hes- ton, a native of Hestonville, Chester county, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Edward and Sarah Heston. Her father was born in Chester county, March. 16, 1745, and died February 14, 1824, while his wite, who was born April 16, 1763, died August 15, 1856, at the age of ninety-three years. The Hes- tons were directly connected with the Rev. Hicks, the author of the Hicksite faith of the Friends meeting. The Hestons were widely known in eastern Pennsylvania, and were prominent and popular people, highly respected by all. Unto Joseph and Jane (Heston) Worstall were born five children : Sarah A., the wife of Jacob Hibbs; Han- nah, who married P. Scarbro; Edward H., a tanner ; Isaac H., a farmer and ex-county treasurer of Bucks county ; and Joseph.

Joseph Worstall, Jr., was born in Bucks county and was reared in Newtown, where he learned the tanner's trade under the direction of his father, whom he assisted until after his marriage. He then purchased a farm in Doylestown township, where he established his home, there spending his remaining days in the quiet pursuits of agriculture. He affiliated with the Friends meeting, and politically was Whig, but had no aspirations for office, although he kept well informed on the issues and questions of the day. It was his ambition to provide well for his family and to this end he labored earnestly and persistently, making for himself an honorable name by reason of his fidelity to all life's relations. He died in July, 1853, while his wife passed away in March, 1894, at the age of seventy-four years. Mrs. Worstall bore the maiden name of Mary Van Buskirk, and, like her hus- band, was a native of Bucks county. Her parents were Isaac and Susan (Van Horn) Van Buskirk, representatives of early fam- ilies of Bucks county. Both were members of the Neshaminy Presbyterian church. In their family were seven children: Andrew, John George and Isaac, all of whom fol- low farming; Mary, who became Mrs.

Worstall; Susan, wife of S. Rake; and Elizabeth, wife of R. Eddus. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Worstall, Jr., had but two chiil- dren, the daughter, Susan, living at home with her brother, Edward D.

In the usual manner of farmer lads Ed- ward D. Worstall spent the days of his boyhood and youth, being reared upon the old family homestead by his mother, for his father died during the infancy of the son. He continued to assist his mother dur- ing the period of his minority, and when he had attained adult age he purchased the old homestead, which he conducted for a number of years. In 1880 he was married, and the following year he purchased a store in Jaminson, which he is yet conducting. He has been very successful in his mer- cantile ventures, enjoying a constantly in- creasing patronage. In 1877 he tore away all of the old buildings and erected a com- modious frame block, three stories high, including both his residence and business property. In 1898 he built a fine barn and he has two acres of land and manv out- buildings. His is a finely improved home and business place, and he is a practical and prosperous merchant. He drew the plans for the block which was erected, and in his store he carries a well selected line of general merchandise. He is also one of the large stockholders in the Doylestown National Bank, assisted in its re-organiza- tion and has since been one of its directors. He also holds stock in the Warwick Cream- ery Company, a successful business enter- prise, and for two years he was secretary and treasurer of the company. The third story of his building is occupied by the Odd Fellows lodge, and it was largely through Mr. Worstall's instrumentality that the lodge was instituted here. He also secured the establishment of the postoffice through the influence of I. N. Evans, con- gressman from this district. Mr. Worstall was appointed postmaster January 21, 1884, and has since managed the affairs of the office. In his political affiliations Mr. Wor- stall has always been a stanch Republican, and in addition to serving as postmaster he has held the office of school director in Warwick township for thirteen years. He likewise filled a similar position in Doyles- town township for six years, and has been treasurer of the Warwick school board for the entire period of his connection there- with. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has filled all of the chairs, has taken the blue lodge and chapter degrees in Masonry, holding mem- bership with the Doylestown lodge, is af- filiated with the Knights of Pythias at Hat- boro, with the Knights of the Golden Eagle and with the American Mechanics. He is in good standing in all of these organizations and has filled many positions in the different lodges. He and his family are members of the Neshaminy Presbyter- ian church.

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History of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, from the discovery of the Delaware to the present time, Vol. III, Part 80

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