History of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, from the discovery of the Delaware to the present time, Vol. III, Part 85

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 85

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WILSON W. BEAN was born and reared at Ferndale, and was educated at the common schools and at Muhlenberg College, Allentown. He learned the shoemaker's trade with his father, and in 1872 established himself in the busi- ness of manufacturing shoes at Ferndale in a small way, and annually increased liis output until he became one of the largest manufacturers of shoes in the county. In 1901 he opened a general merchandise store at Ferndale, in con- nection with his manufacturing business, and is also engaged in the timber. and hardwood lumber business. He has been an elder in the Lutheran church for ten years. In politics he is a Democrat, but has never sought or held other than local office, filling the position of school di- rector of Nockamixon township for a number of years. Mr. Bean is owner of a very fine home. He married October 21, 1880, Ida A. Rufe, daughter of Josiah and Mary (Wyker) Rufe, of Nocka- mixon, both of German extraction and descendants of early settlers in Nocka- mixon and Tinicum townships, respec- tively, and to this union have been born four children: Bertha, born May 1, 1883, now wife of John Frankenfield: Ches- ter. born April 22, 1886; Roy R., born October 27, 1889, and one who died in infancy.

JOSEPH CARRELL, JR. For many generations the Carrell family has been identified with agricultural interests in Bucks county, and to the same pursuit Jo- seph Carrell has directed his energies, mak- ing his home in Warrington townshin. where he is proprietor of one of the best country estates in this part of the county. He was born March 25, 1850, in Warminster township, a son of Ezra R. and Margaret L. Carrell. His early education was ac- quired in the public schools, which he at- tended until thirteen years of age, and he completed his course at the Excelsior In- stitute at Hatboro, of which Rev. Hugh Morrow was professor. At the time of his marriage he assumed the management of the farm on which he was born, and which remained his place of residence until the spring of 1884, when he removed to his present home in Warrington township, which he had purchased of Conely Hamp- ton in the previous autumn. In the year 1897 he built the house which he occupies, and he had previously erected most of the buildings upon the place. He has always been a farmer and attended the Philadel- phia markets, and his business capacity, keen discrimination and marked enterprise are evidenced in the desirable success which has crowned his efforts. His farm is a splendid property, highly improved and the house is a spacious and modern residence, attractive in its appearance, and comfort- able' and luxurious in its furnishings. There are beautiful groves of forest and fruit

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HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

trees on his place, and the splendid ap- pearance of the farm indicates the careful supervision of a progressive owner who keeps in touch with the modern spirit of the times. Joseph Carrell has always taken an active interest in neighborhood and church affairs, and has held numerous town- ship positions and also official positions in the church. His political support is given the Republican party, and fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias lodge at Hatboro. On the 22d of March, 1876, Mr. Carrell was married to Elizabeth Watson, a daughter of Conely and Caro- line (Hampton) Watson, of Warminster township. They have three children : Frank Beans, born January 1, 1877; Helen Maria, December 4, 1879; and Joseph John Carrell, July 4, 1884. The wife and mother passed away April 3, 1885. The family are identificd with the Presbyterian church, which has been the religious faith of the ancestors through various generations.

Mr. Carrell is the son of Ezra Patter- son Carrell and Margaret Long (Beans) Carrell. Mr. Carrell, Sr., who died a few years ago, was one of the substantial men of Warminster township, always taking an active interest in the affairs of his vicinity. A man of education and refinement, hospit- able, generous, and honored by his neigh- bors for his probity and integrity, he held for many years the office of ruling elder in the Neshaminy church in Warminster, and later in Neshaminy in Warwick. Al- ways interested in church work, he served long and well in the capacities of teacher and superintendent in the Sunday-school, and for many years as chorister in his church. He fully justified in his life the words of his pastor, who prefaced his re- marks at his funeral by these words, "Be- fore me lies the remains of an honest man. The world says that no man can be honest and successful, but the life of Mr. Carrell fully refutes this." Margaret Long Carrell, his wife, is the daughter of John C. Beans and Elizabeth Yerkes. The Beans family are long residents of Warminster. Mrs. Carrell's grandfather, Thomas Beans, was the keeper of the old hotel at Warminster, then a post station on the mail line be- tween Philadelphia and New York, and was a breeder of running horses, having a halt- mile track on the large tract of land which he owned. The holdings of the contiguous estates of the Beans and Yerkes families were the largest in this section, several hundred acres of which is retained in the families. The Beans family trace their genealogy back to Donald Bane of Scot- land, immortalized by Shakespeare. Mrs. Carrell was educated by a private teacher, and later finished her education by a course at a young ladies' seminary at Wilmington, Delaware. She is still living at the home place in Warminster. Mr. and Mrs. Car- rell had five children: I. Joseph, who is a farmer in Warrington township: 2. John Beans, one of the leading physicians of Hatboro; 3. Emily, who died in infancy ;

4. Ezra P .; 5. Stacy Beans, of the firm of Worthington & Carrell, of Germantown, Pennsylvania

Joseph Carrell, the grandfather of Joseph Carrell, Jr., was born June I, 1792, at the old homestead, Carrellton, near Richboro, Bucks county, Pennsylvania. When young man he learned the trade of car- penter under his uncle, Jesse Johnson, and followed it some years, later, about 1823, purchasing the Carrell farm in Warminster. When quite a young man he enlisted in the army for the war of 1812, in which he served as corporal, and many were the anecdotes he used to tell of camp life at Camp Dupont, where he was stationed, at which time Philadelphia only extended as far north as Vine street and south as far as Pine street. Those who knew him re- member him as a portly old white-haired gentleman, tall and erect, with a military bearing acquired in youth and never for- gotten. He was one of the last survivors of the war of 1812, dying April 25, 1884, and was one of a small coterie of veterans which included himself, General John Davis, William Bothwell, and one or two others whose relations were very intimate. He was for many years an elder in the Neshaminy church, with the interests of which he was identified all his life. He was married to sisters, Mary and Anna Gill. By his first wife were born Hugh Jamison, Emily and Ezra Patterson. By his second wife, were born Sidney (Montanye) and Elizabeth (Engart). The Gills are an old English family who emigrated to Philadelphia from London, and later settled near Richboro, where many of them still reside. Jacob Carrell, the great-grandfather of Mr. Car- rell, was born at Carrellton and lived there all his life. A man of considerable means, he seems to have devoted himself to home and church. He was married to Elizabeth Jamison, and reared a large family. all of them except one arriving at maturity, and by intermarriage with families in the near vicinity brought the family in relation with many of the leading families of Bucks coun- ty. His children were: Benjamin, married to Mercy Comfort; John: Mary, wedded to Lott Bennett; Sarah, married to Mahlon Banes : James, married to Sarah Ten Wyck and settled in New York; Jesse. married Mary Bennett; Elizabeth, married to Tohn Cornell; and Joseph. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary army, serving with his brother in the Northampton guards His wife, Elizabeth Jamison, was the daughter of Daniel Jamison, of Nockamixon town- ship, Bucks county.

James Carrell, Mr. Carrell's great-great- grandfather, was one of the earliest set- tlers of this section. Whether he came from Ireland or not is not well established. In the register's office is filed the settlements of the estate of Benjamin Carrell in 1733, with James as administrator. Whether he was father or brother is not known, but it is possible that the first settlement of Carrells was in Delaware, as few Scotch-

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HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

Irish settled in Bucks county in the early part of 1700. November 3, 1711, James Carrell purchased the old Carrell home- stead (Carrellton) from Thomas and Clement Dungan, it being a tract of land purchased by the said Dungans of the widow of Arthur Cook on May 11, 1699, for the sum of five shillings lawful money, it being a part of a tract of one thousand acres purchased by Arthur Cook of James Claypool and Robert Turner, commission- ers for William Penn, April 1, 1686. This old homestead has been in the Carrell fam- ily since this date (1711) descending from father to son to its present owner, Isaac Carrell. James Carrell seems to have been a man of great energy and push, and ac- cumulated quite a large property for those days, leaving three fine farms and about four thousand dollars in money at his death. He was married to Diana VanKirk, and she bore him eleven children. Of Scotch-Irish Presbyterian stock, he identified himself with the establishment of the Neshaminy church, at which he was a regular wor- shipper. Identified as he was with the early history of the county, an account of his children will doubtless be interesting. His first child, Rebecca, was born May 25, 1725, married Robert Weir, and settled in Vir- ginia. Sarah, born September 25. 1726, married Robert Patterson and settled in Bucks county, but later generations removed to Maryland and later to Ohio and Mis- souri, where some of the family now live. Barnard married Lucretia McKnure, and settled on one of his father's farms lo- cated in Warminster township, it being pur- chased of William Tennent, the founder of the old Log College, which afterwards was removed to Princeton, New Jersey, and is the parent of the Princeton University. This old college was first across the old York road from the Carrell purchase. This farm remained in Barnard's family until a few years ago. By intermarriage the Service, McNair, Fleck and other families were brought into the family. James was born March 26, 1730. He married Sarah and settled in Tinicum township, Bucks county, on a farm about two miles west of Point Pleasant, now occupied by Mr. Seikenfuss. From his four children, James, Daniel, Ann and Rachel, are de- scended many families in upper Bucks county and in New Jersey. Jacob and Rachel were born December 12, 1732. A full account of Jacob has been given. Rachel married Robert Stewart and set- tled in Bucks county. Benjamin, born April 27. 1735, served in the Revolutionary war. Phoebe, born August 20, 1737, mar- ried Andrew Scout. Solomon, born May 25, 1740, married Mary , and pur- chased a farm of over one hundred acres in Tinicum township. Elizabeth, born May 16, 1742, and Diana, married

Dungan. Her daughter, Rachel, married Jesse Johnson, and by whom the Johnson- Thompson family is brought into connec- tion with the Carrells. Diana also had two

sons, traces of whom have been lost. The family of Carrell came to this country from the North of Ireland and was of Scotch- Irish extraction with an infusion of French Huguenot blood. Family tradition says that the Carrell who came here about 1690 was a weaver who, with his wife, was imprisoned in Londonderry during that memorable siege of one hundred and five days, and soon after came to America. The family is prob- ably a branch of the house of Carrell who were rulers in the northern counties of Ireland, and Dr. William Carroll in his history of the family traces them back through the different generations to the be- ginning of the third century.

HORACE G. BROADHURST, a farmer residing in Buckingham township, was born within its borders, April 2, 1855, his parents being Samuel E. and Sarah T. (Reeder) Broadhurst. The family con- nection with Bucks county dates from the early part of the seventeenth century, when this was a pioneer district, the work of im- provement and development being scarcely begun. Thomas Broadhurst, the great- grandfather, was a farmer during his early life, and for a number of years resided in Solebury township, but his last days were spent in Centerville, Bucks county. His son, Joseph Broadhurst, became a resident of Buckingham township in 1826, and pur- chased the farm which later became the property of Samuel E. Broadhurst. There he carried on agricultural pursuits with good success for some time, but eventually purchased a small place and lived in hon- orable retirement from further labor until called to his final rest in 1868. To him and his wife, Rachel Broadhurst, were born four children: A son who died the same day ; Mary Anna, the wife of Samuel John- son Paxson; Samuel E .; and Caroline L., the wife of Oliver Howard Wilson.

Samuel Eastburn Broadhurst, son of Jo- seph and Rachel Broadhurst, was born in Solebury township, February 25, 1823, and died June 16, 1905, in his eighty-third year. He spent his youth in the usual manner of farmer lads of that period. He decided to make the occupation to which he had been reared his life work, and has since been interested in farming in this county. He was also at one time president of the Buck- ingham and Doylestown Turnpike Company and for a number of years was a trustee of the Hughesian Free School. In 1848 he married Sarah Twining Reeder, to whom were born three children : Joseph J., Anna M. and Horace G. Anna M. died at the age of twenty-one.

Horace G. Broadhurst, reared upon his father's farm, was a student in the Hughes- ian Free School, and afterward entered the Holicong public school, while subse- quently he became a student in the Doyles- town English and Classical Seminary, in which he completed his education. Return- ing to his father's home he then took charge

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HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

of the farm, which he continued to manage from 1878 until 1888. In the latter year he removed to his present farm, which is the property of his wife, and here he has resided continuously since. This property has con- siderable historic importance. It is known as the Samuel Johnson farm, and previous to the Civil war was one of the stations 011 the famous "Underground Railway." Upon this farm is also located the famous Holi- cong well, which is seemingly bottomless, opening into what is supposed to an ex- tensive subterranean lake. Mr. Broadhurst has placed the farm under excellent con- dition, the fields being highly cultivated, and therefore returning to him splendid crops. He also conducts a commission business in connection with his agricultural interests, attending the market once a week, and is one of the best known and most reliable business men of Buckingham township. October 25, 1877, Mr. Broadhurst married Miss Fannie Lovett, a daughter of David H. and Mercy A. (Janney) Lovett, of Lower Makefield township. There was one child of this marriage, Anna M., now de- ceased, and the mother passed away August 9, 1879. January 15, 1884, Mr. Broadhurst wedded Miss Fanny J. Smith, a daughter of Benjamin W. and Sarah J. (Atkinson) Smith, who were former owners of the farm upon which Mr. and Mrs. Broadhurst reside, and whereon they remained until their death. Mr. and Mrs. Broadhurst are the parents of five children: Sarah J .; Jo- seph P .; Edgar S .; Ellen D .; and Miriam G. The first named is a graduate of the West Chester State Normal School, and the other children are being provided with liberal educational privileges. Mr. Broad- hurst is a Democrat in his political affilia- tion, and has been honored with some local offices. He served as a numerator of the census in 1880, and in 1890 became justice of the peace under appointment of Gover- nor Patteson.

G. W. RUBINKAM. At a time when early settlements were being made 111 Bucks county, the Rubinkam family was established within its borders. It was the great-grandfather of our subject who was the progenitor of the family in Pennsylvania, coming to this country from Wales in colo- nial days. The religious faith of the family was that of the Presbyterian church. Jesse Rubinkam, grandfather of G. W. Rubin- kam, was born September 16, 1777, in Bucks county. He followed the occupation of farming, and became a successful agricui- turist, widely and favorably known in his community. His political views were in accord with the principles of Democracy, but he never aspired to office. He wedded Mary Mullen, who was born in Bucks coun- ty, May 12, 1775. Her people were mem- bers of the Society of Friends, but Mrs. Mary Rubinkam worshiped with her hus- band in the Presbyterian church, and through her devotion to the cause of Chris- tianity she at one time held the old Ne-

shaminy church together. This worthy couple were the parents of five children : Sarah, William, Agnes, Nathaniel and Mar- garet.

Nathaniel Rubinkam was born in an old historic house near the Neshaminy post- office. In his youth he early became familiar with farming, and devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits until the time of his marriage. He afterward engaged in the flour and feed business in Philadelphia, and subsequently returned to Bucks county, where he purchased the farm upon which his son G. W. Rubinkam now resides. He did not seek to figure prominently in public life, being content to do his duty as a pri- vate citizen, and so honorable and straight- forward was his career that he had not an enemy in the world. His early political allegiance was given to the Democracy, but in 1862 he became an advocate of Repub- lican principles, and took an active inter- est in the growth and success of that party from that time on. He was very patriotic and loyal to the Union cause, and upheld the war policy of the president and gave generous assistance to many soldiers' fam- ilies in this locality. The cause of education found in him a warm friend, and for twen- ty-five years he did effective service as a school director. He possessed a social na- ture and kindly disposition, and the poor and needy ever found in him a friend. A bright and intelligent man, reliable in busi- ness, trustworthy in all relations, he was regarded as one of the faithful followers of the Neshmainy Presbyterian church, in which he served as trustee and treasurer for many years. He died December 6, 1872, and was survived by his wife until 1887. She bore the maiden name of Anna Maria Winkoop, and was also a native of Bucks county. Her father, William Winkoop, was born in this county and descended from an old colonial family of Holland origin. The name figures prominently in connection with the history of Bucks county, for through various generations members of the family have been prominent in promoting the ma- terial, social and moral upbuilding of the community. To William Winkoop and his wife were born seven children: Thomas, Gerardus, Christopher, Margaret, Mary, Catherine and Anna M.

To Nathaniel E. and Anna M. Rubin- kam were born seven children: Mary F .; Jesse, who served for three years in the First New Jersey Cavalry, was taken pris- oner and sent to Richmond, where he con- tracted a disease from which he never re- covered; William, who also served in the war of the rebellion, but lived to return home; Henry, a graduate of Princeton College, for which he prepared at the old Tennent School, after which he went to Allegheny Seminary at Allegheny, Pennsyl- vania, but died of hasty consumption before completing the course; Elizabeth, who be- came the wife of Silas Yerkes and died in Plainfield, New Jersey; G. W .; Nathaniel I., who attended the Tennent school and was afterward graduated with honors from

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HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

Princeton College and from the Princeton Theological Seminary. He resides at Chi- cago, and the degree of Doctor of Philos- ophy has been conferred upon him by Basle University, Switzerland.

G. W. Rubinkam was born on the old family homestead where he now resides, August 12, 1849, and pursued his education in the common schools and in Tennent's school. Liberal mental training well equipped him for life's practical duties, and in early manhood he successfully engaged in teaching school. Later he occupied a position in a railroad office at Mauch Chunk, but upon the sudden death of his father he returned home and purchased the old home- stead property, after which he cared for his mother. He paid a large price for the farm, incurring considerable indebtedness in order to do this, but he possessed strong determination and unremitting energy, and in course of time was enabled to discharge his financial obligation. As his moneyed resources increased he also bought another farm, and he has continuously carried on general agricultural pursuits. He has been well known as a market man for twenty- six years, only missing six market days in all that time, and doing a regular commis- sion business. He is the architect of his own fortunes, and has builded wisely and well. When the old homestead came into his possession the buildings thereon were of a poor character and of primitive con- strletion. These he has torn away, and erected in their stead fine modern buildings, including a substantial residence, a large barn, and all the necessary outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock. Indeed, he has made splendid improvements upon his place, and his home stands upon a nat- ural building site, commanding a fine view of the surrounding country. There are forest and fruit groves, and the various features of the place constitute it one of the best improved farm properties of the local- ity. Mr. Rubinkam is a good financier, having marked enterprise and capability, and certainly deserves great credit for what he has accomplished. In his political views Mr. Rubinkam is a Republican, stanch and unfaltering in his advocacy of the prin- ciples of the party. He is regarded as one of the leaders in his township, and always attends its conventions and never fails to cast his ballot at the elections. He has filled most of the township positions, has long been school director, and has also been president of the School Directors' Associa- tion. He is likewise a director of the Farm- ers' and Mechanics' Fire Insurance Com- pany, acting as one of its five managers. This company was organized in 1843 and has had a prosperous existence. Mr. Rub- inkam is also very active in church work, and has been the valued superintendent of the Sunday-school at Neshaminy for several years. He has also been elder of the church, its secretary and clerk of the session, and is a very regular attendant upon its serv- ices. IIe has been secretary and treasurer

of the Bucks County Sabbath School Asso- ciation, and is now filling the office of jus- tice of the peace, in which capacity he has served for ten years.

December 18, 1873, Mr. Ribinkam was married by Dr. Greenough, of Philadel- phia, to Rachel C. Buckman, who was born in Bucks county, and is a daughter of Will- iam and Sarah Buckman, of a leading Quaker family of this part of the state. Her father has lived the quiet life of a farmer, but his genuine worth has made him highly respected. There was one child born of this marriage, Mary, who is now acting as secretary for her uncle, A. Buckman, the president of the Windstorm Insurance Company of lowa. Mr. Rubinkam was called upon to mourn the loss of his first wife in 1876, her death occurring March 18, of that year, when she was twenty-two years of age. March 7, 1878, he wedded Sarah C. Shoemaker, who was to him a faithful and devoted wife and helpinate. Her father, Nathan Shoemaker, belonged to an honored and prominent colonial fam- ily of eastern Pennsylvania. He carried on agricultural pursuits . quite successfully in his younger years, and later turned his attention to the real estate business and to building operations in Philadelphia, where he yet resides. He is a member of the Friends' meeting. By her marriage she be- came the mother of seven children: Nathan I., a farmer and market man living on the old homestead; Jesse, who is a book- keeper of Philadelphia; Edna M., a grad- uate of the Doylestown high school and of Pierce's Business College of Philadelphia, and now occupying a position as sten- ographer in that city; Carrie, died at the age of two years; Lillian Geraldine, at home; Samuel S., died in infancy; and Elizabeth Y., at home. February 4, 1900, Mrs. Sarah C. Rubinkam passed away. She worshipped with her husband in the Neshaminy church, was a devoted Chris- tian woman and a devoted wife and loving mother. February 6, 1902, Mr. Rubinkam was again married, Miss Elizabeth Shoe- maker McCarter becoming his wife. She was born in Montgomery county, Pennsyl- vania, a daughter of James and Rebecca S. (Shoemaker) McCarter. The Shoemaker family was established in Pennsylvania in colonial days, and its representatives have been prominent in community and state af- fairs. The MeCarter family is of Scotch- Irish lineage. James McCarter was a son of Joseph MeCarter, and was connected with a distinguished old Presbyterian fam- ily. He became a leading agriculturist of his community, was a Republican in poli- tics, served as school director, and hield other minor positions. Both he and his wife reside in Ivyland and they are affiliated with the Presbyterian church. Their chil- dren are: Sarah R. Magee; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Rubinkam; and Mary, the wife of E. P. Carroll. Mr. Rubinkam is a member of the Historical Society of Bucks county,

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History of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, from the discovery of the Delaware to the present time, Vol. III, Part 85

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