History of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, from the discovery of the Delaware to the present time, Vol. III, Part 92

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 92

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Adam Renner, youngest son of Jacob, learned the trade of a blacksmith with his father, and in 1800 purchased a farmi of fifty acres in Hilltown township, near the line of Rockhill, but sold twenty acres thereof two years later. He followed his trade at that place until his death in 1823. He married Elizabeth , and they were the parents of ten children, viz, : Henry, also a blacksmith in Hilltown; Mary; Elizabeth, who became the wife of George King; Hannah, who married Nathan Thomas; Sarah, who married John Nace; Samuel; Catharine, who married Jacob Trollinger ; Enos; John and Lydia.

John Renner, ninth child of Adam and Elizabetlı Renner, was born in Hilltown township, Bucks county, in 1814. He was but nine years of age at the death of his father, and John Kramer was appointed his guardian. He received a meagre education, and early in life learned the trade of a mason, which he followed until fifty-five years of age, and then purchased a farm. in Hilltown, upon which he lived for a number of years, and then sold it and re- moved to Franconia township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, where he still re- sides. He married Catharine Kramar, who bore him nine children: Sarah, Simon, William, Elizabeth, Noah, Amanda, James, John and Catharine. His wife Catharine dying he married (second ) Susanna Harr, a widow, her maiden name being Frantz, by whom he has two children, Frank and Ella.

WILLIAM RENNER was born in Rock- hill township, and was reared in the town- ship of Bedminster. At the age of sixteen years he came to Hilltown township, where he was employed for three years. In 1862, at the age of nineteen years, he enlisted in Company 1, One Hundred and Thirty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and

served throughout the war in the Pennsylvania cav- alry, serving under Sheridan in his many raids, and, though in numerous engage- ments, came out without a scratch. He was. mustered out at Harrisburg in 1865, and, returning to Bucks county, followed farm- ing and carpentering for three years, and in 1868 came to Perkasie and was employed in the mill of A. H. Hendricks, at South Perkasie, for three years and for two years with Mr. Moyer at the same business. In 1874 he started the feed and hay business at Perkasie, and has been in that business ever since. Mr. Renner has always taken an active interest in all that pertained to the interest of the town, filling the position of school director for a number of years, and also serving in other local positions. He-

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HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

is president of the Bridgetown and Bloom- ing Glen Turnpike, and associated with other local enterprises. He is a member of Blooming Glen Mennonite church. Mr. Renner married, in 1869, Sarah Hunsicker, daughter of Abraham and Catharine (Mo- yer ) Hunsicker, who is deceased. Their only child is also deceased.

C. HARRY HALL. The Hall family has long been represented in Bucks county, and C. Harry Hall has ever sustained the hon- orable record made by those of his name who have always been active in upholding the moral and political status of their re- spective communities and aiding in its ma terial development. He was born in Doyles- town township, April 22, 1846, and received his education in the public schools. During the periods of vacation he assisted his fa- ther in the operation of the home farm, and continued under the parental roof until twenty-two years of age, when he began clerking in a general store for his brother, Benjamin, with whom he remained for a year and a half. He then went to Phila- delphia, where, embarking in commercial

pursuits on his own account, he was engaged in the flour and feed business for about nine years. He next secured employment in the city hall at Philadelphia as a steam and gas fitter, and remained there for eight years. Returning at the end of that time to the occupation to which he had been reared, he purchased in 1902 the farm upon which he now resides, near Danboro, in Plumstead township, and is giving his at- tention to the tilling of the soil. His life has been characterized by unfaltering in- dustry and his well directed labor has been the foundation of his success.

Mr. Hall was united in marriage to Miss Clara A. Shermer, a daughter of William and Maria Shermer. They have two chil- dren : Mabel S., born December 7, 1879; and Elsie M., born March 15, 1886. The latter is a graduate of the normal school of Philadelphia, and is now principal of the public schools of Germantown.

IDA JOSEPHINE RIEGEL, of Riegels- ville, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, was born in Riegelsville, New Jersey, and is a daugh- ter of John Leidy Riegel, by his second wife, Lydia Stover. John Leidy Riegel, a prominent and successful manufacturer of Riegelsville, was born in New Jersey, May I, 1819, and belonged to a family that have been residents of Bucks and Northampton counties, Pennsylvania, and adjoining parts of New Jersey for several generations. His parents were Benjamin and Elizabeth (Leidy) Riegel, of Lower Saucon township, Northampton county, and his grandparents, Martha and Catherine (Kram) Riegel, of German parentage, and his maternal grand- parents were John and Elizabeth (Lerch)

Leidy. Mr. Riegel was educated in the schools of New Jersey, and remained a resi- dent of that state until 1874, when he re- moved to Pennsylvania, erecting a hand- some residence at Riegelsville, where he spent his remaining years, dying December 27, 1893, at the age of seventy-four years. He was for a half century a prominent manufacturer of Riegelsville, New Jersey, being the proprietor of a large flour and paper mill there, and doing an extensive business.

He married, September 12, 1839, Eliza- beth Shimer, who died in 1858. They were the parents of five children, of whom two survive-Benjamin, and Sarah Jane, the wife of B. F. Fackenthall, Esq., of the Thomas Iron Company. Mr. Riegel married, (second) on April 30, 1859, Catharine Stover, of an old Bucks county family, an account of which is given in this volume, and they became the parents of three chil- dren, only one of whom lived to maturity, Ella E., wife of Silas DeWitt, who died at the age of twenty-one years, leaving a son, John Riegel De Witt. Mrs. Catherine (Stover ) Riegel died in 1864, and Mr. Riegel married (third) March 28, 1855, Lydia Stover, who died in 1873. She was the mother of four children: Clara MI., Ida Josephine, John and Laura May. On June 19, 1876, Mr. Riegel was married a fourth time, to Mary Easton, who survived him, and they were the parents of one child, George E. Mr. Riegel was a lifelong mem- ber of the Reformed church, in which most of his family have retained membership.

MARY A. NASH. The home occupied by Miss Mary A. Nash, in Wismer, Plum- stead township, was erected in 1827. Her paternal great-grandparents were residents of Bucks county, where they followed farm- ing and it was upon the farm on which Miss Nash now resides that her grandfather, Abraham Nash, was born in the eighteenth century. He continued to reside here throughout his entire life, also carrying on general agricultural pursuits. His children were Abraham; Joseph: William; Barbara, the wife of George Gaddes; and Agnes, the wife of William Bryan.

Abraham Nash, the father, was born on the old Wismer family homestead in 1798, and in early life learned the carpenter's trade, being connected with building opera- tions for many years in addition to agri- cultural pursuits. Eventually he retired and spent the evening of his life in the enjoyment of a well earned rest, passing away in 1882. He was a member of the Old Mennonite church, and his Christian religion permeated his entire career. He was twice married. First to Miss Barbara Detweiler, by whom he had five children : Abraham, John, William, Joseph, and Mary, who died unmarried. For his second wife he married Barbara Myers, and their chil- dren were Elizabeth, the wife of Levi

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HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

Swartz; Mary A .; and Henry, of Phila- delphia.

The house now owned and occupied by Miss Nash was built by her father in 1827. This is one of the most attractive home- stead farms, splendidly improved and equipped with all modern conveniences and accessories. She has spent her entire life here and following her father's death she purchased the interest of the other heirs in the home property and has since managed it, displaying excellent business and executive force in its control and cultiva- tion. Miss Nash is a member of the Meth- odist church at Lahaska, Pennsylvania.

NICHOLAS L. HEANEY, who makes his home in Plumstead township and has followed stone cutting through- out his entire life, was born at Pomt Pleasant, Pennsylvania, October 12, 1855. His father. Thomas Heaney, was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, in 1818, and in early life learned the saddle- maker's trade, which he followed for a number of years. He also followed butchering for some years at Point Pleasant, Pennsylvania, and continued actively in business up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1862, when he was about forty-four years of age. He held membership in the German Re- formed church. His first wife was prior to her marriage a Miss Ott, and there were five children by that union: John, deceased: Lizzie; Nancy: Taylor T .; and Lydia. For his second wife Thomas Heaney chose Miss Mary Ann Swartz, and they had two children, the daughter being Eva S., who died in childhood.

Their son, Nicholas L. Heaney, was born during the residence of his parents at Point Pleasant, Pennsylvania. He ac- quired his education in the common schools, and his life has been quietly and inventfully passed, yet it has been characterized by many estimable quali- ties, including reliability in business and progressiveness in citizenship. In his youth he learned the stone-cutter's trade, whch he has since followed and has also carried on agricultural pursuits, being a farmer of Plumstead township. He married Miss Mina C. Cress, and they are widely and favorably known in the township where they reside.

DAVID F. ANGENY, a builder and undertaker of Danboro, belongs to one of the old and honored families of Bucks county. Several generations the name have resided here, and have ever upheld the political and moral status of the community and aided in the material improvement of their localities. The grandfather, John Angeny, who lived and died in Bucks county, followed

farming throughout his entire business carcer. He married a Miss Kerns, and they became the parents of two children, the elder being John, of Philadelphia, now deceased.

Jacob, the younger son of John An- geny, was born in Bedminster township, January 8, 1821, and in early life drove a team used in connection with the con- duct of a flour and feed business in Phil- adelphia. He was thus employed for some years, after which he returned to Bucks county and began farming on his own account, carrying on agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred on the 19th of December, 1891. His life was ever upright and honorable and for a number of years he served as a dea- con in the Reformed church of Tohickon, in which he held membership. He also made for himself a creditable record as a soldier of the civil war. He married Miss Lydia Fluck, and they became the parents of ten children: John H .; David F .; Clayton F .; Jacob F .; Mary, the wife of John King; Anna, the wife of Harvey Fluck; Katie, the wife of Ervin Fluck; Emma and Ida, twins, the former the wife of Frank Smell and the latter of Asher Wycker; and Amelia, who com- pletes the family.

David F. Angeny, who was born in Haycock township, Bucks county, Sep- tember 21, 1857, is indebted to the public school system of the state for the edu- cational privileges he enjoyed. When fifteen years of age he began earning his own living by entering upon an appren- ticeship at the carpenter's trade under Jacob Cope, of Quakertown, with whom he remained for two years. He then began working for John Loux, who, was his employer for four years, and on the expiration of that period began business for himself as a carpenter and builder in Dublin. Since that time he has been identified with building operations in Bucks county. About 1883 he removed to Danboro, and in connection with car- pentering established and conducted an undertaking business. He has a thor- ough knowledge of the builder's art, and his excellent workmanship and fidelity to the terms of a contract have gained for him a liberal and growing patronage. His interest in community affairs prompts his co-operation in many meas- ures for the general good. He is a mem- ber of the Reformed church of To- hickon.

Mr. Angeny has been married twice. He first wedded Sallie Leatherman, and they became the parents of five children: Edwin L., born November 20, 1882; Christina Beatty. November 1. 1885; Willis L., August 6, 1887; Jacob Warren, August 28, 1889; and Flora L., born March 4, 1892, died May I. 1803: Mrs. Sallie Angeny departed this life August 13, 1892. For his second wife David F. Angeny chose Miss Amanda Gross, a

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HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

daughter of Joseph L. and Mary (Lan- dis) Gross. There are three children by this marriage: Howard, born November 30, 1895: Clarence, January 2, 1899; and Arthur, June 24, 1903.

EDWARD RAMSEY, a farmer, car- penter and contractor of Warminster township, is of Irish descent, the family having been established in America dur- ing the colonial epoch in the history of Pennsylvania, since which time the Ram- seys have borne a helpful part in the ma- terial development and substantial pro- gress of their respective communities.

William Ramsey, the great-grand- father, devoted liis attention to farming, and was a broad-minded, intelligent business man and financier. He became the owner of large tracts of land. and was one of the most prominent agricul- turists of his community. The land upon which Edward Ramsey now resides was purchased by William Ramsey from William Penn, and was given to John Ramsey, Jr., when he was a little child, to become his when he should attain his majority. William Ramsey gave to each of his children a farm. His son Robert owned and operated the farm adjoining that upon which Edward Ramsey now resides, and was a very prominent and influential citizen, not only successfully controlling his business affairs, but also exerting a strong influence over public thought and action. He was twice called to represent his district in congress, and he left the impress of his individuality for good upon the public life of his county and state. He died upon the old homestead, in the midst of friends who had long known and honored him, and whom he had honored by his capable and efficient public service. His wife, Mrs. Mary Ramsey, was also a native of Bucks county.

John Ramsey, Sr., the grandfather of Edward Ramsey, was born and reared upon the old family homestead, and spent his entire life there, winning success through the capable management of his business affairs for many years. During the last seventeen years of his life he an invalid. In his political views he was a Democrat, but never aspired to office, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business interests. He was a Presbyterian in religious faith. and like the others of the family was con- nected with the old Neshaminy church. Of social nature, he enjoyed the compan- ionship of his many friends. He was of kindly spirit and charitable disposition, and the poor and needy had reason to count him as a benefactor.

John Ramsey, Jr., only son of John and Mary Ramsey, was born and reared at the ancestral home which had been in possession of the family since the land

had been purchased from William Penn. He gave his attention to farm pur- suits, placed his land under a high state of cultivation, and regularly attended the city markets, where he sold his pro- duce to good advantage. He also en- gaged in raising stock, and found that a profitable source of income. He kept well informed on general topics of in- terest, as well as political questions, reading broadly and thinking deeply. He voted with the Democracy, and while he strongly endorsed the principles of the party he was never an office seeker. He was highly respected, his integrity and honor being above reproach. He wedded Mary Stagner, also a native of Bucks county. Her father lived the quiet life of the farmer and gave his political alle -. giance to the Democracy. In his family were eight children: William, a farmer; Christopher and Barkley, who were killed in the battle of Bull Run, while serving their country in the civil war, Christopher leaving a family of small children ; Sarah ; Margaret; Elizabeth ; Julia; and Mary. The last named be- came the wife of John Ramsey, Jr., and died in 1863. while Mr. Ramsey, who was born April 9, 1810, died September 28, 1886, at the age of seventy-six years. They were the parents of five children: Frank, who was a farmer; Edward; Mary, who became the wife of E. Mor- gan; Robert H., a farmer and hotel keeper; and Julia, who died in her eigh- teenth year. All have passed away with the exception of the second named.

Edward Ramsey, born at the ances- tral home of the family where he yet resides, August 28, 1853, was reared to farm pursuits and is indebted to the pub- lic school system of the county for the educational privileges he enjoyed. He remained at home until sixteen years of age, when he entered upon a three years apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade, after which he spent three years as a journeyman, and then began contract- ing and building on his own account, being closely identified with the build- ing industry in this part of the state. After several years he purchased the interest of the other heirs in the old homestead, becoming the owner of the property November 4, 1886. He then be- gan conducting the farm, in connection with his building operations, and so con- tinued until 1903, when he turned his contracting business over to his son to a large extent. He still does light car- penter work to some extent. but gives more of his attention to the farm work, living, however, partially retired. He has by careful and conservative manage- ment acquired a competency for old age. Since age gave to him the right of fran- chise, Mr. Ramsey has voted the Demo- cratic ticket, and his position on any public questions is not a matter of doubt, for he is fearless in support of his con- .

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HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

victions. He is a worthy member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Junior Order of United American Me- chanics, and the Brotherhood Accident Association of Boston, Massachusetts.

In September, 1877, Mr. Ramsey was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Ritchie, who was born in Bucks county, in 1855, her parents being Robert and Arabella (Aaron) Ritchie, the latter a sister of ex-sheriff Aaron, of Bucks county. Her grandfather, Thomas Ritchie, was a na- tive of Montgomery county, Pennsyl- vania, and belonged to a family whose identification with the state dates back to colonial days. Robert Ritchie was a carpenter of considerable mechanical in- genuity, and he still resides in Montgom- ery county, at the age of seventy-seven years, although he has been an invalid for some time. His wife died in 1896. Their children were: Ellen, now Mrs. Ramsey; Horatio, a mechanic: Aaron, a farmer; William, a mechanic, now de- ceased: Rhoads, a butcher; Amelia, the wife of F. Treble; Emily, the wife of A. Rush; and John, å farmer.

Mr. and Mrs. Ramsey are the parents of six children: John, a carpenter and contractor; Laura, wife of C. Dudbridge: George, a carpenter; Robert R., who is farming the old homestead; Amelia, and Adella.

THOMAS CLAXTON NEGUS, an enterprising and highly esteemed citi- zen of the borough of Bristol, where he has resided since 1876, a period of twen- ty-nine years, is a native of the city of Philadelphia, the date of his birth being March 17, 1831. His parents were Stephen West and Eliza (Ray) Negus, the former named having been a son of John Negus, and grandson of John Negus and the latter named born in Georgetown, D. C., a daughter of John and Harriet (Clax- ton) Ray. The Rays were a very prom- inent family in the District of Colum- bia, as were also the Claxton family, of which Commodore Claxton, noted for his career in the United States navy, was a member.

Thomas C. Negus received his pre- paratory education in the public schools of Philadelphia, and in 1848, after pur- suing the regular course of instruction, graduated from Yale University. Shortly afterward he entered the counting room of his father, who was engaged in the wholesale grocery business, and after spending a brief period there was pro- moted to the position of cashier, in which responsible capacity he served four years. He then entered the firm of Ray & Negus, this connection continuing un- til his retirement from active pursuits in 1889. In 1876 Mr. Negus purchased a farm in Bristol borough, which he im- proved and cultivated, and has resided thereon continuously since that date. He.

is a member of the Episcopal church, and a Republican in politics. Mr. Negus married May 10, 1854, Martha Jane Shearer, of Philadelphia, daughter of Jacob and Margaret (Baldwin) Shearer. Their children are as follows: I. Mary Shearer, born in 1855, became the wife of John S. Ely, of Doylestown, Pennsyl- vania, and they are the parents of one child: Claxton Negus Ely, educated in the public schools of Philadelphia, and is now employed by the New York Central & Hudson River Railroad Company. 2. Josephine Baldwin. 3. Georgina.

WILLIAM L. ELY, farmer and lime- burner, of Solebury township, New Hope postoffice, was born in New Hope, March 4, 1863, and is a son of Daniel and Sarah (Cox) Ely, both deceased. His- emigrant ancestor Joshua Ely was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1649, a son of Rev. George Ely and Sarah Heath, of Mansfield, who married Mary Sen- ior and settled in Durham, Notting- hamshire. In 1684 Joshua Ely emi- grater to America and settled at Tren- ton, New Jersey, where he purchased of his brother-in-law, Mahlon Stacy, 400 acres lying wholly in what now the city of Trenton. His second son George married Jane Pettit, and `their son Joshua married Elizabeth Bell in 1730, and removed to Bucks county in 1738 upon 500 acres of land, two-thirds of which still belongs to his descendants. He lived and died where the subject of this sketch now lives, part of the present residence having been erected by him about 1750. Joshua and Elizabth (Bell) Ely had seven children: Joshua; George; John: Hugh: Sarah, married William Kitchin; Hannah, married James Du- bree; and Jane married Jonathan Bald- erston. John, born May 28, 1738, inher- ited the homestead portion of the tract from his father. He married first Sarah Simcock, and Asher Ely, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was the only son. Asher was born on the old home- stead, July 11, 1768, and at the death of his father in 1811 the farm descended to him. He married Eleanor Holcomb in 1791, and had nine children. Daniel Ely, father of William L., was born Oc- tober 27. 1796. At the death of his father, August 12, 1855, the hereditary acres became vested in him and his maiden sister Sarah, and at the death of the latter the whole title vested in Daniel. He married late in life Sarah Cox, and at his death, March 14, 1886. devised the farm to his only son Will- iam L. Ely. Daniel Ely was a miller by trade, and for many years operated the old mill still standing on the farm. Lime has been quarried and burnt on the premises for a century or more, and the subject of this sketch on arriving at

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HISTORY OF BUCKS COUNTY.

manhood devoted his attention to this branch of the business in connection with farming, the lime kilns and quarry hav- ing been previously rented out for many years. The mill was erected in 1833, and is still operated for the use of the farm. William L. Ely was married March 23, 1898, to Nettie Wilson, daughter of James and Mary (Holcomb) Wilson, of Hunterdon county, New Jersey. They have no children. In politics Mr. Ely is a Republican.

GEORGE E. BLACK. The student of history does not have to carry his in- vestigations far into the annals of Bucks county without learning that the Black family was among its early settlers. An- drew A. Black, the grandfather of George E. Black, lived in Plumstead township, where he followed boating and various pursuits. He was drowned in the canal at Weissport in 1836. His wife bore the maiden name of Mary Closson, and they were the parents of the follow- ing named: Anna, wife of O. G. Bird; Elizabeth, wife of Jonathan Smith; Jane, wife of Hugh Major; Isaac; and An- drew A.

The last named was born in Plum- stead township, December 25, 1836, and, never enjoying the benefits of a father's assistance, started out in life early on his own account. He followed boating for many years, or until 1873, when the capital he had acquired through his own labors enabled him to engage in other pursuits, and he established a mercantile enterprise and a hotel at Point Pleasant, where he spent three years. In 1876 he opened a stone quarry, and supplied the borough of Doylestown with its curb stones for a year. He afterward en- gaged in the hotel business for three years in what is now known as the Housen Hotel. He then engaged again in merchandising, which he conducted for three years at Point Pleasant, and during two years subsequent to that time he was proprietor of the Lumberville Hotel. Next turning his attention to agricultural pursuits, he followed farm- ing in Plumstead township for two years, after which he rented the hotel of which George E. Black is now the owner. This the father conducted for three years, and then returned to the farm, giving his time and energies to its cul- tivation and further development for five years. Again he was in the hotel busi- ness for two years, and again followed farming for two years. Once more he conducted a hotel there a year, and re-

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History of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, from the discovery of the Delaware to the present time, Vol. III, Part 92

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