History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Part 163

Author: Bean, Theodore Weber, 1833-1891, [from old catalog] ed; Buck, William J. (William Joseph), 1825-1901
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1534

USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania > Part 163

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

It appears that he rented out the stand from 1807 until 1813, in the mean time keeping a store here. Ife now returned again to the inn, which he kept at least as late as 1818. Thomas Coughlin purchased the stand about this time. In the summer of 1825 he died, and it was offered at public sale the following October 25th, at which time mention is made of its sign being "the American Eagle," and that there was on the premises extensive sheds, stabling for sixty horses, a brick ten-

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

ement and a blacksmith-shop. As it was not sold, we know that the widow, Edith Coughlin, still kept it in the beginning of 1829. This stand was long owned and kept by the late William Cottman, under the aforesaid name, until a recent time.

Mr. McCalla, we know, was postmaster here in 1806, and was succeeded, in 1808, by Charles T. Ilallowell, store-keeper, who retired in the spring of 1812, when the former resumed the office and kept it to 1819, if not later, and was succeeded therein by Thomas Coughlin, and next by his widow. Mr. McCalla appears to have been an enterprising man. He was a member of Abington Presbyterian Church, where he lies buried, having died Decem- ber 19, 1850, in his seventy-eighth year. His wife, Jane, had preceded him December 15, 1836, in her sixty-fifth year. A horse company, for the recovery of stolen horses and bringing thieves to jus- tice, was organized at McCalla's house March I, 1810, and is still in existence among the neighboring farmers, and holds its annual meetings at the same place. A public meeting was also held at that place, September 6, 1814, to aid the people of Philadelphia in the defense of their city. Joshua Tyson was chairman and Jesse Dillon secretary. Another public-house was kept in Jenkintown in 1813 by Joseph Thomas, sign of the " Cross Keys." This stand was subsequently kept for some time by Jacob Buck as the "Green Tree," which was discontinued about 1842.

Joseph Iredell, in December, 1810, advertises a two- story house for sale, with a shop attached, in which he carried on saddle-making, a business that has now nearly disappeared in the county. Owing to the de- mand for houses in Philadelphia, in the spring of 1824 a number of weavers removed out here. A passing traveler at this time writes that "' the pleasant little village is crowded with manufacturers from the city, who, with their noisy looms, have established themselves in every corner where a little elbow-room could be found. Through this sudden irruption on the quiet habits of the villagers twenty houses more could readily find tenants in Jenkintown." The extensive works of the Wharton Switch Company are located near the railroad station, a short distance from the borough line. A further account is given in the article on Abington township.

The Abington Library .- So little was actually done in book publishing before the Revolution that not even a copy of the English Bible was produced in any of the colonies, it baving been alone printed by John Eliot, of Massachusetts, in the Indian language, and by Christopher Sour, of Germantown, in three editions in the German, the first in 1743. Books con- sequently had to be imported by order either for public or private use, as we find was done by the records of the Union Library of Hatboro' till the Revolution checked intercourse abroad. It is stated as one reason that no English Bible was printed here in a population

of nearly three millions, was that the British govern- ment would not have permitted it. this sole privilege having been vested in the University of Oxford.

The principal inhabitants in and around the village of Jenkintown as early as February 19, 1803, assem- bled for the purpose of establishing a library there, and appointed John Morrison, Ebenezer Hickling and William Johnson a committee for the purpose of pre- paring a code of by-laws and reporting the same at a meeting to be held at the public-house of William McCalla on the 3d of March following at three P.M. As adopted the board of officers was to consist of five directors, a treasurer and librarian, to be chosen an- nually. Payments of seventy-five cents were to be made by each member every six months. According to Article 2d, "It shall be an unalterable rule in this constitution that no books of an atheistical, immoral or deistical tendency shall ever be admitted into this library, on any pretense whatever, and should at any time (notwithstanding this resolution) such books be introduced, it shall in that case be the duty of the librarian to stop their circulation, and give timely notice of the same to the society."

The names of the original members were Ebenezer Ilickling, Morris Morris, Thomas Fletcher, Lewis Roberts, Joseph Taylor, John Michener, Clement R. Shepherd, Richard Martin, Joseph Iredell, William Johnson, William McCalla, Richard T. Leech, John Morrison, Isaac Ilallowell, William Lukens, Margaret Morris, Baker Barnes, John Blake, Jr., Thomas Mather, Peter Johnson, Charles T. Hallowell, Ryner Tyson, Isaac Mather, Thomas Shoemaker, John Moore, Edward Potts and Samuel Potts,-being thirty-three in number, certainly sufficient for a promising beginning. Although more than three- fourths of a century have elapsed, we entertain no doubt that above half the number have descendants still living in this section, numbering among them some of our most respectable and prominent citizens.

In the first book of " Minutes of the Directors of the Abington Library Company," under the date of March 21, 1803, we find mention that " This being the day appointed for the first meeting of the directors, they met accordingly at the library-room in the house of William Johnson. Present, John Michener, Thomas Shoemaker and Richard T. Leech. On ex- amining the state of the funds, found them not yet sufficient to warrant a purchase of books. A member produced and offered for sale Goldsmith's 'Animated Nature,' in four volumes, which on consideration the directors agreed to purchase at $6.50. The treasurer was authorized to collect, if possible, the subscriptions that remain due by next meeting, and the librarian to receive and keep a list of all books that may come into the library, either by gift or purchase, and to consider them as under his care for the present."

" On examining the report of the treasurer," the fol- lowing 4th of April, "it appeared that they had made a purchase of books to the amount of $143.70, which

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were produced and arranged on the shelves. Ordered that the librarian number them immediately, when they may be given out to the members agreeably to the direction of the by-laws, and that he prepares lists of books for said use. Allowed the committee who attended in Philadelphia for the purchase of books $3.17 as a compensation in lieu of their expenses, January 2, 1804. The society, in conformity to the Jaws proceeded to the election of officers for the ensti- ingyear, when John Morrison, John Michener, Thomas Shoemaker, John Moore and Richard T. Leech were elected directors, William Johnson treasurer, and Jesse Johnson librarian. One hundred copies of the constitution, by-laws and subscribers' names were ordered to be printed and delivered to the members at the expense of the society, and the librarian is re- quested to make out a copy for publication. The librarian to expedite as much as possible the collection of fines and dues in order to make an additional pur- chase of books, ete. Resolved unanimously, that the directors be and are hereby requested to apply with all convenient speed to the Legislature of the State, or any competent authority, for the purpose of obtaining a charter in order to incorporate this society."

The original charter, granted September 5, 1805, is now in possession of the secretary, Charles Mather, and is on parchment over two and a half feet square, and is very well written. The heading particularly is admirably done, the title thereon being "The Abing- ton Society for the Promotion of Useful Knowledge." It contains the autographs of the incorporators, whose names are John Morrison, William Johnson, John Michener, Ryner Tyson, Richard T. Leech, Clement R. Shepherd, David Thomas, Ebenezer Hiekling, James Oram, William MeCalla, Isaac Clayton, l'eter Johnson, Daniel Fletcher, Charles T. Hallowell, John Moore, Joseph Phipps, Thomas Fletcher, Isaac Hallowell, Joseph Iredell and Thomas Shoemaker. The clause against immoral works was sustained. " This society shall never be dissolved unless by the unanimous consent of its members. No alteration or amendment shall be made to this constitution except by the consent of two-thirds of its members." It bears the signature of Thomas Mckean as Governor, who was also one of the signers of the Declaration of In- dependence. The charter having fallen behind some of the books, eventually became lost and forgotten, when an attack was made on it by the mice, but tor- tunately they did not injure any of its writing. It was found on renovating the library, and is now kept within a tin case made on purpose for its better se- curity.

Mr. Mather, the efficient secretary, has kindly fur- nished the writer with interesting reminiseences of several of the original incorporators, to which are added a few additional facts. John Morrison was a justice of the peace of Abington township for many years. Richard T. Leech, of Cheltenham, was a member of Assembly for several years, and afterwards surveyor-

general of Pennsylvania. William Johnson kept the store now occupied by Charles Harper, at the corner of York and West Avenues. Clement R. Shepherd conducted the tannery on the York road, opposite the farm of Samuel W. Noble. David Thomas kept at this time the only store in the village of Abington. Ebenezer Ilickling was a physician. William McCalla kept the public-house on the site of the late Eagle llotel, and was for some time postmaster. Charles T. Hallowell erected the first buildings and kept store therein. This is now Smith & Reeder's Hotel. John Moore was a prominent physician, and resided in the house recently occupied and owned by John Wanna- maker. Joseph Phipps, a descendant of one of the original land-holders of Abington, resided opposite the Friends' Meeting-house, on the place owned by the late J. Francis Fisher. Thomas Fletcher was a farmer, and resided on the place now belonging to the estate of Capt. Robinson. Isaac Hallowell resided on the farm now occupied by Thomas Buckman. Joseph Iredell was a saddler in Jenkintown. Thomas Shoe- maker was a man of business habits, extensively given to settling estates, etc.

We shall now resume the history of the library since its incorporation. It was determined, January 6, 1806, "that a compensation of ten dollars be allowed the librarian, with a commission of five per cent. on all moneys collected since the 11th of March last." The price of shares was fixed at six dollars each, which was increased January 2, 1809, to eight dollars, and in 1815 to ten dollars. Mention is made of several works missing between the years 1816 and 1821. At the meeting of the latter year David Thomas, John Michener, Isaac Hallowell, Joshua Taylorand William Grant were elected directors and Joseph Shaw treas- urer and librarian. The librarian's fees were re- (luced to twelve dollars and the shares to six dollars, and the following year to five dollars. The annual dues at the meeting in 1823 were reduced to one dollar. Robert Steel was admitted a member in 1826. January 5, 1835, Isaac Mather, Oliver Paxson, Bartholomew Mather, William Grant and John R. Hallowell were elected directors, Isaac Mather treasurer, and D. J. Bent librarian. This year Jacob Dananhower was admitted a member, and is still residing in the vicinity. Isaac Mather was treas- urer from 1835 to 1848, and president from 1850 to the present time, having been a member since 1827, S. W. Noble has been treasurer since 1848. Charles F. Wilson became a member in 1848, and continued librarian till 1878, when the library was removed from over his store to its present location in Masonic Hall. The first minute book comes down to 1836.

In the "History of Montgomery County," published in "Scott's Atlas," in 1877, under the head of Jenkin- town, the writer made the following remarks respecting this library : " In the catalogue published in 1855 we learn that it then contained twenty-nine members and ten hundred and twenty-two volumes. A resident of the

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

borough lately informed us that it now numbered but sixteen members and fourteen hundred volumes. It would be a pity, after so long a life, that it should meet the same fate as the libraries at Gwynedd, Horsham and Attleboro'. Knowing that there is considerable in- telligence, enterprise and wealth in the place, we would here respectfully call attention to the subject before it is too late, and the collections of nearly three-fourths of a century become dispersed." We are gratified to state that since then there has been a renewed and greater interest taken in promoting its increase and usefulness. The library now contains about two thousand volumes,

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

JOSEPH W. HUNTER.

Mr. Hunter is of Scotch-Irish parentage. Adam Hunter, his grandfather, resided near Londonderry, Ireland, where he cultivated a farm. His wife, a Miss Wray, of Glasgow, Scotland, was the mother of one son, Thomas, and a daughter, Martha, who became Mrs. Andrew Scanlan. Thomas, a native of Ireland, emi- grated to the United States in 1842, settling first in

Joseph W. Hunter

the price of a share is only three dollars and the yearly payment one dollar. The annual meeting for the election of officers, etc., is held the first Monday in January.

Mr. John W. Ridpath is the present librarian, of whom the privilege of using the books can be rented at the rate of fifty cents for three months. Persons using the reading-room are permitted access to the library without charge. Among the recent purchases was the latest edition of the " Encyclopædia Britannica," " Webster's and Worcester's Unabridged Dictionaries," and other valuable works for refer- ence.

Philadelphia and later in Delaware County, Pa., where he followed farming pursuits. He married Henri- etta, daughter of Joseph Schwend, a military engi- neer and staff officer in the French army under Napoleon, who afterwards emigrated to America and was employed on the Raritan Canal. The surviving children of this marriage are Joseph W., Sarah W. (Mrs. Robert T. Love), Martha, Mary A., Rebecca and Henrietta. Joseph W. was born on the 23d of July, 1853,on the Pont Reading farm, in Haverford township, Delaware County, Pa., his youth having been spent at this point and in other portions of the same county. He later removed to Lower Merion township, Mont-

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BOROUGH OF JENKINTOWN.

gomery Co., meanwhile receiving his education at Pythias, and of Peace and Love Lodge, No. 337, of I. O.O.F. His religious associations are with the Presbyterian Church, of Jenkintown, of which he is a member. both private and public schools, and finally entering the Mantua Academy, in West Philadelphia, from which he graduated in 1870 as second in his class. Immediately after he joined Samuel L. Smedley, sur- veyor of the Eleventh Survey District of Philadel- JOHN J. DAVIS. phia, and studied surveying under him and under his John J. Davis (originally written Davies) is a son of Evan (Davies) Davis, who was born April 22, 1803, and was baptized in the parish of Llanarth, in the county of Cardigan, South Wales. successor, George W. Hancock. He was employed by Mr. Smedley to make topographical surveys in the city and also to engage in map surveying. In 1875 he made Jenkintown his home, and while continuing his As was customary in South Wales, Evan Davis, be- ing the oldest son, inherited the estate, Cil-1-1-leoch, Philadelphia pursuits also engaged in farm surveying. Mr. Hunter was, in 1878, elected justice of the peace, | in the parish of Dihewid, county of Cardigan, South

and re-elected in 1883 for a second term of five years. In 1882 he was made county surveyor and is still the ineumbent of the offlee. He is to some extent active in the ranks of the Republican party, but not to so great an extent as to be regarded a politiciau. Mr. Hunter was, in 1878, married to Miss Kate, daughter of Thomas Gentry, of Philadelphia. He is a director of the Cheltenham and Willow Grove Turnpike Com- pany, and member of both the Abington and Chelten- ham Building and Loan Associations, of which he is secretary. He is active in the Masonic ranks as mem- ber of Friendship Lodge, No. 400, of Jenkintown ; is a member of Jenkintown Lodge, No. 476, Knights of |

Wales. Evan's early years were spent in school, and later his time was occupied in the study of the cause and eure of all diseases of domestic animals, and more especially the horse, and in his mature years he became widely known as one of the most skillful vet- eriuary surgeons on either side of the Atlantic Ocean.

In the early part of the summer of 1832, Mr. Davis chartered of Lewis Jones, a cousin of Mrs. Davis, the sailing-vessel " Wyoming," Captain Watkins, and set sail for America. Another family accompanied Mr. Davis, making in all twenty-one souls on board, be- sides the crew. The voyage was a long, rough and tedious one, consuming about three months' time, and

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

they finally landed at Halifax, N. S., in September of the same year. The party of emigrants remained at Halifax about two weeks, when they went by steamer to Alexandria, Va., where the family re- mained four weeks. Mr. Davis in the mean time visited Philadelphia, and secured a place for his family, where they remained till the spring of 1833, when Mr. Davis and family moved to Horsham town- ship, Montgomery Co., Pa., and located on a place along the turnpike, a short distance above Horsham- ville, where he remained till the spring of 1842, when he moved to Hatboro', this county.

Mr. Davis married Mary Jones, who was born January 5, 1801, and baptized in the church of the parish Dihewid, in the county of Cardigan, South Wales. They united with the Baptist Church of Hatboro' in 1840, and Mr. Davis was senior deacon of that church for many years prior to his death, which occurred December 28, 1881. Mrs. Davis still survives, in the eighty-fifth year of her age. They were the parents of eleven children, seven of whom were born in Wales, as will be seen from the follow- ing extract from the family records :

I. Elcanor, born July 16, 1821, and on the 17th day of this moon was baptized at Dihewid parish church, County Cardigan.

II. David, born February 27, 1823, and baptized the 16th day of the moon at Dihewid parish church.

III. Mary, born October 26, 1824, and baptized the 4th day of the moon at Dihewid parish church.

IV. John J., born August 29, 1826, at five minutes after two o'clock in the morning. and baptized on the 26th day of the moon in the parish church at Dihewid,

V. Griffith, born February 4, 1828, baptized on the 18th day of the moon at Dihewid parish church.

VI. Margaret, born August 19, 1829, baptized on the 20th day of the moon at the parish church, Dihewid.

VII. George, born June 3, 1831, baptized on the 22d day of the moon at Dihewid parish church.

VIII. Pryce Pugh, born February 8, 1833, and was baptized by Evan Williams in Philadelphia, Pa.

IX. Benjamin, born May 27, 1837.

X. Victoria Rachel Amelia, born November 30, 1838.

XI. Richard Lewis, born April 17, 1840.

John J. Davis, the subject of this sketch, as has been stated, was born in Wales, and came to this country with his parents when he was but six years of age. His early years were spent during the sun- mer seasons in working on the farm, and in winter seasons at the Friends' school at Horshamville, and lastly two terms at the Loller Academy, Hatboro'.

When eighteen years of age he was apprenticed to Absalom Kearns, of Hatboro', to learn the trade of a blacksmith, and served three years and three months. After learning his trade he worked as a journeyman till the spring of 1853, when he commenced business for himself at a place called Babylon, in Horsham

township, where he remained two years. He then worked in Hatboro' one year, and in Prospectville five years, then in Hartsville one year, and in Jen- kintown two years, and in the spring of 1863 removed to his present place of business, and in 1867 pur- chased the property of the heirs of Jesse Jenkins.

When Mr. Davis located here, in 1863, he was without capital, except good health, a tborough knowledge of the business and a determination to make life a success, which latter object has thus far been accomplished to the fullest degree. Since he has owned the property where he now lives he has remodeled and enlarged his residence, built the large and commodious blacksmith and wheelwright-shops, and gives employment to several first-class mechanics, one of whom has been in his employ for over eleven years.

He united with the Hatboro' Baptist Church when eighteen years of age, and was for many years one of its deacons, and when the Baptist Church at Jenkin- town was constituted he was one of the constituent members, and has since then been its senior deacon.

He was married, January 1, 1853, to Martha B., daughter of James B. and Mary Biddle Cadwallader Langdale, of Upper Dublin township. Mrs. Davis was born July 16, 1831. They are the parents of children as follows: Mary L., born November 27, 1853, died June 21, 1856; Mary A., born January 7, 1862, died October 21, 1864; Charles L., born Novem- ber 10, 1864, died March 4, 1865; Alonzo C., born September 25, 1866, died July 22, 1868; Alonzo G., born May 17, 1870, died September 23, 1872; William Henry, born June 26, 1873.

The father of Mrs. Davis, James B. Langdale, was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, April 1, 1793, and died in August, 1861. He was in the war of 1812, under General Harrison, and participated in the battles of Tippecanoe, Thomas and Fort Meigs, and was wound- ed in the latter battle. A musket-ball that he carried in his leg from the battle of Fort Meigs to the date of his death is now in possession of Mr. Davis.

Mrs. Langdale was born November 24, 1800, and is still living. They were the parents of Elizabeth B., born June 25, 1820; Lewis L., born July 12, 1822; Cynthia S., born October 5, 1824; Samuel, born Oc- tober 22, 1826; Martha B., born July 16, 1831; Charles Ramsay, born November 1, 1833; Lydia W., born July 10, 1836.

The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Davis were of English-Irish descent, Samuel Langdale having been born in England, and his wife, Elizabeth Biddle, was born in Ireland. Elizabeth was a daughter of Thomas and Martha Biddle, and Martha was the daughter of - Heaton.

Samuel Langdale was in the Revolutionary war, and at the battle of Paoli under General Anthony Wayne, and was one of the number selected by Gen- eral Wayne as a "forlorn hope" in the attack on the enemy's works.

BOROUGH OF JENKINTOWN.

741

Mrs. Davis has in her possession several letters written by Margaret Langdale between 1710 and 1723, while in the Boston Prison, London, England, during the persecution of the Quakers merely for opinion's sake. The letters are neatly and correctly written, and are held as valuable relics of British cruelty and hatred of a people who would think for themselves.

JOSEPH A. SHOEMAKER.

Mr. Shoemaker's paternal ancestors, who were of German descent, came with William Penn to Pennsyl- vania in 1682, and settled in what is now Horsham

beth, daughter of Joseph and Mary Logan, of Abing- ton township, whose children are Hannah ( Mrs. John Jones), Maria (Mrs. William Steel deceased), Tacy (Mrs. George Logan deceased), Jane (Mrs. George Logan deceased), Martha, Joseph A., Elizabeth and John (deceased). Mr. Shoemaker died in Horsham township, where he had latterly resided, in 1863. His son, Joseph A., was boru on the 13th of May, 1826, in Gwynedd township, and received early instruction at a Friends' school. At the age of thirteen he re- moved to Philadelphia Connty, and at sixteen became an apprentice to the trade of a blacksmith, remaining for the purpose in Upper Dublin township. One year

Joseph, A Shoemaker

township, in Montgomery County. In the direct line of descent was Joseph Shoemaker, grandfather of the subject of this biographical sketch, who purchased land and become a farmer in Gwynedd. He was united in marriage to Miss Tacy Ambler, a lady of Welsh parentage and a resident of the same county. Their children were Ezekiel, John, Joseph, Jessie, Ann, Ellen and Hannah. John of this number, whose birth occurred in 1790, in Gwynedd township, on the completion of his apprenticeship to the trade of a harness-maker, removed to Jenkintown and subse- quently to other portions of the county, where he pur- sued his vocation during his life. He married Eliza-

was spent as a journeyman in Montgomery County, after which he removed to the West. The East, how- ever, offering superior advantages, hereturned again to his native State and engaged in the purchase and sale of horses, meanwhile becoming for one year the tenant of a farm in Horsham township. Mr. Shoemaker, during the next three years, found employment in a saw-mill in the same township, and in 1853 made Jenkintown his residence. In connection with his brother-in-law, George Logan, he embarked in butchering, which business he has since continued with marked suecess, as the result of strict prin- ciples of honor carried into every transaction, com-

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History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Part 163

Author: Bean, Theodore Weber, 1833-1891, [from old catalog] ed; Buck, William J. (William Joseph), 1825-1901 Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck Number of Pages: 1534

Author: Bean, Theodore Weber, 1833-1891, [from old catalog] ed; Buck, William J. (William Joseph), 1825-1901
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1534