History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Part 229

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 229

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The Edge Hill Furnace is located in the extreme east corner of Springfield, adjoining the Cheltenham and Abington line. It was commenced in 1868, but not fully completed until 1872. It went into operation in January of that year, conducted by the Edge Hill Iron Company, who also erected here for the use of the workmen seventeen three-story stone dwelling- houses. The land attached is one hundred and twenty- three acres, abounding in extensive deposits of iron-ore, and having farm buildings upon it. It is now con- ducted by Joseph E. Thropp and Charles Richard- son, and when visited, in September, 1883, had in employ fifty-five hands at the furnace, and about one hundred and fifty engaged in procuring and preparing the several materials requisite to carry it on, as ore, coal, limestone and marble. About one-third of the ore used is procured on the adjoining lands, the rest from elsewhere, which is so combined as to produce the best quality of iron. The average product had formerly been about two hundred and twenty-five tons per week, but the present energetic proprietors have attained to as high as three hundred and forty tons. Iron has been produced here that showed, on analysis ninety-seven per cent. of pure metal. The engine used has a capacity of five hundred horse- power, and two fly-wheels, each of which weigh fifty tons. These works are situated beside the North Pennsylvania Railroad, and at the northern end of Edge Hill village. From its elevated situation the two lofty stacks serve as conspicuous landmarks to the surrounding country.

In the vicinity of Sandy Run Station a considerable quantity of lime is annually produced and sent off' by railroad to other sections, especially to Phila- delphia, for building purposes. The limestone and iron-ore surface of Springfield takes up about two- thirds of its entire area. As to the latter, immense

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SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP.

quantities have been dug during the last forty years, particularly in the vicinity of Flourtown, Edge Hill village and Five Points. Near the latter place also a considerable quantity of fire-elay has been procured for the interior linings of furnaces, which is well adapted to resist heat.

ASSESSMENT OF SPRINGFIELD, 1776.

Henry Dewees, assessor, and Jacob Neff, collector.

William Nice, 200 acres, 3 horses, 2 cattle, 1 servant ; William Ottinger, 2 h., 5 c. ; Jacob Nice, 5 a. ; Conrad Redheffer, 75 a., 2 h., 3 c. ; William llicks, 100 a., 2 h., 4 c. ; Leonard Redlion, 1 h., 1 c. ; Christopher Rex, 100 a., 4 h., 2 c. ; Christian Donet, 110 a., 6 b., 2 c. ; Christian Friend, 93 a., paper-mill, grist-mill, 3 h .. 3 c. ; Andrew Redheffer, Jr., 160 a., 4 b., 3 c .; Andrew Redbeffer, 2 h., 4 c. ; Philip Miller, inn-keeper, 30 a., 2 h., 3 c .; Heury Marcer, 1 h., 1 c. ; Jobn Ottinger, 100 a., 3 b., 5 c., 75 acres in Upper Dublin ; Jacob Haricher, 5 a. ; Jost Art, 2 a., 1 c .; Conrad Mason, 1 a., 1c. : John Fry, 1c .; Jobb Hammel, 1c. ; Jobn Kenner, int-keeper, 16 a., 1 b., 2 c. ; Ulrich Wagoner, shoe- maker, 4 a., 1 c .; Andrew Iliberger, 2 c. ; David Mack, smith, 3 a., 1 servant, 1 c .; Abraham Waggerly, 2 a., 1 c. ; Jacob Miller, cooper, 10 a., 1 h., 1 c. ; Adam Deem, 1 b., 1 c. ; Susanna Koons, widow, 12 a., 2 c. ; Balser Hliderich, 10 a., 1 h., 1 c. ; John Server, weaver, 4 a., 1 c .; Jacob Leslie, tailor ; Barnabas Francis, 4 a. ; Christopher Ottinger, 286 a., 1 servant, 4 h., 4 c. ; Jacob Neff, inn-keeper, 35 a and tan-yard, 1 servant, 1 b., 1 c .; George Nice, 1 h., 1 c. ; Frederick Kelhooper, 1 c., George Fulkemer, 1 c .: Jacob Kerbach, 19 a., 1 c .; Adam Snyder, 70 a., 2 h., 2 c. ; William Levering, 30 a., 1 h., 2 c. ; Henry Koons, 5 a., 1 c. ; Felix Detwiler, shoemaker, 10 a., 2 c. ; Adam Shisler, + a., 2 c. : Jacob Norker, laborer, 2 h., 3 c. ; William Burk, 1 c. ; llenry Bisbing, 200 a., 4 h., 5 c .; Andrew Fie, 11 a., 1 h., 2 c .; Rudoldh Ebright, 2 h., 3 c. ; Philip Peterman, 1 a., 1 c. ; Abraham lliderich, carpenter, 1 h., 2 c .; Michael Slatter, minister, 130 a., 2 h., 5 c. ; Christopher Lance, mason; Jacob Fisher, 50 a., 2 c .; William Boler, weaver ; Henry Overlander, 20 a., 1 h., 2 c .; Christopher llisler, laborer, 24 a. 1 h., 2 c. ; George Sneering, 15 a., 1 c .; Peter Niswander, 1 h., 2 c. : Jacob Staley, 1 h., 2 c. ; John Streeper, inn-keeper, 60 a., 2 h., 1 c .; John Linn, cooper, 1c .; Henry Dewees, 120 a., 1 servant, 4 h., 5 c. ; John Thomas Morris, Jacob Hempfer, John Shisler, Baltus Wolf, Jacob Rister, John llayberger, Adam Snyder, William Dewees, Jr.

The Bethesda Home is situated in Springfield township, on the public road dividing Montgomery County from the northwestern limits of the city of Philadelphia. The premises contain about eight acres of land and are valued in the assessment books of the township at twenty-two thousand dollars, but are not taxed. The locality is healthful, and the region abounds in highly-improved farms and elegant suburban residences. It is near Wyndmoor Station, on the Philadelphia and Chestnut Hill Rail- road, and is convenient of access by well-kept publie highways in all directions.

The Bethesda Home is one among the comparatively few Christian charities sustained by voluntary offer- ings, without personal solicitation from those who have undertaken its management, and who have, in a spirit of broad humanity and an unquestioning faith in God, devoted themselves to the relief of the poor and helpless unfortunates found in all crowded communi- ties. The citizens of the commonwealth point with a sense of pride to the splendid publie charities sus- tained by appropriations made annually by legislative authority, but perhaps at no point from the Delaware to the Ohio will be found an institution so universal in its efforts to benefit those most in need, or so tender in its offices of mercy and philanthropy, and at no

place have a Christian people been more appreciative and responsive than those living in humble homes and abodes of affluence within the circle of influence of this home.

In the year 185I a lady of Quaker parentage, but who had somewhat departed from the simplicity and plainness of her ancestors, united herself with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and through the ear- nest endeavors of this woman the work carried on by the Bethesda Home has been accomplished. A few years after her connection with the church, Annie Clements was appointed to take charge of a elass eon- nected with a missionary church, on Eleventh Street, in the southern part of Philadelphia.

The subject of founding an institution or home by which these objects could be accomplished was con- stantly borne in mind by Miss Clements and prayer- fully considered by her. The business in which she was engaged was of such a nature that she was unable to give her personal attention to the direction of an institution such as she had in her mind, and she therefore wrote to a friend in Trenton, a devoted Christian lady, who, being free from domestic cares, was consecrating all her time and talents to doing good as she found opportunity. After much prayer and deliberation, this friend consented to Miss Clem- ent's proposition to become a co-laborer in this good work. About this time an acquaintance wished to open a store at the corner of Eleventh and Ellsworth Streets, and let out the upper part of the building. In some respeets this house was well adapted for Miss Clement's purposes, and though not able to carry out both objeets in view, she felt that here was an opeu- ing by which she might accomplish one. The place had some inconveniences. Being a corner liouse, there was a great deal of front; the yard was small ; there was no bath and only one small room on the first floor to be used by the occupants of the house. It was a four-storied building, with three rooms on a floor, well arranged and ventilated, with high ceilings and many windows. Thus, in 1859, the house was taken, trusting in God to send both inmates and sup- port.

At first all the rooms were not appropriated to the institution ; some were let out for a time to poor, respectable women; but as the family increased and rooms were vacated they were gradually occupied. Just at this time another Christian friend called on Miss Clement who seemed to be fitted for carrying out a work of faith; and being disengaged, Miss Clement told her of the proposed work, and asked if she was willing to assist the lady previously mentioned, in conducting the house, as her own business would not yet permit her to engage in the work personally. This sister also consented, and on the 3d of November they took up their abode at the home.

During the first year donations were very few. Publicity had not entered into any of their calculations, and the Bethesda Home was not known beyond the

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circle of the personal acquaintances of its originators. Much of the expense of the establishment was borne by Miss Clement herself; but there was enough re- ceived from other sources to assure those who were laboring that the work was acceptable to God, and that He was pleased to have them go to Him with all their wants, instead of soliciting donations through human agency.

In the early part of May, while on a visit of a few days to a friend at Chestnut Ilill, a large and com- modious house was offered to Miss Clement for rent. The rent, six hundred dollars a year, seemed very high ; but the location was desirable. In a situation celebrated for its salubrity, a garden already planted with vegetables for the ensuing summer, an orchard and several acres of ground attached, rendered it a very suitable place for such a family. In a few days arrangements were completed, and the inmates of Bethesda Home prepared to move on the 1st of June. At that time, Miss Clement, having freed herself from all business engagements, took up her residence at the house.

During the uext ten years thegood work went on, still supported by voluntary subscriptions. Within this time the home, a peaceful retreat for the aged and a shelter for the destitute and friendless orphans, cared for twenty okt women, blessing God for a quiet Chris- tian home in which to end their days. Also three hundred and fifty found here a refuge from poverty and neglect, and were brought under careful Christian training.

In 1872, Mr. Henry J. Williams, of Chestnut Hill, besides much previous kindness, built a large and com- modious house for this home, at the location previously described. It is a large, comfortable-looking stone house, with a fine portico in front and a carriage drive to the door. The parlor is a beautiful room, neatly and appropriately furnished. The school- room, on the other side of the hall, is also pleasant, light and cheerful in all its appointments. The whole second floor is so nicely heated by the furnace that the children are not confined to one room, but have the range of bedrooms, hall and play-room, which conduces to their health. The floors are laid in hard wood, and the chambers are all furnished with single iron bedsteads. The third floor is furnished much like the second. Two communicating rooms are here set apart for sick nurseries, so that in contagious diseases the patient can immediately be separated from the rest of the family. The beautiful views of the surrounding landscape, which are visible from the large and airy windows of this lovely home, make the neat lodging-rooms doubly attractive.

At the close of the year 1872 it was found that the donations, including all moneys received for children's board, amounted to $1789.35 for current expenses, be- sides which the sum of one thousand dollars was given for furnishing the new house.

In 1873 the children were moved into their new

home, and many and liberal were the offerings of friends, which greatly added to the comfort of the lit- tle ones. During this year the donations for current expenses and money paid for children's board amounted to $1888.40, which covered all expenses of clothing, provisions, wages, etc. All bills had been paid monthly during this year, as was the original in- tention of the founder of the home. But in times of great need she allowed herself to be drawn into debt, and this is not a matter of surprise when it is re- membered that she had a family of thirty or forty to supply daily with food and clothes, and many ad- ditional expenses.

Through the kindness of friends they were enabled to commence the year 1874 free from all debt.

The year 1875 opened with a balance on hand of $13.95, and closed with forty-five children in the in- stitution and a balance on hand of $4.96. The ex- penditures for that year were $3241.26, and the receipts resulting from the two fairs held at Mrs. F.'s and Mr. A. C.'s, children's board and other cash re- ceipts amounted to $3246.22.

The number of children had increased to ninety- one when the year 1879 began. Sixty-eight were received during the year, seven were adopted, one was placed in Girard College, thirteen placed in good homes, two died, thirty-one were taken by their parents, three left with their mothers who were here at service. Fifty-seven being thus disposed of, it left the number one hundred and two at the close of 1879. The receipts this year were $5189.4I, and expen- ditures $5169.74, leaving a balance of $19.67.

From the report of Bethesda Home for the year 1883 it is found that the number of children had increased to one hundred and forty-one.

The receipts of the Home for 1883 were $9695.22, and expenditures $9114.75, leaving a balance in hand of $580.47.

The work is distinctively a "faith " work. The feature which distinguishes it from others of like object is direct dependence upon God. It is that practical and entire reliance upon the promises and providence of God in Jesus Christ which casts off' and aims to continue free from all earthly dependence, and which while fully recognizing and heartily responding to the human agencies in Divine beneficence, makes its requests known directly and only to God, the great giver of every good and perfect gift, with full assur- ance that "the Lord will provide."

The property belonging to this Home consists of eight acres of ground and the buildings thereon erected, which, together with the interest of an in- vested sum of thirty thousand dollars, was bequeathed to trustees for the use of the home by the late Henry J. Williams. His will directs the incorporation of the Home, indites the charter and names the corpor- ators ; but directs that

" The Trustees, to whom the lot of ground and appurtenances above mentioned and devised in trust to procure an act of incurporation, shall

Femy A. Millianna

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SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP.

hold the same withont applying for any such act so long as the present manager of the 'Home,' Miss A. W. Clement, is able and willing to continue the manager thereof, and they shall permit her to have the full, free and absolute control of the internal affairs of the same so long as she is willing to remain ; but upon her death, resignation or departure, then to apply for an act of incorporation, according to the provisions of the foregoing codicil to my will."

Mr. Williams, in his endowment, only perpetuates his customary annual contribution to the Home. Owing to the decrease in the rate of interest and the growth of the. work (continnally increasing the cost of its maintenance), the endowment is now less than twenty per cent. of the actnal cost of carrying on the institution.

HENRY J. WILLIAMS, to whose memory the Bethesda Home of Chestnut Hill is only one of many monu- ments in this immediate region, and whose character is held in reverent love, not only by the people of this loeality, but by those of a far wider circle, be- canse of his many benefactions and the constant ex- ercise of his kindly qualities throughout a long life- time, was a native of Philadelphia, and was horn upon Christmas day, 179I. His descent was through a line of distinguished ancestors, nearly all of whom were possessed of those elements of Christian piety which attained so rich and perfect a fruition in the subject of the present biography. His paternal grandfather was a Puritan, a native of Boston, Mass., a man of wealth, of integrity, of extensive influence, a member of the honored band of patriots who struggled success- fully against the tyranny of Great Britain, and the chairman of that memorable assemblage at Faneuil Ifall which resolved to prohibit the landing of the cargo of tea sent from the mother- country, which was afterwards thrown into the waters of the harbor. Ile sutlered a penalty for his patriotism, for when the British invested Bos- ton all of his property was either confiscated or de- stroyed. The wife of this Boston patriot was also of Puritan stock and a relative of Benjamin Franklin. Their son, and the father of our subject, was General J. Williams, a man of most excellent character and the first superintendent of West Point Military Acad- emy. Mr. Williams' mother was the danghter of William Alexander, Esq., of Edinburgh, Scotland, a near relative of Lord Stirling. Thus in his youth Mr. Williams enjoyed the advantages of high social rank. He had naturally fine qualities of mind, and they were developed by a careful military and col- legiate education. In due time he chose the profes- sion of law, studied under that eminent jurist, Horace Binney, Esq., began practice under favorable conditions, secured a lucrative practice and attained great distinction in his profession.

Mr. Williams, early in his professional life, was united in marriage with Julia, daughter of the cele- brated Dr. Benjamin Rush, of Philadelphia, who, abandoning, in a great measure, the gayeties and pleasures of fashionable society, for which her high position and great personal attractions fitted her, be-

came the efficient helpmeet of her husband in all of his earnest work for the improvement of those around him and the advancement of the Christian religion.

The greatest works of Mr. Williams for the better- ment of his fellow-man, and those which most endeared him to the people of this community, were performed during the latter part of his life. Indeed, his riper years were almost entirely devoted to charity and the church. The writer of an appreciative sketch says, "Though in the judgment of others Mr. Williams had been for years an exemplary Christian, yet he did not unite himself to the church until the year 1850, when he was received into full membership in the First Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia. .

" When the Calvary Presbyterian Church was organ- ized Mr. Williams was one of its early members, and continued one of its liberal supporters for several years."

It was in 1857 that Mr. Williams, having accumu- lated considerable wealth and retired from active pro- fessional life, purchased a beautiful country-seat at Chestnut Hill, where he spent the last years of his life. Soon after his removal here he identified himself with the local church of the Presbyterian denomination, to which he transferred his membership from Calvary Church in 1866, being elected ruling elder on August 15. At thistime, when in his seventy-sixth year, he seemed to receive a new impetus of spiritual energy, and his activity from then until very shortly before his death suffered little abatement.

The first of his organized and extensive liberalities was the building of an attractive and commodious edifice for a public library, which he fitted and fur- nished and supplied with several thousand volumes. These were made free to all classes in the community. ; especially the workingmen. This institution was named the Christian Hall Library. All of the current expenses of this establishment were defrayed by Mr. Williams during his life, and he left a large endow- ment for its use. Another monument of his liberality is the building occupied by the Orphan Home, known as the Bethesda Home of Chestnut Hill, of which a sketch has been given. This institution was also left a liberal bequest. A second building was erected by Mr. Williams a short time prior to his death.

Private benefactions, after all, engrossed thegreater part of Mr. Williams' attention. They were most carefully and yet most generously bestowed, and there is no means of knowing their extent, for he dis- tributed his alms most quietly and nnostentatiously. He was actuated by the highest Christian principles, and gave not merely for the pleasure which it afforded him.

Labor for the advancement of the religion which he held sacred was the only form of activity which equalled or exceeded his practical charity. In this he was most zealous and untiring. He organized Bible- classes for yonths and adults, and even at fonrscore I years of age was active in conducting them, giving in-

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structions in the form of expository lectures. Of these lectures he left notes, some of which, after his death, were deemed of such value that, edited by Dr. R. Owen, they were published,-"Studies on the Epistle to the Hebrews," Philadelphia, Grant, Faires & Rodgers. The little work gives a fair insight into Mr. Williams' mind and heart. "The author was not a mere copyist, . The whole is pervaded with an humble, devout and reverent spirit.

Mr. Williams' long life, crowded with good, unsel- fish, faithful, pious and pure deeds, had a happy close,

the progenitor of the family, prior to the war of the Revolution, and bequeathed to his son Abraham, above mentioned. Here the youth of the subject of this biographical sketch was spent in attendance at the neighboring school and later at schools in Chel- tenham aud at Chestnut Hill. He returned to the farm and assisted his father in its cultivation until his marriage, which occurred in June, 1845, to Amanda, daughter of Adam Heilig. Her death occurred in August, 1849, and he was a second time married, in 1868, to B. Amanda, daughter of John

Danl Beatles

the last scenes being in harmony with his whole career. " He died full of riches, full of honors, full of years."

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

DANIEL YEAKEL.

Daniel Yeakel, the grandson of Abraham Yeakel and his wife, Sarah Wagner, and the son of Isaac and Regina Schultz Yeakel, was born March 27, 1816, on the ancestral land purchased by Christopher Yeakel,

Bush, of Lansdale, Montgomery Co., Pa. The chil- dren of the latter union are Emma B. and Daniel Dawson. On the occasion of his first marriage Mr. Yeakel rented the homestead farm for a period of two years. On the death of his father he became pos- sessor by inheritance of a portion of the property and purchased the remaining interest. His pursuits from that time until the present have not varied greatly from the accustomed routine of the agricultu- ralist. Mr. Yeakel has manifested, during his active life, a deep iuterest in public matters connected with the township, and by his sympathy and personal

SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP.

1079

efforts aided greatly in its growth and development. These efforts have not been confined to the township, but have extended to the county. His political affiliations are with the Republican party, though he has never aspired to official position, and filled minor offices in the township only when urgently solicited and from a public-spirited motive. Mr. Yeakel is an active member of the Masonic fraternity and the oldest representative of Hiram Lodge, No. 81, of Chestnut Hill. He is also a member of St. John's Chapter, No. 232, and of St. John's Commandery, No.

standing at Cresheim, Germantown township, Phila- delphia Co., which was his dwelling until prior to the Revolution, when he purchased the property ou the summit of Chestnut Hill, and died there in 1810, in his ninety-second year, leaving a considerable estate. Christopher Yeakle married, August 9, 1743, Maria, daughter of Balthaser and Susanna Schultz, whose children were Susanna, born 1744; Maria, in 1747; Regina, in 1749; Abraham, in 1752; Anna, in 1755 ; and Christopher, in 1757. Abraham of this number, married Sarah, daughter of Christo-

Jacob yeahle

4, both of Philadelphia. His religious associations are with St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church, at Lafayette Hill, of which he is a member and with which he has held official relations.

JACOB YEAKLE.

The great progenitor of the Yeakle (Jaeckel) family was Christopher, who died in Silesia, Germany. Hisson, Christopher, when eighteen years of age, came with his widowed mother, Regina, to America, in 1734, and settled in Pennsylvania. He was apprenticed to a cooper, and continued during his lifetime to follow his trade. He built, in 1743, the log house still

pher Wagner, on the 10th of October, 1776, and had children,-Isaae, boru in 1777; Samuel, in 1779; Jacob, in 1780; Susannah, in 1782; Maria, in 1784. The death of Abraham Yeakle occurred on the 17th of June, 1841, and that of his wife, Sarah, May 28th, 1833. Their son, Jacob, the subject of this sketch, was horn on the 29th of September, 1780, in Spring- field township, Montgomery Co., where his whole life was spent. Very few opportunities of instrnetion were offered to the youth of that early day, a sufficient knowledge of the mother tongue and of arithmetic to transact ordinary business alone being deemed im- portant. Mr Yeakle was employed at the work of

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History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Part 229

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