History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Part 245

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 245

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).

The aforcsaid school-house was completed in 1758, and worship was held in it until the completion of the church. The first teacher was Michael Secly, who subsequently had the misfortune to become blind. The church, it is supposed, was commenced in 1761. but was not finished until a few years later. It was a substantial stone edifice, with galleries on three of it- sides, surmounted hy 'a steeple, which remainedstand-

1151

WHITEMARSH TOWNSHIP.

ing ontil 1849,-a period of nearly eighty-eight years. The school-bouse was built of logs; since, three others have been successively erected on the same spot, the two last, by the directors, under the public-schoolsys- tem. Conrad Bischoff, in 1765, taught the school, fol- lowed by John George Kuhn in 1768. Mr. Muhlenberg officiated at the laying of the corner-stone of the new church, and gave towards it, out of a certain legacy, twenty-four pounds, and preached in it before roofed, in which state it had cost five hundred pounds, and on its completion, upwards of five hundred pounds more.

It appears that the congregation had subscribed but little towards its building, for they were in debt upwards of £1000 ($2666.66) when the church was finished. Hearing of the pecuniary embarrassment Dr. Ziehenhagen, chaplain to the King of England' anthorized Mr. Muhlenberg to draw on him for five hundred pounds sterling. After the most clamorous of the creditors had been paid the church, school-house and lot of ground were conveyed to the German Lutheran congregation of Philadelphia. But what principally enabled the securities to meet their en- gagements was a legacy of thirteen thousand gulden (five thousand two hundred dollars) from the Count of Roedelsheim, in Germany, which he bequeathed to the German Lutheran congregations of Pennsylvania, three thousand gulden (twelve hundred dollars) of which were expressly given towards the indebtedness of this church. Thus was the debt of the church paid off' to save it from being sold, and not long afterwards the whole was freed from incumbrances.

At an election held at St. Peter's, April 1, 1766, Henry Katz, John Bauer, Andrew Koeth and Philip Lehr were chosen elders, and William Hiltner and John Fisher deacons. In June, 1769, Rev. John Frederick Schmidt accepted the charge of the Ger- mantown congregation, and preached every other Sun- day in the parochial churches of Frankford and Whit- pain, and occasionally at Barren Hill, in which church divine service had been prevously held every other Sunday by the Germantown ministers, during the time of Pastors John Nicholas Kurtz, John Ludwig Voight and James Vau Buskirk. Through the war and for several years after its close the Rev. H. M. Muhlen- berg, no doubt, occasionally officiated bere, also his son, the Rev. H. E. Muhlenberg, of St. Michael's Philadelphia, followed by the Rev. Daniel Schroeder and John Henry Weinland, in 1786 to 1789, of the Germantown congregation, whose several labors helped to keep the congregation together.

During the Revolution the church received con- siderable injury, having been by turns occupied by the contending armies, and used as a battery and stable. The Rev. H. M. Muhlenberg, in his journal, under date of November 4, 1777, says " that it was used as a stable for horses by a portion of the American army, encamped in the vicinity," and further mentions that a short time previous the British army had been here,

and taken from the people their horses, oxen, cows, sheep and hogs. Lafayette quartered in the church, as a point for observation, during his brief tarry on the hill, in the middle of May, 1778, and came near being captured by General Grant, with a strong detachment of the British army. After the war, as may well be supposed, it was almost a ruin, full of rubbish and dirt, and its members, from being pillaged, were miserably impoverished and destitute of even the necessaries of life.

The Rev. Frederick D. Schaeffer has left the follow- ing interesting account of the condition of affairs here:

" In the year 1790 I was called to the congregation of St. Peter's Church as their regularly ordained minister, and fomul the church and school in such a lamentable condition as to be commiserated. Only a few heads of families adhered to this congregation; the greater number of the chil- dren had already been sent to English schools, and an English school- master had been appointed to teach without my knowledge. The church building was in a deplorable condition, like a neglected or disordered honse, the rude walls, windows and frames broken and shattered, and the roof appeared also ready to fall in."

Like St. Thomas' Church, at Whitemarsh, it seems it required some time to get over the disasters occasioned by the war and relieve themselves from the difficul- ties under which they had labored.

Through the exertions of Mr. Schaeffer the church and surrounding premises were put into better condi- tion, but from having been built nearly half a century considerable repair was needed. To carry this out, the congregation made application to the Assembly, who passed an act, April 13, 1807, authorizing them to hold a lottery to meet the expense. For the want of unanimity this was not carried out, when a com- mittee of seven members was appointed, in 1809, to rebuild the structure and restore the fence and grave- yard, which was accomplished within the year. It was dedicated January 7, 1810, in the presence of a numerous assemblage. The preaching in the fore- noon was in the German, and in the afternoon in Eng- lish. After a service here and with the Germantown congregation of over twenty-two years, Mr. Schaeffer resigned and went to Philadelphia, preaching his fare- well sermon August 23, 1812. The Rev. John C. Baker succeeded in the charge and remained its pastor until 1828. During his ministry the German language was entirely dispensed with and the English substituted. The Rev. Benjamin Keller, D.D., commenced his labors in February, and remained till 1835.

Under the charge of Rev. C. W. Schaeffer the par- sonage was built, in 1836, at a cost of nearly nine hundred dollars. The Rev. F. R. Anspach, D. D., became the pastor January 1, 1841, and remained until 1850. He held the last communion in the old church April 8, 1849, when the present fine edifice was erected, at a cost of six thousand five hundred dollars. Through the industry and perseverance of Dr. Anspach the membership of the congregation here and at White- marsh was greatly increased. In connection with his other duties, he conducted a select school wherein the higher branches of English education were taught. Rev. Wm. H. Smith succeeded in 1850, and resigned

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

May 10, 1852. In November of said year Rev. Wm. Baum, D.D., accepted, and served until May, 1858, and was followed by Rev. S. Sentman, who remained till April, 1862. In his ministry the centennial cele- bration of the church was observed with appropriate ceremonies. Rev. C. F. Keedy was the next pastor, followed by Rev. J. Q. Waters, when Rev. R. Demme succeeded in 1867. The Rev. T. C. Pritcherd received the charge September 1, 1871, and remained until July, 1883, and was succeeded by Rev. J. Q. McAtlee. To the pastors of this congregation was also assigned the charge of the Union Church at Whitemarsh from 1818 until 1858, when the latter was connected with the Upper Dublin Church.

The present church, as has been stated, was built in 1849, in the Gothic style, two stories high, with buttresses and stained-glass windows. Its dimensions are forty-eight by seventy two feet, with a tower and spire one hundred feet high. The steeple, from its high situation, is seen for many miles around. From the churchyard a fine prospect is obtained, particu- larly in a northeast direction. The ground probably comprises in all eight acres, inclosed by an iron railing and wall. A considerable number have been buried here in the past one hundred and twenty-five years. On the stones are found the names of Dettere, Dager, Morris, Prutzman, Barnet, Crawford, Bel), Rapine, Harbst, Cook, Gilinger, Gulp, Dewees, Hitner, Robin- son, Righter, Bond, Pflieger, Young, Staley, Lyle, Johnson, Jago, Keys, Mattis, Rex, Bolton, Sassaman, Wolf, Thomas, Lysinger, Kline, Ellis, Garn, Becher, Boyer, Lightcap, Gray, Neil, Klair, Streeper, Bartle, Haugb, Culp, Wampole, Hiltner, Cole, Heritage, Colt- man, Kirk, Davis, Johnson, Goshen, Bickings, Ludy, Pifer, Kenzie, McIntire, Matlack, File, Haines, Butter, Markley, Marple, Fisher, Shinkle, Hellings, Freas, Pe- ters, Heilman, Hagy, Harner, Graver, Vandike, Cress- man, Kirker, Ritter, Van Winkle, Moyer, Nelson, Fa- ringer, Deshong, Spealhoffer, Hart, Thorp, Keely, Hes- ser, Potts, Zern, Schlatter, Herman, Barnholt, Hallman, Steer, Share, Sharp, Fight, Bauer, Calender, Kutz, Shaw, Dennison, Snyder, Wood, Thompson, Cress, Jacoby, Faust, Edelman, Scheetz and Brant. A handsome white marble monument, about twenty-five feet high, was erected to the memory of the soldiers who died in the late civil war. The oldest stone ob- served, bearing a date, is to the memory of "Johan Heinrich Klein, gestorben 1760." During a severe storm in November, 1878, which passed over the centre of the township and did considerable damage, the steeple of the church was blown down and greatly in- jured, but was restored in the following year.

ASSESSMENT OF WHITEMARSII, 1780.

Leonard Steeper, assessor, and Jolin Bower, collector.

Andrew Cate, 100 acres, 2 horsea, 3 cowa; John Sheppard, 83 a, 2 h., 2 c .: Christopher Shupart, 50 a., 1 h., 3 c., 2 stills ; Jacob Cate, laborer; Henry Katz, 17 a., 2 l., 3 c., paper-mill and 43 a. in Springfield ; Joseph Ake, miller, 1 c .; Wmn. Kagge, 3 c, paper-mill; Hagge, 100 a., 2 h., 2 c., paper mill ; Caspar Wampole, 50 a., 1 h , 2 c. ; Adam Miller, 3 h., 3 c .; John Shupart, 1 c .; George Knitle, 2 h., 2 c .; George Geiger, 2 h., 2 c .;

Jacob Hauser, laborer, 14 a., 1 h., 2 c .; W'm. Johnson, laborer, 23 a., 1 c .; Ludwig Dagen, inn-keeper, 95 a., 1 h., 2 c .; Henry Kuntzman, smith, 1 c .; Margaret Robins, 15 a .; Martha Shoemaker, widow, 30 a., 1 c .; John Conard, aged, 1 h., 1 c .; Jacob Shoemaker, aged, 150 a., 1 c .; David Shoemaker, 3 h., 3c .; Elizabeth Baker, 7 a., aged and infirm ; Michael Lentz, 30 a., 2c .; Christopher Carr, Ic .; John Rickert, 212 a., 5 h., 6 c, 1 still; Jacob Jones, schoolmaster. 84 a., 1 b., 1 c .; Griffith Thomas, 85 a., 2 h., 2 c .; Samuel Miles, gentleman, 2 h., 3 c., 1 four- wheel carriage, 1 two-wheel do .; Joseph Paul, miller, 25 a., grist and saw-mill; Thomas Livezey, 125 a., 1 h .; John Conard, laborer, 1 c .; Francis Henry ; Isaac Fryer ; Philip Lehr, 1 h., 1 c., Christopher Lehr, 1 h., 1c .; John Jones, 190 a., 2 b., 1 c .; John Harry, 100 a., 3 h , 4 c .; James Stroud, 1 h., 1 c .; Michael Mitchell, 4 h., 2 c .; John Hart, 14 a., 1 c .; John Clinton, shoemaker; Jacob Kuhn, 2 h., 1 c .; John Wolf, laborer, 15 a., 1 c .; Frederick Zorn, 20 a., 2 h., 2 c .; Hannah Maulsby, widow, 100 a., 1 c .; Thomas Shepherd ; Wm. Stroud, laborer; John Yetter, 2 h .; Jonathan Powell, 95 a., 2 h., 4 c .; John Hufty, 120 a., 4 h., 3 c .; Davis Davia ; Christian Steer, inn-keeper, 200 a., 8 l., 7 c., 1 chair ; George Friea, 100 a., 3 h., 3 c .; William Hiltner, 30 a., 1 h., 2 c .; John Ketler, 116 a., 2 h., 2 c .; Jacob Sharp, shoemaker ; Valentine Cressman, laborer, 1 c .; George Fries, Jr., shoemaker, 2 c .; Catharine Rapp, widow, 100 a .; Peter Streeper, amith, 1 h., 1 c .; George Cressman, laborer, 10 a., 1 c .; John Bower, 48 a., 4 h., 2c .; Adam Kiteer; John Fisher, 25 a., 1 h., 1 c .; William Hirsch, laborer ; James Griffin, 2 h., 2 c .; Joseph Kenton, laborer ; Adam Snyder, 2 h., 1 c .; Catharine Moyer, 25 a., 1 c .; Frederick Gilbert, 1 c .; W'm. Dewees, laborer, 6 a., 1 c .; Benjamin Krouse, tailor, I a., 1 c .; Philip Sharp, 14 a .; Isaiah Hups, 100 a., 4 h., 2 c. ; Leonard Culp, 50 a., 2 h., 2 c., 1 still ; Leonard Streeper, 180 a., 2 lı., 3 c .; Dennis Streeper ; JJacob Shearer, 2 h., 2 c .; Peter Dager, 4 h., 5 c .; Albrecht Houser ; Jacob Edge, 198 a., 2 h., 3 c .; David Acuff, 50 a .. 5 h., 3 c ; Jacob Acuff; Wm. Fitzgerald, school-teacher, Ga., 1 h., 1 c .: Abraham Houser, 20 a., 1 h., 2 c .; George Aimen, 45 a., 1., 3 c .; Conrad Bean, 2 h., 1 c .; John Derrick, laborer; James Haslett, 1 c., laborer ; Richard Mairs, millwright, 2 h., 1 c .; Isaac Mathers, 2 h., 3 c., I still ; William West, 280 a., 6 l., 10 c., 2 negroes, one four-wheel carriage ; Samuel Morris, tanner, 29 a., 3 h., 2 c .; Jesse Gilbert, 1 h., 1 c .; Henry Scheetz, paper-maker, 80 a., 3 h., 4 c., paper-mill ; Joseph Lukena, 190; @., 3 h., 6 c .; George Ankele ; William Jones, laborer ; Marchant Maulsby, 80 a., 3 c., aged ; John Kerbaugh, 18 a., 4 h., 1 c .; Edward Hopkins, 1 h., 2 c .; Martin Faringer, 80 a., 2 h., 3 c .; Jacob Mathewa, smith, 1 c .; Samuel Cox, ahoemaker, 1 c .; Andrew Miller, 3 h., 1 c .; Henry Enghart, 2 h., 2 c .; Henry Gordon, laborer ; Edward Davis, 50 a., 2 h., 2 c .; Walter MeCool, 1 negro, 50 a., 2 b., 2 c .; Samuel McCool, 1 h., 2 c., tailor ; David Evans, laborer, 1 c .; Joseph McClean, 230 a., 3 h., 5 c .; Jacob Cook, weaver, 1c .; David White ; James White, 47 a., 2 h., 2 c., tailor ; Robert Kane, shoemaker, 1 c .; John Cox, schoolmaster ; Thomas Cox, 11 a., 1 h., 1 c., laborer ; Dorothy Jarret, widow, 200 a., 3 h., 5 c .; John Hallowell, 120 a., 3 b., 4 c .; John Wilson, 117 a., 2 h., 3 c .; John Eldridge, 1 aervant, 150 a., 4h., 5 c .; Saralı Egbert, widow, 60 a., 4 h., 1 c .; John Egbert ; Lawrence Egbert; Thomas Lancaster, 200 a., 4 h .; Thomas Lancaster ; Joseph James, 160 a , 2 h., 2 c ;George Shatinger, laborer, 2 c .; Evan Meredith, miller, 6 h., 4 c., 1 chair, rents of Robert Wells 300 a. and grist-mill ; Joseph Wool; Samuel Williams, 2 h., 2 c .; Casper Freas, 3 h., 4 c .; Jacob Lesley, laborer, 1 c .; Jonathan Robeson, 238 a., grist-mill, 3 negroes, 1 chair, 5 h., 4 c .; Michael Knorr, 170 a., 5, h., 5 c .; George Harker, 200 a., 4 l., 6c .; Melchior Knorr, 170 a., 5 lı., 5 c .; Bernard Knorr, laborer, 2 h., 2 c .; Isaac Williams, 470 a., belong- ing to Anthony Williams' estate ; Michael Bowman, 2 l., 1 c .; Henry Seabolt, shoemaker, 1 c .; Michael Miller, 33 a., 1 h., 1 c .; Frederick Miller, 11 a., 1 c .; Michael Miller, 1 c .; Joseph Ramsey, laborer, 1 c .; larael Everly, shoemaker, 2 c .; l'atrick Menan, aged, 50 a., 1 h., 2 c .; Josiah Dickeson, 2 h., 3 c .; Frederick Hitner, 4 h., 2c .; Jesse Greenfield. Single Men-George Geiger, George Aimen, Owen Morris, Philip Keese, Morris Maulsby, Lawrence Egbert, Joseph Wood, Lewis Wood, Peter Robeson.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

ELIAS HICKS CORSON.

The subject of this biography is the son of Alan W. and Mary Corson, of Whitemarsh township, and was born on the 19th of February, 1816. His father,

WHITEMARSH TOWNSHIP.

1153

a distinguished mathematician and botanist, was able to give his son superior opportunities of instruction, to which primary store of knowledge he added by reading and observation. At the time of his majority he engaged in lime-burning in Chester County, but soon returned and began the same business in Plym- outh, where it was continued with energy and profit until his death, on the 5th of November, 1877. He was also engaged in the coal business, and was the owner of a fine farm adjacent to the quarries, which he cul- tivated to its fullest capacity. Mr. Corson, on the 13th of March, 1845, married Miss Emily R. Harris, daughter of Henry and Rachel Harris, of Philadel-

It may be said of Mr. Corson that few men in his section of the State were better known or more uni- versally esteemed. He displayed a varied knowledge, was quick of apprehension and possessed a rare facility of conversation, combined with the kindness and gen- tleness of a child. He possessed a strong individual- ity, was a marked man in stature, strength and sym- metry, and possessed not less remarkable business qualifications than strong mental endowments. He was fond of literature, a reader of the poets, aud kept pace with the transactions of the times. His conver- sation and presence were magnetic, his manner agree- able and his wit devoid of sting or bitterness. Good,

@Heleorson

phia. Their children are Henry H., George, Emily, Martha, Walter H., Carroll, Perey H. and four who died in early youth.

Mr. Corson, early in the anti-slavery movement, joined his efforts to those put forth by the friends of human rights, and through the long years of that strife was active in the cause, contributing freely and aiding in all proper ways to give freedom to the slave. To the temperance cause he also gave his hcartiest approval, for which work he was eminently fitted, no amount of opposition or inconsistency of others being able to tempt bim to unbecoming vio- lence or prevent his administering a deserved rebuke.

pure, strong and true, his influence will survive, while to his friends he remains as a bright memory, a spur to noble deeds in the cause of humanity.

JOSEPH FREAS.

Mr. Freas is of German extraction, his father hav- ing been George Freas, who married Barbara Wolf. Their children were John, George, Samuel, Jacob, Benjamin, Daniel, Joseph, William, Mary (Mrs. Samuel Roberts) and Catherine (Mrs. William Freas). Joseph was born on the 6th of May, 1794, on the homestead farm, in Whitemarsh township, and dur- ing his youth remained with his parents, receiving

1154

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

meanwhile such education as the neighboring schools afforded. He then chose as his trade that of a black- smith, and became an apprentice to his brother Sam- uel, in Plymouth. This trade he followed for some years in Plymouth, but, concluding that the occupa- tion of a farmer, with which he had been made familiar in his youth, was more to his taste, he abandoned his trade and returned to Whitemarsh. Here he purchased of his father the farm, which for many years he cultivated, and on retiring from active farmi-labor he erected the residence on the same farm which is now the home of his widow and daughter. His political sentiments were those of the Old-Line

universally esteemed in the township. His death occurred November 22, 1879, at his home, in White- marsh.

JESSE W. FREAS.

The great-grandfather of Jesse W. Freas (or Fries, as originally spelled) and unele of Jacob Frederick Fries, the founder of a philosophical school in Germany and professor at Heidelberg in 1805, was from Sax- ony. His son, Simon, resided at Marble Hall, in Whitemarsh township, where he followed the black- smith's craft. He was united in marriage to Marga- ret Rapin, born in 1773, died in 1863, a descendant

Joseph Reas

Whig party, though he did not take an active part in the public movements of the day, and devoted his time and efforts wholly to his own business. Mr. Freas was married, on the 15th of January, 1818, to Ann Keely, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Keely, of Philadelphia County, whose birth occurred No- vember 17, 1792. Their children are Henry, born in 1818; Joanna, in 1820; Walton, in 1822; Essachar, in 1824; Elizabeth, in 1826; John Quincy, in 1828; Orlando, in 1830; Caroline, in 1834; Tacy A., in 1836; and Barbara A., in 1839. Mr. Freas was not less favorably known for his industry than for his up- right character and integrity, which caused him to be

of the celebrated Paul da Rapin de Thoyras, an emi- nent historiographer, born in Languedoc in 1661. A member of the family, Philip Rapin, was a com- missioned officer in the Revolutionary war, and Daniel Rapin was the first mayor of Washington City, justice of the peace, appointed by President Jefferson, and postmaster of the House of Representatives at the time of his death, in 1825. The children of Simon and Margaret Freas were William, David, Ann, Charles, Nicholas, Sarah, Elizabeth, Philip, Henry, Elizabeth (2d) and David (2d). William, of this number, was born December 27, 1796, in Whitemarsh, where he was early a blacksmith, and later became the

WHITEMARSH TOWNSHIP.

1155

owner of a productive farm. lle married Catherine Freas, daughter of George Freas, the latter of whom was but an infant of one year on his emigra- tion from Germany. Their children were a son, Jesse W., and a daughter, Barbara Ann, now Mrs. Philip Cressman, of Philadelphia. Jesse W. was born on 23d of October, 1818, in Whitemarsh township and devoted his boyhood to labor, varied by attendance at the nearest school, where he acquired a substantial education. He was instructed at an early age in the uses of the hammer and forge, as also in the various occupations pertaining to the life of a farmer, and continued thus industriously occupied until his mar-

also engaged in a general merchandise business. The Freas family have been blessed with great longevity. Jesse W. is now sixty-seven, William died at eighty- four, Margaret at ninety, and nearly all her children at advanced ages. Mr. Frcas is in politics a Republican, having formerly voted with the Democratic party, as did his father. He has served as school director, but declined other official positions, though holding the commission as postmaster at Lafayette Hill. He is a Lutheran in his religious faith, and member of the Lutheran Church at Barren Hill, as are his wife and most of the children, his son, William S., being a i clergyman of that denomination, settled at Carlisle,

Jesse W, Freas

riage, December 24, 1846, to Miss Anu Catherine Streeper, daughter of Leonard and Sarah Streeper. Their children are William S., born in 1848 ; Freder- ick R., in 1851; Eva, in 1853 (died in 1854) ; Lu- ther, in 1855 ; Henry M., in 1859 ; L. Streeper, in 1862; Oliver S. Abold, in 1864; Lilly, in 1868 (died in 1883) ; and Ida M., in 1872. Mr. Freas, on his marriage, removed to a farm belonging to his father, which he cultivated in conjunction with the mining of iron-ore. Though at a later period his residence was changed, a spacious dwelling erected by his father becoming his home, he continues his customary pursuits as a miner and farmer. For a number of years he was

Pa. Mr. Freas was for many years superintendent of the Sunday-school of his church.

SILAS CLEAVER.

The Cleaver family are of German antecedents, though little is knowu of the adveut of the first repre- sentative in America or of his immediate descendants. Salathiel Cleaver, the father of Silas, a brief sketch of whose life is here given, was a resident of Montgomery County, where he followed farming pursuits during his active life. To his wife, Mary Shoemaker, were born five sons,-Nathan, Josiah, Daniel, Silas and John. The birth of Silas, of this number, occurred on

1156

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

the 7th of February, 1819, on his father's farm, in Gwynedd township. IIe was educated at the boarding- school of Joseph Foulke, in Gwynedd, and at the age of nineteen repaired to Whitemarsh township, where he entered the mill of William Ely for the purpose of acquiring a thorough knowledge of the miller's trade. On completing his apprenticeship he removed to Wal- nut Mill, in Lower Dublin township, and became the lessee of a mill, which he operated for a period of eight years. Mr. Cleaver, at the expiration of this time, purchased a mill property at' Wissahickon, in Whitemarsh township, which, in connection with his brother John, he operated for thirty-six years. Hav-

He was a member of the Corn Exchange of Philadel- phia for many years, and at his death a director of the Mutual Fire Insurance Company. He was by birthright a Friend, and worshiped with the Plymouth Meeting. Mr. Cleaver, though a man of modest and unobtru- sive demeanor, wiekled a commanding influence in the township. His sterling integrity in all matters of business won the respect of the community, while the qualities of gentleness, kindness and sympathy caused him to be greatly beloved by those who, through daily intercourse, became familiar with the tender and loving heart and the generous and unselfish nature.

Johne Claver

ing during this time been assiduous in his devotion to business, it was his intention to have abandoned active labor in connection with the mill, and he retired to a home he had purchased. His life was, however, sud- denly ended on the 18th of February, 1884, before this project was consummated. Mr. Cleaver was, on the 9th of March, 1848, married to Miss Mary E., daughter of John Ruppert, of Lower Dublin, who survives him. In politics the subject of this sketch was a Republican, his affiliations having formerly been with the Whig party. Apart from the office of school director, he held no official positions in the township.

JOHN CLEAVER.

Salathiel Cleaver, the son of Nathan and Ruth Cleaver, who was of German descent, and born on the 10th of August, 1780, was numbered among the enter- prising farmers of Montgomery County, his residence during his lifetime. He married Mary, daughter of Danicl Shoemaker, of Upper Dublin township, Mont- gomery Co., who was of Welsh extraction, and had children,-Nathan, Josiah and Daniel (deceased), Silas and John. The last-named and youngest of the number, who is the subject of this biographical sketch, was born November 1, 1822, on the home-

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History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Part 245

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