History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Part 253

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 253

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).

able to make additions to his farm, effect many im- provements, and erect a good house and out-buildings, the former being built in 1852 and the latter at dif- ferent times as needed.

Mr. Morgan has been a very active man, but having no particular taste for public affairs, has taken but little part in them, preferring the more modest and quiet walks of life. In politics he was a Whig, and is now a Republican. He has been for forty years a member of the Baptist Church.

Although in his seventy-first year, Mr. Morgan is hale and sturdy and his mind unimpaired. He lost

Andrew Morgan

Theodore was married to Mary, daughter of Christ- ian Detwiler, February 3, 1835.

Andrew, whose name forms the caption of this sketch, as he grew to manhood gained a practical knowledge of the tanner's trade and farming. In 1836 he married Ann Rebecca Allabough, of Perkio- men township, daughter of David and Sarah Alla- bough. In 1841, having purchased about sixty acres of the farm in Worcester township, on which he at present resides, he removed here with his little family. He bought a tannery and began business in that use- ful department of industry, and at the same time car- ried on farming. He applied himself closely to his two avocations and prospered in both so that he was

his wife, his faithful helpmeet through the years of his mature life, on September 4, 1881. Six children, of whom one died in infancy, were the offspring of this union.

Sarah J., oldest child of Andrew Morgan, was born March 11, 1839, and married Dr. John S. Shraw- der, October 27, 1870. They have had five children, the oldest of wbom died in infancy ; the other four are living. In the order of their birth, their names are as follows : Clifford Beecher Shrawder, born December 3, 1871, died October 1, 1872; Larrie E. Shrawder, born October 8, 1873; Joseph Shrawder, Jr., born August 27, 1875 ; Laura K. Shrawder, born March 15, 1879; James M. Shrawder, born June 7, 1881.

1194

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

John C., who was born October 20, 1840, succeeded his father in the tanning business in 1866. He was married December 17, 1868, to Cornelia, daughter of Benjamin Baker, of Norriton township, and have two daughters, Adele C. and Anna Rebecca.

James A. was born March 9, 1844, and married Bella, daughter of Henry Baker, of Norriton town- ship.

Theodore, who was born September 22, 1847, resides with his father at the old homestead and carries on the farm. He married Fannie, daughter of Joseph Brower, of Upper Providence. Their children are Theodore H., born November 8, 1873; Mary B., born December 16, 1875; Helen A., born December 31, 1878; Flora R., born September 14, 1880; Andrew, born February 13, 1884.

Belle was born March 4, 1850, and was married to William Wood, of Whitpain township, January 9, 1883, and their children are as follows : Andrew Mor- gan, Jonathan Howard, and Rebecca Allabough Wood.

Elizabeth W. Morgan married Garrett D. Hun- sicker, February 19, 1839. The latter died February 19, 1879, and the former October 20, 1883. Their children are Theodore M., born June 14, 1841, died March 14, 1843; John Quincy, born March 23, 1844, an attorney in Philadelphia; Morgan, born June 10, 1846, died March 14, 1847; Mary M., born June I, 1848, died July 31, 1876; Ella M., born January 25, 1851; Robert Melville, born April 25, 1854. Mary M. Hunsicker married John R. Thomas, February 16, 1871. John Quincy Hunsicker married Mary E. Stiles, June 26, 1873. She died December 21, 1879.

Mary Jane Morgan married George Knabb, Feb- ruary 22, 1842. He was at that time a resident of Upper Providence, but was a native of Union town- ship, Berks County, and was born January 26, 1809. He died at Port Indian, in Montgomery County, on November 7, 1865, and was buried at the Lower Provi- dence Baptist Burial-Ground. The children of George and Mary Jane (Morgan) Knabb were Morgan, born February 10, 1846, died in infancy ; Ida, born October 11, 1850, died February 27, 1879; Theodore, born April 28, 1854; Wigton, born June 8, 1856, died in infancy ; and Ella, born March 17, 1861. Mrs. Knabb is a resident of Norristown.

RÉV. SAMUEL AARON, A.M. 1

The most noted clergyman that has figured in Mont- gomery County annals during the past forty years was undoubtedly Rev. Samuel Aaron. In mere scholastic sermonizing or revival power we may have had his superiors, but in breadth of intellect, exalted imagina- tion, gifts of oratory, melting pathos, abounding charity and liberality, both of religious sentiment and alıns-giving, we never had a greater. He was preacher, politician, philanthropist and teacher, all combined in

one. There was no necessary incongruity in this strange conjuncture of functions, for, says one of his biographers, "his religion was his politics and his polities his religion." He drew his political aphor- isms from the Bible, and his faith within the compass of Scripture morals had no sect in it.

Samuel Aaron was born in New Britain township, Bucks Co., Pa., October 19, 1800, and was at the time of his death (April 11, 1865), in the sixty-fifth year of his age. He was of Welsh-Irish extraction, his father being of Welsh and his mother of Irish descent. The offspring of a second marriage of his father, he was the youngest but one of four brothers, the family con- sisting also of three sisters. His father, Moses Aaron, a farmer of respectable circumstances, was (also his wife, Hannah,) a member of the Baptist Church, and a man of sincere piety. Mr. Aaron always spoke of his father as " a good man," and cherished his memory. His mother died when he was but three years old, and at the age of six he had the misfortune to lose his father also. Left an orphan at this tender age, he was placed under the care and control of an uncle, a kind-hearted man by nature, but unfortunately ad- dicted to habits of intemperance. The little boy was frequently obliged to trudge bare-footed to the village store and back with a jug of liquor; and the sad con- dition of his guardian's family and business affairs, and the neglectful treatment he experienced then, made him in after-life the terrible enemy he was of every form of intemperance. He worked on his uncle's farm till about sixteen years of age, receiving each winter a little schooling, when, obtaining a small patrimony inherited from his father, he entered the academy of Rev. Uriah Dubois, of Doylestown. At twenty he connected himself with the Classical and Mathematical School of John Gummere, at Burlington, N. J., as both a student and assistant teacher. In the year 1824 he married Emilia, eldest daughter of his old friend and preceptor, Rev. Mr. Dubois, and not long after left Burlington and opened day-school at Bridge Point, about two miles from Doylestown. Remaining there but a short time, he next became principal of Doylestown Academy. In 1826 he made a pro- fession of religion, became a member of the Baptist Church and was ordained a minister, and in 1829 became pastor of the church of New Britain, near Doylestown. In February, 1830, his wife died, leaving him two children, Martha and Charles E. Aaron, two others having died in infancy. The death of a wife, with children to care for, is a terrible loss to a young minister ; so three years after, April, 1833, he married Eliza G., daughter of Samuel Curry, a farmer of New Britain township. He immediately removed to Bur- lington, N.J., where he was assigned to the principalship of the High School; he also became pastor of the Bur- lington Baptist Church. In April, 1841, he was called to the Norristown Baptist Church, at the same time opening a select school for boys on the premises of the late Dr. Ralston. Mr. Aaron's popularity at

1 For portrait of Samuel Aaron, see chapter on Education.

WORCESTER TOWNSHIP.

1195

this date as a champion of temperance and anti- slavery, and also as a teacher of youth, was such as prepared the way for the establishment of "Tree- mount," which was operated in 1844. He taught for a period of forty-five years, and for seventeen years added the duties of an active, aggressive pastor,-three years at New Britain, five at Burlington, three at Norristown and six at Mount Holly. The degree of Master of Arts was conferred upon him in 1838, and later he was tendered the presidency of Central Col- lege, at McGrawville, which he declined. His de- elining years were darkened by financial reverses, but

of its most successful farmers,-so successful, in fact, that he is about to retire from active labor,-was the son of Arnold and the grandson of Peter Saylor, and was born in Lower Providence, September 15, 1828, the fourth in a family of nine children,-seven girls and two boys. Those older than Andrew J. were Elizabeth (widow of Abram Hallman, now living in Philadelphia), Emmeline (Mrs. George L. Bos- sert, deceased), and Mary Ann (Mrs. Jesse Hallman), of Norristown. Those younger are John C., who married Mary Ann Detwiler, and is now a resident of Lower Providence; Susannah, [Angeline, Sarah K.

Andrew & Suplos

these troubles never obscured his philosophic visions [ and Isabella. The wife of Arnold Saylor and mother of life and its true source of happiness. Mr. Post, his | of these children was Mary Casselberry, a native of biographer, says of him: "He lived to see the ' Lower Providence, who is now living and in her triumph of the principle he advocated, and the dawn- eighty-fourth year. Her home is in Philadelphia, and she has, in her old age, a great comfort in the com- panionship of her daughters, who reside with her. ing of a new national day. On hearing of the fall of Richmond, and the surrender of Lee, April 9, 1865, two days before his death, he exclaimed, ' Thank God, I rejoice in the salvation of my country!' His last words were,-' Thy grace is sufficient for me.' He died April 11, 1865, in the sixty-fifth year of his age."

ANDREW J. SAYLOR.

Andrew J. Saylor, of Worcester, and known as one

Reverting to Arnold Saylor, the father of our pres- ent subject, it may be stated that in 1843 he pur- chased, and in 1844 removed to, the farm in Worces- ter, which his son now owns. He died here in 1856, and Andrew J. Saylor, who came to the farm a lad of sixteen, being then in his twenty-eighth year, possess- ing a practical knowledge of farming, and being full

1196

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

of energy and ambition to make his way in the world, bought the homestead from the heirs. It consisted of seventy-two acres of good land, but the improve- ments upon it were not of the best order.

Mr. Saylor's industry and good management, how- ever, soon provided means for the erection of suitable buildings and a very material betterment of the con- dition of the farm. The dwelling-a spacious stone structure, plastered-is three stories in height. The barn and other out-buildings are in keeping with it.

As we have already said, years of diligent and ju- dicions labor had placed Mr. Saylor in an independent position, and the remainder of his life will, if no un- foreseen disaster should take place, be passed in well-earned ease. He has always been an adherent of the Democratic party, but never has taken more than a good citizen's interest in politics and has never had a thought of office-holding.

His religious affiliation is with the Lower Provi- dence Presbyterian Church.

On January 1, 1857, shortly after Mr. Saylor had acquired ownership of the farm, he took, as his wife, Julia A. Johnson, of Norristown, who was born in Worcester township in 1830, her parents being Isaac and Catherine Brumback Johnson, the latter a daughter of Matthias and Mary Brumback.

DAVID TRUCKSESS.

This active, influential and well-known resident of Montgomery County was born in Würtemberg, Ger- many (im Maulbroner Oberamt), March 25, 1814, and was of noble blood, but his ancestral branch of the family did not enjoy any of the usual privileges of the titled classes because their descent was not in the line of the oldest son. It may be added that if they were of such sturdy stuff as that of which the present generations of the family in Worcester are made, they did not need the advantages of class prerogative or inherited wealth to insure successful careers.

The parents of David, Jacob and Reghena Truck- sess brought him, with a younger brother, who died soon after, to America, in 1819. There were no steam- ships then, and the tedious trip from Amsterdam, Hol- land, to Philadelphia, occupied about four months' time-from balmy April in the old world to burning August in the new. The family settled in Worcester township, Montgomery County, and there the parents passed the remainder of their lives with the exception of a few years. They are buried at the Trappe Luth- eran Church. A daughter was born to them, but she died in her sixteenth year, leaving David the only child. The boy was hired out during the summer seasons and sent to school a little in the winter, but his early education was limited, because there were then no free schools for the poor and his parents could not afford to pay his tuition for long periods at the private schools. At the age of seventeen he was bound as an indented apprentice to learn the shoemaking

trade in Philadelphia. He served his time faithfully, learned the trade thoroughly, went to Norriton and worked six months as a journeyman, and then began business for himself, boarding in the house of George Anders. A year later, on the 19th of April, 1835, he married Sophia Foster. The young couple rented two rooms of Mr. Anders, and a year later, upon his advice and assistance, Mr. Trucksess bought the little farm of sixteen (now twenty-eight acres), upon which he now resides. In April, 1836, he had a honse and barn built, and in April, 1837, he and his wife made their home upon the place. Farming was carried on in connection with shoemaking, and Mr. Trucksess succeeded, finally, in bringing the land, originally quite poor, into good condition. Mr. Trucksess, in re- calling the beginning of his business career, says that he "had no capital, but good health, willing hands, and a good wife." This seemed, however, to be suffi- cient. There was then but one shoe-store in Norris- town, but he made boots and shoes for Bean & Schrack, Hoven & Thomas and Moore & Longaker, general store-keepers of that place. The first ten years was a period of hard work and self-denial and many discouragements, but better days came, as they are apt to, to those who do the best they can during the dark ones. The farm was made to maintain the family, and what was made by labor at the shop was either used in making improvements or invested from year to year in other property. Close application to business and economy have been the elements of Mr. Trucksess' prosperity. He has now four farms and two houses, all paid for, and enjoys a comfortable independence. He was able to care for and give a home to his par- ents during their old age and has brought up a large family of his own in the enjoyment of unusual advan- tages.

The subject of our sketch has been, outside of the strict lines of his calling, fully as untiring and indus- trions as within, and enjoys a wide reputation as a man of affairs. His activity has been almost incredi- ble and his reputation for carefulness and strict pro- bity has led his fellow-citizens of the township and county to place him in various positions of trust, which have largely added to the demands upon his time. Early in life he was identified with the militia, being chosen first lieutenant in 1838, captain in the follow- ing year, and major ten years later. He was first lieutenant of the Washington Gray Artillery, and served during the riots in Philadelphia in 1844. He was an early advocate of the free-school system, and used his influence toward bringing about the adoption of the law providing for that measure, when it was quite an unpopular one. When the general law came into force, in 1851, he was made president of the board of directors for Worcester township, appointed by the court, and was once afterwards elected to the same position. Having considerable natural talent for music, he occupied his spare hours for a period of fif- teen years in teaching singing and organizing choirs.

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WORCESTER TOWNSHIP.

At one time he had nine different classes and over six hundred pupils to meet each week. Mr. Trucksess served, for five years, as a justice of the peace, and has held numerous other offices since 1838, among them being that of assistant internal revenue assessor in 1867-68. This position, like the others, was given to him without any solicitation upon his part, and was unexpected.

A very fair idea of the estimate of the high con- sideration in which he is held by those who know him best-the people of his own community and those of the county-is afforded by a glance at the list of honorable positions to which he has been elected by various bodies. He was a charter member and was

1835, a half-century of union has now been completed. Mrs. Trucksess' father was John Foster, and her mother's maiden-name was Birkenbine. She was born in Reading, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Trucksess are the parents of ten children. The oldest son, Jacob, mar- ried Mary Roudenbush, of Salfordville, and is the father of two daughters. The second son, George A., married Mary W. Irwin, of Norristown. They have one son and two daughters. David, Jr., married Sa- rah Hallman, of Bridgeport, and is the father of two sons and three daughters. John F. married Mary Dettera, of Worcester, and has two daughters living. Andrew J., who succeeded to his father's shoemaking business, has been the organist at the Presbyterian

chosen president of the Union Mutual Fire and Storm Insurance Company of Norristown ; president the last six years ; has been president of the Norriton ville Live Stock Insurance Association for the past fifteen years ; has been president of the Farmers' Union Horse Com- pany (for the protection of horses and the detection of thieves), during the past forty years, and is also pres- ident of the board of trustees of the Norriton and Lower Providence Presbyterian Church and of the Fairview Village Creamery Company, having held the latter office since the organization of its management. In politics he is a Democrat.

Mention has been made of the marriage of Mr. Trucksess. As that event was solemnized on April 19,

Church twenty years, and has inherited something of his talent for music, resides with his parents at the old homestead. His wife was Sarah J. Landis, of Perkio- men Bridge. They have four sons and one daughter. Margaret A. Trucksess is the wife of John Detwiler, of Philadelphia. Ann Rebecca is the wife of William H. Van Horn, of Philadelphia, and the mother of three children,-two sons and one daughter. Sophia F. is the wife of Lesher W. Mattern, of West Point, Mont- gomery County, and has two children, one son and one daughter. Elizabeth A married C. C. Keeler (now deceased), and has two children, twin sons, and resides with her parents. The youngest of the ten children, Miss Ida V., resides with her parents.

APPENDIX.

THE

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF

MONTGOMERY COUNTY. AT NORRISTOWN, PA., SEPTEMBER 9, 10, 11, 12, 1884.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

CERTIFICATE.

PRELIMINARY PROCEEDINGS.

FIRST DAY.

OPENING EXERCISES.

PRAYER Rev. J. H. A. Bomberger, D. D.

ADDRESS

J. P. Hale Jenkins

ADDRESS

Joseph Fornauce

Dedication of Rittenhouse Meridian Stone.

Report of Memorial Committee.

ADDRESS Ilon. B. Markley Boyer

BENEDICTION

. Rev. Isaac Gibson

SECOND DAY.

MEMORIAL EXERCISES.

PRAYER Rev. H. S. Rodenbongh Joseph Fornance ADDRESS

ILISTORICAL ORATION .

William J. Buck

POEM .

Hlou. George N. Corson

ORATION

Rev. C. Z. Weiser, D.D.

FOURTH DAY.

THE ANTIQUARIAN EXPOSITION.

List of Exhibits and Exhibitors. Indian Relies and Antiquities. Antiquities of the First Settlers and Early Purchasers. Relies and Records of the Colonial Period.

Relics of the Revolutionary War.

Relies of the War of 1812.

Relies of the Mexican War.

Relies of the War for the Union.

Implements of Early Husbandry.

Implements and Articles of Householdl Use in Early Times.

Kitchen Furniture and Pewter Ware.

Antique Furniture and Clocks.

Home-manufactured Articles.

Old Silver, Silver-plated, Glass and China Ware.

Antique Wearing Apparel and Jewelry.

Antique Handiwork in Silk, Floss, or Wool and Laces.

Antique Handiwork of Our Own Times.

School Books, Old and New.

Books, Papers and Manuscripts.

Maps, Oil Paintings, Engravings, etc.

Portraits.

Views of Churches and School-Houses.

Rittenhouse Clocks and Scientific Instruments.

Arms and Equipments.

Early Surgical and Dental Instruments.

Coins and Paper Money.

Ilerbarium of Ferns and Flora of County.

Minerals and Fossils. Miscellaneous Articles.

ACTION OF THE COURT AND GRAND JURY.

FINANCIAL EXHIBIT.

Treasurer's Report. Auditors' Report. Disposal of Fund.

OFFICERS OF ASSOCIATION.

COMMITTEES, THE GENERAL COMMITTEE (Assistants to Township Committeemen).

THIRD DAY.

THE PARADE.

Route of Parade and General Order.

First Division, Second Division, Third Division, Fourth Division. The Indian Children.

REMARKS BY Col. Theo. W. Pean. VOCALISTS,

CERTIFICATE.

The following constitutes a correct record of the proceedings connected with the Centennial Celebration of Montgomery County, Pa., with a list of exhibits and exhibitors, compiled from the original Entry Books, under the direction of the Centennial Association of Montgomery County, Penna.

Attest :

Joseph Formanch

President. 3. Hobson.

Recording Secretary.

Menscon Me. Gibson,

Corresponding Secretary.

At a regular meeting of the Montgomery County Historical Society, held May 25, 1882, the project of a suitable celebration of the centennial of the county's organization, in 1884, was discussed at some length, and a committee appointed to confer with a similar committee of the county officials to consider the proper observanco of that occasion ; said commit- tre consisting of F. G. Hobsun, Esq., Hon. Jones Detwiler and A. K. Thomas. On the same day the county officials met at the office of Irving P. Wanger, Esq., district attorney, to take similar action. At that meet- ing a committee, consisting of llenry W. Kratz, recorder of deeds, J. Roberts Rambo, register of wills, and Jacob R. Yost, county treasurer, was appointed to act in conjunction with the committee of the Historical Society. On the afternoon of the same day the two above committees met in the rooms of the Historical Society and effected a permanent or- ganization. At the same time it was determined that a general commit- tee be appointed, consisting of one person from each election district in the county, into whoxe hands the whole work of the celebration be placed. That general committee was gradnally selected and the names of its members made public at the annual meeting of the Historical So- ciety, February 22, 1883.

Here the matter was again left to rest until Monday, the 10th day of September, J883, when, on the call of the chairman, the General Com- mittee came together in the room of the Historical Society, at the court- house. Ilere the real work began. Though few responded to the first call, yet those that did assemble were imbued with the idea that the matter was worthy of considerable effort and could be made a pronounced success. The following persons were present at the first meeting, viz. : Dr. J. E. Banman, ot Francunia ; the Rev. C. Z. Weiser, D. D., of East Greenville ; Dr. C. H. Mann, of Bridgeport ; Isaac R. Rosenberger, IFat- field ; John Walton, Horsham; William J. Buck, Jeokintown ; J. J. Morrison, Moreland ; IIon. Isaac F. Vost, New Hanover; Joseph For-

nance, Esq., First Ward, Norristown; John W. Bickel, Esq., Second Ward, Norristown ; llon. George N. Corson, Sixth Ward, Norristown ; Dr. Samuel Wolfe, East Perkiomen ; Albert Bromer, West Perkiomen ; D. Morgan Casselberry, Lower Providence ; and Joseph Fitzwater, Upper Providence ; in addition to Col. Theodore W. Bean, F. G. Hobson, Esq., and Hon. Jones Detwiler, of the Historical Society, and J. Roberts Ram- bo, of the county officials. The chairman of the joint committee called the budy to order, and stated the object of the assembling, after which Hun. Jones Detwiler was unanimously chosen temporary president, On suggestion of the committee on permanent organization the following officers were unanimously elected : President, Hon. B. Markley Royer ; Vice-Presidents, Joseph Formance, Esq., Wharton Barker, Ilun. Isaac F. Yost, Philip Super, Warner Roberts, Robert Iredell, Dr. Hiram Corson, Abraham H. Cassel, Rev. J. II. A. Bomberger, D. D., George Lower and Daniel Foulke; Recording Secretary, F. G. Hobson, Esq. ; Correspondl- ing Secretary, Muscoe M. Gibson, Esq. ; Treasurer, Lewis Styer. At the same time the following chairmen of the various committees were ap- pointed and authority was given each to appoint a number of members on each committee. Executive, F. G. Hobson, Esq. ; Finance, David I. Koss, Esq. ; Antiquarian, William J. Buck ; Literary Exercises, Ilon. George N. Corson ; Music, Prof. Thomas O'Neill ; Parades, Col. John W. Schall ; Programme, Col. Theo. W. Bean ; Memorial, Hon. Jones Det wiler.

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History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Part 253

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