USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > Lives of the eminent dead and biographical notices of prominent living citizens of Montgomery County, Pa. > Part 11
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In 1803 Dr. Leedom took up his residence on a farm be- longing to his father, at Plymouth Meeting, where he lived and practiced his profession for forty-two years. He had six children: Dr. Edwin C., intermarried with Susan Lukens; Emma, who died in childhood; Twining, who died in infancy; Julia L., intermarried with Daniel H. Mulvany, Esq., whose life is elsewhere given in this volume; Joseph, who also died in infancy; and Sarah Ann, who died February 4th, 1846, inter- married with Thomas P. Knox, Esq. Dr. Leedom had a very extensive practice in Montgomery county, was fond of his pro- fession, and devoted his life to it. He stood very high as a physician, and his skill and success in the treatment of the fevers so prevalent during his life-time were often spoken of in the country long after he had passed away.
The only living grandchildren of Dr. Joseph Leedom are the following: Howard, Dr. Oscar, Joseph, Daniel H. M., and Franklin, sons of Dr. Edwin C. Leedom; Emma L. Spear, only :surviving child of Daniel H. and Julia L. Mulvany; Ellen, daughter of Thomas P. and Sarah Ann Knox.
REV. BALTHASER HOFFMAN .*
The world was all before them where to choose
Their place of rest, and Providence their guide .- Paradise Lost.
For liere we have no continuing city, but we seek one to come .- Hebrews XIII, 14.
كشـ Casper Schwenkfeld von Ossing, a Silesian Knight and Coun- sellor to the Duke of Liegnitz, was a German scholar and the- ologian of the time of Martin Luther. Differing on some mi- nor points with the great reformer, he was much persecuted in his life-time, and his followers after him, He died at Ulm, in
*This memoir is translated from a record left by his son, Christian Hoffman, which was written in German in 1777, two years after his father's death, the same being tran- seribed and written out in that language, by Rev. Reuben Krichel, of Towamenein, and translated by Abraham Cassel, of Harleysville, Montgomery county. This biography is an imperfect version or synopsis of.it.
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REV. BALTHASER HOFFMAN.
1552, aged 72 years. Subsequent to 1730 many Schwenkfelders, flying from persecution, emigrated and settled in Montgomery, Bucks and Berks counties, where their descendants remain, a. very worthy and pious people, to, the present day. Among- those so coming to Pennsylvania, Balthaser Hoffman, who set- tled in Lower Salford township, was one of the most eminent .. He was born in Harpersdorf, Principality of Liegnitz, in Sile- sia, Austria. By his own testimony he was born of " wicked, poor and simple parents," and was first reared to the trade of a weaver, occasionally working as a day laborer in the sum- mer. He early embraced the religious principles of Casper Schwenkfeld, and became pious. He was tall in stature, lean in person, and "after his fiftieth year wore an entire white- head." From his earliest youth he seems to have been very industrious and desirous of acquiring truth. By assiduous la- bor he soon gained a knowledge of Latin, Greek and Hebrew, and by help of good books set himself to study the Sacred Scriptures, for which his knowledge of the languages gave him great facilities. He was very diligent in acquainting himself with christian teachings around him, and especially of those promulgated by Casper Schwenkfeld, but " had also a very- watchful eye to keep clear of side teachings."
In 1719 the Reformation had made great progress in Silesia,. and the Catholic church in 1721 sent a mission to convert the people back to the old faith, at first laboring with them mildly, but soon after committing great acts of violence. The perse- cuted people in 1721 therefore resolved to send an embassy to: "Hofe," to the Emperor, to implore toleration. Of this body Balthaser was one. During this effort, which lasted five years,. Hoffman delivered no less than seventeen memorials to the royal ruler. At last, however, in 1726, the mission turned the heart of the sovereign still more against the reformed people,. so that Balthaser dared not show himself by day, but had to. return by night, taking with him to Ober Laufuitz his wife and two daughters. Even there he was not safe, but fled again with his gray-haired father from Vienna by way of Prague to Laufuitz, and obtained the protection of Count Zinzendorf .. Here he resided eight years, during which time a son was born
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REV. BALTHASER HOFFMAN.
to him. As tolerance was not even here assured he, with many others, concluded to emigrate to Pennsylvania, where William Penn had promised religious freedom to all. This resolution was formed in 1734, and on November 22d of the same year, with his wife and family, "under the guidance of the good Lord they arrived at Philadelphia, and offered praise to God for his graciousness to them." He was especially grateful that no evil had befallen them on the way, and further that kind friends in Holland had sent himself over free and without cost to him. He did not remain in the city, but re- moved to the country, " where, too, the grace of God provided for him and his." During all this time he continued a diligent Bible reader and christian teacher to those around him. Here he freely worshiped God according to the dictates of con- science.
The open service of God was entrusted to George Weiss, as well as the marriage and funeral services and the catechising 'of children. George Weiss was quite discouraged at times, yet in 1740 these duties were put upon him .* He several times withdrew, especially in 1749, when he became afflicted on his breast and debilitated in his power of speech and of singing. Still, demands were made upon him, particularly for outdoor services, as catechising the children; but by the help of God he labored till the weight of years made it impossible. Nor did he ever tire in his many duties. His Sabbath fore- noons, afternoons or evenings, were employed in writing, read- ing and singing. He left many letters and writings on Holy Scripture and christian teachings, prompted by the questions of others as well as of his own conception, thus at once render- ing service to his brethren in time to come. He also left 'hymns. Of these writings we have a catalogue. "To him iidleness and the want of truth were of great moment, seeing how God's gift of freedom was misapplied."
The closing years of Balthaser Hoffman's life were spent in a small room, spinning; yet daily would he read, write, sing and pray. And as he had long been blessed with bodily health,
*The translation here is somewhat ambiguous. Strictly and literally the sense is that the services described were performed by George Weiss; but from a consideration of the whole context the author inelines to think that all the succeeding narrative re- lates to Balthaser Hoffman.
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JAMES WOOD.
so God protected him against much and severe sickness in his: last days. Gradually, however, his sanctified spirit was loosened from its earthly tabernacle, and nature sank year by year, till December 21st, 1774, when he was attacked with vertigo and. increasing debility, and on July IIth, 1775, in his 89th year,. he passed peacefully away. His wife, Ursula, died May 15th, 1767, aged 80 years, and lies in the burial ground belonging to. the Schwenkfelder congregation of Lower Salford. Balthaser Hoffman and wife left three children, Anna, Rosina and Chris- tian, who were all born in Europe. All three were married,, but the son left no issue. There are descendants of the daugh- ters, however, to the fifth and sixth generation.
He remained an acceptable minister to the Schwenkfelders- from the death of Weiss, in 1749, until the time of his own death. He resided on a tract of land by the east side of Skip- pack creek, two miles west of Franconia village, now owned by Henry Derstine. He was a man of eminent wisdom and piety, and left behind him a catalogue of his writings, embrac- ing fifty-eight tracts, all on theology and practical religion, be- sides eighty-three letters on various kindred topics.
JAMES WOOD.
All is the gift of Industry; whate'er Exalts, embellishes, and renders life Delightful .- Thomson.
Among the eminent men who during the present century have founded manufacturing industry in Montgomery county, none are more justly celebrated than James Wood, who began life as a mere village blacksmith. From this grade and posi- tion he pressed his way to the very front, as a man of inge- nuity, enterprise, and wealth, establishing an iron business that for many years has been on the lead, in its particular line, in Pennsylvania.
He was the son of John and Catharine Davis Wood, and was born near the village of Blue Bell, in Whitpain township, Mont-
III
JAMES WOOD.
· gomery county. While growing to proper age to be appren- ticed he was taught the rudiments of a good education in the common schools of the period. Having acquired the trade of a smith, he established himself in that business at Gulf, or "Bird-in-Hand," as it was usually called. Being a very active, robust and enterprising mechanic, he first added the manufac- ture of sickles, which were in great demand before cradles and reapers had come into use. In connection with smithing he followed that branch extensively, first at Valley Forge, after- wards at Fox Chase on the Pennepack, and finally at Consho- hocken, where, having obtained a good water power, he added domestic and agricultural hardware, such as spades, shovels, saws, and other implements in common use. This complex business he drove with great vigor for many years, and " Wood's iron implements" obtained a national reputation.
James Wood was born of English and Welsh lineage, and was a Quaker by religious profession. He was twice married, and quite as remarkable in his domestic relations as he was in business, for he is recorded as the father of twenty children, all born in wedlock. He was first married to Tacy Thomas, of Plymouth, by whom he had nine children; afterwards to Anne W. Warner, of Philadelphia, who bore him eleven. The off- spring of the first marriage were James, Alan, Catharine, Mark, Mary, an infant deceased, Thomas, Mary, and Sarah; those of the second wife were Lydia, Charles, John, William W., David L., Thomas C., George F., Anna J., Martha A., Caroline T., and Benedict D. Of these two large families of children the following are still (1878) living: Alan, Catharine, Mary, Charles, Lydia, John, David L., Anna J., Martha A., and Benedict D. David L. is married to Mary K., daughter of Richard P. Cum- ming; Thomas C. to Ann E., daughter of William McCahan, all of Philadelphia; Anna J. is the wife of Jonathan Cleaver, of Upper Merion, Montgomery county; Martha A. is married to Richard C. Walker, Jr .; Caroline T. is intermarried with Con- rad Seidentopli; Benedict D. married Rebecca Walker.
James Wood was a strictly temperate man, and much re- spected by all who knew him. He was also a man of patriot- ism and public spirit, but not a sceker after office, never being
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II2
JAMES WOOD.
willing to accept but a single public position, that of School Director in Plymouth township, of which board he was Presi- dent for five years, from 1834 to 1839. During that time he and his conferees encountered much opposition from the ene- mies of the public school law, which was then first being put in operation.
James Wood was not only a citizen of the olden time in in- dustry, energy, and personal vitality, as shown by his large family, but was noted as a man of great promptness, justness and punctuality in the payment of debts due to others, feeling a just pride in "owing no man anything." He had the rare experience also of never having been sued nor ever being the plaintiff in a suit against others. For a long series of years he did business loaning money and discounting bills, but never would take advantage of his creditors or the poor by exacting more than six per centum interest. He enjoyed the rare bless- ing of a lively, cheerful temper, and good health, which gave zest to life and lengthened out his existence beyond fourscore years, to see several of his sons and grandsons in successful business, building upon the foundation which he had himself laid at Conshohocken.
Thus, after a long and useful life, James Wood died peace- fully, in January, 1851, aged 81 years. His second wife, Anne, survives him, and now (1878) resides in Norristown, a smart old lady, in her 87th year, who keeps her own house, attends to household duties personally, and has nearly all her senses and mental faculties seemingly unimpaired. She recently un- derwent a severe surgical operation, recovering her wonted health in a few days. She bids fair to equal her grandmother in longevity, who continued a robust woman till the day of her death, at the extraordinary age of 104 years. Her natural force was so little abated that when 100 years old she would carry a bucket of water from the spring to the house "like a girl in her teens."
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HON. JOSEPH FORNANCE.
HON. JOSEPH FORNANCE.
His life was gentle, and the elements So mixed in him, that Nature might stand up And say to all the world, This was a man .- Shakspeare.
Hon. Joseph Fornance, who represented the now Seventh district in the Twenty-sixth and Twenty-seventh Congress from 1839 to 1843, was born in Lower Merion township, Octo- ber 18th, 1804. He was the son of John, who was the son of Antony Fornance, previously a resident of New Castle, Dela- ware, and of Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Roberts, of Block- ley township, Philadelphia county. Antony Fornance, his grandfather, emigrated from France and settled in Delaware about 1750, and died there in 1768. Thomas Roberts, his maternal grandfather, was a grandson of Hugh Roberts, who came from Wales in 1684, and was a minister of the society of Friends. He died in 1702, and was buried in the cemetery at Friends' meeting in Merion.
Joseph Fornance was chiefly educated at the old academy of Lower Merion, and his attention was particularly directed to the study of the higher mathematics. He had one brother, John, who survived him some years, and who was a well known resident of Norristown. Immediately on his leaving school he commenced teaching in his native township, and remained in that calling until about 1829 or 1830, when he began the study of law in the office of Hon. Philip S. Markley, and was admitted to the bar August 21st, 1832, continuing in active practice to the period of his death.
In 1834, almost as soon as graduated in his profession, his Democratic fellow-citizens selected him to represent the county in the Assembly, serving one term till the Muhlenberg division of the party caused his defeat. In 1838 he was elected to represent the district in Congress, and was re-elected in 1840, in the midst of the famous "Log Cabin," "Hard Cider" and "'Coon" campaign that carried Harrison and Tyler into the Presidential chairs. While in the Legislature he took an active part in the abolition of public executions, which was effected in 1834, and during his term he secured the passage of several important laws to lay out and improve the streets of
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HON. JOSEPH FORNANCE.
Norristown. He was also conspicuous as an advocate and supporter of the then inchoate public school system; and, though not a member of any secret society, in common with his party opposed the then prevalent political crusade against Masons and other secret orders."
His two terms in Congress were distinguished by the bitter controversies about the safe keeping of the public funds and the institution of the independent Treasury by Van Buren's ad- ministration. That famous measure had been rejected at the extra session in 1837, but passed both houses, in the session of 1840. It was regarded as the great achievement of that Presi- dential term. During all this exciting period Mr. Fornance steadily sustained the principles of his party, and doubtless truly represented his constituents. His manner was ever mild, consistent and firm. On retiring from the post he held, as at first, a character above reproach for ability and integrity. From the close of his Congressional term, in 1843, to 1854, when the elective judiciary was to go into effect in our county, Mr. Fornance was engaged in an extensive practice of his profes- sion. In that year the Democracy of Bucks county presented the name of Henry Chapman as their nominee for the Seventh district, composed of Bucks and Montgomery, and the party in our county presented that of Mr. Fornance for the position. After repeated conferences between the representative Demo- crats of the two counties, no agreement was reached to secure unity, each county adhering to its own nominee. Taking ad- tage of this division the Whig party nominated Hon. D. M. Smyser, of Gettysburg, and elected him. After this Mr. For- nance was not again before the people as a candidate, except as a non-partisan nominee for Town Council of Norristown, which position he filled and was President of that body for several years immediately preceding his death, which took place November 24th, 1852, in the 48th year of his age.
In all public stations Mr. Fornance was an active and indus- trious yet unassuming member, whose judgment was always relied upon, and whose integrity was unquestioned. As an advocate addressing a jury his manner was earnest and impres- sive, carrying great weight, yet his mildness, modesty and
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HON. JOSEPH FORNANCE.
sedateness detracted from his effectiveness as a pleader at the bar.
During his Congressional term he formed the acquaintance of Anne B., daughter of Captain John McKnight, of Alexan- dria, Virginia, and they were married at Washington, D. C., June 23d, 1840. The offspring of this union were the follow- ing: Joseph, who studied law, and for several years success- fully practiced in our courts, occupying the office late of his father, but who is now recently removed and engaged in his profession at St. Louis, Missouri; John, whose melancholy death is recorded below; James, Lieutenant in Thirteenth In- fantry, now stationed at Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Thomas, a machinist, residing at Merillan, Wisconsin; Elizabeth, inter- married with Edward Price Jones, son of Davis Jones, Esq., of Lower Merion, Pennsylvania; Catharine, intermarried with Frank H. Edmunds, Lieutenant of First Infantry, U. S. A., and son of Newton Edmunds, Esq., ex-Governor of Dakota Terri- tory. Lieutenant Edmunds is now stationed at Fort Sully, Dakota. Mary resides with her widowed mother in Norris- town, in the same mansion where the husband and father died.
All the children of the family just enumerated are living ex- cept the second, John, who graduated with high honors in 1861 at the Philadelphia Polytechnic College as a civil engineer. He chose, however, mechanical engineering in the navy the latter part of that year, and was for three years in service in the blockading squadron in the Gulf of Mexico. The remainder of the war he served on the Atlantic coast. He was in a num- ber of skirmishes, and in the attack on Fort Fisher in January, 1865. In 1867 he was ordered to the United States steamer Oneida, one of the Asiatic fleet which represented our country at the opening of the ports of Japan to the commerce of the world. After a cruise of three years the Oneida was ordered home, and left Yokohama at noon on January 24th, 1871, and six hours later, while still in the Bay of Yokohama, was run into by the large British iron steamship Bombay, and so badly crushed that she began to fill rapidly, sinking within ten min- utes, and carrying down with her one hundred and twelve offi- cers and men, who perished almost in a moment. This terri-
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REV. ROBERT STEEL, D. D.
ble event produced a shocking sensation all over the country, but caused a still more melancholy sympathy in our commu- nity, who knew of the gallant services of young John Fornance through the war and the flattering promise of his future. He was a young man of high moral character. Through the en- tire war he was distinguished for courage and devotion to duty. When last seen by the few who survived the disaster, he was, like Casabianca, at his post of duty in the engine room. He was born October 18th, 1844, and perished January 24th, 1871, aged 26 years, 3 months, and 6 days.
In person Hon. Joseph Fornance was tall and well formed, over six feet in height, with dark, ruddy complexion, dark hair and eyes, and rather handsome features overspread with an expression of habitual gravity and dignity.
REV. ROBERT STEEL, D. D.
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith .- Timothy II, 7.
Perhaps there has been no Presbyterian minister in Pennsyl- vania, not attaining extraordinary fame as a great preacher, who has been so justly distinguished for all the qualities that make up an under-shepherd as Rev. Dr. Steel. In view of the results of a continuous ministry to one people of just forty- three years, we would characterize the man by three words- kindliness, gentleness, and fidelity to divine truth. His heart was in his calling from the first; so years only added to his fervor and usefulness. This was doubtless the main source of the "imperdible toughness" of the cords that bound him and his congregation together. But we must trace his life in nar- rative form.
Robert Steel was born January 9th, 1794, near Londonderry, Ireland, and while a small boy came to the United States in charge of an elder brother. Having well grown, doubtless as most emigrant boys, with some experience in earning his own
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REV. ROBERT STEEL, D. D.
living, and only such chances of early education as common schools of that period afforded, he then entered the celebrated academy of Gray and Wiley, and was prepared for Princeton College, where in due time he graduated. Having finished his college course, without delay he entered the Theological Semi- nary of New York, which was famous for being presided over at that time by the celebrated Dr. Mason. Finishing his stu- dies there, and having received a call from Abington Presby- terian Church, he was ordained and installed by the Philadel- phia Presbytery on November 9th, 1819. This covenant, as the elder theologians called it, was never broken-perhaps no more in thought than in deed. That inkling for the high places in the church, so characteristic of some ministers, never seems to have seized the humble, godly man we are describ- ing; nor did his congregation, that had laid the bones of three previous life-long pastors to sleep in their cemetery, ever be- come afflicted with "itching ears," as is so common in our days. So the quiet, simple work of preaching the gospel went on from year to year, the good man teaching the living, bury- ing the dead, and nursing as a father the children of the flock and " dedicating them to the Lord in baptism," according to the teachings of his church. Apart from the round of minis- terial duties which are a portion of a pastor's life, the biogra- pher finds a lack of stirring incidents such as make up ordi- nary public lives. When there is strife, division, or great mo- ral lapses among the people, a church is often made painfully conspicuous, and the minister also. But here it was not so. Results in Dr. Steel's case were finely stated by Rev. L. W. Eckard, the present pastor of the church, in a historical dis- course delivered at Abington August 30th, 1876, of the emi- nent men and women who have gone out from that church to bless other localities. He says:
" Rev. Joseph Travilli, for some time Superintendent of the Sunday school, went to Singapore as a missionary. Rev. Al- fred Ryors studied with Dr. Steel, went to Cannonsburg, be- came tutor in Lafayette College, and died a professor at Dan- ville, Kentucky. Dr. Joseph Stevens, one of the Abington Sunday school scholars, became the esteemed pastor of the
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REV. ROBERT STEEL, D. D.
church at Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania. Rev. Stephen Yerkes occupies a professorship in the Danville Seminary, and has long been distinguished for learning, talent, and piety. Rev. John Johnson became a minister of the Reformed church, New York. Rev. Dr. George Stewart graduated from Lafayette College in 1845, Princeton Theological School in 1848, and was pastor of churches at Bath, New York, and West Point, Iowa, and still more recently of a church in Omaha, Nebraska. The brother of the last, Rev. Dr. Stewart, graduated from Princeton in 1859, preached at Greenwich, New Jersey, and is now pastor of a church at Towanda, Pennsylvania. Rev. John Chester, M. D., was a member of the church and a practicing physician; he studied for the ministry under Dr. Steel, and was pastor of a church at Burlington, New Jersey, and since of a flourishing congregation in Washington city. Rev. Hugh Craven, who was a graduate, went north, where he became very useful in furthering the interests of the home mission work. Rev. Jacob Krewson graduated at Nassau Hall in 1866, and has since been successfully preaching at Forrestville, Bucks county, Pennsylvania. Rev. John Newton, M. D., missionary to India, is also claimed by Abington as one of her sons. Rev. Charles Beatty Newton, an evangelist in India, is identified with this place; here he received his education in part under the care of Dr. Steel. Three lady missionaries to the foreign field, Mrs. Jane Vansant Martin, Mrs. Mary Parvin Janvier, and Mrs. Sarah Wigfall Newton, were sent out by Abington."
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