USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > Lives of the eminent dead and biographical notices of prominent living citizens of Montgomery County, Pa. > Part 13
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Shortly after Dr. Isaac Huddleson's marriage he purchased a lot and erected a dwelling and office upon it, on the south side of Main street above Green, where they lived a number of years. While
I30
ISAAC HUDDLESON, M. D.
residing there Mrs. H. for a short time attended a class to learn drawing, under the instruction of the afterwards celebrated John- J. Audubon, the naturalist, who at that time was attending a select school kept by Parson Jones near by, to obtain an English educa- tion, and who, as a means of assisting to pay for his own instruc- tion, taught a drawing class.
Some years later Dr. Huddleson sold the property just described, and built or purchased another at the southwest corner of Main and Cherry streets, where he and she resided till his death, March 5th, 1852. As the doctor advanced in years he sought relief from the labors of outdoor practice by opening an apothecary shop, which he kept many years, till age admonished him to retire from business altogether. Mrs. Huddleson survived her husband many years, re- taining her mental and physical vigor till she had nearly reached the age of ninety, and even after becoming an octogenarian took long daily walks, stepping forth as nimbly as a woman of middle life. She had lived for a considerable period before death with her granddaughter, Mrs. R. T. Stewart, in her cherished old home. She died in December, 1868, aged 92 years. Dr. Huddleson was not distinguished by very great force of character, but was a care- ful, successful surgeon, and so placid and kindly in disposition that he probably never had an enemy in his life. In person he was of full average height, spare in flesh, dark hair, and of a very happy disposition. He was universally respected and esteemed.
The family is very ancient and respectable on both sides, and doubtless of a long-lived stock, both the doctor and his wife living to great age, as also their son, Dr. John T. Huddleson, who is (1878) living at a very advanced period of life.
The following curious historical incidents or coincidents of the family may be narrated together: Dr. Isaac and Martha Huddleson were married on the last day and year of the last century, Decem- ber 31st, 1799. They had but three children, the son and two daughters, the two latter being Mrs. Mary A. Smith and Mrs. John Mckay. Each has had three and but three children ; and now Mrs. Elizabeth Mckay Stewart and husband, of the third generation, have had three and only three children. Still further, the two daughters of Dr. Isaac and Martha Huddleson died but two days apart, August 10th and 12th, 1835; and finally, Mrs. Martha Hud- dleson, going on a visit to her son, fell sick, and died in the same house and identical chamber in which she was born ninety-two years before .*
*Dr. John T. Huddleson lives upon and owns the maternal homestead originally held by the Taylors.
131
JAMES HAMER, SR., M. D.
JAMES HAMER, SR., M. D .*
" How can we find that wisdom which shines through all his works in the formation of man, without looking on this world as a nursery for the next?"-Addison.
The above named, less the affixes, dates back in Pennsylva- nia annals one hundred and sixty-five years, or to 1713, when there was an order of survey given by William Penn's agents, Richard Hill, Isaac Norris and James Logan, for three hun- dred acres of land in Providence township, to James Hamer, Sr., and James Hamer, his son. The patent for this on parch- ment is still held by the family, dated Fifth-month 20th, 1717, and labled " Patent to Fames Hamer for three hundred acres of land." The tract, as also two hundred and fifty acres con- veyed to Adam Hamer, a brother, was part of the manor of Gilbert's, one of the several estates set apart and conveyed by the proprietor to members of his family. The location was north of the present village of Port Providence, and near the intersection of the road from Norristown and Phoenixville with that which passes from the poor-house road to the village just stated. Part of this land has remained in the family till
*The original James Hamer, whose blank book (small 12mo. size) has been pre- served in the family to the present time, appears to have been a blacksmith, storekeeper, and cobbler combined. We copy the charges on the first page, dated 1716, as follows: Jolın Web deptor to me James Hamer
€ s. d.
payd to Rees potts.
6 0
ozenbrike [perhaps osnaberg], 9 yards.
1
sharping one hogli
one seain of mohair [thread].
5
2 pennyworth of pipe.
one pair of soles.
6
one new axe.
7
=
Stiling [probably hooping] one hogshd to 7 yards of ozenbrik.
8
one pair of shoos.
6
6
one Hatt.
5
one pair of sols
G
sharping one hooe
1
6
one pound of tobako
1
G
one sadel .. 1
0
0
3 2 10
There appears also some entries or memoranda the same year of considerable sums of £2, £4, £6, and £8, given to James Logan, Evan Evans, Abraham Hill, und Edward Roberts, evidently paid on account of the land.
They have also preserved the following eurious bill : £ s. d.
James Hamar Dr to the Honbl John Peun Jun and John Penn, for Quit rent
on 77 acres & 8 perches of Land in Gilberts Manor, from 13th Feb 1761 to Do 1788 is 27 years nt Is Sterling pr et per annum is .. 104
To Do on 47 acres of Do in Do from 1 March 1717 to 1788 is 71 years at 1 s Ster-
ling per Hundred per annum is. 1 13 31/4
£ s. d. Curreney 4 9 334
2 13 7%
Exchange 6634 per et.
This eurious vellum-bound note-book has many other eurious memorials of the past that are worthy of a place, but space forbids.
steeling one axe ..
1
one pair of stokings.
I32
JAMES HAMER, SR., M. D.
the present year (1878). On January 7th, David, the last oc- cupant, died without direct heirs.
The Hamer family are Welsh, and probably (as they were Quakers) emigrated with Penn or very soon after. They have records of births and deaths preserved as early as 1755, and thence down to the present. The subject of this biography is probably the third or fourth in descent from the original emi- grant James Hamer, inheriting the patronimic and part of the estate. He was born on the homestead Third-month 4th, 1781, and was the oldest of his father's family. His father's name, as his grandfather's, was James; and what is still more re- markable, he left a son James, who also has a son James, both practicing physicians at Freeland, in the township where the family settled in 1717.
The brothers and sisters of Dr. James Hamer, Sr., were: Mar- tha, intermarried with John Gordon, born Sixth-month 12th, 1783 ; Sarah, born Tenth-month 30th, 1785; Humphrey, Sec- ond-month 27th, 1788; Rachel, Fifth-month 24th, 1791; Jesse, Seventh-month 23d, 1793 ; Charles, Twelfth-month Ist, 1795 ; David, Seventh-month , 1798; John, Fifth-month 4th, 1801. Of these parents and nine children, Rachel died in in- fancy in 1794; John, 1820; James Hamer, the father, 1822; Sarah Hamer, the mother, 1831; Humphrey, 1843 ; Sarah, 1851; James, M. D., the subject of this notice, May 6th, 1857 ; Jesse, October 8th, 1863; Charles-record lost; David, as before stated, January 7th, 1878.
Before tracing further the history of Dr. James Hamer, Sr., we pause to insert the descendants of some of his brothers and sisters : Martha, wife of John Gordon, had three children, two of whom are now (1878) living; George Gordon, jeweler, resides in Philadelphia, and Sarah, intermarried with Oliver P. James, M. D., of Doylestown. Humphrey Hamer had seven children, as follows: Martha, intermarried with Abraham Moore ; William, James, and Sarah, the last, intermarried with George Supplee ; Hannah, with Joseph Miller; Jane, with Daniel Crout, now deceased; and Robert, the well known teacher, who some years ago taught at Treemount, Norristown, but now of Chicago. Jesse Hamer was intermarried with Ann
I33
JAMES HAMER, SR., M. D.
Lukens, of Kulpsville, but left no heirs. David, who died last, was never married.
Dr. James Hamer, whose life we write, was born on the old homestead, as before stated, and after receiving a good educa- tion engaged for a time in teaching. He next commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Griffith, of Bucks county, at- tending lectures at the medical university when Drs. Rual and Wistar were professors therein. He graduated and commenced practice in the spring of 1812, at Skippackville, and followed it continuously there until 1844, when his son James had fin- ished his medical education and entered into partnership with him. James the elder, however, practiced at times as long as he lived. In all those thirty-two years or more he had a very laborious practice, extending largely over the townships of Per- kiomen, parts of Upper and Lower Providence, Lower Salford, Limerick, Frederick, Franconia, Towamencin, Hatfield, Wor- cester, and Norriton, covering an area perhaps of a hundred square miles. He was largely engaged in midwifery practice, recording the births as they occurred, which aggregated near two thousand cases. Some years as high as eighty-nine were registered, and occasionally as many as two or three a day. Dr. H. never till late in life abandoned the more robust habit of making his professional visits on horseback, instead of the light carriage, which prevails now. He managed to train his horses so that they would keep the path and avoid accidents even on the darkest nights, when he could not see the way himself. During the prevalence of the ague, or malarial epoch, from 1820 to 1830, he also suffered at times from the "shakes," and has been known to dismount for a short time, while the chill lasted, lie down a spell, and then start on his round again. His habit was to leave a memorandum at home of the route he meant to take, and as subsequent callers often pursued him with professional summons it frequently happened that he would not return to his family for days. He was subject nearly all his life to a chronic bronchitis, which was very severe at times, but he rarely permitted ailments to hinder his business. This was doubtless owing to two things-open air riding and his total abstinence from alcoholic drinks.
I34
JAMES HAMER, SR., M. D.
Dr. James Hamer, the elder, was married in Philadelphia to Fanny, daughter of Abraham and Magdalene Gotwals, who resided at one time on the property now embraced in the Mont- gomery alms-house farm. This family were German Mennon- ites. The children of this union were Dr. James Hamer, now of Freeland, and Mary, intermarried with Seth Lukens, of Gwynedd, near North Wales, whose notice is elsewhere in this volume.
In person the elder Dr. Hamer was about medium stature, stout built, broad-chested, with large head, dark hair and eyes, and dark-florid complexion.
For the purpose of making a full family record we will add a sketch of Dr. James Hamer the second. He married Caro- line A., daughter of William and Caroline U. Downing. This Caroline was a Mather, from Lyme, Connecticut, and without doubt a lineal descendant of Cotton Mather, of New England. Dr. James and Caroline Hamer have five children living: Caro- line Cecilia, intermarried with John M. Vanderslice, attorney- at-law, Philadelphia; Dr. James H. Hamer, now practicing his profession in conjunction with his father, at Freeland; Fannie, Lizzie, and Emily. The two elder daughters, Caroline Cecilia and Fannie, have graduated at Pennsylvania Female College, under Dr. Sunderland, and the two younger are pursuing like studies with a similar aim. Dr. James Hamer, previous to purchasing the famous Todd-Townsend property, where he now resides, practiced medicine several years at the village of Oneida, Madison county, New York. He now principally attends to the farm, while his son, Dr. James H. Hamer the third, is rapidly increasing the practice received at his father's hands.
The Hamer family, though not so prolific as some others, has been perhaps fully as well preserved, from surrounding de- moralizations as any others, they having been in all their gen- erations Quakers, not of the external, but internal type, most of its members being strongly anti-slavery and opposed to in- temperance.
135
REV. SAMUEL AARON, A. M.
REV. SAMUEL AARON, A. M.
Cry aloud and spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet and show my people their transgressions, and the house of Jacob their sins .- Isaiah LVIII, 1.
Love thyself last. Cherish those that hate thec. Be just and fear not. Let all the ends thou aim'st at be thy country's, Thy God's, and Truth's. Then if thou fallest, Thou fallest a blessed martyr .- Shakspeare.
The most noted clergyman that has figured in Montgomery county annals during the past forty years was undoubtedly Rev. Samuel Aaron, whose name stands at the head of this page. In mere scholastic sermonizing or revival power we may have had his superiors, but in breadth of intellect, exalted imagination, gifts of oratory, melting pathos, abounding charity and liberality, both of religious sentiment and alms-giving, we never had a greater. He was preacher, politician, philanthro- pist and teacher, all combined in one. There was no neces- sary incongruity in this strange conjuncture of functions, for, says one of his biographers, " his religion was his politics and his politics his religion." He drew his political aphorisms from the Bible, and his faith within the compass of Scripture morals had no sect in it.
Samuel Aaron was a man of gushing sympathies, and like all full-blooded Celts, as he was, being free-spoken and com- bative, was often brought into contact with fastidious conserva- tism. His warmth of nature and impulsiveness, joined to ex- cessive charity in matters of faith, often made him appear in- consistent with himself; hence he was never much in favor with precise theologians but always held in highest reverence by the friends of humanity, who knew "his heart was in the right place." And yet he was ever ready, on fitting occasions, to defend what is held to be orthodoxy, and not long before he removed from Norristown had an oral debate in Odd Fel- lows' Hall, continuing many evenings, with Rev. J. H. Light- burn, of the Methodist Episcopal church, on the form, long controverted, of Scriptural baptism. In this Mr. Aaron ac- quitted himself well, proving, as a scholar, much more than a match for his opponent, though in coolness and adroitness Mr.
I36
REV. SAMUEL AARON, A. M.
L. was his superior. The contest was continued some time afterwards in the papers. In this Mr. Aaron was manifestly superior to his opponent, although Mr. L. was assisted by most of the clergy of the town.
As a writer Mr. Aaron was clear, forcible, and incisive; and if there was any vulnerable point in the harness of an enemy, his blade was sure to find it. This was manifest in a contro- versy that sprang up between him and B. Markley Boyer, Esq., in one of the Norristown journals, which continued for many weeks, involving reform subjects, men and things gener- ally. This discussion, which was very able, and somewhat personal on both sides, raised Mr. Aaron to the highest rank as a controversialist with the pen. His opponent, however, had one advantage of him-not feeling trammeled, as he did, by the amenities of the clerical profession; and so, when it de- generated to personalities Mr. A. was at a disadvantage.
As a preacher Mr. Aaron rarely indulged in critical exposi- tions of Scripture except to fortify some controverted point in morals, but was distinguished for wonderful fervor and mental force, generally aiming, after convincing the judgment, to move the feelings of his hearers. Always speaking extemporaneously, he had the full attention of his hearers, and rarely failed to make a deep impression by the warmth and pathos of his ap- peals. It is impossible in the space assigned us to do justice to his labors in Montgomery county or the record of his whole. life. But the historical thread of his biography is so com- pactly drawn by his friend and associate in the ministry, Rev. A. L. Post, that we copy it in extenso:
"Samuel Aaron was born in New Britain township, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, October 19th, 1800, and was at the time of his death (April 11th, 1865) in the 65th 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 consisting also of three sisters. His father, Moses Aaron, a farmer of respectable circumstances, was (as his wife Hannah) a member of the Baptist church, and a man of sincere piety. Mr. Aaron always spoke of his father as 'a
I37
REV. SAMUEL AARON, A. M.
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 fre- quently obliged to trudge bare-footed to the village store and back with the jug of liquor; and the sad condition of his guardian's family and business affairs, and the neglectful treat- ment 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 at Doylestown. At twenty he connected himself with the Classical and Mathematical School of John Gummere at Burlington, New Jersey, 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 profession 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 after re- moved to Burlington, New Jersey, and in connection with Charles Atherton took charge of the Burlington High School, formerly kept by John Gummere. Mr. Atherton was associated with him but a year or two when Mr. Aaron became sole Prin- cipal, and the school attained a very flourishing condition. In addition to conducting this large school, he was for five years
10
.
I38
REV. SAMUEL AARON, A. M.
pastor of the Burlington Baptist Church, and also frequently delivered addresses upon reform and subjects of science."
In April, 1841, he was called to take charge of the Norris- town church, at the same time reopening a select school for boys, which had been formerly kept by William M. Hough on the present site of Dr. Ralston's seminary. This property be- ing sold, and an invitation given to take charge of the Norris- town Academy, he removed his school to that time-honored building. While teaching here he was violently set upon in his school room by two ruffians, of whom one stood with a cane uplifted to prevent rescue while the other brutally beat him for some pretended personal offence contained in a recent temper- ance address. Mr. Aaron, at the time holding non-resistent views, with wonderful self-control, like his Master, stood dumb before his assailants. For this offence they were arrested, con- victed, and condemned to a heavy fine and short imprison- ment.
Mr. Aaron's popularity at this time as a champion of tem- perance and anti-slavery, and also as a teacher, was such that the way was prepared for the erection of "Treemount," which was effected in 1844, and in December the school was opened.
Having resigned the pastorate of the church, he devoted all his energies to the school, and it rose till it became famous all over the country. From this time, for a period of twelve or fourteen years, this school often contained during a session one hundred and twenty boarders and as many as sixty day scholars. During this period many of the most eminent sol- diers, civilians and scholars of the country were partly or fully trained within its classic walls, among others the since distin- guished Generals Hancock and Hartranft.
In 1857 Norristown fell under a commercial revulsion that wrecked very many of its strongest men. Mr. Aaron had given endorsements for friends, whose failure carried him down with them; so in September, 1859, he removed to take charge of the Baptist church in Mount Holly, New Jersey, and in connection with his son, Charles E. Aaron, A. M., to open Mount Holly Institute, a seminary similar to the one closed in Norristown. To show how the people of this locality re-
139
REV. SAMUEL AARON, A. M.
·garded his failure and abandonment of Treemount, we tran- scribe from the Norristown Republican of September 3d of that year an editorial written by the author of this book .*
During the closing six years of his life in New Jersey, he was as industrious and fruitful in good works as he had been the previous twenty at Norristown. He not only ministered acceptably to the church at Mount Holly, but continued to teach till near his death, holding himself still subject to calls for public service. Among others, of various kinds, we fell upon the following, recorded in the papers at the time.
Colonel James Wall had made a seditious speech at Bur- lington on February 22d, 1862, on "The Compromises of the Constitution," for which he was afterwards temporarily im- prisoned in Fort Lafayette. People of all classes heard his treasonable utterances peaceably, but nevertheless engaged Mr. Aaron to answer him, which he effectually did a few days after. On this occasion rebel sympathizers gathered and sought to create a disturbance by throwing eggs and openly contradict- ing his words. They were, however, soon silenced by the Mayor, and Mr. A. laid out his opponent, as was his wont.
Early in his ministerial life, in 1838, Brown University con- ferred the degree of Master of Arts upon him, and he was fre- quently solicited to accept the Presidency of Central College, at McGrawville, but declined the honor and responsibility. In 1856 he was an active participant in the great Republican con- vention at Philadelphia which nominated Fremont and Dayton for the Presidency and Vice Presidency. Once, in 1854, he was run for Congress by the Free Soil party of Montgomery
*" It is not often that the departure of an individual suggests so many interesting re- flections as does that of the Rev. Samuel Aaron, whose family left our borough on last Wednesday for Mount Holly, New Jersey.
"For nearly twenty years Mr. A.'s labors and influence have been intimately con- nected with every improvement of a moral or social nature that has occupied the atten- tion of our people. During that time no seheme for the elevation of society or the pub- lic improvement of the town and county has wanted his endorsement or co-operation ; and no one who has had a plea of real charity to prefer or enterprise of benevolence to inaugurate, was ever turned empty away from his door. In religious matters he has been the pack-horse of the community, always depended upon to fill other people's for- feited engagements, or make speeches impromptu at anniversaries-in all cases gratui- tously, of course. Unselfishness, excess of charity and benevolence combined, prevented his acquisition of wealth, for no one in the community has worked harder than he. .Judged by the true standard of human effort, his labors among us have been abundantly successful, for we doubt if any man in eastern Pennsylvania has wielded a deeper or wider influence in moulding the rising generation or giving the impress of free thought ito others in active life.
"Again we remark it is not what the individual has in possession that constitutes his fortune or success in life, but what he has performed for the beneficent uses of society.",
140
REV. SAMUEL AARON, A. M.
county, but having both Democrats and Whigs opposed to him it was but an empty honor.
He was a pastor of three churches seventeen years, and: a. teacher of youth forty-five years. In very early life he studied law in Doylestown, but soon left it and returned to teaching. Mr. Aaron was an accomplished Latin and Greek scholar, and a profound mathematician. He also understood French. Da- vis, in his "History of Bucks County," recently published, says: " He was one of the most brilliant men Bucks county ever produced." His ministerial labor was three years at New Britain, five at Burlington, three at Norristown, and six at: Mount Holly.
In addition to the children of his first wife, before named,. there were afterwards born to him John G. (died in infancy), Mary E., Emilia D., and Louisa C., all now living in Mount Holly. The eldest daughter, Martha D., intermarried with Conrad Wiegand, and lives, with her family, at Virginia City,. Nevada. Her husband is assayer of gold and silver, for which. he is fitted by years of such service in the United States Mint in Philadelphia and afterwards at San Francisco. Conrad and' Martha D. Wiegand had only one daughter, Emilia A., who grew up to womanhood in the West, and married Thomas W. Dunn, by whom she had one daughter, Adelaide Z. The latter sur- vives her mother, who recently died on the Pacific coast.
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