USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > Lives of the eminent dead and biographical notices of prominent living citizens of Montgomery County, Pa. > Part 14
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Charles E. Aaron left Mount Holly in 1872, abandoned! teaching for lack of health, and is engaged in outdoor employ- ment at Maryville, East Tennessee, where he owns a saw and planing mill and sash and door factory. The living children of Charles E. Aaron and wife are Eugene M., S. Francis, and Margaret M. The eldest, Eugene, is married, and has two) sons, Joseph M. and Frederick E.
In person Samuel Aaron was nearly of average height, stout built, florid complexion, light hair, slightly inclining to bald- ness, a small eye, but a prodigious forehead, conveying the- impression of immense intellectual force and strength. In fierce invective and burning eloquence against wrong-doers he- probably never had a superior in our State. He nearly always spoke from the inspiration of the moment, and. on rare occa-
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REV. NATHAN STEM, D. D.
:sions, from trusting to impromptu utterances, made addresses that did not satisfy himself or his friends.
His biographer, Mr. Post, in closing a long notice of him, : says :
" He lived to see the triumph of the principles he advocated (so far as slavery was concerned), and the dawning of a new national day. On hearing of the fall of Richmond and sur- render of Lee, a few hours 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.'"
His funeral was numerously attended from distant places, and the house of worship could not contain the throng. Sym- pathizing letters were also received by the family from John ·G. Whittier, Wendell Phillips, and others. He died at Mount Holly on April 11th, 1865, in his 65th year, and his parish- ioners erected in their yard a tomb-stone on which is the fol- lowing inscription :
HONORED AS A MINISTER, BELOVED AS A FRIEND, REVERED AS A TEACHER OF YOUTH, HE IS MOURNED AS THE GUIDE AND COM- FORTER OF MANY.
REV. NATHAN STEM, D. D.
Servant of God, well done! Rest from thy loved employ .- Montgomery.
Rev. Nathan Stem, many years rector of St. John's Episco- pal Church, Norristown, was born in 1804 in East Nantmeal, Chester county, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Jacob and Elizabeth Stem, and his grandparents on his father's side were Conrad and Mary Stem, who came from Germany. His ma- ternal grandfather and grandmother were John and Catharine Kline.
At the very early age of ten or twelve years Nathan exhib- iited a thoughtful, pious turn of mind, and was thus early bap- itized and confirmed at St. Mary's, under the ministrations of Rev. Levi Bull, D. D., of that place. Receiving a good pri-
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REV. NATHAN STEM, D. D.
mary education in the schools of the neighborhood, he was: then sent to college at Alexandria, Virginia, for several years, .. and graduated about 1829. From college he went West, and was ordained to the work of the ministry by that eminently evangelical man, Bishop Chase, of Ohio, at Columbus. Shortly after Mr. Stem was called to minister to two churches at or near Delaware, Ohio. He remained settled there nearly four years, during which (June 19th, 1831) he was married, by their old pastor, Rev. Dr. Bull, to Miss Sarah May Potts, of War- wick, Chester county.
In March, 1832, Mr. Stem removed to Harrisburg, Penn- sylvania, and was installed rector of a charge, which he held about seven years, till Rev. John Reynolds resigned charge of" St. John's, when he was elected by the vestry, and removed to Norristown in January. He preached his first sermon here on the 17th of February.
Mr. and Mrs. Stem had born to them six children, three sons and three daughters, all deceased young except two. Of those living, Martha Ellen is intermarried with Major Oliver C. Bosbyshell, then of Pottsville, but now of West Philadelphia ;. and Sarah Potts Stem, who resides with her mother.
Mr. Stem was settled in Norristown at a period of great re- ligious activity. Rev. S. M. Gould had a short time previously been installed pastor of the First Presbyterian Church and his congregation visited with copious revivals and large ingather- ings. The Baptist pulpit was filled by Rev. David Barnard, and later by Revs. Samuel Aaron and Isaac N. Hobart, who held like meetings. The Methodists also were actively work- ing, as likewise the church of which Mr. Stem was the rector .. Shortly after, all these congregations entered upon needful im- provements to their houses of worship. St. John's church edi- fice was unsightly and without ornament of any kind. Under Mr. Stem's pastorate the congregation went into improvements and repairs with a will. A front addition, including a tower, was built, a fine bell procured, flanking buttresses erected on the outer walls, and the whole interior done up in modern style. .
Mr. Stem was a man of courtly manners, a very comely per-
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REV. NATHAN STEM, D. D.
son, and a fine reader. Few men, who did not make mere pulpit oratory an exclusive study, were ever more popular with their people and the general public than he. During his whole pastorate this church was quite as prosperous as those of other denominations at Norristown, and in the operations of the Bi- ble society and works of charity and benevolence Mr. Stem and his people co-operated in a fraternal spirit with members of other denominations. Although St. John's has always been ranked as what is called "high church," there was no minister in the town more evangelical in his views or preaching than Mr. S., nor was there ever an undue lifting of the ceremonials of religion above plain Bible preaching so far as the rector of that chuch was concerned. A strictly temperate man, Mr. Stem's sympathies were with temperance, though he never joined in concert with the active workers in that cause. But in reference to its twin sister, the cause of freedom as against slavery, Mr. Stem was widely known as an original Abolition- ist. He was so strongly committed on this subject that at one of the first annual gatherings of the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society he was elected to preside over its sittings in the Bap- tist church, Norristown. This was in 1838 or 1839, and al- though subsequently, from prudential reasons, he did not act openly with Abolitionists (when it required less courage to do so), he never lost his interest in the cause of the black man or ceased to defend his rights where he could make it effective This sympathy for a down-trodden race was appreciated by them till his death, when great numbers of colored people at- tended his funeral as sincere mourners as any who followed his remains to the tomb. For a number of years Mr. Stem alternated with other clergymen of the town in holding Sab- bath afternoon services in the corridor of the prison.
As a preacher Mr. S. was terse, argumentative, and earnest, never addressing himself to the ear, but always with plainness to the judgment and hearts of his hearers. His manner of reading the service also, was solemn and natural in intonation, with an entire freedom from that affected tone and manner sometimes heard in the church service.
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REV. NATHAN STEM, D. D.
Toward the close of his pastorate the Faculty of Franklin and Marshall College very worthily conferred the degree of Doctor of Divinity upon Mr. Stem, which but for his native modesty had been much earlier bestowed.
A few years before his death his constitution, as that of others, was shattered by a fearful snow storm which, blocking up the railroad track, arrested an evening train upon which they were returning home from Philadelphia. The blockade was so complete, and the cold so intense, that, being without fuel or food, and after waiting hours to be extricated, the pas- sengers had to walk nearly two miles in the midst of drifting snow and cold to reach Norristown. Some actually perished within a few days from the sufferings and exposure of that ter- rible night. Dr. Stem never fully recovered, but still for a period officiated as before. Going to Swedesburg, however, in June, 1859, to fill Rev. Mr. Reese's place one evening, the house being overheated, he fell into a perspiration, and riding home he took a violent cold, which, between June and No- vember, developed into a rapid consumption, carrying him off on the Ist of the latter month, in the 55th year of his age.
Perhaps no man ever died in Norristown whose demise pro- duced more profound heart-felt sorrow. His remains were at- tended to the grave by all classes and denominations of our people. His body is interred immediately in the rear of St. John's Church, in an enclosed lot, upon which is erected a handsome but plain marble obelisk. On this is chiseled the following simple but truthful inscription :
A tribute of respect To the memory of our pastor, REV. NATHAN STEM; D. D., Who died Nov. 1, 1859, in the 55th year of his age.
He was Rector of St. John's Church 20 years and 9 months. In life he preached Jesus, And now he sleeps in Him.
145
JOHN KENNEDY, ESQ.
JOHN KENNEDY, EsQ.
Behold Thou hast made my days as a hand-breadth .- Psalm XXXIX, 5.
John Kennedy, of Port Kennedy, was youngest of the eight children of Alexander Kennedy, of Upper Merion township, Montgomery county. He was born at the old family home- stead, now owned or held by the heirs of Major David Zook, adjoining the village, October 18th, 1815. His elder bro- thers were: William, who many years ago kept a store in what was then called "Kennedy's Hollow"; W. Robinson, who owns and occupies a lime-stone farm south and adjoining the works of his brother now deceased; a third, Alexander, a farmer, lives near Kimberton, Chester county. The family, which is derived from the energetic Scotch-Irish stock, has owned most of the land around the " Hollow" for many years.
Until his twenty-fourth year the subject of our notice re- mained at farming on his father's place, but then (1839) com- menced dealing in live stock, taking frequent journeys to Ohio and Western Pennsylvania to make purchases.
In 1841 he was married to Margaret S. Connell, of Lancas- ter county. The offspring of this union have been eight child- ren, three of whom are living: Josephine, intermarried Octo- ber 25th, 1872, with Major M. M. Ellis, son of Nathaniel M. Ellis, of Phoenixville; Maggie S., united October 22d, 1874, to Nathan D. Cortright, of Mauch Chunk, where they now re- side; the youngest, Moore C., resides with his mother, as does Josephine and her husband. But we anticipate.
In 1842, having followed the stock business alone up to that time, he purchased the celebrated lime works at Port Kennedy. Here for thirty-five years he has pushed one of the most ex- tensive lime productions on the line of the Schuylkill, ship- ping immense quantities, mainly by canal, to Maryland and all over the Delaware peninsula. Selling fertilizers South brought him into intimate relations with the people of Maryland, and he soon became the owner of several tracts of land in Kent county, which he improved by extensive buildings-so much so that a village sprung up in one locality, which, in his honor,
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JOHN KENNEDY, ESQ.
is called "Kennedysville." Some of these tracts contain fine peach orchards in full bearing, and Mr. K. was frequently down at his Maryland estate looking after improvements and repairs, and in autumn, the game season, he would frequently spend a week shooting (of which he was fond) in those localities.
Mr. Kennedy took a deep interest in all matters of educa -. tion, being several years a school director of Upper Merion. He sent his children to Norristown, however, in their maturer age, for the best instruction. In 1852 he built himself a stately mansion, surrounded with trees and shrubbery, on a declivity east of the village, which he occupied till his death, and where his widow still resides. It is not saying too much to state that Port Kennedy, during the time he has owned it, has been quadrupled in size, growing into quite a town, and having a large hotel, Presbyterian church, blast furnace, with store- houses, work-shops, and a bridge over the river, all of which were built largely, if not mainly, by his pecuniary aid and en- couragement. Again, during his later years, he was exten- sively engaged, as formerly, in buying and selling horses and cows of superior breeds, his monthly auctions being one of the features of the locality, and adding greatly to the accommoda- tion of the farmers of Chester and Montgomery counties. During this period, too, he took a lively interest in the gen- eral subject of agriculture, being for some time President of the county agricultural society. Notwithstanding all these concerns, which were attended with care and expense of time, he was chosen President of the Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank of Phoenixville, which post he filled at the time of his death. He also held the position of postmaster at one time in connec- tion with his village store.
Mr. Kennedy in education and sympathy was a Presbyterian during his whole life, and to his patronage and assistance the church of that name at the village was mainly indebted for its foundation and prosperity. He was an observer of the Sab- bath as 'a day of religious obligation, his pew being rarely va- cant when he was able to attend divine service. He was, how- ever, not in covenant relations with the church, and yet his external walk and conversation were more exemplary than are
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JOHN KENNEDY, ESQ.
many who are so related. In person he was tall and well formed, of ruddy complexion, dark eyes, very comely at ad- vanced life, with hair becoming intermixed with gray.
He was a man of indomitable will and energy, always busy, yet ever cheerful and good natured; so much so that few who came into contact with him but felt the magnetism of his genial nature. He thoroughly enjoyed life, and in all its proper and right paths desired all around him to share in his enjoyment.
Till the last five or six years of his life he had enjoyed uni- form good health, but then began to be troubled with dyspep- sia. During his last summer (1877) he and Mrs. K. spent a brief period at Cape May, returning in August, and he being much improved in health. On September 4th, notwithstand- ing he felt somewhat ill, he had been attending to business, having ridden out during the day, but returned about five o'clock in the afternoon, and while sitting in a rocking-chair in his bed-room expired, it is supposed, of heart disease, aged 61 years. The suddenness of his departure was a terrible shock to his family, who had no reason to apprehend danger from the apparently slight nature of his indisposition. He died universally respected, and deeply mourned by his family, as also by sympathizing friends. His funeral was largely at- tended and his remains deposited in the cemetery beside the church he had helped to found and within whose walls he had so long and reverently sat to hear the gospel.
148
ROBERT HAMILL.
ROBERT HAMILL.
THE HAMILL FAMILY.
For the promise is unto you and your children .- Acts II, 39.
A few more years shall roll, A few more seasons come, And we shall be with those that rest Asleep within the tomb .- Bonar.
Robert Hamill, one of the early merchants of Norristown, was born near Bush Mills, County Antrim, Province of Ulster, North Ireland. His father, Hugh Hamill, was an elder in the Presby- terian church. His mother, Letitia Hamill, bore the same name before her marriage, being remotely related to her husband. Rob- ert was brought up on a farm, and received a good education. After his marriage his brother John wrote to him as follows: "I hope it may be said of your descendants, as it can be of your ancestors, that for more than a century they have not been without a ruling or a teaching elder." This explains Robert Hamill's well known re- ligious training of his family and conscientious course, as exempli- fied in subsequent life.
At the time of the Irish troubles of 1798, when many Scotch-Irish from the north of Ireland emigrated to this country, Robert Hamill came over also, in the same ship with the late John Patterson, of Philadelphia. Before leaving Ireland he had converted most of his patrimony into Irish linen, which met a ready market in Phila- delphia, and with the proceeds he soon commenced business in Nor- ristown, in company with Mr. Patterson. The title of the firm was Hamill & Patterson. They continued together for two years, when they dissolved partnership, and Mr. Patterson removed to Philadel- phia. They, however, continued to have great regard for each other, and kept up an intimate acquaintance through life. Mr. P. survived, and was present at the funeral of his old partner in 1838. They both married in Montgomery county, Mr. P. the daughter of Colonel Christopher Stuart, of Norriton, and Mr. Hamill marry- ing Isabella, daughter of Colonel Andrew Todd, of Trappe, a sol- dier of the Revolution. This union allied Mr. Hamill with the Porters, McFarlands, and other leading families of the locality.
Mr. Hamill continued merchandising in Norristown until 1835, when advancing years induced him to retire. His place of business was adjoining his residence, and precisely opposite the present site of the Central Presbyterian Church.
In all his social and business transactions Mr. Hamill was noted
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ROBERT HAMILL.
for integrity and scrupulous uprightness. As an illustration of these qualities it may be mentioned that after retirement from business his store-house for a period remained unoccupied, because its owner would not rent it with the privilege of vending intoxicating drinks, he having come to see such leasing and sale as contrary to christian morals.
In temper of mind he was remarkably calm, self-poised, patient and persevering in all the settled pursuits of life, to which were added every trait of a christian gentleman. His judgment was ex- cellent, and his counsel often sought by others. With his family his advice was ever consulted and followed with alacrity. It was the favorite purpose of his life to give all his children a liberal edu- cation. His daughters were sent to the best boarding-schools of Philadelphia and each of his sons afforded the advantages of a full, collegiate education. And the fact that all three subsequently chose the ministry as their profession was largely owing to the influence of parental advice and careful home training. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hamill maintained a high standard of religious character, and were very faithful in training their children. Their word was the undis- puted law of the household. Their house was also noted as a hos- pitable resting place for clergymen as they passed to and fro in min- istration to the churches.
Mr. Hamill took great interest in whatever was calculated to pro- mote the good and growth of Norristown; was active in getting up the first fire company ; was for many years a member of Town Council, and at one time its President, and once also Burgess. He took an active part in the organization and maintenance of the old academy which stood on Airy street at the head of DeKalb, and he was elected a trustee in 1804, and for some time was President of the Board. This academy did a good work in training the boys of Norristown and vicinity for nearly half a century.
Always fond of books, and devoting his leisure hours to reading, Mr. Hamill was much interested in the Norristown Library Com- pany.
He was one of the originators (and, in a spiritual sense, one of the fathers) of the First Presbyterian Church of Norristown, and one of its most liberal pecuniary supporters from its foundation un- til his death. He was at different times the President and Trea- surer of its Board of Trustees, and a ruling elder from its first or- ganization, having previously held that office in the church of Lower
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ROBERT HAMILL.
Providence. He was a warm and liberal friend to the poor, and frequently visited the sick and suffering in his leisure hours.
His pure and spotless life commanded the respect and confidence of all who knew him. He traced the hand of Providence in every- thing. On one occasion, in his later years, he was present at the court house attending a trial of general interest. When he entered the court room, Judge Ross, of Doylestown, who was then Presi- dent Judge of the district, sent an officer of the court to escort him to a vacant chair on the Judge's platform. On returning home he remarked, " When I saw the crowd in the court I thought I should have to retire, but the Lord, who took care of His children, had, through the polite attention of Judge Ross, provided a seat for me."
Mr. Hamill lived to reach his Soth year. His was truly a long and useful life. He died in the faith of the gospel. On the day of his funeral, as the procession passed along to the First Presby- terian Church, the stores were closed out of respect to the deceased, and the solemn toll of the bells announced the general regard and sympathy. After the death of his widow the remains of both were transferred to the cemetery of the Presbyterian church on Prospect Hill, in Lower Providence township, where five generations of Mrs. Hamill's family lie buried.
Robert and Isabella Hamill had nine children born to them. Two died in infancy. One, Andrew, at nine years of age, was accident- ally drowned in Stony creek, one died in advanced life, as else- where described, and five are living, as named below. The oldest daughter, Letitia, married Rev. James C. How in 1826, who was for several years Principal of the Norristown Academy, and subse- quently pastor of the Presbyterian church at Springfield, Otsego county, New York, and afterward, for twenty-five years, until the time of his death, pastor of the Presbyterian church at St. George's, Delaware, where Mrs. How is now living, with four of her six child- ren settled near, and where she is greatly respected and loved.
The second daughter, Hannah, married Rev. Charles W. Nassau, D. D., who was for some years pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Norristown, subsequently Professor in Marion College, Missouri, afterward Professor and President of Lafayette College, Easton, Pennsylvania, and still later, for twenty-five years, Principal of the . female seminary at Lawrenceville, New Jersey.
Since the foregoing memoir of Mr. and Mrs. Nassau was written, and before publication, both he and she have died at Trenton, New Jersey, within six weeks of each other. They were greatly beloved,
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ROBERT HAMILL.
and their deaths lamented by a large circle of friends. Two years ago they celebrated their golden wedding. Thus, fifty-two years ago, they were joined in holy bonds, at Norristown, Rev. Dr. Ezra Stiles Ely performing the marriage ceremony. Rev. Dr. Sylvester Scoville and Rev. James C. How were groomsmen, and Miss Eliza- beth Pawling (now Mrs. Ross) and Eliza Huddleson (afterwards Mrs. John McKay) bridesmaids. Of that interesting group Mrs. Ross is the only survivor.
Mr. and Mrs. Nassau left ten children : Rev. Joseph E. Nassau, D. D., of Warsaw, New York; William Nassau, M. D., of Burling- ton, Iowa; Isabella A. and Rev. R. Hamill Nassau, M. D., mis- sionaries to Gaboon, West Africa; Hannah, the wife of Hon. Ed- ward Wells, of Peekskill, New York; Letitia, the wife of Rev. Dr. Gosman, of New Jersey; Matilda, the wife of Jonathan Roberts Lowrie, Esq., of Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania; Emma, the wife of Rev. William Swan, of Stockton, New Jersey; Charles W. Nassau, Esq., of New York, and Elizabeth, who remained with her parents.
Hugh, the oldest son of Robert and Isabella Hamill, prepared for his classical course at Norristown Academy, graduated at Rutger's College, New Jersey, sharing the first honors of his class, and in theology at Princeton Theological Seminary. He entered the min- istry, and was licensed by the Presbytery of Philadelphia. He was pastor at Black Rock, New York, and Elkton, Maryland. He has been an able sermonizer and most acceptable preacher. For many years he was associated with his brother, Samuel, as Principal and Professor of Ancient Languages in the High School at Lawrence- ville, New Jersey; was a faithful, thorough, and successful teacher. He received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from his Alma Mater. He married Miss Russell, of Newark, Delaware, where he now re- sides. Many of his pupils and former parishioners have a most grateful recollection of the interesting relation they formerly sus- tained to him. Having retired from active service, he is engaged in literary pursuits and in preaching for his brethren in the minis- try as opportunity and health permit. He is greatly esteemed as a man of superior scholarship and culture.
The third daughter of Robert and Isabella Hamill, Elizabeth, is married to Mr. Benjamin Davis, an elder in the Presbyterian church and a son of General Davis, of Chester county, Pennsylvania, of the Revolutionary army, whose wife was a daughter of John Mor- ton, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence from
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ROBERT HAMILL.
Pennsylvania. Four of Mrs. Davis's sons were in the Union army during the late rebellion. The oldest, Captain Newton Davis, re- ceived eleven bullets through his cap and clothes during the battles of the Wilderness, one of which sent him to the hospital. Major Charles L. Davis became the chief signal officer of the Army of the Potomac, and at the close of the war was appointed an officer in the regular army. The youngest of the four is James Winnard Davis, now a successful practitioner at the bar of New Jersey, at Somer- ville. The oldest son, Rev. R. Hamill Davis, is at the head of a prosperous female school in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. Hugh Davis is practicing medicine in Pennsylvania. Benjamin and Eliza- beth also have two daughters. The eldest, Mary, is married, and lives at St. George's, Delaware. The youngest, Isabella, resides with her parents at the same place.
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