USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, a history, Volume II > Part 15
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43
DEXTER LOVELLE RAMBO, A. B., A. M .- One of the most prominent families of Montgomery county is the Rambo family, and in recent generations the name has come to mean much to the progress of education in this and other sections. Professor Dexter Lovelle Rambo is a native of this county, was educated in the institutions of this State, and keeps in the closest touch with the general advance of his home town of Trappe, where his leisure time is spent.
Abel Rambo, Professor Rambo's father, was born in Trappe, Mont- gomery county, Pennsylvania, in the year 1821, and died in his native place in 1878. Educated at Washington Hall, under Rev. Henry Roden- bough, and at Gettysburg College, from which he received the degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts, Abel Rambo became an outstanding figure in educational circles in his time, and received the honorary degree of Doctor of Philosophy from Muhlenberg College. He became the owner of Washington Hall, one of the early preparatory schools of this county, which was founded by Rev. Henry Rodenbough, and presided over this school for years, rebuilding the structure, and introducing many features of permanent value to the institution and its graduates. For eighteen years he served as superintendent of schools of Montgomery county. He married Jane Gross, granddaughter of Thomas Jefferson Gross, who was clerk of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for several years, and great-granddaughter of Samuel Gross, for two terms Congressman from what is now the Seventh District of Pennsylvania. They were the parents of eight children : Charles; Mary Tillie ; Herbert and Vincent, twins; the foregoing now all deceased; Cora K., single ; Dexter L., whose name heads this review; Mary Gross, who became the wife of Dr. Warren Z. Anders, of Collegeville, and died in 1917; and Frank Gross, now living.
Dexter Lovelle Rambo was born in Trappe, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, November 9, 1860. Following his elementary education lie was a student at Washington Hall, and possessing the scholarly tastes
II3
BIOGRAPHICAL
of his father, taught school to augment the funds for his higher educa- tion. Eventually entering Muhlenberg College, at Allentown, Pennsyl- vania, he was graduated from that institution in 1883, when he received his bachelor's degree in arts and letters, receiving his master's degree from the same institution the following year. He taught school in various localities in Montgomery county until 1897, when he accepted the prin- cipalship of the Chester High School, in Chester, the county seat of Chester county, South Carolina. He has since continuously filled this position, winning an enviable reputation in the work to which his life is devoted, and becoming well known as an educator in the State of his adoption. He has for many years been a member of the South Carolina State Board of Education, and his influence is always cast on the side of advance in this vital branch of the activities of the commonwealth.
A Democrat by political affiliation, Professor Rambo takes only the interest of the citizen and educator in the march of public events. His recreative interests follow the line of outdoor sports. He is a devoted baseball enthusiast, and broadly interested in all wholesome athletics, and personally enjoys an occasional fishing trip into the wilds. His sum- mer vacations are always spent in his native place, here in Montgomery county, and he takes the keenest pleasure in contributing, by all means in his power, to the welfare and progress of the community in which his childhood and youth were spent. He holds membership in the Lutheran church of Trappe, and attends the Associate Reformed Church of Ches- ter, South Carolina, where he acts as director of music.
Professor Rambo married, in Philadelphia, in October, 1894, Lidie Hayes, who was born in Philadelphia, July 23, 1873, and died at Trappe, September 12, 1919. Mrs. Rambo was a daughter of Henry L. and Eliz- abeth (Knowles) Hayes, their eight children having been as follows: Annie, now Mrs. Sinclair; Florence, became Mrs. Edwin Parr; Henry; Lidie, became the wife of Professor Rambo, as noted above; James, who married Florence Parr, sister of Edwin; Nellie, wife of Harry Keown; Gertrude, wife of Charles Rock; and George. Professor and Mrs. Rambo's five children are: Jane Gross, who was born September II, 1898, and died November 25, 1903; Dexter L., Jr., who was born April 10, 1900, was graduated from Erskine University of South Carolina in 1919, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and is now reading law in South Carolina ; Esther, who was born June 26, 1904, and died in infancy ; Charles Abel, who was born April 28, 1907; and Gunnar Lloyd, who was born April 15, 1908; the two youngest children are now students in high school.
CHARLES STETTLER HOTTENSTEIN-An eminent educator and worthy descendant from a most interesting ancestry is Charles Stet- tler Hottenstein, the superintendent of schools of Conshohocken, Penn- sylvania. Isaac R. (1) Hottenstein and his brothers, Jacob and John, fled from Austria, Hungary, in the early part of the sixteenth century to avoid persecution for their religious beliefs. The name was originally
Mont-8
II4
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Von Hottenstein, and the family were members of the nobility of their country. Isaac R. (2) Hottenstein, son of Isaac R. (I) Hottenstein, was a physician, a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with the degree of M. D., and practiced medicine at Sha- mokin Dam, Pennsylvania. He married Mary Gottling, who was the mother of four children, of whom Isaac R. (3) was the third, and who was a tiller of the soil. He died in 1895, at the age of fifty-seven, and was sur- vived by his wife, Elizabeth C. (Stettler) Hottenstein, who was born at Winfield, Pennsylvania, on March 2, 1855.
Charles S. Hottenstein, son of Isaac R. (3) and Elizabeth C. (Stettler) Hottenstein, received his early schooling in the public schools of his town and was graduated from high school in 1912. He entered Albright Col- lege, from which he won his A. M. degree four years later, and attended summer courses for post-graduate and professional work in Columbia College, New York City, and Jefferson College, receiving his Ph. D. degree in education from Lincoln-Jefferson University, Chicago. Com- ing to his vocation with such complete preparation, he was immediately successful, both as the principal of the New Albany (Pennsylvania) High School, 1916 and 1917, and of the Greenport (Long Island, New York) High School, 1917 and 1919. In this latter year he was called to the Con- shohocken (Pennsylvania) High School, as principal, serving until 1920, when he was elected superintendent of schools, and reelected for four more years in 1922.
Mr. Hottenstein was a member of the State Board of Examiners in 1920. In December, 1921, he wrote a complete survey of the public schools of Conshohocken, that he might bring before the people of his city the true state of affairs in order to bring about a loan for the erection of an annex of fourteen more rooms to the old high school, with all modern improvements, and the end was accomplished and now, 1922, the building is in the course of construction, at the cost of $150,000. He is a member of the board of governors of Conshohocken Athletic Association ; is a contributor to the "Primary School Journal ;" and is rated in "Who's Who, and Why," an educational directory.
Mr. Hottenstein is among the foremost of the educators in Montgom- ery county, and a leader in its educational work. He has many outside interests, being widely connected fraternally and affiliated with the Patriotic Order Sons of America, Conshohocken, No. 121; Independent Order of Americans; Red Cross Commandery, Knights of Malta; the Peconic Lodge, No. 349, Free and Accepted Masons, of Greenport, Long Island; Sithra Chapter, No. 216, Royal Arch Masons; Cryptic Council, No. 51, Royal and Select Masters, Norristown, Pennsylvania; Columbia Commandery, No. I, Knights Templar, New York City; Philadelphia Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite ; and Lu Lu Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. The Title of Nobility (Armalist) was conferred on him by the Order of the Golden Eagle and the Aran State, by Dr. F. Freytag, Drudenstr, 5, Wiesbaden, Germany. He is an Independent in politics, president of the Educational Committee
ThroMBia.
115
BIOGRAPHICAL
of the Conshohocken Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the No. 12 Fire Department Company. He was formerly a communicant of the St. Paul's Evangelical Church of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, and now of the Methodist Church of Conshohocken, in which he is a teacher of a Bible class.
At Lebanon, on June 17, 1916, he was married to Anna Gerhart, daughter of David and Catherine (Wentling) Gerhart, and they are the parents of two children : Gerald Gerhart, born August 20, 1917, at Leb- anon, Pennsylvania; and Alma Marie, born November 22, 1921, at Con- shohocken.
THEODORE WEBER BEAN-The ancestors of Theodore W. Bean, James and Mary Bean, came from Wales to Pennsylvania about the year 1700. The line of descent from James and Mary Bean is through their son, John Bean, born in Pennsylvania, where he died in 1799, aged seventy- six years. The line continues through his only child, Jesse Bean, born Jan- uary 26, 1761, married Hannah Lane, daughter of Edward Lane, died July 28, 1847. William Bean, eldest son of Jesse and Hannah (Lane) Bean, was born November 11, 1788, died January 29, 1855. He married Mary Weber, who was born November 18, 1794, died March 10, 1889, daughter of John Weber, granddaughter of Christian (2) Weber, and great-grand- daughter of Christian (1) Weber, born in Amsterdam, Holland, in 1697, and sailed from Amsterdam in the ship "Good Will," captain, Crocker, March 6, 1727, arriving in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 6, fol- lowing. Christian (1) Weber became a landowner of Worcester town- ship in 1732, and in 1734 took the oath of allegiance to the British crown. He died June 15, 1773. His son, Christian (2) Weber, born April 20, 1744, died June 20, 1815, was identified with the patriots of the Revolu- tionary period and saw military service with Pennsylvania troops. John Weber, son of Christian (2) Weber, died in 1815, aged forty-six years. He was a member of the Pennsylvania Legislature from 1808 to 1811; speaker, 1811.
William and Mary (Weber) Bean resided on the "Cold Spring" farm of three hundred acres in Norriton township, where his father, Jesse Bean, lived before him. Jesse Bean was superintendent of the Ridge Turnpike county for many years, and from 1811 to 1813 was a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. William Bean was prominently identified with the farming interests of the county, and from 1840 until 1843 served his district in the Legislature. Both he and his family were members of St. James' Episcopal Church of Evansburg.
Theodore W. Bean, youngest son of William and Mary (Weber) Bean, was born at the home farm in Norriton township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, May 14, 1833, and died January 20, 1891. He was educated in the public school, and in May, 1850, he apprenticed him- self to Isaiah Richards, a blacksmith of Jeffersonville, serving three years, then opened his own shop in the village of Trooper. He there remained until 1859, when he bought the Isaiah Richards homestead and
116
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
business at Jeffersonville, where he continued in business until his enlist- ment in the Union army. During these years he pursued a course of self- study, having in view the practice of law as a profession.
In August, 1867, Theodore W. and Edwin A. Bean enlisted in Com- pany L, 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry, recruited by Captain D. B. Hart- ranft. He was appointed first sergeant upon the muster at Harrisburg, was elected second and then first lieutenant before the company left the State. The regiment was attached to the Army of the Potomac, and was with that hard fought, finally victorious army in all its campaigns from the winter of 1862 until the end of the war. The Fifth Squadron, to which Company L was attached, was called to division headquarters' duty by General John Buford soon after the Battle of Gettysburg, and shortly before that battle on May 30, 1863, Lieutenant Bean was commis- sioned captain. He served on the staff of General Buford until the lat- ter's death in February, 1864, and on the staff of his successors, Generals Torbet and Merritt, being with General Merritt at the battle of Five Forks, and in the closing weeks, until the surrender of General Lee and his army of Northern Virginia to General Grant and the Army of the Potomac at Appomattox, April 9, 1865. Captain Bean was breveted major and lieutenant-colonel for "gallant and distinguished service," and was always known thereafter as "Colonel" Bean.
Upon his return from the army, Colonel Bean resumed the manage- ment of his shop and again took up legal study, continuing so earnestly that in March, 1869, he was admitted to the Montgomery county bar and at once began practice. In March, 1870, he was appointed deputy escheator for the county of Montgomery ; from 1872 to 1877 was solicitor for the county treasurer; was solicitor for the borough of Norristown in 1880; and solicitor for the sheriff's office from 1880 to 1884. In 1887 he was appointed by Governor Beaver a member of the State commis- sion on industrial education, which body presented an exhaustive report to the State Legislature. In 1889 he was elected to represent his district in the Pennsylvania Legislature, and during the session was made chair- man of the committee on education. He was a ready debator and was regarded as one of the strong men of the Legislature.
Colonel Bean brought to the bar mature years, experience, self-pos- session, pleasing address and tireless energy. Resourceful and exhaus- tive in effort, no cause which he espoused was ever hopeless. To his quality as a lawyer he added a high order of citizenship, and was always found allied with the public-spirited and progressive. His fondness for historical truth and logical deductions made him a popular orator with the masses. Among his best efforts may be named his "Historical Ora- tion" at the Valley Forge Centennial, June 19, 1878; General Zook Memorial, Gettysburg, July, 1882; Memorial Day Oration, Lancaster, May, 1883. His writings were mostly of an historical character, the most important of which was the "History of Montgomery County," edited in 1884.
Colonel Bean remained in active practice at the bar until his death,
II7
BIOGRAPHICAL
January 20, 1891. He married, January 4, 1860, Hannah Heebner, who died September 25, 1917, daughter of John and Susannah (Barndollar) Heebner, and granddaughter of Christopher (2) Heebner, who died August 21, 1827, son of Christopher (1) Heebner, who died same day and year, son of David Heebner, who came to Pennsylvania in 1734 with his wife Maria, who died June 11, 1793. He died December 27, 1784. John Heebner, father of Mrs. Theodore W. Bean, was born January 9, 1802; he married Susannah Barndollar, January 7, 1827; and died June 8, 1850. He owned and operated the Perkiomen Mills, now located at Yerkes Station, and for many years was an efficient school director in Lower Providence township.
Colonel Theodore W. and Hannah (Heebner) Bean were the parents of three children: 1. William Heebner Bean, a graduate of the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York, class of 1886, was assigned to duty with the Second United States Regiment of Cavalry and saw service in Arizona, New Mexico, and Cuba. In 1889 he was detailed with the Pennsylvania National Guard. In 1891 he graduated from the Law School of the University of Pennsylvania ; in 1900 he was appointed captain of the Subsistence Department; in 1902 he was commissioned major of the same department and stationed in Chicago, St. Louis, Kan- sas City and Omaha. Major William H. Bean married, in 1897, Mary E. Stinson, daughter of Charles H. and Emily Stinson, of Norristown, Pennsylvania, and they were the parents of a daughter, Emily Stinson Bean, born in 1904, died in 1906. Major Bean died in 1904; and his wife died in 1910. 2. Mary L. Bean, a sketch of whom follows. 3. Theodore Lane Bean, a member of the Montgomery county bar ; he married (first), in 1903, Sarah Albertson Hunter, daughter of P. Frank and Mary A. Hunter, and they are the parents of two daughters: Mary Hunter and Elizabeth Lee. Mrs. Bean died in 1908. In 1917 Mr. Bean married (second) Adele Cottrell.
MARY L. (BEAN) JONES, only daughter of Colonel Theodore W. and Hannah (Heebner) Bean, was born in Jeffersonville, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, November 6, 1863. In 1875 Norristown became the family home, and here she attended the public schools, graduating from the Norristown High School in the class of 1880; then she entered Wellesley College, and graduated in the class of 1889.
Mrs. Jones is an active member of the Historical Society of Mont- gomery county, and is a member of the society's board of trustees. She assisted her father in the compilation of the "History of Montgomery County," edited in 1884, and is the author of the review on "Woman's Work" in the present history, 1923. In recognition of her deep interest in Valley Forge and her father's services in the Valley Forge Centennial and Memorial Association, she was chosen a director of that association in 1895 and second vice-regent in 1901.
Since 1899 Mrs. Jones has resided in Conshohocken, and is identified actively with the religious, educational and welfare movements in that
118
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
community. For six years she has served the Woman's Club of Consho- hocken as president, and in 1923 was elected vice-president of the Federa- tion of Woman's Clubs of Montgomery county. She is a member of the Historical Society of Valley Forge, the College Club of Philadelphia, and the American Association of University Women.
Mary L. Bean married, February 10, 1891, A. Conrad Jones, of Con- shohocken, Pennsylvania, a sketch of whom follows. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are the parents of two daughters: I. Dorothea Bean, born Novem- ber 23, 1893, a graduate of Wellesley College, class of 1915; in service with the American Friends' Service Committee in France, 1918-19. She married, in 1921, George V. Downing, of Wilmington, Delaware, now residing in Salem, Virginia. 2. Rachel Conrad, born June 2, 1899, a graduate of Wellesley College, class of 1920, now residing with her par- ents in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania.
A. CONRAD JONES was born in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, December 15, 1861. He is a descendant of David Jones, the founder of his family in Pennsylvania, who came from Haverfordwest, Pembroke- shire, Wales, in 1700, and settled first in Radnor, then in Plymouth town- ship, Montgomery county. One of his sons, John Jones, purchased a tract along the Schuylkill, upon a portion of which Conshohocken now stands. Jonathan Jones, a son of John Jones, inherited the farm which descended to his son, Isaac Jones, a man of affairs of much force of char- acter who, until the end of his long life of ninety-seven years, conducted an active business. Jonathan (2) Jones, a son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Yerkes) Jones, married Elizabeth Davis, in 1799, and they were the parents of eight children, among them a son Ellwood. Ellwood Jones married Rachel Roberts Conrad, in 1855, and they were the parents of four children : Horace C .; Abbie Conrad; A. Conrad, of further men- tion; and Ellwood C.
Mrs. Rachel Roberts (Conrad) Jones was a descendant of Thones Kunders, who sailed from Crefeldt, Germany, July 24, 1683, in the ship "Concord," coming to claim the five hundred acres which he had pur- chased in Pennsylvania for ten pounds. Soon after his arrival he built a home, the walls of which are still standing, forming a part of the house at No. 5709 Germantown avenue, Philadelphia. Aaron Conrad, a great- grandson of Thones Kunders, married Abigail Roberts, and their daugh- ter, Rachel Roberts, was the mother of A. Conrad Jones, of further men- tion. The Jones family are members of the Society of Friends.
A. Conrad Jones was graduated from Conshohocken High School in 1877, and then entered Swarthmore College, in the class of 1881. On leaving college he began his business career as an employee of Evan D. Jones & Company of Conshohocken. In 1889 he became one of the incorporators of the I. P. Thomas & Son Company, manufacturers of fertilizers and sulphuric acid. Upon the organization of the company Mr. Jones was made vice-president, and upon reorganization in 1898, he was chosen treasurer, and that office he has since most ably filled (1923).
119
BIOGRAPHICAL
The company's large plant is located in Paulsboro, New Jersey, their main offices in the Drexel building, Philadelphia.
Mr. Jones is a man of strict integrity, and to his industry and ability much of the success of the I. P. Thomas & Son Company may be ascribed.
He is a member of the Society of Friends and active in Plymouth Preparative Meeting. He was one of the promoters of the Public Library of Conshohocken, and is president of the library board of trustees. He is a member of Valley Forge Historical Society ; a life member of the His- torical Society of Montgomery county ; and is a member of the Union League of Philadelphia.
In 1891 A. Conrad Jones married Mary L. Bean (see preceding sketch). Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Jones. The family home is at No. 125 East Fourth avenue, Conshohocken, Pennsylvania.
BENJAMIN A. TYLER, M. D., now and for a quarter of a century engaged in medical practice in Royersford, Montgomery county, Penn- sylvania, gained practical experience while still a student, his preceptor, Dr. B. A. Waddington, allowing him the privilege of accompanying his instructor in his daily round of visits to his patients. This prepared the young physician as no amount of instruction could have done, for those early experiences which must be gone through, gave him a feeling of confidence in his ability to diagnose and prescribe. The years that have passed since attaining his degree have brought to Dr. Tyler the rewards and honors of his profession, and he is one of the strong and able physi- cians of his section, ministering to the needs of a large practice.
This branch of the Tyler family settled in New Jersey, Dr. Tyler being a son of Benjamin and Milicent (Busby) Tyler, of Cumberland county, New Jersey, and grandson of John and Beulah (Griscomb) Tyler. The Tylers of the Virginia branch trace from a brother founder of the New Jersey branch. The family has had a notable history and many men of nationwide fame have borne the name, including a Presi- dent of the United States.
Benjamin Tyler was a prosperous farmer of Cumberland county, New Jersey, who later in life retired with a competency and spent his declin- ing years in Salem, New Jersey. He was a Republican in politics and a member of the Society of Friends, as was his wife, Milicent (Busby) Tyler. Mrs. Tyler was a daughter of Isaac and Hannah Perry (Clunn) Busby, her father a wealthy real estate dealer, her grandmother a sister of Commodore Oliver H. Perry. The Busbys, like the Tylers, were members of the Society of Friends. Benjamin and Milicent (Busby) Tyler were the parents of two children: Hannah, married J. M. Reeves ; and Benjamin A., of further mention.
Benjamin A. Tyler was born at the home farm in Cumberland county, New Jersey, July 5, 1868, and there spent his youth. He attended the district school, Salem High School, and Palms National Business College, finishing with graduation from the last-named institution March 31, 1888. He began the study of medicine in 1891, attending Medico-Chirurgical
I20
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Medical College in Philadelphia, whence he was graduated M. D., class of 1894. He served as interne at Medico-Chirurgical College in Philadel- phia for sixteen months, then was resident physician at Philadelphia Municipal Hospital for two years. In May, 1897, he began private prac- tice in Royersford, in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, and there has continued without interruption until the present (1922). He has attained high rank in his profession and is rated a physician of skill and ability. He is a member of the County and State Medical societies; is a thirty- second degree Mason, and in politics a Republican.
Dr. Benjamin A. Tyler married, in Philadelphia, in 1898, Margaret Hornby, born in Philadelphia in 1869, daughter of Robert Hornby, her father a veteran of the Civil War, and an official of the city of Philadel- phia. Dr. and Mrs. Tyler are the parents of a son, Benjamin A. (2), born May 23, 1900.
RALPH FRY WISMER-Since the inception of his professional career, 1913, success has come to Ralph Fry Wismer in abundance, but it has been due entirely to his own energy, determination and ability, not to fortuitous circumstances nor influential connection. Public- spirited and progressive, he takes a keen interest in all things pertaining to the welfare of the community, and all movements looking towards better things have his earnest support.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.