History: Local: CHAPTER LXXXI : Worcester Township: Bean's 1884 History of Montgomery Co, PA Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Susan Walters USGENWEB NOTICE: Printing this file by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/montgomery/beantoc.htm URL of html Table of Contents and illustrations. 技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技 BEAN'S HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA 技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技技 1184 (cont.) CHAPTER LXXXI. WORCESTER TOWNSHIP. IN its location Worcester in the most central township in the county, and is bounded on the north by Towamencin, south by Norriton, east by Gwynedd, southeast by Whitpain, west by Perkiomen and southwest by Lower Providence. Its greatest length is four and a half miles, greatest breadth four and a quarter miles, with an area of 10,180 acres or 1575 square miles. The surface is rolling, the soil red shale and under good cultivation. Methacton Hill is a considerable elevation, that commences in Lower Providence and extends in a northeast direction across almost the entire southern part of the township for a distance of five miles. The summit of these hills, more familiarly known as the Fairview Hills, is equal in altitude to the highest point of the Chestnut and Chelten Hills, in the southeastern portion of the county, or those near Green Lane, to the northward. From points on them the traveler obtains beautiful and extended views of the Schuylkill and Perkiomen Valleys. The forests that once covered these highlands have, during recent years, been cleared away, and the land is well cultivated and improved by thrifty farmers. 1185 It was the commanding prospect afforded by these hills that enabled General Washington's advance-guard to observe the movement if the British army moving on Philadelphia in the autumn of 1777, and from which he subsequently moved to attack them at Germantown. Washington broke up his camp at Pennypacker's Mill October 8, 1777, and the army proceeded on its march down the Skippack road and Reading and Ridge turnpikes. On the 16th, Washington established his headquarters at the house of Peter Wentz, near said church, from where he wrote an interesting letter to Congress, in which he says,- "It is with the highest satisfaction I congratulate Congress on the success of our army northward in the action of the seventh, an event of the most interesting importance at this critical juncture. From the happy train in which things are now, I hope we shall soon hear of the most decisive advantages. We moved this morning from the encampment at which we had been for six or seven days past, and have just arrived at the grounds we occupied before the action of the 4th. One motive for coming here is to direct the enemy's attention from the forts." This communication establishes the fact that it was from the encampment at Wentz's church that the army proceeded to make the attack at Germantown. Having retreated to these same hills after their defeat in this battle, they maintained a strong position on them for several days, when they took up their march and proceeded to Whitemarsh Township, where they established Camp Hill. Zacharia Creek is the prominent stream of Worcester township, and has a course of about four miles across its northern angle, in which distance it propels three grist-mills and a saw-mill. In 1758 mention is made of a saw-mill where the Zacharia Creek crosses the Skippack road, near the present Centre Point. It may be possible that the singular name given to this creek has been applied from Zachariah Whitpain, an early resident of the adjoining township. A branch of the Skippack crosses near the western extremity of this township and furnishes power to a grist-mill. Five-Mile Run and Stony Creek have their sources in its southern and eastern parts. The name of Worcester has been applied from a city and county in England, and is supposed to be derived from the Saxon word Caester, signifying a station or camp. It was at the battle of Worcester, in 1650, where Cromwell and his party defeated the Royalists and took eight thousand prisoners, most of whom were sent to America and sold as slaves. According to the list of 1734, this township contained twenty-five taxables and landholders. Amongst these may be mentioned Robert Jones James Baine Lawrence Switzer Henry Flower Leonard Spare Conrad Conrad John Lefevre John Baine Adam Vanfossen Jacob Engle Henry Rittenhouse Stephen Stahr John Vanderslice Peter Keyser Richard Osborn William Robert Foulke Conrad Vanfossen Daniel Chrisman Anthony Conrad. Derrick Keyser and his son, Peter, were naturalized in 1709 the better to hold and enjoy lands. One bearing the latter name resided in Germantown, before 1700 Conrad Conrad, settled, at Germantown before 1700. The population in 1800 was 782 in 1830, 1135 in 1850, 1453 in 1870, 1587 in 1880, 1641 Taxables in 1741, 70 in 1828, 249 in 1858, 425 in 1875, 426 in 1884, 478. For the last twenty-five or thirty years this township has remained almost stationary in population. In 1785 there were within its limits two taverns, two grist-mills, one saw-mill and five slaves. In 1884 the following licenses were granted according to the mercantile appraiser's list. Beyer & Swartley, livestock William H. & W. R. Baker, merchandise Daniel Cassel, merchandise Daniel Cassel, hardware S. L. Frank, live-stock M. J. Harley, merchandise Krebel & Son; flour and feed A. B. Schults, live-stock Joseph Shults, flour and feed Frank Swartley, live-stock. In 1884 the value of improved lands was $1,316,180 value of unimproved lands, $34,295 value of 378 horses, $47,975 value of 526 cattle, $46,500 value of property taxable for county purposes, $1,493,398. The Germantown and Perkiomen turnpike road, commonly called the Reading, passes through the western extremity of Worcester about two miles. The Stony Creek Railroad has a course of about a mile near its southeastern angle. The villages are quite small, and are Centre Point, Fairview and Cedar Hill. The post-office at the first mentioned place, Worcester, and at the second, Fairview Village. The township was formed into a separate election district in 1828, and the township elections are field at Centre Point. There are eight public schools in Worcester, with three hundred and sixty pupils in attendance. The school term is seven months, and eight teachers (three males and five females) are employed at a salary of forty dollars per month. WENTZ'S REFORMED CHURCH is situated on the Skippack road, nearly a mile above Centre Point. The congregation existed as early as 1727, but was known as "Skippack Reformed Church," which was then located in Lower Salford township, in the vicinity of the Northwest Branch of the Skippack Creek, on the tract of land known for many years as the farm of Benjamin Reiff. The church was built of strong logs and stood on the border of an oakgrove, on the farm mentioned. Close by, the visitor beholds a small circular rise in the ground, which marks the place once held sacred. It was on that spot where, the Rev. George Michael Weiss and other German emigrants from the Palatinate settled down, after they had, on the 21st of September, 1727, subscribed the oath of allegiance, by which they promised to be true to the British crown and the laws of the province of Pennsylvania. The organization of the Skippack congregation, with its consistory, was constituted of the emigrants who accompanied the pastor named, and followed immediately upon their settlement, and the Rev. Mr. Weiss became the first pastor, who also, at a later period, served, in connection with it, the Falkner Swamp and Old Goshenhoppen congregations. 1186 The first officers, of the old Skippack Reformed Church were Jacob Deimer Michael Hillegas Peter Hillegas Yost Schmidt Henry Weller Jacob Seigel William Rodrick. How long Mr. Weiss preached to this congregation cannot be definitely determined. It was doubtless, however, until 1746, when we again find him in Old Goshenhoppen after his return from Rheinbach, Dutchess Co., N. Y., from which neighborhood he had to flee on account of Indian troubles. The Rev. Michael Schlatter remarks, in his journal, among other things, in reference to the Skippack Reformed Church, as follows: "This congregation, which was, previous to this time, one of the most respectable, has been so much reduced through the seducing influences of the many various sects that the number remaining are not able to collect for the support of a minister more than eight pounds, which is equal to fifty-three Dutch guilders," or twenty-one dollars of the present day. PICTURE OF WENTZ'S REFORMED CHURCH, APPEARS HERE. The old log church already named stood from 1757 until 1760, when it was torn down and never rebuilt. About this time the congregation transferred its place of meeting to the spot now occupied by Wentz's church, inasmuch as the majority of those who faithfully adhered to the church resided in that neighborhood. It is said that the logs of the old church building were, at a later period, used in erecting a grist-mill, known as Allebaugh's mill, on the Skippack Creek, where they still at the present day form a part of the walls of the old building. The graveyard of the congregation, located not far from the church, or, more correctly speaking, all traces thereof, with the grave-stones which were once there, have long since disappeared and the plow of the busy farmer draws its furrow over the resting-place of the silently-reposing pioneers. According to recollection, supported by the facts indicated, the assumption is fully correct that Wentz's church is the same organization of the former Skippack Congregation, and that the only difference is to be found in the change of the name and place of meeting. It has been asserted that this was the first Reformed Church organized on this new continent. This statement, however, has been earnestly called into question, and as there cannot be found any direct evidence in regard to this point, no positive claims are set up for this honor. The name Wentz is derived from the well known families of this name which at that period were quite numerous in this neighborhood; but at the present time there is not one of this name, still held in honor, to be found among the large membership of the congregation. In 1760 a few isolated members of the Skippack Reformed Church held a conference meeting, the object of which was the making of preparations for building a new church. After long deliberation and consultation it was resolved to build a new church on a spot a little in the rear of the one recently torn down, and that on the boundary line between the properties of two members, who had each given an acre of ground for the purpose. According to the records, these members were, on the one part, John Lefevre and Christiana, his wife (the latter's family name is supposed to have been Wentz), and on the other part, Jacob Wentz and his wife, Elizabeth. The original deed, are dated January 2, 1762, and the land is conveyed to Philip Wentz, Peter Wentz, Jacob Weber, Philip Spare, Henry Conard and Jacob Reiff, in trust for the congregation, as a legacy for their descendants and those who may connect themselves with the Spiritual Reformed Zion. At a later period a small piece of ground was added to the original grounds, so that the whole then contained two acres and twenty- seven perches, the strip at the upper end, where the sheds stand, and the acre and a half on which the parsonage is erected not included. The first church building, after the removal and assumption of the new name, was commenced in 1762, but, on account of repeated pecuniary troubles, was not completed until nine years; later (1771). It was painted inside with strong colors, and highly ornamented with a number of inscriptions on the walls, as is still remembered by many of the older persons who frequented the first church on this spot in earlier year. The few highly-colored pieces of wood, found underneath the woodwork of the recently demolished church, and which are remains of the old church, still indicate the remarkable character of the painting. The congregation, at that time poor and numbering only about fifty members, was not able of itself to provide the means required to finish 1187 the church, and hence a subscription-book was sent around, in which the names of neighboring clergymen appear, encouraging contributions, the recommendations being written in German, Low Dutch and Old English. Owing to an extraordinary money pressure which prevailed at that time, the subscriptions were but small, and the congregation still laboring under a heavy debt, they at length resolved to raise money by means of a lottery, a method by no means uncommon in those days. In this they were successful, for the proceeds furnished not only enough money to pay off the debt, but also left a small balance in the treasury. The first church was an exceedingly strong and durable building, erected of stone, with & joints closely cut and pointed with mortar, and the roof was high and steep, after the old Holland style. The building cost two hundred and fifty pounds, and was dedicated on the 13th of November, 1763. This building withstood the storms for eighty-nine years, during which time it was served successively by fifteen different pastors, all of whom, except one, have closed their labors and rest peacefully in their graves. With the removal of the old Skippack Church, and the change of name which followed, all further connection of its former pastor, Rev. G. M. Weiss, with it ceased, and the Rev. John George Alsentz became the first pastor of the recently organized congregation. He continued in charge until his death, a period of seven years. His remains repose in the old cemetery of what was once the Reformed Church of Germantown, Pa. The successor of Alsentz was the Rev. Christian Fohring, who continued in this relation only two years. It was during his ministry that the interior of the church received the peculiar gaudy painting for which it was characteristic until it was torn down. He was succeeded by the Rev. John Gabriel Gebhard, who also remained only two years. During his pastorship the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered on Easter Sunday of 1772 to fifty-eight members. In the following year Mr. Gebhard was succeeded by Rev. John W. Ingold, whose connection with the congregation was short. At the opening of the Revolutionary war, in 1776, Rev. John H. Weikel was pastor of the congregation. His connection with the charge, however, did not continue many years. Various difficulties arose, growing out of the war, of such a nature as to lead to his separation from the congregation. At the commencement of the Revolution he preached a sermon from Eccl. iv. 13: "Better is a poor and wise child than an old and foolish king who will no more be admonished." This sermon so excited a great portion of the congregation that the dissatisfaction led at last to his resignation of the charge. Mr. Weikel resided at the time on the parsonage farm owned by the two congregations Wentz's and Boehm's. He was often seen, after having turned his horse into all inclosure in front of the house, firing pistols over his head from the windows for the purpose of training him to the should his services be needed in the war. His sympathies were warmly with the colonies during the struggles for freedom. The congregation was now vacant for several years. In 1784 the Rev. John Hermann Winkhaus became pastor and continued in this relation until 1787. After a vacancy of three Years the church received a pastor in the person of Rev. Philip Pauli. He remained four years and then removed to Reading, Pa. From this time forward the church was for a number of years without any settled pastor, but was served interchangeably by the Rev. Nicholas Pomp and his son, who, in addition to the church at the Trappe, preached to the congregations at Falkner Swamp and Old Goshenhoppen. The pastor who next served Wentz's church was the Rev. Dr. S. Helffenstein, who also remained only two years, and then accepted a call from the Race Street Church, Philadelphia, which he served during the following thirty years. His successor at Wentz's church was the Rev. Gabriel Gobrecht. At the end of eighteen months, however, his labors here were also brought to a close. The congregation remained vacant until 1802. A call was then extended to the Rev. George Wack, at that time a young man who had just brought his studies preparatory to the ministry to a close. He accepted the call, and soon thereafter commenced his labors amongst this people. They were attended with marked success, and he added largely to the congregation baptism and confirmation. His pastorate extended through forty-three years, during which time he baptized seven hundred and five children. In consequence of growing infirmities, he resigned the charge of the congregation in 1845, and retired to private life. He died at the house of his son-in-law, Philip S. Gerhard, near Centre Square, Pa., on the 17th of February 1856, at the age of seventy-nine years. His remains lie interred in the cemetery attached to Boehm's church. Rev. Abraham Berkey became successor to the Rev. George Wack. He did not succeed, however, in gathering together the members who had become scattered during the last years of the ministry of his predecessor. Hence he resigned at the close of the first year of his pastorate. On the 21st of February, 1816, the Rev. John Naille became pastor of the congregation. He at first served it only as a supply, as he belonged to the Goshenhoppen Classis, and the congregation then was connected with the Philadelphia Classis. At a later period the congregation was transferred to the Goshenhoppen Classis, and along with Keely's and Towamencin congregations constitute what has been since then known as "Wentz's charge of Goshenhoppen Classis." Rev. Mr. Naille found his hands full in contending with existing difficulties. However, through the help of the Great Head of the Church, he succeeded in overcoming them in a short time, and as the congregation was now in a flourishing condition, but were still without a parsonage, steps were taken for the purchase of a lot on which to erect one. 1188 The contract for building the house was given to Mr. Naille himself, who handed it over completed to the trustees of the congregation on the 21st of October, 1849. The congregation continued to grow still stronger, so that in 1851 the pastor began to remind them of the necessity for a larger house of worship. The church was, it is true, in a good condition, but it was not by any means convenient, and was, besides, too small for the congregation, and as it also did not meet the taste of the people any longer, the congregation soon gave its consent to the erection of a new church. Within the same year a resolution to that end was unanimously adopted, and preparations being made immediately for the erection of a new church, the cornerstone was laid on the 21st of August, on which occasion the Rev. Dr. Samuel Helffenstein preached in the German and the Rev. Jacob Keller in the English language. The new building was ready for dedication on the 29th of January, 1852, when the same brethren officiated who bad participated in the services at the laying of the cornerstone, and were assisted by the Rev. Mr. Medtard, of the Lutheran, and Rev. Reuben Kriebel, of the Schwenkfeldian Church. The new church was a plain one-story building, with a gallery at the end, and with difficulty would seat only three hundred persons. It was soon felt that the house was too small to comfortably accommodate the continually increasing congregation. After Rev. Mr. Naille had served the church eleven years, he resigned charge of it in February, 1857. Notwithstanding his advanced age, Rev. John Naille is still laboring in the vineyard of the Lord, as a minister in the Reformed Church. A vacancy of eleven months followed, at the close of which a call was extended to Rev. William G. Hackman, which he accepted, and commenced his labors in January, 1858. His efforts in the interests of the congregation were from the very first crowned with success. The Sunday-school largely increased, and as there was not room for its accommodation in the old schoolhouse, it was resolved, in the fall of 1858, to build a schoolhouse for its special use. This was erected during the following year and dedicated on the 4th of August. General satisfaction prevailed at this time, and the congregation continued to proper for some years to come. After a pastorate of eight years Rev. Mr. Hackman resigned and accepted a call in St. Joseph's County, Mich., in which he has continued to labor up to the present time. The people were extremely sorry to see their pastor removed from their midst, and hearty prayers for his welfare accompanied him to his new field of labor. He had succeeded in getting a fast hold upon the affections of the people, and was highly esteemed by the community generally outside of the congregation. After the resignation of the Rev. William G. Hackman, the church succeeded in securing the services of the present pastor, Rev. S. M. K. Huber, who was at that time serving the Keely's congregation, now a part of the Wentz's charge. He was chosen on the 1st of January, 1867. At this time the membership numbered one hundred and ninety, of whom only one hundred and twenty-seven partook of the Lord's Supper at the first communion held by the new pastor. Success attended his unintermitted labors, and during the first year fifty-two persons were added to the church by confirmation, which number, through his activity, has been increased from year to year until it has reached two hundred and fifty, more than half of its present membership. During the first year of his labors, the great disadvantages resulting from the remoteness of the parsonage from the principal congregation became sensibly manifest both to pastor and people. After considerable deliberation the old parsonage property was sold on the 4th of September, 1869, and active efforts were immediately entered upon to erect a new parsonage upon a lot of ground, containing an acre and a quarter, adjoining the Wentz's church property, which had been purchased from Samuel Schultz. The work was carried forward to a successful completion, so that the pastor took possession of it on the 21st of March, 1870. The good results from the change of the location of the parsonage soon became manifest. The contiguity of the parsonage to the church enabled the pastor to look more carefully after the spiritual interests of his flock, and especially to give his personal attention to the Sunday-school work in his church. So great were the additions to the number of scholars and general prosperity of the school that the room in the schoolhouse soon became inadequate to the wants of the school. The subject of providing better and more suitable accommodations for the Sunday-school was agitated, and as the church itself was too small for the comfortable accommodation of the membership, and also needed extensive repairs, the Consistory resolved to lay the entire subject before the congregation for its decision. Accordingly, it was almost unanimously resolved that the new church should be built during the summer of 1878. On the 17th of March, 1878, the last communion season in the old church was held. It was a specially interesting and solemn occasion. The demolition of the building was commenced the following Monday, and by the close of the week the third church on this spot was a thing of the past. The cornerstone of the new building was laid on Easter Monday, the 22d of April, and was the same that had been used in the first building erected on this spot, in 1762. The following articles were placed in the box: the minutes for 1878 of the Synod of the United States, the Synod of the Potomac and of the Pittsburg Synod; German and English almanacs for 1848, monthly "'Guardian, Reformirte Hausfreund," constitution of the Reformed Church, English and German hymnbooks and catechisms, English Bible, large issue of "The Messenger," "Christian World," United States coin to the amount of $3.14 of the coinage of 1878, a silver quarter of a dollar found in the old corner-stone, and a half-cent piece found in tearing down the old church. 1189 In a temporal point of view the congregation has made remarkable progress during the pastorate of the present pastor, and if the outward may serve as a basis for conclusions in regard to the inward, the necessary inference must be that a corresponding progress has also taken place in the spiritual condition of the membership. The congregation has been remarkably active during late years as regards its property. The greater part of the extensive sheds, for sheltering horses and vehicles, has been built, the dwelling for the sexton of the church has been enlarged and improved, the new parsonage has been built and the church provided with a new organ. At the time the erection of the new church building was entered upon the following were the officers of the congregation: Pastor, Rev. S. M. K. Huber Elders James W. Slough Tobias G. Hange John Custer Deacons William G. Markley Samuel G. Fenstamaker Hillary M. Snyder Henry Slough Daniel Beyer George F. Strong Trustees Peter S. Fry S. K. Kriebel John Deckert Building Committee Peter Fry S. K. Kriebel John Deckert Reuben Scheffy Eli Frick Henry Slough. The basement of the new church was dedicated on the first Sunday in September the same year, and the pastor was assisted by the Rev. S. R. Fisher, of Philadelphia, who preached a very impressive sermon on Sunday morning, and in the afternoon addressed the Sunday-school, which was for the first time assembled in its new home. The work on the auditorium was resumed immediately after the basement dedication, and by the 1st of November the new church was completed, and dedicated on the 9th and 10th of November, 1878. The following clergymen took part in the dedicatory services : Rev. Moses Godshalk, of Schwenksville (Mennonite) Rev. Frank J. Mohr, of Quakertown Rev. C. Z. Weiser, D.D., of Pennsburg Rev. J. A. Schultz, of Worcester Rev. J. H. A. Bomberger, of Collegeville (these last-named Reformed) Rev. S. Coleman, of Centre Square (Lutheran) Rev. H. Rodenbough, of Eagleville Rev. C. Collins, pastor of Centennial Church, Jefferson (Presbyterian). The burial-grounds are large and well attended to; there are so many families interred here that it would seem invidious to mention but a few, and space forbids to name the many. The Hon. John Weber and wife are buried in these grounds. THE BETHEL METHODIST MEETING-HOUSE is situated on the Skippack road, a little over half a mile above the Whitpain line. The first house of worship was built in 1770 by Johannes Supplee, but for no particular denomination. In 1784 a congregation was regularly organized by the Methodist Episcopal church, under whose control it has since, remained. This was the first congregation organized by this denomination in the county. Joseph Pillmore, a minister form England had the first charge. The present church was erected in 1845, and the old one torn down a few years afterward. The oldest stone in the graveyard containing an inscription is that of Johannes Supplee, who died in 1770, a short time before the first meeting-house was finished. The most numerous names on tombstones are the Supplees, Zimmermans and Bissons. For further information in regard to this meeting, the reader is referred to the chapter on Methodism in Montgomery County. A GERMAN BAPTIST, OR DUNKER, MEETING-HOUSE is located at the corner of the township, where it adjoins Lower Providence and Norriton. It is a small one-story building. The principal names on the tombstones are Harley Cassell Detweiler Balser Goshow Rittenhouse Damuth Tyson Dettra Yost Bauer Baker Garner Stem Coulston Stauffer. The earliest stone observed bearing a date was that of 1809. WORCESTER SCHWENKFELDER MEETING-HOUSE is situated on the Township Line road, dividing Norriton from Worcester township, about two miles north of Norritonville. It is a plain stone building, with a seating capacity of from three to four hundred persons. Quite a large congregation worships here. The one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the arrival of the Schwenkfelders in America was celebrated in this church September 24, 1884. Among the notable persons present at the anniversary were General John F. Hartranft Rev. Chester D. Hartranft, D.D., of Hartford, Conn. Revs. Dr. Rice, of the Moravian Church, Philadelphia Moses Godshall, of Schwenksville J. H. Hendricks, of Collegeville Eli Keller, of Zionville Charles Wieand, of Pottstown Charles Collins, of the Centennial Presbyterian Church; J. H. A. Bomberger., of Ursinus College; and others. The morning services were mostly in German. Rev. William S. Anders, the pastor, opened the exercises by announcing the hymn, commencing,- "Great God of Nations ! now to thee Our hymn of gratitude we raise." Rev. Howard W. Krieble, of Clayton, Berks Co., in the Upper District, delivered a sermon in English, partly historical in its character. Rev. Jacob Meschter, of Palm Station, also in the Upper District, delivered an able sermon from the text: "Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and forget not all his benefits." Rev. Joshua Schultz, of Hereford, Berks Co., also in the Upper District, read a "Sketch of the Development of the Church in this Country." The singing of a hymn closed the morning exercises. A recess was taken for dinner, which was served in the basement of the church, being furnished by the members resident in the neighborhood. Nine hundred persons in all were fed. The dinner consisted of bread and butter, cold meat and other substantials, cold water being the only beverage. 1190 The event of the afternoon was the able and exhaustive history of the Schwenkfelders and their founder by Rev. Charles D. Hartranft. It was collated partly from manuscripts of Schwenkfeld. The paper treated of the works of Schwenkfeld, his wanderings and those of his people after his death and also of the doctrines he taught. Speaking of the latter, he said,- "Schwenkfeld taught the need of individual reformation before you can have a reformation of society. The very revolution from Rome had increased the degeneracy of the age. The first great essential in Schwenkfeld's preaching is repentance. No wonder he loved the ancient prophets, and declared there could be no Christian life which did not flow from repentance. A man's Christianity must be seen in his actions and not heard merely from his lips, according to his doctrine. And what a sublime life was his! Whether for strength, courage, gentleness devotion or loyalty to Christ, I know not his peer. Who faced graver danger without the shadow of fear? Who disputed more courteously? Where do you find the breath of slander in him? He was a Christian gentleman, who never forgot his manners, nor did he give signs of a too prostrate sensibility. Many and many a reformer acknowledged his benign piety and they could not account for it; his doctrine, they said, was so bad. "The principles which Schwenkfeld emphasized have made themselves everywhere living forces. In what sphere of Christian activity are they not prominent factors? His doctrines are remarkable for the conspicuous exaltation of the heavenly over the earthly, the living inward word over that which is written. They teach the nourishment of the soul by the presence of Christ himself instead of the hollow observance of sacraments. "How immeasurably superior do the qualities of Caspar Schwenkfeld shine forth in comparison with his contemporaries! It was but another indication of his possession of the new life. What he preached he first did. He was equipped on every point, and had a masterly eloquence. The press was his greatest pulpit. And yet not half his manuscripts have been published. "He found his vocation in the graces God had given him. How he lashed the priests in their notions that they were the successors of the apostles! He insisted on social worship. He could not but regard the ecclesiastical machinery of the church, even in the Reformation, as tyranny. His ideas are being practically carried out in the churches around us. "He believed in liberty of conscience and the right of private judgment, with the Scriptures as a test. Everything was to be brought to this test. He taught individual liberty among believers. How rich are his works in practical arguments against the interference of the State with conscience! He never used the State to advance his own views. How can I represent to you the sorrows of his exile? With his zeal to advance the cause of Christ, to be hunted from village to village! Ah! that we might recall the afflictions of those bands of wanderers! Sons and daughters of those noble sires, let us rise up and call them blessed. Was the seed, which Schwenkfeld planted, without fruit? Behold! today its fair fruits wave from every branch of Protestant Christianity. Let the children of such sires love Christ as they loved him, and we need not fear for the future of the American Republic." Christopher Heydrick, of Franklin, Venango Co., followed and read an account of the causes which led to the exodus, commencing with 1724. To prevent it the Schwenkfelders were forbidden to sell their property. They had sought the intervention of the States-General of Holland and of the sovereign of Great Britain. On July 30, 1725, the Schwenkfelders were handed over to the Jesuit missionaries by an edict of the Emperor, after having been two hundred years in Silesia. They loved their German Fatherland, but they craved only to be allowed to sell their goods and leave the country. They addressed the Mennonites of Holland to intercede for them with their government, where liberty of conscience was allowed. The crisis had now come and they resolved upon flight. Mr. Heydrick explained the reason of their coming to Pennsylvania, which was the similarity of their belief to that of Friends and the unexampled liberality of the offers made by Penn. They arrived here September 24, 1734, and at once set up the altar of their religion. He dwelt upon the history of the sect since they came to this country, and closed with the words,- "Such were the distinctive institutions of the early American Schwenkfelders -the church, according to what the church should be, has its charities and schools. From these institutions planted by our fathers in the free soil of Pennsylvania, and maintained by their prayers and sacrifices, have, under the divine favor, flowed blessings which we cannot over estimate. They have reached us who are here assembled at the end of one hundred and fifty years, in obedience to the injunction of our godly ancestors, to commemorate their deliverance from their persecutors; they have reached us whether we have remained in the fold, or from accident or choice cast our lot with other communions; and by whatever name we may be called, we can to-day unite together in thanksgiving and praise for them unto him from whom all blessings flow." General John F. Hartranft prepared a paper for this occasion, and in his remarks said,- "The Schwenkfelders have never surrendered, never compromised their religious liberty. They unwittingly became instruments with other sects, the Huguenots, the Puritans and others, in building up the civil government and establishing the civil liberty we enjoy. They established the grandest republic on earth." Rev. Charles Collins offered the closing prayer. Rev. J. H. A. Bomberger, D.D., made a brief address, expressing the satisfaction he had experienced in joining on so glorious an occasion. The exercises then closed by singing the doxology. AN EVANGELICAL GERMAN METHODIST CHURCH built about 1850, is on the road from Fairview to Centre Point. It is a one-story stone building, with a seating capacity of one hundred and fifty persons. THE METHACTON MENNONITE MEETING-HOUSE. This meeting-house is located on a public road leading from the Germantown turnpike to the Skippack road, about one-half mile northwest of Fairview village. It is a plain, one-story stone structure, and was early founded by the denomination worshiping there. There is a large burial-ground connected with it, and some of the oldest settlers of the locality and many of their descendants are buried here. It was a well-attended place of worship as early as 1812, and many interments were there made prior to that date. Prominent among the names noticed on the tombstones may be mentioned the following: Drake Rittenhouse Wismer Detwiler Longacre Gallagher Landes Funk Baughman Styer Conard Roosen Freed Fenstermacher Beyer (1744) Beard Wagner (1760) Yeakel (1768) Gearhart Zimmerman Clouard Schrack Casselberry Stem Sower Steiger Custer Vanfossen Heebner Reiff Bean Clemmens Cassel Heyser Wanner Sechlar Schwartz. 1191 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. DAVID CUSTER. The family of David Custer, of Worcester Township, is both upon his side and his wife's, a very old one in the county of Montgomery. The great-grandfather of the citizen whose name forms the caption of the present brief article was Jacob Custer, or, as the name was originally spelled, Kister, -a native of Holland, who was among the earliest settlers of that nationality to locate in Pennsylvania, and with the Van Vosons took up a large quantity of land in Skippack and Worcester, extending from the farm owned by David Custer to Skippack Creek. PICTURE OF DAVID CUSTER, APPEARS HERE. His son, Jacob, owned the farm on which David now resides, which was originally a portion of the large property acquired at an early day by his father-in-law, Adam Van Voson. An old parchment in the possession of Mr. Custer, recites that the "indenture was made the eighteenth day of May, in the sixth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord, George, King of Great Britain," etc., A. D. 1720, . . . "between Thomas Shute of ye county of Philadelphia, and James Steel of ye city of Philadelphia of ye first part and Adam Van Voson . . . of ye second part." In the early part of the last century Jacob Custer built the old house which still stands upon this farm fronting a by-road leading from the Reading turnpike. Here he lived and died. The stone over his grave in the burying-ground at the old Mennonite Church in Skippack shows that his death took place December 4, 1804, and that he was in the seventy-third of his age. He and his wife Elizabeth Van Voson were the parents of Jacob, the father of our subject. He was born upon the farm in 1778 and died December 4, 1854, aged seventy-six years. His wife was Mary, daughter of David Gouldy, who now owned the David Rittenhouse farm. Jacob's religious affilation was with the Mennonites, while his wife was a member of the Lutheran Church, and they brought up their children to revere those great principles of Christianity which are the precious property alike of the two sects or denominations, and of many others. They were the parents of three sons and five daughters, all of whom save one are now living. Samuel, the first-born, died without issue Charlotte (Tyson), is a resident of the county Rebecca (Heiser), lives in Skippack Jacob, in Lower Providence Mary (Davis), in Philadelphia Elizabeth (Getty), in the county David, upon the homestead farm Barbara (Detwiler), in Lower Providence. 1192 David Custer was born April 21, 1820, and served upon the farm, gaining under his father's direction, an accurate and practical knowledge of the vocation which he has successfully followed. Of school advantages he enjoyed but few, and the deficiency of his early education had therefore to be supplied through the later and slower, but perhaps better, processes of general reading, of observation and of mingling with men. After his marriage he carried on his father's farm on shares, and inherited it in part upon his death in 1854. By his skillful management of these one hundred and twenty-eight acres he was enabled, not only to bring up his family under conditions far superior to those which had governed his own early life and to contribute liberally to the needs of others, and advance the interests of good institution, but to secure a second farm of one hundred and forty-six acres. Mention of this property, located in Norriton township, not far from the Schuylkill River, suggests an incident which is fairly illustrative of one of Mr. Custer's energy and activity. In the autumn of 1884 the barn upon the Norriton farm caught fire and was quickly consumed, with all of its contents, causing a very considerable loss. Mr. Custer went immediately to work to replace the burned building, and in less than six weeks a handsome and commodious structure seventy-four by fifty-two feet a combination of stone and frame was completed, greatly to the surprise of his friends and neighbors. It is this faculty for quiet, quick organization and execution which has been one of the largest factors in his success. A substantial and hospitable appearing home was erected upon the Worcester farm a few years since. Mr. Custer holds a high place in the regard and esteem of his fellow citizens. He is a Republican in politics, but has never been an aspirant for place within the gift of the party or people, and his interest in public affairs being entirely unselfish, is only such as it is the duty of every man to take in them. His religious predilections long since led him into membership with the Lower Providence Presbyterian Church, of which he has been a consistent adherent and supporter, for nine years subsequent to 1860 a trustee, and since the close of his service in that office until the present, an elder. In 1872 Mr. Custer was united in marriage with Margaret, daughter of Christian and Catharine (Heebner) Detwiler, who was born January 26, 1829. Her father was from Perkiomen township and her mother from Norriton. The latter was the daughter of Abram and Catharine (Rittenhouse) Heebner who were the descendants of very early Montgomery settlers of the Schwenkfelder faith. Mr. and Mrs. Custer are the parents of five children, all now living, Christian, who married Susannah daughter of Ephraim Boorse Jacob, married Belle, daughter of Samuel Lewis Urias, married Annie, daughter of George Hallman. He is of the fourth generation, of the family who has lived on the homestead farm. David graduated from the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania, in 1884, and is a promising physician at Manayunk. The youngest of the family, Mary, resides with her parents. ANDREW MORGAN. Andrew Morgan, the well-known farmer and tanner of Worcester, is of Welsh descent and a representative of the fourth generation of the family in Montgomery County. His great-grandfather, William Morgan, a native of Wales and one of the earliest settlers of his nationality in this country or region, located, on his arrival here, in Hatfield township, between the Hatfield road and what is now the Bethel turnpike. His grandparents were Andrew and Rebecca (Levering) Morgan, and his father, Daniel Morgan. Their eldest son [See NOTE.] was born February 6, 1770. He married Jane Wigton, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Wigton, of Bucks County. [NOTE: the other children were William Mary, who married Septimus Evans Benjamin Andrew. The last named married Elizabeth, daughter of Jesse Beans and he has one daughter, Elizabeth, surviving, who resides on her grandfather Bean's farm, in Warminster township, in Bucks County.] They made their home in Lower Providence Township, and it was there that their seven children, five of whom grew to maturity, were born. Their names and dates of birth were as follows: Samuel, born July 10, 1803, (died in infancy) Rebecca, born August 2, 1805 Mary, born October 14,1808, (died in infancy) Theodore, born November 26, 1811, (died March 20, 1870) Andrew, born September 28, 1814 Elizabeth W., born April 2, 1817, (died October 20, 1883) Mary Jane, born December 26, 1818. Rebecca was married February 24, 1824, to John Casselberry, one of the sons of William Casselberry, of Lower Providence township, Montgomery County, Pa., and he died September 4,1834, leaving issue, four children, as follows: D. Morgan D. Hearn Melville L. Catharine. J. D. Morgan Casselberry was born April 3, 1825, and was married March 25, 1852, to Ann Eliza, daughter of John and Susanna Heebner, of the same township, and have eight children living, as follows: John H. M. Alice Ann Rebecca C. Wigton Catharine J. Theodore M. Hannah Amelia Leonora Russel, with two who died in infancy. The eldest, John H., married Clara, daughter of Emanuel and Kate Gouldy, who have two children living, Flora Arthur. Ann Rebecca was married to D. M. Y. Weber, of the same township, and have two children, J. Stroud and Morgan C. D. Hearn Casselberry was born April 27, 1827, and was married in 1854 to Ann Elizabeth, daughter of Henry and Sebora Loucks, of the same township; said Ann Elizabeth died February 11, 1857, and left two children, who both died in infancy. Dr. M. L. Casselberry was born November 29, 1830, graduated at the Homaothic College in 1853, removed to Morgantown, W. Va., where he married Mary, daughter of William and Ellen Willey, on the 10th of May, A. D. 1859. She died September 24, 1862, without children, and in October, 1866, he married Margaret, daughter of John Prutzman, of Morgantown, W. Va., and have three children - Mary Byron John. Catharine J. was born October 27,1833, and was married March 6, 1856, to Henry W. Bonsall, attorney-at-law, Norristown, Pa., and had two children, Alice C. and J. Bartram. She died August 2,1861, aged twenty-seven years. Theodore was married to Mary, daughter of Christian Detwiler, February 3, 1835. 1193 Andrew, whose name forms the caption of this sketch, as he grew to manhood gained a practical knowledge of the tanners trade and farming. In 1836 he married Ann Rebecca Allabough, of Perkiomen Township, daughter of David and Sarah Allabough. In 1841, having purchased about sixty acres of the farm in Worcester Township, on which he at present resides, he removed here with his little family. He bought a tannery and began business in that useful department of industry, and at the same time carried on farming. He applied himself closely to his two avocations and prospered in both so that he was able to make additions to his farm, effect many improvements, and erect a good house and out-buildings, the former being built in 1852 and the latter at different times as needed. PICTURE OF ANDREW MORGAN, APPEARS HERE. Mr. Morgan has been a very active man, but having no particular taste for public affairs, has taken but little part in them, preferring the more modest and quiet walks of life. In politics he was a Whig, and is now a Republican. He has been for forty years a member of the Baptist Church. Although in his seventy-first year, Mr. Morgan is hale and sturdy and his mind unimpaired. He lost his wife, his faithful helpmeet through the years or his mature life, on September 14, 1881. Six children, of whom one died in infancy, were the offspring of this union. Sarah J., oldest child of Andrew Morgan, was born March 11, 1839, and married Dr. John S. Shrawder, October 27, 1870. They have had five children, the oldest of whom died in infancy; the other four are living. In the order of their birth, their names are as follows: Clifford Beecher Shrawder, born December 3, 1871, died October 1, 1872 Larrie E. Shrawder, born October 8, 1873 Joseph Shrawder, Jr., born August 27, 1875 Laura K. Shrawder, born March 15, 1879 James M. Shrawder, born June 7, 1881. 1194 John C., who was born October 20, 1840, succeeded his father in the tanning business in 1866. He was married December 17, 1868, to Cornelia, daughter of Benjamin Baker, of Norriton Township, and have two daughters, Adele C. and Anna Rebecca. James A. was born March 9, 1844, and married Bella, daughter of Henry Baker, of Norriton township. Theodore who was born September 22, 1847, resides with his father at the old homestead and carries on the farm. He married Fannie, daughter of Joseph Brower, of Upper Providence. Their children are Theodore H., born November 8, 1873 Mary B., born December 16, 1875 Helen A., born December 31, 1878 Flora R., born September 14, 1880 Andrew, born February 18, 1884. Belle was born March 4, 1850, and was married to William Wood, of Whitpain Township, January 9, 1883, and their children are as follows: Andrew Morgan Jonathan Howard, and Rebecca Allabough Wood. Elizabeth W. Morgan married Garrett D. Hunsicker, February 19, 1839. The latter died February 19, 1879, and the former October 20, 1883. Their children are Theodore M., born June 14, 1841, died March 14, 1843 John Quincy, born March 23, 1844, an attorney in Philadelphia Morgan, born June 10, 1846, died March 14, 1847 Mary M., born June 1, 1848, died July 31, 1876 Ella M., born January 25, 1851 Robert Melville, born April 25, 1854. Mary M. Hunsicker married John R. Thomas, February 16, 1871 John Quincy Hunsicker married Mary E. Stiles, June 26, 1878. She died December 21, 1879. Mary Jane Morgan married George Knabb, February 22, 1842. He was at that time a resident of Upper Providence, but was a native of Union township, Berks County, and was born January 26, 1809. He died at Port Indian, in Montgomery County, on November 7, 1866, and was buried at the Lower Providence Baptist Burial-Ground. The children of George and Mary Jane (Morgan) Knabb were Morgan, born February 10, 1846, died in infancy Ida, born October 11, 1850, died February 27, 1879 Theodore, born April 28, 1854 Wigton, born June 8, 1856, died in infancy Ella, born March 17, 1861 Mrs. Knabb is a resident of Norristown. Rev. SAMUEL AARON, A.M. The most noted clergyman that has figured in Montgomery County annals during the past forty years was undoubtedly Rev. Samuel Aaron. In were 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, philanthropist and teacher, all combined in one. There was no necessary incongruity in this strange conjuncture of functions, for, says one of his biographers, "his religion was his politics and his 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 born in New Britain township, Bucks Co., Pa., October 19, 1800, and was at the time of his death (April 11, 1865), in the sixty-fifth year of his age. He was of Welsh-Irish extraction, his father being of Welsh and his mother of Irish descent. The offspring of a second marriage of his father, he was the youngest but one of four brothers, the family consisting also of three sisters. His father, Moses Aaron, a farmer of respectable circumstances, was (also his wife, Hannah,) a member of the Baptist Church, and a man of sincere piety. Mr. Aaron always spoke of his father as "a good man," and cherished his memory. His mother died when he was but three years old, and at the age of six he had the misfortune to lose his father also. Left an orphan at this tender age, he was placed under the care and control of an uncle, a kind-hearted man by nature, but unfortunately addicted to habits of intemperance. The little boy was frequently obliged to trudge bare-footed to the village Store and back with a jug of liquor; and the sad condition of his guardian's family and business affairs, and the neglectful treatment he experienced then, made him in after-life the terrible enemy he was of every form of intemperance. He worked on his uncle's farm till about sixteen years of age, receiving each winter a little schooling, when, obtaining a small patrimony inherited from his father, he entered the academy of Rev. Uriah Dubious, of Doylestown. At twenty he connected himself with the Classical and Mathematical School of John Gummere, at Burlington, N. J., as both a Student and assistant teacher. In the year 1824 he married Emilia, eldest daughter of his old friend and preceptor, Rev. Mr. Dubois, and not long after left Burlington and opened day-school at Bridge Point, about two miles from Doylestown. Remaining there but a short time, he next became principal of Doylestown Academy. In 1826 he made a 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 removed to Burlington, N.J., where he was assigned to the principalship of the High School; he also became pastor of the Burlington Baptist Church. In April, 1841, he was called to the Norristown Baptist Church, at the same time opening a select school for boys on the premises of the late Dr. Ralston. Mr. Aaron's popularity at this date as a champion of temperance and anti-slavery, and also as a teacher of youth, was such as prepared the way for the establishment of "Treemount," which was operated in 1844. [For portrait and additional information on Samuel Aaron, see chapter on Education. Illustration is also accessible on Worcester Township listings.] 1195 He taught for a period of forty-five years, and for seventeen years, added the duties of an active, aggressive pastor, -three Years at New Britain, five at Burlington, three at Norristown and six at Mount Holly. The degree of Master of Arts was conferred upon him in 1838, and later he was tendered the presidency of Central College, at McGrawville, which he declined. His declining years were darkened by financial reverses, but these troubles never obscured his philosophic visions of life and its true source of happiness. Mr. Post, his biographer, says of him: "He lived to see the triumph of the principle he advocated, and the dawning of a new national day. On hearing of the fall of Richmond, and the surrender of Lee, April 9, 1865, two days before his death, be exclaimed, 'Thank God, I rejoice in the salvation of my country!' His last words were, -'Thy grace is sufficient for me.' He died April 11, 1865, in the sixty-fifth year of his age." PICTURE OF ANDREW J. SAYLOR, APPEARS HERE. Andrew J. Saylor, of Worcester, and known as one of its most successful farmers, -so successful, in fact, that he is about to retire from active labor, -was the son of Arnold and the grandson of Peter Saylor, and was born in Lower Providence, September 15, 1828, the fourth in a family of nine children, -seven girls and two boys. Those older than Andrew J. were Elizabeth (widow of Abram Hallman, now living in Philadelphia) Emmeline (Mrs. George L. Bossert, deceased) Mary Ann (Mrs. Jesse Hallman), of Norristown. Those younger are John C., who married Mary Ann Detwiler, and is now a resident of Lower Providence Susannah Angeline Sarah K. Isabella. The wife of Arnold Saylor and mother of these children was Mary Casselberry, a native of Lower Providence, who is now living and in her eighty-fourth year. Her home is in Philadelphia, and she has, in her old age, a great comfort in the companionship of her daughters, who reside with her. Reverting to Arnold Saylor, the father of our present subject, it may be stated that in 1843 he purchased, and in 1844 removed to, the farm in Worcester, which his son now owns. He died here in 1856, and Andrew J. Saylor, who came to the farm a lad of sixteen, being then in his twenty-eighth year, possessing a practical knowledge of farming, and being full of energy and ambition to make his way in the world, bought the homestead from the heirs. It consisted of seventy-two acres of good land, but the improvements upon it were not of the best order. 1196 Mr. Saylor's industry and good management, however, soon provided means for the erection of suitable buildings and a very material betterment of the condition of the farm. The dwelling -a spacious stone structure, plastered -is three stories in height. The barn and other out-buildings are in keeping with it. As we have already said, years of diligent and judicious labor had placed Mr. Saylor in an independent position, and the remainder of his life will, if no unforeseen disaster should take place, be passed in well-earned ease. He has always been an adherent of the Democratic party, but never has taken more than a good citizen's interest in politics and has never had a thought of office-holding. His religious affiliation is with the Lower Providence Presbyterian Church. On January 1, 1857, shortly after Mr. Saylor had acquired ownership of the farm, he took, as his wife, Julia A. Johnson, of Norristown, who was born in Worcester township in 1830, her parents being Isaac and Catherine Brumback Johnson, the latter a daughter of Matthias and Mary Brumback. DAVID TRUCKSESS. This active, influential and well-known resident of Montgomery County was born in Wurtemberg, Germany (im Maulbroner Oberamt), March 25, 1814 and was of noble blood, but his ancestral branch or the family did not enjoy any of the usual privileges of the titled classes because their descent was not in the line of the oldest son. It may be added that if they were of such sturdy stuff as that of which the present generations of the family in Worcester are made, they did not need the advantages of class prerogative or inherited wealth to insure successful careers. The parents of David, Jacob and Reghena Trucksess brought him, with a younger brother, who died soon after, to America, in 1819. There were no steamships then, and the tedious trip from Amsterdam, Holland, to Philadelphia, occupied about four months' time -from balmy April in the old world to burning August in the new. The family settled in Worcester township, Montgomery County, and there the parents passed the remainder of their lives with the exception of a few years. They are buried at the Trappe Lutheran Church. A daughter was born to them, but she died in her sixteenth year, leaving David the only child. The boy was hired out during the summer seasons and sent to school a little in the winter, but his early education was limited, because there were then no free schools for the poor and his parents could not afford to pay his tuition for long periods at the private schools. At the age of seventeen he was bound as an indented apprentice to learn the shoemaking trade in Philadelphia. He served his time faithfully, learned the trade thoroughly, went to Norriton and worked six months as a journeyman, and then began business for himself, boarding in the house of George Anders. A year later, on the 19th of April, 1835, he married Sophia Foster. The young couple rented two rooms of Mr. Anders, and a year later, upon his advice and assistance, Mr. Trucksess, bought the little farm of sixteen (now twenty-eight acres), upon which he now resides. In April 1836, he had a house and barn built, and in April 1837, he and his wife made their home upon the place. Farming was carried on in connection with shoemaking, and Mr. Trucksess succeeded finally in bringing the land, originally quite poor, into good condition. Mr. Trucksess, in recalling the beginning of his business career, says that he "had no capital, but good health, willing hands, and a good wife." This seemed, however, to be sufficient. There was then but one shoe-store in Norristown, but he made boots and shoes for Bean & Schrack, Hoven & Thomas and Moore & Longaker, general store-keepers of that place. The first ten years was a period of hard work and self-denial and many discouragements, but better days came, as they are apt to, to those who do the best they can during the dark ones. The farm was made to maintain the family, and what was made by labor at the shop was either used in making improvements or invested from year to year in other property. Close application to business and economy have been the elements of Mr. Trucksess' prosperity. He has now four farms and two houses, all paid for, and enjoys a comfortable independence. He was able to care for and give a home to his parents during their old age and has brought up a large family of his own in the enjoyment of unusual advantages. The subject of our sketch has been, outside of the strict lines of his calling, fully as untiring and industrious as within, and enjoys a wide reputation as a man of affairs. His activity has been almost incredible and his reputation for carefulness and strict probity has led his fellow-citizens of the township and county to place him in various positions of trust, which have largely added to the demands upon his time. Early in life he was identified with the militia, being chosen first lieutenant in 1838, captain in the following year, and major ten years later. He was first lieutenant of the Washington Gray Artillery, and served during the riots in Philadelphia in 1844. He was an early advocate of the free-school system, and used his influence toward bringing about the adoption of the law providing for that measure, when it was quite an unpopular one. When the general law came into force, in 1851, he was made president of the board of directors for Worcester township, appointed by the court, and was once afterwards elected to the same position. Having considerable natural talent for music, he occupied his spare hours for a period of fifteen years in teaching singing and organizing choirs. 1197 At one time he had nine different classes and over six hundred pupils to meet each week. Mr. Trucksess served, for five years, as a justice of the peace, and has held numerous other offices since 1838, among them being that of assistant internal revenue assessor in 1867-68. This position, like the others, was given to him without any solicitation upon his part, and was unexpected. A very fair idea of the estimate of the high consideration in which he is held by those who know him best -the people of his own community and those of the county- is afforded by a glance at the list of honorable positions to which he has been elected by various bodies. He was a charter member and was chosen president of the Union Mutual Fire and Storm Insurance Company of Norristown; president the last six years; has been president of the Norritonville Live Stock Insurance Association for the past fifteen years; has been president of the Farmers Union Horse Company (for the protection of horses and the detection of thieves), during the past forty years, and is also president of the board of trustees of the Norriton and Lower Providence Presbyterian Church and of the Fairview Village Creamery Company, having held the latter office since the organization of its management. PICTURE OF DAVID TRUCKSESS, APPEARS HERE. In politics he is a Democrat. Mention has been made of the marriage of Mr. Trucksess. As that event was solemnized on April 19, 1835, a half-century of union has now been completed. Mrs. Trucksess' father was John Foster, and her mother's maiden-name was Birkenbine. She was born in Reading, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Trucksess are the parents of ten children. The oldest son, Jacob, married Mary Roudenbush, of Salfordville, and is the father of two daughters. The second son, George A., married Mary W. Irwin, of Norristown. They have one son and two daughters. David, Jr., married Sarah Hallman, of Bridgeport, and is the father of two sons and three daughters. John F. married Mary Dettera, of Worcester, and has two daughters living. Andrew J., who succeeded to his fathers shoemaking business, has been the organist at the Presbyterian Church twenty years, and has inherited something of his talent for music, resides with his parents at the old homestead. His wife was Sarah J. Landis, of Perkiomen Bridge. They have four sons and one daughter. Margaret A. Trucksess is the wife of John Detwiler, of Philadelphia. Ann Rebecca is the wife of William H. Van Horn, of Philadelphia, and the mother of three children, two sons and one daughter. Sophia F. is the wife of Lesher W. Mattern, of West Point, Montgomery County, and has two children, one son and one daughter. Elizabeth A. married C. C. Keeler (now deceased), and has two children, twin sons, and resides with her parents. The youngest of the ten children, Miss Ida V., resides with her parents. End of Boroughs and Townships section.