History of Bucks
County, Pa Volume 3 by William H. Davis
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LEVI S. MOYER LEVI S. MOYER. The pioneer ancestor of the branch of the MOYER family to which belongs Levi S. MOYER; a prosperous agriculturist of Chalfont, was the Rev. Peter MOYER, a native of Switzerland, who came to American in 1742, accompanied by his widowed mother, sister, and three brothers, William, Jacob and Henry. Peter, William and Henry settled in Springfield township, Bucks county, and Jacob at Center Valley, Lehigh county. They all became farmers, and were active members of the Mennonite church. The supposition is that Peter was a minister in Switzerland, and he was one of the early ministers of the church in Springfield township; Jacob was also a minister and preached in Saucon township. The year prior to their emigration to American they were the guests of friends who resided in the vicinity of Kerlock, Germany, whither they removed from their native land, Switzerland, during the persecution of the Mennonites by the Calvinists, or State Reformed church. Rev. Peter MOYER (aforementioned) was born in Switzerland in 1723. He purchased a farm of one hundred and seven acres in Springfield township, formerly the property of Joseph GREEN, which he cultivated to a high state of perfection, and whereon he resided. By his marriage to ----- ------, which occurred May 28, 1752, the following named children were born; John, Jacob, William, Abraham, Henry, Isaac, Mary, and Barbara. William MOYER, son of the Rev. Peter MOYER, was born in Springfield township, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, June 7, 1764. His occupation was that of farmer, and in connection therewith he preached the gospel. He married Mary OVERHOLT, who was born December 27, 1767, and who bore him six children, as follows; Magdaline, Nancy, Hannah, Kate, Mary, and Abraham D. The deaths of Mr. And Mrs. MOYER occurred February 12, 1848, and September 1, 1850, respectively. Abraham D. MOYER, son of William and Mary (OVERHOLT) MOYER, was born on the old Peter MOYER farm in Pleasant Valley, June 6, 1798. He followed in the footsteps of his forefathers, devoting his time and attention to the tilling of the soil. He was the possessor of a fine voice, and was the leader of the choir in the Monnonite church. In 1832 he married Mary GEISINGER, a native of Upper Milford, Lehigh county, born September 18, 1811, daughter of Philip and Fanny (HESTAND) GEISINGER. Four children were born to them; William G.; Fanny, who became the wife of Nathaniel BECHTEL; Mary; and Abraham. Abraham D. MOYER (father) died September 15, 1871; his wife survived him many years, passing away December 9, 1900. William G. MOYER, eldest son of Abraham D. and Mary (GEISINGER) MOYER, was born in Springfield township, Bucks county, February 14, 1834. His first occupation was that of teacher, which vocation he followed for ten years (1855 to 1865) and from the latter year until 1872 he was engaged in farming in Springfield township, after which he removed to New Britain township, and purchased a farm in the borough of Chalfont. He was the recipient of several public offices, which were in the gift of his fellow-citizens, and during his incumbency of the same rendered valuable service. He was township auditor for six years, secretary of the school board for a similar period, jury commissioner for Bucks county, and first president of the council of Chalfont. For a number of years he served as correspondent and reporter for the government agricultural department. He is an active and consistent member of the Monnonite church, in which faith he was reared, and his political allegiance is given to the Republican party. In 1860 he married Mary SWORTLEY, born in New Britain township, 1835, daughter of John SWORTLEY. Their children were as follows: Emma, born December 17, 1861, died January 9, 1881; Levi S., born May 22, 1864, mentioned hereinafter; Abraham S., born November 7, 1866, married Susie M. Fretz, and they are the parents of one child, Alvin, born October 18, 1900; William, born November 20, 1868, a merchant of Chalfont; Menno S., born November 18, 1870, a member of the firm of Moyer Bros., merchants of Lansdale; he married Annie SOUDER, and their children are: Evelyn and Elizabeth; Harvey, born March 16, 1877, married Mary Johnson. The mother of these children died January 2, 1888. Mr. MOYER married for his second wife Mrs. Hannah (SLEIFER) WEIS, who was born near Quakertown, Bucks county, daughter of Philip SLEIFER. Levi S. MOYER, eldest son of William G., and Mary (SWORTLEY) MOYER, was born in Springfield township, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, May 22, 1864. He obtained a practical education in the public schools of New Britain township, and since the completion of his studies has devoted his time and attention exclusively to agricultural pursuits. He is an active and public-spirited citizen, keenly alive to everything that pertains to the welfare of the community in which he resides, a faithful member of the Mennonite church, and a staunch Republican. January 6, 1887, Mr. MOYER was married to Anna B. DETWILER, daughter of Enos and Sarah (SHERM) DETWILER, whose family consisted of five other children, namely; John F., William H., Irvin S., Alfred S., and Lizzie S. DETWILER. Eight children were the issue of the marriage of Mr. And Mrs. MOYER; William D., born December 25, 1887; Sarah Amelia, born July 27, 1889; Theresa, born October 23, 1891; Mary, born April 17, 1894; Irene, born February 2, 1897; Enos, born July 5, 1898; Eva, born February 9, 1900; and Norah, born June 25, 1901. Test taken from page 233-234 of: Davis, William W. H., A.M., History of Bucks County, Pennsylvania [New York-Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1905] Volume III Transcribed June 2001 by Joan Lollis of IN. as part of the Bucks Co., Pa., Early Family Project, www.rootsweb.com/~pabucks/bucksindex.html Published June 2001 on the Bucks County, Pa., USGenWeb pages at www.rootsweb.com/~pabucks/ |
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Page was last edited:
11/15/2008