CHARLES M CADWALLADER

CHARLES M. CADWALLADER. The Cadwallader family has been represented in Pennsylvania from the colonial epoch in the American history down to the present time. The first of the name of whom definite record is obtainable was John Cadwallader, who was of Welsh descent. His parents came from Wales to this country when it was still a part of the colonial possessions of Great Britain and established a home in Montgomery county, assisting in the permanent development and improvement of that part of the state, and giving their influence for its moral growth, being consistent members of the Hicksite branch of the Society of Friends. John Cadwallader (1) was a resident farmer of Horsham township, Montgomery county. Benjamin Cadwallader (2) was born in Horsham township and was reared amid the refining influence of a good Christian home in accordance with the tenets of the Friends meeting and remained to his last days a faithful follower of its teachings. After his marriage he located on a farm in Horsham township, where he resided for many years and then removed to Bucks county, purchasing a large tract of land in Buckingham township. Here he made many improvements, developing one of the best farms of the locality, equipped with all improvements known in agricultural circles of that day. He was never known to take advantage of the necessities of his fellow men in any trade transaction and his business integrity stood as an unquestioned fact in his career. In his later years he made disposition of the homestead property by dividing it among his sons and removing to Byberry, Pennsylvania, spending the evening of life in the enjoyment of a well earned rest. At his death, however, his remains were taken back to Horsham township, Montgomery county, for interment. His wife bore the maiden name of Hannah Bradfield, and she, too, was a native of Horsham. She passed away prior to her husband’s demise. In their family were seven sons and two daughters: Eli, who became well known as a successful farmer of Bucks county; Yardly; Benjamin, who carried on agricultural pursuits; Peter, who won sucess as a physician and surgeon; John, a farmer; David, a tailor by trade; Cyrus, a wheelwright; Uree, who became the wife of James Bonner; and Elizabeth, who married John Rich.

Yardly Cadwallader (3), born on his father’s farm in Horsham township, Montgomery county, but reared to manhood in Bucks county, remained on the old family homestead subsequent to his marriage and operated it for two years. He then returned to Horsham township, where he rented a farm and subsequently lived in Abington township. His next place of residence was Byberry, where he continued for many years, devoting his energies to agricultural pursuits, but in 1864 he sold that farm, and he and his wife afterward found a good home with their son, Charles M., remaining with him until their death. Throughout his active business career Yardly Cadwallader carried on farming, managing his affairs with capability and conducting his business interests with keen discrimination and business insight. For many years he attended the Philadelphia market. Caring nothing for public office or official preferment of any character his undividel attention was devoted to the work of tilling the soil, and he was known as an honest, upright farmer. His study of political questions in early life led him to give his support to the Whig party, and he endorsed the abolition principles so that when the Republican party was formed to prevent the further extension of slavery he espoused its cause and remained one of its consistent adherents until his death. Interested in the welfare of his community, he labored for the election of competent men and never failed to cast his ballot for the candidates whom he thought best qualified for office. He belonged to the Friends meeting and his religious faith permeated his entire life, moulding his character and shaping his destiny. Yardly Cadwallader married Christiana Moore, a native of Plainfield, New Jersey, whose ancestors had through several generations resided in that state, and they, too, were members of the Friends meeting. In her father’s family were four children: John, a successful agriculturist, whose progressive spirit was in keeping with modern advancement, figured prominently in political circles in his community and state. He held many township and county offices and twice represented Trenton district in the New Jersey legislature. He was also associate judge of the Belvidere court, and was elected to these various positions on the Democratic ticket. His influence in New Jersey politics was marked, his thorough understanding of the issues of the day and his devotion to the general good well fitting him to become a leader in public thought and action. Joseph Moore prospered in his farming operations, but did not seek political prominence. Susan Moore became the wife of E. Price, of New York, and Christiana, of Yardly Cadwallader. The members of the Moore family all lived to the advanced age of eighty years. The children of Yardly and Christiana (Moore) Cadwallader, were: Mary, wife of Thomas Lightfoot; Peter, a school teacher, who died at the age of twenty-eight years; Howard, a farmer, who died in 1900 at the age of seventy-seven years; Elizabeth, wife of F. Diamond; Charles M. (4); Anna, who died at the age of five years; and Sarah A., wife of S. Ely, of Kansas.

Charles M. Cadwallader (4), born in Byberry, Philadelphia county, Pennsylvania, November 6, 1830, accompanied his parents on their various removals, living with them in Horsham and in Upper Dublin, during which time he gained practical and comprehensive knowledge of farming methods. When eighteen years of age he went to Southampton, where he was apprenticed to the miller’s trade for a term of three years. On the expiration of that period he worked for one year as a journeyman and then went to Wrightstown township, Bucks county, where he assumed charge of the rich flour mills, which he operated for five years. He was married during that period and subsequently removed to Horsham, where he conducted a milling business for two years. Then resuming the occupation to which he had been reared he rented a farm near Jarrettown, continuing its cultivation for seven years, after which he rented land near Three Tons for three years. In the spring of 1867 he purchased the farm in Warrington township, on which he has since resided, it being a well-improved tract of land pleasantly located about a mile north of the Warrington postoffice. A commodious residence, large barn and substantial outbuildings are among the leading features of the place, while the productive soil under his careful cultivation brings forth rich crops. He carries on general farming and for many years sold his products to the Philadelphia markets, but in recent years on account of advanced age and the failure of his eyesight he has largely left the management of his farm to his son, who is carrying forward the work along progressive lines that his father inaugurated. Charles Cadwallader concentrated his energies and efforts exclusively upon his agricultural labors and a splendidly improved property is now the visible evidence of his life of thrift and industry. Charles M. Cadwallader endorses Republican principles by his ballot, and manifests in the questions of the day the interest which every American citizen should display in the measure which effect the general welfare of county, state and nation. His influence is ever on the side of progress, reform and improvement, and he is a faithful member of the Friends meeting, to which his wife also belonged.

On the 16^th of February, 1855, Mr. Cadwallader married Miss Anna Conard, who was born in Warwick township, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, in 1830, a daughter of Charles and Mary (Patterson) Conard, also natives of this county and representatives of early pioneer families. She was one of four children, the others being: John, a farmer; Robert, a carpenter and engineer; and James, a farmer and funeral director. In September, 1890, after more than thirty-five years of happy wedded life, Mrs. Cadwallader died. She is survived by her husband and two children, while their second daughter, Julia Elma, died in 1865 at the age of three and a half years. The eldest daughter, Elizabeth D., became the wife of George Corson, of Plymouth, Pennsylvania, and died July 21, 1903, leaving two sons. The living children are Martha A. and Howard, both on the old homestead, the son continuing the conduct of the farm since his father’s practical retirement from its active management.

Text taken from page 375

Davis, William W. H., A. M. History of Bucks County, Pennsylvania [New York-Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1905] Volume III