History of Bucks
County, Pa Volume 3 by William H. Davis
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F. M. MarpleThe Marple family has been connected with Bucks county through various generations. N. David Marple, grandfather of F. M. Marple, was born in Bucks county and became an influential and leading farmer of his community. His early political support was given the Democracy, but at, the time of the civil war he joined the ranks of the Republican party, and upon that ticket was called to offices of honor and trust. He held office as a Democrat long before the war. He served as county commissioner and prothonotary of Bucks county, and acted as clerk for General John Davis when the latter was serving as collector of customs for the United States. N. David Marple was a man of superior education and was closely identified with the educational interests of his county at an early day, having been a competent school teacher. He served as a colonel in his regiment in the war of 1812, and was thus prominent in business, political and military circles, a man whose life was above reproach, and who in consequence commanded the entire respect and confidence of those with whom he was associated. His last days were spent in Kansas, to which state he removed in his later years. He belonged to the Baptist church, and all of his relations with his fellowmen exemplified his Christian faith. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Eliza Hart, was born in Bucks county and was descended from an old colonial family of Pennsylvania. Their children were: Eliza A., Mary P., Clara, Virginia, Ellen, Alfred, Joseph, Silas, Nathan, Warran, and Eugene. Alfred Marple, born in Bucks county, was reared upon his father’s farm, acquired a liberal education and became a capable teacher in the public schools. At the time of his marriage he located upon a farm, but later turned his attention to merchandising at Langhorne. He also served as a postmaster there for a number of years, and at one time was principal of the Soldier’s Orphan’s schools of Quakertown. He served for three years in the war of the rebellion, becoming a member of the One Hundred and fourth Pennsylvania Infantry, Colonel W. H. Davis commanding. He performed his full duty as a valorous soldier and on the expiration of his term of service was honorable discharged. Politically he was a Democrat until the time of the war, when he espoused the cause of the Republican party that stood so loyally by the Union in the darkest hour of our country’s history. Following the war he engaged in farming, and in his later life lived retired, making his home in Langhorne, where he died in 1896, when seventy-four years of age. In early manhood he married Anna A. Van Sant, a native of Bucks county, who died in 1871, and later he wedded Sarah Aaron. His first wife was a daughter of Garrett Van Sant, of Bucks county, who was a blacksmith by trade, for many years closely associated with the industrial life of his community. His political views accorded with the principles of Democracy, and he filled the office of county commissioner. His religious faith was that of Presbyterian church. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Van Sant are: George, William, Maria, Elizabeth, Anna, and Jane. The children of Mr. And Mrs. Alfred Marple are: Frank H.; William W., a prominent farmer; Mary, deceased; Florence; and Ida, wife of Dr. Heritage, a physician of Langhorne. Frank H. Marple, son of Alfred Marple, was born in Langhorne township, Bucks county, December 31, 1849, and was reared to farm life, while in the public schools he acquired his education. He remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority, and in 1876 he was married and settled on the old Hart homestead, where he remained for four years. He then returned to the township of his nativity and rented his father’s old homestead, there carrying on agricultural pursuits until 1902, when he purchased the old Hart homestead on which he had resided immediately after his marriage. Hereon he has since made his home, his farm lying partly in Southampton townships. He carried on general farming and marketed his own produce, and for two years also operated a creamery, but is now devoting his entire time and attention to the production of vegetables and cereals and to the sale of his products in the Philadelphia markets. His business affairs are capably managed and his enterprise and unremitting diligence form strong and basic elements for a successful career. Mr. Marple was married to Miss Laura Tomlinson, a native of Bucks county, and a daughter of William Tomlinson, also of Bucks county. He was a carpenter by trade, and was killed while serving his country in the civil war, being for three years a member of the Union army. In his political views he was a Republican. His wife long survived him, passing away in 1882. Their children were: Charles, Elizabeth, and Laura, the last named the wife of Mr. Marple. To Mr. And Mrs. Marple were born three children: William, who is clerking; Grace, at home; and Alfred, who is a stenographer in California. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Marple married Mrs. Susan Johnson, a cultured lady, whose parents were William B. and Mary A. (Alford) Kitchen, of Philadelphia. Her father, a tailor by trade, followed that business throughout his entire life, and died at Center Hill in 1869. In his political views he was a Republican, and he held some local political positions. He belonged to the Baptist church, of which his wife, who now makes her home with her children, is also a member. In the Johnson family were six children: Victor, Florence, Orville, Claude, May and Burleigh. In his political views Mr. Marple is a Republican, but the honors and emoluments of office have had no attraction for him, and although he is never remiss in the duties of citizenship, he prefers to devote his time and energies to his business affairs, which are now bringing him a desirable financial return. Text taken from page 283-284 Davis, William W. H., A. M. History of Bucks County, Pennsylvania [New York-Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1905] Volume III Transcribed October 2001 as part of the Bucks Co., Pa., Early Family Project, www.rootsweb.com/~pabucks/bucksindex.html Published November 2001 on the Bucks County, Pa, USGenWeb pages at www.rootsweb.com/~pabucks/ |