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ELLWOOD
WILLIAMSON MINSTER
ELLWOOD
WILLIAMSON MINSTER,
postmaster of the borough of
Bristol
,
the duties of which responsible position he has discharged with credit to
himself and to the entire satisfaction of all concerned since his first
election to the office in March, 1899, is a native of
Bristol
township, born
August
3, 1856
.
The Progenitor of the family in
America
was Nicholas MINSTER, who came
from
Germany
,
settling in
Chester
county,
Pennsylvania
.
His son, John MINSTER, a resident of
Bristol
township, married a Miss BURTON,
and they reared a family of four children, namely: John, Anthony, Mary and
William. Anthony Burton MINSTER, second son, was born in
Bristol
township,
December
14, 1794
.
He was educated in the private schools of that vicinity, and his
active career was devoted to agricultural pursuits.
He served as supervisor of his township several years.
He enlisted in the war of 1812, serving with credit and
distinction. On April 1, 1824,
he married Ann STARKEY, who was
born in Solesbury, (sic) Bucks county, August 14, 1802, and nine children
were the issue of this union: Margaret and Martha (twins), born December
3, 1825; William S., born July 10, 1827; Anthony D., born March 3, 1829;
Sarah Ann, born April 9, 1830; Eliza B., born November 1, 1832; Pemberton,
born January 13, 1835; Mary Jane, born May 26, 1837; and Edward, born July
8, 1840. The parents of these
children died respectively
June
16, 1874
,
and
April
30, 1874
.
William S. MINSTER, eldest son of Anthony Burton and Ann (STARKEY) MINSTER, was
born
July 10, 1827
.
He attended the schools of Bucks county and by close application to
his studies became thoroughly proficient and well qualified to accept the
position of teacher in which capacity he served for many years.
He received an appointment in the Custom House in Philadelphia,
served faithfully and efficiently for an extended period of time, and was
the incumbent of the office at his decease, in 1881.
He was a Presbyterian in religious faith, and a Republican in
politics. His wife, Clarissa (PARSONS)
MINSTER, born in Bucks county
and educated in public schools thereof, bore him seven children, as
follows; B. Frank, Ellwood Williamson, Ann Starkey, Kate, Harry, Maria
Louisa, who died in infancy, and Sarah Boyd.
Ellwood Williamson MINSTER, second son of William s. and Clarissa (PARSONS)
MINSTER, obtained a practical education in the public schools of
Falls township and Pierce’s boarding school in
Bristol
township. He then engaged in
the milk business, which he followed for ten years with more or less
success, and in 1886 was elected prothonotary for Bucks county, serving
three years. Later he received
the appointment of Factory inspector and after four years of faithful
service in that capacity, in March, 1800, was appointed postmaster for the
borough of
Bristol
,
was reappointed in April, 1903, and is still serving his term thus far
extending over a period of almost six years.
Mr. MINSTER has been
prominent in the political affairs of the Republican party, both state and
national, and particularly active in those of
Bristol
borough and the towns of Bucks county, he always being found in the front
ranks of those who are strenuous in the service of his party.
He is connected with the Presbyterian church of
Bristol
borough, contributing freely to the support of the same.
He is also actively connected with many of the business enterprises
of Bristol, and is president of the Bristol Company; organized for the
manufacture of ice from distilled water, their plant for the purpose being
one of the finest in that vicinity. Mr.
MINSTER is a member of Lodge No. 25, Ancient York, F. & A. M. of
Bristol
;
Mohegan Tribe of Red Men; and Ancient Order of Mystic Chain, Beneficial
Society. He is a great lover
of horseflesh, and at various times has been the proud owner of many fine
specimens of the same.
Mr. MINSTER married,
October 20, 1892, Olivia Goslin HIGHLAND,
of Bristol, Bucks county, daughter of Eugene and Louisa (GOSLIN) HIGHLAND, and
their children are: Ellwood Gilkeson, born August 11, 1893; and Clarissa
Highland MINSTER, born March
22, 1901; Eugene Highland, father of Mrs. MINSTER,
was a butcher by trade. He
served as clerk of quarter sessions court of Bucks county, for many years.
He was very popular in politics, also in social life, and was
respected and esteemed by all with whom he was brought in contact.
In 1861 he enlisted in Captain Betty’s company and served until
the close of the war. At the
end of his service he was presented with a Henry Rifle by the government
for his valiant and courageous conduct as a soldier.
This token of esteem is retained and highly prized by his widow.
His death occurred May 24, 1894.
Text taken from page 362 of:
Davis, William W. H., A.M., History of Bucks County, Pennsylvania [New York-Chicago: The Lewis
Publishing Company, 1905] Volume III
Transcribed April
2003 by Joan Lollis of Merrillville,
IN. as part of the Bucks Co.,
Pa., Early Family Project, www.rootsweb.com/~pabucks/bucksindex.html
Published
May 2003 on the Bucks County, Pa., USGenWeb pages at www.rootsweb.com/~pabucks/
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Page was last edited:
11/15/2008