CHAPTER XL.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. — NORTHAMPTON.

JOSEPH C. CAMM, retired farmer, was born in Philadelphia August 10, 1819, his parents being William and Elizabeth (Grant) Camm. His maternal ancestors are Scotch. John Camm, grandfather of Joseph C., who was a tradesman in England, located in Philadelphia, where he died and was buried at the corner of Third and Pine streets. He was a member of the Society of Friends. His son, William, was a hatter in his younger days. He was twice married, first to Elizabeth Grant, who died August 23, 1825, and is buried at Woodland cemetery. His second wife was Susan Ann Martine. By the first marriage there were ten children and by the second six. He died September 1, 1860. Of all his children Joseph C. is the only one living. The latter was reared in Philadelphia to the age of 21 years, spending his summers in Bucks county. He received his education in the schools of Philadelphia, Abington, Lambertville and Lexington. On reaching maturity he engaged with the hardware firm of Baker & Moss, Philadelphia, with whom he remained for three years, after which he turned his attention to agriculture. He located in his present home, which is one of the landmarks of the county, having been erected in 1739 by Judge Henry Wynkoop, a member of the continental congress. In this home General Washington frequently visited Judge Wynkoop with his staff, among whom was Colonel Monroe. Mr. Camm was married February 8, 1843, to Miss Martha Feaster, of Northampton township, a daughter of Aaron Feaster, who was the great-grandchild of John Feaster, the pioneer of the family in this county. Aaron Feaster married Matilda Cornell and they were the parents of seven children. Of these all are deceased except the wife of our subject. In the old stone house now owned by Ephraim Feaster, seven generations have found their home, the place having been in the family name since the early part of the eighteenth century. Mr. and Mrs. Camm have had five children, of whom one, William, died in his youth. Those living are: Matilda, wife of Dr. William T. Sudler, of Bridgeville, Del.; Elizabeth B., wife of George W. Cornell; Edward, married to Sallie Marshall, lives with his parents, and Addie. Mr. Camm is a democrat politically. For many years he was director of the schools of the township.

MAHLON B. CRAVEN, retired farmer, P.O. Richboro, was born in Warminster township, Bucks county, April 15, 1821, his parents being Isaac and Christiana Craven. The family is of English origin. Thomas Craven, great-grandfather of Mahlon, with his brother Giles, was the first who came to America and settled in Bucks county. Giles died without posterity and Thomas is the direct ancestor of the family in this county. He died in 1799, aged 84, and was interred in the old burying ground in Warminster, used by the Craven and Van Zant families. James, the son of Thomas, was the grandfather of our subject. He married Adrianna Krusen, a native of Bucks county. James died in 1825 and his wife about 1844; Isaac, father of Mahlon, was the youngest of their children. He was a farmer and made that his life work, except such time as he devoted to travelling. He married Christiana Van Buskirk and they had five children, of whom three grew to maturity; Mahlon, Edmund ,and Emily Ann, deceased, wife of Lewis R. Praul. Isaac, father of the above, died January 17, 1878, his widow surviving him a short time. The family were connected with the Dutch Reformed church. Mahlon received his education in the common schools of the township, but like many others obtained the greater part of his scholastic attainments by his own efforts, after the close of schooling days. He followed farming until 1858, since which time he has given most of his attention to literature. He was married November 12, 1850, to Isabella Test, of Philadelphia, who died in 1858. They had three children, of whom one, Milissa, has since deceased. Those living are Miriam and Cecelia. Mr. Craven’s literary efforts have been chiefly confined to the discussion of religious subjects, and include some twenty-five critical reviews of prevailing beliefs from a liberal standpoint. His largest work is entitled "Criticism on the Theological Idea of Deity," a book of three hundred and fifteen pages. His works have sold over a large range of territory, being handled by houses from the Atlantic to the Pacific.

GEORGE W. CORNELL, P.O. Newtown, was born October 17, 1841, in the old house which was built in 1747 and torn down in 1861, his parents being Adrian and Mary Ann (Van Horn) Cornell. Adrian Cornell was born December 21, 1818, and was reared on the farm where our subject now resides, as were his father and grandfather, it being the original location of the family on coming to the county from Long Island. He was educated in the schools of the vicinity, and made farming his life occupation. He built the family mansion, an imposing stone edifice, which was erected in 1860 at a vast expense. Adrian Cornell was married January 8, 1840, to Mary Ann Van Home, of Bucks county. They were the parents of one child, George W. Mr. Cornell was an active man in business. He became associated with the Bucks County Agricultural society, of which he was for some years the president, succeeding his brother, James C. Cornell. He was a stockholder in the Newtown bank. He died September 17, 1870, and is buried at the Union cemetery, at Richboro. His widow resides at the homestead. George W. Cornell, subject of this sketch, received his education in the public schools of the vicinity, and spent three years in the Tennent school at Hartsville. He has always resided where he does now. He was married, October 10, 1871, to Sallie C. Lukens, who died May 23, 1873. He was married to his present wife, June 6, 1877. Her name was Libbie B. Camm, daughter of Joseph C. Camm. He is a member of the republican party, and the older Cornells were whigs. His wife and mother are members of the Richboro Dutch Reformed church. He is a stockholder in the Newtown bank, and in the Second National bank at Frankford.

THEODORE CORNELL, farmer, P.O. Holland, was born in Northampton township, Bucks county, February 28, 1840, in a house which stood on the site of his present residence, his parents being James C. and Judith S. (Everett) Cornell. James C. was reared on the old Cornell homestead, and became one of the most successfull farmers of Bucks county. He was one of the organizers of the Bucks County Agricultural society, and was its president for a number of years. He kept a large dairy, and was widely known for his success in farm management. He died February 1, 1865. His widow survived until 1879. They are buried at the cemetery at Richboro. Theodore was reared at the place where he now resides. He was educated in the neighboring schools, and was married, February 20, 1867, to Anna Buckman, of Middletown township, daughter of Levi Buckman. Mr. and Mrs. Cornell were the parents of three children, one of whom, Walter L., died in infancy. Those living are Eva B. and James Russell, the latter of whom is attending Swarthmore college. Mr. Cornell is a member of the Newtown Lodge A.Y.M. He erected his present residence in 1885, and $15,000 would not duplicate it.

ISAAC EASTBURN, retired, P.O. Richboro, was born in Southampton township, near Scottsville, February 4, 1818, his parents being Joseph and Alice (Krusen) Eastburn. His mother’s ancestors are from Holland, and it is supposed that the progenitors of his father came to the country in the time of William Penn. Benjamin Eastburn, grandfather of our subject, was born in Bucks county, where he followed farming. He married a Miss Newell. They died in Northampton township. Joseph Eastburn, father of Isaac, was reared in Northampton township, moved to Southampton, and lived there until he died. He married Alice Krusen, and they had eleven children, of whom our subject is the only one living. He was a farmer, but in the later years of his life kept store at Scottsville. He was a Presbyterian and died in 1844. Isaac, our subject, was reared in Southampton township to the age of 16, and then came to the "Bear" to learn the trade of a wheelwright with Nicholas Larzalere, where he remained five years, and then went to New Hope and carried on a shop for a short time. He then returned to Richboro and conducted a shop for about nine years. He then bought a farm at the upper end of the village, and commenced farming, but has lived retired since 1883. He was married December 28, 1843, to Miss Rachel Randall, of Richboro, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Evans) Randall. Her father died in 1837, and her mother in 1867. The former is buried in the old Southampton Baptist burying ground, and the latter in the cemetery at Richboro. She is a member of the Reformed church. He is a republican politically.

EPHRAIM P. FEASTER, farmer, P.O. Newtown, was born in Northampton township, November 5, 1841. The first of the family in this country were three brothers who came from Amsterdam and settled, one on Long Island, one in Catawissa, this state, and the third, John Feaster, who was the ancestor of Ephraim P., in Holland, this county. John Feaster was born in 1708, and died December 19, 1775. His wife, Mary, was born in 1706 and died May 28; 1774. Their son David was born April 8, 1740, and died September 28, 1808. He was married September 13, 1768, to Mary Hageman, who was born March 8, 1743, and died May 28, 1783. Their son, Aaron, grandfather of Ephraim P., was born October 30, 1772, and died July 18, 1860. He was married May 29, 1801, to Matilda Cornell, who was born April 20, 1779, and died December 22, 1858. Their children were: Jane, who married Henry D. Phillips; Sarah A., who married Vorhees Quick; Maria, who married Theodore Morris; Elizabeth, who married Dr. C.S. Baker; Martha, who married Joseph C. Camm; David, father of Ephraim P., and John. David Feaster was born February 26, 1808, and was married February 26, 1836, to Mary, daughter of Ephraim and Sarah Phillips, of Lawrenceville, N.J., by whom he had four children: Mary E., Aaron and Theodore, deceased, and Ephraim P. Mr. Feaster was a prominent farmer of Northampton, and by his own exertions, accumulated a large property. He was an honest and upright citizen and took an active part in church matters, contributing largely of his means to the Dutch Reformed church of Addisville, in Northampton township, being the largest contributor towards the erection of the present church edifice, besides leaving $1,500 by his will to the church and for the care of the Feaster and Hageman cemetery. He died June 1, 1873. Mrs. Feaster was born September 10, 1805, and is still living. Ephraim P. was reared on the old Feaster homestead in this township, which is still owned in the family, and resided there until 1876, when he removed to Newtown, where he now resides. He was married, April 19, 1864, to Elizabeth, daughter of Captain Joseph and Elizabeth (Smith) McMakin, of Philadelphia, born January 31, 1865, by whom he had seven children: David, Frank, Lizzie, Joseph, Dora, Agnes and Beatrice. Mr. and Mrs. Feaster are members of the Dutch Reformed church. He is a member of the Masonic order and a republican.

ISAIAH W. GEARHART, lumber manufacturer, P.O. Holland, was horn in Bloomsburg, Columbia county, January 23, 1819, his parents being Henry and Phebe (Field) Gearhart. The Gearhart family were originally German. His father was a chair and spinning-wheel maker. When Isaiah W. was 8 years old he came to Bucks county to live with an uncle, Levi Field, who was a farmer. With him he lived until he was 16 years old, when he went to Montgomery county to learn the trade of carpenter, where he remained six years. He then went to Philadelphia and worked in the city about two years, after which he carried on contracting for about fifteen years. He then removed to his present location and bought the saw-mill, which he has operated ever since, adding many improvements to it. He was married in Montgomery county in May, 1841, to Miss Elizabeth Eames, a native of Boston, a daughter of Robert Eames. Mr. Gearhart started out in life for himself, and has made his own way in the world, until he is now one of the wealthy men of the township. He is one of the directors of the Langhorne bank, and was formerly a director of the Newtown bank. He was a director of the Bustleton turnpike, and is now a director of the Feasterville and Holland turnpike. Mr. Gearhart is a member of the Newtown lodge, F. and A.M. He is a member of the Somerton church. Mr. and Mrs. Gearhart were the parents of nine children, of whom four are living. Those living are: Angeline, wife of Watson Spencer, in Falls township; Phebe Ann, wife of John Collum, lives in Oxford, Chester county; Martha Ann and Frank are at home. Mr. Gearhart has a flour mill at Rocksville, called the Rocksville mills, which has a capacity for grinding two hundred bushels per day.

ALFRED LUFF, deceased, was born in Tinicum township, where his father carried on the business of a tailor. At 18 years of age Alfred was given his freedom, as were all his brothers and sisters. After that he worked for various persons, and in 1849, in company with his brother Joseph, bought a farm in this township, near Richboro, three years later buying his brother’s interest, and living there for twenty-eight years. He then removed to another farm which he owned in Richboro, now owned by his son Stephen B., where he died September 24, 1882. He was a thorough-going business man, and accumulated a handsome property, at the time of his death owning four farms, the "White Bear" hotel property in Richboro, and other interests. He was essentially a self-made man. His wife was Ruth, daughter of Jesse and Amy Slack of this township. She died in July, 1880. Their children were: Oliver J., born November 12, 1843, who inherited and is now keeping the White Bear hotel in Richboro; Darah, deceased; Franklin P., who lives on the old homestead; George R. and Henry K., both residents of this township; and Stephen B., who was the youngest of the family, and was born February 8, 1861. He was reared to farming, and on the death of his father bought from the estate the farm in Richboro, where his father died, and where he now lives. On November 21, 1883, he married Bella K., daughter of Thomas and Anna Scott, of Newtown township. To their union two children have been born: Florence A., who died in infancy, and Herman B., born May 22, 1886. Alfred Luff was an example of what a man without early advantages can accomplish by industry, energy and good judgment.

GRIFFITH MILES, retired, P.O. Breadysville, is a son of Griffith and Jane (Beans) Miles, both deceased. They were natives of Montgomery county, where they were married and first settled. in 1800 they removed to this county, where they remained until their death. They were the parents of five children, of whom three are deceased; Jane, John and Susan. Lydia is living at the age of 91. Griffith Miles was born in Montgomery county February 9, 1800, and came with his parents the same year to Bucks county, Northampton township, where he has remained ever since. He has never been married. He lived with his parents until their death, after which he bought out the interests of the other heirs in the estate, to which he has since added until he now owns three hundred and fifty acres of fine farming land, beside other valuable property. His sister, who has managed the household affairs these many years, like himself was never married. She is the owner of about two hundred acres of good land and other property. Mr. Miles is one of the substantial citizens of the township and is greatly respected.

JOHN M. RULON, farmer, P.O. Breadysville, was born in Philadelphia, August 22, 1840, his parents being Ephraim and Jane (Megee) Rulon. His paternal ancestors were Huguenots and emigrated to this country from Bordeaux, France, in 1694, and located in Salem county, N.J. Mr. Rulon’s grandfather on the maternal side, John Megee, was in business in Philadelphia at the beginning of the war of 1812, and having in his business a number of teams, he took them, and with the city pieces of artillery, formed a battery for the American service. He served through that war and after returning was accidentally drowned in the Delaware river, at Philadelphia. Ephraim Rulon, the father of John M., was born in 1806, and reared in Philadelphia, and carried on the business of a coppersmith. He married Jane Megee and they were the parents of eleven children, six of whom are still living: Mary Spear, of Baltimore, Md.; Samuel H., of New Bedford, Mass.; William E., George M., lately deceased; Harry E., Edward D., and John M., the subject of this sketch, who is a resident of Bucks county, the others being located in Philadelphia. Five of these brothers served their country in the late war. John M. enlisted in company G, 52d Pennsylvania Volunteers, in 1863, and served sixteen months in the construction corps; after his discharge he volunteered for the defense of the national capital, and was three weeks in the trenches though not an enlisted man. He came to Bucks county at the age of eleven years and made his home with John Buckman, with whom he lived five years; leaving him to learn the trade of a machinist at Newtown. After the close of the war he returned to Newtown and resumed the business of farming. He married Mercy, daughter of John Buckman, and she died in 1866. In 1869 he was married to Hannah Gubbings, whose parents were born in London, England. The children of this union are: Rebie, Annie, John B., Alfred B., and Ella, all of whom are living.

FRED SWARTZLANDER, physician, P.O. Richboro, was born at Yardley, Bucks county, September 21, 1848, his parents being Joseph and Abigail W. (Rankin) Swartzlander. Philip Swartzlander, great-great-grandfather of our subject, was born at Freiburg, in Swartzwald, Germany, and emigrated with his family to America, and located two miles north of Doylestown, on the Dublin road, opposite the old Abraham Delp property. With him came his son, Gabriel, five years of age, who was reared here, and married Salome Stout. Their original homestead was the Cope farms opposite Delp’s, and they owned other tracts adjoining, among which was the Abraham Delp tract of 400 acres. They had six children: Jacob, John, David, Joseph, Margaret and Catherine. The last lived in Doylestown and died in Philadelphia. The oldest child, Jacob, was the grandfather of Fred. He came to Southampton township in 1808, bought Lightwood’s house and mill (now Sterner’s). His first wife was Elizabeth Cope, and they had the following children: Joseph, Abraham, Salome and Gabriel, deceased. His second wife was Elizabeth Moot. Their children were: Emily, Clara, Wilhelmina, and Harriet, who died in infancy. He and his first wife are buried at Feasterville, Southampton township. His second wife is still living at Bustleton. Joseph Swartzlander, father of Fred, was the oldest child of Jacob, and was reared in Southampton township, and learned the milling trade at Swartzlander’s mill. At the age of twenty he set out on foot to travel. At Zanesville, O., he took the smallpox, but recovered, started ahead, and went on to New Orleans on a flat boat, to St. Louis on the steamboat and walked to Detroit, 564 miles. Coming north, he arrived on the shores of Lake Michigan. The site of the present metropolis, Chicago, was then a swamp. He then started for Rochester, via the Erie canal, and thence went to Boston, and from there returned home. A trip of this character at that time was both rare and hazardous. On his return he engaged in milling, which he is still engaged in, but has centered his interests in the lumbering business at Yardley. He has cut more hard timber than any man or firm in Bucks county. He is the father of nine children, seven living: Mary, Frank, Harry, Ella, Albert, Fred and Laura, Jacob and Abraham, deceased. Fred was born and reared in Yardley. He studied medicine at Doylestown in 1867 with his brother. He attended lectures at the Bellevue Hospital Medical college, New York, and afterward attended lectures at the old Jefferson college, at Philadelphia, and graduated in March, 1872. He located at Yardley, and practised there two years, associated with Dr. Joseph Smith. He came to Richboro in April, 1874. He was married July, 1877, to Miss Henrietta Slack, daughter of Joseph C. and Elizabeth B. Slack. They have two children living, Joseph and Louis. One child, Bessie, is dead. In 1884 Dr. Swartzlander, desiring to attend the International Medical association at Copenhagen, took an extensive tour through Europe. He has also travelled in the United States. During the war of the rebellion he was for three years an uncommissioned officer in company B, 6th regiment Pennsylvania Cavalry, under Colonel Rush. This was Rush’s Lancers regiment.

ALLEN TOMLINSON, farmer, P.O. Holland, was born in Moreland township, Montgomery county, October 15, 1827, his parents being Aaron and Tacy (Carter) Tomlinson. William Tomlinson, grandfather of Allen, was a farmer and was born in Chester county, afterward removing to Byberry. His wife’s maiden name was Malone. They were Friends, and are buried at the meeting-house in Byberry. Aaron Tomlinson, his son, was reared in Byberry, and followed general farming. He was married to Tacy Carter, and they had four children: Allen, Silas, Mary, and Mercy. Aaron Tomlinson died in 1838, and his widow survived him until 1884. She is buried at the William Penn cemetery at Somerton, and he at Byberry. Allen was five years old when he removed to Bucks county. He removed to Byberry upon the death of his father, and when 21 years old removed to where he now lives. He received his education in the common schools in the winter, working on the farm in the summer, and attended a private school one winter. He was married in January, 1849, to Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph K. and Mary H. Harding, of Noretown, Montgomery county. She died in the fall of 1868. They had seven children, of whom one, Annie, is deceased. Those living are: Ruth, Aaron, Albert, Julia, wife of Charles S. Atkinson; H. Ellis, and Frank C. Mr. Tomlinson married his present wife in 1870. Her name was Rebecca Hawkins, a native of Montgomery county. Mr. Tomlinson has been director of the public schools, and held other public offices of trust in the township. He is now superintending the grading and making of the Feasterville and Holland turnpike road. He is a republican politically.

JESSE B. TWINING, retired, P.O. Richboro, was born in Northampton township, September 25, 1817, his parents being Jacob and Priscilla (Buckman) Twining. Jacob Twining was born in Wrightstown township, but on the death of his father he moved to Northampton township. The mother of our subject was born in Falls township. Both are buried at the Friends’ burying-ground at Wrightstown. Jesse B. was reared in Northampton township, but when 15 years old went to Newtown to learn tailoring. He followed that business at intervals until 1841, when he entered a store at Penn’s Park as clerk, and remained there one year. One year after quitting this employ he, in connection with William McDowell, entered into the mercantile business at Wrightstown, which continued for six years, when Mr. Twining was married, and soon removed to the farm, which he had bought three years before. Farm life was suited to his tastes, and he followed agricultural pursuits until 1886. He now rents out the land, though he and his wife reside on the place. He was married in 1848 to Hannah, daughter of Charles and Sarah (Buckman) Beans, of Lower Makefield township. Mr. and Mrs. Twining were the parents of six children, of whom three are living: Sarah, wife of William Smith, lives in Northampton township; Jacob, farming in Newtown township; and Albert C., married to Margaret W. Hoagland, lives at Asbury Park, N.J., where he is cashier of the First National bank. Mr. and Mrs. Twining are Orthodox Friends, and members of the Buckingham meeting. Mr. Twining was for six years a school director in Northampton, and secretary of the board. He is president of the Girard Avenue Farmers’ Market company, Ninth and Girard avenue, Philadelphia, which has a capital stock of $175,000, and which was built at an expense of $262,000.

ISAAC VAN HORN, retired, P.O. Richboro, was born in Northampton township, Bucks county, May 2, 1813, his parents being Abraham and Susan (Ruckman) Van Horn. His maternal ancestors were Welsh and Scotch-Irish, and his paternal ancestors were Low Dutch and English. Abraham Van Horn, great-grandfather of Isaac, came to Northampton township in 1720, and located in the lower end of it, the place now being owned by Mrs. Paul. He was a farmer, and is buried at the Van Horn and Feaster burying-ground. Isaac Van Horn, his son, was born in Northampton township, and died in 1831. His second wife was Mrs. Mary Betts, by whom he had eight children. She died about seventeen years before him, and they are buried in the Friends’ burying-ground at Wrightstown, both being members of the Society of Friends. Abraham Van Horn, father of our subject, was born and lived all his life in Northampton township. He married Miss Susan Ruckman, a native of Plumstead township, and they had eight children: Isaac, our subject; Mary Ann, James R., Isabella H., Sarah R., Elizabeth, Emily, and James (deceased). Mr. and Mrs. Van Horn were members of the Dutch Reformed church at Churchville, and afterward at Richboro. He died in 1869, and his wife shortly after. They are buried at the Richboro cemetery. Isaac, our subject, was reared and received his education in Northampton township, and taught school in his early life. He has made farming his business until about 1869, since which time he has lived on his land, but has not operated it himself. He was married October 1, 1835, to Miss Cynthia Craven, native of Northampton township, daughter of Thomas and Jane (Krusen) Craven. Her father died about 1867, and her mother several years later. They are buried at the Richboro cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Van Horn were the parents of four children, of whom one, Charles Krusen, is deceased. Those that are living are James, who is cashier of the Hatboro bank; Thomas C., who is in the wholesale grocery and tobacco trade in Philadelphia, in the firm of Reeves, Parvin & Co.; and Julia Ann, wife of Abraham A. Slack, who was captain of a volunteer company in the late civil war. Mr. and Mrs. Van Horn are members of the Dutch Reformed church at Richboro. He was one of the promoters of this church, of which he is a trustee. He is one of the surveyors of the Farmers and Mechanics’ Mutual Insurance association of Bucks county. He was elected recorder of deeds of Bucks county in October, 1860, and served three years. He is a republican politically.

WILL A. YERKES, machinist, P.O. Richboro, was born in Abington township, Montgomery county, on September 5, 1853, his parents being Isaac and Jane (Carr) Yerkes. On his mother’s side the family is of Irish descent. His father was a native of Montgomery county. His grandfather, Silas Yerkes, was county commissioner of Montgomery county. Will A. was but 14 years of age when the family moved to Warwick township, where he was reared to the age of 17, when he went to Trenton to learn the machinist’s trade in the Phoenix Iron works. He remained there about three years, and then went to Philadelphia and engaged with William Sellers and Co., tool manufacturers. One year later he engaged with Bement & Dougherty in the Industrial works. He came to Northampton township in 1814 and followed farming until 1886, when he engaged with Bement, Miles & Co., of Philadelphia, where he has remained since. He was married in February, 1874, to Mary Elizabeth, daughter of John Addis, Jr., and Mary Ann (Gill) Addis. Mr. Yerkes has a fine residence property in Richboro, erected in 1886.