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Below is a family biography included in the Biographical Annals of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania published in 1904 by T. S. Benham & Company and The Lewis Publishing Company; Elwood Roberts, Editor.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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ABRAHAM THEOPHILUS CLAYTON, the leading pharmacist of Cheltenham township, in Montgomery county, his place of business being located in Ogontz, is a native of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, where he was born January 15, 1862, being the son of Jehu (deceased) and Christianna (Harris) Clayton.

The Clayton family are among the oldest in Bucks county. Jonathan Clayton was the earliest of the family to settle in that locality. He married Elizabeth Evans, their son Richard Evans Clayton being the grandfather of Abraham T. Clayton. Richard E. Clayton, grandfather, married Elizabeth Delve, daughter of Elias Delve, of Philadelphia, the family being of French ancestry. The children of Richard E. and Elizabeth (Delve) Clayton were: Rosanna, married Benjamin Hillborn (deceased); George S., married Annie Wipert; Richard E., married Emma Bayley; Jehu; Frank, who died in defense of his country during the war for the Union, while he was confined in Andersonville prison; Joel, died in 1868, unmarried; Elizabeth, wife of Andrew Roberts; Levin, married Mary Fetters; Mary Ann, deceased. Richard Clayton died in 18-. His widow, Elizabeth Delve Clayton, died June 16, 1893, at the advanced age of eighty-five years.

The children of Jehu and Christianna Harris Clayton: Abraham T., subject of this sketch; Ella Lizzie, wife of Maurice P. Horner, they having four daughters, Anna, Edith, Laura, Mildred, and one son who died in infancy; Anna Mary, died in infancy. By a previous marriage of Mrs. Clayton with Mr. Town, she had one daughter, Mrs. Levina Prince.

Abraham T. Clayton acquired his elementary education in the public schools of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and completed it in the public schools of Philadelphia. He studied pharmacy in the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, graduating March 15, 1884. He soon afterwards engaged in business in Ogontz, and has ever since efficiently conducted the only drug store in the town.
Mr. Clayton married at Frankford, Pennsylvania, November 30, 1887, Anna F. Shallcross. They have had the following children: Ella May, born January 12, 1889; Abraham T., Jr., born October 17, 1890; Lottie Christine, born July 10, 1894. Mr. Clayton is a member of the school board of Cheltenham township. Fraternally he affiliates with Friendship Lodge No. 400, of Jenkintown, Free and Accepted Masons; Abington Chapter, No. 245, Royal Arch Masons, of Jenkintown; Philadelphia Consistory, thirty-second degree, A. A. S. R.; St. John’s Commandery, No. 4, Knights Templar: Abington Lodge, No. 388, Knights of Pythias, Ogontz; Shekinah Castle So. 26, Knights of the Golden Eagle, Ogontz; Martha Washington Council, Junior Order United American Mechanics, and Jenkintown Council, Royal Arcanum. In politics Mr. Clayton is an active worker in the ranks of the Republican party, and he has been a delegate on frequent occasions to party conventions. Mr. Clayton and his family attend St. Paul’s Episcopal church at Ogontz.

The Harris family, maternal ancestors of Mr. Clayton, are old settlers of Bustleton, above Frankford, in Philadelphia. The grandparents were Theophilus and Eleanor, who passed their entire lives in Bucks county, Pennsylvania. The great-great-grandfather, also named Theophilus, was an eminent Baptist minister, and presented the Baptist church to the congregation in Bustleton. The Harris family owned large tracts of land in the vicinity, and gave the land used for the burial ground. The Harris family are supposed to be of Welsh ancestry, and settled in Bustleton at a very early date. The children of Theophilus and Eleanor Harris: Mary, wife of John B. Heritage; Theophilus, married Miss Fletcher, now deceased; Christianna, (Mrs. Clayton); Ellen and Thomas, twins, Ellen being the wife of George W. Heritage.

Benjamin Shallcross, father of Mrs. Clayton, is a member of an old family in Frankford and vicinity. He was the son of Leonard and Eliza (Langcake) Shallcross, natives of Frankford, Pennsylvania. Benjamin Shallcross married Frances Corson, daughter of Benjamin and Mary (Scull) Corson. Benjamin and Mary Shallcross’ children: John, married Lucy W. Cottman, and have one child, John Burton; Leonard Chapman, married Annie Cripps, and they have three children, Howard, Ethel and Elizabeth; Lizzie May, married Charles Ford; Mrs. Clayton; Alma F.; Sarah Chapman, wife of Clarence E. Hammond, their children being Clarence and Helen (died in infancy); Lettie M., wife of Lincoln Cartledge, their children being Lincoln, Jr., and Charlotte; Catharine Finn, wife of Paul Craig, their children being Helen and Catharine.

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This family biography is one of more than 1,000 biographies included in the Biographical Annals of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania published in 1904 by T. S. Benham & Company and The Lewis Publishing Company.  For the complete description, click here: Biographical Annals of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania

View additional Montgomery County, Pennsylvania family biographies here: Montgomery County, Pennsylvania Biographies

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