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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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ALLEN BERKHIMER, son of Charles Berkhimer, was born on the farm now owned and occupied by Isaac E. Ambler, on the Bethlehem turnpike north of the borough of Ambler, on July 6, 1842. He attended what was commonly known as the Eight Square School, on the Fleck homestead farm, until he reached the age of nineteen years, in the meantime assisting his father on the farm, as is customary in rural neighborhoods. In 1847, his father, having purchased the home- stead on Bethlehem turnpike, removed to it with his family in the spring of the year. The farm contains seventy acres of highly improved rolling land. Mr. Berkhimer’s father operated it for general farming and dairy purposes, and his son was taught very thoroughly the practical business of farming by one of the most thrifty and progressive agriculturists of the township of Gwynedd.

Allen Berkhimer married, March 4, 1875, Elizabeth P., daughter of Samuel A. and Maria Posey Willett, of Ambler, after which he established himself at Penllyn, where he conducted for one year a coal yard and feed store, located on the north Pennsylvania Railroad. Selling out the coal and feed business, he leased the home farm from his father, continuing thereon as a tenant until 1881, when he succeeded his father in the possession of the farm, and has operated it as a dairy ever since, keeping ordinarily twelve head of cows, of the best stock.

The children of Allen and Elizabeth P. Berkhimer are: 1. Charles William, born April 30, 1876; he attended the Eight Square School, married April 28, 1904, Maud E., daughter of William and Lavina Whittock, of Penllyn and now resides with his wife’s parents. 2. Samuel Anderson, born August 14, 1877, attended the Eight Square School and also Peirce’s College of Business in Philadelphia, and now assists his father on the farm, being unmarried. 3. Bessie Willett, born October 25, 1879; she married, November 14, 1899, John M. Lowe, son of Jeremiah and Fannie Lowe, of Boiling Springs, Cumberland county, Pennsylvania; they reside in Philadelphia; they had two children, John Allen, born June 1, 1901, died September 22, 1904; and Samuel Raymond, born March 17, 1904. 4. Allen Willett, born September 8, 1881, is unmarried and resides in Philadelphia.

Mrs. Berkhimer died February 4, 1891. Mr. Berkhimer married (second wife) March 4, 1893, Margaret Louisa, widow of Joseph Zell, of Bustleton. Mrs. Berkhimer is the daughter of Charles and Susanna B. Wright. The children by the Zell marriage are two: Bertha Viola, born July 16, 1882; and Susanna, born August 21, 1886. Both are unmarried, and reside with Mr. and Mrs. Berkhimer.

Charles Berkhimer, father of Allen Berkhimer, was born May 2, 1809, at the Berkhimer homestead, “The Maples,” in Whitpain township, now owned and occupied by John Berkhimer. Charles Berkhimer was the son of Jacob Berkhimer, whose wife was a Rubicam. Charles Berkhimer attended a free school kept on Skippack turnpike, near Blue Bell, and assisted on his father’s farm. He married Mary Ann Fleck, born July 3, 1816, of Springhouse, and, after his marriage, settled near Ambler on a farm. His children: Mary, born September 3, 1839, married, October 1, 1863, David Dunnett, who kept a store at Springhouse for many years. They live in Philadelphia. Allen, subject of this sketch. Anna, born August 13, 1847, married Charles H. Marple, son of Daniel Marple, they having one child, Mary Ellen, born August 20, 1870, who married George W. Hartman, son of Frederick Hartman, they residing at Gwynedd station and having one child, Anna May, born April 22, 1896.

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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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