My Genealogy Hound

FRANK WICKERSHAM, accountant for the Ellis & Lessig Steel and Iron Company of Pottstown, and a director in the company, was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, near Coatesville, on June 18, 1851. He is the son of Benjamin F, and Rebecca F. (Lloyd) Wickersham.

Benjamin F. Wickersham (father) was a miller in Chester county, engaging in business for the greater part of the time near Coatesville. In 1880 he removed to Pottstown and died there. His wife died in 1902. They belonged to families who were members of the Society of Friends. He was a justice of the peace, and held various local offices.

The paternal grandfather of Frank Wickersham was a farmer in Chester county, and a descendant of Thomas Wickersham, who came from Bolney, in Sussex, England, 1700, bringing a certificate from the Monthly Meeting held at Horsham, that county, 7, 11, 1700. This ancient document is now in the possession of Caleb P. Wickersham, of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.

The grandfather of Frank Wickersham died at an advanced age in Chester county. He had a small family: Charles Lloyd (maternal grandfather) was also a farmer in Chester county, and died at an advanced age.

Frank Wickersham grew to manhood in Chester county, living on the farm until he was fifteen years old and attending the district schools and the academy. He then took a position in the iron mills of Huston & Penrose at Coatesville, as bookkeeper and clerk, where he remained until 1875, when he removed to Pottsown. He was employed with the Pottstown Iron Company until 1884, and then assisted in organizing the Ellis & Lessig Steel and Iron Company.

April 17, 1873, Frank Wickersham married Miss Mary J. Jefferis, daughter of Milton and Susan J. (Hamill) Jefferis. They had three children as follows: Edwin, married Miss Florence Nagle, and they have one daughter, Etta. Edwin Wickersham is a florist in Pottstown. H. Rawlins, married Miss Mary M. Neiman. H. Rawlins Wickersham is an electrical engineer in Pittsburg. Donald died in infancy. Mrs. Wickersham is a member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Wickersham is an independent Republican in politics.

Milton and Susan J. (Hamill) Jefferis were natives of Chester county, where he was a farmer. They had two sons and two daughters, Mary J. (Mrs. Wickersham), being the only one now living. Milton Jefferis did about 1864, aged thirty-one years. His wife survived until 1871, when she died at the age of forty years. He was a Friend, and she a Presbyterian.

Mrs. Wickersham on the paternal side is a lineal descendant of Joel Baily, a prominent Friend and land owner, who came from Wiltshire, England, and in 1687 married Ann Short, who is believed to have accompanied her uncle, Isaac Ingram, a passenger on the “Welcome” with William Penn in 1682. Ingram made his will on board the “Welcome” and left his property to the children of his deceased sister, Miriam Short, of whom Ann was one. Robert Jefferis, another ancestor, came from Wiltshire, England, in 1685, and married Jane Chandler a few years later; he settled on the Brandywine at what has been known as Jefferis’s Ford, where the British crossed toward Birmingham. Sir William Howe compelled Emmor Jefferis, a grandson of Robert, to go as guide to Birmingham meeting house. On the maternal side Mrs. Wickersham is a lineal descendant of Israel Hamill, who married Mary Scott, daughter of James and Hannah (Allison) Scott, of Scotch descent.