My Genealogy Hound

JUDGE JOHN WILDMAN, who was prominent in public affairs and business circles in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, came of English ancestry. The progenitor of the family in America was Martin Wildman, who in 1693 left his home in Yorkshire, England, crossed the Atlantic to America and settled in Middletown township, Bucks county, Pennsylvania. He was accompanied by his wife, Ann, and their six children. They held membership with the Society of Friends, and brought their certificate of membership from the monthly meeting of Settle, Yorkshire, England. Their children were as follows: Mathew, born November 12, 1678; John, born February 22, 1681; Joseph, January 23, 1683; James, January 20, 1685; Alice, February 6, 1687; Elizabeth, September 9, 1689.

Joseph Wildman (2), son of the progenitor and the great-grandfather of John Wildman, followed agricultural pursuits in Bucks county. John Wildman (3), son of Joseph Wildman, was born in Middletown, July 8, 1732, and he was also identified with farming interests in Bucks county during the pioneer epoch in its history. John Wildman (4), born March 28, 1771, in Bucks county, removed to Bensalem township in 1817, and throughout his entire life carried on agricultural pursuits, meeting with good success. He wedded Mary Knight, also a native of Bucks county, and had a family of twelve children, ten of whom reached adult age. His death occurred in 1842.

Judge John Wildman (5), the seventh member of the family of John and Mary Wildman, was born in Middletown township, Bucks county, February 10, 1813, and was reared to agricultural pursuits. His early education, acquired in the district schools, was supplemented by study in the Friends’ school in Byberry, Philadelphia. He, too, became a farmer, and in 1840 purchased a tract of land in Middletown township, in which he made his home through the succeeding decade. Then selling his property he removed to Attleboro, in Langhorne. He became agent for the Mutual Beneficial Insurance Association of Bucks county, long acting in that capacity, and for several years he was its treasurer. In 1850 he was elected a director, and appointed agent of the Bucks County Contribution, the oldest insurance company in the county, and continued to represent both companies as agent. He was at one time the only surviving member of the board as it stood when he was chosen to serve thereon. Judge Wildman also figured in financial circles, assisting in the organization of the People’s National Bank of Langhorne, at which time he was chosen its president. He gave to the bank its name, and his able management and keen business discrimination promoted in large measure the success of the institution and won for it an honorable position in financial circles. His well known business integrity as well as capability led to his selection for various positions of honor and trust. He was many times chosen executor, administrator and assignee, settling many estates and acting as guardian for several orphan children. No trust reposed in him was ever betrayed in the slightest degree.

Pre-eminently a man of affairs, Judge Wildman wielded a wide influence, manifested in public life as well as in business circles. He was a stanch Republican, and in 1865 was appointed and served an unexpired term as one of the associate judges of Bucks county. He was for three years jury commissioner, and upon the creation of the office of visiting committeeman of public charities for the county of Bucks, he was appointed to serve in that capacity, and continued therein for a considerable period. On the incorporation of Langhorne he was elected its first chief burgess. Questions affecting the general welfare were of deep concern to him, and he gave to such his earnest consideration in order that his support or disapproval thereof (as the case might be) should be for the best interests of the general community. His personal traits of character-his fidelity and friendship, his devotion to his family and his strict adherence to high manly principles-all combined to make him one of the honored and representative men of his county.

In 1841 Judge Wildman was married to Abigail Thomson, a daughter of Thomas Thomson. She was of English lineage, and her parents were members of the Society of Friends. There was one child of this marriage, Jane T., who became the wife of Joseph John Watson, and had two children, Franklin and Abigail T. Judge Wildman lost his wife in 1868, and in 1871 he wedded Sarah Ann Taylor, a daughter of Yardley Taylor, of Loudoun county, Virginia. She, too, was of English lineage, and was the widow of Abram Warner. By her first marriage she had four children: Hannah, the wife of Phineas Briggs, a farmer; Letitia, wife of S. B. Twining; William Y.; and George. The various members of the family have been identified with the Society of Friends.