My Genealogy Hound

MISS AMANDA STOUT. The Stout family are old settlers in the lower end of Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. Three brothers are said to have come to America together, namely: Jacob, Christian and Hosea. They were natives of Germany, and came from one of the Rhine provinces. Christian went south and prospered, rearing a large family. Hosea settled in the state of New Jersey, and became the ancestor of a numerous family. Jacob settled in Upper Dublin township, in what is now Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, and it is from him that the Stout family in this country originated. He was a farmer by occupation. He married and reared a family. One of his children was Peter, great-grandfather of Miss Amanda Stout. He also became a farmer, adding to that occupation the business of a drover, in which he was very successful. He married and reared a number of children. One of his sons was George, who was born on the homestead in Upper Dublin township. He was educated in the schools of the vicinity, and followed the business of farming throughout his life. The father of Peter Stout of this review married Hannah Rapine, of a family long resident in this vicinity of Barren Hill, also in Montgomery county. The couple had the following children, all of whom are now deceased: John, Agnes, George, Caleb and Peter, second cousin of the subject of this sketch.

Peter Stout was born on the Upper Dublin homestead, April 1, 1826, the farm being located in three townships, Cheltenham, Springfield and upper Dublin, and being known as “Edge Hill,” from the chain of elevations so named in the lower part of Montgomery county. He was educated in the public schools, and on leaving school learned the trade of stone mason, which he followed for a number of years, and then turned his attention to farming, which occupied him until his retirement from active labors a few years before his death. He died August 25, 1900, in Springfield township, to which he had removed and purchased a farm in 1868.

In politics Mr. Stout was an active Democrat, and kept close to his party affiliations, esteeming it a virtue to hold fast under all circumstances to his political principles. He served as assessor of the township for the remarkably long period of twenty-one years, and his records of valuations were never called in question by property owners, he being a man of good judgment and of sterling honesty. He was kind and considerate to those around him, and was highly esteemed for his excellent qualities. Enjoying the confidence of his friends and neighbors, they still delight in recalling his many admirable traits of character, his friendliness toward all with whom he came in contact, and his devotion to the interests of the community in which he was so valued a member. Fraternally Mr. Stout was a member of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics. He attended the Reformed church at Flourtown.

Mr. Stout never married, but had as his house-keeper and companion Miss Amanda Stout, a second cousin. He left to her at his death the bulk of his property, and she resides on the Springfield homestead. Miss Stout is a person of rare womanly qualities, an excellent manager, and enjoys the confidence and esteem of all who know her.