My Genealogy Hound

CHARLES HASSELL DUFFIELD, son of Edwin F. and Eliza A. (Musselman) Duffield, is a native of Frankford, in Philadelphia county, Pennsylvania, where he was born May 31, 1857.

The Duffield family are of English origin. Robert Duffield when he was seventy-one years of age, in 1682, with his daughter Mary and son- in-law, Allen Foster, came to America and settled at Burlington, New Jersey. In 1683 the real founder of the family in the United States, Benjamin Duffield, son of Robert, came to Burlington, and very soon afterwards removed to Pennsylvania. He owned a plantation called Benfield, located at Byberry, in Philadelphia county. The great-grandfather of Charles H. Duffield, Abraham Duffield, was an officer in the cavalry, and participated in the Revolutionary war. He was the owner of the old Swedes’ mill, at Frankford, which property was in the hands of the family until 1900. He married Mary Wilmerton, and had one child, Thomas, who was a major in the regiment commanded by Colonel Provost, and served in the War of 1812, being subsequently promoted to colonel. He married Mary Hassell. Their children were: Ann, Abraham, William, Charles, Colonel Thomas W., Jr., Louise, Edwin F., father of the subject of this sketch; Julia, Washington, and Harry, all now deceased.

Edwin F. Duffield was born on the homestead and spent his entire life in Frankford. He lived in retirement the latter part of his life. He married Eliza A. Musselman. The couple had the following children: William and Julia, both died in infancy; Kate, wife of Frank S. Rowland, of Frankford, Pennsylvania; Louisa died in early womanhood, and Charles H., subject of this sketch.

Charles H. Duffield acquired his education in the public schools of Frankford. After leaving school he served two years in the engineering department of the United States navy. He then engaged in the printing business successfully for several years on Market street, in the city of Philadelphia. Removing to Virginia, he was after a short residence in that state elected an alderman. He resided there five years, and then returned to Pennsylvania. Since that time he has been engaged in the manufacture and sale of soda water fountains. Mr. Duffield is a thoroughly progressive and energetic citizen, favoring all measures that are calculated to promote the welfare of the community in which he lives. He is an active worker in the Republican party, and has frequently been a delegate to its county and state conventions. It is partly through his instrumentality that Montgomery township has made so much progress in the work of road improvement. Mr. Duffield is a vestryman of Holy Trinity Protestant Episcopal church of Lansdale.

Mr. Duffield married, November 21, 1881, Martha G., daughter of Daniel and Emma (Taylor) Steinmetz. Mr. and Mrs. Duffield have had three children, all of whom died young. The residence of Mr. Duffield is situated on the Bethlehem turnpike, near Calmar, and is one of the handsomest in the vicinity, being surrounded with a beautiful lawn dotted with shrubbery, making it an ideal home. The well kept grounds and the neat appearance of the outbuildings and other surroundings are an indication of thrift and prosperity. Since purchasing the property Mr. Duffield has thoroughly remodeled the dwelling, and beautified the exterior as well as the interior. It is equipped with all desirable modern improvements, and has all the comforts of a city home.