My Genealogy Hound

FRANK WESLEY DUFFIELD, born at Jenkintown, September 25, 1861, is one of a family of twelve children, of Christian Bosbyshell and Mary Jane (Williams) Duffield, the latter a daughter of Richard and Maria (Castner) Williams.

Christian B. Duffield (father) was a farmer at Jenkintown. When Frank W. Duffield was four years of age he removed to Southamptonville, in Bucks county, where they lived for a short time, operating his brother’s farm. Their next move was to the farm of General W. H. David, at Davisville, Bucks county.

Frank W. Duffield attended the public schools until his thirteenth year, when he commenced to do all kinds of farm work and remained at this laborious occupation until his twenty-second year, when he took upon himself the responsibilities and duties of married life. He married Ellen, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Conard) Walton, on December 27, 1883. Mrs. Duffield was born July 30, 1855. Their children: Joseph Walton, who was born May 22, 1885, attended the George School; Eugene Miller, who was born March 22, 1887, and attended the Friends’ School at Plymouth Meeting; Mary Elizabeth, born July 12, 1890; and Grace Ola, born November 28, 1892, at Plymouth Meeting.

Frank W. Duffield is a Republican in politics. He has never held office but is actively interested in the success of the party’s principles and candidates.

In religious faith the Duffield family in former generations were members of the Methodist church, both the father and grandfather being attached to that denomination, but Mr. Duffield attends Plymouth Friends’ Meeting, of which his wife and her family are members.

Mr. Duffield operates his farm for general purposes combined with dairying. It is stocked with twelve head of cattle and five horses. He is one of the most successful farmers of the township, giving strict attention to keeping his farm in order and producing abundant crops of hay, grain and other articles.

Christian Duffield (father) was the son of George Duffield. George Duffield (grandfather) was the son of Jacob Duffield, who emigrated from England and settled near Bustleton, about 1750, and followed the occupation of farming.

The children of Christian and Mary Jane (Williams) Duffield were: Richard Edwin married Cecelia Shelmire, they having two children and residing at the old Conard property in Whitpain township, on the Chestnut Hill road; John Ellwood married Clara Engle, of Moreland township, they having four children and residing on the Chalkley Steyer farm, in Whitpain township; one died in infancy; Ellen married Harvey Fesmire, of Moreland township, and had seven children, he being deceased and his widow residing at Davisville, Bucks county; Harvey Alfred married Anna Hallman who is a widow with one child; Frank Wesley, subject of this sketch; Frederick Bickley married Addie Hurlock, having two children and residing at Belfry on the Stony Creek Railroad; Harriet Ida, one of twins, married Thomas H. Fetter and has one child, they residing in Hatboro; Daniel Jeanes married and has one child, residing in Philadelphia; Flora Louisa, born October 8, 1875, unmarried and resides in Philadelphia.