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Below is a family biography included in the Biographical Annals of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania published in 1904 by T. S. Benham & Company and The Lewis Publishing Company; Elwood Roberts, Editor.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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JOSEPH J. DERHAM, a successful and leading manufacturer of Rosemont, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, as well as one of its most progressive and enterprising citizens, was born in county Galway, Ireland, March 18, 1863, a son of Patrick and Ellen (Gilchrist) Derham.

Being left an orphan at a very early age and therefore largely dependent upon his own resources, the educational advantages enjoyed by Joseph J. Derham were limited to the schools of the neighborhood. He was reared to the early years of manhood in the vicinity of his birthplace, and, being desirous of achieving success in his active career and believing that the United States afforded better opportunities for young men, he emigrated to this country, landing at Boston on May 12, 1880. He had begun his apprenticeship to the carriage-maker’s trade in his native country, and continued his trade in Philadelphia. In 1884, he began business on his own account at Rosemont, Pennsylvania. Beginning with a very limited capital, by indefatigable energy and wonderful perseverance he succeeded in building up one of the leading enterprises of Rosmont, where his name has become recognized as synonymous with honorable and straightforward business methods. In addition to his extensive plant and warerooms at Rosemont, Mr. Derham has established branch works and ware-rooms at Nos. 2047-49 Vine street, Philadelphia. Both these establishments furnish employment for upwards of seventy-five skilled mechanics and laborers, and thus it will be seen that Mr. Derham has by his thrift and enterprise not only benefited himself, but has also materially added to the progress and advancement of the communities in which his establishments are located. Politically Mr. Derham is a staunch supporter of the principles of the Republican party.

Joseph J. Derham was married January 28, 1892, to Christina Hart, who was born November 3, 1868, in West Philadelphia, a daughter of James and Bridget Hart. Six children were the issue of this marriage: James P., born December 7, 1892; Joseph J., Jr., born August 31, 1894; Philip A., born January 17, 1897; Ferdinand, born November 4, 1898, died February 23, 1901; John, born October 24, 1900; and Enos, born January 3, 1902. Mr. Derham and his family are consistent members of the St. Thomas Roman Catholic church at Villa Nova, Pennsylvania.

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This family biography is one of more than 1,000 biographies included in the Biographical Annals of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania published in 1904 by T. S. Benham & Company and The Lewis Publishing Company.  For the complete description, click here: Biographical Annals of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania

View additional Montgomery County, Pennsylvania family biographies here: Montgomery County, Pennsylvania Biographies

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