My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM DEHAVEN. The DeHaven family are among the oldest in Eastern Pennsylvania. Jonathan (grandfather of William DeHaven) was a native of Chester county, being of a branch of the family which has long resided in East Coventry township. He was educated in the schools near his home in Chester county, being employed in the intervals of school study in the occupation of farming. He learned the trade of coachmaking, which he followed for many years, removing to Trappe, in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. He was a Whig in politics. He was a thorough master of coachmaking, and was very successful in business.

Among the children of Jonathan DeHaven was Valentine DeHaven, who was born at Trappe, on the homestead. He was educated in the public schools, and later learned the trade of wheelwright, which he followed all his life, removing to East Coventry township in Chester county. In politics he was an active Whig and Republican, and was deeply interested in all that concerned the welfare of his community, but he never sought or held office. He married Miss Mary Smith, of Montgomery county, who is also now deceased. They had the following children: Margaret A., Dorinda, Jonathan and William, the subject of this sketch.

Hon. William DeHaven was born in East Coventry township, Chester county, January 17, 1839. He obtained a common school education, and on leaving school learned the coachmaking trade, which he followed until 1862, when the rebellion having broken out, he patriotically enlisted in the service of his country, becoming a member of the One Hundred and Sixteenth Pennsylvania Volunteers. He remained in the United States service until the close of the war in 1865, when he was discharged, having participated in many important actions. On his return from the army Mr. DeHaven went to his home in Chester county, where he was employed at his businesss of coachmaking for some time. Later he went to Philadelphia, where he purchased a business already established, remaining there for several years. In 1880 he removed to his present home at Linfield, in Limerick township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, where he obtained employment in the Brownback Stove Works. He remained in that establishment until 1880, when he was appointed postmaster by President Garfield, and has held that position from that time to the present, except that he was removed during the Cleveland administration. He was, however, reappointed on the accession of President McKinley and the Republican party to power in 1897. Mr. DeHaven is an earnest Republican in politics. He has been a worker for the party from the time he became a voter. He became a candidate on the party ticket for the office of member of the house of representatives at Harrisburg in the election of 1900, and was elected. He was one of the most useful members of the legislature in the session of 1901, being a member of several important committees. He did not press his claims for renomination in 1902. He became a candidate before the Republican county convention of 1904, and was nominated. He is an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and of the Masonic Order. He and his wife are members of the Reformed church.

Mr. DeHaven married, in 1866, Miss Sarah, daughter of Archibald Towers, of Chester county, Pennsylvania. They have no children. Mrs. DeHaven is at present in charge of the post office at Linfield.