My Genealogy Hound

EDWIN S. NYCE, Esq., one of the most prominent of the younger members of the Norristown bar, is the son of Samuel Edwin Nyce, of Norristown, who was for many years employed in the prothonotary’s office, either as principal or deputy prothonotary. His mother is Theresa, daughter of Jonathan Roeller. Edwin S. Nyce was born on the homestead in Frederick township, January 10, 1875. His parents removing soon afterwards to Norristown, he was educated in the public schools, graduating from the Norristown high school in the class of 1893. He then entered the Law Department of the University of Pennsylvania, taking a four years’ course. He read law with the late Edward E. Long, Esq., and was admitted to the bar of Montgomery county in 1900, and has been ever since engaged in the active practice of his profession. In 1903 he formed a partnership with John T. Wagner, the firm being Wagner & Nyce, with rooms on the second floor of the Shoemaker building, at Swede and Airy streets. Mr. Nyce married, in October, 1903, Miss Minnie, daughter of Professor William N. Lehman, principal of the Bridgeport high school and superintendent of the schools of that borough. Mr. Nyce has a good knowledge of legal practice, and is gifted with a pleasing address, and is rapidly making his way as a lawyer. In politics he is an active Republican, and has served as assistant prothonotary of the common pleas court. He is solicitor for several townships of the county, and for a number of corporations. He is a director in the West Norristown Building and Loan Association. He is a member of Charity Lodge No. 190, Free and Accepted Masons; of Norristown Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, and of Hutchinson Commandery, No. 32, Knights Templar, all of Norristown. He and his family attend the Lutheran Church of the Trinity.

Samuel E. Nyce (father) is the son of Jonathan and Rachel (Kepler) Nyce, of Frederick township. He was educated in the schools of Frederick township, and at Washington Hall Collegiate Institute, Trappe. He left school and in 1861 enlisted in the Fifth Pennsylvania Cavalry Regiment, one of the most gallant commands of the Civil war period. In this Mr. Nyce served as a private with fidelity and courage during a full three years’ term of service, participating in every battle and skirmish in which the regiment was engaged. After his honorable discharge from the army in 1864, Mr. Nyce entered into mercantile business, having large interests in tobacco. He was the proprietor of a grocery store at Marshall and Arch streets, Norristown, for several years. He was very active in Montgomery county Republican politics for many years, and represented the county in the lower house of the state legislature at the session of 1873. He was elected prothonotary in 1893 for three years and served one year more, his successor not qualifying, and then for years as deputy, his term of service in the prothonotary’s office, either as deputy or as principal, thus covering a period of twelve years. Although a Republican, he served under Democratic prothonotaries because of his acknowledged efficiency in the position. He served for several years after leaving the prothonotary’s office as vice-president and trust officer of the Albertson Trust and Safe Deposit Company, now the Penn Trust Company. Since resigning that position he has lived retired on West Main street, where he owns a handsome residence. Mr. Nyce married, in 1865, Miss Theresa Roeller, daughter of Jonathan Roeller. The couple have two children, Olivia and Edwin S., above mentioned.

Jonathan Nyce (grandfather) was born October 30, 1795; married, January 7, 1821, Rachel Kepler, daughter of Samuel and Maria Magdalena (Grimley) Kepler. Jonathan Nyce died March 4, 1864, and was buried at Bertolet’s cemetery. The widow of Jonathan Nyce lived to an advanced age. She was born in 1803. The couple had ten children. Jonathan Nyce was a tanner and farmer, inheriting these occupations from his forefathers for several generations. He was postmaster of Frederick from 1838 to 1857, his first commission being dated April 10, 1838. In politics he was a Whig, and later in life a Republican.

George Nyce (great-grandfather) was the son of George and Elizabeth (Fuhrman) Nyce. He was born February 15, 1760, and married, May 19, 1785, Elizabeth Christman; second wife, Magdalena Hollowbush, and, third wife, Mrs. Catharine Geiger. Elizabeth (Christinan) Nyce who was the ancestor of Edwin S. Nyce, among the wives of George Nyce, was the daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Shunk) Christman, of Frederick township, and granddaughter of Daniel Christman, the immigrant, who settled in the valley of Society Run. She was born February 4, 1765, and died November 20, 1803. George Nyce was buried at Bertolet’s burying ground. He died December 4, 1838.

George Nyce (great-great-grandfather) was the son of John and Mary Nyce. He was born in 1725. He succeeded his father on the homestead, but sold a portion of the land to his brother Zacharias. He was a tanner and farmer. He married (first wife) Anna Dotterer, daughter of Bernhard and Gertrude Dotterer, of New Hanover township. He married (second wife) Elizabeth Fuhrman, of Franconia. George Nyce was a man of influence in the community. In September, 1758, he was appointed commissioner of highways of Frederick township. He was also constable. He died December 5, 1789, and was buried at Bertolet’s burying ground.

John Nyce (great-great-great-grandfather) who usually wrote his name “Nice,” settled upon the 200-acre tract which lay on the western bank of Society Run, and on the southeastern side of the Frankfort Company’s land. He was one of the principal citizens of Frederick township. He made his will on February 5, 1738-9, which was proved June 22, 1743. He named as executors his wife, Mary Nyce, and Henry Antes.

Hans Nyce, spelled variously as follows:-Neues, DeNyce, Newes, Nice, Neiss, etc., was a resident of the Northern Liberties, in Philadelphia. October 20, 1720, he purchased of John Budd and Humphrey Morrey 725 acres of land to be taken up in Pennsylvania. Five hundred acres of this was in the territory afterwards erected into Frederick township. The children of Hans Nyce and his wife Jennekin were Cornelius, John, Anthony, Eleanor. He died July 19, 1736; his wife died September 11, 1762.