My Genealogy Hound

FREDERICK C. PRIZER is a descendant of an old Montgomery county family, and was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, March 10, 1854. He was reared on a farm and attended the common schools and Ursinus College. His parents were Josiah and Sarah (Culp) Prizer, both natives of Montgomery county, where they were married.

Josiah Prizer (father) was a stone mason by trade, and followed this occupation during the first part of his life. He afterwards became a farmer. He married in 1847, and four years later removed to Chester county, where he spent three years on a farm. He then returned to Montgomery county and bought a farm near Collegeville, where he lived until his death, August 1, 1887, at the age of sixty-two years. He gave all his attention to his farm, doing general farming and raising stock. He was a self-made man, and he and his wife saved a competency for old age. In politics he was a Whig and a Republican, but filled only township offices. He was a member of the Episcopal church. Their children were: William, who lived on his father’s farm and died March 24, 1904; Frederick C., Emma, died at the age of seven years; Sarah J., died at the age of five years; Horace J., died at the age of eighteen months. Mrs. Josiah Prizer lives with her son, Frederick C., at Collegeville. She is an Episcopalian in religious faith.

John Prizer (grandfather) and Margaret (Place) Prizer, his wife, were born in Montgomery county. He was a stone mason by trade, but lived on a farm all his life. In religious faith he was an Episcopalian, but the family were not all members of that church. Their children were: Henry, highly educated, and a teacher in the first college of Trappe, Washington Hall Seminary; Frederick, a stone mason; Benjamin, a miller by trade; Anna (Mrs. James Koons); William, a stone mason; Levi, a miller; Elizabeth (Mrs. Buzzard); Isaac, a miller; Josiah (father).

Martin Culp (maternal grandfather) and his wife Esther (Essick) Culp were born in Montgomery county. He was reared in the same county and learned the trade of miller, but later became a farmer. He was a prosperous man at the time of his death. He was a member of the Lutheran church. Their children were: Sarah (mother), born at Collegeville, April 22, 1825; Jacob (deceased); Rachael (deceased); John (deceased); David, lives at Collegeville; Elmira, (deceased). Henry Culp (great-grandfather) was a native of Montgomery county. His father came from Germany and was a distiller and farmer. He also spent his life on a farm. The family were divided in religion, being Presbyterians, Baptists and Mennonites. The children of Henry Culp (great-grandfather) were as follows: David, Jacob, John, Henry, Martin (grandfather); Nancy (Mrs. Gotwals); Hetty (Mrs. Barton); Elizabeth (Mrs. Ruse). The paternal great-grandfather of Frederick C. Prizer was a native of Wales, and was an early settler in Montgomery county, being a farmer. His children were: Isaac, Peter, John (grandfather). He was an Episcopalian.

Frederick C. Prizer assisted his father on the farm and attended school until he had reached maturity. He then bought a small farm and started as a florist, gardener and fruit cultivator. December 5, 1889, he married, and has remained at his first place of business until the present time. He has been very successful and does a large business. He takes an active interest in the Republican party and worked diligently for its interests. The borough of Collegeville was organized in 1896, and he was elected constable and tax collector. He is still constable, but does not desire public office, as his attention is occupied by business. Both he and his wife are members of the Reformed church of Collegeville.

Frederick C. Prizer married Miss Mary Culbert, born in Philadelphia, March 6, 1856. She is the daughter of John and Eliza (Bell) Culbert. Both of her parents came from the northern part of Ireland, but were of Scotch parentage. Both came to America when young, being unknown to each other, and both settled in Philadelphia, where they afterwards married.

John Culbert was born in Ireland, and both of his parents died before he was grown. His father was a travelling salesman and a well-to-do business man, but little is known of the history of the family. John Culbert left his native land when fourteen years of age, and soon after landing in America found employment as a farm hand. Later he learned the trade of a weaver, which he followed for many years. He at first used hand power in the manufacture of cloth, but afterwards extended his business and used steam power. He continued in business successfully until the panic of 1857, which disturbed so may branches of business and almost destroyed his. He found employment in other business and soon retired from active life. The family kept together, and he spent his last days in comfort, his death occurring in 1873, when he was sixty- seven years of age. His wife died in 1867. Both were members of the Presbyterian church.

The children of John and Eliza (Bell) Culbert were: Elizabeth (Mrs. Dr. J. C. Williams); Joseph W., postmaster of Collegeville; John, died unmarried; Jane (Mrs. Joseph Heppenstall); Anna (Mrs. James H. Chestnut); Mary (Mrs. Frederick C. Prizer); Charles, a farmer; and Catherine B., deceased.

John Bell, the maternal grandfather of Mrs. Prizer, was a weaver by trade, and followed this occupation after arriving in Philadelphia where he and his wife died. They were strict Scotch Presbyterians. Their children came to America, and they joined them several years later. Their children were: Joseph, William, James, Jane, died unmarried; John, Kate, still unmarried, and Elizabeth, the mother of Mrs. Prizer.

Frederick C. and Mary (Culbert) Prizer had the following children: Horace J., born January 5, 1891, and died February 1, 1891; Anna C., born March 21, 1893, is attending school.