My Genealogy Hound

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.

* * * *

J. MAURICE BISBING. The Bisbing family are old residents of the vicinity of Flourtown. Jacob Bisbing, grandfather of J. Maurice Bisbing, was born in Springfield township, in that neighborhood. He was twice married, and had four children by each marriage. He was a farmer by occupation, and was much respected by the community in which he lived. He lived in Springfield when the British army marched through it during the Revolutionary war, his father’s residence being visited by the soldiers, who took the bread from the oven in which it was baked, at the point of the bayonet.

Among the children of Jacob Bisbing by his first wife was Robert, who after reaching the age at which he could be placed from home was indentured to his uncle, Robert McCurdy, residing in the same vicinity. He was educated in the neighboring schools, and, on leaving school engaged in the occupation of farming, which he followed very successfully all his life. He was a good business man, and was a valued member of his community. In politics he was a Democrat, and served as school director for many years. He felt much interest in educational progress. He married Miss Mary A. Heilig of Springfield township, both being long deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Bisbing had the following children: Robert, died young; Emma L., deceased, married Thomas May Peirce, the founder of the celebrated Peirce’s Business College, Philadelphia; Anna, Margaret, and J. Maurice, the subject of this sketch.

J. Maurice Bisbing was born in Springfield township, near what is now Laverock, December 13, 1842. He was educated in the public schools of the vicinity, and on relinquishing his school studies engaged in business on his own account, purchasing on credit, fifty-one acres from his father’s estate. In a few years, by dint of great industry and good management, he paid for it. He has since made extensive improvements. In 1888 he erected his present home, a modern and commodious house, and in 1892-93 he built the additional farm buildings upon his tract where his son now resides. Few residents of this township have as desirable homes as he. His son has erected on land adjoining a handsome residence in which he lives. Mr. Bisbing is fond of sport, and scarcely a year passes that he does not leave home on a gunning and fishing expedition, on which he spends a month or more, and derives, as he believes, great benefit from it. He married, August 19, 1867, Miss Elmira B. Roberts, born June 6, 1843, daughter of Alexander M. and Mary C. (Baumann) Roberts, of Springfield township, a farmer. The couple have the following children: Robert, born November 1, 1868, married Lucy Yeakel, and has one child, Lucy; Clara, born March 22, 1870, married Dr. Warren Funk, having one child, Mildred. Mr. Bisbing is a Democrat in politics, and has held the office of school director for many years. He is highly esteemed by all who know him. His family attend the Lutheran church.

* * * *

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

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.