My Genealogy Hound

J. WELLINGTON GODSHALK. The founder of the American branch of the Godshalk family, represented in the present generation by J. Wellington Godshalk, an enterprising business man and an esteemed citizen of Towamencin township, was Garrett Godshalk (great-grandfather), who was one of the pioneer settlers of Towamencin township, Montgomery county, clearing up a tract of land which he later cultivated and resided on. Although of foreign birth, a native of Germany, he took an active interest in the affairs of his adopted country, to which he ever remained loyal and true. He believed in the doctrines of the Mennonite church, and contributed liberally toward the erection of the first church of that faith in Montgomery county. By his marriage he became the father of a number of children.

Garrett Godshalk, Jr. (grandfather) was born on the homestead in Towamencin township. After completing a common school education he took up farming, which line of work he pursued throughout the active years of his career. In connection with this he was a minister of the Mennonite church. He was a man of honorable, upright principles, and in every relation of life performed his duty faithfully and well. His political affiliations were with the Democratic party. He married Annie Fry, a native of Towamencin township, who bore him the following named children: William, Jonas, Mary, Margaret, Barbara and Daniel.

Daniel Godshalk (father) was born on the old homestead in Towamencin township, in 1817. He was indebted to the common schools of the neighborhood for his education, and on attaining the years when it was incumbent upon him to earn his own livelihood took up milling, which he followed throughout his lifetime. He was a practical, thoroughgoing man of business, and his reliable methods brought to him a large degree of success. He gave his support to the candidates and measures of the Republican party, to which great organization he gave his allegiance upon attaining his majority. By his marriage to Miss Angeline Weaver, deceased, a daughter of a prominent farmer of Towamencin township, the following named children were born: Emma, wife of Newton Johnson; and J. Wellington, mentioned at length hereinafter. Daniel Godshalk (father) died in 1897.

J. Wellington Godshalk was born in Worcester township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, May 11, 1864. His mother died when he was eleven years of age, and therefore his educational advantages were exceedingly limited, as he left school at that time. He then went on the farm with his uncle, assisting in the work to the best of his ability, and remained there until he was sixteen years old. He then served an apprenticeship at the trade of carpenter, becoming a proficient and expert mechanic, and this calling he has followed ever since in Towamencin township, where he now resides, and to which he removed in the early part of his business career. He has erected a large number of houses in various other townships besides the one he resides in, all of which reflect great credit on his ability and skill. He uses nothing but the best material in the construction of his houses, is careful and painstaking in his labor, even down to the minutest details, and in this way has won and retained an enviable reputation along the line of his calling. He is a Republican in politics, and has been the incumbent of several minor township offices. He is an active member of the Order of Eagles.

Mr. Godshalk was united in marriage, in 1896, to Drusilla Lukens, a daughter of Enos Lukens, a farmer of Towamencin township, and his wife Annie (DeHaven) Lukens. Their children are: Ernest, born in 1896; and Ralph, born in 1899. Mr. Godshalk and the members of his family attend the services of the Reformed church.