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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.

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JACOB SHADE, a well-known citizen of Royersford, was born in Upper Providence township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, October 5, 1827. He was reared on the farm, attending subscription schools, but owing to the need for his services at home, his educational advantages were comparatively limited. He was the son of Jacob and Mary (Shunk) Shade, both of Montgomery county. The last-named Jacob Shade was the son of another Jacob Shade, who married a Miss Buck, also of an old Montgomery county family. Both families were mostly farmers and both are of German descent, but there have been a half-dozen generations in Pennsylvania. Jacob Shade was a member of the Reformed church. His children were: Henry, Daniel, Jacob (father), Elizabeth, Christina, and Catharine, who died unmarried; and Margaret (Mrs. B. Place).

Jacob Shade (father), after his marriage, engaged in farming in Upper Providence township. Later he removed to Limerick, where he spent one year and then returned to Upper Providence. He again went back to Limerick, and engaged in farming near the locality where Royersford now stands. He died in 1829. He was a member of the Reformed church. His wife survived him, and married Benedict Garber, a blacksmith, who at first located in Upper Providence township, but in 1834 removed to Limerick, where he worked at his trade a number of years. In 1848 he retired from active labor and lived for a time in Philadelphia, but later went back to Royersford and built a home, where he died, and his wife died in 1871 or 1872. The children were: Francis, a blacksmith; and Martha (Mrs. Evan Lewis).

Jacob Shade’s children were: Abel, who died at the age of thirty-two; Jeriah, a Reformed minister; Henrietta (Mrs. F. Isett); Charlotte (Mrs. Peter Cramer), both died in Philadelphia; Daniel, a wheelwright first and later a physician; and Jacob, mentioned hereinafter, who is the only member of the family now living.

Jacob Shade was only about eighteen months old at the time of his father’s death. His mother cared for him, although others of the children were scattered, as she married again. Jacob grew up with his step-father, and learned the trade of blacksmithing, remaining under the parental roof until the retirement of his step-father, when he married and continued the blacksmithing business at the shop near Limerick church. He remained a dozen years, or until 1860, when he removed to a location near Linfield, conducting business there until the year 1901, when he retired and settled in Royersford. He bought a handsome residence where he now lives, enjoying himself as best he can. He still retains the shop and six acres of land near Linfield. During his early days when he and his step-father worked together at the blacksmith business, a different state of things prevailed from that of later times. Honesty and fair dealing were the rule in almost every community, and all were striving to make an honest, even though it might not be a luxurious living. Mr. Shade was an active Democrat. He was well informed upon all subjects of general interest. He took a hand in working for party success, and was everywhere regarded as an influential citizen. As the result of his activity in politics, he received the nomination of his party at one time for recorder of deeds of Montgomery county, but his party was in the minority that year, and his Republican competitor was elected to the position. He was only defeated, however, by a small majority. He served as township auditor and in other minor offices. He was recognized as an effective campaign worker, who was always willing to do his share towards securing party successes.

In 1851, he married Miss Mary A. Major, who was born in Limerick township, August 10, 1827, being a daughter of Jacob and Mary M. (Schwenk) Major. Jacob Major was the son of John Major, while John’s father was Jacob Major, who came from Wales to this country during colonial days and settled in Montgomery county, emigrating along with the Evans family and others who settled in Limerick and adjoining townships. The Majors were mostly farmers. John Major was a leading Democrat. He filled several township offices, including constable and tax collector. His children were: Jacob, William, John, George and Hannah (Mrs. Daniel Miller). Jacob Major was reared in farm pursuits and learned also the shoemaker’s trade. He died in Limerick in 1851. His wife survived him seventeen years, dying in 1868. She was the daughter of Matthias Schwenk, a tailor, who was of German descent, and a member of the Lutheran church. He had only one child-Mary Magdalene, mother of Mrs. Shade.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Major were: Matthias, John, Louisa, Mary A. (wife of Jacob Shade), Elizabeth, David Enos and Catharine.

The children of Jacob and Mary A. Shade were: Charlotte (Mrs. William Saylor), John M., Zephanian, Samuel, a stove mounter, Jacob A., Catharine (Mrs. Charles Hetrick), who died in 1891, leaving two children; Mary E. (Mrs. Daniel Shelcup); Harriet, unmarried; Frederick I., who is employed at the Royersford Water Works; and Charles M., who learned the trade of a blacksmith, but later engaged in the life insurance business. Of these children, Jacob A. died when he was twenty-two years of age.

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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

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