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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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JAMES A. COZENS, residing near Davis Grove, in Horsham township, is a native of Horsham township, where he was born October 11, 1850. He was reared in farm pursuits, and received an education above the average at the public schools of the vicinity and under the tutelage of Professor Hugh Morrow at Hatboro. He is a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Long) Cozens, she of Bucks county and he of Chester county Pennsylvania. Samuel’s father was also Samuel, of Chester county, and belonged to a family which located early in that county. Later in life he removed to Bucks county, where he died. He was of Welsh descent, and an industrious and successful farmer. Politically he was a Democrat, but never aspired to more important positions. His children: John, who learned the trade of a stone mason, and became a contractor on public and private buildings, constructed bridges and erected the Bucks County Almshouse; Ann, Mrs. John Thoman; Samuel, father of the subject of this sketch; Elizabeth, Mrs. T. McCombs; Joshua and Benjamin, stone masons; Margaret, Mrs. George Arnold; Mary, Mrs. H. Brooks; James, a stone mason and contractor on public works.

Samuel Cozens, father of James A. Cozens, was reared to farm pursuits, but became later a stone mason, which occupation he followed for some time, but when he married he settled on a farm in Horsham township, giving his entire attention to that pursuit for the rest of his life. His first location was near the Bucks county line. In 1862 he removed to his Uncle Jonathan Jarrett, Sr.’s farm, and in 1877 he purchased the farm on which his son James now resides. He did not long survive the change, however, as he died October 23, 1878. He was a very active and successful farmer. In politics he was a Democrat, using his influence in behalf of the candidates of that party. He filled many township positions. In religious faith he affiliated with the Presbyterian church. His wife survived him and died November 29, 1884. She was a daughter of Andrew Long, of Warwick township, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, of an old family in that section of the state. He was a member of the Neshaminy Presbyterian church. His children: Isabella (Mrs. Ewers); Hannah, died unmarried; Sarah (Mrs. R. C. Bennett); Rebecca (Mrs. F. Rhoads), who died in early womanhood; Henry, by occupation a farmer, but served in the Union army during the rebellion, and died soon after his return home from the effects of his service in behalf of his country.

The children of Samuel and Elizabeth Cozens: John P., died at the age of twenty-one years; Irvin, born May 14, 1846, resides at the homestead, is a Democrat in politics, has served as assessor of the township for nine years, and also on the election board and in other minor positions; Anna M., unmarried, and is devoted to home interests for herself and two brothers; James A. All three are unmarried. In their father’s family of five brothers, John, Samuel and Benjamin married and each had children.

James A. Cozens was reared a farmer, in which occupation he is still engaged with his brother and sister on the homestead. He is among the prominent farmers of Horsham. Like his ancestors he is a Democrat in politics. He has been a school director for a period of twenty-two years, has served as secretary and treasurer for a number of years, and is still in that position. He is also a director in the following institutions: National Bank of Ambler, the Chalfont Mutual Wind and Storm Insurance Company, the Union Library Company of Hatboro, the Hatboro Live Stock Association, the Horsham and Hatboro Turnpike Company, and others. He is also frequently called upon to administer estates and to act as guardian for minors. He conducts public sales, and is an all-round competent business man, whose services are always in demand, as he has the confidence of the community in which he lives.

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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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