My Genealogy Hound

JAMES S. FAUST, the son of Hon. Samuel and Mary (Sweisford) Faust, was born December 3, 1861, in Frederick township, Montgomery county.

Peter Faust (great-great-grandfather), being dissatisfied with the condition of society in Germany, his native country, emigrated to America in 1747, and settled in Frederick township, Montgomery county. He was among the first to settle in that community.

John Nicholas Faust (great-grandfather) was born in Frederick township in 1765, and followed the occupation of farming in that township all his life. He and his father were both active members of the Reformed church. He died in 1837. John N. Faust married Elizabeth Walwent, and their children were: Elizabeth (Mrs. George Gruber); Peter (grandfather); Jacob, born 1798, married Sarah Hauck, they having nine children, and died June 12, 1860; John; Catharine (Mrs. Jacob Yost); and Mary (Mrs. Jacob Levis). Mr. Faust was a Democrat in politics.

Peter Faust (grandfather) was born October 8, 1794, in Frederick township, near Perkiomenville. On account of the limited educational facilities of that day, his schooling was confined to a few years’ attendance at the subscription schools of the neighborhood. He learned the trade of reedmaker, later that of stone mason, and also followed farming for many years. He lived during the latter part of his life in what is now New Hanover township. He was an active member and elder of the Reformed church, and was a leader in Sunday school work. During the War of 1812 he enlisted and served for three months, being stationed at Wilmington, Delaware. He died January 29, 1875. Peter Faust married Margaret, daughter of Abraham Nece, at one time a resident of Tinicum, Bucks county, who later removed to New Hanover township, Montgomery county. Peter and Margaret Faust had the following children: Hon. Samuel (father); Jesse, born October 13, 1830, deceased; Margaret, married Jacob Gerhart, of Norristown; Peter (deceased), born March 24, 1835, a farmer, powder manufacturer and creamery man of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania; Catharine, born August 12, 1837, died in infancy; Reuben, born January 2, 1840, died in infancy; Jonathan (deceased), born May 18, 1842, was a physician of Zeiglerville, Frederick township, married Amanda Schwenk, daughter of Aaron Schwenk, on November 28, 1868, and they had two children; Mary, born December 30, 1844, died in 1848; Sarah, born February 10, 1847, married John K. Freed, deceased of Norristown.

Hon. Samuel Faust (father) was born October 9, 1828, in Frederick township, Montgomery county. He attended the subscription schools in the neighborhood of his home and then entered Freeland Seminary, now Ursinus College, at Collegeville, Montgomery county, being one of its first pupils, and assisting to suspend the bell in the belfry. After a three years’ course, Samuel Faust left Freeland Seminary and became a teacher. He taught for three years before the adoption of the public school system, and then twelve years more. He received a certificate from E. L. Acker, the first county superintendent of Montgomery county. He was a very capable teacher and was always sought for the best positions. At the close of his career as a teacher, he became a farmer on his tract of one hundred and thirty-nine acres in Frederick township, and has always been progressive in his methods. He brought the first mowing machine into Frederick township. Politically Mr. Faust is a Republican, and in 1884 was elected a member of the Pennsylvania Assembly, and after serving most creditably, was re-elected for a second term. He was prominent in obtaining the passage of the high license law, and of the bill requiring physiology and hygiene to be taught in the public schools as a part of the regular school curriculum.

On November 12, 1856, Samuel Faust married Mary, daughter of Henry Sweisford, and their children were: Alfred; Esther, died young; James S., subject of this sketch; Sarah (Mrs. Noah Krause); Catharine (Mrs. Elmer Koons); Alice (Mrs. George Erb); Clara; Samuel, died young; Margaret; Tennyson, died young; Samuel, and Elizabeth.

James S. Faust attended school until he was twenty years of age. He then became a clerk in the Prizer store at Zieglersville, remaining there for three years. He worked on his father’s farm for three years and on other farms for four years more. He was employed by F. A. Poth for two years, after which he resided in Norristown for one year. He then purchased the farm containing sixty-two acres in New Hanover township, which he has cultivated ever since.

James S. Faust married Catharine Kimble, daughter of Owen and Catharine Kimble, of Hatboro, Montgomery county, where they are farmers. The children of James and Catharine Faust: Bertha K., Samuel X., Florence K., Mamie K., and Nelson K., all attending school.

Mr. Faust is a Republican, and is secretary of the school board of his township. He has been a committeeman, and has held other township offices. He and his family belong to the Lutheran church. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, of Zieglerville, and the Knights of the Mystic Chain, of Fagleysville.