My Genealogy Hound

JOHN MATTHIAS KULP, son of Simon and Isabella (Davis) Kulp, was born in the house in which he now lives, in Upper Gwynedd township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, near the borough of North Wales, December 12, 1848. He attended the public school in North Wales until his fifteenth year, when he entered the Friends’ Academy at Doylestown, remaining there for a term and a half. He then returned to the homestead and assisted his father in the varied duties of farm life.

Mr. Kulp married, March 29, 1881, Elizabeth, born October 8, 1856, daughter of Montgomery and Catharine (Stratton) Caracher, of Marietta, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, the couple locating at once on the homestead farm. Their children: Irvin Simon, born March 30, 1882, attended the Meredith school in Upper Gwynedd, near his home, until his sixteenth year, when he entered the Brunner Academy and School of Business, at North Wales, where he remained two years, and then returned to the farm, where he still resides, being unmarried; Charles, born July 12, 1883, attended the public school known as the Meredith School, and Brunner’s Academy, and resides with his parents; Howard Montgomery, born September 25, 1884, attended the Meredith School, and resides with his parents; Benjamin, born April 15, 1886; John Leroy, born November 24, 1887; Jennie Caracher, born January 30, 1890; Irene S., born January 4, 1895; Helen Elizabeth, born January 6, 1901.

John Matthias Kulp, on reaching the age of manhood at first rented his father’s farm, working it on shares, according to the custom in many rural neighborhoods. He continued thus until the death of his father, August 27, 1891, when he inherited the estate, being the only child of his parents. The farm contains sixty-eight acres of fine land. He gives attention to general farming and maintains a dairy, attending the Philadelphia markets. The family are members of the Montgomery Square Methodist church.

Mr. Kulp is a Republican in politics, and is actively interested in local elections and other matters. He has been a member of the board of school directors of the district for six years, having been its treasurer a portion of the time. He has been an active election worker for many years.

Simon Kulp (father), born September 14, 1819, and died August 27, 1891, was the son of Benjamin and Eleanor (Hoxworth) Kulp. He was born in the home now occupied by his son, John M. Kulp. He received an ordinary education and followed farming for a livelihood, being very successful in that pursuit. He married, November 19, 1844, Isabella, daughter of Benjamin Davis, of Chester county, Pennsylvania. The couple had two children, John Matthias Kulp, subject of this sketch, and Annie, who died in childhood. Simon Kulp was a Republican in politics, after the Whig party ceased to exist. He was active in party affairs, but never sought or held office.

Benjamin Kulp (grandfather), born August 20, 1779, died May 16, 1862, and was the son of Isaac and Rachel (Johnson) Kulp. Benjamin was a farmer by occupation. He married Eleanor Hoxworth, of an old family in that section of Montgomery county. He was a sister of the mother of Genera1 Winfield Scott Hancock. Their children: Ann, born December 8, 1806, married Asa Thomas, a farmer of Upper Gwynedd township; Isaac, born November 6, 1808, his wife being named Catharine; Enos, born August 27, 1810, married Sarah Boot; Rachel, born October 12, 1812, married Lewis Stagner; Margaret, born September 28, 1814, married Elias H. Keisen; Eleanor, born August 29, 1817, died young; Simon (father); Oliver, born July 18, 1825, married Mary Wright, daughter of a farmer of Horsham township.

Isaac Kulp (great-grandfather), born May 30, 1750, died April 10, 1828, was a native of Gwynedd township, and a farmer by occupation. He married, April 16, 1778, Rachel Kolb, born November 12, 1753, died August 15, 1830.