My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM G. FREED, a well-known retired farmer of Worcester township, was born in Franconia township, September 8, 1835, a son of Abraham and Mary (Godshalk) Freed. The father, who was born February 13, 1806, and was one of a family of seven children, followed farming in early life and afterward abandoned that pursuit to engage in the lumber business. On May 17, 1829, he married Mary Godshalk, who was born August 15, 1807, and died February 11, 1844. They had eight children: Enos, Eliza, Isaac, William, Abraham, John, Jacob and Mary. On the 23d of November, 1846, Abraham Freed married Anna Sigler, widow of William Sigler. Abraham Freed died June 11, 1862.

William G. Freed attended the public schools of the vicinity until he was ten years of age, leaving home and going to reside with William Moyer on a farm in Franconia township, with whom he remained two years in that township, and two more after Mr. Moyer’s removal to an adjoining township. At the age of fourteen years he returned to the home of his parents, where he was engaged in assisting his father in building houses for another year. Deciding to learn the wheel-wright’s trade, he took up his residence with his brother Enos, serving an apprenticeship of two and a half years. He then took charge of the shop, which he managed for his father, being thus employed until he reached the age of twenty-one years. He then took entire charge of the shop and conducted the business for himself, doing this very successfully.

At the age of thirty-one years he sold out his interest in the wheelwright shop and engaged in farming in Worcester township, remaining there two years. He then bought his present farm in Worcester, consisting of eighty-eight acres. Mr. Freed has been a very successful farmer. He is a Republican in politics, and a Mennonite in religious faith.

On March 15, 1862, William G. Freed married Lydia K. Moyer, who was born December 2, 1839. She is one of a family of nine children, and is the daughter of John O. Moyer, of Worcester township. William G. and Lydia Freed had seven children, two of whom died in infancy. Elizabeth, born December 24, 1865, married Harman Delp, a farmer, and they have two children: Annie, born September 17, 1867, married Abraham Kulp, a farmer, and they have four children; Martha, born September 29, 1870, married Henry Nice, of Norristown, and have three children; Lydia was born August 8, 1872; and William, born October 7, 1874, is at home with his father.