My Genealogy Hound

JOHN H. JARRETT was born in Horsham township, June 24, 1858. He has resided in Norristown since 1889, and is one of the most successful liverymen in the state.

The Jarretts are an old family in Horsham township, their first ancestor having come from the highlands of Scotland and settled in Pennsylvania at an early date.

Jonathan Jarrett (grandfather) was born on the homestead in Horsham township. He married Agnes Roberts, daughter of Joseph Roberts, and resided on the place of his birth all his life, being the owner of the farm. He was a prominent member of the Society of Friends. In politics he was a Whig and later a Republican. His children were Roberts and Tacy.

Roberts Jarrett was born on the homestead farm near the place of his father’s nativity. He grew to manhood there, acquiring an education at the public schools of the neighborhood, and attending for one winter the school of Rev. Samuel Aaron, at Norristown. He married Tacy H., daughter of John and Rachel (Evans) Holt. She was born in Plymouth township, near Norristown, July 2, 1828. She also belongs to a Montgomery county family of Friends, being a member of Gwynedd Monthly Meeting. Their children are John H., born June 24, 1858, and J. Roberts, born June 27, 1861. Roberts Jarrett was born in 1832 and died in October, 1860.

John Jarrett (great-grandfather of the subject) was also a prominent resident of Horsham township. He owned a large tract of land forming the Jarrett homestead. It is divided into two farms, one owned by Charles Jarrett and the other by Mrs. Tacy J. Ambler. John Jarrett married Elizabeth Lukens. His children were: Jonathan (grandfather); Ann, who married Chalkley Kenderdine; Jane, who died young; Mary, who married Charles I. Dagen; Hannah, unmarried; Tacy, who married Richard Moore; and Miller J., unmarried. Tacy, widow of Roberts Jarrett, married (second husband) Benjamin Borden, a well known Friend of Norristown. They resided until his death on Willow street above Elm, Norristown. The past few years Tacy Borden has resided at the Friends’ Home, Swede and Powell streets, and although advanced in years and suffering from impaired vision, her genial disposition and kindness of heart have made her hosts of friends.

John H. Jarrett grew to manhood on the family homestead in Horsham township, attending Friends’ School at Horsham and other neighboring schools. He also attended, for one term, a school at Wilmington, Delaware, of which Jonathan K. Taylor was principal. Later he studied one term at the West Chester State Normal School. After his marriage he conducted a store at Davis Grove, in Horsham township, for eight years, being postmaster during that time. In the spring of 1889 he sold his store and removed to Norristown. Soon afterward the livery stable which he now occupies on Jacoby street, near DeKalb, was sold at sheriff’s sale and was purchased by J. P. Hale Jenkins. John H. Jarrett soon bought it of Mr. Jenkins. The stables were small and badly arranged at that time. The previous owner had allowed the business to run down, and Mr. Jarrett started in a small way with only eight horses. He increased his facilities from time to time until his establishment is among the most extensive in the county. He has fifty teams and his tally-ho is a familiar sight in the streets of Norristown, its owner seldom allowing any one but himself to drive it. He also owns another fine livery establishment at Chain and Marshall streets, where a large number of horses and vehicles are kept, he having bought it July 8, 1902, and operated it since, with Edwin Conrad as manager.

In politics Mr. Jarrett is a Republican. He has been occasionally a delegate to county conventions, but is ordinarily too busy to give much attention to such matters. He is a member of the Masonic order, and of Norris Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is also a member of Lynwood Lodge, Ancient Order of United Workmen.

Mr. Jarrett married, February 13, 1881, Mary, daughter of Benjamin L. and Isabel (White) Lightfoot. Their children are: Benjamin L., who was born May 24, 1883, and died in infancy; and William L., born May 20, 1885.

The Lightfoots are an old family in eastern Pennsylvania. Benjamin H. Lightfoot (father of Mrs. Jarret) was born in Maidencreek township, Berks county, April 4, 1830. His father was Benjamin W., who resided in Berks county until his death. The family is of English origin, their ancestor having come to America in William Penn’s time. The Lightfoots have intermarried with many of the prominent families of Friends in Montgomery and adjacent counties.

Benjamin W. (grandfather of Mrs. Jarrett) married Rachel Lee, of Exeter, Berks county, where the Lees were an old family. Rachel (Lee) Lightfoot was a granddaughter of Thomas Pim, who came to America with his father and settled in Chester county about 1730. He had a large family of children, one daughter, Rachel, becoming the wife of Nathan Spencer, of Germantown. Hannah married Dr. Miller, of Downingtown, whose descendants reside near Erie, Pennsylvania. Ann married John Edge. Sarah married Amos Lee, whose youngest daughter, Rachel, was the mother of Benjamin W. Lightfoot.

Benjamin W. and Rachel Lightfoot had the following children: Amos (deceased), who married Miss Bland; Sarah (deceased), who married David Hilles; Hannah (deceased), who married Jacob Thomas; Susan (deceased); Anna, who is the widow of Ellwood Thomas and resides on Jacoby street, Norristown; Ellen, unmarried; and Benjamin H., father of Mrs. Jarrett.

Benjamin H. Lightfoot was born in 1840 and removed with his mother and the family to Upper Dublin township, Montgomery county, near Jarrettown, where he grew to manhood. On starting in life he farmed for a time, and then removed to Norristown, where he was engaged in the grocery business at the corner of Willow and Elm streets for thirty years. He is a Republican in politics but never sought or held office, except that he served for six years in the town council of Norristown. He retired from the grocery business a few years ago, since which time he has assisted his son-in-law, John H. Jarrett, in the livery business.