AMBLER GAZETTE: NOVEMBER 2, 1899
FOUR SCORE AND TWO: Thomas Bitting Esq., of Ambler, given a surprise by his fellow members of the Old Sledge Club on the occasion of the passing of his 82nd birthday:
Thomas Bitting, Esq. of Ambler, was 82 years of age last Friday, and the members of the Old Sledge Club, of which he is president, gave him a surprise dinner in honor of his age and as a testimony of their esteem. The dinner was suggested by Senator John A. Wentz, and the committee in charge comprised Joseph T. Foulke Esq., Isaac Taylor and Dr. C.B. Hough, who with others are accustomed to meet at the squire's and play the game seven-up, familiarly called "old sledge".
The preparations for the event were, of course, kept secret from Mr. Bitting and the later did not mistrust the somewhat larger than usual attendance of the club that evening, but he was so engrossed in his favorite game that all the details were carried out as planned. About ten o'clock Mr. Bitting was informed that a person desired to see him on business in the other part of the house, and as he hastened to the summons the laden dining room table met his astonished eyes. To say that he was surprised is putting it mildly, and of course the others followed him out, and as they extended their many hearty congratulations and good wishes he was nearly overcome. Being a jovial host he bade his guests be seated, and with himself at the head of the table, the arrangement was: George Y. Styer, Dr. C. B. Hough, Senator Wentz, Joseph T. Foulke Esq., J.M. Haywood, Abraham Stillwagon, Isaac Taylor, John S. Buchannan, Rudolph K. Styer, Daniel M. Leedom. The dinner was then served and joyous intercourse whet the appetite, and the courses from oysters to coffee were as much enjoyed by Mr. Bitting as anyone.
After all had been satisfied, Senator Wentz arose and made an eloquent address of congratulation to the host on his long life and on this enjoyment of good health and unimpaired bodily vigor through so may year. He said that it must be a great satisfaction to know that so many of the pupils who came to him as a school teacher had become prominent in the affairs of life. He congratulated Mr. Bitting on his life's work, which reflected so great credit not only to himself, but to his friends and constituents. He said his appointment by Postmaster-General Wannamaker, out of 65,000, was considered by the later to have been one of the best. Mr. Biting deputized Mr. Foulke to reply, which he did in a happy vein, thanking the Senator and friends, and assuring them that they were ever welcome to his home and that he especially thanked them for this manifestation of their regard for him. Then followed short speeched by everyone present, after which Mr. Bitting, visibly affected, said he felt much gratified to the kind friends for this token of their esteem. His 10 years in Ambler had been pleasant and he had always tried to do his duty. If he had done a wrong it was not from the heart, but from a misconception of his duty. His remarks were warmly applauded and after passing a vote of thanks to Misses Wentz and Theresa Bitting, who had charge of the preperation of the dinner, the members adjourned.
We take the following account of the life of Thomas Bitting from the "Gazette", Oct. 28, 1897, in which year he was 80 years of age:
The subject of our sketch was born Oct. 27, 1817, at the hostelery now known as Stahlnecker's Hotel, Flourtown, then owned and conducted by his father. he is the youngest of five sons of John and Eva Bitting, the others being now deceased: Charles, Jonathan, Henry and William. Having a liking for books he acquired an ordinary education and for a time taught school at long Swamp, Berks county. On February 9, 1836 he married Theresa Wentz, daugther of Jacob Wentz, a prominent and wealthy farmer of Whitemarsh, who lived in the old Wentz homestead, on Bethlehem Pike. For a period of 54 years this relationship was maintained intact, but on Dec. 22, 1890 his wife died, leaving him alone, as there were no children.
The subject of our sketch after his marriage kept a general store in what is now known as the Clifton House, owned by George Herrman, on the Bethlehem Turnpike at Sandy Run creek. Later he moved to Whitemarsh, where for several years he kept the store now conducted by Joseph Mahaffey. The for seven years he taught school at Bush Hill, Springfield township: at Lyceum hall, Whitemarsh, and at Flourown. He was county auditor from 1844 to 1847.
In 1848 he was appointed, through Judge Longstroth, a collector at Paoli station on the Pennsylvania railroad, then under control of the state. Three years later he engaged in the hotel business in Flourtown, which he carried on for 15 years. During this time he also engaged in the horse and cattle business as a drover, bringing two droves of horses in from Canada to Flourtown in 1856 an '59. On retiring from the hotel business he conducted a hardware and general merchandise store at the place where Mrs. Yeakle now has the store and Flourtown postoffce.
For 10 years from 1870 he carried on farming near Des Moines, IA and on returning in 1880 settled for a short time in Whitemarsh, moved to Cheltenham, and then removed to Flourtown, where he purchased a lot. In 1887 he moved to Ambler and opened a restaurant. The borough was soon after incorporated and he was elected the first justice of the peace.
In John Wannamaker's term of office as Poastmaster-General the Ambler post office was a fourth-class office and he was appointed postmaster. Less than a year after it was placed in the list of third-class offices and Mr. Bitting received his commission from President Harrison. In the capacity of postmaster he served the government four years and nine months with honor to himself, credit to the government, and satisfaction to his patrons. At the expiration of his term he was re-elected justice of the peace, a position he has since held.
Mr. Bitting is a charter member of First Presbyterian church, Ambler, is the oldest on the list of communicants, and within two years was a regular and devoted attendant of the services when permitted by the weather.
He is still an active man despite his four-score and two years-has never been sick since 1832. His mind is as bright as a young man. As a justice of the peace, he has few, if any, superiors. Naturally an active man he can still walk without the aid of a cane, and his hearing is more acute and his memory far better than that of many men who have not lived the half century.
FOUR SCORE AND TWO: Thomas Bitting Esq., of Ambler, given a surprise by his fellow members of the Old Sledge Club on the occasion of the passing of his 82nd birthday:
Thomas Bitting, Esq. of Ambler, was 82 years of age last Friday, and the members of the Old Sledge Club, of which he is president, gave him a surprise dinner in honor of his age and as a testimony of their esteem. The dinner was suggested by Senator John A. Wentz, and the committee in charge comprised Joseph T. Foulke Esq., Isaac Taylor and Dr. C.B. Hough, who with others are accustomed to meet at the squire's and play the game seven-up, familiarly called "old sledge".
The preparations for the event were, of course, kept secret from Mr. Bitting and the later did not mistrust the somewhat larger than usual attendance of the club that evening, but he was so engrossed in his favorite game that all the details were carried out as planned. About ten o'clock Mr. Bitting was informed that a person desired to see him on business in the other part of the house, and as he hastened to the summons the laden dining room table met his astonished eyes. To say that he was surprised is putting it mildly, and of course the others followed him out, and as they extended their many hearty congratulations and good wishes he was nearly overcome. Being a jovial host he bade his guests be seated, and with himself at the head of the table, the arrangement was: George Y. Styer, Dr. C. B. Hough, Senator Wentz, Joseph T. Foulke Esq., J.M. Haywood, Abraham Stillwagon, Isaac Taylor, John S. Buchannan, Rudolph K. Styer, Daniel M. Leedom. The dinner was then served and joyous intercourse whet the appetite, and the courses from oysters to coffee were as much enjoyed by Mr. Bitting as anyone.
After all had been satisfied, Senator Wentz arose and made an eloquent address of congratulation to the host on his long life and on this enjoyment of good health and unimpaired bodily vigor through so may year. He said that it must be a great satisfaction to know that so many of the pupils who came to him as a school teacher had become prominent in the affairs of life. He congratulated Mr. Bitting on his life's work, which reflected so great credit not only to himself, but to his friends and constituents. He said his appointment by Postmaster-General Wannamaker, out of 65,000, was considered by the later to have been one of the best. Mr. Biting deputized Mr. Foulke to reply, which he did in a happy vein, thanking the Senator and friends, and assuring them that they were ever welcome to his home and that he especially thanked them for this manifestation of their regard for him. Then followed short speeched by everyone present, after which Mr. Bitting, visibly affected, said he felt much gratified to the kind friends for this token of their esteem. His 10 years in Ambler had been pleasant and he had always tried to do his duty. If he had done a wrong it was not from the heart, but from a misconception of his duty. His remarks were warmly applauded and after passing a vote of thanks to Misses Wentz and Theresa Bitting, who had charge of the preperation of the dinner, the members adjourned.
We take the following account of the life of Thomas Bitting from the "Gazette", Oct. 28, 1897, in which year he was 80 years of age:
The subject of our sketch was born Oct. 27, 1817, at the hostelery now known as Stahlnecker's Hotel, Flourtown, then owned and conducted by his father. he is the youngest of five sons of John and Eva Bitting, the others being now deceased: Charles, Jonathan, Henry and William. Having a liking for books he acquired an ordinary education and for a time taught school at long Swamp, Berks county. On February 9, 1836 he married Theresa Wentz, daugther of Jacob Wentz, a prominent and wealthy farmer of Whitemarsh, who lived in the old Wentz homestead, on Bethlehem Pike. For a period of 54 years this relationship was maintained intact, but on Dec. 22, 1890 his wife died, leaving him alone, as there were no children.
The subject of our sketch after his marriage kept a general store in what is now known as the Clifton House, owned by George Herrman, on the Bethlehem Turnpike at Sandy Run creek. Later he moved to Whitemarsh, where for several years he kept the store now conducted by Joseph Mahaffey. The for seven years he taught school at Bush Hill, Springfield township: at Lyceum hall, Whitemarsh, and at Flourown. He was county auditor from 1844 to 1847.
In 1848 he was appointed, through Judge Longstroth, a collector at Paoli station on the Pennsylvania railroad, then under control of the state. Three years later he engaged in the hotel business in Flourtown, which he carried on for 15 years. During this time he also engaged in the horse and cattle business as a drover, bringing two droves of horses in from Canada to Flourtown in 1856 an '59. On retiring from the hotel business he conducted a hardware and general merchandise store at the place where Mrs. Yeakle now has the store and Flourtown postoffce.
For 10 years from 1870 he carried on farming near Des Moines, IA and on returning in 1880 settled for a short time in Whitemarsh, moved to Cheltenham, and then removed to Flourtown, where he purchased a lot. In 1887 he moved to Ambler and opened a restaurant. The borough was soon after incorporated and he was elected the first justice of the peace.
In John Wannamaker's term of office as Poastmaster-General the Ambler post office was a fourth-class office and he was appointed postmaster. Less than a year after it was placed in the list of third-class offices and Mr. Bitting received his commission from President Harrison. In the capacity of postmaster he served the government four years and nine months with honor to himself, credit to the government, and satisfaction to his patrons. At the expiration of his term he was re-elected justice of the peace, a position he has since held.
Mr. Bitting is a charter member of First Presbyterian church, Ambler, is the oldest on the list of communicants, and within two years was a regular and devoted attendant of the services when permitted by the weather.
He is still an active man despite his four-score and two years-has never been sick since 1832. His mind is as bright as a young man. As a justice of the peace, he has few, if any, superiors. Naturally an active man he can still walk without the aid of a cane, and his hearing is more acute and his memory far better than that of many men who have not lived the half century.
AMBLER GAZETTE: NOVEMBER 2, 1899
FOUR SCORE AND TWO: Thomas Bitting Esq., of Ambler, given a surprise by his fellow members of the Old Sledge Club on the occasion of the passing of his 82nd birthday:
Thomas Bitting, Esq. of Ambler, was 82 years of age last Friday, and the members of the Old Sledge Club, of which he is president, gave him a surprise dinner in honor of his age and as a testimony of their esteem. The dinner was suggested by Senator John A. Wentz, and the committee in charge comprised Joseph T. Foulke Esq., Isaac Taylor and Dr. C.B. Hough, who with others are accustomed to meet at the squire's and play the game seven-up, familiarly called "old sledge".
The preparations for the event were, of course, kept secret from Mr. Bitting and the later did not mistrust the somewhat larger than usual attendance of the club that evening, but he was so engrossed in his favorite game that all the details were carried out as planned. About ten o'clock Mr. Bitting was informed that a person desired to see him on business in the other part of the house, and as he hastened to the summons the laden dining room table met his astonished eyes. To say that he was surprised is putting it mildly, and of course the others followed him out, and as they extended their many hearty congratulations and good wishes he was nearly overcome. Being a jovial host he bade his guests be seated, and with himself at the head of the table, the arrangement was: George Y. Styer, Dr. C. B. Hough, Senator Wentz, Joseph T. Foulke Esq., J.M. Haywood, Abraham Stillwagon, Isaac Taylor, John S. Buchannan, Rudolph K. Styer, Daniel M. Leedom. The dinner was then served and joyous intercourse whet the appetite, and the courses from oysters to coffee were as much enjoyed by Mr. Bitting as anyone.
After all had been satisfied, Senator Wentz arose and made an eloquent address of congratulation to the host on his long life and on this enjoyment of good health and unimpaired bodily vigor through so may year. He said that it must be a great satisfaction to know that so many of the pupils who came to him as a school teacher had become prominent in the affairs of life. He congratulated Mr. Bitting on his life's work, which reflected so great credit not only to himself, but to his friends and constituents. He said his appointment by Postmaster-General Wannamaker, out of 65,000, was considered by the later to have been one of the best. Mr. Biting deputized Mr. Foulke to reply, which he did in a happy vein, thanking the Senator and friends, and assuring them that they were ever welcome to his home and that he especially thanked them for this manifestation of their regard for him. Then followed short speeched by everyone present, after which Mr. Bitting, visibly affected, said he felt much gratified to the kind friends for this token of their esteem. His 10 years in Ambler had been pleasant and he had always tried to do his duty. If he had done a wrong it was not from the heart, but from a misconception of his duty. His remarks were warmly applauded and after passing a vote of thanks to Misses Wentz and Theresa Bitting, who had charge of the preperation of the dinner, the members adjourned.
We take the following account of the life of Thomas Bitting from the "Gazette", Oct. 28, 1897, in which year he was 80 years of age:
The subject of our sketch was born Oct. 27, 1817, at the hostelery now known as Stahlnecker's Hotel, Flourtown, then owned and conducted by his father. he is the youngest of five sons of John and Eva Bitting, the others being now deceased: Charles, Jonathan, Henry and William. Having a liking for books he acquired an ordinary education and for a time taught school at long Swamp, Berks county. On February 9, 1836 he married Theresa Wentz, daugther of Jacob Wentz, a prominent and wealthy farmer of Whitemarsh, who lived in the old Wentz homestead, on Bethlehem Pike. For a period of 54 years this relationship was maintained intact, but on Dec. 22, 1890 his wife died, leaving him alone, as there were no children.
The subject of our sketch after his marriage kept a general store in what is now known as the Clifton House, owned by George Herrman, on the Bethlehem Turnpike at Sandy Run creek. Later he moved to Whitemarsh, where for several years he kept the store now conducted by Joseph Mahaffey. The for seven years he taught school at Bush Hill, Springfield township: at Lyceum hall, Whitemarsh, and at Flourown. He was county auditor from 1844 to 1847.
In 1848 he was appointed, through Judge Longstroth, a collector at Paoli station on the Pennsylvania railroad, then under control of the state. Three years later he engaged in the hotel business in Flourtown, which he carried on for 15 years. During this time he also engaged in the horse and cattle business as a drover, bringing two droves of horses in from Canada to Flourtown in 1856 an '59. On retiring from the hotel business he conducted a hardware and general merchandise store at the place where Mrs. Yeakle now has the store and Flourtown postoffce.
For 10 years from 1870 he carried on farming near Des Moines, IA and on returning in 1880 settled for a short time in Whitemarsh, moved to Cheltenham, and then removed to Flourtown, where he purchased a lot. In 1887 he moved to Ambler and opened a restaurant. The borough was soon after incorporated and he was elected the first justice of the peace.
In John Wannamaker's term of office as Poastmaster-General the Ambler post office was a fourth-class office and he was appointed postmaster. Less than a year after it was placed in the list of third-class offices and Mr. Bitting received his commission from President Harrison. In the capacity of postmaster he served the government four years and nine months with honor to himself, credit to the government, and satisfaction to his patrons. At the expiration of his term he was re-elected justice of the peace, a position he has since held.
Mr. Bitting is a charter member of First Presbyterian church, Ambler, is the oldest on the list of communicants, and within two years was a regular and devoted attendant of the services when permitted by the weather.
He is still an active man despite his four-score and two years-has never been sick since 1832. His mind is as bright as a young man. As a justice of the peace, he has few, if any, superiors. Naturally an active man he can still walk without the aid of a cane, and his hearing is more acute and his memory far better than that of many men who have not lived the half century.
FOUR SCORE AND TWO: Thomas Bitting Esq., of Ambler, given a surprise by his fellow members of the Old Sledge Club on the occasion of the passing of his 82nd birthday:
Thomas Bitting, Esq. of Ambler, was 82 years of age last Friday, and the members of the Old Sledge Club, of which he is president, gave him a surprise dinner in honor of his age and as a testimony of their esteem. The dinner was suggested by Senator John A. Wentz, and the committee in charge comprised Joseph T. Foulke Esq., Isaac Taylor and Dr. C.B. Hough, who with others are accustomed to meet at the squire's and play the game seven-up, familiarly called "old sledge".
The preparations for the event were, of course, kept secret from Mr. Bitting and the later did not mistrust the somewhat larger than usual attendance of the club that evening, but he was so engrossed in his favorite game that all the details were carried out as planned. About ten o'clock Mr. Bitting was informed that a person desired to see him on business in the other part of the house, and as he hastened to the summons the laden dining room table met his astonished eyes. To say that he was surprised is putting it mildly, and of course the others followed him out, and as they extended their many hearty congratulations and good wishes he was nearly overcome. Being a jovial host he bade his guests be seated, and with himself at the head of the table, the arrangement was: George Y. Styer, Dr. C. B. Hough, Senator Wentz, Joseph T. Foulke Esq., J.M. Haywood, Abraham Stillwagon, Isaac Taylor, John S. Buchannan, Rudolph K. Styer, Daniel M. Leedom. The dinner was then served and joyous intercourse whet the appetite, and the courses from oysters to coffee were as much enjoyed by Mr. Bitting as anyone.
After all had been satisfied, Senator Wentz arose and made an eloquent address of congratulation to the host on his long life and on this enjoyment of good health and unimpaired bodily vigor through so may year. He said that it must be a great satisfaction to know that so many of the pupils who came to him as a school teacher had become prominent in the affairs of life. He congratulated Mr. Bitting on his life's work, which reflected so great credit not only to himself, but to his friends and constituents. He said his appointment by Postmaster-General Wannamaker, out of 65,000, was considered by the later to have been one of the best. Mr. Biting deputized Mr. Foulke to reply, which he did in a happy vein, thanking the Senator and friends, and assuring them that they were ever welcome to his home and that he especially thanked them for this manifestation of their regard for him. Then followed short speeched by everyone present, after which Mr. Bitting, visibly affected, said he felt much gratified to the kind friends for this token of their esteem. His 10 years in Ambler had been pleasant and he had always tried to do his duty. If he had done a wrong it was not from the heart, but from a misconception of his duty. His remarks were warmly applauded and after passing a vote of thanks to Misses Wentz and Theresa Bitting, who had charge of the preperation of the dinner, the members adjourned.
We take the following account of the life of Thomas Bitting from the "Gazette", Oct. 28, 1897, in which year he was 80 years of age:
The subject of our sketch was born Oct. 27, 1817, at the hostelery now known as Stahlnecker's Hotel, Flourtown, then owned and conducted by his father. he is the youngest of five sons of John and Eva Bitting, the others being now deceased: Charles, Jonathan, Henry and William. Having a liking for books he acquired an ordinary education and for a time taught school at long Swamp, Berks county. On February 9, 1836 he married Theresa Wentz, daugther of Jacob Wentz, a prominent and wealthy farmer of Whitemarsh, who lived in the old Wentz homestead, on Bethlehem Pike. For a period of 54 years this relationship was maintained intact, but on Dec. 22, 1890 his wife died, leaving him alone, as there were no children.
The subject of our sketch after his marriage kept a general store in what is now known as the Clifton House, owned by George Herrman, on the Bethlehem Turnpike at Sandy Run creek. Later he moved to Whitemarsh, where for several years he kept the store now conducted by Joseph Mahaffey. The for seven years he taught school at Bush Hill, Springfield township: at Lyceum hall, Whitemarsh, and at Flourown. He was county auditor from 1844 to 1847.
In 1848 he was appointed, through Judge Longstroth, a collector at Paoli station on the Pennsylvania railroad, then under control of the state. Three years later he engaged in the hotel business in Flourtown, which he carried on for 15 years. During this time he also engaged in the horse and cattle business as a drover, bringing two droves of horses in from Canada to Flourtown in 1856 an '59. On retiring from the hotel business he conducted a hardware and general merchandise store at the place where Mrs. Yeakle now has the store and Flourtown postoffce.
For 10 years from 1870 he carried on farming near Des Moines, IA and on returning in 1880 settled for a short time in Whitemarsh, moved to Cheltenham, and then removed to Flourtown, where he purchased a lot. In 1887 he moved to Ambler and opened a restaurant. The borough was soon after incorporated and he was elected the first justice of the peace.
In John Wannamaker's term of office as Poastmaster-General the Ambler post office was a fourth-class office and he was appointed postmaster. Less than a year after it was placed in the list of third-class offices and Mr. Bitting received his commission from President Harrison. In the capacity of postmaster he served the government four years and nine months with honor to himself, credit to the government, and satisfaction to his patrons. At the expiration of his term he was re-elected justice of the peace, a position he has since held.
Mr. Bitting is a charter member of First Presbyterian church, Ambler, is the oldest on the list of communicants, and within two years was a regular and devoted attendant of the services when permitted by the weather.
He is still an active man despite his four-score and two years-has never been sick since 1832. His mind is as bright as a young man. As a justice of the peace, he has few, if any, superiors. Naturally an active man he can still walk without the aid of a cane, and his hearing is more acute and his memory far better than that of many men who have not lived the half century.
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