My Genealogy Hound

EPHRAIM STEEVER, a prominent and public-spirited citizen of Montgomery township, where he is highly respected and esteemed for his many sterling qualities, was born on the old homestead farm, on which he still resides, July 24, 1848, a son of John and Mary Ann (Knipe) Steever.

John Steever (father), son of Michael and Elizabeth (Hartman) Steever, was born on the farm in Montgomery township now owned by Mrs. M. M. Ayars, August 30, 1812. In early life he learned the trade of carpenter, at which he worked for a number of years. He was a prominent contractor in the city of Philadelphia at one time, and many of the principal buildings in Montgomery township were erected by him. In 1845 he purchased from James and Maria Louisa Ross the farm on which his son Ephraim Steever now resides, which consists of seventy-six acres and eighty-eight perches, and on which was located a saw and grist mill. Three years after the purchase of the property he tore down the old mill and erected a saw mill which he equipped with modern machinery, also putting in a new Parker water-wheel. In 1855 he erected a stone grist and saw mill, introducing steam power, and conducted the same in connection with his agricultural pursuits up to the time of his death, January 25, 1892. He took a very active interest in public affairs, and served the township as assessor for many years, holding the offices of school director and auditor, and also efficiently filling the position of county commissioner for three years. He was a consistent member of the Lutheran church, and his political affiliations were with the Democratic party. His wife, Mary Ann (Knipe) Steever, bore him the following named children: Sarah, born November 26, 1844, died in infancy; Ephraim, mentioned hereinafter; Michael, born May 26, 1850, married Ella Nash, daughter of John Nash, and resides at Willow Grove; Alfred, born July 11, 1852, married Wilhelmina Kephart, and resides at Mechanic’s Valley, Bucks county; Christian, born July 2, 1854, died March 1, 1871; Amanda, born May 3, 1857, died July 10, 1875; Arthur, born December 22, 1859, married Grace Laycock, and resides in Philadelphia; and John, born February 16, 1863, married Amanda Pheris, and resides in Elkins, West Virginia.

Ephraim Steever obtained a practical education in the Overholk school of North Wales, and after completing his studies served an apprenticeship at the trade of mechanical engineer. He operated the grist and saw mill owned by his father in the capacity of an engineer until 1894, in which year he purchased the old homestead, including the mill, and for five years thereafter he operated the mill, which proved a most profitable means of livelihood, but at the expiration of this period of time he devoted his attention exclusively to the tilling of the soil. Since attaining his majority he has been actively identified with public affairs, and has served in the capacity of school director, judge of elections, auditor, inspector of elections, and at the present time (1904) is filling the office of supervisor of the township.

Mr. Steever was married at Doylestown, Pennsylvania, December 22, 1873, to Emily E. Wigton, who was born in Doylestown, July 9, 1852, a daughter of William and Hulda (Evans) Wigton, both natives of Doylestown, Bucks county, Pennsylvania. Their children are: Laura Mary, born August 8, 1876, wife of Howard M. Davis, a resident of Philadelphia, and they are the parents of one child-Clarence S., born January 1, 1904. Bertha Anneta, born November 27, 1877, wife of Ralph H. Mann. Florence Maud, born October 27, 1880. Alice Irene, born September 7, 1882. Amanda Knipe, born October 5, 1884. Grace Ross, born March 23, 1889. Ephraim Frank, born August 7, 1895. Isabella Emily, a daughter of Arthur Steever, aged three years, was accidentally killed by a trolley car in Philadelphia, September 6, 1904.