My Genealogy Hound

JOSEPH WARREN McCANN was the youngest child of Philip Rees and Elizabeth (Watts) McCann. He was born February 12, 1866, in the house in which he now lives, which was purchased by his grandfather, John McCann, in 1814. It is situated on the Blue Bell road, about a mile south of the village. It is known as Spring Valley Farm, and contains forty-eight acres of highly cultivated land, sloping toward the south and west.

Soon after his birth his parents removed to Plymouth township where his father had rented a farm. Remaining there one year, the family removed to Chestnut Hill where they resided for some year as tenants, after which they returned to Spring Valley where the family has since resided, and where Philip Rees McCann died, January 22, 1890.

Joseph W. McCann received his education largely at Chestnut Hill school and Bryant and Stratton’s Business College at Philadelphia. He married, September 6, 1892, Mary, daughter of Ezekiah and Isabella (Deane) Hallman. Their children are: William Phillips, born May 6, 1893; Joseph Warren, born December 28, 1895; Maurice Albert and Thomas Jesse, twins, born in 1898.

Joseph W. McCann conducts the Spring Valley Farm in conjunction with his sister, Ann Catharine, who owns the place. They operate the place as a vegetable farm and attend the Philadelphia market.

Philip Rees McCann (father), born September 16, 1816, was the son of John and Ann (McAffee) McCann. He married Elizabeth Watts, of Sellersville. They had the following named children: Ann Catharine, born June 20, 1847, proprietor of the homestead, Spring Valley, is unmarried and makes her home with her brother Joseph. 2. Helen Virginia, born February 1, 1849, married, October 20, 1883, Frederick Mutchmore, of Ohio, and had three children, George, born February 12, 1886 (deceased), Minnie, born August 30, 1888, and Helen, born February 26, 1890. Mr. and Mrs. Mutchmore reside at Mount Airy, Philadelphia. 3. Thomas Jefferson has the following children: Gertrude Elizabeth, born October 31, 1880, and resides with her parents at Barren Hill; Mabel, who died August 26, 1901; Grover Cleveland, born May 15, 1899; and Francis, born in 1891; 4. William, born July 22, 1854, married in April, 1903, Elvie, daughter of Jones Detwiler, they living near Blue Bell. William is road supervisor of Whitpain township. 5. Mary, born August 28, 1856, married James P. Simpson, of Baltimore, Maryland, they having five children: Grace, born September 13, 1890; Edith Elizabeth, born October 12, 1891; James P., born September 3, 1894; Laura, born September 12, 1897; and Mary, born in February, 1899. 6. Hepsy Norris, born July 4, 1858, married George L. Watson and they have three children: Ethel, born September 11, 1887, Elizabeth born June 18, 1890; and Leon, born February 15, 1893. They live in West Philadelphia. 7. Martha Conard, born April 29, 1860, married Jacob Engleman, of Bustleton, Philadelphia; they having five children, as follows: Marion Sarah, born March 3, 1888; Edna, born March 12, 1890; Florence, born Alarch 12, 1892; Myrtle, born January 3, 1896, and Jacob Schlichter; 8. J. Warren is the subject of this sketch.

John McCann (grandfather) was born in Ireland, April 14, 1770, married Ann McAffee, born April 13, 1778. John McCann was a contractor and farmer in Norristown.