Bucks County PA Archives Biographies.....Birkey, W.J.A., M.D.
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joe Patterson, Patricia Bastik & Susan Walters Dec 2009

Source: History of Bucks County, Pennsylvania; edited by 
J.H. Battle; A. Warner & Co.; 1887
Bristol Township


W. J. A. BIRKEY, M. D. surgeon dentist, Newportville, Bucks 
county, was born in Burlington county, N. J., March 25, 
1804, and is a son of John Birkey, who was a hatter by 
occupation and carried on his trade and owned the hotel at 
Newportville, Bristol township.  Peter Birkey, the 
grandfather of W. J. A., was a quartermaster in General 
Washington's army during the revolutionary war and a pioneer 
of Bucks county.  The family are of English origin.  Dr. 
Birkey received a medical diploma from Spain, but made 
dentistry his profession and practiced in Philadelphia for 
fifty years.  He stood at the head of his profession and is 
now living a retired life.  He has three sons, all of whom 
are graduates of medicine.  Two of them practised dentistry 
in Philadelphia.  William J. A., Jr., was one of the 
pioneers to California in 1851.  Isaac M. Birkey acted as a 
medical officer of the army during the war, and is a Knight 
Templar in Masonry.  Dr. W. J. A. Birkey has been an active 
and influential member of the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows, and has held high offices in that organization, 
having traveled and organized lodges; also of the Free 
Masons, Druids, etc.  He has been a prominent politician and 
was president of the convention which nominated General 
Zachary Taylor for president.  His other son, Henry W. 
Birkey, entered the United States service at the 
commencement of the war and served until its close in the 
regular navy.  He was twice honorably mentioned to the 
department for volunteering to go into battle at Mobile and 
for attending the yellow fever cases during the epidemic at 
New Orleans.  He has one son, John Washington Birkey.