Bucks County PA Archives Biographies.....Betts, John
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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
Warminster Township


   JOHN BETTS P.O. Horsham, Pa. This gentlemen's ancestors 
on both sides were of English origin, coming here about the 
time of Penn. For several generations they were residents 
of Solebury and Buckingham townships, where Thomas Betts, 
the great-grandfather of our subject, lived. He died in 
Newtown in 1747. His son Thomas was grandfather of John. 
He was married to Sarah, daughter of William and Rebecca 
Smith, who was a descendant of William Smith, formerly of 
Yorkshire, England, who came to this country in 1690. 
Thomas Betts died in Buckingham in 1783, and his wife Sarah 
died in the same place, in 1804. They had eleven children, 
all now deceased, one of whom, Stephen, was father of our 
subject. He was born 5th mo., 31st, 1758. He learned the 
trade of blacksmith, at which he worked until middle age, 
when he bought a farm in Solebury township, on which he 
lived till his death, on 11th mo., 19th, 1834. He was an 
industrious man, and brought his family up in the same way. 
Like his ancestors, he was a member of the Society of 
Friends, and was a diligent attendant at meeting. His wife 
was Hannah, daughter of Crispin and Martha Blackfan, who 
were likewise Friends, and also of English descent. She was 
born 12th mo., 20th, 1765, and died 5th mo., 31st, 1843. 
They had nine children, all but two of whom are now 
deceased, viz:  Letitia, wife of Joseph Reeder, living near 
New Hope, Solebury township, and John (the subject of this 
sketch), who was born 8th mo., 10th, 1804. He was reared a 
farmer, and though he never learned a trade, was by instinct 
a natural mechanic, and could turn his hand to almost any 
branch of mechanical industry. He lived on his father's farm 
until 1836, when he bought the farm in Warminster, which has 
since been his home. Here he carried on his farm until 
twenty years ago, when he retired, and is now living in a 
new house which he built for himself on a part of his land. 
Mr. Betts has been twice married, first to Sarah C., 
daughter of John and Rachel Malone, born 5th mo., 20th, 
1810, who died 1st mo., 27th, 1858. To this marriage five 
children were born:  Mary M. and Rachel L., deceased; 
Charles M., who is now in the lumber business in 
Philadelphia, and who served all through the civil war, 
enlisting as a private, and being promoted through the 
several grades to lieut.-colonel in command of his regiment 
at the close of the war; Edward T., who is also in the 
lumber business in Buffalo, N. Y.; and B. Frank, who is a 
physician in Philadelphia. Having been elected a professor 
in the Hahnemann medical college of Philadelphia early in 
his professional career, he still remains connected with 
that institution as professor of diseases of women and 
children, to which branch of medical practice he devotes his 
time and attention almost exclusively. On 10th mo., 16th, 
1862, Mr. Betts was married to Beulah, daughter of Hannah 
and Benjamin Walker. She was born in Solebury township, 
10th mo., 15th, 1815. Mr. Betts has never aspired to office 
other than those forced on him by his neighbors. Like all 
his relatives, he is a consistent member of the Society of 
Friends, and was for many years an overseer of the Horsham 
meeting. A long life of industry, honesty and uprightness 
has gained the respect and esteem of his fellow-men, and has 
entitled him to the well-earned rest and comfort he now 
enjoys. With a sufficiency of this world's goods, a family 
well settled in life, and an affectionate wife, the evening 
of his life is passing peacefully away.