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From the time of the settlement of this country of William Penn and his colony of Quakers, the influence of this sect has been felt in a quiet, but none the less powerful, manner in many directions, and invariably to the benefit of the matters with which they interest themselves. The Rudolph family, of Springfield township, and of Upper Darby township, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, is a notable example of this kind. Tradition has it that they are of French descent; however it is known as a positive fact that they have been Quakers for a number of generations.
(I) Thomas Rudolph was a farmer and drover, and became very prosperous, owning two farms in Springfield township. He married Hannah Powell and had children: Abraham, at first a farmer, then removed to Woodbury, New Jersey, where he engaged in the grocery business; Thomas, see forward; Hannah, married Joshua Longworth, and lived in Abington township; Mary, died young, unmarried; Sarah, married Joseph Longworth, a farmer.
(II) Thomas, son of Thomas and Hannah (Powell) Rudolph, was born in Springfield township, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, December 21, 1824, and died February 18, 1887. During the greater part of his life he was engaged as a farmer, but in 1872 he was offered, and he accepted the position of superintendent of the Friends' Southwestern Cemetery, filling this office until his death. He was an Independent in political matters, and in religion an attendant of the Concord Quarterly Meeting. He married Sarah A. Fogg, born in Philadelphia, February 2, 1828, died October 29, 1894. She was the daughter of Samuel Allen and Elizabeth (Glover) Fogg; the former born February 20, 1805, died November 28, 1893; the latter born August 16, 1807, died May 3, 1893. Samuel Allen Fogg was born in Salem, New Jersey, and was a bricklayer by occupation. He was of English descent, and also a member of the Society of Friends. During the latter years of his life he was in the undertaking business. He and his wife raised a large family, of whom there are now living the following: Joseph, lives at Sixteenth and Race streets, Philadelphia; Rachel, married John E. Balderson; Elizabeth, married Harry Stiles. Thomas and Sarah A. (Fogg) Rudolph had children: Samuel F., see forward; Deborah F., born March 27, 1853, died April 27, 1876; Hannah, born July 24, 1856, died September 28, 1875; Elizabeth, born May 1, 1858, died March 15, 1910, married William P. Hall; John M., deceased.
(III) Samuel F., son of Thomas and Sarah A. (Fogg) Rudolph, was born in Springfield township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, December 25, 1848, in the same house in which his father had been born. He received a part of his education in the Friends' School in Chichester township, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, later attending the public schools. His education was completed when he left school at the age of sixteen years, and he then assisted his father in the cultivation of the farm until his marriage. He rented farms successively at Beverly, New Jersey, and in Delaware county, Pennsylvania, and upon the death of his father in 1887, was appointed to succeed him as superintendent of the cemetery. He is a member of the Society of Friends, attending the Western District Monthly Meeting. Mr. Rudolph is quiet, even-tempered and unassuming in his manner, yet with a perseverance and faithful attention to detail which render his services invaluable. He attends to his various duties in a most methodical manner, and the cemetery is kept in a model way.
Mr. Rudolph married, April 18, 1872, Mary S., born in Philadelphia, daughter of Edwin and Louisa Hansell, both now deceased. Mr. Hansell was a woodcarver by trade, and lived on Thirteenth street, Philadelphia. Children of Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph: Edwin, born September 7, 1873, died September 2, 1893; Thomas, born June 14, 1875, married Anna Hearst, and assists his father in the care of the cemetery; Laura, born February 7, 1884, died May 7, 1884. |
