The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-04-17
HOLSTEIN FAMILY IS REMARKABLE
 FOR HE LONGEVITY OF ITS MEMBERS

which positions he remains to-day. March 1. 1904, 5
 "Burials were made in the church cemetery years before the church was built: the oldest stone Is dated 1743. My sister. Elizabeth W. Brookfield, died March 2s. 1887. aged s2. My sister, Mary H. Amies, died July g. 1888, in her slst year. My sister. Emily W. Thom- as. died February, II. 1902. aged s2 years. My sister. Susan H. Roberts, died July s. 1903. aged ss years. My sis ter. Louisa B. Dewees, died January 24. 1904, In her 90th year.
 My brother, Isaac W Holstein, died April 8. 1884. aged 62 years. He lived on the farm occupied by my father, and which was part of the originsl tract of one thousand acres purchased from the Indians in 170s, by his great great-great grandfather, Matthias Hol- stein, the first white settler along the Schuylkill river st the point after wards named swedcsford.
 Mrs. David Ellis, the daughter of my brother, Isaac. still owns this por- tfon of the original tract.
 'Holstein has always been a hies- ly respected name in the community, but there js a strong probability of its passing out of existence soon, as the only one bearing 1t of the coming generation Is a grandson of Dr. Hol- stein. living with his father at Plain field. N J."
 The Norristown CN. Y.) Herald of re- cent date said:
 The destruction of the old Bush Man sion. at Swedesford marks the passing away of the landmark indicating the home of the first white settler along the shores of the Schuylkill in this vicinity Tn 1rn2 Matt the Wiccaco settlement. purchased from the Indians residing here one thousand acres of land covering a mile of the river front. and extending about two miles back into the country to the top of Red Hill; 1t was covered with heavy timber, abounding with game and wild animals. He. with friends who followed him from Wiccaco, erected a substantial loR cabin. finding 1t a comfortable home. Four other Swedes soon followed his example. making similar purchases along the river front to Matson's ford. erecting similar homes thereon. The river yielded fine returns to fishermen in choice shad, perch, catfish etc. Tn 1T2 these settlers all brought their families out here. hav- ing in the meantime cleared off large tracts, finding the soil very productive.
 "A ford across the river. named Swedesford. opened communication with the eastern side, population increased, the settlement was added to- industries sprang up, and there was a general con dition of prosperity.
 School houses were built to meet the needs of the rising generation. sons took the places of their fathers, they erected Christ (Swedes) Church in 1760. tore down the log cabin at Swedes-ford. and in TIT built substantial stone house in it's Sf.H IL. n and occupied by the family of Matthias Holstein. Sd. when on the morning of December 12. 1T77 they wehe aroused by the announcement that the American army was crossing the river. Matthias Holstein. 4th. then lad of seven years. witnessed the crossing, effected by bridge of army wagons. and often refer red to 1t in after years. the event hav- ing made a deep impression upon his young mind. This boy. when grown to manhood. took a prominent and active part in all progressive matters in the community, and will be remembered by some in Norristown as the first Cashier of the Bank of Montgomery County, and afterwards. for many years as the general agent of the P. c and N. R. R. Co.,, when their termination was at DeKalo Street, and their ofice was where the Windsor House now stands.
 'aThe American army bivouacked on the western bank of the Schuylkill Gen. eral Washington resting one night in the stone dwelling recently completed, occu- pyinR the south corner. second story. As a division of the army under the command of General Potter had crossed the river at Matson's Ford and taken up quarters at the Guelph. General Wash ington. with some officers. joined them there. making his resting place in a larg4 stone mansion, since the property of George Mcfarland, Esq.
 After a few days of needed rest the two wings of the army started. the one by sweies' Ford road. the other by the Gulf road. meeting at the King-of-Prus- Sia. thence in one grand body to Valley Forge, reaching there and going into win ter uuarter9 on December r. TIT.
 "whilst at Swedes Ford the army gained several rec-uits from among the young Swedes in the vicinity. prominent among them being Tobias Ramoo.
 .'Jn 1903 Matthias Holstein, 4th. built an addition to the Swedes Ford house doubling its capacity. and now. after weathe-ing the storms of century. hay ing pashed through many owners Into the nossession of the Philadelphia and Read ing Railway Company, 1t has been torn down. giving to them ample space for n fine stock yard.
 "George Dreslin. the contractor, very cs refully guarded the date stones. which gre in nerfect order. and placed them In inc keeping of pr. c. w. Holstein. IienaI descendant of the first settler.