: "Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Chester County, Pennsyl-
vania, comprising a historical sketch of the county", by Samuel T. Wiley
and edited by Winfield Scott Garner, Gresham Publishing Company, Phila-
delphia, PA, 1893, pp. 207-8.

"BENJAMIN J. TORBERT, a well respected citizen of Downingtown, and who served as an officer in an emergency company when Lee invaded Pennsylvania in 1863, is a son of William and Hannah (Lewis) Torbert, and was born at Gallagherville, Chester county, Pennsylvania, January 7, 1830.  His paternal grandfather, William Torbert, sr., born January 1, 1756, was a native of Ireland, and in the latter part of the eighteenth century came to Montgomery county.  He was a democrat, a farmer and hotel keeper.  On April 18, 1782, he married Jane Oliver, who was born February 21, 1759, and had a family of seven children: Alexander, William, Samuel, Benjamin, James, Andrew, and Mary Gallagher.

"William Torbert (father) was born near Spring House tavern, on the Lancaster pike, in Montgomery county, November 1, 1789.  In early life he came to Chester county, where he was engaged in farming near Gallagherville, until his death in 1873, at eighty-four years of age.  He was a democrat in politics, and served as an American soldier in the war of 1812, during which great contest he participated in several severe battles.  He married Hannah Lewis, and to their union were born seven children: William, Jane, Hester, Benjamin J., Oliver, Andrew and Obed.  Mrs. Torbert was a member of the Society of Friends, and died August 2, 1886, when in the ninety-first yearof her age.  She was a daughter of William Lewis, and a granddaughter of Lewis Lewis, a native of Wales.  William settled near Downingtown, and followed farming.  He was a democrat and Presbyterian, and served in the Federal army, while his brother entered the Confederate ranks.  He married and had three children: Joseph, William, and Mrs. Hannah Torbert.

"Benjamin J. Torbert was reared on the farm, attended the common schools, and then engaged in farming and stock raising, which he followed successfully near Gallagherville, until 1891.  In that year he removed to Downingtown, where he has resided ever since.  During Lee's invasion of Pennsylvania in 1863, Mr. Torbert enlisted in Co. H, 21st regiment of Pennsylvaniamilitia, and served as a corporal until his regiment was mustered out ofservice.

"On January 24, 1854, Mr. Torbert married Emmeline Jones, daughter of SamuelJones, of Honeybrook, Pennsylvania, whose ancestors came from England.  Totheir union have been born four children, one son and three daughters:William, a farmer of near Unionville, this county; Hester L.; Rachel, nowdead, who was the wife of Charles H. Fahnestock, a business man of Philadelphia; and Hannah P.

"In politics Benjamin J. Torbert has always been a strong democrat, who believes in the principles of the Democratic party as advocated by Thomas Jefferson, and in an economical administration of the government of the United States.  By honesty, good judgment and judicious management, Mr.Torbert has acquired a competency, and is now well situated to enjoy life."