excerpts from History of Bucks County, Pennsylvania From the Discovery of the Delaware to the Present Time. William W.H. Davis, A.M. (Lewis Publishing Co., New York and Chicago, 1905)

Vol. II, pp. 151, ff.

The Deemers of this county, of German descent and probably from the Palatinate, were early settlers in Durham, and, from there, went into the adjoining township of Nockamixon. The date of arrival is not definitely known but Michael Deemer was living on the Durham tract in 1775, and one of the twelve signers of the petition for the organization of that township. It bears the date of June 12, same year. He must have been there some time prior to this but we can only conjecture how long in the absence of testimony. In the first edition of the History of Bucks county, it is stated the Deemers were "among the old German families of Nockamixon," ad undoubtedly they were, and descendants of Michael Deemer, of Durham. He married Elizabeth Trittenback, but whether before or after his arrival is not known. They were the parents of thirteen children, eight sons and five daughters: John, who died, 1797, the same year as his father, Jacob, Henry, Solomon, Michael, died, 1797, the same year as his father, Jacob, Henry, Solomon, Michael, died 1850, Frederick, Barnet, died 1827, Merelles, Catharine, Modelina, died 1868, Sarah and Margaret. We give the children as they are mentioned in the will, and probably according to their birth. The will of Michael Deemer, the first settler was executed August 11, 1795, and admitted t probate March 30, 1797, his death taking place sometime the latter year. The executors were his son Henry and Solomon Mills, Haycock, and the witnesses Thomas McKeen and Elizabeth McKeen. The testators mention only seven sons in enumerating his children, but when naming his executors, he specifies his "son Henry" for one of them, who had not been previously named, a singular oversight. By provision o the will the farm was to be divided into thirteen equal parts, each child to receive one hare and the property to be sold when the youngest child "comes of age." There were minute particulars in the will as to what the widow was to receive, showing a thoughtful care for her welfare.

Michael Deemer, the second, who died March 21, 1850, son of Michael the elder, died in Nockamixon, and his brothers, George and Frederick, sons of Michael, died in the same township. They had evidently settled there. In addition to the above, the following descendants of Michael the elder, are given in the public records at Doylestown as hiving died in Nockamixon, and doubtless lived there: Charles F. Deemer, 1840, Michael Deemer, a son, 1850, Samuel Deemer, 1874, John Deemer, 1885, John G . Deemer, died in Durham, 1888, Ellen Deemer, same township, 1896, Dorotha Deemer, East Rockhill, 1896, and Edward Deemer, Durham, 1899. The name of Deemer appears but twice on the index to the wills in the Register's office, Doylestown. Michael Deemer, the elder, will book, No. 6, page 9, and Lavina Deemer, book No. 28, page 212. The will of the later was executed November 16, 1896, probated, March 5, 1898, executors, Oliver James Deemer and Charles F. Deemer. The absence of the family name from the record of wills is evidence their estates were settled by administration, if they left any. The estate of John Deemer, son of Michael, the elder, who died, 1797, was settled by administration, the administrators being Jacob and Solomon Deemer, his brothers and George Piper who entered into bond of five thousand dollars. The inventory was filed but settlement never made. It was a feature of the members of the Deemer family in the past to live to a ripe old age, Jacob the son of Michael, the elder, dying at ninety; his brother John at eighty, and the five daughters of the elder Michael all surviving to between seventy and eighty-five. One of the Michael Deemers, probably the elder, was killed by kick of a favorite horse while in a playful mood.

John Deemer, the younger, had two sons, Edward and Elias, and three daughters, the latter marrying and removing from the county any years ago. Of the two sons, Edward, who lived in Durham, was keeper of the county prison under Sheriff Nicholas; returned to his home and died there. Elias Deemer, youngest son of John, is the most prominent member of the family. He was born in Nockamixon, educated at the public schools of the township and receive a mercantile training at the country stores. When the Civil War broke out, he enlisted in the 104th Pennsylvania regiment, and went with it to the front, but was discharged for disability, 1862. On returning home he resumed his old employment for a time, but, in 1863, settled at Williamsport, Lycoming county, and entered into the lumber business, and success crowned his efforts. He was elected to Congress, 1900, and took his seat, December 1901. The Deemers were large landowners in the past and generally farmers.