USA > Pennsylvania > A history of the Juniata Valley and its people, Volume II > Part 20
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43
He married, January 16, 1837, Catherine, who died aged sixty-five years, daughter of Daniel Rowe, of German descent, and an old settler in Lewistown, where he died leaving a large family. Children of Charles John and Catherine (Rowe) Stratford: I. Temperance, died aged three years. 2. Charles, married Elizabeth Gray. 3. Loveday Susan, deceased ; married Timothy Swany. 4. Frederick, married Eliz- abeth M. Kramer. 5. Prudence, married Alfred Smithers. 6. Annie E., died aged about twenty-three years. 7. Daniel Rowe, of whom fur- ther. 8. Laura Helen, married Grafton Anderson and moved to Dakota.
(III) Daniel Rowe, seventh child of Charles John and Catherine (Rowe) Stratford, was born in Lewistown, Pennsylvania, May 21, 1852. He attended the public schools and Lewistown Academy until he was fifteen years of age, then spent two and a half years in Iowa, work- ing on a farm. He then returned home and began learning the stone
696
HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY
cutter's trade under the instruction of his father. In 1870 Charles John Stratford retired, his son Charles succeeding him. Daniel R. continued his years of apprenticeship under his brother, becoming an expert work- man and a capable artistic designer of monuments and ornamental marble work. In 1878 he started in business for himself, competing with his brother for ten years. In 1888 the two yards were consoli- dated under the firm name, The Lewistown Marble and Granite Works. The brothers conducted a prosperous business, both were splendid work- men and capable business men with enviable reputations as honorable and trustworthy business men. In 1906 they were awarded the contract for erecting the Soldiers and Sailors' Monument, now standing in the public square at Lewistown. Before this contract was completed, the partnership existing between the brothers was dissolved, Charles Strat- ford retiring, Daniel C. continuing the business and completing the con- tract. The monument, sixty feet in height, was designed by D. C. Stratford from an idea suggested by Dr. Parcels, a member of the committee, and was erected with but slight change from the plans as sub- mitted by Mr. Stratford and is a fitting memorial to the brave dead. Since becoming sole owner, he changed the name of the firm and it is now The Stratford Marble and Granite Works. His business has won- derfully increased in the past six years, the volume having doubled, and extends over the counties of Mifflin, Center, Juniata, Huntingdon and Perry. He is a Republican in politics, a member of the Royal Arcanum, and both he and his wife members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is public-spirited and helpful in all that tends to the public good, and is held in highest respect by his community.
He married, October 28, 1875, Mary E., daughter of Jacob and Julia Ann (Brown) Ettinger, of German descent, both deceased. Children : 1. Harry, born November 29, 1877, died aged eleven months. 2. Laura Edith, born 1891, died 1894. 3. Charles E., born 1876. 4. Sarah Grace, born October 8, 1881 ; married A. L. Bickle. 5. William F., born October 8, 1883 ; married Mabel Davis. 6. Julia Ann, born October 2, 1885. 7. Roy, born July 25, 1887.
Thie Taylor family, of which General John P. Taylor, of
TAYLOR Reedsville, is a representative, was founded in the Juni- ata Valley by Robert Taylor, who came to Mifflin county
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
MTH, LEMX - TIDEN POUNDS + VIVE
1
697
HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY
from Pine Ford, on Swartara Creek, Dauphin county, Pennsylvania. He took out warrants for several acres of land in the Kishacoquillas Valley, much of which is yet owned in the family. Robert Taylor mar- ried and had issue : Henry, William, Robert (2), John, and Matthew. (II) Matthew, son of Robert Taylor, the pioneer settler, came to Mifflin county with his father ; he became a prosperous farmer of "the valley." He married Sarah (Sample) Mayes, widow of John Mayes, and had issue : Robert (3) ; John, of whom further ; Henry and Sample.
(III) John, son of Matthew, and grandson of Robert ( I) Taylor, "the settler," was born in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, March 6, 1775, died in 1843. He attended such schools as the locality then afforded, later going to Center county, where he served a regular apprenticeship in a tannery, thoroughly learning that business. Returning home, he erected a tannery on the homestead farm, and for the remainder of his life followed tanning and farming. He was a man of intelligence, very energetic and prosperous. He married, February 12, 1813. Elizabeth, daughter of Neal and Margaret (Thompson) McManigal. She sur- vived him twenty-six years, dying in 1869, aged eighty-three years. The young couple made their first home in a corner of the tannery building. but as prosperity came erected a comfortable home. Children: Sarah Sample, married James Watts; Rebecca McManigal, married David Brisbin; Matthew, married Jane E. Taylor ; Margaret Thompson, died aged two years; Margaret Isabella, married Oliver Perry Smith; John P., of whom further : Elizabeth, married Samuel McWilliams.
(IV) General John P. Taylor was born on the Taylor homestead in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, June 16, 1827. He was named John, but to distinguish him from other John Taylors, he added "P." to his name. Another writer, competent from personal knowledge to speak of the boyhood of General Taylor, has said: "Having been born and brought up in a community of Scotch-Irish lineage (also his own), it was impossible for him not to inherit the stern and patriotic virtues which characterized his ancestry. His boyhood was spent chiefly on his father's farm, but even there the future man was discernible in the prompt and energetic manner in which he executed his father's com- mands." After attending school at the old log house he was at an early age placed under the care of Professor David Wilson, whose instruction he enjoyed for several years. While at Tuscarora Academy he acquired
698
HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY
a good English education, also a knowledge of Latin, then returned to the farm where, until the outbreak of the war between the states, he was engaged with his cousin, James I. Taylor, in stock dealing, and with his brother Matthew in working the homestead farm, succeeding in both. There was, however, a strain of military ardor in his blood, prob- ably from a warlike ancestor of long ago, for at the age of sixteen years he was planning to enlist in the American army, then in Mexico under the famous generals, Taylor and Scott. His patriotic impulse was however checked by the refusal of his parents to give their consent, and he continued in peaceful pursuit until 1861. He had been active in organizing the company of cavalry, in 1859, called the Mifflin County Dragoons, of which G. V. Mitchell was captain; John P. Taylor, first lieutenant, and William Mann, second lieutenant. After the company had become well drilled and had appeared in public several times, Lieu- tenant Taylor. always the leading spirit of the company, deemed that the time had come to prove to the people that they were not "tin sol- diers." Accordingly, at a meeting of the company held in Reedsville January 26, 1861, he moved that the services of the company be offered the governor of Pennsylvania. Their offer was at once accepted but was quickly followed by another telegram stating that a cavalry company could not be used, but to hold themselves in readiness. So, while their offer was the first on record at Harrisburg, another Mifflin county com- pany, the famous "Logan Guards." hold the honor of being the first company to have their services accepted by the state. The Dragoons confidently expected to be called for under Lincoln's first demand on the loyal states for seventy-five thousand men ; each member was noti- fied and was holding himself in readiness. but the Pennsylvania quota was filled without calling on the cavalry. No amount of persuasion pre- vailed, although Lieutenants Taylor and Mann visited Harrisburg per- sonally. When Governor Curtin organized the First Regiment of Penn- sylvania cavalry, August 7, 1861, the Dragoons became part of Company. C, and before leaving Harrisburg, Lieutenant Taylor was elected captain of that company. The regiment was under the command of Colonel George D. Bayard, who gallantly led his brave troops until killed at Fredericksburg in 1862.
General Taylor's military career was a distinguished one, marked by daring courage, devotion to duty and rapid promotion. He was en-
.
699
HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY
gaged with his company and regiment in thirty-one pitched battles and nearly forty skirmishes, as commander of company, regiment and brigade. He received many commendatory notices in the reports of his superior officers; was promoted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel in Sep- tember, 1862; colonel, January 30, 1863, and was brevetted brigadier- general Angust 5, 1864. He fought at Grangeville, December, 1861 ; Cedar Mountain, 1862, where his horse was shot and fell, injuring him severely and leaving him dismounted within the enemy's lines but es- caping capture ; Second Bull Run ; Fredericksburg ; Brandy Station-the greatest cavalry battle of the war, where he led the sabre charge and in the midst of battle succeeded to the command of his regiment ; Gettys- burg, where his regiment was held in reserve at Meade's headquarters ; Sheppardstown ; Culpeper, where, dismounted, he led his regiment to vic- tory; Mine Run, where he captured the entire skirmish line of the en- emy; with Sheridan in his hard campaigns-in short, wherever there was work for the cavalry during the three years he campaigned in the Army of the Potomac. there Colonel Taylor was found in the thick of the fight. At the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Malvern Hill, and in all his battles, he proved over and over again his soldierly qualities and his capacity for leadership, whether as captain, colonel or general of brigade. When mustered out, August 31, 1864, he was the only officer left that assembled with the regiment at Harrisburg at the christening of the First Pennsylvania Cavalry. The following extract from his farewell order. August 31, 1864. sums up in beautiful, patriotic language the service of his regiment :
"Officers and soldiers of the First Pennsylvania Reserve Cavalry : You have now experienced three years of terrible devastating war ; you are familiar with its toils, its hardships and scenes of bloodshed. Dur- ing this time, there has been no toil that your manly efforts have not overcome, no hardships that you have not courted for your country's sake, no field of strife too terrible to prevent your planting your banner in the face of your traitorous foes, and in every instance you have borne it off in triumph. Many have been the fields on which you have dis- tinguished yourselves by your personal valor. From your first victorious blood spill at Danesville down to that, more green in your memories, such as Hawes Shop, Todd's Tavern, Childsburg, Barker's Mills, White House, St. Mary's Church, and last, but not least, the bloody summit of Malvern Hill, are still sounding in your ears and eternally engraven
700
HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY
on your hearts. But now you have reached a goal worthy of your ambition ; you have won for yourselves, your regiment, your state, an enviable reputation : your military career has been a brave and a clear record, in which you have acquitted yourselves like men. But the war is not ended yet: there are more battles to be fought and more lives to be offered on the altar of liberty. For this end, some of you will remain here and many more of you will be back to battle for a just and holy cause. But whenever you may answer the bugle's call, and upon what- ever field you may strike the black shield of rebellion. let the memory of your fallen comrades strengthen your arms and encourage your hearts, ever mindful that you were once members of the First Pennsyl- vania Reserve Cavalry. May the God of battles and of mercy be your shield and protection.
After the above order had been read. Colonel Taylor addressed the regiment in most eloquent, patriotic and feeling terms, paying this just tribute to their fallen leader of the earlier years :
"What you were then and what you have since proved yourselves, you owe to the mighty impulses of your first great and noble com- mander, George D. Bayard. Imbued with the influence of his mighty genius, you saw the star of his glory rising and shining brighter in the military sphere and alas! too soon to set before it had reached its zenith-following in his wake, ever ready to stand by you in the hour of danger, to share with you your toils and hardships, to cheer you on in your conflicts, following strictly in the footsteps of his illustrious pre- decessor. the champion of your rights and reputation, came your second commander, Colonel Owen Jones.
To all of these encomiums Colonel Taylor was as justly entitled, but of himself he said with becoming modesty :
"Officers and Soldiers: Through your esteem I had the honor to be your next commander, and as such 1 deem it a high honor today to stand before the remnant of what was once a large regiment, to thank you for your esteem and the willingness with which you have acceded to iny every request and complied with every command, and for the manner in which you have so nobly and faithfully discharged your duty as soldiers. I believe I am the only officer now left, of those who assem- bled at the call of the Governor and witnessed the organization of the regiment, in the presence of his staff, and heard it christened the First Pennsylvania Reserve Cavalry. And it gives me pleasure today to think that we can return to our native state those colors entrusted to our care, tattered and torn though they be, without a tarnish or stain upon the reputation of the regiment. Officers and soldiers of the First Pennsyl-
701
HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY
vania Reserve Cavalry, you are the veterans of more than thirty engage- ments, your banner has proudly floated over almost every field on which this historic army has been engaged ; the graves of your comrades are strewn from Gettysburg to James river, your war paths may be traced by the blood of your fallen heroes, and by the strength of justice and the might of mercy, you have plumed your arms with honor and victory.'
To his brave men, who had elected to remain with the army until the end, he said :
"Enlisted veterans: When you re-enlisted my lips were sealed from encouraging you, because circumstances unavoidably rendered my re- maining with you impossible. Let not our leaving discourage you, but go on to greater deeds of valor,-be faithful and obedient, prompt and cheerful in duty, as you always have been; a hopeful country waits to crown you and we shall not forget you. We shall continue to breathe the desired hope and Christian prayer that you may soon be permitted to return to your homes when the red-handed monster war, whose pes- tiferous breath blasts with withering death everything lovely on earth, may be banished from our distracted land and peace, sweet peace, again returning. shall ever pour her Heaven-born blessings on our fair Colun- bian soil."
On the departure of the regiment for home, Colonel Taylor received from the division commander, General Gregg, a very complimentary letter, in part as follows :
"For nearly two years the First Pennsylvania Cavalry has been under my command. I can proudly say its record is without a blemish. Many officers and enlisted men have fallen. They met death facing the foe; let them be properly remembered by those who survive. To you. Colonel, my thanks are due for the efficient manner in which you have always performed your duty, whether as a regimental or brigade com- mander. You return to your home well satisfied you have failed not in your duty, bearing with you the sincere friendship of myself and all your companions in arms."
After closing his brilliant military career, General Taylor returned to his estate of four hundred and fifty acres, a part of the tract patented by his great-grandfather, Robert Taylor, in 1755. His residence is the old stone mansion of solid, dignified appearance, "beautiful for situa- tion," erected by his grandfather. Matthew Taylor, who in 1823 also remodeled and enlarged it. Here General Taylor has ever resided, and
702
HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY
amid the beautiful surroundings of the Kishacoquillas Valley he is pass- ing an honored old age. In personal appearance General Taylor is about six feet tall. well proportioned, of florid complexion and sandy hair, now whitened by age. He has always enjoyed good health and today car- ries his years, eighty-five, with a surprising vigor. His sterling charac- ter has won him the love and respect of a large circle of friends, and nowhere is a man held in higher general esteem than General John P. Taylor.
In political faith he is strongly Republican. but has persistently re- fused the many tenders of public office made by his party leaders. He accepted, in 1892, the office of department commander of Pennsylvania Grand Army of the Republic, to which he was elected by acclamation, and the appointment by the governor of Pennsylvania to membership on the Pennsylvania Monumental Commission, and was president of the board. The object of the commission was to have in charge the marking of the battlefield of Gettysburg with suitable monuments, showing the position of the different regiments engaged in that battle. This has re- sulted in intelligently beautifying this sacred, holy ground, the scene of a great conflict and the spot on which President Lincoln's immortal ad- dress was delivered. A monument has been erected to every Pennsyl- vania regiment engaged during General Taylor's presidency ; also eques- trian statues to Generals Meade, Hancock and Reynolds, three great generals in action at Gettysburg.
General Taylor married (first) in May. 1863, Sarah Harriet Nourse, who died December 25. 1870, daughter of Rev. James and Sarah ( Har- vey) Nourse, and granddaughter of Colonel Michael Nourse. He mar- ried (second ). June 1. 1876. Elizabeth, daughter of Hon. John and Rhoda (Taylor) Henry. Three months after their marriage, while visiting the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, she received injuries in a street car accident that caused her almost instant death. She was aged forty-two years and six months.
In 1906, and again in 1910, General Taylor toured the Holy Land, and in his beautiful home has many relics, both of the war and of the Holy Land, together with many specimens of the rare and antique in furniture. One of these relics was found on his own farm, a German silver spoon, bearing the name of William Penn on its handle and on the reverse, the British crown and the word "Yates."
703
HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY
The Burlews are of French descent, the ancestor coming BURLEW to Pennsylvania at an early date and serving at Fort Pitt in the French and Indian war against England and the colonies. His son, Cornelius, grandfather of W. F. Burlew, of Lewis- town, was a soldier of the war of 1812, serving in the American army against the British. He married Mary Miller, and they were early set- tlers of Mifflin county.
(III) Alexander, son of Cornelius and Mary ( Miller) Burlew, was born near Lewistown, Pennsylvania, in 1830, died October, 1910. He was a cooper by trade, but later became a superintendent of mines. He was a Republican in politics, and a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church. He was twiee married and the father of seventeen chil- dren. thirteen of whom are living. He married (first ) Catherine East, born in Lewistown in 1831, died in 1873, the mother of eight children, six living ( 1913). She was the daugliter of Abraham East, who worked on the state canal in the early days and married a Miss Lotz.
(IV) William F., son of Alexander and Catherine ( East ) Burlew, was born in Lewistown, Pennsylvania, February 5, 1857. He was edu- cated in the public schools, finishing his studies in Lewistown high school. He began business life as a clerk, and in 1885 engaged in busi- ness for himself, continuing for twenty years. He manufactured build- ing blocks, cement pavement, and was a contractor and builder, erecting among others the building he now owns and occupies. On December 24, 19II, he opened a grocery store at No. 35 Valley street, where he has built up a prosperous business. He is a Republican in politics ; has always been active in party affairs, and in 1900 was elected treasurer of Mifflin county, serving three years. He is a member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
He married, August 19, 1878, Alice Brown, born in Blair County, Pennsylvania, daughter of Michael Brown. Children: 1. William A., born May 28, 1880; he was educated in the high school, began life as clerk in a store, later was for several years employed in the post office, and is now (1913) a partner with his father in the grocery business, established December 24, 1911, under the firm name W. F. Burlew and Son; he married, in 1900, Edna Pearl Reddy; two children : Florence and William F. 2. Florence Elizabeth, born January, 1882; married
704
HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY
Walter H. Schell, a seed merchant of Harrisburg, their present home; child. William Matthew.
The Doyle family, which has been known in the state of DOYLE Pennsylvania for a number of generations, and of which John C. Doyle, of Fermanagh township, Juniata county, Pennsylvania, is a descendant, has been identified mainly with the mill- ing and agricultural interests of the state. In these fields of industry they have borne their share as good citizens, and when the country had need of their services as soldiers, they have nobly arisen in defence of its rights and liberties.
(1) John Doyle, grandfather of John C. Doyle, was of Hunting- don county, Pennsylvania, and followed the occupation of milling dur- ing the active years of his life.
(II) Richard, son of John Doyle, was born in 1814. He was a resident of Beil township, and a miller by occupation. Upon the out- break of the civil war he was one of the first in the district to volunteer his services, and fought bravely during that struggle. In the ranks of the Republican party he wielded considerable influence, and for a long period of time he served as internal revenue assessor. Thrifty and in- dustrious, he amassed a considerable fortune, and was the owner of a large amount of real property. He married Nancy Criswell, a member of the well-known Criswell family of Mifflin county, Pennsylvania. Their children were: AAdeline and Nannie, who died in infancy ; John C .. see forward : James, Ella, Margaret, Jennie, Charles and Evelina. who died in infancy.
(1I1) John C., son of Richard and Nancy (Criswell) Doyle, was born in Beil township, Juniata county, Pennsylvania, January 12, 1847. Fe acquired his early education in the public schools of his native town- ship, then became a student for several years at the Tuscarora Acad- emy, from which he was graduated. In his early manhood he was ap- prenticed to learn the trade of printing, with which he was occupied for a period of five years. He then took up the study of dentistry, but never engaged in active practice in this profession. For some years he was busily engaged in agricultural pursuits, then having become associated with railroad work, was thus occupied in various positions for twenty- ciglit years. . Always a great lover of nature, he now returned to farm
705
HISTORY OF THE JUNIATA VALLEY
occupations, and has continued in this direction up to the present time. He has a beautiful farm of sixty-three acres, and keeps this in a fine state of cultivation. In political matters Mr. Doyle entertains progressive ideas, and prefers to form his own opinions independently rather than have them formed for him. He and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. His fraternal affiliations are with the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows of Mifflin.
Mr. Doyle married, in 1868, Margaret C., a daughter of George and Hannah (Souders) Goshen, the former a farmer of Perry county, Pennsylvania. They have had children as follows: Harry R., unmar- ried, is in the employ of the Carnegie Steel Works, at Homestead, Penn- sylvania ; George, who is in the west ; Belle, now deceased, married John Cibulka, a tailor ; Nellie, married Dr. - Hammond, of Westmore- land county, Pennsylvania; Mamie, is a trained nurse in Philadelphia ; Anna, married Robert Spanogle, a dentist of Cambria county, Pennsyl- vania: Grace, died in childhood; Mildred, died in 1910, at the age of nineteen years.
The Beyer family of Pennsylvania are of German descent, BEYER and have been settled in the state for a number of genera- tions, greatly to its benefit. They have proved themselves to be of industrious habits, have been actively interested in whatever concerned the welfare of the community in which they resided, and have always occupied places high in the esteem of their fellow citizens. (I) Philip Beyer, grandfather of the particular subject of this sketch, was one of the early settlers of Monteur county, Pennsylvania, coming thence from Burkes county. Like the majority of the people of those days, his time was principally occupied with farming. He was the owner of a considerable amount of land and was considered as being one of the wealthy men of the town. He married -, and had children : Solomon, a farmer in the state of Kansas; Peter M., see for- ward; Edmond, a farmer near Danville, Pennsylvania; Philip, a farmer in Danville, Pennsylvania; Mary, married John Snyder, of Kansas : Lizzie, married Henry Snyder, a farmer in Michigan; Jennie, who be- came the second wife of Rastus Fleck: Tillie, the first wife of Rastus Fleck : John, a farmer in Kansas. As far as is known, all of these chil- dren were living in 1913.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.