USA > Pennsylvania > A history of the Juniata Valley and its people, Volume II > Part 21
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(II) Peter M., son of Philip Beyer, was born in Burkes county, March 28, 1843, and was but two weeks of age when his parents re- moved to Monteur county. His main occupation throughout his life was milling, but in addition to this he engaged to a certain extent in farming. He was the owner of a large tract of land, and an influential member of the Lutheran church. In political matters he gave his adherence to the Republican party. His death occurred May, 1910, in Union county. He married Mary E. Hilkert, born February 19, 1844, who is now living in Union county with her daughter, Mrs. Rayback. Mrs. Beyer was the daughter of Joseph and Rebecca Hilkert, both of German descent, and people of wealth in Monteur county, where they were the owners of a large farm which they cultivated themselves. They had children: Mary E., mentioned above ; Emma Jane, married Daniel Mull and died shortly after her marriage; Samuel, was in active service during the civil war, and died at home of the smallpox; Joseph and James, farmers in Mon- teur county ; Thomas, who was a farmer of Monteur county ; Solomon, who lived in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.
Mr. and Mrs. Beyer had children : William, a resident of Lewisburg, married Dora Carr; Edward, a miller in Union county, married Eliza- beth Hauselman; James Wesley, lives in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and married Eliza Fernwalt; Andrew J., see forward: Alice, married Charles Harshibarger, a railroad man of Northumberland county ; Nora, married Joseph Fisher, in public office in Milton; Calvin, an insurance agent at Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania; Ada, married Blaine Raybeck, a farmer of Union county.
(III) Andrew J., fourth son and child of Peter M. and Mary E. ( Ifilkert) Beyer, was born in Monteur county, Pennsylvania, August 19, 1872. He was the recipient of a good, practical education in the public schools of the county, and he made the best use of his opportunities there. In his early manhood he was associated with his father in the milling business and in the cultivation of the farm, being thus employed for a period of twenty years. He came to Juniata Valley in 1900, and purchased the mill located at Jones Mills, and this is still in his posses- sion. In 1912 he removed to Mifflintown, where he established himself in the restaurant business, in which he is successfully engaged at the present time. He keeps well abreast of the times in every particular, and the attention he has given to public affairs has made him a man of
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note in the Republican party. His religious affiliations are with the Methodist Episcopal church, at which he is a devout attendant. He is a member of McCalastenville Lodge, No. 716, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; of Camp No. 717, Patriotic Order of Free Sons of America; and the K. O. F. M. of Lewistown.
Mr. Beyer married, February 26, 1896, Virginia, daughter of Joseph Keyser, a trucker and farmer of Northumberland county, and they have had children : Leonard K., born November 16, 1897, is a student in the high school at Clifton; Clifton, born March 14, 1905, died in 1907; Dartha, born August 21, 1907.
William Thompson McCoy, of Lewistown, Mifflin county,
McCOY Pennsylvania, is of Irish extraction, his emigrant progeni-
tor landing in America previous to 1790. The McCoy family has lived largely in Pennsylvania, and has helped make history for the state, as well as assist in its upbuilding.
(I) Robert McCoy was born in Ireland and came to this country before 1790. He probably landed in New York with his family, and driven by the zeal that characterized his life as a minister of the Metho- dist Episcopal church, he went to Pennsylvania in 1790, and settled for a while in Bucks county. Here he farmed as best he could, for he was blind for forty years before his death, on February 1I, 1829, and preached in the little log house set aside for that purpose. He moved front Bucks county in 1825 to Allensville, Mifflin county, and there re- mained until his death. He was greatly beloved by those who knew him, and his charges in the various churches under his care lamented his death. He married Mary Iliff, in Ireland, who accompanied him across the Atlantic to the wild new country, in which he was destined to accom- plish much good. Children: I. John, a saddler in Lewistown, married Sarah Willis. 2. Joseph, a farmer in Huntingdon county. 3. Mercy, married William Brown, a farmer of Brady township. 4. Wesley, died in infancy. 5. Wesley, a farmer in Granville township; married Sarah McCord. 6. Mary, died young. 7. Elizabeth, married Thomas Mc- Cord, a farmer in Granville township. S. Edward, died in youth. 9. Samuel, of whom further. 10. Benjamin, a farmer in Granville town- ship; married Sarah Anderson. All the children of Mr. McCoy are dead. For years after his death the good influence of his life was felt,
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his patience and submission to his great affliction binding him to his friends and parishioners.
(I]) Samuel Harvey McCoy, son of Robert and Mary (Iliff) McCoy, was born December 1, 1818, in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and died June 8, 1890, in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania. He was edul- cated in the township schools and under the direction of his father, who was well educated for a Dissenter minister. He began farming while young, and through thrift and energy was finally able to purchase a large body of land, which he converted into an up-to-date farm for those days. Ile was one of the progressive citizens of the county, advocating at all times the principles of progress, not only for himself but his neighbors as well. He became a Republican on the organization of that party and supported it staunchly and actively. He held many township offices, giving satisfaction in each. He married Rachael J. Anderson, born January 23, 1824, in Granville township, and died June 16, 1903, in Lewistown, Mifflin county. She was the daughter of Joseph and Jane (McCord) Anderson, who were natives of Ireland, but settled in Mif- flin county in the early part of the nineteenth century. He was a farmer and distiller near Longfellow, Mifflin county, and was wonderfully pros- perous until his accidental death by drowning while he was in his prime. Both he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Children :
I. Rachael, married Samuel Harvey McCoy. 2. Sarah, mar- ried Benjamin McCoy. 3. Mary, married Thompson Bell, a farmer in Derry township, Mifflin county. Children of Samuel Harvey and Ra- chael J. ( Anderson) McCoy: 1. Francis I., born January 16, 1847, a farmer : died in 1907: married Rebeca Pennapaker. 2. Charles How- ard, born February 10. 1851, a grain dealer in the west ; married Lillian Taylor. 3. Anna M., born March 16, 1853, unmarried. 4. William Thompson, of whom further. 5. Samuel Edward, born March 1, 1860, unmarried : makes home with his sister Anna in Lewistown.
(III ) William Thompson McCoy, son of Samuel Harvey and Ra- chael J. ( Anderson) McCoy, was born December 25, 1857, in Granville township. Mifflin county. He received his education in the common schools of the township and as a young man followed farming as an occupation, and has done so until the present time (1913). His home farm comprises one hundred and forty-seven well-tilled acres, on which
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he does general farming and stock raising, making a specialty of dairy- ing. He has another farm of one hundred and twenty-five acres in Granville township which he rents. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and is a Republican in politics, and has held. accept- ably, township offices.
William T. McCoy married, May 16, 1883, Juniata A. Collins, born April 14, 1860, in Mt. Union, Huntingdon county, a daughter of Thomas and Margaret ( Hooper) Collins. Children: I. Eva Margaret, born March 13, 1884; married Morris Amon, a farmer of Oliver town- ship, Mifflin county. 2. George W., born October 26, 1885, unmarried. 3. James Hugh, born August 18, 1887, at home. 4. Robert Thompson. born April 3, 1890, at home. 5. Samuel Honnan, born September 26, 1893, graduated from Lewistown high school, and is now an employee in Standard Steel Works. 6. Mary Rachael, twin of Samuel H. 7. Grace, born September 17, 1898. 8. Elizabeth Collins, born July 5. 1902.
(The Collins Line).
James Collins, the paternal grandfather of Mrs. William Thompson McCoy, lived in Fulton county, Pennsylvania. Later he moved to Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania. He was an iron worker by trade. He married Mariah Reeder, and among their children was Thomas, of whom further.
(II) Thomas Collins, son of James and Mariah (Reeder) Collins, was born March 12, 1834, in Fulton county, Pennsylvania. He was an iron worker in his younger days, but in later years was employed by the Pennsylvania Railway. He married Margaret Hooper, born February 24, 1835, in Huntingdon county, a daughter of Phillip and Margaret (Robinson) Hooper, who were early settlers in Huntingdon county, where he was a farmer and an extensive land owner. Thomas Collins enlisted in the civil war in Company K, Two Hundred and Second Regi- ment Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served nearly a year, or the full time of his enlistment. He died December 5, 1883, and his wife fol- lowed him July 15. 1885. Both were highly esteemed in the various places in which they lived in their long life. Children: 1. Juniata, married William Thompson McCoy (see McCoy III). 2. Alice, mar- ried C. C. Morrison. 3. Selina, died at the age of seventeen. 4. James Howard, married Mary Hammelbaugh. 6. Elsie, died in youth.
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From far-off Germany came Peter Dreyer, born in that DREYER country July 11, 1854, son of Fulton and Katerine (Cashdollar) Dreyer, who were born, lived, and died in Germany. Peter was one of the four sons of Fulton Dreyer, his brothers Jacob, Frank and Deobalt all being deceased. Peter and his brother Frank left their native land, came to the United States, and settled first at Pine Grove, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, but soon afterward Peter came to Lewistown, his brother returning to Germany. Peter, before coming to the United States, had served in the German army and partly learned the barber's trade. After coming to Lewis- town he finished his trade, became an expert worker, and in 1870 estab- lished in business for himself. He has been very successful and has a well-equipped and well-patronized shop at Valley street. For about three years he engaged in the poultry business, and otherwise has been in business continuously. He is a Democrat in politics and is a member of the Episcopal Church. He belongs to Lewistown Lodge, No. 203. Free and Accepted Masons; The Independent Order of Odd Fellows. and the Knights of the Golden Eagle. He married, June 11, 1875, Re- becca Davis, daughter of William Davis, an early settler in Lewistown, coming from England, with his wife, Susan ( Bice) Davis, both de- ceased. Children of Peter and Rebecca Dreyer: Frederick, Sadie, Jean- nette. Catherine, Paul Edgar.
SANTON John Henry Saxton, of Lewistown, Pennsylvania, is of good old English stock that has been planted in America nearly two hundred and fifty years. The first mention of John Saxton was in the records of Massachusetts in 1668, and it is thought that from him have sprung the Saxtons of the United States.
John Ilenry Saxton, son of Leonard and Anna ( Mccullough) Sax- ton (see Leonard Saxton, this work), was born December 16, 1875, in Lewistown. Pennsylvania. He was educated in the public schools, and during vacations drove his father's boat. Leaving school while yet young, he clerked for Wills and Jackson in their grocery store. In 1893 he was apprenticed to the Lewistown Gasette and took such a vivid in- terest in all that pertains to a printing office of a newspaper that six years later he was made foreman, the mechanical skill displayed in the paper speaking for his ability in that capacity. He is a Repub-
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lican in politics, working for that party at all times. He was borough auditor for three years and secretary of the town council since 1910. In 191 I he was elected county auditor, which position he fills at the present time (1913), and is also secretary of the council. He is a member in high standing in the Lewistown Lodge of A. F. A. M., No. 203, and of the P. O. S. of A. and P. O. of A., the Royal Arcanum, the Loyal Association, and has been secretary of the P. O. S of A. since 1901. He is a member of the Lutheran church, attending with his family. He married, November 4, 1897, Emma Baum Shatzer, born at New Castle, Pennsylvania, a daughter of John Henry Shatzer, a brother of Richard Shatzer. who was a son of David Shatzer (see Shatzer, this work). Children: I. John Leonard. 2. George Robert. 3. Henry McCul- lough. 4. Donald Kimball. 5. James Richard, all of whom make their homes with their parents, No. 207 South Brown street, Lewistown.
The Peters family of Lewistown, Pennsylvania, herein
PETERS recorded, are of Scotch-German ancestry. The paternal progenitor, George Peters, being of Scotch, his wife, Elizabeth Wagner, of German ancestry. George Peters grew to man- hood near Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, at the home of his foster parents, the Beichtels, where he learned the tailor's trade. He worked, as was the ancient custom, among the families of the neighborhood, going to their homes and living until outfits for the whole family were completed. He continued this mode of work until after his marriage, then settled in Reedsville. Mifflin county, where he opened a shop and had trade come to him. He was a good workman and continued business until old age called a halt. He was for fourteen years sexton of the East Kisha- coquillas Presbyterian Church, although both he and his wife were Lutherans. In later life Mr. Peters joined the Methodist Episcopal church. He died in 1875, aged eighty-four years, his wife following him to the grave in 1880, aged seventy-eight years. He married (first) a Miss Deemer, who bore him two children ; Isaac, settled in Zanesville, Ohio, and Betsey, married Isaac Whitman, of Belleville, Pennsylvania. He married (second) Elizabeth, daughter of Adam and Mary (Knepp) Wagner: she was one of a family of eleven. Children of George and Elizabeth (Wagner) Peters: 1. Levi, a soldier of the Mexican war, under Captain Irwin, in which he contracted a disease from which he
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died shortly after his return, aged twenty-five years. 2. Elizabeth, died in infancy. 3. Mary, died in infancy. 4. Aaron, died in 1910, aged seventy-eight years : married ( first ) Sophia Beaver, one child ; married (second) Lavina Hassinger, thirteen children. 5. Harriet, died in 1863, married (first) William Hockenberry. (second) Edward Treaster. 6. Jacob, died aged seventeen. 7. Henry Tillman, of whom further. 8. William, a farmer of Reedsville; died soon after his marriage to Mary Fultz. 9. George, died in 1910 at Cold Water, Michigan; married Sarah Camp. 10. Polly Ann, died in 1908 at Reedsville, Pennsylvania ; married William Hulbrook. II. Catherine, married (first ) Joseph Purcell, a corporal in the civil war; (second) John Wagner; they now reside at Altoona, Pennsylvania. 12. Louisa, died in childhood. 13. Died in infancy.
(II) Henry Tillman, son of George and Elizabeth (Wagner) Peters, was born in Decatur township, Snyder county, Pennsylvania, July 4. 1837, and is now ( 1913) living retired in Lewistown, Pensyl- vania. He attended the old "Church Hill" school in Brown township, his parents settling there in 1838. Later they moved to Reedsville, where Henry T. grew to manhood. He worked for the neighboring farmers until he was nineteen years of age, then entered the employ of the William Mann Axe Company, where he worked for twenty-seven years as polisher and wheel dresser. He then retired, but continued to live at Reedsville until 1898. when he purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty-three acres in Granville township on which he resided seven years ; then moved to Lewistown, where he purchased a good stone house on Electric avenue in which he lived until 1901. In the latter year he built a residence on the opposite side of the avenue, in which he now resides, retired from business life and enjoying the fruits of his years of industry in a quiet way. He affiliated with the Democratic party all his life until 1904. then and since supporting Republican national nominees. but locally voting independently. He served as supervisor of Brown township three years, but has never sought public office. In religious faith he is a Methodist.
He married (first), October 1, 1859, Sarah M., daughter of Henry and Barbara ( Houser) Wagner. Henry Wagner died February. 1878, aged sixty-nine years ; his wife Barbara died in 1889, aged seventy-eight years ; their children were: Matilda, married Joel Price ; Mary, married
Chas st Peters
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William Nieman; Catherine, married Frank Price; Amos, married Lucy Ann Price; Adam, married and moved to Michigan; Sarah M., married Henry T. Peters, and died on Christmas Day, 1896; William. married Mary Lyter ; Jacob, died in infancy ; Elias, married and moved to Mich- igan; Absalom, married Nettie Bell; John, married Annie Shoop, died in 1897; Joseph, married Mattie McGary. Henry T. Peters married ( sec- ond), January 23, 1898, Mrs. Caroline (Gilbert) Miller, widow of Charles Miller and daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Teats) Gilbert, old settlers of Middleburg, Snyder county, Pennsylvania. Children of Henry T. and Sarah M. Peters: I. Barbara, married Joseph Kelley and resides in Reedsville. 2. William John, a plumber and justice of the peace at Mill Hall, Pennsylvania, an axemaker. 3. Charles Walter, of whom further. 4. Emma, married Harry Boyer and resides in Denver, Colorado. 5. Harry, resides in Lewistown. 6. Clark. a tinner and plumber of Reedsville, Pennsylvania : married Mary Conley. 7. Theo- dore W., died aged five years. 8. Calvin Oscar, died aged three years; he and his brother Theodore died within a week, in February. 1878. 9. Robert, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, stationed at Beaver Meadow, Pennsylvania. 10. Ira Clay, a merchant of Burnham, Pennsylvania.
(III) Charles Walter, son of Henry T. Peters and his first wife, Sarah M. (Wagner) Peters, was born in Reedsville, Pennsylvania, Jan- uary II, 1865. He was educated in the public schools and on arriving at a suitable age learned the tinning and plumbing business. He became an expert workman and for several years traveled the states of Penn- sylvania, Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia, working as a journeyman. He finally located in Huntington, West Virginia, and there engaged in the plumbing business for about fifteen years. In 1905 he came to Lew- istown, built a good home on Electric avenue, just outside the city lim- its, and opened a business place on the Pike at Burnham, where he successfully conducts a plumbing and tinning business. He is a Demo- crat in politics and has served on the school board, also was mayor of the town of Kenova, West Virginia. He is a member of the Master Plumbers Association, also of the American Guild; the Uniform Rank, Knights of Pythias, and both he and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal church. He is an active, energetic business man and excels in all that pertains to his craft.
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He married, in Cincinnati, Ohio, Carrie J. Burger, born in Kentucky, daughter of John and Pauline (Newman) Burger. Children: I. Ray. 2. Fay, twin of Ray, both died in infancy. 3. Hazel Marie, died in 1912; married Earl Challenger, and had Pauline and Earl Linn. 4. Charles Walter (2), a plumber. 5. Erma Lucille. 6. Pauline, died in infancy. 7. John Henry, a plumber. 8. Ruth May.
The first record found of the Wentz family in Montgom-
WENTZ ery county, Pennsylvania ( then Philadelphia ), is in 1755, when Jacob Wentz, a German, bought land in Worcester township for four hundred and sixty-two pounds. He had been in the county some time and owned other lands.
(1I) Abraham, son of Jacob Wentz, was assessed in 1762 in Whit- pain township. Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, as an innkeeper and the owner of one hundred and fifty acres of farm land, which remained in the family nearly a century and a half.
(III) Samuel, son of Abraham Wentz, was living in Center Square, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, in 1819, but during the war of 1812 was living in Philadelphia, which was also the city in which he died. He married Sarah Tatum and had issue.
(IV) William T., son of Samuel and Sarah (Tatum) Wentz, was born in Philadelphia, and died in 1876. He was a Douglas Democrat, but after the war a Republican, and was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He married Elizabeth Waithman, born at Cape May. New Jersey, died in 1892, aged eighty-two, at Tottensville. New York ; her father, a sea-faring man, was a resident of Dennisville, Cape May county, New Jersey. Of the seven children of William T. Wentz, three are living : William, Sarah and Frank H.
(V) Frank H., son of William T. and Elizabeth ( Waithman) Wentz, was born in Philadelphia, February 28, 1844. He was educated in the public schools and at the age of fourteen years, in 1858, came to Lewistown, where he began serving an apprenticeship at cabinetmaking with R. H. McClintic. In 1861 he enlisted in the Logan Guards, and with thein went to the front as three-months men. The "Guards" were the first company to report for duty at Harrisburg and the first Penn- sylvania troops sworn into the United States service from that state. They passed through Baltimore, one day before the Sixth Massachusetts
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Regiment, and, although hooted and jeered by the mob, were not at- tacked. After his three months term expired, Mr. Wentz reentered for three years in Company F, One Hundred and Seventh Regiment Penn- sylvania Volunteer Infantry, commanded by Colonel T. F. McCoy. He was in continuous service, fighting with the army of the Potomac at Cedar Mountain, Thoroughfare Gap, Second Bull Run, Antietam, South Mountain and Fredericksburg. When he entered his second enlistment he was sworn in as orderly sergeant, and on March 25, 1863, was com- missioned lieutenant of Company F, One Hundred and Seventh Regi- ment Pennsylvania Volunteers. He was wounded at Gettysburg, July 1, 1863, and for a few days held a prisoner by the Confederates. After his recovery he was assigned to duty, first, at Philadelphia, Pennsyl- vania, and later at Fort Mifflin, as post adjutant, 1864-1865, acting as assistant quartermaster and assistant commissary of substance. In 1865 he was brevetted captain for "gallant and meritorious conduct on the field of battle." He returned to Lewistown after the war and was in the shoe business for a time. About 1872 he established a bottling business, which he has conducted most successfully ever since. He is a Republican in politics, and for the past eighteen years has been through successive elections auditor of Mifflin county. He was chief engineer of the fire department for several years and is a member of Lewistown Lodge, No. 203, Free and Accepted Masons, which he joined in 1868. He was for- merly a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and was vice-president of The First Defenders Association, 1910-1911 and 1912. Captain Wentz married. January 30, 1868, Emmeline Miller, born March 28. 1844, in Lewistown, died April 29, 1905, daughter of George Miller. Children: 1. Charles, died at the age of four years. 2. George Miller, born October 23, 1871, now living in Lewistown. 3. Mary, married Edward Mayberry and resides in Lewistown.
James D. Studer, of Belleville, Mifflin county, Pennsyl- STUDER vania, descends from German ancestry in a direct line on the paternal side. His great-grandfather crossed the At- lantic from the Fatherland during the first part of the last century and established himself with his family in Pennsylvania. From him and his sturdy sons have descended all of the name in and around Belleville. Among his children was one, Jacob, of whom further.
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(I) Jacob Studer, son of the original immigrant of the name, was a native of Germany, coming to Pennsylvania with his father. He married Racey Miller, and located in Union township. He was a watch and clock repairer by vocation and traveled over a large part of Penn- sylvania plying his trade, his itinerary often taking him far from home. Through this he came to be well and favorably known to a large num- ber of patrons. Among his children was one, Joseph W., of whom further.
(II) Joseph W. Studer, son of Jacob and Racey ( Miller) Studer, was born and reared in Union township. He attended the common schools. He was a stone mason and farmer combined. In politics he was a Democrat and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He married Rebecca Bethlehem, the daughter of a neighbor. He was born in 1839 and she in 1847 at Greenwood Furnace, in Stone Valley. Children: 1. William, a stone mason in Belleville. 2. James D., of whom further. 3. Jennie, married Rufus Peachey of Belleville. 4. Archie, a stone mason. 5. Joseph Alvin, a stone mason.
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