USA > Pennsylvania > A history of the Juniata Valley and its people, Volume II > Part 37
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(III) Charles A., youngest son of Paul Emile and Elise (Girard) Vuille, was born in Locle, Switzerland, July 12, 1876. He was brought to the United States by his parents in 1881, and obtained a good Eng- lish education in the schools of Hoboken, New Jersey, and New York City. He then took a course at the College of Arts, in Berlin, Germany, and on his return to the United States entered the Illinois College of Photography, at Effingham, Illinois. He practiced the latter art at Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, from 1890 until 1898 with success, but with the coming of the automobile became interested in that business. He first was a dealer in steam-driven cars, but with the development of the gas engine obtained the first county license to operate a gasoline-driven car ever issued in Pennsylvania. He obtained an agency for gasoline cars and entered that field, in which he was a pioneer, as he had been in the earlier steam car, both as driver and dealer. His first garage was a small building in the rear of No. 819 Washington street, where he remained ten years, selling in the first years two or three cars annually. Sales then rapidly increased until by 1908 he was selling one hundred cars annually. In 1908 he erected a modern garage and salesrooms, fifty by one hundred and twenty-five feet, at Nos. 609 and 611 Mifflin street, where he is now located. Since 1902 he has been the direct representative of the Cadillac car, which he now handles exclusively, being the third oldest dealer in the Cadillac organization. His territory covers the counties of Huntingdon, Blair, Mifflin, Center, Snyder, Juni- ata and Fulton, to cover which requires the services of ten men. His garage in Huntingdon is one of the largest and best equipped of any located between Harrisburg and Pittsburgh, and is the official "blue book" garage. Mr. Vuille is a capable business man, thoroughly un- derstands the automobile, and is held in high esteem by all who know him. He is a member of Brevard Lodge, No. 113. Free and Accepted Masons ; India River Chapter, No. 27, Royal Arch Masons; the Knights of Pythias : the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; the Patriotic Order of Sons of America, and Royal Arcanum. He is a Republican in poli- tics, and a Presbyterian in religious faith; his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He has never accepted public office, but is interested in public affairs and a warm friend of the cause of educa- tion. Himself a highly educated man, and speaking five languages, he realizes the benefits of education to a business man, as well as to the
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professional man. A pioneer in the automobile business in the Juniata Valley, he led where others are now eager to follow, but, with a firmly established reputation for honorable dealing, he now reaps the reward of his enterprise, far-sighted vision, and belief in a business held in low esteem when he first ventured into it.
During the Spanish-American war, in 1898, Mr. Vuille enlisted as a member of Company A, Fifth Illinois Regiment, and served to the close of the war. He reenlisted in Company A, Fifth Regiment, Penn- sylvania National Guards, and was commissary sergeant.
Mr. Vuille married, June 5, 1901, Juniata E. Eby, born in Hunting- don county, daughter of Samuel Eby, a prominent member of the Ger- man Baptist church, and for many years a trustee of Juniata College. Children : Alice, born August 16, 1903 : Ruth, April 16, 1905; Samuel, August 12, 1907; James, March 16, 1909.
BEERS The founder of this branch of the Beers family in Penn- sylvania was Andrew Beers, a native of Ireland, where his early life was spent. After his marriage he came to the United States, settling near Concord, in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, there engaged in farming. After the death of his wife he returned to Ireland, where he married (second ) a Miss Anderson, whom he brought back to Franklin county with him. He had issue by both wives, and founded a numerous influential family.
(II) Joseph B., youngest son of Andrew Beers and his second wife, was born near Concord, Franklin county, Pennsylvania, in 1816, died in Marysville, Perry county, December 2, 1889. He attended the com- mon schools of that neighborhood, and grew to manhood on the home farm, and learned the art of tanning leather. After his marriage he moved to Horse Valley, Toboyne township, Perry county, where he purchased a tract of three hundred acres, seventy-five of which was cleared. He remained on his farm until 1863, cleared the balance of his acres, erected new buildings, and prospered. In 1863 he moved to New Bloomfield, Perry county, where for one year he was engaged as a tanner with S. A. Peale. In 1864 lie moved to McVeytown, Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, where for about three years he engaged in the tanning business with Samuel Myers. He then became owner of some excellent medical formulas, and for eighteen years was successfully en-
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gaged in the manufacture of "patent medicines." His best-known prep- aration was "Beers' Famous American Liniment," widely known in the Juniata and Susquehanna valleys as a sovereign remedy for colds, head- aches, etc. Later in life he retired and spent his declining years with his son, John W. Beers, in Marysville, Pennsylvania. Both he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics hie was an ardent Republican, but never accepted public office.
Mr. Beers married, in Perry county, Anna Kelley, born in Franklin county, July 23, 1817, died at the residence of her son in Marysville, March 1, 1895, daughter of John and Margaret Kelley. John Kelley was born on the Isle of Jersey, one of the group of islands lying in the English channel off the northwest coast of France. He came to the United States, settling in Horse Valley, Perry county, Pennsylvania, where he became a landowning farmer. He was a strict member of the Presbyterian church, and every Sunday walked the five miles from his home to the nearest church of his faith. His wife, a Miss Scyoc, bore him eight children, all now deceased. Children of Joseph W. and Anna Beers: 1. Andrew Jackson, born October 19, 1846, now residing near McVeytown, Mifflin county, a farmer. 2. John Wesley, of whom further. 3. Margaret E., born March 26, 1851. died August 29 fol- lowing. 4. Joseph Alexander, born March 1, 1853; a tool sharpener with the Pressed Steel Car Company, now residing at Mckees Rocks, Pennsylvania. 5. Sarah E., born September 13, 1855, died September 18, 1856. 6. Cambridge Graham, born November 2, 1857, now residing in Sunbury, Pennsylvania ; a railroad engineer.
(III) John Wesley, second son of Joseph B. and Anna ( Kelley) Beers, was born in Horse Valley, Toboyne township, Perry county, Pennsylvania, December 27, 1848. He was educated in the public schools of the township, and Bloomfield Academy. About 1864 he be- gan business life as a newsboy on the trains, then became interested in telegraphy, but, after learning that art and working for the Pennsyl- vania railroad for a time, abandoned it for a clerkship in a general store at Mattawana, Mifflin county. In 1869 he entered the employ of the Pennsylvania railroad at Altoona, first as a laborer, but soon becoming foreman in the maintenance of way department. On July 5, 1870, he was transferred to Marysville as foreman of the quarry owned by the company. In 1872 he was sent to Bedford, Pennsylvania, as foreman,
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but soon afterward was made conductor of a construction train. On March 1, 1873, he was returned to Marysville as foreman of subdivision No. 4, a position he filled until his resignation, January 1, ISSI. In November, 1880, he was elected sheriff of Perry county for a term of three years. At the expiration of his term of office he entered the employ of the Bell Telephone Company, at Marysville, being connected with their suit for patent rights for three years. In 1887 he engaged in the flour, feed and grain business in Marysville, as senior member of the firm of Beers & Heisley. In 1891 he sold liis interest in that business, and until 1903 was successfully engaged in lumbering opera- tions in Perry and Dauphin counties. He did a large business, the timber from his mills being largely disposed of to railroad companies. In 1897 he was appointed postmaster at Marysville, and has served un- der successive appointments until the present time, his present term expiring March 4, 1916. During this period the office has advanced from fourth to third class, and is headquarters for several rural de- livery routes.
In July, 1895, Mr. Beers was, with H. M. Horner, one of the in- corporators of the Marysville Water Company; was elected its first treasurer and still holds that position. In 1897 he again joined with Mr. Horner in the organization of the Marysville Electric Light, Heat & Power Company, was elected its treasurer and still serves in that ca- pacity. Later Mr. Beers purchased Mr. Horner's interest in both companies. In 1906 he assisted in the organization of the First Na- tional Bank of Marysville; was chosen first vice-president, and now holds that office. In 1908 he was one of the organizers of the Eastern Perry County Telephone Company, and since 1909 has been president of that prosperous, growing company.
During his useful, busy life, Mr. Beers has not only been the suc- cessful business man, but in public life, in fraternal life, and in the church has borne well his part. In 1877 he made his entrance into public life as the Republican candidate for sheriff of Perry county, los- ing the verdict at the polls by only nine votes. In 1880 he was again the nominee of his party and was elected. He filled the office well and faithfully, retiring with the good wishes of the judges and court officials with whom much of his business was necessarily transacted. As post- master for sixteen years he has given abundant satisfaction, bothi to
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the patrons of the office and to the department at Washington. His public service also includes several terms as school director, where his interest in the cause of education has been of value. His fraternal or- ders are: Perry Lodge, No. 458, Free and Accepted Masons ; Newport Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Beulah Lodge, No. 269, Knights of Pythias; and both he and his wife are active members of the Lutheran church.
Mr. Beers married, in Lewistown, Pennsylvania, September 16, 1873, Rebecca E., daughter of Samuel and Martha Kauffman. Chil- dren: 1. Joseph C., born November 27, 1874; now a plumber and elec- trician of Marysville; he married (first) Mattie Rupley, who bore him Leah and John Wesley (2); he married (second) Jennie Sellers, and has a son Ernest. 2. Pearl, born December 4, 1876, who resides with her father, the widow of H. C. Hipple; children: Victoria and Theo- dore, the latter deceased. 3. Walter B., born October 14, 1879, now living in Conneaut, Ohio, in the employ of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad Company ; he married Virginia Ellenberger, and has a son. 4. Albert W., twin of Walter B., also resides in Conneaut, in the employ of the Nickel Plate railroad; he married Edna Groninger.
Stephen J. Boyd, of Marysville, Pennsylvania, a member
BOYD of an influential and prominent family of the state of Penn- sylvania, is of clean Scotch-Irish descent. The emigrant member who founded the family in America was born in county Antrim, Ireland, about 1690, and about 1730 sailed with his family to the New World, landing most probably in New York. He later made his way into Pennsylvania, and there lived and died. He was of staunch Pres- byterian stock, and it was perhaps on account of his religious predilec- tions that he left his native land to try his fortunes in a new and wild one. Among his children was John, of whom further is to be found below.
(I) John Boyd, son of the Irish emigrant, was born in county An- trim, Ireland, in 1721. When quite a lad he accompanied his parents and the rest of the family to this country, and with them located in Drumore township, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. He was reared on the Boyd farm, which had been reclaimed from the wilderness, and received such education as the times afforded. Like his father, John
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Boyd was a farmer, taking up wild land, clearing and improving it. He married a daughter of a neighbor, after which he moved to Peach · Bottom township, York county, and there lived and died. Among his children was John Jr., of whom further.
(II) John Boyd Jr., son of John Boyd, was born in Peach Bottom township, York county, Pennsylvania. He was reared on the farm, and remained a farmer throughout his life. He was a soldier of the revolution, being a member of a Pennsylvania regiment of volunteers to join the Continental army, as is duly listed in the roster of the Penn- sylvania companies. He was a man of importance in his township and county, was a justice of peace for many years, and, like his forbears, was a staunch member of the Presbyterian church and actively supported it throughout his life. He married Nancy Sample, of an old and dis- tinguished family of York county, Pennsylvania. Among his children was John, of whom further.
(III) John Boyd, son of John and Nancy (Sample) Boyd, was born in York county, Pennsylvania. He was an extensive land owner and a progressive farmer of York county, where he had located on reaching his majority. He was much interested in all matters per- taining to education and religion, and assisted by all means in his power in the establishment of public schools in his township; and he actively supported the Presbyterian church, of which he was a devout and con- sistent member. During the earlier years of his life he voted with and worked for the Whig party, but on the organization of the Republican party he became one of its most ardent advocates and voted with it until his death. He married Martha J. Farmer, the daughter of a neighbor. Children: 1. Stephen, born in York county, Pennsylvania ; a Republi- can in politics, was nominated and elected to the state legislature on that ticket, where he served his county faithfully and well; was also superintendent of York county, and one of the chief contractors and builders of the Southern Pennsylvania railroad. 2. William, an attor- ney and civil war veteran ; died in 1873. 3. Nathaniel W., of whom fur- ther. 4. John C., a veteran of the civil war, a retired farmer in York county. 5. George W., deceased, a physician. 6. Jane, widow of James Luney ; lives on homestead.
(IV) Nathaniel W., son of John and Martha J. (Farmer) Boyd, was born June 23, 1843, in Peach Bottom township, York county,
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Pennsylvania. He was educated in the public schools of the township, after which he settled on a farm in Peach Bottom township, where he farmed until he was twenty-six years old. Seeking other outlets for his ambition, he founded the Delta Herald, in Delta, which he ably con- ducted for six months as editor and proprietor, at the expiration of which time he disposed of the paper and all his interest in it and ac- cepted the position of assistant civil engineer on the force which sur- veyed what is now known as the Southern Pennsylvania railroad. He next entered the shops of the Pennsylvania Steel Company, of Steelton, Pennsylvania, to learn the manufacture of railway track appliances, and was soon promoted to the position of foreman of that department. In 1886 he resigned from the Pennsylvania Steel Company and accepted the position of editor of the Steelton Advocate, which he held for six months. He organized the Boyd Switch Stand and Signal Company, for the manufacture of automatic switch stands of which he was the inventor and patentee, and became general manager of the company. He disposed of this advantageously in 1889 and moved to Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and became superintendent of the frog and switch works of the Carlisle Manufacturing Company, which was the principal com- petitor of the Pennsylvania Steel Company. On January 1, 1897, he resigned to devote his entire time and attention to his personal business enterprises, which included the making and putting on the market of twenty patents for railway frogs and switches. Later in the year he accepted the superintendency of the New York Switch and Crossing Works at Hoboken, New Jersey, a position he held until his death, February 2, 1902. He was a Republican, voting with and working for the party. Both he and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church, and he was a Heptasoph and a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. On August 17, 1862, he enlisted in Company I, 130th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and was sent to the front. He served until May 22, 1863, and was in the battles of Antietam, Fred- ericksburg and Chancellorsville. He married, December 6. 1866, Carrie M. Boyd, a second cousin, born August 4, 1843, in Drumore township, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, daughter of S. W. P .. and Mary ( Mc- Conkey) Boyd. Mrs. Boyd died January 29, 1891. Children: 1. Stephen J., of whom further. 2. Blanche I., died aged eleven. 3. Wil- liam B., an attorney at Steelton, and member of Dauphin bar. 4. Har-
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vey H., employed by United States government ; resides in Washington, D. C. 5. Frank, died in infancy.
S. W. P. Boyd, father of Carrie M. Boyd, wife of Nathaniel W. Boyd, is also a descendant of the Scotch-Irisli emigrant who landed on these shores in 1730. He was a man of influence and great prominence in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. He was a Republican, and was elected on that ticket, by an overwhelming majority, sheriff of Lan- caster. He was a large land owner and had a number of farms on which he raised stock for the market. Both he and his wife were mem- bers of the Presbyterian church. He married Mary McConkey, of an old Pennsylvania family. Children: 1. Jerry, a merchant in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. 2. Anna, deceased; married George Steineford. 3. Ida, married Kirk White, of Lancaster county. 4. Slater, clerk of court of Philadelphia county. 5. John O., deceased, a physician. 6. Harry, clerk in Pennsylvania Steel Company, Steelton, Pennsylvania. 7. Carrie M., married Nathaniel W. Boyd (see above). 8. Mary Paulina, married Charles Powers, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
(V) Stephen J., son of Nathaniel W. and Carrie M. (Boyd) Boyd, was born June 27, 1869, in Delta, York county, Pennsylvania. He re- ceived his education in the public schools and the high school at Steel- ton, Pennsylvania. Having finished, he was employed in his father's frog and switch enterprises until the death of the latter. He was em- ployed by the switch department of the Pennsylvania Steel Company from 1899 until June 22, 1912, when he severed his connection with that company and moved to Marysville, Pennsylvania, where he purchased the Railroad Hotel, of which he has since been proprietor. Ile is con- sidered one of the best hotel men in that part of the state, and through his unfailing courtesy and geniality always has the nineteen rooms filled with guests, both transient and permanent. It was established about forty years ago, though the present building is new and up-to-date in every respect. He is a Republican, and served on the Steelton boroughi council for a time. He was reared a Presbyterian, but is not a member of the church. He is a Heptasoph, a charter member of the Steelton Club. and of the Knights of Pythias.
He married, May 28, 1891, Pauline K. Dress, born in Dauphin county. Children : Nathaniel W., a graduate of the Steelton High School; Julia D.
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KNOX The earliest ancestor of this family in Pennsylvania was Exeter Knox, a blacksmith, who with his family resided at Blairs Mills, in Huntingdon county ; by his wife Elizabeth he had five children, three sons, all of whom grew to maturity and married; and two daughters who remained unmarried. They were : John, of further mention; James, married Elizabeth Smith; Robert, married Mary Ann Sherer ; Sallie and Ranie. The family was of Scotch descent.
(II) John, son of Exeter and Elizabeth Knox, was the eldest child of the family, and was born at Blairs Mills, Huntingdon county, where his parents resided for many years. He grew to maturity and became a blacksmith, like his father, passing all of his life on the place, and eventually dying there. He married Jean Briggs, also a resident of the county, and like himself a descendant of Scottish forefathers. They had a family of fifteen children, two of whom died young; the remain- ing thirteen were: James, married Cassius Zimmerman ; Ellen, married Soł Pertney; Elizabeth, married George Hutchen; Sarah, unmarried; John, of further mention; Nannie, married Jacob Keller; Mariah, mar- ried John Phillips; Margaret, married George Amy; Robert, married Nannie Ray; Julia, married John Stall; Henry, married Maggie Hut- chen: Alexander, married Sukie Wake; Pamelia.
(III) John, son of John and Jean (Briggs) Knox, was born at Blairs Mills, and died October 4, 1907, at Lewistown, Mifflin county. He commenced life as a blacksmith, learning the trade with his father and working with him. Later on, however, he gave up this calling and became a laborer, removing to Lewistown about 1890 or 1891. He served about three years in the civil war, and was in politics a Democrat. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, as was also his wife, who was a Miss Mary J. Kennedy ; she was born also in Juniata county, near Blairs Mills, and was the daughter of James and Ruth (Kerald) Kennedy, of that county, of which they were natives and where they lived and died. Mr. Kennedy was a millwright, he and his wife having eight children: David, married Malie Griffin; John, mar- ried Lizzie Snipe: William, married Lizzie Smith; Smith, married Mary Yocum; Mary J., married John Knox; Margaret, married Samuel Elem ; Sarah, married Sullivan Rambler; James, killed during the civil war. Mr. and Mrs. Knox had the following children: Jennie, married John
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Commer, a railroad conductor of Altoona, Pennsylvania ; Lucy, married William Rush, a carpenter and farmer of Granville, formerly of Al- toona; George, of further mention; John, married Maggie Roades, of Altoona; Robert, became minister of the Methodist church in Hunting- don county, and married Nannie Barrick; Maud, married Charley Roundtray, a landlord and butcher at State College; Nanny, married Harry Price, a mechanic at Lewistown; Adolphus, a heater at Altoona, married Mollie Steinbarger ; Homer, married Pearl Berlew, and became a Methodist minister at Lewistown; William, an iron worker at Al- toona, married Sadie Clinger.
(IV) George, son of John and Mary J. (Kennedy) Knox, was born December 5. 1869, at McVeytown, Mifflin county, Pennsylvania. He worked on the farm as a boy and young man, receiving his education meanwhile in the district schools. At the conclusion of his studies he became a contractor and merchant, engaging also in lumbering and mill- ing ; of late years he has devoted his time and energies chiefly to con- tracting and building. He has met with great success in his various business ventures, and owns a great deal of real estate and other prop- erty, having a number of farms which aggregate in all about five or six hundred acres. He has become one of the leading citizens of this place, and is influential in the Republican party. whose principles he warmly advocates. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Gran- ville, as is also his wife.
He was married, May 27, 1891, to Miss Eliza Rittenhouse, who was born March 22, 1871, the daughter of George and Susan (Owens) Rittenhouse : her father is a farmer of Granville township. Mr. and Mrs. Knox have had the following children: Florence, born July II, 1892, died January 4, 1896; Charles, born November 29, 1893, died in infancy; Bertha, born June 7, 1894: Cartic, March 4. 1897; Anna, August 5, 1899: John, August 29, 1902; Lorna, June 2, 1904, died in August ; Mary, October 5, 1906; Ruth, August 2, 1909, died in infancy.
This branch of the Snyder family traces to a German SNYDER ancestor, who on coming to this country settled in Perry county, Pennsylvania. He there engaged in farming until his death. He married and had issue, including a son George.
(II) George Snyder was born in Liverpool, Perry county, Penn-
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sylvania, and died there, after a long life of usefulness. He learned the saddler's trade, also the art of tanning leather. He built a tannery, operated in part by steam, in the operation of which he was assisted by his son, Henry. He prospered in business and held high rank in his community. He married Matilda Spicer, and had issue : Henry Clay, of further mention; Simeon, a lawyer, who practiced in the west ; John, a captain in the civil war, wounded at Fredericksburg, now de- ceased.
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