USA > Pennsylvania > Beaver County > Book of biographies : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Beaver County, Pennsylvania > Part 2
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ON. JAMES SHARP WILSON, the highly esteemed president judge of the Thirty-sixth Judicial District of Pennsylvania, whose portrait appears on the opposite page, is an honored and talented at- torney and a respected citizen of Beaver. Rarely do we find in the state or even in the United States, a man so young as Judge Wil- son occupying so important a position, or one so mature in his profession. Judge Wilson has not yet reached his thirty-seventh mile- stone in age, but he comes from a distin- guished family, and has inherited the power of leadership to a marked degree. It is said by some, that he is now the youngest member of the Pennsylvania judiciary.
Like many of our best men, he was born on a farm. His birth occurred in Franklin town- ship, Beaver county, November 10, 1862. Early in life, he displayed his ambition for knowledge, and soon matured not only men- tally, but physically. As a student in the public schools, he was ambitious, and at the early age of fifteen years, he began teaching a district school, and was very successful in
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this task. While teaching he was also a stu- dent, preparing for a college course. He en- tered Geneva College at Beaver Falls, from which he graduated in 1885, receiving the de- gree of A. B. Since then the degree of A. M. has been conferred upon him by the same in- stitution. After his graduation, he became a law student under Hon. Henry Hice, of Bea- ver, and while pursuing that study, he taught at intervals in the academy at Harmony, Pennsylvania. Judge Wilson was admitted to the bar of Beaver county, June 4, 1888, and with his active brain and ambitious spirit, he rapidly became a leader in the political organ- ization of his favorite party, which was the Republican.
In 1895, he received the nomination for president judge of the Thirty-sixth Judicial District, and although the conflict was a close one, he was victorious, and as usual, carried off the honors. He fills the chair with dignity and his numerous friends predict for him as brilliant a career on the bench as he has had in political leadership. By his ability and suc- cess he proves himself to be a worthy scion of the Wilson family, so noted for its prominent men. Judge Wilson is genial, cheerful, kind- hearted, and obliging, and ever ready to do a charitable act. In his religious views, he was reared a Presbyterian, and steadfastly ad- heres to its faith, being a member of the church of that denomination.
Judge Wilson was united in marriage with Sarah I. Hazen on December 25, 1888. Mrs. Wilson is a daughter of Nathan Hazen, whose sketch is found elsewhere in this volume, and
a granddaughter of Samuel Hazen, of both of whom mention is made in the sketch of Christopher C. Hazen. Judge and Mrs. Wil- son have a handsome modern home, with the Judge's private office adjoining it, on the cor- ner of Market and Second streets. This fine residence was built in 1890, and is surrounded by spacious lawns, broad walks, and handsome and ornamental shade trees. This home is rendered truly happy by the presence of the following little ones who surround the fire- side: John Howard, born February 1, 1890; James Sharp, Jr., born June 5, 1894; Hugh Hazen, born March 9, 1898, and Mary Eliza- beth, born June 5, 1899. The Judge is in- cluded among the membership of many fra- ternal societies, is past master of the F. & A. M. ; past grand of the I. O. O. F .; the Elks, and others. Judge Wilson is a son of the late John H. Wilson,, grandson of Thomas Wilson, Jr., great-grandson of Thomas Wilson, Sr., and great-great-grandson of Hugh Wilson.
Hugh Wilson was born in County Cavan, Ireland, in 1689, and was a son of Hugh Wil- son, who was an officer in King William's army, and was one of the three men who crossed the River Boyne, July 1, 1690,-fac- ing great danger. For this act of heroism, he was rewarded with a tract of land containing one hundred and sixty acres at Cootehill, County Cavan, Ireland, where he established a country seat. His son, Hugh, married Sarah Craig, and in 1728 came to America (history says), to escape religious persecution, settling near Bethlehem in Northampton county, Pa., in what was known as the "Irish Settle-
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inent," and was composed entirely of Old School Presbyterians. Hugh, Wilson was one of the commissioners selected to locate a site for the court house and jail, which was built at Easton. He was also one of the first jus- tices of the peace, and assisted in holding the first court held in Northampton county, Pennsylvania. He purchased seven hundred and thirty acres of land, and received his title for the purchase in March, 1737. With his son Thomas, he was interested in flouring mills. On retiring from active business, he settled with his sons in Buffalo Valley, Pa., where he spent the last days of his life dying in 1773, and being buried in the churchyard at Lewisburg. The following are his children's names: Wil- liam, who was born in Ireland, and became a merchant at Philadelphia, but was later lo- cated in the West Indies; Mary Ann, wife of Francis McHenry; Elizabeth, wife of Captain William Craig; Thomas, who married Etiza- beth Hayes; Charles, who married Margaret McNair; Samuel; James; Margaret, wife of William McNair; and Francis, who returned to Ireland, became an Episcopal minister, and was later appointed tutor for the family of General Lee, of Virginia.
Thomas Wilson, great-grandfather of the subject hereof, was the next in line, and was born in Allen township, Northampton county, Pa., in 1724. When he attained the age of twenty-one years, he erected a flouring mill, with his father, and, by contract, furnished flour for the continental army ; he received his pay in continental money, and in doing so
lost almost his entire property. Selling what little remained, he took the proceeds and, with his family, located in Buffalo Valley, Union county, in 1792. There he purchased a tract of forest land, and cleared some in order to cultivate the soil. This was about one mile from Lewisburg, where the county- fair grounds and buildings are now situated. Thomas died in 1799, at the age of seventy- four years. He married Elizabeth Hayes, a daughter of John and Jane (Love) Hayes. Mrs. Wilson, in 1803, some years after her husband's death, sold the property, and with her sons, William and Thomas, removed to Beaver county, Pa., where her death occurred, in 1812. Their children were: Hugh, born October 21, 1761, and married to Catherine Irwin; Sarah, wife of Richard Fruit; Eliza- beth, wife of James Dunken; William, who married Ann White; Thomas, Jr., grandfather of the subject hereof, who will be mentioned later herein ; Mary, wife of Jonathan Coulter; Jane, who was unfortunately drowned while young ; James; and Margaret, wife of John Thomas.
Thomas Wilson, Jr., grandfather of James Sharp, was born June 17, 1765, and settled in Beaver county, in 1803. He purchased a tract of land in Franklin township, built a log cabin and engaged in clearing the land. In those early days, as there was little or no chance to market the timber, the first clearing was done by felling and burning the trees, so that a place might be prepared in which to raise grain and vegetables for household sub- sistence. The chief aim of the pioneers and
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settlers of that period was to establish a home and rear a family. They were happy with children around the old and spacious hreside. Game was plentiful, the creeks were alive with fish, and wild animals abounded. Here Thomas Wilson, Jr., spent the remainder of his days, and saw much of the forest of his youth, turned into blossoming fields under a good state of cultivation.
He was an active, energetic man, proud of spirit, and austere in business relations, yet kind and charitable to his neighbors. He was united in marriage with Agnes Hemphill, Oc- tober 7, 1806, and reared a family whose names are as follows: James, born Septem- ber 19, 1807, and married to Margaret Mor- ton; Nancy B., born December 25, 1808, and joined in wedlock with David Frew; Jane, born March 31, 1810, unmarried; Eliza, born June 5, 1812, who became the wife of Robert Fullerton; Thomas, born November 26, 1813, whose life partner was Mary Davidson ; Mary A., born February 6, 1816, who died single; William, born May 7, 1818, who is also sin- gle; Col. Joseph H., who was born May 16, 1820, and died May 30, 1862; John, father of the subject hereof, whose career will be men- tioned later; Francis S., born July 2, 1824, and wedded to Caroline Wallace; and Craig B., born December 24, 1827, and joined in matrimony with Elizabeth Pontius. The old homestead formerly owned by Thomas Wil- son, Jr., grandfather of James Sharp, is now owned by the heirs of Francis S. Wilson.
John H. Wilson, father of the subject here- of, was born May 22, 1822. He was reared a
farmer, and chose that vocation for his life work. He was a man of sterling qualities, and of a notably energetic disposition. From the very start, his life was successful; little by lit- tle he accumulated property. His home was in Franklin township, where he passed the closing years of his life. Mr. Wilson was looked upon as one of the leading men of his vicinity ; a man who was not only thor- ough in his agricultural operations, but in all his actions as well,-taking great pride in im- proving and beautifying his place. He served one and one half years as county commis- sioner. At the time of his death, June 16, 1892, Mr. Wilson owned several farms in the eastern part of the county.
March 18, 1849, the elder Mr. Wilson led to the hymeneal altar, Mary E. Mehard. daughter of James Mehard, who came from Ireland to America and located near Wurtem- burg, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Wilson was of Scotch-Irish descent. She preceded her hus- band to the grave more than three years,- passing away to her final rest on April 28, 1889, at the age of fifty-nine years. This highly respected couple reared a family of six children, viz .: Nancy Jane; Christiana Orr ; William L. ; Omar T. ; James Sharp ; and Loyal W. Nancy Jane was born December 26, 1849, and was twice married, her first husband be- ing Dr. J. M. Withrow, and the second being James A. Jackson ; she now resides in North Sewickley township, Beaver county, Pennsyl- vania. Christiana Orr, wife of J. G. McAulis, of Lawrence county, Pa., was born February 17, 1852. William L. was born May 2, 1854;
I
HON. JAMES J. DAVIDSON.
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he wedded Anna Hilman, and resides on the homestead farm. Omar T. was born March 4, 1857; he was joined in matrimony with Vir- ginia West. Hon. James Sharp is the subject of this review. Loyal W., M. D., was born March 25, 1866. He chose for his wife, Emma Weitz, and now practices medicine in New Castle, Pennsylvania.
ON. JAMES J. DAVIDSON, de- ceased. It is a matter of profound regret that death should intervene to cut short a life in its very dawn of great prom- ise, a life so efficiently equipped for usefulness to the community in which that life unfolded from childhood to noble manhood-a life gemmed with rare acquirements and high capacities,-full of encouragement to the many, who in their weakness, lean upon oth- ers. Such was the life of the most worthy subject of this memoir, Hon. James J. David- son, who, although he lived but a few short years, did not live in vain. It is a sacred pleasure for those who mourn, to cherish the memory of his manly virtues and beneficent deeds. Eminent lives, independent of years, command the homage of mind and heart.
James J. Davidson was born in Connells- ville, Fayette county, Pa., November 5, 1861. He was a son of the late Col. Daniel R. Dav- idson, and grandson of Hon. William David- son. Birth and environment are the supreme forces that mainly determine the success or failure of human beings. These forces acting
in concert as uplifting factors, success is al- most assured; if operating adversely, life often ends in failure. The influences, which give them direction and potency, date far back in ancestral history. These elements, in their most helpful form, as character builders, gave to James J. Davidson his high standing in business circles and his initial success in polit- ical affairs.
The grandfather of our subject hereof, Wil- liam Davidson, was favored with large prac- tical ability, and was a noted iron master in the infancy of that great industry. He was several times a member of the Pennsylvania Legislature, and served as senator and as speaker of the House. He was appropriately looked upon as one of the foremost men of the county of his adoption.
Colonel Daniel R. Davidson, father of the subject of these memoirs, was richly en- dowed with mental capabilities that would have secured eminence in any of the learned professions, had the bent of his mind led in that direction, but he chose to deal with great commercial enterprises. His keen foresight and power of analysis secured for him large wealth, and constituted him a leader in de- veloping the vast mineral resources, which have made the county of Fayette famous in the industrial world. The mother of James J. Davidson belonged to a family which ranked among the best of Western Pennsyl- vania, and was a woman of rare intellectual attainments and cultivated taste, who made home life a school of moral and mental train- ing. Such were the marked and conspicuous
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antecedents of that life which it is the aim of these brief lines to record.
In the sixth year of Mr. Davidson's life, he removed with the family to Beaver county, his future home, and the theater of those early and brilliant achievements which gave such prominence to his short life. His prep- aratory education was obtained at the Beaver public schools and at Beaver Seminary. In 1878, he entered Bethany College, West Vir- ginia, and afterward spent three years at the University of Lexington, Kentucky, graduat- ing therefrom, in 1883. He returned to Bea- ver and spent the following two years in the study of law in the office of Hon. John J. Wickham, now of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. This fitted Mr. Davidson for the subsequent activities which made him a power in the political and industrial move- ments of the county and state, as it was not his intention to engage in the practice of the legal profession, but to qualify himself with most thorough business acquirements. This was the height of his ambition, and he made a study of practical matters among his first mercantile enterprises.
In 1886, Mr. Davidson commenced his business career by entering the oil trade as a new member of the firm of Darrah, Watson & Co., oil producers; he was subsequently in- terested in several kinds of enterprises. In the course of a few years, he became presi- dent of the Union Drawn Steel Works, of Beaver Falls, Pa., one of the most prosperous manufacturing plants of the Beaver Valley. Mr. Davidson was one of the largest stock-
holders of that organization, and was its president at the time of his death. Early in life the subject of this biography became actively engaged in politics, and was soon recognized as an influential leader in the Republican party, supervising partisan policies and giving direc- tion to local and national campaigns. He served seven years as a member of the Beaver Council and was an ardent supporter of the public improvements, which in these later years have made Beaver so attractive for fam- ily residences.
In 1894, Mr. Davidson received the unanimous nomination of Beaver county, for Congress, but at the congressional confer- ence held at Beaver Falls, he withdrew in favor of T. W. Phillips, of Lawrence county. In 1896, Mr. Davidson was again the unan- imous choice of Beaver county, and at the congressional conference held in Butler, he was nominated on the first ballot. The nom- ination of so young a man in a district com- posed of four counties, with numerous as- pirants, is proof of a phenomenal ability to control political forces, and was prophetic of a successful future, paralleled by but few in the history of our nation. After his election to Congress in 1896, Mr. Davidson went west to regain his health, but death pre- vented him from taking the oath of office, and his first year's salary was paid to his bereaved widow.
Toward the close of 1895, Mr. Davidson suffered an attack of "la grippe," which in after months developed into lung disease.
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His ambitions were beyond his constitution, and his energetic disposition kept him from taking much needed rest. The failure of medical skill to master this lung ailment, finally induced him to seek relief in change of climate. In July, 1896, he left his home in Beaver, and accompanied by his wife and two children, went to Salt Lake City. A month's sojourn in that city failing to bring any special relief, he changed his location to Colorado Springs. After a six weeks' stay there he removed to Phoenix, Arizona; but change of climate and the most careful nurs- ing and loving attention were powerless to arrest the waste of physical forces, and he suc- cumbed to quick consumption. On January 2, 1897, at the age of thirty-five years, the struggle ended, leaving a grief-stricken wife, two interesting children, and a host of friends to mourn his departure.
Mr. Davidson was a thirty-second degree Mason and was past officer of that fraternity ; he was a member of the Tancred Command- ery, Knights Templar, and of Syria Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. His Masonic brethren met his remains at the home depot, and had charge of the memorial services, which were very imposing. Mr. Davidson was also a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F. lodge, the Knights of Pythias, the American Mechanics, and the Americus Club of Pittsburg, whose meinbers came in a body to his funeral.
January 31, 1889, James J. Davidson was united by the holy bands of matrimony with Emma Eakin, an accomplished daughter of John R. Eakin, noted as one of the solid men
of Beaver county. This most happy union re- sulted in the birth of three little ones: Philip James; Margaret, who died when only three months old; and Sarah Norton. It was the most earnest desire of Mr. Davidson to build a handsome home for his beloved ones in some attractive spot, and to surround them with every convenience and comfort. But his unusually busy life left him no time to at- tend to this matter before being cut off by death, with this wish unfulfilled.
Mrs. Davidson and her two children are now residing in a pleasant home located on the south side of Park street, and it is her desire to rear and educate her little son and daughter in a fitting manner, that they may in the future add other laurels to the honored name of their father, a further account of whose ancestors may be found in the sketch of Frederick Davidson, of Beaver Falls, to be found in this volume.
The publishers of this work take pleasure in announcing that a portrait of Mr. David- son accompanies this work, being presented on a preceding page.
LEXANDER DUFF, Esq., justice of the peace of New Brighton, Pa., has in his life time covered a wide range of experience, and has known much of men and affairs in many fields of progress. He has been directly and indirectly connected with several lines of business which have called forth the most earnest effort and steady in- dustry. In every one of these interests which
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have claimed his time and attention he has manifested the qualities that lead to success. At the present writing, he is enjoying the results of his own thrift, and the rewards of a life weil and usefully spent. Our subject was born in Mercer, now Lawrence, county, Pa., July 21, 1832, is a son of James and Jane (Boies) Duff, and grandson of William Duff.
William Duff was a native of County Down, Ireland. His parents died when he was very young, and he accompanied his step-mother to America, and settled at Turtle Creek, where he lived until he reached manhood. Sarah Duff, a cousin of his, became his wife, and the young folks settled in Mercer, now Lawrence, county, Pa., where they purchased a tract of land, for the most part heavily tim- bered. When he decided to build a house, he could not get a team in the county with which to move the logs, so the house was built by carrying the logs, by main strength, to the place desired. Later, Mr. Duff built a large log barn, which is still standing. He owned about 400 acres of land, about 200 of which, together with the homestead, is now the prop- erty of his grandson, D. G. Duff. "Grandpa" Duff died at the age of about eighty-five years and his good wife passed away at the age of eighty-seven. Their children's names are: James; Oliver; Alexander; William; Mrs. Kildoo; Mrs. Small; Mrs. Struthers; and Mrs. Caldwell,-all now deceased.
James Duff, the eldest of the children, was the father of the subject of this sketch. James was born in Turtle Creek, Allegheny county, Pa., in 1792, and his wife was born the same
year. Mrs. Duff's maiden name was Jane Boies. She was the daughter of James and Elizabeth (Wilson) Boies. Her grandfather, Col. Wilson, served in the Revolutionary War. James Duff received 80 acres of land from his father. and after building a log house and barn upon it, and clearing a portion of the land, he sold his farm, and purchased an- other one, again engaging in farming, which was his sole occupation during life. He was an active, enterprising man, and served in township offices, also rendering valued ser- vices to our country in the War of 1812, especially in connection with the struggle on Lake Erie. He died in 1876, at the age of eighty-five years, his death occurring only a few miles from his birthplace. The beloved mother only lacked two months of being ninety-nine years old at the time of her death, and was quite active up to the time of her last illness. On her ninety-eighth birthday her son, Alexander, and his sister gave a re-union for her benefit. That day she rode six miles and back. She loved company, and every- body loved her. Her home was always a pleasant place to all,-her disposition always happy. Hundreds of relatives and friends ac- cepted the invitation and attended the re- union,-the first of its kind ever held in Law- ren.e county,-and a most joyous occasion.
This worthy and highly honored old couple were Associate Reformed Presbyterians, and reared the following children : William, who was twice married,-his first wife being Han- nah Sherrer, and his second wife Jane Mc- Clellan ; Eliza, who was also twice married,-
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her first husband being Cyrus Williams, and her second husband James Kildoo; James, who wedded Lucinda Brown; Sarah, wife of John Poak; Jane, wife of Calvin Reed; John, who was also twice married,-his first wife being Eunice Sherrer, and his second wife Mrs. Small; Matthew, who married Eliza Clark ; Mary, wife of B. F. Junkin ; Alexander, the subject of this sketch; Lydia, wife of Cy- rus Field; and Samuel, who was killed at the Battle of Fredericksburg. He was a private in Cooper's Battery.
Alexander Duff received his intellectual training in the public schools, and started out in life as a farmer. He bought a part of his father's farm, which was partly improved, built a new house upon it, and otherwise en- hanced its value, and then sold out to excel- lent advantage. This occurred in 1863; Mr. Duff then purchased a better and more desira- ble farm in North Beaver township, Lawrence county, Pa., and carried on farming and threshing,-following the latter business fully twenty years. He enjoyed the distinction of owning and operating the first Massillon thresher in Lawrence county. Later in life, our subject entered the mercantile world by conducting a general merchandise store at Moravia, where he also became station agent. As his farm was located near by, he was en- abled to oversee it and also give his personal attention to his store. In addition to all this, he began dealing in grain, which he continued for five years, during which he handled over 100,000 bushels each year.
In 1891, Mr. Duff sold his store to
his son, C. W. Duff, and, renting his farm, he removed to New Brighton, where he purchased a handsome resi- dence on Fifth avenue. On his farm, Mr. Duff not only made many improve- ments but rebuilt the house and barns, and carries on a stock and poultry business. He has 14 fine grade and full bred Jerseys, and a hennery 64x20 feet. He makes a specialty of fancy stock, and eggs, having all his eggs stamped with date of laying, thus insuring a fancy price. He rents his farm on shares and practically conducts it himself. From 1872 to 1877, Mr. Duff served as justice of the peace, and has also served as school director and in other offices of his township. In 1895 he was elected justice of the peace of New Brighton, and for the sake of having some light business to attend to, he handles a fine line of wall papers.
Mr. Duff was united in marriage with Al- key S. Fulkerson, an attractive daughter of Richard Fulkerson, of Lawrence county. She died at the age of fifty-nine years, after having reared the following children: William O., who is a coal dealer at New Castle, Pa., and wedded Rhoda Witherspoon, who bore her husband one child, Iva, whom they lost ; Alice C., wife of James Young, of New Castle ; Richard H., a graduate of the Cleveland Med- ical College, and now a practicing physician of Erie county, Pa., who married Ella Burwell, and has two children, Harold and Gail; Ella A., wife of Dodds Campbell, a farmer of Lawrence county, Pa .; Edwin E., a prominent druggist of New Castle, who
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