USA > Pennsylvania > Beaver County > Book of biographies : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Beaver County, Pennsylvania > Part 3
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BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES
married Annetta McCreary, - one child, Dorothy, having blessed their union; Charles W., a shoe merchant of New Castle, Pa., who married Laura Gwin, and has three children - Mabel, Fred, and Florence; Robert Frank, who was killed in 1887, at the age of twenty years, by falling from a wagon ; and Harry G., a druggist of New Castle, who married Maree Jeckel, of Buffalo, New York. After the death of his first wife, our subject contracted a second matrimonial alliance, this time with Maggie E. Stuart, a daughter of John Stuart, of Lawrence county. No issue resulted from this marriage.
Mr. Duff, since his residence in New Brighton, has identified himself with the town's progress and development. He is a member of the First Presbyterian church of that place, and is also an elder. In 1891, Mr. Duff took a trip across the continent, visiting all the principal places of interest, and spend- ing about four months on the journey.
ILTON TOWNSEND, real estate dealer and retired merchant, is one of New Brighton's most es- teemed citizens. He is spending the sunset of life, in his beautiful home, upon the knoll at the lower end of Third avenue, enjoying every convenience and comfort that could be desired. His residence is one of the finest sights in Beaver county, Pa., being sur- rounded by spacious lawns, lovely driveways and walks overlooking the valley below, and
overshadowed by towering mountains, sub- lime in their grandeur. The subject of this sketch was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, November 3, 1820, and can trace his ancestors back to the sixth generation, the family being of English origin. He is a son of Talbot and Edith (Ware) Townsend, and grandson of Francis and Rachel (Fallett) Townsend.
Francis Townsend was born on April 15, 1740, was a son of Joseph Townsend, Jr., grandson of Joseph Townsend, Sr., and great- grandson of William Townsend, a native of Berks county, England. Francis Townsend wedded Rachel Fallett on July 8, 1762. They belonged to that good old class of people, the Quakers, who were such important factors in the settlement and early history of Pennsyl- vania. In 1786, Francis Townsend and his family entered the western part of Pennsyl- vania, settling at Brighton, which is now known as Beaver Falls. Mr. Townsend at once engaged in business by establishing an iron foundry and blast furnace for the manu- facture of pig iron. He was so successful in this venture for many years, that in time he became the owner of considerable land and much valuable property in that vicinity. Like most of his creed, he was a fine old man, actu- ated by just and upright principles, and lived a life worthy of imitation by his sons. In the year 1800, he retired from active business pur- suits and removed to Fallston, where he spent his last years with his sons, who had erected mills there. His death occurred at Fallston. He and his good wife were parents of the fol- lowing children : David ; Benjamin J .; Isaac;
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Francis; Talbot; Lydia, wife of Evan Pugh; and one more daughter whose name cannot be recalled.
Talbot Townsend, father of Milton, was born in Chester county, Pa., and accompa- nicd his parents west to Beaver county. In 1S16, he went down the Yellow Creek to Jef- ferson county, Ohio, and engaged in the manufacture of sa't for some time. In 1837, he located at New Brighton, Pa., where he built a stone flouring mill, and carried on quite an extensive business for those days. His mill was run by a splendid water power. In dry seasons, people came twenty-five or thirty miles to have their grain ground at his mill, coming, also, many miles by canoe. Much of their flour was shipped to the Pitts- burg market, and further down the Ohio River. Mr. Townsend was a very successful miller, and acquired much property in the vi- cinity of New Brighton. He lived to the ad- vanced age of eighty-seven years, and his most worthy wife lived to be seventy-seven years old. She was, before marriage, Edith Ware, a daughter of Asa Ware, of Salem, Ohio. Both Mr. and Mrs. Townsend be- longed to the Society of Friends. Their children were: Milo, who married Elizabeth Walker; Eliza, wife of John Gammal; Milton, subject of this sketch; Alfred, who died un- married; Lydia, wife of Edwin Morlan; Caro- line, wife of Ebenezer Rhodes ; and Alice, wife of Samuel Junkins.
Milton Townsend succeeded his father in the milling business for several years, until the mill burned. He then went into the trans-
portation business, owning some boats and leasing others, and doing a large freight busi- ness up and down the canal for years, until the railroads became so numerous that boat- ing was done away with. He next became agent for the Pittsburg & Cleveland R. R., after which he was clerk of the post office in Pittsburg for a period of two years. Return- ing to New Brighton, he conducted a shoe store very successfully for years, after which he retired, and built a handsome brick busi- ness block on Third avenue, where his father formerly resided. Mr. Townsend then began dealing in real estate,-buying and selling. He purchased the Abel Townsend estate, which consisted of a fine orchard called "Knob Lot," a round knoll at the lower end of Third avenue. He first built a round ten- ement house in the center of an orchard which contained the finest and largest variety of fruit in that vicinity. Later he had the house remodeled into a handsome dwelling, which he now occupies.
The subject of this sketch was united in marriage with Lavinia Oakley. Mrs. Town- send was a daughter of John M. Oakley, of Brighton, formerly of Baltimore, Maryland. She was born in 1823, and passed to her final rest in 1892. She bore her husband three children, two of whom were sons who died in infancy. The daughter, Emily O., became the wife of Ernest Mayer, one of the two own- ers of the Mayer Pottery Company, of New Brighton, Pennsylvania. In his political opin- ions, Mr. Townsend first belonged to the old line Whigs, was later an anti-slavery man and
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now votes the Republican ticket. In his younger days, he was connected with both the Masonic fraternity and the Odd Fellows.
Mr. Townsend has closed a long career of toil and is now enjoying that calm that comes after the struggle, untroubled by anxious thoughts of what the future may bring forth. His age has already gone far beyond that allotted to the average man, and he is fast approaching the octogenarian mark, but he still retains much of his youthful vigor. He has been identified with every enterprise worthy of note since his residence in New Brighton, and justly deserves the esteem of all.
DGAR FREDERICK HOPE has been interested in the advancement and prosperity of Beaver Falls since the year 1890, in which year he established himself in mercantile business, and is now recognized as one of the leading and substan- tial merchants of that borough. His native town is Manchester, England, and his ances- tors have resided for many generations in Preston, England. He is a son of Isaac and grandson of Thomas Hope.
Thomas Hope was a life-long resident of Preston, England, and was an expert machin- ist, conducting a machine-shop and foundry many years. He was called from earth when eighty-three years old. Isaac Hope was also born in Preston, and there also received his mental training; he was also a mechanic by trade and followed the same business that
occupied his father's attention for so long a period. Mr. Hope was joined in marriage with Miss Easterby of Benthem, England, and they reared a family of four children: Daniel, who wedded a Miss Bradley ; Joseph ; Edgar Frederick, the subject hereof; and Eleanor. The father of Edgar Frederick Hope died, aged seventy-two years. The subject of this sketch obtained his primary education in the public schools of his native town, and early in life began to learn the trade of an iron- molder; desiring to seek a home and for- tune in the new world, he decided to come to the United States, and accordingly sailed for New York City in 1880; upon his arrival there he found employment on the foundry work of the great Brooklyn Bridge. In 1890, he be- came a resident of Beaver Falls, Pa., and there established a general store, which he still con- ducts. Mr. Hope began at the bottom of the ladder, and, with meager advantages for education and no material assistance, has gradually worked his way up to the status of a substantial business man. His business inter- ests are not confined to Beaver Falls alone, for he also has three stores in New Brighton. Our subject's store in Beaver Falls is located on the principal business thoroughfare, and he pays special attention to the lines of stoves and tin ware, glass and queensware and furni- ture. Mr. Hope by his wonderful determina- tion and energy, coupled with good judg- ment, has made a decided success in all his business undertakings; he is popular and es- teemed in both business and social circles, and is an intelligent and well-to-do citizen.
COL. JACOB WEYAND.
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Mr. Hope formed a matrimonial alliance with Miss Frances Bailey, and their home has been blessed with three children: Charles J .; Harry, and Olive. Politically, he is a Re- publican, whilst in religious views he favors the Methodist church.
OL. JACOB WEYAND, a retired pub- lisher of Beaver, Pa , whose portrait is shown on the opposite page, enjoys the distinction of being the only living mem- ber of the convention that participated in the formation of the Republican party at Lafayette Hall, Pittsburg, Pa., February 22, 1856. He first saw
the light of day on March 22, 1828, near Mount Jackson, Lawrence county, then a part of Beaver county. He worked on a farm until he attained manhood, and then at- tended Beaver Academy. In 1854 he became part owner of the Argus, and assisted in editing and publishing that paper until the winter of 1857 and 1858. Selling his interest in the Argus, he purchased the Free Press, at Carrollton, Ohio, where he was busily en- gaged at the breaking out of the Civil War. Catching the martial spirit of the times, Mr. Weyand sold the Free Press, and raised a company of volunteers. He was chosen cap- tain, and marched the company to Camp Mingo, near Steubenville, Ohio, where it was at once attached to the 126th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and mustered into service in 1862. Dur- ing his service, Capt. Weyand was noted for sturdy courage and coolness in the midst of
great danger, and although twice wounded in battle, he had no fears for his personal safety, but thought rather of the duty to be per- formed. He participated in nearly all the bat- tles of the Potomac campaign. In the battle of Monocacy, Md., fought July 9, 1864, Capt. Weyand was placed in command of his regi- ment, and an officer on the staff of the com- manding general that day, in writing a his- tory of the battle, made use of the following language:
"Capt. Weyand, who was commanding the 126th Ohio Vol., was on the extreme right of the line, with the right of his regiment rest- ing near. the Monocacy bridge. After the battle had progressed a short time, he was directed by General Wallace to set fire to the bridge, then face the regiment to the left, do :ble quick it to the extreme left of the line, throw it across the pike, and hold the posi- tion as long as he could. The bridge was fired and the regiment started off on its peril- ous movement. It had almost reached the desired destination, when, as it came abreast of the line of the 'hundred day men,' it met most unexpected obstruction. Immedi- a ately in its front was a farm ditch about six feet wide and the same depth, through which a sluggish stream of water was running. A few feet further was a board fence five or six feet high-both running at right angles with the line of battle. Just beyond the ditch and fence was the Washington pike. The ditch was literally alive with 'hundred day men,' who, totally unused to the sort of treatment they were receiving at the hands of the
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BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES
enemy, had taken shelter there from the raking fire which the Confederates had opened on the pike. With the view of keeping that thoroughfare open, the enemy were in line of battle on an elevation of about four hun- dred yards in our front, and every missile known to warfare seemed to be coming down that hard, dusty road; plowing shot, screech- ing shells, rattling grape and canister were hurled out, with sharp volleys of musketry, sending up puffs of dust, or tearing up great rifts of the highway. No one could com- mand calmness enough to considerately be- hold the scene, yet this had to be done; the General had ordered it. Here Captain Wey- and leaped the ditch, climbed to the top of the fence, and pointed forward. In an instant every file was moving after him, led by the gallant McPeck. Under the galling fire the men were falling like leaves before an autumn blast, and, realizing the dreadful havoc that was being made in the ranks, Capt. Weyand broke the battle line, and hurriedly moved his regiment some seventy-five yards forward, where a rise in the ground partly sheltered the men from the merciless storm they had just passed. Every officer came out of the conflict bleeding, and every man not hit or killed had his clothes riddled with bullets."
In the eleven preceding battles in which the regiment had borne an honorable part, its splendid discipline and fighting qualities had never shown to greater advantage than in this field. Its brilliant conduct was the theme of officers and men who had no connection with it, and Captain Weyand, who had already
been complimented highly by his superior officers for gallantry at Cold Harbor, was now honored with a recommendation to the Sec- retary of War for promotion as major and brevet lieutenant-colonel ... Col. Fox, in his book, entitled, "The Three Hundred Fighting Regiments of the War," includes the 126th Ohio Vol. Infantry (Col. Weyand's) regiment as one of that number. After the war, our subject returned to Beaver, Pa., repurchased the Argus, and conducted it until 1874, when he consolidated it with the Radical, publish- ing both under the firm of Weyand & Rutan. From that time Col. Weyand practically re- tired from business, with the exception of dealing in real estate to some extent. He pur- chased the David Hall property of fifteen acres at Beaver, but just within the line of Bridgewater borough, and built a handsome residence. In 1893. Col. Weyand was elected to the legislature ; two years later he was re- elected, and the duties of a legislator were performed by him in a very creditable and capable manner.
The subject of this sketch was twice mar- ried. In 1857, Victoria Adams, a charming young lady of Beaver county, became his wife, and shared his joys and sorrows until 1892, when he was deprived of her pleasant com- panionship by death. She was born in 1837, and bore her husband the following children : ) Emma; Romulus and Remus, twins; Milo Adams; Edwin Stanton; Blanche, and Paul. Emma is the wife of Harry W. Reeves, of Beaver; Romulus and Remus died in infancy; Milo Adams is deceased; Edwin
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Stanton is an attorney-at-law in Beaver. He was a law student under ex-Judge Wickham, now deceased, and was admitted to the bar in 1895; he married Wilhelmina Thompson, of Marion, Ohio, who has borne him two children, Dorothy, and "baby," not yet named. Blanche is a stenographer, and Paul is a Methodist minister. He was educated at the Beaver High School and at Allegheny College, Meadville, Pennsylvania. He is now Superintendent of City Missions, at Pitts- burg, Pa.
Some time after the death of his first wife, Col. Weyand formed a second matrimonial alliance-this time with Mary E. Cooke, a daughter, of Maj. William Cooke. Col. Wey- and is a member of the U. V. L. and the G. A. R. He worships at the M. E. church. He is a son of Henry and Mary M. (Ginder) Weyand, and a grandson of Jacob Weyand, who was born in Alsace, Germany, and came to America about the year 1738, settling at Somerset, Pennsylvania, where he and his good wife both lived to a good old age. So far as is known, their children were as fol- lows: Michael; Jacob; John, and Henry, father of the subject of this memoir.
Henry Weyand was born July 31, 1791, in Somerset county, Pa., and there his marriage occurred. He wedded Mary Magdalena Gin- der, a daughter of George Ginder. The young folks settled near Mount Jackson, and purchased a farm now known as the William Patterson farm. In his younger day, Henry Weyand taught schools during winters- teaching both German and English-and de-
voted his summers to working his farm. He was a man of prominence in his community, and served many years as constable. His death occurred at the age of fifty-two years, three months, and nine days. His devoted wife died in August, 1863, aged seventy-three years and eight months. Their family con- sisted of the following children: Agabus; Mary Ann; Michael; Jacob, and Elizabeth. Agabus died young ; Mary Ann is the wife of Jacob Bender; this worthy couple recently celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary, at Mahoningtown, Pa .; Michael is the editor of the Beaver Times; Jacob is the subject of this biography, and Elizabeth is the wife of Joseph Strouck.
OHN ELLIS, a highly respected and enterprising citizen of Beaver Falls, en- joys the distinction of being director of the Co-operative Flint Glass Co. of that place and was one of the organizers of that com- pany in 1879, at which time he located in Beaver Falls. Ever since the organization of the company, Mr. Ellis has been in its em- ploy ; he is careful, shrewd, and trustworthy. His work is always done in a way that will stand the closest scrutiny. The subject of this sketch was born January 9, 1852, and ob- tained his education in Pittsburg. He subse- quently served an apprenticeship with Bryce Brothers, and went to Beaver Falls in 1879.
In 1887, Annie Davis, a daughter of John Davis of Pittsburg, agreed to share the for- tunes of Mr. Ellis by becoming his wife. This
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union was blessed with three children: How- ard; Mabel; and Clifford B. Mr. Ellis and his family are willing workers of the Presby- terian church. In politics, Mr. Ellis has al- ways been a Republican, but has refrained from accepting official positions. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. organization, and also of the Royal Arcanum. He has been a director of the Flint Glass Co. of Beaver Falls since 1896. He is a son of William and Jane (Owen) Ellis.
William Ellis was born in Cardiganshire, Wales, February 8, 1815, and was reared and educated at that place. He learned the trade of a hatter, which occupation he con- tinued to follow until July 4, 1846, when he started for America. After a five weeks' voy- age on board a sailing vessel, he landed at New York, going to Pittsburg by way of Utica, Buffalo, and the canal. After his arrival in Pittsburg, Mr. Ellis engaged in mining for a number of years, then began working in a glass factory, where he found employment for a period of twenty years, the last eight years of which were spent in Beaver Falls, where he died February 25, 1888. He chose for his life partner Jane Owen, a daughter of Stephen Owen, of Wales. Mrs. Ellis departed this life September 10, 1897, at the age of sev- enty-nine years. This worthy couple favored the Welsh Calvinistic Methodist church. Mr. Ellis was an ardent Republican, fearless in his ideas, and in the expression of them. He took a deep interest in church affairs, and was very generous and kind hearted, often visit- ing the sick and poor and needy, relieving
their wants or ameliorating their suffering whenever he could. He was a valued mem- ber of the Odd Fellows organization. He was also a member of the Ivorites, a Welsh order.
Our subject was one of four children. James, the eldest, died at the tender age of seven years. John is the subject of this sketch. Mary J., born February 14, 1854, became the wife of David D. Evans, of Pitts- burg, and has six children, namely : Blanche ; William, now deceased; Howard; Elmer; Ethel; and Iris. David Ellis, the youngest of the family, and only surviving brother of the subject of this sketch, was born September 26, 1856, at Pittsburg, Pa. He is one of the prominent and hard working members of the American Flint Glass Workers' Union, No. 38. David commenced his trade of flint glass worker in the factory of Bryce, Walker & Co .; he afterwards worked for Campbell, Jones & Co. He has been a resident of Beaver Falls since 1879, being employed in the Co- operative Works. David Ellis joined the Union of his trade in 1876, when the "Flints" were affiliated with the K. of L., and remained a member of that organization until the American Flint Glass Workers' Union of North America was organized, when he joined the latter body. Besides being a staunch union man, he is very prominent in the ranks of the Odd Fellows, having served as district deputy of the order in Beaver county, and district deputy grand patriarch of the Encampment in the same county. He is, also, a member of Beaver Valley Lodge
66
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CHRISTOPHER C HAZEN.
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BEAVER COUNTY
No. 478, F. & A. M., Beaver Falls, Pa.
Mr. Ellis is a self-made man ; having learned self-reliance and habits of industry in his youth, he was not slow to make the best of every opportunity offered. He has won his way to an enviable position, and is esteemed for his many excellent traits and his well- known rectitude of character.
HRISTOPHER C. HAZEN, the pop- ular secretary for S. Barnes & Co. (Limited), manufacturers of all kinds of fire brick, of Rochester, Pa., is a resi- dent of New Brighton, Pa., and besides fol- lowing the occupations of teaching, farming, and stock-raising, for, perhaps, a quarter of a century, he has occupied important posi- tions of trust in Beaver county-such as county auditor and county treasurer. Our subject boasts of English origin. and can trace his ancestors back for two hundred and fifty years; he is a descendant of Edward Has- sen, which was the original family name.
Edward Hassen was born in England, Sep- tember 18, 1649, and with his wife, Elizabeth, came to America, settling at Rowley, Massa- chusetts. There he served as selectman, overseer, and as judge of delinquents; he owned a large quantity of real estate, includ- ing seven gates, or cattle rights, which was considered an extensive ownership. His es- tate at death was valued at £404 7s. 8d. He was twice married. Little is known of his first wife, Elizabeth. His second wife was Hannah Grant, a daughter of Thomas and
Hugh Grant. Edward Hassen died at Row- ley, Mass., in 1663, leaving the following children : Elizabeth; Hannah; John; Thomas; Edward; Isabella; Priscilla; Edna; Richard; Hepzibah; and Sarah.
Thomas Hassen, from whom the subject of this sketch is descended, was born February 29, 1657 or 1658, and died at Norwich, Conn., April 12, 1735. He was a farmer by occupa- tion, and settled upon what was known as the Westfarms, and with his sons was among the petitioners for its incorporation as a parish, in 1716. This tract is now known as Franklin. Thomas was united in marriage, January I, 1682, with Mary Howlet, a daughter of Thomas Howlet. Their children were as fol- lows: John; Hannah; Alice; Edna; Thomas ; Jacob; Mary; Lydia; Hepzibah; Ruth; and Jeremiah.
. John Hazen was born March 23, 1683, and was twice married. His first wife was Mercy Bradstreet, daughter of John and Sarah (Perkins) Bradstreet. Mrs Hazen laid down the burden of life in 1725. John Hazen chose for his second wife, Elizabeth Dart. He reared the following offspring: John; Sam- uel; Simon; Margaret ; Caleb; Sarah ; Daniel ; Elizabeth; Mary ; Hannah, the first, and Han- nah, the second.
John Hazen, Jr., was born February 21, 17II or 1712. He was joined in matrimony with Deborah Peck, of Lyme, Connecticut, who bore him nine children, namely: Mary; John; Mary, second; Deborah; Nathaniel; Eunice; Joseph ; Lydia; and Samuel.
Nathaniel Hazen was born March 17, 1745,
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BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES
and was joined in marriage with Mary Bell. History says that Nathaniel was first located in the state of New Jersey, from which he removed to Washington county, Pa., and shortly afterward went to North Se- wickley, now Franklin, township, Beaver county, and settled upon a tract of land where S. M. Hazen now resides. A patent for this land, issued from the Government to the eld- est son of Nathaniel Hazen, bears date 1790. Nathaniel possessed considerable means, own- ing two hundred acres of land, and becoming a man of prominence in his day. Having very fertile land, he made a specialty of rais- ing timothy seed, which he carried over the mountains on horseback, and exchanged for salt and merchandise. He conducted a small store, and was the proud owner of the first buggy ever seen in these parts. The house occupied by him as a residence was built of logs, as was the barn-the former containing only one door and one window. Nathaniel Hazen set out an orchard, a portion of which is yet bearing. Among the children reared by him and his excellent wife were the fol- lowing: Samuel; Nathan; and James. They also reared others, whose names are not re- membered.
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