USA > Pennsylvania > Beaver County > Book of biographies : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Beaver County, Pennsylvania > Part 31
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EFFERSON WILSON, an extensive fruit grower and prominent farmer of Chippewa township. Beaver county. Pa., is a son of James and Barbara (Showal- ter) Wilson, and was born in North Sewickley township, Beaver county, in the year 1839.
James Wilson, the father of Jefferson, re- moved to Beaver county when a very young man and was one of the earliest settlers. He located in North Sewickley township and en- gaged in farming,-soon after, buying a tract
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of one hundred acres of wild land. He made a clearing, erected a log house and barn, and resided there with his family for a number of years. He subsequently built a handsome brick house, in which he spent the rest of his active days. He followed general farming and was successful beyond the average. He was a Republican in politics, and held the office of school director, for a time. Religiously, he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His marriage was blessed by the birth of eleven children.
Jefferson Wilson received a limited educa- tion in the district school, but made the ut- most of his opportunities and is now consid- ered an intelligent and well read man. Upon leaving school he learned the trade of a plas- terer, and then moved to Nebraska where he engaged in that line of work. He returned to Beaver county, and still later went to Alle- gheny county, following his trade until 1868. Many of the oldest houses in Beaver Falis were plastered by him, as he was the leading plasterer there at that period. In 1868 he bought the Thomas farm of one hundred and six acres of partly cleared land, and as there were no buildings standing, except a barn, he erected a house and the necessary out build- ings. There was also a very small orchard . upon the place, and this he enlarged, until he now has what is undoubtedly the equal of any fruit farm in the county. He has always been interested in that line of work, and has made a study of it, being a well informed man in matters pertaining to fruit growing. He has thirty acres of fruit trees, mainly .apples,
pears, peaches, plums, and cherries, and in addition to these he has a large tract set out in berries of various kinds,-a branch of the business which he has found very profitable. Besides retailing, he ships a portion of his produce to Pittsburg markets. He also raises a little stock, grain and potatoes. During his spare time he has invented and patented a number of useful and valuable articles. Mr. Wilson is a man of pleasing characteris- tics, and has a large circle of friends through- out this section of the country.
Jefferson Wilson was united in marriage with Elizabeth Couch, daughter of John and Mary A. (Hickman) Couch. Mrs. Wil- son was born and educated in Lawrence county, Pa., and they have eight children, a record of whom follows: Nanna J., a gradu- ate of Bucknell University, was a missionary to Upper Burmah and Japan, for several years. She returned to America and was married to Dr. Leroy Stephens, secretary of the Pennsyl- vania Baptist Educational Society. Charles A. attended Butler University, read law, and is a graduate of the University of Michigan. He practiced law a short time, and then en- tered Crozier Theological Seminary, where he was prepared for the ministry, and has been pastor of churches in the Pittsburg and French Creek associations. Thomas J. at- tended Geneva College, read law, and is a graduate of the University of Michigan. He is now a prominent lawyer in Pittsburg. Mamie, who attended Geneva College, in pur- suance of the study of music, is now at home with her parents. Frank G. attended school
1
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at Mount Hermon, Mass .. and is now a farm- er in Beaver county. Della A. attended Hall Institute, and was married to Rev. T. J. Ed- wards, a prominent Baptist minister. Harry studied art and is now engaged in that work. Nora, after attending Mount Pleasant Col- lege, graduated in Byron King's School of Oratory, and then taught dramatic art. She was subsequently married to G. A. Johnson, a prominent attorney of Pittsburg, Pennsyl- vania.
In addition to his farm land, our subject owns property in Beaver Falls, in the form of building lots and houses. Politically, he is an independent Republican. In religious be- lief, he is a faithful member of the Baptist church.
AMUEL M. HERVEY, burgess and justice of the peace in Rochester, Beaver county, Pa., is one of the leading business men of that borough, and is highly esteemed by all of his fellow-towns- men. He is very well known throughout the county, and comes from an excellent family. He was born January 4, 1856, in Brownsville. Fayette county, Pa., and is a son of the late Rev. D. W. C. Hervey, and a grandson of James Hervey, who was of Scotch-Irish de- scent. James Hervey was a farmer in Fayette county, but was a weaver by trade, and also conducted a cotton and woolen mill; after the factory burned he retired.
Rev. D. W. C. Hervey, the father of Samuel M., became in early life a Baptist minister,
and occupied the pulpit in Freeport, Kittan- ning and New Castle ; lie also served six years in the Providence church in Beaver county, and in Jefferson county, Pa. He then went to Illinois and Kansas, but in a few years retired to Mount Gilead, Ohio, where he lived until his death, which occurred at the home of his son at New Castle, at the age of sixty-seven. He married Kate McCune, who died in Ili- nois at the age of sixty. Their children were as follows: John P., principal of the fifth ward school of New Castle; Hazen J., a printer in Illinois; Herbert B., deceased; Ella B., who married S. B. Skinner, of Indiana; Kate, who married Mr. McCann, of Illinois; and Samuel M., the subject of this sketch.
Samuel M. Hervey attended the North Se- wickley Academy, and then began teaching school. For several years he taught at Hillsville, Lawrence county, Pa., where he met and married Annie E. Davis, a daughter of William Davis; they are the parents of three children, namely: Walter D .; Nellie; and Kate. Subsequently Mr. Hervey taught school in New Castle, and then engaged in painting. In 1886 he moved to Rochester, continued teaching, and carried on painting by contract. He also taught night school in Rochester until 1893. In 1894 he formed a partnership with J. T. Conlin in the insurance business. They are today the most extensive insurance agents in the coun- ty, and represent the Royal, Lancaster, Amer- ican, Fire of Philadelphia, Providence, Cale- donia, Northwestern, Milwaukee, Milwaukee Mechanics, Netherlands, Springfield, Fire &
WILLIAM HENRY ANDERTON.
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Marine, and other insurance companies. In February, 1893, Mr. Hervey was elected jus- tice of the peace, and has been re-elected ; he was appointed burgess by the court in March, 1898. In politics he is a stanch Republican. He has served as trustee and auditor of the Baptist church for the past three years, and is secretary of the Sunday School. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., Royal Arcanum, and B. P. O. E. In 1891 he built a fine resi- dence on New York street, which reflects much credit on the taste; of its owner. His of- fice is also on New York street.
ILLIAM HENRY ANDER- TON, secretary, treasurer and gen- eral business manager of the Ander- ton Brewing Company of Beaver Falls, Pa., whose portrait we present on the preceding page, received his primary education in the Beaver Falls schools,-taking a collegiate course at the Iron City Business College of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. In 1883, he en- tered the employ of the Hartman Steel Co., of Beaver Falls, in the capacity of clerk, remain- ing in their employ until 1889. He was a prime mover in the organization of the Union Drawn Steel Co., and was secretary and treas- urer of that company, until December, 1890. At that date, Mr. Anderton became secretary, treasurer and general business manager of the Anderton Brewing Co., which position he still holds. He assisted in organizing the People's Water Company in 1897, and is its vice president. He is a believer in the principles
of Democracy, and an active worker for that party. Socially, he is a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity, being included among the members of Beaver Valley Lodge, No. 478; he is also treasurer of the B. P. O. E. lodge, No. 348.
William Henry Anderton is one of a family of five children. He was born October 23, 1866; is a son of James and Betty (Green- wood) Anderton, and grandson of James and Sarah (Morris) Anderton. His grandparents came to America from England in 1856, ac- companied by their son James, and settled at Fallston, Beaver county, Pa., where theit two sons, John and Joseph, had located a few months previously. There father and sons worked in the mines for some years. John died at Fallston, in February, 1899, but Jo- seph now resides in Rochester, Pa. The be- loved father departed this life in May, 1879, at the age of seventy-nine years, and was pre- ceded to the grave by his faithful wife and companion, who died in March, 1878, in her eighty-fifth year.
James Anderton, the father of William Henry, was born in Streetbridge, Royston, Lancastershire, England, June 26, 1830. He worked for eighteen years in the mines in his native place, beginning at the early age of eight years. In his youth he had no educa- tional advantages whatever,-his only mental training being a night school organized by himself and his fellow miners, known as the "Youth's Seminary." There the boys taught each other, being too poor to afford an ex- perienced teacher. The school organized by
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these lads has grown into a famous institution of learning, and is now known as the Literary Institute of Oldham, England.
James Anderton accompanied his parents to America when twenty-six years of age, worked in the mines at Fallston, until 1866, and then removed to New Brighton, Penn- sylvania. He continued to follow this occu- pation at the latter place until March, 1868, when he removed to Beaver Falls, purchased his present residence, and engaged in the hotel business. The following year (1869). he went into the brewing business in a small frame building, situated quite near the ele- gant structure in which he at present offi- ciates. The first brewing was made Novem- ber 30, of the same year, and consisted of only nine barrels. In 1875, Mr. Anderton built the old part of the present structure, and with a much increased capacity, he continued to brew ale and porter until 1895, when he built a large brick addition, with all the mod- ern improvements, and began brewing beer. The Anderton Brewery is now one of the most complete up-to-date breweries in Pennsyl- vania, and has a capacity of 30,000 barrels per year. There are many larger breweries in the Keystone State, but none more complete.
While still in his native land, James Ander- ton was united in marriage with Betty Green- wood, a daughter of Joseph and Mary Green- wood. This event took place in 1852, and their union is blessed with five children, viz. : Jonathan ; Mary G. ; William H. ; William H., second ; and Sarah A. Jonathan was born June 22, 1853; he is vice president of the Anderton
Brewing Company. He wedded Marga- ret Hart, a daughter of Hilton and Ann Hart. and their home is made happy by the presence of four sons: James, Hilton, Jonathan, Jr., and William H. Mary G. was born Febru- ary 1, 1858. She became the wife of C. W. Rohrkaste, who is now superintendent of the Anderton Brewery. They have three chil- dren : James A .; Mary A .; and Florence E. William H., the third child, died at the tender age of five years, and the same name was given to the next child. William H., the fourth child, is the subject of this brief sketch. Sarah A., the fifth child, was born October 14, 1869, and died in early childhood, aged three years.
James Anderton is a fine illustration of a self-made man, which in a great measure is due to his progressiveness, reliability and in- tegrity. He ranks among the most esteemed citizens of Beaver Falls, and takes an active interest in fraternal organizations, being a member of Lone Rock Lodge, K. of P .; Val- ley Echo Lodge. I. O. O. F .; Mechanics Lodge, A. O. U. W .; and Beaver Valley Lodge, F. & A. M., of which he has been treasurer for the past nineteen years. He was one of the organizers and original stockhold- ers of the Union Drawn Steel Co., and is one of the stockholders of the People's Water Co., of Beaver Falls. In his religious convictions, the elder Mr. Anderton is an Episcopalian, of which denomination he and his family are members. Politically, he is a stanch Demo- crat, but could never be persuaded to seek or accept public office,
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William Henry Anderton chose for his wife Emma J. Bailey, a daughter of James and Emma Bailey. In his business ventures he has met with success and, like his father, he is known to be an upright, honorable man. His home bears evidence of comfort in all its sur- roundings, and he always lends his aid and in- fluence to the support of measures which he believes will be conducive to the general good.
THAN HAZEN THOMAS, chief burgess of New Brighton, Pa., is also an insurance agent of that place, and deals largely in real estate. New Brigh- ton is one of the best business towns in Beaver county, Pa., situated as it is in a fine loca- tion, and containing many beautiful homes, streets, walks, and shade trees. The mam- moth manufacturing industries operated within its limit, are among the best in this section of Pennsylvania. New Brighton is located upon lands known as tracts No. 91 and 95, and was laid out in lots in 1814. About the same time, a bridge was built connecting it with Beaver Falls, and was rebuilt in 1833 or 1834. In 1832, a canal was built around the falls in order to market the products of the first manufacturing concern located there, -- that was the Townsend Flouring Mills, which were built in 1837, destroyed by fire about 1846 and replaced by woolen mills. New Brighton is situated on the banks of the Beaver River, which gives abundant water supply for various manufacturing concerns,
and is only a few miles from the Ohio River. It contains two railroads,-direct lines east and west ; they are the P., F. W. & C. R. R., and the E. & P. R. R. In, addition to this, the place is supplied with a trolley line through the main streets, and broad walks, finely shaded ; it has many beautiful residences, sur- rounded by spacious and well-kept lawns.
In 1838, New Brighton was made a bor- ough, and now has a population of 9,000. It contains fine stores, public halls, local banks, eight churches, splendid schools, a young men's library, building and loan associations, a daily paper, and is well supplied with electric lights and natural gas for illuminating and manufacturing purposes; the water supply is inexhaustible. It is no small honor to the subject of this sketch to be at the head of such a prosperous and flourishing borough. Mr. Thomas was elected chief burgess of this en- terprising town on the Republican ticket in 1897, and fills the seat of honor in a very creditable manner. He was born in North Sewickley township, Beaver county, Pa., February 29, 1856. He is a son of John Thomas, and grandson of Ethan Thomas. Our subject was educated in the public schools and in Burns' Seminary, after which he em- barked in the drug business, purchasing the store of Kennedy & Patton. He continued in that line for five years, selling out his busi- ness to H. L. Schwieppe ; he then embarked in the feed and grain business, and conducted that for several years, after which he entered his present real estate and insurance business. In 1888 he added an insurance department
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to his business, representing the following companies : Home, of New York ; New York Underwriters ; National, of Hartford ; Agricul- tural, of Watertown, N. Y .; Northwestern, of Milwaukee; and Lloyd's Plate Glass Ins. Co., of New York. Mr. Thomas handles as much, if not more, real estate than any other man in New Brighton, and has established a large patronage by his upright dealings. He re- sides at the corner of Sixth avenue and Elev- enth street, and has an office adjoining, at No. 602 Eleventh street.
Ella Kilpatrick, an attractive daughter of Daniel and Margaret Kilpatrick, of New Brighton, became the wife of Mr. Thomas, and has borne him five children, namely : Edith, a student; Edna, who died in infancy ; Clara Emma, who also died young; Frank; Carl, who is ten years old; and an infant ‹laughter.
Mr. Thomas is a consistent member of the Immanuel Baptist church, and has served as clerk, trustee and treasurer, while his worthy wife worships with the Methodist Protestant church. Mr. Thomas served several years as a member of the borough council, and also as notary public, and is known as one of the most enterprising citizens of New Brighton.
Ethan Thomas, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in the state of Mary- land. He was united in marriage with Eliz- abeth Eads, a native of Virginia. They went to Beaver county, Pa., among the earliest settlers,-following agricultural pursuits. They settled first in Patterson township, but later removed to Chippewa township, where
their son William now resides. Ethan Thomas cleared this farm, which was, at the time of its purchase, only a wilderness. He also placed many improvements upon the place, such as dwellings, barns, etc., and was a very successful farmer for his day. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas reared a family of eight chil- dren, six sons and two daughters. Their names are: Isaiah; John; James; David; William; Daniel; Mary, wife of Daniel Dan- iels; and Elizabeth, wife of Mr. Brittain. The beloved father and mother now rest in the churchyard at Darlington, and William is now the only living member of their family.
William Thomas, uncle of our subject, now resides upon the homestead farm, and is known as a successful man, respected by all. In his early life, he was a merchant at Beaver, for three years. He was in business later at New Brighton, for three years, and then re- tired to the homestead farm, which he has since cultivated. He has served as county auditor one term, and as justice of the peace for several years. He was joined in matrimony with Mary A. Young, a daughter of Jacob and Susan Young, of Columbus, Ohio.
John Thomas, father of our subject, was born at the homestead in Chippewa township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania. He was a farmer by occupation and settled in Franklin township for a while, but removed later to North Sewickley township, where his death took place in 1864, in his fifty-sixth year. His life partner and cheerful helpmeet was, before marriage, Miss Margaret Hazen, a daughter- of Samuel Hazen. She survived her husband
....
ROBERT DOYNE BURNSIDE DAWSON, M. D.
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until 1889, when she, too, crossed the dark river, at the age of seventy-one years. Nine children blessed their union, viz .: James, who served in the Civil War as a member of Com- pany H, IoIst Ohio Vol., from 1861 to 1863, when he was discharged for disability, and who died January 28, 1869; Pamelia, who is the widow of Dr. James E. Jackson, and still resides in New Brighton; Clara, who died, single, in 1871; Elzena, who married J. M. Hazen, and also died in 1871 ; Elizabeth, Jane, and Samuel, who all died young; Ethan H., the subject of this sketch; and Maggie E., wife of John W. Withrow.
John Thomas was a Whig, and later, a Re- publican. He served as school director and in minor offices in the township. He was a deacon of the Baptist church, of which de- nomination both he and Mrs. Thomas were devout members.
OBERT DOYNE BURNSIDE DAWSON, M. D., a well-known and popular physician of Beaver county, Pa., a portrait of whom accompanies this sketch, is a descendant of one of Beaver county's oldest families. His great-great- grandfather, Benoni Dawson, was a native of Montgomery county, Maryland, but the date of his birth is not known. He was a descendant of an old Eng- lish family, who were given a large grant of land in Maryland, by King George; in recognition of this favor, the Dawsons were loyal to the mother country. They firmly be- lieved it to be to the best interest of the com-
munity to maintain allegiance to the British empire. During the Revolutionary War they were Tories, and owing to their influence and the respect they commanded in their neigh- borhood, they proved themselves valuable allies of the English.
After his marriage with Rebecca Mackall, the daughter of a prominent family of Mary- land, Benoni with his wife moved from Mont- gomery county, Md., to Beaver county, Pa., and took up a farm where the village of Georgetown is now located. His son, R. D. Dawson, laid out the village of Georgetown in town lots, which he disposed of. Benoni lived upon his farm until his death in 1806, having located upon it about the year 1784. He and his wife were the parents of the fol- lowing children: Thomas; Nicholas; Beno- ni; Mackall; John Lowe; Robert D., who died in 1801, at the age of twenty-one years; George; James; Elizabeth, the wife of Charles Blackamore; Nancy, the wife of John Beaver; Mary, wife of James Blackamore; and Rebec- becca, wife of William White. When Dr. Dawson's great-great-grandfather first came to Beaver county, there were few white set- tlers in that vicinity and no roads had yet been built. Indians and big game were alike plenti- ful. Mr. Dawson became an extensive land- owner, and established a comfortable home there. His third son also bore the name Ben- oni, a favorite name in the family for many generations. He was the next in line of an- cestry and was the great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch.
Benoni Dawson, Jr., assisted his father on
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the new place for some time, and then began to look around for a location for himself. He ir ade a trip across the river, and is supposed to have been the first white man who ever made the journey with the idea of settling there. He selected a place, but a Mr Mc- Laughlin, also, had the same locality in view, and the latter hurriedly built a log cabin, and secured "squatters' rights" to it. Benoni, Jr., was then obliged to withdraw and seek a new location. He selected four hundred acres near by, where Ohioville now stands. His marriage with Catherine McKennon resulted in the birth of the following eight children : Robert Doyne; Benjamin ; James, a physician of prominence; Daniel; Elizabeth, who re- inained single as did Sarah, the next one; Ruth (Evans); and Mary Ann (Johnston). All the boys, except James, became farmers. Their father was particularly active in road building. The land he took up was of course wild and he used every effort to make the spot habitable and to provide a comfortable home for his family. He followed farming up to the time of his last illness. In politics, he was a Whig, and religiously, was reared in the faith of the Protestant Episcopal church in which he served many years as vestryman.
Robert Doyne Dawson, grandfather of the subject hereof, was born July 30, 1801. He received his scholastic training under Master Steele, a private pedagogue. Robert worked upon his father's farm for some time, but sub- sequently followed river life between Pitts- burg and New Orleans. He worked in that capacity until his marriage with Elizabeth
Reed. Elizabeth was a favorite daughter of Ruel Reed. She was born in Beaver county, Pa., in 1803. She bore her husband ten chil- dren, namely: Mary Ann, Catherine and Re- becca, who all remained single; Benoni, Dr. Dawson's father; Ruel; James; Benjamin; Robert D .; Daniel D .; and William McKen- non.
After his marriage, Robert Dawson relin- quished river life and returned to farming. For a short time he was located on his father's homestead farm. Then, for a brief period, he rented a place. Later, he purchased one hun- dred acres of land from his father-in-law. After farming that for some time, he sold out and purchased the farm where Daniel D. now lives. Here he prospered, and was soon en- abled to add three other farms to his original purchase. Thus he became the owner of three hundred and forty acres, which he im- proved in a superior manner. He built a good brick residence, and his farm was considered one of the finest and best improved in the county. In addition to producing large quan- tities of fruit, he devoted much attention to stockraising. He was the first to introduce Durham cattle and Leicester sheep in Ohio township, and was among the first to intro- duce these breeds into the county. He dis- posed of his stock at Pittsburg and in local markets. Like his honored father, he was vestryman in the Protestant Episcopal church. In his political affiliations he fol- lowed the leadership of the Republican party. At the time of his demise. he was a compar- atively wealthy man.
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Benoni Dawson, father of the subject here- of, was born in Ohio township, in 1830, and obtained the rudiments of an education in the district schools. He learned farming and bought a farm for himself in 1854. This farm contained one hundred and twenty acres, and was partly improved, having a fine log cabin on the premises. This was torn down and replaced by a convenient frame and log resi- dence, which is standing to this day. Dr. Dawson's parents were married in 1858. His mother was, before marriage, Rolena Bris- bane. She was a native of Pittsburg, Pa., and was educated in Allegheny City. She was the mother of seven children, viz .: Eliz- abeth (Nicholson); Rebecca C. (Murdock) ; Robert D. B., the subject of this sketch; Charles H., deceased; Anna F., wife of Dr. C. C. Taylor, of New Waterford, Ohio; Benoni R., a farmer; and Rolena I., now de- ceased. Mr. Murdock, who married Rebecca C., is a professor of music in Allegheny, and a composer of some note. He is the inventor of the Murdock system of guitar instruction.
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