USA > Pennsylvania > Beaver County > Book of biographies : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Beaver County, Pennsylvania > Part 34
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Oliver A., attended Todd's school in In- dustry, took a preparatory course at Fair- view, and finished his education with a three
years' course at Beaver Falls. He is now learning the blacksmith trade with his father. Edward Otto received the same educational equipment as his brother, and is also learning the trade which has been followed by most of the male members of the Hays family.
Years ago William W. Hays went to Wash- ington county, as a blacksmith. He pur- chased a farm in Industry and did some farm- ing in connection with his trade. This farm contained one hundred and four acres, and was devoted to general farming, for some time. Subsequently, Mr. Hays engaged in the berry business, which he carried on suc- cessfully, for six years. He then sold a part of the farm and removed to Beaver Falls, but afterward returned to the property, where the death of his first wife took place. He then sold the remainder of it and purchased a house in Fairview, whither he removed, and went into business with his father. As before men- tioned, this partnership lasted for sixteen years, when Mr. Hays conducted the business alone. He is now assisted by his two sons. He does horse shoeing, wagon and carriage work, oil-well repairing, etc. Mr. Hays is also somewhat interested in oil production. He owns a half interest in the Esther Oil Co., in addition to which he has a well on his own place. His neat, attractive residence is situ- ated quite near his shops, and he owns several desirable building-lots in the same vicinity.
Mr. Hays married a second time. In this instance, Mary A. Fowler became his wife. She was born on the old farm in Chippewa township, Beaver county, and died as recently
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as June, 1899. Mr. Hays is a member of the Episcopal church, of which he is warden. He is a Republican, but is too busy for the cares of office. He is special representative and secretary for the Iron City Building & Loan Association.
IMON HARROLD, a prominent contractor of Beaver Falls, and a member of the State Legislature from Beaver county, Pa., has been a resident of that borough since 1866, and it may be said that no man has worked more conscien- tiously to advance its interests than he.
Mr. Harrold was born in Columbiana (now Mahoning) county, Ohio, November 3, 1840, and is a son of Samuel Harrold.
His grandfather was David Harrold, a na- tive of Bucks county, Pa., whose father fought under General Washington at Valley Forge, and a descendant of the sturdy Saxon race. Samuel Harrold, the father of our subject, was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, August 16, 1816.
Simon Harrold received his education in the schools of Mahoning county, Ohio. Upon leaving school he went to Springfield, Ill., and started in business in partnership with a Mr. Eberhardt as a general contractor, con- tinuing for three years. He then returned to his home and after his marriage moved to Beaver Falls, in 1866, becoming one of the first business men of that town. The popu- lation did not exceed 100, the borough being incorporated in 1868. Mr. Harrold built a planing mill in partnership with a Mr. Crane,
and they procured lumber from the North and West. He purchased the first car load of lum- ber that was ever shipped to Beaver county from the West, the transportation charges from Cleveland amounting to $48. He also engaged in contracting alone and soon es- tablished a wide reputation. The planing mill was named the Beaver Falls Planing Mill, and after Mr. Crane's retirement, in 1869, our subject became the principal member of the firm and so continued until very recently, when he retired from the active management of the business. They manufacture doors, window sashes, and all kinds of building ma- terial. Mr. Harrold has always been en- gaged in contracting and has built more houses than any other contractor in the dis- trict, and has built every hotel in the bor- ough. He has been awarded many large con- tracts throughout the surrounding country, including nearly every factory in Beaver Falls, in all or in part; the courthouses at New Lisbon and Coshocton; several locks and dams on the Monongahela and other rivers; street paving,-an example of which is the elegantly paved streets of Beaver Falls; the street railway from Pittsburg to Coraopolis, the People's line, and the Riverview; the waterworks at Beaver, Pa., and Leetonia, Ohio; and the pump station for the Mononga- hela Company at Becks Run and Esplin.
Mr. Harrold was joined in wedlock with Louisa Schauweker, who was born in Colum- biana county, Ohio, and is a daughter of Ja- cob Schauweker, who was born in Germany, but came to America where he followed the
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trade of a tanner and leather dealer, a busi- ness followed by the family for many genera- tions. This union resulted in seven children : Julia E .; Irvin C .; Alberta A .; Mary; Isadore ; Katie; Alfred. They were all educated in Beaver county and are graduates of Beaver Falls High School. Politically, our subject is a Republican and cast his first presidential vote for Lincoln. He has always been an ac- tive party worker and although he has never sought office it has at times been thrust upon him. He helped to organize and was one of the first councilmen in the borough, and has served in all fifteen years. In 1898, he was elected a member of the State Legis- lature from Beaver county, in which body he has always been an active worker, doing his utmost to further the interests of his constitu- ents and those of the state. He voted regu- larly with the Republican party for the elec- tion of Quay in the senatorial contest, and the resulting deadlock has convinced him that the proper way to elect a senator is by the direct vote of the people. Religiously, he is a mem- ber of the M. P. church. Fraternally, he is a Mason, belonging to Valley Echo Lodge, F. & A. M., of Beaver Falls, Pa. Mr. Har- rold's portrait accompanies this sketch.
LLIS N. BIGGER, county solicitor for Beaver county, Pa., is also a prominent attorney of Beaver. After attending public school, young Bigger took a finishing course at Frankfort Academy, after which he followed the profession of
teaching public schools and in Frankfort Academy, for a period of four years. He then registered as a law student with the late Sam- uel B. Wilson, then one of Beaver county's most prominent and able attorneys. Mr. Big- ger was admitted to the bar June 2, 1879, and soon after began the practice of his profession. alone, in Beaver. He continued thus until 1882, when he entered into partnership with Frank Wilson. Mr. Wilson died in 1883, after which the firm became Bigger & Henry (T. M. Henry) until 1891, since which Mr. Bigger has practiced alone. He has been very successful as a lawyer, and is an able writer and speaker. Athough he never aspired to of- fice, he has served in the borough council for six years, and has recently been elected county solicitor for three years, which will make an incumbency of eight consecutive years in the latter office. The subject of this sketch is an ardent advocate of thorough educational sys- tems, being a member of the borough school board. He owns a fine residence on Raccoon street, built by J. F. Dravo, and containing all the modern conveniences. Mr. Bigger's residence is handsomely furnished, and he boasts of having one of the most elegant, se- lect libraries in the borough. He is a man of rare literary taste and is a lover of the best works.
Mr. Bigger chose for his life partner Jean Blanche Love, a favorite daughter of the late Robert and Jane (McClure) Love, of Mercer county. Robert Love was a progressive mer- chant tailor of that place, and died when sev- enty-two years old, while Mrs. Love died at
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the age of sixty-two years. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Love: John, who died young; Emma, wife of A. F. McNair; Alfretta, single; Christopher I., who also died young; Catherine, deceased; and Jean Blanche, wife of the subject hereof.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Bigger are devout Christians, being willing workers in the Pres- byterian church, besides giving liberally of their means to many charitable institutions. Mr. Bigger is a thirty-second degree Mason, and a member of the Knights of Pythias. He is in every respect a man of force and influ- ence. He has a fund of experience to draw from, that is of a superior order. As a promi- nent man in his profession, his judgment and foresight have been brought to a keen edge from contact with the shrewdest of business men. The success which has come to him is but the natural result of his incessant and well- directed efforts.
Ellis N. Bigger was born September 17, 1856, in Hanover township, Washington county, Pa. He is a son of Thomas and Mary (Nicholson) Bigger, grandson of James and Mary (Biggart) Bigger, great-grandson of Thomas and Elizabeth (Moore) Bigger, and great-great-grandson of Matthew Bigger. Matthew Bigger was born at a place called Bigger, in Scotland, and on account of re- ligious persecutions fled to Ireland, settled in County Antrim, near Belfast, where his death occurred. He left a widow and six children. The names of the latter were: John, James, Samuel, Thomas, Jane, and Elizabeth. The three eldest sons remained in Ireland, but
Thomas and his two sisters, Jane and Eliza- beth, accompanied by their mother, came to America.
Thomas, the fourth son, was born in 1738, and upon attaining manhood, he fell in love with Elizabeth Moore, the daughter of a wealthy man, who objected to their marriage on account of Thomas being a poor man, and a weaver by trade. But notwithstanding the father's objections, the young folks were mar- ried, and shortly afterward Thomas induced liis mother and two sisters to accompany them to America. They landed at Baltimore, Md., October 16, 1773. Thomas, upon learning that land was cheap in the "wild west," jour- neyed overland to what is now Raccoon town- ship, Washington county, Pa., and near Rac- coon creek he took up a large tract of land. He was of a proud nature, but was a sturdy worker, and the height of his ambition was to become an extensive land owner. In his native country, only the wealthy had large landed possessions, but, by struggling hard against almost overwhelming difficulties, with the aid of his ever-faithful wife, he gratified his heart's desire. He built a log cabin and felled the forest trees, and he lived as only the brave pioneers did; but he prospered, and at the time of his death he was a well-to-do and progressive farmer. His life shows that "what man has done, man can do." He and his de- voted consort reared a family of ten children.
James Bigger, grandfather of Ellis N., served in the War of 1812, as a private, be- ing stationed at Fort Maldon. He was united in marriage with Mary Biggart,
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in 1816, and the same year purchased a farm in Hanover township, Beaver county, Pa. This farm was formerly owned by Magnus Tate, and contained four hundred acres, mostly new land. He built a two-story house of logs, which was later re- placed by a fine, large, brick residence, which is still standing. The farm is now owned by H. R. Wilson. James was one of the earliest men of the county to promote agricultural progress. It is said that he owned the first threshing machine ever used in the township, or in that vicinity. Men came many miles to see it. He also owned the first mower, and obtained many other agricultural implements before his neighbors did. He was very natu- rally regarded as a leading man in the com- munity. His wife bore him the following children : Samuel, who married Jane Fulton ; Jane, who was twice married, her first hus- band being a Mr. Hall, and her second, Mat- thew Nickle; Mary, wife of Rev. J. P. Moore ; Thomas, the father of Ellis N .; Eliza A., wife of David Nickle; Martha, wife of Joseph K. Buchanan; Ellen, wife of David Nicholson ; James M., who married Margaret Morrow; John, who married a Miss Childs; and Robert, who married Ann Kieffer.
Thomas Bigger, father of our subject, Ellis N., was born on his father's farm January 9, 1826. During his youth he assisted his father in clearing the farm and when he attained manhood he still lingered there until his mar- riage with Mary Nicholson, which occurred on the second day of November, 1854. After his marriage he settled in Hanover township,
Washington county, Pa., but later purchased a part of the old homestead farm, near the famous Frankfort Springs, where he has lived ever since, owning one of the finest farms in Beaver county. This farm is now in a state of fine cultivation, and contains a handsome residence, splendid barns, etc. Early in life Mr. Bigger devoted much time and attention to sheep raising, but subsequently he discon- tinned that branch and turned his attention to general farming ; he has now practically re- tired. He has always been a public-spirited man, and has served as school director for many years ; he was one of the founders and original stockholders of the Frankfort Acad- emy. In politics he was a Democrat pre- vious to the formation of the Republican party, since which he has supported the latter. Both he and his aged wife are Christians, be- ing active members of the United Presbyte- rian church. This worthy and highly es- teemed couple, although on the shady side of life, are hale and hearty, and hope to welcome many friends at their hospitable home for years to come. Mrs. Bigger was born May 6, 1834, and is a daughter of Hon. Thomas Nicholson. She bore her husband two sons, and one daughter, namely; Ellis N., the sub- ject of this sketch; Inez J., wife of David S. Strouss; and James Carl, attorney-at-law in Steubenvillle, Ohio.
Hon. Thomas Nicholson, the maternal grandfather of the subject hereof, enjoyed the distinction of being the first superintendent of schools of Beaver county, Pa. He was for many years a teacher of Frankfort Academy.
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He was also elected to the legislature and served as justice of the peace. His life was considered among the most worthy in the an- nals of Beaver county.
R. JOHN H. DAVIS. We may safely say that there is no physician and surgeon in Beaver county better or more favorably known to the public, than the gentleman whose name heads these lines, who commands an excellent practice in the vicinity of Hookstown, where he is located. He has made a specialty of surgery, having had a most thorough training in that direc- tion, and he is very frequently called to at- tend cases in Pittsburg, Beaver, and Liv- erpool. The profession of medicine is not the only sphere in which he shines, however, for as an impersonator he has almost a national reputation. Unlike most of the followers of the latter profession he recites from his own works, and is thus enabled to give to his renditions that peculiar earnestness and desired expression, which none but an author can give to his composi- tions.
Dr. Davis comes of an old and highly re- spected family of Beaver county, and his great-grandfather, a mechanic by trade, came from his native country, Wales, and located in Western Pennsylvania. His grandfather was John Davis, who was born in West Eliz- abeth, Pennsylvania, and moved to Beaver county about sixty years ago. His occupa- tion was that of a boat builder, but after locat- ing in this county, he turned his attention to
tilling the soil. He purchased 200 acres of land in Moon township, this becoming the old homestead, and in addition, owned one- hundred and forty acres in Independence township, He died in 1884, having lived a long and useful life. In politics, he was a Republican, and a prominent one, but was not an office seeker.
James Davis, the father of John H., was born on the farm in Moon township in 1847, and received a good scholastic training in the public schools, after which he attended, and was graduated from, Edinboro State Nor- mal School. He then taught school for two terms, after which he bought the 140 acres of land owned by his father in Independence township, where he has since been actively engaged in agricultural pursuits. He has greatly improved his property, and has one of the finest farms in the county, making a specialty of truck gardening. He is a Repub- lican in politics, and is an enthusiastic sup- porter of that party. He was united in hyme- neal bonds with Susan C. Engle, who is a na- tive of Vanport but whose family now re- sides in Raccoon township, Beaver county. The following children blessed their home: Dr. John H., the subject of this record; Frank F., a graduate of Cleveland University, who is now actively engaged in practice in East Liv- erpool, Ohio; Henry, who lives at home; Maggie; Annie; and Blanche. Mr. Davis is now serving as justice of the peace.
Dr. John H. Davis was born on the old homestead, and after receiving a common school training, he took a course in Sheffield
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Academy and Slippery Rock Normal School. He then took an advanced course in litera- ture under a private tutor and a classical course at Cleveland. He developed excep- tional talent as an elocutionist and ventrilo- quist, and traveled two years as a public re- citer and impersonator. His interpretations of emotional lines are of a high order, and are rendered with much dramatic ability. With the cleverness of a true artist, he adapts him- self to the character of his piece, and at times shows such realistic feeling that a sympathetic wave sweeps over his hearers, carrying them beyond the affairs of their every day life to the scene portrayed by the rendition. His humorous selections are equally well received, as he injects his own bright, vivacious and humorous spirit into the character he pro- duces. In such entertainments the troubles of the audience are cast into the background, and merriment reigns supreme. He was everywhere well received, and has more than one thousand testimonials from some of the most learned men in the different sections of our country, speaking in the highest praise of his ability, and commenting favorably on his dramatic powers and keen sense of humor. There are but eight authors in the United States who recite from their own works, and we take great pleasure in reproducing one of Dr. Davis' poems. It was written when our country was at fever heat over the destruction of the battleship Maine, and when first given to the public at New Cumberland, West Vir- ginia, was enthusiastically received. It is as follows :
WHIEN A NATION MOURNED THE MAINE.
Do you remember the night
When a nation lost the Maine?
When our jolly tars were murdered By the crimsoned hand of Spain? Their graves are decked with laurels, Their names are on tablets of fame
But it counts for naught when we think of the time . When a nation mourned the Maine.
The Cubans sang their funeral dirge When they heard of that terrible blow.
Let us sing it again as a nation. Oh! Sing it sweet and low.
Let us sing it over and over again, Until nations catch the refrain,
And our hearts will throb as they did at the time When a nation mourned the Maine.
You remember in 1775 When our nation was distressed;
When we were bound down in bondage And by cruels tyrants pressed. We gave the blood of Warren And thousands we need not name.
We forgive it all, but never forget When a nation mourned the Maine.
Our minds go back to '61. When the Freedmen's hands were bound;
We can see the blood of old John Brown As it "crieth from the ground."
The heart of the nation divided, And our swords together came,
But even that is not half so sad -
As when a nation mourned the Maine.
Do you remember Admiral Dewey? How he to Manila went? How he stole right into the harbor, On death and destruction bent?
And his cannons' mouths were opened And poured forth their deadly rain.
Don't you think the Admiral thought of the time When a nation mourned the Maine?
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Our glorious armies will conquer All the armies that Spain may send. Her cities may smoulder in ashes. Her Kingdom in fragments rend; Her men may fall in the cannon's glare; Ayel Fall like sickled grain; But that cannot atone the time When a nation mourned the Maine.
Our hearts entwine the Maine As there in the mud she lies. Let us rear to her a monument- One that will kiss the skies. Yes, we will raise the brazened shaft, And in glorious words proclaim, These are they who died for a nation That mourns the Maine.
The silent daisies shall nod their heads O'er the graves of the heroes we love, And the God of mercy shall hide his face In the starry throne above, And the blackbird shall pipe his lay O'er the land where freedom came.
Ah! little knows of the wounded hearts When a nation mourned the Maine.
There is a day that will surely come, When justice will be shown; When the Son of Man shall open His court In front of the great white throne. 'Tis there that a nation shall be avenged- Avenged of that terrible stain, When a nation was plunged in sorrow, When a nation mourned the Maine.
Dr. Davis' success was not only a great pleasure, but it enabled him to secure the necessary funds to attend college, and satisfy his ambition to become a physician. In the fall of 1890, he entered the Cleveland Medi- cal College, in which he devoted one year
to hard and careful study. The next four years were spent in the Cleveland University of Medical Surgery, where his training was of the best, and in 1895 he was graduated under H. F. Bigger. During the summer of the same year, he located at Georgetown, Beaver county, Pa., and engaged in practice in part- nership with Dr. M. S. Davis. One year later they dissolved partnership, and in 1896, the subject hereof located at Hookstown, where he has since remained and has built up an enviable practice. He is very popular with his fellow-citizens, who repose in him the greatest confidence, and his success is due solely to his own efforts. He has kept thor- oughly abreast of the times in the advance made in the science of medicine and surgery, but nevertheless still devotes a portion of his time to literature.
In October, 1897, Dr. Davis was joined in matrimony with Maggie Blackmore, a daugh- ter of John Blackmore, of Hookstown, and they have one child, James, who was born February 12, 1899.
Dr. Davis is a member of the Beaver County Medical Society; the State Medical Society of Pennsylvania; the American Medical Society; fraternally, he belongs to the blue lodge, F. & A. M., of Smith's Ferry; I. O. O. F., of Smith's Ferry; and the Jr., O. U. A. M. He was a state delegate of the latter order at the age of eighteen, and enjoyed a fine trip to Washington, Atlantic City and Philadelphia. Politically, he is a stanch Republican, whilst in religious faith and fellowship, he is a Presbyterian.
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ILLIAM APPLETON McCON- NEL, of the law firm of Buchanan & McConnel, is one of the members of the Beaver county bar, of some prominence although still a young man.
He was born in the borough of Bridge- water, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, October 23, 1866, and is a son of William Phillips and Lydia Ann (Stewart) McConnel, grandson of James and Elvira (Phillips) McConnel, and great-grandson of James and Rebecca (Wis- bie) McConnel. This latter James McCon- nel was of Scotch-Irish descent, and was born in the northern part of Ireland, from which he emigrated to America, locating near Green Garden, Raccoon township, Beaver county, Pa. He was described as being an exceed- ingly tall man, very active and exceedingly witty, and was familiarly known as "Uncle Jimmy." He was joined in wedlock with Re- becca Wisbie, who died while still a young woman, and was survived by her husband until he attained the age of about eighty. years. They were the parents of the follow- ing children: Henry; James; John; Jane (Orr); and Polly (Ensley).
James McConnel, Jr., the grandfather of our subject, was born in Washington county (now Allegheny county), Pa., and was a steamboat carpenter and builder. He settled in Freedom, Pa., where his death occurred in 1862, at the age of sixty years. He was united in marriage on Sunday, February 28, 1830, by the Rev. George Holmes, to Elvira Phillips, who was a daughter of Stephen and Rhoda (Parsons) Phillips. Stephen Phillips,
was one of the prominent men of Beaver county in the early days, very largely inter- ested in the development of the country, es- pecially in the line of steamboat building. He and Jonathan Betz bought a large tract of land, on the northern side of the Ohio River, from William Vicary, in 1832, and laid out the town of Freedom as it is at present; after- wards, associated with John Graham, he bought a tract of land on the south side of the river from Frederick Rapp, which after- wards became the borough of Phillipsburg (named after him), and is now the borough of Monaca. In both places, boat-yards were established and the one in Freedom has been in operation until within very recent years. The panic of 1837, however, almost bank- rupted him, and on the 17th of November, 1855, he was drowned off the steamboat Jacob Poe, at the port of Wheeling, West Virginia, on his passage home from Ports- mouth, Ohio, and his body was never recov- ered. His age was seventy-five years, eleven months and twenty-one days. His wife, Rhoda (Parsons) Phillips, survived him until March 1, 1861, when she died at the age of seventy-eight years.
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