USA > Pennsylvania > Beaver County > Book of biographies : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Beaver County, Pennsylvania > Part 8
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was married again, his second wife being Maria Blackburn. Of this union were born the following seven children: Morris, Har- riet, Frank, James, Albert, Josephine, and William.
Sampson Kerr led an exemplary life, and was a leading figure in many avenues of busi- ness, where his cheery presence is now missed. He belonged to the Old School Presbyterian denomination, and was a devout Christian man.
The publishers of this work take pleasure in announcing that a portrait of Mr. Reed ac- companies this sketch, being presented on a preceding page.
EDGAR MYERS, an energetic and prominent young business man of Beaver county, has charge of the Singer sewing machine business in this county, and makes his headquarters at Beaver Falls. He is a native of Forest county, Pa., and is a son of R. W. Myers.
R. W. Myers was born and educated at Youngstown, Ohio, and is a graduate from Raines Grammar School. At Franklin, Pa., he learned the trade of a jeweler, and after working in the bank of Wick Brothers a short time, he became associated with his father-in- law, Willard Lindsey, in the wholesale and re- tail jewelry business. After being in the jew- elry business several years, he accepted a posi- tion with the Singer Sewing Machine Com- pany which he retained until recently, when he became traveling salesman for the Consoli-
dated Lamp and Glass Company. Mr. Myers introduced the Singer sewing machines in Beaver county and had his office at 1017, Seventh avenue, Beaver Falls ; he was among the first to locate in his present business vicin- ity, and added a jewelry department to his establishment. He was joined in marriage with Miss Olive D. Lindsey, and their home has been blessed by the birth of two children, namely: C. Edgar; and Mary S., born at Clear Lake, Wis., December 25, 1880. She was educated in Beaver Falls, Pa., and is now assisting our subject in the machine business. Politically, R. W. Myers is a strong Repub- lican ; socially, he is a member of the K. of P., and a chartered member of the A. O. U. W. Religiously, he is a Presbyterian.
C. Edgar Myers was but a child when his parents moved to Beaver Falls, Pa., and his primary education was obtained in the schools at that place. He also graduated from a bus- iness college. and then accepted a position as clerk in his father's office; he was afterwards appointed collector of this county by the Singer Sewing Machine Company, a position he held but a short time when he was trans- ferred to the central office at Pittsburg. Two years later, he was promoted to the responsi- ble position of traveling auditor, and was said to be the youngest man who ever held that po- sition. Mr. Myers, in the fall of 1898, re- signed his position to accept the vacancy left by his father ; he has handsome office rooms, located on Seventh avenue, and the great success of the Singer Sewing Machine agency in this vicinity is due largely to his energetic
F. EDWARD BEILMAN.
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efforts. Mr. Myers is a very courteous and affable gentleman, and has won for himself the esteem and good-will of hosts of acquaint- ances throughout the country. He is a well- read, popular and good business man. Reli- giously, he is a member of the Methodist church; politically, he is a supporter of the Republican party. On June 28, 1899, Mr. Myers was united in marriage with Miss Blanche R. Shuster, a daughter of Henry Shuster, of Beaver Falls.
r EDWARD BEILMAN. Beaver county numbers among its citizens many men who started life under the most dis- couraging circumstances, but who, through their own persevering industry, struggled on to better things and finally attained positions of prominence. Such, briefly told, are the conditions which existed in the life of the gen- tleman above-mentioned, who is today reckoned as the foremost business man of this section of the state,-being owner and pro- prietor of a large department store at Beaver Falls. Twelve years was the age at which he set out to do battle with the world at large, as cash boy in the large department store then known as that of Barnes, Hengerer & Co., of Buffalo, New York. His action was con- trary to the wish of his parents. Ambitious by nature, bright of intellect, and situated as many another boy was, he won favor in the eyes of his employers, who were seemingly cold and austere men of business. Having gained their good will by taking every oppor-
tunity to serve them as best he could. he was from time to time advanced until he was their trusted head cashier at the age of twenty- four years,-a very young man for a position of such responsibility. This was the only firm by whom he was ever employed, and in 1889, he severed his connection with them and re- moved to Beaver Falls, Pa., where he has since been one of the most active and pros- perous citizens.
F. Edward Beilman was born in Buffalo, Erie County, N. Y., June 21, 1860. and is a son of Jacob and Catherine (Speiser) Beil- man. Jacob, the father of our subject, was born in Bavaria, Germany, and came to this country with his parents at the age of seven years, first settling in New York City. When the Erie Canal was opened, they traveled by that route to Buffalo, N. Y., which was then an unimportant place. The union of Jacob Beilman with Catherine Speiser was blessed with eleven children, as follows: An- thony; Mary; Josephine (Lechleiter) ; James ; Adeline; Edward; Catherine; F. Edward; Helen (Schneider); Frank, and Elizabeth (Triller). Anthony is a resident of Chicago. Mary, James, Adaline and Edward are de- ceased. Catherine married E. G. Burns, who is charity agent in Buffalo, and about whom there is an interesting bit of history. He was one of seven pair of brothers who enlisted in the Civil War, all being in the same com- pany and the best of friends. Singular to re- late, one of each pair of brothers fell in bat- tle. F. Edward is the gentleman to whom this record pertains. Helen's husband has
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held a responsible position with the water works for the past fifteen years. Frank is a civil engineer.
The subject of the present writing received his early mental instruction in the parochial schools of Buffalo, and, in 1872 (as before stated), entered the employ of Barnes, Hen- gerer & Co. as cash boy, and, by native shrewdness and perseverance, worked his way up to the place of office boy, and then to that of assistant cashier, which he held for six years. He had gained the entire confidence of his employers and they offered him the position of head cashier. It was by no means a small undertaking for one so young, but possessing unlimited confidence in his ability he accepted it and performed its duties with credit,-justifying the faith reposed in him. Alive to the fact that his future depended upon himself, he saved his money and in- vested it in real estate in Buffalo, which he subsequently sold at a good round profit. This he repeated several times and in a few years was the fortunate possessor of a respect- able bank account, and some very valuable realty. At this time he began to deal more extensively in lands, forming companies, which bought up tracts and laid them out into building lots, which they put upon the mar- ket. In this manner he was largely instru- mental in building up the suburban districts of the city, and realized largely on his invest- ments. That he is shrewd and gifted beyond the ordinary, is evidenced by the fact that he has never lost on any of these transactions. He was seemingly gifted with the Midas
touch, and having once acquired property its value increased with wonderful rapidity. Upon one occasion he bought a lot in one of the residence districts, and before eight o'clock the next morning, disposed of it at a profit of $350. At another time he bought a tract of land in an obscure part of the town for $700, and shortly after sold it for $1,500. Soon after the year 1880, his attention was attracted to the oil business, and journeying to McKean county, near Bradford, he in- vested in oil to good advantage. He began to look for other investments, and in 1889 he resigned his position with Barnes, Hengerer & Co., and, removing to Beaver Falls, formed a five years' partnership with William Rowan, starting a large dry goods business. Dispos- ing of his interest in this firm to his partner. in 1894, he built his present store, the largest and finest in the borough; it is a two-story, iron-front building and covers a lot 100x40 feet in dimensions. It has steel, sixteen feet high ceilings. The large assortment of stock is carefully systematized and arranged in or- derly fashion. The basement is the salesroom for carpets, linoleum, lace curtains, mattings and oil cloths, and also contains the carpet workshop. Upstairs is carried a comprehen- sive line of general dry goods, notions, ladies' suits and cloaks, millinery, gentlemen's fur- nishings, and the thousand and one other things which go to make up a department store. Mr. Beilman is a man who through his great enterprise has attracted public at- tention, and is universally held in high esteem. He has identified himself with many paying
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ventures, being an organizer, the principal stockholder, and a director, of the Keystone Store Service Company, manufacturers of a computing scale, an invention far superior to any other on the market. This company have had considerable litigation with a Dayton concern, but have beaten them at every point. Mr. Beilman is a prominent stockholder in the People's Water Company; a stockholder and director of the Riverview Electric Street Railway Company; and is a member of the executive committee of the Beaver Falls Im- provement Company, in which he has been an indefatigable worker. He was one of the most faithful workers in securing $50,000 re- quired, and was made a special representa- tive, to bring the Eclipse Bicycle Company to Beaver Falls. He is an earnest advocate for free bridges, a city charter and a "Greater Beaver Falls." Politically, he is independent and although frequently importuned to accept office, he has always declined.
Mr. Beilman was united in marriage with Matilda M. Doll, who was born in Buffalo, N. Y., in May, 1865, the nuptials occurring September 19, 1887; they have two children : Louise, born August 9, 1889, and Norman A., born in February, 1892. Mrs. Beilman was called to her reward on February 20, 1892, just eight days subsequent to the birth of her second child, and was interred at Buf- falo. The subject of this biography formed a second union, with Margaret McDunn, who was born March 30, 1870, and is the daugh- ter of Patrick B. and Margaret McDunn of Cambria county, Pa., their union being
blessed with three children: Homer J., born in August, 1893, and died in January, 1894; Melvin J., born December 25, 1895; and Martha, born April 1, 1897. In a religious connection Mr. Beilman is a member of the Catholic church. He is also a member of the order of the R. A. For many years he was a member of the Buffalo City Guard Cadet Corps, one of the crack organizations of Buf- falo, from which came many brave officers of the late war. Mr. Beilman's portrait, executed from a photograph, taken in the fall of 1899, is shown in connection with the above ac- count of his successful career.
R. WALTER F. RAYLE, a leading dentist of Beaver Falls, Pa., where he is recognized as a man well versed in his profession, is a scholarly, refined gentleman and has never been known to neg- lect his duty. It is characteristic of the man, that when he takes up a project or advocates new procedures in his profession or in busi- ness, he throws his whole soul into the affair in hand, and does all that can be done to bring matters to a successful conclusion. This very characteristic has won for him a host of patients and loyal friends whom he serves faithfully. Dr. Rayle was born July 31, 1849, in South Beaver township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, is a son of John and Jane (Wells) Rayle and grandson of William Rayle. Receiving quite an ordinary education in the common schools, he then took a most thor- ough course at the Worcester High School, in
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Ohio. After choosing the profession of den- tistry as his life work, he endeavored to fit himself by studying in the office of Dr. Jones of Worcester, a leading practitioner in that profession.
Walter F. Rayle passed the examination, in 1867, successfully, and at once located in Darlington, where he established an office and by his pleasant, courteous manner and good habits, won the respect of the people in general, who soon began to need his pro- fessional services. Leaving quite a nice little practice in Darlington in 1870, Dr. Rayle re- moved to New Wilmington, where he pur- sued the same calling for six years. In 1876, he located in Beaver Falls, where he is still to be found. In his political views, he is a Republican, and steadfastly supports the measures and men of his party through vic- tory or defeat. Dr. Rayle is a member of the McKinley Pioneer Club of Beaver Falls, and is chairman of the executive committee. The Doctor is also a school director, elected by the first ward, and has served in other local offices. He is responsive to charitable ap- peals, and occupies an important position as a man of standing in the community. He has been a faithful member of the Presbyterian church ever since he attained the age of eighteen years, and has led an industrious, useful and eminently successful life, unsullied by deeds of wrong.
Dr. Rayle was joined in marriage with Josephine Murray, who has borne him three children, namely: Amy Pearl, who is still at home; Bessie Jean, a teacher in the public
school; and Charles Clifton. Bessie Jean graduated from the high school with highest honors in a class of 16, and is also a graduate of Slippery Rock Normal School. The Doc- tor is a prominent member of Walnut Camp No. 2, Woodmen of the World, and has been secretary of the camp for a period of seven years.
William Rayle, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was one of the pioneer settlers of Beaver county, where he pursued the peaceful occupation of a farmer all his active days. He was an old line Whig and served one term as county commissioner; in fact he was filling that office at the time of his death, which occurred at the age of fifty-four years.
John Rayle, the father of Walter F., was born in Beaver county, Pa., December 3, 1805. He spent his entire life as a resident of the same county, and died July 13, 1882. He was also a farmer by occupation and, in con- junction, conducted a blacksmith shop on his farm. In a religious connection he was iden- tified with the Free Presbyterian denomina- tion at Darlington, of which church he was an elder. He chose for his life partner Jane Wells, a daughter of Joseph Wells. She bore her husband seven children, viz : Jane Belinda, widow of John Kerr; Ann Matilda, wife of Josiah Long, who resides on College Hill, where Mr. Long carries on farming ; William D., who lives in Columbiana county, Ohio, where he is known as a progressive farmer ; Joseph Wells, who lives at Canal Fulton, Stark county, Ohio, and is engaged in mer- cantile pursuits; John B., who is also a mer-
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chant at Beaver Falls; Susanna B., wife of John Barclay, of Alliance, Ohio, also a mer- chant; and Walter F., the subject of this sketch.
The maternal grandfather of our subject, Joseph Wells, was an old settler of Beaver county, and owned a large farm, which in- cluded nearly all of the land now occupied by Patterson Heights. In connection with his agricultural pursuits, Mr. Wells conducted a hotel, and was an enterprising, public-spirited citizen.
AMES TAYLOR, a mechanical genius, who has brought himself into wide prominence in the western section of Pennsylvania, is well-known as the superin- tendent of the establishment of Emerson, Smith & Co., of Beaver Falls, Beaver county, Pennsylvania. He was born in Fallston, Sep- tember 9, 1851, and is a son of Samuel and Nancy (James) Taylor, and grandson of James Taylor.
James Taylor, the grandfather, was born in Sheffield, England, in 1785, and received his mental training in the pub- lic schools, after which he engaged in coal mining for some time. Upon coming to America, he bought a large tract of land in an unimproved condition in Gales- burg, Illinois, and to this he added until he had acquired some 370 acres. He began the improvement of his tract, erected good, sub- stantial buildings, and lived there until his de- mise in 1858, aged seventy-three years. He
reared seven children, as follows: Joseph, who never came to this country ; Samuel, the father of the subject of this personal history ; Thomas, a successful coal operator in Wash- ington county, Pa., who is also interested in silver mining; Sarah (Bailey); Martha, de- ceased; Jonathan, also a coal operator; and John, who now resides upon the old home- stead at Galesburg, Illinois. Politically, he was a staunch Democrat. Religiously, he was an Episcopalian.
Samuel Taylor was born in Sheffield, Eng- land, July 4, 1821, where he was sent to the public schools, in addition to which he took a special course in geometry and freehand drawing, becoming an expert designer and pattern maker. He came to this country with his parents, and in 1842 accepted a position as cabinet maker with the Kennedy Keg Fac- tory, designing and making patterns for all of the machinery used in the factory. He then engaged in pattern making in Pittsburg and New Brighton. He afterwards became superintendent for Minor & Merrick, New Brighton. He acquired wonderful skill and was unexcelled at his profes- sion, some of the patterns which he made being still in existence. He was connected with the Kennedy Keg Factory many years, but held interests in other firms, and in the latter part of his life was engaged in business for himself at Fallston. He formed a matri- monial alliance with Nancy James, a daughter of Benjamin and Margery (Williams) James, coming of sturdy Quaker stock. Benjamin James served in the War of 1812 with General
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Jackson, being under him at the Battle of New Orleans. He was a farmer in early life, but later undertook mercantile pursuits, hav- ing a store at what is now Hoytdale, Beaver county. He married Margery Williams, whose father, Thomas Williams, was one of the very first white men to settle in Beaver county, locating there in 1793. Besides farmi- ing he did a large distilling business. This union resulted in seven children: Sarah A. . (Craven); Joseph J., now in Spokane, Wash. ; Nancy, the mother of James Taylor ; Howard ; Benjamin; Amelia (Murray); and Eliza. Nancy James was a pupil in the district schools, and lived at home until her marriage. Samuel Taylor and his wife were the parents of the following: Joseph, who was first a pat- tern maker, then a millwright, and is now a farmer in Beaver county; Elizabeth (Brad- ley) ; James, the subject hereof; Franklin, who died at the age of three years; John F., a machinist who is assistant to his brother James; Jason R., station agent on the P. & L. E. R. R. at Beaver, Pa .; Thomas W., who died at the age of three years; and Orrin P., a pattern maker, who died at the age of twenty-three years. Mr. Taylor was an active Democrat in politics and filled most of the borough offices, having been burgess, justice of the peace, a member of the town council and president of the school board. Reli- giously, he was an Episcopalian. He died in 1892, at the age of seventy-one years, and his wife still survives him at the age of seventy- four years.
James Taylor attended the public schools of
Fallston and New Brighton, after which he learned the trade of a keg maker with M. T. & C. Kennedy, with whom he remained until 1870, when he learned the trade of a machin- ist, for which he showed great aptitude. He worked for M. & S. H. Darrah for four years and two months, three years of this period as an apprentice, and the remainder of the time as a journeyman. Upon being offered a posi- tion with Emerson, Ford & Company as a journeyman, he accepted and continued for a few months, when he went to New Castle, Pa., to work on large blast-furnace en- gines. After being thus engaged for three months, he returned to Fallston and worked for Darrah & Company for some years. In January, 1876, he re-entered the employ of Emerson, Ford & Com- pany. That firm dissolved partnership and Mr. Taylor became a dye maker, and was so employed until February of the following year. Then the firm for which he had pre- viously worked was re-organized under the name of Emerson, Smith & Co., and as he was at the time possessed of many years' ex- perience and a wide reputation, he was offered the place of master mechanic and given charge of eighty-five men. He has since been promoted to the office of superintendent, a position he still fills with credit to himself and satisfaction to his employers. This firm was the first to manufacture band-saws in this country, and in addition to this they make cross-cut saws, shingle-saws, metal and stone saws, gang-saws, a specialty of the inserted tooth-saw, knives and other edge tools, odd-
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shape mold cutters, and other experimental work. Besides being an exceptional me- chanic, Mr. Taylor is an inventor of no mean ability and numerous labor and expense sav- ing devices now used by saw manufacturers throughout the country are products of his skill. The plant under his super- intendence covers an entire square, is two stories high, and in addition has its offices and engine room. The firm employ 125 men, and although they are under the constant supervision of Mr. Taylor, he still finds time to do a little of the mechan- - ical work himself. He has been awarded sev- eral valuable patents, one of the most import- ant being a saw sharpener and setter which will be invaluable to any firm using saws. He is engaged on several other inventions which he expects to have patented. Mr. Taylor has been decidedly successful in life in a business way, and is one of the most substantial citi- zens of the borough. He owns some real estate on Seventh avenue, in Beaver Falls.
On December 10, 1878, he was joined in wedlock with Maud Kerr, a daughter of Mathew Kerr. She was born in Ireland, be- ing of Scotch-Irish extraction, and received her mental training in the public schools of her native place, and at Butcher's Business College in Beaver Falls, having come to America in 1871. This union resulted in the birth of the following children: Roy; James, who is a sophomore in the High School, took first honors in his class during the year 1899, is a debater of ability, giving promise of future brilliancy, and is preparing
himself for admittance to the bar; Stanley B .; and Olive E. In politics, Mr. Taylor is a firm supporter of the principles of Democracy, and for years served on the county committee. Religiously, he is a member of the Presbyterian church. So- cially, he is a member of the Royal Arcanum.
ILLIAM A. P. GRAHAM, secre- tary and treasurer of the American Porcelain Co. of New Brighton, Pa., is one of the leading and most enterprising citizens of that town. The American Porce- lain Company, of which he is a member, was incorporated November 24, 1894, by Thomas Craven and Thomas R. Marshall. They pur- chased the Scott Brothers' Tile Factory, which was located near Allegheny street, and remodeled it for the manufacturing of solid porcelain ware of all kinds, for kitchens and pantries, tubs, sinks, and all porcelain articles. They have built up a reputation for fine qual- ity of work, and have many orders for special- ties in porcelain ware. They have four kilns, two of which are 12 feet in diameter, and two, 18 feet in diameter, having a capacity to man- ufacture the largest tanks and tubs, of natural clay, in western Pennsylvania. The plant cov- ers nearly three acres of ground, which in- cludes kilns, engine house, storage and ware- house, and shipping house. They employ thirty men, most of whom are skilled mechan- ics. The porcelain enamel, which was Mr. Craven's own conception, is the best on mar- ket to-day.
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William A. P. Graham, the subject of this biography, was born in Allegheny City, Pa., January 29, 1860, is a son of Nathan, and grandson of Charles, Graham, who was of Scotch-Irish ancestry. Nathan Graham was born in Chambersburg, Franklin county, Pa., and early in life learned the trade of coach building. In 1845 he moved to Allegheny City, where he became connected with the firm of Park & Phelps, wagon and coach manufacturers. He remained with that firm until 1872, when he retired. He was elected alderman and justice of the peace of the sec- ond ward of Allegheny, and later was notary public. He dealt quite extensively in real estate during his active life, but retired from business a few years before his death, which occurred in 1897, at the age of seventy-seven years. He married Elizabeth Doubler, a native of Cham- bersburg, Pa., and she died in 1895, at the age of seventy-five years. The children which resulted from this union were: Emma, who married Matthew Eyster; Amelia, who mar- ried William Duval; Mary L., who married A. B. Hay; Ida, who married Thomas E. Marshall, and has one child, Etta; Etta H., deceased, who was the wife of William Righ- ter; and William A. P., the subject of this sketch. Thomas E. Marshall, who is president of the American Porcelain Co. is very popular, and a thorough busi- ness man. He was for several years the leading merchant of New Brighton, but in February, 1898, his store, which was located in the Opera House Block, burned, and since that time he has devoted his entire
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