Genealogical and personal history of Beaver County, Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 12

Author: Jordan, John W. (John Woolf), 1840-1921 ed
Publication date: 1914
Publisher:
Number of Pages:

USA > Pennsylvania > Beaver County > Genealogical and personal history of Beaver County, Pennsylvania, Volume I > Part 12

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

PENNSYLVANIA

To trace the family of Whiteside from its source to

WHITESIDE a representative of the present generation in Beaver Falls, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, takes one from Scot- land to the north of Ireland, from that country to the eastern part of the United States, around Cape Horn to the western coast, eastward to Iowa, and finally to Pennsylvania, where Robert Andrew Whiteside, of this chronicle, lives. His grandfather was a native of Scotland, as were the earlier progenitors of the name, and was a Seceder in religion, a preacher of the doctrines of that sect. After the death of Mary, Queen of Scots, he took his family to the north of Ireland, he and his wife dying soon after their immigration to that land, leaving their five children, none of whom had attained maturity, orphans. After remaining about eighteen months in Ire- land the four boys and their sister came to the United States, the boys ob- taining employment and taking the best of care of their sister. The chil- dren of Grandfather Whiteside were: 1. James, a farmer of Iowa, died retired at Los Angeles, California. 2. Alexander, a contractor and builder of Butte, Montana, prominent both industrially and politically in that region, a leader in a reform movement in the political life of the state. 3. Robert, of whom further. 4. William, enlisted in the Union army at the outbreak of the war between the states, after which time all trace of him was lost. 5. Barbara, married a Mr. Robbins, and lived at Cedar Rapids, Iowa; both deceased.

(II) Robert Whiteside, father of Robert Andrew Whiteside, was born in Scotland in 1817, died near Des Moines, Iowa, the victim of a railroad accident, in 1875. As has been previously stated, he was taken from Scot- land to Ireland by his parents, and, after their death, came to Philadelphia with his brothers and sister. Although but a youth when he arrived in the United States, he had already had experience as a wage-earner in his native land and in Ireland, during the year and a half that he had resided in that latter country, as a farmer, but in Philadelphia he obtained em- ployment in the shop of a cabinet-maker. In 1849 he and two of his brothers, James and Alexander, joined the throng of gold-seekers that was moving westward, choosing the longer, but in reality safer route around Cape Horn. Their voyage consumed eighteen months, during which time the young men chafed with impatience at the delay in attaining their goal, and cost them each the sum of six hundred dollars. Arriving in Cali- fornia, they purchased miner's outfits and began prospecting, their search covering a period of eight years, all three being fairly successful. All had been attracted by the life and atmosphere of the west, although when they gave up prospecting their paths parted, one leading to Montana, another to Iowa, and a third settling in the territory he had covered in his search for the precious metal. In 1857 Robert Whiteside moved to Oak county, Iowa, and there purchased a section of land one mile distant from Altoona, where he lived until his death. Not only did he farm this land, but also pur- chased large numbers of western horses, which he fattened for the Chicago

R. a. Whiteside

BEAVER COUNTY

market, a transaction most profitable. He met his death in a railroad ac- cident near Des Moines, that state, which resulted in numerous injuries and several fatalities.

He married Rachel Reed, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Sep- tember 15, 1839, now (1914) living in Beaver Falls, Beaver county, daugh- ter of David and Barbara (Steen) Reed. After his death she married (second), in 1893, John Wilcox, who died in 1901. Rachel Reed was the daughter of parents of Scotch ancestry, Barbara Steen coming to Phila- delphia from the land of her birth with her brother, David. She remained in Philadelphia when he proceeded to Pittsburgh, in which city he laid the foundation of the great fortune that he afterward amassed in coal opera- tions in Allegheny county, where he became a power in the industrial and financial world. David Reed came to the United States when a young man in company with two brothers, settling in Philadelphia, where he followed the trade that he had learned in his birth-place, weaving. He owned a shop and a loom designed for the weaving of ingrain carpet and in this line he continued until the strain upon his eyes, from the bright colors woven into the carpet, almost caused blindness. After his marriage he abandoned this occupation and moved to Pittsburgh, establishing a store at Camp Hill, a site now occupied by the town of Carnegie, where David Steen was the owner of a mine. The location was a fortunate one and Mr. Reed prospered in his business. Here he lived until his death, aged seventy-eight years, his wife attaining the age of eighty-four years. Chil- dren of David and Barbara (Steen) Reed: I. George, died aged eight years. 2. Jane, died in 1907, unmarried, lived with her mother and with her sister, Rachel. 3. Rachel, of previous mention, married Robert White- side. 4. David R., died in 1908, was in business with his father. 5. William, died in infancy.

Children of Robert and Rachel (Reed) Whiteside: 1. Emma, died in young womanhood in 1887. 2. Ella B., died two years after her sister Emma. 3. Elizabeth L., died three years later than sister Ella B. 4. Robert Andrew, of whom further. 5. Margaret May, lives with her mother in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, unmarried.

(III) Robert Andrew Whiteside, only son and fourth child of Robert and Rachel (Reed) Whiteside, was born near Altoona, Oak county, Iowa, October 24, 1871. He was but four years of age when his father was killed and in the following year his mother returned to her old home, Philadelphia, her children accompanying her. In that city he attended the public schools and after the family home was changed to Beaver Falls, began to work in the grocery store of Robert J. Cunningham, being at that time but twelve years of age, his first employment being in the capacity of errand boy and later as clerk. He held the latter position for six years and then became a salesman for a firm manufacturing bicycles, one of the makes that he sold being the "Eclipse, made in Beaver Falls. In 1894 he was one of the reorganizers of the Duquesne Bicycle Company,

PENNSYLVANIA

of Pittsburgh, and for a year and a half was general manager of the concern. After the business of this company was once more in a flourish- ing condition, he sold coal in car-load lots for his uncle, who was in business at Idlewood, Pennsylvania, his selling territory being western Pennsylvania and his field confined mostly to local dealers. In 1896 he returned to Beaver Falls, and, in partnership with C. A. Carter, established in the real estate business, under the firm name Carter and Company. This connection was dissolved after two years and until 1901 Mr. Whiteside engaged in independent operations, in that year forming the Real Estate and Mort- gage Company which still continues, the present officers being Robert A. Whiteside, president; A. N. Neeper, of Pittsburgh, secretary and treas- urer. The offices of this firm are in Pittsburgh and Beaver Falls, their business being wide in extent and yearly involving many acres of land, numerous buildings, and hundreds of thousands of dollars. One of the most notable enterprises of this company was the planning and promotion of College Hill, the beautifully attractive suburb of Beaver Falls, a most desirable residence section and an example of city-building that reflects due credit upon the firm that directed its development and fostered its growth, and which increased from 376 population to 2,984, an increase of 800%. Also the old Beaver County Fair Grounds, which were converted into what is known as the R. A. Whiteside Centennial Place, one of the finest residential section of Beaver, Pennsylvania. An illustration of the rise that Mr. Whiteside has made in life is well afforded by the following instance. His first position, as errand boy, was in a grocery store that stood on the corner of Seventh avenue and Eleventh street. Twenty-six years later he purchased the south half of that corner property, on which now stands the Federal Title and Trust Bank Building, the largest and most modern office building in Beaver Falls. The contrast between the penniless lad, employed at that location for a few dollars per week, and the financier who purchased the property after the lapse of a quarter of a century is sharply and clearly defined, and that the difference exists shows the manner of material used in the molding of the man who accomplished the change. From the time of his entrance into independent operations Mr. Whiteside has come into contact with men who have made their mark in the world of industry and finance, and from each has learned some lesson that has been used in the forging of his own fortune. In salesman- ship he found the best field for his talents and was most successful in that calling. Direct and forceful in his address, his speech is always logical and convincing, and so ably does he present his arguments that seldom indeed does he fail in interesting a prospective investor. His business con- nections are many and varied, and his material prosperity full proof of his ability in each. His energy is untiring, and in busy action he finds the most pleasure, thirty years having passed without his having taken a vaca- tion. Such enthusiastic love of active labor could have met with no other reward than that which has come to Mr. Whiteside, and all who have

BEAVER COUNTY

watched his career are frank in their praise of the man who has achieved such a large share of worldly roldly wealth while still young in years.

He is a Republican in all political issues of national importance, but in local affairs allies with no party, his action at the polls depending entirely upon the merits of the candidates and the casting of his ballot predicated solely upon his own judgment. He is a member of the Pittsburgh Athletic Association. He married, June 1, 1899, Emma Matilda Lichau, daughter of Philip and Anna E. Lichau, both deceased. Her father, Philip, came to Beaver Falls in 1868, and was foreman of the ivory department of the Cutlery Manufactory. Children of Robert Andrew and Emma Ma- tilda Whiteside: 1. Lenore Elizabeth, born October 29, 1901. 2. Ruth Annabelle, born November 3, 1910.

McPHERSON The story of the McPhersons, who for three genera- tions have been residents of the state of Pennsylvania, begins with Nathan McPherson, who early in life was brought from his home in his native land, Scotland, to New Jersey. This was, in all probability, just subsequent to the Revolutionary War, and in New Jersey Nathan grew to manhood, married Elizabeth J. Mannon, and made his home for a short time before moving to Beaver county, Pennsyl- vania. He purchased land on a rise of ground near Leetsdale, which he and his sons cleared. Settlers were few at that time and their life held all the elements of pioneer simplicity. Simple in a way, and yet in a thousand ways much more thrilling and exciting than the existences led by the most feverish followers of pleasure in this day, for while danger may now be courted by a trial trip in a new aeroplane, it is of necessity artificial and manufactured; but when those hardy settlers, the vanguard of progress, performed even so ordinary an act as retiring for the night they did not know but that they would be wakened by heat from their blazing home or the cry of their baby snatched from its cradle by savage intruders. If we of the present day could but fully realize the horrors suffered and the privations endured by our forefathers of those days, our thanks for the security, safety and peace of the twentieth century would be multiplied many times. Nathan McPherson lived on his farm until his death in 1848, several years after that of his wife. During this period he had become the owner of large tracts of land in that neighborhood, and was counted one of the most prosperous men of the locality.

He was the father of the following children: 1. John, a farmer, died at Sewickley. 2. Samuel, a farmer, died in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. 3. Zachariah, a farmer of Beaver county, where he died. 4. Wright, a farmer, died in Illinois. 5. Reuben, of whom further. 6. Nathan, early in life made his home in Kentucky and there died. 7. James, moved to the western part of the country, and died while journeying to California. 8. Elizabeth, married John Lowermore, and died at Sewickley. 9. Susan,

PENNSYLVANIA

married Westbrook Gunsaulus, and died at Pittsburgh, their home. 10. Jane, married John McPherson, a relative through another branch of the family, and died in Beaver county.

(II) Reuben McPherson, son of Nathan and Elizabeth J. (Mannon) McPherson, was born on the farm cleared by his father, near Leetsdale, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, 1809, died in New Brighton, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, 1897. He spent his youth on his father's farm, and upon the death of the latter received a portion of the homestead by the terms of his father's will. His share of the estate included the original buildings, and here he and his wife lived for several years. As he was slowly seized by the infirmities and weaknesses of old age he moved to New Brighton, Beaver county, where he spent his declining years, his death occurring when he was eighty-eight years of age, a quarter of a century after that of his wife, although he had never remarried. Both were members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, earnest and devout in their worship, regular in their attendance.

He married, in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, Elizabeth Jane Greer, born there in 1816, died 1872, daughter of Robert and Elizabeth (Hunt) Greer. The father of Robert Greer, also a Robert, came to America and died in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, on a farm adjoining that of his son, at the wonderful age of one hundred and three years. Robert and Elizabeth Greer were both born in Ireland, and were there married. He was a farmer by occupation and after their marriage they came to this country, settling first in Allegheny county, moving, after a few years residence, to Beaver county, their farm being on the Conoquencessing creek. This Rob- ert Greer sold later, and purchased land in Trumbull county, Ohio, on which he lived until his death at the greatly advanced age of ninety-seven years. It can easily be seen from the foregoing that longevity was a family trait of the Greers, father and son dying at the ages of one hundred and three and ninety-seven years, respectively. Robert and Elizabeth (Hunt) Greer were the parents of: I. Hall, died in Trumbull county, Ohio. 2. George, a merchant of Bloomington, Illinois, where he died. 3. James, a farmer of Illinois. 4. John, a contractor, died at Fort Wayne, Indiana. 5. Thomas, a farmer and extensive land owner, died on the homestead in Lawrence county. 6. Elizabeth Jane, of previous mention, married Reuben McPher- son. 7. Mary Ann, married Robert Redpath, and died in Illinois. 8. Sarah, married Wilson Brewer, and died in Trumbull county, Ohio. 9. Nancy, married William Ebbert, and died in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 10. Isabel, married Henry Young, and is a resident of Illinois, the only one of the children of Robert and Elizabeth Greer alive at the present time (1913). II. Jane, died young.

Children of Reuben and Elizabeth Jane (Greer) McPherson: I. Mary Jane, died unmarried, aged seventy-five years. 2. Robert, died aged fourteen years. 3. Thomas Greer, of whom further. 4. Reuben Henderson, a retired contractor, lives at New Brighton. 5. Mannon, a merchant, died in

BEAVER COUNTY

New Brighton, Beaver county. 6. Sarah Ann, married Thomas Thomson, and lives in Chicago, Illinois.

(III) Dr. Thomas Greer McPherson, third child and second son of Reuben and Elizabeth Jane (Greer) McPherson, was born in Economy township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, July 16, 1838. He attended the public schools of the locality and completed his general education at Mt. Union College, from which, however, he never obtained a degree, leaving that institution after three years' attendance to begin the study of medicine. His preceptor was Dr. Robert McCready, of Sewickley, and under his able and interested instruction Mr. McPherson studied for four years. The field of his first practice was Eynon Valley, where he con- tinued for three years, gaining experience in the many phases of his pro- fession and confidence in himself as a master of medical lore. At the expiration of that time he moved to what was then Patterson township, now Beaver Falls, and continued his practice there. Patterson township was then but sparsely inhabited, and at the present time there are few who remember the coming of Dr. McPherson to that neighborhood. His practice here continued for thirty-three years, and embraces a record of faithful service, often with neither expectation or hope of remuneration. In that length of time it was his privilege and pleasure to lessen the pain of many an invalid, to restore to some the use of members long despaired of, and in short, to introduce much of light and cheer and happiness where, without the blessing of his healing touch, naught but despair and misery and darkness could reign. After thirty-six years as a physician, Dr. Mc- Pherson retired and at the present time lives with his son, Frank, at the latter's home on the corner of Sixth avenue and Ninth street. He de- votes nearly all his time to scholarly pursuits, being a tireless reader and a versatile writer in both prose and verse, and in 1911 composed a poem of which the changes of life, manners and custom during his lifetime is the subject. This poem and others would do credit to many a writer of reputation, and is proudly preserved by his children. Aside from the in- terest that is attached to it because of the age of the author and the regularity and beauty of the rhythm, it is unusual to find such a subject, covering so long a period of time, dealt with in metrical form. Dr. Mc- Pherson has been a lifelong Republican, and for many years affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal Church. He has also held membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Good Templars, and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

He married, March 24, 1869, Jane, a native of Allegheny county, Penn- sylvania, daughter of John and Jane Riley. Children of Thomas Greer and Jane (Riley) McPherson: 1. Robert, for many years was connected with railroad work, later a miner, now lives retired on a farm in Oregon. 2. Luella, married George W. Miller, both deceased. 3. Hattie Jane, mar- ired William G. McClure, and lives in Beaver Falls. 4. Viola, died in childhood. 5. Orville, a resident of the state of Arizona. 6. Thomas C., of

PENNSYLVANIA

whom further. 7. Frank G., of whom further. 8. Mabel, married Howard Perrott, and lives in Beaver Falls.

(IV) Thomas Channing McPherson, sixth child and third son of Dr. Thomas Greer and Jane (Riley) McPherson, was born at Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, July 28, 1872. He attended the public schools, and after completing his studies prepared himself for work as a draughtsman, and for a time was employed in that capacity. About 1890 he began the manufacture of wire matting in an unpretentious establishment at Roches- ter, employing but a few men, and to a great extent experimenting to test the popularity of his product. He was the first manufacturer to make wire matting out of flat stock, and himself invented all the machines used in the process. Finding that his proposition was a paying one, he, in partnership with George W. Miller, deceased, organized the Keystone Wire Matting Company in 1898, with their plant at Pittsburgh. After a few years the seat of the business was moved to a rented building in Beaver Falls, which afterward burned down. The conflagration making their business homeless, in 1904 a two-story building, designed especially for their purpose, was erected at 607-609 Seventh street. In the same year the company was incorporated, the officers being G. W. Miller, presi- dent, and T. C. McPherson, secretary. John A. Miller was also men- tioned in the incorporation papers, although not an officer of the company. The present officers are T. C. McPherson, president, and F. G. McPherson, secretary and treasurer. The company's products consist of wire mats and matting as well as wooden and steel matting. Both the machines and the articles they manufacture are patented, although Mr. McPherson has sold some of his foreign rights, among them those relating to English and German manufacture. As founder of a new industry and the inventor of the appliances necessary in the making of his products, Mr. McPherson has fathered a notable achievement in the industrial world, one which brings to him due credit for the genius that directed his steps. The com- pany that he founded has flourished in the years since its formation, and is now one of the most substantial of businesses. Mr. McPherson is progressively independent in political action. With his wife he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is also a director of the Brighton Young Men's Christian Association.

He married, in 1897, Elizabeth B. Blount, daughter of James Blount, a native of New Brighton. They are the parents of one daughter, Hazel, born April 13, 1902.

(IV) Frank Garfield McPherson, seventh child and fourth son of Dr. Thomas Greer and Jane (Riley) McPherson, was born in Beaver Falls, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, March 13, 1876. He attended the public schools and for some time after finishing his studies was a teacher of music, being himself an accomplished and talented musician. He was then for some time engaged in the postal service of Beaver Falls as letter- carrier, in January, 1909, becoming secretary and treasurer of the Key-

BEAVER COUNTY

stone Wire Matting Company, a position he still most capably fills. Al- though this is the first experience in industrial or financial matters he has ever received, he soon became thoroughly acquainted with all the cus- toms and methods of procedure and has displayed much innate ability as administrator of the finances of the Keystone Company. He allies himself with no party in political action, but always casts his vote independently. He holds membership in the Masonic order.

Mr. McPherson married, May 12, 1909, Madeline E., daughter of Reuben A. and Elizabeth (Ribling) Strayer, a native of Clearfield county, Pennsylvania. Children: Jane Elizabeth, born July 29, 1910; Frank Reuben, born November 12, 1912.

This is one of the most common of English names, fre- THOMPSON quently spelled Thomson, and is very naturally to be taken as meaning the son of Thomas, although in some instances it may be of local origin. It is to be found in many sections of the United States. Several families of this name were very conspicuous in the Provincial and Revolutionary periods of the history of Pennsylvania, more particularly in Cumberland and Lancaster counties. From the last mentioned, there were no less than three colonels of this name in the War of the Revolution. From the more easterly portion of the state, they gradually made their way to the western section, as the tide of emigration traveled in that direction, and assisted in developing new regions.

(I) Samuel Thompson was one of the early settlers in Florence, Washington county, Pennsylvania, where he was engaged in business as a general merchant. He served bravely during the War of 1812. At an advanced age he retired from business activities, making his home with his son Samuel, at Shippingport, where his death occurred. He and his wife were members of the Presbyterian Church, in which he had been an elder for many years. He married Sarah Patterson, and they had children: Samuel P., of whom further; Margaretta, died young.

(II) Samuel P. Thompson, only child of Samuel and Sarah (Pat- terson) Thompson, was born at Florence, 1828, was a blacksmith by trade, and died 1901. After his marriage he resided in various places, and finally, in 1880, removed to Beaver Falls, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, where he also followed his calling. He had been retired from it for some time prior to his death. During the Civil War he was in the employ of the government in Tennessee as a mechanic. He was a Republican in politics, and an elder of Bethlehem Church, his wife also being a member of the Presbyterian Church. He married Lavenia Gormly, born on the Gormly homestead, at Holt, Raccoon township, Beaver county, Pennsyl- vania, 1831, died 1910, daughter of John Gormly, a farmer of Holt, where he owned several farms, and spent his entire life. He and his wife were members of the Bethlehem Presbyterian Church, and he was for many years a member of the choir. He married Betsey Davis, and they had

PENNSYLVANIA

children, all of whom lived to be more than seventy-five years of age: I. Samuel C., died at the age of eighty-two years; was a mail carrier at a time when this work was carried on on horseback, and was at one time a burgess of Beaver Falls. 2. Thomas F., a farmer in Brighton township, Beaver county. 3. Lavenia, mentioned above. 4. David Davis, retired from business at the age of eighty years; now lives near Shippingport. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson had children: 1. Isabel, married Jonathan Thoms; died at Beaver Falls, December, 1911. 2. Ida M., married H. L. Gamble; lives in Beaver Falls. 3. John Patterson, of further mention. 4. Retta, married Socrates Dickey; lives at Salem, Ohio. 5. Carrie, married a Mr. Schuler; lives at Beaver Falls, Beaver county.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Genealogical and personal history of Beaver County, Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 12

Author: Jordan, John W. (John Woolf), 1840-1921 ed Publication date: 1914 Publisher: Number of Pages:

Author: Jordan, John W. (John Woolf), 1840-1921 ed
Publication date: 1914
Publisher:
Number of Pages: