USA > Pennsylvania > Beaver County > Genealogical and personal history of Beaver County, Pennsylvania, Volume I > Part 2
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on a train bound for Andersonville prison, and on July 19 he and three comrades jumped from the train, about twenty miles south of Burkesville Junction, Virginia, and after ten days and nights of suffering and hunger, walking in the night and hiding during the day, reached General Meade's headquarters at Petersburg, Virginia, July 30, 1864, having passed through the right wing of General Robert E. Lee's grand Confederate army. Broken in health, he was sent home and was discharged August 8, 1864.
He rested at home and took part in the political campaign, casting his first vote for Abraham Lincoln in November. He taught school that winter, and in the spring took a course in bookkeeping in Iron City Col- lege, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In July, 1865, he was offered a clerkship in the civil service, under Hon. David Sankey, Collector of Internal Rev- enue, New Castle, Pennsylvania, and entered upon his duties July 22, being associated intimately for over a year with Ira D. Sankey, the famous singing evangelist. With the exception of one year, he was in this work for about ten years continuously. He was converted December 16, 1865, at a series of meetings in the Methodist Episcopal Church. October 22, 1866, he left New Castle and entered the office of Archibald Robertson, at Brighton, now Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, successor of Mr. Sankey, and remained until August, 1867, when he resigned to attend Mount Union College, Ohio, spending two terms at that school.
On the evening of December 24, 1867, he was united in marriage with Miss Merran F. Darling, daughter of Joseph Q. and Rebecca Cobb Darling, of New Brighton. Joseph Darling came of an old New England family, being born in Orford, New Hampshire, in 1806, son of Josiah and Mary Quint Darling. The Darlings seem to have had their origin in that state at Sanbornton, and were living there long before the Revolution. The Quints were among the early settlers of New Hampshire, one John Quint being a scout against the French in 1712, and a number of the family were in the Revolutionary army. Rebecca Cobb came also of old New England families. The Cobbs settled in Massachusetts, where her great- grandfather, Isaac Cobb, was born in 1760. They were seamen, and after their removal to Chautauqua county, New York, Isaac Cobb was captain of a boat on the lakes-the "Henry Clay." On her mother's side, the Bucklens were also an old New England family, moving to Chautauqua county, New York, in June, 1817, and settled Bucklens Corners, now known as Gerry. Joseph Q. Darling and Miss Rebecca Cobb were married in Chautauqua county, New York, their daughter Merran being born there September 28, 1846, after which they removed to New Brighton, Penn- sylvania.
Francis S. and Merran D. Reader have two sons-Frank Eugene Reader and Willard Stanton Reader.
Frank Eugene Reader was born December 15, 1868. He attended the public schools at New Brighton, Pennsylvania, and Geneva College, Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, and in October, 1885, entered Johns Hopkins University,
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Baltimore, Maryland, where he pursued the undergraduate course, and was graduated June, 1888, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, taking second honors in a large class. He registered in the law office of Major A. M. Brown and John S. Lambie, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1889, and was admitted to practice in the Allegheny county courts September, 1891, and the Beaver county, Pennsylvania, courts, in October, 1891. Later he was admitted to the superior and supreme courts of Pennsylvania. He became a member of the law firm of Moore, Moore & Reader in 1892, and was elected solicitor of the Beaver County Building and Loan Association the same year. In April, 1897, he retired from the firm and opened an office in his own name in New Brighton. He became a member of the firm of Hice, Morrison, Reader & May, January 1, 1898. He is a member of the Historical Society of Beaver County, Pennsylvania, and of the Pennsylva- nia Society Sons of the American Revolution. He was united in marriage with Jennie B. Nesbit, June 3, 1896, and they have three daughters- Dorothy Nesbit Reader, born May, 1897; Merran Ethel Reader, born Feb- ruary 17, 1900, and Martha Moore Reader, born May 20, 1903. They and the two older girls are members of Grace Methodist Episcopal Church, New Brighton, Pennsylvania.
Mrs. Reader is the daughter of Samuel H. Nesbit, D.D., and Lida J. Moore. Dr. Nesbit was of Scotch-Irish descent, his parents coming to this country from the North of Ireland when young, and were married in 1811. He was born in Butler county, Pennsylvania, September 30, 1821, and was converted in 1842, and entered Allegheny College, Meadville, Penn- sylvania, in 1845, to prepare for the ministry. He was licensed as a local preacher November 3, 1843, and received on trial in the Pittsburgh Confer- ence, Methodist Episcopal Church, in 1847. He was principal of Wells- burg, Virginia, Seminary, 1853-5; president of Richmond College, 1857-8; editor of the "Pittsburgh Christian Advocate," 1860-1872; presiding elder two terms, and afterward served as pastor of the churches at Monon- gahela, Butler and New Brighton, Pennsylvania, dying at the latter place while pastor, April 5, 1891.
Willard Stanton Reader was born September 28, 1871. He attended public school and Geneva College for a short time. He entered the office of the "Beaver Valley News," owned by his father, as an apprentice in 1886, assumed the duties of reporter in 1888, and was admitted to part- nership September 28, 1892, and since then has been the city editor of the paper. He wrote for Pittsburgh papers, was secretary of the Board of Health, and burgess of New Brighton one term. He is a member of the Pennsylvania Society Sons of the American Revolution. He was united in marriage with Miss Lily D. Robinson, March 1, 1897; they have three sons : Willard Donald, born December 20, 1897; Robert Wallace, born De- cember 13, 1901; and Eugene Francis, born November 3, 1906. Mrs. Reader is the daughter of Thomas Robinson and Mary J. Lynch. Mr. Robinson served his country as a soldier in the civil war. His ancestors
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settled early in the eastern part of Pennsylvania, where he was born. His mother was an Edwards, a family of strong and noble character in Law- rence county, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Robinson was of Scotch-Irish descent, her ancestors coming from the North of Ireland to this country in 1780. Mr. and Mrs. Reader and the two older boys are members of the Pres- byterian church.
In March, 1868, Francis S. Reader received an appointment to preach in the North Missouri Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church, but was compelled to abandon it before the year was up, on account of failure of voice, and returned to New Brighton, Pennsylvania. He held the office of local preacher for a number of years, was an official member thirty-five years and Sunday school superintendent twenty-seven years. In October, 1904, he transferred his membership to the First Presbyterian Church, New Brighton, Pennsylvania, of which his wife is also a member, and was elected a ruling elder September 20, 1905. He resumed work in the revenue office, and when Charles M. Merrick was appointed by President Grant as Collector of Internal Revenue in May, 1869, he was appointed chief deputy collector, and remained as such until January 1, 1877, when the office was abolished. He was secretary of Building and Loan Associations for nearly ten years; the first secretary of the first gas company in his county ; member of council and school board, and active in all work for the welfare of the community. He was an active Republican, and was frequently suggested as a candidate for Congress and the State Senate, but declined to be a candidate for any office, except for a second term in council. He was elected a member of the Republican County Committee in 1869, and served several years being sec- retary of the committee most of the time. Always an earnest advocate of fair play and decency and honor in politics, his service at times was very stormy. In 1878 fraud was charged in the primary elections of the party, resulting in a great upheaval and defeat of part of the ticket. Fol- lowing this he was appointed chairman of a committee on new rules of the party, and in reporting them recommended that a committee be ap- pointed to take the necessary steps to secure a law to govern primary elec- tions. He was appointed to do this work, and prepared a special bill for that purpose, to govern the Republican primaries of Beaver county, Penn- sylvania. He advertised it and paid personally all the expenses connected with it. The bill was presented to the Legislature in January, 1879, and after much hard work it passed both bodies of the Legislature, and was signed by the governor, May 22, 1879, the first law in the United States to govern primary elections. It was enacted into a general law in the session of 1881.
His first efforts in journalism were reporting political meetings in 1872 for Pittsburgh papers, later in a Pittsburgh paper a series of twenty-five articles on the history of the Beaver Valley, and a history of the Harmony Society. In May, 1874, he and Major David Critchlow started the "Beaver
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Valley News," the first issue appearing May 22, Mr. Reader being the editor. He purchased Major Critchlow's interest January 1, 1877, and February 5, 1883, started a daily issue. The paper always advocated what- ever would help his town and community, and was foremost in all move- ments of that kind. It has always been for purity in politics, and opposed the improper use of money in primaries and elections. It favored the cause of temperance, and refused always the use of its columns to liquor and similar advertisements, taking a stand for purity in the reading col- umns. It advocated a square deal for all, and never wilfully did anyone a wrong. In addition to his newspaper work, he wrote the "Life of Moody and Sankey" in 1876; "History of the Fifth West Virginia Cavalry," his own regiment, in 1890; "History of New Brighton, Pennsylvania," in 1899; "Some Pioneers of Washington County, Pennsylvania," a family his- tory, in 1902; "History of the Newspapers of Beaver County, Pennsyl- vania," in 1905, and in 1910 the "History of the Schools of New Brighton, Pennsylvania." In addition to these, he wrote many articles on the Civil war and local history.
He is a member of the National Geographic Society, the Grand Army of the Republic, and the Pennsylvania Society Sons of the American Re- volution.
The Rev. Joseph Henderson Bausman, D.D., is a native BAUSMAN of Pennsylvania, born in Washington, December 26, 1854, son of John and Sarah S. Bausman. His father was a journalist; at one time editor of the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, "Patriot," and for many years editor and publisher of the Washington, Pennsylvania, "Reporter."
Dr. Bausman began his education in the common schools of his native place, and received his collegiate training in Washington and Jefferson College, from which he was graduated in 1880 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and in 1883 he received the Master's degree from the same in- stitution. In the same year he was graduated from the Western Theological Seminary, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, and became pastor of the churches of Homer City and Bethel, Presbytery of Kittaning. In 1887 he was called to the pastorate of the churches of Rochester and Freedom, Presbytery of Allegheny. In the following year he resigned from the Freedom Church, but continued to serve the church at Rochester until the spring of 1892. From 1892 he has been pastor of the First Congregational Church of Ro- chester, Pennsylvania. In 1905 he received from Washington and Jeffer- son College the degree of Doctor of Divinity, and in 1906 he was elected by the board of trustees of that college as the Wallace Professor of Rhe- toric and Oratory, and now holds that chair.
Dr. Bausman is the author of a very complete and comprehensive "History of Beaver County, Pennsylvania," two volumes, published by The
Eng by ố. 6. Williams &. Bro.M.Y.
Lewis Historical Pub. Ca. Very truly yours, J.x. Bausman may
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Knickerbocker Press (G. P. Putnam's Sons) in 1904, and of the "History of the Class of 1880, Washington and Jefferson College," published by the same press in 1905. He is a member of the Bassett Club, Washington, Pennsylvania; the Query Club, Pittsburgh; the American Historical As- sociation, Historical Society of Pennsylvania and Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania.
He married, at Rochester, Pennsylvania, February 23, 1909, Hettie Buchanan Moulds, of that place, born in Steubenville, Ohio.
The spelling of this name is still a much-mooted question
PLUMMER among different branches of the family, and while some prefer the form without the doubled consonant, all of the line herein recorded write the name Plummer, with the exception of James (2).
(I) This record of the Pennsylvania family begins with the arrival of James Plummer in Butler county, in 1808. In 1816 he made his home on a farm near Mars, in that county, and here resided until his death in 1827. with his wife he was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and he is buried in the grave-yard of a church of that denomination in Middlesex. His life was exemplary in all respects, and he was one of the spiritual advisors of the church, holding the position of elder in its organization. His wife's maiden surname was Steele. They were the parents of: I. Jonathan, a merchant of Salem, Ohio, where he died. 2. William, a farmer, died in Tarentum, Pennsylvania. 3. James, of whom further. 4. Betsey, married James Stewart, and died in Butler county, Pennsylvania. 5. Anna, married Abram Day, and died near Moline, Illinois. 6. Jane, married John Welsh, and died in Zelienople, Butler county, Pennsylvania. 7. Thomas, a plasterer, in the winter season taught school. 8. A daughter, died in girlhood.
(II) James (2) Plumer, third child and son of James (1) Plummer, was born at the "Forks of the Yough," Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, in 1808, died in Butler county, in that state, July 30, 1886. In childhood he was brought to Butler county, and there grew to manhood. After his marriage he resided in that county until 1856, when he moved to a farm near Bakerstown, Pennsylvania, where he lived for twelve years, at the expiration of that time going to Beaver county and settling on a farm in Ohio township. After a short stay in that part of the state he returned to Butler county, making his home near that of his wife's parents. Both were members of the United Presbyterian Church, having at one time allied with the Covenanter sect.
He married Elizabeth Criswell, born in Butler county, Pennsylvania, in 1813, died there in 1878, while visiting her relatives. She was a daughter of William and Margaret (Criswell) Criswell, the former a native of Ireland, the latter born in Maryland. William Criswell came to Pennsylvania in early manhood, settling in Butler county, where he died.
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The tale of his marriage is interesting, although for that day not unusual. As the day of his marriage approached he mounted his horse, rode south- eastward to Maryland, wed his betrothed, and with her returned to Butler county in the same manner. It was a strange wedding journey from the point of view of the twentieth century, but more elaborate and more pre- tentious ones were rare. He was a farmer all his life, always remaining in Butler county. William Criswell was the father of : 1. Robert, a teamster, died in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 2. James, died on the home- stead in Butler county. 3. Mary, married William Hutchman, and died on the former Plummer homestead. 4. Martha, married James Kidd, and died in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. 5. Nancy, died unmarried. 6. Elizabeth, of previous mention, married James Plumer. 7. Margaret, mar- ried Robert Mckinney, and died in Butler county. 8. Jane, married Samuel Purvis, and at the time of her death was residing in Kansas. 9. A daugh- ter, died young. 10. Susan, married Samuel Kidd, and died in Missouri. Children of James and Elizabeth (Criswell) Plumer: 1. Margaret Ann, married Jacob Hutchman, deceased, and lives in Butler county, Pennsyl- vania. 2. Nancy Jane, married William Hutchman, deceased, and lives in Ohio. 3. Mary, married James Gilmore, their home being near Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania. 4. Martha, married Hugh Anderson, and lives in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. 5. Susan, died in 1865, aged sixteen years. 6. William, died in his youth. 7. James C., of whom further. 8. Thomas, a plasterer, resides in Los Angeles, California. 9. John Calvin, a plasterer, lives in Puyallup, Washington.
(III) James C. Plummer, seventh child and second son of James (2), and Elizabeth (Criswell) Plumer, was born in Butler county, Pennsylvania, November 13, 1837. He was reared on his father's farm, attending as a boy the public schools. When the civil war broke out he enlisted in Com- pany B, Sixty-first Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, being mus- tered into service on August 1, 1861. Among the battles in which his regi- ment engaged and at which he was present were Fair Oaks, Malvern Hill, Manassas, Chantilla, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Mary's Heights, Salem Heights, Gettysburg (the last two days), Wilderness and Spottsylvania Court House. In the last named conflict he was severely wounded in the left hand, and from May 12, 1864, until he received his honorable discharge he was detailed in the hospital. His military record, although he never rose from the rank and file, is one that will brook naught but the most honorable mention. He held the respect of a veteran for a superior officer, and in the three years of his service was never known to question a command from one higher in rank or to hesitate in its execution, however great the per- sonal risk entailed. To his seemingly reckless disregard of his safety may be attributed the fact that for so long a time he escaped injury of any kind, his being an instance in which "fortune favored the brave." When peace once more rested upon the land he returned to his father's home and until 1872 was his assistant upon the farm, in that year purchasing in-
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terests in several oil wells near Smiths Ferry and continuing in the oil busi- ness, with profitable results, for ten years. He then yielded to the call of the soil that is said to exist in the heart of everyone who has lived on a farm or in the country for a sufficient length of time to become thor- oughly in tune with his surroundings, and for two and a half years farmed on land near Negley, Ohio. In the spring of 1885 he came to Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, and has there ever since made his residence, being engaged in the years from 1890 to 1908 in the oil business, for thirteen years of that time independently. With the experience gained in his former ventures in this field he was well fitted for its continuance, and was again rewarded with favorable and lucrative results. For the past five years he has lived retired, a respite from the cares of business fairly earned. Mr. Plummer is a Re- publican in politics, a party he has supported for many years, and in re- ligious faith affiliates with the United Presbyterian Church. He holds mem- bership in the Grand Army of the Republic and the Union Veterans Legion.
He married, March 19, 1872, Margaret Emmaline Richardson, a native of Ohio, but at the time of her marriage a resident of Ohio township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, daughter of Enoch and Mary (Burt) Richardson, who died September 29, 1887. Children of James C. and Margaret Em- maline (Richardson) Plummer: 1. Mary Elizabeth, lives at home. 2. Hiram Burt, married Josephine McFarland, and lives in Beaver Falls, where he is the manager of a transfer company. 3. Harry Raymond, a physician, lives at his father's home. 4. Lyda Florence, a school teacher at Aliquippa, Pennsylvania. 5. Effa, died in infancy.
THOMPSON
The branch of the Thompson family under review here came to this country from Ireland, to which country they had undoubtedly come from England in earlier
generations.
(I) Joseph Thompson, born in county Down, Ireland, spent his entire life there, and was a Wesleyan Methodist preacher. He married and had children as follows: Christian; Jacob, of further mention; John, deceased. (II) Jacob Thompson, son of Joseph Thompson, was born in county Down, Ireland, where he was a baker by trade. About 1872 he emigrated to America with his wife and children, and settled at Boston, Massachusetts. He lived the remainder of his life in that city. His wife was obliged to return to her native land with the children, as the climate in this country did not agree with her, and died there. Her name was Mary Margaret Reilly, and they had children: Joseph Henry, of further mention; Albert, was killed in Pittsburgh in 1913; Robert, an electrician, lives in Pittsburgh. Mrs. Thompson was the daughter of Henry and Margaret Reilly, who lived and died in county Down, Ireland, where he was a farmer and land owner, and whose other children were: William, Robert, James, Susanna, Mary, Margaret and Minnie, of whom James and Susanna are the only ones now living.
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(III) Joseph Henry Thompson, son of Jacob and Mary Margaret (Reilly) Thompson, was born in county Down, Ireland, September 26, 1871. His education was commenced in the schools of his native land, and was continued in Pittsburgh, where he attended Duff's Business College. He then became a student at Geneva College, from which institution he was graduated in the class of 1904, and he was graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in the class of 1905. In 1906 and 1907 he was a student in the law department of the same university, and then came to Beaver Falls, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, where he read law for two years in the office of J. Rankin Martin, and was admitted to the bar, January 17, 1909. He has been in general practice since that time, and has been most suc- cessful in his legal career as well as a legislator. Mr. Thompson has been an indefatigable worker in the interests of the Republican party, and his efforts were recognized by his election as a state senator, November 5, 1912. His legal ability has been acknowledged by his appointment on the following committees: Appropriations, corporations, judiciary general, judiciary spe- cial, mines and mining, public health and sanitation, roads and highways, and he has served as chairman of the committee on military affairs. He was sponsor for the anti-cigarette bill, which was put through mainly by his efforts, and he was sponsor for the bill for the conservation of waters and the Pymatuning Swamp. He and his wife are members of the Pro- testant Episcopal Church, and his fraternal affiliations are as follows : Beaver Valley Lodge, No. 478, Free and Accepted Masons; Harmony Chapter, No. 206, Royal Arch Masons; Beaver Commandery, No. 84, Knights Tem- plar; Syria Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of Mystic Shrine; Pitts- burgh Consistory, Thirty-second degree; Newcastle Lodge of Perfection; Beaver Falls Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Loyal Order of Moose, No. 112; Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Mr. Thompson married, September 26, 1908, Violette Edith Smeigh, born in San Francisco, California, November 7, 1885, where the greater part of her life has been spent, daughter of Charles E. and Violet Stone (Murray) Smeigh, both deceased. They have one child, Joseph S., born August 3, 1909.
The Scotch-Irish who settled in Pennsylvania and other parts BURNS of the United States, though a plain people, making no claims to anything but honesty, industrious habits, and morality, pos- sessed sterling qualities and native ability. The Burns family of this review, in whose veins still courses a strong current of Scotch blood, is representa- tive of the race as it exists today.
(I) James Burns, who was born in Londonberry, Ireland, about 1802, emigrated to the shores of America and settled in the Allegheny moun- tains. He removed to the vicinity of Pittsburgh, where his death later occurred.
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(II) Samuel Burns, son of James Burns, was born near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and was there trained to become a farmer. In young man- hood he removed to Beaver county, where he settled in Brush Creek Valley, in New Sewickley township, and there purchased a farm. From time to time he purchased additional land, until he owned between two and three hundred acres. He was a Democrat in politics, and of a quiet and re- tired disposition. He married Ruth Shanor; children: David; Coston, of further mention; James; Mary, and one child which died in infancy.
(III) Coston Burns, son of Samuel and Ruth (Shanor) Burns, was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania. He also was a farmer, and after his marriage lived for eight years in New Sewickley township. He then removed to Lawrence county, where he bought a farm of one hundred and twenty-five acres in Wayne township, and later sold this property, but still resides in Wayne township. He married (first) Sophia Bonzo, also born in Beaver county, whose ancestral line will be found forward; he married (second) Abbie Smiley. Mr. Burns and his wife are members of the Methodist Protestant Church, and he is a Republican in politics. Children: Clara, deceased; Charles; Emmet Samuel, of further mention; Lila; George; Edith; Margaret, deceased; Flora, deceased; Clyde; Hen- rietta ; Bertha.
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