USA > Pennsylvania > Beaver County > Genealogical and personal history of Beaver County, Pennsylvania, Volume I > Part 21
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(IV) George McHattie, son of Peter and Isabella (Frazier) McHattie, was born at Banffshire, Scotland, September 28, 1825, died August 2, 1913, aged eighty-eight years. He attended school in Edinburgh, his parents placing him in one of the institutions of the city corresponding to a private school in the United States, where each pupil was charged for his tuition, and as a lad was employed as a sheep herder, also working in the famous botanical gardens of Edinburgh. When he was twenty-five years of age he left home and immigrated to the United States, remaining for a short time in Philadelphia. While he was in this city his early training was the means of obtaining for him a position in a florist's shop, where the close attention he had paid to floriculture in the botanical gardens of his
Eng by E. G. Withom: &.Bro. NO:
George MiHleatthe
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native land made him a valuable assistant, for while his work in the: gardens had not been of a responsible nature, he had nevertheless learned much outside of the dull routine of his own labor. Soon after he moved to Pittsburgh, there continuing in the same business in the employ of Mr. Charles Spang, of the firm of Spang, Chalfant & Company, owners of large rolling mills. He then established as a landscape gardener at Sew- ickley, subsequently moving to Leetsdale, near where he and his brother James rented land and began to raise garden truck for the adjacent market. The labor was so distributed that James, who had had some experience as a farmer, was in full charge of the farm upon which their produce was raised, while George managed the market at the corner of Diamond and Market streets, in Pittsburgh, which was their main dis- tributing point, In 1867 this arrangement was discontinued and he purchased what is now the Alum Rock farm in Patterson township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, a tract of one hundred acres. On this he continued garden- ing operations, conducting very little heavy farming, and for some time after buying the property shipped most of his produce to Pittsburgh, later selling nearly all to the residents of the neighboring region, many of whom gave no time nor space to the cultivation of such articles. Constant pros- perity rewarded his unflagging zeal and he added sixty-five to his original one hundred acres, making his farm one hundred and sixty-five acres in extent. At the time of the Civil War Mr. McHattie did not go to the front, but was one of the number that elected to provide for the welfare of the women and children left by the vast hordes advancing to fight the foe. Not only did he enlist men and assist in the raising of companies, but as week followed week and month followed month, with no hope of the cessation of hostilities and the return of the male providers, he gave bountifully of his goods and service to keep the cares of want and suffering from the doors of the patriots' homes. Ever after his naturalization and the receipt of his papers of citizenship he gave the Republican party the support of his ballot and influence, and served the township in which he resided as school director. The Presbyterian Church claimed his allegiance, as it did also his wife's, and for many years he held the position of ruling elder in its organi- zation, an office conferred upon him not because of seniority, but because of the exemplary character of his daily life and the active interest he dis- played in the different lines of church service.
He married, in 1859, Jane Jelly, born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, May 4, 1827, daughter of Armstrong and Mary (Elliott) Jelly. Both of her parents were of Irish descent and birth, both spending most of their lives in Beaver county, where both died. Children of George and Jane (Jelly) McHattie: 1. Peter Armstrong, a member of the firm, McHattie Brothers. 2. Norman Spang, also a member of the above mentioned firm. 3. Mary Isabella. 4. Lida Shields. 5. Jean Elliott.
Peter Armstrong and Norman Spang McHattie, comprising the firm McHattie Brothers, were both born at Leetsdale, were brought to Patter-
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son township with their parents, and in that locality grew to maturity, attending school and assisting their father on the home farm whenever he had need of their services, which was not infrequently. They were, in a way, forced into the business which they now conduct and which has yielded them such gratifying profits, for in the winter of 1894 there was an entire failure of their winter crops and they were left with no occupation. At this time they began a wholesale fruit and commission business in a very humble manner in a building on Twelfth street, between Seventh and Eighth avenues, their monthly rent being but five dollars. Their plans for this business had been to continue therein for but the one winter, but happy chance conspired in their favor and placed in their grasp the oppor- tunity to reap a large profit. They had procured a large quantity of New England apples rather earlier in the season than such purchases are usually made and had stored them safely away until the time should come to place them on the market. Just at this time a sudden frost created great havoc in the apple orchards, ruining much fine fruit; as the freezing weather continued for several days, the stock that the McHattie Brothers had pre- viously obtained took a decided advance in value. The proceeds from this deal encouraged them to give that line a longer trial and they remained in business, devoting their entire attention to the upbuilding of a strong trade among reliable customers, and conducted their dealings at the same place for eight years. By this time the operations had assumed dimensions that made more spacious quarters an imperative necessity, as their business had already extended into other buildings, and the brothers decided to erect their own building, designed for their especial purposes and representing the acme of convenience in every detail. They accordingly purchased a site on Fourth street, where they erected a brick building, two stories in height and one hundred and twenty by sixty feet in size. Not only is the building admirably planned for their needs, so that the minimum of effort accomplishes the maximum of work, but at the rear a siding of the Pennsylvania Railroad runs the full length of the building, making it possible for five cars to be loaded or unloaded simultaneously. Since en- gaging themselves in their new quarters the firm has added grocer's special- ties to their line of fruit and produce, and employ in both departments eighteen men on an average. In 1911 they added to their building and in- stalled an ice plant with six coolers, so that at present they have a refrigerating plant on the premises, with facilities for keeping perishable goods at any one of six different temperatures, the temperature of one cooler not affecting that of its neighbor. McHattie Brothers are now the owners of one of the most prosperous wholesale commission businesses in the county, and to them is due the credit for its wonderful growth and advancement, their foresight and energetic initiative alone having placed them in the front rank of the business men of Beaver Falls. They have the reputation of having the greatest consideration for their employees, some of whom have been in their employ since the organization of the business.
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Besides his interest in his business as above mentioned, Peter Arm- strong McHattie is a director of the Beaver County Trust Company ; vice- president of the Union National Bank of New Brighton, in which all of the family hold stock; a director in the Federal Title & Trust Company, of Beaver Falls; also a director of the Beaver Refrigerator Manufacturing Company of New Brighton, Pennsylvania. He is a Republican in politics, and a member of Parian Lodge, No. 662, Free and Accepted Masons, of Beaver Falls, of which he was a charter member; Harmony Chapter, No. 206, Royal Arch Masons, of Beaver Falls; Beaver Valley, Commandery, No. 84, Knights Templar; Pittsburgh Consistory, Thirty-second degree; Syria Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Pittsburgh; and of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Knights of Pythias.
Norman Spang McHattie, besides his partnership in the firm of McHattie Brothers, is a director of the First National Bank, of Beaver Falls, a stockholder in the Union National Bank, of New Brighton, a Republican in political action, and a member of the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks. He succeeded his father on the directorate of the first named institution.
The Nairs, of German descent, came to this country from their NAIR native land toward the end of the seventeenth century, and have but recently made their reappearance in Pennsylvania, in which state they originally settled, later going south to Virginia, with which state they were long identified. John Nair, with whom this record opens, was the owner of a vast plantation in Virginia, where he passed his entire life and where his children were born. The family faith was the German Luth- eran. His wife was familiarly known in the neighborhood as "Betty." Children of John and Betty Nair: John, a soldier in the Southern Army, fought for the cause of the Confederacy; Peter; William R., of whom further; Samuel; George; Hugh; Simeon, died in 1859; Martha; Susan; Melinda; and two others, who died young.
(II) William R. Nair, son of John and Betty Nair, was born in Highland county, Virginia, February 28, 1822, died in Beaver county, Penn- sylvania, September 28, 1878. His youthful years were spent in his native county, and as a young man he moved to Rock Bridge county, Virginia, where he became the owner of a large plantation that rivaled the paternal homestead in size. The work on his land was performed by negro labor, but he was rather in advance of his neighbors in that he paid for the time they were employed. He was the only Whig sympathizer in the locality and because of his opposite views his communion with his neighbors was not of the most enjoyable. In 1859 he sold his Virginia property, in order to escape what he had come to believe was the curse of human slavery, and pur- chased four hundred acres of land near Mount Victor, Hardin county, Ohio.
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His land was nearly entirely covered with timber, the market value of which was high, the plentiful growth induced by the abundant moisture from the Scioto river, which flowed through his property. The same agency that increased the value of his possessions also formed fever breeding swamps, from which the entire family became diseased, their malady being the health-sapping "fever and ague," so well known to those living in the marshy lowlands. To escape this plague they moved after two years resi- dence in that locality, in 1861 coming to Beaver county, renting the Cochran farm at Darlington until 1864, when he acquired one hundred and seventy acres of land in Big Beaver township, the old Imbre farm at the head of Wallace's Run. This was the family home until 1874, when he sold his property to the Harmony Society, settling in Beaver Falls, there becoming the proprietor of a feed store. He had been in this business only a year when he was stricken with paralysis, death resulting from this cause a year later. He and his wife were believers in the United Presbyterian faith. He married Helen Virginia, daughter of Henry M. and Mary Wilkins. Her father was of German descent, her mother of French blood, both dying in Dayton, Rock Bridge county, Virginia. He was a tailor by trade and at the time of the Civil War did not go to the front. When General Sheridan's army was passing through that valley, leaving behind the devastation char- acteristic of a marching force in hostile territory, Mr. Wilkins met the approaching army at the border of the town and gained an audience with the commander, pleading that the town be left untouched by the soldiers. To such good effect did he speak that Sheridan, a fraternity brother in the Masonic order, ordered his troops to make a wide detour, and the homes of the little town were safe, standing to-day as they did half a century ago, with only the changes that come with time. Children of Henry M. and Mary Wilkins: 1. John T., a printer in Harrisonburg, Virginia. 2. Helen Virginia, of previous mention, married William R. Nair. 3. Josephine, married Harvey Hoffman, a farmer, and lived in Rockingham county, Virginia, where he owned property. 4. Margaret, died unmarried, aged fifty-four years. 5. Thomas, a grocer of Harrisonburg, Virginia. Children of William R. and Helen Virginia (Wilkins) Nair: I. Harry Wilkins, of whom further. 2. William, a commercial traveler, met an accidental death in Dunkirk, New York, in 1909. 3. Jennetta S., married John W. Mars, both deceased; lived in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. 4. Mary Ella lives unmarried in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania. 5. Mar- garet, for several years a school teacher, married a Mr. Ford, and lives in New York. 6. Atlanta, married John S. Randolph, and lived on a farm in South Beaver township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania. 7. Hugh Elmer, a photographer of Warren, Ohio. 8. John T., deceased, a glass worker. 9. Charles, deceased, a dentist of Wooster, Ohio.
(III) Harry Wilkins Nair, eldest son and child of William R. and Helen Virginia (Wilkins) Nair, was born near the "Natural Bridge," Rock Bridge county, Virginia, May 9, 1847. In his boyhood he attended a private
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school maintained in a little log school house, afterward becoming a pupil in the common school of Hardin county, Ohio. He next was a pupil in the Greersburg Academy, at Darlington, Pennsylvania, finishing his studies in a private school in New Galilee, Pennsylvania, under the preceptorship of David Moore. Leaving school he was his father's assistant on the home farm, in 1866 coming to Beaver Falls, then in the primary stages of its growth, and was first employed for one year in the brickyard. He then learned the painter's trade under the direction of Barney Milks, and was associated with him in business for two years, after which he established as a contracting painter and so continued for twelve years, for three years of that time in partnership with Benjamin McDonald, the remaining nine independently. The borough had by that time entered upon its most vigor- ous period of expansion and building operations were numerous, so the demand for his work was great, and he seized the opportunity by employing a force of twelve men, who were constantly engaged in beautifying the homes and other buildings of the place as rapidly as they were erected. In 1879 the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad ran its tracks through the town, and Mr. Nair obtained a position in the road's service as baggage- master, holding that place on the first train that entered Beaver Falls on that line. From baggage-master he was raised to conductor, after nine months duty in the former capacity, and was a railroad employee until 1882, when he accepted a place as bookkeeper in the bank of the Harmony Society at Beaver Falls, at that time the largest institution of its kind in Beaver county, now the John T. Reeves & Company Bank, remaining in the employ of that bank until its liquidation. In 1892 he became assistant cashier of J. T. Reeves & Company, bankers, and was connected with that firm until 1900. He then took a well deserved and needed rest from business activities and spent a year in touring the United States, his wife accompanying him, their trip including all the points of historical and scenic interest between the two oceans and the northern and southern border. Returning from his extended vacation, he made his home in New Brighton, Pennsylvania, purchasing a billiard parlor and cigar store, which he con- ducted until 1912, in that year selling the business and retiring from an active career. He is a staunch believer in Republican principles, and is a member of the Masonic Order, belonging to Union Lodge No. 259, Free and Accepted Masons; Harmony Chapter No. 206, Royal Arch Masons; Pittsburgh Commandery No. 1, Knights Templar, and to Syria Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Pittsburgh. Mr. Nair has had a business career that has delved into many fields, in each of which he has acquitted himself creditably and from which he has derived a comfortable fortune. Under every test of business and manhood he has stood firm, and has an honorable record in his dealings with all men.
He married, October 12, 1869, Ada E., born in New Brighton, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, died February 7, 1905, daughter of John Reeves (q. v.). Children of Harry Wilkins and Ada E. (Reeves) Nair: I. Harry
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Wilkins, Jr., died aged seven years and nine months. 2. Frank May, of whom further.
(IV) Frank May Nair, younger and only surviving son of Harry Wilkins and Ada E. (Reeves) Nair, was born in Beaver Falls, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, December 13, 1874. His education was begun in the public schools of Beaver Falls, and as a youth he discontinued his studies to begin work in the Beaver Falls Steel Works, where for two years he was employed as a "mill helper." He left this business to establish a general news agency, obtaining the exclusive local right of sale of all of the Pitts- burgh papers, maintaining his store for three years. His next position was with the Consolidated Steel and Wire Company, in whose service he was for seven years, soon after his entrance being made foreman of the rod depart- ment. In 1903 he accepted a position as clerk with the Finished Specialty and Machine Company, now known as plant No. 2 of the Union Drawn Steel Company, beginning as head clerk. In September of the year that marked his initial appearance as an employee of this company he was made super- intendent of the plant, and since that time has held that position, the eleven years of his service covering a time of unsurpassed prosperity in the history of the concern, his part in the management of the shops having been no mean feature in this success. There are under his control two hundred and fifty men, his leadership being not merely nominal but in fact, for his confident assurance and able direction bespeak the man of knowledge and authority, both of which one must possess to obtain the most desired results from his employees. With those who are his workmen he deals justly and fairly, and if his sense of justice and fair-dealing is ever influenced it is to his disadvantage, for he never presumes upon the willingness or necessity of his men, so that the prevailing spirit in the shops of the concern is of fidelity and cheerful application. Mr. Nair's only other business connection is as a director of the J. T. Reeves Company, bankers. His church and that of his wife is the Presbyterian, while he affiliates with no party in politics. His fraternal society is the Masonic, and he is a member of Beaver Valley Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Beaver Valley Com- mandery, No. 84, Royal Arch Masons; Newcastle Lodge of Perfection, and Pittsburgh Consistory, Sovereign Princes of the Royal Secret. He also holds membership in the Royal Arcanum and is a charter member of the Tamaqua Club, of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Nair married, June 10, 1896, Estella E., born in Allegheny City, Pittsburgh, North Side), Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, daughter of James Craig and Augusta (Froelich) Brown. James Craig Brown was born in Sharpsburg, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, November 26, 1849, to which county he returned in young manhood, although his parents con- tinued to reside in the place where they had made their home soon after his birth, Beaver county. In 1868 he became identified with the old Fort Wayne railroad as engineer, and was in that service until 1882, when he moved to Beaver Falls to accept a position as engineer with the Hartman
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Steel Company, having for the past several years been engaged in the same capacity by the Union Drawn Steel Company, in whose employ he is at the present time. His wife, Augusta, born in Allegheny county, Penn- sylvania, August 3, 1856, was a daughter of George and Elizabeth (Sorg) Froelich, the former a native of France, the latter born in Germany. He came to the United States when a young man and was the owner of a stove foundry on Pennsylvania avenue, Allegheny, in which city they lived. Elizabeth Sorg had come to that locality with a party of relatives and both before and after her marriage lived in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania. George Froelich was twice married, Elizabeth being his second wife, the only one who bore him children. James Craig Brown, father of Estella E. (Brown) Nair, was a son of John and Jane (Clark) Brown, John owning a canal boat, which he operated, in Allegheny county, later moving to North Sew- ickley township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, where he died on a farm. Children of James Craig and Augusta (Froelich) Brown: 1. Estella E., of previous mention, married Frank May Nair. 2. Lillian, born January 23, 1876, married Ned McDonald, and lives in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. Children of Frank May and Estella E. (Brown) Nair: 1. Lillian Elizabeth, born April 9. 1898. 2. Frank Brown, born April 15, 1903.
Edward W. Young, a prominent citizen and business man YOUNG of Beaver Falls, is despite his birth in faraway Iowa, a mem- ber of a Pennsylvania family whose associations are all with that State. His paternal grandparents were residents of Westmoreland, where they apparently owned and operated a farm, and where were born to them seven children, including John G. Young, the father of our subject. These seven children were: Thomas, who lived and died in Iowa; William, who lived near Zanesvile, Ohio; George and John G., twins, the former of whom was drowned on his way to Iowa; James; Jane and Martha. John G. Young was born, February 29, 1820, at Youngstown, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and was one of a number of his family who in 1853 migrated to Iowa. His first business venture had been in West Bridge- water, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, where for a number of years he had conducted a livery stable, but in the above year he removed to Iowa and settled on a farm with a brother and sister, near Adel in that State. Here he remained ten years, but eventually sold his farm and returned to Penn- sylvania. He now engaged in the bakery business, at first in West Bridge- water for a few years, and then in Beaver Falls for a like period. It was in 1871 that he removed to Beaver Falls, and from that date until the day of his death, he made his home there. After giving up the bakery, he returned to his original business and operated a line of hacks between Beaver Falls and New Brighton, Pennsylvania. In this he continued until the construction of the street car line between those places. He then retired from active business for the remainder of his life.
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John G. Young married Anna Brown, a native of the region near Greenville, Mercer county, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Hugh Brown, a resident of that county and of Scotch-Irish descent. Her parents were Seceders in religion and lived on a farm not far from Greenville. To them were born seven children, of whom our subject's mother was the second. To Mr. and Mrs. Young, were born five children, as follows: Georgia, married E. D. Powell, of West Middlesex, Pennsylvania ; Charles, a teamster of Beaver Falls; Edward W., of whom further; Perry, a resident of Beaver Falls; and Russel, a rural mail carrier, who died in April, 1913. Mr. and Mrs. Young died in the years 1905 and 1903 respectively.
Edward W. Young was born in Dubuque, Iowa, during his father's residence in that State, but he was still only an infant when he removed with his parents to West Bridgewater, Pennsylvania. He obtained his education at the local public schools and later at the Business College at Beaver Falls. He commenced his business career by accepting a position in a planing mill where he remained for some years. In 1888 he started a grocery store on Patterson Heights. This, however, he abandoned the following year to accept a position with Chandley Brothers, a firm engaged in the heating and plumbing business in Beaver Falls, and here he has remained as their office manager ever since. This position is a lucrative one, and in 1912 Mr. Young was able to build for himself an attractive home at No. 817 Twelfth street, Beaver Falls. Mr. Young is a member of the Republican party and very active in politics and public affairs generally. He has served four terms as school director, has been secretary of the City Council, and at present occupies the positions of president of the Board of Directors of the Carnegie Library, and director of the Beaver Falls Dime Building and Loan Association. He is a member of the Methodist Protestant Church of Beaver Falls and for twenty years has led the choir, an office in which he takes the keenest pleasure, being an enthusiast of vocal music. He personally has a fine tenor voice, and did a great deal of solo work as a young man. He is a member of the Blue Lodge of the Masonic Order, Beaver Valley Commandery.
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