Genealogical and personal history of Beaver County, Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 28

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 28

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(III) James Ellis McClure, son of James T. and Margaret (McKean- Stewart) McClure, was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, July 7, 1844. He attended the public schools of Pittsburgh and completed his studies in Duff's Business College. On July 7, 1863, while working in the Pittsburgh arsenal, he enlisted in Knapp's Independent Battery, becoming first corporal, and for months previous was stationed in Maryland, immediately after the battle of Gettysburg. He was an employee in the Pittsburgh arsenal at the time of the explosion, but fortunately escaped unhurt, a fate denied to many. At the expiration of his term of service he returned to Pittsburgh, again enlisting for one hundred days service in 1864, being attached to a regi- ment of light artillery in the fortifications before the city of Washington. After his second return to his home he accepted a position in the employ of the Union Railroad Transportation Company, and was connected with the auditing department of that road until 1871. He and his brother-in-law, Samuel Burd, then established a banking business in Mercer, Pennsylvania, conducting transactions as Burd & McClure. A large amount of business was transacted through their institution, but the death of Mr. Burd in 1872 and the panic effectually broke up the firm and its business, the financial stress of 1873 carrying away its every support. Mr. McClure stood by the bank until its obligations had been discharged and then merged its unstable remains with the Farmers' and Mechanics' National Bank, accepting a posi- tion as assistant cashier, which he filled for two years. He then moved to Ebensburg, Clarion county, Pennsylvania, becoming a bookkeeper in the employ of Beardsley & Herron, hardware supply dealers, a year later ac-

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cepting a like position with the Brazil and Chicago Coal Company, in Chica- go, Illinois, and a year afterward serving A. R. Wilson in the same capacity for seven months. Returning to Mercer county, Pennsylvania, he spent one summer on the McLean farm, in the fall of 1880 going to Hazleton, Ohio, where he operated a steam riveter in a bridge works. The following year the superintendent under whom he had been employed accepted a position in Beaver Falls, inducing Mr. McClure to do likewise in the employ of the Penn Bridge Company. He had not been long in that place before he be- came identified with journalism, and was a member of the reportorial staffs of several periodicals, his career in that line including several years witn the Tribune, his initial engagement, eight years with the Beaver Valley News, of Brighton, two years more on the Tribune, eleven years with the Beaver Star, and two years with the Times, also with Pittsburgh and Cleve- land papers.

Since 1881 his home has been in Beaver Falls, his residence, which he owns, being at No. 606 Ninth street. While a reporter and journalist Mr. McClure was in a position to gain a thorough and impartial view and ac- quaintance with local politics, requirements and tendencies, and through the columns of his papers was enabled to present a concise and clear account and opinion of the various subjects of public interest which made his articles widely read, enlightening and instructive. He supported all movements to improve and raise the moral tone of Beaver Falls and attracted universal attention by the fearless manner in which he stated truths, disclosed civic dangers, and advocated reforms. His allegiance was ever loyally Repub- lican, and upon the entrance of Beaver Falls into the rank of cities of the third class there was unusual unanimity in advancing his name as candidate for mayor. His platform was one that drew the commendation of all whose motives held no thought of personal benefit and he was granted the support of many who stood without his party, being returned from the polls the first mayor of Beaver Falls after it received its city charter. The growth and expansion of Beaver Falls that has entitled it to membership in the list of municipalities of that size has brought with it increased responsibility, new problems, different and more difficult situations, and has made the office of chief executive one that carries with it more than mere honor, a vast amount of perplexing and hard work falling to him who is placed therein, Strong in his ability, backed by the hearty confidence of a host of friends, surround- ed by a circle of willing and capable advisors, Mr. McClure has assumed the reins of authority and the direction of the city government. That he will solve his problems in a creditable fashion, that the best of his talents will be devoted to the municipal service, and that the results of his administration will meet the expectations of the most sanguine, are the only prognostica- tions that can be made in the face of his coming term by those who know with what efficient equipment he enters upon his duties and the spirit that he will manifest in his office. Mr. McClure's military career includes two years membership in the state militia subsequent to the Centennial Exhibition

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at Philadelphia, which he attended with his regiment. Mr. McClure is a member of Beaver Falls Post, No. 164, Grand Army of the Republic, and the Tamaqua Club of Beaver Falls.

He married, February 7, 1869, Jane Frances Copeland, born in Pitts- burgh, Pennsylvania, daughter of Samuel Copeland, he for many years a master mechanic in the shops of the Pennsylvania railroad, in Pittsburgh. Both of her parents are deceased. Children of James Ellis and Jane Fran- ces (Copeland) McClure: 1. James T., an employee of the railway postal service; married Alice Ott; lives in Beaver Falls. 2. Frederick Copeland, a printer employed by the Pittsburgh Leader. 3. Lucy O., married Charles C. Reed, and lives in Clarksburg, West Virginia. 4. Clara W., married Walter D. Green, proprietor of a men's furnishing store in Pittsburgh; lives in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania.

The name of Piper has been identified witth numerous business PIPER interests, as well as the agricultural life of the state for a number of generations. The name was originally Peiffer, but this com- bination of letters proved difficult for Americans to pronounce, so it was anglicized as Piper.

(I) Adam Piper, the American progenitor of the family, was born in Germany, and emigrated to America at an early date. He settled in the eastern part of Pennsylvania.

(II) Jacob Piper, son of Adam Piper, was born in Eastern Pennsyl- vania, and later removed to a place near Upper Sandusky, Ohio. There he became the owner of a farm but subsequently removed to Saltsburg, Indiana county, Pennsylvania.

(III) Joseph Piper, son of Jacob Piper, was born near Cedar Point, Ohio, 1802, died in Conemaugh township, Indiana county, Pennsylvania, February 6, 1895. He became very prosperous in Saltsburg, and was the owner of a large flour mill. He married (first) Mary McDowell, born in Saltsburg, whose ancestors were among the early settlers of that section, and they had five children: Lewis and Nancy, both died young; Wilson M., of further mention; John, who located at Leechburg, Pennsylvania, and now resides in Beechview, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania ; a daughter who mar- ried and is living in Homer City, Pennsylvania. Mr. Piper married (second) Margaret Rhea and had one child, Mary, who married Weston Mcclintock, and died at the age of twenty-eight years. Mr. Piper married (third) Cath- erine Lamar, and had ten children, of whom three died young, the surviv- ing members being: Milton J., lives in Ambridge, Pennsylvania; Frank, lives in Zanesville, Ohio; Howard, resides near Atlantic City, New Jersey; Charles, a resident of Liverpool, Ohio; Samuel, lives in Buffalo, New York; Edith, married James Trees and lives in West Virginia; Bessie, married Edward Robinson, and has her home in Nowrytown, Pennsylvania.

(IV) Wilson M. Piper, son of Joseph and Mary (McDowell) Piper, was born in Conemaugh township, Indiana county, Pennsylvania, August

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15, 1845, and there grew to manhood. He made an exhaustive study of agriculture, and in 1897 his value as an expert in this line was recognized by appointment as superintendent of the State Farm at Polk, Pennsylvania, an office in which he rendered efficient service twelve years. He afterward was appointed superintendent of County Home in Indiana county, Penn- sylvania, and is superintendent and manager of the farm there. At this time Mr. Piper is a Republican in politics, and he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Piper married Maria J. Kaney, born at Tarentum, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, February 14, 1850, a daughter of Seraphim and Hannah Jackson Kaney, the former born in Germany, the latter in England. She was between two and three years when she emigrated to this country. In after years she became acquainted with Mr. Kaney, married and located at Tarentum. Mr. Kaney accepted a position in Peterson's Salt Works, rising to the position of foreman, an office he filled many years. In 1867 he bought a farm near Alexandria, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, where his death occurred. He was thrown from a horse at the age of sixty-six years, and died from the effects of the shock. His wife died in 1911 at the age of ninety-four years. They were members of the Baptist church. Their children, in addition to Maria J., were: William, living, retired from business at Saltsburg; James, lives in Toledo, Ohio, where he has been assistant city engineer for many years; Thomas, was a grocer in Mount Washington, Pennsylvania, and was killed by the notorious Biddle Brothers, in his own home on Mount Washington ; Harry, in the employ of the Watson Coal Company at Saltsburg; George, deceased, lived at Tarentum, Pennsylvania; John, also lived in Tarentum, was killed by lightning; Ursilla, unmarried, lives at Saltsburg; Margaret, also unmarried, lives at Saltsburg; Theresa, died in 1912, married William Serene; Melissa, died young. Mr. and Mrs. Piper had children: William W., of whom further; Joseph, a member of the firm of J. C. Moore Hard- ware Company, retail hardware dealers, in Saltsburg; Kaney, who died in 1908, had been in the laundry business; Roy, employed in a steel mill, lives at Indiana Harbor, Indiana; Mable, married Dr. Charles Snyder, lives at Polk, Pennsylvania.

(V) William W. Piper, son of Wilson M. and Maria J. (Kaney) Piper, was born at Saltsburg, Pennsylvania, January 22, 1871. He attended the public schools of Conemaugh township, Indiana county, Pennsylvania, until he was fourteen years of age, and during the next two years assisted his father in the cultivation of the farm. He then went to the city of Pitts- burgh, and for five years was general utility man in the Union Station. In 1895 he entered the employ, at Wilkinsburg, of Brace Brothers, laundrymen of Pittsburgh, and learned this business thoroughly. In 1905 Mr. Piper, in association with S. W. Fullerton, his friend and co-worker at the laundry, organized the firm of Piper & Fullerton, at New Brighton, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, buying out the plant of Thomas Wallace. Two months later they decided that Beaver Falls offered a better field for the class of work

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they delivered, in pursuance of which idea they bought the laundry plant of McLean Brothers, and located at the corner of Seventh street and Eighth avenue. They conmenced on a small scale, employing but five women, and in the eight years they have been located there have increased their working force to more than fifty men and women, and enlarged their plant several times, and now have the largest laundry and dry cleaning plant between Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Youngstown, Ohio. Their trade is drawn from throughout Beaver Valley. They are progressive and up-to-date in their methods, and their work is accomplished with a thoroughness which recommends itself.

Mr. Piper married, August 5, 1896, Frances M. Jones, born in Staf- fordshire, England, daughter of John Jones, a molder by trade, who came to America with his wife and daughter when the latter was a very young child, and located in Pittsburgh. Mr. Piper is a Republican, and has been an active worker in the interests of the political party with which he is affili- ated. He served as a member of the city council of Beaver Falls for a period of four years, and was elected as a member of the new commission for city government, serving on this two years. He is a member of Stuck- rath Lodge, No. 430, Free and Accepted Masons, of Allegheny county, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Protestant church of Beaver Falls. They have no children.

The Fullerton family has long been identified with the FULLERTON history of Pennsylvania, and the name is to be found in many parts of the state and in connection with many lines of industry. The earlier generations as far as there is definite informa- tion, are as follows: Hugh Fullerton, who was killed in battle in Ireland. He married and had a son Henry, mentioned below.

(II) Henry Fullerton married Eliza McCrory and came to America from Ireland, settling in Washington county, Pennsylvania. The exact date is unknown.

(III) Henry Fullerton, son of Henry Fullerton, was probably born in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, where he had a farm of one hundred and ten acres in North Buffalo township. He was a Republican, and he and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church. He married Mary Wilson, a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania, and they had chil- dren, the first two born in Washington county, the last six in Armstrong county : Wilson; Henry ; John, deceased; Findley; Samuel, deceased, was a farmer in Livingston county, Missouri; Elizabeth; James, a farmer in Liv- ingston county, Missouri; Miles, mentioned below. Mary (Wilson) Fullerton, the mother of these children, was a daughter of Ed- ward Wilson, who married Susan Findley. They were married in Penn- sylvania, east of the Allegheny mountains, on the day of the funeral of General George Washington. They settled in Washington county, where Mary Wilson was born.

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(IV) Miles Fullerton, son of Henry and Mary (Wilson) Fullerton, was born in North Buffalo township, Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, in 1840, and died in 1909. At the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted in the Sixty-third Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, serving two years, then after a severe attack of fever and ague, and long confinement in the hospital, he was honorably discharged by reason of disability. Upon the com- pletion of his education he had learned the carpenter's trade, and followed that to a greater or lesser extent throughout his life, although he also culti- vated the farm of which he was the owner. In 1893 he removed to Wilkins- burg, Pennsylvania, and died of a stroke of apoplexy while working at his. trade. He married Mary Shields, born in Armstrong county, in August, 1842, and they had children: Rush, an attorney at Kittanning, Pennsylvania, died in 1910; Harry, a carpenter in Wilkinsburg; Margaret, deceased, mar- ried Dr. A. E. Stonecipher ; David, a carpenter, is unmarried, and lives in Wilkinsburg; Scott Wilson, of further mention; John S., a civil engineer in · Wilkinsburg; Walter, has his place of residence in Wilkinsburg, but is a traveling salesman for a hardware firm; Retta married Edgar Hadden, and lives in Wilkinsburg. David Shields, father of Mrs. Fuller- ton, was of Scotch-Irish descent, his parents being early settlers in North Buffalo township, Armstrong county. He was a farmer in Arm- strong county, but in 1870 removed to a farm in Livingston county, Mis- souri, where he died. He was of the Presbyterian faith. He married, and had children: John, born in 1833, died in Armstrong county, in 1913; Boyd, James and Robert, living in Missouri; Margaret, married John Y. Mateer, of Wilkinsburg; Nancy, married Thomas Fair, lives in Missouri; Ellen, married Morrison Blaine, lives in Missouri; Martha, married Abner Orrey, lives in the state of Washington; Mary, who married Mr. Fullerton,

(V) Scott Wilson Fullerton, son of Miles and Mary (Shields) Fuller- ton, was born in North Buffalo township, a little west of Kittanning, Arm- strong county, Pennsylvania, February 2, 1876. For a time he attended the public schools in his native township, then lived with his sister Margaret, at Marionville, Forest county, Pennsylvania, and attended the schools there during that time. This was followed by one year at the academy, and one year in the Wilkinsburg schools, when he removed to that city with his parents. In 1894 he became a clerk in a grocery store in Wilkinsburg, and held this position four years, after which he entered the employ of Brace Brothers in their laundry in Pittsburgh. He remained with this concern nine years, learning the work of this industry in every detail. While there he formed a deep and lasting friendship with a fellow worker, W. W. Piper, and in 1905, these two young men removed to Beaver Falls, Beaver county, and there established themselves in the laundry and dry cleaning business, which they carried on successfully under the firm name of Piper & Fullerton. In July, 1905, they removed to New Brighton, but in October, of the same year, returned to Beaver Falls, where they have been since that time. They are the leading firm in this line in the Valley, and their trade

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is drawn from a large territory. Their business is ten times the size it was when first established, they employ almost fifty people regularly, and at times more. In 1909 the concern was incorporated, Mr. Fullerton be- coming president of the company, and Mr. Piper, secretary and treasurer. They are located at Eighth avenue and Seventh street. The plant is equipped with the most up-to-date machinery and first-class work is guaranteed. Mr. Fullerton is Republican on national political questions, but independent in local politics. He and his family are members of the Presbyterian church, and he is a member of the Royal Arcanum, and of Beaver Valley Lodge, No. 476, Free and Accepted Masons. Mr. Fullerton married, October 5, 1899, Emma, born in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Edward and Elizabeth Hulme, the former an employee of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. They have had children: Leonard, born November 23, 1901 ; Elizabeth, born June 20, 1903; Sarah, born December 7, 1910.

KLEIN For many years Germany has been the home of the Klein family, herein recorded, and indeed of all of the name, its derivation being plainly seen by one familiar with the language of that land. The name was in all probability applied to one of the early members of the family, conspicuous for his small stature, and it has clung to his descendants even though the aptness of its application has been lost.

(I) C. G. Klein was the first of this line to tread on American soil, coming to the United States when he was eighteen years of age. Well educated in his native land before his emigration, on his arrival in Phila- delphia he at once obtained employment which enabled him to defray his immediate expenses. He then continued westward, and apprenticed him- self to learn the blacksmith's trade which he later forsook in favor of stove mounting. A few years of employment as a blacksmith had con- vinced him of two things: Firstly its uncongeniality, and secondly its lack of lucrative possibilities. After completely mastering the details of stove mounting he obtained employment at his trade in De Haven, Pennsylvania ; subsequently in 1869 removing to Beaver Falls, Beaver county, he entered the service of A. Wolf & Company. When this firm was succeeded by the Howard Stove Company, Mr. Klein remained with the latter concern in his old capacity until removed from life's labors by death. He died in 1905. He was a member of the Lutheran church. Mr. Klein married Catherine Kirsch and had children: Catherine, died in infancy; Charles W., general manager of the Co-operative Flint Glass Company, of Beaver Falls, who married Margaret McClelland; Lewis F .; Elizabeth, married Joseph M. Vandevote; Walter G .; Lillian M .; all residing in Beaver Falls.

The Pott or Potts family was established in Great Britain at POTTS a very early period, and seems to have originated, under this distinctive family name, in the North of England. The name is said to have been derived from a locality, or a topographical term signi-

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fying deep circular hollows, hence a dweller at such a place, and had be- come established in the thirteenth century and possibly much earlier, but it was not until the reign of Queen Elizabeth that there is found any family of this name who seem to have been of sufficient importance to be officially recorded by the Herald in his Visitations. The name was originally spelled Pott, but has for more than two centuries been almost uniformly Potts.

This record opens with Jonas Potts who, according to one family tradi- tion, came to Pennsylvania from England in the seventeenth century. Another tradition, equally as well substantiated, claims that the first Ameri- can member of the family came to Pennsylvania with William Penn, while a third alleges that the first Potts settlers in Pennsylvania came from Wales, emigrating thence because of religious persecution. All agree that the first settlers were members of the Society of Friends, and Jonas Potts is first noticed in Pennsylvania as a witness to a marriage certificate, that of John Austin and Jane Potts, 9th month 11, 1686. He was a resident of German- town, Philadelphia county, and vicinity for a number of years, where he sometimes held local offices under the government. He was ranger for the county of Philadelphia, his term of office expiring in 1702, and he also held the office of court sheriff for Germantown at one time. He seems to have been a man of determination, and perhaps of an impetuous tempera- ment, as upon one occasion, in making arrest, it is said that he handled the man so roughly as almost to have killed him. His name appears as a party to several transactions in the purchase and sale of lands in Phila- delphia county. It is believed that Jonas Potts was twice married, and that he had children by both marriages, a belief given rise to by David Potts, one of his children, calling Jonas, another child, in a deed, his half brother. Both wives were named Mary, and Jonas Potts may have gone with some of his children to Virginia, and there died. Children of the first marriage of Jonas Potts: 1. David, died in 1768, had two wives (first) Elizabeth Jane, (second) Ann R. 2. Rachel, married in 1719, Joseph Burson. 3. Elizabeth, married in 1719, William Heald. 4. Hannah. Chil- dren of his second marriage: 5. Deborah, died 7th month 24, 1718. 6. Jonathan. 7. Jonas, of whom further.

(II) Jonas (2) Potts, son of Jonas (1) and Mary Potts, was born in Pennsylvania, died at Georgetown, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, about 1814, at a greatly advanced age. He was a blacksmith by trade and moved to Loudoun county, Virginia, where he purchased 270 acres from David Potts, his half-brother, as appears by deed dated May 8, 1759, and his name appears in connection with many other transfers of land and property. He and all of his children moved to Western Pennsylvania or Eastern Ohio at about the beginning of the nineteenth century, where he and his wife died, he as above stated, she about 1812, and both are buried on Phillips Island, in the Ohio river. He was twice married, his second wife being Mary Heckathorn. Children: 1. Jonathan, of whom further. 2. John,

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born in 1752, married, his wife's given name being Susan. 3. David, born in 1757, married Milly Adams. 4. Jonas, died in 1833, had a wife, Hannah. 5. Nathan, born in 1764, married Mary Chamberlin. 6. Joshua, born in 1769, died in 1850, married Milly Suver. 7. Thomas, married Mary Martin. 8. Noah, born in 1772, died in 1856, married Barbara Heckathorn. 9. A daughter, married Richard Hart.

(III) Jonathan Potts, son of Jonas (2) Potts, was born probably in Pennsylvania, about 1744, died in Jefferson county, Ohio. He went with his parents to Virginia, and was a soldier in the Virginia Continental Line in the Revolutionary War. He was a blacksmith by trade, and as he was a landowner, probably supplemented his income by farming. Because of his patriotic service in the revolution he was granted a pension, dated March 17, 1819. He moved from Loudoun county, Virginia, to Washington county, Pennsylvania, where he resided for several years, in 1800 his name appearing in the assessment list for Hanover township, when he is desig- nated as "blacksmith." He married, about 1788, Elizabeth English, who died January 14, 1814. Children of Jonathan and Elizabeth (English) Potts: 1. Joshua, born April 12, 1789, married Catherine Chayser. 2. Thomas, born February 12, 1791, married (first) Rosanna Jackson, (sec- ond) Elizabeth Wallace. 3. David, born February 11, 1793, married (first) Susannah Jackson, (second) Margaret Penny. 4. John, born March 6, 1795, married Rebecca Harris. 5. Nathan, born August 6, 1797, met an accidental death by burning. 6. Anna, born June 28, 1799, married John Goodwin. 7. Jonas, born June 15, 1801, married, in 1822, Elizabeth John- son. 8. Samuel L., of whom further. 9. Mary, born August 1, 1805, mar- ried Osmond Ryan. 10. Lydia, born September 28, 1807, married (first) Thomas Rowland, (second) John Cain. 11. William, born February 11, 1810, married (first) Cecelia Hurd, (second) Mary H. Morris. 12. Sarah, born April 13, 1813, died young.

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Genealogical and personal history of Beaver County, Pennsylvania, Volume I, Part 28

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: