USA > Pennsylvania > Beaver County > Genealogical and personal history of Beaver County, Pennsylvania, Volume I > Part 31
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John Reeves
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a very gifted and well-read woman, and this he has supplemented in the course of his long and active life by well chosen reading and study along lines which most appealed to him. From the time he was eleven years of age he was actively engaged in work of various kinds. At that time he worked during the farm seasons-spring, summer and fall-three years being spent on the farm of David Coup, 1836-38. During these years he slept in a loft, rose at daybreak each day, and was obliged to chop wood during each meal hour, so that he would lose no time. After leaving Mr. Coup he entered the employ of Robinson & Company, who had the paper mills, was a fireman for this concern, and in the discharge of his duties had to shovel one hun- dred bushels of coal into the furnaces daily, and clean all the grates. For this service he received eleven dollars per month and remained with them two years. His next position was in James Patterson's cotton factory, where he worked as a picker and had charge of the carding room at the time he left. There he received one dollar and fifty cents per week, and was obliged to board himself. However, he worked there until 1841, then obtained a position on the large keel boats which were used in shipping grain for the Patterson Flour Mills. During the winters of 1841-42 Mr. Reeves wheeled staves in Patterson's cooper shops, and he then learned the trade of cooper- ing with James Alexander. In the summer of 1843 he worked on the government "snag boat" cleaning out the Beaver and Ohio rivers. Until 1846 he was engaged in boating operations in summer and in coopering in winter. By this time, having been frugal and economical, he had amassed a considerable capital, and proceeded to invest this in lots in New Brighton. He also built himself a shop there in which he could follow his trade, and made flour barrels until 1852. His boating operations also had not been neg- lected, and he was the owner of two boats. The railroad having just reached New Brighton, Mr. Reeves saw better possibilities in that direc- tion, and accordingly sold his boats, and became one of the first conductors on the old Fort Wayne railroad, then running between Pittsburgh, Penn- sylvania, and Alliance, Ohio. He followed this accupation three years, and then became station agent at New Brighton. About 1857 he abandoned this occupation and associated himself with his brother, Henry T., in the mer- cantile business in New Brighton. They opened a general store in New Brighton, which they conducted very successfully until 1865, at which time they sold it, having in the meantime realized fifty thousand dollars. After selling this business Mr. Reeves removed to Beaver Falls. He and his broth- er then became the agents for the sale of the land where Beaver Falls is now located, which was then owned by the Economites. Their business was trans- acted under the firm name of H. T. & J. Reeves. They sold the entire city in lots, and in all paid over to the Economites two million dollars. In 1869 Mr. Reeves built the large brick house at No. 1207 Seventh avenue, which he still uses as a winter home, the front of the building being used for the business of the Bank of J. T. Reeves & Company, and he also has a fine summer home on Patterson Heights.
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The Economites started the Economy Savings Institution in 1868, and Mr. Reeves was made cashier, a position he held until the bank liquidated in 1893 and paid off all its depositors. The firm of John T. Reeves & Company, Bankers, was established in 1893, the senior member being the son of Mr. Reeves, and is in a very flourishing condition at the present time. Mr. Reeves has been connected with a number of manufacturing enterprises in Beaver Falls, one of them being the manufacture of cutlery, in which he has taken a leading part. Mr. Reeves took matters in hand at a time when the employees of the company were striking and the company was losing money because of the numerous thefts of the employees. He brought four hun- dred Chinese under contract to Beaver Falls, and reduced the payroll from thirteen thousand to five thousand dollars per month, at the same time pro- ducing more goods. Because of the cheaper manner in which these goods were produced they forced several eastern companies out of business, and finally eastern capital made a suitable offer and bought out Mr. Reeves' com- pany. During the Civil War Mr. Reeves enlisted under Captain George Barker to go to Antietam, and enlisted again for state service along the Baltimore & Ohio railroad. He is a devout church member, and has long been on the board of trustees in the Presbyterian church.
Mr. Reeves married, March 25, 1847, Cynthia, born December 18, 1821, died September 11, 1907, daughter of John and Mary (Stratton) Murphy, the former born in Ireland about 1785. Children: Daniel F., born May 6, 1848, died March 7, 1867, married Mary E. Smith; Mary A., born November 22, 1849, married James F. Merriman; Ada E., born May 17, 1852, died February 7, 1905, married H. W. Nair; William H., born July 19, 1854, died June 3, 1860; John Charles Fremont, born October 20, 1856, died June 16, 1860; Hannah, born December 20, 1858, married James M. May; Jessie Benton, born August 13, 1861, married W. J. Asdale; John Toy, born No- vember 11, 1863, married Lulu N. Knight; Grace, born September 11, 1866, married George W. Coates; Jacob Henrici, born June 16, 1869, died Decem- ber 18, 1876.
(The Steen Line.)
The name is of Scandinavian origin, and members of this family figure in early Norse history. In Holland we find the noted artist, Jan Steen. In the sixteenth century the family migrated from Holland to Scotland, and later they went to Ireland. The family have always been orthodox Presby- terians and have suffered greatly while upholding their faith.
(I) Richard Steen was born near Coleraine, Ireland, about 1710, and raised a large family, among whom were: Robert, who came to America; Matthew, of further mention; James and William, who settled in South Carolina. It is probable that Richard came with his sons. James and Wil- liam Steen served in the Colonial army during the War of the Revolution.
(II) Matthew Steen, son of Richard Steen, was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, 1755, and at an early age came to America. At first he lived in Philadelphia, but removed with his family to Washington county, Pennsyl-
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vania, 1780, and died there, April 23, 1835. He purchased one hundred and sixty acres and was a farmer all his life. In religion he was a Seceder. He married, in Philadelphia, about 1774, Jane Taylor, born 1756, died January 4, 1842. Her brother, Henry Taylor, surveyed and laid out Wash- ington county for the state. Matthew and Jane (Taylor) Steen had chil- dren: I. Esther, born June 11, 1775; married Wood. 2. Matthew Taylor, born November 6, 1776, died at New Castle, Pennsylvania, 1851; married Mary (Polly) Mitchell and had seven children 3. John Steen, born December 30, 1778; married Ann C. McDole; was captain of artillery in Biddle's corps during the War of 1812; died in New Castle, Pennsylvania. 4. Joseph, born at Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, March 1, 1871 ; was a farmer in Harrison county, Ohio, later removed to Darlington township, Beaver county ; married Elizabeth Steen, a second counsin. 5. Margaret, married Daniel Reeves (see Reeves III).
This name in olden times was written De La Haye and De La HAYS Haya, later Hay and Hays. The family was originally from Scotland, where various members of it held high office, and from there some of the family migrated to Ireland.
(I) John Hays, born in Ireland, emigrated to this country when he was but fifteen years of age, in company with his brother Thomas, and they both took an active part in the war of the Revolution. For a time he was in the employ of the government as a surveyor. He took up some land at first at New Castle, Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, but as the neighbors made matters very unpleasant for the newcomer, he left and located at Block House Run, between Rochester and New Brighton. He soon retired from active work as his health had become impaired owing to the exposure he was called upon to endure while acting as a surveyor. Mr. Hays mar- ried a lady of Welsh descent by whom he had children: John, Thomas, see forward; Marshall, Katie, Jennie. He was of the Protestant faith.
(II) Thomas Hays, son of John Hays, was born in Greersburg, now Darlington, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, October 22, 1811, died in the same county at the age of eighty-nine years. He had practically no school education, and learned the trade of stone mason, probably with Robert Anderson. After working at this for some time, he engaged in the con- tracting business, in which he achieved a decided success. He had an honest countryman of his who kept his accounts for him. Mr. Hays mar- ried Amelia Eisenhour, born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, of German descent, who had two brothers and one sister as follows: Arthur, Joseph, Eliza. Mr. and Mrs. Hays had children: Elizabeth, born October 5, 1831 ; Joseph (q. v.); Mary, August 24, 1835; Marshall, September 5, 1837; James Monroe, see forward; Catherine, born November 7, 1844; William H., February 7, 1846; Francis, August 9, 1848, enlisted at the same time and in the same regiment as his brother, James Monroe, and was killed
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at the battle of Spottsylvania Court House; Anne E., January 10, 1853; Thomas, April 3, 1855.
(III) James Monroe Hays, son of Thomas and Amelia (Eisenhour) Hays, was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, November 3, 1842. He had not yet attained his majority when the Civil War broke out, but he offered his services in defense of the rights of his country and enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, June 30, 1862, and served until the close of the war. When this event occurred he was in Andersonville Prison, having been confined there eleven months and fifteen days. When his country no longer had need of his services he returned to Beaver county, and learned the plasterer's trade in 1866. He followed this for some time, then es- tablished himself in the hotel business in Pittsburgh, East Liverpool and Rochester. He has now been the proprietor of the St. James Hotel at Rochester for the past seventeen years. He is a member of the Episcopal church, and his fraternal affiliations are as follows: Post No. 88, Grand Army of the Republic, of Allegheny; Veteran League, Beaver Falls; Rochester Lodge, No. 229, Free and Accepted Masons; Rochester Chapter, No. 167, Royal Arch Masons; Beaver Falls Commandery, No. 84, Knights Templar.
Mr. Hays married, in 1867, Ella Bell, daughter of Josiah Bell, of Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and has had children: Robert M .; George M., born February 6, 1870; Maude S.
HAYS (III) Joseph Hays, son of Thomas (q. v.) and Amelia (Eisen- hour) Hays, was born in New Brighton, Beaver county, Penn- sylvania, July 26, 1833. He was the proprietor of a livery stable and a dealer in horses, and during the Civil War purchased horses for the government. For forty-seven years he had a barn near the Doncaster Hotel. For fifty years, with the exception of one year, there has been a Hays livery stable in Rochester. He was a Republican and served as a member of the town council. He had been a member of the Masonic fraternity for a half century, and was made an honorary member. Mr. Hays married Sarah Murphy, born near Canonsburg, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, and they had children: Frank E .; Ephraim M., see forward; Carry M.
(IV) Ephraim M. Hays, son of Joseph and Sarah (Murphy) Hays, was born in Rochester, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, December 14, 1861. He was educated in the public schools, and as soon he was fit for the work he was an assistant to his father in the livery business. He commenced in 1886 and with the exception of two years has been continuously in the business of horse dealing. He is a staunch supporter of Republican prin- ciples, but has never desired to hold public office. Mr. Hays is a member of the Workmen of the World. He married, in June, 1886, Effie C. Moore,
James Monroe Mayo
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of Rochester (see Moore, III). They had children: Joseph, deceased; George, Sarah, Dorothy. Mrs. Hays is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
(The Moore Line.)
(I) James Moore and his wife came to the western part of the state of Pennsylvania in the first train which ran from Philadelphia to Pitts- burgh. They located at the mouth of Chartier's Creek at a time when the Juniata Valley was still a wilderness, and there was a block house at New Brighton, in which all the settlers passed the nights to ensure them safety from the depredations of the hostile Indians. James Moore was a keel builder by trade, and later he established and conducted a store in the com- munity. He enlisted in the Continental army, probably from Washington county, Pennsylvania, and held the rank of first lieutenant in the company of Captain Barnes. He served during the springs of 1775 and 1776, the summer of 1777, until January, 1778, and the fall of 1780, and was an active participant in the battles of the Brandywine, Stillwater and Saratoga. He and his son Samuel were also in the war of 1812. He was born in London- derry, forty miles from Boston, and died in New Brighton, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, January 21, 1833, in the eighty-sixth year of his age. James Moore married Isabella Stewart, a relative of Mary, Queen of Scots. Chil- dren: James, David, Sarah, Samuel, see forward; Isabella, Mary, David, William, John, Jesse.
(II) Samuel Moore, son of James and Isabella (Stewart) Moore, was born at the mouth of Chartier's Creek, Pennsylvania, 1792. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity, and at the age of twenty-one years walked from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia in order to obtain his degree. He took an active part in the war of 1812. He married (first) Nancy Reno, by whom he had four children: Harry, Alfred, Frank, Nancy. He married (second) Hannah McCarrher, who was born in Fallston, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, 1807. Children: Hiram, Mary A., Caroline, Harriet M., Sophia, George W., Emma. Mrs. Hannah Moore was of Irish descent, her ancestor being Caleb North, who married Lady Jannette, emigrated to America, arriving here July 20, 1729. They had eight children, the eldest of whom, Roger North, married, October 13, 1733, at Port Deposit, near Baltimore, Anna Rambo. Sophia, daughter of Roger and Anna (Rambo) North, was born 1734; she married (first) Dr. Davis, (second) James McCarrher, probably in 1766. By her second marriage she had chil- dren: Elizabeth, Sophia, Hannah, married Samuel Moore, as above men- tioned; North, George. Roger and Anna (Rambo) North had other chil- dren : Caleb, see forward; Samuel, John, Josiah, William, Roger, George, Thomas. Six of these sons served in the Revolution. Caleb, son of Roger and Anna (Rambo) North, was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, July 15, 1753, died in Philadelphia, November 7, 1840. At the commence- ment of the war of the Revolution, he hired a British soldier to teach him the manual of arms, He was a captain in the Fourth Battalion and served
ยท
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in the Canadian Camp. Later he became a major in the Tenth Battalion. He rendered important service at Paoli. He was detailed by Anthony Wayne to direct a retreat, and he saved a troop. At the battle of German- town he became lieutenant-colonel of the Eleventh Battalion. At the battle of Monmouth, July, 1778, he was transferred to the Ninth Pennsylvania; in January, 1781, to the Second Pennsylvania ; and took part in the southern campaign. He had charge of the prisoners to be transported to York and Lancaster, and conducted Tarleton's Legion to Philadelphia. He removed to Philadelphia in 1819, and served as high sheriff of the county. He was president of the Order of the Cincinnati of Pennsylvania, being the last of the field officers. He was assistant marshal at the celebration ratifying the Constitution.
(III) George W. Moore, son of Samuel and Hannah (McCarrher) Moore, was born on Water street, Rochester, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, February 22, 1845. He was an active participant in the Civil War, being present at some of the most important battles as a member of the One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. At the close of the war he returned to Rochester, where he resided for several years and now lives in Canton, Ohio. He married (first) Gertrude Cox, (second) Emma A. Geer, of Chester, West Virginia. The only child of first marriage was Effie C., who married Ephraim M. Hays (see Hays IV). By the second marriage he had : Frances E., George E., Walter B.
BARNARD The record of the Barnard family in America is summed
and totaled in the life history of Daniel C. Barnard, he being the only one of his line, with the exception of his children, to live on American soil. Could the annals of the name in France be produced, a vastly different story would be told, for that country has been the seat of the Barnards for generations, and for the life of that country many bearing the name have given theirs, both in time of peace and in war.
Daniel C. Barnard, oldest son of Daniel and Christina Barnard, was born in France, August 31, 1820, died in Beaver Falls, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, 1886. His parents spent their entire lives in France and when he was but a child he was brought by some relatives to the United States, one of his brothers, who accompanied him, dying on the voyage. His first home in this country was in Philadelphia, where he learned the tailor's trade, following that occupation in Philadelphia for a time before moving to Pittsburgh, in 1846. He established a shop on Liberty street, conducting a clothing store in connection therewith, and while residing in that city married. Five years after his arrival in Pittsburgh he purchased a farm of one hundred acres in what is now the north end of Beaver Falls, Beaver county, and made his home on this tract. For one year he was the proprietor of the Keystone Hotel in New Brighton, soon after selling his shop in Pittsburgh and giving his entire time and attention to the cultiva-
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tion of his farm. It was about this time that the possibilities of Beaver Falls as a manufacturing town became apparent and steady growth began, factories and residents encroaching upon his acres. Opportunity coming in such a friendly guise could not be disregarded, and he disposed of his land in building lots to excellent advantage, the entire one hundred acres being bought in a comparatively short time. Mr. Barnard was the first station agent at Barnard's Crossing, now Geneva Hill, erecting the station at that place, later selling the building to the Pennsylvania Railroad, retir- ing from his position because of failing health. He was a Democrat in politics, and affiliated with the Baptist church, his wife being a member of the Presbyterian. His fraternal orders were the Knights of Pythias, the Sons of Malta, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Among his fellows Mr. Barnard was ever well regarded, his cheerful, genial nature making him a welcome addition to any gathering, his energy and industry commanding the wondering admiration of those more indolently inclined and the respect of those whose ambition and thrift was as great as his own.
He married, in 1846, Mary C., born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, June 19, 1827, daughter of John and Elizabeth Belle (Walsh) Patterson, the Rev. Lemmon performing the ceremony. Her father was a native of Ire- land and came to the United States the year after attaining his majority, settling in Pittsburgh and there marrying. He became a pilot on the Missis- sippi river and its tributaries, his death occurring in New Orleans, Louisiana, caused by an attack of cholera, in 1833. His skill as a pilot was unsur- passed by any who guided river craft, and his knowledge of the channels and shallows of the navigable rivers of the Mississippi system was remark- able. His wife was a daughter of Andrew Patterson, a wealthy land owner of Sharon, Pennsylvania, where she was born. She died at the home of her daughter, Mary C., aged eighty-nine years.
Children of Daniel C. and Mary C. (Patterson) Barnard: 1. William A., a tinner, died at the home of his mother in 1909, unmarried. 2. Vir- ginia Roselma, married Morris Hickey; died in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 3. Silas A., died in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, aged nineteen years. 4. James T., was a riverman; died in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, about 1903. 5. John B., proprietor of a hotel in San Francisco, California. 6. Nettie Lee, married William Sheldrake; lives in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. 7. Mary C., married William Holton; lives in Beaver Falls. 8. Daniel, died aged thirteen years. 9. Edward, died in Erie, Pennsylvania. 10. Christina Belle, married Richard Mumford; lives in Beaver Falls. 11. Harry, died in infancy. 12 and 13. Charles and Theodore, twins, both died in infancy. 14. Elizabeth Edna, now Mrs. Whitfield.
Since the death of her husband Mrs. Barnard has lived in the com- munity that was the scene of his later life. Eighty-six years of age, she is still active in mind and body, the same cheerful, uncomplaining spirit that made her such an admirable helpmeet, giving her power to enjoy the closing years of a life spent in the showering of maternal love and uxorial devotion.
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There is no country of whose nature the United States SHELDRAKE partakes so strongly as of England. It is not strange that this resemblance should exist, in view of the fact that it was from that country that the greater part of our earlier settlers came, establishing customs and institutions that they had known in their homeland, and living for years under the rule of the sovereigns of England. Some of the oldest families of our country are proud to trace their ancestry to those pioneers, who in frail sailing vessels braved the danger of the deep and the terror of the forest to found the glorious nation of which we are a part. While the Sheldrake line recorded below finds an honorable record in the history of England, it was not its privilege to leave her shores in the gallant bands that sailed for America in the seventeenth century, those of the family finding their duty at home, and deriving pleasure and hap- piness from doing their daily tasks.
(I) Joshua Sheldrake was the first of his line to seek a home in another land than that of his birth, coming to Beaver county, Pennsylvania, where he worked as engineer in the cutlery plant at Beaver Falls. At the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted in the Union army, serving for the entire four years of that conflict, and from its close until his death drew a pension from the government in recognition of his service. His death occurred in the home in which all of his family grew to maturity, his death occurring in April, 1893, when he was seventy-three years of age. Both he and his wife were of the United Presbyterian faith. He married Eliza Ann Shoemaker, born in Beaver, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, 1822, died in May, 1898. Children: 1. Sarah, deceased; married Henry Cook, of Beaver, Pennsyl- vania. 2. Delilah, married Benjamin Oswald; lives in Ford City, Penn- sylvania. 3. Margaret, married Obadiah Snyder; lives in Keohoka, Mis- souri. 4. Alfred, deceased; was a file cutter, lived in Beaver, Pennsylvania. 5. John, deceased; was an axe-maker, lived in Beaver, Pennsylvania. 6. William, of whom further.
(II) William Sheldrake, son of Joshua and Eliza Ann (Shoemaker) Sheldrake, was born in Beaver, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, July 6, 1855. In the public schools of that place he obtained his early education, later sup- plementing this with a course in night school. Learning the printer's trade, he was at different times employed by the Argus and Radical, periodicals of Beaver, both at his trade and as a member of the reportorial staff .. Abandoning newspaper work, he was for eight years a file maker in the file factory, for the seven following years being an axe beveler. He then entered the employ of the Myers Shovel Works, in Beaver Falls, Pennsyl- vania, holding one position for twenty-five years. So skilled did he become at his work that gradually the making of all of the samples of the firm's products was delegated to him, as well as any hand work of more than ordinarily intricate design. Rounding out a quarter century of service, in 1905 he accepted a position as time keeper and pay-roll clerk with the Armstrong Cork Company, of Beaver Falls, and while in the employ of
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this concern his death occurred, January 12, 1912. The fidelity with which he performed his daily tasks was his characterizing atribute, his energy and industry making him an employee of the greatest value, both as re- garded his personal accomplishments and the moral effect of his example upon his fellows. His home life was beautiful in the affection and devo- tion there manifested, and the heart-rending grief that his death caused can only be conceived by one who has passed through the Valley of the Shadow at the death of a loved father and husband. Mr. Sheldrake was a member of the Masonic order and the Fraternal Mystic Circle. At his death he was the owner of considerable real estate in Beaver Falls, and in 1910 had purchased a butcher shop, his son, J. Frank, managing the same. The support of his vote and influence was accorded the Democratic party.
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