USA > Pennsylvania > Beaver County > Genealogical and personal history of Beaver County, Pennsylvania, Volume I > Part 32
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He married, November 11, 1875, Nettie Lee, born in Pittsburgh, Penn- sylvania, July 5, 1855, daughter of Daniel C. and Mary C. (Patterson) Barnard. Children of William and Nettie Lee (Barnard) Sheldrake: I. Agnes, born October 30, 1876; lives at home, unmarried. 2. Elizabeth Gay, born January 26, 1878; married Gilbert Bowser, and lives at Char- Zeroi, Pennsylvania; has five children: Thelma, Irma, Benjamin, Gilbert, Jean. 3. William Barnard, born February 28, 1881; attended the public schools of Beaver Falls, and when fifteen years of age discontinued his studies, for one year being employed in the Myers Shovel Works, leaving there to accept a position in a cork factory, returning to his previous em- ployers after six months association with the cork manufacturing business. In 1907, after six years employment in the Shovel works, he entered the service of the Armstrong Cork Company, there remaining until 1911, when he entered the butcher shop that his father had purchased the year before from Charles Figley. He has ever since been connected with this establish- ment, now the property of his brother, J. Frank, and mother; William B. Sheldrake is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Protective Home Circle. 4. Edna M., born February 12, 1883; married John Robin- son, and lives on Twelfth. street, Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania; two chil- dren: Virginia and Cathline. 5. Estella, born February 16, 1885; mar- ried Edward Sittler, and lives in Uniontown, Pennsylvania; two children : Edward and Ruth. 6. J. Frank, born October 11, 1888; married Catherine Gall, and lives in Beaver Falls, where he is proprietor of a butcher shop formerly owned by his father; one child, Thelma. 7. Helen, born Febru- ary 11, 1891; married Daniel Thomas, and lives at Conway, Pennsylvania ; no children. 8. Mary O., born August 20, 1894; lives at home.
The Morrison family of whom record is herein contained MORRISON have, ever since the United States has been the seat of the family, resided in Pennsylvania, the emigrant, James, being connected with the early life and development of that greatest of Pennsylvania manufacturing centers, Pittsburgh. James Morrison was
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born in Ireland, spending his early boyhood in the country of his birth, and when he was a lad of twelve years was brought to the United States by his parents. The time of their landing in this country was shortly after the close of the Revolutionary War, and the head of the family at once brought his little flock westward to Pittsburgh. Here, upon attaining suitable age, James Morrison established in the mercantile business, his name appear- ing in the first business directory published in that city, the location of his store being given as the "w side of Wood between 2nd and 3rd," which is easily translated as meaning the west side of Wood street, between Second and Third streets. This directory was published in 1815, and a copy of it is in the possession of George W. Morrison, grandson of the Morrison named in the guide-book. Needless to say, in the little book mentioned, there is not represented the incomputable total of capital nor the thousands of business houses that would grace a similar edition today, but to have been of the number that gave the first impetus to the great- ness of the present city, and to have first demonstrated the possibilities of that region, is an honor not lightly to be esteemed. James Morrison was one of the organizers and a member of the first board of directors of the old Bank of Pittsburgh, and was one of the executive staff whose opinions and suggestions shaped, to a marked extent, the policy and investments of the institution. In the latter years of his life he moved from the scene of his youthful and manly labors, making his home on a farm in Knox county, Ohio, near Mount Vernon, where, in peaceful seclusion, grateful after the strivings and contentions of the business world, he lived out the remainder of his allotted years, enjoying to the full a rest well-earned. He was twice married, and was the father of a numerous family. The present line continues through his marriage to Mary Bracken, a native of Penn- sylvania, one of the children of this union being James (2), of whom further.
(II) James (2) Morrison, son of James (1) and Mary (Bracken) Morrison, was born on Wood street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, about 1801. In this city he grew to manhood, the course of his youthful life being that of most boys, mainly occupied with attendance at school, and upon attain- ing his majority he moved to Frankfort Springs, Beaver county, where he married and ever after remained. As clerk in his father's store he had gained a practical and comprehensive knowledge of the mercantile busi- ness, having served in all its departments in order that his experience might be the more thorough, and in his new home that was the business he followed, being rewarded with the same success that in an earlier day and in another place had attended his father's efforts. He continued in this line until his death, which occurred at a good old age, and supplied the wants of a generous patronage that had steadily grown as the locality received new settlers. With his wife he was a member of the Presby- terian church, and in his political sympathies he was first a Whig and later a Republican. He was at one time auditor of the county, and for
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many years was known to the country-side as the postmaster of Frankfort Springs, the post-office occupying a portion of his store.
He married Mary, daughter of James and Mary (Holland) Dungan, both natives of Philadelphia. Mary Holland was a descendant of a family of Quakers and she held membership in the Society of Friends. Upon her marriage to James Dungan, not a member of the society, and consequently a "heretic," she was "read out of Meeting," and deprived of her birth- right in the society. She thereupon united with the Presbyterian church rather than accept the only alternative open to her, the expression of regret for her marriage to one not of the faith. In 1806 James and Mary Dun- gan moved to Frankfort Springs, where James purchased a farm, later becoming proprietor of a hotel. In this region both remained until their deaths, and are there buried. Children of James (2) and Mary (Dungan) Morrison : 1. Jane, married Robert Shannon; died in Crafton, Pennsylvania. 2. Nancy, married Robert Mercer; died in Washington, District of Colum- bia. 3. Joanna H., married William Mercer; died in Mansfield, Ohio, 1913. 4. James D., a banker of Mercer, Pennsylvania, there died. 5. George W., of whom further. 6. Mary R., died unmarried in Frankfort Springs. 7. Alexander, was an employee in the post-office at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; died in that city. 8. Lavinia M., lives in Frankfort Springs, unmarried.
(III) George W. Morrison, fifth child and second son of James (2) and Mary (Dungan) Morrison, was born at Frankfort Springs, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, February 24, 1838. His education was obtained in the public schools of Frankfort Springs and the Iron City Business College, and after completing his studies he was employed as clerk in his father's store until 1869. In that year he moved to Beaver Falls, and soon after his arrival in that place was employed in the Economy Savings Institution, first holding official position as teller and later as assistant cashier. In 1893 the Economy Bank closed its doors and Mr. Morrison was associated in the organization of the Farmers' National Bank, the original officers of that institution being Frank F. Brierly, president; Dr. T. P. Simpson, vice-president, and George W. Morrison, cashier. This bank opened its doors at the corner of Eleventh street and Seventh avenue in the same year that it received its charter, 1893, and is still there located. It is capitalized at $100,000 and since its formation has enjoyed the confidence and patronage of a long list of customers. Mr. Morrison has been its cashier during the twenty years of its life, the present officiary reading : Frank F. Brierly, president; J. Rankin Martin, vice-president; George W. Morrison, cashier, and Walter G. Bert, assistant cashier. Mr. Morri- son's service during this time has been of the highest order and such as to win the commendation of his fellow-officers. In his long experience as a financier he has kept well in the foreground his qualities of sterling integrity and straightforward business dealing, with the result that no security handled by his bank would rank in acceptability above his word.
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To his wisdom born of his experience he has added that caution and sagacity that come only with ripened maturity, being the oldest banker in Beaver county and among the oldest in the western part of the state, and is frequently consulted by his friends on matters of private financial deal- ing, his dependability in counsel being recognized by all. Aside from his connection with the Farmers' National Bank, his only other official rela- tion in the financial world has been as a director of the Home Protective Loan Association. Mr. Morrison supports the Republican party in all important issues and for twenty-one years served on the board of school directors. In the Presbyterian church, to which both he and his wife belong, he has served as both trustee and deacon.
Mr. Morrison married, in 1865, Mary E., a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania, daughter of William Sturgeon. Children of George W. and Mary E. Morrison: 1. William S., a member of the law firm of Hice, Morrison, Reader & May, of Beaver; married Alice Brown. 2. Mary R., married John H. Mitchell; lives in Evanston, Illinois; they are the parents of one son, H. Morrison.
McKEE The period of revolution and unrest in Ireland, about con- temporaneous with the American Revolution, was the cause of the immigration to the American shore of John McKee, who was brought into disfavor with the imperial authorities in his native land by participation in a demonstration directed against the misuse of power in that country. To save his life, exile was necessary, and he chose America as his future home, coming to New England. He found there the turmoil that he had left in Ireland, and, a hater of tyranny from the very foundations of his nature, he joined himself in sympathy and in action with the colonists, being one of the "Indians" who assisted in the destruction of the odious tax-ridden tea in the history-famed "Boston Tea Party." In the long and tragic struggle that followed between the colonies and the mother country, when the life of a nation hung in the balance and the lives of so many were placed in the scales to bear it up, he fought in the American army, and lived to see liberty triumphant and the birth of the United States of America. He married in the eastern part of the country and about 1800 moved to Beaver county, Pennsyl- vania, settling on a farm about four miles from Freedom, New Sewickley township, where he cleared and cultivated his land. He was, as was his wife, a member of the United Presbyterian Church. He married and had but one child, Thomas, of whom further.
(II) Thomas McKee, son of John McKee, was born in the eastern part of Pennsylvania, died in New Sewickley township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania. He came to Beaver county with his parents when he was eighteen years of age, and lived on the paternal farm all of his life, inherit- ing the land from his father. He prospered in his business, and became well to do, his fortune assuming dimensions deemed quite considerable for
Robert J Mete
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that day. He married and had children: I. Robert, of whom further. 2. Thomas, a carpenter, lived and died in Riverview, a suburb of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. He also had two daughters, who died young.
(III) Robert McKee, son of Thomas McKee, was born in New Se- wickley township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, in 1822, died at Monaca, same county, in 1893. He grew to maturity in New Sewickley township, there attending school, and for several years worked on his father's farm, and after discontinuing agricultural operations engaged in boat building on the Ohio river for several years. He was a Republican in politics and a member of the United Presbyterian church, in his younger days taking an active part in all departments of church work. He married Eliza Dunlap, born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, in 1828, died in 1865, daughter of parents of Scotch-Irish descent, who were early settlers of New Sewickley township, the homestead at the headwaters of Crow's Run being rich in oil. Her father was a member of the United Presbyterian church, and donated the land for the Rehoboth church of that denomination. His chil- dren: 1. Margaret, married Hugh Downie and resided in Beaver, Pennsyl- vania. 2. Eliza, of previous mention, married Robert McKee. 3. William, a boat builder and later a farmer, died in Unionville, Pennsylvania. 4. John, a farmer. 5. Robert, moved to Kentucky about 1860. 6. Henry M., proprietor of a livery, lived in Freedom, Pennsylvania. 7. Graham, a farmer of Beaver county, Pennsylvania. 8. Joseph, a farmer, owns land near Lansing, Michigan. 9. Presley, died in Freedom, Beaver county, Penn- sylvania, when a young man. 10. James, was a prosperous business man of Tarentum, Pennsylvania. Children of Robert and Eliza (Dun- lap) McKee: I. William A., a structural iron contractor, lives in Riverview, Pennsylvania. 2. Annie, married Alexander Johnson, formerly a brick manufacturer, a farmer of Chippewa township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania. 3. Robert J., of whom further.
(IV) Robert J. McKee, youngest of the three children of Robert and Eliza (Dunlap) McKee, was born in New Sewickley township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, April 5, 1862, attending the district schools of New Sewickley and Economy townships until he was seventeen years of age. At that age he came to Beaver Falls, obtaining employment in various estab- lishments, and in 1884 he began working for the Penn Bridge Company at Morado, becoming proficient in all departments of structural iron work and bridge building. From 1894 until 1899 he was general labor foreman for the Lorain Steel Company, at Lorain, Ohio, in the latter year returning to Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, where he was made assistant superintendent of the Penn Bridge Company. This position he held until 1910, when he re- ceived an appointment as superintendent of the entire plant of the company, still serving the Penn Bridge Company in that capacity. This concern em- ploys two hundred and seventy-five men, and in the direction of the work of this force he uses the vast knowledge that he has gathered by practical experience in his line, the perfect system and expertly organized mechanism
.
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of the company in the shops testifying to his skill as an organizer and his thorough understanding of his work. The business in which he has gained such high place is one in which there is no room for incompetents or weak- lings, power and stability being required in men and material alike, and in difficult situations and trying complications of affairs Mr. McKee has been resolute, determined, and resourceful, qualities that may be computed in terms of dollars and cents in benefit to his firm. With his wife he affiliates with the Covenanter church, of which he is a trustee, and in political issues of national import he upholds the Republican party, voting independent of party ties in local matters.
Mr. McKee married, in 1884, Jennie, born in Ohio, daughter of Thomas Jefferson and Mary McGown. Children of Mr. and Mrs. McKee: I. Verner C., married Pearl Chapman, and resides in Morado, Pennsylvania, an employee of the Standard Scale and Supply Company. 2. Ralph, mar- ried Pearl May. He is a farmer of Chippewa township, Beaver county. 3. Robert Clair, married Bernice Jones, and lives in Morado, Pennsylvania. He is a machinist in the employ of the Penn Bridge Company. 4. Edgar Alton, a resident of Youngstown, Ohio, where he is employed. 5. Eva. 6. Thomas. 7. Alice. 8. Wilber. 9. Orman, died aged two years. Mr. Mc- Kee is the owner of a farm in Brighton township, and there lives.
CAMPBELL The name of Campbell has been celebrated in song and story for many generations, and their records in the history of the countries in which they have resided have been of the most honorable and creditable nature. The name is most closely identified in olden times with Scotland, where the family appears to have originated. From there some of the members of the family migrated to Ireland, and in course of time came to America from both countries.
(I) Daniel Campbell, the first of the family here under review of whom we have information, was born in Ireland, and came to America at the age of eighteen years. He made his home in Belmont county, Ohio, and there followed his trade of linen weaving and was a farmer, and died there at the advanced age of ninety-four years. He was a Democrat polit- ically, and he and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church. He married Barbara Hoover, born in Eastern Pennsylvania, and of Dutch descent. She died in Belmont county, Ohio, at the age of eighty-four years. She was a daughter of General Christopher Hoover, who had charge of the militia of Ohio, when that state was still overrun by hostile Indians. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell had children: James, a physician, who died in Middletown, Ohio; Hoover, a merchant tailor, died in Guernsey county, Ohio; Isabel, married Dr. Joseph Brady, and died in Missouri; Betsey Ann, married James Riggs, and died in Illinois; David, who served as a soldier in the Confederate army, was a contractor in Nashville, Tennessee, where he died; Samuel R., of whom further; Martha, married Thomas Arkle, and lives in the state of Ohio.
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(II) Samuel R. Campbell, son of Daniel and Barbara (Hoover) Campbell, was born in Belmont county, Ohio, July 10, 1835. His school education was obtained in schools in Wheeling, West Virginia, and in Ohio, and he was then apprenticed to learn the machinist's trade. After he had served his time at this, he learned engineering, and holds his license as chief engineer and also as captain. Upon the completion of this course he had no difficulty in obtaining a position as engineer on the Ohio river steamboats. During the years of the Civil War he was employed on boats carrying arms to the Union forces. He was in a number of dangerous places, one of his narrowest escapes being when he was on board the "Parthenia" when it was captured. He was also aboard the "Commodore Perry" when that ship was captured at Memphis. Although under fire on a number of occasions, he always escaped without a wound. Later he also served as captain, and alternated between these two offices until his re- tirement in 1911, being at that time one of the oldest men in river service, this having commenced in 1856. He would not have retired even then, had it not been for a serious accident he met with in which he was im- mersed in icy water for an hour in February, 1911, and was almost drowned. During the last thirty years of his career on the river he was on the boats "The Hornet," "Dick Fulton," and the "Tom Reese." In political matters he always affiliated with the Republican party, and for a period of four years was assistant boiler inspector at Pittsburgh. He is a member of the American Mechanics. For the past forty-two years his home has been at Beaver Falls, where he and his wife are members of the Methodist Protes- tant church.
Mr. Campbell married Amanda Eleanor Brown, born in Freedom, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, 1843, daughter of Captain Perry and Mary (McCombs) Brown, both born in Beaver county, where they also married and settled at Freedom. He was captain of the "Commodore Perry," later the "Parthenia," and also of the "Hard Times." He was a well-known character from Pittsburgh to New Orleans, and during the Civil War he was aboard the "Parthenia," when it was captured on the Cumberland river. After a long and active life he retired to Rochester, Beaver county, where his death occurred. Besides Mrs. Campbell, he had another child: Hartford P., who, while a member of the state legislature of Pennsylvania in 1888, was the author of the Flag Bill for the public schools, and now resides in Rhode Island. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell had children: Scott, who died at the age of two years; Fannie, at home with her parents, un- married; Samuel Bartlett, a machinist, pilot and captain, lives in Detroit, Michigan ; H. Clem, of further mention.
(III) H. Clem Campbell, son of Samuel R. and Amanda Eleanor (Brown) Campbell, was born in Rochester, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, October 1, 1867. He was educated in the public schools of Beaver Falls, and during the last four years of his attendance at them his spare time was given to a position he had obtained in a drug store. Upon the com-
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pletion of his education, and when he had attained man's estate, he com- menced the manufacture of wire nails and was the first to ply that trade. After a time he returned to the drug trade, and was identified with this for a further eight years. In 1902 he established himself in the wholesale liquor business at No. 713 Seventh avenue, and has since that time been successfully engaged in this business. He is connected officially with a number of other enterprises, being a director of the Howard Stove Com- pany, and of the Chicago Specialty Company, of Chicago, Ohio. A Repub- lican in politics, he has served two terms, 1900 to 1906, in the borough council. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Moose, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Fraternal Order of Eagles and the T. M. A.
Mr. Campbell married (first) Lida, born in New Brighton, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, died in March, 1900, daughter of Charles Hayes, well known in newspaper circles. They had one child, Fern, born September 23, 1890, who married A. B. Barnes, and lives in Brownsville, Pennsylvania. Mr. Campbell married (second) in 1902, Jennie Belle McCabe, daughter of William and Sarah (Phillips) McCabe. One daughter, Frances, resides at home.
RICHARDS This is one of the numerous prominent names of Welsh origin, which are found largely represented in the United States, and has been identified with progress along all lines of human endeavor from a very early period in the settlement of the American Colonies. It is one of those names which originated in the Welsh system of making the possessive form of the father's name a surname and is equivalent to Richard's son. The name as a Christian name is very ancient and is found in the early annals of the present English nation, and so de- veloped into a surname along with others in very common usage. Books of heraldry give no less than seventeen distinct coats-of-arms connected with the name of Richards, enough of which point back to Wales to justi- fy the general belief that here was the original hive from which issued the founders of illustrious families of that name in different counties in Eng- land. There are at the present time many clergymen of the name in Eng- land and Wales.
(I) Sylvanus Richards was born on a farm near Meadville, Crawford county, Pennsylvania, and there the earlier years of his life were spent in the usual occupations of a farmer's son of that period. After his marriage he commenced work as an oil driller, and has followed this occupation (also operator) continuously since that time, being now one of the oldest men in that field of industry in Pennsylvania. For a period of fifteen years he lived at Bradford, and now lives at Oakdale, Pennsylvania. Politically he is a Democrat, and he is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church. He married Christina Wettling, whose parents were residents of Indiana, Indi- ana county, Pennsylvania. Mr. Wettling was a farmer and extensive land
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owner for about thirty years in Indiana, and he and his wife were members of the Lutheran church. They had children in addition to Mrs. Richards, as follows: Manuel, deceased; John, deceased; Jacob, engaged in the real estate business at Indiana, Pennsylvania; Martin, deceased; Louis, a jewel- er, in business at Newtown, Pennsylvania; Frederick, a manufacturer, lives in Indiana, Pennsylvania; Lydia, married Alexander Taylor, lives in In- diana, Pennsylvania; Emma, married Edward Rowe, lives in Indiana, Penn- sylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Richards have had children: One died in infancy ; Linnie; John M., of further mention; Emma, Edna, Bertha, Effie. None of the daughters married, but have continued to live with their parents, the three youngest being occupied as school teachers. Sylvanus Richards had a brother Frank who served in the Civil War, Sylvanus being too young to enlist.
(II) John M. Richards, son of Sylvanus and Christina (Wettling) Richards, was born in Clarion county, Pennsylvania, January 21, 1874. He received his education in the public schools of Bradford, Pennsylvania, and at the age of fifteen years was apprenticed to learn the machinist's trade. When he was eighteen years old he commenced to work as a journeyman, and was thus employed for a period of twelve years. In 1891 he had come to Beaver Falls, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, where he entered the employ of the Eclipse Bicycle Company, and later worked for the American Steel and Wire Company. His next field of activity was as superintendent of the Keystone Driller Company for a short time, and when the Standard Connecting Rod Company was organized he became superintendent for that concern. When it became merged into the Standard Gauge Steel Com- pany in 1909, Mr. Richards became general superintendent of the entire plant, having the supervision of upward of six hundred men. At the same time he became one of the directors of the corporation. In national politic- al matters he gives his support to the Republican party, but in local matters he votes irrespective of partisan ties. He has never had any desire to hold public office, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. His fraternal affiliations are as follows: Parian Lodge, No. 662, Free and Accepted Masons; Harmony Chapter, No. 206, Royal Arch Ma- sons; Beaver Valley Commandery, No. 84, Knights Templar; New Castle Lodge of Perfection; Pittsburgh Consistory, Scottish Rite; and the Knights of Malta. He is past master in the Masonic fraternity. Mr. Richards mar- ried, June 28, 1892, Flora Ada Kirker, born in New Castle, Pennsylvania, daughter of Lorenzo C. and Jennie C. Kirker (see Kirker III). Children: Paul Vincent, now a student at the Indiana State Normal School; Jeannette Flora, Miriam Beatrice.
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