USA > Pennsylvania > Beaver County > Genealogical and personal history of Beaver County, Pennsylvania, Volume I > Part 36
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Andrew Hughes obtained his education in the local public schools, and passed his childhood and youth on his father's farm, becoming a practical farmer while still in his teens. As he approached the age of twenty, the desire so common to that age of seeking abroad the fortune seemingly de- nied at home, possessed him, and in 1880 he journeyed north to Pennsyl- vania and settled in the town of Monaca, Beaver county. Upon his arrival he was obliged to accept any work that offered and accordingly took a posi- tion in a brick yard which he held for three years. He then was able to find employment in the Phoenix Glass Company of Monaca, remaining there for eight years, giving satisfaction to his employers, and gradually laying up enough money for his great desire to engage in business for himself. In 1901 he was at length able to realize his ambition and opened a grocery
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business at No. 1416 Pennsylvania avenue, Monaca, building his own store in which the enterprise has since flourished mightily. But Mr. Hughes has not contented himself with success in business only, but takes an active part in the political and social life of Monaca and is prominent in fraternal circles in the neighborhood. He is a Republican in politics. He is a mem- ber of the Presbyterian church at Monaca and is very active in church work, having been the treasurer of the church for a number of years. To him belongs the distinction of having put in the first open installation in Beaver county of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a member of Monaca Lodge, No. 1115, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of the Junior Order of American Mechanics, of the Phillipsburg Council of the Knights of the Golden Eagle, of the Woodmen of the World, of Rochester, and of the Daughters of Rebecca, of West Bridgewater.
Mr. Hughes married, November 23, 1887, Ida Radcliffe, the youngest of the six children of Stephen and Marsh (Sayre) Radcliffe, of Meigs county, Ohio, where she was born December 4, 1865. Mr. Radcliffe was a native of Wood county, West Virginia, having been born there in 1820, but had married his wife in Ohio and settled there. His death occurred in October, 1906, and that of Mrs. Radcliffe in March, 1908. Mrs. Hughes is related through her maternal grandmother, who had been a Miss Wetzel, to the Indian scout, Louis Wetzel, well known to West Virginia in the old days. To Mr. and Mrs. Hughes have been born two children, as fol- lows: Eric, born March 3, 1889, died in infancy; Reva Jane, born March 20, 1899, who is now a student in the high school of Monaca, Pennsylvania.
The recognized center of this line of the American family McNUTT of McNutt is Kentucky, although those bearing the name may be found in many other localities in the United States. (I) Beginning with William McNutt, the earliest member of the fam- ily of whom reliable record remains, the home of the family has been in Lewis county, Kentucky, where Otto Robert McNutt, of this chronicle, was born. He married Dullie Ann, daughter of Humphry Marshall and his wife, who was a member of the Kentucky family of Brayfield, generations of her line having lived and died in that state. They were the parents of Obed Winfield, of whom further, who was one of a numerous family.
(II) Obed Winfield McNutt, son of William McNutt, was born in Lewis county, Kentucky, October 14, 1852. In his boyhood he attended the public schools, and when the time came for making a choice of a life occupation he decided upon the trade of cabinet-maker, and accordingly learned the same. He was a proficient workman in this art, but after fol- lowing it for some time he wearied of its ceaseless grind and began farm- ing. This he has since continued, and at the present time is one of the most successful agriculturists of Lewis county, Kentucky. He is a farmer of the modern school, with a mind open and receptive, not scorning innova- tions nor condemning new theories without a thorough trial. From the
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revolutions that have occurred in his business he has found that the most radical changes are often productive of the greatest good, and that from apparent folly comes the richest benefit. At the time of the organization of the Bank of Tolesboro, Kentucky, he was elected its first president by the board of directors. The Republican party is that which receives his political support, while his church is the Christian. He married Margaret Rachel Dunbar, born May 22, 1852, daughter of David McQuisten and Susan L. (Jack) Dunbar. David McQuisten Dunbar, son of Samuel Dunbar, one of the first settlers of Beaver county, Pennsylvania, was born in Beaver coun- ty, September 15, 1813, died in Lewis county, Kentucky, March 10, 1898, his wife born in Lewis county, Kentucky, in 1815, died there August 4, 1893. The progenitors of the McNutt family had ever been tillers of the soil, while David McQuisten Dunbar was an artisan, his trade being that of plasterer. Obed Winfield and Margaret Rachel (Dunbar) McNutt were the parents of: Oran Winfield; Otto Robert, of whom further; David William; James Lewis; Metta Wave, deceased; Obed Clifford.
(III) Otto Robert McNutt, son of Obed Winfield and Margaret Rachel (Dunbar) McNutt, was born in Lewis county, Kentucky, February 5, 1878. His early studies were pursued in the public schools of his birthplace and in the Tolesboro Normal School, his education being completed in Berea College, of Madison county, Kentucky, from which institution he was graduated in 1901. His youthful labors had been on the home farm, but in the year of his graduation from college he came to New Brighton, Beav- er county, Pennsylvania, and until 1908 was employed by the firm of Mart- solf Brothers, contractors and builders. In 1908 he established in the con- tracting business independently, and has also conducted extensive building operations. Success has attended his efforts and he is a worthy competitor of firms whose records cover a much longer period of time. Nor has it been only in the line of his business that Mr. McNutt has advanced during his residence in New Brighton, but likewise in favor and popularity with his fellow-citizens, who demonstrated their confidence in his ability by re- turning him a member of the borough council at the last election; he is at present (1914) president of that body, for which office he was the Re- publican candidate. He is prominent in Masonic circles, belonging to Union Lodge, No. 259, Free and Accepted Masons; Beaver Falls Chapter, No. 206, Royal Arch Masons, and Beaver Falls Commandery, No. 84, Knights Templar, also being a member of the Lodge of Perfection, of New Castle. His only other fraternal relation is with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he belongs to Lodge No. 450, of New Brighton He is a member of the board of trustees of New Brighton Young Men's Christian Association.
Mr. McNutt married, October 28, 1907, Jessie May Rogers, born in Cleveland, Ohio, April 14, 1883, daughter of John Raphael and Clara Ardelia (Saxon) Rogers, her parents being residents of Brooklyn, New York. Mr. Rogers has received the degree of Master of Arts from both
O. R. M&faith
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Oberlin and Berea Colleges. Mrs. McNutt is a graduate of Pratt Institute, of Brooklyn, having previously attended Oberlin and Berea Colleges, the former in Ohio, the latter of Kentucky. They are the parents of two chil- dren: Clara Margaret, born August 16, 1908; Robert Allen, born Decem- ber 7, 1910.
Mr. McNutt and wife are members of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of New Brighton, Pennsylvania. The McNutt home is at No. 1537 Fourth avenue. Mr. McNutt's steady rise in the estimation of his fellows, the capable manner in which he manages his business, and his public-spirited devotion to the duties of his public office, mark him as one of the foremost of the borough's citizens, and one of whom much may be expected.
The name of Dickey is one which has been on record in the DICKEY United States for many years, and some of the earliest rec- ords are to be found in the state of New Jersey, from whence the family migrated to Pennsylvania, and representatives are now to be found throughout the Union.
(I) Dr. John Dickey, a native of New Jersey, came from New Jersey at an early date, and settled at New Castle, Lawrence county, Pennsylvania. He was a noted surgeon in his day, and rendered excellent service during the War of 1812, his death occurring before the termination of this strug- gle. He married, in New Jersey, Anna Hart, granddaughter of John Hart, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. She married (sec- ond) Samuel McClure, and died at Bridgewater, Beaver county, Pennsyl- vania. John and Anna (Hart) Dickey had children: Newton; John Scud- der, see forward.
(II) John Scudder Dickey, son of Dr. John and Anna (Hart) Dickey, was born in New Castle, Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, 1807, died in West Bridgewater, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, November 7, 1884. He attended the public schools of his native town, and from his earliest years proved that he had great mental ability. He found employment on a steamboat line, and was identified with this line of work until later years when he established a grocery store which he conducted until his death. He was a staunch supporter of the Democratic party, and during the administra- tion of President Buchanan held the office of steamboat inspector. His religious affiliations were with the Presbyterian church. Mr. Dickey mar- ried Sarah Allison, born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, in September, 1814, died 1892, daughter of James Allison, born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, who settled in Beaver county, in the same state, in 1800, and became an extensive land owner there. He was an able attorney, a member of the United States congress several terms, and one of his rela- tives was Senator Allison, of Iowa. He married, in Beaver county, Jane Shannon, and they had children: Samuel; Jane; Margaret; William; John, who served as a member of congress and registrar of the United States treasury; Mary, who married a Mr. Thornly, of Brighton ; Julia; Sarah,
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mentioned above; Thomas. John Scudder and Sarah (Allison) Dickey had children: James; Samuel; Jane; Jesse, drowned in Beaver river while skating; John Scudder, Jr .; Anna; Jesse; William Allison, see forward.
(III) William Allison Dickey, son of John Scudder and Sarah (Alli- son) Dickey, was born in West Bridgewater, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, in the house in which he now lives, July 26, 1858. Most of his brothers and sisters had died of cholera during the epidemic of 1854. He was edu- cated in the public schools of his section of the country, and at a suitable age was apprenticed to learn the trade of saw cutting, with which he has been mainly identified throughout his life. He has become the owner of the old homestead on Otter street. During the course of his life Mr. Dickey has been associated with various occupations, and was for a time in prac- tice as a civil engineer, but his attention has been mainly engaged with the manufacture of saws. He has taken an active part in local politics as a supporter of Democratic principles, and during the first administration of President Cleveland served as postmaster. His religious connection is with the Presbyterian church.
Mr. Dickey married, December 25, 1893, Ida Monnier, born in Switzer- land, September 28, 1867, daughter of Charles and Catherine (Kretchmen) Monnier, the former born in a French town in Switzerland, the latter a native of Germany, who came to Monaca in 1878. He was a tinner by trade, and in pursuit of his calling went to Pittsburgh, where he died in 1891, at the age of forty-nine years. His wife died in 1904, aged fifty-six years. They had children: Alfred, died at the age of seventeen; Caroline; Ida, mentioned above. Mr. and Mrs. Dickey have had one child, Raymond, born July 11, 1896. His education was completed by a course in Duff's Business College, and he is now bookkeeper at the First National Bank at Rochester, Pennsylvania.
The Duey family has been resident in Pennsylvania for a num- DUEY ber of generations, but very little definite information is to be obtained about it, as very many of the early records were de- stroyed by fire and other causes.
(I) John A. Duey was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, in 1817, died at New Kingston, Cumberland county, in 1905. He spent about forty years of his life at New Brighton, Beaver county, Pennsylvania. He married Elizabeth Eckles, and they had children: George, deceased; John, deceased; Kate; Marie; James Albert, of further mention.
(II) James Albert Duey, son of John A, and Elizabeth (Eckles) Duey, was born in New Kingston, Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, in 1853, died in December, 1913. He came to Beaver county, Pennsylvania, at the age of twenty-seven years, settling at Beaver Falls, and was in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company for a number of years. In 1882 he removed to New Brighton, Beaver county, and in 1887 engaged in mer- cantile business there, with which he was successfully identified until his
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death. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Protestant church, and he gave his political allegiance to the Democratic party, taking a deep interest in whatever concerned the welfare of the community. Mr. Duey married Sarah Germyer, born in Middlesex, Cumberland county, Pennsyl- vania, March 9, 1858, daughter of George Germyer, who was unmarried when he came to this country, settled at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where he died December 13, 1904, at the age of seventy-eight years. He married Lucretia von Kleist, who was born in Fuerstenau, Hanover, Germany, January 30, 1826. She was a daughter of Frederick von Kleist, a member of the royal family of Germany, and chancellor and secretary to Frederick, King of Prussia. Mr. and Mrs. Germyer had children: William S., born August 19, 1853; Margaret Catherine, November 22, 1854; George, Decem- ber 3, 1855; John C., February 9, 1857; Sarah, who married Mr. Duey, as above mentioned; Edward Henry, March 16, 1869; Anna Augusta, August 29, 1870; and several who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Duey had chil- dren: Elizabeth Eckles, married Charles C. Herzog, of Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and has one son, John Richard; Gerhardt Kleist, deceased; Helen, who was educated in New Brighton and at the Western College for Women, is a well known writer for magazines; Homer George, of further mention ; Adeline Belle, married Dr. John W. Shuman, of Sioux City, Iowa ; Mervin Eckles, deceased.
(III) Homer George Duey, son of James Albert and Sarah (Germyer) Duey, was born in New Brighton, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, October 4, 1884. He acquired his education in the public schools of New Brighton, and at a suitable age entered the business of his father as an assistant, becoming a partner in the firm in 1908. Since the death of his father he has assumed the sole responsibility, and is carrying on the business very successfully. He is progressive and up-to-date in his business methods, and has the faculty of retaining customers to a remarkable degree. He is independent in his political opinions, preferring to act without being influenced by party ties of any kind. He has numerous fraternal affiliations, among them being the following: Union Lodge, No. 259, Free and Accepted Masons, of New Brighton; Lodge of Perfection, of New Castle; Knights of Pythias, of New Brighton. Mr. Duey married, in June, 1910, Elizabeth Stuber, daughter of Henry L. Stuber, of New Brighton. They have one child, William Henry, born October 26, 1912.
There is no ancient American ancestry to be claimed by this McCOMB branch of the McComb family, as only one generation there- of are of American birth, but in Ireland and Scotland public and historical annals make frequent use of the name, for those bearing it have ever deported themselves well in whatever circumstances they were placed, a boast borne out by fact.
(I) Andrew McComb is the first of this record, whose birthplace was Ireland, where his ancestors had sought refuge upon being driven from
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their native land by oppression, persecution and strife. He was an employee in the woolen mills, and married in Ireland, he and his wife subsequently coming to Manchester, New Hampshire, where he followed the same busi- ness, attaining a prominent position in that line of endeavor because of his previous vast experience in the home of the industry. He and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church. Both died in Manchester, New Hampshire, he in 1893, she five years later. He and his wife Agnes were the parents of the following children, all living in New Hampshire with the exception of Margaret: David, deceased; James, deceased; Thomas, deceased; Andrew; John; Alexander, deceased; William; Mary, deceased ; Agnes; Margaret, married William Cuthbert, and lives in East Liverpool, Ohio; Susan ; Anna.
(II) David McComb, son of Andrew and Agnes McComb, was born in Belfast, Ireland, September 8, 1844. He was educated and grew to maturity in that country. After his marriage he and his wife came to the United States, settling in New Brighton, Beaver county, Penn- sylvania, where he engaged in farming and was for more than twenty years an employee of the Bentley Twine Works, until the time of his death, May 10, 1900. He was a Republican in politics and was active in the councils of his party, working with tireless energy to increase its strength and in- fluence in his locality. He had been a member, in Ireland, of the Presby- terian church, his wife of the Church of England, both attending in New Brighton the Methodist Protestant church. He was a man of generosity of nature, unusual force of character, and of such jovial and genial nature that his friends were many, his society being most enjoyable. There was a side of his life that reflected even more credit upon the nobility of his character than his upright and manly conduct, that was the tender, loving and thoughtful care with which he showered his family, and the devotion shown in his attention to their every want. It was here that he drew his inspiration for daily work and achievement, here that he derived his strength to bestow cheer and kindness about him, and here that he found the greatest reward in duty well performed.
Mr. McComb married, October 18, 1867, Mary, daughter of Edward and Mary (Howard) Mclaughlin, born in Coldrain, county Antrim, Ireland, October 18, 1849, her parents both being of Scotch-Irish descent, who came to New Brighton, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, about 1875, both dying there, he in July, 1878, she in July, 1898. Children of Edward and Mary (Howard) Mclaughlin: Elizabeth; Margaret, twin of Elizabeth; James, deceased; Mary, of previous mention, married David McComb; Samuel, Annie, Robert. Children of David and Mary (Mclaughlin) McComb: 1. Agnes, married Charles Ferguson, of New Brighton, Pennsylvania, and has one son, Earl Vincent. 2. Mary, lives at home. 3. Margaret, a school- teacher, lives at home. 4. Annie, married Lewis Glaser, of New Brighton, Pennsylvania, and has one daughter, Lulu. 5. Edward Thompson, married Margaret Hughes, of Beaver, Pennsylvania, and has: Charles Hughes,
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Richard Colbath, Edward Hughes, Robert Hughes. 6. Eva Howard, twin of Edward Thompson, married Howard Irwin, of Rochester, Pennsylvania. 6. David Jones, died October 8, 1906, aged twenty-seven years.
This is a Swiss family, the American ancestor a native of that BURRY land, which in proportion to its size has fewer emigrants leav- ing it yearly than perhaps any other European country. This is due in a great degree to the fact that this little mountain republic has through centuries of tempestuous history learned well the secret of govern- ment, and that under the rule of the Swiss congress the people of the coun- try may prosper to whatever degree their capabilities warrant, the very feature that has made the United States such an attractive goal for thou- sands of Europeans held down by an overwhelming caste system and the demands of an extravagant royalty.
(I) This line begins with John and Nancy (Yakey) Burry, both born in Switzerland, who came to the United States in 1823, finally locating near Zelienople, Butler county, Pennsylvania, purchasing a farm in that locality, where his death occurred in 1861, when he was seventy-two years of age, hers in 1869, aged about seventy-two years. He did not limit his activities to farming but was also a cattle dealer, driving desirable stock from Indiana and Ohio to the eastern market at Philadelphia. He had been a weaver in his native land, but was in very moderate circumstances upon arriving in this country, but by successful dealings he accumulated a con- siderable fortune, owning at his death a farm in Butler county and real estate in Harmony and Zelienople, Pennsylvania. Children: Jacob, Gott- lieb, Frederick, Mary, Nancy, John, of whom further, all deceased.
(II) John (2) Burry, son of John (1) and Nancy (Yakey) Burry, was born in Switzerland, in 1821, died in Franklin township, Beaver coun- ty, Pennsylvania, September 17, 1895. He was reared on his father's farm and was for a time his father's assistant in his various business transactions, subsequently devoting his attention to farming, cultivating land in Butler county given him from a part of the paternal estate. He later left this locality in favor of a Beaver county residence, coming to Franklin town- ship in 1842. He was a Republican in politics, and a member of the Re- formed church. He married Catharine Sechler, born in Butler county, Pennsylvania, in 1822, died in Franklin township, Beaver county, Pennsyl- vania, April 10, 1897, daughter of Abraham Sechler and wife, both natives of Pennsylvania, who came from Northumberland county to Butler county. Mr. Sechler owned a farm near Harmony, on which he erected and operated a grist mill, his death occurring near that place when he was seventy-three years of age. His wife died in early life and he was twice married there- after, his second wife being a Miss Boyer, his third a widow, Mrs. David Sycer. Children of the first marriage of Abraham Sechler: John, deceased; Jacob, lives in Franklin, Venango county, Pennsylvania; Abraham, a resi- dent of Princeton, Lawrence county, Pennsylvania; Catharine, of previous
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mention, married John (2) Burry; Susan, deceased. Children of his second marriage: Sarah, Mary, Nancy, Elizabeth, deceased; Michael, deceased; Samuel, deceased. There were no children by his third marriage. Chil- dren of John (2) and Catharine (Sechler) Burry: Nancy, Abraham, of whom further; Sarah, Elizabeth, William, Cyrus, deceased; Emma.
(III) Abraham Burry, son of John (2) and Catharine (Sechler) Bur- ry, was born in Franklin township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, May 13, 1845. He was reared on the homestead, learning, after his school days, the trade of carpenter with his uncle, Michael Sechler, becoming a skilled work- man and continuing at his trade with profitable results until 1909, when fail- ing health compelled his retirement. His home has been in New Brighton for the past thirty years, during which time he and his family have occu- pied the house in which they now reside, No. 545 Eleventh avenue. His political support has ever been accorded the Republican party, but he now favors the principles of the Progressive platform. He is a member of the Carpenters' Union, the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, and the Woodmen of the World. His church is the Reformed, his wife and family attending the Methodist Episcopal, to which his wife belongs.
Mr. Burry married (first) in 1872, Mary A. Stann, who died in 1875; (second) Mary E. Ferguson, of Beaver county, Pennsylvania. Child by his first wife, Cora A., lives at home. Children of second marriage: Ada Clare; Grace Etta, married Jesse McClain, of New Brighton, Pennsyl- vania, and has one son, Richard.
GRAHAM The maternal and paternal ancestry of the Grahams of the present generation has been native to the British Isles for many generations, the paternal side of Irish birth and resi- dence, the maternal line originating in Scotland, following generations mak- ing their homes in Scotland, England and Ireland.
(I) The paternal line of the record begins with Adam Rutherford Graham, born in county Down, Ireland, March 4, 1804, one of a family of four, having one sister, Nellie, and two brothers, Rev. William and Richard. In his youth he gratified a desire, probably felt by every normal boy, the longing to go to sea, to explore the lands beyond the horizon, and shipped as a sailor. His disillusionment was soon complete, and he sailed on a vessel bound for the United States, arranging his papers with the captain of the ship so that he would be free to leave the crew when the boat reached port. The voyage consumed nine weeks, the vessel entering New York harbor without serious accident, and he soon after came to Philadelphia, where he married and engaged in dealing in marble. A joint will of his aunt and uncle, John and Peggy Rutherford, bequeathed to him a tract of three hundred acres of land in Hardin county, Kentucky. He and his wife determined to make their home thereon and they accordingly journeyed southward, establishing upon their newly acquired possessions, Mr. Graham beginning agricultural operations. At his death he had invested
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