USA > Pennsylvania > Beaver County > Genealogical and personal history of Beaver County, Pennsylvania, Volume I > Part 37
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so wisely that his large farm of three hundred acres had grown to the vast extent of one thousand and one hundred acres, and his farming opera- tions had attained mammoth dimensions, requiring a numerous force of assistants for the proper cultivation of the land. Kentucky has ever been famous the world over for the excellence of its horseflesh and Kentuckians for their love of high-spirited blooded animals. Although not belonging to that state by birth, Mr. Graham was not long in becoming as enthusiastic as the most ardent admirer of horses, and began breeding blooded stock, in time owning the finest stables in his section of the state. His death occurred as the result of a stroke of apoplexy, in Hardin county, Kentucky, September 19, 1876, and he is buried in the White Mills Cemetery.
He married, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, May 31, 1841, Susan Moore Wilson, born in county Down, Ireland, May 4, 1820, died in Hardin county, Kentucky, in 1890, and is buried near her husband in the White Mills Cemetery. She was a daughter of Ezekiel Frier and Jane (Grier) Wilson, her descent being from James Wilson, born in Scotland in 1597; John, born in Scotland in 1630; Thomas, born in England in 1667; William, born in Ireland in 1704; Ezekiel, born in Ireland in 1731; Thomas, born in Ireland in 1760, married, in 1782, Mary Ann Frier; to Ezekiel Frier Wilson, born in Ireland, December 14, 1790, and there educated for the medical and surgical profession. His wife died in that land and he came to the United States when his youngest daughter was but a child. He gained eminence in his profession, became attending surgeon of the Louisville Hospital, Kentucky, and there died, being buried in the Cave Hill Cemetery, of Louisville. He married, October 26, 1812, Jane Grier, who died in Ireland; children: 1. Jane Mary Ann, born September 16, 1813, died in infancy. 2. Mary Ann, born December 14, 1814, became a trained nurse, was connected with a Louisville hospital, and died unmarried. 3. Margaret, born July 13, 1816, married and moved to California, where she died at the age of 83 years. 4. Susan Moore, of previous mention, married Adam Rutherford Graham. Children of Adam Rutherford and Susan Moore (Wilson) Graham: I. John Wilson, born December 10, 1842, died on the homestead in Kentucky, buried in the White Mills Ceme- tery. 2. Ezekiel Frier Wilson, born June 27, 1845, died August 9, 1850, buried at Cave Hill Cemetery, Louisville, Kentucky. 3. James W., born April 21, 1849, a resident of Louisville, Kentucky. 4. Jane G., born July 6, 1852, married Franklin Kincaid, and resides in Louisville, Kentucky. 5. William Frier, of whom further. 6. Thomas A., born September 26, 1858, a grocer of Elizabethtown, Kentucky; married Fanny, daughter of Elijah Lewis, of Hardin county, Kentucky; children: Susan, Gladys, Lewis, William.
(II) William Frier Graham, fifth child and fourth son of Adam Rutherford and Susan Moore (Wilson) Graham, was born in Hardin county, Kentucky, August 8, 1855, and in that locality was a student in the public schools. In 1872 he moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and
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was there engaged in the wholesale and retail hat business with the firm of McCord & Company, continuing his association with that organization for ten years. He then, in partnership with Mr. Wagstaff, established an independent hat store, conducting transactions as Wagstaff & Graham, a connection lasting until the death of Mr. Wagstaff in 1887. Changing the name of the business to W. F. Graham, Mr. Graham traded alone for one year, then accepted a position with the firm of Edwin H. George & Com- pany, manufacturers of furs, as traveling salesman, his district including the states of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia and Ken- tucky, and was with this company for ten years. After his resignation from their employ he opened a retail hat and millinery store in Rochester, Pennsylvania, and retired after three years. Since 1882 his home has been in Rochester, and in 1885 he purchased the Marcellus Cicero Gould property, to which he still retains title. On April 1, 1907, Mr. Graham re- entered business life by buying the furniture of the Hotel Rochester, con- tinuing in that hostelry until January 29, 1914, when he sold it, and February 3, 1914, leased the Hotel Lincoln for a term of years. The Hotel Rochester was a successful enterprise and a profitable investment, and it is but award- ing just credit to say that it was to that end that Mr. Graham's tireless efforts and calculating innovations were directed. Attractiveness and the highest achievement in service induced many patrons, and the fame of the hotel spread abroad. Mr. Graham is a stockholder in the Rochester Trust Company, but is unconnected with any other business enterprises. He is a member of Rochester Lodge, No. 229, Free and Accepted Masons, to which he has belonged since July 13, 1886, he is a member of the Episcopal Church, but his wife and he are communicants of the First Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Graham married (first) December 27, 1876, Kate A. Parsons, born June 25, 1860, the Rev. J. W. Witherspoon conducting the services. She died July 20, 1888. He married (second) November 5, 1889, Ella G. Scott, daughter of Benjamin F. and Ellen T. Scott, of Rochester, Penn- sylvania. Children, all of first marriage: 1. Susan Wilson, born October 28, 1877; married, August 24, 1897, Walter Alexander Kaser, born in Rochester, Pennsylvania, March 26, 1876, and lives in Coraopolis, Penn- sylvania; children: John William, born in Morgantown, West Virginia, September 1, 1898; George Graham, born in Morgantown, West Virginia, September 20, 1900. 2. Harry Wagstaff, born March 29, 1880, lives at home. 3. Samuel Kilgare, born February 16, 1882, lives at home. 4. Jane Parsons, born July 19, 1883; married, in July, 1912, Benjamin Patrick Mellon, and resides in Seattle, Washington. 5. Kate Ambert, born June I, 1888; married, in June, 1912, Edwin B. Chilton ; they live in Little Hock- ing, Ohio, he being employed by the government on the Ohio river.
NIPPERT The emigrant of this line of the Nippert family, George Michael Nippert, became noted in his adopted country both as the pioneer manufacturer of a delicacy now most com-
John. W. Nippet-
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mon, ice cream, and as one of the earliest doctors of the homoeopathic school in Beaver county. Upon coming from Germany to the United States when he was thirteen years of age, he learned the confectionery business and settling in Cincinnati, Ohio, there made the first ice cream manufac- tured in this country. To him is also given the credit for the invention of the favorite flavor, sarsaparilla, and he made the first ice cream ever manufactured in Beaver county. He was born in Georstoff, Germany, May 2, 1825. After leaving the confectionery business he entered the Cleveland Homoeopathic College in 1865 and in 1867 was graduated from the Homoeopathic College of St. Louis, Missouri. After a post-graduate course he became one of the first physicians of his school in Beaver county, where he died, January 28, 1896, He was a Republican in politics, and a member of the Church of God.
He married Mary Magdalena, born in Germany, February 17, 1827, died March 10, 1906, daughter of John and Elizabeth Dorothy (Long) Herr. The mother of Elizabeth Dorothy (Long) Herr was a sister of George Rapp, the leader and president of the Harmony Society. John Herr and his wife passed their closing years in Harmony, Butler county, Pennsylvania. Herr's Island, Pennsylvania, was at one time the property of the family of Herr, and was named in their honor. His children: Henry Herr, born in 1848, died young; Emma Jane, died December 6, 1906, aged fifty-seven years; John Wesley, of whom further; Mary Ellen, of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania; Elizabeth Dorothy, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
(II) John Wesley Nippert, son of George Michael and Mary Mag- dalena (Herr) Nippert, was born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, January 13, 1850. After obtaining a public school education he learned the baker's trade, which he followed until about 1885. Since that time he has been engaged in brick manufacture, for eleven years was connected with the Standard Horse Nail Works, and for eight years was superintendent of the county home. From 1890 until 1901 his home was in Rochester township, Beaver county, and in 1909, after finishing his eight year term as superintendent of the county home, he came to New Brighton, where he has since lived. For many years he has bought and sold real estate when the opportunity to do so lucratively presented itself, but since 1909 he has engaged in this business exclusively, and has conducted extensive dealings involving considerable sums since his entrance into the field. His political convictions are Republican, and while he has never had much time to devote to public service he has discharged the duties of school director of Rochester township and of auditor of Pulaski township. His fraternal order is the Woodmen of the World.
Mr. Nippert married, October 21, 1876, Isaphene Hart, daughter of William Moore. William Moore was a son of James Moore, who came to Beaver county, Pennsylvania, in 1790, and was granted six hundred and forty acres on the banks of the Beaver river, where Junction Park is now located, as pay for services rendered in the Revolutionary War. Children
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of John Wesley and Isaphene Hart (Moore) Nippert: George Moore, of whom further; Clara Belle, lives at home; Ralph Elmer; Harry B., died November 22, 1912, aged twenty-seven years; Eva May, born May 1, 1888, died November 21, 1894.
(III) George Moore Nippert, eldest son and child of John Wesley and Isaphene Hart (Moore) Nippert, was born in New Brighton, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, March 3, 1878. After preliminary studies in the public schools of his native place he entered Peirsol's Academy, and after leaving that institution was his father's assistant on the farm, his first bus- iness experience being obtained in Sherwood's Pottery, after which he was employed by Dawes & Myler. For four years thereafter he was engaged in the wholesale liquor business in New Brighton, and since April, 1912, he has been connected with the Bell Telephone Company, and is in an ex- cellent position to attain high place in the employ of the company with which he is at the present time associated. His concern is a vast organiza- tion, far-reaching in its influence, mighty in its responsibility, and for those capable of accepting and discharging some of this responsibility there are lucrative and influential positions. Mr. Nippert started as a young man for such a goal, and will doubtless reach such a destiny, if it lies within the reach of ability, courage and industry. Mr. Nippert owns his home at No. 901 Eleventh avenue. He is a Republican in politics, and although he has never held office has by his activity and membership of the county committee, exercised considerable influence in the councils of his party in the county. He is a member of Rochester Lodge, No. 229, Free and Accepted Masons, and also holds membership in the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Loyal Order of Moose.
Mr. Nippert married, January 16, 1901, Phoebe M. Hill, born in Col- umbiana county, Ohio, October 25, 1880, daughter of William J. and Caroline (Court) Hill, both natives of Beaver county, Pennsylvania, he born in 1850, she in South Beaver township, in 1855. William J. and Caroline (Court) Hill now live in New Brighton, Pennsylvania, he having retired from active business. He is a son of John Hill, who with his wife was a pioneer settler of Beaver county, where they died. Children of George Moore and Phoebe M. (Hill) Nippert: Helen May, born April 25, 1902; Albert Clark, June 1, 1908; Ralph Wesley, March 20, 1910.
(III) Ralph Elmer Nippert, son of John Wesley and Isaphene Hart (Moore) Nippert, was born in New Brighton, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, November 21, 1882. He obtained his education in the public schools of that place. He began his business career as a clerk, and from that occu- pation changed to the line of commercial traveler, as he continued until he became associated in business with E. F. Hope, his present employer. In his present position he has made favorable progress, and his relations with his employer have been of a nature that have been satisfactory and pleasing to the two most intimately concerned. Mr. Nippert is a Republican in political conviction, and affiliates with the Social Lodge, Knights of Pythias,
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and Robertson Lodge, No. 450, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, both of New Brighton; Beaver Valley Council, No. 301, Senior Order of United American Mechanics; New Brighton Castle, No. 317, Knights of the Golden Eagle; and the Modern Woodmen of America. He and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Nippert married, August 9, 1912, Pearl Sumner, born in Law- rence county, Pennsylvania, January 15, 1885, daughter of Daniel and Anna (Zigler) Sumner, her father a native of England, her mother born in Lawrence county, Pennsylvania. Mr. Sumner came to the United States when he was twelve years of age, and was married in Beaver county, Penn- sylvania, where he died December 26, 1909, his widow still living in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania.
The residence of the Ayers family for the past three genera- AYERS tions has been successively in Washington, Armstrong and Beaver counties, Pennsylvania, the last being the present home of William H. Ayers, with whose line this record is concerned. His grandfather came to Washington county when a young man, later moving to Armstrong county, where he died. He married a member of the Evans family, his wife dying in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, March 14, 1864. Children: Susanna, Alexander, William H., Albert Alonzo, Melissa, twin of Albert Alonzo, Ann Eliza, Samuel, of whom further.
(II) Samuel Ayers was born in Virginia, May 11, 1828, died May 9, 1900. He made his residence in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania. He married (first) Catherine Sowers, born in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, in October, 1830; (second) September 9, 1865, Susanna Sowers, a sister of his first wife; (third) a widow, Sarah Ann (Patterson) Boyer. His third marriage was solemnized, September 14, 1881; his widow is still living, aged seventy-four years. The father of his first two wives was George Sowers, who with his wife lived and died in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania. Children of George Sowers: Catherine and Susanna, both of previous mention, married Samuel Ayers; Phoebe, Sarah, Mary Ann, Peggie, Lavina, Barbara.
(III) William H. Ayers, son of Samuel and his first wife, Catherine (Sowers) Ayers, was born in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, March 16, 1855. After completing his studies in the public schools of that county, he went to Youngstown, Ohio. In this place he was employed from 1879 to 1891, working in a quarry and learning the trades of mason and car- penter. In the latter year he moved to Beaver county and farmed for four and a half years, at the end of which time he came to New Brighton, establishing in the dairy business, continuing for five years, when he turned his attention to carpentering and building operations. Since then he has been a resident of New Brighton, having built a modern, comfortable residence at No. 1401 Third street, where he has lived since 1907. His business is well patronized, his reputation for upright, fair dealing having
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extended throughout the locality and he continues in successful operation. Mr. Ayers has ever taken a firm stand on the temperance question, and so strong are his convictions in that direction that he has made political affiliation with the Prohibition party. His church is the Free Methodist.
Mr. Ayers married, August 17, 1880, Catherine, born in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, November 12, 1864, daughter of Daniel and Jane (Young) Alexander. Daniel Alexander, a native of Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, a farmer by occupation, was drowned in the Allegheny river in October, 1864, six weeks before the birth of his only child; his widow married John Hall, who died in 1905. Mrs. Hall is still living, aged seventy-five years. Children of John and Jane Hall: Albert, Anna, Ursula, George. Children of William H. and Catherine (Alexander) Ayers: Ber- della, married A. F. Wilson, one child, Muriel A .; Minnie M., married George Brandt, three children: Ida, Mildred, William; William Joseph, married Agnes King, no issue; Samuel Walter, a minister of the Free Methodist Church, married Nettie Ramsey, no issue; Robert Roy; Ida Jane, married L. V. Murphy, one child, Clarence Eugene; Bertha Bell, married Frank Whittaker, one child, Glen Roy; John Edward; Carrie Catherine; James Henry ; Mary Edith.
With the early history of Beaver county the members of this DUERR line of Duerrs have no connection, those of the name having been far more instrumental in the making of German than of United States history.
(I) George Frederick Duerr was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1818, his wife, Caroline, being born in the same place the following year. Leaving their native land in 1861, they came to Stark county, Ohio, soon afterward moving to Bridgewater, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, in which place his wife died in June, 1872. He then returned to Ohio, settling in Hubbard, later going to Youngstown, where he died in 1892. He was a skilled carpenter, having been instructed in his trade in Germany, but in the United States he followed the trade of cigarmaker, one of his varied accomplishments. At the time of his death he was engaged in no business, having retired from active life, and was passing his latter years peacefully and quietly. Although intensely interested in matters political, he com- mitted himself to the support of no party, and with his wife belonged to the Lutheran Church. His wife was Caroline (Glasser) Duerr. Children: Paulina, deceased; Caroline; Adolph, deceased; Frederick W., of whom further.
(II) Frederick W. Duerr, son of George Frederick and Caroline (Glasser) Duerr, was born in Stark county, Ohio, October 21, 1861. He attended school in the various places whither his father's business called the family. In his youth he learned all departments of the butcher bus- iness, and upon coming to New Brighton in 1884, obtained a position in a butcher shop, three years later establishing independently, in which line he
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has since profitably continued. He holds prominent place in the ranks of New Brighton merchants, maintaining an attractive establishment, and catering to a desirable trade. In political matters he favors the Democratic party, and is a member of the Episcopal Church. His fraternal orders are the Knights of Pythias and the Masonic, in which latter society he belongs to Lodge No. 259, Free and Accepted Masons; Harmony Chapter, No. 206, Royal Arch Masons; Beaver Valley Commandery, Knights Tem- plar; and the Lodge of Perfection, of Newcastle, Pennsylvania. He is also a member of the New Brighton Social League.
Mr. Duerr married, September 26, 1888, Eva, born in New Brighton, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, April 8, 1866, daughter of Abraham Best- wick, no issue.
The available history of this branch of the Graham family
GRAHAM begins with the settlement in Cumberland county by the father of Nathan Graham, who died in that locality. He was a farmer, owned the property that he cultivated, and there reared a family.
(II) Nathan Graham was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, in 1823, died in Allegheny City (Pittsburgh North Side), Pennsylvania, in 1901. His early life was spent on his father's farm, attending the public schools of the vicinity, where his entire education was obtained. Shortly after attaining his majority he moved to the city of Pittsburgh, there learning the coach-maker's trade, at which he was employed until 1847, when he moved to New Brighton, Beaver county, Pennsylvania. He was not long in this locality, but returned to Allegheny City, becoming a mem- ber of the firm of Phelps, Park & Company, a business association that continued with mutual profit and benefit until 1876, in which year he was elected alderman of the second ward of Allegheny City, resigning from the above partnership the better to attend to the duties of his office. He repre- sented the second ward on the board of aldermen for about fifteen years, and at the expiration of this lengthy term of service retired from active life, living in peaceful semi-seclusion until his death. His political support was ever granted the Republican party and his interest in politics was directed toward the advancement of that organization. He was a charter member of Allegheny Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and at the time of his death, the only charter member living, and belonged to the Masonic Order, in which he held the thirty-second degree. In this order he was a Knights Templar and at the time of his death was one of the oldest members of the society in the state holding the Knights Templar degree. He married Elizabeth Doubler, born in Chambersburg, Franklin county, Pennsylvania, in 1825, daughter of John Doubler, who came to Chambersburg with his wife at an early date, both dying in that locality. Children of Nathan and Elizabeth (Doubler) Graham: Harriet A., Emma
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E., Amelia, Mary E., Louis, Mary L., Nathan, Ida M., Etta H., William A. P., of whom further.
(III) William A. P. Graham, son of Nathan and Elizabeth (Doubler) Graham, was born in Allegheny City, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, June 29, 1860. After completing his studies in the public schools of Allegheny City, his course including high school instruction, he came to New Brighton, Pennsylvania, in 1889, and there became bookkeeper in the employ of a firm manufacturing and conducting a wholesale business in confectionery. He then held a similar position with the Pittsburgh Clay Manufacturing Company, and since 1894 has been secretary and treasurer of the American Porcelain Company, which was organized in that year. Mr. Graham, equipped by a practical business experience, has ably upheld his share of the company's management, wisely and judiciously administering its finances during its youthful period and guarding its welfare until it reached a point where it possessed independent strength and unquestioned solidity. The rating of an industrial concern is more than apt to be that of those who manage its affairs and direct its policy, and the standing of the company with which Mr. Graham is connected is a creditable reflection upon those at its head. Of Republican tendencies, Mr. Graham's political action is never- theless independent of organized parties, his judgment in relation to indi- viduals prompting the casting of his ballot, and fraternally he is connected with the Masonic Order, in which he holds the thirty-second degree, the Woodmen of the World and the Royal Arcanum.
Mr. Graham married, in 1884, Lillie M. Farmer, of New Brighton, Pennsylvania. They are the parents of one son, William Alfred, born April 27, 1886, educated in the public schools of New Brighton, now living at Youngstown, Ohio, conductor on the Lake Shore Railroad.
The name of Quay is one which is so well known in the history QUAY of our country that an introductory paragraph appears super- fluous.
Andrew Gregg Curtin Quay was born in Beaver, Beaver county, Penn- sylvania, January 3, 1866, and lived in that county until 1877, when he resided for a time in Philadelphia. He was a student at Beaver College until 1877, then the Eastburn Academy, and was then appointed as a cadet at West Point, New York, by President Arthur, entering the Academy, June 14, 1884, and being graduated from it June 11, 1888. He was ap- pointed to the rank of second lieutenant of the Fifth Cavalry and served on detached duty at Fort Myer as an instructor of recruits, and at his own request he was ordered to the Fifth Cavalry at Fort Sill, Indian Territory, to field duty in connection with the opening of the Oklahoma country and ejecting squatters, and camped at Guthrie, Oklahoma, until November, 1889; on duty at Fort Sill with Indian scouts, and was also engaged in the organization and the enlistment of the Kiowa and Comanche Indians for Troop L, Seventh Cavalry. He was almost continuously in the field in
Que Sway
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connection with this Indian duty and the removal of cattle from the Indian Territory until 1892. He was appointed aide on the staff of General John R. Brook, July 23, 1892, stationed at Omaha, and while there was in The Department of the Platte and visited all the military posts of the depart- ment. In 1890 he had visited Europe, and spent six months abroad. In 1895 he was transferred with the headquarters to the Department of Dakota, and the headquarters were then in St. Paul. In that department Lieutenant Quay, as inspector, visited all the posts of the department. April 5, 1806, he was promoted to a first lieutenancy in the Third Cavalry. From August 20, 1896, until December 10, of that year, he again traveled throughout Europe. On December 10, he joined the post at Jefferson Barracks, Mis- souri, and served there until April 24, 1897, when he was reappointed as aide on the staff of General Brook, with headquarters in Chicago, Depart- ment of Missouri. He again visited all the posts of the department. June 16, 1897, he was appointed by President Mckinley as captain and quarter- master. A third visit was paid to Europe, this covering the period from October 18 to December 10, 1897. On the last mentioned date he was as- signed to duty in the office of the quartermaster-general of the army, with headquarters at Washington, District of Columbia. He served in this office until May 10, 1898, when he was ordered to Port Tampa, Florida, as assistant to the department quartermaster, and had charge of the load- ing of General Shafter's Corps on the expedition to Cuba. He served until July 18, 1898, when he was appointed chief quartermaster of Snyder's Pro- visional Division, Shafter's Corps. Later he was appointed chief quarter- master of the Second Division of the Fourth Corps.
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