USA > Pennsylvania > Beaver County > Genealogical and personal history of Beaver County, Pennsylvania, Volume I > Part 46
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was warded off by Mr. Baker, who seized the knife and was severely cut in the fingers. The entire family was captured and taken to Detroit, where they were made to run the gauntlet. They were sold to British officers, who took them to Quebec and resold them to the highest bidder. After the sur- render of Burgoyne they were exchanged to the south branch of the Potomac river, and in 1785 reached their old home in Moon township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania. George Baker married Elizabeth Nickelson, an Englishwoman of exceptional talent and beauty. She sent to England for her wedding trousseau and the ceremony was in all probability per- formed in the city of Philadelphia. She died in the autumn of 1812, and they are both buried in the graveyard on the land which he originally took up. They had children: George, see forward; Henry G., died October 5, 1839, at the age of seventy-six years; Daniel, born in 1768, died April 26, 1843; Michael, no record; John, no record.
(II) George (2) Baker, son of George (1) and Elizabeth (Nickelson) Baker, was born February 20, 1762, died at the age of ninety years, two months and eleven days. He married, June 3, 1794, Jane Quinn, born in 1772, died October 3, 1857. They had children: I. Eleanor, born April 30, 1797, died August 28, 1865; married Samuel Uselton. 2. George, the third in direct line of this name in America, born June 11, 1799, died in his seventy-sixth year; married Elizabeth Hall. 3. Elizabeth, born March 31, 1802. 4. Michael, born September 26, 1804, died April 16, 1881 ; mar- ried Mary Jane Nickem, who died April 1, 1869, in her sixty-first year. 5. Isabel, born July 14, 1807, died June 19, 1858; married James F. Hall, born January 28, 1801, died March 12, 1889. 6. Charles Quinn, see forward. 7. John G., born June 6, 1813, died January 6, 1896; married Margaret Shroades. 8. Mary Jane, born February 3, 1816, died August 10, 1881 ; married April 30, 1855, Wilson Uselton, who died November 14, 1881.
(III) Charles Quinn Baker, son of George (2) and Jane (Quinn) Baker, was born May 20, 1810, died June 1, 1886. He was the owner of a large farm in the southern part of Beaver county, Pennsylvania. He mar- ried Elizabeth Ann Nickem, born March 6, 1812, died April 17, 1893. They had children: 1. George N., born October 8, 1834, died January 26, 1905; married Malinda Johnston, 2. Michael, born November 2, 1836, died Sep- tember 30, 1857. 3. John, born August 24, 1839, died December 8, 1900; married Rebecca Jane Bruce, who died in 1887. 4. Mary, born June 18, 1841, died March 27, 1842. 5. William Henry, see forward. 6. Charles Nicholson, born April 14, 1846; married Drusilla Kennedy. 7. Alfred Y., born September 16, 1849, died December 21, 1892; married Margaret Melissa McElhaney, born June 30, 1849. 8. Martha Jane, born May 18, 1854; married, March 31, 1874, Joseph Holmes.
(IV) William Henry Baker, son of Charles Quinn and Elizabeth Ann (Nickem) Baker, was born May 9, 1843. He grew up to manhood on the homestead farm in Hopewell township, and in that section he attended the public schools. Up to the present time he has always been actively identi-
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fied with farming operations, and is the owner of about seventy acres of land in Hopewell township, southwest of New Sheffield. He completed the dwelling house on this property, and has erected a number of other build- ings on it. During the earlier part of his married life he rented this prop- erty, but purchased it about thirty years ago. Mr. Baker served as tax collector and constable for eleven years. He is a Republican in politics. Mr. Baker married, December 3, 1863, Mary M. Calor, born August 6, 1840, died May 21, 1898. They have had children: 1. Charles Quinn Henry, born September 4, 1864; married, July 8, 1891, Olive V. Johnston. 2. Ann Elizabeth, born April 26, 1867, died June 12, 1900; married Andrew W. Johnston. 3. Sarah Malinda, born February 15, 1869; married, Decem- ber 31, 1889, John P. Simpson. 4. John Brown, born June 13, 1870. 5. William Alfred, born December 15, 1872. 6. Emma, born February II, 1877; married Alexander Ellsworth Laird. 7. Lauretta, born March 24, 1878. 8. Jesse M., born January 26, 1880. 9. Bessie Martha, born Septem- ber 5, 1881.
SMITH Immigrants of the name of Smith came to the shores of America at an early date, and their descendants are to be found throughout the United States at the present day. It would be probably difficult to find any extended section of the country in which the name of Smith is not more frequently met with than any other. One reason for the commonness lies in the fact that Smith is one of the names of occupation, being derived from the trade or work of the original bearer of the name, and at the first being prefixed by the article "the." Even in a given locality there will be found many unrelated persons of this name. Besides the English Smiths, there are the descendants of the Dutch and German bearers of this name, although the spelling originally varied in form from that of the English.
(I) John Smith, the immigrant ancestor of this particular branch of the Smith family, was born in Ireland, and came to America prior to the war of the Revolution. He settled in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, where he was probably engaged in farming. His wife was a native of Scotland.
(II) Joseph Smith, son of John Smith, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and was the only one of his immediate family who went west of the Allegheny mountains. He lived in succession in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, at the head waters of Raccoon Creek; near Sheffield; and last, near Aliquippa, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, where his death oc- curred. He married Jane McElhaney, born near Elizabeth, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, and of their children six attained maturity.
(III) William Smith, son of Joseph and Jane (McElhaney) Smith, was born in West Elizabeth, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, and died at Mon- aca, Beaver county, Pennsylvania. He was educated in the common schools of his native township, and removed from there at the age of nineteen years. He was a maker of sickles, and later a farmer. In 1840 he re-
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moved to the place on which his son now lives, and resided there until his death. It was heavily timbered when he obtained possession of it and he and his son cleared a great part of it, and built a house for dwelling purposes, a barn, and some other structures. He was an active member of Mount Carmichael United Presbyterian Church, He affiliated with the Republican party, and was for many years supervisor of the county. He married Eliza- beth McFarland, born in Ohio, where her parents, who died when she was very young, were members of prominent families. Children: John, Martha, William Scott, see forward,
(IV) William Scott Smith, son of William and Elizabeth (McFarland) Smith, was born on the farm on which he resides at the present time, Hope- well township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, May 28, 1848. He was named after William Scott, who was the first settler on this farm, having located on it about 1800. He was educated in the public schools of the township, and has always resided on the homestead. He owns a plot of sixty acres which he cultivates largely for fruit, although he has a considerable amount of general produce as well. For eleven years he was engaged in the car- penter's trade, at first as a house carpenter, and later at general carpenter- ing. He has always been an ardent Republican, and has filled a number of public offices. For nine years he was tax collector and assessor; in 1900 he took the census in the township, and since that time has taken the gov- ernment crop report ; he has served as a juryman twice in the United States court, and has frequently served as a juror in the county court. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and in his younger days was an active worker in the interests of this institution. For about sixteen years he served as elder in Mount Carmichael United Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Smith married, 1867, Liza, daughter of James and Nina (Irvin) Irons, both born in Irvin township; granddaughter of Solomon and Rachel (Dickson) Irons; great-granddaughter of William Irons, who was born in Ireland and came to America prior to 1800; also granddaughter of Wil- liam and Rachel (Raven) Irwin, who came to this country from Scotland, lived for a time in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, and later removed to Beaver county in the same state. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have had children: Frank, Esther, deceased; Vene, George, Anna, James, Mattie, Charles, de- ceased.
The name of Born has been connected with agricultural and BORN building interests in the state of Pennsylvania for many years, and the owners of it have shown their patriotism as well. In- tense patriotism appears to be a natural heritage to the bearers of the name of Born, for the original progenitors of the family in this country came from that land of liberty-Switzerland.
(I) John or Jacob Born was a native of Switzerland, and never left his beloved country.
(II) John Born, son of the preceding, John or Jacob Born, was born
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in Switzerland, and came to the United States with his family in 1854. He made his home in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he followed the oc- cupation of a carpenter, having learned this trade from his father who was a contractor and builder in Switzerland. The remainder of his life was spent in Pittsburgh, where he died in 1857. He gave his political sup- port to the Republican party, and his religious affiliation was with the Lutheran Church. He married, in Switzerland, Magdelina Sherk, born in Canton Bern, Switzerland, died in Belmont county, Ohio, and they had children: Barbara, who died in Pittsburgh; Elizabeth, also died in Pitts- burgh; John, see forward; Magdelina, deceased; Jacob, deceased.
(III) John (2) Born, son of John (1) and Magdelina (Sherk) Born, was born in Canton Bern, Switzerland, October 19, 1845. The greater part of his school education was acquired in the public schools of Pittsburgh, and when he had completed his education he was apprenticed to learn the trade of coopering. He was employed at this uninterruptedly, with the ex- ception of the time spent in military service, until 1867. He enlisted in Company F, Fifteenth Pennsylvania Militia, Volunteer Emergency, Sep- tember 15, 1862, and after a service of twelve days was discharged, Sep- tember 26, 1862. He had been enrolled in Pittsburgh by Captain James B. Reed. In 1864 he again enlisted, this time in Company C, One Hundred and Ninety-third Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. In 1867 he was unfortunate enough to lose an arm in a threshing machine, and the following year opened a refreshment place which he conducted for about one year. In 1871 he was appointed as night watchman at the City Hall and served in this office for about one year. He was then appointed to the position of superintendent of the City Hall, an office he filled very ac- ceptably from 1872 until 1888. In 1884 he purchased one hundred and twenty-three acres of land in Hopewell township, a portion of which tract is now known as New Sheffield Terrace. In 1888 he settled in Hopewell township, where he established a large dairy farm, which he managed for some years, then retired. He built a fine house in 1891. His farm is a model of its kind, as while he had it in operation he put in all improve- ments to make it an up-to-date place of its kind. Since his majority Mr. Born has cast his vote for the Republican party, and he has been supervisor of the township for more than ten years. His religious connection is with the Lutheran Church. Mr. Born married, in 1888, Sarah, daughter of Valentine and Louisa (Eyrich) Sohn, of Pittsburgh, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. Her birth occurred in 1849. Her parents came from Ger- many in early life, and married in Pittsburgh; they had children: Mary, Sarah, George, William, Henry, Louisa, Emma, Elizabeth.
Charles Kristufek, a prominent citizen of Ambridge,
KRISTUFEK Pennsylvania, is a native of Hungary, where he was born February 1, 1878, a son of Stephen and Mary (Hlasnicek) Kristufek, natives of the district of Jablonitz Nitra, Hungary,
3
John Born
Mrs. John Born
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Stephen Kristufek was born in the year 1848, and lived for over forty years in his native land, but in 1889 migrated to America and settled in the coke region of the state of Pennsylvania, and later removed to Homestead in the same state. In the latter place he remained until the year 1895, when he returned to his native land. He made another trip to this country and another return before he finally settled in Ambridge, Pennsylvania, in 1896, where he now lives retired, and the owner of property. He has been four times married, his first wife being Mary Hlasnicek, by whom he had three children, as follows: Mary, now Mrs. Andrew Bires, whose husband operates the general store in Ambridge; Stephen, a merchant of the same place; Charles, of whom further. Stephen Kristufek's second wife was Regasek Hedvick, by whom he had two children, Helen and Hedvick. His second wife died about 1893, and he then married Mrs. Mary Kosovic, and later Mary Mahaj, by neither of whom did he have children. Mr. Kristufek Sr. is a member of the Catholic Church.
Charles Kristufek was educated in Presburg, Hungary, and upon com- pleting his general studies he learned the trade of harness-maker. He worked at this occupation for four years, or until 1895, and then came to Homestead, Pennsylvania, and found employment in the mills there, re- maining for a short time. He soon gave this up, however, and returned to his trade of harness making, first in Etna, Pennsylvania, and later in Pitts- burgh. Desiring industrial independence, however, he opened up a harness making establishment of his own at Second avenue, Frankstown, Pittsburgh. He was obliged to return to Homestead later, and there once more worked in the mills, this time for a period of eighteen months. During this time he managed to save up a few dollars, and therewith bought a lot at Cleming Park, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, and there, in partnership with a cousin, Stephen Skapik, engaged in the meat business. This partnership continued for a year, when Mr. Kristufek started a grocery business for himself, selling out his interest in the meat business to his cousin. In this new venture he remained until the year 1903, when he removed to Am- bridge. During the preceding year he had contracted for the building of a number of houses in Leetsdale, Pennsylvania, and upon settling in Ami- bridge he entered the general contracting business, in which he remained for two years. During the same time he laid the base of his present enter- prise by opening a general store in a frame building, on the very site of his present brick structure. With this as a nucleus, he built up a large business in general merchandise, continuing thus until 1910, when he specialized in dry goods and shoes. In 1907 he engaged in foreign exchange and steam- ship ticket agency, which he continues and also in real estate and insurance business. He is also engaged in the banking business as a private banker, having conformed with all the requirements of the law bearing on this line of enterprise. So lucrative has his business been, and so wisely has he in- vested its proceeds, that he is now a very large owner of real estate in Am- bridge, owning in all twenty-five buildings, stores and dwellings, and is
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one of the wealthy men of the place. Mr. Kristufek is a man who owes his success to his own endeavors. He has, in the old phrase, made his way in the world. The property which he now owns has all been acquired in a period of about twelve years. Mr. Kristufek is an independent thinker, and in politics is a Socialist, taking a keen interest in public affairs.
Mr. Kristufek married in 1897, Mary Skapik, of Jablonitz, Hun- gary, and to them have been born four children, as follows: Ernestina, born February 2, 1899, died February 21 of the same year; Caroline, May 7, 1900; Bertha, August 21, 1903; Matilda, March 6, 1908.
JOHNSTON The prosperity of a nation depends not so much upon the lives and actions of the few leaders of men, as upon the individuals who compose the mass of the people. As the tiny coral insects, by their monotonous yet unceasing labor, build up the immense and wondrously beautiful coral formations, so the continuous and consistent labor of the masses builds up the power and influence of any country. Among those who have done their best in the various stations of life to which they have been called are the members of the Johnston family, numerous representatives of which are now to be found in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and in some other parts of the Union.
(I) John Johnston, the first of this branch of the family of whom we have record, located in Hopewell township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, in the early days of the development of that section of the country. He was the proprietor of a large tract of land and was one of the pioneer farmers of the township. He married Margaret Davis and had children, as fol- lows: James, William, see forward; John, Charles, see forward; Henry, Mary, Isabel, Jane, Sarah, Eliza. There may have been several others, as it is known that he had a large family, most of whom attained maturity.
(II) William Johnston, son of John and Margaret (Davis) Johnston, was born in Hopewell township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania. He was educated in the public schools of his native township. His entire life has been spent on the homestead farm, which he cultivated for general farm- ing. He was a very earnest and devout member of the United Presbyterian Church. He married Jane Barry; it cannot be accurately ascertained whether she was born in Ireland or shortly after the arrival of her parents in this country. She was a daughter of Charles and Ann Jane (Gordon) Barry, both natives of Ireland, who came to the United States early in their married life, made their home in Moon township, where they engaged in farming. They had children, in addition to Mrs. Johnston, as follows: Mary Ann, Eliza, Ellen, Martha, James, Michael, John, Joseph P. Mr. and Mrs. Johnston had children: Charles Albert; one who died in infancy; Ann Jane; Hadessa Martha; William John; Michael B., see forward; Joseph P.
(III) Michael B. Johnston, son of William and Jane (Barry) Johnston, was born in Hopewell township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, December
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15, 1855. After an excellent education acquired in the public schools of the township, Mr. Johnston engaged in farming, with which he was identi- fied until he was about thirty-five years of age. He then went into the milling business, and during the twenty-five years he was connected with this he had three different partners. In 1911 he sold the mill and estab- lished himself in the carpenter business. He has always affiliated with the Republican party, and has filled the offices of constable, treasurer and su- pervisor of the township. He and his family attend the Presbyterian Church. He married, September 21, 1893, Mary, daughter of Alexander Semple, and they have had children: Eugene, William Paul, and several daughters, all living at home with their parents.
(II) Charles Johnston, son of John and Margaret (Davis) Johnston, was born in Squirrel Hill, Hopewell township, Beaver county, Pennsyl- vania. He was educated in the public schools of that district. For some years he cultivated a farm in his native township, then removed to Moon township, and still later returned to Hopewell township. He was active in local political affairs in behalf of the Republican party, and was a mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church. His death occurred while living with his son, John E., in New Sheffield. He married Esther Barry, born in Moon township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and they had children: Martha, William J., Laura, Elizabeth, deceased; T. D., John E., see forward; Hadessa, Sadie.
(III) John E. Johnston, son of Charles and Esther (Barry) Johnston, was born in Moon township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, May 22, 1862. He received his education in the public schools of the township and upon its completion was apprenticed to learn the carpenter's trade. He followed this until he had attained his majority, then established himself in the flour and feed business in New Sheffield, Beaver county, and has been identified with this line for the past nine years. The firm name is Johnston & Bicker- staff, and they conduct another store at Woodlawn. When Mr. Johnston purchased this business no carload of grain had ever been shipped to it and now it is conducted on an extensive scale. The firm name was formerly Johnston & Johnston; they now have a fine trade all over the country. Mr. Johnston is a staunch Democrat and has served as director on the school board. He married, on Thanksgiving Day, 1887, Mary Davidson, of Hopewell township, and they have had children: Blanche, a teacher ; Frank W., a civil engineer; Aldah; Elsie; Chester Eugene.
The Swan family of New Brighton, Pennsylvania, of which SWAN Rev. Thomas W. Swan is representative, descends from Peter and Elizabeth (Henderson) Swan, who were born and lived in England until about 1850, when he and his wife came to America, first settling in Ohio and later moving to Wellsburg, West Virginia, where both died at advanced ages. The family is an ancient one and numbers many members important in their day and generation.
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(II) Thomas Swan, son of Peter and Elizabeth (Henderson) Swan, was born in England, March 24, 1827, remaining in his native land until he attained legal age. His education was obtained in the public schools and was superior to that of the average man. In 1848 he came to the United States, locating in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he spent two years before moving to Richmond, Ohio. In the latter locality he became a successful operator in coal and coal lands, and rose to a most prominent position in the business world of that section of Ohio. He was deeply inter- ested in educational matters, not only for the sake of his children, upon whom he showered every advantage possible, but for the sake of the public good. He was a member of the United Presbyterian Church and a man of high moral character.
He married Jane Hadden, daughter of James and Rosanna (Wilson) Hadden. James Hadden was born in Yetholm, a parish of Scotland in the northeastern part of county Roxburgh, on the Beaumont river. His chil- dren were: George, Rosanna, Peter, Jane, married Thomas Swan; Mary Ellen, Margaret, Ann, all born in England. Children of Thomas and Jane Swan: I. Rev. Peter, died in 1909; for many years a faithful minister of the United Presbyterian Church. 2. James Hadden, died September 3, 1881; for many years a successful lumber merchant of Burlington, Iowa. 3. Matthew Henry, now a hardware merchant of Steubenville, Ohio. 4. George, a partner with his brother Matthew Henry. 5. Rev. Thomas W., of whom further. 6. Professor John Nesbit, born in Jefferson county, Ohio, educated in the public schools, Westminster College and Johns Hop- kins University, whence he was graduated Ph. D .; he became a noted educator, teaching at Westminster College and later professor of chemistry in Monmouth (Illinois) College, which chair he now occupies. 7. Eliza- beth Ann, married William H. Ramsey, an attorney of Garner, Iowa. 8. William Briggs, now engaged in the meat packing business in Memphis, Tennessee.
(III) Rev. Thomas W. Swan, son of Thomas and Jane (Hadden) Swan, was born at Richmond, Ohio, January 14, 1860. His early educa- tion was obtained in the public schools of Knoxville, Ohio, his study con- tinuing at Westminster College at New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, until his graduation from the latter institution in 1884. In the fall of 1884 he entered Union Theological Seminary of New York City, continuing one year. In the fall of 1885 he entered Western Theological Seminary, Pitts- burgh, Pennsylvania, whence he was graduated, class of 1887. In April, 1887, he was ordained as pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Wellsville, Ohio, and the same year accepted a call from the First Presbyterian Church of Steubenville, Ohio, remaining two years with great acceptability. In 1889 he was called to the First Presbyterian Church of West Pittston, Penn- sylvania, remaining eight years, the beloved pastor of that congregation. In December, 1897, he accepted the pastorate of the First Presbyterian Church of New Brighton, Beaver county, Pennsylvania. This congregation,
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owning one of the finest church edifices in Western Pennsylvania, has prospered under Rev. Swan's leadership, both spiritually and materially, the membership list having increased more than one hundred to its present figure, four hundred and fifty. Not only is he a forcible and eloquent pulpit orator, but a true pastor, winning his way to the hearts of the people by his sympathy and ever constant solicitude for their welfare. Nor is it only in his own congregation that he is so appreciated, his friends and ad- mirers being found in other congregations and outside of all church or- ganizations. As further evidence of the sterling character of his pastoral work may be cited the flourishing condition of the Sunday school and other departments of church work. Grove City College conferred upon him the degree of D. D.
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