USA > Pennsylvania > Beaver County > Genealogical and personal history of Beaver County, Pennsylvania, Volume I > Part 52
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This name is found under many spellings in the early COCHRAN records, some of which are still retained by members of the family, including Cofran, Cofren and Cochrane. The name originated in Ayrshire, Scotland, and the ancestors of those in America have been traced to the village of Ayr, in that county. Some of them migrated to Ireland, from which country, as well as Scotland, they came to America.
(I) John Cochran was born in Scotland or Ireland, emigrated to America, and arrived at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. From there he went to Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, where he was a farmer, and made his permanent home. He married and had eight children, among whom were: William, deceased; John, see forward; George A., deceased; James; Eleanor, deceased ; Fannie.
(II) John (2) Cochran, son of John (1) Cochran, was born in Alle- gheny county, Pennsylvania, and died in Aliquippa, Beaver county, Penn- sylvania, in 1900. He was a carpenter by trade and also a farmer, and after his marriage removed to Beaver county. He went to Michigan with his family, but after a short residence in that state, returned to Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and settled in Hopewell township, his previous resi- dence there having been in Moon township. He gave his political support to the Democratic party, and he and his wife were members of the Pres- byterian Church. They are buried in North Branch Cemetery in Moon township. He married Mary Mateer, born in Allegheny county, Penn- sylvania, in 1829, daughter of Michael Mateer. She died in Hopewell township in 1883. They had children: George; John M., died in 1901; William, deceased; Thomas M .; James A .; Joseph, see forward; Margaret; Samuel, deceased.
(III) Joseph Cochran, son of John (2) and Mary (Mateer) Cochran, was born in Hopewell township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, June 9, 1867. He was educated in the public schools, and all the early years of his
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life were spent on a farm. He learned the carpenter's trade under the able supervision of his brother George, but was engaged in farming for eighteen years in Indiana county, Pennsylvania. In 1902 he came to Aliquippa, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and established himself in the lumber bus- iness, buying out the interests of his brother John M., who was a member of the firm of Cochran Brothers & Company. Later the name was changed to Cochran Brothers. The original business was established about 1894, the brothers of Mr. Cochran-George and John M .- having been the starters, in association with Christian Miller. The business is in a very flourishing condition and is conducted along the most approved methods. Mr. Cochran is a stockholder and director in the First National Bank, and owns a beautiful residence at the corner of Allegheny avenue and Sixth street. He is a staunch Democrat, and has served as a member of the school board for many years. He and his wife are members of the Pres- byterian Church, and his fraternal affiliation is with Woodlawn Lodge, No. 1221, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
Mr. Cochran married, in 1890, Rebecca, daughter of Isaac Russell, now deceased, of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. They have had children: 1. William, born in February, 1891; was educated in the public schools; became assistant to his father in the business. 2. Anna O., born in 1893; at home. 3. George J., born in 1895; educated in the public schools and the high school at Aliquippa; he formerly held a position in the laboratory of the Jones & Laughlin Mills and is still in their employ. 4. Rebecca L., born in 1901, attends public school.
CLOAK No nation in the world has a more cosmopolitan population than the United States, and in the heterogeneous elements which have been assimilated here in the course of years, the German has been a predominant one, greatly to the benefit of the country in general. The steady, persistent efforts of those of German nationality, the deliberate manner of considering well before taking action, tempered favorably the more impulsive, and for this reason sometimes not so wise, methods of the Latin races. The descendants of the German immigrants have retained in a great measure the distinguishing traits of their forebears, but have leavened them with the more progressive methods in daily use in the land of their adoption. A family in which this combination of char- acteristics may be observed to good advantage is the Cloak family, of Beaver county, Pennsylvania.
(I) John Cloak, the immigrant ancestor of this branch of the Cloak family, was born in Germany, and came to this country at about the age of twenty-six years. He settled in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, and there followed his occupation of farming. His death occurred there at the age of sixty-five years. He married -, who died in Armstrong county at the age of sixty-five years. Both were members of the Lutheran Church. They had children: Nicholas; Andrew; Simon, see forward;
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John, deceased; Trout; Elizabeth, deceased; Kate, deceased; Mary Ann; four who died in infancy.
(II) Simon Cloak, son of John Cloak, was born in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, in 1851, is residing in Armstrong county, in 1914. His entire life has been spent in his native county, where he is occupied, as his father had been, in farming. He is a man of some prominence in the com- munity, and has held office as a trustee of the Presbyterian Church. He married Isabella, born in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, daughter of John and - (Templeton) Helm. John Helm was a tailor and a farmer in Armstrong county, where he died at the age of eighty years. He had children: Philip, married Elizabeth Hays; William, married Emma Mynes; John; Henry, married - Mynes; Annie, married Samuel Heath; Isabella, mentioned above. All of these children are living at the present time (1914). Mr. and Mrs. Cloak had children: Andrew B., see forward; Basil Clyde, now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Cloak reside in Cowansville.
(III) Dr. Andrew B. Cloak, son of Simon and Isabella (Helm) Cloak, was born in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, September 26, 1878. His boyhood days were spent in his native county, attending the public schools there, and from them he went to the Slippery Rock Normal School, in Butler county, Pennsylvania. Still later he was a student at Grove City College, Mercer county, Pennsylvania, and then matriculated at the University of Pennsylvania, from the medical department of which he was graduated in the class of 1904 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. In the same year he went to Freedom, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and there opened an office for the general practice of medicine. In this he has achieved a most gratifying amount of success; at the present time he is making a specialty of surgery. He has not alone won the confidence of a large number of patients by his professional skill, but he has also gained their affection for the sympathy he displays as a man while in the dis- charge of his duties as a physician. Judging from what he has already accomplished in the comparatively few years of his practice, he has a brilliant future before him. He has little time to spare from his profes- sional duties to take part in the public life of the community, but he gives his political support to the Republican party. His religious affiliations are with the Presbyterian Church, of which he and his wife are members. He is now having a fine residence built on Third avenue, in Freedom, He is a member of Beaver County Medical Society, Pennsylvania State Medical So- ciety, American Medical Association, Clinical Congress of Surgeons of North America, and Society of Pennsylvania Railroad Surgeons. His fraternal associations are with the local lodges of the following organiza- tions: Free and Accepted Masons, Order of the Golden Eagle and the Eagles.
Dr. Cloak married, August 9, 1905, Edna Belle Purdue, born in Al- toona, Pennsylvania, July 16, 1884, daughter of Edward Purdue, born in Altoona, a carpenter, who died at the age of twenty-eight years, and
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Lillian (Bell) Purdue, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They had chil- dren: Edna Belle, mentioned above, and Mildred, who died at the age of sixteen years, Dr. and Mrs. Cloak have two children: Lillie Belle, born November 29, 1908; Sarah May, born November 28, 1913.
While the Barkley family, now represented in Beaver BARKLEY county, Pennsylvania, has been in this country only three generations, they have done their full share toward for- warding the prosperity and well-being of the land of their adoption. They came originally from Germany, where William Barkley, the great-grand- father of the present generation, spent his life.
(II) John Barkley, son of William Barkley, was born in Germany, and came to the United States when he was about fourteen years of age. His first abiding place was where he landed, Baltimore, Maryland. Sub- sequently he removed to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he became a worker in the cotton mill of J. K. Moorehead, North Side, Pittsburgh, then removed to Evans City, Butler county, thence to Muddy Creek town- ship. He was an active supporter of the Democratic party, and filled sev- eral minor political offices. His death occurred near Prospect, Butler county, Pennsylvania, on his farm, at the age of eighty-one years. He mar- ried, and his wife died on the farm, in 1906, at the age of seventy-one years. Children: William John, see forward; Alfred, now deceased, mar- ried Emma Wimer; Mary, married John H. Jones, and lives near Porters- ville; Kate, married Henry Heyl, lives on a farm near Prospect; Margaret, married Joseph Snyder, an oil producer, lives in Butler county. Mr. and Mrs. Barkley belonged to the Lutheran Church, in which he served as deacon and trustee for a number of years.
(III) William John Barkley, son of John Barkley, was born at the North Side, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, March 17, 1846. The first eight years of his life were spent where he was born, and he there attended school for two years; his parents then removed to Evans City, and his education was completed at that place. He was a successful farmer, and a man of influence in the community in which he lived. Active in the interests of the Democratic party, he was honored by election and appointment to almost all the local offices, among these being: Road superintendent, auditor, school director, assessor, etc. He is still living on the farm, and is as active as a man many years his junior. He and his wife belonged to the Lutheran Church, in which he is a trustee. He married Josephine Snyder, born in Brady township, Butler county, Pennsylvania, died on the homestead farm, in 1907, at the age of fifty-eight years. She was the daughter of John and Abigail (Scott) Snyder, the former a farmer in Butler county, where he died at the age of ninety-two years. They had children: John, lives on the homestead farm, married Theney Jones; Joachim, married Maggie Barkley, lives in Butler City, Butler county; Effie, married George McCandless, lives in Prospect; Ann, married John
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St. Clair, lives in Prospect; Kate, married Arthur Cavanagh, lives in Cleve- land, Ohio; Lizzie, married Samuel Cavanagh, lives in North Hope, British Columbia; Josephine, married Mr. Barkley, as above mentioned. Mr. and Mrs. Barkley had children: William George, unmarried, lives on the farm; Clara, now deceased, married William J. Pontius; Jessie, married W. E. Heyl, lives in Butler, Pennsylvania; Frank Austin, see forward; Mabel, married Sumner C. Bolton, lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
(IV) Frank Austin Barkley, son of William John and Josephine (Snyder) Barkley, was born in Prospect, Butler county, Pennsylvania, May 3, 1877. The early years of his life were spent in Franklin township, Butler county, Pennsylvania, where he attended the public schools, and he was graduated from the Prospect Classical Academy in 1895. He next attended the normal school at Slippery Rock, Butler county, Pennsylvania, and was graduated in 1897. Matriculating at Grove City College, Mercer county, Pennsylvania, he was graduated from this institution in the class of 1901, and since that time has been prominently identified with educa- tional work. He taught school in Baden for one year, then returned to Butler in order to take up the study of law, which he pursued for two years, then returned to Baden, where he spent three years. During the past eight years he has been principal of the schools at Freedom, but still resides in Baden and makes daily trips to the scene of his activities on the street cars. Mr. Barkley has been active in a number of directions. He is a capable man of business and is a director in the St. Clair National Bank, at Freedom. He has been of considerable importance in supporting the Republican party, and has been president of the borough council of Baden. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church, and he is superintendent of the Sunday school.
Mr. Barkley married, November 28, 1907, Lucretia J. Jones, born June 10, 1881, and they had one child: Helen Louisa, who died in infancy. Mrs. Barkley is a daughter of James Jones, born in Aliquippa, Pennsyl- vania, who was a steamboat pilot and captain between Pittsburgh, Penn- sylvania, and Louisville, Kentucky. He died on his boat at Steubenville, while making a trip. He married Rebecca R. Calvin, born in Sewickley, Pennsylvania, and they had children: Charles E., married Delia Dobbins, lives in Baden; James Walters, unmarried; Lucretia J., married Mr. Barkley, as aforesaid; Paul B., lives in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, married Margaret Strayer, and has: Madeline, Margaret, Richard; Carrie M., unmarried; Marion, unmarried.
He who founded the family of Berry in Washington county, BERRY Pennsylvania, came thither from Scotland, which land must be searched for records of the early history of those of the name, and from Washington to Allegheny, and thence to Beaver county the line is traced.
(II) Daniel Berry, son of the Scotch immigrant, was born in Washing-
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ton county, Pennsylvania, in the settlement of which his father was a pioneer, and in that county became the owner of extensive acres, which he cultivated throughout a busy life. Daniel Berry was a Democratic sympathizer in politics, and as the incumbent of numerous public offices or as the promoter of some public improvement was prominent among his fellows. His in- fluence was also felt in church work, his membership being in the Methodist Episcopal. He married and had children: Jane, Sarah, Daniel, of whom further, and Abraham. Daniel Berry's death occurred when he was within two years of the century mark, his wife dying in young womanhood, about 1837.
(III) Daniel (2) Berry, son of Daniel (1) Berry, was born in Wash- ington county, Pennsylvania, in 1834, died in Pittsburgh, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, in 1901. Obtaining a public school education, he early in life devoted himself to mechanical pursuits, later becoming an engineer, a trade he followed all of his life, moving to Pittsburgh about 1858. He was a Democrat in politics, he and his wife having been at one time members of the Methodist Episcopal church, later associating with the Methodist Prot- estant. Since his death his widow has lived at the Old Ladies' Home, in Dravosburg, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. He married Mary Elizabeth, daughter of Daniel and Harriet (Leyda) Swickard, born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1840. Daniel Swickard's parents were early settlers of Washington county, he being first a farmer and later a merchant, his store being in Monongahela City, Pennsylvania, where, after a successful business career, he died aged ninety-three years. Children of Daniel and Harriet (Leyda) Swickard: Mary Elizabeth, of previous mention, married Daniel Berry; John, Annie, James, Daniel, deceased; Alexander, David. Children of Daniel (2) and Mary Elizabeth (Swickard) Berry: John Hair, Daniel Swickard, Francis, William D., of whom further; Harriet Jane, Charles Weekley.
(IV) William D. Berry, son of Daniel (2) and Mary Elizabeth (Swick- ard) Berry, was born in Pittsburgh, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, August 24, 1863. He was there a student in the public schools. Soon after discon- tinuing his studies he became an apprentice in the foundry of Atwood and McCaffery, of Pittsburgh, where he learned to be an expert worker in brass, and has ever since been identified with work of that nature, his practical knowledge having served in many instances since then as a stepping stone to higher positions in that line. His first official employment was with the Atlas Bronze and Tuyere Company, and was foreman of their plant when he was twenty-three years of age, after which he moved to Indianapolis, where he was placed in charge of the Pioneer Brass Works. Later he returned to Pennsylvania, holding a similar position with the Stanford and Youngbluth Brass Company, coming from there to Pittsburgh and subsequently to New Brighton, being employed as foreman for the Logan and Strobridge Iron Company, in charge of the brass department. The Carnegie Steel Company, at Braddock, Pennsylvania, next claimed his services as superintendent of
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the brass foundry department, remaining in this position for five years, after which he became superintendent of the Fort Pitt Bronze Company, at Alle- gheny City, Pennsylvania. He became a stockholder in this company and after that concern was bought by the Magnus Metal Company he was for two years connected with the latter firm. Philadelphia was the scene of his next situation, the Homer Brass Works his employer, and in 1903 he moved to New Brighton, Pennsylvania, where he organized and was president of the Beaver Valley Metal Company, taking over a plant that had previously been operated by L. A. Glasser. For two years he remained at the head of this business, at the end of that time selling his interest, in 1905 building a plant and establishing the Brighton Brass and Bronze Company, of which he was for one year sole owner. An attractive offer by a company of Pitts- burgh capitalists induced him to sell a three-fourths share in the business, he holding one-fourth of the stock of the newly organized company, which re- tained the name he had given it, and acting as manager. In 1911 the Key- stone Bronze Company bought the plant, which has since been operated in connection with another owned by the same company in Pittsburgh, Mr. Berry being general superintendent of both, the company transacting business as the Keystone Bronze Company, Pittsburgh and New Brighton. Such a vast experience as the recital of his career shows he has eminently suited the various concerns with which he has been connected.
Mr. Berry for his dual position, and the service he has rendered the company during his incumbency of that office, shows that his past years have not been spent in vain. The task of directing the destinies of one con- cern such as either of the two of which he is superintendent would tax the capabilities of many a man, but to accept the responsibility of two such organizations is an endeavor of stupendous dimensions, and the masterly manner in which Mr. Berry has fulfilled all of his obligations and has fos- tered the advancement of his company's interests proclaims him a manager of merit, a business man of sagacity, and an employee of faithfulness and honor. Mr. Berry is a sympathizer with Socialistic views and sentiments, and belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Inde- pendent Order of Heptasophs.
He married (first) August 30, 1887, Nancy Etta Allman, born in Wash- ington county, Pennsylvania, daughter of Alexander Allman, of the same locality. His wife died July 4, 1889. Mr. Berry married (second) Eliza- beth Vial, of Braddock, Pennsylvania. Son of his first marriage, Eudore Allman, born December 14, 1888, who was educated in the public schools of Braddock, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Bellevue, Wilkinsburg and New Brighton, Pennsylvania, and in Beaver County Commercial College, Beaver, Pennsylvania, is now an employee of the Keystone Bronze Company. Chil- dren of his second marriage: Walter Vial, born January 5, 1901 ; Essie Eliza- beth, born December 27, 1902; Florence Ashford, born February 28, 1904; Margaret, born in March, 1906, died in March, 1910; James Craft, born in December, 1907, died in July, 1908; Sarah Watkins, born September 2, 1912.
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To relate the story of the Sohn family in its native land would SOHN be to go into the details of German life and to follow the courses
of many professions and occupations, and would involve, as well, excursions into the public service of that land, with especial mention of military matters. But this narrative is concerned with its American resi- dence and the position its members have attained and held on this side of the ocean.
(I) George Sohn, a native of Germany, became a soldier in the vast standing army of the Kaiser and for six years was a private, seeing active service in the conflict of 1848. As soon as his term of enlistment had ex- pired, he came to the United States, about 1851 making his home in Pitts- burgh, Pennsylvania, living in the east end of the city. His wife and family had accompanied him to this place, and during his stay in Pittsburgh he followed gardening, meeting with profitable success both in the raising and in the disposition of his truck, later moving to Sewickley township, Alle- gheny county, Pennsylvania, becoming the owner of a tract of one hundred and forty-seven acres. His operations were conducted here on a much larger scale, and he prospered accordingly, his death occurring on that farm when he was ninety years of age. In his prime of life he was a prominent figure in the locality to which he had come, taking an interested part in public affairs, and was at different times supervisor and school director of Sewickley township. His political faith was Republican, and he and his wife were members and regular attendants of the Lutheran Church, the faith in which they worshipped in their native land. He married Susan Miller, whose brother, John, held the rank of general in the German army. She survives him, living in Leetsdale, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, aged ninety-two years. Ten of their children grew to maturity, two having died in infancy: George, John, Valentine, William, Henry, Emilia, married a Mr. Bock; Louise and Susan, both of their married names being Fisher; Charles; Philip J., of whom further.
(II) Dr. Philip J. Sohn, son of George and Susan (Miller) Sohn, was born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, May 15, 1868. He obtained his preliminary education in the public schools of Sewickley, and in 1894 entered the University of Pennsylvania, emerging therefrom in 1897 with the degree of M. D. His active practice was begun in the same year, Economy, Beaver county, being the place he selected to embark in his profession, and there he has since continued. A practitioner of little more than fifteen years stand- ing, he is known throughout the surrounding countryside, and since he first entered the medical field has borne a reputation of honor, integrity and ability. His efficiency is born of knowledge and the fact that he is favorably regarded by other and older physicians is a good index to his professional worth. The only professional connection he has formed outside of his reg- ular practice is as surgeon for the Beaver Valley Traction Company. His political support was formerly given the Republican party, but he has identi- fied himself with the Progressive party and is an enthusiastic worker in its
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ranks. As representative of the former party he was a member of the first council of the borough of Ambridge, and for about eight years was secre- tary of the board of health. His membership in the Fraternal Order of Eagles is his only affiliation with orders of that nature.
Dr. Sohn married, March 8, 1899, Alma E. Anderson, a native of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. Children: Eugene L. and H. Warren, both students in the public school.
JACKSON This patronymic is obviously one of those directly derived from a Christian name. Jackson, like Johnson, originally meant the son of John. The name was numerous among the early settlers, and it reached the climax of its distinction in Andrew Jack- son, one of the most brilliant and daring of presidents.
(I) Andrew Jackson, a second cousin of President Andrew Jackson, was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, his ancestors having been pioneer settlers there. By occupation he was a saddler, and located in Fallston, Beaver county. He married Belinda Hays, probably also born in Beaver county, and they had children: Martha, married a Mr. Smith; William Henderson, of Beaver Falls, Beaver county ; John A., of further mention.
(II) John A. Jackson, son of Andrew and Belinda (Hays) Jackson, was born in Fallston, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, February 16, 1857, died in New Brighton, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, November 13, 1911. He was a pupil in the public schools of Beaver county until he had attained the age of fourteen years, at which time he had entered upon his business career. His first position was in the old cutlery works at Beaver Falls, later secured a clerkship with The Duncan Clothing Firm, with whom he remained some years, then entered the employ of Joseph Snellenburg, now of Philadelphia, and he held this position for many years in New Brighton. He then asso- ciated himself in a business partnership with John A. Butler, and this asso- ciation was continued uninterruptedly until 1909, when Mr. Jackson bought out the interests of his partner and continued the business alone' until the time of his death. The firm of Butler & Jackson, Clothiers, was organized in September, 1885, and while it was in existence a number of branch stores were opened in Rochester and Beaver Falls. The firm name has remained unaltered since the time of its organization, the business now being carried on by the son of Mr. Jackson, Andrew W. Mr. Jackson was a man of fine executive ability and great business acumen, and his services were in demand in numerous business operations. He was vice-president of the Union National Bank of New Brighton, and a director of the Beaver Valley General Hospital. His religious affiliation was with the Methodist Protes- tant Church, and he was a member of the New Castle Lodge of Perfection, Free and Accepted Masons, Knights of Pythias, Mr. Jackson married, September 30, 1885, Olive Keyser, of New Brighton, and they have had children: Minnie, married P. J. Barord, of Kane, Pennsylvania; Helen,
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