USA > Pennsylvania > Beaver County > Genealogical and personal history of Beaver County, Pennsylvania, Volume I > Part 57
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of Mrs. Holtzmann; Salome, now deceased, married Henry Schramm; George, died in infancy; Frederick, died unmarried at the age of twenty- two years; Caroline, married John Goehring and lives in Marion township; Henry, now deceased, married Caroline Miller; Mary, lives in Pittsburgh, married Henry Frantz, now deceased; Elizabeth, who married Frederick Herrmann, and became the mother of Mrs. Holtzmann; Daniel, living in Marion township, married Elizabeth Goetmann; Amelia, married William Ketterer, lives in Marion township; Matilda, married (first) Elmer Goehr- ing, (second) Albert Hartzell, and lives in Allegheny, Pennsylvania. The only child of the second marriage of Mr. Pflug was: Albert, now living on the homestead in Marion township, who married Lydia Muntz.
TALLON The earlier members of the Tallon family in this country be- longed to that sturdy class of pioneers who carried civiliza- tion into the wilderness, and without whose vigorous efforts the prosperity of the land would have been problematical for many more years.
(I) Henry Tallon, the immigrant ancestor of this branch of the Tallon family, was born in Belfast, Ireland, and died in Western Pennsylvania at the age of ninety years. He emigrated to America with his wife and young children, arriving at Canada in 1828 with one thousand dollars in his possession with which he intended to buy a farm. They made their way on foot to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, keeping their capital intact while on this long, dangerous and fatiguing journey. Purchasing a farm in West- moreland county, Pennsylvania, they there spent the remainder of their days. Mr. Tallon married, in Ireland, Sarah -, born in Belfast, Ire- land, and they had children: Ellen, Jane, Frank, Robert, of further men- tion; David, John.
(II) Robert Tallon, son of Henry and Sarah Tallon, was born in Belfast, Ireland, and died in Beaver county, Pennsylvania. He acquired his education in the district school nearest his home, and was a shoe- maker by trade. He was engaged in this occupation for a number of years, then opened a shoe store in Beaver, Beaver county, where he had a number of men working for him, and still later established a shoe store in New Brighton, Beaver county, which he conducted very successfully for a period of fifteen years. He was a man of influence in the community, especially in political affairs, and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Tallon married Eliza, daughter of Lieutenant Stacy and Jemima (Mil- ler) Dannals. She was born after the death of her father. Lieutenant Stacy Dannals served with honor during the War of the Revolution. He came with his wife from Atlantic City, New Jersey, to Beaver county, Pennsylvania, by wagon, and located below Beaver on what is now the Workman Farm. He was a farmer. Mr. and Mrs Tallon had children : Sarah; Henry, died young; W. D., at present tax collector of Beaver; John, deceased; Bina; Robert Emmet, of further mention; Alvie Barn;
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Frank W., foreman on the Beaver Valley News; Harry M., shipping clerk at the pottery works; Pinkerton L., in the employ of the Pennsylvania Bridge Works; Lillian, married Harry Walker, of New Brighton, Beaver county, Pennsylvania.
(III) Robert Emmet Tallon, son of Robert and Eliza (Dannals) Tal- lon, was born in Beaver, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, June 13, 1849. His education was an excellent one being acquired successively at the following named institutions: Public schools of Beaver, Beaver Academy, and Beaver College. He was apprenticed to learn the carpenter's trade, which he followed for a number of years. In 1872 he established himself in the contracting business, making a decided success of this enterprise. In 1894 the firm of Tallon, Farr & Company, general contractors, lumber and builders' supplies, was established, Mr. Tallon being the senior member of this concern. Mr. Tallon married, in 1868, Emma Jones, of Beaver county, Pennsylvania. They have had children: Effie, married W. F. Farr, a member of the above mentioned firm; Josephine, married O. E. Barber, of Beaver, and has children: Dora and Martha; Frederick S .; Maude T., married Ernest Fogel, of Rochester, Beaver county, and has one child, Robert; Sarah, married Edward Mininsinger, of Beaver, and has one child, Mary; Pauline, married W. C. Herbster, of Beaver. Mr. Tallon has always been of an intensely patriotic nature, and in 1867 served for six months in the Indian Wars on the plains, under General Custer.
Two generations of the Archibald family of Scotland ARCHIBALD have made Pennsylvania their home and have there con- tributed to the growth and development of the regions in which they settled. One of the heritages that William Archibald re- ceived from his ancestors, whose home had ever been in Scotland, was a physique of unusual strength and fullness of vigor. Because of his excep- tional size and manly, handsome bearing he was chosen a member of the Queen's Life Guards, an organization that was the Queen's private charge, composed of the strongest and most perfectly developed soldiers in the land. Even among that band of physically perfect men, Mr. Archibald was a conspicuous figure, his six feet four inches of height raising him half a head above most of his comrades. Physical prowess is not, of course, an attribute for which one is entirely responsible, but the possession of such strength and power and the commanding position it gives among men as human beings is indeed gratifying. After completing his military service, Mr. Archibald was for a time employed in the mines of his native country, and in 1872 came to the United States, locating at Arnot, Tioga county, Pennsylvania. After fifteen years' residence in that locality he moved to Clearfield county and there lived until his death in 1888. He was a member of the Presbyterian faith, as was his wife, and supported the Republican party.
Mr. Archibald married, in Scotland, Grace Rainey. Children I. Wil-
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liam, a coal miner of Houtzdale, Pennsylvania. 2. John, deceased. 3. Agnes, married James Steele, and lives in Duquesne, Pennsylvania. 4. James, deceased. 5. Thomas, a resident of Duquesne, Pennsylvania. 6. Eliz- abeth, married Henry Peden, and lives at Duquesne, Pennsylvania. 7. David, of whom further. 8. Charles, a resident of Massillon, Ohio. 9. Grace, married John Tippit, and lives at Leechburg, Pennsylvania.
David Archibald, fifth son and seventh child of William and Grace (Rainey) Archibald, was born near Glasgow, Scotland, December 16, 1867. He was five years of age when his parents brought him to the United States, and he attended the public schools of Arnot, Pennsylvania. When he was nine years of age he began to work in the mines and continued in that manner of employment until he was a young man. He then learned the carpenter's trade near Pittsburgh and for a period of eight years was employed by the United States Steel Company as foreman at their Du- quesne Works. In 1905 he resigned his position with that company and came to what is now the town of Midland, then nothing but farm land, and for about two years was in charge of the construction work in the service of the Midland Steel Company. At the end of that time he engaged in inde- - pendent operations as a general contractor and was awarded the contract for erecting many of the temporary buildings needed by the different com- panies then moving to Midland and later built those designed for permanent use. For several years he was alone in his new field of endeavor and pros- pered greatly, having been connected with the construction of several hun- dred buildings. He has ever since remained in the contracting business, and at the present time (1914) employs on an average ten men. The success that has attended his business dealings has been attained through the sheer force of persevering determination and a definite determination to join the company of employers rather than to remain in the army of the employed. Both he and his wife are members and regular attendants of the Presbyterian Church. A Republican in political affiliation, he has served for four years as justice of the peace and also as a member of the borough council.
Mr. Archibald married, September 1, 1892, Annie E., daughter of John and Mary Ann Powell, of Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Children of David and Annie E. Archibald: 1. Mary, lives at home. 2. John, his father's assistant in business. 3. David (2). 4. Robert.
There has been but one generation of this branch of the KOEHLER Koehler family of Pennsylvania born in the United States, Germany having been the home of all the name. The chief characteristic of the two earliest generations, of whom there is re- liable and authentic record, has been their longevity. Johann Koehler, the grandfather of Paulus E., died in Germany aged ninety-six years; Ludwig, his father, born May 23, 1811, died there aged ninety years. Ludwig Koehler married Henrietta Zinkraff, died aged seventy-four years.
Paulusto Kochler
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(III) Paulus E. Koehler, son of Ludwig and Henrietta (Zinkraff) Koehler, was born in Germany, April 10, 1856. He there spent his boy- hood and attended the public schools. He chose as his trade that of dec- orator, in which he became thoroughly proficient, and possessing excellent artistic taste found his services greatly in demand. In 1881 he immigrated to the United States making his home in West Liverpool, Ohio, although a year later he came to Monaca, Beaver county, Pennsylvania. In both of these places he followed his trade, but was compelled to abandon its practice because of ill health, and retired. In 1898, as a business venture, he built the Monaca Hotel, which was ready for the accommodation of guests in 1899. Mr. Koehler was himself proprietor of the hotel for a short time, and in 1905 he sold all his interests therein. Soon after his arrival in Monaca he began dealing in real estate and in this line has found the field best suited to his talent and ability. He has been remarkably successful in all his ventures and at the present time owns much valuable real estate in Beaver county, both farm land and city property, also holding title to some Pittsburgh real estate. Mr. Koehler has ever taken part in affairs of agricultural or horticultural interest and was one of the organizers of the Beaver County Agricultural Association, of which he is president, and is also a member of the executive committee of the Pennsylvania State Hor- ticultural Society, and holds membership in the Pennsylvania State Agricul- tural Society. A Republican in party preference he has for a long time been prominent in all local political affairs, and was a delegate to the State Convention held in 1910. For three terms he was a member of the council and for one year was borough treasurer; was burgess three years and tax collector. He was appointed justice of the peace, an appointment later con- firmed by election, and now holds that position, that and tax collector being the offices of which he is the present incumbent. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church. His fraternal affiliations are with the Masonic Order; the Knights of Pythias, to which he has belonged since 1883 and was deputy grand chancellor of Beaver county two terms, and is a charter member of Monaca Lodge; the Modern Woodmen of the World; the Golden Eagles; and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In the first named fraternity he holds the thirty-second degree, belonging to Rochester Lodge, No. 229, Free and Accepted Masons; Rochester Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Hiram Council, No. 45, Royal and Select Masters, of Newcastle; Beaver Falls Commandery, Knights Templar; and Syria Tem- ple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.
Mr. Koehler married, in June, 1876, Mary H. Schilling, a native of Germany. Children of Paulus E. and Mary H. Koehler: 1. Anna, died in August, 1912; married Lewis Betts ; children : Catherine, Harold, Louisa. 2. Henry B., a mould-maker; secretary of the school board in Rochester township; married Alice Bash; children: Mary, Lilian, Paul Albert, Howard, Anna Belle. 3. Louisa T., a teacher of music. 4. Ottmar, mar- ried Jennie Hutchett; lives at Jeannette, Westmoreland county, Pennsyl-
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vania; children: Ethel and Amelia. 5. Sophia, died in 1889, aged four years. 6. Howard, a mould-maker; lives at home. 7. Amelia, lives at home. 8. Elsie, a student in Monaca High School. 9. Edward, a student in Monaca High School. 10. Paulus E. Jr.
KIRK The relative importance of a city or community is in due pro- portion to its industrial interests, which contribute not only to
its progress and prosperity, but are also instrumental in increas- ing its population by giving employment to the laboring man and thus in- ducing him to make his home in that section. The men who are at the head of the great enterprises are to be considered as the benefactors of the section, and the family of Kirk, of whom this review treats, has had many representatives in this field.
(I) James Kirk, the progenitor of whom we have record, lived in county Down, Ireland, where his death also occurred.
(II) James (2) Kirk, son of James (1) Kirk, was born in county Down, Ireland, emigrated to the United States, and arrived here on the day on which the lamented Abraham Lincoln died. He located at Nobles- town, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, where he followed the occupation of farming until 1892. In that year he removed to Smiths Ferry, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, where he acquired a farm of four hundred and forty-four acres, which he kept in a fine state of cultivation. He had been a man of robust physique, never having a day's illness, and was killed by a street car, October 26, 1911. He was a man of great business acumen, and was one of the board of directors of the Mutual Insurance Company for a period of twelve years. He was active in the councils of the local Re- publican party, and served several years as supervisor of Ohio township. Early in his life he had united with the United Presbyterian Church at Robinson Run, and was affiliated with this denomination throughout his life. He married Kate Ann Campbell, born in county Down, Ireland, daughter of David Campbell, whose entire life was spent in Ireland. They had children: William James, now residing in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania; Sarah, married Dr. R. B. Dawson, of Smiths Ferry, where they now re- side; David C .; Jennie, married Thomas Campbell, and resides at Smiths Ferry ; R. H., lives in Ellwood; George Alexander, see forward.
(III) George Alexander Kirk, son of James (2) and Kate Ann (Camp- bell) Kirk, was born at Noblestown, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, Oc- tober 27, 1875. His early education was acquired in the public schools, from which he went to Beaver College and was graduated from this in- stitution with a very creditable record. When he entered upon his business career he at once became identified with oil interests, and has now been connected with oil production enterprises for the past fourteen years. His business operations are conducted in the states of Ohio and Pennsylvania. He has never held public office of any kind, but has given his unvaried support to the Republican party. His religious affiliation is with the United
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Presbyterian Church. Mr. Kirk married, October 2, 1901, Blanche Stephen- son, of Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and they have children: Eugene, aged nine years, and Wayne, aged six years.
We, in this progressive time, cannot afford to hold in light JAMES esteem those who have wrought nobly in the past, nor fail to accord honor to those who have given an heritage of worthy thoughts and worthy deeds and have aided in laying fast the foundations of the greatest republic the world has ever known. While the James family of which this review treats have never been called upon to personally bear a share in the government of the country in which they have lived for a number of generations, they have done their work bravely and conscien- tiously in the various spheres in which their destinies were cast.
(I) Otho James is the first of whom we have definite record. He was one of the pioneer farmers of Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, and was a valued member of the community in which he lived. His death occurred on November 19, 1839.
(II) William James, son of Otho James, was born in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, November 11, 1816, died in Venango county, Penn- sylvania, September 20, 1865. He was a farmer and a carpenter, and highly gifted with musical ability, devoting his spare time to giving instruc- tion in vocal music. He married (first) 1837, Mary Ann Brown, by whom he had no children. He married (second) January 28, 1841, Amanda Wil- son, and had a child, Margaret Elizabeth, born December 31, 1841. He married (third) August 4, 1843, Ruth, born in Armstrong county. Penn- sylvania, daughter of James Kilgore, who with his wife came from Scot- land and made his home in Armstrong county. Children of third marriage: Lemuel Mason, born September 27, 1845, died May 7, 1903; Jesse, born August 6, 1847, died in April, 1848; William James, born November 29, 1848; Jay Byron, see forward; Thomas McConnell, born November 29, 1854; John Edwin, July 31, 1857.
(III) Jay Byron James, son of William and Ruth (Kilgore) James, was born at Spring Church, Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, February 16, 1851. His education was as fine a one as the public schools of Arm- strong county afforded at that time, and his record in them was a very creditable one. His spare time was devoted to assisting his father with the farm labors, and when he engaged in business it was on the oil field, where he was employed at the pumping stations, a line of work with which he has been identified all his life. He commenced as a laborer, rose to the position of engineer and gauger, and since 1890 has held the position of district superintendent, being located in Beaver for the greater part of the time. He has not lost his interest in agriculture, but has continued to give it a certain amount of time and attention. He keeps well informed on matters of current interest, and gives his political allegiance to the Republican party. The family attends the Presbyterian Church, and Mr. James is a
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member of the Order of Free and Accepted Masons, the local chapter of the Royal Arch Masons, and the Knights Templar.
Mr. James married, April 15, 1872, Johanna Brown Staley, of Arm- strong county, Pennsylvania, and they have had children: 1. Alice Adaline, born February 16, 1873; married Harry Large White; three children: Charles Byron, Alice Madeline, James Andrew. 2. Gertrude Amelia, de- ceased. 3. Charles Douglas, born March 18, 1876. 4. Pansy Lyle, born February 24, 1883; married Shelley Eason, of Beaver, Pennsylvania.
PURVIANCE The general impression one receives of the French people is that they are a domestic race, fond of home and of home pursuits, not explorers, pioneers, and colonizers, an impression founded to some extent on fact, although contradicted by his- tory in many cases. This idea probably originates in that the exodus of native born Frenchmen from the land of their birth was at its greatest height generations ago, and that at the present time French immigrants in any land are not as numerous as those from many other continental coun- tries. The family of Purviance, native to France, is of comparatively recent American life, three generations of the name having been born on this side of the Atlantic.
The emigrant was the grandfather of Henry Clay Purviance, of this narrative, and settled in Claysville, Butler county, Pennsylvania, where he spent his entire life. As to whether his wife, Elizabeth (Thompson) Purviance, was of French extraction and in regard to the place of his marriage there is considerable doubt, although it is known that several chil- dren blessed their union, one of whom was William.
(II) William Purviance was born in Claysville, Butler county, Penn- sylvania, and in that locality grew to manhood, obtaining an excellent tech- nical education that prepared him for the profession of surveyor. This occupation he followed all through that district, his name appearing as sur- veyor upon many documents of a century ago, their number and the width and breadth of territory they cover showing well the scope of his operations. His charges do not seem to have been in any way exorbitant, but the in- dustry with which he engaged in his business and the thrift that was part of his nature brought him considerable wealth, which he invested by judi- cious purchases of real estate, being in an excellent position to judge of the relative value of different tracts. That he was a man of influence as wer as of wealth is shown by the fact that he was at one time a member of the Pennsylvania state legislature, and while a member of that body married, his home for the remainder of his life being in Butler county. His death occurred in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, while he was surveying a large tract of land in that vicinity. His widow survived him many years, never marrying a second time, her final years being spent in Petersville, Pennsyl- vania. He married Sophia Strickler, a native of Philadelphia, Pennsyl- vania, where she lived prior to her marriage. Children of William and
It le Onnance.
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Sophia (Strickler) Purviance: I. Elizabeth, lives unmarried in Allegheny City (Pittsburgh North Side), Pennsylvania. 2. Thompson, for many years a general merchant in partnership with his brother, William; died in Petersville, Pennsylvania. 3. Mary, married James Hollingsworth; died in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 1910. 4. Henry Clay, of whom further. 5. Sophia, lives unmarried in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania. 6. William, a re- tired merchant of Petersville, Pennsylvania, where he lives. 7. Harriet, lives unmarried in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania. 8. Benjamin Franklin, a resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 9. U. G., a resident of Belleview, Pennsylvania. William and Sophia Purviance were also the parents of two other children, who died in infancy.
(III) Henry Clay Purviance, son of William and Sophia (Strickler) Purviance, was born in Petersville, Butler county, Pennsylvania, 1845, died at Patterson Heights, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, December 26, 1904. His early life was spent on the farm that his parents owned in Butler county, and he there attended the public schools, later apprenticing himself to and learning the shoemaker's trade. From this occupation he branched out into the owning of a small shoe store in Petersburg, Butler county, in 1872 moving to Beaver Falls, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and there es- tablishing in business of a like nature on Seventh avenue, near Ninth street. He later moved the site of his store, about 1879 coming to his present store at No. 1020-22 Seventh avenue. In this location his business grew rapidly, and the year before his death he received his son-in-law, H. J. Flinner, into partnership, and since the death of the founder in 1904, the junior partner has conducted the business, now a flourishing and prosperous one, the large store containing two departments, one for ladies, the other for gentlemen, a large and varied stock supplying the needs of a generous patronage. The present stability and firm reputation of the firm of Purviance & Flinner, as the business is still continued, although a decade has passed since the removal of Mr. Purviance from the activities of his busy life, is due to the principles upon which the store was founded, honor, integrity, and fair dealing. Mr. Purviance's wise business judgment and discreet counsel were potent factors in the organization of the Federal Title and Trust Company, of which he was for some years a director. His allegiance was ever pledged to the Republican party, and with his wife he was an adherent of the Methodist Episcopal Church, holding the position of trustee in its organ- ization. The political positions that he held were those of school director and councilman in Patterson Heights borough.
He married, in 1877, Margaret R., born in Allegheny county, Penn- sylvania, October 9, 1852, daughter of John T. and Margaret Ann (Lock- hart) Holmes. John T. was a son of John and Rebecca (Ross) Holmes, natives of the eastern part of Pennsylvania, early settlers in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. John T. Holmes was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and after his marriage moved to Beaver county, Pennsyl- vania, settling at New Brighton and there establishing an axe-works, after
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which he was employed in the Joseph Graff Axe Works at Beaver Falls, where he lived until his death in 1898. He married Margaret Ann, daughter of James and Maria (Emery) Lockhart, early residents of Washington county, Pennsylvania, whither they came from eastern Pennsylvania. Mrs. Holmes died in 1901. Children of Henry Clay and Margaret R. (Holmes) Purviance: I. Lois Clare, married Henry J. Flinner; lives in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania ; children : Lois Virginia and Vernon Purviance. 2. Margaret M., married James Tweedy; lives in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, the mother of one daughter, Rebecca Jane. 3. Harry Holmes, unmarried, lives with his mother. 4. Helen May, unmarried, lives with her mother. Since the death of her husband, Mrs. Purviance has moved from her home in Patter- son Heights to Beaver Falls, living in a comfortable, attractive home with her son and daughter.
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