USA > Pennsylvania > Beaver County > Genealogical and personal history of Beaver County, Pennsylvania, Volume II > Part 14
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(IV) Dr. J. Howard Swick, son of Daniel W. and Mary Ann ( Boots) Swick, was born at New Brighton, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, August 6, 1879. In his youth he attended the public schools, later enrolling in Peirsol's Academy, where he completed the college preparatory course. For five years after his graduation from this institution he was engaged in the pedagogical profession, at the expiration of that time entering Geneva College, where he took a two years course. Medicine was the field that made the strongest appeal to him, and as it became necessary for him to decide upon a profession, he accordingly matriculated at the Hahnemann Homoeopathic Medical College in Philadelphia, whence he was graduated in 1906. During the last two years of his course he served as interne in the Children's Homoeopathic Hospital of Philadelphia, performing the duties of this position in connection with the demands of his college schedule, which was in itself adequate occupation, and sufficient to busy a student without leaving leisure in which to idle. The energetic en- thusiasm that prompted him to undertake this double burden, as well as to serve two months as an interne in the Pittsburgh Homoeopathic Hospital, has marked his active practice, begun in Beaver Falls soon after he received his diploma and degree from the Hahnemann Institute. Since his resi- dence in Beaver Falls he has been physician-in-charge of the dependents of North Sewickley and Franklin township, and has likewise been a member of the health bureau for the same length of time. To a large extent his practice is general in character, although he is a specialist in the diseases of childhood, having made that branch of his profession the object of the most careful study and investigation. His knowledge of his profession is wide and accurate, and his large and growing practice is ample evidence of his popularity with his townsmen. Dr. Swick not only adorns his pro- fession in Beaver Falls, but he is likewise a willing and useful worker in the cause of civic advancement. Health is necessary to growth; and by his services he is protecting the health of the community as a member of the health bureau, and is safeguarding its inhabitants from epidemics, as far as lies within his power, by his advocacy of sanitary improvements and his strict surveillance of conditions in the public schools. His medical societies are: The Beaver County and Pennsylvania State Homoeopathic and the American Institute of Homoeopathy. His political support is given to the Republican party, and he also affiliates with the Protective Home Circle, American Insurance Union, and the Masonic Order, belong- ing to Beaver Falls Lodge, No. 662, Free and Accepted Masons, Harmony Chapter, No. 206, Royal Arch Masons, and Beaver Valley Commandery, No. 84, Knights Templar.
Dr. Swick married, September 19, 1906, Esther L. Duncan, born in North Sewickley township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, daughter of Wil- liam and Sarah Duncan. Children: Charles Emerson and Florence Irene.
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While not a native born son of Pennsylvania, William H. Rall, RALL of Brighton township, descends from parents both born in this state. He is the son of William and Margaret (Coy) Rall, who prior to moving to Ohio resided at Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, where William Rall conducted a blacksmith shop. He had an established business there, but when the Mahoning canal was begun, he moved to Girard, Ohio, to take part in its construction. He was an expert smith and found abundant opportunity to display his skill in forging the plates, locks, bolts, nuts and spikes used at the locks and dams along the route of the canal. After the canal was completed and his services no longer required, he opened a shop in Girard, where he was employed as a general smith until his death in 1854. Both he and his wife were members of the Disciples of Christ, both active workers, and faithful and consistent Christians. Margaret (Coy) Rall long survived her husband, but did not again marry, finally passing away in the year 1870. Children: Lorenzo, died in child- hood; Angeline, died in childhood; Mary Jane, deceased, married Thomas Randolph; Lovanchia, died in Wellsville, Ohio, in 1912, married John O. H. McNamee; Albert, killed in an accident on the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railroad, a brakeman; Alvernon, married Theophilus Ferguson, and resides at Girard, Ohio; William H., of whom further.
William H. Rall, youngest of the children of William and Margaret (Coy) Rall, was born at Girard, Ohio, October 14, 1853. He obtained a public school education, and began life as a wage earner in the employ of a railroad company. He acquired a familiar knowledge of machinery and its operation, finally becoming a stationary engineer in the employ of the Wellsville Plate and Sheet Iron Company, a position he held for five years. From the engine room he graduated to the rolling department, working as a bar roller from 1885 until 1903. He had always been a man of thrift, saving his earnings, and in 1893 he purchased a farm of one hundred and eight acres in Brighton township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania. These acres he had leased to others ever since becoming their owner, but in 1903 he abandoned mill work and moved to his farm. He erected a new barn, made other improvements, and now has a well cultivated fertile farm devoted to general farming purposes and the breeding of a high grade of stock. While not reared to farm labor he has used wise judgment and painstaking care in his operations, feeling his way until now he has the knowledge and experience necessary to insure success. He has prospered both as iron worker and farmer, the proof being his well kept and profitable estate. He is a Republican in politics and has so gained the confidence and respect of his neighbors that he is now serving them as township supervisor. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and with his family attends the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mr. Rall married, July 3, 1882, Elizabeth C. Booth, at Bridgewater, Pennsylvania, daughter of Levi and Eliza (McCabe) Booth. Levi Booth
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was born in Bridgewater, Connecticut, coming to Western Pennsylvania when a young man, there marrying, but later moving to Edinburg, Ohio. He was a dry goods merchant and late in life established a store in Rochester, Pennsylvania, having his residence in Bridgewater, nearby His wife, Eliza (McCabe) Booth, was born in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania. Children of William H. and Elizabeth C. (Booth) Rall: I. Howard T., resides on the home farm, his father's assistant; married (first) Mary Robinson, who bore him one child, Helen; married (second) Pauline Geibel, who bore him two children: Albert, deceased; William, living. 2. Wade T., also an assistant on the home farm; married Mary Ann Holt. 3. George W. 4. Blanche L., married L. C. Wise and they are the parents of one child; resides in Pittsburgh. 5. Melda.
RAMSEY The Ramseys are representatives of a family probably of Celtic origin, which has furnished much valuable citizenship to Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and contributed greatly to its industrial development. Various members of the family have followed diversified callings-mechanics, tradesmen, farmers, principally the latter. They lived east of the Allegheny mountains for many years.
(I) Robert Ramsey, the first of the line herein recorded, was born in Maryland. He traveled across the mountains in the early pioneer days of the state of Pennsylvania, and located in Washington county, which at that time extended as far north as the Ohio river. He married Mary Michel, who bore him fifteen children, six sons and nine daughters, all married but one, all had good-sized families, and all but one attained an age of more than sixty years. The oldest son, Rev. James Ramsey, D.D., was a professor in the Seceder Theological Seminary at Canonsburg and pastor of the Canonsburg Seceder Church for forty years. Robert Ramsey was one of the founders of the Kings Creek Seceder Church, also one of its elders.
(II) Robert (2) Ramsey, son of Robert (1) Ramsey, was born in Maryland, in 1780, and removed with his parents to Pigeon Creek, Wash- ington county, Pennsylvania, in 1789, and they later settled in Hanover township, same county, on the farm later owned by Thomas Ramsey, now deceased. After his marriage Robert Ramsey Jr. moved to near Youngs- town, Ohio, and subsequently returned to Pennsylvania and settled on the farm now owned by James and Joseph Ramsey. He was twice married, first to Susannah Leeper, the second time to a widow, Mrs. Deborah (Stephens) Whitehill. Children: Robert, lived on the homestead until his death, unmarried; James, of whom further; William, died on his farm near Hookstown; Mary, married Robert Cross, and died in Washington county, Pennsylvania; Eliza, married, her husband's surname being the same as her own, and died in Hanover township; Eli, of whom further; James, the owner of a farm near Hookstown, where he died.
(III) James Ramsey, son of Robert (2) and Susannah (Leeper)
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Ramsey, was born near Youngstown, Ohio, in 1812, died in 1887, in his seventy-fifth year. He was educated in the district schools. He learned the trade of carpenter, at which he worked a few years, but this not proving to his liking, he turned his attention to farming, in 1847 purchasing a part of the old homestead farm from Thomas Moore, his wife's brother, and there spent the remainder of his days. At first he had but seventy-five acres of land, but he increased this by successive purchases, until he had one hundred and eighty acres at the time of his death. Stock raising also engaged a large amount of his attention, and he was very successful in this enterprise. Mr. Ramsey married Isabel Martha Moore, born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, in 1816, daughter of Samuel and Jeannette (Mc- Collough) Moore, and granddaughter of Robert Moore, who was one of the pioneer settlers of Western Pennsylvania, where he took up a large tract of land, a part of which is owned by the Ramsey brothers, having been in the family line considerably more than a hundred years. Samuel Moore settled on part of his father's farm; he was a soldier in the War of 1812; he married, in 1799, Jeanette, daughter of Alexander McCullough, a pronounced Scotchman both in lineage and character, familiarly called "Ould Sawney;" he was one of the founders of Mill Creek Church, in which he served as elder; he died in 1830, noted for his faith and piety. Mr. and Mrs. Moore were the parents of eight children, all of whom are now deceased. Children of Mr. and Mrs. Ramsey: Samuel M., of whom further ; Susan Mary, born 1852, died in 1905, married Dr. George Christler, of Hookstown, Pennsylvania; Robert Morton, of whom further.
(IV) Samuel M. Ramsey, son of James Ramsey, was born on the farm in Greene township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, March 2, 1849. He received his education in the public schools of his native township, and his entire life has been spent on the homestead farm. This farm is conducted by Samuel and Robert M. Ramsey, they conducting their opera- tions under the name of Ramsey Brothers. They now have under cultiva- tion upward of three hundred and thirty-three acres of land, and their products are considered as among the best of their kind in that section of the country. Mr. Ramsey is a director in the First National Bank of Chester, West Virginia.
(IV) Robert Morton Ramsey, son of James Ramsey, was born on the homestead farm in Greene township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, April 1, 1858, and his entire life has been spent there. He was educated in the public schools, and has associated himself with his brother, Samuel M., in the management of the farm. The brothers are members of the Pres- byterian Church, Samuel M. being a member of the session for over thirty years and has represented the congregation in the general assembly. Robert M. Ramsey is a director in the First National Bank of Midland. He mar- ried, August 10, 1899, Mrs. Alice Holmes, daughter of James and Mary (Brower) Todd, of Green Garden, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, both of whom are now deceased, Mr. Todd having been one of the most prominent
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men of the county, serving as commissioner of Beaver county. Mrs. Ramsey has one daughter by her former marriage, Helen Holmes.
(III) Eli Ramsey, son of Robert (2) and Deborah (Stephens-White- hill) Ramsey, was born in Hanover township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, December 3, 1822, died there in July, 1899. He spent his youth in the vicinity of his birthplace and upon the death of his father inherited one- half of the old homestead, there making his life-long home. He was a successful farmer, bore an excellent reputation among his neighbors, and was deeply interested in all that pertained to the public life of the township, particularly things political. He was a staunch Republican and among his other public services was for several years a member of the school board. With his wife he was a member of the United Presbyterian Church. He married (first) Elizabeth Stephenson, who died June 23, 1850; (sec- ond) Mary E. Moore, who died April 28, 1893. Mary E. Moore was a daughter of Andrew and Eliza (McCready) Moore, both natives of Hooks- town, Pennsylvania. Andrew Moore was a farmer by occupation, the owner of two hundred acres of land near Hookstown, where both he and his wife died, and was a Democrat in politics. Children of Andrew and Eliza (McCready) Moore: Joseph M., died on his farm which adjoined the old homestead; William, married a Miss Moore, and spent his life on the homestead; Belle M., married John Nickle, deceased, and lives in Hanover township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania; Margaret, married David Craig, and lives in Greene township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania; Lizzie, died unmarried; Ellen, died unmarried; Annie, married Hampton R. Massey, and lives on the Moore homestead; Mary E., of previous mention, married Eli Ramsey. Children of Eli and Elizabeth (Stephenson) Ramsey: Thomas S., Robert M., Louis, Elizabeth J., died in infancy, all now deceased. Children of second marriage of Eli Ramsey: James P. M., lives on a part of the Ramsey homestead; Andrew G., lives in Hancock county, West Virginia, just across the Pennsylvania line, married Laura Whitehill, de- ceased ; Joseph Wilson, of whom further.
(IV) Joseph Wilson Ramsey, youngest child of Eli and Mary E. (Moore) Ramsey, was born in Hanover township, Beaver county, Penn- sylvania, September 30, 1871. He attended the public schools of the township and spent his youthful life on the farm, later taking up its management and finally becoming its owner. The ground is exceedingly fertile and he has had extraordinarily good success with his general farming operations. In addition to farming he raises a great deal of stock, from which he realizes a comfortable income. His political creed is Republican, and as a member of this party he has served the county as justice of the peace for the past three years. With his wife he is a member of the Mill Creek Presbyterian Church, and assists in the direction of the material affairs of that organization as a member of the board of trustees. He is popular in the neighborhood, and respected for his manly, upright char- acter, holding a foremost position in the township.
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He was married on Thanksgiving Day, 1900, to Wilda V. Cameron, born in Hanover township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, daughter of Thomas M. and Agnes (Chapman) Cameron. Children of Joseph Wilson and Wilda V. Ramsey: Gladys E., Dessa A., Joseph M., Kenneth, Wayne, Dorothy.
The Powell family has been resident in the state of Penn- POWELL sylvania for a number of generations. It is of record that bearers of this name came from Wales to New England in the early Colonial days, but whether the branch here under discussion is related to the New England family or whether it came to America at a later date cannot be established with any degree of certainty.
(I) Henry Powell was a resident of Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and there married and had children.
(II) Ivan Powell, son of Henry Powell, was born near Knob, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and died at Rochester, Beaver county, Feb- ruary I, 19II. He received his education in the district schools of his native county, and in his earlier business years was a blacksmith. Later he established himself in a general store in Knob, Beaver county, and also had charge of the post office. In 1882 he removed to Rochester, Beaver county, being identified with the line of blacksmithing, and retired some time prior to his death. He gave his political support to the Democratic party, and was a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Mr. Powell married Mary Jane KcKee, who was born in Allegheny or Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and they had children : Ella, now deceased, married, Harry Aten; Sidney and Anna, living in Beaver Falls, Beaver county ; James, of Geneva, Ohio; Elmer, of Steubenville, Ohio; Addison, lives in Rochester township, Beaver county; Ira, of further mention.
(III) Ira Powell, son of Ivan and Mary Jane (McKee) Powell, was born at Knob, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, April 29, 1877. He was edu- cated in the public schools of Rochester borough, and upon the completion of his education commenced to assist his father in the shop of the latter. In 1893 he entered the employ of the Rochester Tumbler Works, in the glass cutting department, remaining with this concern until 1902. He then formed a connection with the H. C. Fry Glass Company, as foreman of the cut tumbler department, continuing in this position until 1905. In that year he started in the grocery and feed business at No. 451 New York avenue, Rochester, and has been successfully identified with this since that time. Mr. Powell was one of the prime movers and incorporators of the Un- Gro-Co Store Company, operating a chain of stores throughout the Beaver Valley and is treasurer of the organization.
The company takes it name from the "Un-Gro-Co" merchandise line, the largest exclusive line of food commodities and household necessities of dependable quality and character ever offered the consuming public, of which this company owns and controls the exclusive sale in specific terri-
Ira Powell.
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tory. This company was formed for the purpose of establishing and con- ducting Un-Gro-Co Retail Grocery Stores in the cities of Rochester, Monaca, New Brighton, Beaver Falls, Freedom, Conway, Aliquippa, Woodlawn, Bea- ver, West Bridgewater, Pennsylvania, and in such other towns as in the judgment of the board of directors would be advisable. The purpose of the company is to purchase in different localities, established stores, which have a good business and good location, or to open entirely new stores with good locations, equip each of its stores and markets with all of the most mod- ern conveniences, with the idea in view of serving the greatest number of patrons and friends with the smallest possible cost to the company. Each store will be managed by competent managers, knowing the trade and patrons per- sonally, their responsibility and credit standing, and when in the judgment of the management a patron is eligible to credit they will be given a two weeks or monthly credit, and merchandise will be sold them at the very lowest prices consistent with the kind and quality of merchandise they buy. A discount will be allowed each customer of 3% on all cash purchases made, checks will be given with each cash transaction, and when these 3% discount checks amount to $1.00 or more, they will be redeemed by the Company in cash or merchandise. Cash coupon purchase books will be sold by the company in denominations of $5.00, $10.00, $20.00 and $50.00 for cash at 5% discount to consumers and patrons. The company will handle in large quantities, flour, feed, produce of all kinds, the finest lines of staple, standard and fancy grocery merchandise, together with all the table delicacies, and in addition to all of this the entire line of Un-Gro-Co merchandise, the largest, handsomest, purest line of food commodities and household necessities of dependable quality and character ever offered the consuming public; each package, can, container or article containing a cash redeemable coupon which averages, on the whole line throughout, a discount of 10% in cash to the consumer.
The business ability of Mr. Powell has been recognized by his fellow citizens by his election to office as president of the Retail Merchants' As- sociation. He has also been chosen as president of The Old Home Week Association. For many years he has taken an active part in political matters in behalf of the Republican party, and was a member of the town council for three years. While a member of this honorable body he was chosen as its president, although he was the youngest member at the time. At present he is doing excellent work as a member of the board of school directors, and is president of this body. His religious affiliation is with the Evangelical Lutheran Church and is also vice-president of the church council and he is a member of the United Order of American Mechanics, Knights of the Golden Eagle and the Woodmen of the World.
Mr. Powell married, August 24, 1899, Orpha Duncan, of Rochester, who was born in Youngstown, Ohio, and they have children: Beatrice Elizabeth and Zeta Mary.
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Among the founders of Ohio township, Beaver county, Penn- GAILEY sylvania, were Joseph and Elizabeth Gailey, of English de- scent. It is probable that they moved thither from a nearby county, but no available records give any clue as to their former residence. He was a farmer by occupation and purchased one hundred and twenty- five acres of land in the township which he cleared, cultivated, and improved by the erection of buildings. His death occurred thereon about 1855. Children of Joseph and Elizabeth Gailey, all deceased: James, Sarah, Maria, William, of whom further, and Angeline.
(II) William Gailey, son of Joseph and Elizabeth Gailey, was born in Ohio township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania. He obtained his education in the public schools of his native township and there spent his early life, making that place his home for a short time after his marriage. He later, however, moved to South Beaver township, purchased one hundred and thirty-five acres of land, and there lived until his death, which occurred when he was over eighty-five years of age. He was a Republican in politics and, as was his wife, a member of the Four Mile Presbyterian Church. He married Mary Moore, born in Ohio township, Beaver- county, Pennsylvania, died in South Beaver township, same county, aged over seventy-five years, daughter of William and Mary Moore. Her parents were early residents of Ohio township, where he was a farmer, owning a farm of one hundred and ninety acres, where both lived and died. Children of William and Mary Moore: Mary, of previous mention, mar- ried William Gailey; John, a farmer of Beaver county, died aged seventy- one years; Silas, died in 1913, aged ninety-four years. Children of William and Mary (Moore) Gailey: Elizabeth, deceased, married John Donovan; Silas, of whom further; James, deceased; John, died in infancy; William, deceased ; Daniel, a farmer, lives in Beaver; Nancy Jane, died unmarried aged thirty years; Samuel, died young.
(III) Silas Gailey, eldest son and second child of William and Mary (Moore) Gailey, was born in South Beaver township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, May 23, 1848. He attended the public schools in his youth and spent his early life on the farm, following that occupation when he left his home By purchasing the interests of his co-heirs he became the owner of his father's farm. Here he has ever since lived, greatly im- proving the property by the erection of a house, barn and necessary out- buildings. He conducts general farming and stock raising operations, and has three acres of land planted in apple trees of selected quality. In a region embracing many productive farms, his ranks among the best, and under his careful and skillful management his soil retains most of its richness and fertility. He is a Republican in politics, and with his wife belongs to the Four Mile United Presbyterian Church, holding membership in the session of that organization.
Mr. Gailey married, November 28, 1868, Melissa, daughter of John and Sarah (Glass) Johnston, of Ohio township, Beaver county, Pennsyl-
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vania. John Johnston was a son of James and Nancy (Caughey) Johnston, natives of Ireland, who came to the United States soon after their mar- riage and settled on what is now the Goodwin farm, of Ohio township, and in this township they died, near Smiths Ferry. John Johnston was born in Ohio township in 1811, and after his marriage purchased a farm of one hundred and twelve acres near Raylton, Ohio township, and there died in 1895 after a busy and useful life. He married Sarah Glass, born in Youngstown, Ohio, 1813, died in 1897. Both she and her husband were members of the Presbyterian Church, and he was a Republican in politics. She was a daughter of John and Mary (Johnston) Glass. John Glass was a native of Ireland, came to Ohio township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and was there a farmer. He was thrice married, Mary Johnston being his first wife, many of the ten children of that marriage settling in Indiana. In the War of 1812-14 he was a soldier in the American army. Children of John and Sarah (Glass) Johnston: 1. Mary, married William Slentz, both deceased. 2. Maria Louisa, married Thornton Hunter, deceased, and lives in Wells county, Indiana. 3. Nancy Jane, unmarried, lives with her sister, Maria Louisa. 4. Melissa, of previous mention, married Silas Gailey. Children of Silas and Melissa (Johnston) Gailey : 1. Effie, married Rev. Edward Curtis Shumaker, a minister of the Baptist Church, and lives at Lorain, Ohio; children: Erie J., a minister of the Baptist Church; Edna C., Helen C., Alva, Clyde. 2. John J., married Lillian Patterson, and is his father's assistant on the home farm; children: William Nye, George J., Melissa Ruth, Annie May, Robert John. 3. William, a teamster of Beaver; married Annie Dauber. 4. Bessie, died in 1913; married Harry Bevington; children: Samuel, Harry W., Laura Matilda, Richard, Clyde, died in infancy. 5. Ira Franklin, lives at home, and engages in the oil business. 6. Ola E., married J. D. Hostetter, and lives in Frederickstown, Knox county, Ohio; children: Gailey J., Goldie Grace, Joseph Ray. 7. Goldie, married Charles Hostetter; lives in Ohio township; children: Gailey Fred and Ola Fay.
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