USA > Pennsylvania > Beaver County > Genealogical and personal history of Beaver County, Pennsylvania, Volume II > Part 15
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SCHAAL The Schaal family has been resident in this country only a few generations, but it has already proved its worth as having men who are good and upright citizens, and who have proved their worth in the business and industrial circles of the community.
(I) Frederick Schaal was born in Germany in 1819, died in his native land in 1876. He was the owner of about five acres of land, which he cultivated carefully during the summer, and occupied the winter months by following his trade of weaving, in this manner comfortably supporting his family. He and his wife were members of the Evangelical Church. He married Marguerite Kurtz, born in Germany in 1816, died there in 1883. They had one child.
(II) David Schaal, only child of Frederick and Marguerite (Kurtz) Schaal, was born in Wuertemberg, Germany, September 26, 1855. He
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was educated in the public schools of his native land, and at a suitable age took up the occupations of farming and weaving under the supervision of his father. Having come to the conclusion that better opportunities were to be found in the United States than his own country afforded, he emigrated to America in October, 1880, and settled at Economy, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, for the winter months. In the spring of 1881 he removed to Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, where for one year he worked on the railroad, in a quarry and in the steel mills. Farm life, however, had far greater attractions for him, and in 1882 he purchased a plot of land, one hundred by three hundred feet in extent, on Patterson Heights, Penn- sylvania, and to this he has added by purchase from time to time, so that he is now the owner of three and one-half acres of land. He applies the most modern and approved methods of cultivation, and raises general market produce. For many years he has been an earnest advocate of Republican principles in politics, and has served as a school director in Patterson Heights borough, and as a member of its common council. His fraternal connection is with the Knights and Ladies of Honor, and he and his wife were members of the Evangelical Church.
Mr. Schaal married (first) in 1877, Mary Kurtz, born in Germany, died in 1902, daughter of Andrew Kurtz. He married (second) in 1905, Mrs. Mary Stumbach. There were no children by the second marriage. By the first there were fourteen children, seven of whom died in infancy, the others were named: I. Frederick, a caretaker at College Hill; married Linny George and has four children. 2. Pauline, married George Irvin; lives at home; has one child. 3. Emma, married Bert Carother; lives in Patterson Heights; has two children. 4. Elizabeth, lives at home. 5. Charles, a gardener, lives at home. 6. Mary, married Benjamin Boss; lives at Patterson Heights; one child. 7. George, deceased; married Pearl Baker; she lives at Patterson Heights; one child.
HUNTER Stories of the achievements of members of the Hunter family in the industrial and financial world are numerous, and although the branch of the family herein recorded chose rural life and agricultural pursuits as their lot, the reputation of the family for honorable, upright and successful dealings has ever been upheld.
(I) The emigrant of the line was the grandfather of Alexander Hunter, a native of Ireland, who came to Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and for a long time lived near Smiths Ferry. He was a farmer and in the course of his life acquired large tracts of land in the locality. He married - Morehead. Upon emigrating from Ireland he brought with him his son, Wallace.
(II) Wallace Hunter grew to manhood in Beaver county, Pennsyl- vania, and there married. After his marriage he located on a farm of one hundred and six acres in Ohio township, which he had previously purchased, and he and his wife made their first home in an old log house
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erected thereon at an earlier date. In 1865 they moved to an adjoining farm of one hundred and twenty-four acres, where his death occurred in 1874, his wife surviving him and dying in 1906, aged eighty-three years. He married Eliza Ann, daughter of Alexander Gibb. He was a Scotch- Irish settler of Beaver county, a farmer who there spent his life. Children of Wallace and Eliza Ann (Gibb) Hunter: I. Jennie, married John M. Ewing, and died one year after her marriage. 2. Alexander, of whom further. 3. John S., was a farmer of Ohio township, died in 1912; mar- ried Maria Johnson. 4. Harry G., was a resident of Mannington, West Virginia, the victim of a railroad accident in 1909; married Alicia Todd. (III) Alexander Hunter, son of Wallace and Eliza Ann (Gibb) Hunter, was born in Ohio township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, June 5, 1850, died April 11, 1911. He attended the public schools of the county and was also a student of Professor Martin Knight. After completing his studies he assumed the management of the home farm and continued in this occupation for many years. At his father's death he purchased the interest of the other heirs of the homestead, an estate of two hundred and thirty-six acres, and there spent the remainder of his days, remodeling and adding to his old home. He became an extensive dealer in hay, straw and also raised much fine stock, mainly horses, his stock commanding high prices and being noted for its excellence. Until the time of his death he was a member of the United Presbyterian Church, and for many years a trustee honored and respected for the upright course of his life. His moral character was beyond reproach and in public life, as well, his record was of unassailable integrity. A Republican in politics, he never held public office, confining his interest to casting an intelligent vote for the candidate of the best repute.
Mr. Hunter married, November 25, 1873, Ida, daughter of William Shannon and Jane (Barclay) Barclay. William Shannon Barclay was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, March 31, 1830, died February 16, 1902, son of John and Elizabeth (Shannon) Barclay. He was for a time engaged in the mercantile business with his father, later a clerk in the court house, and married Jane, daughter of Thomas and Jane Barclay, born in Ohio township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, March 10, 1830. Children of Alexander and Ida (Barclay) Hunter: I. Jesse Wallace, died aged three years. 2. Stella, lives at home. 3. Ethel, lives at home. 4. Howard Leland, manages the home farm.
Ireland is the country that must be searched for the history of
MACK
the Macks of early days, those of that name having been resident in all parts of that land, not a few of the family having made America their home. Such was the case of the line herein recorded, of which but two generations have had American homes, Frank Mack, born in county Mayo, Ireland, being the emigrant ancestor.
(I) Frank Mack was a young man at the time of his arrival and
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secured employment with the Atlanta and Great Western Railway, now a part of the Erie system, in that service meeting with the accident that caused his death in 1868. He married Mary Dunn, likewise a native of county Mayo, Ireland, who had come to the United States with her sister, Elizabeth and the husband of Elizabeth, Mr. Quinlan. In their native land they had been unacquainted, but soon after their meeting in Lockport, New York, they were married in Jamestown, of the same state. She sur- vived him three years, her death occurring in 1871, both loyal lifelong members of the Roman Catholic Church. They were the parents of : Christopher, a resident of Glassport, Pennsylvania, an employee of the American Axe and Tool Company; Sarah, died in infancy; George, died in Buffalo, New York, in January, 1906; John, of whom further.
(II) John Mack, son of Frank and Sarah (Dunn) Mack, was born in Jamestown, New York, October 21, 1866. His parents dying when he was but a child he became a member of the family of John Shean, and in his youth attended the public schools. When he was twelve years of age he discontinued his studies and obtained his first employment in a hotel at Buffalo, New York, where he remained for a period of three years. He then entered the axe factory of E. F. Carpenter & Company, at James- town, New York, being there employed from 1881 until 1890, serving in all departments of the works and gaining a knowledge that was at once thorough and practical, all of the many processes of the business becoming as familiar to him as the most commonplace object. In 1890 he became associated with the American Axe and Tool Company, ten years later coming to Beaver Falls in the capacity of manager of their plant in that place, and from the time of his arrival in the town was a director of the company employing him. The magnitude of the works is apparent when it is stated that they employed about five hundred men, statistics that also demonstrate the responsibility of his position, inasmuch as the tactful handling of men requires a presence and a personality far beyond the reach of most. In 1909 the plant was partially destroyed by fire and three years later the American Axe and Tool Company sold their property that was still undamaged to the Kelly Axe Company. Mr. Mack then resigned from the service of the company with which he had been associated for over a decade and purchased the Kelly plant in Beaver Falls, organizing the Mack Axe Company, incorporated with a capital stock of $60,000, the board of directors being composed of John Mack, chairman, Frank Mack, J. M. Mack, and M. Mack. Since then Mrs. Mary Mack, now deceased, left the board of directors, it being the same with that exception. Mr. Mack is the active manager of the factory in which an average of one hundred and twenty-five men are employed, the product of the company being shipped to all parts of the world, consumers in Australia, South Africa and South America receiving frequent shipments. In the near future, when the organization of the company is perfected and its equipment more complete, the factory will manufacture edge tools of all types, its present
John Mack
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facilities providing for but the manufacture of axes. With Mr. Mack as its able head, a prophecy that its future success will far overreach the expectations of the most sanguine is not unfounded, for in him is contained all of the craft and skill of more than thirty years connection with that business, the benefits of which his company will reap. He is a Republican in politics and during his residence in Jamestown was elected an alderman of the city. He was also a delegate to the Pennsylvania Republican con- vention that nominated Governor Tener for the office to which he was afterward elected, that of governor. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and with his family affiliates with the Roman Catholic Church.
He married, in 1889, Mary Reed, born in Buffalo, New York, daughter of Frank and Mary (Sheppard) Reed; Mrs. Mack died March 13, 1914, aged forty-five years. Children: Julia M., a trained nurse in the Provi- dence Hospital, Beaver Falls; Frank, associated with his father in the manufacture of axes; Sarah V., Fred, Mary, John, all residing at home.
HUFFMAN Washington county is the part of Pennsylvania in which the Huffman family herein recorded first appears, the first of whom there is record, Grandfather Huffman, a descendant of German forebears, settling there in the early days of the county. He was a farmer by occupation, owning land in the vicinity of Florence. He met an accidental death while hauling material from Pitts- burgh preparatory to the erection of a new house. Both he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Children: I. Mary, married and spent her life in Jackson county, Ohio, where she died. 2. Rebecca, died in Washington county, Pennsylvania. 3. George, a farmer, died in Washington county, Pennsylvania. 4. William, a farmer of Ohio, where he died. 5. Henry, a farmer in Illinois, near Olida, where he died. 6. Jacob, a merchant of Steubenville, Columbiana county, Ohio, later moved to a ranch in Nebraska, and died in that state. 7. James, of whom further. 8. Thomas, at one time a farmer and carpenter, died retired in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
(II) James Huffman was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1821, died in May, 1893. He grew to manhood in his native county, was educated in the public schools of the locality, and after his marriage moved to South Beaver township, Beaver county, where he purchased a farm of more than one hundred acres near Elder's Factory. In order that he might conduct farming operations on a larger scale he purchased a large area of land adjoining his property, cultivating the entire tract. He became the owner of Watts Mills, shipping his whole output to Pitts- burgh. In this occupation he gradually devoted less time to his farming, later selling the flour mills and giving his attention exclusively to his land. He finally sold all his property and made his home with his son, Frank L., until his death, aged seventy-three years. His life was one of
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successful activity, blessed with rich and abundant fruit, due in large measure to the hearty enthusiasm with which he entered upon any task, no matter how distasteful, and the unabating industry that characterized his working years. He was a Democrat in political belief, supporting that party in every issue requiring close party lines.
He married Jane Maloney, born near Florence, Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1821, died in December, 1893. She was one of a family of ten children, of whom eight were girls and two boys, the two sons dying in infancy. Maternally she was descended from the Morton family, of New Jersey, which was planted in Pennsylvania at an early day. Chil- dren of James and Jane (Maloney) Huffman: 1. John Thomas, of whom further. 2. Elvira, married J. B. White; lives in Darlington, Pennsylvania. 3. William H., a physician of Harrisburg, holds a government position; he is a veteran of the Civil War, having served in the Union army in Company D, One Hundredth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. 4. Frank L., of whom further. 5. Sarah, married Thompson Baker, an ex-sheriff of Custer county, Nebraska, in which state they live. 6. Samuel, a resident of Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, a laborer. 7. Josephine, died in Homestead, Pennsylvania, about 1906; married Edward Davis.
(III) John Thomas Huffman, son of James and Jane (Maloney) Huffman, was born in South Beaver township, Beaver county, Pennsyl- vania, November 18, 1849, died in Darlington township, same county, November 16, 1910. He grew to manhood in South Beaver township, and there attended the district school. After his marriage he purchased forty- four acres of land in Darlington township, later adding to his possessions one hundred and thirty-four acres in South Beaver township, never re- siding thereon, but renting it during his entire lifetime. On his land in Darlington township he raised a great deal of fine fruit, specializing in that branch of agricultural pursuits. His peaches and apples always found a ready market, being of unusual size and luscious flavor. Years of experience had taught him all the skill of the trained fruit cultivator, and with wise foresight he guarded the welfare and health of his trees, never forcing them into bearing but furnishing them with treatment that insured the fullest yield, and protecting them from the numerous parasitic scales that bring destruction to so many orchards yearly. He was a recognized neighborhood authority on all that pertained to the culture of fruit trees, and was frequently consulted by his neighbors on topics of that nature, his advice being followed with strict care. Quiet in disposition, Mr. Huffman never was actively engaged in public life or affairs, preferring the peaceful life of his home to the company of his fellows, and in the presence of his wife and family ever found true happiness and content. Solicitous for their every need, in their service he found the greatest enjoyment, and none can know the depth of grief or the anguish of sorrow that his de- parture caused in that little circle, beside which the sympathizing regret of friends, however sincere, pales into insignificance. While, as has been
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written, Mr. Huffman took small part in politics or public affairs, he yet supported the Republican party at the polls. He affiliated with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows.
He married, August 8, 1872, Janet Hotchkiss, born at Coat Bridge, eight miles from Glasgow, Scotland, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Cranston) Hotchkiss. The Hotchkiss family had long been resident in Scotland and it was there that Joseph Hotchkiss was born in 1810, died October 24, 1872. His parents were natives of that country, coal miners in occupation, in religious faith Presbyterian. His brothers and sisters were: I. Edward, came to the United States, but returned across the ocean, settling in England. 2. John, proprietor of a hotel in Glasgow, Scotland, where he died. 3. Michael, also came to the United States, but did not make his home here for any considerable length of time, recrossing the ocean to England, where he died. 4. Ellen, died in Scotland ; married John Hodgett, who died in New York City, New York. Joseph Hotchkiss married (first) Mary Love; (second) Mary Cranston, born in England, April 24, 1828, died March 22, 1908, daughter of James and Jennie (Moffit) Cranston, both natives of Scotland, who afterwards moved to England. Jennie Moffit was a daughter of James Moffit, a minister of the Reformed Presbyterian Church. Children of James and Jennie (Moffit) Cranston: I. Jane, married Thomas Sherry ; they made their home in East Palestine, Ohio, where he was a miner. 2. Mary, of previous mention, the second wife of Joseph Hotchkiss. 3. John, enlisted in the Union army at the time of the Civil War from Peoria, Illinois, and was never heard from thereafter, nor has any trace of him been found. Children of first marriage of Joseph Hotchkiss: 1. James, died aged eighteen years, the result of injuries received while engaged in mine labor. 2. John, died young. 3. Edward, died in boyhood. 4. William, a miner, lives in Darling- ton township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, with Michael Hotchkiss, his half-brother. Children of second marriage of Joseph Hotchkiss: 1. Janet, of previous mention, married John Thomas Huffman. 2. Edward, lives in Darlington township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, at the home of his sister, Janet; his occupation is that of coal miner. 3. Jennie, deceased, married Finley Rhodes. 4. John, a coal miner of Burgettstown, Pennsyl- vania. 5. James, baggage master in the Union depot in Pittsburgh, Penn- sylvania, where he resides. 6. Joseph, a hardware merchant of Dillonville, Ohio. 7. Michael, a farmer of Darlington township, Beaver county, Penn- sylvania. Children of John Thomas and Janet (Hotchkiss) Huffman: I. Samuel, born January 28, 1874; a steel-worker of East Mckeesport, Penn- sylvania; married May Clark; they are the parents of Marguerite, Gene- vieve, Paul, Walter, Dorothea. 2. Mary, born August 4, 1877; married Sylvan Randall; lives in North Braddock, Pennsylvania. 3. Jennie, born July 9, 1885; a nurse in the West Penn Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 4. Helen C., born November 17, 1896; lives with her mother.
Mrs. Janet Huffman is a woman of rare sweetness and beauty of
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character, a mother of the old school in every fibre of her being. At the death of the wife of her brother, John, his son, Cecil D., came to make his home with his aunt, and has there since lived, receiving from the fullness of her great heart the maternal love of which death had attempted to deprive him.
(III) Frank L. Huffman, son of James and Jane (Maloney) Huffman, was born in Darlington township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, July 28, 1861. He was educated in the public schools of Darlington township, and from boyhood was taught in the ways of farm life, so that he remained on the home acres as his father's assistant until his marriage. After his marriage he purchased a seventy acre farm in Lawrence county and there lived until the spring of 1900, when he moved to Beaver county, there becoming the possessor of one hundred and twenty acres of land in Big Beaver township. His home is near the present town of Koppel, and there he has ever since resided. On his land he has erected several houses for renting purposes, as well as a large silo. This latter is necessary because of the comparatively numerous stock he keeps in connection with his dairy business, his stables housing twenty cows, all excellent stock and steady producers. He conducts a retail milk business, covering all of the neigh- boring territory, and supplies his customers with a rich and wholesome grade of milk, bottled in a sanitary manner in a dairy scrupulously clean. It is by the sale of a product with these qualities that Mr. Huffman has built up a large patronage in that locality. His farm at the present time consists of but seventy acres, fifty acres of his former tract having been purchased in 1906 by the Arthur Koppel Company. He has held numerous township offices, elected always on the Republican ticket, and with his wife attends the services of the Presbyterian Church.
He married, September 6, 1883, Martha Jane Hillman, born in Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, February 4, 1863, daughter of John and Isabel (Blair) Hillman. John Hillman was a son of John Frederick and Hannah Ann (Wiley) Hillman, who came to Beaver county from West- moreland county, Pennsylvania, and there bought two farms near Ellwood, where they both died. They were the parents of two children, Elizabeth Jane, married Thomas Irvin, and died on the homestead; and John, father of Martha Jane. John Hillman was born near Greensburg, Pennsylvania, September 24, 1833. When a child he was brought by his parents to Beaver county and there grew to manhood and married, later moving to Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, where he owned a farm. In 1877-78 he returned to Beaver county, purchasing a farm of one hundred and thirty acres where Frank L. Huffman now lives. On this property he erected a substantial dwelling and in numerous other ways added to its appearance and convenience, and there died, in September, 1903. His first wife, Isabel, died in 1868, and he married a second time, his wife being Martha Ann, a sister of his first wife. Isabel and Martha Ann Blair were the daughters of Samuel and Isabel (Stockman) Blair. Samuel Blair was
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born on Manhattan Island, New York, where the family had lived for many generations. Upon coming to Beaver county he settled in Big Beaver township, there buying a farm of one hundred acres, on which he built a red brick house, now used as a dwelling by his grandson, John C. Blair. Within the walls of this house, raised about 1835, Samuel Blair died. He was the father of: I. Robert, a farmer of Kansas, where he died. 2. Silas, killed in battle in the Civil War, a soldier in the Union army. 3. Samuel. 4. John, a soldier in the Union army, met his death at the battle of Fair Oaks. 5. Martha Ann, the second wife of John Hillman. 6. Eliza, died unmarried in Beaver county. 7. Isabel, the first wife of John Hillman, died in Beaver county. John and Isabel (Blair) Hillman were the parents of but two daughters, Martha Jane, of previous mention, married Frank L. Huffman; and Anna, married William Wilson, a brother of Judge J. Sharpe Wilson. Children of Frank L. and Martha Jane (Blair) Huffman: 1. John Frederick, a farmer, lives with his father. 2. Harry James, a farmer of Lawrence county; married Matilda Law, and has one son, Harry James Jr. 3. Roy Wilbert, lives at home. 4. Frank Lloyd, lives at home. 5. Martha. 6. Anna Elizabeth. 7. Mildred Gladys. 8. William, died in infancy.
The name of Davis is one of common occurrence in this country
DAVIS and is found in various forms-Davies, Davids, etc. The majority of those bearing it are of English descent, although the German form of the name has become changed to be like the English. The family under discussion here came originally from Wales, where the great- grandfather of the present generation was born. He was a millwright, and about 1840, with his wife and family, emigrated to the United States. He at once went to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he worked at his calling until his death. He married in Wales and had children: Samuel, who was a policeman for many years in the city of Pittsburgh, is now living there in retirement; Joseph, who had lost a leg while in service during the Civil War, was drowned in the Ohio river; Sarah, died in Pittsburgh; Thomas, see forward; Mary, lives in Pittsburgh.
(II) Thomas Davis, son of the preceding, was born in Wales about the year 1820. In 1861, during the Civil War, he enlisted in a Pittsburgh company of infantry, and while he, his father and his brother Joseph were climbing a wall during a charge up a hill, a cannonball tore off one of Joseph's legs. In the heat of the battle father and sons became separated, and Thomas Davis was never heard from again, having probably died a hero's death and been buried in an unknown grave. Mr. Davis married Elizabeth Nottingham, born in Sheffield, England, 1824, died of Asiatic cholera in 1857. She was the daughter of James and Mary (Brown) Nottingham, both natives of Sheffield, England, where he worked in a cutlery factory, and whence the family emigrated to Pittsburgh when Mrs. Davis was a small child. Mr. and Mrs. Davis had children : William F.,
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