USA > Pennsylvania > Beaver County > Genealogical and personal history of Beaver County, Pennsylvania, Volume II > Part 17
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Mr. Shannon married, November 18, 1867, Mary Alloway, born in Blair county, Pennsylvania, June 5, 1845, daughter of Ajalon and Eliza Jane Perkins Alloway. Ajalon Alloway was born in New Jersey, was a carpenter by trade, and after his marriage in Woodbury, Bedford county, Pennsylvania, moved to Blair county, in that state, where he died in November, 1882. His wife was born in Louden, Pennsylvania, and survived her husband eight years, dying in Blair county, in 1890. Children of William and Mary (Alloway) Shannon: I. Robert, born August 25, 1868; a train-dispatcher in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad; lives in Beaver Falls. 2. Aaron, born November 11, 1870; city ticket agent at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania ; lives at Beaver Falls. 3. James, born October 25, 1873; manages the homestead. 4. Elmer, born May 30, 1876; a physician of Ivoryton, Connecticut. 5. Nellie, born February II, 1879; married Edmund Blair; lives at Koppel, Pennsylvania. 6. Royal, born November II, 1881 ; a stenographer of Beaver Falls. 7. William, born March 9, 1884; an electrician of Woodlawn. 8. Annie, born October 20, 1887; lives at home, unmarried.
Mr. Shannon has recently celebrated his seventy-third birthday and for one of that age leads a remarkably active and useful life. He at- tends to regular duties on his farm and has recently assisted in the hauling of coal taken from a three-foot vein extending under his entire farm, strenuous labor for one of his years. In the summer of 1913 he attended the reunion of the veterans of the northern and southern armies at the historic battle-field of Gettysburg, and with the thousands of his old comrades and enemies he lived over in memory the scenes of those terrible years and joined hands with their former foes. During this time Mr. Shannon slept in a tent, ate his meals at the common mess, and observed the military routine that governed the encampment except during the special features provided for the delectation of the veterans.
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As did the most of the soldiers, he endured the trip and the stay at the battle-field excellently, deriving therefrom much of pleasure and en- joyment. Mr. Shannon attributes the fact of his strong and vigorous physical condition to his abstinence from tobacco or alcohol in any form, and is earnest and sincere in his warnings to youths to avoid the cultiva- tion of habits involving the use of these narcotics, a caution that may well be heeded, especially when confirmed and reiterated by reputable and well-known authorities. Mrs. Shannon is also a very well preserved woman for one of her years and still presides over the homestead, being as spry and active as many women many years younger.
This well-known Beaver county name was worthily borne by
HOLT the late William Humphrey Holt, a prosperous farmer of Brighton township, a life-long resident of that township. He was a son of Samuel Jacob and Mary Ann (Taylor) Holt, and a brother of Richard Smith Holt, now president judge of the thirty-sixth judicial district of Pennsylvania. The father, Samuel Jacob Holt, was a farmer of Brighton township and one of the progressive men of his day.
William Humphrey Holt was born in Brighton township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, September 18, 1858, died January 19, 1912. He obtained a good education in the public schools of the township, and remained at the home farm until his marriage. He was early taught the value of industry and from boyhood until assuming man's responsibilities was his father's assistant. He began life for himself on a rented farm, prospered, and later purchased a farm of fifty acres in Brighton township. Here he erected a comfortable dwelling, and lived a useful and contented life until his death. He was an active member of the Republican party, serving his township as school director and in other positions of trust. He was public- spirited and progressive, holding the confidence and esteem of his community. He was a warm friend of the Patrons of Husbandry, labored for the prosperity of the local grange, which he served also as master. He was also interested in other township enter- prises and organizations and helpful in all things.
Mr. Holt married, December 17, 1884, Rachel Caroline Hamilton, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, daughter of William Densmore and Amanda Hamilton, both born in Pittsburgh and there married. William Densmore Hamilton in early life was a carpenter, but in 1870 moved to Beaver, Pennsylvania, shortly afterward purchasing a farm of one hun- dred and fifty acres in Brighton township, where both he and his wife resided until death. Of the eight children of William Densmore Hamil- ton two yet survive, Mrs. Rachel C. Holt and William Densmore (2) Hamilton. Children of William Humphrey and Rachel C. Holt: I. Amanda Viola, who attended the public schools of Beaver county and a Methodist Episcopal Female College; graduated as a deaconess and has served as a missionary since; she is now stationed at the Crittenden
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Home, Washington, D. C .; she was also city missionary at Akron, Ohio, and served as assistant superintendent of the Crittenden Home there; she has been very successful in her chosen field. 2. Agnes Ferguson, married Howard C. Young, has two daughters, Mary Caroline and Ida May Young; resides in Ohio township. 3. John K., died aged two years. 4. Richard Smith, named for his uncle, Judge Richard S. Holt. 5. Mary Ann, married Wade F. Rall. 6. and 7. William Humphrey (2) and Samuel J., twins. 8. Sarah Elizabeth. Mrs. Rachel Holt survives her husband and continues her residence in Brighton township.
Altoona, Pennsylvania, was the birthplace of Thomas Rice, RICE born in 1845, who for many years was connected with rail- roading, bridge-building, and steel manufacturing in the em- ploy of the Carnegie Steel Company. Having filled the required term of service and having attained the necessary age he was retired from active labor and is a beneficiary of his former employer's pension system. Thomas Rice married (first) Margaret Quinn, born at St. Mary's, Mary- land, in 1848, died in 1880; (second) Mary Keliher, of Hamilton, Canada, died in 1913. His residence is in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Mr. Rice is a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Roman Catholic Church. By his first marriage he became the father of five children, of whom four died in childhood, the fifth, William C., of further mention. He has one child by his second marriage, John M., an engineer, who has been identified with the Pittsburgh filtration plant, chief draughtsman during construction, the Pittsburgh City Engineering Corps and the Alabama Power Company, of Birmingham, Alabama, in the capacity of chief draughtsman and designing engineer, holding the latter position with the two last named; he is at present connected with Morris Knowles, the eminent consulting engineer of Pittsburgh.
William C. Rice, son of Thomas and Margaret (Quinn) Rice, was born in Pittsburgh, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, June 12, 1874. He obtained his early education in St. Mary's Parochial School and received instruction in business forms and methods in a night class at Duff's Business College, of Pittsburgh. After completing his education he began a connection with steel manufacturing and construction that lasted for many years, his beginning being made in the capacity of rivet heater for the Keystone Bridge Company at Pittsburgh. This continued for one year, when he became a machinist in the employ of the H. K. Porter Locomotive Works, remaining there four years. He next held positions with the Pittsburgh Car Works, the New York Car Wheel Company, of New York City, and the Consolidated Traction Company, of Newark, New Jersey, holding the position of foreman in the latter company. He then entered the employ of the New York and Brooklyn Bridge Company, in the mechanical department, leaving after a year's service to engage in the erection of pig iron casting machinery for the Carnegie Steel
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Company at the Lucy Furnace Plant, Pittsburgh, and in the direction of experiments in the manner of construction best adapted to their uses. He was afterward employed in a similar capacity for the firm of Jones & Laughlin, still later spending a year at Struthers, Ohio, and the same length of time at the Carrie Furnace department of the Homestead Steel Works. For the next three years he held the position of inspector with the Carnegie Steel Company, after which time he discontinued all his relations with the industry he had followed for so long and with which he had gained a commanding familiarity. Real estate operations next claimed his attention and he located at Swissvale, Pennsylvania, be- coming a partner in the firm of Rice & Facius, a connection still binding, the company maintaining offices in both Pittsburgh and Swissvale. While a resident of the latter town, Mr. Rice was elected a member of the borough council. In 1906 he came to Midland in the employ of the Midland Steel Company sold its interests to the Crucible Steel Com- town. This position he filled with the greatest satisfaction to his em- ployers, attending to the sale of ground, laying out and naming of the streets, superintending the erection of houses for the employees of the company and collecting the rents therefor. When in August, 1912, the Midland Steel Company sold their interests to the Crucible Steel Com- pany, Mr. Rice had so ably discharged the duties of his responsible position that he was requested to remain in his former capacity, an offer he accepted. Possibly no one has been so closely connected with all of the influences that have had their effect upon the expansion and growth of Midland as Mr. Rice. Beginning his relations therewith when it consisted of nothing but eleven hundred acres of farm land, owned by Messrs. Neele, Kane, Brucker and McCoy, he has watched the seeds of population sprout and its habitations grow until the town now numbers five thousand inhabitants. His part in the development of Midland has been that of the diligent promoter and in all matters of municipal organization and government his services have been freely and willingly rendered. He is a director of the Midland Savings and Trust Company, in whose formation he assisted. He is an Independent in political action, and with his wife belongs to the Roman Catholic Church. Mr. Rice holds membership in the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of Rochester, the Knights of Columbus, the Pittsburgh Athletic Club, and the Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Rice married, in February, 1907, Tirzah M. Farrell, of Pitts- burgh, daughter of William J. and Ida ( McLaughlin) Farrell. William J. Farrell was a member of an old Maryland family, and was born in Cum- berland, that state. Following contracting as an occupation he came to Pittsburgh where he married in 1880, and where he was residing at his death in 1905. His wife, Ida, was a daughter of James and Tirzah (Patch) Mclaughlin, her mother a native of England and her father of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Her father was captain of a steamboat
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plying the Ohio river, and during the Civil war was in the Union service. The mother of Mrs. Farrell is still living, aged eighty-two years. Wil- liam J. and Ida (McLaughlin) Farrell were the parents of eleven chil- dren, of whom seven are living.
Children of William C. and Tirzah M. (Farrell) Rice: George H., William C. (2), Thomas J. Mr. Rice's home is in Beaver, Pennsylvania, although business interests require that he spend much of his time in Midland and Pittsburgh.
BRAUER
Brauer is a name which is frequently heard in this country, and the original holder of it was probably engaged in brewing, as it literally signifies a brewer.
(I) John Brauer was born in Germany, October 17, 1836, died March 25, 1914. He went with his wife to Pomeroy, Meigs county, Ohio, in the year 1870. He remained there until 1881, working in the salt mines, and then removed to Freedom, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, where he obtained employment in the tumbler works. In 1898 he retired to spend the remainder of his days in quiet and comfort. He was an Independent in his political opinions, and was a member of the Catholic Church. He married, in Germany, Catherine Bauer, born November 8, 1843, and has children : Frank W., see forward; Catherine, John Jr., Henry and Tillie, all now living.
(II) Frank W. Brauer, son of John and Catherine (Bauer) Brauer, was born in Germany, April 5, 1867. He was but three years of age when he was brought to this country by his parents, and he was reared and educated in Pomeroy, Ohio. When he came to Freedom, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, he also found employment in the tumbler factory, and remained with this concern until 1889. He then removed to East Liverpool, Ohio, where he worked in a glass house for a period of six years, and in 1895 returned to Freedom. He obtained a position in the wholesale house of P. F. Lewis, and in 1904 became associated with Simon E. Holsinger, wholesale liquor dealer. About two years later he severed this connection and removed to Aliquippa, where he established himself in business as a dealer in newspapers, books, confectionery, and combined with this a five and ten-cent store. He has been very suc- cessful in this enterprise. He gives his political support to the Republi- can party, and is a member of the Catholic Church.
Mr. Brauer married, February 10, 1904, Mary Magdalena, born in Germany, October 5, 1879, daughter of Jacob and Rosena (Ullrich) Waechtler, natives of Germany, the former named born September 18, 1856, and the latter named born October 31, 1855, who came to Pitts- burgh in 1891, removed to Aliquippa in 1895, and still reside there. They have children : Mary Magdalena, mentioned above; Conrad, Barbara and George. Mr. and Mrs. Brauer have children: George Francis, born November 8, 1904; Herman, born May 17, 1907; Anna, born November 12, 1908; Catherine, born April 6, 1910.
Henry Majors
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This is a German name, represented in Beaver county,
MAJORS Pennsylvania, seemingly by the descendants of several immigrants who came to Pennsylvania at various times from the middle of the eighteenth century down to recent years.
(I) Samuel Majors was born and reared in Virginia, from whence he migrated to Dougherty township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania.
(II) George Majors, son of Samuel Majors, was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, in 1805, died in 1888. He was the owner of two fine farms, one in Daugherty township, the other in New Sewickley township. He was a Democrat, and he and his wife were members of the Methodist church. He married Martha Musser, also a native of Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and they had children: Mary, married John Eaton, both deceased; Sarah Jane, now deceased, married Jackson Boggs; Martha, married Cornelius Miller, and lives in New Sewickley township; Abner, see forward; Robinson, died unmarried at the age of twenty-two years.
(III) Abner Majors, son of George and Martha (Musser) Majors, was born in Daugherty township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, May 4, 1837, died September 4, 1910. He was reared on the homestead farm, and upon the death of his father he purchased the interests in this farm of the other heirs, and in the course of time added more land to it, so that at the time of his death it contained one hundred and twenty-seven acres. While he was engaged to a certain extent in general farming, he made more of a specialty of fruit growing, and his orchard fruits and strawberries were justly celebrated. He and his wife were members of the Presbyterian Church, and he gave his political support to the Republican party. He married, August 26, 1854, Mary Ann Paine, born in Daugherty township, Beaver county, November 18, 1836. She was a daughter of David Paine, who died in 1844, and Ura (Majors) Paine, who died in 1888, and who married (second) Conrad Frederick, but had no children by her second marriage. Mary Ann (Paine) Majors had sisters and brothers as follows: Eliza, married Sarn Musser, both deceased; Nancy, married John Hickey, both deceased; Samuel, died in early youth; Samuel, deceased. Abner and Mary Ann (Paine) Majors had children: William, died at the age of three weeks; John, died unmarried at the age of fifty-three years; a son, died when a few weeks old; George Henry, see forward; Alfred, a farmer, mar- ried Anna McKee, and lives in Daugherty township; Harley, also a farmer, married Rebecca Stanley; Frank C., married Mary Rhodes; Benjamin, a farmer, married Elsie Blinn; Hugh, married Mary E. Swartz; Emma, mar- ried Joseph Brewer.
(IV) George Henry Majors, son of Abner and Mary Ann (Paine) Majors, was born in Daugherty township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, No- vember 28, 1859. He attended what was known as the Kettlewood District School, where he acquired a fairly good education for that time. He was the able assistant of his father in the conduct and management of the farm,
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and after his marriage he purchased nineteen acres for himself. He con- tinued to work for his father until 1905, and since that time has devoted himself to the raising of asparagus, grapes, and orchard fruits of fine varieties. In 1911 he built a new house for himself which is fitted up with all modern conveniences. He takes a deep interest in whatever concerns the welfare of the community, and gives his political allegiance to the Re- publican party. He and his wife are members of the Oak Grove Presby- terian Church. Mr. Majors married, April 6, 1905, Mary Christina Koch, born in Franklin township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, May 29, 1862, daughter of Powell and Christina (Swientzburg) Koch, the former having been a farmer, and both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Majors have no children.
McGEORGE It is interesting and curious to note that of the three gen- erations of this branch of the McGeorge family in a direct line who have been residents in America and the United States, only one has been American-born, the emigrant, William, claiming Scotland as his birthplace, his son, William, first seeing light on the high seas, and finally James, a native of Beaver county, Pennsylvania. As to the name McGeorge, and the fact of the residence of the family in the ex- treme southern portion of Scotland, there is a tradition to the effect that they were originally of the McGregor clan, but that, because of religious differences, they renounced relation to that race of warriors and founded the family of McGeorge in the south of Scotland.
In this region this record begins with two brothers, the first of a line of three Williams and Cornelius. Cornelius McGeorge entered the Pres- byterian ministry and gave his life to the service of that church, leaving Scotland and coming to the colonies in 1768, settling in Chenango county, New York, there laboring in the cause of the Master until his death, or- ganizing several small churches throughout the county and holding services in all its districts as frequently as he could complete the circuit of towns and villages.
(I) William McGeorge remained in his native land, and over its hills and in its valleys watched his sheep until his death, just as over the sea, three thousand miles distant, his brother shepherded his human flocks and guided them into the fold. William McGeorge had a son, William, the American emigrant.
(II) William (2) McGeorge, before his departure for the colonies, married Julia Haden. The story of his courtship and successful wooing has a touch of human nature that renders it of more than passing interest. Julia Haden was the daughter of a retired sea captain, who in his maritime ventures had amassed abundant wealth. Although the father of his daugh- ter's suitor was a gentleman highly regarded in the neighborhood and was the possessor of a comfortable fortune from the successful tending of his flocks, Captain Haden was irrevocably opposed to the match, even, so the story
.
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runs, going to the lengths of offering his daughter as many gold pieces as would cover the top of a Spanish table. That the young English girl (her father's estate was just across the boundary) married William (2) Mc- George in 1792 is sufficient proof of the futility of her father's efforts to dissuade her from the course upon which she had decided. The following year they immigrated to the United States, their first child being born on the way across, and settled in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, about ten miles south of the city of Pittsburgh. He never purchased in that county, but in 1798 journeyed to Darlington township, Beaver county, and there bought a farm, although he did not make his home there until 1806. In Allegheny county he rented farms, which he cultivated with profitable suc- cess, each fall making a practice of loading a large wagon, drawn by four horses, with the products of his farm, and crossing the mountains to Phila- delphia, where he sold his products, receiving in payment provisions and other articles and commodities necessary and difficult to obtain in the west. Upon his return to his home, he drove through the surrounding neighbor- hood with his loaded team, finding a ready market for his goods and reap- ing a much larger profit than had be accepted cash for his farm products. He was a shrewd business man and in a later day and generation, with wider fields of endeavor and opportunity, would have proved his worth among the ablest of financiers. In the season when farm work was not particularly pressing he sold goods between Pittsburgh and Cleveland, carrying his wares in large saddle-bags. He came to Beaver county in 1798, first pur- chasing two hundred acres of land in Darlington township, where James McGeorge now lives, and later four hundred acres additional, later occupied by his son, James. William McGeorge was a member of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, regular in his attendance and strict in his observance of all religious laws, especially of those regarding manual labor on the Sab- bath. His children he reared in strict loyalty and obedience, and despite the many chafing regulations of conduct that he imposed upon them, held their loving regard, for there was no rule which they were compelled to obey that was not binding upon him. He donated the ground upon which the Reformed Presbyterian Church was later built, but died before its erection, his death occurring in 1815, aged fifty-five years. His wife, Julia, attained the unusual age of ninety-seven years, although in her younger days she had been considered of frail and delicate health. Children of William (2) and Julia (Haden) McGeorge: 1. William, of whom further. 2. James, died upon the part of his father's estate that he inherited at the latter's death. 3. Jane, married William Jones; lived in Big Beaver township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania. 4. Sarah, married William Young; their home was in Big Beaver township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania. 5. Mary, married Joseph Gibson; resided in South Beaver township.
(III) William (3) McGeorge, son of William (2) and Julia (Haden) McGeorge, was born on a ship bound for the American shore in mid-ocean, 1793, died October 11, 1854. His early boyhood was spent in Allegheny
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county, Pennsylvania, and in 1806 he came to Darlington township with his father and grew to manhood on the homestead in that township. As his share of the Darlington township farm he received two hundred acres, later buying one hundred acres of land now occupied by the town of Enon, and assisted in laying out the lots. He also acquired, for three dollars an acre, four hundred and eighty acres of land in Belmont county, Ohio, which was sold by his heirs, and is now valued at two hundred dollars an acre, rich oil wells having been struck on the property. In his manhood he ad- hered to the religion of his youth, the Reformed Presbyterian, and being active in church work, he lived a model and exemplary existence in his daily life. In the latter years of his life he became an extensive sheep raiser, owned large flocks, and was uniformly successful in that occupation, which his grandfather, the first William, had followed in Scotland many years before. He married Nancy A. Young, born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, February 15, 1798, died in Darlington township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, June 14, 1886, daughter of John Young. John Young was born in Ireland, and there married, coming with four brothers to Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and settling on rented farms south of the Ohio river. He was frugal and saving in his manner of life and soon possessed suffi- cient funds to purchase a farm in Big Beaver township, on which he lived until his death, aged seventy-eight years. He was an elder of the Reformed Presbyterian Church. His children: 1. William, made his home in Logan county, Ohio. 2. John, lived near his brother, William. 3. Robert, a farmer of Lawrence county, Pennsylvania. 4. Rebecca, married William Scott; resided in Chippewa township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania. 5. Jane, mar- ried William McCampbell; lived in Lawrence county, Pennsylvania. 7. Nancy A., of previous mention, married William (3) McGeorge. Children of William (3) and Nancy A. (Young) McGeorge: I. Margery Jane, de- ceased; married John Gibson, who survives her, living in Bellevue, Penn- sylvania. 2. Mary Ann, married James McKinney; lived first in Butler county, later in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 3. James, of whom further. 4. Elizabeth, deceased; married (first) Rev. Samuel Sterrett, deceased; (sec- ond) Michael George, who lived in Mansfield, Ohio. 5. Margaret, died aged seventeen years. 6. Jemimah, deceased; married Isaac Kitchen; lived in East Liberty, Pennsylvania.
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