USA > Pennsylvania > Beaver County > Genealogical and personal history of Beaver County, Pennsylvania, Volume II > Part 25
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George L. Wilson
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BEAVER COUNTY
He married Jane Burnside, a native of county Fermanagh, Ireland, whence her parents, Thomas and Margaret Burnside, came to the United States, settling in Ohio. Children of Thomas and Jane Wilson: I. George Lindsey, a farmer of Beaver county, died in 1901, unmarried. 2. Margaret Christey, married Charles Bowers, deceased; lives on the homestead in Industry township with her sister Eliza; she is the mother of two children: Thomas Wilson and Jane Burnside. 3. John Burnside, lives retired in Los Angeles, California; married Matilda Aiken and has children, Mary E., Genevieve, Royal. 4. Eliza, lives on the old homestead. 5. An infant, deceased.
The oldest and the youngest of the children of Thomas and Jane (Burnside) Wilson, George and Eliza, never married, but after the death of their father continued their residence on the home farm until the death of the former in 1901. The eldest daughter of Thomas Wilson, Margaret C., since becoming a widow, has made her home with her sister, Eliza. Always the best companions in their youth, the reunion is indeed a happy one and full of blessing to both, their natures being most congenial.
The Wilson family is of that splendid Scotch-Irish stock
WILSON which has left indelible marks upon American history. Of this race were a great mass of the Revolutionary soldiers of Pennsylvania known as "the backbone of Washington's army," and also founders of the Presbyterian Church in America, and of that great in- stitution of learning known as Princeton University. In the agricultural interests of the country they have held a pre-eminent place, and their in- fluence has been felt throughout the country.
(I) John Wilson was one of the early settlers in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, where he was a farmer. Latel in life he removed to Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, making his home near Little Lancaster, and there his death occurred. He and his wife were members of the Presbyterian Church. He married Eliza Martin, whose father, Joseph Martin, was at one time the owner of an enormous estate in South Beaver township. They had children: Russell, see forward; Horace, a farmer in Pulaski township; Add, who was a soldier during the Civil War, resides in California; John, also a soldier died on his way to his home from the battlefield.
(II) Russell Wilson, son of John and Eliza (Martin) Wilson, was born in North Sewickley township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and after his marriage settled on a farm in South Beaver township. He bought a farm of thirty acres, on which he died in April, 1909. He married Mary Jane, born in May, 1841, daughter of Richmond and Mary (Fink) Hart, and she now lives with her son, Richard Hart Wilson. Richmond Hart was one of the early settlers in North Sewickley township, where he was a land owner and a carpenter, and where he died. He married Mary Fink, who died in West Virginia, where she was living with one of her sons.
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They had children : Mary Jane, married Russell Wilson, see above; Sarah, married Samuel Boots, and lives in North Sewickley township; Annie, married Amos Boots, and also lives in North Sewickley township; John, who died in early boyhood; Richard, a farmer in Indiana; James, married Annie Whisler and lives in North Sewickley township; Edward, a black- smith, lives in West Virginia. Russell and Mary Jane (Hart) Wilson had children: Mary, married Willis Reed and lives in Beaver Falls; John, unmarried, lives in Darlington, Pennsylvania; Eliza, widow of John Allen, lives in South Beaver township; Lillian, unmarried; Richard Hart, see forward; Add, died at home after his return from the Philippine Islands during the Spanish-American War; Daisy, married Will Peterson, and lives in Mckeesport; Willard, lives in South Beaver township; James, died unmarried, in 1893.
(III) Richard Hart Wilson, son of Russell and Mary Jane (Hart) Wilson, was born in South Beaver township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, January 14, 1875. He attended the public schools, where he acquired an excellent education, and upon its completion he entered the employ of the Standard Guage Steel Company, of Beaver Falls, with whom he remained thirteen years. In 1908 he purchased a farm of one hundred and four acres, near the homestead of his father, and erected a number of substan- tial outbuildings upon it and made numerous other improvements. He cultivates general produce and has been very successful in this enterprise. His political support is given to the Democratic party, and he has served several years as school director. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and of the Knights of Malta. Mr. Wilson married, March 12, 1914, Fannie B. Jackson, daughter of Joshua and Elizabeth (Craft) Jack- son, who live in South Beaver township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania.
The Wilson family is an ancient one in Pennsylvania and WILSON the line herein traced has added to its historical and genea- logical interest by alliances with the Garrett and Beatty families.
(I) The first of this branch of whom there is definite and authentic record is James Wilson, born in 1758, died in 1792, who came from Bedford county, Pennsylvania, to Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1781. By his will be left to his wife, Margaret, two hundred acres of land adjoining the borough of Washington to be held in trust until his youngest son, James (2), should become of age, when it should be divided among his sons, James, Thomas, John.
(II) James (2) Wilson, son of James (1) and Margaret Wilson, was born about 1780. He learned the trade of coppersmith and followed that occupation in Washington county until 1813, when he moved to Beaver county. He made his home in South Beaver township, there purchased land and at his death was a farmer on a generous scale and a large land owner.
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(III) George Wilson, son of James (2) Wilson, was born in Wash- ington county, Pennsylvania, in 1809, died in South Beaver township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania. As a child of three he was brought to Beaver county by his parents and one of his earliest recollections was of the soldiers recruited in the vicinity returning from the War of 1812-14. Here his entire life was spent as a farmer, and at his death he owned three hundred acres of land in South Beaver and Ohio townships. His last home, a frame structure erected in 1861, is still standing, in good condition, and is used as a residence. He was a member of the Whig party for many years, and at the formation of the Republican party transferred his al- legiance thereto. Both he and his wife were members of the Presby- terian Church, living useful and quiet Christian lives. He married Par- melia McMillan. Children: 1. Rebecca, died unmarried. 2. James Martin, died in Warren, Ohio, aged sixty-five years. 3. John Arbuckle, died aged twenty-four years. 4. George Ralston, of whom further. 5. Zimri W., died in East Liverpool, Ohio. 6. Mary S., for many years a teacher in the public schools. 7. Eliza Jane, died in infancy. 8. Annie E., deceased, married J. L. Elliott. 9. Joseph M., died in 1910. 10. Cordelia Florence, married Miles Deane, and lives in East Palestine, Ohio.
(IV) George Ralston Wilson, third child and second son of George and Parmelia (McMillan) Wilson, was born in Beaver county, Pennsyl- vania, June 20, 1840, died in Salem, Ohio, November 5, 1902. He grew to man's estate in Beaver county, attending the public schools, later fol- lowing the occupation of a farmer, was there married on December 15, 1868, afterward moving to Salem, Ohio, where his death occurred. He was an energetic and hardworking farmer and in his agricultural pursuits met with gratifying and profitable success. He was a Republican in political sympathies, and in religious belief was a Presbyterian, to which church both he and his wife belonged. He married Victoria Beatty, born October 31, 1851, died in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, August 10, 1893, daughter of Rev. James and Elizabeth Ann Rose (Garrett) Beatty. The Beatty family's original American home was in Columbiana county, Ohio, where William Beatty settled. He was a native of Ireland and a large holder of land, which many tenants cultivated, according to the system then in vogue in that country. Becoming involved in difficulties with the English crown, his estate was confiscated and a price set upon his head for his capture. Forced into hiding, where he was protected by the good offices of his many friends, a year later he contrived to obtain passage on an Amer- ican-bound vessel. Upon his arrival he continued westward until he arrived in Columbiana county, Ohio, where he invested his entire remaining funds in farm land. Here he married and his son, Rev. James Beatty, was born. James, in his youth, voiced a desire to enter the ministry and was educated to that end, graduating from Allegheny College and teaching school for a few years before being ordained. After his ordination in the Methodist Episcopal ministry his first charge was in Ohio, but he soon accepted a
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call in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and for many years was a familiar and conspicuous figure in the work of that denomination in the county. Although a sincere, devout and faithful teacher of the Word he did not confine his good works strictly to the pulpit, but believing that there was as wide a field and one as ripe for the harvest in public life, as in the church, gave much of his time and attention to public and political affairs. A forceful and convincing speaker, one who made an appeal to classes widely separated, he wielded a vast influence throughout the locality, where he was respected for the manly manner in which he met everyday issues in person, and not as an adviser from a height of ecclesiastical superiority. He married Elizabeth Ann Rose, daughter of Isaac Garrett, a member of an old New England family of "Mayflower" lineage. Isaac Garrett came to Columbiana county, Ohio, among the first settlers and there be- came the owner of a large estate and the possessor of a considerable fortune, all of which was swept away by a bank failure and several unwise business ventures. Children of Rev. James and Elizabeth Ann Rose (Garret) Beatty: I. Victoria, of previous mention, married George Ral- ston Wilson. 2. Nettie, married H. B. Cowan, a resident of South Beaver township. 3. Leonidas, died in infancy. Children of George Ralston and Victoria (Beatty) Wilson : Leonidas L., of whom further; Nettie Florence, married John Carr.
(V) Leonidas L. Wilson, eldest child and only son of George Ralston and Victoria (Beatty) Wilson, was born in South Beaver township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, October 12, 1869. He attended the public schools and spent his youthful life on his farm, when a young man learning the baker's trade. This he followed for a few years at Wellsville, Ohio, abandoning it to engage in farming operations. This he only continued for a short time and then accepted a position as general agent of the Millson Rendering Company of Buffalo, New York. The next thirteen years of his life were spent as proprietor of a livery stable at East Palestine, Ohio, where in connection with the general routine of a livery, he did a great deal of grade and excavation contracting. He also acquired real estate holdings of value in this town, still retaining title to several proper- ties. On October 31, 1912, he moved to his present home in the newly platted town of Midland, Pennsylvania, where he continues in the con- tracting business, on a larger scale than heretofore, employing forty men and keeping eleven teams in constant use. His judgment in moving to a town then in the first stage of growth and as yet not fully developed has been proven of the best, as he has been awarded the contracts for many operations as the limits of the town have been extended to accommodate the increasing population. Mr. Wilson is a Republican in politics, and affiliates with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Owls.
He married, December 27, 1899, Elizabeth Ellen Shasteen, daughter of Andrew Jackson and Lucinda (Wymer) Shasteen, of Darlington, Penn- sylvania. Children: Lena F., Glenn L., Everett D., Helen E., George E., Gladys M.
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Three generations of this family, including the present, have SEANOR borne the given name John G., the first, owning Germany as his birthplace and coming to the United States with his five sons. He located at Greensburg, Pennsylvania, and there became pro- prietor of a hotel.
(II) John G. (2) Seanor, son of John G. (1) Seanor, was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, died in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, in 1896. He was educated for the legal profession but was compelled to abandon his intention of following that calling by failing eyesight. He then devoted his attention to the coal industry, engaging in business at Penn Station, Pennsylvania. He forsook this occupation to begin farming operations, which he conducted on his farm in Lawrence county until 1874. Although continuing in the same line of activity, in this year he changed his residence from Lawrence to Beaver county. He was uniformly successful in his agricultural undertakings, and besides the prominence always accorded one who has accomplished something well he held an im- portant place among his fellowmen because of his activity in public affairs. A strong Republican, he was appointed justice of the peace of Lawrence county by Governor Andrew Curtin, governor of Pennsylvania at the time of the Civil War. John G. Seanor married Susan Gasser; children: Eliz- abeth, Lottie, Sallie, Frank, Katherine, John G., of whom further, Harvey.
(III) John G. (3) Seanor, son of John G. (2) and Susan (Gasser) Seanor, was born in Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, April 2, 1864. He attended the public schools of Lawrence and Beaver counties, and when a young man learned the business of well drilling for both gas and oil. This occupation he has ever since followed and at the present time bears a reputation as one of the most skillful and capable drillers in western Pennsylvania. As the discoveries of oil and gas have been made in different parts of the country, masters of his craft have been needed to open the way to the subterranean flow, and in the pursuance of his occupation he has drilled wells in twenty-two states of the United States and also in Canada and Cuba. He has prospered in his business, and in 1912, in partnership with J. H. Williamson, he purchased property on Seventh avenue and there erected a commodious and splendid equipped garage, which bus- iness showed steady growth and justified the application of the term "success," becoming a lucrative source of income. He disposed of his interest in the garage, August 1, 1913, and devotes his time to his former occupation. He affiliates with the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Union Valley Lodge, No. 411, Free and Accepted Masons, the Lodge of Perfec- tion, of New Castle, Pennsylvania, and the Modern Woodmen of the World.
Mr. Seanor married Belle, daughter of Samuel Blair, of Beaver county, Pennsylvania. Children of John G. (3) and Belle (Blair) Seanor : Luella, Margaret, Elizabeth, Dorothy, Isabella, John G. (4).
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The family bearing this name has been distinguished for some ELZE generations for the number of its members who have been prominent in professional work, notably in the profession of music.
(I) William Elze, a resident of Dessau, Anhalt, Germany, was a dean of a college there for many years. He married Elisa - and they had children: Julius, of further mention; Karl, a Lutheran minister ; Guido, a director and noted composer of music in Italy; - , a well known writer and translator; Augusta, Minerva and Celia, all deceased.
(II) Julius Elze, son of William and Elisa Elze, was born in Oranien- baum, Germany, and was cabinet minister in Anhalt. He married Anna Werner, born in Dessau, Germany. She was the daughter of Karl and Lena (Gelbke) Werner, the former, who was born at Coswig, holding office as a director of public safety throughout the active years of his life, and after fifty years' service he was pensioned with full salary. They had children: I. Otto, who was a general in the German army, serving in the wars of 1860, 1866 and 1870-71; at the battle of Spichern he led his regiment up Spichern Hill, and so strenuously was he engaged in this action that for a time his hearing was destroyed, but it was later restored and he returned to military duty. 2. Karl, was an extensive landed proprietor, his land being rented in farms to tenants who cul- tivated it. 3. Paul, who was a piano manufacturer at Dresden, Germany, and was manufacturer to the court. 4. Max, a wholesale merchant in Leipsic, doing an international business. 5. and 6. Elisa and Anna. 7. Charles William Julius, of further mention.
(III) Charles William Julius Elze, son of Julius and Anna (Werner) Elze, was born in Dessau, Anhalt, Germany, May 22, 1859. One part of his education was acquired in the schools of his birthplace, where he also took a special course in music, and he then spent two years in Leipsic, where he completed his musical education. While in Leipsic he was engaged in business with his uncle, Max Werner. He served one year in the German army, and held the rank of lieutenant in the Ninety-third Regiment. When he was about twenty-seven years of age he decided to come to America, and upon his arrival here, located in the City of New York. There he devoted his entire attention to music, being mainly associated with operatic companies. About 1888 he removed to New Brighton, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, where he established himself in the piano business, in the sale of which he has been eminently successful. He handles as manufac- turer and distributor all the leading makes of pianos and player-pianos, also grafonolas and small instruments; his place of business is at No. 921 Seventh avenue, Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. He erected a beautiful and commodious residence for himself and family in 1895. His fraternal affiliations are with the Masonic Order, in which he has attained the thirty- second degree. Mr. Elze married, in 1895, Hattie Hageman; children: Frances, Werner, deceased.
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Charla William Jala
Julius Page
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BEAVER COUNTY
The name of Wallace was one of the most numerous. WALLACE among the immigrants to this country during the early days of settlement. There were other early immigrants bearing the name af Wallis, the two spellings appearing interchangeable, but all came from the same Scotch ancestry. From Scotland they migrated to Ireland, founding the town of Londonderry, there being no less than four of this name in the enterprise. They have been distinguished in the old country and the new by their sterling worth and their successful bus- iness careers.
(I) Patrick Wallace was born in Ireland, and about 1794 emigrated to America. He located in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, on the farm which is now in the possession of one of his grandsons. At that time there were no railroads in this country, and the toilsome and tiresome journey across the mountains had to be made by wagon. He married, in Ireland, - McAdams, also a native of that country. They had children: Benjamin, a farmer in Beaver county, Pennsylvania; John, died at the age of eighteen years; David, see forward; Sarah, married David Luke, and lived in Darlington township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania; Jennie, married James Cook, and lived in Lawrence county, Pennsylvania.
(II) David Wallace, son of Patrick and - (McAdams) Wallace, was born in Ireland in 1786, died about 1870. He came to America at the same time as his father, and shared the same hardships. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and was given a grant of land of forty acres, and later another of one hundred and twenty acres in payment for his services. He was not naturalized until he was sixty years of age. They were Covenanters in religion, and later became New Side Covenanters. He married Jane Scott, born in Ireland in 1796, died in 1868, daughter of John and - (Crawford) Scott, born and married in Ireland, who emigrated to Delaware, and remained there until the remainder of the family came there. He finally removed to Beaver county, Pennsylvania, where he settled on a farm, and his remaining years were spent there. They had children: William, a farmer in Chippewa township, Beaver county, Penn- sylvania; James, a farmer in Big Beaver township; John, a farmer in Chippewa township; Jane, married David Wallace, as above mentioned. David and Jane (Scott) Wallace had children: I. John, deceased; was a farmer in Lawrence county, Pennsylvania. 2. David, died at the age of twenty-four years. 3. William, deceased; was a tanner by trade, and lived in Darlington, Pennsylvania. 4. James, deceased; was a school teacher, and died at the age of twenty-five years. 5. Robert, deceased, was a carpenter by trade and the proprietor of a drug store in Petersburg, Ohio; was in a company of Zouaves, Pennsylvania Regiment, during the Civil War, and lost a leg in this time of strife. 6. Benjamin, deceased; was a carpenter and lived in Beaver Falls. 7. Matthew, deceased; for many years lived with his father on the homestead farm, and finally died on a farm in Mahoning county, Ohio, which he had purchased from his father. 8. Samuel, de-
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ceased ; was a plasterer and also gave instruction in music; lived in Peters- burg, Ohio. 9. George Gillespie, see forward. 10. A son, who died in infancy. 11. Ellen, deceased; married William Young; lived in Ohio. 12. Elizabeth, died unmarried in Darlington, Pennsylvania. 13. Margaret, died unmarried. 14. Ann Jane, died unmarried.
(III) George Gillespie Wallace, son of David and Jane (Scott) Wal- lace, was born on the farm on which he still lives, in Darlington township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, April 23, 1838. He was educated in the old brick district school building near his home. After the death of his father he purchased all the rights of the other heirs to the homestead estate, and now owns the one hundred and ninety-six acres. His father had sold a part of the farm to a coal company, but George G. Wallace repurchased it. He sold the coal to the State Line Coal Company, and it became known as No. 6 Mine. He has been a staunch Republican, and has served as town auditor, as justice of the peace and as school director. He and his wife are members of the United Presbyterian Church. Mr. Wallace mar- ried, in 1872, Amy Anna Mead, born at Middletown, Mahoning county, Ohio, June 26, 1843, died June 16, 1894, daughter of H. D. and Sarah (Reed) Mead, the former a harness maker by trade. They had children: I. Sarah Jane, born August 29, 1874, died November 29, 1891. 2. Florence, born July 11, 1876; married Leander Burns; lives in Darlington township. 3. Frances Amy, born February 28, 1882; married Charles Douglas; lives in Lawrence county, Pennsylvania. 4. David Scott, born May 27, 1884; assists his father in the cultivation of the farm, and also works in the coal mines.
WALLACE
The agricultural interests of the state of Pennsylvania have been benefited for a number of generations by the efforts in this direction of the Wallace family of Beaver
county.
(I) Joseph Wallace, who was a native of Beaver county, Pennsyl- vania, was for a time engaged in boat building, and later purchased a farm, which he cultivated in a most modern manner for the period in which he lived. When he purchased his farm he paid at the rate of six dollars per acre, but it has largely increased in value since that time. He erected a commodious and fine looking dwelling upon his land, and added other buildings from time to time, as occasion demanded. Mr. Wallace married Rachel Spence, who was born in county Antrim, Ireland, and they were the parents of the following named children: Mary, James N., Nancy, Washington, Joseph R., Rachel, Elizabeth, John Spence, see for- ward; Virginia, William. Mr. Wallace was a Democrat in his political opinions. He was an earnest and devout member of the United Presby- terian Church.
(II) John Spence Wallace, son of Joseph and Rachel (Spence) Wal- lace, was born on the homestead farm in Beaver county, Pennsylvania,
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December 29, 1849. His education was acquired in the public schools of his native township. At an early age he commenced to assist his father in the cultivation of the home farm, and in this manner acquired a thorough and practical knowledge of all the details of farm life. He was always energetic and progressive in his farming as well as his business methods. When he had attained manhood he purchased a farm for him- self, and the cultivation of this property engaged his time and attention for many years. It consists of two hundred and thirty-six acres, some of it used for pasturage, some for fruit growing and some for general produce. He was eminently successful in his operations. Mr. Wallace's religious adherence was with the United Presbyterian Church.
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