USA > Pennsylvania > Beaver County > Genealogical and personal history of Beaver County, Pennsylvania, Volume II > Part 31
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(IV) Benoni (2) Dawson, second son and child of Benoni (1) and Rebecca (Mackall) Dawson, was born in Frederick, Maryland, August 20, 1768, died in Beaver county, Pennsylvaina, November 14, 1844. He moved from the south to the north side of the Ohio river, and there pur- chased a farm of two hundred and fifty acres (now owned by Lewis Davidson), clearing and cultivating the same. He served two terms, of six months each, as a frontier guard against hostile Indians, the service being known among those engaged therein as "standing on the station." He married Katherine P. D. McKennon, a native of Scotland, daughter of Rev. Daniel McKennon, born in Annapolis, Maryland, October 20, 1775, died in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, December 18, 1848. Children of Benoni (2) and Katherine P. D. (McKennon) Dawson: I. Elizabeth, born
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April 22, 1794, died in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, unmarried. 2. Benja- min, born June 20, 1796, died October 22, 1817; married Sarah Bayne. 3. Rebecca, born October II, 1798, died February 5, 1844; married, April 5, 1838, John Cristler. 4. Robert, of whom further. 5. James, of whom further. 6. Sarah, born December 20, 1806, died unmarried. 7. Ruth, born July 30, 1809; married, November 3, 1837, Isaac Evans.
(V) Robert Dawson, second son and fourth child of Benoni (2) and Katherine P. D. (McKennon) Dawson, was born on his father's farm near Ohioville, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, July 30, 1801. He followed the farmer's occupation throughout his entire active career. After his marriage he lived for two years in Ohio township, then took up his resi- dence in Columbiana county, Ohio, later returning to his native place and settling on land now a part of the Ferguson farm, there residing for eight years. He then purchased one hundred acres of land near Fairview, thereon erecting a substantial brick house, still used as a residence by his daughter Catherine, also building a smaller house of brick, which is also standing at the present time. Before his death, December 2, 1882, he had acquired two hundred acres adjoining, making his farm three hundred acres in extent. Honor and industry were the two cardinal principles of his daily life, the first gaining for him the respect and esteem of his friends and neighbors, the second providing him and his family with plenty of the goods of this world. He continued in the faith of his fathers and was a member of the Episcopal Church, and supported the Whig party in all political issues.
He married, February 9, 1826, Elizabeth, daughter of Ruel Reed, who died October 22, 1864. Children of Robert and Elizabeth Dawson (of whom only one is living) : 1. Mary Ann, died unmarried in 1909. 2. Catharine, aged eighty-five years, lives in the old brick house erected by her father, the only survivor of her generation. 3. Benoni, a farmer of Ohio township, died in 1909. 4. Ruel Reed, a resident of the state of Washington, died in 1908; married Salina Reed, who died in Kansas; they were the parents of seven children, all of whom live in the west. 5. Robert Doyne, a veteran of the Civil War, served in the One Hundredth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, was for a long time confined in Libby Prison. 6. Rebecca, died unmarried, October 29, 1864. 7. Daniel, Debolt, of whom further. 8. Willam M., died unmarried in 1887.
(VI) Daniel Debolt Dawson, fourth son and seventh child of Robert and Elizabeth (Reed) Dawson, was born on the old homestead near Fair- view, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, November 14, 1844, died near there August 18, 1908. Here his early life was spent and in young manhood he became a farmer, inheriting a portion of his father's estate he added some land to his share and became the owner of seventy-five acres. He built a substantial dwelling and remodeled a barn that stood on the property, there residing until his death. With his wife he was a member of the Reformed Church. In political life he had always adhered to the prin-
D. D. Dawson
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ciples of the Republican party, but in his later life, when the question of temperance became more and more of a national issue, he took a firm stand for the Prohibition party, using his utmost effort and every influence in its behalf. In the early part of the war of the Rebellion, when it was thought that a few battles would cause the conflict to come to a decisive end, he enlisted for ninety days in Knapp's Battalion of Heavy Artillery. When at the expiration of that term of service the end of the struggle seemed so indeterminate, he re-enlisted in the One Hundrdth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and was at Appomattox Court House just prior to the close of the war.
He married, May 28, 1868, Sarah Jane, born April 6, 1841, daughter of John and Jane Cochran, natives of near Venice, Pennsylvania. Children of Daniel Debolt and Sarah Dawson: I. Robert Doyne, a farmer, lives near New Galloway. 2. Stewart Cochran, died in infancy. 3. Jennie Elder, married W. H. Speerhas, and lives in Industry. 4. John Alfred, a dairyman of near New Middletown, Ohio. 5. Ruel Reed, a farmer of Alberta, Canada. 6. Cochran, died in infancy. 7. Howard Debolt, of whom further. 8. Eva Matilda, married Harry A. Henderson, and lives in Ohio township.
(VII) Howard Debolt Dawson, sixth son and seventh child of Daniel Debolt and Sarah Jane (Cochran) Dawson, was born in Ohio township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, on the old homestead, October 3, 1883. He attended the public schools of his native township and completed his studies at Pennsylvania State College. After his graduation from the latter institution he engaged in farming on the homestead, later purchasing the interests of the several heirs and becoming sole owner of that property, where he now makes his home. Although general farming plays a prom- inent part in his operations, he gives his most careful attention to the cul- tivation of fruit and vegetables. Applying the newest and most scientific methods to the culture of these specialties he has met with remarkably consistent success, gaining a wide reputation for the excellency of his products. Upon his property are four wells, whence flow both oil and gas, about two barrels daily being the amount of the former product obtained therefrom. For the purpose of closer relations with others engaged in his pursuits. Mr. Dawson is a member of the Local Grange of the Patrons of Husbandry. Both he and his wife are members of the Reformed Church, and in his national political action he supports the Progressive party, although locally his stand is taken firmly for Prohibition.
Mr. Dawson married, June 15, 1909, Ethel A., a native of Ohio town- ship, daughter of Frank R. and Nettie (McMahan) Wright. Children of Howard Debolt and Ethel A. Dawson: I. John Debolt, born May 28, 1910. 2. Elsie Ruth, born October 16, 1911. 3. Robert Doyne, born July 17, 1913, died in infancy.
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(IV) Benjamin Dawson, son of Benoni (q. v.) and
DAWSON Rebecca (Mackall) Dawson, was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, where he died, aged about fifty years. His occupation was that of ferry-master on the Ohio river. He married Eliza- beth Wilkinson, who lived to a very great age, hers being the unusual dis- tinction of seeing her granddaughter's grandchildren. Children of Benja- min and Elizabeth (Wilkinson) Dawson: I. Amos, of whom further. 2. Joshua Wilkinson, married Mary McLaughlin; died in Greene county, Indiana. 3. George, born July 12, 1804, died near Calcutta, Ohio, August 9, 1866; married Narcissa Beaver Dawson. 4. John Low, married Phoebe Dix. 5. Nancy, married Thomas Blackmore. 6. Catharine, married Dr. John Dixon, and lived in Athens county, Ohio. 7. Olivia, married Harrison Harvey; died in Wellsburg, West Virginia. 8. Rebecca, married Peter Fisher; lived in Cameron, Missouri. 9. Eliza, married Michael Fisher; lived near Calcutta, Ohio. 10. Amassa, married Henry Fisher ; lived near Calcutta, Ohio. 11. Myrtilla, married Dr. James Scroggs.
(V) Amos Dawson, eldest child of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Wilkin- son) Dawson, was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, where he met his accidental death in 1852. After his marriage he and his wife for a time made their home upon the old homestead, later moving to a triangular tract of land, one hundred acres in extent, west of Little Beaver creek, and near the Ohio state boundary line. He was an ardent Democrat, sin- cere and earnest in his efforts for the advancement of that party. He met his death in Little Beaver creek, being drowned while washing a flock of sheep. He married Rebecca, daughter of Mackall Dawson, his first cousin. Children of Amos and Rebecca Dawson: I. Benjamin, married Susan Hughes; dies in Ohio township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania. 2. Mackall, of whom further. 3. Joshua, deceased; married Margaret Camp. 4. James L. B., married Mary Ann Smith; lives at Beaver Falls, Penn- sylvania. 5. Thomas, a captain in the Union army during the Civil War, lives in Nebraska. 6. Scroggs, deceased; married Arvilla Calhoun; lived in Beaver county, Pennsylvania. 7. Amos, deceased; married a Miss Hamilton; lived near Smiths Ferry, Pennsylvania. 8. Cynthia, married Benoni Dawson, who afterward married Ann E. Johnson. 9. Benoni, de- ceased. Two other children who never attained maturity.
(VI) Mackall Dawson, son of Amos and Rebecca (Dawson) Dawson, was born near Ohioville, Pennsylvania, in 1827, died in Darlington town- ship, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, in February, 1901. He spent his early life in the vicinity of his birthplace, attended the public schools, and worked on the home farm. After his marriage he settled on a farm owned by his father near Ohioville and there remained for eight years, living for two more years on a near-by farm. He then entered the oil business and was a producer at Smiths Ferry for a period covering twenty years. His ventures in this industry were rewarded with remunerative success and during his continuance in the same he had amassed a comfortable
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competence. In 1890 he moved to Brighton township, residing there for but a short time before he went to Darlington township, purchasing a farm of sixty-five acres in the southeast corner of the township, where he lived until his death. He and his wife were members of the Presbyterian Church, and his political faith was strongly Republican. In all of his business transactions his dealings bore the stamp of the strictest integrity and he held the respect and confidence of his associates.
He married Susan, daughter of Michael and Eliza (Dawson) Fisher, born in Columbiana county, Ohio, in 1831. The wedding ceremony was solemnized at Bridgewater, Beaver county, Pennsylvania. Eliza (Dawson) Fisher was a daughter of Benjamin Dawson, and a sister of Amos Dawson, the father of Mackall. Michael Fisher was a son of Paul Fisher, and was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, which was also the birth- place of his father. Michael Fisher moved early in life to a farm near Calcutta, Ohio, which he cultivated, also becoming the owner of a great deal of land in that vicinity. He was the father of the following children : I. Elizabeth, deceased; married Samuel Richardson. 2. Rebecca, deceased; married Dr. Manuel George. 3. Mary Jane, died in Beaver county, Penn- sylvania ; married Amos Wilkinson. 4. Susan, of previous mention, mar- ried Mackall Dawson, whom she survives to the present time. 5. George D., died near Ohioville, Pennsylvania. 6. Myrtilla, died unmarried in Pennsylvania. 7. Nancy, unmarried, lives at Smiths Ferry. 8. John, died in Meigs county, Ohio. 9. Minerva, died in young womanhood. IO. Catharine, married John Montgomery; lives in Beaver county, Pennsyl- vania. II. Benjamin, lives on the old homestead. Children of Mackall and Susan (Fisher ) Dawson: I. Amos, died aged eight years. 2. Blanche, died aged six years. 3. Jennie, married Albert Veon; lives in Darlington township; has five children; John, Delbert R., Walter, Carl, Edmund. 4. Laura, unmarried. 5. Edmund, of whom further. 6. John, died aged twenty-six years. 7. An infant, died unnamed. 8. Elizabeth, died in infancy.
(VII) Edmund Dawson, son of Mackall and Susan (Fisher) Daw- son, was born in Ohio township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, December 6, 1863. He attended the public schools of Ohio township, and for a time was his father's assistant on the farm and in the oil business. Since the death of his father in 1901 he has conducted operation on the home farm, where he specializes in dairying, also doing general farming. He is a Progressive in all political action, and belongs to the Presbyterian Church, in which he is an elder. Mr. Dawson's knowledge along agricultural lines is wide and thorough, gained through a life-long acquaintance with farms and farming, and he is known as one of the successful agriculturists of the locality. Although never given to public service, he is held in high esteem by his neighbors, and fulfills all the duties of good citizenship.
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(V) Dr. James Dawson, third son and fifth child of Benoni
DAWSON (2) and Katherine P. D. (McKennon) Dawson, was born on the old Captain Daniel Dawson farm in Ohio township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, January 25, 1804, died August 21, 1846. The farm on which he spent his early life is now the property of Lewis Davidson, of Beaver, Pennsylvania. As a boy James Dawson attended the public schools of Ohio township, and worked on the home farm. In young manhood he held the ambition for the life of a physician, casting over such a profes- sion the mantle lent by youthful simplicity and innocence, which saw only the beauty of such a life of service. For this he studied diligently and was rewarded with a diploma entitling him to practice medicine. Soon after his marriage he moved to Pughtown, West Virginia, and there engaged in professional work, becoming one of the most popular physicians in that region. In maturity the occupation he had chosen became even more full of interest and fascination to him, and although the rosy dreams of youth were erased by the stern realities of the life of self-sacrifice demanded of a doctor in many ways, he became only the more zealous in its pursuit. After the death of his wife he remarried, and a few years later returned to the county of his birth, settling in Ohioville, where he continued in the practice of medicine. He was an indefatigable worker, and in the pressure of work neglected the care of his own physical condition, so weakening himself that he succumbed to a severe attack of illness in the forty-second year of his age. He who had so unfailingly relieved the pain of others, who had restored the blessing of life to not a few, bringing them back from the Valley of the Shadow, was unable to lift a finger to stay his soul in its homeward flight, nor could all the skill of the profession of which he was an able master keep him in the presence of his loved ones, and Dr. James Dawson passed from this life amid the whispered blessings of those who knew the purity, sweetness and goodness of his character. Dr. Dawson was a member of the Episcopal Church and as regular in attendance at its services as the exigencies of his profession would permit. The same influences prevented him from taking the position he was qualified to fill in the public life of the communities in which he resided, and although he personally supported the Republican party, was debarred from the par- ticipation in political action that he would have enjoyed.
He married (first) Mertilla White, born on the farm now owned by William Hunter, in Ohio township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, De- cember 15, 1807, died in Pughtown, West Virginia, June 9, 1833; (second) Mrs. Rachel Moore, who after his death remarried, her second husband being Henry Pittinger. She died about 1900. The only child of the first marriage of Dr. James Dawson was William White, of whom further. Children of the second marriage of Dr. James Dawson: I. Mertilla, married Milo Reed, and both are deceased. 2. Benoni, died in Pittsburgh, Penn- sylvania, in 1912; married (first) Mary Mansfield; (second) Matilda Thayer ; (third) Mrs. Elizabeth --. 3. Catherine, married W. F. Lyon;
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lives in Rochester, Pennsylvania. 4. Henry Clay, died in young manhood. 5. James, killed in Colorado by hostile Indians.
(VI) William White Dawson, son of Dr. James and Mertilla (White) Dawson, was born at Pughtown (then Fairview), West Virginia, May 27, 1833, died in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, February 9, 1908. In graded instruction he never advanced further than the public schools, but being of a naturally studious nature, he read much of the world's best literature and in every way that presented itself improved his store of general knowledge. His mother dying when he was an infant in arms, he spent his early life under the care of his two maiden aunts and an uncle, living on their farm of one hundred and forty acres. His life with these relatives was of the happiest, and though the tenderness of mother love was denied him by adverse fortune, all the refining and uplifting influences of a Christian home were his. At the death of his aunts and uncle he inherited the farm on which he had been reared, and there spent the remainder of his life. His generosity and liberality were proverbial throughout the neighborhood, qualities probably induced by the realization of the advantages that had been his through the presence of those virtues in others. The operations that he conducted upon his farm were general in character, and his stables were well-filled with stock of excellent grade. He was a Republican in politics, and was chosen by his neighbors to fill nearly every township office, holding office during the greater part of his long, active and well-spent life.
He married, May 27, 1858, Elizabeth, born June 1, 1835, daughter of Alexander and Christina (Knight) Ewing. Both Alexander Ewing and his wife were natives of Pennsylvania, settled early in Industry town- ship, Beaver county, where he became the owner of a farm of one hundred and eighty acres, on which they both died. Alexander Ewing was a son of Samuel and Nancy Ewing, both natives of Pennsylvania, of Irish descent, and settlers of Beaver county. Elizabeth Knight is a daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth Knight, old residents of Beaver county, in their native state, who moved to Wooster, Ohio, and finally to Bluffton, Indiana, where they both died. Children of William White and Elizabeth (Ewing) Dawson: I. James Alexander, a farmer of Ovid, Colorado. 2. Benoni White, died at Honolulu, Hawaii, while on his way to the Philippines, November 24, 1898. 3. Harry Grant, died in infancy. 4. Margaret Mer- tilla, married John W. Ramsey, who manages the old homestead. 5. Wil- liam Riley, died aged four years. William White Dawson is survived by his wife, Elizabeth (Ewing) Dawson.
NEWKIRK Descending from Holland ancestry and at an early date found in Pennsylvania, those of the name Newkirk have been and are particularly numerous in Washington county, Pennsylvania, where resided Shipman Newkirk, a farmer, grandfather of Henry H. Newkirk, of this chronicle. Early lists and land transactions
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contain the name frequently, its bearers appearing to have been men of many affairs, active in the business of their locality.
(II) John F. Newkirk, son of Shipman Newkirk, was a farmer and hotel proprietor of West Midddlesex, Mercer county, Pennsylvania. The former occupation was his calling in early life, which he later forsook to engage in business in the latter line. He married Elizabeth McBride, born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, of Scotch-Irish descent, and had issue : Mary Ann, Rebecca, Matilda, Christiana, Eliza, John F. Jr., Min- erva, Henry H., of whom further.
(III) Henry H. Newkirk, son of John F. and Elizabeth (McBride) Newkirk, was born in West Middlesex, Mercer county, Pennslyvania, Octo- ber 8, 1844. He obtained his education in the common schools in the vicinity of his birthplace. His first position was as head clerk for Senate & Warren, iron manufacturers of West Middlesex, and with this concern he remained for a number of years. In 1862 he established in the bus- iness with which he is now identified, hardware dealing, and continued successfully in that line until 1895, having in 1891 changed the seat of his operations to Rochester, Pennsylvania. In the latter place prosperity at- tended him as before, and upon his retirement in 1895 he was numbered among the leading merchants of Rochester. Although he disposed of his store with the intention of making his retirement permanent he found an inactive life little to his liking, and in 1897 he opened his present store on New York avenne, where he conducts a general hardware and tinsmith business. He transacts business as the Newkirk Hardware Company, his last being the strongest and most flourishing of his business ventures. His line of light hardware is attractive and complete, while for heavier tools and implements which he does not carry in stock he holds agencies with reliable established manufacturers.
A long business experience under all conditions of trade has taught Mr. Newkirk the need and value of organization among merchants and business men, and in 1892 he organized the Business Men's Association of Rochester, the original membership of the association being three of the borough's merchants. At the present time practically every man in business in Rochester is included in the association, which has proved its worth as a desirable and necessary medium of intercourse between those who carry on the town's business and has resulted in the upbuilding of better conditions of trade and a spirit of healthy co-operation among its members for the best good of the borough. Mr. Newkirk is president of the Business Men's Association, and during the existence of the Builders' Exchange was for several years its president. He is also treasurer of the John Devoe Waterways Society and a member of the Ohio River Im- provement Company, and holds stock in the Rochester Trust Company. Although an active political worker, he has found his best efficiency in striving for his party, the Democratic, outside of public office, although from 1876 until 1891 he filled the office of burgess of West Middlesex,
KAMentrik
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Mercer county, his administration having been a most satisfactory and agreeable one, as shown by his long term of office. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and in religion is a Methodist, holding the position of steward in the church organization.
Faith in the possibilities and future of Rochester have been control- ling beliefs in Mr. Newkirk's efforts for the general advancement of the borough. There is probably no other man in Rochester who has gained subscriptions for public improvements totaling such a vast amount, and for any service he is ever ready, giving of his time, means and influence to projects for civil betterment. His name has always appeared in a promi- nent place on any list to which he has asked others to subscribe, his gener- osity inciting others to the same free-handed gifts. Rochester's growing prosperity and general expansion have justified his faith and labors, and it is giving him no undue credit when it is written that his share in this growth and advancement has been no mean one. Mr. Newkirk was selected at a mass meeting, unsolicited, as a delegate to Harrisburg, June 17, 1914, to represent the people of Rochester to advise ways and means to repeal the public-service commission, which commission was passed by the legislature of 1913-14. This is only one of many honors bestowed upon Mr. Newkirk.
Mr. Newkirk married, in 1861, Victoria Aiken, a native of Beaver county, Pennsylvania, her father having come to Beaver, Pennsylvania, from Ireland, his birthplace. Mr. and Mrs. Newkirk have had one son, Charles Aiken, who was born in West Middlesex, Mercer county, Penn- sylvania. He was educated in the public schools of that place, graduating with high honors from the high school, then continuing his studies in Allegheny College, Meadville, Pennsylvania, whence he was graduated in 1884. His education completed he became his father's business assistant, and was thus engaged until his early death. He was a youth of scholarly attributes, and was especially proficient in German and French, while his mastery of his native tongue was complete and easy. He was a member of the Masonic Order and was prominent in church work, being superin- tendent of the Methodist Episcopal Sunday school. He was a youth of clean habits and upright life, living beyond reproach and dedicating him- self to the highest service of those about him, and at his death left a memory of unfailing comfort to those who mourned his loss.
The American progenitor of Professor Floyd Atwell, of ATWELL New Brighton, Pennsylvania, is Robert Atwell, who came to Pennsylvania from Ireland, settling in what is now Scrub- grass township, Venango county, prior to the year 1800. He had surveyed to him on October 24, 1801, one hundred and ninety acres of land which he improved and cultivated until 1816, when he moved to Marion town- ship, Butler county, Pennsylvania. He then cleared and improved a farm upon which he resided until his death in 1840. He was a soldier of the
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