USA > Pennsylvania > Beaver County > Genealogical and personal history of Beaver County, Pennsylvania, Volume II > Part 41
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being his second wife. They came to Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, prior to September 8, 1801, locating at Middletown, now Coraopolis, Penn- sylvania, although they soon after moved to South Beaver township, Beaver county, there purchasing a large farm. Mrs. Jackson died in Darlington, in 1851, Samuel Jackson died in 1859, at the home of James M. Imbrie. Samuel Jackson and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church, and for many years he held the office of justice of the peace in South Beaver township, being a Whig in political convictions. He passed the latter years of his life in retirement in Darlington, Pennsylvania. By his third marriage he had no children. Children of Samuel (3) and Catherine (Black) Jackson: Benjamin; Hugh; Samuel; Joseph; James, a physician of Mount Jackson, Pennsylvania, died at New Lisbon ; Eliza, married a Mr. McGeehon, a farmer of South Beaver township, Beaver county, and moved to Polland, Ohio; Clarinda, of previous mention, married James Milton Imbrie. Children of James Milton and Clarinda (Jackson) Imbrie: I. Katharine Eliza, unmarried; lives at the home of her brother, William James. 2. William James, of whom further. 3. Addison Murray, born July 29, 1853, a graduate of Washington and Jefferson College, class of 1876, an attorney of Pittsburgh, where he has been in active practice since 1878; he married Hattie Silliman, of Allegheny, Pennsylvania, October 2, 1884; children : Addison Murray, born September 10, 1891, and Boyd Vin- cent, born November 27, 1895.
(IV) William James, son of James Milton and Clarinda (Jackson) Imbrie, was born on the homestead in Big Beaver township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, November 12, 1851. He grew to maturity on the home farm, attending first the nearby district school, later Darlington Academy, and for one term Elder's Ridge Academy. His preparatory studies completed, he enrolled in the classical course at Washington and Jefferson College, whence he was graduated in 1878, then returning to the home farm. Agri- cultural pursuits had held no place in his plan of future conduct, but owing to his father's failing health it was necessary for him to have a reliable and responsible manager, and Mr. Imbrie was prevailed upon to remain at home and accept the duties that there awaited him. This change led him into the farmer's occupation, and in that business he has since remained, despite his previous plans or ambitions. But it must not be imagined that the use- fulness of Mr. Imbrie's life has been impaired through his involuntary adoption of his calling, for into his farming operations and their relative activities he has put all of the abilities of his finely trained mind and the executive power of well directed energy, and holds a high place in agricul- tural circles. He is the possessor of a flock of merino sheep unrivaled in the vicinity and equaled by few in the country. He inherited this originally from his father, although since that time he has been gradually introducing a higher breed and removing the members of less desirable qualities until he has raised the grade appreciably, a process that has of necessity been slow but whose results have been well worth the tedious method. For
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four terms Mr. Imbrie has served his township as auditor, previously as a Republican but now as an Independent, and is an elder of the Reformed Presbyterian church. His influence in the community has ever been for the best in civil and moral life, and to the support of all worthy projects for the greater good of his locality he has added the silent eloquence of a life free from blame or reproach.
SNODGRASS Dr. Bruce Snodgrass, of Beaver Falls, is the fourth generation of the old Scotch-Irish family in this country, whither the emigrant, William Snodgrass, came from county Donegal, Ireland, locating in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, where he followed the occupation of farmer. Here he married and here his son, James M., grandfather of Dr. Bruce Snodgrass, was born.
(II) James M. Snodgrass was likewise an agriculturalist and spent his entire life in the place of his birth. He married Mary A. Gamble, of Crawford county, Pennsylvania. Children of James M. and Mary A. (Gamble) Snodgrass: Robert A .; William J., of further mention; Eliza- beth, married John McFeeters; Hugh H .; David; Emeline, married Robert Royer.
(III) Rev. William J. Snodgrass, eldest son of James M. and Mary A. (Gamble) Snodgrass, was born in Crawford county, Pennsylvania. He was educated for the ministry at Westminster, Monmouth, and Allegheny Theological seminaries, and was duly ordained as a minister of the United Presbyterian Church. He occupied the pastorate of the West Middlesex, Pennsylvania, Church for more than forty years, which immediately shows the place he held in the affection of his parishioners. He entered into his final rest, of which he was so amply assured, in 1911. He married Martlia, daughter of Albert B. Herrick. Albert B. Herrick came to Pennsylvania from Connecticut, following the occupation of a farmer. He married Mary Ford, of Western Reserve, Ohio. Children of Albert and Mary (Ford) Herrick: Ette, married R. S. Artmon; Flora, married Madison Ferguson ; Joseph ; William; Albert. All of his sons were engaged in the Civil War as soldiers of the Union army. Children of Rev. William J. and Martha (Herrick) Snodgrass: Boyd B .; Bruce, of whom further; Mary, married Rolla Herrick; Hugh G .; J. Parr; Ruth, married Rev. Robert Yourd, a minister of the United Presbyterian Church, of Erie, Pennsylvania.
(IV) Dr. Bruce Snodgrass, son of Rev. William J. and Martha (Her- rick) Snodgrass, was born in West Middlesex, Mercer county, Pennsyl- vania, July 16, 1873. He was educated for the profession he now follows, attending the public schools of West Middlesex, Westminster College, at New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, Starling Medical College, of Columbus, Ohio, and finally the medical department of the University of St. Louis, whence he was graduated M.D. in 1896. His first six years of active practice were spent in Ohio, his first appearance in Beaver county being in
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1904. His office is situated in Beaver Falls and during the nine years of his residence he has both built up a large practice and established himself firmly as one of the leading physicians of the county. He is modern and progressive in methods and yet possesses that touch of conservativeness that distinguishes the progressive from the fanatic. In all that pertains to his profession he is intensely interested and is prominently connected with the County, State and American Medical societies. He holds membership and is an elder of the United Presbyterian Church. Dr. Snodgrass mar- ried, in 1897, Eva May, daughter of George and Anna Fogle, of Sharon, Pennsylvania. Children: Catherine, Bruce De Witte, Stewart R.
BRYAN Wales was the home of John Bryan, the American ancestor of the Bryans herein recorded. He came to America prior to the Revolution and settled in Chester county, Pennsylvania, from which county he enlisted in the Colonial army at the beginning of the War for Independence. For valiant services in this conflict and gallant conduct on the field of battle he was awarded the rank of captain, in which capacity, in the following battles of the war, he led his company with the same daring bravery that had won for him his commission. He married, in July, 1763, Barbara Boon, who died in 1805, he surviving her two years. By this marriage he became the father of one son, William.
(II) William Bryan, only child of John and Barbara (Boon) Bryan, was born in West Chester, Chester county, Pennsylvania, in 1767, died in 1840. His boyhood was spent in Easton, Pennsylvania, where he afterward engaged in the hotel business. He was a miller by trade, and in 1811 came to Beaver county, where he once more became the proprietor of a hotel, his inn being the general headquarters for the officers and soldiers of the American army during the War of 1812-14. He was a person of im- portance in the community and active in local affairs. He married, in 1792, Sarah Price. Children of William and Sarah Bryan: William, born June 25, 1794, married Phoebe -; John, March 20, 1796; Isaac, March 16, 1798; Price, March 28, 1800; Polly, September 3, 1802, married John Cheney; Aaron Morton, August 6, 1806, married Ann, daughter of Rev. Andrew and Katie (Riddle) McDonald; Henry, of whom further. (III) Henry Bryan, youngest son and child of William and Sarah (Price) Bryan, was born in the White House Tavern, near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, December 30, 1810, died in Youngstown, Ohio, aged eighty years. His youth was spent in Baden, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, where he attended the public schools. Learning the trade of tinner he followed that occupation in many states, finally locating in Freedom, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, where he established in the manufacture of fire-brick. His political tendencies were strongly Democratic and as a member of that party he held the offices of postmaster, justice of the peace and burgess. Mr. Bryan was at one time a member of the Episcopal church, and after his second marriage attended the Presbyterian church.
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Mr. Bryan married (first) Agnes Price, (second) Mary, daughter of Rev. Andrew and Katie (Riddle) McDonald. Rev. Andrew McDonald, a Presbyterian minister, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1779, died April, 1846, son of John and Martha (Noble) McDonald, both born at McGuires Bridge, county Fermanagh, Ireland, who came to America in 1773. Children of Rev. Andrew and Katie (Riddle) Mc- Donald: 1. Ann, married Aaron Morton Bryan. 2. John, married Rebecca Reid. 3. James, died aged thirteen years. 4. Andrew (2), married Jane Irwin, whose brother was at one time connected with the Pennsylvania state administration as treasurer. 5. Martha, married Thomas Christie. 6. Mary, of previous mention, married Henry Bryan. 7. Abram, married Sarah J. Noss, and she lives at Rochester, Pennsylvania. Of the above children all are deceased. Children of Henry and Agnes ( Price) Bryan : I. Mary, married Allen Reitzell. 2. William, married Melinda Fournier; lives in Freedom; daughter Lottie, married Walter O. Corwin. Children of Henry and Mary ( McDonald) Bryan: 3. Catherine P., died unmarried. 4. Fidelia A., married Charles Cheney (deceased) and lives in Freedom. 5. Clementine, died unmarried. 6. Henry Noble, died unmarried aged twenty-six years. 7. Martha, died unmarried. 8. Flora McDonald, mar- ried Robert McMoffett, deceased, and lives in Beaver Falls. 9. John, died unmarried. 10. Ralph D., married Jennie Stetson, and lives at Sea Gate, New York. 11. Frank E., unmarried, lives at Niles, Ohio.
SWERINGEN The two most common spellings of this name are the one given at the head of this chronicle and Swearingen. Members of the branch herein recorded use the two interchangeably, a fault that will probably always be a fruitful source of error in identifying family records. The record of this branch begins with Gerret Van Sweringen, born in Beemsterdam, Holland, in 1636. He was the youngest son of a family belonging to the nobility, and received a liberal education. When a young man he performed responsible duties in the maritime service of the Dutch West India Company, and in 1656, when that company fitted out the ship "Prince Maurice" with emigrants and supplies for the Dutch colony on the Delaware river in America, he was appointed its supercargo. This vessel sailed from the port of Amsterdam on December 21, 1656, and was to have touched at New Amsterdam (now New York City), but on the night of March 8, 1657, was stranded off Fire Island, near the southern coast of Long Island. The next day, in freezing weather, the passengers and crew, in a frail boat, gained the barren shore, where they remained for several days without fire. On the third day they saw some Indians, one of whom was sent with a message to Stuyvesant, then governor of New Amsterdam, who came with a sloop and carried them to that place. A part of the cargo of the stranded ship having been saved before the ship disintegrated and sank, another ship was
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loaded, chartered at New Amsterdam, and on the sixteenth of April they sailed for their destination, which they reached in safety in five days. After the wreck Gerret asked to be released from the company's service, as he intended to there make his home, and there being "nothing more for him to do" his request was granted. In some of his writings the events, political and military, of the time, are well-described, and furnish confirmation of many historical topics, concerning which there might have been room for doubt.
He married (first) at New Amstel, about 1659, Barbarah de Barrette, who was born at Valenciennes, France. He was sheriff, commissary, and a member of the council, being also "interested in the cultivation of some low-lands, a duck-pond, and trade." In 1660 he went to Hol- land, accompanied by his wife, and there remained a year in behalf of the colony. Returning the following year, he resumed his former duties. After New Amsterdam was surrendered to the British in 1664, Sir Robert Carr was sent to demand the surrender of New Amstel. Gerret Van Sweringen writes concerning this: "The Fort and Country was brought under submission by Sir Robert Carr as deputed with two shipps to that intent. Sir Robert Carr did protest often to me that he did not come as an enemy, but as a friend demanding only in friendship what was ye King's right in that Country. There was taken from the Citty and inhabitants thereabouts one hundred sheep, and thirty or forty horses, fifty or sixty cows and oxen, the number of sixty or seventy negroes *
* and the estate of the Governor and myself, except some house stuffe, and a negro I got away, and some other moveables Sir Robert Carr did permit me to sell." It has been said of him that after the surrender of the colony to the English he publicly broke his sword across his knee, and throwing it to the right and to the left, re- nounced all allegiance to the Dutch authorities. Shortly after the sur- render he moved to Maryland, where in April, 1669, he, his wife, and two children, on their petition to Lord Baltimore, were naturalized by act of the general assembly held at St. Marys in that province. The act is important because the ownership of land was restricted to British subjects.
Some years after going to Maryland he wrote an account of the Dutch settlements on the Delaware river, which account was probably written for the Maryland council to use as evidence in the boundary dispute between Lord Baltimore and William Penn. It was executed May 12, 1684, "at a council at Matapany Sewall, in the Province of Maryland," and the jurat described Gerret as being "of the City of St. Maries, gent, aged eight and forty years or thereabouts." He was an "innholder" at St. Marys and owned land in that county and also in Talbott county. In the proclamation of the charter of the city of St. Marys, issued by Lord Baltimore in 1668, he was appointed an alderman
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of the city. In 1674 he built the city's stocks and whipping-post. He was appointed sheriff of the county in 1686 and again in 1687.
Barbarah Van Sweringen, his wife, died about 1670, and he married (second) Mary Smith, of St. Marys, the ante-nuptial marriage settle- ment being executed October 5, 1676. He died in 1698 and his widow some years afterwards, she "in the faith of the English church." The children of his first marriage were: Elizabeth, Zachariah, Thomas, of whom further; children of his second marriage were: Joseph, Charles, Eleanor, who married a Carroll, Theresa, Dorothy, and another daugh- ter, who married William Bladen.
(II) Thomas Sweringen, son of Gerret and Barbarah (de Barrette) Van Sweringen, was probably born in St. Marys, Maryland, about 1665. He was a landowner of Somerset county, Maryland, and there spent his life, dying in 1710. His wife's given name was Jane. His sons were: Thomas, Van, Samuel, John, of whom further, named in the above order in his will.
(III) John Sweringen, son of Thomas and Jane Sweringen, was prob- ably born in Somerset county, Maryland, about 1702, and emigrated, going to Montgomery county and there settling on Rock Creek, not far from the present site of the city of Washington. He married and became the father of Thomas, Samuel, of whom further; Van, John, and several daughters.
(IV) Samuel Sweringen, son of John Sweringen, was born about 1732. Shortly after the close of the Revolutionary War he settled in what is now Hanover township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania. His house was a stopping-place for the Indian scouts. The farm that he settled on still belongs to his descendants. He married Catherine Condell. Children of Samuel and Catherine Sweringen: William; Mary, married Jacob Colvin, and was killed by Indians in 1789, being shot from her place behind her husband while riding horse-back, with one of her children in her arms; John, Van, Thomas, Samuel, Basil, Zachariah, of whom further.
(V) Zachariah Sweringen, son of Samuel and Catherine (Condell) Sweringen, was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, in 1786, died May 31, 1867. He was one of the first native-born citizens of the county, and spent his early life upon the home farm. He became a successful farmer and sheep-raiser, the owner of several hundred acres of land, now divided into productive farms. In middle life he became afflicted with rheumatism, and for more than thirty years was a cripple, confined to his room by his painful malady for the greater part of that time. Notwithstanding this affliction he superintended the administration of his large interests and added constantly to his already vast acres. In a large measure excluded from the activity, pleasure and entertainment of his fellows, he still kept closely in touch with all his friends and acquaintances, the gentleness of his disposition under suffering so intense as to be at times almost unbear- able showing them clearly the meekness of his spirit and his willingness to have his body racked with pain while awaiting the healing touch of the
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Great Physician. He allowed himself but one passion, an implacable hatred of the race that had brutally murdered his loved sister, a deed that had also caused the death of her infant child.
He was twice married, his first wife being a Miss Wilcoxen, and to this union seven children were born. Children of Zachariah Sweringen, all born in Beaver county: I. Thomas, born in 1818; married (first) about 1858, Margaret Harsha; (second) Maria Gibbs; died June 18, 1891. 2. Elizabeth, born in 1819; married, in 1838, Lemuel Sweringen, and died one year later. 3. Samuel, born in 1821, died at Poe, Pennsylvania, in 1884; married Mary McKibbon. 4. Catherine, born in 1823, died in 1859; mar- ried Thomas Standish, a descendant of the famous Captain Miles Standish, the military leader of the Plymouth Colony. 5. Gerret Van, born in 1824; married Margaret McCrea. 6. John, born in 1826, died young. 7. Zach- ariah, of whom further. 8. Leonard, born in 1833; married (first) in 1855, Elizabeth Moore; (second) Jennie Robinson. 9. Basil, born Feb- ruary 23, 1835, died January 22, 1892; married, in 1866, Melissa J. Strouss. 10. Mary, born in 1837; married Samuel Duncan. II. John, born in 1838, an invalid from birth, died of heart disease in July, 1890; after his father's death he lived with his brother, Basil. 12. William H., born in 1840; a veteran of the Civil War, the only one of the children of Zachariah Sweringen living at the present time (1913). 13. Rezin W., born August 27, 1847; married, September 29, 1868, Mary E. Connell, of New Cumberland, West Virginia. 14. A child, died in infancy in 1849.
(VI) Zachariah (2) Sweringen, son of Zachariah (1) and - (Wil- coxen) Sweringen, was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, January 31, 1828, died June 25, 1906. He grew to manhood in that locality, attending the public schools, and at his father's death inherited one hundred and forty acres of the home estate. He purchased a nineteen acre tract adjoin- ing, and on the one hundred and fifty-nine acre farm resulting conducted general farming operations. Throughout the locality he was regarded as an authority upon all thing equestrian, and by the casual advice he would offer to his neighbors in the course of a conversation probably deprived the local veterinarians of many a fee. In 1867-68 he erected a substantial dwelling upon his farm, so well constructed that it is in use at the present day. His political faith was Republican, and as a supporter of that party he was several times placed in local office by his neighbors.
Mr. Sweringen married, in 1859, Rachel Gilliland, born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, June 24, 1832, died January 2, 1912, surviving her husband nearly six years. She was a daughter of David and Sarah (Harsha) Gilliland, both old residents, and in all likelihood natives of Allegheny county. David Gilliland was a farmer in the earlier years of his life, but later moved to Pittsburgh to accept a position as foreman of a department in a United States arsenal at that place. It was while here employed that he met his death in 1862, a victim of an explosion that caused a number of fatalities. Children of Zachariah (2) and Rachel
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(Gilliland) Sweringen: 1. Errett Van, died June 4, 1894; was a car- penter by trade. 2. David Ellsworth, died in January, 1872, aged eight years. 3. Charles G., of whom further. 4. Lula S., died in April, 1904. 5. Mary L., died March 15, 1910.
(VII) Charles G. Sweringen, third son and child of Zachariah (2) and Rachel (Gilliland) Sweringen, was born on his father's farm in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, June 25, 1865. He obtained an education in the public schools, and for a time followed the occupation of farmer. De- ciding that a trade would be more beneficial and congenial, he apprenticed himself to that of carpenter, and after becoming a journeyman worked in Sewickley for a period of seven years. In 1906 he returned to his father's farm and is now owner of the homestead. He has improved the property by the erection of a new barn, and continues the line in which his father engaged, general farming, and also raises quite a good deal of stock. Oil has been struck on his land, and at the present time there are fourteen wells producing daily. Mr. Sweringen is a successful farmer, and has met with excellent results in his stock-raising operations. Added to his material fortune is the high regard with which he is considered by his large circle of friends and wider range of acquantances. His political sympathies are Republican in state or national issues, but in local affairs he allies himself with no party. With his wife he is a member of the Presbyterian Church. His fraternal relations are with the Glasgow Lodge, No. 485, Free and Accepted Masons, and Sewickley Lodge, No. 426, Knights of Pythias.
He married, June 6, 1900, Fannie Cain, born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, December 1, 1875, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Kronk) Cain. Children of Charles G. and Fannie Sweringen: I. Leah Fay, born January 25, 1902. 2. Charles Audrey, born August 3, 1911.
DUNKERLEY Charles Arthur Dunkerley, a rising business man and prominent citizen of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, is of English and German ancestry, and was born October 10, 1888, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a son of William Henry and Mary Elizabeth (Leonard) Dunkerley.
(I) Mr. Dunkerley's paternal grandfather was Joseph Henry Dunkerley, a native of England, who spent a considerable part of his early life in that country. He was married there to Harriet -, and about the year 1860 came to the United States and settled in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he followed his trade, that of machinist, until the year 1885. He then removed to Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, where he made his home and con- tinued to follow his trade until the time of death in the early part of 1908, at the advanced age of seventy-five. To him and his wife were born three children, two of whom had died in infancy at the time of his emigration from England. The third was William Henry, of whom further.
(II) William Henry Dunkerley was born in England in the year 1858, but came to this country with his parents as a child. He lived in Pitts-
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burgh until the time of his parents' removal to Beaver Falls when he was twenty-seven years of age, when he accompanied them and found employ- ment in the steel works there as a machinist, his father's trade also. In 1894 he entered the grocery business at No. 1327 Third avenue, Beaver Falls, where he remained doing a successful business until his death in 1900. He and his family were communicants of the Episcopal Church, and he was a member of the Knights of Pythias. Independent in thought and deed, he was not a member of any political party, save as he was im- pressed with the justice of their particular claims. He married Mary Elizabeth Leonard, a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she was born in the year 1863. Mr. Leonard, her father, was a native of Germany, and his wife of England. They came to America separately, and here met and were married, making their home in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Upon the breaking out of the Civil War, Mr. Leonard entered the army of the Union and served through that historic conflict. He died shortly after, leaving a widow and six children, three boys and three girls. Mrs. Leonard was a second time married, this time to a Mr. White, but of this union there were no children. Mrs. Dunkerley is still a resident of Beaver Falls. To her and Mr. Dunkerley were born three children, as follows: Joseph Henry, a resident of New Brighton, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, where he holds a position as teller ; Mary, now Mrs. Harry R. Finney ; Charles Arthur, of whom further.
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