USA > Pennsylvania > Beaver County > Genealogical and personal history of Beaver County, Pennsylvania, Volume II > Part 45
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(III) Francis Johnson Barclay, eldest son of Robert and Mary (John- son) Barclay, was born in Ohio township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, July 2, 1845. He attended the public schools and spent his early life on
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his father's farm. Upon reaching man's estate he began to cultivate a farm of his own, acquiring, soon after his marriage, a farm of one hundred and thirty-five acres, on which he has lived since October 10, 1872. Gen- eral farming and stock raising are the two departments of his occupation to which he devotes his attention. Both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, and in political belief he is a Republican, having served as school director.
Mr. Barclay married, October 10, 1867, Sarah Elizabeth, daughter of James Johnson. Children of Francis Johnson and Sarah Elizabeth Barclay: 1. Benoni Hunter, died aged eighteen years. 2. James Dawson, married Charlotte Speerhas, and lives with his parents, managing the farm.
BUCHANAN In the new home of the Buchanan family, in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, the name will ever be remembered because of the high place one bearing it gained in the regard of the people of that region and in the estimation of its many disciples of the legal profession. Beaver county has been the home of but one generation of Buchanan, he with whom this record begins having spent nearly all of his years in West Virginia. This was Thomas Chambers Buchanan, whose trade was that of blacksmith, at which he worked until his retirement. He married Elizabeth Anne Mayhew, of the Virginia family of that name, and had two children, John M. and Georgia.
John M. Buchanan, only son of Thomas Chambers and Elizabeth Anne (Mayhew) Buchanan, was born April 25, 1849, died November 22, 1909. With the exception of the first five years of his life, which were spent in and near Florence, Washington county, Pennsylvania, and two years spent in Fairview, West Virginia, his early life was passed in the home of his uncle, Joseph K. Buchanan, who lived in Hanover township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania. He attended the East Liberty Academy, studying under the direction of the Rev. J. P. Moore, and for a short time thereafter taught school. Abandoning his pedagogical pursuits he matriculated at Washington and Jefferson College, graduating in the class of 1869, a classmate of Dr. Moffatt, and soon after came to Beaver, enter- ing the law office of Samuel B. Wilson. In his studies and the grasp he obtained upon complicated legal lore he showed unusual promise, and after his admission to the bar, on September 2, 1872, his rise in his profession was rapid. Rapid, indeed, and yet he advanced solely upon the merits of his ability. He was not one of a family of legal giants, he belonged to no race that was drawn to the bar as metal to a magnet, but came unknown, unheralded, and matching wits, knowledge and skill with many of the leading lights of the day, found himself always their equal, often their superior. In 1874 he was called to give his services to the public in the capacity of district attorney, a majority of ninety-four placing him in office. It is significant that at his re-election, in 1877, his majority had
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increased to three hundred and three, showing that his administration of the office had been such that he had added materially to his original sup- porters. Primarily interested in legal matters, Mr. Buchanan neverthe- less was public-spirited in a marked degree and lent his enthusiastic sup- port to all of the projects that promised for a better city along any lines. He was an organizer of the First National Bank of Beaver, and until his death was its president, was a director of the Star Publishing Company, and was instrumental in securing street railways, electric lighting, adequate water supply, and many of the other conveniences and necessities of muni- cipal life. At the time of the Centennial Celebration of Beaver county he was a constant adviser of the executive committee, and delivered the opening address, a speech that held the unabated interest of his vast audience. In him the bar of the district was graced by an advocate of wide learning, a counselor with the wisdom born of experience, and an orator who spoke convincingly, fluently and gracefully, one whose lofty position in his profession caused envy or jealously in none, so universal was his popularity.
He married, October 12, 1892, Jennie, daughter of Shannon R. and Anne E. (Stokes) Mitchell. Children: I. Edward D., born August 14, 1893; an employee of the Crucible Steel Company. 2. Thomas C., born November 12, 1895; a student in Washington and Jefferson College. 3. Anna, born Jannary 23, 1897; a student at Wellesley College. 4. John Mitchell, born June 29, 1898. 5. Joseph Ross, born July 13, 1900. 6. Ruth, born February 4, 1903. Since the death of her husband, Mrs. Buchanan has lived with her children in Beaver, Pennsylvania.
The Stuber family has now been in this country three gen- STUBER erations, and they have distinctly shown that they have retained the traits of thrift, industry and business ability so characteristic of the inhabitants of Germany. Jacob Stuber was born in Germany, March 4, 1834, and received his education in his native land. In early manhood he emigrated to America, settling in Beaver county, Penn- sylvania, where he followed his trade as a shoemaker. In addition to this he cultivated the farm he owned in Marion township. Selling this, he re- moved to Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, where he owned a farm for a time, and when he sold this he returned to Beaver county, where he bought a farm in Dougherty township, and lived there until about 1898. He also owned some land at Beaver Falls. He was Democratic in political matters, and a member of the Lutheran Church of Rochester. Mr. Stuber married Kate Miller, born in 1837, about ten miles from New Brighton, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and they had children: Mary, born in 1859, died at the age of fifteen years; Henry L., of further mention; Caroline, now the widow of John Blinn, of Dougherty township, lives in New Brighton; John, lives on the old homestead in Dougherty township.
Henry L. Stuber, son of Jacob and Kate (Miller) ) Stuber, was born
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in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, June 22, 1861. His education was acquired in the public schools, and he learned farming very practically under the supervision and as assistant to his father on the homestead farm. He owned a farm in Chippewa township, came to New Brighton in 1889 and there purchased the Park Hotel, which he conducted very successfully for a period of fourteen years. He was then in the wholesale liquor business for a short time. In July, 1910, he was elected as street commissioner, and is holding that office at the present time. He is the owner of a farm, a fine residence at No. 532 Third avenue, and a double store at the corner of Ninth street and Third avenue. He is a stockholder in the Rochester Trust Company of Rochester, Pennsylvania, and in the Beaver County Trust Company of New Brighton. He is a staunch supporter of the Re- publican party, and is fraternally associated with the following organiza- tions : Union Lodge, No. 259, Free and Accepted Masons; Beaver Falls Chapter, No. 286, Royal Arch Masons; Beaver Falls Commandery, No. 84, Knights Templar; Pittsburgh Consistory, Scottish Rite.
Mr. Stuber married, May 20, 1886, Mary Klein, of Dougherty town- ship, a daughter of Jacob and Lizzie Klein, both natives of Germany, who came to Beaver county, Pennsylvania, at an early day, and are now de- ceased. Children of Mr. and Mrs. Stuber: I. Elizabeth, was educated in the grammar and high schools of New Brighton, and was graduated in music from Beaver College, while it was in charge of Professor Veroto; she married Homer George Duey, a merchant of New Brighton, and they have one child, William Henry. 2. Elma, was educated in the grammar and high schools of New Brighton, and is now a student of music. 3. Mar- guerite, a student in the high school at New Brighton.
McDANEL It is no extraordinary occurrence, in fact it is a daily hap- pening, for one of a family to be seized with a desire for new scenes, new faces, new opportunities and new life. It is, however, worthy of more than passing mention ,when an entire gen- eration hears the call of the wanderlust, leaves home and parents, and fares forth into a strange, undeveloped country, whence come stories of wild men and beasts far wilder than the stories. Buch such was the truth in the case of the five McDanel brothers-William, Eli, Smith, John and Joseph, who came to America from Scotland prior to the Revolution. All pur- chased large tracts of land, in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, on which they erected, after clearing the land, homes of logs, the farm owned at the present time by Samuel McDanel being one of those originally belonging to the five brothers. They were the American fathers of a family that has become a large and prominent one in Pennsylvania, and from which branches have spread into the neighboring states. The line herein chronicled is that of William, who married Mary Ritchie, and became the father of the fol- lowing : Samuel; John; Margaret, married a Mr. Plance; Archie; Phoebe, married - Delancey; Rachel; and Abram, of whom further. William
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McDanel was a believer in the Baptist faith, and was one of the organizers of the first church of that denomination erected in his locality.
(II) Abram, son of William and Mary (Ritchie) McDanel, was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, died there about 1854. He followed the example of his father both in occupation and religion, and was a farmer and member of the Baptist church. He was twice married-first to Hulda Hasen, second, to Anna Moore, of Lawrence county, Pennsyl- vania. Children of first marriage, William, Samuel, Mary, married - Caster; Isaac; and Richard Baxter, of whom further. Children of second marriage: Hulda, died unmarried; John, of whom elsewhere; Lydia, mar- ried John Willis; James R., died young; Rachel, Abram and Eli.
(III) Richard Baxter, son of Abram and Hulda (Hasen) McDanel, was born in North Sewickley township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, Sep- tember 4, 1844, died in Beaver county, November 21, 1912. He attended the public schools of New Brighton, but had not yet completed his educa- tion when active hostilities between the North and South broke out. Clos- ing his school books, he hastened to enlist as a private in Company C, 63rd Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, although he was compelled to add a year to his age to gain admission to the ranks. His term of service began in 1861 and continued three years, during which period he engaged in some of the bloodiest and most hotly contested conflicts of the war, deporting himself under all conditions as a gallant and brave soldier. Returning to Beaver county, he searched among the arts of peace for a suitable and congenial occupation, finally deciding to learn the carpenter's trade. This he did, and from journeyman employment became the proprietor of a lumber and planing mill . Controlling, as he did, a source of supply, and with a thorough practical knowledge of his trade, he engaged in contracting and building. Beginning under such favorable circumstances, his enter- prises met with profitable success, and he became one of the most pros- perous business men of the county. Honorable dealing and strict con- sideration for the wishes of those for whom he was conducting operations gained him many clients, and universal satisfaction followed his extensive dealings. With the capital acquired in this line he entered the field of oil producing and in this, as in his previous experience, he prospered, acquiring a comfortable competence. He was a shrewd financier, far-sighted and con- servative in his investments, and during his connection with the Union National Bank as director was largely responsible for the successful career of that institution. For over forty years he was a member of the Methodist Protestant church, to which his wife and children also belonged and for many years of that period was a member of the official board. He mar- ried, March 19, 1868, Lydia, daughter of James and Elizabeth (Sawyer) Marquis, the Rev. H. Colhoner, of the Methodist Protestant church, per- forming the ceremony. James Marquis, a farmer and coal dealer, was a son of Joseph Marquis, a native of England, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, and a printer, the latter occupation being necessary to
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eke out the small and uncertain salary of the member of the clergy in that day. James Marquis married (first) Elizabeth Sawyer, (second ) Mary Knowles. Children of first marriage of James Marquis: I. Wil- helmina, married Richard Rysinger. 2. Porter. 3. Lydia, married Richard Baxter McDanel. 4. Elizabeth, married H. Lynd. Children of second marriage of James Marquis : 5. Frank, deceased. 6. Arvilla. 7. Emmet. 8. Marcellus. 9. Dempster. 10. David. Children of Richard Baxter and Lydia (Marquis) McDanel: I. Fred, of whom further. 2. Lewis, died young. 3. Bertha, married H. L. Heston, and resides in New Brighton; children : Earnest and Hendricks. 4. Frank S. 5. Orrin P., of whom further. 6. Richard B. 7. Elizabeth, married S. S. McCudy, deceased; children, Mary and Daniel. 8. Anna, married A. C. Kirk.
(IV) Fred, son of Richard Baxter and Lydia (Marquis) McDanel, was born in New Brighton, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, September I, 1868. He attended the public schools of New Brighton, and obtained a practical education at Duff's Business College, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After finishing his course at the latter institution he was employed in his father's planing mill and lumber yard, confining himself more closely to office management than to any immediate relation with the practical side of the business. In 1891, with his brother Frank S., he was admitted to partnership in the business, under the firm name of McDanel and Sons. This business has prospered wonderfully, and in 1900 was incorporated with a capital stock of $50,000 value. At the time of incorporation, Fred Mc- Danel became vice-president, and on his father's death succeeded to the presidency, a position he still capably fills. He serves the New Brighton Building and Loan Association as director, and for twelve years was a member of the school board. In the Masonic order he holds prominent place, belonging to lodge, chapter, council, commandery, and shrine. Mr. McDanel married, April 1, 1891, Effie, daughter of Thomas and Mary Braden of Beaver county, Pennsylvania. Children of Fred and Effie Mc- Danel, Marion and Helen.
In the direction of the business of which he is president, Mr. Mc- Danel displays executive power of strength and wide application, keeping intimately in touch with its varied departments, and suggesting frequent improvements to his subordinates.
(IV) Orrin Palmer, son of Richard Baxter and Lydia (Marquis) McDanel, was born in New Brighton, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, Feb- ruary 8, 1879. His education was obtained in three institutions-the New Brighton public schools, Washington and Jefferson College, at Washington, Pennsylvania, and the Grove City Business College, from which latter institution he was graduated in 1900. His father desiring him to make a thorough study of the business, on graduating from college he apprenticed himself to the carpenter's trade, an occupation he mastered. After learning his trade he was admitted to the directorate of McDanel & Sons, and chosen its secretary. After his father's death in 1912 he became treasurer, and
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is at present the incumbent of both offices. He is a member of the New Brighton Home Protective Association, and affiliates with the Masonic order, belonging to New Brighton Union Lodge, No. 259, Free and Ac- cepted Masons; also to the Knights of Pythias, and the Royal Arcanum. He married, in July, 1907, Emma, daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Malds, of Rochester, Pennsylvania. Child of Orrin P. and Emma McDanel, Jean, born December 20, 1908.
The wisdom of Mr. McDanel's course in making such a practical be- ginning in the business has been more than justified by his efficient services as office executive. With an accurate knowledge of materials used, al- lowance for waste, and the thousand other technical details, he is eminently fitted to administer the company's finances.
(III) John McDanel, son of Abram and Anna McDANEL McDanel (q. v.), was born at Brush Creek, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, died during the Civil War in the prison at Andersonville, Georgia. He obtained his education in the public schools, and as a life occupation chose the trade of blacksmith. At the beginning of the war of the Rebellion he enlisted in the One Hun- dred and First Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and served in all the engagements of his regiment until the spring of 1864, when he was captured at Plymouth, South Carolina, and taken to the prison pen at Andersonville. Here he met the fate of many another gallant soldier, who, deserving of a hero's death on the firing line, was doomed to end his exist- ence in an inglorious manner. But none the less were they heroes and patriots, their names honored and their memories cherishd equally with those of their more fortunate comrades to whom was granted a soldier's death.
He married Ellen, daughter of Harrison and Maria ( Hoopes) Graham. Harrison Graham was a native of Butler county and came to Beaver county in the pursuit of his trade, that of tailor. There he was for one term justice of the peace, and from there enlisted in the One Hundred and First Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, serving throughout the entire Civil War. He was for many years a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He married Maria Hoopes. Children of Harrison and Maria (Hoopes) Graham: John W .; Frank; Ellen, of previous mention, married John McDanel. Children of John and Ellen (Graham) McDanel: Charles M., of whom further ; Carrie, married Henry Arnold.
(IV) Charles M. McDanel, only son and eldest child of John and Ellen (Graham) McDanel, was born at Wampum, Lawrence county, Penn- sylvania, July 20, 1869. He attended the public schools of New Brighton, and there attained all of his graded instruction and education, leaving school to learn the trade of moulder. He was subsequently connected with the iron manufacturing history for a period of fourteen years as foreman of the Logan, Strawbridge Iron Company, of New Brighton, Pennsylvania.
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Always a member of the Republican party, in 1902 he was appointed post- master of New Brighton by President Roosevelt, and was re-appointed by that same official in 1910, President Taft showing his approval of the choice of his predecessor by once more granting him the commission in 1910. He has also been a member of the council for two terms of three years each. He holds membership in the Independent Order of Americans, the Knights of the Maccabees, and the Royal Arcanum. His religious affilia- tion is with the Methodist Protestant Church. Mr. McDanel has proven himself a faithful and reliable government representative and has been an earnest worker in all local improvements.
He married, in January, 1870, Ida, daughter of Charles and Josephine Buckley, of New Brighton, Beaver county, Pennsylvania. Children of Charles M. and Ida McDanel: Mabel, married Dr. William F. Beitsch, no issue ; Eleanor, married William Meter, D. D. S., of Reading, Pennsylvania, and has two children : Charles and Virginia.
MARTSOLF George W. Martsolf, proprietor of a hardware store in New Brighton, is a descendant of Debold Martsolf, a native of Germany, who came to the United States in 1830, first settling at Wrightsville, York county, Pennsylvania, later pur- chasing land in Manheim township, near Hanover, in the same county, and there spent his entire life. He was a farmer by occupation, thrifty and industrious, and was a member of the German Lutheran Church, the edifice which was the scene of his devotions remaining standing at the present time. He was twice married, his wives being cousins of the same name as his own, and sisters. Children of first marriage: John, Frederick, Ru- dolph. Children of second marriage: Barbara, married James McGraw, of Ohio; Debold; Eliza, married (first) Christian Haller, (second) William Weir ; Phillip, of whom further.
(II) Phillip Martsolf, son of the second marriage of Debold Martsolf, was born in Germany, and was brought as an infant of eighteen months to the United States. His early life was spent on the home farm in York county, Pennsylvania. In young manhood he learned the trade of shoe- maker, and shortly after reaching man's estate he left the home farm, settling in Beaver county, where he followed his trade for many years. Later he advanced from the ordinary repair work of his trade and engaged in the manufacture of boots and shoes, in 1850 locating at New Brighton and opening a shoe store. In this business he met with good success, and continued in it until his death, which occurred December 11, 1906. An active member of the Presbyterian Church, there was none of its good works but received his cheerful assistance or financial aid, and in public affairs he was just as earnestly interested. In political belief he was at one time a Whig, but later became a convert to the Republican party, for several years holding the offices of mayor and borough treasurer of New Brighton. As chief executive of the borough he was an able and zealous
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official, and as guardian of the treasury every penny of the public funds was directed to legitimate purposes. He affiliated with no fraternities other than the Masonic, and among his brethren of that order was held in high regard. Although seventy-eight years of age at the time of his death, he did not live out his natural span of years, an accident causing his death. He was crossing one of the main streets when he was struck by a trolley car, receiving fatal injuries, which ended a life eight years longer than the biblical three score and ten, a life replete with deeds of kindness and serv- ice to his fellows.
He married Sarah Schramm, who died January 11, 1899, aged sixty- nine years. Children of Phillip and Sarah Martsolf: Frederick, died in infancy ; Emma, married Thomas Wilson; Jacob H .; George W., of whom further ; William P .; John A., deceased, married Elizabeth B. McPhearson; Charles W., married a Miss McDonald.
(III) George W. Martsolf, son of Phillip and Sarah (Schramm) Mart- solf, was born in New Brighton, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, February 22, 1857. After attending the public schools of New Brighton, he learned the carpenter's trade, familiarizing himself with the operation of a planing mill, in which he acted as foreman, later established in the contracting business, forming a partnership with Jacob and John Martsolf, to engage in lumber dealing and contracting. They located their yard at Fifth avenue and Seventh street, where the business has been ever since continued. Mr. Martsolf (of this review) sold out his interest in 1895, in which year he established in the hardware business in New Brighton, and in that line has been most successful, his popularity in the city and his well known reputa- tion for honorable dealing attracting many patrons to his store. His only other business connection is with New Brighton Union National Bank, of which he is a director. Mr. Martsolf is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and is also prominent fraternally, holding the thirty-second degree in the Masonic Order and belonging to the Newcastle Lodge of Perfection, Pittsburgh Consistory, Sovereign Princes of the Royal Secret, and to the Knights Templar. He also affiliates with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Martsolf is a Republican and was a member of New Brighton borough council nine years and president of that body one year. He served as a member of the Republican executive county committee.
He married, in 1881, Sarah, daughter of William McCleery. Children of George W. and Sarah Martsolf: 1. Lucy M., married Edward C. Sterling; two children: Wilma and George H. 2. Edna F., married John T. Brinton, and resides in New Castle, Pennsylvania; no issue. 3. Helen M., at home.
The Brown family, of Beaver, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, BROWN is descended from an honored family in Germany, where the name was originally spelled Braun. The various members have been closely identified with the business and other interests of their
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adopted country, and they have amply proven the patriotic spirit by which they are actuated.
(I) Philip Brown, the pioneer ancestor of this branch of the Brown family, was born in Germany. He came to America in 1856 and selected Baltimore, Maryland, as a place of residence. He married, and had chil- dren as follows: Lewis, see forward; George; Lena, who married Chris- tian Baum; Reinhart, who resides in Defiance, Ohio.
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