USA > Pennsylvania > Beaver County > Genealogical and personal history of Beaver County, Pennsylvania, Volume II > Part 54
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Mr. Laughlin married, March 4, 1862, Ella Christie, who died in August, 1904. They had children: Alda M., Robert Grant, Adele, Charles, Esther and James.
The name of Campbell is so closely identified with the CAMPBELL history of Scotland that it is a foregone conclusion that all the Campbells now resident in the United States trace their origin to the land of the thistle. The Campbell family of this review is no exception to this rule. The emigrant ancestor came from Scotland and settled in Hancock county, now West Virginia. He was an extensive land owner there, having in his possession about one thousand acres. For many generations all of the Campbells have been Presbyterians.
(II) Robert Campbell, son of the immigrant ancestor, was born in what is now Hancock county, West Virginia, and his entire life was spent in that county. He was educated in the subscription schools of that period, and became a farmer, owning a tract of one hundred and fifteen acres. He took an active part in the political affairs of his day, supporting the Whig party until the formation of the Republican party, when he joined the ranks of the latter. He married Ellen Young, who was born in Ireland, and came to this country as a child with her parents, who located in Han- cock county, now West Virginia. Her father, Andrew Young, owned about
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two hundred acres of land, which he cleared and cultivated for farming purposes. He and his wife were Episcopalians, and she survived her hus- band many years. Robert and Ellen (Young) Campbell had children : Eliza Jane, John, Margaret Ann, William, Melissa, James Young, see for- ward; Robert Elliott.
(III) James Young Campbell, son of Robert and Ellen (Young) Campbell, was born within three miles of New Cumberland, Hancock county, now West Virginia, November 4, 1844. The subscription schoo's of his native county furnished his education. At the time of the outbreak of the Civil War he was scarcely more than a lad. He enlisted, December 1, 1863, in Company I, Twefth Regiment West Virginia Volunteers, and served until the close of the war, being discharged in August, 1865. He was never wounded, but bullets passed through various portions of his clothing, and on one occasion his cartridge box was shot away from his belt. At the close of the war he returned to his home, and resumed farming on the homestead until he was thirty years of age. He then went to Washington county, Pennsylvania, where he purchased one hundred and seven acres of land, and cultivated it for a period of four years. He next removed to Greene township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, where he pur- chased the land on which he is living at the present day. This land com- prises a full one hundred acres, and he located on it in 1884. He erected a beautiful house in 1891, which was destroyed by fire before he moved into it. He took his family to Toronto, Pennsylvania, for a time, and in 1892 he had a new house erected to replace the one destroyed in so unfortunate a manner. He is engaged in general farming, and also makes a specialty of sheep raising, having a number of fine varieties. He was formerly a Re- publican in his political opinions, but latterly has become a member of the Washington party. He has served as a school director for a number of terms, but has never aspired to other public office.
Mr. Campbell married, in December, 1876, Amanda E., daughter of Reuben Taylor. Children: Robert Taylor, located at Darlington, Beaver county, an electrical engineer in steel mills; Ethel M., married James Stewart; Ernest W., a physician of Midland, Beaver county, Pennsylvania.
STEVENSON
The branch of the Stevenson family herein recorded was originally of Scotland, the family seat having been removed to Ireland some generations ago.
(I) James Stevenson was born in Ireland about 1755 and came to America just about the time when the colonies were preparing for their death grapple with the mother country, settling in Pennsylvania. He was accompanied by five of his brothers, and soon after his arrival on American soil, cast his fortunes with those of the colonial army. He attained the rank of an orderly sergeant and had a military record full of action and the excitement of danger that the true soldier loves so well. He was captured by his British foes and was confined in a Philadelphia prison for nine
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months, at the end of that time figuring in an exchange consummated at New York, a regular performance in time of war, when the prisoners of one army are given in exchange for those of another. At the close of the war he made his home in Chester county, Pennsylvania, and for many years was collector of finances in that county. In 1808 he moved to Poland, Trumbull county, Ohio, where he purchased land, cleared a farm, and there lived until his death, which occurred when he was eighty-five years of age. He was twice married, the first time to Hannah Bull, a native of Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, a sister of Colonel John Bull, of Revolu- tionary fame, the second time to Catherine Moore. Colonel John Bull was a native of Armstrong township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, and played a patriot's part in two of the greatest wars of the continent, the French and Indian, and the Revolutionary. In the former he was captain in command at Fort Alden and accompanied the expedition against Fort Duquesne, under Foster. His services were particularly valuable because of his intimate knowledge of Indian methods of warfare, and his familiarity with their sign language, by which he was able to figure in many of the trans- actions made with the savages. In 1775 he was appointed colonel of the First Pennsylvania Battalion, but later, because of friction between him and the other officers, he resigned. He was one of the commissioners at the treaty made with the Indians at Easton, January 30, 1777, and on the 16th of July of that year he was appointed adjutant-general of the state. In
October of the same year he was made the object of the spleenful enmity of the British troops, and his home, barn, grain and hay were burned by a band of plundering marauders, and his horses, cattle, sheep and slaves driven away by the soldiers. Upon the capture of General Bermin, Colonel Bull succeeded to the command of the Second Brigade, and commanded that body until the cessation of hostilities. He then made his home in Northumberland county, taking a prominent place in the political world of the day, and continuing in active participation in local affairs until his death. He married, and his wife, Mary, died February 23, 1811, his own death occurring not long afterward. They were the parents of nine chil- dren, among whom were: Elizabeth, who married Benjamin Rittenhouse, of Philadelphia, a brother of the noted mathematician; Maria Louisa, who married Joseph Nenne. Joseph Nenne was for fifty years register of the United States Treasury, in which capacity he affixed his signature to the first bonds issued by that government. Children of James and Hannah (Bull) Stevenson: Lucy, married Andrew Elliott; Nancy, married E. R. Gilson; Sarah, married John Gilson; Hannah, married William Crow; Mary; Thomas, of whom further; Jane Smith; Eliza; Andrew. Children of James and Catherine ( Moore) Stevenson: Robert; Jane, married (first) - Guthrie, (second) - Moore; William; Rebecca; Silas Mc- Curdy, at one time sheriff of Chester county, Pennsylvania, married Mary Dawson; Charles, married (first) Sarah Craycraft, (second) Eliza Hooker ; Sampson ; Samuel, married Ann Wilson.
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(II) Thomas Stevenson, sixth child and eldest son of James and Hannah (Bull) Stevenson, was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, August 25, 1788, died at Hookstown, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, July 14, 1847. He attended the public schools of the place of his birth and when a young man came to Beaver county, where he conducted farming operations upon rented ground until 1840. In this year he purchased the property now owned and cultivated by his grandson, William Stewart Stevenson, and there lived until his death. This was caused by an epidemic of fever known locally as "Hookstown Fever," and which baffled the skill of the local physicians, spreading all over that locality and causing the death of hundreds. It is now believed that the disease was typhoid fever, that being the only malady of that nature that could have accomplished such wide-spread destruction. Thomas Stevenson was a Democrat in politi- cal sympathy and affiliated with the Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Stevenson married, December 19, 1811, Jane Smith, born July 23, 1783, died October 27, 1853. They had children: Nancy, Esther, James; Jonathan; Thomas, see forward; Elizabeth, twin of Thomas; Martha ; Andrew ; Sampson; Mary J.
(III) Thomas Stevenson, son of Thomas and Jane (Smith) Steven- son, was born in Beaver county and was educated in the public schools near his home. He was a farmer and lived near where William Craig now re- sides. Later he removed to Kendall, where his death occurred. He mar- ried (first) Isabella Steward, (second) Minerva Evans. He was a Repub- lican, and he and his family were members of Tomlinson Run Church. Children by the first marriage: Jennie, married William Whitehill; Mary, married John Nickle; William Harvey, see forward. Only child by second marriage, Susan.
(IV) William Harvey Stevenson, son of Thomas and Isabella (Stew- ard) Stevenson, was born in Hanover township, Beaver county, Pennsyl- vania, July 8, 1852. For a time he attended the public schools of his native township and those of West Virginia, and when his father died, at which time he was but eight years of age, he commenced to work to sup- port himself. Since then he is indebted to his own efforts alone for his present prosperity. For ten years he lived at Fairview, West Virginia, then returned to Pennsylvania, and has always been identified with farm- ing. In 1883 he purchased a farm of fifty-four acres in Hanover town- ship, and lived on that for a period of sixteen years. He then traded with John M. Buchanan, getting in exchange the one hundred and seven acres on which he is living at the present time. This tract was in very bad con- dition when it came into the possession of Mr. Stevenson, but he now has it in a fine state of cultivation, being a general farmer and stock raiser.
Mr. Stevenson married Ella, daughter of Samuel McKibin and Mar- garet (Martin) Doak, both born in the southern part of Beaver county ; granddaughter of Moses and Rachel (Stephens) Doak, both of Beaver county ; great-granddaughter of Robert Doak, born in Ireland, who was
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brought to this country as an infant by his parents; and granddaughter of Samuel and Jennie Braden, both of Beaver county. Children: Margaret, married Forbes McConnell, of Rochester, Pennsylvania; Hettie, married Thomas Glenn, of Greene township; Jennie, married David Morris, of Ambridge; Thomas, at home; Elfie, at home. Mr. Stevenson is a staunch Republican, but has never consented to hold public office.
CAIN The Cain family, which came to America originally from Ireland, has had representatives in various callings, but has been mainly identified with agricultural interests.
(I) John Cain, the immigrant ancestor of the Cain family, or this branch of it, in America, was born in Ireland, and came to this country at a very early date, bringing his wife and family with him. It is a matter of uncertainty whether or not some of his children were born in America. He was a tailor by trade, located at Service Creek, Pennsylvania.
(II) William Cain, son of John Cain, was very probably born in Ire- land and came to this country with his parents. In later life he removed to Beaver county, Pennsylvania. It is known that he married and had chil- dren, but the names are not on record.
(III) Isaac Cain, son of William Cain, was born near Murdocksville, Washington county, Pennsylvania, and spent his life in that section of the country. He married Eliza Furney.
(IV) David Cain, son of Isaac and Eliza (Furney) Cain, was born near Florence, Washington county, Pennsylvania, and was there educated in the common schools. In early manhood he removed to Beaver county, and was there engaged in farming all his life. He is now seventy years of age. He and his wife joined the Pine Grove Baptist Church, and were immersed in Raccoon creek, at Link's bridge. He married Nancy A. Potts, born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania. She is a daughter of James Potts, a farmer of Beaver county, and a granddaughter of James Potts. James Potts, the father of Mrs. Cain, married Charity, a daughter of George Beagel, who came from Germany at an early date and settled in Beaver county, Penn- sylvania, because of the abundance of game to be found in that section. Millie Potts, sister of Mrs. Cain, married Isaac Greene, who was in active service during the Civil War, 1861-65. Mr. and Mrs. Cain had children : Henry F., see forward; Mary, died at the age of six years; Sarah A .; Martha J .; Emma L .; David J., deceased; Calvin J .; Lillie May; Clara Alice; Charles; Maggie ; an infant died unnamed ; William Hamilton ; Elva Lenora.
(V) Henry F. Cain, son of David and Nancy A. (Potts) Cain, was born about one mile from his present residence, Independence township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, September 9, 1865. The public schools of his native township furnished his education, and from the time he com- menced his business career he has been an active worker. Twelve years of steady and unremitting labor were given in the oil region, after which
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this was combined with farming interests for a period of six years. He purchased his present farm of ninety-five acres in 1910, and the following year erected an excellent and commodious barn. He has been an active worker in the cause of Democracy, has served two terms as a school di- rector, and two years as constable. He and his wife are members of the Mount Olivet Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Cain married, in 1889, Effie C. Parker, of Waynesburg, Stark county, Ohio. She is a daughter of David and Sarah (Croft) Parker, and granddaughter of Henry and Mary (Gould) Croft, he of German descent. David Parker was born in Blackburn, England, and came to America in 1863. He made his home at Clinton, Beaver county, Penn- sylvania, where he was engaged in mining ; his wife was born near Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Cain have had children: I. Edna Olive, born July 17, 1890; was educated in the public schools, then in succession attended the Canton high school, one term of summer school at Geneva (then known as Geneva College) ; the State Normal School at Indiana, Pennsylvania ; and is now a student at the Canton and Akron Actual Bus- iness College, at Canton, Ohio. 2. Bessie M., born October 5, 1891, died September 9, 1892. 3. Paul Gilbert, born September 11, 1894. 4. Sarah Pearl, born November 19, 1898. 5. Anna Florence, born February 2, 1903.
MILLER It is easy for one to glibly remark that religion is the most vital force in civilization, and many do, although the ques- tion of sincerity and conviction is always an open one, but discarding the personal element, where that trite statement has its deepest bearing, it is undeniably true that religious causes have been re- sponsible for the greatest political and social upheavals of the centuries, and has altered, among other things, the natural courses of peoples, groups of people and families. The last brings us to our subject, for had not the religious persecutions under which Scotland bled and suffered taken place, there would, in all probability, have been no representatives of the Scotch family of Miller in the United States, and in consequence this record would not have been written. But that Millers did suffer under Catholic oppres- sion and did flee to Ireland, subsequently coming to the United States, gives rise to this chronicle.
(I) John Miller was born in county Derry, Ireland, and died there, his ancestors having settled in that county, as had those of his wife, a native of the same place, and upon the advice and counsel of a friend, William Thompson, who had previously come to the United States, the family of John Miller immigrated, making their home at Stephenson's Mills, Alle- gheny county, Pennsylvania, formerly Moon Post Office, later Carnot Post Office. This was in July, 1844, and in May of the following year the widow of John Miller and their son James purchased a farm of two hun- dired and fifty acres, occupied at the present time by John Miller, a descen- dant of the settler. Clearing the land he erected a log house, which has
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stood since that day, a mute witness of an earlier day and life. After their arrival in the country many others of the name followed, the major part locating in the southern states. John Miller married, in Ireland, Elizabeth Scott. Children, all born in Ireland: 1. Mary, born September 25, 1812; married in her native land, came to the United States, but re- turned to Ireland, where her death occurred. 2. Margaret, born December 3, 1814. 3. Jean, born April 20, 1817, married in Ireland. 4. Martha, born September 8, 1819. 5. James, of whom further. 6. Archie, boru July 13, 1824. 7. Joseph, born February 15, 1827. 8. John, born Marclı 20, 1830. 9. Eliza Ann, born December 12, 1835.
(II) James Miller, son of John and Elizabeth (Scott) Miller, was born in county Derry, Ireland, January 18, 1822, and in 1844 came to the United States with his family, and lived on the home farm in Allegheny county all of his life. He and his wife were charter members of the New Bethlehem United Presbyterian Church. He married Sarah, daughter of Hiram and Nancy (Wilson) Lockhart, born in Independence township. Hiram Lockhart, born April 28, 1791, died February 23, 1867, was a son of William Lockhart, born in 1756, died October 28, 1834, and Joanna (Wiley) Lockhart, died September 18, 1838. William Lockhart owned and lived on the farm now owned by Robert Miller and Samuel Ferguson, which property, at his death, was divided among his sons, John and Hiram. He was the father of six sons and two daughters. Hiram Lockhart was a soldier in the American army in the War of 1812-14, and was a member of the Presbyterian Church. He was twice married, first to Nancy Wilson, second to Nancy Mccullough. By his first marriage he was the father of six children, by his second two children. Children of James and Sarah (Lockhart) Miller: Nancy Jane, John, Joseph, Archie, Elizabeth Mary, Margaret Ann Scott, John Scott, Robert, of whom further; Sarah, William Henry.
(III) Robert Miller, son of James and Sarah ( Lockhart) Miller, was born on the homestead farm where he now lives, March 27, 1867. After completing the usual course of study in the public schools, he engaged in farming and has followed that occupation ever since, at the present time owning one hundred and thirty-two acres. This land is well improved, supporting a barn erected in 1906 and a new dwelling, built in 1913, besides other necessary buildings, and the entire farm is kept in a highly productive state of cultivation by Mr. Miller, who, besides farming, also does some teaming. Popular locally, he has been elected to several township offices, among them supervisor, auditor and school director, always supporting the Democratic party. He and his wife are members and attendants of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Miller married, May 15, 1890, Mary A., daughter of Samuel Gorsuch. Children: Samuel Clair, Hazel Marie, James Don, Ralph Lorie, Ruth G.
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The Douglas family has been distinguished in the annals DOUGLAS of Scotland and England, and those members of the family who have come to the shores of this country have proved themselves very desirable citizens, in the various walks of life they have followed.
(I) David Douglas was born in the northern part of England, and undoubtedly his ancestors had come across the borders from Scotland. He emigrated to America, when the means of making the trip across the ocean was not so pleasant and speedy as in the present day, and he was sixteen weeks in making the trip, during six of which the ship was locked in the frozen sea. Upon his arrival here, he located in Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, where he followed the occupation of coal mining, and where his death occurred. He married Roshanna Whitehouse, and had children: Rosanna ; Wilkinson, see forward; David; Henry W .; Edward J .; William; Samuel J .; Mary ; Francis.
(II) Wilkinson, son of David and Roshanna Douglas, was born in Neshannock township, Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, December 5, 1858. He was educated there, and while still a young man engaged in coal min- ing, which he followed until 1898, when he removed to Beaver county. He is the owner of eighty acres of land, which he keeps in a fine state of cultivation for general farming, and also operates a coal mine. He is a strong Prohibitionist, and a member of the Free Methodist church. Mr. Douglas married, in 1882, Sarah Jane Blews, and they have had children: David; Edward Thomas; Henry Albert; Chester Aaron; Rowland; Her- bert; Wesley Wilkinson; Celia Elizabeth, who died at the age of ten years.
MILLER This family under the varied spellings, German, Dutch and English, forms one of the very largest groups of lineal and related families in the United States. They came from all lands and settled everywhere. Every land had a Mill and a Miller. They have been prominent in every department of our country's development. One hundred and fifty of the name are entered on the rolls of New York soldiers serving in the Revolution, and they were equally well represented in all of the other states. In the professions, business, politics, agriculture and commerce they are equally numerous and prominent. These things being true, it can easily be seen how difficult a matter it is to trace the connecting links between the various families of this name. The family under consideration in this review has done excellent service in the in- dustrial world of Pennsylvania.
Leander Miller was born in Berlin, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, and left his home when he was but eight years of age. He found employ- ment on a farm in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and, being of a thrifty and economical nature, amassed a sufficient capital after a number of years to start a saw mill in association with another man. This was operated very successfully until it was completely destroyed by fire. Later
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he was in the employ of the Clarksons in the woolen business. At the outbreak of the Civil War Mr. Miller was desirous of enlisting, but was not accepted because of his extreme youth at the time. Mr. Miller married Sarah Jane Clarkson, born in a part of Virginia which is now West Vir- ginia, and they had children: Samuel, deceased; Anna J., married Frank S. Lorimer, of New Brighton, Beaver county, Pennsylvania; Albert Har- rison, of whom further; Mary E., a teacher, lives in Fallston, Beaver county, Pennsylvania.
Thomas Clarkson, father of Mrs. Miller, was a native of Yorkshire, England, emigrated to America, and settled in Old Virgniia, where he be- came a manufacturer of woolens, and later operated a mill. He removed to Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and about 1876, established a mill at Fallston, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, which he operated until 1891, when he retired. He died at the age of eighty-one years. He married Judith Bradley, but whether in this country or in England, is not on record.
Albert Harrison Miller, son of Leander and Sarah Jane (Clarkson) Miller, was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, January 5, 1873. He was the recipient of an excellent education which was acquired in the public schools of Fallston, and Pearsall's Academy at West Bridgewater, Beaver county, Pennsylvania. Upon the completion of his education he accepted a clerkship with the Beaver County Building and Loan Associa- tion, at New Brighton, and was employed in that capacity for a period of fourteen years. The next three years were spent as bookkeeper for the Union National Bank in New Brighton, after which, in 1909, he became secretary of the Beaver County Building and Loan Association, with which he is actively identified at the present time. He resides at Fallston and is a man who is held in the highest esteem in the community.
Judge Richard Smith Holt owes the prominent position which HOLT he today occupies in the community entirely to his own ability and exertions, having started out in life as a farmer's boy, and with but limited means and opportunities. He is a son of Samuel J. and Mary Ann (Taylor) Holt, a grandson of William Holt, a great-grandson of Thomas Holt Jr., and a great-great-grandson of Thomas Holt Sr.
The family is of English origin. Thomas Holt Sr. removed from the eastern part of Pennsylvania to Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, settling in McVeytown, Oliver township, where he owned six hundred acres of land. William Holt located in Brighton township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, about 1833.
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