USA > Pennsylvania > Beaver County > Genealogical and personal history of Beaver County, Pennsylvania, Volume II > Part 55
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70
Samuel Jacob Holt, father of Judge Holt, was born in Brighton town- ship, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and was reared on a farm. When grown, he followed the occupation of teaming until he purchased a farm in Brighton township, upon which he lived until 1898, when he abandoned farming and retired to Beaver, Pennsylvania, to live. He was united in
996
PENNSYLVANIA
marriage with Mary Ann Taylor, whose death occurred June 9, 1898. Mrs. Holt was a daughter of William B. Taylor, who in 1825 emigrated from the parish of Ballynahinch, Ireland, to America. He was born in the parish of Inch, county Down, Ireland. His father was John Taylor.
Richard Smith Holt was born December 15, 1860, at Vanport, Beaver county, Pennsylvania. He was reared on his father's farm, assisting in the ordinary work of the place, and receiving his early education in the public schools of Brighton township. After attending the public schools he at- tended Peirsol's Academy, Bridgewater, Pennsylvania, and subsequently, the State Normal School at Edinboro, Pennsylvania. He taught school for seven years, during the last three years of which time he was also a student of law at night and in the mornings, placing himself under the instruction of Samuel B. Wilson Esq., an eminent lawyer, of Beaver, Pennsylvania. On May 7, 1888, he was admitted to the bar, and at once began practice on his own account in Beaver. He continued thus for a short time, and on January 1, 1899, formed a partnership with George Wilson, a son of his preceptor. This partnership was most successful, and lasted for many years, the firm being engaged in a great number of the most important cases tried in Beaver courts.
Mr. Holt brought to bear upon the practice of his profession the same industry and application which he had manifested in the acquisition of his education, both general and legal; and the result was that his standing in professional circles was very soon in the front rank. In November, 1905, he was elected presiding judge of the Thirty-sixth Judicial District of Pennsylvania, comprising Beaver county, the term of office to continue until January, 1916. In politics he is a Republican. He is a member of a great number of lodges and organizations. He belongs to the Order of Inde- pendent Americans, Knights of Pythias, Knights of the Golden Eagle, . Woodmen of the World, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Judge Holt married, August 21, 1884, Miss Sarah E. Brunton, daugh- ter of William A. and Mary Jane (Veazey) Brunton. Mr. Brunton was a farmer of the vicinity, and during the Civil War served as a soldier in the Union army. His wife, Mary Jane Veazey Brunton, was a daughter of Francis Veazey, and was born in Hopewell township, Beaver county, Penn- sylvania. Judge and Mrs. Holt are the parents of six children, named as follows: Beulah G., Mary Jane, Elizabeth W., Margaret A., Sarah E., and Eleanor T.
James Francis Garrett, a prominent citizen of New Brigh-
GARRETT ton, Pennsylvania, is of Irish parentage, and was born March 28, 1875, at New Sewickley, Pennsylvania, a son of Edward and Rose (Macklees) Garrett. His grandparents on both sides of the house lived and died in that country, and his father and mother came to America separately in their youth. Edward Garrett was educated in
Richard J. Nolt.
997
BEAVER COUNTY
Ireland, and there learned the brick and stone mason's trade, and upon his arrival in the United States at once began to practice the same. He settled in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and there became a contractor for brick and stone construction, and there also met and married Rose Macklees. After his marriage he took his wife to New Sewickley township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and in this place made his home for the remainder of his life. To them were born six children, as follows: Robert, Lizzie, Alice, Edward, Rosa, James Francis, of whom further.
James Francis Garrett obtained his education in the local schools of New Sewickley township, but at a very early age began to earn his own livelihood, his first employment being in Park Brothers New Brighton brick works. He later removed to Cleveland and there secured a position with the Cleveland Stone Company, and afterwards with the Malone Stone Company of the same city, but an opportunity arising for him to return to Pennsylvania, he accepted a position with Welch, Gloninger & Company, of Vanport and Monaca, Pennsylvania. In 1902 Mr. Garrett organized the Standard Fire Clay Company at Fallston, Pennsylvania, and became its president and general manager. The manufacturing plant of this con- cern is equipped to turn out fire, building and paving brick at the rate of eighteen thousand brick a day. A specialty is made of fire brick for the lining of furnaces. The company has not, however, always possessed these dimensions. When Mr. Garrett originally organized it, the plant had but a small capacity, but since that time it has steadily grown under the skillful attention and unusual constructive ability of Mr. Garrett, which he has devoted exclusively to its service, until now it possesses the enormous capacity named. It is an achievement of which its author and presiding genius may well be proud. Mr. Garrett is a Democrat in political belief. Mr. Garrett married, in 1906, Caroline Sebring, of Vanport, Pennsylvania. They have no children. Mrs. Garrett is a member of the Presbyterian church.
The name of Carroll is a noted one in the annals of this CARROLL country, and is to be found all over the Union. They ex- celled in all professions and lines of industry in which they were engaged. The grandparents of Winfield S. Carroll, of Fallston, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, were no exception to this rule. They were engaged in agricultural pursuits in Butler county, Pennsylvania, and were noted for great physical strength. The grandmother of Mr. Carroll, in the paternal line, was able to pitch a load of hay on a wagon when she was ninety years of age, and she died at the age of ninety-six years. One of their sons was Champ W., of further mention; and another was William, who was in active service during the Civil War.
(II) Champ W. Carroll, son of the above mentioned, was born in Butler county, Pennsylvania, and learned the trade of roll turning in Shil- tonbury mill, following this for some years. Later he was engaged in the
998
PENNSYLVANIA
machine and foundry business. He also ran a "Yankee Box" between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. Mr. Carroll married Eleanor, born in East End, Pittsburgh, a daughter of - and Susan (Fondersmith) Clapper, granddaughter of - Friday, and great-granddaughter of - Swoop. (III) Winfield S., son of Champ W. and Eleanor (Clapper) Carroll, was born July 4, 1861. The public schools of Pittsburgh furnished him with an excellent and practical education, and he was still a very young lad when he learned the trade of steel heating. This has been his chief occupation throughout his life. He entered the employ of the Colonial Steel Company, and was with them for a period of five years when they built their plant at Colona, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, about 1901, and Mr. Carroll was appointed to the responsible position of "first heater," which he has filled continuously with the exception of five years, when he was engaged in various other occupations, immediately preceding his taking up the work at Colona. Mr. Carroll now resides in Fallston, Beaver county, Pennsylvania. He formerly lived in Ellwood City, Lawrence coun- ty, Pennsylvania, and while there was a member of the Common Council of the borough. For a period of thirty-five years he was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and then resigned from this organization; he has been a member of the Royal Arcanum for twenty- nine years. Mr. Carroll married, August 19, 1883, Effa B. Graham, whose family line is given below, and they have had children: - , who married Mila F. Wilson, of New Brighton, Pennsylvania; Winfield La Mont; Iva Marie; Eva Vern, deceased; Frank Dewitt.
(The Graham Line.)
(I) Charles Graham, grandfather of Mrs. Carroll, with his wife and a party of others, came down the Monongahela river to Monaca, at that time known as Phillipsburg. He had learned the trade of a cabinet maker in his youth and was also an expert carpenter. In association with others he established a boat yard, and later they purchased the boat yard of the Economite Society, and Mr. Graham was made foreman of this. He was engaged in this occupation until stricken with blindness some years prior to his death, which occurred at the age of ninety-one years. He married (first) - Douglas, and had two children; he married (second) Jane Stoop, and had seven children.
(II) James M., son of Charles and Jane (Stoop) Graham, was born in 1832, in Freedom, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, being the third person born in that settlement. He received his education in the schools in his birthplace and there learned the trade of ship carpenter. He was employed in the boat yard of which his father had charge, and he himself had charge of the finishing department. He also ran a boat on the Ohio river for a number of years, abandoning this occupation in 1897, at which time he purchased a bakery in Bridgewater, and conducted this successfully until 1900. He then bought the property on which he is residing at the present time. Mr. Graham married, in 1857, Mary Jane, daughter of Jonathan Mc-
999
BEAVER COUNTY
Kenzie, and a descendant of an old Bridgewater family. They had chil- dren : I. Anna, married W. H. Hamilton, of New Brighton, Beaver county, and had children: - , married Charles Papp, of Pittsburgh; Howard C., of Beaver Falls; Eleanor, married - Steel, of New Brighton ; - , mar- ried - Traner, of Schenectady, New York. 2. Nettie, twin of preceding, married James Beach, and has one child, Earl. 3. Lizzie, married Frederick Ralph, of Pittsburgh, and has children : - , married Robert Dunn; - , married George Albright; Elmer. 4. Effa B., married Winfield S. Carroll (see Carroll). 5. Charles C., of Pittsburgh, married -, and has children : Alexander, Wilhelmina and Catherine. 6. Frederick La Mont, of Pitts- burgh, married -, and has one child, Leva. 7. Emma, married John G. Harris, of Pittsburgh, and has children: - , married Roy Doud; Velma; Helen; Grant. 8. - , married R. C. Walker, of Belleview, Ohio, and has children: Effa Irene, William and Edith Mattie. 9. Frank L., of Salem, Ohio, married -, and has children: Gwendoline, Edress and Xerxes. 10. - , married William V. Shoemaker, and has children : Mary Elizabeth, Wayne Craig and Edna Radels.
There are many bearing this name in the United States, and it CAIN is very probable that all came originally from Ireland. Of the particular branch of the family of which this review treats, we have record of John Cain, born in Ireland, who emigrated to America in the early days of settlement here, and located near Hookstown, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, where he was probably engaged in farming.
(II) George, son of John Cain, was born near Mechanicsburg, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and married Mary Agnew, who was born near Shouse- town, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania.
(III) James, son of George and Mary (Agnew) Cain, was born in Beaver county, where he was successfully engaged in farming. He mar- ried Elizabeth Veasey, born near New Sheffield, Beaver county, who traces her descent in a direct line back to the reign of Queen Elizabeth. Among their children were: George W., of further mention; Elijah, who served in the same company and regiment as his brother George W., during the Civil War. Seven close relations, bearing the name of Cain, also served in this war.
(IV) George W., son of James and Elizabeth (Veasey) Cain, was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, July 1, 1839, and was educated at the "Hard Scrabble" school, on the South Side. In his youth he learned the trade of stone and brick laying, and followed this occupation during all the active years of his life, near Seventysix, Independence township, Beaver county. There, also, his death occurred. During the Civil War he was in active service in Company F, 46th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volun- teer Infantry. In political matters he was an earnest worker in support of Democrat principles, and served as supervisor of Independence township. Mr. Cain married, November 8, 1866, Susan, born near Bocktown, Beaver
1000
PENNSYLVANIA
county, Pennsylvania, April 5, 1844, a daughter of Philip and Rebecca (Mclaughlin) McConnell, the former born near Bocktown, the latter in Allegheny county ; sister of Alexander and Susan McConnell; granddaugh- ter of John and Susan (Kirk) McConnell, both born in America, and both early settlers near Bocktown; and granddaughter of James and Elizabeth (Beard) Mclaughlin, the former born in Ireland, the latter probably in Germany, who located in Finley township, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, in the early pioneer days, and were farmers there. Mr. and Mrs. Cain had children : Mary Luella ; Rebecca Louise; Eliza Elonzo; Frances Au- gusta; Latilda Lena; Maude Blanche; Emery Fero; George Albert, of further mention; Jessie Austine. All are living at the present time.
(V) George Albert, son of George W. and Susan (McConnell) Cain, was born September 22, 1886. He was apprenticed to learn the trade of coopering, an occupation he followed about three and a half years, and abandoned in favor of electrical work, with which he was identified until 1909. He was then employed at the Steel Mill at Colona, Beaver county, until 1912, at which time he accepted a position as yard brakeman for the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie railroad, at Woodlawn.
With a tenacity unyielding and industry unceasing, John TELFORD H. Telford rounded out a business and newspaper career supplemented with constructive endeavor and rewarded with lasting results. John H. Telford was the son of James and Sarah Hammond Telford, and was born in what was then Allegheny, now a big part of Pittsburgh. His parents were of Irish extraction, of county Antrim, they settling in this country when scarcely of age. He attended the public schools of his native city, and when a young man apprenticed himself to learn the printer's trade in the office of the Pittsburgh Christian Advocate. Later he served in the job printing establishment of Stevenson & Foster, where he became familiar with that department of the art. He left this concern to take charge of the press department of the Methodist Recorder, in the same city, as manager. After some years of service in this capacity he returned for a time to the Stevenson & Foster firm, followed later by taking service with the Labor Tribune, which was under the management of Thomas M. Armstrong, who in his day was a great leader of men and of nation-wide reputation.
In 1875 he began his journalistic career in conjunction with Colonel Jacob Weyand, when the Beaver Falls Tribune was founded as a weekly publication. A few years later he purchased the interest of his partner, and a short time thereafter, August 25, 1884, in the heat of the Blaine and Logan political campaign, the first issue of the Beaver Falls Daily Tribune was published, and has appeared daily, except Sunday, ever since. When he passed away, November 14, 1908, he left behind an established reputation as a fearless and progressive journalist, and a plant that had made for itself a record of stability and influence, not only in Western Pennsylvania,
Eng by E G. Milhans & Bro AV
Solutt Elford
Lewis Historical Pub Co
100I
BEAVER COUNTY
but the entire state. In politics he was a Republican, and was never afraid to give vent to his opinions, especially when he knew he was in the right. He was a member of the Methodist Protestant church.
On August 8, 1872, he married Margaret E., daughter of Thomas and Jane Crosier Hales. As a result of this union the following children were born: Maud, who married Louis Houston, they have two children: Harold and Theodore; James; John C., with the following children: Clare U., Margaret J., Anna Fay and Virginia M .; and Sarah, who married Charles Richard. The latter have three children: Charles, Dorothea and Ralph.
After the death of John H. Telford, the Tribune Printing Company was reorganized, with his widow, Margaret E. Telford, president ; James Telford, secretary, and John C. Telford, treasurer and managing editor, which corporation has been conducting the business successfully ever since.
STEVENSON The branch of the Stevenson family herein recorded was originally from Scotland, the family seat having been moved to Ireland four generations since by the father of James, with whom this narrative opens. James Stevenson was born in Ireland about 1755, and came to America just at 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 enlisted in Chester county, Pennsylvania, July I, 1776, in Captain Henry Baker's company, Col. Evans' regiment, Penn- sylvania troops, and served two months. In 1777 he re-enlisted as orderly sergeant in Captain Scott's company, same regiment. At Darby, Pennsyl- vania, November 17, 1777, he and his squad were captured by a detach- ment under Cornwallis. He was confined in Philadelphia and in the loath- some prison ships at New York nine months before being exchanged. At the close of the war he made his home in Chester county, Pennsylvania, and for many years was collector of fines 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 General Bull, of Revolu- tionary fame; the second time to Catherine Moore.
General John Bull was a native of Providence township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, and played a patriot's part in two of the greatest wars of this continent, the French and Indian, and the Revolution. A por- tion of his history is herein given not alone for his being a close family connection, but also because he was one of the first English-speaking white rren to visit the territory since included in Beaver county, Pennsylvania. Because of his familiarity with the sign language and Indian methods of warfare, his services in transactions with them were particularly valuable. In 1758 he was captain in command of Fort Allen, and preceded General
1002
PENNSYLVANIA
Forbes in his expedition against Fort Duquesne. In November, 1758, he and Frederick Post visited Saucon (now Beaver) and other Indian towns along the Big Beaver, and met with King Beaver, Shingiss, and other notable Indian warriors, and aided in creating the defection of the Indians from the French that hastened the downfall of Fort Duquesne. In 1771 he owned the Norris plantation and mill, and resided there on the site of the present city of Norristown. 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 July 16th of that year was appointed adjutant-general of the state. In October this same year his barns, barracks, grain and hay were burned by the British, and his wagons, horses, sheep and negroes carried off, although Gen. Howe had given his word to Mrs. Bull that they would not be disturbed. In December, on the capture of Gen. Irwin, he succeeded to the command of the second brigade under General John Armstrong. In 1778 he was engaged in erect- ing batteries at Billingsport. In 1779 he put down the chevaux-de-frise in the Delaware. In 1780 he was commissary of purchases in Philadelphia. He also during those years served a term as assemblyman, and with David Rittenhouse, Owen Biddle and others constituted a Board of War for Pennsylvania, and as a compiler of the "Pennsylvania Archives" expresses it, he "appears to have been one of the busiest and most indefatigable workers." Some time after the close of the war he removed to Northum- berland county, where he took an active part in public affairs for many years. Gen. Bull was born in 1730, was married to Mary Phillips in 1752, who died February 23, 1811, aged eighty years. He died in 1824, aged ninety-four years. They were the parents of five children, among whom were: Elizabeth, who married Benjamin Rittenhouse, of Philadelphia, a brother of the noted mathematician; Anna, married Gen. John Smith, of Hackwood Park, Frederick county, Virginia; Maria Louisa, married Joseph Nennie. Joseph Nennie 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.
The future value of a history like this rests much on how the family connection is kept up, but the whereabouts of the descendants of the brothers of James Stevenson are almost lost to his descendants. It is known that some of these brothers' descendants lived in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of one of them, a Mrs. Croft, lived and raised a family near East Liverpool, Ohio.
Children of James and Hannah (Bull) Stevenson: I. Margaret, mar- ried John Caldwell. 2. Lucy, married Andrew Elliott. 3. Nancy, married E. R. Gilson. 4. Sarah, married John Gilson. 5. Hannah, married William Crow. 6. Mary. 7. Thomas, of whom further. 8. Elijah. 9. Andrew. Children of James and Catherine (Moore) Stevenson: 10. Robert. II. James, married (first ) Jane Guthrie, (second) Nancy Moore. 12. William.
1003
BEAVER COUNTY
13. Rebecca. 14. Elisha McCurdy, married Nancy Dawson (he was born December 22, 1806, died December 16, 1899). 15. Silas, married (first) Sarah Cracraft, (second) Eliza Hoover (he was at one time sheriff of Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, and a grandson of his, Joseph S. Edwards, is the present treasurer of Beaver county, Pennsylvania). 16. Sampson. 17. Samuel, married Nancy Ann Dawson.
(II) Thomas, seventh 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. When a young man he came to Beaver county where he conducted farming opera- tions upon rented ground until 1840. In this year he purchased the prop- erty now owned and cultivated by his grandson, William Stewart Stevenson, and there lived until his death. He and his daughter Nancy and sons Jonathan and Andrew were carried off in the space of a few weeks by an epidemic known locally as the "Hookstown fever," and that baffled the skill of the local physicians, and caused the death of many. It is now believed to have been typhoid fever. Thomas Stevenson was a Democrat in political sympathy, and affiliated with the Presbyterian church. He married, December 19, 1811, Jane Smith, born July 23, 1783, died October 27, 1853. Children of Thomas and Jane Stevenson: I. Nancy, married John Calhoon. 2. Esther, married Joseph McCready. 3. James, married Elizabeth Ewing. 4. Jonathan, married Jane Ramsey. 5. Thomas, married Isabell Stewart (daughter of William Stewart, hereinafter mentioned). 6. Elizabeth, twin of Thomas, married Eli Ramsey. 7. Martha, married George Stewart (son of Samuel Stewart, hereinafter mentioned). 8. Andrew. 9. Sampson, of whom further. 10. Mary Jane.
(III) Sampson, son of Thomas and Jane (Smith) Stevenson, was born in Hanover township, Beaver county, September 8, 1824, died in Hookstown, August 28, 1880. Like his forefathers, he followed that most useful and honorable of all pursuits, agriculture, all his life, and in this occupation he met with moderate success, never attaining a position of affluence, but was always considered one of the well-to-do farmers of the region. He supported the Republican party with his vote and influence, and was a member of the United Presbyterian church. He married (first) Rachel Stewart, born February 27, 1828, and died June 2, 1854; (second) Rebecca Manor. Rachel Stewart was a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Henderson) Stewart. George Stewart, the father of William, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. In 1776 he was serving in the Revolu- tionary War as major in the First Pennsylvania Battalion, James Crawford, colonel. Later he was lieutenant-colonel in the same until after 1780, when he was appointed colonel and continued to serve as such to the close of the war. He was in command of his regiment at the battle of Yorktown and other engagements. After the close of the war it appears he first moved to Washington or Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania (where children of first wife seem to have remained), but finally settled in Brooke county,
1004
PENNSYLVANIA
Virginia, where he owned, lived, and died on a farm close to the Beaver county line, in what is now Hancock county, West Virginia. This farm is now owned and occupied by R. G. Stewart (a grandson) and by "the Stewart brothers" (great-great-grandsons of the fifth generation), by descent through Samuel Stewart. Colonel George was twice married, the names of his first wife and their three children cannot be given. He married his second wife, Susannah Wilson, in Lancaster county, Penn- sylvania, April 22, 1779. The children of this second marriage were Samuel, William, Mary and Hesther (twins), Benjamin, and James. Colonel George died September 9, 1801, and was buried in the old Mill Creek grave- yard in Beaver county. On September 21, 1841, his widow, at the age of eighty, applied for a pension, which was allowed. She died May 4, 1843. Of the above children, William married Elizabeth Henderson, and lived and died on a farm he owned close to the old original Stewart homestead, in the same county and state. He was born in Lancaster county, Penn- sylvania, July 29, 1782, and died October 6, 1858. Elizabeth, his wife, died August 18, 1871, aged eighty-eight years and five months. Their children were: George, James, William, Benjamin, Mary, Elizabeth, Isabell, and Rachel, who married Sampson Stevenson, December 26, 1850. Sampson and Rachel (Stewart) Stevenson were the parents of two children, William Stewart, and Laura E., the latter dying in infancy. There were no children to the second marriage.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.