USA > Pennsylvania > Beaver County > Genealogical and personal history of Beaver County, Pennsylvania, Volume II > Part 59
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
1029
BEAVER COUNTY
Fallston plants, being their active head until 1861, when years and failing health compelled his retirement. He married and left issue.
(V) William Penn, son of Robert Townsend, was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was there educated, and at an early age entered his father's employ as clerk. He mastered all details of the business, and in 1840 was admitted a partner in the Pittsburgh iron manufacturing business of R. Townsend & Company. In 1864 he succeeded to the business of Townsend, Baird & Company, wire manufacturers of Fallston, becoming sole owner. In 1866 he associated his sons, Charles C. and Edward P., with him under the firm name W. P. Townsend & Company, this firm continuing until 1894. When largely relieved by his sons of the executive management of their large business, Mr. Townsend gratified his love of travel by frequent and lengthy sojourns in Europe and in American travel. He married Sarah A., daughter of Matthew F. Champlin, of New York State; children : Charles C., of whom further ; Edward P., of whom further ; Amelia; Eliza- beth and Helen. William P. Townsend died September 27, 1894, aged seventy-eight.
(VI) Charles Champlin, eldest son of William Penn and Sarah A. (Champlin) Townsend, was born in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, ( Pitts- burgh North Side), November 24, 1841. He was educated in the public schools, entering the employ of his father, R. Townsend & Company, at the age of fifteen years. He so continued until the outbreak of the war between the states, then enlisted as a private in Company A, Ninth Regi- ment Pennsylvania Reserve Volunteer Corps. Later he was transferred to the First Regiment Pennsylvania Cavalry, attaining the rank of adjutant. He continued in the military service until honorably discharged on account of ill health, then returned to the paternal home in New Brighton, Penn- sylvania. In 1866 he was admitted with his brother Edward P. to a partner- ship with his father in his extensive wire and rivet manufacturing business in Fallston, the firm becoming W. P. Townsend & Company. The sons were ever afterward the moving power in the business, which they greatly enlarged placing it first among the industrial enterprises of Beaver county in point of importance, as it already was in priority of establishment. In 1894 the sons became sole owners, the name changing to C. C. & E. P. Townsend. They added a nail department to the wire and rivet works and began the manufacture of wire nails of all sizes. This business, now owned and managed by the sons of the former proprietors, has been estab- lished in Fallston since 1828, and has never been out of the family name, the present generation being the fourth to actively prosecute the business. Charles C. Townsend was an active member of the Republican party and firmly supported its principles. He was the successful candidate of his party for Congress, receiving 21,636 votes against 16,640 cast for his prin- cipal and all other opponents. He served with honor in the Fifty-first Congress, then returned to private and business life. He was an elder of the New Brighton Presbyterian church and a citizen beyond reproach. He died July 9, 1910.
1030
PENNSYLVANIA
Hon. Charles C. Townsend married (first) in October, 1865, Julia Sophia, daughter of Benjamin Rush Bradford (see Bradford family). He married (second) June 2, 1902, Mattie K. (Keyt) Lynch, daughter of Wil- liam H. and Isabella (Molen) Keyt, and widow of Harry L. Lynch of Pittsburgh. Children of first marriage: Juliet ; Gertrude, died aged twenty- two years; William P. (2); Vincent L. Bradford; Charles C. (2) ; Benja- min Rush, and John M. With the exception of Benjamin Rush, who is a banker of New Brighton, these sons are now active partners in the firm C. C. & E. P. Townsend. Child by second marriage: Margery, born February 2, 1906.
(VI) Edward P., son of William P. and Sarah A. (Champlin) Townsend, was born in Pittsburgh, North Side, Pennsylvania, De- cember 2, 1843, died in New Brighton, Pennsylvania, January 27, 1910. He prepared for college in Pittsburgh schools, then entered the State Col- lege. He began business life with his father, becoming familiar with the details of the business to such an extent that in 1866 he was admitted to a partnership, forming with his father and brother, Charles C., the firm of W. P. Townsend & Company, wire and rivet manufacturers of Fallston, Beaver county, a business established by his grandfather, Robert Townsend, in 1828, in Fallston. The sons succeeded their father in ownership in 1894, the firm name becoming C. C. & E. P. Townsend and so continues, eighty- five years from its foundation, managed by the great-grandsons of the founder and never out of the Townsend name. The wire rivet and wire nail works that constitute the Fallston plant form one of the largest and most important industrial enterprises of Beaver county, and have been the means of adding greatly to the prosperity of the section in which they are located. Edward P. Townsend was active and prominent in the business and a potent factor in its successful operation. He not only managed his own business successfully, but took an active part in the local government of New Brighton, his home. He served as president of the borough council for several years, and was leader in public improvement and in all that pro- moted the public good. He was an active member of the Presbyterian church of New Brighton, serving as a trustee for many years. He was a Republican in politics, and a citizen true and loyal, highly respected in the business world and honored in the community that knew his virtues best. Mr. Townsend married (first) Emma, daughter of Rev. Benjamin C. Critchlow, who was elected pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of New Brighton, June 17, 1841, and continued its pastor until December 14, 1874, when he requested the dissolution of the relations that for thirty-three years had existed. Children of Edward P. Townsend by first wife: Robert, now president of C. C. & E. P. Townsend, the fourth of his name to manage the affairs of this important corporation; Louis H., of New Brighton, and Arthur C., of Chicago. Mrs. Townsend died in 1881, and Edward P. Townsend married (second) in 1885, Grace, daughter of Dr. Justin C. and Adelaide (Hayward) Elliott, of Buffalo, New York. Children of second
1031
BEAVER COUNTY
marriage: Elinor, married Springer H. Moore, of Philadelphia; and Alfred E.
The Hayward family, Mrs. Edward P. Townsend's maternal ancestors, were among the early settlers of Buffalo, New York. Her father, Dr. J. C. Elliott, was an eminent physician and surgeon of Buffalo, and one who during the Civil War won imperishable laurels for his skillful organization of the hospitals under his control and for his untiring labors for the sick and wounded soldiers. He was captured by the Confederates, held for six weeks a prisoner in Libby Prison, Richmond, then exchanged for an officer of high rank. The children of Dr. Elliott are Hayward, George, Grace, widow of Edward P. Townsend, now residing at New Brighton, Pennsylvania; and Russell.
BRADFORD All that pertains to the early history of the "Art and Mystery" of printing in America is of exceeding interest, not only to the antiquarian, but also to the student of general history. Tracing the generations of the Bradford family of New Brighton, Pennsylvania, back to the American ancestor, leads to William Bradford, the first printer in the province of Pennsylvania and publisher of the first newspaper in the Colony of New York. The first issue from Bradford's press was an almanac called on the title page:
KALENDARIUM PENNSYLVANIENSE or AMERICA'S MESSENGER being an ALMANACK For the year of grace 1686 By SAMUEL ATKINS "Printed and sold by William Bradford The following notice aids in settling the question as to the time when the press was first set up in Philadelphia county :
THE PRINTER TO THE READERS.
Hereby understand that after great charge and Trouble, I have brought the great Art & Mystery of printing into this part of America, believing it may be of great service to you in several respects; hoping to find encouragement not only in this Almanack, but what else I shall enter upon for the use & service of the Inhabitants of these Parts. Some irregularities there be in this Diary which I desire you to pass by this year; for being lately come hither, my materials were misplaced and out of order, whereupon I was forced to use, Figures and Letters of various Sizes, but understanding the want of something of this nature & being importuned thereto, I ventured to make public this: desiring you to accept thereof & by the next (as I find encouragement) shall endeavor to have compleat. And for the ease of Clark's, Scriveniers Warrants etc. & what else presents itself wherein I shall be ready to serve you; and remain your friend.
W. BRADFORD.
Philadelphia the 28th. roth Month 1685.
(I) William Bradford, the first printer in Pennsylvania, was born in Leicestershire, England, May 20, 1660, son of William and Anna Brad- ford. He served his apprenticeship and learned the printer's art with Wil-
---- ---- --
1032
PENNSYLVANIA
liam Sowle, printer and publisher of Quaker books, in Grace Church street, London, a friend of William Penn and George Fox. William Bradford came to America in the "Welcome" with William Penn, arriving at New- castle-on-the-Delaware, IO 27, 1682, and on September 12, 1683, was living at or near Philadelphia. In August, 1685, he was in London, returning there to obtain his bride, Elizabeth Sowle, daughter of Andrew Sowle, the printer and publisher who although a subscribing witness to Penn's Charter of Liberties for Pennsylvania and a "First Purchaser" of Pennsylvania Land, one thousand acres in Upper Dublin township, county of Philadelphia, never came to Pennsylvania. While in London, William Bradford received a letter from George Fox, recommending him to prominent Friends in Amer- ica, "As a sober young man who comes to Pennsylvania to set up the trade of printing Friends' books" etc.
He married, in Devonshire Friends Meeting, April 2, 1685, and on his return to America brought with him his bride and the printing press on which the Almanack was printed. He brought with him a certificate of Devonshire House Monthly Meeting recommending "William Bradford and Elizabeth his wife as members of the Society of Friends," which was read in Philadelphia Monthly Meeting, held the 4th of the 11th month, 1685, and accepted. He seems to have been successful in his business until 1692 when he became involved in the dissension that finally caused an open rupture in the Society of Friends. He printed some of the writings of George Keith, with whom he seems to have sympathized, and as a result was arrested and imprisoned. When tried the jury disagreed, but Bradford, having incurred the displeasure of the dominant party in Pennsylvania and receiving offers to settle in New York, removed in 1693 to that city, set up his press and became printer to the government. The first book from his press in New York was a small folio volume of the laws of the Colony, bearing date of 1693. In the imprint he styles himself "Printer to their Majesties" and directs to his printing house "At the Sign of the Bible." He continued to print for the government of New York and during thirty years was the only printer in the colony. During this same period he was also printer to the govern- ment of New Jersey. On October 16, 1725, he issued the first number of The New York Gazette, the first newspaper printed in New York. Benjamin Franklin mentions that when he visited New York about 1723, William Bradford was a printer and the only one in the city. Franklin applied to him for work, Bradford then having little to do could not employ him, but recommended him to his son Andrew, then a printer in Philadelphia. William Bradford continued his residence in New York, retiring from busi- ness several years prior to his death, making his home with his son William, in Hanover Square. He was also intimately associated with the early manu- facture of paper in America, having been one of the builders and owners of the first paper mill on the Wissahickon and was owner of a paper mill in Elizabethtown, New Jersey, as early as 1728, these mills being the first erected in America for the manufacture of paper. He continued the publi-
1033
BEAVER COUNTY
cation of The New York Gazette until 1743, when it was sold to James Parker and Post Boy added to its title.
Although a Friend in England and Philadelphia, William Bradford was for many years a vestryman of Trinity Church, New York (Episcopal), and in the old burying ground near the north wall of that church his tomb- stone may be seen. The original monument over the remains of William Bradford and his wife in Trinity Church grounds was badly broken and defaced at the time the present church edifice was erected. A new one of marble was placed over the graves by the church vestry in May, 1883. He died May 23, 1752, aged eighty-nine years. On the morning of that day he took a long walk. The New York Gazette which announced his death on the Monday morning following said :
He came to America seventy years ago, was printer to the Government of New York upwards of fifty years, was a man of great sobriety and industry, a real friend to the poor and needy and kind and affable to all. His temperance was exceedingly conspicuous and he was almost a stranger to sickness all his life. He had left off business several years past and being quite worn out with old age and labor, his lamp of life went out for want of oil.
His wife, Elizabeth (Sowle) Bradford, died July 8, 1731, (tombstone) aged sixty-eight years. William Bradford married (second) Widow Smith, by whom he had no issue. Children of William and Elizabeth (Sowle) Bradford: I. Andrew, born in Philadelphia, 1682; learned printing witlı his father ; was in partnership with him in New York until 1712, when he moved to Philadelphia; he issued the first number of the American Weekly Mercury, the first newspaper published in the Middle States, December 22, 1719, which he conducted until his death; he was a vestryman of Christ Church, Philadelphia, and is buried in the churchyard of that parish with his first wife Dorcas and his second wife, Cornelia (Smith) Bradford. 2. William, of whom further. 3. Tacey, born 1689; married John Hyat, a one-time sheriff of Philadelphia county, 1741-45.
(II) William (2) Bradford, son of William (1) and Elizabeth (Sowle) Bradford, was born about 1689, and was taken by his parents to New York in 1693. Like his brother Andrew he was taught his father's trade of printer, but his health being poor on land he became a sailor soon after he became of age, following the sea for several years. In his will he styles himself "Pewterer." Several years before his father's death he was living in Hanover Square, New York. His will, made August 31, 1742, was probated January 24, 1759. He married, November 25, 1716, Sytie Sant- voort, baptized April 14, 1695, died later than June 5, 1760, she being named with son William as legatees and she sole executrix of the will. Sytie was a daughter of Abraham and Vroutjie (Van Horn) Santvoort, both Dutch colonial families. Children: 1. Maria, married William Mercer. 2. Wil- liam, of whom further. 3. Elizabeth, married Jacob Ogden, of Jamaica, Long Island. 4. Abraham (or Andrew), died aged eighteen years. 5. Cornelius, married (first) Esther Creighton, (second) Catherine, widow of Captain Dennis Candy and daughter of Jacob Ricker.
1034
PENNSYLVANIA
(III) Colonel William (3) Bradford, son of William (2) and Sytie (Santvoort) Bradford, was born in Hanover Square, New York, January 19, 1721. He was adopted and educated by his uncle, Andrew Bradford, with whom he also learned the printer's trade and business, becoming his partner in 1739. This connection was dissolved in December, 1740, and in December, 1742, Colonel William Bradford began the publication of the Pennsylvania Journal and Weekly Advertiser, a paper devoted to the patriot cause from the beginning of trouble with the mother country in 1765. The paper from July, 1774, to October, 1775, bore the famous device of a divided snake with the motto "United or Die." Colonel Bradford was an ardent patriot, defending the cause with both pen and sword. He was a lieutenant of Philadelphia Associators during the French and Indian War, 1756; captain in a Philadelphia Regiment, 1775; major in 1776; fought at the battle of Trenton ; was wounded at Princeton and was promoted to the rank of colonel. He was at Fort Mifflin and in other battles, retiring from the army after the evacuation of Philadelphia by the British, broken in health and fortune, although in 1777 was chairman of the Pennsylvania navy board in command at Philadelphia, and in 1779 was president of the court of inquiry respecting the military officers. After the war he resumed printing in Philadelphia, but never regained his fortune. He consoled him- self with the thought that he had aided in securing independence for his country, often remarking to his children: "Though I bequeath you no estate I leave you in the enjoyment of liberty." He died September 25, 1791, and was buried by the side of his wife in the Second Presbyterian burial ground on Arch street, Philadelphia, but later his remains were removed to North Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia.
He married, August 15 (or 18), 174-, Rachel Budd, born January 7, 1720, died June 26, 1780, daughter of Thomas and Debora (Lanstaff) Budd, granddaughter of William and Ann Budd, and great-granddaughter of Rev. Thomas Budd, who prior to 1661 was rector of the parish of Mar- tock, Somersetshire, England, later coming to New Jersey with four sons. William Budd in 1685 was a member of the general assembly of New Jersey.
Children of Colonel William Bradford: 1. Thomas, of whom further. 2. William (4), attorney general of the United States, justice of the supreme court of Pennsylvania, attorney general of Pennsylvania, graduate of Prince- ton, 1772, lieutenant-colonel in the Revolutionary army, and one of the distinguished men of his day; he married Susan Vergereau, daughter of Hon. Elias Boudinot and his wife, Hannah ( Stockton) Boudinot, of Eliza- beth and Burlington, New Jersey; no issue. 3. Schuyler, died in the East Indies. 4. Rachel, married Hon. Elisha Boudinot. 5. Tacey, married Joshua Maddox Wallace. 6. Elizabeth, married Captain Thomas Houston. (IV) Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Bradford, son of Colonel William (3) and Rachel (Budd) Bradford, was born in Philadelphia, May 4, 1745, died in that city, May 7, 1838, aged ninety-three years, buried in North
1035
BEAVER COUNTY
Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia. He obtained a college education in Philadelphia, entering the printing business with his father in 1762 and becoming a partner in 1766. He, like his father, was a militant patriot, was captain of a militia company in Pennsylvania and saw active service at Brandywine, Trenton, Germantown, Valley Forge, and elsewhere. He also served as deputy commissary general of prisoners, ranking as lieutenant- colonel. After the war he resumed printing with his father, continuing the publication of the Pennsylvania Journal and Weekly Advertiser until 1801, then merging it with the True American which he had established earlier. In 1801 he admitted his son William and in 1819 retired from business. He was for some time printer to congress. Lieutenant-Colonel Bradford mar- ried, November 23, 1768, Mary Fisher, who died November 18, 1805, aged fifty-five years. She was the daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Coleman ) Fisher, granddaughter of Samuel and Sarah (Lane) Fisher, and great- granddaughter of William and Mary Fisher, of Herefordshire, England. Children: 1. Samuel, a book publisher of Philadelphia, married Abigail Inskeep. 2. William, a printer of Philadelphia, partner with his father after 1801. 3. Thomas, of whom further. 4. Elizabeth, married James Darrach, of Philadelphia. 5. Mary, married William Flintham, of Philadelphia. 6. Susan, married Jacob Ritter, of Philadelphia.
(V) Thomas (2) Bradford, son of Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas (1) and Mary (Fisher) Bradford, was born in Philadelphia, September 11, 1781. He attended the University of Pennsylvania until fifteen years of age, then entered the office with his father, learning the printer's trade and becoming an unusually expert compositor. He had a strong inclination for the law and after three years in the printing office obtained his father's permission to begin legal study. He at once entered the office of William Todd, an eminent lawyer of the Philadelphia bar, and so rapid was his progress that on October 18, 1802, he was admitted to the bar. He rose rapidly in his profession, practicing alone until 1843, when he admitted his son, Vincent L. Bradford, who continued his partner until death severed the connection. He was not only learned in the law and highly regarded as an able, honor- able lawyer, but was also eminent in the church, trusted in political life and generous in aid of philanthropic institutions. He was an elder of the Fifth Presbyterian Church, inspector of the Eastern Penitentiary, and a past master of Lodge No. 121, Free and Accepted Masons. In 1849 Jefferson College conferred upon him the honorary degree of LL.D. He died October 25, 1851, and is buried in North Laurel Hill Cemetery.
He married, May 5, 1805, Elizabeth Loockerman, born December 23, 1779, died April 12, 1842, eldest daughter of Vincent Loockerman, of Dover, Delaware. Children: 1. Vincent Loockerman, LL.D., lawyer, mar- ried Juliet Sophia Rey. 2. Benjamin Rush, of whom further. 3. Elizabeth Loockerman, married Rev. William Theodore Dwight, D.D., pastor of Third Congregational Church, Portland, Maine, for thirty-two years. 4. Colonel William, died unmarried. 5. Rev. Thomas Budd, an eminent divine
.
1036
PENNSYLVANIA
of the Presbyterian Church, married (first) Henrietta Singer, (second) Lucinda Hall Porter.
(VI) Benjamin Rush Bradford, second son of Thomas (2) and Eliza- beth (Loockerman) Bradford, was born in Philadelphia, September 15, 1813, died June 9, 1884. He was educated in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, his health forbidding a collegiate course. He resided in Dover, Delaware, for three years, moving to Mercer county, Pennsylvania, in 1837, and to a farm near New Brighton, Beaver county, in 1839. He was himself a large land owner and had the care of several landed estates in addition to his own, located in Pennsylvania and Virginia. In the care of these he traveled over eighteen thousand miles on horseback during his earlier life. He had many suits for ejectment during his managership of these estates, all of which he prepared to the satisfaction of the judges, before whom he never lost a case. He was an elder of the First Presbyterian Church of New Brighton, was elected in 1849 a trustee of Western Theological Seminary, was one of the founders of the Union Benevolent Society of Philadelphia, one of the corporate members of the board of colporteurage and a member of the general assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the years 1849-55 and 1860. He took a deep interest in the Sunday school of his church and for fifty years was scholar, teacher and superintendent. He was an active worker in the temperance cause; was a candidate for governor of Penn- sylvania on the American ticket and for lieutenant-governor on the Prohibi- tion ticket. An able business man and a successful real estate dealer, his life was more remarkable for his Christian activity and usefulness. He was honored in his community and died deeply regretted.
He married, November 26, 1840, Margaret, youngest daughter of Wil- liam and Jane Campbell, of Butler, Pennsylvania; she was born June 6, 1817, died at New Brighton, September, 1888. Children: I. A child, died in infancy. 2. Elizabeth Jane. 3. Julia Sophia, of whom further. 4. Thomas, died unmarried, December 21, 1902, aged fifty-six, graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, C. E., member of Pennsylvania legislature 1879-80. 5. Eleanor, born October 10, 1848; married, March 4, 1875, Walter Buhl, of Detroit. 6. William Campbell, died October 11, 1887, aged thirty-six years. 7. Child, died in infancy.
(VII) Julia Sophia Bradford, daughter of Benjamin Rush and Mar- garet (Campbell) Bradford, was born August 8, 1844, died November 19, 1900. She married, October 12, 1865, Charles C. Townsend, born Novem- ber 24, 1841 (see Townsend VI). Children: 1. Juliet, born November 3, 1866; married, November 27, 1890, Frederick George Barker, born Septem- ber 10, 1858 (second wife) ; children : Gertrude, deceased ; Dorothy, George Stevenson, Rebecca, Margaret, Frederick George (2), Juliet, Richard Hoopes. 2. Gertrude, born February 29, 1868, died July 4, 1889; married, October II, 1888, Frederick George Barker (first wife). 3. William Penn, born April 18, 1870; married, October 7, 1890, Eleanor Coleman, born January 24, 1870; children: John Coleman, deceased; Gertrude, Eleanor,
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.