USA > Pennsylvania > Beaver County > Genealogical and personal history of Beaver County, Pennsylvania, Volume II > Part 61
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
(II) William, son of John and Martha (Noble) MacDonald, was born on Robinson's Run, Washington county, Pennsylvania, died in that state. In 1800, the year in which they attained their majority, he and his twin brother Andrew settled on a tract of land extending along the Ohio river for four miles, a site part of which is now occupied by Woodlawn. He married and had several children; among whom was Captain John, who married Rachel Oliver, and had David Alexander, of whom further.
(IV) David Alexander, son of Captain John and Rachel (Oliver) MacDonald, was born in Economy township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, April 4, 1842. He was reared in the township of his birth, in boyhood at- tending the public schools and when a young man entered upon river work with Captain William H. Brown. From a penniless beginning, by his un- tiring industry and ever-evident willingness to work, he prospered in this line of endeavor, and at the outbreak of the Civil War owned seven boats plying the waters of the Ohio. A large share of his well earned pros- perity was taken from him during the war of the rebellion, when he was occasioned a fifty-thousand-dollar loss by the seizure of his boats for gov- ernment uses, and he himself was impressed into service for a term of six months. He immediately began to repair his wasted fortune and continued as the captain of several boats on the Ohio until his retirement about 1900. During all of this time, with the exception of a few years passed in Sewick- ley, Pennsylvania, his home was in Beaver, Pennsylvania, where his death occurred October 12, 1910. He was a Republican in politics, and although he was interested in the welfare of the place in which his residence happened to be, the nature of his calling prohibited the acceptance of public trust or responsibility. His church was the Presbyterian, of which he was for many years an elder, and he held membership in Rochester Lodge No. 229, Free and Accepted Masons. He was twice married, his second wife, whom he married June 17, 1869, being Mary Frances, born in Sewickley, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, daughter of Dr. William and Sarah St. Clair (Wilson) Woods, her father a son of William (1) Woods. William (1) Woods married a Miss Moore, and had Frances, John, Joseph, Samuel and William, of whom further. Dr. William (z) Woods came to Woodlawn, Pennsyl- vania, in 1878, and was associated with Captain David Alexander Mac- Donald and other prominent citizens in the incorporation of an educational institution in that place. He was twice married, first to Mary Semple, whose family line is connected with that of the Bissell family of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, one of the old and honorable families of the state. Children of first marriage of Dr. Woods: William Semple, John Semple, and Samuel W. Semple. Children of the second marriage: Robert Wilson, Mary Frances (of previous mention), married Captain David Alexander Mac- Donald, Charles Gelty, and Thomas Patterson. Children of first marriage
1046
PENNSYLVANIA
of Captain David Alexander MacDonald : William, Ida, David, and Ellen. Children of Captain David Alexander and Mary Frances (Woods) Mac- Donald: Charles Woods, a resident of Rochester, Pennsylvania; Sarah St. Clair, deceased; Mary Frances, deceased; Florence June, married George Hoffman ; Julia St. Clair, lives at home.
Lord John MacDonald, of Scotland, is a relative of this branch of the MacDonalds. Certain it is, that though never honored with title from monarch or potentate, there was as true nobility in the life of Captain David A. MacDonald as was ever possessed by man, whether conferred as a mark of respect, inherited from ancestors, or acquired through upright life, and in the paths where he was wont to walk there are many who would rejoice once more to hear the sound of his footfall and the greeting of his cheery voice.
REID The North of Ireland was the point of departure of the Reid family from the old country, to which land the Scotch ancestors of the name had come. In their native land the orthography of the name had been Reed, but later change and subsequent usage has made it Reid, as it is spelled by the present generation of the name. The great- grandfather of Samuel Reid, of this record, the fourth generation, was born on the ocean en route to America, and upon attaining mature age mar- ried a Miss Finnley, settling in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, later moving to Allegheny county, his death occurring near Clinton, where he owned and cultivated land. He was the father of : Andrew, Samuel, of whom further ; William, James, Moses, Isabella, Mary, and Dorcas.
(II) Samuel Reid was probably born near Clinton, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, 1777, died in Independence township, Beaver county, Penn- sylvania, April 10, 1840. In early life he lived near Newcastle, Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, and was a distiller, owning a large plant near his residence. In 1812 he moved to Beaver county, locating in Independence township, where he built a distillery, but decided not to operate it. The attitude of many people toward drinking and the manufacture of spirituous liquors had changed somewhat in the intervening time, and upon thoughtful and earnest consideration of the matter he came to the conclusion that his was not a legitimate line of business, and straightway he discontinued the manufacture of his products. He later moved to Hopewell township, pur- chasing a farm of three hundred and twenty acres, which he cultivated for the rest of his life. He and his family were members of the Associate Church of Scottsville, known as the Ohio congregation. He married Agnes Scott, and had: I. Jane, died unmarried. 2. William, died unmarried; lived on a part of the home farm. 3. David, of whom further. 4. Maria, died unmarried; lived with her brother and sister, William and Jane. 5. Samuel C., a United Presbyterian minister, died 1887, in Beaver, Penn- sylvania. 6. Agnes, married Rev. Andrew Irons, died 1902.
(III) David, son of Samuel and Agnes (Scott) Reid, was born in
1047
BEAVER COUNTY
Independence township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, in 1820, died there March 17, 1905. He grew to manhood on the home farm, his youth being passed after the manner of that of the majority of boys, in home duties, school attendance, and pleasure, and after his father's death he and his brother William purchased the rights of their co-heirs in the home property, then dividing it, the share of David Reid being one hundred and fifty- eight acres. He here lived until his death, at one time owning a large flock of sheep, the rest of the time engaging in general operations of an agri- cultural nature. As a Republican he was elected to the office of justice of the peace, and served as such for many years, with his wife belonging to the United Presbyterian church. He was a successful farmer and stock raiser, a man of substantial parts and qualities, one who lived in peaceful and enjoyable companionship with his fellows, by whom he was well liked and respected. He was never above discharging the humblest duty required of him, and strove, with the most impersonal desire, to per- form well all the tasks of public service that were allotted him. He married Mary, born near the present site of the borough of Aliquippa, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, in September, 1829, died March 17, 1907, daughter of Thomas and Emily (Potter) McKee. Thomas McKee was born in county Antrim, Ireland, and was brought to Beaver county, Penn- sylvania, when he was four years of age, the family home being in Hope- well township. He there grew to manhood, became a farmer, and culti- vated land near the homestead all of his life. They were members of the United Presbyterian church. Children of Thomas and Emily (Potter) McKee: I. Mary, of previous mention; married David Reid. 2. James L., twin of Mary, died in November, 1913; a merchant of Richland Center, Wisconsin. 3. Elizabeth, married John T. Shannon, a farmer, and died near New Sheffield, Pennsylvania. 4. William, died unmarried in young manhood. 5. John, died unmarried, in young manhood. 6. Cyrus P., a merchant at Wall Rose, Beaver county, Pennsylvania; retired from busi- ness and moved to Patterson Heights, in the same county, and there died in 1909. 7. Emma, died October 15, 1913; married John C. McCormick, and lived in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. Children of David and Mary (McKee) Reid: 1. Agnes, died in 1900; married Samnel Purdy. 2. Thomas, died in infancy. 3. Emily, died in infancy. 4. Samuel, of whom further. 5. An infant son, died unnamed. 6. Elmer W., married Ella Mckibben, and lives on the home farm. 7. Valeria, married Dr. J. A. Shaffer, and died in 1901.
(IV) Samuel, son of David and Mary (McKee) Reid, was born in Independence township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, August 20, 1865. Born and reared on the homestead farm, he attended the public schools of Independence township, in 1895 entering the University of Western Pennsylvania (University of Pittsburgh), whence he was graduated in the engineering department in 1899, with the degree C. E. His connection in his profession has been with but one company, the Pittsburgh & Lake
1048
PENNSYLVANIA
Erie 'ailroad, with whom he became associated immediately after gradua- tion, and by whom he has been since employed as civil engineer. When one says that Mr. Reid is a master of his profession and that he has yet to be awarded the commission to which his knowledge and scientific skill does not extend, one has covered his professional career, for he has con- tracted no outside relations and has given his entire time to the service of the road of which he is an employee, using his wide and extensive knowledge in safeguarding the lives of the thousands who travel over its roadbed and in performing well his part as a member of the corps of engineers of that road. Since 1899 he has been a resident of Beaver Falls, and owns a tastefully designed, comfortable home at No. 411 Elev- enth street.
He married, September 1, 1887, Margaret, born in Raccoon township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, daughter of James and Mary Todd, both deceased, her father a tanner and farmer (see Todd). Child of Samuel and Margaret Reid: Mary, born May 30, 1888, married James O. Clark, an employee of the Ohio Steel Company, and lives in Youngstown, Ohio.
(The Todd Line.)
The original spelling of this family name was Tod. Mrs. Reid's great grandfather, James Tod, emigrated from Scotland, and soon after his arrival located at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where for some time he fol- lowed the business of carpenter and architect. As early as 1788 he came to Beaver county and purchased 600 or more acres of land. He married Kate Forbes, who bore him five sons and two daughters. James, the second son, was born in Moon township in 1796, and married Mary, daughter of William L. Littell, of Beaver county, and five children were born to this union: William L .; James, of whom further; Elizabeth, married to George Lawrence; John and Forbes-all now deceased.
James Todd, the second son of James and Mary (Littell) Todd, was born on the old homestead, in Raccoon township, in 1828, and learned the trade of tanner and currier, which he followed until 1871, when he pur- chased 200 acres of land. He married, in 1851, Mary, daughter of Amasa and Eleanor (Van Kirk) Brown, and by this union were eleven children, four sons and two daughters now living: Alice M., married Morton Ram- sey, of Hookstown, Pennsylvania; Dr. James W., of Los Angeles, Cali- fornia; Dr. Joseph L., of Canton, Ohio; Dr. John C., of Pittsburgh, Penn- sylvania; Sharp W., of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Margaret, married to Samuel Reid. Mary Ellen Todd died in 1878; Dr. Wilbert A., died in 1897; Samuel Brown Todd died in 1908; and two other children died in infancy. James Todd was elected county commissioner in 1887, for a term of three years, by the Republican party, of which he was a life-long member. He and his family were members of the United Presbyterian church.
Amasa Brown (referred to above) at the age of twenty-nine years, being a skillful ship carpenter and boat builder, was engaged by Aaron Burr as master builder, and came to Bridgewater, Beaver county, Pennsylvania,
1049
BEAVER COUNTY
where he superintended the building and launching of the fleet of boats with which Burr's company started down the Ohio on their expedition to set up an independent state in the southwest. Amasa and Eleanor (Van Kirk) Brown had six children: John, Amasa Jr., Jesse, O. H. Perry; Hannah, married to Alexander Richey ; Milton; and Mary, married to James Todd, all of whom married in Beaver county, and, except Jesse (who died without issue), left children to survive them.
The Noss family, now of Beaver county, Pennsylvania, is of NOSS German descent, and is one of the old-established families of this county. At the time the immigrant ancestor came to this country there were none of the swift greyhounds of the present day and it took about three months, more or less, to cross the ocean.
(I) Jacob Noss, the immigrant ancestor, was born in Wuerttemberg, Germany, and came to America about 1753. He made his home at Harris Ferry, Pennsylvania, and there his death occurred. His wife was a Harper, of Harper's Ferry.
(II) Jacob (2), son of Jacob (1) Noss, who lived in Juniata county, decided to move to the west with his family, making Illinois his objective point. They set out on this journey, using an ox team as a means of pro- gression, but being snowbound near Four Mile Square, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, they were persuaded by the settlers there to spend the remain- der of the winter at that location. The neighbors were helpful in reroofing an empty cabin, in which Mr. Noss and his family spent the winter. By the time spring arrived the family found their new surroundings so con- genial that they determined to make their permanent home there. They became the owners of two hundred acres of land, a part of which was utilized for farming purposes. He married (first) a Miss Knox; (second) a Miss Mary Copeland, mother of Jacob (3).
(III) Jacob J., son of Jacob (2) Noss, was born in Juniata county, Pennsylvania, and died in 1887. He was eight years of age in 1818, when he came with his parents to Beaver county. He established a brick works, being the first man to manufacture brick west of the Allegheny Mountains. This business grew to large proportions for that time, and Mr. Noss was connected with it until his death. He transported the brick down the river on keel boats, built by himself, the motive power being horses and oxen. He was a man of many-sided ability, and constructed the C. & P. railroad from Rochester to Vanport, for the Coudersport & Port Allegheny railroad. He made use of every opportunity. When he went to Pitts- burgh with his loads of brick he would get stoves, nails, and a number of other useful commodities for a return load, and then use his home as a distributing point, for various sections of the country, even sending as far as Wheeling, West Virginia. He was one of the most extensive land owners in that region, and laid out the town of Vanport, Beaver county. While he was active in the interests of the community and a consistent
1050
PENNSYLVANIA
supporter of the Republican county, he would never consent to hold public office. He was also an active member of the Presbyterian church, and held in high esteem in it. Mr. Noss married Anna Irwin, born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania. Her grandfather, William Irwin, came to Beaver county between 1790 and 1800, and was married to Sarah Boyd, a daughter of John Boyd, of a family of Philadelphia. He became a large land owner and a farmer in that section of the country. William Wallace Irwin, his son, and the brother of Mrs. Noss, was the owner of Oak Grove Farm, and a man of great prominence. He was a Republican in his political affiliation, and held a number of public offices, among them being those of sheriff, state treasurer and commissioner general. It was one of his great- est pleasures to breed fine horses, and those on his farm had a wide rept- tation. He married Sarah McClain. The Irwins were one of the old. families of Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Noss had children: Sarah J., married A. McDonald; Mary, married W. C. Neel; Margaret, married J. W. Jack; Nancy, married J. J. McCaslin ; Frances, married William Klepper ; Fanny, died in infancy ; Emma, married J. J. Ellis; William, deceased; J. Boyd, deceased; Curtis C. (see forward).
(IV) Curtis C., son of Jacob J. and Anna (Irwin) Noss, was born at the old Noss homestead, opposite Vanport, Beaver county, Pennsyl- vania, April 9, 1858. He was educated in the public schools of Beaver county, from which he was graduated, and was then sent to take a com- plete course in Williams' Actual Business College in Pittsburgh. His entrance into business life was as a pilot on a river boat, and he held the rank of captain when he retired from this labor after about twenty-five years. He touched at Pittsburgh, Louisville, and many other important points and cities. Later he became a dealer in real estate, taking charge of all of his own enormous interests and those of others. He was one of the organizers of the Rochester Trust Company, and vice-president from 1902 until 1911, when he was elected to the presidency, an office he is still filling with remarkable executive ability. He has for many years been greatly interested in the improvement of the Ohio river, and in 1902 called to his office a representative group of men and helped organize the Dravo Waterways Association, having the improvement of the Ohio river in view. He has been a member of the school board of Freedom, and a director of the Rochester General Hospital. He was active in the councils of the Republican party. He has laid out many lots in the town, and has greatly increased the real value of the property. For many years he was a member of the Beaver Valley Country Club, and he is also a member of the order of Free and Accepted Masons, and is a Knight Templar.
Mr. Noss married, in 1891, Charlotte S. Stewart, who was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, a daughter of E. Pentland Stewart. She also is a granddaughter of Judge Pentland, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, her grandmother being Hannah Lacock, a sister of General Abner Lacock, a former United States senator from western Pennsylvania.
Curtis G. note
IO51
BEAVER COUNTY
Samuel Mecklem, born in the eastern part of Pennsyl- MECKLEM vania, came to Beaver county, with his young wife, and located at Brush Creek, about the year 1800. They cleared the land and converted it into a farm. His wife was Rachel McDaniel, also born in the eastern part of Pennsylvania, and of Scotch-Irish descent. They had children: William, see forward; Gideon; Jethran; Smith ; Archi- bald; Rachel; Sarah; Eliza.
(II) William Mecklem, son of Samuel and Rachel (McDaniel) Meck- lem, was a farmer at Brush Creek, Pennsylvania. He married Nancy Strock, daughter of Mathias and Lydia Strock, of Brush Creek, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, where the former was also engaged in farming. Mr. and Mrs. Strock had children: George, David, John, Lillian, Nancy, mentioned above; Catherine. William and Nancy (Strock) Mecklem had children : Mathias, see forward; Samuel, Rachel, Joseph, Lydia, John.
(III) Mathias Mecklem, son of William and Nancy (Strock) Meck- lem, was born in Merion township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, May 8, 1840. He was educated in the schools of Merion township, and at the age of eighteen years apprenticed himself to Richard Hart, of North Sewickley, Pennsylvania, to learn the trade of carpenter. He served two years with Mr. Hart, after which he was employed in Indiana, by Henry Allman, with whom he was for about two years. He then returned to Pennsylvania, where he followed his trade, being in the employ of William Kuntz, of Rochester, Pennsylvania, for several years. In 1867 he engaged in business for himself as a contractor and builder, in which line he con- tinued until his death, which occurred December 13, 1890. He erected many houses in Beaver county, especially in Monaca and Rochester. Mr. Mecklem was a Democrat in his political belief, and very strongly partisan, devoted to his party. In his fraternal relations he affiliated with the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in the latter order also belonging to the Daughters of Rebekah. He married Mary Eliza Hunter, daughter of John and Ellen (Wines) Hunter, their marriage taking place March 9, 1862. Their children were: I. Nancy, born February 12, 1863; married Charles Musser, and had: Mary, Ada, John, Beula, Jennie. deceased; Bella, deceased; Thomas, Charles. 2. Eliza, born July 9, 1865, now deceased; she married Joseph Ecoff; they had one child, Vetta, now deceased. 3. Addison, born August 13, 1867, died young. 4. Child, twin of Addison, died at birth. 5. William John, mentioned below. 6. Joseph, twin, mentioned below. 7. Sarah, born November 17, 1872, twin; she married D. L. Shanor ; children: Mae, Paul, Wayne, Lee, Anderson, Edith. 8. Rachel, born May 14, 1875; married (first) Sherman Fletcher, January 12, 1896; they had one child, Pearl. Sherman Fletcher died in 1900; she married (second) Anderson Davidson, October 16, 1901; they have chil- dren: John, Margaret, Anderson. 9. Samuel, born March 6, 1882, died young. 10. Lester O., born May 7, 1886, see forward.
(IV) William John Mecklem, son of Mathias and Mary (Hunter)
1052
PENNSYLVANIA
Mecklem, was born September II, 1870. He was educated in the public schools of Rochester, and commenced work with his father when he was sixteen years of age, and so continued until his father's death. He then finished his trade with Saul Bennett, and then entered the employ of Isaac Barto, for whom he worked for the next year. He then went to Pitts- burgh and worked two years. Then he entered the employment of the Phoenix Glass Company as head carpenter, which position he held for twenty years, when the firm of Mecklem Brothers was organized, of which he is a partner. He does the buying and selling for this concern, which under his able and efficient management is very successful. He is a Republican in his political affiliation. His fraternal orders are: United Order of American Mechanics, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Daugh- ters of Liberty, Daughters of Rebekah, and Apple Tree Camp, No. 5, Woodmen of the World. He is a member of the Methodist church, in which he is an enthusiastic worker, and a member of the official board. He also served on the school board four years.
William J. Mecklem married, September 8, 1896, Ida Youngling, who died in 1910. Their children were: I. Arletta Mae, who was educated in the public schools of Monaca and at Duff's Business College, of Beaver, and is now bookkeeper for Mecklem Brothers. 2. Roy Henry.
(IV) Joseph Mecklem, son of Mathias and Mary (Hunter) Mecklem, was born in Rochester, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, November 17, 1872. He was educated in his native city, and from early years became familiar with the contracting business. For a number of years he was associated with his father, and in 1893 established himself in business independently, conducting it alone until February 1, 1913. The firm of Mecklem Brothers was then organized, this including his brothers, William J. and Lester O. They are general contractors and dealers in builder's supplies, and they have the most prosperous lumber yard and mill in that section. Their place is located in North Rochester, and they have done much of the city construction work, among the buildings erected by them being the Wahl and Doyle building, the Eagle building, the City building, and the Method- ist Episcopal church. Mr. Mecklem is a Democrat, and while he gives earnest attention to all matters of public import, he has never desired to hold public office. He is a member of the United Presbyterian church, and a steward; and of the following fraternal organizations: Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Patrons of the Home Circle, Knights of the Golden Eagle, Workmen of the World, and Apple Tree Camp, No. 5, Woodmen of the World. Mr. Mecklem married, March 1, 1891, Lily F., daughter of Jackson Brewer, and they have had children: Hazel A., Arthur J., Charles C., Helen A., all of whom attend school.
(IV) Lester O. Mecklem, son of Mathias and Mary (Hunter) Meck- lem, was born in Rochester, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, May 7, 1886. He received his education in Rochester, and learned the carpenter's trade with his brother Joseph. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Josephmacklem
1053
BEAVER COUNTY
church, and a trustee, and also of the Workmen of the World and the United Order of American Mechanics, and Apple Tree Camp, No. 5, Wood- men of the World. For some time he has been a member of Mecklem Brothers, mentioned above. Mr. Mecklem married, January 6. 1904, Bessie Young, born near Alton, Illinois, daughter of Henry J. Young, whose occupation is that of glassblowing. They have one child, Paul Henry.
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.