USA > Pennsylvania > Beaver County > Genealogical and personal history of Beaver County, Pennsylvania, Volume II > Part 65
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
1078
PENNSYLVANIA
Daniel Doncaster. Both Mr. and Mrs. Trees died in Westmoreland. Chil- dren of Daniel and Susan (Trees) Doncaster: Anna, Richard, Jeremiah, Thomas, Emma, Sallie, James W., of whom further; Daniel.
(III) James W., son of Daniel and Susan (Trees) Doncaster, was born in Punxsutawney, Jefferson county, Pennsylvania, June 3, 1870. He was educated in the public schools of his native county, and on September 26, 1888, came to Rochester, enrolling in Peirsol's Academy, at West Bridge- water. After the completion of his studies he was for thirteen years mana- ger of the Doncaster House, a hotel founded by his grandfather, who gave it his name. In 1902 he withdrew from the hotel business and formed a partnership with John Moulds under the firm name of Moulds & Doncaster, their field being insurance and real estate, a connection which continues to the present time with decidedly satisfactory results to both parties most intimately concerned. As a Republican he has been active in the local politics of Rochester, having been for four years burgess of the borough and since 1907 secretary of the council. He is very prominent in fraternal circles, being secretary of Rochester Lodge No. 283, Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks; Rochester Lodge No. 274, Knights of Pythias, of which he is past chancellor. He holds the thirty-second degree in the Masonic order, belonging to Rochester Lodge No. 229, Free and Accepted Masons ; Eureka Chapter No. 167, Royal Arch Masons; Pittsburgh Con- sistory, Sovereign Princes of the Royal Secret; Mount Moriah Council No. 2, Royal and Select Masters ; Beaver Falls Commandery No. 84, Knights Templar, and to Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, having passed most of the chairs in these organizations. He married, May 9, 1895, Mrs. Georgia Boothe, of Cincinnati, Ohio.
The vigorous and well-directed efforts of Mr. Doncaster have been an important factor in the successful career of the firm of Moulds & Don- caster, and in the course of his business relations, in which he of necessity comes into contact with a large number of men, Mr. Doncaster has made many firm friends and cordial acquaintances. His business dealings bear the stamp of undeviating uprightness, and the reputation of the firm for integrity and fair dealing is known beyond the limits of their field of endeavor.
Park L. Quillen, one of the prominent citizens of Beaver QUILLEN Falls, Pennsylvania, is a member of a family which for many years has been associated with the state of Ohio, and was himself born at Barnesville in that state, July 14, 1872, a son of Josiah and Harriet Emma (Harris) Quillen. The paternal grandfather of our subject was a native of Cadiz, Ohio, where he lived and died. He was a very prominent man in his district, a teacher and lawyer, and the owner of extensive tracts of land there, much of which, however, he lost before his death. He was married to a Miss Johnston, probably a native of Johns- town, Pennsylvania, and by her had eighteen children.
1079
BEAVER COUNTY
Josiah Quillen, one of these and the father of our subject, was born at Cadiz, Ohio, his father's lifelong home, July 4, 1847. He was but four- teen years old at the outbreak of the Civil War, but the next year, in spite of his extreme youth, he enlisted for three years in the 98th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was captured and held as a prisoner of war for a considerable period, an experience which so broke down his health that he was honorably discharged from the service. He re-enlisted, however, for one hundred days, this time with the 128th Regiment Ohio Volunteers, which formed a part of the Army of the Potomac. His constitution had been seriously undermined, however, by the hardships to which he had been subjected, and after the war he was in very poor health for a long time, never, indeed, entirely recovering his strength or the ability to do hard work. In spite of his having to do only the lighter kinds of work for a living, he became a prominent man in his neighborhood, especially at Van- port, Pennsylvania, whither he removed, and where he held practically every public office within the gift of the borough. He was active in public affairs and conscientiously devoted himself to the duties of the various posts given him, saving the borough much money and, during his incumbency in the school board, putting the school house in fine condition. He had been a Democrat in politics until the time of Horace Greeley, but the winged words of the great editor converted him and he became a strong supporter of the new Republican party. He was a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Grand Army of the Republic. Mr. Quillen Sr. is now blind, and lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with his daughter, Mrs. Graham. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, although, during his resi- dence in Vanport he identified himself with the Presbyterian church there. He married Miss Harriet Emma Harris, a native of the region near War- ren, Ohio, where she was born, in the year 1853. Mrs. Quillen was a daughter of Nathan Harris, a farmer and miller of Warren, Ohio, where he carried on these occupations and also dealt in stock. He later removed to Michigan, where he operated a fruit farm until the time of his death. He was twice married and had seven children in all. Mrs. Quillen Sr. died in 1890 at Vanport, Pennsylvania, after bearing her husband four children, as follows: Park L. Quillen, our subject; Walter, died in infancy; Grace, now Mrs. F. L. Graham of Pittsburgh; and Pearl, deceased wife of Noah Bailiss of Beaver, Pennsylvania.
Park L. Quillen was educated in the public schools at Vanport, and after completing his studies went to Pittsburgh, where he learned the trade of baker, and found employment in his line for a number of years. On May 20, 1905, he removed to Beaver Falls from Pittsburgh and there established himself in a bakery business of his own at No. 508 Seventh avenue. On May 1, 1912, he abandoned this location and bought for himself a property at No. 1044 Third avenue, Beaver Falls, fitted it out as a residence, bakery and store, and is at present conducting a successful business there. Mr. Quillen is active in politics and casts an independent ballot. He is a mem-
1080
PENNSYLVANIA
ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of the Knights of Pythias, of the Woodmen of the World, and the Maccabees.
Mr. Quillen was married, October 15, 1902, to Miss Algora Morris, a native of Rimersburg, Clarion county, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of John Morris, of that place. To them has been born one child, a daughter, Sereta. Mr. Quillen and his family are members of the Methodist Protestant church.
The German word Kaiser is probably the origin of this name,
KEISER and it is found in the various forms of Keiser, Keyser, Kay- ser, etc. Many of this name are now to be found in all parts of the United States.
(I) Daniel Keiser was born in the eastern part of the state of Penn- sylvania, and lived and died near Reading. He was prominent as a busi- ness man, being occupied as a building contractor, and was a notable figure in local political affairs, as an ardent advocate of Democratic principles. He and his wife were members of the Lutheran church. He had children : Jede- diah, a retired farmer, who died at Milton, Pennsylvania; Henry D., of whom further; Sarah, married John Bender, and died at Milton, Penn- sylvania.
(II) Henry D., son of Daniel Keiser, was born near Danville, Mon- tour county, Pennsylvania, September 20, 1824, and died September 14, 1904. After his marriage he removed to Williamsport, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, where he became a stockholder and manager of the Radix Mill Company, an office he held until ten years prior to his death, when he retired from active participation in business affairs. He was a Demo- crat, and was honored by election to several public offices, which he filled with credit to himself and satisfaction to the public. He was a member of the Lutheran church, and for many years superintendent of the Sunday school. Mr. Keiser married Sarah McBride, born February 25, 1827, died December 10, 1909, an earnest and devoted member of the Methodist Epis- copal church. She was a daughter of Dominic and Mary McBride, the former born near Dublin, Ireland, the latter near Danville, Pennsylvania, of Irish parents. Dominic McBride was brought to this country by his parents when he was about seven years of age, and they settled near Harris- burg. He married there, then settled near Milton, Pennsylvania, where he was a stone mason and contractor, and assisted in building the Penn- sylvania canal. He died at Milton, but he and his wife are buried at Dan- ville, Pennsylvania. They were members of the Presbyterian church. Children : Abner, a hotel proprietor, died at Salem, Ohio; James, a roller, died at Danville, Pennsylvania; Mary, married Captain John Winner, and died in Wisconsin; Sarah, mentioned above, married Mr. Keiser; Elizabeth, married - Smith, both deceased; Rosa, widow of La Fayette Seckler, lives in Danville. Mr. and Mrs. Keiser had children: Elizabeth, married W. H. Wertman, and lives in McCunesville, Pennsylvania ; Rosa, married
1081
BEAVER COUNTY
E. E. Bobb; Sarah, married D. K. Hawkins, and lives in New York City ; La Fayette, is a mill man, and lives in Williamsport, Pennsylvania ; Belle, married William Meginnis, and lives in New York City; Albert S., of fur- ther mention.
(III) Albert S., son of Henry D. and Sarah (McBride) Keiser, was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, September 3, 1870. Having completed his education in the public schools of his native town, Mr. Keiser attended the business college, from which he was graduated about 1888. He, then accepted a position in a planing mill, where he was occupied for a period of ten years, and then took a course at the International Correspondence School in architectural drafting and designing. He came to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as a draftsman for the H. Murphy Mill & Lumber Com- pany, and at the end of two years, May, 1903, came to Beaver Falls, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, as draftsman for the Commercial Sash and Door Company. When one year had expired he was advanced to the posi- tion of manager of this concern, in which office he is still serving. He had about sixty-five men under his control, the products being of a general nature, and under his regime the output has been increased by at least one- third. He has added several new and important lines of production, and they ship largely in the Pittsburgh section. The main building of the plant is a structure two hundred and fifty by four hundred feet in extent. Mr. Keiser is a director of this concern and also of the Beaver Falls Water Company. While he is an Independent in his political views, during his residence in Williamsport he served as chairman of the Democratic county Committee. He attends the Presbyterian church, of which his wife is a member. His fraternal affiliations are as follows: Beaver Valley Lodge, No. 478, Free and Accepted Masons; Harmony Chapter, No. 206, Royal Arch Masons; Beaver Valley Commandery, No. 84, Knights Templar ; Pittsburgh Consistory; Aryeh Temple, Ancient Arabic Order, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; Lodge No. 348, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
Mr. Keiser married, in 1889, Elizabeth, born in Williamsport, Penn- sylvania, a daughter of Edward Mclaughlin, now deceased. They have no children.
For many generations the Yeager family has been connected
YEAGER with industrial occupations in Germany, principally with wagon building. They are a very long-lived family, and the individual members are noted for their great physical strength.
(I) John Yeager Sr. was born in Byron, near Berlin, Germany, April II, 1820, and is still living there in reasonably good health. He was a wagon builder during all the active years of his life, as were some of his brothers. He had two brothers and a sister, Mary. His father was also a wagon builder. Mr. Yeager married Mary Ulrich, daughter of a weaver, whose shop was in his house, and sister of Lena, who was the only one of
1082
PENNSYLVANIA
the family to come to America. Mrs. Yeager was born in 1821, at Byron, and died in 1908. Mr. and Mrs. Yeager had children: George, lives in a village near his father, is a wagon builder employing six men, and married Retta -; John Jr., see forward; Bungrutz, a wagon builder, has taken charge of his father's shop and works at the old homestead; Retta, married George Hitch, who holds a govern- ment position on the railroad; Margaret, married, and lives in another city ; Della, also married.
(II) John Yeager Jr., son of John and Mary (Ulrich) Yeager, was born in Byron, near Berlin, Germany, April 11, 1874. He acquired a good education in the public schools of his native country, and then learned the trade of wagon building. At the age of fourteen years he was shipped to America, as his father desired him to avoid serving in the army. He went directly to Pittsburgh, where he arrived with five dollars in his pocket, and without the knowledge of a single word of the English language. Fortunately he happened to meet a Mr. Riddle in Pittsburgh, who took a friendly interest in him, and took him into his employ on his farm near Economy, Pennsylvania. There Mr. Yeager remained for the period of one year, then worked for about three-quarters of a year in a blacksmith shop in Economy. He next removed to Beaver Falls, Beaver county, where he found employment in the coopering shop of John Wolfel, remaining with him for five years. His next connection was with the Bell Coopering Com- pany, and he then learned the molders' trade which he followed for four- teen years at Beaver Falls. In 1911 Mr. Yeager purchased a farm of forty-seven acres in Daugherty township, and two years later erected a large and commodious barn upon it. He carries on a dairy business, re- tailing milk to Rochester, Pennsylvania, also devotes a portion of his farm to fruit growing. He is a member of the Ancient United Order of Druids, and he and his wife are members of the Lutheran church. Mr. Yeager mar- ried, June 16, 1896, Caroline, born in Ashlopt, near Weinsburg, Germany, in 1878, daughter of Karl and. Rosa Cook, the former a carpenter, who came to Pittsburg when Mrs. Yeager was but two years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Yeager have had children: Florence, John, George, Charles, Helen, Oliver.
James Hicks, who was born in Ireland, emigrated to America, HICKS and settled in Hopewell township, Beaver county, Pennsyl- vania, when that section of the state was yet almost a wilder- ness. In those early days records were not kept with the accuracy and completeness of modern methods, and but very little is known of James Hicks except that he married and raised a family of children.
(II) George, son of James Hicks, was born in Hopewell township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, in 1809, and was educated in Moon town- ship, in the same county. He followed the occupation of farming all the active years of his life. In political matters he was Democratic, and he was
1083
BEAVER COUNTY
a member of the Presbyterian church. His death occurred in 1885, and that of his wife in 1903. He married Isabel Mccullough, born in Moon township in 1819, and they had children: Mary Jane; Matilda; Elizabeth; Alexander; Hiram, see forward; John A .; Amendad; George; Robert; James; Eleanor; two infants, who died very young. Mrs. Hicks was a member of the Presbyterian church.
(III) Hiram, son of George and Isabel (Mccullough) Hicks, was born in Moon township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, October 28, 1844. He was educated in the public schools of his district and at an early age commenced to assist his father in the performance of the usual duties of a farmer. Later, in addition to this, he established himself in the quarry business, with which he has been identified almost half a century, and is still actively engaged in it. He is the owner of a fine farm in Moon township, and of various other properties. He is a Democrat in political opinion, and a member of the Presbyterian church. He married, October 27, 1874, Emma, born in Moon township, January 18, 1857, daughter of John and Margaret (Flanagan) Davis; granddaughter of Francis Flanagan, who was an at- torney in Allegheny, Pennsylvania. John Davis was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, in 1804, and died in 1878. He married Margaret Flanagan, born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, in 1821, died in 1893. They had children : Frank, now deceased, served four years as a surgeon during the Civil War; William; John; Henry, James and Sarah, deceased; Margaret; Elizabeth; Hugh; Emma, who married Mr. Hicks, as above mentioned; Edward; Smith, a physician in Pittsburgh. Mr. and Mrs. Hicks had chil- dren: Clementine; Charles, deceased; Hiram, deceased; George; Maggie; James; Smith ; Isabel.
The Holland family of Shuster had its beginning in Amer- SHUSTER ica when, on October 26, 1767, the ship "Britania," Alex- ander Hardy, master, arrived at Philadelphia, province of Pennsylvania. Among the passengers were Mrs. Shuster, a daughter, and three sons-Adam, Peter, and Lawrence. It is unknown what became of the daughter and little is known of Adam, except that he settled in Cape May, New Jersey, and married Dorothy Hoover. He was undoubtedly under sixteen years of age when he came to the province, for his name does not appear on the list of males above that age who arrived on the same ship. It is probable that the mother first located at Middletown, now Dauphin county, the fact that Peter Shuster, on March 24, 1778, took the oath of allegiance before Joshua Elder, one of the justices of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, leading to that conclusion. There are also records showing that in the military line for 1786-1790 he was captain of a company in the Second Battalion, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Clark. He resided and died at Middletown, where he followed the tailors' occupation and was proprietor of a general store. Children of Adam and Dorothy ( Hoover) Shuster: David, Peter, Lawrence (of whom further), Mary, Dorothy, Nancy, and Margaret.
1084
PENNSYLVANIA
(I) Lawrence Shuster was born in Holland, April 19, 1749, and came to America with his mother, sister and two brothers. For a time he was a resident of Middletown, although his later years were spent in Gloucester county, New Jersey, where he died "second month, eighth day, and 1810 year;" he is buried in the "Sandtown" graveyard, Gloucester county, New Jersey. They were, in all likelihood, members of the Society of Friends, a judgment based upon the language of the records of birth. He married, in 1772, Mary, born "II month, 31 day, 1756 year," and died "10 month 30 day, 1831 year," daughter of Isaac Butterworth. Children of Lawrence and Mary (Butterworth) Shuster: I. Jonathan, of whom further. 2. Mercy, born 3rd mo. 3, 1776, died in Paulsboro, New Jersey; married Enos Fowler, a farmer; children: Josiah, Mary, John, Isaac, Mercy, Aaron, and Enos (2). 3. Christiana D., born 10th mo. 31, 1778, died in Pauls- boro, New Jersey, and is buried in Friends' graveyard, Woodbury, New Jersey; married John Packer; children: Jonathan, Lawrence, Hester R., John, Daniel, Christiana, and Elizabeth. 4. Adam, born Ist mo. 2, 1781, died aged three years, "burned to death." 5. Peter, born Ist mo. 15, 1783, died at age of twenty-three years, and buried at Paulsboro, New Jersey. 6. Isaac, born 3rd mo. 27, 1785, died at his residence near Woodbury, New Jersey, aged eighty years; married (first) Mary Lamb, (second) Jane Cunnard; children, both of first marriage: Aaron and Frederick. 7. John L., born 6th mo. 20, 1787, died in Wilmington, Delaware; a blacksmith; married Mary Dawson, and had several children. 8. Joseph, born 6th mo. 21, 1789, resided and died in Gloucester county, New Jersey, aged seventy- two, buried in the Woodbury, New Jersey, cemetery; married Hannah Wood; children: Constantine, William W., Rebecca, Mary, Julia, James, Aaron, Clayton, Hannah, Sarah, and Deborah. 9. Benjamin B., born 7th mo. 13, 1791, lived and died near Thorawa, New Jersey, married Sarah Crim; children : James, Mary Adeline, and Benjamin. 10. Mary, born 7th mo. 4, 1793, married Joel DeWalt. 11. Samuel, born 10th mo. 9, 1795, married Caroline Horner. 12. William, born 6th mo. 18, 1798, lived and died in Maryland; married Rachel Steward; children: Christian, Samuel, Eliza- beth, William, Rachel, and Mary Ann. 13. George, born 3rd mo. 8, 1800. 14. Aaron, born 12th mo. 28, 1801, resided and died near Thoroughfare, New Jersey; married Johanna Richards; children : Charles, Silas, Joseph, Phoebe, and Johanna. 15. Elizabeth, born 6th mo. 15, 1805; married George Cattell.
(II) Jonathan, eldest child of Lawrence and Mary (Butterworth) Shuster, was born April 7, 1774, died in Middletown, Pennsylvania, about 1815. He married Elizabeth Spayd; born June 30, 1778, died in Union county, Ohio, October 11, 1854, daughter of Christian Spayd. Children of Jonathan and Elizabeth Shuster: I. Christian, moved to St. George, Delaware, in 1834; married Mahala -; children: two daughters, names unknown, one of whom married Isaac Ubil, the other Daniel C. Welt, and both lived in Delaware City, Delaware. 2. Mary, born in Middletown,
1085
BEAVER COUNTY
March 1, 1802, died in Union county, Ohio, January 22, 1865; married, February 4, 1817, Jacob (2), son of Jacob (1) and Elizabeth (Alleman) Parthemore, and had children. 3. Jonathan, married Betsey, widow of Lamb, and lived in Philadelphia. 4. Melchior, of whom further. 5. Peter. 6. Lawrence.
(III) Melchior, third son and fourth child of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Spayd) Shuster, was born in Middletown, Pennsylvania, May 10, 1810, died in New Brighton, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, March 12, 1876. He followed the occupation of builder and blacksmith, the one trade always offering employment if the other failed, and for many years was in the employ of the old Erie Canal Company. Most of his life was spent in New Brighton, and he there erected what came to be known as Shuster's Hall, an auditorium for local entertainments and public gatherings. He was first a Whig and later a Republican in party affiliations, always active in public affairs, but never an office holder. Both he and his wife were charter members of the Methodist Protestant church of New Brighton. He married, September 29, 1831, Sarah Davis, born in Egg Harbor, Massa- chusetts, died at New Brighton, aged eighty-four years, daughter of Peter and Catherine (Adams) Davis, her mother a niece of President John Adams. Children of Melchior and Sarah (Davis) Shuster: I. J. Henry, married Clara Miller, and lives at Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania; he has held the office of justice of the peace. 2. Millie, married Henry Craighton; lives at Beaver Falls. 3. Sarah, deceased, married William King. 4. Lawrence, of whom further. 5. George, twice married, lives at Beaver Falls. 6. Amanda, married William D. Jones, and lives at Wilkinsburg. 7. William, married Minnie Clark, and lives at New Brighton.
(IV) Lawrence, son of Melchior and Sarah (Davis) Shuster, was born in New Brighton, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, November 19, 1846. His birthplace was the scene of his school days, and is his present home. Early in life he entered the employ of the Pennsylvania railroad as water boy on the section, and remained in the railroad service, passing through the various grades of promotion until he reached his present position, that of conductor. He has been in continuous service for fifty-two years, and still at the age of sixty-seven years, takes his regular runs. His record with the road, aside from its unusual length, may well give him satisfaction, inasmuch as it is one of strict attention to duty and unswerving fidelity to his employers. His political beliefs are strongly Republican, and with his wife, he is a member of the Methodist Protestant church. He married Mary Ellen, born in Indiana county, daughter of James and -- (Mc- Claskey ) Walsh. Her father was a merchant tailor, an occupation he followed both in Ireland, his native land, and in Indiana county, where he died. Mary Ellen Walsh is a descendant of John Knox, the leader of the Protestant Reformation in Scotland. Children of James and - (Mc- Claskey) Walsh: 1. Catherine, born in Ireland; married J. K. Anderson ; both deceased. 2. Lillie, married Robert Calhoun. 3. Emma, deceased,
1086
PENNSYLVANIA
married Rev. T. Lane. 4. Mary Ellen, of previous mention, married Law- rence Shuster. 5. James, deceased. 6. Edward, deceased, married Minetta Fetter, who lives at Mckeesport, Pennsylvania. 7. Daniel, died unmar- ried. 8. Charles, married Eva Murdock, and lives in Pittsburgh. Children of Lawrence and Mary Ellen (Walsh) Shuster: I. Charles M., of whom further. 2. Lewis D., died unmarried. 3. Lillian, married J. L. Martin, and lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Children: Loretta, aged fourteen years, and Charles aged eight years. 4. Lawrence L., married Marion Davis and lives in Midland, Beaver county, Pennsylvania.
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.