USA > Pennsylvania > Beaver County > Genealogical and personal history of Beaver County, Pennsylvania, Volume II > Part 9
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William Franklin Higby was born in New Brighton, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, September 24, 1863. He attended the public schools of New Brighton, completing his education and studies at Smart's Business College, in Beaver Falls, whence he was graduated in 1886. Possessing the quality of adapting himself to all circumstances and with no obsessing preferences as to a career, he spent several years in different positions, giving every likely opening a fair trial, without finding an occupation particularly to his liking, although there were among those he followed for a time many capable of yielding him a livelihood. Inheriting a farm upon his mother's death, he began to cultivate it, and in this occupation found his true calling. Since that time he has also acquired the Mitchell farm, which adjoins his property, making a tract of about eighty acres. In addition to the general farming operations he conducts, he raises Jersey cattle, and among his herd are none but those of the purest blood, every one a thor- oughbred, and because of the scientific care and treatment they receive, his stock sells at a marked advance above the market price. For the ac- commodation of his animals Mr. Higby erected, in 1912, a spacious barn, built not for their mere shelter, but for comfort during the seasons in which they cannot graze at will. Besides the farm on which he lives, Mr. Higby is the owner of considerable real estate in Rochester township and the borough of New Brighton, including seven houses. A Republican in politics, he has several times been the choice of his neighbors for local offices and has in each case gladly given of his time and service for the public good, holding the offices of supervisor, school director and township auditor.
He married, September 29, 1885, Jennie Harland, a native of Beaver
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county, Pennsylvania, daughter of Benjamin Harland, deceased. Children : I. Edward, died in infancy. 2. Hazel, lives at home. 3. May, married Lotus Radcliff, and lives in Rochester township; they are the parents of one daughter, Lena. 4. Henry, deceased. 5. Charles, at home. 6. John, at home. 7. Benjamin, died in infancy.
LOUTHAN James Louthan, who was born in Scotland, came to America not long after the close of the war of the Revolu- tion. He settled in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, when that section of the state was a complete wilderness, and bravely endured the hardships which the hardy pioneers were called upon to combat. He soon removed to Wayne county, Ohio, where he purchased a farm of about one hundred acres on Apple creek, and had cleared a portion of this when an attack of pneumonia caused his early death. His widow sold the farm as advantageously as possible, and then with her young children returned to Beaver county. She settled on the farm on which her grandson, John Reed Louthan, now lives. Later she removed to Darlington, Pennsylvania, where her death occurred. She was married to Mr. Louthan in Scotland, and they had children: Moses, who died at New Waterford, Ohio; Sarah, married Hugh Sebring, moved to Clay county, Indiana, and there died; Susan, married Samuel McConnell, and died while with her sister Eliza at Darlington ; Eliza, died unmarried at Darlington; James, see forward. .
(II) James (2) Louthan, son of James (1) Louthan, was born in Wayne county, Ohio, April 8, 1817, and was a very young child when his widowed mother returned to Beaver county, Pennsylvania, where he was reared. He was a carpenter by trade and was employed in various places until he purchased a farm of seventy-two acres in South Beaver township. He sold this to his son-in-law, James Patterson, in 1878 and after the death of his wife lived with his children in Indiana, Missouri and Pennsylvania, and a part of the time with his sisters in Darlington. After the death of his sisters he made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Craig, in Beaver Falls, and died there, March 6, 1900. He was a Republican and very active in local matters. His religious allegiance was with the Reformed Presbyterian Church, in which he held the office of trustee. Mr. Louthan married, in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, Nancy Strain, born in Chippewa township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, in February, 1817, died in 1878. Her parents were natives of Ireland, came to America in the early settle- ment days, and made their home in Chippewa township. He was a farmer, and purchased the land on which J. F. Naugle now lives. They had chil- dren : James, who moved to Iowa and died there; Mary, married Noble Rayl, and died in Beaver county, Pennsylvania; Rebecca, married James Hamilton, and died in Iowa; Margaret, married Robert Bradshaw, and died in Beaver county, Pennsylvania; Nancy, married James Louthan, see above; Lydia, married Smiley Rhodes, and died in Beaver county, Penn- sylvania. James and Nancy (Strain) Louthan had children: Mary Ann,
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widow of John Craig, lives in Beaver Falls; Esther, married (first) James Martin, (second) Samuel McClure, lives in Florida; Susan, married James Hartzell, lives in Missouri; Rebecca, married Bradford Rayl, lives in Beaver Falls; Elizabeth, married Fernando Cox, lives in Marshall county, Indiana; Bradford, a pottery manufacturer, lives in East Liverpool, Ohio; Alice, married Thomas Bradshaw, and lives in South Beaver township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania; James, a physician, lives in Beaver Falls; Nancy, married James Patterson, lives in Beaver Falls; John Reed, see forward.
(III) John Reed Louthan, son of James (2) and Nancy (Strain) Louthan, was born in Darlington, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, April 19, 1858. The public schools furnished him with an excellent education for that time, and his early years were spent entirely on the homestead farm. He then worked for a time in a planing mill, after which he was engaged in business as a huckster for about six years. Removing to Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, he rented a farm and in addition to this continued the hucks- tering business, which he had established on a paying basis. In 1896 he had become prosperous enough to purchase the old family homestead on which he had been born, and has since that time resided there. He has completely remodeled the house, making it one of modern conveniences, has made additions to the barn, and added many improvements to the place in general. He is engaged in general farming and pays considerable attention to dairy farming, having a fine herd of six selected cows. On the farm there are also two gas and oil wells, one of them still yielding a barrel per day. He and his wife are active members of the United Presby- terian Church, in which he holds office as a trustee, and he is also superin- tendent of the Sabbath school.
Mr. Louthan married, in September, 1880, Elizabeth Rhodes, born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, daughter of William and Mary Jane Rhodes. They have had children as follows: George W., lives in Chippewa town- ship, Beaver county, married Laura Haley, and has two children, Ruth and Charles; Mary died at the age of twenty years; James L., unmarried, lives with his parents; Erma, resides with her parents; she attended the Slippery Rock Normal School and Geneva College, and is now a school teacher in the home district.
The name of Wise is one which has been familiar in America WISE for many generations. For many years the family belonged to what was known as the "Pennsylvania Dutch," but it is but natural to assume that the earliest bearers of this name came to America from Germany, where the name is spelled Weis and Weiss. They brought to this country the distinguishing traits of thrift and industry which are so characteristic of the German race, and these have been transmitted to their descendants.
(I) - Wise was born in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, where he was occupied as a farmer. He married there, his wife being also a
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native of Montgomery county, and also a descendant of an old family of the state, and they belonged to the Mennonite sect. They had children: Jacob, who went to Western Pennsylvania and settled in Butler county; Samuel; George, Henry; Killian; John L., see forward; two daughters.
(II) John L. Wise, son of the preceding - Wise, was born in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, in 1790, died in 1855. Abraham Zigler, an early settler, had purchased one thousand acres of land belonging to the Economites, and these he was selling in smaller parcels. From him Mr. Wise bought one hundred acres in Franklin township, and resided there until his death. He was also a weaver by trade, and when his sons were old enough to perform the labors of the farm, Mr. Wise left them to manage the farm alone while he devoted his entire time and attention to his weaving business. Mr. Wise married Mary Funk, born in Chester county, Pennsyl- vania, in 1796, died about 1876. Her parents were also Mennonites and Pennsylvania Dutch, and lived and died in Chester county, Pennsylvania. About the year 1830 he with his entire family traveled across the mountains by wagon, to make their home in Butler county, where they settled at Jackson township. Mr. and Mrs. Wise had children: Jacob, a farmer in Jackson township, Butler county, Pennsylvania ; John, now dead, lived on the homestead farm; Killian, who was a farmer, died in Quincy county, Illinois; Henry, died young; Samuel F., see forward; Catherine, married Moses Shuntz, and lived in Jackson township; Sarah, died unmarried at the age of twenty years; Mary, married Henry Moyer, and lived in Har- mony ; Hannah, married John Y. Zigler, both deceased.
(III) Samuel F. Wise, son of John L. and Mary (Funk) Wise, was born in Jackson township, Butler county, Pennsylvania, September 27, 1831. During the winter months he attended the public schools of Franklin town- ship three months, and was obliged to assist his father to the extent of his strength at an early age. He remained on the homestead farm until he attained his majority, then married, and for the next seven years lived on land which he rented from his father-in-law. He then bought one hundred and thirty acres to which he added another thirty acres subsequently. In 1859 he built the house of red brick and had this finished in a very excel- lent manner. For more than half a century he has been engaged in farming in the same place and has been very successful in his operations. In politi- cal matters he is a Republican, and he and his wife are members of the Emmanuel Church, although formerly they were members of the Mennonite Church. Mr. Wise married, in 1851, Nancy Zigler, born in Jackson town- ship, Butler county, Pennsylvania, in 1830, daughter of Andrew and Mary (Youter) Zigler, and granddaughter of Abraham Zigler, who is mentioned above as having purchased one thousand acres of land from the Economites. They probably all came from Montgomery county. Andrew Zigler in- herited about one hundred and sixty acres of the original tract, and was always a farmer. They were public spirited and liberal people, and the Mennonite Church in Harmony was erected in 1804 by Abraham Zigler.
J. b. Trunghaty
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Andrew and Mary (Youter) Zigler had children: John Y., lived in Frank- lin township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania; Andrew, was killed at Gettys- burg; Jacob, lives in Ogle; Elizabeth, married Henry Boyer; Nancy, men- tioned above; Kate, married John Peffer ; Caroline, married Samuel Shearer, and is living in New Springfield, Ohio. Samuel F. and Nancy (Zigler) Wise have had children: I. Abraham, born November 15, 1851, married Amelia Goehring; lives in Daugherty township, Beaver county, Pennsyl- vania. 2. Samuel, lives in Daugherty township. 3. John, was a dentist in North Carolina, and died at the age of thirty-five years. 4. Ezra, lives in New Brighton, Beaver county, Pennsylvania. 5. Alpheus, died at the age of eighteen years. 6. Mary, deceased; married Henry Brenner; lived in New Sewickley township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania. 7. Caroline, de- ceased; married George Rosenberger. 8. Emma, unmarried, lives with her parents. 9. Annie, married John Schramm; lives in Marion township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania. 10. Nettie, married Frank S. Martsolf ; lives in Detroit, Michigan.
DOUGHERTY The name of Dougherty has been well and favor- ably known for many years in the industrial and finan- cial world, especially in connection with the steel in- dustry. As its form indicates, the family originally came from Ireland, and they brought with them and transmitted to their descendants those habits of thrift, honesty and industry which are so characteristic of the Irish people.
(I) James Dougherty was a resident of Boston, Massachusetts, and married Margaret Gwynne, of the same city. They became the parents of John Webster, see forward, and Catherine, who is unmarried.
(II) John Webster Dougherty, son of James and Margaret (Gwynne) Dougherty, was born in Boston, Massachusetts. For a time he attended the public schools of Boston, Massachusetts; the family later removed to Stockton, where James Dougherty became one of the superintendents of the Pennsylvania Steel Works, and there John W. attended the public schools and graduated in the first class that graduated from that school and was first in the class; he then became a student at the Bethlehem Preparatory School, from whence he went to the Lehigh University, and was graduated from this institution with honor. Even in his early boyhood he had shown a decided inclination for industrial pursuits, and his college vacations were spent in the employ of the Pennsylvania Steel Works. Immediately after his graduation he made a more permanent connection with this corpora- tion, which was of the greatest benefit to it. When he commenced work- ing for this company it was in the open hearth department, and from this he was advanced to a position of responsibility in the blast furnace. By successive gradations he ultimately advanced to the position of gen- eral manager of the Pennsylvania Steel Works, an office with which he was successfully identified until March 1, 1911. The most trying times in the
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history of the Pennsylvania Steel Works occurred during the incumbency of Mr. Dougherty, and it is greatly to his credit that his efficient manage- ment enabled the company to weather all difficulties. He has been identi- fied with the interests of a number of other corporations in official and other capacity, a partial list being as follows: Vice-president of the Crucible Steel Works of America, at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; president of the Pittsburgh Crucible Steel Works at Midland, Pennsylvania; presi- dent of the Midland Trust Company; president of the Midland Water Works; president of the Crucible Coal Company; and a director in the Beaver National Bank. It is a fact worthy of mention that in the history of steel making the Pittsburgh Crucible Steel Works at Midland, Penn- sylvania, is the only one known to have made perfect steel the first output ..
Mr. Dougherty married Caroline, daughter of Patrick and Catherine ( Peters) McNiff, and a sister of Catherine McNiff and of Gilbert McNiff, the latter of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Dougherty have chil- dren, as follows: Margaret Ruth, a student at Eden Hall; Marie Catherine, attends Beaver College; James G .; John Webster Jr. The family resides in a fine residence in Beaver, which is the home of hospitality and good cheer. Naturally of a social and kindly disposition, Mr. Dougherty has made many friends in private as well as in business life. His mind is carefully disciplined and analytical, and his deep perception and quick and lively sympathy make him a power in his field of labor. He is unosten- tatious in his charities and it affords him pleasure to assist his fellowmen.
Sweden is the country to which the Freed family, of Pennsyl-
FREED vania, is traced. The emigrant ancestor, upon coming to the United States from his native land, made settlement in Penn- sylvania, and in Bucks county, that state, was born John Freed, with whom this record begins.
(I) John Freed left the county of his birth about 1792, and came to Beaver county, making his first home in that locality in North Sewickley township, later purchasing four hundred acres of land in Big Beaver town- ship. The country at that time was an undisturbed wilderness and John Freed's struggle with the forces of nature was that of all the settlers of that day, stern, unceasing, and fraught with danger. He married a Miss Funkhouser before his departure from Bucks county, she a native of that section, and had children, among them Abraham.
(II) Abraham Freed, son of John and - (Funkhouser) Freed, was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and there died in 1879, aged eighty- five years. His early life was spent in his father's home, where he per- formed the duties usually falling to the lot of the juvenile members of a farmer's family, attending the public schools when sessions were held and he could be spared from home labor. When of suitable age he was given the tract of land known as the old meadow on the Freed farm. He had learned the carpenter's trade and devoted a part of his time to this trade,
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and several of his tools are still in the possession of his grandson, William A. Freed. He cleared the tract by his own efforts and thereon erected a log cabin, which has long since disappeared before the ravages of time. When this had outlasted its usefulness he built another house, more sub- stantial and attractive than the first, because he had so well employed the intervening time that affairs on his farm were in smooth working oider and he was able to devote more time and attention to its construction. Here he lived an active and busy life, characterized by unflagging industry, and reared a large family, through whom his name and virtues are pre- served to the present day. He was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in this faith his children grew to manhood and womanhood. He married Susan Showalter, and had issue: 1. John W., of whom further. 2. William S., a farmer, died on his property in Beaver county, Pennsylvania. 3. Jonathan, a resident of Michigan, died there at the age of eighty-five years, the same advanced age at which his father's death occurred. 4. James Wilson, lived near Unity, Ohio, until his death, February, 1914. 5. Nancy, married Lewis Sager, and died in Michigan. 6. Elizabeth, died unmarried at an advanced age. 7. Lucinda, married Samuel E. Barnes Jr., and died on the Barnes homestead, their home, in Beaver county, Pennsylvania. 8. Kate, married John Johnson, and died in Enon Valley, Lawrence county, Pennsylvania. 9. Mary, married Isaac Funkhouser, both are deceased.
(III) John W. Freed, eldest child of Abraham and Susan (Showalter) Freed, was born in Big Beaver township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, Feb- ruary 12, 1819, died in the same locality, January 10, 1906. He grew to manhood on the home farm, attended the local schools, and at his father's death inherited the homestead, containing then about one hundred and twenty acres. His wife was also the possessor of land to the extent of some one hundred and fifteen acres, so that in all they owned well over two hundred acres. This he farmed, and in 1862 erected a stone dwelling, a part of which is still standing, the building having fallen into disuse and subsequent decay. Here he lived until his death. He was a Democrat in politics, although never seeking or holding public office. He married Elizabeth, daughter of William and Annie (Craig) Johnston. She sur- vives him to the present time (1913) daily enjoying health and happiness. She is of Irish blood, her parents born in Ireland, which country was also the birthplace of their three eldest children. Upon coming to the United States they made their home in Pennsylvania, on Little Beaver creek, Beaver county, near the town of New Galilee. This state was ever their home, although after a short time spent in Beaver county they moved to a farm of two hundred and thirty acres near Enon Valley, Lawrence county. This was their residence during the remainder of their lives, both being called to rest about 1864. In both of the regions in which he had lived during his life in America William Johnston took prominent part in all public affairs, the novelty of organizing and maintaining government and
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of making laws appealing strongly to him, this being a form of activity in which people of ordinary station had little opportunity to indulge in the country from which he came. In church attendance he was regular, and in his worship devout. William and Annie (Craig) Johnston were the parents of : I. James, killed at the battle of Shiloh in the Civil War. 2. William, a carpenter, died at Jeffersonville, Indiana, where he had gone in the pursuit of his trade. 3. Hugh, a farmer, lives near Appleton City, Missouri. 4. John died in Warrensburg, Missouri. 5. Ann mar- ried Hugh Steen, and died in Newcastle, Pennsylvania. 6. Mary, married a Mr. Crumm, and died in Homewood, Pennsylvania. 7. Margaret, mar- ried Robert Dalzell, and died in the Northwest, probably in Oregon. 8. Elizabeth, of previous mention, married John W. Freed. Children of John W. and Elizabeth (Johnston) Freed: William Abraham, of whom further; Andrew Johnston.
(IV) William Abraham Freed, eldest of the two sons of John W. and Elizabeth (Johnston) Freed, was born in Beaver county, Pennsyl- vania, September 17, 1860. He attended the public schools, later Peirsol's Academy, completing his studies at Geneva College. After leaving school he engaged in farming and took up the management of the home farm, which he later inherited, the tract consisting of one hundred and thirty- five acres. Twenty acres of this is planted in fruit trees, and from this source he realizes a profitable revenue, and also raises garden truck in large quantities, for which he has a large and steady demand. He is a member of the Beaver County Agricultural Association, of which he has been a director. Aside from his farming operations he concerns him- self to some extent with other business, having previously a place upon the directorate of the Federal Title and Trust Company, a position he held since the organization of that institution until 1911, and is president of the Beaver County Triumph Mutual Insurance Company. He is a Demo- crat in political belief, and for the three years from 1897 to 1900 served the county in the capacity of commissioner. He belongs to Beaver Valley Lodge, No. 478, Free and Accepted Masons; Beaver Falls Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; and Beaver Falls Commandery, Knights Templar. Mr. Freed is known throughout the locality in which he lives as a successful and prosperous farmer, a business man of ability and a neighbor of straight- forward, honorable principles.
He married, March 11, 1885, Mary F. Hudson, born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, daughter of Robert and Mary Ann (Fry) Hudson, born February 12, 1864. Robert Hudson was a son of Richard D. and Beth- sheba (Stockman) Hudson. Richard and his wife were early residents of Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, where he was a farmer and surveyor, doing much of the surveying for the first farms in that locality. He there died, his wife surviving him several years, her death occurring in New Galilee, Pennsylvania. Children of Richard D. and Bethsheba (Stockman) Hudson: I. Stockman. 2. Amanda, married H. J. Marshall. 3. Richard.
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4. Mary Jane, married David Knowles. 5. Bethsheba, married Hamilton Bannon. 6. Eliza, married Robert McDowell, and lives in Pittsburgh, Penn- sylvania. 7. William, lives in Sacramento Valley, California. 8. Isaac, died in Toledo, Ohio. 9. Robert, of further mention. Robert Hudson was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and after his marriage lived successively at Wampum, Hoytdale and New Galilee. He entered the mercantile business, was rewarded with a large share of success, and is now living retired at Evans City, Butler county, Pennsylvania. He is a Republican in politics, and with his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He married Mary Ann, daughter of Michael and Katherine (Maloney) Fry. Both were residents of Big Beaver township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, where he owned a small farm. Michael Fry was of German descent, the parents of his wife coming from the Isle of Man, in the Irish Sea. They were the parents of: I. Reuben, a veteran of the Civil War, lives in the state of Wisconsin. 2. Mary Ann, of previous mention, married Robert Hudson. 3. Martha, married Isaiah Forbes, and lives at New Castle, Pennsylvania. 4. Caroline, married Joseph Malone, and lives in New Galilee, Pennsylvania. 5. Uriah, died in Hoytdale in 1887. 6. Eliza, married Charles Shurlock, and lives in Wisconsin. Chil- dren of Robert and Mary Ann (Fry) Hudson: I. George, a resident of Starbuck, Washington. 2. Mary F., of previous mention, married Wil- liam Abraham Freed. 3. William, a merchant of Evans City, Butler county, Pennsylvania. 4. Kate, married A. S. Latcshaw, and is deceased. 5. Maude, married (first) A. L. Wilson, (second) F. A. Rowland, and lives in Lawrence county, Pennsylvania. 6. Nina, married J. A. Dombart, and lives in Norwalk, Ohio. Children of William Abraham and Mary F. (Hudson) Freed: I. Herbert A., an attendant of Geneva College, also the engineering department of the Pennsylvania State College; married Mary Boyer. 2. Elta M., a graduate of Geneva College, class of 1910. 3. Eliza- beth, died in infancy from an attack of diphtheria. The family are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
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