History of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, Vol. II, Part 60

Author: Boucher, John Newton, 1854-1933; Jordan, John W. (John Woolf), 1840-1921
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: New York, Chicago, The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 860

USA > Pennsylvania > Westmoreland County > History of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, Vol. II > Part 60

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BEAMER FAMILY. Michael Beamer is a descendant of a family which has been settled in this country for many years. They emigrated from Switzerland and brought the excellent traits of the natives of that country- thrift and industry-to the new world with them.

(I). Jacob Beamer, great-grandfather of Michael Beamer, with two brothers, came to America about 1770, and settled in Hagerstown, Maryland. It is supposed that they came about the time of the American Revolution, and that they were the first of the name to settle in this country. They came from Switzerland. He married and among his children was a son John.

(II) John Beamer, son of Jacob Beamer ( 1), came to Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, from Hagerstown, Maryland. On his journey he passed over the present site of Pittsburg, and settled in Franklin township, five miles north of Murrysville, where he took up a tract of land, which he cultivated and on which he resided the remainder of his life. He married Eve Butenborger, and they had children: Henry, mentioned hereinafter : Philip, married Cath- erine Beamer ; John, married Mary Aucher ; Michael, married Catherine Rub- right : Catherine, married John Hill ; Jonah, died unmarried : Margaret, mar- ried George Fix.

(III). Henry Beamer, eldest child of John (2) and Eve (Butenborger ) Beamer, was born at Toneytown, near Hagerstown, Maryland, coming with his father to Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, at the age of five years.

M. Beamer

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HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.

During his youth and early manhood he worked for his father on the farm of the latter, and when he married bought a farm of his own near Murrysville, on which he resided during the remainder of his life. His death occurred in Jan- uary, 1857. He married, about 1822, Elizabeth Lauffer, who died in 1843. She was the daughter of John and ( Kemerer ) Lauffer, of Penn township. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Beamer were: John, married Nancy Rubright ; resides in West Newton; Henry, married Juliana Burger, resides near Harrison City ; Seth, married Maria Ludwick; Jacob, married Susannah Brinker, and after her death Mary J. Hunter, resides in Manor ; Michael, one of the subjects of this sketch; Sarah, married ( first) Andrew Silvis : married (second) Adam Drake, of Apollo ; Susan, died in infancy.

(IV). Michael Beamer, fifth child and son of Henry (3) and Elizabeth (Lauffer ) Beamer, was born in Franklin township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, January 19, 1832. He was educated in the district schools, and was brought up to regard agriculture as his lifework. He, however, en- gaged in mercantile business in Boquet, Pennsylvania, for several years. He commenced the manufacture of hickory handles in 1861, establishing himself in business in a small way. By industry, thrift, and excellent management, this has grown to its present large proportions. The business has been conducted under the firm name of M. Beamer & Son, since 1886, his youngest son, Will- iam J., becoming associated with him, and in 1903 it was incorporated under the name of The Beamer Handle Manufacturing Company, Manor, Pennsyl- vania. In the same year they erected what is considered the finest handle fac- tory in the world. They employ between fifty and sixty men and their goods are shipped to all parts of the world. Since the first establishment of his busi- ness, Mr. Michael Beamer has devoted his entire time and attention to the in- terests involved. He has never sought preferment in church matters, but is a member and regular attendant at the Reformed church, of which he was an elder for many years, and frequently a delegate to the synod. He is a member of the American Order of United Workmen. He has always had the best in- terests of the community at heart, and any project for its improvement or ad- vancement has had his hearty approval and support. He is one of the oldest residents in Manor, the oldest in point of citizenship. He married ( first ) Susan Ludwick, and they had one child : James A., one of the subjects of this sketch. Mr. Beamer married (second ) Margaret Burger, daughter of George and Elizabeth (Shumaker ) Burger, and they had three children, of whom but one survives. William J., one of the subjects of this sketch.

(V). William J. Beamer, only surviving child of Michael (4) and Mar- garet ( Burger) Beamer, was born in Penn township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, February 23, 1862. He received a public school education, and later took a complete course in the Pittsburg College of Pharmacy. For sev- eral years he worked as a clerk. and in 1882 established himself in the drug busi- ness in Manor, Pennsylvania, continuing this very successfully until he asso- ciated himself with his father in the business which the latter had established. ( See above ). lle is a director in the Jeannette National Bank, and stockholder in many business corporations. In politics he was formerly a Democrat but is now an Independent, and has served very acceptably as justice of the peace. He is a member of the Reformed church and has been very active in church work : he has served as superintendent of the Sunday school for twenty years. He is a member of Lodge No. 225. Free and Accepted Masons, Greensburg, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Valley of Pittsburg. Ked- ron Commandery, No. 18. Knights Templar ; Urania Chapter, No. 192. Royal

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HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.

Arch Masons, at Greensburg. He married, November 27, 1884, Lula B. Laughner, daughter of Amos and Lucy ( Beir) Laughner, and they have two children : Luey M. and Paul John.

(V). James A. Beamer, only child of Michael (4) and Susan (Ludwick) Beamer, was born July 10, 1855. He was educated in the public schools, and at the age of sixteen years entered the employ of Hartipee & Company, Pitts- burg, to learn the trade of machinist. He then went to Altoona and for four years worked in the locomotive shop of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company as an apprentice, after which he was appointed to the position of fireman on the Pennsylvania Railroad for a short time, and then was advanced to the position of roundhouse foreman at Everson, Pennsylvania. He was then transferred to Derry, and later to Altoona, still in the same capacity. He was advanced to the position of master mechanie in 1896, and was stationed at Tyrone, where he is at present (1906). He is progressive and enterprising, and while in Al- toona served as water commissioner. He is a member of all the different Ma- sonie bodies in Altoona, and of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Free- masonry, Valley of Pittsburg. He is a member of the Reformed church. He married Sarah Lauffer, and has two children : Margaret and Blanche.

M. A. SUTTON, M. D. The family of which Dr. M. A. Sutton, of Avonmore, is a representative, is of English origin, and early in the seventeenth century was founded in Massachusetts, whence it diverged to other states, where its members have filled offices of trust and responsibility.

Jeremiah Sutton was a native of New Jersey and a soldier in the patriot army of the Revolution. In 1800 he migrated to Pennsylvania and settled in Westmoreland county, whence, one year later, he moved to Butler county, and there passed the remainder of his life.

Platt Sutton, son of Jeremiah Sutton, was born in New Jersey and accom- panied his father to Pennsylvania, finally settling with him in Butler county. He married Elizabeth Sterling, also a native of New Jersey, and he and his wife spent the remainder of their years in Butler county.

James Sutton, son of Platt and Elizabeth ( Sterling) Sutton, was born in Butler county, and married Dorcas Graham, a native of the same county. Their family consisted of the following children : M. A., see forward : E. P .: Lizzie, wife of S. J. Irvin ; O. L. ; and H. W. The death of the mother occurred in 1895. and that of the father in 1902.

M. A. Sutton, son of James and Dorcas (Graham) Sutton, was born in 1861, in Butler county, reared on his father's farm, and educated in the common schools, whence he passed to Westminster College, from which he graduated. For seven years thereafter he was a successful teacher in Butler and Mercer counties and then entered West Pennsylvania Medical College, Pittsburg, re- ceiving, in 1895. the degree of Doctor of Medicine. The same year he settled in Avonmore, where he has since successfully practiced his profession. He is a member of the Indiana County Medical Association. Lodge No. 272, Knights of Pythias. and the Maccabees, the former of Evans City, Butler county, and the latter of Avonmore. His political principles are those advocated by the Re- publican party. He is an active member of the Presbyterian church, in which he holds the offices of elder, trustee and superintendent of the Sunday school. He married, in 1000. Mary, daughter of John and Jane Andrews, of Avonmore, and two children have been born to them : Lillian and Irma.

JAMES C. CRIBBS, a real estate and insurance agent at Jeannette, comes of an old Westmoreland county family. He is the son of John M. and

R. S. Love

HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY. 405

Maria (Crock) Cribbs, and grandson of Joshua and Elizabeth ( Miller ) Cribbs and Thomas and Lydia ( Landis) Crock. The parents of Mr. Cribb are both living : the father is a retired miller and sawyer. He is a native of Westmore- Jand county, and was married in Hempfield township. He was born June, 1833. and when a small child his father died and he was reared by an uncle, Captain George A. Cribbs. He learned the milling business and operated the mill at Radabargh Station. In his religious faith he is a Lutheran. He was one of seven children : George and William, both killed in battle during the Civil war ; James, die 1 in childhood : Louisa, became the wife of Henry Blank, of Greens- burg : Sarah, became the wife of John Harrold, is now a widow, residing in Hempfield township : Ellen, widow of Henry Keener, of Greensburg : John M., marrie l Maria Crock, born March 3. 1836, and they had a family of ten children, as follows : James C., of whom later : William A., at home ; Thomas J., of Den- ver. Colorado : John George, of Mckeesport : David J., of Pittsburg : Alexander N .. of New Bethlehem : Ida, at home : Wade, of Irwin : Beatrice, at home ; and Henry, at home. William A., of this family, was hurt in a railroad accident in 1880, losing his whole right arm and left hand, but being ambitions and ener- g tic, has since achieved local prominence both in business and politics. He servel as justice of the peace in the early history of Jeannette, and has always been a staunch Democrat.

James C. Cribbs was born at Adamsburg, Westmoreland county, in 1858, and received his education in the public schools and at the Greensburg Academy. Before he was fourteen years of age he was agent for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company at Grapeville, where he spent four years. He then engaged in mer- chandising on his own account at Grapeville, as one of the firm of Baughman & Cribbs, which existed for four years. He then went to Greensburg and follow- ed the butcher business for ten years. In 1892 he came to Jeannette and opened a clothing store, which he conducted for three years, and then engaged in the real estate and insurance business, which he still follows. He is an active, pub- lic-spirited citizen of the borough, has contributed largely to the material suc- cess of the place, and through his efforts some of the factories have been there estal lished. He was one of the organizers of the Jeannette Milling Company. Politically he prefers Prohibition principles, but is thoroughly independent. He is a member of the Order of Heptasophs. Mr. Cribbs married. September, 1870. Lizzie, daughter of Rev. I. B. and Anna ( Tintsman) Leasure. Their children are: James L., married Meredith Loughry, one child, Alice E. ; Charles C., Anna L., Olive and Elizabeth, all at home. The family are mem- bers of the Reformed church at Jeannette, Mr. Cribbs having served on the official boards and as delegate to the higher judicial boards. He has ever taken an active part in Sunday school work, both at home and in the county, denomi- national and inter-denominational. (For further history of the Cribbs family the reader is referred to the Cribbs sketch of Greensburg in this work).

ROBERT S. LOVE. The progenitor of the Love family in America was of Irish descent. Benjamin Love was born in Ireland. about 1746, and married Margaret Gaston, who also was born in Ireland, about 1747. They emigrated to America about 1787. settled near Greensburg. Pennsylvania. To this union was born ten children. Benjamin Love died about 1802. His wife diel March 9. 1848, aged one hundred and one years, one month, twenty-one days, and was buried in Tyrone cemetery. Four children are buried with her : Annie, died January 9. 1857. aged sixty six years : Margaret, died December 21, 1858, aged sixty-seven years: John, died Angust 26, 1872. aged seventy-two years : Martha, died June 15. 1877, aged eighty-four years. Two children died

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HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.

while young. Mary and Jane were twins, born June 28, 1785 ; one was married to John Morgan, who served fifteen years in congress. The other twin married his brother, Mr. Morgan ; they moved to Indianapolis, Indiana.

Benjamin was born June 27, 1795, married Mary Tinsman, and to this union was born fourteen children. He died in 1862.

Robert Love was born September 20, 1797. His occupation was teaming for about six or seven years, and then he purchased a farm in Mount Pleasant township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in agricul- tural pursuits for the remainder of his life. He married Catherine Lynch, and to this union was born six children : Margaret L., Benjamin L., James Lynch, Robert Gaston, John and Mary, died while young. His second wife. Mrs. Sarah Herr, bore him one daughter, Eldora, who died while young. He died 1868, in his seventy-third year.

Robert Gaston Love was born January 30, 1836, on the old homestead in Mount Pleasant township, near Weavers Old Stand. This farm, which was in the Love family nearly ninety years, was willed to him at the death of his father. In politics he is a Democrat, but has never been an office-seeker. He is a firm believer in the Bible, does not hold to any sect, but believes in all the commandments and ordinances in the church of God. He has been most liberal in his support to church and charitable work, and is highly esteemed in the country in which he has spent his entire life. He is now seventy years old. He married Mary A. Herr, born January 16, 1846, daughter of Jacob Herr, of near Latrobe, and sister of Susan Maxwell, of United, (now deceased). To this union was born six children, four now living: Sadie U., married Daniel Rumbaugh, of Greensburg , Pennsylvania ; Robert S., married Mary E. Cadman, of West Elizabeth. Annie S., married Samuel M. Steele, of Greensburg, Pennsylvania. Lucy L., married Clark K. Fox, of Mount Pleasant, Pennsyl- vania.

Robert S. Love, the only boy living, resides on the old homestead. He was born June 10, 1865. He received his education in the Byers school in Mount Pleasant township. He took charge of the farm, which he managed for eight years. He then turned his attention to carpentering, which he fol- lowed for four years. On the expiration of that period, however, he returned to the old homestead, which he has since supervised, while his father lives a re- tired life. In 1902 he purchased a choice lot in Youngwood, and the same year erected the largest business building in the borough, it being a credit to the town. January 1, 1902, Mr. Love assisted in the organization of the First Na- tional Bank of Youngwood and was made one of the directors, which office he has since filled. He is also a stockholder in the Youngwood Building and Loan Association, and thus his business activity has contributed to the improvement of the borough as well as to his individual success. Mr. Love married. in 1893. Mary E. Cadman, of West Elizabeth, Pennsylvania. To this union four boys were born, three of which are still living : Robert Gaston, Jr., William Cadman, and Paul Orlanda Love. In his political views Mr. Love is a Democrat, but at local elections he votes for the candidate rather than the party. Mr. Love has greatly furthered benevolent and church work. He is a firm believer in the teachings of Christ. He also belongs to the Woodland Lodge, No. 310. K. of P., of Youngwood, Pennsylvania. He is also very attentive to the welfare of his family, and is one among the best of citizens.

OTTO S. WEAVER. There is probably ro more useful man in Scottdale than Otto S. Weaver, grandson of Philip Weaver, who came from Virginia to Westmoreland county and settled near what is now known as Men-

Thomas Mellon

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HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.

don, where he was a schoolmaster for many years. About 1862 he moved to Indiana county, and there lived as a farmer during the remainder of his life. He married Mary Canders, who was of Irish descent, and their children were : Jolin S., mentioned hereafter ; Fleming, resides in Virginia; Maria, wife of Thomas McGill : Lucinda, married Daniel Shupe ; and Elizabeth, married John Falger.

John S. Weaver, son of Philip and Mary ( Canders) Weaver, was born in 1850, in Westmoreland county, and was twelve years old when the family moved to Indiana county. He received his education at home under the instruction of his father, whom he assisted in the work of the farm. After his father's death he returned to Westmoreland county, and there engaged in farming until 1870. since which time he has been employed by the Coke Company as yard foreman and coke burner. Mr. Weaver married Catherine Heuburt, and their children are : Otto S., mentioned hereafter. Lavan R., born January 4, 1874, engaged with the Pittsburg & Lake Erie Railroad. Ada, born June 30, 1876, married Bruce Parker. H. Clay, born April 11, 1878, shearman in the mills at Scott- dale, married Ellmay Shank, of Pennsville, Pennsylvania. Marcus, born 1881, a mill worker at Scottdale. Delila, born June 30. 1885, wife of Charles Taylor. Winfield L., born July 15, 1889, employed in the coke works of A. L. Keister & Company.

Otto S. Weaver, son of John S. and Catherine ( Heuburt) Weaver, was born December 7. 1871, near Wesley Chapel, Westmoreland county, and was educated in the common schools. He remained at home assisting his father until reaching the age of twenty, when he entered the service of the coke com- pany, by whom he was employed as a teamster for about a year and a half. He then learned the trade of barber with Homer Milliron, with whom he remained four years, and then established himself on the site which he has since occupied and where he carries on a successful business. In July, 1905, he sold out his barber business and engaged in the picture frame and general art business, opening up a store on Pittsburg street, Scottdale, Pennsylvania, engaging sev- eral salesmen, and is doing a good business. He belongs to the I. O. O. F., No. 885, the F. O. E., No. 1007, and is department great commander of the K. O. T. M., No. 386, all of Scottdale. In politics he is an active Republican. He is a member of the Disciple church of Scottdale. Mr. Weaver married M. Luetta, daughter of Alexander and Mary Ann ( Arrison) Johnson, and they had five children : Ronald, born April 27, 1807: Arthur Wade, born June, 1899: Glen Johnson, born September, 1901: Margaret Leotta, born April 23, 1903, died July 29, 1904 ; and Verna Blanch, born June 29. 1905.

THOMAS MELLON. a son of Andrew and Rebecca (Wauchob) Mellon, was born February 3. 1813, at Lower Castleton, county Tyrone, Ire- land, his family having emigrated to this country and settled near Murrysville. Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, in 1818.

His education, begun at an early age at his mother's knee, was continued through the usual country schools, the Greensburg Academy, a preparatory school conducted by Rev. Jonathan Gill, to the Western University of Pennsyl- vania, from which he was graduated with honors in 1837. He had already regis- tered at the bar in September, 1835, and after studying in the office of Honora- ble Charles Shaler while also acting as clerk in the prothonotary's office, he was admitted December 15, 1838, and opened an office the following June. Not paying particular attention to any one branch of the law at the expense of an- other, Thomas Mellon continued Practicing until the first Monday of December, 1850, when he was elected a law judge of the courts of common pleas, orphans'

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HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.

court, and criminal court, of Allegheny county. He served on the bench for a period of ten years and then retired to private life, not desiring re-election as various personal enterprises into which he had embarked took tip all his time and attention. He concluded to open a banking house on January 1, 1870, which was known as T. Mellon and Sons' bank tintil the formation of the Mellon Na- tional bank on July 1, 1902. In addition to his bank he early saw the possibil- ities of the coal business ; and he was also one of the first to advocate the buying of real estate, laying out into lots and selling on very liberal terms to people of small means desirous of owning their own homes. Several prominent citizens of Ligonier interested in procuring a branch to connect with the main line of the Pennsylvania railroad, offered Judge Mellon, in 1877, strong inducements to assist them in its construction. This was finally agreed to and he contracted with these gentlemen to build the Ligonier Valley railroad, and jointly with his sons made such rapid progress that in a very short time trains were running to the great satisfaction of all the inhabitants of the valley. Judge Mellon had a wide circle of friends and acquaintances in Pittsburg and the neighboring towns to whom his wonderful memory for persons and events on many occasions has proved a mine of information, and he was never so busy he could not find time to enlighten some anxious inquirer on matters that happened years ago. Until 1893 he was more or less actively engaged in business, keeping separate and distinct in his mind in a truly marvelous way the many enterprises in which he was interested ; and his clear perception and remarkable judgment have been used on many occasions to his great advantage and that of his business asso- ciates. About this time his eighty years of active and useful life began to tell upon his never very robust constitution, so that he has been content to remain quietly at home, feeling sure that his sons would properly carry on the various and manifold interests he had been instrumental in starting, and at the time of this article is in his ninety-third year. He married, April 22, 1843, Sarah J., daughter of Jacob Negley, by whom he had eight children, five of whom lived to manhood ..

CRAIG FAMILY. The genealogy of the Craig family is difficult if not impossible to trace now beyond Samuel Craig, Sr., who was of Scotch- Irish descent. He resided for several years in New Jersey, then removed to Franklin county, and in 1760 removed to Westmoreland county and settled on a tract of land east of the Lovalhanna, which he purchased from Thomas Burbridge, and which still remains in the possession of the family. The first wife of Samuel Craig was Elizabeth McDonald. a Scotch lady, to whom he was married before coming to the United States. They were the parents of nine children, two of whom died in infancy, both they and their mother dying of smallpox within three days. The surviving members of the family were: John, Alexander, Samuel, Jr., Esther, Rose, Elizabeth, and Mary. Before his removal to Westmoreland county he married his second wife, who was an Irish lady, by name Jane Boyd, and in due course of time six more children were added to his family: Andrew, Joseph, William, Jane, Nancy, and Rebecca. He and his three eldest sons-John. Alexander and Samuel. Jr., served in the revolutionary army. Mr. Craig, Sr., was a commissary and his duties as such called him to Fort Ligonier, but on the way he was cap- tured by Indians on Chestnut Ridge, and all efforts to ascertain his fate were without avail. His horse was found dead. November 2. 1777. ( this was ahout the date of his capture), perforated by eight bullets, and fragments of paper strewn along the path indicated the route taken by the Indians. That was all. except that some years afterward captives rescued from Indians were reported

Marquet & Craig

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HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY.

as saying that an old white man was left behind because he was too sick and infirm to come with them. This rumor, however, could not be verified.

John Craig, eldest son of Samuel Craig, Sr., was born April 27, 1753. He was twenty years old when he became a soldier in the revolutionary war. On one occasion, while scouting in the vicinity of Wallace's Fort, he narrowly escaped being captured by the Indians. He was pursued so hotly that he was obliged to throw away his gun. Relieved of its weight he was just able to reach the fort. He served faithfully through the war, and is mentioned in history as "famous in Border Warfare." He married Martha Clark, and removed from his father's home, in Westmoreland county, to a farm of his own near Freeport. Here he resided during the remainder of his life, which ended in his ninty-fifth year.

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History of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, Vol. II, Part 60

Author: Boucher, John Newton, 1854-1933; Jordan, John W. (John Woolf), 1840-1921 Publication date: 1906 Publisher: New York, Chicago, The Lewis publishing company Number of Pages: 860

Author: Boucher, John Newton, 1854-1933; Jordan, John W. (John Woolf), 1840-1921
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: New York, Chicago, The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 860