Venango County, Pennsylvania: Her Pioneers and People (Volume 1), Part 103

Author: Babcock, Charles A.
Publication date: 1879
Publisher:
Number of Pages:

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preferred to devote to pursuits of a more purely intellectual order. To make more head- way in his legal studies he went to Saratoga to attend lectures, but was recalled through the urgency of work at the pottery, and he had to persist in his law work under difficulties. In fact, it was not until March, 1868, that he was admitted to the bar and to practice in the Venango county courts, nevertheless he made a great success as an attorney after he had the opportunity to take up practice. But he never allowed his new profession to interfere with his interest in his early calling. His ex- perience as justice of the peace, and the popu- lar confidence which he gained while acting in that capacity, made him the trusted coun- selor of many in his locality, so that he trans- acted much legal business for years before his formal association with the bar. Yet with it all he always found time to promote educa- tional interests in his county. In 1854 he was elected county superintendent of schools, be- ing the first to be so honored when the office was created, and he filled it for three years, setting a standard of high service which influ- enced all his successors. The salary of one hundred and fifty dollars a year was a nomi- nal return for the thought and devotion which he gave to his duties. He visited every school personally, became acquainted with teachers, patrons and pupils, and by advice and precept instilled new life and ideas into every school- room, practically revolutionizing the system then in vogue by his earnestness in behalf of better things. As usual, there were many who held aloof, disdaining any innovations which would change the established order. But his persistence and intelligent presentation of his theories won, and the better buildings, better teachers and better salaries which he advocated began to replace the uncomfortable accommo- dations and indifferent methods which marked the old regime. In 1861-62 Mr. Beebe was a member of the State legislature, where his services were marked by his customary fidel- ity to the trust reposed in him. Every meas- ure brought up for the successful conduct of the war and the protection of home interests had his full support. He was especially solici- tous in looking after the soldiers, and received a commission from Governor Curtin to visit the camps and look after Pennsylvania men in hospitals or elsewhere in need of attention. In the performance of this duty he made re- peated trips to the front, often securing such alleviation of suffering through modification of hospital conditions that it is reasonable to believe many a sick or wounded boy owed his

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life to Mr. Beebe's efforts. Though himself handicapped by poor health, he never hesitated to sacrifice his own comfort to attend to the urgent needs of others. In one case he even sought the intervention of Secretary Stanton. A soldier named Joe Hutchins had become so reduced through the ravages of chronic dysen- tery, that worst scourge of our army, that it was apparent he had but a short time to live, and papers were prepared for his discharge. Before they could be presented, however, he was removed to another hospital, and the pro- cedure and disappointment were repeated. By taking the case up personally with Secretary Stanton Mr. Beebe obtained the young man's release, to allow him to come home to die, and took him into his own home, where his death occurred a few months later. It was typical of his thoughtfulness for others.

Mr. Beebe was urged to accept the Con- gressional nomination, but he declined because of his uncertain health. He did accept when elected delegate to the State Constitutional convention in 1872, being fully alive to the needs of the developing State, and many of his ideas were embodied in the Constitution adopted at the convention, which was held in 1873. The respect shown for his opinions was a flattering tribute. He was a firm believer in the principles of democratic government and a lover of the highest American ideals, in- grained by his critical familiarity with philoso- phy and general history, and he endeavored to square his public duties with his principles. Though the platform of the Republican party expressed his own sentiments politically, he was not always in accord with the personal view of its leaders, and realized that there was a tendency toward autocracy based on wealth. During the presidency of General Grant that drift was so marked as to cause serious alarm, and it was sufficiently strong to make him di- verge more and more from the party until he was practically independent in politics. During his later years, and until his death, Mr. Beebe was a member of the State Board of Agriculture, and his services in that body had important bearing upon the establishment and maintenance of State colleges and their ag- ricultural departments, resulting in great im- provements in the line of soil cultivation. He was himself a practical farmer, and spoke and wrote considerably on the subject, whose im- portance he realized fully and tried to impress upon others. Though not a church member he was a man of deep religious feeling, and he was associated as a director with three churches, trying to follow the Master's teach-

ing as expressed in the golden rule. Blessed in his happy domestic life, and highly re- spected by a wide circle of warm friends, he passed away when scarcely beyond his prime, July 29, 1885, his death taking place at Asbury Park, N. J., where he had gone to consult noted specialists.

On June 8, 1852, Mr. Beebe married Maria Sophronia Tibbits, who was born Sept. 10, 1831, at Manlius, Onondaga Co., N. Y., daugh- ter of George and Sophronia (Butterfield) Tibbits, and she survives him. She was edu- cated in the academy at Manlius, N. Y., and was also a teacher up to the time of her marriage, since when she has resided at Pleas- antville, her home for sixty-six years. The house which she now occupies, in the outskirts of the borough, she erected after Mr. Beebe's death. Like her husband she always exerted a beneficent influence in the community, where she has found many pleasant associations in a long and useful life. Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Beebe two sons survive, Frank J. and William Dawson, the former a resident of Bradford, Pa. William Dawson Beebe married Della Newkirk, daughter of William Newkirk, a well remembered mer- chant at Pleasantville, and they have five chil- dren, namely : Julia, Maxwell Newkirk, Man- ley Colton, Mildred and Dorothy.

FREDERICK GLASS BOYER (deceased) left a memory of agreeable associations which makes his name cherished by the many who enjoyed the pleasure of his friendship in the various activities of his well filled life. His business cares, though important and exacting. were lightened by the frank and cordial esteem of his co-workers ; his social tastes and love of outdoor recreation led him into many delight- ful companionships with those of congenial habits : and his scrupulous observance of his duties in every relation of life showed a full appreciation of its obligations and a spirit willing to assume them.

Mr. Boyer was born Aug. 23, 1855, at Salem, Snyder Co .. Pa., and died Dec. 16, 1914. at Oil City, where he settled in 1891. His father, Henry S. Boyer, was also a native of Snyder county and held the position of county sur- veyor there, being a civil engineer by calling. He also did considerable work as a surveyor in Northumberland and Schuylkill counties, of coal lands in the latter county, and took care of most of the surveying for Ira T. Clement. of Sunbury, a large landowner in that sec- tion. Mr. Boyer died at Pottsville, Pa., with his son William H. Boyer, who was then resid-

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ing at that place. By his marriage to Sarah Glass he had three children : Frederick Glass ; Mary A., deceased ; and William H .. now a resident of Sunbury.

Frederick Glass Boyer, the eldest of the family, grew up in the locality of his birth. He had average educational advantages in his boy- hood, but was still young when he learned telegraphy, becoming expert in that line and as an electrician. He learned his profession at Selins Grove Junction, and soon afterward took a position as operator on the Northern Central line (now a part of the Pennsylvania . system). Later he was at the DY Tower, Sun- bury, where he remained for about six years, in June, 1880, removing to Bradford, Pa., at which point he was stationed for eleven years as telegrapher with the American Transfer Company (later merged into the National Transit Company ). On April 1. 1891, he was transferred to Oil City, to take the position of assistant superintendent of telegraph, for which he proved to be well qualified, developing ex- ecutive talents that brought him further pro- motion when the opportunity came. In Feb- ruary, 1905, W. W. Splane resigned the super- intendency of telegraph service for the Na- tional Transit Company and the other asso- ciated pipe line companies of the Standard Oil Company, and Mr. Boyer was appointed to succeed him, having been well prepared for the responsibilities of the work by his expe- rience as assistant. When the Standard Oil Company was dissolved he was retained as superintendent of telegraph of the northern group of its old pipe lines, comprising the In- diana Pipe Line Company, the Buckeye Pipe Line Company, the Northern Pipe Line Com- pany and the New York Transit Company, with headquarters still at Oil City. He was so engaged until his death, which occurred a few days after an attack of paralysis, at his home on Orange street, Oil City.

The Oil City Derrick, at the time of his death, spoke thus of Mr. Boyer and his stand- ing in the community: "Few residents could count more members of this community as warm personal friends or admirers than Mr. Boyer, whose residence here covered a period of almost twenty-five years. He was a lover of the outdoors, an enthusiastic angler. friend- ly, courteous and considerate. manly and out- spoken, qualifications in his private life that in part explain his high standing in the esteem and feelings of his acquaintances and his asso- ciates." Nothing could better have exemplified the sentiment of his fellow citizens than the outpouring of sympathy shown upon his death.

The offices of the Northern Pipe Line Com- pany in Oil City were closed during his funeral services and practically all the local officers and clerks were in attendance. His responsi- bilities had brought him into familiar associa- tion with officers, heads of departments and employes of the pipe line and transit companies as well as those in the telegraphic departments, and all were well represented personally or by: floral offerings. His brother Knights Templars acted as pall bearers, and the commitment services in Grove Hill cemetery were in charge of Petrolia Masonic Lodge.

Mr. Boyer was a prominent member of the Bonnell Outing Club, the Oil City Boat Club and the Acacia Club, and was devoted to his Masonic affiliations, which were with Pe- trolia Lodge No. 363, F. & A. M., of Oil City ; Oil City Chapter No. 236, R. A. M .; Talbot Commandery. K. T .; Venango Lodge of Per- fection. A. A. S. R .; Pittsburgh Consistory ; and Zem Zem Temple. A. A. O. N. M. S.

In 1880 Mr. Boyer married Annie M. Keller, daughter of George and Susan ( Potter) Keller. farming people of Fishing Creek township, Columbia Co., Pa .. where Mrs. Boyer was born. Her father died there. Mr. and Mrs. George Keller had six children, namely : Charles H., who is deceased : Sarah C., de- ceased, who was the wife of J. W. Moss; Annie M., Mrs. Boyer : Jacob B., living at Jack- sonville, Fla .; Alice R., who is married to Lloyd M. Quick and lives in Fairmount town- ship. Luzerne Co., Pa. : and Nettie, deceased. who was the wife of P. D. Appleman.

Mr. and Mrs. Boyer became the parents of three children : Nettie M. died when six months old ; Mabel is the wife of William H. Klase, of Oil City. and has one son, Harold Boyer ; Charles H., of Oil City. married Mary D. Hannon and has two children, A. Mabel and Mary Dorothy. Mrs. Annie M. Boyer con- tinues to occupy the old home at No. 210 Orange street, Oil City.

MADISON M. SMALL, of Jackson town- ship. one of the owners of the famous Small Farm in Sugar Creek valley, two and a half miles north of Cooperstown, is a worthy rep- resentative of a family long noted in this part of Venango county. He has been one of its most progressive agriculturists, not only in the furtherance of his own enterprises. but also in his participation in all movements look- ing to the improvement of material or social interests, exhibiting the sturdy intelligence and enlightened disposition which made his father and grandfather leaders of thought and action

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among their fellow men. Capt. Samuel Small, the original settler on the fine property now occupied by Madison M. Small and his fam- ily, came here in 1816, and it has ever since been in the possession of the family.

Capt. Samuel Small was born Dec. 10, 1773, in the North of Ireland, and was of Scotch- Irish ancestry. Coming to America about 1800, he lived in York county, Pa., until the war of 1812, in which he served as a captain, having organized a company to go to Erie. He brought his company through Venango county on its way to join Commodore Perry, hearing of the famous battle en route. Cap- tain Small was so favorably impressed with this region that when he returned to York county he obtained a yoke of oxen and brought his family out here in a wagon, having decided to settle on a tract which he admired, lying along Sugar creek-the present home of his grandson, Madison M. Small. He bought a tract comprising from three hundred and sev- enty-five to four hundred acres, and made a location on it between Sugar creek and Lake creek, spending the remainder of his life in the improvement of this property, where he died at the age of sixty-five years. The coun- try was new, game of all kinds abounded, and Indians were even yet seen in the vicinity, but he and his family labored industriously to make a home and succeeded in raising the value of their property even under the adverse conditions then existing. Captain Small was a carpenter by trade, and built many houses and other structures in the new settlement, where mechanics were scarce and in great de- mand. He was a Freemason, belonging to a lodge in Philadelphia, and his great-grand- son Walter M. Small, also a Mason, now holds his sheepskin certificate of membership. The Captain's wife was a woman of fine mind and character, looking after her household very capably. They brought four children with them, Samuel H., the eldest son, being the father of Madison M. Small; Mary, the oldest child, married Ransol Smith and removed to Illinois, where she died, leaving six children and their many descendants; Moses H .. the second son, born Jan. 16, 1813, in York county, Pa., was married in 1850 to Sarah Collins, spent his life on part of the old farm, and is buried in Plum Church cemetery (he was an earnest member of the M. E. Church at Sunville) ; Jane, the youngest, married Ste- phen Collins and like her sister went West (they had one child, now Mrs. Nellie M. Nor- ris). The sons bought the daughters' shares in the paternal estate, and the north part,

which Moses H. Small acquired, is also occu- pied by his descendants at this writing. Of his five children, Nellie died at the age of twelve years; Harvey was thirty years old when he lost his life in a railroad wreck while returning from Scranton; Anson lives at Ti- tusville, Pa .; Mary is the wife of David Mc- Alevey and resides in this vicinity; Retta is the wife of Madison Murphy, and lives on part of her father's old farm.

Samuel C. Small, a cousin of Captain Small, followed him from Ireland within a year or two and also settled in this neighborhood, where he followed the teacher's profession. He was also a Free Mason. He was a weaver by trade. He lived to be over eighty, and his children are also deceased, there being four grandsons of the name in this line now sur- viving: Curry Small, of Franklin; Lincoln Small, of Oklahoma; Hamilton Small, of Kansas; and John Small, of California. A granddaughter of Samuel C. Small, Edra, Mrs. William Bradley, is living on his old farm.

Samuel H. Small, eldest son of Captain Small, was born Jan. 30, 1810, in York county, Pa., and spent his life on the paternal home- stead in Jackson township. After he and his brother bought their sisters' shares they di- vided the property, and Samuel H. Small de- voted himself to general farming and sheep breeding, having raised hundreds of fine Merinos. He was one of the thriftiest and most successful men in his locality, but though he did well enough in his worldly affairs to take an influential place among his neighbors it was his sterling character and whole-souled interest in his fellow men that brought him their high respect and confidence. While yet a young man he was noted for his generosity to those in need, and this habit of helping others was so much a part of his life that his memory has always been cherished for his good deeds. It is said that in proportion to his means he was the most benevolent man in the community, and his kindness was not con- fined to any one kind of liberality. He and his wife were members of the Free Will Bap- tist Church, and he practically built the Plum Church of that denomination, donating the land and continuing to be one of its strongest supporters throughout his life. The cemetery was also established on land owned by him and his brother, the incorporation being effected after they died. In his will Mr. Small pro- vided that one-fourth of the proceeds of the sale of his real estate should be turned over to the Free Will Baptist Foreign Missionary So-

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ciety, for the spread of the gospel in India. His son, Madison M. Small, bought this inter- est, and the money paid for it started on its mission. Mr. Small was the only abolitionist in his immediate neighborhood, and his home was a station on the "underground railroad," many a black on his way to Canada being warmed and fed there; his old log house shel- tered as many as twenty negroes at one time. He took an active part in public affairs, and was the first man in the township to vote the Republican ticket. In the early days, when game was more plentiful in the vicinity, he enjoyed hunting, being very muscular and fond of outdoor life.

In 1837 Mr. Small married Melissa P. Col- lins, a school teacher, a native of Essex, N. Y., born Jan. 20, 1815, who died Aug. 10, 1862, after a life devoted to her family and good deeds wherever she found opportunity. In 1866 he married (second) Mrs. Sarah E. (Jamison) Fleming (widow of John Flem- ing), who was born in Westmoreland county April 4, 1823, and survived him. His death occurred Jan. 26, 1878. To the first marriage were born four children: (1) Mary Melissa, born Nov. 3, 1839, was married in 1858 to Miles G. McAlevy, and had three children, Albert H. (who died in South Dakota), El- zata ( who married Wm. Harris) and Georg- ana (Mrs. Dunkel), both daughters now liv- ing near Los Angeles, Cal .; the family resided near Fort Scott, Kans., and Mr. and Mrs McAlevy are both now deceased. (2) Samuel W. Small, born March 14. 1847, was taken sick while engaged in teaching school at Sun- ville, this county, and died June 26, 1869, at Elmira, N. Y .: he was preparing for the min- istry, and with all his responsibilities was giving one-tenth of his earnings to charity. (3) Madison M. Small. (4) Alice P. is the wife of George W. Buck, of Weiser, Idaho, and they continue to keep their interest in the Small Farm, where her brother Madison M. Small resides with his family.

Madison M. Small was born May 27. 1849, and has spent his life at his birthplace. He was allowed excellent educational opportuni- ties, attending Sunville Seminary and later en- tering Hillsdale (Mich.) College, which he left during the sophomore year because of the death of his brother, which made it necessary for him to return to the farm. The property is in prime condition under his able direction, and besides retaining most of his father's hold- ings he and his son Walter M. Small have acquired more land, having over four hundred acres, of which about one hundred acres are

under cultivation and in pasture lands. The rest is in timber, and according to the State forester there is only one timber tract in the county more valuable, some of the original timber which was here in his grandfather's time still remaining. Part of the residence on the place was built by Samuel H. Small in 1872. The dwelling house and barns are sup- plied with soft water from springs high up on the hillside. The house is supplied with hot and cold water and bathroom and conven- iences, also the dairyroom. Mr. Small fol- lows general farming, but he has also been notably successful as a stock raiser and his exhibits at the county fairs have attracted wide notice. For years he was engaged in the breeding of Dorset horned sheep, and during that time owned the celebrated English ewe Bission Belle, who had the world's record for ewe production, with twenty-three lambs in six years, the males selling for breeding pur- poses all over the United States. He was also instrumental in organizing the Dorset Horned Sheep Breeders' Association of America. Mr. Small gained a reputation as an authority in this line, but he discontinued breeding because his sheep became infected with internal para- sites, also the pastures. Since 1886 he has been interested in the breeding of pure blooded Jersey cattle, having his original stock for about ten years. A number of cows that he raised made phenomenal records and some sold for fabulous prices after passing from his ownership.

The Small farm is good oil territory, and Mr. Small has been producing oil there since 1878, one of his wells having kept up its orig- inal yield for thirty-six years. His various lines of enterprise have combined well to keep him busy all the year round and to secure a maximum of return for his labors upon his land. He has been an enthusiastic worker in the Patrons of Husbandry, the local lodge, Sugar Creek Grange, No. 1131, having been organized fourteen years ago and having a present membership of about one hundred and fifty. The meetings are held in the old Plum Church. This order, consisting of all Granges in northwestern Pennsylvania, has its own fire insurance association, giving members the privilege of securing insurance at cost (they carry over twelve million dollars worth of risks) as well as other advantages. Mr. Small has also been a prominent member of the I. O. O. F .. being a past noble grand of his lodge and a representative to the grand lodge. He is a Republican in political principle but inde- pendent in the use of his ballot, and he has

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never sought office for himself, though he has used his influence to place good men in re- sponsible offices.

' On Oct. 30, 1883, Mr. Small married Ida M. Alcorn, who is five years his junior. Her parents, Jesse and Anna Belle ( Peebles) Al- corn, lived in Cherrytree township. this coun- ty, where she was reared. Mr. and Mrs. Small have one son, Walter Madison Small, born July 5, 1887, who has been thoroughly edu- cated, having had the advantages of the local common schools and Cooperstown high school, after which he attended Alden Academy at Meadville and took a literary course in Alle- gheny College, graduating in the class of 1911. Having become interested in geology he took an additional course at the University of Pitts- burgh, in oil and gas geology, meantime teach- ing for two years at Miles City. Mont., and he subsequently was engaged for a year in the bank of the Franklin Trust Company. Going to Mexico, he was engaged in geological work on the Isthmus of Tehuantepec at the time of the trouble at Vera Cruz, was subsequently employed in Oklahoma, and is now on inves- tigation work in the southwestern oil fields of the United States, in Kansas, Texas, Colorado, Utah and other States in that region, as well as in the Mexican oil fields. He and his squad of men go into the wildest country, traveling with a camping outfit and living wherever their duties call them. The results of some of his explorations are now published in the geolog- ical textbooks of some of the colleges. for instance Johns Hopkins University.

GEORGE B. JOBSON, JR., M. D., of Franklin, Pa., was born in Hawick, Scotland, April 18. 1869. eldest son of George B. and Jane ( Blaikie ) Jobson. In July, 1869. his parents came to America and settled at Am- herst. Va., five years thereafter removing to McDonough Institute, Maryland, where the father was instructor in agriculture and stock raising. and where the son's education was commenced. This early training was supple- mented by later attendance at the public schools of Millbrook, N. Y .. and of Franklin, Pa. In 1890 he received the degree of D. V. S. from the Ontario Veterinary College, of Toronto. Canada, and began a professorship of veteri- nary anatomy in Columbian University at Washington, D. C. In 1900 he graduated with the degree of M. D. from the Harvey Medical College, of Chicago, where he was assistant to the chair of anatomy two years. For two years he was assistant to Dr. Hale, clinical professor of the eye at the United Hebrews Charities

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Venango County, Pennsylvania: Her Pioneers and People (Volume 1), Part 103

Author: Babcock, Charles A. Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Number of Pages:

Author: Babcock, Charles A.
Publication date: 1879
Publisher:
Number of Pages: