burgh, becoming manager for Rider & Connelly, and in that year purchased
a boiler shop at Edenburg, Pennsylvania, where he remained until 1883. He
sold this to advantage, then returned to Pittsburgh and resumed his trade
there until 1884. In that year he went to Steubenville, Ohio, but only re-
mained there a short time. November 9, 1884, he removed to New Brighton,
Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and later crossed the river to Beaver Falls,
where he resides at the present time. For a short period of time he rented a
shop, but his work soon outgrew the capacity of this and he built a shop,
which he subsequently sold to the Connecting Rod Company. In the same
year that he built this shop, 1893, he also erected a fine residence on nearby
property, and has lived there since that time. He employs from eight to ten
men, and his works are known as the Beaver Valley Boiler Company. His
was the first boiler company in Beaver county, and has the honor of building
the first steam boiler in the county. It is now largely engaged in general re-
pair and special construction work. He and his family are members of the
Catholic church, and he is a member of the Knights of Columbus. He has
never desired to hold public office, but is a staunch supporter of the Re-
publican party.

Mr. Miller married, April 7, 1874, Emma Lee Davis, born in Port
Washington, Ohio, daughter of Barney and Margaret (Cogan) Davis. They
had children : Catherine, born at Port Washington, Ohio, February 22, 1875,
unmarried; Charles, born December 17, 1877, a boilermaker at Beaver Falls;
Martha, born February 25, 1880, married Clinton Weikart, and lives in
New Brighton, Beaver county; G. Alger, born February 19, 1882, also a
boilermaker; Josephine, born September 27, 1884, married P. J. Thompson,
and lives at College Hill, Beaver county; Emma, born November 12, 1886,
unmarried, and in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company ; Harry,
born March i, 1889, a structural steel worker, and lives in Beaver Falls;
Joseph and Peter, twins, born February i, 1891, died in infancy; Frederick,
born March 24, 1892, a boilermaker in the employ of his father; Sigismund
Francis, born October 27, 1895.



Frank C. O'Rourke is numbered among the citizens of
O'ROURKE New Brighton who have ever been identified with the
most important of the city's institutions, following the
example of an honored father.



764 PENNSYLVANIA

(I) Christopher O'Rourke, father of Frank C. O'Rourke, was born at
Milton, Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, in 1832, and although his
death occurred thirty-two years ago he is still held in respectful and reverent
remembrance by his many friends. Christopher O'Rourke's death was the
result of an accident that occurs with appalling frequency and nearly always
with fatal results. He was a passenger on the eastbound Pacific Express
which was scheduled to stop at New Brighton, his home. The probabilities
are that as the speed of the train decreased when entering the town, Mr.
O'Rourke swung off the steps before it had come to a full stop and was
hurled to the ground, receiving injuries that caused his death. At the time
he was in full vigor of a useful existence, holding prominent place in the
affairs of the town and wielding a great influence in the community. His
absence from his unusually large circle of friends caused a void by no means
easy to fill, their sincere grief constituting a perfect tribute to the lofty
character they had come to love so well. His presence in a gathering seemed
to bind the members thereof in sympathetic understanding, while his easy,
ready flow of charming conversation provided topics of common interest.
Without being in the least aggressive or dictatorial he appeared to dominate
any enterprise or undertaking with which he was connected, his companions
and colleagues always looking to him for direction and guidance. Nor was
he so accustomed to rule that he became unused to the gentler arts. In his
family relations he was the ideal husband and father, affectionate and
thoughtful, and in all private connection was ever the considerate kindly
gentleman. Generous to a fault, the need of a friend needed no explanation
to receive his immediate assistance. His public charities were irrespective
of color, race or creed, widely diversified and wisely bestowed. An admir-
able character in every relation to his fellowmen and living a life beyond
reproach by any man, he was called into the presence of his Maker with no
preparation other than that of a soul pure and undefiled and an all embracing
love for his final Judge. None who knew of his exemplary career could
fear for the security of his eternal rest.

He married Emma, daughter of James Edgar, who married (second)
Daniel C. Schofield. Children of Christopher and Emma (Edgar) O'Rourke:
Frank C, of whom further; Louis E., drowned in 1880, aged thirteen years.

(II) Frank C. O'Rourke, son of Christopher and Emma (Edgar)
O'Rourke, was born in New Brighton, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, June
13, 1870. He obtained his preliminary education in the public schools of
his birthplace, and upon the completion of his education he accepted a
position in 1888 as bookkeeper for the firm of Martsolf Brothers, of New
Brighton, remaining there until 1891. Two years later he returned to their
employ in the capacity of clerk and bookkeeper and in 1906 the concern
was incorporated as Martsolf Brothers Company when he was admitted to
partnership in the firm, with the office of secretary in the company's organi-
zation. Besides his connection with the business of Martsolf Brothers Com-
pany, he is a director of the old National Bank of New Brighton, secretary



BEAVER COUNTY 765

and treasurer of tlie New Brighton Masonic Building Association, and
secretary of the New Brighton Borough Council, and director of the Manu-
facturers' Association of Beaver County. He is a member of the Methodist
Protestant Church, and director of the New Brighton Young Men's Christian
Association, and is also prominent fraternally, being past master of New
Brighton Lodge, No. 259, Free and Accepted Masons; past high priest of
Harmony Chapter, No. 206, Royal Arch Masons, of Beaver Falls; member
of Pittsburgh Commandery, No. i, Knights Templar; Hiram Council, Royal
and Select Masters, of Newcastle, Pennsylvania; thrice potent master of
Newcastle Lodge of Perfectiori, Fourteenth Degree, of Newcastle, Penn-
sylvania; Pittsburgh Consistory, Thirty-second Degree, Sovereign Princes
of the Royal Secret; Syria Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; and a
member of the Supreme Council, thirty-third degree. Ancient and Accepted
Scottish Rite, and Royal Order of Scotland; district deputy grand master
of the Thirty-seventh District of Pennsylvania. He also belongs to the New
Brighton Lodge, Knights of Pythias; the Benevolent and Protective Order
of Elks, of Beaver Falls; and the New Brighton Knights of Maccabees.

Mr. O'Rourke married (first) Vesta S., daughter of Andrew and Mary
Morrow, who died in 1901 ; (second) in 1905, Harriet F. Bradshaw, of
New Brighton; children: Frank C. (2) and Mabel Elizabeth.

Mr. O'Rourke is firmly established in the high estimation and respect
of his business associates, and plays an important part in the administration
of its varied affairs. Well liked and universally popular, he is worthy of
both, his genial and friendly characteristics being the means by which he
retains a large number of firm friends.



The name of Bruce has been so intimately connected with the
BRUCE history of Scotland that it is unnecessary here to enter into
any of the details concerning the earlier life of this family.
While the connection between the Bruce family of Beaver county, Penn-
sylvania, and the beloved hero of Scottish history cannot be clearly estab-
lished, it is but fair to assume that they had a common origin.

(I) Charles Bruce was born in Scotland, and in early years emigrated
to the United States. He became one of the pioneer settlers of Raccoon
Creek, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and bravely endured all the hardships

with which the early settlers had to contend. He married Christina ,

and reared a large family of boys, among them being: George, of further
mention, and Rodgers, who was actively engaged in the Civil War and is
supposed to have died in Andersonville Prison.

(H) George Bruce, son of Charles and Christina Bruce, was born on
South Side, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and was educated in the district
schools near Sheffield. His occupations were those connected with farm-
ing and the butcher business, and he and his three brothers were the owners
of the first separator in that section of the country, and operated it success-
fully for a number of years. Later he opened a store in Beaver Falls, be-



766 PENNSYLVANIA

came the ticket agent at Geneva Station, and also conducted a grocery store.
He and his wife were members of the Mount Carmel Presbyterian Church.
He married Mary, born near Kittanning, Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, a

daughter of John Wilson. They had children: Ellen, who married

McClearly; Lina Jane; Robert Clarence, of further mention; Charles W.j
Amanda; George.

(HI) Robert Clarence Bruce, son of George and Mary (Wilson) Bruce,
was born in Hopewell township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, December
27, 1854. He received a good education in the public schools of his native
township, and was then apprenticed to learn the stone mason's trade and that
of brick laying. Having mastered these callings, he followed them success-
fully for a number of years. For a period of four years he then operated
the ferry at South Heights, after which he resumed his former occupations,
with which he is identified at the present time. He is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. In former years he was very active in political
affairs in the interests of the Republican party, and for a time served as a
member of the Republican county committee. Mr. Bruce married, December
25, 1878, Mamie J. Davidson, born in New Scottsville, Hopewell township,
Beaver county, Pennsylvania. She was graduated with honor from the old
Beaver Seminary, and was engaged in teaching during the two years prior
to her marriage. Her parents were Ebenezer and Mary (Hamilton) David-
son, the former born in Ireland, the latter born in Allegheny county, Penn-
sylvania, of Scotch descent. The maternal grandmother of Mrs. Bruce was
Mary Snodgrass. Children of Mr. and Mrs. Bruce: Oliver, of Webb City,
Missouri ; Mary, with her parents ; Bertha, at Woodlawn ; Homer, of Stutes-
bury, Pennsylvania ; Mabel, deceased ; Jay, of Pankuska, Oklahoma ; Charles ;
Grace ; Vallie ; Mabel.



The life of James Markey is typical of the enterprise and
MARKEY energy which so strongly characterizes the men of this age
and clime, and which seems largely the result of the inter-
mixture of our American stock with the strong and healthy peoples who,
lured by the promise of freedom and opportunity, continue to pour in upon
us from across the seas. His maternal forebears were Americans, his grand-
father having fought in the cause of freedom during the Revolution, and an
uncle in the War of 1812. The revolutionary soldier and his father, a native
of Ireland, were among the pioneers who settled Washington county, Penn-
sylvania. Our subject's father, on the contrary, was a native of Ireland,
bom in that country in 1809, and coming thence, first to New York, then
to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and finally to Beaver county in that state.
He was by trade a tanner and currier and was regarded as among the best
in western Pennsylvania. On his arrival in Beaver county, he worked for
a time for a Mr. Stokes, of Beaver, but soon found employment in a tan-
nery in Monaca, eventually buying out the owner, Avery Graham, and



BEAVER COUNTY 767

conducting so large a business that he was enabled to retire some time prior
to his death in 1881.

James Markey was born in Monaca, Pennsylvania, January 25, 1845, a
son of Peter and Nancy (Steward) Markey, Mrs. Markey being a native
of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. He was one of three children, they
being: Mary Jane, Elizabeth, James, all residents of Monaca. Mr. Markey
has spent his life in his native town, and obtained his education in the
public schools of the region. He was for a number of years proprietor of
the Central Hotel, Monaca, but is now retired from active business. He has
always been interested in real estate and owns considerable property in
Beaver county. Mr. Markey is a Democrat in politics and has held a num-
ber of local offices. He is a member of the Rochester Lodge, No. 229, Free
and accepted Masons. Mr. Markey married a Miss Graham, of West
Pittsburgh, their union being blessed with two children : Ettie, now the wife
of John Pettit, of Monaca, and Edie, now the wife of David Berry, of the
same place.



John Gordon, who was born in county Down, Ireland, emi-
GORDON grated to the United States at an early date, and spent the

remainder of his life here. He was a good citizen, thor-
oughly patriotic, and served as a soldier in the War of 1812. He married
and had children:

(II) William Gordon, son of John Gordon, was a pilot on the Ohio
river, and died in 1845 in early manhood. He married Sarah, daughter of
Levi Merriman, who lived between Rochester and Pittsburgh. They had
children : John, married Rachel Nanna, and lived just below the residence of
Major John Linton; Sarah; Margaret; James; George, died young; Thomas,
died young; Levi, died young; Robert, married Catherine Marsh; Henry, of
whom further. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Gordon removed
with her family to Rochester, where she at first resided in the "Leaf House,"
and later in a small house which was located where Hoffman's store now
stands. They lived there twelve years. The place was celebrated in all the
country roundabout for the clearness and purity of a spring which was at
the roadside there. Travelers came from far and near to enjoy its cool
freshness, and the supply was a plentiful one until about 1899, when the
digging of a well in the vicinity was the cause of the supply failing at the
spring.

(III) Captain Henry Gordon, son of William and Sarah (Merriman)
Gordon, was born in Freedom, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, February
22, 1838, died at Rochester, Pennsylvania, July 5, 1914. From the time
he was nine years of age he was self-supporting, finding suitable occu-
pation on the river. His first position was on the "Michigan," and he
then passed through various grades until he was able to fill the position
of engineer. He remained in active service on the river for a period of
fifty years, then retired. He served as a park commissioner during a term



768 PENNSYLVANIA

of two years, and the beauty and general fine condition of the parks during
his term of office is a sufficient testimony to his executive ability and artistic
sense, and after this service he served as janitor in the Adams street school
for a period of eight years. During the Civil War Mr. Gordon carried
soldiers and provisions on the river for the government. At that time
he was mate of the vessel on which he was employed, and later held the
rank of captain. Mr. Gordon married, August 5, 1862, Anstis R. Davis,
born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, daughter of John M. Davis, who
came to Rochester in the forties, when he was a young man, as a stage
driver, and in 1853 settled in Phillipsburg, now Monaca. John Gulp, the
maternal grandfather of Mrs. Gordon, was in Rochester in 1795, at which
time there was a solitary dwelling there, which was occupied by the ferry-
man at the point. Mr. and Mrs. Gordon resided on Adams street, Rochester.
Children of Mr. and Mrs. Gordon: i. Mary Emma. 2. Millard Fillmore, who
was for many years employed at glass manufacturing, is at present (1914)
with the H. C. Fry Glass Company, and is an expert glass worker ; married
Elizabeth, daughter of James Coulter, of Rochester township. 3. John
Henry, who was employed for some time in the Point Bottle Works ; at
present with the H. C. Fry Glass Company, and is now a member of the
town council of Rochester; married Mary Kaufman, whose mother resides
in Butler, Pennsylvania. 4. William T., of whom further. Henry Gordon
died July 5, 1914. Mrs. Gordon resides at the home place.

(IV) William T. Gordon, son of Henry and Anstis R. (Davis) Gor-
don, was born in Rochester, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, October 10, 1870.
His elementary and college preparatory education were acquired in the
public schools of Rochester and at Peirsol's Academy, and he took a full
course at the College of Pharmacy at the University of Pittsburgh, being
graduated from that institution in the class of 1894 with the degree of
Ph. G. Prior to taking up the study of pharmacy at the college theoretically,
he had been engaged in the practical study of it since 1886. At first he was
in the employ of James R. Lloyd, a druggist in Rochester, at the same time
delivering the Pittsburgh morning papers, 1884 to 1888, then was employed
with H. L. Schweppe, druggist, of New Brighton, 1889, until the opening
of a drug store with John F. Gordon. In 1892 he entered college, but re-
tained his interest in this business, and after his graduation he purchased
the interest of his business associate and became the sole proprietor of this
enterprise. Since then he has managed it personally, making it a very
successful business, and in 1903 removed to his present location at the corner
of Adams street and New York avenue. Mr. Gordon has executive ability
of an unusually high order, and was one of the organizers, and is now
a director of the Rochester Trust Company.

In political matters Mr. Gordon was formerly a Democrat, but he has
been a staunch Republican since 1896. He served for twelve years as a
school director, is now (1914) serving another six-year term in the same
office, and has been honored by election to the presidency of this honorable




^^^k.^:.^ <^^^c^^:^^.



BEAVER COUNTY 769

body. As borough auditor he served in 1892-93-94, and he was at one
time Republican candidate for the assembly, and made a brave fight for the
office, declining the endorsement of the liquor interests. He was elected a
member of the state convention held in Harrisburgh in 1908. His fraternal
affiliations are also of an important nature. He is a member of Rochester
Lodge, No. 229, Free and Accepted Masons ; Eureka Chapter, No. 167,
Royal Arch Masons ; Beaver Valley Commandery, No. 84, Knights Templar ;
Gourgas Lodge of Perfection, thirty-second degree, Ancient and Accepted
Scottish Rite; Knights of the Golden Eagle; Independent Order of Ameri-
cans, but perhaps his most important work in fraternal circles has been done
in connection with the Woodmen of the World. For a period of sixteen
years he served as clerk of the local camp of this order, and also clerk of
the head camp in Jurisdiction G, comprising the states of Pennsylvania and
New Jersey, four years, and later was elected to the chair of head coun-
cil and served on the law committee of the Sovereign Camp, 1909 to 191 1.
He has passed nearly all the state chairs. Under his leadership
the local camp grew from a membership of one hundred and thirty-two to
five hundred and fifty, this now being one of the largest camps in the state.
He is now district manager of Western Pennsylvania. Mr. Gordon is a
member of the Pennsylvania State Pharmaceutical Association.

Mr. Gordon married, in 1890, Emma E. Pregenzer, of New Brighton,
Beaver county, Pennsylvania. Children: Walter A. and Sarah A. Walter
A. is assistant to his father; he is a graduate of the University of Pitts-
burgh, department of pharmacy, class of 1914; he is a noted athlete and
holds several medals, winning second place in the Great Marathon held in
the Exposition Building in Pittsburgh, 1908. Mr. Gordon and his family are
members of Grace Lutheran Church, he serving as a member of the church
council.



Scotch-Irish ancestry is attributed to the Magaw family of
MAGAW Pennsylvania, founded in that state upon the arrival of the

father of James Magaw from Ireland, his home, who died
in Pennsylvania at an age considerably more than four score years.

(II) James Magaw was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and was
the owner of a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in North Sewickley
township, which he cultivated until his death. He married Eunice Dye,
born in North Sewickley township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, died there
aged seventy-nine years. Children of James and Eunice (Dye) Magaw:
I. Samuel, for many years a well-known attorney of Beaver, Pennsyl-
vania. 2. David, of whom further. 3. Daniel, a stone mason in early
life, later a farmer. 4. James, a farmer. 5. John, deceased, a farmer. 6.
Enoch, a farmer, moved to Indiana and located on a farm near Indian-
polls. 7. Eunice, married Lucien Fombelle and lived in North Sewickley
township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania. 8. Delilah, married Alexander
Fombelle.



770 PENNSYLVANIA

(III) David Magaw, son of James and Eunice (Dye) Magaw, was
born in North Sewickley township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, April i8,
1820, died in Beaver Falls, same county, April 28, 1893. His boyhood was
spent on the home farm in North Sewickley township, and he obtained an
excellent education, partly through instruction in the public schools, mainly
through solitary reading and study, both of which he was very fond.
Discovering that he possessed remarkable aptness in communicating his
knowledge and ideas to others he began teaching, and was rewarded by
such excellent results that he continued as a school teacher for fourteen
years. In 1850 he entered the mercantile business in New Brighton, general
merchandise being his line, and in this he continued for three years, for the
six following years being proprietor of a saw mill and owner of a lumber
yard. Retiring from the last named business he was for two years rail-
road division superintendent, then became proprietor of the Park Hotel, of
New Brighton, which he established, in 1890 selling this property and be-
coming owner of the Central Hotel of Beaver Falls, which he conducted
until his death. He was a farmer for three years, from 1884 until 1887,
having purchased a farm of vast acreage in Macon county, near Decatur,
Illinois. During the last few months of the Civil War he was a member of
a regiment of volunteers, but his regiment was never pressed into active
service. With his wife, he held membership in the Baptist church, and
although never an office holder he was a sturdy champion of the Republican
party. He was a man of cheery, genial nature, and as a hotel proprietor was
famous for the entertainment he afforded his guests and the high plane
upon which his house was maintained. He married, May 21, 1856, Elvira
Dicky Braden, born in the locality now known as College Hill, Beaver
county, Pennsylvania, October 17, 1834, died July 17, 1861, daughter of
John and Catherine (McEntyre) Braden. Children of David and Elvira
Dicky (Braden) Magaw: i. James A., born March 17, 1857, died unmar-
ried, January 24, 1885. 2. John McEntyre, of whom further. 3. Davis, born
December 9, 1859, died February 4, 1861.

(IV) John McEntyre Magaw, second of the three sons and children
of David and Elvira Dicky (Braden) Magaw, was born in New Brighton,
Beaver county, Pennsylvania, July 27, 1858. In that place he spent his youth,
attending the public schools until his entrance into Beaver College. During
the three years that the family residence was in Macon county, Illinois, he
assisted his father in discharging the duties of the management of their
large estate, and he also employed himself in various ways in the hotel at
New Brighton. In 1890, when his father became owner of the Central
Hotel of Beaver Falls, John M. Magaw was admitted into partnership, and
since the death of his parent in 1893 he has been sole proprietor and mana-
ger of the hotel, which is located at the intersection of Sixth avenue. Third
avenue, and Sixth street. The hotel is of red brick, four stories, and its
rooms are commodious, tastefully furnished, and comfortable. Mr. Magaw
has inherited his father's genius for pleasing and satisfying the guests of his



BEAVER COUNTY 771

house, and the hotel has gained rather than lost prestige among establish-
ments of a similar nature in Beaver Falls. In or outside of business rela-
tions Mr. Magaw is a kindly, courteous gentleman, whose services are always
at the disposal of his many friends, and a fair, honest, straightforward
method of procedure is a marked characteristic in all that he does, in
business or in private life. Political office has never been one of his desires