many of whom were destined never to return. He belonged to the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church, as did his wife, and affiliated with the Masonic
Order. He made it his custom to keep abreast of all the latest develop-
ments along agricultural lines, and was for many years a member of the
Patrons of Husbandry, through which medium he kept in touch with farm-
ing topics in all sections of the country. He married, in 1844, Jemima
Ingles, born in Industry township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, October
20, 1824, died in Brighton township, same county. May i, 1907, surviving
her husband ten years. She was a daughter of George and Amy (Dan-
nals) Ingles, both natives of Beaver county, Pennsylvania. George Ingles
was one of the first farmers in the region to devote extensive space and
time to the growing of fruit for the market, and as a pioneer in this line
met with excellent success. He also opened and operated deposits of coal
on his land, the mines still yielding largely. Tradition relates that it was
his wife who caught the last deer captured or shot in Beaver county. She
and her brother were rowing in a skifif on the Ohio and perceived the deer
swimming across the stream. Rowing up to the animal and guiding it to
the shore they there held it until rope was procured and the deer made fast.
Both he and his wife spent their lives in Industry township, the parents of
ten children. Children of Nicholas and Jemima (Ingles) Todd: Amyj
Henry, Sarah Jane, and Mary, all died with scarlet fever within the space
of ten days. 5. George Alexander, died in infancy. 6. Nicholas Peirce, a
resident of St. Louis, Missouri. 7. Thomas Jefferson, of whom further.
8. Jackson, lives in Brighton township, a farmer. 9. Dallas, twin of Jackson,
died aged five years. 10. Horatio Seymour, a farmer and stock raiser of
Ohio township.
(IV) Thomas Jefiferson Todd, seventh child and fourth son of Nicholas
and Jemima (Ingles) Todd, was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, April
18, 1857. He attended the public schools of Ohio and Brighton townships,
and later Beaver College where his academic studies were completed. He
then engaged in farming and stock raising as his father's assistant for a
short time, later renting an adjacent farm and conducting independent
operations. At his father's death he purchased seventy-five acres of the
old homestead and has there ever since resided. While still farming along
general lines, he specializes somewhat in fruit raising and has planted
several acres with the best tree stock obtainable. A Democrat in politics,
he has held the offices of supervisor and school director and also takes active
interest in other township affairs. He belongs to the Patrons of Hus-
bandry.
Mr. Todd married, January 9, 1884, Martha Jane, daughter of Thomas
Bevington, one of the early settlers of Beaver. Children of Thomas Jeffer-
son and Martha Jane Todd: i. Olive Alice, married Matthew E. Swager,
a moulder of Brighton Heights ; children : Matthew Quay, born November
14, 1907; and William Paul, born May 12, 1912. 2. William Alexander, a
900
PENNSYLVANIA
mail carrier; married Lida Swager, and lives in Beaver; children: William
Nicholas, born July 29, 1909; child not named at this writing, born July 12,
1914. 3. Martha Jemima, married, June 25, 1914, Joseph W. Davidson,
of Freedom, Pennsylvania.
William Allen Grimm, who during his life was one of the
GRIMM prominent citizens of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, was a mem-
ber of an old Pennsylvania family, his paternal grandfather
being a native of Reading in that state. This gentleman, John Grimm, was
married to Charlotta Miller, also a native of Reading, and with his brothers
migrated to the eastern part of Ohio. Here he came into possession of a
farm of about ninety acres upon which a small town eventually grew up,
and there lived and died. To him and his wife were born nine children,
as follows: i. Kate, died in Vinton, Ohio, at the venerable age of ninety-
four ; she was the wife of David Shanefield, of that place. 2. George, of
whom further. 3. Susan, died in Starke county, Ohio, the widow of Mr.
Mummert of the place. 4. Jacob, a farmer, died near Washingtonville. 5.
John, farmer and blacksmith, died at La Otto, Indiana. 6. Sarah, married
Peter Connor, of Washingtonville, Ohio, and died there. 7. Barbara, mar-
ried Christian Byerley, of Wampum, Pennsylvania, and died there. 8.
Lydia, married Anthony Elton, of Washingtonville, Ohio, and died there. 9.
Michael, who also lived and died in Washingtonville, Ohio, where he was a
carpenter.
(II) George Grimm, son of John Grimm, was born August 26, 1817,
at Lisbon, Ohio. When a young man he removed to Painesville, where
he remained many years engaged in the trade of blacksmith. He finally
went to Washingtonville, Ohio, and there passed the few remaining years
of his life, still plying his trade. He was married to Martha L. Shonts, a
daughter of Jacob and Mary (Slutterbeck) Shonts, of Columbiana county,
Ohio, where she was bom October 6, 1822. Her parents were both natives
of Pennsylvania, he of Butler county, and she of Lancaster county. They
were married young and settled in Columbiana county, Ohio, where he
followed the trade of carpenter until his death at the age of seventy. Mrs.
Shonts survived him a number of years, dying at the age of eighty-one.
Mr. and Mrs. Shonts were both members of the Dunkard Church. Their
children appear to have numbered seven, as follows: i. Susan, later the
wife of Benjamin Bushong, of Columbiana county, Ohio. 2. Mary, who
became the wife of Mr. Morningstar, and eventually died in Nebraska. 3.
Martha L., who became the wife of Mr. Grimm. 4. Jacob, who died in
the west when over eighty-five years of age. 5. , who died at Youngs-
town, Ohio. 6. Aaron, who died in the west. 7. Ferdinand, who died in
early manhood. To Mr. and Mrs. Grimm Sr. were born twelve children,
of whom but four are living. They were: i. William Allen, of whom
further. 2. Shannon, who died in his country's service during the Civil
War. 3. Sarah Ellen, was the wife of Firman Howell, of Mahoning county.
BEAVER COUNTY 901
Ohio, where she died. 4. Wahon Lewis, now a gardener of Niles, Ohio.
5. Warren W., died in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, January 17, 1910. 6.
Willard F., died January 23, 1876, in Columbiana county, Ohio. 7. A
child who died unnamed in infancy. 8. Whitmer J., a resident of Staunton,
Illinois. 9. Francis Marion, died on the old homestead. 10. Martha, now
Mrs. Job Evans, of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. 11. Mary B., now Mrs.
George Bowker, of Niles, Ohio. 12. Williamson C, who died in infancy.
(Ill) William Allen Grimm, son of George Grimm, was born Novem-
ber 14, 1840, at Washingtonville, Ohio. He was educated in the local
public schools. At an early age he began training in the blacksmith's trade,
and followed this occupation all his life. He continued to live in his
native town until about the year 1883, and then for a period of some four
years moved about among various places, coming in 1887 to Beaver county,
Pennsylvania, where he settled on a farm of sixty-seven acres situated on a
hill in Chippewa township, near Beaver Falls. In this city he established
himself in his trade as blacksmith, continuing there for the remainder of his
life. While thus engaged he resided on his farm in the neighboring country,
which was operated and managed by his wife and children. Upon the
outbreak of the Civil War, Mr. Grimm did not himself enlist in the army
as did his brother, Willard F., but he played an invaluable part neverthe-
less, and shod horses for the United States government during the entire
period of that great conflict. Mr. Grimm was a Democrat politically, and
was affiliated with the Masonic Order. His death occurred October 27,
1895.
Mr. Grimm married Mary Jane McDonald, a native of Nova Scotia,
Canada. Mrs. Grimm was a splendid business woman, who while her hus-
band was following his trade in Beaver Falls applied her abilities to the
operation of the farm, which under her good management flourished exceed-
ingly. To her efforts also were due the good early training of her children
and their bringing up to a life of industry. Upon their arrival on the farm
near Beaver Falls, the children all joined in working under her vigorous
direction and a good barn was the result. This first attempt was ill-fated
find the structure was burned down, but in 1893 another was erected in its
place and a commodious house as well. The buildings are situated upon a
hill and present a fine appearance as well as commanding an attractive out-
look over the surrounding country. To Mr. and Mrs. Grimm were born
seven children, as follows: i. Charles, who learned his father's trade of
blacksmith, which he now follows in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 2. Mary L.,
who died in infancy. 3. Mary L., now Mrs. John L. Bucklew, of Florida.
4. Edward H., who resides on the home farm. 5. Delmont, now a student
in the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia. 6. Donald C, a mechanic
in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 7. Kittie L., now Mrs. Harry N. McKinnis,
and the mother of two children, Pearl Sylvia and Ethel Rose. Mrs. Grimm
survived her husband for nearly nine years, her death occurring in Septem-
ber, 1904. Since the death of Mr. and Mrs. Grimm, two of their children.
002 PENNSYLVANIA
Edward H. Grimm and Mrs. McKinnis, continue the operation of the farm,
giving especial attention to the raising of fruit and dairy products, their
orchard occupying five acres and their herd of cattle numbering twenty-two
head.
Prominence in private, public and business life has ever
GILCHRIST been the portion of those bearing the name Gilchrist, and
in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, this has been es-
pecially true, for from early times to the present day the name has stood for
all that is desirable in many fields of endeavor.
(I) Joseph Gilchrist, the first of the line herein recorded, was born in
Scotland. He married and was the father of six sons and two daughters :
James, Joseph, George, David, Archie, John, Rachel, Sarah. David, John
and Archie served in the Civil War.
(II) James Gilchrist, son of Joseph Gilchrist, was born in Westmore-
land county, Pennsylvania, died in Scottdale, Pennsylvania, in 1889. Soon
after leaving school he learned the cabinetmaker's trade, following that oc-
cupation and undertaking in his native county all of his life. He was twice
married, his first wife being Sarah Gross, his second wife, Susanna Van
Dyke. Joseph Gross, father of Sarah (Gross) Gilchrist, is the first of this
record, and to him was granted a large measure of prominence and influence
in his native county, Westmoreland, where he was for many years justice of
the peace, clerk of the court, and the incumbent of many other positions and
offices that made him an important figure in political circles. An accom-
plished politician, he possessed all of the qualities that make one a power
among one's fellows, and was entirely devoid of any of the instincts that
prompt the use of public trust for private gain, his services being rendered
in a patriotic, unselfish manner. He was strongly in sympathy with the
administration at the time of the Civil War.and the first call for volunteers
to preserve the integrity of the nation found him ready for whatever action
might come, in the course of the struggle that followed having an arm so
shot and shattered that amputation was imperative. His death occurred in
1888, his mantle falling in part upon his son, E. M. Gross, who occupies an
eminent position in Westmoreland county. Joseph Gross married and had a
considerable family; four of his sons, Joseph, deceased, John, Archibald,
David, served in the Union army during the Civil War. Children of first
marriage : Joseph Porter, William David, of whom further ; Hallie, married
John Crosby ; Eva, Susanna, Erianda, Sattie. Children of second marriage :
Edward, Harry, Robert, Earl, Logan, Ida, Clara, Nora, Emma.
(Ill) William David Gilchrist, son of James and Sarah (Gross) Gil-
christ, was born in Madison, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, June 7,
1861. Until he was fourteen years of age he was a student in the public
schools of that place. At that age he began his business career, which has
carried him into many fields and has gained him a wide knowledge of the
workings of as many industries and occupations. He was for a time em-
BEAVER COUNTY 903
ployed in a rolling mill, then in a brick yard, and for a few following years
was busied at cabinet-making and cigar-making. His next position was with
the Pennsylvania Railroad, whose service he entered in 1878, in the trans-
portation department, at the time of his resignation from that company hold-
ing the rank of conductor on the road. From 1888, when he left Pennsyl-
vania, until 1902, he was engaged in the same capacity by the Baltimore
& Ohio Railroad, in the latter year becoming proprietor of a hotel at Con-
fluence, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, continuing there for three years.
In 1906 he became proprietor of a hotel in Ohiopyle, Fayette county, Penn-
sylvania, and managed the house until 191 1, when he traveled for two
years, his family residing in Michigan, and in April, 1913, he purchased
the Hotel Ambridge in the town of that name. This public house he con-
ducts at the present time, and the favor that the hotel has found with the
traveling public is ample evidence of his adaptability to his business. The
Hotel Ambridge is conducted upon a high plane of service and value giv-
ing, no efforts being spared to make comfort and convenience the predom-
inant characterictics of the house, and that such has come to pass is due
entirely to the wise direction of Mr. Gilchrist.. Mr. Gilchrist is a mem-
ber of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, being a life member
of Connellsville Lodge, No. 503; and of the Knights of Pythias, being
past chancellor of Fayette Lodge, No. 339; and also of the Pennsylvania
State Hotel Men's Association.
Mr. Gilchrist has been twice married, his second wife being Nannie,
daughter of R. B. Cox, a veteran of the Civil War and a prominent man
of Fayette county, where he died in 1908. By a former marriage Mr.
Gilchrist had two children, Marion Byron and Harriet Louise, and by
his second marriage he has William David and James Bruce. He and
his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Gil-
christ was educated in the schools of Fayette county, and for ten years
was a teacher in the Connellsville schools. Her father, R. B. Cox, was
one of the organizers of the county, and active in political matters. He
was a contractor and builder and prominent also in fraternal matters, being
one of the charter members of the Connellsville Masonic Order, and also
holding membership in the Knights of Pythias, Grand Army of the Re-
public, Veteran Legion, and Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His
wife was Mary J. Shallenberger, of Fayette county, Pennsylvania.
The Gilchrists in America are descended from the ancient
GILCHRIST Scottish clan Killcreast, who lived in Ayr (Ayrshire),
the next county north of Glasgow, prior to the conquest
of Scotland by William the Conqueror in 1071. At the time of the Re-
formation they became Presbyterians under John Knox. In about 1602
many of this family, with other Scots, were induced by James I. of
England to settle in the North of Ireland, where they lived many years.
904 PENNSYLVANIA
Just when the first members of this family came to America is not on
record.
(I) William Gilchrist was a coal miner in Jefferson county, Ohio,
and was a member of the Christian Church. He married and had children
as follows, although the names may not be exactly in order of birth : Thomas
and John, residents of Brilliant, Ohio ; Newton, a contractor in Brilliant,
Ohio; Alexander, of further mention, , who married Davis; ,
married Chuffy.
(II) Alexander Gilchrist, son of William Gilchrist, was born in Jeffer-
son county, Ohio, in February, 1849, and is now living retired from bus-
iness in Wellsburg, West Virginia. He grew to maturity in his native county,
and at the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted in Company B, Sixty-first
Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served four years. He was actively
engaged at the battle of Gettysburg, and was with General Sherman m
the famous march to the sea. Upon his return from the war, he worked
in the coal mines. In 1893 he removed to Wellsburg, West Virginia, where
he operated a coal mine until he sold it in 1909, selling four hundred and
fifty acres to the Pittsburgh and West Virginia Coal Company. Upon the
failure of this company he again took charge of these mines for a time.
He is also connected in a business way with a number of local banks, and
is the owner of a large quantity of real estate. He is a strong Republican,
and he and his wife are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Gilchrist
married Ellen Jane Bucy, a farmer's daughter of Jefferson county, Ohio,
and they have had children: Elmer, a coal operator in Wellsburg, West
Virginia; William, killed in a mine in 1910; Alice, a resident of Wheeling,
West Virginia, married Thomas Evans, an employee of a tin plate mill;
Margaret, married A. J. Antill, and lives in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania;
Clifford and Bess, unmarried, live with parents; Blaine, a tin plate mill
worker, lives in Wellsburg; Theodore Mullen, of further mention; Alex-
ander Jr., unmarried.
(III) Theodore Mullen Gilchrist, son of Alexander and Ellen Jane
(Bucy) Gilchrist, was born in Brilliant, Jefferson county, Ohio, September
18, 1885. His earlier education was acquired in the public schools of
Brilliant, and he then received thorough training at a business college in
Wheeling, West Virginia. Two years were then spent in the office of his
father at Wellsburg, and after the sale of the mine property, Mr. Gil-
christ accepted a position in the freight office of the Pennsylvania Rail-
road Company. His father having again taken charge of the mining prop-
erty, Mr. Gilchrist took charge of the office in 1905 and was at the head
of it until 1910. Then, in association with his brother-in-law, A. J. Antill,
he came to Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, where they purchased the confec-
tionery store of Edward Johnson. They conducted this together until
1912, when Mr. Gilchrist purchased the interests of his partner, and since
that time has been the sole proprietor. He owns the building at No. 913
Seventh avenue, and resides in it. He manufactures ice cream and con-
BEAVER COUNTY 905
fectionery of all kinds, and also has a retail store and ice cream parlor.
These are also conducted in a progressive and up-to-date manner, and
are considered among the finest in the city. He is a member of Beaver
Valley Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons. Mr. Gilchrist married, October
18, 191 1, Cora MacCall, born at Wellsburg, West Virginia, daughter of
Thomas and Dorothy MacCall, the former a steam engineer. Mr. and
Mrs. Gilchrist have one child, Catherine EHzabeth, born July 26, 1912.
Gerret Van Sweringen was born in Beemsterdam,
SWEARINGEN Holland, in 1636. He was the younger son of a
family belonging to the nobility and received a liberal
education. While still a young man he performed responsible duties in the
service of the Dutch East India Company, and in 1656, when that com-
pany fitted out a ship, "Prince Maurice," with emigrants and supplies for
the Dutch Colony on the Delaware river in America, he was appointed as
supercargo of the expedition. This vessel sailed from the port of Amster-
dam, December 21, 1656, and was to have touched at New Amsterdam,
now New York City, but on the night of March 8, 1657, the vessel was
stranded oflf Fire Island, near the southern coast of Long Island, and the
next day in freezing weather, the passengers and crew managed to get to
the barren shore in a frail boat. They had no means of making a fire
and were exposed to all the fury of the elements. On the third day they
saw some Indians, and one of them was sent with a message to Stuy-
vesant, then governor of New Amsterdam, who came with a sloop and
carried them to safety in that city. A part of the cargo of the ship having
been saved, it was put aboard another vessel chartered at New Amster-
dam, and on April 16, they sailed for their destination, arriving there in
safety after a further voyage of five days.
After his unfortunate experience with this vessel, the "Prince
Maurice," Gerret Van Sweringen asked to be released from the service
of the Dutch East India Company, as he intended staying in the new
country and as there "was nothing more for him to do." His request was
granted.
Fort Casimir, on the Delaware river, was established by the Dutch in
1651, and was surprised in 1654 by the Swedes, taken into possession by
them, but regained by the Dutch in 1655. At this time its name was
changed to New Amstel, now New Castle, Delaware. The Dutch held it
until 1664, when all New Netherlands came under British dominion. Con-
cerning current aflfairs, Gerret Van Sweringen says :
The Company being soe indebted to the Citty of Amsterdam as to the setting
out of a man of war in reducing the South river (the Dehiware) into thcir_ posses-
sion again they were resolved to make sale of their said title unto the said Citty.
In fine the Citty of Amsterdam were Lords and Patrons of that colony. A ship
called the Prince Maurice was provided to goe to the said Colony, a Gov. and Coun-
cils appointment, and a company of soldiers consisting of about sixty men put
aboard, and I myselfe was made Supagargo over the said ship and goods. The
passengers comeing into Deleware in a ship called the Beaver, hired at New York,
9o6 PENNSYLVANIA
after the ship Prince Maurice was lost This was the 2Sth day of April, 1657, when
we took possession of the fort now called New Castle, and the soldiers of the
West India Company quitted the same. He was married at this place, about 1659,
to Barbarah de Barrette, who was born at Valenciennes, France. He was sheriff
commissary, and a member of the council, and was also interested in the cultivation
of some low lands, a duck pond and trade.
The following letter of a personal nature was written to a friend in
Holland, who was evidently a government official. It was filed with the
official records, probably because of its reference to the affairs of the colony,
which references are, in the main, omitted here :
Noble, Worshipful, Wise, Right Prudent Sir.
Sir: — With due respect and reverence have I hereby taken the liberty to greet
you, through bounden duty of gratitude to devote to you all the days of my life. I
hope you will not consider the insignificance of my person, but excuse the previous
and present boldness of so freely writing to your Honor. Such being the case, I
cannot neglect thereby to communicate my promotion ; about a year and a half
after my departure from Patria, with your Honor's favorable recommendation, I
have been appointed schout (sheriff), here subject to the approbation of the Honor-
able Principals; previously I have taken care of the store as a clerk; and, after
J. Rinevelt's death, as a commissary, from which I have now requested to be dis-
charged, as I have been recently made Second Councillor. Have received som
goods from my Brother all which I have laid out in my house, horses and mules.
I am also married. Herewith I commend your Honor to the mercy and protection
of the Most High God, and remain your most Obedient humble servant.
G. V. Sweringen;
New Anstel, 8th of Dec. 1659.
In 1660 he went to Holland, taking his wife with him, and remained
there one year in behalf of the colony. Returning the following year, he
resumed his duties. After New Amsterdam was surrendered to the
British in 1664, Sir Robert Carr was sent to demand the surrender of
New Anstel. Gerret says :
The Fort and Country was brought under submission by Sir Robert Carr as dis-
puted with two shipps to that intent. Sir Robert Carr did protest often to me that
he did not come as an enemy, but as a friend demanding only in friendship what
was ye King's right in that Country. There was taken from the Citty and inhabitants
thereabouts one hundred ships, 30 or 40 horses, 50 or 60 cows and oxen, the No.
of 60 or 70 negroes, and the estate of the Gov. and myself, except some house stuffe,
and a negor I gott away, and some other moveables Sir Robert Carr did permit
me to sell.
It has been said of him that after the surrender of the colony to the
English, he publicly broke his sword across his knee, throwing the pieces
to the right and left, and renounced all allegiance to the Dutch authorities.