examiner for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. His prestige in
the medical profession of the locality has long gone unchallenged, and in
the many years that he has made Carnegie the scene of his works has
endeared himself to his many friends, gained a worthy position in the
medical world, and has played well his part in the life of the community.
His medical associations are those of the county and state, and he has
been censor of the former society. One of Dr. Walker's best enjoyed
recreations has been the study of birds and their habits, a subject upon
which he is a local authority, holding membership in the American Orni-
thological Society. It was owing to the influence of Prof. Spencer F.
Baird, of the Smithsonian Institute of Washington, D. C, that Dr. Walker
became interested in ornithology, and he collected for Dr. Baird until his
death. Dr. Walker's library of ornithological works rivals that devoted
to medical subjects, and to the present day the doctor enjoys nothing bet-
ter than a ramble through the neighboring fields, equipped with a field glass,
noting the earliest arrivals of the spring or the last lingerers of the autumn,
perhaps observing a species hitherto unknown to that locality. His fra-
ternal order is the Masonic, and he held membership in Centennial Lodge
until Lafayette Lodge, No. 652, was organized, of which he is a charter
member; also belongs to Cyrus Chapter No. 280, Royal Arch Masons, and
is a member of the National Geographical Society.
Dr. Walker married in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, February 12, 1861,
Emma Arndt, born in Lebanon, daughter of George and Susanna (Arndt)
Gleim, the Rev. James Irvin officiating at the ceremony. Children of Dr.
Robert Latshaw and Emma Arndt Walker: i. William, deceased, man-
ager of a smelting works at Newark, New Jersey; married Louise Eddy
Gleim, and had one son, Nicoli, a graduate of Princeton University. 2.
Elizabeth, died young. 3. Robert L., Jr., deceased, a graduate of the
medical department of the LTniversity of Pittsburgh and of the West Penn
surgeon at the West Penn Hospital of Pittsburgh, later practicing for
about five years at Carnegie. He married (first) Mary Heisey, deceased,
(second) Elvira Jones. By his first marriage he was the father of one
daughter, Susan, graduate of Miss Hall's School, Pittsfield, Massachu-
setts. He had one son bv his second marriage, Robert L. (3).
(The Gleim Line.)
In the present generations of the Gleim family there is a curious
blending of German, Spanish, and Dutch strains. George Gleim, born in
Germany, April 7, 1736, was the immigrant ancestor of his line, settling
in Germantown, near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, prior to the War for
Independence. He enlisted in the Colonial Army and was engaged in the
battle of Germantown, where he received severe wounds from the ba3'onets
246 WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
of British soldiers, being left for dead on that historic battleground. He
recovered, however, bearing seven scars, as remembrances of that conflict,
to his grave. He later moved to Lancaster county, where his death oc-
curred when he was aged eighty-one years. He was a brother of William
Ludwig Gleim, a renowned poet of Germany, holding the position of poet
laureate to King Frederick. There was erected to him at Halberstadt,
Germany, a memorial library, which is standing at the present time. George
Hospital. He pursued medical study abroad and was for a time house
Gleim married in Germany and had a son Charles, an early resident of
Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. He was a skillful silversmith, and early
moved to Lebanon, Pennsylvania, becoming prominent politically and hold-
ing the office of sheriff of Lebanon county. From this district he was
also elected to the state legislature, afterward moving to Harrisburg, where
his death occurred. His political allegiance was given to the Whig party,
and through service in the state militia he bore the title of captain, having
commanded a company in that body. He married Mary, daughter of
Joseph and Psyche (Rittenhouse) Gorgas. A son. Colonel George Gorgas,
received the degree of Doctor of Science from Princeton in 1818. As a
girl, Mrs. Gleim had taken vows at the convent at Ephrata, Lancaster
county, Pennsylvania, but feeling that she could not with clear conscience
remain true to them, left the convent to marry Charles Gleim. Her father
was a native of Spain, leaving his country because of religious persecution,
and finding refuge in Holland, where he married, coming to America in
1788. His wife was a daughter of William Rittenhouse, who established
the first paper manufactory in the colonies on the banks of Wissahickon
Creek. Charles Gleim and his wife were Seventh Day Baptists. Their
children: i. Joseph, editor of a Harrisburg newspaper supporting the
Democratic party, died in Lebanon. 2. George, of whom further. 3.
Qiristina, married a Mr. Breneizer, and died in Illinois. 4. Maria, mar-
ried a Mr. Berryhill, and died in Illinois. 5. Charles, proprietor of a drug
store, died in Joliet, Illinois. 6. Eliza, married (first) Perry Martin, (sec-
ond) Joseph Corbett, and died in Dauphin, Dauphin county, Pennsylvania,
aged ninety-five years.
George Gleim, son of Charles and Mary (Gorgas) Gleim. was born in
Lebanon county, Pennsylvania. January i. 1808, and died in that state.
For many years he was cashier of a bank in Lebanon, an institution at
that time the only one of its kind in the place, established by Simon Cam-
eron, and continued in its service until his retirement, ten years prior to
his death. Late in life he moved to Philadelphia, in which city he died.
He was twice married, his second wife being Elizabeth Baumgardner, of
Harrisburg. His first wife. Susanna, born in Lebanon county, Pennsyl-
vania, September 20, 181 1, died March i, 1848, was a daughter of Jacob
and Maria (Shindle) Arndt, her father born in Manheim, Lancaster county,
her mother born in Lebanon county. Jacob, son of Philip Arndt, inherited
a large property, and was concerned with its management until his death.
WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA 247
both he and his wife dying in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. Children of Jacob
and Maria (Shindle) Arndt: 1. Maria, married a Mr. Gutillus, and died
in Lebanon. 2. Margaret, married Henry De Huff, and died in Lebanon,
Pennsylvania, aged eighty years. 3. Catharine, born in 1806, married a
Dr. Gloningen. 4. Susanna, of previous mention, married George Gleim.
Children of the first marriage of George Gleim: i. Maria, married Rev.
Pitcher, and died in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. They were the parents of
one daughter. 2. Emma Arndt, of previous mention, married Dr. Robert
Latshaw Walker. She was educated by two years' attendance at the
Wesleyan Female College, and later at Lafayette College, of Washington,
D. C, whence she was graduated in i860. The year after leaving college
she was married and has lived in Carnegie, Pennsylvania, during Dr. Wal-
ker's residence in that place. She is a lady of gentle culture, has been her
husband's hearty sympathizer and constant supporter in the trials of his
professional life, the companion and sharer of all of his fortunes, both
adverse and favorable. 3. George, died at Lansdowne, Pennsylvania, in
September, 1912, a physician. He married Adele Loeser, of Pottsville,
Pennsylvania. 4. Eliza, unmarried, lives in Tacoma, Washington. By his
second marriage George Gleim was the father of nine children, eight of
whom are living at the present time.
The region of Ireland occupied by counties Antrim and
NEISON Down, in the province of Ulster, is among the most pic-
turesque and interesting in the world. Varying from the
bold sublimity of the Giant's Causeway and the rugged northern coast,
to the quiet seclusion of the inland vales, the scenery presents the greatest
possible divergency of detail. Nor is the historic and traditional past less
interesting. This country was the seat of the famed O'Neils of Ulster,
who for five hundred years provided Ireland with her high king. Near
the town of Antrim, in the county of that name, stands one of the mys-
terious round towers of the country and the famous castle of Shane O'Neil,
who, when offered an English peerage, refused haughtily with the remark
that he would rather be the O'Neil of Ulster than the King of Spain.
Near Antrim is also situated the little town of Killead, the home of the
Neison family of whom William John Neison, the subject of this sketch,
is a member.
John Neison, the father of our subject, was born in county Antrim,
and growing up there, eventually married Elizabeth Wilson, of Scotch
descent, but a native of county Down. He was a linen weaver by trade,
and took his wife to live near Killead, where besides plying his weaving,
which he did at home, he ran a small farm. Both he and his wife died in
the seventies. They were both members of the Episcopal Church and to
them were born four children, as follows : Henry, who migrated to the
United States, and became a contractor and builder on the north side of
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he finally died: Jane, who married and
248 WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
died in England ; a daughter, who died in infancy ; and WiUiam John, the
subject of our sketch.
WilHam John Neison, the fourth child of John and Elizabeth (Wilson)
Neison, was born April 24, 1848, in county Antrim, Ireland. He was
educated in the common schools and the High School of the city of Belfast,
situated but a few miles to the southeast of his birthplace. In the year
1869, after completing his twentieth year, he set sail for the United States,
and, arriving in this country, settled in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In this
city he secured a position with the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne and Chicago
Railway as a clerk, holding the same for fifteen years. During this period
he worked up from an inferior clerkship to the position of car accountant,
to the position of traveling tracing lost freight and car agent, and to
chief clerk in the general freight department. In the year 1883 he
entered the employ of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway as
commercial agent in the Pittsburgh district. After a year and a half of
this, he established in the city the Pittsburgh Freight Bureau, with himself
as manager of the business. In this he also remained about a year and a
half and then entered the employ of the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad
in the capacity of freight claim agent. Save for a break of about three
months, when he was in the employ of the Mahoning and Chenango Val-
ley Iron Association as freight agent, he has remained ever since with the
Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Road, rising in rank to chief clerkship in the
freight accounting department and then, in 1910, to the office of auditor of
freight accounts, a position which he still holds. Besides his connection
with the railroad, Mr. Neison has other business interests, being the secre-
tary of the Erie Land Company of Pittsburgh. But Mr. Nelson's ac-
tivities are not confined to business or his private affairs. On the con-
trary, he takes an active part in local politics, being a member of the
Progressive party, and has served his fellow citizens on the school board
and as a member of the Coraopolis council. He has also served for one
year as justice of the peace, by appointment of Governor Stone of Penn-
sylvania. Mr. Neison is prominent in club and fraternal life in his com-
munity being a member of the Order of Heptasophs; of St. John's Lodge,
No. 219, of the Masonic Order, and to the Halcyon Club, of Coraopolis.
He is also a member of the Railways Club and Traffic Club of Pittsburgh,
and of the Association of American Railway Accounting Officers. Mr.
Neison and his family are members of the United Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Neison was married, April 23, 1873, to Jennie Wallace Todd, a
daughter of John and Mary (Macaulay) Todd, of county Down, Ireland,
where also she was born. Her parents immigrated to America sometime
in the sixties, bringing their daughter with them, and settling in Pittsburgh,
where she met Mr. Neison. To Mr. and Mrs. Neison have been born ten
children as follows : James T., a sketch of whom follows ; William W.,
who died at the age of thirty-three years; Jennie W., died at the age of
two years; Mary M. and Nellie M., both of whom live with their parents;
^t'-^Cytrt'^-^
WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA 249
Frank S., who was killed as a boy of sixteen years, on the Pittsburgh and
Lake Erie Railroad; Florence M., now Mrs. Lewis McClaren, of Coraopolis,
Pennsylvania, one child, Harrold W. ; Harry F., died in infancy; Marguerite
Kirk, now Mrs. William R. Ewing, of Montclair, New Jersey; Carrie S.,
now Mrs. M. F. Meacham, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, one child, Frank T.
Mr. Neison has a fine home at No. 824 Fifth avenue, Coraopolis,
and is a prominent man both in his home community, and in Pittsburgh,
where he is acquainted with many of the most influential and important
men of the city.
James Todd Neison, son of William John (q. v.) and Jennie
NEISON Wallace (Todd) Neison, was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsyl-
vania, January 25, 1875. He was educated in the Ralston
and Sewickley public schools, also in those of the eleventh ward
of Pittsburgh, then entered the employ of the Pittsburgh & Lake
Erie Railroad Company, as a general utility man, remained with the
company four years, being advanced in position annually. He was then with
the Crescent Oil Company one year when it consolidated, and Mr. Neison be-
came rate clerk for the Erie Railroad Company, a position he held two years.
He then became rate clerk and stenographer for the Missouri-Pacific for an-
other two years, and then became contracting freight agent of the C, H. & D.
Railroad Company, at Pittsburgh, a position, he held seven years until the
company was absorbed by the P'ere Marquette Company, with whom he
remained one year, then spent one year as traveling freight agent for the
Missouri-Pacific, in New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia,
and he was appointed the first commercial agent for the Denver & Rio
Grande, in Pittsburgh ; several years later was made general agent for D.
& R. G. & Western Pacific Company, until it consoHdated with the Missouri-
Pacific Railroad Company, when he was made commercial freight agent
September i, 1913, and since then has been the commercial freight agent
for the entire system. He is treasurer of the Trafififc Club of Pittsburgh ; is
a member (charter) of Coraopolis Lodge, No. 674, Free and Accepted
Masons; Zerubabel Chapter, No. 162. Royal Arch Masons; Ascalon Com-
mandery, No. 59, Knights Templar ; Pittsburgh Consistory, Royal and
Select Masters ; and the Union Club. In political matters he is a Progres-
sive, and he is a member and steward of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
He married, March 3, 1896, Daisy L., born in Shousetown, Allegheny
county, Pennsylvania, a daughter of J. W. and Sophia Harper, and they
have had children : Norval B. and Melvin. both attending high school, and
Berenice.
Preceded to the Utiited States by an uncle, two Nelson
NELSON brothers, Michael and James, immigrated to this country in
1859 from Ireland, the family home for long generations.
James Nelson had previously sought fortune in Scotland, but both were of
250 WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
Irish birth and descendants of John Nelson, a farmer of the homeland,
owning the land that he cultivated. He married a Miss Divanney, who
attained the wonderful age of one hundred and four years. They were
the parents of ten children, all of whom passed their entire lives in Ireland,
with the exception of Michael, who immigrated to New York City. All
were members of the Roman Catholic Church, that being the family religion.
Children: Patrick, Nicholas, Michael, James, Charles, Peter, John, of
whom further, Paul, Mary, Ellen.
(II John (2) Nelson, son of John (i) Nelson, was born in county
Leitrim, Ireland, in 1801, there died in 1837, death resulting from an attack
of typhoid fever. He became a farmer in manhood and conducted his
operations upon a small farm, the family having a hard struggle for sub-
sistence because of the unfavorable conditions under which they labored
and the restrictions that constantly hampered them in independent action.
The family belonged to the Roman Catholic Church. He married Bridget
Banks, born in county Leitrim, Ireland, in 1809, died in October, 1846. Her
father married twice and had a son, Owen, by his other marriage ; he
passed his years in Ireland. Children of John (2) and Bridget (Banks)
Nelson: i. Patrick, unmarried, a farmer of Ireland, where he died. 2.
Charles, immigrated to the United States, later returning to Ireland, where
he died ; married Mary Enright. 3. Peter, unmarried, a farmer, died in
Ireland. 4. Michael, immigrated to the United States, settling at Frostburg,
Maryland, where he became a coal miner and died ; he married Mary
Lynch. 5. Bridget, came to the United States in 1842 and settled in New
York City. 6. Mary, married John Gray ; lived in county Leitrim, Ireland.
7. Catherine, unmarried, lived and died in Ireland. 8. James, of whom
further.
(Ill) James Nelson, son of John (2) and Bridget (Banks) Nelson,
was born in county Leitrim, Ireland, November 6, 1836. He was reared
on the home farm in that county, attending a private school in that locality.
His father dying the year after his youngest son's birth, his mother's death
left him an orphan at the age of ten years, and for the five following years
he made his home with a Mr. Kerrigan. In 1852 James Nelson started to
make his independent way in the world, crossing to Scotland and there being
employed in the mines for seven years, in 1859 immigrating with his
brother, Michael, five years his senior, to the United States, settling in
Frostburg, Maryland. Here both obtained employment in the mines, James
leaving his brother after two years and coming to Pennsylvania, making his
home at Limetown, on the Monongahela river, and for five years working
in the coal mines of that vicinity. He next came to Oil City, Pennsylvania,
and was there a coal miner for three years, a pursuit he followed in Alle-
gheny City (Pittsburgh North Side) until 1871, having moved thither in
March, 1866. In 1871 he made his home in Carnegie, Pennsylvania, where
he now resides, the place being then called Mansfield Valley, and was em-
ployed in the Grant mines and other mining property throughout that locality.
He was actively engaged in mining until 1906, when having attained his
WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA 251
seventieth year he retired to his home at No. 615 Fourth avenue, which he
built in 1871 and where he has since hved. For thirty years he has been
connected with the Anchor Building and Loan Association, of Carnegie,
and for the past fifteen years has served as a member of its board of
directors. Mr. Nelson has ever granted allegiance to the Democratic party,
and has been a member of city council and for one term collector of taxes,
carefully fulfilHng all of the obligations carried with his ofifices and being
known as a public servant of faithfulness and reliability. His church is
the St. Luke's Roman Catholic.
Mr. Nelson married, July 2, 1865, Dorothy Reed, born in Venango
county, Pennsylvania, daughter of Eugene and Mary (Cupp) Reed, both of
her parents natives of county Kildare, Ireland. They immigrated to the
United States in 1834 and were married in New York state soon after their
arrival. They obtained land in Venango county from the government, and
after clearing this tract there farmed. Eugene Reed was an industrious
hardworking man, ably seconded in all of his farm work by his wife, who
was of more assistance in the fields than the average farmhand, and who,
in spite of the ungentle nature of her life, lived to the age of ninety-four
years, disproving the aphorism mentioning the "weaker vessel." Both were
devoted members of the Roman Catholic Church, and in the early days of
their residence in Venango county walked twelve miles to attend services
held according to the ritual of their faith, their absence from worship being
a noteworthy occurrence. Eugene Reed died in 1871, aged sixty-three
years, the father of: i. Catherine, married Thomas Farrell ; resides on
the homestead. 2. Francis Patrick, lives on part of the homestead. 3. Mary
Ann, deceased ; married Patrick Wise ; lived in Venango county, Pennsyl-
vania. 4. Dorothy, of previous mention, married James Nelson. 5. Mar-
garet, married James Kelly ; lives on a farm in Butler county, Pennsylvania.
Children of James and Dorothy (Reed) Nelson: i. Mary, married Peter
Stimer, a mill worker ; resides in Carnegie, Pennsylvania. 2. John, un-
married, lives at home. 3. Charles Eugene, died in 1906; married Rosalia
Walters. 4. James Vincent, a miner ; married Sarah Frain ; resides in
Bridgeville, Pennsylvania. 5. Margaret, married Horatio Vanderlin ; their
home is in Butler, Pennsylvania. 6. Catherine, married James Stewart,
lives in Columbus, Ohio. 7. Harry, died unmarried in Montana, in Decem-
ber, 1912. 8. Alice, married Dr. B. J. Henne, of Carnegie, Pennsylvania.
From the north of Ireland came the immigrant ancestor
McMILLEN of this line of McMillens, Andrew, who settled in Pitts-
burgh, about 1790, accompanied by his family. He became
the owner of a farm in the vicinity of the present town of Lawrenceville,
and cultivated this land, also following the occupation of drover. It was
in the pursuit of this latter calling that he lost his life. He had driven a
large herd of cattle to a nearby market, and receiving cash payment for
the stock, a large sum, had started alone upon his homeward journey, little
concerned with his own welfare, for he had made the trip times without
252 WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
number. On this occasion, however, he was probably followed from the
place where he had transacted his business, and when favorable opportunity
presented, he was attacked and murdered, his assailants stripping his gar-
ments of everything of value and then throwing the body into the river.
Drifting slowly downstream, this was cast up on an island below Pitts-
burgh, where it was afterward found. After this tragedy his widow re-
turned to Ireland, the land of her birth, in 1805 returning to Pittsburgh.
(II) Thomas McMillen, son of Andrew McMillen, was born in Ire-
land, died in Bridgeville, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, buried in the old
Bethany graveyard, one mile from Bridgeville. He accompanied his parents
to the United States and grew to mature years in Pittsburgh, about 1820
becoming the owner of a farm at Bridgeville, Upper St. Clair township,
Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, where he died, in 1862. He continually
added to his original tract, and at his death was one of the most prosperous
men of the locality. He was twice married. Children of first marriage of
Thomas McMillen: i. Andrew, of whom further. 2. William C, died
in 1887; was a farmer on the McMillen homestead all of his life; married
(first) Catherine Porter, (second) Lavina Pinch. 3. and 4. Daughters, who
died in infancy. Thomas McMillen's second wife was a widow of con-
siderable means. Children : 5. Jacob, a farmer of Upper St. Clair town-
ship, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. 6. Samuel, died in 1886; was a
farmer of Allegheny county. 7. Wilson, died in young manhood. 8. Rachel,
married Daniel Williams ; died in Oakdale, Pennsylvania. 9. and 10. Two
daughters.
(III) Andrew (2) McMillen, son of Thomas McMillen, was born in
Bridgeville, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, and there died aged eighty-
four years. He passed his entire life on the home farm, cultivating its
acres with excellent success. His religious faith was the Presbyterian, to
which the previous generations of the family had been adherents. He
married Rachel Estep, descendant of a German family that early settled
in Pennsylvania, where the purity of their language was lowered by con-
tact with the speech of the Dutch settlers in that locality. Children of
Andrew and Rachel (Estep) McMillen: i. Thomas, a farmer of Upper
St. Clair township, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania ; married Jane Crumb,
both deceased. 2. Jesse, married Nancy Mack, both deceased ; lived on a
farm in Upper St. Clair township, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. 3.
John, of whom further. 4. Andrew, married Nancy Crumb, both deceased ;
lived on a farm in Upper St. Clair township. 5. Robert, a retired coal miner ;
married; resides at Bridgeville, Pennsylvania. 6. Raphel, married Robert
Dawson, both deceased ; resided at Coal Blufif, Pennsylvania. 7. Margaret,
married John Chapman, a farmer ; lived near Canonsburg, Washington
county, Pennsylvania. 8. Sarah, married David Plyinger, a contractor;