apostasy.
The ancient name of Macbeth is also spelled Mackbeathe, IMacBeth
and McBeth. Some of the family who embraced the doctrines of John
50 WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
Knox were driven by religious persecution from their own country and
fled, as did so many of their compatriots, to the north of Ireland. Alex-
ander Macbeth, a descendant of one of these refugees, was born in county
Antrim, Ireland, and married Mrs. Nancy Hambleton, whose first husband
had been accidentally drowned. Subsequently Alexander Macbeth emigrated
to the province of Pennsylvania, prior to the French and Indian war.
He was accompanied by his two brothers, Andrew and John. Andrew
Macbeth, who was great-grandfather of George Alexander Macbeth, of
Pittsburgh, married Mrs. Ann Fleming, by whom he became the father
of one son, Alexander, mentioned below.
Alexander, only child of Andrew and Ann (Fleming) Macbeth, was
born in 1762, in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, and was in his early
manhood colonel of a body of Pennsylvania troops. In 1806 he visited
Ohio, purchasing property in Champaign county, where he was one of the
pioneers. He built the first brick house in the county, and took across
the mountains the first carriage with springs. That he occupied a high
place in the esteem and confidence of his neighbors is proved by the fact
that he was twice elected to represent them in the Ohio legislature, serving
his first term when that body convened at Chillicothe, and his second when
it met an Zanesville. Mr. Macbeth married, July 8, 1790, Rachel Whitehill,
whose ancestral record is appended to this sketch, and their children were:
Andrew, born April 18, 1791, died in June, 1863; Mary, born October 11,
1792, died July 11, 1871 ; Elizabeth, born February 14, 1794, died February
14, 1852; Robert W., born September 21, 1795, died February 4, 1857;
Eleanor, born June 19, 1797, died January, 1865; Rachel, born July 15,
1799, died in early life; Alexander, born April 17, 1801 ; Ann Maria, born
January 22, 1803, died May 30, 1869 ; and James Reed, mentioned below.
The manner of Mr. Macbeth's death was singularly in keeping with
the tenor of his whole life. Beginning as a soldier and in early middle age
becoming a pioneer, his last action of importance was one in which he took
the initiative. He was the first man to take a large cargo of grain and
whiskey down the Auglaize and Maumee rivers to Black Rock, near Buffalo,
where he disposed of it, reloading his boat with salt. On the return trip
he contracted a disease that proved fatal, and the salt did not reach its
destination until the following winter, when its sale brought from seventeen
to eighteen dollars a barrel. Mrs. Macbeth survived her husband a number
of years, her death occurring February 13, 1846.
James Reed, youngest child of Alexander and Rachel (Whitehill) Mac-
beth, was born March 6, 1805, in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where he grew
to manhood. He studied law under the preceptorship of his uncle, James
Whitehill, but afterward became a merchant in Ohio. He married, Novem-
ber 15, 1832, Rev. Leroy Woods officiating, Frances A. Bayard, whose an-
cestral record is appended to this sketch, and they became the parents of
the following children: Charles Edgar, Helen, Anna Rachel, James Bayard;
George Alexander, mentioned below ; and Sarah Frances. James Reed
Macbeth died August 29, 1882.
George Alexander, son of James Reed and Frances A. (Bayard) Mac-
WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA 51
beth, was born October 29, 1845, in Urbana, Ohio, where he received his
education and passed his childhood and early youth. His business career
began in 1862, when he went to Springfield, Ohio, where for the following
six years he was employed as clerk in a retail drug store. In 1868 he came
to Pittsburgh, and for the next three years was engaged in the wholesale
drug business in this city. It was in 1872 that Mr. Macbeth first associated
himself with the glass business, becoming in that year a travelling salesman.
It was not long before his enterprising spirit inspired him to independent
efifort, and he engaged in the manufacture of glass, undertaking in 1877
that branch of the industry with which his name will ever be inseparably
associated — the making of optical glass. Into this venture he threw his
whole soul, devoting himself to it with all the intense application and con-
centrated energy of which he was capable, which, as all who know Mr.
Macbeth are aware, is saying a great deal. The success which rewarded
his efforts was exceptional in that it was immediate, his early achieve-
ments meeting with as much favor from the public as his later. In 1893
he exhibited at the World's Fair in Chicago the first specimens of American-
made optical glass, receiving a prize, a medal and a diploma. At this fair
he was alternate commissioner, receiving his appointment from Governoi*
Patterson. Mr. Macbeth's large plant is justly regarded as one of the
industrial glories of Pittsburgh. Extensive in proportions and perfect
in equipment, its products have a world-wide reputation for unsurpassed
excellence, and since 1880 have manufactured more lamp chimneys than any
other manufactory in the world, and their finest grades are sold all over
the world.
Mr. Macbeth was the first American manufacturer to undertake the
manufacture of lighthouse lenses and illuminating apparatus for lighthouses
and for coast service, and his firm has successfully competed with foreign
manufacturers and secured many government contracts. They are the
first American manufacturers to light the Ambrose channel at New York
harbor, one of the greatest harbors of the world. In the realm of illumina-
tion they are experts, and are prepared to handle any contract for illumina-
tion scientifically and expertly — from illuminating a house to seaport harbor
work. Their factory at Charleroi, Pennsylvania, is devoted to the manu-
facture of illuminating glass entirely, the factory having twelve acres under
roof and employing 1,400 people. Other factories are at Toledo, Ohio:
Elwood and Marion, Indiana, altogether employing 4,000 people in their
factories.
In politics Mr. Macbeth is an Independent, and although he has been
all his life too busy a man to take anj;^ active part in public affairs, no one
takes a more earnest interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of the
great city in the business world of which he wields so commanding an in-
fluence. He has in all his endeavors for progress and improvement stood
forth as an able exponent of the spirit of the age. making wise use of his
opportunities and wealth, and conforming his life to a high standard. He
is a member of the Pittsburgh Club; Rowfant Club of Cleveland, Ohio;
Grolier Club of New York, National Arts Club of New York, Transporta-
52 WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
tion Club of New York, Reform Club of New York; and of the Engineers'
Society of Western Pennsylvania. Mr. Macbeth is a director of the Carnegie
Institute, being a life member in the original board of trustees. He has
been chairman of the library committee of the Carnegie Institute since its
foundation. In religious belief Mr. Macbeth is a Swedenborgian.
June I, t88o, Mr. Macbeth married Miss Kate Vodges Dufif, daughter
of George Dufif, of Pittsburgh, of the old Pittsburgh family of this name,
and a prominent dealer in wholesale hardware. Children : Anna Vodges
Macbeth, married, June, 19 12, Judge Robert von Moschzisker, Judge of
the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania ; Helen Whitehill Macbeth, married W.
B. Boggess, M. D., of Pittsburgh ; George Dufif Macbeth, student at Yale
(Shefifield Scientific, class '13).
A man of action rather than words, Mr. Macbeth has demonstrated
public spirit by actual achievement which has advanced incalculably the
prosperity of the community. To the traditions of good citizenship and
honorable public service which have for generations been associated with
the name of Macbeth he has added the record of a manufacturer who has
acquired an international reputation by causing industry to go hand ir
hand with science.
(The Whitehill Line.)
James Whitehill, grandfather of Mrs. Rachel (Whitehill) Macbeth,
was born in 1700, and was twice married. His first wife died young, leaving
a son James, who was born January i, 1725, married, in June, 1751, and
died December 25, 1757. The second wife of James Whitehill was Rachel
Craswell, of Lancaster county, by whom he became the father of the follow-
ing children: John, born December i, 1729, married, August 13, 1755,
Nancy Sanderson; Jane, born June 25, 1731, died in March, 1740; Eliza-
beth, born July i, 1733, married, April i, 1752, Colonel James Moore;
Robert, mentioned below; Sarah, born January 19, 1737, married, March
15, 1760, George Stewart, and died May 12, 1778; Rachel, born June
15, 1739, married, June 15, 1772, Thomas Irwin, and died May 5 1812;
Margaret, born July i, 1741, married, January i, 1765 Robert Craig, and
died February 14, 1777; David, born May 24, 1743, married, April 8,
1770, Rachel Clemson ; and Joseph, mentioned below. James Whitehill,
the father of these sons and daughters, died February 2, 1766, at Pequea,
Lancaster county.
Robert, fourth child and second son of James and Rachel (Craswell)
Whitehill, was born July 24, 1735, and married, February i, 1759, Eleanor,
daughter of Adam and Mary Reed. Their children were: Adam, born
February 27, 1760, died April 25, 1780; Mary, born February i, 1762, died
in September, 1778; Rachel, mentioned below; James, born in 1766, died
May 12, 1832; Robert, mentioned below; Elizabeth, born March 6, 1770,
married Richard M. Grain; Eleanor, born February 9, 1773, died Novem-
ber 28, 1818; and John, born April 10, 1775, died November 30, 1816.
Robert Whitehill, the father, died April 8, 1813, in Cumberland county.
Joseph, youngest child of James and Rachel (Craswell) Whitehill, was
WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA 53
born August 2, 1746, and settled near Lebanon, Warren county, Ohio, be-
coming conspicuous as a politician and for some years serving as treasurer
of Ohio. He married. May 20, 1780, Mary Kennedy, and their children
were: James, born April 21, 1781, died January 18, 1810; Jane, born June
II, 1783, died February 15, 1865; Rachel, born February 15, 1785, married
Dr. Morris, of Lebanon, Ohio, and died April 27, 1856; Joseph, born De-
cember 30, 1786, died November 4, 1861 ; Mary, born October 19, 1788,
married, February 6, 1817, Thomas Smith, and died August 28, 1849;
Hannah, born November 28, 1790, successively married Freeman and
Judge Thomas Smith, and died November 25, i866; Susannah, born Octo-
ber 25, 1792, married, December 25, 1817, M. Tate, and died January 15,
1873; Thomas, born November 2, 1794, died July 18, 1816; Rebecca bom
October 21, 1796, married successively Cowan and Nathan Fiske, and
died April 13, 1838; and Julia Ann, born June 25, 1801, died in January,
1813. Joseph Whitehill, the father of this family, died March 25, 1808
Rachel, daughter of Robert and Eleanor (Reed) Whitehill, was born
May 6, 1764, and became the wife of Alexander Macbeth, as mentioned
above.
Robert, son of Robert and Eleanor (Reed) Whitehill, was born Sep-
tember 13, 1768, and studied law with Edmund Randolph, of Philadelphia.
A highly cultured man, he enjoyed the close friendship of many distinguished
people, notably that of General Lafayette, with whom he travelled during
his tour of the United States; and he was groomsman at the wedding of
two of the daughters of Thomas Jefiferson. Robert Whitehill died August
27, 1829.
(The Bayard Line.)
The original patronymic of this ancient and noble family was du Terrall,
a name rendered illustrious by the celebrated knight Pierre du Terrall,
Seigneur de Bayard. He died unmarried, April 30, 1524, aged forty-eight.
Subsequently the family took the name of Bayard, derived from their
chateau in Dauphiny, about six miles from Grenoble. The province was
largely Huguenot, and among those who embraced "the religion" were the
Bayards. During the persecutions of the sixteenth century some members
of the family fled to Holland, where one of them married Anna Stuyvesant,
a sister of Peter Stuyvesant, the first Dutch governor of New York, then
New Amsterdam. When he came to take possession of his province, in
1647, his sister, then a widow, accompanied him with her children. Thus
was planted on the shores of the New World a race in whose veins flowed
the blood of the du Terralls and Stuyvesants, of the good knight "with-
out fear and without reproach," and of the valiant soldier-governor of the
province of New Netherlands. Petrus, son of and Anna (Stuyvesant)
Bayard became the possessor of property on Bohemia Manor. Samuel, son
of Petrus Bayard, inherited the property and married Susanna Bouchelle.
Samuel, son of Samuel and Susanna (Bouchelle) Bayard, married Francina
Mauldan, and they became the parents of a large family. Peter, son of
Samuel and Francina (Mauldan) Bayard, was born June 16, 1732, married,
54 WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
and became the father of several children. Samuel, son of Peter Bayard,
was born February 20, 1763, married Elizabeth Woods, and died May
8, 1814. Frances A., daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Woods) Bayard,
became the wife of James Reed Macbeth, as mentioned above.
In making settlement in a new country, it is said, the emi-
WILLIAMS grants (if allowed a choice) chose the locality most nearly
resembling in topography the land of their birth. Thus
we find the Dutch settlers chose the lowlands along rivers and sea, while
the Scotch and Welsh chose more mountainous regions. So when John G.
Williams came from his home in Wales to the United States, a young man
of twenty-four years, he selected the mountainous city of Pittsburgh, al-
though trade conditions first impelled a residence in Maryland or Virginia,
also in mountain districts. He was an iron mill worker, and first found
employment at Ellicott City, Maryland, where he married Caroline Snyder,
born there.
In 1836 he moved to Richmond, Virginia, where his son, Andrew G.
Williams, was born. He worked in the iron mills of Richmond until 1842,
then moved to Pittsburgh, working in the iron and steel mills there until
1848, then worked in Kittanning, Pennsylvania, a short time, thence to
Etna, near Pittsburgh. In January, 1850, he became one of the incorporators
of the Mechanics Iron Works, a cooperative mill which existed until 1854.
In 1856 he went to Paducah, Kentucky, as superintendent of the Southern
Iron Works. In 1858 he returned to Etna, where he was in the employ
of Spang & Company, iron manufacturers. In 1865 he became manager
of a Pittsburgh mill, making steel by a newly discovered process, continuing
until November, t868, when he was killed in a boiler explosion in his own
mill, leaving a widow and seven children. His widow survived until June,
1904, dying at the home of her daughter in Pittsburgh, aged eighty-eight
years.
Andrew G. Williams was born in Richmond, Virginia, September 8,
1840. He attended public schools in the cities in which his parents resided,
until reaching the age of twelve years, when he began working in the mills,
learning the trade of nail maker. He continued at his work until 1861,
v/hen the war between the States excited his military ardor. He was active
in securing recruits, and, when his company was fully made up, was elected
captain. This command he declined, not yet having quite attained his
majority, and preferring to serve in the ranks. He went to the front with
Company E, 63rd Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, which as
part of the great Army of the Potomac participated in the hard-fought
bloody battles of the Peninsula, including the Seven Days fights; also
Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, and many other historic battles
of the Civil War, numbering thirty engagements, in several of which Cap-
tain Williams took part, save when in the hospital from wounds. He was
wounded at Fredericksburg, December 15, 1862, and again at the Wilder-
ness, where he lay on the field of battle four days, supposedly dead. After
the Second Bull Run he was promoted and commissioned captain of his
WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA 55
company, continuing in command until his severe wounds, received at the
Wilderness, so disabled him that he could no longer serve. He was honor-
ably discharged and mustered out August 6, 1864, then returning to his
home in Etna. For more than a year he was unable to work, his wounds
in hand and head refusing to close.
In 1865 he attempted to resume work, but the effort was too great and
he was compelled to seek employment at other than manual labor. He took
a full course at Duff's Business College in Pittsburgh, whence he was
graduated and became a bookkeeper. He now began the study of law under
a private tutor in Pittsburgh, and so well did he improve the time that in
1876, after coming to Butler, he was admitted to the Butler county bar.
He at once began practice alone in Butler, continuing until 1879, when he
formed a partnership with Alexander Mitchell, also a veteran of the Civil
War. The firm of Williams & Mitchell has now been in continuous and
successful practice for thirty-four years, and with the exception of one
day, their office has never been closed on a secular day. That one excep-
tion was when their respective regiments held a reunion nearby, and the
two old veterans closed up and spent the day with their old comrades in
arms. After the first six months of partnership they moved to their present
ofifice at No. no East Diamond street, and have never had other quarters.
They are successful lawyers and command a large and lucrative practice
in all State and Federal courts of the district. They are both members of
the State and County Bar Associations, and are held in high esteem by
their brethren of the bar.
Mr. Williams is a life-long Republican, always active, and as a cam-
paign speaker greatly in demand and one contributing largely to party
success. In November, 1890, he was elected to the Pennsylvania House
of Assembly, serving one term, but declining a second nomination. In
November, 1900, he was elected State Senator from the Forty-first District,
composed of the counties of Butler and Armstrong. He was a hard working
valuable legislator, rendering efficient service on important committees. He
also served six years on the Soldiers' Orphans School Commission, four
years representing the Senate, and two years by appointment of tlie Gov-
ernor, representing the Grand Army of the Republic. Since his retiring
from the Senate, Captain Williams has given his entire time to his law
practice. He has acquired large business interests and is interested in
various commercial and banking enterprises as stockholder. He is a past
commander of the A. G. Reed Post No. 105, Grand Army of the Republic ;
past colonel of Encampment No. 45, Union Veteran Legion ; and has been
a delegate to the National and State encampments of the Grand Army of
the Republic. He is an Odd Fellow, and has attained high honors in the
Masonic order. He is past master of Zeredatha Lodge No. 448, Free and
Accepted Masons; a companion of Allegheny Chapter No. 218, Royal Arch
Masons ; past eminent commander of Allegheny Commandery No. 35,
Knights Templar; and is now grand junior warden of the Grand Com-
mandery, Knights Templar, of the State of Pennsylvania. He is also a
member of Pennsylvania Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Pitts-
56 WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
burgh, Pennsylvania, in which he has attained the thirty-second degree.
He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, active in church and
Sunday school, having been an official member of both since 1865. His
wife and family are also active members of the same church. In 1884 Cap-
tain Williams was lay delegate from the Pittsburgh Conference to the
General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church held in Philadelphia.
He is now corresponding secretary of the Layman's Association of the
Pittsburgh Conference.
He married (first), January 19, 1863 (while home from the army,
wounded), Lucinda A., daughter of Joseph Lee, of Etna, Pennsylvania.
Children : Carrie, Jessie L. and Anastatia ; all grew to adult age, married,
but are now deceased. Mrs. Williams died in August, 1870. He married
(second), November 16, 1876, Emma S., daughter of Benjamin and Almira
(Seavey) Ramage. Children: John G., now assistant secretary of the
Allegheny Trust Company ; Benjamin R., a lawyer of Butler ; Andrew G.
(2), a draughtsman of Chicago; Mary Elanore, living at home.
The history of Pennsylvania is largely a history of her Bench and
FOX Bar. Wisely and ably have her judges and advocates interpreted
her laws and defended her liberties, and worthily has the record
of the past been supplemented by those who now stand at the head of the
legal profession in the Keystone State. Foremost among the present leaders
of the Pennsylvania bar is State Senator John E. Fox, of Harrisburg, head
of the well known firm of Fox & Geyer, and for the last quarter of a century
an influential factor in the legal and political circles of his city and State.
Senator Fox is a representative of an old Pennsylvania family, the members
of which in the successive generations have been closely identified with the
industrial, financial and political development of the commonwealth.
John Fox, great-grandfather of John E. Fox, of Harrisburg, was born
in 1 75 1, in Devonshire, England, and in early manhood, accompanied by his
brother Joseph, emigrated to this country, settling first at Germantown, in
the Province of Pennsylvania. In 1799 he settled in what was then London-
derry township, Lancaster county, near Hummelstown, and there passed the
remainder of his life. He married Anna Margaret Rupert, born December
14, 1756, in Holland, and their children were: John, Margaret, Thomas,
George, mentioned below ; James, and Richard. John Fox, the eldest of
this family, served from 1831 to 1833 as a member of the House of Repre-
sentatives of Pennsylvania, filled the office of sheriff two terms, and faith-
fully discharged the duties of various positions in the township. John Fox,
the father of the family, died April 25, 1816. and his widow passed away
October 21, 1838.
George, son of John and Anna Margaret (Rupert) Fox, was born
December 17, 1788, in what was then Londonderry township, Dauphin
county. He was reared on a farm, and became proprietor of the Golden
House, Hummelstown. Politically he was a Whig, and for thirty-five years
held the office of postmaster of Hummelstown, fulfilling its requirements
with the utmost fidelity and efficiency. He was active in all measures for
WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA 57
reform and progress, and in all respects a model citizen. He and his wife
were members of the Lutheran church. Mr. Fox married Elizabeth, born
December 3, 1794, daughter of Caspar and Mary Eshenauer, and the follow-
ing children were born to them : Richard, John E., George, James, Abner,
and Thomas George, mentioned below. Mr. Fox died August 25, 1855,
and the death of his widow occurred April 8, 1862.
Thomas George, .son of George and Elizabeth (Eshenauer) Fox, was
born July 19, 1827, in Hummelstown, where he attended the subscription
schools until the age of fourteen, going then to Harrisburg in order to learn
printing. After spending four years in the office of the "Telegraph," he
went to Philadelphia, and for two years was employed as clerk in the Ex-
change Bank. At the end of that time, having a strong predilection for the
medical profession, he entered Jefferson Medical College, from which in-
stitution he was graduated with honors in 1852. He at once opened an office
in Hummelstown, where for many years he was the leading medical practi-
tioner. In 1873 he retired from the active practice of his profession. In
1861-63 Dr. Fox was a member of the State Legislature, in 1873 was elected
prothonotary of Dauphin county, and at the expiration of his first term was
re-elected. He was a member and at one time president of the Board of
Prison Inspectors of the county, and for many years served as school di-
rector. Dr. Fox is the owner of six hundred acres of land, and his pro-
fessional ability and public spirit have long caused him to be regarded as
the leading citizen of his community. He married, in Hummelstown, May
II, 1852, Diana, born July 12. 1832, in Derry township, daughter of Henry
and Mary (Landis) Hershey, and they became the parents of the following
children: L. Webster, a leading oculist in Philadelphia, and professor of
ophthalmology in the Medico-Chirurgical College; Elizabeth; Robert T.,