Biography of Frank McClellan

Frank McClellan. After many years employed as an educator in Kansas, Frank McClellan turned his attention to business affairs at Coffeyville, and now has one of the leading offices there for insurance and loans. His birthplace was Bedford, Pennsylvania, where he was born January 21, 1860. His grandfather, Abraham McClellan, was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1798, came to the United States when a young man, becoming a farmer and stock raiser in Pennsylvania. He died at Rainsburg, Pennsylvania, in 1883. On account of his service in the state militia he was familiarly known as Captain McClellan. Captain McClellan married … Read more

Philadelphia To Steubenville

Monday, Oct. 4, 1819.–Dr. Hall and myself left Philadelphia at 1 o’clock p. m. after taking an affectionate leave of friends and acquaintances. Fair and pleasant weather, and the roads very fine in consequence of a refreshing shower of rain which fell on the night previous to our setting out. After traveling twenty-two miles and passing some rich and well-cultivated farms we arrived at West Chester at 7 o’clock. West Chester contains about 600 inhabitants, several places of worship, a gaol, etc., etc. A man named Downey is confined in the gaol of this place for debt. He was once … Read more

Bedford County, Pennsylvania Census

1790 Bedford County, Pennsylvania Census 1800 Bedford County, Pennsylvania Census 1810 Bedford County, Pennsylvania Census Hosted at Census Guide 1820 Bedford County, Pennsylvania Census 1830 Bedford County, Pennsylvania Census 1840 Bedford County, Pennsylvania Census 1850 Bedford County, Pennsylvania Census 1860 Bedford County, Pennsylvania Census 1870 Bedford County, Pennsylvania Census 1880 Bedford County, Pennsylvania Census 1890 Bedford County, Pennsylvania Census

Chief Pontiac of the Ottawa’s

Map of Pontiacs War

Immediately after the peace of 1763 all the French forts in the west as far as Green Bay were garrisoned with English troops; and the Indians now began to realize, but too late, what they had long apprehended the selfish designs of both French and English threatening destruction, if not utter annihilation, to their entire race. These apprehensions brought upon the theatre of Indian warfare, at that period of time, the most remarkable Indian in the annals of history, Pontiac, the chief of the Ottawa’s and the principal sachem of the Algonquin Confederacy. He was not only distinguished for his … Read more

The Michael Fetter Family

The Michael Fetter Family

Welcome to a journey through the annals of time, one that is deeply rooted in the lives of the Fetters family and the world they inhabited. The History of the Michael Fetters family, a culmination of a quarter-century worth of research, is an enriching tapestry of generational experiences, shared ambitions, and compelling stories that echo through centuries. This book invites you to traverse a fascinating timeline, beginning with an announcement of the discovery of the 1703/04 baptism of Johann Michael Vetter in Freinsheim, Germany. We then explore the lives of Vetter and his siblings, journeying with them as they brave the waves of migration to America between 1728 and 1738, escaping the Palatinate’s persistent turmoil and religious intolerance. With each chapter, we delve deeper into the narratives of the Fetters family, unfolding their tale of endurance and courage as they venture into the wild frontiers of Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana.

Biographical Sketch of William F. Horton

William F. Horton, farmer, Sec. 17; P. O. Mattoon; owns 231½ acres; was born in Bedford Co., Penn., Jan. 31, 1824; moved to this county with his parents in 1837; went to Cumberland Co., in 1838, and returned to Coles Co. in November, 1861, where he has since resided. He was married to Emeline Dryden Feb. 1, 1849; she was born in Tennessee Sept. 15, 1821, and has had seven children, two of whom are living, viz., Mary E. and William D.; deceased are R. H., Alice, Amarintha and two infants not named. Mr. Horton has been School Director and … Read more

Biography of William H. Reed

William H. Reed. By reason of the extent and quality of his usefulness, his commercial soundness and acumen, his public spirit, his integrity, and his nearness to the fundamental requirements of citizenship, William H. Reed affords in his career an excellent and encouraging example of success gained through the proper use of every day abilities and opportunities. He laboriously climbed every round of the mercantile ladder, and so ably did he make use of his opportunities, that he was able to retire from activities in the evening of life, and is now quietly residing at his comfortable home at Topeka. … Read more

Biography of S. G. Isett, Col.

Col. S. G. Isett. In the history of the oil industry in Kansas there is no better known figure than Col. S. G. Isett, the man who made Chanute famous. He had been connected with the production and handling of oil since 1902, and had been identified with some of the most famous wells the country had known. Colonel Iselt had had an interesting and spectacular career, featured by incidents and experiences any one of which would have satisfied the ordinary individual’s desire for adventure; but while he bears bodily scars as mementos of the thrilling times through which he … Read more

Biography of John D. M. Conrad

John D. M. Conrad. Among the most interesting men of Salina are those who can justly be named pioneers of this fair city. They have a wealth of experience that no later comers can claim, and it is because of their courage and enterprise that such rich and rapid development had taken place. In John D. M. Conrad, who is the only survivor of a once very important body, the first city council of Salina, is found not only a pioneer of this section but also a veteran of honorable record of the great Civil war. John D. M. Conrad … Read more

Biography of Deacon John A. Boyer

A man remembered only by the older generation of Rock Island County’s citizens was Deacon John A Boyer, deceased. He was born at Bedford, Pennsylvania, October 16, 1809. During a portion of his boyhood his parents lived at Paris, Kentucky, and later removed to Indiana. In 1837 he came to this county and settled in what was then the town of Stephenson. In 1838 Mr. Boyer was united in marriage to Mrs. Zeruiah Phillips, whose maiden name was Zeruiah Robbins. The following year Mr. and Mrs. Boyer moved to the farm at the south end of what is now Thirtieth … Read more

Biography of David Stewart Elliott, Capt.

Capt. David Stewart Elliott. For more than half a century the name Elliott has been one of important associations with Kansas history. The quality of public service has distinguished the family in all generations. The first of the name in Kansas was a Pennsylvania soldier, also named David Stewart Elliott, who was killed by Quantrell’s band of raiders during the Civil war. The late Capt. David Stewart Elliott of Coffeyville, long known as a lawyer, editor, fraternal organizer, and soldier, also gave up his life as a sacrifice to the country during the Philippine war. Several of the children of … Read more

Biography of Col. James Taylor

COL. JAMES TAYLOR. – The immigration of 1845 was large, and furnished many of the leading men of the Northwest, among that number being Colonel James Taylor of Astoria, Oregon. Although now past eighty years of age, he is still one of the active citizens of a city which boasts of many men of energy. He is one of the fathers of the place, not only in point of time, but as owner of considerable property in the city and adjacent country, embracing the heights west of the city, which will one day be occupied with handsome residences, as they … Read more

Biographical Sketch of George Diehl

George Diehl, farmer and stock-dealer, Sec. 7; P. O. Mattoon; owns 278 acres; was born in Bedford Co., Penn., Oct. 12, 1811, and lived with his parents on the farm in that State until the year 1837, when he came to Coles Co. He was married Feb. 23, 1842, to Mary E. Jeffries, who was born in Grayson Co., Ky., Feb. 23, 1824; died Nov. 27, 1849. Mr. Diehl was then married April 20, 1854, to Catharine Fuller, who was born in Virginia about the year 1821; died July 16, 1871. Mr. Diehl was then married Dec. 12, 1873, to … Read more

Biography of William Thomas Grove, M. D.

William Thomas Grove, M. D. Doctor Grove had been one of the foremost physicians and surgeons of Eureka for twenty-two years. He is a man of high attainments in the profession. While most of his work had been in general lines he is a recognized expert in diseases of the eye, car, nose and throat and had largely specialized in that department of practice. His standing as a citizen is not less than that he enjoys in his profession. Doctor Grove found the road to a professional career somewhat uneven and punctuated with difficulties. He began working for his own … Read more

Biography of Joseph C Foster

Joseph C. Foster, carrying on general farming interests for many years in East River township but now leaving the arduous labor of the farm to others, although he still gives to it his general supervision, was born in Madison county, Ohio, December 23, 1826. He is a son of Joshua and Sarah (Silver) Foster, both of whom were natives of Bedford county, Pennsylvania. The father was born there May 17, 1794, and when six years of age accompanied his parents to Ross county, Ohio, where he lived until eighteen years of age. A removal was then made to Madison county, … Read more

Bedford County, Pennsylvania Cemetery Records

Most of these are complete indices at the time of transcription, however, in some cases we list the listing when it is only a partial listing. Cemeteries hosted at Bedford County PAGenWeb Project Bedford County Cemetery List Cemeteries hosted at Bedford County Pennsylvania USGenWeb Archives Barley Cemetery: South Of Bakers Summit Bedford Presbyterian Churchyard Burial Records Calhoun Cemetery, West Providence Twp. Calhoun Cemetery, West Providence Twp. Crum Cemetery: New Paris Fletcher Cemetery: Monroe Twp Hetrick Cemetery: South Woodbury Twp. Hinish Cemetery: Hopewell Twp. Partial James O’neal Cemetery, West Providence Twp. Mt. Union Cemetery: Spruce Hollow Unnamed Cemetery, Hopewell Township Yellow … Read more

Biography of William Henry Francis

William Henry Francis. Among the men foremost in Montgomery County identified with industrial enterprises, those who have become widely known by reason of the magnitude of their operations and the extent of their trade connections, few are better known than is William Henry Francis, superintendent and manager of the Coffeyville Vitrified Brick and Tile Company’s plants at Coffeyville, Collinsville, Cherryvale and Fort Smith. Mr. Francis has spent his entire career in the business in which he is now engaged, and is maintaining the prestige in business circles attained by his honored father, the late George Francis. William H. Francis was … Read more

Biography of James Howard Beegle

James Howard Beegle. While the development of oil properties had not been, perhaps, so spectacular in Kansas as in some other states, it had been a steady, remunerative business since the beginning and the work had enlisted the interest and services of some of the most farsighted men of the state after they have had experiences in the same line in other and older sections. One of these keen business men is James Howard Beegle, oil well contractor and producer and owner of numerous profitable producing wells, in the neighborhood of Neodesha, Kansas, which had been his home since 1903. … Read more