McKean County Archives - Page 2 of 10 - Pennsylvania Genealogy

The Wright Family of Coleville, Pennsylvania

Old town hall, Allegheny City, torn down in 1863

This family history traces the Wrights of McKean County from Rensselaer Wright, a self-made farmer, hotel proprietor, lumberman, and county official, to his descendants who became prominent in the region’s lumber and oil industries. It highlights the family’s reputation for honesty, justice, patriotism, and long life, then follows Charles C. Wright and especially James Burdette Wright, whose career expanded from local timber work into major lumber operations, railroad building, and business partnerships. The article also records marriages, children, church affiliations, and connections to other pioneer Pennsylvania families, preserving a detailed portrait of several generations in Coleville and neighboring communities.

The Sharp Family of Kane, Pennsylvania

This genealogy traces the Sharp family from its Scotch-Irish Presbyterian roots in Scotland and Ulster to early settlement in Pennsylvania, then follows several generations into Lawrence County and Kane. It highlights Robert C. Sharp, a businessman who moved to Kane in 1885, organized the Valley Gas Company, and remained active in local industry and politics. The account also profiles his wife, Ellen Ramsey, their children, and especially Reuben Johnson Sharp, whose work in the Kane post office, journalism, civic organizations, and Republican politics made him a prominent figure in the community.

The Armstrong Family of Smethport, Pennsylvania

This genealogical sketch traces the Armstrong family from its Scottish origins through early New England settlers to the Smethport, Pennsylvania, branch. It follows the line from Benjamin Armstrong of Norwich, Connecticut, through successive generations to Alexander McLane Armstrong and his sons Alvin Backus Armstrong and Martin Luther Armstrong. The article blends family descent with local history, noting military service, migration from Connecticut to New York and Iowa, and the family’s strong ties to Presbyterian faith and community life. It also highlights Alvin B. Armstrong’s long career in Smethport business, banking, utilities, and public service, as well as Martin Luther Armstrong’s success in jewelry and civic affairs.

The Redfield Family of Smethport, Pennsylvania

This genealogy traces the Redfield line from its probable English roots and early New England beginnings through eight generations, beginning with William Redfin, an early immigrant to Massachusetts and Connecticut. It follows the family’s gradual name change from Redfin to Redfield and documents marriages, children, occupations, and moves through Connecticut, Vermont, and New York. The account also highlights later descendants who settled in Pennsylvania, especially the branch connected with Smethport, including newspaper correspondent Horace Victor Eugene Redfield and banker Horace Hamlin Redfield. The article combines family history with biographical details from the Allegheny Valley region.

The Kimmel Family of Bradford, Pennsylvania

A detailed family history traces the Kimmel line from Tobias Musser Kimmel, a German immigrant who settled in Coitsville, Ohio, to later generations in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and beyond. It outlines the lives of his children and descendants, including farmers, tradesmen, church members, and Civil War veteran Abraham Kimmel, who endured imprisonment at Andersonville. The article then follows Abraham’s daughter Viola A. Kimmel, who moved to Bradford, Pennsylvania, after marrying contractor John Coyne, and records their children and extended Coyne connections. Rich in names, dates, marriages, and migrations, the piece presents a carefully preserved genealogical record of one interconnected family.

The Fleming Family of Bradford, Pennsylvania

This genealogy traces the Fleming family from its Scottish origins and early support of Robert Bruce through its migration to Virginia and later settlement in Pennsylvania. It follows several generations in Indiana and Armstrong counties, detailing marriages, children, occupations, church affiliations, and political views. The account centers especially on William Martin Fleming and his descendants, including Samuel Martin Fleming and Samuel M. Fleming, whose life moved from Pennsylvania’s oil fields to business in Custer City. Based on a 1913 source, the article preserves a family history that links colonial America, westward movement, and local Pennsylvania life.

The Smiley Family of Union City, Pennsylvania

This genealogical sketch traces the Smiley family from Scotch and north of Ireland roots to settlers in New England and, later, western Pennsylvania. It follows several generations, beginning with Thomas Smiley and his descendants, especially James Smiley, a Revolutionary War and War of 1812 veteran who settled in Union City and helped establish the town’s first mill. The article continues with Moses Smiley and his children, including merchants, bankers, farmers, and civic leaders, and concludes with Perry Smiley, a Civil War cavalry veteran who later became a prominent railroad and oil-region superintendent in Bradford.

The Abbott Family of Bradford, Pennsylvania

This genealogical sketch traces the Abbott line from early New England ancestors to a Bradford, Pennsylvania family active in lumbering, hotels, real estate, and civic life. It follows successive generations from Captain Thomas Abbott in colonial Massachusetts through descendants in Maine, New York, and eventually McKean County. The article highlights Philip Harris Abbott’s move to Bradford in 1848 and the varied careers of his sons, especially James Polk Abbott, a hotel proprietor and businessman, and James Emoroy Abbott, a newspaper worker, sign painter, and local public official. Family marriages, children, and community connections are recorded in detail.

The Fuller Family of Bradford, Pennsylvania

This genealogical sketch traces the Fuller family from its early New England roots through later generations in New York and western Pennsylvania, with a particular focus on the branch that settled near Bradford. It follows Chase Fuller and his children, many of whom became farmers, oil producers, tradesmen, or public servants in New York, Pennsylvania, and beyond. The account then centers on Zoroaster Chase Fuller, his move to McKean County, his Civil War service, and his family with Sila G. Wickes. It concludes with the life of their daughter Hattie Emeline Fuller Chesney and her husband, physician Hance Cooper Chesney, highlighting the family’s ties to local history, education, medicine, and church life.

The Hamlin Family of Smethport, Pennsylvania

This detailed genealogy traces the Hamlin family from its European origins to its establishment in New England and eventual prominence in Smethport, Pennsylvania. Beginning with early English and colonial ancestors, the account follows successive generations through Barnstable, Sharon, and other communities, noting marriages, children, civic roles, military service, and church leadership. It gives particular attention to Dr. Asa L. Hamlin, his son Orlo James Hamlin, and later descendants who became physicians, lawyers, merchants, bankers, and public servants. The article also highlights the family’s ties to the development of McKean County, especially through business, education, and religious philanthropy.