This series is based upon J. W. Jordans 1913 Genealogical and personal history of the Allegheny Valley, Pennsylvania. Only the structure and formatting have been changed for clearer presentation; the genealogical and biographical content has been preserved.
Showing 1–20 of 38 articles
The Dempsey Family of Bradford, Pennsylvania
The American ancestor of the Dempsey family of Bradford, Pennsylvania, herein recorded, was Lawrence Dempsey, born in Ireland, of Scotch ancestors. He first became a resident of Center county, Pennsylvania, soon after the close of the revolution. In 1797 he penetrated the wilds of the Upper Allegheny Valley to the lands open to settlement on the general terms presented by the state. He was the first settler in the region and made his first improvement on the “Cauvel” farm, not far from the old graveyard near Dempseytown, a hamlet named in his honor. Here he planted an orchard, one of…
The Hatfield Family of Bradford, Pennsylvania
This genealogical sketch traces the Hatfield family from early New England and New York roots to later generations in Pennsylvania. It follows the line from Matthias and Thomas Hatfield through Gilbert Hatfield of White Plains to Daniel Hatfield, a ship carpenter who settled in Bradford, and his son Griffin, who became a businessman, oil producer, and civic leader there. The account details marriages, children, occupations, religious affiliations, and migrations across New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania, showing how the family expanded into several regions and established itself in trade, farming, and the oil industry.
The Jaynes Family of Bradford, Pennsylvania
This genealogy traces the Jaynes family from English academic and religious roots to settlement in colonial New York and later migration into Pennsylvania. It follows several generations, including Revolutionary War service by Captain Timothy Jayne and the family’s eventual move westward into Indiana and Westmoreland counties. The article then focuses on Joseph Wallace Jaynes, a blacksmith and Bradford resident, and his son James Milton Jaynes, whose career ranged from oil-field work to mercantile and insurance business. Along the way, it records family marriages, children, occupations, military service, and community affiliations, offering a detailed portrait of a family’s long American lineage.
The Wagner Family of Bradford, Pennsylvania
This article traces the Wagner family line from German immigrant John Wagoner through several generations in New York and Pennsylvania, showing how the surname shifted between Wagoner, Waggoner, and Wagner. It follows John Henry Waggoner and his descendants into western New York and then focuses on Martin Ward Wagner, who settled in Bradford, Pennsylvania, built and managed the Wagner Opera House, expanded theatrical operations with Moses Reis, and later pursued farming, real estate, and civic service. The account also connects the Wagners to the Frank family, outlining intermarriage and the broader family network that shaped their history in the region.
The Sloan Family of Bradford, Pennsylvania
This genealogy traces the Sloan line from James Sloan, an Irish immigrant who settled in Washington County, Pennsylvania, through several generations of farmers, craftsmen, and community leaders. It follows his son John Sloan and the Murphy connection, then details the many children and descendants who lived in Washington, Allegheny, Butler, and other Pennsylvania counties, with some branches moving west. The account closes with James Mitchell Sloan of Bradford, who shifted from farming and carpentry to oil production and later established a successful undertaking business, while remaining active in local government and the Methodist Episcopal Church.
The McIntyre Family of Bradford, Pennsylvania
This genealogical sketch traces the McIntyre line from Scotch roots to its establishment in western Pennsylvania, following the family from Grandfather McIntyre’s migration through New York to Sugargrove and later Bradford. It outlines the ministry and community work of Nathaniel McIntyre, including his service in the United Brethren church and his marriages and children, then gives a fuller account of Richard E. McIntyre’s life. Richard’s story highlights his early work in oil-region hauling, lumbering, farming, and butchering, as well as his successful meat business in Bradford and his church and fraternal affiliations.
The McVay Family of Bradford, Pennsylvania
This genealogical sketch traces the McVay line from Patrick McVay of Londonderry, Ireland, through his son John, who emigrated to New York and later settled in Bradford, Pennsylvania. It follows the family’s movement from farming in Ireland into American occupations tied to the oil industry, including drilling, contracting, producing, and related work in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky, and Colorado. The account also notes the family’s Catholic faith, Democratic and Independent political ties, civic involvement in Bradford, and connections by marriage to the Cummings family. Several children and descendants are identified across multiple generations and locations.
The Backus Family of Bradford, Pennsylvania
This genealogy traces the Backus line from early New England settlers to later branches established in Pennsylvania and New York, emphasizing the family’s long public, religious, and professional service. It follows successive generations from William Backus of colonial Connecticut through Lebbeus Backus, Thomas L. Backus, Rev. William Backus, and the Smethport descendants Frank Ward Backus and Harry Llewellyn Backus. The account also includes the related Windsor and Couch families, especially Major John Couch Backus, a lawyer, legislator, and Civil War officer, and Mary Almira Backus. Together, the sketches show how the family became prominent in Smethport and surrounding communities.
The Chatley Family of Bradford, Pennsylvania
This genealogy traces the Chatley family from Francis Chatley, an Irish immigrant who settled in Beaver County and raised a large family in Pennsylvania, through several generations in Mercer County and beyond. It follows the lives of his children and descendants, including farmers, teachers, ministers, oil workers, and church members, with details on marriages, residences, and children. The account gives special attention to John Chatley and his son Homer, whose career moved from teaching to oil production in Bradford, Pennsylvania, while also connecting the family to allied lines such as the Bowmans, Alexanders, Browns, and Stewarts.
The Freeman Family of Custer City, Pennsylvania
This article traces several generations of the Freeman family from the early New England settler Edmund Freeman through later descendants who moved from Massachusetts and Connecticut into New Hampshire, Vermont, and eventually McKean County, Pennsylvania. It follows the line in detail, noting marriages, children, and places of residence, while also highlighting military service in the Revolution and the War of 1812, Harvard education, farming, and church leadership. The narrative concludes with the Custer City branch, including William Chadwick Freeman and his descendants, and the marriage of Effie Evangeline Freeman to Rev. Thomas Eugene Evans, whose ministry and later farm life…
The Irvine family of Bradford, Pennsylvania
This genealogy traces the Irvine family’s Scotch-Irish origins from Fermanagh, Ireland, to Pennsylvania, highlighting Revolutionary War service and later generations in Bradford, Warren, Towanda, and Cattaraugus County. It follows General William Irvine and his brothers, then Andrew Irvine’s move from Towanda to Warren and his descendants, especially Benjamin F. Irvine, who established Irvine’s Mills in New York. The account also profiles Mary A. Irvine Andrews and her husband, Harper G. Andrews, a Civil War veteran who settled in Bradford. Additional Leonard family ancestry is included to show the maternal line connected to Rebecca (Leonard) Irvine.
The Olds Family of Bradford, Pennsylvania
This genealogical sketch traces the Olds family from Thomas Olds of New Hampshire through his son Ezekiel, who settled in Ohio and later Illinois, and then follows the descendants of Ezekiel’s daughter Cynthia Olds Chapman. It outlines several generations of marriages, children, migrations, and deaths, while also giving a biographical portrait of Cynthia’s husband, William Brooke Chapman, a lawyer, Civil War veteran, and Bradford, Pennsylvania resident. The article places the family within the broader history of northeastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania, noting civic service, church ties, and the continuing presence of descendants in several states.
The Catlin Family of Bradford, Pennsylvania
This genealogical sketch traces the Catlin family from its English roots in Kent through several generations in Connecticut and New York, beginning with Thomas Catlin, an early colonial settler in Hartford. It follows the line through John, Samuel, Isaac, Elisha, Dewey, and Oren Catlin, noting marriages, children, occupations, and civic roles along the way. The account also connects the family to the Dewey lineage and includes the biography of Ellen Virginia Catlin Stanton, whose husband, Norman J. Stanton, served in the Civil War and later held important public offices in Bradford, Pennsylvania.
The Mallory Family of Bradford, Pennsylvania
This was an ancient and distinguished family long seated at Studley Royal, in Yorkshire, England. Of this family was Captain Roger Mallory, who founded a line in the Virginia colony about 1660, and some of whose descendants located in Pennsylvania. (I) Nathaniel Mallory Nathaniel Mallory, born at Middletown, Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, was undoubtedly a descendant of Captain Roger Mallory, of Virginia. After growing to manhood he removed to western Pennsylvania. He married and left a son John, of whom further. (II) John Mallory John, son of Nathaniel Mallory, was born in western Pennsylvania, in 1794, died at Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania,…
The Hawkins Family of Bradford, Pennsylvania
This genealogical sketch traces the Hawkins family from early Westmoreland County roots to Bradford, Pennsylvania, showing a progression from farming to ministry and then to business leadership. It outlines Thomas Hawkins and his descendants, including David Riley Hawkins, a Methodist Episcopal minister remembered for his faith and anti-slavery views, and Major Adam Clarke Hawkins, who built a career in mercantile work, river commerce, and Bradford’s oil industry. The article also notes family marriages, children, public service, church ties, and civic involvement, offering a detailed account of several generations connected to western Pennsylvania history.
The Benninghoff Family of Bradford, Pennsylvania
This genealogy traces the Benninghoff line from a German family established for centuries to successive generations in Pennsylvania, following Frederick, John, George, and Dr. George Edward Benninghoff. It outlines the family’s migrations through Lehigh, Union, Clearfield, Venango, and Mercer counties, along with marriages and descendants connected to local communities. The account highlights John Benninghoff’s rise as an oil-region landowner and the notorious robbery of his safe, then turns to George Benninghoff’s farming and oil interests. It concludes with Dr. George Edward Benninghoff’s medical career in Bradford, his professional affiliations, and his family.
The Ash Family of Bradford, Pennsylvania
This article presents a genealogical and biographical sketch of the Ash family, tracing its origins from Germany through Canada to western Pennsylvania. It follows Dunham Ash, a veterinary surgeon who settled in Kingston, Ontario, and his descendants, including Dr. Dunham E. Ash, born in Erie County, Pennsylvania, who built a medical practice in Bradford while also engaging in oil business and civic service. The account outlines family connections, marriages, children, and the public roles of several members, offering a detailed record of migration, education, profession, and community life across multiple generations.
The Artley Family of Williamsport, Pennsylvania
This genealogical sketch traces several generations of the Artley and Cowan families, beginning with Abraham Artley, a Tioga County farmer and church member, and following his descendants through Williamsport, Liberty, Jersey Shore, Bradford, and other Pennsylvania communities. It highlights Jonas Artley’s work as a hotelkeeper and oil businessman, along with the family’s civic, religious, and fraternal ties. The article also follows John Huling Artley’s move into the oil industry and connects the Artleys through marriage to the Cowan line, including William Carl Cowan and Civil War veteran George J. Cowan. Together, the families reflect regional migration, occupations, and kinship across…
The Haggerty Family of Bradford, Pennsylvania
This genealogical sketch traces the Haggerty family from Henry Haggerty, a Belfast-born farmer and cattle dealer who settled in Canada in 1835, through his son John, a trained stonemason and livestock buyer, to John’s son John (2), who built a successful career in Pennsylvania. Born in Canada, John (2) Haggerty learned harness making before moving to the United States, where he worked in several towns before establishing himself in Bradford’s baking, oil production, and refining industries. The article also notes the family’s Presbyterian and Methodist ties, political affiliations, and the wider Haggerty branch in Clearfield County.
The Drake Family of Bradford, Pennsylvania
The article traces the Drake family line from Jacob Drake, an English emigrant and Revolutionary War colonel, through several generations in New York and Pennsylvania. It focuses especially on Silas Drake, a farmer and father of a large family, and on his son Lorenzo Dow Drake, a lifelong farmer in Degolia who served the community for decades as a school director and town officer. The sketch continues with Lorenzo’s children, many of whom moved west and pursued varied careers, and concludes with Ida Eliza Drake, educated in Pennsylvania and Ohio and later a teacher and active member of the Universalist…
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