The Olds Family of Bradford, Pennsylvania

William Brooke Chapman

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

Old town hall, Allegheny City, torn down in 1863

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

Old town hall, Allegheny City, torn down in 1863

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, … Read more

The Hawkins Family of Bradford, Pennsylvania

Adam Clarke Hawkins

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

George Benninghoff

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

North Queen Street, in Lancaster

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

Old town hall, Allegheny City, torn down in 1863

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 Pennsylvania and nearby states.

The Haggerty Family of Bradford, Pennsylvania

John Haggerty

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

Old town hall, Allegheny City, torn down in 1863

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 church.

The McCrea Family of Donegal Township, Pennsylvania

Old town hall, Allegheny City, torn down in 1863

This genealogical sketch traces the McCrea family from county Donegal, Ireland, to western Pennsylvania, beginning with William McCrea and Mary Harkins and following their descendants through several generations. It recounts the life of Daniel McCrea, a farmer and school director in Donegal Township, and his marriage to Sarah Coyle, as well as the careers and families of their children. The article gives particular attention to John Chrysostom McCrea, whose work in the oil fields, police service, and long employment with the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburgh Railroad made him a notable family figure in Bradford and beyond.