Orson Beecher 1 2 3 4 5
- Born: 15 Jul 1815, Nelson Twp.: Beecher's Island, Tioga, PA 1 2 3
- Marriage (1): Angeline Zimmerman on 30 Mar 1849 in Pine Grove, Schuylkill, PA
- Died: 19 Jun 1902, Pine Grove, Schuylkill, PA at age 86 1 3
- Buried: Pine Grove: St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, Schuylkill, PA 3
FamilySearch ID: KCMW-V4W.
Noted events in his life were:
1. Occupation: farmer. 1
2. Book: Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Schuylkill County, 1893. 2
ORSON BEECHER, a highly respected citizen of Pine Grove, this county, is a son of John and Clarinda (Niles) Beecher, and was born July 15, 1815, in Tioga county, Pennsylvania.
Samuel Beecher, grandfather, was born in Massachusetts, but became one of the pioneer settlers in Tioga county, Pennsylvania, where he located at what was then called Cowanisco. He later removed to St Louis, Missouri, where he died about 1825. He was married to a Miss Sanford, and had a family of five children: three sons and two daughters.
John Beecher, father, was born May 24, 1785, in Middletown, Massachusetts, and came when a young man with his father to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, and thence removed to Williamsport, where he died June 5, 1859. During his early life he was engaged in the lumber business, but went into the mercantile business at Wellsboro, Tioga county, where he lived engaged in that business a number of years, when he removed to Williamsport, Lycoming county, and for two years kept a hotel, when he retired.
Politically, he was a very prominent democrat, and served in the following offices in Tioga county: commissioner, county treasurer, sheriff and assembly.
Hon. John Beecher married in February, 1807, Clarinda Niles, a Connecticut lady born August 16, 1786, and died September 2, 1881 ; to them were born six children.
Orson Beecher was educated in Wellsboro Academy, and was appointed to a cadetship in West Point Military Academy, where he remained two years, but was compelled to give up the course on account of failing health. He then returned to Wellsboro, where he resided until 1838, engaged in speculating in various lines. In the latter year he went to Williamsport with his father, thence in 1858 to Camden, New Jersey, and for fifteen years was in the employ of the Camden and Atlantic Railroad as conductor.
In 1873 he removed to King William County, Virginia, where he purchased two farms, one of 400 acres from Robert E. Lee, Jr., son of Gen. Robert E. Lee, and another of 500 acres. He lived there eight years operating these farms, when he came to Pine Grove, this county, where he has since lived a retired life.
He married Angeline, a daughter of William and Catharine Zimmerman, of Pine Grove, in 1849. To them were born three children: John W. (see sketch), Ella C, and Orson Jr.
3. Newspaper: Altoona Tribune: "PINE GROVE, August 15 -- The barn of O. Beecher was struck by lightening this evening and entirely consumed together with its contents. One horse and several other animals perished. Loss $3,000.", 16 Aug 1894, Altoona, Blair, PA. 6
4. Newspaper: Lebanon Daily News: Beecher family one of the first Settlers in Nelson Township, 31 Dec 1990, Lebanon, Lebanon, PA. 7 ----
Our Keystone Families
by Schuyler C. Brossman
----
Column No 1264
----
Among the pioneers who first settled in Nelson Twp., Tioga Co., Pa., were John and Hopestill Beecher, who settled on a piece of land which took their name. For many years after the division of the old town, Elkland, it was continued to be known as Beecher's Island. What is known as the island, is formed by the Cowanesque River and a branch of the same, thrown off perhaps a half mile west of the village, which is today under a dam. Orson Beecher, a respected citizen of Pine Grove, Schuylkill Co., Pa. was born in Tioga County at this place on 15 Jul 1815. Orson's father, John Beecher was born 24 May 1785 in Middletown, Mass. (Some said that he came from Conn.) He came when he was a young man with his father, Samuel Beecher to Tioga Co. when it was then called Cowanisco. John Beecher was also well known in these parts as he engaged in the lumber business, but went into the mercantile business in Wellsboro, Tioga Co. He was a very prominent Democrat and served in the following offices in Tioga County: commissioner, county treasurer, sheriff and assembly. Hon. John Beecher married in February 1807 to Clarinda Niles, a Connecticut lady born 16 Aug 1786 and died 2 Sept 1881. To them were born six children. Orson Beechers was the eldest child born In 1813 in Wellsboro he was educated in Wellsboro Academy, and was appointed to a cadet in West Point Military Academy, where he remained for two years, but was compelled to give up the course on account of failing health. He returned to Wellsboro, where he resided unitl 1838, engaged in various lines. In the latter years he went to Williamsport, Lycoming Co., with his father, John, who ran a hotel business until he retired. His father died in Williamsport on 13 Jan 1859. In his obit it said he came from Conn. Orson went to Camden, New Jersey, in 1858 and for 15 years was employed by the Camden and Atlantic Railroad as a conductor. In 1873, he removed to King William County, Virginia, where he purchased two farms, one of 400 acres from Robert E. Lee, Jr., son of Gen. Robert E. Lee, and another of 500 acres. He lived there eight years up until his mother died. She was buried in Virginia. Orson came to Pine Grove, Sch. Co., Pa. where he had since lived a retired life. He married Angeline, a daughter of William and Catherine Kline Zimmerman, of Pine Grove, in 1849. Does someone have the whole date? To them were born three children: John William b. 23 Jun 1850 in Pottsville, Sch. Co., Pa. He married Sallie Kline of Pottsville. They were married in Phila. on 10 Jan 1884. George O. Beecher was born 28 Nov 1859 in Pa. (Where?) married Olive Jones. They were married on 1 Jun 1910 at Greyton, Ga., He died 22 Jul 1914 at Drake, S. Carolina in a logging accident. Ella Beecher was born 8 Nov 1852 in Pa. (Where?) Never married. We believe she was a school teacher in the Pine Grove Area and lived on the family homestead. Orson died 19 Jun 1902 In Pine Grove and is buried at St. Johns Cem. in Pine Grove and Angeline died 19 Jan 1908 same place. Orson's brothers and sisters were: Philo, Morris, Julia Ann married to Josiah Emery of Tioga Co., Pa; Evaline married Wm. R. Vanderbelt and went to the area around Rochester, New York; and George Delus. Orsons ancestors went to Ohio, and St. Louis, Mo. If any one has information on any of the Beecher family from Ma.. Ohio, New York, Tioga Co., Pa. and Missouri, please write to: Sharman Meek Carroll, 4 Ingleside Drive, Thorndale, Pa. 19372-1035.
Orson married Angeline Zimmerman, daughter of William Zimmerman and Catharine Kline, on 30 Mar 1849 in Pine Grove, Schuylkill, PA. (Angeline Zimmerman was born on 14 Feb 1833 in Pine Grove, Schuylkill, PA,1 3 8 died on 19 Jan 1908 in Pine Grove, Schuylkill, PA 1 3 8 and was buried on 22 Jan 1908 in Pine Grove: St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, Schuylkill, PA 3 8.)
|