Samuel M. Beecher ^{3 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20}

   Another name for Samuel was Samuel Bücher.^{21 22 25}

   FamilySearch ID: LWGH-GB8.

  Christening Notes:

Sponsors were Peter Littel and Lydia.

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Alt. Name:,. Many of Samuel's children appear in the baptism records at Arendtsville Union Church as surname Bucher, not Beecher, as transcribed onto microfiche at the Family History Library. This may be an interpretation of handwriting, as the swirls of two e's can appear as a single u, or vice versa. Examination of the actual handwriting on the original church records is suggested.

2. Census in 1820 in Straban Twp., Adams, PA. ²⁶ John Beecher and sons Jacob, George, and David are listed as neighbors in the 1820 U.S. Census in Straban Township.

John Beecher's household had:
Males (born)
45 & over (<=1775) = 1 (father John)
Females (born)
16-25 (1795-1804) = 1 (daughter Sarah Rebecca)
45 & over (<=1775) = 1 (wife Elizabeth)

Jacob Beecher's household had:
Males (born)
Under 10 (1811-1820) = 2 (sons)
26-44 (1776-1794) = 1 (father Jacob)
Females (born)
Under 10 (1811-1820) = 1 (daughter)
26-44 (1776-1794) = 1 (wife)

George Beecher's household had:
Males (born)
16-25 (1795-1804) = 1 (father George)
Females (born)
10-15 (1805-1810) = 1 (daughter Elisabeth)
26-44 (1776-1794) = 1 (wife Anna)

David Beecher's household had:
Males (born)
Under 10 (1811-1820) = 1 (son Samuel)
16-18 (1802-1804) = 1 (?)
26-44 (1776-1794) = 1 (father David)
Under 10 (1811-1820) =
10-15 (1805-1810) = 2 (daughters Elizabeth & Ann Margaret)
16-25 (1795-1804) = 1 (wife Anna Maria).

3. Census in 1850 in Butler Twp., Adams, PA. ¹⁰ David Beecher, merchant, 56, was living with wife Mary, 53. Also with them was Archibald Wilson, clerk, 63; and Mary Weigle, 19. His real estate was worth $20,000 making him wealthy by comparison to others. Everyone was born in Pennsylvania.

His next neighbor is John Hoover, tanner, 37, living with Sophia, David Beecher's daughter, 28, and their children: Amelia, 9; daughter Georgeanna, 6; son Lisle, 4; and Mary, 1. Also in their home is Sarah Rufsell, 20, and Samuel Blythe, 7.

The next neighbor is David Beecher's son Samuel Beecher, laborer, 29; wife Matilda, 25; Calvin, 5; David, 3; Charles, 1 month old when the census was recorded on 13 Aug 1850. Also living with them: David Geyer, manufacturer, 23; and Sara Lower, 16. Samuel has no real estate value suggesting he is living on his father's land. Everyone in all families were born in Pennsylvania.

4. Census in 1860 in Butler Twp., Adams, PA. ¹¹ David Beecher, 66, was living with wife Mary, 63. David's real estate was worth $5,000 and personal estate $4,500. Both were born in Pennsylvania.

Listed just above them on the census page is the household of Samuel Beecher, 40, paper maker, living with wife Sarah A. M., 35; Mary E., 16; George C., 14; David H., 11; Charles F., 11; Clara J., 8; Samuel B., 5; Sarah A., 1. Also in the home is Mathias Waller, 23, occupation "hireling", and Amanda Bunnell, 18, help. Samuel's real estate was worth $4,000 and personal estate $400. Everyone was born in Pennsylvania.

Also on the page is David's daughter, Lucy A., living with husband Henry Weigle and their children.

5. Occupation: Reilly's Pennsylvania State Business Directory: Paper Manufacturers: Beecher Samuel, Arendtsville in 1868 in Arendtsville, Adams, PA. ²⁷

6. Court: Bankruptcy: paper mill in Apr 1869 in , Adams, PA.

7. Census in 1870 in Franklin Twp., Adams, PA. ²⁸ Samuel Beecher, 50, works in paper mill, was living with wife Matilda, 45; David, 21, works in paper mill; Clara, 18; Sarah, 11; and Anna, 6. Samuel had no real estate and his personal estate was worth $240. Everyone was born in Pennsylvania. The post office was Arendtsville.

8. Moved: Apr 1873, Altoona, Blair, PA. ⁹

9. Census in 1880 in Altoona, Blair, PA. ²¹ Samuel Bucher, age 60, laborer, is living with wife Sarah A. M., age 55, and daughter Annie, 16, employed as a dress maker. Living with them is Henry Shank, a nephew, age 24, cigar maker. Everyone and their parents were born in Pennsylvania.

10. Residence: in 1890 in Altoona, Blair, PA. Listed in Clark's Directory for the City of Altoona, 1890:
Beecher Adam, carpenter, owns home 44 Fourth Ave
Beecher James, laborer, home 1518 Twentieth Ave
Beecher William, laborer, rents house 1518 Twentieth Ave, Oakton
Beecher Anna J. Miss, dressmaker, boards 419 Seventh Ave
Beecher Samuel, laborer, rents house 419 Seventh Ave.

11. Newspaper: Altoona Tribune: Samuel Beecher, of 419 Seventh avenue, who is visiting in York at the residence of his son, David Beecher, is now confined to his bed by serious illness., 27 Oct 1892, Altoona, Blair, PA. ²⁹

12. Newspaper: Altoona Tribune: Fifty Years Married, 7 Jul 1893, Altoona, Blair, PA. ³ FIFTY YEARS MARRIED.
An Interesting Event Worthily Celebrated Last Night.

It is always interesting to note the joining of two hearts in the sacred bonds of marriage, and when two lives thus blended How on through fifty years of time, encountering and weathering life's joys and sorrows, bringing up at the half century mark with the youthful love still in their hearts but mellowed and chastened by memories of many happy as well as many sad hours shared together, the golden wedding anniversary when it arrives is all the more interesting and worthy of note. Fifty years ago last night, Mr. Samuel Beecher was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Ann Matilda Wagner, by Rev. Philip Willard, a minister of the Lutheran church. The wedding took place at Westminster, Md., the groom being a resident of Beechervrlle, Adams county, this state, and the bride a native of Carroll county, Md.
In April, 1873, Mr. and Mrs. Beecher became residents of Altoona, and for many years Mr. Beecher has been an employee of the Pennsylvania railroad company, being engaged in No. 2 planing mill under Foreman Freet. Here the majority of their friends live and here also they have a host of friends who love and respect them for their Christian worth. While Mr. and Mrs. Beecher were not unmindful of the fact that yesterday was the anniversary of their wedding they never dreamed of making any special celebration in its honor, but their children thought differently, and accordingly the house of Mr. and Mrs. Cavander, with whom they reside at 419 Seventh avenue was placed in proper order for a golden wedding jubilee last night, but all without the knowledge of the bride and groom.
It was about 8.30 o'clock when the conspirators who had gathered at the home of Mr. John G. Kline marched in upon the unsuspecting couple. Mr. Beecher had been thinking of going to bed, but when surrounded by his children, grandchildren and neighbors he was well enough pleased to stay, although he did not realize the full import of the occasion until he and his wife were requested to take their places in the center of the floor when they were brought face to face with Rev. I. P. Truxal, who proceeded to congratulate them upon their long and useful married life and also while holding their marriage certificate in his hands, reminding them that it was fifty years since they had first stood hand in hand and promised to love and cherish one another through life, a promise that has been faithfully kept through all the years that have intervened. In conclusion Rev. Truxal presented them with a silken purse of gold, the gift of their children and friends.
Too much surprised and moved to more than express their thanks the aged couple were then surrounded by their offspring and manly men and true women tendered their sincere congratulations while prattling babes expressed their love and appreciation of grandpa and grandma by kisses. Of course a good supper was a feature of the occasion and this was heartily enjoyed by all present, and when this was over the evening was most pleasantly passed in social family reunion until a seasonable hour when the festivities came to a close and al1 retired.
Mr. and Mrs. Beecher were the parents of ten children, six of whom are dead. Of the living and their descendants there present Mr. and Mrs. Ed. Cavender and wife and one child; Mr. and Mrs. N. A. Gobrecht and wife and five children, of this city; Mrs. Calvin Beecher and four children, and David H. Beecher and two children, of York, Pa. Mr. Beecher is 73 years of age and looks to be good for many more years of life. He is a second cousin of the late Henry Ward Beecher and is a good citizen, as are all his descendants. Mrs. Beecher is five years her husband's junior and is as sprightly as a school girl. She entered into the spirit of the occasion with great zest and greatly enjoyed the surprise given by her friends.

13. Residence: in 1895 in Altoona, Blair, PA. Listed in C. B. Clark's Altoona City Directory...
Beecher Samuel, laborer, rents house 419 Seventh Av
Beecher Christina B. Mrs., widow Adam, owns house 54 Fourth Av
Beecher Emery, laborer, home 54 Fourth Av.

14. Census in 1900 in Altoona, Blair, PA. ¹² Samuel Beecher, boarder, 80, born Mar 1820, was living with wife Sarah, 75, born May 1825. They were married 57 years and she had birthed 10 children, 4 still alive in 1900. They were living in the home of son-in-law Edward Cavender, 40, Dec 1859, who was married for 21 years to Samuel's daughter, Sallie M., 40, May 1860 [should be 1859] who birthed 2 children, one living: their son George E., 13, Feb 1887. Also with them was Edward's mother Lydia, widowed, 78, Dec 1821, who had 12 children, 2 living. Lydia and her parents were born in Delaware. Everyone else was born in Pennsylvania, as were the parents of Samuel and Sarah. Edward owned the home at 407 Sixth Avenue.

15. Newspaper: Altoona Tribune: Sixty Years Wedded, 7 Jul 1903, Altoona, Blair, PA. ³⁰ SIXTY YEARS WEDDED. Anniversary of the Marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Beecher Celebrated. A celebration which was out of the ordinary was that which took place at the home of Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Cavendar, 40? Sixth avenue, yesterday evening. It was the sixtieth anniversary of the wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Beecher, the parents of Mrs. Cavendar. Sixty years ago last evening Samuel Beecher and Miss Sarah Ann Matilda Wagner ware united in marriage at Westminster, by the Rev. Philip Willard, a minister of the Lutheran church. Mr. Beecher was then a resident of Beechersville, Adams county, in this state, while his bride was a native of Carroll county, Md. In April, 1873. they came to Altoona, Mr. Beecher entering the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad company in the planing mill under Foreman George L. Freet. He continued there for many years and was a faithful employe. He is now 83 years of age, while Mrs. Beecher is five years his junior. Both are well preserved and have stood the advancing years well.
The anniversary celebration last evening was a very pleasant affair and the venerable couple received the hearty well wishes of those who were present. During the evening they were presented with a purse of money from the members of the Second United Brethren church. To Mr. and Mrs. Beecher ten children were born, of whom four are living. They also have sixteen grandchildren and a like number of great grandchildren. Of their children two were present with their husbands at the anniversary: Mrs. N. A. Gobrecht and Mrs. E. W. Cavendar. Among the invited guests were the following: Rev. S. S. Hough, pastor of the Second United Brethren church; William Temple and wife, G. W. Burket and wife, A. B.
Corbin, wife and child, Jere McGlathery and wife, Stansberry Geesey and wife, Mrs. Hannah Miller, Mrs. Clara Reed, Mrs. S. Watts, Misses Dora McGlathery, Agnes McGlathery and Maggie Blackstone.

16. Obituary: Altoona Mirror on 2 Apr 1904 in Altoona, Blair, PA. ³¹ Samuel Beecher, whose death was briefly mentioned in yesterday's Mirror, was the son of David and Anna Mary Gilbert Beecher, and was born in Beechersville, Adams county, Pa., March 5, 1820. He was married to Sarah Ann Matilda Wagoner, of Westminster, Maryland, July 6, 1843. Ten children were born to this union, six of whom have preceded their father into rest---Mary E., Charles F., Samuel, Edward W., Annie I. and Emma Iona. The bereaved wife and four children survive---George C. and David H.G., of York, Pa., Clara J. Gobrecht and Sallie A.M. Cavender, of this city; also fifteen grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, and one sister, Mrs. Lucy A. Weigle, of Harrisburg, Pa. Mr. Beecher was a resident of Altoona, Pa., since April, 1873, and was an employee of P.R.R. mill No. 2, until compulsory retirement of employees at the age of 70 years first went into effect some years ago. He was a kind father, an esteemed citizen and faithful in his church relations. He quietly waited his appointed time and strong in faith and hope, he has entered into that rest that remains for the faithful people of God. Funeral services will be held at the Second Presbyterian church Monday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock. Interment in Fairview cemetery.

17. Obituary: Altoona Times: obituary of Samuel Beecher on 2 Apr 1904 in Altoona, Blair, PA. ³² SAMUEL BEECHER, at 12.40 yesterday morning of exhaustion at the home of his son-in-law, E. W. Cavender, 407 Sixth avenue. Funeral services will be held at the Second United Brethren church, Monday, at 2.30 p. m. Interment at Fairview cemetery. The deceased was the son of Daniel and Anna Mary Gilbert Beecher, born in Beechersville, Adams county, Pa., March 5, 1820, and was married to Sarah Ann Matilda Wagoner, of Westminster, Md., July 6, 1843. Ten children were born to this union, six of whom have preceded their father unto rest. Mary E., Charles F., Samuel, Edward W., Annie I. and Emma lona. The bereaved wife and four children survive: George C. and David H. G., of York, Pa.; Mrs. Clara J. Gobrecht and Sallie A. M. Cavender, of this city; also fifteen grandchildren, eleven greatgrandchildren. One sister, Mrs. Lucy A. Weigle, of Harrisburg, also survives. Mr. Beecher has been a resident of Altoona, Pa., since April, 1873, and was an employe of Pennsylvania railroad mill No. 2 until compulsory retirement of employes arriving at the age limit of 70 years first went into effect some years ago. A kind father, an esteemed citizen, ever faithful in his church duties, he quietly awaited his appointed time; and strong in faith and hope he has entered into that rest that remains for the faithful people of God.

Samuel married Sarah Ann Matilda Wagoner, daughter of Jacob Frederick Wagoner and Elizabeth Blulach, on 6 Jul 1843 in Westminster, Carroll, MD.^{1 2 3 4} (Sarah Ann Matilda Wagoner was born on 10 May 1825 in Westminster, Carroll, MD ^{2 12 21 33 34 35}, christened on 10 Jul 1825 in Gettysburg: St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church, Adams, PA, died on 20 Jun 1910 in Altoona, Blair, PA ^{2 33 34 35 36} and was buried on 23 Jun 1910 in Altoona: Fairview Cemetery, Blair, PA ^{2 33 34 35}.)

  Marriage Notes:

Rev. Philip Willard.