HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND CO., PA-1906 JOHN BEATTY, JR. Among the many beautiful and fertile farms which abound in VVestmoreland county, Pennsylvania, which show the results, not alone of thrift, industry, and cultivation, but also that the most progressive and scientific methods have been called into play to render them the pride of their Owners, we must not overlook that belonging to John Beatty, Jr., which ranks as a model farm in every respect. Mr. Beatty traces his descent to Irish and German ancestry, who nobly bore their share in defense of the country of their adoption. Benjamin Beatty, grandfather of John Beatty, Jr., and founder of the family in this country, was born in the county of Derry, Ireland, in 1745. He 'was quite young when he emigrated from his native land, and upon his arrival here located in the eastern part of Pennsylvania. He was enthusiastic and patriotic, and when the colonies rose in revolt against the tyranny and oppression of England he was one of the first to enlist in the Continental army in 1776. He was one of that brave band of patriots, who on the night of December 25, 1776, crossed the Delaware amidst snow and ice, and under the personal command of Washington fought and won the battle of Trenton, and were equally victorious in other engagements during that memorable struggle. His honorable discharge from the army is attested by papers still in the possession of some of his descendants. He resided on a farm in Adams county, Pennsylvania, in 1785, and in 1809 sold this and removed to Washington county, Pennsylvania. The following year he purchased from Marmaduke Wilson, his brother-in-law, the farm known as "Sportman," at Beatty Station, Pennsylvania railroad, in Unity townnship, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. He immediately made his home on it and built the first bank barn in the township the following spring. This farm had been patented May 7, 1790, by James Hunter, who had taken up six hundred acres of land prior to securing the patent, but sold part of the farm, retaining for himself two hundred and seventy-six acres. The portion sold was purchased by Rev. Theodore Bronwers, and is now the property of the Order of St. Benedict or St. Vincent Abbey, He lived to a hale and hearty old age, his death occurring at Beatty Station, Pennsylvania railroad, June 2, 1831. He married, 1785, Martha Chamberlain, of German descent, born in 1755, died September 6, 1845, in her ninety-first year. Their children were: Hamilton, of whom later; John, Jamison, Samuel, Ann, married ----- O'Brien: Mary, married ---- Osborn; Elizabeth, married (first) ----- Sloan; married ( second) John Lightcap; Martha, married William Cochrin; Marjora, married William Mcfarland; Susan, married Jonathan Tittle. Hamilton Beatty, son of Benjamin and Martha (Chamberlain) Beatty, was born in Adams county, Pennsylvania, in 1786. Hamilton and his brother John purchased the farm of their father in 1824, and at their death this property passed into the hands of John Beatty, Jr. Hamilton Beatty served with honor in the war of 1812, and aided in building Fort Meigs. He was an industrious farmer, a respected citizen, and served his town in various local offices. Politically he was a Democrat, and his church affiliations ,were with the unity Presbyterian church, of which he was one of the most consistent members, and filled the office of elder for a period of fifty-six years. He died at his home at Beatty Station, July 10, I871. He married, September I, 1817, Sarah Anderson, born September 27, I796, died May 25, 1879 daughter of Colonel William and Nancy (Tittle) Anderson. They had seven children, three of whom died in infancy. Those who attained maturity were: Nancy Tittle, born August 1, 1818, widow of John George, resides at Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania; John, Jr., born September I4, 1826, of whom later; Martha Chamberlain, born August 9, 1829, married Joseph Baldridge, died in 1903. Sarah Ann, born March I, 1835, widow of Major Samuel Adams, resides in Beatty Station. John Beatty, Jr., second child and only son of the surviving children of Hamilton and Sarah (Anderson) Beatty, was born and reared on the farm which he now owns, September 14, 1826. His education was acquired in the common schools of the township and at Elders Ridge Academy, Indiana county. After leaving school he began his active career as a farmer, an occupation he has sucessfully followed all the busy years of his life. The old Beatty homestead, his home, contains two hundred acres in all, in a fine state of cultivation. Mr. Beatty is a well read man on all subjects, especially in agriculture in all its branches, and conducts his farming operations in the most approved modern method. He is a Democrat in politics, and has served the township as school director for twenty years. He has always taken the deepest interest in educational, religious and all matters pertaining to the welfare of the people. He is a member of the Unity Presbyterian church, in which institution he served for many years as trustee. He took an active part in the erection of the new church edifice in 1874, devoting time and labor to the preparation of the ground, and the laying out of the beautiful cemetery at unity. He is a member of Gravel Hill Grange, No. 849, P. of H., and of Latrobe Lodge, No. 30, A. O. of U. W. Mr. Beatty married, June 20, 1855, Eliza Jane Chambers, born June 22, 1832, only daughter of William and Elizabeth (Leasure) Chambers, (see sketch of William Chambers), and sister of Eli Chambers, former treasurer of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. Her education was obtained at the public schools and at Sewickley Academy. She was a member of Unity Presbyterian church, and died September 19, 189I. The children of John and Eliza Jane (Chambers) Beatty were: 1. Charles Albert, who at the time of his death, March 31, 1882, was a student at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, having previously been graduated from Washington and Jefferson College. 2. Lizzie Leasure, educated in the public schools of the township, the Latrobe high school, and at the Washington Female Seminary. She is her father's home-keeper and faithful daughter. 3. Jessie Quindora, died March 15, 1863, aged one year. 4. John Hamilton, educated in the township schools, and is a graduate of the Latrobe high school. He is a farmer and manages the homestead farm, where he resides near his father. He married, October 12, 1893, Nettie Beam, and has three children: Charles Albert, John Leasure, and Julia Elizabeth. John Hamilton is a Democrat. 5. Sarah Stella, educated in the same schools as her sister Lizzie, and became a professional nurse, being graduated from the western Pennsylvania Hospital at Pittsburg, where she is now one of the head nurses. 6. Lillian May, educated in the same schools as her sisters, and in addition was for three years a student at a Chicago kindergarten college. She is now director of the kindergarten department in the Bryant public school, in Chicago, Illinois. 7. William Chambers, educated in the public schools, and is a graduate of the Latrobe high school, Greensburg Seminary and Wyoming Seminary. After this thorough preparation he entered Cornell University at Ithaca, New York, taking a four years' course in mechanical engineering, and graduating in 1903. After leaving Cornell he was successively employed by the Osborne Harvester Company and the Cambria Steel Company. He is now assistant superintendent and mechanical engineer at the Iroquois Iron Works, Buffalo, New York. He married, October 30, 1905, Edith R. Graves, of Ithaca, New York, who is also a graduate of Cornell University.