Thursday, April 7, 2011

Henrietta McPhail

By Ann Bassett Scott

The red-headed Scottish fifteen year old drew the warm blanket tightly around her as she curled up in a corner of the rescue wagon. She was too weak to even converse with the driver and yet too filled with the thoughts and mixed emotions to sleep.
The driver, thinking she was asleep, began to sing quietly to himself. It was a song Henrietta had sung often with her father and those in the Willy's handcart company. This time, however, some of the words grabbed her attention and caused painful reflections.
"Why should we mourn or think our lot is hard?" Henrietta repeated to herself. " I wonder if the composer of that song really knew as much about mourning and hardship as I do. Maybe he wouldn't have written those lines if he had experienced that I have. Most of those early settlers in the valley traveled to Salt Lake in the summer and they had sturdier wagons and handcarts than we did. What a mistake that was! As we reached the dryer, sandy regions of the west, the cars began to break down and cause us difficulty. That was only the beginning of our hardship. One night a herd of buffalo stampeded through our camp causing us to lose 30 valuable cattle, so we had to carry the supplies those cattle would have carried for us. As we reached the higher altitudes, the nights became colder, but there were no buffalo robes to warm us because we had to discard them to make the load lighter. Our food rations were cut back. I watched some of our older and weaker friends die in the very act of trying to put food to their lips. But then came the thing we dreaded most -- Snow! We had wallowed on in the snow for awhile, but at last had to camp in willows. How can the composer of that song know how I mourned as I sat by my own father brushing the snow from his face as the tent blew off him three times during the time he lay dying. How helpless we all felt! We were too weak to even gather wood and build a fire to warm him. I am not alone in mourning either. How many of our company and the Martin's company did the rescue party estimate had died -- something over 200. That's almost 1/5 of all those in our two parties who left Winter Quarters."

Henrietta shifted her position in the wagon slightly as she grew increasingly more uncomfortable with her thoughts. But he words of the song continued to haunt her.

"Our God will never us forsake." "Had He? Father and I had certainly been trying to serve the Lord. After the death of mother, father had decided to sell our belongings and join the Saints in the valley to help them build up Zion. There were other times I had sacrificed for the gospel too. Like the time that wealthy woman in Iowa had wanted me to help her go to New York. I could have had many nice clothes and opportunities there but I, too, wanted to be with the Saints. In fact, father probably wouldn't be dead now if he hadn't been fulfilling his church assignment of taking care of that elderly sister. He had left the protection of our tent to go back in search of her. When he found her she just wanted to lie down and die. Instead father waded the icy stream to carry her back to camp. But this proved fatal in the weakened condition for he became too chilled without a fire to warm him. Why had the Lord let this happen? Had he forsaken us?"

Henrieta's thoughts were interrupted by voices outside the wagon. Seeing that Henrietta was awake, the driver turned around to announce that the Prophet Brigham Young himself had come to meet them.

Henrietta sat up as she greeted the big, bearded man who had climbed into the wagon to talk with her. His face seemed worn by years of hardship, but yet seemed to glow. As she shook his hand and looked into his penetrating eyes, she felt a warm glow fill her body. She didn't remember much of what he said except that she would live in his own home until she could face the world on her own, and that she would be greatly blessed for her sacrifices.

Henrietta crawled forward in the wagon so she could catch her first glimpse of the young city that was to be her home. She felt strangely like joining the driver in quietly singing the last verse of the song:

"And should we die before our journey's through,
Happy Day! All is well!
We then are free from toil and sorrow too,
With the just we shall dwell!
But, if our lives are spared again
To see the Saints their rest obtain,
Oh how we'll make this chorus swell --
All is well! All is well!

The above story is based on the true experiences of Henrietta McPhail Exckersell and her Father Archibald McPhail. Henrietta did live to enjoy many of life's blessings. She lived in the home of Brigham Young for some time, and eventually married James Eckersell. The and their family helped settle eastern Idaho. She had ten children, and enjoyed many of life's material comforts, Today she is revered by a large posterity, most of whom are active leaders within the church and communities where they reside.

Albert Macbeth (1844-1905)

Albert Macbeth

It is with a feeling of sorrow and pain that we make the announcement of the death Albert Macbeth, which occurred at the residence of his son at 5 a. m. Monday, June 29, 1905.
The death of Mr. Macbeth takes from our community a popular, able and conscientious citizen, as well as one of the kindest of husbands and most indulgent of fathers. The deceased came to Conneaut in early manhood, having accepted the position of foreman of the Nickel Plate blacksmith shop in January of 1883, and this important position he filled until compelled on account of illness to resign. The place is one of importance, requiring not only mechanical ability, and ingenuity but also sound judgment and discrimination, and withal a knowledge of human nature. Strong of will power, but just in all his dealings he was not only popular and beloved by the employees but he was held in highest esteem by his superiors. General Superintendent A.W. Johnston, and President Canniff were his warm friends and admirers, as well as the youngest of apprentices in the shops. On his resignation as foreman ____one year ago to give expression of their love the employees presented him with a handsome book containing the names of the officials on the road and over 200 of the employees together with a substantial purse.
Mr. Macbeth was equally popular in the community at large as he was with the Nickel Plate as is evidenced by the fact that he was twice elected as a member of the city council. In that body he was always chosen as chairman of the most important committees and always discharged his duties in a frank, fearless and capable manner, giving every man and every measure a "square deal."
Mr. Macbeth was born in Stuebenville, O., on December 23, 1844, and lived there until he was twenty years old. He learned his trade in the Panhandle railroad blacksmith shop in Steubenville, and on leaving the place he entered the blacksmith shop of the Cleveland and Pittsburgh road at Wellsville. There he remained for four years, returning to he Panhandle shops at Steubenville in 1868. It was while in this place that he became married, his wife's maiden name being Miss Westanna Miller. This union was blessed by three daughters and one son, Mrs. B. F. Kerr and Mrs. C. F. Roberts of Evanston, Wyo.; Mrs Tracey Baldwin of Buffalo and H. A. Macbeth.
In January 185, Mr. Macbeth of Steubenville and went to Houston Tex., where he accepted a position as foreman on the blacksmith of the Houston and Texas Central Railroad. He remained there till 1877, where he once more returned to Steubenville and the Panhandle. He retained his position there until 18__ when the Nickel Plate shops at Conneaut were ready for business.
The funeral was held from his residence on West Main on Wednesday afternoon and attended by hundreds of people who gathered to pay last tribute of respect to one whose life they loved and respected.
Nickel Plate company with whom the deceased was for over twenty years employed as foreman whose son in now master mechanic closed the shops at noon that men who formerly worked with might be enable to show their respect. As a result the attendance was very large, the house being filled to overflowing and the yard and _____ around the house crowded with friends. Rev J.H. Rankin of Congregational church, delivered the sermon. The music was by Mes__ Matson, Marcy, Mrs. Herrick, and Miss Hayward. The floral offering were magnificent. The men from the blacksmith shop gave a huge arrangement made of white roses which across front bore the letters IBB and This stood at the head of the casket which was completely hidden from view with other flowers. The top o f the casket was covered with a blanket of pink and white roses being the words, Nickel Plate Employees. There were many small and beautiful wreaths and bouquets. The bearers were John Elvis, James Onion, Jesse Kinnear, Alex. McAllister, E. D. Splitstone and __Welch, all employees of the blacksmith shop and men who had worked for the deceased for nearly a s___ of years.
Evergreen Lodge, F. and AM which the deceased had been a member for many years, conducted the services at the house and at the vault, where the remains were consigned to await the arrival of Mrs. C. F. Robers of Evanston, Wyoming who could not arrive here in time for the funeral. The funeral congregation one of the largest ever seen in Conneaut, was followed to the cemetery by the foremen of the shops, the Blacksmith and Helpers' union, a large number of Nickel Plate engineers and many other employees of the company , together with many business men of the city, and the Nineteenth Century Literary club, of which Mrs. Macbeth is a member.

Albert Macbeth

Conneaut, Ohio, July 1st, 1905.

To the Worshipful Master Wardens,
The Brothers of Evergreen Lodge #228
F. and A. M.

Death has again entered our ranks and taken from our midst a beloved Brother. Whose name has appeared on our rolls for the past nineteen years.
He was initiated in this lodge march 18 passed Aril 15 and raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason, May 6, 1880.
It can be truly said of him that he was a just and upright man always discharging his duties with honorable intent and his best convictions of right and justice.
Brother Albert Macbeth departed this life June 29, 1905. By his death Evergreen, Lodge has lost a faithful member, the community a good citizen, and his family a devoted husband and father, and we render them our heartfelt sympathy in their sad bereavement.
Resolved that this report be entered on the records of this lodge on a page set apart for that purpose and a copy transmitted to the family.

B.S. Snyder
J.F. Lane
L.P. Sturtevant

(Committee)

Albert Macbeth

Erie City Iron Works
High Grade
Steam Engines and Boilers
Feed Water Heaters

Erie, Pennsylvania, June 1st, 1905

My Dear Mrs. Macbeth:-

The writer wishes to express to you his most sincere sympathy, and to say to you that he very highly appreciated the fine character of Mr. Macbeth. In all my experience, I do not think that I have ever had the pleasure of meeting a man of more sterling worth than was Mr. Macbeth. There are so few characters like his to be found in the world, that their loss is always felt more keenly by the people with whom they come in contact.
I had thought I would come to the funeral, but the press of business made it impossible for me to do so. I very highly appreciate the personal loss which you have sustained.
Yours Most Respectfully,
Thos. E. Durban
(General Manager)

Mrs. Albert Macbeth
Conneaut, Ohio

Letter written by his employer.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Westana Miller (1849-1926)

1860 Census
Austin Miller 39 Farmer Pen
Ellen 38 Farmers Lady Pen
Samentha 13 Illinois
West N. 11 Penn
Herbert L 9 Penn
Tereka 6 Penn
Willard 3 Penn
Luther Mun 8 months Penn

1870 Census
Albert Blacksmith
Anna Keeping House
Harry At House

1880 Census
Her family may be above her in the census Austin Miller 57 Farmer
Ellese 57 Keeping House
Herbert L 27 Penn
Will J 21 Penn
Theresa E 24 Penn
Luthes(?) 18 Son Penn
Thomes H 16 son Penn
Frank W 13 Penn

Census 1900

Albert
Westana
Harry

Census 1920

Living with her Daughter Eleanor and Tracey Baldwin.

Peter McBeath

Peter McBeath and his wife Susanna Jaffery came to the U.S. about 1834. First to Virginia in 1835 then to Steubenville, Jefferson Co. Oh. (1838) He was born with a veil over his face and carried the small dried membrain in a silver snuff box. The viel as Scottish legend tells, give the person second sight into the future and must be buried with the person. The snuff box, engraved as a gift from fellow Clerks and Letter Carriers of the Glasgow Post office, as a token of respect, is still in possession in 1989, of a great great grandson, James Kilpatric of Ohio. Given to him by Donald Macbeth Buss age 74, in 1987. Great grandson of Peter. Susan Ann Miller a great great great great granddaughter was also born with a veil and often shows examples of extra perception. Peter and family are shown on the 1840 Jefferson Co. Oh. Census and McBeath. Estate Record, Peter McBeath Stuebenville, Jefferson Co. Oh Common Pleas Court, Journal 14 P. 155 Chancery Record 3, P. 301 1860 Census; Jane age 22 head of household Susan- 48, Susan- 18, Albert-16.

Snuff Box inscription says:
PETER MCBEATH
By a Number of the Clerks
and Letter Carriers of the
Glasgow Post Office
As a Token of Respect For Him
As a Fellow Servant
April 1832