BIO: James R. CAUGHEY, Beaver County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja & Joe Patterson Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/beaver.html http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/beaver/bios/bbios.htm Index for this bio book. _________________________________________________________________ BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. This Volume Contains Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Beaver County, Pennsylvania. Buffalo, N.Y., Chicago, Ill.: Biographical Publishing Company, 1899, pp. 277-281. _________________________________________________________________ JAMES R. CAUGHEY, a miller residing in Darlington, Pa., on the ancestral homestead, was born in the same house which he now occupies, March 22, 1831. He is a son of James Caughey and a grandson of Samuel Caughey. Samuel Caughey was born in the eastern part of Pennsylvania, and went west to Bea- 278 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES ver county, settling near Hookstown, about the beginning of the present century. In 1810, he moved to the farm where the subject of this memoir now lives. About that time the Land Population Company began their attempt to dispossess the settlers of their land. This, naturally, caused alarm and indignation among the people. Finally, one member of the Company was shot by an irate settler, and when the Company realized what a hornet's nest they had brought about their ears, they were forced to suspend operations. When Samuel Caughey settled in Darlington, that place contained only one or two buildings. It was then called Greersburg, and is the oldest town in that section of the Keystone State. The old academy, which was built in 1802, was then only eight years old. It is now used as a depot by the P. L. & W. R. R. Company. Few settlers had then located in the district, and roads were far from numerous. The one extending in front of the residence of the subject of these lines was then the old stage line between Pittsburg and Cleveland, long before the advent of railroads in that vicinity. Mr. Caughey owned forty acres of land and, in 1812, built a grist mill, run by water power. This was one of the first mills in Beaver county, and was in the family for three generations. It was operated until 1870, James R. Caughey's grandfather having spent all his life as a miller. He and his good wife reared five children, namely: Betsy (McGeorge); Polly (Hanna); Hetty (Duff); Samuel; and James. James Caughey, father of James R., was born in Octoraro, Pa., in 1782, and received the greater portion of his mental instruction in the eastern part of Pennsylvania. After leaving school, he assisted his father until the War of 1812 broke out. He took an active part in that conflict, serving under General Harrison at Fort Meigs. On returning from the war, he assisted his father in the milling business. Upon the death of that beloved parent, the mill became the property of James and his brother Samuel. They operated it in partnership until James purchased the interest of his brother. At first the mill was of the old-fashioned stone process type, and later had the Burr process. All kinds of grain and feed were ground. The capacity of the mill was 20 barrels of flour and 150 bushels of chop daily. James Caughey was largely self-educated, but made the most of his opportunities, and was known to be a well-informed man. He was a discriminating reader and a clear thinker. He enlarged and enriched the library left him by his father. He was an Abolitionist of the most intense type. He was executor and administrator for several estates in the district, and served as school director and supervisor. He and his family were in accord with the Reformed Presbyterian faith. Margaret Johnston became his wife. She was reared and educated in Beaver county, and bore her husband four children, namely: S. G.; James R., the subject of this sketch; Margaret, deceased; and Jane, who still prefers single blessedness. James R. Caughey received his primary in- BEAVER COUNTY 281 struction in the public schools, and later graduated from the academy at Darlington. He then assisted his father in the milling business and became an active partner. His progressive nature made him quick to note and take advantage of any improvement in machinery. He put in steam power in 1856, and doubled the capacity of the mill. August 28, 1861, he enlisted in the "Roundhead," or 100th Reg., Pa. Vol. Infantry. He was second lieutenant of his company, and was assigned to duty in South Carolina, under General Sherman. Exposure and the southern climate, caused him to contract malarial fever, and he was sent home as unfit for further service. As soon as he recovered his health he again, assumed his duties at the mill, which he continued to operate for years afterward. In 1876, he sold this mill and purchased a portable saw mill. For ten or twelve years he conducted that successfully, but finally sold it and started a chop mill, which he still runs. In 1865, Mr. Caughey was joined in marriage with Mary A. Johnston, an attractive daughter of Andrew Johnston. She was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania. Three children, Paul, James G., and George, blessed this union. Paul learned blacksmithing, and is now working in the silver mines of Idaho. James G. is a competent engineer, and holds a good position in the silver mines in New Mexico, being employed in a stamping mill. George died at the age of twenty-one years. The old house occupied by the subject of this sketch was built in 1820, and is still in a good state of preservation. He built the present barns, and now does a little farming also. In polities, he works hard for the success of the Republican party, and has been supervisor for three terms. He cares nothing, however, for political distinction, and is not an office-seeker. He is an ex-member of the G. A. R., and unites in worship with the Reformed Presbyterians.