BIO: John R. EAKIN, Beaver County, PA
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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. 316-319.
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JOHN R. EAKIN, who owns a controlling interest in the Olive Stove Works, at
Rochester, Pa., of which he is secretary and treasurer, is one of the most
esteemed citizens of Beaver, Pa., and, although in the seventieth year of his
age, he is today as active a man as can be found in Beaver county. He has seen
Beaver grow from the little settlement called Beaver Town, to its present
stage of development, as one of the finest and most prosperous boroughs in
Western Pennsylvania. John R. Eakin was born July 20, 1829, in Beaver,
Pennsylvania. He is a son of James and Mary (Quaill) Eakin, and grandson of
John Eakin, who was of Scotch-Irish descent.
James Eakin, father of John R., was born in County Derry, Ireland, within
fourteen miles of Londonderry. He was reared under the old Presbyterian
methods, and took a great dislike to the controlling element of Ireland. In
1808, at the age of sixteen years, he packed his few belongings and started
for "free America." Having a fine education for that day, and being active
and energetic, he had no fear of meeting with failure in the new world, but
looked eagerly forward to the time when he could make a home for himself, and
rear a family in accordance with his own ideas. Upon his arrival in the United
States, he drifted to Philadelphia, Pa., where he began working at the trade
of a chandler, which consists of candle making. He remained at that place for
about fourteen years, removing, in 1822, west to Pittsburg, and followed the
same occupation with B. C. Sawyer, of that city.
BEAVER COUNTY 317
Later, he began teaching school; being a fine scholar and a splendid
writer, he experienced no difficulty in obtaining a desirable situation. He
went to Beaver, Pa., where he taught in the old academy which stood there
many years ago. Mr. Eakin also opened a store on the same site where the Quay
business block was later erected. Still later, he built a residence and store
on the corner of Third street and College avenue. There his death occurred,
in 1847, at the age of sixty-four years. In politics, he was a Whig, and
served many years as justice of the peace, and as burgess of Beaver. He also
owned a fine farm, which was subsequently the property of Mr. Hardy.
James Eakin was united in marriage with Mary Quaill. She was born in
Washington county, Pa., in 1804, and passed away from her earthly home in
1892. Their union was prolific of the following children: Mary Jane; John R.;
Eliza Ann; Sarah; James Q.; Margaret; Victoria; Emma; and Matilda. Mary Jane
is the wife of Daniel Risinger, a prominent blacksmith of Beaver. John R. is
the subject of these lines. Eliza Ann is the widow of John D. Davidson; she
resides in Middlesex, Pennsylvania. Sarah is the wife of Abraham Wolf, of
Beaver. James Q. is deceased; he married Elizabeth Strock, who still survives
him, and resides in Bridgewater. Margaret is the wife of J. M. Dunlap.
Victoria is the wife of H. H. Newkirk, of Rochester, Pennsylvania. Emma, who
is deceased, was the wife of Jacob M. Johnson. Matilda is the wife of J. B.
Wilson, of Beaver.
John R. Eakin pursued a course of study at Beaver Academy, and, like his
honored father, he adopted the profession of instructing youthful minds. But
upon the death of his father, who left a widow with a family of small
children, it devolved upon John, the eldest son, to assist his mother in
rearing the smaller ones. He realized this to be his first duty, nor was that
duty shirked; rather may it be said that it was performed in a faithful
manner, quite worthy of emulation by those similarly situated. He accompanied
his bereaved mother and the family to the farm which the father's thrift and
prosperity had provided. This farm he conducted and managed to the best of
his ability, and assisted his mother in every possible way to rear and
educate the children. After eight years upon the farm, he felt free to seek
other pursuits, and became a steamboat clerk on the Ohio River; he followed
river life for a period of twelve years, during all of which time he held the
position of either clerk or captain. Desiring to settle down in order to be
more with his family, he then accepted a place as clerk in the county
commissioner's office, and also became deputy treasurer, serving two years.
Later, he was interested in the manufacture of glass at Beaver Falls, for
five years. In 1875, he was elected county treasurer of Beaver county,
serving one term. Subsequently, in company with others, he purchased the
Olive Stove Works in 1879. This plant was established in 1872, and was sold
at sheriff's sale, in 1879. Mr. Eakin was at once appointed secretary,
treasurer, and general
318 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES
manager of the works, and under his careful, judicious management, the
business took another turn, and has since been a very progressive and
prosperous plant. The original works have been enlarged, in addition to which
new buildings have been added; with increased facilities and capacities, the
plant now turns out as fine a line of stoves and ranges as any plant of its
size in America. It is located on Railroad street, and the controlling
interest is now owned by Mr. Eakin. In addition to his business interests,
Mr. Eakin also owns the premises on Third street, formerly belonging to his
beloved father, and his present residence on College avenue, which is a
beautiful, modern brick dwelling.
John R. Eakin was joined in the holy bonds of matrimony with Margaret
Mitchell. This most happy union resulted in the birth of two daughters and
one son, whose names are: Annie M., Emma E. and Joseph Mitchell. Annie M.,
the eldest daughter, is the wife of J. Rankin Martin, a leading attorney of
Beaver Falls, whose sketch also appears in this volume. Emma E., the second
daughter, is the widow of James J. Davidson, whose life history appears
elsewhere in this volume of biographies. Joseph Mitchell, the third child,
and only son, is in business with his father, being a partner and bookkeeper
in the Olive Stove Works. He pursued a course of study in the Beaver high
schools, and at Beaver Falls, and, when seventeen years of age, became
interested in the plant to which his whole life has been devoted. He is fast
assuming the heavier duties of the works. He wedded Minnie White, and they
have a son, whom they call John Mitchell. Joseph M. Eakin is a Knight Templar
Mason, a Shriner, an Odd Fellow, and a Knight of Pythias.
Our subject and his family are of the Presbyterian faith. Mr. Eakin is a
member of the borough council, and has always been a public-spirited man,
having done much to further the progress of Beaver. He is spending the sunset
of life, surrounded by loving friends and many comforts, and is reaping the
just reward of earnest and well-directed efforts.
Joseph Mitchell, father-in-law of John R. Eakin, was born in Ireland and
came to the United States in 1822, at the age of thirty-four years. He
located at New Brighton, Pa., and engaged in agricultural pursuits, removing
in 1826 to Beaver, where he went into mercantile pursuits. He was very
successful in this line, and purchased ground adjoining Beaver on the north
and west, until he was the owner of much valuable acreage. He built a
handsome brick residence at Vanport, now known as the Purdy farm. He
continued to prosper until he had accumulated a nice property. He served as a
justice of the peace and as a school director. He did business at the
Pittsburg Bank, and at the advanced age of eighty-seven years, just as he was
about to start to Pittsburg on business, he slipped and fell, breaking his
leg, which caused his death shortly afterward, in 1876. He was joined in
marriage with Anne McCreary, a daughter of James McCreary, of Beaver county,
Pennsylvania. She died in 1846 at the age of thirty-six years. Their
BEAVER COUNTY 319
children were: Eliza, deceased; Sarah, wife of Jesse Cruthers, of Beaver
county; Margaret, wife of the subject of this sketch; Esther, wife of H. M.
Cunningham, of Ohio; Maria L., wife of the late T. B. Cunningham, of Ohio;
James, who married Lucinda Greenlee, of Vanport, Beaver county; and Shannon
R., who married Annie E. Stokes.