BIO: Henry M. CAMP, 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. 305-309. _________________________________________________________________ HENRY M. CAMP is one of the most active and prominent business men in the borough of Rochester, Beaver county, Pa., where the Camp family has resided and contributed to its growth and prosperity since its early days. Our subject is interested in many of the local enterprises, and since 1887 he has acted in the capacity of superintendent of the Rochester Heat & Light Company. He was born in Rochester in 1850, and is a son of Michael Camp and grandson of Michael Camp, Sr. Michael Camp was born in Hanover, Germany, and, with his brother John, came to the United States in 1832, first locating in Philadelphia, then in Butler county, and finally in Beaver county, where he spent his remaining days. They crossed over the mountains in a wagon, and at Rochester made a stop, and there John erected the old National Hotel on Water street; he later owned the one now adjoining, known as the Farmer's Hotel. Michael Camp was engaged in the making of shoes, the work being all by hand; the leather was purchased from near-by 306 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES tanners and much of the work was let out to men who would complete it at their homes. His home and shop were located in Beaver, near where Mr. Frank Laird now resides. During his latter days he retired to Rochester, where he passed from this life, aged seventy-five years. His wife was Annie Barbara Schlesman, and they became the parents of the following children: Elizabeth, who died in Germany; Catherine, who married John Frick; Michael; Mary, who was born while her parents were crossing the ocean, and who is the wife of John Miller; Christian and Martin, who are twins; Margaret, who was married to Benjamin Dawson; Henry; John; and Barbara, who is the wife of James Robinson. Michael Camp was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1827, and upon coming to this country, learned the trade of a brickmaker, but soon discontinued that occupation and accepted a position as clerk in the National Hotel. John Buehler was proprietor, and died the second day after taking possession of the hotel. Mr. Camp continued as clerk in the hotel, and later married Mrs. John Buchler, whose maiden name was Magdaline Weise. She died in 1877, aged sixty-four years, and had been married three times. Her first husband was Mr. Zerker, by whom she reared three children: Magdaline, Mary, and John. Her second husband was John Buchler, and four children were born to them: Frederick, William, Caroline and Emma. Her third union was with Michael Camp, and their only child was Henry M., the subject of this sketch. Mr. Camp formed a second union, with Mrs. Catherine (Mauser) Smith, widow of John Smith. Mr. Camp owned and conducted the Pavilion Hotel, now known as the St. James, from 1861 to 1886; in the latter year he sold out to C. H. Clarke, and moved on the farm formerly owned by William Johnson, which is located on the east side of Adams street. Mr. Camp still resides there, and is spending his latter days in comfort and happiness. He has always been a stanch Democrat, and has served in the council, as assessor and in many minor offices. Mr. Camp was one of the promoters, and is a large stockholder, of the Rochester Insurance Company; he is a stockholder in the Rochester Flint Vial & Bottle Works, - now known as the Point Bottle Works, - a stockholder in the Olive Stove Works, a member of the Rochester Heat & Light Company, a director in the Big Beaver Bridge Company, and a stockholder in the Keystone Tumbler Company. He built his present residence and has also erected many houses for tenement use. The subject of this sketch attended the schools of Rochester until he attained the age of seventeen years, when he went to Pittsburg to learn the machinists' trade, and followed it for five years. Returning to Rochester, he went into the hotel business with his father, but upon the organization of the Rochester Heat & Light Company, he became superintendent and a stockholder. This company is composed of two hundred stockholders and has a capital stock of $18,000. The gas used is furnished from Beaver BEAVER COUNTY 309 and Allegheny counties, and the company has not only been a success, but a means of great saving to the residents of Rochester. Our subject is a stockholder in the Rochester Insurance Company, the Flint Vial & Bottle Works, the Big Beaver Bridge Company, the People's Electric Railroad, and the High River Bridge Company. In 1883, he erected a handsome brick residence on the corner of Jefferson and Connecticut streets, and has resided there ever since. Mr. Camp was joined in marriage with Miss Tillie E. Scheinder, a daughter of Louis E. Scheinder, of Rochester, and this happy union has been blessed by the birth of three children: Charles A.; Marl Etta, and Emma Maria, deceased. Our subject is a solid Democrat, and has served as a councilman. Religiously, he is a member of the Lutheran church; socially, he is a member and past master of the Masonic fraternity; and member and past regent of the Royal Arcanum. Mr. Camp is a man of high business principles, is respected by all who know him, and is always active in advancing the prosperity of his adopted town and county.