BIO: William R. HAZEN, 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. 203-205. _________________________________________________________________ WILLIAM R. HAZEN, who is widely known throughout Western Pennsylvania as superintendent of the Beaver Valley Traction Company, has efficiently served that company since 1885, when horse cars were still used. He is a son of Isaac and Mary (Olinger) Hazen, and was born in North Sewickley township, Beaver county, Pa., in 1862. James Hazen, the grandfather of William R., 204 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES was one of the pioneers of Beaver county, moving here when it was a complete wilderness and settling in North Sewickley township. Clearing a place, he built a log house and barns, and lived there the remainder of his life. Among the children born to him and his wife Jerusha, was Isaac, father of the subject of this writing. Isaac Hazen was born in North Sewickley township and received his intellectual training in the public schools. He learned the occupation of a farmer and assisted his father upon the farm for some time; he then purchased a tract of eighty acres for himself, clearing it and constructing thereon good substantial buildings. He improved the place, placing it under a high state of cultivation, and lived there throughout his life. His wife's maiden name was Mary Olinger, and by her he had seven children, as follows: Amariah (Fogle); William R.; Laura (Thompson); Nettie (Nye); Violetta (Miller); Lizzie (Smith); and Howard. Politically, Mr. Hazen was a Democrat and served as school director. He was a Baptist in his religious views. William R. Hazen was given a common school education and spent his younger days in assisting his father upon the farm, but in 1880 he removed to Beaver Falls and adopted a mechanical career. He was naturally adapted to this and acquired a high degree of skill at it. He was first employed in the cutlery works, then in the axe factory, and later in the file factory. He continued in the file works until 1885, when he became interested in the street car company at Bearer Falls, and after being connected with the road for one year he was given charge of the stables. He continued in that capacity until 1892, when the horses were supplanted by electricity, and the road was transformed into an electric road. Until the road was placed in good working order he served as conductor for two months, and as such met with a very serious accident, which compelled him to lay off for one year. Upon his return to duty, he was appointed to the post of car dispatcher and served in that position until 1898, when he was promoted to the office of general superintendent of the road. The responsibilities of the position are many and arduous, but he has ever discharged the duties of his trust to the best of his ability, and to the entire satisfaction of the officials of the company. The lines over which he has supervision extend from Morado Park to the lower end of Beaver, Pa., being mostly double track and continuous rails. There are fifty-five men in his employ. The power-house is in Beaver Falls, a one-story brick structure, with dimensions of 120x60 feet, and was built in 1892. It is equipped with two very powerful Buckeye engines of 140 and 125 horse power respectively, with four dynamos of immense power, and is fitted with the Thompson-Houston equipment. It also supplies power for the Patterson Heights Inclined Electric Road, and for the Beaver & Vanport line. The car barn is located in Rochester township in a very pretentious building of vitrified brick, the dimensions being 260x120 feet, and besides BEAVER COUNTY 205 storing all of the cars, it contains the superintendent's office, the general offices and the mess room for employees. Mr. Hazen resides in a very desirable home at No. 271 College avenue, which he owns. He is a man of pleasing character and his nature abounds in good will toward his employees and his fellow-citizens, by whom he is held in the highest esteem. William R. Hazen was united in marriage with Irene Jackson, who was born in Beaver Falls, where she attended the public schools. She was graduated from the Beaver Falls High School, and then taught school until her marriage. They became the parents of three children, namely: Earle and Lyle, twins, born in 1891; and Fern, who was born in 1892. Politically, Mr. Hazen is a Democrat, and is a member of the council from College Hill Borough, and also a school director. In religious views he is a Baptist. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle, and the K. of L.