BIO: J. C. McKIM, 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. 426-428. _________________________________________________________________ J. C. McKIM, a retired contractor and builder, is spending his declining years on his fine farm in Big Beaver township, Beaver county, Pa., and enjoying the fruits of a well-spent life. He was born December 17, 1834, is a son of William and Margaret (Gilkey) McKim, and a grandson of James and Hannah (Lewis) McKim. James McKim was born in Ireland, in 1744. When twenty-two years of age, he came to America. Not many years after he sought a home in America, the Revolutionary War broke out. James joined the Washington Life Guards and served throughout that long and bloody struggle, as did his brother John, who was in the same regiment. At the close of the war, James went to Northumberland county, where he found employment as a furnace man in the iron works. He left there eight years afterwards, and engaged in similar work in the Beaver Valley. About the year 1800 he bought a farm of wild land in Beaver county. After opening a small. area, he built a log house and barn and engaged in clearing and cultivating the rest of the tract. He improved his place as rapidly as possible, and raised general farm products. He died at the good old age of eighty-eight. Hannah Lewis, also born and reared in Ireland, became his faithful wife and they reared six of their seven children. The names of their offspring are: Alexander; Thomas; John; William, the father of J. C.; Mary (Marshall); Hannah, who died aged eleven; and Elizabeth. William McKim was born in Northumber- BEAVER COUNTY 427 land county, Pa., in 1790. When only ten years old, he accompanied his parents to Beaver county, where he attended school. After this he engaged in farming. When twenty-two years old, he enlisted in the army, and fought in the War of 1812, serving through that memorable contest. On the termination of the struggle he resumed work on the farm, assisting his father on the old homestead. At a period later in life, he purchased a farm of ninety-five acres, and upon this he built a two-story, hewed-log house, which was a very fine house, for those days. He cleared his land, raised a great deal of grain, and also devoted much time and attention to sheep-raising. He was a shoemaker, also, and followed that trade to a considerable extent during the winter months. William McKim was twice married. In November, 1816, he was wedded to Letitia Miller, by whom he had four children, namely: Robert, Hannah, Lewis and James. Robert was born in 1818, was educated in the district schools, and was a teacher for fourteen years. He was a fine linguist; later in life, he devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits. Hannah (Cochran) was born in May, 1820; Lewis, was born January 7, 1823, and James was born July 14, 1825. Some time after the death of his first wife, Mr. McKim formed a second matrimonial alliance by wedding Margaret Gilkey, who was also born and schooled in Beaver county. This union resulted in five children, whose names are: T. W., a prominent educator; J. C., subject of this biography; William A., a successful farmer in Kansas; Harvey M.; and Mary J. (Runyon). William McKim belonged to the Republican party. He served as school director, supervisor and collector. He was a consistent member of the United Presbyterian church, of which he was a deacon for many years. He died in 1856, and his widow survived him until 1879. J. C. McKim was born en the old homestead, and was the recipient of a good practical education obtained in the district schools. He learned the carpenter's trade, and followed that line of work until 1861. He then enlisted in the Union army and served nine months in the Civil War. His brother, Harvey M., also enlisted, and served three years and a half. After the war, J. C. McKim formed a partnership with his brother, and worked at contracting and building, until 1868. He then bought his first farm, containing fifty-five acres. He carried on the double work of farming and contracting and was soon enabled to add forty acres to his original purchase. He then discontinued carpentering and devoted his time exclusively to farming. From time to time he has added to his land until he now owns one of the finest farms in Beaver county. It contains two hundred and fifty-nine acres and has two fine dwelling houses. One is an attractive brick residence and the other is a new frame, recently built by Mr. McKim from plans and specifications of his own design. It is a handsome structure and a model of beauty and convenience. It was built two years ago, and is now occupied by Mr. McKim as his home. The barns, 428 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES sheds and out-buildings compare well with the house in the matter of modern design. The subject hereof carries on general farming. He married Sabina Miller, a talented lady, who was born in 1840, and became Mr. McKim's wife, in 1864. She is a daughter of William and Margaret (Crawford) Miller, and a granddaughter of Robert and Catherine (Williams) Miller. Robert Miller was born at Northampton, and came to his death at the age of forty-five years, - while assisting in raising a barn. He married Catherine Williams, and they had ten children, namely: Aaron; William; Moses; Charles, who died at the age of eight years; Lettie (McKim): Jane (Crawford); Ellen (Shannon); Mary (McChesney); Sidney, who remained single; and Elizabeth, who was twice married. Her first husband's name was Eckels; her second was a Mr. Parker. William Miller was born, in 1802, in Beaver county, where he was educated. He learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed during the winters. When his services in this capacity were required he would go to the house where shoes were needed, and remain there until he had made shoes for the entire family, if so requested. During the summer he engaged in farming. He was joined in marriage with Margaret Crawford, a daughter of Robert and Martha (McClelland) Crawford. They reared six children, namely: Ellen, born in 1828; Robert, born in 1831; Martha (wife of F. W. McKim), born in 1834; Aaron, born in 1837; Sabina (J. C. McKim's wife), born in 1840; and Nevin, born in 1843. To the subject of this biography and his worthy wife one son, William M. McKim, was born, in 1865. William M. McKim was a student at Bridgewater Academy, and is a fine scholar. He adopted, however, the peaceful, independent life of a farmer. He married Ironette Patterson and three bright children now bless their home. They are Mary R., born in 1894; John P., born in 1896; and Robert G., born in 1898. Previous to his marriage with Miss Patterson, William M. assisted his father, who then gave him a place of his own, as a foundation for his future career. Mr. McKim has been an elder in the United Presbyterian church for several years. In politics he acknowledges his preference for the Republican party. He has served as school director, and in various township offices.