BIO: Hon. James Adams BEAVER, Centre County, Pennsylvania

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including the 
Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing Biographical 
Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. 
Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898.
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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, pages 1-7

BEAVER, HON. JAMES ADAMS, a gallant soldier, statesman, jurist and Christian 
citizen of Bellefonte, Centre county, is another from that galaxy of great men 
that noble Bellefonte - the proud home of governors and distinguished men - has 
produced, their names and deeds casting an illustrious halo o'er a finished 
century.
  Although born near Millerstown, Perry Co., Penn., it remained for Gen. Beaver 
to lay the foundation for his successes in life in Bellefonte.  He has descended 
on his paternal side from one of the most forceful, industrious and successful 
families in Pennsylvania.  A distinguished characteristic of the Beaver family 
through generations is courage, integrity, thrift and industry, and they have 
figured gallantly in all the wars which have been fought in this continent for 
over a century and a half.  In speaking of the remarkable traits of the Beavers, 
a gentleman of prominence said that he "was well acquainted with the uncles of 
ex-Gov. Beaver, and in all his intercourse with men he found them to be more 
successful and having a better knowledge of business than any men he knew."  
Hon. Thomas Beaver, an uncle of the subject of this sketch, now deceased, and 
who resided at Danville, Penn., for many years during his life, attained a 
position among the most prosperous merchants and iron manufacturers of the 
United States.  While Gov. Beaver inherited valuable traits from his father's 
side, he is also indebted for much of his force, courage and industry to his 
mother.  She was one of God's noble women, wise, generous, industrious, a devout 
Christian, and was loved and respected by every one that knew her.  Those who 
knew her from childhood regarded her as a most remarkable woman.  Her kind, 
sweet and generous disposition won the affection and confidence of every one. 
One who for several years resided near her home speaks in the highest terms of 
the respect, confidence and esteem she enjoyed among her neighbors and friends.  
It was these influences, coupled with his activity, energy and prominence, that 
have been the means of elevating this illustrious gentleman to the position of 
high honor and influence he occupies to-day.
  George Beaver, the original founder of the family in this country, arrived 
here from Germany about the year 1740.  Tradition says of him that "he was a man 
of fine physique, marvelous endurance, strong mind and untiring industry."  He 
devoted himself with characteristic energy to agricultural pursuits.  His eldest 
son, George, was among the first to shoulder a musket in the war of 
Independence, serving in the 4th Pennsylvania Battalion, commanded by Col. 
Anthony Wayne.  This son, after the close of hostilities, married Catherine 
Kieffer, the sister of an army comrade, and from this union came Peter Beaver, 
the grandfather of the subject of this sketch.  He was born in Franklin county, 
Penn., received a good average education for the time, and when of age set up in 
business for himself as a tanner in Lebanon county.  He soon abandoned this 
occupation, however, and although he afterward engaged in different mercantile 
pursuits, seems to have devoted much of his time to religious work, and he 
acquired considerable distinction as a local preacher of the Methodist 
denomination.  He married Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel Gilbert, who had seen 
some service in the Revolutionary army, and by her had a large family.  All of 
the six sons were at some period of their lives engaged in general merchandising 
in Millerstown, on the Juniata.  Jacob married Ann Eliza Addams, whose father, 

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 2

Abraham Addams, had come from Berks to Perry county about 1811.  Two sons and 
two daughters were born to them, and, of these, James Addams Beaver is their 
third child and first son.  The father died in 1840, and the widow in 1844 
married the Rev. S. H. McDonald, of Millerstown, and removed with him and her 
family to Belleville, Mifflin county.  Here James began his education at the 
district school, but not being possessed of a robust constitution, the years 
1850-51-52 he spent at home, preparing under the guidance of his stepfather, who 
was a fine classical scholar, for an academic course.
  In the latter part of 1852, he was entered at the Pine Grove Academy, and in a 
remarkably short time successfully passed examination for admission to the 
junior class of Jefferson College at Cannonsburg, Penn., of which he was the 
youngest member.  In 1856 he was graduated from this institution with good 
standing in a large class.  Some years afterward the Rev. James A. Reid, pastor 
of the First Presbyterian Church of Springfield, Ill., in a historical sketch of 
his class, said:  "James A. Beaver, better known in college days as 'Jim 
Beaver,' was a little bit of an enthusiastic fellow, full of fun and pun and 
pluck and frolic, who never did anything bad, but always looked glad.  James has 
been growing bigger and bigger ever since he was born.  His usual modesty has 
prevented him from giving me anything from his own pen, but his war record is so 
creditable to himself and so well known that there is no trouble in getting at 
the facts.  Gen. Beaver is an active and devoted member of the Presbyterian 
Church, and as enthusiastic a general in the Sabbath school work of the State as 
he was in the army of his country."  Here we may add that in 1888 Gen. Beaver 
was elected by the Presbytery of Huntingdon to represent it in the Centennial 
meeting of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of the United States 
of America.  He was appointed, by the moderator of the Assembly, vice-moderator, 
and as such presided at several meetings of the Assembly, being the first layman 
in the history of the Church who ever occupied that position.
  After leaving college, young Beaver settled in Bellefonte, and entered the law 
office of Hon. H. N. McAllister, one of the most able and distinguished lawyers 
in the State, who died while a member of the convention which framed the new 
constitution of Pennsylvania.  He applied himself with such assiduity to his 
studies, that January 24, 1859, when he had barely reached his majority, he was 
admitted to the Bar of Centre County.  His industry and the painstaking care he 
exercised in all his work, the fact that he was so thoroughly grounded in the 
principles of the law, so ready in speech and argument, at once made an 
impression, and he was accounted a young lawyer of more than ordinary promise.  
His preceptor, recognizing his merit, and having need of such assistance as he 
could render in a large and important practice, took him into partnership.  
While preparing himself for the Bar he joined the Bellefonte Fencibles, under 
Capt. Andrew G. Curtin, soon to become famous as "Pennsylvania's War Governor."  
Like every task he undertook, Beaver put his entire soul into the work, was so 
attentive and obedient that before long he had attained great proficiency in 
drill.  He gave much attention to the study of tactics, and an opening occurring 
he was made second lieutenant of the company.  Then came the war.  The firing on 
Fort Sumter had aroused the loyal North, but in no instance did the President's 
call for 75,000 volunteers to defend Washington meet with a more prompt response 
than in the picturesque little Pennsylvania town of Bellefonte.  The Fencibles, 
indeed, had assembled, every man equipped for active duty, before the echoes of 
firing had died away.  Writing to his mother at this time, we find Lieut. Beaver 
saying:  "A dispatch from Washington says that hostilities have actually begun.  
The South Carolinians fired upon the 'Star of the West,' which contained 
supplies for Major Anderson.  If this is true, which God forbid, war has 
actually commenced.  Where will be the end?  The nation must be preserved.  And 
who can mistake his duty in this emergency?  I have prayed for direction, 
guidance, and clear revelation of duty, and I cannot now doubt where the path of 
duty lies.  If required, I will march in it, trusting in God for the result.  
There are few men situated as I am.  No person dependent upon me, and a business 
which I will leave in able hands.  If we have a nationality, it must be 
continued, supported, upheld.  If we are ordered to Washington or elsewhere, I 
will see you before I go.  God bless you, my mother."  "No hesitation here," 
says Col. Burr, his biographer, "but a sword leaping from its scabbard to do 
battle for conscience and for country; a noble, ready patriotism, which saw in 
the country's peril the call of a commanding duty."  The young lawyer and 
lieutenant of militia, who took this bold stand while older men were hesitating, 
was not yet twenty-four years of age; but he displayed an appreciation of the 
situation, a foresight of events, and a realization of the mighty issues 
involved which would have done credit to much older heads.

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 3

  The Bellefonte Fencibles were mustered into service as Company H, 2d P.V.I., 
Col. Frederick S. Stumbaugh commanding, on April 21, 1861, and were immediately 
dispatched by rail to Washington.  The Confederates, however, by the burning of 
the bridge at Cockeysville, Md., prevented further progress, and the command was 
ordered to return to York.  His regiment joined the column which operated under 
the command of Gen. Patterson in the Shenandoah Valley, being present at the 
skirmish called the battle of Falling Waters.  In July the term of enlistment 
expired, and the men were duly mustered out at Harrisburg, on the 26th day of 
that month.  Lieut. Beaver, however, had, previous to his muster-out, prepared 
to enter the service again; but this time he determined it would be "for the 
war."  Aided by Thomas Welsh, lieutenant-colonel of the 2d Regiment, of 
Lancaster county, and J. M. Kilbourne, of Potter county, he soon organized the 
45th P.V.I., and it was mustered into service on October 18, 1861.  At the 
election held for officers, Thomas Welsh was elected colonel, Lieut. Beaver 
lieutenant-colonel, and J. M. Kilbourne major.  On October 21st the command left 
camp for Washington, and, shortly after its arrival there, it started for 
Fortress Monroe, whence, on December 6, it sailed for Port Royal, S.C.  Having 
received orders to occupy the Sea Islands, Col. Welsh divided his regiment, 
giving Lieut.-Col. Beaver a separate command, and he was sent to relieve the 
gallant 79th New York, at Fort Walker.  In January, 1862, he relieved the 55th 
P.V.I. and part of the 7th Connecticut, then stationed at Hilton Head Island.  
Subsequently the regiment was ordered north to join the Army of the Potomac 
after the disastrous Peninsular campaign, and after a short sojourn at Newport 
News it was assigned to guard the military railroad from Acquia Creek to 
Fredericksburg.  Col. Beaver was dispatched with the remainder of the command to 
Brooks Station.
  On September 4, Lieut.-Col. Beaver, at the urgent request of his neighbors at 
home, and of Gov. Curtin, resigned his commission in the 45th to accept the 
appointment of colonel of the 148th P.V.I., known as the Centre County regiment, 
and, with his new command, left Harrisburg on September 8.  His regiment was 
posted along the Northern Central railroad during the Antietam campaign, and 
remained in that position until December 10, when it was transferred to the 
Rappahannock, and became part of the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 2nd Corps.  As 
soon as the regiment arrived at the front, Col. Beaver rode up to Gen. Hancock's 
headquarters and reported his arrival.  "Gen. Hancock," he said, "I have been 
ordered to report to you, sir, for duty."  "What is your regiment, Colonel?"  
"148th P.V.I." was the reply; "and, General, while I would not presume so much 
as to suggest the disposition that is to be made of my regiment, I shall be glad 
if it could be placed in a brigade of your division, where the men can see a 
daily exemplification of the good results of the soldiery discipline I have 
endeavored to teach."  The great soldier was, of course, no less surprised than 
pleased at the enthusiasm displayed by the young colonel, but could only reply:  
"I regret to say that we have no such brigade.  I only wish we had.  You will 
report for duty, sir, to the commander of the 1st Brigade of this division."  It 
is said that the request which the young officer had made led Gen. Hancock to 
keep a careful watch upon his future course, and it was not long before he 
observed that in camp and upon parade the regiment which he commanded was a 
model for all of the others in the brigade.  Indeed, so conspicuous was its 
excellence that long before the army was again prepared for battle, Gen. Joe 
Hooker had predicted that it would not be long before its colonel would be a 
major-general.  Gen. Hancock's estimate of him, written twenty years after the 
incident just mentioned, may be here quoted:  "Gen. James A. Beaver joined the 
first division of the 2nd Army Corps (then commanded by me) with his regiment, 
the 148th P.V.I., just after the battle of Fredericksburg, December, 1862, and 
served constantly under my command in the 2nd Corps (save when absent from 
wounds received in battle) until the fall of 1864.  During that period he was 
engaged in some of the most important campaigns and battles of the Army of the 
Potomac, and took a conspicuous and distinguished part in many of them.  I 
consider him one of the most intrepid, intelligent, and efficient young officers 
in our service during the war, and on several occasions mentioned him in my 
official reports for valuable service and distinguished bravery.  He was wounded 
at Chancellorsville, again while gallantly leading his fine regiment and brigade 
in an assault upon the enemy's works at Petersburg, Va., June 16, 1864, and at 
Ream's Station, August 25, 1864.  On this latter occasion he had just joined his 
regiment on the battlefield, and taken command of the brigade to which it 
belonged, after an absence caused by former wounds, when he was struck by a 
musket ball which shattered his thigh and disabled him for life by the loss of a 
leg."
  Col. Beaver and his regiment were soon moving forward to the battle of 
Chancellorsville, and 

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 4

hardly had the firing on this memorable battlefield commenced ere he fell, hit 
hard below the waistband.  It seemed to all about him that the wound must 
eventually prove fatal, but he declined the services of those who sprang to his 
assistance, saying:  "Go to your places; it will be time enough to bury the dead 
when the battle is over."  An hour later he received the welcome intelligence 
from the army surgeon that a gutta-percha pencil, which had been smashed to 
atoms, had turned the ball from its course, causing it to plow a great track 
through the fleshy part of the abdomen only, and thus saved injury to the 
intestines.  He was removed to his home at Bellefonte, but before the wound was 
entirely healed he took command of Camp Curtin, by order of Gen. Couch, and 
began organizing the troops which were then flocking by the thousands to 
Harrisburg in response to President Lincoln's call for 120,000 men for the 
purpose of defending the State of Pennsylvania against Lee's invasion.  The 
satisfactory manner in which he accomplished this task called forth the 
following compliment from Maj.-Gen. Couch, which was issued in special order No. 
35, July 15, 1863:
  "The Major-General commanding tenders thanks to Col. Beaver for the important 
service rendered him in the organization of the troops which were hurried to the 
capital and placed under his command at Camp Curtin.  Notwithstanding he was 
absent on leave in this department, on account of wounds received in battle, the 
zeal and energy he manifested in the cause is worthy of emulation."  Many years 
after this, Gen. Couch, speaking of Col. Beaver's devotion to duty at the time, 
said:  "He was a soldier who could be trusted morning, noon and night."  Col. 
Beaver now made request to be allowed to rejoin his regiment, and, his request 
having been granted, he crossed the Potomac with it and participated in Gen. 
Meade's retrograde movement from Culpeper Court House, and in the Mine Run 
campaign during the autumn of 1863.  Part of the winter and following spring 
were spent near Stevensburg, Va.  On May 13, he was assigned to the command of 
the 3d Brigade, 1st Division, 2d Corps.  He participated in all the battles of 
the Wilderness campaign, and received the surrender of Gen. Stuart at 
Spottsvylania.  In the assault of Cold Harbor his regiment especially 
distinguished itself for its daring and successful actions, and at Petersburg, 
on June 16, he commanded a brigade, but was severely wounded in the first 
assault upon the works.  He was sent home, but returned to the army in time to 
follow his division, and reached it just as it was receiving the terrible 
assault of the enemy at Ream's Station on August 25.  By direction of Gen. 
Hancock he immediately assumed command of the brigade, and had scarcely more 
than relieved the officer in command when he received a wound in the right 
thigh, in consequence of which it was found necessary to amputate the leg at the 
hip.  The loss of his leg, of course, completely incapacitated him for active 
service, and at his own request he was honorably mustered out of service on 
December 22, 1864, on account of wounds received in battle, having previously 
declined a detail for court-martial duty at Washington.  Previous to this, 
however, he had been brevetted brigadier-general "for highly meritorious and 
distinguished conduct throughout the campaign, particularly for valuable 
services at Cold Harbor while commanding a brigade."
  General Beaver resumed the practice of his profession with his partner, Hon. 
H. N. McAllister, who had conducted the business during his absence, and who had 
no superior at the bar in central Pennsylvania.  With both members of the firm 
actively and devotedly engaged in the practice of the profession, the business 
not only increased but became very exacting in its demands.  He did not on this 
account, however, neglect the duties which devolve upon the individual citizen.  
Soon after his return he was induced, for the sake of securing harmony within 
the Republican ranks, to accept the nomination for representative in the State 
Legislature.  Centre county at that time gave an average Democratic majority of 
about 1,000.  There was no expectation that this majority could be overcome, and 
no special effort was made in the canvass.  He was defeated by his Democratic 
competitor by a majority of less than 150.  In the following year he was 
informally tendered the nomination for Congress in a district which was then 
largely Republican, the conferees of three of the counties (the district being 
composed of five) offering to support him for the nomination.  He declined to 
allow the use of his name, however, on the ground that the representative of the 
district who was then serving in Congress had a right to another term.  He also 
refused to allow his name to be used in opposition to that of Gov. Geary for a 
second term in 1869, although offered the support of a powerful faction in 
Pennsylvania politics.
  In 1878 his name was brought forward by the county convention of Centre county 
as their choice for the nomination for governor.  He did not regard this as a 
call for his services, and therefore paid no special attention to it, and no 
effort was made to secure support in other sections of the State.  His name was 
favorably 

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 5

mentioned in the Republican convention of that year, and although he advised his 
friends to vote for Gen. Hoyt, whose nomination had been determined upon, he 
received a number of votes.  This brought his name prominently before the people 
of the State, and in the campaign which followed he rendered efficient service, 
particularly in the northwestern part of the State, where great dissatisfaction 
existed.  In 1880 he was elected as a district delegate to the Republican 
National Convention which convened at Chicago in that year, and was unanimously 
elected the chairman of the Pennsylvania delegation.  Notwithstanding the 
division of the delegation unto hostile factions, he held himself so fairly in 
regard to both of them that the vote of the Pennsylvania delegation was never 
questioned during the entire period of that exciting convention; and after the 
nomination of Gen. Garfield he was tendered by his co-delegates the unanimous 
vote of the delegation for the Vice-Presidency.  Several other delegations, 
North and South, made a like tender, and it was believed at the time that he 
would have been nominated upon the ticket with Gen. Garfield if he had not 
peremptorily declined to allow his name to be used, giving for a reason therefor 
that it was neither good politics to nominate a candidate for Vice-President 
from Pennsylvania, nor had he any desire to occupy a place in which there was 
little opportunity for activity.  At his suggestion the Pennsylvania delegation 
decided to support any candidate who might be presented by the majority of the 
delegation from New York.  Gen. Arthur was afterward nominated, and the result 
is well known.
  In January, 1881, a successor to Hon. William A. Wallace was to be elected by 
the Legislature to represent Pennsylvania in the United States Senate.  Hon. 
Henry W. Oliver was the choice of the Republican caucus.  A large number of 
Republicans, however, refused to support the caucus nominee, and a dead-lock 
ensued which lasted for several weeks.  Without any consultation with him, and 
without his knowledge or consent, the name of Gen. Beaver was presented by a 
representative of those who opposed the caucus nominee as a compromise 
candidate.  He was named by what was known as the regular caucus, but owing to 
the manner in which this was done the Independents declined to support him.  He 
went to Harrisburg, assisted to provide a tribunal which should name a candidate 
to be supported by both elements of the party, and then returned home.  The 
result was the nomination of the Hon. John I. Mitchell, who was elected.  By 
these means, and through his active participation in the Presidential campaign 
of 1880, Gen. Beaver was brought prominently before the people of Pennsylvania, 
and in the preliminary campaign which preceded the nomination for governor in 
1882, his name was the only one prominently mentioned for that nomination.  No 
opposition to his nomination was known to exist, and he was the unanimous choice 
of the convention when it assembled.  Dissensions arose afterward, however, 
growing out of alleged abuses of internal management in the Republican party, 
which resulted in the calling of an independent convention, the nomination of 
another Republican ticket, and the consequent and inevitable defeat of both.  
The entire Democratic State ticket was elected.
  In 1886 Gen. Beaver was again elected the unanimous choice of his party for 
the chief magistracy of the State, and after an exciting canvass, in which the 
Prohibition party took an unusually active part, he was elected by a plurality 
of over 40,000.  He was inaugurated January 18, 1887, and it may be truly said 
that no man ever assumed office with a greater or more sacred sense of the 
obligation which he then took upon himself.  He entered upon his duties with a 
fearless determination to faithfully execute the laws for the whole people, and 
his administration certainly proved that no pressure or crisis ever made him 
swerve from his resolve.  His administration was characterized by a familiarity 
with the conditions of society, and a knowledge of the wants of the people, 
which were acquired by an active participation in their every-day life, through 
the varied means offered him for such a purpose.  Provision for industrial 
education, in connection with the common-school system of the State, was 
strongly urged in his inaugural address, and throughout his administration this 
subject received his careful consideration, and was insisted upon on every 
proper occasion.  During his term of office a commission to consider the whole 
question of industrial education was, at his suggestion, appointed, and their 
report on the subject forms one of the most important and valuable contributions 
to the practical solution of this question which has yet appeared.  In his first 
message to the Legislature he called special attention to the necessity for 
improvement in the roads of the State, and, as essential thereto, a reform in 
the road laws.  The subject was immediately taken up by the governors of many 
other States, and is now one of the foremost questions demanding a practical and 
successful solution.
  On May 31, 1889, there occurred in the Conemaugh Valley, on the western slope 
of the Alleghanies, a catastrophe which has probably no 

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 6 

parallel, by which some 3,000 lives were lost by reason of extraordinary heavy 
rains, and the giving away of an immense reservoir in the mountains sustained by 
a dam originally built for supplying the canal system of the State with water, 
and which had more lately been maintained for fishing purposes by an outing 
club.  In response to the appeals made for the bereaved and destitute people of 
this region some three millions of dollars poured into the hands of the 
Executive, which were distributed through a relief commission appointed by him.  
He also assumed the responsibility of borrowing $500,000, which provided, 
through the agency of the Board of Health, for the removal of the debris in the 
valley, which, owing to the particular circumstances of the case, seriously 
endangered the health of the remaining inhabitants.  This work required months 
of unusual labor and most careful forethought in plan and execution.  Subsequent 
events proved that the emergency was wisely and energetically met and mastered.  
Gov. Beaver was deeply interested, during his official term, in the project to 
connect the waters of Lake Erie and the Ohio river by a ship-canal.  He 
cooperated very zealously with a commission which was appointed by him to 
inquire as to the expediency of such a highway, and in his last message to the 
legislature gave expression to views which, in the light of subsequent 
developments in regard to the Canadian canal system, show his grasp of the 
subject.  He said in relation to the subject:  "If the waters of Lake Erie and 
the Ohio were connected by a canal such as proposed and shown to be entirely 
feasible, and if the present canal from Albany to Buffalo were enlarged so as to 
admit vessels of the same size, these links would secure a chain of inter-
waterway communication between New York and New Orleans which would be 
invaluable for commercial purposes, and in time of war would furnish an entirely 
safe means of communication between these important termini and all other 
interior points.  It would, in addition, give us control for defensive purposes 
of our lake front, which we do not now have, and which it is doubtful whether we 
can secure in any other way under present treaty stipulations."
  His was a practical business administration without any effort at show, but 
with an earnest attempt to secure results calculated to advance the welfare of 
the people.  Rev. Dr. Keady, of Alabama, who lost an arm in the Confederate 
service, and who is a warm personal friend of Gen. Beaver, at a meeting of their 
college class in 1891, thus summed up his administration, "in the words of one 
who watched his course closely:  'His administration was high-toned, 
conscientious, diligent, and clean, without even the shadow of a suggestion of 
scandal or of subjection to improper influences.  He was considerate of all 
legitimate interests, scrupulous in his selections for appointment to office, 
and unflinching in his exercise of the veto power whenever his judgment so 
directed, even in the case of measures supported by his best personal friends.  
His career has indeed furnished a true and honorable type of the American 
citizen and public official.'"
  In the attempt to reorganize the militia of the State of Pennsylvania after 
the war, Gen. Beaver was appointed a major-general by Gov. Geary, and took a 
prominent part in securing by legislation and practical effort such 
reorganization.  It required great labor and persistence.  He with a few others, 
however, including Gen. Hartranft, who was afterward elected governor, and other 
general officers, gave much time and effort, and finally succeeded in organizing 
the National Guard of Pennsylvania.  Gen. Beaver was continually in service, 
either as brigadier-general or major-general, until the election of 1886, when 
he became ex-officio commander-in-chief, and appeared at the head of the Guard 
at the Constitutional Centennial Celebration in 1887, in Philadelphia, and at 
the celebration of the Centennial of Washington's Inauguration in 1889 in New 
York.  He was thus, either as brigade or division commander or as the commander-
in-chief, connected with the National Guard of Pennsylvania for over twenty 
years, and is now on the honorably retired list, with the rank of major-general.  
Upon his return to private life he again resumed the practice of law with his 
former law partners, J. W. Gephart and Jno. M. Dale.  Mr. Gephart retiring from 
the firm in 1893, the practice was continued for a time by Beaver & Dale, until 
the Governor retired from active practice.  He was for several years president 
of the Blubaker Coal Co., which is the owner of a large and valuable body of 
bituminous coal lands in Cambria county, Penn., and which has had a phenomenal 
growth and development.  He is specially proud of his State and her history, and 
is an earnest and efficient advocate of any and all improvements tending to 
advance her interests and the welfare of her people.  He has for many years 
taken great interest in the Pennsylvania State College, has been a member of its 
board of trustees for nearly twenty-five years, and is chairman of the executive 
committee which has practical direction of its affairs.  He has been largely 
instrumental in aiding in the wonderful development of this institution, which 
ranks sec-

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 7

ond to none in laying broad and deep foundations upon which a great industrial 
university is to be built.  He has been a member of the board of trustees of 
Washington and Jefferson College-his alma mater-and of Lincoln University, in 
Chester county, Penn., an institution for the education of colored young men.  
He has also been president of the Alumni Association of Washington and Jefferson 
College for a number of years.  In college he was a member of the Beta Theta Pi 
fraternity, and he is also a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society.  In 1889 
Dickinson College, of Carlisle, Penn., and Hanover College, of Indiana, both 
conferred upon him the honorary literary degree of LL.D.
  The General possesses a large and valuable library, and makes a specialty of 
collecting books and data of all kinds relating to the war.  He was selected to 
act as grand marshal of the ceremonies at Washington in connection with the 
inauguration of Gen. Benjamin Harrison as President of the United States.  Like 
most other great men who passed through the war, he is strongly in favor of 
burying all sectional animosity connected with it, and in his address of welcome 
at Gettysburg, in 1888, by the Army of the Potomac, to the Confederate soldiers, 
said, among other patriotic and appropriate remarks:
  "I have often busied myself in thought and have sometimes spoken on some 
phases of the question, 'Do the results of the war pay for its cost?' It is 
difficult for us to look at your side of that question.  It was a great price 
that we paid on both sides for that decision.  Think of the blood; think of the 
tears; think of the treasure; think of the property; look at the graves in 
yonder cemetery; think of the scene of the conflict.  Oh, what a cost! And yet, 
my countrymen, think of the result.  Think of the new birth of freedom; think of 
the new hopes and the new aspirations for the future; think of the career which 
opens up before us as we face the future; think of the generations to come; 
think of the heritage we are preparing for them; think of the great settlement 
of great questions settled, and only to be settled, by the sword; think of the 
saving of blood and of tears, and of treasure, because we took up the sword, and 
did not leave it for other generations who were to come after us, when feeling 
would be intensified, when greater numbers would be involved, and when the 
conflict would have been more prolonged and more deadly.  The finite mind loses 
itself in contemplation of these questions.  We can bow to the decision; and I 
think we are learning to say more and more, as the days go by that, great as was 
the cost, infinite as was the price, the result pays-pays now and will pay much 
more in the future.  I cannot particularize as to the questions which we face-
the great questions of public policy which we must settle in this generation.  I 
see a grand future for my country.  Do I say 'my country?'  Your country-our 
country, North and South.  I see a great development of her material resources; 
I see a grand upbuilding of her intellectual power; I see a broad extension of 
her influence among the nations of the earth; I see her glorious flag floating 
at the topmast in every harbor of the world; I see the principles upon which she 
is founded, extending and deepening and widening for the benefit of mankind; I 
see the glorious Christianity which underlies and characterizes her 
civilization, carried by human lips of her commissioning throughout the world, 
for the healing of nations.  And, as this vision arises, the question is not 
'What of the past?' but 'What of the future?'  How shall we meet its 
responsibilities?  How shall we answer its demands?  How shall we rise to the 
heights of its great possibilities?  O, my countrymen of the Gray and of the 
Blue, these are the questions about which we should be concerned.  And because 
the consideration of these questions is pressing and imminent, we who wore the 
Blue have invited you men who wore the Gray, to join us here on this historic 
field.  We welcome you because we need you; we welcome you because you need us; 
we welcome you because we together must enter in and possess this future, and 
transmit this heritage to the oncoming generations.  Are we ready?  If so, 'Let 
the dead past bury its dead.'"
  In July, 1895, Gov. Beaver was appointed Judge of the Superior Court of 
Pennsylvania, which had been authorized by an Act of the Legislature then lately 
passed.  He was subsequently nominated by the State Republican Convention for 
the full term of ten years from January, 1896, and was elected at the general 
election in November which followed.  Judge Beaver at his home is looked upon as 
a most exemplary citizen and no one takes a deeper interest in the affairs of 
his home town.  Some five years ago he was elected by a handsome majority at the 
borough election as one of the councilmen of the borough, and was one of the 
most active workers in that body.  He is a bright example for any young man.  He 
is the embodiment of Christian courage, of all that goes to make a true and pure 
life.  His time, his talents, his money, have been sacrificed for the good of 
his country, his State and his home community.  Still in the strength of a noble 
manhood, with a will to work, and intelligence to direct, he will continue to 
fill the same position of usefulness while he lives.  When the true worth of 
this illustrious citizen is fully appreciated, no citizen in the history of this 
Commonwealth will occupy a more exalted position in the annals of the State than 
Ex-Governor and General and Judge James A. Beaver.
  On December 26, 1865, Judge Beaver was united in marriage to Miss Mary Allison 
McAllister, daughter of the late Hon. H. N. McAllister, of Bellefonte.  She is a 
lady of fine culture and education, and an air of refinement and taste surrounds 
her home.  An enthusiastic American, she is proud of her soldier husband and his 
record, and she has the supreme satisfaction of knowing that she has proved 
herself a worthy helpmeet to him.  They have two sons living-Gilbert Addams and 
Thomas, both bright and talented young men, who give promise of useful and 
helpful lives.  A third son, Hugh McAllister, died August 2, 1897.  He was a 
very remarkable young man, and although only in his twenty-fifth year had 
accomplished more in influencing others toward right living than often falls to 
the lot of much older men.  His untimely death was universally mourned in his 
home community, where he was greatly esteemed and beloved.