The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1882-03-15
GENERAL JAMES A. BEAVER,
STATESMAN, LAWYER AND
SOLDIER.
The Career of a Gallant Peunsyiyanian
"A Man VINO was Wounded
and Manned in the Ser
vice of His Coun-
try During
the War.

the War.
"That was one of the finest exhibi-
tions OF skirmish line man9uvre and
fighting | ever saw"
Thus spoke General Warren, the
old commander of the Fifth Corps,
of a Colonel of q Pennsylvania Regi-
ment, young in years, who was
giving evidence of his military abili-
ty and courage while commanding
the skirmish line at Auburn Hill.
the real opening to the battle OF
Bristow Station. This young man
had even then a remarkable record as
a soldier, but it grew stronger and
brighter as the war clouds thickened
and the clash of arms filled the land
with their terrible realities.
The soldier thus compliment
ed is a descendant of a dis
tinctively Pennsylvania Dutch
family. Not long after William
Penn made his friendly treaty with
the Indians, and laid the foundation
OF this great Commonwealth, his an
cestors emigrated from Alsace to seek
their fortunes on the new Continent.
They settled in what is now Chester
County, and for more than five gen.
erations have added strong men and
women to the sturdy population Of
the Keystone State.
He seems to have inherited mill
tary liking from his ancestors, some
of, whom were soldiers in the early
Indian wars. His great-grandfather
served in the Revolutionary war,
and was a member of Captain
Church's company of famous Mad
Anthony Wayne's regiment. After
the struggles of the Revolutionary
resulted in the liberty for the Colo
nies, he settled in Franklin County
and married Miss Keefer, a COM
rades sister. One of his sons settled
in Lebanon County and raised a
family, one son of which took up
his residence in Millerstown Perry
County, on the banks Of the Juniata,
and following the family bent went
to merchandising.
GENERAL BEAVERS EARLY LIFE.
James A. Beaver, his son, was
born at Millerstown, October q,
1887, and is consequently in his
ty-ffth year. His father died
when he was only three years of age,
and he was brought up by his grand
father, who lived in Miffiin County.
He laid the foundation of his edu-
cation in the common schools of
bis native place and of Mifiin, and
under the tuition of MS grandfather,
who was minister. He was sent
to Jefferson College at Cannonsburg
Washington County, to complete
his education, when about sixteen
years of age. He graduated with
nonors from that institution on the
ith of August, 1856. when nineteen
years old, and almost Immediately
.emoyed to Bellefonte, where he now
to fit himself for the legal
profession. He began the study of
aw with Hon. HI. n. McAllister,
me of the most distinguished law
7ers of Central Pennsylvania, who
lied while a member of the conven-
ion which formed the present Con-
titution of this State. Almost
rom the moment young Beaver
anne to Centre County he began
aking an active part in the politics
nd society of that section. He
vas admitted to the bar when bare
v twenty-one years of age, and SO
apidly had he developed into a
awyer that Mr.. McAllister at once
ook him into partnership, busi-
less connection with continued un-
il the death of the latter. While
tudying law, young Beaver showed
reat taste for military life and study
nd Joined the Bellefonte Fencibles, /
cIdQk UllutaAy CotAPooy, S<skA
handed by Andrew G. Curtin, the
lmous war Governor. He soon
bowed great proficiency in drill, a
eady knowledge of tactics, and was
hosen Second Lieutenant of the
ompany. When the war broke
ut he still held that position. The
rst gun of the Rebellion had hard
: been fired when a meeting was
allied and it was agreed that the
fficers should resign their commits
ons and that the company should
e recruited for active service in the
eld without regard to the relative
ositions of officers and men. As
by magic the ranks of a new COM
any were filled Beaver was chosen
s First Lieutenant.
IN THE WAR FOR THE UNION. /,
Mr.. Curtin had then been elected /
overnor and the First Lieutenant ,
the old company was chosen Cap
in of the new organisation It.
as assigned to the Second Pennsyl- !