The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-09-16

a long time chief commander of the army
which suppressed the most gigantic rebellion
known TO history. At this time everything
to the history OF the illustrious
soldier is read with avidity and often with
out discrimination. Much has been writ
ten merely to secure notoriety for the
author rather than to honor Alright the
dead or vindicate the truth of history.
The writer lately came across some facts in
regard TO the ancestral relations OF General
Grant which he deems worthy of publica-
ton and which will at least prove interest
ing 10 many ministers and members of the
Reformed Church who are well acquainted
with the venerable father from whom we
through the mountains from Franklin to
Westmoreland county during our August
vacation We spent night at the hospitable
home of elder Abram Beam, near Sipesyille.
Somerset county, Pa. Although in his
year, father, or grand pap
Beam, as he is Familiarity called, Is still
quite active both in body and mind. With
difficulty we prevented him from climbing
rustic ladder 10 throw down hay for our
horse. lie seemed rejoiced TO renew the ae-
quaintance of twenty odd years ago when il
was his pleasure to help the writer with lib
eral gifts in behalf Of Altoona mission
church. In the course of the evening talk
the recent funeral Of General Grant was re
ferred TO when the good old farmer some
what startled Us by remarkins that his first
wife, Elizabeth Simpson, was a full cousin
Of Hannah Simpson, the mother ofGenerai
L. {. Grant. As this worthy lady was a de-
voted member Of the Reformed Church be-
fore She married father Beam and was in
strumeniai in getting him 20 identify him
self with our Reformed communion whence
great and blessed results have accrued to our
beloved Zion, we felt constrained for her
sake, a. well as for the sake Of her relation
ship to the distinguished general, to give
greater publicity TO the facts as narrated to
us by father Beam-
The original or common ancestor Of the
Simpson family was soldier in the Reyolu-
ton. He was captured by the British II
seems in one Of the Jersey campaigns aud
kept prisoner until il was evident that he
could live but little while longer. -Four
days after returning to his family he died,
leaving three small children, viz. David,
John and Elizabeth. The children were
bound out and brought up in Lancaster
county, Pa. David was raised by Mr..
Hayerstick. grandfather of Rev. Haverstlck,
who lately died at Berlin, Somerset county,
Pa. and married Katie Boyer in Lancaster.
They removed to Somerset county Pa, some
seventy years ago. where he followed the
trade of weaver for some years and hnaiiy
bonrht three hundred acres Of land. They
had three children, Abraham, Isaac and
Elizabeth. Isaac died before reaching ma
iority when about eighteen years old. Abra-
ham lived to be seventy five years old and
had half dozen children. Some of them
and their descendants, still reside in Somer-
set county, Pa. David Simpson was 4 faith
full member of the Reformed Church, and 50
was every member of his family.
And thus il came to pass that after the
daughter Elizabeth had married Abraham
Beam, who was hot yet professor of relig-
ion. although his parents were Lutheran she
commended herself so well by her piety and
other good traits 10 her husband that be re-
solved to unite with the Reformed Church
also, which he did under the ministry Of
Rev. Daniel Kiefter. Their marriage took
place in 1919. and she bore him ten children
six of whom are still living. Beams Re
formed Church. of which Abram and hi:
brother Hiram are pillars, is a familiar land
mark in Somerset county, Pa. At time:
father Beam has entertained the entire
Chassis, numbering nearly thirty pastors ane
delegate elders, during their annual meet
ings. He is one of natures noblemen
adorned with the graces of a genuine Chris
( tiah spirit which coyets not honor ornotori
ETY. from any adventitious circumstances o
human relationships.
But to return TO the Simpson family, bro
ken by the death of the patriotic father
I the daughter Elizabeth married a Frenci
sea captain named Witherhold, who wen
to France and served under the First Ma
poleon and raised family there. After tn
| fall of Bonaparte he came to New York cit,
with son and two daughters. Elizabetl
and Wilhelmiaa were the names OF tn
] la,,,bsars TNa,ta- Rao.,, v;s;.a.i ,i,o,,, :,
New York during the Worlds Fair. Som
( of the family still reside in New York
John Simpson, the other son of the Revolu
I tionary soldier. was raised in different fam
lily, and when last heard of BY David hi
brother, he was engaged in rafting on tn,
Susquehanna Father Beam says he offer
heard his father-in-law, David Simpson
talk about his brother John, and wonde
what had become Of him. When the life o
( General Grant was written some years ago
I the mystery was solved. John. il seems
married and located for a season in Mont
gornery county. Pa. Thence he moved t.
CleTrnont county, Ohio. Across the moun
taiu from David Simpson lived Captain No
ah Grant in Westmoreiand county, Pa. Ii,
was also n Revolutionary patriot He mar
ried Mrs. Rachel Kelly for his second wife
His son. Jesse Root Grant. was born there
but finally emigrated to CIermont county
Ohio. with his father in 1893. where he me
and married Hannah Simpson. daughter o
I John Simpson. who bore him along will
other children the DISTINGUISHED son Whose
/ funeral lately attracted the attention of tn,
nation, yea of the entire civilized world
Like eminent men in general, such as Wash
ington, Napoleon, etc. he received his bent
of genius and that of character mainly from
his mother. Thus in the wonderful proyi
dence of God the orphan boy, the poor pio-
neer enisrant. lost for years TO all knowl-
edge of kindred and friends, turns up as the
ancestry of the most distinguished citizen Of
the Republic
Father Beam was in Washington once on
business, when General Grant was President
He concluded TO call at the White House
and talk over family history and acquaini
the President with facts unknown TO that
side of the relationship. But the official in
charge insisted that he must wait until lG
O'Clock. which did not suit Father B. s con-
yenience. Then / shall not see him al
all. said the old gentleman. and walked of
to take the train for his Somerset county
home Many person would have not only
cultivated acquaintance with the President
but made the matter Of kinshipthe occasion