William B. Flick, p. 243

WILLIAM B. FLICK ranks among the most progressive citizens of Beallsville, and is a successful agriculturist. His father, Daniel Flick, was of German descent, and his ancestors settled in the Ligonier Valley many years ago.

Daniel Flick was born in 1802, in Fayette county, Penn., and there learned the weaver's trade, becoming one of the first weavers in that locality. He was five times married: In 1822 he married Susanna Brown, who was born September 9, 1803, and settled in Waynesburg, Greene Co, Penn., where he followed hotel business, farming and mercantile pursuits; here Mrs. Flick died, leaving four children, of whom William B. is tho only one now living. Daniel Flick next married Nancy Stewart. His third wife was Mrs. Nancy Haldeman, a widow; his fourth was Jane E. Cleaver, and for his fifth wife he married Mrs. Eleanor Freeman, widow of Louis Freeman. He died March 18, 1871, at the age of sixty-eight, on the farm in West Pike Run township, Washington Co., Penn., where he had moved in the spring of 1856. For a number of years he operated a keel boat in the transportation of freight between Rice's Landing and Pittsburgh, and was also a wagoner, carrying goods across the mountains from Baltimore to Greene county.

William B. Flick, son of Daniel and Susanna (Brown) Flick, was born June 15, 1830, in Waynesburgh, Greene Co., Penn., and began his education at a tender age, being carried by his sister to school when but three years old, in order to save time for the busy mother. On October 10, 1850, he was united in marriage with May Berryhill, a native of Greene county, Penn. She died leaving one son, William, who became an engineer, and during a collision, November 5, 1890, at Claysville, Washington county, was killed, having clung to his engine to the last. Mr. Flick was married in 1853 to Miss Maria Rhinehart, who died leaving two children: Oscar (a resident of Greene county) and an infant. In 1855 Mr. Flick came to West Pike Run township, Washington county, and on May 17, 1866, married his third wife in the person of Zobitha, daughter of James Irwin. Her only brother, James F. Irwin, is living in Virginia. Since coming to West Pike Run township, Mr. Flick has resided on his present farm, which is located on the northern boundary of Beallsville. He is a successful agriculturist, and has for the past ten years made a specialty of breeding Shorthorn cattle. Politically, he was formerly a Whig and Know- Nothing, but is now a Republican, and he is at present serving in the council of Beallsville borough. He has been a member of the I. O. O. F. for twenty years, and of the Encampment, and with all public enterprises he is prominently identified.

The following reminiscences are from the pen of Mr. Flick:

The old log school-house that I attended for the first time, now sixty years ago, was constructed of unhewn logs, and put together as you would build a pen. Small stones were set on edge between the logs, and then dubbed with clay mortar. One log was sawed out to make room for a sash in the west side, and on this sash was pasted greased paper. This old log school-house was abandoned and a new one put up eight or ten years after. I was carried by my sister to this old school-house. I would go to see it, and hunt squirrels with my father, for it was a good place for game. Now, as to the floor in this old school-house: it was laid with what was called puncheons in those days, which were split-out logs dressed off as best could be done. This floor was not all over the room, for there was a space six feet square at the east end, for fire, and on the ground immediately above this place, over head, were joists to serve as bearings whereon to build a chimney. This chimney was, at the base, six feet square and tapered to the height desired built out of split lath and plastered with clay mortar. Clapboards were split out of oak timber, three and a half feet long, and laid down on poles; while the joists were covered with another clapboard. And then there was what was called a big pole to hold them down; there were no boards over head. As to seats, they were made of split puncheon, roughly made with legs. Three of these were placed around this square where the fire was, and as the pupils would get warm, they would retire to other benches, and others would then take their places at the fire. Daniel Flick, my father, was one of the first teamsters who made a business of going to Baltimore for goods before there was any railroad; and I may here state that while he was at Baltimore on one occasion, he learned that the B.& O. R. R. had twelve miles of road made, and would run three coaches, engine and tender to Elliot's Mills. The coaches were furnished with side seats running lengthwise. So my father concluded to take a free ride. The B. & O. company had mules stationed at the heavy grades to assist the engine in making grade. This was in spring of 1831. This engine and the coaches were placed on exhibition in the city of Pittsburgh among other old relics, and were destroyed by fire.

Text taken from page 243 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).

Transcribed April 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project.
Published April 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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