My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in the History of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania published in 1889 by A. Warner & Co.   These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

* * * *

JOSEPH HIGBEE MAITS, farmer, post office Broughton, was born Dec. 29, 1833, on his present farm, a son of John and Elizabeth (Higbee) Maits, former a farmer, born on the same place March 14, 1806, and died June 26, 1876; latter born one mile west of her son’s present place, Feb. 14, 1810. His grandfather, Casper Maits, was born east of the mountain, and settled here in the beginning of the eighteenth century; his wife was Catherine Ann Spesserd. Joseph H. spent his early youth with his father on the farm, and attended the public schools. In 1856 he began farming for himself; in 1874, with his brother, erected a sawmill, and two years later they added a gristmill to it, which they operated five years, when Joseph H. sold out. May 14, 1857, he married Rebecca Jane Phillips, born Nov. 29, 1840, in Butler county, Pa., a daughter of John C. and Elizabeth (Smith) Phillips; former born July 7, 1812, and died Nov. 9, 1886; latter died when Mrs. Maits was very young. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Maits: John William (married Nov. 9, 1882, to Sadie Buckley, of Pittsburgh; they have one child, Charles Buckley; live at home and work the place), Sarah E. (died March 20, 1868) and Milton Howard (at home). All are members of the Baptist Church. In September, 1887, Mr. Maits had his leg amputated, and was a great sufferer for several months.

* * * *

This family biography is one of 2,156 biographies included in the History of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania published in 1889 by A. Warner & Co.

View additional Allegheny County, Pennsylvania family biographies here: Allegheny County, Pennsylvania Biographies

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.