************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm
************************************************


A. WESLEY BEYER, a prominent business man of Tyrone, Pa., one of the members
of the Tyrone Milling Co., was born near Tipton, where Fuoss mill is now
located, August 16, 1847, a son of Aaron and Lydia (Reamy) Beyer. His mother
is a sister of D. K. Reamy. Mr. Beyer's paternal grandfather was David Beyer,
in early days a resident of Frederick, Md., who came to this part of
Pennsylvania in 1800, settling in the upper part of Sinking valley, on what
is now known as the Breidenbaugh farm. He erected one of the first mills, if
not the first, in that part of the county. He also erected the first mill on
the site of the present Fuoss mill. He was the father of eight children. The
maternal grandfather, Frederick Reamy, who was an iron worker by trade, in
1807 settled at Tyrone Forge, but later removed to Sinking valley, where he
purchased a farm. A son of his, Daniel Reamy, for many years conducted a
hotel in Hollidaysburg. Fred Reamy of Altoona is a grandson of Frederick
Reamy, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch.
     Aaron Beyer, the father of our subject, was also a miller and owned and
operated what is now known as the Fuoss mill for many years. A large man
physically, he was also large minded, having a keen sense of honor and
bearing an excellent reputation for honesty and business integrity. He and
his wife Lydia were the parents of a large family of children, of whom those
now living are: Mrs. Martha A. Dysart of Altoona; Mrs. S. B. Bain of Juniata;
A. W., the subject of this sketch; and William, an attorney residing in
Altoona, who formerly served as city attorney there. The deceased children of
Aaron and Lydia (Reamy) Beyer are as follows:
     F. D. Beyer, who was a prominent lumber merchant of Tyrone. He learned
the carpenter's trade and held a position as mill foreman. In 1862 he entered
into business at Beyer's Mill, which was erected by Aaron Beyer, his father.
He came to Tyrone about 1867 and conducted a large lumber business until his
retirement in 1886, at which time he turned the business over to his sons,
who are successful business men.
     Rev. James S. Beyer was a soldier in the Union army. After the war he
was a member of Central Pennsylvania Conference for many years. He died ten
years ago. S. F. Beyer was also a soldier and was killed near Petersburg.
Catherine Beyer was a nurse in the army and was later engaged in missionary
work. The others were Lydia R., who married a Mr. Waring, Angeline and Mary.
     A. W. Beyer acquired his education in the common schools and remained
with his father until he attained the age of twenty years. He spent fourteen
years in the planing mill business and was for six years in the mercantile
business. In 1907 the Tyrone Milling Co.'s plant was destroyed by fire, as a
result of which catastrophe Mr. Beyer came near losing his life. Some time
previous to the fire, he with others had purchased the Tyrone Forges mill,
then owned by S. C. Stewart. The mill is a large building four stories high
and has a capacity of seventy-five barrels of flour per day. The style has
since been changed to the Tyrone Milling Co. It turns out a staple brand of
flour known as the Golden Eagle flour. The present owners have spent
considerable money in improving the plant, and they have a large demand for
their product.
     Mr. Beyer first married Miss Annie M. Aults, a daughter of Samuel M.
Aults. She died about sixteen years ago. Three children were born to this
union, namely: Edwin B., who is married and is superintendent of the Tyrone
Milling Co.; Mary Elizabeth, who is a teacher of domestic science in
Philadelphia; and Ambrose, who died at the age of six years. Mr. Beyer
married for his second wife Mrs. Delcena Crabtree, a daughter of Jacob Jones.
Her father was a contractor and builder. Mr. Beyer is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal church. His early political training affiliated him with
the Republican party but he has independent proclivities and votes for the
candidate he thinks best fitted for the office. For the past forty years he
has been a resident of Tyrone, where he is respected as a man of business
enterprise and personal probity, exemplifying the value of a good heredity.