Remembering the Boat Builders

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Before this Memorial Day closes, I want to remember and honor the sacrifices of the McCaskey's, the boat building family of Freedom, Pennsylvania.

Robert McCaskey (1806-1879) was a pioneer boat builder of McCaskey & Kerr, located along the Ohio River in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. I've not found a listing of their boats that were on the waters at the time of the Civil War, but I know steamboats attributed to them were being used in transporting troops and refugees. Robert and his wife Frances Hall McCaskey had six sons, four of them who were of age and enlisted. Miraculously, all four returned home to them at war's end.

I've been researching these men for some time, and I'm inexplicably crazy about them even though they aren't close family to me. Today I transcribed their obituaries so I could hopefully get them out on Findagrave. For the most part, I'll let the obituaries speak of their contributions.

Robert McCaskey (1806-1879) Boat builder

Robert McCaskey, aged 73 years, the veteran boat builder of the firm of McCaskey and Kerr, of Freedom, died very suddenly on Saturday. The deceased was one of the earliest settlers of Freedom, and one of the oldest boat builders on the western waters. He was a member of the M.E. church and a man of strict integrity, and a staunch member of the Republican party of Beaver county. The funeral services will take place Tuesday in the M.E. church, from thence the remains will be taken to the family lot in Oak-grove cemetery. (March 31, 1879 - Unknown Newspaper)

Robert McCaskey, of Freedom, Pa., died suddenly Saturday afternoon, soon after the successful launching of the mountain steamer Courier, in which he had taken an active part. He was senior member of the well known boatbuilding firm of McCaskey & Kerr. (Cincinnati Daily Gazette, March 31, 1879, page 18)

 

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John McCaskey (1837-1893) 1st Sgt, Company A, 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry (162nd Volunteers)

I suspect it's a reflection of the man, but John's obituary is so singularly focused on boats, that it's missing a few important details about his life. Such as it neglects to mention his wife. And also there's no mention of his very substantial military service—three years with the 17th Pennsylvania Cavalry. He enlisted August 8, 1862 when the company was formed and was with them until the end, June 20, 1865. He may have covered a lot of ground during those three years: https://www.nps.gov/civilwar/search-battle-units-detail.htm?battleUnitCode=UPA0017RC

JOHN, better known among rivermen as "Jack" McCaskey, died at his home at Freedom, Beaver county, on Saturday last, in his 56th year. He was the oldest son of Robert McCaskey, of the firm of McCaskey & Kerr, who were for years extensively engaged in boat building at Freedom, where most of the towboats which ply the waters of the Ohio and Mississippi were built. Deceased was for years draughtsman and foreman of the yard, and a greater numbers of the boats now on the river are indebted to his genius for their majestic appearance and graceful outlines. His ability as draughtsman caused him to be noted from the headwaters of navigation on the Monongahela to the gulf, and from Cairo to the head waters of the Mississippi and Missouri. Among the boats of this city built under his direction were some of the largest: Joseph Walton, Nellie Walton, J. C. Richer, Transet, Joseph B. Williams, Oakland, My Choice, Smoky City, Tom Dodsworth, John A. Wood, Alice Brown, Harry Brown, Sam Brown, Jim Brown, Charlie Brown, Beaver, Iron Age, Iron Duke, Josh Cook, Coal Bluff, and more than twice the number of smaller boats were constructed by him. On the lower river the Carier, Will S. Hays, Buckeye State and many others were of his build. It is said by boat builders that he had a system of draughting steam vessels known to no other, and as no assistant ever finished learning with him most of his ideas, gained by years of tedious toil and study, have been buried with him. He was a man of quiet and reserved demeanor, but strong convictions, not given to exploiting his own achievements. "Jack" will be missed by a very large circle of friends. The last boat he built was the Winifred, which was among the yachts which raced on the Monongahela last week. (Pittsburgh Post Gazette Oct 26, 1893, page 4)

Photo of the Tom Dodsworth:
http://www.steelcactus.com/images/OLD_PGH_05.jpg

 

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George McCaskey (1840-1910) Corp., served three years in Company F, 39th Pennsylvania Infantry

George McCaskey, aged 70 years, died yesterday afternoon of pneumonia, at his home, No. 3329 Ward street, Oakland. He was born in Freedom, Beaver county, and in his youth was engaged with his father, Robert McCaskey, the firm being McCaskey & Kerr. For many years until his death he was connected with the Monongahela River Coal & Coke Co. Mr. McCaskey was the first volunteer from Freedom to enlist in the Civil War. He fought in 16 battles during the war, among them Gettysburg, Bull Run, Fredericksburg, Antietam and the Wilderness. He was a private in Company F, Thirty-ninth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Reserve Corps, when he enlisted, but was later made corporal in Company F, Tenth Regiment. He was a member of the Union Veteran Legion. His widow, Mary Kerr McCaskey, two sons Harlan K and Stanley A., and Mrs. Ella McCaskey Erskine of New York, survive; also three brothers, Robert and Alfred, of Freedom, and F. R., of Darby, Pa., and two sisters, Mrs. J. R. Lockart and Mrs. C.T. Fowler, both of Freedom.

 

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Alfred M. McCaskey (1842-1910) Private, served 3 years in Company F, 140th Pennsylvania Infantry

Captain Alfred M. McCaskey, 67 years old, a well-known resident of Freedom, died yesterday morning at Cambridge Springs, where he went less than two weeks ago in search of health. Death was due to complication of diseases.

Captain McCaskey was born and lived in Freedom, except for several years spent in old Allegheny. He was a son of the late Robert and Frances Hall McCaskey, the former pioneer steamboat constructor, at Freedom. Captain McCaskey followed the river for many years as a pilot, having served on the Ohio, Mississippi, Missouri, and Yellowstone rivers, and was a member of the Harbor No. 25, Master & Pilots' association, of Pittsburgh.

He was a veteran of the Civil war, having served in Company F, One Hundredth and Fortieth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was a member of the Grand Army, the Union Veteran Legion and Rochester lodge No. 282, B.P.O.E. He was twice wounded in battle and for some time was a prisoner in Andersonville. When exchanged he rejoined his regiment and served to the close of the war.

He is survived by his widow and these brothers and sisters: Freeman R. McCaskey, of Philadelphia; Major Robert H. McCaskey, Mrs. Charles T. Fowler and Mrs. Emma F. Lockhart, of Freedom. (The Pittsburgh Daily Post, July 9, 1910, page 4)

 

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Robert H McCaskey (1844-1918) Private Company F, 140th Pennsylvania Infantry, Major 10th Reg. Pennsylvania National Guard



Maj. Robert Hall McCaskey, aged 73, died Thursday in his home in Freedom of pneumonia. Ma. McCaskey was born in Freedom, a son of Robert and Frances McCaskey. He was a veteran of the Civil War, having served a member of the One Hundred and Fortieth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infrantry. He was a major of the Tenth Regiment N. G. P., 10 years and was formerly a justice of the peace. He was a member of Rochester Lodge No. 229, F. & A. M. He leaves one son, Lieut. Frank H. McCaskey, with the American Expeditionary Force, and two sisters, Mrs. Emma F. Lockhart and Mrs. C.T. Fowlers, both of Freedom.