Thomas Beaver
Thomas Beaver was born to the Reverend Peter and Elizabeth Gilbert Beaver on November
16, 1814, in Pfout’s Valley (now Perry County), Pennsylvania, .  His father, a Methodist minister,
and his mother were both of German ancestry.  Despite leaving school at age thirteen for what
was to be a long and successful career in business, Beaver maintained a voracious appetite for
knowledge throughout his life.  
Beaver's introduction to commerce began when he took a job at a store owned by his father in
New Berlin, Pennsylvania.  A year later, he left his father's store to work for the Reverend Jasper
Bennett in Williamsport.  As an employee of Bennett, Beaver often traveled to Philadelphia to
make purchases, and he soon made the acquaintance of many prominent merchants in the
city.  As a result of such connections, in 1837, Beaver was hired by the firm of Bray and
Bancroft in Philadelphia.   Just three years after being hired at Bray and Bancroft, Beaver
became a full partner in the firm, a position he held until 1857, at which point he became a
trustee of the Danville Iron and Steel Works.  Beaver enjoyed success as a trustee, and in 1859,
he and fellow trustee Isaac Waterman purchased the works.  He remained a co-owner until
1876, when he sold his holdings and retired.  
While an employee of Bray and Bancroft, Beaver had met  Elizabeth Wilkins, and they had
married on January 23, 1838.  Together they had seven children, two of whom were lost in
childhood.  His wife died on December 27, 1884.  Beaver remained an active member of the
Danville community until his death.  Generosity marked his later life was marked.  In 1888,
thanks to a donation from Beaver, Danville erected the Thomas Beaver Free Library and YMCA
Building and celebrated its opening with fireworks and a parade.  Additionally, in 1889, Beaver
donated $30,000 dollars to Dickinson College, with the money used to endow the Thomas
Beaver Chair of English Literature.  On May 19, 1891, Beaver died, survived by five children.  
He is buried with his wife in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.
Thomas Beaver donated the Hook and Hastings organ to Mahoning in 1882 and it continues in
use in our sanctuary. It is one of a few surviving such organs in the country. He also donated the
Howard town clock located in the belfry. The original crank handle that wound the clock from
1880 to 1950 is on display in the church along with a set of original clock hands.

The pipes and keyboard of the Hook and Hastings Organ
donated to Mahoning Presbyterian Church by Thomas Beaver
Mr. Donald Messimer, of Sunbury, is the organist/pianist.
Mahoning Presbyterian Church
Danville, PA