Mon Valley Biographies

    California, Dec.31--Jacob Qualk, one of the oldest residents of Western Pa, died at the home of his son-in-law,
T.J.UNDERWOOD, of this place, last evening, of the infirmities of old age. Mr. Qualk celebrated his 97th birthday on
Christmas day. He was probably the oldest odd-fellow and Mason in this part of the state, having joined the former
organization 65 years ago.
    Mr. Qualk was born in Philadelphia, Christmas Day, 1813. His father was a soldier in the War of 1812. His son, the subject
of this sketch, was born while his father was away in the war. His mother afterward married a German named JOHN MYERS.
With his mother and step-father, he came over the Allegheny Mountains in 1820 to Murraysville, Westmoreland County,
remaining a year, and then the family removed to Allegheny County. One day a Washington County miller named Harper
happened to be at the Myers home, and induced Mr. Myers to allow his son, Jacob, to come and live with him. It was
agreeable with his step-father, who received $10 as a compensation for giving up the boy.
    Jacob Myers, as he was then known, soon tired of living with the miller and tried to run away, but was caught and taken
back. The second attempt was successful, the boy going to the neighborhood of Florence, Hanover Twp., where he agreed to
live with one EDWARD HATFIELD. Jacob was not satisfied with his home, which was uncongenial, and the overseer of the
poor indentured the little fellow to a man named Hanover, of Burgettstown. The understanding was that if Jacob should remain
with the family until the decease of Mr. and Mrs. Hanover, who each were then over 70 years of age, he was to inherit the
farm. This, it appears, did not please the grandchildren, who induced the boy to leave. He started away in the night and
covered 15 miles before daylight, when he was met and went with a teamster who was taking a load of goods to his home at
New Philadelphia, Ohio. There he remained some time and again returned to Washington County. He drifted to Pigeon Creek,
where he heard of a man named Redd, who was to start a trip across the mountains. While passing along near the Redd home
he met two girls who were picking berries by the side of the road. He stopped to talk with them, and in this way met SALLY
REDD, who later became his wife.He remained with Mr. Redd for some time, and while there learned that his real name was
"Qualk", which he adopted from that time on.
    Mr. Qualk was married to Sally Redd in 1836, and for six years lived in the vicinity of Redd's Mill, going to Greenfield, now
known as Coal Center, in 1840. For many years he followed boating. He made many trips on coal boats and barges, piloting
them down the Monongahela and Ohio rivers to market points down below.For a period of 35 years Mr. Qualk served as
constable, and was postmaster for several years. When elected constable, Mr.Qualk could not write, but after two week's
instruction under a writing teacher, he was able to subscribe his own name. Under the instruction of his wife he came to master
the "Three R's".
    Mr. Qualk and one of his sons, Hiram, enlisted in the same regiment and company in the Civil War. They went to Company
I, 2nd West Virginia Infantry. Mr. Qualk served seven months, until crippled by lumbago, and his son saw three years' service.
He was a Democrat through life. He first voted for Andrew Jackson for President, in 1832. For more than 65 years he was an
active and aggressive church worker being a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. It was with great pride that he
frequently mentioned five men in particular who gave him strong and honest assistance in leading a manly life. These were Hiram
Winnett, Richard Richardson, Cyrus and George Newkirk and Edward West.
    Six children survive. Mrs. UNDERWOOD of this place, Mrs. SARAH E. HOUSE of East Liverpool, Ohio, JACOB
QUALK Jr., of Duquesne, and HIRAM and JOSEPH QUALK of Coal Center. Mrs. M.K. ZIMMERMAN, Mrs. JOHN
KELLY and Misses REBECCA, ETTA and MARGARET BOYLE, all of East Liverpool, Ohio, and Misses MILDRED and
HILA UNDERWOOD, of this place are grandchildren and there are two great-grandchildren, SARAH and MARY
ZIMMERMAN.
    The funeral will take place on Sunday Afternoon at 2 O'clock.