Francis David Beyer and Elizabeth B. "Lizzie" (Blake) Beyer are buried in Grandview Cemetery, Tyrone, Blair Co., PA. Thanks to Find-A-Grave for making this image available.

Tyrone, PA, December 28, 1891. On December 23, 1856, F. D. Beyer and Miss Lizzie Blake were married at the home of the bride's cousin, Jefferson Blake, in Altoona. In commemoration of that ceremony, Mr. and Mrs. Beyer spent last Wednesday at the residence of Jefferson Blake in Pittsburg, and a turkey dinner suffered while the gathered guests enjoyed a pleasant reunion. Leigh Larson note: This was Samuel Jefferson Blake.

Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Blair Co, PA, Samuel T. Wiley, Philadelphia, 1892.

FRANCIS D. BEYER, senior member of the well-known planing mill firm of F. D. Beyer & Co., of Tyrone, and a leading prohibitionist of Blair county, is a son of Aaron and Lydia (Ramey) Beyer, and was born at Spang's Mills, Antis Township, Blair county, Pennsylvania, October 23, 1831. His paternal grandfather, Rev. David Beyer, was of German descent. He was born near Frederick Town, Maryland, September 7, 1763, and was left at an early age, by the death of his parents, to do for himself. In 1797 he came to Sinking Valley, and built a brick house and saw and grist mill. He was a noted miller, and his flour, when sold in Baltimore, always brought the highest price. In 1833 he sold his property, and removed to Antis township, near Tipton, where he purchased land and erected the old Beyer mill, which he operated until his death in 1841. He united with the Methodist Episcopal church in 1809, was afterward licensed as a local minister, and preached for many years without pay or recompense. He was an old-line whig in politics, and a strong anti-Mason. He served for many years as a justice of the peace, and married Sarah Crum, of near Belton, Maryland, by whom he had thirteen children, six sons and seven daughters. At his death he left nearly one hundred descendents, and his sons, Abraham and Aaron became the owners of his mill and home property. Aaron Beyer (father), the youngest son, was born August 23, 1811, in the old brick house, erected in 1797 by his father. He learned the trade of miller which he followed at various places until 1833, when he removed to Antis township, where he built the present Beyer mill, which he operated for many years, besides conducting a hotel for a short time. He was successively an old-line whig, republican and prohibitionist in politics. He was a member, trustee and class leader of the Methodist Episcopal church for nearly half a century. In 1886 he removed to Altoona, where he died in 1887, when in the seventy-sixth year of his age. His life was devoted to useful work, and the moral and religious improvement of his community. On January 12, 1831, he married Lydia Ramey, daughter of Frederick and Martha (Keller) Ramey, who was born March 4, 1811. To their union were born thirteen children: Francis D., Elizabeth J., Martha A., Rev. James S., who served three years in the Union army, then spent fifteen years preaching in Virginia, and is now stationed in Clinton county as a member of the conference of central Pennsylvania; Catherine B., served as a nurse in the army, and is now at Herkimer, New York; Angeline, Emeline, Mary A., Sanford D., who enlisted in Co. B, 110th Pennsylvania infantry, and was killed March 25, 1865, in front of Petersburg; A. Wesley, Sarah B., Lydia R., and William M., whose sketch appears in this volume.

Francis D. Beyer received his education in the common schools and Cassville seminary, and then learned the trade of carpenter, which he followed for several years.  He helped to erect the first houses built in Altoona, and afterward erected a waterpower planing mill near the old homestead. He then built the steam planing mill at Tyrone, which is now operated by Mr. McCamant. In 1869 he erected another steam planing mill at Tyrone, which he operated until 1873, when it was burned, and then he rebuilt and enlarged it into his present large saw and planing mill establishment, which is operated by the firm of F. D. Beyer & Co., of which he is the senior member. He employs a force of thirty men, does an extensive general planing mill business, in addition to which he is actively engaged in contracting and building.

On December 23, 1856, he married Lizzie, daughter of the late Simon Blake, of Martinsburg, and to their union were born ten children: Grace T., wife of Frank Waring, a member of the firm of F. D. Beyer & Co.; Vida S., married to Dr. J. S. Baer, of Camden; Samuel B., married Madge, daughter of Rev. George Leidy, of Huntingdon, this State, and is a partner with his father in the planing mill business; George K., married Carrie Penny, and is engaged in the fruit growing and poultry business at Vineland, New Jersey; Aaron F.; Charles W.; Laura K.; and four others who died in infancy.

Francis D. Beyer is a steward, trustee and class leader of the Second Methodist Episcopal church of Tyrone, to which he is a most liberal contributor. In politics he was formerly a republican, but is now a prohibitionist, and is usually chosen as a delegate to the prohibition State conventions. He is an honorary member of the Women's Christian Temperance Union. Mr. Beyer is a prominent representative of the planing mill business of Tyrone, which has been commensurate in its increase with most of the other industries of the borough.  Earnest and active in the cause of Christianity and prohibition, he ranks high as an honorable man and a useful citizen.

The Tyrone Daily Herald, Tyrone, PA, November 5, 1902

A GOOD WOMAN GONE.

Mrs. Elizabeth B. Beyer, Beloved Wife of F. D. Beyer, is Dead.

Mrs. Elizabeth B. Beyer, wife of Francis D. Beyer, of Tyrone, died at Lakeside hospital, Cleveland, Ohio, last evening. Mrs. Beyer had been in ill health for several years, but during the past year she had been in much better health than for a long time, until about three months ago, since which time she had been failing, and it was deemed necessary that she should submit to an operation. Accordingly last Friday, accompanied by her daughter, Miss Laura, she went to Loraine, Ohio, where her son, Dr. George K. Beyer, joined her, and they went to the Lakeside hospital at Cleveland on Sunday. There the operation was performed Monday afternoon, and it was apparently successful, the news coming to the family Tuesday being of the most encouraging character. This morning, however, the sad intelligence came that the shock was too great, and that during the night death had claimed the one for whom her loved ones at hours were hopefully awaiting full restoration to health. The deceased was the daughter of Simon and Nancy Blake, and was born near Martinsburg, April 24, 1835, her age at death being 67 years, 6 months and 11 days. She resided in the vicinity of Martinsburg until within a year of her marriage, when she went to Altoona, and there on December 23, 1856 she was united in marriage to Francis David Beyer by Rev. W. W. Downes. To them have been born ten children, three of whom have preceded their mother to the grave. The husband survives, together with the following children: Mrs. Grace L., wife of Frank R. Waring, of Tyrone; Mrs. Vida B., wife of Dr. J. S. Baer, now at Idylwild, Riverside county, California; Samuel B. Beyer, Lornin, Ohio; A. Fred Beyer, Tyrone; Charles W. Beyer, New Kousington; and Miss Laura K. Beyer, Tyrone. Mrs. James M. Snowden, of Tacoma, Washington, and Mrs. Nancy McNeil, of Tyrone, are sisters, and Easton Blake, of Huntingdon, is a brother of the deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Beyer after residing for several years at Tipton and at Beyer's Mill, near that place, removed to Tyrone in 1866 and have resided there ever since. Mrs. Beyer was a lifelong member of the Methodist Episcopal church and her time, service and devotion were give in unstinted measure to her Master and His work. She was connected with the Columbin Avenue church and was active in all the  societies auxiliary to it. She was also a leading spirit in the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. Mrs. was a loving mother, a faithful friend, and an esteemed Christian woman whose passing will leave a void in home, church and community, that cannot but be sincerely deplored, and the bereaved ones have the deep sympathy of all our people in this time of sorrow. The remains were brought to Tyrone today, and the funeral will take place from the late home of the deceased at 2 o'clock Friday afternoon, the services to be in charge of Rev. Isaac Heckman, of Tyrone, assisted by Rev. Vaughn T. Rue, of Gettysburg. Interment in Tyrone cemetery.

The Tyrone Daily Herald, Tyrone, PA, Thursday, May 14, 1908

FRANCIS D. BEYER

One of Tyrone's Most Prominent Citizens Answers the Call of Death.

Wednesday at ten minutes after one o'clock the spirit life of Francis D. Beyer, one of Tyrone's most prominent citizens, passed into the eternal world. Though Mr. Beyer has been in poor health for several years the announcement of his death came as a real shock to the community. About a week or ten days ago he suffered a stroke of paralysis and from that time on he has been gradually growing weaker until he peacefully slept. The seal of death marked the passing of a useful, honest and respected man. His age at death being 76 years, 6 months and 20 days. Francis D. Beyer was the senior member of the well known planing mill firm of F. D. Beyer & Co., of Tyrone, and a leading Prohibitionist of Blair county. He was the son of Aaron and Lydia (Ramey) Beyer, and was born at Spang's Mills, Antis township October 23, 1831. His paternal grandfather Rev. David Beyer, was of German descent, and was born near Frederick Town, Maryland, September 7, 1763, and was left at an early age by the death of his parents to do for himself. In 1797 he came to Sinking valley, and built a brick house and saw and grist mill. In 1833 he sold his property and removed to Antis township, near Tipton, where he purchased land and erected the old Beyer mill, which he operated until his death in 1841. He united with the Methodist Episcopal church in 1809, was afterwards licensed as a local minister and preached for many years without pay or recompense. Francis D. Beyer received his education in the common schools and Cassville seminary, and then learned the trade of carpenter, which he followed for several years. He helped to build the first houses built in Altoona, and afterwards erected a water power planing mill at the old homestead. He then built the steam planing mill at Tyrone, which is now operated by S. McCamant & Co. In 1869 he erected another steam planing mill at Tyrone, which he operated until 1873, when it was burned, and then he rebuilt and enlarged it into the present large saw and planing establishment, which is operated by the firm of F. D. Beyer & Co., of which he was the senior member. The firm employs a force of thirty men, does an extensive planing mill business, in addition to which they are actively engaged in contracting and building. On December 23, 1856, he married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of the late Simon Blake, of Martinsburg, and to this union were born ten children: Grace T., wife of Frank R. Waring; Vida S., wife of Dr. J. S. Baer, of Camden; Samuel B., of Tyrone; Dr. George K., of Lorain, Ohio; A. Fred; Charles W.; Laura K., wife of Dr. James C. Crawford, and four others who died in infancy. Francis D. Beyer was a true, conscientious christian gentleman. He was a steward, trustee and class leader of the Columbia Avenue Methodist church of Tyrone to which he was a most liberal contributor. In politics he was formerly a Republican, afterwards becoming a Prohibitionist and was usually chosen as a delegate to the Prohibition State conventions. He was an honorary member of the Women's Christian Temperance union. Mr. Beyer was a prominent representative of the planing mill business of Tyrone, which has been commensurate in its increase with most of the other industries of the city. Earnest and active in the cause of christianity and prohibition, he ranked high as an honorable man and a useful citizen.

JAMES CALVIN CRAWFORD, M.D., physician and surgeon at Tyrone, Pa., where he has been in successful practice since 1905, was born in Sinking Valley, Blair County, Pa., May 26, 1878, and is a son of Dr. Luther F. and Harriet (Bryan) Crawford, and a grandson of Robert and Mary (Fleck) Crawford. James Calvin Crawford attended the public schools of Sinking Valley until he was twelve years of age, when his parents moved to Tyrone but he remained several years longer with his grandmother in Sinking Valley. With the class of 1897 he graduated from the Tyrone High School and then entered the Millersville Normal School but shortly afterward, when the call came for troops for service in the Spanish-American War, he joined the Sheridan Troop, in 1898, and served until the close of hostilities. Dr. Crawford's father has been prominently identified with the N. G. P., for a number of years and his own connection dates from 1897, and has continued until the present. During active service his rank was first sergeant of the troop. In 1899, Dr. Crawford entered Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, where he was a student until 1904, and was graduated in medicine at the University of the South, at Swansea, Tenn., in 1905, and has been in active practice ever since. He is a member of the Blair County Medical Society and of the Pennsylvania State Medical Association. His fraternal connections are numerous, including membership in Tyrone Lodge, No. 494, F& A. M. and the Modern Woodmen of America and others. Dr. Crawford was married to Miss Laura K. Beyer, a daughter of the late F. D. and Elizabeth (Blake) Beyer, the former of whom was interested for many years in a planing mill and lumber business, which, since his death in 1907, has been continued by his sons. The mother of Mrs. Crawford died in the fall of 1902. Dr. and Mrs. Crawford have four children: James C., born August 28, 1905; Margaret, born May 30, 1907; Robert Luther, born July 19, 1908, and Elizabeth Blake, born October 27, 1910.  Dr. Crawford maintains his office in his handsome residence which is situated on the corner of Fifteenth Street and Lincoln Avenue, Tyrone. In politics he is a Republican but takes only the interest of a good citizen in public affairs. With his wife he belongs to the First Lutheran Church at Tyrone.

Sell, Jesse C., Twentieth Century History of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and Representative Citizens, Chicago, IL: Richmond-Arnold, 1911, pp. 837-838.

LUTHER F. CRAWFORD, M.D., a prominent and successful physician at Tyrone, Pa., and one of the foremost medical men of Blair County, is a member of old and honorable families of this section, which, for generations, have been noted for the honest virtues and substantial qualities which make good citizenship. Dr. Crawford was born in Sinking Valley, Blair County, Pa., January 1, 1859, and is a son of Robert and Mary (Fleck) Crawford. Robert Crawford, who spent his entire life in Blair County, Pa., was
born at Newry and for many years was successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits in Sinking Valley. His death occurred in his sixty-fourth year. The maiden name of his mother was Fannie Moore, who was of Scotch-Irish extraction. Her parents settled in the vicinity of Duncansville, Blair County, when she was three weeks old. When he reached man's estate, Robert Crawford was united in marriage with Mary Fleck, who was born December 24, 1826, and died January 16, 1902. George Fleck, the maternal great-grandfather of Dr. Luther F. Crawford, was born in Germany in 1748 and came to America a few years prior to the Revolutionary War. He was accompanied by three brothers, two of whom settled in Montgomery County, Pa., while George and Peter came to what is now known as Sinking Valley, Blair County. They erected here a log cabin and for years their only neighbors were Indians, who still claimed this section as one of their hunting grounds. When the colonies called for aid in the war with Great Britain, these brothers shouldered their flint-lock muskets and fought through the entire period of the Revolutionary War. It is said that their loyalty to their adopted country was so genuine and their devotion to General Washington so sincere, that long years after the issues of this war were no longer matters of general comment, a mention of either the cause or the great commander in their presence would bring tears to the eyes of these aged patriots. After the termination of his military service, George Fleck gave attention to agricultural pursuits and it is evident that he took an active part in promoting the early civilizing movements and was a man of wealth and importance. From John Penn, the elder and from John Penn, the younger, he secured 350 acres of land, for which he paid the sum of 295 pounds, three shillings and two pence. Nature had given him a powerful physical frame and his strength endured into old age, it being recorded that after he was eighty-seven years old, he reaped in one season, sixty dozen wheat with his hand sickle.