The available historical records provide limited details about the family of the English tutor involved in the interracial romance with Joe Che Oh in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, in 1874. The tutor is described as a "blonde teenaged niece of one of Beaver Falls' leading citizens," but specific names or detailed family backgrounds are not well-documented in the sources. Here’s what can be pieced together based on the context and available information:

Context of the Tutor’s Family

• Prominent Local Citizen: The tutor’s uncle (or aunt, though less likely given the era’s social dynamics) was a "leading citizen" of Beaver Falls, suggesting a family of significant social standing, wealth, or influence. In the context of Beaver Falls in the 1870s, "leading citizens" were often associated with industrial, commercial, or civic leadership. This could include figures tied to the Harmony Society, which owned the Beaver Falls Cutlery Company, or other local elites involved in manufacturing, banking, or community governance.
• Social Status: The family’s prominence implies they were likely part of the white, Anglo-Saxon Protestant elite, as Beaver Falls was a predominantly white community with a strong Presbyterian influence. The Presbyterian church, where the tutor taught English to Chinese laborers, was a central institution, and the family’s involvement suggests they were respected within this religious and social sphere.
• Reaction to the Romance: The romance between the tutor and Joe Che Oh, a Chinese laborer, was highly publicized and controversial, indicating the family’s sensitivity to social norms. The tutor was sent on "a visit of indefinite length to relatives in a western state" to end the affair, suggesting the family had the means and connections to relocate her discreetly, possibly to avoid scandal. This action reflects a family concerned with maintaining its reputation in a community where interracial relationships, especially with Chinese immigrants, were stigmatized.

Historical Context of Beaver Falls’ Elite

To infer more about the family, we can consider the socio-economic landscape of Beaver Falls in 1873:

• Harmony Society Influence: The Harmony Society, a German pietist communal group, was a dominant economic force in Beaver Falls, owning the cutlery company that employed the Chinese laborers. Prominent citizens often had ties to the Society or its business ventures, though not all were members. The tutor’s family could have been connected to this network, either directly or through local commerce.
• Industrial and Civic Leaders: Leading citizens in Beaver Falls included industrialists, merchants, or professionals like bankers, lawyers, or clergy. For example, figures like John Reeves, the cutlery company’s manager, or other local businessmen mentioned in historical accounts (e.g., those associated with the Pittsburgh Post’s coverage) were part of this elite. The tutor’s uncle might have been a similar figure, though no specific name is linked to her.
• Presbyterian Church Role: The Presbyterian church’s decision to offer English lessons to Chinese laborers was unusual, as other churches avoided such engagement. The tutor’s involvement in this program suggests her family supported or at least tolerated this outreach, possibly indicating a progressive streak or a sense of Christian duty, though within the bounds of the era’s racial hierarchies.

Speculative Family Dynamics

• Wealth and Education: As a niece of a prominent citizen, the tutor likely came from a family with access to education, as she was capable of teaching English. Her youth (described as a teenager) suggests she was educated locally, possibly at a private school or through tutoring, common for daughters of elite families.
• Extended Family Network: The ability to send her to relatives in a western state implies a broader family network, possibly in Ohio, Illinois, or another nearby state accessible by rail. This relocation also suggests the family had the financial resources to manage such a move and the social capital to ensure her supervision elsewhere.
• Cultural Attitudes: The family’s reaction to the romance reflects the era’s racial prejudices. While they allowed her to teach Chinese laborers, an interracial romance crossed a social boundary, prompting swift action to separate her from Joe Che Oh. This indicates a family navigating the tension between charitable outreach and rigid social expectations.

Limitations of Available Information

The primary source for this story, a 1997 University Times article by researcher Robert P. Rhoads, does not provide the Terry Gross, the main character in the story, is a young man who falls in love with a Chinese laborer, Joe Che Oh, and is sent away to end the affair. Specific details about the tutor’s family, such as names, occupations, or precise social connections, are not included, likely because such records were not preserved or prioritized in historical accounts focused on the Chinese laborers. Other sources, like local histories or church records, might exist in Beaver County archives, but these are not readily accessible online.

Potential Family Profile

Based on the above, the tutor’s family likely:

• Held a prominent position in Beaver Falls, possibly tied to industry, commerce, or civic leadership.
• Was affluent, with connections extending beyond Pennsylvania.
• Was active in the Presbyterian church, supporting its outreach to Chinese laborers but sensitive to social scandal.
• Had a young, educated female relative (the tutor) who was trusted to teach English, indicating a degree of progressive values within the family, tempered by the era’s racial and social constraints.

For more precise information, one would need to consult Beaver Falls’ historical societies, Presbyterian church records from the 1870s, or genealogical databases for prominent families of the period. Without such access, the family’s identity remains speculative but rooted in the socio-economic context of the time.