USA > Pennsylvania > Lawrence County > Biographical sketches of leading citizens of Lawrence County, Pennsylvania > Part 23
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Outside of his profession, Mr. Morris has ever continued to take a very active interest in the progress of New Castle, and was one of the in- corporators of the New Castle Iron Co., manu- facturers of sheet iron, and retained the position of secretary for a long term of years. He is also a large stockholder of the New Castle Electric Light Company, and besides building himself a house at the corner of Grant and Beaver
Streets, he has dealt extensively in real estate, and owns several tenements to-day. Our sub- jet's politics are Democratic, as were his father's, and he is a stanch supporter of the cause of temperance. From 1876 to 1888 he was in the city council, serving eleven years as the president of the select council. He was school controller for one term in 1875.
He married Miss Lide A. Loy, daughter of Martin Loy, and to them were given two chil- dren, one of whom died in infancy. The surviv- ing child, Anne L., married John M. Butz.
IRWIN RHODES, an engineer on the Penn- sylvania R. R., living at Mahoningtown, was born in that borough, April 21, 1859. He is a son of David and Helen M. (Shafer) Rhodes, and a grandson of Solomon and Rebecca (Bender) Rhodes. Rebecca Bender was born in Lancaster Co., Pa., July 10, 1810, and married her husband Nov. 1I, 1828; she bore her hus- band eight children; she was a daughter of David Bender, who moved from Lancaster County to Lawrence County, where he bought a farm near Mahoningtown and was engaged in farming until his death at the age of seventy. Solomon Rhodes was born in York Co., Pa., Jan. 22, 1801, and in early life was a miller, but later in life owned and operated a farm. He was a soldier of the War of 1812, and in 1818 . crossed the mountains and became a resident of Lawrence County, buying a farm in North Beaver township, where he lived until his death at the age of sixty-two years.
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WILLIAM MONCRIEF.
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David Rhodes lived in Lancaster County un- years worked in Raney's mill. After a short til thirteen years of age, when the family came time with his father in carpentry work, he start- ed out on his railroad career, beginning at the bottom of the ladder as a section-hand, and was then on a gravel-train for a year. He next be- came a brakeman, and after three years became a fireman, serving in that capacity for two years and three months, and being rewarded for faith- ful and continuous service by being appointed an engineer Dec. 6, 1888. to Beaver (now Lawrence) County. At the age of eighteen he learned the carpenter's trade, and in subsequent years became one of the most ex- tensive contractors and builders in the borough of Mahoningtown, being associated with his brothers in building at least one-half of the houses under construction during the period of their activity. At the time of the building of the New Castle & Beaver Valley R. R., he was ap- pointed superintendent of construction, and built the depots along the line of the road. He is a stanch Republican, and much interested in local politics. He and his wife are members in good standing of the Methodist Church. They were joined in marriage June 9, 1858. She was a daughter of Peter and Sarah (Cameron) Shafer, the latter of Scotch-Irish descent and a daughter of Allan and Elizabeth Cameron. Peter Shafer, who was a son of Christopher and Eliza- beth Shafer, lived to attain the age of eighty-two years, dying in 1884. All of David Rhodes' four sons are interested in railroad work; they are: Irwin, the subject of this sketch; Peter S., a train dispatcher for the Pennsylvania R. R., living at Mahoningtown, whose life history appears on another page; Charles W., a baggage-master, living in Mahoningtown; and David D., who is a fireman with headquarters at home in Mahon- ingtown.
Irwin Rhodes attended the schools of Mahon- ingtown borough until he was fourteen years of age, when he began work in a quarry, where he remained four or five years. He then secured a position in Wallace's mill, where he was em- ployed two years, and for the five succeeding
He was married, June 29, 1881, in Mahoning- town, to Emma Pitzer, a native of Illinois, and a daughter of Henry and Caroline (Sutton) Pitzer; Henry Pitzer was a son of John and Elizabeth (Ginter) Pitzer. Two children are the fruit of our subject's marriage: Clarence Frisbee, de- ceased; and David Ray. Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes are members of the M. E. Church of Mahoning- town. Mr. Rhodes is a Republican in politics, and is a member of the Volunteer Relief Corps of the Pennsylvania Co.'s lines.
WILLIAM MONCREIF, burgess of West New Castle, whose portrait appears on the opposite page, was born in Bridgeton, N. J., Aug. 22, 1830, and is a son of Hugh Moncreif, who was also born in the same place.
Our subject's father was a hatter by trade, and served his full apprenticeship with Mr. Johnson of Bridgeton; he worked at this trade only a few years, for his health suffered noticeably from the confining, indoor nature of the employment, and he accordingly drifted into other channels of industrial work, becoming at last a brick- maker, which remained his vocation through the
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- remainder of his life. He lived to be eighty years old. He married Clarissa Bacon of Green- wich, N. J., who died at the age of ninety-four years, and reared the following ten children: Benjamin, who died in New Castle; Carolina (Foster); Robert, now a resident of Bridgeton, N. J .; an infant deceased; Mary, who died at the age of eighteen; William, the subject of this notice; Franklin, now in Vineland, N. J .; Rachel (Loper); Hugh, now in Bridgeton; and Horace, deceased.
At the age of thirteen years, our subject start- ed out in life for himself, beginning at that age a three years' apprenticeship in a nail factory at Bridgeton, in 1843. Upon learning the trade, he went to Phoenix, Pa., where he remained for a year, then to Norristown, Pa., and then to Booneton, N. J., in which place he remained eleven years working at his trade. In the spring of 1861, he enlisted in Co. F, 3rd Reg. N. J. Vol. Inf., and served three years and three months in the late war; the regiment formed a part of the First Brigade, which was attached to the First Division of the Sixth Army Corps. After he re- turned from the fighting at the front, he made Bridgeton his home until 1872, when he moved to Pittsburg, Pa., and worked in a nail factory until 1875, when he came to New Castle, and worked in the factories until 1888, when he was compelled to leave his trade because of poor health, and to engage in some lighter employ- ment. He conducted a confectionery store at No. 67 Cemetery Street, where he also lived, until its destruction by fire March 24, 1897. He is now retired.
Mr. Moncreif married, as his first wife, Sarah Millington, who died in 1860, leaving two chil-
dren: Rachel A. (Sutton); and Hattie E. A number of years after the decease of his first wife, he formed a second matrimonial union with Mary Miller of Philadelphia, Pa. Mr. Moncreif is a member of the Union Veteran Legion, and was elected burgess of West New Castle in the spring of 1897. Among his fellow-citizens he is a deservedly popular man, for he is a simple, unostentatious man, whose good points became more attractive and noticeable upon closer acquaintance. His faithfulness and the strict attention he gives to the work that lies before him have always made him well liked by his employers, and assisted in bringing to him a good custom in his trade.
ROBERT C. AIKEN, a respected and honored resident of Ellwood City, whose busi- ness associations identify him with the leading real estate interests of that thriving community, is a son of Alexander Aiken, who was born near Baltimore, Md. When eighteen years of age, Alexander Aiken came to Slippery Rock town- ship, it was about the year 1795, and bought 200 acres, that he cleared and made into a good, productive farm; it is at present owned by Mr. McQueston. His frame barn was the first of its kind in the county, and its erection was followed soon afterward by that of a house. He was a man of many good parts, and withal was a pro- gressive farmer. His life spanned sixty-eight years, and that of his wife exceeded that num- ber by four. Mrs. Aiken was a daughter of James Henry, and she bore eleven children, as
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follows: Jane (Mrs. McMillen); Martha (Mrs. to the Lawrence County Bar. He practiced for White); Sarah (Mrs. Allen); William F .; Alex- ander H .; Thomas; Albert; James; Mary (Mrs. Gardner); Robert C .; and an infant, who died.
Robert C. Aiken was only thirteen years of age when his father died; he therefore stayed at home and fully carried out his filial duties to the widowed mother. He lived on the homestead until 1861, when he sold it, and selected IOI acres of land near Sewickley, Beaver County, where he remained until 1896. For three years Mr. Aiken dealt in merchandise in Beaver Coun- ty, and built there a new house and barn, but finally removed to Ellwood City in 1896. Here he is interested in real estate, some of it being very valuable property in the oil country, and also devotes a portion of his time to writing in- surance. Mr. Aiken cast his first ballot for John C. Fremont for President, and has held minor offices in Beaver County. In 1896 he was elected burgess of Ellwood City. The family adheres strictly to the principles and doctrines of the United Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Rob- ert C. Aiken, before her marriage with our sub- ject, was Tirzah Aiken, daughter of James Aiken of Montville, Pa. Her death in 1893 at the age of forty-eight left seven children to mourn her departure from their midst. Their names in or- der are: James Elmer; Alexander H .; Mary; John C .; Robert C., Jr .; Maggie M .; and Effie A,
James Elmer Aiken was born in Wayne town- ship, Lawrence Co., Pa., Sept. 4, 1862, and sup- plemented a district school education by pur- suing advanced courses of study in Grove City College, after which he studied law in the office of James A. Gardner. He successfully passed the State Examination and in 1888 was admitted
a short time in New Castle, was then an assist- ant of George B. Nye in Hazel Dell for about a year, and in the summer of 1895 began his pres- ent connection with the First National Bank of Ellwood City as a clerk. He is now the cashier in this solid financial institution. In social cir- cles, he is a member of the F. & A. M. Lodge, No. 599, of Ellwood City.
JOSEPH S. WHITE, one of New Castle's oldest and most highly respected citizens, who has done his share to build up and beautify New Castle from a small borough to a prosperous city, was born within the present city limits, Dec. 29, 1820, and is a son of Crawford and Elizabeth (Dunlap) White, and grandson of David and Mary (Crawford) White, who were farmers and reared a family of eight children, namely: James; Benjamin; Josiah; Crawford; David; Samuel; Mrs. McMillin; and Mrs. S. Hanna.
Crawford White was born in Cumberland Co., Pa., and in 1804 came to New Castle, and settled on lot No. 1953 of the "donation lands," on which he built a log-house. In 1806 he returned to his native county to marry Elizabeth Dun- lap, daughter of John Dunlap, and at once be- gan to clear the land on his New Castle proper- ty. In the War of 1812 he was a member of Capt. Fisher's Co., which went to Erie. In 1818 he erected a grist-mill with three sets of stones and a saw-mill at the foot of Beaver Street, and did the principal part of the milling for the set-
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tlers for miles around. He died at the age of sixty about the year 1833; his wife died in 1875 aged ninety-six years. They were both mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church, and helped to build the old brick Presbyterian Church. Their children were: James D .; Amanda A .; Eliza A .; John C .; Joseph S .; and others who died young.
Our subject remained at home, assisting his brother James in the grist-mill and iron mills until his brother's death. He then was with his brother-in-law in the postoffice until he was twenty years of age, when he in company with Mr. Farley became interested for a time in a foundry at New Castle. He then carried on farming on a part of the old homestead. His next venture was with Dr. Joseph Pollock in carrying on the lumber business, and afterwards he was with Stevens, Craig & Co., in the lumber business in the manufacture of lumber, planing, sashes and doors, etc., under the firm name of Stevens, Craig & Co. When the mill burned down, Mr. White continued the lumber business for a few years and returned to farming on the old homestead, from which, because of its loca- tion near the borough line, he has sold many building lots, and still owns an excellent farm of 100 acres, on which he has a fine residence sur- rounded with large and beautiful oak groves- it is one of the choicest pieces of property still left within the city limits, and is located at No. 312 North Jefferson Street.
Mr. White married Miss Adaline Pollock, daughter of Dr. Joseph and Rachel (Morehead) Pollock. Dr. Pollock was born in 1788, finished his collegiate course in 1808, and in 1810 com- menced his practice near Monongahela City, Washington County, but later came to New
Castle, where he was interested in the lumber business to some extent. He reared a large family, and did much to further the progress of the town. He was not only very successful as a physician and surgeon, with a reputation for skillful work which extended through a number of counties, but he was also a leader in general business and industrial circles. He was recog- nized as one of the foremost men of the western part of Pennsylvania, and was a frequent and welcome contributor to various periodicals on many questions of current public interest. He died in 1856 at the age of sixty-five years. His wife lived to the advanced age of eighty-six years. Their children were: Periander; Milo; Camilia; Isaphena; Hiram; Belinda; Adaline; Laura; Caroline; and Josephine. The marriage of our subject has been blessed with twelve chil- dren, as follows; an infant son, deceased; Alice, who married George Greer, president of the New Castle Steel & Tinplate Co. of New Cas- tle; Eva, the wife of E. C. McClintock of Bos- ton, Mass .; John C .; Carrie M. married Rev. E. S. Willard, and they were missionaries to Alaska for thirteen years; Rev. Joseph P., of Eagle Mills Presbyterian Church; Arthur, who died in his twentieth year; Fred of Boston, Mass .; Adaline, who died in her eighteenth year; Belle May, who is a professional nurse, and a grad- uate of the Women's Temperance Hospital of Chicago, Ill .; Lizzie died young; and an infant daughter, now deceased. Our subject has living to-day seven children and twenty grandchildren.
Mr. White cast his first vote in a Presidential election for a Democratic nominee, then sup- ported the Free Soilers; since the organization of the Republican party he supported it loyally
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until they repealed local option in Pennsyl- vania when he supported the Prohibition Party, since which time he has been a steadfast adher- ent of that party of reform. In slavery days he was no idle looker-on of the terrible deeds of inhumanity that were perpetrated in the name of law and justice; rather he took an active in- terest in the great underground system, which was the means of rescuing many a poor slave from a life worse than death, and Mr. White and his good wife did all in their power to protect such unfortunates as came their way, and by every available means to assist the progress of abolitionist doctrines. His home and his money was at the service of the movement, for he thought he was on the right side, and we be- lieve that the people of the land to-day will unite in saying that they are glad that there were a few men in the hour of darkness and danger, who were not afraid to risk their life and liberty 1 for the sake of a people unjustly oppressed.
JOSEPH DICK LONG, one of New Castle's leading grocers, was born in the above city, April 3, 1872, and is a son of Elias and Margaret (McKever) Long, grandson of John Long, great-grandson of Joseph Long, and great- great-grandson of Alexander Long, who came from Westmoreland Co., Pa., and located on a farm just a little south of New Castle in 1806. His two sons, Joseph and Arthur, divided the farm between them, each taking 100 acres; they lived there all the rest of their several lives, Joseph Long, our subject's great-grandfather,
meeting his death by drowning, when attempt- ing to ford the river at Rock Point on horse- back, when forty years of age. He was survived by his wife, Ella, and the following seven chil- dren, all of whom grew to maturity: Alexan- der; John, our subject's grandfather; Sarah; Margaret; Joseph, Jr .; David; and Arthur S. Our subject's grandfather was born in New Cas- tle, which remained his home through the great- er part of his life, in which he was engaged prin- cipally as a farmer.
Elias Long was born in New Castle, and early in life entered into the limestone business; after a few years, he disposed of his property and in- vestments in that direction, and engaged in the grocery business in South New Castle, where he continued for twenty-eight years, winning the highest esteem of his large circle of acquaint- ances and customers, and building up a very ex- tensive trade. His death, from an attack of typhoid fever, occurred in March, 1895, at the age of fifty-six years. He served in the council sixteen years, and was overseer of the poor six years. His wife passed away at the age of forty- six years, a victim of consumption. Their chil- dren were named: Ella; John F., deceased; Grace, deceased; Joseph Dick, the subject of this sketch; Jessie E .; and James R.
Our subject attended the New Castle schools, and when eighteen years old began clerking in his father's store. In 1894, in company with Messrs. E. & F. Davis, under the style of J. D. Long & Co., he opened up a general grocery store in the Cunningham Block at No. 8 Pitts- burg Street. At the expiration of one year, Mr. Long bought out his partners, and does at this writing a very large and remunerative business
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in New Castle and its vicinity, employing three clerks to attend to the wants of his customers. He is a popular, well-liked young man, whose success has been richly deserved. He owns the old homestead at No. 680 Moravia Street, which his grandfather built. In his political views, he is independent. He is a member of the fraternal order, F. & A. M., and since his early manhood his whole time and attention has been devoted to his business, with what result we have already shown.
JOHN W. NICKUM of Ellwood City, Pa., is the proprietor of the Hotel Pulaski, also pro- prietor of the Nickum wholesale house, dealing in liquors, wines and malts, and controlling the natural mineral water from the springs at Pul- aski. Mr. Nickum began his life in Mercer, Mercer Co., Pa., Sept. 3, 1854, and is a son of Thomas J. and Hannah (Rogers) Nickum.
Thomas J. Nickum was born in Emmitsburg, Md., and in boyhood entered a printing office, advancing in time to the post of publisher of the Mercer County Whig; he continued to run that paper until his retirement from active participa- tion in labor, and he is now an honored resident of Pulaski, directing the branches of his son's business that are there established.
John W. Nickum in 1870 built the handsome and modern livery stable in Mercer, known as Nickum's Livery Barn, where he conducted a good business, renting it in 1893, and finally sell- ing the whole in 1897. In 1893, Mr. Nickum became the owner of the Hotel Pulaski, that at
that time had just been completed, and he has made it one of the finest hotels in the country for miles around, being noted especially as a popular summer resort. The mineral springs of Pulaski, which he controls in connection with the hotel, draw many people, as the water is famed for its beneficial properties, and is widely used, both in the locality and in eastern cities. The Pulaski Natural Mineral Water Co., as the firm is styled, of which our subject is sole pro- prietor, bottles 3,500 to 6,000 quarts per day and ships to outside points, as there is a demand for this product the year around. In this inudstry Mr. Nickum is a leader, as he owns the com- pany's stock, and has the sole responsibility. The Hotel Pulaski is a substantial three-story edifice, with Mansard roof, and is well kept in every particular, the attendance being first-class, and the cuisine unexcelled. Since the opening of the Pulaski its guests have had only praise for the management, and its careful attention and well-being. Being equipped with modern conveniences, and supplied with all the advan- tages spoken of, the Pulaski's reputation as a first-class hostelry is certainly assured.
In 1895, Mr. Nickum came to Ellwood City, and built a block, 40x80 feet on the ground, and uses the lower floor for double stores, while the second floor is divided into twelve large rooms, which are employed by his wholesale liquor business, where he keeps a large selected stock of liquors of both home and foreign manufacture. Barns and a warehouse in connection with this latter establishment are located on Sixth Street and Lawrence Avenue. In addition to the busi- ness interests, already referred to in outline, Mr. Nickum is a heavy stockholder in the Ellwood
JACOB R. BOGGS.
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City Gas Co., also the largest stockholder in the Mercer Gas Co., and several other interests in Mercer. He is an intelligent, active citizen, of strikingly handsome personal appearance, and has hosts of friends. His business ability is uni- versally recognized as of the highest order, and entitles him to a hearty recognition among the leading and representative citizens of Ellwood. Whatever pertains to the welfare and prosperity of the city is of moment to him, and he certain- ly is a valuable addition to the business interests of Ellwood City.
Mr. Nickum won for his life-companion Ida M. Brown of Sandy Lake, Pa., and they have two daughters-Katie B., who is a bookkeeper for her father; and Nellie. Our subject is a thorough Republican, and has served as burgess of Mercer, and as a member of that city's coun- cil. He holds a membership in several fraternal orders, among which are F. & A. M., and A. O. U. W., both of Mercer, Mercer Co., Pa.
tors came from Scotland. Many of the best peo- ple in Pennsylvania to-day are descended from the long-suffering sons of Erin, for it seems that to those who have been forced by an iron hand to yield obedience to unjust decrees and to con- sider the divine right of kings the first pillar of government, there is something ineffably dear in the sight of the flag waving over a land where all men are free and equal before the law. From the sturdy Irish and Scotch-Irish people have been developed worthy citizens, who would be an honor to any commonwealth. Western Pennsylvania is especially fortunate in having been settled by pioneers who belonged chiefly to this class, and that their work in building up this beautiful country was done well goes with- out saying. The ardent love of liberty is fos- tered and kept alive in such a race, grateful for the blessings of a free land, and in times of trouble and deep distress, when our very integ- rity as a nation was threatened, the Scotch-Irish responded nobly to the call, and proved them- selves to be entitled to rank with our best citi- zens. America asks for no better class of citi- zens than those of kindred speech, who have sought civil and religious freedom on her shores. Such were the inducements that drew John Boggs, when a young man, to abandon his home in Ireland, and seek a brighter lot in the West- ern Continent. He was a struggling, hard- working farmer after he settled near Erie, Pa., and of an intensely religious cast of mind, as he had been brought up in the faith of the old Cov- enanters.
JACOB R. BOGGS, whose portrait may be viewed on the opposite page, is a thrifty and well- to-do farmer, who lives near New Galilee in Big Beaver township, Lawrence County, who has mounted the ladder of success, and now occ11- pies a position of esteem in his community as a solid, substantial citizen. He was born in Erie Co., Pa., in January, 1847, and is therefore just past the half-century mark. His parents were John and Martha (Blackwood) Boggs, who were Our subject lived in Erie County until he was a strong lad of fifteen years, and grasped what- both of Irish parentage, although a hundred or more years ago we might find that their ances- ever educational advantages were offered in the
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common schools. He was a dutiful son, fulfill- ing his duty to his aged father in every respect and caring for him until the number of his years on earth were completed. Mr. Boggs came to Lawrence County about 1872, where he has made his home since. He chose for his partner Mary Blackwood, whose parents, James and Eliza Blackwood, were also born in Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Boggs have rejoiced on the occasions of the birth of three children: Ethel L. and Oli- ver B., and an infant son. The family belongs to the Reformed Presbyterian Church, one branch of which does not allow its members to participate in political affairs, and so, obeying the voice of the church, Mr. Boggs has kept aloof from politics, and has taken no aggressive interest in the oft-recurring elections.
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