USA > Pennsylvania > Lawrence County > Biographical sketches of leading citizens of Lawrence County, Pennsylvania > Part 33
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three children-McClure, the subject of our sketch; John, who married Lucia Mager of Elk City, Pa .; and Richard, also happily married. This family were carefully brought up in the fold of the M. E. Church. Mr. Hartsell, the father, died in 1867, but his widow is still living at an honored old age.
McClure Hartsell, our subject, was raised un- der Republican influences, but he is a man who has sound reasons of his own for belonging to that party. Like his father, he has extremely good judgment as to men and affairs, and his influence is thoroughly appreciated by those who are his associates in locally directing the inter- ests of the Republican party. During his active business life, he has not often been able to serve his fellow-citizens in official capacities, but in the year 1895 he accepted an appointment as paster and folder for the House of Representa- tives at Harrisburg.
Mr. Hartsell was united in marriage with Miss Matilda Stuart in 1879. She is a daughter of John Stuart of Harlansburg, this county. The family with which they have surrounded them- selves consists of the following four members: Orpha R .; Axie S .; Matilda M .; and John M. Mr. Hartsell and his family are regular attend- ants of the United Presbyterian Church. In social life, our subject is very active. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum and other soci- eties, some purely fraternal and social, and others beneficial in their character. His busi- ness relations are of the pleasantest. He has had to work for all he possesses, and his present leading position in the lines of trade in which he is intimately interested, comes as a direct result of the system and care with which he watches
every detail. The lumber business which he handles demands the strictest integrity, for he caters to a trade whose wants are of the most exacting nature, and must be filled to the letter. The hold Mr. Hartsell has upon those large con- sumers is the best commentary upon his busi- ness ability and extreme fidelity. In the com- munity no one is better liked than he or held in higher esteem, and every whit of the respect, accorded Mr. Hartsell, is his due and thoroughly deserved.
CHARLES PLEAS, manager of the Edwin Bell & Sons Co.'s keg factory at New Castle, was born Jan. 26, 1869, in Pittsburg, Pa. He was reared and educated in that city, and as his father died when our subject was quite young in years, he was thrown upon his own resources at an early age and forced to take care of him- self. When he was about eight years of age, he went to work for his uncle on a farm about eight miles from Pittsburg; after spending four years of pretty hard labor for one so young, and receiving no compensation except his "keep," he left his uncle and hired out on a farm for fifty cents a day. At length becoming tired of farm life, as ill-suited to one of his natural bent, he resolved to return to the city and make a liv- ing for himself. He secured work in a keg fac- tory, and remained with the firm with which he first engaged to work, until that firm closed out its business in 1888.
In the same year he secured a position in the employ of the Edwin Bell & Sons Co .; and worked at their factory in Pittsburg until 1892,
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MR. AND MRS. MARTIN R. DALY.
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spent a year in another of their factories at Bea- ver Falls, Pa., and in 1893 came to New Castle to manage the firm's keg factory, and is still effi- ciently fulfilling the duties of that position. Mr. Pleas shows his aggressive and energetic nature in the way in which he has surmounted all ob- stacles and risen to his present place of author- ity and responsibility from apprenticeship through the different grades. He is a master of all the details of the business which he has in charge, and superintends all departments of the factory.
Our subject married Bessie L. Griffith, daugh- ter of Israel N. Griffith, whose sketch is found on another page of this book.
MARTIN R. DALY, whose portrait with that of his wife, is shown on the opposite page, lives in Mahoningtown, and is employed by the P. & W. R. R. at New Castle Junction as gen- eral yard master and foreman of machinery; he was born in Peru, Ind., Aug. 9, 1867, and is a son of Martin and Ellen (Bearney) Daly.
Our subject's father was born in County Tip- perary, Ireland, where both his father and mother died; when he was thirteen years of age, he bade farewell to the land of his birth, and set sail for the United States, going at once after his arrival to Detroit, where he lived and sup- ported himself as best he could. From Detroit he went to Indianapolis, and after his marriage took up a residence in Peru, Ind., where the children of the family were born. During his life-time, Martin Daly was well known in local railroad circles, and at the time of his death was
freight agent at Peru, Ind .; this last important incident of his career occurred in 1874, when he was aged forty-seven years, and in the very prime of life. His wife was born in County Clare, Ireland, in 1834, and at the age of thirteen came to America with her brothers, landing in Canada, and coming thence to Terre Haute, Ind., and finally to Indianapolis of the same State, where her wedding took place. She bore her husband a strong, robust family of nine children as follows: Michael; Bertha; Kate; Charles, deceased; James D .; Martin R .; John William, deceased; Phillip; and Joseph P. The last-mentioned son is the only member of the ยท family, besides Martin R., who resides in Law- rence County; he is conducting a confectionery store in Mahoningtown, and adds materially to the business interests of the place.
Our subject's youth was spent in Peru, Ind., where he attended the public schools, and the St. Charles Academy of that place, from which institution he graduated. He then accepted a position as shipping clerk in a basket factory of Peru, where he acquired an intimate knowledge of accounts and business methods, that have proved very serviceable to him. After continu- ing in this position for quite a period, he became a brakeman on the Wabash R. R., but soon resigned to accept a position in the shops of the Pennsylvania R. R., where he worked one year as machinist. In 1887, he moved to Mt. Carmel, Ill., where he was locomotive fireman for three years. He came to Mahoningtown April Io, 1890, and took a position as engineer on the Pittsburg & Western R. R., and served in that capacity until April 1, 1896, at which time he was appointed general yard master and foreman
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BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY.
of machinery at New Castle Junction. He is still fulfilling the duties of that responsible position with a carefulness and method that have ob- tained for him the confidence and regard of his superiors, and proven him a valuable servant.
Mr. Daly was united in marriage at Mt. Car- mel, Ill., April 18, 1894, to Annie Maurer, daughter of Adam Maurer and his wife Mar- garet. Two children are the fruit of this mar- riage: Paul, who died in infancy; and William. His political views are pronounced in character, and make him a strong Democrat. Socially, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Wabash Lodge, No. 327, of Mt. Carmel, Ill. He is also a member of B. L. E. Div., No. 411, of Paines- ville, Ohio. Since coming to Mahoningtown, he has taken a deep and intelligent interest in the welfare and growth of the place, and is con- sidered a model citizen.
ELISHA M. STEVENSON. It is not often that the chronicler of local history finds among the representative citizens, native both to the county and township, one whose age quite ap- proaches that of the prominent citizen of New Bedford, Pulaski township, whose name appears as the heading of this personal history. The as- sertion is often made that a century ago our forefathers lived longer than we of the present time do, yet here we have in the person of Mr. Stevenson one of the oldest men that has ever made his home for any length of time in the county. He was born in Pulaski township, Dec. 22, 1806, and is therefore almost ninety-one years; this makes him the oldest citizen in the
county as well as the longest connected with the growth of this section. His parents, James and Catherine (Moore) Stevenson, came from Done- gal, Ireland, just previous to the Revolutionary War. James Stevenson enlisted in the army, and the family underwent the horrors of war in a new country, far from home and friends. Soon after his enlistment, soon after Philadelphia was occupied by the British, he was taken prisoner, lodged in a stone jail in the above-named city, and then sent under surveillance to New York, where after waiting eight months he was liber- ated. After his duty in the ranks was discharged he acted as a tax collector for the Government. In those days, as well as at all other times, the Quakers would not join in the fight for Indepen- dence, as it was against the rules of their order to engage in strife, so in order that they might help bear the burden of the war, they were com- pelled to pay heavy taxes to buy supplies for the men who went upon the bloody field. Mr. Stevenson was appointed as one of these tax col- lectors, and served the Government in this ca- pacity until the end of the war. He next en- gaged in charcoal burning in Chester Co., Pa .; he then moved to Virginia where he spent some time, and then transferred his residence to Pul- aski township in 1806; whence he removed to Poland, Ohio, about 1808, where he purchased some choice land that was still in its primeval state, and as yet unscarred by the hand of man. He cleared the timber from the place, utilizing it for charcoal, which he disposed of to the Yellow Creek Furnace that was located in the neighbor- hood of Poland. He spent the remainder of his days there, and by hard, incessant toil provided for his family, and accumulated some property,
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BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY.
besides. His first wife was Hannah, a sister of Col. Bull, who served in the Revolutionary Army. Nine children resulted from this marri- age: Andrew; Thomas; Elijah; Margaret; Lucy; Nancy; Sarah; Hannah; and Mary. The mother went the way of all flesh, and the father, after looking about for some one to aid him and to preside over the household, married Catherine Moore, who bore him: Robert; James; Will- iam; Rebecca; Elisha M .; Silas; Samson; Sam- uel; and a baby that died in its infancy. The family was brought up to attend the Presbyter- ian Church, and to live according to the pre- cepts given them by the various pastors who had charge of the flock. Mr. Stevenson was a Whig, and in his later years became an Abolitionist, doing whatever his advanced years would allow him to do in the spreading of the movement di- rected against human slavery.
Because of the large size of the family, our subject's father was unable to provide all with a complete education, but Elisha M. received the benefit of the subscription school in Poland, Ohio, and in Pulaski, Pa. He then took a pre- paratory course for civil engineering under old Master Johnson, after which he dealt in mer- chandise in company with his uncle in Wayne Co., Ohio. For about a year he was in Pitts- burg, interested in mercantile business, and then moved to Hookstown, Beaver Co., Pa., and again kept a store. At this time he married Nancy Dawson, April 30, 1829, and still carried on his store until he bought his present farm in 1831, which he cultivated himself up to 1890. For six consecutive winters, he was also engaged in teaching school, which meant a good deal in those days, when boys attended the schools until
they were full-grown men, and delighted in throwing out a teacher whenever it was possible. Mrs. Stevenson was a daughter of Thomas Daw- son, an astronomer of Beaver Co., Pa. The first three children born of our subject's union, Homer, Nancy A. and Catherine, sank into the grave in their youth. Elisha, whose demise oc- curred in 1886, grew to years of manhood and discretion, married Ellen Brown of New Bed- ford, and had four children-Joseph, Harvey, Willard and Amy; of these four children, Joseph married Gertrude Martin of Oil City, Pa., and has a little son, Robert M. Willard married Adda McClung. Rebecca E., the next in order of birth after Elisha M., married James Neal of Pulaski township, and their family consists of Alice, Dawson, Leonora, Nellie, and Florence. The youngest son, Dawson, married Mary Cook- ingham of Chautauqua Co., N. Y., and this union has been blessed with four children, Metta, Homer D., Melva and Mabel. Of these children Homer D. married Clementine Brownlee of Coitsville, Ohio. Melva married Vennis A. Green and resides in Huntingdon Co., Pa. Mrs. Stevenson died in 1872, aged 72 years.
Mr. Stevenson converses with ease and shows his wide acquaintance with books and papers that pass current in these days; he keeps himself abreast of the times, and is ever eager to learn all about any new subject. In speaking of relig- ious matters, he evinces a liberal turn of mind. He is a man who has lived through trouble and thrived. He has a broad comprehension of sub- jects that would not catch the notice of an ordin- ary reader, and from his standpoint of age and experience he can elucidate many of the lessons that confront mankind in the great Book of Life.
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BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY.
DR. DEWEES CUNNINGHAM. The gen- tleman, whose name heads this sketch, is con- spicuous and well known among the professional men of Lawrence County, who have at- tained success by adroit endeavor, close appli- cation and the constant practice of their profes- sion. By carefully diagnosing his cases, and treating them with that skill, acquired by long years of constant study and varied practice, he has established a reputation for competency, which has redounded to his financial welfare. Ever since the war, Dr. Cunningham has been a steady resident of Wurtemberg, Perry town- ship, and a leader among the practicing physi- cians. Our subject comes naturally by his taste for medical science, for his father was a physi- cian before him, and practiced, like many an- other doctor of the old school in the early times, through the country a great deal, traveling about on horseback, and at times almost living in the saddle. The elder doctor possessed a kindly nature, and while he was very successful in his profession and attained to a comfortable estate, he did not place a barrier between himself and the less forunate in worldly goods; but, on the contrary, he was enabled by his position in life to alleviate much real suffering. Dr. Robert Cunningham was a Pennsylvanian, being born in Beaver County, although his father, Thomas, came first to Steubenville, Ohio, from across the sea in Ireland. Our subject's father married Miss Allison, daughter of James Allison of Bea- ver County, and these children lived to bear his name: Louisa, who became Mrs. Edward White; Addison, who married Miss Woods; Abelard, who married Miss Wallace, but who is now deceased; Julietta, deceased; Dewees, of
whom more is to be said further on; Cecelia, who bcame the wife of Dr. Atwood; and Jennie, who married L. C. Kirker.
Dewees Cunningham began his existence March 6, 1842, and during the years of his boy- hood obtained the rudiments of an education in the common schools of North Sewickley. This was followed with a course in the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, and he finally graduated from the Medical College of Cincin- nati, Ohio, in 1871. The Civil War of 1861-65 breaking out soon after he was ready to begin his professional career, Dr. Cunningham found a post of duty as assistant physician and surgeon, and remained steadfastly in the service of his country until the cessation of hostilities, and the complete victory of the Union. Returning from the scenes of carnage at the front, experienced and ready for work, he opened up a general practice in Wurtemberg, Perry township, where his superior qualifications as a physician afforded a broad foundation, on which a large practice was built. Dr. Cunningham is now because of the weight of his years practically retired, and enjoys the prestige he gained by many years of almost incessant work. He stands high among the members of the medical fraternity, and is highly respected as a man of enterprise, who has been remarkably successful in his ef- forts He has imbued his sons with the healing instinct and a love for the pro- fession, as the eldest, Dalton D., has graduated from the Dental College of Ohio, and has opened an office on Lawrence Avenue in Ellwood City, where he has splendid facilities and a large field for dental work. James Nor- man, the third child, and second son, is a student
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BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY.
at Marion Simms Medical College of St. Louis, Mo., of which the next son, Robert B. is a graduate. Cora, the eldest daughter, and Ida and Gertrude Pearl, the fifth and sixth children, respectively, are living at home. One son, John D., is deceased. Mrs. Cunningham's maiden name was Catherine Smiley, and she was a daughter of William Smiley of Wayne township, Lawrence Co., Pa. The family are Presbyter- ians in religious belief. Dr. Cunningham early espoused the Republican cause in politics. Al- though his active career is now practically closed, his is the satisfaction of looking back over years of usefulness and thrilling incidents, such as occur only when human life hangs in the bal- ance, and his is the privilege of being regarded as a personal benefactor by numberless friends, whom his skill has helped in some way or other.
ALEXANDER ANDERSON. The elderly gentleman just named is one of Pulaski's prom- inent citizens, and leading farmers; he is in af- fluent circumstances, a result he secured by hard
0 work and excellent foresight. He was born Sept. 21, 1822, and was a son of William and Jane (Dunbar) Anderson, who were both born in County Down, Ireland, coming to this coun- try with their respective parents in youth.
John Anderson, the grandfather of our hon- ored subject, "crossed the pond" about 1789, and after living a number of years in Westmoreland County, came to Pulaski township, Lawrence County, in 1799, and purchased the farm, a part of which is now the property of his grandson. The land, a tract of three hundred acres, was in
its primeval state of wilderness, and he cleared about a third of it. He was a weaver by trade, and worked at that occupation a number of years after coming to this country. The family consisted of these members: William; John; James; Thomas; Mary (Walker); Eleanor (Ward); and Isabella. They were reared to rev- erence and adhere to the doctrines of the Pres- byterian Church.
William Anderson, the eldest son, attended the district school, and on the parental farm en- gaged in farming, an occupation he never relin- quished. As a voter he was loyal to the Whigs until the slavery question had precipitated the Abolitionist party, when he joined the ranks of the latter organization, and thereafter did what he could to bring to a head the agitation on the subject. However, he was not permitted to see Columbia free from the taint of slavery, for he died at the age of sixty-six, some nine years be- fore Ft. Sumter was fired upon. He married and became the father of ten children, six of whom lived to rear families. Elizabeth married F. J. Morrison of Pulaski township, and their chil- dren were: Hannah, William F., Albert, and David E. Isabella became the wife of James McGaughey of Pulaski township, and bore her husband five children: Rebecca, Maria J., Har- riet A., William D., and Frank. Mary A. wed- ded John Sample of Lawrence Co., Pa., and now lives in Aledo, Ill., and their family comprised: Alvin, William, and Jane. Ellen married James Sherriff, and both are now deceased. Alexan- der, the subject of this sketch, was the fifth child. Nancy was the sixth child, and she became the life companion and wife of Isaac Book of Ma- honing township, bearing him two children,
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BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Hannah and Alver, deceased. Newell, deceased, was the seventh of the family, and the remain- ing four died in infancy. The truths of the Gos- pel, as presented by the Presbyterian Church, were inculcated into their education, and became parts of their daily life. In 1865, Mrs. Anderson, our subject's mother, passed away, having com- pleted four score years.
Alexander Anderson went to school, and hav- ing received a good common school training, in which he had labored as well as he knew how, taught school himself for a matter of four terms. He then applied himself to agricultural pursuits, and he has always lived on the parental estate, where he has succeeded fairly well in his mode of life. Politically, he is a Republican, and being high in the regard and confidence of his fellow- townsmen has held not a few of the township offices. He has been twice married, the first union in 1852 being with Lavina McBride, daughter of James M. McBride of Pulaski town- ship; she bore him four children: Laura, de- ceased; Addie; Charles, who married Lillie B. Leslie of New Castle, and has in his family- Robert A., Helen, Raymond, and Christine; Melva, the youngest child, married Alexander A. Anderson of Mercer Co., Pa., and they have two sons, Clarence and Newell. The second matrimonial aliance was with Nancy Geddes of Pulaski township, and by this union there is one child living, Margaret Elizabeth, and two that died in infancy. In church preferences the fam- ily still adheres to the United Presbyterian Church. Mr. Anderson has profited by the years he has devoted to the pursuits of agriculture, and he has developed into a man of broad ideas, who is thoroughly informed on all points touch-
ing or relating in the remotest fashion to his business. He has a good standing in the com- munity as a man who has never failed to pay his honest debts, and his private and public life elicits the full admiration of those with whom he comes in contact. His advanced years do not prevent him from mingling with younger men in the active fields of business, nor from taking an intelligent interest in matters of moment to the township, county, state or the country at large. He is certainly such a citizen of whom any country would be proud, and Lawrence County is fortunate in being able to include him among her number of representative and leading men.
BENJAMIN NEAL, a substantial and well- to-do farmer of Pulaski township, Lawrence Co., Pa., was born June 20, 1843 in the above town- ship. He is a son of Alexander and Nancy (Mayers) Neal.
Alexander Neal was born in Cumberland Co., Pa., and was one of the early settlers in Pulaski township, where he took up his residence in 1806. He bought 400 acres of wild land, and worked at clearing and improving it, by his in- dustry providing himself with a comfortable liv- ing, and giving his family many advantages, usu- ally denied to pioneer settlers. He served in the War of 1812 as a private and a fifer in the fife and drum corps. Politically, he affiliated with the Whigs, and later joined the Republican ranks. His helpmeet was Nancy Mayers, a daughter of Benjamin Mayers of Hubbard, Ohio, and their children were: James, Benjamin, Alexander,
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DR. CHARLES T. WHIPPO.
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and Sarah A. These all married, and became the parents of families. James took Rebecca Stevenson of New Bedford, Pa., to share his lot, and they have five children living-Alice, Daw- son F., Leonora, Nellie, and Florence. Ben- jamin, the second son of Alexander Neal, is the subject of this personal history, and of him we shall speak later. Alexander, the next in order of birth, espoused Sarah Heasley of Pulas- ki, and they have a boy, Clarence, and a girl, Pearl M. Sarah A., the only daughter, became the life companion of James Stevenson of Bea- ver Co., Pa., and they have one daughter, Hattie D., as the fruit of their marriage. Mrs. Sarah (Neal) Stevenson is a lady of sterling qualities, highly endowed with good common sense, and is highly thought of in her neighborhood. She possesses the happy faculty of making the home bright and attractive to an unusual degree. The Neals were members of the United Presbyterian Church. Alexander Neal's life terminated on Aug. 1, 1874, having passed the three-quarter century mark; he was survived by his wife, who lived until Aug. 29, 1880, when she, too, passed to her last home at the age of eighty-four.
Benjamin Neal had a common school educa- tion, and then began to make a livelihood by ag- ricultural pursuits, and has never deviated from that course. Politically, he is a steadfast Re- publican, and although no office-seeker, he has been assessor, and is now supervisor. In 1876, he was bound by the ties of wedlock to Emma Barrett, whose father was Matthew Barrett, and she gave birth to two sons, Charles G. and James A. Mrs. Neal answered the summons of death when a young woman, being only thirty-two years of age at the date of her demise in 1886.
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