USA > Pennsylvania > Lawrence County > Biographical sketches of leading citizens of Lawrence County, Pennsylvania > Part 36
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spirit was returned to Him that gave it. He had friends by the score, who admired his manly, upright character, and many were the expres- sions of regret that were uttered when the fatal nature of his injuries became known.
In 1862 Mr. Miller was united in nuptial bonds to Mary J. Dicks of Hickory township, this county, and they had one daughter, who grew to womanhood, and became the loving and trusted wife of Elmer Shields of New Bedford, Pa. Mrs. Miller was called to her last home on Dec. 19, 1863. A second marriage was contracted on Aug. 2, 1864, with Sarah E. Rogers of New Bedford, Pa., born Aug. 12, 1844, a daughter of Thomas Rogers. She bore a son, Carl C., on Oct. 18, 1869; his death occurred July 6, 1895. A daughter, Nina O., was born on April 2, 1877. The family are members of the Disciples Church, and deeply interested in all the good work that is aided by that church, giving liber- ally of their means for its support.
HENRY KYLE is a retired and worthy citi- zen of Pulaski, Pa., who has closed a long career of arduous toil, and is now enjoying that calm that comes after the struggle, untroubled by many anxious thoughts of what the future may bring. Youngstown, Ohio, was the scene of his birth on Jan. 10, 1818. His ancestors for many generations back where farmers, and this fact probably accounts for his inherited constitution and virility. His parents were Robert Kyle of Youngstown, Ohio, and Mary (Ballard) Kyle, whose home had been in Virginia.
The paternal grandsire of Mr. Kyle settled on a farm bordering on the Monongahela River in the vicinity of Pittsburg, Pa. The family were Presbyterians. Mrs. Kyle gave birth to: Sam- uel; Joshua; Robert; John; Jane (Davis); Han- nah; Mary; and Betsey.
Robert Kyle as a school-boy in the forks of Youghiogheny received his training in the schools of that place, and learned the copper- smith's trade. He worked at that trade until he was advanced in years, and then his savings were invested in a farm, where he spent his later days in tilling the soil. The western portion of the city of Youngstown is built on what was Rob- ert Kyle's farm. He laid aside a reasonable com- petency, and was a good citizen and a Democrat in politics, holding township offices bestowed on him in recognition of his worth. His partner in the conjugal estate was Mary Ballard, a daugh- ter of John Ballard, Sr., and to them were given this large family of children: Sarah (Hogue); John; James; Henry, whose name stands at the head of this sketch; Mary Ann (Van Fleet); Alexander; Thomas; Oliver; Laura; and three that died in infancy. They were loyal members of the Disciples Church.
Henry Kyle went to school in Youngstown, where the school was supported by private sub- scriptions in default of public institutions. When his school days were over, he worked on his father's farm until he was twenty-two, when he became a stone-mason and labored at that voca- tion for several years. In 1864 he came to Pul- aski, and established a store and tin shop, and dealt in merchandise until 1875. In the interim, he had purchased a farm which is still carried on under his active supervision; he has been living
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in retirement since 1887. Politically, Mr. Kyle has been drawn by the tenets of the Prohibition party, and he votes under that standard.
On Feb. 6, 1840, occurred the auspicious event that united the lives of Henry Kyle and Rebecca Van Fleet in marital felicity. She was born in Mercer Co., Pa. The Kyle household did not depart from the precedent of previous genera- tions, and these young people gathered around the family board: Sarah; Almira; Heston; Alice; Samantha; Herman; John, who died aged seventeen months; Maria; Olive; Jesse; Wal- lace W.
Mr. Kyle's family attend the Disciples Church. Mr. Kyle and his good wife have consented to open their spacious home to a few summer boarders, as they are conveniently located about three minutes walk from the noted Pulaski Spring and the postoffice, and also very near to the churches. Mr. Kyle has a long span of years to look back upon and he sees them well-filled with unremitting toil that has not been without its redeeming features. Now that he and his wife are comfortably settled for their declining years, many friends wish for them and theirs con- tinued peace and contentment.
SAMUEL COVER, who is engaged in carry- ing on a prosperous business in blacksmithing in New Bedford, Pulaski township, was born in Mahoning township, this county, March 15, 1840, and is a son of Jacob and Lydia (Robb) Cover, both of whom were Ohioans. Our sub- ject learned his trade with his brother in Mt. Jackson, and also in Mahoningtown, Pa. He
worked in New Castle one year, then traveled about over the Western States, working in Cin- cinnati two years, and in the month of August, 1862, he obeyed the call for men at the front, and enlisted in the service of the Stars and Stripes. He was in the army three years, fighting valiantly when occasion demanded it, and bear- ing bravely and patiently the hardships of war. On his return from the field of battle, he opened a blacksmith shop in New Bedford, where he has remained and established a good paying business. He is a Republican, and has been a school director and has served on the county committee. He still meets fraternally with his comrades of the late war in a soldiers' club, being a member of Todd Post, G. A. R., Youngstown, Ohio.
His father, Jacob Cover, was a farmer of con- siderable means, and took an honored position in the various places where he cast his lot. He 'came to Mahoning township in 1841, where he worked at clearing a farm of 118 acres in his spare time, when not engaged in wresting a liv- ing from the soil; he remained on the farm until 1865, when he removed to Poland, Ohio, where he spent the remainder of his days. The other estates owned by him in addition to the one in Mahoning township were farms in Pulaski and Slippery Rock townships, one in Misouri, and still another of 175 acres in Douglass Co., Kan. His early political life was cast with the Whig party; his connection with the Republican party dating from 1856, which marks its inception. Much of his wealth was acquired in raising stock, an industry he carried on extensively on all of his farms. His wife, Lydia, was a daugh- ter of Jacob Robb, and she gave birth to the un-
DR. JOSEPH R. LUTTON.
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BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY.
usually large family of fourteen children, of whom the eldest, John, is demised. Mary, the second child, married J. J. Stoner of Wurtem- berg, this county, and they had eight children: Paulina, deceased; Jacob; Alta, deceased; Will- iam; Julia; Lizzie; Clara and Lydia. Hannah, the third child, became the wife of William H. Raney of Union township and they have: Ly- dia, Mary, Wilson, and Nettie. Jeremiah, the next in order of birth, took for his wife and help- meet Mary Jackson of Mt. Jackson, Pa., and their family consists of Charles, Chester, Belle, Jeal and William. Henry married Esther Ann Shoaff and they had the following children: Ed- mond K., Sarah, Maud, and Frank. The mother of these children is deceased. Hiram, now de- ceased, married Elsetta Shoaff of Union town- ship, and their household contained: Bion, Leon, May and Grace. The subject of this biog- raphy is seventh in point, of seniority. Jacob, the eighth child, lives in Poland, Ohio, and is un- married. Ephraim is now deceased; William married Emma Hanson of Sharon, Pa. Chester united his life and fortunes with those of Lavina Barkley of Poland, Ohio, and their family is comprised of Harry E., John B., Jessie and George. The family have always been extremely regular in their attendance on divine worship in the M. E. Church. Jacob Cover passed away on Jan. 8, 1882, aged seventy-seven years, and Mrs. Cover survived until May 15, 1891, when she too entered into rest at the age of eighty-five.
In 1873, our subject led to the altar Miss Mary L. Watkins, daughter of John B. Watkins of Warren, Ohio, and they were joined in the indis- soluble bonds of marriage. Their union has been made happy by the birth of five children:
Samuel E., who works in the blacksmith shop at the forge with his father-he married Inez Bentley of Mercer Co., Pa .; Edwin C .; Ephraim; Harvey E .; and Lydia R. Following the foot- steps of his father, Mr. Cover has brought up his family in the fold of the M. E. Church, and ac- cording to its teachings. He is a good citizen, with broad views of the duties of citizenship, well-formed convictions on important subjects, and a deep interest in whatever pertains to the financial, educational, social, moral, or spiritual advancement of the township and county at large.
DR. JOSEPH R. LUTTON of New Castle, Pa., whose portrait we publish on the opposite page, was born in the above town, Oct. 26, 1872, and is a son of Mrs. Emeline (Cline) Lutton, a daughter of Jacob Cline, and a sister of Major Cline. To our subject's mother were born the following children: Charles W., born April 25, 1858; Albert G., Dec. 10, 1859; James H., Feb. 14, 1861; Willard L., July 15, 1863; Agnes J., Dec. 22, 1864; Mary O., July 26, 1866; Laura E., Nov. 5, 1867; Jacob L., Jan. 24, 1870; John K., Jan. 25, 1871; Joseph R., the subject of this sketch; Ada, Jan. 4, 1874; Lemoin, Dec. 10, 1875; Mabel L., Sept. 20, 1876; and Nesbit, Oct. 29, 1879.
Joseph R. Lutton was educated in the High School of New Castle, Pa., and in 1892 took a course in the business college. After the com- pletion of his studies in that institution, he read medicine under the tutelage of Dr. A. M. Cook,
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and remained in his preceptor's office until 1894, when he became a student in the University of Georgetown, Washington, D. C., and remained there about one year. He then entered the Uni- versity of the South, which is located at Se- wanee, Tenn., and later on took a course in the Peabody Institute, at Nashville, Tenn., from which he graduated in 1896; he imme- diately returned to New Castle, Pa., his native town, where he is meeting with excellent success, considering the short time he has been known as a professional man. What with his especially fine education and special aptitude for the healing art, it is predicted by many that he will make his mark, and rise to unqualified suc- cess. In expressing his political preferences he is not at all backward, but proudly owns that he is a Republican.
WILLIAM S. LOWRY is a flourishing and prosperous merchant of New Bedford, Pulaski township, where he has built up a lucrative busi- ness in his few years of residence and connection with the mercantile interests of that village. He has the welfare and good name of New Bedford much at heart, and few men contribute so much to its general prosperity. His birth occurred in Coitsville, Mahoning Co., O., on July 15, 1847, His parents, Robert and Margaret (Stewart) Lowry, were natives of the same place.
Wiliam Lowry, the paternal grandfather of William S., was of Irish birth, and came to this country in the latter part of the last century, set- tling near Lowellsville, Ohio; there he bought
a piece of land that was still in its natural state of wildness, and gradually made it into a valu- able farm, and came to be known as a man of means and excellent parts. He selected for his wife Mary Houston of Lancaster Co., Pa. She gave birth to nine children, five of whom are living: Mrs. Amy Cowden; Mrs. Mattie Mc- Bride; Mrs. Margaret Cowden; James J., who lives on the homestead in Ohio; and Robert, who became the father of William S.
Robert had an education that might be termed meager and desultory in its character; during his boyhood days, his time was claimed chiefly by farm duties, and as he grew up he naturally followed agricultural pursuits. He located near Coitsville, Ohio, where he owned one hundred acres, by the culture of which he gained an hon- orable livelihood, and laid by a competency. He was a Democrat until John C. Fremont's candi- dacy for the Presidency, when he voted for the "Pathfinder of the Rockies," and became an influential member of the Republican party. He held various offices of trust and responsibility ; he was justice of the peace twelve consecutive years, and served as county commissioner from 1866 to 1872. On Sept. 22, 1842, occurred his union with Margaret Stewart, whose father was William Stewart of Coitsville. Their household contained four children : Mary J .; William; Theorissa J .; and Sarah E. Mary J. married D. C. McBride of Mahoning township, Lawrence County, and had two sons, one of whom is Rob- ert B., a United Presbyterian minister of Oska- loosa, Iowa, and the other is Charles C. Will- iam S., the second child of Robert Lowry, is the subject of this biography. Theorissa J. became the wife of J. W. McNabb, and they had a daugh-
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ter, Laka. Mr. McNabb is now deceased. Sarah E. married W. S. Allen, and they live on the old homestead in Ohio with their three sons- George, Leander, and Stewart. Mrs. Robert Lowry died July 1, 1873, and was borne to her last resting-place on earth grieved by many friends. On May 18, 1876, Mr. Lowry contract- ed a second alliance with Anna Madge of Mer- cer Co., Pa. He departed to his long home in 1891, at the age of seventy-four. His widow survives him and resides in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania.
Our subject supplemented his district school education by a course in Westminster College of Wilmington township. He engaged in farm- ing, and also ran a threshing-machine for six- teen years. In 1876, he settled in Pulaski town- ship, and bought a farm, which he conducted with great uniformity of success until 1894, when he launched out into mercantile pursuits in New Bedford. He has held minor offices in the gift of his fellow-citizens and allies himself thoroughly with the Republican party, whose principles he warmly supports.
In 1869, he was bound by the ties of wedlock to Mary E. Mars, whose father was J. J. Mars of Pulaski township, and they have two children, of whom the elder, Edwin R., was born Dec. 28, 1870; he attended Grove City College, and also Smith's Commercial School at Meadville, Pa. He is now a clerk in his father's store, and was married Feb. 25, 1897, to Clara Mccluskey of New Bedford. The daughter, Nellie, married . Prof. A. E. Eckles of Mercer County. The fam- ily belongs to the M. E. Church of New Bed- ford, in which they are active and useful mem- bers.
HIRAM V. MERRIMAN, an engineer liv- ing at No. 57 Pearson Street, New Castle, and employed at the Rosena Furnace, which is oper- ated by the Oliver Iron & Steel Co. of Pittsburg, was born in Beaver County, near Economy, Aug. 20, 1838, and is a son of Frederick and Margaret (Davis) Merriman. Both of our sub- ject's parents died when he was a boy, the father in 1848, and the mother in the year following at the age of sixty years. Frederick Merriman was an agriculturist of Beaver County, who for a number of years owned and operated a saw-mill at his home. The early death of our subject's parents deprived him of a definite knowledge of even the leading and salient facts of their ances- try, and this poverty of information as to who were his grandparents has been much deplored by him. At the age of thirteen years our sub- ject took up his home with his uncle John Davis in Pittsburg, where he lived three years, attend- ing the public schools of that city. His uncle then removed to New Castle, and he continued his education for three more years in its schools. He then learned how to operate an engine from his uncle, and followed it five or six years. Then for two years he was employed as engineer on the river steamers plying on the rivers, above and below Pittsburg. On his return to New Castle at the end of the two years, and for the succeeding period of twenty-five years, he was employed in the engine-room of the blast fur- nace and rolling-mill, and is now working at the Rosena Furnace. He is a member of the Association of Stationary Engineers, Lodge No. 18.
Mr. Merriman was married in December, 1858, in New Castle, to Mary E. Stewart, who died
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Nov. 4, 1890; she was a daughter of William C. the Republicans. He married Catherine Bosell, and Elizabeth (Stewart) Stewart. Mr. Merri- a native of Mercer County, and it was their for- tune to be the guardians of the happiness and welfare of nine children: George W., who be- came the father of Charles C .; Franklin; Jacob; William; Catherine; Caroline; Mary; Rebecca J .; and John who died in infancy. The family adhered to the Presbyterian faith. man's marriage was blessed with four children: William S., an engineer, living next door to his father; Margaret Elizabeth, who is keeping house for her father; Kate, the wife of Ed. E. Marshall, a Croton Avenue business man; and Harry V., who resides in Pittsburg. Mr. Merri- man and his family have always been good church-goers, and have made it a point to sup- port to the best of their ability the church of their choice, the M. E. Church. Mr. Merriman is a Republican in his politics, and uniformly votes the ticket of that party at all elections.
CHARLES C. ROGERS is the popular and accommodating agent on the Pennsylvania rail- road stationed at Pulaski, Pa. His parents were Pennsylvanians, George W. and Margaret Rog- ers, and he opened his eyes on life in Pulaski on Feb. 7, 1863. His father was a native citizen of Lawrence County, while the mother came from Westmoreland County. Practically all of our subject's life has been passed in his native coun- ty, and his family for many years back has been in that vicinity, as is shown by the fact that his grandfather when a lad came with his parents from Washington to Mercer County, just across the county line. They settled on land that was as yet untouched by the hand of man, and after Nathaniel Rogers, the grandfather of Charles C., grew large enough, he helped his father, and after the latter's death began farming for himself on the estate that fell to him. Politically he was a Whig, and then merged his sympathies with
George W., the eldest son of Nathaniel Rog- ers, was born in North Liberty, Pa., June 22, 1831, and was furnished with a common school education as an equipment for life. He learned the wagon-maker's trade when a youth of seven- teen, and this continued through life to be his only means of securing a livelihood. In 1847 he came to Pulaski township, where he set up a wagon-shop, and has maintained it ever since. Politically he is a strong Republican. In 1852, Mr. Rogers was bound by marriage ties to Mar- garet Best, daughter of William Best of Mercer County, and she became the mother of six chil- dren. Alva, Mary and Alice are deceased. Charles C., Frederick, William and the parents compose the family to-day.
Charles C. Rogers attended the public schools of Pulaski township, and after proceeding as far in the path of learning as the limited course of study would allow, he worked on a farm one season, and then found a place in the office of the Pennsylvania R. R., where he could learn telegraphy. After some time spent in perfecting himself in the art, he was appointed a special agent, and was sent out to fill vacancies on short notice. He has been with the company for a matter of fifteen years, five of which were spent in running the office at Clinton, now Hoytdale, Pa. In 1889 he was advanced to the position he
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now holds, that of station-agent at Pulaski, and the intelligent manner in which he has uniformly discharged his duties in the succeeding years has given him a place high in the regard of his em- ployers. He is known along the line as a good operator, pleasant and obliging, and merits the regard that is extended to him. In social circles he is an Odd Fellow, belonging to the Wampum Lodge. Mr. Rogers inclines to the Presbyterian Church in religious affairs. In political life, Mr. Rogers holds strongly to the Republican course of action. He has twice been auditor of the township. He is a man who is deservedly popu- lar among his associates and indeed among all his acquaintances, and at all times treats every- one with never-failing courtesy. The merit of his work has secured him his present position, and is the most powerful factor in enabling him to satisfactorily fill it, and hold it down.
HORACE G. MILLER, who has won the highest esteem and regard of his fellow-citizens of New Castle, and performs a leading part in the commercial life of the place, is the manager of the Western Union Telegraph Co., and is also a dealer in cigars and tobacco, with office and store at No. 22 East Washington Street, New Castle. He was born in Perry township, this county, June 9, 1856, and is a son of James R. and Sarah O. (Morton) Miller, grandson of James M. and Hannah (Rose) Miller, and great- grandson of William and Nancy Miller. The great-grandparents of our subject were natives of Scotland, and when they came to America with the children then born to them, they set-
tled in Mercer Co., this State, where William Miller purchased at a nominal sum a level tract of land, which was then an untouched wilder- ness, and comprised some three hundred acres. Locating near a spring of pure cold water, he commenced his clearing and erected a large and comfortable log-house, in which he ever after- ward lived. He was a hard worker, and provided well for his offspring; he was a kind parent and a tender husband, and was well-known for his happy disposition. Most of the farm was cleared during his life-time, and it remained his home till his death at the age of seventy-eight. He served in the War of 1812, was justice of the peace many years, and contributed in other ways to the support of the lawfully vested authorities. His wife lived to be eighty years old. There were born to them the following children: Will- iam; Joseph; James M .; Nancy; and Mary; be- sides several more who did not grow up.
James M. was born on the homestead, which was located near Grove City, Pa., served an ap- prenticeship in his youth at the carpenter's trade, and worked on the locks during the construc- tion of the old Pennsylvania Canal. He followed his trade until the age of fifty-five, when his wife died aged forty-eight years, and he went to Gal- va, Ill., where he bought a farm, living there un- til his death at the age of seventy-six. His first wife, who was a daughter of James Rose, left him seven children, all of whom grew to occupy honorable positions in life; they were: James R .; Martha; Sarah; Lovina; William, now de- ceased; David M., also deceased; and Ervin. By his second marriage with Miss Kemp, he was presented with three children: Charles; John; and Lamira. He was originally a Democrat, but
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in his later years voted the Republican ticket; he belonged to the Presbyterian Church.
At the age of sixteen, James R. Miller left Wilmington College, which he was then attend- ing, to teach school, and besides teaching dis- trict school taught two terms of select school at Hopedale, two terms in East New Castle, and was teaching in the Union School at New Cas- tle when the war broke out, and he responded to the call for volunteers. He was one of the first volunteers from his district, and from his influential position, and from his experience in public life, having served in the House of Rep- resentatives of Pennsylvania, he was made ser- geant in Co. H of the 12th Reg. Pa. Vol. Inf., enrolling his name for three months' service. After six weeks in the army, he was taken sick with typhoid fever and cared for in a hotel at York, Pa., as at that time no hospitals had been established. With little hope for his ultimate recovery, because of the serious impairment of his mind, he was removed, when he became con- valescent, to New Castle, where his wife's faith- ful and loving ministry at length restored him to health. Then for a short period he acted as a clerk in a grocery store, and was then appointed as clerk and baggageman for the N. C. & B. Valley R. R., now known as the E. & P. R. R., which position he held ten years, when his health failed him, and he was forced to resign and take means for the recuperation of his strength. Sub- sequently he became agent for the N. C. & F. R. R., and continued in the road's service five years, when his health again became poor, and he was compelled to retire from active work. He bought the P. K. Sedwick estate of No. 63 Milton Street, and has made it a very pleasant
home for his declining years. Sept. 5, 1855, he married Sarah Olivia Morton, daughter of Will- iam and Hannah (Slemmons) Morton. Mr. Morton was a well-to-do and generally popular farmer of Harrisburg township, Pa .; he was a justice of the peace many years, represented the town in the Legislature, and held other offices of responsibility, dying at the age of sixty-seven in 1851. His wife lived to be seventy years old. Their children were: Margaret, the wife of James Wilson; Robert S., a Presbyterian minis- ter; Joseph W., also a Presbyterian divine; Tir- za F., the wife of M. Curry, taught for a long time in the High School; William was a farmer; Hannah was a teacher; Mary J. was also a teach- er, and married W. D. Butler; Sarah O., the mother of our subject, taught school even after her marriage; Philo S. was a teacher; Samuel was a Presbyterian minister. To the parents of our subject were born the following children: Horace G., the subject of this sketch; Ella K., born April II, 1858, married I. B. Griffith, a grocer of New Castle, and has two children: Olivia M. and Paul B .; Hannah Rose, born June 15, 1860, married J. G. Nothdurft of New Cas- tle, and has one child, Hiram J .; Mary M., born June 3, 1867, married J. W. Reis, a dry goods merchant of New Castle, and has two children, Lillian M. and Wilbur W .; Harriet Hersey, born June 18, 1870, graduated from the Female Sem- inary at Washington D. C., in the musical course, and is now employed as an instructor in her spe- cial line; William Gray, born Sept. 25, 1873, a graduate of the Baltimore College of Physicians and Surgeons, is the resident physician of the Shenango Valley Hospital. Our subject's father is a Republican, and has been auditor and a
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