USA > Pennsylvania > Lawrence County > Biographical sketches of leading citizens of Lawrence County, Pennsylvania > Part 56
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BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY.
is sure to create a favorable impression in what- ever surroundings he is placed as a true Chris- tian, who thoroughly believes in the Brotherhood of. Man. He is a man of much more than ordin- ary ability and we feel that we are but conserva- tive in attributing the present condition of the Catholic Society and its position among the other religious bodies of Lawrence County, chiefly to his efforts.
SOLOMON HOFFMASTER, deceased, whose demise was mourned in 1886, occupied a prominent place among the progressive and suc- cessful farmers of Mahoning township. He was ushered upon the stage of life in Mahoning Co., Ohio, in the year 1827, and was a son of honest and thrifty German parents, George and Cather- ine (Eutler) Hoffmaster.
George Hoffmaster was born in the Father- land, where he followed the occupation of a farmer until he came to this country, continuing in that vocation after his arrival on this side of the Atlantic, and his settlement in Lancaster Co., Pa. He afterwards moved to Springfield town- ship, Mahoning Co., Ohio, purchased a tract of IIO acres, and built a log-house, where he died at the age of eighty-five. He was in his life-time married twice. His first wife bore him thirteen children: Philip; John; Joseph; Christie; God- lop; Elizabeth; Mary; Christina; Jacob; John (2); and three, who died in infancy. For his sec- ond helpmeet he married Catherine Eutler, and to them were given nine children: David; Jonas; Parker, who died in childhood; Michael, who
died in youth; Solomon; Levi; Catherine; Ra- chel; and Lydia Ann. It is a fact well worth re- cording in this connection that every one of these children, who grew to be adults, became very prosperous in worldly goods, and were men and women of influence in their respective communities.
Solomon Hoffmaster was endowed with as much education as the country schools of a pio- neer district could then afford. As a step to-
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wards an independent life he learned the carpen-
ter's trade. Marrying Anna Koch he managed the home place for six years, at the end of which period he came into Mahoning township, Law- rence Co., Pa, and bought the Cook farm, now owned by William Duff. For six years that place continued to be his home, and then he pur- chased and removed to the George Henley farm, once called the Rev. Whitten Place, of forty- seven acres. This estate still continues to be the home of the Hoffmaster family, the farm work being superintended and administered by Guy C., one of the younger sons. Finding the build- ings,somewhat run down and in sad need of re- pairs, our subject remodeled them and inaugu- rated a series of improvements that resulted in making his property one of the best appearing as well as productive farms in Lawrence County. A fine barn was built in response to the increased needs of the place, and outbuildings added from time to time. After years and years of hard work Mr. Hoffmaster's rugged constitution failed him, and for seven years prior to his death paralysis held its heavy restraining hand on him. He was fifty-nine years of age when he passed away. His widow survives him, living on the home- stead with her son, Guy C. She was a daughter
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BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY.
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of Martin and Susanna (Shriner) Koch, both of whom were natives of Wittenberg, Germany. When Martin Koch was seventeen years of age he came to this country and found a home in Unity township, Mahoning Co., Ohio. He fol- lowed farming in that vicinity, and died when about fifty years old, his wife reaching very nearly the same age. Their children were: Dan- iel; Elizabeth; Martin, Jr .; Susanna; Leah; Christina; Anna; Sarah; Mary; Samuel; David; Solomon; and Rosanna, who died when a child of five years.
These are the children born to Solomon Hoff- master and his wife: Celesta Jane, the wife of Freeman L. Stacy of Ohio and the mother of sev- en children-Edward, Clark, Harry, Raymond, George, Lucy, and Nellie; William Henry of Colorado, who married Ada Brecount and has four children-Frank, Helen, Hulda, and Will- iam Brecount; Albert M., who married Lizzie Williams; Lucy, the wife of N. P. Patterson, and the mother of three children-Ocie E., Anna M., and Gertrude; May; Ella, who became the wife of Clarence M. Duff, and who has borne him two little ones-Walter W. and Lillie E .; Harry E., a teacher, who was graduated from the Slippery 'Rock State Normal School in 1895; Lillie; Emma; Guy C., and Anna Marie. Solomon Hoffmaster was a true and loyal citizen, taking a lively and abiding interest in whatever concerned the public good. He fol- lowed the teachings of the Republican party from true convictions, based upon an actual study of political conditions. At one time and another he held the positions of assessor, constable, and school director. He willingly and cheerfully gave of his time and means to religious matters, and
was faithful in his membership to the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Guy C. Hoffmaster was born on the home- stead, of which he has now the charge, Aug. 4, 1872. He attended the home schools, and fin- ished his education with a practical course at the New Castle Business College. He was grad- uated from this institution on June 1, 1893, and at once assumed full control of the home farm. He early learned the value of time and applied effort, and is proving a worthy successor to his father. In the management of the farm he shows rare skill and judgment, and in all business af- fairs is keen, accurate and upright. On account of his pleasant social ways he has the friendship and esteem of all who know him.
CHARLES L. REYNOLDS, a tinsmith and slate-roofer of New Castle, was born in New Castle May II, 1857, and is a son of William H. and Susan H. (Squier) Reynolds, and a grand- son of Joseph Reynolds, who married a Miss Inbody, who was of German origin. Our sub- ject's great-grandfather, Josiah Reynolds, was one of three brothers who came from England during the last century, and displayed excep- tional business abilities, all accumulating com- fortable fortunes. Joseph Reynolds went into business on the Diamond in 1834, and was en- abled to retire late in life with the reputation of a successful business man.
William H. Reynolds learned the trade of a tin and copper smith in Mercer County when a young man, and labored at smithing the remain-
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BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY.
der of the active period of his life. He was a Democrat to the backbone, as are his sons; he served as president of the select council for the city of New Castle, as school director and as poor director. Under President Buchanan's ad- ministration he served as postmaster. He was a member of the Knights of Pythias and of Fide- lias Lodge, F. & A. M. He was married in New Castle to Susan H. Squier, who was born in the above-mentioned city April 10, 1823, a daugh- ter of Anthony and Mary (Hudson) Squier. An- thony Squier was born on the site of New Cas- tle Jan. 18, 1796, and in the early days of the settlement kept a tavern in a log building on Jefferson, Street, which building was one of the best and most substantial of any of the struc- tures of New Castle at that time. He died Feb. 27, 1837. He was a son of James and Lydia (Reynolds) Squier. James Squier was a soldier of the Revolution, enlisting at the age of eight- een May 28, 1778, at Monmouth, N. J .; he re- ceived a pension from the government in his old age. He was born in England Jan. 7, 1760, and died in 1848 in New Castle. Mary Hudson, our subject's grandmother on his mother's side, was a daughter of Capt. William and Susanna (Gray) Hudson. Capt. William Hudson's first wife was Agnew Rutherford. He was a son of John Hud- son, who was born in County Antrim, Ireland, in 1698, and came to America in 1730, settling in Chester Co., Pa., later moving to Dauphin County of the same State. He took part in the French and Indian War. To our subject's pa- rents were born five children, as follows: Mary, who married T. J. Garvin, who is engaged in the livery business on Apple Alley, New Castle; they have seven children; Grace died in infancy;
Addie; Charles L., the subject of this brief biog- raphy ; William H., Jr., married Ella Brown, now deceased, and is the father of one child.
Our subject received his education in his na- tive place, and took up the trade of a tinner, serving the required apprenticeship with his father; after his parent's death he remained at the old stand in the same business, and has also added another branch, that of slate-roofing. He married Anna Gaston, daughter of Philo Gas- ton of New Castle, and there were born to them five children, who are: Frank; Joseph; and Mary Etta; Jean and an infant both died in infancy.
WILLIAM D. McCLUSKY, an enterprising young citizen of Pulaski, is the station-agent on the Erie Railroad, in charge of the office at the village named above. His people have lived in Lawrence County for a good many years, and he was born in Pulaski township on Dec. 25, 1871. He is a son of John and Mary J. (Da- vidson) McClusky, the former of Pulaski town- ship, and the latter a native of Cumberland Co., Pennsylvania.
Mr. McClusky had his educational training in the schools of his native place, and in 1889 was drawn toward the study of telegraphy, which he finally mastered by diligent work in the same office which he now occupies as agent, his pro- motion coming in the succeeding year. He is an industrious, capable young man, and has en- larged his legitimate duties to include those that arise from being the agent for Wells, Fargo Ex- press Co. As a young man in the employ of a great railway system he will no doubt seize every
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BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY.
chance of advancement, at the same time violat- ing no confidence reposed in him as the occu- pant of a position of trust. In 1893 he won the affections of Hattie J. Espy, daughter of Frank A. Espy of West Middlesex, Pa., a bright young lady of many accomplishments and excellent points, and she consented to share his fortunes for better or for worse, and to bear his name. Two children gladden their home-Margery and Glenn. Mr. and Mrs. McClusky are decided in their preference for the Presbyterian Church.
Mr. McClusky's father, John McClusky, went to school in Pulaski township after which he be- gan farming, and continued that mode of life until 1887, when he was elected constable and tax collector, and he has since served in those capacities without interruption. Mr. McClusky is a firm believer in Republican theories of po- litical life, and has served on the county com- mittee. He is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity, belonging to Lodge of the Craft, No. 433 of New Castle, and is also counted in the mem- bership of the Chenango Valley Lodge, No. 129, A. O. U. W., of Pulaski. In 1865 his nuptials with Mary J. Davidson, daughter of John M. and Mary Davidson of Cumberland Co., Pa., were celebrated. Four children came to constitute their family-Altha M., who married William S. Hopper, now of Allegheny, Pa .; Lauretta J., wedded to T. H. Jewell, a druggist of Pulaski township, and the mother of a son, Arthur, and a daughter, Mildred; William D., the subject of this sketch; and F. Roy, who lives at home. To the great sorrow of the family Mrs. McClusky's life terminated on June 3, 1894, at forty-nine years of age.
Joseph McClusky, the paternal grandsire of
our subject, lived in Pulaski township, where he tilled the fertile soil for his daily bread. He learned tailoring, but spent the greater part of his life on the farm, where he attained a degree of prosperity and was regarded as a very success- ful and wide-awake agriculturist. He belonged to the Whig party originally, but at the advent of the Republican party he transferred his whole allegiance to the new power in the political world, and cast his first vote as an adherent of that party for John C. Fremont. He was for a considerable period a member of the township board of trustees. His wife was a daughter of William Holtz of Beaver Co., Pa., and their off- spring was named: William H .; John; Robert; David H .; Ella J .; and a babe, demised. Ac- cording to the traditions of the family they were Presbyterians in religious belief. At the close of her life in 1879 Mrs. McClusky's years numbered sixty-seven, and her husband's age was the same at his death in 1881.
Going back one generation farther, John Mc- Clusky, the great-grandfather of William D., was born in Chester Co., Pa., and grew up to be a farmer. He lived for some time in Wash- ington County and later removed to Pulaski, where he was one of the pioneers. He was a hard-working man, cleared his own farm, and became well-to-do. He served in the War of 1812 as a private, and in National affairs was a Whig. His wife, Margaret Black, was a native of Pulaski township, and these children gathered under the roof-tree: Robert, James, Samuel, William, Nellie, Joseph, Isaac, Alexander, Mary, and Elizabeth. They were of the Presbyterian faith. Mr. McClusky's life was finished in 1850, and his good wife survived him six years.
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WILLIAM BROWN.
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BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY.
WILLIAM BROWN. Lawrence County, al-
chief industries and sources of wealth, for she is not so favorably situated as some of her sister counties in that respect, and depending mainly on her surpassing agricultural and manufactur- ing interests for her excellent showing, yet has no small number of mines and banks still un- touched. Without doubt the largest and best con- ducted mine in the county is the one at Chew- ton in the southern part of Wayne township, which the P. & W. Co. operates. The mine is only a three-foot vein but is advantageously worked by means of an incline; it is situated on the bluffs above Chewton. The mines were put in operation and have since been superintended by William Brown, the subject of this biography, whose acquaintance with mines and mining methods is unsurpassed by that of anyone in this region. The P. & W. Co. was indeed fortunate in obtaining the services of such a mining ex- pert, for if there is any success to be had in the development of a mine, he is the one to find it and secure it.
The gentleman named above was born in Schuylkill Co., Pa., Sept. 10, 1844, and was a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Potter) Brown, who were both natives of Dudley, England, and tenants on the estate of the Earl of Dudley. The father of Elizabeth Potter was a mine operator, leasing his mine from the Earl of Dudley; it was practically equivalent to being a mine owner in this country, for, as everyone knows, in the Old Country there are very few men of small hold- ings, and nearly everybody leases from the land- · ed proprietor who is generally found in the ranks of the nobility. Thus Mr. Potter was in
very comfortable circumstances and gave his though not including coal-mining as one of her . children all the advantages that could be readily obtained where he lived at that time. His father was a soldier in the British Army under the Duke of Wellington, at Waterloo, as was also our subject's grandfather, Brown. William Brown's father, Thomas, mentioned before, was a lad of about seven years when that decisive vic- tory over the French took place, which sent the ambitious world-conqueror to the Island of St. Helena, and he remembered well the talk of the victory and the fact that his father was a par- ticipant. From that tender age he began working in the mines, and his whole life was devoted to that industry. Thomas Brown emigrated with his family from England about 1837 or 1838, settling first in Nova Scotia, where he remained a few years, but he was not taken with the country and the climate was too cold to please him. Coming from there to New York, via the Boston & Fall River route, he shortly after- wards settled near Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., Pa., where he had charge of extensive mines, and where our subject was born. Later he moved to Lock Haven, Pa., where he resided a few years, going from there to Irving Station, and thence to Freeport, located on the Allegheny River, where he was prominent in mining circles, and accumulated a comfortable competency in real estate and other property. Intending to spend his declining years among his kinsfolk in Nova Scotia, he sold his property in Pennsylvania and in 1866 moved to that British province. He found, however, that he could not live contented on the Queen's soil, for he was not in harmony with the institutions of the Dominion, having become a naturalized citizen of the United
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BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY.
States, and a true sympathizer of the "Stars and Stripes." On his return to the States he settled at Leetonia, Ohio, which place continued to be his home until his death in 1873 at the age of sixty-four.
Our subject lived in Schuylkill County until he was eight years of age, when his parents moved to Lock Haven, remaining there a few years and eventually going to Irving Station and finally taking up their residence in Freeport. In all of these places he attended the common schools, and finished his education at the age of sixteen, thereupon becoming a mine-worker, commenc- ing at the lowest station and working his way to the top. When nearly of age, Mr. Brown en- listed in Co. C, 14th Reg. Pa. Vol. Inf., under Col. McCombs, serving one year in the emer- gency. The bloody battle of Antietam was the only one in which his regiment participated dur- ing its year of service, it being employed the rest of the time in chasing the enemy from point to point, but never succeeding in bringing on an engagement more than a slight. skirmish. He was mustered out at Harrisburg at the close of the war.
Resuming the work and duties of civilian life, Mr. Brown removed with his parents to Nova Scotia, where he at once took a prominent part in the mining industry, and, according to the regulations of the company and the laws of the Dominion, became a member of the militia com-' pany stationed there. He was offered an officer's commission, but refused it, for he was only obliged to spend one-seventh the time as a pri- vate as he would have as an officer. When his parents again removed to the States at the end of a year, Mr. Brown remained behind four
months longer, as the wages he was receiving were quite remunerative, and he did not know just how soon he might do as well in his native country. When he finally did come back to this country, he settled with his parents at Leetonia, which continued to be his home for many years.
From his boyhood up Mr. Brown has taken an intense interest in mining, a taste that was largely hereditary, for his ancestors for a number of generations in both branches of the family had looked to mining as the means of support- ing themselves and family; so it was natural that when choosing his walk in life he selected that to which he was the best adapted by birth and training. His knowledge has been gained by ex- perience in all the grades of work, and also from the best works on practical mining, written by men whose authority in such matters is supreme. Our subject is known as one of the most efficient experts in mining matters in the Ohio Valley, being called into consultation when new mines are to be opened and old ones are to undergo development in new directions. When it was de- cided by the B. & O. and P. & W. Co. to open mines of their own to supply their motive power, the officials of the road, who were old school- mates and intimate friends of Mr. Brown and knew well his excellent standing among mine operators, turned to him for his opinion as an ex- pert on the venture, and to locate, open and de- velop their mines. He accordingly selected a spot on the bluffs above Chewton, where the three- foot vein of excellent steam coal should be opened, and superintended the construction of the incline and of the chutes by which the coal is distributed with no unnecessary handling, and with a speed and efficiency that is truly surpris-
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BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY.
ing, as it is very unusual. Mr. Brown has un- usual tact in managing men. Having begun at the bottom of the ladder he knows their good points as well as their faults, their natures and their needs, and at the same time possesses ex- ecutive ability to employ them to the best ad- vantage of his employers, looking always to the rights and privileges of the men, and respecting them. When he must use the iron hand of dis- cipline and show his authority, the sting of the blow is tempered by its judicious use. It was through Mr. Brown's management that the mines at Leetonia were nearly trebled in their output by putting in an incline; the measure was eventually worked out there in less than half of the time it would ordinarily have taken.
Mr. Brown was married in Leetonia to Emma Byerly, a native of Washingtonville, Columbiana Co., Ohio, and daughter of Christopher and Bar- bara (Grimm) Byerly, the former of whom died May 6, 1897. The Grimms were among the pi- oneers of Leetonia, Washingtonville, the suburb of that city being located on the old Grimm farm. The union of our subject and his excellent com- panion has been blessed with six children, namely-Arthur, who is his father's clerk and bookkeeper at the mines; Curtis, who is learning the machinist's trade and a noble young man ; Charles Clyde, Lillie May, and Ada Edna. Mr. Brown was reared an Episcopalian and still ad- heres to that faith. Mrs. Brown is a member of the M. E. Church, while Arthur, the eldest son, has united himself to the Lutheran Church. In politics Mr. Brown is a Republican and has been a local leader in the various towns in which he , has lived. He has served as president of the school board, and has been a member of the
town council. He is treasurer of the Miners' So- ciety, and was always elected their spokesman in convention and assemblies. He serves in coun- ty conventions, and was a member of the delega- tion that attended the unveiling of the Garfield Monument. Socially he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Welcome Lodge, No. 279, at Washingtonville, Ohio.
Mr. Brown has always taken a lively interest in educational matters, serving frequently on school boards and giving his best talents in such services. He was a member of two library asso- ciations in Washingtonville, and is now a mem- ber of the association at Wampum, the borough across the river from his present home. He is a reader and thinker, giving especial attention to general scientific subjects, as well as to all that pertains to mines and mining, his chosen voca- tion. As a practical mine operator, and a fitting representative in many particulars of one of our most important industries, the publishers take pleasure in presenting Mr. Brown's portrait in connection with this, a brief outline of his life and works, his likeness appearing on a preceding page.
J. WESLEY RHODES, a prominent citizen and farmer of Hickory township, although now partially retired from active agricultural work, was born in Mifflin township, Allegheny Coun- ty, Jan. 5, 1829, and is a son of Henry and Lydia (Brown) Rhodes, both of whom were born in Allegheny County.
The Rhodes family is of German descent, and the first of this branch of the family known to
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BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES, LAWRENCE COUNTY.
have settled in the United States was one Con- rad Rhodes, the grandfather of J. Wesley, who came to America about 1788, and settled in the vicinity of Pittsburg on the Monongahela River. He was a pioneer among the permanent settlers of that part of the State; he purchased a large tract of undeveloped wilderness, which he cleared and successfully engaged in its culture, gather- ing together considerable wealth for those days, and being known as a generally prosperous man; the property has since revealed rich deposits of coal, which have been worked to good advantage by succeeding owners. He married, while still a resident of the Fatherland, a Miss Pence, who was also of German parentage, and of the family they reared, Henry, the father of our subject, was one of the youngest. They lived an upright, Christian life, in accordance with the spiritual teachings of the Presbyterian Church, of which they were devout members.
Henry Rhodes was educated in the district schools of Allegheny County, and when a young man started out for himself in life's battle as the proprietor and manager of a tavern in Washing- ton Co., Pa. Later on he purchased a farm, which he carried on for a number of years until about 1832, when he purchased the farm, a part of which is now owned and operated by his son, J. Wesley. The remainder of the active years of his life were spent in agricultural pursuits with so marked success that he was included among the foremost men of his township. His political allegiance was always cheerfully given to the Whig party. He married a daughter of Trustrem Brown, and to them were born the following children: John; Sarah; David; Conrad; Rachael; Henry H .; Samuel, deceased; Thomas; Cather-
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