USA > Pennsylvania > Beaver County > Book of biographies : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Beaver County, Pennsylvania > Part 15
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Freedom. He conducted the store for a pe- riod of thirty years, and in addition, started. the bank of Philip Bentel & Com- pany, of which he served as presi- dent. This bank is still in exis- tence, and since its establishment, in 1872, it has been known by the above name. Philip Bentel was a very enterprising and successful man, and served in his district as a school director and as a councilman. He was a Lutheran, and a devoted member of that de- nomination. He was joined in marriage with Margaret Smith, a daughter of Tobias Smith, and she died in 1881, at the age of seventy- five years. Mr. Bentel died in 1883, aged seventy-seven years. They were the parents of the following children : Thalia, the wife of John Conway; Mattie, wedded to Joseph Leadley ; John, married to Mary Batey; and Charles H.
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Charles H. Bentel was reared and educated in Freedom, and started in life as a store keeper at Alliance. Ohio; one year later, he returned to Freedom, and succeeded his father in the mercantile business, continuing thus for a period of seventeen years. When the bank was established, in 1872, he became cashier, and upon the death of his father, he abandoned the mercantile business ; he is pres- ident of the bank, as well as owner. Mr. Bentel is a prominent and well-to-do citizen of the village, and possesses the confidence and esteem of a multitude of acquaintances. He is a stanch member of the Presbyterian church, while socially, he has been a member of the Masonic order for the past thirty years.
Mr. Bentel was wedded to Miss Amanda Clark. a daughter of Captain Samuel, and Minerva (Reno) Clark; they are the parents of five children, namely: Annie; Cora F., the wife of the subject of this sketch, who was born in West Virginia, but reared in Pitts- burg, Pa .; Thalia; Mattie, who is the wife of J. G. Mitchell, and Philip, who is bookkeeper of the Keystone Lumber Works.
ONALD C. ALLEN is a dealer in flour and feed in the borough of Beaver Falls, Pa., and is among its most enterprising merchants. He was born near Prospect, Butler county, Pa., August 13, 1860, and is. a son of William and Penelope (Lambie) Allen, and grandson of Robert and Jane (Cochran) Allen.
Robert Allen was born in County Down, Ireland, and in 1832, with his wife and family, came to the United States; he settled on a farm in Mercer county, Pa., which had been purchased for him by his son William. There he continued to reside until overtaken by death, which was at the age of eighty-four years. His wife, Jane Cochran, also died at about that age. They were the parents of a family of six children, namely: Margaret (Montgomery); Mary (Stewart); William; Robert; Samuel; and Cochran. William Allen, the father of Donald C., was born in County Down, Ireland, in the year 1815, five years previous to the arrival of his parents in this country, and spent several years on his
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father's farm in Mercer county. He then went to Pittsburg, Pa., and worked in a wholesale grocery store at No. 196 Liberty street, for a period of ten years. He then engaged in the grocery business in the village of Prospect, Butler county, Pa., successfully continuing thus for ten years; he then sold out his store, bought a saw and grist mill three miles south of that village ; rebuilt the mills, and continued in the milling business until death claimed him,-which was in 1879. He was united in the bonds of wedlock with Miss Penelope Lambie, a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, and a daughter of William Lambie; she passed from this earth, in 1897, aged seventy-four years. Their union was blessed by the birth of the following children: Robert, deceased; Agnes, who died aged seventeen years; Marion (McCandless) ; Jeannette R. (Crabbe) ; Penelope, the wife of James Balph, a medical missionary, and prominent resident of La- takia, Syria; Margaret, a school teacher ; William L., deceased; Donald C .. the subject of this brief memoir; and John G., who is in the grocery business in Beaver Falls. Re- ligiously, he was connected with the Reformed Presbyterian church.
Donald C. Allen obtained a good schooling in his native district, and spent his boyhood days in helping his father in the work about the mill; in 1884 he began work at lumber- ing, but in 1889, he went into the grocery business with his brother, John G. Allen. He continued thus until 1897, when he sold his interests and bought out R. A. Bole, who was engaged in the flour and feed business. Mr.
Allen is well deserving of the large patronage he has already secured, and his genial man- ners and straightforward business methods have secured for him hosts of friends.
Mr. Allen formed a matrimonial alliance, in 1896, with Miss Mary E. Heiser, a daughter of Daniel Heiser, of Lewisburg, Pa., and their home has been blessed by the birth of one son, Donald C., Jr. Mr. Allen is an active mem- ber of the Reformed Presbyterian church ; he was the prime mover in establishing the Mis- sion Sunday School at Patterson Heights, and is still a leader in the school. He is a deacon. and a trustee, of the church. On a preceding page is shown the family group, of Donald C. Allen, his wife, and his son, Donald C .. Jr.
MARTIN WHITE, one of the successful and popular agriculturists of Darlington township, Beaver county, Pa., is one of the oldest Masons in the district. He is a prominent member of Meridian Lodge, No. 411, F. & A. M., and also of the Chapter and Commandery. Mr. White is a man of considerable intellectual ability. He is not only a sound thinker, but is also an interesting conversationalist, and expresses his views in a clear and concise manner. In politics, he is an ardent Demo- crat and assumes the aggressive, but could never be prevailed upon to accept office.
Mr. White was born in Allegheny county. Pa., October 28, 1828. He is the eldest son of the late John White, and grandson of
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Thomas White. Thomas White was a native of the north of Ireland, where he was reared and educated. He came to America just previous to the breaking out of the Revolu- tionary War. He took an active part in that long and bloody struggle, and after its suc- cessful termination, began trading in Mexico. Upon one of his trips to that country he was captured by bandits. All his earnings were seized, and he was imprisoned for six months. He subsequently purchased land in Ken- tucky and also along the Monongahela River, in the vicinity of Pittsburg, Pa., the present site of which city was then all farming land. After making some improvements on his land Mr. White sold it, and purchased another tract in Beaver county, whither he removed during the later part of the eighteenth cen- tury.
Thomas White was united in marriage with a Miss Martin, and to them were born the following children: James, of Mexico; John, father of the subject hereof; Joseph; Jane (Duncan); Nancy, wife of Judge Caruthers ; and Susan (Burns).
John White, father of the gentleman to whom this writing pertains, was born in Al- legheny county, Pa., in January, 1802. He attended the public schools of his native county, and, although the opportunities for his mental culture were limited, he made the most of what he could ob- tain and became a fairly good scholar. He learned the art of tilling the soil and assisted his father for many years. A four-hundred- acre farm fell to him, as his heritage. To this
he added eight hundred acres of land which he purchased in Beaver county. The latter was only partly improved. John White re- moved to his Beaver county farm in 1850. He further improved his place by building spacious and convenient barns. Besides car- rying on general farming, he was a very suc- cessful sheep-raiser for many years, and made a great deal of money. But after some years the foot-rot caused much loss among his sheep and that branch of farming was discontinued entirely.
T. Martin White's father was public- spirited and generous. He was one of the men prominent in building railroads from New Galilee to the cannel coal mines. But his efforts in that direction were not ap- preciated. He failed to receive the support such an enterprise deserved, and lost heavily. He was quite prominent in political and church matters, and his opinions and advice were frequently sought by his neighbors and associates. He served many years as justice of the peace. Five children were born to him and his excellent wife. Their names are: T. Martin, the subject of this biography ; John B .; Duncan, who was burned to death ; Mary (Waterbury); and James, who died at the age of twenty-one years.
T. Martin White obtained a fair primary education in the public schools, which was supplemented by a thorough course at Hooks- town Academy, from which he graduated. Later he worked on the farm for some years, but discontinued that line of work to engage in contracting. He went to New York City
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and engaged in business quite successfully as a street contractor. He was one of the first men who ever did wood block-paving in that great city. One large contract secured by him was for the paving of Fourteenth street, but he faithfully executed others as large. He did a very successful business. His success was all the more marked from the fact that he had lived most of his life on a farm, and, in a city so important as New York, he was suc- cessful in competing with men who had been born and reared there, and possessed the cus- tomary shrewdness of city contractors.
Mr. White continued this life for eight years, and was then urged by his parents to return to Beaver county. With a sense of filial duty he gave up fine business prospects and returned home to brighten the declining years of a much-loved father and mother. He at once took charge of the farm, and faith- fully fulfilled the obligations devolved upon him until the death of his parents. He and his brother, John B., succeeded to the estate. The subject of our sketch received as his share two hundred and twenty-five acres of the old homestead farm, where he still resides. This is conceded to be one of the best farms in Beaver county. It is almost an assured fact that if crops are poor on this farm there are no good crops in the county.
Mr. White has been twice married. His first union was with Elizabeth Hall, a daugh- ter of Joseph Hall, who was a well known boat builder of Freedom, where the birth of Elizabeth occurred. Her death took place in 1890. Mr. White's second marriage was con-
tracted with Emma Blair, of sturdy Pennsyl- vania-German stock. She was born in Clarion county, and has presented her husband with one son, T. M., born in 1898. Mr. White is justly regarded as a representa- tive farmer of Darlington township, and lib- erally supports all religious denominations, having no favorite one.
ON. MILLARD F. MECKLEM. There are but few counties in the state of Pennsylvania that can boast of as many brilliant lawyers as Beaver. They are a class of citizens which, more than any other class, has the power to attract pub- lic attention to a community, thus materially aiding in its growth and development. The gentleman, whose name appears above, is one of the most conspicuous members of the bar of the county, and resides at Rochester, where he has an extensive practice. Profound in his knowledge of legal principles and gifted with the power of eloquence, he has long been a prominent figure in the public eye,-serving for some time as president judge of the dis- trict.
Mr. Mecklem is a son of Archibald M. and Margaret (Thompson) Mecklem, and was born in Pittsburg, Pa., October 15, 1851. His grandfather was Samuel Mecklem, who, in the year 1800, came from the state of New Jersey to North Sewickley (now Marion) township, Beaver county, Pa., being one of the pioneers of that section. lying in the beautiful valley of Brush Creek. He purchased a tract of land
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covered with timber, and in the wild state in which it was left by the hand of nature. Stately trees fell before the onslaught of civ- ilization, and a wonderful transformation took place. A log house and barns were erected and the wild lands became fertile fields of pas- ture and grain. The nearest neighbors were far distant, but there this hardy old pioneer lived in happiness with his wife and children until his death. He married Rachel McDon- ald, who was of Scotch ancestry, and their children were as follows: Jethro; John; Eli; Samuel; Archibald M .; Gideon; Sarah, the wife of Joseph Wolf; and Eliza, who became. the wife of James Jones.
Archibald McDonald Mecklem was born on the old farm in 1806, and as he grew up aided in clearing it. At that early day, money was little used as a medium of exchange, and the produce of the farm was bartered for any article which was desired. It was not easy to obtain an education at that day, and books were very scarce. Ambitious, and not afraid of work, Archibald and his brothers made some splint brooms by taking a green ash tree, pounding the wood, peeling it up from one end, a distance of fifteen inches, and then cutting the balance down to a handle. Happy in the thought of the books these would buy, they made their way to the store, several miles through the snow, and were dismayed to find that their product was rejected, as the market was flooded with just such articles. As the kind merchant noted their disappointment, he asked what it was they wished to buy, and upon being informed that it was books, his
heart went out to them and the exchange was effected. Archibald's diligent search for knowledge led him to abandon the backwoods unid seek the culture and refinement of city ife. He was yet in his teens, when he went :o Pittsburg, and there applied his hand to anything he could find to do. Energetic and saving, he laid by as much of his wages as he could, and in time was enabled to enter the grocery business, which he conducted for many years on Liberty street, near where the Union Station now is. In 1855, he sold out and opened a general merchandise store at Darlington, which he operated for fourteen years, with the best of results. In 1869, feel- ing the weight of years, he decided to lessen his business cares, and, accordingly, sold out, and kept a small store at North Sewickley. A few years later he died aged six- ty-eight years, and was buried in the North Sewickley Cemetery. His first mar- riage (with Rachel Barris) resulted in the birth of several children, all of whom died in infancy. She died at a very cariy age, of consumption. Mr. Mecklem iormed a second matrimonial alliance with Margaret Thompson, a daughter of Joseph Thompson, a pioneer farmer of North Sewick- 'ey, and they had the following issue: Rose, the wife of C. T. Crawford, of Esplin, Pa .; Millard F., the subject of this personal his- tory; Joseph T., a farmer of Franklin town- .ship, Beaver county; Jane, the wife of S. S. Bennett, of Rochester ; and Ross D., who died n infancy. Mrs. Mecklem died at the age of hity-nine years. Mr. Mecklem was very
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strongly opposed to slavery, and assisted in the working of the old "underground rail- road." Religiously, he was a faithful adher- ent to the faith of the Baptist church.
Millard F. Mecklem received a good intel- lectual training and made the best of his ad- vantages, attending the public schools of Dar- lington, the North Sewickley Academy, and a private school at the latter place. He taught for several years in the public schools, and then, having decided upon a professional career, registered as a law student in the office of Chamberlain & Pearsol, of New Brighton. He was admitted to the bar on March 10, 1882, and in the fall of that year located at Rochester, where he has since practiced his profession. In 1883, he was elected burgess of Rochester and served with such satisfactory results, that he was five times re-elected. Be- ing a careful and faithful student, and witha clear minded, he has acquired a fair know edge of the law, and has secured a large clier tage. He rose rapidly in his profession an was chosen district attorney, an office he hel for five and one-half years, when he resigne to accept the position of president judge. H succeeded president judge John I. Wicl. ham (who had resigned), and was appointe by Gov. Hastings, being the unanimot choice of the county. Mr. Mecklem then al pointed D. M. Twiford, Esq., as his successc as district attorney. He meted out justice i an honest and impartial manner, obtainin favor with the public and the lawyers wh practiced in his court. Upon the expiratio of his term, before anyone had left the cour
room he was presented with a beautiful gold- headed cane by W. B. Cuthbertson, Esq., and other well-known attorneys made remarks as to his ability and the esteem in which he was held by all. The Judge accepted in a fitting manner, and with his characteristic, unassum- ing style. In 1895. he became a director of the First National Bank, of Rochester.
In 1881, Judge Mecklem was united in mar- riage with Ella Jackson, a daughter of Robert and Eliza (Thompson) Jackson, of North Sewickley township. and their children are: Erle Homer, Norman Jackson, Ella and Mar- garet Millard. Fraternally, he is a member of the Royal Arcanum and the Order of Elks. He is a member of the Baptist church, and his wife is a consistent member of the Pres- byterian church. In 1890, Mr. Mecklem sold the home in which he lived, on Pennsylvania et, and built a handsome residence and 'e at the corner of Madison and Connec- t streets.
ILLIAM CARR, one of the most prosperous and substantial citizens of Rochester, Beaver county, Pa., is proprietor of a large boot and shoe store hat borough, and is prominently identified i many other business enterprises. He is on of Robert and Mary (Haw) Carr, and born in Steubenville, Ohio, October 12, 3.
obert Carr, the father of our subject, was 1 in County Down, Ireland, and after his riage came to America in 1831, landing
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in the city of Philadelphia. He moved to Pittsburg, Pa., where he learned the trade of a glass blower, and from there went to Wash- ington county and became a farmer, and sev- eral years later moved to Steubenville, Ohio. He took up the trade of a metal worker and followed it with much success until his death, which occurred early in life. His wife was Mary Haw and she attained the ripe old age of ninety-five years, being a hale and hearty woman all her life. Their children were as follows: Jane, the wife of John McCowen ; Mary, the wife of Lloyd Parks: Nancy, the wife of Samuel Irvin; John, deceased, whose union with Mahala Campbell resulted in the birth of two children, Thomas and Georgia ; Thomas, of Rochester; Robert, also of Rochester; and William, the subject of this writing.
William Carr, the youngest child of the family, attended the public schools, but as his father died leaving a family of small chil- dren, he sought employment at an early age. He was an ambitious youth. and while not in school did outside jobs .- at the age of six years acting as firer of glassware. He spent much of his time in the glass factory and ac- quired such skill that he was later enabled to demand a good position, when he went to Pittsburg. He was emploved as finisher for J. B. Lyons, and continued in that capacity until 1872, when the Rochester Tumbler Company was organized. He became a stock- holder in this company and helped to build the plant, after which he started the business and continued in it as an active partner until
1895. He then retired from that business, although he is still a stockholder and director, and purchased the store of James Ing in the Darr building. He is one of the leading boot and shoe merchants in Beaver county, and has built up an excellent trade, enjoying the patronage of the leading citizens of the community. He is as honest as he is sagacious in his transactions, and he has made many friends by his upright dealings. He is a stock- holder and director of the Rochester Im- provement Company, and has built four resi- dences in Rochester, one on Brighton street, and three on Jackson street. His home is on the latter street, and is one of the best in the town.
William Carr was united in marriage at Steubenville, Ohio, with Mary E. Aldridge, who was born in 1848 and died in 1892, and was a daughter of Rodney Aldridge. Their children were: Carrie, deceased, the wife of Henry J. Miller; Edward, who is associated in business with his father; and Nellie, who was united in marriage with Lewis Gillen, of New Brighton. Mr. Carr was again married to Mrs. Annie Newman, who by her first union had five children: Minnie; Eva; Will- iam; Frank; and Annie. Mrs. Newman is a daughter of William Boswell. Politically, Mr. Carr is a Republican and served in the borough council three years. He was a dele- gate to the county convention. He is chairman of the Rochester Centennial to be held in 1900. Fraternally, he is a member of Blue Lodge, No. 229, F. & A. M .; of Eureka Chapter, R. A. M., of Rochester ; of Ascalon Command-
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ery, No. 59, K. of T., of Pittsburg ; of Penn- sylvania Consistory, S. P. R. S., and of Scot- tish Rites of Pittsburg (being a thirty-second degree Mason); of Rochester Lodge, I. O. O. F .; and of the Elks. Religiously, he is a member of the Episcopal church. He was president of the M. S. Quay club when that organization was in a flourishing condition.
R. WALTER A. ROSE. The gen- tleman, whose name appears at the opening of this sketch, stands high in his profession. and is known throughout Beaver county as one of the most popular and efficient physicians in the vicinity. A man of commanding appearance and genial presence. he has won for himself many warm friends, and his many excellent qualities of mind, and skill in his profession, have gained for him a large and lucrative practice. He was born in Elgin county, Ontario, Canada, April 17, 1842, and is a son of Alexander and Catherine (Monroe) Rose.
Alexander Rose. the father of our subject, was born near Edinburgh. Scotland. and emi- grated to Canada. which was his home the rest of his life. He was a mechanic by trade. but became a speculator. He was among those to start the reformation in Canada, and was closely identified with William Lyon Mc- Kenzy and George Lawton. He met death early in life, being drowned in a small lake. He married Catherine Monroe, and their chil- dren were as follows: Isabelle, widow of the
late John Warburton, living in New York City; Jeannette, deceased. who was married to Elihu Moore: Catherine, who married Colin McDougall. and lives in St. Thomas, Ontario: Margaret. who married Edward Capscy, of Illinois: Rachael. who died in youth; and Walter A .. the subject of this biography.
Walter .A. Rose attended the public schools of his native town and also the schools at St. Thomas. and registered as a medical student under Dr. Robert L. Sanderson, of Sparta, Ontario. Being of a studious turn of mind, and naturally bright and quick to learn, he made rapid progress, and entered the Uni- versity of Michigan. remaining there for two years. He then attended the university at Buffalo, N. Y., and graduated from that in- stitution with the class of 1867. He chose Rochester, Pa., for his future home, and be- gan practicing there. It was not long until his fine abilities were recognized, and though he entered the town a complete stranger, he acquired a large practice in a very short time. It is one of the largest in this part of the state, and while it is general, he makes a spe- cialty of the throat and nose. He is spoken of by everyone in the highest terms, and is greatly loved by all in the community. In 1887, he bought a vacant lot. and erected a large and elegant three-story brick building, which is known as the Rose Block, and is on the corner of New York and Brighton streets. The first floor is devoted to his office and re- ception rooms, and to the First National Bank, and one of the best restaurants in the
JOHN B. YOUNG.
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town. The second and third floors are finely fitted up for family use. The building is lo- cated in the heart of the borough, and is a very handsome and commodious structure.
Dr. Rose is division surgeon for the Penn- sylvania R. R. Company. He owns extensive oil.interests in Ohio, and has dealt largely in real estate in Rochester. He has done all in his power to further the progress and business interests of Rochester, and we find his name associated with the incorporators of the Rochester Street Railway, the Keystone Tumbler Company, and with the directorship of the Second and Third National Building Associations of Rochester. He is a member and past grand of Rochester lodge, F. & A. M., No. 229, and R. A. M. and Ascalon Com- mandery, No. 59, K. T., Allegheny, Pa., and of the Scottish Rites Masonic Commandery of Pittsburg, No. 320, and the Syria Temple. Nobles of the Mystic Shrine of Pittsburg. He is examining physician of the Maple Leaf order, Woodmen of the World.
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