USA > Pennsylvania > Beaver County > Book of biographies : this volume contains biographical sketches of leading citizens of Beaver County, Pennsylvania > Part 16
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J OHN B. YOUNG. A history of Beaver county would be quite incomplete without a sketch of the oldest member of the Beaver county bar. Such is the gen- tleman whose name appears at the head of these lines, whose important legal connec- tions and recognized ability have placed him in the front rank of distinguished lawyers of this county. He is a resident of Beaver, and is at present serving his third term as justice
of the peace of that borough. He was born at Achor, Columbiana county, Ohio, August 25, 1834, and is a son of Jacob Young, and a grandson of Baltzer Young.
Baltzer Young was born in Germany, but in his early manhood, he came to the United States, and first settled in Philadelphia; he subsequently traveled west on the Little Beaver River to Columbiana county, Ohio, and there took up a tract of land. He erected saw, grist and (later) carding mills, and the place was known as Young's Mills; these were destroyed by fire, and he built other mills, which have since been removed to Negley by his grandson, and are still in use, although their running power has been changed from water to steam. He also operated a large farm in addition to milling. He passed from this life, aged eighty-five years. His wife was Susanna Boose, by whom he reared a large family of children. Those who grew to maturity were: Jacob; John; Peter ; Samuel ; George; David; Mary; Elizabeth ; Margaret ; and Rachel.
Jacob Young was born in Philadelphia, Pa., and succeeded his father in the mills; he also kept a store many years, but in his fondness for the farm, he sold out, bought a large tract of land, and began tilling the soil. He also engaged in sheep raising, and once owned several hundred sheep. At the time of his re- tirement at Achor, Ohio, he owned eleven hundred acres of land. He died there, aged sixty years. He wedded Susanna Brown, a daughter of George and Alice Brown, and she also died in her sixtieth year. They were
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the parents of the following children : George; Alice; Jacob Boose; Saralı G .; Rachel; Matilda Jane; Rebecca; Mary Ann; Peter B .; John B .; Caroline A .; and Emily.
John B. Young obtained his elementary education in the public schools, and in Beaver Academy, and in the meantime de- cided to adopt the profession of a lawyer. In order to pursue his studies in that direction, he entered the law office of Hon. Thomas Cunningham, and was subsequently admitted to the bar, in 1858. He immediately opened an office in Beaver, where he has continuously practiced up to the present time, and the great ability and keen judgment displayed in the handling of his cases have not only made him well known before the Beaver county bar, but have placed him in the ranks of the fore- most attorneys in Western Pennsylvania. Since 1861, in addition to the regular practice of the law, he has also served as pension at- torney. Besides being prominent as a law- yer, he is equally prominent as a man of af- fairs; he has been honored with the office of district attorney of Beaver county, trustee of Beaver Academy, chief burgess of Beaver, and is now serving his third term as justice of the peace. In 1864, he enlisted in Company H, 5th Reg., Pa. Heavy Artillery, and was hon- orably discharged in 1865, at the close of the war.
Mr. Young married Anna Bocking, a daughter of Adolph and Mary Bocking,- both natives of Prussia ; her parents came to this country in 1849. Mr. Bocking was a landscape artist of great talent, and many
of his pictures have taken the highest awards in New York City, Philadelphia, Pittsburg, and many other large cities. Mr. and Mrs. Young reared the following children: Elma Jennett, who is the wife of G. W. McGraw, of Pittsburg, Pa., and has four children (Ethel, George W., Elizabeth A., and John B.); Louis A., who is a harnessmaker and grocer, at Denver, Colorado, and married Ida Mans- field (by whom he reared John B., and Louis A., Jr.); Annie C .; Maude E., who wedded L. L. Mosher, attorney-at-law, at Indianola. Iowa, and had five children (Lee, Wendell P .. Donovan, Edith and Hugh); Amelia B., who wedded Charles L. Sheets, of Beaver Falls, Pa., and has one son (Oliver Byron); Will- iam T., who is a harnessmaker living at Mer- cer, Pa .; Alice; Pearl; and Anna Melinka. The subject of this sketch was a strong anti- slavery man, and supported the Republican ticket from the holding of the first Republican conference at Pittsburg, Pa., until after Presi- dent Grant's first election, since which time he has been a radical reformer,-advocating municipal and governmental ownership, co- operation in the production and distribution of wealth as distinguished from competition, the necessity of the initiative and referendum, and the "single tax," as one of the coming re- forms. Religiously, he is a member of the Baptist church, while his wife is a member of the Presbyterian denomination. Mr. Young is a man of fine appearance and popular man- ners, and is a favorite with all who know him ; his courteous deportment and genial ways have gained for him the confidence, esteem
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and good-will of a host of acquaintances. His portrait appears on a preceding page.
ITUS M. WELSH is superinten- dent of the Union Water Company of Beaver Falls, Pa., in which capac- ity he has efficiently served since the first of January, 1895. He is a prominent and well- to-do citizen and is always interested in the growth and prosperity of his adopted borough; his birthplace was in Chippewa township, in this county, and he is a son of John W. and Jeannette (Garwood) Welsh, and a grandson of Andrew Welsh.
The great-grandfather of the subject here- of was James Welsh, who was of Welsh ex- traction. His son, Andrew, the grandfather of Titus M., was the member of the family who came to this country, and he is classed among the old settlers of Chippewa township, Beaver county, Pa., having taken up a large tract of land there; his occupation was farm- ing. Politically, he was an Old Line Whig, and later a Republican ; he served as justice of the peace of Chippewa township, and was pop- ularly known as "Squire" Welsh. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and was at Erie when Commodore Perry overwhelmingly de- feated the British squadron. He was married to Keziah Newkirk and they reared a family of children, one of whom was John W.
John W. Welsh was born on his father's farm in Chippewa township, in 1826, and there spent his entire life tilling the soil; he passed
from this earth in 1894. In politics, he was a Republican, while religiously, he was a mem- ber of the Methodist church. His union with the mother of the subject hereof resulted in the birth of the following children: Titus M .; Moses B., deceased; Franklin P., a resident of Beaver Falls; Ira E., who is a farmer living in Erie county, Pa .; Phoebe, who is the wife of Ollie J. Wallace, of Homewood, Beaver county ; Andrew Morris, deceased; Lucius Wright, deceased; Lizzie J., who is the wife of William Wallace of Thompson, Beaver county; Addie K., who was wedded to Chauncey Robinson, of Connellsville, Pa .; Richard W., who resides at Mahoningtown, Pa .; and one who died in its infancy.
Titus M. Welsh obtained a thorough intel- lectual training in the public schools of Chip- pewa township and at Beaver Academy, but the practical portion of his education was re- ceived through actual business experience. He worked on the homestead until a year after his marriage, in 1867, and then moved to Beaver Falls, where he accepted a position as file hardener in the file works of that borough. After continuing in that capacity for two years, ne went to Conneautville, Crawford county, Pa., where he spent one year, as a partner in a carriage wheel factory, which was subsequently destroyed by fire,-Mr. Welsh thus sustaining a severe loss. Returning to Beaver Falls he took up his former position in the file works, but in 1880, he entered the employ of Emerson, Smith & Company as steam engineer ; after remaining in their serv- ice ten years he lost his position during a
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strike, but afterwards accepted a like situation with the Carnegie Company. In September, 1894, Mr. Welsh resigned from this connec- tion, and, at the beginning of the following year, entered upon his present work as super- intendent of the Union Water Company of Beaver Falls.
In politics, Mr. Welsh is a Republican, and served three years as a member of the council from the sixth ward, and also as a congres- sional delegate. Socially, he is a member of the I. O. O. F., also of the Encampment of Beaver Falls; and of the Woodmen of the World. His marriage to Miss Lizzie J. In- man, a daughter of Azariah and Jane Inman, was blessed by the birth of five children : Frank I., who is employed in the American Steel Works of Beaver Falls; Albertice A., who died aged two years; Lorena M., who died aged seven years; Clyde W., who works in the same mill as does his brother, Frank I .; and Wilber L., who is engaged with L. D. Clark, wholesale confectioner, Beaver Falls.
EORGE F. WEHR is one of the substantial and prominent citizens of the town of Rochester, Pa. He is president of the borough council, and takes a deep interest in the growth and welfare of his adopted town. Besides being interested in various enterprises in Rochester, he is also superintendent of the etching and cutting de- partment of the Phoenix Glass Company, of Monaca, Pennsylvania. He was born near
Lancaster, Butler county, Pa., February 19, 1864, and is a son of Frederick and Elizabeth (Martsolf) Wehr.
George F. Wehr's father was born in Ger- many, and upon coming to the United States, he located in Butler county, Pa., where he be- came the owner of a fine farm ; he successfully followed farming all his life, and passed away at the age of eighty-four years. His first wife died leaving a family of four children: An- drew; Michael; Lizzie; and Kate. The sub- ject of our sketch was the only child born of the second union, and his mother is now liv- ing at Monaca, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Wehr was eleven years of age when he entered school at Allegheny, and remained there until he was fourteen. At that age he began clerking for George Bechtell, at Monaca, but a year later he accepted a posi- tion with the Rochester Glass Manufacturing Company, working in the punch department, of which he afterwards became foreman. He later became manager of the coloring depart- ment in the Phoenix Glass Company, of Monaca, out at the present time he is superin- tendent of the etching and cutting depart- ment. Mr. Wehr has been a member of the council during the past three years, and, since 1897, has served as president of that body. The council of Rochester was established by an act of the legislature, March 20, 1849, which was signed by Gov. William F. John- ston and town clerk George St. Clair Murry.
September 16, 1884, Mr. Wehr was united in marriage with Miss Emma Stiles, a daugh- ter of Atlas Stiles, of Rochester, and she died
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ALFRED M. WHISLER, D. D. S.
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leaving two children : Willie Atlas, born June 5, 1885 ; and Martha Elizabeth, born June 23, 1887. February 13, 1890, he wedded Mrs. Emma R. Marshall, a daughter of George Young, also of Rochester, and from this union the following children have resulted, namely : George Frederick, born July 21, 1894, died January 6, 1895; and Annie Marie and An- drew Howard, twins, born April 7, 1896. The subject of this sketch occupies a neat resi- dence on the corner of Vermont and Jefferson streets, which he erected in 1893. He for- merly resided where A. Neidergall now lives on Jefferson street. Mr. Wehr was reared a Lutheran but is a member, trustee and stew- ard of the Methodist church. Socially, he is a member of the I. O. O. F .; Rebecca Lodge; K. of P .; Jr. O. U. A. M .; Elks Lodge; Pro- tective Home Circle; and the Fidelity Mutual Life Association.
LFRED M. WHISLER, D. D. S., the oldest practicing dentist in New Brighton, Beaver county, Pa., has for many years occupied a high position in the town, and is greatly esteemed by all his fellow- citizens. He was born in Rochester, Pa., October 13, 1839, and is a son of John H. and Agnes (Jackson) Whisler.
Jacob Whisler, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was a son of Christian Whisler. Jacob was born in Virginia, whence he moved to Lancaster county, Pa., about 1814, and after-
ward came to the vicinity of Beaver county, where he settled, in Pulaski township. There he bought and cleared up a farm,-a govern- ment tract consisting of 160 acres,-which is now owned by Mr. Stuber, and is said to be a very valuable piece of land. Jacob Whisler served in the Revolutionary War, and died when more than seventy years old. His wife, whose maiden name was Catherine Hart, died at the age of eighty. Their children were : Benjamin, Jacob, Andrew, Joseph, and John H. John H. Whisler was born near Carlisle, Cumberland county, Pa., in 1802, and in early manhood taught school during the win- ter. He apprenticed himself as boat-builder to John Boles, of Bolesville, Beaver county, and later became Mr. Boles' partner in busi- ness. He then bought Mr. Boles' share in the business and followed boat building for the remainder of his active life. He made principally cotton and canal boats. In his later years, he was a silent partner of S. Barnes & Co., clay manufacturers. He mar- ried Agnes Jackson, a daughter of James Jackson, one of the pioneer settlers of Pulaski township. Agnes Jackson was a relative of General Andrew Jackson, her father being a cousin of the general. Mr. Whisler died at the age of eighty-two, and his wife died at the age of eighty. Their children were as fol- lows: Jackson, deceased; Leander, of Sioux City, Iowa; John H., living in Rochester; Jeremiah; Alfred M., the subect of this biogra- phy; Addison W., a reporter, of Rochester, formerly a boat builder, who married Rebecca Q. Brobeck; Amanda J., deceased; Charles
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F., deceased; and Mary Ellen, who was the wife of the late R. H. Kerr. Mr. Wheeler's father was an active politician, and held sev- eral minor offices. He helped to build the Presbyterian church at Bridgewater, Pa., and was an elder therein. At the time of his death, he was the only living original member.
Alfred M. Whisler became a student of den- tistry with James Murray, of Bridgewater, and practiced his profession in Rochester, with T. J. Chandler, from 1862 to 1867. He then moved to New Brighton, and located in the office which he now occupies. He could not stand higher in the profession than he does, and he has worked up a large and lucrative practice. For many years he has made a specialty of gold crown work, bridge work, and the like. His patrons are from the oldest and best families, and his practice is ever in- creasing. He married Mamie M. Marquis, a daughter of Dr. D. S. Marquis, of Rochester, Pa., and their children are as follows: Gracie S., who died at the age of eight years ; Edward B., a clerk in the auditor's office of the P. & L. E. R. R .; Frazier, who married E. Kinney Lowe, of Washington, D. C., and has one child, William R. The subject of our sketch is a Democrat. He attends the Presbyterian church; is a member of Union Lodge, No. 259, F. & A. M .. of New Brighton, Pa., and served as worshipful master in 1877, '78, '79 and '86. He was high priest of Harmony Chapter, No. 206, in 1889. Dr. Whisler's portrait accompanies the above account of his life.
R ICHARD J. M.ARLATT, who is a rep- resentative of the younger generation of farmers of Beaver county, culti- vates a fine farm of one hundred and fifty-two acres located in Chippewa township. He is a man of enterprise, quick to adopt all modern and improved methods of farming, and has attained a degree of success which is surpris- ing in one so young. He is a son of Michael and Abbie (Allison) Marlatt, and was born in Beaver county, September 7, 1875. on the old homestead, where he now lives.
His grandfather was Richard Marlatt, who was born in New Jersey, where he was edu- cated and learned the trade of a carpenter. this he followed there for some years and also after his removal to Sewickley, where he died at an advanced age.
Michael Marlatt, the father of Richard J., was born in New Jersey in 1830, and, although his educational advantages were limited, he acquired a good mental training. The school terms were of but three months' duration, and he was able to attend but a short time. He was an accurate mathematician, a discrim- inating reader, and a profound thinker, and had he had but the opportunity presented to the student of today, he would undoubtedly have created a name for himself along profes- sional lines. He was obliged to adopt
a mechanical career, and it
was but natural that he
should choose the trade of his father, that of a car- penter. He assisted his father and then fol- lowed the business for himself for some time, after which he hired out as a farm hand by
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the day. He then bought a small farm near Leetsdale, Pa., and did a general market- gardening business, hauling to Pittsburg. He had to haul the produce the entire way, and it was by working and sleeping out of doors that he lost his hearing, a very sad affliction for one of such intelligence. Selling his Leets- dale property, he went to Beaver Falls, bought building lots and worked at his trade; but owing to his wife's poor health, he traded his city property for the farm on which the subject of this record now lives, and in addi- tion gave a money consideration. It is an improved farm of 152 acres, one-half of which is cleared, and has a good house. He erected new barns and did a general gardening busi- ness,-retailing in Beaver Falls. He set out three elegant orchards, and engaged in dairy- ing and stock-raising. In 1898, in the sixty- ninth year of his age, he died very suddenly while engaged in work upon his farm. His wife was Abbie Allison, who was born in Al- legheny county, in 1836, and they reared the following children: Joseph, a pastor of the M. E. church in Tacoma, Washington, and a Amy graduate of Meadville Academy ; (Hendrickson); Charles, superintendent of Morado Park; Sadie (Wells), deceased; F.ob- ' ert, a farmer; Rev. Wesley, a graduate of Geneva College and formerly a successful at- torney, who received the degree of D. D. from the University of Michigan, and died while pastor of the M. E. church at Johnstown, Pa .; William, a farmer who now assists the subject hereof; and Richard J., whose name heads these lines. Politically, Mr. Marlatt was a
Republican and served as school director and supervisor. He was a trustee of the M. E. church.
Richard J. Marlatt received a good intel- lectual training in the district schools, and has lived his entire life upon the old home farm. Upon his father's death, the farm descended to his heirs, and our subject has since had its management. Self-reliant and industrious, he has cultivated the farm in the most approved style, and his efforts have been attended by the greatest success. He follows closely the footsteps of his father, do- ing a large general market business, and also has the place stocked with good cattle and horses. He has a wide knowledge on the sub- ject of farming, and his opinions are respected to a degree not usually accorded one so young. He is very popular with his fellow- citizens, having a large circle of friends throughout the township. Politically, he is a Republican, but does not aspire to office. He is a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
RNST H. SEIPLE, the genial and efficient cashier of the Union Na- tional Bank of New Brighton, Pa., has occupied that important position since 1894. The bank is finely located at the cor- ner of Ninth street and Third avenue in the Merrick building, which was purchased and especially fitted up with suitable equipments for the purpose. The interior is finely fur-
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nished with a superb set of modern fixtures and contains office, director's and president's rooms, with burglar and fireproof safe of the most modern design. The bank has a capital stock of $50,000, and is doing a substantial business, conducted on safe lines. C. M. Mer- rick was the first president. The first vice- president was E. Autenreith, who was suc- ceeded by J. F. Miner. E. H. Seiple, cashier, C. C. Keck, assistant cashier, and H. R. Boots, messenger, complete the force.
Ernst H. Seiple was born in New Hamburg, Mercer county, Pa., in 1864. He is a son of Joseph H. and Sarah (Beil) Seiple. Joseph H. Seiple was also a native of Mercer county, Pa., and early in life, engaged in merchandiz- ing at New Hamburg, Pa., and later at Greenville. He subsequently retired from mercantile pursuits to a farm, which he had previously purchased. The remainder of his days was spent in the uneventful quietude of agriculture,-a life which he thoroughly en- joyed until called away by death, at the age of seventy years. His faithful wife was Sarah Beil, a lady of many estimable qualities. She died at the early age of forty-two years, leav- ing the following children: Elizabeth, wife of Charles T. Bortz, of Kent, Ohio; David A .; Clara A .; Milton S., of Greenville, Pa .; Ernst H., the subject of these lines; Mary, wife of J. W. Long, of Youngstown, Ohio; and Nevin Deha, of New Brighton, Pa. Mr. Seiple attended the public schools, after which he took a finishing course at Tiehl College. He then began his career in life, accepting a position as clerk in the Greenville National
Bank, where he remained from 1882 to 1884 : he then was a clerk for four years, at the Na- tional Bank of Beaver County. For the fol- lowing two years, he was teller in the First National Bank at Rochester, Pa. After this he was with the auditor, the treasurer, and the purchasing agent, in the general offices of the Pittsburg & Lake Erie Railroad, at Pitts- burg. When the Union National Bank of New Brighton was established, April 20, 1891, Mr. Seiple was elected assistant cashier, which position he filled in a highly capable manner. Since his residence in New Brighton, he has taken a very active interest in the progress and development of that town. He purchased the Merrick homestead at the corner of Four- teenth street and Third avenue, and fitted it up handsomely for his family. He is a stock- holder of the Standard Horse Nail Company. the Beaver Valley Traction Company, and is treasurer of the Beaver County and New Brighton Building and Loan Association.
On July 9, 1894, the subject of this sketch was joined in marriage with Charlotta Weber, a daughter of Henry Weber, of Meadville, Pa., and their home is brightened by the presence of one daughter, Elizabeth. Mr. Seiple was reared in accordance with the doc- trine of the German Reformed church, but is now a supporter of the Presbyterian de- nomination. Socially, he is a member of the Union Lodge, No. 259, F. & A. M., and also of the Harmony Chapter, No. 206, of the R. A. M. Mr. Seiple has shown himself in all his experience in life, to be capable of con- ducting his individual business with equally
HENRY C. FRY.
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as great success as he has served the public interests. It is needless to say, that our sub- ject is justly entitled to the appreciation of his friends. Unaided, when little more than a youth, he began, in this land of equal oppor- tunities, to achieve that success, which energy and perseverance assure, and to exert that influence which ability and fidelity command. He is the advocate of every cause considered worthy, and has the courage to proclaim his convictions.
ENRY C. FRY, whose portrait is shown on the opposite page, to whom much credit is due as the principal organizer of the Rochester Tumbler Com- pany, the most extensive manufacturers of pressed and blown tumblers in the world, is a man of thorough business qualifications, and, through his connection with numerous enterprises, has attained a wide reputation. He has done much to aid in the progress of Rochester, as the tumbler works, of which he is president, constitute the principal industry of the borough. He was also the chief or- ganizer of the First National Bank, of Rochester, of which he has been president since its incorporation. He has always evinced the deepest interest in the welfare of his fellowmen, alleviating their distress when- ever he could do so, and encouraging them by gentle and sympathizing counsel ; for these little kindnesses of word and deed, he will be long remembered by the citizens of the com-
munity after his demise. He is respected and loved in Rochester as but few of its residents are. Mr. Fry was born in Lexington, Ky., September 17, 1840, and is a son of Thomas C. and Charlotte Fry.
John Fry, his grandfather, was born in the North of Ireland, and, with his brother, Will- iam, emigrated from Dublin to New York City, locating at Wilkesbarre, Pa., soon after, and still later in Washington county, Penn- sylvania. The brothers were possessed of am- ple means and invested extensively in real es- tate. They were descended from a prominent Irish family, and had, each, an excellent edu- cation, for that day. In the early part of the nineteenth century, John Fry moved to Lex- ington, Ky., and bought a large tract of land, upon which he built a handsome brick man- sion. There he resided until his death, at the age of almost ninety years, and was buried in a cemetery on a portion of his own land. The city of Lexington is built on his land, with the exception of some two hundred acres, and the old homestead known as the "Elms" is owned by his descendants. He married Elizabeth Miller, a lady of Scotch birth, and they had three children: William, Eliza and Thomas C.
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