Century history of New Castle and Lawrence County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Part 10

Author: Hazen, Aaron L. (Aaron Lyle), 1837- comp. and ed. cn
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold publishing co.
Number of Pages: 1058

USA > Pennsylvania > Lawrence County > New Castle > Century history of New Castle and Lawrence County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th > Part 10

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Many improvements were made in New Castle during the summer of 1857, among which were the building of the Free, now the Second Presbyterian Church, the Peo- ple's Savings Bank, and a third story on the American House, later the Central Hotel.

The Lawrence County jail seems to have been singularly unfortunate in holding the

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

prisoners confined within its walls. Every few weeks a batch would escape, sometimes by means of wooden keys, ingeniously con- structed, and sometimes by other means. In February, 1858, four prisoners escaped, and on the 6th of March, two more left for parts unknown.

On the 11th of February, 1858, an ordi- nance was passed enlarging the borough limits, by extending the lines on the north some twenty-five or thirty perches.

At the borough election, held on the 19th of March, the following officers were elected: Burgess, Alexander Ross; coun- cil, Dickson Watson and William Griffith, for three years, James R. Shaw and John Vogan, for two years, John S. Pomeroy and Shubael Wilder, one year; school di- rectors, William H. Reynolds, Wilson Falls; constable, James J. Cook; judge of elections, James S. Tidball; inspectors, Oliver G. Hazen, James D. Shoaff; over- seers of the poor, Thomas Rigby, J. Wes- ley Squier; assessor, Joseph T. Boyd; as- sistant assessors, Dr. A. M. Cowden and Joseph S. White; auditor, R. C. Leslie.

DESCRIPTION OF NEW CASTLE IN 1858.

The following description of New Castle, written by Hon. John W. Forney, was pub- lished in the Philadelphia Press, in June, 1858:

"New Castle, the county seat of Lawrence County, is situated at the junction of the Shenango and Neshan- nock Rivers, three miles above the junction of the She- nango and the Mahoning Rivers, constituting the big Beaver, which makes its confluence with the Ohio River at Beaver, twenty-eight miles below Pittsburg. The Erie Canal, from the Ohio River at Beaver to the city of Erie, passes up the valley of the Big Beaver and She- nango Rivers through the town of New Castle, and the Cross-cut Canal, from New Castle to Akron, on the Ohio Canal, passes up the valley of the Mahoning, giving a connection by canal with the city of Cleveland. The population of New Castle is about 7,000 .* The manu- facture of iron is the principal business, though there are numerous other interests, involving much capital and the employment of many operatives. There are

* In this estimate, Mr. Forney undoubtedly included all the outlying suburbs; but the estimate was much too high. The U. S. Census in 1860 gave the borough 1,882, which was about one-half of the whole population of the borough.

two companies, the 'Cosalo' and the 'Orizaba,' engaged

in the manufacture of iron. They have all the neces- sary furnaces, rolling-mills and nail factories to contain within their own operations the taking of the ore, coal and limestone from the neighboring hills, and turning the raw material into every grade of the manufactured article, from railroad iron down to three-penny nails. They give employment to over 500 operatives, upon the product of whose labor subsist directly at least 3,000 souls, and indirectly as many more in the town and sur- rounding neighborhood. The Orizaba Company have not entirely suspended operations at any time during the past year, and are at present in full blast. The Consalo Company is about making a lease to parties that will soon put the works into operation upon an en- larged scale, with a view to rivaling the best mills in the United States. It is here that the 'Croton' glass, an article of window glass largely supplied to the West, is manufactured. It is made from the solid rock and is said to be equal to any manufactured in the State.

"There are several large flouring-mills in full success- ful operation, two large foundries, machine and engine shops, besides many smaller manufactories.

"The public schools of the borough accommodate about 600 pupils in one large three-story brick building, which also contains a high school department. Another school building is in process of erection in East New Castle, lying alongside the old borough, that will ac- commodate about 1,000 pupils, that being still less than the number to be provided for, and rendering the erec- tion of ward schoolhouses necessary in the more distant suburbs.

"The whole community is self-sustaining, the agricul- tural productions of the neighborhood being far more than sufficient to feed all the operatives who turn the minerals into the manufactured articles, as well as the whole population besides, and a large surplus of grain is shipped East. The Pittsburg & Newcastle Railroad will be completed probably by the 4th of July-posi- tively in August-and then communication by rail will be easy in every direction. The Cleveland & Mahoning Valley Railroad, completed from Cleveland to Youngs- town, within eighteen miles of New Castle, will rapidly be pushed on to intersect at New Castle, and it is here that the Northwestern Railroad, if it should ever be finished, intersects with the Cleveland road. Strong ef- forts, with every prospect of success, are being made to extend the Pittsburg & New Castle Railroad from New Castle north to the city of Erie; and when all these roads are finished-as they will be-four impor- tant railroads will center at New Castle.

"We were not prepared to see a thriving inland city of 7,000 inhabitants on our visit some months since to the county of Lawrence-a city of broad streets, large brick dwellings, noble schoolhouses, comfortable resi- dences and immense manufactories. It is beautifully located, reminding one of Pittsburg in its abundance of coal and iron and in its swarthy complexion. Yet it is fresher far than its dusky neighbor. There is an air of health in all natural surroundings. In its ro- mantie streams and the lovely valley in which it lies embosomed it possesses advantages of which Pittsburg cannot boast.

"In 1806 New Castle contained but twenty houses, and in 1840 its population was 611. Now it boasts a population of 7,000, and the extraordinary facilities shortly to be extended to its enterprising and thriving people will lead to such a development of its resources as will make it one of the most important towns in the

HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY

State. It is eighteen miles from the town of Mercer and is closely connected in domestic commerce and in other respects with Beaver, Butler, Meadville, Franklin, Erie and other western Pennsylvania towns. Lawrence, as we have said, was cut out of Mercer and Beaver Coun- ties, and both were taken from Allegheny; so, indeed, were Crawford, parts of Armstrong, Venango and all of Butler and Erie.

"It may therefore be readily imagined that the char- acteristics of the people of this great tier of counties are nearly the same. They were together in the early struggles of the Revolution; together they struggled into prominence; together they rejoiced over the great men that made western Pennsylvania at an early day the seat of intelligence and enterprise. Pittsburg was their capital, and for many years they were controlled by its example. But the new era established a new order of things. Canals and railroads gave to each county an independent existence, though making all more dependent upon each other. Competition gave to every locality a character of its own and promoted the gen- eral prosperity; and New Castle is a proof that the change was for the better, however considered. It is now one of the most flourishing and beautiful towns in the Union, and when its railroad connections are com- pleted it will take a fresh start in the race for supe- riority."

During the summer of 1858, a double- track bridge over the Neshannock Creek, on Washington Street, was erected at a cost of $1,900, a new building was built for the Eagle engine on the northwest corner of Mill Street and Market Allev, and a new Union school building in East New Castle.

Early in August, 1858, a musical asso- ciation, called the "Festival Glee Club," was organized.

Pittsburg Street, in East New Castle, was illuminated on the evening of Wednes- day, the 25th of August, in celebration of the great event of laying the Atlantic cable. The band furnished music on the joyful occasion.

On the morning of the 19th of October a destructive fire occurred in New Castle, the total loss being estimated at $5,000. Among the sufferers were Andrew Reed, William G. Warnock, R. M. Allen, William H. Reynolds, William Dickson, William Moore, A. H. Leslie, Pardee & Fowler and Firard and Wickman. Immediately suc- ceeding this fire there was a lively appre- ciation of the value of a fire organization, and steps were taken to prepare for future contingencies. The Eagle Engine Com-

pany was reorganized and a new one formed, called the Relief Fire Company. During this season (1858) both the rolling- mills were idle.

At the borough election, which took place on the 18th of March, 1859, the following officers were elected: Burgess, Andrew Lewis; school directors, Dr. Newell White and Jacob Wilbur; council, Isaac N. Phil- lips and James Moorehead; constable, James J. Cook; overseers of the poor, Thomas Rigby and S. W. Mitchell; as- sessor, Alexander Riddle; judge of elec- tions, Samuel Alexander; inspectors, Jo- seph B. Reynolds, J. Wesley Squier; au- ditor, David Craig.

The Lawrence County Agricultural and Horticultural Society seems to have been in a flourishing condition about this time. Their fairs were generally well attended and profitable. At its annual meeting, in the fall of 1859, the following officers were elected : President, Dr. D. Leasure; vice presidents, Isaac N. Gibson, of Wilming- ton, and Joseph Cunningham, of Wayne; managers, E. M. McConnell, of Pollock, and W. C. Harbison, of Shenango; treas- urer, William McClymonds, of Union; sec- retary, David Craig, of New Castle.

At the borough election, on the 16th of March, the following gentlemen were elected to the respective offices named : Burgess, William Moore; council, Thomas Pearson, J. R. Moore; justices, David Tid- ball, J. M. Craig; constable, James J. Cook; school directors, David Craig, Ed- ward Thomas; overseer of the poor, A. H. Leslie; assessor, John L. Warnock; au- ditor, Robert Boyd; judge of elections, B. C. Emery; inspectors, James R. Shaw, John Dickson.

On May 10th a span of the tow-path bridge over the Neshannock Creek, about seventy feet long, and forming about one- half the total length, fell with a crash into the stream, carrying with it three persons and three horses. No lives were lost, how- ever, even the animals being saved.

"Wide Awake" clubs were formed in

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

New Castle early in the Presidential cam- paign of this year, and the streets were frequently enlivened with torchlight pro- cessions and music.

It was during the season of 1860 that the people of the State of Kansas suffered terribly from famine, caused by excessive drouth, and, in common with other portions of the country, New Castle and vicinity responded nobly to the wants of the suf- fering people.

THE WAR PERIOD.

"The year 1861 opened gloomily to the people of the United States. The dark and threatening clouds of civil war hung heavily in the horizon, the hurried tramp of armed hosts was heard in the Southern portion of the Union, while anxious solici- tude shadowed all the hearts of the North- ern people. New Castle partook of the general feeling, and patriotic meetings were held and expression given to the Union sentiments of the people. On the 22d of February a meeting of citizens who were 'friendly to the Union as it is' was called at the Court House. Hon. Thomas Pomeroy was called to the chair, and G. C. Morgan, Joseph Kissick, Jacob Van Gor- der and William Stunkard were chosen as vice-presidents, and E. S. Durban, Jacob Haus and J. M. Kuester, secretaries. A series of resolutions, expressive of great devotion to the Union, was passed unani- mously, and the meeting was addressed by R. B. McComb, Rev. R. A. Browne, Hon. D. Agnew, D. Craig and Hon. L. L. Mc- Guffin."

At the borough election, held on the 15th of March, the following were the names of the officers elected: Burgess, William Moore; constable, Thomas F. Sankey; council, Thomas Campbell, Burkhardt Raub; school directors, Manassa Henlein, William H. Reynolds; judge of election, James R. Wallace; inspectors, Joseph B. Reynolds, John W. Cunningham; auditor, D. H. Wallace; assessor, James Hender- son; assistant assessors, Thomas Falls, Jo-

seph Kissick; overseer of the poor, Alex- ander Ross.

On the morning of the 22d of April the ladies of East New Castle unfurled the national flag over the Court House, with their own hands. The occasion was enliv- ened by vocal and instrumental music, and speeches were made by Lewis Taylor and Hon. L. L. MeGuffin. On the same day the national colors were thrown to the breeze from St. Mary's Catholic Church, in West New Castle, amid the cheers and hurrahs of 2,000 people. Addresses were made by Lewis Taylor, D. B. Kurtz, R. B. McComb, L. L. McGuffin, D. Craig and Rev. J. B. Williams.

"On the 24th of April an immense Union meeting was held on the 'Diamond.' Hon. Thomas Pomeroy was president, and twenty-eight old soldiers of the War of 1812 were elected vice-presidents. The sec- retaries were E. S. Durban and James M. Kuester. A series of strong resolutions were adopted, and a patriotic song, com- posed by J. W. Fulkerson, was sung to the famous war-hymn of France, the Mar- seillaise. Addresses were made by Revs. D. C. Osborne, R. A. Browne, Samuel Bent- ley, Hon. L. L. McGuffin, a Mr. Weyman, of Pittsburg, E. S. Durbank, William M. Francis, and Rev. J. B. Williams.

About this time the Lawrence Guards volunteered for three months. They num- bered 167 men, and were officered as fol- lows: Captain, Dr. Daniel Leasure; first lieutenant, Edward O'Brien; second lieu- tenant, J. J. Cook; third lieutenant, John S. King. They were subsequently divided into two companies.

A number of additional companies were soon after raised in and around New Cas- tle. Among these were the German Guards, composed of Germans; St. Mary's, composed of Catholic citizens; the Rifle Guards, commanded by Captain R. B. Mc- Comb, and the Silver Grays, consisting of elderly veterans of the Mexican War.

The principal feature of the Fourth of July, 1861, was a grand military parade,

HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY

in which the following organizations par- ticipated: Washington Guards, Captain James McCune; Slippery Rock Guards, Captain J. H. Cline; Washington Grays, Captain J. H. Rhodes; Union Riflemen, Captain P. S. Morton; Wayman Grays, Captain John Young; Eastbrook Guards, Captain A. Buchanan; Mahoning Guards, Captain William Burns; Pulaski Rifles, Captain W. C. Oliver; Lawrence Grays, Captain J. Davidson; Fayette Union Grays, Captain James Blair; Liberty Guards, Captain O. L. Jackson; Union Ca- dets, Captain D. M. Cubbison; Zouaves, Captain D. H. Wallace. These organiza- tions were formed into a regiment, under the command of Colonel Samuel Bentley, with William H. Shaw as lieutenant-colo- nel, and W. P. Randolph as adjutant. A neat flag was presented to the Union Ca- dets by the ladies of New Castle, Dr. R. A. Browne making the presentation speech, which was gallantly responded to by Cap- tain Cubbison.

The Weyman Grays were also presented with a stand of colors by Miss Harriet K. Weyman, daughter of Mr. George Wey- man, of Pittsburg, for whom the company was named. On the 8th of August the Lawrence Guards, who had been out in the three months' service, returned to New Castle. They had been divided into two companies - Company H, commanded by Captain Leasure, and Company D, by Cap- tain O'Brien. Several companies of "Home Guards" met them at the canal landing and escorted them to the "Diamond," where they were addressed by Rev. D. C. Osborne, after which they were dismissed, and departed for their several homes.

On the 12th of August a great storm passed over New Castle, doing consider- able damage, particularly along the val- ley of Big Run.

On the 14th of October, Frederick Seif- fert, of New Castle, was accidentally shot and killed in camp, at the city of Washing- ton, D. C., being the first man killed from this section.

New Castle furnished her full share of men for the army during the Rebellion, and her citizens were ever prompt at their country's call for men and means. Among those who took a prominent part in the ranks of her military men were Colonel Daniel Leasure, Colonel Edward O'Brien, a hero of the Mexican War, Colonel D. H. Wallace, Colonel R. B. McComb, and many others. Soldiers' aid societies were organ- ized by the ladies, concerts were given for the benefit of soldiers' wives and orphans, and in many ways those who remained at home contributed generously to the com- fort of those "upon the tented field" and in the crowded hospitals at the rear.

At the borough election, which took place on the 21st of March, 1862, the following officers were elected: Burgess, William Moore; council, John W. Cunningham, Ben C. Emery; constable, Thomas F. Sankey ; assessor, John Watson; auditor, S. W. Dana; overseer of the poor, S. W. Mitchell; school directors, Dr. J. H. M. Peebles, for three years; David Tidball, three years; James R. Shaw, one year; Cyrus Clarke, one year; judge of elections, J. S. Agnew ; inspectors, Thomas Marshall, Thomas F. Jackson.

A draft was ordered for this section dur- ing this year, and Dr. J. H. M. Peebles was appointed examining surgeon, and Jacob Haus, Esq., draft commissioner.

On February 5, 1863, an interesting party of old people met at the house of Joseph T. Boyd, one of the pioneer mer- chants of New Castle, who came here and opened a store in a log building, belonging to Jesse Du Shane, in 1806. Mr. Boyd was eighty-two years old at the time of the party, and among his gray-headed com- peers were Jesse Du Shane, aged eighty- nine years; George Pearson, eighty-six; Robert McGuffin, eighty-five and Robert Wallace, eighty-four. Among other guests were E. S. Durban, Esq., Major Shaw and Colonel Leasure.

On Saturday evening, the 28th of March, a Union League was formally organized

PAR

CITY BUILDING, NEW CASTLE.

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

with the following officers : President, Mar- tin Gantz; vice-presidents, William Book, George B. Woodworth, Samuel Hamilton, O. G. Hazen, James Ray, John Moorhead; recording secretary, William McClymonds ; corresponding secretary, E. S. Durban; treasurer, Joseph Kissick; executive com- mittee, D. Craig, John McCartney, R. B. McComb, G. W. Miller, Hon. David Sankey and Hon. John Ferguson.

"The year 1863 marks an epoch in the history of New Castle. On the 15th of June the last tie was laid on the Beaver Valley Railway, and a connection formed with the Erie and Pittsburg road, giving New Castle the advantage of the greatest of modern inventions-the railway. The Erie and Pittsburg road was in full run- ning order about the 15th of July follow- ing. The Ashtabula, Youngstown and Pittsburg Railway, extending from Youngstown, Ohio, to Mahoningtown in Lawrence County, was put in operation in 1864-65, and the New Castle and Franklin road about 1874. These roads give New Castle direct connections with the Western Reserve in the great State of Ohio, and with the famous oil-regions of Pennsyl- vania.

"The increase of the borough of New Castle from 1850 to 1860, as indicated by the United States census reports, was com- paratively slight, being only 262; but the census does not probably show the actual

increase, it being largely outside the bor- ough limits, which comprised only a small part of the actual population, to which the old borough is only the nucleus."

New Castle was erected into a borough on the 25th of March, 1825. The first bur- gess was Robert McConahy; the second John Frazier, and the third, Joseph Jus- tice. The old records, from 1825 down to 1852, have been lost or destroyed, and it is impossible, therefore, to give the names of most of the burgesses during those years. The following names, however, ap- pear on the records :

1836. Joshua Logan. 1859.

A. Lewis.

1843. William Mitchell. 1860. William Moore.

1848. Thomas Sloan. 1861. Nathan Morrill.

1852. J. R. Emery. 1862. William Moore.

1853. Joseph Kissick. 1863. Nathan Morrill.

1854. William Moore. 1864. Nathan Morrill.

1855. Thomas Pearson. 1865. David Craig.

1856. Stillman Briggs. 1866. Nathan Morrill.

1857. Alexander Ross. 1867. J. W. Reynolds.

1858.

Alexander Ross.

1868. J. W. Reynolds.

BURGESSES OF WEST NEW CASTLE BOROUGH.

1888-William P. Miller.

1889-I. B. Griffiths.

1890-James G. Fulkerson.

1892-James G. Fulkerson.

1894-Robert W. Douds.

1897-William Moncrief.

Mr. Moncrief was the last burgess before the borough was annexed to the city of New Castle.

CHAPTER VI

NEW CASTLE-THE CITY

Indian Proprietors-First White Settlers-Wild Game-Early Merchants, Millers, etc. --- First Death-Early Justices-First Postoffice-Early Churches-Gillespie's Ad- dition-Early Bridges-Amusements-Pioneer Costume-New Castle Made a Bor- ough-The Town Re-surveyed-Some Notable Improvements - Prosperous Era Begins-First Fire Company-New Castle in 1840-First Steps Towards Bank- ing-The New County-The First Courts-New Castle in 1850 -Court-House- New Military Companies-Hard Times in 1855-Gaslight Company Incorporated -A Contemporary Description of New Castle in 1858-The War Period.

NEW CASTLE BECOMES A CITY.

The borough of New Castle was raised to the dignity of a city February 25, 1869, and divided into two wards, the first ward including all of the former Pollock Town- ship, and the second the whole of what had heretofore been the borough, and con- siderable territory from Neshannock Township. This enlargement of the limits added greatly to the population, the census of 1870 giving the new city 6,164 inhabi- tants. The first city election was held on the third Friday of March, 1869. The first mayor was T. B. Morgan; president of Select Council, R. W. Cunningham; presi- dent of Common Council, David Craig; sec- retary, John McMichael.

MAYORS OF NEW CASTLE.

1869-T. B. Morgan.

1870-M. B. Welch.

1871-M. B. Welch.

1872-William S. Black.

1873-Thomas McBride.

1875-J. R. Richardson.

1878-Robert Cochran.

1881-Robert C. McChesney.

1884-Robert C. McChesney.

1887-Robert C. McChesney. 1890-John B. Brown.

1893-Alexander Richardson. (S. W. Smith succeeded Alexander Richardson in the fall of 1894.)

1896-S. W. Smith.

1899-C. L. Warnock.

1902-John C. Jackson.

1905-M. Louis Hainer.

1908-Harry J. Lusk.

By an Act of Assembly, approved May 23, 1874, New Castle was made a city of the third class (which includes cities having from 10,000 to 100,000 inhabitants), and by order of the Court of Quarter Sessions, made December 6, 1876, it was divided into four wards.

CITY HALL.

The lot on which the City Hall stands- 68x180 feet in dimensions, and located on the northwest corner of Washington and East Streets-was purchased of Jesse W. Moore for $15,000. The building was com- menced in June, 1875. The original con- tract price for the construction of the building was about $31,000, the contractors being Vogan & Preston. Before being

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

completed the building was burned-June 7, 1876. The amount expended up to that date was about $24,000, there being no in- surance. The building was rebuilt at an additional cost of $15,000. It is constructed of red pressed brick, with galvanized iron trimmings, and is three full stories and basement in height. The whole of the first floor is occupied by the mayor's, treas- urer's and controller's offices, and the sec- ond floor by the two councils, committee- rooms, and audience chamber. The base- ment is occupied by the Police Department and for storage rooms. The building is well adapted to the needs of the enterpris- ing city in which it is located.

The following shows the city government for 1907-1908:

OFFICERS.

Mayor-M. Louis Hainer. Clerk-A. E. Rhodes.

Engineer-C. H. Milholland.

Solicitor-James A. Gardner.

Treasurer-John McCandless.

Controller-L. C. Hughes.

Health Officer-C. C. Horner.

Poor Director-J. A. Hainer.

Poor Physician-W. C. Kissinger.

Poor Warden-J. L. Gold.

Street Commissioner-J. E. Barteaux.

Chief of Police-Thomas J. Spiers.

Chief of Fire Department-F. J. Con- nery.

City Electrician-W. S. Devlin.

Assessors-W. N. Aiken, Robert McBur- ney and G. G. Pearson.

CITY COUNCIL.

Select Councilmen-Jas. A. Stevenson, J. C. McCready, B. L. Lusk, A. R. Shaffer, M. L. Cukerbraum, W. E. McKee, W. H. Chambers. S. A. Winternitz, clerk.

Common Councilmen-C. O. Davis, Sam- uel Warner, T. C. Elliott, R. L. Wallace, P. K. Fike, R. H. McCann, L. G. Genkinger, W. H. Thomas, J. L. Gorman, C. C. Rigby, John Rae, J. M. Triplett, J. H. McIlvenny, J. C. Raney.

BOARD OF EDUCATION.

This board has its regular meetings on the first Monday evening of each month in the High School Building, and is composed of the following officers and members :

R. C. G. White, president; J. H. Bittner, secretary; John McCandless, treasurer; Helen L. Moseley, clerk; T. A. Kimes, su- perintendent.

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Century history of New Castle and Lawrence County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Part 10

Author: Hazen, Aaron L. (Aaron Lyle), 1837- comp. and ed. cn Publication date: 1908 Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold publishing co. Number of Pages: 1058

Author: Hazen, Aaron L. (Aaron Lyle), 1837- comp. and ed. cn
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold publishing co.
Number of Pages: 1058