Century history of New Castle and Lawrence County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Part 114

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 114

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George Fisher, the grandfather, was of German parentage. He came from east of the Allegheny Mountains and sought a home in what was then a great stretch of forest land in Lawrence County, but is now some of the best farming soil and best im- proved property in Slippery Rock Town- ship. The remainder of the life of Grand- father Fisher was spent in clearing and cultivating this land. He reared a family of ten children.

Henry Fisher, father of Jacob Fisher, was born before the family came to Law- rence County, he being about three years of age at the time. He obtained his edu- cation in the subscription schools and grew to manhood on his father's farm. He learned the blacksmith trade and operated a shop on his farm for a number of years. He married Isabella Vance, who was a daughter of James Vance, a farmer and early settler of Slippery Rock Township. Henry Fisher and wife had the following children : Jacob, the eldest and only sur- vivor; and Margaret, Emily, Jemima, Marion, Sarah Ann and two infants that died at birth. Both parents died on the present farm. They had lived kind and useful lives and were remembered long after they had been laid to rest.

Jacob Fisher obtained his education in the district schools. Being the only son and the oldest child, he early became ac- customed to the necessary details of farm- ing and as soon as he was old enough took charge and relieved his father. Mr. Fish- er continued to be actively engaged in gen- eral farming until his sons were old enough in turn to relieve him and since then he has been practically retired.

O. J. H. HARTSUFF.

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Mr. Fisher married Jane Jones, who is a daughter of John Jones, whose farm was located near Portersville, in Butler Coun- ty. Mr. and Mrs. Fisher have had eleven children, namely : Belle Marilla, who mar- ried Joseph Kennedy, has seven children; James Henry, who died aged eleven years; Mary, who is the widow of Glen Wilson, has had four children; John, who married Elizabeth Shaw, has one child; Margaret Alwilda, who married J. S. Shaw, has three children; William Orris, who married Mabel Thompson; Elda May, who married Charles Gross, has one son; Jennie Pearl, who died aged two and one-half years; Frank Clyde, who married Mabel Magee, has two children, twins; and two infants died at birth. The names of Mr. and Mrs. Fisher's grandchildren are: Lyle Vance, Everett Balph, Jennie Pearl, Arthur Clare, deceased; Gladys Goldie, Orris Fisher and Margaret Mary May, children of Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy ; Vance Fisher, Mabel, Jane, Merle and Frank Glen, deceased, are chil- dren of Mrs. Mary Wilson; Helen Leona is the daughter of John Fisher and wife; Harold Fisher, Wilma Frances and Earl are the children of Mr. and Mrs. Shaw; Harry Fisher is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Gross, and Arthur Magee and Alda Jane are the children of Frank Clyde Fisher and wife. The family is a leading one in the United Presbyterian Church. Mr. Fisher is a Prohibitionist and his son, Frank Clyde, an independent voter. Mr. Fisher served three terms as a member of the School Board.

O. J. H. HARTSUFF, superintendent of the New Castle works of the Carnegie Steel Company, has been identified with the iron and steel industries ever since he was about thirteen years of age. He was born at New Castle, Pa., in September, 1869, and belongs to an old pioneer family of this place.

John Henry Hartsuff, the grandfather of O. J. H., came to this section and was among the founders of New Castle's com-

merce. For more than forty years he was associated with the Cunninghams as a member of the firm, and was interested in many of the city's infant enterprises. At the time of his death he was the oldest member of the Masonic fraternity in Law- rence County.

The late Henry John Hartsuff, son of John Henry and father of O. J. H., was born at New Castle, and died in the same city in 1900. For years he was prom- inently identified with New Castle's manu- facturing interests, and was a member of the old firm of Cunningham & Company.

O. J. H. Hartsuff left school in boyhood to enter the iron works of the old Cunning- ham Company, which once represented the acme of business progress here, and con- tinued there until about 1891. For the past seventeen years he has been associ- ated with what is now the Carnegie Steel Company, for twelve years being deputy superintendent and for the past two years has filled his present very important po- sition with this great corporation.

For many years Mr. Hartsuff has been identified with the Masonic fraternity, and is a member of Blue Lodge, Chapter, Council, Commandery and Lodge of Per- fection. His membership in the Lawrence and the Country clubs contribute to his social needs.

ROBERT J. DAVIDSON, who carries on general farming in Big Beaver Town- ship, owns 125 acres of some of the best land in this part of Lawrence County. It is situated on both sides of the road, is watered by two streams and is only one mile west of Wampum. Mr. Davidson was born on his present farm in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, November 9, 1856, and is a son of James and Sarah (David- son) Davidson.

The grandparents were John and Mary (Thompson) Davidson. John Davidson was born in Ireland and came to Beaver County in early manhood. He married a

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lady who was born in Butler County, Penn- sylvania, and they had eleven children, namely : Thomas, James, Robert, Andrew, John, Thompson, Wilson, Moses, William and two others who died in infancy. Moses and William both served as soldiers in the Civil War and William died in the army. About 1865 John Davidson and wife moved to Iowa and there both died.

James Davidson, father of Robert J., was born in 1823, in Beaver County, Penn- sylvania, and died in Lawrence County, May 5, 1908. He lived at home until he married, assisting in clearing the land and attending the primitive school in the neigh- borhood when opportunity offered. Later he learned the blacksmith trade and opened and conducted a shop on the farm on which his son Robert J. now lives, coming here when he married. A part of the land was given him by his father, who then owned several hundred acres, and a part he bought from his brother Thomas. When James Davidson brought his wife here no buildings had been erected and their first home was a hastily built log house. The blacksmith shop was next built and Mr. Davidson operated that for thirty years, his sons mainly conducting the farm. In 1872 he built the present commodious and comfortable frame residence and here he died as stated above. He was a man of sterling character, honest and upright in all his dealings. He was a leading mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church and for years was its treasurer. During his later years he took much interest in public matters and supported the Republican party's candidates.

On May 17, 1849, Mr. Davidson was mar- ried to Sarah Davidson, who still survives and resides with her son, Robert J., on the old homestead. She is a daughter of An- drew and Janet ( Whan) Davidson, the for- mer of whom was born in Ireland and sub- sequently became a man of large means and much importance in Lawrence County. To James and Sarah Davidson were born four children: Andrew, John Wesley,

Robert J. and William. Andrew died in 1872, aged twenty-two years. John Wesley, who resides in Big Beaver Township, mar- ried Nancy Wilkinson and they have four children, namely: Cora May, Harley W., Edna and Clarence. Cora May lives with her grandmother and her uncle, Robert J. William, who conducts a feed store in Ell- wood City, married Matilda Carson and they have three children, Elva, Carl and Mabel.

Robert J. Davidson was about one year old when his parents came to the present farm and his boyhood was spent in attend- ing the district school and in assisting in the clearing and cultivating of the land as far as his strength permitted. As he grew older he assumed more responsibilities and since 1900 has had charge of the property which he now owns. He has spent his whole life here with the exception of eight- een months when he was in the employ of a railroad company in Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska. In 1880 he returned to his home. Here he has carried on a general agricultural line. His land is doubly val- uable, a coal bank having been located which Mr. Davidson has leased to Robert Edwards.

In his political views Mr. Davidson is a Republican, but he is not an office-seeker. From his youth he has been a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of which he now is both a steward and treasurer. He is a man who stands very high in the regard of his fellow citizens.

JAMES T. TAGGART, whose beautiful home and fine farm of forty acres is sit- uated in North Beaver Township, on the Mt. Jackson road, only about three-quar- ters of a mile west of the thriving town of Mahoningtown, is a native of Ohio and was born near East Palestine, Columbiana County, December 10, 1847. His parents were Robert and Rebecca (Brewster) Tag- gart.

The father of Mr. Taggart was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, and the mother

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in North Beaver Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, and both came of substantial old agricultural families. They had five children born to them, the two sur- vivors being Robert B. and James T., the former of whom is a United Presbyterian minister and at present is principal of a school in Tennessee. One son and two daughters are deceased, namely: Mary Emeline, Rebecca Appaline and John. Our subject's father, Robert Taggart, was for many years an elder in the United Presby- terian Church.

James T. Taggart grew to manhood on the home farm in Columbiana County, where he secured his education in the pub- lic schools. Since October, 1897, he has owned and resided on his present farm, having purchased it from Charles Harrah. In days gone by it was known as the Car- son farm and has always been considered a good property, and the improvements that Mr. Taggart has made have materially added to its value. In 1897 he erected his fine residence, which is an ideal country home.

Mr. Taggart was united in marriage with Maria J. Hopper, who was born and reared in North Beaver Township. She was afforded excellent educational oppor- tunities and for some years in young wom- anhood was a successful and popular teacher both in North Beaver Township and Mahoning Township, having earned a life certificate. Her father, John Hopper, was a prominent man in North Beaver Township, where he was born, and was a son of Robert Hopper, a native of Ireland and an early settler. Mrs. Taggart's mother was formerly Anna Hamilton, a daughter of James Hamilton, who came to Lawrence County from Westmoreland County and settled near Mt. Jackson. Mr. and Mrs. Taggart are members of the United Presbyterian Church at New Castle.

FRANCIS FELTON, who fills the im- portant position of foreman in the hot mill

department in the New Castle plant of the American Tin Plate Company, has been a resident of this city since July 15, 1868. He was born in Worcestershire, England.

At the age of ten years Mr. Felton en- tered the rolling mill and he has been iden- tified with mill work almost continuously ever since. When he came to America he was an experienced worker and in the old New Castle iron mill he climbed from the lowest position to that of foreman for G. W. Johnson, and for two or three years was superintendent of the Johnson mill. Mr. Felton then came to the present plant as foreman of the hot mill department, his years of practical experience particularly fitting him for a place of responsibility.

In 1867 Mr. Felton was married to Miss Annie Bratt and they have had seven chil- dren, the four survivors being: Annie, who is the wife of John Sargent, a roller in the Shenango mill; Salena, who is the wife of Joseph McConnell, a salesman for Kraus Brothers, of Wheeling, W. Va .; Francis Joseph, who is chief chemist for the Penn- sylvania Malleable Company, of Mckees- port, Pa., and John M., who is rector of the Episcopal Church of Silver Creek, Neb. For many years Mr. Felton has been a vestryman of Trinity Episcopal Church. Mrs. Felton is very active in the work of the Fifth Ward Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics Mr. Felton takes only a good citizen's interest, while his only fra- ternal connection is membership in the beneficiary order of the Protected Home Circle.

JOHN M. WILSON, whose fine farm of fifty acres is situated on the south side of the Neshannock Falls road, in Wilming- ton Township, about two miles from New Wilmington, was born August 18, 1853, in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of John R. and Mary (Phillips) Wil- son, and a grandson of Patrick Wilson, who came to Lawrence County from West- moreland County.

John M. Wilson was reared in Lawrence

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HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY

County and was mainly educated at the John Wilson School, which was named in honor of his father. He is a bricklayer by trade and for the past twenty years has been contracting in Lawrence County. He also carries on general farming, his land being well situated and particularly fertile. Mr. Wilson was married (first) to Mattie H. Gibson, who was a daughter of Samuel and Mary Gibson. Mrs. Wilson died in January, 1889, and is survived by three children: Anthony G., who is employed in the tin mill, at New Castle; Anna M., who married W. H. Baker, of Omaha, Neb .; and J. Adelbert, who is a druggist residing at Deadwood, S. D., and who married Myrtle A. Lowell. The mother of these children was a consistent member of the Second United Presbyterian Church. Mr. Wilson married, secondly, Mary Courtney, who is a daughter of William and Jane (Drennan) Courtney, the former of whom was a prom- inent citizen of Mercer County, where he was engaged many years in milling. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have two bright, intelli- gent sons, William Courtney and Wendell Phillips, aged respectively fifteen and thir- teen years. They are of great assistance to their father on the farm and he is giving them every advantage in his power to en- able them to grow into useful and respect- ed manhood.

THOMAS D. WITHERSPOON, one of North Beaver Township's citizens, resides on his well-cultivated farm, which is sit- uated on a cross road just north of the Moravia-Petersburg road, within four and one-half miles of Moravia. T. D. Wither- spoon was born May 27, 1845, in Little Beaver Township, Lawrence County, Penn- sylvania, and is a son of John and Mar- garet Witherspoon.

JOHN WATSON DAVIDSON, super- visor of Big Beaver Township, owns a val- uable farm of 158 acres which is situated about one mile south of Wampum. He was born on this farm, April 5, 1856, in the

old log house then standing, which was sup- planted by the present commodious brick one two years later. His parents were John and Mary (Beatty) Davidson.

John Davidson died in 1895. He was born on the present farm August 14, 1814, and was a son of Andrew and Janet (Whan) Davidson. Andrew Davidson came to Lawrence County in early man- hood, from Ireland. He purchased the present farm from the Benjamin Chew es- tate and his grandson has the old sheep- skin deed entitling him to the property. At that time all this country was covered with a forest growth, which he cleared and also acquired other land. He was very just to his children, apportioning to each a fair- sized farm. Of his family of eleven, John was the eldest. He obtained a good edu- cation for his day, in the old log school- house in the neighborhood of his home and later taught school in conjunction with farming. For twenty-five years he served as a justice of the peace. He was a Re- publican in his political views and during the War of the Rebellion he was a zealous supporter of the Government. While not permitted to enter the active service, he organized companies and drilled them in military tactics and was given the rank of major, by which he was very generally known. He married Mary Beatty, who was born in Lawrence County, Pennsyl- vania, where she died aged fifty-five years. They had six children, namely: William T., residing in Kansas; Margaret Jane; Lydia, who died in 1881, was the wife of John Abdill; J. Watson, and two who died young.

J. Watson Davidson was educated in the district schools and the Normal School at Edenboro. During early manhood, in part- nership with his brother, William T., he operated a cattle ranch in Colorado and Kansas. He received his present farm from his father's estate and since taking charge has carried on a general agricul- tural line.

On October 26, 1881, Mr. Davidson was

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married to Myra Rose, who is a daughter of I. P. and Margaret (Gibson) Rose. They have four children, Ernest, Edith, Bessie and Helen. Ernest, who is an electrical engineer, attended school at Rogers, Ohio, going from there to the Northeastern Ohio Normal School at Canfield and completed at the Pennsylvania State College. He married Olive Grim and they reside at New Castle. Edith is a teacher in the public schools of Pittsburg. She attended school at Canfield, Ohio, and graduated from Westminster College. Bessie was educated in the Slippery Rock High School and at Geneva College. Mr. Davidson and family belong to the Presbyterian Church. Polit- ically, he is a Republican and at present is serving as supervisor and as school direct- or in Big Beaver Township.

JAMES M. MARTIN was admitted to the bar of this county at the September term of 1867, and ever since has been a resident of New Castle. He was born in Lawrence, then Mercer County, near El- liott's Mills, October 7, 1843; his father being William Martin, his grandfather, James Martin, and his great grandfather, Charles Martin, all lifelong residents of that section. In 1794 his great grand- father came from the eastern part of the State, and was one of the first settlers on Slippery Rock Creek, having settled and purchased from the State several hundred acres of land in that vicinity. His grand- father, James Martin, married Jane Me- Nees, a daughter of William MeNees, late of Butler County, who also was among the first settlers; his grandmother being but thirteen years of age at the time of her father's settlement.

At the beginning of the Civil War Mr. Martin was but seventeen, but in October, 1861, enlisted, and in November following was mustered into the United States serv- ice in Company E, Fifty-seventh Pennsyl- vania Volunteer Infantry, at Harrisburg, ·in which organization he served continu- ously until December 13, 1862, participat-

ing with the regiment in all its engage- ments to that date, viz: The siege of York- town, battles of Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, Charles City, Cross Roads, Malvern Hill, Second Bull Run, Chantilly and Freder- icksburg. In the last named he was taken prisoner, and after a brief confinement in Libby prison, Richmond, was paroled, but was not exchanged until the following spring. After his exchange he was detailed on special duty in the military department of Washington, at the headquarters of Col. Samuel MeKelvey, late of Pittsburg, Pa., near Alexandria, Va., and so continued un- til the expiration of his term of service, November, 1864, when he was mustered out.

On his return from the army Mr. Martin resumed his studies at Witherspoon Insti- tute, Butler, and State Normal School, at Edinboro, Pa., and later entered the Ohio State and Union Law College at Cleveland, Ohio, from which he graduated in the sum- mer of 1867, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. He at once entered on the prac- tice of his profession, and is an admitted practitioner in all the courts of the United States, being admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of the United States in 1885.

Politically, Mr. Martin is a Republican. Religiously, a Presbyterian, having been connected with the Central Presbyterian Church of New Castle ever since its organ- ization as a New School Presbyterian Church.

On November 20, 1867, Mr. Martin was married to Almira P. Reeder, of Edinboro, Erie County, Pennsylvania. He is a mem- ber of the Union Veteran Legion, being one of the charter members of Encampment No. 9 of that organization; also of the beneficiary organization, the Protected Home Circle.

Mr. Martin, in association with Capt. E. C. Strouss, and others, compiled and edit- ed the History of the Fifty-seventh Regi- ment, Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers.

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HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY

JOHN F. MITCHELL, a representative citizen of Pulaski Township and a veteran of the Civil War, resides on his well cul- tivated farm of 100 acres, enjoying the comforts which his willing hands and ex- cellent judgment have provided. He was born in Pulaski Township, Lawrence Coun- ty, Pennsylvania, in March, 1843, and is a son of Samuel and Isabella (Foreman) Mitchell.

Samuel Mitchell was born in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, in 1805, and died in Pulaski Township in 1885. His father was John Mitchell. Samuel Mitchell came to Pulaski Township in early manhood and was the builder of Lock No. 1 and Lock No. 2 on the old Erie Extension Canal, which is no longer in use. Later he settled down to farming and became a substantial and val- ued citizen. He married Isabella Foreman, who was born in Allegheny County, Penn- sylvania, and of their children the follow- ing survive: Elizabeth, who is the wife of O. Byers, and resides at Cleveland, Ohio; Sarah J., who is the widow of J. S. Ran- dall, and resides at San Francisco; Caro- line, who lives at Cleveland; John F., sub- ject of this sketch; Winfield S., who re- sides at New Castle, and Frances A., who is the wife of Clark Brezee, and resides at Syracuse, N. Y. At different times Samuel Mitchell held township offices, performing the duties of the same honestly and with due regard to the public welfare. In his political views he was a Republican.

John F. Mitchell grew to manhood in his father's comfortable home and planned a life of agricultural independence. How- ever, in the second year of the Civil War, in July, 1862, he enlisted for service in Company A, One Hundred and Thirty- fourth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, which was attached to the Army of the Potomac, and from then on until June, 1865, the farmer boy was a hardy and capable soldier, daring danger and bravely fighting his country's battles. Mr. Mitchell saw a great deal of hard service, beginning with the second battle of Bull

Run. He participated in the battles of Antietam, of South Mountain, and of Fred- ericksburg, after which he was transferred to the United States Navy, and was de- tailed to the battleship Mound City and took part in all the Red River campaign. More fortunate than many of his com- rades, he escaped all serious injury and returned practically unharmed to his home in Pulaski Township, where he has re- mained ever since. He carries on general farming and stock raising.

On August 24, 1864, Mr Mitchell was married to Miss Mary V. McConahy, who is a daughter of Rev. John McConahy, late of Pulaski Township. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell have three children: Cora B., who is the wife of Joseph I. Taylor of New Castle; William F., who resides at home, and Edward M., who resides at Mahoning. town, being an engineer on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad.

In politics, Mr. Mitchell is a Republican. He is a good citizen, ever being ready to do his full share in promoting the general welfare. He is a valued member of Grand Army of the Republic, Post 100, at New Castle.

JACOB J. BECK, senior member of the well known firm of J. J. Beck & Son, who conduct a large florist business in Law- rence County, with greenhouses and nurs- ery in Union Township, and main store on South Jefferson Street, New Castle, is a native of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, and was born near Pittsburg, August 13, 1858.

The parents of Mr. Beck, Blaszius and Mary Beck, were born in Germany. From that country they came to Pennsylvania and were among the early German settlers of Allegheny County. The father of Mr. Beck was a trained florist, having learned the business in his native land, and under his instructions, Jacob J. became also a successful grower of plants and flowers. He continued to reside on the home farm until 1892, when he brought his family to

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Lawrence County. He started in the florist business in a small way, in Union Town- ship, and gradually expanded as his means permitted, subsequently admitting his son to partnership. At present the firm of J. J. Beck & Son control a large portion of the business in their line, in Lawrence County, carrying an extensive stock and being prepared to meet almost any de- mand. As business men, they stand very high.

Mr. Beck married Catherine McCormick, who was born in Ireland, and of the chil- dren born to them, five survive, namely : Mary, Agnes, William, Emma and Elsie. With his family, Mr. Beck belongs to the Roman Catholic Church at New Castle.

WILLIAM MCELWAIN, a leading agri- culturist and representative citizen of Perry Township, owns two valuable farms here, one containing sixty-five acres and the other sixty-two acres. Mr. MeElwain belongs to an old pioneer family of Perry Township and he was born September 7, 1840. His parents were Samuel and Mar- garet (Young) MeElwain.

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Century history of New Castle and Lawrence County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Part 114

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