Century history of New Castle and Lawrence County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Part 115

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 115

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The grandparents of Mr. MeElwain came to what is now Perry Township, Lawrence County, about 1800. They were of Scotch- Irish extraction and in all probability were born in the countries in which their ances- tors had lived for generations. They lived into old age, the grandfather seeing his ninety-third birthday.

Samuel McElwain, father of William, was born in Perry Township in 1810, made farming his main business. and after a long, exemplary and useful life, died in 1886. He married Margaret Young, a daughter of another pioneer, William Young, and they had ten children born to them, of whom the following survive : John, William, Mary Ann, Jane and Thomas.

William McElwain enjoyed the usual educational advantages that country boys had in his day and he helped his father in the cultivation of the homestead land until his own marriage, in 1862. He has always

been engaged in agricultural pursuits. As a leading citizen of his township he has fre- quently been called upon to perform duties of a public nature and has served a num- ber of terms as township supervisor and as judge of elections. During the Civil War he endeavored to enter the army, but a crippled knee caused the examiners to refuse him.

In 1862, Mr. MeElwain was married to Mary E. Lesnett, who is a daughter of Christy Lesnett, also of Perry Township. Mr. and Mrs. MeElwain have had ten chil- dren born to them, namely: Mary Alice, William Robert, Emmett Byron, Samuel Christy, Richard Wesley, Margaret Viola, Andrew, Logan, Tina and Joseph Tim. Margaret Viola and Logan are deceased. The family belong to the United Presbyte- rian Church at Wurtemburg. In his polit- ical views Mr. MeElwain is a Republican.

JOHN B. MYERS is a prosperous farm- er and well known citizen of Slippery Rock Township, Lawrence County, Pennsyl- vania, where he owns a fine farm of 100 acres about one-half mile northeast of Princeton. He was born on the old home place in that township, May 12, 1853, is a son of Samuel and Sarah (Rosabaugh) Myers, and a grandson of Solomon Myers.

Solomon Myers, who was of Dutch de- seent, was a prominent farmer of Butler County, Pennsylvania, where he and his wife lived at the time of their deaths. Sam- uel Myers, father of John B., was born in Butler County, and there grew to man- hood. After completing his education in the district schools, he worked on the farm for his father some years, and then pur- chased a farm of his own in that county. He later sold this property and moved to the farm now owned by John B. Myers in Slippery Rock Township, Lawrence Coun- ty. There he spent the remainder of his life, dying at the age of seventy-two years. His wife survived him a few years, dying at the home of her son, John B., at the age of seventy-two years. They were parents

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HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY

of four sons and four daughters, namely : Nelson, who lives in Kansas; George of Slippery Rock Township; John B .; Thomas, whose farm lies across the road from that of John B .; Nancy, wife of Charles Dumbaugh; Margaret, wife of James Shaffer; Lucinda, wife of John Aiken; and Jane, wife of William Young.

John B. Myers was born in the part of the home place now owned by his brother, Thomas, and there was reared to manhood. He received a superior education in the common schools of. the township, after which he worked for his father for several years. After his father died, John B. pur- chased the farm of 100 acres which he now owns. He erected the fine modern home which adorns the place, one of the finest residences in the community; made other substantial improvements, and has fol- lowed general farming in a most success- ful manner. He is a progressive man, frugal and industrious, and imbued with the proper public spirit, giving his support and encouragement to such measures and enterprises as are calculated to benefit the community.

Mr. Myers was united in marriage with Mary Gibson, a daughter of Robert Gib- son, who was a well known agriculturist of Slippery Rock Township, and the follow- ing are the issue of this union: Oma, wife of Edward Spear, by whom she has two children, Leona and Ralph; Florence, wife of John Syling; Pearl, wife of William Morrison; Vena, wife of Crawford Houk; Frank, who is unmarried; and Willis Galey, who lives at home and helps in op- erating the farm. Religiously they are members of Oak Grove United Presbyte- rian Church. In political affiliation, he is a Republican.

JOHN C. BROWN, proprietor of the John S. Brown's Son wholesale business, is a leading citizen of New Castle. He was born in 1858, at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and was eleven years old when his father brought the family to New Castle. Mr.

Brown's first work after leaving school was in a brickyard, and, following this, in a glass manufacturing establishment, where he remained for some sixteen years, becoming a skilled workman. In 1895 he entered into business with his father, the late John S. Brown, under the style of John S. Brown & Son. John S. Brown was born in Germany and died at New Castle in 1903. He was a man of such sterling worth that his death was universally de- plored. After his father's death, John C. Brown continued the business, adopting the present style of John S. Brown's Son. In 1900, in association with his father, he put up the fine brick block, which he oc- cupies, at No. 3 Allen Street. In 1884, Mr. Brown was married to Miss Elizabeth A. Oesterling, who is a daughter of Peter Oesterling, of Butler County. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have three daughters and two sons, namely : Alice A., Laura M., who is bookkeeper for her father; Charlotte C., Howard O., and John C.

WILLIAM H. MARTIN, late of North Beaver Township, where he lived for many years on his farm of eighty acres, situated about one mile south of Bessemer, was a successful farmer and highly respected citizen. He was born October 3, 1853, on the farm on which he lived, and was a son of Seth and Elizabeth (McCord) Martin. Seth Martin was born in the eastern part of Pennsylvania and came to Lawrence County prior to his marriage. He was a carpenter by trade and also followed farm- ing.

William H. Martin attended the country schools through his boyhood and being of a kind and agreeable disposition, made friends that he kept through his subse- quent life. He followed the same pursuits as his father. On September 28, 1892, he was married to Maggie Pitts, who is a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Unger) Pitts. Mrs. Martin's mother died when she was a child and she was reared by her stepmother, Mrs. Rebecca (Rogers) Pitts.

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There were three children born to her father, namely: Albert W., who lives in California; Maggie (Mrs. Martin) ; and Mary Elizabeth, who is the wife of Will- iam E. Emery, residing in North Beaver Township. One child was born to Mr. and Mrs. Martin, Jennie Gertrude. Mr. Martin was a member and an elder of the West- field Presbyterian Church.

The death of Mr. Martin was one of the saddest events on record in North Beaver Township. On December 8, 1907, he was bitten by a dog, and his death occurred on May 27, 1908, from a well developed case of hydrophobia. Mr. Martin was a man who is greatly missed. He was never an aspirant for public office, although he took a good citizen's interest in current events and public affairs. He was strictly honest and upright in his business dealings, was a kind neighbor and a loving husband and father.

JOSEPH S. PORTER, one of Wilming- ton Township's progressive agriculturists and valued citizens, owns a valuable farm of 127 acres, which is situated about one- fourth of a mile east of New Wilmington on the south side of the Wilmington and Mercer road. Here Mr. Porter carries on general farming. He was born July 16, 1861, in Mercer County, and is a son of Thomas B. and Margaret ( Allen) Porter, and a grandson of Thomas Porter, who was born in County Down, Ireland.

Joseph S. Porter was reared in Mercer County and there obtained his education and his training as a practical farmer. In 1900 he came from there to Lawrence County and settled on his present farm in Wilmington Township. The location of this property affords his family town ad- vantages and also the pleasures of a coun- try home.

On December 23, 1891, Mr. Porter was married to Lizzie Byers, who is a daughter of Porter and Eliza (McMillen) Byers. prominent people and old-time residents of Mercer County. Mr. and Mrs. Porter have

five children, namely : Thomas Paul, born September 13, 1893; Hazel, born February 9, 1895; Lillie, born March 9, 1897; Irene, born January 19, 1899; and Mabel, born March 27, 1903. Mr. and Mrs. Porter are members and liberal supporters of the Presbyterian Church. He takes only a fair-minded intelligent citizens' interest in politics.

WILLIAM E. PATTERSON, who con- duets a large grocery business at No. 226 Pittsburg Street, New Castle, has been a resident of this city since 1894, and is one of its representative citizens. He was born in Butler County, Pennsylvania, in 1850.

Mr. Patterson comes of Revolutionary stock, his grandfather, Thomas Patterson, and his maternal great-grandfather, John Stoughton, both serving as soldiers in the Patriot army. Mr. Patterson's mother was Hannah Stoughton, in her maiden days, and she could trace an uninterrupted an- cestral line to New England settlers, who came to the colonies shortly after the land- ing of the Pilgrims, and also to the Hol- landers, who settled the Island of Man- hattan, now New York. After the family settled in Butler County, Pennsylvania, it became an agricultural one, and in the early years of manhood, William E. Pat- terson engaged in farming, alternating said occupation with teaching school. He then came to Lawrence County and went into a general mercantile business at Rose Point, which he continued for several years, coming to New Castle, October 1, 1894. Here he embarked in a staple and fancy grocery business, at his present lo- cation, and has built up a large and sat- isfactory trade, which is first class in every particular.

Mr. Patterson married Annie J. Macom, of Scott Township, Lawrence County, who died in January, 1905, leaving six sons and three daughters, all residents of New Cas- tle.

Mr. Patterson has taken considerable in-

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terest in politics and in public affairs. He has served on the School Board and was a justice of the peace for eight years in Slippery Rock Township, and has been a member of the School Board of New Castle for ten years, and president of this body for three years. He is one of the leading members and liberal supporters of the Central Presbyterian Church. His fra- ternal connections are with the A. F. & A. Masons and the Knights of Maccabees, of New Castle.

S. W. PERRY, M. D., a successful physi- cian and surgeon, at New Castle, where he has been established in his profession ever since receiving his university diploma, was born at New Castle, Pennsylvania, in 1874, and is a son of the late Samuel Perry, who was a native of Ireland and for fifty years was engaged in a grocery business in this city.

Dr. Perry was reared and primarily edu- cated in the excellent schools of New Cas- tle, and later entered upon the study of medicine under a local practitioner. From private studies he entered the medical de- partment of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and subsequently became a student in the Jefferson College, where he was graduated in 1899. He is a member of the Physicians' Club, the Lawrence Coun- ty and the State Medical Societies, togeth- er with the American Medical Association, keeping thus in close touch with the mod- ern lines of scientific thought and progress connected with his profession.

In 1901, Dr. Perry was married to Clara Louise Long, who is a daughter of Hon. S. D. Long, of New Castle, and they have two sons-David Long and Samuel Wes- ley. Dr. and Mrs. Perry are members of the First Presbyterian Church. The doc- tor is a member of the Masonic fraternity and also of the Lawrence Club.

ALMATRIM BEATTY, owner of 128 acres of fine farming land in Big Beaver Township, lying about twelve miles south

of New Castle, near the Beaver County line, belongs to an old pioneer family of this section and is of Scotch-Irish extrac- tion. His grandfather, Jonathan Beatty, settled in very early days in Beaver Coun- ty and reared a family of nine children, namely : Jonathan, Robert, James, John, William, Eliza, Eleanor, Mary and Mar- garet A.

John Beatty was born in Beaver County and remained with his father, finally inher- iting the old home farm of 100 acres. He married Hannah Whan, a daughter of John Whan, who was brought by his par- ents, William Whan and wife, from Ireland to America, when he was three years old. William Whan was one of the earliest set- tlers in Big Beaver Township. John Whan was reared on this pioneer farm and helped to clear off the native growth of timber and built his home near Wampum. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. He died in Big Beaver Township, Lawrence County, at the age of seventy-seven years. He mar- ried Mary Stinson, who lived to be ninety- two years old. John Whan and wife had thirteen children. Both John Beatty and wife died young, the latter aged twenty-five years and the former aged twenty-seven. They had three children : Almatrim, Mary E., deceased, and Robert J., the latter of whom resides in Arkansas.

Almatrim Beatty was born on his fath- er's farm in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, January 24, 1846, and he was six years old when he was left an orphan. The children were brought to the home of Grandfather Whan, in Lawrence County, and Almatrim attended school first in the log and later in - the frame school-house. He worked for his grandfather until his marriage, in 1871, when he engaged in farming for himself. His first purchase was 137 acres, from J. Dontthet's heirs, of which he later sold fifty acres to J. R. Patterson and then bought thirty-eight acres, from George Patterson. He moved on his farm in 1873 and has erected all of the buildings now standing, except his residence. In 1888 his barn was

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struck by lighting, while he was away from home, but it was replaced. He carries on general farming and dairying, keeping fifteen milch cows, and always being able to dispose of his products profitably.

On October 15, 1871, Mr. Beatty was married (first) to Jane Patterson, who died in 1887. They had eight children: Lillian M., who married W. T. Jenkins; Mary E., who married R. S. McKim; Allie J., who married D. S. Cosgrove; Sadie E., who married J. C. McKim; Robert C., who died in childhood; and Harry E., John P. and James, who reside at home. On Feb- ruary 21, 1889, Mr. Beatty was married (second) to Elizabeth Humes, who is a daughter of Bartholomew Humes, and they have two children: Ellen and George.

Mr. Beatty is a stanch Republican and is a man of influence in township politics. He has acceptably filled many of the local of- fices and at present is serving as justice of the peace. For more than twenty years he has been an elder in the United Presbyte- rian Church. In addition to his farming and dairying interests, Mr. Beatty is a stock- holder of the Dairy Farmers' Company, at Pittsburg, to which point he ships his milk, and is also a stockholder in the Mt. Air Telephone Company.

LOUIS PREISEL, president of the New Castle Brewing Company, is one of New Castle's prominent and substantial citi- zens. He was born in February, 1859, in Germany, where he spent his boyhood and youth, coming to America in April, 1882.

Mr. Preisel first found a home in the United States at New Castle, Pa., where he lived for five months and then went to Leetonia, Columbiana County, Ohio, where he worked in the coal banks for six years. In 1890 he returned to New Castle and shortly afterward began to work in brew- eries, his first employer being Adam Treas- er. In 1896 the New Castle Brewing Com- pany was organized and Mr. Treaser be- came its president, while Mr. Preisel, his former employe, owned some of the stock.

Mr. Preisel became more and more inter- ested in the business and later became its manager, and after eight years in that of- fice was made its treasurer and two years later was elected president of the com- pany. In climbing to the head of a large business like this, Mr. Preisel necessarily has shown great forethought and business ability and today he is recognized as a rep- resentative of the business interests of this city.

In 1881 Mr. Preisel was married to Miss Elizabeth Neiheisel and they have a fine family of six daughters and four sons, three of whom are married, and there are seven bright little grandchildren. He is a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church. His fraternal connections include the Knights of St. George and the Improved Order of Heptasophs. He has the pro- verbial German taste for music.

WILLIAM HENRY HOPPER, general farmer, who successfully operates his valu- able farm of fifty acres, which is situated in North Beaver Township, is a represen- tative citizen of this section. To reach this farm the traveler proceeds on the old Cleveland mill road for two and one-half miles southwest of Mahoningtown and may be sure of a hearty welcome from Mr. Hop- per and his estimable wife.

William Henry Hopper was born in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, December 25, 1856, and is a son of Robert and Mary Clendenin (Dinsmore) Hopper. The fath- er was also a native of Lawrence County and was a son of William Hopper, who came to this section from Chester County in early manhood, and settled on Hickory Creek, in North Beaver Township. Rob- ert Hopper married a daughter of Mat- thew Dinsmore and the present farm of William H. Hopper is a part of the old Dinsmore farm. For a number of years Robert Hopper and wife lived in Slippery Rock Township, but later returned to North Beaver Township, where they sub- sequently died. They had five children,

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namely: Walter C., a farmer of North Beaver Township; John N., residing at Mt. Jackson; William Henry; Edward M., re- siding in South New Castle, and Joseph S., residing in Beaver Falls.

William H. Hopper has devoted himself to an agricultural life ever since he reached manhood. On March 1, 1884, he settled on his present farm, where he has since carried on general farming. He married Rachel E. Davison, who is a daughter of James and Nancy Davison. Mrs. Hopper was reared and educated in North Beaver Township. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hopper are members of the Presbyterian Church at Mahoningtown.

WILLIAM THOMAS SHURLOCK, representative citizen and a general farmer and thresher, owns seventy-two acres of fine land in Big Beaver Township, in Law- rence County, and in Big Beaver Town- ship, Beaver County. He was born on the old family homestead in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, November 28, 1831, and is a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Stinson) Shurlock.

Samuel Shurlock was born in 1796, in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, and was a son of William Shurlock, who came from England and at a very early day set- tled in Northumberland County, Pennsyl- vania. The children of William Shurlock were: Charles, William, Samuel, Park- hurst, Robert, Mary and Elizabeth, all now deceased. Samuel, of the above family, early displayed unusual mental ability, and after he had creditably passed through the best educational institutions then in Northumberland County his father sent him to England, where he attended col- lege for ten years, in the meanwhile study- ing medicine under his brother, Robert. However, Samuel Shurlock did not desire a professional life, and after his return to his home he bought a keel boat and went into the business of carrying the flour from his father's mill to Philadelphia. When his father died Samuel Shurlock came to

Beaver County, where he died in 1885. He was considered the best educated man in this section of the state in his youth. During the winters, for many years, he taught school and occupied his summers in lettering headstones, at the old Bennett quarry. He married Elizabeth Stinson, whose grandparents came to America from Ireland. They had five children: William Thomas, Mary, who is the widow of John Marshall; Robert; Parkhurst, who died aged sixty-four years, served, with his older brother, Robert, in the Civil War, and Samuel John, who died in infancy. The mother of the above family died in 1844. Later, Samuel Shurlock married Sa- rah Thompson, and the following children were born to this union: Samuel; Eliza- beth, deceased, who married A. Martin, al- so deceased; John, deceased; Charles; Louisa, who died young, and Emeline Bel- linda, who is the wife of L. D. Dillon. Sam- uel Shurlock took part in the War of 1812.

William Thomas Shurlock was reared on the old homestead in Beaver County. In his boyhood he had few educational ad- vantages beyond having an educated man for his father; but in later years, when afforded the opportunity, he supplied all that had previously been lacking. During three summers of his boyhood he engaged in boating between Pittsburg and Erie. After his marriage, in 1868, he rented the Paden farm, in Big Beaver Township, for ten years, then moved to the Eckel's farm for one and one-half years. In 1881 he bought his present farm, the twenty-nine and one-half acres on which he lives, from the MeKim estate. The rest of his land is a part of the old Shurlock homestead farm. Mr. Shurlock has engaged in threshing for fifty-four seasons, beginning in this industry with the old-fashioned thresher and cleaner, which has given way to the improved machinery of modern days. When he brought his first machine into the field it elicited much comment and attract- ed people from far and near. As Mr. Shur lock remarks, "So many people came to

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see it that it looked as if they were going to a fair." In following the threshing busi- ness he has traveled all over this section of the state and has a wide acquaintance with substantial farmers.

Mr. Shurlock was married August 1, 1868, to Anna Owrey, who was born in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, March 30, 1845. She was reared from the age of three years at New Castle. Her parents were Henry and Hester (Stean) Owrey, both of whom died at New Castle, the mother in 1884 and the father in 1890. He was a carpenter by trade. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Owrey were as follows: Mary, Adam, Louisa, Matthew, Margaret, Anna, John, Charles and William. Joseph was killed in the Civil War.

Mr. and Mrs. Shurlock have had eight children: Elizabeth, who married Robert McAnlis; Sarah, who married R. A. Pat- terson; Margaret, who married Charles Cross; Anna, who married William Guy; William S., who married Early Klingen- smith; Thomas, who died in infancy; Charles P. and Ethel Claire.

In politics, Mr. Shurlock is identified with the Democratic party and on numer- ous occasions he has been called upon, in the interests of good local government, to accept public offices. He has served for nine years as Overseer of the Poor, for six years was constable and for other years was road supervisor. In 1868 he was made a Mason, in Enon Lodge, and is one of the oldest members of the fraternity in Lawrence County.

E. E. BITTLES, V. S., proprietor of a large veterinary hospital which is situ- ated at No. 119 East North Street, New Castle, is a very prominent member of his profession, as well as a highly valued and publie-spirited citizen. He was born in 1863, in Erie County, Pennsylvania.

Dr. Bittles obtained his literary educa- tion at Waterford, in Erie County. From boyhood, his tastes had led him to care

for dumb brutes and to feel sympathy for their sufferings, and when he grew to ma- turity he decided to direct his further stud- ies along the lines of veterinary science. In 1888 he entered the great veterinary college at Toronto, Canada, and after com- pleting his course in 1890, located for prac- tice at Greenville, Pa. For three years he was with the firm of Weir Bros., and then went to Union City, where he practiced until 1895, when he came to New Castle. Here he found much demand for his skill, and in order to accommodate the animals entrusted to his care in 1901 he found it necessary to provide a hospital. He secured a building on North Street, one block from the postoffice, three stories in height and 30x45 feet in dimensions. This he has equipped with all modern sanitary appli- ances and inventions and has provided here everything for the care, comfort and relief of dumb brutes. His heart is in his work, and the demand for his services extend all over the country where valuable animals or domestic pets are in need of a degree of scientific treatment.

In 1890 Dr. Bittles was married to Miss Belle Hammond, who belongs to one of the old families of Erie County. Dr. and Mrs. Bittles are members of the Pittsburg Street United Presbyterian Church.

ROBERT M. YOUNG, proprietor of a general store which he conducts on his home property of three acres, which is lo- cated in Perry Township, about six miles from Ellwood City, is a representative of one of the oldest families of this section. Mr. Young was born in Perry Township, just about where his father had been born, on the old homestead established by the grandparents, May 27, 1834.

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Century history of New Castle and Lawrence County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Part 115

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