Century history of New Castle and Lawrence County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Part 117

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 117

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John Market attended the German Cath- olie school at Johnstown and remained under the home roof until he was eight- een years of age. He was not more than fourteen years old when he started to work in the Johnstown furnace, and two years later was made driver of a cart, and still later was promoted to be the driver of a four-mule team used between the coal bank and the mill, and remained an employe of that furnace for about five years. In 1869 he came to Lawrence County and for three years worked in the mines of the Clinton Coal Company, and then followed digging coal, an industry he engaged in until 1903. In the meanwhile, in 1893, he had pur- chased his present farm from the Mary Blair estate, and moved on the property in the same year. It is managed by his son, Mr. Market's connection with mine inter-

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ests for thirty-six years making him less enthusiastic as a farmer than he would be if he had spent his whole life in agricul- tural pursuits. The land has an excel- lent location, within three and one-half miles of Wampum.

On October 10, 1870, Mr. Market was married to Lavina C. Mangus, who is a daughter of William Mangus, and they have had eight children, namely: Katy, who died aged one year; Bella, who died aged one year; William, who married Stel- la Sumner, has two children, Charles and Edward; Elizabeth, who married George Tait, has four children, Mary, Earl, Hazel and Bertha; and Thomas, Edward, Fred and Agnes, all residing at home. Mr. Mar- ket is a stanch Republican. He has been an Odd Fellow for many years, and two of his sons, Edward and William, also belong to this order and the former is also a Knight of Pythias. There are few men in this section more thoroughly experienced in the details of mining, its many dangers and its profits, than Mr. Market, and many of his experiences are most interesting to hear about.

ISAIAH HENDERSON AIKEN, whose finely cultivated farm of 120 acres is lo- cated in Perry Township, within twelve miles of the city of New Castle, is a rep- resentative agriculturist of this section and is also a survivor of the great Civil War, in which he spent nine months of early manhood. Mr. Aiken was born November 20, 1843, in Perry Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, on a farm adjoin- ing the one he owns, and is a son of An- drew and Rachel (Adams) Aiken.

Andrew Aiken was born in 1802 in West- moreland County, Pennsylvania, and was brought to what is now Perry Township, Lawrence County, by his father, Robert Aiken, who settled here in 1804. Andrew remained at home, and inherited the prop- erty when his parents died, and he carried on agricultural pursuits here through his

subsequent life. He married Rachel Ad- ams, whose father owned land along Mud- dy Creek, and she, too, died on the old Aiken homestead. They reared a large family, Isaiah being the tenth in order of birth. The other survivors are: Mar- garet, who is the widow of John Mont- gomery, resides at New Castle; Andrew Glenn, who lives at Marshfield, Ore .; Eb- enezer Erskine, who lives on the old home- stead farm. The members of the family who have passed away were: Jane; John, who died at San Francisco, Cal .; James, who died in Oregon; Robert; Ann Eliza; Martha Ann, who died in Oregon, and Da- vid S., who died at Rosebury, Ore.

Isaiah Henderson Aiken and his broth- ers and sisters all attended the district school as opportunity offered and all grew to be well informed people. He continued to operate the home farm for his father until he entered the Federal Army in 1861, when he became a member of Company F, One Hundred Thirty-seventh Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and took part in all the hardships and dangers of military life, with his comrades, for the following nine months, when he was honor- ably discharged. His two brothers, E. E. and David, were members of the famous Roundhead regiment. All escaped serious injury. For one year following his re- turn from the army, Isaiah Henderson Aiken remained on the home farm and then went to Iowa for a time, and after he came back to Perry Township he mar- ried and settled on his present property.

Mr. Aiken was united in marriage with Elmira Vangorder, who died September 27, 1905. They had six children, namely : Nancy Margaret, who resides at home; Jennie B. and Andrew Jacob, twins, the former of whom lives in California, and the latter of whom was accidentally killed at the age of fifteen months; William G., residing in California, where he is engaged in a mercantile business; Louisa E., who married Carl Bauder, has two children,

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Leverne and Floy ; and James, who assists his father. Mr. Aiken belongs to the Elks and to the Royal Arcanum. United Presbyterian Church. He is a stanch Republican in his political views.

CHARLES G. MARTIN, a well known member of the Lawrence County bar, who has been a resident of New Castle for the past eighteen years, was born in 1867, in North Beaver Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Hon. A. L. Martin.

The Martin family was established in what is now Lawrence County by the grandfather, Alfred Martin, who was a na- tive of Maine. He came as far west as Pittsburg in 1821, and in 1856 settled in North Beaver Township. There his son, A. L. Martin, was born August 24, 1844. He is one of the leading men of Lawrence County, which he has represented three terms in the State Legislature, and now is filling the important office of deputy sec- retary of agriculture for the State of Penn- sylvania.

Charles G. Martin was reared under the home roof and enjoyed liberal educational training, attending Grove City College and the Ohio Northern University, and gradu- ating in the classical course at the latter institution in 1890. He then read law under attorneys Wintermute & McConahy, and was admitted to the bar in 1895, since which time he has been engaged in the ac- tive practice of his profession. He is a member of the Lawrence County Bar As- sociation, a director in the New Castle Trotting Association and owns stock in other industrial concerns of New Castle.

On July 26, 1900, Mr. Martin was mar- ried to Miss Mary L. McConnell, of Grove City, and they have one child, Flora Ellen. Mr. Martin has been a member and active worker in the First Presbyterian Church for the past ten years. He is a member of the city School Board and gives close attention to its affairs, and is known to be an enterprising and public-spirited citi-

zen. He belongs to the Odd Fellows, the

JOHN A. MUSSER, a representative citizen and prominent farmer and dairy- man of North Beaver Township, residing on his valuable farm of 106 acres, which is situated on the Hope schoolhouse road, was born on this farm April 14, 1847, and is a son of Solomon and Eva Ann (War- ner) Musser.

Solomon Musser and wife were both born in Springfield Township, Mahoning County, Ohio. In 1845, just after their marriage, they moved to the present farm, where they subsequently died. They were good Christian people and are still remem- bered for the kind deeds they did when liv- ing. They had but two children, John A. and Sarah C. The latter, who was the wife of William Ehle, is deceased.

John A. Musser was reared on the farm which has been his home through life. When he reached manhood he married Catherine Failer, a daughter of George Failer. She was reared near Palestine, Columbiana County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Musser have two children-George D. and Alma Corene, both of whom reside at home. Both children are graduates of the Mount Jackson High School and for two terms the daughter taught the Martin School in North Beaver Township, where she became very popular as a teacher. Mr. Musser and his son engage in general farming and dairying. The family belongs to the Evangelical Lutheran Church at Petersburg, and Mr. Musser is a member of its board of trustees. He belongs to the beneficiary order of the Protected Home Circle.

WILLIAM A. CLARK, JR., M. D., one of New Wilmington's prominent physi- cians, residing in his pleasant and attrac- tive home, which is situated on the corner of Market and Vine Streets, was born at Great Belt, in Butler County, Pa., April

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3, 1879. He is the only son of William A. and Martha (Jones) Clark. The grand- parents of Dr. Clark, George and Eliza- beth Clark, came as pioneers from York, Pa., to Lawrence County. By trade George Clark was a tailor, but he was mainly known as a general merchant and post- master at New Wilmington. William A. Clark, father of Dr. Clark, has been suc- cessfully operating in the oil fields of But- ler County for many years.

Dr. Clark was about four years old when his parents moved to Philadelphia, and later to Butler, Pa., where he attended the public schools. His father's business required family removals and he later was a student in the private school of Profes- sor Clark, of Sharpsburg, near Pittsburg. From there he came to New Wilmington, and for four years was under the instruc- tion of Mrs. Elizabeth Edgar, a well known educator here, preparing to enter college. In the meanwhile, his father had installed an electric plant at New Wilmington and this became Dr. Clark's property and was under his management until he sold it, prior to entering the Western Reserve Col- lege, at Cleveland. In preparation for the medical studies he intended to pursue there, he had taken a course at West- minster College. After one year at the Ohio institution, Dr. Clark attended old Jefferson Medical College, at Philadelphia. for a year and then took a special course in diseases of the stomach, at the Chicago University. For two years following his graduation, Dr. Clark practiced his pro- fession at Volant, Pa., and then came to New Wilmington, a step he has never had cause to regret.

On August 5, 1903, Dr. Clark was mar- ried to Mary Helen Mealy, who is a daugh- ter of Dr. George N. Mealy, a well known physician of New Wilmington. Dr. and Mrs. Clark have one son, George Paul, who was born August 28, 1904. With his wife, Dr. Clark belongs to the Neshannock Presbyterian Church of New Wilmington.

Fraternally, he is a Mason and an Odd Fellow.

C. H. MILHOLLAND, city engineer of New Castle, who is entering upon his sec- ond term of three years as such, has en- joyed a large amount of practical experi- ence in this particular line. He was born in 1875, at Pittsburg, Pa., and is a prod- uct of her excellent public school system. Before he left boyhood behind him, Mr. Milholland became self-supporting and was employed in the office of L. G. Woods, a civil engineer, of Pittsburg, and the four years he spent with Mr. Woods decided his profession in life. He was next connect- ed with William Bradford and G. A. Gil- fillan, both of Pittsburg. During this time he made the preliminary surveys for the Electric line, not operated, in the Connells- ville coke belt.

When the town of West Pittsburg was laid out Mr. Milholland was given charge of the corps of engineers, and subsequent- ly of the drafting department of the Pitts- burg-Buffalo Company. In 1905 he came to New Castle and was immediately elected to the position of city engineer for a term of three years, and being subsequently re- elected will serve until 1911.

In September, 1902, he was married to C'allie Zitsman, of Pittsburg, whose death occurred in November of the same year. In August, 1907, he was married to Mar- jorie B. MeAnlis, of New Castle. He be- longs to the Second United Presbyterian Church. His fraternal connection includes the Lawrence Commandery, K. T., No. 62; the Knights of Pythias, No. 404; Lawrence Encampment, No. 86, I. O. O. F., and the Elks. He is also identified with the Y. M. C. A.

EDWIN H. DINSMORE, who resides on his well improved and valuable farm of 100 acres, which is situated in North Beaver Township, some three miles south- west of Mahoningtown, is a representative

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of one of the old established families of this section. He was born on the farm on which he lives March 3, 1874, and is a son of Henry and Maria ( Alexander) Dins- more.

Henry Dinsmore, the great-grandfather, came to America from Ireland in 1794. Mathew Dinsmore, son of Henry, was born in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, and in his childhood was taken by his parents to Fayette County, and in 1814, when he was seventeen years of age he accompanied them to North Beaver Town- ship and settled on the farm which is owned by Edwin H. Mathew Dinsmore married Christina Patterson, who was born in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, and was a daughter of John Patterson, who, in 1800, moved also to North Beaver Township, settling on the farm which is now the property of George D. Patterson. Mathew and Christina Patterson had sev- en children, namely: Mrs. Isabella Scott Kelso, deceased; John, deceased; Henry, father of Edwin H .; Mary C., deceased, wife of Robert Hopper, also deceased; Eliza J., widow of Thomas P. Martin, re- siding with Edwin H., Christina Ann, de- ceased, wife of James Hopper, also de- ceased, and Harvey Mathew, who died while serving as a soldier in the Civil War.

Henry Dinsmore, father of Edwin H., was born on the present farm and in the same house, which is something of a land- mark, July 23, 1826, and here his life closed in 1902. He married Maria Alex- ander, who died in 1892, Edwin H. being their only child. He obtained a good com- mon school education, and since reaching man's estate has been continuously en- gaged in farming until the present. He has made many improvements and adopted more modern and less laborious methods of cultivating his land than were in use in his father's day, but he has not materially changed the stanch old home residence. It was built of logs in 1815, and these have been covered with weather-boards and a better or more comfortable dwelling can

scarcely be demanded. It is probably the oldest residence in the township. Mr. Dins- more married Susan Gebhart, who is a daughter of Joseph Gebhart, and they have one son, William.

HON. HARRY J. LUSK, mayor of New Castle, is a leading citizen of Lawrence County, and belongs to one of the oldest families of North Beaver Township. He was born at New Castle April 18, 1867, and is a son of Henry Lusk, and a grandson on the maternal side of Peter Shaffer, both of whom were born in North Beaver Town- ship.

Mayor Lusk is a self-made man. He was only four months old when his mother was left a widow, with four little children, and as he grew into boyhood and manhood he assumed responsibilities which sometimes rested heavily upon him. As soon as he left school he went to work in a brick yard, where he labored for two years, after that working for one year with an engineer- ing corps. In 1884 he entered into a drug business with his brother, at New Castle, where he has remained continuously, with the exception of one year, during which he had charge of a drug store at Sharon. Since attaining manhood he has always taken a very active interest in public ques- tions and has sought to advance all move- ments looking to just government, regard- less of old party lines. He secured the con- fidence of his fellow-citizens to such a de- gree that, on February 18, 1908, he was elected mayor of New Castle, on the Citi- zens' ticket .. Of the 4,400 votes cast he re- ceived over 2,000 of them, four other can- didates receiving the balance. He has given entire satisfaction in his official ca- pacity and can point to a clean, economical and orderly administration.

In 1885 Mayor Lusk was married to Miss Etta Chambers, who is a daughter of Thomas H. Chambers, of Eastbrook, and they have one daughter, Blanche Eliza- beth. He was reared in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal Church, although he

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is not identified with any particular body, giving liberally to all religious movements and worthy charities. He is a Mason and an Elk.

DANIEL B. HIEBER, one of North Beaver Township's prominent farmers and dairymen, who resides on his valuable property containing ninety-seven acres, which is situated on the Mount Jackson- Springfield Road, about two miles west of Mount Jackson, was born in Beaver Town- ship, Mahoning County, Ohio, February 3, 1840, and is a son of Daniel and Magdalena (Failer) Hieber.

Daniel Hieber was born in Germany, and he came to America at the age of twelve years, in company with his widowed moth- er, two brothers and two sisters. They settled on a farm in Mahoning County, but soon after Daniel went to live with an older sister, Mrs. Bowman, at German- town, near Philadelphia. The Bowmans owned a truck farm, and Daniel assisted in growing vegetables for the city market, residing with his sister and family for twelve years. He then returned to Mahon- ing County, where his mother still lived, and where she attained advanced age, dying when almost ninety years old. Dan- iel Hieber married Magdalena Failer, who was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, and who came to America with her brothers and sisters after her parents had died. Fol- lowing his marriage Daniel Hieber bought a farm two miles northeast of North Lima, in Mahoning County and there both he and wife died. They had but two children- William, who died aged nine months, and Daniel B.

Daniel B. Hieber was reared on the above mentioned farm and has continu- ously followed agricultural pursuits, with the exception of four years, when he worked as a carpenter in Youngstown; this immediately preceding his settling on his present farm, in 1877, he having purchased the property in the fall of 1876. In op- erating the farm he is assisted by his son,

Perry Hieber, who resides at home. Mr. Hieber was married, first, to Esther Sprinkle, who died in 1874, at Youngstown. They had five children, the only survivor being Frank, the youngest, who resides at Pittsburg, where he is a structural iron- worker. The children deceased were : Wil- son, who died aged thirteen years; Mon- roe, who died aged ten months; Ida, who died aged five years, and Ella, who died aged twenty-two years. Mr. Hieber was married, secondly, to Loina Failer, who is a daughter of Michael Failer, and they have one son, Perry.

JOHN W. SHEHY, owner of a farm of 115 acres in Pulaski Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, is a prosperous farmer and well known resident of that township, where he has resided for many years. He was born in Coitsville Town- ship, Mahoning County, Ohio, October 25, 1849, and is a son of William and Mary (Davidson) Shehy.

Roger Shehy, paternal grandfather of John W., was born in Ireland and came to America shortly after the close of the Revolutionary struggle. He first located in Maryland, and then came west to Ma- honing County, Ohio, where he was one of the earliest pioneer settlers. He married Ellen Doran, whose brother, Jeremiah Doran, was a soldier of the War of 1812.

William Shehy was born in Coitsville Township, Mahoning County, Ohio, and lived there all his life, being engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was quite a prominent man in the local affairs of his time, and was frequently called upon to serve in official positions of trust in his township. He died at the age of seventy- five years. He and his wife were members of the Roman Catholic Church. He was united in marriage with Mary Davidson, who was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, and was a daughter of John Davidson, who was a soldier of the Con- tinental Army during the Revolutionary War.

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John W. Shehy was reared to manhood in Coitsville Township and received a good common school education. He then turned his attention to farming and at an early date moved to Pulaski Township, Law- rence County, Pennsylvania, where he pur- chased a fine farm of 115 acres. He is a man of untiring energy and a good man- ager, and during his long and active busi- ness career has accumulated a handsome competency. He is an aggressive and pub- lie-spirited man, and has ever been active in promoting the interests of his home community and developing its resources.

January 9, 1877, Mr. Shehy was joined in marriage with Elizabeth Holliday, who was born in Mahoning Township, Law- rence County, June 13, 1859, and is a daughter of William and Mary A. (Dor- sey) Holliday, her father being a native of England and her mother of Ireland. Her paternal grandfather was an officer in the British army, and participated in the Battle of Waterloo. He was wounded in that engagement and thereafter received a pension from the British Government. William Holliday and his wife emigrated to America, and about the year 1854 set- tled in Mahoning Township, Lawrence County, where they spent the remainder of their lives.

John W. and Elizabeth Shehy are par- ents of five children : Thomas F., of Lowell- ville, Ohio; William B., of Pulaski Town- ship; Mary V .; Anna G., and Elizabeth H. Religiously, they are members of St. Jo- seph's Catholic Church at Villa Maria. In political affiliation Mr. Shehy is a Repub- lican, and gives earnest support to the . rence County, where he bought eighty-one principles of that party.

LYMAN C. HUGHES, city controller of New Castle, now serving in his second term in this important office of the city gov- ernment, has been identified with New Castle interests since 1883. He was born in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, where he obtained his literary training and learned the art of telegraphy. After having had

practical experience as a telegrapher in his native county he came in 1883 to New Castle, entering the employ of the W. N. Y., N. & P. Railroad, and later the Balti- more & Ohio, gradually advancing from the ordinary work of the railroad telegrapher to be chief train dispatcher and yard master. He continued in rail- road work until he was elected to his pres- ent office. In February, 1908, he was re- elected for a second term, his popularity being proved when he received four votes to one given his two opponents. Mr. Hughes is unmarried, residing with his mother and sister. With them he attends the United Presbyterian Church. His fra- ternal membership is with the Elks.

LEONARD GAHRING, a retired farm- er, residing in North Beaver Township on a valuable farm of 120 acres, which is owned by himself and his two sons, Will- iam and Henry, is a highly esteemed resi- dent of this section. He was born in Wit- tenberg, Germany, May 1, 1831, and is a son of Conrad and Agnes (Witzeman) Gahring.

Mr. Gahring was reared to the age of thirteen years on a small farm in Germany and then accompanied his parents to America. The father bought a farm in Cherokee Township, Venango County, Pennsylvania, and there the parents lived during the remainder of their lives. There Leonard had district school advantages, and he grew to manhood a well trained farmer. In 1872 he left Venango County and came to North Beaver Township, Law-

acres of his present farm, subsequently adding the rest as he found a good oppor- tunity. The place was poorly improved when Mr. Gahring came here and he has expended a large amount of time and money in placing it in its excellent condi- tion. In 1879 he erected the comfortable residence and in 1886 he built the substan- tial barn. For a number of years Mr. Gah- ring carried on general farming, but has

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now retired from active work, the land be- ing in the meanwhile very well managed and operated by his capable sons.

Leonard Gahring married Catherine Sailor, who was born and reared in Ma- honing County, Ohio, a daughter of Philip Sailor. After marriage they lived for two years in Venango County and then came to the present farm. They had three chil- dren-Henry H., William A., and Lucy Elizabeth. Henry H. is unmarried and re- sides at home. William A., also residing on the home farm, married Lillian Beight, who is a daughter of Joseph Beight, and they have one child, J. Leonard. Lucy Elizabeth married Bert Hayes and they have three children-Catherine Jane, John Clifford and Laura Margaret. Mrs. Cath- erine Gahring died January 1, 1897. Mr. Gahring and his sons are all good citizens, honest, reliable men, who command the re- spect and enjoy the esteem and friendship of those with whom they have business or social relations. The Gahring farm is sit- uated in the western part of North Beaver Township, adjoining the State line on the west, just north of the Mt. Jackson-Spring- field road.

GEORGE VINCENT GIBSON is a well known farmer of Slippery Rock Township, and resides on the old Gibson homestead of 100 acres about seven miles southeast of New Castle, which he owns in connection with a brother, John L. Gibson. He was born on his present place December 21, 1871, and is a son of James V. and Eliza Jane (Book) Gibson.

James V. Gibson was a native and life- long resident of Pennsylvania. He located on the farm now owned by his son, George V., in middle life, and there followed gen- eral farming and fruit growing the re- mainder of his days. He died October 7, 1883, at the age of fifty-six years. He was united in marriage with Eliza Jane Book, a daughter of Peter Book, and she sur- vived her husband many years, dying Feb- ruary 21, 1896. They were parents of nine

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Century history of New Castle and Lawrence County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Part 117

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