Century history of New Castle and Lawrence County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Part 120

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 120

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Frederick G. Beer served a seven years'

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apprenticeship with his father, learning the monument business, after which he worked some years at the trade in Pitts- burg, and in 1898 he came to New Castle, where he has built up a large and growing business. At Ashtabula, Ohio, Mr. Beer was married to Elizabeth Tanner and they have four children-Mabel, Gertrude, Frederick and Kenneth. He is a member of the Odd Fellows and of the P. H. C.

CHARLES N. GWIN, general farmer, residing in North Beaver Township, owner in partnership with his brother, E. A. Gwin, of the old Gwin homestead of 100 acres, was born on this same farm October 20, 1867, and is a son of James and Cath- erine (Leslie) Gwin. Arthur Gwin, the grandfather of Charles N., was born in Ireland and came to America in 1800 when a youth of nineteen years. For several years thereafter he lived east of the Alle- gheny Mountains and for a time drove an overland team between Baltimore and Pittsburg. Subsequently he came to Law- rence County and settled and died in North Beaver Township.

James Gwin was born on a farm about one and a half miles south of Mt. Jackson, in Lawrence County. In early manhood he married Catherine Leslie, who was a daughter of John Leslie, a pioneer of this section. James Gwin bought 100 acres in 1850-1, when but six of these had been cleared and all the subsequent improve- ments were made during his life. He died December 21, 1906, having survived his wife from September 22, 1888. Of their nine children, six survive.

Charles A. Gwin has always resided on the home farm. He received an excellent common school education and is one of the township's intelligent and representative men. He has not had occasion to make many improvements on his place, as it was well cared for by his late father, who was a carpenter by trade. In 1862 the com- modious frame house was erected and in 1879 it was remodeled and modernized. The

substantial barn now standing was erected by the present owner, the large one which had been built by his father having been burned in 1899. The old one was built in 1860 and the new one in 1900. The latter is one of the largest and best arranged in North Beaver Township.

Mr. Gwin was married, first, to Eliza- beth Aley, a daughter of Joseph Aley. She died on Thanksgiving Day, November 29, 1906, leaving three children, Charles Ray- mond, James Earl and Nettie Marie. Mr. Gwin married, secondly, Bertha Shallen- berger, who is a daughter of Frank Shal- lenberger.

REV. NICHOLAS J. FRANCHE, pas- tor of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church at Villa Maria, in Lawrence County, Penn- sylvania, is well known to the people of the county. He has held his present pastorate since 1881, and during the twenty-seven years which have since elapsed he has ever been found fighting valiantly for the su- premacy of right and justice, and the up- lift of the community, spiritually, morally and intellectually. The parochial institu- tion over which he has Divine guidance is conducted by the Sisters of the Holy Hu- mility of Mary, and is an old institution which has educated many who have at- tained prominence in the various walks in life. It was established some time prior to 1864 and until that date was in charge of Sisters of Charity, with headquarters at Cleveland, Ohio. In that year the Sisters of the Holy Humility of Mary came from France and assumed charge. Prior to the Sisters of Charity, it was conducted by the Franciscan Brothers.

Rev. Nicholas J. Franche was born in the Province of Lorraine, France, June 2, 1851, and is a son of John D. and Marie (Sibille) Franche, natives of France and both now deceased. Father Franche re- ceived a classical and ecclesiastical educa- tion in the seminaries of his native land, and in 1874 came to America, where he was ordained in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1875, by

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Bishop Fitzgerald, now deceased, of Little Rock, Ark. His first charges were the Mis- sions at South Thompson and Archibald, in Ohio, and he continued there some six years, at the end of which time he was called to his present pastorate. He has been a naturalized citizen of the United States since 1880, and although a Demo- crat in national polities, is of independent tendencies. He exerts a powerful influence in the community, and enjoys the love and respect of his fellow citizens regardless of any religious differences they may hold.

MORRIS L. CUKERBRAUM, one of New Castle's leading citizens, a member of the City Council and a prominent busi- ness man, has resided here for the last twelve years. He was born in Poland, in 1875, and was sixteen years old when he left his native land, which has contributed many good citizens to America. For five years Mr. Cukerbraum was engaged in an optical business at Pittsburg, before com- ing to New Castle, in 1896, where he con- tinued that business for the following two years. He then embarked in a clothing business, which he has developed into a leading mercantile line here, carrying a fine stock only, designed to please a critical trade. Mr. Cukerbraum is a stockholder and a director in the Union National Bank of this city. In the public affairs of New Castle, Mr. Cukerbraum has borne an ac- tive and useful part. He is serving in his second term of four years as a member of the City Council, and on account of his executive ability, public spirit and proved good judgment, was made president of the Select Council. He is one of the most ac- tive members of the New Castle Chamber of Commerce.

In 1897 Mr. Cukerbraum was married to Miss Mollie Grossman, a daughter of B. Grossman, and they have three children- Sarah Helena, Esther and Bernard Leon. Mr. Cukerbraum belongs to the Royal Ar- canum, the Arcadian Society, the Elks, and the Odd Fellows. He is a man of benevo-

lent impulses, and is liberal in his dispen- sation of charity.

WILLIAM W. PATTERSON, who is engaged in a general teaming business at Mahoningtown, resides on his well culti- vated farm of forty acres, which is situ- ated in North Beaver Township, on the Mahoningtown-Mount Jackson highway, one half mile west of the former place. He was born November 23, 1868, a half mile west of his present farm, and is a son of John D. and Nancy C. (Brothers) Pat- terson. The father of Mr. Patterson re- sides at Mahoningtown and is janitor of the Seventh Ward school.

Mr. Patterson is a capable farmer, but he has not devoted his whole life to agri- cultural pursuits. He was educated in the country schools until he was eighteen years of age, and then left the farm and was em- ployed by W. M. Wedell as a clerk in his general store at Mount Jackson. He con- tinued with this employer for eighteen months, and in the same capacity was employed for a like period by J. D. F. Newell, at Mahoningtown. Mr. Patterson then became a brakeman on a passenger train on the Pennsylvania line, and worked there for nine years, at the end of which time he bought his present farm. In 1903 he built a greenhouse and entered into the nursery business, raising flowers of all kinds and bedding plants, in addition to carrying on general agriculture.

Mr. Patterson had a pleasant family of wife and three children. He married Eliz- abeth Clark, a daughter of D. M. Clark, and their children were David, Henry and Clair, the last mentioned of whom died aged eighteen months. Mr. Patterson has been doubly bereaved, his wife dying March 30, 1905. She was a lady of en- gaging personality and many virtues. He is a member of the order of Knights of Pythias.

FRANK G. BOOK, a well known and representative citizen of Pulaski Town-

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ship, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, has been a resident on his present farm since 1891. He was born in Mahoning Town- ship, Lawrence County, May 26, 1869, and is a son of Ferdinand and Sarah (Show- ers) Book. His grandfather, Jacob Book, was an early settler in that township, and three of his sons, George, William and Ferdinand Book, were lifelong residents of that township.

Ferdinand Book was born in Mahoning Township, and lived there until his death. He was a prominent and useful citizen, and always identified himself with the best in- terests of the community. He was a mem- ber and elder of the Methodist Episcopal Church, at Edenburg. Politically he was a Republican. His widow still lives in that township. Of the family born to them three are now living, namely: Frank G .; Sarah I., wife of Charles D. Cowden, of Youngs- town, Ohio; and Alva F., of Mahoning Township.

Frank G. Book was reared in his native township, and received a good common school education, supplemented by a course in Grove City College. He then taught in the district schools of Mahoning Township two years, after which he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. He has resided on his present farm since 1891, having a well improved tract of fifty acres, and he has met with good success in his work.

May 6, 1891, Mr. Book was joined in marriage with Miss Eva Sharp, daughter of William J. and Martha (Cowden) Sharp, and granddaughter of John Sharp, an early resident of New Bedford, and at one time member of the State Legislature of Pennsylvania. William J. Sharp is a resident of New Bedford and one of that village's most respected citizens. He is a veteran of the Civil War, in which he saw long and active service. In religious at- tachment he is a member of the United Presbyterian Church, in which he is also an elder. He was married to Martha Cow-

den, of Mahoning County, Ohio, and they had four children, viz .: Emma J., wife of Lee Rowland, of Youngstown, Ohio; Eva, wife of Frank G. Book; Edith A., of New Bedford; and Robert C., of Pittsburg.

Mr. and Mrs. Book have two children, namely: Raymond F. and Irma R. In politics Mr. Book is a stalwart Republican, and filled the office of school director one term. He is a member of the United Presbyterian Church, at New Bedford, to which his family also belongs.

THOMAS W. FALLS, oil producer, op- erating extensively in the Butler County fields, occupies an office at No. 511% East Washington Street, New Castle, where a large part of his business is transacted. Mr. Falls belongs to an old Lawrence County family, and was born at New Cas- tle, in 1855.

Wilson Falls, the father of Thomas W., was born on the present site of New Cas- tle, in 1819, and was a son of Thomas Falls, who came to this section of Pennsyl- vania when it was in a wild condition. Wil- son Falls was a tanner, and followed this trade during the whole of his active life. He died at New Castle in 1880.

Thomas W. Falls was educated in the New Castle schools. Prior to becoming in- terested in the oil fields, in 1906, he was connected with the window glass manufac- turing industry, and later was engaged in the life insurance business. In 1880 Mr. Falls was married to Ada F. Stewart, who is a daughter of William J. Stewart, of Chicago, Ill. They have two children. Wil- son S., and Sue, the former of whom is as- sociated with his father in the oil business. The daughter, Sue, is the wife of Ralph M. Lowry, of New Castle. Mr. and Mrs. Falls are members of Trinity Episcopal Church, of which he has been a vestryman for a number of years. He is a Mason and belongs to many of the higher branches of the fraternity.

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HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY

WILLIAM V. LESLIE, residing on his excellent farm of eighty-seven acres, which is situated on the Moravia-Petersburg road, within one and one-half miles west of Moravia, is one of North Beaver Town- ship's representative men. Mr. Leslie was born on his present farm, September 5, 1863, and is a son of Nicholas V. and Margaret (Fullerton) Leslie. The father of Mr. Leslie was a carpenter and painter during his years of active life. He now lives retired and in comfort, at New Castle. Mr. Leslie's mother died in February, 1907. The family consisted of six children, as follows: Mrs. Laura B. Slack; William V .; Herbert F., who follows farming in Little Beaver Township; John L., who re- sides at New Castle; George E. and Alex- ander Sharp, both of whom live in New Castle.

William V. Leslie grew to manhood on the home farm. He was married (first) to Mary C. Naugle, who died shortly after- ward. He married (secondly) Mrs. Anna B. (Twaddle) Anderson, widow of Ben- jamin Anderson, and daughter of William Twaddle.

JOHN W. DONALDSON, a highly es- teemed citizen and prosperous farmer of Neshannock Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, was born on his present farm April 26, 1835, and is a son of Eb- enezer and Mary (Huston) Donaldson.

Ebenezer Donaldson, the father was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsyl- vania, and engaged in agricultural pur- suits throughout the entire time of his life. After his marriage he moved to Law- rence County, Pennsylvania, and settled on a farm of 106 acres in Neshannock Township, where he lived until shortly be- fore his death, in 1875, at the advanced age of eighty-one years. He was a man of energy and ability, cleared nearly all of his home farm, and acquired several other farms in the county. He was frequently called upon to serve in local offices of

trust, although he never took an active part in political affairs. He was originally a Whig, and later a Republican, and among other offices, filled those of overseer of the poor and supervisor. He married Mary Huston, who also was born in West- moreland County, Pennsylvania, and she died in 1854, at the age of sixty years. The following are the issue of their union : Margaret, deceased wife of Samuel Salis- bury; Elizabeth, widow of Eliphas Wil- son, of New Castle; Nancy, wife of Will- iam Huston, of Springfield, Ill .; James, deceased; John W .; William, of Wheel- ing, W. Va .; Alexander, of Mercer, Pa .; and Sarah, wife of Henry H. Dinsmore, of Junction City, Kan. In religious attach- ment they were Presbyterians.

John. W. Donaldson was reared on his present farm and educated in the common schools of Neshannock Township. He re- mained on the home place until the Civil War was in progress, then enlisted, Au- gust 10, 1862, in Company D, One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. He participated in numerous skirmishes and engagements, and in the battle of Fredericksburg was severely wounded. He was honorably discharged in May, 1863, and returned to the home farm, of which he assumed charge, as his father was in advanced years. He has fol- lowed general farming and stock raising, his land, nearly all of which is under a high state of cultivation, being devoted to corn, oats, wheat and hay. It is his aim to feed most of the crops he raises, and his farm is well stocked with sheep, cattle and horses. Underlying his farm, about thirty-eight feet below the surface, is a four-foot vein of coal which has never been worked. To the original farm of 106 acres as owned by his father, he has added until he now has 131 acres, and he takes rank among the substantial and influential men of the locality.

Mr. Donaldson was united in marriage with Maria Bell, daughter of R. L. Van

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Orsdel, of near Bedford, and they are par- ents of the following offspring: Mary Amelia, wife of William Pinkerton, of Nashua; Charles E., of Council Bluffs, Ia .; Margaret Louella, of Clarence, Ia., married Rev. J. S. Cotton; Harry A., of New Castle; Ralph E., of New Cas- tle; and John Francis, of Neshannock, and William A., who are twins. Mr. Donald- son is a member of New Castle Post No. 100, G. A. R. Religiously he and his wife are members of the Neshannock Presby- terian Church, of Wilmington, of which he is an elder.

W. S. TAYLOR, who is numbered with the reliable business men of New Castle, is one of the proprietors of the Acme Lum- ber Company, which owns a planing mill and does a large manufacturing business at No. 69 Pittsburg Street. Mr. Taylor was born in 1870, in Slippery Rock Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania. He is a son of the late William Taylor, also a na- tive of Lawrence County, who was born in 1851, and who died at his home in Slip- pery Rock Township in 1903. William was a farmer all through his active life. His father, Samuel Taylor, was one of the early settlers in Slippery Rock Township.

W. S. Taylor learned the carpenter's trade after leaving school, and worked as carpenter and contractor for ten years. He then went into the lumber business, be- coming a member of the Acme Lumber Company, with which he has been identi- fied ever since.

In 1895 Mr. Taylor was married to Miss Mary Houk, who was born and reared in Slippery Rock Township. Her father, Eli Houk, was one of the early settlers in this section. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have one son, Kenneth. They belong to the Third United Presbyterian Church, at New Cas- tle. Mr. Taylor is a member of the order of Knights of the Maccabees, but he takes no very active interest in politics, devoting his time and attention closely to his busi- ness, church and family.

LEE W. MILLER, representative citi- zen of North Beaver Township, residing on his farm of 109 acres, the old John Chambers place, situated three miles west of Moravia, was born in Taylor Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, Decem- ber 26, 1855. His parents were Jacob and Matilda (Patterson) Miller. Jacob Miller was born in Germany, and in boyhood ac- companied his father to America and to Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, where the elder Mr. Miller was one of the earliest settlers east of New Castle. He was a farmer, and his descendants have very generally chosen farming as an occupation.

Lee W. Miller attended the district schools of Taylor Township and remained there until he reached man's estate. On December 16, 1880, he married Mary Frances Chambers, who is a daughter of the late John Chambers and a sister of Thomas H. Chambers, this family being one of consequence in this section. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have three children- Maria Jane, Hugh J. and Eva. They are members of the Bethel United Presby- terian Church. Mr. Miller and his wife settled on this farm (an inheritance from her father) at the time of their marriage, and with the exception of eleven months spent in Big Beaver Township, they have since resided here. They are widely known and enjoy the esteem of many friends.

ROBERT H. NESBITT, a prosperous truck gardener and grower of small fruits, is a well known resident of Neshannock Township, Lawrence County, Pennsyl- vania. He is a native of that township, was born November 20, 1868, and is a son of Thomas and Nancy (Stinson) Nesbitt. The Nesbitts came from Scotland, and at a later period were established in Ireland.

Thomas Nesbitt, great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a na- tive of Scotland, as was also his wife, who in maiden life was Jennie Me- Dowell. He moved to County Antrim, Ireland, where he became a prosper-

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ous farmer and the owner of con- siderable land. Among their children was one, Robert, who was born in County An- trim, Ireland, and died in that county in March, 1873, aged sixty-two years. He was in his younger days a linen weaver, and later turned his attention to farming, be- coming the owner of a small farm. He was united in marriage with Nancy Ran- kin, who was born in Dundee, Scotland, and was a daughter of Robert Rankin, a man- ufacturer of hosiery, who moved to Ire- land during the reign of Queen Mary, in order to gain religious freedom. Nancy was about ten years of age at the time of their removal, and was married at the early age of sixteen years. Her death oc- curred September 1, 1905, at the advanced age of ninety-two. Robert and Nancy Nes- bitt became parents of eleven children, ten of whom grew to maturity. Religiously they were members of what is known as the United Presbyterian Church in this country.

Thomas Nesbitt, fourth child and oldest son of Robert and Nancy Nesbitt, was born in the same house as his father, in County Antrim, Ireland, September 15, 1843. He was reared and educated in that country, and at the age of twenty-two years learned the trade of linen weaver. He emigrated to America in 1866, late in the year, and spent the first winter in Allegheny, Pa. He was then located at Clinton Station, Bea- ver County, Pennsylvania, until the fall of 1867, at the end of which time he located in Neshannock Township. He worked at coal shipping some time, and became owner of ten acres of woods near the Painter schoolhouse about 1871. This he cleared and set out an orchard, and erected a house and stable. He lived in this house a period of fifteen years, during which time he worked by the day. He sold that property in 1886, and purchased his pres- ent farm of seventy-eight acres, which he devotes to general farming. His first mar- riage was with Nancy Stinson, in 1868,

she also being a native of County Antrim, Ireland, but their acquaintance was begun in America. Her father was John Stin- son. Three children were born to them, of whom two grew to maturity, namely : Rob- ert H., and Nancy, wife of George Falls, of New Castle. Mrs. Nesbitt died in 1871, and Thomas later formed a second union with Mrs. Margaret McKee, nee Hanna, daughter of Alexander Hanna, of New Castle. As a result of her first marriage, she had three children, as follows: W. E. McKee, of New Castle; Alexander McKee, deceased; and Robert McKee, of New Cas- tle. Thomas and Margaret (Hanna) Nes- bitt became parents of eight children, five of whom grew to maturity, as follows: Thomas, of Neshannock Township; Mar- garet, wife of Hugh Jamison, of New Cas- tle; Minnie; David, of New Castle, and Nathaniel. Religiously, all are members of the United Presbyterian Church.

Robert H. Nesbitt was reared in Ne- shannock Township, and attended the pub- lic schools. He remained on the home farm until his marriage, then rented a farm for some years. About 1902 he purchased his present farm of forty-six acres, and has been successfully engaged in the culture of small fruits and the growing of potatoes and table vegetables. He is a man of great energy and industry, and by capable man- agement has won a high degree of success.

Mr. Nesbitt was united in marriage with Miss Nellie Pearl Smith, a daughter of George S. Smith of Neshannock Township. She died August 26, 1904, at the early age of twenty-eight years, leaving three chil- dren: George Vernon, Elmer David, and Charles Robert. Religiously Mrs. Nesbitt was a devout member of the Free Metho- dist Church. Mr. Nesbitt attends the Uni- ted Presbyterian Church, of which he is a liberal supporter. He is a Republican in politics.

JESSE M. SMITH, who is identified with the Acme Lumber Company, of New

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Castle, has been a resident of this city for the past thirteen years. He was born in Neshannock Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, in March, 1870, and is a son of the late Henry C. Smith.

Henry C. Smith was born in Wilming- ton Township, Lawrence County, Pennsyl- vania, in 1844, and was a son of Henry F. Smith, who was a pioneer in Lawrence County. In 1861 Henry C. Smith enlisted for service in the Civil War, entering the One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. After the close of his nine months of service he returned home and re-enlisted, entering the famous "Round Head" Regiment, and remained with that organization until the close of the war. Through the remainder of his life he took an active interest in poli- ties, held local offices and followed farming as his occupation.

Jesse M. Smith worked on the home farm after his school days ended, and then learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed in different sections until about 1902, when he entered the employ of the Acme Lumber Company, and three years later became a member of the firm. He is not only a practical workman but he is also a good business man and is associated with J. M. English and W. S. Taylor. The firm sells both retail and wholesale, and oper- ates a large planing mill, giving employ- ment to a number of men. In 1898 Mr. Smith was married to Miss Mary Q. Mc- Connell, who belongs to one of the old pioneer families of the county. Her father, Daniel McConnell, was a brave soldier in the Civil War. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have one child, Mildred E. Mr. Smith is a Re- publican in politics, and he takes an active interest in public matters pertaining to good citizenship.

JAMES PRESLEY ROBISON, a rep- resentative citizen and general farmer, resides on 100 acres of as fine land as can be found along the Mount Jackson-New Galilee road, three miles south of the

former place. He was born on the farm adjoining his present property, October 2, 1854, and is a son of John and Rebecca (Elder) Robison.

The grandfather, James Robison, came to America from Ireland, and established the family in North Beaver Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, where it has prospered and has become one of sub- stance, giving this section some of its best citizens. On the old farm of the grand- father, John Robison, father of James P., was born. During his life he acquired a large amount of valuable land in North Beaver Township, his different farms ag- gregating about 400 acres. He married Rebecca Elder, a daughter of James El- der, also of North Beaver Township, and they had seven children, namely : Mary S., now deceased, who was the wife of Will- iam Kyle; James Presley; Jane Ann; Lindsay L .; Rebecca C., who married Frank S. Paden; Elizabeth T., who mar- ried John D. Norwood; and John C.

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Century history of New Castle and Lawrence County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Part 120

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