Century history of New Castle and Lawrence County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Part 122

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 122

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In 1901 Mr. Buchanan was married to Miss Minta Carson, a resident of New Cas- tle. He is a member of Grace Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Buchanan belongs also to the Business Men's Exchange.

GEORGE ARNOLD COCHRAN, one of the best known and most successful farm- ers of Neshannock Township, resides on a farm of 200 acres of land, nearly all of which is under a high state of cultivation, and is engaged in general farming and the raising of small fruits. He was born in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, December 14, 1850, and is a son of Thomas K. and Harriet (Sterrett) Cochran.

Thomas K. Cochran was born in Coch- ranton, Crawford County, Pennsylvania, and was a man of superior educational at- tainments. He was engaged in teaching school some years in Cochranton, and later at Shakerville, of which village he became a resident. He, in partnership with a brother-in-law, T. C. Cochran, opened a general store in Shakerville, which he con- ducted until the early fifties, when he moved to Neshannock Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania. Here he purchased 400 acres of land, a part of which now forms the place of his son, George A., and engaged in extensive farming operations. He raised stock on a large scale, and his land was devoted to the culture of grains and hay. He was a very successful man, and one of the most prominent of the town- ship at that time. He was originally a Whig in politics, and later a Republican, and frequently was called into public serv- ice in his township, serving as supervisor, school director and in other local offices. He died while in the prime of life. He and his estimable wife became parents of nine children, as follows: Mary, wife of A. F. Phillips, of Sterling, Ill .; Charles, of Fre- donia, Mercer County; Rose, wife of Crawford White, of New Castle; William, of Mercer County; Sybil, who lives in Utah; Hugh, deceased; George Arnold; Catherine, wife of A. S. Moore, of New Castle, and Nevvie, who is the widow of Gail Kear and resides in Chicago. Relig- iously they were members of the Presby- terian Church.

George Arnold Cochran was educated in the public schools of Neshannock Town-

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ship, and after his father's death worked out at farming in that vicinity. Late in the eighties he settled on the old home place, which now consists of 200 acres, and engaged in general farming. For some twelve years prior to 1907 he engaged in dairying on a large scale, conducting a milk route in New Castle, but he now makes a specialty of small fruits, having some four acres in strawberries, blackber- ries and raspberries. He has made a suc- cess of his various business ventures and is considered one of the substantial men of the township.

Mr. Cochran was united in marriage with Miss Rena MeFate, a daughter of John McFate, of Union Township, and they are parents of one son, Harry D. Politically he is a Republican in national polities, but inclined to be independent locally, voting for the man he deems best fitted for the of- fice. Religiously he is a liberal supporter of the Methodist Church, of which his wife . is a member.

RALPH R. SAVIERS, residing on his valuable farm of 100 acres, which is sit- uated two miles east of Petersburg, on the Lower Petersburg and Mt. Jackson high- way, is one of the representative citizens of this section. He was born October 31, 1870, on the farm on which he resides, and is a son of John Irwin and Angeline (Cun- ningham) Saviers.

The grandfather, Jesse Saviers, was born in Ireland and was one of the early settlers in this part of Lawrence County. John I. Saviers was born in Big Beaver Township, near Enon, and was reared in what is now Lawrence County, when it was yet a part of Beaver County. He became a substantial farmer and stockman and was well known as a reliable buyer and shipper and made many trips with cattle as far east as Philadelphia. He married Angeline Cunningham, who was born near Enon, and they had four children : George S., who lives in Columbiana County, Ohio; Ada M., deceased, is survived by her hus-

band, John Ward; Harry S., who lives in Canon City, Colo., and Ralph R. John I. Saviers owned 237 acres of land. He died in his home at Petersburg, to which he had removed prior to his decease in October, 1896. His widow survived until October, 1904.

Ralph R. Saviers was reared a farmer and has devoted his whole life to agricul- tural pursuits with the exception of two years in early manhood, during which he worked in a handle factory in Missouri. After his marriage he settled on his pres- ent property, which is a part of the old homestead. In 1897 he erected his large frame house and barn and has made many other improvements.

On December 18, 1895, Mr. Saviers was married to Iona Q. Paden, who is a daugh- ter of Henry and Lettie (Crawford) Pad- en, the former of whom was a prominent farmer of this township. He died October 18, 1903, aged seventy-two years. Mr. and Mrs. Paden had four children, two of whom survive-Iona Q. and McCready, who married Eva Gwin and resides on the old home place with his mother. Mr. and Mrs. Saviers have two children : Ellen and Naomi. Mr. Saviers and wife belong to the Presbyterian Church at Petersburg. He takes no very active interest in politics, but cheerfully performs the duties which fall on him as a good citizen.

J. ALEXANDER WRIGHT, dealer in staple and fancy groceries, at No. 290 Pittsburg Street, New Castle, where he has been located for the past four years, is one of the younger business men who have con- tributed to the reputation of this city as a fine trade center. He was born in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, in 1884. After com- pleting his period at school he entered the office of the Carnegie Steel Company as shipping clerk and remained in that posi- tion for three years. He then turned his attention to the general grocery business and opened up his establishment in New Castle. In addition to this occupation he

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HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY

deals in real estate. In 1905 Mr. Wright was married to Miss Theresa Dean, who is a daughter of L. C. Dean, a well-known citizen of New Castle, where Mrs. Wright was reared and educated. They have one interesting little son, Edward. Mr. Wright and wife affiliate with the Epworth Meth- odist Episcopal Church.

WILLIAM WILBERT STEVENSON, a prominent member of the bar, of New Castle, Pa., has been a resident of this city since 1900. He was born in Scott Town- ship, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, July 25, 1867, son of James W. and Nancy J. (McFarland) Stevenson. Both his par- ents are natives of Lawrence County, and both are now living, being residents of Slippery Rock Township. His ancesters were Scotch-Irish, and were very early set- tlers in the State, west of the Allegheny Mountains.

James W. Stevenson was born January 3, 1841, and since beginning industrial life has been engaged in agriculture in this county, except for the time he spent in his early manhood as a member of Company B, One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Penn- sylvania Volunteer Infantry, with which he served in the Civil War. He is a man of sterling character, highly respected in the community in which he resides, and at various times has served creditably in township office.

William W. Stevenson was born in a pioneer log cabin on the homestead in Scott Township, where his people were among the earliest pioneers, the family lo- cating in Lawrence County about the year 1800. Soon after his birth his parents moved to Slippery Rock Township, where he was reared to maturity, attending the common schools. Beginning his literary education in the Old Fox Schoolhouse, he was subsequently enrolled successively as a pupil in Rose Point Academy, Slippery Rock State Normal School, and Grove City College. In 1889 he began teaching an un- graded school in Slippery Rock Township,

and he continued in the pedagogic profes- sion for many years thereafter, rising gradually to positions of greater impor- tance, and becoming principal ultimately of a number of advanced schools. For five years he was secretary of the Teachers' County Institute. He was successful as an educator and would no doubt have risen to still greater prominence in the profes- sion had not his desires led him in other directions.

He accordingly began the study of law, reading in the office and under the pre- ceptorship of Attorney H. K. Gregory, and has been engaged in the practice of law since his admission to the bar of Lawrence County. Opening an office in the L. S. & T. Building, in New Castle, he soon suc- ceeded in establishing a remunerative prac- tice, the more readily as he was well known personally to the residents of the city and county, and is noted for his energy, activ- ity and promptness in the discharge of duty. A short time ago he moved his office to new and commodious quarters in the Dean Building.

An ardent Republican politically he has long taken an active and useful interest in the politics of the city and of the county, having served as secretary of the county organization, and also as chairman, which position he now holds. Being now in the prime of life with all his faculties at their highest point of efficiency, and with a rec- ord that will bear the closest scrutiny, he should not only prove successful but also make an ideal record for himself. It is evidence of his thorough Americanism that he takes a pardonable pride in his being in the best sense of the word, a "self-made man," although as approachable and un- assuming as he was when a "plow boy" on his father's farm; and this is a fact that should in no wise lessen his popularity, for in this republic notably, self-help has ever led to high achievement.

On August 21, 1895, Mr. Stevenson was united in marriage with Miss Anna Mary MeM. Forbes, a daughter of John E. and

W. W. STEVENSON.

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Sarah M. (McMillin) Forbes, of Slippery Rock Township, Lawrence County, Penn- sylvania, and they have one child, a son- George Waldo Stevenson, born July 20, 1896. Mr. Stevenson is past captain of Round Head Camp, No. 73, Sons of Vet- erans. Religiously he was raised a Pres- byterian; he is now a member of the Sec- ond United Presbyterian Church of New Castle.

JOSEPH S. RICE, who is a member of the firm of Dunn & Rice Company, under- takers of the city of New Castle, has been engaged in the undertaking business in that city for many years. He was born at Vo- lant, Washington Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, in 1863, and is a son of Robert C. Rice, who is now living a re- tired life in New Castle, after many years of activity as a manufacturer of sash, doors and blinds.

Mr. Rice was educated in the schools of New Castle and when a young man entered the furniture and undertaking establish- ment of Mr. Dunn, with whom he continued until 1888. He then became a member of the firm of Buffinger & Rice in the under- taking business, and in 1891 the firm be- came Dunn & Rice, Mr. Dunn buying out the interest of Mr. Buffinger. In April, 1893, the firm of Dunn, Buffinger, Rice & Frew was organized and incorporated, and continued until April, 1908, when it was dissolved. Since that time the Dunn & Rice Company has continued the business with flattering success.

Mr. Rice was married in 1896 to Miss Mary Pattee, of New Castle, where they have a comfortable home. He is a member of Blue Lodge, F. & A. M., the Chapter, Council, Lodge of Perfection and Law- rence Commandery; of the Knights of Pythias, Order Independent Americans, Knights of the Golden Eagle, P. H. Circle, I. O. F., Modern Woodmen, and Order of Ben Hur. He is a prominent member of the New Castle Club, and is filling the of-

fice of treasurer of the same at the present time.

SAMUEL W. CRAWFORD, a thrifty and prosperous agriculturist of North Bea- ver Township, owner of a good farm of eighty-eight acres, upon which he lives, was born in North Beaver Township, this county, November 5, 1859, and is a son of James and Nancy (Lindsey) Crawford. His paternal grandfather was William Crawford, a Scotchman, who settled at an early day near East Liverpool, Ohio, and died on his farm there in middle life. He was survived by his widow, Eliza Hender- son, whom died at Sharon, Pa., at the age of eighty-four years. They were the par- ents of seven children, namely: James, father of the subject of this sketch; Rob- ert, who is now deceased; William, who resides in the State of Florida; Jane, now deceased, who was the wife of Charles Everetts; Mary, who became the wife of John Hoover; Isabella, wife of Thomas Bagnell, and Richard, who died in boyhood.

James Crawford remained a resident of Ohio until he was sixteen years of age, at which time the family removed to Law- rence County, Pennsylvania. Here James married Nancy Lindsey, a daughter of John and Ann (Carlisle) Lindsey, and bought a small farm in North Beaver Township. This he soon afterwards sold, purchasing a farm near Mt. Jackson, which he also sold in a few years, buying the present Crawford farm. This consists of 120 acres in Big Beaver Township and 100 acres in North Beaver Township, the house being in Big Beaver and the barn in North Beaver Township. This property he sub- sequently cultivated until his death, which took place in January, 1891. In his early manhood, after coming to Pennsylvania, he had followed for a time the trades of brick- laying and stone-cutting, building many walls throughout this section, most of which still remain as monuments to his industry. Just shortly before his death

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HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY

he was elected to the office of county com- missioner, but never entered upon its duties. He and his wife Nancy were the parents of seven children, as follows: William H., a prosperous farmer of Big Beaver Township; Samuel W., the direct subject of this sketch; Edwin W., who is assistant postmaster at New Castle; Thomas P., who resides on the old home- stead; Robert James, a farmer of Wil- mington Township; Silas Elmer, principal of the Horne Street School, New Castle, and one who died in infancy. James Craw- ford is survived by his widow, who has now passed her seventy-eighth birthday, and who resides on the 220-acre farm in North and Big Beaver Townships, being one of the most respected residents in that locality. She came to Lawrence County when a child, with her parents, was edu- cated in a log schoolhouse, and became the wife of Mr. Crawford at the age of twen- ty-two years. When a girl of eighteen she joined the United Presbyterian Church at Bethel.

John Lindsey, her father, was a native of County Down, Ireland, and was there married to Ann Carlisle. He followed the trade of weaver in his native land and sub- sequently emigrated to the United States with his wife and five children. They first went to Baltimore, where Mr. Lindsey had an uncle, but after a short stay there they removed to Camp Run, and thence to Law- rence County, settling in the woods. Five more children were born to them after their arrival in this country, their entire family being as follows: Jane, who married Sam- uel Stewart; Sarah Ann, who married John Patterson ; John ; Robert ; Maria, who became the wife of M. Right; Susannah; Nancy, widow of James Crawford; Char- lotta, who married Robert Jenkins; Mar- garet, who became the wife of Joseph Wil- son, and Elizabeth, who married William Michaels. All these are now deceased but Nancy and Mrs. Jenkins.

Samuel W. Crawford was educated in the schools of North and Big Beaver Town-

ships, and since beginning industrial life has followed agriculture, except for a period of five or six years up to 1908, when he rented his farm and was engaged with the firm of Cochran & Paraday, contract- ors, being a foreman in charge of their street paving. He has lately, however, re- turned to the farm, which he is now carry- ing on, being engaged in general farming and in buying and selling horses.

He has been twice married, first to Eva Woods, daughter of James D. Woods, of which union there was one child, S. James D. Crawford, who lives with his aunt, Mrs. Davidson, in New Castle. Mrs. Eva Craw- ford died June 28, 1898, and Mr. Crawford married for his second wife Margaret Mor- row, a daughter of Charles Morrow. Mr. Crawford is one of the enterprising citi- zens of his township and is widely re- spected throughout this locality.

GEORGE GREER. One of the promi- nent citizens who has been identified with New Castle during the past twenty-five years, who has largely contributed to the manufacturing and industrial development and growth of the city is Mr. George Greer, who was born in Neshannock Township, Lawrence County, being a son of the late William Y. Greer, whose father, Mr. John Greer, was one of the early settlers and pioneers of Lawrence County, having lo- cated at Neshannock Township about 1820.

Mr. George Greer has been actively en- gaged in and identified with the banking and manufacturing interests of New Castle during the past twenty-five years. He is vice-president of the First National Bank, and one of the directors of the National Bank of Lawrence County, of which his father (the late William Y. Greer) was one of the original stockholders and a di- rector until the time of his death. Mr. George Greer was one of the original stockholders, and was identified with the organization of the Shenango Valley Steel Company.

In 1892 Mr. George Greer (with the as-

GEORGE GREER.

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sistance of Messrs. John Stevenson, Jr., W. S. Foltz, Charles Greer, and S. W. Cun- ningham) organized the New Castle Steel and Tin Plate Company, which was the first tin plate works erected and operated in New Castle, Mr. George being elected president and general manager of the com- pany-which position he held until the company was absorbed by the United States Steel Corporation.

During January, 1899, Mr. Greer took charge of the then unfinished Shenango Tin Plate Works, which he completed, or- ganized and successfully operated (in ad- dition to having charge of the New Castle works, until July 1, 1908, at which time he severed his connection with the tin plate company, to give his entire attention to his varied interests in other manufacturing and investment enterprises, located in New Castle and other cities, some of the more important of which are as follows:

The La Belle Iron Works, of Steuben- ville, Ohio, of which Mr. Greer is a large stockholder, also a member of the board of directors.

He is also largely interested in another successful Independent Sheet & Steel Com- pany, manufacturing their own steel and marketing same in finished product.

Mr. Greer is, and has been, identified, both as a stockholder and director, with the H. C. Fry Glass Company, of Roches- ter, Pa., which company has been very sue- cessful in manufacturing and marketing the finest quality of cut glass in the United States.

Also, Mr. Greer is one of the original stockholders of the Republic Rubber Com- pany. He is a large stockholder and di- rector of the Lehigh Shenango Portland Cement Company, located at New Castle; also of the New Castle Portland Cement Company.

Mr. Greer is identified with and a stock- holder in the Preston County Coal and Coke Company, located near Morgantown, W. Va., of which his nephew (H. C. Greer) is president.

He is also a large holder of real estate in Neshannock Township, Lawrence Coun- ty, and is interested in the breeding and raising of Shorthorn Durham cattle. He has imported into the State, bred and now owns some of the best thoroughbred Short- horn cattle in Western Pennsylvania.

Mr. Greer is also a large holder of im- proved real estate in the city of New Cas- tle, and has contributed to the improve- ment and beautifying of the city, having but recently built a fine residence, located on North Jefferson Street, also erected and completed one of the finest business and office buildings in the city, located on North Mercer Street.

M. E. MILLER, member of the firm of J. H. & M. E. Miller, general contractors in paving and sewer building, is one of New Castle's most highly esteemed citi- zens and representative business men. He was born in North Beaver Township, Law- rence County, Pennsylvania, in 1858, and is a son of John E. Miller.

John E. Miller, father of the brothers who make up the above firm, was born in 1813, in Lawrence County, where his father, Robert Miller, was a pioneer set- tler. For years the Millers have been rep- resentative people in the county, their women noted for their virtue and thrift and their men for sterling integrity and good citizenship.

M. E. Miller was reared on a farm and obtained his education in the country schools near his home. When twenty-two years of age he came to New Castle, where he worked in lumber yards for three years, and then turned his attention to civil en- gineer work, forming a partnership with his brother, J. H. Miller, and continued in the same until 1902, when the general con- tracting business was started. New Castle owes much of its beauty and utility to the fine paving and sewer work done by the firm of J. H. & M. E. Miller, work that has caused favorable comment from all those having a knowledge of what is being done

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HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY

in this line in other cities. Among the big contracts that the firm at present has on hand is the paving and sewer work for the Pennsylvania Railroad at New Brighton.

In 1888 Mr. Miller was married to Miss Rilla M. Fullerton, who was born and reared at New Castle and is a daughter of the late John Fullerton.

Mr. Miller is a member of the First United Presbyterian Church at New Cas- tle and is a member of its board of elders. He belongs to the beneficiary order of the Protected Home Circle.

JOHN H. MILLER, member of the prominent general contracting firm of J. H. & M. E. Miller, at New Castle, is one of the city's old and reliable business men and representative citizens. He was born in 1849, in North Beaver Township, Law- rence County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of the late John E. Miller.

John E. Miller was born in 1813 in North Beaver Township, where his father, Robert Miller, was one of the very earliest settlers. Both became large landowners and extensive farmers.

J. H. Miller was educated in the country schools and at New Castle and during early manhood he taught school, in all about thirteen years. In the meanwhile he prepared himself for work as a civil en- gineer, and from 1886 until 1895 he was city engineer of New Castle. From this city he went to Newport, Rhode Island, where he was employed with the late Colonel George E. Waring in engineering work during one summer, after which he was engaged by the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad as resident engineer in charge of the construction of the round house and shops at New Castle Junction, which con- tract required two years. Since the com- pletion of that work he has continued as a general contractor, doing paving and sewer work, and his time has been fully taken up with contracts of every kind. Mr. Miller built the first section of macadam- ized road in Lawrence County, since then doing a large amount of the same work

together with paving, which during the last two years aggregated each 2,000,000 brick. His prosperous outlook promises that his firm will exceed this limit in the coming year. The thoroughness of this firm's work has been fully tested and found alto- gether satisfactory. Mr. Miller holds to the old-time honesty of his profession and reaps his reward in the confidence placed in him by his fellow citizens.

In 1884 Mr. Miller was married to Miss Nancy Stunkard, of Hickory Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, and they have one daughter, Olive. Mr. and Mrs. Miller attend the Second United Presby- terian Church at New Castle. In politics he is a Democrat and he takes a good citi- zen's interest in public matters.

JOHN W. DAVIDSON,* a representa- tive citizen and successful farmer of Big Beaver Township, resides on his valuable farm of 114 acres, which is situated not far from New Galilee. He was born in Big Beaver Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, April 7, 1854, and is a son of James and Sarah (Davidson) David- son.

James Davidson was born in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, in 1823, and died in Lawrence County May 5, 1908. He lived at home until he married, engaged in farm- ing and working also as a blacksmith. He built a blacksmith shop on the farm on which he settled when he married and con- ducted a blacksmith business for thirty years. He acquired considerable land, but its cultivation was mainly done by his sons. He was one of the township's leading citi- zens and was held in the highest esteem by all who knew him. In 1849 he married Sarah Davidson, who still survives, resid- ing on the homestead farm with her son, Robert J.

John W. Davidson was educated in the district schools and the Edinburg Normal School. He then visited California, where he was engaged in farming and mining for a period of three years. In 1879 he re- turned to Pennsylvania and on January

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Century history of New Castle and Lawrence County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Part 122

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