Century history of New Castle and Lawrence County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Part 123

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 123

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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

22, 1880, he was united in marriage with Nancy Wilkinson, who is a daughter of Amos and Mary (Fisher) Wilkinson. Mr. and Mrs. Davidson have four children, namely : Cora; Harry ; Edna, who married Alexander McKim and has one child- May; and Clarence.

Mr. Davidson has resided on his present farm since 1882. He bought the property from his father, who had purchased it from the MeAnlis heirs. He carries on general farming and keeps eight cows for dairy purposes. In politics he is a Republican and he has served for six years as school director. He was one of the first stock- holders in the First National Bank at Wampum, becoming a member of the board of directors in January, 1908.

CHARLES S. McGEORGE, M. D.,* who has been a resident of Enon Valley, Law- rence County, Pennsylvania, since 1906, is actively engaged in the practice of his pro- fession and commands a large and lucra- tive practice throughout that vicinity. He was born in Darlington Township, Beaver County, Pennsylvania, May 5, 1875, and is a son of William J. and Louisa (McClure) McGeorge.

James McGeorge, paternal grandfather of our subject, was an early settler in Dar- lington Township, Beaver County, and ranked among the substantial men of the time in that community. He and his wife reared a family of nine children, as fol- lows: Catherine, now deceased; Ellen, wife of S. S. McClure ; Julia, wife of James Patterson, both now deceased; Robert, de- ceased; William James, father of the sub- ject of this sketch; Anna Priscilla; John; Martin, and Emma, wife of H. Ewing.

William J. McGeorge was born in a log cabin on the old home farm in Darlington Township, Beaver County, in 1846, and has lived there all his life. He is a pros- perous farmer and a highly respected citi- zen, one who takes a deep interest in pub- lic affairs and gives earnest support to such measures as are calculated to benefit

and develop his community. He married Louisa MeClure, who is also a native of Darlington Township, and they are par- ents of three children-Frank L., Dr. Charles Samuel, and Mattie, wife of Jef- ferson MeCoy.

Frank L. McGeorge, oldest son of Will- iam J. and Louisa McGeorge, was born on the old home place October 23, 1870. He was reared on the farm and in 1900 pur- chased a farm of eighty-two and one-half acres in Little Beaver, Lawrence County, on which he moved after his marriage. He was married October 22, 1902, to Miss Elizabeth Marshall, and has a son named Marvin.

Charles S. McGeorge, whose name heads this record, was reared on the home farm in Darlington Township, Beaver County, and received a good education in the com- mon schools, supplemented by a course in college at Slippery Rock. In 1896 he be- gan preparation for the medical profes- sion, matriculating in the medical depart- ment of the Western University of Penn- sylvania. He was graduated from that in- stitution with the class of 1900, receiving the degree of M. D. He immediately there- after embarked in practice at Mars, Butler County, Pennsylvania, where he continued with uninterrupted success some five years. At the end of that time, wishing to enlarge his field of operation, he located at Enon Valley, in November, 1906. He has a wide acquaintance throughout this section, and is accorded the confidence and esteem of his patients and fellow citizens to an unusual degree. His office and resi- dence are located at the corner of Vine and Church Streets. Dr. McGeorge is the owner of a one-third interest in an undi- vided farm of eighty-four acres in Little Beaver Township, Lawrence County, his father and brother owning the remainder.

In January, 1900, the Doctor was united in marriage with Miss Ada B. Kerr, a daughter of N. B. Kerr, of Mars. Fra- ternally he is a member of Blue Lodge No. 411, F. & A. M., at Enon ; also of the Chap-

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ter at Butler and the Commandery at Greenville. Politically he is a Republican. In religious attachment he and his estima- ble wife are members of the Presbyterian Church.

ALBERT C. FREY,# president of the National Supply and Construction Com- pany, which is engaged in a general con- tracting, lumber and planing mill business, at Ellwood City, is justly numbered with the leading citizens. Mr. Frey was born at Madison, Wis., December 25, 1869, and is a son of Christian and Christina (Sha- fer) Frey.

The father of Mr. Frey was born in Switzerland and remained in his native land until the age of thirty-two years. When he came to America he was an ex- perienced contractor and builder and he located first in Wisconsin, where he fol- lowed this line of business for seven years, moving then to Monroe County, Ohio, where he continued in business until he re- tired from active life. He and wife now reside at Sardis, Ohio. He married Chris- tina Shafer, a native of Germany, and they had two sons, Edward C., who resides at Sardis, Ohio, and Albert C., of Ellwood City.

Albert C. Frey obtained his education in the schools of Monroe County, and after leaving school entered the employ of the Heller Brothers Company, with which he remained until 1894. He then came to Ell- wood City, where he organized the Ellwood Lumber Company, of which he became general manager. In the spring of 1897 Mr. Frey organized the East Eno Lumber Company, of which he was president until he sold his interest in 1900. Afterwards he engaged in a general contracting busi- ness for himself, until 1903, at which time he became superintendent of construction in the office of the Nicola Building Com- pany, of Pittsburg. This company he left in April, 1906, and then returned to Ell- wood City and organized the National Sup- ply and Construction Company. This com-

pany is doing business with a capital stock of $50,000, and handles probably the larg- est contracting business in Lawrence Coun- ty. The officers of the company are Albert C. Frey, president ; B. F. Ross, vice-presi- dent; R. F. Mosher, secretary and treas- urer. The following capitalists are direc- tors : R. C. Steiple, J. J. Dunn, B. F. Ross, A. C. Frey and R. F. Mosher. The pros- pects of this company are very bright. The company has completed a large amount of work at Pittsburg and in surrounding towns. Mr. Frey has built over half of Ell- wood City and does all the work for both the Pittsburg Company and the Ellwood Improvement Company and also for the Real Estate Trust Company of Pittsburg, the latter concern doing a business of over $500,000 per annum. The planing mill op- erated by the National Supply and Con- struction Company is modern in every par- ticular and is run by electricity. During 1907-8, this company built the large mill for the National Tubing Company, of Ell- wood City, and is completing a contract for the Crescent Cement Company which will approximate $120,000. To successfully direct the energies of so large a corporate body, a man of unusual business acumen, forethought and enterprise is necessary. Mr. Frey seems to possess every qualifica- tion.

In March, 1892, Mr. Frey was married to Miss Margaret Henry, of Youngstown, Ohio, and they have four daughters: Troila C., Elizabeth, Helen E. and Lillian. The family belongs to the Methodist Epis- copal Church. In politics, Mr. Frey is a Republican and has always taken a good citizen's interest in public affairs.

EDWARD J. CAIN,* whose excellent farm of sixty-eight acres is situated in Hickory Township, on the east side of the Neshannock Falls Road, is a prominent general farmer of this section. He was born August 23, 1860, and is a son of John and Martha (Irwin) Cain. Robert Cain, the grandfather, was a leading citizen of

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Allegheny County and filled many offices of trust and responsibilty. For sixteen years he was sheriff of that county, in the days when the office was one of the greatest re- sponsibility.

Edward J. Cain was reared and edu- cated mainly in Allegheny County. On Sep- tember 25, 1881, he was married, at Bradford, Pa., to Anna E. Walker, a daughter of John A. and Elizabeth (Thomas) Walker. John A. Walker served in the Civil War and was connected with the marine engineering corps, under Colo- nel Ellsworth, and was color bearer of his regiment. Mr. and Mrs. Cain have had four children, namely : Edward J., W. J., John L. and Irene C.

Edward J. Cain, Jr., was born August 31, 1882, in Bolivar, Allegheny County, New York. His family came to Lawrence County when he was eleven years of age and while he assisted his father during va- cations, he closely applied himself at other times to his studies at the Brier Hill School. After completing the course there he studied mechanical engineering at New Castle and then entered upon railroad work with the Pennsylvania, Lake Erie and the Baltimore & Ohio, in different capacities. He further prepared himself for useful- ness by taking a course in the Scranton Technical School. His death occurred, from accident, on October 4, 1906. He was a consistent member of the East Brook Methodist Episcopal Church and taught a Sunday-school class and was an active member of the Epworth League. He be- longed to the Knights of Pythias, No. 160 Western Star and Uniform Rank of Com- pany 36, New Castle Lodge. He belonged also to the Odd Fellows at New Castle and to the order of the Brotherhood of Rail- way Trainmen. He had a wide circle of friends and his death was a heavy blow to them as well as to his family.

W. J. Cain, the second son, was born July 25, 1884. He married Emma Hill, a daughter of Richard and Nellie (Daugh- terty) Hill, of Mckeesport, Pa., and they

have one daughter, Anna E. He is an en- gineer by profession. John L. Cain was born April 16, 1887, and assists his father on the farm. Irene C. was born December 11, 1889, and attends school.

Mr. Cain has devoted his life to agricul- tural pursuits and has met with satisfac- tory results. His comfortable residence is a two-story frame structure, and his large outbuildings, barns and granaries are of substantial appearance. He is a member of the East Brook Methodist Episcopal Church. While not very active in politics, he thinks deeply on public questions and votes according to his judgment.

ROBERT H. WHAN,* who operates the old Whan farm of 130 acres, which is situ- ated one mile south of Wampum, in Big Beaver Township, belongs to one of the standard old families of this section. He was born October 6, 1863, in the old log house which still stands on his farm, and is a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Lion) Whan, a grandson of John Whan and a great-grandson of John Whan.

Great-grandfather Whan came from Ire- land and settled in this section of -Penn- sylvania when his son, John, was one year old. The whole country was then a wilder- ness, and the Whans were among the earli- est settlers. The second John Whan grew to manhood on the farm his father ac- quired in Big Beaver Township, then mar- ried Mary Stenson, who was born in Beav- er County, Pennsylvania, not far from the present town of Homewood. To John and Mary Whan were born eleven children, five sons and six daughters. Of these sons, Thomas Whan was next to the eldest. He was born in a log cabin that stood on the site of his son's present brick residence. He grew to manhood on this farm, which he helped to clear, and later bought the property of his grandfather. He married Elizabeth Lion, who was born at Wooster, Ohio, and died on this farm at the age of fifty-nine years. Thomas Whan lived to be seventy-four years old. They had six

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HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY

children, namely: Samuel J. and Mary Matilda, both deceased; Margaret, who married J. W. Thompson; William T .; Elizabeth, who married T. W. Hopper, and Robert Henry.

Robert Henry Whan has spent the whole of his life on his present farm, following general farming, with the exception of three years, during which he operated a dairy and followed farming, in Ohio. The property belongs to his brother, Dr. Will -. iam Whan, but Robert H. has been its man- ager for many years.

On May 3, 1889, Mr. Whan was married to Jennie Page, who is a daughter of John and Mary (Pitt) Page, and nine children have been born to them, who bear respec- tively the following names: Homer Will- iam, Charles Edward, Alice Bertha, Rob- ert James, Edna Ruth, Elizabeth Sylvia, Mary Jane, Violet Grace, and Marjorie Belle. Mr. Whan is not actively interested in politics beyond desiring good govern- ment and the passage of wise laws. He votes the Republican ticket.

FRANK H. DOUTHITT,* secretary of the Thompson Run Coal Company, with offices at Ellwood City, was born in Big Beaver Township, Lawrence County, Penn- sylvania, July 4, 1878. His parents were William and Emily Bell (Vance) Dout- hitt. The Douthitts and the Vances were among the first families to settle in Big Beaver Township. The maternal grand- father, Robert Vance, is still living, having reached extreme old age.

William Douthitt, father of Frank H., was a very prominent business man in this section for many years. He was born in Big Beaver Township in 1851, and died in July, 1906. During a large portion of his life he was in the coal business and he or- ganized the Thompson Run Coal Company, which continues to be a successful enter- prise of this county. His widow, with two sons and two daughters, survive him. Harriet, the eldest daughter, married George R. Balph, of New Castle. Samuel

W. is a student at New Castle. Sarah Caroline resides with her mother.

Frank H. Douthitt, the other member of the family, remained at school until he was sixteen years old, attending in Big Beaver Township, in New Castle and Wampum, and then for a year was en- gaged in a mercantile business at Thomp- son Run. Later, for two years, he was employed in the New York City office of the Standard Oil Company, and since then, for about eleven years, he has been iden- tified with the Thompson Run Coal Com- pany, serving as vice-president and gen- eral manager until 1908, when he was elect- ed secretary and treasurer. This company works with a capital stock of $50,000. Mr. Douthitt has superior business qualifica- tions as well as a genial personality, and he stands very high in the regard of his fellow-citizens.

On September 27, 1905, Mr. Douthitt was married to Miss Myrtle Lowry, a daughter of John and Elizabeth Lowry, of North Sewickley Township, Beaver County, and they have one daughter, Josephine Lowry. In his political views Mr. Douthitt is a Re- publican. He is a thirty-second degree Mason. For the past three years he has been a resident of Ellwood City.

ELLIS WHITE,* whose valuable farm of seventy-five acres is situated in Hick- ory Township, on the west side of the State Road, four miles from the city of New Castle, is a representative citizen of this section, where thus far his life has been spent. He was born August 24, 1881, and is a son of James S. and Harriet (Ellis) White, and a grandson of John and Mary (Roberts) White, natives of County Down, Ireland.

Ellis White was reared in Hickory Township and secured a good public school education. His business is general farm- ing, and to this he has entirely devoted himself since early manhood. He married Rose Annabel, who is a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Fox) Annabel, prominent

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residents of Rose Point, Slippery Rock Township. Mr. and Mrs. White have two children, Harriet Elizabeth and Mildred May. He is an active member of Mount Hermon Presbyterian Church. Fraternally, he is an Odd Fellow, belonging to Prince- ton Lodge No. 557. The family home is a comfortable two-story brick residence and his barns and other farm buildings are of substantial construction. He takes no very active interest in political matters, but can always be counted on to lend his influence in the direction of morality and good government.

GUY LEROY LOCKHART,* a repre- sentative citizen of Hickory Township, re- siding on his finely improved farm of 100 acres, which is favorably situated but one mile north of the city of New Castle, on the west side of the East Brook Road, was born on this farm in 1869. He is a son of W. E. and Mary A. (Parker) Lockhart and a grandson of John Lockhart, and of John Parker. The parents of Mr. Lockhart came to Lawrence County about the time of the Civil War. The father became one of the leading farmers of Hickory Township. They reared a family of five children, namely: Maud V., who is deceased; Guy L .; Clyde N., born in 1871, who is a trav- eling salesman; Fred C., born in 1875, also a traveling salesman, and John P., born in 1877, who is an attorney at New Castle.

Guy Leroy Lockhart attended school at Edenburg and subsequently taught school in different parts of Lawrence County until he decided to devote his attention to agricultural pursuits. He came into possession of the present farm when his parents passed away. They were well known and enjoyed the esteem and respect of a large proportion of their circle of ac- quaintances. Mr. Lockhart owns one of the best improved farms in Hickory Town- ship and his handsome brick residence, with its well kept surroundings, together with other substantial farm buildings, give

a pleasant impression of what an Ameri- can country home may be.

In 1900 Mr. Lockhart was married to Mary Munnell, who is a daughter of Will- iam A. Munnell, who was a leading insur- ance man and successful fruit grower of Mercer County. They have had four chil- dren-William Glen, Helen, Fred and Ken- neth, the two latter being deceased. Mr. Lockhart is a member of Lodge No. 195, Odd Fellows, at New Castle.

JOHN H. TUCKER,* manager of the Locust Grove stock farm, which consists of 190 acres, situated in Hickory Township, on the south side of the Harlansville road, was born December 27, 1864, in the State of New York, and is the only son of John and Ellen (Galvin) Tucker.

The paternal grandfather, Joseph Tuck- er, was born in England, and after coming to America engaged in business as a sugar merchant in New York. His son, John Tucker, first assisted his father, but later went to the West and there became inter- ested in gold and silver mining in Nevada and California. Prior to this he had been married and two children had been born to him, Harry and John H., the former of whom is deceased. In 1871, when John H. was seven years old, the family joined the father in California, and John H. was reared in the West, obtaining his educa- tion in the Lincoln Grammar School and the Hayes Valley School of San Francisco. A natural love of horses determined, in great measure, his subsequent business life, and after remaining in the employ of Governor Stanford, on his stock farm, for some time, he came to Lawrence County and became general manager of the Locust Grove stock farm, which is owned by the heirs of James McAffee and which is con- ducted for the breeding of fine trotting horses. On account of his years of ex- perience and also because of his natural inclinations, Mr. Tucker has been reward- ed for his efforts by a large degree of suc-

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cess and the fine stock from this farm has a well deserved reputation.

In 1901 Mr. Tucker was married to Car- rie Emery, who is a daughter of a lead- ing farmer of Scott Township, and they have one son, William Emery. The family home is a modern two-story frame resi- dence, located in the center of the farm. In addition there are two tenant houses on the place and four large barns, with other buildings. Operations on an extensive scale are here carried on. The farm pos- sesses one of the finest half-mile tracks, for training, to be found in this section of the country.

ALEXANDER G. KNOX,* whose finely cultivated farm of seventy acres is de- voted mainly to gardening, is one of the representative agriculturists and substan- tial citizens of Pulaski Township. Mr. Knox was born in Coitsville Township, Mahoning County, Ohio, October 8, 1843, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Gor- don) Knox.

John Knox was born in Ireland and when seventeen years of age accompanied two of his brothers to America. He was married to Elizabeth Gordon, who was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, and for a number of years resided in Ma- honing County, O. Later he removed with his family to Pulaski Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, where he continued to live until his death, which occurred July 7, 1856. Of his nine children, the follow- ing eight survive: Joseph G., residing in California ; Ann E., wife of John B. Craw- ford, residing at Pittsburg; Mary E., wife of Byron Farmer, residing at Columbus, Ohio; Alexander G .; George G .; residing at Struthers, Ohio; Caroline, residing at Chicago; John G., residing in California, and Josephine, who is the widow of Dr. Hintz, late of Grove City, Kan.

Alexander G. Knox was quite small when his parents came to Lawrence Coun- ty and he was reared and educated in the schools of Pulaski Township. On August

7, 1862, Mr. Knox enlisted for service in the Civil War, entering Company D, One Hundred Thirty-fourth Regiment, Penn- sylvania Volunteer Infantry. He served for ten months, one month over the time he contracted for. Mr. Knox subsequently re-enlisted for one year, but had served only seven months, when he, with his com- pany, was honorably discharged, Septem- ber 27, 1865. His second term of service was as a member of Company G, Seventy- eighth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. Although he escaped serious in- jury during these many months of danger, he took part in some of the greatest bat- tles of the war-Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville-together with other en- gagements, skirmishes and marches, under conditions which tried the courage and en- durance of every man in the command.

After the close of his military life Mr. Knox resumed farming in Pulaski Town- ship. He has found market gardening quite remunerative and raises his produce for the Youngstown market. He makes a spe- cialty of growing onions, beets, lettuce, radishes, beans and peas, and keeps a suc- cession of garden produce ready for each season. He gives his personal attention to his business.

On March 17, 1868, Mr. Knox was mar- ried to Elmira Kyle, who was born in Ma- honing County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Henry and Rebecca (Van Fleet) Kyle. Mr. and Mrs. Kyle came to Pulaski in 1864, where they resided for many years and were well and favorably known when they died. Mr. and Mrs. Knox have three chil- dren: Luther L., residing in Allegheny County; Herman H., residing at Pulaski, and Charles W., residing in Pulaski Town- ship.

In politics Mr. Knox is a Democrat and he has been a man of influence in his party for many years in this section and at pres- ent is his party's candidate for county commissioner of Lawrence County. He has a record of loyalty and good citizenship be- hind him, and in the opinion of a large

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number of his fellow citizens would make an admirable county official.

WILLIAM JAMES SCOTT,* general farmer and squab raiser, who resides on his valuable farm of 100 acres, situated in Hickory Township, one mile north of East Brook and one-quarter of a mile west of the old State Road, was born in Sharon, Pa., and is a son of William Joseph and Elizabeth (Thornborg) Scott. The Scott family settled at an early day in Mercer County.

After completing his education and graduating from the Sharon High School, William J. Scott engaged in the iron manu- facturing business and continued in that industry for thirty-three years. He then purchased the farm on which he now re- sides. He is interested in general agri- culture and has proved that the raising of squabs for the market may be made a lucrative specialty.

In 1871 Mr. Scott was married (first) to Mrs. Kate L. Stephenson, widow of Ma- jor-General John B. Stephenson, of the United States Army. They had two chil- dren-Carrie Foster, who married Ralph Harriott, and Eva Edna, who is now de- ceased. Mrs. Scott died some years later and Mr. Scott was married (secondly) to Miss Mary Morley, a daughter of John Morley, a retired merchant of Philadelphia. Mr. Scott is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

SAMUEL McCREARY,* a representa- tive citizen and prominent farmer of Hick- ory Township, resides on his valuable farm of 175 acres, which is situated three miles north of East Brook, on the Neshannock Road, was born on the present place and is a son of Enoch and Margaret (Pierson) McCreary.

Mr. McCreary comes of Revolutionary stock, an ancestry in which every Ameri- can takes justifiable pride. His grand- father served through the Revolutionary War, under General Washington's com-

mand. His father was equally patriotic, leaving his harvest field to go to the front in the War of 1812. The maternal grand- father, Athens Pierson, was one of the first settlers in Lawrence County. The Pier- sons were Quakers and the family has al- ways been one of the substantial and rep- resentative ones of the county from that time. Enoch McCreary and wife settled on the present farm in Hickory Township in 1800, when it was only a wild tract of forest. They cleared up the land and spent their lives here. They had ten children born to them, six daughter and four sons.

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Century history of New Castle and Lawrence County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Part 123

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