Century history of New Castle and Lawrence County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Part 53

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 53

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A stanch Republican in politics, Mr. Gardner has taken a lively interest in pub- lic affairs, particularly those relating to the city, and served seven years as a mem- ber of the city council, and was four years president of the select council. He has served eight years as a member of the School Board and was its secretary seven years. He was a member of the conven- tion that framed the act governing cities of the third class in Pennsylvania.

Mr. Gardner married Mary E. Frew, who is a daughter of David Frew, of Slippery Rock Township. They have four children, namely: David A., Flora M. (Vance), Nancy (Guenther) and John M. The fam- ily reside in a pleasant home at No. 50 Pearson street.

JOHN C. BLEVINS, proprietor of a general store at Neshannock Falls, which he established twenty-six years ago, has been postmaster of the village for the past twelve years and is its most representative citizen. He was born in Washington Town- ship, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, Sep- tember 3, 1864, and is a son of James and Jane (Clark) Blevins.

James Blevins was a son of John Blev- ins, who was born in County Down, Ire- land. The former followed farming in Washington Township for a number of years.

John C. Blevins attended school through boyhood in Washington Township, and was a pupil in the old McConnell school, which was merged into the Carter school, after which he attended Grove City College for four terms. For the seven successive years, Mr. Blevins engaged in teaching school in Scott, Coaltown, Plain Grove, Washington, Neshannock and New Wilmington Town-

ships. When he left the educational field he organized his present business. He has other interests in this section, one of these being a large amount of stock in the Nes- hannock Falls Creamery. John C. Blevins was elected a justice of the peace and served three and one-half years in the of- fice, and then resigned in order to accept the office of postmaster at Neshannock Falls. For five years he served as a mem- ber of the School Board. He is a man of ample means and much influence, and he is largely self-made, from youth having been the promoter of his own fortunes.

On August 20, 1890, Mr. Blevins was married to Sadie M. Hunter, of Meadville, Pennsylvania, and they have two children : Mary E. and Ina E. Mrs. Blevins was also educated at Grove City College and subse- quently taught school for two years. With his family, Mr. Blevins belongs to the Unit- ed Presbyterian Church at New Wilming- ton, in which he has been an elder for the past six years. He has been interested, also, in the Sunday school and serves as its assistant superintendent. Mr. Blevins and family enjoy a beautiful home, which is a handsome two-story frame residence, with slate roof, situated on the corner of Main street and Wilson avenue. Taste is shown in all its surroundings and they are indica- tive of the inside furnishings. A generous hospitality is frequently here dispensed, Mr. and Mrs. Blevins enjoying the regard of many friends.

WILLIAM S. TODD is a representative citizen of Pulaski Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, and is the owner of a fine farm of 174 acres near the village of Pulaski. He was born in Sharpsville, Pennsylvania, October 26, 1859, and is a son of Andrew and Elizabeth (Grim) Todd, he a native of Mercer County and she of Lawrence County.

William S. Todd was two years of age at the time of the death of his father, and was four at the time his mother formed a second marriage with Daniel Heasley, by whom he was brought to Pulaski Town-

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ship, Lawrence County. It was here he was reared to manhood and received his education in the public schools. His mother passed from this life October 12, 1904, at an advanced age. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Pulaski, to which she had belonged for more than thirty years. William S. Todd worked on the farm during his youthful days, and after leaving the home place in Pulaski Township, farmed in his own interest. In the spring of 1905 he located upon his splendid farm of 174 acres in that town- ship, and has since followed general farm- ing and stock raising there with uninter- rupted success. He is a man of many ex- cellent qualities, and enjoys the confidence and good will of his fellow townsmen.

William S. Todd was married December 17, 1885, to Miss Minnie M. Rodgers, who was born in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, December 19, 1868, and was thirteen years of age when brought by her parents to Pulaski Township. She is a daughter of James and Sarah (Clark) Rodgers. Her mother is a resident of Pulaski Township at the present time, but her father passed away March 13, 1898. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Todd, namely : James W. and George L. Politically, Mr. Todd is a Democrat, but is inclined to be inde- pendent in local matters. He has served three years as school director, and has been very active in furthering the cause of education in the township. In religious at- tachment both he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at New Bedford.

WILLIAM E. EMERY, owner of seven- ty-seven acres of land about three miles west of Mt. Jackson on the Springfield road, in North Beaver Township, comes of a well known pioneer family of Lawrence County. He was born in Pittsburg, Pa., December 24, 1862, and is a son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Wakenfield) Emery.

Daniel Emery, the father, was born on what is now known as the John McCurley farm in North Beaver Township, his father

being an early settler and a large land owner. He was reared in his native town- ship and early in life learned the trade of a shoemaker. He also worked on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers some years, and in 1849 went to California by the overland route. He remained there two or three years, and made the return trip by way of the Isthmus of Panama. He moved to Pittsburg and became an iron worker, be- ing employed some years as a nail plate heater. He later returned to North Beaver Township, Lawrence County, where he be- came the owner of a tract of land now owned by his son, Augustus. Except for a period of eight or nine years in Indiana, he remained there the remainder of his life, dying in the fall of 1902, surviving his wife several years. They were the parents of five children, as follows: Mary, de- ceased, wife of Amos Myers; Daniel W., of Youngstown, O .; William E., Harry W. and Augustus.

William E. Emery was a baby at the time of his parents' return to North Bea- ver from Pittsburg, and was taken by them to Indiana several years later. He was about thirteen years of age when they again returned to North Beaver Township, and there he has since lived. He received a good common school education, and at an early age began farming operations. In partnership with his brother, Daniel W., he conducted a threshing outfit and operat- ed a sawmill for some fourteen years. He moved to his present farm in 1903, and engages in general farming with good re- sults.

Mr. Emery was united in marriage with Miss Mary Pitts, a daughter of Jacob Pitts, and they have one son, Harry E. Fraternally, he is a member of Petersburg Lodge, K. of P., and has passed through all the chairs of that lodge. Religiously, he and his wife are faithful members of the Westfield Presbyterian Church.

CHARLES H. GIBSON, a well-known citizen of Shenango Township, residing with his mother and wife on the homestead

GEORGE B. GIBSON.

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farm of sixty acres, was born on this place, September 25, 1878. His parents were George B. and Retta (Tidball) Gibson.

The grandparents of Mr. Gibson, George and Nancy Gibson, passed the greater part of their lives in Lawrence County and were numbered with the prominent old settlers. George B. Gibson, their son and the father of Charles, was born August 18, 1833, in Hickory Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, and after a long and useful life died in Shenango Township, February 19, 1905. He fortunately obtained an ex- cellent education, as he was called into public life almost as soon as he reached manhood. He became a leading worker in the Democratic party and after serving in many of the township offices, in November, 1875, was elected county auditor, to which office he was re-elected in 1878. In 1884 he was elected county commissioner and for seven years he was chairman of the Democratic County Committee. On April 20, 1893, he was appointed postmaster at New Castle, for which office he was en- dorsed by the best people of both parties, nine-tenths of the entire business interests recommending his appointment. During the four years in which he held this office he improved the service in many ways and was one of the most popular public officials that New Castle ever had. He was a con- sistent member of the First Presbyterian Church at New Castle.

George B. Gibson was married twice. His first wife was Matilda McCaslin, and they had four children, namely: George W., who resides in Shenango Township, married Lizzie McKnight and they have one daughter, Alice; James, who lives in Lawrence County, married Jennie Arm- strong, and they have six daughters. Gula, Mamie, Helen, Gertrude, Jessie, and Louise ; Mamie E., who died in 1891, is sur- vived by her husband, Dr. Edward Mc- Key, residing at Maple Grove, their son, Warren, being deceased; and Cora A., who married James McCune. They have two children, Merrill and Harry. George B.

Gibson married for his second wife Retta Tidball, who was born July 28, 1855, and still survives. She is a daughter of Robert and Mary Ann Tidball, of Lawrence County. Two children were born to this union, Lula and Charles H. The former was born in 1876 and died aged one year.

Charles H. Gibson was educated in the local schools. He cultivates his mother's farm. On September 28, 1906, he married Maud Musser, who belongs to one of the well-known families of this section of Law- rence County.

CHARLES A. REED, M. D., one of the leading physicians and surgeons of New Castle, who has been identified with the in- terests of this city for the past twenty-one years, was born September 18, 1858, in Shenango Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of John C. and Phebe A. (Iddings) Reed.

On both sides of the family, Dr. Reed can trace an old and honorable ancestry. In early days these families were undoubt- edly followers of William Penn and ad- herents of the Quaker faith. Both fam- ilies have been mainly agricultural, and both names stand in Pennsylvania for peo- ple of substance and of high moral stand- ards. William Reed, the paternal grand- father, cultivated his own land and worked also as a millwright. He married Ann Cannon, who was a member of another fine old family of the Keystone State, and the eldest born of their children was named John C., probably in honor of the maternal grandfather. William Reed died in 1842 and was survived by his widow for some years. They were good and virtuous peo- ple, leading members of the United Pres- byterian Church.

John C. Reed, father of Dr. Reed, was reared on his father's farm in Shenango Township, secured a district school educa- tion, followed agricultural pursuits, and did his duty in furthering the improvement of his community during the whole of a life that was unusually useful to his fellow citizens. In his early political views he

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was a Whig, but from the date of its or- ganization was a firm supporter of the Re- publican party. His death took place in January, 1895, at the age of sixty-nine years. In 1851 he married Phebe A. Id- dings, who was a daughter of Joseph and Hannah (Hoopes) Iddings, natives of Chester County, who came to Lawrence County in 1820. The children of Joseph Iddings and wife were: Mary, Mirabel, Hannah, Ezra, Sarah, Elizabeth, Levinah, and Phebe A. To John C. Reed and wife were born the following children : William E., who married Eliza Keller; Hannah, de- ceased; Joseph H., a physician, who mar- ried Kate Bowman; Charles A., Anna and Mary, both of whom are deceased; Sarah J., who married Harry Wright; Levinah, who married Henry Weinschenk; John W., deceased, and Luther M., who married Elizabeth McMillin.

The boyhood of Dr. Reed was mainly spent on his father's farm and his early education was secured in the country schools. Later he attended the High School at New Castle, and still later com- pleted the academic course at Edinboro, Pennsylvania. Shortly afterward he be- gan the study of medicine, his preliminary reading covering several years, and in 1882 he entered Miami Medical College at Cincinnati, where he graduated three years later. Prior to coming to New Castle in July, 1886, he served as resident physician in the Western Pennsylvania Hospital at Pittsburg, but it is to the people of New Castle that Dr. Reed has given the best years of his life. With the passage of two decades he can look backward over a path, which often, undoubtedly, seemed filled with difficulties, but which he now realizes were professional triumphs. In twenty-one years his beloved science has made great strides forward and it has been his con- stant aim to keep abreast of the tide.

Mrs. Reed is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which Dr. Reed was also reared. They have a beautiful home which is situated at No. 26 North Mercer street, New Castle, and Dr. Reed has his well equipped office and his excellent li- brary located in his residence. He votes with the Republican party, but is in no sense a politician, never having consented to hold any office with the exception of that of health officer, his public spirit and sense of civic duty making him consent to that concession. Fraternally, he is an Odd Fellow and a Mason of high degree.

SILAS U. CHRISTIE, who fills the im- portant position of poor warden of the New Castle City Home, which is located in Shenango Township, has proven himself a very efficient public official. He was born in Butler County, Pennsylvania, July 8, 1874, and is a son of Williamson and Mary (Parks) Christie.

The father of Mr. Christie was a veteran of the Civil War. He was seriously wound- ed at the battle of Gettysburg and the son preserves the bullet which had caused the wound, it entering at the hip and being ex- tracted at the knee. Williamson Christie served his country faithfully. In peaceful days he engaged in farming in Butler County. He married Mary Parks and they had twelve children born to them, eleven of whom reached maturity.

Silas U. Christie was the third youngest of his parents' family, and he was trained as a farmer on the home estate. In 1895 he came to New Castle and worked in the mills until the spring of 1908, when he was appointed to his present position by the city council. His early training has proved to be of great use to Mr. Christie in oper- ating the seventy-five acres of land which is attached to the Home. He has the larger part of this under cultivation, and with the assistance of one man and one woman, in- mates of the institution, Mr. Christie is en- deavoring to produce all the supplies need- ed. He has already greatly reduced run-

On October 14, 1891, Dr. Reed was mar- ried to Margaret E. Gaston, who is a daughter of Philo and Mary Gaston, late of New Castle. Dr. and Mrs. Reed have two daughters, Elizabeth G. and Mary G. ning expenses, without increasing the de-

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mands on the inmates and already pro- duces not only all the fine butter needed, but a surplus, which is sold in New Castle. It seems as if the city council could have selected no more efficient man for the posi- tion, for he not only has shown the effects of intelligent management, but he has won the confidence of the city's wards by the kind consideration he has shown them, while doing his full duty also to the public. In his efforts he is ably assisted by his es- timable wife. He married Elizabeth Work- ley, who was born in Perry Township, Lawrence County.

In politics, Mr. Christie is a Republican. Formerly he was connected with the New Castle Fire Department and served for some five years as one of the drivers.

WILLIAM H. ROBISON, a prominent citizen of Union Township, now serving in the office of auditor, resides on his valuable farm of 129 acres, which he has successful- ly managed for a number of years. He was born January 1, 1843, at New Castle, Penn- sylvania, and is a son of William and Cath- erine (Calderwood) Robison.

The father of Mr. Robison was a life- long resident of Lawrence County, where he died March 30, 1886. During the whole period of his active life he had taken an in- terest in the development of his section. In his political affiliation he was a Democrat and on the ticket of that party he was fre- quently elected to offices in Union Town- ship. For six years he served as road su- pervisor and his faithful performance of duties of that office resulted in a great im- provement in the public highways over which he had supervision. In his earlier years he followed the carpenter trade, but later in life engaged in farming. He was a liberal supporter and worthy member of the First Presbyterian Church at New Cas- tle. He married Catherine Calderwood, who was born in the city of Philadelphia.

William H. Robison attended the public schools during his boyhood and since then has devoted himself to agricultural pur- suits. In large measure he is a self-

made man, having earned his possessions through individual effort. On December 3, 1878, he was married to Malissa J. Patter- son, who was born in Mahoning Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, and is a daughter of Andrew and Eleanor (Pence) Patterson, who were early settlers of that section. Mrs. Robison has one brother, Naaman P. Patterson, who resides at New Castle. Mr. and Mrs. Robison have three children: William N., who lives in Union Township; Margaret E., who married George L. Kelso, residing in Union Town- ship, and Kittie B., who is the wife of Charles B. Kelley, of New Castle.

Mr. Robison is a leading member of the Democratic party in Union Township and has served in a number of the responsible offices, enjoying in large degree the confi- dence and esteem of his fellow citizens.

JOHN A. GIBSON, a highly respected citizen of near Edenburg and a general farmer in Mahoning Township, where he owns an excellent property containing over eighty acres, was born September 9, 1860, in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of David and Margaret E. (Meanor) Gibson, both natives of Allegheny County.

When Mr. Gibson was about seven years of age his parents moved from Allegheny County to North Beaver Township, Law- rence County, where they continued to live until death. David Gibson died in 1898, having survived his wife since 1873. He was a well known and esteemed citizen of his community. His father, Robert Gibson, was born in Ireland and died in Allegheny County in 1848. The children of David Gibson and wife were: Robert N., who lives in North Beaver Township; John A., George W., who resides in North Beaver Township; Mary G., who is the wife of Horace Thomas, of Coraopolis, Pennsyl- vania, and Margaret J., who is the wife of William Ehle, of North Beaver Township.

John A. Gibson attended the public schools of North Beaver Township. Fol- lowing his marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Gibson lived on a rented farm in Union Township

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for a time and prior to coming to Eden- burg, in March, 1887, he engaged in farm- ing. He was married September 17, 1885, to Margaret Isabel Davison, who was born April 8, 1862, in North Beaver Township, Lawrence County, and is a daughter of James and Nancy (Dobbins) Gibson. Her father was born in Ireland and her mother in North Beaver Township, where her ma- ternal grandfather, John Dobbins, was a very early settler. Two of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Davison survive: Mrs. Gibson and Rachel E., the latter of whom is the wife of William H. Hopper, of North Beaver Township.

Mr. and Mrs. Gibson have five children, namely : George L., Nancy J., Rachel H., Mary E. and James D. Mr. and Mrs. Gib- son are members of the Westfield Presby- terian Church. In his political sentiments, Mr. Gibson is a Republican.

ROBERT RICHFORD ROBERTS FISHER, a representative of one of Hick- ory Township's pioneer families and for many years a leading agriculturist, resides on his valuable farm which lies just north of East Brook. He was born November 13, 1823, in the first frame house built in East Brook, and is a son of Col. John and Sarah (Roberts) Fisher.

Col. John Fisher was born at Fort Fisher in Westmoreland County, Pennsyl- vania, and was a son of Mathias Fisher, who was killed by the Indians on the Ohio River. Colonel Fisher came to King's Chapel, Neshannok Township, then in Mer- cer County, in 1811, and was an officer in the War of 1812. In 1823 he came to East Brook, giving the town its name. He built the first grist mill in Hickory Township, and in partnership with his brother, Thomas Fisher, built the first woolen mill, and together they owned 500 acres of land.

Robert Richford Roberts Fisher was named for his maternal uncle, Bishop Rob- ert Richford Roberts, who was one of the seven bishops of the Methodist Episcopal Church at that time. Mr. Fisher was the first white child born at East Brook, one

of a family of thirteen children and the sole survivor. His educational advantages were limited and his boyhood was one of little leisure. For a short time he worked in the woolen mill above mentioned, but he has mainly given his attention through life to agricultural pursuits, and has been a very successful grower of fruit, of which he has made a specialty. In 1849 he built his large frame residence, which stands not far dis- tant from the house in which he was born.

On July 1, 1847, Mr. Fisher was married to Rebecca Marian Casteele, who was a daughter of Samuel and Nancy (Cameron) Casteele, the former of whom was a soldier in the War of 1812. Three children were born to this union: Scott, Nancy, Emma and Sarah Louisa. Scott Fisher was in the employ of the United States Government at the time of his death, August 17, 1893. He was prostrated with typhoid fever and passed away at St. Francis Hospital, Pittsburg. He married Martha Chaffer and they had four children. Mr. R. R. R. Fisher's younger daughter married S. Alexander Black and they reside at home. He is one of the leading members of the United Presbyterian Church at East Brook and was a member of the building commit- tee which erected the present church edi- fice. He is widely known and is held in high esteem by his fellow citizens.

RENWICK COOK, of Little Beaver Township, Lawrence County, Pennsyl- vania, has a farm of fifty-five acres located in the southern part of the township, along the tracks of the Pennsylvania Railroad, and is engaged in farming and dairying. He was born on his present farm October 3, 1838, and is a son of James and Jane (Wallace) Cook.

James Cook was born in Ireland, and was fourteen years of age when brought to this country by his parents, who first lo- cated east of Pittsburg. They subsequently moved to Lawrence County and became owners of 150 acres of timber land in Lit- tle Beaver Township, a part of which now forms the farm of Renwick Cook. Both of

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the grandparents died on this place at ad- vanced ages. James Cook assisted in clear- ing the home place, only nine acres of it being cleared at the time it was acquired, and there he grew to maturity. He was a mechanical genius and successfully prose- cuted various trades at different times, in- cluding carpentering, blacksmithing and stone masonry, but the greater part of his time was spent in agricultural pursuits. With his sister, Jane, wife of William Mc- Claren, he inherited the home place and for some years he lived in the old log house on the farm, a two-story structure, but later he erected the brick residence which now stands on the place. He died in 1871, at the age of eighty-four years, and his widow died in 1876, at the age of eighty- four years. They were parents of twelve children, as follows: William, John, Ben- jamin, James, Mary Ann, who was the wife of A. Ewing; Daniel, Eleanor W., wife of W. Cochran; David, Margaret, Robert, Sarah Jane and Renwick. The two youngest are the only ones living. Sarah Jane is the widow of James Hag- gerty, who died May 30, 1895, at the age of seventy-two years. She makes her home with her brother Renwick.

Renwick Cook was born in the log house which originally stood on the home place, and attended the district schools of that vicinity, receiving a fair schooling. He has never lived elsewhere than on this farm and has always engaged in agricultural pursuits. He has made a specialty of dairying, in which he has met with much success.

January 18, 1867, Mr. Cook was united in marriage with Henrietta McGinnins, who died October 17, 1871, leaving a son, Allen R., who is now an engineer in the service of the Pennsylvania Railroad Com- pany. The latter married Mary Lindsay and they have five children: Henrietta, Wilson, Allen, Robert and Renwick. Mr. Cook formed a second marriage June 19, 1873, with Miss Jennie E. McAnlis, a daughter of Robert and Jane (Patterson) McAnlis, concerning whom may be found

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Century history of New Castle and Lawrence County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Part 53

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