Century history of New Castle and Lawrence County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Part 57

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 57

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

435

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

dence on the second floor. Mr. Blucher carries a fine stock of staple and fancy groceries and enjoys an extensive trade. He is a director in the Union National Bank.

In 1889, Mr. Blucher was married to Miss Alice C. McKay, who is a daughter of John A. Mckay, of New Castle. They have three children: Joseph C., Laura May and Clara Belle. Mr. Blucher and family attend the Fourth Presbyterian Church.

While he takes no very active interest in politics, Mr. Blucher is a public-spirited, broad-minded citizen. He has served on the school board for four years and shows an interest in like measures and bodies pertaining to the city's welfare. For thirteen years he was a member of the Molders' Union and now belongs to the Retail Grocers' Association and to the Business Men's Exchange.

C. B. HUNT, M. D., a prominent physi- cian and surgeon of Rose Point, enjoys a very extensive practice throughout Law- rence and Butler Counties. He was born in the former county, March 20, 1867, and is a son of Abraham and Mary Jane (Houk) Hunt, and grandson of William Hunt.

William Hunt was born in Lawrence County, and was at one time quite a large landowner there. He owned the farm now known as the J. M. Hunt place, which he sold and then purchased a large tract in Butler County, near the old stone house, where he and his wife died in advanced age. They were parents of the following children: Samuel, Abraham, William, Hiram, Elizabeth, Mary, Linda, and Ce- lesta.

Abraham Hunt was born in Lawrence County, and was educated in the district schools of his home community. At an early age he learned blacksmithing, and followed his trade at various places in Lawrence and Butler Counties. He finally purchased a farm in Butler County, on which he lived some years, then sold out

and purchased another tract about one mile east of Slippery Rock, where he lived at his death. He married Mary Jane Houk, a daughter of Philip Houk of Law- rence County, and they had six children: the oldest died unnamed; Caroline G., de- ceased, was the wife of J. W. Douthett, by whom she had two children, Edith and Blanche; Dr. James L., a physician of Meadville, married Amy Patterson, a daughter of Dr. A. M. Patterson of Slip- pery Rock; J. C., who married Margaret Culbertson, by whom he had a son, Paul; Dr. C. B. Hunt, and Dr. C. W., a dentist of Oregon, Illinois, who first married Bessie MeCracken, by whom he had two children, Claire and Floyd. His second marriage was with Margaret Fiedler, and they have one child.

C. B. Hunt received an elementary training in the common schools of Butler County, supplemented by course in Sun- bury Academy, and Grove City College. He then began his preparation for the medical profession by attending lectures in the Baltimore Medical College. He sub- sequently graduated at the Medico-Chi- rurgical College of Philadelphia, and pur- sued a post graduate course in the Post Graduate College of New York. He com- pleted a special course on the eye in the New York Polyclinic and Post Graduate College. Dr. Hunt first embarked in prac- tice at Princeton, Lawrence County, where he continued four years, then moved to Butler, Butler County. He practiced there four years and later was employed as com- mercial traveler for an optical firm. In 1901, he located at Rose Point, where he has since practiced continuously. Having kept abreast of the rapid strides made in medical science, he has met with success in the treatment of even the most compli- cated cases, and established an enviable prestige in Lawrence and Butler Counties, from which his large practice is drawn.

Dr. Hunt married Miss Lydia A. Gross- man, daughter of Hugh and Mary Gross- man of Butler County, and they have one son, Crede B., who is in attendance at

436

HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY

High School. Politically, the Doctor is a Republican. In religious attachment he is a member of the Presbyterian Church of Princeton.

ROBERT M. LESLIE, one of the best known citizens of Lawrence County, who formerly was engaged in a general mer- cantile business at Moravia, where he also served as postmaster for seven years, was born in North Beaver Township, Law- rence County, Pennsylvania, July 16, 1847. His parents were John and Hannah (Vane- man) Leslie.

The Leslies were very early settlers in North Beaver Township, where the grand- father owned land, and where the father of Robert M. was born and spent his life as a farmer. John Leslie and wife had four sons and four daughters, who grew to maturity: Catherine, Nancy, Mary Jane, Elizabeth, John N., Nicholas V., George W. and Robert M. At present three of the family still survive: Nicholas, Eliza- beth and Robert M.

Robert M. Leslie learned the carpenter trade in 1865, and from that on, for thirty years, worked as a carpenter and contrac- tor. This work took him all over the coun- ty, and he was not only concerned in the construction of many fine buildings, but made many friends both of a political and personal character. In 1898 he bought a store and settled down in a home in Mora- via, and on June 17, 1899, was made post- master. He continued in the general mer- cantile business until January 1, 1908, when he sold the business to his son.

Mr. Leslie was married in 1869 to Anna E. Paden, who is a daughter of Thomas Paden, and they have seven children: Frank W., who is engaged in farming in North Beaver Township; James, who is a clerk in the postoffice at New Castle; Wal- lace, who is a railway mail clerk on the line between Chicago and Pittsburg; Edward W., who bought his father's mercantile in- terests at Moravia; Ira D., who is express agent for the Adams Express Company at New Castle; Grace Ellen, who is the wife

of James Patterson, of New Castle, and Leon L., who resides at home.

For many years Mr. Leslie has been ac- tive in politics. Has always taken an ac- tive part in every movement in all matters that tend to the advancement of his com- munity. It was through his undivided ef- forts that the first bridge was erected across the Beaver River at Moravia. He was the first to petition to have North Bea- ver divided into two election districts, which has since been thrown into four dis- tricts. Also first petitioner for free mail service. He has acceptably filled local of- fices and was the candidate for county com- missioner at the Republican primaries in 1908 and lost the election by only 102 votes out of 11,000 cast. He is a member of the order of Odd Fellows.

PROF. WILLIAM W. CAMPBELL, A. B., director of music at Westminster College, New Wilmington, occupies a prominent position in the country as an educator and also is recognized as an au- thority on music. Professor Campbell was born October 25, 1869, in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Rev. William and Mary A. (Turner) Campbell.

Rev. William Campbell is a retired min- ister of the United Presbyterian Church. For a period of sixteen years he was con- nected with the faculty of Westminster College. His father, Ross Alexander Campbell, came to Lawrence County from Scotland.

William W. Campbell was mainly edu- cated at Westminster College, where he took both an A. B. degree and his first de- gree in music. After leaving college Pro- fessor Campbell accepted the chair of Latin and history in the Pawnee Academy. In the fall of 1892 he received from the governing board of the Nebraska Institute for the Blind an appointment as director of music there, a position he filled for two years and then resigned in order to accept a similar one in Baird College, at Clinton, Mo., where he remained for four years.

PROF. WILLIAM W. CAMPBELL, A. B.

439

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

He then took charge of the music at Trin- ity University, in Waxahachie, Tex. Prior to Professor Campbell's coming to West- minster College, the department of music had by no means occupied its proper posi- tion in an institution of the high standing of this one. Professor Campbell soon had the whole department reorganized and from a student roll of thirty in two years he increased it to 119. It now is one of the leading departments of study.

On August 30, 1899, Professor Campbell was married to Edna Pauline Fillmore, who is a daughter of Lorain A. Fillmore and a lineal descendant of former Presi- dent Millard Fillmore, a distinguished statesman of the United States, who suc- ceeded to the office on the death of Presi- dent Taylor in 1850. Professor and Mrs. Campbell have one son, William Fillmore, an engaging, intelligent child of six years. The family belong to the United Presby- terian Church.

WILLIAM G. TILLIA, fruit grower and dairyman, residing in Shenango Township on his valuable farm of eighty-six acres, was born June 2, 1865, in Wayne Town- ship, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Peter and Corinda (Craven) Tillia.

Peter Tillia was born in France and he came to America at the age of twenty-two years in company with three of his broth- ers. In his native land he had attended excellent schools and there he also learned the trade of stone-cutter. He followed this trade in the vicinity of Pittsburg after coming to the United States, and later, at Wampum, in Lawrence County, for a few years, and then leased an ore bank for a time and still later bought a farm, and con- tinued both industries up to his death. He had as many as 125 men working for him at one time, in the iron ore industry, and did an immense amount of business. He was a stanch Republican, but accepted no office but that of school director. He was reared in the Roman Catholic faith.

William G. Tillia was mainly reared at

Chewton and then learned the stone-mason trade, which he followed for a few years, after which he engaged in farming for his father. In the spring of 1894 he purchased his present farm, located on it and erected both the house and barn. He devotes one and one-half acres to small fruits and for many years he has carried on a profitable dairy business, keeping about fifteen head of cattle and selling milk in New Castle. In politics he is a Republican and he is now serving his fifth year as a member of the School Board.

Mr. Tillia married Miss Mary Newton, who is a daughter of Philip Newton, of Wayne Township, and they have had four children : Harry E., residing in Funkley, Minnesota; Sadie, wife of Ephraim Wil- son, residing in Wayne Township, and John Wilson and Everett, both at home. The family belong to the Slippery Rock Presbyterian Church. Mr. Tillia is a mem- ber of Glen Park Lodge, No. 1016, Odd Fellows, of Ellwood. He is a highly re- spected, useful citizen.

EDWIN MCFARLAND, who lived out a long and useful life in Mahoning Town- ship, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, was born October 28, 1844, and died January 8, 1901, and was a son of John and Eliza (McCombs) McFarland.

The McFarland family came to Mahon- ing Township among the earliest settlers and its members have ever been people of worth in the community. John McFarland died November 24, 1884, and the following children of his family survive: Amelia, who is the widow of John Arrel, resides at Poland, Ohio; Sarah Catherine, who lives at Cleveland; John E., who also lives at Cleveland; Olive E., who is the wife of Charles F. Wright, lives at Niles, Ohio, and Elizabeth F., who married A. J. Bent- ley, lives at Niles.

The late Edwin McFarland was reared on the old MeFarland homestead and he attended first the local schools and later Poland Seminary, at Poland, Ohio, where he was graduated. He was destined for

440

HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY

the law, but a short period of close applica- tion to its study, at Cleveland, brought ill health and he returned to the farm, hoping that the healthful outdoor life would make his recovery permanent. He continued to farm on the homestead until his death.

On December 8, 1882, Mr. McFarland was married to Alice M. Stoops, who was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and is a daughter of Capt. William Stoops. Cap- tain Stoops was once a well known river man and commanded a vessel on the Ohio River. The mother of Mrs. McFarland, Mrs. Margaret (Smith) Stoops, was born in Allegheny County. One daughter, Kate A., was born to Mr. and Mrs. McFarland, and both she and her mother reside on the homestead. Mr. McFarland was not a member of any religious denomination, but he was liberal to all and particularly to the United Presbyterian Church, which his widow and daughter attend. In his polit- ical convictions he was a Republican, but, beyond serving on the School Board, he ac- cepted no public offices. He was a man who stood very high in the esteem of his fellow citizens.

J. R. HAGERTY is a prosperous farm- er residing along the Pennsylvania Rail- road in Little Beaver Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, and comes of an old and highly esteemed family of this section. He was born in Germantown, Pennsyl- vania, October 5, 1855, and is a son of James M. and Rebecca (Ralston) Hagerty, both natives of Ireland.

James M. Hagerty was one of a family of six children born to his parents, and was the first of these to leave Ireland and take up his residence in America, the rest of them following later. He was a young man of eighteen or twenty years when he came to this country in 1840, and located in Philadelphia, where he learned landscape gardening and was employed to look after the gardens of old Judge Kane, who was a prominent resident of that city. In 1850 he made his first trip to Lawrence County, going by canal to Pittsburg, thence afoot

to Enon Valley. He was favorably im- pressed with this new country, and when he went back to Philadelphia it was with the intention of returning to it at some fu- ture time. This he did, accompanied by some of his family, whom he located on the old William Irwin farm, where Robert Hagerty now lives. In 1854 he again re- turned to Philadelphia, where he was mar- ried to Rebecca Ralston, who had come to this country with her parents from Ire- land. After the birth of their second child they left Philadelphia for Lawrence Coun- ty, some time during the year 1856, and they located on the present home farm of J. R. Hagerty. This place had been pur- chased by his two brothers, George and Robert, from Robert Wylie, and although James M. Hagerty lived on it continuously after taking up his residence here per- manently, it was not until 1874 that he pur- chased the farm. A small log house stood on the place and in this he lived until 1873, when he erected the frame house. He built the barn in 1870. Mr. Hagerty died here May 30, 1895, having survived his wife many years, she dying March 4, 1877. They had four children: Dora, wife of James Burnison; John Robert, George M., who farms in partnership with J. R., was born on the home farm and has spent all his life there, and Ella E., who also was born on this farm and keeps house for her brothers.

J. R. Hagerty was a child in arms when his parents arrived in Lawrence county, and there he grew to maturity, assisting in the work on the farm and attending the district schools. He has always lived on his present farm, except for two years in Michigan, which he spent at farming and a trip through the western states and along the Pacific Ocean in 1898. Upon the death of his father, the four children came into possession of the fifty-five acres which comprise the home place, and is undivided. John R. and George M. Hagerty also own a farm of eighty acres east of the home place, in Little Beaver Township, which was left to them in 1898 by Joseph Mc-

441

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

Clintock, whom they had looked after and cared for during his old age. They engage in general farming and have met with de- served sucess. Religiously, the Hagertys are members of the old Reformed Church.

REV. JOSEPH GALLAGHER, former- ly pastor of St. Mary's Catholic Church at New Castle, for many years so faithfully served his church and fellow men that his memory will long be kept green and his gracious presence and loving ministrations recalled. Joseph Gallagher was born in County Donegal, Ireland, January 3, 1844, and died August 11, 1906.

In 1849 he accompanied his parents to America and was reared in the city of Philadelphia, receiving his literary train- ing at St. Joseph's College at that place. Desiring to prepare for the priesthood, in 1861 his parents sent him to St. John's University at Frederick City, Maryland, which was in charge of the Jesuit Fathers.

When, in 1864, the contending Union and Confederate armies made Frederick City and vicinity the arena of war, practical Christianity came very near to the quiet students at the university, for, on one occa- sion, when over 700 men of both armies were left wounded on the field, they proved their courage and tested their religious zeal to the fullest exent. Among the lead- ers of the volunteer nurses from the ad- vanced class was Joseph Gallagher, who, with his noble comrades, worked for weeks, night and day, to alleviate the suf- ferings of the sick and wounded soldiers. Mr. Gallagher in his burning desire to suc- cor others, forgot himself and brought on, through exposure, an illness which com- pelled him finally to return to his home and accept medical attention. When his health had improved to such an extent that he could return to his studies, the president of St. Joseph's College surprised him by offering him a position as teacher of clas- sics, one which he accepted and brilliantly filled for two years. After this interval he resumed his theological studies at St.

Michael's Seminary at Pittsburg, and was ordained a Priest by Rt. Rev. M. Domenec, D.D., Bishop of the Pittsburg Diocese, Jan- uary 11, 1873. His first mission was at Al- toona as assistant to Very Rev. John Tuigg, who afterward was Bishop of the Pittsburg Diocese. His next appointment which covered two years, was at Dudley, in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, where he was pastor of the Church of the Immac- ulate Conception. On February 6, 1879, he was appointed pastor of St. Mary's Con- gregation at New Castle. His labors con- tinued there until his death (August 11, 1906), faithful in all things, beloved by his congregation and esteemed and valued by his fellow citizens.

ESLI N. HOUK, State Health officer for Shenango Township, general farmer and respected citizen, is a worthy representa- tive of an honorable old pioneer family of Lawrence County. He was born in She- nango Township, Lawrence County, Penn- sylvania, February 5, 1842, and is a son of Jacob and Nancy (Cunningham) Houk.

The great-grandfather was Philip Houk, who came to Western Pennsylvania from New Jersey and settled in Wayne Town- ship, Lawrence County (as it is now) on the farm which is occupied by a descend- ant, William Houk. The records show that he purchased 150 acres of land from Ben Chew. The earliest date in connection with him is the record of the marriage of John Newton to one of his daughters, in 1792. His eight sons were named: Jacob, Jona- than. John, William, David, Benjamin, Samuel and Philip, and his two daughters both married, one John Newton and the other, James Frew.

John Houk, grandfather of Esli N., was born in Wayne Township, Lawrence Coun- ty, and he participated in the War of 1812, as did his brothers, Benjamin, William and David. After reaching mature years he en- gaged in agricultural pursuits in what is now Shenango Township, until the close of his life. He married Elizabeth Nichols and

442

HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY

they had the following children: Jacob, creamery at Energy, Lawrence County. William, Philip, John, Calvin, Clara, Mary and Eliza.

Jacob Houk, father of Esli N., was born in Shenango Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, August 2, 1801. He learned the carpenter trade and followed the same until 1847, when he bought the farm which is now owned and occupied by his son, Esli N., and here he engaged in general farming during the remainder of his active life. His death occurred January 22, 1888. He was firm in his convictions, both political and theological, through life supporting the Democratic party and living worthily as a member of the Center United Presbyterian Church. Jacob Houk was married twice, first to Martha Mayne. The two children of this marriage died young. His second marriage was to Nancy Cunningham, a daughter of Benjamin Cunningham, of Shenango Township. She was born May 12, 1806, and died in 1895. Esli N. was the only child of this marriage.

Esli N. Houk grew to manhood on the homestead farm and obtained his educa- tion in boyhood, in the country schools, completing his training in the winter of 1863-64, after he returned from his first term of service as a soldier in the Civil War. He had served nine months as a member of Company A, One Hundred Thirty-fourth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and during this period had been ill and confined to a hospital at Frederick City. In August, 1864, Mr. Houk re-enlisted, entering the Fifth Heavy Artillery, in which he served until the close of the war. He is an honored vet- eran of the Grand Army of the Republic, Wampum Post, No. 381.

Mr. Houk remained at home assisting his father until 1876, when he visited Kansas and remained there four years, following farming, but he returned to Shenango Township in 1880, and since then has been a continuous resident. He engages in gen- eral farming, but makes a specialty of dairying, keeping nine head of cows for this purpose and selling his milk to the

Mr. Houk married Sarah E. Hill, who is a daughter of Nathaniel and Huldah Hill, of Shenango Township, and they have one son, Eugene L. The latter married Laura Conner, who is a daughter of Smith Con- ner, and they have three daughters : Bessie, Ada and Ruth.

In politics, Mr. Houk is an active citizen and has filled numerous offices of respon- sibility with the greatest efficiency. For six years, from 1899 to 1905, he was county auditor, has been also school director and township assessor and at present fills the office of registering assessor. He is identi- fied with the Republican party. Mrs. Houk is a member of the Baptist Church. Time has treated them kindly and it would be difficult to find a man of his years who is more active of body or alert of mind than is Esli N. Houk, who is well and favorably known all over Lawrence County.

CHARLES E. ROGERS, a well known agriculturist of North Beaver Township, is the owner of a farm of fifty acres, located about five miles west of Mount Jackson, north of the Springfield road. He was born on this farm in Lawrence County, Pennsyl- vania, October 1, 1865, and is a son of John and Anna (Pitts) Rogers.

John Rogers was born in North Beaver Township, and was a son of William Rog- ers, who was born in Ireland, and at an early date emigrated to America, settling in North Beaver Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, during the pioneer days. John Rogers was reared there and early learned the trade of cabinetmaker. He was a natural mechanic and an inventor of no mean ability, and invented a thresh- ing separator which was widely used and unexcelled in those days. In 1865 he lo- cated upon the farm now owned by his son, Charles E., and there resided until his death, in February, 1891. He was well known among the people of the vicinity, and was highly esteemed by all who knew him. He was joined in marriage with Miss Anna Pitts, who was born and reared in

443

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

North Beaver, and is a daughter of Jacob Pitts, who was one of the very earliest settlers. He came with three brothers, two of whom-William and John-owned farms adjoining his, near the west boun- dary of the township, and the third, Michael, located across the line in Mahon- ing County, Ohio. John and Anna Rogers were parents of one son, Charles E.

Charles E. Rogers was reared on the home place and received a good common school education in the schools of that vi- cinity. He has always engaged in farm- ing, and is one of the well-to-do men of the township, being a hard worker and a good manager, he has always prospered. On January 20, 1903, he met with an ac- cident while cutting fodder with a fodder cutter, which deprived him of his left arm.

Mr. Rogers was united in marriage with Miss Alice B. Hanna, who was born and reared in North Beaver Township, and is a daughter of James Hanna. Five chil- dren bless this union: Mabel B., Gladys M., Nannie C., C. Dale, and H. Clare. Re- ligiously, they are devout members of the Westfield Presbyterian Church.

DAVID W. SWOGGER, proprietor of the Pulaski Roller Mills, at Pulaski, Pa., where he is a representative citizen, was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, July 22, 1837, and is a son of John and Sarah (McCready) Swogger.

The parents of Mr. Swogger were both born in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, later lived in Columbiana County, and in 1844 they moved from Ohio and settled in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, where they died.

David W. Swogger was seven years old when his parents settled in Mercer County and there he remained through his school period. When twenty years of age he went to New Castle, where he learned the mill- ing business at the old Joseph Kissick mill, which was one of the first mills to be built in Lawrence County. He served an ap- prenticeship of three years, receiving the sum of $6 a month, with board, in payment

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Century history of New Castle and Lawrence County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Part 57

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