Century history of New Castle and Lawrence County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Part 63

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 63

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September 12, 1906, Mr. Wilson was united in marriage with Jennie A. Kelso, a daughter of Hiram Kelso of Pulaski

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Township. Religiously, they are members of the Mount Jackson United Presby- terian church.

HARVEY WILLIAM SIPE owns and resides upon a farm of fifty-six acres, sit- uated on the Mahoningtown-Mt. Jackson road, about three and a quarter miles west of the Diamond in New Castle. He was born in Springfield Township, Mahoning County, Ohio, January 7, 1860, is a son of Jacob and Sophia (Edler) Sipe, and a grandson of Philip Sipe.

Philip Sipe was one of the pioneer set- tlers of Springfield Township, Mahoning County, Ohio, with his wife and one child having crossed the mountains of Pennsyl- vania on horseback, and located there at a very early period. He took up a section of land, on which he made a clearing and erected a cabin, and his family there be- came one of the leading ones in social and business circles.

Jacob Sipe was born and reared on the home farm in Springfield Township, and there engaged in farming throughout his entire life. He first married Rachel Criner, who died leaving three children, namely : Isaiah, now deceased; Mary Ann (Unger), of Petersburg, Ohio, and Henry. His sec- ond marriage was with Miss Sophia Edler, who was born and reared in Springfield Township and was a daughter of Jacob Edler, who was a native of Germany. They became parents of three children: Harvey William; Ephraim Edward, who lives on the old home place in Springfield Town- ship, and Ezra, who also lives in Spring- field Township.

Harvey William Sipe was reared in Springfield Township, and received good educational training in the district schools. He turned his attention to farming at an early date and lived on the home place until 1896, when he sold out his share and purchased his present farm, known as the old Duff farm. In addition to general farming, he has bought and sold horses on a large scale, and he bears the reputation of being one of the best judges of horse

flesh in this section. He is an up-to-date farmer and a progressive citizen.

Mr. Sipe was united in marriage with Miss Daisy Shaffer a daughter of John and Mary Jane (Kincaid) Shaffer of a prominent old Lawrence County family. John Shaffer was born in North Beaver Township, Lawrence County, his father having located on a farm of 240 acres in that township at a very early date. Elijah Shaffer later moved to North Beaver Township, purchasing a farm northeast of Bessemer, upon which his son John was born. John Shaffer was reared to agricul- tural pursuits and was the owner of a farm in North Beaver, adjoining that of his father. Shortly after his marriage he moved to Mahoning Township, where he lived until his death, March 11, 1898. His widow is still living, and with her children owns all of the original Shaffer farm in Mahoning Township, except some fourteen acres, which were sold. John and Mary Jane Shaffer became parents of seven chil- dren, as follows: Rachel (Battiger), de- ceased; Elmer E. E., who is the owner of a farm of 107 acres in North Beaver Town- ship; Susan (McVey), of Mahoning Coun- ty, Ohio; Daisy; Louis, of Lowellsville, Ohio; Birdie (Edwards), and John, who also lives in Lowellville.

Mr. and Mrs. Sipe were united in mar- riage July 20, 1888, and have had three children: Fred Byron, who died at the age of five months; Orvie William, and Mary Ann.

SCOTT D. LONG, a representative of one of the old and honorable families of Lawrence County, has been a prominent member of its bar for many years and has been established at New Castle since 1869. Mr. Long was born on his father's farm, near New Castle, Pennsylvania, Feb- ruary 27, 1847, and is a son of David and Susan (McCandless) Long.

Alexander Long, the great-grandfather of Scott D. Long, was the original settler of the family in Lawrence County, coming to this section from another part of the

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State in 1806. He acquired 200 acres just south of New Castle. He had two sons, Joseph and Arthur, each of whom inher- ited 100 acres from their father's estate. Joseph, the grandfather of Scott D. Long, followed an agricultural life, married and reared the following children: Alexander, John, Sarah, Margaret, Joseph, David and Arthur S. The Longs were largely con- cerned in the early developing of this sec- tion. They prospered and the community prospered with them.

David Long, the fourth son of Joseph, was born at New Castle in 1814. In early life his older brothers looked after the cul- tivating of the home farm and he learned the stone-mason trade, at which he worked more or less through life, even after the purchase of his farm in 1864. He ac- quired and operated a stone quarry of con- siderable extent, and was thus able to sup- ply the stone for the various structures he built with such stability and accuracy. He lived on his farm in Mercer County until 1880, when he gave up active pursuits and retired to New Castle, where he died five years later. David Long was married (first) to Jane McWilliams, who was sur- vived by three children: James M., Ellen and Lydia. He was married (second) to Susan McCandless, who was born in 1815 and died in 1893. She was the beloved mother of five children, the survivors be- ing: Scott D., Laura, William H. and Joseph.

Until seventeen years of age Scott D. Long attended the excellent schools of New Castle. In 1864 he enlisted in Co. I. 6th Penn. Heavy Artillery, and served in the Army of the Potomac until the close of the war. He has been a member of G. A. R. Post 100, New Castle since its organi- zation. After returning from the army service he completed his literary educa- tion in the State Normal School, immedi- ately afterward entering the office of D. B. and E. T. Kuntz, prominent attorneys at New Castle, under whose direction he studied law. In May, 1869, he was ad- mitted to the bar and subsequently en-

tered into a law partnership with S. W. Dana, which continued until the spring of 1907. For many years it had been one of the strongest law firms in this section of the State and had successfully handled numberless important cases of litigation. Mr. Long continues in the practice of his profession, with office at No. 36 North Mill street, New Castle.

In 1872, Mr. Long was married to Eva Morehead, who is a daughter of H. H. Morehead, an old resident of New Castle, and they have four children: Ellen, Clara L., who married Dr. Samuel W. Perry, of New Castle; David H., and George S., the latter of whom is a member of the firm of McBride & Long, a leading one at New Castle in insurance and real estate. The Long home is a comfortable residence sit- uated at No. 82 East street. Mr. Long and family belong to the Presbyterian church. Politically he is identified with the Republican party.

HON. ELMER I. PHILLIPS, a citizen of high standing at New Castle, was born in this city in 1861, and is one of a fam- ily of five children born to his parents, Isaiah and Agnes J. Phillips.

Elmer I. Phillips was reared and edu- cated at New Castle until prepared for college, when he entered Butler Univer- sity, Indianapolis, Ind., where he was graduated in 1884. In the following year he was admitted to the bar and practiced law in this city for the succeeding ten years. In the meanwhile, Mr. Phillips be- came deeply interested in all questions of good citizenship and was soon recognized as a factor in Republican political circles and in 1892 was elected to the City Coun- cil and continued to serve until 1899, dur- ing two years of this time as president. In 1904 he was elected a member of the Pennsylvania State Senate from the district which was then made up of Lawrence and Mercer Counties, but which was changed to Lawrence and Beaver Counties in 1906. This was but a just tribute to a citizen who for years

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has displayed unusual public spirit and a genuine interest in the welfare of city, county and State.

Business has also claimed a large por- tion of Mr. Phillips' time and attention. For a considerable period he was one of the leading officials of the Lawrence Glass Company. In 1894 Mr. Phillips' manu- facturing interests had increased to the extent that they demanded most of his time and attention, and he relinquished his practice as an attorney to give his in- dividual attention to his other interests. In 1897 he accepted the position of secre- tary and general sales agent of the Ameri- can Glass Company, and from 1899 to 1903 he served in the same capacity with the American Window Glass Company. He has been connected with a number of other successful business combinations, many of which he has withdrawn from, but he retains membership on the board of directors and executive committee of the Lawrence Savings & Trust Company, and the New Castle Portland Cement Com- pany, and is one of the trustees and treas- urer of the Shenango Valley Hospital.

In 1885, Mr. Phillips was married to Beulah Ingels and they have one son. Mr. Phillips owns a beautiful home which is located at No. 159 North Beaver street, New Castle.

ROBERT R. BLAIR, residing on a farm in Slippery Rock Township, about seven miles east of New Castle, was born in Bulter County, Pennsylvania, June 29, 1874. He is a son of Henry and Matilda (Wilson) Blair, and a grandson of Thomas Blair.

Thomas Blair, the grandfather, was born in the North of Ireland, and in early life emigrated from there to the United States, taking up a farm in Butler Coun- ty, Pennsylvania, lying along Slippery Rock Creek, for which he paid $1.50 per acre. He farmed there until his death. His wife, in maiden life Margaret Rankin, lived to reach the remarkable age of ninety-seven years.

Henry Blair was born in Butler Coun- ty, and there attended the old log school house of his home vicinity. After his mar- riage he purchased a farm in Middletown, Butler County, where they lived many years, Mrs. Blair dying on that place. He subsequently purchased the old home- stead of his parents, and spent the de- clining years of his life on it. They were parents of nine children, as follows: Thomas, Charles, Margaret, one who died in infancy, James and Robert R., twins; Elizabeth, Emma, and Henry Easson.

Robert R. Blair received a good com- mon school education, after which he was variously employed at different places. He traveled extensively and spent consid- erable time in Rhode Island and Ohio. In 1903, he purchased his present farm of twenty acres of Mrs. David Fox, made many important improvements, and is at the present time erecting a large barn. He is a man of energy and industry, and a public spirited citizen, with many friends throughout the community.

November 21, 1903, Mr. Blair was mar- ried to Miss Mary E. Wadsworth, a daughter of William H. Wadsworth, of Butler County, and granddaughter of Dawson Wadsworth, who was a power in Pennsylvania politics some fifty years ago. They have a son, Paul Wadsworth, who was born April 19, 1906. Politically, Mr. Blair is a stanch Republican. He and his wife are active members of the Re- formed Presbyterian church.

GEORGE M. PERMAR, parole agent of the Pennsylvania Reform School, has been a resident of New Castle, Pa., for more than half a century. He was born in Steubenville, Ohio, in 1837, and is a son of Henry Permar.

Henry Permar, the father, was one of the earliest pioneers of Steubenville, Ohio, and was a very successful business man. In 1847 he purchased the Chief Justice Marshall, the largest side-wheel vessel plying on the Mississippi River, but he did not long enjoy his new possession and

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the business supremacy it meant to him, Bryan Scott, who now resides in Boston, for he died at Natchez, Miss., of cholera, December 23, 1847. Owing to bad management on the part of the men in charge, the boat, his capital, was lost to the family.

George M. Permar was reared in Steu- benville, which continued his home until his fourteenth year, when he went to Pittsburg and learned to be a roll turner. He continued at that occupation until 1856, when he located in New Castle and engaged in the mercantile business, with his brother, John M. Permar, having charge as manager of a big department store. In 1859, he engaged in business for himself, the firm later becoming Per- mar & Morriss, grocers and wool dealers. In 1862, the Civil War being in progress, he enlisted in Company E, Fourteenth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, for three months' service, that time being spent in Maryland. He was mustered out and returned home, but later re-enlisted as a member of Company E, Fifty-fifth Regiment Pennsylvania Infantry. With his regiment he started for Gettysburg, but the battle was fought before their ar- rival, and after a sixty days' absence they returned to New Castle. Mr. Permar then resumed his business under the name and style of Permar & Morriss, continuing three years. He then engaged in the gro- cery business for himself until his elec- tion as overseer of the poor, an official position he filled with credit for a period of twelve years. He was next in the em- ploy of the city several years, and in 1891 was elected by the board of managers of the Pennsylvania Reform School, as pa- role agent, and he has since occupied that office without interruption. He has always taken a prominent part in political affairs, giving freely of his time and energy in supporting the candidacy of his friends.

On November 17, 1864, Mr. Permar was united in marriage with Adeline H. Hill, whose father, Rev. B. S. Hill, was a min- ister of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They became the parents of two children :

Mass .; and Jessie Shiras, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Permar have also reared with parental care an adopted daughter, Ernestine D., who now lives with them. Religiously, they are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Fraternally, he is a Mason and an Odd Fellow, and belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic.

THOMAS D. STEVENSON, a well known resident of Pulaski Township, Law- rence County, Pennsylvania, is the owner of a good farm of sixty-five acres, and is engaged in general farming and the grow- ing of small fruits. He was born in that township, near New Bedford, November 3, 1840, and is a son of Elisha M. and Nancy (Dawson) Stevenson.

James Stevenson, paternal grandfather of Thomas D., was of Scotch-Irish extrac- tion and was a soldier in the Continental army during the Revolutionary War. Some time after the close of that struggle, he made his way westward to Pulaski Township, Lawrence County, Pennsyl- vania, where he resided a few years, then moved to Poland Township, Mahoning County, Ohio, where he at one time owned what is now known as Mt. Nebo.

Elisha M. Stevenson was born in Pu- laski Township in 1806, and was about two years of age when his father moved with his family to Mahoning County. There he attended the primitive schools of that pe- riod and grew to manhood. At an early age he removed to Hookston, Beaver County, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits and became an im- portant figure in business life. In 1831, he returned to Pulaski Township, Law- rence County, located on a farm near New Bedford, and in addition to farming, for several years was a teacher in the district schools during the winter months. He died in 1899, at the advanced age of ninety-three years, a man venerated and respected by the entire citizenship of his vicinity. He was one of the first Aboli-

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tionists of the county, and was very active as a member of the Underground Rail- road in assisting slaves to their freedom. He married Nancy Dawson, a native of Beaver County, and of their children two are now living: Rebecca E., widow of James Neal of Pulaski Township; and Thomas D.

Thomas D. Stevenson was reared on the home farm in Pulaski Township, and al- though his educational training was lim- ited to the district schools, he became an intelligent and well informed man on all questions of current interest and import- ance. As a farmer and fruit grower he has met with unusual success and takes rank among the substantial men of the township. He was for some years secre- tary of the New Bedford Creamery Co. (Limited), and is now serving as its presi- dent and as a member of the board of di- rectors.

Mr. Stevenson was married to Miss Mary E. Cookingham, who was born in Chautauqua County, New York, and is a daughter of Alonzo Cookingham. Four children were born to bless their home: Metta, Homer D., of Youngstown, Ohio; Melva, wife of V. A. Green, a professor in, Redfield College, at Redfield, S. D. and Mabel, who also lives with her parents. Politically, Mr. Stevenson is in- dependent in local affairs, and has fre- quently served in minor offices of trust in the township.

REV. FLORENCE F. O'SHEA, pastor of St. Mary's Catholic Church at New Cas- tle, was born in 1863, in Ireland, in that beautiful section near the Lakes of Kil- larney. Father O'Shea was brought to America in boyhood and his education was acquired in the schools and colleges of this country. He began his classical course in Bacon Academy, Colchester, Connecticut, and continued his studies in St. Bonaven- ture's College, Allegany, New York, where he read rhetoric, philosophy and theology, and in 1889 was ordained to the priesthood by Rt. Rev. Stephen Vincent Ryan, Bishop

of Buffalo. From the time of ordination until May, 1892, he was assistant pastor at St. Peter's Church, Allegheny ; going from there to Huntington, Pennsylvania, as pas- tor of Holy Trinity Church. In the fall of 1892 he was transferred to St. James' Church, Sewickley, Pennsylvania, where he remained for fourteen years, meeting suc- cess in his labors. On October 31, 1907, he was appointed rector of St. Mary's Parish, New Castle, and took charge of the same on the fifteenth of the following November.

St. Mary's Parish has an interesting his- tory and was never in a more flourishing condition than at the present time. As far back as 1831 records are at hand to show that there were faithful Catholics settled in and around New Castle, to the spiritual needs of whom priests came to administer from Pittsburg. In 1852 a frame church was erected west of the town by Father Reid, one of the pioneer priests. In 1854 he was succeeded by Rev. Peter McGarvey, who was the first resident pastor, and in June, 1855, he was succeeded by Rev. Thomas O'Farrell, who continued to minis- ter to the congregation and missions until August, 1859. Rev. John C. Farren fol- lowed Father O'Farrell, and after his with- drawal, in 1862, the congregation was visit- ed monthly by Rev. Thomas Walsh, of Brady's Bend, Armstrong County. The next resident pastor was Rev. James Canevin, and it was during his incumbency that, on account of the development of the iron industries of this section and the con- sequent settlement here of laborers from other points, many of whom were Catho- lies, a new church was found to be an abso- lute necessity. Father Canevin was a man of energy and executive ability, and shortly afterward he purchased a lot situated on the corner of Beaver and North streets, and began the erection of a church which was completed in 1871. It is built of brick, 110 feet in length and 45 feet in width, has a well proportioned tower in the center in front and follows the Gothic style of arch- itecture with some modifications.

Father Hayes succeeded Father Canevin

REV. FLORENCE F. O'SHEA.

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and in April, 1871, he opened a school, and in the following month purchased a large frame building for a pastoral residence. Prosperity reigned over priest and congre- gation until the panic of 1873 affected the iron industries of New Castle, and many of the employes of the great works were obliged to seek employment in other sec- tions. This threw many unexpected bur- dens on the members of St. Mary, but their faith never wavered nor their zeal dimin- ished, and under the guidance of wise priests, the congregation weathered all the storms, and under the management of Father O'Shea and his two assistants, it has become one of the best and most pros- perous congregations in the Diocese of Pittsburg. Father Hayes was succeeded on February 8, 1879, by Rev. Joseph Gal- lagher, who served faithfully and well un- til his death, which took place August 11, 1906. He is remembered with esteem and veneration.

Since taking charge of St. Mary's, Fath- er O'Shea has advanced the parish in many ways and has added to the efficiency of the working branches of the church already es- tablished. In 1876 the present school build- ing was erected and during 1907 Father O'Shea built additions to it, necessitated by the large number of students, there be- ing at present 475 on the roll. The school is under the care of eight Sisters of the order of the Sisters of St. Joseph, and their convent adjoins the pastoral residence on North and Beaver streets. The advan- tages afforded pupils in St. Mary's School include the work of the primary grades of the public schools, together with a complete course in stenography, typewriting, book- keeping and two years of instruction in Latin. Father O'Shea has under his spir- itual care 550 families, comprising about 3,000 souls.

Rev. Patrick E. Maher, first assistant to Father O'Shea, was born at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, September 13, 1879. Prior to studying for the priesthood he attended St. John's and St. Mary's Parochial Schools

in his native city and then entered the Pittsburg College of the Holy Ghost, and there completed his classical course in June, 1900. For the three succeeding years he attended St. Mary's Seminary, Balti- more, Maryland, and was ordained by his Eminence Cardinal Gibbons, June 16, 1903. His first assignment was as assist- ant at St. Agnes', Pittsburg, his second being at St. Thomas', Braddock, and his third, St. Mary's, New Castle, to which he came January 19, 1907.

Rev. Joseph V. Sharp was appointed second assistant at St. Mary's Church June 23, 1907. He was born in German- town, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; was educated in the parochial schools of that city, afterwards entering upon his college course at Niagara University in Septem- ber, 1895. In 1896 he entered the Villa Nova College, where he completed his col- lege course. In the fall of 1901 he entered St. Bernard's Seminary, where he made his philosophical and theological studies, from which institution he was ordained by Rt. Rev. B. J. McQuaid on June 9, 1907.

JOHN DAVIDSON NORWOOD, whose farm of seventy-five acres lies on both the east and west sides of the Small's Ferry road, in North Beaver Township, about two and one-half miles southwest of Mt. Jackson, is a successful farmer and lead- ing citizen of this section. He was born on a portion of the farm he now owns, May 21, 1866, and is a son of John and Nancy (Davidson) Norwood.

John Norwood was born in Ireland and remained in his native land until he was a man of thirty years. He obtained a fair education and learned the boot and shoe business. When he came to America he located at Mahoningtown, Lawrence Coun- ty, Pennsylvania, but shortly afterward embarked in a boot and shoe business at Hillsville, where he continued for seven years, and during this time was married. From there he went to Morris, Illinois, and engaged in a similar business for

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about twelve years, then returned to Law- rence County and purchased 107 acres, of Alfred Martin, a part of which John D. Norwood owns. Immediately across the road is situated the farm on which the mother of Mr. Norwood was born and reared, and at one time both these farms were in one and were known as Pigeon's Roost, but when James Davidson, the grandfather of John D. Norwood, pur- chased his land, a division came about. James Davidson was once a very prom- inent man in North Beaver Township. On the farm he had bought, John Norwood lived until his death, which occurred March 24, 1884, when he was aged over seventy- four years. His widow survived ten years, her death taking place May 30, 1894, when in her seventy-third year. They had four children, namely: Daniel D., residing at St. Paul, Minn., is engaged in a mer- cantile business; Jennie M., who married John Q. Adams, resides in Little Beaver Township; Thomas J., and John D., both occupy parts of the old home farm.

John D. Norwood has given his atten- tion to farming ever since he became of age. His land is divided into two tracts, one of thirty-five acres, lying on the west side of the Small's Ferry road, and the other, of forty acres, on the east side. The former tract is a part of the old home- stead, and the latter Mr. Norwood pur- chased in 1888, from the McConnell heirs.

Mr. Norwood was married to Lizzie T. Robinson, who is a daughter of John Rob- inson, and a sister of James P. Robinson, both prominent residents of this section. Mr. and Mrs. Norwood have one child, Mabel. They are members of the West- field Presbyterian Church.

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Century history of New Castle and Lawrence County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Part 63

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