Century history of New Castle and Lawrence County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Part 65

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 65

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).

501

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

years. His last field of lumbering was in West Virginia, where he was engaged for some four years. When he returned to Slippery Rock Township he found himself yet too young and active to retire from business, therefore he bought his present valuable little farm and finds in its culti- vation the quiet life he enjoys. He owns also property at Rose Point.

Mr. Eckert married Eliza Jane Barnes, who is a daughter of John Barnes, who was a resident of Slippery Rock Town- ship. They have no children. Mr. and Mrs. Eckert are members of the Princeton Presbyterian Church. In his political views he is a Republican.

ROBERT GRAHAM, whose lamented death took place March 10, 1908, was a leading citizen and representative man of Mahoning Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania. He was born in Scotland, in November, 1840, and was a son of Rob- ert and Jane Graham.

The parents of Mr. Graham came from Scotland to America and were early set- tlers in Mahoning County, Ohio, on a farm near Lowellville. The father died there, but the mother survived for some years, later passing away in Mahoning Town- ship, Lawrence County.

The late Robert Graham was eight years old when the family came to the United States. He had but few educational op- portunities in his boyhood, but he pos- sessed a native intelligence that caused his development into a man of general infor- mation and excellent business ability. He engaged in farming and stockraising and also in the limestone industry for some years, meeting with ample financial suc- cess in all his enterprises.

Mr. Graham married Elizabeth Robin- son, who was born in Mahoning Township, Lawrence County, and is a daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (McWilliams) Robinson, both natives of Lawrence Coun- ty. Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Robinson, four survive, namely: Leander D., of Mahoning County, Ohio; James A.,

of Struthers, Ohio; Hannah, widow of William Hughes, residing at New Castle; and Mrs. Graham. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Graham were: William R., who is at present prosecuting attorney of Mahoning County, Ohio; Samuel R., who resides in Mahoning Township, Lawrence County ; Henry H., who lives at East Liv- erpool, Ohio; James A., who resides in Mahoning Township; Walter C., who also resides in Mahoning Township; Ella F., who is the wife of Calvin Reeder, of Kit- tanning, Pa .; and Jennie E., who is the wife of Elmer Myers, of Mahoningtown.

The late Robert Graham was a man who ever took pleasure in the advancement of his locality and was especially interested in having good schools, consenting fre- quently to serve on the township School Board. He settled on the present farm of his widow several years after his mar- riage, and continued to reside here until his death. Mr. Graham is a member of the United Presbyterian Church and he was a liberal supporter of the same. In politics he was a Republican. In his younger years he was an active member of the Masonic lodge at Youngstown. He was a good neighbor, a kind husband and father and is remembered by the com- munity with feelings of respect and es- teem.

R. C. G. WHITE, one of the most prom- inent funeral directors of New Castle, Pa., has been a resident of the city for a period of thirty-three years and is widely known among the citizens of Lawrence County. He was born in Slippery Rock Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, in 1850, is a son of James B. White, and grandson of James White, who was one of the pio- neer settlers of the county.

James B. White, father of R. C. G. White, was born in Perry Township, Law- rence County, in 1823, and throughout his active life followed the trade of black- smith.

R. C. G. White was reared and educated in Slippery Rock Township, and in early

502

HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY

life learned the trade of a harness maker and saddler in Harlansburg, after which he worked at his trade several years in New Castle, and then for two years at Grove City. He disposed of his establish- ment in the latter place because of poor health and went into the woods, working at coaling some two years. He then be- came a grocer and an extensive dealer in produce, following that business some ten or twelve years with unqualified success. At the end of that time he sold out and as- sumed charge of the office work in the es- tablishment of J. J. Dean, wholesale gro- cer. He was elected treasurer of Law- rence County, and efficiently discharged the duties of that office one term, after which he embarked in the furniture and undertaking business as a member of the firm of Offutt, White & Company. At the end of five years, he sold out his interest to his partner and engaged in the under- taking business for himself. He has con- tinued ever since, and has one of the larg- est and best paying establishments in that line in Lawrence County. He is a man of enterprise and spirit and has the high- est esteem and confidence of his fellow men. He has always been deeply inter- ested in matters pertaining to education, and is serving his ninth year as a member of the School Board, and has been presi- dent of that body four years, and is also chairman of the Building Committee.

Mr. White was first married in 1872 to Miss Mary J. Dean, who died leaving one daughter, Bertha, who is the wife of Ho- mer Lamson of East Liverpool, Ohio. His second union, in 1881, was with Miss Mar- garet Colnot, by whom he has two chil- dren: J. Russell, who is connected with the auditing department of the Standard Car Works of Butler, Pennsylvania, and Ralph, who is a student in the High School at New Castle.

Mr. White is a member and secretary of Lodge of the Craft No. 433, F. & A. M., of which he is also Past Master. He is a member of the Delta Chapter No. 170, R. A. M., of Hiram Council R. & S. M., and

of New Castle Lodge of Perfection, A. A. S. R. He is Past Commander of Law- rence Commandery No. 62 Knights Temp- lar; Recorder of the Commandery; a member of Syria Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Pittsburg; of Shenango Lodge No. 195 and Encampment No. 86, I. O. O. F., and is Past Grand, Past Chief Patri- arch and Past Chancellor of the Knights of Pythias. He is also a member of the New Castle Club. He is one of the most active members of the Western Pennsyl- vania Undertakers' Association, serving as a member of the executive committee, and also belongs to the State Undertak- ers' Association. Religiously, he is a member of the First Christian church, and for a great many years has been on its official board.

JOHN WESLEY WILKINSON, gen- eral farmer and dairyman, residing on his finely cultivated and well improved farm of about forty acres, situated in Shenango Township, is a representative of one of the oldest families in Lawrence County. Mr. Wilkinson was born November 23, 1853, in Shenango Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of William S. and Mary E. (Robison) Wilkinson.

The Wilkinson family was established in this section of Lawrence County by the great-grandfather of John W. Wilkinson, who came to Shenango Township after his service in the Revolutionary War, for which he received a patent of land. This sheepskin deed is a valued possession of the family and has been carefully pre- served, Mrs. Samuel Smith, of New Castle, at present having it in charge.

John Wilkinson, grandfather of John W., accompanied his father to Shenango Township. They were among the earliest settlers, coming into the wilderness with the courage which war and privation had already given them and remaining to leave an impress on the locality to which their footsteps had been directed.

William S. Wilkinson, father of John W., was one of the numerous sons born to the

503

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

grandfather and from him he probably in- herited the strong constitution and sturdy build that were noted even into old age. His life was entirely an agricultural one and it is told in the family that within a week of his death, when aged seventy-three years, he assisted in the husking of the corn. His figure was erect and his eyesight never dimmed. In early manhood he mar- ried Mary E. Robison and they had eight children born to them, namely: Joseph K., residing at Los Angeles, California; Jennie, wife of W. H. Brady, residing at Wampum; John Wesley; Laura, wife of James Cunningham, residing at New Cas- tle; Ella, wife of William James, residing at Pittsburg; Rachel, wife of J. I. Hender- son, residing in Kansas; William, residing at New Castle, and Samuel, who is de- ceased. The parents of this family were good, Christian people, worthy members of the Disciples Church.

John Wesley Wilkinson lived on the home farm and was accustomed to the practical details of a farmer's life from boyhood, and his education was obtained in the district schools not far distant. When he married, in 1886, he moved to his pres- ent farm and very soon began to improve it and has continued to do so until it has few equals in the county in point of at- tractiveness and genuine comfort. He has all of his land under cultivation and raises corn, oats and hay. He has engaged largely in dairying and for this purpose keeps twenty-two head of cattle. He has the oldest milk route at New Castle, having es- tablished it seventeen years ago and for over ten years, every day, he went on his own wagon serving customers. He prac- tically produces all the milk he sells, and so careful has he always been as to its qual- ity, that he has customers now who have depended upon him for many years for their dairy products. Mr. Wilkinson has been a very hard-working man in his day and until within the last four years, did his full share of every kind of farm labor, but since then has been afflicted with rheuma-

tism to such a degree that his son, with the assistance of a hired man, has assumed all the duties. Prudence and good business management have combined to place Mr. Wilkinson in very easy circumstances.

On January 14, 1886, Mr. Wilkinson was married to Agnes Fombelle, who is a daughter of Theophilus and Elizabeth (MeGaw) Fombelle. Mrs. Wilkinson was born in North Sewickley Township, Beaver County, Pennsylvania, where her father had settled when he first came from France. Mr. and Mrs. Wilkinson have two sons : Charles Wesley and John Howard. The family belong to the First Baptist Church at New Castle. Like his father, Mr. Wilkinson is no politician, but both have been thoroughly identified with the Repub- lican party.

CHARLES E. HULL, the very efficient manager of the Reno Brothers Paint Com- pany (incorporated), manufacturers of Reno's French Umber Filler, with plant located at Pulaski, Pennsylvania, is one of the enterprising young business men of Pulaski. He was born in Greenville, Mer- cer County, Pennsylvania, June 14, 1866, and is a son of Milton and Mary (Snyder) Hull.

In tracing the ancestry of Mr. Hull it is found that the family came to America from England and that it was established at a very early day in Mercer County, by John Hull, the grandfather. He resided near Sharon when his son, the late Milton Hull, was born. The latter subsequently came to Lawrence County and for over a quarter of a century operated the Pulaski mills. He was a Democrat in politics and belonged to the Masonic fraternity. His surviving children are: Jennie G., wife of Charles T. Riley, residing at Youngstown, Ohio; Charles E .; George F., residing at New Castle; Clarence Albert, living at New Castle, and Pearl, who is the wife of Wal- lace Ward, of New Castle.

Charles E. Hull was reared at Pulaski and obtained his education in the schools

504

HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY

of this place. When prepared to enter into business he became associated with a brother in the operation of the Pulaski mills. Later he entered the employ of the Sharon Steel Company and still later he became sales manager for the New Amer- ican Elevator Company, of Columbus, Ohio, and occupied the same position at Pittsburg for two years. While thus gain- ing experience he made many friends and later became associated with the National Metallurgie Company, of New York, and superintended the erection of a new plant at Pittsburg for that concern. In May, 1907, he returned to Pulaski to become manager of the plant of the Reno Brothers Paint Company, one of the old and impor- tant business houses of this section. It was founded in 1870 and for almost forty years a specialty has been made of the manufacture of Reno's French Umber Filler. The president of this company is D. S. Kennedy and the secretary and treas- urer is J. W. Benner, both being capitalists of Pittsburg. Mr. Hull's familiarity. with business methods and conditions, his wide acquaintance and his progressive ideas, make him a valuable man to any business house with which he becomes connected.

Mr. Hull was married to Lizzie J. Los- tetter, who was born at Pulaski, Pennsyl- vania, and is a daughter of the late James A. Lostetter. Mr. and Mrs. Hull are mem- bers of the Christian Church. In his po- litical views he is somewhat independent. but he is always to be found on the side of law and order. He belongs to the Masonic lodge at West Middlesex and he belongs also to the Maccabees and the Protected Home Circle, at Pulaski.

ROBERT S. CLARK, general farmer and dairyman, residing on his valuable property in North Beaver Township, where he owns 130 acres which are situated within less than two miles of Mt. Jackson, on the Springfield and Mt. Jackson road, belongs to one of the oldest and most hon- orable families of Beaver County, Penn- sylvania. Mr. Clark was born in that

county, March 14, 1851, and is a son of William and Mary (Sherer) Clark.

The paternal grandfather, William Clark, was one of the early settlers of Beaver County. The maternal grand- mother of Robert S. Clark was a daughter of Charles Clark, and he was one of the original settlers in North Beaver Town- ship, coming from near Lewistown, Penn- sylvania, with his uncle, Walter Clark. Charles Clark owned the farm on which Robert S. now resides, locating here in 1802, and Walter Clark owned the land to the east of this farm. Charles and Walter Clark donated the land on which the West- field Presbyterian Church. now stands, being founders of the same. The father of Walter Clark and grandfather of Charles came originally from Lancaster County to Lewistown, in 1750. Although of the same name as the paternal ances- tors, the families came from different branches.

William Clark, father of Robert S., was born and was reared in Beaver County on his father's pioneer farm near Homewood. After the death of his first wife he bought a farm in Little Beaver Township, Law- rence County, and there he resided until his death, in October, 1901. He was mar- ried (first) to Mary Sherer, who was a daughter of Capt. Robert Sherer, an officer in the militia, the Mt. Jackson Guards. At one time Captain Sherer owned and re- sided upon a part of the present farm of his grandson, the latter of whom came to live with the grandfather at the time of the death of his young mother, being then a babe of but four months and an only child. William Clark was married (second) to Elizabeth Woodworth and six children were born to them, namely: William R., who resides on a farm about two and one- half miles west of Mt. Jackson; Lydia, who married Charles Strohecher, lives four miles north of Enon; Rufus, who is a farmer living in Little Beaver Township; Mary, who married James Boggs, lives near Enon, in Beaver County; Evelyn, who is the wife of George Gibson, and

505

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

Agnes, who is the wife of Wilbur Gray. Mr. and Mrs. Gray live on the homestead in Little Beaver Township.

Robert S. Clark attended the neighbor- hood schools and was reared to agricultural pursuits. In early manhood he married Nannie Imbrie, who is a daughter of Rev. D. R. Imbrie, who was pastor of the First United Presbyterian Church of New Wil- mington for a quarter of a century. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have seven children: Wil- liam Imbrie, who follows the profession of an architect, at New Castle, was married there to Ethel Rumberger, on May 19, 1908; Mary, who married Guy Gilmore, has two children, Walter and Howard; Elsie, who has completed a three years' course at Westminster College at New Wil- mington, is a teacher of the Normal School at Marion, Alabama; Eleanor, who began teaching school before she was seventeen years of age, is a graduate of the Mt. Jack- son High School and of Westminster Col- lege, and was recently elected principal of the Mt. Jackson High School; and George, Dale and Kenneth.

Mr. Clark gives his attention largely to dairying, keeping from eighteen to twenty cows and operating a milk route through the Seventh Ward, New Castle. For over twenty-seven years he has been an elder in the Bethel United Presbyterian Church.

JOHN WELLER McCLYMONDS, postmaster of Rose Point, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, is proprietor of the leading store at that place and enjoys a large and remunerative trade throughout the community. He was born near Por- tersville, in Muddy Creek Township, But- ler County, Pennsylvania, January 18, 1860, is a son of William and Eleanor (Weller) McClymonds, and grandson of James McClymonds.

James McClymonds, the grandfather, was a native of Scotland, and upon coming to the United States first located in West- moreland County, Pennsylvania. He sub- sequently moved to Muddy Creek Town-

ship, Butler County, where he became owner of more than 500 acres of land. He and his wife both died there at advanced ages. They had the following children : John, James, Samuel, Isaac, William, Mary and Elizabeth.

William McClymonds was born in West- moreland County, and was very young when taken by his parents to live in Butler County. There he attended the common schools, and in early manhood engaged in helping farm the home place, on which he always lived, and died there in 1896, at the age of seventy years. He married Eleanor Weller, daughter of John Weller of Law- rence County, and the following were the issue of their marriage: One died in in- fancy; Calvin, now deceased, married Martha Hamilton and had six children; Jennie, wife of J. C. Ricketts, has two chil- dren; Audley and William; Elizabeth married L. J. Levis and has three chil- dren, Nellie, May and William; and John Weller.

John Weller Mcclymonds received his early education in the district schools of Butler County, supplemented by a course of study at Edenboro. He then engaged in teaching school five years, in connection with his work on the home farm. He con- tinued his farming operations until 1900, when he purchased of Hiram Kildoo his store at Rose Point, where he has since continued with uninterrupted success. He carries a general line of merchandise and groceries, and commands an extensive pat- ronage.

Mr. McClymonds was joined in mar- riage with Elizabeth Wallace, who is also of Scotch descent, and is a daughter of Peter Wallace, who was a prosperous farmer of Muddy Creek Township, Butler County. Six children were born to bless their home: William, deceased; Henry; Audley, Nellie; Paul and Jarvis, also de- ceased. In political affiliation Mr. Mc- Clymonds is a Republican. Mrs. Mc- Clymonds is a member of the Oak Grove United Presbyterian Church.

506

HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY

HON. GEORGE T. WEINGARTNER, a prominent member of the New Castle bar, a member of the Pennsylvania House of Rep- resentatives and at present the candidate on the Republican ticket for State senator from the Forty-seventh District of Penn- sylvania, belongs to an old established fam- ily of Lawrence County. He was born in Slippery Rock Township, Lawrence Coun- ty, Pennsylvania, August 4, 1875, and is a son of George A. and Martha Warnock Weingartner.

The grandparents of Mr. Weingartner were born in Germany, and after they came to America they lived for a short time in Philadelphia, after which they came to Lawrence County, making the trip in great covered wagons. The grandfather, George Weingartner, secured a tract of timber land in Slippery Rock Township and there he passed the remaining years of his life. The name of his first wife was Eva and that of his second was Anna. The children of the first marriage were: George A., Ricca, Christina, Mary, Kate, Julia, Sophia and John. Four children were born to the second marriage, the names of two of these being Frederick and Ida. The second wife had been a widow and she had two chil- dren.

George A. Weingartner was born No- vember 13, 1836, in Philadelphia, and was small when his parents came to Slippery Rock Township, which remained his set- tled home through life, his death taking place March 27, 1885. His occupation was farming. On December 8, 1863, he enlist- ed for service in the Civil War, entering Company E, First Missouri Light Artil- lery, and he was honorably discharged at Vicksburg February 1, 1865. He was a leading member of the Greenwood Metho- dist Episcopal Church, serving as a trus- tee and steward for many years. He was married in November, 1872, to Martha Warnock, who was born June 17, 1837, and has lived her entire life in Lawrence Coun- ty. She is a daughter of Hugh and Eliza- beth Manning Warnock, the latter of whom was a daughter of James Manning, a Revo-

lutionary soldier who served eight years in the Revolutionary army and lived to the ripe old age of one hundred and seven (107) years. Hugh Warnock was born in Ireland and was a child of six years when his parents settled in Lawrence County, about 1806. Two children were born to George A. Weingartner and wife: James A. and George T. The former was born December 19, 1876, and is a carpenter and contractor in Lawrence County.

George T. Weingartner attended the dis- trict schools until he was seventeen years of age and then entered the Rose Point Academy, in Slippery Rock Township, where he was graduated in 1896. In the meanwhile he had been teaching school for four years. In the fall of 1897 he entered the law office of Robert K. Aiken, Esq., as a student, and continued there until he was prepared for the bar, being admitted to practice on March 15, 1899. He has won a prominent position in his profession and has also become a leading politician of Lawrence County. In 1904 he was first elected to the Pennsylvania House of Rep- resentatives, served through the regular session of 1905 and the extra session of 1906. He was re-elected in 1906 and served through the regular session of 1907, during this whole period winning the approbation of his constituents and fellow citizens. His party has selected him as their standard bearer from the Forty-seventh District for the State Senate, and a bright political fu- ture is opening up before him, for he has the talents and attributes necessary for a successful public career. In addition to Mr. Weingartner's professional and politi- cal activities he is also largely interested in real estate and building operations in the east side district of New Castle and to his credit more than any other man is due the wonderful recent development in that part of the city.

In 1901, Mr. Weingartner was married to Anna Hazen, who is a daughter of Eli W. and Margaret E. (Mitchell) Hazen, and a niece of Judge Hazen, who is the editor of the historical work of which this record

HON. GEO. T. WEINGARTNER.

509

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

forms an interesting part. Mr. and Mrs. Weingartner have two daughters, namely : Martha, who was born February 20, 1902, and Elizabeth, who was born December 4, 1907.

ROBERT L. WALLACE, attorney-at- law of New Castle, is among the most suc- cessful of the younger practitioners before the bar of Lawrence County. He is a na- tive of the county, having been born in Pulaski Township, in 1876, and is a son of William Wallace.

William Wallace, father of Robert L., was born in 1836, in Pulaski Township, and was one of the representative agricul- turists of the county. In early years he was especially active as a stock raiser and dealer, making frequent trips over the mountains to the Pittsburg markets with his stock. During the Civil War he purchased stock for the Govern- ment for use in the army. He was a man of enterprise and public spirit, and frequently served his township in official capacity. He was past the age of seventy- one years at the time of his decease, June 19, 1908, and had been during this long lifetime in the enjoyment of good health.

Robert L. Wallace was reared on the farm and after completing the prescribed course in the common schools, attended the old Poland Seminary in Mahoning County, Ohio, and later Grove City Col- lege, from which he was graduated with the class of 1899. He then engaged in teaching school in Greersburg Academy, Beaver County, one year, and in Enon Valley High School, one year. He studied law under the preceptorship of Judge Martin, and was admitted to the bar, De- cember 2, 1902, after which he embarked in practice in the city of New Castle. His success at the bar has been continuous, and he ranks high among the men of his profession in the county. He enjoys the respect and confidence of the people, and represented his ward two years in the city council, the last year of which he served as president of that body. He has been very

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 65

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