Century history of New Castle and Lawrence County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Part 70

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 70

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Many years ago the educational oppor- tunities afforded children in Pulaski Town- ship were but meager, but Joseph P. Sheriff went to school through boyhood whenever he could be spared from the home industries. For a half century he has been associated with sawmill and lum- ber interests, during the larger part of this time being in business for himself. For three years he was concerned in the operat- ing of a sawmill in Williamson County, Illinois, but with that exception his busi- ness has been carried on in Pulaski Town- ship, in New Bedford and vicinity. He has taken an active part in public affairs and progressive movements which have benefited his community. Before New Bedford was organized as an incorporated borough he served as burgess and he has also been road supervisor and borough school director, and for fourteen years served as director of the poor for Pulaski Township. In politics he is a Republican.

REV. FRANCIS JOSEPH EGER, the reverenced pastor of St. Joseph's Catho- lic Church, at New Castle, has been identi- fied with the work of this parish since early in August, 1888. Father Eger was born in 1863, in the vicinity of Carroll- town, Cambria County, Pennsylvania. In 1874 he entered St. Vincent's College, where he was thoroughly instructed in the manner of the priests of the Roman Cath- olic faith, and after the long and thorough course of training, was ordained a priest by the late Right Reverend Richard Phe- lan, July 8, 1886.

Father Eger's first charge was at Alle- gheny City, where he served as assistant priest at St. Joseph's Church, following which came his appointment to the present charge at New Castle. The growth of St. Joseph's Church from its inception, which was coincident with Father Eger's taking charge of the parish, is an interesting story, illustrating, as it does, the deep re- ligious sentiment of the people, and the zeal and efficiency of the priest, who, in a

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period not covering twenty years, has ac- complished so much.

For many years the Catholic residents of New Castle had but one place of wor- ship, St. Mary's Church. As population increased and Catholics came to the city from other points, the accommodations of- fered by the old church were discovered to be totally inadequate, and the German Catholics, in particular, began an agita- tion looking toward the erection of a new church. After a thorough examination of the demands as well as of the earnestness of the German Catholics making the re- quest, Bishop Phelan approved the plan, and recognizing the fact that a young and zealous priest, whose quality and ability had been already tested, would be most useful at this point, he designated Father Eger for the place.

After taking charge, Father Eger's first move was the purchase of the most avail- able site, that being the First Methodist Episcopal Church property, for which the sum of $4,800 was paid. Under his active direction the building was put in order and was dedicated on December 16, 1888, by Bishop Phelan, a remarkable achieve- ment to have been brought about in the short space of four months. Services were established, a school founded, and peace and prosperity had settled over the little congregation while plans were under way for still further extending the facilities of the church. A disastrous fire, however, which occurred April 25, 1892, which oc- casioned the destruction of the building, seemingly obliterated every effort. This was only seeming, for the congregation of St. Joseph, under the leadership of Father Eger, was not discouraged, but rather was infused with fresh religious ardor, and be- fore the embers of the old building were cold, effort was directed to the erection of the new one, which is now a reality and stands as one of the handsomest religious edifices in this city. Only an artist with his trained hand could present an adequate picture of St. Joseph's as it stands in its

beauty and dignity; mere words can only indicate it. Its seating capacity is for 600 people. The interior of the building is fin- ished in Wisconsin oak, the altars the choir loft and confessionals are of beautiful architecture and of fine finish. The beau- tiful and appropriate statuary was pre- sented to the church by its friends and was imported from older sanctuaries in distant countries. The light shines through stained glass windows and the latter rep- resent offerings of piety and self-sacrifice of members of the congregation and of the Sunday-school. Not the least of the fine equipment of this beautiful church is the pipe organ, which is the largest to be found in this section of the State. The school attached to St. Joseph's is under the charge of three Sisters of the order of Divine Providence, and they have 160 pu- pils, 125 of these being residents.

Father Eger has proved his capacity to look after the material matters of his par- ish, and both his congregation and the other citizens of New Castle appreciate his value as a pastor and as a faithful conservator of right and justice. He has shown his sympathy in all movements in- augurated for the betterment of the moral standards of the community, and has never failed to denounce apparent wrong in un- mistakable terms. On the other hand, his preaching of the Gospel is of gentle per- suasion, kind warning and holy eloquence.

CECIL C. JOHNSTON, cashier of the First National Bank at Wampum, is a member of one of the old established fam- ilies of this section. Mr. Johnston was born on the old home place at Hazel Dell, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, August 3, 1879, and is a son of Jordan and Nancy (Boots) Johnston.

The father of Mr. Johnston was born in Wayne Township, then in Beaver, but now in Lawrence County, and was a son of John C. and Jane (Nye) Johnston. John C. Johnston was born in New York and came to Pennsylvania a young school

REV. FRANCIS J. EGER.

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teacher, and taught both in Crawford and Lawrence Counties. He became a man of local importance and served many years in the office of justice of the peace. In Wayne Township he married Jane Nye, who was born near Ellwood City, Law- rence County. Both he and wife lived into old age. They had four children, namely : Arilla, deceased, who was the wife of J. P. Wilson; Jordan, Emma, and Alice, who married J. P. Wilson.

Jordan Johnston was reared on the home farm, which included the present site of Hazel Dell, and much of the land on which the city of Ellwood has been built. He as- sisted in the clearing of this land, and as he was the only son a large part of the responsibility fell on him. He followed farming through all his active life, in the course of years inheriting the paternal acres. He married Nancy Boots, who was born in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, and died in 1904, aged fifty-four years. Mr. Johnston resides at Ellwood City. His five children were: William, who died, aged thirteen years; Cecil C .; Stella, who died in 1907; Elmer, who is bookkeeper for the First National Bank of Ellwood, and Sylvia.

Cecil C. Johnston spent his boyhood days on the farm and attended the coun- try schools and Pearsoll's Academy at West Bridgewater, Pa. He taught several terms of school prior to 1901, when he en- tered the Ellwood City Bank as assistant cashier, and remained there for two years, later accepting the position of assistant treasurer of the Ellwood City Trust Com- pany, with which concern he continued un- til 1906. He then resigned his former of- fice in order to become cashier of the First National Bank of Wampum, of which he has been a director since July, 1907. As a financier Mr. Johnston is well known all through Lawrence County, and his name would add strength to any corporation.

On August 12, 1901, Mr. Johnston was married to Lillian Grace Proper, who is a daughter of William and Mary Proper, and

they have one child, Henry Cecil, who was born January 1, 1904.

Mr. Johnston is a stockholder in the First National Bank at Ellwood City, and owns stock in the Standard Engineering Works at the same place, and he owns property in Ellwood City, both on Foun- tain Avenue and on Fifth Street, where his handsome residence stands.

Fraternally, Mr. Johnston is connected with the Masons and the Knights and Ladies of Honor. Politically he is a Re- publican and served one term of three years as city auditor of Ellwood. He is a member of the First Methodist Episcopal Church.

JOSEPH H. MCCLURE, general agri- culturist, residing on a farm of 102 acres, which lies on the west side of the lower New Castle road, about two miles distant from New Wilmington, owns also another farm which contains fifty-three acres and is located on the south side of the Wilson mill road, two and one-half miles south of New Wilmington. Mr. MeClure was born September 12, 1873, and is a son of Rich- ard and Anna (Reed) McClure.

The MeClure family is of Scotch extrac- tion, but for generations it has belonged to Allegheny County and the farm on which Joseph H. was born was also the home- stead of his father, Richard, his grand- father, Francis, and his great-grandfather, Samuel. The latter at one time was a judge on the bench in Allegheny County. Rich- ard McClure was a lumber merchant.

Joseph H. McClure attended the schools of Allegheny County and subsequently be- came a student in Westminster College at New Wilmington. His early ambition was to become a physician, and with this end in view he studied and later entered Jeffer- son Medical College, at Philadelphia, where he remained for two years. He left the college, however, for the farm and since locating in Wilmington Township has given the larger part of his time and at- tention to the developing of fine stock. He

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has both farms well improved and culti- vates portions and keeps a large amount for pasturage, as he raises many horses and Shorthorn cattle. He owns an interest in two stallions, one a fine three-year-old named Cleopaz, that took first premium at the Michigan State Fair; and Partisan, a seven-year-old, of registered stock, that was purchased at Byron, Mich., and is very highly valued by the stockmen through this section.

On May 14, 1901, Mr. McClure was mar- ried to Margaret Pomeroy, who is a daugh- ter of James and Amanda (Moore) Pom- eroy, prominent people of New Wilming- ton. Four children have been born to this marriage: Margaret Jean, Laura Eliza- beth, Anna Reed and Sarah Marjorie. Mr. and Mrs. McClure are members of the Presbyterian Church of New Wilmington.

BRANT E. SANKEY, M. D., who is successfully engaged in the practice of medicine at New Castle, was born in 1873, at Pittsburg, Pa., and is a son of S. Henderson and Mary R. (Thorn) Sankey. S. Henderson Sankey, father of Dr. Sankey, is one of the leading contract- ing carpenters of New Castle, as well as one of the city's most esteemed citizens. His father, E. E. Sankey, was a farmer in Lawrence County, while his grandfather, John Sankey, came to this part of Penn- sylvania in the days of the pioneers.

Dr. Sankey was reared and educated at New Castle and after turning his attention to the study of medicine, entered the Cleve- land Medical College, from which institu- tion he was graduated in the class of 1895. Dr. Sankey located at New Castle and here has built up a large and satisfying prac- tice. He is a member of the Lawrence County Medical Society, the Physicians' Club, the State Homeopathic Medical So- ciety and the American Institute of Hom- eopathy. His well equipped office is at No. 54 Jefferson Street.

On April 17, 1907, Dr. Sankey was mar- ried to Miss Lillian G. Moser, who was

born at West Middlesex, Mercer County, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Second Presbyterian Church at New Castle. Dr. Sankey is an Odd Fellow, be- longing to the lower branch and the Law- rence Encampment. His social relations are with the Temple Club.

JOSEPH KISSICK PEARSON, for- merly a successful business man and re- spected citizen of New Castle, was born in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, May 14, 1838, and died August 14, 1892. He was a son of Samuel and Mary (White) Pear- son, old and prominent residents of this section. He was educated at Union Col- lege, Schenectady, N. Y., and later went into the merchant tailoring business at New Castle, entering into partnership with his brother, David Pearson. He was also interested in the limestone industry. He became a man of business standing, was respected for his ability and integrity and in every way was considered a representa- tive citizen. He was the promoter of many of the city's public-spirited movements, be- ing a liberal contributor also to charitable and benevolent objects. Mr. Pearson was married to Katherine De Groff, who was a daughter of Simon and Katherine (Dockstader) De Groff, and a grand- daughter of Daniel and Maria (De Groff) De Groff. The latter were prominent people at Fonda, N. Y., at one time own- ing one of the best farms in Montgomery County. To Mr. and Mrs. Pearson were born two sons and two daughters, namely : Samuel De Groff, Edwin Joseph, Ger- trude and Mary Louise.

Samuel De Groff Pearson was born June 4, 1877, and although comparatively a young man, ranks high in business circles at New Castle, being president of the Croton Limestone Company and also pres- ident and general manager of a wholesale tobacco concern. He married Florence Strunk and they have one daughter, Evy- lena.

Edwin Joseph Pearson was born May

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20, 1882. He also is a business man, being interested in the iron business, as was his maternal grandfather, Simon De Groff, a prominent iron manufacturer 'at New Castle.

Gertrude Pearson was born January 5, 1884, and Mary Louise June 14, 1889. These young ladies are highly educated and both are prominent in New Castle so- ciety. Mrs. Pearson resides in the old Pearson homestead, an attractive three- story dwelling standing on Pearson Street, which commands a beautiful view of the river and the city. The farm of eighty acres is situated in Hickory Township, on the Harlansburg road, about two miles north of New Castle.

WALKER F. McCOMB, freight agent for the Mahoning and State Line Railroad, at Hillsville, is a well known and popular citizen of this vicinity. He was born in Union Township, Lawrence County, Penn- sylvania, March 17, 1873, and is a son of Lee and Rebecca (Fox) McComb. On both sides of the family the grandparents of Mr. McComb were early settlers in Lawrence County, Joseph and Maria (Robinson) McComb locating in Union Township, and Andrew and Catherine (Pentz) Fox, (who originally came from east of the moun- tains, near Hagerstown) in Slippery Rock Township.

Lee McComb, father of Walker F., re- sided in Union Township until he was thirty years of age, when he removed to Hillsville, where he engaged in business, and later engaged in partnership with his son, Walker, dealing in grain, hay and coal, under the firm name of Lee McComb & Son. He died at Hillsville, January 16, 1906, his first wife having passed away in October, 1882. He was a Republican in politics, and served as constable of Ma- honing Township. He was a member and trustee of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Hillsville, to which he gave a liberal support. He married first Rebecca Fox, and they had three children-Walker F,

Jennie B., residing at Hillsville, and Jo- seph L., who is a resident of Youngstown, Ohio. He is survived by his second wife, Mrs. Martha McComb.

Walker F. McComb was quite a small boy when his parents moved to Hillsville, and he remained with them until he was eleven years old, at which time he went to reside with his uncle, C. O. Stacy, in Po- land Township, Mahoning County, Ohio. During his six years' residence there he assisted his uncle on the latter's farm and attended the public schools. Later he spent one year at the Volant Normal Acad- emy, Volant, Pa., and three months at Clark's Business College, New Castle. He then entered into partnership with his father at Hillsville in a grain and hay busi- ness, above alluded to, under the firm name of Lee McComb & Son, which was con- tinued for several years. In 1897 the firm engaged in the retail coal business, which Walker F. McComb has carried on alone since the death of his father. In the above mentioned year the Mahoning and State Line Railroad opened its office at Hills- ville for traffic, and Mr. McComb was ap- pointed agent, and has served in that po- sition ever since, being the first and only agent to transact business for the com- pany at this point.

Mr. McComb was married first to Iva J. Miller, a daughter of Henry H. Miller, a native of Mahoning County, Ohio, and of this union there were two children- W. Miller and Alma A. Mr. McComb mar- ried, secondly, Mrs. Loelma (Young) Pas- coe, who is a daughter of Joseph Young, of New Castle. They have one son-G. Leander. Mr. McComb is a member and trustee of the Hillsville Methodist Episco- pal Church. In politics he is a Republi- can, and is now serving as a school direc- tor in Mahoning Township.

FREDERICK H. WEINGARTNER, whose well improved farm of 127 acres is situated in Slippery Rock Township, about four miles from Elwood City, is joint own-

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er with his son, Harry Adam Weingartner, of the finest livery establishment in that city. Mr. Weingartner was born on his present farm, March 3, 1863, and is a son of Adam and Anna (Wisbond) Weingart- ner.

Adam Weingartner was born in Ger- many, and was a boy of eighteen years when he crossed the sea and came to Penn- sylvania. For a time he worked in a bak- ery in Philadelphia, and then came to Lawrence County and worked for farmers until he moved to Beaver County, where he bought his first land, a tract of twenty- five acres, which he cleared and built upon. From there he moved to another location, on the New Castle road, where he pur- chased forty acres and cleared and im- proved that also, and after selling it, he bought 125 acres in the woods, in Slippery Rock Township. On this land he built his log cabin and started into clearing and improving, as he had previously done. On this farm, which his son, Frederick H., now owns, he died when aged almost eighty- nine years. He was known for his hon- esty and industry, and also for his excel- lent business qualities. He was twice mar- ried, (first) to a Miss Catherine Geiger, who died on the Slippery Rock farm, and (second) to Mrs. Anna (Barbery) Wis- bond. To the first marriage were born nine children, namely: Rickey, George, Christina, Mary, Catherine, Sophia, Julia, John F. and John. To the second union three children were born-Frederick H., Albert and Ida.

Frederick H. Weingartner obtained his education in the Slippery Rock Township schools, and grew to manhood a well trained farmer. At the time of his father's death he purchased the old homestead from the other heirs, and he also bought fifty additional acres. He continues to carry on general farming, and for a num- ber of years has engaged in hauling and a general livery business. He built the fine livery barn on Fourth Street, near the railroad, in Ellwood City, and also erected

on his farm one of the finest houses and barns in the township.

Mr. Weingartner married Sophia Cun- ningham, and they have five children, namely: Harry Adam, William Walter, Clarence Carl, Jesse George and Verna Viola. Mr. Weingartner and family be- long to the Presbyterian Church, of Slip- pery Rock. In his political views he is a Republican.

CHARLES WEHMAN, general farm- er and well known citizen of Perry Town- ship, where he owns a valuable farm of 111 acres, which is favorably located with- in four and one-half miles of Ellwood City, was born January 18, 1858, in Wayne Township, Lawrence County, Pennsyl- vania. His parents were John Frederick and Christina (Slipper) Wehman.

The father of Mr. Wehman was born in Germany and lived there until after his first marriage. When he came to America he settled in Butler County, Pennsylvania, but later moved to Wayne Township, Law- rence County, where he died when aged sixty-two years. For his maintenance he engaged in farming and also, when oppor- tunity offered, worked at his trade of plas- terer. His second marriage, to Christina Slipper, was after he came to America, and her death preceded his own, when she was in her fiftieth year. He had eleven children, namely: William, deceased; Christian, Wilhelmina, deceased; Freder- ick, Mary, Charles, John, Elizabeth, Er- nest and two that died in infancy.

Charles Wehman attended school in Wayne Township, during his boyhood, and later assisted in the operation of the home farm. For the past thirty years Mr. Weh- man has resided on his present farm, which he has brought to a high state of cultiva- tion. He has always been a man of in- dustry and has reared a fine family of sons and daughters, who have given him assistance. Three years after settling on his own farm he was married to Catherine Ketterer, who is a daughter of Henry Ket-

ABNER W. GIBSON.

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terer, and they have had the following children : Mary Bertha, who married Aud- ley Smith, has three children-Charles, Emma and Lawrence; Harry E., who as- sists his father; Ella C., who married Ar- chie Richards, has one child, Catherine, and Emma E., Lydia M., Anna M., Sadie L., Carl and Verna M. Carl is deceased.

Mr. Wehman has reared his family in the faith of the Lutheran Church. Politi- cally, he is a Democrat, but has never consented to hold any township office ex- cept school director.

JOHN B. LAMB, residing on a farm of 137 acres of land lying a mile and a half south of Princeton, in Slippery Rock Town- ship, is one of the best known among that township's younger generation of farm- ers and business men. He was born in Wayne Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, March 7, 1882, and is a son of John and Nancy (McConahy) Lamb.

Patrick Lamb and his wife, grandpar- ents of John B., were natives and life-long residents of Ireland. John Lamb, father of John B., was born in Ireland, and until he reached the age of thirty years assisted his father on the farm, and then emigrated from his native land to America, and first took up his residence at Oil City, Pa., where he was employed in an oil refinery. After a period of eleven years, he moved to the farm in Wayne Township, Lawrence County, where his son, John B., was born. After a residence of three years there, he bought a farm in Shenango Township, Lawrence County, and remained about eight years. At the end of that time he purchased the present Lamb farm in Slip- pery Rock Township, and there remained the rest of his life, dying in February, 1907. He was a hard worker, a man of thrift and enterprise and the success he attained in life came solely through his own efforts. He was united in marriage with Nancy Me- Conahy, a daughter of Laughlin MeCon- ahy, who was an early settler in Slippery Rock and was formerly owner of the place

now owned by Mr. Lamb. He came at a time when the country was wild and un- developed and had to make a clearing for the first house he built on the place. Mrs. Lamb died in December, 1907, surviving her husband less than a year. They were parents of the following children: Laugh- lin P., Mrs. Thomas O'Leary, Mrs. D. D. MeCormick, John B. and Etta.

John B. Lamb was educated in the dis- trict schools, and at an early age turned his attention to farming operations. Upon the death of his mother, he purchased the interests of the other heirs, and has since continued farming the home place, which comprises 137 acres of valuable land. His sister, Etta, resides on the home place with him and keeps house. Politically, he is a Democrat. In religious attachment, Mr. Lamb is a Catholic.

ABNER W. GIBSON, a well known and influential farmer of Taylor Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, was born at what is now known as Phillips' Corner, on the Sharon-Mercer road, in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, January 28, 1830. He is a son of William M. and Mary (Walker) Gibson, and grandson of William Gibson.

William Gibson, the grandfather, came from Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, with his father and three brothers, and with the latter inherited 900 acres of land which their father took up upon his settle- ment here. They arrived in the pioneer days of 1803, and William Gibson cleared and lived upon his farm the remainder of his life. His son, William M., was born on this farm, which was located in what is now Wilmington Township, Lawrence County, at that time Neshannock Township, Mercer County. After his marriage he lived for four years on the road between Sharon and Mercer, his wife having been born within a mile of that place. They sold out there and purchased a tract of 100 acres in the woods at Neshannock Falls, about the year 1834, living there until 1849. They then moved to Beaver County and resided until

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1868, when they moved with their son, Ab- ner W., to his present location in Taylor Township. He died in 1878 and was sur- vived many years by his widow, who passed away in 1892, at the age of eighty years.

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Century history of New Castle and Lawrence County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Part 70

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