Century history of New Castle and Lawrence County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Part 73

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 73

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).

In 1876 Mr. Major was joined in mar- riage with Miss Catherine Cox, who died in 1881, leaving a daughter, Daisy, who lives at Pittsburg and is the wife of F. S. Kees, and they have a daughter, Bernice. In 1884 Mr. Major formed a second matri-

monial alliance with Miss Hattie McAnlis, by whom he has one son, Glen. Politically, he is a Democrat, has served twenty-four years on the School Board and is at the present borough assessor. Fraternally, he is a member of Wampum Lodge No. 865, I. O. O. F., and Wampum Lodge No. 229, O. U. A. M.

WILLIAM H. AUBEL, general con- tractor, has been a resident of New Castle for the past ten years and is identified with its industrial interests. He was born in 1865, in Mercer County, Pennsylvania.

Samuel M. Aubel, the late father of William H., followed both farming and contracting for a number of years, and was a very well known citizen in his com- munity.

William H. Aubel was reared and edu- cated in his native county, and there learned the carpenter trade. In 1898 he came to New Castle, and immediately found employment with those who could appreciate his skill and soon began con- tracting, and has continued in the same ever since. During the past four years Mr. Aubel has successfully handled some of the largest building contracts in the city and to mention the buildings he has con- structed calls attention to some of the fin- est in New Castle. He built the wholesale Notion Company or Marquis Block, on South Mill Street; completed the Elmira Home, the Annex to Westminster College, at New Wilmington; built the Simpson Methodist Episcopal Church in South New Castle, as well as Mrs. Fisher's handsome house on Sheridan Avenue, and now has on hand an $8,000 job in the construction of the C. M. Duff residence on Leisure Avenue, in the Fair Ground plat. Mr. Aubel owns also an interest in the Mahon- ing Valley Lumber Company, and his own residence at No. 4 Smithfield Street.

Mr. Aubel was married in 1887, to Miss Clara E. Stoyer, who was born in Mercer County, and they have five children : Verne W., Cliff E., Mina C., Ross M. and Grace

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HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY

L. The eldest son is working in a mine in the West, qualifying for the profession of a mining engineer. He has already spent two years in the Pennsylvania State Col- lege and proposes to complete his studies in the College of Colorado. He has inher- ited many of his father's characteristics, and his talents lie in the same direction, but in another branch. Mr. Aubel and family belong to the First Presbyterian Church, of New Castle, in which he is serving as an elder.

J. N. KIRKER, a representative busi- ness citizen of Wurtemberg, conducting a first class flour and feed store, was born February 14, 1847, in Perry Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania. His par- ents were John S. and Elizabeth (Rutter) Kirker.

Mr. Kirker is of Scotch extraction on the paternal side, and of German on the maternal. The family has been estab- lished in Pennsylvania, however, for sev- eral generations. John S. Kirker was born in Butler County, was reared on his fath- er's farm and later became the owner of one of his own, and shortly after his mar- riage came to Lawrence County. He pur- chased the farm in Perry Township on which the remainder of his life was spent, his death taking place when he was aged seventy-five years. He married Elizabeth Rutter, and they had twelve children, nine of whom survive.

J. N. Kirker attended the country schools and assisted on the home farm. In 1864, when only seventeen years of age, he enlisted for service in the Civil War, be- coming a member of Company C, in the noted Roundhead Regiment, which brought merited distinction to the troops of Penn- sylvania. Mr. Kirker took part in all the battles of the Army of the Potomac, from the Wilderness to Appomatox, at all times being at the post of duty, and by great good fortune escaping injury. After his honorable discharge he returned to the home farm, on which he lived until 1868,

when he married and moved to a farm in Butler County, which he operated until 1902, when he came to this village. For the past six years Mr. Kirker has con- ducted a safe and satisfactory business in flour and feed, at his present location.

In 1868 Mr. Kirker was married to Miss Sarah E. Matthews, who is a daughter of David Matthews, who was a prominent farmer in Butler County. Mr. and Mrs. Kirker have five children, namely: David C., married, residing in Ohio, has one child; George G., married Lydia Walters, of Ellwood City, and they have two chil- dren, Frances and Hazel; and May and Stilson H., residing at home.

Mr. Kirker is a stanch Republican in his political views. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. With his family he belongs and gives liberal sup- port to the United Presbyterian Church at Wurtemburg.

WILLIAM M. LEHMAN, whose valu- able farm, containing eighty-eight acres, lies on the north side of the Pulaski and Walker mill road, in Wilmington Town- ship, two miles south of New Wilmington, is one of the practical and successful agri- culturists of this section. He was born in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, November 25, 1865, and is a son of David Porter and Mary E. (Neighwine) Lehman. Mr. Leh- man has been a resident of Lawrence Coun- ty since he was fourteen years of age and his life has been devoted to agricultural pursuits. On January 19, 1903, he was married to Fannie Kauffman, who is a daughter of Isaac and Fannie (Zook) Kauffman, prominent farming people of Mifflin County, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Lehman had three children, Harvey, who was born March 4, 1904, and died June 1st, the same year; Norman K. and Mary Ann Elizabeth. He is a good Chris- tian man, a member of the Amish Church.

D. V. EAKIN, whose business as a gen- eral oil drilling contractor is one which

DAVID V. EAKIN.

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requires a large amount of exact experi- ence, has been identified with the oil busi- ness since 1871, and has been a resident 'of New Castle since 1899, where he is a leading citizen. He was born in 1853, in Venango County, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Eakin remained in his native local- ity until he was eighteen years of age and then left home for the oil fields, finding his first work in the old scrub grass region on the Allegheny River, in 1871. He en- gaged in operating and producing in the Bullion field in Venango County, in 1879, and from 1882 to 1892 was in the Brad- ford field, later was in the Thorn Creek field for a time, then went back to the Bul- lion field for a number of years, working as a producer, and was also engaged in drilling in the Allegheny County fields. From 1892 until 1895 he was in the rich oil districts of Northwestern Ohio, going from there back to the Venango County fields, and in 1899 he came to New Castle. For the seven succeeding years he drilled wells for the New Castle Gas Company, during the last two years being in the Vo- lant fields. Since then he has operated in Butler County and drove the first well that opened up the Muddy Creek fields. Mr. Eakin has a reputation in his line of work that keeps him very busy and there are few men through this section who are bet- ter posted or can be more thoroughly re- lied upon in oil matters than Mr. Eakin.

In 1876 Mr. Eakin was married to Miss Henrietta Cross, who is a daughter of Judge Robert Cross, of Venango County. Mr. and Mrs. Eakin have a family that includes seven sons and three daughters as follows: Blanche, Victor, who is asso- ciated with his father; Josephine, de- ceased; R. Ernest, who has charge of the accounting department of the Kansas Natural Gas Company, located at Indepen- denee, Kan .; Wilfred, who is assistant cashier of the Pittsburg & Lake Erie Rail- road Company, at New Castle; William, who is employed in the First National Bank at New Castle; Helen, Norman, who

is employed in the electrical department of the Carnegie Steel Company, and Sam- uel, Virginia and Edward.

JOSEPH R. BUTLER, general mer- chant at Wampum, has served twenty years on the School Board and is a mem- ber of the town council. He was born in Moon Township, Allegheny County, Penn- sylvania, November 9, 1840, and is a son of Abia and Jane (Bell) Butler.

Abia Butler was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and accompanied his father to Allegheny County in boy- hood. The latter died in 1870, aged sev- enty-eight years. When about twenty years of age Abia Butler joined a regiment recruited in Beaver County by Colonel Mil- ler, for service in the War of 1812, and they were stationed at Erie, Pa. When marching to that point the soldiers passed through the present village of Wampum and camped at New Castle, which was then but a collection of log houses. After the war was over Abia Butler returned to Al- legheny County, where he subsequently married Jane Bell. She belonged to an old and prominent family of Juniata Coun- ty. She died on the old farm which is now owned by the Werner heirs, not far from New Castle, October 23, 1853, aged fifty- three years. Abia Butler survived until 1870, dying at the age of seventy-eight years.

The large family born to Abia and Jane Butler is recorded as follows: George, who lived to the age of eighty-six years; Ben- jamin, who died in 1862; James, who died in 1907; Sarah, who died in 1908, survived her husband, John MeCague; Alexander, Elizabeth, who is the widow of John C. Houck; Richard, who died in 1898; Tobias, Stephen, who was a soldier in the Civil War and fell at Chickamauga; Joseph Ro- ney, John B., a soldier in the Civil War, was killed at Gaines' Hill; Nancy, who died young: Mary Ann, who died aged about thirty years. There were two other babes that died in infancy.

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HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY

Joseph R. Butler was yet a boy when the family moved to Lawrence County and settled in Perry Township. The parents moved two years later into Taylor Town- ship, where the mother died, and after this domestic affliction the family home was broken up. Joseph R. sought work on other farms and made himself generally useful either as a farm laborer or team- ster up to the time he enlisted for serv- ice in the Civil War. The recruiting of- ficer found him working on the farm of John Kelso, and not only induced Mr. But- ler to enlist in Company H, Ninth Pennsyl- vania Reserves, under Captain Cuthberson, but also secured his three companions, his brother, John Butler, who was later killed in the service, James Piersaw and George Kelso. Farmer Kelso was obliged to find other helpers, as the four young men im- mediately left for Camp Right and shortly after the regiment went to Washington and then to Camp Pierpont. On Decem- ber 13, 1861, Mr. Butler fought in his first battle, which took place at Drainsville, Va. He was on the firing line during the seven days before Richmond, in the three days of the second battle of Bull Run and later, under command of General Hooker, par- ticipated in the battle of South Mountain. Next came Antietam, this being followed by Fredericksburg and then Gettysburg. He left the front May 4, 1864, and was mustered out of the service at Pittsburg, May 16, 1864. His long and dangerous period of service was bravely endured and he had the great good fortune to escape all serious injury. He is a valued member of the Grand Army of the Republic at Wampum.

When Mr. Butler was relieved of his military duties he came to Wampum, and for the next ten years ran an engine at one of the furnaces. He also worked at drill- ing oil wells at Oil City and later ran an engine at the cement works at Wampum, for some five years. He is the pioneer merchant at Wampum, having opened up his present business at the same stand, in

1883. He is prominent in all the public affairs of the town and lends his influence to progress and public improvement. Po- litically, he is a Republican.

Mr. Butler was married November 23, 1865, to Mary E. Hess, who was born in 1846 and died October 26, 1907. They had the following children: Jennie, David, El- la, Joseph W., Mabel and Charles. Jennie married Edward Cochran, of Wampum, and they have two children, Emma and Adda. David died, leaving a bride of one year. Ella married Frederick Cochran, the twin brother of Edward Cochran. Charles married Lillian McQuistan.

LAWRENCE W. PLATT, who is en- gaged in a real estate, loan and insurance business at New Castle, with convenient offices in the Patterson Block, on Wash- ington Street, was born in this city Febru- ary 8, 1874, and is a son of William and Sarah (Lawrence) Platt. The late Will- iam Platt was a well known citizen of New Castle, where he was engaged in a grocery business for a number of years, being lo- cated on South Mercer Street.

Lawrence W. Platt obtained his educa- tion in the public schools of New Castle and at Clark's Business College. His first employment was as a clerk in a local shoe store, where he gained some business train- ing. In 1898 he embarked in his present business, securing an office in the First Na- tional Bank Building, where he continued until 1904, when he took possession of his present quarters. In enterprise and ener- gy, he is a typical American and stands deservedly high among business men at New Castle. Mr. Platt married Miss Ethel M. Meadville. He is a member of the Odd Fellows and of the Knights of Pythias.

G. WARREN GIBSON, a progressive farmer and proprietor of a sawmill in She- nango Township, was born on the parental homestead in this township, February 5, 1865, son of George B. and Matilda (Mc- Caslin) Gibson. He is a grandson of

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George Gibson, a native of the North of Ireland, who, when a boy, came with his parents to America, they settling in Hick- ory Township, Lawrence County, Pennsyl- vania, where they engaged in agriculture.

George Gibson, when old enough learned the trade of miller, which he followed un- til about the time of his marriage. He then bought a farm in Hickory Township, where he engaged in farming and stock raising for the rest of his life. He married Ann Vincent, a daughter of James Vincent, of Noblestown, Pa., and they became the par- ents of twelve children, of whom ten grew to maturity. They were: Nancy, who married John Young, of Hickory Town- ship (both deceased); Margaret, who be- came the wife of I. P. Rose (both de- ceased) ; James V., Mary, John C., George B., all deceased; Samuel S., who is a resi- dent of New Castle; William Y., residing in New Castle; Alexander and Isaac, de- ceased; Sarah J., who died in infancy, and Martha Ann, also deceased. In 1853 Mr. and Mrs. George Gibson removed to She- nango Township, settling on a farm of about 250 acres on the Butler Road. Here the father died in the spring of 1854. He was one of the largest farmers and stock raisers in the township in his day.

George B. Gibson was born August 18, 1833, in Hickory Township, Lawrence County. He received a good education and was called into public life almost as soon as he reached manhood, becoming an active worker in the Democratic party. He served in various township offices, and in November, 1875, was elected county au- ditor, being re-elected to that office in 1878, a circumstance which proved that he had made a satisfactory record as a public servant. In 1884 he was elected county commissioner, and for seven years he was chairman of the Democratic County Com- mittee. On April 20, 1893, he was ap- pointed postmaster at New Castle, receiv- ing a hearty endorsement from nearly all the leading citizens, regardless of party, about nine-tenths of the entire business in-

terests recommending his appointment. During his term of four years in this of- fice he improved the service in many ways, and was one of the most popular post- masters that New Castle ever had. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church at New Castle.

George B. Gibson was twice married. His first wife was in maidenhood Matilda McCaslin, of which union there were four children, namely: George Warren, sub- ject of this sketch; James, who married Jennie Armstrong and resides in Law- rence County ; Mamie E., who died in 1891, and is survived by her husband, Dr. Ed- ward MeKey, and a son, Warren, resid- ing at Maple Grove; and Cora A., who mar- ried James McCune. Mr. Gibson married for his second wife Arretta Tidball, who was born July 28, 1855, daughter of Rob- ert and Mary Ann Tidball, of Lawrence County. There were two children of this second union-Lula, born in 1876, who died at the age of one year, and Charles R. Mrs. Arretta Gibson is still living. Mr. George B. Gibson died in Shenango Town- ship, February 19, 1905, universally re- spected and deeply mourned by all who knew him.

G. Warren Gibson was reared and edu- cated in his native township. He remained on the home farm until he had arrived at the age of twenty-three years, when he went to Pittsburg, where he resided for about six months. He then returned to Shenango Township, Lawrence County. In 1880 he came into possession of his present farm of twenty-five acres, which he has under careful cultivation, three acres being devoted to a plum and apple orchard. From 1888 until 1904, or for a period of about sixteen years, he was en- gaged in the sawmill business, carried on under the name of Book & McKnight, of which he was the sole proprietor. He still owns the mill, which he rents out.

Mr. Gibson married Elizabeth, daughter of Hugh McKnight, of Shenango Town- ship, of which there is one daughter,

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HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY

Alice. The family are members of the Neshannock United Presbyterian Church. In political opinions Mr. Gibson is a Dem- ocrat.

WILLIAM H. PATTON, residing on his well improved farm of fifty-two acres, sit- uated on the north side of the Harlansburg road, in Hickory Township, about one and one-quarter miles from New Castle, was born July 14, 1861, in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of John H. and Margaretta (Hunter) Patton.

The grandparents, Archibald and Eliza (Stunkard) Patton, came to Lawrence County and were among the earliest set- tlers in Hickory Township, where he owned the Locust Grove Stock Farm. William H. Patton bought his present farm about 1894. His new two-story frame house and commodious and well placed out buildings all indicate thrift and comfort. Like his parents, William H. Patton was reared in Hickory Township, in which he has passed the greater part of his life, and all his in- terests are centered here. He is a leading citizen in his neighborhood and he takes a very active part in the affairs of the Neshannock United Presbyterian Church.

On February 27, 1890, Mr. Patton was married to Mary E. Patterson, who is a daughter of Walter B. and Esther (Mayne) Patterson, prominent residents of this section. Mr. and Mrs. Patton have six children: Florence M., Laura E., Wylie E., Nannie J., Margaretta and Thomas Herman.

DELL R. WRIGHT, residing on his well improved farm of 118 acres of fine land, which is situated in Perry Township, car- ries on a general line of agriculture and is numbered with the prosperous farmers of this section. He was born April 7, 1857, in the old log house that is still standing on the farm, and is a son of John and Isa- belle (Wiemer) ( Lesnett) Wright.

The grandparents of Mr. Wright were born in Ireland, and after they came to

America they lived east of the Alleghany Mountains until after the birth of their son John, when they moved to Beaver County, Pennsylvania, where they resided during the remainder of their lives.

John Wright, father of Dell R., grew to manhood in Beaver County, and during his lifetime bought several farms there. Later he came to Lawrence County and bought the farm in Perry Township on which he spent the rest of his life, dying here when aged eighty-five years. He was twice married (first) to a Miss Morrison, and (second) to Isabelle (Lesnett) Wie- mer. By his first union he had seven chil- dren, and six by his second, the survivors of the latter family being: Dell R., John, Joseph, Elizabeth (Marshall and Jemima (Lutz). Francis is deceased. The vener- able mother passed her eighty-eighth birth- day on May 25, 1908. She resides on a farm of thirty-five acres which adjoins the farm of her son, Dell R. Her father was Christian Lesnett, a farmer in Beaver County.

After Dell R. Wright had completed his school attendance, he assumed the heavier duties on the home farm, and has always lived there, with the exception of one and one-half years, during which he was on another farm in Lawrence County. At the settlement of his father's estate it was found that he inherited thirty-five acres, for life, which is later to pass to his chil- dren. Mr. Wright then bought 118 acres erected a comfortable residence and has lived on his own land up to the present time. He does general farming, some dairying, and each year raises a few fine cattle and other stock.

Mr. Wright married Sophia Fox, who is a daughter of Henry Fox, of Lawrence County, but of German ancestry. To Mr. and Mrs. Wright were born thirteen chil- dren, a large and happy family, as fol- lows: William Edward, George Allen, Frank Wilson, Harvey Aiken, Joseph Ir- vin, Isabelle, Dalvey Leroy, Mary Agnes, John Frederick, Mark McCandless, Clar-

RESIDENCE OF WILLIAM H. PATTON, HICKORY TOWNSHIP.

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ence Dell, James Leaf, and one, the fourth in order of birth, died in infancy. Frank Wilson is also deceased.

Mrs. Wright is a member of the United Presbyterian Church. In politics Mr. Wright is a Democrat. He has always taken an interest in agricultural advance- ment, and while it remained an organized body, was a member of the Farmers' Alli- ance of Perry Township.

WILSON M. BOYD, who has conducted his blacksmith business at the village of Fayette for half a century, is a leading citizen of the place and holds a commis- sion from Governor Pennypacker as a jus- tice of the peace. He was born here, in 1858, and is a son of Robert and Sarah (Patterson) Boyd. Robert Boyd was a son of Thomas Boyd, who came to Law- rence County in 1830, from County An- trim, Ireland.

Wilson M. Boyd attended the district schools in his boyhood, and then learned the blacksmith's trade, and subsequently he bought the shop in which he has con- ducted his business for so many years. He is well and favorably known all through Wilmington Township.

Mr. Boyd married Mary Allen, in 1881, and she is a daughter of A. I. and Abby Allen, farming people in Lawrence County. Mr. and Mrs. Boyd have three children: Nellie, who is a teacher in the Mahoning- town schools; Maud, who teaches in the Fayette schools; and Harry, who is yet a student. Mr. and Mrs. Boyd are members of Salem Lutheran Church, in which he is an elder and trustee. He belongs to the Odd Fellows, and is connected with Neshannock Lodge, No. 521, of New Wil- mington, of which he has been secretary for the past sixteen years, and served two terms as D. D. grand master.

MRS. SARAH J. MILLER, who with her sons, Charles W. and William J., owns the business of the Wampum Milling Com-

pany, one of the most successful business concerns of Wampum, Pa., is the widow of John J. Miller, and a daughter of Ben- jamin and Mary (Sauters) Myers.

Benjamin Myers, father of Mrs. Miller, was born in Maryland in 1813, and when quite young removed to Washington Coun- ty, Pennsylvania, with his widowed mother. He was married there to Miss Mary Sau- ters, who was born in that county, and they continued to reside there until 1842. In that year Mr. Myers purchased a farm in Springfield Township, Mahoning Coun- ty, Ohio, on which he lived until his death in 1850. He is survived by his widow who lives near Youngstown, at the advanced age of ninety years. They had four chil- dren, as follows: Sarah, Mary E., wife of J. Hill; John H., and Cecelia D., wife of G. McClure.

Sarah J. Myers was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, January 22, 1837, and was about six years of age when taken by her parents to Mahoning County, Ohio. There she grew to maturity and for a period of four years engaged in teaching school in Springfield Township. She was there married, January 6, 1857, to John J. Miller, who was born near Petersburg, in Springfield Township, Mahoning County, Ohio, the date of his birth being August 6, 1830. He was a son of Jacob and Barbara (Maurer) Miller, who came from York County, Pennsylvania, to Ohio, at a very early period. He was one of seven chil- dren born to his parents, namely : John J., Elizabeth, Susan, William, Samuel, Caro- line. and Nancy Jane, the only one of the family now living.

John J. Miller was reared on the farm and attended the public schools. When quite young he entered his father's mill and learned the trade of a miller, which he thereafter followed throughout life. About 1872. he moved with his family to Law- rence County, Pennsylvania, and for a period of ten years conducted a grist mill at Enon Valley, in partnership with a Mr.

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HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY

Whitmire. He sold out his interest to a Mr. Fisher and in 1883 moved to Wampum, where, in partnership with Jacob Pitts, he built a mill along the railroad, out of which grew the plant of the Wampum Milling Company of the present day. This part- nership lasted until the death of Mr. Mil- ler, August 19, 1899, and in April, 1900, Mrs. Miller and her two sons purchased the interest of Mr. Pitts. They have since conducted the mill in a most successful manner, enjoying a large and lucrative trade. Mr. Miller was looked upon as one of the most progressive and public-spirited men of Wampum, and his death was mourned as a loss to the community.

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Century history of New Castle and Lawrence County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Part 73

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