Century history of New Castle and Lawrence County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Part 78

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 78

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In 1863, during the Mississippi cam- paign, Mr. Stevenson suffered from sun- stroke and on May 12, 1864, he was seri- ously wounded at Spottsylvania Court House, and in addition to these injuries he entirely lost the sense of hearing in one ear.

Shortly after his return from the army, Mr. Stevenson was married to Miss Nancy J. Young, who was a resident of Allegheny County, and they had two daughters : Hen- rietta E., who married Prof. W. A. H. Hobbs, residing at Cocoanut Grove, Flor- ida, and Laura M. Stevenson, stenogra- pher in the National Bank of Lawrence County, residing with her father at New Castle.

Mr. Stevenson was a member of En- campment No. 1, Union Veteran Legion, and a charter member of Post 100, Grand

PERCY L. CRAIG.

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Army of the Republic, and Mrs. Steven- son, who died September 13, 1900, was one of the organizers of Meade Circle, Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic.

About the time of his marriage, Mr. Stevenson purchased a small farm in Plain Grove Township, Lawrence County, and devoted his time to its cultivation during the summers and to teaching school during the winters. He, in the meantime, took an active interest in politics as a member of the Republican party, and in 1874 he was elected Register and Recorder and moved to New Castle. He served in that office for three years, and in 1884 was elected City Comptroller, in which office he served for six years. In 1896 he was appointed Deputy Register and Recorder, and served continuously for twelve years.

Mr. Stevenson has probably done more to honor and perpetuate the memory of the soldiers of the Great Civil War in this sec- tion than any other individual. For nearly forty years, while serving as secretary of the Society of the One Hundredth Regi- ment (Roundheads) he took great inter- est in acquiring information and statistics that might be used in a future history of that band of gallant men.

He was the prime mover in the Law- rence County Soldiers' Association and the Lawrence County Monument Associa- tion, and served as secretary of both or- ganizations. In 1877 he compiled a very complete roster of the soldiers enlisting from Lawrence County, which was pub- lished in the Lawrence County History.

He has also furnished historical matter to the press, not only for local but papers of national circulation.

From 1888 to 1893 he published The Volunteer, a soldiers' monthly, devoted to perpetuating the memory of the soldiers of the War of the Rebellion, which found a welcome in many homes.

Mr. Stevenson is a lover of books and possesses a large library-probably more war books than can be found in any other library in the county. He is also a stu-

dent of other history, and is a firm be- liever that the Anglo-Saxon race is "Lost Israel," and that England the "Company of Nations" and America "The Great People" represent the tribes of Ephraim and Manassah, who are eventually to rule the whole earth.

Like all their ancestors, Mr. Stevenson and family are Presbyterians, he being a member of the Central Presbyterian Church of New Castle.

HARRY B. CHAMBERS, who carries on general farming and dairying on his well cultivated tract of eighty-three acres of land in North Beaver Township, was born on an adjoining farm, June 4, 1866. He is a son of Hugh and Hannah (War- wick) Chambers.

The Chambers family is one of the old and substantial ones of this section of Law- rence County. Capt. William Chambers, a native of Ireland, the great-grandfather of Harry B., founded it. The grandfather, Samuel Chambers, accompanied his par- ents from Ireland and was reared in North Beaver Township, where he became a large landowner. The farm owned by Harry B. Chambers was formerly the property of the grandfather, who erected the large brick house about 1850, and later the com- modious barn and other buildings. Hugh Chambers was twice married and had nine children by the second union and four by the first. He died in March, 1903, on his large farm in North Beaver Township, sur- viving his second wife, the mother of Har- ry B., for four years.

Harry B. Chambers was reared on the farm that adjoins his own. He was edu- cated in the country schools and at Grove City College, and then became a teacher. He taught for two years in West New Castle, one year at Moravia and one year at Chewton, meeting with success in the educational field.

In 1889 Mr. Chambers was married to Elizabeth Kelso, a daughter of John Kelso, and they have had five children, namely :

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Howard, Harvey, Mary, Helen and Eliza- beth. Little Mary died in her sixth year. Mr. Chambers came to his present farm in 1899. It is situated on the Mahoning- town-Covert road, about two and one-half miles northwest of the former place and the land is admirably adapted to both farming and dairying.

JOHN S. OURSLER, general superin- tendent of the Sharon and New Castle Dis- trict of the Carnegie Steel Works, has been a resident of New Castle for the past eight years, and is identified with many inter- ests of the city. He was born in 1868, at Wheatland, Mercer County, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Oursler's boyhood was spent in his native place, and there he obtained a public school education. He was twenty years old when he entered the Oliver Iron and Steel Company's works at Pittsburg, where he remained for ten years, becoming superintendent of the blast furnaces. From Pittsburg he went to Mingo Junction and was superintendent of the blast furnaces of the Aetna-Standard Steel Company for two years, going then to Youngstown, Ohio, as superintendent of the blast fur- naces there. After two years at Youngs- town, in August, 1900, he came to New Castle, as superintendent of the blast fur- naces of the Carnegie Steel Company's works, serving as such for two years and then was made general superintendent of the district works at South Sharon and the whole New Castle District. Mr. Oursler's advance to this important position has been by gradual steps and brought about by the thoroughness of his knowledge, his busi- ness capacity and his executive ability. He is interested in other New Castle enter- prises and is on the directing board of the Lawrence Savings and Trust Company.

In 1887, Mr. Oursler was married to Miss Ellen Truesdale, of Sharpsville, Pa.

Mr. Oursler is prominent in Masonry in Western Pennsylvania. He has attained the thirty-second degree in the organiza- tion, belongs to Blue Lodge, Chapter,

Council and Commandery at New Castle, and to the Consistory and Shrine at Pitts- burg. His social connections are numer- ous, he being a member of the Lawrence Country Club, the Duquesne Club and the Fort Pitt Athletic Club of Pittsburg,.

PERCY L. CRAIG, first vice-president of the Lawrence Savings and Trust Com- pany, at New Castle, is prominent in many circles in this city, where he has been a valued resident for the past seventeen years. He was born and educated at Al- legheny, Pa.

Prior to coming to New Castle, Mr. Craig was interested in the railroad busi- ness for some years, but since then has been identified with gas and oil produc- tion, both in the Pennsylvania and West Virginia oil fields, as a producer. Since coming to New Castle, Mr. Craig has thor- oughly identified himself with her inter- ests. He was one of the main promoters of the Lawrence Savings and Trust Com- pany, and has been its first vice-president ever since its organization, and through his encouragement and financial assistance many other enterprises have prospered and in many of these he is a director. He is a director of the Young Men's Christian Association and formerly was its presi- dent, having always been interested in its work. For three years he served as presi- dent of the Lawrence County Sabbath- school Association and still continues a member of its executive committee. He has given fostering care to many of the city's worthy charities and is president of the board of trustees of the Highland United Presbyterian Church, and a trustee of the Elmira Home.

In 1891 Mr. Craig was married to Miss Eleanor T. McKee, a former resident of Allegheny, and they have two children, Earl M. and Margaret L. The handsome family residence is situated at No. 112 East Lincoln Avenue. Politics have never appealed to Mr. Craig, although he never ignores the duty of good citizenship.

JOHN S. OURSLER.

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JOHN W. OSTERMEIER, whose highly cultivated farm of seventy-six acres lies in Little Beaver Township, was born in Snowden Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, April 3, 1856, and is a son of John Martin and Elizabeth (Smith) Ostermeier.

The parents of Mr. Ostermeier were both born in Baden, Germany, and in 1848 the father came to America. He was a cooper by trade, but after reaching Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, he rented farming land and in 1852 he was joined by his wife, who had remained in the old country until he could establish himself in the new one. In 1861 they moved to Birmingham, and there he died in 1880, survived by his widow for twenty years. They had the following children: Philomena, deceased, was the wife of John Lockinger, also de- ceased; Catherine, who married Anton Kaylor; William M., deceased; John Will- iam, Elizabeth, deceased, was the wife of Barney Sheitler, also deceased; Julia, who married Jacob Fisher; Louise, who died aged seventeen years, and two who died in infancy.

John William Ostermeier attended school after the family moved to Birming- ham in 1861, and then learned the glass pressing trade, at which he worked from 1864 until June 28, 1882. On July 1 of that year he started into the hotel business at Pittsburg, where he continued until 1887, when he took charge of the Windsor Hotel in Allegheny County. In 1892 he came to Enon and bought the Enon Hotel, which he conducted until 1904, when he sold out to W. J. Offord. Mr. Ostermeier then turned his attention to farming, and moved on his present place in April, 1904, purchasing the property from James Har- bison, in 1903. He follows farming, gar- dening and trucking, and also dairying, and sells his produce in Beaver Falls. He has a fine place, and in 1904 he further improved it by erecting a modern ten- room residence. Mr. Ostemeier is one of the township's busy and successful men.

In July, 1882, he was united in marriage with Catherine Weisenberger, and they have had eight children: William, Elmer, John, Drusilla, Gilbert, Norman, Henry and Florence, three of the above, William, Norman and Florence being deceased. Mr. Ostermeier is a member of the Lutheran Church. In his political views he is a Re- publican.

J. WALTER BIDDLE, residing on his well improved farm of 100 acres, situated in Mahoning Township, is a successful farmer and respected citizen. He was born in Mahoning Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, August 19, 1863, and is a son of Arney and Mary (Johnson) Biddle.

The late Arney Biddle was a well known citizen of this section of Lawrence County, and through life he was more or less iden- tified with public life, serving as postmas- ter at Edenburg and in other offices in Ma- honing Township. He died in April, 1891, at New Castle. He was an advocate of temperance, and while a member of the Republican party, acknowledged many of the claims of the Prohibition party. He was a member of the Edenburg Methodist Episcopal Church, as was also his wife.

J. Walter Biddle was reared on the farm he now owns and occupies and farming has been his main occupation since he ceased attending school. On February 26, 1885, he was married to Elizabeth Cover, who was born in Franklin County, Penn- sylvania, and they have three children : J. Howard, Jessie M. and Raymond. The parents of Mrs. Biddle were John and Cor- delia (Smith) Cover, and their surviving children are: Marietta G., wife of Joseph Andrew, residing at San Antonio, Tex .; John B., residing near San Antonio; Will- iam; Emma J., wife of Orrin Corn, resid- ing near San Antonio; and Mrs. Biddle. In her childhood, the parents of Mrs. Bid- dle moved from Franklin to Crawford County, Pennsylvania, where the mother died. The father died in Texas. Mr. Bid- dle is one of the three survivors of his

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HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY

parents' family, his two sisters being: Duretta, who is the wife of Z. Callahan, of Damascus, Ohio; and Nancy W., who is the wife of J. A. Shiner, of New Castle. Mr. Biddle is a Republican in his political views, but is not an active politician.

GEORGE L. KEPLER, one of New Castle's representative citizens and sub- stantial and prominent business men, who is the leading contract painter doing busi- ness in this city, was born at Poland, Ohio, September 1, 1857, and is a son of the late John and Margaret A. (Fisher) Kepler.

The parents of Mr. Kepler are both de- ceased. In 1860 John Kepler moved with his family from Ohio to Lawrence County, and located at New Castle. For nearly a quarter of a century he was engaged in railroad work and was a man valued by his employers and respected by his fellow citizens. His three children were: George L .; John, residing at Pulaski; and Lillie, residing at New Castle.

George L. Kepler was graduated from Professor Grant's school at New Castle when twenty years of age, and immediately commenced to learn the painter's trade, and took such an interest in it that he soon acquired the knowledge that brought skill. For seventeen years he was associated with Clark Hamilton, and for the last twelve years he has engaged in business as a general contracting painter. Mr. Kepler has acquired considerable prop- erty, is one-third owner of the Leslie Block, at New Castle, has a fine residence at No. 215 McCreary Avenue, and is a stockholder in the Lehigh Cement and New Castle Portland Cement Companies.

In 1883, Mr. Kepler was united in mar- riage with Miss Lida A. McCreary, and they have one child, Nona L. L. Mr. Kep- ler and wife belong to the Disciples' Church. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, belonging to the Shrine and Con- sistory at Pittsburg; belongs to the Degree of Honor and the Ancient Order of United

Workmen; to the Modern Woodmen of America; to the Royal Neighbors and to the Junior Order of United American Me- chanics. His good citizenship is never questioned, but he leaves to others the doubtful enjoyment of political campaign- ing.

H. G. HILBERT, proprietor of the American Hotel, at Enon Valley, and pres- ident of the Ohio Oil and Gas Company, is a man of recognized business ability and high standing. He was born in Clarion County, Pennsylvania, May 2, 1866, and is a son of J. M. and Sarah (Stallman) Hil- bert, both of whom are now deceased.

Mr. Hilbert was reared in his native county, and there received a good educa- tion in the public schools. When a young man he began working in the hardware store of Klahr Brothers, at Clarion, con- tinuing for five years, then went to Pitts- burg, where he conducted a cigar store on Fifth Avenue with great success. At the end of five years, he embarked in the brok- erage business with Mr. John T. Shirley, under the name and style of Hilbert & Shirley. They dealt in New York stocks and Chicago grain, maintaining an office on Fourth Avenue, and they continued that business some six years. In Novem- ber, 1903, Mr. Hilbert removed to Enon Valley, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, and purchased the American Hotel, of Philip Fisher. It is an old and well estab- lished hotel, and under Mr. Hilbert's ca- pable and judicious management has add- ed largely to its prestige in recent years. In 1906 Mr. Hilbert became interested in the oil fields in partnership with J. A. Leightner, who later sold out his interests. They first drilled on the J. R. Lantham farm, and struck a good flow of oil and gas. In 1908, in association with others, he organized and incorporated the Ohio Oil and Gas Company, of which he was elected president. The indications for the future success of this company are flattering.

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In 1893 Mr. Hilbert was united in mar- riage with Alberta Weaver, a daughter of Samuel and Clara (Snyder) Weaver. Dur- ing their residence in Enon Valley they have made many friends and acquaint- ances, among whom they enjoy great pop- ularity. Fraternally, Mr. Hilbert is a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles.

WILLIAM H. AND JAMES G. WAL- LACE, brothers, who own over 100 acres of fine land in Mahoning Township, near Edenburg, are representative citizens and successful farmers. Both brothers were born in Mahoning Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, the former in 1860 and the latter in 1865, and they are sons of Robert and Maria (Pence) Wallace.

Robert Wallace, the grandfather, came from Scotland to Lawrence County, a very early settler, bringing with him his wife, who was a native of England. Their son, Robert Wallace, was born in Slippery Rock Township, Lawrence County, where he lived until eight years of age, when he accompanied his parents to Mahoning Township, and he grew to manhood near Edenburg, where he lived until his death, on November 16, 1891. He was a well known man, served at one time as con- stable, but was mainly concerned in the development of his farm and promoting the welfare of his family. He married Maria Pence, who survived him but a few months, dying March 14, 1892. Both were good Christians, worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Edenburg.

William H. and James G. Wallace at- tended school in Mahoning Township and have lived since birth on the home farm, which they are now successfully operat- ing. In 1900 William H. Wallace was mar- ried to Maud Kelso, of Mahoning Town- ship, and they have three children-Mary E., Grace R. and Joseph K. In politics, William H. Wallace is a Republican, to which party James G. also belongs. The latter has served as judge of elections in Mahoning Township.

JOHN A. DE NORMANDIE, secretary of the New Castle Contracting Company, with office at No. 22 Dean Building, New Castle, is a well known business man of this city. He was born August 27, 1857, at Phoenixville, Chester County, Pennsyl- vania, but has been a resident of New Castle, more or less continuously, ever since he was eight years old.

Mr. De Normandie gained his first busi- ness experience in the capacity of time- keeper for the Crescent Iron Company, of Wheeling, W. Va., where he remained for two years, and after his return to New Castle worked for a time as a grocery clerk and then embarked in business for himself, in which he continued until 1897, when he went out on the road for Dilworth Brothers, of Pittsburg. In February, 1901, he was appointed treasurer of Lawrence County, to fill out the unexpired term of L. C. Cochran, a period of one year and ten months, and subsequently was elected to the office, in which he served a full term. Mr. De Normandie then went into the con- tracting business with the New Castle Contracting Company, which does street paving, grading, sewer work and all kinds of cement work.

In 1887, Mr. De Normandie was mar- ried to Miss Emma Hamilton, who is a daughter of the late Jessie L. Hamilton, formerly a lumber merchant here, who died in 1898. Mr. and Mrs. De Norman- die have one child, Mary I. They are members of the First Presbyterian Church at New Castle. He takes a somewhat ac- tive part in local politics with a good citi- zen's desire for a reputable administra- tion of the city's affairs. He is a Knight Templar Mason, and belongs also to the Knights of Pythias, the Maccabees, the Woodmen of the World, the Modern Wood- men and to the Elks club.

CHARLES LESTER RAGER, who has had a varied career in the business world, is at the present time engaged in agricul- tural pursuits in Little Beaver Township,

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HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY

Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, where he owns a valuable tract of fifty-six acres. He was born at Enon Valley, November 11, 1873, is a son of James C. and Cynthia (Murbarger) Rager, and a grandson of James Rager, who, with his wife, located in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, at an early date, having moved from Westmore- land County.

James C. Rager, father of Charles Les- ter, was born in Apollo, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, and when one year old moved to New Brighton and was there reared to manhood. At the early age of twelve years he began the battle of earn- ing a livelihood, his connection with the Pennsylvania Railroad Company begin- ning at that time and continuing down to the present. He moved to Enon Valley in 1872, and has since run on the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne and Chicago branch of that road, at the present time running a wreck- ing train. He was united in marriage with Cynthia Murbarger, and ten children were born to them, namely: George W., an en- gineer on the main line of the Pennsyl- vania Railroad; Charles Lester; Marga- ret, wife of L. H. Caskey; Leonore, wife of E. E. Green; Susan; Wynn; Jean, wife of Thomas L. Lynch; J. Verner; Walter; and Gayle.

Charles L. Rager spent his boyhood days in Enon Valley, attended the public schools there and at New Brighton, and the Piersoll Academy at West Bridge- water. At the age of thirteen years he struck out for himself, being employed at setting up machinery by the Plano Ma- chine Company, for a couple of years. He then learned the trade of a boilermaker in the shops of the Pennsylvania Railroad at Allegheny, continuing there for five years. He then entered the railroad mail service, in the employ of the Government, and during the three years he served as such, worked in every State south of the Ohio River, except three. He next was employed three years as assistant post- master of the village of Enon Valley,

which he relinquished at the time he moved to his present farm. This farm was set- tled by the Sproatts as early as 1789, be- ing the first settled in this part of the county, and the log house originally built on the place stood until the summer of 1904, when it was torn down. The west branch of the Little Beaver passes through the place, giving an excellent water sup- ply for stock, and it is otherwise well im- proved. He has followed general farming and has been very successful in this as in other business employments.

October 15, 1902, Mr. Rager was mar- ried to Miss Charity L. Martin, a daughter of A. L. Martin, deputy secretary of Agri- culture and director of Institutes for the State of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Rager is a stockholder in the Enon Valley Telephone Company. Politically, Mr. Rager is a Re- publican, and three times served as judge of elections. He is at the present a mem- ber of the Republican County Committee, and is a very active worker for party suc- cess.

REV. JOHN ANDRZEJEWSKI, pas- tor of St. Mary's Polish Catholic Church of New Castle, has had charge of this par- ish since 1905, which includes 250 families, covering 1,400 souls. Notwithstanding his responsibilities, Father Andrzejewski is a young man, having been born February 2, 1874, at Milwaukee, Wis. His parents were Ignatius and Victoria (Wilebski) Andrzejewski.

The parents of Father Andrzejewski were born in Poland. They came to Amer- ica in 1869 and settled at Milwaukee, Wis., where the mother still resides. The father engaged in merchandizing. He died in 1906. They have six children living.

Father Andrzejewski was primarily edu- cated in the parochial schools of Milwau- kee, continued studies at Marquette Col- lege, Milwaukee, for four years, and com- pleted his education at St. Paul Seminary. On November 30, 1896, he was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Ireland, of

REV. JOHN ANDRZEJEWSKI.

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St. Paul Seminary, and he was stationed first as assistant priest of St. Luke's Church of St. Paul. Six months later he was appointed pastor of St. Peter's Col- ored Church, St. Paul, and then took charge of a lonely mission situated fifteen miles from any railroad line. He labored there for six years and his ministrations are remembered with gratitude and affec- tion by the Catholics scattered through that section. He then was appointed as- sistant pastor of the Butler Parish, in But- ler County, Pennsylvania, and in 1905 he became pastor of St. Mary's at New Cas- tle. His people love and reverence him. In addition to the usual duties of the par- ish priest, he has under his charge a pros- pering parish school which has an enroll- ment of sixty pupils.

JOSEPH P. McFARLANE, a lifelong resident of Mahoning Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, where he was born April 14, 1849, still lives on the old home- stead which is a part of the land on which his grandfather settled when he came as a pioneer to this part of Pennsylvania.

Francis McFarlane, the grandfather, was born in the north of Ireland, but the larger part of his life was lived in Penn- sylvania. He acquired 500 acres of land, which he divided between his three sons, John F., the father of Joseph P., receiv- ing one share. John F. McFarlane was born on the present farm, and lived on it through life. He married Elizabeth Da- vidson, who belonged to another old fam- ily of Lawrence County. He lived until 1873, and was survived by his widow until November 17, 1903, she then being in her eighty-third year. They were members of the United Presbyterian Church. In politics he was a Republican. Of their children six survive, as follows: Robert D., residing in Washington City, Iowa; Mary A., residing in Pulaski Township, is the widow of James Paden; Emily E., residing in Mahoning Township; Andrew L., residing at Chicago, Ill .; Joseph P.,

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Century history of New Castle and Lawrence County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Part 78

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