Century history of New Castle and Lawrence County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Part 82

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 82

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 1895 Mr. Crawford formed a marital union with Miss Rebecca J. Liebendorfer, who was born and reared in New Castle. They are members of the Second United Presbyterian Church of New Castle.

PERRY MAITLAND, formerly a prom- inent, substantial and thoroughly repre- sentative citizen of New Castle, who was closely identified with the real estate busi- ness here for many years, was born at New Castle, Pa., June 20, 1844, where he died August 6, 1897. His parents were William N. and Camilla (Pollock) Mait- land.

The Maitland family was of Chester County, Pennsylvania, and Mr. Maitland's grandparents moved from there to Law- rence County and settled near what was then the little village of New Castle. Will- iam N. Maitland later became a large land- owner. He purchased a valuable piece of property on Washington Street, in the heart of New Castle, then in a state of nature. This property he improved, erect- ing dwellings and a general store. He lived to see the day when this land had much more than doubled in value and he consid- ered it one of the wisest investments he ever made. He married a daughter of one of the pioneer physicians and surgeons of Lawrence County, and they had five chil- dren, namely: John R., Irene, Addie R., William and Perry.

Perry Maitland was given public school advantages, after which he entered busi- ness life in the capacity of a clerk in a dry goods store at New Castle, where he remained for several years. He then em- barked in a grocery business for himself, which he conducted in a building located at that time on the corner now occupied by the Citizens' Bank, which property he owned. In 1874 he erected the present substantial bank building, moving his old store to Mill Street, and later disposed of the bank building. He handled a large amount of realty during his most active years, and made this the main interest of

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his commercial life. As a business man he stood high, both as to his ability and per- sonal honor, and his death was generally recognized as a distinct loss to the city by his fellow citizens.

On May 23, 1871, Mr. Maitland was mar- ried to Adda F. Farver, who is a daughter of Joseph C. Farver and a granddaughter of Samuel Farver. The latter was born in Maryland and founded the family in Law- rence County in 1800. He acquired a large amount of property, a portion of which is still in the family. Joseph C. Farver, father of Mrs. Maitland, was born in She- nango Township, Lawrence County, De- cember 4, 1817. He owned a farm of large dimensions in Lawrence County, on which he resided until the close of his life, when aged seventy-one years. He was a man of sterling character and occupied a prom- inent position in his community. He mar- ried Nancy Carl, and they had the follow- ing children: Samuel and Joshua, both of whom died in childhood, and Adda F. and Emma Margaret, the latter of whom owns the old Farver homestead.

In his political preference, Mr. Maitland was a Democrat, and had he cherished po- litical ambitions, could probably have filled offices of publie trust and responsibility. He cared little, however, for such honors, finding his full measure of happiness in at- tending to business and promoting the pleasure of others, particularly enjoying the hospitality he offered to his friends at all times. He was a liberal supporter of publie-spirited enterprises which promised to advance the interests of the city, and his generosity was unbounded in the cause of charity. In 1886 Mr. Maitland erected the beautiful home at No. 161 North Jef- ferson Street, New Castle, in which Mrs. Maitland continues to reside.

J. ABRAHAM WELSCH, a representa- tive resident of Union Township, owning an excellent farm, is also the popular mail carrier over Free Delivery Route No. 2, in which service he has been engaged for

some years. He is a native of New Castle, Pa., and is a son of J. Abraham and Eliza- beth (Shenkel) Welsch.

The parents of Mr. Welsch were born in Germany and they came to America and settled at New Castle over sixty years ago. The father died in 1880, but the venerable mother still survives and in spite of her eighty-five years, is active both in mind and body and enjoys the companionship of her old neighbors in New Castle.

J. Abraham Welsch, the younger, was ten years old when his parents settled on the farm he now owns, in Union Town- ship. He attended the country schools and later assisted on the farm and subsequent- ly came into possession of it.

On January 26, 1904, Mr. Welsch was married to Margaret Fox, who was born in Shenango Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, and is a daughter of David and Jane (Linton) Fox. Both the Fox and Linton families were old settled ones of Shenango Township. In politics, Mr. Welsch is a stanch Republican and an ac- tive supporter of the party's administra- tion in public affairs.

FRANCIS M. DAVIS, who has been a life-long resident of Lawrence County, is at the head of the Wampum Hardware Company at Wampum, Pa., a concern which enjoys the liberal patronage of the people throughout this section. He was born at Mullentown, now the Sixth Ward of the city of New Castle, September 3, 1857, and is a son of James and Lavina (Iddings) Davis.

James Davis was born in Union Town- ship, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, and was there reared on a farm. In his boy- hood days he attended the primitive log school-house, equipped with slab desks and benches, and later engaged in teaching school until his marriage. He bought a farm of 100 acres in Shenango Township, Lawrence County, on which he engaged in farming, and at the same time did consid- erable teaming, hauling coal which was

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mined on his farm, to trade in New Castle. He was run down by a train at the railroad crossing in 1881, and his death resulted. He is survived by his widow, who in maid- en life was Lavina Iddings. She is a daughter of Joseph and Hannah (Hoopes) Iddings, her maternal ancestors, the Hoopes having come to this country with William Penn. Mr. and Mrs. Davis be- came parents of the following children: Francis Marion; Ezra Hoopes, who died in infancy; Catherine, wife of Sylvester Sage; James Iddings; Mary, wife of H. V. Brown; Charles W .; Robert Emery; Har- ry Hibbert and Carrie, wife of H. V. Ailey.

Francis M. Davis was about one year old when his parents moved to the farm in Union Township, and was still a boy when they located upon the home place in Shenango Township, where he grew to ma- turity. He attended the district schools about four months of each year and worked upon the farm until he was seventeen years of age, when he learned the trade of a plasterer. He followed his trade for a period of twenty-seven years and became widely known throughout various parts of the county. He continued to reside on the home farm until 1905, when, on February 4, he and his brother, Dr. Charles Davis, purchased the business of the Wampum Hardware Company. He then moved to Wampum and has since had charge of the business, being assisted in the store by a daughter, Miss Nancy Davis. They carry a large stock of general hardware and ex- plosives, their store being located on Rail- road Street. They also have a large ware- room across the street from the store build- ing, and another along the railroad tracks. Mr. Davis is a business man of recognized ability and standing, and enjoys the es- teem of his fellow citizens to a marked de- gree.

Mr. Davis was united in marriage March 22, 1883, with Miss Alice A. Matheney, daughter of Elijah G. Matheney, an old pioneer of the county, and they are parents of the following children: Olive A .; Anna

Eleanor; Charles Sherman; Nancy, best known by the name of "Dimple," who as- sists her father in the store; Elijah, and Alma. In politics he is a Democrat. He and his family are faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Davis is also a stockholder in the First National Bank of Wampum.

ELLIOTT H. PHILLIPS, a prominent real estate dealer at Ellwood City, with his business office at No. 227 Sixth Street, has been a resident of this place since 1893 and has been identified with its remark- able development. Mr. Phillips was born in Brady Township, Clarion County, Penn- sylvania, August 23, 1856, and is a son of Jonathan T. and Rebecca (McCoy) Phil- lips.

In all probability the Phillips family originated in Wales, but the present avail- able records reach only to the grandfather, John Phillips, who secured a patent for his land in Clarion County, at a very early day, and on that farm his children and grandchildren were born. He died there in 1856. His sons, David, John, Timothy and Jonathan, are all deceased. He had three daughters, Susan, Sarah and Mar- garet, Susan and Margaret still surviving, in advanced age. Susan married William Wharton and survives him. Sarah mar- ried William McCoy and both are de- ceased. Margaret married William Hib- bert, and both still live.

Jonathan T. Phillips was born in Clar- ion County, in 1829, and died February 22, 1897. He married Rebecca MeCoy. who was born in Ohio and is a daughter of William McCoy, who died there when she was small. Her mother removed with her children to Phillipstown, Clarion County, Pennsylvania, where Mrs. Phillips was reared and married. She has recently passed her seventy-seventh birthday. The children born to Jonathan T. Phillips and wife were: Mabin F., who is engaged as an engineer and gauger for the Standard Oil Pipe Line Company, at Ogle, Butler

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HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY

County ; Elliott H., residing at Ellwood City; Luvadus W., residing at Center Point, Dodge County, West Virginia, is a gauger employed by the Eureka Pipe Line Company; Arvilla, who married Calvin C. Mauck, who is engaged as weighmaster for a coal company at Phillipston, Clarion County; Alsimeda, who married William Adams, who is a prosperous wheat farmer, owning several hundred acres of land near South Bend, Kan., and Otis MeKendry and Lillie, both deceased, the former dy- ing at the age of eighteen years and the latter aged three years. Jonathan T. Phil- lips followed a blacksmith business in his earlier years, but later became a station- ary engineer.

From the age of six years to thirteen, Elliott H. Phillips, with his brothers, at- tended the public schools near his home. When his father deemed him old enough, he put him to work as a pumper in the oil fields, where he continued until he was nineteen, after which, for two years, he was associated with his brother William in a coal business and worked also as a stationary engineer. In 1893, as above noted, he came to Ellwood City and for some six years engaged in business here in the tobacco and stationery line, and since then has been interested in fire in- surance and real estate. He handles a large amount of realty and makes invest- ments for outside parties, and probably has had much to do with bringing capital and desirable residents to this section. He represents also, as general agent, many of the leading fire insurance firms and com- panies of the country.

In 1879 Mr. Phillips was married to Miss Rebecca Jane Walker, who is a daughter of Alexander Walker, who was a prom- inent farmer of Armstrong County. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Phillips: A babe that died when nine days old; Maude, who is the wife of William Dunham, has two children, Ina and Robert F., and they reside on Park Avenue, Ellwood City; Roy, who is a yeo-

man on the torpedo boat Vasilla, is at present (1908) stationed at Norfolk, Va .; Etta, who is in her father's employ in his real estate office, and Lola May, who is a student. Mr. Phillips and family belong to the Baptist Church at Ellwood City.

Reared a Republican, Mr. Phillips has always been an ardent advocate of its prin- ciples, and has consistently supported its State and National candidates. For nine years he served as tax collector of Ellwood City borough, but has never sought civic promotion. He owns considerable city property, which includes his comfortable residence at No. 220 Fourth Street. He is identified with several fraternal bodies and for a number of years has been more or less prominent in the order of Odd Fel- lows, belonging to Glen Park Lodge, No. 1016, of Ellwood City, and to Conoquenes- sing Encampment, No. 64.

WILMONT LAKEY, treasurer of the New Castle Contracting Company, with of- fice at No. 22 Dean Block, New Castle, is a representative business man of this city, where he was born in 1875.

George Lakey, father of Wilmont Lakey, was born at Sharpsburg, Allegheny Coun- ty, Pennsylvania, near Pittsburg, but came to New Castle in boyhood, worked for a time on the canal and later became iden- tified with the city's various business in- terests. He is at present conducting a liv- ery business.

Wilmont Lakey obtained his education in the public schools of New Castle and the first work that claimed his attention was as driver for the patrol wagon in the po- lice department, where he was engaged for five years. For two and one-half years following he worked in the office of the Carnegie Steel mills and then became a member of the New Castle Contracting Company, which makes a specialty of street work. He takes quite a little inter- est in local politics and is known to be loyal to his friends.

In 1903 Mr. Lakey was married to Miss

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Mary A. Rook, who was born in Wales and was brought to America when a child of two years. Mr. and Mrs. Lakey have one daughter, Margaret. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a Knight Templar Mason.

WILLIAM R. CLARK, whose valuable farm of eighty-five acres is situated about one mile west of Westfield Church, in North Beaver Township, was born in Lit- tle Beaver Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, March 1, 1856, and is a son of William and Elizabeth (Woodworth) Clark.

William R. Clark was reared in Little Beaver Township and in his boyhood ob- tained the usual common school education available to country-bred youths. Along with this was the practical training that developed him into a careful and intelli- gent farmer. After his marriage he lived for four and one-half years at Newburg, in Little Beaver Township, moving to his present farm, March 31, 1886. This prop- erty was formerly owned by N. D. White, who, at death, left it needing a large amount of improving. This Mr. Clark has been more or less engaged in ever since coming here. In 1904 he remodeled the old residence and built an addition, and in 1901 had torn down the old barn and erect- ed the present substantial one. Mr. Clark has now a very attractive place and nice home, while the land, under his careful cul- tivation, produces fine crops and gives plenty of rich pasture for his dairy cows.

Mr. Clark was married to Lucy H. White, who is a daughter of the late N. D. and Sarah White, and they have three chil- dren, Vallaise Evelyn, Bessie Doris and Raymond M. They belonged to the Bethel United Presbyterian Church, in which he served thirteen years as an elder, and is a deacon in the Westfield Church, which he and family now attend.

HAMILTON A. WILKISON, attor- ney-at-law at New Castle and a mem-

ber of the prominent firm of Akens, Wilkison, Lockhart & Chambers, and a member of the Lawrence County Bar Association, was born in Shenango Township, Lawrence County, Pennsyl- vania, in 1872, and is a son of Joseph M. and Sarah (Akens) Wilkison. These two families are among the oldest and most honorable families of Lawrence County.

H. A. Wilkison was afforded excellent educational opportunities, his advantages including attendance at the Volant Acad- emy and the Slippery Rock State Normal School. He entered upon the study of law in the office of his uncle, C. H. Akens, at New Castle, and he was admitted to the bar in March, 1898. He continued in the office of his uncle, engaged, however, in individual practice until April, 1907, when he became a member of the firm of Akens, Wilkison, Lockhart & Chambers.

In 1900 Mr. Wilkison was married to Miss Ella F. Davidson, who is a daughter of Thomas D. Davidson, of New Castle. Mrs. Wilkison was born and reared in North Beaver Township, graduated from the New Castle High School and for some five years was a very acceptable teacher in the public schools of that city. Mr. and Mrs. Wilkison have three children: Kath- erine E., Walter D. and Loyal A. They belong to the Highland United Presbyte- rian Church, and Mr. Wilkison is secretary of the congregation and a member of the Board of Trustees. In politics he is a Democrat.

DANIEL L. MCCOWN, president of the Mt. Air Elgin Creamery Butter Company, is a well-known resident of Little Beaver Township, Lawrence County, Pennsyl- vania, where he owns a fine farm of eighty acres, located about eleven miles south- west of New Castle. He was born on his father's old home place in Little Beaver Township, January 12, 1847, and is a son of Allen and Margaret ( Aughenbaugh) Mc- Cown.

James McCown, grandfather of Daniel

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L., was one of the pioneers of Little Bea- ver, having crossed the Alleghenies and located in the woods at a time when it still formed a part of Beaver County. He was blind during the latter years of his life, and lived just six hours after the death of his wife, Margaret. They were parents of ten children, eight sons and two daugh- ters. The sons were: Samuel, James, Jo- seph, John, Allen, William and Thomp- son, twins, and Harvey.

Allen MeCown was born on the old home place in Little Beaver Township, in 1812, and lived there all his life except for one winter spent in Wisconsin. He was first married to Margaret Aughenbaugh, who was born in Little Beaver Township, and was a daughter of John Aughenbaugh, who was a soldier in the Continental Army dur- ing the Revolutionary War, having walked to Erie to enlist. Mrs. McCown died at the age of thirty-eight years, leaving the fol- lowing children: John, Addison, Daniel Leisure, James D. and Alexander W. Al- len MeCown formed a second marital union with Rebecca Young, of Beaver County, whom he also survived some years. He died on his farm in 1896 at the age of eighty-four years.

Daniel L. MeCown spent his boyhood days on the farm and received a meagre educational training in the public schools. After working a few years in the oil fields he learned the trade of a blacksmith, which he followed successfully some twenty- eight years, having his shop on the farm. He also worked in New Castle for a time. He purchased his present farm from his father's estate, it being known as the Widow Faddis Farm. Mr. MeCown has followed general farming and has pros- pered beyond the average. He was one of the organizers of the Mt. Air Elgin Cream- ery Butter Company, of which he was made president in 1908, and is also a stockholder in the Citizens Telephone Company.

On May 13, 1875, Daniel L. MeCown was joined in the bonds of matrimony with Miss Claude Carmina Grill, a daughter of

William Crill, and they became parents of six children : William C., who married Ola Johnson, and has two children, Mary E. and Anna M .; Charles A., who married Marie Avery and has two children, Wal- lace and Lloyd; Clara, wife of George R. Andrews, by whom she has three children, Ruth, Hazel and Arthur; Roy, who mar- ried Ruth Dunnan; Glen, and Guy. Re- ligiously, Mr. McCown is a member of the United Presbyterian Church. Politically, he gives earnest support to Prohibition principles.

JOHN W. YOHO, a representative citi- zen of Chewton, Wayne Township, and a life-long resident of Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, was born in Taylor Town- ship, in what is known as Hog Hollow, Sep- tember 3, 1853. His parents were Daniel and Sarah ( Wilson) Yoho.

John Yoho, the paternal grandfather, was born in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, and was a son of an old Indian fighter, who, with his two brothers, assisted in ex- terminating the savages in this section. John Yoho married Nancy Dougherty and they had six sons and one daughter, name- ly : Jacob Manasa, Daniel, Edward, John, James and Elizabeth, the latter of whom was the wife of Martin Foster. The ma- ternal grandparents were John I. and Eliza (Munnell) Wilson, of Wayne Town- ship, and they had the following children : Sarah; Elizabeth, who married Harry Moore; Eli H., who was killed at the sec- ond battle of Bull Run, during the Civil War; John P., who resides in Wayne Township; Louisa, who married Ira Cun- ningham; Ella, second wife of Ira Cun- ningham; Emma, who married Samuel Hill, of Shenango Township; Harriet and Hiram, twins, the former of whom married Frank Shalenberger and they reside on Chewton Hill ; and George H., who resides near Slippery Rock Church.

Daniel Yoho, father of John W., was born near Ellwood City, Beaver County, Pennsylvania, August 10, 1830, and died

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February 26, 1906. He married Sarah Wil- son, who was born November 21, 1827, and died November 12, 1907. Their family con- sisted of six sons and three daughters, as follows: John W .; Nancy Elizabeth, who married Charles Coulter, resides in Chew- ton; Edward J., residing near Slippery Rock in Wayne Township, married Lizzie Nye; Manasa George, born June 2, 1859, died April 18, 1865; Eli E., residing near Slippery Rock, married Annie Hoover, since deceased; Ella L. married Harry Garoway; Mary L. married A. J. Freed and resides in Beaver County ; William W., residing at Wampum, married Catherine McConahy; and Harvey D., residing at Chewton, married Lydia Cook.

John W. Yoho was brought to Wayne Township in childhood. He obtained his education in the small brick school-house near Slippery Rock and then worked for farmers near New Castle and Homewood. After his marriage he worked in the old Wampum furnace and for six years was a conductor on the Pittsburg and Western Railroad. Later he was elected a justice of the peace in Wayne Township and re- mained in office for nine years. For the past four years he has been engaged in a general mercantile business and also han- dles flour and feed. He moved to Chew- ton in 1867 and there are but two residents of the village surviving, who were here when Mr. Yoho located at this point. He thus has been identified largely with the progress and development of the place.

On October 30, 1873, Mr. Yoho was mar- ried to Miss Lydia Robberman, who was born and reared in Morgan County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Henry Robberman. They have four sons and two daughters, namely : Arthur Clyde, who is employed in a store at Homewood, married Anna Stan- nard, and they have two sons, Lawrence C. and Frank; Florence Myrtle, residing at home; Daniel Clarence, residing at Chew- ton, married Maud Crawford and they have a son and daughter; and John Charles, Ross Culberson and Sarah Mabel,

are all at home. Mr. Yoho and family be- long to the Presbyterian Church at Wam- pum.

For as far back as he can trace, the Yoho ancestors have been stanch supporters of the Democratic party and the present gen- eration is identified with the same organi- zation. Mr. Yoho and three of his sons, Arthur C., Daniel C. and John C., are members of Wampum Lodge, No. 865, Odd Fellows.

THE ELLWOOD LUMBER COM- PANY, with principal office and yard at Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, and branches at Aliquippa and Ambridge, Pennsylvania, having also a large planing mill at the lat- ter point, is extensively engaged in con- struction work throughout Western Penn- sylvania and handles all kinds of lumber and building materials. The company was incorporated under the state laws of Penn- sylvania, May 21, 1904, with an original capital stock of $10,000, which, owing to the rapid growth of their business has since been increased to $100,000. The vol- ume of their business has lately annually approximated $200,000. The officers at the present time are: W. J. MeKim, presi- dent; Thomas L. Haines, vice president; and John F. Haines, secretary, treasurer and general manager. With the officers named, Joseph S. Ehrheart of Ambridge and E. F. Kemena of Beaver, compose the board of directors. The office force and teamsters at the three yards number fif- teen, and the total number employed by the company reaches a large figure, vary- ing according to the amount of construc- tion work on hand. At the present time the company is building the city hall and fire department building at Aliquippa, two large buildings at Monaca, one $10,000 residence and a business block at Beaver, and a large brick flat building in Ellwood City. Fully one-third of the buildings of Ellwood City have been constructed by this company, which is the oldest there. It ab- sorbed the materials of the Crescent Lum-

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ber & Construction Company and the stock, materials and good will of the Hazen Lum- ber & Construction Company at Ellwood City, also most of the materials of the late Ambridge Lumber & Building Company of Ambridge, Pennsylvania, and formerly owned yards at Minerva, Amsterdam, Dil- lonvale and Rush Run, Ohio, and at Mid- land, Pennsylvania. It was deemed for the best interests of the company, that the Ohio and Pennsylvania concerns be under independent management and ownership, and in the spring of 1906 the Ohio inter- ests were disposed of to the East Ohio Lumber Company of Steubenville, a con- cern practically owned and controlled by the same leading spirits identified with the Ellwood Lumber Company. The main of- fices of the latter are located at the corner of Franklin Avenue and Second Street in Ellwood City, the Ambridge plant between Fourteenth and Creese Streets in Am- bridge, and the Aliquippa office on the west side of Beaver Avenue, the various realty and buildings used being owned by the company. This concern has been an im- portant factor in the material advancement and prosperity of Ellwood City, and takes rank among the most successful enterprises of Lawrence County.

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Century history of New Castle and Lawrence County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Part 82

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