Century history of New Castle and Lawrence County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Part 84

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 84

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Michael Inboden, father of William, was born in Prussia, and in his younger days followed the trade of a shoemaker. He came to America with his family in 1882, and located on a farm in Little Beaver Township, Lawrence County, Pennsyl- vania. He and his wife both died in Enon Valley at advanced ages. They were par- ents of the following children: Jacob, who lives at the old home in Germany; Will-

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iam; Katherine, deceased; Peter, deceased; Michael, a well-known merchant of Enon Valley; Margaret, and Mary.

William Inboden was reared and edu- cated in his native land, and his boyhood days were spent in work upon the farm, and at learning the trade of a shoemaker, under his father's instruction. He was the first of the family to seek fortune in the New World, the year of 1870 marking his arrival in the United States. He came at once to Enon Valley and worked at his trade. He soon opened a shop, and some time later added a stock of shoes; he con- ducted the store very successfully for sev- eral years, then sold out to his brother, Michael, and turned his attention to farm- ing. He followed that occupation a few years, then returned to Enon and opened up the harnessmaking establishment which he now so successfully conducts on Main Street. He has been very active in the local real estate market, and in addition to his farm in Beaver County, is the owner of several houses in Enon. He is rated one of the substantial men of the village, and has many friends and acquaintances throughout the surrounding country.

Mr. Inboden was joined in marriage with Miss Lena Fongberd, who was born in Pennsylvania, and they have the following children: William, who is proprietor of a barber shop in Enon Valley, married Mar- garet Barker, and has three children, Louise, and Frances and Florence, twins ; Mary; Carrie; John; Charles, who is mar- ried and has a son, William; George Mir- iam, and Martha E. In religious attach- ment they are members of the Evangelical Church.

WILLIAM CICERO HENNON, a lead- ing citizen and prosperous farmer of Wayne Township, was born in this town- ship, then known as North Sewickley Township, Beaver County, January 27, 1845. He is a son of John M. and Sarah (Ward) Hennon, both natives of Wayne

Township, and a grandson of Joseph Hen- non.

Joseph Hennon, the grandfather, came to Wayne Township in 1796, from West- moreland County, Pennsylvania, and was a native of Ireland. He settled upon 175 acres, which has been in the family ever since, and of this William C. now owns and resides upon eighty-seven and one-half acres. This hardy pioneer was accom- panied by a brother, Abel, who also lo- cated a farm in the vicinity. Joseph and his wife, Margaret, were parents of the fol- lowing children: Thomas, George, John, Mary, Ruth and Rebecca.

John M. Hennon was born on the home farm in Wayne Township, in May, 1809, and lived thereon until his death in 1887, at the age of seventy-eight years. He was united in marriage with Sarah Ward, who was born in Wayne Township in 1813, and died in 1849, at the age of thirty-six years. The following children were born to them : Margaret, deceased, was the wife of Ralph Reed; Elizabeth is the wife of Thomas R. Jones and they reside at Hazeldell, Law- rence County; Albertina married Milton Moore and resides at Barleyville, Kan .; Theodore Sylvester died at the age of twelve years; Angelina married Thomas Patterson and moved to Iowa, where both died; Sarah Amanda, who was the wife of O. P. Cunningham, died at Chewton; Will- iam Cicero; Joseph S., who resides on a part of the old home farm, and Dorothy Lawrence, wife of P. Y. Newton. Mr. Hen- non was a Democrat in politics and served many years as justice of the peace.

William C. Hennon was born on the home farm and received a good education in the public schools. At an early age he learned the trade of a carpenter and brick- mason, and for a period of twenty years followed both trades with much success. Endowed with superior native ability, any- thing in the line of mechanics is easily mastered by him. During the Civil War he served in the Union Army as a member

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of Company I, Sixty-seventh Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and par- ticipated in numerous important engage- ments. He was mustered in at New Brigh- ton, Pa., and continued in the service un- til the close of the war, being mustered out at Philadelphia July 3, 1865.

William C. Hennon was first married in 1867, to Miss Nancy Jane Newton, by whom he had four children, as follows: Lizzie Loretta, deceased, wife of William P. Guy, had four children, Jennie, Maud E., Cassie and Nellie; John Newton, who died at the age of twenty-five years, was an electrician and was employed in Manila, P. I., at a salary of $245 per month; Jo- seph E. died in infancy, and Abbie M. mar- ried Charles Nye, both of whom died, leav- ing two children, John Howard and Bertha Marshall. Mrs. Hennon died in 1878. Mr. Hennon formed a second marital union with Miss Adeline Price, by whom he has seven children: Cora J., who lives at Ha- zeldell, married Peter Solsberg, and has a son, Harold, and a daughter, Agnes; William Charles resides in Youngstown, and Mary Agnes, Clarence L., Ola E., Min- nie M. and Pearl E. Mr. Hennon is a Dem- ocrat, and although he has never aspired to office, was elected township assessor, serving six terms in that capacity. Re- ligiously, he has been a member of Slippery Rock Presbyterian Church since 1865. In fraternal affiliation he is an Odd Fellow.

JOSEPH B. ELDER, whose fine farm of seventy-six acres lies on the Neshan- nock Falls road, in Wilmington Township, one-quarter of a mile south of the village of Fay, is the head of this branch of an old pioneer family of this section. He was born November 15, 1869, on the farm he now owns, and is a son of John and Bar- bara (Bent) Elder.

John Elder was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, in 1837, and died in Wilmington Township, Lawrence County, April 6, 1885. His parents were Alexander and Polly Elder, natives of Scotland, and

settled in Pennsylvania at an early day, living in Washington County until after the birth of their son and then moving to North Beaver Township, Lawrence Coun- ty. There he followed farming for many years. John Elder was married (first) to Maria Hamill and they had one child. He married (second) Eliza Reed, and they had five children. His third marriage was to Barbara Best, who was a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Holebaugh) Best, who were prominent farming people of Armstrong County. Five children were born to the third union, as follows : Mattie, who married William Wareham; Maggie, who died October 23, 1883, aged twenty- one years; Austa, who married Rev. M. L. First, pastor of the Lutheran Church at Fay; Mary N., who married Austin Pat- terson, and Joseph B.

Joseph B. Elder obtained his education in the schools of Fay and was graduated when only fifteen years of age. Since he came into possession of the home farm he has made a specialty of dairying, raising first-class Holstein cows for this industry. He ships his milk to New Castle. His farm- ing operations are carried on according to modern ideas and his methods and im- proved machinery are great advances on those of his father and grandfather. The comfortable residence is a two-story frame structure, setting not far back from the public highway. Mr. Elder, with his fam- ily, belongs to the Fayetteville Lutheran Church. He is a man of recognized stand- ing in his community and is a good citizen in every sense of the word.

JOHN EVANS, who is treasurer and manager of the Cash Buyers' Mercantile Company, has been a resident of New Cas- tle since 1899, and has been identified with his present business concern since 1906. Mr. Evans was born in South Wales, in 1870, where he was reared, attended school and remained until he was twenty-four years of age.

Seeking a wider field than the business

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outlook promised in his own land, Mr. Evans came then to America, where he readily found work of a clerical character, at Pittsburg, and later became office super- intendent of the American Veterinary Hos- pital at Allegheny, Pa. From there he went to Hulton, and shortly afterwards came to New Castle, becoming a clerk in the Knox Inn for a year, when he em- barked in a grocery business on Long Ave- nue, which was but preliminary to his con- nection with the Cash Buyers' Union, which does an immense business in retail staple and fancy groceries. His acquaint- ance has widened, and each year in Amer- ica has but confirmed his opinion that this is an exceptional land in which young, am- bitious, energetic and able men can build up their fortunes.

Mr. Evans belongs to the Free and Ac- cepted Masons and to the Eagles, and in both fraternities has many warm friends.

ROSS SMITH, owner of what was for- merly known as the old Smith homestead, a tract of 109 fertile acres, favorably sit- uated in Perry Township, is one of the re- liable citizens and substantial farmers of this section. He was born on his present farm, November 2, 1859, and is a son of James and Rose (Morrison) Smith.

James Smith, father of Ross, was born in Ireland and was twelve years of age when he accompanied his parents to Amer- ica. He assisted in constructing the old Beaver Canal, but later acquired much land and for many years was a large farm- er and stockraiser. He married Rose Mor- rison, who was a daughter of William Mor- rison, a former justice of the peace, in Perry Township, and they had eight chil- dren, Ross being the fourth in order of birth.

Mr. Smith obtained his education in the country schools near his home and later took over the management of the home farm, which he inherited when his father died. He carries on general farming and

dairying, keeping about twelve cows for the latter industry.

Mr. Smith married Jane Wilson, who is a daughter of Francis Wilson, who was formerly a well-known farmer of Beaver County. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have two children, Mary Isabella and Francis Sharp James. The family belong to the United Presbyterian Church at Wurtemburg. In politics Mr. Smith is a sound Republican and he has served in the office of Inspector of Elections.

MILTON J. WOLF, a member of the well-known firm of MeNees & Wolf, gen- eral merchants, of Enon Valley, Pa., was born July 23, 1876, in this village and is a son of Henry S. and Anna (Marburger) Wolf, and a grandson of John Wolf, who was a prominent farmer of Butler Coun- ty, Pennsylvania.

Henry S. Wolf was born in Butler Coun- ty, Pennsylvania, and spent his boyhood days on his father's farm near Harmony. After his marriage he learned railroad blacksmithing and located at Enon, when the P. F. shops were moved there from Brighton, working there at his trade until the shops were moved to another point. He then purchased a small farm, which he operated until his death on July 13, 1906. He was united in marriage with Anna Marburger, who is still living, and they became parents of two children: Amanda S., who married William McClure, and Milton J.

Milton J. Wolf was reared in his native village and obtained his educational train- ing in the common schools of Enon Val- ley. After completing his education he purchased a team and engaged for a time in teaming, after which he operated a saw- mill for two years. He then entered the general store of N. S. Nicely as clerk, for three months, when, in partnership with Elmer E. McNees, he purchased the busi- ness from Mr. Nicely. Here he has since been engaged ever since, carrying a full

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HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY

line of general merchandise and enjoying a large patronage from the residents of that community.

Mr. Wolf was joined in marriage in January, 1899, to Mary M. Riddle, a daughter of Samuel L. Riddle. Mr. and Mrs. Wolf have one child, namely, Ferd- den E.

Politically Mr. Wolf is a Republican. His religious affiliation is with the Pres- byterian Church.

CHARLES H. BLANK, a representa- tive citizen of Ellwood City, who is prom- inent in its commercial activities, carries on a large business in coal and ice, two staple necessities of comfortable living. Mr. Blank was born in New Sewickley Township, Beaver County, Pennsylvania, May 2, 1880, and is a son of Augustus A. and Elizabeth (Hohmann) Blank.

Augustus A. Blank was a son of George Blank and he was born in Germany and was brought to America by his parents when six months old. He was reared in Beaver County and for years has been a farmer in New Sewickley Township. He married Elizabeth Hohmann, who is a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Hoh- mann) Hohmann, who were living, at time of death, in Allegheny County, and their burial was at Perrysville. Augustus A. Blank and wife had seven children born to them, five sons and two daughters, as fol- lows: Fred, residing at Beaver Falls, married Josephine, daughter of Fred Yea- ger, who died in 1907, leaving two children; Elizabeth married John Fogel, residing in New Sewickley Township, Beaver County, and they have two children; Charles H .; Henry, residing in Economy Township, Allegheny County, married a Miss Rosa Kretzler; George, engaged in the plumbing business in Ellwood City, and Matilda and Edward, being unmarried, reside at home.

Until he was sixteen years of age, Charles H. Blank attended school regularly and then went to work in the oil fields, where he continued until 1904, when he

came to Ellwood City and embarked in the coal and ice business. He has met with more than ordinary success in his business enterprises and has invested at various times in property. He owns three houses and lots and owns one and one-half acres which is utilized for his coal and ice ware- houses, the latter being situated on the cor- ner of Eighth Street and Factory Avenue. His beautiful residence is located at No. 730 Crescent Avenue. Mr. Blank is also more or less interested in city real estate as a dealer.

Mr. Blank was married to Miss Mary Miller, who is a daughter of Charles and Caroline Miller, of Beaver County. They are members of the Lutheran Church of Ellwood City. In his political views he is very liberal, but always may be found on the side of law and order. He belongs to a number of fraternal organizations: Ell- wood Lodge No. 420, Knights of Pythias ; Lodge No. 464, Knights of the Golden Eagles, of Ellwood City; Lodge No. 300, Knights of the Maccabees of Ellwood City, while both he and Mrs. Blank are members of the Ladies and Knights of Honor. Mr. and Mrs. Blank make frequent automobile journeys in their large motor car.

L. P. GASTON, one of the energetic and successful business men of the South Side, at New Castle, where he carries on a large business in slate and tin roofing and fur- nace work, is a native of this city, where he was born in 1871. His father was the late Robert Lyle Gaston, who was one of the early business men of New Castle, where he died in 1906.

L. P. Gaston was reared and attended school in New Castle. His father was in- terested in plastering contracting and later in the grocery trade, but the son chose a different line. He worked at first in the old cut nail factory and then worked for about six years at slate roofing, with J. T. MeClellan, later with other concerns and in 1906 he went into business for himself. He entered into partnership with Mr.

J. C. F. KARIHER.

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Emery, under the firm name of Emery & Gaston, which continued until February, 1908, when Mr. Gaston purchased Mr. Emery's interest.

In 1898, Mr. Gaston was married to Miss Elizabeth Harper, who is a daughter of Henry Harper and they have three chil- dren: Robert Lyle, Devere and Beatrice. In politics he is a Republican but he is one from conviction and not expediency and does not seek office. He is active in all that concerns the general welfare of the city.

J. C. F. KARIHER, whose excellent farm of 100 acres is situated jointly in Ma- honing and North Beaver Townships, is a well-known citizen of this section, having spent his whole life here. He was born on the farm he occupies, in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, March 5, 1859, and is a son of Isaac and Abigail (Patterson) Kariher.

The grandfather, John Kariher, was born in the eastern part of Pennsylvania and came to Mahoning County before much settlement had taken place here. He was a hard-working man and the remainder of his life was spent in clearing up his farm from the surrounding forest. The father of J. C. F. Kariher lived and died in Ma- honing Township, his work being the fur- ther development of the farm on which his father had settled. In politics he was a Republican and took an active interest in local improvements and for a time served in the office of road supervisor. He mar- ried Abigail Patterson, who died April 24, 1904, his death occurring previously, when he was aged sixty years. Three of their children still survive, namely: Turhan H., a resident of Youngstown, Ohio; Hiram, a resident of New Castle, and J. C. F., of Mahoning Township.

J. C. F. Kariher has always lived on the home farm of which he has been owner for a number of years. He carries on general farming, the land being well adapted to agriculture. He attended school through boyhood, at Hillsville. In politics he is a

Republican. He is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church at Hillsville and one of its board of trustees.

WILLIAM H. MARTIN, a leading busi- ness citizen of New Castle, who handles staple and fancy groceries, is a native of this city, born in 1874, and is a son of C. J. Martin, who has been a resident of New Castle ever since the close of the Civil War, in which he served for three years.

William H. Martin obtained his educa- tional training in the excellent schools of his native city and then assisted in his father's store until in November, 1906, when he embarked in a grocery business for himself, locating at No. 158 East Long Avenue. He carries a complete line, has a steady trade and is numbered with the city's enterprising and representative busi- ness men.

On January 29, 1894, Mr. Martin was married to Miss Jennie Evans, who is a daughter of the late John T. Evans, who was a native of Wales and an old resident of New Castle. Mr. and Mrs. Martin have one child, Sarah Elizabeth. Mr. Martin is a member of the Primitive Methodist Epis- copal Church.

J. A. HOLLAND, wholesale liquor deal- er at New Castle, with business house at No. 136 East Long Street, was born in Venango County, Pennsylvania, where he was reared and obtained his education.

Almost in boyhood, Mr. Holland learned telegraphing, and this he followed for five years and was considered an expert op- erator. In 1884 he turned his attention to a banking business, at Dubois, in Clearfield County, where he resided for fifteen years. In 1902 he came to New Castle and bought out the liquor house of John Lewis and established the wholesale house of Holland & Milliron. The business is exclusively wholesale.

In 1892, Mr. Holland was married to Miss Josephine Mead, who was reared at Dubois, Pennsylvania. They have two

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sons, Albert and John. Mr. Holland takes considerable interest in local politics. He is a man of public spirit and is liberal in his contributions to benevolent enterprises.

FRANCIS A. ROWLAND is the owner of a farm of 116 acres located near New Bedford, in Pulaski Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, where he is exten- sively engaged in farming. He was born in that township, August 6, 1851, is a son of William and Elizabeth ( Allison) Rowland, and a grandson of William Rowland, Sr., who was a native of Pennsylvania and came of Scotch-Irish parents.

William Rowland, Jr., was born in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, and was a boy when he accompanied his parents to Mahoning Township, Lawrence County, where the family home remained for some years. He was there reared to maturity and later moved to Pulaski Township, where he engaged in farming. About 1857, he moved to a farm in the same township, near New Bedford, which has since been known as the Rowland home place. He was an im- portant figure in the early affairs of that community, and his death, which occurred April 22, 1905, was a true loss to the citi- zenship of the township. He was active and aggressive, and prior to the war was very active as an Abolitionist. His father also was an Abolitionist, and worked with the promoters of what was known as the Un- derground Railroad. His wife, who in maiden life was Elizabeth Allison, a native of Lawrence County, died on March 18, 1890. Of the children born to them, Fran- cis A. is sole survivor. William Rowland was a Republican in politics, during his later days, and served at different times as school director, overseer of the poor, and as road supervisor.

Francis A. Rowland was reared on the farm he now owns, and received his early intellectual training in the public schools of his home district. He has attained a high degree of success in farm work, and has one of the best improved farms of the

township. He was formerly secretary of the New Bedford Creamery Co. (Limited), is now treasurer and a member of the board of directors. He was one of the in- corporators of that concern and has aided materially in the success which has charac- terized it from its inception.

Mr. Rowland's first marriage was with Miss Maud Byers, a daughter of Warren Byers of Mahoning County, Ohio. She died at an early age, and he formed a second marital union with Mrs. Maud Wilson, widow of Alvin Wilson of Evans City, But- ler County, and a daughter of Robert Hud- son of the same village. As a result of her first marriage, Mrs. Rowland has four chil- dren, namely : Mildred, Vernon, Helen, and Eva. Politically, Mr. Rowland is an active Republican. He has served the township as school director for a number of years. He is a man of wide acquaintance, and enjoys the respect and good will of his fellow citi- zens.

ROBERT WILKINSON McCHESNEY, owner of sixty-nine acres of land in Big Beaver Township, Lawrence County, Penn- sylvania, is a prosperous farmer and is widely known throughout this section of the county where he has lived all his life. He was born on his present farm January 14, 1845, is a son of Samuel and Martha (Wilkinson) McChesney, and a grandson of Robert McChesney.

Robert McChesney, the grandfather, was born in Ireland and was married in that country to Martha Walker. In 1806 they emigrated to America and first settled in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, where they lived until 1815. In that year they moved to Beaver County, Pennsylvania, and resided until 1819, when they moved to the present farm of Robert W. Mc- Chesney in Big Beaver Township, Law- rence County. They had purchased this farm as early as 1815, but were unable to get possession of it until 1819. They settled in the woods and with the aid of their sons made a clearing and farmed.

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Among the treasured possessions of Rob- ert W. McChesney is a cow-bell, which this hardy pioneer, his grandfather, brought with him when he made settlement in Law- rence County. He had 360 acres, for which he paid about $3 per acre, and on this he resided until his death in 1852, aged eighty- two years. His wife preceded him to the grave by some years. They were parents of the following children: Jane, Mary, Isabella, Margaret, Ann, Samuel, Richard, Thomas and Martha.

Samuel McChesney, father of Robert W., was born in Ireland, and was three years of age when brought to this country by his parents. He accompanied them into Big Beaver Township in 1819, and thereafter resided on the home farm until his death. He erected a house on the place and was a large factor in the clearing of the farm, having charge of his father's interests for many years. He died January 25, 1873, and his wife, who in maiden life was Mar- tha Wilkinson, and a native of Beaver County, died October 17, 1862. They were parents of nine children, namely : Martha, Robert Wilkinson, Mary E., deceased wife of Robert Dawson; Massy Jane, deceased; George S., Thomas James, deceased; Su- sanna, Isabella, deceased, and Catherine.

Robert W. McChesney was reared on the home farm, and also aided in clearing a portion of it. He was educated in the old "Hatchet Track" log school, and after- wards was engaged as a teacher in Big Beaver Township for four years. On March 2, 1865, he enlisted in Company H, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Bulford, and although he was in the service but four months, he was under fire the entire time. He was in all of the fighting about Petersburg, Va., in the battle at Sailor's Creek, and at Farmville. He was honorably discharged June 29, 1865, and arrived home on July 4th of that year. Upon the death of his father, Mr. McChesney purchased the farm he now owns of the heirs and has followed farm- ing here ever since. He erected all the

buildings, built the fences and made other important improvements. He has made a success of his business, is an enterpris- ing man and stands high in the community. He is fond of travel, having visited con- siderably in the Western states, and spent a period of eleven months in Kansas.

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Century history of New Castle and Lawrence County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Part 84

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