Century history of New Castle and Lawrence County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Part 88

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 88

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very high with the home office on account of his efficiency.

In June, 1900, Mr. Fisher was married to Miss Louise I. Wilson, of Wayne Township, who is a daughter of John P. Wilson, and they have a most engaging little daughter, Lucille Winifred by name, who was born March 23, 1908. Mr. and Mrs. Fisher at- tend the Presbyterian Church. In politics, he is a Republican. Personally, Mr. Fish- er possesses a frank, genial manner that assists him in making friends, and he has the sterling qualities which enable him to keep them.

WILLIAM L. STEEN, M. D., physician and surgeon at Mahoningtown, has occu- pied his present well appointed quarters in the Postoffice Block since May, 1906. Dr. Steen was born in Clarion County, Penn- sylvania, April 21, 1874, and is a son of William J. and Lucy (Parker) Steen.

As the father of Dr. Steen was con- cerned in the oil industry, the family had no settled home for some years, living in the neighborhood of the various Pennsyl- vania oil fields. When William L. was five years old his mother died and in the fol- lowing year the father went to Colorado, and the child was taken to the home of his grandparents, Hugh Steen and wife, at New Castle. Capt. Hugh Steen was one of the early boat captains on the Erie and Beaver Canal.

William L. Steen was educated in the common and high school at New Castle. For a time he worked for the Pennsyl- vania Railroad and for seven years was postal clerk on the Pennsylvania & Lake Erie Railroad. During this period of em- ployment he was preparing for the medical profession, and in 1901 he entered the Western University of Pittsburg, which is now known as the Pittsburg University, and was graduated with credit from that institution in the class of 1905. Dr. Steen is a member of the Lawrence County Med- ical Society. His fraternal connection is

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with the Masonic Blue Lodge. He has gained the confidence and esteem of the residents of Mahoningtown, both as a phy- sician and as a citizen.

ALEXANDER RANKIN, formerly well and favorably known as one of Mahoning Township's representative men, died in Lawrence County in April, 1899. He was probably born near Sharon, Pa., in 1825, and was a son of George and Nancy (Cowan) Rankin, old settlers in that neigh- borhood.

Although Alexander Rankin had a home through early life and was given some educational opportunities, he was entirely dependent upon his own resources when he came as a youth to Neshannock Town- ship, Lawrence County, where he worked as a farmer for a number of years. He was married (first) to Sarah A. Greer, a daughter of Thomas Greer, of Neshannock Township, and they had four children, the one survivor being Nancy Isabel, who is the wife of George Wallace, of Mahoning Township. Mr. Rankin was married (sec- ond) to Sarah Paden, who was born in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, Novem- ber 14, 1833, and is a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (McCready) Paden. Her father was born in what was then Beaver County and her mother in Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Rankin had one son, George. He married Margaret Wilson, of Neshannock Township, who was a daughter of William C. and Mary (McCracken) Wilson, of Scott Township, Lawrence County, and they have two children, Mary L. and Wells C.

For many years prior to his decease, Mr. Rankin lived in Mahoning Township, respected by all who knew him, and his death was felt as a general loss. He left an estate of seventy-five acres, which is one of the best improved farms of this lo- cality, and there his widow resides. She is a member of the Disciples Church at Edenburg, while Mr. Rankin belonged to the King's Chapel Methodist Episcopal

Church. In politics he was a Republican, but he took no very active part in political campaigns, caring more for the quiet life on his home farm and the contentment found at his own fireside, where he is greatly missed.

AARON N. HAZEN, proprietor of the New Castle Furniture & Cabinet Company, located at No. 131 South Mill Street, New Castle, is a well known citizen and re- liable business man. He was born Septem- ber 25, 1843, in Slippery Rock Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Levi and Mary (Lutton) Hazen. The Hazen family has been one of promi- nence in this section for many years.

Aaron N. Hazen was reared on the home farm in Slippery Rock Township and at- tended the district schools until he was sixteen years of age. With a boy's am- bition to see something of the world beyond the confines of home, he started for the West, and before he returned to New Castle, in 1863, had spent three years, mainly in Illinois and Texas, a part of the time being employed in a sugar mill. In August following his return home, he en- listed for service in the Civil War then in progress, entering Company I, Two Hundred Twelfth Regiment, Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery, in which he served until its close. He is a member of the Grand Army Post at New Castle.

After the close of his military service, Mr. Hazen learned the carpenter trade and continued to work as carpenter and con- tractor for the succeeding twenty-eight years. In 1900 he inaugurated his present business. He carries a large and varied stock and enjoys a large amount of patron- age.

Mr. Hazen married Lucetta Keller, and their six children are all representative and respected residents of New Castle. The eldest daughter, Laura, married W. N. Davis; Dallas Avon, the eldest son, con- ducts a restaurant ; Clement Ely assists his father in the store; Clarence Levi is a

RESIDENCE OF GEORGE RANKIN, MAHONING TOWNSIIIP.

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working carpenter; Oscar L. is a printer; Jonathan, the youngest, is foreman in the shops of the Steel Car Company.

WILLIAM M. MEHARD, a highly re- spected citizen of Ellwood City, a substan- tial retired farmer, residing in his pleas- ant, comfortable home, at No. 9 Fifth Street, to which he came in November, 1907, was born in Wayne Township, Law- rence County, Pennsylvania, October 7, 1849. His parents were James and Mary (Martin) Mehard.

On both sides of the family, Mr. Mehard can trace his ancestry directly to a coun- try that has contributed largely to Ameri- ca's good citizenship, Ireland. James Me- hard, the paternal grandfather, was born in that country, and when he brought his family to America he came to Pennsyl- vania, and located at Harmony, in Law- rence County. He lived there for some years, and then moved to Wurtemberg, where his death occurred in advanced age, and he was buried in the cemetery attached to the United Presbyterian Church. He married Christina Orr, and they had the following children: Joseph, a farmer, re- sided at Wurtemberg on the old home- stead, and married Mary Smiley; Robert, for many years prominent in political life, served for fourteen years as a commis- sioner of Lawrence County, married Chris- tina Liebendorfer, who was a native of Germany; William, a United Presbyterian minister, is a member of the faculty of Westminster College at New Wilmington, and married Martha Neal; Thomas, a United Presbyterian minister, deceased, formerly preached at New Castle, and his remains lie in the cemetery of the Ne- shannock Church; Mattie; Matilda; Sam- uel, a physician in Mercer County during life, is survived by two sons, one a physi- cian and the other an attorney, the latter residing at New Castle; Elizabeth, mar- ried John H. Wilson, and became the mother of Judge James Sharp Wilson, Dr. Loyal W. Wilson, Omer and Christina, the

latter of whom is the widow of John Mc- Candless, of Big Beaver Township, Law- rence County ; and Jennie, who is the wife of James Jackson, of North Sewickley, Pa., and James.

The maternal grandparents were Will- iam and Agnes Martin, who came to Penn- sylvania from the north of Ireland, and settled in Washington Township, Law- rence County. They had the following children: Thomas, who resides in Mer- cer, Pa .; James, who lived and died in Fayette County, was the father of Judge Norman Martin; George spent his life in the vicinity of the old homestead in Wash- ington Township; Margaret, married Hugh Martin; Jane, married Mckean Vosler; and Mary, who became the mother of Will- iam M. Mehard, of Ellwood City.

James Mehard, father of William M., was born in Ireland, and was small when his parents came to Pennsylvania and set- tled in Harmony Township, and when he married he moved to Wayne Township, where he lived to the age of seventy-four years, surviving his wife, who died aged sixty-seven years. They had the following children: Agnes, who married R. B. Ward, of Wayne Township; James Rob- ert, of Shenango Township, who married Sophronia Cunningham; William M .; Christina, who married Thomas D. Wilson, of Big Beaver Township; Mary, deceased, who was the wife of J. C. Cunningham, of Wampum, was interred in the cemetery of the Slippery Rock Church; Elizabeth, who died aged thirteen years; Thomas, who died in infancy ; and Margaret J., un- married, who resides at New Castle.

William M. Mehard spent his whole life, with the exception of one summer, on the old homestead, in Wayne Township, until he came to Ellwood City, after disposing of his farm. For fourteen years he and his father before him had leased their lime- stone quarry to the National Cement Com- pany, of Wampum, who manufactured lime for the Pittsburg market. He also carried on general farming and stock rais-

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HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY

ing. On October 21, 1880, Mr. Mehard was married to Miss Essie Harbison, who is a daughter of Andrew and Sophia (Myers) Harbison, of Shenango Township. Andrew Harbison is deceased, but his widow sur- vives, at the age of seventy-one years. Mr. and Mrs. Mehard had one child, but it sur- vived only fourteen months. They are members of the Presbyterian Church, and Mr. Mehard was treasurer of the same and was secretary of its board of trustees until his removal from Wayne Township made his resignation of the office advis- able. In politics he is a Republican, and for eight years he served as township clerk, and also was assessor. In all that concerned the welfare of Wayne Town- ship he took an active interest.

Mr. Mehard has always been a loyal cit- izen. During the Civil War his youth and physical condition prevented his enlistment as a soldier, but he was accepted as a mu- sician, and was in the company band, serv- ing Company C, before the war as a drum- mer boy, and when the One Hundredth Regiment, Pennsylvania Veteran Volun- teer Infantry, the noted "Roundheads," were mustered out, he again became a drummer boy for the company, and also for the regiment. For three years he con- tinued to be the drummer for the Grand Army post at Wampum. He was adopted by the regiment and made a veteran drum- mer for the same.

As a pleasant recreation, Mr. Mehard has given considerable attention to the study of geology, and is well posted con- cerning geological formations and discov- eries in this section.

GEORGE HI. MEHARD, M. D., who has been a resident of Wampum since 1891, has attained high rank in his profession and enjoys a large and lucrative practice. He has been a life-long resident of Lawrence County, having been born in Wurtemburg, Wayne Township, September 22, 1857, is a son of Robert and Christina (Liebendof-

er) Mehard, and a grandson of James and Mary Mehard.

James Mehard, the grandfather, came from County Antrim, Ireland, about the year 1816, settling first in the city of Philadelphia, and shortly afterward at Wurtemburg, Lawrence County, Pennsyl- vania. He and his wife were parents of the following children: Robert, Thomas, James, Jr., William, D. D., who died in New Castle; Joseph, Samuel, who was a prominent physician and surgeon of Mer- cer County, Pennsylvania, and the father of Judge Mehard, of Pittsburg; Matilda (Davidson), Anna (Davidson), and Mrs. John Wilson, mother of Dr. L. W. Wilson, of New Castle.

Robert Mehard was born in the town of Larin, County Antrim, Ireland, in 1813, and was about three years of age when his father came to Wayne Township, Law- rence County, Pennsylvania. He purchased a farm at Wurtemburg and resided there until his death in 1888. He was a man of prominence in the county, and for a period of fourteen years served most capably as county commissioner. He was a Repub- lican in politics, and filled other offices, of minor importance. His wife died in 1886, aged seventy-four years. She was of Ger- man parentage, her people coming to this country from Wittenberg, Germany. Their union was blessed by the birth of eleven children, six of whom grew to maturity, as follows: Anna, deceased wife of James Morrison, who conducted a general store at Wurtemburg for many years; Chris- tiana, deceased wife of Lloyd Pyle, of Camp Run, in Perry Township; Thomas, deceased; Matilda, wife of Henry Stetler, resides in the East End, Pittsburg; Eliza- beth Jane, wife of J. W. Dobbs, resides in New Wilmington, and George H.

The late Dr. Thomas Mehard, brother of Dr. George H., was a man of distinction, not only in the medical profession, but in politics and business circles as well. He was born on the old home place in Wayne

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Township, July 29, 1844, and after com- pleting the courses taught in the common schools, attended Westminster College. He then began his preparation for the medical profession, and in February, 1870, was graduated from Western Reserve Medical College, at Cleveland, Ohio. Immediately thereafter he located at Wampum, where he engaged in practice with unusual suc- cess for a period of twenty-one years. A stanch Republican in politics, he served in the town council and on the School Board, and in November, 1888, was elected to the State Senate of Pennsylvania, from the Lawrence and Mercer District, by an overwhelming majority of 4,000 votes. He served on a number of important commit- tees the first year, and in the session of 1891 was chairman of the Committee on Federal Relations, and a member of the Committees on Appropriation, Agricul- ture, Health and Sanitation, Retrench- ment and Reform, and Public Buildings. He was an important factor in the finan- cial affairs in his home village, owning a large flouring mill at Wampum, an interest in the Wampum Run Coal Company, and considerable business and residence prop- erty. He had, also, valuable realty hold- ings in Cleveland. His death, which oc- curred October 15, 1891, was a sad loss to the community in which he lived. He mar- ried Miss Mary Henry, of Sewickley, by whom he had three daughters and one son, all of whom survive him. Fraternally, he was a member of Wampum Lodge No. 865, I. O. O. F., and the Masonic Lodge at New Castle.

George H. Mehard was reared at Wur- temburg, where he received a rudimentary educational training in the public schools. Ambitious for knowledge, at the age of seventeen years he entered Washington & Jefferson College at Washington, Pa., from which he was graduated with the class of 1879. In the fall of that year he entered the Western Reserve Medical College, and after his graduation in 1881, with the de- gree of M. D., he attended lectures at Jef-

ferson Medical College, Philadelphia, from which institution he was graduated in 1882. He began practice at Wurtemburg, Law- rence County, where he continued success- fully for nine years, then in the fall of 1891 he removed to Wampum, which af- fords a greater field for practice. A man of superior educational attainments, who was kept well abreast of the rapid advance- ment in medical science, Dr. Mehard has handled some of the most complicated cases, with a skill that did not leave the issue long in doubt, and which established for him a prestige throughout this part of the county. Fraternally, the Doctor is a member of Wampum Lodge No. 865, I. O. O. F .; Wampum Lodge No. 240, K. P .; Mahoning Lodge No. 243, F. & A. M., at New Castle; Pittsburg Consistory, and Zim Zim Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S.

WILLIAM RICHARD THOMPSON, who is identified with the Steel Car Forge Works, as chief clerk and paymaster, at Ellwood City, has been connected with large business concerns, in a clerical ca- pacity, ever since he left school. He was born at Pittsburg, Pa., December 18, 1876, and is a'son of Richard and Sophia (Gant- ner) Thompson.

The father of Mr. Thompson was born also in Pittsburg and was a glass worker by trade. His death was accidental and was caused by drowning while he was en- deavoring to save others from the same fate. He married Sophia Gantner, who was a native of Pittsburg, and they had two children: William Richard and Ida, the latter of whom is the wife of George Geib, and resides on Bailey Avenue, Mount Washington, Pittsburg. Mr. Thompson died in 1877. His widow subsequently mar- ried N. D. Miller, who belongs to the same Miller family of Pittsburg that produced Judge Miller, of that city, and the well known musician, H. W. Miller.

William Richard Thompson was an in- fant when his father's noble act of self- sacrifice cost him his life, but he was care-

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fully reared by his mother and was sent to school as soon as childhood was passed. He attended the Myersdale schools, then the Grant school in Pittsburg, and also took advantage of the Young Men's Chris- tian Association night schools and also went to a German school for a short time. After he laid aside his books and faced the world for a subsistence, he first entered the employ of the Western Union Tele- graph Company, as messenger boy, and later was promoted to an office position, becoming receiving clerk. From there he went to the master mechanic's office of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company, at Glenwood, as mileage clerk, under the su- perintendent of that division, I. N. Kal- baugh. From there he went to the Oliver Wire Company, of Pittsburg, and was clerk in the purchasing department, under D. B. Smith, and after a certain period there he entered the accounting department, where he continued until the wire company sold out to the American Steel & Wire Com- pany, when he was made chief clerk of the South Side, and later chief storekeeper of the Rankin Works. In 1900 Mr. Thomp- son resigned, in order to accept the po- sition of chief clerk and paymaster of the Steel Car Forge Works, at Ellwood City. From messenger boy to his present re- sponsible position is a long step, although the advance was made in a comparatively short period of time; but the fact of it demonstrates very plainly the sterling qualities possessed by the fatherless boy who, single-handed, worked out his own problem. Mr. Thompson occupies a po- sition of trust and responsibility, stands high in the esteem of his employers and, as he has pursued his upright business course, has made many friends, by the way, in other than business circles.

In 1901 Mr. Thompson was married to Miss Cora Belle Alice Butler, of Ellwood City, and they have three children : George Edwin, Robert and Alice Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson are members of the Hazelwood Christian Church. Their hand-

some brick residence at No. 304 Fountain Avenue, Ellwood City, Mr. Thompson com- pleted in 1907. In politics, he is a stanch Republican and he is a member of the city council. Fraternally, he belongs to Lodge No. 599, F. & A. M., and to the Lodge of Perfection at New Castle. He is also a member of Alma Lodge, Knights of Pythias, and of the Independent Order of Heptasophs.

FRANK FORREST UREY, M. D., a prominent practitioner of medicine at Ma- honingtown, Lawrence County, Pennsyl- vania, maintains an office at No. 208 North Liberty Street and enjoys a large and re- munerative practice. Dr. Urey was born in Sandy Lake, Mercer County, Pennsylvania, August 16, 1872, and comes of a promi- nent old family of that county. He is a son of Peter and Esther (Canon) Urey, both of whom are living and reside on the old home farm in Mercer County.

Dr. Urey was reared on the old home farm, and received his preliminary educa- tional training in the common schools of that district, supplemented by a three- year course in McElwain Institute at New Lebanon, Pa. He later attended Slippery Rock Normal School, after which he was engaged as instructor four years in the district schools of Mill Creek Township, Mercer County, Pennsylvania, and one year at Chewton, Wayne Township, in Lawrence County. In 1894 he entered the drug business in Wampum and continued in that line of employment at various points in Northwestern Pennsylvania, be- coming a licensed pharmacist. In Septem- ber, 1896, he began attending lectures in the Medical Department of Western Uni- versity of Pennsylvania, at Pittsburg, and in 1900 was graduated, with the degree of M. D. During the following year he en- gaged in hospital work in Shenango Val- ley Hospital, at New Castle, and on June 1, 1901, embarked in practice at Wampum, Pa., where he continued with success until his removal to Mahoningtown. He had en-

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gaged in the drug business at Wampum in partnership with his brother-in-law, D. C. Williams, the business being conducted under the management of the latter, but in the name of Dr. Urey. He sold out to his partner in 1906. His practice had become such as to induce him to seek a large field of operation, and on May 6th of that year he removed to Mahoningtown, where he has since continued with flatter- ing success.

Dr. Urey was united in marriage with Miss Maud Williams, a daughter of John C. Williams, of Emlenton, Pa. He is a member of the Lawrence County Medical Association, the State Medical Society, and the American Medical Association. Fra- ternally, he is a prominent member of Lodge No. 69, B. P. O. E., and the Knights of Pythias.

JAMES E. ELLIS, general farmer and dairyman, residing on his excellent farm which is situated in Hickory Township, on the southeast side of the Eastbrook road, within one mile of the town, was born in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, January 16, 1868. His parents were James and Elinor (Blair) Ellis.

The grandfather was William Ellis, a native of County Derry, Ireland, where he was a linen weaver. He came to America and lived for a time in Philadelphia, and then came to Lawrence County, where he passed the remainder of his life.

James Ellis, father of James E., was born in Philadelphia, and came with his parents to Lawrence County in childhood. He married Elinor Blair, and they had nine children born to them, namely: Ma- tilda, Lavina, Mary J., William J., Har- riet, Emma, Robert Calvin, Margaret and James E. Five of the above family are deceased.

James E. Ellis grew up on his father's farm, and attended school during boyhood in the old Gorman schoolhouse, in Hickory Township. He has devoted himself to ag- ricultural pursuits, and for the past

twelve years has been operating a first class dairy. He has a large trade and sup- plies his customers with Jersey cream and milk. His large cow pens and other farm buildings are of modern construction, and great attention is paid to keeping them sanitary.

Mr. Ellis married Belle Young, daugh- ter of Samuel and Mary Young, and they have four children, namely : Mary Elinor, Margaret Elsie, Nina May and James Ed- gar. Mr. Ellis and family belong to the Neshannock United Presbyterian Church, and he is active in its work.

CYRUS L. MARTIN, justice of the peace for Mahoning Township, who re- sides on his valuable farm of 114 acres, which is situated near Hillsville, was born in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, Decem- ber 15, 1853, and is a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Robinson) Martin.

Thomas Martin was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and was a son of Hugh Hartin. The family continued to re- side in that county until Thomas Martin was about nineteen years of age, when they moved to Lawrence County for a few years, and later to Mercer County. The latter part of the life of Thomas Martin was passed near Hillsville, where he died in 1867. He married Elizabeth Robinson, who was born and reared in Lawrence County. They were members of the United Presbyterian Church.

Cyrus L. Martin was eight years old when his parents settled on the farm near Hillsville, and all his subsequent life has been passed there, excepting the time spent at Poland Seminary, Poland, Ohio, and the short trips made necessary by business. His neighbors are all friends whom he has known from childhood, and his interests are mainly theirs. In elect- ing him to the office of justice of the peace for a term of five years, they proved their confidence in his ability and integrity.

Mr. Martin married Sophia Miller, who is a daughter of James Miller, formerly of

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HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY

Poland, Ohio, and later of Mahoning Township, and to this union six children have been born: Carrie M., Jessie, George, Blanche F., Nora and Roy. Mr. and Mrs. Martin are among the leading members of the Baptist Church at Hills- ville. In his political views he is a Re- publican.

JAMES A. RANEY, manager and one of the proprietors of the Shenango Roller Mills of Mahoningtown, has been estab- lished in this business at this point since 1875. He was born in Lawrence County, just above Edenburg, August 26, 1843, and is a son of John D. and Jane (Park) Raney.

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Century history of New Castle and Lawrence County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Part 88

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