Century history of New Castle and Lawrence County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Part 90

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 90

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FLOYD YOUNG, residing on his well improved farm of 100 acres, which is sit- uated in Perry Township, within twelve miles of the city of New Castle, is one of the successful and progressive agricultur- ists of this part of Lawrence County. Mr. Young is a native of this township and was born April 3, 1863, a son of Robert and Mary Ann (Morrison) Young.

Mr. Young was educated in the public schools of Perry Township and until he reached his majority, he assisted his father on the home farm, after which he farmed the land on shares for some eight years. In 1900 he bought his present farm, then known as the David Morrison farm, and here he has resided ever since, engaged in general farming.

On December 9, 1891, Mr. Young was married in Perry Township to Miss Laura

RESIDENCE OF MRS. MARGARET J. PATTON, MAHONING TOWNSHIP.

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Smith, who was born at Garnet, Kansas, being brought to Perry Township, Law- rence County, when two years of age. Her father, Hugh Smith, was a farmer and sur- veyor. Mr. and Mrs. Young have four chil- dren : John, Mary, Wilmer and Ida, all of

whom are bright pupils at school. The family belong to the United Presbyterian Church at Moundville. In politics, Mr. Young is a Republican but he is not a politician and has never been willing to ac- cept any office except that of school direc- tor. He is a recognized good citizen, be- lieves in popular education and in local im- provements and is always ready to en- courage movements to advance agricul- tural interests.

THOMAS J. BLACKWOOD, M. D., who has been in the active practice of his pro- fession at New Castle for more than thirty years, occupies a very prominent place among the medical men of Lawrence Coun- ty. Dr. Blackwood was born January 13, 1844, in Slippery Rock Township, Law- rence County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Rev. James and Jemima (Calderwood) Blackwood.

Dr. Blackwood is of Irish extraction, both parents having been born and reared in Ireland. His father, Rev. James Black- wood, was educated in his native land and was graduated at the great Glasgow Uni- versity and became a minister in the Re- formed Presbyterian Church. For many years he lived a life of useful effort in Lawrence County, the closing years of which were passed at New Castle. His children bore the following names : Martha E., Isabella C., Thomas J., William, James, Jane, Robert, Andrew and Jemima.

Thomas J. Blackwood completed his lit- erary training at Beaver Academy, at Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, after which he entered Jefferson Medical College at Phil- adelphia, and was graduated from that grand old institution in 1866. He entered into practice in Butler County, but in 1873 he removed to New Castle, and this

city has been the field of his professional work ever since. Dr. Blackwood has never ceased being a student in his beloved pro- fession, occasionally giving himself the benefit of post graduate instruction in great medical centers, and keeping in close touch with modern scientific advancement.

Dr. Blackwood was married in 1866, to Sarah J. Magee, who was born in Butler County, Pennsylvania, and they have had these children: Mary J., who married James Armstrong; Thomas L., Jemima C., who married Arthur Foster; Margaret; and James M. The latter is a graduate of Beaver Falls College and of Jefferson Medical College, and he is associated in practice with his father.

WILLIAM E. CALDERWOOD, who fills the office of paymaster of the Shenan- go mills of the American Steel and Tin Plate Company, has been identified with this enterprise, in his present capacity, since 1899. Mr. Calderwood is a native of New Castle, Pa., born here December 12, 1868, and is a son of John and Mary (Byers) Calderwood.

John Calderwood, the father, has resid- ed in Mercer County since the death of his wife. Formerly he engaged in farm- ing in Union Township, just west of New Castle.

William E. Calderwood attended the country schools during boyhood and later the Mercer High School, from which he would have graduated in 1887 save for the fact that during the last year he dropped his Latin studies in order to take a fuller course in philosophy and German, thereby losing his chance of graduation, the rules requiring another year in Latin. He then began his business career, engaging as a clerk in a grocery store for two years. In 1889 he entered into the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, accept- ing a position as clerk in the railroad shops at Lawrence Junction, and contin- ued there until 1893, when he went into the grocery business with his father and

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brother, Harry, at Mercer. In 1897 he returned to the Pennsylvania Railroad Company and remained until 1899, when he accepted his present responsible posi- tion.

Mr. Calderwood married Miss Bertha Butler and they have one child, Paul. Mr. Calderwood's particular talents have made him a very valuable addition to the great clerical force necessary to keep orderly the details of great concerns like those with which he has been associated.

H. G. FRENCH, a well-known resident of Wurtemburg, who owns and operates a large stone quarry, just on the edge of the town, was born at Wurtemburg, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, September 25, 1872, and is a son of Aaron and Anna (Van- Gorder) French.

Aaron French, father of H. G., was born in Ohio and remained there through his school period and into early manhood. Af- ter coming to Lawrence County he worked as a farmer and when the Civil War was declared he was one of the earliest to offer his services. For three long years he was in the army, a member of Company C, Fifty-third Regiment, Ohio Volunteer In- fantry, and participated in many battles, often being in the greatest danger. He survived, however, to return to his for- mer peaceful pursuits and married Anna VanGorder, a daughter of Hayes Van- Gorder. They had a family of twelve chil- dren, eight of whom still live.

Through boyhood, H. G. French attend- ed school regularly, and then operated the home farm for a number of years. In 1900 he purchased his stone quarry, an enter- prise he has developed himself. The pres- ent vein is by no means exhausted, and Mr. French will probably be engaged here for a long time to come, although to meet the demand he is now working heavily, giv- ing employment to fourteen men.

Mr. French married Mary Miller, who is a daughter of A. S. Miller, who is a mill employe in Ellwood City. They have three

interesting children : Edwin S., Charles A. and Pauline G., to whom Mr. French is giv- ing the best educational advantage in his power. With his family he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a Re- publican in politics, but has never accept- ed any office except that of school direc- tor. Fraternally he is connected with the Odd Fellows and the Eagles.

WILLIAM HENRY WEINSCHENK, a gardener and florist of Shenango Town- ship, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, is engaged in supplying the wholesale trade of the cities and boroughs within a radius of 100 miles of his home. His business is one of great magnitude and the prestige he enjoys is by no means confined to Law- rence County. He is especially well known as a grower of lettuce and cucumbers, his annual output in the past being about 150,- 000 pounds of lettuce and 2,000 dozen cu- cumbers. With the completion of the plans now under way, the output will be greatly increased. In addition, he raises all other vegetables, and has large celery and as- paragus beds. During the summer months Mr. Weinschenk gives employment to some eighteen men. The history of this busi- ness, begun in a small way, is one of un- interrupted success and constant growth. At first the entire output was disposed of in the home market, but as his reputation grew from time to time it became neces- sary for him to enlarge his plant in order to meet the demand which came from dis- tant points. His start in business was made in 1894, when he rented of his father the old McCandless homestead of ninety acres, of which he subsequently purchased sixty acres. He engaged in truck garden- ing, and about 1897 built his first green- house, the dimensions being 180x56 feet. The following year he erected another, 76x30 feet, and later still another, 200x81 feet. He has now under construction what will be, with one exception, the largest greenhouse under one roof, in the United States, its dimensions being 600x120 feet.

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When this is completed he will have 108,- 500 square feet under glass, with all the modern devices and methods necessary for the successful prosecution of the business on an extensive scale. This plant has done much toward adding to the material wel- fare and prosperity of the community, and is one in which the people take a commend- able pride.

William H. Weinschenk was born in that part of Taylor Township now included in the Seventh Ward of New Castle, May 28, 1866, and is a son of George G. and Mar- garet (Mack) Weinschenk, and grandson of John G. and Katherine (Retter) Wein- schenk. George G. Weinschenk was born in Gerardstetten, Wurtemburg, Germany, April 10, 1835, and was reared to maturity in that country. He began making his own way in the world at the early age of fifteen years, and at twenty-two left his native land for America. He sailed from Havre in May, 1857, and after an eventful voyage of thirty-five days landed in New York City. He immediately thereafter wended his way westward to New Castle, Pennsyl- vania, where he arrived June 22, 1857. In his native land he had received thorough training in the art of gardening and flori- culture, and upon his arrival here he se- cured employment with Mr. Butz, then the leading gardener of New Castle. He con- tinued with that gentleman a period of two years, was then for a time in the employ of Mr. Peebles, after which he went south, spending five or six years in and about the city of Louisville, Ky. He was there in charge of private gardens of rich planters until the ravages of war made his occupa- tion a useless one in that vicinity. He again returned to New Castle, and after one year spent in the service of Mr. Butz, purchased a tract of land in Taylor Town- ship, where he engaged in gardening some eight years. At the end of that time he sold out there and purchased his present home place in Shenango Township, con- sisting of twenty-four acres of valuable land. He engaged in gardening here with

great success and had about a half acre under glass. He is a man of frugal hab- its, and possessed of great energy, and as time passed he added to his realty hold- ings until he owned numerous tracts in various parts of the county. He was unit- ed in marriage with Margaret Mack, and they became parents of the following chil- dren: William Henry; Annie M., wife of Charles F. Alborn; Alice, and Margaret, deceased.

William H. Weinschenk was about six years of age when his parents moved to Shenango Township, where he attended the district schools and later attended the public schools of New Castle until he was sixteen years of age, and supplemented this with a course in Duff's Business Col- lege in Pittsburg, from which institution he was graduated March 7, 1884. He then assisted his father in gardening, and dur- ing the ten years which followed mastered the details of the business with such thor- oughness that at the end of that time he was qualified to go forth in the world and do for himself. This he did in March, 1894, and with what success we have already re- counted. In 1896 he erected a magnificent residence on his farm, one which is not ex- celled in this part of the county. He is a man of stability, is progressive and enter- prising, and has always been among the foremost to advance the best interests of the community.

March 22, 1894, Mr. Weinschenk was joined in marriage with Miss Levinah Reed, who was born and reared in She- nango Township, and comes of a promi- nent old family of that section. She is a daughter of John C. and Phoebe Ann (Id- dings) Reed, and on the paternal side traces her ancestry back to one John Reed, who was the first of the family to locate on American soil. John Reed was born in Ireland, and was a son of Michael, who lived in the North of Ireland all his life. Upon coming to America, John Reed locat- ed at Zanesville, Ohio, and followed his trade as a weaver until 1806, when he

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moved to Lawrence County, Pennsylvania. He married Margaret Lutton, daughter of . Ralph Lutton, and among their children was one, William Reed.

William Reed, paternal grandfather of Mrs. Weinschenk, was born in Zanesville, Ohio, in 1803, and was three years of age when his parents located in Lawrence County. For some years he followed the trade of a wheelwright in New Castle, and in 1825 moved to Shenango Township, where he worked at his trade and farmed. He died at the early age of forty years. He married Anna Cannon, who was born in Mahoningtown, February 10, 1805, and was a daughter of James and Betsy (Hen- drickson) Cannon, the latter being a daughter of Dr. Hendrickson, who came to the county from Pennsville, N. J., as early as 1797, being the first physician in the county. James Cannon was born at Shir- leysburg, Pa., and was a son of James Can- non, Sr., who had come to Mahoningtown to look over the prospects; returning to Shirleysburg, he sold out his farm, and with the proceeds of the sale started for Lawrence County. As he was never heard from again an inquiry was made along the route, with the result that his horse and saddle were found, but his body never re- covered. It was supposed he was mur- dered and robbed of his money. He was a Revolutionary soldier. Among the chil- dren born to William and Anna (Cannon) Reed was John C. Reed.

John C. Reed was born in Shenango Township, May 3, 1826, and there engaged in agricultural pursuits throughout his en- tire life, dying January 28, 1895. He was eminently successful as a business man, acquiring a large property in the town- ship. His word was as good as his bond, and he was everywhere held in highest esteem. He married Phoebe Ann (Id- dings), who was born in Shenango Town- ship, and was a daughter of Joseph and Hannah (Hoopes) Iddings, her father be- ing the first school teacher in the county. He and his wife were natives of Chester

County, Pennsylvania, she being of Qua- ker stock and descended from a sister of Sir Anthony Wayne. Her father was Ezra Hoopes of Chester County. John C. and Phoebe Ann Reed became parents of the following children: William E., of She- nango Township; Joseph, a practicing physician of Sharon; Charles A., a well- known physician and surgeon of New Cas- tle; Hannah, deceased; Anna and Mary, both deceased; Sarah J., wife of Richard Wright of Taylor Township; Levinah (Weinschenk) ; John W., deceased, and Lu- ther M.

Mr. and Mrs. Weinschenk are parents of five children, as follows: Margaret, Jo- seph, Virginia, Sarah and George G. Mr. Weinschenk is independent in his political views, and has served his township as a member of the School Board and as audi- tor. He was one of the organizers of the South New Castle Telephone Company, which he serves as treasurer. Religiously, he and his wife are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church of Savannah, of which he is trustee, and is superintendent of the Sabbath-school.

FRANKLIN WHEELER GUY, M. D., physician and surgeon at Mahoningtown, with conveniently located offices in the Sheehy Block on Liberty Street, has been a resident of this place since September, 1906, and already counts a wide circle of friends and enjoys a satisfactory practice. He was born at Chewton, Lawrence Coun- ty, Pennsylvania, July 28, 1870, and is a son of Joseph K. and Eliza (Embree) Guy.

When Dr. Guy was a youth of ten years his parents moved from the farm in Wayne Township to one situated in Morgan Coun- ty, Ohio, and five years afterward to an- other farm, located in Chippewa Township, Beaver County, Pennsylvania. Franklin W. Guy was a regular attendant of the country schools during the winter sessions and usually spent his summers in farm work. He graduated from the Beaver Falls High School in the class of 1889, fol-

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lowing which he taught school for seven years, dividing his time as follows: Four years in the country schools in Chippewa Township, one year in Big Beaver Town- ship, Beaver County, two years in North Sewickley Township, Beaver County, and one year at Chewton. In 1902 he entered the medical department of the Western University of Pittsburg and was graduat- ed in 1906, locating at Mahoningtown shortly afterward.

Dr. Guy was married July 3, 1906, to Mary E. McConnell, who is a daughter of James S. McConnell, of Volant, and they have one child, Margaret Eliza. He be- longs to the Lawrence County Medical So- ciety, and keeps abreast of the times in his chosen science. He is a member of the fra- ternal order of Odd Fellows.

JAMES S. YOUNG is a representative farmer of Hickory Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, and is the owner of a fine farm of 112 acres located about one mile south of East Brook. He was born on the old home place December 25, 1860, and is a son of John D. and Nancy (Gib- son) Young.

John Edgar Young, grandfather of James S., was an early resident in the eastern part of the State of Pennsylvania, and upon his removal to Lawrence County became a pioneer settler in the woods of Hickory Township.

James S. Young was reared on the homestead and received a good education in the public schools of the county. He has always followed farming, and, keeping abreast of the times by the adoption of the most approved methods and the use of modern machinery, he has met with un- usual success.

Mr. Young was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Miss Blanche Swogger, a daughter of David and Jennie (Dodds) Swogger, and they have two children, namely: Grace and Helen. Religiously, they are consistent members of the United

Presbyterian Church, in which his family has always been very active.

JAMES H. NEWTON, proprietor of the largest general store at Wurtemburg and auditor of Wayne Township, has been established over eight years in business in this place and is identified with many of its interests. He was born January 12, 1874, in Shenango Township, near Energy, in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Isaac and Emma (Montgomery) Newton.

Isaac Newton was also born in Shenan- go Township, a son of David Newton, a substantial farmer of that section. Subse- quently, Isaac Newton purchased a farm in Shenango Township and there conducts a general store. He married Emma Mont- gomery, who is a daughter of William H. Montgomery, formerly a well-known black- smith in Shenango Township. Isaac New- ton and wife had five children born to them, namely: Sadie, who married Mc- Clellan Hogue, of Slippery Rock Town- ship, had seven children; Minnie, who married George Young, resides at Alle- gheny; James H .; Cora E., who lives at home, and Elmer, who resides at Wurtem- burg, married Tessie MeCowen, and is in partnership with Mr. Newton.

James H. Newton attended the schools of Shenango and Slippery Rock Town- ships, spent three years in school at Vo- lant and took a business course at the Iron City Commercial College, after which he taught school through this section of the county for seven years. He made many friends during this period and was consid- ered a very successful educator. About 1900 he established his general store at Wurtemburg and has developed a business that is a leader in its line in this village.

Mr. Newton married Carrie Swartz, who is a daughter of Louis Swartz, who is a well-known farmer in Perry Township. Politically, he is a Democrat and has taken a somewhat active part in local politics.

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HON. J. NORMAN MARTIN, a leading citizen of New Castle and a prominent member of her bar, has been a resident of this city during the whole period of his professional life and is a worthy member of one of the old and honorable families of this section. Judge Martin was born at Neshannock Falls, Lawrence County Pennsylvania, October 30, 1859, and is a son of James and Sarah (Mills) Martin.

Judge Martin's grandfather, William Martin, was born near Londonderry, Ire- land, and came to America in 1827, settling in Washington Township, Lawrence (then Mercer) County, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in farming and stock raising. He became the owner of a large tract of land, all of which remains in the family. He died in 1872 at the age of 74 years, leaving seven children to survive him.

James Martin, eldest son of William Martin and father of Judge Martin, was born in the family homestead in Washing- ton Township. During his younger years he was engaged with his father in farming and driving cattle to the Philadelphia mar- kets. After his marriage with Sarah Mills he moved to Wilmington Township, where he died in 1883 at the age of 61 years, hav- ing survived his wife three years, who died at the age of 57. He left to survive him nine children.

After completing the common school course at Shephard's school, Judge Mar- tin entered Westminster College, where he graduated in 1881, after which he entered the law office of Honorable Lucian Baker at Leavenworth, Kan., remaining there a short time, when he returned to New Castle and entered the office of D. B. and L. T. Kurtz, where he remained until he was admitted to the bar on September 23. 1883.

On his admission he formed a partner- ship with S. L. McCracken, the firm being known by the name of Martin & McCrack- en, and continued until 1886, when the firm was dissolved and the subject of this sketch continued the practice of law until

1892 when he was appointed to the posi- tion of Judge of the 17th District, com- posed of the Counties of Lawrence and Butler.

After retiring from the Bench he re- sumed the practice of his profession and since that time has been connected with a large part of the important litigation in the county, having an extensive office and court practice.

In later years he has represented many of the large corporate interests in his lo- cality and has acquired an extensive prac- tice in the United States Courts.

In politics Judge Martin has been iden- tified with the Democratic party, but of late years has refused to accept nomina- tion for any office.

He has become identified with a number of the manufacturing institutions of the locality, was a stockholder and director in the first electric light company in the city and has for several years been identified with the banking interests of this locality.

He was married in 1884 to Jane An- drews, daughter of Rev. J. K. Andrews of Bedford Springs, Pa., and with his family consisting of his wife and son, Norman Andrews, born October 10, 1886, resides at the corner of Grant and Mercer streets, New Castle, Pa.

He served as a member of Common and Select Councils and was active in the estab- lishment of the sewerage system and street paving projects in the city.

Judge Martin has been a member of the Board of Law Examiners since 1885 and is regarded by the younger members of the bar as a friend at all times ready to render them any assistance in any matters of practice or in the solution of any questions confronting them.

JUDSON C. NORRIS, general merchant at Mahoningtown, with fine quarters in his three-story brick block on Liberty Street, is one of the town's leading business men and progressive citizens. He was born in New Castle, November 2, 1863, and is a

HON. J. NORMAN MARTIN.

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son of Charles P. and Elizabeth (Roberts) Norris. The parents of Mr. Norris both survive. The father carried on a livery and furniture business, combined with un- dertaking, at New Castle, but now lives retired from business cares.

Judson C. Norris was educated in the New Castle schools and until he was nine- teen years of age he assisted his father. He then embarked in a grocery business and continued in the same on Washington Street, New Castle, until 1890, although, in 1889 he had opened a branch store in Ma- honingtown. In 1890 he disposed of his interests at New Castle and enlarged the scope of his business at Mahoningtown, adding dry goods to his other stock. He remained in business on Diamond Street until 1904, when he built his present sub- stantial brick block and on March 21, 1904, removed to it, where he has continued ever since. Mr. Norris is an enterprising and experienced merchant and carries a large and varied stock of dry goods, wall paper and groceries. His large storeroom, 94 by 43 feet, gives him plenty of floor space to properly display his goods. He finds his patrons from the most particular peo- ple of the community.

Mr. Norris married Edice F. Sankey, a daughter of Ezekiel R. and Ann D. (Dun- can) Sankey, long time residents of New Castle. Mr. Sankey was a relative of the noted evangelist and singer, the late Ira D. Sankey. Mr. and Mrs. Norris have one son, Joseph J. Mr. Norris is a member of the order of Knights of Pythias.

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Century history of New Castle and Lawrence County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Part 90

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