Century history of New Castle and Lawrence County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Part 92

Author: Hazen, Aaron L. (Aaron Lyle), 1837- comp. and ed. cn
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold publishing co.
Number of Pages: 1058

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HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY

years' successful work with this company, he decided to sell his stock and take up the study of law, and a few weeks later, with this end in view, he purchased a half interest in the Ellwood City Motor, a week- ly newspaper, of Dr. L. F. Cain, who had formerly been an attorney, and who prom- ised to assist him with his studies in law. After about six months Mr. Haines found that he had not formed the right partner- ship, and purchased the half interest of Mr. Cain, and was compelled to continue the newspaper work for about three years, which work of itself was so great that he was compelled to give up the study of law. During his newspaper period he again purchased a small interest in the Ellwood Lumber Co., and was elected a director, so that the new management would have the advantage of his valuable advice as a lumberman. He has retained his interest and added greatly to it ever since, and now is its leading spirit. While running the newspaper he held a commission as notary public, and also did considerable fire in- surance business, always being a very hard worker. His shorthand experience served him well as an editor, enabling him to re- port speeches and sermons verbatim for his paper. After disposing of his paper to Mr. A. C. Grove and Dr. George J. Boyd, he, in connection with his brother- in-law, purchased a controlling interest in the Ellwood Lumber Co., which they im- mediately reorganized, and added to by the purchase of various branch yards, building the company up very rapidly. In 1906 Mr. Harris took charge of the East Ohio Lumber Co., of Steubenville, Ohio, since which time Mr. Haines has acted as general manager in addition to discharg- ing the duties of secretary and treasurer and a director.

John F. Haines was married September 14. 1893, coming north from his position in Louisiana for the purpose, to Miss Lill- ian May Grunder, the estimable daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Grunder, of Mi- nerva, Ohio, her father being a retired

farmer of that place at the present time. To this happy union were born two sets of twins, a boy and girl each time, one of each pair being now living, namely: Har- old G., born November 16, 1894, already attends the Elwood City high school; and Catherine Elizabeth, born December 31, 1902. Religiously, the family belongs to the First Methodist Episcopal Church, in which Mr. Haines has been very active as a worker. He served quite a number of years as president of the board of trustees, and a number of years as president of the Epworth League, and last year was presi- dent of the board of stewards and this year is again a member of the board of trustees. He has also been quite active in the affairs of the borough of Ellwood City. He served three years as auditor, and for some time as president of the Board of Health, and is now treasurer of the Ell- wood City Board of Trade. Fraternally, he is a member of Ellwood Lodge 599, F. and A. M., and has been a member of the I. O. O. F. and of the Sons of Veterans, as well as the Protected Home Circle. The Haines family residence is located on the southeast corner of Wayne Avenue and Sixth Street, and was erected in the fall of 1907. It is of cottage design, the first story being of brick, veneered, and the sec- ond story covered on the outside with stained red cedar shingles. It has numer- out art-glass windows and a very large handsome front porch, and is acknowl- edged to be one of the most beautiful dwell- ings in the town.

HARVEY LYONS PALMER, formerly proprietor of the creamery at Energy, Shenango Township, was born in Washing- ton County, Penn., May 5, 1845, son of George and Prudence (Hathaway) Palmer. His paternal grandfather came from Ire- land at an early day and settled in Wash- ington County, where he engaged in farm- ing and was well enough thought of to be made a justice of the peace, in which office he served for forty years.

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George Palmer, father of Harvey L., grew up on the farm and resided in Wash- ington County all his life. He followed agriculture and stock-raising and was an industrious and respected citizen. In poli- tics a Democrat, though no politician. He died in 1850 at the age of sixty-two years. The family was one of great longevity. One of George Palmer's brothers lived to the remarkable age of 107 years, another to that of ninety-three, another to that of ninety-four, and a sister attained the age of ninety-seven. The record of this fam- ily is in brief as follows: Emeline, who married George Bilman, both being now deceased; Betsey, who married Joseph Hamilton, both being now deceased; Sarah, a twin sister of Betsey, who married Enoch Hickson and now resides in Cannonsburg, Washington County; Rachel, who is the wife of George MeGiboney of Washing- ton County ; Maria, now deceased, who was the wife of John Sheets, who is also de- ceased; Joseph, deceased, who served in the Civil War as a member of the Eighty- fifth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry; Daniel W., who is a resident of Duck's Mill, Washington County, Pennsylvania; Zephaniah, who is deceased; Cynthia, who married F. Boyles, both being now de- ceased; Martha, deceased, who was the wife of Joseph McClure; Harvey L., the direct subject of this article; and John H., twin brother of Harvey, who resides in Shenango Township. The parents of this family, both of whom are now deceased, were members of the Presbyterian Church at Pigeon Creek, Washington County.

Harvey L. Palmer at eleven years of age, being an orphan, went to Pittsburg, where he attended school and worked in a shoe store for about three years. Afterwards he was employed for sometime in a grocery store. About 1866 he entered the grocery business for himself, opening a store at No. 149 Fulton Street, remaining in that location until 1871. He then came to Shenango Township and was engaged in

farming for about a year and a half with his brother-in-law. Subsequently he started a milk depot and grocery business in New Castle. In 1885 his wife died and he sold out and established the store now operated by his son, dealing in general merchandise. This business he carried on until 1906, when he sold it to his son, D. A. Palmer, who is the present proprietor. July 20, 1907, he bought the creamery at Energy, Shenango Township, which turns out about 700 pounds of butter per week, and which proved a profitable industry. This he sold in August, 1908. In politics he is a Re- publican, but has always declined to hold office.

Mr. Palmer was first married to Mary Jane, daughter of David Aiken, of She- nango Township, she having been born in the same year as himself. Of this union there were five children, three of whom grew up. They were as follows: Martha Densy died at the age of three years. David A., born in 1873, was graduated from the New Castle High School and took a two years' course at Duff's Business College, Pittsburg. He became associated in business enterprises with his father, and as above noted is now the proprietor of a thriving business. He married Mary El- len Trusel. Hugh is a resident of Pitts- burg. William resides in Sterling, Colo- rado. The fifth child, a son, twin of Will- iam, died when a week old. The mother of these children, Mrs. Mary Jane Palmer, was a member of the Center U. P. Church from girlhood until her marriage, at which time she joined the First Presbyterian Church at New Castle. She was always active in church work and was highly es- teemed as a Christian woman and good neighbor. Her death took place in 1885. Mr. Palmer subsequently married for his second wife, Miss Catherine A. Breeken- ridge, of Shenango Township. The family are members of the Third United Presby- terian Church, of which Mr. Palmer was formerly trustee for a number of years.

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HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY

WILLIAM JAMES McKIM, cashier of the First National Bank of Ellwood City, was born in Franklin Township, Beaver County, Pennsylvania, January 25, 1867, and is a son of Francis W. and Margaret C. McKim, and a grandson of William and Margaret (Gilkey) McKim.

The MeKim family is of Scotch-Irish ex- traction. The maternal grandfather of William J. McKim, was an early settler in Beaver County, but subsequently moved from the farm he owned there to Scotland County, Missouri, where both he and wife died.

Francis W. McKim, father of William J., was born in Big Beaver Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, Febru- ary 28, 1834. He married Margaret Camp- bell, who was born January 29, 1844, a daughter of James Campbell, and to this marriage were born seven sons and four daughters, all of whom survive except one daughter who died of scarlet fever, when aged seven years. The surviving daugh- ters, Ella, Martha and Mary Angeline, all reside in the old home. Of the sons, Will- iam J. is the eldest. Charles Morrow mar- ried Elizabeth Box, of Youngstown. Rob- ert Lewis, a resident of Ellwood City, mar- ried a Miss Hazen. John Glenn and Wil- bert Calvin are both engaged in a furniture business. Frank Campbell occupies his own residence on Fourth Street, Ellwood City.

After his marriage, the late Francis W. MeKim purchased the homestead of his father in Big Beaver Township, which he sold in 1864, when he moved to Beaver County and bought the present family es- tate, 175 acres of valuable land situated in Franklin Township, which his heirs own. In 1903 he moved to Ellwood City, where he died December 14, 1907. His widow re- sides with her sons at the corner of Park Avenue and Fourth Street, Ellwood City. In politics, Francis W. MeKim was a Re- publican. In his church relations he was a United Presbyterian.

William James McKim was educated in the public schools at North Star, in the Wurtemberg High School and took a four- years' classical course at Geneva College, leaving in 1888, in his junior year, in order to enter into the machinery business, with which he remained identified until he came to Ellwood City, July 15, 1895. Mr. Mc- Kim then entered the first National Bank in the capacity of clerk and bookkeeper and has continued with this financial in- stitution, at present being its cashier. He established his home in Ellwood City, July 15, 1905. In addition to his banking he has other interests here, being president of the Ellwood City Lumber Company.

On June 28, 1898, Mr. McKim was mar- ried to Miss Carrie Ida Irwin, who is a daughter of Thomas J. and Elizabeth (Hillman) Irwin. Mrs. McKim was reared on her father's farm in North Sewickley Township, Beaver County. She is a highly educated lady and was a member of the first class that graduated at the Slippery Rock State Normal College and subse- quently spent a number of years teaching school, during a part of this time in the State of Washington. Mr. and Mrs. Mc- Kim have three children : Margaret Jeanetta, born April 19, 1899; Dorothy Beatrice, born July 5, 1901; and William Irwin, born December 17, 1904. Mr. and Mrs. McKim are members of the First Presbyterian Church. In politics, he is a Republican and for six years he has served as school director and was treasurer of the board when the new High School building was erected. His fraternal connections are numerous. He is a Thirty-second degree Mason and is past master of Ellwood City Lodge, F. & A. M., belongs to the Lodge of Perfection at New Castle, and to the Con- sistory at Pittsburg. He belongs also to Alma Lodge, Knights of Pythias, original- ly of North Sewickley, of which he was past chancellor, and to the order of Ben Hur, together with several beneficiary or- ganizations.

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JAMES C. HOUSTON, one of New Castle's enterprising business men, is en- gaged in the grocery business at No. 569 South Mill Street. Mr. Houston was born in the North of Ireland and came, in 1886, to America, when a youth of twenty years, locating first at Niles, Ohio.

After residing for a short time at Niles, Mr. Houston went to Mingo Junction, in Jefferson County, where he worked in the steel mill until 1892, when he came to New Castle. Here he entered the Shenango mill and rose to the position of pit fore- man, which he held for a number of years. In May, 1902, Mr. Houston embarked in the grocery business and it has been his aim to conduct one of the best and most complete stores of its kind in this section. He carries a large and well selected stock of both staple and fancy groceries and his business methods have been such that he has attracted a very satisfactory line of custom. Mr. Houston was married first in September, 1892, to Vannetta M. Jones, and to this union three children were born : William, Myrtle and George, all living. Mrs. Houston died May 9, 1898.

In October, 1902, Mr. Houston was married (second) to Miss M. J. Charles, of Pittsburg, Pa., and they have a little daughter, Margaret. Mr. and Mrs. Hous- ton are members of Grace Methodist Epis- copal Church at New Castle. He is an Odd Fellow and an Orangeman, and he belongs to the trade organization, the Retail Gro- cerymen's Association. As becomes a good citizen, he takes some interest in the selec- tion of those who make the local laws and are supposed to see that they are carried out to the benefit of the city.

JOHN E. REEL, general superintendent of the G. W. Johnston Limestone Com- pany, one of New Castle's large business enterprises, has been a resident of this city for five years and during this period has commanded the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens. He was born in 1855, in Trumbull County, Ohio.

Mr. Reel spent his boyhood alternative- ly between work on the farm and attend- ance at school and remained engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1880, when he came to Lawrence County. Here he be- came interested in the limestone business. For ten years he was connected with the Carbon Limestone Company, but in 1890 entered the employ of G. W. Johnston, at New Castle, first as foreman, then as su- perintendent, and for the past three years has been general superintendent. He is a capable and experienced man and the in- terests of this concern are safe under his superintendence.

In 1876 Mr. Reel was married to Clara Craft, who resided in Trumbull County, and they have three children: Izzie F., who is the wife of Frank Sutton, a farmer of Lawrence County; and John A. and Janie, both of whom are students in the public school. Mr. Reel and family belong to the Baptist Church. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias. In public and political affairs he takes the interest of a good citizen.

JOHN DODDS CAMPBELL, general farmer and prominent citizen, residing on his valuable property which consists of 117 acres of land situated one mile west of Moravia, on the Galilee highway, was born November 22, 1851, in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. His parents were James and Eliza Ellen (Dodds) Campbell.

James Campbell was born and reared in Allegheny County, where his father, James Campbell, had settled when he came to America from Ireland. The maternal grandfather of John D. Campbell was Robert Dodds, who was also born in Ire- land. James and Eliza Ellen (Dodds) Campbell were married while the latter was living in Butler County, after which they went to housekeeping in Allegheny County. They had six children born to them, namely: Lulu, deceased; Saurin- manton, deceased; Evadna, deceased ; John Dodds; Mary, who married Dr. William

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HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY

McGeehan, of Eastbrook, and Harvey James, who is engaged in farming in North Beaver Township. In 1871 James Camp- bell moved his family to North Beaver Township, where he bought 200 acres of good land, building here a substantial barn and making many excellent improvements. This farm is now owned by his two sur- viving sons. He died here in April, 1903, having survived his wife since 1883.

John Dodds Campbell was educated in the local schools and grew to manhood a practical farmer. He carries on a general agricultural line, having land that is well located for successful farming. He mar- ried Ella Duff, who was born and reared in North Beaver Township, and is a daugh- ter of Alexander Duff. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell are members of the Presbyterian Church at Moravia, of which Mr. Camp- bell is a trustee.

OLIVER P. CUNNINGHAM, who is a substantial citizen of Wayne Township, is engaged in the carriage and manufactur- ing business at Chewton, Lawrence Coun- ty, Pennsylvania, where he was born May 8, 1839, and is a son of John and Rachel (Davidson) Cunningham.

Mr. Cunningham belongs to a family that has been identified with the interests of Lawrence County for a period covering 112 years. Many Indians still occupied this section of Pennsylvania when the Cun- ningham and Davidson families came to Lawrence County from Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, in 1796. There were twelve householders in the colony that came at that time and built their log cabins close together on a small cleared tract. The sturdy pioneers left their fam- ilies behind until the following year, when they returned and brought them to the new homes in what was then a veritable wilder- ness. As there were no roads at that time, over which conveyance could move, the journey back and forth had to be made on horseback, and blazed Indian trails had to be followed. In this colony were William

and Benjamin Cunningham, the two Her- mon brothers, the Houks, the Smileys and the Davidsons.

Benjamin Cunningham, grandfather of Oliver P., settled in 1796 on the farm in Wayne Township which is now owned by J. N. Fallis, of New Castle. While build- ing his first house he subsisted, as did the numerous Indians of the locality, on fish and the wild game, which was very plenti- ful in the forests. There were but two other settlers outside of the colony men- tioned, in all this stretch of country at that time. Robert Davidson, the maternal grandfather of Oliver P., settled on the land where the flourishing town of Wam- pum now stands. He owned a very large tract of land, a part of what was called The Donation, the same having been for- merly set apart for the surviving soldiers of the Revolutionary War. Prior to 1830, Robert Davidson built a large brick house on his land, which still stands and is still utilized. This Wampum property belongs to the Davidson heirs. The town was named in honor of Chief Wampum, an In- dian of the time and section, who befriend- ed the white settlers.

Benjamin Cunningham married Mar- garet Morton, who was a daughter of Jo- seph Morton, another pioneer, and they became the parents of a large family, seven of whom reached maturity. Four of this number bore the following names: Will- iam, Benjamin, Anna, John T., the latter of whom was the father of Oliver P. Will- iam married a Miss White and moved to Venango County, where he died. Benjamin married and later moved to Portsmouth, Ohio, where he died. Anna married John Smiley, and they resided at what is now Slippery Rock, Lawrence County, where they died.

Hon. John T. Cunningham was a very prominent citizen of Wayne Township, Lawrence County. His home was in the village of Chewton, where he served for twenty years in the office of justice of the peace. In 1844 he was elected a member

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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

of the Pennsylvania State Legislature, but his public career was cut short by his death after a brief illness, in the spring of 1845. He was a man of systematic habits and exceptional judgment. His docket, while justice of the peace, covering two decades, shows 640 cases, and is without blot or blemish. John T. Cunningham married Rachel Davidson, daughter of Robert Da- vidson, and four sons were born to them: Robert, Benjamin W., Oliver P. and Harvey.

Robert Cunningham resided in Venango County, Pennsylvania, where he died, leav- ing a family. Benjamin W. Cunningham married (first) Miss Clara Allen, who was a daughter of John M. Allen, of Shenango Township, Lawrence County. His second marriage was to Mrs. Elizabeth Hoagland, a widow, and they reside in Wayne Town- ship. Harvey Cunningham, the youngest of the sons, died in 1904, leaving a widow, who was formerly a Miss Loefler.

Oliver Perry Cunningham is the oldest native resident of the village of Chewton. He remained at home until he reached manhood, obtaining his education in the district schools, and then went West, and during his residence in Iowa was first mar- ried, the lady being Miss Amanda Hen- non. She was a daughter of John M. Hen- non, of Wayne Township, where she was born and reared and at the time of her marriage, in January, 1865, was visiting in Iowa. She died in September of the same year.

In 1857, Oliver P. Cunningham entered the employ of Ralph Reed, with whom he learned the wagon and carriagemaking trade. About the time of the opening of the Civil War he went to Pittsburg and was employed there by James Hemphill, who had the contract for building wagons for the Government. Mr. Cunningham was an excellent workman and he remained for some time at Pittsburg, after which he re- turned to the old homestead at Chewton, where, since late in 1861, he has been in- terested in the manufacturing business un-

til the present. As a reliable maker of carriages and wagons, he is known all through this section, at all times having as many orders as he can fill. His business is one of the oldest in the town.

Mr. Cunningham has been notably one of the township's leading men and has been identified with the enterprises which have built up this section to a large de- gree, and has furthered to the extent of his ability all things which have promised to advance his community. He owns con- siderable real estate at Chewton and is justly considered a man of ample fortune. He is the oldest Odd Fellow connected with the Wampum lodge, having joined the or- der in 1865, and is a charter member.

The second marriage of Mr. Cunning- ham was to Miss Susan Kennedy, who is a daughter of Henry and Susan Kennedy, old residents of Slippery Rock Township, where her grandfather was one of the ear- liest settlers. Two children were born to this marriage, Jennie C. and Audley L. The former married Thomas M. Eckles, who is a druggist at Ellwood City, Law- rence County. The latter married Miss Cora Turner, who was born in Ellwood City, and they have one daughter, Audrey. In political sentiment, Mr. Cunningham is a Republican, and although no longer an active one, takes a deep interest in the suc- cess of his party. For a period of five years he served as a justice of the peace in Wayne Township, and at the close of his term was re-elected, but declined to serve longer. Both he and wife are members of the Christian Church at Chewton, of which he has been a liberal supporter for many years. As the oldest resident of this sec- tion, Mr. Cunningham has witnessed won- derful changes take place and his reminis- cences of old times and old families of Law- rence County are both interesting and in- structive.

SAMUEL L. RIDDLE, whose fine farm of 210 acres is situated in Little Beaver Township, is one of the leading men of this

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HISTORY OF LAWRENCE COUNTY

section, in which he has resided since 1876. He was born on a farm in Plump Town- ship, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, March 17, 1844, and is a son of Samuel Lock and Mary Ann (Shroder) Riddle.

Samuel Lock Riddle was born at Pitts- burg, June 15, 1814, and was a son of Charles Riddle, who was a settler where Pittsburg now stands when all that great iron city had not been thought of, deer running through the forests so near to the Riddle home that Samuel frequently shot them. In his younger days, Samuel Rid- dle followed farming and butchering, liv- ing in Allegheny County, but in 1854 he moved to Butler County, where he bought a farm for $3,000, which proved immense- ly valuable on account of oil being discov- ered there. This brought Samuel L. Rid- dle an ample fortune. He lived in retire- ment for a number of years and died in 1895, at Oakmont, Pa. He was married in 1835 at Pittsburg, to Mary Ann Shroder, and they had nine children, namely: Mar- garet, who is the wife of Robert Kinkaid; W. H. H., who is a lawyer, residing at But- ler; Samuel L., and O. I., the latter a prom- inent farmer of Little Beaver Township, and five who died young.

Samuel L. Riddle accompanied his par- ents to Butler County and worked in the oil fields and also at farming. In 1864, Mr. Riddle enlisted for service in the Civil War, entering Company B, Fiftieth Regi- ment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. Frank H. Barnhardt, and was mustered out of the army June 12, 1865. In the interim he had seen hard service and participated in the battles of Hatcher's Run, Fort Steadman and Petersburg. He was never wounded or taken prisoner and after the close of the war returned home and resumed peaceful pursuits. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Re- public. On March 24, 1876, Mr. Riddle came to Lawrence County and settled on his present farm, making all the excellent improvements on the place.

On April 17, 1865, Mr. Riddle was mar-

ried in Butler County to Eliza Jane Mc- Clymans, who was born in 1847 and died in 1892. Three of their fifteen children died young, but twelve reached mature years, as follows: Laura, who is the wife of Elmer E. Hohnoddle; Myron O .; Har- riet Dilla, who is the wife of James E. Pollyblank ; Hugh A .; Ada, who is the wife of Charles Morrow; Dora A., who is the wife of Harry Scholl; Mary, who is the wife of Milton Wolfe; Anna, who is the wife of P. M. Bonnett; Lucy A., who is the wife of Delmar Duncan; Charles, who died aged twenty-one years ; and Samuel R. and Earl C.

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Century history of New Castle and Lawrence County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Part 92

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