Century history of New Castle and Lawrence County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Part 99

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 99

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his family, he belongs to the Harmony Baptist Church.

JOHN S. McCASLIN, formerly one of Shenango Township's most respected and useful citizens, was born in Scott Town- ship, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, February 19, 1839, and died October 22, 1902. His parents were Samuel and Eliza- beth (Slater) McCaslin.

The grandparents of Mr. MeCaslin were Robert and Rachel McCaslin, and they came from Bedford County, Pennsylvania, early in the twenties, and settled subse- quently in what is now Lawrence County. They were pioneers in this wild region, and the family records tell of many hard- ships they endured. They had the follow- ing children: Samuel, Joseph, Robert, William, Mrs. Sarah Eckles, Mrs. Rachel Cunningham, Mrs. Margaret Stunkard, Mrs. Elizabeth Gibson and Mrs. Jane Brady, and one who died in childhood.

Samuel McCaslin, father of the late John S. MeCaslin, was born in 1808, and died in 1847, aged thirty-nine years. His whole life was devoted to agricultural pur- suits. He married Elizabeth Slater, who was a daughter of Archibald Slater, who was born in Ireland. The latter came to America in early manhood, and subse- quently married Margaret Scott, and their daughter, Elizabeth, was born on what was called the Donation, near Pittsburg, Pa. To Samuel MeCaslin and wife were born the following children: Margaret, who married Joseph Baker, residing in Hick- ory Township, Lawrence County; Robert, Archibald and Rachel, all of whom are de- ceased; Mary, who is the widow of James Dinsmore, resides in Hickory Township; John S., late of Shenango Township; Will- iam T., and Jane, deceased, who was the wife of William Stunkard.

The late John S. McCaslin was the sixth member of the above family, all of whom survived into maturity and became respect- ed members of the community. His educa-

JOHN S. McCASLIN.

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MR. AND MRS. JOHN M. ALLEN.

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tional opportunities were meager, but he was a man of good mind, and became well informed in all essential things and pos- sessed the natural qualities which made him of more than the average importance in his neighborhood. For a few years he engaged in a teaming business, but his real occupation through life was farming, one which he thoroughly understood. In the fall of 1870 he moved to New Castle, but prior to that he had resided on a farm about one mile above Eastbrook. In 1895 he settled on his wife's old homestead in Shenango Township. Originally this farm contained 113 acres, and seventy acres still remain, Mrs. McCaslin's brother, Zebina Allen having purchased fifty acres. The whole farm is at present cultivated on shares. On this farm the closing years of Mr. McCaslin's life were passed. He was a man of quiet, home-loving tastes, and while he lent his influence in support of law and order, he never took any very active part in public affairs. He was a Republican in his political views.

Mr. McCaslin was united in marriage with Eliza J. Allen, who is a daughter of John M. and Esther (Miller) Allen, who was born January 10, 1836. John M. Al- len was a son of Jacob and Eleanor (Mun- son) Allen and a grandson of George Al- len. The Allens came to western Penn- sylvania from New Jersey. Jacob Allen was a soldier in the War of 1812. John M. Allen was born in Wayne Township, Law- rence County, September 12, 1812, and died March 12, 1897. He was a farmer all his life, and was a man of importance, substance and considerable local promin- ence. He worked on the old canal in his youth, and started to housekeeping on a farm located about half way between Wur- temburg and Chewton. his father's old farm. On October 22, 1848, he bought the farm on which Mrs. McCaslin still resides. It was wild land at the time, and he had to clear a place before he could build his house. He retained his faculties into old age and just before his death served in the

office of jury commissioner. He married a daughter of Moses and Jane (Gaston) Miller, and they had these children : Eliza J .; Ellen, deceased, married (first) Lo- renzo Wilson, and (second) John S. Shat- tuck; Clarissa, deceased, married Benja- min Cunningham; Zebina T., resides at Denver, Colo .; Mary W., deceased, mar- ried G. L. Reno, of Shenango Township; Edward H., lives at Kansas City, Kan .; Esther, deceased, was the wife of Joseph Hennon; and Laura, who married Leslie Aikens, of Wayne Township. John M. Allen was an elder in the Christian Church.

Mr. and Mrs. McCaslin had four chil- dren, three of whom survive, namely : Clarice Ella, who resides with her mother; Esther, who married Charles E. Rhodes, has one daughter, Nell Jeannette, who is the wife of Allison Marks, of Homestead, Pa .; and Myra E., who married William E. Lawrence, of Beaver, Pa., has two chil- dren, George V. and Esther. The late Mr. MeCaslin was a member of the Presby- terian Church, but Mrs. McCaslin was reared in the Christian Church. She is a well known and highly esteemed lady, and is noted for her cheerful disposition and optimistic view of life.

EMMET W. DUNGAN, who has charge of the Mt. Air Elgin Butter Company (co- operative) plant, is a native of Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, having been born in North Beaver Township, August 27, 1859. He is a son of Thomas and Cynthia (Hammel) Dungan.

Thomas Dungan was born in Virginia in 1799, and when a young man came to Pennsylvania, locating in what was then Beaver County, now Lawrence County. He was there elected to the State Legislature of Pennsylvania, serving in that office at the time Lawrence County was organized. He first settled in what is now Little Bea- ver Township, Lawrence County, on the farm now owned and occupied by Robert Miller, and moved later to the farm in North Beaver Township on which Emmet

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W. was born. His first marriage was with a Miss Witherspoon, by whom he had eleven children, the following being now living: Robert, William, who is a captain in the United States Army ; George, a min- ister; John; and Albert, who is a member of Battery B, Regular Army. His second marriage was with. Miss Cynthia Hammel, whose grandfather, a pioneer of the coun- ty, located on the present site of Bethel United Presbyterian Church. This union resulted in the birth of four children: Alonzo, who died at three years; Horace; Emmet W .; and Charles, deceased. Thomas Dungan died in 1873, and was sur- vived many years by his widow, she dying in 1902, at the age of eighty-three years.

Emmet W. Dungan was reared on the home farm in North Beaver Township, and there attended the public schools. Ex- cept for three years spent in California, he has lived in Lawrence County all his life, and until 1900 was engaged in agri- cultural pursuits. He came into posses- sion of a part of his father's farm, but this he disposed of at the date mentioned, when he took charge of the creamery. He is a stockholder and director of the company, and under his direction the plant has flour- ished and been successful beyond expecta- tions. The company's officers are D. L. MeCown, president; E. E. Taylor, secre- tary; and W. P. Kelso, treasurer. There is a demand for all the butter they can make, and the daily average is some 400 pounds. Mr. Dungan is also a stockholder and director of the Mt. Air Telephone Company, which was organized in 1908.

January 16, 1889, Mr. Dungan was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Miss Effie Deringer, a daughter of Milo R. Deringer, of Ohio Township, Bea- ver County, Pennsylvania, and they are parents of four children: Otis L., who is a stockholder in the Mt. Air Elgin Butter Company, and assists his father in the creamery; Lenna W .; Roscoe F .; and Lora Rose. In political views Mr. Dun- gan is an unswerving Republican. Fra-

Jernally he is a member of Enon Valley Lodge No. 916, I. O. O. F.

FRANK H. HUTCHINSON, dealer in feed, flour and coal, both wholesale and retail, at No. 31 North Beaver Street, New Castle, was born in Mercer County, Penn- sylvania, in 1862.

When twelve years old the parents of Mr. Hutchinson moved to a farm in North Beaver Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, and he enjoyed school ad- vantages at Bessemer. When twenty-two years old he left the home farm and went to Park City, Summit County, Utah, where he engaged in mining for three years, at the end of that time feeling willing to re- turn to his old home in Pulaski Township. He shortly afterward started into business at Nashua, Pulaski Township, becoming postmaster of the place, and for the next twenty years he carried on a very satis- factory business in buying and shipping hay and dealing in groceries. He pur- chased a steam hay press, and for a long period about controlled the hay pressing business in that locality. In 1903 he came to New Castle and engaged in his present business, in which he is assisted by his son, Harry L., and it has so expanded that he has found it necessary to build larger quarters, and is now constructing a fine pressed brick building, 32 by 70 feet in dimensions, with two stories and base- ment, at No. 31 North Beaver Street. He will occupy this commodious building as soon as completed, which will be in the near future.

In 1884 Mr. Hutchinson was married to Miss Olive Lockhart, of Pulaski Township, a daughter of Oliver Lockhart, and they have three surviving children, namely : Harry L., Mabel and Bernice. Mr. Hutch- inson and family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a member of the order of Maccabees.

JOHN E. F. WAGNER, who carries on general farming on his valuable farm of

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100 acres, which is situated in Perry Town- ship, about five miles from Ellwood City, was born April 4, 1831, in Germany, and is a son of Frederick and Hannah Wagner.

The parents of Mr. Wagner came to America in 1840, and located for a short time at Pittsburg, Pa. The father was a man of education, and after he moved to Saxonburg, in Butler County, he engaged in teaching school, and continued to reside there until the close of his life, dying when aged seventy-two years. There were five sons and one daughter in the family, as follows: George; Herman, who died in California; John E. F .; August; Charles, who died in Butler County; and Mary.

John E. F. Wagner was nine years old when his parents came to America, and as their circumstances in life were somewhat straitened, he had few advantages. He went to work while other boys of his age were in school, and continued a laborious life for many years. For twenty-six years he remained at Pittsburg, but in 1876 he turned his attention to farming and pur- chased his present property in Perry Township. This has constantly increased in value, and here, after Mr. Wagner re- tires from active life, he will have every- thing to make easy and comfortable his declining years.

Mr. Wagner married Margaret Getman, who was born and reared in Lawrence County, and they had the following chil- dren: George, who married Eva Wright, has six children; John, resides in Okla- homa, married Lydia Bauder and has two children; Anna, who married John Weh- man, has six children; and Matilda, who is married and resides in Oklahoma. Mr. Wagner and family belong to the Lu- theran Church. In politics he is a Repub- lican.

JOHN Y. WALKER, who owns and op- erates a large grist mill at Neshannock Falls, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, is an experienced man in this business, which he has continuously followed since

he reached maturity. He was born in Wilmington Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of George and Esther (Ligo) Walker.

The Walker family is of English ex- traction, and the grandfather, George Walker, settled in Lawrence County when he came first to America. He was one of the earliest settlers of Pulaski, and there he acquired land and engaged in farming. His son George developed other tastes and went into the milling business and was engaged in that industry for forty years.

John Y. Walker was born March 10, 1876, and obtained a good common school education in Wilmington Township. From boyhood he was interested in his father's mill, and spent a large part of his time there, learning many details of the busi- ness before he really began to adopt it as a trade. Mr. Walker is well and favorably known all through Wilmington Township and the country around about Neshannock Falls, his honorable business methods se- curing him the confidence of all with whom he has dealings.

On October 26, 1904, Mr. Walker was married to Sallie Porter, who is a daugh- ter of John and Jane (Swagger) Porter, the former being a very prominent farmer in Mercer County. They have two chil- dren: Helen, born August 12, 1905; and Georgette, born December 9, 1906. Mr. and Mrs. Walker belong to the First United Presbyterian Church, of New Wil- mington, of which he is one of the au- ditors.

RT. REV. JOHN FRANCIS REGIS CANEVIN, Bishop of Pittsburg, was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, June 5, 1853. He spent his early youth at St. Xavier's, Beatty, Pa., and also at New Castle, his uncle being then a pastor of one of the city churches.

Bishop Canevin was educated at St. Vin- cent College and Seminary, Beatty, Pa., and was ordained a priest at St. Paul's Cathedral, Pittsburg, January 4, 1879. His

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first appointment was as assistant at St. Mary's, Lawrenceville, where he remained two years. Then he was assigned as an assistant at the Cathedral, August 1, 1881, where he remained five years. In 1886 he was given charge of St. Paul's Orphan Asylum, State Reformatory at Morganza, Western Penitentiary, together with the Mission at Canonsburg. In June, 1891, he was appointed Chancellor of the Diocese, in 1893 pastor of St. Philip's, Crafton; in March, 1895, returning as pastor to the Cathedral.

Bishop Canevin was consecrated Coad- jutor-Bishop of Pittsburg by the Most Reverend Patrick J. Ryan, Archbishop of Philadelphia, February 24, 1903, and be- came Bishop at Pittsburg at the death of Bishop Phelan, December 21, 1904.

LAFAYETTE BALDWIN, treasurer of Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, is a native of this county, having been born in Shenango Township, on the farm which he now owns, July 2, 1846. He is a son of Joseph and Sarah (Warnock) Baldwin, and comes of pioneer families in the coun- ty, from both sides.

The paternal grandfather of Mr. Bald- win was a native of Virginia, and was a soldier in the War of 1812. His son, Jo- seph Baldwin, married Sarah Warnock, whose father, James Warnock, was born in County Down, Ireland, and when a young man came to America, settling in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania.

Lafayette Baldwin was reared on the home farm and obtained a good common school education. In early life he engaged in teaching school and working in the tim- ber, but farming has been his principal occupation in life. Owing to his youth, he was unable to enter the army until the last year of the Civil War, when in answer to the last call made for volunteers he enlisted in Company I, Sixteenth Regi- ment, Pennsylvania Cavalry. He served during the remainder of the war, and was in the engagement which resulted in the

fall of Petersburg. After the death of his father, Mr. Baldwin perfected arrange- ments to retain the old homestead, on which he was born and which he still owns. A man of energy and enterprise, he made a success of his own business, and has frequently been called upon to fill offices of honor and public trust. He filled near- ly all township offices, including school di- rector and township auditor, and served eight years as county assessor, and a like period as county auditor. He discharged the duties of these offices with marked ability and in such a manner as to gain the commendation and approval of the peo- ple. In the fall of 1905 he was elected treasurer of Lawrence County and is now efficiently serving in that capacity, his term expiring January 1, 1909. He has a wide acquaintance through the county, and en- joys great popularity with the people.

December 28, 1872, Mr. Baldwin was joined in marriage with Miss Rebecca Dinsmore, a daughter of Thomas R. and Sarah (Monroe) Dinsmore, who formerly resided near New Wilmington, in Law- rence County. The following are the is- sue of this union: J. Ross, Nellie S., Charles H., who served in the Spanish- American War as a member of Company I, Sixteenth Regiment of Pennsylvania, known as "The Sons of Veterans' Regi- ment," and Frank G. In religious at- tachment the family belongs to the Center United Presbyterian Church. In politics Mr. Baldwin is a Republican, and has al- ways been an active worker for party suc- cess. He is a member of G. A. R. Post No. 100, at New Castle.

SAMUEL DELBERT JOHNSTON, proprietor, with his brother, Fred C. Johnston, of the Johnston drug store, the leading pharmacy at Ellwood City, was born in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, January 28, 1877, and is a son of Thomas W. and Ruth E. (Hazen) Johnston. The parents of Mr. Johnston were both born in Beaver County. In 1891 they located

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among the early settlers at Ellwood City, where they yet survive. They were among the founders of the Baptist Church in this community.

Samuel D. Johnston obtained his educa- tion in the schools of Homewood and Ell- wood City. When fifteen years of age he entered the mills at the Gasoline Stove Works, at Ellwood City, working there for one year, later spending four years in the tube mills, eight years with the Steel Car Forge Works, and two years with the Glen Manufacturing Company, these names rep- resenting some of the largest industrial concerns in Lawrence County. Mr. Johns- ton then went into partnership in the drug business with his brother, Fred C. Johns- ton, a practical and experienced pharma- cist, and the Johnston drug store was founded at Ellwood City November 21, 1907.

Mr. Johnston married Miss Lavina Salome Boyer, who is a daughter of E. R. R. Boyer, of Harmony, Pa., and they have two sons-Harold Delbert and Raymond Boyer. Mr. and Mrs. Johnston are mem- bers of the Baptist Church. In politics he is a Democrat. As successful business men and enterprising and public-spirited eiti- zens, the Johnston brothers have high standing at Ellwood City.

WYLIE LEE GILMORE, one of the leading educators of Western Pennsyl- vania, was born July 16, 1878, near Mount Jackson, in North Beaver Township, Law- rence County, Pennsylvania. His parents are David and Rachel (Dobbins) Gilmore. He has five brothers, William T., Edwin J., Joseph, at present (1908) chief of the New Castle police; J. Davison and Harry W .; and two sisters, Nancy Mary, married to D. S. Mayberry, and Adella, married to J. C. Allen.

David Gilmore was born in 1833, within a half mile of where he now resides in North Beaver Township. He is a son of William and Anne (Kennedy) Gilmore. His grandfather, Joseph Gilmore, came

from County Down, Ireland, in 1790, and located in Philadelphia. William, after his marriage to Anne Kennedy, removed to what is now Greenfield. in Mercer County. He lived there a few years and then, 1820, came to Lawrence County, where the fam- ily still resides.

Rachel (Dobbins) Gilmore, a daughter of John and Esther (Sankey ) Dobbins, was born near Mahoningtown in 1837. She is a descendant of the Dobbins and Sankey families, who have been well and favor- ably known in the history of Lawrence County.

Wylie Lee Gilmore, the youngest of eight children, was reared on his father's farm in North Beaver Township, and obtained his early educational training in the pub- lic schools. Later he attended the Mount Jackson High School, from which institu- tion he graduated in 1896. He then at- tended various higher institutions of learn- ing and, deciding to devote his time to teaching, attended the Slippery Rock State Normal School, from which he graduated in the class of 1902. In 1904 he graduated from Central University, at Indianapolis, Ind., and since then has been continuously engaged in teaching. Three years he de- voted to the work in North Beaver Town- ship, one year in Pulaski Township, one year in Mahoning Township, and for five years was principal of the Terrace Avenue School, in New Castle, Pa.

In June, 1907, he was appointed to his present important position, where he has 200 teachers under his direction, together with all the responsibilities which edu- cators in these modern days of progress have to be able to assume.

Professor Gilmore was married to Miss Lizzie Mae Manewal, a daughter of Jere- miah and Martha (Sheets) Manewal, be- ing a descendant of two Pennsylvania Dutch families, who have played no small part in the history of Pennsylvania.

They have three children, Letrugh Hel- en, Robert Allen and Mildred Vaughn. Mr. and Mrs. Gilmore belong to the United

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Presbyterian Church. He comes of a fam- ily that has always been identified with the Republican party since its formation, and he believes firmly in its principles and pol- icies. Fraternally, Mr. Gilmore is con- nected with the Masonic bodies of New Castle, being a member of Lodge of the Craft No. 433, Delta Chapter No. 170, Hi- ram Council No. 45, and Lawrence Com- mandery, Knights Templar, No. 62.

JAMES W. STEVENSON was a vet- eran of the Civil War and a prominent agriculturist of Pulaski Township, Law- rence County, Pennsylvania, where his wife was owner of a valuable farm of 100 acres. His death occurred June 6, 1899, and he was mourned by a host of friends throughout this section of the country.

Mr. Stevenson was born in Beaver Coun- ty, Pennsylvania, and at an early age be- came located in Pulaski Township, Law- rence County, where his entire active busi- ness career was passed. He was a man of exceptional capabilities, a leader among his fellow men, and his efforts in the field of business merited the success which they met. The farm of 100 acres, on which he lived and which he improved to so great an extent, is the property of his widow.

On January 27, 1875, Mr. Stevenson was united in marriage with Miss Sarah A. Neal, who was born in Pulaski Township, and is a daughter of Alexander and Nancy (Mayers) Neal, her father being a native of Mercer County, Pennsylvania, and her mother of Trumbull County, Ohio. Mr. Neal died August 1, 1878, and his wife about two years later, on August 29, 1880. Of a large family of children born to them, but two are now living-Benjamin, of Pu- laski Township, and Sarah A., widow of James W. Stevenson.

Mr. and Mrs. Stevenson became parents of a daughter, Hattie D., who married Frederick R. Goodge, of Pulaski Township, and they have had four children: Goldie, deceased; Ida M., James L. and Sadie A. Mr. Stevenson was a Republican in poli-

tics, and filled numerous township offices. In religious attachment, Mrs. Stevenson is a devout member of the United Presby- terian Church, of New Bedford.

FRANK C. McKIM, a representative business citizen of Ellwood City, a mem- ber of the firm of McKim Bros., dealers in furniture, at No. 229 Sixth Street, was born in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, Oc- tober 26, 1877, and is a son of Frank W. and Margaret (Campbell) McKim. The parents of Mr. MeKim were both natives of Pennsylvania, the mother being born in 1843. She survives and resides at Ellwood City. The father died in this city Decem- ber, 1907. He owned a valuable farm of 200 acres in Beaver County.

Frank C. McKim was educated in the schools of Beaver County, and afterward worked for five years with the Frankfort Steel Forging Company, and later for two years with the Erie Forge Company. In November, 1905, in partnership with his brother, John G. McKim, he embarked in the furniture business at Ellwood City. Wilbert C., a younger brother, is also iden- tified with the business, but is employed by the Steel Car Forge Company. The firm of MeKim Bros., backed by capital, youth and enterprise, has made steady progress, and now leads in the furniture line in this section.

Frank C. McKim has been a member of the United Presbyterian Church for the past thirteen years. He belongs to several of the leading fraternal organizations, be- ing a member of Alma Lodge No. 420, Knights of Pythias, the Knights of the Golden Eagles No. 364, and the Knights and Ladies of Honor. In politics he is affiliated with the Republican party.

JOHN G. McKIM, a leading citizen of Ellwood City and a member of the firm of McKim Bros., dealers in furniture, at No. 229 Sixth Street, was born in North Se- wickley Township, Beaver County, Penn- sylvania, April 20, 1875, and is a son of

JAMES W. STEVENSON.

MRS. SARAH N. STEVENSON.

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Frank W. and Margaret C. (Campbell) McKim.

The parents of Mr. MeKim were both natives of Pennsylvania. In 1865 the fath- er came into possession of the old home- stead by purchase and resided there during his active years. He died at Ellwood City in December, 1907. His widow survives. They had the following children: Ella, William J., Martha, Charles, Lewis, John G., Frank, Bird, Samuel, Wilbert and Mar- garetta.

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Century history of New Castle and Lawrence County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Part 99

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