History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, Part 100

Author:
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Brown, Runk
Number of Pages: 1288

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

Mr. Shilling is a director in the Sharon National Bank, is a Republican in politics, and belongs to the Masonic fraternity.

DAVID R. SHIRAS, local manager of the Columbia Gas Light & Fuel Com- pany, was born in Pittsburgh, Penn., April 8, 1844, and is a son of Oliver P. and Jessie R. (Smith) Shiras, now residents of Florida. David R. was reared in Pittsburgh and received his education in the public schools of that city and New Castle, and afterward took a commercial course in the latter city. In 1857 the family removed to New Castle, Penn., where he was connected with the gas works until his coming to Sharon in July, 1866. For a few years he carried on a photograph establishment, and afterward was superintendent in the erection of the works of the Sharon Gas Light Company. He remained successfully manager of these works until 1886, when he took charge of lay- ing the plant of the Columbia Gas Light & Fuel Company, which he has since had full charge of in this town. Mr. Shiras was married December 25, 1867, to Miss Lydia, daughter of the late William McGilvray. Five children

have been born of this union: Russell (deceased), Rebecca, William Mc, Oliver C. and Donald Scaife (who died of diphtheria November 21, 1887). Politically he is a Republican, and has taken a deep interest in the develop- ment and growth of the public schools since coming to Sharon. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Shiras is one of the best known citizens of the borough.

SAMUEL SMITH, nailer, born in Pittsburgh, Penn., March 5, 1837, is a son of Samuel and Mary (Potts) Smith, the former a native of England, and the latter of Pennsylvania. Samuel, Sr., learned the trade of an engine builder in England, and immigrated with his father to Pittsburgh, where he married Mary Potts, a native of Allegheny County, Penn. He built the first Neptune fire-engine in Pittsburgh, and our subject has now in his possession a cane made from the wood of that engine and presented to his father after the engine was worn out. The parents both died in Pittsburgh. Our subject grew up in that city, and learned his trade in Sharpsburg, Penn. He subsequently worked at Apollo, Penn., Wheeling, Va., and Pittsburgh, Penn. In 1873 he came to Sharon and went to work for P. L. Kimberly & Co., with whom he has ever since been connected as the spike nailer of those mills. Mr. Smith was married February 14, 1861, to Miss Annie E. Freetly, daughter of Jacob and · Fannie M. (Boggs) Freetly, of Apollo, Penn. She is the mother of one daughter, Mamie M., a teacher in the Sharon public schools. . The family are attendants of the Presbyterian Church. Politically Mr. Smith is independent, and is a member of the Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers.

GEORGE SMITH, proprietor of the White House, was born near Noblestown, Allegheny County, Penn., July 28, 1842, and is a son of Samuel and Mary (Potts) Smith. George grew to manhood in Pittsburgh, and learned the heater's trade in the Sharpsburgh Rolling Mills. He worked at his trade in Pittsburgh till April, 1872, when he came to Sharon and continued his trade. in the Westerman Iron Works and P. L. Kimberly & Co.'s Mills. In July, 1875, he started his present establishment, which he has ever since conducted. Mr. Smith was married February 13, 1863, to Miss Margaret C. Grant, of Etna, Penn., who has borne him five children: George, Alice, Maud, May (deceased) and Charles C. Politically he is independent, and a member of K. of P., National Union and B. P. O. E., Youngstown lodge.

JOHN J. SPEARMAN, iron manufacturer and president of the First National Bank of Sharon, is a son of Francis and Elizabeth (Ambrose) Spearman. He was born at McKee's Gap, in what is known as Blair County, Penn., December 17, 1824. His early advantages for obtaining an education were very limited.

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He attended the common schools of Bedford County, and at the age of fourteen he was employed as a clerk in the store of David Puterbaugh, at Woodbury, Bedford County, where he remained for three years. He then found employ- ment with Dr. Peter Shoenberger, a prominent manufacturer of iron in those days, at the Rebecca and Maria Furnaces, in Blair County, and remained there for six years. In January, 1847, Mr. Spearman was given charge of the busi- ness of the Sharon Furnace, which was operated at that time by Shoenberger, Agnew & Co. He filled that position for six years, and in 1853 purchased the Mazeppa Furnace near Mercer, Penn., which he operated until 1859, when he accepted the position of manager of the Sharpsville Furnace, for the late Gen. James Pierce, where he remained until 1862. He then located at Wheat- land, as general manager for James Wood & Sons, and the following year he entered into partnership with them, under the firm name of James Wood, Sons & Co. In August, 1870, he severed his connection with this firm and removed to Sharon. In 1872 he organized the Spearman Iron Company, and built the Spearman Furnaces at Sharpsville, Penn., and has ever since been general man- ager of these furnaces. Mr. Spearman was prominent in the organization of the First National Bank, as one of the original stockholders, and subsequently as director, and in 1872 was elected president, which position he has since con- tinued to fill. He was married, March 12, 1851, to Miss Cordelia, daughter of Jabish Breed, of Sharon. They have five children: Celeste, wife of David Adams, of Sharon; Eva, Chloe, wife of W. D. McKeefrey, of Sharon; Francis and Benjamin. Mr. Spearman is a member of the Masonic order, and con- nected with Sharon Lodge, 250. He is also a member of the I. O. O. F., Lodge 347, of Sharon, being one of its two surviving charter members. Politically he is an unswerving Republican, and one of the solid, substantial citizens of the Shenango Valley. His name is the synonym of integrity, enterprise and public spirit, and he is highly respected wherever known.

URIAH SPENCER, dry goods and grocery dealer, was born in Lancashire, England, June 11, 1836, and is a son of Samuel and Hannah Spencer, natives of the same shire. Uriah learned the engineer's trade in England, and in 1863 immigrated to Sharon. He followed coal mining in Hickory Township, and sub- sequently ran an engine till 1877. He then entered into partnership with his nephew, J. S. Spencer, in the grocery business, in his present store-room, under the firm name U. & J. S. Spencer, which continued four years. Since that time Mr. Spencer has conducted a general mercantile trade. He was mar- ried March 3, 1861, to Eliza, daughter of Robert and Betsy Jaques, of Lan- cashire, England, in which shire Mrs. Spencer was born and reared. Ten chil- dren have been born of this marriage, five of whom died in infancy. The sur- vivors are Mary A., Sarah, Esther, John L. and William, all residents of Sharon. Mr. Spencer is a Republican, and is now a member of the borough council. He belongs to the I. O. O. F. and the K. of G. E., and is one of the well-known business men of Sharon.

SAMUEL F. STAMBAUGH, proprietor of the Sharon Flouring Mills, was born in Hickory Township, Mercer Co., Penn., April 20, 1835. His father, Sam- uel, was a native of Perry County, Penn., and at the age of sixteen removed to Trumbull County, Ohio. For seven years he was engaged in hauling goods from the eastern markets to the Western Reserve, and during the War of 1812 served in the wagon train for a short time, in hauling supplies from Detroit. He was married in Ohio to Miss Rebecca Ritter, who bore him six children, three of whom survive, and two are residents of Mercer County: Daniel, of Pymatuning Township, and Maria, widow of George Palmer, of Sharon. In 1824 Samuel removed with his family to Mercer County and purchased what

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

is known as the Hickman farm, in Hickory Township. About 1843 he sold this property and bought 350 acres adjoining Sharon on the east. Samuel Stokely, a lawyer of Steubenville, Ohio, laid a settlement claim to twenty-four tracts, of 400 acres each, lying in Mercer County, the land which Mr. Stam- baugh purchased being included in this claim. Stokely frightened many of the pioneers into paying him for the lands upon which they were living, but Mr. Stambaugh refused to be swindled, declaring, "I will law him to h-1 and back again before paying one cent." He fought the case through the courts to a successful issue, and after ten years' litigation beat Stokely, and though suffering a great deal of expense he nevertheless demonstrated the justice of his cause and saved many of his neighbors from being similarly annoyed and swindled by Stokely. This was one of the most celebrated land suits in the history of Northwestern Pennsylvania. His wife died December 24, 1827, and in 1829 he was again married, to Margaret, daughter of Robert Hodge, of Pymatuning Township, who reared nine children, eight of whom are living, Martin being killed while serving in the Union army. Politically Mr. Stam- baugh was a Democrat, and died February 28, 1860. His widow was a mem- ber of the United Presbyterian Church, and died in 1881. Our subject grew up in the vicinity of Sharon and followed farming until 1879, when he went into the milling business in the borough, which business he has since contin- ued. He does a merchant and custom milling trade, and his mill has a capac- ity of eighty barrels of first-class gradual reduction flour every twenty-four hours. Mr. Stambaugh was married to Margaret J. Carkuff, of Hickory Township, in November, 1857, who has borne him three sons and three daugh- ters: Michael C., Newton E., Wilmetta J., Charles E., Sarah and Etta May. He is a stanch Democrat, has served two terms in the borough council, and is. a member of the Masonic order, I. O. O. F. and N. U.

DAVID C. STAMBAUGH, farmer, was born on the old homestead in Hickory Township, Mercer Co., Penn., September 8, 1841, and is a son of Samuel and Margaret Stambaugh, previously spoken of in this chapter. David was reared on the old homestead, and received a common-school education. In April, 1861, he enlisted in Company B, Tenth Pennsylvania Reserves, and partici- pated in all of the battles and campaigns in which his regiment was engaged up to the seven days' fight before Richmond. He was there severely wounded in the left arm, June 30, 1862, on the fifth day's fight, and remained in hos- pital till the following November, when, being incapacitated for further duty, he was discharged, and returned to his home. In the fall of 1863 he went to California, where he remained over one year, and then returned to Sharon. Mr. Stambaugh was married, April 9, 1865, to Miss Betty A., daughter of James and Eliza Blaney, pioneers of Butler County, Penn., where Mrs. Stam- baugh was born. The Blaneys removed to the vicinity of Clarksville, Penn., in 1872, where the father died in April, 1877, and where his widow still lives. To David C. and Betty A. Stambaugh have been born eight children: Earl W., Jesse M., William B., Mary E., James (deceased), Isabella (deceased), Della U. and Fannie J. From 1866 till 1873 Mr. Stambaugh operated a coal bank quite successfully, and, excepting these seven years, followed farming up to February, 1878, when he sold his farm and purchased a woolen mill in New Castle, Penn., in partnership with L. B. Gibson, William Blaney and his brother Daniel. He operated this mill up to 1882, when he sold out and located in Sharon, where he has since resided. Politically Mr. Stambaugh is a Republican, and his wife is a member of the United Presbyterian Church.

THOMAS TANNER, attorney at law, was born in Mercer, Penn., April 13, 1843, and is a son of Richard and Catharine (Hurley) Tanner, natives of Ire-

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

land, who reared two sons, Thomas and William, the latter a resident of Michi- gan. Richard died in Mercer in 1850, his widow surviving him till 1864. Our subject was reared in Mercer, and received his education in the public schools and the Mercer Academy. He began reading law under Judge Trunkey, of Mercer, in 1861. In the summer of 1862 he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served till the close of the war, participating in all of the campaigns of his regiment till the battle of Cold Harbor, where he was wounded. In June, 1865, he went to Philadel- phia, and read law with I. Newton Brown, and attended the law department of the Pennsylvania University, and was admitted to the bar of Philadelphia in November, 1868. He remained in Philadelphia until the spring of 1870. In the fall of that year he opened an office in Sharon, in partnership with B. Magoffin, which continued till 1876, when the firm of Magoffin & Tanner was dissolved, the former returning to Mercer. Mr. Tanner practiced alone until October, 1884, when he formed a partnership with W. W. Shilling, and Tan- ner & Shilling has since been one of the well-known legal firms of the Mercer bar. Mr. Tanner was married November 13, 1873, to Miss Elma Adams, of Louisville, Ky., of which union one son has been born. Politically Mr. Tan- ner is a Republican, and a member of the Masonic fraternity.

HENRY TAYLOR, coal operator, was born in England April 30, 1837, and is a son of John and Betty Taylor, both of whom lived and died in England. Henry followed coal mining in his native land, and, in the spring of 1857, immigrated to Sharon, where he has followed coal mining and quarrying for the last thirty-one years. He was married December 25, 1860, to Abigail Urmson, of Sharon. Nine children were born of this union: John E .; Fred, James, killed at the age of seventeen; William, Esther, Elizabeth, Mary, Annabell and Bessie. Mr. Taylor is a Republican, and the family are attend- ants of the Baptist Church. He is now serving in the borough council, and is one of the respected citizens of Sharon.

THOMAS R. THOMAS, general grocer and queensware dealer, was born in Carmarthen, Wales, June 14, 1851, and is a son of David P. and Harriet Thomas, natives of Wales. In 1854 the family immigrated to Youngstown, Ohio, and the parents now reside at Brookfield, Ohio. Our subject was edu- cated in the public schools of Youngstown, and there learned the grocery busi- ness. In 1876 he came to Sharon, and for eight years was employed in the Sharon Iron Works Store. In September, 1884, he purchased the Central Pacific Tea Store, and dealt exclusively in teas. Subsequently he added a general grocery stock, and has since conducted a very successful trade. Mr. Thomas was married October 23, 1878, to Miss Rose, daughter of Thomas Campbell, of Sharon, of which union five children have been born: Frederick R., Harriet, Charles, Edna and Harry. The last mentioned died August 15, 1888, aged five months. Politically Mr. Thomas is independent, and a mem- ber of the P. H. C.

GEORGE THOMAS, general grocer, was born in Tenby, Pembrookshire, Eng- land, December 26, 1855, and is a son of James and Anne (James) Thomas, natives of Wales. In 1874 the parents immigrated to Danville, Penn., and in 1877 came to Sharon, where the father died in October, 1880, and where the widow now lives. George came with his parents from Wales, and worked in the iron mill in Danville, and afterward in the mills of Sharon, till sickness compelled him to give up that business. In April, 1887, he opened a grocery store, which he has since conducted. Mr. Thomas was married April 21, 1879, to Miss Sarah A., daughter of John and Margaret Jarrett, of Pitts- burgh. Mrs. Thomas was a native of Wales, and is the mother of three

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daughters: Mary, Della and Margaret. Mr. Thomas is a Republican, a member of the K. of P. and the I. O. R. M., and belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church, while his wife is a member of the Congregational denom- ination.

THOMAS BROS., proprietors of the People's Tea Store, is one of the well- known grocery firms of Sharon. William T., senior member of the firm, was born in Monmouthshire, Wales, November 20, 1855, and is a son of Thomas and Margaret Thomas, natives of that country. In 1863 the family emigrated from Wales to Trumbull County, Ohio, where the mother died in 1880, and where the father still resides. In 1876 William T. came to Sharon and began clerking in the Iron Works Store, where he remained until the summer of 1884, when he opened a grocery store. In March, 1886, his brother, Evan T., joined him, and the firm of Thomas Bros. was organized and their present business house opened. Mr. Thomas was married May 9, 1876, to Miss Ellen Jones, of Brookfield, Ohio, of which union three children survive: John, Lizzie and Arthur. The family belongs to the Congregational Church, and Mr. Thomas is a Republican and a member of the N. U. Evan T., junior member of the firm, was born in Monmouthshire, Wales, May 8, 1859. He grew up in Trumbull County, Ohio, commenced clerking in Brookfield, and afterward engaged in merchandising at that place, where he continued in business till March, 1886, when he came to Sharon and joined his brother in business. Mr. Thomas was married May 14, 1881, to Miss Mattie Jones, of Brookfield, Ohio. One son, Fred, survives this union. The family are Presbyterians, and Mr. Thomas is a Republican and a member of the K. of P. and N. U.

JACOB TRAXLER, clothing merchant, was born in the Kingdom of Hungary, February 15, 1841, and is a son of Joseph and Mary (Schiffer) Traxler, both of whom lived and died in Hungary. Jacob grew up in his native land, and served eight years in the Austrian army, participating in the war between Austria, France and Italy, being slightly wounded in the the battle of Solfer- ino, June 24, 1859. In November, 1865, he left the army on a furlough, and in the spring of 1866 immigrated to Cleveland, Ohio. In the fall of 1867 he located in Sharon, and in the spring of 1877 bought out the clothing store of L. Bash. Mr. Traxler has since done his share of the trade in his line. Mr. Traxler was married to Fannie Schiffer, a native of Hungary, whom he sent for and married in Cleveland, Ohio. Three sons and three daughters have been born of this marriage: Joseph, Jennie, David, Aaron, Rose and Bertha. The family belong to the Jewish faith, and he is a Republican. He is a member of the National Union, the B. B. Society, and the Hungarian Aid Society, of Cleveland.

HENRY TRESISE, wire nail manufacturer and coal dealer, was born in Glan- morganshire, England, August 31, 1838. His parents, John and Rebecca (Jones) Tresise, lived and died in England. Henry there grew to manhood, and learned the blacksmith's trade. In the spring of 1864 he immigrated to New Castle, Penn., and soon after went to Youngstown, Ohio, where he car- ried on a blacksmith shop till the spring of 1868. He then came to Sharon and entered the employ of the Westerman Iron Company. About one year afterward he went to Pardoe, Penn., to superintend the blacksmith work in the erection of the works of the Mercer Mining and Manufacturing Company, where he remained two years. Returning to Sharon he started a wrought iron blast furnace tuyere manufactory on the site of his present works, which he continued to operate till the business was recently superseded by the bronze tuyere. He built up a successful trade, and supplied blast furnaces in every State where

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there were any. He is now taking up the manufacture of wire nails, and carries on a coal yard in connection therewith. Mr. Tresise was married August 26, 1861, to Miss Charlotte Nurse, of Monmouthshire, England, who is the mother of four sons: Henry G., Francis J., Charles (deceased) and Fred. Mr. Tresise is a Republican in politics, a member of the Masonic fraternity, and the family belong to the Episcopal Church.

GEORGE TRIBBY, undertaker, was born in Brookfield Township, Trumbull Co., Ohio, August 30, 1831, and is a son of John and Fanny (Patton) Tribby, the former a native of Rhode Island, and the latter of Mercer County, Penn., her family being among the pioneers of the Shenango Valley. John Tribby removed with his parents, John and Abigail (Morey) Tribby, to Trumbull County, Ohio, about 1810, being then in his fifteenth year. The parents died in Ohio, and John grew up and married Fanny, daughter of Thomas and Nancy Patton, of Mercer County. Eight children out of a family of ten grew up and are still living. . The mother died in 1849, a Baptist, and the father died in 1867, in the Methodist faith. George left home at the age of eleven years, to make his own living, and attended the district schools. He afterward be- gan working around the coal mines of Trumbull County, Ohio. In 1849 he came to Sharon in the employ of Irvine & Conover, who established the first livery stable in the town. In the summer of 1850 he began learning the carriage maker's trade in Sharon, and, after serving two years' apprenticeship, he was employed as journeyman three years. In August, 1855, he purchased the shop of his employer, Elias Cozad, and commenced business for himself, which he carried on until 1861, when he began working for S. Runser & Co., carriage makers, and worked at his trade till 1863, when failing health com-

pelled him to give up the business. In 1865 he went into the harness business with his brother, Calvin E., which he followed three years, and then sold to his brother. For the next few years he followed carpentering and the lumber

business. In 1872 he and Mr. Weaver purchased the carriage shop of McLean & McKnight, and operated the same for over two years. In 1874 the shops were burned. In the spring of 1875 he was elected collector of the borough and went into the real estate business, which he has since followed. In 1884 he engaged in the undertaking business, and continues the same. Mr. Tribby was married October 25, 1855, to Anna J. Blong, of Sharon, a native of Pitts- burgh, of which union two children survive: Charlie J. and Jennie, wife of Francis Spearman, of Steubenville, Ohio. Mr. Tribby belongs to the Baptist Church, while his wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Politically he is a stanch Democrat, and has filled the offices of borough collector and councilman. He is a member of the Masonic and I. O. O. F. fraternities, and one of the pioneers of the latter organization.

JOSEPH TYLER, iron roller in the Sharon Iron Works, was born in Warwick- shire, England, March 24, 1831, and is a son of John T. and Elizabeth (Taylor) Tyler, natives of England. In 1847 the family immigrated to Pitts- burgh, Penn., where the father now resides. Joseph grew to manhood in Pittsburgh, and learned the iron business in several towns and cities along the Ohio River. In 1871 he came to Sharon, but in September, 1872, removed to Louisville, Ky., returning to Sharon May 1, 1873. He has ever since had charge of a train of rolls in the Sharon Iron Works. Mr. Tyler was married March 4, 1854, to Miss Mary A. Phillips, of Portsmouth, Ohio, of which union one daughter survives, Elizabeth A. Politically Mr. Tyler is a Demo- crat, and has served two terms in the borough council. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, I. O. O. F., K. of P., and belongs to the Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers.

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

HENRY TYLER, iron roller in the works of P. L. Kimberly & Co., was born in Birmingham, England, September 25, 1835, and is a brother of Joseph Tyler previously spoken of. He immigrated to Pittsburgh, Penn., with the family in 1849, where he grew to manhood. He learned the trade of a roller, and subsequently worked in several towns along the Ohio River. In April, 1873, he located in New Castle, Penn., and in the spring of 1875 came to Sharon. He worked two years with the Sharon Iron Company, and in 1877 took charge of a train of rolls in the works of P. L. Kimberly & Co., where he has since been employed. Mr. Tyler was married December 25, 1858, to Miss Charlotte Burford, of Pittsburgh, Penn., who has borne him seven chil- dren: Alvira L., wife of William Shaffer, of Sharon; Albert J., Ann E., de- ceased; Frank H., deceased; Cora B., Alice M. and Lottie M. The family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, and politically Mr. Tyler is a Republican. He is a member of the K. of P., R. T. of T. and Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers.

WILLIAM E. VAN ORSDEL, D. D. S., was born September 23, 1841, in Allegheny City, Penn., and is a son of Russel and Mary (Callen) Van Orsdel, the former a native of Gettysburg, an'd the latter of what is now Lawrence County. The father resides in New Wilmington, Penn., where his wife died a few years ago. They removed to Beaver from Allegheny City about 1850, and in 1860 to New Wilmington. Our subject was reared in his native town and in Beaver, Penn., and was principally educated in the Beaver Academy, also spending one year in Westminster College. In August, 1861, he en- listed in Company B, One Hundredth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served three years, participating in the principal battles and campaigns of his regi- ment. In August, 1864, he was mustered out of service and for six months was in the government employ at Philadelphia. He then went into the drug business at New Castle, Penn., but soon afterward removed to Philadelphia, where he continued that business until 1880.

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History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, Part 100

Author: Publication date: 1888 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Brown, Runk Number of Pages: 1288

Author:
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Brown, Runk
Number of Pages: 1288