History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, Part 110

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

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JOHN R. PACKARD, of the firm of Packard & Co., wholesale and retail hardware merchants, was born in Lordstown, Trumbull Co., Ohio, January 31, 1836, and is a son of William and Julia A. (Leach) Packard. The former was a native of Washington County, Penn., and the latter of Mendhan, Mor- ris Co., N. J. The Packards and Leaches immigrated to what is now Mahon- ing County, Ohio, in the early part of the present century. Our subject was reared in Lordstown, and educated in the common schools and a select acad- emy conducted by Rev. Joseph King, of the Disciple Church, and subse- quently taught school in that vicinity. In 1852 he began clerking in his brother's hardware store in Warren, Ohio, and in the spring of 1854 came to Greenville and entered into partnership with his uncle, Dr. D. B. Packard,

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and his brother Warren, of Warren, Ohio, as Packard & Co. After three years his brother sold his interest to the other partners, who continued the business until 1870, when Dr. Packard retired and our subject has since been head of the firm. Mr. Packard was married September 26, 1859, to Miss Augusta Buck, of Westfield, N. Y. Eight children have been born of this union: Clara, wife of L. D. Leech, of Greenville; Cora, wife of F. A. Mallery, of Erie, Penn. ; Edwin B., Celestia, Julia, deceased; Sylvia, Paul, deceased, and Stanley, deceased. The family adhere to the Episcopal Church. Mr. Packard is a Democrat in politics, a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is one of the oldest and most prominent business men of Mercer County.

D. P. PACKARD, attorney at law, was born December 6, 1857, at Green- ville, Penn., where he has always resided. He attended the Greenville union schools until Thiel College was established, and then attended that institution some four or five years, or until the death of his father, Dr. D. B. Packard, who died September 19, 1873. He made a trip to California in 1874, and afterward attended college at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., from which he was called home to look after the crockery and glassware business of the old firm of D. B. Packard & Co. He has always been an active Democrat, and was elected chairman of the Democratic County Committee in 1881 and again in 1882, the two most successful years in the history of the Democratic party in Mercer County, there being more Democrats elected to office under his administration as chairman than ever before. He read law under A. F. Henlein, and was ad- mitted to practice in January, 1885. In 1887 he was nominated by his party for the office of district attorney, and was defeated by a small majority, so small that his party placed him in nomination in 1888 for the office of State senator, and this was done without his knowledge and against his private wishes. He is prominent in local military, fire department and secret society circles, being adjutant of the Fifteenth Regiment National Guards of Penn- sylvania, and foreman of the D. P. Packard Hose Co., No. 1, which was named after him. A Mason of high standing, he has filled every office in the power of the lodge to give him, and was elected and served as district deputy grand master of Odd Fellows for some three years.

WILLIAM PADEN, dry goods merchant, is a native of Delaware Township, Mercer Co., Penn., where he was born April 7, 1847. His grandfather, Robert Paden, was a native of the County Down, Ireland, whence he immi- grated to Beaver County, Penn., as early as 1790, bringing his family with him. Both he and wife and most of their children lived and died in Beaver County. The only survivor, Robert, resides in Lawrence County. Robert Paden, Sr., like most of the pioneers from Ireland, served in the War of 1812 against the hereditary foe of his native land. His son John, the father of our subject, was born in Beaver County, Penn., in 1801, and there grew to manhood. He married Miss Jane Patton, a native of Lawrence County, Penn., born in 1810, and daughter of Nathan Patton, of that county. The latter was a Pennsylvanian, of Scotch parentage, and located in Lawrence County in the last decade of the eighteenth century. He reared a large family, some of whom are residents of that section. of the State. He served in the War of 1812, and both he and wife died on the old homestead, about four miles north of New Castle, Penn. About 1835 Mr. Paden's parents removed to Mercer County, where both resided until their decease in 1878. They were members of the United Presbyterian Church and were highly re- spected. John Paden was an ardent Republican, and took a deep interest in the success of his party. Our subject was the eldest son in a family of nine children, was reared on his father's farm, attended the common school of the district, and

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afterward the high-school at Sheakleyville. In 1870 he came to Greenville, and began clerking in the store of Charles Hoge. In the spring of 1871 he and H. H. Lininger bought out the business, and the firm of Lininger & Paden was formed. In the spring of 1872 the store was destroyed by fire, and the partnership dissolved. The present building was then erected, and Mr. Paden has since conducted business therein. He was married November 2, 1872, to Miss Olive A. Long, a native of Mercer County, and daughter of David Long, an early settler of Otter Creek Township. Two sons and two daughters have been born of this union, all of whom are living. The family belong to the United Presbyterian Church. Mr. Paden is a Republican, has served in the council three terms and has been a school director several years. He is also a member of the Board of Trade, and a prominent breeder of fine horses.

JOHN PEARCE, head of the Pearce Woolen Company (limited), was born in Allegheny County, Penn., March 26, 1831, and is a son of Richard and Susanna (Holstein) Pearce, natives of England, who immigrated with three children to Allegheny County, Penn., before the birth of our subject, where six children were born to them. The parents both died in Allegheny County, the father in 1862, and the mother about two years afterward. John was reared upon his father's farm, and on reaching manhood began learning the miller's trade in the flouring-mill owned by his father on the old homestead, where he was engaged six years. In 1859 he removed to Harmony, Butler Co., Penn., and purchased a flouring-mill, which he operated till 1865, when he sold out and bought a half interest in the Harmony Woolen Mills, and, in partnership with Robert Sample, carried them on till 1871, and then became sole proprietor by the purchase of Sample's interest. He operated this mill till February, 1885, when, having formed a stock company known as "The Pearce Woolen Mill Company (limited)," in Greenville, he erected the present mills and removed his machinery and business to this borough. He has since con- ducted a large and constantly growing trade, and the goods turned out by the Pearce mills have a high reputation in the markets of neighboring cities. Mr. Pearce was married May 5, 1847, to Amelia M., daughter of Michael Douglas, of Beaver County, Penn., of which union three children have been born to them: Walter D., William A. and Anna L., all residents of Greenville, and the two sons connected with the Pearce mills. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Pearce has always affiliated with the Republican party.

HENRY K. REISS, tobacco merchant and postmaster, was born in Berks County, Penn., May 3, 1833, and is a son of Marmaduke and Sarah (Kess- inger) Reiss. The former was a native of Lehigh County, and his wife of Berks, both of whom died in the latter county, he in 1858 and she in 1867, leaving two children: Henry K. and Mrs. Hiram Holston, of Pottstown, Penn. Our subject was reared in Lehigh County, Penn., where he attended school only about six months in early boyhood. At the age of ten Henry K. began working in a tobacco factory, and the balance of his youth was spent in that business. Mr. Reiss was, married July 15, 1854, in Allentown, Penn .. to Miss Fiana Lick, a native of Lehigh County. She is the mother of four children, only two of whom survive: Tilghman and Allen. The former is a partner with his father in the tobacco business. In August, 1862, Mr. Reiss enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served until the expiration of his term of enlistment. In April, 1867, he located in Greenville, and established his present business of manufacturer and dealer in cigars and tobacco. In March, 1887, Mr. Reiss

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

was appointed postmaster of Greenville, and is the first Democrat to hold that office since the accession of Lincoln to the presidency, in 1861. Mr. Reiss is an unflinching Democrat, and both he and family belong to the Lutheran Church. He is a member of Dickey Post G. A. R., also of the Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternities, and has filled the offices of school director, councilman and auditor of the borough.

PETER SAAL, deceased, was born in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, May 14, 1836, and in 1852 immigrated to Greenville. After a few years he went to Illinois, where he spent about five years, and then returned to Greenville. In 1863 he was married near Clarksville, Mercer Co., Penn., to Miss Susan Batteiger, a native of Germany. Six children were born of this marriage: Emma, Maggie, Mary, Charles, George and Clara, all of whom are living. Mr. Saal was a brewer by trade, and worked for Mr. Ohl, of Greenville, many years. He subsequently became a partner in the business, and finally sole owner of the brewery. About ten years ago he gave up the manufacture of beer, and established a bottling works, which he conducted up to his death, September 10, 1887. He was a member of the Reformed Church, to which faith his widow and family also belong. In politics he was a Democrat. Mr. Saal was an upright, honest man, straightforward and courteous in his deal- ings, and had many friends among the people of Greenville, where he came, an unknown boy, thirty-five years ago.

JOHN E. SANKEY, farmer, was born in Edenburg, Lawrence Co., Penn., June 11, 1827, and is a son of John R. and Cynthia (Espy) Sankey. His grandfather, Ezekiel Sankey, and family, emigrated from east of the Mount- ains, in the latter part of the eighteenth century or early in the present one, to the Shenango Valley, and located in that portion of Mercer County cut off in the organization of Lawrence. They reared a large family, and the parents both died on the homestead in Shenango Township. Ezekiel Sankey was the second sheriff of Mercer County, and was county commissioner two terms. He served at Erie in the War of 1812, and died from the effects of a cold con- tracted during his service there. John R., the father of our subject, was born November 3, 1797, and grew to manhood on the old homestead in Lawrence County. He learned the cabinet-maker's trade, which he followed most of his life, in that portion of the State. He married Cynthia Espy, a native of Tarrs- town, Penn., born in April, 1799, whose parents were pioneers of that portion of Lawrence County. They reared six children, all of whom are living. Both were members of the Presbyterian Church, and the mother died in June, 1854, her husband surviving her until March, 27, 1868. Our subject spent his boy- hood days under the parental roof, and learned the carder's and fuller's trade in a woolen mill. Soon after completing his trade he went into farining, and has followed that occupation a large portion of his life. For the past twenty years ne has devoted his attention to the sale of agricultural implements, and is well known in every portion of the county. He was married November 8, 1849, to Miss Nancy A. Wines, a native of Beaver County, Penn., who has borne him seven children: William W., Cynthia A., Ezekiel V., James M. (deceased), Carrie (deceased), Edwin M. and King. In February, 1865, Mr. Sankey re- moved from Lawrence County to a farm in Sugar Grove Township, upon which his son William now lives, and in 1874 he removed to Greenville, where he has since resided. Mr. Sankey is a Democrat in politics, and the family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church. He filled the office of justice of the peace in Sugar Grove Township one term. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and the A. O. U. W., and is one of the well-to-do citizens of the county.

AARON SAUL, grocery merchant, was born in Berks County, Penn., Febru-

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY,

ary 7, 1827. His parents were Daniel and Polly (Reichart) Saul, natives of Berks County, Penn., where they were married. In the spring of 1833, with a family of six children, they came to Mercer County, and located on a farm on the Mercer road, one mile south of Greenville. They reared seven children; Henrietta, Aaron, Daniel, William, Mary, James A. and Nancy, all of whom are residents of this county. The father was a tailor by trade, and followed that business all his life. Politically he was a Whig, and afterward a Repub- lican, and died on the old homestead May 2, 1885, his widow surviving him until August 20, 1887. Both lived and died consistent members of the Re- formed Church. Our subject grew up on the old homestead, and July 4, 1848, he was married to Miss Maria, only child of Jacob Beitler, an early settler of West Salem Township. Mrs. Saul was born in Eastern Pennsylvania, but was

reared in Mercer County. Three children are the fruits of this marriage; Mary E. L., Martha H. J. and Agnes H. L., all living and heads of families. Mr. Saul farmed two years after his marriage, then removed to Greenville, and for sixteen years drove a mail line. He had the routes from Greenville to Orangeville, Ohio, and also to Franklin, Penn, In 1862 he went into the gro- cery business with Samuel West, whom he bought out in less than a year, and has since continued alone. Mr. Saul is a member of the Reformed Church, and his wife is a Lutheran. Politically he is a Republican, and one of the oldest and best known business men of Greenville.

WILLIAM HARVY SHEAKLEY, attorney at law, was born on the old Sheakley farm, November 10, 1833, and is the third son of Moses and Susan (Limber) Sheakley. He grew up in his native township, receiving his education in the public schools and at Allegheny College, Meadville. After teaching a few years he began his law studies under Gen. Wilson, of Franklin, Penn., and was there admitted to the bar in 1860. He returned to Sheakleyville, and in 1861 was admitted to practice at Mercer. In the fall of 1862 he was elected, on the Union ticket, district attorney, and took up his residence in Mercer, where he practiced for five years, In 1868 Mr. Sheakley opened an office in Greenville, where he has ever since prosecuted the duties of his profession. He has always been independent in politics; was a Democrat up to the war, then joined the Republican party; in 1872 supported Greely, and since that time has again affiliated with the Democratic party. Mr. Sheakley was mar- ried in 1862 to Miss Lydia Hay, of Girard, Erie Co., Penn., who has borne him three sons and one daughter, all living in Greenville except Samuel H., who graduated with first honors at Thiel College, in the class of 1883, and is now principal of the public schools of Nashua, Iowa.

JOHN T. SHUTT, physician and surgeon, was born in Armstrong County, Penn., May 18, 1851, and is a son of Michael and Sarah (Ashbaugh) Shutt, natives and residents of that county. Dr. Shutt was reared in Armstrong County, where he obtained the usual advantages of a common school educa- tion. In the fall of 1873 he came to Greenville for the purpose of attending Thiel College, at which institution he spent three years. In 1876 he began reading medicine in his native county, and in the winters of 1878-79 and 1879- 80 he attended lectures at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Balti- more, Md., where he graduated in the spring of the latter year, He commenced practice in Greenville in June, 1880, where he has since made his perma- nent home. Dr. Shutt was married June 17, 1880, to Miss Mary, daughter of George A. Bittenbanner, one of the pioneer business men of the town. Two children are the fruits of this union: Louise and Albert. Dr. Shutt is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and belongs to the Democratic party. He is a member of the Mercer County Medical Society, of which he has been secre- tary and vice-president.

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DAVID S. SOULT, oil dealer and producer, was born in Clearfield County, Penn., October 19, 1841, and is a son of Michael and Hannah (Hoover) Soult. The former was a native of Union County, Penn, and removed to Clearfield County when he was ten years old, where he grew up and married Hannah Hoover, a native of that county. In 1863 they removed with a family of five children to Greenville, subsequently settling on a farm in Delaware Township, whence they returned to Greenville, where Michael Soult died in August, 1881, in the faith of the United Brethren Church. His widow resides in Greenville, and is also a member of the United Brethren denomination. Our subject was the third son in a family of eleven children, and grew to maturity in his native county. He received a good common school education, and taught school three winter terms. In 1864 he left Greenville and went into the oil country, where he engaged in the oil business, and has since been a dealer and pro- . ducer of oil. Mr. Soult was married January 6, 1869, to Miss Nannie G. English, of Fairview, Mercer Co., Penn., and took up his residence in Titus- ville, Penn. In 1876 he went west, and in the following year settled in Mead- ville, Penn. In the spring of 1878 he came to Greenville and built his pres- - ent residence on Meadville Street, where he has since resided. Four children have been born to David S. and Nannie G. Soult: Fannie E., deceased; Eda M., deceased; Edwin Earl and Edson Carl. Mr. Soult is a stanch Republi- can and the family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, He com- menced life in moderate circumstances, and has been quite successful in his many business ventures.

LYMAN B. SPEIR was born in West Salem Township, Mercer County, Janu- ary 25, 1838. His parents were John H. and Sarah (Smail) Speir, pioneers of that township, where a sketch of the Speir family will be found. Our subject was reared on the old homestead, and in 1863 came to Greenville and followed the coal business for one year. He then went to Warren County, Penn., where, after about six months spent in the lumber business, he returned to Greenville, and was in the grocery business about one year. In the fall of 1866 he engaged in the livery business, which he carried on until April, 1888, when he sold out. Mr. Speir was married June 20, 1861, to Eliza J., daugh-

ter of Bartlett Mclaughlin, one of the well remembered farmers of West Salen Township. Three children were born of this union: Bartlett E., Della (wife of George Grauel, of Greenville) and Sarah N. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Speir is a member of the I. O. O. F., R. T. of T. and F. M. C. He is a stanch Republican, and in November, 1888, was elected to the Legislature as one of the three representatives of Mercer County.

VANCE STEWART, retired farmer, was born in what is now Hickory Township, Mercer Co., Penn., May 15, 1818. His father, Vance Stewart, emigrated with his parents from Ireland to Huntingdon County, Penn., when he was about four years old, where both died, and where his father, John, was engaged in farming up to his death. Vance Sr. grew to manhood in that county, and there married Mary, daughter of James Sample, who emigrated with his family from Ireland when she was a small child. In 1805 Vance Stewart, Sr., and wife, with one child, James, crossed the Mountains on a pack horse, and located on a tract of land south of the site of Hickory Corners, in Mercer County. They were the parents of thirteen children, two of whom died in infancy. Of the remaining eleven, five sons and two daughters became heads of families, of whom but two, Vance and Robert, survive. The parents resided all their days upon the old homestead where Robert now lives. They were members of the United Presbyterian Church, and died in that faith

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March 22, 1855, and May 24, 1867, respectively, aged seventy-three and eighty-five years. Our subject grew to manhood in his native township, and attended school in the primitive log school-house of pioneer days. On the 2d of November, 1842, he was married to Miss Eliza M., daughter of John and Leonora (Gilbert) Sherrard, the former a native of Franklin County, Penn,, and the latter of Berkley County, W. Va. Mrs. Stewart was born in Franklin County, Penn., and came to Mercer County with her parents in childhood. In the spring of 1844 Mr. Stewart removed to Upper Sandusky, Ohio, return- ing to Mercer County three years afterward. With the exception of this period, and a few years spent in the oil country, his whole life has been passed in his native county. Vance and Eliza M. Stewart have reared five children: Mrs. Mary J. Bartlett, of New Richmond, Wis .; James W., a lawyer of Cleveland, Ohio; Orlando V., pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, Steu- benville, Ohio; Wilber V. (deceased) and Della. They settled on a farm south of Greenville in 1862, removing to Greenville in 1864. The family are Pres- byterians in religious faith, and Republicans in politics. The sons all gradu- ated at Westminster College. Beginning in life comparatively poor Mr. Stewart has accumulated a comfortable competence, and is recognized as one of the substantial, wealthy citizens of Greenville.

THOMAS STONE, plumber and assistant superintendent of the Greenville Water Works, was born in Nottingham, England, April 18, 1842, and is a son of George and Anna (Ely) Stone, both of whom are residents of Nottingham, Mr. Stone grew up in his native town, and served seven years at the plumber's trade. He was there married, October 4, 1869, to Miss Tacy Pears, of Not- tingham, who has borne him four childre: Frederick W., Rose E., Alva W. and Leroy, all of whom are living. In February, 1870, Mr. Stone and fam- ily immigrated to New York, and soon afterward removed to Philadelphia. Early in 1871 he came to Erie, Penn., where he continued working at his trade until the spring of 1876. He then returned to England with his family, and worked in South Wales one year, returning to Erie, Penn., in the spring of 1877, and locating in Greenville in May of that year, where he has since resided. In the fall of 1879 Mr. Stone opened a plumber's shop, and has since conducted that business. For several years Mr. Stone has had charge of the business of the gas works, and was superintendent of the works about three years. In the spring of 1888 he accepted his present position of assist- ant superintendent of the water works. The family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, and politically he is independent. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and the A. O. U. W. fraternities.

WILLIAM G. TAYLOR, deceased undertaker, was born in Greensburg, West- moreland Co., Penn., August 17, 1823, and died in Greenville, Mercer Co., Penn., September 11, 1887. He was a son of Jehu A. and Elizabeth Taylor, of Westmoreland County. He learned the cabinet-maker's trade, which he followed for many years. On the 8th of September, 1844, he was married to Susan, daughter of Adam Turney, of Greensburg, Penn., where she was born April 21, 1821. In April, 1845, Mr. Taylor and wife removed to Delaware Township, Mercer Co., Penn., and located on a farm near Fredonia, and he was for several years one of the leading stock dealers of the county. In January, 1865, he located in Greenville, and followed contracting and building, also operated a planing-mill, and was one of the leading contractors of the county. Some ten or twelve years ago he embarked in the undertaking business, which he followed up to the illness which ended with his death. To William G. and Susan Taylor were born three sons and three daughters: Annabell (wife of John Davenny, of Stoneboro, Penn.), Lucetta (wife of W. A. Kreps, sheriff

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of Mercer County), J. A. (of Greenville), J. W. (successor of W. G. Taylor & Son), Carrie (deceased) and Thomas O. (of Washington, D. C). Mrs. Taylor died in the Methodist Episcopal faith, September 20, 1887, nine days after the death of her husband. He, too, was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and since early boyhood a strong temperance man. He was a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity and the A. O. U. W. Mr. Taylor was an upright, successful business man, a kind father and husband, and had the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens. ·

EDWIN S. TEMPLETON, attorney at law, was born in Brady's Bend, Arm- strong Co., Penn., April 23, 1854, and is a son of Chambers and Susan J. (Mossman) Templeton. The former is a native of Armstrong County, of Scotch- Irish descent, while his wife, who died in Greenville December 19, 1872, was born in Mercer County, her parents being among the very first settlers of the Shenango Valley. Chambers Templeton and family located in Green- ville in 1869, and he has since been connected with the business interests of the county. Edwin S. graduated from Thiel College in June, 1875, and the same fall was appointed to a clerkship in the office of the Hon. John Allison, Register of the United States Treasury, where he remained two years. Dur- ing this period he attended the law department of Columbian University, Washington, D. C., and graduated in June, 1877, thus becoming a member of the bar of that district. Mr. Templeton was admitted to the Mercer bar in the fall of 1877, but for the succeeding two years devoted his attention to the oil business. In 1879 he commenced active practice in Greenville, and is one of the able attorneys of the Mercer bar. He was married July 27, 1887, to Miss Clara, daughter of H. N. Shrom, Esq .. the pioneer druggist of Green- ville. Politically Mr. Templeton is a Republican of independent proclivities, and takes an active interest in the practical reformatory movements of the day.

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History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, Part 110

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