History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, Part 114

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

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THOMAS CALDWELL, deceased farmer, was born in December, 1806, on the place where he resided till his death, September 3, 1888. His parents, Charles and Isabella (Stitts) Caldwell, removed from Huntingdon County in 1805, and settled in Shenango Township, Mercer Co., Penn., where our sub- ject was born. The grandfather on the paternal side was a native of Ireland, and came to Huntingdon County, Penn., at an early date. The father of Mr. Caldwell died in 1840 and his mother in 1844. They had seven children, all of whom are deceased. He was married in 1830 to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of James Clingan, a native of Ireland. By this marriage they had three children: Robert, who in 1861 enlisted in the Tenth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and died from wounds received at the battle of Bull Run; John, who lives at home, and Irwin, who married Miss Lizzie, daughter of David Anderson, of this township, and has three children: Robert, Nellie and Josiah. Mr. Caldwell was a member of the United Presbyterian Church, of Deer Creek, having held a continuous membership therein for sixty-one years.

CANON FAMILY. - Among the earliest settlers of Mercer County, Penn., were Thomas and Margaret (Heath) Canon, who came from Philadelphia, Penn., about 1796-97, and located in what is now Hickory Township, He was twice married, and was the father of eleven children: Moses, John, Rachel, Rebecca, Thomas, Ruth, Ross, James, Margaret, Samuel and Will- iam, all of whom may be classed as pioneers of the Shenango Valley. Moses was the eldest son of the first marriage, and was born in Philadelphia in 1782, and on reaching manhood married Elizabeth, daughter of George Swasie, a pioneer of Mercer County. Six children were born to this union: Rebecca (who married Henry Coryea), Mary (who married James Dunlap), John, Eliza (who became the wife of John Livingston), James and Thomas, all of whom

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are dead, excepting John and Thomas, both residents of Shenango Township. John was born in this township in 1810, and here grew to manhood. He learned the blacksmithing trade, and after serving his apprenticeship followed that business about seven years. He then purchased the farm upon which he has ever since resided. He married Rebecca, daughter of William Jones, of this county, who died in 1881. She was the mother of eleven children: Maria (deceased), Eliza (wife of Alex. Mayberry), Moses (deceased), Rachel (wife of Henry Morehead), Alfred (deceased), Hannah (wife of James Thompson), James, John C., Mary (deceased), William W. and Robert (deceased). Mr. Canon is a member of the Presbyterian Church, is a Republican in politics, and one of the well-known and respected citizens of Shenango Township.

CROSSMAN FAMILY .- One of the pioneer families of Mercer County was the Crossmans. Abner Crossman, a soldier of the War of 1812, settled in Shenango Township, Mercer Co:, Penn., shortly after the close of the war. He was a native of Beaver County, and married Mary, daughter of Alexander McCall, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, and a native of Washington County, Penn. But little is known of Abner Crossman by his descendants. He had two brothers and one sister: Robert Crossman, a Methodist min- ister of Zanesville, Ohio; James Crossman, who settled in Indiana, and Mrs. Robert McGill, of Lowell, Ohio. Abner Crossman, previous to his locating in Mercer County, was extensively engaged in the distillery business in Beaver County, Penn., but his works were destroyed by fire, and he then removed to this county, and settled where his son Robert C. now lives, in Shenango Township. He had seven children, three of whom are living: Murry Alexander, who married Jane, daughter of Samuel Bell, of Shenango Township, in 1867, and by this marriage have four children: Mary B., Samuel A., Nannie E. and Addison W. Mr. Crossman is a carpenter by trade. In 1861 he enlisted in Company B, Tenth Pennsylvania Reserves, and was dis charged the same year for disability. Robert C., who was born in 1831 upon the place where he now resides, learned the carpenter trade, and was subse- quently a member of the firm of Harriott, Eaton & Crossman in the oil busi. ness at Mackey, Ohio. In 1861 he enlisted in Company B, Tenth Regi- ment Pennsylvania Reserves, and participated in the following engagements: Drainsville, Mechanicsville, Gaines' Mill, White Oak Swamp, Malvern Hill, Groveton, Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Bristoe Station, Mine Run, the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna River, Tolopotomy and Bethseda Church. At Mechanicsville our subject received a wound in the head from a shell; at Fredericksburg he was wounded in the left leg, and at the Wilderness was sun-struck. At the battle of Fredericksburg he was appointed color bearer for his regiment. At the close of the war Mr. Crossman returned to Mercer County, and engaged with his old employers, the Crawford & Patterson Coal Co., as shipper, and remained with them two years. He then associated with himself his brother Cyrus, and engaged in the saw- mill business and the manufacture of shingles. In 1870 he purchased the old homestead, and since that time has been engaged in farming. In 1859 he married Sarah, daughter of James and Jane (Wilson) Mayers, of Shenango Township, and by this marriage they have five children: Sarah F. (Mrs. Elwyn Hart, of Madison, D. T.), Arsena E., Ulysses G. (who resides in Dakota). Horatio A. and Cyrus E. Mr. Crossman is a member of the Alonzo McCall Post No. 456, G. A. R., of West Middlesex, and is connected with the United Presbyterian Church of that borough.

Cyrus, the fifth and youngest son of Abner Crossman, was born in 1843, in Shenango Township, and was educated in the public schools of the town-

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ship. After leaving school he engaged with his brother Alexander to learn the carpenter's trade. In 1862 he enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty- second Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served until the close of the war. He followed the fortunes of his regiment, and participated with it in the following engagements: Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Cold Harbor, Weldon Railroad, Petersburg, Five Forks, South Side Railroad, and was present with his command at the surrender of Lee. On his return to Mercer he engaged in the carpenter business and farming, and in the winter of 1866-67 he engaged in teaching school. He subsequent- ly became connected with his brother in saw-mills and shingle business. In 1867 he was united in marriage to Miss Maria, daughter of Benjamin and Margaret (Mathews) Mayers, early settlers of Shenango Township, who settled on the land now occupied by our subject. Mr. Crossman is a member of Alonzo McCall Post, G. A. R., and also of the United Presbyterian Church of West Middlesex, Penn.

CHARLES H. DILLEY, farmer, post-office West Middlesex, Penn., is a son of John H, and Orlena (Currie) Dilley. The father of Charles H. was a native of Mercer County, Penn., and his mother of Wisconsin, where she died in 1859, leaving one child, the subject of our sketch. The grandfather on the paternal side was Matthias Dilley, a native of Westmoreland County, who settled in Mercer County at an early date. The father of our subject married a Miss Irvine, of Shenango Township, and by this marriage they had one son, Fred, deceased. Mr. Dilley, Sr., died in 1887, his wife having died the pre- vious year. Our subject was born in Wisconsin in 1858, and at the age of seven years came to Shenango Township with his father. He received his education in the public schools of the township, and early began farming. Mr. Dilley is extensively engaged in farming, and his homestead, containing 250 acres, is situated west of the Shenango River, and near the Lawrence County line.

ALBERT EDEBURN, farmer, post office West Middlesex, Penn., is a son of Henry and Ellen (Crawford) Edeburn. The grandfather, William Edeburn, emigrated from Germany, and settled on the Shenango River, near West Mid- dlesex Borough, and was engaged in farming. The father of our subject had a family of three children: Calvin, David W. and Albert. His wife died in July, 1882. He was again married May 1, 1884, to Mrs. Elizabeth McClung, and died May 26, 1885. Our subject was born July 22, 1853, was reared on the homestead where he now lives, two miles west of Middlesex, and received his education in the public schools of his native township, He married, in 1871, Miss Nancy A., daughter of John Walker, of Shenango Township, who is the mother, of three children: Ella B., Harry and Jennie O. Mr. Edeburn is engaged in general farming. He is a member of the United Presbyterian Church of West Middlesex.

DANIEL GEARHEART, farmer, post-office West Middlesex, is a son of Jacob Gearheart, and grandson of Daniel Gearheart, a native of Bucks County, Penn., who settled where our subject now lives at an early date. Mr. Gearheart was reared and educated in Shenango Township, and has always been engaged in farming. He was married in 1879 to Miss Eliza Garrett, of Shenango Town- ship, and by this union they have five children: Jessie, Alice, Grover Cleve- land, Minnie and Frank.

ROBERT M. GRAHAM, justice of the peace and farmer, post-office West Middle- sex, Penn., is a son of William and Margaret (Canon) Graham. Our subject was born in 1849, and was reared upon the homestead farm, where he now resides, in Shenango Township. The father of Mr. Graham was a native of Chester

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

County, Penn., and came to Mercer County when quite young. He was a blacksmith by trade, and subsequently engaged in farming. His wife was a native of Mercer County, and a member of a pioneer family. William Graham always took a great interest in the public affairs of the county, and held the position of justice of the peace in Shenango Township for over twenty years. He was connected with the State militia, holding a major's commission. He died April 20, 1876, and his wife in December, 1877. They had twelve chil- dren, six of whom are living: Dr. J. W., of Ashtabula, Ohio; Thompson, of Berg Hill, Ohio; Charles, of Chicago, Ill .; Dr. Thomas, of Australia; Sarah J. (Mrs. Walter McIntroy, of Shenango Township) and Robert M. Our subject received his education in the public schools, and has always been engaged in farming.' In 1887 lie was elected justice of the peace, which posi- tion he now fills. He was united in marriage December 28, 1871, to Miss Maggie, daughter of John Burns, of Michigan. They have three children: Sarah J., Maggie M. and William. Mr. Graham is a member of the United Presbyterian Church of West Middlesex, and in politics is a Democrat.

B. J. HAYWOOD, prothonotary of Mercer County, post-office West Middlesex, was born April 12, 1849, in Hickory Township, this county. His parents, Ben- jamin and Catharine (Long) Haywood, were among the most respected citizens of the community in which they lived, and their union resulted in four chil- dren. Our subject was brought up at farm labor, and was educated in the common schools of his native township. He also took a course at the Iron City Business College, Pittsburgh, and in 1869 he was employed as a clerk in the general store of H. N. Warren, at West Middlesex. Later he became a partner with Mr. Warren, and remained as such until 1870, when he with- drew from the firm, and accepted a position in a local banking institution, remaining there until 1878, when he was appointed and commissioned post- master at West Middlesex, and held the position until July 1, 1886. Mr. Haywood was elected transcribing clerk of the State Senate during the session of 1885, and message clerk of the same during the session of 1887. He served as auditor, member of the town council, and three terms as burgess of West Middlesex. He served as chairman of the Republican county committee during the years 1883-84-85, and displayed great tact in organizing the Re- publican forces and wresting the county from the Democracy, who had control of the leading offices when he first became chairman. As evidence of his popularity he was elected to the office of prothonotary by a majority of 1,306. He was married July 29, 1873, to Miss Lizzie E. Powell, born July 25, 1850, in Shenango Township, daughter of Ebenezer and Elizabeth (Satterfield) Powell. Mr. Haywood was a member of the Home Guards, although too young for service in the late war. He is a stanch Republican, a member of the Masonic and A. O. U. W. lodges, and, with his wife, belongs to the Pres- byterian Church at West Middlesex.

JOSEPH WARREN HILLIER, M. D., post-office West Middlesex, was born in Cooperstown, Venango Co., Penn., July 22, 1839. He received his education in the schools of his native place, subsequently attending Allegheny College, in Meadville, Penn. He studied medicine with Dr. Robert Crawford, of Cooperstown, and graduated from the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia, March 15, 1860. He located in West Middlesex, Penn., July 19, 1860, and has continued the practice of his pro- fession uninterruptedly up to the present time.

PETER HUFF, a native of Germany, immigrated to this country, enlisted in the army, and served through the Revolutionary War, afterward drawing a pension until the time of his death, which occurred about 1838. He was well

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off when he left Germany, but was shipwrecked on the way over, and lost all he had. But little is known of his early history by his descendants. He eventually settled in Hubbard Township, Trumbull Co., Ohio. He was mar- ried three times, his first wife bearing him four sons and six daughters; his second wife had three daughters, but there was no issue by his third marriage. Adam was the oldest son by his first wife, from whom have descended the Huffs of Mercer County. He was born in Hubbard, Trumbull Co., Ohio, and settled in this township in 1827, where his son Samuel now lives. He was a farmer and carpenter by occupation. He married Annie Hall, a native of New Jersey, and they have seven children: Jesse H. (deceased), Elizabeth (Mrs. David Raymond, of Ohio), Sarah (Mrs. William Napier, of Ohio), Susan (Mrs. E. Snyder, of Ohio), Mary (Mrs. Joel Morford, of Ohio), and Peter, who was born in Ohio July 22, 1815, and was reared and educated in the township schools, learned the carpenter trade, which he has followed for forty years, and is also operating a small fruit farm. He married Margaret Gil- bert, of Shenango Township, who died in 1862, leaving seven children, six of whom are living: Sarah A., Gilbraith, Henry, Adam, Parkshale and Margaret. In 1862 he married Mary J. Lightner, of Butler County, Penn. Samuel was the third son, and was born January 31, 1825, at Hubbard, Ohio, and was reared and educated at the common schools of Shenango Township. On coming of age he engaged in the machine business with his cousin, at Brook- field, Ohio. In 1857 he returned to the homestead property, and engaged in manufacturing guns. In 1860 he engaged in the manufacturing of wagons and general blacksmith business, which he carried on until 1866, when he erected a steam saw-mill, which he operated in connection with his other busi- ness. He was married February 18, 1850, to Miss Catherine A. Wireman, of Brookfield, Ohio. By this union they have had three children: Francis S. (deceased), Rachel A. (Mrs. D. M. Buchanan, of this township) and Otis A. Mr. Huff and his brother Peter are members of the Disciple Church of Hubbard, Ohio.

WILLIAM A. JACKSON, farmer, post-office West Middlesex, Penn., is a son of William and Anna (Carmichael) Jackson. He was a son of William Jack- son, one of the prominent families of Washington County, Penn., and a nephew of Philip Jackson, noted as the praying elder of the Cross Roads Church in Washington County, which had for its pastor the Rev. E. McCurdy, a famous preacher of the Presbyterian Church in pioneer days. The paternal grand- father of our subject was William Jackson; he had ten children and settled originally about eight miles northeast of New Castle, subsequently removing to the place where our subject now lives. He purchased the patent for 640 acres of land, being located in the donation lands. The father of our subject had eight children: Thomas and James, deceased; Sarah, wife of John Car- nahan, of Kansas; Mary J., wife of John Pinkerton, of Illinois; Margaret L. and Elizabeth E., who reside upon a part of the homestead; Hugh, who enlisted in 1861 in Company B, One Hundredth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and died, from exposure received in the service, at Newport News, July 25, 1862. Our subject was born in 1832 on the old homestead; was reared and educated at the common schools; learned the carpenter's trade, and subse- quently engaged in farming. He married, in 1858, Miss Adelaide, daughter of Thomas Mathews, of Ohio, who died in 1861, leaving one son, Albert, who is now principal of the Wyman Institute of Upper Alton, Ill. He married for his second wife, October, 1864, Miss Maggie, a daughter of John and Harriet Ayres, of Butler, Butler Co., Penn. By this marriage they have seven children: William A. (principal of Wilmington High-school), Thomas C.

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(teacher), Alfred H., Harry L., Charles E., Anna H. and Mary. Mr. Jackson has been officially identified with the schools of his township as a director. He belongs to the A. O. U. W., Lodge No. 12, of West Middlesex, and is a member and ruling elder of the West Middlesex Presbyterian Church.

DAVID W. LEESE, farmer and surveyor, post-office West Middlesex, is a son of Daniel and Maria (Emig) Leese, natives of York County, Penn. Mr. Leese was born north of Codorus, York Co., Penn., in October, 1834. He received his education in the public schools of the county, and in early life taught school in the winter months, and worked on the farm in the summer, until he had educated himself for his profession of surveying and expert accountant. In 1863 he removed to Mercer County, settled in West Middle- sex, and engaged as the book-keeper for the coal and iron works, which posi- tion he filled for ten years. In the spring of 1873 he removed to Brazil, Ind., to fill the position of superintendent of the brass furnace and several coal mines located there. He returned to West Middlesex in 1875, and was not engaged in any active business until 1879, when he purchased his present place of residence, about one mile and a half east of the town, where he has- since resided. Mr. Leese has 105 acres of land, and pays particular attention to the growing of fruits. He is well known through the county, having been identi- fied professionally with the settling of many private and public estates. He was married in the fall of 1858 to Miss Sarah E. Wood, daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Brown) Wood, of East Berlin, Adams Co., Penn. By this mar- riage they had three children: Oliver E., Thaddeus S. and Maud F. His wife died in May, 1886. He married for his second wife, in the fall of 1887, Miss Julia McLain, daughter of Charles McLain, of Mercer County, Penn.

JAMES McCANDLES, retired, post-office West Middlesex, is a son of James and Margaret (Jackson) McCandles, natives of Ireland, who settled in Beaver County, Penn., about 1800. Our subject was born in Beaver County, Penn., July 15, 1808. The father of our subject was a weaver and farmer by occupa- tion. In 1834 our subject removed to Shenango Township, in this county, and purchased a farm of fifty acres, to which he added. He has filled many of the township offices, and served as school director for twelve years. In 1829 he married Miss Jane, daughter of John McCall, of Beaver County, and by this marriage they had ten children, three of whom are now living: Selina, wife of Charles Williams; Maggie, wife of Hudson Veach, and James. Our sub- ject in politics is a Prohibitionist, and is a member of the United Presbyterian Church of West Middlesex.

JOHN McCREARY, SR., farmer, post-office West Middlesex, Penn., was born February 23, 1814. Our subject is a son of David and Betsey (McFarland) McCreary. His grandfather, John McCreary, was a native of Ireland, and im- migrated to this country prior to the Revolutionary War. He enlisted in the American army and served through the entire struggle with Gen. Morgan. He subsequently settled in what is now Washington County, and died in Shenango Township, Mercer County. He had three sons: William, David and John. David, the father of our subject, was born in 1782, and died February 28, 1855, his wife having died in 1853. They had nine children: Ann, deceased; John, William, deceased; Jane, wife of William Long, of Ohio; David, de- ceased; James, of Shenango Township; Robert, deceased; Andrew, deceased, and Sarah E., deceased. James married Miss Jane, daughter of David Pathour, of Ohio; and is the father of five children: Elizabeth, Sarah, Mrs. William Ayres, deceased; Emma, deceased; Appeline, Mrs. E. E. Harshman, and Lurina, Mrs. G. E. McBride. Our subject has never married, resides in Shenango Township, and has always followed farming. He has never taken

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any active interest in the public affairs of his county, but after seventy-four years of quiet usefulness it is befitting that some mention be made of his iden- tification with the development of Shenango Township. Mr. McCreary is a gentleman of genial manners and wide intelligence, and in politics he is a Dem- ocrat.

WILLIAM MITCHELTREE, farmer, is a son of William and Margaret (Mc- Knight) Mitcheltree, natives of Westmoreland County. Our subject came to Mercer County in 1852, and located at his present home, and engaged in farming. He married, in 1855, Miss Elmira, daughter of Jacob Garrett, of Shenango Township. By this union they have six living children: Anna M., Mrs. Robert Wallace; James G., of Lawrence County; William, Mary J., Mrs. George Holland of West Middlesex; Joseph H. and Elmira A. Mr. Mitch- eltree's wife and family are connected with the United Presbyterian Church of West Middlesex.

HENRY NEWKIRK, hardware merchant, and burgess of West Middlesex, Penn., is a son of John F. and Elizabeth (McBride) Newkirk, the mother being a daughter of James McBride, a native of Ireland, who settled in Mercer County. The grandfather of our subject, John F. Newkirk, was a native of Washington County, Penn., who removed to Brookfield, Ohio, sub- sequently came to Mercer County, and afterward removed to Beaver County, Penn., where he died. John F., the father of our subject, was born in Wash- ington County, Penn., in 1793, and was reared in Mercer County. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. After the close of the war he returned to Mercer County, and established the Newkirk House at West Middlesex, and kept it for many years. His family consisted of eight children: Mary Ann (deceased), who married John McCall; Christina, Rebecca, Mrs. Samuel Par- shall of West Middlesex; Matilda, Mrs. James Clark; Elizabeth, Mrs. J. P. Arbaugh; Minerva J., Mrs. J. W. Russell, of West Middlesex; John, who re- sides in Colorado. He died May 5, 1856, and his widow in 1868. Our sub- ject was born in 1836 in Shenango Township, was reared and educated in West Middlesex, and here learned the shoemaker's trade. He subsequently engaged with the Sennett & Warren Iron Company, of West Middlesex, re- maining with them for twelve years as manager of the store. He then con- nected himself with J. P. Risher & Co., remaining with them one year. He afterward engaged with David Theobold in the clothing business as manager of the branch store in West Middlesex. In connection with J. W. Russell & Co., he engaged in the mercantile business and the manufacture of iron in 1867, and the same year was appointed postmaster of West Middlesex. He subse- quently engaged in the hardware business, which he has continued up to the present. Mr. Newkirk was married in the fall of 1860 to Miss Victoria, daughter of James and Margaret Eakin, of Beaver County, Penn., and they have one son, Charles E. Mr. Newkirk was elected burgess of West Middle- sex in 1874-75, and was again elected to the same office in February, 1888. He has been further identified with the public affairs of the borough as a member of the council, and school board. He belongs to the A. O. U. W. and the R. T. of T. Mr. Newkirk is a member of the Methodist Church, hold- ing the office of steward, and is superintendent of the Sunday-school. In politics he is a Democrat, and one of the well-known citizens of this portion of Mercer County.

NATHANIEL RILEY PETTITT, farmer, post-office West Middlesex, was born in 1821 in Bedford County, Penn. He is a son of Nathaniel and Margaret (Carr) Pettitt, who removed from Bedford County in 1828 and purchased the farm now occupied by our subject. Nathaniel, Sr., was born in 1783, and

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was the father of eight children: John, Isabella, deceased; Samuel K., de- ceased; William, deceased; Charles T., Margaret, wife of J. M. Brown, of Pulaski, Penn., and Rebecca J., wife of George Brown, of the same place. He died in 1874, his wife having preceded him in 1868. Our subject. was educated in the public schools of the township. He was apprenticed to the carpenter trade, and at the expiration of his time, in 1845, engaged in busi- ness for himself, which he carried on successfully for twenty years. On the death of his father he purchased the homestead property and has since been engaged in general farming. He was married in 1845 to Miss Catherine, daughter of Peter and Rosanna (McConnell) Michael, of Harlensburg, Penn., who died in 1883, leaving seven children: Calvin M., of Greenville, Penn .; Samuel R., of West Middlesex, Penn .; Mary, wife of Hamilton Sample, of Ohio; Willis B., of Wilmington, Penn. ; John C., who is engaged on the farm; Nathaniel, of Cleveland, Ohio, and Adah Z., at home. Mr. Pettitt married for his second wife Mrs. Rebecca Falls, sister of his deceased wife. He is a member of the New Bedford Presbyterian Church,

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History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, Part 114

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