History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, Part 136

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

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HON. PHIPPS J. BOYD, farmer, post-office Harthegig, Penn., is a son of Henry and Ann (Phipps) Boyd. His father was a native of Ireland, and is spoken of in the Boyd family history to be found in New Vernon Township. His children were twelve in number, and the following are living: Julius; Jane mar- ried Calvin Clark, of this county; Helen M., William H., John F. and Phipps J. Our subject was born March 3, 1840, in New Vernon Township, where he was

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

reared and educated. He was taught the wagon-maker's trade. At the death of his eldest brother he returned to the homestead, where he remained engaged in farming until 1863, when he located in Venango County, Penn., and engaged in the oil business until 1866, when he returned to Mercer County, and entered into the lumber business in New Vernon Township with his brother-in-law, Andrew McClure. In 1872 he removed to his farm in Fair- view Township, which he had purchased in 1864, and engaged in farming, an occupation he has since followed. He has always taken an active interest in public matters, and has served as a school director of his township and in other offices. In 1886 he was elected a member of the State Legislature. In 1887 he was elected a justice of the peace for Fairview Township, which office he now fills. Our subject was married in 1862 to Miss Mary G., a daughter of James and Hannah McClure, of Lake Township. They have one daughter by adoption, Matilda V. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episco- pal Church, of which he has been a class leader for thirty years. Mr. Boyd is a self-made man, and by his energy and integrity has gained the respect and confidence of business men, and the esteem of the people of his com- munity. In politics there is not a more earnest and enterprising Republican in the township or county.

DR. CORNELIUS BYLES, deceased, son of Ebenezer and Betsey (Marcy) Byles, was born in 1815 in Connecticut. His parents moved to Pleasant- ville, Venango Co., Penn., where he was reared and educated. He sub- sequently entered Jefferson College, at Cannonsburg, Penn., and after his graduation spent five years teaching in the schools of Central Alabama. He then returned home, commenced the study of medicine under Dr. Gillette, of Franklin, Penn., and completed his education at the University of Pennsyl- vania, Philadelphia, Penn. In 1851 he located at Delaware Grove and com- menced the practice of medicine. He remained there until 1874, when he removed to Fredonia, Penn. He died in 1886. His widow survives him and resides at Delaware Grove, Penn. He married, in 1850, Eleanor, daughter of the Hon. Walter Oliver, of Lawrence County, Penn., and by this marriage they had four children: Elizabeth, Frederick G., Jennie and Julia J., de- ceased. The Doctor was United States Examining Surgeon for Mercer County from 1864 to 1881. Frederick G. Byles, post-office Fredonia, was born in 1853, in Delaware Township, and received his early education at the schools of the township. In 1876 he entered LaFayette College, of Easton, Penn., and was graduated in 1879. He studied medicine with his father, was grad- uated from Jefferson Medical College, of Philadelphia, Penn., and commenced the practice of medicine in connection with his father at Fredonia, Penn. He married, in 1886, Miss Kate R., daughter of the late Rev. J. W. McCune, for many years pastor of Cool Spring congregation, this county, and by this union they have one daughter, Marion Agnes. The Doctor has filled the office of burgess of Fredonia and school director. He is a member of the Mercer County Medical Society.

PROF. LEMUEL R. ECKLES, post-office Fredonia, Penn., is a son of Asa and Amelia (McDonald) Eckles, natives of Lawrence County and Mercer County, Penn., respectively. The grandfather, George Eckles, was a native of Law- rence County, Penn., and settled in Fairview Township in 1842. He married Elizabeth Henan, and their children were: John, James, Joseph, Asa, George, Abraham, Mary, Mrs. Wilson McDonald, Jane and Mrs. Benjamin Stilling, all of whom are dead except George. Asa's family consisted of eleven chil dren, of whom nine are living: William, Hesther, Mrs. Milton Slater, Monroe, George, Asa, Phoebe, Wilson and Alexander. The father of our subject died

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in 1SS7. His wife survives him, and resides in Fairview Township. Our sub- ject was born in 1860 in Fairview Township. His early education was re- ceived at the common schools of the township, and he afterward attended the Sheakleyville Academy, Thiel College, of Greenville, Grove City College, and was a graduate from the Edinboro Normal School, of Erie County, Penn., in 1SS6. He was appointed to the charge of the public schools of Fredonia that year, which position he now fills in connection with his select school. He was married in 1SS3 to Miss Lizzie E., daughter of John and Sarah Kerr, of New Vernon, and by this union they have three children: Laporte, Mable and Georgeanna. Mr. Eckles is a member of the A. O. U. W., Lodge No. 13, of Fredonia, and also of the P. H. C. He is a member of the Christian Church.

GEORGE GAISER. proprietor of flouring mills at Fredonia, was born in Greenville November 5, 1847, and is a son of David Gaiser, mention of whom appears in the sketch of his brother, Fred H., of Greenville. At the age of seventeen George went west and spent three years in Illinois and Wisconsin. Before leaving home he had begun learning the miller's trade in the old Math- ers Mill, and continued the business in the west. In 186S he returned to Mercer County and entered the New Hamburg Flouring Mills, where he was a miller for seven years. In 1875 he obtained an interest in the mill at James- town, Penn., which he operated five years. The succeeding two years he ran a mill in Linesville, Crawford Co., Penn .. whence he came to Greenville and became a member of the firm of Gaiser, McClure & Co., general merchants. This firm dissolved in September, 1887, Mr. Gaiser retiring from the business. In 1SSS he commenced the erection of his present mills at Fredonia. He was married to Miss Sarah, daughter of J. F. Wheeler, of New Hamburg, Penn., September 30, 1872. She died January 23, 1874, and he was again married, April 15, 1885, to Miss Mattie, daughter of Benjamin Pfeiffer, of Jamestown, Penn. Mr. Gaiser is a Republican in politics, and a member of the Masonic order.

JOHN HARSH. farmer, post-office Fredonia, Penn., is a son of Phillip and Christina (Streckert) Harsh, natives of Washington County, Penn. Our sub- ject was born in 1810 in Washington County, Penn. At the age of twenty- one Mr. Harsh came to Mercer County. located in what was then Cool Spring Township, one mile north of where he now resides, and engaged in farming, an occupation he has always followed. In 1833 he settled upon his present place. Mr. Harsh has served as justice of the peace, being elected to fill that office in 1867. and served ten years. He has served one term as poor director of the county, and has also occupied all the important offices of the township. He married, in 1831, Miss Lucy, daughter of James Simmons. of Delaware Township, who died in 1852, leaving six children: Ira. deceased, served in the Twenty-first Illinois Volunteers: Lenard, a member of the Twenty-first Illinois Volunteers, and was drowned at Stewart Creek, in Tennessee; John, deceased, also served in the army during the late war; Lucinda, Mrs. Richard Suttiff; Eliza, deceased, and Robert, of Fredonia. Mr. Harsh married for his second wife Mary E., daughter of William Orr, of Fairview Township, in 1853. By this union they had seven children: William, Jennie, Mary, Mrs. John Bear; Ida, Mrs. Edward Rose; Sherman, Charley and Eddy, deceased. Mr. Harsh has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for fifty years and fills the office of steward.

W. P. JOHNSTON, physician and justice of the peace, post-office Harthegig, is a son of Ephraim and Mary Ann (Peart) Johnston. William Peart, the grandfather on the maternal side, was a lieutenant-colonel in the British

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

army, and at the breaking out of the Revolutionary War joined the Continental army and held a commission until the close of the war, when he settled in Armstrong County, on the Allegheny River above Kittanning, where Peart's Eddy now is, it being named after him. He died at this place. The father of our subject was an officer in the United States army; participated in the War of 1812, and was afterward treasurer of Crawford County, where our subject was born on September 29, 1831. He has been a resident of the State most of his life. He commenced practicing medicine in Fairview Township in 1865, where he has since resided. In 1885 he was elected justice of the peace for Fairview Township, which office he now holds. The Doctor is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

JOSEPH M. MCLAIN, postmaster and dealer in agricultural implements, Fredonia, Penn., is a son of John and Jane (Alexander) McLain. . Thomas McLain, the grandfather of our subject, was one of the earliest settlers in what is now Jackson Township. Our subject was born in Fairview Township, December 13, 1833, where he was reared and educated. He was reared a farmer, which occupation he followed until 1868, when he engaged in his pres- ent business. In 1885 he was appointed postmaster for Fredonia, which office he still fills. Our subject married, March 13, 1856, Miss Elizabeth, daughter of James Morrison, of Lackawannock Township, who died November 14, 1856. His second wife was Elizabeth G., daughter of Rev. Thomas Lamb, of Worth Township, who died February 20, 1888, leaving three children: George S., Sarah M. and Eva L. Our subject is a member of the P. H. C. of Sharon, Penn., and also of the Presbyterian Church of Cool Spring Township. Mr. McLain is one of Fredonia's most enterprising citizens, and a man of upright integrity. In politics he is a Democrat.

MORFORD FAMILY. - Among the early settlers of Mercer County were James and John Morford, who came from the vicinity of Trenton, N. J., about 1804. John married Mary Cox, of New Jersey, and settled in Hickory Township. Their children were: Richard, Thomas, James, John, Joseph, William, Rebecca and Betsey. Thomas, the second son, was born in 1790 in New Jer- sey. In 1812 he enlisted in Capt. Mann's company, of Greenville. He mar- ried Susanna, a daughter of Jeremiah Hazen, of Westmoreland County, Penn. Their children were: Jeremiah, Mary, Mrs. Josiah Brown, of West Salem, and Sears. Mr. Morford, Sr., died in 1874, his wife having died in 1862. After his marriage Thomas settled in Pymatuning Township, and was one of the early pioneers of that township. Sears, his youngest child, was born in 1819, in Pymatuning Township, where he was reared and educated. In 1870 he purchased his present residence in Fairview Township. He married, in 1844, Lucina, daughter of Ira Sperry, of New York, and their children were: Ursula A., born in 1845, who died at the age of four; Ira C., who was born in 1848, is engaged with his father in farming, and is married to Maria, daugh- ter of William North. Their children being Mary A., William S., Catherine L. and Clarence J.

WILLIAM NORTH, deceased, was the second son of William and Mary (Davile) North, born February 20, 1816, in England, and died February 26, 1882. He came to this county with his parents, whose sketch appears in Cool Spring Township. He was reared in Cool Spring Township, where his early life was spent. In 1842 he purchased the place where his widow now resides, in Fairview Township. He was twice chosen justice of the peace, and filled the office for ten years. He also served as school director twenty years. He was married February 22, 1844, to Miss Catherine, daughter of Michael Zahn- iser, of Cool Spring Township. Their children are: Samuel, married Marga-

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ret Moore; Mary E .; Michael, married Elizabeth Long; William, married Amanda Cross; Maria, wife of Ira C. Morford; John C., married Anna G. Miller. Mr. North was an elder and life-long member of the Cool Spring Church, and it is befitting that mention should be made of the honorable name he left to his posterity for honesty and sterling integrity. Politically he was an earnest Republican, and always took a deep interest in the success of that party.

WILLIAM L. ROBERTS, hotel and livery, Fredonia, Penn., a son of Joseph and Margaret (Leech) Roberts, was born November 17, 1848, in Hempfield Township. His grandfather, Nathan Roberts, settled in Mercer County at an early date. He was twice married. His first wife was Susan Kaufman. His second wife was Margaret Patterson, by whom he had nine children, the father of our subject being the third son. He died in 1863. His widow sur- vives him, and lives in Delaware Township. His family consisted of two children: Henrietta, and our subject, who was educated in the common schools. William's early life was spent in farming until he was twenty-four years of age, when he located in Fredonia, and engaged in teaming business. He was married in 1871 to Miss Nancy, daughter of Coit and Hannah (Cole) Failes, of Fredonia, Penn. By this marriage they have three sons: Charlie, Hiel and Floyd. Our subject is a member of the council, the present borough treas- urer, a member of the A. O. U. W. and also of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

LAKE TOWNSHIP.

JAMES F. BASKIN, clothing merchant, Stoneboro, Penn., is a son of Benja- min F., of Selins Grove, Penn., and Mary J. (McBurney) Baskin, of Mercer, Penn. The father was a lawyer, and located in Mercer, this county, and practiced his profession for many years in Mercer, Greenville and Meadville. Our subject was born in Mercer County in 1850, and received his education at the public schools of that borough, and in 1863 engaged with P. J. Pierce in the book business. In 1864 he engaged with T. R. Sheriff in the clothing business and remained with him seventeen years. In 1880 he moved to Sandy Lake and established a clothing store, and purchased an interest in another store in Jackson Centre. In 1882 he closed his connection with these stores and entered upon his present business, which he has since conducted. He is a member of the Good Templar society, and one of the stockholders of the Mercer County Agricultural Society and has acted as auditor of the same for three years. He is also one of the school directors of Stoneboro. In 1877 he married Miss Eve S. Clary, daughter of Joseph Clary, of Sandy Lake. By this union they have five children: Nellie C., Lillie, Mamie, Joseph Franklin, William McKane. Our subject is a member of the Wesleyan Methodist Church of Sandy Lake, and holds an exhorter's license in that church and also in the Methodist Episcopal Church of Stoneboro, of which his wife is a member.

ALEXANDER BONNER, merchant, Stoneboro, Penn., is a son of Jeremiah and Eliza (Hutchison) Bonner, of Armstrong County. In 1872 Jeremiah Bonner and his family moved to this place, and in 1873 he, in connection with our subject and his cousin, Robert Bonner, established a general store. He was instrumental in purchasing the right of the New Castle branch of the W. N. Y. & P. R. R., and built the first two miles of the road, furnished thirteen flat cars and one passenger coach for it, and served as director, treasurer and vice-president of the same until a short time before his death. He pur- chased a farm in this township in 1866, and was one of the original stock owners of the Mercer Iron and Coal Company. He and our subject afterward

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purchased the Lake House, in which his estate now owns one-half interest. Mr. Bonner died in 1883. He was twice married. His first wife was Martha McCollums, who died in 1846, leaving four children: Margaret, Mrs. J. C. Cornwell, of Stoneboro; William H., deceased; Martha, Mrs. G. W. Robin- son, of Forest County, Penn., and Mary, a maiden lady, who lives with her sister, Mrs. Robinson. His second wife, Eliza Hutchison, is still living and occupies the homestead in Stoneboro. By her he had five children, one died young and the others are: Charles, manufacturer of brick in Chicago; Alex- ander, our subject; Elizabeth E., Mrs. J. P. Hines, of Stoneboro; Malena B., at home. Alexander was born in Armstrong County, Penn., September 27, 1851, was educated at the public schools, and has always been engaged in the mercantile business, coming to Stoneboro with his father and establishing the business which he has continued since the death of the latter. He also con- ducted two farms and a coal bank. In 1874 he married Miss Margaret A., daughter of John Hall, of this borough. By this union they have five chil- dren: Lydia, Alexander, Bessie, Jeremiah, Margaret. Mr. Bonner votes the Republican ticket, as did also his father.

WILLIAM CALDWELL, farmer, post-office North's Mills, is a son of William and Martha (Montgomery) Caldwell. The father was a native of Allegheny County, Penn., and was one of the early men to locate in this county, having settled a tract of land in what is now Lake Township, and made several improve- ments; in 1833 he settled on it and lived there until his death in 1841. He was a blacksmith by trade, voted the Democratic ticket, and was a member of the Old Seceder Church, and afterward of the United Presbyterian Church. His widow died in 1873. Their family consisted of seven children: Martha, de- ceased; Margaret, widow of Daniel Shawhan, who lives in Allegheny County, Penn. ; Mary, Mrs. Joseph Caldwell, deceased; Sarah, Mrs. John Hill, deceased; Joseph, lives in Cleveland; William; Eliza Jane, Mrs. Henry Cole, of Mill Creek Township. Our subject was born in Pittsburgh July 22, 1819, received his education mostly at home, and in 1849 married Miss Eleanor, daughter of David Zahniser, of Jackson Township. In 1866 they moved to their farm where they have since resided. They have reared eight children: Mary, Benjamin F., married Mollie Gardner and lives in Coolridge, New Mexico; David P., in Oregon; Thomas Z., in Butler County, married Emma Pisor, of Butler County; Charles M., at home; Elmer E., in Dennison, Texas; Lois and Jessie, at home. Our subject has held the offices of supervisor, school director, etc., of the township, and votes the Greenback ticket, but was always con- nected with the Republican party until within a few years.

ROBERT P. CANN, Stoneboro, Penn., was born in the State of Delaware in 1847, was educated at the Academy of New Castle, Delaware, and during the late war was connected with the " Quartermaster's Department," under Grant, on the James River. In 1867 he came to Stoneboro and acted as agent for the Jamestown and Franklin Railroad, which is now leased to the L. S. & M. S. R. R. In 1868 the first post-office was established in Stoneboro, and our subject was appointed postmaster, which office he held for fourteen years. In 1873 he severed his connection with the railroad, and has since acted as man- ager of the Mercer Iron and Coal Co. He is one of the trustees of the Stone- boro Glass Works, and has been treasurer of the Mercer County Agricultural Society since 1872. He is also a member of the borough council and school board, one of the directors of the Jamestown & Franklin Railroad, and has been treasurer of that corporation since 1878.[ He married Miss Julia B., daughter of John Gumfory, of Sharon, and by this union they have four children: John G., George H., Robert P. and Leroy J.

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

W. R. ECKLES, editor and manager of the Lake Local, Stoneboro, was born September 14, 1852, in Clarksville, this county. His parents, Robert and Elizabeth (Ramsey) Eckles, were born in Washington and Erie Counties, respectively. They were married in Lawrence County, and soon after moved to Clarksville, where the father was employed at his trade, that of a cabinet- maker. Three years later they bought and removed to a farm in Delaware Township, where they remained fifteen years, and then settled in Wilmington Township, where the parents now live. They had the following children: W. R., R. Leroy, a painter by trade in Cleveland, Ohio; J. C., a farmer of Wilmington Township; Mary P., the wife of J. R. Burnside, of Cannons- burg, Penn. Our subject was educated in the common schools, Clarksville Academy and Edinboro Normal, and taught one term of school. At the age of eighteen years he began to learn the printer's trade in the office of the Sharon Herald, where he remained four years. After a period in the employ of the Sharon Times, and two years with the Sandy Lake News, he connected him- self with the Lake Local, as will be seen by a reference to the notice of that paper elsewhere. He married Nannie, a daughter of Michael and Maria (Sauers) Fox, by whom he has four children Maud M., Guy C., Ethel and Ina. He and wife are members of the Baptist:Church of Stoneboro.

NATHANIEL V. FAIRLAMB, farmer, post-office Stoneboro, was born in Dela -. ware County, Penn., in 1820. His parents were Joseph and Sidney Fairlamb, natives of that county. In 1844 our subject came to Mercer County, and located on a tract of land in Lake Township, where he now resides. In 1848 he married Ellen, daughter of Richard McClure. She died in 1851, leaving one child, Mary Ellen, Mrs. Albert J. Woods, of Venango County, Penn., and has three children: Ida, Leroy and Frank. His second wife was Mary Ann Graham, of Lake Township. She died in 1858, leaving two children. Charles, on the homestead with our subject, married Mattie Judy, daughter of Daniel Judy, of Fairview Township. She (Mattie) died in 1881, leaving one child, Kate, Mrs. George Buckley, of New Vernon Township, whose children are Myrtle, John, Charles and Mabel. His third wife was Mary Henry, of Ohio, who died in 1883, leaving no children. Our subject has held the offices of school director, supervisor and assessor of the township several years. He votes the Republican ticket, is a member of the Stoneboro Agricultural Society and of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

FRANK P. FILER, post-office Stoneboro, is a son of Enoch and Elizabeth (Lawton) Filer, of Sharon, and was born in Hickory Township, this county, October 9, 1863. He received his education at the township schools, the Sharon public schools and at Allegheny College. In 1880 he accepted the po- sition of superintendent of the Enterprise Coal Mine in Jackson Township, which he filled until 1886. In 1884 he also took charge of the Carver Coal Co.'s shaft in Lake Township, and still holds that position. In 1884 he mar- ried Louie H., daughter of William and Rachel Turner, of Jackson Centre Borough. By this union they have one child, Enoch. He is a member of Lake Lodge No. 434 of the Masonic order, and votes the Democratic ticket.

JAMES L. GREER, merchant, Stoneboro, Penn., was born in County Down, Ireland, in 1851. He learned the trade of brick-layer, and in 1869 immigrated to America and located in Titusville, Penn., and followed that occupation until 1872. when he came to Stoneboro and engaged in mining coal. In 1877 he established a general mercantile store, which he has since conducted. In 1874 he married Miss Hattie, daughter of William Patterson, of this borough, and by this union they have four children: John, William, Rachel Mary and James L. Mr. Greer is a member of Sandy Lake Lodge No. 573, I. O. O. F.,

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY,

also of the school board of Stoneboro, and has been a member of the council. He votes the Republican ticket, and he and family are members of the Pres- byterian Church.

DR. D. B. HANNA, Stoneboro, was born at Adamsville, Crawford Co., Penn., in 1860. His parents were John and Eliza (McCormick) Hanna. His father enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Forty-fifth Pennsylvania Volun- teers, and was killed at the battle of Fredericksburg. His mother died in 1880. Our subject was educated at the Soldier's Orphan School at Mercer, and graduated from the Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia in 1884, and located at Stoneboro, where he has since practiced his profession. In 1886 he married Miss Emma Hall, daughter ef John Hall, of Stoneboro, and has one child, John. He is a member of the Mercer County Medical Society, and sur- geon for the Stoneboro branch of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Rail- road, also the branch of the W. N. Y. & P. R. R. Before taking his profes- sional course he was clerk in the post-office for four years, under Postmaster A. B. Filson, at Mercer.

. JOHN P. HINES, postmaster of Stoneboro, Penn., was born in Washington, D. C. His parents were Philip and Julia (Howard) Hines. Our subject was reared and educated in Washington, D.C., and during the war was in the military store- keeper's department in Washington and Richmond. In 1871 he came to Stone- boro and purchased the drug business of the Hon. R. A. Harsh, which he has since conducted. He was deputy postmaster of the borough several years, and in 1885 was appointed postmaster and has since held that office. He has also been school director of the borough, and has been secretary of the Mercer County Agricultural Society for seventeen years. He is also chairman of the Stoneboro Milling Company, and has acted as agent for the American Express Company for twelve years. He is past master of Lake Lodge No. 434, of the Masonic order of Sandy Lake, a member of Royal Arch Chapter, of Franklin, Penn., Lawrence Commandery, of New Castle, Penn., and votes the Demo- cratic ticket. In 1876 he married Miss Elizabeth E., daughter of Jeremiah and Eliza (Hutchison) Bonner, of Stoneboro, and by this union they have three children: Howell Q., Charles B. and Hazel.

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History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, Part 136

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