History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, Part 32

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

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The Shenango Valley News was founded on the 11th of April, 1882, by D. B. Robbins, from whom it was purchased in the summer of the same year by W. H. H. Dumars, its present editor and proprietor. It is a six-column quarto, and always brimful of news. In the gubernatorial election of 1882

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it espoused the cause of the Independent wing of the Republican party, and did its utmost to secure the election of Hon. John Stewart instead of Gen. James A. Beaver. Since that time it has returned to the fold of orthodox Republicanism, and at the present time is one of the stanchest local advo- cates of the Republican party. The editor of the News has had considerable experience in newspaper work, and wields a trenchant pen. He is a bold, vigorous writer, and though intensely Republican, exhibits far more independ- ence of expression than is usually found in party organs. The News is a good paper, and has a fair patronage.

The Independent, of Greenville, was established by Austin H. Robbins, and its first number issued May 23, 1885. It is a four-column quarto, issued weekly, at 50 cents a year, and independent, as its name implies. Mr. Rob- bins is a native of Delaware Township, and learned his trade in the Argus office, during the ownership of W. F. Chalfant and Harry Watson. He assisted his brother in establishing the Shenango Valley News, in 1882, and three years afterward started the Independent, which he has since edited and published. While the paper has quite a large local circulation, Mr. Robbins depends largely upon office work, making a specialty of job printing and advertising.

SHARON PAPERS.

The first paper started in Sharon, the metropolis of Mercer County, was the Sharon Herald, whose first issue occurred Thursday, April 11, 1864. It emanated from an office under the banking house of Porter & Perkins, the proprietors and projectors being R. C. Frey and his brother J. C. Frey. It was printed on a No. 4 Washington hand press, and com- manded the modest subscription price of $1.50 per year, always in advance. It began as a seven-column sheet, and from the beginning advocated the principles of the Republican party. On the 20th of April, 1865, Dr. John Winter, a Baptist minister of the town, bought the interest of R. C. Frey, and the business was conducted under the name of J. H. Frey & Co. until the 22d of March, 1866, when Frey bought Winter's interest and became sole proprietor. This condition of things existed until November 1, 1866, when Calvin W. Ray purchased a half interest in the paper. On the 15th of the following December the paper was enlarged to an eight-column sheet, and the subscription raised to $2 per annum. On the 1st of January, 1869, John L. Morrison bought Mr. Frey's interest. Soon thereafter important improvements were made in the equipment. On the 4th of August, 1871, it was again enlarged to a nine-column sheet, and a new Cottrell and Babcock power press purchased. On the 1st of July, 1874, the subscription price was reduced to $1 per year, strictly in advance. On the 1st of January, 1876, Mr. Ray purchased Mr. Morrison's interest (the latter having been elected recorder), and became sole proprietor of the paper. This position he occupied until March, 1879, when he sold the plant to Mr. Morrison, the present pro- prietor and editor. The Herald has been one of the potent factors in main taining the supremacy of the Republican party in the borough and the county It has outlived the doubts connected with its trial existence at the time it was launched upon the stormy sea of journalistic and national existence in 1864. Mr. Morrison has devoted his entire attention to making the Herald what it is to-day-one of the leading newspapers of the Shenango Valley.

The Sharon Times, a Democratic organ, was started in 1868 by John A. Lant and George D. Herbert, the firm name being Lant & Herbert. The first issue appeared on the 17th of June of the said year. On the 6th of July, 1869, Lant withdrew from the firm, leaving Herbert sole proprietor and editor. The

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paper started as a seven-column folio, 25x37, and was printed on a Washing- ton hand press. In April, 1875, a Potter cylinder press was secured, and in August of the following year a steam boiler and engine were added. The first number was issued from the second story of T. J. Porter's bank building, on State Street, opposite the Shenango House. Some time in 1878 Mr. Herbert became financially embarrassed, and the property passed into the ownership of P. E. Kimberly, but Herbert continued as its managing editor until 1879, when he went to Philadelphia. Reuben Williamson was then business manager, and T. W. McClain, editor. This arrangement continued until shortly after the Presidential election of 1880, when the outfit was sold to J. R. McNabb, of the Sharon Eagle. Thus ended the career of the only Democratic paper ever started in Sharon. It was a neat sheet and ably edited, but lacked the pat- ronage to keep it successfully sailing o' er the stormy sea of journalism.

In 1879 the Gospel Temperance Advocate was started by James R. Burch- field, now of Greenville. After a year's struggling against the waves of adver- sity, it went down to rise no more.

The Sharon Eagle began its journalistic career on May 3, 1875, as the Mercer County Eagle, J. R. McNabb being the editor and proprietor. It started as a large nine-column weekly paper, "independent in all things and neutral in nothing." On the 6th of October, 1875, McNabb commenced the publica- tion of a daily which he called the Evening Eagle, a venture which was looked upon at first with a great many misgivings by the people of Sharon. Mr. Mc- Nabb conducted both papers until the day of his death, which occurred in 1883. The management of the paper then fell upon the shoulders of his son, Scott R. McNabb, who conducted it until April 1, 1885, when the material of the establishment was purchased by James L. Ray and Walter Whitehead, both practical printers. Scott R. McNabb died in Pittsburgh, May 8, 1888, aged twenty-five years. With an increase of patronage these gentlemen decided to convert the paper into a Republican organ, which was done. In October, 1887, Mr. C. W. Ray, formerly connected with the Herald, and the postmaster of Sharon from March, 1879, to March, 1887, was admitted into the partnership, and the style of the firm changed to the "Eagle Printing Company." Under this name is now published the only daily sheet in Mercer County, and by it, also, the weekly began over thirteen years ago. The place of publication is the fine basement of the First National Bank building.

SHARPSVILLE PAPERS.

The Sharpsville Advertiser was established in 1870 by Walter Pierce, Esq., of Sharpsville, the first issue appearing October 21. Its size was 18x24 inches, and it was printed at the office of the Sharon Times. It had no subscription price, but circulated gratuitously among the business men of Sharpsville, who liberally patronized its advertising pages. On the 8th of February, 1871, it was enlarged to an eight-column, four-page sheet, 25x40 inches, and the price fixed at $1 per year. The printing was then done at the office of the Advance, of Greenville. In 1871 Mr. Pierce purchased the material of the Signal, established at Mercer about six months previously by William McKnight, but suspended in June of that year, and organized the "Sharpsville Printing Company." P. J. Bartleson, then connected with the Greenville Argus, was employed as editor. The first paper published in Sharpsville appeared August 23, 1871, the subscription price being put at $2 per year. On the 1st of January, 1872, another enlargement occurred, this time to a nine-column sheet, 28x44 inches. The paper has had a prosperous existence, and is still under the editorial and business management of Mr. Bartleson, the long-tried secretary of the school board.

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The Sharpsville Times is the title of a four-page, four-column weekly of Sharpsville, which began in the summer of 1887. It was started by M. W. Thompson and S. W. Hazen, at 75 cents per year. It is devoted largely to local and personal news.

OTHER PAPERS.

In November, 1873, the Jamestown Sun was started in Jamestown, a four-page, eight-column paper, by D. L. Calkins and wife, publishers and editors. It was independent. Price, $1.50 per year. It continued to bat- tle against its evil star until March, 1879, when, owing to the burning of Mr. Calkins' house and the death of his son, foreman of the office, its rays ceased to shine. In the fall of 1879 F. S. and F. A. Alden came from Cleveland to Jamestown and began the publication of the Jamestown Era, a seven-column folio, Republican in character, independent in pretension, but neutral in fact. They continued it under their own management for about four years, when they leased it to De Witt & Nichols, who changed its name to the Jamestown Democrat, and continued to preside over its destinies one year. At the expiration of that time F. A. Alden took it and published it one year as the Jamestown Sentinel. He sold his interest to F. W. McCoy and J. B. Robinson, both from Sheakleyville, in October, 1885. They ran it as an independent for six months, when McCoy retired, and the firm changed to that of Robinson Brothers, its present proprietors and managers. They have added new type and new presses, and are in a prosperous condition. The Sentinel is independent in politics, and gives all parties fair treatment in its columns.

The Telephone, now published at Grove City, began its existence at Karns City, Butler Co., Penn., when that place was at its zenith as an oil town. It was started by J. Borland in the interest of the Greenback Labor party, but failing to receive proper support he changed it, in 1881, to an inde- pendent journal, and added a column to each page. Karns City suffering the decline consequent to the wane of the oil excitement, Mr. Borland sought a new field for his paper. Grove City, then called Pine Grove, offered better inducements, and he consequently came thither and issued the first copy of the Pine Grove Telephone on July 22, 1882. M. W. Moore, who learned the printing trade in the office of the Kittanning Sentinel, came with Mr. Borland as the foreman of the new paper. The Telephone having received a hearty reception in its new field, began to prosper. On the 15th of November, 1882, the name was changed from Pine Grove to Grove City Telephone, to corre- spond with the changed name of the village. With few changes, it continued under the management of Mr. Borland until August 1, 1884, when A. C. Ray, now local editor of the Dispatch and Republican at Mercer, purchased a half interest. Two weeks later he purchased the other half, and at once transferred it to A. A. Little, of Millbrook, who still retains his interest. At that time the Telephone was issued from what is now the office of the Union Heat and Light Company, but December, 1884, was removed to the upper rooms of W. A. Young & Son's harness store, corner of Broad and Pine Streets. On December 1, 1885, Mr. Little purchased Ray's interest in the Telephone, and immediately transferred it to Mrs. Maggie C. Moore, who is represented in the business by her husband, M. W. Moore. He brought into the office an outfit of job material, which he had used at Sandy Lake prior to joining in the Grove City enterprise. When the new partnership was formed, W. H. McElwain, student at law in Mercer, was chosen to do editorial work, and continued in that relation until July, 1887, when he removed to Findlay, Ohio, his present home. Since that date Mr. Little has occupied the editorial tripod. The

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Telephone was printed on a hand press until the 6th of April, 1888, when it was supplied with a power press, and now rejoices in increased facilities, growing patronage and enlarged usefulness.

The Sandy Lake News was established August 4, 1874, under the fostering care of Capt. James F. Johnston. It was a six-column folio, patent outside, and for the first six months was printed by the Jamestown Sun. Capt. John- ston was advised by the leading citizens to relinquish his efforts to establish a paper in Sandy Lake, because they believed it would be a failure. He pro- posed to "fight it out on that line," and accordingly he bought an outfit of type at Andover, Ohio, and moved it to the second floor of the Kirk Building. He subsequently sold out to A. H. Owen, who in a few weeks disposed of the business to L. E. Hogue, from whom it passed into the hands of its present owner, L. I. Crawford, in 1876. Under its present management it is fighting the traffic in alcoholic stimulants, and has built up quite a good circulation among the temperance element of the county.

The Lake Local was established in May, 1879, in Sandy Lake, by W. R. Eckles and J. A. Clary, It was a five-column folio, 17x24, and was printed in the Foster Building. At the end of one year Clary sold his interest to A. E. Long, who, after one year's experience, sold to E. G. Eberman and V. C. Place, and the paper was published for a short time under the firm name of Eckles & Co. Rev. A. T. Wolff, now a Presbyterian minister located at Al- ton, Ill., bought out Eberman and Place, and with Eckles continued until he sold his interest back to E. G. Eberman, who eventually became the sole pro- prietor, and remains such. March 1, 1883, the office was transferred to its present quarters at Stoneboro, and was at that time changed to a four-column quarto, its present size. Mr. Eckles has continued from the beginning to edit and manage the paper and the job department connected therewith, the office being fitted up with an excellent supply of job type and good presses. Its cir- culation is confined principally to the northeastern portion of the county.

CHAPTER XI.

BENCH AND BAR-THE LAW PROFESSION-THE BENCH-SKETCHES OF PRESIDENT JUDGES-ASSOCIATE JUDGES-THE BAR-BRIEF BIOGRAPHIES OF DECEASED ATTORNEYS WHO PRACTICED AT THE MERCER BAR-PRESENT BAR OF MER- CER COUNTY.

L AW is said to be a rule of action. Its purpose, as applied to human con-

duct, is to command and direct that which is right, and to restrain that which is evil. Its foundation is justice. It cannot result in harm to anyone, provided its behests are wisely and impartially enforced. Its temple is holy, and no unholy feet may enter its innermost recesses. He who studies its pages with a view of learning its sublime teachings, should early learn to re- move the sandals from his feet, realizing that the ground upon which he is about to tread is sacred. Advocates who have such a conception of her sphere are invited to enter; demagogues are expected to maintain a respectable dis- tance. The law affords an ample field for the exercise of the highest mental, moral and social endowments. Education, a knowledge of human nature, a love of justice, philanthropic impulses, patriotism-all these and other qualifi-

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cations should be possessed by him who would attain a fair position in the courts of justice. The mere tricks, that win for the hour, can never secure permanent fame. Honesty, integrity, true manhood, careful study of the fundamental principles of law, an acquaintanceship with the various realms of human knowlege, and a consecrated devotion to the profession, have all con- spired to give true lasting fame to those who have achieved success, either as attorneys or jurists.

The courts of Mercer County, like others in Western Pennsylvania, have been dominated by judges and attorneys, some of whom were residents of the county and acquainted with its struggles and successes, while others have come only on missions of business. An examination of the lists of attorneys will reveal the fact that many of the advocates at the bar were from adjoining counties, and some even from other States. In treating this subject we give, first, the list of the members of the bench, and then those who practiced at the bar. So far as they could be obtained, sketches of the more prominent are presented. Living representatives are placed in the regular biographical department of this work.

THE BENCH.

The first judge who sat on the bench in Mercer County was Hon. Jesse Moore. He was a native of Montgomery County, Penn., and a stanch Dem- ocrat. While practicing law at Sunbury he was appointed president judge of the Sixth Judicial District, his commission dating April 5,- 1803. He re- moved at once to Meadville to assume the duties of his position, which he held, without interruption, until the day of his death, December 21, 1824, in the fifty-ninth year of his age. He was well educated, a diligent student and a good lawyer, discreet, upright, and impartial in his judicial opinions and decisions. He sustained, with becoming grace, the honor and dignity of his profession, and is said to have made an imposing appearance. A competent eye-witness (William S. Garvin) testifies that he was a heavy, solemn-looking man, and retained the dress of the old-style gentleman-small clothes, shoe buckles, knee buckles; bald head, with the long hair behind done up in a queue; head and hair and collar of the black coat covered with powder sprinkled thereon.

The second judge was Henry Shippen, also an adherent of the Democratic party. He was born in Lancaster, Penn., on December 28, 1788. He grad- uated from Dickinson College, at Carlisle, in 1808. His law reading was prosecuted with Judge Hopkins, of Lancaster, and in due time he was admit- ted to the bar. During the War of 1812 he was captain of a company from Lancaster which numbered as one of its privates James Buchanan, subse- quently President of the United States. Returning from the war, he started and built up a large practice in his native town. He finally removed to Hunt- ingdon, Penn., from which place he was appointed president judge of the judi- cial district embracing Crawford, Erie, Venango and Mercer Counties. His appointment was dated January 24, 1825. He continued in his judicial func- tions until the time of his death, which occurred March 2, 1839. He is reputed to have been a man of good sense and sound judgment; and, though quick tempered, was uniformly courteous and dignified to the profession. His charges and decisions were characterized by dignity and uprightness.

A change having occurred in the composition of the district, Hon. John Bredin became president judge on the 10th of May, 1831. He was a resident of Butler, Penn., and was admitted to practice at Mercer November 18, 1817. He was an able and upright judge, who labored earnestly to discharge

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the duties of his high station. While doing equal justice to all, he was kind, courteous and gentlemanly in all his relations with the bench, the bar and the people of the district. All the counties in his district recommended him to the Democratic State Convention for nomination for the Supreme Bench. He held the position of president judge of the Seventeenth Judicial District for twenty years. He died May 21, 1851.

The next on the bench was Hon. Daniel Agnew, then and still a resident of Beaver, Penn. He was born in Trenton, N. J., January 5, 1809. His education was received mainly in Western Pennsylvania, and embraced a thor- ough classical training. He began the study of law under Henry Baldwin and W. W. Fetterman, and was admitted to the bar in the spring of 1829, and shortly afterward opened an office in Pittsburgh. In the fall of the same year he removed to Beaver, where he soon built up a large and lucrative practice. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1837-38. In June, 1851, he was appointed by Gov. Johnston to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Judge Bredin, and in the ensuing October was elected for a term of ten years, and re-elected in 1861. In October, 1863, he was elected a judge of the Supreme Court. In 1873 his term as chief justice began, and expired in 1879. During the War of the Rebellion Judge Agnew charged a jury in Law- rence County that sympathy in the North with the rebellion was treason, and should be indicted. His patriotic firmness was a great support to the State and national government. He is regarded one of the ablest jurists Western Penn- sylvania has produced.

Another change in the district having occurred, John S. McCalmont was appointed president judge June 15, 1853, and elected the 15th of the ensuing October. He is the son of John McCalmont, of Franklin. He spent sev- eral years in attendance at Allegheny College, Meadville, leaving it in 1838 because of an appointment as cadet to the military academy at West Point, where he graduated a few years subsequently. He spent some time afterward in the regular army. Returning to his home, he read law and was admitted to the bar. When the rebellion began he entered the service as colonel of the Pennsylvania volunteers, and did efficient service, being a brave and conscientious officer. He is a Democrat, and was elected judge at a time when his party was strongly in the majority in the district. When the Cleve- land administration began, he received an appointment in Washington, which position he still occupies.

Judge McCalmont was succeeded on the bench by James L. Campbell, who was elected October 11. 1861. He is a native of Centre County, but removed to Clarion County shortly after its formation. He studied law in Centre, but his practicing occurred mainly in Clarion, his adopted county. He is a strong Republican. His election was brought about as follows: Hon. William Stew- art, of Mercer, was the regular nominee of the Republican party. Some dis- satisfaction existing, Mr. Campbell was designated by the Independent Republicans as the people's candidate. He was also endorsed by the Demo- cratic Convention, which gave him sufficient strength to elect him. His administration was efficient, meeting the most sanguine expectations of his friends and earnest supporters. It is proper to state that Judge Campbell had nothing to do with securing his nomination, it being an entire surprise to him.

The next occupant of the bench was Hon. John Trunkey. He was born Octo- ber 26, 1828, in Vernon Township, Trumbull Co .. Ohio, while his mother was visiting a friend of the family. His parents, Francis and Rachael (Fell) Trunkey, removed to the farm in West Salem Township, Mercer Co., Penn., on the Ohio line, where his aged mother still lives, immediately after their marriage. Here he

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grew up, and received a good common school education. He afterward engaged in teaching, and in 1849 entered the law office of Hon. Samuel Griffith, of Mercer. On September 17, 1851, he was admitted to practice, and the firm of Griffith & Trunkey, formed shortly after the admission to the bar of the junior member, was well known in Western Pennsylvania, and transacted a large share of the legal business in Mercer and the adjoining counties. In 1853 John Trunkey and Agnes Garvin, daughter of the late Hon. William S. Garvin, were married. Three children were born to them, of whom only one is living, William G. Trunkey, the eldest, now a member of the Warren bar.

On the 9th of October, 1866, Mr. Trunkey was elected as the Democratic candidate for president judge in the district then composed of Venango and Mercer Counties. His great personal popularity, and his conceded integrity and ability, enabled him to overcome a large adverse political majority on that occa-' sion. Shortly after his election he chose Franklin as his residence, and that town was his home up to his death. In 1876 he was chosen to preside over the courts of Venango County, which had been erected into a separate judicial district. The following year he was elected, on the Democratic ticket, a justice of the Supreme Court, his term of office commencing in January, 1878. He died in London, England, on June 24, 1888. The following tribute to his memory fully illustrates his high character:

IN MEMORIAM.

At a court of common pleas, held at Mercer, in and for the county of Mer- cer, Penn., on the second day of July, 1888, the Hon. S. S. Mehard, president judge, presiding; was presented and read the following memorial on the death of Hon. John Trunkey, associate justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, adopted at a meeting of the members of the bar of said county on said second day of July, and which, on motion of Hon. Samuel Griffith, was ordered to be entered upon the record of said court:

GENTLEMEN OF THE BAR: Your committee respectfully report the following minute: Hon. John Trunkey, justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, died in London June 24, 1888. With deep sorrow we enter a minute of this sad event on the records of our court.

Judge Trunkcy was born and reared in Mercer County. In 1849 he began the study of law in Mercer, under the tuition of Hon. Samuel Griffith, and was admitted to the bar in 1851. Having formed a partnership with his preceptor he entered upon a large prac- tice. To this he gave zealous attention until called to the bench. In 1866 he was elected president judge of the Twenty-eighth Judicial District, then consisting of Mercer and Venango Counties, but in consequence of the new constitution his district was, in 1874, made to consist of Venango alone, where he at that time resided. He was re-elected to the same position in Venango County, but before he had served a year of his second term he was chosen justice of the supreme court of the State, upon the duties of which he entered in January, 1878. Judge Trunkey was a man of remarkable qualities. He had a clear, strong mind, a calm, noble spirit. His heart was always with the right, but not unduly bitter against wrong. As a lawyer he was high-minded, diligent and able, distinguished at once for his faithfulness to his clients and his fairness to his opponents. As a judge he was not only painstaking, accurate and learned, but clear, broad, upright and just. No influence was so subtle as to deceive his judgment; no interest so great as to turn him from his duty. By his death the State has lost a servant of commanding ability and untiring faithfulness. Mercer County has lost a son who will ever be to her a distinguished honor, and we of this bar have lost a member who was long our com- panion and always our friend.

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History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, Part 32

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