History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, Part 86

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

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JUDGE DAVID FINDLEY. - In 1796 or 1797 David Findley removed from Westmoreland County to Cool Spring Township, Mercer County, where he mar- ried Miss Nancy Rambo. He removed subsequently to Mercer. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and died at Fort Adams, Miss. His children were: Mary, never married; Nancy, married to Judge David T. Porter; John, went. to California in 1849, but returned to Mercer, where he died; William, learned the hatter's trade with Michael Yeager, leaving home suddenly, never returned; David W., known as Judge Findley, was born in Mercer, January 3, 1810, and died at his home, same place, December 30, 1887, nearly seventy-eight years old. He was engaged for many years in merchandising, was prothono- tary and clerk twice, and held the position of associate judge one term. He was also justice of the peace for a number of years, and finally, by common consent, was admitted to the Mercer County bar. He practiced law until his impaired physical condition compelled him to cease. He was a useful public man, thoroughly alive to questions that concerned the welfare of the people. For more than fifty years he was an exemplary member of the Presbyterian Church. During his earlier years he was a Whig, and then a Republican, but the closing years of his life were identified with the Democratic party. His name is held in great veneration in the community where his widow and children still reside.

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

R. T. FINDLEY, ex-county commissioner, was born February 3, 1829, in Sandy Creek Township, on the farm which he now owns. His father, Robert Findley, was born in Ireland, and emigrated, with his father, two brothers and two sisters, to America, and settled in Crawford County, Penn. Robert subsequently located in what is now French Creek Township, this county, and served in the War of 1812. He married Ann McCracken, and died in 1849, leaving four children: John, a resident of Perry Township; R. T., Mary, married James Brush and lives in Sheakleyville, and James, who died in the Civil War. The father was a Whig at the time of his death, also a member of the United Presbyterian Church. Our subject attended the common schools until he was sixteen years old. He afterward engaged in the stock business, which he never abandoned. He was the owner at an early day of a saw-mill, with water power, manufactured lumber and shipped it down the streams to Pittsburgh, where he sold it. He engaged in the mercantile business in Sheak- leyville in 1874, and after several years of successful operation, he sold out and took an interest in the planing mill of Thorn, Byers & Co., at Mercer. He was elected county commissioner in 1884 by the Democratic party and served with entire satisfaction to all. He was married in 1851 to Maria daughter of James and Maria (Thompson) Dunn, early settlers of the county. By this union he has three children: Emma, Mrs. Herringer, of Chicago; Frank W. and Hattie M., the wife of A. M. Imbrie, an attorney of Pittsburgh, Mrs. Findley died in 1861, a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was again married in 1862 to Almira Byers, daughter of James and Eliza- beth (Piper) Byers. James Byers was a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Ram- sey) Byers. Samuel Byers was born in 1762, in Maryland, and was the father of the following children: Agnes, Andrew, William, Samuel, John, Daniel, James, Ebenezer, Betsey. Samuel Byers settled in Mercer County in 1796 (now Lawrence County) and died in 1836, and his widow died in 1847. James Byers was born in 1800 on the old homestead near Pulaski, Lawrence County. At the age of twenty-eight he settled in Lake Township, and eight years later he located in Pulaski, where for ten years he kept hotel. He then pur- chased a farm in Venango County, where he lived for twenty-one years, and then purchased what was known as the "Half-way House," in Fairview Town- ship, and kept hotel for a number of years. He was married December 22, 1825, to Elizabeth Piper, by whom he had fourteen children, ten of whom grew up: Mahala, John, Zela, Rosetta, Almira, William R., James W., Meldo, Frances E. and Belle. He resides in Fairview Township and with his wife belongs to the Presbyterian Church of Fredonia. Mr. Findley is an officer of the Stoneboro Agricultural Society, is a Democrat, and one of the enterprising citizens of Mercer County.

A. B. FILSON, lumber dealer, was born February 28, 1841, in Frederick County, Md. His parents, William and Susan (Favorite) Filson, were natives of the same State, and came to this county in 1848, the trip being made by wagon. The father was appointed court crier in 1856, and continued until 1883. His wife died in 1863, the mother of eight children: Sarah, A. B., F. A., Clara, Laura, W. S., Margaret and John R., who died young. The father was again married to Elizabeth Madden, by whom he has one child, Onie. The father lives in Cool Spring Township, and belongs to the Meth- odist Church. A. B. Filson was educated by his father and in the common schools of Cool Spring Township. He also attended the Mercer High Schools when they were taught by Congressman A. J. Warner, of Ohio. He enlisted in the Mercer Rifle Company, known as Company G, Tenth Pennsylvania Vol- unteers. He served until February, 1863, when he was taken with pneu-

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monia, and after a period of treatment at the Odd Fellows' Hall in Wash- ington City he was discharged and returned home. In July of that year he went out with the militia to check Morgan on his raid through Ohio. He was first lieutenant of Company F, Fifty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteer Militia. He re-enlisted in Capt. Tanner's Company. He was in the Seven Days' Fight, and the second battle of Bull Run and Antietam. He was married to Emma J., daughter of Alexander Flowers, of Pittsburgh. By this union he has two children: Anna E. and William A. He was elected county auditor in 1869; was appointed postmaster of Mercer in 1876 by Hayes and re-appointed by Arthur, and by holding a short time under Cleveland he thus served under four Presidents-Hayes, Garfield, Arthur and Cleveland. Since leaving the post-office he has been devoting his time principally to political work. He is a member of the G. A. R., and at present the post commander of Mercer Post, 169, also F. & A. M .; is a Republican, and he and wife belong to the Second United Presbyterian Church. David Filson, the grandfather of our subject, was for some time engaged in running a transportation wagon from Baltimore to Erie City. He enlisted at Erie and served in the War of 1812. He came to Mercer County to live in 1861, and died in 1863. In 1888 our subject, in partnership with M. C. Zahniser, engaged in the general purchase and sale of lumber.

HERMAN FRANKEL, clothing merchant, was born in Germany July 22, 1844, and immigrated to America in March, 1868. He came to Greenville and was employed in the clothing house of Nathan Block. In 1871 he opened up a clothing house in Mercer under his own name, and in 1874 he took in R. R. Wright, which partnership still exists. He was married in 1882 to Miss Mary Zahniser, daughter of Rev. George W. Zahniser. He is interested in the L. M. Ormsby Coal Company of Jackson Township, and the Soldiers' Orphan School, being treasurer and secretary of the former. He is a stockholder in the First National Bank of Mercer; has been a member of the town council, and is a Republican.

HUGH A. GAMBLE, clerk to the county commissioners, was born January 6, 1845, in this county, to John and Isabella (Alexander) Gamble, natives, the former of Lancashire, England, and the latter of County Armagh, Ire- land. They immigrated to America about the years 1830 and 1831, respect- ively, and the father settled in Delaware, and the mother in West Salem Town- ships, this county. Their union gave them ten children: Hugh A., C. J., G. W., P. R., R. H., M. A., J. E., William, D. A. and Ida B. G. W. is dep- uty clerk of Rock Island County, Ill .; M. A. married A. R. Schadt; J. E. married W. A. Cubbison; William is bill clerk for the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific R. R., at Moline, Ill .; Ida B. married W. W. Hancox. The mother of the above named children is living. The father died in 1875, and was Past Grand of the I. O. O. F. at the time of his death. He served as poor director two years. Hugh A. Gamble was educated in the common schools of Mercer Coun- ty, enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Pennsylvania Vol- unteers, and served about eighteen months. He was wounded twice, the first time at the battle of the Wilderness. His life was spared then by a small am- brotype of his parents enclosed in a wooden case and lined with brass, which reached him on the evening before he received the wound. He had placed this much cherished treasure from his loved ones at home in the inside vest pocket just over his heart, and while on his knees in the act of loading his musket, he was struck with a rebel bullet which took effect in the picture, completely burying itself therein. He was knocked flat on his back and escaped with two ribs being broken. He at once returned the picture to his parents, together with

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the bullet, accompanied by a full explanation. He has no treasure on earth which he values more than that little historic ambrotype with its rebel bullet. His second wound was received at Petersburg. This time he lost one of his little fingers. On his return from the war he engaged in farming until 1872, when he was selected by the board of county commissioners as their clerk. He afterward served two years as deputy prothonotary and three years as deputy register and clerk of courts. In 1882 he was again called by the commissioners to assist them, and has held that position continually ever since. He was married October 20, 1870, to Rebecca J. Lundy, daughter of Samuel and Rebecca (Wilson) Lundy. She died October 24, 1884, leaving the following children: Ida M., Mamie Eva (deceased), Jennie B. and Luella May. He was again married in November, 1887, to Mrs. Jennie S. Ecker, the widow of Dr. S. N. Ecker, late of Jacksonville, Cumberland Co., Penn. Mr. Gamble is a member of the A. O. U. W., I. O. O. F., S. K., and is an earnest Republi- can.

HON. WILLIAM SWAN GARVIN, the veteran editor of the Western Press for so many years, was born in Mercer, Penn., June 25, 1806, his parents being John and Agnes Garvin, who had removed from Cumberland County to Mer- cer, and occupied a tract of land along Garvin's Run, immediately north of Mercer, their house standing near what is now known as Griffith's Spring. John Garvin, the paternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was of Scotch-Irish descent, migrating from the north of Ireland to this country prior to the Revolutionary War, and taking the oath of allegiance to Pennsylvania October 14, 1777, in Cumberland County. William's scholastic advantages were limited to a few months' attendance in the village school at Mercer, and yet his life-long work was a school. Though he knew not a noun from an adjec- tive, he wrote the most vigorous and accurate English. At the age of fourteen he entered the Western Press office, then owned by Jacob Herrington, as an apprentice, and served faithfully nearly six years. Following this, he went to

New York, and thence to New Orleans as a printer. Returning to New York he accepted the foremanship of the New York Albion, where he remained until his return to Mercer in 1830 to take charge of the Western Press, which he had meanwhile purchased from John Hoge and others. While in New York City Mr. Garvin was married to Miss Annie Hoyt Lockwood. From this union the following children were born: Annie Hoyt, afterward Mrs. James Hazel- ton; Agnes Swan, subsequently Mrs. Judge John Trunkey, wife of the late associate justice of the State of Pennsylvania, whose biographical sketch will be found elsewhere; Sarah Lockwood, afterward Mrs. Nesbitt, John G., Edwin Laughlin Garvin, now living near Oberlin, Ohio; Julia Olmstead, William Swan and David Wilmot. Of this number the only ones living are Mrs. Judge John Trunkey, Edwin L. and David Wilmot, of Florida. Mr. Garvin's power was shown in his career as editor of the Western Press, which he owned and managed, with brief interruptions, for more than half a century. For the par- ticulars as to the changes through which it passed, the reader is referred to the chapter on " The Press." As a political writer he was vigorous, fearless and inci- sive, ever maintaining to the utmost of his ability the principles of the Demo- cratic party, with which he was identified throughout his long life. His power was felt as a journalistic leader of his party, not only in the politics of the county but of the State. A strict adherent of the principles of Jeffersonian- ism, he did not hesitate to proclaim his faith everywhere and under most try- ing circumstances. He never retreated from his foe, but fought the battle vig- orously until it was properly ended. He was a student of the constitution, and practically accepted and defended the political doctrine of State's rights

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as constitutional. In 1845 he was the Democratic candidate for Congress, his opponent being the Hon. John J. Pearson. Though the district was largely Whig, it was carried by Mr. Garvin by a small majority. He represented his district with ability and credit both to himself and his constituents. He was twice postmaster of Mercer, first in 1837 during the administration of Van Buren, and next during the administration of Andrew Johnson, 1865-69. He was also flour inspector of Pittsburgh under Gov. Packer. Mr. Garvin was the close and intimate friend of Gen. Simon Cameron, Hon. Benjamin H. Brewster and Judge Wilmot. Though separated politically in later years from Cameron and Brewster by reason of their affiliation with the Re- publican party, no interruption of personal friendship ever ensued. He was conspicuous in Pennsylvania as an opponent of James Buchanan's nomina- tion for the Presidency, and more than once was instrumental in preventing it by withholding a portion of the State delegation from Buchanan's support. Personally Mr. Garvin was a kind man, though at times he appeared to some gruff and unsociable. Afflicted for years with disease that impaired his health and soured his disposition, he was most kindly and lovingly appreciated by those who best knew his natural kindness of heart and temper. As an infant he was taken into the membership of the United Presbyterian Church, or its antecedent, the Associate Reformed, but at the time of his death he was iden- tified with the Protestant Episcopal Church. His death occurred on the 20th of February, 1883, in the seventy-seventh year of his age. His remains rest quietly in the Mercer cemetery.

JOHN I. GORDON, of Mercer, was born in Mill Creek Township, this county, March 3, 1845, and lived on the same farm, attending district school and the New Lebanon Academy three terms prior to August, 1862, when he enlisted as a private in Company A, One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Regiment Penn- sylvania Volunteers, and was discharged from the United States service in December, 1864, on account of a gun-shot wound received in the battle of the Wilderness, Virginia. On returning from the army, after his health had suf- ficiently recovered, he attended the State Normal School at Edinboro, alter- nating with teaching until in the spring of 1868, when he began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. Giebner, of Sandy Lake. In 1869 he was elected recorder of deeds of this county, and assumed his official duties the first Monday of December of that year; following this he served three years as prothonotary's clerk, and on January 1, 1876, he assumed the management and control of the Mercer Dispatch newspaper and is still connected with that business, although doing but little in the office since January, 1881. In 1880 he was a delegate to the Republican National Convention at Chicago. The past seven years he has been engaged principally in farming. He is interested in the Soldiers' Orphan School at Mercer, is a Republican, a member of the Second United Presbyterian Church and is superintendent of its Sabbath- schools.

THOMAS GRAHAM died in Mercer on the 4th of April, 1833, in his sixty- third year. His remains lie in the old graveyard back of the First Presby- terian Church. He was born in Ireland, and married Margaret Irwin, of Carlisle, Penn. His children, Isabella (now Mrs. Forker, of Mercer, aged eighty-seven); Susan, wife of Charles Whistler, deceased; Margaret (Mowry) and Thompson.

MAJ. THOMAS GRAHAM, son of Thomas Graham, hotel keeper, was a prac- tical joker-a man of the world. He was a resident of Mercer for fifty-four years, and was, at the time of his death, which occurred on the 3d of January, 1871, sixty-three years of age. In the language of Mr. Garvin, a warm per-

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sonal friend, he was "possessed of a vigorous mind, ready and pungent wit and general good sense. He was a recognized leader of the Democracy of Mercer County, firm and reliable in prosperity and adversity."

C. J. GREGORY, operator of the United Line of Telegraph, was born November 4, 1850, in Warren County, Penn. He was educated in the com- mon schools and at Sugar Grove. He spent his younger days on his father's farm. He began to support himself at the age of fifteen years by hiring out to labor on a farm. He subsequently clerked in a dry goods store. At the age of twenty-one years he entered the Iron City Business College, where he was graduated. Soon after he purchased a saw-mill in Warren County, Penn., and operated it with good results for four years. He was married in 1874 to Miss Eleanora Davis, who died in 1882. He sold his saw-mill in 1880, and in 1883 he began the study of telegraphy at Sugar Grove, on the line he is now engaged with. In a very short time he had mastered the art sufficiently to warrant the company to give him charge of an office at Frewsburg, N. Y. After a period of success there he was transferred to Sugar Grove, where he remained until 1885, when he came to Mercer and fills the position -entrusted to him with satisfaction to all concerned. He was again married in 1887 to Miss Sadie Wright, a niece of the Hon. George W. Wright. He is a member of the A. O. U. W., and is a Republican. His estimable wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

SAMUEL GRIFFITH, attorney, was born in Merther Tydvil, in South Wales, February 14, 1816, the son of Lewis and Jane (Parry) Griffith, and the grand- son of Samuel Griffith. His ancestry, as will be seen, is genuine Welsh. In 1818 his parents came to America with their two children, Philip and Samuel, and located in Butler County, where they resided until 1827, when they removed to a farm, one and one-half miles west of Mercer. For five years Samuel lived on the farm with his parents, assisting his father in digging coal and hauling it to Mercer. During one of those winters he attended a country school on "Yankee Ridge," the teacher being Theodore Newcomb. In the spring of 1836, at the age of twenty, he left home and devoted six years to acquiring an education, relying solely upon his own efforts for the requisite means. He attended Allegheny College three sessions during 1836-37. He then taught school in New Castle in the winter of 1837, and in the spring of 1838, became acquainted with Rev. John Gamble, the distinguished linguist of his day, with whom he spent four years, two in Greenville and two in Franklin, a part of the time as an assistant instructor. Mr. Griffith had the reputation of being one of the best linguists Dr. Gamble ever trained. In the fall of 1842, he took charge of the Mercer Academy, and continued in that capacity for two years, the attendance ranging from sixty to eighty pupils, mainly in the classics. In the autumn of 1844, he made a trip West and South, visiting the principal cities along the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. The winter he spent in teaching a classical school in Jackson, Miss. The following year he returned, resumed his legal studies under William Stewart and R. C. Rankin, and was admitted to the bar in 1846. He began his legal practice in Mercer, and has continued a member of its bar to the present time. He has been the Gamaliel of the Mercer bar, many of its younger attorneys having prosecuted the study of law under his directions. He him- self has stood one of the leaders of the bar, his practice being an extensive one. He has devoted himself assiduously to his profession, having been no aspirant for the petty offices that often tempt waiting attorneys. Mr. Griffith was, on August 7, 1849, married to Miss Caroline M. Foster, daughter of Samuel B. Foster, Esq., whose sketch is given in the "Bench and Bar" chap-

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ter. From this union sprang the following children, still living: Samuel B., a practicing attorney in Mercer, being at present associated with his father in business; William Harry, at present residing at Denver, Col., practicing law, and acting as business manager of the Times Publishing Company, a Republican institution; and Caroline Foster, single, still residing at home. Mr. Griffith was elected to Congress in 1870, by a majority of over 900 in a strong Republican district. He served one term. He was also an elector on the Hancock ticket in 1880. At present his affiliation is with the Democratic party and the Methodist Episcopal Church. His step is firm and elastic, and his natural force unabated.

HON. HENRY HALL, editor of the Mercer Dispatch and Republican, and attorney, was born in England, and immigrated to this county with his parents in 1858. He read law with the firm of Miller & Gordon, of Mercer, and was admitted to the Mercer bar in 1886. In 1878 he was elected recorder of this county, and served one term. Since 1881 he has been editor in charge of the Mercer Dispatch and Republican, and part owner of the same. In 1886 he was chosen by the Republicans as their representative to the State Legis- lature, and re-elected by them to the same position in 1888. He is an enthu- siastic Republican, and one of the self-made, talented young men of Mercer County.

L. HEFLING, retired bank cashier, was born October 23, 1830, in Harrison County, Ohio, son of Fielding and Sarah (Billingsley) Hefling, the parents of seven children. Our subject remained at home until twenty years of age. He was engaged in carpentering and cabinet-making for a few years. In 1855 he attended a mercantile college of Pittsburgh and was book-keeper at Cadiz, Ohio, for seven years. He was married in 1860 to Mary Kennedy and has four children: Maude I., Lula M., Cora G. and Marcy K. Mr. Hefling came to Mercer in 1864 and was employed as book-keeper in the First National Bank for two years, and the following four years held the same position in the pri- vate banking firm of Zahniser & Co .; formed a partnership in the Sharon Banking Company for three years; was cashier of the Sharpsville Iron Banking Company the following two years, and at the establishing of the Farmers and Mechanics' National Bank of Mercer, he became its first cashier, which posi- tion he held until 1884, when he was succeeded by John Robinson.

JACOB HERRINGTON .- The subject of this memoir came from Meadville to Mercer County in the early part of 1811, bringing with him the materials with which the Western Press newspaper was first printed, portions of which yet stand in its present printing office. The War of 1812 soon following, this paper, less than a fourth the size of the present sheet, was comparatively prosperous in obtaining a subscription list, but paying advertisements were few and far between, and as to job printing, with the exception of a few horse bills in the spring season, there was almost none. For the first few years Mr. Herrington annually printed an almanac, calculated for the meridian of Pitts- burgh (by the Rev. John Taylor, who is recollected as residing alternately in Pittsburgh and in Mercer County, where he met his death, in 1838, in Salem Township, from lightning, being killed by it while in his bed at night), and also several editions of a little primer, ornamented with the engravings that were explained in side notes, such as: "In Adam's fall, we sinned all," "Xerxes the Great did die, and so must you and I," and the always interest- ing representation of the burning of John Rogers, with his wife and nine children as spectators, and containing the Westminster Shorter Catechism. These publications were principally traded for rags, that were turned over to the paper maker. At that time there were but two newspapers in this part of

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the State, the Crawford Messenger, published by Thomas Atkinson in Mead- ville, and the Western Press, by Jacob Herrington in Mercer. In looking over the files of the Press, between 1811 and 1816, we find the Franklin lists of letters, proclamations of elections in Venango County, and the treasurer's sales in the counties of Venango and Warren were advertised in Mr. Herring- ton's paper, and where public meetings were held in Erie that the Messenger and Press were alike furnished with copies of proceedings and requested to publish them. In 1813 Mr. Herrington was elected to the House of Assembly. He was re-elected in 1814, 1815 and 1816, and again in 1818 and in 1820, and lastly in 1834; in all he served seven times as representative in the House. In 1821 he was elected to the State Senate, and re-elected in 1823, making thirteen years that he represented the people of Mercer County in a legislative capacity, a longer period than that of any other citizen before or since that time. In those days, when the people needed assistance in opening roads, building bridges, etc., the representative that could get the most money appropriated out of the State treasury for their benefit was, by far, the most popular man. In this, Mr. Herrington was peculiarly fortunate. He suc- ceeded Mr. James Montgomery in the House, who had failed to secure a $3,000 appropriation to help build the Mercer Academy, which had been asked for, and was successful in his effort to obtain it. . He afterward obtained State assistance in opening several roads, more particularly a subscription of $20,000 to the stock of the Mercer and Meadville Turnpike, and afterward to a similar amount in the stock of the Butler and Mercer Turnpike Company. These public services, along with his social qualities and kind and obliging disposition, contributed to give him great power with the people, by whom, for a number of years, he was almost idolized. He was enterprising, and was the first citizen of the county that entered largely into the driving of cattle to the eastern market; kept a very large store and gave credit to every one that asked for it. As he never enforced collection by law, the result in the end, about 1826, was a failure in business, when the newspaper went out of his hand into that of John Hoge, Esq. For some years afterward he busied himself in various ways to wring from the world a support for himself and family, when in 1834, his party again placed him in nomination for the Legislature. The Democrats were then in a minority, the anti-Masons holding a decided majority of the popular vote, yet a sympathetic feeling for Mr. Herrington, although a member of the lodge, enabled him to get a majority of six votes over his competitor, Mr. William S. Rankin.

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History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, Part 86

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