History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, Part 90

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

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JAMES ORR, lumber dealer and contractor, was born August 24, 1843, in Jackson Township, Mercer County, son of William and Nancy (McCaf- ferty) Orr, natives of Ireland. The parents settled in Jackson Township in 1843, where they still reside. Their children are: John, James, Will- iam, Jane, Hannah, Nancy (deceased), Eliza, Reed (deceased), Belle (de- ceased), Caroline (deceased), Reed (deceased), Mamie. Our subject was edu- cated in the country schools of Jackson Township. He began for himself in a coal bank at small wages. During the years 1864-65 he was employed on a farm in California. He returned in the spring of 1866, and engaged at the carpenter's trade with A. B. Moon, with whom he remained for eight years. In 1872 he was operating a store at Bethel, this county. One year later he began dealing in lumber and contracting. In 1882 he established his extensive lumber yard at Mercer. Since 1873 he has given his entire time to his present business, and has built many excellent buildings in Mercer County, prominent among which are the Grove City College and Orr's Opera House at Mercer. He was married in 1871 to Miss Alice, daughter of William Thompson, of Sheakleyville. By this union he has two children, Harry W. and Nina M. He is a member of the A. O. U. W., K. of H., and, with his wife, belongs to the First Presbyterian Church of Mercer. He is a Democrat and one of the prosperous and enterprising citizens of Mercer County.

ROBERT ORR, boot and shoe dealer, was born in this county to Elias and

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

Margaret (Holliday) Orr, natives, the father of Springfield Township, Mercer County, and the mother of what is now Lawrence County. The mother died in Fairview Township January 1, 1886, after having blessed her husband with eight children: Mary (married Alexander Black, of Springfield Township), Robert, Beriah (lives in Fairview Township), Sarah (a maiden lady), James W., Samuel H., John M. and Margaret, all of whom live in Mercer County. Robert, our subject, was educated in the common schools and was taught how to farm. Early in the beginning of the war he responded to the call for defenders. of the Union, enlisting in Company K, Sixty-third Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served nearly four years. He was slightly wounded at the battle of Bull Run, and participated in the battle of Gettysburg and many others with the Army of the Potomac. He was married to Mary Paden, one of six living chil- dren of John Paden, of Delaware Township: Eliza (the wife of D. W. Webster, of California), Margaret (the wife of Gilbert Johnson, of Wolf Creek Town- ship), William (a merchant of Greenville), Rebecca (the wife of George E. Tanner, of Mercer), and Maria (married C. W. Gamble, a merchant of Fair- view). Further mention will be found elsewhere. Mr. and Mrs. Orr have five living children: L. W., John P., Samuel J., Olive and Robert M. Mr. Orr was elected county treasurer in 1881 and served one term. In 1885 he pur- chased a stock of boots and shoes of W. W. Thorn and removed them to his present room, where he carries on a prosperous business. He gives his own personal attention to his business, and like all who love their vocation is suc- cessful. He is assisted in an efficient way by his sons. He and his wife belong to the Second Presbyterian Church, and he is a stanch Republican.

ANDREW J. PALM, editor and proprietor of the Mercer Western Press, was born in Sandy Creek Township, Mercer County, June 21, 1848. His father, William Palm, is mentioned elsewhere. Our subject was educated at the New Lebanon Academy, Jamestown Seminary and at the Edinboro Normal, Erie County, Penn., graduating at the last named in 1871. He taught school a. number of terms, and from 1878 to 1884 was county superintendent of schools for Mercer County. He began the publication of the Teachers' Advocate in Mercer in 1879, which was afterward consolidated with the Allegheny Teacher of Allegheny City and the Educational Voice of Pittsburgh, and a new monthly issued in their stead called the Educational Review. This afterward passed into the ownership of Mr. Palm, who changed it to the name of Pennsylvania Teacher. It was sold in 1884. In the last mentioned year Mr. Palm took charge of the Western Press, of which he is the owner of seven-eighths. He was married in 1875 to Lena Counselman, who was born in French Creek Township, this county, in 1857. Her father, Joel Counselman, was born in Dauphin County, Penn., in 1820, and her mother, Sarah (Clinger) Counsel- man, was born in Venango County, Penn., in 1824. By his union Mr. Palm has four children: Charles O., Bessie, Ida B. and Lorena. In politics he is a. Democrat.

ANDREW PATTERSON, deceased, was born in Cumberland County, Penn., November 15, 1792. He was one of three children: Elizabeth, Andrew and Robert. The three came to Mercer. One Samuel Patterson came to Mercer about the year 1800, and engaged in the tannery business near where the North Western Hotel now stands, and when Andrew came he joined Samuel in this tannery. The first money Andrew Patterson made in Mercer County was $5 for tanning a bear-skin. He afterward engaged in the mercantile busi- ness, beginning about the year 1811, in a building where is now located Meyer's restaurant. It was a log structure, and, although somewhat demol- ished, is still standing. His principal trade was with the numerous Indians,

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

exchanging with them gunpowder for lead, which was to him a great wonder as to where these red men obtained this lead. He continued in the mercantile business in Mercer for about fifty-eight years, and was married in 1818 to Eliza Brown, daughter of Alexander Brown, who was captured by the Indians near Pittsburgh. Mr. Patterson settled at marriage in a frame building just west of where the Farmers' and Mechanics' National Bank now stands. This building is standing and in the possession of the family. He soon after trans- ferred his stock of goods to a portion of his dwelling, and there did business until a few years prior to his death, which occurred in August, 1869. His first wife died in 1840, having blessed him with the following children: Mary, died young; Elizabeth, married Dr. D. H. A. McLean; Imelda, married James McGill; Eveline, married Dr. G. W. Baskin; Robert, lives in Beaver County; Helen and Emma, both died young. He was again married on October 15, 1850, to Margaret Martin, daughter of John Martin, of Cumberland County. By her he had one son, John A. B. His widow is living in Mercer, and is an excellent Christian lady. Andrew Patterson, Sr., the father of our subject, married Elizabeth Dixon April 10, 1771. Samuel, his son, was born August 14, 1775, and Nathan, another son, was born September 15, 1773. Andrew, Sr., was married a second time, that event being March 6, 1788, to Mary Wilson. By this union he had three children, Elizabeth, Robert and Andrew, mentioned above. Elizabeth was born March 14, 1798; Robert, born Decem- ber 19, 1790, and Andrew, birth given above. Andrew Patterson, our sub- ject, bought from the settlers around Mercer large quantities of home-made linen, with which he purchased seven acres of land, on a portion of which the residence of James A. Stranahan now stands. The Pattersons were strong Presbyterians, and Andrew gave his assistance to everything that had a ten- dency to build up Mercer or the surrounding country.

GEORGE E. PATTERSON, deceased, was born January 21, 1851, in Wolf Creek Township, this county, where his father settled in 1845. His father died several years ago, but his mother still lives on the old homestead. Besides George there were of the family three sons and one daughter, all of whom are living. After attending the common schools George went to the academy at Grove City, then taught by Rev. Dickson and wife. He taught a number of terms in Venango and Mercer Counties, and then entered the uni- versity at Wooster, Ohio, where he graduated in 1876. After this he was principal of Sandy Lake schools for a year, and the two years following con- ducted an academy at Wurtemburg, Lawrence County. While there he regis- tered as a law student with D. S. Morris, Esq., of New Castle, and was admitted to the bar in 1880. Soon afterward he presented himself for admis- sion to the Mercer bar, and after passing a highly creditable examination was admitted. He was elected district attorney in 1884. In July, 1886, he was married to Miss Susan Given, of Wooster, Ohio, whose father, Hon. William Given, resigned his position as judge of Wayne County, Ohio, to enter the Union army. The Mercer Western Press said the following editorially in giv- ing an account of his death, which occurred December 9, 1887: "District Attorney George E. Patterson, whose death was hourly expected when we went to press last week, died at 3 o'clock on Friday morning. Not since the death of Judge McDermitt has the decease of any man in the county caused so profound and general a feeling of regret. For almost three years he had served the county faithfully and ably as public prosecutor, and the people felt that their interests were faithfully guarded by one whose hands were never stained with a bribe. While he was not disposed to be severe against the wrong-doer who was more unfortunate than wicked, yet no criminal ever came

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before Mr. Patterson hoping to escape the penalty of the law by compromising his case to the personal advantage of the district attorney. Considered in every respect, he was, perhaps, the most promising young lawyer at our bar. Though he had been admitted but seven years, it has been more than once remarked in our hearing that, if he kept his health and habits of mind and body, he would be the next Republican nominee for judge of Mercer County. He was a diligent student, and had a mind trained to habits of study. He was clear and logical, and the theory of his case as presented before the court was always reasonable and consistent. In addition to his being a close stu- dent and a good reasoner, he was a fluent speaker, using clear, strong and cor- rect language. Socially, he was an agreeable, courteous gentleman. While not much given to those light pleasantries, by which too many are inclined to judge a man's social qualities, he was a good conversationalist, and one with whom it was a pleasure to converse. Morally, he was one whose example was worthy of imitation."

BEVAN PEARSON, one of the prominent citizens of Mercer County, was the fourth son of John and Anna Pearson. He was born in Darby, Delaware Co., Penn., on the 26th of December, 1773. His brothers and sisters were Charles, Benjamin, Thomas and Anna B. His father having married a second time to a Miss Johnson, he had four step-brothers and sisters, viz. : George, Hannah, John B. and Margaret. Of these brothers and sisters Thomas, Anna B. (Gar- rett), George and Margaret all removed to Mercer County and became the porgen- itors of all the Pearsons living now in Mercer or 'Lawrence Counties. Bevan Pearson enjoyed all the advantages afforded in his early days by the schools of Eastern Pennsylvania. At the age of twenty-two he married, in 1795, Miss Anna Warner, by whom he had the following children: William Warner, deceased; Henry, deceased; John J., late of Harrisburg, Penn. (see sketch in Bench and Bar chapter); Sarah W., born August 14, 1803, still living in Mercer; Thomas W., died young; Benjamin B., deceased; Thomas W., second child by that name, deceased; Anna B., still living at Meadville, the wife of Judge Gaylord Church. Mr. Pearson removed to Neshannock Township, Mercer County, in 1805, and remained there till 1809, when he became a resident of Mercer. In 1808 he was elected a member of the Legislature, and in the following year was appointed to the various offices connected with the court. He was burgess of Mercer for many years, and was identified with the growth of the Mercer Academy.

JOHNSON PEARSON, attorney, was born in what is now Lawrence County (then Mercer), January 10, 1819, to George and Sarah (Reynolds) Pearson. The father was born in Delaware County, Penn., where he learned the tanner and currier's trade. He came to this county in 1803, and in 1806 he went down the Ohio River, working at his trade, as far as New Orleans. Thence to Char- leston, S. C., and there followed his trade for some time; returned to his native county, and in 1810 he located on a farm in what is now Lawrence County. He married Sarah Reynolds, daughter of James Reynolds, who was connected with an old forge situated in the present limits of Lawrence County, which was one of the first forges west of Pittsburgh. In 1854 the father of Johnson Pearson removed with his family to New Castle, where he principally

retired from labor. He was reared in the Quaker faith, and was one of the earliest advocates of the Whig party. When eighty years old he marched on double-quick with a militia company, organized as home guards during the Rebellion, much to the amusement and delight of the by-standers. He was the father of eight children: James, died in 1857; Thomas, Charles, George, Hannah R., married to James R. Shaw; Johnson, John and another, of

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whom the last two died in infancy. The original Pearsons immigrated to America from the west of England with William Penn. Johnson Pearson was educated in the log cabin schools and acquired the knowledge of geography and English grammar by his own efforts, his early teachers being unqualified to teach those branches. His boyhood days were spent on a farm, and at the age of eighteen years he entered Allegheny College, Meadville, Penn., where he graduated in 1840 with the degree of A. B., followed by the degree of A. M. a few years afterward. September 4, 1840, he came to Mercer and began reading law with the firm of Pearson & Stewart, and was admitted to the bar in 1843. He has practiced at Mercer ever since. He was married March 2, 1846, to Miss Sarah J. Templeton, daughter of Thomas and Nancy (Hezlep) Templeton, of Scotch and Irish extraction, respectively. Mrs. Pearson died in 1860, leaving four children: George, graduated at Harvard University, read law with his father, and was admitted to the bar in 1872, elected clerk of the Pennsylvania Senate, and later recording clerk in the Pennsylvania House, afterward elected chief clerk of the same, and is now private secretary to Gov. James A. Beaver; James, is a miner in Colorado; Eva, married J. G. Elliott, an attorney of Mercer, and Charles, engaged in the hardware firm of Fruit, Ohl & Co., Sharon. Johnson Pearson was appointed deputy attorney-general of Pennsylvania by Gov. Johnston, and served two years. When the office of district attorney was established he was elected to that position, and served for three years. He was at one time the regular nominee by the Republicans for president judge of Mercer County, or rather the Mercer district, and was defeated because of an independent ticket being put in the field. As Mr. Pearson figures largely in the historical chapters of Mercer County, it is un- necessary to repeat it here.

ALBERT C. RAY. local editor of the Mercer Dispatch and Republican, was born in Clarion County, Penn., February 6, 1847. He was reared on the farm and received a good education. He began teaching school at the age of seventeen years. He began learning the printer's trade in 1869 under the direction of Ray & Morrison, of Sharon, serving three years. He served as clerk in the Mercer post-office for four years, and held the same position at Sharon post-office three years. Since June, 1882, he has been engaged in editorial work, a year and a half as editor and proprietor of the Grove City Telephone, and the remainder of the time has been with the Mercer Repub- lican and Dispatch and Republican. He married Miss Caroline G. Mckean, of Mercer. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and is a Republican.

JAMES HENRY ROBINSON, deceased attorney, was born in Hubbard, Trum- bull Co., Ohio, May 29, 1826. His father, Thomas Robinson, was born in Ireland, and died in Perry Township, Mercer County, in 1851, and his mother, Mary (Mayers) Robinson, was also a native of Ireland, and died in Findley Township, this county, in 1870, the mother of seven sons. Our subject was educated in the old Mercer Academy, and was graduated from Washington College in 1849 with high honors. He taught school during his early days and clerked in a store. He studied law under instructions of Hon. William Stewart, and was admitted to the bar in 1852. He served as district attorney two terms, and was State senator from 1859 to 1863. He was a member of the United Presbyterian Church, a Whig and Republican. A further men- tion is made of his business career, official positions and abilities in the chapter on the Mercer Bar. He was married July 5, 1853, to Miss Eliza Mills, born in County Tyrone, Ireland, July 12, 1827, daughter of Robert and Mary (Moon) Mills, both natives of Ireland. By this union the deceased was blessed with the following children: John, Mary, Robert, Henry and William J.

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

WILLIAM G. ROSE. - The subject of this sketch was born in Mercer County, September 23, 1829, the youngest of eleven children. His parents were James and Martha (McKinley) Rose, the former of English and the latter of Scotch-Irish descent. The family has been a patriotic one, the father and four of his brothers serving in the War of 1812, while ten of his grandsons aided in suppressing the rebellion of 1861-65. The subject of our sketch served three months as a private in West Virginia. His early education was secured in the country school, he working on the farm in summer and attending school in winter. At the age of seventeen he taught his first school, and continued the occupation for several years, meantime attending an academy, where he en- larged his educational outfit by mastering the rudiments of English and giving some attention to Latin, Greek and the higher mathematics. At the age of twenty-three he was able to accomplish his cherished purpose of entering upon the study of the law. Entering the office of Hon. William Stewart, of Mercer, he prosecuted his studies vigorously, and was admitted to the bar April 7, 1855. He entered upon practice in Mercer, but soon became interested as one of the editors and proprietors of the Independent Democrat. He was soon led into the Republican party, which elected him for two terms to the State Legisla. ture, commencing in 1857. In 1860 he was chosen a delegate to the National Republican Convention, which nominated Abraham Lincoln for the presidency. In 1865 he removed to Cleveland, and gave his attention to the purchase and sale of real estate. He made friends rapidly. In 1877 he was elected mayor of the city, the duties of which he performed with great efficiency and acceptance for two years. In 1883 he was unanimously nominated as lieutenant-governor of Ohio on the ticket with Judge J. B. Foraker, the present governor. Owing to the complications growing out of prohibitory and license amendments the ticket was defeated by 13,000 votes, but he came nigh being elected. In Cuyahoga County his vote exceeded that of the party by 3,000 votes. He is a coura- geous, conscientious, public-spirited citizen, loved and respected by all.

THOMAS R. SHERIFF, clothing merchant, was born June 17, 1825. His father, James Sheriff, was born April 3, 1800, in Allegheny County, Penn. He married Christina M. Rodgers, born July 29, 1803, to Thomas and Chris- tina (Morrison) Rodgers. The Morrisons were natives of Scotland, and while Thomas Rodgers, who was born in Pennsylvania, was in Scotland settling some estate he became acquainted with his future wife, whom he brought back with him, and settled in Virginia, and when Ohio became a State they located in Galia County, that State. They were the parents of nine children: Chris- tina; James R .; Elizabeth, married Samuel Maxon; John A .; Margaret, mar- ried Thomas Pearson; Mary Jane, Romaine and Isabella. Thomas Rodgers served as associate judge of Galia County, Ohio, for over thirty years, and with his consort was connected with the Presbyterian Church. James Sheriff was married June 18, 1824, in Gallipolis, Ohio, and came to Mercer July 15, 1825, and with his brother, John Sheriff, opened up a store in the old Amber- son corner, and soon after moved to a building where the Farmers' and Me- chanics' National Bank now stands. About the year 1827 they located their store on the site of Thomas R. Sheriff's clothing house, where he re- mained, engaged in business for many years. He died August 16, 1870. His widow survives, and blessed her husband with three children: Thomas R., infant, died unnamed, and John J., died at the age of two years. James Sheriff was a tinner and coppersmith, and many of the old distillery "tills" that were used in this county were made by him. He made the last one in 1840, and gave his son, Thomas R., $10 to defray his expenses to Erie City to attend the convention that nominated William Henry Harrison for

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President. This was the beginning of the quiet political career of Thomas R. Sheriff. Thomas was educated in the old Mercer Academy, and worked in his father's store, and at the age of seventeen years he entered business for him- self, it being a grocery and bakery stand, located near Dr. Yeager's present office. He then, after selling that business, located where his present clothing house stands, and for years was engaged in the general dry goods business, from which he drifted into the clothing trade. From 1861 to 1865 he had James W. Braden, now deceased, as a partner. He was married May 28, 1846, to Celia M. McBurney, daughter of James McBurney, by whom he has three children: Christina, married John K. Lindsey; Mary, married William M. Burwell, and Eva C. He is one of the original directors of the First National Bank of Mercer, is a Republican, and he and family belong to the Second United Presbyterian Church.

CAPT. P. E. SHIPLER was born December 7, 1840, in Mercer, son of Joseph and Mary (Stewart) Shipler, natives of Westmoreland and Mercer Counties, respectively, and the parents of two children who grew up: P. E. and H. N. ; the latter became the wife of William M. Dight. Our subject was educated in the Mercer Academy and Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio. He enlisted in Company G, Tenth Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry, as a private, and was soon promoted to captain, and served as such for three years with the Army of the Potomac. On his return from the war he engaged in the drug business under the firm name of P. E. Shipler & Co. This he sold to W. R. Montgomery & Sons, and for awhile engaged in the coal business. In 1884 he was elected justice of the peace by the citizens of Mercer. He was married in 1861 to Mary Hirst, by whom he has two children: W. H. and Joseph S. Capt. Shipler is a Republican, a member of the F. & A. M. and the G. A. R., and, with his wife, belongs to the Presbyterian Church.

REV. EDWARD SMALL (deceased) was born December 24, 1811, in Washing- ton County, N. Y. He was one of seven, the children of George and Jennet (Lourie) Small. Edward attended the common schools, academies at Salem and Cambridge, in his native county, and graduated at Union College, Sche- nectady, in 1833. During the four years following he attended the Associate Theological Seminary at Canonsburg, Penn. In 1887 he was licensed to preach, and in June of that year started on a missionary tour through the West on horseback. He held meetings at Mohegan, Mansfield, Bucyrus, Renolds - burg, Columbus, Massier's Creek, all in Ohio; Bloomington, Princeton, Burn- ett's Creek, all in Indiana, and on his return trip at Massier's Creek, Kenton, Zanesville, Cambridge, in Ohio, and thence to Pittsburgh. He left his horse at Carlisle, Penn., and subsequently preached at Newark, N. J., various places in Upper and Lower Canada and Philadelphia. In October, 1838, he came to Mercer County, and in January, 1839, accepted calls to the pastorate of Springfield and Rocky Springs congregations; these he resigned April 3, 1861, and retired, after which time he did no ministerial work except to preach occasional sermons and conduct funerals. Mr. Small was a man of strong convictions, and earnest in the support of his views. Religiously he was edu- cated in the faith of the United Presbyterian Church, and was exceedingly strict in adherence to his teaching. Though somewhat characteristic in man- ner, yet he was a citizen of high esteem, strictly honest and upright in all his transactions. He lived full of faith, and his death is but a passing to a reali- zation of that which it was his life work to teach. He was married in 1839 to Miss Mary A. Hanna, of Cadiz, Ohio, who survives him, with four children, viz. : Mary, the wife of W. H. Adams, Brooklyn, N. Y. ; Dr. E. H. ; Nellie, the wife of John Robinson, Esq., cashier of the Farmers' and Mechanics' National Bank, and Emma, the wife of John F. Davitt, of Mckeesport.

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History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, Part 90

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