History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, Part 91

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

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

GEORGE KLINE SMITH, merchant, was born in Mercer, February 10, 1841. He and his son are the only male descendants of Col. James Smith, one of the early Indian pioneers, whose history may be found in " The Indian Wars of the United States," by John Frost, LL. D., published by Derby & Miller, and also in No. 5, Ohio Valley Historical Series, by William Darling- ton, of Pittsburgh, published by Robert Clark & Co., of Cincinnati, Ohio. James was George K. Smith's great-grandfather. Jonathan Smith was his grandfather and William M. Smith, the father of G. K. Smith, born Septem- ber 29, 1806, was the first child born in Mercer. William M. Smith married Catharine Kline, who was born in Washington County, and brought to Mercer County by her father, George Kline, in 1828. By her he had five children: Harriet Patterson Smith (deceased, married William Forrest), Elizabeth Pettitt, Jonathan Parker (who was captain of Company G, Tenth Pennsyl- vania Volunteers, and led his company through the seven days' fighting before Richmond, Sharpsburg, South Mountain, and the regiment at Antie- tam [see Bates' History, Volume I], was mortally wounded at the second battle of Fredericksburg, January 6, 1863, and died at Seminary Hospital, Georgetown); George K. and Theodore W. (deceased). The father was a tanner, followed that business for thirty years, and then opened the first leather store in Mercer. G. K. Smith was educated in the Mercer Academy and public schools. He learned the trade of a tanner, and was a clerk for three years in the store of Maj. T. Graham, in Mercer. In 1863 he went to California, and mined in that State and Arizona Territory until 1865, when he returned home, and, after serving one year as constable, clerked until 1869, when he entered the general dry goods business, which he still continues. He married Emma F., a daughter of Irwin Sampson, of Wilmington, Penn. By her he has two children, Helen E. and George Irwin. He is interested in the gas and water works companies and the Mercer Creamery. In 1887 he was a candidate for county treasurer on the Prohibition ticket. He and his wife are members of the Second Presbyterian Church of Mercer.

JOHN E. SMITH, agricultural implement dealer, was born in 1864, in Lawrence County, Penn. His parents, H. P. and Harriet (McDowell) Smith, were natives, the former of Lawrence and the latter of Mercer County. The parents had three children: Alva (married Miss Clara Whitney), John E. (unmarried) and Laura (married Albert Peters). The parents are living in West Middlesex. Our subject came to Mercer County when eighteen years of age, engaged in the implement business for W. R. Packard, and in 1885 formed a partnership with W. G. Jones in the general agricultural and farm implement business. Jones died in 1887, and Mr. Smith has conducted the business ever since. He began to learn his trade at the age of thirteen years with Davidson Bros. at West Middlesex. He worked awhile with W. O. Leslie at Sharon. It will thus be seen that Mr. Smith thoroughly understands his business. He is engaged in the manufacture of bed springs, is a first- class tinner, a good telegraph operator, follows plumbing, gas fitting, manu- factures tin-ware, and sells all kinds of implements, general hardware, buggies, robes, harness, etc. He is a member of the Second United Presbyterian Church, is a Republican, and a thorough-going business man who attends strictly to his business, and, like all who love their vocation, is successful.

JOSEPH SYKES, manufacturer of wagons, was born March 28, 1807, in Eng- land, to Joseph Sykes. Our subject came to Mercer in 1829. He learned his trade in his native country, and upon locating here opened up a shop on the very lot where his shop now stands. He has continued at the same busi- ness all this time. Silvanus Perkins, of Meadville, was in partnership with him

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

from 1835 to 1837. Many of the old wagons used in hauling goods from eastern cities to this part of the State were manufactured by him. He was married in 1831 to Mary A. Mccullough, daughter of John and Mary (Wright) Mccullough, who lived in what is now Cool Spring Township. Mr. and Mrs. Sykes had the following children: John, died at the age of five years; Thomas B., machinist, married Elizabeth Spearman; Mary, single; Jane, married John Wigstaff; Caroline, married Marion J. Rich, lives in the State of New York; Florence, married Rev. W. H. Wilson, who died in 1886, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church; Gerrett S., married Anna Gooding, of Massa- chusetts, and is conducting a preparatory school in Cincinnati, Ohio, having been graduated from Harvard College in 1877, and George T., learned the trade of his father, enlisted in Company G, Tenth Pennsylvania Volunteer In- fantry, and served three years, married Sarah E. Shipler, a daughter of Peter Shipler, a native of Westmoreland County, who came to this county in 1820, is now engaged with his father in the manufacture of wagons, and is also engaged in the undertaking business. Joseph Sykes, whose name heads this brief notice, is one of the most respected citizens of Mercer, and is an earnest Christian.

R. A. STEWART, attorney, was born December 30, 1852 His father, Hon. William Stewart, was born in Mercer County in 1810 Robert Stewart, the father of William, was a native of Westmoreland County, Penn., and came to this county at an early day, and here died, the father of ten children: Eliza- beth, married James Kilgore; William, Mary, married Joseph Shipler; John, Jane, married John Wright; Hannah, married Dr. Henderson; Robert, Mar- garet, married Maj. A. H. Snyder; Sarah, married Joseph Barnum, and Benja- min. The last named was a class-mate with the Hon. James G. Blaine, at Wash- ington and Jefferson College, and after studying law died in the West. Hon. William Stewart experienced many of the hardships that fell on the early set- tlers, such as hauling goods from Pittsburgh by team for his father, who was an early merchant at Mercer. He entered Washington and Jefferson College before reaching his majority, and walked many times from that institution to Rochester, where he was met by his brother, John, with a horse on which to ride the remainder of the way home. He was admitted to the bar of Mer- cer County, the date of which is mentioned in another part of this work, but it was about the time he was twenty-one years of age. He began the practice of his chosen profession in Warren, Penn., where he remained for two years. One day, after having paid all of his little debts, and with $40 left, he made up his mind, just as the hack was leaving for Franklin, to try his for- tune in another field. He accordingly took the hack and was soon located in an office at Franklin, where he succeeded in doing considerable business for two years. He then came to Mercer and formed a partnership with Judge John J. Pearson, late of Harrisburg, which continued until Pearson was appointed to the position of judge at the capital of the State. He subsequently had Robert C. Rankin, a Mr. Snyder and J. H. Robinson as respective part- ners. At the time of his death, which occurred October 17, 1876, he had no partner. He served two terms in the State Senate and two terms in Congress immediately preceding the breaking out of the Rebellion. He stumped the State of Pennsylvania, or rather the western portion, during his latter years, in the interest of the organization of the Republican party. He was some- what independent in his politics during a few years prior to his demise, be- cause of the natural jobbery complications that will be worked into any party with a large majority in a county or district. He was one of the two candi- dates on the Republican ticket for president judge of his judicial district when

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

John Trunkey, the regular Democratic nominee, was elected. In 1874 John- son Pearson was the regular nominee of the Republican party, and Mr. Stewart was brought out as an independent candidate, and A. McDermit, another Demo- crat, was elected. He was a member of the F. & A. M., and was instrumental in the organization of the Know-nothing party in this section of the State. He married Alletta G. Gaston, born in New Jersey, July 3, 1826, who survives, and by whom he had the following children: Evelina, married A. S. Gillette; Mary, married D. T. Gilman; R. A., William G., deceased; Ida M., deceased; Alletta Y. and George B.

His son Robert was educated in the Mercer schools, and spent one year at Elizabeth, N. J. He then took instructions under an Episcopal minister at Con- neautville, and in 1871 he entered the freshman class in Princeton College, where he remained nearly two years, and at the request of his father he left and entered Lafayette College, at Easton, Penn. There he graduated in the classical department in 1874. He at once began reading law with his father and in the office of the Hon. Samuel Griffith and S. R. Mason. He was admitted to the Mercer County bar in 1876, and has since practiced. He married, November 22, 1882, Alice I. Bogle, of Philadelphia, and has three children: Alletta B., Elizabeth H. and William G. He was the projector of the Mercer Republican, which was merged into the Dispatch and Republican, He and his wife are membbers of the First Presbyterian Church, and he is a stanch Republican.

HON. JAMES A. STRANAHAN, attorney, was born in Philadelphia, March 7, 1839. His father, Andrew Stranahan, was born in County Down, Ireland. Our subject was educated in the Mercer Union Schools and Westminster College, New Wilmington, Penn. His early life was spent on a farm. He was admitted to the Mercer bar in April, 1864, and has continued to practice his chosen pro- fession since. He entered the service of his country as first lieutenant of Com- pany B, United States Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served six months, and was detailed as post adjutant at Cumberland, Md. He was a member of the State Legislature during the winter of 1883-84. He is a Democrat and a member of the Presbyterian Church.

MRS. MARY TEMPLETON, at this time (November, 1888) a resident of Mercer, is the second oldest person in the county. She was born January 1, 1794, at Redstone Fort, on the Monongahela, now called Brownsville, Fayette Co., Penn., the daughter of James Hezlep and Sarah (Bell) Hezlep. She is of Scotch-Irish descent, her ancestors having come from Belfast. In 1796 she came with her parents to what is now New Wilmington, Lawrence (then Mer- cer) County, where, on June 10, 1819, she married James Williamson. Three children blessed this marriage: Hezlep, George and Sarah. Mr. Williamson dying, she was married a second time, on December 15, 1826, to Thomas Templeton, by whom she had two daughters: Sarah, afterward Mrs. Johnson Pearson, and Mary, at present engaged in millinery business in Mercer. Mrs. Templeton's second husband, Thomas Templeton, was a merchant in Mercer, a justice of the peace at the time of his death, and at one time a candidate for the Legislature. He died comparatively a young man, the date being Septem- ber 21, 1829, at which time he was but forty-four years of age. Mrs. Tem- pleton and her family have all been identified with the Presbyterian Church.

A. B. THOMPSON, attorney, was born in Lackawannock Township August 27, 1845, and was educated in the common schools and at Westminster Col- lege, New Wilmington, Penn., being graduated in 1870. He taught school in Shenango and Lackawannock Townships and Greenville; began reading law with Johnson Pearson in 1871; was admitted to the bar February 17, 1873,

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

and has practiced ever since. He was elected district attorney in 1875, and served one term. He was married June 15, 1875, to Eliza M., daughter of Alvin Martin, of Sugar Grove, Warren Co., Penn., and by her has had four children: Grace, Leigh (deceased), Loyd and Harold. He is a Republican, and he and wife are members of the Second United Presbyterian Church of Mercer. His father, Alexander Thompson, was born near Steubenville, Ohio, in 1806, and he, with his parents, Alexander Thompson, Sr., and Margaret (Stett, nee Burgess) Thompson, settled on a farm in Lackawannock Township in 1812, on which both died, senior in 1851 and junior in 1865, and which is still in the possession of the Thompson heirs. The senior Alexander was a native of Ireland and emigrated from County Antrim about 1790, living one year near Philadelphia and in Washington County, Penn., and the balance of the time near Steubenville, Ohio, until he came to this county as stated. He was the father of the following children: James, Elizabeth McMaster, Mar- garet McNair, Joseph, John, Jane (married John Thompson), Alexander, Jr., and Mary A. Brooks. Alexander Thompson, Jr., and Ann (Love) Thompson were married in 1831, and were blessed with fourteen children; four- died in childhood, and those growing up are: Thomas (deceased), Mary A. (married R. W. Clarke), Alex. L. (died in 1872 of disease contracted in army as a mem- ber of Company H, One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Pennsylvania Volunteers), Sarah (on homestead), James W. (killed at battle of Gettysburg while serving as sergeant major of the Fifty-seventh Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers), A. B., Gordon E. (stock and real estate dealer, Big Springs, Neb.), Nancy (a teacher in Union Schools of Mercer), Robert S. (a dealer in coal and farm implements, Atlantic, Iowa), and Samuel J. (on the old homestead). The parents were members of the Lebanon United Presbyterian Church, with which the surviving widow is still connected. Ann Love was born in 1811. Her parents were Thomas Love and Margaret (Gilkey) Love, natives, the former of County Derry, Ireland, settled in Pine Township in 1796, and the latter of Franklin County, Penn. Margaret was reared principally by an uncle in Virginia, who lived at the forks of the James River, and came to Mercer County in 1804 to visit her brothers, James and John Gilkey, and other relatives, and married Thomas Love in 1805. Their children were: Rebecca (married Robert Miller, now a widow in Venango County), Ann. Margaret (married John Dawson, and after his death Joseph Douglass, now deceased), Nancy (married Samuel Lusk), Sarah (a maiden lady) and Matthew. Thomas Love died in August, 1825, and Margaret (Gilkey) Love in June, 1864. John Gilkey was the originator of the Neshannock Irish potatoes, and died near Leesburg, in this county. James Gilkey reared a large family and died in Shenango Township.

J. C. WEIDMAN, physician and surgeon, was born in Juniata County, Penn. He was educated in the common schools, Randolph, N. Y., and Kisho- quillis Seminary, Mifflin County, Penn., and read medicine under Dr. H. A. Fisher, of McAllisterville, Juniata County, attended lectures at Jefferson Med- ical College, and, after five years' practice at McAllistersville, he came to Mer- cer, where he is building up a good practice. He married Mary, a daughter of the late John Logan, of Mercer.

GEORGE WHARTON, deceased, was born in Philadelphia, and came to this county about 1816. He married in his native city Hannah Jones, daughter of Cadwalader Jones, who came to Mercer County at an early day and settled in what is now Jackson Township. Mr. Jones had the following children: John, Jacob, David, Charles, George, Mary, Rachel, Deborah, Hannah, Elizabeth, Susan, Rebecca and Margaret. George Wharton settled in Jackson Township

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

on land that is in now in possession of some of his heirs. He died July 4, 1852, and his widow died October 17, 1868. Their children were: Robert, died small; John, died October 17, 1882; Mary, married Jacob Mower; Deborah, married Nicholas Mourer; Jacob, married Dora Boyd; Rebecca; Margaret, married Peter Shipler; Hannah, George, married Catherine Hunter, and Susan, married Thomas Vernon. Miss Hannah Wharton began the millinery business in Mercer in 1857 in a small room on Pitt Street. In 1858 she located near where she now carries on an extensive business. She has been very suc- cessful, and in 1882 she erected a fine brick block. Her father was a Demo crat.

J. G. WHITE, attorney, was born July 15, 1841, in what is now Grove City, to Hiram C. and Martha (Alexander) White, natives of Pine and Wolf Creek Townships, Mercer County, respectively. His mother was a daughter of James Alexander, who came from Scotland at a very early date and located on a farm in Pine Township, where he died. The children of James Alexander were: Mary, single, and now nearly ninety years old; Rebecca, married Archie McCormick, both of whom are dead; Susan, died when seventy-four years old; Margaret, married Luke Voghan; Elizabeth, married Cornelius Graham; Mar- tha, Sarah, died young; Hamilton, died on the old place; Isabella, married William Morrison, and after his death G. W. Brandon. The father of James Alexander was in the War of 1812, and was a Democrat. John White, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Washington County, Penn., and came to this county about 1800, where he settled in Pine Township on the farm where he afterward died. His children were John, James, Samuel, George Washington, Hiram C., Henderson, Rachel, Jane and Elizabeth, all of whom are deceased except Hiram. Grandfather White was in the War of 1812, and had three brothers and one sister: Alexander, Samuel, James (a preacher in the Seceder Church) and Hannah. Our subject was educated in the common schools, at Westminster College and at Allegheny College, Meadville, Penn. He enlisted in Company I, Tenth Pennsylvania Reserves, in April, 1861, was mustered into service in June, and served a short time. Returning from the war he resumed teaching, taught at Harlansburg, Lawrence County, one year, and then served as principal of the Union schools at Mercer for two years. In 1865 he married Nancy A. Mckinney, daughter of John M. Mckinney, ex- sheriff of this county, and went to St. Louis, where he engaged in the real estate business for two years, 1865-66. Returning to Mercer early in 1867 he engaged in starting the Soldiers' Orphan School, putting $70,000 into the institution. This he sold in 1874 to S. F. Thompson, J. I. Gordon, G. W. Wright and R. R. Wright. He read law with the late Judge McDermitt, and was admitted to the bar in February, 1870. From 1870 to 1875 he practiced here with E. W. Jackson, now of Harrisburg, under the firm name of White & Jackson. From 1877 to 1879 or 1880 he was associated with B. Magoffin. Since then he has practiced by himself. He has three living children: Bertha B., Grace and John A. He is a member of the A. Y. M. and I. O. O. F., and has frequently been connected with the schools. In 1874 he was a candidate for Congress from this district, and was defeated by seventy votes. He was a member of the convention of the U. L. P. at Cincinnati in January, 1887, and helped to form that party. He was one of Democratic candidates for the Assembly in 1888.

GEORGE M. WILLIAMS, livery, was born in Owego, Tioga County, N. Y., and came to Mercer County in 1874. He married Maria, a daughter of Joseph Cubbison, who settled in a log cabin in Fairview Township, where he lived for over fifty years. Mr. Williams, after marriage, went to Talbot

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County, Md., and farmed for two years. He then returned to this county, bought a farm, which he sold in one year, and went into the oil business in Venango, Warren, Butler, Armstrong and Clarion Counties for three years. He then bought a farm in Fairview Township, and after farming two years sold and bought another in Jefferson Township, where he remained until April 1, 1887, when he engaged in the livery business at Mercer. He is a member of the present town council, is a Republican, and with his wife belongs to the Second Presbyterian Church. Their children are: Mary, Harry, Edwin, Edna and Ida. He served as school director while in Jefferson Township.

HON. GEORGE W. WRIGHT, superintendent of the Soldiers' Orphan School, was born in Worth Township, Mercer County, July 19, 1841. His parents, Thomas and Sarah (Fowler) Wright, were natives of England, and immigrated to America while single. The father died, a farmer, in Worth Township, in 1851, and his widow died in 1883. They were the parents of the following children: Mary, married William Trivett; Alexander, a resident of Venango County; G. W., Richard R., John S., a merchant at Hendersonville, and Thomas J., resides on the old homestead. The parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. George W. Wright was educated in the com- mon schools, Mercer Academy and Thickson Academy, of Meadville, Penn. He began teaching at the age of sixteen years, by which he obtained the means to defray his expenses in the academies. He taught in Tennessee and Ken- tucky in 1859 and 1860, thus being in the South when John Brown made his famous raid at Harper's Ferry. He enlisted in Company I, Tenth Penn- sylvania Volunteers, and remained in service for two years. On his return from the war he engaged in the oil business at Petroleum Center, Venango County. He then helped to establish the Sandy Lake Car Manufacturing Company. While there he was appointed clerk to the county commissioners, and held that position until 1873, when he was elected county recorder. While in that office he was appointed superintendent of the Mercer Soldiers' Orphan School. He was elected to the State Senate in 1876, and served one term. In 1877 he was appointed superintendent of the Mount Joy, Penn., Soldiers' Orphan School, and in 1883 was chosen superintendent of the Sol- diers' Orphan School at both McAllisterville and Chester Springs. He was married in 1864 to Rozetta M. Carroll, and are rearing Mamie McKnight, a niece of Mrs. Wright. They are Methodists, and he is a Republican.

GEORGE W. YEAGER, physician and surgeon, was born in 1824, in the borough of Mercer. His father, Michael Yeager, was a native of Montgomery County, Penn., and came to this county in time to serve in the War of 1812, under Capt. Clark. Cynthia Fell, the mother of Dr. Yeager, came to Mercer County when a child with her father, Nathan Fell, who is mentioned in the history of West Salem Township. She was a native of Bucks County, Penn. By her union with Michael Yeager she had the following children: Mary A. (married Dunlap Mclaughlin), Elizabeth (married B. F. Baskin, Esq.), George W., Emeline (married James C. Eyster, of Chambersburg), Imelda (married Josiah McJunkin); Jane A. and Agnes are dead. Michael Yeager was once a trustee of the old Mercer Academy, and was appointed a marshal to take the census of 1850. He was identified with the Whig party during its existence, and drifted into the Republican party. During his latter days he and his wife worshiped at the Methodist Church, of which he was for many years a trustee. Our subject was educated in the Mercer Academy, under the instructions of D. B. Cook, William Stephenson, D. H. A. McLean, Samuel Griffith and others. He was employed, for many years, as a clerk for his father and others in Mercer. He began the study of medicine in 1847, with

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

Drs. James and Beriah Magoffin, and attended a course of medical lectures at Cleveland, Ohio, in 1848. In 1849 he went to California, and two years later returned and resumed his studies, and in 1852 he graduated from the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia. He at once began the practice of his chosen profession at Mercer, which he has continued ever since. He was appointed the first physician to the county poor-house. He was married to Miss Sarah E. Amberson, daughter of Dr. T. B. Amberson, who practiced here for many years. She was a native of Butler County, Penn. By her he has been blessed with eight children: Cynthia (married Dr. F. M. Temple), Emeline (married William V. Galbraith), Margaret (married James Miller), Mary A. S. (married R. Robinson), Sadie (died in infancy), Caroline and Nancy F. (twins) and Michael George. Dr.

Yeager was early identified with the medical society of Mercer County. He

was a surgeon, in 1864, in the Union army, being located at the Soldiers' Rest Hospital, at Alexandria, Va., and the King Street Hospital, at the same city. He afterward had charge at Forts Whipple, Cass and Tillinghast, of the defenses of Washington.

REV. GEORGE W. ZAHNISER was born March 19, 1823, in the borough of Mercer. His parents were Jacob and Catharine (Wright) Zahniser. The father was reared on a farm, and at an early period in his life was employed as a clerk in a store. He operated a mercantile store in Mercer for some time, and died in 1852. He was superintendent of the Sabbath-school of the First Presbyterian Church of Mercer for over thirty-five years, and was an elder. He was the father of the following children: Margaret, William, George W., Mary (died when small), Jacob and Michael. The mother of the above children died in 1860, and was a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church. A very complete sketch of the Zahniser family appears in connection with that of Jacob Zahniser, of Jackson Township. Our subject was educated in the old Mercer Academy and Washington and Jefferson College, graduat- ing at the latter in 1846. The year following he was a tutor in that institu- tion. At that time Dr. R. J. Breckenridge was president of this college, and finally resigned to accept the pastorate of a Presbyterian Church of Lexington, Ky. It was through Mr. Breckenridge's influence that Mr. Zahniser was induced to take charge of a classical school at Lexington, which grew so rap- idly under his efficient management that he induced Judge Lawrence, the now famous blind orator of Bellefontaine, Ohio, to associate himself with him in this institution, which connection lasted for about one year. After closing his term in Lexington he entered a theological seminary at Princeton, N. J., where he remained for two years, and then came to his home; was soon after- ward licensed by the Erie Presbytery, and began his ministerial labors at Conneautville, Crawford Co., Penn. Here he continued with good results for eight years. He was then called to Huntingdon County, and preached in Huntingdon City from 1859 to 1876. At the latter date he returned to Con- neautville and had charge of that congregation for one more year, when he withdrew from regular pastorates, and has since been a supply minister for various congregations of his faith. He began the career of a school teacher when sixteen years of age, teaching his first term in the Cranberry District, in the neighborhood of what is now Grove City. Later he taught in the pub- lic schools of Mercer, and still later he was associated with Rev. Vincent and James L. Rodgers, respectively, giving instructions in the old Mercer Acad- emy. He also taught for two years in Conneautville, while in charge of his Presbyterian congregation at that place. He was married in 1854 to Jane .Forker, by whom he had one daughter, Mary, the wife of Herman Frankel.

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History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, Part 91

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