History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, Part 94

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

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ERNEST COPE, proprietor of livery stables, was born in Staffordshire, Eng- land, September 18, 1833, and is a son of James and Mary (Fryer) Cope, both of whom lived and died in England. Ernest grew to manhood in his native land, and there followed coal mining. In 1856 he immigrated to Lowellville, Ohio, where he lived two years. He then spent a short time in the West, whence he returned to Youngstown, Ohio, where he followed mining, and sub- sequently engaged in the same business in Brookfield, Ohio. In 1870 he went into the mercantile business in Brookfield, but soon sold out and engaged in shipping coal. In March, 1873, he came to Sharon, and formed a partnership with W. E. Hall, under the firm name of Hall & Cope, in the livery business, which they have since carried on successfully. Mr. Cope was married July 5, 1861, to Mary E. Groezinger, of Warren, Ohio, who has borne him four chil- dren, all of whom died in infancy. He is a Republican in politics, belongs to the Masonic order, A. O. U. W. and P. H. C., and both he and wife are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

WILLIAM H. COVER, undertaker, was born near Edenburgh, Lawrence Co., Penn., November 18, 1848, and is a son of Jacob and Lydia (Robb) Cover, the former a native of Eastern Pennsylvania and the latter of Indiana, and early settlers of Lawrence County, Penn. They reared a family of four- teen children, nine sons and five daughters, all of whom grew to maturity, and seven are now living. Four of the sons served in the Union army during the late war. In 1868 the parents removed to Poland, Ohio, where the father died in the Methodist Episcopal faith, in January, 1881. The widow is still a resident of Poland in her eighty-second year, and is an ardent Methodist. Our subject grew to manhood in Lawrence County, attended the public schools of his neighborhood, and when his parents removed to Poland, Ohio, entered the seminary in that town, where he spent three years. In 1871 he came to Sharon and learned the cabinet and undertaker's trade, which he followed for several years. In the spring of 1876 he opened a furniture and undertaking store in Bedford, which he conducted two years. He then returned to Sharon, where he carried on a picture framing and sewing machine business till August, 1885, when he opened his present undertaking establishment, and has since built up a large trade. Mr. Cover was married July 6, 1875, to Miss Emma V., daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Hanson, natives of England. Mr. Hanson immigrated with his family to Sharon in 1850, and was one of the leading car- penters and builders of the town for many years. He erected and owned the Carver House and many other buildings, and resided here till his death. His widow lives in Sharon, where they reared two sons and five daughters, one of

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the sons dying in Libby Prison during the war. One son and four daughters survive. Politically Mr. Cover is one of the leading Prohibitionists of this section of the State, and both he and wife are members of the Sharon Methodist Episcopal Church, where he has been teacher of the young men's bible class in the Sabbath-school for ten years. He belongs to the R. T. of T. and the P. H. C., and is grand councilor of the R. T. of T. of Pennsylvania, the highest office in the order in the State.

HENRY CROSTHWAITE, deceased cigar manufacturer, was born in the County Kildare, Ireland, and immigrated to the United States when a boy of thirteen, subsequently locating in Pittsburgh, where he learned his trade, afterward working in Blairsville, Penn. In 1851 he came to Sharon, where he followed cigar making up to his death, March 17, 1881. He was married March 9, 1863, by Rev. J. J. Gallagher, to Miss Ellen, daughter of Patrick and Catha- rine Griffin, a pioneer family of the Catholic settlement near Mercer. Mrs. Crosthwaite was born in Iowa, and the whole family belong to the Catholic Church. Politically Mr. Crosthwaite was a Democrat, and served in the borough council. He was one of the oldest and best known business men of the town, was upright and honest in his dealings, and was thoroughly re- spected by all who knew him. Since her husband's death Mrs. Crosthwaite has carried on the business quite successfully.

GEN. JOEL BAKER CURTIS, deceased, was born in Granville, Mass., June 21, 1797, and was a son of Linus and Margaret (Peck) Curtis, the former a native of Granville, Mass., and the latter of Lyme, Conn. In 1809 a com- pany was formed of citizens of Granville and Blanford, Mass., to settle the lands now embraced in Charlestown Township, Portage Co., Ohio, then owned by Samuel Hinckley, of Northampton, Mass. Linus and Charles Curtis were members of this company, and in the summer of 1810 the former came west with his family and settled in that township, whither he was followed the next summer by his brother, who settled on an adjoining tract. The township was named Charlestown in honor of his brother, Charles. To Linus and Margaret Curtis were born the following children: Olive, Joel B., Malissa, Harris P., Prudence, Saxton, Satira and Charles. Satira married the late George Boyce, Esq., of Sharon, Penn., and is the only survivor of the family. The parents died on the old homestead in Charlestown, Ohio. Joel B. was a boy of four- teen when the family removed to that State, and received his education in Granville, Mass., and Charlestown, Ohio, being one of the pupils in the first school opened, in 1811, in Charlestown. He married Miss Clarissa, daughter of Ozias Norton, also an early settler of Portage County, and one of the first township officers in the organization of Charlestown Township in 1814. Mrs. Curtis was born in Durham, Conn., August 15, 1794. Mr. Curtis came to Mercer prior to his marriage, and engaged in merchandising. He was after- ward connected with a stage line beween Erie and Pittsburgh for several years, whence he came to Sharon in 1836. Mr. Curtis and wife were the parents of several children, all born in Mercer, but only two of whom grew to maturity, Alfred Norton and Frederick. The latter died before his father, but Alfred survived his parents, and succeeded his father in the management of the large business interests built up by the latter, which he skillfully controlled up to his death. Gen. Curtis, in partnership with his brother-in-law, George Boyce, was early interested in the development of the coal fields in the vicinity of Sharon, in which business he was engaged for many years. In 1850 he was the leading spirit in the organization of a stock company which built the original plant of the Sharon Iron Works, and was president of the company, and its principal financial support from 1850 until 1855, when the mill was

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

closed. In 1856 it was fitted up by another company to manufacture steel from raw ore, but that experiment finally proved a failure, and in the fall of 1857 the mill was again shut down. It remained idle until 1861, when the plant was sold, and bid in by Gen. Curtis, who then sold it to William Cole- man, James Westerman, C. B. Wick and P. W. Keller, who again opened it as an iron mill. Gen. Curtis was prominently identified with the leading interests of the Shenango Valley up to his sudden death at Mecca, Ohio, August 27, 1862, at which point he was then engaged in developing the oil fields. Throughout his long residence in Sharon no man of his day did so much toward building up that town, and to him is largely due its present prosperity. He was one of the leading Democrats of this portion of the State, and was as firm as a rock in upholding the principles of his party. His widow survived him until May 20, 1875. Gen. Curtis was a man of unbounded energy and enterprise, and was well known and highly respected throughout the Shenango Valley. Possessing fine social qualities and an affable disposition, he was nevertheless a man of dignified manners, broad views and great natural endowments.

ALFRED NORTON CURTIS was a son of Gen. Joel B. Curtis, who was inti- mately connected with the early prosperity of Sharon. He was born in Mercer on the 30th of September, 1827, and came with his parents to Sharon in 1836, and resided here from that time up to his death, December 28, 1884. Acquir- ing a good education in his boyhood days he afterward entered the mercantile business in which his father was interested, and of which he gradually assumed entire and successful direction. On the death of Gen. Curtis, in 1862, the control of the large and valuable estate, of coal and other interests, devolved upon him, and largely increased in size and value under his correct and care- ful business management and judicious investments. His charity, his gener- osity, his benevolence, were his distinguishing characteristics, however. Hunger and wretchedness never appealed to him in vain, and his Christian charities and beneficent deeds were without number. His tender heart was constantly devising means of promoting the happiness of those around him, and he has left a name fragrant with tenderest affection for those to whom he was attached by the bonds of friendship or the ties of blood. The following tributes to his memory from two of his old friends illustrate the deep esteem in which he was held:

"Mr. Curtis died just at the holiday season of the year, a time when he especially devoted himself to making all those around and in any way con- nected with him to feel happy and thankful for Christmas. No poor person, however obscure, in the neighborhood who could not claim him for a friend, and the well-to-do were the better for having him as a neighbor. Blessed with abundant wealth he had the rare gift of bestowing it liberally-in a way that the recipient was thankful without feeling it was given in charity. His name and memory will long be held in grateful remembrance by his friends everywhere, and especially by his friends in Sharon."

"If the good which men do live after them-and there can be no doubt of that fact-then this community has reason to be thankful, not only that Alfred Norton Curtis has lived amongst them, but that his bright and beautiful example will continue to be an incentive for others to follow. Who is it that knew him that was not benefitted by that acquaintance, by being made better men, women and children ? Honored and respected by the people amongst whom he has lived almost his whole life, his death is most sincerely regretted, whilst to very many, outside of his home ties, his practical advice, good judgment and kind words, were of no ordinary value. May the sod rest lightly on his

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pillow, and the cold embrace of death transfer him to another and a better world."

CONRAD GANSEFORT CARVER, deceased merchant, was born in Richfield, Otsego County, N. Y., March 31, 1800, and was a son of Joseph and Abigail (Rounds) Carver. The former was born in Otsego County, N. Y., April 16, 1769, and married Abigail Rounds, October 5, 1788. She was born in Maine, July 4, 1768, and reared a family of several children. They died, respectively, June 8, 1815, and August 1, 1847. Conrad G. grew to manhood in his native county, came to Sharon in 1829 and began merchandising and milling, and subsequently followed contracting on the canal. He was one of the pioneers in the development of the coal fields of the Shenango Valley, being a contemporary of Gen. Curtis and George Boyce in that business, and was among the first to ship coal by canal to Erie. He was also engaged for a time in manufacturing, and continued in the coal business until a few years prior to his death, which occurred September 2, 1874. He was the third post- master of Sharon, and served from 1841 to 1845. He was married in Sharon, August 6, 1833, to Miss Terressa, daughter of Samuel Quinby, one of the pioneers of Sharon. Mrs. Carver was born in Warren, Ohio, April 7, 1808, and is the mother of two children, Joseph L. and Conrad Q., both residents of Sharon. Politically Mr. Carver was an old line Whig, and afterward a Republican. He was one of the most enterprising citizens of the town, and did a great deal toward its growth and prosperity. He laid out Carver's Addition to Sharon on the East Hill, and was known and recognized as an energetic, pushing business man. He came to Sharon when it was in its infancy and lived to see it developed into one of the most flourishing towns of the valley. He was a man of undoubted integrity, straightforward princi- ples and unsullied reputation, and none stood higher in the respect and con- fidence of his fellow citizens.

CONRAD Q. CARVER, the youngest son, was born in Sharon, December 17, 1836, was educated in the public schools of the borough, and subsequently attended Hiram Institute, Portage County, Ohio, and the academy at Fre- donia, N. Y. From early manhood until within a few years ago he was engaged in mercantile pursuits in Sharon, from which he retired and entered the coal business, which he yet follows. He was married December 17, 1868, to Miss Mary, daughter of the late James Westerman, for many years one of the leading manufacturers of the Shenango Valley. Three children are the fruits of this union: Mary, James and Conrad. Politically Mr. Carver is a Democrat, and one of the well-known citizens of the borough.

LUDWIG DACH, proprietor of meat market, was born in Bavaria, Germany, November 24, 1843, and is a son of Clemens and Elizabeth (Hengle) Dach, who immigrated to Pittsburgh, Penn., in 1847. In 1852 they came to Mercer County and settled at Hickory Corners, two miles east of Sharon, where the father carried on the butcher's trade. He there donated the ground for a Catholic church and cemetery. Several years later he removed to Sharpsville, where his wife died, December 26, 1883, and where he still lives. Ludwig lived with his parents until twenty-two years old and learned the butcher's trade with his father. He then opened a shop in West Middlesex, but after one year returned to Hickory Corners and succeeded to his father's business, the latter going to Sharpsville. In October, 1883, he opened a shop in Sharon, where he has since carried on business, besides conducting the old shop at Hickory Corners, where he resides. He was married September 26, 1876, to Miss Margaret Sigler, of Hickory Corners, a native of Germany and daughter of Franz and Margaret Sigler, who both died at Hickory Corners in the

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Catholic faith. Eight children have been born to them: Elizabeth, Mary, Clemens, Annie, Franz, Catherine, Margaret and Theresa. Mr. Dach is a Democrat, and the family belong to the Catholic Church. He is a member of St. Peter's Society and the C. M. B. A.

CHARLES DAHRINGER, proprietor of meat market, was born in Lowell- ville, Mahoning County, Ohio, February 22, 1850, and is a son of Ignatz and Lucy (Roup) Dahringer, natives of Germany, who immigrated to New Castle, Penn., in 1848. They subsequently removed to Lowellville, Ohio, where the mother died, leaving a family of five children: Louisa (wife of Jacob Hoelzle), Frank (deceased), Frederick, Charles and Lizzie (wife of N. Knapp, of Sharon). The father married again and is now living in Sharon. Our subject came to Sharon in 1866, and learned his trade with Jacob Hoelzle. In April, 1879, he went into business for himself, and has since been quite successful. He was married May 27, 1873, to Miss Josephine, daughter of Matthias and Susan Steiner, of Sharon, but natives of Germany. Mrs. Dahringer was born in New York State, and came to Sharon with her parents when quite small. Six children have been born of this union: Lizzie, Charles, Henry, Edward, Emmett (deceased) and Ada. The family belong to the Methodist Church, and in politics Mr. Dahringer is a Democrat, and a member of the A. O. F.

PHILIP F. DAVIS, proprietor of the Carver House, was born in Warren County, Penn., December 24, 1825, and is a son of Abraham and Ruth (Mead) Davis, both natives of Pennsylvania. Philip F. grew to maturity in his native county, and in 1849 removed to Muncie, Ind., and the following year went overland to California, where he remained about two years. Re- turning to Muncie, Ind., he resided in that State till the fall of 1882, when he located in the hotel business in Warren, Penn. In May, 1883, he took charge of the Carver House, and has since built up its trade till it is regarded as one of the leading hotels in the Shenango Valley. While in Indiana he was principally engaged in the hotel, livery and mail route business. Mr. Davis was married May 1, 1855, to Elmira Davis, of Muncie, Ind., who was the mother of four children: May (wife of Prof. F. R. Webb, of Staunton, Va.), Fred. W. (of San Diego, Cal.), Lucy A. (wife of Charles Bowers, of Indian- apolis) and John F. (of Erie, Penn). Mrs. Davis died August 1, 1872, and he was again married June 16, 1879, to Mrs. Mary C. Davis, nee Webber, of Cincinnati, Ohio, who is the mother of one son, Horace W. Politically Mr. Davis is a Republican, and a K. T. in the Masonic fraternity.

SOLOMON DILLINGER (deceased) was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., December 14, 1805, and was a son of Jacob and Catharine Dillinger. The former immigrated from Germany with his parents to Westmoreland County, Penn., when a small boy, where he grew up and married. About 1807, they removed to Jefferson Township, Mercer Co., Penn., with a large family, of whom six sons and one daughter grew to maturity: John, Jacob, George, William, Henry, Solomon and Elizabeth. Henry, who resides on the old home- stead in Jefferson Township, is the only survivor. Jacob, Sr., was a soldier in the War of 1812, and both he and wife died on the old homestead, in the faith of the Lutheran Church. Our subject grew to manhood on the home farm, and about 1831 came to Sharon and entered the employ of Elias Jones, who then owned all of the lands now included in the northwest portion of the borough. On January 7, 1833, he was married to Miss Jane, daughter of Elias and Jane (Smith) Jones, the former a native of Wales, and the latter of Vir- ginia. They were married in that State, and in 1803-04 came from Winches- ter, Va., to Hickory Township, Mercer County, and settled on the M. C. Trout farm, where Mrs. Dillinger was born, December 10, 1807. There

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were six children in the family of Elias Jones: Betsy, Smith, Sarah, Hannah, Jane and Elias, the two last mentioned being twins. Mrs. Dillinger is the only survivor. Mr. Jones removed with his family to the site of Sharon a few years after the birth of Mrs. Dillinger, where he kept hotel, and was also the first postmaster of the village, as well as its first merchant. Both he and wife died in Sharon. One child, Elizabeth J. (wife of Septimus Marsden, of Sharon), was born to Solomon and Jane Dillinger. Mr. Dillinger was a Democrat, and followed farming up to his death, which occured October 10, 1853. His widow now resides with her daughter, Mrs. Marsden.

GEORGE DRESCH, wholesale liquor dealer, was born in Hickory Township, Mercer Co., Penn., June 5, 1857, and is a son of Jacob and Margaret (Hossel) Dresch, natives of Breidenbach, Rhine Pfaltz, Bavaria, Germany, born December 2,1828, and January 13, 1839, respectively. Jacob Dresch immigrated to Sharon in December, 1853, and was here married April 10, 1855, to Miss Margaret Hos- sel, of Hickory Township. He first followed coal mining, but subsequently engaged in the saloon business, and in 1863-64 went into the clothing and dry goods trade, which, after three or four years, he sold out and established the first exclusive wholesale liquor store in Sharon, which he conducted suc- cessfully up to his death, November 16, 1883. Politically he was a Republi- can, a member of the I. O. O. F., and the German Reformed Church. The widow still resides in the town, and is the mother of the following chil- dren: George, Caroline (widow of Rev. F. P. Hartmetz, late Reformed min- ister of Archibald, Ohio), Annie (wife of Fred P. Miller, of Sharon), Cath- erine, Charles F., Jacob (deceased), Emma S., Alice, Clara, Francis and Lida. George grew to manhood in Sharon and attended the public schools, subse- quently spending one year at Calvin Institute, Cleveland, Ohio, and one year at Heidelberg College, Tiffin, Ohio, which completed his education, He was a commercial traveler two years, and also followed clerking up to his father's death, when he took charge of the store and has conducted the business ever since. Mr. Dresch was married April 13, 1880, to Miss Jane A. Green, of Sharon. Politically he is a stanch Democrat, is a member of the German Reformed Church, and belongs to the K. of P.

DANIEL EAGAN, of the Shenango Machine Company and manager of the Sharon Steel Casting Company, was born in Ireland, December 21, 1845, and is a son of John and Mary Eagan, who immigrated to Galt, Ontario, in June, 1846, where both died. Our subject grew up in that city, and in 1863 came to the United States, locating in Greenville in 1864. The following year he came to Sharon, and for four years was connected with the mining interests of Kimberly, Forker & Co., in Hickory Township. In 1869 he located in Sharps- ville, where he was subsequently engaged in the foundry business for fourteen years. In 1879, in partnership with Samuel McClure, he leased a shop in Sharon and opened a branch of the Sharpsville works, which they operated one year. In March, 1881, he purchased the old portion of the present shops of the Shenango Machine Company, and in 1883 Mr. Eagan sold his interest in the Sharpsville works and removed to Sharon. In 1885 the new additions were erected, and Mr Eagan has had sole control of the Sharon works since 1881. In February, 1887, he was one of the main spirits in the organization of the Sharon Steel Casting Company, superintended the erection of the plant, and has since been manager of the works, which so far have been highly suc- cessful and rank second to none in the quality of the work produced. Mr. Eagan was married September 24, 1874, to Miss Mary G. Foster, of Canada. Of this union eight children have been born: John H., Elizabeth, Veronica, Mary, Frances, Daniel, Bernard and Helena, and the whole family

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belong to the Catholic Church. Politically Mr. Eagan is a Republican, and is one of the best known and most successful iron men of this portion of the State.

SOLOMON ECKSTEIN, proprietor of the Excelsior Furnishing Store, was born in Gottingen, Germany, January 8, 1849, and is a son of Emanuel Eckstein, deceased, who immigrated to Philadelphia in 1855, where our subject grew up and received his education. Mr. Eckstein carried on business in Philadelphia, and in 1871 removed to Pittsburgh, where he conducted business till April, 1887, when he located in Sharon in the Stambaugh Block. During the past year the Excelsior Block, now occupied by him, was erected, and he has now the finest and most extensive clothing establishment in this section of the Shenango Valley. Mr. Eckstein was married March 22, 1882, to Miss Fannie Simon, of Philadelphia, of which union one daughter, Goldina, has been born. Politically he is independent, and is one of the most prominent merchants of Sharon.

JAMES EDMUNDS, sheet roller in the Sharon Iron Works, was born in Mon- mouthshire, South Wales, May 1, 1821. His parents were Edward and Ann Edmunds, both of whom spent their lives in Monmouthshire. James grew up in his native town, and learned his trade in Pontypool, South Wales. In 1856 he immigrated to Pittsburgh, Penn., where he worked till 1859, and then went to Newport, Ky. In 1866 he located in New Castle, Penn., and in the spring of 1884 came to Sharon, He has since had charge of the sheet-rolls in the Sharon Iron Works. Mr. Edmunds was married in October, 1848, to Mary A. Cordell, of Monmouthshire, who has reared three children, James, Edward and Mollie, all residents of Sharon. Politically Mr. Edmunds is a Republi- can, and both he and his wife are members of the Baptist Church. He is a member of the Equitable Aid Union and the Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers. Mr. Edmunds is one of the oldest and most successful sheet rollers of the United States.

JOHN H. ELLIOTT, attorney at law, was born in Worth Township, Butler Co., Penn., February 4, 1847, and is a son of Benjamin F. and Mary (George) Elliott. The former was born and reared in Lawrence County, Penn., and, January 5, 1836, married Miss Mary George, a native of Liberty Township, Mercer County, whose family were pioneers of that township. Immediately after marriage they settled in Butler County, on the farm where Mrs. Elliott died in September, 1886, and her husband July 23, 1888. They reared eleven children, seven of whom are living. Mr. Elliott's mother belonged to the Perry family, the same which produced the celebrated commodore of that name. Our subject was the fourth son, and, after receiving a good education in the schools of his district, taught two terms, and then spent one session at the Edinboro Normal, and one year at Grove City College. He afterward finished his education at Westminster College, New Wilmington, Penn. He commenced reading law in the spring of 1874, at Sharon, and was admitted to the bar at Mercer in January, 1877. After a short visit to his old home he formed a partnership with his brother, James G., at Sharon, which continued until the spring of 1878, when the latter removed to Mercer, and John H. has since continued practice alone. Mr. Elliott was married June 19, 1879, to Miss Jennie S. Bell, of Sharon, of which union one child, Sarah F., survives. Politically he is a Republican, and a member of the Masonic fraternity.

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History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, Part 94

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