History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, Part 97

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

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

the hatter's trade, and subsequently the weaver's trade, at which he worked till September, 1854, when he immigrated to Sharon, He went to work for the Sharon Iron Company, and continued in their employ until February, 1856, when he began working in the coal mines of Hickory Township, which he followed till 1864. He then embarked in the grocery business in Sharon, in partnership with James Beveridge, as Lee & Beveridge, but soon purchased his partner's interest, and became sole proprietor. He continued to do a very successful business until 1874, when he sold out to his son and retired from active life. Since that time Mr. Lee has devoted his attention to looking after his real estate in Sharon and vicinity. He was married to Ann Martin, who is the mother of four children: Edwin, William, Nancy and Mary, Mr. Lee is a Republican, a member of the I. O. O. F., and the family adhere to the Episcopal Church. He is an ardent supporter of education, and his daughters are graduates of the Sharon High-school and the Edinboro Normal School, the youngest being now a teacher in the latter institution:

WILLIAM LEE, general grocer, was born in England, September 14, 1850, and is a son of John Lee, whose sketch appears in this chapter. In 1854 the family immigrated to Sharon, where William grew to manhood. In early boyhood he began working in the coal mines of Hickory Township. In 1862 his father started a grocery store in Sharon, and our subject assisted him as clerk until 1873, when he started in business for himself. In 1877 he sold out, and visited his native land. He returned in 1878, and lived in Sharon till 1882, when he spent one year clerking in Philadelphia. Coming back to Sharon, he continued to clerk till the spring of 1887. In August, of that year, a partnership was formed with D. A. Clepper, under the firm name of Lee & Clepper, and a wholesale grocery house was opened in the Carver House Block. This partnership continued until March 1, 1888, when the firm was dissolved, and Mr. Lee opened his present store in Lee's Block, on East State Street. Mr. Lee was married October 16, 1881, to Miss Isabella H. Jewett, of Pittsburgh, a native of Providence, R. I., of which union two children survive: Milly H. and Herbert M. The family attend the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Lee is a Republican and a member of the K. of P., and is one of the well-known business men of the town.

PHILIP A. LEONARD, foreman and manager of the nail department of the Sharon Iron Co.'s factory, was born in Allegheny City, Penn., November 13, 1838. His parents were Philip and Mary (Crook) Leonard, natives of Glou- cestershire, England, who were married in Allegheny City, The former was an iron mechanic, and worked in Pittsburgh until his death. His widow married Edward Higgs, of New Castle, Penn., and is now a resident of Sharon. Philip A. was reared in New Castle, Penn., and learned the nailer's trade at Niles, Ohio. In the fall of 1862 he came to Sharon, and has since been con- nected with the old mills, being for twenty-three years foreman and manager of the nail factory. Mr. Leonard was married June 22, 1858, to Miss Anna Leah Kelly, of New Castle, Penn., of which union six children survive: John A., Mary F., Ollie (wife of Elias Gething, of Sharon), Martha A., Anna B. and Philip C. Our subject is a Republican in politics, and a member of the I. O. O. F., K. of P. and G. A. R. In the spring of 1862 he enlisted in Com- pany C, Eighty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served three months. He is the inventor and patentee of a scraper or turner for grindstones, and of an attachment for a cut-nail machine for the manufacture of iron nails, and is one of the leading representative iron workers of the Shenango Valley.

W. O. LESLIE, hardware merchant, was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, May 9, 1846. His father, Robert Leslie, was born June 25, 1794, on a farin where

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

now stands the town of Tarentum, Allegheny Co., Penn., and was the son of James Leslie, born in Cumberland County, Penn., in 1764. The latter was a civil engineer by profession, and married Mary, daughter of Robert Galbreath, a Scotchman, and a prominent lawyer of Pittsburgh. James died in Pitts- burgh September 1, 1830, and his widow April 1, 1849. Robert Leslie re- moved from Pittsburgh, Penn., to Youngstown, Ohio, when eighteen years of age, where he afterward carried on the mercantile business. He there married Betsy, daughter of Henry and Hannah Wick, who died without issue about one year afterward. He was again married, to Eliza Scott, of Allegheny County, Penn. He removed from Youngstown to Brookfield, Ohio, and was engaged in running a line of stages to Warren, Ohio. In 1846 he removed from Brookfield to Sharon, where he died June 21, 1855, his widow surviving him till March 20, 1865. They were the parents of seven children: Mary (deceased), Belinda M., Henry (deceased), Lucretia W., Lovica H., W. O. and Kate S. Our subject grew up in Sharon, and received his education in the public shools of that borough. He began clerking for A. L. Crawford & Co., coal operators, and in 1865 the firm of Williams & Leslie was organized and a hardware store opened. Since that time Mr. Leslie has been successfully engaged in the same line of business. He was married March 9, 1865, to Miss Kate Y., daughter of John S. King, deceased. She was born in Chester County, Penn., and is the mother of three children: Frank K., John S. and Grace S. Mr. Leslie and wife are members of the Episcopal Church, and he is a Republican in politics.

SAMUEL S. LIDDLE, proprietor of livery stable, was born in Mahoning County, Ohio, May 24, 1844, and is a son of Carnes and Julia A. (Gilbert) Liddle, the former a native of England, of Irish parentage, and the latter of Eastern Pennsylvania, of German descent. They were married in Mahoning County, Ohio, and settled on a farm in that county. They were the parents of the following children: Joseph (deceased), Mrs. Mary Fletcher (of Wheel- ing, Va.), John (who served nearly four years in the Rebellion and died of wounds received in the service), Samuel S. (of Sharon), Juliet (deceased) and Henry (of Wheeling, Va). Samuel S. grew up in his native county, and in 1861 enlisted in Company D, Sixty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for three years, but in the latter part of 1862 he was discharged from the regiment on account of sickness contracted in the service. Returning home he soon after went to Youngstown, Ohio, and learned the blacksmith's trade. In 1865 he came to Sharon, where he was employed in the rolling mills about one year and learned the puddler's art, but then went back to his old trade, entering into partnership with Cornelius Bowden. He subsequently sold his interest to his partner and opened a shop for himself, which he carried on till 1868-69, when he went into the livery business with Mr. Boise. After a few years he bought out his partner and continued the business for several years, when business reverses necessitated his returning to his trade, at which he worked till October, 1878, when- the present partnership of Liddle & Dougherty was formed. Mr. Liddle was married July 8, 1868, to Miss Julia Quinby, daughter of Samuel Quinby, one of the pioneers of Sharon. Three children were born to them: Carl C., William W. and Essie E. Politically he is a Prohibitionist, and a member of the A. O. U. W. The family belong to the Presbyterian Church.

DR. BENJAMIN LOVE, deceased, was born in Mercer County, Penn., July 1, 1828, and was a son of Benjamin and Sarah Love, who came from Eastern Pennsylvania, and died in this county, aged ninety-one and eighty, respectively. Dr. Love grew to manhood in Mercer County, and studied medicine with his

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

brother, Dr. James Love, of Greenfield, Mercer County. In February, 1857, he removed to Girard, Ohio, but returned in the spring of 1858 and located in Sharon, where he continued in the active duties of his profession up to his death, which took place at the old Byers homestead in Lackawannock Town- ship, where he was visiting at the time, July 26, 1886. He also carried on a drug store in Sharon for many years. He was married March 26, 1857, to Miss Julia A., daughter of Daniel C. and Maria Byers, of Lackawannock Township, the former a well-known hotel keeper of Greenfield. Of this union three children, Charles J., Elmer P. and Effie J., were born to them, all of whom died after reaching maturity. Dr. Love was an attendant of the United Pres- byterian Church, to which denomination his widow belongs. Politically a Re- publican, he filled the offices of councilman and school director of Sharon, and for nearly thirty years was one of the leading physicians of the Shenango Valley. He was well known and respected by the people of his native county, and stood high among his professional brethren.

ALEXANDER MACAULAY, liveryman, was born in Scotland April 20, 1858, and is a son of Francis and Jannett (Ray) Macaulay, natives of Scotland. In 1863 the family immigrated to Honeybrook, Penn., and in 1868 the father re- moved to Bethel, Hickory Township, Mercer Co., Penn., where the family joined him about one year later. Francis Macaulay carried on a store about twelve years. In the summer of 1885 they located in Sharon, where the father died in September, and where the mother still resides. In June, 1885, our subject bought a half interest in his present livery stables, and with John T. Pew, under the firm name of Pew & Macaulay, carried on the business up to March 23, 1888, when Charles A. Polley bought out Mr. Pew, and the firm became Macaulay & Polley. Mr. Macaulay was married January 20, 1884, to Miss Susan Rhind, of Sharon, of which union two children survive: Francis and William. The family belong to the Episcopal Church, and politically Mr. Macaulay is a Republican.

SEPTIMUS MARSDEN, retired steel operator, was born in Sheffield, Yorkshire, England, December 7, 1832, and is a son of Jonathan and Jane (Allride) Marsden, who spent their lives in England. Our subject began working in a steel works at ten years of age, and continued working at that business until January 1, 1853, when he immigrated to Pittsburgh, Penn. He there worked at his trade till June, 1856, when he came to Sharon to superintend the con- struction of the furnace portions of the steel works then being fitted up in the Sharon Iron Works for the manufacture of steel from raw ore. This experi- ment continued until the fall of 1857, when it was given up as a failure, which Mr. Marsden had predicted from the beginning would be the final result. In the spring of 1859 Mr. Marsden returned to his old employer, Samuel Mc- Kelvy, of Pittsburgh, and worked in that establishment under the successsors, Hussy & Wells, till the spring of 1861, when he left and helped to establish the steel works of Parks Bro. & Co., of Pittsburgh. He worked there nearly six years, and for one year worked with Bailey & Brown, of the Wayne Iron & Steel Works. In 1867 he returned to Sharon, and in the fall of 1868 set- tled on his farm near Transfer. In the autumn of 1869 he sold out and removed to Philadelphia, where for nearly ten years he had charge of William & Harvey Rowland's Steel Works. In April, 1879, he resigned this posi- tion and again came to Sharon, and settled on a farm in Jefferson Township, where he resided until September, 1886, since which time he has devoted his attention to looking after his property in Sharon, whither he removed that fall. He was married April 22, 1857, to Elizabeth, only child of Solomon and Jane Dillinger. One son, Charles (deceased), was born of this union. Mr. Mars-

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

den and wife are members of the Episcopal Church. Politically he is a Dem- ocrat, and belongs to the Masonic fraternity.

WILLIAM B. MARSHALL, manager of the Sharon Iron Works Store, is a native of Washington County, Penn. His parents removed from that county to Lawrence County, Penn., when William B. was but six years old, and he there grew to manhood and received a good English education. He came to Sharon in 1868, and for about eight years was engaged in the mercantile bus- iness. In 1876, soon after the Sharon Iron Works Store was established, he took charge of it, and, excepting a period of about two years, has since continued in that capacity. Under his vigorous and judicious management the Sharon Iron Works Store has been highly prosperous, and is one of the leading mercantile houses of Mercer County. Mr. Marshall is married and. the father of three children: Kate B., Clifford C. and Ettie O. Politically he is a Democrat, and both he and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church.

JACOB MESSERSMITH, proprietor of the Messer House, was born in Dauphin County, Penn., April 19, 1818, to Andrew and Catherine (Seburne) Messer- smith, natives of that county. In 1824 the parents moved to Hartford, Trum- bull Co., Ohio, where Jacob was reared and educated. He learned the black- smith's trade with his father, and followed it seven years. He then located at Vienna, Ohio, and was engaged in the cattle business for twelve years. In 1865 he came to Sharon, and began the hotel business in the old Exchange Hotel, which he ran very successfully for six years. He bought his present business site in 1873, erected a building, and has remained there ever since. He was married April 9, 1838, to Mary Ann, daughter of Henry Fry, by whom he has eight living children: Belinda (wife of Robert Mackey, of Sharon), Ransom and Julia (of Sharon), Edward (superintendent of the New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio Railroad eating houses), Allie (wife of Joseph Hamler, of Cleveland, Ohio), Frank (of Sharon), Mary (wife of Prof. Rumsey, of Cleve- land) and Barney. Mrs. Messersmith died March 13, 1887. He is a Mason, being a member of Erie Lodge, of Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio, and one of Sharon's respected citizens.

JOSEPH MCCLEERY was born in Hickory Township March 25, 1823. His father, Rev. George McCleery, was a native of Ireland, who immigrated to Coitsville, Mahoning Co., Ohio, in 1817-18, where he married Mary Beggs, a native of Washington County, Penn., whose parents removed to Coitsville when she was an infant. After their marriage they located in Hubbard, Ohio, and in 1820 settled on the farm where our subject now lives. During the early portion of his life Rev. McCleery preached the gospel for the Baptists through this valley. He also preached two years in Butler County, besides devoting his time to school teaching. In 1828 he united with the Disciples, and preached for that church, more or less, the balance of his days. About 1830 he commenced the practice of medicine, and continued in that profession up to November 13, 1843, when he died, aged fifty-four years. Rev. Mc- Cleery reared nine children: James, Nancy (widow of Henry Dunham), Joseph J., Rainey, Mary S. (deceased), Lorinda (wife of Jesse Dunlap, of Washing- ton Territory,) Adaline, Corydon and Sarah (wife of David Hopkins, of Illi- nois). Mrs. McCleery died September 13, 1877, in the faith of the Disciple Church, aged eighty-three years. Our subject was reared on the old home- stead, and was educated in the pioneer schools. He was married March 28, 1854, to Caroline W. Baker, of Bloomfield, Trumbull Co., Ohio, and settled in Sharon in the present residence of T. J. Porter. In early life he followed farming, and in 1848 went into the coal business, which he continued up to a recent date. He was also engaged in merchandising about four years.

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

Mrs. McCleery died April 30, 1884, aged fifty-two years, in full communion with the Disciple Church. She left two children, Charles J. and Jessie A. Politically Mr. McCleery was a Democrat up to the organization of the Prohi- bition party of Mercer County, since which time he has been an ardent advo- cate of Prohibition principles. He has served on the school board of Sharon sixteen years, and in the borough council two years.

SAMUEL MCCLURE, agent, superintendent and manager of the Stewart Iron Company, limited, was born in Little Beaver, Beaver Co., Penn., January 3, 1839, and is the eldest son of Joseph and Nancy McClure, of Clarksville, Penn. Samuel grew to manhood under the parental roof, working on a farm and clerking in his father's store during his boyhood days. After receiving the usual common school education he entered Girard Academy, Girard, Penn., where he spent several years. In 1861 he began clerking in Clarksville, and in 1862 he entered the employ of James Wood & Co., proprietors of Home- wood Furnace, Lawrence County, Penn. In June, 1863, he came to Wheat- land, Mercer County, in connection with the same firm, and remained with them till their failure in 1873, at which time he was assistant superintendent of the works. For a few months succeeding this event he had charge of the blast furnace in West Middlesex. In January, 1874, he became connected with the Stewart Iron Company, limited, of Sharon, and has since been manager of the business of that firm in the Shenango Valley, as well as the coke plant in Fay- ette County, Penn., which was constructed under his direction. Under Mr. McClure's able management the business of this firm has grown prosperous, and stands second to none in the valley. Our subject was married July 1, 1863, to Miss Augusta R. Dickson, of Clarksville, of which union three daugh ters have been born: Mary, wife of Charles F. Phillips, of Sharon; Anna D. and Jennie. Mr. McClure is a leading Republican, and in 1884 was elected State senator for the Forty-seventh District, composed of the counties of Mer- cer and Lawrence, for the term ending in December, 1888. He was also the choice of his party in Mercer County for renomination. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and also of the A. O. U. W. Mr. McClure is a stock- holder in, and one of the managers of, the Shenango Machine Company, lim - ited, and vice-president of the Sharon Steel Casting Company, two of the leading manufacturing institutions of Sharon.

JOSEPH N. MCCLURE, attorney at law, was born January 1, 1843, in Clarks- ville, Mercer Co., Penn., and is a son of Joseph and Nancy McClure, of that borough. He grew to maturity on his father's farm at Clarksville, and at the age of sixteen entered Girard Academy, Girard, Penn., where he spent over one year, and then went to Allegheny College, Meadville, Penn., where he remained four terms. During this period he clerked, and in spare moments studied law with the intention of entering that profession, registering under the law firm of Griffith & Trunkey, of Mercer. He then entered the Ohio Law School, Cleveland, Ohio, graduated November 16, 1865, and stood his examination, admitting him to all the courts of Ohio, including the United States Court. In January, 1866, Mr. McClure was admitted to the bar at Mercer, but did not commence practice until April, 1867, when he opened an office in Sharon, where he has since continued in the active duties of his profession. He has been for some years the legal representative of several of the leading manufactur- ing institutions of the valley, and also the attorney for several of its prom- inent manufacturing and financial interests. Mr. McClure is president of the S. V. Railroad, of the Stewart Railroad, and the State Line & Middlesex Railroad, and is the local solicitor for the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad. He is a Republican in politics, and a member of the Masonic and

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

I. O. O. F. societies. Mr. McClure was married December 12, 1865, to Miss Minerva R., daughter of Samnel Madge, of Mercer County. Two children are the fruits of this union: Charles N. and Frank M.

JOHN MCCLURE, attorney at law, was born in Clarksville, Penn., April 22, 1852, and is a son of Joseph and Nancy McClure, of that town. He grew up and was educated in the public schools of bis native village, and in the fall of 1868 entered Westminster College, New Wilmington, Penn., where he gradu- ated in June, 1873. During the summer he began reading law at home, and afterward read in his brother Joseph's office for a short time. In January, 1874, he went to Cleveland, Ohio, and attended one term of lectures at the law school of that city. He spent the following summer reading law, and was admitted at Mercer in September, 1874. Soon afterward he began practice with Griffith & Mason, with whom he remained till January, 1876. He then located in Sharon, where he has been engaged in active practice up to the present. Mr. McClure was married December 27, 1880, to Miss Emma Runser, of Sharon, who died October 4, 1881. Politically he is a Democrat, and a member of the Masonic and K. of P. societies.

ROBERT MCFARLAND, retired harness maker, was born in Hartford Town- ship, Trumbull Co., Ohio, March 10, 1815. His grandparents, Robert McFar- land and wife, immigrated from Ireland to the vicinity of Harrisburg, Penn., whence they removed to Washington County, Penn., and settled near Steuben- ville, Ohio. In 1806 they removed to Hartford Township, Trumbull Co., Ohio, where Robert died May 1, 1815, and his widow several years after- ward. They reared three sons and four daughters: Thomas, Archibald, John, Martha, Polly, Jane and Peggy. The sons lived and died in Hartford Town- ship; Martha married Willian Dugan, and after his death Azariah Dunham; Polly married Hugh McDowell, and Jane married John Canon, and subse- quently George Shilling. Thomas, the father of our subject, was born near Harrisburg, Penn., in 1794, and grew up under the parental roof. He married Martha, daughter of Nathan Fell, of Pymatuning Township, Mercer Co., Penn., who bore him five children: Nathan, Robert, Smith, George and Cynthia, wife of Lewis Holland, of Trumbull County, Ohio. The mother died in 1827, and he again married, Mrs. Nancy McKnight, and reared three children by this union: Thomas F., Amelia and Phoebe. He and his brother, Archibald, served under Harrison in the War of 1812, and he survived until 1862, dying on the old homestead in Trumbull County. Our subject left home at the age of seventeen, and went to learn the harness business, at which he served a full apprenticeship, and then spent eighteen months in a jouring tour through the Eastern States and Canada, reaching Sharon in February, 1838. The follow- ing month he went to Pittsburgh in a one-horse sleigh, purchased a small stock of leather and hardware, and, returning to Sharon, opened a harness shop on the north side of State Street, west of the river. He began business on a capital of $18, but by steady industry and rigid economy he accumulated through the passing years a handsome estate. Mr. McFarland was married May 29, 1838, to Chloe Fuller, of Hartford Township, Trumbull Co., Ohio, who bore him one son, Thomas D., of Sharon. Our subject has been a life- long Democrat, filled the office of burgess four years, and has been a member of the council and school board several terms. He is one of the two living charter members of Sharon Lodge No. 347, I. O. O. F., J. J. Spearman, Esq., being the other, and is also a member of the Masonic fraternity. He has lived in Sharon over half a century, and is one of the successful pioneer fathers of the town.

WINFIELD SCOTT MCFARLAND, physician and surgeon, was born in Pymatu-

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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.

ning Township, Mercer Co., Penn., January 1, 1848, and is a son of Smith and Sarah (Varnes) McFarland, residents of Orangeville. Our subject grew to manhood on the homestead in Pymatuning Township, and attended the dis- trict schools. He learned telegraphy, which he followed about thirteen years, and in the meantime devoted his spare moments to reading medicine. . He attended lectures at the medical department of the University of Wooster, Cleveland, Ohio, and graduated therefrom July 22, 1885. He immediately opened an office in Hendersonville, Mercer Co., Penn., removing to Sharps- ville the following November, where he remained until locating in Sharon in August, 1887, where he has since built up a very good practice. Dr. McFar- land was married to Miss Lorindia Seaton, of Pymatuning Township, Decem- ber 29, 1868, who died November 20, 1884, leaving three children: Lucius. Robert, Maud and Plummer Scott. He was again married, July 29, 1885, to Miss Ida Shull, of Hartford, Trumbull Co., Ohio. The Doctor is a member of the K. of P., E. A. U. and P. H. C., and in politics is a Democrat.

WILLIAM McGILVRAY, deceased, was born within the limits of Allegheny City, Penn., December 15, 1824, and was a son of Alexander and Elizabeth (Cameron) McGilvray. The parents were natives of the highlands of Scot- land, and immigrated to the United States in 1808. After reaching Pitts- burgh the father entered the employ of the late Bishop Hopkins, as gardener, and subsequently served the Hon. H. Denny in the same capacity. The latter became so much interested in his employee's advancement and success that he sent his son William to the Western Theological Seminary, where he passed. two years in study. His friends designed him for the law, but young McGil- vray's tastes did not accord with their choice. Having a decided inclination for mechanical pursuits he learned the blacksmith trade in Allegheny City, and to better his condition went to Sharon in 1850, where, as a stockholder and director of the Jackson Iron Company, he remained until 1854, when he pur- chased and remodeled the works which bore his name up to his death, July 5, 1877. Both in this establishment as well as in other enterprises with which he was connected he was very successful, for he possessed in a large measure the perseverance and determination of purpose that overcame all obstacles. Starting in the battle of life devoid of pecuniary means, by his indomitable energy and industry he won a competence. Though not of the wealthiest, he. exerted himself to foster the business interests of Sharon, and always took an active part in every worthy public enterprise. He was a large stockholder in the Sharon Gas Company and the Sharon Savings Bank. Mr. McGilvray was married May 3, 1844, to Miss Rebecca Ewing, of Pittsburgh, a native of West- moreland County, Penn., who reared the following children: Elizabeth C., deceased wife of L. Buchholz; Lydia, wife of D. R. Shiras; Mary J., wife of C. W. Ray; Rebecca V., wife of James Carnes, and Catharine C., wife of Samuel C. Iddings. In politics Mr. McGilvray was a Democrat, but took no. active interest in political affairs.

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History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, Part 97

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