History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, Part 99

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

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DAVID T. PORTER, deceased merchant, was born in Chambersburg, Penn., May 26, 1802, son of Washington and Rachel Porter, previously spoken of. The family removed to Butler County soon after the birth of our subject, and in 1804 settled at Mercer. Here David T. grew to manhood, and was married February 24, 1824, to Nancy, daughter of William and Polly (Rambo) Find- ley, pioneers of Mercer County. She was born September 25, 1802, and three sons, David Findley (deceased), George W. (deceased), William, and one daugh- ter, Rachel (deceased), were the fruits of this union. The mother died Sep- tember 2, 1834, and Mr. Porter was again married, October 16, 1837, to Miss Sarah Satterfield, born February 5, 1808. Three children survive this marriage: James S., Nancy F. and Sarah S. Mrs. Porter died February 13, 1845, and he was again married, November 16, 1845, to Ann Hazleton, of Pittsburgh, born November 16, 1816, of which union three children survive: Thomas H., Ann E. and Mary T. Our subject resided in Mercer till the spring of 1845, when he located in Sharon, and for many years was engaged in merchandising under the firm name of Carver & Porters, the firm being C. G. Carver, T. J. Porter and David T. Porter. He and his brother subsequently carried on the mercantile business, and were also engaged in the coal trade. He was after- ward connected with his sons in the mercantile line up to his death, which occurred February 21, 1876. His wife survived him, and died September 22, 1883. Both were members of the United Presbyterian Church. Mr. Porter was originally a Democrat, one of the pioneer Abolitionists of Mercer County, and finally a Republican. He served several terms as county treasurer; was also associate judge of the county, and subsequently filled the office of justice of the peace in Sharon.

GEORGE WASHINGTON PORTER (deceased) was born in Mercer, Penn., May 26, 1826, and was a son of David T. Porter, previously mentioned in this chapter. He grew up in his native borough, where he followed clerking, and subsequently clerked in Pittsburgh. In the spring of 1850 he went to Cali . fornia and spent one year in the gold mines, returning to Sharon in August, 1851. He clerked in that borough for several years; in 1864 went into busi- ness with his father and brother William, and was engaged in the mercantile trade for many years in Sharon. In 1875 he was elected book-keeper of the First National Bank of Sharon, and was soon afterward chosen assistant cashier, which position he filled up to his death, November 28, 1885. Mr.

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Porter was married, June 1, 1856, to Miss Sarah Ann, daughter of Rev. San- ford Parker, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which union five children were born: William F., Sanford C., Harry S., Mattie and George W. (deceased). Politically he was a stanch Republican, was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and an upright, honest and respected citizen.

CHARLES L. POWERS, of Powers & Williams, general grocers, was born in Coalburg, Trumbull Co., Ohio, July 31, 1861, and is a son of James M. and Charlotte E. (McCoy) Powers, natives of Ohio and residents of Ashtabula County. Our subject grew up in his native county, first clerked in his father's store in Coalburg, and then went to Youngstown, Ohio. He afterward worked for his father in his store in Brookfield, Ohio. In September, 1886, he came to Sharon, and in June, 1887, the present partnership was formed. Mr. Powers was married to Miss Dora Hart, of Brookfield, Ohio, of which union two daughters, Pearl and Annis, have been born. Politically he is a Repub- lican.

CHAUNCY N. PRINDLE (deceased) was born in Connecticut February 10, 1820, and was a son of Linus and Nancy (Pope) Prindle, also natives of that State. When our subject was a small boy his parents removed to Medina County, Ohio, where he grew to maturity. They subsequently removed to Vienna, Trumbull Co., Ohio, where they died. Mr. Prindle was married June 10, 1843, to Miss Mary Bike, of Liberty Township, Trumbull Co., Ohio, who bore him four children: William L., of Cleveland, Ohio; Margaret A., wife of E. Fair, of Wheatland, Penn .; Cornelia, deceased wife of J. J. Young, of Sharon, and Alice (deceased). In 1851 Mr. Prindle located in Sharon, where he followed butchering a few years, and afterward engaged in merchandising, which he continued up to sixteen years ago, when he retired from active busi- ness, and devoted his attention to looking after his property. His wife died in March, 1852, and he was again married February 3, 1853, to Miss Amanda Bike, a sister of his first wife, and daughter of Matthias and Catharine Bike, natives of Pennsylvania, and pioneers of Trumbull County, Ohio. Four chil- dren were born of this union, two of whom grew to maturity: Clara, wife of T. B. Boyd, of Sharon, and Minnie G., deceased wife of S. H. Sisson, of Erie County, Penn. Mr. Prindle was a life-long Democrat, and filled several of the local offices of the borough. Coming to Sharon a poor man, he accumu- lated through the passing years a large estate, and at his death, February 2, 1888, was recognized as one of the solid, substantial and upright citizens of the town.

BERT H. PRINTZ, merchant tailor and clothier, was born in Hungary, No- vember 29, 1859, and is a son of A. and Rosa (Wohlgamuth) Printz, the latter deceased, and the former a resident of Sharon. In October, 1864, the family immigrated to Youngstown, Ohio, where the mother died. Bert H. grew to manhood in Youngstown, and received his education in the public schools of that city. In February, 1878, he came to Sharon, and clerked here until April, 1886, when he. opened his present establishment, and has since won and retained a large trade. In August, 1888, he opened a branch store at Frank- lin, Penn. Politically he is a Republican, and a member of the K. of P. and also of the National Union. The family are members of the Jewish faith, and Mr. Printz is one of the progressive young business men of Sharon.

SAMUEL QUINBY, deceased pioneer of Sharon, was a native of New Jersey, served through the Revolutionary War, and came out with the rank of captain. He was reared on a farm, and after the close of the Revolution he married Achsah Parks, of New Jersey, and settled on the Monongahela River, near Pittsburgh, Penn. He subsequently removed to the site of Warren, Ohio,

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and in 1808 or 1809 located on the site of Sharon, where he purchased a farm and grist-mill from Benj. Bentley. He there died Septembr 9, 1842, in his eighty-sixth year, in the faith of the Baptist Church, and was buried with military honors on the anniversary of Perry's victory. He left a widow and ten children, only two of whom are living: Mrs. C. G. Carver, of Sharon, and Parks. Mrs. Quinby survived her husband several years, and both are buried in Oakwood Cemetery. They reared the following children: Samuel, Charles, Ephriam, Parks, Terressa, who married C. G. Carver; Nancy, who married Isaac DeForest; Elizabeth, who married Daniel Budd; Julia A., who became the wife of T. J. Porter; Rebecca, who married Louis Reno, and Sarah, who married John Reeves, all of whom left children. The sons are well remembered by the citizens of Sharon.

DR. EPHRIAM QUINBY, who died in Clarksville, Penn., in October, 1872, was a native of Mercer County, and a son of Samuel Quinby, ancestor of one of the oldest families of the Shenango Valley. In early manhood he read medi- cine, and followed the medical profession the balance of his life. He was twice married, first to Miss Julia Guittau, of Washington County, Ohio, who bore him five children, two daughters of whom are living. His second wife was Miss Angeline, daughter of Charles Stewart, of Trumbull County, Ohio. Of this union one son, Charles S., was born in Marietta, Ohio, June 7, 1855. The widow is now a resident of Sharon. Charles S. grew up and was educated in Mercer County, and in the spring of 1872 began clerking in Sharon. In the fall of 1877 he formed a partnership with T. J. Forker, under the firm name of Forker & Quinby, which is to-day one of the leading mercantile establishments of the town. Mr. Quinby was married in 1877 to Miss Estella Knighton, of Sharon, of which union three children have been born: Susie, Arthur and Anna. Politically he is a Republican, and is one of the enterpris- ing business men of Sharon.

CALVIN W. RAY, editor of the Sharon Eagle, was born in Clarion County, Penn., December 25, 1844, and is a son of Franklin and Mary J. (Potter) Ray, natives of the same county, and now residents of Jefferson Township, Mercer Co., Penn., whither they removed about fifteen years ago. Our subject began learning the printer's trade in Brookville, Penn., in the spring of 1861, and completed it in Meadville, Penn., where he worked till the fall of 1866, and then came to Sharon. On the 1st of November of that year he purchased a half interest in the Sharon Herald, and was one of the editors and owners of that sheet for ten years. In January, 1876, he bought the remaining interest, and was sole editor and proprietor up to March, 1879. Having been appointed by President Hayes postmaster of Sharon, he sold the Herald, and filled the postmastership eight years, receiving his second appointment from Presi- dent Arthur. Retiring from the office in March, 1887, the following October he purchased an interest in the Sharon Eagle, and has since been editor of that paper. Mr. Ray was married March 18, 1869, to Miss Mary J., daughter of William McGilvray, Esq., of Sharon, who is the mother of three children: William S., Bessie C. and Frederick E. Our subject is a stanch Republican, and served in Company B, Fifty-seventh Pennsylvania Militia, in the 100-days' service. He is a member of the Masonic order, I. O. O. F., A. O. U. W. and N. U., and both he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

JAMES L. RAY, of the Eagle Printing Company, was born in Clarion County, Penn., February 17, 1854, and is a son of James and Jaly (Hensley) Ray, the former a native of Clarion County and the latter of Missouri. The mother died in Clarion County in January, 1857, and the family removed to Iowa in 1863, where the father died June 1, 1888. In 1869 our subject began

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learning the printer's trade in Chariton, Iowa, completing his trade in Mead- ville and Sharon, coming to the latter place in 1871. He followed his trade in Sharon, Mercer, Erie and Clarion, and again returned to Sharon in 1880. On the 1st of April, 1886, in partnership with Walter Whitehead, he pur- chased the Eagle, and has since been connected with that paper. Mr. Ray was married September 26, 1877, to Miss Edith N. Porter, of Sharon, who has borne him four children: Leroy P., Lydia J., Nellie and William J. Politi- cally he is a Republican and a member of the P. H. C.

JOSEPH H. REED, physician and surgeon, was born in Lawrence County, Penn., May 31, 1856, and is a son of John C. Reed, a farmer of that county. Our subject received a good education in the puplic schools of his native county, and in the spring of 1874 began the study of medicine under Dr. James J. Wallace, of New Castle, Penn. He attended lectures at Miami Med- ical College, Cincinnati, Ohio, in the sessions of 1875-76 and 1877-78, and was graduated in the spring of the latter year. On the 1st of April, 1878, Dr. Reed located at Sharon, where he has since built up a lucrative practice. He was married April 26, 1880, to Miss Kate Bowman, of New Castle, Penn., of which union one child, Helen, is the issue. Politically Dr. Reed is a stanch Republican, and takes a deep interest in the success of his party. He has been a member of the school board six years, and belongs to the K. of P. and A. O. F. He is a member of the Mercer County Medical Society and the Pennsylvania State Medical Society, and stands well among the medical fra- ternity of Mercer County.

C. M. RICE, dealer in books, stationery, etc., was born in Erie County, Penn., November 8, 1838, and is a son of Erwin and Diadama Rice, natives of Vermont, who located near North East, and about 1841 removed to the vicinity of Sandy Lake, Mercer County. His mother died there about 1845, and his father afterward removed to Findley Township, where he died in June, 1860. They reared ten children, all of whom are yet living. Our subject grew up and received his education in this county. He began clerking in Par- doe, and in December, 1862, came to Sharon, and opened a book-store on the site of his present establishment, and except a few years has ever since contin- ued to conduct the leading book-store of Sharon. Mr. Rice was married May 8, 1862, to Miss Caroline, daughter of John Offutt, a pioneer of Plain Grove Township, Lawrence Co., Penn. Five children have been born of this union: James E., Charles B., Corydon V., Laura G. and Frank M. Mr. Rice has been a life-long Republican, but not an office-seeker. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and P. H. C., and both he and family belong to the Presbyte- rian Church, Mr. Rice being an elder in the First Presbyterian Church of Sharon. He is one of the oldest, most enterprising and energetic business men of the borough.

WILLIAM B. ROBERTS, nailer in the works of P. L. Kimberly & Co., was born in Plattsburg, Clinton Co., N. Y., September 13, 1830, and is a son of Peter J. and Merril (Bemis) Roberts, the former a native of New York State, and the latter of Maryland, both of whom died in Clinton County, N. Y. Peter J. was an extensive land owner, and for many years a justice of the peace. His father, John, was a veteran of the War of 1812. William B. left home at the age of seventeen, and learned the nailer's trade in Boquet, Essex, Co., N. Y. He worked at his trade in several eastern towns, and in 1869 came west to Cleveland, Ohio, and afterward worked in Niles, Ohio. In 1871 he located in Sharon and worked for the Sharon Iron Company two years. Since then he has been one of the leading nailers in the works of P. L. Kimberly & Co. Mr. Roberts was married April 8, 1852, to Miss Louisa Smith, of Essex

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County, N. Y., who has borne him seven children: Helen L., wife of Riddle Jones, of Sharon; Julia E., wife of S. S. Leonard, of Sharon; Lucy S., wife of C. L. Brundige, of Sharon; Fannie E., deceased; William A., Frank B. and Charles H. The family are attendants of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and politically he is a Republican. He is a member of the K. of P. and Amal- gamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers.

WILLIAM S. ROBERTS, roll turner in the mills of P. L. Kimberly & Co., was born in Youngstown, Ohio, November 19, 1858, and is a son of William and Eliza (Graham) Roberts, natives of Pittsburgh, Penn., and Nova Scotia, respectively, and now residents of Sharon. William S. grew up in Sharon, and learned the trade of a roll turner with P. L. Kimberly & Co., for which firm he has always worked. He was married May 6, 1880, to Miss Jennie, daughter of John R. Mccleery, a member of one of the pioneer fami- lies of Mercer County. Four children have been born of this union: Stanley A., Willie R., Frederick D. and Ralph. The family belong to the Protestant Episcopal Church, and in politics Mr. Roberts is a Republican. He is a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F. and the Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers.

E. J. ROBINSON, superintendent of the Sharon Water Works Company, was born in London, England, in 1864. In 1884 he immigrated to the United States, and since the establishment of the Sharon water works in 1885 he has been connected with that improvement. He is one of the well-known and respected young business men of the borough.

CHARLES L. ROBISON, proprietor of livery stable, was born in Lawrence County, Penn., March 22, 1848. He is a son of John and Kesiah (Seconcost) Robison, natives of the same county and residents of Sharon, whither they came a few years after our subject. Charles L. was reared in New Wilming- ton, Penn., and learned the plasterer's trade. In the spring of 1870 he located in Sharon, where he followed his trade as a contractor till September, 1887, when he built and equipped his present livery stable, and has since car- ried on that business. Mr. Robison was married, January 23, 1869, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Hugh and Mary Means, of New Wilmington, Penn. Two children are the fruits of this marriage: Nellie and Charles H. Mr. Robison is a Republican, and has served in the borough council one term. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and the Equitable Aid Union.

JAMES V. ROSE, manufacturer of fire brick, was born in New Castle, Penn., August 2, 1851, and is a son of Isaac P. and Margaret (Gibson) Rose. The former was born in Mercer, Penn., January 17, 1812, and his father, Isaac P., was proprietor of a small pottery works near that town, where he had located in the last decade of the eighteenth century. Isaac P., Sr., was a son of Isaac Rose, a captain in the Revolutionary War, who was one of the earliest settlers of Pennsylvania. About the year 1824 Isaac P. Rose, Sr., removed with his family to New Castle, Penn., and there died. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and fought under Perry on Lake Erie, and his son was named Isaac Perry after that celebrated officer. At the age of sixteen years Isaac P., Jr., went westward, and for seven years lived in the Rocky Mountains, fol- lowing hunting and trapping in the employment of the Hudson Bay Fur Com- pany. Throughout this period he traveled all over the far West and the Pacific slope, continually encountering the dangers and trials of Indian treach- ery, being once a prisoner for sixty days in the hands of the savages. Upon his return to New Castle he went to school for several years, fitting himself for the teacher's profession, and for forty years he followed school-teaching in Lawrence County. He is the author of "Four Years in the Rockies," an

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account of the most thrilling period of his life in the West. He married Miss Margaret, daughter of George Gibson, of New Castle, a pioneer of Lawrence County. She bore him nine children, eight of whom are living. The parents reside near New Castle, and for twenty-five years have been members of the United Presbyterian Church, and the greater part of that time Mr. Rose has filled the office of elder. Our subject grew up in New Castle, and received his education in the high-schools of that town. He learned the fire brick busi- ness, and subsequently began contracting and equipping with furnaces, blast furnaces and rolling mills in the Shenango Valley. In 1877 he removed from New Castle to Erie, Penn., and in the spring of 1883 located in Sharon, where he purchased the fire brick works. He operated these till August, 1887, when they were burned, and soon afterward began the erection of his present works, which are far more substantial and of a larger capacity. Mr. Rose was mar- ried, April 23, 1874, to Miss S. E., daughter of William and Elizabeth Geddes, of Sharpsville, but natives of Scotland. One son, William Geddes, is the fruit of this union. Mr. Rose and wife are members of the First Baptist Church of Sharon. He is vice-president of the Supreme Circle of the P. H. C., also a member of the N. U., and in politics is a Republican.

GEORGE A. SAUL, baker and confectioner, was born in Greenville, Penn., May 1, 1858. His parents were Frederick and Elizabeth (Hossell) Saul, natives of Germany, who immigrated to Mercer County about thirty-two years ago. The father died near Sharon, where the widow now resides. George A. grew up principally in Mercer County, and learned his trade in Greenville. He followed his business in Pittsburgh, Penn., and Cleveland, Ohio, and in April, 1884, opened his present confectionery, where he has since carried on a large and successful trade. Mr. Saul was married September 4, 1884, to Miss Laura E., daughter of Simon Kamerer, of Greenville. One son, Simon Carl, was born of this union, and died March 30, 1887. Politically Mr. Saul is a Republican, and one of the energetic business men of the borough.

E. E. SEAVY, of the firm of Seavy & Fowler, photographers, was born in Portage County, Wis., April 29, 1859, and is a son of E. and Mary Seavy, he a native of Vermont, and she of Crawford County, Penn., where the father died and the mother still lives. Mr. Seavy grew up in Crawford County, Penn., and learned photography in Meadville. In May, 1886, he located in Sharon, where the firm purchased the gallery of Mr. Dodd. Mr. Seavy has charge of the Sharon gallery, while his partner conducts a gallery in Meadville. Politically Mr. Seavy is a Republican, and a member of the National Union. Since locat- ing in Sharon he has built up a large trade, and turns out a fine class of work.

WILLIAM W. SERVICE, insurance agent, was born in what is now Lake Town- ship, Mercer Co., Penn., May 5, 1833. His parents were William and Jane A. (Stuart) Service. The former was born near Belfast, Ireland, September 27, 1798, and the latter in Allegheny County, Penn., July 9, 1807, of Scotch ancestry. In the year 1800 William Service emigrated from Ireland with his mother, Mary, to Huntingdon County, Penn., whither the father, Thomas, had preceded them, and in 1805 they settled in what was then Cool Spring Town- ship, but since organized as Lake. The parents both died in this county, and are buried in Cool Spring Cemetery. Thomas Service was a patriot, who served in the Irish rebellion of 1798, and was taken prisoner, but escaped to America, whither his family followed him. William, the father of our subject, grew up in this county, and married Jane A. Stuart, who reared a family of nine children: Mary Ann, Caroline, William W., Adeline R., Ansley S., Susan E., Emily M., John (deceased) and Eva. The parents both

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died on the old homestead, the mother February 5, 1862, and the father June 9, 1868. Our subject was reared in Jackson Township, received a good com- mon-school education, and taught in his home district school about thirteen years; also followed farming during this period. In 1872 he came to Sharon, and went into the insurance business, the firm of Service Brothers & Co. being one of the oldest insurance agencies in this section of the State. Mr. Service was married April 16, 1866, to Miss Annie Murray, of Lawrence County, Penn. Three children have been born to them: Eva L. (deceased), William M. and Etta M. Politically he is a Democrat, and a member of the I. O.O.F., E. A. U., N. U. and P. H. C.

ANSLEY S. SERVICE, cashier of the First National Bank of Sharon, was born in Jackson Township, Mercer Co., Penn., June 5, 1845, and is a son of William and Jane A. (Stuart) Service, of that township. Our subject grew up there, and after receiving a good education in the district schools spent one term at the Edinboro Normal, and graduated at Iron City Commercial College, Pittsburgh, Penn., in December 1865. He came to Sharon in Janu- ary, 1866, and began clerking for D. T. Porter & Sons, dry goods merchants. In the fall of 1866 he entered the private bank of Porter & Perkins, and one year afterward the bank of D. C. Strawbridge. In March, 1870, he was elected book-keeper of the First National Bank, which had been organized the previous fall, and held that position until July, 1875, when he was elected cashier, which position he has since filled. Since the fall of 1875 he has been a stockholder of the bank, and a director thereof since January, 1886. He was married September 5, 1871, to Miss Emma V., daughter of Daniel Upson Budd, a pioneer of Sharon. Two children have been born to them: Charles and Eva. Politically Mr. Service is an ardent Democrat, a K. T. of the Masonic order, and has served as W. M. of the Masonic lodge, and E. C. of the K. T. of Sharon Commandery. He also belongs to the A. O. U. W., and is a member of the Supreme Circle of the P. H. C.

GEORGE W. SHILLING, physician and surgeon, was born in Brookfield, Township, Trumbull Co., Ohio, July 28, 1842, and is a son of Samuel and Mary (Welch) Shilling, of Sharon. Our subject grew up in Ohio, and came to Sharon with his parents in 1862. He received a good English educa- tion in the public schools of Ohio and Pennsylvania. In 1870 he began read- ing medicine, and studied under Drs. Jesse Y., James and John Barber, of Sharon. He commenced attending lectures at the Medical University of Pennsylvania in 1872, and was graduated from that institution March 12, 1875. He remained with Dr. Barber two years, and then went to the oil country, returning to Sharon in 1880, since which time he has been engaged in the active duties of his profession and has built up a good practice. Politi- cally, the Doctor is a Democrat, and a member of the Mercer County Medical Society and the American Medical Association.

W. W. SHILLING, attorney at law, was born on the site of Wheatland, Penn., October 24, 1856, and is a son of Henry and Mary Shilling, deceased pioneers of Hickory Township. Our subject grew up on the old homestead, attended the public schools at Wheatland, and spent two terms at the Edinboro Normal School. He took a full course in Eastman's College, of Poughkeep- sie, N. Y., and in January, 1876, entered Allegheny College, Meadville, Penn., and graduated in the class of 1880. In the fall of that year he began reading law in the office of Stranahan & Mehard, of Mercer, was admitted to the bar in June, 1882, and the following October began practice in Sharon. In Octo- ber, 1884, he formed a partnership with Thomas Tanner, and the firm of Tan- ner & Shilling has since been one of the best known law firms of the county.

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History of Mercer County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, Part 99

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