History of Venango County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, including, Part 92

Author: Bell, Herbert C. (Herbert Charles), 1868-
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago : Brown, Runk & Co.
Number of Pages: 1323

USA > Pennsylvania > Venango County > History of Venango County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, including > Part 92

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

DAVID S. CRISWELL, oil producer, was born January 12, 1842, in Clarion county, this state, and is a brother of R. W. Criswell. He was educated in the common schools of Armstrong county. He enlisted in 1863 in Cap- tain J. B. Guthrie's independent company, and was discharged after a serv- ice of ten months with the President's Guards. Returning from the war, he drilled what was known as the Criswell well in Cornplanter township, which turned out one hundred barrels of oil per day, at a time when oil was worth seven dollars and fifty cents per barrel. From 1880 to 1884 he was promoter and superintendent of silver mines in Arizona for an Oil City com- pany. With the exception of this brief period, he has been producing oil since beginning that business. In 1874 he drilled the first well from the top of the ground to the fourth sand, in Armstrong county, securing a three thousand barrel well, which flowed for eighteen months. Criswell City, of that county, took its name after this well, and Mr. Criswell is rightly credited as being the originator of the fourth sand theory. He was married Sep- tember 13, 1864, to Miss Mary E. Widger, a native of Oil City, and to this union five children have been born: Robert N., assistant book-keeper for

905

BIOGRAPHIES OF OIL CITY.

the Derrick; Mabel L .; Maude; Byron G., and Minnie L. He is a mem- ber and past commander of Post 435, G. A. R., and is a Republican,

JOHN W. WAITS, whose oil production is on the famous " Johnnie Steele " farm, is a son of the late John Waits, who came here from Buffalo in the palmy days of petroleum, and here spent the last days of his life, dying in 1882, at the age of sixty-four years. John W. Waits was born in Albany, New York, in 1858, and was ten years old when his father moved into the oil region. He was educated at the common schools, and at Erie, Pennsyl- vania, learned the trade of machinist. Before coming on the Steele farm he was managing wells for other parties at Bradford, and he came to this place first as an employe. In 1884 he purchased the property upon which he has now thirty-four producing wells, and is rapidly putting down addi- tional ones.

THOMAS DONNELLY, oil producer, was born in March, 1820, in Ireland, to Patrick and Honora (Sexton) Donnelly, natives of Ireland, who immigrated to New York city in 1823, where the father was engaged in selling hats until 1825, when he returned to his native country and there died. His widow returned to America, died in 1872, and was buried in Hornellsville, New York. Eight children were born to them in Ireland, named as follows: Bridget; Mary; Martin; Thomas; John; Kate; Winifred, and Michael. The parents were both members of the Catholic church. In 1837 Thomas Donnelly returned to America from Ireland, whither he had gone with the family. He was edu- cated at the subscription schools of his native country, and at the early age of seventeen years he began learning the hatter trade in New York city. This he followed until 1848, when he started by railroad and stage on a trip over the country, selling ready-made clothing for three years with re- markable success. In 1849 he married Mary Gleason of Elmira, New York, began keeping hotel in 1850 at what was then called Baker's Bridge, now Alford, New York, and after one year removed to Hornellsville, the same state, and kept boarders for thirteen years. From there he moved to Brad- ford and became boss of the construction of a grade for the Erie Railroad Company for one year. Then in 1865 he came to Oil City and kept board- ers in a house on Seneca street for one year, after which he purchased an old building located south of where the Oil Well Supply Company's shops are situated, and conducted a boarding house for twenty-three years. In the spring of 1889 he retired to his present residence on Pearle avenue. He, however, gives some personal attention to the production of oil, having seven wells. His marriage gave him thirteen children, ten of whom died young, and the living are: Thomas E .; Mary A., and Josephine. Mr. Donnelly and wife are members of the Catholic church, as are also their children. In politics he is a Democrat. His son Thomas E. was educated in Oil City until the age of fourteen years, at which time he entered college at Suspension Bridge, New York, from which institution he was graduated

906

HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.

October 26, 1877, after a period of nine years' diligent study. He at once went to Omaha, Nebraska, where he preached for two years. In 1887 he located in Chicago, where he is now pastor of a congregation.

J. S. SHIVELY, furniture dealer, was born December 15, 1828, on a farm in Union county, Pennsylvania, son of Christian and Maria (Stees) Shively, natives of the same county and of German extraction. Christian Shively, grandfather of J. S. Shively, fought the Indians at Templeton's Ford, Union county, and his captain, Patrick Watson, was wounded at this time, from which he died. The children of Christian Shively were named as follows: Barbara; Rachel; John; Christian; Daniel; George, and Benjamin, all of whom died at old age. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. John Stees, the father of Maria, was a Tory, but did not take up arms against the colonists. He was the father of seven children: John; David; Abraham; Rachel; Maria; Sally, and Betsey, all deceased.

Christian Shively, the father of our subject, was a farmer, and died in 1857. His widow died about the year 1870, the mother of five children: George, a farmer in Clarion county; Susan, widow of James Say; Thomas, also a farmer in Clarion county; J. S., and Robert, a farmer in Columbiana county, Ohio. Christian's first wife was Barbara Wise, by whom he had five children, Betsey only surviving and married to David Reaser. The parents were members of the Dunkard church and the father served in some of the small offices of the township. Our subject was educated in the log school house with slab seats and puncheon floor, slab writing desks and greased paper window lights. He began for himself at the age of eighteen years and upon reaching his majority he commenced keeping what was known as the old Stone House hotel on the Erie and Philadelphia pike in Clarion county, which he continued for five years. He then went into the dry-goods business at Scrubgrass and continued there and at Lisbon, once nicknamed Fort Chisel, for seven years with good success. This he sold in 1862 and removed to Oil City, where he purchased the Oil City hotel from James Colgin. After two years' experience in this he entered the grocery and feed business on Main street and followed it for several years. He then bought and built property worth forty-five thousand dollars, nearly all of which was consumed by the great fire of 1866. He rebuilt as much as his means would warrant and went into the furniture business on Main street, where he remained until 1882, when he removed to his present place and here he carries a stock of about ten thousand dollars. He was married to Lea J. Herpst, daughter of John H. and Mary Herpst of this county, by whom he has five children: Clifford; Florence, deceased at the age of nine years; Laura, married to T. B. Simpson; May, deceased wife of G. W. Darr, and Edna, at home. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., L. of H., Royal Arcanum, E. A. U., and T. of T. He furnished a substitute for the war, is a Republican, and with his wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church.

907

BIOGRAPHIES OF OIL CITY.

BRITTING & MCCRACKEN, furniture dealers .- F. C. Britting, whose name heads the caption of this deservedly popular establishment, is a native of New York city, and a son of Conrad and Kate Britting, natives of Germany, who immigrated to the city of New York before they were married. In 1888 they removed to Germaine, Potter county, Pennsylvania, where Mr. Britting is engaged in farming. His children are named as follows: F. C .; Annie, married to E. W. Broughton; Louisa, married to Frank Rickard; Maggie, deceased; Conrad; Lena; Josephine, and Tillie. Of these, F. C., the eldest, was educated in the English and German schools of New York city. At the age of ten years he began working at the furniture store of Freeborn & Company, New York, and subsequently worked for J. W. Lyon in the same line of business and in the same city. He afterward was em- ployed by J. C. Hoyt in Baltimore. In 1888 he came to Oil City and formed his present partnership. He has had thorough instructions in the most scientific methods of embalming, and more particularly gives his atten- tion to the large undertaking department of the firm. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., the A. O. U. W., and Trinity Methodist Episcopal church.

JOHN T. PARSONS, manufacturer of carriages, buggies, and road wagons, general blacksmith, etc., was born August 6, 1826, in Ontario, Canada. His father, William, a blacksmith by trade, was born in England, and died at the age of eighty-one years in 1877. His mother, Margaret (Trick) Par- sons, was a native of England, and resides in Canada. Her children are: Mary A .; Elizabeth; John T; Julia; William H .; Silas R., and Thomas J. John T. Parsons was educated in the common schools of Canada and at a commercial college at Fort Edward, New York. At the age of fourteen years he began learning his trade with his father. He was married March 28, 1864, in Rochester, New York, to Roxyette Jones, daughter of T. W. and Hester A. (Davison) Jones, natives of Canada and Herkimer county, New York, respectively. Mr. Parsons began business for himself in Roches- ter, and has continued there and at Oil City ever since. He worked twelve years for D. L. Trax of the latter city, and in 1880 became the owner of the business, which has grown to be a very extensive one. His children are Thomas W. and Silas R. The elder is overseer of an industrial school at Rochester, New York, and the younger is with his father in the shop. He is a Prohibitionist, with his wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, and is one of the best known citizens of Venango county.

WARREN G. HUNT, of the firm of Hunt & Hallet, was born in Grafton county, New Hampshire, February 15, 1827. His father, Caleb Hunt, also a native of New Hampshire, was a mill owner and operator. He reared six sons and three daughters, and in 1854 died at the age of fifty-five years. Warren G. was the eldest of the family. He was educated at the common schools and learned the milling trade, as well as that of millwright. In 1856 he migrated to Vermont, and from there to New Haven, Connecticut,

908

HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.

where he manufactured lumber seven or eight years. He subsequently located in New York city, and established a mahogany and rosewood busi- ness, and then returned to New Haven, whence, in 1865, he came to the oil regions. After a brief stay at President, where he was superintendent of the President Petroleum Company, he came to Oil City and for three years dealt successfully in lumber. At the end of that time the oil fever had fastened upon him, and betrayed him into its search through "wild cat " holes out of which came nothing but disappointment. Seven "dry holes " left him with one "dry " pocket-book, and he returned with increased wisdom unto lumber. Mr. Hunt is a Mason, and retains his membership in Hiram Lodge, No. 1, of Connecticut-the second established in the United States. He is also a member of the Baptist church. He was married in Monroe, New Hampshire, August 18, 1849, to a Miss Bennett, and has had four children: Irene, Mrs. J. C. Holmes; Etta, Mrs. T. H. Nicholson; Wealthy, Mrs. J. H. Hallett, and Warren G., Jr., who died at New Haven, Connecticut, in 1864.

JOHN F. HALLET, deceased, was born in Buenos Ayres, South America, August 15, 1838, and is a son of Stephen Hallet, a native of Philadelphia. The family came originally from France, and Stephen, a printer and pub- lisher, married Elizabeth Baldwin of New York city. They lived in the city of Mexico when their first child was born, and from there returned to the United States. In South America the rest of his children, six in number, were born, and John F. was the fourth in order. In Buenos Ayres the sen- ior Mr. Hallet was printer and publisher for the government. He died in Brooklyn, New York, in 1866, at the age of sixty-seven years. He left South America in 1854. John F. was educated in the schools of this coun- try and of France. In the latter country he spent three years and there became master of the modern Latin languages. Under his father he learned the publishing business, and followed it at intervals during the lifetime of the former. He was some years in mercantile business in Buenos Ayres, whence he moved to New York. In 1867 he came into the oil regions and subsequently carried on business, dealing in oil well supplies, etc., at Scrub- grass and Karnes City, and in 1871 moved into Oil City. Here he dealt on the exchange awhile and then became a member of the firm of Hunt & Hal- let. He was a thirty-two degree Mason, a member of the Bloomsburg consistory, and of the K. of H. His widow is the daughter of W. G. Hunt. Mr. Hallet died September 18, 1889.

THOMAS H. NICHOLSON, of the firm of Hunt & Hallet, was born in Roch- ester, New York, October 14, 1853. He was educated at the common schools and in youth learned telegraphy, which he followed at various places in the Pennsylvania oil regions. He was an oil producer for a while, and in 1877 came into Oil City as a shipper and operator. In 1886 he became a member of the firm of Hunt & Hallet. Mr. Nicholson has been twice

909

BIOGRAPHIES OF OIL CITY.

married. His present wife is the daughter of Mr. Hunt, the senior member of the firm named.

W. S. WICK, dealer in lumber, mouldings, sash, doors, windows, brick, and paint, established his present enterprise in May, 1887, and carries a stock valued at about eight thousand dollars. He keeps a specially fine line of Michigan and North Carolina pine lumber, and by close personal appli- cation to business merits a large patronage. He is a native of Butler county, this state, and a son of H. E. Wick, who was born in Butler county August 22, 1825, a son of John and Mary (Wigton) Wick, natives of Butler county, of Scotch extraction, strict Presbyterians, and the parents of eight children, five of whom are living: H. E .; Mrs. Mary J. Stroughton; Har- vey; Lewis, a Methodist Episcopal minister, and Mrs. Emmeline Wheeler. H. E. Wick received a common school education and began for himself at the age of nineteen, buying and shipping horses, drifting from this into the general mercantile business, which he followed in connection with the lum- ber trade for over forty-five years. For a time he was in the mercantile business at what is known as Wick's Station on the Shenango and Allegheny Valley railroad, which was named after him and where he was the first post- master. He offered his services in the defense of his country early in the war, but because of physical objections made by the enrolling officer, was refused. He, however, furnished the first substitute from Butler county. He is a Republican, and was one of the first delegates from Butler county to the state convention which was held at Pittsburgh to effect the organi- zation of the Republican party in Pennsylvania. He married Elizabeth Smith, and to this union were born thirteen children, twelve of whom are living. In 1887 he and his wife located in Oil City, where they live a some- what retired life, after a business career surpassed by few if any citizens of his native county.

W. GRAFTON BATEMAN, superintendent for the Prudential Insurance Com- pany of America at Oil City, came here in June, 1889, from Washington city. He was born in Maryland in 1861 and was educated in the public schools. His father was a successful farmer and the son was familiarized with the duties of farm life. In 1883, while clerking in a mercantile estab- lishment, his attention was directed to life insurance and he repaired at once to Baltimore, Maryland, as the agent of the Prudential. The year following he was transferred to Washington city, and soon afterward promoted to the position of assistant superintendent. In June, 1889, as has been seen, he came here as superintendent of this district, which em- braces Oil City, Franklin, Titusville, and the surrounding towns. The Oil City branch is in full operation, with headquarters over the postoffice. The Prudential was organized in Newark, New Jersey, in 1876, and is based upon the plan of the old Prudential of London, organized in 1848. There- fore its distinctive features, though novel, are not experimental. It issued

910

HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.

the first year of its organization seven thousand nine hundred and five policies; its income was fourteen thousand five hundred and forty-three dollars and paid claims one thousand nine hundred and fifty-seven dollars. In 1888, after twelve years of uninterrupted advance in business, it issued twenty-four thousand nine hundred and fifteen dollars in policies, received three million seven hundred and fifty-seven thousand and eighty-four dollars, paid claims aggregating one million ninety-six thousand two hundred and thirty-four dollars, and has as surplus to credit of policy holders seven hundred and seventy-six thousand two hundred and eighteen dollars. In June, 1889, its assets were two million eight hundred and seventy-four thousand one hundred and sixty-two dollars and fifty-six cents, showing an increase over preceding years of nine hundred and six thousand seven hun- dred and ninety-three dollars and forty-three cents. In its industrial plan the company insures any healthy person from one to seventy years of age, at a rate of from three cents on one dollar and ninety cents per week, and is paying now an average of fifty claims per day. It also operates on the plans of the old line companies at about the rate of such companies. Mr. Bate- man was married in Washington city, and has one child.

GEORGE GATES, deceased, was born in Centre county, Pennsylvania, a son of Henry and Catharine (Bucher) Gates, the former being a relative of ex-Governor Hartranft. Henry Gates settled in what is now Forest county, on land once known as "Old Town Flats," at an early day; there he died. His son, George, was married to Mary Downing, a native of Richland town- ship, and the children of this union were nine, eight of whom grew to ma- turity: William; John; Catharine B., Mrs. Charles Cox; Martha, Mrs. John Shaw; Mary A., Mrs. Gilbert Jameson; George W .; Jacob H., and Maria, Mrs. James Lamb. George and Mary Gates were Methodists; he was an earnest Whig, and later a Republican.

WILLIAM GATES, eldest son of George Gates, was born June 19, 1818, in Venango county. He was educated at subscription schools and in the primitive log school houses. His father being a farmer he naturally pursued that calling during his early manhood. He taught four winter terms of subscription and public school, and for twenty-five consecutive years he was school treasurer of Rockland township. He served as a jus- tice of the peace for fifteen years, and was the efficient postmaster at Rock- land for twenty-five years. In 1876 he was elected to the state legislature and served with credit. He took an active interest in the repeal of the old and objectionable fence law of Pennsylvania, enacted in 1700, and much credit is due him for the final overthrow of that statute. He was employed during the earlier part of his life for three and one-half years at Slab fur- nace, in Cranberry township, and as manager of the Richland and Mill Creek furnaces, one year at each. After selling goods for some time for Charles Shippen, he formed a partnership with Thomas Hogue and carried

911

BIOGRAPHIES OF OIL CITY.

on a general store at Rockland six years, becoming at the end of that time the sole owner of the business, and continued it with remarkable success un- til 1865. Soon after selling his store interests he purchased his father's old homestead, for twenty years gave his attention to rural pursuits, and soon became one of the most skillful farmers in Venango county. He made ag- riculture a study, just as he did every other undertaking, and by intelligent application widened his knowledge until he is recognized as trustworthy au- thority on all subjects pertaining to the farm and its products. For several years he served as a member of the state board of agriculture, held import- ant positions in its various committees, and was recognized by that able body of Pennsylvania agriculturalists as one of their most efficient members. He was married in 1851 to Martha Stanton, who is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He belongs to the I. O. O. F., and the K. of P., is a director of the Exchange Bank of Franklin, and in politics is a Republican. In 1885 he left the farm and settled in South Oil City, where he now resides, somewhat retired from the cares of an active business life, and enjoying a large competency, the result of individual efforts, economical living, and up- right, honest dealings. Being of a somewhat retiring disposition, he nat- urally shrinks from notoriety, yet with that degree of natural pride possessed by every true lover of his native county, he does his part toward any enter- prise that tends to build up the community in which he resides.

ROBERT H. RENWICK, familiarly known in Oil City and elsewhere as Cap- tain Renwick, a title well earned by him in the late civil war, as will be seen further on, was born at Angelica, New York, July 11, 1813. His fa- ther, James Renwick, a farmer by occupation, was an Englishman. He came to America in 1805, located at Angelica, and there spent the rest of his life. He was married in England to a Miss Johnson, and two of their children were born there. The old gentleman died in 1813 at the age of about sixty years. Robert H. Renwick was educated at the common schools and academy of Angelica, and there learned the painting trade. He subse- quently held the offices of justice of the peace and associate judge, read law, and was admitted to the bar, but never entered the practice. In 1836 he emigrated to Michigan, returned four years later to Angelica, and in 1852 removed to Olean, where he dwelt thirty years, filling in the meantime various public offices of trust and profit. He first saw Oil City-not a city then-in 1832, while boating down the Allegheny from Olean to Cincinnati. There were then no houses on the south side of the river at this place and but three on the north side. During the summer of 1861, at Olean, Captain Renwick entered the United States army, at the head of Company I, Sixty- Fourth New York Volunteer Infantry, and remained until discharged eigh- teen months later, by order of the secretary of war on account of wounds received at the battle of Fair Oaks June 1, 1862. Prior to being wounded he led his company at Williamsburg, and in many skirmishes not dignified

. .

912

HISTORY OF VENANGO COUNTY.

in history with the name of battle. At Fair Oaks his company entered the fight with seventy men and on the following morning only eighteen an- swered roll-call. His regiment went into the battle eight hundred strong and retired from the field with two hundred and fifty. Three of his sons, James F., Victor D., and Alexander were in the army, the former as bri- gade ordnance sergeant, and Victor, after serving five years, left the army with the rank of captain. Captain Renwick came to Oil City in 1865, spent two years in grocery business, and returned to Olean. In 1870 he came again to this place, and has here since remained. He was married at West Alden, Pennsylvania, in 1832 to Cynthia Davis, and the children born unto him are: Henreitte, Mrs. A. O. Parsons; Elizabeth; James F., de- ceased; Victor D., of Hyde Park, New York; Charles W., of Bradford, Pennsylvania; Alexander, of Hamilton, Canada; Mary, Mrs. McMullen, and Hattie. Captain Renwick is an Odd Fellow, a Mason, and a member of the G. A. R. Of the latter he was the first commander of Downing post, Oil City.

JAMES J. WILL, a farmer in Cranberry township, was born in Cambria county, Pennsylvania, March 3, 1829. His father was Anthony Will, a native of Huntingdon county, this state, and of Huguenot extraction; his mother was a McDermott, and her ancestors were Scotch-Irish. The former died in 1863, the latter in 1858. They reared three sons and five daughters, James being the eldest of the family. He was educated principally by him- self, having received his first lessons from his mother, an educated woman of refinement and culture. He grew to manhood on his father's farm; being of a mechanical mind he could turn his hand to anything and while yet a young man he became proficient as a carpenter and cooper. From the age of twenty to twenty-nine he taught in the public schools during the winters and worked at his trade the rest of the seasons. In July, 1862, he entered the army of the United States as orderly sergeant of Company F, One Hundred and Thirty-Third Pennsylvania Volunteers, served ten months, and left the service with the rank of first lieutenant. While in the army he took part in the battles of Fredericksburg, Antietam, and Chancellorsville. In the last named battle, though then only an orderly sergeant, he commanded his company and the record shows that he did it skillfully. After the war, Captain Wells farmed a while but soon turned his whole attention to mechanics, carrying on business in Pittsburgh and Johnstown. He came into the Oil creek country in 1865 and in 1867 took charge of the New York and Allegheny pipe lines at Tidioute as manager and was with the company seven years. Afterward he was with the Relief Pipe Line Company two years. In 1880 he came into Oil City and purchased a farm and became an oil producer for three years. In 1884 he located on the farm he now owns and manages in Cranberry township. In company with his son he was in- terested in a steel plant at Johnstown at the time of the great flood and lost

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Venango County, Pennsylvania : its past and present, including, Part 92

Author: Bell, Herbert C. (Herbert Charles), 1868- Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Chicago : Brown, Runk & Co. Number of Pages: 1323

Author: Bell, Herbert C. (Herbert Charles), 1868-
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago : Brown, Runk & Co.
Number of Pages: 1323