Venango County, Pennsylvania: Her Pioneers and People (Volume 1), Part 105

Author: Babcock, Charles A.
Publication date: 1879
Publisher:
Number of Pages:

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his own account and as a member of corpora- tions, and the accuracy of his careful judg- ment has been repeatedly demonstrated. The record of his business life is one of success won by the fairest means.

Mr. Crawford married Mary E. Orlady, sister of Hon. George E. Orlady, justice of the Superior court of Pennsylvania.

PETER A. WILBERT, of Oil City, occu- pies a worthy place among the influential citi- zens of Venango county, having achieved a signal success in the practice of law and in business circles, with honorable public service also to his credit. His inherited- interests, he has managed with such unquestionable ef- ficiency that his prestige in material affairs no less than in his profession is based upon his merits. The name here has been associated with effective activity since his father's settle- ment in Venango county in 1862. Mr. Wilbert was born Feb. 14, 1872, at Petroleum Center, in Cornplanter township, this county, son of Henry Wilbert and grandson of Peter and Katharine Wilbert, who celebrated their golden wedding, Peter Wilbert dying a year later, in June, 1887.

Henry Wilbert, father of Peter A. Wilbert, was born Dec. 9, 1834, near Coblentz, Ger- many, was educated in his native land, and there began his apprenticeship to the mason's trade, completing it in Lewis county, N. Y., the region north of Rome, that State, where the family settled. He followed it for about ten years, and before settling in Pennsylvania spent some time on a preemption claim near Ashland, Wis., where he eked out an existence in the improvement of his land and trading with the Indians. The oil excitement in Ven- ango county, Pa., attracted him hither in 1862, and he had his first experience in the oil busi- ness in 1864. He set boilers on the Tarr farm, and subsequently was engaged at Plumer, Pit- hole and Petroleum Center, where he lived for many years. He commenced trading in oil well supplies and hardware at Petroleum Cen- ter in 1879, and besides conducting a thriving trade in that line became one of the large land owners and leading oil operators at that point. The town once had a population of ten thou- sand, but like many communities in the oil regions declined, and as others left their hold- ings Mr. Wilbert kept buying and adding to his, concentrating his interests in that field with great success. His first location there was on the old Egbert farm. Later he bought a half interest in the old Central Petroleum Com- pany's farm, to which in time he acquired com-

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plete title, that property being still owned in the family and producing oil in paying quanti- ties. He came into possession of about five hundred acres of land in the county, his hold- ings including the site of Petroleum Center, and his operations as a producer became quite extensive. His death occurred Oct. 21, 1900.

In November, 1865, Mr. Wilbert married Barbara Strahl, a native of the same region in Germany from which he came, born Dec. 4, 1846, and three years old when brought to this country by her parents, who settled at Erie, Pa. She died Aug. 10, 1889, and was buried in the Catholic cemetery at Erie, she and her husband having been members of the Catholic Church. He was also affiliated with the C. M. B. A. Of the nine children born to them, Carrie, Mrs. David Tracy, lives at Petroleum Center, Pa .; John is established at Chicago, Ill., in the employ of the Midland Petroleum Company; Elizabeth is the wife of J. O. Howard, of Cedar Falls, Iowa, also interested in oil; Peter A .; Mary, Sister Pierre, is a teacher in St. Joseph's School at Titusville, Pa .; Margaret, Sister Alexia, is in Mercy Hos- pital at Pittsburgh ; Charles, of Petroleum Cen- ter, is engaged as a timber dealer ; Barbara is the wife of H. B. Fitzgerald, of Buffalo, N. Y., formerly in the Standard Oil office at Oil City and for a time engaged in office work in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Com- pany ; Henry Lawrence is engaged in office work at Titusville, Pennsylvania.

Peter A. Wilbert was allowed excellent edu- cational advantages. After completing the elementary course he was a student for three years in the colleges of St. Bonaventure, Alle- gany, N. Y., and St. Vincent, at Latrobe, Pa., in Westmoreland county. Upon his return home he took up the study of law with W. J. Breene, at Oil City, was admitted to the bar in 1895, and has since been engaged in the general practice of law, for three years in part- nership with his preceptor as Breene and Wil- bert. With that exception he has followed the profession on his own account. From 1910 to 1914 he served as solicitor of Oil City, and most of the city paving was done during that period, his participation in such improvements earning him a reputation for constructive labors in the administration of local affairs which reflects very favorably upon his public spirit. He looks after the management of the oil production on his father's old property at Petroleum Center, where there are now about forty producing wells, and has shown versatile ability in judicious attention to the numerous details of his responsibilities. He is a trustee

of St. Stephen's Catholic Church. Mr. Wilbert is a Democrat in political association, and has been an able worker in the party, once serving as county chairman.

In October, 1904, Mr. Wilbert was married, at Brooklyn, N. Y., to Maud L. Kennedy, daughter of Harry Kennedy, the well ki.own ventriloquist and writer of popular songs and herself a vocalist of notable attainments and careful training. She sang in "Parsifal" at Sousa concerts, has taken parts in the produc- tion of various operas, and is a leader in musical circles at Oil City, having been a wel- come addition to local talent and an appreciated performer at entertainments in the city and county. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wilbert, namely: Mary Ellen, Bar- bara Irene, Elizabeth and Madeline. Their home in Oil City is at No. 125 Wyllys street.

FRANKLIN H. JOHNSTON, M. D., a resident of the city of Franklin for almost twenty-five years before his death and iden- tified throughout that period with various phases of its business, social and public life, was also a representative of one of the oldest families of Venango county, the first perma- nent settlers in Canal township. There have been several generations of Johnstons here since Hugh Johnston brought his large family from eastern Pennsylvania in 1797, and they have filled a creditable place in local history, winning the material success which attends industry intelligently directed and the honor- able standing of those whose influence may be depended upon to promote development. Dr. Johnston's substantial business qualities, and the fine public spirit he displayed in every- thing affecting the welfare of Franklin and its citizens, proclaimed him a typical and worthy member of the fine stock from which he came.

Hugh Johnston was born in Ireland. and came to America in the Colonial period, for a number of years making his home in Hun- tingdon county, Pa., whence he came to Ve- nango county in 1797 with his large family of five sons and four daughters. He settled on what afterward became known as the Andrew Service place, about one mile east of Utica, in what is now Canal township. Among his sons we're Alexander, Robert and James, the first named being the progenitor of the line we are tracing. Robert settled on what be- came the Hasson homestead about two miles east of Utica, and James lived with his father until the latter's death, when he succeeded to the ownership of the home farm. Hugh

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Johnston died early in the nineteenth century, and was buried in the Johnston graveyard, the first cemetery in the township.

Alexander Johnston, Sr., son of Hugh, came to this county with his father and lived in Canal township until his death, in 1844. He settled near his father, half a mile up the creek, and prospered in his undertakings, being a capable business man and accumulating val- uable real estate. We find the names of his children given as Anthony, Samuel, Hugh, Alexander, Moses, Margaret, Mary, Jane and Martha.

Anthony Johnston, son of Alexander John- ston, Sr., married Polly Ray, daughter of Thomas Ray, and they reared four chil- dren, namely : Alexander ; Thomas ; Mrs. Sally Douglass, and Mrs. Polly Wilcox. To his second marriage, with Polly Elderkin, were born eight children.

Alexander Johnston, Jr., son of Anthony and Polly (Ray) Johnston, was born in Canal township, Aug. 4, 1818, and in his boyhood passed his time in the duties of the home farm and attendance at the local country schools as opportunity afforded. When he reached his majority he struck out on his own account, buying a tract of woodland which he cleared and put under cultivation, and with this as a nucleus he became a well-to-do landowner and farmer, having the remarkable record of clearing over three hundred acres in Canal township alone. He also dealt in lands advan- tageously, making judicious purchases which he disposed of profitably, some of the most valuable property in the township coming into his possession. In 1876 he made a permanent settlement on a fine place near Hannaville, one of the best improved farms in the county. He was not only active in business but also in all the important affairs of his day, and particularly liberal in his support of religious work, having from early manhood been a member of the Wesleyan Methodist Church and zealous in its behalf. He filled a number of official positions in the denomination, and not only helped its local organizations but also contributed to the erection of churches all over the country. He was opposed to secret societies, and held strong convictions on all questions of large importance, as his political affiliations would indicate. Origi- nally he was an abolitionist, later a Republi- can, and eventually a Prohibitionist.

In 1841 Mr. Johnston married Delia A. Hammond, daughter of Samuel Hammond, of New York, and eight children were born to them: Franklin H .; Melvin A., who was a

soldier in the Civil war ; Mrs. Elmeretta Flem- ing; Samuel W .; Anthony Lee; Delia A., Mrs. Samuel D. Brown; John Wesley; and Lewis S. The mother died Oct. 5, 1885, and on Oct. 7, 1886, Mr. Johnston married (second) Mrs. Laura L. Spear, widow of Rev. James Spear. One child, Laura Zella, was born to this marriage. Mrs. Johnston had nine children by her first union. Mr. Johnston died in November, 1893. Mrs. Johnston lives in Oil City.

Franklin H. Johnston was born Dec. 20, 1841, in Canal township, where he remained until his enlistment for service in the Civil war, having such educational advantages as the neighborhood afforded. Becoming a cor- poral in Company G, 63d Regiment of Penn- sylvania Volunteers, which was recruited by Gen. Alexander Hays, he served his term and received an honorable discharge. Upon his return to his home county he turned to school teaching, taking his first school at Coopers- town in 1864, and he continued to follow this profession while engaged in the study of medi- cine. After his graduation from medical college he practiced at Cooperstown for a time with Dr. Robert Crawford, later follow- ing his profession successfully at Cochranton and Utica, and also in Butler county. Mean- time he had been putting in his spare hours studying shorthand, being one of the first ex- perts in this locality, and in 1882 he came to Franklin to take the position of stenographer with Joseph C. Sibley, president of the Signal Oil Company. He was so engaged until 1885, and during six months of that period also acted as Franklin correspondent of the Oil City Derrick. In 1885 he was promoted to the position of secretary of the Galena Oil Com- pany, and at the same time became private secretary to Gen. Charles Miller, with whom he continued to be associated until his death, a record which carries the best comment upon the value of his services which could be made. In his sudden death, from apoplexy, on the morning of March 26, 1906, General Miller felt that he lost a valued friend as well as a competent, devoted assistant. During his twenty years in this incumbency he had the details of the Galena-Signal and other allied enterprises at his fingers' ends, and he also acquired various interests of his own, being a director of the General Manifold & Printing Co. of Franklin, of the Dale & Reed Company of Franklin and of the Franklin Manufactur- ing Company (manufacturers of asbestos and asbestos novelties), and also treasurer of the latter. Few men achieve more popularity

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than Dr. Johnston enjoyed among his daily associates.

Dr. Johnston is remembered as much for his social services in Franklin as for his busi- ness connections. He was a leading member of the First Baptist Church of Franklin, and one of the deacons of that congregation. For several years he was a trustee of the State Hospital for the Insane at North Warren. He was a member of the Franklin school board for one term, but his work in behalf of public education extended over a much longer period, and he was especially interested in the success of the Miller Night School, which had the benefit of his advice and assist- ance for some fifteen years before his death, his labors in the shorthand department being particularly noteworthy. By reason of his Civil war service Dr. Johnston was a member of the G. A. R., belonging to W. B. Mays Post, No. 220, of Franklin, and serving several years as secretary of the Northwestern Asso- ciation, Department of Pennsylvania. He is buried in Oakwood cemetery in Canal town- ship.

On Aug. 29, 1865. Dr. Johnston married Mary Curtis, of Cochranton, Pa., who sur- vived him with seven children, all residents of Franklin, namely: Edward B .; Charles; Frank Alfred; Cecil Wallace; Grace, Mrs. Robert Harris; Hattie, Mrs. Arthur O'Ncil, and Maud, Mrs. Fred R. DeWoody.

CECIL WALLACE JOHNSTON, son of Dr. Franklin H. Johnston, was born in Franklin Oct. 4, 1886, and received his preliminary ed- ucation in the public schools of the city. Grad- uating from the Franklin high school in 1905, he studied another year at State College be- fore entering the law school of George Wash- ington University at Washington, D. C. He also read law in the office of J. S. Carmichael. of Franklin, for two years. But his time has been spent chiefly in the newspaper business, which he followed for a while in Denver, Colo., later at Cleveland, Ohio, whence he returned to his native county. Here he was associated for about two years with the Oil City Derrick, and also for a time with the Sharon Telegraph, a Mercer county paper, before becoming a member of the editorial staff of The Evening News at Franklin some five years ago. Later he severed that connection to assume the im- portant position of managing' editor of the Titusville Morning Herald, which he accepted in October. 1917, entering upon his new du- ties about Nov. 10th. His new responsibilities marked well deserved advancement for this talented young newspaper man. In the spring

of 1918, as Mr. Johnston was about to leave Titusville to accept a position on the city desk of the Pittsburgh Chronicle Telegraph, he received a call to return to Frankın as news editor of the Venango Daily Herald un- der James B. Borland, as managing editor. He had been on the Herald but two months when he was asked to accept the place of chief clerk of the local exemption board for the duration of the war, entering on these duties early in July.

Mr. Johnston's gifts have been well employed, as his high standing in his chosen calling indi- cates. As a correspondent he is credited with having few equals in this section, and he be- came widely known to the public through his work as staff correspondent of the News when the 16th Regiment went to the Mexican bor- der in 1916. He is well known socially, af- filiating with the Sigma Chi fraternity of State College, and the legal fraternity Phi Delta Phi of George Washington University. He married Alice Irwin, daughter of Levi H. Irwin, of Rouseville, Venango county.

BENJAMIN CORWIN (deceased ) was an honor to his community during a residence of almost half a century at Pleasantville, where he made his home from the time of his arrival in Venango county. He sustained close relations with its history and progress in a life sufficiently varied to indicate the possession of versatile ability, as well as en- ergy of character and attentiveness both where his own interests were concerned and those pertaining to the general good. His breadth and foresight, united to alert business qualities, made him one of the most valuable forces for advancement in the borough, and the sincerity of his views on public questions was proved in his official services, which he performed conscientiously, loyally devoting his best thought and executive talents to render- ing a good account of himself in the trusts reposed in him by his fellow citizens.

Mr. Corwin came of an old family of Eng- lish extraction founded in Connecticut dur- ing the period of its early settlement, about 1635. his branch removing to Orange county. N. Y., prior to the Revolution. The name was originally Curvine, and an old castle be- longing to the family still stands in England. His parents, William and Lydia Ann ( Smith ) Corwin, were natives of Orange county and died there in their old home at Mount Hope. They had a family of six children. Benjamin Corwin was born March 6, 1838, at Mount Hope, which is near Middletown, Orange

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county, was reared on the homestead farm and educated in the schools of the vicinity, later serving a four years' apprenticeship to the tinner's trade. He learned it thoroughly, beginning to work at the rather meager wages of a dollar a week, with board and clothing, and receiving more as his usefulness increased. Being ambitious he started a place of his own as soon as possible, having a shop and hard- ware store at Warwick, in his native county, for three years before he decided to come to Pennsylvania. Selling out, he proceeded to Venango county, walking from Titusville, and first inspecting a location at Pithole, but changed in favor of Pleasantville, where he commenced business on a small scale at once, in March, 1865. The establishment then founded has been operated without interrup- tion to the present time, being still conducted under his name, and it is now one of the oldest business houses in the county in point of continuous operation. His stock consisted of general hardware and oil well supplies. and he worked at the bench himself be- sides employing others as patronage grew, all tinware being then made by hand. It was not long before he yielded to his desire to try his fortune in oil lands, taking an interest in an oil lease which proved a disastrous investment. Mr. Corwin losing every cent he owned. With the indulgence of dealers of whom he bought he was enabled to continue the hardware line, however, and within a comparatively short · time he found himself literally on the high- way to fortune. His early experience had only deepened his determination to get into the oil game, and as soon as he could stand the neces- sary investment he again secured a lease and began operations, this time meeting with such success that he never again was out of the production line. For over thirty years his efforts were centered on the Clark farm, where he obtained a lease that included producing wells some of which are yet yielding a daily average equal to that of fifty years ago. He was frequently in partnership with others, but always operated in the local field, which he felt afforded sure and steady returns, even if no great strikes were made. Though he contin- ued his mercantile establishment he gave his oil interests a large share of his personal at- tention, most of his wells being sunk under his direct supervision. His faith in this section was based on its agricultural possibilities as well as the oil production. and its desirability as a residence locality. His readiness to make local investments never slackened, and because of his good judgment was a great influence

in sustaining the confidence of many other successful oil men in this region. Mr. Corwin also had valuable timber interests. In order to bring local business opportunities system- atically before the public, he established the Commercial Record in 1887, published semi- monthly at Pleasantville and really intended as a publicity medium to arouse activity among men seeking profitable investments. He did all in his power to obtain a favorable admin- istration of public affairs in the borough, and as burgess for one year (elected in 1879) and councilman for two years ( 1884 and 1887) took a direct part in establishing the govern- ment on a sound basis, both for the protec- tion of local interests and the attraction of solid business enterprises. Politically he was a Democrat.

Mr. Corwin took delight in the companion- ships formed in church and social associations, and was as faithful to his obligations in those relations as he was in material things. He was one of the founders of the Pleasantville Presbyterian Church and was ordained an elder therein Oct. 5, 1867, continuing to hold official position throughout his life. Ever thoughtful and considerate of others, all he possessed was at the service of his fellow men, his principal gratification in his worldly success being the opportunity it afforded him of helping those in need. He was constantly doing quiet acts of benevolence, many of which were not even known to his family until after he passed away. Though he had little time for recreation Mr. Corwin never lost his pleas- ure in fishing, seldom missing an excursion at the opening of the season and always coming home with a good catch. Fraternally he was a Mason and a member of the Royal Arcanum.

In 1864 Mr. Corwin married Sarah V. Dol- son, of Orange county, N. Y., who died in October. 1866. On June 16, 1868, he married (second) Martha A. Beebe, the wedding tak- ing place in the house where Mrs. Corwin was born March 7. 1846, and where all their mar- ried life was spent, Mr. Corwin dying there Dec. 26, 1913, his widow Jan. 12, 1918. It is now occupied by their daughter, the only child of their union, Martha Helen, who was mar- ried June 16, 1908, to Joseph E. Oyer.

E. R. BEEBE, father of Mrs. Martha A. ( Beebe ) Corwin, was an early resident of Pleasantville, erecting the old home mentioned about 1828, when he had to cut out trees to get a building site. It stands as a monument to the thorough workmanship then considered standard by good mechanics. It has ever been a popular social center in the borough, where

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the Beebes and Corwins have had many warm friends, contributing generously by their hos- pitality to the pleasant life for which the place has long been famous. Here Mr. Beebe brought his bride, Louisa (Watkins), of Bos- ton, and they lived and died there, Mr. Beebe . in hotel-keeping. His next venture was in the reaching the age of ninety-three years. They had three daughters, of whom Mrs. Corwin has . already been mentioned; Helen married Dr. William Gamble, of Mosiertown, Pa., one of the ablest physicians in Pennsylva- nia, and has two sons, Dr. William Gamble, of Little Cooley, Pa., and Dr. Bruce Gamble, of Meadville ; Jane married Samuel Hatch and died at Toledo, Ohio.

JACOB SHEASLEY, of Franklin, has done his full share to uphold the traditions at- taching to the name he bears in this section of Pennsylvania, being one of its leading busi- ness men, and his father having been foremost in furthering the ambitious enterprises of his time. He and his son Charles H. Sheasley have been successful oil producers for many years, and have acquired other interests equally as valuable to themselves and im- portant to the development of the region. Without exaggeration, it may be said that they have contributed more than the average to its general prosperity, in the way of introducing new activities or maintaining those already in existence.

Christopher Sheasley, the father of Jacob Sheasley, lived and died in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania. He was a very extensive con- tractor and builder, largely engaged in rail- road construction, having built many miles of roadbed, including the Northern Central, a branch of the Pennsylvania lines from Harris- burg to Millersburg, and the Lebanon Valley railroad. He was also the owner of two large farms in Dauphin county, where he died at the age of seventy years. He married Lydia Gil- bert. who was of English descent.

Jacob Sheasley, son of Christopher, was born June 9, 1834, at Millersburg, Dauphin county, and was reared in that county. He was early given the opportunity of acquiring valuable business experience, when a young man helping his father in contracting. Later he went with his cousin, a Mr. Gilbert, being employed in his store, after which he engaged in the wholesale notion trade, making several trips through Clearfield county and also to Franklin. He followed this line for about five years, and was next engaged in the lumber business, having purchased a tract of timber in Clearfield county, near Punxsutawney, Pa. of Philadelphia, Pa., refiners and exporters,

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Venango County, Pennsylvania: Her Pioneers and People (Volume 1), Part 105

Author: Babcock, Charles A. Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Number of Pages:

Author: Babcock, Charles A.
Publication date: 1879
Publisher:
Number of Pages: