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WILLIAM E. AGNEW
Pg 587
William E. Agnew, clerk of the
board of county commissioners of Lawrence
County, Pennsylvania, is one of the
most progressive young business men of
New Castle, where his family has long been
prominently identified with affairs. He
was bom in that city in 1857, and is a
son of Edwin I. Agnew.
Edwin I. Agnew, who was a native of
Pennsylvania, located in New Castle in
1852, and immediately became very active
in the business life of the city". He was
elected county treasurer, serving during
1862 and 1863, and was made cashier of the
First National Bank upon its organization.
He continued in that capacity until 1874,
and from that date until the time of his
death in 1885 acted as agent for Phillips
Brothers, oil operators. Under appointment
of President Garfield, he served as
postmaster of New Castle from 1881 to
1885. He was a very prosperous man, and
ranked among the most substantial men
of the city in his day.
William E. Agnew was reared in New
Castle and received a good public school
training. In his younger days he spent
some time in the oil regions, and upon the
appointment of his father as postmaster
of New Castle became his assistant. He
continued until the end of the term, then
went to Florida, where he was for four
years in the employ of a mining company.
His health failing, he returned to his native
city and was identified with the Lawrence
Glass Company until 1897. He then
became clerk of the board of commissioners,
and has most efficiently discharged the
duties of that office to the present time.
A man of marked ability, conscientious in
the performance of his duties, he was the
popular choice of the Republican party for
the office of county treasurer, in April,
1908, receiving nomination in the primaries.
He has been verv active in the affairsof the Republican party, has the
good will and confidence of the people, and
has every assurance of success in the approaching
election.
Fraternally, Mr. Agnew is a member of
the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.
In religious attachment, he is a member of
the First Christian Church, being regular
in his attendance and a liberal supporter
of the church.
ISAIAH HENDERSON AIKEN
Pg 951
Isaiah Henderson Aiken, whose finely cultivated farm of 120 acres is located
in Perry Township, within twelve
miles of the city of New Castle, is a representative
agriculturist of this section and
is also a survivor of the great Civil War,
in which he spent nine months of early
manhood. Mr. Aiken was born November
20, 1843, in Perry Township), Lawrence
County, Pennsylvania, on a farm adjoining
the one he owns, and is a son of Andrew
and Rachel (Adams) Aiken.
Andrew Aiken was born in 1802 in Westmoreland
County, Pennsylvania, and was
brought to what is now Perry Township,
Lawrence County, by his father, Robert
Aiken, who settled here in 1804. Andrew
remained at home, and inherited the property
when his parents died, and he carried
on agricultural pursuits here through his
subsequent life. He married Rachel Adams,
whose father owned land along Muddy
Creek, and she, too, died on the old
Aiken homestead. They reared a large
family, Isaiah being the tenth in order of
birth. The other survivors are: Margaret,
who is the widow of John Montgomery,
resides at New Castle; Andrew
Glenn, who lives at Marshfield, Ore.; Ebenezer
Erskine, who lives on the old homestead
farm. The members of the family
who have passed away were : Jane; John,
who died at San Francisco, Cal.; James,
who died in Oregon; Robert; Ann Eliza;
Martha Ann, who died in Oregon, and David
S., who died at Rosebury, Ore.
Isaiah Henderson Aiken and his brothers
and sisters all attended the district
school as opportunity offered and all grew
to be well informed people. He continued
to operate the home farm for his father
until he entered the Federal Army in 1861,
when he became a member of Company
F, One Hundred Thirty-seventh Regiment,
Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and
took part in all the hardships and dangers
of military life, with his comrades, for the
following nine months, when he was honorably
discharged. His two brothers, E. E.
and David, were members of the famous
Roundhead regiment. All escaped serious
injury. For one year following his return
from the army, Isaiah Henderson
Aiken remained on the home farm and
then went to Iowa for a time, and after
he came back to Perry Township he married
and settled on his present property.
Mr. Aiken was united in marriage with
Elmira Vangorder, who died September
27, 1905. They had six children, namely:
Nancy Margaret, who resides at home;
Jennie B. and Andrew Jacob, twins, the
former of whom lives in California, and
the latter of whom was accidentally killed
at the age of fifteen months; William G.,
residing in California, where he is engaged
in a mercantile business; Louisa E.. who
married Carl Bauder, has two children,
Leverne and Floy; and James, who assists
his father. Mr. Aiken belongs to the
United Presbyterian Church. He is a
stanch Republican in his political views.
ROBERT K. AIKEN
Pg 920
Robert K. Aiken, a prominent
member of the Lawrence County Bar, has
been engaged in the practice of law at New
Castle, Pa., since 1891. He was born at
Portersville, Butler County, Pennsylvania,
and is a son of Alexander H. Aiken, who
died in 1878, and of Jane Kennedv, who
died in 1904.
The Aiken family is an old one in Western
Pennsylvania and for years has represented
good citizenship in Beaver, Washington,
Butler and Lawrence Counties.
Alexander H. Aiken was a merchant, having
first been employed by Anthony Henderson
at New Castle, Pa., and he was afterwards
engaged in business at Princeton,
Portersville and Mt. Jackson, Pa.
Robert K. Aiken was mainly reared at
Mt. Jackson, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania,
and he completed his literary training
at Westminster College, where he graduated
in 1890. He then read law in the
office of D. S. Morris, Esq., and in 1891 he
was admitted to the bar and located immediately
in New Castle. He is a member of
the Lawrence County Bar Association and
of the Pennsylvania State Bar Association.
He took a leading place in his profession
very soon after entering upon practice and
in 1894 he was elected district attorney of
Lawrence County, in which office he served
for three years. From 1898 to 1902 Mr.
Aiken was a member of the Select Council
of the city of New Castle, and served as its
president during the entire term.
In politics he is a Republican. Has
served his party as a member of the County
and State Committees, but has always
Imposed "corrupt methods" and "machine
politicians" in the Republican party. The
dissatisfaction that existed in the political
conditions of the Congressional District
and the State at large made him a candidate
for Congress in 1906 against Ernest
F. Acheson, and although not elected he
succeeded in reducing his opponent's majority
to 1,328 votes as opposed to a previous
majority exceeding 14,000.
He is a member of the United Presbyterian
Church. On the paternal side Mr.
Aiken is connected with the Henrys, his
grandmotlier, Mary Henry, was the onlysister
of Thomas Henry, editor of the Beurver
Argus and a member of Congress.
The Aikens and Henrys were among the
earliest settlers in Waynee Township.
WILLIAM L. AIKEN
Pg 416
William L. Aiken, general farmer,
residing on a valuable tract of land aggregating
104 acres, situated in Slippery Rock
Township, owns this property jointly with
his sister, Margaret. He was born here,
December 8, 1861, and is a son of Leslie
and Sarah Margaret (Henry) Aiken.
The grandparents of Mr. Aiken were
James and Elizabeth Aiken, who came to
America from Ireland, settling first at Baltimore,
Md., and then moving to Westmoreland
County, Pennsylvania. In 1798 they
came to what was then Beaver but is now
Lawrence County. At tliat time a Mr. Chew
owned many acres of uncleared land and
this land in Beaver County he desired to
dispose of, therefore he was willing to
make favorable proposals to settlers who
promised to be a credit to the locality. He
offered 200 acres of land to James Aiken
if he would clear 200 more, and the offer
was accepted, and Mr. Aiken subsequently
acquired 200 acres. This land was located
along Slippery Rock Creek, and on it
James Aiken lived until the time of his
death, March 13, 1840, when it was sold.
The old log house still stands. After her
husband's death, Elizabeth went to live
with her son, James B. Aiken, where she
died March 11, 1860, aged seventy-nine
years. They had twelve children, namely:
Ralph, born December 26, 1799; Vincent
William, bom January 19, 1802, was noted
for his strength, performing feats that no
other man in the township could equal;
Martha, born February 14, 1804; Isabella,
born April 2, 1806; Hiram J., born August
9, 1808, was a noted wrestler in the contests
of strength and skill participated in
by the young men of his time; Sarah, born
December 26, 1810; Robert A., born February
26, 1813; James B., born January
27, 1815; Leslie C, born April 12, 1817;
Walker V., born September 12, 1819; Margaret,
born July 15, 1822, and David E.,
born October 21, 1824.
Leslie C. Aiken resided in Wayne Township,
Lawrence County, until his marriage
in 1843 to Sarah Margaret Henry. She
was born in Ohio in 1822, and died August
6, 1907. Her parents were John and
Sarah M. Henry, of Lawrence County. Leslie
C. Aiken and wife took up a claim in
Illinois and lived on it for two years, but
subsequently returned to Lawrence County,
where Mr. Aiken died in 1889. They had
eight children, namely: Sarah M., John
H., James W., Isabel, an unnamed infant,
Margaret, William L. and Lettie. Sarah
M. Aiken, born September 27, 1844, died
aged two years, while the family was on a
boat on the Ohio River and her burial took
place when they reached Kendallville, Ind.
John H. was born in Illinois March 17,
1847, and resides in Missouri. He married
Laura Gilham, and they have two children,
William L. and Ethel M. The latter has
prepared herself for teaching and is a
graduate of the Missouri State Normal
School. James Walker Aiken was born
October 13, 1851, and resides at Omaha,
Neb. He married Florence Smith, and they
have two children, Nannett B. and Doris
E. Isabel Aiken was born November 3,
1853, and died September 25, 1866. Margaret
Aiken was born March 4, 1857, and
she resides with her brother, William L.
Lettie, the youngest of the family, was born
February 2, 1864. She is a successful
teacher and has been connected with the
Chicago public schools for thirteen years.
This family has always been one of high
standing and very intelligent. Mr. Aiken
and sister belong to the United Presbyterian
Church.
CLYDE V. AILEY
Pg 830
Clyde V. Ailey, an able member of
the Lawrence County Bar, who has been
actively engaged in the practice of his profession,
at New Castle, since December,
1901, was born April 19, 1874, in Big Beaver Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania.
Irwin Ailey, the father of Clyde V., was
born in 3832, near Beaver Falls, Beaver
County, Pennsylvania. His father having
died when he was twelve years of age, he
came to Lawrence County and lived with
his uncle, the Hon. Henry Edwards, until
his marriage to Elizabeth H. Leslie, a
daughter of John Leslie, one of the pioneers
of Lawrence County. Irwin Ailey
died in North Beaver Township, Lawrence
County, on Jime 19, 1900. His life occupation
was farming; his politics identified
with the Eepubliean party, and in religion
he was a worthy and consistent member
of the Wampum United Presbyterian
Church.
Clyde V. Ailey passed from the common
schools of Lawrence County to Grove City
College, where he prepared himself for
teaching, which pursuit he followed for
three years, teaching in the country
schools of North Beaver Township, the
home of his parents; after which he pursued
the scientific course of study in Grove
City College, where he was creditably graduated
in the class of 1899, receiving the degree
of B. S. Immediately following he
entered the office of Col. Oscar L. Jackson
for the study of law. He was admitted to
the Lawrence County Bar in December,
1901, and in October, 1905, he received his
certificate entitling him to practice in the
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. He is a
member of the Lawrence County Bar Association
and bears an enviable reputation
for sustaining the ethics of practice.
On April 8, 1903, Mr. Ailey was married
to Miss Hattie A. Noggle, a daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. Dr. Seeley Noggle, one of the
prominent families of Big Beaver Township.
They are members of the First
Methodist Episcopal Church of New Castle.
Fraternally he belongs to the order
of the Knights of Golden Eagle.
C. H. AKENS
Pg 429
C. H. Akens, one of New Castle's most
prominent attorneys, senior member of the
law firm of Akens, Wilkison, Lockhart &
Chambers, was bom in Crawford County,
Pennsylvania, September 13, 1855, and is
a son of Hamilton J. and Hannah (Sweeting)
Akens.
The Akens family is one of the oldest in
Lawrence County. The father of C. H.
Akens was born in Lawrence County, but
after his marriage moved to Crawford
County, where he was engaged in the lumber
business. He returned to Lawrence
County in 1866 and resided on a fann in
Shenango Township, where he lived until
he moved to New Castle a few years before
his death.
C. H. Akens was eleven years of age
when his parents removed to Shenango
Township, and he was primarily educated
in the old McKee School in that township,
later attending the public school at New
Castle for one year; then attending the
One Study College, as it was called, conducted
by Prof. John R. Steeves, in the
McCready Block, on Pittsburg Street, New
Castle, and afterwards entering the State
Normal School at Edinboro, where he
graduated in 1880. Mr. Akens worked his
way through school by helping on the
farm in summer and teaching in the winter.
while attending the One Study College
he rode back and forward, six miles,
to attend recitations and assisted mornings
and evenings on the farm.
In April, 1884, he was admitted to the
bar, having prepared for the law under
John G. McConahy and "B. A. Wintemitz,
and on May 4, 1884, he opened his office at
New Castle. He continued alone in practice
until April, 1907, when he became associated
with the other attorneys of his
present firm, Hamilton A. Wilkison, John
P. Lockhart and James A. Chambers, the
firm being one of much legal strength and
one which is recognized both individually
and collectively in the important litigation
in this section. Mr. Akens is a member of
the Superior and Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
and also of the Supreme Court
of the United States. He was one of the
charter members of the Lawrence County
Bar Association.
On December 25, 1884, Mr. Akens was
married to Miss Eva E. Quigley, who is a
daughter of James and Mary A. Quigley,
of Lawrence County. Mr. Akens is a member
of the Order of the Knights of Pythias.
In politics he is a Democrat.
CHARLES F. ALBORN
and
FRANK E. ALBORN
Pg 397
Charles F. and Frank E. Alborn
who stand foremost among the enterprising
business men and progressive
citizens of Shenango Township, Lawrence
County, Pennsylvania, are proprietors of
the Cascade Roller Mills, a flourishing
plant which enjoys an extensive patronage
throughout that section of the State.
The Alborn family is an old one in Western
Pennsylvania, and was first established
here by Augustus Alborn, grandfather
of the gentlemen named above. He
was a native of Germany, where in his
youthful days he learned the trade of a miller.
In the summer of 1846 he emigrated
from his native land, and after an ocean
voyage of fifty-one days landed in Baltimore,
Maryland. He immediately made his
way westward to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania,
thence to Beaver County, where he joined
friends who had preceded him to this country.
He soon after purchased a tract of
fifty-five acres in Franklin Township, Beaver
County, and being a man of great energy
and thrift, he added to this from time
to time until he was possessed of 105 acres
in that tract, and another farm in Franklin
Township of fifty acres, which became
his homestead. There his death occurred
in December, 1885, at the age of seventyeight
years. He married in Germany Miss
Christina Elias, who was born in that country
near Fuerstenhaagen, and thej' became
parents of five children, the three oldest
of whom were born in Germany.
Henry C. Alborn, father of Charles F.
and Frank E. Alborn, was the eldest of the
children of his parents' family, and was
born in the village of Fuerstenhaagen,
Germany, November 7, 1839. He was seven
years old at the time the family became established
in Beaver Coimty, and there he
attended the public schools until he was
seventeen. He continued to make his home
under the parental roof imtil he was twenty-
two, at which time he rented of his father
a farm in Perry Township, Lawrence
County, in which he lived for three years.
He next purchased a farm of seventy-five
acres in Franklin Township, Beaver County,
which he farmed about ten years, when
he took up his residence in Shenango
Township, Lawrence County. There he
purchased a farm of ninety-six acres, all
cleared and well improved, being adorned
with a fine brick home and substantial outbuildings.
He there lived and prospered
the remainder of his days and was classed
among the substantial men of the community.
In his latter years he was associated
with his son, Charles F., in the proprietorship
of the Big Run Mill, now known
as the Cascade Roller Mills, which was conducted
imder the finn name of Alborn &
Son. His death occurred July 3, 1904, and
he is survived by his widow, who is living
at the old home and is now seventy-two
years of age. She in maiden life was Caroline
Young, a native of the village of
Deitchweiler, Reinfels, Bavaria, and is a
daughter of John and Mary (Miller)
Young. Her father came to the United
States in 1852, and located in Butler County,
where he died in 1858. He was the
owner of a farm of fifty-six acres. Henry
C. and Caroline Alborn became parents of
the following children: Mary Ellen, deceased;
Caroline, wife of Rev. Ivan Deitrich,
of Allegheny City; Charles F., Henry
W., who lives on the old home farm; Tillie
and Frank E. Mr. Alborn was a Democrat
in politics, and religiously was a member
of the Lutheran Church.
Charles F. Alborn was born in Franklin
Township, Beaver County, Pennsylvania,
October 11, 1865, and his educational training
was obtained mainly in the schools of
Shenango Township, Lawrence County.
He learned the milling business at Big Run
Mill, under the instructions of Mr. E. D.
Failer, and he has been actively engaged
in this line of business ever since. He was
united in marriage January 21, 1892, with
Miss Annie M. Weinschenk, a daughter of
George G. Weinschenk. The following childred
are the issue of their union: Carrie
A., Emanuel H., Carl L., George W., Ralph
P., Clara Matilda and Bertha May. Religiously,
they are members of the Lutheran
Church. Mr. Alborn is independent
in politics, filling his third term as a member
of the school board, and is also road
supervisor.
Frank E. Alborn was born in Franklin
Township, Beaver County, Pennsylvania,
and received his schooling in the public
schools of Lawrence County. He was united
in marriage with Miss Rose Weinschenk,
a daughter of George G. Weinschenk, and
they have three children: Clare, Harold
and Arthur L.
The Cascade Roller Mills is one of the
leading business concerns of Shenango
Township. It is thoroughly modern in its
equipment, is a three-story structure, and
is supplied with both water and steam
power. Steam is merely aimliary, as the
water power is excellent, there being a
twentj'-seven foot fall of water. This has
been a mill site since the pioneer days, the
first being established there by Henry
Wolf. It was in turn conducted by a Mr.
Brice and a Mr. Sechler imtil it was destroyed
by fire. Some years later, in the
fall of 1887, Henry C. Alborn and his son,
Charles F., purchased the land and erected
the present mill, which for some years was
conducted under the name of the Big Run
Mill. In 1901 the plant was remodeled and
the oscillator system installed, giving a
capacity of thirty barrels per day. Their
brand, "Purity," is well known throughout
this section, and the local consumption
exceeds the capacity of the mill. The proprietors
are men of recognized standing in
the business circles of the county.
HENRY W. ALBORN
Pg 418
Henry W. Alborn, a prosperous
general farmer, of Shenango Township, is
located on a fine farm of ninety-six acres.
He was born in Franklin Township, Beaver
County, Pennsylvania, August 9, 1869,
and is a son of Henry C. and Caroline
(Young) Alborn, and a grandson of Augustus
and Christiana (Elias) Alborn.
Augustus Alborn, the grandfather, was
born in Germany and there in early life
learned and followed the trade of a miller.
In August, 1846, he left his native land
for America, and landed in Baltimore, Md.,
after an eventful voyage of fifty-one days.
He immediately therafter located in Beaver
Comity, where he had kinsfolk, and took
up agricultural pursuits. He purchased
a tract of fifty-five acres in Franklin Township,
Beaver County, to which he subsequently
added ten acres, and still later
forty acres. He lived on and farmed that
place some years, then moved to a well
improved farm of fifty acres in Franklin
Township, where he spent the remainder
of his days, dying in December, 1885, at
the age of seventy-eight years.
Henry C. Alborn was bom in Fuerstenhaagen,
Germany, which was also the birthplace
of his mother, Novemljer 7, 1839, and
he died in Shenango Township, Lawrence
County, July 3, 1904, after a long and useful
life. During his early manhood he
farmed some three years on a rented farm
in Perry Township, Lawrence County, then
returned to Franklin County and purchased
a seventy-five acre fann. Ten years
later, or in 1874, he sold that property
and purchased the farm of ninety-six acres
in Shenango Township on which Henry W.
Alborn now resides. He was endowed with
those excellent qualities of thrift, enterprise
and economy, which characterize the
German race, and his business success was
continuous throughout life. He married
Caroline Young, who was born in Deutchweiler,
Rheinfalz, Bavaria, one of the
provinces of Germany, and is a daugliter of
John and Mary (Mueller) Young, and a
granddaughter, maternally, of George Jacob
Mueller, who was a tailor in the old
country, where he lived and died. John
Young emigrated to America in 1852, and
settled in Beaver County, Pennsylvania,
where the following year he purchased a
farm of fifty-six acres. Henry C. and
Caroline Alborn were parents of the following
children: Mary Amelia, deceased;
Caroline, wife of Rev. Ivan Deitrich, of Allegheny
City; Charles F., Henry, Tillie,
and Frank E.
Henry W. Alborn was reared on the
home farm in Shenango Township and received
his educational training in the public
schools. He helped farm the place until
1891, when he went west to Knox County,
Illinois, where he spent two years. He
then returned to Lawrence County and engaged
in farming, and worked in the mill
which is now conducted by his brothers,
for a period of five years. On April 1,
1898, he returned to the old homestead,
where he has since followed farming with
uninterrupted success. He is a man of
public spirit, and a progressive citizen,
who enjoys the esteem and good will of
his neighbors and many friends.
Mr. Alborn was united in marriage with
Alice Weinschenck, a daughter of George
G. Weinschenck. Religiously, they are
members of the Lutheran Church. In national
politics, he is a Democrat, but is in
clined to independence in local matters, exercising
his franchise in favor of the man
he feels is best fitted for the office.
ROBERT H. ALEY
Pg 562
Robert H. Aley, one of Wampum's
representative lousiness men and junior
member of the firm of Miles & Aley, dealers
in hardware, on Main Street, Wampmn,
was born in this town March 15,
1875. His parents were William and Mary
(Stiner) Aley.
Michael Aley, the great-grandfather, was
a German by birth and was one of the
pioneer settlers in Beaver County, Pennsylvania.
He had five children: Catnerme,
Ann, John, Michael and Jonathan.
The last named was the grandfather of
Robert Aley. His brothers were farmers,
but he learned the blacksmith trade. He
married Ann Edwards, whose parents
came to Beaver County from Maryland, in
early days. The children of Jonathan and
Ann Aley were as follows: Alfred and
Joseph, both deceased; Emeline married
Edward Day, deceased; Deborah, deceased,
was the wife of Hon. James McAnlis ; John
died young; Isaiah, Charles, William and
Robert Henry, the latter of whom is the
oldest resident of Wampum, having been
born July 28, 1836.
William Aley, father of Robert H. Aley,
Jr., was born in Beaver County, near the
Lawrence County line. In his youth he
worked in the limestone quarries and during
the most of his active years he was
more or less engaged in quarrying. He
married Mary Stiner, of Mercer County,
and they had four children, namely: Robert
IL, John, who died in boyhood; Lulu,
who died in childhood, and Verna, who is
the wife of Frank Miles. William Aley
and wife are amongg the most highly esteemed
residents of Wampum.
Robert H. Aley attended the public
schools of Wampum, remaining at his
books until he was about twenty years of
age. and then went to work in the coal
banks, where he labored for six years. He
then entered the employ of Davis & Harris
and worked for three years in their
sandstone quarries. Mr. Aley next became
a clerk for the Wampum Supply Company
and remained with that concern for three
years. His next employer was Charles
Stapf, and with him he remained for six
years as a clerk. In May, 1906, Mr. Aley,
in partnership with C. F. Miles, opened
up a small slating and tinning business,
locating it on Beaver Street, and they subsequently
added a line of hardware. The
enterprise prospered, and by March 20,
1907, had outgrown the old quarters, necessitating
a removal to more commodious
ones. The firm then came to the present
location on Main Street, where they carry
a full line of hardware, tin and slate roofing,
farm implements, hot water and hot
air equipments, paints and everything usually
to be found in first-class business
houses of their kind. The stock occupies
both floors of their building. Mr. Aley and
Mr. Miles employ two men, and both are active
in the management, dividing their labors.
Mr. Aley looks after the store and
retail business, while Mr. Miles, who is a
practical roofer of many years' standing,
takes care of the work in that line.
On September 10, 1900, Mr. Aley was
married to Mary Sprinker, who is a daughter
of Nicholas Sprinker. They have one
child, Paul, who was born June 7, 1906.
Mr. Aley owns a handsome residence on
Clyde Street, in the Stapf addition to
Wampum. In politics, Mr. Aley is a Democrat.
WILLIAM M. ALLISON,
Pg 978
William M. Allison, who owns a
farm of eighty acres about one mile east
of Princeton, in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania,
is a veteran of the Civil War and
has followed farming as an occupation all
his life, but is now living, practically, in retirement.
He was born in Butler County,
Pennsylvania, May 5, 1838, is a son of
George and Jane (Kennedy) Allison, and
a grandson of William Allison.
William Allison, the grandfather, was
born in Ireland and upon coming to this
country located near Prospect, Pa., where
he passed the remainder of his days in
agricultural pursuits. His widow, whose
maiden name was Gardner, died near
Wurtemburg, Lawrence County.
George Allison was born near Prospect,
Butler County, and received his educational
training in the primitive schools of
that neighborhood. Late in the forties he
moved to what has since been known as
the old Allison homestead in Slippery
Rock Township, Lawrence County, acquiring
160 acres of wild and undeveloped
land. He made a clearing, erected a cabin
and there farmed umtil his death in 1853.
He married Jane Kennedy, a daughter of
Miller Kennedy, of Lawrence County, he
having come originally from east of Pittsburg.
Five cliildren were the issue of this
union: William M.; James, who died upon
his return from the war; Gilbert, of New
Castle; Martha, widow of Bitner Allen,
lives in Oklahoma, and Mary Jane, deceased,
was the wife of David P. Crable
and lived in Nebraska.
William M. Allison received his intellectual
training in the public schools of Lawrence
County, and lived on the old home
farm throughout his active business career,
except for the time spent in the
Union army during the Civil War. He
farmed with great success and in 1906
turned the home place over to his son, and
moved to his present location. In August,
1861, he enlisted in the One Hundredth
Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry,
Infantry, known as "Round Heads," and served
one and a half years, being discharged at
the end of that time on account of physical
disability, caused by a spell of sickness.
During that time he participated in numerous
important battles and skirmishes,
among them James Island, Second Bull
Run, Chantilly, South Mountain and Antietam.
Mr. Allison was united in marriage with
Mary Jane Burnside, whose parents came
to the Muddy Creek community of Lawrence
County from their native land, Ireland.
Eight children were born to bless
this home: James, of Colorado, who married
Nora Book and has a son, William;
John, who also is in the West; Albert, who
lives on the home place; Samuel, who married
Nina Annibal, of Rose Point, has three
children, Earl, Paul and Bessie Marie;
Bessie, wife of John L. Gillespie, lives in
Colorado; Audley, living on the old homestead,
married Lillie Munnell; Edward, a
dentist by profession, lives in Lowellville,
Ohio, and Howard lives on the home place.
Politically, Mr. Allison is a stanch Republican
and takes a deep interest in his party's
success. Religiously he is a member
of the Oak Grove United Presbyterian
Church.
DON H. AMSBURY
Page 969
Don H. Amsbury, superintendent of
the city of New Castle Water Company
plant, and vice-president of the New Castle
Paint and Varnish Company, has been
identified with New Castle interests for
the past eleven vears. He was born in
1869 in Illinois.
Mr. Amsbury remained in his native
State through his educational period. Prior
to coming to New Castle, in 1897, he had,
for years, been connected with the American
Water Works Guarantee Company,
first as bookkeeper, and after being transferred
to the auditing department, traveled
all over the country to tlieir different
plants. He has become a fixture at New
Castle, making business investments and
accepting a high office in one of the city's
prospering concerns. He has interested
himself also in local politics, with a view
to advance the prosperity of the city and
makes his influence felt.
In 1900 Mr. Amsbury was married to
Miss Isabel Peebles, who was born and
reared at New Castle. Mr. and Mrs. Amsbury
are members of Trinity Episcopal
Church. Fraternally he is a Mason, and
has attained the fourteenth degree in the
Lodge of Perfection. An active business
man he belongs to the New Castle Chamber
of Commerce, while he maintains social
relations with the Lawrence Club.
ISAAC S. ANDERSON
Page 692
Isaac S. Anderson, general contractor,
at New Castle, occupies a leading
place among a very capable body of men
who have converted this city into the beautiful
place that is noted for its elegant
private residences as well as substantial
business structures. Mr. Anderson was
born in 1866, in Wilmington Township,
Lawrence County, Pennsylvania.
Samuel Anderson, the venerable father
of Isaac S., was also born in Lawrence
County. He was engaged in contracting
for a number of years, but for the past
ten years has been interested in a sawmill
business and continues to reside on his
old homestead.
Isaac S. Anderson was reared and educated
in Lawrence County and worked on
the home farm until he was nineteen years
old. He then learned the carpenter trade,
with which he has occupied his time ever
since, and for the past five years he has
followed general contracting, during three
years of this period being associated with
George Strohecker. For the past two years
he has operated individually. Among the
many excellent pieces of work completed
by Mr. Anderson may be named the West
Pittsburg Street sehoolhouse, a residence
for Samuel Rhodes on Highland Avenue,
the Broadbent residence on Sumner Avenue
and others of equally pleasing style
and substantial character. Mr. Anderson
owns his own handsome residence at No.
378 West Washington Street.
In December, 1888, Mr. Anderson was
married to Miss Julia Gillespie, of Michigan,
and they have three children: Margaret,
Carrie and Hazel.
JOHN ANDERSON
Page 1013
John Anderson,* a substantial and
progressive citizen of Pulaski Township,
Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, is the
owner of a farm of sixty-five acres and is
eng-aged in general farming. He comes of
a prominent old family of Pulaski Township,
where he was born November 23,
1852. He is a son of Thomas and Susan
(Robinson) Anderson, and a grandson of
John Anderson, who was a soldier of the
American Revolution and became one of
the earliest residents of Pulaski Township.
The family is of Scotch-Irish extraction.
Thomas Anderson was born in Pulaski
Township, and lived there throughout a
long and useful life, engaged in agricultural
pursuits. In his later years he was a
Republican in politics, and was frequently
called upon to serve his township in offices
of public trust. Religiously, he was a
member of the United Presbyterian
Church of New Bedford. He was united
in marriage with Susan Robinson, who was
born in Union Township, Lawrence
County, in March, 1904. His death occurred
June 22, 1900. Of the issue of their
union the following are now living: Sadie
M., of New Bedford, Pa.; Martha J., wife
of H. J. Montgomery, of New Castle; and
John, whose name heads this sketch.
John Anderson was reared on the home
farm and received his preliminary education
in the common schools, supplemented
by a course in Poland Seminary, at Poland,
Oliio. He has always engaged in farming,
except for four years, when he owned an
interest in a drug and stationery store at
New Bedford, at the same time serving as
postmaster of that village under appointment
of President Harrison. He maintained
his residence on his farm during
that time, and has been a resident there for
more than a quarter of a century. He is a
man of great energy, thoroughly modern
in the methods he employs, and has attained
a high degree of success in his work.
He takes an earnest interest in all questions
of importance to the community, giving
active support to such measures as
tend to improve and add to its material
welfare.
Mr. Anderson was joined in marriage
with Letitia Irvine, who is a native of
Pulaski Township, and is a daughter of
Thomas and Crissy (Ewing) Irvine. Her
father died and is survived by Mrs. Irvine,
who lives in Mahoning County, Ohio. Mr.
Anderson is an ardent Republican in politics
and served his township as road supervisor
one year.
DR. A. ANDREWS
Page 164
Dr. A. Andrews, settled in New Castle in
1834. He practiced here for some years,
when he finally removed to Mahoningtown,
where he shortly afterwards died. He was
known as a zealous churchman, and left
the greater part of his property to the
Episcopal Church in this city. He was
followed by Dr. Barlow, who opened a
drug store in connection with his practice.
CHARLES H. ANDREWS
Page 716
Charles H. Amdrews, prothonotary
of Lawrence County, to which important
office he was elected in November,
1905, is one of the most popular public
officials in this section of the State. He
was born June 21, 1870, in Crawford
County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of
John A. and Charlotte H. (Palmer) Andrews.
The parents reared five children.
The father lives retired at No. 132 North
Ray Street, New Castle.
Charles H. Andrews was educated in
the public schools. Upon leaving school he
became employed in a wire nail factory
for seven years. He then engaged in mercantile
pursuits and so continued thirteen
years, until elected to his present office. He
has taken an active interest in public affairs
and is a stanch supporter of the principles
of the Republican party. His fraternal
connections include membership in
the Knights of Pythias, the Odd Fellows,
the Sons of Veterans and the Woodmen.
Mr. Andrews married, October 15, 1895,
Jennie E. Sweet, who is a daughter of
William L. Sweet, and they have one child,
Charlotte K. The pleasant family home is
situated on Court Street, New Castle.
REV. JOHN ANDEZEJEWSKI
Page 620
REV. JOHN ANDEZEJEWSKI, pastor
of St. Mary's Polish Catholic Church
of New Castle, has had charge of this parish
since 1905, which includes 250 families,
covering 1,400 souls. Notwithstanding his
responsibilities, Father Andrzejewski is a
young man, having been born February 2,
1874, at Milwaukee, Wis. His parents
were Ignatius and Victoria (Wilebski)
Andrzejewski.
The parents of Father Andrzejewski
were bom in Poland. They came to America
in 1869 and settled at Milwaukee, Wis.,
where the mother still resides. The father
engaged in merchandizing. He died in
1906. They have six children living.
Father Andrzejewski was primarily educated
in the parochial schools of Milwaukee,
continued studies at Marquette College,
Milwaukee, for four years, and completed
his education at St. Paul Seminary.
On November 30, 1896, he was ordained to
the priesthood by Archbishop Ireland, of
St. Paul Seminaiy, and he was stationed
first as assistant priest of St. Luke's
Churcli of St. Paul. Six months later he
was appointed pastor of St. Peter's Colored
Church, St. Paul, and then took
charge of a lonely mission situated fifteen
miles from any railroad line. He labored
there for six years and his ministrations
are remembered with gratitude and affection
by the Catholics scattered through
that section. He then was appointed assistant
pastor of the Butler Parish, in Butler
County, Pennsylvania, and in 1905 he
became pastor of St. Mary's at New Castle.
His people love and reverence him.
In addition to the usual duties of the parish
priest, he has imder his charge a prospering
parish school which has an enrollment
of sixty pupils.
JOHN ARMSTRONG
Page 610
John Armstrong, a representative
farmer of Slippery Rock Township, resides
on a farm of seventy-three acres located
about eight miles east of the city of New
Castle. He was born near Waggletown,
Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, August
17, 1853, is a son of Alexander and Charlotte
B. (Kennedy) Armstrong, and a
grandson of Alexander Armstrong, Sr., the
latter being a native and lifelong resident
of Lawrence County.
Alexander Armstrong, Jr., was born on
the old homestead near Waggletown, and
attended the primitive schools of that
period. After leaving school he learned
the trade of a blacksmith, which he followed
many years in connection with farming.
He married Charlotte B. Kennedy, a
daughter of William Kennedy, an early
agriculturist of the county, and they became
parents of the following children:
Lawrence, who resides on the old Armstrong
homestead; John; the next died in
infancy; Joseph, deceased; William, deceased;
Elizabeth (Baker), who resides
near Eastbrook; Jennie (Gibson), who
lives near Croton; Elmer, deceased; Robert,
of Hickory Township, Lawrence
County; Mary Estella, who died aged three
years; and Alice, who also lives at the old
home. Alexander Armstrong spent his
entire life on the same farm, aud both he and
his wife died there,
John Armstrong received his educational
training in the public schools, after which
he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits.
He helped farm the home place
until he reached the age of twenty-eight,
then purchased a farm in Slippery Rock
Township, on which he lived some four
years. At the end of that time he sold out
and purchased his present farm of seventythree
acres, from M. McMilleu. He made
many desirable improvements on the place
and has carried on general farming in a
highly successful manner. He is a progressive
and public spirited man, aud enjoys
the good will and esteem of his neighbors
and friends to a remarkable degree.
Mr. Armstrong was joined in the holy
bonds of matrimony with Emma R. Taylor,
a daughter of Samuel Taylor, who was a
prominent farmer of Slippery Rock Township.
No children were born to bless their
union, but two were adopted and given
parental care and affection. The adopted
daughter, Winnifred May, is deceased, and
the son, Elmer G., assists in the work of
the farm. Politically, Mr. Armstrong is
an ardent Republican. In religious faith
and fellowship he is a member of the
United Presbyterian Church.
ROBERT S. ATKINSON
Page 921
Robert S. Atkinson, who resides
on an excellent farm of forty-two acres,
situated in Union Township, near New
Castle, is a representative citizen of this
section. He was born in this township,
January 11, 1860, and is a son of William
and Harriet (McClung) Atkinson.
William Atkinson, father of Robert, was
born in England and was past his majority
when he came to America and located in
Lawrence County. For a.number of years
he followed the butchering business at New
Castle, where his death occurred in August,
1895. Through industry, perseverence,
and a strict regard for the principles of
honesty and fair dealing, he had acquired
a position as one of the representative
business men of the community, few being
more generally respected. Politically he
was a member of the Republican party, and
he was sufficiently interested in pulilic affairs
to become at one time a candidate for
the office of county commissioner. He married
after coming to this country, and he
and his wife Harriet were the parents of
a family of children, of whom there are
now five survivors, namely: Charles, who
resides in Union Township; Nancy, who
married Ned E. Lanham, of Union Township;
John, who resides in New Castle;
Robert S., the subject of this sketch, and
James T., also a resident of Union Township.
Robert S. Atkinson acquired his literaiy
education in the public schools of Union
Township. Since beginning industrial life
he has been engaged almost continuously
in agricultural pursuits. His present farm
consists of good, fertile land, which shows
careful cultivation. He is regarded as one
of the reliable and substantial citizens of
the township, which he has served as auditor
and as a member of the School Board.
In politics he is identified with the Republican
party.
Mr. Atkinson was married April 6, 1882,
to Emma J. Cornelius, who was born in
North Beaver Township, Lawrence County,
a daughter of Jesse S. and Elizabeth
J. Cornelius. Mrs. Atkinson's father is
now deceased; her mother, now in her seventy-
third year, resides in North Beaver
Township. Mr. and Mrs. Atkinson have
had four children: M. Pearl, Jesse C,
Elizabeth J., and Maud M. For a number
of years Mr. Atkinson has been a member
of the First Christian Church of New
Castle.
WILLIAM H. AUBEL
Page 569
William H. Aubel, general contractor,
has been a resident of New Castle
for the past ten years and is identified
with its industrial interests. He was born
in 1865, in Mercer County, Pennsylvania.
Samuel M. Aubel, the late father of
William H., followed both farming and
contracting for a number of years, and
was a very well known citizen in his community.
William H. Aubel was reared and educated
in his native county, and there
learned the carpenter trade. In 1898 he
came to New Castle, and immediately
found employment with those who could
appreciate his skill and soon began contracting,
and has continued in the same
ever since. During the past four years
Mr. Aubel has successfully handled some
of the largest building contracts in the city
and to mention the buildings he has constructed
calls attention to some of the finest
in New Castle. He built the wholesale
Notion Company or Marquis Block, on
South Mill Street; completed the Elmira
Home, the Amiex to Westminster College,
at New Wilmington; built the Simpson
Methodist Episcopal Church in South New
Castle, as well as Mrs. Fisher's handsome
house on Sheridan Avenue, and now has
on hand an $8,000 job in the construction
of the C. M. Duff residence on Leisure
Avenue, in the Fair Ground plat. Mr.
Aubel owns also an interest in the Mahoning
Valley Lumber Company, and his own
residence at No. 4 Smithfield Street.
Mr. Aubel was married in 1887, to Miss
Clara E. Stoyer, who was born in Mercer
County, and they have five children: Verne
W., Cliff E., Mina C, Ross M. and Grace
L. The eldest son is working in a mine in
the West, qualifying for the profession of
a mining engineer. He has already spent
two years in the Pennsylvania State College
and proposes to complete his studies
in the College of Colorado. He has inherited
many of his father's characteristics,
and his talents lie in the same direction,
but in another branch. Mr. Aubel and
family belong to the First Presbyterian
Church, of New Castle, in which he is
serving as an elder.
EDWIN L. AYERS
Page 493
Edwin L. Ayers, ex-sheriff of Lawrence
County, is a well known citizen of
Pulaski, where he is engaged in the manufacture
of galvanized iron-top churns. He
is a man of wide acquaintance throughout
the county, and is very highly regarded.
Mr. Ayers was born in Pulaski, August
28, 1847, is a son of William and Nancy A.
(Morrison) Ayers, and grandson of William
Ayers, Sr., who at one time was a
resident of Wilmington Township, Lawrence
County. William Ayers, Jr,. was
born in Ohio and became an early settler
in Pulaski, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania,
where the larger part of his life
was spent.
Edwin L. Ayers was reared to maturity
in his native township, and received a good
common school education. He is of that
type which learns much through contact
with the world and association with those
who had greater educational advantages
in their youth, and is a broad-guaged. liberal-
minded man, well informed on matters
of public interest. He was too young
to enter the Union Army during the early
years of the Civil War, but in February,
1865, enlisted in Company G. Seventy-eighth
Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer
Infantry, served in the Army of the Cumberland
under General Thomas, and at the
close of the war was honorably discharged.
At an early age Mr. Ayers
learned the trade of a cabinetmaker, which
he followed some years, and in later years
engaged in the churn manufacturing business.
The galvanized iron-top churn, of
which he is manufacturer, is one of recognized
merit and has met with a large
sale. Mr. Ayers ships his product exclusively
to Pittsburg, from which point
it is distributed. He also is a stockholder
and director of the Standard Fruit Company
of Porto Eico, which is developing
a fruit farm of 500 acres, on which will
be grown oranges, grape fruit and pineapples
for the New York market. In fact,
shipments have already been made, as a
part of the plantation is now bearing
abundantly. Mr. Ayers has always been
active politically, and has been an enthusiastic
worker for Eepublican success. He
served some years as Eepublican County
Committeeman, and in November, 1903,
was elected sheriff of Lawrence County.
He discharged the duties of that office with
marked efficiency during his three years'
incumbency, and won a place high in the
regard and good will of the public.
Mr. Ayers was first married to Miss
Mary Porter, who died leaving four children,
namely: William D., Leon L., Mattie
A., wife of Professor Charles F. Ball,
of Volant; and Clara A., wife of Harry
Crooks, of Oil City, Pa. He was married
a second time to Miss Abbie 0. Hey,
of Lawrence County, and they have
two sons: Ralph and Henry H. Fraternally,
he is a member of the Protective
Home Circle of Pulaski, and also of the
G. A. E. Post at New Castle.
William E. Agnew, clerk of the board of county commissioners of Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, is one of the most progressive young business men of New Castle, where his family has long been prominently identified with affairs. He was bom in that city in 1857, and is a son of Edwin I. Agnew.
Edwin I. Agnew, who was a native of Pennsylvania, located in New Castle in 1852, and immediately became very active in the business life of the city". He was elected county treasurer, serving during 1862 and 1863, and was made cashier of the First National Bank upon its organization. He continued in that capacity until 1874, and from that date until the time of his death in 1885 acted as agent for Phillips Brothers, oil operators. Under appointment of President Garfield, he served as postmaster of New Castle from 1881 to 1885. He was a very prosperous man, and ranked among the most substantial men of the city in his day.
William E. Agnew was reared in New Castle and received a good public school training. In his younger days he spent some time in the oil regions, and upon the appointment of his father as postmaster of New Castle became his assistant. He continued until the end of the term, then went to Florida, where he was for four years in the employ of a mining company. His health failing, he returned to his native city and was identified with the Lawrence Glass Company until 1897. He then became clerk of the board of commissioners, and has most efficiently discharged the duties of that office to the present time. A man of marked ability, conscientious in the performance of his duties, he was the popular choice of the Republican party for the office of county treasurer, in April, 1908, receiving nomination in the primaries. He has been verv active in the affairsof the Republican party, has the good will and confidence of the people, and has every assurance of success in the approaching election.
Fraternally, Mr. Agnew is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. In religious attachment, he is a member of the First Christian Church, being regular in his attendance and a liberal supporter of the church.
Andrew Aiken was born in 1802 in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, and was brought to what is now Perry Township, Lawrence County, by his father, Robert Aiken, who settled here in 1804. Andrew remained at home, and inherited the property when his parents died, and he carried on agricultural pursuits here through his subsequent life. He married Rachel Adams, whose father owned land along Muddy Creek, and she, too, died on the old Aiken homestead. They reared a large family, Isaiah being the tenth in order of birth. The other survivors are: Margaret, who is the widow of John Montgomery, resides at New Castle; Andrew Glenn, who lives at Marshfield, Ore.; Ebenezer Erskine, who lives on the old homestead farm. The members of the family who have passed away were : Jane; John, who died at San Francisco, Cal.; James, who died in Oregon; Robert; Ann Eliza; Martha Ann, who died in Oregon, and David S., who died at Rosebury, Ore.
Isaiah Henderson Aiken and his brothers and sisters all attended the district school as opportunity offered and all grew to be well informed people. He continued to operate the home farm for his father until he entered the Federal Army in 1861, when he became a member of Company F, One Hundred Thirty-seventh Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and took part in all the hardships and dangers of military life, with his comrades, for the following nine months, when he was honorably discharged. His two brothers, E. E. and David, were members of the famous Roundhead regiment. All escaped serious injury. For one year following his return from the army, Isaiah Henderson Aiken remained on the home farm and then went to Iowa for a time, and after he came back to Perry Township he married and settled on his present property.
Mr. Aiken was united in marriage with
Elmira Vangorder, who died September
27, 1905. They had six children, namely:
Nancy Margaret, who resides at home;
Jennie B. and Andrew Jacob, twins, the
former of whom lives in California, and
the latter of whom was accidentally killed
at the age of fifteen months; William G.,
residing in California, where he is engaged
in a mercantile business; Louisa E.. who
married Carl Bauder, has two children,
Leverne and Floy; and James, who assists
his father. Mr. Aiken belongs to the
United Presbyterian Church. He is a
stanch Republican in his political views.
ROBERT K. AIKEN
Pg 920
Robert K. Aiken, a prominent
member of the Lawrence County Bar, has
been engaged in the practice of law at New
Castle, Pa., since 1891. He was born at
Portersville, Butler County, Pennsylvania,
and is a son of Alexander H. Aiken, who
died in 1878, and of Jane Kennedv, who
died in 1904.
The Aiken family is an old one in Western
Pennsylvania and for years has represented
good citizenship in Beaver, Washington,
Butler and Lawrence Counties.
Alexander H. Aiken was a merchant, having
first been employed by Anthony Henderson
at New Castle, Pa., and he was afterwards
engaged in business at Princeton,
Portersville and Mt. Jackson, Pa.
Robert K. Aiken was mainly reared at
Mt. Jackson, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania,
and he completed his literary training
at Westminster College, where he graduated
in 1890. He then read law in the
office of D. S. Morris, Esq., and in 1891 he
was admitted to the bar and located immediately
in New Castle. He is a member of
the Lawrence County Bar Association and
of the Pennsylvania State Bar Association.
He took a leading place in his profession
very soon after entering upon practice and
in 1894 he was elected district attorney of
Lawrence County, in which office he served
for three years. From 1898 to 1902 Mr.
Aiken was a member of the Select Council
of the city of New Castle, and served as its
president during the entire term.
In politics he is a Republican. Has
served his party as a member of the County
and State Committees, but has always
Imposed "corrupt methods" and "machine
politicians" in the Republican party. The
dissatisfaction that existed in the political
conditions of the Congressional District
and the State at large made him a candidate
for Congress in 1906 against Ernest
F. Acheson, and although not elected he
succeeded in reducing his opponent's majority
to 1,328 votes as opposed to a previous
majority exceeding 14,000.
He is a member of the United Presbyterian
Church. On the paternal side Mr.
Aiken is connected with the Henrys, his
grandmotlier, Mary Henry, was the onlysister
of Thomas Henry, editor of the Beurver
Argus and a member of Congress.
The Aikens and Henrys were among the
earliest settlers in Waynee Township.
WILLIAM L. AIKEN
Pg 416
William L. Aiken, general farmer,
residing on a valuable tract of land aggregating
104 acres, situated in Slippery Rock
Township, owns this property jointly with
his sister, Margaret. He was born here,
December 8, 1861, and is a son of Leslie
and Sarah Margaret (Henry) Aiken.
The grandparents of Mr. Aiken were
James and Elizabeth Aiken, who came to
America from Ireland, settling first at Baltimore,
Md., and then moving to Westmoreland
County, Pennsylvania. In 1798 they
came to what was then Beaver but is now
Lawrence County. At tliat time a Mr. Chew
owned many acres of uncleared land and
this land in Beaver County he desired to
dispose of, therefore he was willing to
make favorable proposals to settlers who
promised to be a credit to the locality. He
offered 200 acres of land to James Aiken
if he would clear 200 more, and the offer
was accepted, and Mr. Aiken subsequently
acquired 200 acres. This land was located
along Slippery Rock Creek, and on it
James Aiken lived until the time of his
death, March 13, 1840, when it was sold.
The old log house still stands. After her
husband's death, Elizabeth went to live
with her son, James B. Aiken, where she
died March 11, 1860, aged seventy-nine
years. They had twelve children, namely:
Ralph, born December 26, 1799; Vincent
William, bom January 19, 1802, was noted
for his strength, performing feats that no
other man in the township could equal;
Martha, born February 14, 1804; Isabella,
born April 2, 1806; Hiram J., born August
9, 1808, was a noted wrestler in the contests
of strength and skill participated in
by the young men of his time; Sarah, born
December 26, 1810; Robert A., born February
26, 1813; James B., born January
27, 1815; Leslie C, born April 12, 1817;
Walker V., born September 12, 1819; Margaret,
born July 15, 1822, and David E.,
born October 21, 1824.
Leslie C. Aiken resided in Wayne Township,
Lawrence County, until his marriage
in 1843 to Sarah Margaret Henry. She
was born in Ohio in 1822, and died August
6, 1907. Her parents were John and
Sarah M. Henry, of Lawrence County. Leslie
C. Aiken and wife took up a claim in
Illinois and lived on it for two years, but
subsequently returned to Lawrence County,
where Mr. Aiken died in 1889. They had
eight children, namely: Sarah M., John
H., James W., Isabel, an unnamed infant,
Margaret, William L. and Lettie. Sarah
M. Aiken, born September 27, 1844, died
aged two years, while the family was on a
boat on the Ohio River and her burial took
place when they reached Kendallville, Ind.
John H. was born in Illinois March 17,
1847, and resides in Missouri. He married
Laura Gilham, and they have two children,
William L. and Ethel M. The latter has
prepared herself for teaching and is a
graduate of the Missouri State Normal
School. James Walker Aiken was born
October 13, 1851, and resides at Omaha,
Neb. He married Florence Smith, and they
have two children, Nannett B. and Doris
E. Isabel Aiken was born November 3,
1853, and died September 25, 1866. Margaret
Aiken was born March 4, 1857, and
she resides with her brother, William L.
Lettie, the youngest of the family, was born
February 2, 1864. She is a successful
teacher and has been connected with the
Chicago public schools for thirteen years.
This family has always been one of high
standing and very intelligent. Mr. Aiken
and sister belong to the United Presbyterian
Church.
CLYDE V. AILEY
Pg 830
Clyde V. Ailey, an able member of
the Lawrence County Bar, who has been
actively engaged in the practice of his profession,
at New Castle, since December,
1901, was born April 19, 1874, in Big Beaver Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania.
Irwin Ailey, the father of Clyde V., was
born in 3832, near Beaver Falls, Beaver
County, Pennsylvania. His father having
died when he was twelve years of age, he
came to Lawrence County and lived with
his uncle, the Hon. Henry Edwards, until
his marriage to Elizabeth H. Leslie, a
daughter of John Leslie, one of the pioneers
of Lawrence County. Irwin Ailey
died in North Beaver Township, Lawrence
County, on Jime 19, 1900. His life occupation
was farming; his politics identified
with the Eepubliean party, and in religion
he was a worthy and consistent member
of the Wampum United Presbyterian
Church.
Clyde V. Ailey passed from the common
schools of Lawrence County to Grove City
College, where he prepared himself for
teaching, which pursuit he followed for
three years, teaching in the country
schools of North Beaver Township, the
home of his parents; after which he pursued
the scientific course of study in Grove
City College, where he was creditably graduated
in the class of 1899, receiving the degree
of B. S. Immediately following he
entered the office of Col. Oscar L. Jackson
for the study of law. He was admitted to
the Lawrence County Bar in December,
1901, and in October, 1905, he received his
certificate entitling him to practice in the
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. He is a
member of the Lawrence County Bar Association
and bears an enviable reputation
for sustaining the ethics of practice.
On April 8, 1903, Mr. Ailey was married
to Miss Hattie A. Noggle, a daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. Dr. Seeley Noggle, one of the
prominent families of Big Beaver Township.
They are members of the First
Methodist Episcopal Church of New Castle.
Fraternally he belongs to the order
of the Knights of Golden Eagle.
C. H. AKENS
Pg 429
C. H. Akens, one of New Castle's most
prominent attorneys, senior member of the
law firm of Akens, Wilkison, Lockhart &
Chambers, was bom in Crawford County,
Pennsylvania, September 13, 1855, and is
a son of Hamilton J. and Hannah (Sweeting)
Akens.
The Akens family is one of the oldest in
Lawrence County. The father of C. H.
Akens was born in Lawrence County, but
after his marriage moved to Crawford
County, where he was engaged in the lumber
business. He returned to Lawrence
County in 1866 and resided on a fann in
Shenango Township, where he lived until
he moved to New Castle a few years before
his death.
C. H. Akens was eleven years of age
when his parents removed to Shenango
Township, and he was primarily educated
in the old McKee School in that township,
later attending the public school at New
Castle for one year; then attending the
One Study College, as it was called, conducted
by Prof. John R. Steeves, in the
McCready Block, on Pittsburg Street, New
Castle, and afterwards entering the State
Normal School at Edinboro, where he
graduated in 1880. Mr. Akens worked his
way through school by helping on the
farm in summer and teaching in the winter.
while attending the One Study College
he rode back and forward, six miles,
to attend recitations and assisted mornings
and evenings on the farm.
In April, 1884, he was admitted to the
bar, having prepared for the law under
John G. McConahy and "B. A. Wintemitz,
and on May 4, 1884, he opened his office at
New Castle. He continued alone in practice
until April, 1907, when he became associated
with the other attorneys of his
present firm, Hamilton A. Wilkison, John
P. Lockhart and James A. Chambers, the
firm being one of much legal strength and
one which is recognized both individually
and collectively in the important litigation
in this section. Mr. Akens is a member of
the Superior and Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
and also of the Supreme Court
of the United States. He was one of the
charter members of the Lawrence County
Bar Association.
On December 25, 1884, Mr. Akens was
married to Miss Eva E. Quigley, who is a
daughter of James and Mary A. Quigley,
of Lawrence County. Mr. Akens is a member
of the Order of the Knights of Pythias.
In politics he is a Democrat.
CHARLES F. ALBORN
and
FRANK E. ALBORN
Pg 397
Charles F. and Frank E. Alborn
who stand foremost among the enterprising
business men and progressive
citizens of Shenango Township, Lawrence
County, Pennsylvania, are proprietors of
the Cascade Roller Mills, a flourishing
plant which enjoys an extensive patronage
throughout that section of the State.
The Alborn family is an old one in Western
Pennsylvania, and was first established
here by Augustus Alborn, grandfather
of the gentlemen named above. He
was a native of Germany, where in his
youthful days he learned the trade of a miller.
In the summer of 1846 he emigrated
from his native land, and after an ocean
voyage of fifty-one days landed in Baltimore,
Maryland. He immediately made his
way westward to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania,
thence to Beaver County, where he joined
friends who had preceded him to this country.
He soon after purchased a tract of
fifty-five acres in Franklin Township, Beaver
County, and being a man of great energy
and thrift, he added to this from time
to time until he was possessed of 105 acres
in that tract, and another farm in Franklin
Township of fifty acres, which became
his homestead. There his death occurred
in December, 1885, at the age of seventyeight
years. He married in Germany Miss
Christina Elias, who was born in that country
near Fuerstenhaagen, and thej' became
parents of five children, the three oldest
of whom were born in Germany.
Henry C. Alborn, father of Charles F.
and Frank E. Alborn, was the eldest of the
children of his parents' family, and was
born in the village of Fuerstenhaagen,
Germany, November 7, 1839. He was seven
years old at the time the family became established
in Beaver Coimty, and there he
attended the public schools until he was
seventeen. He continued to make his home
under the parental roof imtil he was twenty-
two, at which time he rented of his father
a farm in Perry Township, Lawrence
County, in which he lived for three years.
He next purchased a farm of seventy-five
acres in Franklin Township, Beaver County,
which he farmed about ten years, when
he took up his residence in Shenango
Township, Lawrence County. There he
purchased a farm of ninety-six acres, all
cleared and well improved, being adorned
with a fine brick home and substantial outbuildings.
He there lived and prospered
the remainder of his days and was classed
among the substantial men of the community.
In his latter years he was associated
with his son, Charles F., in the proprietorship
of the Big Run Mill, now known
as the Cascade Roller Mills, which was conducted
imder the finn name of Alborn &
Son. His death occurred July 3, 1904, and
he is survived by his widow, who is living
at the old home and is now seventy-two
years of age. She in maiden life was Caroline
Young, a native of the village of
Deitchweiler, Reinfels, Bavaria, and is a
daughter of John and Mary (Miller)
Young. Her father came to the United
States in 1852, and located in Butler County,
where he died in 1858. He was the
owner of a farm of fifty-six acres. Henry
C. and Caroline Alborn became parents of
the following children: Mary Ellen, deceased;
Caroline, wife of Rev. Ivan Deitrich,
of Allegheny City; Charles F., Henry
W., who lives on the old home farm; Tillie
and Frank E. Mr. Alborn was a Democrat
in politics, and religiously was a member
of the Lutheran Church.
Charles F. Alborn was born in Franklin
Township, Beaver County, Pennsylvania,
October 11, 1865, and his educational training
was obtained mainly in the schools of
Shenango Township, Lawrence County.
He learned the milling business at Big Run
Mill, under the instructions of Mr. E. D.
Failer, and he has been actively engaged
in this line of business ever since. He was
united in marriage January 21, 1892, with
Miss Annie M. Weinschenk, a daughter of
George G. Weinschenk. The following childred
are the issue of their union: Carrie
A., Emanuel H., Carl L., George W., Ralph
P., Clara Matilda and Bertha May. Religiously,
they are members of the Lutheran
Church. Mr. Alborn is independent
in politics, filling his third term as a member
of the school board, and is also road
supervisor.
Frank E. Alborn was born in Franklin
Township, Beaver County, Pennsylvania,
and received his schooling in the public
schools of Lawrence County. He was united
in marriage with Miss Rose Weinschenk,
a daughter of George G. Weinschenk, and
they have three children: Clare, Harold
and Arthur L.
The Cascade Roller Mills is one of the
leading business concerns of Shenango
Township. It is thoroughly modern in its
equipment, is a three-story structure, and
is supplied with both water and steam
power. Steam is merely aimliary, as the
water power is excellent, there being a
twentj'-seven foot fall of water. This has
been a mill site since the pioneer days, the
first being established there by Henry
Wolf. It was in turn conducted by a Mr.
Brice and a Mr. Sechler imtil it was destroyed
by fire. Some years later, in the
fall of 1887, Henry C. Alborn and his son,
Charles F., purchased the land and erected
the present mill, which for some years was
conducted under the name of the Big Run
Mill. In 1901 the plant was remodeled and
the oscillator system installed, giving a
capacity of thirty barrels per day. Their
brand, "Purity," is well known throughout
this section, and the local consumption
exceeds the capacity of the mill. The proprietors
are men of recognized standing in
the business circles of the county.
HENRY W. ALBORN
Pg 418
Henry W. Alborn, a prosperous
general farmer, of Shenango Township, is
located on a fine farm of ninety-six acres.
He was born in Franklin Township, Beaver
County, Pennsylvania, August 9, 1869,
and is a son of Henry C. and Caroline
(Young) Alborn, and a grandson of Augustus
and Christiana (Elias) Alborn.
Augustus Alborn, the grandfather, was
born in Germany and there in early life
learned and followed the trade of a miller.
In August, 1846, he left his native land
for America, and landed in Baltimore, Md.,
after an eventful voyage of fifty-one days.
He immediately therafter located in Beaver
Comity, where he had kinsfolk, and took
up agricultural pursuits. He purchased
a tract of fifty-five acres in Franklin Township,
Beaver County, to which he subsequently
added ten acres, and still later
forty acres. He lived on and farmed that
place some years, then moved to a well
improved farm of fifty acres in Franklin
Township, where he spent the remainder
of his days, dying in December, 1885, at
the age of seventy-eight years.
Henry C. Alborn was bom in Fuerstenhaagen,
Germany, which was also the birthplace
of his mother, Novemljer 7, 1839, and
he died in Shenango Township, Lawrence
County, July 3, 1904, after a long and useful
life. During his early manhood he
farmed some three years on a rented farm
in Perry Township, Lawrence County, then
returned to Franklin County and purchased
a seventy-five acre fann. Ten years
later, or in 1874, he sold that property
and purchased the farm of ninety-six acres
in Shenango Township on which Henry W.
Alborn now resides. He was endowed with
those excellent qualities of thrift, enterprise
and economy, which characterize the
German race, and his business success was
continuous throughout life. He married
Caroline Young, who was born in Deutchweiler,
Rheinfalz, Bavaria, one of the
provinces of Germany, and is a daugliter of
John and Mary (Mueller) Young, and a
granddaughter, maternally, of George Jacob
Mueller, who was a tailor in the old
country, where he lived and died. John
Young emigrated to America in 1852, and
settled in Beaver County, Pennsylvania,
where the following year he purchased a
farm of fifty-six acres. Henry C. and
Caroline Alborn were parents of the following
children: Mary Amelia, deceased;
Caroline, wife of Rev. Ivan Deitrich, of Allegheny
City; Charles F., Henry, Tillie,
and Frank E.
Henry W. Alborn was reared on the
home farm in Shenango Township and received
his educational training in the public
schools. He helped farm the place until
1891, when he went west to Knox County,
Illinois, where he spent two years. He
then returned to Lawrence County and engaged
in farming, and worked in the mill
which is now conducted by his brothers,
for a period of five years. On April 1,
1898, he returned to the old homestead,
where he has since followed farming with
uninterrupted success. He is a man of
public spirit, and a progressive citizen,
who enjoys the esteem and good will of
his neighbors and many friends.
Mr. Alborn was united in marriage with
Alice Weinschenck, a daughter of George
G. Weinschenck. Religiously, they are
members of the Lutheran Church. In national
politics, he is a Democrat, but is in
clined to independence in local matters, exercising
his franchise in favor of the man
he feels is best fitted for the office.
ROBERT H. ALEY
Pg 562
Robert H. Aley, one of Wampum's
representative lousiness men and junior
member of the firm of Miles & Aley, dealers
in hardware, on Main Street, Wampmn,
was born in this town March 15,
1875. His parents were William and Mary
(Stiner) Aley.
Michael Aley, the great-grandfather, was
a German by birth and was one of the
pioneer settlers in Beaver County, Pennsylvania.
He had five children: Catnerme,
Ann, John, Michael and Jonathan.
The last named was the grandfather of
Robert Aley. His brothers were farmers,
but he learned the blacksmith trade. He
married Ann Edwards, whose parents
came to Beaver County from Maryland, in
early days. The children of Jonathan and
Ann Aley were as follows: Alfred and
Joseph, both deceased; Emeline married
Edward Day, deceased; Deborah, deceased,
was the wife of Hon. James McAnlis ; John
died young; Isaiah, Charles, William and
Robert Henry, the latter of whom is the
oldest resident of Wampum, having been
born July 28, 1836.
William Aley, father of Robert H. Aley,
Jr., was born in Beaver County, near the
Lawrence County line. In his youth he
worked in the limestone quarries and during
the most of his active years he was
more or less engaged in quarrying. He
married Mary Stiner, of Mercer County,
and they had four children, namely: Robert
IL, John, who died in boyhood; Lulu,
who died in childhood, and Verna, who is
the wife of Frank Miles. William Aley
and wife are amongg the most highly esteemed
residents of Wampum.
Robert H. Aley attended the public
schools of Wampum, remaining at his
books until he was about twenty years of
age. and then went to work in the coal
banks, where he labored for six years. He
then entered the employ of Davis & Harris
and worked for three years in their
sandstone quarries. Mr. Aley next became
a clerk for the Wampum Supply Company
and remained with that concern for three
years. His next employer was Charles
Stapf, and with him he remained for six
years as a clerk. In May, 1906, Mr. Aley,
in partnership with C. F. Miles, opened
up a small slating and tinning business,
locating it on Beaver Street, and they subsequently
added a line of hardware. The
enterprise prospered, and by March 20,
1907, had outgrown the old quarters, necessitating
a removal to more commodious
ones. The firm then came to the present
location on Main Street, where they carry
a full line of hardware, tin and slate roofing,
farm implements, hot water and hot
air equipments, paints and everything usually
to be found in first-class business
houses of their kind. The stock occupies
both floors of their building. Mr. Aley and
Mr. Miles employ two men, and both are active
in the management, dividing their labors.
Mr. Aley looks after the store and
retail business, while Mr. Miles, who is a
practical roofer of many years' standing,
takes care of the work in that line.
On September 10, 1900, Mr. Aley was
married to Mary Sprinker, who is a daughter
of Nicholas Sprinker. They have one
child, Paul, who was born June 7, 1906.
Mr. Aley owns a handsome residence on
Clyde Street, in the Stapf addition to
Wampum. In politics, Mr. Aley is a Democrat.
WILLIAM M. ALLISON,
Pg 978
William M. Allison, who owns a
farm of eighty acres about one mile east
of Princeton, in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania,
is a veteran of the Civil War and
has followed farming as an occupation all
his life, but is now living, practically, in retirement.
He was born in Butler County,
Pennsylvania, May 5, 1838, is a son of
George and Jane (Kennedy) Allison, and
a grandson of William Allison.
William Allison, the grandfather, was
born in Ireland and upon coming to this
country located near Prospect, Pa., where
he passed the remainder of his days in
agricultural pursuits. His widow, whose
maiden name was Gardner, died near
Wurtemburg, Lawrence County.
George Allison was born near Prospect,
Butler County, and received his educational
training in the primitive schools of
that neighborhood. Late in the forties he
moved to what has since been known as
the old Allison homestead in Slippery
Rock Township, Lawrence County, acquiring
160 acres of wild and undeveloped
land. He made a clearing, erected a cabin
and there farmed umtil his death in 1853.
He married Jane Kennedy, a daughter of
Miller Kennedy, of Lawrence County, he
having come originally from east of Pittsburg.
Five cliildren were the issue of this
union: William M.; James, who died upon
his return from the war; Gilbert, of New
Castle; Martha, widow of Bitner Allen,
lives in Oklahoma, and Mary Jane, deceased,
was the wife of David P. Crable
and lived in Nebraska.
William M. Allison received his intellectual
training in the public schools of Lawrence
County, and lived on the old home
farm throughout his active business career,
except for the time spent in the
Union army during the Civil War. He
farmed with great success and in 1906
turned the home place over to his son, and
moved to his present location. In August,
1861, he enlisted in the One Hundredth
Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry,
Infantry, known as "Round Heads," and served
one and a half years, being discharged at
the end of that time on account of physical
disability, caused by a spell of sickness.
During that time he participated in numerous
important battles and skirmishes,
among them James Island, Second Bull
Run, Chantilly, South Mountain and Antietam.
Mr. Allison was united in marriage with
Mary Jane Burnside, whose parents came
to the Muddy Creek community of Lawrence
County from their native land, Ireland.
Eight children were born to bless
this home: James, of Colorado, who married
Nora Book and has a son, William;
John, who also is in the West; Albert, who
lives on the home place; Samuel, who married
Nina Annibal, of Rose Point, has three
children, Earl, Paul and Bessie Marie;
Bessie, wife of John L. Gillespie, lives in
Colorado; Audley, living on the old homestead,
married Lillie Munnell; Edward, a
dentist by profession, lives in Lowellville,
Ohio, and Howard lives on the home place.
Politically, Mr. Allison is a stanch Republican
and takes a deep interest in his party's
success. Religiously he is a member
of the Oak Grove United Presbyterian
Church.
DON H. AMSBURY
Page 969
Don H. Amsbury, superintendent of
the city of New Castle Water Company
plant, and vice-president of the New Castle
Paint and Varnish Company, has been
identified with New Castle interests for
the past eleven vears. He was born in
1869 in Illinois.
Mr. Amsbury remained in his native
State through his educational period. Prior
to coming to New Castle, in 1897, he had,
for years, been connected with the American
Water Works Guarantee Company,
first as bookkeeper, and after being transferred
to the auditing department, traveled
all over the country to tlieir different
plants. He has become a fixture at New
Castle, making business investments and
accepting a high office in one of the city's
prospering concerns. He has interested
himself also in local politics, with a view
to advance the prosperity of the city and
makes his influence felt.
In 1900 Mr. Amsbury was married to
Miss Isabel Peebles, who was born and
reared at New Castle. Mr. and Mrs. Amsbury
are members of Trinity Episcopal
Church. Fraternally he is a Mason, and
has attained the fourteenth degree in the
Lodge of Perfection. An active business
man he belongs to the New Castle Chamber
of Commerce, while he maintains social
relations with the Lawrence Club.
ISAAC S. ANDERSON
Page 692
Isaac S. Anderson, general contractor,
at New Castle, occupies a leading
place among a very capable body of men
who have converted this city into the beautiful
place that is noted for its elegant
private residences as well as substantial
business structures. Mr. Anderson was
born in 1866, in Wilmington Township,
Lawrence County, Pennsylvania.
Samuel Anderson, the venerable father
of Isaac S., was also born in Lawrence
County. He was engaged in contracting
for a number of years, but for the past
ten years has been interested in a sawmill
business and continues to reside on his
old homestead.
Isaac S. Anderson was reared and educated
in Lawrence County and worked on
the home farm until he was nineteen years
old. He then learned the carpenter trade,
with which he has occupied his time ever
since, and for the past five years he has
followed general contracting, during three
years of this period being associated with
George Strohecker. For the past two years
he has operated individually. Among the
many excellent pieces of work completed
by Mr. Anderson may be named the West
Pittsburg Street sehoolhouse, a residence
for Samuel Rhodes on Highland Avenue,
the Broadbent residence on Sumner Avenue
and others of equally pleasing style
and substantial character. Mr. Anderson
owns his own handsome residence at No.
378 West Washington Street.
In December, 1888, Mr. Anderson was
married to Miss Julia Gillespie, of Michigan,
and they have three children: Margaret,
Carrie and Hazel.
JOHN ANDERSON
Page 1013
John Anderson,* a substantial and
progressive citizen of Pulaski Township,
Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, is the
owner of a farm of sixty-five acres and is
eng-aged in general farming. He comes of
a prominent old family of Pulaski Township,
where he was born November 23,
1852. He is a son of Thomas and Susan
(Robinson) Anderson, and a grandson of
John Anderson, who was a soldier of the
American Revolution and became one of
the earliest residents of Pulaski Township.
The family is of Scotch-Irish extraction.
Thomas Anderson was born in Pulaski
Township, and lived there throughout a
long and useful life, engaged in agricultural
pursuits. In his later years he was a
Republican in politics, and was frequently
called upon to serve his township in offices
of public trust. Religiously, he was a
member of the United Presbyterian
Church of New Bedford. He was united
in marriage with Susan Robinson, who was
born in Union Township, Lawrence
County, in March, 1904. His death occurred
June 22, 1900. Of the issue of their
union the following are now living: Sadie
M., of New Bedford, Pa.; Martha J., wife
of H. J. Montgomery, of New Castle; and
John, whose name heads this sketch.
John Anderson was reared on the home
farm and received his preliminary education
in the common schools, supplemented
by a course in Poland Seminary, at Poland,
Oliio. He has always engaged in farming,
except for four years, when he owned an
interest in a drug and stationery store at
New Bedford, at the same time serving as
postmaster of that village under appointment
of President Harrison. He maintained
his residence on his farm during
that time, and has been a resident there for
more than a quarter of a century. He is a
man of great energy, thoroughly modern
in the methods he employs, and has attained
a high degree of success in his work.
He takes an earnest interest in all questions
of importance to the community, giving
active support to such measures as
tend to improve and add to its material
welfare.
Mr. Anderson was joined in marriage
with Letitia Irvine, who is a native of
Pulaski Township, and is a daughter of
Thomas and Crissy (Ewing) Irvine. Her
father died and is survived by Mrs. Irvine,
who lives in Mahoning County, Ohio. Mr.
Anderson is an ardent Republican in politics
and served his township as road supervisor
one year.
DR. A. ANDREWS
Page 164
Dr. A. Andrews, settled in New Castle in
1834. He practiced here for some years,
when he finally removed to Mahoningtown,
where he shortly afterwards died. He was
known as a zealous churchman, and left
the greater part of his property to the
Episcopal Church in this city. He was
followed by Dr. Barlow, who opened a
drug store in connection with his practice.
CHARLES H. ANDREWS
Page 716
Charles H. Amdrews, prothonotary
of Lawrence County, to which important
office he was elected in November,
1905, is one of the most popular public
officials in this section of the State. He
was born June 21, 1870, in Crawford
County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of
John A. and Charlotte H. (Palmer) Andrews.
The parents reared five children.
The father lives retired at No. 132 North
Ray Street, New Castle.
Charles H. Andrews was educated in
the public schools. Upon leaving school he
became employed in a wire nail factory
for seven years. He then engaged in mercantile
pursuits and so continued thirteen
years, until elected to his present office. He
has taken an active interest in public affairs
and is a stanch supporter of the principles
of the Republican party. His fraternal
connections include membership in
the Knights of Pythias, the Odd Fellows,
the Sons of Veterans and the Woodmen.
Mr. Andrews married, October 15, 1895,
Jennie E. Sweet, who is a daughter of
William L. Sweet, and they have one child,
Charlotte K. The pleasant family home is
situated on Court Street, New Castle.
REV. JOHN ANDEZEJEWSKI
Page 620
REV. JOHN ANDEZEJEWSKI, pastor
of St. Mary's Polish Catholic Church
of New Castle, has had charge of this parish
since 1905, which includes 250 families,
covering 1,400 souls. Notwithstanding his
responsibilities, Father Andrzejewski is a
young man, having been born February 2,
1874, at Milwaukee, Wis. His parents
were Ignatius and Victoria (Wilebski)
Andrzejewski.
The parents of Father Andrzejewski
were bom in Poland. They came to America
in 1869 and settled at Milwaukee, Wis.,
where the mother still resides. The father
engaged in merchandizing. He died in
1906. They have six children living.
Father Andrzejewski was primarily educated
in the parochial schools of Milwaukee,
continued studies at Marquette College,
Milwaukee, for four years, and completed
his education at St. Paul Seminary.
On November 30, 1896, he was ordained to
the priesthood by Archbishop Ireland, of
St. Paul Seminaiy, and he was stationed
first as assistant priest of St. Luke's
Churcli of St. Paul. Six months later he
was appointed pastor of St. Peter's Colored
Church, St. Paul, and then took
charge of a lonely mission situated fifteen
miles from any railroad line. He labored
there for six years and his ministrations
are remembered with gratitude and affection
by the Catholics scattered through
that section. He then was appointed assistant
pastor of the Butler Parish, in Butler
County, Pennsylvania, and in 1905 he
became pastor of St. Mary's at New Castle.
His people love and reverence him.
In addition to the usual duties of the parish
priest, he has imder his charge a prospering
parish school which has an enrollment
of sixty pupils.
JOHN ARMSTRONG
Page 610
John Armstrong, a representative
farmer of Slippery Rock Township, resides
on a farm of seventy-three acres located
about eight miles east of the city of New
Castle. He was born near Waggletown,
Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, August
17, 1853, is a son of Alexander and Charlotte
B. (Kennedy) Armstrong, and a
grandson of Alexander Armstrong, Sr., the
latter being a native and lifelong resident
of Lawrence County.
Alexander Armstrong, Jr., was born on
the old homestead near Waggletown, and
attended the primitive schools of that
period. After leaving school he learned
the trade of a blacksmith, which he followed
many years in connection with farming.
He married Charlotte B. Kennedy, a
daughter of William Kennedy, an early
agriculturist of the county, and they became
parents of the following children:
Lawrence, who resides on the old Armstrong
homestead; John; the next died in
infancy; Joseph, deceased; William, deceased;
Elizabeth (Baker), who resides
near Eastbrook; Jennie (Gibson), who
lives near Croton; Elmer, deceased; Robert,
of Hickory Township, Lawrence
County; Mary Estella, who died aged three
years; and Alice, who also lives at the old
home. Alexander Armstrong spent his
entire life on the same farm, aud both he and
his wife died there,
John Armstrong received his educational
training in the public schools, after which
he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits.
He helped farm the home place
until he reached the age of twenty-eight,
then purchased a farm in Slippery Rock
Township, on which he lived some four
years. At the end of that time he sold out
and purchased his present farm of seventythree
acres, from M. McMilleu. He made
many desirable improvements on the place
and has carried on general farming in a
highly successful manner. He is a progressive
and public spirited man, aud enjoys
the good will and esteem of his neighbors
and friends to a remarkable degree.
Mr. Armstrong was joined in the holy
bonds of matrimony with Emma R. Taylor,
a daughter of Samuel Taylor, who was a
prominent farmer of Slippery Rock Township.
No children were born to bless their
union, but two were adopted and given
parental care and affection. The adopted
daughter, Winnifred May, is deceased, and
the son, Elmer G., assists in the work of
the farm. Politically, Mr. Armstrong is
an ardent Republican. In religious faith
and fellowship he is a member of the
United Presbyterian Church.
ROBERT S. ATKINSON
Page 921
Robert S. Atkinson, who resides
on an excellent farm of forty-two acres,
situated in Union Township, near New
Castle, is a representative citizen of this
section. He was born in this township,
January 11, 1860, and is a son of William
and Harriet (McClung) Atkinson.
William Atkinson, father of Robert, was
born in England and was past his majority
when he came to America and located in
Lawrence County. For a.number of years
he followed the butchering business at New
Castle, where his death occurred in August,
1895. Through industry, perseverence,
and a strict regard for the principles of
honesty and fair dealing, he had acquired
a position as one of the representative
business men of the community, few being
more generally respected. Politically he
was a member of the Republican party, and
he was sufficiently interested in pulilic affairs
to become at one time a candidate for
the office of county commissioner. He married
after coming to this country, and he
and his wife Harriet were the parents of
a family of children, of whom there are
now five survivors, namely: Charles, who
resides in Union Township; Nancy, who
married Ned E. Lanham, of Union Township;
John, who resides in New Castle;
Robert S., the subject of this sketch, and
James T., also a resident of Union Township.
Robert S. Atkinson acquired his literaiy
education in the public schools of Union
Township. Since beginning industrial life
he has been engaged almost continuously
in agricultural pursuits. His present farm
consists of good, fertile land, which shows
careful cultivation. He is regarded as one
of the reliable and substantial citizens of
the township, which he has served as auditor
and as a member of the School Board.
In politics he is identified with the Republican
party.
Mr. Atkinson was married April 6, 1882,
to Emma J. Cornelius, who was born in
North Beaver Township, Lawrence County,
a daughter of Jesse S. and Elizabeth
J. Cornelius. Mrs. Atkinson's father is
now deceased; her mother, now in her seventy-
third year, resides in North Beaver
Township. Mr. and Mrs. Atkinson have
had four children: M. Pearl, Jesse C,
Elizabeth J., and Maud M. For a number
of years Mr. Atkinson has been a member
of the First Christian Church of New
Castle.
WILLIAM H. AUBEL
Page 569
William H. Aubel, general contractor,
has been a resident of New Castle
for the past ten years and is identified
with its industrial interests. He was born
in 1865, in Mercer County, Pennsylvania.
Samuel M. Aubel, the late father of
William H., followed both farming and
contracting for a number of years, and
was a very well known citizen in his community.
William H. Aubel was reared and educated
in his native county, and there
learned the carpenter trade. In 1898 he
came to New Castle, and immediately
found employment with those who could
appreciate his skill and soon began contracting,
and has continued in the same
ever since. During the past four years
Mr. Aubel has successfully handled some
of the largest building contracts in the city
and to mention the buildings he has constructed
calls attention to some of the finest
in New Castle. He built the wholesale
Notion Company or Marquis Block, on
South Mill Street; completed the Elmira
Home, the Amiex to Westminster College,
at New Wilmington; built the Simpson
Methodist Episcopal Church in South New
Castle, as well as Mrs. Fisher's handsome
house on Sheridan Avenue, and now has
on hand an $8,000 job in the construction
of the C. M. Duff residence on Leisure
Avenue, in the Fair Ground plat. Mr.
Aubel owns also an interest in the Mahoning
Valley Lumber Company, and his own
residence at No. 4 Smithfield Street.
Mr. Aubel was married in 1887, to Miss
Clara E. Stoyer, who was born in Mercer
County, and they have five children: Verne
W., Cliff E., Mina C, Ross M. and Grace
L. The eldest son is working in a mine in
the West, qualifying for the profession of
a mining engineer. He has already spent
two years in the Pennsylvania State College
and proposes to complete his studies
in the College of Colorado. He has inherited
many of his father's characteristics,
and his talents lie in the same direction,
but in another branch. Mr. Aubel and
family belong to the First Presbyterian
Church, of New Castle, in which he is
serving as an elder.
EDWIN L. AYERS
Page 493
Edwin L. Ayers, ex-sheriff of Lawrence
County, is a well known citizen of
Pulaski, where he is engaged in the manufacture
of galvanized iron-top churns. He
is a man of wide acquaintance throughout
the county, and is very highly regarded.
Mr. Ayers was born in Pulaski, August
28, 1847, is a son of William and Nancy A.
(Morrison) Ayers, and grandson of William
Ayers, Sr., who at one time was a
resident of Wilmington Township, Lawrence
County. William Ayers, Jr,. was
born in Ohio and became an early settler
in Pulaski, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania,
where the larger part of his life
was spent.
Edwin L. Ayers was reared to maturity
in his native township, and received a good
common school education. He is of that
type which learns much through contact
with the world and association with those
who had greater educational advantages
in their youth, and is a broad-guaged. liberal-
minded man, well informed on matters
of public interest. He was too young
to enter the Union Army during the early
years of the Civil War, but in February,
1865, enlisted in Company G. Seventy-eighth
Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer
Infantry, served in the Army of the Cumberland
under General Thomas, and at the
close of the war was honorably discharged.
At an early age Mr. Ayers
learned the trade of a cabinetmaker, which
he followed some years, and in later years
engaged in the churn manufacturing business.
The galvanized iron-top churn, of
which he is manufacturer, is one of recognized
merit and has met with a large
sale. Mr. Ayers ships his product exclusively
to Pittsburg, from which point
it is distributed. He also is a stockholder
and director of the Standard Fruit Company
of Porto Eico, which is developing
a fruit farm of 500 acres, on which will
be grown oranges, grape fruit and pineapples
for the New York market. In fact,
shipments have already been made, as a
part of the plantation is now bearing
abundantly. Mr. Ayers has always been
active politically, and has been an enthusiastic
worker for Eepublican success. He
served some years as Eepublican County
Committeeman, and in November, 1903,
was elected sheriff of Lawrence County.
He discharged the duties of that office with
marked efficiency during his three years'
incumbency, and won a place high in the
regard and good will of the public.
Mr. Ayers was first married to Miss
Mary Porter, who died leaving four children,
namely: William D., Leon L., Mattie
A., wife of Professor Charles F. Ball,
of Volant; and Clara A., wife of Harry
Crooks, of Oil City, Pa. He was married
a second time to Miss Abbie 0. Hey,
of Lawrence County, and they have
two sons: Ralph and Henry H. Fraternally,
he is a member of the Protective
Home Circle of Pulaski, and also of the
G. A. E. Post at New Castle.