the envy and jealousy of a few men of inferior minds and personalities as
well as inferior rank, blind to the fact that promotion and advancement are




i^ a/, -UjXZZI.



I"" BEAVER COUNTY 867

won, not by the removal of those at the top, but by a display of ability and
talent sufificient either to displace those above or to add one to their select
ranks. It is the fate of those in high position to be the object of the spleen-
ful dislike and petty plottings of such as those, but Lieutenant-Colonel
Littell completely overthrew their ambitious plans by reporting for duty
before his vi^ounds had fairly healed. Upon returning to his home from the
war General Littell was met with great acclaim, as were the other soldiers
who had enlisted in the army from that region, he being the only one from
Beaver county who had attained the rank of general during the war.

In 1866 he was the county's choice for sheriff, running on the Re-
publican ticket, and served as such for three years, retiring at the end of
his term to his farm in Big Beaver township. This property, rich in fine
clay and coal, he had purchased in 1867, and on it he lived until his death.
The memory of his services in behalf of the Union were never forgotten
by his townsmen, and he was held in reverent honor all his days because
of the glorious part he played in that struggle. But aside from the re-
nown he had gained upon the field of battle, he was likewise a favorite
for his many neighborly qualities, and the public spirit he always ex-
hibited.

General John S. Littell married Mary Calhoon, who died August 15,
1897, and is buried beside her husband in the Beaver Cemetery. She was
a daughter of Richard and Sarah (Moffit) Calhoon, who were among the
early settlers of Beaver county. Their home was in Hanover township,
where he was a farmer and extensive landowner, and where they both
died. Children of John S. and Mary (Calhoon) Littell: i. Richard War-
ren, deceased; he was fifteen years of age when his father recruited a
company for the Seventy-sixth regiment and he joined as drummer boy
and served in his father's regiment for three years ; after each battle he
would look over the battlefield to see if his father had been killed, he being
very devoted to his father and ever watchful for his welfare; upon his
return to Beaver county he engaged in farming, later embarked in the
grocery business in College Hill, but for a few years prior to his death
led a retired life; he was an elder in the United Presb)rterian Church of
Beaver Falls; he was survived by his wife and three children: John, Har-
vey, Warren. 2. William P., served for twenty months in the Sixth Regi-
ment Pennsylvania Cavalry in the Civil War, now a foreman in the cork
works at College Hill, where he resides. 3. Robert C, a clerk, lives at Ben
Avon, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. 4. Isadora S., married Benjamin
White, and lives on the homestead. 5. Harriet Frances, married Frazier
Rhodes; their home is on Seventh avenue, Beaver Falls. 6. Joseph M., of
whom further. 7. Ina B., unmarried, lives on the home farm with her
brother, Joseph M. 8. John M., a resident of Big Beaver township.

(IV) Joseph M. Littell, si.xth child and fourth son of John S. and
Mary (Calhoon) Littell, was born at Hookstown, Beaver county, Penn-
sylvania, September 24, 1859. In his youth he attended the public schools



868 PENNSYLVANIA

of his birthplace, completing his studies at the Darlington Academy. Liv-
ing on the home farm, he was, of course, his father's assistant in the numer-
ous labors incident to farm life, and in the years prior to his father's death
managed the property entirely. After the death of the latter he and his
sister, Ina B., purchased the interests of their co-heirs and have ever since
lived on the home farm. They call their home "Highland Farm" and
thereon Mr. Littell conducts successful operations, specializing in the
breeding of Fresian Holstein cattle of a high grade. In the course of his
endeavors in this line he has acquired a vast fund of knowledge through
personal experiments, sometimes favorable, at other times discouraging, and
at the present time is exceedingly well versed on all subjects pertaining to the
raising of cattle. He is a sympathizer with the principles of RepubHcanism,
and has several times been the choice of his party as candidate for local
offices and the elected representative of his neighbors. His church is the
United Presbyterian at Darlington. Mr. Littell and his sister have a most
comfortable house on their land, and enjoy a life of exceptional congeniality
to both.



(II) David Littell, son of William (q.v.) and Eliza-
LITTELL beth (Walker) Littell, was born on the farm now
in the possession of his son, John R., within thirty
rods of the present dwelling house. He received the meager
education which fell to the lot of a country boy of that period, and at an
early age commenced to labor with his father in the cultivation of the home-
stead. Later he established himself in the tanning business, and had a
large tanyard. By means of conveying old towboats to their destinations
he was enabled to make his first purchase of hides, and from this small
beginning he grew to be a man of considerable fortune. He became the
owner of four hundred acres of land on which, in 185 1, he erected the fine
brick house in which his son, John R., is now living. At one time he held
the rank of lieutenant in a rifle company. He was very active in religious
circles. He was a member of the Service United Presbyterian Church,
and his son has in his possession the minutes of a meeting at which the
proposal for the organization of this church was made, these minutes being
in the handwriting of David Littell.

Mr. Littell married Jane Shillito, born at Robinson Run, Allegheny
county, Pennsylvania, who came to Raccoon township, Beaver county, with
her parents when she was ten years of age. She was the daughter of
George and Nancy Shillito, born in Ireland, who came to America about
1770 and located in Washington county, Pennsylvania. Later they re-
moved to Service in Raccoon township, Beaver county, where Mrs. Shil-
lito died in the house in which John R. Littell now lives, and Mr. Shillito
is now living in his ninety-third year. Children of David and Jane (Shil-
lito) Littell: George; James, Malinda; William; Elizabeth, married J.



BEAVER COUNTY 869

T. Parkerson; Agnes, married John D. George; Rev. D. S.; John R., see
forward.

(Ill) John R. Littell, son of David and Jane (Shillito) Littell, was
born on a farm now in Hanover township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania,
Tuly 14, 1838. He enjoyed the advantages of a very excellent training,
receiving his elementary and preparatory education in the public schools
of his section of the country, and then became a student at Westminster
College, New Wilmington, Pennsylvania. He has always lived on the home-
stead farm, and now has one hundred and fifty acres under cultivation.
These he utilizes for general produce and for stock raising, of which he
has a number of fine varieties. In 1862 Mr. Littell enlisted, and was
assigned to Company G, One Hundred and Sixty-eighth Regiment Penn-
sylvania Volunteer Infantry. He served until 1863, when he was honor-
ably discharged. He has been an active supporter of Republican prin-
ciples, and has served the community as tax collector. He and his family
are members of the Service United Presbyterian Church. Mr. Littell
married Jane, daughter of John McManus, of Taylorstown, Washington
county, Pennsylvania. They have had children: Ernest D. ; Emmett;
Jcannette, who married A. M. Lance ; Cyrus C.



Hon. John W. Carson, editor and publisher of the Beaver
CARSON Falls (Pennsylvania) Revietv, has been identified with jour-
nalism during the greater part of his active career thus far,
and the discussion of public questions and the promotion of the general wel-
fare of the community through the columns of his paper constitute life's
object with him, a private citizen.

A native of Jefferson county, Ohio, John W. Carson was born April
30, 1853, son of James N. and Eliza (Kelly) Carson, both of whom were
born and reared in the north of Ireland, where was solemnized their mar-
riage, and they immigrated to the United States in the year 1850. Mr.
and Mrs. James N. Carson, on their arrival in this country, located in
Jefferson county, Ohio, where the father turned his attention to agricul-
tural operations. For twelve years prior to coming to America Mr. Car-
son was in the service of the English army, and at the time of the out-
break of the Civil War he enlisted for the service as a soldier in the
Second Ohio Heavy Artillery. He was a man of strong convictions and
forceful character.

John W. Carson, the subject of this sketch, received his early educa-
tion in the public schools of his native state. In 1877 he removed to New
York City, where he was engaged in business for six months. Returning
to Ohio, he found employment in a factory at Youngstown. During this
time he attended night school, and also received private instructions, which
studies were supplemented by a course in a business college. The law
as a profession appealed to him at this time and in 1879 he took up the
legal studies which were continued for two years. A position being offered



870 PENNSYLVANIA

him on the Daily News, of Youngstown, Mr. Carson gave up the study
of law and entered the field of journahsm, where he has since continued
with marked success. In 1886 he moved to Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania,
and entered the employ of the Daily Tribune as a reporter. Subsequently
he formed a connection with the Daily Journal, which was discontinued in
1896. In that year Mr. Carson purchased the Journal plant and established
the Beaver Falls Reviezv, a weekly publication which boasts a fine editorial
section and an extremely large circulation. Mr. Carson is proprietor, editor
and publisher of this newspaper and he has associated in business with
him his two sons.

In 1904 Mr. Carson was elected to the state legislature by a large
majority. He served in the special session of 1906 and in the same year
was re-elected. In the session of 1905 he served on the committee on
Agriculture, Public Roads, Printing and Federal Relations. In the session
of 1907 he was made chairman of the Committee on Agriculture, a compli-
ment paid him because of intelligent interest shown in agricuhural matters
in the previous sessions. He was a member of committee on Electric Rail-
ways, Printing, Public Buildings and Senatorial Appointments. Mr. Car-
son was elected vice-president of the Pennsylvania State Editorial Associa-
tion in 1906 and president in 1907 and later served a term as a member of
the executive committee of that body. He was chairman of the Republican
county committee in 1912-13-14. He is trustee of Beaver College and a
trustee in the first Methodist Episcopal Church, Beaver Falls, and served
four terms as superintendent of the Sunday school of that congregation.

As a citizen of Beaver county, he has manifested an interest in many
things for its betterment. He was among the first to advocate good roads,
and through his efforts some substantial highways have been constructed
within the county limits. He was an early advocate of public playgrounds
and was chairman of the park committee, and aided in the work of establish-
ing the first playgrounds in Beaver county, a few years since, thus giving
to Beaver Falls four acres of ground admirably adapted for this purpose.

During the spring and summer of 1914 Mr. Carson made a tour of
the Old World, visiting, besides all the Mediterranean cities, Egypt, Pales-
tine, Asia Minor, Greece and the principal countries of Europe. Upon
his return he published a series of letters in the Reinew, describing por-
tions of the Holy Land, Egypt and Asia Minor, which were widely read
and formed a most interesting feature of his paper. Since then he has
frequently lectured on his travels abroad and on various other subjects.

On September 7, 1880, Mr. Carson married Lida G. Robinson, of
Niles, Ohio, who is a daughter of the late James and Elizabeth (Cullander)
Robinson, who were prominent citizens of that place. Mr. and Mrs. Car-
son have two sons : James H. and Charles B.



BEAVER COUNTY 871

Originally a family of New England, the Moltrups jour-
MOLTRUP neyed westward to Ohio, the representatives of the present

generation of the line herein given now residing in Beaver
county, Pennsylvania, although both in New England and Ohio those of
the name are still found. For two generations manufacturing has been
the field of endeavor of several of this branch, and it is in this line that
the strongest claim of the family to permanent recognition has its source.

(I) William Moltrup, of Vermont, was a shoemaker of Dutch descent,
and by his marriage with Disah Rust united his line with one whose an-
cestors claim Scotland as their home and which had, like his own, been
for many years in New England. When he was well past the prime of
life William Moltrup and his wife moved to Loudonville, Ashland county,
Ohio, and there he established his shop, only to retire soon afterward to
await his final summons, which he and his wife received at dates not widely
separated. Their faith was the Baptist, in which both had been reared
and which church they attended all their lives. William and Disah (Rust)
were the parents of: Amanda, died in young womanhood; James Coulton,
of whom further.

(II) James Coulton Moltrup, only son of William and Disah (Rust)
Moltrup, was born in Shenango county. New York, about 1822, died in
Beaver Falls, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, about 1895. He was reared
and educated in Vermont, and soon after his marriage moved to Loudon-
ville, Ohio, becoming a partner in the ownership of the foundry which the
Rusts, his wife's relatives, had established. In this business he continued
until the infirmities of old age rendered him unfit for active participation
therein, when he retired and moved to Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, where
his death occurred. He married (first) Rosanne, daughter of Stephen
and Mary Rust, who died in Loudonville, Ohio, (second) Abigail Russell.
He was, throughout his entire life, a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, and at different times affiliated with both of the leading political
parties, with the Democratic previous to, and the Republican after, the
War of the Rebellion. Children of first marriage, i. Amanda, married
Jonas Robinson, and died in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 2. William, of
whom further. 3. Helen, married Matthias Beaver, and lives in Beaver
Falls, Pennsylvania. 4. Stephen, of whom further. 5. Ida, married Thomas
Underwood, and died in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 6. Mary, married John
Chapel, and died in Perrysville, Ohio. Children of second marriage: 7.
J. Thomas, of whom further. 8. Rose, married George Brenneman, and
lives in New Brighton, Pennsylvania. 9. Walter, a resident of Beaver
Falls, Pennsylvania. 10. Jennie, married Bert Reisinger, and lives on a
farm in Beaver county.

Stephen Rust and his wife were natives of Vermont, where he was a
foundryman, the family moving early to Schenectady, New York, where he
established the first foundry. It is told that, to cast the metal for a per-
manent cupola, he set up a hollow log lined with clay, which showed his



872 PENNSYLVANIA

adaptability in unusual circumstances, for it is highly probable that no hollow
log had ever been used for that purpose before. In his old age he retired
from business in this place and moved to Loudonville, Ohio, vi^here several
of his sons had established a foundry, and there died. He was a Re-
publican in political action, and with his wife was a communicant of the
Lutheran faith. Children: i. Lucien, was at one time a foundryman in
Loudonville, Ohio, later an oil operator in Franklin, Pennsylvania, his death
occurring in Dunkirk, New York. 2. Darius, died in Loudonville, Ohio.
3. Morrell, a foundryman, died in Loudonville, Ohio. 4. Rosanne, of pre-
vious mention, married James Coulton Moltrup. 5. Albert, a foundryman
of Jeffersonville, Indiana, died in Louisville, Kentucky.

(Ill) William Moltrup, son of James Coulton and Rosanne (Rust)
Moltrup, was born in Loudonville, Ashland county, Ohio, February 5, 1851.
As a youth he attended the public schools, later the Greentown Academy,
and from the time of the completion of his studies until he attained man's
estate he was employed in foundry and machine shops, for some time at
Mansfield, Ohio. In 1888, prepared by hard experience and a mechanical
knowledge wide, thorough, and acquired by days and months of the most
difficult work, he came to Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, in the fall of that
year entering the employ of the Hartman Manufacturnig Company, retain-
ing his position after the control of the concern had passed to the Carnegie
Steel Company. During part of this time he had been engaged in per-
fecting an invention on which he had been working for considerable time,
a process for drawing irregular shapes in steel, one of the departments
of steel manufacture that had been but imperfectly developed. Satisfied
that he had advanced his process to the highest point of efficiency, he ob-
tained a patent on it, and in 1892 organized the Standard Gauge Steel
Company, with Professor Knight, president; J. A. B. Patterson, secretary
and treasurer; Stephen Moltrup, manager; and William Moltrup, superin-
tendent. This firm started business in a modest way, placing a few small
orders for their article upon the market, until, when the practicability of
their process had been proved and its worth demonstrated, a perfect stream
of orders flowed in, causing immediate enlargement of their plant and great
delay in accommodating patrons. At the present time from six to eight
hundred men are constantly employed in the plant, which has agencies in
all parts of this and foreign countries, including one in that great English
manufacturing center, Manchester. Several years after the formation of
the company mentioned above, the four Moltrup brothers, Arthur Ball,
and Samuel Hanna, organized the Standard Connecting Rod Company, the
two being merged in 1909. The buildings housing this concern are 1230 x 100
feet, nearly all of two stories, and are valued at over $1,000,000. The man
who gave the first impetus to this strong organization, whose work first
made it possible, devoted the best of his time and energy to maintaining
and improving the high standard that exists in every department of the
plant. He is little in the public eye, simple and unostentatious in his manner



BEAVER COUNTY 873

of life, ever with his hand upon the pulse of the business that represented
his life labor, which realized so many of his fondest hopes. He has now
withdrawn from the active management of the business, although he is a
large stockholder and a member of the board of directors. His only in-
terest in politics is in the casting of his ballot for an honorable candidate
for office, and he is a believer in the principles of the Republican platform.
With his wife, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Mr. Moltrup married (first) in 1877, Calista Underwood, born in
Perrysville, Ohio, died in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, March 3, 1910, daugh-
ter of James and Mary Underwood. Children: i. Joseph, born Decem-
ber 22, 1878, died June 11, 1890. 2. Mary Izora, born May 24, 1883; mar-
ried Fred Wright; lives in Woodroe, Florida; they are the parents of
William and Irene. 3. Stephen A., born October 12, 1890; married Mabel
Wallace; is manager of the Standard Gauge Company, and his home is
in College Hill. 4. Thorald R. U., born June 10, 1892; married, May 2,
191 1, Naomi White, of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, where they reside.
Mr. Moltrup married (second) in 1910, Mrs. Miriam (Fox) Wilder, of
Cleveland, Ohio.

(HI) Stephen Moltrup, son of James Coulton and Rosanne (Rust)
Moltrup, was born in Loudonville, Ashland county, Ohio, December 10,
1863. His school days were spent in the public institutions of Loudon-
ville and Perrysville, Ohio, and as a young man he apprenticed himself
to the machinist's trade, following the same in Beaver Falls, Beaver county,
Pennsylvania, whither he came in 1886. Six years after his arrival in that
city he was one of the organizers and first officers of the Standard Gauge
Steel Company, holding the position of general manager, the officers then
being: A. Rasnor, of Pittsburgh, president and treasurer; Stephen Mol-
trup, vice-president and general manager; and J. A. B. Patterson, secretary
and assistant treasurer. After operating for several years in rented build-
ings, the company erected its present spacious plant, and there manufactures
finished steel specialties, crank shafts, machine keys, elevator guides, special
shapes, and numerous other products. With a market that extends over
nearly all of the civilized world, products that are in constant demand, and
patents covering many of them, the Standard Gauge Steel Company has
had a phenomenal growth, employing at the present time between six and
eight hundred men. In 1909 the officers of the above company merged
their concern with the Standard Connecting Rod Company, which they had
organized some time previously, retaining the name of the former. Mr.
Moltrup was most fortunately chosen for the position of general manager,
his early training being of inestimably greater value than when it brought
him a weekly wage, for he was able to work in close accord with the large
body of men under him, to appreciate their difficulties, and to sympathize
with their viewpoint. One of the consequences of this harmonious under-
standing was the excellent spirit that existed in the shops, the workmen well
paid, well provided for, and contented. He has now withdrawn from



874 PENNSYLVANIA

the active management of this business, although a large stockholder and
member of its board of directors. In January, 1914, he and his brother,
J. Thomas Moltrup, organized the Moltrup Steel Products Company, with
offices and plant located on First avenue between Thirteenth and Fourteenth
streets, Beaver Falls, the property formerly occupied by the Emerson Smith
Saw Works. Besides his interest in the company of which he was an
organizer, Mr. Moltrup holds a position upon the directorates of the Beaver
County Telephone Company and the Farmers' National Bank. He is an
Independent in political action, serving for two years as a member of the
council, his conservative, practical views playing an important part in the
deliberations of that body. His fraternities are the Independent Order
of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Malta, and the Masonic order, in which
latter organization he holds the thirty-second degree, belonging to Beaver
Falls Lodge, No. 662, Free and Accepted Masons, Harmony Chapter, No.
206, Royal Arch Masons, Beaver Valley Commandery, No. 84, Knights
Templar, and Pittsburgh Consistory, Sovereign Princes of the Royal Se-
cret. In business he is forceful, energetic and shrewd, overlooking no op-
portunity for the advancement of the welfare of his company; socially he
is genial, pleasant and entertaining ; and to his best friends he is known as a
man of generous instincts, constant and loyal at all times.

Mr. Moltrup married Ellen Matilda, daughter of Philip Miller, of
Beaver county. Children: Helen, a student in the Beaver Falls High
School; Katharine; Jean.

(Ill) J. Thomas Moltrup, son of James Coulton and Abigail (Russell)
Moltrup, was born in Loudonville, Ashland county, Ohio, June 14, 1871.
He obtained his education in the public schools of Perrysville, Ohio. Early
in life he began to learn the machinist's trade, serving a full apprenticeship,
and for ten years followed that occupation as a journeyman, coming to
Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, in 1888. He was first employed by the Hart-
man Steel Company and subsequently by the Westinghouse Air Brake Com-
pany, in Pittsburgh, until 1897, when he returned to Beaver Falls and be-
came associated with the Standard Gauge Steel Company, in the organiza-
tion of which his brothers were so essentially instrumental. In 1903 he
and his brothers organized the Standard Connecting Rod Company, with the
following officers : A. Rasner, president ; J. Thomas Moltrup, manager and
vice-president; Stephen Moltrup, treasurer; and Arthur Ball, secretary.
Six years after its organization this company was absorbed by the Standard
Gauge Steel Company, both continuing after the merger under the name
of the latter. Since 1900 Mr. Moltrup has been a director of the Standard