Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens
Lawrence County Pennsylvania 1897
[p. 22] the subject of this sketch, is well known among the enterprising and progressive citizens of New Castle, as a large owner in real estate and as a man of exceptional business acumen. He was born in Shenango township, Lawrence Co., Pa., July 16, 1832, and is a son of William and Jane (McKee) Mayne, and a grandson of William and Mary (Whan) Mayne. Our subject's grandfather immigrated to this country from the north of Ireland when a young man. He and his wife, both of whom lived to enjoy a beautiful old age, reared a family of five children, as follows: Samuel; Jane; William, Jr.; Betsy; Polly; John; and Margaret.
William Mayne, Jr., settled in Lawrence County, where he bought a tract of new land, built a log-house, and cleared about fifteen acres of the very best farming land, on which he followed the honorable pursuits of agriculture all his life, dying at the age of seventy-three. His wife, who lived to the age of thirty-five, was a daughter of James McKee. They were both members in good standing of the United Presbyterian Church. Our subject's father was a Whig, and then a Republican, serving in various offices in the town. Their children were: John; James; Charles; William; Calvin; and Margaret, who died at the age of four years. All the boys are living.
James M. Mayne, after spending the years of his youth in New Castle, where he secured an education, went to Cleveland, Ohio, and learned the carpenter's trade, and from 1856 to 1860 was in Morris, Grundy Co., Ill., engaged in contracting. In 1866, he returned to New Castle, and carried on contracting a number of years, and, besides building himself a number of houses, including his present dwelling-house, built the First National Bank building and the Opera House in 1868, besides many other structures now included among the best buildings of the city. In 1870, he became interested with J. D. Bryson in the milling Industry, and built and furnished the first roller process mill in this part of the country. From that time until 1882, when the mill burned down, they kept developing their business, and increasing their output of fine flour; they incorporated under the name of "Lowell Milling Co.," with D. W. Kennedy as president, and rebuilt the mill, carrying on a flourishing business until 1890, when Mr. Mayne sold his interest to D. W. Kennedy. Mr. Mayne built a large warehouse on Croton Avenue, where he dealt in feed, hay, straw, and grain until 1893, when he sold out. He still owns four stores on Croton Avenue. He became a stockholder of the Big Meadows Gas Co., and was secretary of it until 1896, when he sold his interest and retired from active business.
In 1855, our subject married Hannah M. Johnston, daughter of James Johnston. She died in 1877, aged forty-two years, leaving five children, as follows: Kate, the wife of J. M. McMillin; Rose McKee, the wife of Seth Marshall; Nettie B., wife of Robert Whitla, a plumber by trade; Nellie D. (twin of Nettie B.), and Bessie, who lives at home with their father. Mr. Mayne married as his second wife Esther Shield, daughter of James Shield. Our subject is a Republican, and has served on the city council and in the select council. He is a member of the Royal Templars of Temperance, and well connected in the Presbyterian Church.
Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens Lawrence County Pennsylvania
Biographical Publishing Company, Buffalo, N.Y., 1897
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