Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens
Lawrence County Pennsylvania 1897
[p. 127] This gentleman, although well advanced in years, is still prominent in the business circles of the village of Edenburg, Mahoning township, and in addition to carrying on a large and prosperous drug business, has also discharged the duties of the federal office of postmaster. He was born near Sharon, Mercer Co., Pa., Aug. 8, 1831, and was a son of Thomas and Grace (Ervin) Micheltree, and grandson of James Micheltree. The latter was born in the northern part of Ireland, and became a citizen of the United States early in life, supporting himself and family at his occupation of farming; he located in Mercer County, where he rounded out his career as an esteemed, upright and patriotic citizen. His son Thomas succeeded him on the farm, and made a decided success of his efforts in introducing practical agricultural methods, and at his death there at the age of sixty-six left one of the best farms in the vicinity to his heirs. His wife lived to enjoy ninety-six years, and was active and in the full possession of her faculties to the last. Our subject's parents were highly esteemed in the wide circle of their acquaintances as people of true and earnest lives, and as kindly and agreeable friends and neighbors. This union was fruitful in the birth of the following children: James, M. D.; Ervin; Montrose; J. Calvin, M. D.; Wilson W., our subject, Fullerton; and Grace E.
Wilson W. Micheltree lived with his father on the farm in Mercer County, until 1858, attending as a boy the district schools, and then giving his whole time and strength to the care of the farm when he became old enough. When he was twenty-seven years of age he came to Edenburg, where his older brother, Dr. James Micheltree, had been located, engaged in building up a medical practice for the six years previous. Putting their resources together, they built a store, stocked it with a full line of drugs, medicines, toilet articles, and other such accessories of a complete drug store, and embarked in business; they also dealt in groceries. From that date, 1858, until Dr. Micheltree's death in 1893, they were associated in business as equal partners. Dr. Micheltree's practice was general in its character, and large in its dimensions. He was one of the best and most successful physicians and surgeons in his part of the county, and won the confidence of a greater part of the population in the township and the townships adjoining. His death was a great loss to many families, who had employed him for years as the family physician, and had learned to depend entirely on his efforts for success in battling disease. Since his partner's and brother's death, our subject has carried on the business alone, giving a large part of his time to maintaining the aforetime high standard of the store.
Mr. Micheltree married Lovina Part, daughter of James Part of this county, and to them was born one child, Mary M., who married Frank S. Patterson, a bookkeeper at Lawrence Junction for the Fort Wayne R. R. He is decided in his opinions on political subjects, and fearless in the expression of his views; he has been a life-long Democrat, and served the township as a justice of the peace from 1874 to 1889, when his health compelled him to resign and to return the commission. He has also performed his full share of public duties as the postmaster, a position he acceptably filled, leaving no ground for complaint, for many long years until his resignation in 1897. He is a faithful member of the Disciples Church, and belongs to the local Knights of Pythias Lodge. He built the home where he lives and dispenses hospitality and good cheer to his many friends and acquaintances, and is althogether a very public-spirited citizen, and one who is deeply interested in the growth and development of the township, and the county at large. He is one of the oldest, most reliable and enterprising citizens resident within the borders of Mahoning township. He is popular both socially and from a business point of view his genial politeness and his sterling integrity and worth winning him a hearty patronage and a large circle of friends. No druggist has been so long in the business in the township, or understands better the fundamental principles of the pharmaceutical profession.
Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens Lawrence County Pennsylvania
Biographical Publishing Company, Buffalo, N.Y., 1897
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Updated: 30 Apr 2001