[p. 408] a representative of one of Hickory Township's pioneer families and for many years a leading agriculturist, resides on his valuable farm which lies just north of East Brook. He was born November 13, 1823, in the first frame house built in East Brook, and is a son of Col. John and Sarah (Roberts) Fisher.
Col. John Fisher was born at Fort Fisher in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, and was a son of Mathias Fisher, who was killed by the Indians on the Ohio River. Colonel Fisher came to King's Chapel, Neshannok Township, then in Mercer County, in 1811, and was an officer in the War of 1812. In 1823 he came to East Brook, giving the town its name. He built the first grist mill in Hickory Township, and in partnership with his brother, Thomas Fisher, built the first woolen mill, and together they owned 500 acres of land.
Robert Richford Roberts Fisher was named for his maternal uncle, Bishop Robert Richford Roberts, who was one of the seven bishops of the Methodist Episcopal Church at that time. Mr. Fisher was the first white child born at East Brook, one of a family of thirteen children and the sole survivor. His educational advantages were limited and his boyhood was one of little leisure. For a short time he worked in the woolen mill above mentioned, but he has mainly given his attention through life to agricultural pursuits, and has been a very successful grower of fruit, of which he has made a specialty. In 1849 he built his large frame residence, which stands not far distant from the house in which he was born.
On July 1, 1847 Mr. Fisher was married to Rebecca Marian Casteele, who was a daughter of Samuel and Nancy (Cameron) Casteele, the former of whom was a soldier in the War of 1812. Three children were born to this union: Scott, Nancy, Emma and Sarah Louisa. Scott Fisher was in the employ of the United States Government at the time of his death, August 17, 1893. He was prostrated with typhoid fever and passed away at St. Francis Hospital, Pittsburg. He married Martha Chaffer and they had four children. Mr. R. R. R. Fisher's younger daughter married S. Alexander Black and they reside at home. He is one of the leading members of the United Presbyterian Church at East Brook and was a member of the building committee which erected the present church edifice. He is widely known and is held in high esteem by his fellow citizens.
20th Century History of New Castle and Lawrence County Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens Hon. Aaron L. Hazen Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, Chicago, Ill., 1908
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Updated: 16 Oct 2001