Bios: McCLURE HARTSELL : Lawrence County, Pennsylvania

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  Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Lawrence Co transcribers.
  Coordinated by Ed McClelland

  Copyright 2004.  All rights reserved.
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
 
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  Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens
  Lawrence County Pennsylvania
  Biographical Publishing Company, Buffalo, N.Y., 1897
  
  An html version with search engine may be found at 
  
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/lawrence/1897/
  
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    McCLURE HARTSELL,
    
    [p. 341] dealer in lumber and owner of a prosperous blacksmithing business,
  is a resident of Plain Grove township, who, though not yet past the meridian
  of life, has by his methods of business built up a heavy and profitable
  mercantile enterprise, and has at the same time reached a position of
  leadership and of prominnce [sic] in Lawrence County.
    
    Mr. Hartsell entered upon this life July 7, 1853, In Clarion Co., Pa. His
  education was received in Clarion and Lawrence Counties, and his first labor
  was performed upon a farm, where he worked until he was twenty-two years of
  age. In 1876, he began learning blacksmithing in Fayette, Lawrence County, a
  trade in which he became very proficient in two years time. In 1878, he came
  to Plain Grove township, and commenced working at his vocation. Success
  following his efforts, and being alive to every opportunity, he embarked in
  the lumber business, but still continued blacksmithing. The year 1886 found
  him extensively engaged in the wholesale hardwood trade, and also dealing in
  car stock and railroad ties. He has followed his two leading lines of
  business with uniform success since that time and at present is a heavv
  shipper of the lumber which goes to the Buffalo Car Works, and to the plant
  of Wheeler & Holden. He also sends large orders to Berwick, Pa. As a side
  line to the blacksmithing business, he handles a complete stock of carriages,
  and keeps himself in close touch with the best sources of supply.
    
    Mr. Hartsell's parents were Henry and Cerina (Hartsell) Hartsell, the
  former a native of the Keystone State, and the latter also a native of the
  same State, her birth having occurred in Clarion Co., Pa. Henry Hartsell was
  in his day a lumber dealer and a raftsman, at one time having a business that
  was second to none in this section. The most of his life was spent in Clarion
  Co., Pa., where he raised a large family that was a credit and honor to him.
  He was always an important factor in the sections where he resided. An ardent
  Republican, he worked hard for the welfare of his party, but never sought any
  public position. He was ever a good tactician and a man whose counsel could
  be acted upon with safety. He marricd Cerina Hartsell, a distant relative,
  and to them were born three childrenÑMcClure, the subject of our sketch;
  John, who married Lucia Mager of Elk City, Pa.; and Richard, also happily
  married. This family were carefully brought up in the fold of the M. E.
  Church. Mr. Hartsell, the father, died in 1867, but his widow is still living
  at an honored old age.
    
    McClure Hartsell, our subject, was raised under Republican influences, but
  he is a man who has sound reasons of his own for belonging to that party.
  Like his father, he has extremely good judgment as to men and affairs, and
  his influence is thoroughly appreciated by those who are his associates in
  locally directing the interests of the Republican party. During his active
  business life, he has not often been able to serve his fellow-citizens in
  official capacities, but in the year 1895 he accepted an appointment as
  paster and folder for the House of Representatives at Harrisburg.
    
    Mr. Hartsell was united in marriage with Miss Matilda Stuart in 1879. She
  is a daughter of John Stuart of Harlansburg, this county. The family with
  which they have surrounded themselves consists of the following four members:
  Orpha R.; Axie S.; Matilda M.; and John M. Mr. Hartsell and his family are
  regular attendants of the United Presbyterian Church. In social life, our
  subject is very active. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum and other
  societies, some purely fraternal and social, and others beneficial in their
  character. His business relations are of the pleasantest. He has had to work
  for all he possesses, and his present leading position in the lines of trade
  in which he is intimately interested, comes as a direct result of the system
  and care with which he watches every detail. The lumber business which he
  handles demands the strictest integrity, for he caters to a trade whose wants
  are of the most exacting nature, and must be filled to the letter. The hold
  Mr. Hartsell has upon those large consumers is the best commentary upon his
  business ability and extreme fidelity. In the community no one is better
  liked than he or held in higher esteem, and every whit of the respect,
  accorded Mr. Hartsell, is his due and thoroughly deserved.