Husband Hiram Fuller Whiting 1 2
Born: 21 Dec 1845 - Summit Twp, Crawford Co, PA 2
Christened:
Died: 11 Apr 1904 - Meadville, Crawford Co, PA 2
Buried:
Father: Alonzo Whiting (1813- ) 1 2
Mother: Angeline Fuller ( - ) 1 2
Marriage:
Wife Elizabeth C. Smith 3
Born: 22 Sep 1848 - Summit Twp, Crawford Co, PA 3
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Father: John Hiram Smith (1817-1890) 3
Mother: Mary Keene (1823-1893) 3 4
Children
1 M Edward Whiting Lawrence 5
Born: - Covington, Kenton Co, KY
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Status: Adopted
Spouse: Lulu Blanche Swengel ( - ) 6
Marr: 6 Jul 1904 6
General Notes: Husband - Hiram Fuller Whiting
He received his earlier education at the local public schools and at Harmonsburg Academy, after which he attended the State Normal School at Edinboro, Erie County, Pennsylvania. His childhood and youth were passed on the farm; and upon attaining his majority he set out to make his own way in the world. His first employment was in an express office, where he worked diligently and saved his money, watching carefully for a good chance to invest it. Observing that there was money to be made in the benzine industry, he engaged in handling this product, hauling it to the oil fields, where it was used for cleansing the wells. He accumulated considerable capital in this way and became interested in oil producing on his own account. He went into partnership with his brother-in-law, Mr. Bradley, under the firm name of Bradley & Company, and they drilled their first well in Venango County. It was a good producer, and the first step was a lucky one. Mr. Whiting also became identified with the Oak Shade Oil Company, of which he was president; and was one of the promoters of the Antwerp Pipe Line, which was later purchased by the National Transit Company. He operated extensively in the oil fields of Bradford and Venango counties, Pennsylvania. He became very prominent in the business. He knew personally and in many cases intimately the leading men of pioneer days; but when his health failed in 1878 he was forced to retire from the fields and travel to recuperate. After some time passed in this way at home and abroad, he settled down in 1886, making his home at Meadville. Here in 1890 he purchased a beautiful residence for his family on Terrace street. Mr. Whiting was a man of great reserve and was businesslike and methodical in his habits. Though he was never prominent as a politician and never cared to hold office, he was a strong supporter of the Republican party. In his religious faith he was a Universalist. [GPHWP, 150]
General Notes: Wife - Elizabeth C. Smith
Mrs. Whiting was a woman of rare grace and charm of manner, and her tact as a leader in society and church work, as a Christian Scientist, was almost proverbial. The beautiful home over which she presided was noted as an abode of culture, refinement and open-handed hospitality. In educational matters she rendered very efficient service, not alone in assisting young people to obtain a finer education than they could have otherwise done, but the original ideas which she introduced were adopted in many other sections as being of superior merit. Into the plan for civic betterment she entered with an ardent spirit, and she contributed liberally of her means to further the ends in view. Her beneficial influence was felt in all classes and her admiring friends were to be found in all ranks. Naturally of a charitable nature, it was one of her greatest pleasures to assist those less fortunate than herself. Mrs. Whiting had no children of her own, but there were many who were proud to give her the love and affection of a mother. Her home was the gathering place for her brothers and sisters, and her nephews and nieces were devoted to her. Her nephew, Russell Smith, son of her brother William, lived with her altogether for a period of seven years, while he was being educated, and he began to call it his home and spent as much of his time there as he could spare. Merrill, son of her brother, A. Rose Smith, also received his education from the hands of his aunt, Mrs. Whiting. Evelyn Whiting Smith, daughter of Mrs. Whiting's brother, Harry E., lived with her aunt from the time she was two and one-half years of age until she died at the age of nineteen years. Edward Whiting Lawrence, Mrs. Whiting's adopted son, began living with her in 1889. [GPHWP, 151]