20th Century History of New Castle and
Lawrence County Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens

DAVID R. GREER,

David R. Greer[p. 779] a successful farmer and highly esteemed citizen of Neshannock Township, comes of old and respected pioneer families of the county. He was born near his present home, November 26, 1840, is a son of Thomas and Annie (Riley) Greer, and a grandson of Hance Greer.

Hance Greer, the grandfather, came from Ireland and located near Noblestown, Allegheny County, Pa., about the year 1808. In his native land he had been a weaver and dealer in linen goods, and upon coming to America brought with him considerable wealth. He loaned a man named Noble most of his money, the latter purchasing stock which he loaded on trading boats, to be carried down the Ohio River. Elizabeth H. GreerThe boats were wrecked near Cincinnati, and both Mr. Greer and Mr. Noble lost all their investment. After some years Mr. Greer began farming and moved on what is now known as Sewickley Hills, later removing to Zelienople, Butler County, Pa., where he died in 1846, at the advanced age of eighty-five years. He was buried there, but was later re-interred in King's Chapel, where a stone marks his grave. Beside him lie the remains of his wife, who in maidenhood was Elizabeth Hall.

Thomas GreerThomas Greer was born at Noblestown, September 14, 1808, and received a common school education. He served an apprenticeship of six years at blacksmithing, learning all branches of the trade, including wagon making and the manufacture and dressing of tools. David R. Greer has in his possession hammers and chisels made by his father. The latter was a natural mechanic, and could skillfully turn his hand to anything along that line. After his marriage he took to farming, in 1835, locating on the farm now owned by David Greer in Neshannock Township. His original purchase was 100 acres, to which he added, and at one time was the possessor of 500 acres. It was his ambition to give each of his children a farm as a start in life, and this he did long before his death, each receiving some 100 acres. He built a forge on his farm and did blacksmithing during his long and active career, and there are few men in the township who prospered through their individual efforts, as did he. A hard worker, ambitious, and a capable manager, he took rank among the most substantial citizens, and was ever among the foremost to give his aid and support to measures calculated to benefit his home community. In politics, he was a Democrat until the time of the election of James Buchanan, and in later life was a Republican. He served as school director, and in other minor offices.

Sarah A. RankinThomas Greer was united in marriage with Annie Riley, who was born on the farm now owned by her son, David, in 1811, and died April 21, 1852. She was a daughter of David and Sarah (Richards) Riley, and a granddaughter of William and Annie (Roberts) Richards. Mary A. CowanHer maternal grandparents came from Center County, Pennsylvania, in 1804, and were among the earliest to settle in the woods of Neshannock Township. Thomas and Annie Greer became parents of the following children: Sarah Ann, deceased, wife of Alexander Rankin; Elizabeth Hall, deceased; Mary Ann, widow of Samuel Cowan, who died in Andersonville Prison, and David. Religiously, they were strict members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he served many years as local preacher and elder.

David Greer is a man of high educational attainments, receiving his preliminary training in the public schools, supplemented by a course in Allegheny College, at Meadville, from which he was graduated in 1862. He then engaged in teaching school for a time, but as he was the only son at home, he almost necessarily attended to the farming of the home place. His father gave much attention to the raising of sheep, cattle and horses, and Mr. Greer himself has made a specialty of thoroughbred Southdown sheep and Durham cattle. His farm is one of the best improved in the township, and he conducts it along modern lines with progressive ideas. A man of energy and ability, success has crowned his efforts on every hand, and he is a man of popularity among his fellow-citizens. He is a Republican in politics, and has served seventeen years as township auditor, although he has never sought office. Fraternally, he is a member of the college Greek letter society, Phi Kappa Psi.

Sarah G. GreerMr. Greer was united in marriage with Sarah Jane Simonton, now deceased, a daughter of William and Catherine Simonton, of Rich Hill, near Neshannock Falls. Their union was not blessed with children, but they reared and gave parental care and love to a grandnephew of Mrs. Greer, Francis Greer Simonton, who was five days old at his mother's death. F. Greer SimontonHe is a member of the class of 1911 in Allegheny College. Religiously, the Greer family belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which Mr. Greer is a trustee, class leader and steward and has been local preacher and elder of the congregation since 1871. Both he and wife have been potent factors in the good work carried on by the church.

Mr. Greer's wife, his parents and paternal grandparents and his maternal grandparents and great-grandparents are buried in the beautiful cemetery in connection with King's Chapel M. E. Church, an old place of worship which observed its centennial with appropriate ceremonies on July 1 and 2, 1904.


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: 22 Dec 2001