[p. 887] a representative of one of the prominent old families of Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, is residing in Wayne Township, on the farm on which he was born, May 20, 1857. He is a son of Mark and Mary (Wiley) McQuiston.
Mark McQuiston was born in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, and was a son of William McQuiston, who came from Ireland and located in Beaver County. Willlam McQuiston and his wife were parents of the following children: Henry, who located in Lawrence County; Mark, father of David E.; Sampson, who died on the farm near where he was reared, in Beaver County; John, who went to Illinois, and later to Indiana, where he died; David, who died in Nashville, Tenn.; William, who died in infancy; Elizabeth, who became the wife of Gottlieb Griep; Nancy, deceased, who was the wife of Andrew Deemer, and lived in Wayne Township; and Margaret, wife of Samuel Freed, died in the West.
Mark McQuiston came to Lawrence County at an early date and purchased 275 acres in Wayne Township. He erected first a log cabin and later a log house, and during his lifetime cleared much of the land. He always engaged in farming and was one of the most prosperous and successful men of the township. His death occurred in 1895, at the age of seventy-six years, and that of his widow in 1904, at the age of seventy-nine. Mrs. McQuiston was in maiden life Miss Mary Wiley, a daughter of William Wiley, who resided south of Ellwood City. They were parents of the following children: Margaret, who married William Lytle and resided in Shenango Township; Philip, a resident of Chewton, who married Electa Pry; Elizabeth, deceased wife of William J. Gilbert; Irene, who is wife of J. E. Roth, and lives in Illinois; William, who married Miss Alice Gilbert, and resides in Ellwood City; David E.; and Tersa, who became wife of William S. Brown, of Perry Township, both being now deceased. Mr. McQuiston was a Democrat in politics. In religious attachment he and his wife were members of the Harmony Baptist Church.
David E. McQuiston was fifteen years of age when his parents moved to the lower farm, on which he remained until he was twenty-six years old, and returned to the farm on which he was born, after his marriage. He has 100 acres, which at the time it was acquired by his father was a tract of timberland, only a few acres having been cleared off by the Indians. He is engaged in general farming, and has met with great success in his work, being a man of energy and superior managerial ability. Having always resided in the vicinity, he has a wide circle of acquaintances, and many friends.
Mr. McQuiston was married in 1883, to Miss Matilda Brown, a daughter of John and Nancy Jane (Lesnett) Brown. Her father died in 1893, at the age of seventy-four years, and her mother in 1907, at eighty-three years. This union was blessed with the following children: John E., who is at home; Irvin H., of Salt Lake City, Utah, married Bertha Van Lewyen; Philip, of Lawrence County; Mark E.; Ralph J.; Jennie; Jesse; Evah; and Minnie. Mr. McQuiston is liberal in his views on religion and politics, having a wholesome respect for the good work accomplished by the churches, but is not a member of any. In politics, he exercises his franchise in favor of the man who, in his opinion, is best fitted for the office at stake.
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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