Family Card - Person Sheet
Family Card - Person Sheet
Birth1 May 1826, Riceville, Crawford Co., PA
OccupationFarmer244
FatherIra Canfield Waid (1801-1871)
MotherElizabeth Priscilla Morehead (1804-1882)
Misc. Notes
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 1369 244
ROBERT L. WAID.
This, the eldest son of Ira C. and Elizabeth P. (Morehead) Waid, was born May 1, 1826, in Riceville, Crawford Co., Penn. He received a common-school education, was brought up on a farm, and during life was engaged as a tiller of the soil. He died June 17, 1880, deeply regretted by many friends and neighbors, and now sleeps his last sleep in Blooming Valley Cemetery.
"Weep not for him who dieth,
For he sleeps and is at rest;
And the couch where on he lieth
Is the green earth's quiet breast."
He was a model farmer, and neatness and perfect order in all things were prominent features upon all parts of his farm. He was a member of the K. of H.; in politics a Republican. His widow now resides on the farm, in Mead Township, Crawford County, which was improved by him.
On October 16, 1852, Mr. Waid married Almeda A. Wheeler, who was born January 5, 1836, daughter of Abram and Amanda (Taylor) Wheeler, who were parents of ten children: Lorenda, Lorenzo, Elisha T., Roxanna, Elvira, Phoebe M., Samantha, Elijah M., Almeda A. and William V. To Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Waid were born the following named children: Orlando, born August 27, 1853; Nick P., born June 11, 1856, and Ira C., born July 31, 1860, died December 24, 1860.
Mr. Waid bought of his father, in 1858, thirteen and a half acres of land, known as the Goodwill Lot, and was willed by the latter fifty-five acres of land in Woodcock Township, being a part of the property bought of John Reynolds, Esq., by Ira C. Waid, in 1855. The thirteen and a half acres, Goodwill Lot, with the homestead, in Mead Township, on which Mrs. R. L. Waid lives, were willed to Nick P. Waid, and the fifty-five acres in Woodcock Township were willed to Orlando Waid, by his father, R. L. Waid. Orlando and Nick P. Waid traded with each other their interests in their father's real estate December 14, 1886.
In childhood and youth the subject of this memoir was possessed of remarkably retentive memory, seeming thereby to master his school lessons with greater facility than did any of his brothers. He was accustomed to talk in his sleep, and his brother, Francis C., has heard his mother say that his uncle, William Morehead, would take the spelling book or mental arithmetic to Robert L.'s bedside, while he was talking in his sleep, and the latter would go through his lessons as correctly as when awake! Yet, as years crept on apace, his mind drifted instinctively, as it were, from books to farm life, particularly the training of stock, such as horses and cattle, in which branch of agriculture he in after life enjoyed considerable notoriety. He "broke in" and trained a chestnut-colored mare, known afterward as "Old Doll" (his cousin, Ralph Roudebush, distinguished her by calling her "Ira Waid's Old Doll"), allowed to be the best-trained farm horse in the community at that time. This animal, which was always kept on the farm, died at the age of thirty-two years.
During his life, both before and after his marriage, Mr. Waid followed droving to some extent, and his brother, Francis C., remembers in his youth accompanying him with a drove of cattle to Orange County, N. Y. He has on several occasions driven cattle from Crawford County to the Philadelphia market for Mr. Lyman Perkins, after whom he was named.
Mr. Francis C. Waid says of his brother, Robert L., "He, like the rest of my father's sons, inherited the noble traits of his father, and managed his business affairs on a sound basis. He was at no time much inclined to run in debt or speculate, but always paid promptly when he did buy on credit. I wish it not to be thought strange if I give this brother the preference in my father's family. His memory deserves it now, though I fear I failed to properly appreciate in my childhood many of his good traits of character.
"Lyman (for so he used to be called) was a very industrious man, and, to illustrate by way of contrast between him and myself, I will say that in all the teaming of wood or produce done by me between the farm and Meadville, I do not remember of ever exceeding two loads per day, whereas Lyman has hauled three. He was noted as an early riser, observing the old maxim: 'Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise!' He is also remembered as being quite a loud talker, whose voice could be heard a considerable distance; I think he was the most talkative member of my father's family. I remember his being asked by a neighbor or friend how he managed to do so much work and talk too. Lyman replied that he did both at the same time--which was true. 'Talk and industry combined' was one of his mottoes. He was a man whose kindness and real worth not only endeared him to his friends but to all his acquaintances. It was noted of him that whatever he undertook to do, he did well, and I do not think it is saying too much when I express my opinion that he was one of the best farmers in this community; and it is no wonder the removal of such a man from his circle of relatives, friends and neighbors, should be deeply felt.
"I think he accomplished in his life (a period of fifty-four years, one month and sixteen days) more work than many who live to old age. Many things he did on the farm and elsewhere remain as lasting evidences of the thoroughness of work and excellency of completeness so characteristic of him. While in my 'teens' Lyman and I ran a threshing machine for father for some years, and in those days we thought we were doing well if we threshed 300 bushels of grain in a day, and then it was left in the chaff to be cleaned afterward in the fanning-mill. No sulky plow on our farm then, nor much other rnachinery to aid our busy hands in our farm work. Everything had to be done in the 'old way,' as we termed it.
"I remember the first mower father bought. It was known as the 'Danford Mower,' manufactured at Erie, Penn., in the summer, I think, of 1852 or 1853. This was the first mower used in our neighborhood, and my brother, Lyman, used to drive the team. Cutting grass by machinery was such a wondrous novelty in those days that old and young, alike, would come quite a distance, as if to see a circus, the driver being regarded with as much fascination as would be a daring acrobat in the ring, or with as much sensation as the first appearance of the early-day stage driver created.
"To conclude, I will briefly say, in honor of the memory of both my father and my brother, Robert L., that, as practical men, Ira C. Waid was one of the leading farmers of this community, and Robert L. Waid was the first copy--proof enough that he was the best farmer among the sons of Ira C. Waid. His aim was to excel, and in this he was successful. He labored for a good reputation, and he left a fair and honored name to posterity."
[Since the above was in type, Mr. F. C. Waid has written the following pleasant retrospective thoughts:]
"Sitting in the old farm home to-day, May 15, 1890, where we four children of Ira C. Waid grew to manhood, and in this community where we so long lived, and where my only brother. G. N., and myself, with my children, still live, I was perusing the sketch of R. L. Waid as it appears in my first SOUVENIR, and concluded that a few more items in that connection might not be uninteresting to the reader; so, 'with pen in hand,' I chronicle some additional reminiscences.
"Many changes take place in life, even in a day, a week, a month, a year--and oh! how very many in fifty years; for the reader must bear in mind that my thoughts are thrown back half a century. To me it does not seem nearly so long. If you want time to appear long, look ahead; in a retrospective view, it certainly seems short to me when my twin brother, Franklin, and I, at the age of seven years, played about this old familiar home with our other brothers. I remember R. L. Waid used to 'hitch up' myself and twin brother to 'drive,' as he called it, calling us his ' match team,' because of our being twins. When we were seven, he was fourteen, and could easily handle both of us in the way of play, and do twice as much work. But we gained on him as we grew older, and he found that in our play it was not so easy to handle both of us at once as it used to be; neither could he, in hoeing corn, do as much as both of us.
"Yes, indeed, the remembrance of our happy days on the farm, fifty years ago, brings this day good cheer to my heart. I love a joy that is lasting. Youthful days are happy days when spent in Wisdom's ways; that kind of day is beautiful, and in the words of the poet: 'A thing of beauty is a joy forever.' As my brother, R. L., always lived near by, I knew him from my first, recollections to the close of his life--a period of over forty years. I had been with him many a day on the old farm here, on his farm and on my own, working as my boys are doing, from time to time changing work or helping each other. I have been with him at home and abroad, and to-day, while in Blooming Valley, along with my brother, G. N., we met an aged man, Mr. Carpenter, in the post-office [his son, M. L., is postmaster], who said: 'Francis Waid, when a boy, was with Lyman when we thrashed at our place years ago.' Mr. Carpenter lives near Guy's Mills, in this county. I was glad to meet my aged friend, and hear him speak of 'Lyman,' as he called my brother, R. L. Many are the friends here and elsewhere, whom I frequently hear speak of my departed brother in words of lasting benediction to his memory. As the leaves of a rose breathe a sweet perfume long after being plucked from the stem, so a good name will live. The righteous are held in everlasting remembrance.
"I come now to the close of his eventful and useful life; and here let me say that during his last sickness, which took place at his own home in May and June, 1880, not only his wife, but also our mother, as well as our elder brother, G. N., and myself, all the members of my father's family then living, besides his own two sons, together with relatives and friends, were present to do what we could in administering to his wants, and by our presence and words of cheer to comfort him as he neared the end of life. Among the innumerable blessings that throng life's pathway, are those given at its close--at the last setting of our sun. In this familiar home, where I am writing to-day, my twin brother, Franklin, died, nearly thirty-six years ago; it is over nineteen years since my father died, and on January 7, 1882, my mother departed. After the death of R. L. half of the family died in this dear home.
"And now, in concluding my retrospective thoughts about the subject proper of this sketch, I will add that one day, as mother and a Christian friend, as well as myself, were at his bedside in silent devotion, in compliance with his request in regard to his welfare and recovery, mother asked him if he expected to get well. 'That, mother, is just as the Lord wills,' he replied, 'I am in His hands, and if He sees fit to bless the means used for my recovery, I may get better.' Then after a few days, when I was there, he again called my attention, saying he had had a dream, and on relating it to me at a subsequent interview, he said: 'Francis, I do not think I will ever get well.' I did all I could to encourage him, and so did mother, but to no avail, for nothing we could say or do had any impression on his mind. He expressed himself willing to do the Lord's will--to live or die, as would best please Him. Our hearts were glad to know that he trusted in the Lord, and had found peace.
"Our Aunt Eliza Phillips, on visiting at our home, after having spent a short time with Lyman during this his last illness, expressed her great satisfaction, in words of kindness and sympathy, that he had found peace, and that he had in his dying words declared his willingness to do the Lord's will, and submissively bow to His decree.
"The Good Master had said to him: Come unto me, and ye shall find rest to your soul. And so the spirit of R. L. Waid drifted down the River of Peace to the boundless Sea of Eternity."
F. C. WAID.
CRAWFORD COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
History & Biography
1885
Part V: Biographical Sketches
MEAD TOWNSHIP
<page 902>
ROBERT L. WAID (deceased) was born May 1, 1826, in Riceville, Crawford Co., Penn., and was brother of F. C. Waid, whose sketch appears in this volume. He received a common school education, was brought up on a farm, and during life was engaged as a tiller of the soil. Mr. Waid was married October 16, 1852, to Almeda Wheeler, a daughter of Abram and Amanda (Taylor) Wheeler, who were the parents of ten children, viz.: Lorenda, Lorenzo, Elisha T., Roxana, Elvira, Phoebe M., Samantha, Elijah M., Almeda and William V. This union was blessed with three children: Orlanda, Nick P., and Ira (deceased). Our subject died June 17, 1880, deeply regretted by many friends and neighbors. His widow is now residing on the farm in Mead Township which was improved by him. He was a member of the K. of H.; in politics a Republican. In early life he was somewhat remarkable as a successful trainer of steers and oxen on the farm, and in after years in the breaking and training of horses. He was a model farmer, and neatness and perfect order in all things were prominent features upon all parts of his farm. It is through the generosity and family respect of his brother, Mr. F. C. Waid, that his portrait appears in this history.1370
ROBERT L. WAID.
This, the eldest son of Ira C. and Elizabeth P. (Morehead) Waid, was born May 1, 1826, in Riceville, Crawford Co., Penn. He received a common-school education, was brought up on a farm, and during life was engaged as a tiller of the soil. He died June 17, 1880, deeply regretted by many friends and neighbors, and now sleeps his last sleep in Blooming Valley Cemetery.
"Weep not for him who dieth,
For he sleeps and is at rest;
And the couch where on he lieth
Is the green earth's quiet breast."
He was a model farmer, and neatness and perfect order in all things were prominent features upon all parts of his farm. He was a member of the K. of H.; in politics a Republican. His widow now resides on the farm, in Mead Township, Crawford County, which was improved by him.
On October 16, 1852, Mr. Waid married Almeda A. Wheeler, who was born January 5, 1836, daughter of Abram and Amanda (Taylor) Wheeler, who were parents of ten children: Lorenda, Lorenzo, Elisha T., Roxanna, Elvira, Phoebe M., Samantha, Elijah M., Almeda A. and William V. To Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Waid were born the following named children: Orlando, born August 27, 1853; Nick P., born June 11, 1856, and Ira C., born July 31, 1860, died December 24, 1860.
Mr. Waid bought of his father, in 1858, thirteen and a half acres of land, known as the Goodwill Lot, and was willed by the latter fifty-five acres of land in Woodcock Township, being a part of the property bought of John Reynolds, Esq., by Ira C. Waid, in 1855. The thirteen and a half acres, Goodwill Lot, with the homestead, in Mead Township, on which Mrs. R. L. Waid lives, were willed to Nick P. Waid, and the fifty-five acres in Woodcock Township were willed to Orlando Waid, by his father, R. L. Waid. Orlando and Nick P. Waid traded with each other their interests in their father's real estate December 14, 1886.
In childhood and youth the subject of this memoir was possessed of remarkably retentive memory, seeming thereby to master his school lessons with greater facility than did any of his brothers. He was accustomed to talk in his sleep, and his brother, Francis C., has heard his mother say that his uncle, William Morehead, would take the spelling book or mental arithmetic to Robert L.'s bedside, while he was talking in his sleep, and the latter would go through his lessons as correctly as when awake! Yet, as years crept on apace, his mind drifted instinctively, as it were, from books to farm life, particularly the training of stock, such as horses and cattle, in which branch of agriculture he in after life enjoyed considerable notoriety. He "broke in" and trained a chestnut-colored mare, known afterward as "Old Doll" (his cousin, Ralph Roudebush, distinguished her by calling her "Ira Waid's Old Doll"), allowed to be the best-trained farm horse in the community at that time. This animal, which was always kept on the farm, died at the age of thirty-two years.
During his life, both before and after his marriage, Mr. Waid followed droving to some extent, and his brother, Francis C., remembers in his youth accompanying him with a drove of cattle to Orange County, N. Y. He has on several occasions driven cattle from Crawford County to the Philadelphia market for Mr. Lyman Perkins, after whom he was named.
Mr. Francis C. Waid says of his brother, Robert L., "He, like the rest of my father's sons, inherited the noble traits of his father, and managed his business affairs on a sound basis. He was at no time much inclined to run in debt or speculate, but always paid promptly when he did buy on credit. I wish it not to be thought strange if I give this brother the preference in my father's family. His memory deserves it now, though I fear I failed to properly appreciate in my childhood many of his good traits of character.
"Lyman (for so he used to be called) was a very industrious man, and, to illustrate by way of contrast between him and myself, I will say that in all the teaming of wood or produce done by me between the farm and Meadville, I do not remember of ever exceeding two loads per day, whereas Lyman has hauled three. He was noted as an early riser, observing the old maxim: 'Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise!' He is also remembered as being quite a loud talker, whose voice could be heard a considerable distance; I think he was the most talkative member of my father's family. I remember his being asked by a neighbor or friend how he managed to do so much work and talk too. Lyman replied that he did both at the same time--which was true. 'Talk and industry combined' was one of his mottoes. He was a man whose kindness and real worth not only endeared him to his friends but to all his acquaintances. It was noted of him that whatever he undertook to do, he did well, and I do not think it is saying too much when I express my opinion that he was one of the best farmers in this community; and it is no wonder the removal of such a man from his circle of relatives, friends and neighbors, should be deeply felt.
"I think he accomplished in his life (a period of fifty-four years, one month and sixteen days) more work than many who live to old age. Many things he did on the farm and elsewhere remain as lasting evidences of the thoroughness of work and excellency of completeness so characteristic of him. While in my 'teens' Lyman and I ran a threshing machine for father for some years, and in those days we thought we were doing well if we threshed 300 bushels of grain in a day, and then it was left in the chaff to be cleaned afterward in the fanning-mill. No sulky plow on our farm then, nor much other rnachinery to aid our busy hands in our farm work. Everything had to be done in the 'old way,' as we termed it.
"I remember the first mower father bought. It was known as the 'Danford Mower,' manufactured at Erie, Penn., in the summer, I think, of 1852 or 1853. This was the first mower used in our neighborhood, and my brother, Lyman, used to drive the team. Cutting grass by machinery was such a wondrous novelty in those days that old and young, alike, would come quite a distance, as if to see a circus, the driver being regarded with as much fascination as would be a daring acrobat in the ring, or with as much sensation as the first appearance of the early-day stage driver created.
"To conclude, I will briefly say, in honor of the memory of both my father and my brother, Robert L., that, as practical men, Ira C. Waid was one of the leading farmers of this community, and Robert L. Waid was the first copy--proof enough that he was the best farmer among the sons of Ira C. Waid. His aim was to excel, and in this he was successful. He labored for a good reputation, and he left a fair and honored name to posterity."
[Since the above was in type, Mr. F. C. Waid has written the following pleasant retrospective thoughts:]
"Sitting in the old farm home to-day, May 15, 1890, where we four children of Ira C. Waid grew to manhood, and in this community where we so long lived, and where my only brother. G. N., and myself, with my children, still live, I was perusing the sketch of R. L. Waid as it appears in my first SOUVENIR, and concluded that a few more items in that connection might not be uninteresting to the reader; so, 'with pen in hand,' I chronicle some additional reminiscences.
"Many changes take place in life, even in a day, a week, a month, a year--and oh! how very many in fifty years; for the reader must bear in mind that my thoughts are thrown back half a century. To me it does not seem nearly so long. If you want time to appear long, look ahead; in a retrospective view, it certainly seems short to me when my twin brother, Franklin, and I, at the age of seven years, played about this old familiar home with our other brothers. I remember R. L. Waid used to 'hitch up' myself and twin brother to 'drive,' as he called it, calling us his ' match team,' because of our being twins. When we were seven, he was fourteen, and could easily handle both of us in the way of play, and do twice as much work. But we gained on him as we grew older, and he found that in our play it was not so easy to handle both of us at once as it used to be; neither could he, in hoeing corn, do as much as both of us.
"Yes, indeed, the remembrance of our happy days on the farm, fifty years ago, brings this day good cheer to my heart. I love a joy that is lasting. Youthful days are happy days when spent in Wisdom's ways; that kind of day is beautiful, and in the words of the poet: 'A thing of beauty is a joy forever.' As my brother, R. L., always lived near by, I knew him from my first, recollections to the close of his life--a period of over forty years. I had been with him many a day on the old farm here, on his farm and on my own, working as my boys are doing, from time to time changing work or helping each other. I have been with him at home and abroad, and to-day, while in Blooming Valley, along with my brother, G. N., we met an aged man, Mr. Carpenter, in the post-office [his son, M. L., is postmaster], who said: 'Francis Waid, when a boy, was with Lyman when we thrashed at our place years ago.' Mr. Carpenter lives near Guy's Mills, in this county. I was glad to meet my aged friend, and hear him speak of 'Lyman,' as he called my brother, R. L. Many are the friends here and elsewhere, whom I frequently hear speak of my departed brother in words of lasting benediction to his memory. As the leaves of a rose breathe a sweet perfume long after being plucked from the stem, so a good name will live. The righteous are held in everlasting remembrance.
"I come now to the close of his eventful and useful life; and here let me say that during his last sickness, which took place at his own home in May and June, 1880, not only his wife, but also our mother, as well as our elder brother, G. N., and myself, all the members of my father's family then living, besides his own two sons, together with relatives and friends, were present to do what we could in administering to his wants, and by our presence and words of cheer to comfort him as he neared the end of life. Among the innumerable blessings that throng life's pathway, are those given at its close--at the last setting of our sun. In this familiar home, where I am writing to-day, my twin brother, Franklin, died, nearly thirty-six years ago; it is over nineteen years since my father died, and on January 7, 1882, my mother departed. After the death of R. L. half of the family died in this dear home.
"And now, in concluding my retrospective thoughts about the subject proper of this sketch, I will add that one day, as mother and a Christian friend, as well as myself, were at his bedside in silent devotion, in compliance with his request in regard to his welfare and recovery, mother asked him if he expected to get well. 'That, mother, is just as the Lord wills,' he replied, 'I am in His hands, and if He sees fit to bless the means used for my recovery, I may get better.' Then after a few days, when I was there, he again called my attention, saying he had had a dream, and on relating it to me at a subsequent interview, he said: 'Francis, I do not think I will ever get well.' I did all I could to encourage him, and so did mother, but to no avail, for nothing we could say or do had any impression on his mind. He expressed himself willing to do the Lord's will--to live or die, as would best please Him. Our hearts were glad to know that he trusted in the Lord, and had found peace.
"Our Aunt Eliza Phillips, on visiting at our home, after having spent a short time with Lyman during this his last illness, expressed her great satisfaction, in words of kindness and sympathy, that he had found peace, and that he had in his dying words declared his willingness to do the Lord's will, and submissively bow to His decree.
"The Good Master had said to him: Come unto me, and ye shall find rest to your soul. And so the spirit of R. L. Waid drifted down the River of Peace to the boundless Sea of Eternity."
F. C. WAID.
CRAWFORD COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
History & Biography
1885
Part V: Biographical Sketches
MEAD TOWNSHIP
<page 902>
ROBERT L. WAID (deceased) was born May 1, 1826, in Riceville, Crawford Co., Penn., and was brother of F. C. Waid, whose sketch appears in this volume. He received a common school education, was brought up on a farm, and during life was engaged as a tiller of the soil. Mr. Waid was married October 16, 1852, to Almeda Wheeler, a daughter of Abram and Amanda (Taylor) Wheeler, who were the parents of ten children, viz.: Lorenda, Lorenzo, Elisha T., Roxana, Elvira, Phoebe M., Samantha, Elijah M., Almeda and William V. This union was blessed with three children: Orlanda, Nick P., and Ira (deceased). Our subject died June 17, 1880, deeply regretted by many friends and neighbors. His widow is now residing on the farm in Mead Township which was improved by him. He was a member of the K. of H.; in politics a Republican. In early life he was somewhat remarkable as a successful trainer of steers and oxen on the farm, and in after years in the breaking and training of horses. He was a model farmer, and neatness and perfect order in all things were prominent features upon all parts of his farm. It is through the generosity and family respect of his brother, Mr. F. C. Waid, that his portrait appears in this history.1370
Spouses
Birth5 Jan 1834, Riceville, PA166
Death2 Jan 1918, Crawford County, PA243
FatherAbraham Wheeler (1792-1876)
MotherAmanda Taylor (1798-1885)