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biography
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Whitesell, Frank G., of the firm Whitesell & Sons, a long-established and
prominent law firm of Pittsburg, was born August 14, 1852, in Allegheny City, this county, son of the late Jacob Whitesell. He comes of an old and prominent family of
the county. His paternal grandfather, George Whitesell, who acquired the title of General in the War of 1812, was a direct descendant of Admiral Wertz, of Germany.
General Whitesell was well known throughout this section of Pennsylvania as a benevolent man, yet of a resolute character, straightforward and upright in all of his
dealings. He was very successful and able in financial matters, having been engaged as a capitalist for many years. The General was an active member of the Cross Roads
Presbyterian Church, in which he served as an Elder. He lived to the advanced age of ninety-five years.
Jacob Whitesell was one of a large family of children born to his parents. He was reared and spent his entire life in Allegheny County. After his admission to the bar
he was engaged in a general law practice in Pittsburg for twoscore or more years, acquiring a wide reputation as a lawyer of skill.
His death, which occurred at his home in Sewickley, February 2, 1884, was a loss to the legal profession. He took an active part in politics, having been a leading
member of the Democratic party. He was also an Odd Fellow. In the American Protestant Association he took a foremost position, having been Grand Master of the organization.
He was deeply religious, belonging to the Presbyterian church of Sewickley, of which his widow is still a member. He married Margaret Neill, a daughter of Thomas Neill,
who was born and bred in Belfast, Ireland. Emigrating to the United States in 1828, Thomas Neill settled at first in Paterson, N.J., where he was engaged in mercantile
pursuits for several years. In 1835 he came to Pittsburg, of which he remained a resident until his death, at the venerable age of ninety-five years. He was made a Mason
in Belfast in 1825, three years before coming to this country, and was afterward connected by membership with Lodge No. 45, of Pittsburg. The children of the parental
household now living are as follows: Frank C, the subject of this sketch; William W., an attorney; George C., who is the general agent of the accident department of the Etna
Life Insurance Company, a member of the Board of Fire Underwriters, and carries on a general insurance business; Anna and Amelia; and Dr. Hallie W. Whitesell, who
graduated at the Western Pennsylvania Medical College on March 25, 1897, and on July 23 of the same year passed the examination of the State Board Medical Society of Pennsylvania.
Frank C. Whitesell received his elementary education in the public schools of Allegheny, where he resided until 1860, going at that time with his parents to Sewickley.
Continuing his studies in the public schools of that place for a time, he was fitted for the Sewickley Academy, from which he was graduated in 1872. He began the study
of law in his father's office, and on November 18, 1876, was admitted to the bar. Since that time he has had an extensive and successful practice, belonging to the firm
above mentioned. He still continues his residence at Sewickley, living with his widowed mother and her family. He was formerly a member of the Fourteenth Regiment, N. G. P.,
serving on the staff, and holding the rank of Captain. In politics Mr. Whitesell has always been a Democrat, belonging now to the party supporting the gold standard.
He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; of the American Mechanics' Association; of Ionic Lodge, No. 525, F. & A. M., of Allegheny; of Royal Arch Chapter,
No. 217, of the same city; of the Allegheny Commandery, No. 35, K. T.; and of Allegheny Lodge, B. O. P. Elks, No. 339, Allegheny. In 1883 Mr. Whitesell represented Allegheny
Commandery in the grand Triennial Conclave, Knights Templar, held in San Francisco in the month of August. His brothers, William and George C, are also prominent in Masonic
circles, being members of Ionic Lodge and Allegheny Chapter and of Pittsburg Commandery, No. 1, Pittsburg, Pa.
Mr. Whitesell was married August 2, 1892, to Miss Lillian B. Reed, daughter of William A. and Elizabeth F. (Fleming) Reed, the nuptials being solemnized in Allegheny,
at the residence of Mrs. Andrew Easton, a sister of the bride. The practical, systematic, and energetic side of Mr. Whitesell's character was shown on this auspicious
occasion, when, according to data furnished, he worked on the day of his wedding until three o'clock p.m., was married at four o'clock, with the bride partook of the
wedding dinner at five, said farewell to their friends at six, took the cars at seven, reached New York at nine next morning, were on board the steamer "City of Paris"
at ten o'clock on the following morning, sailed at eleven, arrived at Queenstown the next Monday morning, were at Liverpool next morning at eleven, took the midland route
at noon for London, arriving there at six o'clock Tuesday evening, and were guests at the Metropole Hotel, London, at seven o'clock, one week from the time of starting.
After this they took a most enjoyable trip through the British Isles, Germany, and France, visiting the more important points of interest in each, and after an absence
of two months were warmly welcomed home by their numerous friends and well-wishers. Mr. and Mrs. Whitesell are the parents of two children: a bright and active little lad
named Frank; and an infant that was taken from earth "when life and love were new." Both Mr. and Mrs. Whitesell are members of the Sewickley Presbyterian Church.
In literary, social, and musical circles the Whitesell family are well known, all being talented and musically inclined.
Biographical review: containing life sketches of leading citizens of Pittsburg and the vicinity, Pennsylvania. Boston: Biographical Review Pub. Co., 1897, Author: Anonymous.
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