The Criswell Family of Franklin, Pennsylvania

The early records indicate that this name was spelled variously, as Creswell, Cresswell and Crisswell. The family is of Scotch-Irish derivation.

(I) Elisha Criswell

Elisha Criswell, the first member of this family of whom we have definite information, was born about 1770, died in Kishacoquillas valley, Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, about 1820. He settled with two of his brothers in the Kishacoquillas valley, where he acquired land, which he cleared and tilled. These brothers were:

1. Benjamin Criswell
2. Elijah Criswell.

He married Elsie Chesney, born about 1769, died in 1856. Among his children was:

1. Robert Chesney Criswell, of whom further.

(II) Robert Chesney Criswell

Robert Chesney, son of Elisha and Elsie (Chesney) Criswell, was born in the Kishacoquillas valley, Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, May 6, 1813, died in Richland township, Venango county, Pennsylvania, in March, 1897. He was a substantial farmer and prominent in his neighborhood. He owned land in Richland township, and after first clearing and improving one farm there, he removed to and settled on a larger one where he remained until his death. He married (first) Mary Say, and (second) Hannah, daughter of William Nickle, of the north of Ireland. Children, two by first marriage:

1. Elsie Criswell, married Henry Neeley; children:
   1. William Neeley
   2. David Neeley
   3. Harvey Neeley
   4. James Neeley
   5. Dora Neeley.
2. David Criswell.
3. William Criswell, born in 1845, living in Kansas; married Maria Sheffer; children:
   1. George Criswell
   2. Lloyd Criswell
   3. Walter Criswell
   4. Lulu Criswell.
4. Nancy Criswell, born in 1847, died in 1863.
5. Montgomery Criswell, born September 20, 1848; married, September 28, 1874, Ellen Weaver; children:
   1. Pearl E. Criswell, deceased
   2. Blanch P. Criswell, married Charles F. Beals
   3. Royal G. Criswell
6. George Stuart Criswell, of whom further.
7. Silas Criswell, born February 6, 1852; married, March 30, 1876, Lucinda Reath; children:
   1. An unnamed child, died in infancy.
   2. Myrtle Criswell
   3. Fleming Criswell
   4. Nellie Criswell
   5. Mary Criswell
   6. Elizabeth Criswell.
8. Mary Elizabeth Criswell, born in 1854; married J. J. Weaver; children:
   1. Maud Weaver
   2. Herbert Weaver
   3. William Weaver
   4. Wallace Weaver
   5. Mabel Weaver
   6. Mollie Weaver
   7. Blanche Weaver
   8. Reuben Weaver
   9. An unnamed daughter, died in infancy.
   10. Mary Weaver.

(III) George Stuart Criswell

George Stuart, son of Robert Chesney and Hannah (Nickle) Criswell, was born in Richland township, Venango county, Pennsylvania, April 7, 1850. He was reared on the old homestead in Richland township, and was educated in the public schools and in the Emlenton Academy, teaching school for five winter terms. In 1873 he began reading law, and in 1874 entered the office of H. A. Miller, Esq., of Franklin, and was admitted to the bar of Venango county in 1875. From the time of his admission to the bar until his elevation to the bench he was actively engaged in the practice of law, being associated a portion of the time with the Hon. J. W. Lee, later of Pittsburgh, now deceased, and F. W. Hastings, Esq., of Bradford, Pennsylvania. He is a Presbyterian in religion.

Politically he has always been affiliated with the Republican party. On March 4, 1872, he was appointed deputy prothonotary and held that position for over two years. He represented Venango county two terms in the legislature of Pennsylvania, and during the last term was chairman of the general judiciary committee of the house. Upon the resignation of the Hon. Charles E. Taylor, he was appointed by Governor Hastings as president judge of Venango county, and took the oath of office on March 7, 1895. He afterward received without opposition the nomination of the Republican party for the judgeship and was elected by a large majority for the full term of ten years. In about 1905 he was re-elected for another term of ten years, beginning the first Monday of January, 1906, upon which he entered and which he is now serving. Since his elevation to the bench he has proven himself to be an ideal judge, and is frequently called to other counties to preside at the trial of important cases. He is by temperament and traits of mind and character as well as by training eminently well fitted for the judiciary. Never a partisan, never rash in deciding a question before a full hearing, he presides at trials with dignity and treats all parties with the greatest courtesy and strictest impartiality and brings to the decision of legal questions a mind naturally clear, calm and judicial, and by training easily able to grasp the controlling question of the case. His decisions are never warped by personal feelings or prejudices and he has also a great capacity for care and painstaking work. As a result his decisions are rarely appealed, and nearly always sustained. Judge Criswell has been a member of the city council and school board of Franklin, and at present is member of the water commission of Franklin, and board of trustees of the State Institution for Feeble Minded, at Polk, Pennsylvania.

He married, November 26, 1879, Flora, daughter of Joseph Harrison and Eliza Margaret (Davis) Smith. Children:

1. Chesney Harrison Criswell, born March 25, 1884; graduate of Washington and Jefferson College, and Massachusetts School of Technology; chemical engineer at Greeley, Colorado.
2. Elisha Wayne Criswell, born November 5, 1885; graduate of Washington and Jefferson College, read law, and was admitted to the Pennsylvania bar in January, 1911.
3. George Stuart (2) Criswell, born February 6, 1888; graduate of Allegheny College; now teaching in the Franklin high school.
4. Richard Lee Criswell, born July 17, 1889, died in January, 1890.
5. Clarence Crawford Criswell, born November 21, 1891; a student.

See: Genealogy of the Allegheny Valley Pennsylvania

Source

Jordan, J. W. 1840-1921. (1913). Genealogical and personal history of the Allegheny Valley, Pennsylvania. New York: Lewis Historical Pub. Co.

This genealogy is based upon the source cited above. Only the structure and formatting have been changed for clearer presentation; the genealogical and biographical content has been preserved.