BIO: George A. CRISTLER, Beaver County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja & Joe Patterson Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/beaver.html http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/beaver/bios/bbios.htm Index for this bio book. _________________________________________________________________ BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. This Volume Contains Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Beaver County, Pennsylvania. Buffalo, N.Y., Chicago, Ill.: Biographical Publishing Company, 1899, pp. 361-363. _________________________________________________________________ DR. GEORGE A. CRISTLER, who through years of careful training in the intricacies of medical science, has attained a degree of skill which but few physicians of the county possess, commands an extensive practice in the vicinity of Hookstown. He is a native of Beaver, county, and is a scion of one of its oldest and most highly respected families, having been born at Shippingport, Green township, Beaver county, Pa., October 9, 1852. The early history of the Cristler family is one of deep interest, but our limited space will not permit us to give the many details. Michael Cristler, the great-grandfather of the subject of these lines, was born in Germany, and at an early day settled in America, in the western section of Pennsylvania, which was at the time a howling wilderness, inhabited only by Indians and infested by wild beasts. What courage must have coursed in the veins of these pioneers, who came from a prosperous but too thickly settled country, and endured the many hardships and trials that fell to their lot while endeavoring to convert the forest land into tillable farms ! Courage, perseverance, an indomitable will, were characteristic of every man of that day, else they would have succumbed to hunger or the hostile natives. At the time this sturdy old ancestor settled in that section, the Indians were very troublesome, and he was employed as a government spy. Every two weeks he would make the trip from Brownsville, Pa., to Wheeling, West Virginia, on foot, a journey attended by the greatest danger, not only from the Indians, but also from wild animals. Many interesting stories have been handed down to the present generation of the family, concerning his adventures and his many miraculous escapes. He was a very prominent man, and bought a tract of land on which the village of Shippingport is now located. Here he toiled, and, before his death, the most of his four hundred acres was cleared, and under a high state of cultivation. He was married, and among his children was 362 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES one, Samuel, the grandfather of the subject hereof. Samuel Cristler spent his youthful days upon his father's farm, but soon after reaching maturity, he purchased a farm of three hundred and forty acres, which is now owned by John and Jacob Green, and John Calhoun. His occupation was that of a farmer, and he followed it with unqualified success throughout his life. When the War of 1812 broke out he was among the first to volunteer his services, but they were only required for a term of three months, when he received an honorable discharge. He was united in marriage with Catherine Baker, and they had a family of ten children, as follows: Michael; Susan; Mary; Henry; Martha; Jemima; Anthony W.; Elizabeth; Philip; and another who died in infancy. They are all now deceased. Samuel Cristler was a Democrat in his political affiliations. Anthony W. Cristler, the father of Dr. George A., was born on his father's farm in 1817, and early in life learned the trade of a mason, at which he became one of the finest workmen in that section. He remained on the farm until 1867, when he moved to Shippingport, and there followed his trade during his active life, - dying January 12, 1884. He married Elizabeth Hayward, a daughter of Robert Hayward, of the state of New York, and today the family is one of influence and prominence. Her parents moved to Beaver county, Pa., in 1846, settling at Safe Harbor, opposite Rochester. Mr. Hayward died in the winter of 1895, and his wife is still living, enjoying life at the age of eighty-three years, at the home of a son, at Shippingport. Her maiden name was Hill. Mr. and Mrs. Cristler reared nine children, as follows: George A., the subject of this personal history; Sarah A., who died at the age of eight years; Lucinda Jane, the wife of W. B. Appleton, who lives at Industry, Beaver county, Pa.; Amanda, who resides at the home of the subject of these lines; William B., who died in infancy; Melissa; Elmer E., who lives at Shippingport; Ella, who died in infancy; and Willard, who also lives at Shippingport. Mrs. Cristler died on July 26, 1898. They were both faithful members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Cristler was an active worker in the ranks of the Republican party, but never held office. Dr. George A. Cristler was reared on the old homestead and attended the public schools, after which he learned the trade of a mason under his father. He was a journeyman before he was twenty-one years old, and followed the trade for fourteen years. During this time he taught school for five winters, and followed his trade in the summer. He then decided to study for the medical profession, and began reading with Dr. Davis, of Shippingport. In the fall of 1887, he entered the Pittsburg Medical College, now called the Western University of Pennsylvania, and was graduated in the spring of 1889, - immediately thereafter locating at Murdocksville. After remaining there for a period of three months, he began practice at Shippingport, where he successfully continued until 1895. BEAVER COUNTY 363 He removed to Darlington, Beaver county, where he spent eighteen months, and then located at Hookstown, where, in a remarkably brief space of time, he has worked up a large and paying patronage. He has always made his home in Beaver county, and is widely known throughout its bounds, - being held in the highest esteem everywhere. He is also a member of the Beaver County Medical Society. In January, 1891, Dr. Cristler formed a marital union with Lizzie Laughlin, a daughter of William Laughlin, and they had one child, Martha, born January 12, 1894. Mrs. Cristler was called to her final rest on August 16, 1896, and thus, when but little over two years of age, her child was deprived of a mother's love and careful training. Martha is an interesting little girl, and is receiving a Christian training under the guidance of loving eyes. The Doctor is a Presbyterian in religious belief, and has been an elder in the church for twelve years. He is a member of Smith's Ferry lodge, No. 485, F. & A. M.