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Lawrence County, Pennsylvania

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Lawrence County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 86,070.[1] The county seat and largest city is New Castle.[2]

Lawrence County
County
Lawrence County Courthouse
Lawrence County Courthouse
Flag of Lawrence County
Flag
Official seal of Lawrence County
Seal
Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Lawrence County
Location within the U.S. state of Pennsylvania
Map of the United States highlighting Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 40°59′N 80°20′W / 40.99°N 80.33°W / 40.99; -80.33
Country United States
State Pennsylvania
FoundedMarch 20, 1849
Named forUSS Lawrence
SeatNew Castle
Largest cityNew Castle
Area
 • Total
363 sq mi (940 km2)
 • Land358 sq mi (930 km2)
 • Water4.5 sq mi (12 km2)  1.3%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
86,070
 • Density240/sq mi (90/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district16th
Websitelawrencecountypa.gov

The county was created on March 20, 1849, from parts of Beaver and Mercer counties. The county is part of the Greater Pittsburgh region of the state.[a]

History

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Lawrence County was created on March 20, 1849, from parts of Beaver and Mercer counties due to the rapid growth of New Castle, which was primarily in Mercer County but was rapidly expanding into Beaver County. The former borders between Beaver and Mercer Counties are still evident in Lawrence County today, as the northern borders of North Beaver Township, Shenango Township, and Slippery Rock Township with (respectively) the southern borders of Mahoning Township, Hickory Township, and Scott Township make up the former boundaries between Beaver and Mercer Counties. In addition, County Line Road in New Castle where the Lawrence County Courthouse is located also marks the former boundaries.

The county was named after the flagship of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, the USS Lawrence, which was disabled in the September 10, 1813 Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812. The ship's complement included local raw recruits. That niagara-class brig (more correctly: snow) was itself a namesake, of Perry's friend and naval officer James Lawrence, who died during the War of 1812.[3]

Lawrence County Flag

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In August 1981, county commissioner Paul L. Tanner proposed the creation of a flag for Lawrence County as well as a flag for each of the county's 27 municipalities These were to be displayed at the courthouse. Over the next few months, flags for Perry Township, New Beaver Borough, and Wampum Borough were presented to the commissioners[4]

On January 12, 1982, commissioner chairman, Frank A. Vitril, announced a county flag design contest and asked residents of Lawrence County to submit entries on an 8.5 by 11 inch sheet of paper with their name, address, and telephone number on an attached sheet of paper. The winner would receive $100 prize contributed in equal parts from the county commissioners and would not come from taxpayers. They also announced the formation of a committee, coordinated by the Lawrence County Planning Commission, to select the winner. The commissioners said in a statement, "As public officials, we are aware of the need to generate public spirit and interest in the affairs of local government. The promotion of a county flag will enable interested citizens (schools, art groups, etc.) of Lawrence County participation in an historic event."[5]

 
Flag of Lawrence County, adopted June 15, 1982

The winning flag was announced on June 4, 1982, and a ceremony was held at the courthouse on June 15, 1982, in observance of Flag Day, as the courthouse was closed on June 14. Rosemary Ann Marino, a commercial artist from New Castle, submitted several designs and her winning entry was one of 43 designs submitted by 15 individuals. The design depicts the shape of Lawrence County in green and edged with gold off-center on a white background with the words "Lawrence County, Pennsylvania" emblazoned on the bottom. The center logo features a shaft of wheat, symbolizing prosperity, against a background of rolling farmlands on the left and waves of water on the right. Marino received a check for $100 at a ceremony at the courthouse as well as a telegraph from Governor Dick Thornburgh who congratulated Lawrence County on its new flag.[6]

A painting of the design was revealed at the ceremony and was painted on masonite by Harry Broschart, who was on the flag selection committee. He and other committee members, Dominic Caminite and former director of arts and crafts at West Side Community Center, Virginia Rankin, gave the award presentations.[6] Honorable mentions included a covered bridge design by Grayce D. Sharek, a blue and gold circular design stating "Lawrence County, Government for the People, founded 1849" by Betty Stone, an outline of the courthouse against a red keystone on a blue background by Steve T. Grala, and a two-tone green flag with an outline of the county by James E. Hamilton.[4] Entries were judged based on originality, creativity, theme, clarity, and design.[5]

President Judge Glenn McCracken offered remarks urging those present to take pride in their home, Lawrence County, and the flag which symbolizes it, and saying Lawrence County needs the kind of American pride in their heredity that was reawakened by the television show Roots.[6]

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 363 square miles (940 km2), of which 358 square miles (930 km2) is land and 4.5 square miles (12 km2) (1.3%) is water.[7] Major waterways are the Shenango River, Neshannock Creek and the Mahoning River which form the Beaver River. Also, the Slippery Rock Creek and Connoquenessing Creak empty into the Beaver River. Lawrence County is one of the 423 counties served by the Appalachian Regional Commission,[8] and it is identified as part of the "Midlands" by Colin Woodard in his book American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America.[9]

Climate

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Lawrence County has a humid continental climate (Dfa/Dfb) and average monthly temperatures in New Castle range from 27.7 °F in January to 72.2 °F in July.[10]

Adjacent counties

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
185021,079—
186022,9999.1%
187027,29818.7%
188033,31222.0%
189037,51712.6%
190057,04252.0%
191070,03222.8%
192085,54522.2%
193097,25813.7%
194096,877−0.4%
1950105,1208.5%
1960112,9657.5%
1970107,374−4.9%
1980107,150−0.2%
199096,246−10.2%
200094,639−1.7%
201091,108−3.7%
202086,070−5.5%
[11]

As of the 2000 census[12] there were 94,643 people, 37,091 households, and 25,889 families residing in the county. The population density was 263 inhabitants per square mile (102/km2). There were 39,635 housing units at an average density of 110 units per square mile (42/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 94.98% White, 3.61% Black or African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.19% from other races, and 0.84% from two or more races. 0.56% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 34.2% English or Welsh, 14.6% were of Italian, 12.4% American, 9.0% German, 8.1% Irish, and 6.8% Scotch-Irish, 2.5% Polish, and 1.9% African ancestry.

There were 37,091 households, out of which 28.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.50% were married couples living together, 11.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.20% were non-families. 27.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.10% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 25.70% from 25 to 44, 23.60% from 45 to 64, and 19.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.90 males.

2020 census

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Lawrence County Racial Composition[13]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 75,811 88.1%
Black or African American (NH) 3,546 4.12%
Native American (NH) 75 0.1%
Asian (NH) 321 0.37%
Pacific Islander (NH) 4 0.01%
Other/Mixed (NH) 4,658 5.4%
Hispanic or Latino 1,655 2%

Micropolitan Statistical Area

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Map of the Pittsburgh-New Castle-Weirton, PA-OH-WV Combined Statistical Area (CSA)

The United States Office of Management and Budget[14] has designated Lawrence County as the New Castle, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). As of the 2010 U.S. census[15] the micropolitan area ranked 3rd most populous in the State of Pennsylvania and the 48th most populous in the United States with a population of 91,108. Lawrence County is also a part of the Pittsburgh–New Castle–Weirton combined statistical area (CSA), which combines the population of Lawrence, and Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Indiana, Washington, and Westmoreland Counties in Pennsylvania. In West Virginia, the counties included are Brooke and Hancock. And in Ohio, Jefferson County. The combined statistical area ranked the fourth most populous in Pennsylvania and 20th most populous in the U.S. with a population of 2,660,727.

Government and politics

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Voter registration

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As of June 12, 2023, there are 55,256 registered voters in Lawrence County. Republicans hold a plurality of voters. There were 27,370 registered Republicans, 21,263 registered Democrats, 4,574 registered non-affiliated voters, and 2,049 voters registered to other parties.[16]

Chart of Voter Registration

  Republican (49.43%)
  Democratic (38.58%)
  Independent (8.28%)
  Third Party (3.71%)
Voter registration and party enrollment
Party Number of voters Percentage
Republican 27,370 49.53%
Democratic 21,263 38.48%
Independent 7,319 10.37%
Third Party 2,118 3.01%
Total 55,256 100%
 
2020 Presidential Election Shaded by City and Township
Biden:      50–60%      60–70%
Trump:     50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
United States presidential election results for Lawrence County, Pennsylvania[17]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 31,347 66.34% 15,440 32.67% 468 0.99%
2020 29,597 64.08% 15,978 34.59% 612 1.33%
2016 25,428 61.90% 14,009 34.11% 1,639 3.99%
2012 21,047 53.71% 17,513 44.69% 629 1.61%
2008 21,851 51.60% 19,711 46.54% 787 1.86%
2004 21,938 50.50% 21,387 49.23% 117 0.27%
2000 18,060 45.56% 20,593 51.95% 987 2.49%
1996 13,088 36.10% 18,993 52.38% 4,178 11.52%
1992 12,359 30.00% 20,830 50.55% 8,014 19.45%
1988 15,829 41.76% 21,884 57.74% 191 0.50%
1984 19,277 44.43% 23,981 55.27% 128 0.30%
1980 18,404 45.77% 19,506 48.51% 2,303 5.73%
1976 18,546 43.49% 23,337 54.73% 757 1.78%
1972 23,712 56.06% 17,595 41.60% 990 2.34%
1968 18,360 42.60% 21,027 48.78% 3,716 8.62%
1964 15,998 35.39% 29,092 64.35% 117 0.26%
1960 23,646 49.20% 24,309 50.58% 109 0.23%
1956 25,037 55.61% 19,923 44.25% 65 0.14%
1952 23,319 52.12% 21,164 47.31% 255 0.57%
1948 17,186 52.72% 14,632 44.88% 781 2.40%
1944 18,886 51.57% 17,331 47.33% 403 1.10%
1940 19,361 50.41% 18,814 48.99% 230 0.60%
1936 15,458 40.58% 21,994 57.74% 638 1.67%
1932 13,064 55.10% 9,390 39.61% 1,255 5.29%
1928 20,012 74.95% 6,417 24.03% 273 1.02%
1924 12,533 64.58% 1,880 9.69% 4,993 25.73%
1920 9,448 64.38% 2,720 18.53% 2,508 17.09%
1916 5,134 49.44% 3,966 38.19% 1,285 12.37%
1912 2,128 21.62% 1,976 20.07% 5,741 58.31%
1908 5,350 54.06% 2,656 26.84% 1,890 19.10%
1904 7,634 66.35% 1,894 16.46% 1,978 17.19%
1900 6,343 61.39% 2,754 26.66% 1,235 11.95%
1896 6,228 65.13% 3,013 31.51% 321 3.36%
1892 4,385 60.10% 2,336 32.02% 575 7.88%
1888 4,342 62.56% 2,113 30.44% 486 7.00%

County commissioners

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Lawrence County is administered by a three-member publicly elected commission. Each commissioner serves in four-year terms. Elections occur in the odd-numbered years that precede U.S. presidential elections. All three Commissioners are chosen in the same election, and voters may vote for no more than two of the candidates. By state law, the commission must have a minority party guaranteeing a political split on the commission. The Commissioners are responsible for the management of the fiscal and administrative functions of the county.[18]

Commissioner Party Title
Dan Vogler[19] Republican Chairman
Chris Sainato[20] Democratic
Dan Kennedy[21] Republican

County row offices

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Office Official Party
Controller Dave Prestopine[22] Republican
Coroner Richard Johnson[23] Democratic
District Attorney Joshua Lamancusa[24] Democratic
Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts Jodi Klabon-Esoldo[25] Democratic
Register of Wills and Recorder of Deeds Tammy Crawford[26] Republican
Sheriff Perry Quahliero[27] Democratic
Treasurer Richard L. Rapone[28] Democratic

State House of Representatives[29]

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District Representative Party
8 Aaron Bernstine Republican
9 Marla Brown Republican

State Senators[29]

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District Senator Party
47 Elder Vogel Republican
50 Michele Brooks Republican

United States House of Representatives

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District Representative Party
16 Mike Kelly Republican

United States Senate

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Senator Party
John Fetterman Democrat
Bob Casey Jr. Democrat

Education

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Colleges and universities

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Community, junior, and technical colleges

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Public school districts

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Map of Lawrence County, Pennsylvania Public School Districts

Tech schools

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  • Lawrence County Career Technology Center - Shenango Township
  • New Castle School of Trades - Union Township

Private schools

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  • Apple Grove School - New Wilmington
  • Cherry Hill School - New Wilmington
  • Cotton School - New Wilmington
  • Ellwood City Children's Center, Inc.
  • Faith Country Chapel Preschool and Kindergarten - New Castle
  • Fayette School - Volant
  • Hillside Parochial School - New Wilmington
  • Indian Run School - New Wilmington
  • J R Wilson School - New Wilmington
  • Ligo School - New Wilmington
  • Little Beaver Parochial School - Enon Valley
  • Lusk School - Volant
  • Meadow Lark School - New Wilmington
  • New Castle Christian Academy - New Castle
  • Parents Preschool Ellwood City
  • Shepherd School - Volant
  • St Vitus Catholic School - New Castle
  • Thorn Hill School - Volant
  • Westminster Preschool - New Wilmington

Per data provided at Pennsylvania EdNA

Libraries

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  • Ellwood City Area Public Library
  • F D Campbell Memorial Library - Bessemer
  • Lawrence County Federated Library System - New Castle
  • New Castle Public Library

Transportation

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Airports

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Public transit

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Major roads and highways

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Recreation

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Parks

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State game lands

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Trails

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Communities

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Map of Lawrence County, Pennsylvania with Municipal Labels showing Cities and Boroughs (red), Townships (white), and Census-designated places (blue).

Under Pennsylvania law, there are four types of incorporated municipalities: cities, boroughs, townships, and, in at most two cases, towns. The following cities, boroughs and townships are located in Lawrence County:

Cities

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Boroughs

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Townships

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Census-designated places

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Census-designated places are geographical areas designated by the U.S. Census Bureau for the purposes of compiling demographic data. They are not actual jurisdictions under Pennsylvania law. Other unincorporated communities, such as villages, may be listed here as well.

Unincorporated communities

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Various unincorporated communities that lie within and are part of official municipalities.

  • Altman
  • Belmar Park
  • Brent
  • Burnstown
  • Castlewood
  • Coaltown
  • Coaltown Hill
  • Cottage Grove
  • Coverts
  • Derringer Corners
  • Drake
  • Duckrun
  • Eastbrook
  • East New Castle
  • Edinburg
  • Elliott Mills
  • Energy
  • Fayette
  • Gibsondale
  • Grant City
  • Harbor
  • Harbor Bridge
  • Harlansburg
  • Hillsville
  • Jackson Knolls Gardens
  • Joyce
  • Lawrence Junction
  • Mahoningtown
  • McCaslin
  • McConnells Mill
  • Moravia
  • Mount Air
  • Mount Jackson
  • Nashua
  • Neshannock Falls
  • New Castle Junction
  • Newburg
  • Newpoint
  • North Edinburg
  • Old Enon
  • Park Gate
  • Parkstown
  • Peanut
  • Possum Hollow
  • Princeton
  • Pulaski
  • Robinson
  • Rockville
  • Rose Point
  • Sheep Hill
  • Skidmore
  • Sunnyside
  • Sunset Valley
  • Villa Maria
  • Walmo
  • Westview Heights
  • Wiegletown
  • Willow Grove
  • Wurtemburg

Former community

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  • Big Beaver Borough became a borough on March 7, 1958. Until that date, it was known as Big Beaver Township, which was formed in 1802 when South Beaver Township was divided. In 1849, when Lawrence County was created, the new county line split Big Beaver leaving a township of that name in each county. Big Beaver in Lawrence County is now known as New Beaver Borough.[30]

Population ranking

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The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Lawrence County.[31]

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2010 Census)
1 † New Castle City 23,273
2 Ellwood City (partially in Beaver County) Borough 7,921
3 New Wilmington Borough 2,466
4 Oakwood CDP 2,270
5 Oakland CDP 1,569
6 New Beaver Borough 1,502
7 New Castle Northwest CDP 1,413
8 Ellport Borough 1,180
9 Bessemer Borough 1,111
10 New Bedford CDP 925
11 West Pittsburg CDP 808
12 Wampum Borough 717
13 South New Castle Borough 709
14 Frizzleburg CDP 602
15 Chewton CDP 488
16 Enon Valley Borough 306
17 Volant Borough 168
18 S.N.P.J. Borough 19

Notable people

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See also: List of people from the Pittsburgh metropolitan area

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Includes Allegheny, Washington, Butler, Beaver, Lawrence and Armstrong Counties
  1. ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Lawrence County, Pennsylvania". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 18, 2022.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 182.
  4. ^ a b "City Resident's Design Selected for County Flag". New Castle News. June 4, 1982. p. 1.
  5. ^ a b "Officials Offer Award for County Flag Design". New Castle News. January 13, 1982. p. 1.
  6. ^ a b c "County's New Flag Unveiled in Ceremony". New Castle News. June 16, 1982. p. 1.
  7. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved March 8, 2015.
  8. ^ "About the Appalachian Region". Appalachian Regional Commission. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
  9. ^ Woodard, Colin (July 30, 2018). "The Maps That Show That City vs. Country Is Not Our Political Fault Line". New York Times. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
  10. ^ "PRISM Climate Group at Oregon State University".
  11. ^ "Census 2020".
  12. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  13. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Lawrence County, Pennsylvania".
  14. ^ "Office of Management and Budget". whitehouse.gov. Archived from the original on April 29, 2018.
  15. ^ "2010 U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2016.
  16. ^ Pennsylvania Department of State (May 15, 2023). "Voter registration statistics by county". Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  17. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Archived from the original on March 23, 2018.
  18. ^ "Commissioners". www.lawrencecountypa.gov. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  19. ^ "Lawrence County PA - Dan Vogler". www.lawrencecountypa.gov. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  20. ^ "Lawrence County PA - Chris Sainato". www.lawrencecountypa.gov. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  21. ^ "Lawrence County PA - Dan Kennedy". www.lawrencecountypa.gov. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  22. ^ "Office of the Lawrence County Controller". www.lawrencecountypa.gov. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  23. ^ "Lawrence County Coroner". www.lawrencecountypa.gov. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  24. ^ "Lawrence County District Attorney's Office". www.lawrencecountydistrictattorneysoffice.com/. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  25. ^ "Welcome to the Prothonotary Office". www.lawrencecountypa.gov. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  26. ^ "Register of Wills and Recorder of Deeds". www.lawrencecountypa.gov. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  27. ^ "Lawrence County Sheriff's Office". www.lawrencecountypa.gov. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  28. ^ "Welcome to the Treasurer Office". www.lawrencecountypa.gov. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  29. ^ a b Center, Legislativate Data Processing. "Find Your Legislator". The official website for the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Archived from the original on April 28, 2017. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
  30. ^ "Welcome To Big Beaver Borough - Big Beaver Borough". bigbeaverborough.org. Archived from the original on December 26, 2014.
  31. ^ CNMP, US Census Bureau. "U.S. Census Bureau". www.census.gov.
  32. ^ Reichler, Joseph L., ed. (1979) [1969]. The Baseball Encyclopedia (4th ed.). New York: Macmillan Publishing. ISBN 0-02-578970-8.
  33. ^ Ben Ciccone. "Ben Ciccone Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
  34. ^ Horner, Scott (April 27, 2017). "NFL Draft first-round live blog: Colts take safety Malik Hooker". indystar.com. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
  35. ^ Thomas, Bob (June 1, 2006). "Obituary: Robert Sterling / New Castle native was cast member in TV's 'Topper'". Post-gazette.com. Retrieved February 15, 2010.
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