Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 10

Author: McFarland, Joseph Fulton; Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co. (Chicago) pbl
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 898

USA > Pennsylvania > Washington County > Washington > Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II > Part 10

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John Fulton Bell first attended school in his native place and in 1860 became a student at Georges Creek Academy in Fayette County. He resided in Greene County until 1860, when he came to Washington County

and in 1868 bonght a large farm in Amwell Township, which he continued to operate and develop until 1907, when he sold his farming lands and retired to Wash- ington. Mr. Bell spent four years, between 1903 and 1907 in Prosperity. For many years he was one of the leading stock raisers of this section.

On August 22, 1862, Mr. Bell enlisted at Amity, Wash- ington County, Pa., in Co. D, 140th P. V. I., and was promoted June 21, 1863, from the rank of corporal to that of sergeant. On November 1, 1863, he became first sergeant; on July 20, 1864, near City Point, Va., he was commissioned first lieutenant by Governor Andrew G. Curtin, of Pennsylvania, and served as such until the close of the war and for several months was in charge of the company. The company was mustered out May 31, 1865, in the name of First Lieut. J. F. Bell as senior commanding officer. Among the twenty-five battles in which his company fought were those of Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Mine Run, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, the operations in front of Petersburg and those at Appo- mattox, which culminated in Lee's surrender and brought the war to happy termination.

On May 6, 1868, Mr. Bell married Miss Lydia Ross, who was born in Washington Township, Greene County, Pa., and they have five children: Benjamin Harrod, Sarah Frances, Lyda Emma, Abner Ross and James Franklin.

James Franklin Bell, the youngest son, is a graduate of Washington and Jefferson College at Washington. In 1902 he graduated from West Point Military Academy as engineer and served two years in the engineers' corps, in the Philippine Islands. He was instructor in mathe- maties for a time, at West Point, and is now stationed at Washington, D. C., as a member of the engineer corps of the U. S. Army.

Mr. and Mrs. Bell are members of the Baptist Church, in which he is one of the board of deacons.

A. O. HINDMAN, M. D., physician and surgeon at Cross Creek, Pa., has been in continuous practice at this place for the past ten years and commands the confi- dence and enjoys the esteem of the people. He was born in Cross Creek Township, Washington Co., Pa., November 9, 1875, and is a son of Thomas and Hannah (Stevenson) Hindman.

The Hindman family has been settled in Washington County for generations, the grandparents, William and Betsey Hindman, having been born here. Thomas Hind- man was born on the farm in Brooke County, W. Va., which he now owns, but for many years has been a resi- dent of Cross Creek village. He was a blacksmith by trade and was a reputable citizen. He married Hannah Stevenson and they had three children: A. O., Della M. and Nettie P.

LIEUT. JOHN FULTON BELL

L PIY YOR. CARY

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

Dr. Hindman was educated in the district schools of Cross Creek Township, llickory Academy and the Ohio Normal University at Ada, now known as Ohio Northern University. Ile then entered upon the study of medicine and completed his medical course and received his degree in 1899, from the Western Pennsylvania Medical Col- lege at Pittsburg. He immediately located at Cross Creek and has hero built up a substantial practice. He is identified with business enterprises aside from his profession, being a stockholder in the Burgettstown Na- tional Bank, the Freehold Oil and Gas Company and in other concerns in this section.

Dr. lliudmau was married to Miss Ada Newcomer, a daughter of Thomas and Hattie (Richie) Newcomer, residents of Washington, and they have one daughter, Helen Lucille. The family are members of the Presby- terian Church at Cross Creek. Dr. Hindman is an active aud valued member of the Washington County and Pennsylvania State Medical Societies aud of the Amer- ican Medical Association. In addition to this he is a quiet scientific investigator along his own lines, never having ceased being a student.

JAMES LINDSAY YOHE, senior member of the Yohe Brothers Lumber Company, which was established in I878 and is the oldest concern of its kind in Monon- gahela City, was born Dec. 20, 1849, in this city and is a son of Michael and Phoebe (MeConnel) Yohe.

Michael Yohe was born on a farm in Carroll Town- ship, in 1815, and was a son of Isaac Yohe, who came from the eastern part of Pennsylvania, and located on a farm three miles east of Monongahela City, where he spent his life engaged iu agricultural pursuits. Michael Yohe was reared in Carroll Township, where he remained until after his marriage, when he removed to Monon- gahela City, where he died, aged 68 years. He married Phoebe MeConnel, who was born at West Middletown, Washington Co., Pa., in 1825, and died, aged 75 years. They had the following children : Jolin M., a resident of Pittsburg; Isaac, of Monongahela City, Pa .; Leroy S., deceased; James L., subject of this sketeli; William G., of New Kensington; Lewis N., of Monongahela City; Frank and Charles, twins, both residents of Monongahela City; and Sherod C., a resident of Monongahela City. Some 30 years ago a photograph was taken of the eight brothers, who recently sat for another photograph, all of whom, with the exception of John, the eldest, who was born at West Middletown, were born in Monongahela City.

James L. Yohe was reared in Monongahela City, where he obtained a common school education, early in life learning the carpenter's trade with his father. In 1878, in partnership with his brothers, Isaac and Lewis N., they established the Yohe Brothers Lumber Company,

and the plant is located on the Monongahela River, and the firm gives employment to an average of 60 to 100 meu. They carry on a general contracting business and deal in all kinds of building materials. In 1902, Clyde C. Yohe purchased one-half of the Isaac Yohe interest in the concern, and in 1909, purchased the remaining half interest of Isaac Yohe, who is now living in re- tirement. Besides his lumber interests, Mr. Yohe is a director in the Monongahela Trust Company, and a stockholder of the Perry Manufacturing Company. He is affiliated with the B. l'. O. E. order, is a 32nd degree Mason, and is religiously a member of the Methodist Church.

In 1879, Mr. Yohe married Ella M. Corrin, a daughter of William and Eleanor Corrin, and they have reared the following children: Annetta, widow of Adam C. Samp- son, has two children, Lois and Adam; Clyde C., married Nellie Beach and they have one child, Chauncey B .; Ed- ward L., married Blauch Dewalt, and has two children, Lloyd and Bearl; Emma C., married Edward Kuhlman, of Indian Territory; and James K. is a student at Wash- ington and Jefferson College.

HON. JOHN D. BRADEN, deceased, for many years was a prominent and useful citizen of Washington, Pa., and during the entire course of his active business life was engaged in the practice of law. He was born in Chippewa Township, Beaver Co., Pa., Nov. 21, 1826, and was a son of John and Katherine (MeIntyre) Braden.

James Braden, the grandfather, was born in Ireland aud there was married to Margaret Howe, who was of English parentage. After her death, James Braden, with his motherless children started for America and reached this country in 1797. One of his sons, John Braden, who was the father of John D., was born at what was called Five-Mile town, near Enniskillen, in County Fermanagh, Ireland. He accompanied his father to America. It is probable that he followed farming from the time that he was capable of working, as he subsequently acquired farming land situated near Youngstown, Ohio, ou which he was residing when the War of 1812 was declared. He was called into actual service Aug. 26, 1812, first under Capt. Samuel Denison. On Sept. 16, 1812, he was transferred at Cleveland to Capt. Joshua T. Cottou's company, under whom he con- tinued until Nov. 8, 1812, and he was discharged by Gen. Elijah Wadsworth. He was in the First Reg., Third Brig., 4th Div. of Ohio militia, which was com. manded by Col. William Rayen. He did not marry until he returned from that war, and then settled in Chippewa Township, Beaver ('o., Pa., where he and wife lived for more than 50 years. Of their large family of children, the late John D. Braden was the only one to locate per- manently in Washington County. The maternal grand-

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

father of John D. Braden was William McIntyre, a native of Scotland, who came unmarried to the United States and settled at Hagerstown, Md.

John D. Braden attended Beaver Academy at Beaver, Pa., for some years and in 1849 entered what was then Washington College, which was later consolidated with Jefferson College, where he was graduated in 1851. He was prepared for the practice of law in the office of Hon. George S. Hart, at that time district attorney, and was admitted to the bar in 1853. He immediately opened an office in the borough of Washington, soon attracted attention by his legal ability and in a few years had advanced to a foremost place in his profession. To profound learning, Mr. Braden united a high standard of professional honor and it has been frequently affirmed by those who knew him best that no client, no matter how powerful he might be, who came to him with a case which was without merit, could have his services. He was a loyal party man, having been cradled in Democ- racy, but political office had no attractions for him, in fact the only local offices he would ever accept were membership on the School Board and on the borough council. In the campaign of 1892 he was appointed a presidential elector and was glad that he was instru- mental in bringing about the election of President Cleveland.

On Nov. 11, 1851, Mr. Braden was married to Miss Anna C. Ruple, the youngest daughter of Col. James Ruple, and they had the following children: Rebecca, who married D. J. McAdam; John McIntyre, whose death occurred Apr. 14, 1897, was an attorney at Washi- ington; Lillie, who resides with her mother in the beau- tiful old family home at No. 223 W. Wheeling street, Washington; Alfred Goodrich, an attorney and formerly principal of the Washington schools; George W., who is a photographer in business at Washington; Anna; Kate, who is deceased; Ernest, who died Dec. 24, 1891; James Paul, an attorney at Washington, with office in the Montgomery Bldg., No. 108 S. Main street; and Arthur and William, both of whom died in infancy. John D. Braden was a representative of the highest type of citizenship and he commanded the respect and en- joyed the affection of his fellow citizens, irrespective of differing opinions on many subjects.

CLYDE H. PERRIN, one of Independence Township's enterprising and progressive young men, who, for the past two years has been operating his father's farm of 156 acres, was born at Wellsburg, W. Va., Feb. 3, 1880, and is a son of James M. and Alice (McCreary) Perrin.

Edward Perrin, the great-grandfather of Clyde H., is known to have lived in infancy on what is known as the Boles farm, south of Independence, Washington County, and probably was born there. The family lived in the

county in the days of the Indians and it is recorded that one John Perrin, probably a brother of Edward, traded what is known as the Robert Liggett farm for a shot- gun with which to fight Indians. Edward Perrin was married first to a Williamson and they had two chil- dren: Samuel and a daughter, who became the wife of Robert Dinsmore. Samuel Perrin was a lifelong resi- dent of Washington County and owned and operated the farm on which Clyde H. Perrin resides. His death oc- curred Feb. 22, 1889, and he was the first individual buried in Independence Cemetery. He married Susan McBride and they had three children: James M. and William, twins, the latter of whom lives at Tacoma, Wash .; and Elizabeth, who resides at Carnegie, Pa.

James M. Perrin was born in Washington County and during his entire life since his marriage, has engaged in the drug business, and at present is located at Car- negie, Pa. For a short time he conducted a store at Wheeling, W. Va., and for some time one at Wellsburg. He married Alice McCreary, who died in February, 1887. She was a daughter of James and Sarah (Sitherwood) McCreary, of Independence, Pa. Two children were born to James M. Perrin and wife: Clyde H. and Elia E. The latter is an accomplished musician, a graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music and at present is a teacher of music in the Southern Presbyterian Col- lege.

Clyde H. Perrin attended the Carnegie public schools and the Western University of Pennsylvania, at Pitts- burg, where he gave special attention to a course in civil engineering. For nine years he was engaged in civil engineering and surveying in West Virginia, Virginia, Western Pennsylvania and Maryland, but during the past two years he has been residing on his father's farm in Independence Township. Mr. Perrin is a member of Carnegie Lodge No. 831 of the Elks, and his political views are those of the Republican party. His religious affiliation is with the Presbyterian Church at Carnegie. Mr. Perrin has never married.

FRANK R. BAKER, a representative citizen of Am- well Township, Washington Co., Pa., who has resided on his present farm throughout his whole life, was born July 12, 1862, and was reared near Baker's Station. His parents were Enoch and Margaret (Speers) Baker.

Enoch Baker was born in Bethlehem Township, Wash- ington County, and his wife in Allen Township, both families being old settlers in the county. Enoch Baker was reared in his native township and lived there until he moved to Ten-Mile village in Amwell Township. After several years he moved to a farm near Baker's Station and here he died in 1882. His widow still survives and resides with her son, Frank R. She is well known in different sections of Washington County and is still in

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

the enjoyment of mental and physical health, although she has passed her 87th birthday. She is carefully and tenderly cherished by her five surviving children, namely : David B., who resides at Washington; Apollis S., who lives in Vermilion County, Ill .; Henry S., who also lives in Illinois; Frank R., of Amwell Township; and Clara B., who is the wife of William Hughes, of Washington. Mrs. Baker has two daughters, deceased, Sarah and Nancy. The late Enoeh Baker was a highly respected and useful citizeu and a Christian man. A Republican in his political views, at different times he was elected on that ticket to township offices and to the duties of these he gave careful and conscientious attention. He was a liberal supporter of the Presbyterian Church, al- though he had descended from an old Quaker ancestry.

Frank R. Baker was reared in Amwell Township and through boyhood attended the public schools, after which ho assisted his father on the farm and has continued in the same industry. He also became interested in rais- ing good stock and has made this quite a feature of his work. He owns 200 acres of some of the best land in Amwell Township. He is a leading citizen, a member of the School Board, of which he has been both president and treasurer. He has served most acceptably in other offices, three years as road supervisor.

On Oct. 31, 1889, Mr. Baker was married to Miss Sarah Hamilton, a daughter of the late William Hamil- ton, of Fayette County, Pa., and they have had four children, namely : Charles H., who is a student at Wash- ington and Jefferson College, at Washington; and Nellie S., Mary F. and Billie B. Mr. Baker is a member of the Lower Ten-Mile Presbyterian Church at Amity, of which he is treasurer and has been trustee. Mr. Baker was called upon to part with his wife on March 19, 1904. She was also a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church and a lady of many Christian virtues. Her death caused sorrow not only to her immediate family, but to a large circle of friends, who could recall many evidences of her kindness.

J. A. HEPLER, who is extensively engaged in the real estate and insurance business at Charleroi, Pa., and is also a notary public, with offices at No. 411 Fallow- field avenue, has been located here since the spring of 1903. He was born Dec. 18, 1860, in Westmoreland Co., Pa., and is a son of David D. and Mary A. (Weibel) Hepler. David D. Hepler was a farmer by occupation. In 1895 he retired to Charleroi, Pa., and died there in 1907. His widow survives.

J. A. Hepler grew to maturity on his father's farm in Westmoreland County, after which he conducted a store and was postmaster at Coffey's Station, then known as Brenneman, Pa., from 1886 until 1898, when he came to Washington, Pa., where he was engaged in the oil

business until his removal to Charleroi, where he has since been successfully engaged in the real estate and insurance business. Mr. Hepler is agent for various fire insurance companies, including the Atlas Assurance Co., of London, England, which was established in 1808; the Germanic Fire Ins. Co., of New York City; the Union Ins. Co., of Philadelphia; the New York Fire Ins. Co .; the Keystone Underwriters of Pittsburg; the National Union Fire Ins. Co., of Pittsburg; the Phoenix Ins. Co., of Brooklyn, N. Y., and is also agent for the Standard Life and Accident Ins. Co., of Detroit, Mich.

Mr. Hepler was united in marriage with Minnie P. Brown, who was born and reared in Erie County, Pa., aud is a daughter of Hiram Brown, who was a soldier in the 11th Pa. Vol. during the Civil War. They have one daughter, May Hepler. Mr. Hepler is fraternally a member of the Ancient and Illustrious Order of Knights of Malta, and order of Elks. Mr. Hepler is also a mem- ber of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Char- lerei, being one of the trustces and treasurer of the new church fund.

JOSEPH A. SCOTT, deceased, was one of the repre- sentative agrieulturists of Fallowfield Township, and was a resident of Washington County, Pa., during the greater part of his life. There he was born Oct. 6, 1806, and came of a family that was established on American soil in colonial days.

The grandfather of Joseph A. Scott was a soldier in the American Revolution, entering the Patriot Army at the age of 17 years, after every other member of his family had met death at the hands of the Indians. He remained in the army until the close of the great struggle and was one of the heroes who spent the terrible winter at Valley Forge. He later established his home in Wash- ington County, where he reared a family. Late in life the father of Joseph A. Scott moved from Washington County to Rush County, Ind.

Joseph A. Scott followed farming through life and spent many years in Fallowfield Township, where he be- came a man of influence and substance. In 1835 he went to Peoria, Ill., where he was married to Miss Eliza Sheplar, who had been born in Washington County, Pa. She accompanied him back to Washington County, the journey being made on horseback, and they settled per- manently in Fallowfield Township. He was a man of great energy, was a hard worker and an excellent man- ager, and as he took an interest in the development of his section, to his efforts combined with those of other publie spirited and earnest men, may be credited the material progress and carly improvement that put Fal- lowfield Township ahead of many other parts of the county. After a long and useful life he died Jan. 17. IS81, when aged 75 years. His widow survived him

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

until May 15, 1892, when she, too, passed away, aged 77 years. They were the parents of nine children, two of whom died unnamed. The others were: Peoria, who died in childhood; James Addison, who died young; Joseph Clark, who died Oct. 31, 1881; Henry S .; Mar- garet M., who is now deceased, was the wife of W. H. Miller; and Jesse Y., who is a well-known physician and surgeon of Washington.

BURNS DARSIE, who is the popular cashier of the Farmers' National Bank at Claysville, Pa., is a thorough- ly trained man in his line of work, having been identified with banks and the banking business ever since he finished his education. He was born Sept. 4, 1873, in Fayette County, Pa., and is a son of Hugh S. and Me- linda (Cochran) Darsie.

Rev. James Darsie, the grandfather, was one of the pioneers who was associated with Alexander Campbell in the founding of the Christian Church, and one of his sons, Rev. George Darsie, for over 30 years was pastor of the Christian Church at Frankfort, Ky. The Darsies were true Scotch people, coming to America from Scot- land. The Cochrans mixed with Irish blood, but origi- nally were also Scotch. Both parents of Mr. Darsie were born in Fayette County, Pa., and Hugh S. Darsie owned a valuable farm in Tyrone Township which he sold to the pioneer coke producing firm of Cochran & Brown, this firm developing the veins of what is known as cok. ing or Connellsville coal which underlay its surface.

Burns Darsie obtained his primary education in the schools near his home and then attended the State Nor- mal School at California. Subsequently, from 1891 to 1895, he was a student at Bethany College, W. Va., and in the latter year began bis bank training. He entered the Mechanics' National Bank at Pittsburg as a mes- senger and through ability and fidelity was promoted step by step, being corresponding clerk, collection clerk and discount clerk, remaining there for six years and during this time becoming thoroughly drilled in all the manifold duties and technical details of the business. From there he went to the Federal National Bank of Pittsburg and filled different positions, including that of teller, for some four years, resigning in order to be- come cashier of the Farmers' National Bank at Clays- ville. He resided at Washington, Pa., for several years before establishing his residence here. Mr. Darsie is a member of the Bankers' and Bank Clerks' Mutual Benefit Association of Pittsburg and belongs also to the American Institute of Banking.

Mr. Darsie was married to Miss Marietta Bryce, a daughter of Stephen P. Bryce, the well-known manu- facturer of ventilating and heating apparatus, of To- ledo, Ohio. They have three children: Marietta B., Burns

Darsie and Hugh S. Mr. Darsie and wife are members of the Christian Church. He is a Republican.

THE ZAHNISER FAMILY. To American citizen- ship no country has contributed more acceptably than has Germany and among the large, thrifty, substantial fam- ilies of Pennsylvania, who can claim a direct German ancestry, is that of the Zahnisers. It is a family also that takes a just pride in its numbers and achievements and through all its 1,400 descendants there is a strong bond of kindred.

According to family tradition, the old home of the Zahniser family was situated in Highland, Germany, not far from the River Rhine, nor far from the Swiss boun- dary, with which the family evidently was early con- nected. On September 24, 1843, either in the village of Ilbesheim or that of Moersheim, one Valentine Zahniser married Julianna Clemens. They had two sons born to them. Failing health led the father to start with his little family, for the great land across the sea, a land apparently flowing with milk and honey and doubtless one where health could also be found. The voyage proved long and rough and before the shores of the promised land came in sight, both Valentine Zahniser and his youngest son had succumbed and their burial was at sea. The widow, with her remaining son, Mathias, were safely landed at the port of Philadelphia, in the fall of 1753. After much hardship the widow and small child succeed- ed in reaching the German settlements in Lancaster County and there she was sheltered and comforted and subsequently spent many happy years, surviving until 1790. From Mathias Zahniser, who landed in Pennsyl- vania in 1753, have descended the family of this name, one, which it has been found, is now represented in every State in the Union with the exception of three.

Michael Zahniser, born in 1820, died in 1899, in 1849 married Margaret Hogg, who died in 18SS. He was a farmer by occupation and until 1891, lived on a farm in Jackson Township, Mercer Co., Pa. At that time, being a widower, be came to live with his children at Washing- ton. He was a life-long Democrat and respected citizen. His children were as follows: Andrew Jackson, residing at Washington, Pa .; Eleanor A., widow of Charles Brom- ley, residing at Washington; Robert C., residing near Pardoe, Pa .; William S., residing at Waynesburg; M. Rudolph, a manufacturer, living at Washington; Valen- tine O., also a manufacturer, at Washington; John N., a manufacturer residing at Waynesburg, Pa .; Mont- gomery J., another manufacturer at Washington; and Bithynia.

The late Michael Zalmniser was a son of William Zahn- iser, who was born in Lancaster County, Pa., in 1789, and died in 1850. In early life he was given sufficient

VALENTINE O. ZAHNISER MONTGOMERY J. ZAMINISER MICHAEL R. ZAHNISER ANDREW J. ZAHNISER

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Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 10

Author: McFarland, Joseph Fulton; Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co. (Chicago) pbl Publication date: 1910 Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 898

Author: McFarland, Joseph Fulton; Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co. (Chicago) pbl
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 898