Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 109

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 109

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JUDSON WILEY, general contractor in all kinds of cement work and the leading man in his line at Washı- ington, Pa., was born in Sandusky County, Ohio, in 1858, and was reared and attended school there.

Mr. Wiley was engaged in early manhood in farm pursuits, but for a quarter of a century has been a worker in cement, for twenty years of this time being with the Peabody-Filbert Company, and since then doing business for himself. The fine quality of his work may be seen in the superior pavements that attract favorable comment from visitors in Washington. In spite of gen- eral hard times in the building trades in 1908, Mr. Wiley used more than 3,000 barrels of cement and is kept busy filling his contracts.

In 1884 Mr. Wiley was married to Miss Mary A. Me- Kay, who was born in England, and they have four chil- dren, Rose L., Edna May, Howard Thomas and Judson A., all residing at home. Mr. Wiley and family are mem- bers of the Christian Church.

NATHAN BAKER, SR., who was an early settler on Fishpot Run, in what was formerly East Bethlehem Township, but is now Deemstown Borough, Washington Connty, Pa., was of English ancestry. His paternal grandfather, Joseph Baker, who was born in 1674, mar- ried Martha Woodward, and they settled near Philadel- phia, Pa. They were the parents of twelve children, as follows:

Mary, born 1699, married Francis Yarnell; Richard,

born 1700, married Elizabeth Hunter; Aaron, born 1701, married Mary Edwards; Annic, born 1703, married -; Susannah, born 1705,

Jane, born 1706, married Thomas Thomas; Jesse, born 1709, married Annie Regester; Sarah, born 1711, mar- ried Phillip Otto; Joseph, born 1713,

-; Raebel, born 1715, married Benjamin Hamp- ton; Nehemiah, born 1717, married Lydia Regester ; John, born 1719, married Margaret

Of the children of Joseph above-mentioned, Nehemiah, who married Lydia Regester, was the father of the sub- jeet of this sketeh. The family of Nehemiah and Lydia Baker numbered three sons and four daughters, namely: Mary, Joseph, Annie, Lydia, who married John Richards ; Nathan, who married Elizabeth Baker; Phebe, who mar- ried Aaron Baker, and Nehemiah, who married Anna Baker. The three last mentioned married second cousins. Possibly the strong sectarianism of those early times bad something to do with this intermarriage. The Bakers of that day were strict Qnakers or Friends, a sect that did not permit its members to marry ontside of the church. Those disobeying this rule were disowned by tbe church.

Nathan Baker, Sr., and Elizabeth his (first) wife, first settled in New Jersey, afterwards removing to Chester County, Pa. Their children were eight in num- ber, of whom the following is a brief record:

(1) Aaron, born 1775, married Rnth Jordan and settled on the old homestead. Their children with (in some cases) dates of birth, were: Elizabeth, born 1801; Nathan, 1803; Aaron L., 1807; Joseph, Rebecca, 1811; Nehemiah, Anna, Jesse, Jobn and Jirman.

(2) Lydia, born 1777, married Benjamin Townsend, and their children were: Elizabeth, born 1798; Edith, 1800; Esther, 1802; Nathan, 1804; Louisa, 1807; Jesse, 1809; Aaron, 1811; Mary, 1814, and Joseph, 1816. Lydia and her family resided in Columbiana County, Ohio.

(3) Nehemiah, born 1779, married Eliza Pyle and they settled on a farm adjoining the old Baker home- stead in Washington County, Pa. Their children were Phebe, born 1812; Jane, 1813; Lydia, 1815; Nathan, 1816; Martha, 1818; George Palmer, 1819; John, 1821, and Nehemiah, 1824.

(4) David, born 1781, married Margaret Robins and settled on Fishpot Run, near the old homestead, where they both died. Their children were: Elisabeth, born 1805, died 1872; Hiram, born 1807, died 1891; Sarah, born 1813, died 1902; Enoch, born 1815, died 1882; Jane Robins, born 1818, died 1878; Emeline, born 1823, died 1880.

(5) Mary, born 1784, became the wife of Joshua Linton, and they resided near Centerville, Washington

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County, Pa. They had seven children: Hannah, born 1808; Hiram, 1810; Nathan, 1813; David, 1815; Eliza, 1817; Edward, 1823, and Henry, 1827.

(6) Joseph, born 1786, married Mary Corwin, and settled near Amity, Washington County. Pa. Their chil- dren were: Eunice, born, 1818; Alpheas, 1821; Stephen, 1824; Sophia, 1826; Aseneth, 1829; Enoch, 1832; Zach- ariah, 1835; Ruth, 1837, and David W., 1842.

(7) Enoch, born 1778, married Elizabeth Jennings, and they resided near Lone Pine, Washington County. Their children were: Nathan, born 1816; Lemuel, 1818; Elma, 1820; Permelia, 1822; David, 1826; Lneinda, 1828, and Daniel, 1832.

(8) Nathan, the eighth child of Nathan Sr. and Elizabeth Baker, was born in 1791. He married Abrigal (or Abigail) Ruble, and settled in Columbiana Connty, Ohio. Their children were: Lavina, born 1822; Mary Ann, 1824; Levi R., 1825; Matilda, 1827; David, 1829; Albert, 1831, and Hiram, 1833.

Mrs. Elizabeth Baker, first wife of Nathan Baker, Sr., died about 1795, and was buried in Chester County. He subsequently married for his second wife Hannah Jor- dan, of which union were born four children-William, Israel, Hannah and Mahlon. The following is their record in brief.

William, born 1797. married Elizabeth Corwin, and settled in Knox County, Ohio. His children were Rachel, born 1820; John, 1823; Stephen, 1825; Hannah, 1828; Mary, 1830, and Daniel, 1836. Israel, born 1799, mar- ried Mary Edwards, and settled in Licking County, Ohio. He and his wife had a large family, numbering twelve children, namely: Enoch, born 1822; Timothy, 1823; Jackson Onck. 1825; Nancy, 1827; Hannah, 1828; Mary, 1832; Phebe, 1834; Mahlon, 1837; Malinda, 1839; Eliza, 1842; Elias, 1847. and Malissa, 1850. Hannah, born 1801, married William Regester and settled on a farm ad- joining the homestead in Washington County. Her chil- dren were Mary, Anna, Delilah, Lavina, Mahlon, Francis and William T., born 1841. Mahlon, (fourth child of Nathan Baker, Sr., by his second wife Hannah) was born in 1803, married Jane Craig, and settled in Greene County, Pa. Their children were Emeline, Joseph, Han- nah, Rachel and Sarah.

About the time of his marriage to his second wife, Hannah Jordan, Nathan Baker, Sr., moved from Chester County to Washington County, taking up a farm on Fishpot Run, where he engaged in agriculture and in the operation of a saw-mill, which stood on the farm. He also dealt in live stock, and it was while he was on a business expedition east of the mountains, with a drove of horses, that he took sick and died. He was buried beside his first wife. His descendants are many and widely scattered, a majority of them being located in the States of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois,

though quite a number may be found in other States of the Union. They occupy various walks in life, and are for the most part successful, and practically all are worthy and useful citizens of the respective communities in which they reside. In religion they are Protestants, while politically a large majority adhere to the Repub- lican party. In spite of their Quaker ancestry, quite a number responded to their country's call during the Civil War and took up arms in defence of the Union.

GEORGE VANCE HARSHA, who is numbered among Canonsburg's most successful business men and lead- ing citizens, was born in Chartiers Township, Washing- ton County, Pennsylvania, September 7, 1850, and is a son of William and Harriet (Fee) Harsha.

William Harsha, father of George V., was born in Chartiers Township, and was a son of Thomas. Harsha, whose other children were: . Julia, who became the wife of George Cowan; and Nancy, who married a Mr. Speer. William Harsha owned and cultivated a farm in Char- tiers Township, near Houstonville, and died there when his son, George Vance Harsha, was about twelve years old. He married Harriet Fee, who was also born in Chartiers Township and was a daughter of William Fee. and a sister of John and William G. Fee, the latter of whom was a successful teacher. To William and Har- riet Harsha were born three sons and two daughters: William G., who resides at Canonsburg. served as a sol- dier in the Civil War as a member of the Tenth Penn- sylvania Reserves; Elizabeth, who resides at No. 311 West Pike street, Canonsburg, is the widow of H. A. Houston, whose death occurred December 25, 1908, and he also served as a soldier in the regiment with her brother; Sarah Jane, who is the wife of W. M. Hnteh- inson, residing near Wheeling. W. Va .; and Thomas H. and George V., both of whom reside at Canonsburg. The mother of the above family is a member of the Cross Roads United Presbyterian Church, while the fa- ther was a member of the Hill Presbyterian Church.

George Vance Harsha remained on the farm until after the death of his father, and -went to the country schools. When abont thirteen years old he accompanied his mother to Canonsburg and later was engaged in the produce business for some years and then became a manufacturer of blankets, an industry he carried on untü in February, 1887, when his place was destroyed by fire. Since then he has devoted his attention largely to han- dling and improving real estate. In 1896 he erected the handsome three-story brick building at Canonsburg, known as the Harsha Block, which is fitted up for stores and offices. In large measure, Mr. Harsha is a self-made man and his success in his undertakings proves what may be accomplished by the exercise of the proper activities, backed by sterling character. His family has been

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

mainly Democratie in its political affiliations, but he claims the right to cast his vote for the candidate who, in his judgment, seems best qualified to carry out the laws.

THOMAS R. STRAIN, a respected citizen and ex- cellent farmer of Hanover Township, Washington Coun- ty, Pa., where he owns 125 aeres of well cultivated land, was born in Brooke County, W. Va., and is a son of Will- iam P'. and Margaret R. (Wallace) Strain.

The parents of Mr. Strain spent their whole lives in West Virginia and their remains rest in the old burying ground of the family in Brooke County. Dur- ing the Civil War, the father was colonel of the llome Guards, a local organization. He was a Republican in his political views. He married Margaret R. Wallace and they had the following family: E. W., D. J., William A., Thomas R., Annie M., Frank R. and Randall R. four of whom died in infancy. Annie, who was the wife of James McCall, is also deceased. The family was reared in the United Presbyterian Church.

Thomas R. Strain first attended the old-time subscrip- tion schools and later the public schools and then assist- ed his father on the farm. He came to Pennsylvania as a workman in the oil fields and spent three years in oil refining in Allegheny County. On December 25, 1878, he was married to Miss Irene Amspoker, a daughter of Samnel and Elizabeth (Ault) Amspoker, the latter com- ing from Jefferson County, Ohio. They were old resi- dents of Hanover Township and the farm which Mr. Strain has owned for many years was the old homestead of the Amspoker family, belonging originally to Alex- ander Hill and being bought by Mrs. Strain's father in the forties. After the death of Samuel Amspoker, his widow in a few years contracted a second marriage with Jacob Wright, who is also deceased. The children born to Samuel Amspoker and wife were: Mary, who died, aged fourteen years; Margaret, who married William Porter; Irene, who married Thomas R. Strain; Emma, who married I. P. Klein; Ella, who married D. J. Strain, a brother of Thomas R .; and Sammel, who is an attorney at Washington, Pa. Of Mrs. Amspoker's second mar- riage were born: Charles, Ina, Herbert A. and Verne.

Mr. and Mrs. Strain have had four children: Anua L., a beautiful young woman, who died in her twenty- second year ; Leon L .; Mary, who married Roy Burdette, and has one son, Kenneth Burdette; and Gladys, who resides at home. Mr. Strain and family belong to the United Presbyterian Church. He is a Republican in politics, but cares little for political office. He served one term as assistant assessor of Hauover Towuship and has always been interested in the advancement of the public schools. His own children have enjoyed advan- tages that were attainable by few when he was yonng.

ASBURY B. WEBB, a retired grocer of Washington, Pa., who for more than a quarter of a century was identi- fied with the business interests of this city, was born November 12, 1849, at Port Homer, Ohio, a son of Theodore and Mary A. C. ( Ward) Webb.

Theodore Webb died in 1860 at Washington, where for many years he was engaged in the shoe business. He was the first toll-gate keeper ou the upper Ten-Mile Plank Road. After his death his widow removed to West Chestnut street, Washington, Pa.

Asbury B. Webb was reared in Washington, Pa., where he pursued a course of studies under a private teacher. When about fifteen years of age he began working in the mines, digging coal by day, and studying at night. Ile subsequently went to Pittsburg, where he was in the employ of Joseph Dunean & Brother for some time, then returned to Washington and engaged in coal mining at Meadow Land. Ile was engaged for four years in the lightning rod business in South Strabane Township. Later he returned to Washington, where for more than a quarter of a century he was very successfully engaged in the grocery business, but for the past few years he has been living in retirement. Mr. Webb is a Democrat in politics, and was at one time nominated recorder on that ticket, but defeated. He is a director in the Wash- ington County Building and Loan Association, and a member of the Jefferson Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church.

Mr. Webb was joined in marriage with Matilda Hart- man, of Beallsville, Pa., who died March 30, 1896. They were the parents of three children, as follows: Mary, who married Henry Olsen, and resides with her father; Sadie, wife of Carl Spencer, residing in North Carolina; and Della A., the wife of H. F. Matteson, of Washing- ton, D. C., who has been a government employee for many years.

FREDERICK ALRUTZ, one of Hopewell Township's most enterprising and progressive farmers and stock raisers, owns 173 acres of finely developed land and also is interested in operating a saw-mill and a threshing machine. He was born in Canton Township, Washing- ton County, Pa., in 1852, and is a son of Christopher and Melsenia (Kinamont ) Alrutz.

The parents came to America from near Hanover, Germany, in 1852. As they had little means they were obliged to take passage on a sailing vessel and were ou the Atlantic Ocean for eight weeks. When they finally reached Washington County they had nothing left with which to begin life in. the new land, except sound health and the cheerful courage which caused them to accept any kind of work that came first to hand. They were kind, good people and with the help of his wife, Chris- topher Alrutz soon began to prosper. After acquiring

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his first tract of land, he kept on adding to it until, at the time of his death, in 1886, he owned 356 acres. It represented years of industry, constant frugality and excellent business qualities. Their first child, Charles F., was born in Germany and now lives in Mt. Pleasant Township, Washington County. The first child born in America was Frederick, the subject of this article. The second was Louisa, who married Augustus Sebright, and resides with her husband in Mt. Pleasant Township.

Frederick Alrutz attended school, at least during the winter seasons, until he was thirteen years old, but after that his time was fully taken up with farm duties. He remained at home helping his father. With his brother, Charles F., he owns and operates a threshing machine and also a saw-mill; they also own a hay baler. They are recognized as being among the most up-to-date and enterprising agriculturists of this section. They were the first men in Washington County to buy and operate a steam threshing-machine. This was a small one of four-horsepower, which has been replaced by the most modern kind of a machine, a sixteen-horsepower Huber engine.

Mr. Alrutz is a man who has had much domestic af- fliction. He was first married December 30, 1896, to Carolina M. Miller, of Butler County. She died Jan- uary 30, 1901, leaving an infant son, Albert Christopher, who is now living. On May 20, 1903, Mr. Alrutz con- tracted a second marriage, with Annie Guintner, a daugh- ter of John Guintner, of Pittsburg. After two years her health failed and in 1907, after a little more than four years of married life, she passed away, leaving Mr. Al- rutz again a widower, with four small children-three sons and one daughter. On April 14, 1908, his daughter, Florence L., disappeared, leaving home in company with a woman then employed by him as housekeeper. This was a source of great trouble to him and he spent a year or more in trying to recover her, the search, which proved fruitless, costing him over seven hundred dollars. But finally by a great effort, having done all he could, he put this trouble from his mind and gave his full at- tention once more to his regular occupation.

On September 1, 1909, Mr. Alrutz was again united in marriage, this time to Miss Elizabeth Jacobs, a daugh- ter of George and Barbara (Krebbs) Jacobs, of Alle- gheny. Mr. and Mrs. Alrutz are members of the Luth- eran Church at Hickory, of which he was formerly a trustee. Iu politics he is a Democrat, but has never served in any office except that of inspector of elections. In material affairs he is one of Hopewell Township's successful men.

. MARTIN CHAMAR, a highly respected retired resi- dent of McDonald, Pa., was born in France, June 26, 1844, and is a son of John Paul and Anna (Taylor)

Chamar. The parents both died in France, and all of their family of eleven sons and one daughter have also passed away except Martin, who has been a resident of the United States for forty-one years.

In August, 1868, Mr. Chamar left his native land, tak- ing passage on a vessel that subsequently safely landed him in the port of New York. From there he came to the Pittsburg district, Pennsylvania. Until he was eighteen years of age he had assisted his father on their little farm, but then weut to work in the coal mines. From comrades in America he had learned of better in- dustrial conditions than those which existed in his own province and with the hope of bettering his condition he came, as related, to the Pennsylvania mining districts. He found remunerative employment and for a number of years followed the life of a coal miner, escaping all its dangers and living to enjoy a comfortable old age, with his family around him.

On December 26, 1872, Martin Chamar was married to Miss Sadie Schollaert, the youngest child of Seraphine aud Theresa Schollaert, natives of Belgium. Mrs. Chamar has four brothers: Peter, Victor, Elmo and Charles. Mr. and Mrs. Chamar have two children, Victor and Nora, the latter of whom is a skillful telephone operator.

Victor Chamar was born at Noblestown, Pa., February 26, 1886. He attended the public schools at Sturgeon, Pa., and the high school at McDonald, after which he worked in the coal mines for eighteen months. While he was doing this he took a commercial course with the International Correspondence School at Scranton, Pa., receiving a diploma after graduating. He then entered the employ of Louis Chambron, and was with him in the grocery business for six years, going then to the Federal Supply Company and later was manager for one year of a store for the Valley Supply Company. In the spring of 1909 he purchased his present business from D. C. Brown and has made it the leading grocery business in MeDonald, carrying a first-class stock and using honor- able methods to attract customers. Like his respected father, he is a Republican in his political views. He is a member of the McDonald Volunteer Fire Depart- ment, an organization that for the last four years has takeu the first prize at the State conventions for drill. He is identified with Lodge No. 64, Odd Fellows, at Pittsburg; the Loyal Order of Moose, Lodge No. 30, at McDonald, and of La Solidarite, a French fraternity, at McDonald. He was reared by careful pareuts in the faith of the Catholic Church.

SAMUEL Z. WINER, who is conducting a large and successful mercantile business at California, Pa., is one of the most enterprising and progressive business men of this borough. His birth took place in Russia, in July, 1876. His parents were Yaney and Sylvia Rose Winer.

ARCHIBALD H. ALLISON

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

The mother never saw America, dying in her native land, but the father followed his son to the United States, and died in 1903, in Fayette County, Pa.

Samuel Z. Winer went to school in Russia and received a good elementary schooling. Before leaving his native province he followed the business of a dairyman. His prospeets were not encouraging there, however, the laws of the land being too restrictive of individual liberty, hence he decided to try his fortune in America. He reached this country in 1899 and the following year em- barked in the mercantile business. in a small way, at California, this county, in a build' g next to his present location. Although he had had little previous experience in this line and was handicapped by having but an im- perfect knowledge of the English language, he soon proved that he possessed the qualities necessary for suc- cess-enterprise, perseverance, courtesy and honesty. Pos- sessing the natural aptitude of his race for learning lan- guages, he soon acquired a practical knowledge of Eng- lish, and each year his business grew until by 1905 he had so large a trade that he found it necessary to se- eure more commodious quarters, and on November 15, 1905, he moved his stock into his own building, a two- story brick block, on Third street, which he had erected. Here Mr. Winer has since continued, having a constantly increasing .patronage. He carries a large and carefully selected stock, including clothing, gent's furnishings, shoes, haberdashery, etc., and has fully established him- self in the public confidence.

In 1903 Mr. Winer was married to Miss Jennie L. Colin, of Punxsutawney, Jefferson County, Pa. They have three children, namely: Sylvia Rose, Arthur Yaney and Sidney. He is a member of the order of Odd Fellows.

ARCHHIBALD H. ALLISON. a prominent citizen of the borough of Houston, Pa., and a native of Chartiers Township, Washington County, was born Nov. 24, 1828, a son of Hugh and Jane (Gabby) Allison, and a grand- son of John and Jane (Browlee) Allison.

The grandparents were natives of the Highlands of Scotland and when they emigrated to America they set- tled in Washington County, Pennsylvania, in 1768, and on April 5, 1786, they obtained a patent for 415 acres of land. They located on that land and continued to add to the original pareel until they owned 640 acres. All their nine childred died in Washington County except the eldest. Galvin, who died in Butler County. lle lett a daughter and he was not only the great-grandfather of an Allisou strain, but was the same in relationship to the late President William MeKinley. The other members of his family were: John, who died in 1804; Archibald, in 1835; William, in 1864; James, in 1810; Thomas, in 1840; Ebenezer, in 1812; Hugh, in 1853, and Jane. John

Allison died in March, 1790, and was survived for a few years by his widow.

Ilugh Allison, father of Archibald II., was born on the home farm in Chartiers Township, in 1773, and in every sense was a successful man. He made farming his business in life. In 1791 he married Jane Irwin, a native of Washington County, who died in 1795, leaving a daughter, Jane, who became the wife of George Mor- rison. Mrs. Morrison died in 187], at Mattoon, Coles County, Ill., leaving seven children. In 1798 Hugh Allison was married (second) to Jane Brownlee, a native of Washington County, who died in 1802, the mother of two children: Eliza, who married William Scott and later moved to Guernsey County, Ohio, where she died, leaving seven children; and Annie, who died in Wash- ington County, at the age of fourteen years. In 1504 Hugh Allison married Rebecca MeBride and to them the following children were born: Maria, who became the wife of Hugh Lee, moved to llendersou County, Illi- nois, where she died; Rebecca, who was the wife of John C. Hanna, died in Washington County, the mother of four children; Hugh and James, both of whom died in infancy; John, who was married three times, moved to Henderson County, Illinois, where he died, leaving a large family; Thomas, who died in Henderson County, Illinois, in 1869, married a Miss Graham; and a babe that died in infancy. The mother of this family died in 1818. In 1820 Hugh Allison married Jane Gabby, a native of Washington County and a daughter of James and Janet (Brownlee) Gabby. They were natives of Maryland, who came to Washington County at an early day from near Chambersburg.

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Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 109

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