Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 110

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 110

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The children of this last marriage were eight in num- ber. Archibald H., of Houston, being the fourth in order of birth. The others were: Jane G., born June 11, 1522, married Joseph McNary, of Chartiers Township, and they had nine children; James G., born September Is, 1824, married Mary Gabby and they moved to Nuckolls County, Nebraska, aud had ten children born to them; Margaret, born March 11, 1826, is the widow of E. K. Rodgers and the mother of six children; Archibald H .; Hugh Brownlee, born April 20, 1830, was married (first) to Mary Jane Gabby and four of their five children are deceased with their mother, and he married (second) and afterward moved to Des Moines, Iowa; an infant, born November 20, 1832, died in infancy; Annie Henderson. born June 27, 1833, lives in Houston; and Ebenezer, born August 12, 1935. He resides in a fine residence in Canonsburg but retains his valuable farm in Chartiers Township. In 1873 he married Orpha Jane Hays.

Hugh Allison was an active worker in the United Presbyterian Church and was chosen an elder when but twenty years of age. He attended all the synods and meetings of the Presbytery and was present at the con-

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vention that made slavery a question of communion. He was an ardent advocate of the temperance cause. In politics a strong Whig, he worked for the success of the principles of that party. At various times he accepted offices of public trust, the duties of which he performed with faithfulness. He held a commission in the state militia with the rank of major. His death occurred in Washington County September 3, 1853. His widow sur- vived until December 14, 1870.

Archibald H. Allison was reared on the home farm and obtained his education partly in the public schools and partly under private teachers. During a portion of his early manhood he taught school, but the greater part of his active life was given to agricultural pursuits. He owns a highly cultivated farm of 125 acres, on which he erected substantial buildings. He sold the coal under his land for $200 per acre and also has had gas developed `on his farm. Mr. Allison married Miss Mary E. Wil- liamson, a daughter of Samuel Williamson, of Illinois. They are members of the United Presbyterian Church. In his political views he is a Republican and formerly took an active part in the public affairs of Chartiers Township and frequently served in important offices. He was a member of the convention which opposed what was called "Know-Nothingism," which between 1846 and 1855 was a menace to public liberties. Mr. Allison 's life has been busy, useful and beneficent and in its evening he is in the quiet enjoyment of the compensations that such a life brings.

WILLIAM HOSACK PAXTON, president of the First National Bank of Canonsburg, Pa., treasurer of the Canonsburg Iron and Steel Works, and a member of the firm of Paxton Brothers, extensive dealers in live stock, is one of the most prominent men in the business and financial circles of Washington County. He was born in Canonsburg, March 9, 1846, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Wilson) Paxton.

The Paxton family was established in Washington County by Mr. Paxton's grandfather, Jobn Paxton, who came from York County, Pa. as early as 1782, and since that time it has been prominently identified with the growth and development of the county and its in- stitutions.

John Paxton was born in Canton Township, Washington County, Pa. September 10, 1810, and when quite young accompanied his parents to Chartiers Township. At the age of sixteen he left the home farm and went to Washington borough, where he learned the trade of sad- dler and harness maker which he followed until 1856. He then turned his attention to butchering and stock dealing aud was thus occupied for many years. His death occurred December 24, 1890. In early manhood he mar- ried Mrs. Elizabeth (Wilson) Power, who was a daugh-

ter of Henry and Jane (Dill) Wilson, her mother being a daughter of Rev. Thomas Dill. Mrs. Paxton was born December 10, 1809, and died October 29, 1858. She was married first to a Mr. Power, and by this marriage had two daughters, Margaret, who married Thomas Bell and died in 1889, leaving a danghter, Anna Bell; and Anna, who married David Hart. Of her second mar- riage were born children as follows: Wilson N .; Thomas, who was a member of Co. D, 10th Pa. Vol. Inf., and was killed while doing picket duty at Spottsylvania, May 9, 1864; Martha Jane, who died unmarried, January 24, 1890; Rev. John R. Paxton, D. D., a prominent minister of New York; William Hosack; Oliver L., born March 23, 1848, who became a business man of Canonsburg; Mary E., who married Rev. W. F. Conner, a Methodist minister of Johnstown, Pa., and has two daughters, Mabel and Bessie; and Mathew H.

At the commencement of the Civil War William H. Paxton was a student in Jefferson College. As three of his brothers were serving in the Union army, it soon be- came necessary for him to give up his studies in order to contribute to the support of the family. However, when the Confederate forces were invading Pennsyl- vania and Gov. Curtin issued a call for volunteers, Mr. Paxton was one who responded and loyally assisted in repelling the enemy. Notwithstanding the many diffi- enlties which confronted him in early life, not the least of which was his disappointment over not being able to complete his college course, by energy and persever- ance he surmounted them all and has achieved a gratify- ing degree of success, now ranking among the foremost men of affairs in Washington County. His financial interests are many and varied, including besides those mentioned above, a profitable interest in the Manufac- turers Light and Heat Company. Mr. Paxton was one of the promoters of this great enterprise, his associates being Charles Meyran, Samuel Munnel, John F. Budke and H. S. Duncan. The first wells were drilled and the first lines laid in 1885. The company's original capital was $300,000, which was subsequently increased to $600,000 and still later to $25,000,000. In politics, Mr. Paxton is a Republican. Unlike many men of large affairs, he possesses a courtesy of manner that indicates the true gentleman and is calculated to win friendship. He owns a handsome residence at No. 68 East Pike street, Canonsburg.

JAMES RYAN, deceased, who for a number of years was one of the prominent citizens of Donegal Township, where he carried on agricultural pursuits, was born in Steubenville, Ohio, a son of Martin and Mary (Fitz- patrick) Ryan.

The parents of Mr. Ryan, who were natives of County Galway. Ireland, came to the United States in 1847, and

W. H. PAXTON

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in Is54 located in Washington County, Pa. Martin Ryan died when his son was still a child, and early in life he was forced to go out in the world to earn his own living and as a result received but a meagre education. which, however, was augmented by careful observation and mmeh reading in after life. While still a lad of tender years, Mr. Ryan was given the position of water boy on the gravel train of the okl Hempfield road by Conductor Billy Murphy, the okl "Bob Fulton, " well remembered by the older residents, being the engine used to pull this train, and his wages went to support the family. Later the family lived in Irishtown, now Chest- nut street, Washington, and he ran a stationary engine for S .. C. and B. Hayes, carriage and wagon-makers, and learned his trade as blacksmith with that firm. He also worked with Hayes & Wilson, and later was employed at. Youngstown and Beaver, and with Charles Hughes at Venice, where he purchased the outfit of Mr. Thomp- son. From ISSI to 1891 he was associated with his brother, Michael Ryan, in the carriage factory, after- wards working for John Bethel, W. Forgie and the Petro- leum Iron Works. In the spring of 1896 he located in Donegal Township, where until his death he was engaged in general agricultural pursnits.

Mr. Ryan was a faithful member of the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Washington for a long period, but for the last ten years of his life was connected with the Church of the Sacred Heart at Claysville. He died December 6, 1908, after an illness of four months, and interment was made in the Catholic cemetery near West Alexander. A stanch Demoerat in his political views, Mr. Ryan served as the second burgess of West Wash- ington, Pa., and he was always a public-spirited citizen and a great friend of education. Himself a self-made man, he was ever ready to help those who were struggling to help themselves, and his large-hearted, genial nature made him many friends throughont his community.

On January 16, 1883, Mr. Ryan was married to Anna M. Cain, who was born May 5, 1863, in Donegal Town- ship, daughter of John and Ann (Egan) Cain. The widow now lives on the farm of 116 acres in Donegal Township, which she devotes to general farming, and she is well and favorably known in her locality. To Mr. and Mrs. Ryan there were born six children, namely: Mary E .. John M., Catherine A., Agnes B., Michael and James T. John M. Ryan is an employe of the Pittsburg Rail- ways Company at Pittsburg, Pa.

JOHN SCOTT, JR., whose well improved farm of eighty eight and one-half acres is situated in a very de- sirable part of Mt. Pleasant Township, Washington County, Pa., was born in this township, four miles north- east of Hiekory, Jnne 3, 1837. His father was Joseph Seott and his grandfather was Samnel Seott.

Samuel Scott was born in Ireland in 1751 and was young when he accompanied his brothers and sisters to America. It is not definitely known where he lived be- fore reaching Lancaster County, Pa., but there he bought a wagon and team of horses and went west to Bedford Springs, in Bedford County, and after he married, he lived at Mingo Creek. From there, in 1795, he moved to a farm in Allegheny County, in a section then counted a part of Washington County. He rented 300 acres of land and the purchase of it is recorded November 3, 1799, he paying 516 pounds in specie. This farm was near Union Church in Allegheny County. On May 4, 1805, he bought a farm of over 309 acres, along Miller's Run, in Wash- ington Connty, in Mt. Pleasant Township, and the farm of his grandson, John Scott, is a part of this purchase. It is calenlated that he paid about $8 an acre for this land, the sale being recorded in deed book T, folio 296, Washington County, February 10, 1806. This land was a part of the patent given by the British king to John, Earl of Dunmore, Governor of the colony of Virginia, and became the property of George and Martha Washing- ton, on Jnne 1, 1796.

Samuel Scott replaced his pioneer log eabin with a two-story house in 1806 and lived here during the re- mainder of his life, his death occurring December 27, 1819. He was married in 1776 to Elizabeth, a sister of Rev. J. R. Wilson, who was a great Covenanter preacher. She died February 13, 1827, being seventy- eight years of age. They were both interred in the Union Cemetery, on the Steubenville turnpike road.

Joseph Scott, father of John, was born in Allegheny County, Pa., in 1786. On April 10, 1809, he married Margaret MeCurdy, who died June 4, 1827, and was buried in the Robinson Run Cemetery. Her father, Hugh MeCurdy, was a native of Ireland. To this marriage eight children were born: Samuel, Hugh, Eliza, Andrew, John, William, Mary .Iane, and Joseph L. Joseph Scott was married (second) April 10, 1829, to Sarah Douglass, who was born May 4, 1795, a daughter of Patrick Doug- lass, and six children were born to this second nnion: Naney, Margaret, Naney (2), Robert D., James and Jobn. .Joseph Scott served under Gen. Harrison in the War of 1812, being first lieutenant of his company. He built the large barn in 1832 in which religious services were often held thereafter. He was a faithful member of the Miller's Run Covenanter Church and was buried in the cemetery there, his death occurring May 14, 1861.

John Scott attended what was known as the Coekins School in District No. 5, Mt. Pleasant Township, where many of his neighbors also obtained their early educa- tion. He remained at home working on the farm until 1887, having been in partnership with his brother James. and when this was dissolved, John Scott took sixty acres and James Scott, 150 aeres, making amicable arrange-

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ments. Mr. Scott resided on his sixty-acre farm until 1SSS, when he moved to a farm adjoining the home- stead, where he lived for ten years. Iu 1898 he bought his present farm from J. G. Berry, and has greatly im- proved the place. He keeps cows for dairy purposes and carries on general farming.

On May 18, 1880, Mr. Scott was married to Miss Liz- zie Bolton, a daughter of David Bolton, and they have had four children, namely: A. Walter, who was born July 16, 1881, died September 4, 1899, and was buried in the Covenanter Cemetery in Chartiers Township; W. Howard, who was born July 22, 1883; Cora A., who was born August 22, 1885, and died October 25, 1905; and J. Ray, who was born February 8, 1890, and died February 11, the same year. Mr. Scott and family are members of the Covenanter Church.

J. W. PHILLIPS, superintendent of the Griffiths Charcoal Tin Mills, of Washington, Pa., has been a resi- dent of this city since 1896. He was born in South Wales, in 1836, and was reared in his native country, where he learned the art of manufacturing tin plate, and since the age of twenty-six years he has been employed as superintendent of different mills in England and America.

Mr. Phillips came to this country in 1883, locating first in Scottdale, Westmoreland County, Pa., where he was for some time superintendentof the sheet mills, but sub- sequently took charge of the corrugating department of the Standard Mills of Bridgeport, Ohio. He later be- eame superintendent of the sheet mills at Cumberland, Md., where he continued until 1896, at which time he came to Washington to serve in the same capacity in the tin mills established in Washington County. He held this latter position until the mills were sold to the Amer- ican Sheet and Tin Plate Company, after which he had charge of various mills for the United States Steel Com- pany. He then went to Waynesburg, Pa., where he had charge of mills until 1906, in which year he came to Washington as superintendent of the Griffiths Charcoal Tin Mills, in which capacity he is still serving. He is a thoroughly practical man in his line of industry and has never failed to make his services valuable to his employers.

Mr. Phillips was married in 1862 to Louisa Spooner, and they have had the following children: Fred, who is a resident of Waynesburg, Pa .; Edwin, who lives in West Virginia; Edgar, of Waynesburg; Arthur, a resident of Cambridge, Ohio; Herbert, residing in Wheeling, W. Va .; Sidney, residing at Cumberland, Md .; William, who lives in Washington, Pa .; Granville, who died at Washington, Pa., in 1896; and Minnie Louise, who lives at home. Mr. Phillips is a member of the Third Pres- byterian Church of Washington.

WILLIAM SPRINGER GRIMES, whose fine old stone mansion stands along the National turnpike road, two miles west of West Brownsville, in East Pike Run Town- ship, Washington County, Pa., is the owner of 336 aeres of valuable land, 220 of which constitutes the Dr. Malden farm. Mr. Grimes was born in East Pike Run Township, on a place about five miles north of his present farm, October 11, 1852, a son of William and Margaret Ann (Springer) Grimes.

The Grimes family traces its aneestry in America to John Grimes, who was the great-grandfather of William Springer Grimes. He may have been born in South Carolina, as he came from there to Maryland and had settled near Elizabeth, Pa., before the National Pike was built. In old age he came to spend his remaining days with his son, Isaac Grimes, in Washington County.

Isaac Grimes was born and reared near Elizabeth, in Allegheny County, and after learning the blacksmith's trade followed it at Coal Center until he had acquired sufficient capital to buy a farm in Allen Township. That farm he subsequently sold and bought property in East Pike Run Township, where he died. At the time of his death he owned three farms, one of them now being owned by his grandson, William S. Grimes. It was purchased in 1857 and has since remained in the family.

William Grimes, son of Isaac, was born in 1822, in Greenfield, now Coal Center, and was sixteen years of age when his father moved to Allen Township, where they lived for two years, and he accompanied his par- ents to the new farm. He married Margaret Ann, a daughter of William Springer, and she was the mother of the following children: William Springer; Leroy C., who lives at Alliance, Ohio; Mary Belle, who died in 1880, and was the wife of T. H. Theakston, of Center- ville, and Annie, who died in May, 1902, and who was the wife of Dr. Miller, of Fayette County.

When William Springer Grimes was five years old his parents moved to a farm in West Pike Run Town- ship, and on that farm, which he now owns, he was reared. His father died there in November, 1880, the mother having passed away in 1878. Although he has been engaged in farming practically all his life, Mr. Grimes is remembered, both in Washington and Fayette Counties, as having been a very successful teacher for a number of years. After completing the common school course he attended the State Normal School at Califor- nia, Pa. For twenty years after his marriage, Mr. Grimes resided on the Grimes homestead farm, in West Pike Run Township, but in 1895 moved to his preseut farm. The stone mansion was partly built in 1822 and was completed a few years later. For many years it was used as a tavern and in early days many noted peo- ple tarried under its roof for a season. A pleasant

J. W. PHILLIPS

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little story is told about the building of the great stone chimneys, a feature of the house. It is said that while they were being constructed a traveler passed by on the National road and became so interested that he elimbed up the workmen's ladder. The workmen were greatly astonished and pleased when they discovered that the stranger, who cordially shook hands with them, was no less a personage than Henry Clay. In its gen- eral appearance the old mansion has been preserved, but Mr. Grimes has completely remodeled the interior, installing modern conveniences, the house being provided with furnaces, bath rooms, and a supply of hot and cold water. An old stone barn, built in 1822, also stands on the farm. Mr. Grimes' house stands in East Pike Run Township, but his barns are in Centerville borough, about a third of the land being so located. His farm of 116 acres in West Pike Run Township is operated as a dairy farm by his son-in-law, J. F. Wat- kins. Mr. Grimes and wife are members of the Grange.

Mr. Grimes married Miss Maria E. Dorsey, a dangh- ter of George and Martha (Phillips) Dorsey, and they have had eight children, all of whom survive except the second born, Elvie L., who died in February, 1902, aged twenty-six years. The others are: Nora E., who married J. F. Watkins, and has four children-Edith, Margery, William and John; Margaret, who married Harry Wolf, and has three children-Ramah, Kather- ine and Elizabeth; George Dorsey, who lives at home, and William C., Martha, Mansell F. and Paul, all of whom remain at bome.

WILLIAM F. BORCHERS, who for twenty three years has been a representative business citizen of Washington, has been identified with the oil and gas industry almost ever since he began industrial life. He was born in Montour County, Pa., in 1859, and was ten years old when his parents moved to Scranton, Pa., where he was reared and educated.

Like many another man, Mr. Borchers began the bat- tle of life when scareely past his boyhood days, finding employment in the oil fields of Butler County at first in a humble capacity, but later becoming a prominent operator, not only in the Butler fields, but also in those of Venango, McKean and Washington, in Pennsylvania, those of Pleasant County, W. Va., Belmont County, Ohio, and in the Louisiana fields. His present operations are mainly confined to Ohio and West Virginia. His long and varied experience has made him an authority on all matters pertaining to this great industry.

In December, 1883, Mr. Borchers was married to Miss Minnie M. Rueb, of Stemton, Northampton County, Pa., and they are the parents of three children-Christine, who is the wife of W. E. Walsh, Esq., of Pittsburg; and Marie A. and William F., Jr., both of whom reside at

home. Mr. Borchers and family are members of the First Methodist Episcopal Church, he belonging also to the official board. Ile is a thirty-second degree Mason, is past offieer of Chapter and Commandery, treasurer of the Council, and is a life member of Syria Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Pittsburg. He is also a charter member of the Elk lodge at Washington.

SAMUEL GAREE, one of Washington's representa- tive business men, interested in various prospering eu- terprises, was born in 1867, in West Bethlehem Town- ship, near Zollarsville, Washington County, Pa., and is a son of Brewer Garee, who, in early life was a cooper, but later engaged iu farm pursuits.

Samuel Garee was about eighteen months old when his parents moved into Greene County, Pa., where they lived until he was thirteen years of age, when the family came back to Washington County. Mr. Garee was educated in the common schools, and for fourteen years taught school in Washington County before coming to make his permanent home in the city.

He bas always taken an active interest in educational matters and served as a member of the Washington school board, where he gave a liberal portion of his time and energies to serving what he considered to be the best interests of the schools.

On September 8, 1900, Mr. Garee was married to Miss Lillian Leonard, a daughter of A. J. Leonard, of Wash- ington County, and they have one son, John W. Mr. Garee is a member of the Masonic fraternity.

W. CHARLES WIDDOWSON, M. D.,* medical prac- titioner at Marianna, Pa., and physician and surgeon for the Pittsburg-Buffalo Coal Company, was born in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, in May, 1879, and is a son of John and Jennie Widdowson, the latter of whom is deceased.

Dr. Widdowson attended the schools of Indiana County and then began the study of medicine, subsequently graduating from the medical department of the Louis- ville University, at Louisville, Ky. He then became a medieal missionary in the western central part of Africa, where he spent three years and during that time had a large surgical practice and also gained mueh ex- perience in treating the mysterious sleeping sickness prevailing among the natives. After he returned he located at Marianna and here is valued and trusted as an able and skillful physician and surgeon. Dr. Wid- dowson is a member of the Christian church. In his views on public questions he is a Prohibitionist.

WILLIAM ALEXANDER DICKSON, a leading eiti- zen of Canonsburg, was born in this town, June 14, 1860, son of Dr. James G. and Margaret H. (Buchanan)

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Diekson. Both his parents were from the vicinity of Noblestown, this county.

The Dickson family boasts a long genealogical rec- ord, which is authentic, having been carefully preserved and added to by the succeeding generations. The earli- est known ancestor was one John Dickson, a merchant in Glasgow, Scotland, who was "a man of religions character and possessed of considerable wealth." He and his wife were the parents of Rev. David Dickson, born probably between 1583 and 159I, who was edu- cated in the University of Glasgow, where he became a professor. Rev. David Dickson was appointed minister of Irvine in 1618 and made a wide reputation as a divine of great learning. In 1651 he became professor of divinity at Edinburg University. His repudiation of the "Five Articles of Perth" in 1618 won for him much honor, though it also caused him to be persecuted. His biography and other of his writings have been pre- served to the present day. He died in 1663.

John Dickson, a son of Rev. David, and next in the present line of descent, was a merchant in Edinburgh, Scotland, and established his sons, David and George, in mercantile business in Armagh, Ireland, as a branch of the Edinburgh honse. Three of the sons of George, the Armagh merchant, came to America.

Andrew Dickson, one of the three brothers above mentioned, who came to America, brought his family with him to this country. He had married a Seceder girl in Armagh previous to his emigration. His six elder children were born in Ireland between the years 1734 and 1743, and the remaining four were born near Chambersburg, Pa., where their father had settled.

George Diekson, eldest son and second child of An- drew, was born December 7, 1735, and died in the fall of 1817. In 1770 he married Rachel MeKee, then twenty-nine years of age, who was a daughter of James McKee, of Chambersburg, Pa. In 1772 George Diekson removed to Black Lick (now in Indiana County), ac- companied by his younger brother, John, and bought 400 acres of land, on which they built a cabin. In 1774 he moved his family into the cabin, and be continued to clear and cultivate the land until 1778, when on account of a threatened Indian attack, they were obliged to desert their property and take refuge in Chambers- burg. At this time the family numbered three small children-James, Andrew and Agnes. On their return to their property in 1782 George and his brother, John, found their cabin and other improvements destroyed. They journeyed southward in the direction of Pittsburg, and, finding some suitable land on the north branch of Miller's Run, George Dickson bought 440 acres from oue Thomas Reed, a settler, who held it under a patent grant. John Dickson went further west, settling near Poland, Ohio.

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Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 110

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