USA > Pennsylvania > Washington County > Washington > Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II > Part 111
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The family of George Dickson numbered eight chil- dren, three sons and five daughters-James, Andrew, Agnes, Mary, Rachel, Hannah, Elizabeth and William.
William Diekson, son of George and grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born August 2, 1791, in South Fayette Township, Allegheny County, Pa. He inherited the parental homestead and became a very suc- cessful farmer and sheep raiser. His flock of fine-wool Merino sheep was the first introduced into his neighbor- hood. He was a man highly respected for his honorable dealings. In 1817, the year of his father's death, he married Margaret Glenn, a daughter of James and Jen- nie (Buchanan) Glenn, who came to western Pennsyl- vania a few years subsequent to the arrival of William Diekson's parents. Margaret Glenn was born in Lan- easter County, Pennsylvania, in 1791. The children of this union were as follows: Jennie Glenn, born 18I8, died in infancy; Rachel, born July 18, 1820, married Robert Potter, died in 1909; George, born October 8, 1822, died 1904; James Glenn, born February 15, 1825, died November 13, 1903; Joseph, born December 10, 1826, died February 9, 1827; Mary J., born April 28, 1828, married James Clard, died December 11, 1905; Andrew and William (twins), born June 15, 1831 (An- drew died in infancy, May 5, 1832). The mother of these children died November 18, 1852, at the age of sixty-one years, and for his second wife William Dick- son married, in 1857, Susan Aikins, who died March 1, 1872. Her husband followed her to the grave about two weeks later, March 18, and their remains repose in the cemetery at Robinson Run Church.
Dr. James Glenn Dickson was brought up on his father's farm in South Fayette Township, Allegheny County, and acquired his elementary education in the subscription schools of the neighborhood. He subse- qnently attended the public school for a few terms and received further instruction under the preceptorship of Rev. John M. French, pastor of the Associate Church at Noblestown. In 1843 he entered Jefferson College, from which he was graduated in 1847 under the presi- deney of Dr. Robert J. Breckenridge, of Kentucky. In 1848 he began the study of medicine under Dr. J. V. Herriott, of Canonsburg, attending during the winters of 1849-50 and 1850-51 Jefferson Medical College, at Philadelphia, where he received his diploma as a duly qualified physician in the spring of 1851. In the fol- lowing summer he began the practice of his chosen pro- fession at Mount Jackson, Lawrence County, Pa., where he remained one year. He then returned to Canonsburg, entering into a partnership with Dr. Herriott, his old preceptor. This connection lasted two years, and was broken by Dr. Herriott's removal to Philadelphia, Dr. Dickson subsequently continning practice alone in Can- onsburg. On Dr. Herriott's return a few years later the
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ELT MARQUIS
WILLIAM E. MARQUIS
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partnership was resumed and lasted three years, at the end of which Dr. Herriott removed to Valparaiso, Ind. Dr. Dickson continued the practice of his profession in Canonsburg until his death, which took place November 13, 1903. He had enjoyed an unbroken, most successful practice of over fifty years in Canonsburg, a longer period than has fallen to the lot of any other physician in the place. He was a man who held in large measure the confidence of his patients and the respect and esteem of his professional brethren, as well as of the community in general, and his death was greatly de- plored by all who knew him. In early manhood he was a Whig in politics, but joined the Republican party on its formation. Hle and his family were members of the United Presbyterian Church, the doctor having united with it when it was known as the Associate Church. About 1885 Dr. Dickson erected a commodious family residence on the corner of Pike street and Greenside avenue.
Dr. Diekson was married September 4, 1856, to Margaret II. Buchanan, who was born February 28, 1828, in North Strabane Township, Washington County, Pa., a daughter of Alexander and Mary Miller Bu- chanan. Two children were born of this marriage, namely, Mary Jeannette and William Alexander. The former attended Pershing's College, Pittsburg, Pa., and graduated with honors from Washington Seminary. Aft- erward Miss Dickson was enrolled as an art student in the seminary at Steubenville, Ohio.
Dr. Dickson's wife, the mother of William A. Dirk- son, died August 22, 1894.
William Alexander Dickson, whose name appears at the head of this article, obtained his elementary edu- cation in the public schools of Canonsburg, Pa. He later attended Jefferson Academy, then under the charge of Dr. Ewing, and subsequently attended Duff's Busi- ness College, Pittsburg. On September 24, 1885, he was married to Margaret Gabby Allison, a daughter of Hon. Jonathan and Margaret (Gabby) Allison. She died from typhoid fever a little less than a year later, on September 6, 1886, her death being followed some six weeks after by that of their infant daughter, Mag- gie Olive. On October 23, 1890, Mr. Dickson married for his second wife Mary Lizzie Martin, daughter of Dr. John W. and Elizabeth (Allison) Martin. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Dickson, namely: Aneita Marie, Margaret Elizabeth, James Edl- win, John Glenn and William Allison.
James Edwin was born July 4, 1894, and died Sep- tember 18, of the same year. Glenn, a bright, promis- ing child of almost six years, was stricken with menin- gitis and died November 12, 1901, after a brief illness.
Aneita, the elder daughter, graduated from the Can- onsburg High School and is now a member of the
senior class in Washington Seminary.
Margaret has an enviable record in grades of the senior class of the Canonsburg High School, of which class she is a member.
Mr. Dickson is one of the popular citizens of Canons- burg, and belongs to several social orders. Ile and his family are members of the Canonsburg (Greenside Ave- nue) United Presbyterian Church. Mr. Dickson is serv- ing a four years' term in the borough council, and furthering many of the marked and permanent improve- ments of the town.
WILLIAM EDWIN MARQUIS, ESQ., has resided all his lifetime on the farm where both he and his father, Eli Marquis, were born. The family is of French Huguenot stock. The carly ancestors fled from France on account of religious persecution and settled in Ire- land.
William Marquis and Margaret, his wife. came from Ireland about the year 1720, and with their son Thomas and daughter Mary settled in Frederick County, Virginia, near Winehester. Their son, Thomas, married Mary Col- ville, and to them were born seven children, namely : William, James, John, Thomas, Elizabeth, Sarah, and Anne.
Thomas, the fourth son of Thomas and Mary (Col- ville) Marquis, was the great-great-grandfather of our subject, William Edwin Marquis. This Thomas (second) is well known in early Washington County history as one of the first students under Rev. Joseph Smith, of Buffalo, and Rev. John McMillen, and as pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Cross Creek from 1794 to 1826. He was born in Opequan Valley, Va., in 1753, and mar- ried Jane Park March 5, 1776, and removed about that date to the waters of Cross Creek. Both he and his wife were converted in 177%, while sheltered in Vance's Fort. avoiding the Indians. He was small in stature and fea- tures, but a thrilling and consecrated preaeher. Thomas Marquis and his associates, such as Judge James Edgar and Joseph Patterson, made an everlasting impression and abiding religious sentiment in the northwestern por- tion of this county. Thomas died September 27, 1827, while visiting his son-in-law, the Rev. Joseph Stevenson, at Bellefontaine, Ohio. His wife Jane. (Park ) died January 19, 1841, in her ninety-first year.
James, the second son of Rev. Thomas and lane (Park) and great-grandfather of our subject, was first married to Anne Marquis, a cousin, and after her death to Margaret MeClure. His children were as follows: By his first wife, Thomas, William, James. John, Jane, Mary Anne, and Elizabeth; by his second wife, Robert, Uriah, Daniel, and George.
William Marquis, second son of James and Anne, mar- ried Letitia Griffith. He was a man of great strength,
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
and lived on his farm until his death, September 3, 1855, in his fifty-first year. Their children were Simeon, Auna Jane (Mrs. Lyle Patterson), Josiah, Eli, Rachel, Cynthia, John G., and Mary (Mrs. W. T. Magill). His wife Letitia, who was born August 18, 1804, died at Buffalo village June 20, 1882.
Eli Marquis, father of our subject, was born April 2, I836, on the ancestral farm. His first mariage was with Isabella MI. Reed, who left one child to survive her (Flora May, now wife of Joshua Pyles, residing in Westminster, Orange County, Cal.), and who died De- cember 28, 1865, in her thirtieth year. His second mar- riage was with Nancy A. McNary and to them were born three children-Joseph Me., William Edwin, and Rosa. Eli Marquis died suddenly of apoplexy July 19, 1907, on a wagon load of grain.
Joseph Me. Marquis married Francie Allen and their three children all died in infancy, except Ethel, who lives with her mother in Cross Creek. Joseph Mc. was suddenly killed at a railroad crossing in Canton, Ohio, November 21, 1906. Rosa Bell intermarried with George Lowrey and resides in Hamlet, Cal.
William Edwin Marquis, the subject of this sketch, was born October 29, 1868, on the old homestead, two miles south of Cross Creek. He attended the public schools more or less regularly in his youthful days and since reaching man's estate has been engaged in farm- ing and stock raising chiefly. For some thirteen years he has been interested in the fancy poultry business and has devoted a still longer time to raising Delaine sheep. This farm on which, as already stated, Mr. Marquis was born is a finely improved piece of agricultural property of 170 acres, framed in attractive surroundings. The residence is of modern construction and of neat and pleasing appearance, while the buildings for stock, poul- try, and other purposes are well proportioned and of substantial character, and are conveniently and artis- tically grouped. The Beech Knob School House has been located on this farm for several generations. Mr. Marquis is a thoroughly practical and successful agricul- turist. A Democrat in politics, he has served frequently in local offices-as justice of the peace, auditor, and road supervisor-and is a man who exerts much influ- ence on account of his personal character.
On March 31, 1892, Mr. Marquis was married to Miss Sadie E. Bebout, a daughter of Frank and Martha (Van Nodstrand) Bebout. They have had children as follows: Robert V., born June 27, 1893; Harry E., born February 18, 1895; Walter H., born August 2, 1898; Thomas B., born May 26, 1900, who died at the age of three months; Mary E., born November 12, 1902; Charles A., born February 4, 1903, who died at the age of four- teen months; Ralph M., born July 25, 1904; and Alice G., born March 20, 1906. The two elder sons are
students in the high school of Cross Creek Township. The family belongs to the Presbyterian Church at Cross Creek village.
REV. JOHN A. MARQUIS and PROF. JOHN S. MARQUIS-The Marquis family has many connections leading back into Cross Creek Township. As stated in another place, John Marquis, brother of Rev. Thomas Marquis, married Sarah Griffith and their children were Thomas, Mary, John, Sarah, Edward, Robert, James, William, and Anne. He was among the early settlers, was in Lord Dunmore's campaign against the Ohio In- dians and was, together with his brother Thomas, a companion of Adam and Andrew Poe in some of their fights with the Indians. He was for many years an elder in the Cross Creek church and died on his farm, lately known as the Anderson farm.
Of his children, John was the father of James T. Marquis, now residing in Jefferson Township, whose son, Rev. John A. Marquis, was recently called from a pastorate at Beaver to the presidency of Coe College, Iowa.
Robert, another son, lived and died on the home farm, his wife being Mary Stevenson, daughter of John Steven- son, who was a Revolutionary soldier and belonged to Washington's army. They had three sons-Newton, John S. (Stevenson), and Robert. Newton married Mary Patterson, was prominent in the church and in his com- munity, but died a young man, his life being spent on the farm now owned by John S. Lee. John Stevenson Marquis, D. D., the second son, graduated from Wash- ington College and the Western Theological Seminary and preached in Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, being pastor of the Pigeon Creek church for seventeen years. He lived the later years of his life in Washington, Pa., and during that period taught for seven years in Jef- ferson Academy, Canonsburg, and for a number of years supplied the Presbyterian Church of Lower Ten Mile. His wife was Margaret B. MeConaughy and their chil- dren are: John S. (Stockton) Marquis, Mary Belle, Car- oline E. (wife of R. C. Crouch, of Washington, Pa.), and Hugh M.
John Stockton Marquis graduated from Lafayeytte College, studied law at Pittsburg and Washington and practiced for a time at the latter bar, but has for eighteen years been principal of Brainerd Institute, Chester, S. C. He married Lizzie W. MeEwen and their children are: Joseph M., a civil engineer of the P. & L. E. R. R. at Pittsburg; Margaret M., a teacher at Graham, N. C., and Julia H., at home.
Robert Marquis, son of Robert, lived many years on the old farm at Cross Creek, moved to Missouri, and died there in 1908. His first wife was Jane Patterson. He took a second wife, Elizabeth Scott. Their children are:
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GEORGE M. CAMERON
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
Edward, in business in Wyoming; Richard, a lawyer in Kansas, Mo., where also reside Joseph, Villa, Jennie, and lda.
President John S. Marquis, of Brainard Institute, is the proud possessor of an ancient heirloom-the seere- tary and bookcase owned a century ago by his great- grandunele, the Rev. Thomas Marquis, pastor at Cross Creek, 1794-1826.
GEORGE M. CAMERON, president of the E. J. Young Packing Company, of Washington, comes from old pio- neer stock of Washington County, his paternal grand- father, John Cameron, having been an early resident of Somerset Township, and his maternal grandfather, George Mitchell, of South Strabane Township. He was born on the home farm in South Strabane Township, Washington County, Pa., April 22, 1849, and is a son of William and Martha (Mitchell) Cameron.
The youth of George M. Cameron was spent on the home farm where he assisted his father in his agricul- tural operations and in the meanwhile obtained a district school education. He continued to be interested in farm- ing for a number of years and in 1886, with his brother, John Cameron, he erected the handsome residence in which both resided until George M. came to Washington, where he has a fine home, his location being at No. 278 East Beau street. Mr. Cameron soon became identified with some of the leading business interests of the town and at present in addition to being a director of the Washington Trust Company, is president of the E. J. Young Packing Company.
George and Jolm A. Ada E. is deceased. Mr. Cameron and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church and they give active encouragement and support to church work. In politics he is a Democrat and is always ready to perform his part in bringing about party success, but he has never sought office. For some years he served as a school director in South Strabane Township, the cause of education being one in which he has ever been deeply concerned, and is now serving in Washington as a school director.
On May 23, 1872, Mr. Cameron was married to Miss Mary E. Byers, a daughter of Col. James M. and Maria (Potter) Byers, of Washington, Pa., and they have six children: ` William B., Ada E., Mary E., James M.,
JOHN A. BARR,* who is engaged in the furniture and undertaking business at Marianna, Pa., is one of the representative and responsible citizens of the bor -. ough. He was born in West Bethlehem Township, Washington County, Pa., October 12, 1869, and is a son of John G. and Eunice Barr, the latter of whom is de- ceased.
John A. Barr attended the public schools of West
Bethlehem Township, later learned the wagon-making trade and in association with his brother for a time conducted a wagon-making and repair shop in West Bethlehem Township. When he came to Marianna he erected his present substantial building, with dimensions of 38 by 60 feet, and he has four floors in use, carrying a full stock of furniture and carpets and having well arranged undertaking rooms.
On February 6, 1892, Mr. Barr was married to Miss Amanda Gayman, a daughter of Isaac Gayman, and they have one child, Iris, who attends school. Mr. and Mrs. Barr are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of West Bethlehem. He is a Democrat in his political opinions, but takes no very active interest in politics.
D. VICTOR LETHERMAN,* a representative citizen of West Bethlehem Township, Washington County, Pa., residing on the farm on which he has always lived, has about 140 acres under a fine state of cultivation. He was born here March 29, 1859, and is a son of Demas M. and Jane (Munce) Letherman.
Demas M. Letherman was born in West Bethlehem Township and after his school days were over, engaged in teaching school and also in farming and sheep raising. He was a man of public spirit and excellent judgment and served two terms in the general assembly. His death occurred suddenly on December 5, 1878, from heart disease, while he was on his way from his home to Wash- ington. Perhaps no man ever lived in West Bethlehem Township who was more sincerely mourned. He was extremely charitable and many a gift of a bushel of apples or a bag of potatoes found its way to the home of a poor neighbor from his farms, and many other substantial marks of kindness were shown by him when he learned of those needing a little timely assistance. He owned two farms at the time of bis death, one of seventy-eight and the other of 158 acres, the latter being the present farm of his youngest son, D. Victor. He was a member of the United Brethren Church. He mar- ried Jane Munce, who died in 1896 and they both were buried in the Dunkard Church Cemetery. They had the following children: Florence; John, who is a physician at California, Pa .; Joseph, who is a physician in Allen County, Ohio; Milo Finley, who is a farmer in Fallow- field Township; Biddle, who is deceased; Lucy; Ida. who is the wife of Daniel Gayman ; and D. Victor.
D. V. Letherman has been engaged in farming and stock and sheep raising ever since he left school. He finds sheep profitable as his father did and raises about 125 head a year. He cultivates all his land with the ex- ception of twenty acres, which he holds in wood lots. A test formerly made showed little evidence of oil or gas on the land and the coal has been sold. This farm is
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
well located as to transportation and advantages, being only four miles northwest of Scenery Hill.
On February 6, 1896, Mr. Letherman was married to Miss Belle Tombaugh, who is a daughter of John and Arabella (Hosack) Tombaugh, and they have one daugh- ter, Sylvia, who attends school. Mr. Letherman and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Glyde. He is a stockholder in the First National Bank at Scenery Hill. In politics he is affiliated with the Republican party ana has served as township auditor. For some years he has been a member of Chestnut Ridge Grange.
CAPT. JAMES B. GIBSON, a veteran of the Civil War, and an honored and highly respected retired farmer of Monongahela City, Pa., has been a lifelong resident of Washington County. He was born March I, 1840, ou the homestead farm in Carroll Township, a son of James and Maria (Figley) Gibson, and a grandson of Col. James Gibson.
Col. James Gibson, a resident of Virginia, was colonel of the Second Virginia Regiment during the Revolu- tionary War, and abont the time of the Whiskey Insur- rection brought a regiment to this part of the state. He came first to Pittsburg, thence to Ginger Hill, where he was very favorably impressed with the country, and it was at his suggestion that James Gibson, father of our subject, subsequently located in this locality. Col. Gib- son lost an arm during that war, and his death oc- curred in Virginia. He was the father of four sons and three daughters. His eldest son, James Gibson, when a young man came on horseback to Washington County, and located on a tract of timberland in what is now known as Carroll Township. He was born and reared in Charlottsville, Va., and died on the old Gibson farm in Carroll Township in 1865, at the age of sixty-eight years. He married Maria Figley, who came of one of the pioneer families of Washington County, where she was born and died in 1898, at the advanced age of ninety-six years. Five children were born to the parents of our subject; Jacob is a resident of Washington County ; Mary married Lewis Stacker and both are now deceased; Elizabeth is the widow of John Lemont; Jo- sephine, the deceased wife of Samuel Nelson, who is also deceased; and James B., the subject of this sketeh.
James B. Gibson was reared on the farm in Carroll Township, where he remained until 1862, when he en- listed as a private in the Ringgold Cavalry, later known as the Twenty-second Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry, and after the first battle at Stumps Mills, was made or- derly sergeant, from which he was promoted to second lieutenant and later first lieutenant, and at the close of the war was commissioned captain, which commission
he still retains. Captain Gibson was twice wounded, once severely at Martinsburg, Va., and once near Tay- lorstown, Va. After the close of the war he returned to the farm, where he remained until elected treasurer of Washington County, and during his period of incum- beney was a resident of Washington. He was the first Democrat elected to that office in forty years, and won by a majority of 1,200 votes. At the close of his term as treasurer he purenased a farm of 170 acres in Fal- lowfield Township, and four years later bought and lo- vated on a farm of 130 acres in Carroll Township, where he resided until 1902, when he came to Monongahela City, where he has since been living in retirement. His farm in Carroll Township is operated by his son Donald, and he keeps a large number of cattle on the farm in Fallowfield Township. Capt. Gibson was elected and served one term as county commissioner, and was a can- didate on the Democratie ticket for state senator against the Hon. G. V. Lawrence, and carried his home districts at the election. Capt. Gibson is a stockholder in the Monongahela Trust Company, the Monongahela Water Company and in the Bellwood Gas Company. He holds membership with the Presbyterian Church. and is a member of the G. A. R., Post No. 60, at Monongahela.
In 1872 Capt. Gibson married Isabella L. Thomas, a daughter of Samnel Thomas, who makes his home with our subject, and who is now ninety-three years of age. Four children were born to Capt. and Mrs. Gibson: Harry, died aged seven years; Carl E., an attorney of Washington, married (first) Mary E. Lemout. who died leaving three children, Mary, Lois. and Ruth, and his second union was with a Miss Wycough; James Donald, who lives on the farm in Carroll Township, first married a Miss Sampson, after whose death he married her cousin, also Miss Sampson, by whom be bas two chil- dren; Cora May, is the widow of Frank O. Jones, by whom she has three children: Helen (deceased), Frank Edgar, and Robert M.
F. FLOYD COBB, M. D.,* who is engaged in the prac- tice of medicine and surgery at Marianna, Pa., has been established here since September, 1907, and has built up an excellent practice, numbering many members of the old families among bis patients. He was born at Gerry, Chautauqua County, N. Y., June 25, 1878, and is a son of Grant and Jennie Cobb.
Dr. Cobb obtained his literary education at Fredonia, N. Y., and his medical training in the Louisville Med- ical College, at Louisville, Ky. After graduation he" practiced for a short time at White Rock, Pa., and came from there to Marianna. He is retained as physician and surgeon of the Pittsburg-Buffalo Coal Company. He keeps abreast with modern medical thought through mem-
CAPT. JAMES B. GIBSON
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
bership in scientific organizations and is identified with the county and State medical societies. In politics Dr. Cobb is a Republican. He belongs to the order of Elks.
CLAUDE E. MCDERMID, M. D.,* physician and sur- geon, located at Charleroi, Pa., with offices at No. 619 Fallowfield avenue, has been a resident of this borough since December, 1908, and is in the enjoyment of a substantial practice. He was boru at Bradford, Me- Kean County, Pa., June 16, 1885, and is a son of Will- iam and Catherine (Riley) MeDermid.
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