Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 113

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 113

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

G. B. Frantz was a lad of twelve years when his parents came to Coal Center, where he attended the com- mon schools and the South Western State Normal at California, where he was a student for a year and a half. He also spent one year at the Western Reserve University at Cleveland, Ohio, and subsequently graduated with the class of 1886 from the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery. He has since been successfully engaged in the practice of medicine at Coal Center. Pa. After the death of his father in 1888, the drug store founded by him was continued under the firm name of G. W. Frantz & Son until 1907, when the doctor consolidated with an- other drug firm of Coal Center, establishing the Coal Center Pharmacy. Dr. Frantz is well known in banking circles of this section of the state. and upon the organiza- tion of the Peoples Bank of California, Pa., was elected vice president, and has served as president of the bank since his election in August, 1907. Dr. Frantz is act- ing burgess of Coal Center and is also serving as president of the borough Council. He is especially prom- intent in fraternal circles, being a thirty-second degree Mason and distriet deputy grand master of that order in the Forty-third District of Pennsylvania. He is also deputy grand chancellor of the Knights of Pythias.

JAMES KAMP,* postmaster and general merchant at Lawrence, Ceeil Township, was born at Allegheny City,

1288

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

Pa., September 24, 1857, and is a son of Michael Kamp, who settled in Allegheny City in 1849.

James Kamp attended school on the south side in Alle- gheny City and then went to work in the glass factory of Thomas Whitman & Company, where he remained until he was twenty-one years old. He then embarked in a store business on the west side of the city, which he con- ducted for three years, after which he moved to the vil- lage of Twin Hills, the postoffice being named Lawrence. He has been established here since 1884 and with the ex- ception of four years, has been postmaster ever since. He is the oldest merchant in the place. Considerable busi- ness is done at this point, there being eight mails re- ceived and sent out daily, this necessitating strict method in its transaction. He owns fifty acres of land in Peters Township, but his residence and store are in Cecil Township, where he erected his own buildings. He has mine head of cattle, almost all his stock being very valuable, and operates a dairy. He is one of the sub- stantial and representative citizens of this section.

In December, 1870, Mr. Kamp was married to Eliza- beth Scheff, and they have the following children: Frank, Mary, Michael, Charles, Margaret, Ella, Howard, Joseph, Julia and a babe that died unnamed. All the others, with the exception of Michael, survive, and the two older ones are married. Mr. Kamp has been president of the McMurray Telephone Company. With his family he belongs to the Catholic Church at Bridgeville and is a member of the Knights of Columbus. He votes with the Democratic party, but is not active in politics to any great degree.

THOMAS HILL, county commissioner of Washington County, Pa., residing at Mingo, owns the old Hill home- stead in Union Township, Washington County, and has been interested in agricultural pursuits for many years. He was born in 1854, in Belfast, Ireland, and is a son of James Hill.

James Hill and wife were natives of Ireland and they came from Belfast to America, in 1856, locating first at Fall River, Mass. In 1864 they came to Pennsyl- vania and settled on a farm in Union Township, Wash- ington County, where the remainder of their lives were passed. James Hill was a farmer and stock raiser.

Thomas Hill was ten years old when his parents settled in Union Township and there he completed his education. In 1889 he was married to Miss Elizabeth R. McClelland, a daughter of Thomas McClelland, and they have two children, Mary McClelland and Elizabeth R.

Mr. Hill has always taken considerable interest in politics and for years has acceptably filled township offices, serving as treasurer, clerk and auditor, and in the fall of 1908 he was elected a county commissioner. He is well qualified to meet the responsibilities of this

important office. With his family he is a member of the Mingo Presbyterian Church and belongs to its official board. He is identified with the fraternal order of Elks.

LEMAN N. IRWIN,* a representative business man of Washington, who is prominently identified with oil pro- duction in Washington County, belongs to an old county family and was born in Canton Township, December 27, 1861, his father being W. C. Irwin.

Leman N. Irwin remained on the home farm until he was seventeen years of age, and then came to Washington and learned the carpenter trade and worked at the same for two years. His health failed and his physician recom- mended California, and after a stay of fifteen months in the mild climate of that state he returned to Pennsylvania and again resumed farming on the old place, subse- quently, however, returning to Washington. Here he en- gaged in the butchering business for two years, and at the end of that period become interested in the oil in- dustry, in which he has continued ever since. Mr. Irwin has been quite successful in the oil business and is now a producer only.

On May 18, 1892, Mr. Irwin was married to Miss Flora A. Porter, who was born in Washington and is a daughter of Lewis P. Porter, and they have five children : Laura May, Flora Leona, Lewis Morgan, Ray Clark and Clarence G. Mr. Irwin is a member of the Second United Presbyterian Church at Washington.

A. C. ENDEMAN,* who conducts a first class meat market at Roscoe, Pa., has been interested in this line in this place since 1902. He was born in Germany, in 1880, and is a son of John F. and Henrietta (Weber) Endeman.

The father of Mr. Endeman was a blacksmith by trade and in Germany he had a foundry of his own. In 1884 he brought his family to America, locating for three years at Jacobs' Creek, in Westmoreland County, Penn- sylvania, and then moved to Kansas, but after trying farming there, he returned to Jacobs' Creek, where he engaged in farming, until the end of his life, his death occurring in 1906. The mother of Mr. Endeman died when he was thirteen years of age.

A. C. Endeman was about four years old when his parents came to the United States. After his school days were over he learned the meat business and has been con- nected with it ever since. For seven years before com- ing to Roscoe, he resided at Stockdale, and during three of these he conducted his own market there. He began at Roscoe, in 1902, in partnership with Joseph Me- Lain, and this association continued until February, 1906, when Mr. Endeman bought Mr. MeLain's interest. They had also owned a store and market at Twilight, and in

THOMAS HILL

1289

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

settling up their business affairs, Mr. Melain took the Twilight store. Mr. Endeman strives to keep the class of meat desired by his large trade, which is a discriminating one, and appreciates having home dressed meats. Ile conducts a grocery department for the ac- commodation of his patrons, but gives the larger part of his attention to meats.

Mr. Endeman married Miss Dora Foster, and they have two children, Foster and Dorothy. They have a pleasant home at Elco, where Mr. Endeman is serving as a member of the borough Council. Fraternally he is identi- fied with the Knights of the Golden Eagle.

THOMAS HOLMES RALSTON,* one of Hanover Township's most respected citizens, now living retired from active work, but still in the enjoyment of both physical and mental health, was born, July 19, 1826, in Hancock Connty, West Virginia, where he owns a valuble farm of seventy-six acres. His parents were Joseph and Lucinda P. (Holmes) Ralston.

Joseph Ralston was a miller and followed that trade in West Virginia throughout his active years. His parents were Joseph and Hannah (McCready) Ralston, and his children were: Isaae, Mary Ann, Joseph, Caroline, Will- iam and Thomas I., all now deceased except Thomas H. and Caroline, the latter of whom married Miller Shane.

Thomas Holmes Ralston attended the schools near his father's mill until grown old enough to work at a trade, when he learned milling, and also coopering, and for a number of years conducted a cooper shop and operated a mill. Later he traded his mill for a farm in Hanover Township, Washington County, to which he then came, and has resided here ever since. In politics he is a Democrat. He is recognized by his neighbors as a useful citizen, and has served acceptably as road commissioner and as judge of elections.

On April 26, 1859, Mr. Ralston was married to Miss Rebecca Graham, who is a daughter of Thomas and Anna Graham, who were farmers in Hanover Township. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Ralston: Lucy, who married James Work; William S .; George G .; Catherine, who married Fred Campbell, and Jessie, who lives at home with her parents. These loving children prepared a delightful surprise for their parents on the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding, April 26, 1909. It was a most enjoyable occasion for all who were permitted to participate. Mr. Ralston and family are members of the Presbyterian Church.

ROBERT CAMPBELL,* president of the California Bottle Company of California, Pa., manufacturers of bottles of all descriptions, has been identified with this concern since it began operation in June, 1905. He was born December 4, 1577, in Clearfield County, Pennsyl-

vania, a son of Robert C. and Mary (Sharp) Campbell, both natives of Scotland.

Robert C. Campbell was reared and married in Scot- land and in 1872 came to America, and located in Clear field Connty, Pennsylvania, where he was engaged as a foreman in the mines for some years. Ile came to California, Pa., and in 1905 he and his three sons es- tablished the California Bottle Company. He died here May 1, 1909, and was the father of twelve children, three of whom are deceased.

Robert Campbell came with his parents to California, Pa., in 1883, and here learned glass blowing with the California Glass Company. This company subsequently closed their factory for twelve years during which time Mr. Campbell worked at his trade in Tarentum, Jeanette, Beaver Falls and Pittsburg. In 1905 in partnership with his brothers and father, he bought the plant of the California Glass Company. This company is composed of Robert Campbell, our subject, president; John Camp- bell, treasurer, and Frank Campbell, a director, all prae- tical glass blowers. They employ about fifty men, in- cluding fifteen blowers.

Mr. Campbell is a member of the Masonic order. He married Iva Hannan and they reside at Coal Center, Pa.

D. L. REYNOLDS, who owns 160 acres of fine land, situated in South Strabane Township, Washing- ton County, Pennsylvania, four and one-half miles east of Washington, was born in the old house which then stood on the present site of the barn, on this farm, De- rember 31, 1828. His father was Zachariah and his pa- ternal grandfather was Benedict Reynolds, while his mother was Mary Little and his maternal grandfather was Moses Little.

Benedict Reynolds was born in Maryland and from there he enlisted in the American Army. After serving for six months in the War of the Revolution, he reenlisted and took part in the battle of the Brandywine, and several others under the direct command of Gen. Wash- ington, as well as in the battle of the Cowpens. After the war he married Elizabeth Harmon and came to Washington County and settled in South Strabane Town- ship. When he built his house he constructed it after the old Maryland plan, with the doors facing the east. He spent the rest of his life there, living to the age of ninety-seven years, and was buried in the cemetery on his own land.

Zachariah Reynolds was born in South Strabane Town- ship and when he reached manhood married Mary Little. Her father was born in Ireland and came to America when a young man. After he had earned $100 by farm work in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, he came to Washington County and invested it in 100 aeres of land in South Strabane Township, which he later sold

1290

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

to the Munce family. He married Margaret Locke, also a native of Ireland, and they had four children: John, Mary, David and Moses. To Zachariah and Mary (Little) Reynolds was born one son, D. L. The mother died when thirty years of age. The father was subse- quently married to Mary Huston, and they had three children: George, who lives in California; Mary, who is the wife of William Weir, residing on Morgan ave- nue, Washington; and Seth H., who is a farmer in South Strabane Township. Zachariah Reynolds was a man of natural talent, and was better educated than many men of his day, being particularly gifted as a penman. He did quite a large part of the drawing for the charts of the internal organs for Dr. Leatherman, of Houstonville, Pa., and his pen work was admired all over the county. He served as clerk in the Pittsburg postoffice, and in the prothonatory's and treasurer's offices at Washington. He lived into his seventy-ninth year. His burial was first by the side of his wife in the home cemetery, but later D. L. Reynolds had the bodies of his parents removed and interred anew iu the Washington Cemetery. His second wife survived him and died when aged 84 years.

D. L. Reynolds obtained his first instruction in the Vance school, later in the Pancake school, and subse- quently entered Washington and Jefferson College. After- ward he prepared for the bar with Attorney William Montgomery, but never sought admission. His home has always been on his present farm and before his marriage he tempered the brick which was being manu- factured on the place, and carried it and assisted in the building of the present residence. He also hauled the material which went into the construction of the sub- stantial barn. Much of the land is under a high state of cultivation, but there are still ten acres of timber and the coal has not been sold. His son, George Reynolds, operates here a small dairy and ships his milk from Zedi- ker Station to Pittsburg.

On May 19, 1852, Mr. Reynolds was married to Miss Barbara E. Moninger, a daughter of John and Katherine (Dagg) Moninger, and they have had seven children: Mary Katherine; John M. C., who is a physician in practice at Washington; Margaret L .; Elizabeth E. F., who mar- ried David Myers, and resides in South Strabane Town- ship (they have eight children : Nora K., N. Dale, D. Glenn, Margaret, Gladys, Emma, Ruth and an infant) ; Hester Ann, who is now deceased; David T., who married Blanche Reynolds, a daughter of Col. George Reynolds, and has three children: Neva, Pearl and Therma Alvin; and George H., who remains at home.

In politics Mr. Reynolds is a Democrat. For thirty- five years he was a justice of the peace in his township and during his service was very successful in inducing Jitigants before him to agree to a compromise. Very

often he has been called upon to settle disputes in the county regarding the possession of farms. For thirty-seven years he served as a school director, and never failed in his duty in this direction. He united with the Odd Fellows in 1854, and is still a member of Lodge No. 81.

GEORGE W. MOODY,* one of the enterprising busi- ness men of Charleroi, Pa., who is the owner of a meat Market located at No. 901 Crest avenue, is also proprie- tor of the Arctic Ice Factory. He has been a resident of Charleroi since 1902, since which time he has accumu- lated considerable wealth and has become one of the best known and most successful business men of the city. He was born January 1, 1878, at Charleston, W. Va., and is a son of John and Jennie (Burns) Moody, the former a well known and successful merchant of Charleston.

George W. Moody was reared and obtained his educa- tional training in Charleston, W. Va., and when a young man come to Vesta, Washington County, Pa., where he worked in the mines for two years. He then began learning the butcher's trade, and since 1902 has been successfully engaged in conducting a market at No. 901 Crest avenue, Charleroi. He is the owner of the Aretie Ice factory, where artificial iee is manufactured, and he disposes of the same at Charleroi and Monessen. Both the market and factory are located near Mr. Moody's residence, so that he is enabled to give his entire time and attention to his interests. He has acquired con- siderable real estate in Charleroi, owning several dwell- ings and business blocks, and is a successful man in every sense of the word. The excellent results with which Mr. Moody has met in so comparatively a short time has been dne to his own persistent efforts, much hard work and great executive ability.

Mr. Moody was joined in marriage with Margaret Jacquelin, who is a daughter of Desire Jacquelin. He is a member of the order of Moose.

JOHN FINLEY KENNEDY,* one of the prominent and influential business citizens of Courtney, Pa., where he has been closely associated with affairs of a business and financial nature for many years, was born November 10, 1846, in Union Township, Washington County, Pa., and is a son of Thomas and Hannah E. (Roberts) Ken- nedy.

John and Martha (Young) Kennedy, the paternal great-grandparents of John F. Kennedy, were natives of County Antrim, Ireland, whence the former came when twenty-one years of age, while the latter was still a child when she arrived in the United States, and was but thirteen and one-half years old at the time of her marriage to Mr. Kennedy. They first lived at Fort Pitt, now located in the south side of Pittsburg, but subse-

J. R. MONARY

1293

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

quently moved to Mingo, Washington County, where both died, John Kennedy in 1842, when eighty-two years old, and his wife in 1847, at the age of seventy-six years. Of their twelve children, ten reached advanced years.

Samuel Kennedy, the grandfather of John F., was the eldest of his parents' children, and grew to manhood on the home farm. 1le married Elizabeth MeVey, and both died on the old Kennedy homestead. Their eight chil- dren were as follows: Thomas, Hannah A., John, Mar- tha, James K., Joseph M., Mary and Samuel.

Thomas Kennedy was born Mareh 16, 1826, and was reared on his father's farm, but later became a cooper and conducted a shop on the home place. Subsequently learning the carpenter's trade, he worked at that occu- pation for many years, but the latter part of his life was spent on the homestead in Union Township, where his death occurred in August, 1865. His wife, Hannah E. (Roberts) Kennedy, was a daughter of William and Nancy (Ausborn) Roberts, of Carroll Township. She died in 1903, at the age of seventy-six years. Three chil- dren were born to this couple, all on the home farm in Union Township-John Finley, William A., and Samuel D., the last mentioned of whom died in 1876.

The early life of John F. Kennedy was spent on the old farm in Union Township, which he left at the age of eighteen years to go to Pittsburg, being there gradu- ated from Duff's Business College. He then became book- keeper for his cousin, S. B. Kennedy, who was engaged in the coal business, and later John F. was admitted into partnership in the concern. When this business was sold to Miller & Co., the cousins went to the Tidioute oil fields, in Warren County, where they carried on a busi- ness for two years, and in 1873 John F. Kennedy came to Courtney. A short time later he took charge of the Courtney Coal Co., in which concern he was a partner until 1891, when the business was sold to Corey & Co. For a long period Mr. Kennedy has been closely iden- tified with real estate interests in this section. He helped lay out the original town, built the first house here, sold every house originally in the town, and was one of the organizers of the old brick works. He is president of the Courtney Ferry, of which Joseph Lyttle is secretary and treasurer, and is director in the First National Bank at Monongahela, of which he was an organizer. In ad- dition to his many business interests Mr. Kennedy has found time to give a good deal of attention to the rais- ing of Jersey and Guernsey eattle, and to the breeding of fast road and track horses.

On June 3, 1872, Mr. Kennedy was united in marriage with Sarah E. Gault, daughter of Andrew Gault. Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy are consistent members of the Pres- byterian Church at Monongahela City. His political views are those of the Republican party, and he has served as justice of the peace for five years, and as

county coroner for four years, being first appointed by Governor Beaver, and later, in 1887, elected to that otlice.

J. R. MeNARY, of Burgettstown, Pa., a retired farm- er of Smith Township, is a worthy representative of one of the most numerous and influential of the pioneer families of Pennsylvania, some of whom were located within the boundaries of Washington County, prior to its organization as a county of the Commonwealth.

James MeNary, the ancestor or founder of the Me- Nary family of Pennsylvania, is the most remote an- cestor of whom accurate knowledge is obtainable. He was born in Scotland (probably) about the year 1711 A. D. He was a man of medium size, spoke with a broad Scotch brogue, and was a shoemaker by trade. Tradition says that he resided in Ireland for some years prior to emigrating to America, whence he was accom- panied by his four sons and one daughter.

As to the origin of the family name and whether of the Irish, or of Scotch race or lineage, there is some doubt. We learn, upon the authority of an old Celtic seholar, that :

"The name MeNary, as it now stands, signifies 'son of the King.' In old Celtic language, Mac-son, Na- of the, Ry-king. In Celtic it is written rig (pro- nounced re) ; French-roi; Spanish-rey; Italian-re; Latin-rex, regis. The original forni was MeEnarig (pronounced MeEnáry) which meant 'King's son er crowned prince.' The name has been Anglieized into MeNary, MeNairy, MeEnary, MeHenery and MeNair. The family is Irish in its origin, and is descended directly from one of the sons of King Brian Boru, who was killed at the battle of Clortarf, when the Danish invaders were finally driven out of the island."

Regardless of the authenticity of the foregoing ex- planation, it matters little to the thorough American whether he be descended from Irish king or Scottish lord. The evidence is clear, however, that the MeNary ancestry resided many generations in Scotland before removing to Ireland or emigrating to America; that the original name was "MacNary" and that the family is of veritable Seotch-Irish descent.

James McNary, previously mentioned, emigrated from the north of Ireland with his family to his new home, over the seas, some years prior to A. D. 1760; the pre- cise date of coming to America is not known, but in 1760 the records show, James MeNary purchased from Sanmel Esson, a farm in Lower Chanceford Township, York County, Pa., for three pounds, ten shillings, upon which he made his home until after the American Reve- lution. He and his eldest sen, John MeNary, were eleeted elders of the Associate Presbyterian Chureh at Guinston, Pa., May 15, 1769. The four sons of James

1294

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

MeNary-John, James, Thomas and David-were all participants in the Revolutionary struggle for national independence. John and David were members of their brother, Capt. Thomas MeNary's Company, Sixth Batal- lion, York County Militia, William Ross, colonel, and took part in the campaigns of Washington's Army at the battles of Monmouth, Trenton and Brandywine. At the close of the Revolutionary War, this aged emigrant, with his son David, removed from Chanceford, York County, to a farm in Hanover Township, Washington County. This was in A. D. 1783-the location being near the Virginia State line (near the present village of Paris). After enduring many hardships and privations, and facing grave dangers from the murderous incursions of the hostile Indians upon the unprotected settlers of the frontier, this aged patriarch was, in the year 1796, gathered to his fathers, and his remains are interred (probably) in the "Tent" burying grounds in West Virginia, adjacent to the village of Eldersville, in Jeffer- son Township, Washington County, Pa.

John MeNary, the eldest son of James McNary, the Scotch-Irish emigrant, continued to reside at Chance- ford on the old MeNary homestead, where he died in March, 1802, and his remains lie in the burying grounds at Guinston Church; but all the members of his family, together with the three other MeNary brothers, with their families, removed to Washington County in the last quarter of the eighteenth century.

James MeNary, eldest son of John MeNary, of Chance- ford Township, and grandson of the original James, was the grandfather of the subject proper of this sketch. He was born in York County, Pa., November 11, 1769. On October 22, 1797, he was united in marriage to Mar- garet Reed, of Chanceford, York County, Pa., who was born October 8, 1772, a daughter of Col. Joseph Reed, of the Revolutionary Army, member of the legislature in 1780, who introduced the measure leading to the emancipation of the slaves of Pennsylvania; also a mem- ber of the Continental Congress, 1787-88.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 113

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