Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 15

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 15

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enterprising and the women, courageous and frugal. Evidence was given by the rapid clearing of their lands, the erection of substantial buildings, the gathering of flocks and herds and the establishing of well ordered households. These characteristics of the Days continue into the present generation.

The death of J. Miller Day occurred in 1903, after a long and useful life. Politically he was a Democrat and on several occasions was elected to 'he office of justice of the peace and from 1866 until 1869, he served the county as a director of the poor. For many years his presence and support were given to the Upper Ten- Mile Presbyterian Church, in which he held the office of deacon for a protracted period.

On Jan. 19, 1843, J. Miller Day was married to Miss Elizabeth LIanna, a daughter of John V. Ilanna, of Morris Township, Washington County, and to this union seven children were born, namely: Martha Maria, who became the wife of John N. Weir, of Franklin Town- ship; Sarah Ann, who died in 1848; John Milton; Elsie Jane, who married William Ashbrook, of East Finley Township; George Hamilton, who died in 1854; Hugh Allison, who married Annie Andrews, and Mary Eliza- beth, who married Allen J. Mowl, of West Bethlehem Township. The mother of the above family died in 1872 and was interred in the cemetery at Prosperity. J. Miller Day was married two years later to Mrs. Mary (Wise) MeKenna.

John Milton Day attended the schools which are now situated iu South Franklin Township and afterward turned his attention to agricultural pursuits as his father before him. His exceptionally fine farm of 163 aeres he took possession of in 1874. He has long been numbered with the successful stock raisers and wool growers of this part of the county, worthily upholdling the Day name as leading agriculturists and stockmen in Washington County.

On Oct. 12, 1871, Johu M. Day was married to Miss Margaret Weir, who was born in South Franklin Town- ship, Washington Co., Pa., and is a daughter of the late Joseph Weir, who once was a prominent and sub- stantial farmer of this section. Te Mr. and Mrs. Day two children were born, Elizabeth H. and Lenora l'., the latter of whom is now deceased. The former is the wife of L. T. Young, who is engaged in farming in South Franklin Township, and they have three children, namely: Margaret L., Helen M. and John D. Mr. Day and family are members of the old Upper Ten-Mile Presbyterian Church, to which the Day family has given both moral and material support for so many years. In this body Mr. Day is serving as one of the elders of the church. Mr. Day was reared in the Democratie party and has always continued his nominal allegiance to the same, but he has independent proclivities and frequently,

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

in local affairs has cast his vote in favor of the candidate who, in his judgment, seems best qualified. He has never been a seeker for office, but has frequently been selected by his fellow citizens for responsible township positions and he has served at different times as as- sessor, as constable and also as township collector.

MAJ. WILLIAM WORKMAN, who was for many years one of the most prominent men in Washington County, Pa., was identified with both public and political life and held many offices of trust and honor. He was born in Washington, Pa., Mar. 26, 1818, and died here Jan. 2, 1901, and was a son of Gen. Samuel Workman and a grandson of Hugh Workman.

The Workman family was established in this country by four brothers, who came from County Monaghan, Ireland, in 1777, and James and Hugh located in Wash- ington County, Pa., just east of the borough of Wash- ington. Hugh and James Workman were both soldiers in the Revolutionary War and were members of Col. William Crawford's expedition against Sandusky in 1792. They were both members of the same company when the army on its outward march left the Mingo Bottom, but when Col. Crawford selected his light horse cavalry, Hugh joined it, and James remained in the ranks of the mounted infantry. Hugh Workman mar- ried Peggy Bryson and soon after the towu of Wash- ington was laid out purchased property on South Main street, where he continued his residence until his death, Nov. 20, 1843, at the age of 84 years.

Gen. Samuel Workman, a son of Hugh Workman, was born Jan. 11, 1793, in Washington, and was one of Washington County's most prominent citizens. He mar- ried Nancy McCammant, a daughter of William Mc- Cammant, who kept a tavern at the sign of the "Cross Keys" on the corner of Main and Wheeling streets. Gen. Workman was editor of the Washington "Re- porter" from 1819 until 1821, and during that time showed that he was a fearless and effective writer. Upon leaving journalistic work he entered the militia and rose through the various ranks to Brig .- General. On Aug. 11, 182I, he was appointed county treasurer by the commissioners, was reappointed the two succeed- ing years, and at the October election in 1823 was chosen sheriff, and being commissioned on the 25th of that same month, he resigned the treasurership. He was elected a member of the State Legislature in 1827, re-elected in 1828 and 1829, and on May 11, 1830, Gov. Wolf appointed him secretary of the land office, to which he was reappointed in 1833, and served in that capacity until May 10, 1836. He was appointed post- master of Washington on Mar. 23, 1839, and served until Dec. 24, 1840, and on Jan. 4, 1841, was again appointed treasurer of the county. llis death occurred Mar. 31,

1841, after having figured prominently and creditably in county and state politics, and was at all times held in high esteem by his fellow citizens.

Maj. William Workman practically spent his entire life in Washington and vicinity, but during his early manhood went to Iowa with the intention of locating there, and not liking the outlook returned to Washing- ton and bought the old Workman homestead, where he lived until the time of his death. Although not strong physically, he was a man of great energy and indomit- able will. His education was obtained in private schools and at the Washington College, and he acquired a thor- ough training in business affairs, which well fitted him for the many offices of trust and honor which he held in later life. He early became interested in local poli- tics, and was the recognized leader of the Democratic party, a position which he held for many years after the average man tires of the strife and contention of political wrangling and gives way to younger men. He was many times chairman of the Democratic County convention and always discharged the trust thus reposed in him with zeal and fidelity. During his younger days · he was twice his party's candidate for county office, and was elected county treasurer in 1841, and in 1845 was elected to the office of register. He was afterward chosen one of the jury commissioners of the county, and it is said, that Maj. Workman had the honor of being the first county treasurer after that office was made elective, and to have been with Hon. J. R. Mc- Lain, of Claysville, the first jury commissioners chosen in the county. He was the first county officer to occupy a room in the court house which was taken down in 1898. Few men in the county have done so much business as he in the settlement of estates. He was called upon to draw deeds, write wills, and legal papers of various kinds, and managed and settled many estates, and was thus engaged down to the day when stricken with his fatal illness. He was a friend to the poor and un- fortunate and hundreds of cases could be cited where he befriended individuals and families, not only with kind words and advice, but with substantial aid. - There are many such in Washington County who will long cherish his memory. As a citizen he was enterprising and lib- eral in the matter of improvements that commended themselves to his judgment. This is well illustrated in his subscriptions and donations toward the building of railroads and the betterment of county roads. He was one of the prime movers in the construction of the Upper Ten-Mile plank road and he did much toward having the B. & O. R. R. built through the county. He was the trustee appointed by the United States Courts to advertise and sell the old Hempfield road and the purchase of it by the B. & O. R. R. was brought about largely through his influence with the B. & O. directors.

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

At the time of his death and for many years previous he was a director in the Wheeling branch of the B. & O. R. R., and at the annual meetings of the stockholders of his company was always chosen as presiding officer. In his home Mr. Workman was the typical old-fashioned gentleman, always taking the greatest pleasure in hav- ing his friends come and partake of his hospitality.

On Jan. 11, 1853, Maj. Workman was joined in mar- riage with Mary Jones, a daughter of Charles E. and Susan (Judson) Jones, the former a cabinet-maker and general contractor. She was born in England and when a babe in arms came with her parents to this country. She was one of ten children born to her parents, of whom but four are living: Mrs. Workman; Jane E., who resides on West Wheeling street, Washington, Pa., married William II. Taylor, and is the mother of IIon. J. F. Taylor, Common Pleas Judge of Washington County; Rev. Sylvester F. Jones, D. D., of Washing- ton, D. C., and George O. Jones, a prominent attorney of Washington, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Workman had three children born to them; Samuel, who resides in Washing- ton, Pa .; and Annie and Ida, who with their mother live at the old Workman homestead at No. 645 E. Maiden street, Washington, this property having been in the possession of the Workman family for over a eentury.

WILLIAM SIMPSON THROCKMORTON, M. D., of Canonsburg, was born in Franklin Township, Greene Connty, Pa., three miles west of Waynesburg, and is a son of Morford and Naney (Simpson) Throckmorton.

The genealogy of the Throckmortons can be traced from 1130 A. D. to 1909. From England and the north of Ireland came the ancestors of Dr. Throckmorton and America has had a number of the name, in both its original and its abbreviated spelling, that have brought distinction upon the family, their seetions and them- selves. Mention may be made of one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, as well as of the late . Gov. Morton, of Indiana, and others equally noted. Both grandparents on the maternal side were converted to Methodism under the preaching of John Wesley him- self and the paternal grandfather, Job Throckmorton, was a convert to the same faith. He was one of its pioneers in the vieinity of Monmouth, N. J., where he purchased land and built an early Methodist chapel and on many occasions entertained Bishop Asbury, the cele- brated divine of that religious body. The children born to Job Throckmorton and his wife, Martha, were as follows: Joseph, who died in Greene County, Pa., aged 96 years and six months; James, who lived also to he 96 years old, dying in Greene County; Job, who lived and died in New Jersey; Morford, father of Dr. Throck- morton; Barnes, who died at the age of 45 years, in

New Jersey; Archibald, who died, aged 83 years, in Ohio; Mary Jane, who was the wife of Rev. Eliphalet Reed, died at Mt. doy, l'a., aged about 80 years; and Eunice, who was the wife of James Barklow, died in New Jersey, when aged about 80 years. The old New Jersey home of the Throckmorton family was at Free- hold, a village situated within three miles of the battle- field of Monmouth.

Morford Throckmorton, father of Dr. Throckmorton, was born in the old family home near Monmonth, N. J., and remained there until he reached manhood, when he moved to Greene County, P'a., where he was subse- quently married to Nancy Simpson, who was one of a large family born to John Simpson and wife, who were early settlers in Greene County. To this marriage were born the following children: Lney, who died young; Samuel, who married Naney Reese and was killed by lightning, when aged 66 years; Morford, who died near Chariton, in Lucas County, Iowa, married a Miss Elder ; John, who died in Lucas County, Iowa, when aged near 80 years, married Nancy Lazear; Margaret, who mar- ried Caleb Grimes, died in Greene County, at the age of 71 years; Alice, who is the wife of Jesse Lazear, re- sides in Greene County, Pa .; Rebecca, who married Dr. James Guiher, of Waynesburg, died in 1908, aged 71 years; Sarah, who died at Afton, lowa, aged 60 years, was the wife of Joseph Milligan; William Simpson, of Canonsburg; Eliphalet Reed, who resides near Waynes- burg, married Samantha Hill; Caroline, who is the widow of George Waddell, resides at Waynesburg; and Agnes, who died when aged 6 years. The father of the above family survived to be 92 years of age. The mother died when aged 67 years.

William Simpson Throckmorton was reared and re- eeived his primary and preparatory edneation in Greene County and later entered Jefferson Medical College, at Philadelphia, where he was graduated in the elass of 1865. He immediately located at Nineveh, Greene County, Pa., and there he remained for 42 years, during all that period engaged in the practice of his profession. In 1907, Dr. Throckmorton came to Canonsburg and entered into practice with his son, who had previously been associated with him for two and one-half years at Nineveh. In 1866, Dr. Throckmorton was married to Miss Caroline Hill, a daughter of Jesse and Maria (Hoskinson) Hill, and they have four children: Jessie, Charles B., William and Morford. The only daughter is the wife of Dr. T. R. Kerr, of Oakmont, Pa., and they have a daughter, Virginia. Charles B. Throckmorton has been a resident of Canonsburg for ten years and enjoys a large and substantial medical practice. From the schools of Greene County he entered the Ohio Wes- leyan University, where he subsequently graduated, spent one term at Jefferson Medical College, graduated

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

in medicine at the Western Pennsylvania Medical College at Pittsburg and took a post graduate course on the eye, ear and throat, at Philadelphia. He married Miss Mary Donaldson and they have two children: William D. and Caroline. He and his father are now associated in practice and have well appointed offices in the Gowern Building, at Canonsburg. William Throckmorton is a graduate of the Ohio Wesleyan University and of the Pittsburg Dental College and for nine years has been engaged in practice, located at Vernon, Pa. Morford Throckmorton, the youngest son, is a graduate of Wash- ington and Jefferson College and of the Philadelphia Dental College and is located in practice at Beaver, Pa.

Dr. Throckmorton has been a lifelong member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and was a delegate to the recent general conference held at Baltimore, Md. In association with his wife, he erected the little church at Nineveh, which they attended and supported for 30 years. It now has a mebership of 150 individuals. He was married (second) to Miss Lydia Smith, of Urbana, Ohio, July 6, 1909, and their pleasant home is at No. 159 West College street, Canonsburg.

W. G. SHILLITO, who has long been prominently identified with Republican politics in Washington Coun- ty and served most acceptably as a county commissioner from 1897 until 1903, owns a valuable farm of 100 acres, which is situated in Smith Township. He was born at Bavington, Smith Township, Washington Coun- ty. Pa., Jan. 26, 1850, and is a son of Samuel B. and Margaret (Galbraith) Shillito.

Samuel B. Shillito, also a native of Wahington Coun- ty, was born in Hanover Township, Sept. 15, 1826, and died Dec. 16, 1858. For some years he engaged in busi- ness as a general merchant and also followed farming in Smith Township. He married Margaret Galbraith, daughter of William Galbraith, and they had two children: Jane Isabella, who is the wife of J. S. Easton; and W. G. The widow survived many years, her death occurring Sept. 15, 1906, at the age of 83 years and both she and husband rest in Fairview Cemetery, the remains of the latter having been removed from its first place of burial which was the United Presbyterian Cemetery. Samuel B. Shillito and wife were both mem- bers of the United Presbyterian Church, in which he was an elder at the time of death.

W. G. Shillito seeured his education in the public schools of Smith Township, after which he engaged in farming and continued in agricultural pursuits until 1897. In that year he was elected eounty commissioner, the family remaining on the farm during his term of office. His farm is probably one of the best improved and most valuable in the township, both coal and oil deposits having been found in paying quantities.

Mr. Shillito was married Mar. 21, 1872, to Miss Re- becca H. Provines, a daughter of James and Mary Pro- vines, and to this marriage have been born the following children: Margaret Belle, who died Jan. 14, 1894; James P., who married Carrie Parks, a daughter of M. R. and Rowena Parks, and they have one daughter, Rowena; and Samuel Reed, who has been engaged in the oil business for the firm of Kelly Bros. & Cooper since 1903. Samuel Reed Shillito married Cassie Seott, a daughter of A. J. Scott. Mr. Shillito and family are members of the United Presbyterian Church. He is a stockholder and a member of the board of directors of the Burgettstown National Bank. Fraternally he is an Elk. Mr. Shillito has been and still is one of the county's representative men.

WILLIAM E. ROSS, owner of a tract of 90 aeres in Washington and Allegheny Counties, is one of the leading farmers of Robeson Township. He was born Aug. 30, 1855, in Peters Township, Washington County, Pa., a son of James and Sarah (Mouck) Ross, who were well known farmers of that township. They reared a family of six children: John, William, Mary, deceased; Adeline, deceased; Lewis and George. The paternal grandfather of our subject was John Ross, and the maternal grandfather was John Mouck.

William E. Ross was reared in Peters Township, where he attended the district schools several months each winter until about 17 years of age, and since that time has been engaged in agricultural pursuits, having pur- chased his present farm in March, 1896, from the Kraeer heirs. There are 30 acres of the farm in Robeson Township, and the remaining 60 acres are located in Allegheny County. Mr. Ross has remodeled the former dwelling into a fine modern residence, and has also erected a fine new bank barn.

In October, 1885, Mr. Ross married Anna F. Woods, a daughter of Joseph and Sarah J. (McCully) Woods, and a granddaughter of Thomas McCully and Rev. Will- iam Woods, the latter of whom was a Presbyterian minister. Joseph Woods was first married to Abigail Hanna, which union resulted in the birth of the follow- ing children: Martha J., who is the wife of William Donaldson; Martin; Elizabeth, who married Robert Ferree; and Sarah Harriet, who is the wife of J. W. Stewart. After the death of the mother of these chil- dren, Mr. Woods married Sarah McCully and to them were born: William Franann and Anna F., the wife of our subject. Mr. and Mrs. Ross have one daughter, Sarah L., who graduated from the Robeson Township High School in May, 1908. She is now taking a course in music. Mr. Ross is a Republican in polities, and the family attend the First Presbyterian Church of Me- Donald.

NEV YOR ARY

WILLIAM L. GILMORE

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

WILLIAM LARMER GILMORE, the owner of a seventy-five-acre farm of well cultivated land, situated in Union Township, Washington County, Pa., about three miles east of Finleyville, is a well known and highly respected citizen of this section. Ile was boru on his father's farm in Allegheny County, Pa., January 17, 1857, and is a son of Benjamin and Mary Ann (Lyttle) Gilmore.

Benjamin Gilmore was born in Allegheny County, Pa., and lived within four miles of his birthplace all his entire life of fifty-two years. He was left fatherless in boyhood and was bound out to a stranger, but grew into a reliable, honorable and industrious man. Ile acquired a farm in Allegheny County, but was able to provide only sparingly for his family, it being an unusually large one. He married Mary Ann Lyttle, a daughter of Abram Lyttle, a well-known resident of Allegheny County. She lived to the age of sixty-three years. There were fourteen children born to this marriage, namely: Rachel, who died young; Fannie, deceased, who was the wife of W. K. Hobson; Malissa Jane, who married Robert Biekerton; Minerva, who is the widow of Samuel Adams; William Larmer; Sarah, who is the wife of Samuel Lane; Amanda, who is the wife of John Adams; Anna, whe married Dr. C. T. Biddle; Benjamin, who died when aged twenty-one years; Martha A., who mar- ried H. II. Heath; George B .; John and Jonathan, both of whom died young; and Margaret, who is the wife of Archibald Lawson.

William Larmer Gilmore was afforded no educational opportunities in his youth and he has gained his edu- cation entirely through his own efforts. From early boyhood he labored on the home farm and remained there until his own marriage. His main business has always been farming, but since purchasing his present property from J. P. Beatty, he has also engaged in dairying and during the winter seasons follows butcher- ing. The old stone dwelling on his farm is one of the landmarks of the township and was probably built in 1833. While his early training on the farm was severe, it later proved to be of value to him when he went inte business for himself and he is numbered with the care- ful and successful agriculturists of the township.

On August 17, 1879, Mr. Gilmore was married to Miss Sarah J. Coulter, a daughter of William and Forhes (Stockdale) Coulter. She was born at Monon- gahela City, Pa., where her parents were well known. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Gilmore: George G., whe married Katherine Findley, from Suterville, Pa .; Carrie, who is a graduate of the Normal School at California, is a school teacher; Mary A .; twin babes that died at birth; Sarah, who died young; and Benjamin H., who is a student in the High School at Monongahela City. Mr. Gilmore is a Republi-

can and he has served one term as road supervisor. Ile is identified with the lodge of Odd Fellows at Shire Oaks. The family belongs to the M. E. Church.

ALEXANDER GASTON, who is one of Washington's most respected citizens is a retired farmer and capitalist and lives in his comfortable residence, which is situated at No. 706 North Main street. Mr. Gaston was born in Ireland, in 1835, and was only five months old when his parents brought him to America. They were James and Jane (Luke) Gaston.

The parents of Mr. Gaston settled near Canonsburg and there the father followed farming and lived a quiet agricultural life until his death. Ilis children bore the following names: James, who lives in Missouri; Rachel, whe is the wife of John MeCoy, of Kansas; Maria J., who is the wife of J. P. Weaver, of Canonsburg; John W. and Alexander, both of whom reside at Washington; and Rosa, whe is deceased.

Alexander Gaston was reared an the home farm and went to school in the neighborhood and later became a farmer and stock raiser on his own responsibility. He devoted many years to these industries and met with more than the usual amount of success. In 1906 he came to Washington, retiring then from active labor, but he still retains a farm of eighty acres in Mt. Pleasant Town- ship. He was a leading citizen of his township and ac- ceptably filled many of the township offices.

On September 23, 1857, Mr. Gaston was married to Miss Mary A. Wilson, whose father was born in Ireland and was six years old when his parents brought him to America. His name was John Wilson and be married Margaret Wilson and they were well known residents of Mt. Pleasant Township. They had three children: Mrs. Gaston; Elizabeth, who is now deceased; and Martha J., who is the widow of Thomas Strouthers and lives at Canonsburg. Mr. and Mrs. Gaston have been members of the Cross Roads United Presbyterian Church for fifty- two years and he served twenty-six years as an elder.

He is the only member of the Session now living who belonged to that body at the time he was elected and there are not more than two church members yet sur- viving of all the earnest little body of church workers of a half century ago, who, with Mr. and Mrs. Gaston united their efforts to make that organization a religious center. Mr. Gaston has been clerk of the Session for twenty-two years. As he looks around for his old co- laborers, it seems to him as if there has appeared an entirely new congregation. This may be true, but his efforts for the church are not forgotten, and the church history tells the tale to the younger congregation of how much it is indebted to the faith and earnest efforts of the elder one for the spiritual opportunities now enjoyed.

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

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Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 15

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