Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 16

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 16

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JAMES L. HENDERSON, treasurer and general man- ager of the Home Dressed Beef Company, at Washing- ton, Pa., is identified with other importaut business enterprises and is a thoroughly representative business citizen. He was born in Chartiers Township, Washing- ton Co., Pa., in 1844, and is a son of Joseph and a grandson of William Henderson.

The Hendersons came from Eastern Pennsylvania to its western borders, in pioneer days. Joseph Henderson, father of James L., was born in Chartiers Township, Washington County, June 3, 1817, and survived until 1901. For years he was prominent in the affairs of his township and was one of its best known and respected citizens.

Almost before he was well grounded in his studies in the public schools, James L. Henderson was called upon to assume a man's duties and responsibilities. In Au- gust, 1861, when he was but five months beyond his 17th birthday, he enrolled as-a soldier in the Federal service, first becoming a member of the 1st West Va. Cav., hut later was transferred to the 5th U. S. Cav., in which he served until his honorable discharge in September, 1864. He participated in many of the great raids through the Shenandoah Valley and served under Generals Sheridan, Shields and Burnside. After he re- turned to a peaceful life, he took a course in Duff's busi- ness College and subsequently turned his attention to the breeding of fine stock. He was one of the first to introduce Holstein cattle into Washington County, in 1878, and two years earlier had brought in Berkshire swine and also founded the Dorset and Cotswold sheep industry in this section. He continued his stock farm until some few years since, when, with other capitalists, he incorporated the Home Dressed Beef Comapny, the business being wholesale. He is interested also in the United Capitol Paint Company and is also in the coal business in West Virginia.

In 1865, Mr. Henderson was married (first) to Miss Jennie Shaw, who was survived hy five children, namely : Joseph B., who resides in Washington County, near Bur- gettstown; Frank S., who is connected with a business house in Pittsburg, but maintains his home at Washing- ton; Sarah R .; and James L., Jr., and Ernest G., both of whom are in the oil business in Illinois. Mr. Henderson was married (second) to Mary A. Daugherty. He is a member of the Session of the 3rd United Presbyterian Church and is superintendent of the Sabbath school. Mr. Henderson is identified with the W. F. Templeton Post, G. A. R.

ALFRED WATSON, the leading and oldest jeweler, also one of the progressive business men of Mononga- hela City, Pa., was born Sept. 20, 1861, in Yorkshire,

England, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Woodhead) Watson, both of whom were members of very old fami- lies who resided in Colton for many generations. They were born and died in Yorkshire, near Leeds, England, He is one of four children born to his parents, namely : Hannah, William, Walter and Alfred, the subject of this sketch.

Alfred Watson was reared and educated in Yorkshire, England. He graduated from the Secroft School, in 1876, and he later was in the employ of the North Eastern Railroad Company. In 1881, he came to America and located at Monongahela City, Pa., where for several years he was an employe of the Pennsylvania Railroad Con- pany. Iu 1898, he engaged in the jewelry business at the corner of Second and Main Streets, where he has since remained and greatly prospered. Mr. Watson owns a business block at No. 164 Main Street, and also other real estate in Monongahela City.

In 1880, Mr. Watson was married in England to Paul- ine M. H. Harrison, and they have one daughter, Maude H., who is the wife of Frank P. Keller, the leading archi- tect of Monongahela City. In politics, he is a Repub- lican, and fraternally is a member of the B. of L. F. and E., the Royal Arcanum, and a charter member of the B. P. O. E., No. 455, at Monongahela City. Mr. Watson resides at Waverly Cottage, No. 101 Chess Street. He is a vestryman and treasurer of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Monongahela City.

JOSEPH D. HORNBAKE, justice of the peace, at California, Pa., was born in this borough May 11, 1866, and has always lived in the residence he now occupies, the old family home. His parents were Jacob and Rhoda (Wilgus) Hornbake.

Jacob Hornhake was born at Belle Vernon, Fayette County, Pa., but later lived at Coal Center, on Maple Creek, in Washington County. When 15 years of age he learned the cabinetmaking trade with Rev. Samuel Rock- well, and also learned ship carpentering and worked at the latter until 1904, coming to California after his hon- orable period of service in the Civil War. He enlisted with the expectation of going out in a Pennsylvania regi- meut but the Pennsylvania quota was already full, there- fore he became a member of Co. I, 2nd West Va. Inf., later the 5th West Va. Cav., in which his rank was that of sergeant. He was wounded at the second battle of Bull Run. He was married at Brownsville, Pa., but started to housekeeping at California and worked in the ship yard at this point. His wife was a daughter of a somewhat noted man, John Wilgus, who was a very com- petent geographer and typographer and succeeded in lay- ing out what was accepted as the most convenient rail- road route between the eastern states and California.

ALEXANDER GASTON

TE NEVYOR - سية

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

Three children were born to the above marriage: JJoseph D., Mary and Nannie. The latter married Jesse Horn- bake, a miller, residing at Frederickstown.

Joseph D. Hornbake was educated in the excellent schools of his native place and was graduated from the State Normal School in 1885. For several terms after- ward he taught school in Allen Township and then went to work in the ship yard and continued until 1904. IIc has been interested in polities since attaining manhood and has been a zealous worker with the Republican party. In February, 1899, he was first elected to the office of justice of the peace in which he is serving his third term, giving entire satisfaction in this office to all concerned.

JOHN C. FULTON, a representative business man of Burgettstown, Pa., doing a large grain, flour and feed trade under the name of John C. Fulton & Co., was born at Burgettstown on June 22, 1847. His parents were John J. and Margaret (Canon) Fulton.

John J. Fulton was born near Hickory, his father resid- ing at that time on a farm on the Washington and Bur- gettstown road. John J. became a farmer also and eon- tinued to cultivate his own land until within a few years of his death, moving into Burgettstown when he retired. lle married Margaret Canon, a daughter of John Canon, and they reared seven children, all of whom survive.

John C. Fulton was educated in the Burgettstown schools and began his business career by dealing in lum- ber, grain and feed. He subsequently elosed out his inter- ests and spent two years railroading and then returned to Burgettstown and for several years operated a butcher shop. Mr. Fulton then built two large warehouses and re-entered the grain business and has a number of other important financial interests. He is vice president of the Burgettstown National Bank and a leading stoekholder, and is also an oil producer.

On Sept. 17, 1885, Mr. Fulton was married to Miss Emma V. Figley, a daughter of Hugh and Elizabeth Fig- ley, and they have two children: B. B. and Walter N. The elder son married Bertha Karns and they have three children : Thelma N., Helen M. and John D. The young- er son married Katherine V. Cook. Mr. Fulton and fam- ily are members of the First Presbyteriau Church. In polities he is a Democrat.

HARRY A. JONES, of the law firm of Bireh & Jones, at Washington, Pa., and a practitioner in all the State and Federal Courts, is a representative eitizeu and a member of one of the old pioneer families of Washing- ton County. He was born June 9, 1873, near Mononga- hela City, Washington Co., Pa., and is a son of the late Isaac W. Jones.

The family of which Mr. Jones is a worthy representa- tive was established in Washington County by his great-

grandfather and both his grandfather, Elijah Jones, and his father, Isaae W. Jones, were born in this county, the latter in 1836. For many years he was one of the most extensive dealers in wool iu this section, and was a man of sterling character. His death occurred in 1901.

Harry A. Jones was about six years old when his par- ents came to Washington borough and he was graduated from the publie schools in 1889, ranking first in his elass; following which he became a student in Washington and Jefferson College, where he was equally brilliant and graduated as first honor man in 1895, and two years later received his diploma from the Pittsburg Law School. In 1897 he was admitted to the bar of Allegheny County and became a member of the law firm of Mellvaine, Murphy & Jones, at Pittsburg, where he remained until 1909, when he entered into practice at Washington, having been ad- mitted to the Washington County bar in 1898. On May 1, 1909, he entered into partnership with T. F. Bireh, the firm style becoming Birch & Jones. Mr. Jones is inter- ested in the Washington Iee Company and is one of the board of directors.

In 1906, Mr. Jones was married to Miss Ruth Craw- ford, a daughter of W. F. Crawford, who is in the drug business at Williamsport, Pa., and they have one child, Katherine Crawford. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are members of the First Methodist Episcopal Church at Washington, in which Mr. Jones has been organist since 1891. He is a Knight Templar Mason.

JAMES D. CAMPSEY, one of Claysville's prominent business and publie men, who served three years as bur- gess of the borough and in other offices and for many years has been engaged here in the mercantile line, was born in Donegal Township, Washington Co., Pa., and is a son of James and Isabella (Dougherty) Campsey.

Mr. Campsey bears the family name of James, the same borne by his father and grandfather, the latter of whom was born in County Donegal, Ireland. In very early days he emigrated to the United States, and for a time was located east of the mountains of Pennsylvania. In 1801 he settled in what was then a wild region but is now a richly cultivated portion of Washington County, attracted thither possibly because it bore the old home name of Donegal. Perchance he had something to do with the naming of the township. There he lived for many years, overeame pioneer conditions, acquired lands and stoek and in the course of nature passed away and was sueceeded by his son, James Campsey. The latter's life was an agricultural one but he was also interested in publie matters and gave support to both schools and reli- gion. He was a worthy member of the Presbyterian Church in Donegal Township. In early years a Whig, he later identified himself with the Republican party. His death occurred in 1884.

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

James D. Campsey obtained a public school education in Donegal Township and engaged there in agricultural pursuits until he removed to Claysville. He has been one of the most active and useful men of the borough. He has served here in important offices and prior to this was road supervisor in Donegal Township, and has served also as a justice of the peace. He is a stockholder in the Claysville Cemetery Association and was one of the incor- porators, and is a director in the Claysville National Bank. In politics he is a Republican and he served one year through election by that party as street commis- sioner of the borough.

Mr. Campsey was united in marriage with Miss Maggie Moore, a daughter of John and Ann E. (Anderson) Moore, of Donegal Township, and they have one surviving son, Harry O. He is a well known dealer in furniture at Claysville and also is an undertaker. He married Adda Knapp and they have four children: Mrytle, Harry O., James and David G. Mrs. Maggie (Moore) Campsey died in November, 1897. She was a woman of many lovely traits of character and was much beloved. For many years she had been a devoted member of the Pres- byterian Church.

JAMES MILTON McWILLIAMS, a life-long citizen of Canonsburg, Pa., belongs to one of the old pioneer families of Washington County. He was born in this city when it was but a village, August 3, 1854, and is a son of James Milton and Lydia (McCoy) McWilliams.

Both parents of Mr. McWilliams were born in Char- tiers Township, Washington County and both died at Canonsburg, the father in 1894, in his eighty-first year, and the mother in July, 1907, in her eighty-sixth year. There were twelve children born to these worthy people, both of whom lived at peace with the world through long and blameless lives. They reared a most creditable family and their descendants are scattered all through Washing- ton County. John W., the eldest son, was a soldier in the signal service during the Civil War and died January 21, 1907. He married (first) Emma Clark, daughter of Dr. Clark, of Washington, and (second) Louise Walker, who survives and resides at Cottonwood Falls, Kas. Will- iam McWilliams, the second son, was a soldier in the Civil War, a member of Co. D, 10th Pa. Res. He never married and died at Canonsburg, December 25, 1908. George and an infant daughter both died in childhood. Mary, who is the widow of John Cook, resides at Canons- burg. George (2) follows the trade of stone contracting, has never married, and lives at Canonsburg. Lydia, who is deceased, was the wife of John Stewart. James Milton was next in order of birth. Addison resides at Canonsburg, where he is engaged in business as a brick and stone mason. He married Addie Cowan. Samuel is identified with the Comonwealth Trust Co. of Pitts-

burg. He married Ella Roberts, who is now deceased. Hattie and Nettie, the youngest members of the family, both reside at Canonsburg. The father owned a small farm near Canonsburg and also worked at his trade of wagonmaker.

James Milton McWilliams attended the schools near his home in his boyhood but in 1873 became an appren- tice to the stone and bricklaying trade and after acquir- ing a complete knowledge of the same started into busi- ness and has continued in the same line until the pres- ent, apparently being as active as years ago. His thor- ough knowledge and his honest methods of applying it long since brought him the confidence and custom of his fellow citizens and he has done a large amount of important work in this city and vicinity. He did a part of the building on his own commodious residence at No. 13I West College street.

On October 2, 1884, Mr. McWilliams was married to Miss Nora Ayers, a daughter of Hiram and Mary Ann Ayers, of Pittsburg, and they have three children : Grace, who is a successful teacher at Meadowlands; John, who is in the employ of the Riter-Conley Manufacturing Co., of Pittsburg; and Frank, who is a student at Canons- burg. Mr. McWilliams was reared in the Democratie party but he is independent in his views and as he never asks any party favors, he votes as his judgment dictates. For many years he has been identified with Chartiers Lodge, No. 297, F. & A. M., of Canonsburg.

OLIVER COLLINS POLLOCK, better known in Washington County, Pa., as O. C. C. Pollock, has been engaged in the peaceful pursuits of agriculture in North Strabane Township since April, 1881, but prior to that had had a career which included some years of military adventure, a chironcle of which is interesting iu the ex- treme. He is a representative of one of the old and honorable families of the county and enjoys a wide ac- quaintance, extending to every part of it. He was born in North Strabane Township, October 15, 1852, and is a son of Samuel and Esther (MeNary) Pollock.

The early ancestors of Mr. Pollock came to America from Scotland in 1736 and into Washington County, Pa., previous to the War of the Revolution. Their names are preserved as Samuel and Jane Pollock. Samuel Pollock patented a tract of land in the present limits of North Strabane Township, near Clokeyville, the same being now owned by his great-grandson, W. T. Pollock. Samuel Pollock had three sons: John, Samuel and William, all of whom were prominent factors in the development of Washington County and in many ways connected with its early history.

Of the above sons, William Pollock was the direct an- cestor of Oliver Collins Pollock. He married Jane Mc- Nary and resided all his life in North Strabane Town-

OLIVER C. POLLOCK

NEW YOR

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

ship, Washington County, In early days he operated an ox-mill, which had been erected by John Calhoun, and to this mill came settlers with their grain from many miles around.

Samuel Pollock, a son of William and father of Oliver C., was a farmer and manufacturer and resided for many years at Canonsburg. tle took a prominent part in the organization of the Republican party in Washington County and was foremost in all local enterprises, lle was one of the organizers of the Oak Spring Cemetery Asso- ciation and was the main support of a female seminary in Canonsburg, known as "Olome Institute" for several years. This seminary occupied the site of the First Presbyterian Church at Canonsburg, which was first known as the David Templeton property.

Oliver C. C. Pollock in early manhood added an addi- tional initial to his name, on account of having a brother with initials of A. C. residing at the same time at Can- onsburg, and retained the initial after the death of the brother. He was taken to Canonsburg by his parents, in 1857, and as he grew older, attended the public schools. In 1868 and 1869 he was a student at Dixon and Dun- bar's Academy, which is now known as Jefferson Acad- emy, and in 1871 and 1872, at Washington and Jefferson College, going from there to Westminster College, where he spent two years and graduated from the latter insti- tution in the class of 1874. In the fall of that year he entered the United Presbyterian Seminary, at Allegheny,

where he pursued his studies until the late fall of 1875. At this time the discovery of gold in the Black Hills was made known to the country and young men from all points in the East were attracted thither, some with the hope of securing fortune and others in the spirit of ad- venture which, at various times, has been the secret of discoveries frequently attributed to scientific research.

Among the young men, many of them students whose lives prior to this, like Mr. Pollock's had been mainly spent in academic halls, he resolved to visit the Black Hills. His proposal did not meet with the approbation of his father, and in order to get transportation to the supposed treasure land he enlisted under the name of Ira E. Douglass as a soldier in the mounted service, at the recruiting station at Pittsburg, on November 20, 1875, and was transferred from Pittsburg to Jefferson Barracks, Mo., and from there in January, 1876, to Fort D. A. Russell, Wyo., and assinged to Co. M. 3rd U. S. Cav., and the young soldier took part in the winter can- paign against the Sioux Indians, under General Crook. Leaving this fort on February 20, 1876, the command at- tacked Crazy Horse village, at the mouth of Otter Creek, in North Dakota on March 16, 1876, after making a forced march of twenty-four hours, with the thermometer registering forty-five degrees below zero. The command did not get back to Fort Fetterman, from which place

they were out twenty-six days, and the average tempera- ture was twenty six below zero, until March 29th. This was a rough experience for the prospective young geld miner and soldier of fortune, but it was only a beginning of experiences he had scarcely conceived of previously. In June, 1876, his command participated in the summer campaign against Crazy Ilorse and Sitting Bull's bands of Sioux Indians, the memorable campaign in which the brave Gen. Custer lost his life. In May, 1876, Gen. Crook's command left Fort Russell and on the 17th of June engaged in a running fight with 3,300 Sioux on Rosebud River and were within three miles of the death trap at the mouth of Dead Man's Canyon, in Montana, and were only saved from Custer's fate through the sagacity of Frank Guiard, a half-breed seout, who was with the party. Buffalo Bill, Wild Bill and Texas Jack, all notable scouts, were also with this command. The fight on June 17, 1876, was practically a draw. Gen. Crook was obliged to return fifty miles to his supply station for ammunition, and the Custer disaster followed within a few days. On August 5, 1876, Gen. Crook left the supply camp with his troops to avenge Gen. Custer. They trailed the Indians through the Yellow Stone and Powder River valleys, and on the 29th reached the edge of the Bad Lands. For ten days the command was lost here, having missed the trail, but on September 9th, American Horse's village was located and destroyed as was another Indian village eight days later, and in this fight Wild Bill lost his life. The command finally landed in the Black Hills, October 5, 1876, after mach hard- ship on account of the supplies having run out, the men having to subsist on rosebuds and horse flesh. This experience in the Black Hills and Bad Lands completely cured Mr. Pollock of his attack of gold fever and he decided to serve out his time and then, as fast as possible, return to his native State. He still had many experi- ences, however, before he saw again the welcome sights of home. He was on duty at Fort Sheridan, near the Spotted Tail Agency, in the winter of 1877, when Crazy Horse went on a rampage, and it was Mr. Pollock who was detailed to carry the news to the Red Cloud Agency, a distance of forty-five miles, and he accomplished this courageous feat within four hours. He was present at the rounding up of Wild Hog and Yellow Hand bands of Cheyenne Indians, in 1877, and assisted in the removal of the Spotted Tail and Red Cloud bands of Sioux to the Ponea Reservation, and subsequently, in 1878, to the Pine Ridge Agency. He was stationed at Fort Sidney. Neb .; Fort McKinney, Wyo .; Camp Rawlins, Fort Lara- mie and Fort D. A. Russell during the remainder of his service and received his honorable and welcome discharge on November 19, 1880. He reached the old homestead in Canonsburg, in December, 1880, and in April, 1881, em- barked in farming on the old Judge McDowell farm in

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

North Strabane Township, that property being then owned by his father, Samuel Pollock. In 1884, Mr. Pol- lock erected his present residence, and on December 18, 1884, moved into it, and has continued his farm interests here ever since. He has taken a somewhat active interest in county politics, and on the Republican ticket has been elected to numerous township offices, serving as auditor, tax collector, notary public and justice of the peace, and for five years has been chairman of the present committee.

In December, 1880, Mr. Pollock was married to Miss Anna Belle Weaver, a daughter of Thomas D. Weaver, of North Strabane Township, and to them have been born the following children: Bessie J., Viola P., Oscar D., Eliza W., Inez E., Edna L., Adis C., Earl Collins and Samuel Blaine McDonald. The eldest daughter is the wife of E. L. Campbell, of Midway, Pa. All the children survive with the exception of Edna L., who died aged four months. Mr. Pollock and family are members of the Greenside Avenue United Presbyterian Church at Canonsburg.

JOHN S. CRAIG, a representative of one of Wash- ington County's old and respected families, who is en- gaged in general farming and stock raising in Hopewell Township, was born in Independence Township, Wash- ington Co., Pa., July 4, 1851, and is a son of William and Margaret (McFadden) Craig, the former of whom died in 1890.

John S. Craig was educated in the schools of Inde- pendence and Hopewell Townships and ever since early manhood 'has devoted himself to agricultural pursuits and has always resided in his native county.

On December 1, 1886, Mr. Craig was married to Miss Kate Bates, of an old family of Independence Town- ship. She is a daughter of Conrad and Isabella (Gil- more) Bates, both deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Craig the following children have been born: Alvin McMurray, who lives at home; Mary Belle, who is a student in the Indiana Normal School; Margaret Leanna; John Stan- ley, and Bessie Luella. Mr. and Mrs. Craig are members of the United Presbyterian Church at West Middletown, of which he has been a trustee for twenty years, and Mrs. Craig belongs to the missionary society and takes a great deal of interest in the work. Mr. Craig is a Re- publican as are his brothers and was their late father. He has served as school director and at present is road supervisor.

MORRIS R. WEIR, a retired farmer, residing for the past two years in a comfortable home at No. 99 Donnan avenue, Washington, Pa., for many years was actively engaged in farming and stock raising in South Franklin Township. Mr. Weir was born in 1846, in South Frank- lin Township, Washington Co., Pa., and is a son of

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Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 16

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