USA > Pennsylvania > Washington County > Washington > Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II > Part 19
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On December 25, 1878, Mr. Dnulap was married to Miss Sadie MeCounell, a danghter of Charles and Annie (Mor- row) McConnell. They have one daughter, Mamie, who is the wife of John W. Schaufele, who is in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, traveling daily betweeu Pittsburg and Canonsburg.
JAMES W. GRIMES, a well known and popular em- ploye of the National Bank of Claysville, at Claysville, Pa., has been identified with the institution since Janu- ary, 1903. He was born in Ohio County, W. Va., Octo- ber 2, 1867, and is a son of John and Martha (Post) Grimes.
John Grimes, father of James W., was born in Done- gal Township, Washington County, on the old family estate, and was a son of John Grimes, the latter of whom settled at an early date in Donegal Township, three miles north of Claysville. He acquired about 500 acres of land and 127 of this yet belongs to the Grimes family. Both father and grandfather were farmers. The former died January 14, 1908. He was a worthy member of the United Presbyterian Church.
James W. Grimes was mainly reared on the family farm in Donegal Township. He was educated in a pri- vate school in Donegal Township, the Normal School at Claysville and the West Middletown Academy, and after- ward for several years he taught school in Washington County. He has been an active and useful citizen of Claysville, serving in the borough council and also as a director in the Independent school district and for a sea- son was secretary of the board. In politics he is identi- fied with the Republican party.
Mr. Grimes was married to Miss Elizabeth Hayburn, a daughter of James Hayburn, formerly a well known resident of Donegal Township, and they have two chil- dren: John L. and Margaret R. Mr. Grimes and wife are members of the United Presbyterian Church at Clays- ville, of which he is treasurer.
T. II. W. FERGUS, assistant district attorney of Washington County, Pa., and a leading member of its bar, has been a resident of Washington Borough fer some twenty-one years. lle was born in 1879, in South Strabane Township, Washington Co., Pa., and is a son of Samuel P. and a grandson of Thomas Fergus.
The Fergus family originated in Ireland but has been in America for many generations and in Washington
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County since 1802, established here by the great-grand- parents of T. H. W. Fergus, who came from Hunting- don County when their son Thomas was a babe. The late Samuel P. Fergus, was born in Washington County in 1840 and died in 1900. He engaged in farming until 1885, when he was elected county treasurer of Washing- ton County and served in that office until his death. He was also interested in oil development in the county.
T. H. W. Fergus attended the township schools until prepared for college and then entered Washington and Jefferson College, where he was graduated in the class of 1900. For about two years after leaving school he followed surveying, and then began to teach and for some years followed that profession, a part of the time in his alma mater, and for one year was principal of the Cross Creek Academy. During these years he read law by himself and then entered the office of Attorney J. M. McBurney, where he completed his preparation for the bar and was admitted to practice, in 1904, in all the courts of the State. He is a leading Republican and for two years served on the Republican County Committee being its chairman for one year. He bas filled local of- fices very acceptably to the public, was auditor of East Washington Borough and is now assistant district at- torney.
Mr. Fergus is a member of the Heptasophs, the Elks and the Bassett Club, being one of the organizers of the latter. He belongs also to the Washington County Bar Association. For many years Mr. Fergus has been a member of the Second United Presbyterian Church and bas served as an officer in the Sabbath school. He has a wide circle of friends; professional, political and per- sonal.
R. C. VANCE, general farmer, who owns 134 acres of excellent land, situated partly in Smith and partly in Cross Creek Township, was born in Cross Creek Township, Washington Co., Pa., on the place on which he resides, June 19, 1850. His parents were Allison and Margaret (Campbell) Vance.
Allison Vance was born in Smith Township, Washing- ton County, but later resided in Cross Creek Township, where he bad 160 acres of land, and he engaged in farm- ing until he was thirty-eight years old. He married Mar- garet Campbell, whose death preceded his own, he sur- viving until 1892. They were worthy members of the Cross Creek Presbyterian Church and they were buried in the Cross Creek Cemetery. They were parents of six sons and one daughter.
R. C. Vance attended the public schools during boy- hood and then turned his attention to farming and rais- ing fine stock. Since his marriage he bas resided on his present farm, which is situated one mile northeast of Cross Creek and within five miles of Burgettstown. He
has done all of the improving that gives his farm so fine an appearance. He breeds Shorthorn cattle and a su- perior grade of sheep, having about 125 of the latter ready for market annually. Mr. Vance also enjoys the income from thirteen oil and gas wells situated on his property.
In March, 1875, Mr. Vance was married to Miss Mary E. McGough, a daughter of John McGough, of Colum- biana County, Ohio, and they have four children, namely : Homer C., who married Miss Sarah B. McNelly; Martha J., who married J. W. Reed; and Margaret Mary and Oscar C., both of whom reside at home. Mr. Vance and family attend the Cross Creek Presbyterian Church. Like his father, Mr. Vance is identified with the Republican party but is not active in political life. He is one of the substantial men of this section and is a stockholder in the Burgettstown National Bank and the Washington National Bank and also the Pittsburg Building and Loan Company.
JOSEPH T. ALTON, an energetic young business man of MeDonald, Pa., who is chief clerk and a pay- master of the McDonald division of the Pittsburg Coal Company, was born at Titusville, Pa., January 2, 1882, and is a son of Edward and Rose (Harrigan) Alton. His paternal grandparents were Joseph F. and Susan (Sison) Alton, and those on the maternal side, Thomas and Mary (O'Shea) Harrigan. Mr. Alton's great uncle, George D. Alton, was the first white boy born in what is now the city of Dunkirk, N. Y.
Reared in a log cabin, after reaching maturity he made the brick and built the first brick house in Dun- kirk. This house was recently torn down to make roon for a more modern structure, and the bricks were car- ried away by residents of the city for relics.
Edward Alton, who is a machinist by trade, is now living at MeDonald, and of his children Joseph T. is the eldest, the others being: Mary, the wife of J. E. MeDonald; Cassius E. and Clarence Daniel.
Joseph T. Alton attended the public schools of MeDonald, leaving high school in his senior year to enter the employ of the Pittsburg Coal Company. It was not long before his services to the company were rewarded by promotion, and he has risen steadily until he now holds the position of chief clerk and paymaster of the McDonald division, which consists of five mines.
On September 4, 1907, Mr. Alton was married to Catherine Austin, daughter of M. J. and Mary (Me- Nerney) Austin, residents of McDonald. Mrs. Alton has a brother, William J., and a sister, Nellie. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Alton: George G., June 28, 1908.
Mr. Alton is fraternally connected with Chartiers Council, No. 875, Knights of Columbus, and the Macca.
John M Stockdale
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
bees at MeDonald. He is a Republican in polities and has served as anditor of MeDonald. He and his wife at- tend the Catholic Church.
JOHN M. STOCKDALE was for many years a resi- Hent of Washington, Pa. He was born August 28, 1524, on the homestead in Morris Township. Greene County. His grandfather, James Stockdale, came from the north of Ireland to this country in 1757, expecting to return after seeing the new land of promise, but having ex- hausted his funds in traveling he determined to make enough money to pay his passage back home. the Fates, however, had deereed otherwise, before this was accom- plished he met Miss Weir, who afterwards became his wife and he gave up all thought of reerossing the seas to his native land. This young couple established then- selves in what was then Washington (now Greene) Coun- ty in 1790 and to them were born one son and three daughters. The mother died in 1823 and the father died in 1840 at the age of eighty six.
Their son, William Stockdale, was born in 1792 on his father's farm where with the exception of a period of service in the War of 1812, he spent all the seventy-one tranquil years of his life and died there in 1863. 1fis wife Hannah, a danghter of John McQuaide of Wash- ington County died in 1873, being seventy-six years of age. They had seven children, James, John M., Robert, Thomas R., Mary. Isabella and Sarah. He was a fairly prosperous man for his day and with the commendable family pride of an intelligent gentleman, he spared no pains in preparing his children to enter with credit upon the duties of life, he sent his sons and his daughters to pursue their studies in the neighboring schools and col- leges of Waynesburg, Washington and Canonsburg.
John M. Stockdale was the second child of William and Hannah Stockdale, his childhood was spent on the farm. He was prepared for college at Carmichael's academy and he graduated from Washington College in 1849, immediately afterward entering the law office of Hon. T. M. T. MeKennan and was admitted to the bar in 1-52. The following year he became owner and editor of the Waynesburg "Messenger," the only Democratic newspaper in Greene County. In 1854 he was elected to the State Legislature and served two terms, then, being a victim of inflammatory rheumatism, he decided to go west, hoping to shake off this enemy to his well-being and it was during this search for health and recreation that he became connected with extensive business matters in Iowa. He located in Fert Dodge, a frontier town, which was fortified for protection against the Indians and in 1857 by appointment of President Buchanan he beeame register of the government land office there. That year was a notable period in his early life, in April, he
was married to Pattie Clark, the beautiful daughter of Abner and Patty Evans Clark of Ten Mile Valley, Pa. She was born June 22, 1833, on the farm where her mother and grandfather were born and which was "taken up " as government land by her great grandfather and has ever since belonged to some member of the family. She was one of eight children, "the family was prominent in the county and this home filled with these brothers and sisters was a center where was dispensed a large, hearty and wholesome hospitality".
Mr. Stockdale took his bride to his new home in the west where, as also in their later places of residence, her rare charm of manner, her ready wit which left no sting. her gracious Christian character, won her a place in the hearts of an ever widening circle of friends. Mrs. Stork- dale survived her husband seven years and on May 28. 1904, died in their home on East Wheeling street, Wash- ington, Pa., where their only child, Miss Elizabeth (. Stoekdale, now resides.
In 1563, while yet a resident of Fort Dodge, Mr. Stock- dale was nominated for the State Senate of lowa, but declined the nomination. In 1864 he was an elector on the MeClelland ticket. During his residence in Iowa he dlealt extensively in real estate, having bought and sold more than 200,000 acres of land as the records show, but the Civil War so depressed land values throughout the West that for the time real estate became a hazardous investment and in 1865 he removed to Baltimore, Md., where he engaged in the wholesale drug business as a member of the well known firm of Stockdale, Smith & Co. He also owned a petroleum oil refinery there until the Standard Oil Company by methods now well known crushed out all competition.
In 1881 Mr. Stockdale and his family moved to Wash- ington, Pa., where for several years he published the "Review " and "Examiner." In 1884 he received the nomination for Congress on the Democratie ticket in the district which embraced Washington, Beaver and Law- rence counties. A year earlier be secured a State charter for the transportation and use of natural gas for light and heat, a company of enterprising citizens was or- ganized and the development of oil and gas in the im- mediate vicinity of Washington was the result. His activities along this line aided materially in the develop- ment of the resources and added largely to the pros- perity of the borough.
His mind was well stored with knowledge, he had read widely and had great ability as an extemporaneous speak- er. He was honorable and hated injustice, he loved law and order and was an earnest champion of the people's rights. There were no neutral tints in his politieal celors he was ever an ardent Democrat, believing thoroughly in his party and its principles. He was a Christian and a
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member of the Presbyterian Church from early life. He enjoyed much snecess, be bore reverses with dignity and composure, he "was equal to either fortune."
He retired from active life "as be felt the evening shadows coming on" and died September 17, 1897 at his home in Washington.
DEMAS E. LINDLEY, cashier of the Farmers' and Miners' National Bank of Bentleyville, Pa., with which he has been identified since March 14, 1908, was born April 28, 1872, on a farm in South Franklin Township, Washington Co., Pa., a son of Benjamin Clifford and Miranda V. (Patterson) Lindley, both of whom are living in Washington County. The paternal grandfather of our subject was Cephas Lindley, and the maternal grandfather was Wilson Patterson of Franklin Township.
Demas E. Lindley remained under the parental roof until nineteen years of age, attended the district schools of Franklin Township and took a private course with the Rev. Fisher, after which he took a business course at Washington, Pa. He first began his business career as a bookkeeper for Mr. Neff, a plumber of Washington, with whom he remained but two months, when he accepted a position with the First National Bank of Canonsburg, Pa., with which he was identified from April, 1892, until October, 1905, when he resigned because of ill health, and accepted a clerical position at the mines in West- moreland County, Pa. On March 14, 1908, he became cashier of the Farmers' and Miners' National Bank of Bentleyville, of which Joseph A. Herron, of Monongahela City, Pa., is president, and T. A. Hetherington, a farmer of Somerset Township, is vice-president. The directors of the bank are : J. A. Herron; T. A. Hetherington; Joseph Underwood, of Roscoe, Pa .; W. F. Richardson, of Bentleyville, Pa .; W. H. Murray, a farmer of Somer- set Township; J. E. Richardson, of Bentleyville; Julian Grable, of Fallowfield Township; W. H. Wilson, of Clover Hill; A. B. Richardson, of Somerset Township; and J. G. McCormack, of Bentleyville. The bank was organized in the fall of 1906, after which the present building, a fine large three-story brick, was erected, and the bank was open for business March 14, 1908.
Mr. Lindley married Blanch Ashbaugh, a daughter of William Ashbaugh, of Westmoreland County, Pa., and they have seven children: Lois, Zella, Freda, Clifford, Lloyd, John Willis, and Gladys. Mr. Lindley affiliates with the Elks and the Eagles.
CHARLES E. PHILLIPS, a member of the Wash- ington bar, was born in 1871, at California, Washington Co .. Pa., and is a son of David Phillips, a native of Fayette County, who has been a resident of Washington County for a half century.
Charles E. Phillips was reared in his native place and
attended first the publie schools and later the State Nor- mal School at California. From this institution he was graduated in the class of 1890. Although thoroughly qualified for teaching, Mr. Phillips then turned his at- tention to law, entering the law department of the Uni- versity of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where he graduated in the class of 1895. He then was interested for several years in real estate dealings, but in 1904 was admitted to the bar and has ben engaged in law practice at Wash- ington ever since, maintaining his office at No. 46 South Main street, but retaining his home at California. The Washington bar is distinguished for its number of bril- liant young men.
Mr. Phillips is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In polities he is a Republican and fraternally he is a Mason.
GEORGE D. SCOTT, one of Hopewell Township's representative citizens who carries on agricultural oper- ations on a valuable farm of 113 acres, was born in Nottingham Township, Washington County, Pa., Nov. 29, 1869. His parents were J. Finley and Margaret (Davis) Scott. Mr. Scott has two sisters: Mary, who is the wife of L. J. Brownlee; and Anna M., who is the wife of Louis Liggett and lives in Ohio.
George D. Scott was about 8 years old when his parents moved on a farm in Canton Township and there he was mainly reared. He attended the public schools and spent two terms at the old Buffalo Academy. He remained with his father on the farm until after his marriage in 1898, after which he rented farms until 1901, in Canton Township, when they moved to Hope- well Township. In 1904, after the death of Mrs. Scott's father, they came into possession of this place, which they had rented for three years. This farm was the land taken up by William Smiley at the time of his arrival here, and has been in possession of some one of his descendants ever since. Mr. Scott makes a spe- cialty of boarding horses for their owners in Washing- ton, and usually has from 25 to 30 head all through the winter. He is recognized as an excellent business man and is a very successful farmer.
Mr. Scott was married Mareh 10, 1898, to Miss Alchie Hamilton, who is a daughter of the late Robert and Mary H. (Anderson) Hamilton, formerly one of Hope- well Township's most respected and best known people. Mr. and Mrs. Scott are valued members of the Upper Buffalo Presbyterian Church and take an active part in its various branches of work. Formerly Mr. Scott was one of the church trustees, while Mrs. Scott has long been a member of the missionary society. In his political views, Mr. Scott is a Republican, but he has always declined to serve in any public office.
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CHARLES C. JOHNSON, president of the Citizens Trust Company of Canonsburg, is well known in finan- cial circles, having been identified with the banking business ever since leaving college. Ile was born in Chartiers Township, Washington County, Pa., Nov. 17, 1872, and is a son of J. Bradford and Jennie (Crothers) Johnson.
Mr. Johnson belongs to old county families. His paternal grandparents were John and Rebecca (Van Eman) Johnson, old residents of Washington County, who died in Canonsburg. They had three sons: Richard V., J. Bradford and John G. The maternal grand. parents were Samuel and Jane ( Brownlee) Crothers, and they had the following children: William B., de- ceased; Robert W., residing at Taylorstown, Pa .; Lea- men M., deceased; Mira, deceased, formerly the wife of W. W. MeClay; Jennie; Elizabeth, deceased; and Ella, wife of R. M. Dorrance, of Cleveland, Ohio.
J. Bradford Johnson, now an esteemed resident of Canonsburg, was born in Chartiers Township, Washing- ton County, in 1842. Until 1899 he lived ou his farm in Chartiers Township, removing then to Canonsburg, where he has since been retired and is a director of the Citizens Trust Company. He married Jennie Crothers, who died in 1897, aged 57 years. They had the follow- ing children: Ella Maud, who married Rev. Charles G. Williams, who is pastor of the Hyde Park Presbyterian Church of Denver, Col .; John Tracy, wbo manages the home farm; and Charles C.
Charles C. Johnson was educated in the township schools, Jefferson Academy and Washington and Jeffer- sou College, graduating from the latter with the class of 1893. During his college course he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Immediately after leaving college he was made assistant cashier of the Citizens Bank, limited, and in 1895 he became cashier and continued to fill that office until the Citizens Trust Company was organized, in 1901, when he became sec- retary and treasurer of this company and continued as such until July 1, 1909, when he became president. Mr. Johnson is a young man to fill so important a position and that he has been placed at the head, indicates the great confidence felt in his judgment and executive ability.
The Citizens Trust Company of Canonsburg was or ganized May 1, 1901, taking over the business of the Citizens Bank, limited, a private bauk which had been in existence for ten years. The Citizens Trust Company building is a fine four-story pressed brick structure, which was erected in 1904, the lot and building together costing $90,000. The interior of the bank is of birch wood aud mahogany finish and the rest of the building is finished in oak. The dimensions are 70x80 feet. The upper floors have been fitted up as residence flats, while
on the lower floors, in addition to the bank proper are directors' and officers' rooms, vault and all modern fix- tures to ensure comfort, convenience and safety. The institution has been more than successful, paying 6 per cent annual interest. The management has been prac- tically the same since its organization.
On June 20, 1903, Mr. Johnson was married to Miss Grace Moreland Henderson, a daughter of John M. and Anna (Cary) Henderson, and a direct descendant of Rev. Dr. Mathew Henderson, who was the first pastor of the Upper Buffalo Church. Mrs. Johnson is a grad- uate of the College for Women, Cleveland. She also spent some years in school in Germany and Switzerland. They are members of the Central Presbyterian Church of Canonsburg, of which Mr. Johnson is treasurer.
JOHN S. HOLMES, one of Donegal Township's well known and highly respected citizens, who has been en- gaged in farming and stock raising ever since he reached man's estate, was born in Donegal Township, Washington County, Pa., July 31, 1549, and is a son of George Y. and Elizabeth (Snodgrass) ) Holmes.
George Y. Holmes was born in the city of Glasgow, Scotland. Ilis parents were William and Nancy E. Holmes, whom he accompanied to America when he was about 10 years old. The family came directly to Wash- ington County and settled a short distance from Clays- ville, in Donegal Township. George Y. Holmes grew to useful manhood here and in the course of years be- came a man of prominence in the community. He filled many public offices with credit, was long a school director and also a justice of the peace, and on one occasion was the candidate of the Republican party for the office of county commissioner. He was a leading member of the Baptist Church at Claysville and was also a local preacher in this body. His death occurred in 1903, having survived his wife for many years. IIer maiden name was Elizabeth Snodgrass and she was born in Donegal Township and was a daughter of John Snod- grass and a granddaughter of William Snodgrass, one of the pioneer settlers. To George Y. and Elizabeth Holmes the following chiktren were born: William, who lives at Washington, Pa .; John S., who resides in Don- egal Township; Nannie E., who is the wife of Charles W. Miller, of Claysville; George Y., his father's name- sake, who lives at Claysville, Pa .; Mary M., who is the wife of Samuel Kelley, of Buffalo Township; Margaret, who lives at Claysville; Robert R., who lives at Me- Donakl, Pa .; Florence, who is the wife of Wiley Reaney, lives at Claysville.
John S. Holmes attended the district schools in Done- gal Township, in his boyhood, and afterward passed his youth in helping his father on the home farm. He owns a valuable traet of 64 acres, which he has well stocked
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and under an excellent state of cultivation. His sur- roundings indicate thrift and substantial comfort.
On Jan. 1, 1873, Mr. Holmes was married to Miss Margaret C. Miller, who was born in Donegal Township, July 9, 1849, and is a daughter of Christopher and Sarah J. (Knight) Miller, and a granddaughter of John Miller, who was one of Donegal Township's early set- tlers. The mother of Mrs. Holmes was born in Vir- ginia. Of the children born to Christopher Holmes and wife, the following survive: Calvin L. and Mary J., both of whom live in Donegal Township; George H., who is a resident of McDonald; Charles W., who lives at Claysville; Margaret C., who is Mrs. Holmes; and Frances E., who is the widow of Robert B. Ramage, re- sides on her farm in Donegal Township. Christopher Miller and wife were people of sterling worth, consistent members of the Presbyterian Church.
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