Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 2

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 2

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Mr. Murdoch was married January S. 1874, to Martie Boyle, of Allegheny City, Pa., and their family con- sists of four children, viz .: Edgar B., May H. (married

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

to Rev. W. M. French), Anna V. and John H., Jr. Their home has been since 1874 at No. 313 North Main street.

Mr. Murdoch is a member of the First United Pres- byterian Church of Washington, in which he has held the office of an elder for over 25 years.

SAMUEL FARRER, SR., one of the good, reliable citizens of Independence Township, who is cultivating an excellent farm of 172 acres, was born May 25, 1831, in Mt. Pleasant Township, Washington County, Pa., and is a son of Andrew and Eliza (Buchanan) Farrer.

Andrew Farrer, who was a blacksmith by trade, fol- lowed that occupation until 1850, in which year he com- menced agricultural pursuits and continued until his death in 1866. He was buried at Upper Buffalo Ceme- tery, as was also his widow, who passed away in 1893. They were the parents of the following children: Samuel; Robert B. and David M., both of whom are deceased; Joseph A., who died when small; and Ezra L., residing in Missouri.

Samuel Farrer received his education in the common schools of his native locality, leaving school to learn the trade of blacksmith, which he followed until his father purchased a farm. On this he worked until 1856, in which year he was married, and after that event he be- came a tenant farmer in Buffalo and Hopewell Town- ships. In 1870 he went back to the home farm, of which he had charge for three years, then bought his present farm, which at that time consisted of 144 acres, and to this he has since added twenty-eight acres. He has car- ried on a general line of farming and has specialized in sheep raising. Although past seventy-eight years of age, Mr. Farrer is in the best of health and in possession of all his faculties, and is able to carry on his duties on the farm every day, attributing his present excellent physical condition to the fact that he has always lived a hearty, out-of-door life and has never indulged to ex- cess in spiritous liquors. He is one of the prominent farmers of his section and a well-known member of the grange at Independence.

In 1856, Mr. Farrer was married to Mary Dunkle, daughter of John and Eleanor (MeLaughlin) Dunkle, farming people of Hopewell Township, and to this union there were born children as follows: Ellen, and J. Addi- son, who reside at home; Nettie B., who married C. L. Grimes, a general storekeeper at Coon Island, Washing- ton County; Andrew C., a leading merchant of West Middletown, who started in business in 1908 and now has a large trade; Abraham Lincoln, a successful mer- chant of Wolftown, Canton Township; John, a carpenter of Buffalo village; James, who died at the age of about eight years; Samuel, Jr., also a carpenter, residing at home; Martha, who married Ernest Smith, operates a farm adjoining that of Mr. Farrer in Independence

Township; and Emma, residing at home. The mother of these children died August 20, 1890, and was buried at West Middletown Cemetery.

Mr. Farrer is connected with the United Presbyterian Church at Mount Hope, in which for many years he served as trustee. A Republican in politics, he has been prominent in the ranks of his party, serving as county commissioner from 1894 to 1897, as justice of the peace from 1889 to 1894, as supervisor for one term, and as school director and judge of election for a number of years.

M. W. SCOTT, a representative business man of Bur- gettstown, carrying on a large trade in furniture, wall paper and carpets, was born in Smith Township, Wash- ington Co., Pa., November 7, 1856, and is a son of Robert K. Scott.

M. W. Scott attended school in Burgettstown, during boyhood and youth, after which he assisted his father on the home farm in Smith Township, for some years. In 1887 he embarked in the furniture business at Bur- gettstown and has added to his original stock and now docs a large amount of dealing, his patronage coming from the town and also from the adjacent country.

On January 18, 1888, Mr. Scott was married to Miss Sarah E. Dornan, a daughter of William Dornan, and they have the following children: William R. K., F. Donn, Pamela M., M. Burt, C. Denny, R. Lauretta, K. Leroy, Wylie F., Lila and Lena, twins, and Harry Mc- Kee. All survive with the exception of Lena, a large, healthy, happy, intelligent family. Mr. Scott and wife are members of the First Presbyterian Church at Bur- gettstown, of which he is one of the trustees. In poli- ties he is a Democrat and was formerly a member of the town council and of the school board. He is also serv- ing as one of the directors of the Union Agricultural Association.

JESSE Y. SCOTT, M. D., one of Washington County's prominent and able physicians and surgeons, has been engaged in active practice in the borough of Washing- ton, for almost a score of years. He was born in Fallow- field Township, Washington Co., Pa., November 13, 1848, and is a son of Joseph A and Eliza (Sheplar) Scott, who long were honored and esteemed residents of Washington County.

From the common schools of Fallowfield Township, Dr. Scott, as an ambitious youth, took up the higher branches of study in the Southwestern State Normal School, at California, Pa., and in 1870 commenced his medical studies. These he pursued under the supervision of Dr. J. H. Leyda, of Bentleyville, and when sufficiently prepared, he entered the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia. With hon-

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

orable mention he was graduated from that institution in 1875, and immediately thereafter started into prue. tice at t'entreville, Washington County. He remmined two years at Centreville, practiced one year at Pittsburg and eleven years at Bentleyville, and then came to Wash ington. His success has been exceptional both from the standpoint of professional achievement and in a finan cial wny. Associated with him is Dr. Donchoo, and they maintain a fine suite of offices at Nos. 211 213 Washing. ton Trust Building. He is a director of the Washington Trust Company, the Washington Electric Light and Power Company, and is financially interested in other successful business enterprises of the borough.

On June 16, 1881, Dr. Scott was married to Miss Ella M. MeLean, a daughter of llenry B. Melean, of Bealls- ville, who formerly served in the office of county com- missioner. Dr. and Mrs. Scott have a beautiful home, their residence being located at No. 495 East Maiden street. They are active members of the Central Pres- byterian Church. In polities, Dr. Scott is a Republican. flis fraternal connections are with several medieal or- ganizations and with the order of Heptasophs.

J. HARPER WALLACE, one of Washington County's prominent citizens, residing on his valuable farm of 163 aeres, which is situated in Canton Township, adjoining the corporation limits of Washington, is president of the Dunbar-Wallace Company, of Washington, and pres- ident of the Crafton Builders' Supply Company, of Crafton, Pa. Mr. Wallace was born in North Fayette Township, Allegheny Co., Pa., January 19, 1849.

Mr. Wallace was afforded excellent educational ad- vantages in his youth, receiving academie training in several well known institutions. In 1889 be purchased his present farm in Canton Township and has made it his home ever since. Ile takes an interest in fine stoek, particularly horses, and is eredited with having one of the best driving teams in the county.

In 1870, Mr. Wallace was married (first) to Miss Louise Donaldson, who died in 1871, leaving one son, Joseph D. At the time of his decease, he was a physi- eian of high standing and was professor of anatomy in Jefferson Medical College. In 1873, Mr. Wallace was married (second) to Miss Jennie B. Oliver, of Allegheny County, and to this marriage six children were born, namely: 3. W., who is secretary and treasurer of the Dunbar & Wallace Lumber Company and of the Crafton Builders' Supply Company; O. C., who is connected with the Dunbar & Wallace Lumber Company; John H., who is a graduate of Princeton University, is manager of the Crafton Builders' Supply Company; Robert, who is interested in the management of the farm; Frank M., who is a student in Washington and Jefferson College ; and Alice, who resides at home. Mr. Wallace and family

are members of the Second Presbyterian t horch at Wash- ington. Fraternally he is an Elk.

WILLIAM V. CALDWELL, who resides on his fine farm of ninety arres, i Hopewell Township, Washington l'o., Pa., was born on a farm, about two miles east of Buffalo village, October 27, 1855, and is a son of Robert S. and Caroline (Vance) Caldwell.

The Caldwell family is a very old one in Washington County, Samuel Callwell, grandfather of William V., being an early resident of Hopewell Township. Robert S. Caldwell was born in Hopewell Township, December 9, 1820, and lived on a part of the same farm until he retired and moved to Buffalo, where he died, December 7, 1903, and his burial was in the Upper Buffalo Ceme- tery. The children born to Robert S. Caldwell and his wife were: Hannah J., who married Robert G. Maxwell; Margaret, who is the widow of John W. Stewart, of Buffalo Township; William V .; Samuel, who died aged twenty four years; and Carrie, who was six months old at the time of her death.

William V. Caldwell attended the public schools until old enough to take on himself the management of the home farm and he has continued in argieultural pursuits ever since. Hle is executor of his father's estate. He remained on the home place until 1906 when he moved to Buffalo village. He located on his present farm adjoin- ing the village in April, 1909.

Mr. Caldwell was married December 3, 1885, to Miss Allie M. Patterson, a daughter of Moses and Grisella (MeComb) Patterson, of Cross Creek Township. The father of Mrs. Caldwell died February 7, 1906, the mother having passed away May 27, 1872. Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell have one son, Robert Vance Caldwell, who was born October 1, 1894. Mrs. Caldwell has one sister and one brother: Lettie, who is the wife of J. C. Blaney, of Buffalo; and James W., who resides at Coon Island, Washington County. Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell are mem- bers of the Upper Presbyterian Church of Buffalo and Mrs. Caldwell belongs to the church missionary society. Mr. Caldwell takes no active interest in polities and cares for no politieal favors. He easts his vote with the Re- publican party and has served on the township election board. He is one of the stockholders in the Buffalo Telephone Company.

JOHN I. CARSON, who, for many years has been prominently identified with the affairs of Washington, Pa., is a representative member of the Washington Conn- ty bar and is a leading factor in Republican politics. ITe was born in Ohio County, W. Va., October 21, 1853, and is a son of Joseph and Anna (Brown) Carson.

John I. Carson was reared to school age on the home farm, and after completing the common school course

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

near home, entered West Alexander Academy, and when sixteen years old, Waynesburg College. After leaving college he taught school in Ohio and Marshall counties, West Virginia, and then in Peoria County, Illinois. In 1875 he returned to his old home and was married in that year and after that settled down to farming in Chesterfield County, Virginia. He continued there some five years and then moved to Philadelphia, where he was employed for one year as a clerk in a commission house. In 1882 he became principal of the public schools of West Alexander and as an educator became well known. In July, 1891, he came to Washington Borough, where he entered into partnership with J. W. Murray, in the insurance, real estate and loan business. In the mean- while he prepared for admission to the bar of Washing- ton County under Attorney James Q. MeGiffin and sub- sequently was admitted to practice. He maintains his offices at Rooms 208-209 in the Brown building, Wash- ington.

Mr. Carson, however, is a man of versatile talents and has not confined himself to the practice of his profession. He is an enthusiastic Republican and many times has been elected to important offices on the Republican ticket. In 1887 he was elected a justice of the peace at West Alexander and served in that capacity until 1892; dur- ing 1892-1893, he was secretary of the Republican county committee; and on January 1, 1893, he was appointed deputy collector of internal revenue for the 23d district, having charge of the 7th division, which embraces Wash- ington, Greene and a part of Fayette counties. In 1900, Mr. Carson was elected prothonotary of Washington County, at which election he led the ticket, and was re-elected to that office in 1903 and again led the ticket, with an increased majority, and served with marked efficiency through his second term, retiring on January 1, 1906.

On November 25, 1875, Mr. Carson was married to a native of his own county and State, Miss Josephine M. Whitham, a daughter of Perry Whitham. They have had the following children: Ross Milligan, Glenn Pere, Murial Joy, Salome and Denton B. The youngest son was accidentally killed by the railroad in 1908. Mr. Carson and family reside at No. 121 LeMoyne avenue. They are members of the First Presbyterian Church.

WILLIAM BAILEY, who passed out of this life Jan- uary 27, 1880, was for many years one of the most prom- inent and substantial farmers of Robeson Township, and was a son of Joseph and Mary (Ackleson) Bailey. Mr. Bailey was a man of public spirit and enterprise. Dur- ing his early life, politically he was a Whig, but later a Democrat, and served in various township offices, inelud- ing assessor and treasurer, and was for twenty-two years constable. He was married in 1848 to Mary Ann Spring-

er, a daughter of Joseph and Mary Ann (MeMurtrie) Springer, and to them were born three children: Mar- garet, who is the widow of John Eaton, is the mother of the following children: Mary, Aaron, Earl, George and John: Joseph S., our subject; and Rachel Jane.

Joseph S. Bailey was born on his present farm in Robeson Township, November 28, 1850, and since com- pleting his education in the common schools of the town- ship, has always engaged in agricultural pursuits on the home farm in Robeson Township, where he and his sis- ter Rachel have spent their entire lives. The farm, which consists of 102 acres, was inherited by the three children of William Bailey, who still own the land between them, and they also inherited another farm of forty-two acres from the father. Joseph S. Bailey is engaged in dairy- ing in connection with his farming interests and ships his produce to Pittsburg from Midway. He keeps about twenty head of cattle and makes a specialty of raising Holstein cattle.

Mr. Bailey is politically a Democrat and has served nine years as auditor, his present term in that office expiring in the spring of 1910, and he has also served as judge and inspector of elections.

JAMES I. BROWNSON, member of the firm of Don- nans, Brownson & Miller, one of the leading law firms of Washington, Pa., has been in practice in this city throughout his professional career and has a wide ac- quaintance through the county. He was born at Wash- ington, Pa., in 1856, and is a son of Rev. James I. Brownson.

Rev. James I. Brownson was a native of Franklin County, Pa., and in 1849 moved to Washington to accept the pastorate of the First Presbyterian Church, and he filled the pulpit of that church continuously for a period of 50 years, resigning Jan. 1, 1899. His death occurred July 4, 1899. He was an able, scholarly and conscientious man and lives in the memory of the people of this community.

James I. Brownson, Esq., was reared in Washington and was educated in the public schools and in Washing- ton and Jefferson College, from which institution he was graduated in 1875. He registered as a law student with Alexander Wilson and was admitted to the bar in 1878, since which time he has been in continuous prac- tice at Washington and with eminent success. He is a member of the Washington County and Pennsylvania State Bar Associations. He was president of the coun- cil of South Washington before it became a part of the city, and also served several terms as solicitor for Wash- ington County. He is a director of the Washington Trust Company; a member of the board of trustees of Washington and Jefferson College; a member of the Arehacological Institute of America; of the National

REV. JAMES I. BROWNSON

JAMES I. BROWNSON

DATIONS.

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

Geographical Society ; and of the American Forrestry Association. In religious attachment, Mr. Brownson is a member of the First Presbyterian Church and is see- retary of the Sunday school.

CHARLES FRANCIS LINN, M. D., superintendent of the Monongahela Memorial Hospital, is a native of Washington, Pa., where he was born August 20, 1874, and is n son of Alonzo and Rebecca E. (Fulton) Linn.

Prof. Alonzo Linn, the father of our subjeet, who was born in Butler County, Pa., eame when a boy of twelve years to the vicinity of Monongahela where he was reared and later became an instructor in the Wash- ington Jefferson College, in which capacity he served until the time of his death, September 24, 1901, at the age of seventy-four years. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Rebecca E. Linn, a resident of Washington, and four children: George Thomas, Andrew M., Harry II., and Charles Francis, our subject.

Dr. Charles F. Linn was reared in Washington, where he attended the Washington Preparatory School, later graduating from the college with the class of 1595. He then took a medieal course at the University of Pennsyl- vania, from which he graduated in 1898 and spent the following year in the hospital at Pottstown. In October, 1899, he eamo to Monongahela City, where he has sinee been engaged in the practice of his profession, in which ho has been highly successful, his office being located on Main street. He is a member of the Washington County, and the Pennsylvania Medieal associations, and in poli- ties, is an adherent of the Republican party.

On November 15, 1908, Dr. Linn was joined in mar- riage with Henrietta L. MeKennan, who is a daughter of Dr. Thomas MeKennan, of Washington, and their residenee is located on the corner of Chess and Third streets.

DAVID M. MeCLOSKEY, one of the leading attorneys and eity solicitor of Charleroi, Pa., who has been a resi- dent here for the past seven years, was born March 6, 1879, in Elk County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Frank P. and Jennie L. (Poland) MeCloskey, both natives of the Wyoming Valley, near Wilkesbarre, Pa. The father of our subjeet is the manager of the Charleroi Real Estate and Insurance Company, and is one of the prominent business men of the city.

David M. McCloskey was born in Elk County, Penn- sylvania, where his parents were visiting at that time. but was reared at Loek Haven, Pa., where he attended the common schools and graduated from the high school at the age of seventeen years. He graduated from the New York University with the degrees of L. L. B. and L. L. M., was admitted to the bar of New York City, and for one year engaged in the practice of his pro-

fession in that city, but for the past seven years has been a resident of Charleroi, where he has been successfully engaged in the practice of law. He has for three years been city solicitor of Charleroi, is attorney for and director of many corporations, including the First Na- tional Bank of Charleroi, the Charleroi Savings & Trust Company, Mercantile Bridge Company, Charleroi Lum- ber Company, Walton Lumber Company, and others. Mr. McCloskey has his offices on Fifth street. He 19 affiliated with the Elks, is a Knight Templar, Mason, and belongs to the Mystic Shrine, and is identified with the University and the Duquesne clubs, of Pitts- burg. His religious connection is with St. Mary's Epis- copal Church of which he is one of the Vestrymen.

HON. JOHN BIRCH, deceased, was onee one of Wash- ington County's most prominent citizens, serving in many offices of responsibility and ably representing his distriet in the State Legislature of Pennsylvania. Hc was born near Shippensburg, Cumberland Co., Pa., Au- gust 5, 1510, and was a son of William and Elizabeth (Mitehell) Birch.

The paternal grandfather was John Birch and he was born in Ireland, but was of Scotch descent. He served twelve years as a soldier in the British Army. In his native country be married Jano Bright and in 1501 they emigrated to America, settling first in Cumberland County, Pa., but later moving to Amwell Township, in Washington County. By trade he was a weaver and dur- ing his lifetime it was a fairly profitable one. His ehil- dren bore the following names: William, Valentine, James, Jane, John, David, Thomas and Ann.

William Birch, the eldest of the above family, became the father of John Birch. Ile was born at Belfast, Ire- land, February 3, 1788, accompanied his parents to Amer- iea thirteen years later and completed his school at- tendanee in Cumberland County, Pa. He learned to weave and in his early business life was associated with a Mr. Campbell in the manufacture of eloth. In 1818 he moved with his family to Amwell Township, Wash- ington County, settling on a farm but removing two years later to a farm in Canton Township, four years later to Buffalo Township, and in 1835 to Holmes County, Ohio. After the death of his wife, in 184-1. he moved to Fulton County, Ill., but returned to Ohio and resided at Birmingham until his decease, April 20, 1879. In polities he was an Old-line Whig and in religion he was a stanch Presbyterian. He married Elizabeth Mitchell. who was born in Cumberland County in 1791, a daughter of John Mitehell, who, like John Birch, was of Irish birth but of Scotch ancestry. To William and Elizabeth Bireh were born the following children: John, Mary, William. David, George Bright, Thomas L., Drusilla, Margaret J .. Mitchell, Joseph and Elizabeth.

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

John Birch obtained his education in the common and subscription schools and when sixteen years old was ap- prenticed to John Sharp, a neighboring tanner, with whom he worked four years as an apprentice and one year as a journeyman. In 1832 he went to Claysville and after working for a short time for a local tanner, he opened a tannery of his own and conducted it for more than fifty years, at the end of that period retiring from active business. In politics he was a Jacksonian Democrat. Being a man of sterling integrity and pos- sessing intellect and education above the majority of his neighbors, was frequently called upon to accept official duties. In 1848 he was elected a county commissioner and served three terms in that office; in 1860, was census enumerator in his section; served five terms as a justice of the peace and finally was elected to the State Legis- lature by a majority of more than 100 votes, and that in a strong Republican county.

On May 5, 1835, Mr. Birch was married to Miss Har- riet Reed, a daughter of James Reed. She was born October 15, 1815, in Amwell Township, and died June 14, 1877. To this union were born the following chil- dren: George W. F., born February 26, 1837, is a graduate of Washington and Jefferson College and is a Presbyterian minister; Francis A., born April 26, 1840, a graduate of Washington and Jefferson College, died September 13, 1863; William T., born September 2, 1842, died February 4, 1864; Edward P., born February 1, 1845, died in 1847; Henry B., born January 9, 1849; John M., born July 7, 1851, was educated in Washington and Jefferson College; Elizabeth M., born June 1, 1854, married Rev. J. J. McCarrell, of Mckeesport; Thomas F., who is a prominent attorney at Washington; and Harriet J., who was born January 9, 1860, and married Frank T. Wray. On February 28, 1882, John Birch was married (second) to Miss Elizabeth Todd, of Beaver Falls, Pa. She was a daughter of Dr. Samuel P. and Susan (Kerr) Todd. Dr. Todd was a native of New York and his wife of New Jersey. He was a successful medical practitioner in New York for many years. Mr. Birch was a member of the Presbyterian Church and was a member of the board of trustees.

Thomas F. Birch, the youngest son of the late Hon. John Birch, was born May 18, 1856. After complet- ing the classical course at Washington and Jefferson College, he prepared for the law and was admitted to the bar and has been identified with a large amount of the important legal business in the county courts for years. His offices are 208-210 Washington Trust Building.

THOMAS SCOTT, one of the prominent agriculturists of Donegal Township, now operating an excellent farm of 102 acres, has been a resident of this township since 1888, and comes of an old and honored family of Scotch

extraction. He was born in Hopewell Township, Wash- ington Co., Pa., March 16, 1846, and is a son of Archi- bald and Margaret (Carlisle) Scott, the former a native of Hopewell Township and the latter of Carroll County, Ohio.

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Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 2

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