Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 23

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 23

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remained ineffective for many years, the arousing of the people and the contributing were not lost factors when the Pennsylvania Railroad Company subsequently com- pleted the contract.

Daniel Houston married Betsey Clark, a daughter of David and Hannah (Baird) Clark, a family of Scotch extraction, and to this marriage three children were born, one son and two daughters, both danghters dying in childhood.

David Clark Houston, the father of William Boyle Houston and the only son of Daniel and Betsey (Clark) Houston, was born on the old farm of his father in Inde- pendence Township, Washington Co., Pa., and died at Canonsburg, May 27, 1888, iu his seventy-third year. He obtained an excellent education, completing his studies at Jefferson College. Early in manhood he turned his attention to mercantile pursuits which he con- tinued uutil other demands on his attention in relation to his large inheritance of property induced him to retire. Together with his father he served continually as a director of the First National Bank of Washington from its organization, was a trustee of Washington and Jefferson College, a trustee of Jefferson Acadamy, presi- dent of the Oak Spring Cemetery Company and a mem- ber of a number of charitable boards. He was active in securing the Chartiers Valley Railroad as was his father, whose example he followed in many public-spir- ited movements. For many years he was a valued and honored member of the Chartiers United Presbyterian Church.

At Washington, Pa., in 1840, David Houston was mar- ried to Louisa B. Sweitzer, who was born at Browns- ville, Pa., and died at Canonsburg, in 1887. Her father was Dr. Lewis Sweitzer, a native of Pennsylvania who secured his medical education in France. Dr. Sweitzer and wife were the parents of a large family and among them were many distinguished members and a family of daughters as noted for their personal beauty as the sons were for their mental gifts. To David Houston and wife there were born three sons and three daughters, namely: Elizabeth, who resides at Canonsburg; Mary, who is now decaesed, was the wife of Rev. William F. Brown, whose father was president of Jefferson College and his grand- father of Washington College; Harriet, who died when aged twenty-two years; Louis, who died when aged twen- ty-four years; William Boyle; and Daniel, who died when aged three years. There are two survivors of this family: William Boyle and Miss Elizabeth.

William Boyle Houston was reared in a cultured home where the means were ample for every demand of life and his wishes were more or less consulted as to the direction his educational efforts should take. He at- tended Jefferson Academy, with which his family had been so elosely identified for so long a time, and then,

in preparation for an active business life, took a course at Duff's Commercial College at Pittsburg. Like father and grandfather his talents have been brought to light as a financier. They were the organizers of financial institutions which have become solid ones of this sec- tion and Mr. Houston, in 1902, organized the First National Bank of Houston, which is recognized as one of the leading and conservative banks of Washington County. To the interests of this bank Mr. Houston de- votes much of his time and he is also interested in look- ing after both his own and his sister's important invest- ments and large amount of property. Both he and Miss Elizabeth Houston are members of the United Presby- terian Church. He was brought to Canonsburg by his parents in 1875, and he resides here during all but the win- ter months, spending these in Florida.

CHARLES MAYNARD REA, whose well cultivated farm of 120 acres lies in Cross Creek Township, Wash- ington Co., Pa., not far distant from the village of Rea, which perpetuates the name of his family, an old and prominent one in this section, was born on this farm No- vember 6, 1865. His parents were Charles and Cather- ine (Cook) Rea.

Willian Rea, the great-grandfather of Charles M. Rea, was born in Northampton Co., Pa., September 13, 1762, and came from there to Washington County, in 1789, shortly afterward settling on what is now the farm of his great-grandson, in Cross Creek Township. William Rea taught school one winter one and one-half miles west of Hickory, in Mt. Pleasant Township and then bought the above farm which has remained in the family into the fourth generation. He was a justice of the peace for Cross Creek, Hopewell and Mt. Pleasant town- ships for a number of years and was one of the foremost men of this section. In 1794 he was one of a committee of three representative men appointed and sent by the whiskey insurrectionists to meet the U. S. Army corps detailed to suppress the insurrectionists and had much to do with the final adjustment of difficulties. He died September 28, 1835, aged 74 years. His wife was Jane Mason and among their children was William Mason Rea, grandfather of Charles M. He was boru on this farm March 16, 1790, and always lived on the place.

Charles Rea, father of Charles H., was born on the present farm, April 25, 1834, and died October 12, 1900. He was a son of William Mason and Elizabeth (Camp- bell) Rea. His whole life was spent on his farm in Cross Creek Township. On November 27, 1856, he was married to Catherine Cook, a daughter of A. C. and Mary (Campbell) Cook, of Wayne County, Ohio, where Mrs. Rea lived until her marriage, since when she has lived ou the old Rea homestead. Charles Maynard was the fifth child and eldest son born to the above mar-

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HION. CHARLES A. BENTLEY

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

riage, the others being: Mary E., wife of John N. Smiley, of Smith Township; Ida F., wife of William C. Marshall, of Oakdale, Pa .; Winnifred E., widow of William H. Buchanan, of Independence Township; Ellie L., wife of Harry C. Scott, residing in Pittsburg; Jennie E., wife of D. W. Cummings, of Cadiz, Ohio; Tamar C., deceased, was the wife of Harry S. Lec, of Cross Creek Township; Ella Elberta, wife of Walter E. Cozins; and Iva V., wife of Lester Donaldson, of Columbus, Ohio.

Charles M. Rea attended school with more or less regularity until he was eighteen years of age, and since then has given the larger part of his time and atten- tion to agricultural pursuits. He is a practical and suc- cessful farmer and he also raises a large amount of as fine stock as is produced on any farm in Cross Creek Township. In his political views he follows the teach- ings of his Inte father, who was a stanch Republican, and at different times he has served acceptably in town- ship offices and is numbered with its most reliable men. He was elected vice-president of the Washington County School Directors' Association, in which capacity he is still serving. Mr. Rea is unmarried and lives with his mother on the homestead. They are members of the Cross Creek Presbyterian Church, in which he is an elder and has been a trustee for a number of years.

HION. CHARLES A. BENTLEY, member of the Pennsylvania Legislature, and a conductor on the Ells- worth branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad, was born July 11, 1860, and is a son of Samuel B. and Minerva (Rabe) Bentley.

Samuel Black Bentley was born and reared in Mouon- gahela City, Pa., and was a grandson of Samuel Black, who was one of the early settlers of Washington County and owner of over 1,500 acres of land. Samuel B. Bent- ley spent almost his entire life in this locality and died at the age of 68 years. He was a trader by occupation, buying and selling wool extensively. He was first united in marriage with a Miss Graham, after whose death, he married Minerva Rabe, and they had the following chil- dren : Millie, a resident of Monongahela City; Frank, deceased ; Charles A., the subject of this sketch ; Harry K., ex-mayor of Monongahela City; and Mary, who mar- ried B. L. Ross, who is clerk of Monongahela City. Mr. Bentley served three years in the Civil War as quarter. master of the 140th Pa. Vol. Inf. and was a member of the G. A. R.

Charles A. Bentley obtained his educational training in the common schools of Monongahela City and early in life learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked several years. In 1881 he began working on the Penn- sylvania Railroad, first as brakeman, and since 1890 has been conductor, now serving in that capacity on the Ellsworth branch. He is also interested in the coal and

lumber business in this city, and with the exception of a few years spent in Pittsburg, has always been a resident of Monongahela City.

Mr. Bentley is a Republican in politics, has served two terms in the city Council, and was elected to the State Legislature in 1907, being re-elected in 1909. He is fraternally a member of the O. R. C. of Pittsburg; the B. P. O. E. of Homestead, and the Masonie order of Charleroi.

In 1888, Mr. Bentley married Margaret Recs, a daugh- ter of David Rees, of Pittsburg.

LOUIS RIETSCH, a member of the well known firm of Rietsch Brothers, general stone and brick contractors of Washington, Pa., has been a resident here for the past twenty-one years. He was born in France, March 25, 1867, and there became a bricklayer and stone mason by trade. At the age of twenty-one years he came to America and located for two years at Hartford, Conn., after which he came to Washington, where he worked at his trade until the present firm of Rietsch Brothers was established. They carry on a general contracting business in stone and brick work and road building, and are practically engaged in doing all kinds of general contracting, ranking high among the leading contractors of Washington. Mr. Rietsch is a stockholder in the Real Estate and Trust Company of Washington; he has served as a member of the city council of South Wash- ington, and also as a member of the council of Washing- ton Borough, participating actively in local politics. Mr. Rietsch is a member of the Catholic Church.

JOHN N. WALKER, one of Jefferson Township's most prominent citizens, serving in the office of justice of the peace and being also treasurer of the school board and treasurer of the road fund, has followed farming all his mature life. He was born in Cross Creek Town- ship, Washington Co., Pa., January 3, 1849, and is a son of John N. and Anna (Vance) Walker.

The parents of Mr. Walker were both natives of Wash- ington County, the father of Jefferson Township, a son of Alexander and Elizabeth (Norris) Walker, who came from New Jersey. The mother was born in Smith Town- ship and was a daughter of William and Rachel (Pat- terson) Vance. She died in 1870 and was survived by her husband until 1882. They were worthy members of the Presbyterian Church. They had the following chil- dren: Rachel V., who married Robert S. Donaldson; Alexander E., who resides at Burgettstown; William Vance, who is deceased; James A., who lives at Murray, Neb .; Elizabeth, whe married John Lawton, died Octo- ber 23, 1909, lived in Kansas; Hannah G., who married J. P. Reed, lives in Kansas; Mary M .. who married .J. Edgar Rankin, deceased; Virginia A .; John N .; Joseph

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

P. and Franklin P., both of whom are deceased; and Cynthia C., who married Samuel Wilson, deceased.

John N. Walker was reared on a farm and enjoyed few educational advantages in his youth, his present fund of knowledge having been mainly acquired through ju- dicious reading and association with intelligent people. While he has made farming his business in life, he has not confined his attention to agricultural pursuits. From early manhood he has been active in politics and for a number of years has been a Democratic leader in this section. For the past three years he has been a member of the Democratic County Committee, a very strong party organization, and he has been a delegate to both State and National conventions. He enjoys very fully the confidence of his fellow citizens and fills offices of houor, trust and responsibility.

In February, 1895, Mr. Walker was married to Miss Ella Boles, who is a daughter of John L. and Margaret Boles, the former of whom died in 1894. Mrs. Boles still lives on the homestead in Jefferson Township. To John L. Boles and wife the following children were born: Mary, who married Robert Bloomingstock; Ella, who became Mrs. Walker; Thomas E., who resides in the city of Chicago; John J., who lives at Eldersville, Pa .; and H. P., who lives with his mother. Mr. Walker is identified with the Masonic lodge at Burgettstown.

ARTHUR DAY, who has been proprietor of the Hotel Arthur at Charleroi, Pa., for the past three years, was born at Haverhill, Mass., in 1865, and is a son of John W. Day. He was reared and educated at Haverhill, Mass., where he subsequently ran a restaurant until about 1900, when he came to Charleroi, Pa., and that same year erected part of his present hotel building, which is a modern two-story brick building, containing twenty rooms, and here ran a restaurant for three years. In 1906 he completed the building, as it now stands, and has since conducted an up-to-date hotel.

Mr. Day was united in marriage with Beatrice Frost, of Portland, Me. He is fraternally affiliated with the bulks and the Eagles.

JOHN P. LINN, justice of the peace, in the borough of Burgettstown, has been engaged in business here for a number of years, dealing in lumber and builders' sup- plies. He was born in Franklin County, Pa., September 11, 1863, and is a son of William A. P. and Elizabeth (Proudfit) Linn.

The father of Mr. Linn was born in Franklin County, Pa., June 27, IS38. He married Elizabeth Proudfit, a daughter of John L. Proudfit. Six children were born to then: John P., William B., James P., Robert F., living, and Edmund L. and Arthur G., both dead. He engaged in farming in Franklin County until 1882, when

he came to Smith Township, Washington County, where he resided until 1900, when he retired and moved to Burgettstown, where he died March 7, 1907. His burial was in Fairview Cemetery, of which his son, John P., is a director. His widow survives and resides at Burgetts- town. William A. P. Linn was successively an elder in three churches-the church in Middle Spring, Cumberland County, Pa .; the Florence Presbyterian Church, and later the Burgettstown Church, in all of these, by precept and example, testifying to his Christian faith and zeal.

John P. Linn attended the public schools of Franklin County and the State Normal School at Shippensburg, Cumberland Co., Pa., later taking a business course in the Eastman Business College, at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., returning then to Washington County and entering into the lumber business at Burgettstown, with a partner, under the firm name of Armour & Linn. When Mr. Armour retired, Mr. Linn and brother, William B., con- tinued the business, adding builders' supplies to their stock. They are representative business men of the place.

On September 30, 1879, Mr. Linn was married to Miss Sarah A. Cole, a daughter of Thomas Cole, and they have eight children: Thomas C., Elizabeth, William, Gertrude, Alice, Mary, John, Jr., and Elsie. Mr. Linn is a stockholder and director in the Burgettstown Na- tional Bauk. He was reared to respect the principles of the Democratic party and has always been more or less active in politics, and at one time was his party's candidate for the State Legislature. With his family he belongs to the First Presbyterian Church. He is a member of the school board and he belongs to the Masons and the Odd Fellows.

WILLIAM H. McENRUE, reporter of the Common Pleas Court of Washington County, Pa., was born Sep- tember 29, 1875, in Washington, and is a son of William H. McEnrue, who was for several years one of the prom- inent lawyers of Washington. His father was born in Cambria County, Pa., in 1844, and was for several years engaged iu the practice of his profession at Wheeling, W. Va., after which he came to Washington, was ad- mitted to the Washington County bar and embarked in the practice of law. He continued until the time of his death, August 15, 1877.

William H. MeEnrue, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the public schools and the business college of Washington. He became assistant court stenographer in 1895, in which capacity he served until 1902, since which time he has been official stenographer of the Com- mon Pleas Court of Washington County. In 1900 he was elected secretary of the Washington Borough coun- cil and served three years in that capacity.

In 1905. Mr. MeEnrue was joined in marriage with

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

Elizabeth Baner, of St. Mary's, Pa., who is a daughter of M. G. Bauer, a building contractor at St. Mary's. They have one child, Sarah Elizabeth. Mr. and Mrs. MeEnrue are members of the Catholic Church, at Wash- ington.

WILLIAM A. BONAR, one of Donegal Township's leading citizens and successful farmers, residing on a part of the old Bonar estate, near Vienna, in Donegal Township, Washington Co., Pa., was born in this town- ship, April 7, 1855. His parents were Samuel and Eliza- both \. (Andrews) Bonar.

There are few older or more representative families in Washington County than that of Bonar. There were four brothers of the name who came to what is now Donegal Township as early as 1770. They found the Indians so hostile that they left Washington County, several going to Maryland, and they did not return and secure their patents for government land until 1775. One of these pioneers was Barnet Bonar, who was born in Scotland in 1695, and his son, William Bonar, accompanied him and with three brothers secured 1,200 acres of land, a part of which has ever since remained in the possession of the family.

Barnet Bonar, the grandfather of William A. Bonar, was born on the farm on which the latter lives, January 14, 1778, and resided here his entire life. He was one of the early elders of the Presbyterian Church in this section. He married Jane Donahey, a native of Ireland.

Samuel Bonar, father of William A., was born in Done- gal Township, July 9, 1822, and died February 12, 1905. lle married Elizabeth A. Andrews, who was born in Richland County, Ohio, and died in Washington County, Pa., December 29, 1904.

They had eleven children, namely: Mary, who is the wife of S. A. Magill, of Lebanon, Mo .; Barnet L., who was born July 31, 1852, graduated from Washington and .Jefferson College in 1877, and the Pennsylvania Medical University, at Philadelphia, and located for practice at Streator, Ill., where he died December 21, 1906; William A .; Jane, who resides in Donegal Town- ship; Samuel, who lives at Lebanon, Mo .; Elizabeth P., who was born October 27, 1860, died January 16, 1866; Sara L., who was born January 21, 1863, graduated from Waynesburg College in 1884, married Elmer E. Woodburn, of Claysville, Pa., and died November 29, 1895: James L., who lives in Texas; Anna MeConnel Bonar, who was born September 5, 1869, died in June, 1898; Margaret D., who is the wife of James Patterson, resides at Vienna. Pa .; and Isabel, who was born Angust 13, 1875, died February 1, 1881. The late Samuel Bonar was a man of sterling character, one who performed every public and private duty well and conscientiously. He spent his whole life in the quiet pursuits of agriculture,

always, however, finding time to show an interest in publie matters that afferted his own community. lle served as a member of the Donegal Township school board and be identified himself in the late 50's with the Republican party. Ile was a valued member of the Presbyterian Church at West Alexander, Pa.

William A. Bonar attended the Donegal Township schools and later Waynesburg College, at Waynesburg. Pa. He has followed farming and stock raising almost to the exclusion of other business interests, and the value of this close attention is shown in his well tilled fields and his herds of sleek North Devon cattle, usually fifty head or more. Ilis farm contains 150 acres and it is not only one of the oldest in the township but is also one of the most valuable. Like his ancestors, Mr. Bonar is a Republican in politics and a Presbyterian in re- ligion. He is one of the trustees of the West Alexander Church. He has served his political party as a member of the County Central Committee and his township as road supervisor. He is known in every direction and is held in esteem by his fellow citizens.

WILLIAM BUCHANAN CHAMBERS, of Canons- burg, is in the best sense a representative citizen of Washington County, having been one of its most popular public officials. He has served at different times as sheriff, treasurer, and in other offices. He is a native son, having been born in Canonsburg, this county, Au- gust 14, 1850, son of John and Catherine (Ramsey) Chambers.

His parents were both born in South Strabane Town- ship, Washington Co., Pa., in 1813. They came to Can- onsburg in 1840. In his minority John Chambers worked for some time at the trade of blacksmith. He after- wards embarked in the mercantile business in Buffalo village, and was also a large wool buyer. After coming to Canonsburg he opened a store here for the sale of gen- eral merchandise and was thus occupied subsequently until his death, which took place October 26, 1855. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church. Politically a Democrat, he served in various borough offices.

John Chambers was twice married, first to Catherine Ramsey, a daughter of Josiah Ramsey, of South Stra- bane Township. Of this union there were six children : Martha C., Josiah R., John S., Naney H., William B., and Dora, who is deceased. Their record in brief is as fol- lows: Martha C. hecame the wife of Rev. Dr. W. G. Keady, a Presbyterian minister of Greensboro, Ala., who graduated from Jefferson College in 1856. During the Civil War he served in the Confederate army. He is now deceased. They had two sons-George, who is editor of the Alabama "Beacon," and William A., who is engaged in the drug business at Commerce, Ga. Josiah R .. who is now deceased, was a soldier in the 10th Pa.

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

Reserves during the Civil War. He married Mary Ellen McAfee, who is also deceased. They had two sons and five daughters, namely: John, who served in the Philip- pines with a California regiment and died on his return voyage; William A., who was with the Red Cross De- partment in the Philippines and is now connected with an express company at Los Angeles, Calif .; Margaret, who married A. H. Sauers and resides in Pittsburg; Catherine, who is the wife of John W. Warrick, of Wash- ington, Pa .; Dora, who is the wife of H. F. Hetzell, of Bellevue, Allegheny County; Elizabeth, who resides at Washington, Pa .; and Martha, who lives with her sister, Mrs. Hetzell.

John S. Chambers, third child of John and Catherine (Ramsey) Chambers, was a member of Co. D, 10th Pa. Reserves in the Civil War, and on the expiration of a term of three years served in the signal corps. After the close of the war he spent three years in the regular army, was killed in a railroad accident in Marion, Ind., March, 1895. Nancy H. is the widow of M. S. McCloy and resides in Canonsburg with her only son, W. L. McCloy, general superintendent of the Philadelphia Gas Co. Dora, now deceased, was the wife of A. R. Gal- braith. William B. is the special subject of this sketch.

The mother of the above mentioned children died in Canonsburg in 1854, and Mr. Chambers married for his second wife Mrs. B. P. McConnell (nee Watson), a widow lady who had one child by her first husband- Township. By Mr. Chambers' second marriage there is Annie, who married Joseph Kammerer, of Nottingham one child, Ida M., who is unmarried and resides in Can- onsburg with the subject of this sketch.

William Buchanan Chambers began his education in the common schools and afterwards attended Washing- ton and Jefferson College until the close of the fresh- man year. While a student there he belonged to the Philo and Union Literary Society, and to the Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity. His vacations he spent in his father's store, gaining an insight into commercial routine. At the age of nineteen he left college to enter the mer- cantile business at MeDonald, Pa., becoming associated with the firm of J. D. Sauters & Co., where he continued for six years. He then spent over two years in the employ of the Valley Milk Co., of Pittsburg.

He had early begun to take an interest in public af- fairs, and as one of the young and active Democrats of the county, had rendered effective political service to his party. On January 1, 1880, he came to Washington, to fill the position of deputy sheriff under Sheriff Per- ritte, serving in that capacity three years. In 1882 he was elected to the office of sheriff, on the Democratic ticket, and served three years-from January 1, 1883, to January 1, 1886-rendering efficient and satisfactory service. At the expiration of his term he was appointed

chief U. S. deputy marshal, under George W. Miller, marshal for the Western District of Pennsylvania, serv- ing four years, during the first administration of Presi- dent Cleveland, and also for four months, under Mr. Miller's successor, J. R. Hanna, the latter being an ap- pointee of President Harrison. Mr. Chambers served for almost five years in that capacity, his removal being due to the change of party control in the government. He next returned to Canonsburg, where he remained un- occupied for a while.

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Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 23

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