Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 24

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 24

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Iu 1892 he was nominated on the Democratic ticket for the office of county treasurer, and was triumphantly elected, overcoming a normal Republican majority of 2,000. He thus served until 1896. He was the first Democratic county treasurer that had been elected in twenty-five years. Later he was further honored by being appointed by Governor Patterson to a position on the board of managers of the Pennsylvania Reform School, at Morganza, Washington County, and held that position until 1897. In 1896 he was the choice of his party as a candidate for Congress in Washington County, Pa. At times also he has been a member of the town council and by appointment served as road and bridge reviewer. He has gained popularity as an official and is highly es- teemed as a man and citizen. This was early shown, on his retirement from the office of sheriff, when, at a ban- quet held by the Washington County bar, the following sentiment, proposed by Alexander Wilson, Esq., was unanimously accepted by the assembly :

"William B. Chambers, Esq .:- A faithful officer, fear- less in the discharge of his duties, pleasant in his inter- course with his fellow citizens, kind and obliging to the members of the bar and officers of the court. He retires from the office of high sheriff of Washington County with an honorable record for purity and integrity, and with the best wishes of all who have had official and per- sonal intercourse with him."

In 1895 Mr. Chambers was married to Mrs. Anna (Cole- man) Galbraith, who died two years later. She was a daughter of Hartman Coleman, a well known resident of S. Pittsburg. In 1902 Mr. Chambers was chair- man and general manager of the centennial celebration of the incorporation of the borough of Canonsburg, Pa. Mr. Chambers resides with his sisters at Canonsburg. He attends the Presbyterian Church. Since 1904 he has been connected with the Philadelphia Company in the Canonsburg office.

JOHN M. PHILLIPS, a highly respected citizen of Cross Creek Township, Washington Co., Pa., who has been engaged in mining for coal for fifty-five years, is a native of Wales, born February 5, 1845. His parents were David and Catherine (Davis) Phillips. They had three children : Elizabeth, Thomas and John M. Thomas

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CURTIS R. POTTER

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

came to the United States and lived for a time at Mid way, in Washington County, Pa., but returned to Wales in 1877. Elizabeth was married to David J. Morgan, and was living in Luzerne County at her death.

John M. Phillips was educated in the seleet schools of the Church of England, in Wales, and was twenty-four years old when he started for America, taking passage on a sailing ship bound for Quebee. Ile met with many adventures before he reached Pittsburg, Pa., June 1, IS69, and the recital of these lese uone of their interest in the telling. Mr. Phillips became a eeal miner and eon- timed to work in different parts of Allegheny County un- til 1897, with the exception of three years spent at Massillon, Ohio, when he came to Cross Creek Township and bought land which is richly underlaid with coal. Mr. Phillips operates his own mine and from it supplies the majority of eoal consumers within a radius of some eight miles. lle has had a large amount of experience in coal mining and has seen many changes take place in the methods of bringing the precious commodity to the surface, and many needed laws made for the better pro- teetion of miners while engaged in their hazardous work.

On November 3, 1866, in Eglwysillian, Wales, Mr. Phillips was married to Miss Margaret Howells, a native of Wales, and the following children were born to them : William Lincoln, born in 1872, lives in Roselle, N. J .; Thomas N., born in 1876, lives in Everett, Wash .; Edwin J., bern in 1880, lives in Brooklyn, N. Y .; and Minnie, who married William France, of West Middletown, Pa. Edwin J. served three years as a member of Co. A, 6th U. S. Cav., and served in the Philippines and in the Boxers' uprising in China. Mr. Phillips and family are members of the Christian Church at Pittsburg. In politics he designates himself as a Lincoln Demoerat. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias.

CORNELIUS CURRAN, a prominent briek contractor of Washington, who in point of service is the oldest con- tractor in Washington County, has been a resident ef this eity for about fifty-four years. He was born in 1850, in Mahoning County, Ohio, but when quite young came with his parents to Washington, where he was reared and educated, and early in life began working, a part of the time, on a farm. In 1869 he started to learn bricklaying with Samuel Hargrave, and sinee 1875 has been engaged in briek contraeting, during which time he has worked on many important buildings in Washington County, some of his largest contraets being : the First National Bank, the Reed building, Second Presbyterian church and chapel, First Presbyterian church, the Catholie and Baptist churches, the Washing- ton County court house and jail, and jails at other points. He was joint contractor in the erection of the

Washington Trust building, the Montgomery building, the Siegel Hotel and of many of the ward school build- ings of Washington.

In 1873, Mr. Curran married Addie Spriggs, who was born near Wheeling, W. Va., and reared at West Alexan der, l'a., where her parents located when she was a girl. They have had the following children: Edward S., who resides in Chicago, Ill., is employed by the American Tobacco Company; Margaret, who died when about four- teen years old; Charles C., who is engaged in business with his father; Ada; Mary F., who is a teacher in the Washington public schools; Agnes L., who is bookkeeper for her father; and John J., who is a student in the Pittsburg College, of Pittsburg. Mr. Curran and family are members of the Catholic Church, and he belongs to the Knights of Columbus and to the C. M. B. A.

CURTIS RANDOLPH POTTER, an honored veteran of the Civil War, who has lived retired from business cares, in a pleasant and comfortable home at McDonald, since 1904, is a highly estcemed eitizeu of this borough. He was born in Brady Township, Clearfield County. Pa., Apr. 25, 1845, and is a sou of Joseph and Margaret (Postlethwait) Potter.

The father of Mr. Potter engaged in agricultural pur- suits in Clearfield and Iudiana Counties, Pa., and in those seetions the family was a highly respected one. To Joseph and Margaret Potter the following children were born: Agnes Ann, who married (first) Daniel Cris- man, and (second) Henry Elkins; Rachel Ellen, who married Joseph Byerly; Curtis Randolph; Woodward R .; Cordelia, who married George Herron; James B .; Emma, who is now deceased, was the wife of C. C. Stear; and Lilly, who married Frank Crean.

Curtis R. Potter had the usual school advantages of the country boy of his youth, and he helped his father on the home farm until he left it in order to become a soldier when his country needed defenders. He enlisted in 1864, in Co. A, 100th Pa. Vol. Inf., this being the noted Roundhead regiment, and was honorably discharged July 28, 1865. He returned to the home farm for one year and then learned the milling trade and was first interested in a mill at Venice, in Washington County, and then purchased what was known as the McConnell mill, and engaged in milling for 20 years, having some- thing of a reputation through the country as a fine mil- Ier. Later he proved that he was equally well equipped as a merchant and as a publie official. He conducted a general store for four years at Veuiee and during this time served as postmaster, having been appointed by the late ex-President Cleveland to that office during his first term. Ile then transferred his store to Midway and conducted it there for two years, after which he

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

came to MeDonald and here engaged in a general store business until he retired in 1904. He has always been a conscientious Democrat.

In 1869, Mr. Potter was married to Miss Elizabeth Thompson, who is a daughter of Winiam and Eliza Jane Thompson . Mrs. Potter was reared on her father's farm in Washington County. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Potter are the following: Mary Elmira, who is the wife of John S. Campbell; Cecelia, who is the wife of Bert Brestle; Lyla Myrtle, who resides at home; and Emma, who married Everett Ferguson. Mr. Potter and family belong to the First Presbyterian Church at McDonald. He has been an elder of the Presbyterian Church for the past 28 years. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic post at Carnegie, Pa.

JOHN SYLVESTER McCLURG, who is now living retired in the pleasant town of Eldersville, for a number of years was successfully engaged in farming and stock raising. He was born in Hanover Township, Beaver Co., Pa., March 4, 1855, and is a son of William and Nancy Ann (Mercer) McClurg.

The McClurg family is of Scotch descent. William McClurg was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., and was a son of Joseph and Ruth (Mckenzie) McClurg. William McClurg was a tiller of the soil as was his father and also were his sons. He was as stanch a Democrat in his political opinions as he was firm in his adherence to the United Presbyterian faith. He married Nancy Ann Mercer, who was born in Beaver County, Pa., a daughter of Reese Mercer, of Irish birth. To William and Nancy McClurg the following children were born: Margaret Jane, who died young; Sarah Ann, who is de- ceased, was the wife of Robert Johnston; Elizabeth Ada- line, who is deceased; John Sylvester; Alvin R., who is a merchant at Candor, Pa .; and Joseph and David, twins, the former of whom lives near Hookstown, Beaver County; and the latter of whom lives near Harsheyville, in the same county. The parents of this family are still kindly remembered in the section in which their lives were spent. Their remains rest in the Mill Creek Valley Cemetery, in Beaver County.

John Sylvester McClurg attended the public schools in Hanover Township until he was fourteen years of age and then became his father's useful helper on the farm and continued in farm pursuits for many years afterward and then retired to Eldersville, where he re- sides in the enjoyment of ample means. Like his father he always supported the Democratic ticket and many times was elected to office by that party while he lived in the country. He served many years as school di- rector in Jefferson Township and for six years was the very efficient road supervisor and at present is filling the office of judge of elections.

On September 12, 1877, Mr. MeClurg was married to Miss Mary A. Cunningham, a daughter of Francis and Sarah Ann (Burd) Cunningham, prominent farmers of Jefferson Township at one time. They are both deceased and their burial was in the Bethel Cemetery in Jefferson Township. Francis Cunningham was a son of John and Susan (Metcalf) Cunningham. At the time of his death he owned 750 acres of land in Washington County. With his wife he belonged and gave liberal support to the Methodist Episcopal Church. To Francis Cunningham and wife the following of their children grew to ma- turity: Mary, who became Mrs. McClurg; and John, David, William, Stephen, Jennie, Emma and James.

To Mr. and Mrs. McClurg three children have been born: Frank, Anna B. and Alverta. Frank McClurg is a farmer and dairyman residing in Jefferson Town- ship. He married Margaret McCorkle and they have one daughter, Gladys. Anna B. McClurg is a highly edu- cated lady and is a teacher in the high school at Mid- way, Washington County. Alverta MeClurg married John Johnston, a farmer and dairyman in Jefferson Town- ship. They have three children : Arthur, Helen and Mary. Mr. McClurg and family are members of the Bethel Methodist Protestant Church.

A. H. KERR, one of the well known financiers of Washington County, has served in the capacity of cashier of the Burgettstown National Bank since 1903. He was one of its founders, charter members and stockholders in 1879, and was president from 1887 until 1903. He is a member of an old and prominent family of this sec- tion. He was born at Cross Creek, Washington Co., Pa., May 29, 1850, and is a son of I. H. and Jane (Lee) Kerr.

I. H. Kerr was born in Washington County and died at Cross Creek, February 2, 1866. He was a son of A. H. Kerr, the latter of whom was of Scotch-Irish ex- traction and for many years was a leading politician of the State, serving several terms in the Legislature. For a long period I. H. Ker was a merchant at Cross Creek and was known as an honest man and leading and use- ful citizen. He married Jane Lee, who still survives, aged eighty-two years. Her father was Hugh Lee, one of the old settlers of this section. To I. H. Kerr and wife were born three children: Anna, who is now de- ceased, was the wife of Dr. T. C. M. Stockton; A. H .; and M. B., who is a merchant at Winfield, Kas.

A. H. Kerr attended school at Cross Creek and Duff's Commercial College at Pittsburg, leaving school in 1866 in order to take charge of his father's estate, after the latter's death, and continued the operation of the store at Cross Creek for thirty-three years and moved to Bur- gettstown, in 1895. He has been identified with the banking interests of this place since 1879.

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

On May 27, 1874, Mr. Kerr was married to Miss Georgietta Gault, a daughter of David and Matilla (Lyle) Gault, and they have two children: Jean Blanche and Grace M., the former of whom lives in New York. Mr. Kerr is a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Burgettstown. In politics he is a Republican.

LOUIS FOLLET, whose position with the Standard Tin Plate Company, of Canonsburg, is that of secretary and commercial manager, is a man of large experience in this business, having devoted his whole mature life to the tin plate industry. He was born in Australia, Au- gust I, IS65, and came to America in 189I.

When sixteen years of age, Mr. Follet began work in the tin plate factories in South Wales aud after com- pleting his apprenticeship he showed the ability that eansed him to be put in charge of the affairs of E. More- wood & Company, who, with British capital, erected one of the first tin plate plants in this country, located at Gas City, Ind., after the passage of the MeKinley Tariff Bill. He remained there eight years and was assistant treasurer of the company. It was theu taken over by the American Tin Plate Company and Mr. Follet remained in charge for a few months and was then transferred by the company and put in charge of the operating de- partment with headquarters in New York City. After four years there in that capacity, in 1904, Mr. Follet came to Canonsburg and became secretary of the Stan- dard Tin Plate Company and took charge of its com- mercial business. Mr. Follet is a man of fine address and great business qualifications. His place of residence is Crafton, Pa.

WILLIAM NEWTON HAWKINS, a member of the well known firm, Davis & Hawkins, extensive operators in the gas and oil fields of Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio, was for many years one of the leading farm- ers and stock raisers of Washington County, Pa. He was born in 1855, in East Bethlehem Township, and is a son of James C. Hawkins, who was born in 1809, in what is now known as Beallsville Borough, and died in Washington County, where he spent his entire life eu- gaged in farming and stock raising. Richard Hawkins, grandfather of our subjeet, was one of the early set- tlers of Beallsville Borough, his father, Robert Hawkins, being buried in the old Hawkins burying ground about one mile from Beallsville.

William N. Hawkins received his educational training in the common schools of his native township, the Jeffer- son Academy of Canonsburg, and the Iron City Business College, after which he taught for a period of three years. He then engaged in farming and stock raising and for about twenty years made a specialty of raising Black Percheron horses, in which he was highly successful, and

in 1900, he came to Washington, where he has more been engaged in the real estate business, making a specialty of buying and selling coal lands. Ile formed a partner ship with William E. Davis, and they are extensive operators in the territory above named.

Mr. Hawkins is a member of the First Baptist Church, of which he has been a member of the official board. Fraternally he is a Mason.

In ISSI, Mr. Hawkins was married to Addie Farquahr, who died in 1893, and they had the following children : Leona; Louis F., who taught for three years in the East Washington high school, is now principal of the Hickory high school; Mary Estella, a teacher in the schools of Monongahela City; James C., a student at the Wash- ington and Jefferson College; and Hannah Anna, a stu- dent iu Washington Seminary. In 1894, Mr. Hawkins married Ida M. Miller, a daughter of Rev. James Miller, of Cumberland, and to them have been born four ehil- dren: Ruth Elizabeth, Glenn D., Margaret, and Helen.

HUGH WILSON, general farmer of Hanover Town- ship, where his fine farm of 130 acres is situated, was born at Paris, Washington Co., Pa., where his father was then in business, August 15, 1839, and is a son of William and Jane (Smith) Wilson.

Allegheny County contributed many excellent citizens to Washington County and one of these was William Wilson, father of Hugh, who came from Allegheny and settled at Paris, in Washington County, where he car- ried on a wagonmaking shop all his life. He was an industrions and thoroughly respected man, one who set a good example to his children, to whom he gave every advantage he could provide in the way of education. He was a member of the United Presbyterian Church at I'aris. He married Jane Smith, who was born in Jeffer- son Township, Washington County, and they had the following children : Alexander, Hugh, John and Will- iam; Rowenna, deceased, who was the wife of Russell Parks; Rachel, who married William Dunbar; and James.

Hugh Wilson attended the schools at Paris until he was eighteen years of age. lle desired to be a farmer rather than to learn his father's trade, and found work by the month with farmers in the neighborhood of Paris and continued to work in that way for about nine years. For some fourteen years following he rented farm land, but in the spring of Iss0, invested in his farm in Hanover Township, purchasing from the Han- Iin heirs. It is an excellent property and Mr. Wilson has made many improvements.

On March 26, 1866, Mr. Wilson married Miss Ophelia Russell. a daughter of John and Jane (Simpson) Rus- sell, and the following children were born: Elenora ; Synthia, deceased; Margaret, who married James Dun- bar; Simpson; James; and Agnes and David, both de.

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ceased. Mr. Wilson was married (second) to Mary Ann Vincent and they have had three children: Jane, now deceased, who was the wife of Dr. Smith, of Bulger; a son that died in infaney; and John R., who was born February 4, 1882. This fine young man has inherited his father's love of agricultural pursuits and intends to devote his entire life to farming and stock raising. He resides at home and married Miss Minnie Stevenson, a member of an excellent family of Hanover Township. Mr. Wilson had a great respect for his father's opinions and early identified himself with the Democratic party, and his son is the third generation of the family to also believe in its superiority and work for its supremacy. The Wilson family is connected with the Florence Presby- terian Church.

HARVEY T. BILLICK, M. D., a well known and sne- cessful medical practitioner of Monongahela City, Pa., was born on a farm in Allegheny County, Pa., July 2, 1851, and is a son of Alexander D. and Mary (Hall) Billiek.

Alexander Billick was born in Elizabeth, Allegheny Co., Pa., where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits until the time of his death, which occurred when in his seventy-eighth year. He married Mary Hall, a native of New Jersey, and they reared a family of twelve chil- dren : Sarah C., deceased; Louisa, deceased; George M .; John H .; Alexander C .; Harvey T., the subject of this sketch; Mary J .; James B .; David W .; Lewis ; Laura M .; and Dora C.

The boyhood days of Dr. H. T. Billick were spent on the home farm in Allegheny County, and his educational training was received in the public schools and the acad- emy at Elizabeth, Pa. After teaching school for a period of eight years in Allegheny County, he entered the P. and S. Medical College at Baltimore, from which he graduated in March, 1885, and in August of the same year went to Courtney, this county, and was there until November, 1896, then to his present location in Monon- gahela City, and opened an office at his present location, where he has since been successfully engaged in the prac- tice of his profession. He is a director of the First Na- tional Bank, and is fraternally a member of the Knights of Pythias. In politics he is identified with the Demo- cratic party, has served two terms on the school board, one term on the select council, and was also elected mayor of Monongahela City.

Dr. Billick was married December 24, 1885, to Yeurith M. Wycoff, a daughter of John W. Wycoff, of Elizabeth Township, Allegheny Co., Pa., and they have two chil- dren: Lydia M .; and Eugene W.

JAMES A. JORDAN, residing on his valuable farm of ninety acres which is situated in Canton Township, is

successfully engaged in farming and stock raising and is held in high esteem as a neighbor and as a citizen. He was born in Washington County, Pa., December 20, 1864, and is a son of Edward and Martha (McClure) Jordan.

The Jordan as well as the MeClure families have been in Washington County for at least three generations. Edward Jordan, who died in 1876, was a son of Peter Jordan. James McClure, the maternal grandfather was an early settler and was of Irish parentage. The mother of James A. Jordan was born also in Washington Coun- ty and now resides in Chartiers Township, being in her sixty fifth year. She is a member of the United Presby- terian Church and is active in all good works in the neighborhood in which she lives. Four children of Ed- ward and Martha Jordan still survive: Hannah B., who is the wife of Slate Gomp, resides at Washington; Annie M., who is the wife of James Amos, resides also at Wash- ington; James A., of Canton Township; and William C., who is a resident of Pittsburg. Ellen and Naney are deceased.

James A. Jordan has been engaged in farming ever since he was a boy and has made his own way in the world to a large extent. He came to his present farm early in the 90's and has made it one of the best in the township. Although he never enjoyed many educational advantages he is a great friend of the public schools and has served as school director a number of times, and in other township offiees, and in every position he has shown wisdom and a desire to further the best public interest. In addition to general farming and stoek raising, Mr. Jordan gives special attention to the growing of fruit and also raises very choice vegetables, finding a ready market at Washington.

Mr. Jordan was married (first) to Miss Catherine Kelley, a daughter of James Kelley, late of Canton Township, and they had the following children born to them: Maud M., Clara B., Guy R., of Washington; and Edward M., Otha O., Annie M., James P., Emmett, Helen M. and Emerson, Emmett being deceased. Mr. Jordan was married (second) to Eva G. Mackey, a na- tive of Pennsylvania, and they have one son, Carl. Mr. Jordan is a member of the North Buffalo United Pres- byterian Church. He is a Republican.

CLARK M. HACKNEY, a retired farmer and highly respected citizen of Washington, who owns 340 acres of fine farming land in Amwell Township, has been a resi- dent of this city for the past three years. He was born January 23, 1860, in Amwell Township, and is the only living child of Clark and Sophia (Nelan) Hackney. Clark Hackney was a native of Fayette County, Pa., who came to Washington County at an early period and set-

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ASBURY B. CALDWELL

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

tled in Amwell Township where he engaged in farming and stock raising until the time of his death in 1905. The mother of our subjeet died in 1864.

Clark M. Hackney grew to manhood in Amwell Town- ship, attending the common schools of the township, also the Union school, and the Washington and Jefferson College, where he was a student for two terms. He then engaged in farming and stock raising in Amwell Town- ship, where he was very successful and acquired con- siderable wealth. He still oversees his valuable farming land, although a resident of Washington the past three years.

In 1880, Mr. Hackney was married to Minerva Shape, who was born in Greene County, Pa., and they have reared three children: Lillie M .; Charles, who is en- gaged in the real estate and insurance business in Wash- ington, married Hazel Gaus, and has two children, Don- ald Charles and James Bernard; and Lida M., who mar- ried John R. Ullom. They have one child, Lillie May. Mr. Hackney is a member of the Methodist Protestant Church of Amity.

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Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 24

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