USA > Pennsylvania > Washington County > Washington > Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II > Part 26
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125
In 1891 Mr. Stevenson was married to Miss Linda E. Leech, who was formerly principal of the Second Ward school of Washington . They have one son, Pressly. Mr. and Mrs. Stevenson are members of the Third Presby- terian Church, in which he is an elder. Politically he is a Republican, and fraternally, is identified with the Masons, Odd Fellows and Heptosophs.
THOMAS M. REESE, justice of the peace at Canons- burg and a thoroughly representative citizen, who is also engaged in the fire insurance and real estate business, was born at Briton Ferry, Wales, May 24, 1872, and is a son of John and Mary (Williams) Reese.
Both parents of Mr. Reese were born in Wales and they came to America with their children, in 1882, lo- eating at Pittsburg, where the father secured work in the steel mills. Two of his brothers, Evan and Charles, were already employed in industrial plants in that lo- cality. John Reese and family moved to Canonsburg, Pa., in 1883 and he has resided here ever since, with the exception of six months spent at Greenville, in Mer-
700
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
cer County, Pa., in 1886, and was employed in the Canonsburg Steel and Iron Works until he retired. To John and Mary Reese were born three sons and four daughters, Thomas M. being the second in order of birth. The others are: Elizabeth Ann, who is the widow of George Forester, of Canonsburg; Jessie Mary, who resides at home; Keziah, who is the wife of Bernard L. Comerford, resides at Canonsburg; John Reese, Jr., who lives at home; David Charles, who is with the MeClin- tock-Marshall Construction Company, at Carnegie; and Edith, who resides with her parents.
Thomas M. Reese began work in the Canonsburg iron and steel plant when he was 13 years old, having attend- ed school prior to this both at Pittsburg and Canons- burg. He worked coutinnonsly for the same company until 1902, with the exception of one and one-half years when he was serving as a soldier in the Philippine Islands. He was a member of Co. H, 10th Pa. Vol. Inf., and spent one year in the Island of Luzon, and was mustered out of the service on Aug. 22, 1899. For about one year, Mr. Reese then served as a clerk in the office of the Fort Pitt Bridge plant, in 1904 embarking in his present business,
Mr. Reese has been an active citizen, a strong sup- porter of law and order and his efficiency has been recognized on many occasions. In 1898 he was elected borough auditor for a term of three years, but resigned at the end of two years on account of being elected a member of the Council, in 1900, for three years, and served as the president of that body for one year. In 1903 he was elected burgess of Canonsburg and served most acceptably to all concerned, until 1906, when he was elected to the office of justice of the peace, for a term of five years. On May 3, 1890, to gratify a mili- tary ambition, be made application for a cadetship at West Point, but just about that time he was accidentally and severely burned and although his examination se- cured him the place of alternate, the scar left by the burn prevented his appointment. In many ways it seemed an unjust discrimination and was a great disap- pointment as he had prepared himself for the rigid ex- amination by diligent study. However, other avenues of usefulness opened up and his fellow citizens prefer to have his advice and belp at home rather than the credit to them he might have earned as a soldier.
On Sept. 26, 1906, Mr. Reese was married to Miss Jennie M. Halpin, a daughter of Robert and Mary (Higgins) Halpin, of Moundsville, W. Va. They have two children: Thomas Halpin, born July 23, 1907; and John Paul, born in June, 1909. Mr. Reese was reared in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
With all classes Mr. Reese is a popular citizen. He has always been sympathetic with the working class and during the years when he was closely identified with the
steel and iron industry as an employe himself, he asso- ciated himself with the great Amalgamated Association of Iron, Steel and Tin Workers, where his qualities soon made him a leader. As such he represented the local body in the National conventions of the association, in 1893-94-95-98 and 1900, 1902 and 1904. On many oc- casions his calm judgment assisted in solving perplexing questions and in bringing peace where there might have resulted war.
JAMES M. DINSMORE, a prosperous and highly re- spected farmer, who owns 172 acres of valuable land, lying along the Washington and Wellsburg road, in Hopewell Township, Washington Co., Pa., was born September 1, 1853, in this township and has spent his life here. His parents were William Wilberforce and Mary (Maxwell) Dinsmore.
The Dinsmore family came among the pioneers to Washington County. The great-grandfather, James Dins- more, came to America in 1798 and probably settled then in this section. Both parents of Mr. Dinsmore have passed away and their remains rest in the Upper Buffalo Cemetery. They had the following children: Margaret J., who is the widow of Malcolm Dinsmore, of Canton Township; Hattie A., who is the wife of Luther Law- ton, of Hickory village; James M., of Hopewell Town ship; Benjamin F., who resides in Canton Township; Mary L., now deceased, who was the first wife of J. O. Ely; Robert A., who is a dentist in practice at Cleveland, Ohio; and Emma R., who is the second wife of J. O. Ely.
James M. Dinsmore has been engaged in agricultural pursuits almost since boyhood. His education was ob- tained in the district schools. He owns a fine tract of land, one that has been made very productive through his careful tillage. His surroundings all indicate thrift and comfort.
Mr. Dinsmore was married November 18, 1880, to Miss Flora Donaldson, a daughter of Robert S. and Rachel (Walker) Donaldson, of Mt. Pleasant Township, and they have an exceedingly intelligent family, all members of which have been given superior educational advan tages. The eldest daughter, Grace W., is a highly culti- vated young lady and talented in music which she teaches. She attended Blairsville College for two years. Mary J., the second daughter, is a graduate of the Wash- ington High School. Robert Edwin is a graduate of Van Orden's Business College at Washington, and Will- iam Lloyd, who attended the University of Pennsyl- vania for one year. All yet reside under the home roof. The family belongs to the Upper Buffalo Presbyterian Church, of which Mr. Dinsmore has been an elder for a number of years. Mrs. Dinsmore is much interested in the church missionary work. Mr. Dinsmore takes only
:01
ILISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
the interest of a voter in polities. He is a Republican and frequently has been importuned to accept offices, but has always declined such honors.
1
HARRY WINFIELD BLACK CANNON, attorney- at law, has been engaged in the practice of his pro- fession since 1906.
Mr. Cannon was born in the old Black homestead in the Twenty-second Ward of Pittsburg, in 1891, and was there reared. After completing the prescribed course in the public schools, he entered Washington and Jeffer- son Academy, and later Washington and JJefferson Col- lege. Ile completed a law course in the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, Mich., graduating with the Class of 1906. After spending some time iu the West, he located in 1908 at Washington, Pa., where he has since practiced very successfully. During his short resi- denee here he has gained a high position at the bar.
In June, 1908, Mr. Cannon was married to Miss Eleanor Aiken, of Washington, Pa. Fraternally, he is a member of Braddock Lodge, B. P. O. E.
BENJAMIN M. TALBOT, editor and manager ef The Enterprise, a weekly newspaper, and The Bur- gettstown Publishing Company, at Burgettstown, Pa., is an enterprising young business man, ene whese suc- eess in journalistic work indicates that he has found the right channel for his activities. He was born at Denver, Celo., Jan. 15, 1891, and is a son of Robert H. Talbot and wife, the former of whom died Sept. 28, 1902, and the latter ef whom is a resident of Bur- gettstown, Pa.
Mr. Talbot attended school at Denver. At the age of 14 years, after coming te Washington County, Pa., he en- tered the Record office at MeDonald, where he learned the printing trade, coming later to The Enterprise at Burgettstown, where, after some months, he was ad- vanced to the position of editor and manager. The Enterprise is an independent weekly journal, ameng the oldest established in the county, and as it has ne politieal bias is acceptable as a purveyor of news te every citizen and finds its way into the majority of the homes of the town and adjacent country. Mr. Talbet is a member of the First United Presbyterian Church at Burgettstown.
HARRY L. WILLIAMS, a busy practitioner of the Washington County bar and a member of the reliable and able law firm of Mellvaine & Williams, was bern in 1871, in Fallowfield Township, Washington County, Pa., and is a son of David N. and Julia (Greenlee) Williams.
Francis H. Williams, the grandfather of Harry L., built the old stone house in Washington County in
which the latter was born, and it is one of the eld land- marks and is still occupied by a member of the family. Francis HI. Williams was one of the carliest settlers in Fallow field Township and there his son, David N. was born, in June, 1840. David N. Williams is a large farmer and an extensive breeder and dealer in sheep, and resides within sight of the old place, although on his own farm. Ile married Julia Greenlee, a daughter of John Greenlee, of Clarksville, Greene County, and they had four children, namely: Harry L .; JJohn A. and William J., twins, the latter of whom is deceased; and Charles E. John A. Williams served in the 10th Pa. Vol. Inf., in the Spanish-American War. He now is engaged in farming in Nottingham Township, and Charles E. is a farmer in Fallowfield Township.
Ilarry L. Williams attended the Washington County schools and the California State Normal Scheel, subse- quently teaching school for some years and during this period did a large amount of private law reading. Later he graduated from Duff's Business College and then entered the law department of the University of Michi- gan, at Ann Arbor, and was graduated in 1893. He did not enter into practice, however, for several years. In 1900 he was admitted to the Washington County bar and later to all the state conrts and ever since has commanded a very satisfactory practice. He has been a very active and interested citizen and in 1905 he served as chairman of the Citizens' Organization, and also served acceptably for three years as burgess ef East Washingten.
On April 6, 1904, Mr. Williams was married te Miss Anna Blanche Weir, a daughter of Robert E. Weir, of Morris Township, Washington County, and they have one ehild, Julia Inez. Mr. and Mrs. Williams are mem- bers of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Wash- ington. He is identified preminently with the Elks and is past exalted ruler of the local organization.
JAMES M. COLLINS, manager of the Pittsburg Gro- eery Company at Canonsburg, was born at Uniontewn, Fayette County, Pa., Dee. 27, 1880, and is a son of James and Mary E. (Bryson) Collins.
The parents of Mr. Collins reside at Uniontewn, where the father is superintendent of the jail and court house. They reared the following children: Ada, residing at home; Belle, wife of George S. Daugherty, ef Pittsburg; John, residing at Pittsburg; Charles, a resident of Uniontown; James M., of Canonsburg; M. R., residing at Pittsburg; and Clara, Edna, Loma and Dorothy, all residing at home.
James M. Collins received bis education in the public schools and at Madison Academy, at Uniontewn. He began his business life as an employe of the grocery firm of George S. Daugherty & Co., of Pittsburg, where
702
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
he remained for six years, coming to Canonsburg on June 1, 1904, and since then has been manager of the Pittsburg Grocery Company. His experience of eleven years in this line has made him thoroughly acquainted with the demands of the trade as well as a competent judge of commodities and of the best and most eco- nomical way of handling the same. He is numbered with the successful and popular business men of Canons- burg.
In Pittsburg, Mr. Collins was married to Miss Cath- erine Dornberg, a daughter of Herman Dornberg, and they have three children: Harold, Ruth and Kenneth. Mr. Collins and family are members of the Baptist Church. In politics he is a Republican. He belongs to Chartiers Lodge No. 297, F. & A. M .; Lodge No. 593, Odd Fellows; Lodge No. 204, Knights of Pythias, and to the Sons of Veterans, his father having been a soldier in the Civil War.
J. OLIVER PRIGG, a retired farmer of Canton Township, Washington County, now residing at 192 Jefferson avenue, Washington, Pa., was born Oct. 12, 1854, in Canton Township and is a son of James and Caroline (Mounts) Prigg.
James Prigg was born in Washington County in 1820, a son of Samuel Prigg, who was one of the earliest set- tlers of Washington County. James spent his active life in general farming and stock raising, the last ten or twelve years of his life being passed in Washington, where he died Dec. 13, 1895. He was a Democrat in politics. He married Caroline Mounts, who was born in this county and comes of one of the oldest families in this locality. They were the parents of the follow- ing children : J. Oliver, the subject of this sketch; Laura, who married Stephen Halpin of Washington, Pa .; and Amanda, who died at the age of 14 years.
J. Oliver Prigg was reared and educated in his native township, and was there engaged in farming and stock raising until two years ago. He then came to Washing- ton, where he has since lived in retirement, although still managing his farming interests in Canton Town- ship, where he owns two tracts of land-the homestead farm of 1181/2 acres and an additional farm of 751% acres on the Taylorstown Road.
On Jan. 13, 1881, Mr. Prigg was united in marriage with Della Weir, a daughter of William C. and Sarah (Mounts) Weir, and a granddaughter of Adam Weir, who was one of the pioneers of Washington County. Mr. and Mrs. Weir were the parents of the following children : William J .; Mamie C., who married J. C. Hale of Oklahoma; and Della, the wife of the subject of this sketch. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Prigg, namely : Minnie Maud, who married C. Vance Linn, and resides with her parents; and Harry Cleveland, who
resides on the homestead farm in Canton Township. He married Cora Elizabeth Mounts, and they have a son, Le Roy Mounts Prigg, born Sept. 6, 1908. Mr. and Mrs. Prigg are members of the Third Presbyterian Church, of which Mr. Prigg is also a member of the Brotherhood.
JAMES STEPHENSON, whose death occurred on May 7, 1904, was one of Hanover Township's esteemed and respected citizens for many years. He was born in Jefferson Township, Washington County, Pa., Jan. 9, 1825, and was a son of Thomas and Isabel (Martin) Stephenson.
The late James Stephenson obtained the usual edu- cation of the country boy when he was young and very early became acquainted with all the necessary details of farm life. He was a quiet, industrious, capable and good man, doing his duty to his family, his neighbor- hood and his country. Through his good management he acquired an excellent farm of 66 acres on which he placed many improvements and this property, unin- cumbered, belongs to his widow and children. He was identified with the Republican party. With his wife he belonged to the Methodist Protestant Church at Elders- ville. He was one of a family of eight children: John, James, David, Margaret, Isabel, Cyrus, Nancy and Thomas.
On Jan. 23, 1868, James Stephenson was married to Mary C. Crossland, a daughter of George and Mary (Iker) Crossland. They never lived in Washington County, their home being at Connellsville, in Fayette County, where Mrs. Stephenson was born, her mother dying at her birth. Her father survived but six months. She was reared by her paternal grandparents, who were Richard and Rebecca Crosslands. Mrs. Stephenson re- sides on the farm in Hanover Township and is a lady who has a wide circle of friends. To Mr. and Mrs. Stephenson the following children were born: James, who married in the far west and has two children- Mary and James; Charles T. and William M., twins, the latter of whom is deceased; George, who operates the home farm; Ada Belle, who married Theodore Mc- Ewen, has one son, Raymond McEwen; Nannie Viola, who married James Anderson, has had two children; John Oscar; Harry Bemis; Minnie Wilda, who married John R. Wilson; and Mary Margaret, who is a teacher in Smith Township.
JOSEPH BENJAMIN PAINTER, a prominent farm- er and stock raiser of Independence Township, operating his valuable farm of 160 acres, was born in Westmore- land County, Pa., in 1854, and is a son of John and Susannah (Williams) Painter.
The father of Mr. Painter was a substantial farmer
703
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
and the family was a large one. The family record is as follows: Maria, who is deceased; Adaline, who was the wife of Jacob Mitchell, deceased, of Westmoreland County ; Catherine, who was the wife of James Culbert- son, deceased, of Westmoreland County ; Christopher, who died in Westmoreland Couuty; Jacob, who is de- ceased; Tobias, deceased, who spent the greater part of his life in Kansas; Harrison, who is deceased; Susan, now deceased, who was the wife of Rev. J. M. Hautz; Israel, who is now a resident of Missouri; Joseph Ben- jamin; and Lucinda, who died iu infancy.
Joseph B. Painter attended the common schools of Westmoreland County, West Newtou, Mt. Pleasant High School, Academy and the Columbia Classical College iu Lancaster County, and later graduated from the Iron City Business College at Pittsburg. He then devoted some time to the study of Blackstone, with a view of entering the law, but later abandoned that ambitiou aud accepted a favorable opening in the oil business. HIe continued to be identified with that great industry for 12 years aud after retiring from the same, located ou bis present fine farm not far from Avella, where be has successfully pursued agriculture ever since.
Iu 1877, Mr. Painter was married to Miss Phebe Manchester, a daughter of the late Asa Manchester and a member of one of the old aud leading families of Washington County. Mr. and Mrs. Painter have four children: Asa Manchester, who is married aud resides in Independence; J. M., who resides at home and assists his father; Stauley II., who is a student iu the State College of Pennsylvania; and Clarence R., who is a student in the Hickory High School. Mr. Painter aud family belong to the Presbyterian Church of Lower Buffalo.
In polities, Mr. Painter is nominally a Democrat, but he reserves the right to vote independently when his judgment impels bim to do so. Formerly he took a lively interest in public affairs and frequently cousented to hold office, for nine years being a school director in Clarion County, and for three years a member of the borough council at Ediuburg, in that county. In the fall of 1909 he was chosen a meber of the United States Jury, sitting at Pittsburg. For many years be has been prominently identified with Masonry, is a member of Washington Lodge No. 164. F. & A. M., and has served the Lodge aud Chapter by filling the chairs; is a member of Syria Shrine of Pittsburg, and was a charter member of Edinburg Lodge No. 550 aud of Clariou Chapter in Clarion County. He belougs also to the Elks. He is an active grange worker; is a mem- ber of Avella Grange No. 1371, and is district deputy of Washington County and a past master of his sub- ordinate and Pomona Grauges. He is a fluent writer
and a ready debator. Few men have led a more active life than the subject of this sketch.
EDWARD C. STEWART, superintendent of the Hazel Atlas Glass Company of Washington, Pa., has been a resident of this city for the past 13 years. He was born in Pittsburg, Pa., in 1869, and is a sou of James C. Stewart, who was for years engaged iu railroad con- tracting, but spent his later years on a ranch iu South western Texas. Mr. Stewart is of Scotch-Irish descent and comes of one of Pennsylvania's oldest aud best families, it having been established iu Lancaster County during the colonial era and from theuce removing to Allegheny and Washington Counties at an early period.
When quite young Mr. Stewart's parents moved to Southwesteru Texas, where he attended the common sehools until about IS86, when he came north aud lo- cated near the "S" Bridge, where be completed his education. Upon entering the business world, he was first employed in an insurance office iu Pittsburg, after which he was with the Pittsburg Stoue Company until 1896, when the Atlas Glass Company of Washington was established, since which time be has been super- iuteudeut of the factory. He is also interested as a stockholder in the company, and gives bis entire time to the business, having no lodge or club affiliations. Mr. Stewart attends the Presbyterian Church.
MORGAN R. PRIGG, a representative citizen and farmer of Cauton Township, resides ou his valuable farm, the old Prigg homestead, which contains 150 acres, on which he carries ou farming aud stock raising, and was born here, Mar. 24, 1873, a son of Enoch D. and Ma- tilda M. (Daniels) Prigg. His father was born in Washington County and his mother in what is now West Washington,
Enoch D. Prigg was born in Washington County, Pa., Nov. 11, 1817, and died Aug. 26, 1901. His parents were Samuel and Hetty (Dye) Prigg, with whom be continued to reside until they no longer needed his assistance. lu the course of years aud business trans- actions he acquired the homestead and lived on it until death, later acquiring also other valuable land until his possessions aggregated 385 acres, some of this land in the South owned iu connection with a stock company. Ile was married in June, 1835, to Matilda M. Daniels. a daughter of Audrew and Elizabeth M. Daniels, who was born May 24, 1839, and came of Scotch ancestry. To this marriage the following children were born: An drew M., who resides at Washington; Sarah J., who is the wife of Charles Taylor, of Canton Township: Isabel. who is the wife of E. C. Longdon, of Washington; Annie C., who is the wife of James Lacoek, of Canton
704
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
Township; and Morgan R., also residing in Canton Township. The venerable mother of the above family resides on the homestead in Canton Township.
Morgan R. Prigg has devoted himself closely to ag- ricultural pursuits ever since his schooldays ended. He has given a large amount of attention to the subject of sheep raising and therefore follows it intelligently, his choice of stock being the National Delaine. They are satisfying wool growers and possess other desirable points.
On Sept. 29, 1897, Mr. Prigg was married to Miss Lillian B. Ramsey, who is a daughter of the late William C. Ramsey, who was a very prominent citizen of Wash- ington County and former sheriff. He was born in Amwell Township Mar. 5, 1843. He married Elizabeth Sowers, who was born in West Bethlehem Township, Washington County, and they had five children, namely : Ulysses B., residing at Washington, Pa .; Levi H., re- siding in South Franklin Township; Kate F., living at Washington; Wilmetta M., now deceased; and Liman D., who is the wife of Mr. Prigg. To Mr. and Mrs. Prigg four children have been born: E. Wray, Florence J., William L. and Mauveleen M. Mr. Prigg and wife are members of the Fourth Presbyterian Church at Washington. Like his late respected father, he is a Democrat in his political opinions.
WILLIAM CLARK BLACK, the founder and managing editor of the "Union Labor Journal," the first Labor paper in Washington County, Pa., with offices in the Brown Building, Washington, Pa., was born in this city May 23, 1873, a son of George W. Black, Jr. His pa- ternal grandfather, George W. Black, Sr., was in the tobacco and cigar business, and was the originator of the now familiar "stogie."
George W. Black, Jr., was educated in this county and subsequently entered the tobacco business, in which he continued until his death. He married Myra Belle Crall, of Monongahela, and their children were Samuel, Martha Elizabeth, Mary Etta, William Clark, George, Lucy Hazlett and Myra.
The subject of this sketch received his education in the public schools of Washington County. On January 27, 1887, he entered the office of the old "Washington County Democrat," to learn the printer's trade. After getting some insight into the business, he went to Chi- cago, Ill., where he found employment for a time on the "Inter Ocean." From the office of that paper he went to that of the old Chicago "Mail," and from there to the "Morning News." He next worked on the "Times," at the time that paper was edited by Carter H. Harrison. In September, 1897, he went to the State of California, where after some residence received an appointment to a position in the State Printing Offiee
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.