Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 27

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 27

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at Sacramento, and worked there and in the State for. some six years. Lived also in Oregon, where he worked for some time on the "Rogue River Courier," at Grant's Pass, Josephine County. He also had considerable newspaper experience in the State of Washington, and the copper mining regions of Shasta County, Cal., Kes- wick, De La Mar, Sallee and Copper City; as well as in the Mother Lode gold mining district of California, Calaveras and Amador Counties. In April, 1894, he re- turned to Washington, Pa., and in March, 1907, founded the "Union Labor Journal," of Washington and Greene Counties. This paper is the official newspaper of the Washington Central Trade Assembly, of Washington, Pa., and also of the Monongahela Valley Central Trades Council, located at Charleroi.

Mr. Black is a member of Typographical Union No. 456, and for the last seven years has been the Washing- ton (Pa.) correspondent for the "Typographical Jour- nal." He was elected delegate from this local to Bos- ton (Mass.) in 1908. He was secretary of the Washing- ton Central Trades Assembly for three years, serving one term as treasurer and was district organizer of the American Federation of Labor for Washington, Pa., and the vicinity two and a half terms. In politics he is independent, and his religious affiliations are with the Episcopal Church. Mr. Black is unmarried and resides with his mother, Mrs. George W. Black, at No. 276 Lo- cust avenue.

WILLIAM S. VANCE, a representative business man .of Washington, conducting a drug business at No. 66 North Main street, can elaim descent from two of the old and honorable pioneer families of Washington County. He was born in South Strabane Township, Washington County, Pa., Oct. 24, 1872, and is the younger of two sons born to his parents, who were William and Nancy (Dinsmore) Vance.

William Vance was also a native of Washington County and died on April 30, 1872. His widow still survives and since October, 1874, has occupied her beau- tiful Washington home, which is situated at No. 246 East Beau street. She was born in Washington County and is a daughter of Robert W. Dinsmore, also a native of this county, who was engaged in farming and stock raising all his life.

William S. Vance was reared in Washington County. He began his education in the public schools, graduating with the high school class of 1889 and afterwards at- tending Washington and Jefferson College. When about 17 years old he began the study of pharmacy and was employed as a clerk in different drug stores of Wash- ington until 1900, when he engaged in the retail drug business for himself at his present stand. He is a grad- uate of the Pittsburg College of Pharmacy (now a de-

WILLIAM CLARK BLACK

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

partment of the University ef Pittsburg) in the class oť 1896.

On Feb. 12, 1906, Mr. Vance was married to Miss Lou Catherine Woodard, of Washington, Pa., and they havo ene son, William Woodard. Mr. and Mrs. Vance are members of the First Presbyterian Church. He is identified fraternally with the Elks.

JOIIN L. COCKINS, vice president of the First Na- tional Bank of Canonsburg and a prominent citizen, was born near Hickory, in Mt. Pleasant Township, Wash- ington County, Pa., May 31, 1847. flis parents were John and Elizabeth (McCarrell) Cockins.

The paternal grandfather of John L. Cockins came to Washington County from Lastern Pennsylvania, at a very early date, established a home on the border, as- sisted in bringing civilization to what was then a wild section, and after a long and useful life, passed away and his memory is preserved with that of the other pioneers.

John Cockins, father of John L., was born in Eastern Pennsylvania, in 1799, and was a child when the family came to Washington County. He became a man of sub- stance and spent his entire life in agricultural pursuits. His death occurred in July, 1865, when he was aged 66 years. He married Elizabeth McCarrell, a danghter of Lodowick MeCarrell, early settlers also in Washington County. She died in 1889 in her 84th year and was laid hy the side of her husband, in a cemetery at Venice, Pa. They were parents of ten children, eight of whom reached maturity. Vincent, the eldest, became a minister in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church and never married. At the time of his death, he was pastor of the Fourth Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church

of Pittsburg. Lavina married Alexander Russell and lived and died at Burgettstown. Margaret and Belle H. died unmarried. William married Miss Anna Welch and for 40 years they have resided at Lawrence, Kas., spending a part of their time in California. He is a successful business man and is interested in real estate. Martha Jane, who died in Mt. Pleasant Township, was the wife of William Berry. James M. is a Presbyterian minister, residing at Los Angeles, Cal. He married (first) Jennie Bosserman, and (second) Anna Miller.

John L. Cockins is the youngest born of the above family. He was educated in the common schools and took a commercial course in the Iron City Business Col- lege at Pittsburg, and after his return home engaged in farming, operating the old home farm in Mt. Pleasant Township until 1875, in which year be moved to Canons- burg. He still owns the old homestead, together with another farm in Mt. Pleasant Township, a third farm in West Finley Township and still another, situated at Dinsmore Station, in Smith Township. His interests

in realty at Canonsburg are also extensive and he is connected with tho Canonsburg Land Company, the Alexander Land Company and the Cockins and Johnston płat of tots in Canonsburg. lle is interested in other concerns, being a director as well as vice president of the first National Bank and a stockholder in the Canonsburg Steel and Iron Works.

In 1873, Mr. Cockins was married to Miss Anna Mor- gan, a daughter of Robert and Mary ( Martin) Morgan. old settlers in Mt. Pleasant Township, who died about 1891. Mr. and Mrs. Cockins have two children: Howard L. and Alice May. Howard L. Cockins was born in January, 1874, was reared and educated at Canonsburg, and for the past 12 years has been engaged in the furni- ture business. lle married Miss Edith Perritt, a daugh- ter of George Perritt, whe formerly was sheriff of Wash- ington County. Mrs. Cockins was reared at Canonsburg. Alice May Cockins is the wife of Dr. William Inglish, a practicing physician at Columbus, O., and they have two sons-John C. and William D. Mr. Cockins and family enjoy a beautiful modern home, which is located on West Pike street, which was completed in 1892. In 1903 the family visited California, but no elimatic nor business advantages served to separate Mr. Cockins, except temporarily, from Pennsylvania. He has always been identified with the Republican party, but has led too active a business life to have been able to devote much attention to publie office. He has, however, served as a justice of the peace for a quarter of a century. His interest in educational matters has been genuine and constant and for nine years he served on the school board. He is a leading member of the Chartiers United Presbyterian Church, an elder in the same and has done much to promote the efficiency of the Sunday-school and for some 33 years served as assistant superintendent and as treasurer.

JAMES F. WESTLAKE, who has been postmaster at Independence, Washington County, Pa., since 1903, came to this village in 1856. Mr. Westlake was born April 13, 1846, in West Middletown, Washington County, Pa., and is a son of James and Mary (Miller) Westlake.

Benjamin Westlake, the grandfather of James F., was born in Ohio and came to Washington County in 1826. He was a man widely known in his day as a brave and venturesome frontiersman, and made several trips by flat-boat to New Orleans, the trip baek being made on foot, quite an undertaking in those days. On one of these return trips, while passing through an Indian village, he received a tomahawk wound, which left a livid scar on his face.

James Westlake learned the trade of shoemaker when [6 years old at Barnesville, Ohio, and worked with his unele until after his marriage, when he engaged in busi-

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

ness on his own account at West Middletown, Pa., and there continued to reside for 14 years. When he came to Independence, in 1856, and here carried on his trade until within four years of his death, which occurred in 1909. Mr. Westlake was married to Mary Miller, of Donegal Township, and to them the following children were born: Jennie, the widow of J. B. Fouch, of Donora; James Fletcher; John S., residing in Canton, Ohio; Cassius M., minister of the Congregational Church at Sheldon, Iowa; William H. S., residing in Salt Lake City, Utah; and Bertha, who died in infancy.

James Fletcher Westlake attended the district school of the place of his nativity, and later entered Mt. Union College at Mt. Union, Ohio, which he left in 1864, when 18 years of age, to enlist in the 162nd O. Vol. Inf. at Canton, Ohio. He saw four months of active service at Camp Chase and in Central Kentucky, and after the close of hostilities he became a private in the regular army and for three years saw service in Southeast Da- kota during the trouble with the Sioux Indians. In I868 he came back to Independence, where he went to work with his father, as a shoemaker, and he has made this city his home to the present time, with the exception of two years spent in Fayette County.

In June, 1873, Mr. Westlake was married to Mary F. Fouche, who is a daughter of Samuel and Catherine (King) Fouche, of Centerville, Somerset County, Pa., and to this nnion there have been born children, as follows: Jeanette, who married Robert E. Scott, resid- ing near Irwin, Pa .; James Edward, a school teacher of Washington, Pa., and Frank Ross, a clerk in the Avella bank.

Mr. Westlake is a Republican in politics, and in ad- dition to having been postmaster since 1903, has served as township clerk, tax collector and in other capacities. For a number of years he has been a trustee of the Methodist Church of Independence.

NORMAN EMMETT CLARK, who has practiced law in Washington, Pa., since 1885, was born in .what is now South Franklin Township, Washington County, Nov. 8, 1861, and is a son of John Gaylord and Sarah Clokey Clark.

Mr. Clark attended the public schools of the county and Washington and Jefferson College, from which he was graduated with the Class of 1882. He then regis- tered as a law student and was admitted to the bar of the county Dec. 16, 1885. He eutered upon the practice of his profession immediately and in 1886 was made deputy clerk of courts of Washington County. Upon the death of the clerk he was appointed to fill out the unexpired term. He then practiced by himself until the year 1889, when he entered the firm of A. W. and M. C. Acheson. Upon the retirement of Judge Acheson,

the firm became Acheson, Irwin and Clark, and later Acheson, Clark and Berryman. In 1899, Mr. Berryman withdrew from the firm and moved to Pittsburg, the firm having prior to that time become Clark and Berry- man, upon the withdrawal of Mr. Acheson. Mr. Clark practiced alone until 1904, when the firm of Parker, MeIlvaine and Clark was formed. Since 1907, Mr. Mc- Ilvaine and Mr. Clark have been associated alone, the firm being MeIlvaine & Clark. They practice in all the State and Federal Courts and have offices in the Wash- ington Trust Building. Mr. Clark has been solicitor for the borough of East Washington since 1894, and enjoys the distinction of being the only solicitor that borough has had since it was created. He has been local counsel for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad continuously since 1893. He is a member of the Washington County Bar Association, and the Pennsylvania State Bar Associa- tion, and served two terms each as vice-president and president of the former body.

In 1892, Mr. Clark was married to Miss Sarah Hanna Flack, a native of Washington County, N. Y., and they have three children: John Gaylord, Norman Emmett and Mary Foster Clark.

W. F. SCOTT, general merchant and representative citizen at Burgettstown, a member of the Board of. Health and identified with many important interests of the borough, was born in Smith Township, Washington County, Pa., Nov. 7, 1856. His father, R. K. Scott, is a general farmer in Smith Township.

W. F. Scott obtained his education in the local schools and at Burgettstown, after which he remained at home assisting his father on the farm until he was 23 years old. He then came to Burgettstown to enter into busi- ness and formed a partnership which resulted in the establishing of the firm of MeMurray & Scott, which continued for ten years. At the close of the decade, Mr. Scott sold his interest to his partner and then start- ed into a general store business for himself, at his present location. He carries a large stock, including dry goods and groceries and also handles flour and feed. In politics he is a Democrat and has been interested in public matters ever since he came to the borough as a permanent resident. He has served usefully on the borough council and is recognized as one of the re- sponsible and representative men of the place.

On Jan. 19, 1887, Mr. Scott was married to Miss Hannah May Lee, a daughter of W. S. Lee, and they have two children, Hazel and Merle, both of whom, after graduating from the Burgettstown schools, eutered a seminary near Philadelphia, to pursue a higher course. Mr. Scott and family are members of the United Pres- byterian Church, with which he has been connected since boyhood.

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

A. P. DUNCAN, treasurer of tho Duncan & Miller Glass Company, at Washington, and a director in the Real Estate Trust Company, is a representative busi- ness man of this city and has been identified with glass manufacturing all his business life. He was born in 1875, at Pittsburg, Pa., and is a son of the late James E. Duncan, the founder of the present large glass busi- ness, with plant situated at Jefferson avenue and Fac- tory street.

A. P. Duncan was educated at Pittsburg and at Wash ington and Jefferson College, Washington, where he was graduated in the class of 1896. He immediately entered into the business of glass manufacturing, as an employer of the firm of George Duncan's Sons, and after the business was incorporated, in 1900, as the Duncan & Miller Glass Company, he became treasurer. The bnsi- ness is one of large importance, employment being afforded about 190 people, the output of the factory being high grade table glass ware, with a number of specialties from private molds.

JOHN S. MCCARTY, one of the old representative business men of MeDonald, Pa., senior member of the firm of MeCarty & Sons, dealers in Iumber, was born in Mt. Pleasant Township, Washington County, Pa., Sept. 27, 1846, and is a son of John and Jane (Roseberry) McCarty.

The parents of Mr. MeCarty were farming people in Mt. Pleasant Township and in their day were well known and highly respected. They were members of the Candor Presbyterian Church and were interred in the cemetery there. Their parents were Timothy and Jane (MeCon- nell) MeCarty, and Benjamin and Mary (Donaldson) Roseberry. John S. McCarty, the fifth member of his parents' family, is one of the three survivors, Benjamin R. and Elizabeth being the others. Martha J., wife of Russell Thompson, Timothy, James H. and Thomas D., all are deceased.

John S. MeCarty had common school advantages in his youth and then assisted his father on the home farm until he was 30 years of age. About 1879 he embarked in the lumber business at Midway and after seven years sold out to his brother on account of a desire to visit California. He remained in the far West for six years and after he returned to Washington County bought a one-half interest in a lumber and hardware business, which he continued interested in until 1894. In the fol- lowing year he came to MeDonald and here went into business with J. W. Robb, in April, 1905, purchasing his partner's share and identifying his sons with him. The firm does a large business all through this section. For four years he served as postmaster at Midway under President Cleveland's first administration in Robeson Township.

In October, 1874, Mr. MeCarty was married to Miss Anna M. Lindsey, a daughter of William and Anna (Vanemen) Lindsey, who were minch respected resi- dents of Washington County, Mr. Lindsey being a sub- stantial farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Lindsey had the follow- ing children: Sarah, who is the widow of Richard Boyce; John, who is deceased; Elizabeth, who married Hamil ton Kennedy; Alexander V .; Rebecca, who is deceased, was the first wife of Dr. A. C. Stevenson; Margaret; Rena, who is deceased, was the second wife of Dr. A. C. Stevenson; Robert; Rachel, who married Joseph W. Robb; and Anna M., wife of Mr. MeCarty. Mr. and Mrs. MeC'arty have had four children: John W. K. and Robert V., are associated with their father in business; and Bertie Jane and Clifford, both died young. The family attends the Presbyterian Church. Mr. MeCarty is a member of Garheld Lodge No. 464, F. & A. M., at Burgettstown, Pa.

WILLIAM M. THOMPSON, the well-known gardener and successful fruit grower of N. Franklin Township, Washington County, who has resided on his present place which contains more than 73 acres of enriched land since 1903, was born in Ohio County, W. Va., Mar. 2, 1863. His parents were Armor and Naney (Linton) Thompson.

The paternal grandfather was a native of Ireland and when he came to America he settled in Greene County, Pa., and there Armor Thompson was born,, who subse- quently moved to Ohio Connty, W. Va., where he married Naney Linton, whose grandfather, David Linton, was born in Scotland, bnt lived many years in West Virginia. Armor Thompson died when his son, William M., was 15 years old and was survived by his widow until the son had abont reached his 24th year.

In all essentials, William M. Thompson is a self-made man. He obtained his education in the common schools of Elm Grove, W. Va., and as far as his strength per- mitted, assisted his father on the home farm. He was only 16 when he took entire charge and continued to manage the property for his mother until her death, in 1891. He then left his native state and came to Wash- ington County, Pa., loeating in North Franklin Town- ship and here followed gardening and fruit growing and with such success that he became well known in the industries mentioned. In 1903 he seenred his present land which is favorably sitnated within a short distance of Washington and just off the National Road. It is an interesting place to visit and in blossoming and har- vest time is a very delightful one. He has set out 2,500 fruit trees, devoting ten acres to the same, and has al- most every variety that will do well in this climate. These include 300 apple, 600 peach, 300 pear, 100 plum, with quince and cherry trees, all being of choicest se

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

lection and attended to with experienced knowledge, for Mr. Thompson has long made a close study of this sub- ject. He also raises luscious berries of all kinds, also currants, in fact everything in the line of desirable fruit that he can market, either retail or wholesale, at Wash- ington. He devotes about 40 acres to general gardening and his fresh vegetables are the first that are offered from the local markets. He expects, henceforth, to de- vote his individual efforts exclusively to fruit growing, his present plans being to double his acreage in fruit in the coming year.

Mr. Thompson was married (first) to Miss Annie Rinkes, who was a native of West Virginia. He was married (second) to Miss Lulu Henderson, a daughter of James Henderson, of Dallas, W. Va., and they have had three children: Irvin R., Margaret Irene and Will- iam C., the last named being deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson are members of the Third Presbyterian Church at Washington. In politics he is a Republican, and fraternally be is identified with the Knights of Pythias, belonging to the lodge at Claysville.

J. R. FORREST, one of Washington's best known and esteemed citizens, who has reflected no little credit upon this city through his literary work, may almost be claimed as a native as he was but one year old when his parents moved bere from Pittsburg, where he was born in 1847. His father, George Forrest, became a substantial business man at Washington, conducting a tailoring business for many years.

J. R. Forrest was educated in the Washington schools and at Washington College, leaving its balls when but 17 years of age, to answer his country's call for volun- teers. He enlisted in Co. H, 87th Pa. Vol. Inf., in which he served until the close of the war, almost a year later. During this period he was never absent from duty a single day from sickness, although he was once slightly wounded. Upon his return from the army, he took up the study of law in the office of Ruth & Hamilton, and was admitted to the bar in 1867 and for many years engaged in the practice of his profession at Washington. In the meanwhile, he had developed talent as a writer and recently has devoted the larger part of his time to literary pursuits. He has contributed to current pub- lications and has also published a number of books, botlı of poetry and prose, and has other works ready for the publisher. Many readers have enjoyed his poems : "The Monongahely Boy," "The Unreturning Brave," "Gath- ering Home" and "The Sinner's Prayer," and four of his works of fiction have had a wide sale: "The Student Cavaliers," "A Tangled Web," "A Brother 's Sacri- fice " and "Retribution." For some 20 years Mr. For- rest was a justice of the peace at Washington and doubt- less many of the incidents in bis writings have a founda-

tion in the facts of his experience. He is interested to a large degree in realty at Washington and is num- bered with the substantial citizens of this place.

Mr. Forrest was married to Miss Belle Boyle, of Greensburg, Ind., and they have three children: Daniel B., residing at Kenton, Ohio, where he is engaged in the tobacco business; Earl Robert, a graduate of Washing- ton-Jefferson College, who is taking a post graduate course in Forestry at the University of Michigan; and Alma, who is a student at Washington Seminary. Mr. Forrest is a member of the First Methodist Episcopal Church. He belongs to Templeton Post No. 120, G. A. R.

JOHN T. STARR, who has been proprietor of the Hotel Starr at West Brownsville, Pa., since May 1, 1909, has been a lifelong resident of West Brownsville, where he was born June 18, 1863, a son of Alfred S. and Mary E. (MeDonald) Starr, who are also residents of West Brownsville, the former of whom spent his active career engaged in ship carpentering.

John T. Starr grew to manhood at West Brownsville, Pa., and for many years worked in the coal mines of this vicinity. He also spent about about three years as a fireman on the Pennsylvania Railroad and for about seven years ran a boarding house at Brownsville, where since May 1, 1909, he has been the owner and manager. of the Hotel Starr.

Mr. Starr married Annie Yoders and they have one daughter, Mary J. Starr. Mr. Starr is affiliated with the I. O. O. F. and the Knights of Pythias, and is a man who stands high in the esteem of his fellow men.

JOHN C. MURPHY, sheriff of Washington County, Pa., is one of the county's best known men, for many years prior to accepting publie office, being an educator and highly considered in that capacity. He was born in Washington County, Pa., June 9, 1857, one of a fam- ily of six children born to Franklin B. and Lacy (Wal- ler) Murphy. Franklin B. Murphy was a farmer and a well-known citizen. He died in 1905. On the maternal side, Sheriff Murphy is connected with the old pioneer family of Peas.

John C. Murphy was reared and educated in Washing- ton County and throughout life has been loyal to her best interests. For 26 years he taught school here, di- viding his time between four districts, and from under his instruction have gone out many young men and women who have reflected credit upon his thoroughness. . He is a man of excellent judgment and wise diserimi- nation as well as of personal courage and his four years of service as deputy sheriff gave the experience he needed when he was first elected to the sheriff's

JOIIN C. MURPHY

THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

office in 1907, the duties of which he assumed in January, 1908.

On Sept. 10, 1887, Mr. Murphy was married to Miss Mary A. Williams, a daughter of Casper Williams, and they had a family of five children, four of whom are living, namely : J. Russell, Harry W., Edna J. and Ernest M. Politically he is a Republican and fraternally he is an Elk and an Odd Fellow.

WILLIAM JAMES HOWARTH, deceased, who, for half a century was identified with the business interests of Washington, Pa., established and operated the Howarth Granite and Marble Works, which is the lead- ing concern of its kind in Washington County, Pa. Mr. Howarth was born in 1831, in Philadelphia, and died in March, 1907, in Washington, where he first established himself in business with his brother Joseph, their marble works being located upon the present site of the Union Trust Company. He subsequently established the IIo- warth Marble and Granite Works, which he successfully operated until the time of his death, sinee which time the business has been managed by his widow. He was a man of unimpeachable integrity.

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Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 27

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