Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 28

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 28

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In 1886, Mr. Howarth was united in marriage with Annie M. Parker, who was born near Van Buren, but spent her early girlhood days in Amity, Washington County, and has been a resident of Washington, Pa., since about 17 years of age. She was educated in the schools of this city, after which she taught here about ten years. She is a daughter of Capt. Silas and Eliza (Andrew) Parker, the former, a native of Washington County, who re- eruited Co. D, 140th Pa. Vol. Inf. for the Civil War, and although 50 years of age, went into service as cap- tain of the company. After nine months of service in the army he contraeted an illness, from which he sub- sequently died after his return home. Mr. and Mrs. Parker were the parents of four children, of whom but two are living: Mrs. Howarth and W. S. Parker, the latter of whom is practicing law at Washington, Pa.

Mr. Howarth was connected with the Methodist Prot- estant Church, of which he was for 18 years secretary of the Sabbath school. Mrs. Howarth is a member of the same church, and is a prominent worker in the church societies and the auxiliary of the Y. M. C. A.

DeWITT C. PARKINSON, postmaster and a lifelong resident of Monongahela City, was born July 7, IS64. in a log house on Gregg street, this eity, and is a son of John and Mary Catherine (Weaver) Parkinson.

John Parkinson was born and reared in Lancashire, England, and when about 20 years old came to America and located at Monongahela City, Pa., where for some time he ran a soap factory, and later became foreman in the Union Paper Mills. He died here at the age of

17 years. Ile married Mary Catherine Weaver, who was born in Monongahela City in the log house which until recently stood upon our subject's present place. She was a daughter of John Weaver, who was one of the pioneer settlers of this locality, and her death occurred May 15, 1904, at the age of 74 years. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Parkinson; Richard, de- ceased; Eliza, widow of William Rose; Clara, deceased; Mary Anna; John, deceased; Dewitt C., subject of this sketch; and Daniel.

De Witt C. Parkinson was reared in Monongahela City, and attended the public schools, later entering the Union Paper Mills, where he worked for about eight years, after which he worked in the coal mines of Washington County for five years. He was then for ten years pri- vate night watchman in the business seetion of Monon- gahela City, and in 1904 was appointed postmaster, as- suming the responsibilities of that office on June 5, 1904, in the old location.

Mr. Parkinson was married to Theresa Behanna, a daughter of David and Mary Behanna, of Monongahela City. They have five children: Mary C. is the wife of Porter Baldwin; Clara; Dewitt C., Jr .; Edward and James R. While working as night watchman, Mr. Parkinson tore down the old log house on his place, and ereeted his present commodious residence. He is a Re- publican in polities and has served as constable and assessor for ten years.

EWING S. MeWREATH, a leading citizen of Me- Donald, who has been identified with many of the bor- ough's most important interests, being secretary and treasurer of the MeDonald Water Company, the Me- Donald Electric Light Company and the MeDonald Sav- ings and Trust Company, was born June 3, 1858, in Donegal Township, Washington County, Pa., and is a son of Joseph and Elizabeth (DeFrance) MeWreath. Joseph MeWreath, who is a millwright by trade, is now residing in Cross Creek Township, his wife having died in 1903 and was buried in the Independent Cemetery. Ewing S. MeWreath was the eldest of their children, the others being: Sylvia, deceased, who was the wife of Owen M. Lotten, also deceased; and Grant.

Ewing S. MeWreath first attended the common schools of Donegal Township, later entered Hopedale ('ollege, at Hopedale, Ohio, and subsequently attended the North- western State Normal School, from which he was grad- uated. He then commenced teaching in the common schools, and after nine years thus spent became a teacher in the academies, so continuing for six years, the last three years being in the Ingleside. Academy at Mc- Donald. At the expiration of this period, he became identified with the water company, with which he has since been connected. Mr. MeWreath is a member of

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

Garfield Lodge of Masons at McDonald, and of the Chapter and Commandery at Pittsburg. He is a Demo- crat. With his family attends the First United Preshy- terian Church at McDonald.

On Oct. 23, 1884, Mr. MeWreath was married to Alice Rea, daughter of John C. and Mary (Lyle) Rea. Mr. and Mrs. Rea had nine children : Lyle, William, Jefferson, Leander, Joseph, Sarah, Mary, Alice and Eliza. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. McWreath: J. Rea; Mary, a graduate of the Indiana Normal School; and Guy A., a student at the MeDonald High School. J. Rea MeWreath is a gun-pointer on the United States battleship Minnesota, which under Capt. John Hubbard wou the championship for markmanship in 1907.

WILLIAM G. POTTER, conducting a real estate, fire insurance and loan business, with offices at No. 401 and 402 Brown Building, Washington, Pa., has also other important business interests and is a leading citizen here. He was born in West Finley Township, Wash- ington County, Pa., in 1869, a son of William and Mar- garet (Hutchison) Potter, and is a grandson of John Potter, a native of New Jersey, who came to Washing- ton County about 1810.

The venerable father of Mr. Potter, William Potter, has lived a retired life in Washington, Pa., for some years. He was horu in 1830 and was brought to Wash- ington County in his infancy. His mother having died, he was reared in the family of Thomas Supler, who lived in Donegal Township. His industrial activities were those of a farmer and carpenter. A man of advanced thought on moral questions, he was one of the early abo- litionists of the county, at a time when abolition was a very unpopular doctrine. He married Margaret Hutchi- son, who was born and reared in East Finley Township, Washington County. She was a daughter of Thomas Hutchison, a native of Washington County, whose father had come from Scotland and was one of the very early settlers in Washington County and the progenitor of a family which has taken a prominent part in its affairs.

William G. Potter attended the public schools of the county and completed his education in the State Normal School at Edinburg, Erie County, after which he taught school for about ten years. He then went into the con- tracting and building business at Washington, in which he continued interested for five years, and this led grad- ually to the development of his real estate business. He now deals to a large extent in realty and has aided largely in attracting capital to this section for invest- ment. He is interested also in the Washington Drug Company, of which he is secretary and treasurer, and fills the same offices with Zinn's Iron Mining Company, of Vesuvius, Va.

In 1897, Mr. Potter was married to Miss Sabina E.

Ashbrook, of Morris Township, Washington County, who was born in September, 1833, a daughter of Absalom Ashbrook. Mr. and Mrs. Potter are members of the Second United Presbyterian Church of Washington, in which he is chairman of the church finance committee.

Mr. Potter was reared in the principles of good citi- zenship and on all occasions he is a hearty worker for the public welfare. He is a Prohibitionist in his political views and is very active in advancing the interests of the Prohibition party, at times even consenting to become a candidate on its local ticket.

JACOB M. HARSHMAN, whose excellent farm of 115 acres is situated in Buffalo Township, Washington Connty, Pa., was born on this place Sept. 21, 1847, and has always lived here. His parents were Jacob and Susan (Bumbarger) Harshman.

The Harshman family is of German descent. The father was a farmer during all his active life and was considered a good citizen of Buffalo Township, his neighbors electing him to the office of road supervisor, a position to which considerable prominence is attached. He died in 1897, his wife having died in the 60's. Of their family of children the following are living: Mary .J., who lives in Ohio, is the wife of Jacob Metzner; Rachel, who lives at Wolfstown, Pa., is the widow of B. Jenkins, formerly of Washington County; Melissa, who lives in South Strabane Township, is the wife of Andrew Plymire; Isaac, who lived in West Bethlehem Township at the time of his death; Jacob M., of Buffalo Township; and Adaline, who died when small.

Jacob M. Harshman has followed farming aud stock raising ever since his boyhood passed and his well tilled fields, together with his herds of cattle and healthy stock in his meadows and pastures testify to the pleasure he has taken in an agricultural life, for system and thrift is shown on every side. His fine residence was erected in 1897 and his other farm buildings are of pleasing appearance and of substantial construction.

Mr. Harshman was married to Miss Mary E. Buck- ingham, who was born at Washington, Washington Couuty, Pa. Her father, the late Frederick Buckingham, was a native of England. Mr. and Mrs. Harshman have had six children: Flora, who is the wife of David Wil- son, of Washington; Laura, who is the wife of Charles Weirick, of Washington; Mary E., who is the wife of Arthur Gromo, of Washington; George D. and John F., both of whom live in Buffalo Township; and Rachel, who is yet at home with her parents. Mr. Harshman and family are members of the East Buffalo Presby- terian Church. In politics, Mr. Harshman is a Repub- lican. He takes no very active part in public mattere but when important movements are on foot. his fellow citizens are pretty sure to seek his advice.

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

W. S. OLIVER, who was for many years one of the leading dry goods merchants of Washington, Pa., was born in 1864 in the State of California, a son of G. B. and Sarah (lewitt) Oliver, and a grandson of John Milton Oliver, who was one of the prominent citizens and large land owners of Washington, Pa.

G. B. Oliver was born in 1829, in Washington County, Pa., where he was reared and in boyhood became a clerk for William Smith. In 1850 he went to California, where he engaged in the mining business until 1864, then returned to Washington, where he was manager of the store for Mr. Smith until 1877, at which time he established himself in the dry goods business at No. 47 North Main street. Here he continued with much success until 1890, when he disposed of the business and lived in retirement until the time of his death, which occurred suddenly, in June, 1903, while visiting his daughter in Elwood, Ind. He was united in marriage with Sarah Hewitt, a native of Schenectady, N. Y., and to them were born four children: George 11., deceased ; Annie, the wife of V. G. Kittle, of California; William S., the subject of this sketch; and Walter R., who lives in California.

William S. Oliver was practically reared in the dry goods business, entering his father's store when quite young, and about 1890, purchased the store from his father and became one of the leading dry goods mer- chants of Washington, continuing in that business with uninterrupted suecess until Sept. 1, 1909, when he dis- posed of the store. Mr. Oliver is also concerned as a stockholder in various enterprises of this city and is extensively interested in Washington real estate.

In 1891, Mr. Oliver married Annie Crosier, of Phila- delphia. He is a member of the fraternal order of Elks.

A. J. PROUDFIT, one of Smith Township's sub- stantial farmers and well-known citizens, owns 160 aeres of land richly underveined with coal, having oue bank opened and other work in prospect. He was born near Burgettstown, Washington County, Pa., Mar. 20, 1831, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Lyle) Proudfit.

.lohn Proudfit was born in York County, Pa., and came to Washington County in early manhood. Ile married Elizabeth Lyle, whose father, John Lyle, resided at that time near Hickory, and to this marriage ten children were born, six sons and four daughters. For some time following his marriage, John Proudfit resided in Han- over Township, but later sold his property there and re- turned for a while to York County, but subsequently came back to Washington County and settled in Smith Township, where he and wife died, both aged about 72 years, and their burial was in Cross Creek Cemetery. In their religious belief they were Presbyterians.

1. J. Proudfit obtained his education in the district

schools and was reared to farm pursuits. After his marriage he settled on his present farm and, as occasion required, put up all the buildings now standing. Ilis land is very valuable and it is estimated that at least 140 acres is underlaid with coal. lle pays considerable attention to growing sheep and keeps six cows for dairy purposes, churning butter about three times a week, for which he has a steady demand. Ile devotes a part of his land to fruit orchards and his apples, peaches and plums all do well. Like his father, he is identified with the Democratie party, but he has uever desired to be a poli- tician, desiring only to be a useful citizen.

In January, 1864, Mr. Proudfit was married to Miss Elizabeth Porter, a daughter of Andrew Porter, and they have one daughter, Ida, who resides with her parents. Mr. Proudfit and family are members of the First Pres- byterian Church of Burgettstown.

HERBERT G. VANKEUREN, a substantial business citizen of MeDonald, Pa., who has chosen this place as his field of operation in the insurance line, was born July 4, 1860, in Warren County, Pennsylvania, a son of Henry and Helen (Gilson) VanKeuren, his paternal grandparents being Henry and Margaret VanKeuren, and those on the maternal side James and Nancy (Conners) Gilson.

Henry VanKeuren, who was a lumberman by occupa- tion, fought in the Civil War as a private in the 145th Pa. Vol. Inf., and died shortly after the close of the war from the effects of his army experience, being buried in Crawford County. The mother, who still survives, makes her home at Long Beach, Cal. The children born to Henry and Helen VanKeuren were as follows: Mary, deceased, who was the wife of James Thompson; Thomas B .; Herbert G .; Charles H .; and IIattie, who is the wife of George Morhensteeher.

The educational advantages of Herbert G. VanKeuren were limited to attendance in the common schools of Warren County, which he left at the age of 17 years to enter the oil fields, where he remained until February, 1909, when he came to MeDonald and engaged in the insurance business, a line which he had engaged himself in as a side issue during the last seven years of his em- ployment in the oil fields. He is well and favorably known in insurance eireles, being special agent for the Grand Fraternity of Philadelphia, at MeDonald, as well as being connected with the Maccabees, the Knights of Pythias and the Improved Order of Ileptasophs. He has been successful in his business ventures, with the result that he is the owner of considerable valuable real estate in MeDonald, Politically a Democrat, he has taken a great interest in local affairs, but has not accepted offiee. His religious connection is with the First United Presbyterian Church.

On Dec. 23, 1878, Mr. VanKeuren was married to

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

Mary Harrington, daughter of Thomas and Julia Har- rington, farming people of Warren County. They had eight children, namely: John; Thomas; Jerry, deceased; Mary, Mrs. VanKeuren; Julia, the wife of John Mans- field; Nellie, who was the wife of John Cooney, deceased; Margaret, who married Justin Boyer; and Catherine, who is the wife of Cornelius Kennedy. Mr. and Mrs. VanKeuren have had six children: Josephine, deceased; Henry, who married Lena Campbell, now deceased, has one child, Herbert; and Cland, Blanche, Nellie and Everett.

J. HOWARD CLARKE, whose well improved farm of 164 aeres is situated in South Franklin Township, Washington County, Pa., is a representative citizen of this section, where he was born on Nov. 15, 1857. His parents are John G. and Sarah (Herron) Clarke.

The Clarke family is an old and prominent one in this section, having been established in South Franklin Town- ship by the grandfather, Joseph Clarke, who secured land from the Government at an early day. John G. Clarke, father of J. Howard Clarke, is one of the vener- able citizens of South Franklin Township, of which he has been a lifelong resident. For many years he was prominent in publie life and is one of the three native born citizens of Washington County who have been eleet- ed members of the State Legislature, in which body he served with distinction. He married Sarah Herron, who was born in North Strabane Township, Washington County, and of their children the following survive: Catherine L., who resides at Washington, Pa .; J. Howard, who resides in South Franklin Township; Norman E. and Mary R., both of whom reside at Washington; J. Julius, who is a practicing physician at Pittsburg; Ran- kin J., who resides in South Franklin Township; Albert E., who is a prominent dentist at Pittsburg; and Lulu A., who lives in South Franklin Township. In his po- litieal affiliation, Hon. John G. Clarke is a Republican. Since he removed from the farm to Washington, a few years since, he has been an attendant of the Second United Presbyterian Church. He still retains the owner- ship of his great stock farm of 401 acres, situated in South Franklin Township, where he was engaged for many years in farming and stock raising. He raises horses, cattle and sheep, paying especial attention to the latter, keeping from 500 to 600 of the Saxon breed, and is eredited. with growing the finest wool produced in Washington County. Although he has reached his 80th year, he remains interested in his business enterprises and is still concerned in the public affairs of the coun- try, in which he onee was an important factor.

J. Howard Clarke was educated in the schools of South Franklin Township, Washington and Jefferson College and the Iron City Commercial College at Pittsburg, and

was graduated from the latter institution. For a num- ber of years his interests have been mainly agricultural, farming and stock raising, to which he has added the specialty of fruit growing. He has devoted large sec- tions of his land to the cultivation of cherries, peaches, plums, pears and berries and those who have visited his abundant orchards can never doubt that Washington County can produce fruit equal to any other section pro- vided scientific knowledge is made use of in the planting and care of trees and vines.

On Nov. 21, 1897, Mr. Clarke was married to Miss Sarah Brinton, who was born in Allegheny County, Pa., a daughter of the late Stephen Marshal and Mary (Me- Grew) Brinton, who were parents of five children : Samuel M., who lives on the old homestead at Pitcairn; Elizabeth (MeCleary), who is deceased; M. Homer, a prominent citizen of Ellsworth, Iowa; W. M., who is now deceased, was a physician of Sharpsburg; and Sarah. Mr. and Mrs. Clarke have had four children born to them: Elizabeth B., S. Rebecca, Marshal B. and Mary B. Mr. Clarke and family are members of the Second United Presbyterian Church of Washington .. He is a man of enterprise and publie spirit, a Republican in politics, and for six years has served as a member of the school board of South Franklin Township.

CHARLES H. LAMBIE, president and treasurer of the Findlay Clay Pot Company, with factories at Find- lay, Ohio, and Washington, Pa., the main plant being located at Findlay, has been prominently identified with this concern since 1901, coming to Washington in 1902, when he established a plant in this city.

Mr. Lambie is a native of Pittsburg, where he was reared and educated and subsequently engaged for a period of ten years as buyer for the Joseph Horne Com- pany. He then engaged in glass manufacturing at Find- lay, Ohio, and was president of the Dalzell, Gilmour & Leighton Glass Company until 1899. In 1901 he became identified with the Findlay Clay Pot Company, manu- facturers of a general line of glass house supplies. Mr. Lambie is a stockholder and member of the board of directors of the Washington Trust Company and is also a stockholder in several other business enterprises of this locality.

In 1882 Mr. Lambie was joined in marriage with Isa- bella McClurg, a daughter of James MeClnrg. of Pitts- burg, and they have reared five children: James, who is vice-president and general superintendent of the Findlay Clay Pot Company, and Alice, Jessie, Hannalı, and Isabel.

Mr. Lambie is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He belongs to the 1st Presbyterian Church.

IIIRAM C. HORNER, residing on the National Road, in Canton Township, near Washington, Pa., is one of

FAGIFE

RESIDENCE OF J. HOWARD CLARKE, SOUTH FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP

CRK

TARY

ROBERT II. MILLER, D. O.

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

the leading men and large land owners of this section. His farm of 72 acres, situated in Canton Township, pro dvees oil and offers also fine grazing opportunities, and he takes advantage of these and grows cattle and stock, and he owns also a stock farm of 200 acres in Greene County and Washington County, crossing the line from Morgan Township in the former county. Mr. Horner was born in Morgan Township, Greene County, Pa., Apr. 16, 1873, and is a son of Oliver C. and Amy A. (Cox) Horner.

On both sides Mr. Iloruer comes from good, sound stock, his grandfathers being men of sterling qualities and among those who hewed out homes from a practical wilderness. Grandfather Cox bore the name of Chris- topher and he was one of the earliest settlers in Morgan Township, while Hiram Horner, the paternal grand- father, accompanied his father, William Ilorner, from Maryland to Fayette County in pioneer days. Family records tell of the early troubles with the Indians and of the bardships which they faced with stout bearts.

Oliver C. Horner, father of Hiram C., died in Greene County, Pennsylvania, in 1890, having been a prominent citizen of Morgan Township, serving in township offices and being a consistent member during the later years of life of the Disciples' Cbureh.

Hiram C. Horner was reared to manhood in Morgan Township and was educated in the schools of Greene County. His interests have always been in the line of agriculture and he carries on farming and stock raising with the suceess that follows industry and experience. He settled on his present place in Canton Township in 1906. In polities he is a Republican, as was his late father.

Mr. Horner married Miss Jeannette MeMurray, who was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, a daughter of James and Tillie J. (Dickey) MeMurray and a granddaughter of James and Catherine (Whitely) MeMurray. Grandfather James MeMurray was born in Ireland, Mar. 13, 1796, and was brought to America by his parents in his boyhood, and he was reared to man- hood on their pioneer farm in Pennsylvania. He was married in Washington County, in 1830, to Catherine Whitely, and ten children were born to them. After marriage he bought a farm of 218 acres, situated in Pigeon Creek Valley, near the village of Vanceville, and on that farm he spent the remainder of his life. 1Ie was a very active worker in the United Presbyterian Church of Pigeon Creek, but he cared little for polities. He died Apr. 15, 1875, having survived his wife from Dee. 26, 1867.

James MeMurray (2), father of Mrs. Horner, was born near Vanceville, Washington County, Mar. 6, 1844, and was reared to manhood on the farm on which he was born. On June 2, 1875, he was married to Tillie .J.

Diekey, and they had two children, one of whom died in infancy. Mrs. MeMurray died in December, 1878. Ho was married (second) Oct. 9, 1884, to Lucy Craig, of near West Middletown, Washington County. After this marriage he moved to Kansas City, Mo., where he was engaged in the shoe business. lle was a member of the United Presbyterian Church and was a strong Prohibi- tionist in his views on publie questions.

Mr. and Mrs. Horner have four children: John O., Amy Elizabeth, Hazel C. and IFiram R. The family belongs to the Baptist Church.

ROBERT HORACE MILLER, D. O., whose office is located at 403-4 Brown Building, has been established in Washington sinee February, 1900, and has built up a large and lucrative practice. Dr. Miller was born at College Springs, Iowa, in 1869. He obtained his literary training at Amity College, College Springs, and sub- sequently taught school for three years. He then became interested in osteopathy and was led to the study of the system, later becoming a student in the American School of Osteopathy at Kirksville, Mo., where he eame under the direct teaching of the venerable Dr. Still, the founder of this modern system of healing. The preseribed course at this institution retains much that a student would be required to learn at a medical college of the old school, particularly in the department of anatomy, physiology and pathology, but for the ordinary thera- penties substitutes the eurative methods peculiar to the osteopathic system. After Dr. Miller was graduated from the Kirksville institution in 1900 be came im- mediately to Washington, where he entered into practice, being the pioneer practitioner of osteopathy in Wash- ington County. He is a member of the American Osteo- pathie Association, the Pennsylvania Osteopathie Asso- ciation and is president of the Western Pennsylvania Osteopathie Society.

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Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 28

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