Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 32

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 32

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Thomas Hall (2) was born in Somerset Township, Washington County, in August, 1792, grew to manhood there and married a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Broomfield) Rainey. To Thomas and Catherine Hall were born the following children: James, who survived to the age of eighty-six years; Sarah, who is deceased; Austin W. and John, both of whom are deceased; Eliza- beth, who married Mark Richey; Thomas M .; Catherine, whe married Robert Lutten; Adam Weir, who married Mary Munnell; and Mary Jane, who married Frederick Whiteley. Of the above family, Thomas M. Hall is the only surviver.

In early youth, Mr. Hall came to Washington and learned the saddlery and harness-making trade. For a number of years he was in the hotel business, conducting the old Fulton House, becoming one of the best known men of the place. He was married in 1857 to Margaret Kiser, who was born at Shippensburg, Cumberland Co., Pa., and they reared five children, namely: Kate, who is the wife of John B. Gibson, of St. Louis, Mo .; Jane S., who resides at home: Mary Elizabeth, who is the wife of Henry W. Williams, of Pittsburg; Harry M., who is a resident of Washington; and Helen M., who resides at home. Many members of the Hall family have been prominently identified with the United Presbyterian Church and have also been liberal to other religious denominations. Thomas Hall (2) donated the ground on which the old United Presbyterian Church was built on Pigeon Creek. Thomas M. Hall is a Methodist, hav-

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

ing been identified with that church for about sixty years.

SAMUEL H. COOK, now living retired after a long and useful life, during his most active years devoting himself to agricultural pursuits, located at MeDonald among the earliest settlers in the village. He was born in Cecil Township, Washington County, Pa., Apr. 17, 1832, and is a son of John and Ursula (Herriott) Cook, the latter of whom came from a distinguished family. She was a daughter of George Herriott, of the well- known family of Scotland, who claim descent from David 1st of Scotland, (1124-53) who by marriage became the earl of Huntingdon. King David was a great monarch and for his wise administration and purity of his life was deemed a saint by bis people. He was succeeded by his grandson, Malcolm IV, (1154-65). Herriott is spelled both Herriott and Herriot. herriott was assigned a leading part in Sir Walter Scott's novel, "Sir Nigel." Mr. Cook has a very interesting article on his family descent copied from an ancient book (Guillim's Display of Heraldry).

Jobn Cook followed farming in Cecil Township through- out his life. He was married (first) to a Miss Coulter and six children were born to that union, namely: Jane, Robert, Moses, Marjorie, Mary and John. John Cook was married (second) to Ursula Herriott, and they had the following children : George H., Elizabeth, Archibald, Samuel H. and Hester. His third marriage was with Nancy Grier and a son was born to that union, Nathan G. In politics, John Cook was a Democrat. He was a consistent member of the United Presbyterian Church.

Samuel H. Cook attended senool until he was 12 years old and then became self supporting, working on the home farm for his father until his majority and con- tinuing farm labor until he was 37 years of age. He then came to McDonalu and bas resided here ever since and is one of the representative citizens. He has taken a great deal of interest in the remarkable growth of the place and owns property.

Mr. Cook was married (first) in 1857 to Miss Re- becca Donaldson, and they bad one daughter, Rebecca, who died when aged 3 months. In June, 1862, Mr. Cook was married (second) to Miss Mary Ann Gilfillan, who died leaving three children, namely: Nancy Grier, who is the wife of Prof. J. M. Shaffer, of Westminster Col- lege, has one daughter, Mary Johns Shaffer; Dora, who died when aged 19 years; and Mary Etta, who married Joseph McClay and has two sons, Samuel Cook and David MeClay. The mother of these daughters died in December, 1885. Mr. Cook was married (third) to Miss Amanda C. Smith, a daughter of Robert J. and Sarah A. (Crawford) Smith. Mrs. Cook's parents are de- ceased, but she bas the fonowing brother and sisters:

Mary, who married James Dunseath, is now dead and left two sons and one daughter, one of the sons dying after his mother; Margaret, who married Daniel Thomas; Lena, who married William J. Potter; Sadie E., who married E. J. MeKnight, and Robert S. A family re- union of the hundred of Mrs. Cook was held in Allegheny County, near Bakerstown, recently and there were 450 guests present who were relatives.

WILLIAM J. GOWERN, one of Canonsburg's repre- sentative citizens, and probably the largest individual real estate owner in the city, is engaged in a real estate business on an extensive scale and also handles fire in- surance risks. He was born in the city of New York, December 5, 1853, and is a son of Robert F. and Alice (Robinson) Gowern.

The parents of Mr. Gowern were both in New York and the mother still survives, having reached her eighty- third year. The father died at Canonsburg, Pa., July 12, 1898, at the age of sixty-eight years and eight months. By trade, the late Robert F. Gowern was a blacksmith and carriage-maker. In 1875 be entered into the manufacture of carriages at Canonsburg, under the firm name of Gowern & Sons, his partners being William J. and Robert Frederick. The latter died May 24, 1895. The sons purchased the father's interest in the business and also his large real estate interests in 1887, after which the firm name was Gowern Bros., which continued until the death of Robert Frederick, as noted above, and was continued by the surviving partner until November 14, 1898, without change. At that time the plant, with a number of other buildings, was destroyed by fire. It was located on the southwest corner of West Pike and Jefferson avenue, a section swept by the flames.

William J. Gowern was three years old when his parents moved from New York to Harrodsburg, Ky., and there he attended school until the age of thirteen, when he accompanied the family to Paterson, N. J., where he received several months of schooling. He then went to work in a cotton mill as bobbin boy and was so capable and industrious that by the time he was fifteen years of age, he occupied the position of, assistant to the superintendent of the carding room. From Paterson he went to Pittsburg, Pa., and there entered the employ of John S. Schaffer, with whom he served an apprentice- ship of two years in the carriage painting trade. A change in the proprietorship of the works caused him to leave there, after which he came to Washington, Pa., and for two years was in the employ of S. B. & C. Hays. From the age of nineteen to twenty-one, he worked for this firm as a jonrneyman painter. At this time he ac- companied his father and brother to Canonsburg and here they went into the carriage-making business and were very prosperous until their plant was lost by fire. In

SAMUEL H. COOK

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

addition to their manufacturing, the firm dealt largely in real estate and as each member possessed foresight and business judgment, their investments usually proved prof itable ones. In November, 1903, the firm of Morgan & Gowern was organized, the senior member being John (. Morgan, and this partnership was continued until 1906, when Mr. Morgan was elected county treasurer of Washington County, and since that date, Mr. Gowern has condueted the business alone. A large number of the properties he handles are his own and his mother's, but he deals also in first class realty for others, on a large scale. The Gowern business blocks are among the finest structures at Canonsburg.

On July 10, 1901, Mr. Gowern was married to Miss Margaret I. Conboy, a daughter of John Conboy, of Pittsburg, and they have three children : Elizabeth, Eileen and Margaret. With his family, Mr. Gowern be- longs to the Catholic Church. In politics he is an active Republican. He is serving as a notary public. As a citizen, his efforts at all times are directed to the better- ment of the community.

JOHN SLATER, manufacturer and wholesale and retail dealer in cigars, with business house at No. 21 North Main street, Washington, is a prominent and useful citizen, and is identified with a number of sne- cessful and important enterprises of this section. He was born at Washington, Washington Co., Pa., in 1858, and is a son of Theodore and Apolonia (Weis) Slater.

Theodore Slater was born in Germany and came to America in 1845, and settled at Washington in 1851. He embarked then in the shoe business which be con- ducted until 1866 and then became interested in the eigar business and extended his interests until he com- manded a large wholesale as well as retail trade. He amassed an ample fortune through his business ability, and was a citizen whose worth was recognized by those with whom he was associated. He died in 1879. He married Miss Apolonia Weis, also a native of Germany. Mrs. Slater survives. They had four children, namely : John, who died in infancy; Mary, who is Mother Su- perior in Mt. DeChantle Convent, near Wheeling, W. Va .; John, who is in the cigar business at Washington, and is our subject : and Annie, who is deceased.

John Slater was reared at Washington and was edu- cated in the public schools and St. Vincent College, at Latrobe, Pa., and immediately after his return home en tered into business with his father, whom he succeeded, at the latter's death. He is a director in the Citizens' National Bank of Washington, and is financially inter- ested in other concerns. The cigar business is one of importance, the manufacturing plant being situated at Lancaster City. A number of favorite brands are on

the market and Mr. Slater has four traveling men visit- ing the trade.

En ISS6, Mr. Slater was married to Miss Regina T. Stillwagen, of Claysville, Pa., and six sons and two daughters have been born to them, namely: lohn Jo- seph, who is connected with the manufacturing depart- ment of his father's business, at Lancaster; Charles Francis, who is on the road for the house; Edward Theo- dore, M. Paul, Mary R., Elizabeth A., and Bernard, are students in school at Washington, Pa .; and Francis Xavier is still at home. Mr. Slater and family are mem- bers of the Roman Catholic Church. He is identified with the Knights of Columbus and the Elks.

FRANK J. SCOUVART, one of the enterprising busi- ness men of Independence Township, Washington Co., Pa., who is condueting a successful general store at Avel- la, is a native of Belgium, where he was born in 1876, the only child of Vital and Nellie Seouvart.

Mr. Sconvart received his education in the public schools of his native country, and was eleven years of age when the family came to the United States, settling in MeDonald, Washington County, where young Seonvart found employment in the mines. When about sixteen years of age he became elerk at the company store lo- cated at Sturgeon, below MeDonald, and continued in that capacity for abont twelve years, when he formed a partnership with a Mr. Matthews, and the firm of Mat- thews & Scouvart operated general stores at Cecil and Avella for two years. At the end of this time Mr. Scou- vart purchased Mr. Matthews' interest in the business, closed the store at Ceeil, and has since been giving his entire attention to the establishment at Avella, where he carries a complete stock of hardware, mining tools, guns, paints, oils, furniture and shoes. He is a shrewd and capable business man, and his custom of always giving the best goods at a fair price has won for him a large and lucrative trade in bis community.

In 1900 Mr. Sconvart was married to Helen Egbert, who is a daughter of Niekolas and Phelomene Egbert, of MeDonald, and to this union there have been born two children : Nellie and Frank .I., Jr. Mr. Scouvart is a Republican in politics, and has served as township clerk and inspector of elections. llis fraternal connection is with Moose Lodge and the Order of Elks, at Carnegie.

SAMUEL A. POLAN, who is numbered with the rep- resentative business men of Washington, condnets a first elass grocery at No. 451 West Chestnut street, and has been a resident of this city for thirteen years. lle was born in East Finley Township, Washington Co., Pa., in I862.

William Polan, father of Samuel .A .. was born in

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

West Virginia and came to Washington County in 1854, where he engaged in farming and stoek raising for many years. Since the death of his wife he has resided with a daughter, in Buffalo Township. Although seventy-three years old, Mr. Polan is still active physically and also retains his mental faculties. He married Deborah Mar- tin, who was born and reared in East Finley Township. They had seven children and four of these survive, name- ly: John, James P., and Samuel A., all of whom reside at Washington; and Ida, who is the wife of William Mounts, of Buffalo Township.

Samuel A. Polan grew to manhood in East Finley Township and attended the public schools. He followed farming and stock raising until 1896, when he came to Washington and embarked in the grocery business and has been at his present location for seven years. He carries only first class goods, catering to the best trade, his stock including staple and faney groceries and salted and smoked meats. He has never taken a very active part in polities and has accepted no office except that of school director and has served as such both in the country and in Washington.

In March, 1888, Mr. Polan was married to Miss Jennie MeNeal, who was reared also in East Finley Township, and they have had seven children born to them, all re- maining at home except the eldest daughter, Elizabeth, who married Norman Kunselman and resides on Fay- ette street, Washington. The eldest son, Charles, is as- sociated with his father. The others are: Samuel Law- rence, Dora, Marie, Wanetta and Duane. Mr. Polan and family are members of the Central Presbyterian Church. He is identified with the P. O. S. of A., the Maccabees and the Knights and Ladies of Honor.

WILLIAM F. REED, a member of the school board of Hanover Township, has been identified with the oil industry during the larger portion of his business life and now fills the office of lease foreman for the Hanover Oil Company. It is one that requires a large amount of practical knowledge and unerring judgment. Mr. Reed was born in Beaver County, Pa., October 31, 1863, and is a son of Samuel W. and Mary (Martin) Reed.

The parents of Mr. Reed were both born in Penn- sylvania and the father was a farmer throughout life. They were the parents of the following ehildren: Mary Alice, who married Veasy Alexander; William F .; Eliza- beth Adella, Marion S., George E., Jennie, Laura and Clarence. The father now lives retired at Frankfort in Beaver County. The mother died in 1879, and was interred in the Hanover Cemetery.

William F. Reed attended the common schools in the neighborhood of his home, never enjoying any superior advantages. He was about nineteen years of age when he went on the farm with his father with whom he re-

mained for two years and then went to farming on shares in Washington County for two years. He then entered the oil fields and that decided his future business career for he has continued to be identified with this great in- dustry until the present, and through his industry has made it a remunerative business for himself.

In 1885, Mr. Reed was married to Miss Luey M. Au- miller, a daughter of Elijah and Hannah Aumiller. They were Ohio people but they died in Pennsylvania, leaving two children: Luey M. and Wade, the latter of whom resides at Newark, Ohio. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Reed: Clara, born in 1887; Elmer, born in 1890; Bertha, born in 1893; and Wade, born in 1903. Mr. Reed and family belong to the Pennsyl- vania Church in Florence, to which place he came in 1901, and has a handsome home here. Like his father he is a Democrat but the only public office he has ever consented to accept is the one he now holds. He is a member of Cardville Lodge, No. 407, Odd Fellows, at Florence, Pa.

EMANUEL SHEARER, a retired farmer and highly respected citizen of Washington, Pa., was born January I, 1843, in Franklin Township, Fayette Co., Pa., where he was reared and engaged in farming and stock raising until 1900. He then disposed of the coal beds under his farm land, and came to Washington County, where he purchased the old Allen farm of 188 acres at Eighty-four, North Strabane Township. Here he was for four years engaged in agricultural pursuits, then sold his land, re- serving the coal beds, and came to Washington, where he has since lived in retirement in his fine residence at No. 510 East Beau street, in the enjoyment of a well earned rest after years of unceasing activity. In August, 1909, Mr. Shearer sold the balance of his property in Fayette County for $15,000, receiving $7,500 for the coal under five acres which he had formerly retained.

In 1865, Mr. Shearer married Elizabeth Cook, who was born and reared in Fayette County, Pa., and of their union were born the following children: Emma E., lives at home; F. O. Shearer, a general merchant residing at Eighty-four; Harry Jacob, deecased; Jessie May, at home; and John Cook Shearer, who is engaged in husi- ness with his brother at Eighty-four. Mr. and Mrs. Shearer are members of the First Christian Church of Washington.

JOHN W. FARRAR, general farmer in Smith Town- ship, Washington Co., Pa., who owns a one-half interest in 178 acres of land, which is located three miles east of Burgettstown, was born in this township, March 2, 1847, and is a son of John and Phoebe (White) Farrar.

John Farrar, father of John W., was born in Mt. Pleasant Township, Washington County. He was one

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

of the representative men of this section in his day, a prominent Republican and for some years served in the office of associate judge. During the carly part of his business life he conducted a store and was a well known merchant. After disposing of his mercantile interests, he purchased a farm of 196 acres, in Smith Township, which is owned jointly by his two sons, John W. and Clark Farrar. Hle resided on this farm during the re- mainder of his life, his death occurring in 1875, his burial being in the Candor Cemetery. He was a leading member and au elder in the Raccoon Presbyterian Church. He married Phoebe White, who died in 1870. She was a daughter of John White, a well known old resident. To this marriage six children were born: Mary, Samuel Clark, Preston W., John W., William W., and George.

John W. Farrar attended the schools of Smith Town- ship until he was old enough to give his father appreci- able help on tho farm and he continued to assist until his father died in 1875. Then, together with his brother Clark, he took charge of the operation of the farm and together they managed it for a number of years, when, on account of failing health, he rented out his portion and went to Kansas. After an absence of five years, Mr. Farrar returned and settled again on his property, re- suming general farming. The Pittsburg and Eastern Coal Company have a lease on the farm, which has four- teen oil wells in operation.

Mr. Farrar is one of the recognized good citizens of his township, always taking an interest in its progress and continually adding to its material development. In politics he is a Republican. For three years he has been auditor of Smith Township and in June, 1909, he was elected a member of the school board, to serve until 1912. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

W. S. NOBLE, one of Washington's representative and substantial citizens, whose home is situated at No. 385 Jefferson street, has been identified with the oil and gas industry for some fourteen years and has been a lessor and operator in most of the fields in the coun- try. He was born in Buffalo Township, Washington Co., Pa., in July, 1854, and is a son of Robert and Rachael (McKean) Noble.

The parents of Mr. Noble are both deceased, the mother dying in 1855 and the father surviving until February 22, 1893. He was born in Washington County in 1819 and was a son of William Noble, who was a very early settler in the county. Robert Noble engaged in farming and stock raising and continued active until 1SS4, when he retired to Claysville. He was married (first) to Rachael MeKean and four children were born to them: William R., of Washington; Margaret, wife of John H. Vankirk, of Franklin Township; J. W., who died in 1893; and Wishart Stevenson.

W. S. Noble was reared and educated in Science Hill school, in Washington County, and prior to October 4, 1895, resided in Buffalo Township. There he engaged in farming and raised stock and also, for some few years bought and shipped fat stock. About 1895 he became interested in the oil and gas business and since then has been very active, heing engaged as producer, contractor and lessee, working in the West Virginia, Ohio, Penn- sylvania and Illinois fields.

Mr. Noble, through marriage with Miss Flora B. Be- bout, became connected with an old family of Washing- ton County. They have four children: Jennie B., who married James L. Henderson, a son of James L. Hen- derson, Sr., a prominent citizen of Washington County, and they have one son, Paul, who is now seven years old; D. Burnell, who is a resident of Erie, Pa., married Ada Richards and they have one son, Albert, who is five years old; Susan B., who married William Kennedy, of Washington, and they have two children-Ralph, who is aged two years, and Flora B., who is six months old; and Edna B., who lives at home. Mr. Noble and family are members of the Third Presbyterian Church. He is identified with the Royal Arcanum. Although not active in politics, Mr. Noble belongs to that class of citizens never found derelict in the faithful performance of necessary public duties.

ADOLPH KAPP, owner of a bakery at Donora, Pa., where he has been a resident since 1901, was born Au- gust 18, 1874, in Baden, Germany, and is a son of Kilian and Sophia (Binz) Kapp.

Kilian Kapp was born and reared in Germany, where he died in 1907, aged seventy three years. His occupa- tion was farming. His wife, Sophia Binz, also a native of Germany, died in 1901, aged fifty-five years.

Adolph Kapp, who is the only member of his family who came to this country, was reared on his father's farm and attended the schools of Baden. He was seven- teen years of age when he came to America, and first located in Pittsburg, where he worked for some time in various bakeries. He then spent a short time in New York and in Portland, Me., after which he returned to Pittsburg. In 1897 he went to Monongahela City, Pa., as a baker, and on August 1, 1901, came to Donora, where he erected his present business block and estab- lished himself in the bakery business.

Mr. Kapp was united in marriage May 6, 1899, to Martha Planert, also a native of Germany, and they have two children: Martha, and Margaret. Mr. Kapp is a member of the F. O. E., I. O. O. F., and the F. and A. M.

J. B. IRWIN, M. D., one of Washington 's older physi- cians and surgeons, for the past eighteen years has been

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

engaged iu active practice here and enjoys the confidence of a large number of the leading families. He was born in West Finley Township, Washington Co., Pa., in 1852, and is a son of Ephraim and Margaret (Richey) Irwin.

The father of Dr. Irwin was also a native of Wash- ington County. born in 1812, and the whole of his active life was devoted to agricultural pursuits. His death oe- curred in 1894. He married Margaret Richey and they reared a family of seven children, as follows: Elizabeth, who is now deceased, was the wife of William Meloy ; Esther Ann, who married Jonas Mills; William, who is a resident of West Middletown, Washington County ; Joseph Buchanan; a son who died when eight days old; R. W., who is a prominent attorney at Washington; and Sarah Margaret, who married .William Richmond, of West Middletown.

Dr. J. B. Irwin attended the common schools in West Finley Township, and from them entered higher institu- tions of learning, including the Claysville Normal School, Canonsburg Academy and Westminster College, during a part of this period teaching school at intervals. His medical preparation extended over some years. He spent one year in the medical department of the Univer- sity of New York, one term in the University of Mary- land, and in 1884 was graduated from the Kentucky School of Medicine. In the succeeding summer he lo- cated at West Alexander, in Washington County, and engaged in practice there until 1891, when he came to Washington. Here he has not only built np a large and substantial practice, but has become a representative citizen, taking deep interest in the progress of education and accepting service on the school board. He is valued as a member of the county and State medical societies and is one of the obstetric staff of the City Hospital of Washington.

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Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 32

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