Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 33

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 33

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On June 24, 1880, Dr. Irwin was married to Miss Lovisa Johnson, who died September 21, 1885. She was a daughter of R. T. and Elizabeth Johnson, residents of Cross Creek Township. Three sons were born to this union, namely: L. M., who is cashier of the Lincoln Na- tional Bank; R. R., who is a minister of the United Presbyterian faith, now located at York, N. Y .; and Jesse B., who is a student of law in the office of his unele, R. W. Irwin, at Washington. Dr. Irwin was mar- ried (second) to Mrs. Maggie McKee, who died March 17, 1904, leaving no issue. Dr. Irwin is a member of the Third United Presbyterian Church.

WILLIAM W. HUNTER, a valued resident of Buf- falo Village, Pa., and the owner of two of the finest farms in Washington County, one being the old homestead of the Hunters, containing 911/2 aeres, and the other 11212 acres, for a number of years has distinguished himself in different sections of the country, as the

founder of philanthropie movements and as an influential temperance leader. Mr. Hunter was born in Hopewell Township, Washington County, Pa., Mar. 4, 1837, and is a son of William and Maria J. (Chambers) Hunter.

The Hunter family came originally from Ireland, where the grandparents, Jobn and Jane Hunter, were born, reared and married. In 1800 they came to America and after reaching Washington County, Pa., settled on a farm near Buffalo village. Shortly afterward their son, William Hunter, was born and he spent his entire life in Washington Connty. In 1830 he married Maria J. Chambers anu they had four children: Joseph C., Jane, William W. and Joshua J.

William W. Hunter attended the public schools more or less regularly until he was 20 years of age, after which he taught school for four years. He assisted on the farm until he met with a serious accident in operat- ing a threshing machine, by which he lost his right arm, in 1859. He then made preparations to enter upon the study of law at Washington. When the Rebellion came upon the land and his comrades were entering the army on every side, Le also desired to be of service and, while debarred from enlisting as a soldier, he sneceeded in being accepted in the transportation department, and endured as a teamster, as much hardship and exposure as he would have been subjected to if he had been march- ing in the ranks. He persisted in the work, however, and remained in the army until March 12, 1863, when he returned to the farm. He served with the Ringgold Battalion and received no compensation. Mr. Hunter's two brothers, Joseph C. and Joshna J., served in Co. C, Ringgold Cavalry, and both died in the service.

On Dec. 15, 1864, Mr. Hunter was married to Miss Elizabeth T. Smiley, a daughter of Caldwell and Naney (Tweed) Smiley. She is a granddaughter of William Smiley, who was killed at the raising of a barn on the Dr. Anderson farm, now owned by Alexander Hamilton. The family was Scotch-Irish and William Smiley, Sr., great-grandfather of Mrs. Hunter, was one of the pioneer settlers of Hopewell Township. In the year 1800 the Upper Buffalo Presbyterian Church, of which he was an elder, found itself badly in debt and unable to pay its pastor. The members were thrifty and industrions and had raised erops for which there was no local mar- ket. Mr. Smiley, then aged 60 years, volunteered to go South to New Orleans with products in an effort to raise the much needed money. He was gone for more than nine months and his family and the congregation had almost given up hope for his safe return, when he ar- rived with gold enougn in his belt to clear the church indebtedness. He had walked the entire distance back, avoiding the Indians as best he could and at times pene- trating an unbroken forest. Mr. and Mrs. Hunter have been married for more than 45 years and in that time

MRS. ELIZABETHI S. HUNTER

WILLIAM W. HIUNTER

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

of happy association and companionship, they have been true helpmeets. They are the parents of four sons: Joseph W., who is a practicing physician located at Char- leroi, Pa .; John S., who is successfully engaged in farm- ing on the old home place, is active in the affairs of church and in matters pertaining to the welfare of the township; Clarence M., who is a salesman for the Na- tional Bisenit Company and maintains his residence at Monongahela City; and Howard T., who, for 15 years served as teller in the Washington Trust Company.

Since early manhood, Mr. Hunter has displayed literary ability and has been a newspaper correspondent, being identified with a number of journals at the present time. In prize essay contests on the subject of horses he won more prizes than any man in the United States, in ene instance winning over 75 contestants, representing 24 States, lle won another prize offered by the Clydesdale Association, the competition being open to the world. lle is also gifted as an orater and probably there is no man in Washington County, who is called on so fre- quently to make addresses at agricultural, religious and educational meetings. His deep interest in religious and philanthropie work caused him, in 1894, to turn his farm responsibilities over to others and to enter into Sabbath- school missionary werk. He continued to devote him- self to this great undertaking until 1898, making his headquarters at Fairmount, W. Va. During this period he traveled 15,000 miles and visited over 5,000 families. In 1897 he was licensed as lecal evangelist by the Pres- bytery at Parkersburg. Ile then went into regular evan- gelistie work, making his headquarters at Smithfield, Wetzel County, W. Va., where he remained one year, dur- ing which time he organized the First and the Second Presbyterian Churches in that county. His wife was there stricken with typhoid fever and because of her subsequent broken health, he left that field of work and returned to Pennsylvania and in 1901 he purchased the comfortable and commodious residence at Buffalo village.

In 1870 Mr. Hunter was chosen elder of the Upper Buffalo Presbyterian Church, the youngest ever chosen as such in that body. In 1891 he was commissioned to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of the United States at Detroit, and with his masterly talk swayed the assembly to adopt a measure of economy in handling the financial affairs of the church.

Mr. Hunter has been interested in and identified with many branches of philanthropie work, but perhaps he is most widely known as an apostle of temperance. It is said of him that he has practically through his own efforts, been the means of keeping saloons out of six or eight of Washington County's prospering towns. He is superintendent of the Washington County Sabbath- school Temperance Association and is the acknowledged leader of the temperance forces in the county. In 1902

he was appointed one of the trustees of the Plumber Temperance Fund, which now amounts to $17,000, and he sees to the investment and disbursement of this vast sum. Publie confidence is reposed in Mr. Hunter and he is very frequently appointed as executor and adminis- trator of estates and has numerous miners under his careful guardianship. His life has been one of great usefulness and his efforts for the uplifting of others have been crowned w ... much success.

JOSEPH B. SMITHI, a leading citizen of llopewell Township, who is filling the offices of register and ' assessor of the same, lives on his well improved, valuable farm of 125 aeres, which he purchased in 1906. He was born in Monroe County, Ohio, April 22, I>55, and is # son of Cary and Margaret (Blair) Smith.

The parents of Mr. Smith are deceased. They had the following children : Amos, Susan, John, James, all deceased ; Isaac, who resides in West Virginia; Joseph B .; Mary, who is deceased; Huldah, who married Edward Stetson, of Ohio; Nancy, who married Samuel Reed, of Brooks County, West Va .; and Norman, whe still resides in Ohio.

Joseph B. Smith attended school until he was 13 years of age, and then went to work on the farm and has de- voted himself to agricultural pursuits ever since and has been unusually successful in his undertakings. He owns land that is well adapted to general farming and grazing, and his herds of cattle and flocks of sheep compare favorably with any in the township. Following his mar- riage, Mr. Smith moved to West Alexandria, Pa., where he lived four years, then moved to Claysville and lived there for 18 years, coming then to his present farn.

Mr. Smith was married November 25, 1550, to Miss Nora Steenred, a daughter of David and Hannab (Davis) Steenrod, of Belment County, Ohio, and they have had the following children: Essie L., bern December 10, 185], is the wife of Chester Sutherland, whe is county recorder of Washington County; Vernon S., born Jannary 24, 1884, resides at Pittsburg; Clara W., bern October 10, 1887, married William Hunter, of South Franklin Township; Roy, born November 10, 1889, is a student in civil engineering at the Carnegie Technical School at Pittsburg; Olive L., born March 10, 1893, is attending the Washington Seminary; and Mark Mc- Kinley, born Jannary 20, 1897, is in school. Mr. and Mrs. Sutherland have a daughter, Ruth, born April 10, 1907. It is a remarkable fact that four of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Smith and their only grandchild, were born on the tenth day of the month. Mr. Smith has given his children fine educational advantages and they are developing inte superior men and women. In his political affiliation he is a stanch Republican. With his wife he belongs to the United Presbyterian Church.

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

JOHN R. KUNTZ, a retired druggist and one of the leading citizens of Washington, Pa., was born September 8, 1853, in this borough, and is a son of Michael G. and Eliza (Ruth) Kuntz, who were among the early settlers of Washington. For many years during his early busi- ness life, Michael G. Kuntz was proprietor of a men's furnishing establishment. He was the father of five children: George B., resides with our subject; Mary J., is the widow of Robert Drury and is a resident of Pittsburg; James, retired, resides in Washington; Elizabeth, is the widow of John M. Morrow, and resides in Pittsburg; and John R., the subject of this sketch.

John R. Kuntz was reared in Washington, where he attended the common schools, and at the age of fourteen years entered the drug store of John B. Vowell, de- ceased, in whose employ he remained between three and four years, subsequently working about the same period with George W. Roberts. In 1878 he engaged in the drug business for himself, continuing in that line for about twenty-eight years, when on account of ill health, he sold the business and has since been living in retire- ment, his residence being located at No. 25 South Col- lege street. Mr. Kuntz is a director of the Washington Light & Power Company, and is also a director of the Real Estate Trust Company of Washington. Mr. Kuntz is a man of enterprise and public spirit and takes an active interest in all local politics. He is fraternally affiliated with the B. P. O. E. order.

In 1894, Mr. Kuntz was united in marriage with Jessie Romaine Newson, of Minneapolis, Minn.

JOHN C. MORGAN, vice president of the Citizens Trust Company, of Canonsburg, Pa., and ex-treasurer of Washington County, is identified with other business interests of this place, of which he has been a resident for some thirty-one years. He was born in Allegheny County, Pa., October 28, 1846, and is a son of James and Elizabeth (Hindman) Morgan.

The Morgan family was established in Allegheny County in 1700, when the great-grandfather, who was probably of Welsh extraction, came to this section from West Virginia. He was accompanied by his son, Hugh Morgan, who grew to manhood, married, reared his family and died on the farm which has been in the family ever since and is now owned by John C. Morgan. On the same farm the late James Morgan, father of John C., was born and died, passing away in his nine- tieth year, in 1898. He married Elizabeth Hindman, who was born in Union Township, Washington Co., Pa., and died in 1869, aged sixty-three years. They had seven children born to them, all of whom survive, namely: Hugh, who resides at Oakdale, Ohio, married Harriet Hickman; Sarah Jane, who is the widow of William M. Herriott, lives in Mt. Pleasant Township,

Washington County; Samuel W., residing at Marshall- town, Iowa, married Charlotte Benedict of that State; Billingsley, residing on the old homestead in Allegheny County, married Mary Farran, whom he survives; William P., residing at Canonsburg, married Martha Johnston; Margaret A., who is the widow of James Fife, residing in Upper St. Clair Township, Allegheny County ; and John C., who is the youngest of the family.

John C. Morgan's life until he was twenty-one years of age, was mainly passed on his father's farm. He attended the country schools and the academy at Mans- field, now Carnegie, for five months. When he departed from home surroundings, Mr. Morgan went to Marshall- town, Iowa, where he spent seven years, during a part of this time being engaged in business for himself, and during the other part was in the railroad service. In 1878 he came to Canonsburg, where he embarked in the dry goods business, in which he continued until 1903, at which time he sold out. In 1891 he erected the hand- some four-story business and office building to which his name is given and which is a credit to the city. In this block is situated the Canonsburg Opera House, a tasteful and well arranged amusement hall. In addition to his real estate interests and his financial connections, he is treasurer of the Canonsburg Pottery Company. In large measure, Mr. Morgan is a self made man and is one of unquestioned integrity and recognized ability.

In 1886, Mr. Morgan was married to Miss Clara Wil- son, of Washington, and they have five children, namely : Edith, who is the wife of Edward Crawford, residing at Fremont, Tex .; Edna, who is the wife of Arthur Shaw, residing at East Liverpool, Ohio; and Clara, James and Florilla, residing at home. Mr. and Mrs. Morgan are members of the Central Presbyterian Church. He has been an active Republican since he reached manhood. He was elected treasurer of Washington County in 1905 and assumed the duties of the office January 1, 1906, and performed them to the entire satisfaction of his fellow citizens.

JAMES WATSON, once a leading citizen of Wash- ington County, for many years was a prominent member of the bar, and through his ability and high standard of legal procedure, did much to add to its prestige. Mr. Watson was born at Canonsburg, Washington Co., Pa., in 1809, and was one of a family of six children born to John and Mary (Miller) Watson.

From his brilliant school days, James Watson was destined for the bar and immediately after his gradua- tion from Canonsburg College, he entered upon the study of law with Hon. Thomas MeKennan, at Washington. Shortly afterward, when Mr. McKennan was elected to Congress, Mr. Watson was admitted to a partnership, and although a young and practically inexperienced

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

lawyer, carefully, diservetly and successfully attended to the firm's large business during the senior partner's absence, which covered four full terms and a part of a fifth. Early in his legal career Mr. Watson engaged in a general practice, but in the course of time the burden of work became onerous and for a long period previous to his death, which occurred April 15, 3875, he had re- fused all criminal cases. He possessed all the qualities wluch go to make up a reliable lawyer-was a close reasoner and judicial advisor, and ever cherished the highest ethies of his profession. His political convic- tions made him a Republican. In religious faith he was a Presbyterian.

On January 15, 1835, Mr. Watson was united in marriage with Miss Maria Woodbridge Morgan, who was a daughter of George and Elizabeth Aldrich (Thompson) Morgan. George Morgan, the father of Mrs. Watson, was born in the old college city of Prince- ton, N. J., in 1780, and was a son of Col. George and Mary (Baynton) Morgan. Col. George Morgan probably won his military title through service in the Revolutionary War. He eame with his family to Washington County and acquired land in North Strabane Township, on which he died in 1810, his widow surviving until 1825. Their burial, according to the manner of the time, was upon their own land, but at a later date their remains were transferred to the beautiful cemetery at Washing- ton, and in close proximity now rest the remains of their granddaughter, Maria Woodbridge Morgan Watson, who passed away on March 5, 1909. George Morgan remained in New Jersey until he had completed his course at Princeton College. For many years he resided on the farm in North Strabane Township, Washington County, his death occurring at the age of seventy years. He married Elizabeth A. Thompson, who was born in Delaware and died in Washington County. Of their family of nine children, the late Mrs. Watson was the fifth in order of birth.

To James Watson and wife were born the following children: Elizabeth Thompson Watson, who resides at Washington; Mary Baynton, who is the widow of the late Rev. Alexander Reed, resides at Washington and has four children: Eleanor, who married Joseph McCord and resides in Princeton, N. J .; Mary Morgan, who married John Ewing Woods, and resides in Cincinnati ; James Watson Reed, who lives in Pittsburg; and Robert R. Reed, who is a resident of Washington; George Watson, who is deceased; Jane Gilman Watson, who resides at Washington; David Thompson Watson, who is one of the leading attorneys of Pennsylvania, lives in Pittsburg and married Miss Margaret Walker of that city; Matilda, who is the wife of A. G. llapper, of Washington ; James Watson, who is deceased; and Will-

iam M. Watson, who resides at Seattle, Wash .. married Sarah MeKnight, of Pittsburg, and they have two chil- dren: Ormsby Morgan Watson and Maria Morgan Watson. For years this family and its connections have been identified with the best citizenship of Washington County.

JEREMIAH M. LINVILLE, one of Donegal Town- ship's representative and substantial citizens. a promi- nent farmer and breeder of fine stock, resides on one farm of 108 acres and owns also another farm, contain- ing 228 acres, both situated in Donegal Township. Mr. Linville was born in Donegal Township, Washington County, Pa., March 12, 1852, and is a son of George W. and Mary ( Rodgers) Linville.

George W. Linville was born August 30, 1816. in Donegal Township, and was a son of Jeremiah and Elizabeth (Riley) Linville. Ju 1836, Mr. Linville was married to Mary Rodgers, a daughter of F'rancis Rodgers. She died in 1865, having been the mother of the fol- lowing children: Alfred, who is now deceased; George; Elizabeth; Mary Jane, who is now deceased; Wilson; Francis; Jeremiah M .; John, and Calvin Terry. In 1867, Mr. Linville was married (second) to Lydia Lucas. and they had two sons, Riley and Newton. Mr. Linville followed farming and stoek raising during the entire active portion of his life. With his family he was a member of the Dutch Fork Disciples Church.

Jeremiah M. Linville was reared in Donegal Township. but he obtained his education mainly in the schools of Independence Township. He is a man of ample fortune and has many important business interests, nevertheless he can be classed with those who have justly gained the title of self made men. When he left home he went to Lieking and Athens Counties, Ohio, and there spent thirteen years in the lumber regions, interested in the sawmill business, after which he returned to Donegal Township and has resided here ever since, devoting a large part of his time to his stoek interests. He has shown great good judgment in conducting these and his course has been fully justified by the results. On his farms are found registered Poland China hogs, Short- horn and Jersey cattle and other stock of the very best grade. He is progressive in his ideas and as a successful stockman he is known all over the county. He makes something of a specialty of sheep growing, keeping some 600 in his flocks, these also being of the kind that he has found will give the largest return in fine wool.

Mr. Linville was married in February, 1898, in Done- gal Township, to Miss Millie Morrow, who is a daughter of Abraham Morrow, a former resident of this township. They are leading members of the Dutch Fork Disciples Church. In politics, Mr. Linville is a stanch supporter

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of the principles and policies of the Republican party. He does his duty as a citizen but he is no seeker for political favors.

WILLIAM P. CURRY, who has served continuously for 18 years as secretary of the Hanover Township School Board, is an esteemed and representative citizen and resides on his valuable farm of 60 acres, on which he was born, in September, 1850, and is a son of Robert and Sarah (Stewart) Curry. The family is an old one in Washington County and the father was a volunteer in the War of 1812.

William P. Curry is the youngest in a family of three children, having one brother, Oliver S., who is a farmer in Hanover Township; and Caroline A., a sister, who married Aaron Johnston. All attended the district schools and William P. then took a college course at Pittsburg, Pa., after which be taught school for two terms in Allegheny County. Before settling down to business, Mr. Curry then spent six months in travel through the West, visiting many interesting places. After he returned he purchased his present place from the Robert Curry heirs and went into the stock business. He did a large amount of improving on this place, re- building where necessary and repairing wherever needed. With the exception of three years, Mr. Curry has spent his entire life in Hanover Township.

In 1876, Mr. Curry was married to Miss Agnes J. McKee, a daughter of Andrew and Mary (Hill) MeKee. Her father died when she was small, his children being: George; James, now deceased; Elizabeth, wife of James McGill; and Agnes J., the wife of Mr. Curry. Her mother was later married to Robert Fulton and had three children : Emma, Estella and Castner. Mr. and Mrs. Curry have four children: May W., who is a teacher in the public schools of Pittsburg; Lou A., who is a stenogra- pher for the Carnegie Steel Company; Gladys, who is ? stenographer for J. B. Haynes & Son, merchants, at Pitts- burg; and Elva B., who is a stenographer for the Credit Men's Association at Pittsburg, all intellectual and accom- plished young ladies. Mr. Curry and family are mem- bers of the First Presbyterian Church at Burgettstown.

CHARLES F. HALLAM, a member of the Hallam Construction Company, and one of the substantial busi- ness men of Washington, Pa., was born in 1861, in this city, and is a son of Louis and Rosanna (Teegarden) Hallam, and a grandson of Joseph Hallam, one of the pioneer hotel men of Washington.

Louis Hallam, father of our subject, was born in Washington in 1814, where during his early life he fol- lowed his trade of blacksmith, but later engaged iu teaming. He was the owner of several teams of horses and carted goods across the mountains. His death

occurred in Washington in 1876. He married Rosanna Teegarden, and of their union were born the following children: Joseph, who is engaged in the contracting business; George T., also engaged in the contracting business; Jobn W., who with Charles F. Hallam, our subject, operates the Hallam Construction Company of Washington; Robert H., who is engaged in the furniture business; Anna; Sophia, who is the widow of George Parshall; and three who are deceased.

Charles F. Hallam obtained his educational training in the schools of Washington, Pa., and was practically reared in the construction business. In partnership with his brother John, he established the Hallam Construction Company, which is the largest concern of its kind in the county. They at times employ as high as 400 laborers and own seventy-five head of work horses and often find it necessary to hire from twenty to twenty-five extra teams. In politics, Mr. Hallam is identified with the Republican party and takes an active interest in all affairs concerning that party.

In August, 1887, Mr. Hallam was united in marriage with Ida M. Briggs, who was born and reared in Wash- ington, and to them has been born one daughter, Rosanna.

OLIVER S. CURRY, one of Hanover Township's lead- ing citizens, who owns 67 acres of valuable land, which he devotes to farming and stock raising, was born in Hanover Township, Washington Co., Pa., where he has spent his whole life, September 28, 1843, and is a son of Robert and Sarah (Stewart) Curry.

The grandparents of Mr. Curry were Robert and Isabella (MeKenzie) Curry, who came to America from Scotland. Robert Curry (2) father of Oliver S., was boru in Washington County at a date not recalled, but he was old enough to be a volunteer in the War of 1812, and he received 160 acres of land in Kansas as a reward for his services in the war. He owned a farm of 148- acres in Hanover Township, Washington Co., Pa. He married Sarah Stewart and they had three children: Caroline A., who married Aaron Johnston; Oliver S. and William P.

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Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 33

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