Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 34

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 34

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Oliver S. Curry had sufficient educational training to enable him to become a teacher, having attended school regularly in Hanover Township, after which he took a course at the Iron City College, in Pittsburg, but he did not make use of his knowledge in that way. As he was the eldest son and his father needed him at home, he returned to the farm and has engaged in agricultural pursuits ever since.

In October, 1879, Mr. Curry was married to Miss Letitia Hanlin, a daughter of Charles and Margaret (Lyons) Hanlin, who were farming people in Jefferson Township. They are now deceased and their remains rest in the cemetery at Eldersville, Washington County.

D. WALLACE PATTERSON

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

Mr. Hanlin was a Republican in polities, and both he and wife belonged to the Methodist Protestant Church. Mrs. Curry is one of the following family of chiklren: Elizabeth, who is deceased; Letitia, who is the wife of Mr. Curry; Fillmore; James R., who is deceased; Florence, who is the widow of Samuel Johnston; and Auna L., who is deceased.

Mr. and Mrs. Curry have three accomplished daugh- tors: Ethel, who is a popular teacher in the public schools at Duquesne, Allegheny County; Margaret, who is stenographer for the Reineke Wagner Company, of Pittsburg; and Bertha, who is a teacher in Finley Town- ship, Allegheny County. Mr. Curry aud family are members of the Presbyterian Church. In potities he is a Democrat and he has served the township as a member of the election board.

D. WALLACE PATTERSON, who, for 40 years has been continuously engaged in educational work in Wash- ington County, is one of the best known and most es- teemed of its citizens. He was born in 1846, at Patter- son's Mill, in Cross Creek Township, Washington Conn- ty, Pa., and still occupies the fine old mill property.

The parents of Mr. Patterson were Lysander and Eliz- abeth (Wallace) Patterson, the former of whom was a native and lifelong resident of Washington County, ex- cept for one year spent in the West. The mother was of an old and respected family of Allegheny County. They were the parents of the following children: D. Wallace, Mandaline, John, Margaret, Jennie, Maurice, Mayo, Mary, Harry and Elizabeth. Of this family, John is a practicing physician at Imperial, Pa. Margaret married James Clemens and they live at Bavingtou, Pa. Jennie married Robert Clemens and they live at the same place. Maurice is temporarily in Texas. Dr. Mayo is now deceased. Mary resides at Imperial and Harry resides at Youngstown, Ohio. Elizabeth married Clarence Colter and they live at Mineral, W. Va.

D. Wallace Patterson attended the schools at Patter- son's Mill until 20 years of age and then began to teach and later took a course in the State Normal School at California, Pa. Mr. Patterson has devoted a long life to useful effort and he has found a large measure of enjoy- ment in it, the gaining and imparting of knowledge hav- ing largely filled the cup of his ambition. He is enter- ing upon his seventh continuous year at Patterson's Mill and has a large body of students in charge. He has been one of the township's most active citizens in aiding movements for the general welfare, having always been an earnest and thoughtful student of public af- fairs. On many occasions he has been selected for re- sponsible offices by his fellow citizens and he has served as judge of elections, inspector and elerk and also as road supervisor and auditor.

In 1878, Mr. Patterson was married to Miss Jennie Patterson, a daughter of Robert and Isabella Patterson, of Westmoreland County, Pa., and they have had four children, namely: Alva, who resides at home; Lester, who lives at Youngstown, Ohio; Lena, who is a successful teacher; and Effie, who died at the age of 17 years.

V. O. ZAHNISER, of the prominent foundry and machine firm of Zahniser Bros. & Sten, with plant and antomobile garage on Washington street, near Chestnut, Washington, Pa., was born in Mercer County, Pa., in ISGO, and is a son of Michael Zahniser, who was born there in 1820 and was the progenitor of a large family, and a descendant of a very old settled one in Pennsyl- vania.

V. O. Zahniser remained in his native place until he was twenty-four years of age, attending school in mis earlier years and later assisting on the home farm. He then went to the West and spent a year in Nebraska. during that time teaching school and farming, and from there went to Kansas, where he took up a homestead of 160 acres, located in Cheyenne County, and resided there for one and one-half years. He returned to Nebraska for another year, but in September, ISS8, he went back to the East and took up his residence at Washington. For about one year he worked at rig building in the oil fields, then was in railroad work for ten months and after this experience entered the employ of the Me- Dermot Tool Company, at Martin's Ferry, Ohio. His work there covered a period of eighteen months, when he came back to Washington, where he had many friends and relatives, and shortly afterward became a member of the firm of Zahniser Bros. & Sten. He has additional interests, some of these being in the oil fields, and he is also eoneerned in the Forgeing Machine Shops, at Waynesburg. He has been a man of progressiveness and energy wherever he has lived and is numbered with the stable and reliable business men of Washington.

In 1895, Mr. Zahniser was married to Miss Mary Beneler, of. Shelton, Neb. They are members of the Third Presbyterian Church at Washington.

JOHN CLARK RANKIN, D. D. S., a leading prac- titioner of dentistry at Canonsburg, Pa., is a member of an old established family of North Strabane Town- ship, Washington County, the old homestead on which Dr. Rankin was born, October 1, 1858, being situated four miles from Canonsburg. Both his father and grand- father lived on that farm. He is a son of John H. and Almira (Lee) Rankin, and a grandson of John Rankin.

To John Rankin four sons and one daughter were born, namely: John H., Samuel, Joshua, Margaret and Joseph H., the latter being the only member of the family still surviving. He resides at No. 714 Allison

:56

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

avenue, Washington, Pa. John H. Rankin, father of Dr. Rankin, died in April, 1896, when in his sixty-seventh year. He married Almira Lee, who was born in Alle- gheny County and died October 15, 1903, when in her seventy-third year. The Lees were of English extraction and one branch of the family settled in Virginia and there became distinguished. The Rankins were of Scotch-Irish stock. To Jobn H. Rankin and wife were born four sons and two daughters, as follows: William, who died in child- hood: Mary Elizabeth, who resides at Canonsburg; Al- mira Belle, who is now deceased, was the wife of Capt. A. M. Porter; James Lee, who is a druggist, married Elizabeth McCloy, of Washington County; Joseph H., who died at the age of nineteen years; and John Clark, of Canonsburg.

Dr. John Clark Rankin grew to manhood in North Strabane Township and attended the public schools and also the Canonsburg Academy and after deciding upon his choice of profession, became a student in the Penn- sylvania Dental College, at Philadelphia, where he was creditably graduated in the class of 1886. He remained in Philadelphia for six years longer, engaging in the practice of his profession, then went to Pittsburg and built up a large practice there and continued his office in that city for fourteen years. In 1882 his father had purchased the present comfortable residence at Canons- burg and during his period of practice at Pittsburg as well as since, Dr. Rankin maintained this as his home. He has a very satisfactory practice in this city and his work commands large remuneration, being along the most modern lines. He has thoroughly equipped offices and keeps abreast with the times in professional methods.

In March, 1904, Dr. Rankin was married to Miss Mary ' Margaret Mckinley, a daughter of Rev. E. G. MeKinley, a presbyterian minister, who is now engaged in mission- ary work in Florida. They have one child, Anna Lee. Dr. and Mrs. Rankin are members of the First Presby- terian Church at Canonsburg.

W. G. EDMONDS, who has been a resident of Wash- ington, Pa., since 1901, is engaged in the real estate and insurance business and is also the local representa- tive of the firm of Simon White & Son, the owners of the largest monument business in Washington County, their plant being located at Claysville. Mr. Edmonds was born at Bellaire, Ohio, in 1881, and when fourteen years of age, moved to Muncie, Ind., where he completed his education.

Mr. Edmonds' entrance into business was as a de- signer of moulds for glassware, and his artistic talent made him very successful in that line. Prior to engaging in his present business, which he established in February, 1909, he was connected for two years with the firm of A. B. Caldwell, dealers in clothing and furnishing goods,

and there gained a fair knowledge of successful merchan- dising. Mr. Edmonds is a musician of more than usual ability and he has composed a number of pieces of music which have been cordially received by the musical world. He is an active, enterprising young man and, aside from his different business undertakings, is in- terested to some degree in local politics.

In 1904, Mr. Edmonds was married to Miss Anna E. Dougherty, a daughter of the late Dr. George A. Dough- erty. Mr. and Mrs. Edmonds have four children: Clar- ence, Margaret, Roy and Raymond. Mr. and Mrs. Ed- monds are members of the Second United Presbyterian Church.

WILLIAM W. WEIRICH, a leading citizen of Canton Township, a prominent farmer and stock raiser, belongs to one of the old settled families of this section. He was born in Canton Township, Washington Co., Pa., Novem- ber 21, 1845, and is a son of Samuel K. and Charlotte A. (Shaffer) Weirich.

Samuel K. Weirich was born in Canton Township and was a son of Hon. Jacob Weirich, who was also born in Washington County and was the son of Jacob Weirich, the founder of the family here, who came from Lancaster County, Pa. Hon. Jacob Weirich, the grandfather, was a very prominent man in his day in Washington County, serving as a member of the State Legislature. His son, Samuel K., followed closely in his footsteps. He was a justice of the peace for many years and also served as county commissioner. He was a shrewd and successful business man and engaged extensively in agricultural pursuits.

William W. Weirich was reared in Canton Township and obtained his education in the local schools. His business has been farming and raising stock and his undertakings have been uniformly successful.

In politics he is a Republican but has independent ten- dencies, being a man well qualified to judge publie mat- ters according to their merits. He has frequently served in public capacities, being a member of the township school board during three ternis and treasurer of the same, has also been road commissioner and township auditor. He is a man of public spirit and enjoys the esteem and confidence of his fellow citizens.

On April 30, 1867, Mr. Weirich was married to Miss Mary E. Christie, of West Middletown, Pa., a daughter of John F. Christie, late of Washington. To this mar- riage seven children were born, six of whom survive: Lucy M., who is the wife of Philo Paul, of Duquesne, Pa .; Samuel K., who is an oil well contractor at Wash- ington, who has been in the Philippine Islands, in Japan, and many European countries; Mamie E., who is the wife of John W. Miller, of Turtle Creek, Pa .; Lovenia, who is the wife of S. A. Davis, of Canton Township;

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

Jehn C., who resides at Portland, Oregon; William H., ty, W. Va., and lus widow surviving, resides at New who died during the Spanish-American War when he Cumberland, Hancock County, in the same State. Both were active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church as far back as their son can remember, and the father was a class leader. was serving in Ce.G, 2nd W. Va. Inf .; and J. Alvin, whe lives at Washingten. Mr. Weirich and family belong to the First Christian Church at Washingten, Ou January 10, 1906, Mr. Weirich was deprived of his companion, after a happy domestic life of thirty-nine years. The bereavement was a heavy one as she was a woman of most lovely character.

R. W. KNOX, a successful lawyer of Washington, l'a., comes of an eld and prominent family ef Washı- ington County. He was born on a farm in Buffalo Township in 1869, and is a son ef William Knox, who was born on the same farm in 1827. John Knex, grand- father of R. W. Knex, was born in County Antrim, Ire- land, and upon coming to the United States lecated in Washington County, Pa., in 1811. In 1813, he settled upon the farm in Buffale Township, upon which his son William has always lived. The latter has been engaged in general farming and sheep raising on a large scale, and is one of the most substantial and venerated citizens ef that sectien.

R. W. Knox received a preliminary education in the district scheels of Buffale Township, supplemented by a classical course in Washington and Jefferson College, from which institution he was graduated with the class ef 1893. He then completed a two-year course in law in the University of Buffalo, graduating in 1895, and in the following year was admitted to the bar of Wash- ington County, and at once opened an office at Washing- ton, where he has since continued with uninterrupted success. He practices in all the State courts and is a member of the Washington County Bar Association. Mr. Knox is an enthusiastic Democrat and has always been a hard worker for party supremacy. He served three years as chairman of the Democratie County Com- mittee, and in 190S was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention at Denver.

In 1904, Mr. Knox was married to Miss Sarah A. Chaney, a daughter of G. W. Chaney, of Washington, Pa. They are members of the Second United Presby- terian Church. Socially, he is a member of the Bassett ('lub.

A. J. FERGUSON, ene of Smith Township's repre. sentative citizens and successful farmers and dairymen, residing on his farm of 213 acres, was born in Jackson County, W. Va., August 15, 1862. His parents were James M. and Mary Jane (Beso) Ferguson.

James M. Ferguson was born in Westmoreland Coun- ty, Pa. From the time of his marriage until his death, which occurred May 14, 1895, he resided in Jackson Coun-

A. J. Ferguson was reared and educated iu JJackson County. When he started out for himself, he went to Illinois, and there followed farm work for ten years, re- turning then to West Virginia, where, for the next seven years, he engaged in teaming at New Cumberland. He then moved to Beaver County, Pa., where he acquired land and carried on farming for eleven years, in April, 1906, coming to his present place, which he leases from the Pittsburg & Erie Coal Company. About fifty acres of this land is in pasture and has never been under the plough, and forty acres is covered with valuable timber. He makes dairying a leading feature, keeping nineteen cows and daily shipping fifty gallons of milk to Pitts- hurg. He is a man of excellent business qualifications and has developed a large dairy business from its begin- ning.

On March 13, 1889, Mr. Ferguson was married to Miss Hattie M. Smith, a daughter of Benjamin and Rebecca Smith, and they have four children: Homer R., Cecil, Marie and May, the two eldest being students in the Burgettstown high school and the others attendants in Smith Township. Mr. Ferguson and wife are members of the Westminster Presbyterian Church. As was his father, he is a Democrat in his political views, but he takes more interest in properly directing his own business than in attending to public matters.

ARCHIBALD THISTLE, a representative business man of Washington, Pa., jeweler and optician, is es- tablished at Ne. 36 North Main street. He was born at Washington, in 1881, and is a son of Dr. J. L. Thistle, one of Washington County's leading physicians and sur- geons.

Mr. Thistle attended the Washington schools and then entered Washington and Jefferson College, and left col- lege to enter business in his junior year, in the following year embarking in his present line, and has met with satisfying success. He carries a large stock of jewelry, watches and diamonds, and a full line of optical goods, and is prepared to do the work of au eptician.

In 1905, Mr. Thistle was married to Miss Dessie Leon- ard, and they have one son, Joseph L. Thistle, Jr., a namesake of his indulgent grandfather. Mr. and Mrs. Thistle are members of the Presbyterian Church. Fra- ternally he is identified with the Elks. He is an enter- prising and well balanced young business man and enjoys the confidence of his fellow citizens. He takes no very active interest in politics.

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

WILLIAM M. NEEDHAM, who owns 23 acres of well cultivated land situated in Hanover Township, Wash- ington Co., Pa., was born at West Alexander, Pa., February 25, 1868, and is a son of Hugh and Mary. (Hughes) Needham.

Both the father and mother of Mr. Needham were born in County Mayo, Ireland, and they were married there before they crossed the great ocean to America, in, 1847. When the war of 1861 was declared, Hugh Need- ham enlisted for service, becoming a member of the 140th Pa. Vol. Inf., in which he remained until the close of the war. He survived a severe gunshot wound in the wrist and returned home, but later was accidentally killed by a railroad train, at Colliers, West Va. His venerable widow, now in her 80th year, still survives and has her appointed place in the household of her son. The children born to Hugh and Mary Needham were the following: Ellen, who married James Holleran; Peter, who lives in Texas; Mary; Margaret, who married Martin Larkins; William M. and Charles.

William M. Needham attended school pretty regularly through the winter seasons until he was 17 years old, and then started to helping his father clear up the farm. He can remember when it was all a wilderness and none of the present improvements had been put here, and a large amount of hard work had to be done before the timber was cleared off. A great change has been brought about by industry and perseverance.

Before the father of Mr. Needham became a soldier, he was a Democrat in his political opinions, but he afterward became a Republican and his sons adopted his views. The family belongs to the Catholic Church.

SAMUEL SHANE, owner and proprietor of the lead- ing hardware store at McDonald, Pa., is one of the fore- most citizens of this section of Washington County and is actively interested in a number of its business enter- prises and a leader in public affairs. He was born in Allegheny County, Pa., Sept. 8, 1854, and is a son of Andrew and Elizabetn Ann (Miller) Shane.

Andrew Shane was born in Allegheny County and was a son of Samuel and Mary (Patterson) Shane. He fol- lowed agricultural pursuits all his life, in the vicinity of Robinson Run, and died on his farm there in July, 1904. He married Elizabeth Ann Miller, whose father was Richard Miller. She still survives and, as was her late husband, is a valued member of the United Presby- terian Church at Robinson Rnn and his remains rest in the cemetery there. They had the following children : R. M .; Samuel; T. R., who lives in Cecil Township; J. P .. who resides at McDonald; and Anna Mary.

Samuel Shane attended the public schools near his home in boyhood, then an academy at Oakdale, after which for five years ne taught school in Allegheny Coun-

ty and following that spent one and one-half years in attendance at the Indiana State Normal School. Four more years of teaching followed in Allegheny County and for one year he was associated with Dr. Irons, a noted educator, in conducting a select school known as Ingleside Academy. Mr. Shane then turned his attention to merchandising, having Joseph Gladen as a partner at first, but has been alone since embarking in his pres- ent business on Oct. 6, 1884. Mr. Shane has served con- tinuously as school director ever since McDonald has been a borough and it is a fact that the public schools here are most creditable in character. He is a director in the First National Bank and also in the Heat and Light Company as well as the Water Company. He was reared a Republican, but his own views are in favor of the principles of the Prohibition party.

On June 19, 1900, Mr. Shane was married to Miss Minnie B. Wallace, a daughter of James and Mary Ann (Sproul) Wallace, the former of whom is surviving, but the latter has passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Wallace had the following children: Minnie B .; J. F., who is an at- torney residing in Pittsburg; Nettie, who married J. P. Shane, a brother of Samuel; and R. S., who is an at- torney in Pittsburg. To Mr. and Mrs. Shane three chil- dren have been born, namely: Edna Maurine, who is a student at Westminster College, at New Wilmington, Pa .; and Gertrude Elizabeth and Samuel Wallace. Mr. Shane and family are members of the United Presby- terian Church at Robinson Run ..

CLIFFORD T. IRWIN, a representative business man of Washington who deals in general hardware, paints and oils, at No. 483 West Chestnut Street, has been a resident of this city for the past six years. He was born in Canton Township, Washington Co., Pa., in 1877, and is a son of the late William C. Irwin.

William C. Irwin was born in Canton Township, Washington County, May 6, 1830, and was a grandson of David Irwin, who undoubtedly was one of the earliest settlers of Washington County. James Irwin, father of William C. and son of David, was born and reared in Canton Township. To his second marriage, with Nancy Clark, the following children were born: Margaret, Ann, .Jane, Mary, William C., Martha, David, Nancy and Adeline. The mother died in 1860, the father having passed away in 1854. The grandparents of Clifford T. Irwin were among the founders of the United Presby- terian Church at North Buffalo.

On October 19, 1854, William C. Irwin was married to Mary R. Dye, and they had the following children : James D., who lives on the old homestead; John L. and Leman N., both of whom reside at Washington; William M., who is proprietor of the Clover Leaf Dairy, lives at Washington; Asa C., who also resides in Washington;

SAMUEL SHANE

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

Charles Milton, who is a farmer in Buffalo Township; Clifford T .; Edith E. and Marietta, alt of whom reside at Washington, Pa. The mother of the above family died in 1886 but the father survived until 1902. He was one of the substantial farmers of Canton Township and owned valuable property there. Both he and wife were worthy members of the Second Presbyterian Church of Washington.

Clifford T. Irwin was reared in Canton Township and remained on the home farm until the death of his father. lle was educated in the public schools and Washington Business College, graduating in 1895. After coming to Washington, Mr. Irwin, associated with his brother, William M. Irwin, erected the commodious brick business block on West Chestnut street, the dimensions of which are 41 by 70 feet, two stories in height, with two large business apartments on the first floor, one of these being oeenpied by Mr. Irwin, since 1905, as a hardware store. He carries a very complete stock and does a business which has had a steady growth since it was started.

In 1902, Mr. Irwin was married to Miss Lina Lindley, of Washington County, who died November 20, 1909. She was a member of the Second Presbyterian Church. Their two children survive: Dorothy and Edith. Mr. Irwin is also a member of the Second Presbyterian Church and one of the most interested members of Judge Mellvain's Bible class.

JAMES N. and DAVID H. BEMIS, physicians and surgeons, who are associated in practice at West Middle- town, Pa., are among the best known and most reputable citizens of Washington County. They traee a clear ancestral line back to Joseph Bemis, who was born in England, in 1619, who came to Watertown, Mass., in 1640, with his wife Sarah, and died in 1684.

Of the descendants of Joseph Bemis the records show that more than 100 served in the American Revolution. One of his descendants was Elias Howe, whose mother was a Bemis and who also married a Bemis, was the inventor of the sewing machine. The line of descent from Joseph Bemis the settler, to Drs. Bemis of West Middletown, is as follows: Joseph, Philip, David, Jolin, David and Erastus, seven generations before the present one. David Bemis, the great-great-grandfather, and John Bemis, the great-grandfather, were both soldiers in the Revolutionary War. The former married Mary, a daughter of David Dunster, who was the grandson of Henry Dunster, who eanie from Lancashire, England, and was the first president of Harvard College. John Bemis, son of David and Mary (Dunster) Bemis, was married to Jemima, daughter of Rev. David Whipple, the first Baptist minister of the State of Vermont.

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Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 34

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