Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 38

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 38

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ROBERT II. BLACK, of the firm of Robert 11. Black & Son, in marble and granite monumental work at Canonsburg, established this business in 1876 and it is the only concern of its kind in this place. Mr. Black was horn at South Canonsburg, Washington County, Pa., only a few rods from his present residenee, and is a son of William and Eleanor ( Manifold) Black.

James Black, the grandfather, was born in Adams County, l'a., and came very early to Washington County, where both he and wife died. They were interred at the Hill Church Cemetery, one mile south of Canonsburg. The grandparents had four sons and four danghters.

William Black, father of Robert H., was born in Washington County. In 1847 he purchased what was known as the College farm, on which South Canonsburg

is now located and both he and wife bed there, his death occurring in 1866, when aged 64 years. Hle mar ried Eleanor Manifold, who was born in Ise, in York County, Pa., and died in Iss5, in Washington County, when aged $1 years. She belonged to a family of noted longevity, seven members of which averaged $2 years at date of death. To William and Eleanor Black ten children were born, Robert IL. bring the youngest of the family. The others were as follows: William, who lives in South Canonsburg, married Mary Bebout; Ben- jamin, who was kilkut during the Civil War at Gettys- burg, was a member of Co. G, 140th Pa. Vol. Inf .; James, who never married, was a member of Co. D, 10th Pa. Res. Corps and served through the Civil War, died at Rome, Ga., in 1907; George, who died on his farm near Washington, married dane MeNary; Richard, who is a resident of Canonsburg and now retired, mar- ried Flora White; Margaret, who became the wife of William Grimes, who died in Butler County, Pa .. for more than 40 years a minister of the United Presby- terian Church in Belmont County, Ohio, and Mrs. Grimes resides at Millersburg, Ohio, with their son, Rev. Will- iam Grimes, who is pastor of a church at that place; Mary, and two who died young. Mary Black married Rev. J. S. Barr, retired and living at New Wilmington, Lawrence County, Pa. At the time of marriage both were missionaries in India, where they spent 43 years and Mrs .Barr died at Scalkote, India. A son, J. D. Barr, is a member of the faculty of the New Wilmington College.

Robert H. Black attended school at ('anonsburg until IS years of age and then went to work on a farm and continued there until he went into the marble and granite business. The plant is now situated at No. 16 ('entral avenue, having been moved from beneath the Citizens Trust Company building. HIe is one of Canous burg's old and reliable business men.

In 1878, Mr. Black was married to Miss Margaret White, a daughter of W. S. and Jane (Stewart) White. Mrs. Black was born near Hickory, in Mt. Pleasant Township, in Washington County, and died at Canons- burg in 1900. She was the beloved mother of the fol- lowing children: Helen D., residing at home; Harry, a draughtsman, who resides at Toledo, Ohio. nnmarried ; John W., who is associated with his father in the monu ment business; Virginia, who died in 1904; and Mary E .. Agnes, Jeanetta and Eleanor, all at home, the younger ones still attending school. Mr. Black and chil- dron attend the First Presbyterian Church at Canons- burg. The family residence is an attractive one located at No. 305 South Chestnut street. In polities Mr. Black is a Republican and he has served acceptably as school director and also as Councilman.

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

J. W. PINAR, an extensive dealer in builders' sup- plies, coal and ice, is one of the leading young business men of Washington, where he has resided since 1905. He was born in 1875 in Chicago, Ill., but was reared and obtained his early schooling in Guthrie County, Iowa, later graduating with the Class of '97 from Iowa College at Grinnell, Iowa, when he received the degree of A. B. He subsequently took a post graduate course at the University of Chicago, and at Shurtleff College, Upper Alton, Ill., where he received a degree of A. M., after which he taught for four years in Illinois and Wisconsin. Mr. Pinar was engaged for a period of three years in the furniture business at Cincinnati, Ohio, after which he filled a position as traveling salesman for a brick concern of Pittsburg until 1905, when he purchased his present business in which he has since continued with well merited success.

In 1902 Mr. Pinar was united iu marriage with Miss Emily Brooke, of Cineinnati, Ohio. He is a member and an elder of the Central Presbyterian Church of Wash- ington, and fraternally has recently been elected for initiation in the I. O. O. F. lodge.

JONATHAN RANKIN, a retired farmer and one of the most respected residents of South Burgettstown, whose valuable farm of 245 acres is situated in Smith Township, Washington County, was born in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, Aug. 10, 1837, and is a son of James and Rachel Rankin. Their family consisted of three sons and two daughters. The survivors are Jona- than and one of his two sisters.

Jonathan Rankin was reared in Fayette County, ob- tained his education there and for many years there- after engaged in farming and in school teaching in his native county. In 1901 he purchased his valuable land in Smith Township and at that time took up his resi- dence in South Burgettstown, where he has been num- bered with the useful citizens ever since. He is a man of capital and is one of the stockholders in the First National Bank of Burgettstown. In politics Mr. Rankin has always been identified with the Democratic party, but he has never sought political office.

Mr. Rankin married Mrs. Rachel E. Murphy aud they have five children, as follows: Laura Jane, who married A. B. Pearsol; Margaret, who married George Pearsol; Winnie I., who married J. K. Chalfant; Bessie, who mar- ried C. A. Rittenhouse, and Harry, who married Jessie Currey. Mr. and Mrs. Rankin are members of the First Presbyterian Church at Burgettstown.

AMBLER M. ELLIOTT, residing on his well cul- tivated farm, which contains more than 149 acres and is situated in Blaine Township, was born in Morris Town-

ship, Washington County, Pa., Jan. 10, 1863, and is a son of Valentine and Nancy (Dougal) Elliott.

Valentine Elliott was born in Morris Township and was a son of Jacob Elliott, one of the very early settlers in that region. Valentine Elliott was a farmer and stock raiser and was one of the useful and leading men of his township. He was a prominent Democrat and frequently had township offices tendered him and served as road superintendent and school director. His death occurred in February, 1906, when he was in his seventy-fourth year. His widow survives and lives comfortably at Claysville. Of their children the following survive: Relda P., widow of Robert Adams, resides at Claysville; Ambler M., of Blaine Township, and Perry S., of Denver, Colo. The father of these children was a valued mem- ber of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of East Finley Township.

Ambler M. Elliott attended the public schools and was trained to an agricultural life on his father's farm. After his marriage in 1885 he engaged in farming in East Finley Township and then returned to Morris Town- ship, later moved to a farm in Jackson Township, Greene County, and remained there for nine years, when he moved to Rich Hill Township, in the same county, where he resided until April, 1908, when he returned to Wash- ington County and settled on his present farm, where he has carried on farming and stock raising ever since. He is an intelligent, progressive man, and makes use of modern methods and knowledge in his agricultural opera- tions.

On Dec. 19, 1885, Mr. Elliott was married to Miss Mary M. Johnson, a daughter of the late Nicholas John- son, of Rich Hill Township, and they have two daughters: Ella S., who is the wife of William Huston, of Morris Township, Greene County, and Anna L., who is the wife of Harry Applegate, of Blaine Township, Washington County. Mr. and Mrs. Applegate have a little daughter, Mary Jeanette.

In his political views Mr. Elliott is entirely inde- pendent. He keeps posted on current events, does his own thinking and casts his vote as his judgment dictates. He is more or less a self-made man and, like all such who have successfully made their own way in the world, pos- sesses a large amount of that useful commodity, com- non sense.

JOHN WHITE MARTIN, of the dry goods firm of J. W. Martin & Sons, leading merchants at Canonsburg, was born in South Strabane Township, Washington County, Pa., Jan. 11, 1828, and is a son of James and Mary (White) Martin.

James Martin was born in York County, Pennsylvania, and was a son of Peter and Mary (Adams) Martin.

JOHN A. DIXON

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

The greater part of his life was spent in South Strabane Tewnship, Washington County, where he died when aged eighty eight years. He married Mary White, who was born in North Strabane Township and died in South Strabane Township at the age of eighty years. Her parents were Samuel and Mary (Henderson) White and her maternal grandfather was Rev. Matthew Henderson, a pioneer preacher and the first pastor of what is now the North Buffalo United Presbyterian Church, serving from 1781 te 1795. Te James and Mary Martin the following children were bern: Peter, who married Mary J. Clokey, died in South Strabane Township; Samuel, who married Sarah Herron, died at what is now Smith's Mill, in Nerth Strabane Township; James, who married Elizabeth Clokey; John W .; Matthew Adams, whe died unmarried; Mary J., whe died in early wemanhood; Ebenezer Hendersen, who was a seldier in the Civil War and a member of the 140th Pa. Vol. Inf., was drowned while attempting to eress the James River, in Virginia, on horseback; William H., whe died on the home farm near Washington, married Annie, daughter ef James Then; Elizabeth, whe is the widew of George Davis, lives in South Strabane Township; Themas J., whe was accidentally killed by a fall from a haymow, and Ann Eliza, whe died in childhood.

Jehin White Martin, who has been identified with the dry goods business at Canonsburg fer a period of fifty- one years, enjoys the distinction of being the oldest active merchant in the place. He was reared en the heme farm, but early decided upon the study of medicine. In 1849 he was graduated from Washington and Jeffer- son Cellege and shortly afterward began the reading of medical works under Dr. Jehn Wishart and then at- tended medical lectures in the medieal department ef the University of Pennsylvania and was graduated there- from in the class of 1853. He returned te Washingten Ceunty and engaged in practice at Canensburg until 1858, when he entered into the dry goods business, with which he has been so prominently connected ever since. For a number of years he remained alone and had already built up a large business before his younger sons were prepared to be taken into partnership. The present firm is made up ef Jehn White Martin, John C. Martin and Ralph Martin, the firm style being J. W. Martin & Sens.

In 1855 Dr. Martin was married to Miss Elizabeth Allison, who died in 1881 and was interred in beautiful Oak Springs Cemetery. Five children were born to this marriage, namely: James Allison, who died at the age of nineteen years; Charles Edwin, whe has been een- nected with the Standard Oil Company since youth, has his home at Titusville, Pa., but spends a part of his time at Buffalo, Pittsburg and other points as the duties

of the position he fills require; John ( ., who is associated with his father, was educated in Canonsburg Academy ; Ralph, who is a member of the firm of .I. W. Martin & Sons, married a daughter of William Donaldson and they have one daughter, Mabelle, who is the wife of George Cameren, and Mr. and Mrs. Cameron have a daughter; and Mary, who is the wife of William Diek. son. Mr. and Mrs. Dickson lest one child, but they have three-Aneita, Margaret and William.

Dr. Martin has always been an active citizen in the sense ef supporting any proposition for the improving of the borough along well considered lines or advancing the permanent welfare of the people, but he has de- clined all public otlices with the exception of membership on the School Beard. He is one of the leading mem- bers of the Greenside Avenue United Presbyterian Church and is a member of the Session. For a number of years he served as superintendent of the Sabbath-school. He is a Republican in his political views.

JOHN N. DIXON, an honorary member of the beard of trustees of the Southwestern State Normal School at California, Pa., was an active member ef that board for more than thirty five years, during all of which time he was president of same with the exception of two years. He was born March 16, 1824, en a farm just across the Monongahela River in Fayette County, Pa., and is a son ef Nathan and Elizabeth (Fersythe) Dixen. Nathan Dixon followed farming all his life and was also bern and reared on the Dixon farm in Fayette County, which was land settled on by his father, Jehn Dixon, a native of Chester County, Pa. Nathan Dixon died when our subject was a small child, leaving his widow with three children to rear, namely: Jolin N .; Jane, whe married James Elliott, died at the age of seventy years; and Ruth, deceased, who was an invalid during the greater part of her life.

John N. Dixon was reared on the home farm in Fay- ette County, and lived continuously for seventy-six years on part of the land eriginally purchased by his paternal grandfather, John Dixon. His maternal grandfather, Eli Forsythe, also ewned a tract ef 400 acres near the Dixon farm. Mr. Dixen has always followed farming and also dealt extensively in coal for some time, and has been highly successful in all his business ventures. In 1900 he sold bis farm, consisting ef 212 aeres, and came to California, Pa., where he has since been living in retirement. Mr. Dixon is vice-president of the People's Bank of California, and is a member of the Presbyte. rian Church of California.

Dixon llall. the fine new dormitory of the South- western State Normal School at California, which was erected at a cost of $95,000, and completed during the

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

summer of 1908, was dedicated and named in honor of Mr. Dixon, who possesses to the fullest extent, the con- fidence and esteem of his fellow townsmen.

J. G. MARQUIS, a retired farmer and auctioneer, residing in his handsome residence at Burgettstown, for- merly was engaged in farming in Cross Creek Township, Washington County, Pa. He was born in that town- ship May 9, 1843, and is a son of William and Lettice (Griffith) Marquis. The father died in 1855 and the mother in 1882. They were members of the Cross Creek Presbyterian Church and were buried in the cemetery attached to the same.

J. G. Marquis attended school through boyhood in Cross Creek Township and devoted himself to agri- cultural pursuits both before and after marriage. He was also a well known and popular auctioneer and cried sales in many parts of the county. In the spring of 1906 he retired to Burgettstown, where he is a valued citizen.

On Mar. 1, 1866, Mr. Marquis was married to Miss Clara A. MeFarland, a daughter of Andrew and Mary MeFarland, and eleven children were born to them, all of whom survive with the exception of the oldest, which died unnamed, and Amber G., whose death occurred in December, 1905. The others are: Mary L., Anna B., Orin K., Clara, Margaret A., Jannette G., Ella A., Elsie and William A. Mr. Marquis and family attend the Westminster Presbyterian Church at Burgettstown. In politics he is a Democrat and has served three years in the office of judge of elections. He is a stockholder in the Guardian Trust Company, of Pittsburg.

WILLIAM PICKETT, general contractor and a rep- resentative business citizen of Washington, Pa., was born in this city, April 22, 1863, and is a son of John and Nora (O'Leary) Pickett.

The parents of Mr. Pickett, who were born in County Clare, Ireland, came to America in March, 1852, landing at Castle Garden, New York. The father secured work on what was then known as the Hempfield Railroad, now a part of the Baltimore & Ohio system, and then came to Washington County. He was found to be a faithful, reliable man and was given the position of watchman at the Baltimore & Ohio roundhouse, at Washington, which he held for 14 years. Later he served four terms as street commissioner at Washington. He married Nora O'Leary and they had eleven children, the survivors being : Thomas F., who is superintendent of Hazel Glass Factory No. 1; William; Peter and John H., both of whom are agents for the United States Express Com- pany; Michael, who is with the Hazel Glass Works; Mary, who is employed at the United States Express office at Washington; Julia, a teacher iu the public

schools; Catherine and Margaret, both of whom are at home; Anna, who is bookkeeper for the Real Estate Trust Bank; and Nellie, who is a teacher in the public schools.

William Pickett, with his brothers and sisters, was reared and educated at Washington, One of a large fam- ily, it was necessary for him to early assist his father, aud later, through his own industry, he accumulated the capital with which he started into business in general contracting work. Beginning in a small way, by honest work, fair prices and punctuality he won some important contracts, which paved the way for others, until now he stands very near the head in his line of business at Washington, his work mainly being street grading, build- ing and street railway contracts. He erected his own handsome home at No. 57 North Lincoln street.

In June, 1898, Mr. Piekett was married to Miss Mary Scanlon, of Steubenville, Ohio, and they are members of the Catholic Church. Mr. Pickett is a charter member of the Knights of Columbus Lodge at Washington.

JOHN SAWHILL, one of Blaine Township's leading citizens, who owns three farms, aggregating 370 acres, was born in this same section of Washington County, Pa., Aug. 10, 1835, and is a sou of William and Jane (Lorimer) Sawhill, and a grandson of William Saw- hill, the latter of whom was a pioneer settler in the county and ever since, his descendants have been owners of land, farmers and stock raisers in this vicinity.

William Sawhill, father of John Sawhill, died in Washington County in 1867. He was a well-known man and respected one and for many years enjoyed member- ship with the United Presbyterian Church in Buffalo Township. In his early years he was a Whig, but later became a Republican. He married Jane Lorimer and but two of their children survive: John and Sarah J., the latter of whom is the widow of J. R. Donaldson, for- merly of East Finley Township. Mrs. Donaldson now resides at Claysville.

John Sawhill grew to manhood on the home farm and from youth has been accustomed to farm work of every kind. For many years he has made a specialty of the sheep industry and is one of the largest sheep raisers in Blaine Township, keeping from 200 to 300 head at a time. Although Mr. Sawhill had but few educational advantages in his youth he profited by those he had and is one of the well informed and intelligent men of this section. All of his land is valuable and he has the knowledge that enables him to eultivate every portion of it profitably. Mr. Sawhill is interested also in the National Bank at Claysville and ever since it was organ- ized has been one of its directors.

On Jan. 4, 1864, Mr. Sawhill was married to Miss Jane B. Ziegler, who was born in Lancaster County, Pa., and

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

is a daughter of Abraham Ziegler, who moved from Lancaster County to Donegal Township in Washington County. To Mr. and Mrs. Sawhill ten children have been born and of these the following survive: Nettie, who is the wife of William Woodburn, of Washington; William L., who lives in Donegal Township; Elmer C., who lives in Pittsburg; Oscar II., who resides in Blaine Township; John M .; Ina M .; Sadie M., who is the wife of Mysses G. Duvall, of West Pittsburg; Maud E .; Clara A., who is a successful teacher in Blaine Town- ship; and Elizabch, who is deceased. John M., Ina M., Maud E. and Clara A. reside on the old home place in Blaine Township.

Mr. Sawhill is a Republican in his political opinions. He has frequently been elected to public oflice in Blaine Township and has served most acceptably as school di- rector and road supervisor, performing every duty to the best of his ability. Ile is a member of the United Presbyterian Church at Taylorstown and for a long time served as a trustee of the same.

HENRY C. COOPER, a retired merchant of Elders- ville, Pa., who was engaged in business here for 35 con- seentive years, was born at Bellevue, Allegheny County, Pa .. May 5, 1845, and is a son of Erasmus and Eliza- beth (Patterson) Cooper.

James Patterson, the maternal grandfather, came from Ireland with his wife about 1793, and his oath of allegiance, now in possession of Henry C. Cooper, was made in 1794, and in 1814, he was made a citizen of this country, the naturalization papers being also now in the possession of Mr. Cooper. James Patterson and wife were parents of four sons and three daughters. He died when aged 92 years and his wife when aged 84 years.

Erasmus Cooper resided for a number of years on a farm near Bellevue, Pa., but after the death of his first wife, in 1846, moved to Massillon, Ohio, where he kept a book store. Four sons were born to his first marriage : John, William, Robert P. and Henry C. At Massillon, Erasmus Cooper was married to Mary Elizabeth Logan, and they had one child, Mary Elizabeth (Mrs. Bethel), who lives in California. When Erasmus Cooper later moved to lowa with his second family, his two elder sons, John and William, accompanied him. At that time transportation facilities were poorly developed and Mr. Cooper and his family had to go down the river from Steubenville by boat to St. Louis and thence to Keokuk, Iowa, and from there drove across the country to a farm on which he settled and on which he lived until the time of his death, Nov. 4. 1856, and his burial was at Des Moines. His farm is now within the limits of that city. In politics he was a Whig.

Henry C. Cooper attended school at Eldersville and

Sharpsburg, and after gaining a little practical experi once in the mercantile business, in 1867 embarked in the same with his brother, John, and they successfully car- ried it on until 1890, when the latter retired. The for- mer continued the business alone for 12 years, but in 1902 sold out and also retired. He is a man of ample fortune, being one of the stockholders in the Washing. ton National Bank of Burgettstown, Pa., the owner of considerable town property' and also the owner of his grandfather Patterson's farm of 191 acres, which has never been out of the family sinee 1797.

Mr. Cooper was married Dee. 18, 1889, to Miss Carrie Virginia MeCarroll, a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (McComb) MeCarrell. Iler grandfathers, Thomas Me- Carrell, Sr., and Capt. John McComb, were Revolutionary soldiers. Mr. Cooper was reared in the Protestant Metho- dist Church, of which he is an officer. Mrs. Cooper is a member of the United Presbyterian Church, in which her late father was an elder for a large part of his life.

WILLIAM W. LESLIE, general contractor, is one of Washington's enterprising business men and has lived in this eity all but four years of his life. He was born at Monmouth, Ills., in 1875, and is a son of Peter and Agnes (Brownlee) ) Leslie.

The Leslie family is probably of Irish extraction. The father of Mr. Leslie, who died in 1908, was born near Xenia, Ohio. He married Agnes Brownlee, who was born in Washington County and was a member of one of the oldest county families.

William W. Leslie attended the Washington schools, having accompanied his parents here in 1879, and then learned the brick-laying trade and for ten years has been engaged in general contracting. In addition to building many other residences, in 1903 he erected his own fine home at No. 405 Addison avenue. In the same year he was married to Miss Sue Grimes, a daughter of Thomas Grimes, of Washington. They are members of the First United Presbyterian Church, Mr. Leslie being on its of- ficial board.

JOHN W. STEWART, deceased, was formerly one of Buffalo Township's best known and respected citizens. Born in Buffalo Township, Washington County, Pa., Nov. 3, 1847, he died Oet. 26, 1905, and was buried in the cemetery at Washington. His parents were John 'W. and Jane (MeCall) Stewart.

The Stewart family is numbered with the okl ones of Washington County and the name oceurs again and again in the early records. It originated in Scotland, but the date of the coming of the first immigrant has not been preserved. Both parents of Mr. Stewart were born in Washington County .

John W. Stewart in his boyhood attended the district

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

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Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 38

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