Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 4

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 4

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

quoted from, in which he gave utterance to some of the political principles for which he stood. Among other things he stated that "among his party associates he did not recall a single individual toward whom he en- tertained the slightest feeling of political animosity or whose advancement he would willingly impede in the least; that he united with unabated interest in the efforts of the people to maintain their liberties against the eneroachments of power unjustly exercised whether manifesting itself in the form of monopolizing combi- nations and trusts, corporate aggregations or official usurpation; that he was uncompromisingly opposed to legislation in the interest of favored classes, to the squandering of the publie domain, to oppressive and un- necessary taxation direet or indirect, and to the ten- deney during the past few years to a centralization of power in the administration of governmental affairs; and that he adhered to the principles of just government administered wisely and economically for the peace, safety and prosperity of its citizens as a whole, without preference or favor as to elass, location, raee, or other basis of distinction."

Although his professional duties have claimed his at- tention first and foremost, Mr. Duncan has devoted much time to various business, benevolent and charitable organizations. lle has served as director and vice- president of the Farmers and Mechanies National Bank of Washington; as a member of the Board of School Directors; trustee and chairman of the finance committee of the Dime Savings Bank of Washington; chairman of the Board of Examiners of the Courts of the county; trustee of the Young Men's Christian Association; presi- dent of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Children; curator and treasurer of the Citizens' Library Association; president of the Real Estate Trust Company, in which capacity he now serves; and in various other positions of trust and responsibility.

In July, 1880, Mr. Duncan was united in marriage with Miss Eleanor Morris, a lady of high educational at- tainments and superior accomplishments. She was born in West Brownsville, Washington County, Pa., Dec. 11. 1856, and is a daughter of Benjamin F. and Sarah J. (Miller) Morris. Paternally, she is of Quaker stock through both the Morris and West strains; and, not- withstanding their religious faith and consequent anti- pathy to bloodshed, numerous members of those fami- lies attained distinction in the Revolutionary struggle. The Morris family in America dates back to the early colonial days when David Morris emigrated from Wales, some time prior to 1685, at which date he married Mary Phillipine. Their home was on the west bank of the Delaware River, below Philadelphia, and they reared a family of five children: David, Isaac, Elizabeth, Mor- derai and Jonathan, to whom many of the present day

Morrises trace their lineage. The first of the family to locate in Washington County, Pa., was Jonathan, grand- son of David, first mentioned. He came shortly after the close of the Revolutionary War and took up his resi- dence among the Quakers in East Bethlehem Township. lle brought his family with him, having previously mar- ried a sister of tho celebrated early painter, Benjamin West, and a relative of Jonathan West, from whom was descended Judge William West, the famous blind orator of Ohio. Jonathan Morris died in 1788, and was sur- vived by four sons, three of whom, it is alleged, were in the Revolution. They were: Joseph; David, for many years proprietor of the widely-known Globe Inn at Wash- ington, Pa .; and Jonathan, who bore the rank of captain in the Continental Army, and is said to have organized and equipped a full company of soldiers at his own expense. He was wounded at the battle of Brandywine, and died at Fredericktown, Washington County, in 1835. Jesse, who was born in 1771, was the fourth son and the grandfather of Mrs. Duncan. On Apr. 12, 1789, Jesse Morris married Sarah Blackmore, who lacked one day of being 17 years old at that time, and they became parents of eleven children: Rebecca, Elizabeth, Mary Ann, Sarah, David, Almira, Martha W., Benjamin F., Cynthia, Adelia M. and Jesse J.

Benjamin F. Morris, father of Mrs. Duncan, was born in Washington County, May 3, 1509, and was for many years well known as a steamboat pilot and captain on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. His career ou the river was terminated about the time the Civil War start- ed, and at the time of his death, June 18, 1982. he was a resident of Fredericktown, in Washington County. A blue military cloak, which had been willed him by his unele, Capt. Jonathan Morris of Revolutionary fame, and for which he had a peculiar atfeetion, was at his re- quest made his burial shroud. Capt. B. F. Morris was married Aug. 15, 1842, to Miss Sarah J. Miller, who was born in February, 1825. and was a daughter of W. H. Miller. ller father was born in Barren County, Ky .. in 1800, and died in Hart County, of that state, at the age of 82 years. His wife, Elizabeth, died at Louis- ville, Ky., in 1857. Mr. and Mrs. Miller were parents of five daughters: Mary E., Emily, Louisa, Julia and Sarah J. Capt. Benjamin F. Morris and his wife, Sarah, had the following offspring: Jesse J., who married Nancy E. Sharpneek; Mary E., who married first Leroy Hiller, and, after his death, W. W. Reeves; Adelia M .. who died at the age of 2 years; Sarah Louise, wife of John Crumrine; L. Franklin, deceased, who married Jennie Cowden, and after her decease. Victoria Hendrix; William B., who died in infancy ; Samuel, now deceased. who married Annie Reece: Eleanor, wife of Thomas Jefferson Duncan: and morena M., who was the wife of John V. Stathers, and died Sept. 21. 1883.

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Eleanor Morris (Duncan) was two years of age when her parents moved from West Brownsville to Frederick- town, where she was a pupil in the public schools until their removal to Pittsburg in 1869. There she attended school in the 17th Ward, and there formed the acquaint- ance of Mr. Duncan, her future husband, who at that time was principal of the school. After completing her course in that school, she, at the age of 17 years, be- came a teacher in one of the schools of the 31st Ward of Pittsburg, and later in the 15th Ward, where she con- tinued until her marriage in 1880. During this time she held a professional certificate, received a teacher's permanent certificate from the state, and was elected a member of the Pittsburg Academy of Teachers. She is a woman of great breadth of mind, a deep reader and well posted on current events, and an entertaining con- versationalist. Possessed of artistic talent, she devoted some time to art studies with a view to her own pleasure, and has produced a number of oil paintings of merit. Mrs. Duncan was nonored by appointment to the Ladies' Auxiliary Committee of l'ennsylvania for the World's Columbiau Exposition, held at Chicago in 1893, and rendered efficient service in that capacity.

Mr. and Mrs. Duncan reside in a beautiful home at No. 214 East Wheeling street, in Washington. They have but one child, a daughter, who married John H. Donnan, Esq., a son of John W. Donnan, an attorney of Washington, who is president of the Washington Trust Company and of the Citizens' National Bank of Washington. Mr. and Mrs. Duncan have been active in the work of the First M. E. Church, of which they are members. Mr. Duncan serves as a member of the board of trustees of this organization and was for many years custodian of its funds.

JAMES DALLAS HOON, whose insurance and real estate office is located in the Alexander Bank building at Monongahela City, Pa., has been a resident of this city since 1889, and is identified with various enterprises of this locality. He was born on a farm in Butler Coun- ty, Pa., August 23, 1845, and is a son of Samuel and Mary E. (Shanor) Hoon.

Samuel Hoon was born in the eastern part of Penn- sylvania and when quite young came with his parents to Butler County, where he was reared on a farm and learned the carpenters' trade, at which he worked for many years. He erected many large barus through this section of the country and died in Butler County at the advanced age of ninety years. He married Mary E. Shanor, a native of Butler County, Pa., aud a daughter of Daniel Shanor, who was one of the early settlers of that county. She died at the age of eighty-two years. Samuel and Mary Hoon became the parents of twelve children, as follows: Maria Ann, is the widow of Jesse

Dutter; Mrs. Isabella Manda Burns is a widow; Edward L., who was a member of the 13th Pa. Reg., in the Civil War, which was reorganized and was known as 102d Pa. Reg., lost a leg at the second battle of Wil- liamsburg; Matilda E., married John Dick; James Dal- las, the subject of this sketch; Mary E .; L. S., lives in Butler, Pa .; Harriet A., died aged thirteen years; Henry, whose death occurred in 1909, served in the Spanish- American War; Sarah, married Edward Seckler; George W., who died aged seven years; and Olive D., who is the wife of O. Fish.

James Dallas Hoon spent his boyhood days on his father's farm in Butler County, where he learned the carpenter's trade, and in 1865, in the last year of the Civil War, enlisted in Co. I, 78th Pa. Reg., under Capt. Boggs and served until September of that same year. After the close of the war he was stationed a short time at Nashville, Tenn., then went to Ohio, where he first located at Warren and followed carpenter work and subsequently settled in Cleveland, where later he entered the employ of the National Milling Company, and in the second year was made head miller. He also oper- ated a mill at Minerva, Ohio, for three years and in 1889 came to Monongahela City, where for one year he had charge of the mill for George & Co. Then, in part- nership with J. B. Hayward he rented and operated for 18 years the mill owned by George & Co., and when the railroad bought the property from the mill owners, he embarked in the insurance and real estate business, opening his present office in the Alexander Bank Build- ing. Mr. Hoon and Mr. Hayward also operated a coal miue near the Driving Park, where they owned a tract of 35 acres. Our subject later purchased his partner's interest in this business, and now has the land laid out in lots. Mr. Hoon is president of the Standard Real Estate Company of Donora, Washington County, is in- terested in oil lands in Butler County and owns stock in other enterprises of this locality.

Mr. Hoon was married Sept. 2, 1869, to Maggie C. Shaffer, of Warren, Ohio, a daughter of William and Catherine Shaffer, both deceased. Of their union were born two children, Jessie May, who died aged 10 years, and Leroy M., a student in the medical department of the University of Pa., at Philadelphia. Mr. Hoon and family hold membership with the Baptist Church in which he is a deacon. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., Jr. O. U. A. M., Royal Arcanum and the G. A. R., Stark Weather Post No. 60, of Monongahela City, of which he is quartermaster. He is a Democrat in politics and has served in the city council.

ROBERT HORACE MeCLAY, a director of the First National Bank of Washington, Pa., and a well-known citizen, for many years was interested in farming, but

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

has now practically retired from business and occupies an exceedingly comfortable home which is situated at No. 204 Jefferson ave., Washington. Ile was born in Canton Township, Washington Co., Pa., Jan. 12, 1850, and is a son of John and Jane ( Welch) MeClay, and a grandson of Samuel and Sarah ( Mcclellan) MeClay, the latter of whom were born in Ireland and were early settlers in Canton Township, Washington County.

Robert 11. MeClay was reared on the old homestead in Canton Township. In his boyhood his educational opportunities were somewhat limited, but later he ac- quired a good education through a course of reading and of absorption from those with whom he came in contact, who had enjoyed more advantages than had been afforded him. He followed agricultural pursuits during many years and resided on his well improved farm in Canton Township until he removed to Wash- ington. In addition to his farming interests he has been concerned in successful business undertakings, has made wise investments and is a stoekholder and a director of the First National Bank of Washington. Mr. McClay has always evinced publie spirit and has given active support to measures and enterprises which have been caleulated to be of permanent benefit to borough and county. He is a man of integrity and kindness of heart and the majority of his acquaintances may be numbered with his friends.

On Jan. 11, 1876, Mr. MeClay was married to Miss Rachel A. Wright, a daughter of William Wright, of Buffalo Township, Washington County, and they have three children: Annie A., who married Samuel J. T. Hough, of Washington, Pa., and they have three chil- dren-Samuel Sheldon, William Robert and Sarah Mar- garet : John W., who married Anna Jeannette Knox, of Canton Township, and they have one daughter, Mary Jeannette; and Maggie M. The whole family holds membership in the United Presbyterian Church. Mr. MeClay is a Republican, with a tendency to be inde- pendent in his views on publie questions.

WILLIAM J. MEHAFFEY, a representative citizen and prominent farmer and stoekraiser in Donegal Town- ship, Washington Co., Pa., is one of the largest land owners in the county, having 775 acres, 670 of these being in one traet, comprising the home farm. He has been a life-long resident of Donegal Township, born here May 25, 1868, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Sawhill) Mehaffey.

The father of Mr. Mehaffey was born in Donegal Township, Washington County, where he died in 1908. His father, Robert Mehaffey. was born in Ireland, of Scotch-Irish aneestry, and came early to what is now Donegal Township, where he died in 1524. The late

John Mehaffey was a man very highly respected. He carried on farming and stock raising all through his active life and then retired to Claysville. Ile married Elizabeth Sawhill, who was born in Blaine Township, in what was then a part of Buffalo Township, Washington County. The one survivor of their children is William J. They were worthy members of the United Presby- terian Church.

William J. Mehaffey attended the schools of Donegal Township and also Dutl's Commercial College at Pitts- burg, from which he was graduated in 1890. From youth he has been interested in agricultural pursuits and he owns enough land to satisfy his desire to raise bountiful erops and hundreds of head of cattle together with from 800 to 900 head of sheep, and at the same time to come into the market as an extensive grower of fine fruit. All his operations are carried on with the help of modern machinery and according to the very best known methods.

In polities, Mr. Mehaffey is a Republican. Ile is serving in his fourteenth consecutive year as a school director in Donegal Township and is secretary of the board and is also secretary of the Board of Road Super- visors. For many years he has been a member of the United Presbyterian Church at Claysville and is one of the church trustees. He is a man who deservedly en- joys the esteem and confidence of his fellow citizens.

DANIEL WILSON CRANE, a well-known citizen of Canonsburg, which has been his place of residence since 1877, was born in Peters Township, Washington Co., Pa., June 22, 1852, and is a son of ('aleb and Margaret (MeLoney) Crane.

The father of Mr. Crane was born in Allegheny Coun- ty, Pa., a son of Amos Crane. In association with two brothers, he worked at the ship building trade, con- structing many of the steamboats plying on the water- ways of Western Pennsylvania. Caleb Crane was mar- ried in middle manhood to Margaret MeLoney, a dangh- ter of Lnke MeLoney, of Washington County. Her death occurred at Carnegie, Pa., in 1906, when aged 74 years. Caleb Crane died almost a quarter of a century before, in Cecil Township, Washington County. His first marriage was to a daughter of Enoch Holland. of Allegheny County, who left one daughter at death, Mary Catherine, who married William Weaver. Ten children were born to his second union and the eldest of the family was Daniel Wilson Crane, of Canonsburg. The others were as follows: William Park, who resides at Carnegie; Esther Elizabeth; John, who died when 5 years of age; Sadie Edith, Jennie Florence and Annie, all deceased, never married; David P., who resides on the old home place in Cecil Township, married a Miss

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

Manes; James Luke, who was accidentally killed by a railroad train at Canonsburg, left a widow; and Glenn Dickson, who resides at Carnegie, Pa., has a family.

Daniel Wilson Crane attended the district schools in Peters and Cecil Townships. He is a well driller by trade and does a large amount of business all through the county. For more than 20 years this has been his main avocation. For two years he supplied Washington and Canonsburg from a drilled well which he discovered on his property at Canonsburg. This well is 200 feet deep and the chemist of the Board of Health of Pitts- burg, on analyzing it, declared its water the purest in the State of Pennsylvania. Naturally this water is in great demand. Mr. Crane owns several properties and is one of the borongh's substantial citizens.

In 1877, Mr. Crane was married (first) to Miss Uretta Hickman, who died in June, 1899. She was survived by three children: Margaret Edith, a highly educated and accomplished lady, formerly taught school at Canonsburg and is now connected with the schools of Wilkinsburg; Nancy Gail, who married Harry MeCon- nell, of Canonsburg; and Howard Wilson, who is a student at Grove City College. In 1902, Mr. Crane was married (second) to Miss Jennie Norris, who was reared in North Strabane Township, near Canonsburg. One son, Norwood Norris, has been born to the second mar- riage. Mr. and Mrs. Crane are members of the First Presbyterian Church of Canonsburg, in which he is an elder.

S. C. CUMMINS, postmaster at Cross Creek village and a prosperous business man of the place, belongs to an old family of Washington County. He was born in Cross Creek village, Sept. 17, 1854, and is a son of Alfred and Mary A. (Hay) Cummins.

Mr. Cummins was educated in the village schools and has always resided here. He learned the business of painting and paperhanging and has continued in that line, finding his time sufficiently engaged with his busi- ness and his duties as postmaster, the latter of which he assumed in September, 1909. The business of this office is constantly increasing and Mr. Cummins is a man well qualified to handle it.

In 1880, Mr. Cummins was married to Miss Margaret Wherry, who is a daughter of William Wherry. Their one child is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Cummins are mem- bers of the Cross Creek Presbyterian Church. In poli- tics Mr. Cummins is in accord with the present ad- ministration, but he lays no claims to being a poli- tician. He is a good citizen in all that the word im- plies and as such is a representative man of Cross Creek Township.

GEORGE A. DOUGHERTY, M. D., deceased, was one of Washington's eminent physicians and surgeons.

He was born in County Derry, Ireland, Dec. 15, 1839, and died at Washington, Pa., Mar. 12, 1909, where he had been in continuous practice for 41 years. His parents were Edward and Lillie (Allender) Dougherty.

The parents of Dr. Dougherty came with their chil- dren to America in 1840 and resided at Washington, Pa., until 1859, when they returned to Ireland. About the time of the close of the Civil War, Edward Dough- erty came again to the United States, and in 1866 his wife, son and daughter, Annie, joined him at Washing- ton. All died here, the death of the daughter occurring Dec. 8, 1908.

George A. Dougherty had already made some progress in his medical studies and had received excellent literary training in the public schools and Washington College when he accompanied his parents back to Ireland. Shortly after his return to his native land came up the question as to where he should complete his medical training, and the great Glasgow University was chosen. In the classic shades of an institution which was estab- lished in 1450 and is an acknowledged repository of the learning of ages, Dr. Dougherty spent four full years and gained his coveted degrees of M. D. and C. M., graduating with the class of 1865. Taking advantage of both hospital and dispensary training, Dr. Dougherty remained one year longer at Glasgow, and then returned to Washington, as noted above.

Dr. Dougherty was married on Jan. 14, 1880, to Miss Rebecca M, Clokey, and they had two children, a daugh- ter and son, of whom the former, Anna E., survives. She is the wife of W. G. Edmonds, of Washington, Pa. They have four children: Clarence George Dougherty, Margaret Rebecca, Walter Roy and Charles Raymond. In 1906 he erected his handsome, modern dwelling, which stands on the old homestead lot which was his place of residence during his whole life at Washington. At his office at No. 127 North Main street, he had a valuable library, in the selection of which he took much interest, and which contains many rare old English volumes, together with the apparatus generally utilized by the progressive men of science at the present day, to which class Dr. Dougherty belonged. With his family he was a member of the Second United Presbyterian Church at Washington. He belonged to the Washing- ton County Medical Association, and with his thorough training, his years of experience and his continued en- thusiasm for his science, he easily stood in the front rank among the medical men of Western Pennsylvania.

SIMON WHITE, a leading representative of the business interests of Claysville. Pa., and the senior member of the firm of White & Son, manufacturers of paving material and of granite and marble monu- mental work, with the main plant at Claysville and a

GEORGE A. DOUGHERTY, M.D.

JOSEPH BRADFORD JOHNSON

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

branch at Wheeling, W. Va., was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, Sept. 24, 1844. He is a son of Alexander and Minerva (Renehart) White.

The father of Mr. White was born also in Washing. ton County, but the mother was a native of Waynes- burg, Greene County. For a number of years Alexander White engaged in the manufacture of head stones and monuments at Claysville, having learned the business from his father, also Alexander White. The first Alex- ander was the real founder of the business at Claysville and has been succeeded in the business by three gener- ations of his descendants.

Simon White was about four years old when his parents brought him from Ohio to Claysville and here he attended school. When 18 years of age his father died and he took the responsibilities of the business on his shoulders and has continued in the same line ever since, making some changes and many improvements. The plant as it now stands was established at the pres- ent location many years ago and Simon White has been the practical head ever since. Constant employment is afforded 16 experienced and skilled workmen, and this is without doubt the most extensive business of its kind in this part of Pennsylvania.

Mr. White was married (first) to Miss Elizabeth Bane, a daughter of Jesse Bane, of Washington County. This wife was survived by one son, William A. Mr. White was married (seeond) to Miss Mary A. Daugherty, who was born at Claysville, a daughter of the late Samuel Daugherty, and they have three children: Samuel, who is in partnership with his father, manages the business at Wheeling; Lorena J., who is a teacher residing at Homestead, Pa .; and Harry L., who is em- ployed as a drug clerk, at Washington, Pa. In poli- ties, Mr. White is a Democrat and he bas served as a director in the Claysville Independent School Distriet. He is identified with Claysville Lodge No. 447, F. & A. M.

ROBERT G. JEFFREY, one of Cross Creek Town- ship's leading citizens and enterprising and snecessful farmers, was born on his present estate of 172 acres, situated in Cross Creek Township, Washington Co., Pa., Sept. 26, 1855, and is a son of Robert and Eliza (Rus- sell) Jeffrey.

The father of Mr. Jeffrey was a substantial farmer of this section for many years. He was a man of quiet life and industrious habits and enjoyed the respect of his neighbors. He married Eliza Russell, who was a daughter of Andrew and Ann (MeClelland) Russell, of Chartiers Township, and they had the following children: Anna Jane, widow of William Glass, lives in Mt. Pleasant Township; Mary Belle, deceased, was the wife of Matthew Acheson, of Smith Township; Sarah

Elizabeth, wife of J. M. MeKitrick, of Cambridge, Ohio; Martha Agnes, deceased, wife of Samuel A. Me- Calmont, of Houston; Andrew Russell and Robert Gra- ham.

Robert G. Jeffrey attended the public schools of Cross Creek Township with more or less regularity when farm work did not prevent, until he was 20 years of age, after which he cultivated the homestead farm for his parents and later obtained possession of it by purchase. For years he has engaged in raising sheep and general farming, and during the past two or three years has also engaged in dairying, shipping to Pitts- burg. Mr. Jeffrey has other investments and is a stock- holder in the Ilickory Telephone Company.

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Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 4

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