Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 40

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 40

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Thomas R. Hart was reared in Armstrong County and early in life began working in the oil fields as a driller. He later became an operator and since coming to Wash- ington in 1886, has been prominently identified with the development of oil in this county. He and his brother Guy now have 20 producing wells in operation in this county. Mr. Hart owns two fine residences in this city, both on West Chestnut, his residence number being 684 West Chestnnt street.

In 1896 Mr. Hart was joined in marriage with Emma McDaniel, who is a daughter of A. J. McDaniel, a re- tired farmer of Washington. They have two children, Donald Robertson and Loyal Thomas.

ISAAC NEWTON MILLER, a representative and substantial citizen of Buffalo Township, who has resided on his present magnificent farm of 252 acres since March, 1889, here earries on large farming operations and raises cattle and sheep. He was born in West Beth- lehiem Township, Washington Co., Pa., June 29, 1863, and is a son of John H. and Sarah A. (Hatfield) Miller.

The parents of Mr. Miller were both natives of Wash- ington County. The father met an accidental death in May, 1900, on a west-bound passenger train on the

THOMAS PARRY

797

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

Baltimore & Ohio Railroad at the Taylorstown Station At that time he was a resident of Washington County, Ohio, and his presence in Pennsylvania was as a visitor. lle married a daughter of R. Hatfield, who, at one time resided near Amity, in Washington County. Six of their children survive, namely: Louisa, widow of Thomas Lyneli, who lives in Ohio; Flora, who is the wife of Willard Starling, of Guernsey County, Ohio; Isaac New- ton; John M., who resides at Knoxville, Tenn .; Sadie E., who is the wife of Joseph Reed, of Washington County, Ohio; and Della, who is the wife of James Lynch, of Washington County, Ohio.

Isaac Newton Miller was quite young when his par- ents moved from West Bethlehem Township to Morris Township, and he lived there, attending school when- ever he could be spared from home, until he was 20 years old. He then went to live with John H. Van Kirk, a well-known eitizen of South Franklin Township, with whom he remained for eleven years. During the first two winters there he attended what was known as the Dickerson school. Mr. Miller made the most of his op- portunities, being thrown on his own resources when quite young. Through force of character he grew to industrious, self-respecting manhood and won warm friends. Within a few years after reaching maturity he married Miss Elizabeth Miles, a daughter of the late Elijah Miles, of Buffale Township, and six children have been born to them, Grace V., John H., Harry N., Ruth E., Henry C. and Ralph L. Mr. Miller is num- bered with the substantial men of his township. He is a practical farmer and stoek raiser and yearly has a large income from his well managed enterprises. He is a Republican in politics and has served acceptably as road supervisor and at all times is ready to do his part in township matters, as becomes a good citizen. Witlı his family he belongs to he Presbyterian Church at Clays- ville, in which he is an elder.

THOMAS PARRY, proprietor of the Parry Hotel, at Elrama, Pa., was born in England, May 10, 1854, and is a son of Themas and Caroline (Feriden) Parry.

The parents of Mr. Parry were English born and reared. The father was a miner and met his death in his native land. The mother subsequently married Alfred Townsend. She died at Charleroi, Pa., in 1907, aged 79 years. The family came to America in 1867, and Mr. Townsend died three months later. He left one child, Mary E., who first married Daniel Swaney and later became the wife of L. Dale. The parents of Mr. Parry had five children: Thomas, Herbert, William Henry, C. Samuel and Mary E., the two survivors being Thomas and C. Sammel.

Until he was nine years old, Thomas Parry was permit- ted to attend school but after that he had to work hard

in the mines. He was thirteen years of ago when the family came to America and to Pennsylvania. The death of his step-father made it all the more necessary that he should keep at work, and for six years he labored in the Butler and Allegheny county mines, locating then at the Pleasant View mine in the latter county. There he and his mother bought a house and one aere of land and he kept this as his home while he worked in different mines in the surrounding neighborhood for five years. After he married he continued with his mother for a short time and then built a double house at Shire Oaks, with the intention of occupying a part of it, but changed his mind before he moved there. lle then bought 121/4 acres of land which had a log house, situated at Lobes Run, in Union Township, and lived there for eightcen years, in the meanwhile erecting a comfortable frame residence. He still owns that property. Later he built a hotel on the land at Shire Oaks where his double house stood and he conducted a licensed public house there for ten and one-half years, when he sold out all his property in that vicinity to the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. Mr. Parry then built his fine brick hotel at Elrama, in 1906, which is of medern construction, contains nineteen rooms, with conveniences. Ilis reasonable rates of $1.00 per day, 50 cents for lodging and 35 cents per meal, have met with the approval of the traveling public and . li has the satisfaction of knowing that a guest once entertained at his hotel will be sure to endeavor to re- turn. lIs is a business man of most excellent judgment and has acquired considerable property in Union Town- ship, owning three dwellings besides his hotel at Elrama and the old Samnel Ineman farm containing 131 acres.

On July 4, 1879, Mr. Parry was married to Eliza Jane Edwards and the following children have been born to them: Caroline, who is deceased; Fannie, whe was ac- cidentally drowned at the age of sixteen years; Samnel and Themas, who are associated in business with their father; Mildred, whe married David Artley, has two children-Grace and Eliza Artley; Eliza .Jane, Mary, George, John and Caroline, all of whom are at home; and Joseph and William, both of whom are deceased.

Mr. Parry is a Republican but he has never accepted any publie office except that of school director, in which he served three years. He is identified with Monongahela Lodge, No. 337, F. and A. M., and Chapter No. 249; the Elrama Lodge of Odd Fellows, No. 697, and the Parker's Ferry Encampment, No. 175, at Monongahela.

FREDERICK G. NASER, one of Washington's repre- sentative citizens, eapably filling the important office of street commissioner, was born at Washington, Pa., Jan- nary 17, 1847, and is a son of Frederick and Catherine (Naser) Naser.

The parents of Mr. Naser were born in Wurtemberg,

798

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

Germany. Frederick Naser came to Washington County Pa., about 1840 and for some forty years was a leading gardener here. He married Catherine Naser and to them were born eleven children, ten of whom still survive, eight beiug residents of Washington County, one of Day- ton, Ohio, and one of the State of Washington. All are doing well, having been reared to habits of industry and frugality by excellent, hard-working parents.

Frederick G. Naser attended school in boyhood and helped his father in his gardening work until he started out for himself. He went into the teaming business and followed it more or less continuously for a quarter of a century, when he was elected to the office of street com- missioner. After thus serving several years he moved out of the borough and then worked on the street car lines out of Washington, and he was the man who turned the first furrow in the ground where the Washington & Canonsburg Railroad was subsequently built. He also started the work on the Cherry Valley Railroad. In the spring of 1909 he was again elected street commissioner of Greater Washington, and is now efficiently performing the duties of that office. Mr. Naser owns property in Washington and built his own handsome residence at No. 503 North Main street.

In 1872, Mr. Naser was married to Miss Elizabeth I. Hall, who was born in Ohio. They have five children - James F., Robert R., Pearl, Elizabeth, and Charles Ed- ward, all residing at home. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Naser is an Odd Fel- low, belonging to both the subordinate lodge and the Encampment.

JACOB WEIRICH, a leading citizen of Buffalo Town- ship, Washington Co., Pa., where he owns 150 acres of valuable land, is serving in his second year as a mem- ber of the School Board and is also treasurer of the School Tax Fund of Buffalo Township. It was in this township that he was born, May 24, 1860, son of Israel and Sarah (Thompson) Weirich, both of whom were born in Washington County.

Israel Weirich was born in Canton Township and was a son of Jacob Weirich, who was three years old when his parents bronght him to Washington County, settling in that section which is now known as Franklin Town- ship. This family originated in Germay and Jacob has been a favorite name in every generation. Israel Wei- rich died in April, 1908, when in his seventy-second year. IIe married Sarah Thompson, and of their children the following survive: Jacob; James E., who lives in St. Paul, Minn .; William R., who lives in Canton Township; Charles B., who is a resident of Philadelphia; Howard R., who lives in Minnesota; Henry W., who makes his home et Goldfield, Nevada; and Albert A, who lives in Cantor. Township. The father of the above family was

prominent in the public affairs of Canton Township dur- ing the larger part of his life. He served in numerous local offices, such as road commissioner and school direc- tor, and was highly considered for his honesty as well as efficiency. In his earlier years he was a ruling elder in the United Presbyterian Church in Buffalo Township and later served in the same capacity in the Third Presbyte- rian Church at Washington.

Jacob Weirich was two years old when his parents moved from Buffalo to Canton Township and there he grew to manhood. The township schools were rather superior ones and in them Mr. Weirich obtained a fair common school education. His entire business life has been taken up by agricultural activities and his main interests have been the careful tilling of his fields and the raising of fine stock. He has found it profitable to make a specialty of growing sheep and ordinarily has from 150 to 200 head.

Mr. Weirich married Miss Anna Logan, a daughter of Samuel Logan, of Buffalo Township, and they have four children : Ralph M., Harry R., Sarah H. and Esther H. The family attends the East Buffalo Presbyterian Church in which they are much valued, and Mr. Weirich is one of the church trustees. In politics, like his father, he is a strong Republican. His fellow citizens have demon- strated their confidence and esteem by electing him to offices of responsibility.

HARRY A. EATHERTON, superintendent of the Findlay Clay Pot Company, at Washington, and one of the stockholders and directors, is one of the city's most progressive and enterprising young business men. He was born in Putnam County, Ohio, in November, 1881.

Mr. Eatherton was mainly reared at Findlay, Ohio, where he obtained his education. He has been identi- fied with the clay pot industry during the whole period of his business life, beginning as office boy in the Find- lay Clay Pot Company, at Findlay. In December, 1901, he came to Washington and took charge of the office of the company here and was later made superintendent of the Washington plant.

Mr. Eatherton was married in December, 1903, to Miss Eunice V. Houser, who was born and reared in Ohio, and is a daughter of Rev. F. M. Houser, a minister of the Methodist Church. Mr. and Mrs. Eatherton have one son, Clarence Z. They are members of the Jefferson Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church and he is active in Sunday-school work. He is also interested greatly in the Y. M. C. A., and is a member of its board of direc- tors at Washington.

FIELDING FRASHER, one of the leading architects and building contractors of Washington, who has been a resident of this city since 1898, was born Jan. 4, 1854,

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

in Fayette County, Pensylvania, and when about 18 years of age went to Pittsburg, where he served an apprentice. ship in earpentering. After the death of his mother in 1876, he returned to the home farm in Fayette County, and worked at his trade until 1879, then went to Pitts- burg and engaged in contracting and building and for the past 25 years has been engaged as an architeet in connection with his general contract business. fle came to Washington in 1998, where he has since continued his residence, and has erected many structures all through this section of the State, including the building for the Struthers Coal & Coke Company; a large building for the Pittsburg & Buffalo Coal Company of Canonsburg; the Thaddeus Stephens School building of Pittsburg; the Snowden building in Brownsville and was superintendent of construction of the Union Trust Co. builling on 4th Ave. in Pittsburg, l'a., and numerous fine residences in this section of Pennsylvania.

Mr. Frasher was married Mar. 19, 1884, to Miss Oc- tavia Jones, of Pittsburg, and they have two children: Jean W. Frasher, who graduated with honors from the Washington Seminary, is now engaged in teaching; and Earl Frasher, who was educated in Washington, and is at present with Rutan Russell, an architect of Pittsburg.

ROBERT M. EDWARDS, of the hardware firm of R. M. Edwards & Son, leading merchants in that line at "'anonsburg, was born at St. Clairsville, Belmont County, Ohio, Feb. I, 1856, and is a son of William and Mary (Nolin) Edwards, the former of whom died in 1864.

Robert M. Edwards was left fatherless when but eight years old and was reared on a farm near St. Clairsville, where he attended school. On Mar. 1, 1874, he went to Wheeling and there entered the employ of McGee Bros., tinners and roofers, and remained with that firm for five years. In the spring of 1880, he embarked in business fer himself at Inion Port, Ohio, where he eontiuned for six years and then went to Wellsburg, and from there, in August, 1886, came to Canonsburg. Ilere he aceepted the position of foreman for J. J. Vau Eman and later J. J. Van Eman & Son. In January, 1904, he went into business under the firm name of R. M. Edwards, and three years later, when he took his son into partnership. the style became as at present, R. M. Edwards & Son. This firm commands a very large trade, its territory being the surrounding towns, Washington Borough, and parts of Ohio and West Virginia. A full line of stoves and stove hardware is carried and hot air systems placed and roofing done.

In 188I, Mr. Edwards was married to Miss Elizabeth Rittenhouse, of Union Fort, Jefferson County, Ohio. Her parents were Thomas and Catherine Rittenhouse. They have one son, Clarenee, who is his father's partner and resides at home. Mr. Edwards is a member of the

Methodist Episcopal Church and belongs to As official board. In polities he is a Republican but has never accepted any other office than school director. Ilis bean- tiful home is situated at No. 336 West College street, Canonsburg.

JOHN M. DUNN, one of Washington's most public spirited citizens, for six years county commissioner of Washington County, and for a long period identified with real estate, oil and gas interests in this section, was born in Greene County, Pa., in 1557, and was brought to Wash- ington County by his parents, when one year old.

John M. Dunn was reared to the age of seventeen years in the little hamlet now known as Dunn's Station, leaving the schools there to enter Waynesburg College. After completing his collegiate course he embarked in a mercantile business at Des Moines, lowa. Three years later, when his father's health broke down, he was re- called to Washington County to assist his parent in clos ing up several estates of which the latter had charge, and to take over the management of the farm. Here be remained for several years, in the meanwhile dealing ex- tensively in wool and stock. In 1895 he was elected chairman of the Republican County Vigilant Committee, and in the following year was elected a county commis- sioner of Washington County. Mr. Dunn proved a very valuable member of the board of commissioners and it was during his incumbeney that the magnificent court house and jail were completed, there being no finer in the State. Since his term of office expired, Mr. Dunn has given his attention to the oil ad gas industry and to dealing in realty. He was a member of the company that drilled the famous Fonner Gusher, a well that pro- dneed 1600 barrels a day; also the Lohr well which pro- dneed more than 2000 barrels per day, as well as many other large producers located in Washington and Greene Counties, Pa., and in West Virginia.

In December, 1882, Mr. Dunn was married to Miss Anna Ross, of Jefferson, Greene County, and they have four children: Allan Ross, a civil engineer, who is with the Pennsylvania system and is located on the Logans- port, Ind., Division, graduated from Washington and Jef ferson College in the class of 1906; Lanra f., who is a graduate of the Washington Seminary; Johu HI., who is a student in the Junior year at Washington and Jeffer- son; and Anna, who is a student in the Washington Seminary. Mr. Dunn and family are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He is a Republican, but irrespective of this fart, he served for almost nine years as a member of the school board at Dunn's Station, a. Democratie stronghold, and resigned to accept the office of county commissioner, carrying his township each time he was a candidate for the latter office. He has been foremost in all enterprises organized to better the

800

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

condition of the people of his community, and in no way 6, 1779, and died December 6, 1855. He attended the was his genuine good will more definitely shown than in schools of Forward Township and later an academy at his donation of land to the city for park purposes. This Uniontown. Subsequently he came to Washington County and accepted a position as clerk in a store at what was then Parkison's Ferry, but is now Monongahela. Later he became interested in boating, boat-building and trad- ing and his activities reached as far as New Orleans. led to other donations for the same object until now Washington has one of the finest natural parks in this section of the State. In generous spirit and with broad and enlightened views, Mr. Dunn has also contributed to churches, schools and charities.

JOSEPH H. UNDERWOOD, Jr., cashier of the First National Bank of Roscoe, Washington County, Pa., was born at Milesville, Allegheny Co., Pa., January 29, 1878, and is the youngest child of Joseph and Ellen (Roscoe) Underwood.

When but six weeks old, the parents of Mr. Underwood moved to California, Pa., where they resided for five years prior to coming to Roscoe. His education was se- cured in the local schools. His brother, Thomas J. Un- derwood, was the first agent appointed at the railroad station at Charleroi, and Joseph H. assisted there to some extent and also around his father's mines and finally was permitted to go on the boats belonging to his father's company, and make the voyage to New Orleans, and he remained two years on the river, after which he took a business course at Curry University, Pittsburg, Pa., after a short time again at the mines he entered the First National Bank at Monessen, which was then the Monessen National Bank. He served as assistant cashier there and came from there in 1901 to accept his present position with the First National Bank of Roscoe, succeeding the late Oliver Miller.

Mr. Underwood married Miss Mary Spahr, who is a daughter of Henry C. and Hannah R. Spahr. The Spahrs are old residents of Roscoe, which was formerly known as Lucyville, having been so named in honor of Mrs. Lucy Spahr, Mrs. Underwood's grandmother, while its present name was given it in honor of Mr. Under- wood's own mother. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Underwood: Edwin Roscoe, Harriet Irene, and Mary Josephine. Mr. Underwood is a Knight Tem- plar Mason and also a Shriner.

A. CLARK WARNE, a representative citizen of Wash- ington, identified with a number of prospering enter- prises, has been connected with financial institutions throughout his entire business career and occupies a prominent position as treasurer of the Washington Trust- Company, at Washington, Pa. He was born in Notting- ham Township, Washington Co., Pa., in 1865, and is a son of Hiram and Elizabeth (Nicholls) Warne, and a grandson of Maj. James and Mary (Parkison) Warne.

Maj. James Warne, an officer of the Pennsylvania militia, and later distinguished in the War of 1812, was born in Forward Township, Allegheny Co., Pa., December

Maj. Warne was thirty-two years old, in 1811, when he was commissioned, by Gov. Samuel Snyder, a captain of light infantry in the 2nd Battalion, 53rd Pa. Militia. In the following year the governor accepted this regiment for service in the war with Great Britain then impending, and Captain Warne served in that official position until September 25, 1812, when he was commissioned major of the 1st Battery in the 3rd Regi- ment, commanded by Col. Snyder, and with that rank continued to serve until his honorable discharge, Decem- her 31, 1812. He rendered faithful and efficient services and won merited honors.

After his return home, Maj. Warne, in association with his brother-in-law, William Parkison, built a glass factory, which was the first enterprise of its kind at Monongahela City, or Williamsport, as the place was then called. The two business men were interested together in other concerns and conducted a general merchandise business until 1825. After that Maj. Warne engaged in the peaceful pursuits of agriculture and resided on his farm, to which he gave the suggestive name of "Eden," until his death. The court records of his day show how frequently he was called upon to serve as administrator and executor but there are none available to indicate the many times when he was called upon by his neighbors to advise and adjust differences.

In 1805, Maj. Warne was married to Mary Parkison, who was the only daughter of Joseph and Margaret (Weaver) Parkison. The Parkisons, like the Warnes, were of English extraction. Joseph Parkison was born in 1740, near Carlisle, Pa., where he married Margaret Weaver, and this brought into the family a strain of thrifty, sturdy old Dutch stock. They had three sons and one daughter: James, David, William and Mary. Joseph Parkison came to what is now Monongahela City abont 1768 and became a very prominent and useful citizen. He was one of the first named justices of the peace in the county, and some time between 1792 and 1796, he laid out Monongahela City. He built the first ferry, which was named in his honor, and at this point the first postoffice in this region was established. He was the patentee of the greater part of the land on which Monongahela City now stands, and for many years he conducted an inn as well as his store and ferry. To Maj. James Warne and wife were born the following children : Ammuzette, Margaret, Joseph P., James, David, Mary, Susan, Hiram and Eliza J.

MR. AND MRS. ELLSWORTH JACKSON AND FAMILY

803

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

Hiram Warne, father of A. Clark Warne, was born in what is now Monongahela City, Washington Co., Pa., February 16, 1822. He was a small boy when his parents moved into the country and his education was acquired in the schools of the neighborhood. Ilis subsequent sue- cess in life could not be attributed to any early advan- tages, but rather to his natural abilities which were brought into active play by his indomitable energy and perseverance. Ou December 2, 1856, he was married to Elizabeth Nicholls, a daughter of James and Rebecca (Devore) Nicholls, of Allegheny County, Pa. After their marriage they resided for a time on a farm in Som- erset Township, but later moved to Nottingham Town- ship and tiually to their present home on the National Road just west of Washington. He was identified with the growth and improvement of different sections of Washington County and up to the time of his death, in 1896, was a man of influence in his community. He was a member of and an elder in the Third Presbyterian Church at Washington, His children, seven in number, bore the following names: James C., Flora R., William W., A. Clark, Boyd E., Howard F., and Mary Etta May.

A. Clark Warne was reared in Washington County and was educated in the public schools and at Washington and Jefferson College, being a member of the class of 1885. Upon the closing of his collegiate course, Mr. Warne turned his attention to business and entered the Citizens' National Bank at Mckeesport, remaining with that institution for six years. He then became cashier of the Farmers' and Mechanics' National Bank at Wash- ington and remained there nntil 1901 when it was ab- sorbed by the Washington Trust Company, a corporation organized through his efforts and of which he has been treasurer ever since. He was one of the building com- mittee during the erection of the Washington Trust building, a notable strnetnre at Washington. In his political views he is a Republican, religiously he is a Presbyterian, being a member of the Third Presbyterian Church. He is a Knight Templar Mason.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 40

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