Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 42

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 42

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

stituated in North Strabane Township, for 150 years. Mr. Lntton was born on that farm, in 1879, and is a son of Robert and Catherine (Hall) Lutton.

Robert Lutton was born also in North Strabane Town- ship, Washington County, and he died there in 1881. He married Catherine Hall, who was a sister of Gen. John Hall, both now deceased. There were six children born to Robert Lutton and wife, there being two survivors: R. G. and Sarah, the latter of whom is the wife of Hon. C. E. Carothers, a prominent citizen of Washington and a member of the Pennsylvania State Legislature.

R. G. Lutton was educated in the public schools of North Strabane Township, Washington and Jefferson College and Duff 's Business College, at Pittsburg, and then returned to the farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits until he came to Washington. Here, in asso- ciation with C. E. and W. E. Carothers, he established the Pasteur Dairy which does an extensive business in mill and ice cream and is one of the scientifically con- dueted enterprises of this section. Mr. Lutton is a stockholder in the Canonsburg Steel and Iron Company, and is a stockholder and director in the Farmers' Mutual Telephone Company. He has taken a very active inter- est in all public movements and is an influential Repub- lican politician, for two years serving on the Republic- an County Committee and assisting in the direction of local matters. Mr. Lutton was reared in the faith of the Presbyterian Church and is a member of the old church of this body, Presbyterian Hill Church, near Canonsburg. Fraternally he is a Knight Templar Mason and an Elk, and he belongs also to the exclusive Bassett Club.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN BENTLEY, an honored and highly esteemed citizen of Monongahela City, Pa., and a life-long resident of Washington County, who for many years was engaged in agrienltural pursuits, was also identified with other business interests during his later life, and was born December 28, 1821, on the old Bentley mill property in Carroll Township, and is a son of Hanee and Francis (Wallace) Bentley.

Hance Bentley, the grandfather of our subject, who was a miller by trade, at a very early period came from Virginia to Washington County, Pa., in search of a suitable location for a mill, and spent his first night here camping in the woods on Piegon Creek in Somerset, now Carroll, Township, where he subsequently erected a log mill and a log cabin. The country was at that time entirely without cultivation, and was still inhabited by the Indians. Here he engaged in milling during the re- mainder of his life, and later erected two houses, the second one being a large stone building in which he was residing at the time of his death. Hance Bentley was the father of the following children: George; Hanee,

father of our subject; Sache, and Hannah, who married Thomas Richardson.

Hance Bentley, was born in the old log house at Bent- leyville, and there learned the miller's trade with his father, and subsequently built near Monongahela City on Mingo Creek, a mill, which is still standing, and was operated by him for many years. He was the owner of a tract of 360 acres between Mingo Creek and the Monongahela River, and after retiring from milling, gave the mill and 130 acres of land to his son William and daughter Hannah, after which be devoted the remainder of his life to agricultural pursuits, and died on the farm at an advanced age. He was nnited in marriage with Frances Wallace, whose death occurred at Monon- gahela City, and they reared the following children : Hannah, Elizabeth, Margaret, Amanda, Sache, Benjamin Franklin, and William.

Benjamin Franklin Bentley was three years old when his parents removed from the mill property in Carroll Township to the farm, and the event is well remembered by him, as he had greatly feared at the time that the movers had forgotten to bring a little wagon which had been made for him by some of the mill hands. He was reared on the farm, assisted in the clearing of the sugar camp, and before attaining his majority his father's death ceeurred, and the farm, consisting of 300 acres, was divided between him and his brother Sache. He remained on the farm, engaged in agricultural pursuits for many years, and for two years operated a coal mine on the land, after which he disposed of the land and came to Monongahela City, which was then but a small town, and here for a short time engaged in the grocery business. He also ran a livery stable for a limited period. For some years he has been living in retirement at No. 530 West Main street, in the enjoyment of a well earned rest. Mr. Bentley is a Republican in politics and was the first mayor of Monongahela City elected on the Republican ticket. He has served in many public offices and is the only surviving member of the original fair board.

Mr. Bentley was married February 15, 1849, to Mary Van Voorhis, a daughter of Daniel VanVoorhis, and a granddaughter of Daniel VanVoorhis, who was an old sea captain and one of the early settlers of this county. No children were born of their union, but they reared a niece, Mary Eudora Caldwell, who was a daughter of Martha (Bentley) Caldwell. She married A. M. Walker and died September 12, 1876. During her younger days, Mrs. Bentley became quite an artist in oil paints, and without any instruction whatever has produced some very fine paintings, which, with some curios obtained by Mr. and Mrs. Bentley on their annual trips to the South, form quite an interesting collection.

Mr. and Mrs. Bentley are members of the First Bap-

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

tist Church of which he has been a deacon since the erer. tion of the church.

B. E. MeCRACKEN, a member of the council of East Washington, and a representative member of the Wash- ington County bar, was born at Washington, Pa., January 20, IS70, and is a son of M. L. A. MeCracken.

The MeCrackens are of Irish ancestry and the great- grandfather, Andrew Mccracken, came to Pennsylvania from Ireland and, in 1793, took up the land in Amwell Township, Washington County, which his descendants still own. His son, Archibald MeCracken, was born in 1798 on that fa , and in turn reared his family there. It was the birthplace of M. L. A. MeCracken, in March, Is36. The latter became a distinguished member of the Washington County bar and a prominent citizen of Wash- ington. In 1903 he removed to Missouri and since then has lived retired in a pleasant home not far distant from St. Louis.

B. E. MeCracken completed his education at Washing- ton and Jefferson College and then read law with his father, and on March 4, 1593, was admitted to the bar and later to practice in all the State courts of both Pennsylvania and Missouri, having spent nine months in the latter State. With the exception of that period, Mr. MeCracken has lived continuously at Washington. For a time he was associated in practice with his father and later with G. P. Baker, but at present is alone. IIe ably sustains the reputation of the MeCraeken name in bis profession, and is a member of the Washington County Bar Association.

On August 21. 1895, Mr. McCraeken was married to Miss Mabelle A. MeIlvaine, a daughter of James A. Mellvaine, of Mt. Pleasant Township, and they have three sons: William A., James A. and John II. Mrs. MeCracken is a member of the Second United Presby- terian Church.

In politics, Mr. MeCracken is a Republican and in 1898 he served as chairman of the Republican County Committee. He is a very active and useful citizen and as a member of the council of East Washington, urges eivie progress, and lends his influence to encourage all that is for the general welfare. He is identified with the Masonie fraternity.

JAMES E. HARDY, a leading citizen of Canonsburg, serving in his second term as a member of the council of South Canonsburg, and a prominent builder and eon- tractor, is the senior member of the firm of Hardy & Rankin, which has high commercial standing in Wash- ington County. He was born at Linden, in North Stra- bane Township, Washington Co., Pa., December 6, 1864, and is a son of George and Eliza (Hixon) Hardy.

George Tardy was born in the north of Ireland and

was a small boy when he was brought to America by his parents, James and Mary Hardy. They settled near where the Hardy school now stands in North Strabane Township, and there George Hardy grew to manhood and lived until his death, when aged sixty-six years. Hc married Eliza Ilixon, a daughter of James and Catherine Ilixon. Mrs. Hardy still survives and is in excellent health. She is now in her eighty-seventh year and puts some of her descendants to shame by being able to read without the use of spectacles. To George and Eliza Hardy three sons and two daughters were born, namely : Jesse Weller, who perished on the battle field during the Civil War, a member of the 85th l'a. Vol. Inf .; Daniel Barr, who resides near Snowden, Pa .; Mary Catherine, who is now deceased, was the wife of J. F. Welch, and is survived by five sons and one daughter; Elizabeth lane, and James E.

James E. Hardy was educated in North Strabane Township and when eighteen years of age came to Can- onsburg and learned his trade with M. L. Taylor, with whom he worked for four year. From here he went to Omaha, Neb., where he followed his trade for seven years. In 1893 he returned to Canonsburg, where he has been in business ever since. For ten years he worked in a planing mill, but for the last five years has been en- gaged in contracting. The firm of IIardy & Rankin built the high school at Linden; the J. P. MeNary building; the handsome school building at McGovern, and a num- ber of other substantial structures and also beautiful residences. Other sehool buildings which have attracted very favorable notice are those at White Lawn Terrace and the Henderson school building. One of the hand- somest residences of Canonsburg, the home of Dr. Throek- morton, was erected by this firm.

In June, 1896, Mr. Hardy was married to Miss Laure- na Mary Alexander, a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth ( Morrison) Alexander, of South Fayette Township, Alle- gheny County, and they have two children: Velma Eliza- beth and Donald James, aged eleven and seven years, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Hardy are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he is a steward and Sunday school teacher and is also a trustee.

In his political views Mr. Hardy is a Republican. He has been a resident here since 1893 and built his hand- some house at No. 208 South Jefferson avenue in 1-95.

R. H. MELOY, of the law firm of Underwood & Meloy, with offices in the Washington Trust building, Washington, is a well known member of the Washington bar and is identified with other interests. He was born in 1868, in Independence Township. Washington Co .. Pa., and is a son of Robert Y. Meloy.

The grandfather of Mr. Meloy, John Meloy, was born in Lancaster County, Pa., in 1804, and came to Wash-

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

ington County in 1816, as one of the early teachers. He became a man of large estate and of prominence in the county, serving in the State Legislature several terms and one term as county register of wills. He lived to be ninety-four years old, dying in 1898, surviving his son, Robert Y. The latter was born in 1828, in Washington County, and followed an agricultural life until his death, which occurred in 1887.

R. H. Meloy attended the county schools until pre- pared to enter Washington and Jefferson College, from which institution he was graduated in the class of 1892. For several years he engaged in teaching school, from 1893 until 1897 serving as principal of the Canonsburg Acadamy, and during these years, by private study, pre- pared himself for the bar, to which he was admitted in 1898. He practiced alone until December 1, 1907, when he formed a law partnership with O. C. Underwood, which still continues. Mr. Meloy has been admitted to practice in all the State conrts and is well known in many sections. He is a member of the board of directors in the Real Estate Trust Company. During his eleven years of residence at Washington, Mr. Meloy has proved himself a valuable citizen, and has identified himself with the progressive class.

In 1902, Mr. Meloy was married to Miss Sara Albright, of Steubenville, Ohio, and they have one daughter, Jane. They are members of the Second United Presbyterian Church. He is a member of the Bassett Club.

MRS. ELIZABETH COAKLEY, whose useful life has been entirely spent in Donegal Township, Washington Co., Pa., resides on her valuable farm of 107 acres, which is well improved and finely cultivated. She was born October 15, 1850, and is a daughter of John and Ann (Egan) Cain.

The father of Mrs. Coakley was born in Greene County, Pa., and her mother in Washington County. John Cain was six years old when his parents moved from Greene to Washington County. They were Thomas and Mary (Montague) Cain, both of whom were born in Ireland: Grandmother Cain was eight years old, when, in 1792, the Montague family came to America and her people settled in Donegal Township not far from Mrs. Coakley's present farm. The Montagues, the Cains and also the Coakleys are all familiar and respected names in this township. The father of Mrs. Coakley died February 15. 1905, having survived his wife since November 20, 1886. Of the children born to John Cain and wife there are five survivors, namely : Henry, who lives in Council Bluffs, Iowa; Mrs. Elizabeth Coakley, of Donegal Town- ship; Rose, widow of William McCarthy, residing at Pittsburg; Thomas, residing in Nodaway County, Mo .;

and Anna M., widow of James Ryan, residing in Donegal Township.

After attending the public schools Elizabeth Cain took a course at St. Aloysius Academy, at Loretto, in Cambria County, and shortly after her return met, and on Octo- ber 16, 1880, was married to the late James Coakley, who was born in County Cork, Ireland, July 5, 1850, and was a son of Daniel and Mary (Donovan) Coakley. His. aged mother still survives, being now over seventy-five years of age, and lives in the old home in Ireland. In 1871, James Coakley came to America and for a short time lived at Wheeling, W. Va., and came from there to Washington County. Later he went to Guernsey County, Ohio, for a few years, and then returned to Washington County. His death occurred in Donegal Township, February 24, 1885, leaving his widow and three children to mourn the loss of a kind husband and affectionate father. Two of the children survive, Anna and James J., both residents of Donegal Township, the former of whom married Archibald B. Porter, and they have three children: Francis E., Louise B. and Joseph J. Catherine E., who is now deceased, married Henry Reger, and she is survived by one son, James H. Mrs. Coakley takes much interest in the welfare of these four grandchildren, and in turn is dearly beloved by them.

HON. C. EDWARD CAROTHERS, who is now serving most acceptably to his constituents, as a member of the Pensylvania Legislature, from Washington, Pa., was born in 1860, in Westmoreland County, Pa., but was reared and educated in Fayette County.

In 1882, Mr. Carothers came to Washington County, where he has been extensively engaged in agricultural pursuits ever since. In association with his son, William E. Carothers, and R. G. Lutton, he established the Pas- teur Dairy Company, which has been developed into a large enterprise of this section. From early manhood Mr. Carothers has taken an active interest in public affairs and being eminently qualified for office, has fre- quently been chosen for responsible positions by his fel- low citizens. He served one term as sheriff of Wash- ington County, and in 1908 was elected a member of the 'General Assembly. In this connection he has given care- ful attention to many important matters, is serving on various committees and at all times keeps the best inter- ests of his own section in view.

In 1884, Mr. Carothers was married to Miss Sarah J. Lutton, of Washintgon County, and they have three chil- dren : William E., Mary C. and Robert L. Mr. Carothers and family are members of the Chartiers Presbyterian Church.

HON. ERNEST F. ACHESON, prominent citizen and man of affairs of Washington, Pa., was formerly a

HION. ERNEST F. ACHESON

C. V YORK L' LIBRARY f

TER, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

member of the United States House of Representatives, in which body he served with marked distinction for a period of 14 years. He is president of The Observer Publishing Company and of the City Water Company, and is a director of the Citizens' National Bank.

Mr. Acheson was born on West Maiden street, Wash- ington, Pa., Sept. 19, 1855, and is a son of Alexander W. Acheson, a distinguished member of the bar of Washington County. He was reared and educated in his native city and was graduated from Washington and Jefferson College with the Class of 1875. He then pursued the study of law and was admitted to the bar in 1877, immediately afterward becoming a member of the firm of A. W., M. C. and E. F. Acheson, of which his father was senior member. After some two years in practice he withdrew from that firm and on Oct. 17, 1879, purchased a half interest in the Washington Ob- server, the leading weekly newspaper of the county. In 1890, be established The Daily Observer, and in 1902 The Observer Publishing Company was organized with a capital stock of $35,000. In the fall of the same year this company purchased The Reporter, which had been established as a weekly as early as 1808, and as a daily in 1876. After this purchase The Observer Publishing Company increased its capital stock to $150,000, and built new quarters on leased ground. In addition to publishing two dailies, this company does an extensive jobbing business and its affairs are in a most thriving condition. Mr. Acheson has been presi- dent of this company since its inception in 1902.

In 1892, Mr. Acheson was defeated as the Republican nominee for Member of Congress from the 24th Dis- triet of Pennsylvania, which comprised at that time Washington, Greene and Fayette Counties, the boroughs and townships of Allegheny County south of the Mo- nongahela and Ohio Rivers and between the Youghio- gheny and Monongahela Rivers ,the city of MeKeesport and the 38th Ward of Pittsburg. He was again a candidate in 1894 and was honored with election, and was re-elected in 1896, 1898 and 1900 from the distriet as above constituted. The census report for 1900 showed it to be one of the biggest congressional dis- triets in the United States, with a population approxi- mating 400,000, and it was redistricted to include Waslı- ington, Beaver and Lawrence Counties. Mr. Acheson was elected from the new district in 1902, and was re- elected in 1904 and in 1906. He served seven full terms in Congress and was esteemed by his colleagues as one of its most useful working members, serving efficiently on numerous important committees.

Mr. Acheson has been a member of the board of trus- tees of Washington and Jefferson College since 1894; was a trustee of the California State Normal School;

a director of the Washington Board of Trade, of which he formerly was president; has been manager of the Washington Cemetery since 1893; is president of the Citizens' Water Company; and a director in the Citi- zens' National Bank. He was president of the Penn- sylvania State Editorial Association in 1893, and was secretary of the National Editorial Association one year.

Ernest F. Acheson was married Nov. 22, 1882, to Miss Jannie Bushfield Stewart and they havo five chil- dren: Phoebe Stewart; Alexander Wilson, who is at- tending Harvard Law School; Elizabeth Scott; Janet Wishart and Martha Wishart. Religiously, they are members of the First Presbyterian Church of Wash- ington.

WILLIAM MARSHALL AIKIN, one of the old and highly respected citizens of Canonsburg, has been a life- long resident of Washington County, where for many years he was engaged in agricultural pursuits. Mr. Aikin was born on a farm near Bnlger, in Smith Town- ship, in 1832, and is a son of William and Margaret (Marshall) Aikin, natives of Smith and Cross Creek Townships, Washington County.

William Marshall, the maternal grandfather of Will- iam M. Aikin, came to Washington County when a mere boy and was once captured by the Indians but later was returned to his home. The grandfather on the paternal side was Joseph Aikin, and he resided near Bulger, where he spent his life in agricultural pursuits. He had children as follows: Joseph; Martha, who married James Montgomery, a farmer of near Noblestown, Iowa, where both died; Naney Cowan, a widow, now residing in Iowa; and William. The children of William Marshall were: Thomas and Stewart who died in Washington County; Louisa, who married John Duncan; Maria, who married a Mr. Gloss and removed to Ohio; Ruth; Ann, who married Thomas Wilson, of Cross Creek Township; and Margaret.

William Aikin was the owner of a farm near Bulger, where his accidental death occurred, when a tree fell upon him, and his wife died later of rheumatism of the heart. They were the parents of six children, namely : Nancy, who married and died in McDonald; Ann, who married David Manson, now deceased, and lives at Steu- benville, Ohio; Elizabeth, who married Benjamin Rose- berry MeCarthy, and resides at Carnegie, Pa .; Lonisa Jane, wife of William MePeake, of Hickory; Joseph Wilson, who died some years ago in Burgettstown, leav- ing a widow, whose maiden name was Crawford, living in Washington County; and William Marshall.

William Marshall Aikin was reared on his father's

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farm near Bulger, and after leaving home he rented land for nine years. He received one-sixth of the sixty acres of his father at the latter's death, and engaged in farming on his own account, which he followed through- out his active life, becoming very successful. He now owns a tract of 225 acres, the coal on which he sold for $90 an acre, but he still owns the Freeport vein of coal, which is very valuable, and there are three gas wells ou the property, which have paid well. In addition to farming, Mr. Aikin, for a number of years, was engaged in raising sheep, having at one time from 300 to 350 in his flocks. He has been a good manager, as is proven by his present comfortable competency, and he is proud of the fact that he has never spent one cent for whiskey or tobacco. In political matters he is a Republican. He attends the United Presbyterian Church, and contributed liberally toward the building of the Center Church at Midway and the Burgettstown Church.

Mr. Aikin was married to Lizzie Elder, a daughter of John Elder, who owned the steam mill at Midway for a number of years. Mrs. Aikin, who died about seven years ago, was the mother of two children: Annie, who married Elmer Leech, now resides with her father; and May Alice, who is deceased.

HARRY MeNELLY, one of Washington's leading citi- zens, serving in the city council from the Seventh Ward, is engaged in a general mercantile business at Nos. 1306-8 Jefferson avenue. He was born at Foxburg, Clarion Co., Pa., in 1872.

Mr. McNelly was reared and educated in Butler County and was there engaged in the oil fields until he came to Washingtou, in 1898. In September, 1900, he started into the restaurant business and in February, 1902, he bought the grocery store then located at his present stand and since has added to his stock until now he owns a general store, stocked with dry goods and notions, and deals also in meats. His stock is so large and so varied that a customer must be very difficult to please, if he cannot find what he desires at this place. Mr. MeNelly is a member of the Retail Merchants' Association, of which he formerly was financial secretary. He is serving in his third year in the city council, representing the important Seventh Ward. He has made a success in the management of his own business and has gained the full confidence of his fellow citizens in his public efforts.

In 1895, Mr. MeNelly was married to Miss Myrtle Daubenspeck, of Harmony, Butler Co., Pa., and they have had five children, namely : Emmett A., Loretta, Donald, Elizabeth and Mary Jane, the latter of whom is deceased. Mr. MeNelly and family are members of the Roman Catholic Church.

MRS. JANE M. RODGERS, whose valuable farm of I49 acres is situated in Donegal Township, Washington

Co., Pa., not far from the village of Vienna, is a lady widely known and universally respected and esteemed. She was born in Chartiers Township, Washington Co., Pa., November 5, 1833, and is a daughter of John and Julia A. (Jay) Marshman. Her father was born in Washington County, but her mother was a native of Virginia. The grandfather was Alexander Marshman, and the great-grandfather was Alexander Marshman, Sr.

Grandfather Alexander Marshman was a small boy when he accompanied his father from Maryland to Wash- ington County, they being among the early settlers.

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Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 42

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