Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 48

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 48

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William B. Risbeck was reared on the farm and ob- tained his educational training in the district schools of Redstone Township, Fayette County, remaining under the parental roof until eighteen years of age, when he went to Uniontown, Pa., where he learned the under- taking business with Claggett & Johnson, with whom he remained four years. He then entered the employ of the Pittsburg Brewing Company at Bellevernon, Pa., where he had charge of that branch of the business for seven years, and in October, 1905, came to Donora as manager of the Donora Brewing Company of which he was in charge for two years and three months. Since December

15, 1908, he has been the proprietor of Hotel Lawrence. which is located on the corner of 8th and Me Kean streets, and is a three-story briek structure containing twenty- four rooms.

Mr. Risbeck was united in marriage October 15, 1991. with Leah Gadd, who is a granddaughter of Stephen I. Gadd, of Fayette County, Pa. Mr. Risbeck is fra ternally a member of the Masonic order at Donora. and a life member of the B. P. O. E., of Charleroi.

ERWIN CUMMINS, one of the younger members of the Washington bar, who is a practitioner not only in the local courts but in the Supreme and Superior Courts of the State, has been a resident of this borough for three years. He was born in Chartiers Township, Wash- ington Co., Pa., in 1880, and is a son of A. W. Cummins.

The Cummins family was established in Washington County at a very early day by the great grandfather who came to America from Scotland. A. W. Cummins, father of Erwin, has spent his whole life in this county and is now a respected resident of Houston.

Erwin Cummins gained his preparatory education in the country schools and then entered Westminster Col- lege, where he was graduated in 1901. He immediately entered the law department of the University of Pitts- burg and was there graduated in 1905, and was admitted to the Allegheny County bar. Three months later he was also admitted to the Washington County bar and has been in active practice at Washington ever since and has proved himself an able and thoroughly trained lawyer.

In polities, Mr. Cummins is a Republican and fra- ternally he is a Mason. He is a member of the United Presbyterian Church at Houston.

D. H. SWART, postmaster at Hackney, Pa., and pro- prietor of a general store at this place, is one of the representative citizens of Amwell Township, Washing- ton County. He was born in Morris Township, Greene County, Pa., Oet. I, 1858, and is a son of Jonathan W. and Sarah (Sermon) Swart.

The paternal grandfather, Philip Swart, came to Am. well Township from New Jersey, among the earliest set- tlers in this section and reared a family that possesses many of the admirable qualities of its German ancestry. Jonathan W. Swart was born and reared in Amwell Township. He married Sarah Sermon, who was born in Greene County, Pa., and they resided for a time in Greene County, but later settled permanently in Am- well Township and here Jonathan W. Swart died in 1903. He engaged in farming and also operated a grist-mill. He was a Republican, but the only public office he ever accepted was that of school director. Of his children, the following survive: William M., who resides at Amity; Adaline, who is the widow of Dr. William MeCollum.

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formerly of Haneytown, W. Va., now resides in Ohio; Amos P., who lives at Washington; and David Herman, of Hackney.

David H. Swart was about 9 years old when his father removed to Amwell Township, his mother having died previously in Greene County, and here he was reared and was educated in the public schools. Prior to estab- lishing himself at Hackney, Mr. Swart conducted a grist-mill for a number of years and also engaged in the mercantile business at Rosella village, of which he was postmaster until the office was discontinued with the introduction of the rural mail delivery. On Oct. 1, 1904, he embarked in business at Hackney, at which time he was appointed postmaster. He is a popular official and the convenience of having their trading place at the same location as their postoffice, is greatly appre- ciated by the farmers living in the vicinity of the vil- lage. Mr. Swart is an experienced merchant and keeps an excellent stock which he buys with a direct regard for the demands of his customers. He has other in- terests and duties, being .. e agent at this point for the Waynesburg and Washington Railroad Company and also for the Adams Express Company.

Mr. Swart was married to Miss Nannie C. Van Dyke, a daughter of Andrew Van Dyke, of Amity, Pa., and they have had nine children born to them, as follows: William M., residing at Aleppo, Pa .; Ernest V., in the employ of the W. & W. Railroad Company; James W., in the employ of the same company; Annie M., wife of Omar Canger, of Amity; and Goldie S., Leroy, Winnie, Mabel and Wahneita. Mr. Smart and family are mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church at Amity. He is a Re- publican.

C. V. HARDING, one of the leading real estate men of Washington, Pa., was born in this city in 1856, and is a son of Vachel Harding, who came here from Mary- land in the 50's. He was identified with the dry goods trade and with other lines during his active years and died about 1902. He married Ann Le Moyne.

C. V. Harding was reared at Washington and was edu- catd in the public schools, and later Washington and Jefferson College, graduating from the latter in the Class of 1877. At that time his father had large coal interests and he entered into the coal business with him, in which he continued for some years and at the end of that time became agent for the Waynesburg & Wash- ington Railroad, with which he remained identified for ten years. Mr. Harding then visited Chicago, Ill., and Wheeling, W. Va., and at both places became interested in mercantile pursuits, and then returned to Washington and for two years served as deputy county treasurer. In 1900 he established his present business, realty deal- ing and general insurance. He handles a large amount

of valuable real estate and represents ten of the leading fire insurance companies, two accident companies and one life company. He has additional business interests.

In 1878, Mr. Harding was married to Miss Belle Gal- braith, a daughter of James A. Galbraith, who was, at one time, Recorder of Deeds for Washington County. Mrs. Harding died in 1881, leaving one child, Mary, who is the wife of Fred A. Goedecke, of Pittsburg. Mr. Harding was married (second) in 1886, to Miss A. Vir- ginia Hupp, a daughter of Dr. John C. Hupp ,of Wheel- ing, and they have two daughters: Carolene H. and Madeleine S., both residing at home. Mr. Harding is a member of the First Methodist Episcopal Church and be belongs to its official board. He is identified with the Elks and the Heptasophis and belongs also to the Royal Arcanum and to his college society, the Phi Kappa Sigma, and to the Washington Golf Club. On the ma- ternal side, Mr. Harding is connected with one of the oldest and most prominent families of the county, his maternal grandfather having been Dr. Francis Julius Le Moyne.

SAMUEL L. FLACK, a well-known resident of Buf- falo Township, is engaged in farming and stoek raising and makes a specialty of sheep, keeping about 200 head. He was born on the farm on which he resides, in Buffalo Township, Washington County, Pa., May 2, 1865, and is a son of Salem and Margaret (Farrar) Flack.

The father of Mr. Flack was born near Wooster, Ohio, and the mother in Washington County, Pa. Samuel Flack, the grandfather, was born near Taylorstown, Pa., and at one time lived on the farm his grandson,. Samuel L., now owns. After marriage, Samuel Flack moved to Ohio, but eventually returned to the Buffalo Township farm, where he died. Samuel Flack died in 1903, but his widow survives and resides at Washington. Of their children three are yet living: Samuel L., John A. and Mrs. R. W. Parkinson, wife of a well-known attorney at Washington. Sarah V. is deceased. Samuel Flack was a member of the East Buffalo Presbyterian Church. In polities he was a Republican.

Samuel L. Flack obtained his education in the schools of Buffalo Township, but ever since be reached man- hood has given a large part of bis attention to farming and stoek raising. In this section the proper growing of sheep is a very profitable industry and Mr. Flack has met with much success in this line.

Mr. Flack was married to Miss Artemissa M. Farrar, who was born in Montezuma, Iowa, and is a daughter of David and Margaret (Ewing) Farrar. He formerly re- sided in Washington County, but died in Iowa. Mrs. Farrar now resides in Cambridge, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Flaek have two children: Albert Ewing and Margaret Irene. With his family, Mr. Flaek belongs to the East

JOHN A. HOXWORTH

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

Buffalo Presbyterian Church. He is a Republican. Ile has always taken intelligent interest in township mat- ters of a public nature and is recognized as a public- spirited citizen. For three years he has been the very efficient secretary of the Buffalo Township Board of Supervisors.

ANDREW M. LINN, president of the First National Bank of Washington, Pa., and a prominent lawyer, has been a resident of this eity for the past 39 years and has been identified with its growth and history. He was boru in 1863, at Canonsburg, Washington County, Pa., and is a son of the late Prof. Alonzo Linn, who was a member of the faculty of the Washington-Jeffer- son College, from 1857 until his death, which occurred in 1901.

Andrew M. Linn was graduated from Washington- Jefferson College in the Class of 1883 and at onee regis- tered as a law student in the office of J. W. Donnan, at Washington. He was admitted to the bar in 1886 and later to all the courts of the state and also to the Fed- eral courts. He has been in active practice almost con- tinuously and is counsel for a number of local enter- prises.

In 1893, Mr. Linn was married to Miss Margaret Me- Millan, a daughter of Rev. W. H. McMillan. They are members of the First Presbyterian Church, Mr. Linn being on the official board. Political life has had few attractions for Mr. Linn and beyond performing citizen- ship duties, he gives little attention to public affairs, in relation to office-holding or office-sceking.

JAMES N. BRISTOR, a prominent farmer and stock raiser of Amwell Township, Washington County, Pa., owning 230 acres of very valuable land, on which he has resided since December, 1897, was born in Washing- ton Township, Greene County, Pa., Nov. 8, 1848. His parents were Robert and Margaret (Oliver) Bristor. The Bristor family is of English origin and its first Amer- ican members came to Greene County, Pa., very many years ago.

James N. Bristor grew to manhood in his own county and attended the schools of Washington Tonship. He was reared to farm pursuits and has had many years of experience in handling stock. In 1897 he came to the farm on which he has since lived. His agricultural operations are large and important and he is numbered with Amwell Township's largest raisers of sheep and cattle.

In 1879, in Fillmore County, Neb., Mr. Bristor was married to Miss Louetta Igou, who was born in Mis- souri. Her father, Levi Igou, is a resident of Western Iowa. To Mr. and Mrs. Bristor the following children have been born: Charles L., who lives in Amwell Town-

ship; Arlie, who is the wife of Grayson MeCrory, of Lone Pine; Robert L., who lives in Amwell Township; Ethel E., who is the wife of Charles Moninger, of Am- well Township; and Mary Incz, Olive B., John S. and Nellie, all of whom live at home.

Mr. Bristor has been an active and useful citizen of his township since coming to Washington County. He has taken a large degree of interest in the public schools and for three years has been a member of the school board and during a part of the time has been its presi- dent. Nominally he is a Democrat, but he is a well-in- formed man and does a large amount of his own think- ing, unbiased by party teaching and frequently casts his vote according to his own private judgment. He is a member of the Baptist Church. In him Amwell Grange, Patrons of Ilusbandry, has a strong supporter and ad- vocate.

JOHN ADAM HOXWORTH, proprietor of a transfer line and garage, at Canonsburg, Pa., is one of the best known and most active men here, one who has sneceeded in his own business enterprises and has identified himself with organizations closely concerned with the welfare of his city. He was born in Venango County, Pa., August 8, 1873, and is a son of JJasper and Emeline Hoxworth. The father of Mr. Hoxworth died in 1874, but the mother still survives.

Mr. Hoxworth attended the publie schools in Venango County during boyhood and then went to work in the pipe mills of the oil supply shops, where he gained his first business experience. In 1891 he came to Washing- ton County and was in business for himself for a short time at Washington, in 1898 leaving there and settling permanently at Canonsburg, where he acted as agent for the Washintgon Brewing Company until he embarked in his present transfer business. He has excellent accommo- dations for the same and has added an automobile garage to his warehouse and this has proved a very acceptable innovation. He is an active Republican and for three years served as chairman of his precinct. He is cap- tain of the Canonsburg Fire Department and is a member of the Business Men's Protective Association.

Mr. Hoxworth married Miss Maud Jones, of Oil City, and they have three children: John Porter, Norene and George Washington. He is a member of a number of fraternal organizations, including : the Eagles, the Elks. the Order of the Moose, the Foresters and the Red Men, and also a benefit society.

II. ED. MeCUTCHEN, who has spent almost his en tire life as a resident of Washington, was born in Valley Grove, W. Va., in 1870, and was 6 years old when he was brought to this eity by his parents, William and Sarah (Buchanan) MeCutehen.

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

The father of Mr. MeCuteben lives retired, at Wash- ington, now in his 76th year, but the mother has passed away. For a number of years, William Mccutchen was one of the leading contractors at Washington. The four children of the family were: Mary Wilma, who resides at home; Grace E., who is now deceased; George Boyd, who for 18 years has been professor of mathematics at Washington and Jefferson College; and H. Ed., of Washington.

H. Ed. Mccutchen attended the Washington schools and then engaged in the grocery business, in which he continued for about 15 years. Failing health giving warning, Mr. MeCutchen saw the necessity of changing his occupation and finally accepted that of superintend- ent of the buildings and grounds belonging to the county. This superintendence covers all the improving and beautifying being done, and for eight years he has proven his capacity in this position. He is a member of the First United Presbyterian Church at Washington.

WILLIAM H. McELREE, whose life has been so ordered that he has been able to pass it entirely on the place on which he was born, in North Franklin Town- ship, Washington County, Pa., owns a farm of 40 acres of well cultivated land, which he devotes to general farming and special gardening. His parents were James and Martha (Boyd) McElree, the former of whom was born in Ireland, of Scotch parents, and the latter of whom was a native of Washington County.

James McElree settled on the farm in North Franklin Township which is owned by his son, William H., as early as 1813 and he continued to live here until the close of his life, in 1875, when in his 73rd year. Of the children born to James and Martha McElree, there are two survivors: William H. and George W., the lat- ter of whom resides at Washington, Pa. During their long life together, the wife of James McElree passing away shortly before his own death, they were consistent members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

William H. McElree is a liberal-minded, well-informed man. In boyhood he attended the local schools and laid the foundation of a well balanced education. Like his father he early identified himself with the Democratic party and has consistently desired that its principles should prevail. He was reared in the Presbyterian Church and has never changed his allegiance. He is one of North Franklin Township's most respected citizens. The only public office he ever consented to serve in was that of road superintendent and to the duties of that office he gave careful attention.

CLARENCE B. KELLOGG, an expert and experienced engineer, who has been chief official in that line for the Washington County Building ever since it was erected,

was born in 1856, at Ravenna, Ohio. At the age of 13 years, Mr. Kellogg became a worker in the oil fields at Oil Creek, later entered the employ of the Standard Oil Company and was identified with that corporation in various capacities until 1889, coming to the Washington fields in 1888. In the fall of 1899 he became chief engi- neer of the county building and is known as a thoroughly competent man.

In 1880, Mr. Kellogg was married to Miss Annie Gil- fillan, of Butler, Pa., and they have two children: May, who has been a successful teacher in the public scools of East Washington for six years; and Olive, who resides at home. Mr. Kellogg and family are members of the Second Presbyterian Church of Washington. For a quar- ter of a century, Mr. Kellogg has been a Mason and he belongs also to the Maccabees.

HARRY F. MOORE, one of the younger members of the Washington bar, who, in a short time has built up a substantial practice, was born August 24, 1882, in South Franklin Township, Washington County, Pa. He is a son of Frank H., a grandson of Daniel Moore, and a great-grandson of Dr. Henry Moore.

Dr. Henry Moore was born in Ireland, March 18, 1742, and emigrated to America and landed in Baltimore, Md., in the spring of 1773. He settled on a farm four miles west of Washington, Pa., and lived there until his death, being buried on the farm. He practiced for many years in that vicinity and was the owner of hundreds of acres much of which was patented to him.

Frank H. Moore, now living retired in this city, was born in 1852, in South Franklin Township, where he engaged in the sheep industry and in farming for many years. He still looks after his agricultural interests, al- though not actively engaged any longer.

Harry F. Moore was educated in the Washington and Jefferson Academy and College and was graduated in the class of 1904, immediately afterward entering the law department of the University of Michigan, and was graduated in the class of 1907. Mr. Moore was ad- mitted to the bar of Washington County in October, 1908, and also has gained admission to the Superior and Supreme Courts of the State. In politics he is a Re- publican and like every intelligent man is more or less interested in affairs of a public nature. He is a mem- ber of the East Buffalo Presbyterian Church but, as a matter of convenience, attends the Second Presbyterian Church at Washington. He is fraternally identified with Washington Lodge, No. 164, F. and A. M.

HUGH R. McKEAG, who is the careful and efficient superintendent of that well kept tract of land dedi- cated to cemetery purposes at Claysville, Pa., is one of the most respected citizens of this pleasant little

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

city, in which he has lived since 1897. He was born in West Finley Township, Washington County, Pa., Decem- ber 10, 1863, and is a son of Alfred F. and Julia (Tay- lor) MeKeag.

The parents of Mr. MeKeag are of Scotch-Trish ex- traction but both were born in West Finley Township, Washington County, where Joseph MeKeag, the paternal grandfather was a very early settler. Mr. McKoag's parents live at West Alexander, Pa., the father conduet- ing a harness-making shop there.

Ilugh R. MeKeag was quite young when his parents moved for a time to West Virginia and there, in Ohio County, he attended sehool and later engaged in farm- ing. In 1897, when appointed superintendent of the ('laysville Cemetery, he came to this place and has faith- fully performed the duties of this position ever since. Mr. MeKeag has many friends, his genial manner and kindness of heart making him popular with all.

Mr. McKeag married Miss Cecelia Wilson, of Clays- ville. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, which Mr. MeKeag also attends. He is a Re- publiean in his political views.

JOIIN F. HESS, retired farmer and capitalist, whose beautiful home is located at No. 1116 Jefferson avenue, Washington, is a representative of two of the old and substantial families of Washington County, families that have been connected in many ways with the development of this section. Mr. Hess was born in Somerset Town- ship, Washington County, Pa., November 9, 1852, and is a son of Ephriam and Mary (Wilson) Hess.

Ephraim Hess was born also in Somerset Township and was a son of John Hess, who was one of the earliest settlers of Washington County. Ephriam Hess, like his father, was a large farmer and stock raiser. He mar- ried Mary Wilson, who was born also in Washington Connty and was a daughter of the old pioneer settler, .John Wilson. To Ephraim and Mary Hess were born the following children: Margaret, John F., Mary A., Vir- ginia, Elizabeth, Blanche C. and Grant E. Of this fam- ily, Margaret is deceased. Elizabeth is the wife of J. Martin MeNary. Grant E. is a well known attorney at Washington.

John F. Hess was reared on the home farm and con- tinued farming and stock raising until the growth of the city of Washington eneroached on his land, when he found it more valuable to make it into a subdivision and sell for business purposes.

In 1907, Mr. lless was married to Mrs. Elizabeth Kidd, who is a daughter of David Buchanan, one of the old settlers of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Hess are mem- bers of the First Methodist Episcopal Church at Wash- ington and he belongs to the official board. He is iden- tified with the Republican party and formerly took an

active part in township affairs, at times serving m local offices.

J. FRANK WILSON, a successful farmer and stock raiser of South Franklin Township, Washington County, Pa., belongs to an old agricultural family of this section, both his father and grandfather having owned lands which they cultivated and their flocks of sheep covered their wide pastures. J. Frank Wilson was born on his present farm on August 18, 1856, and is a son of James and Isabel (Fulton) Wilson, a grandson of Robert Wil- son and a great-grandson of James Wilson, who was the founder of the family in America.

Great-grandfather James Wilson was born in Scotland and he came to Pennsylvania when great traets of public land could still be secured from the government. He ob- tained land in what is now South Franklin Township and a part of this has descended from father to son through the sneceeding generations. His son, Robert Wilsou, became farmer, land owner and representative citizen and his son, James Wilson, was born in the same place as his father, and he also was farmer and sheep grower and made a specialty of raising horses, James Wilson was a Republican in his political views and as he was a man of judgment and reliability was frequent- ly elected to township offices. His death occurred in 1901 after a long and useful life. He married Isabel Fulton, who was born in Fayette County. Of their ehil- dren two survive: Mary E., residing near Pittsburg, is the widow of A. G. Lacock, a former resident of South Franklin Township; and J. Frank, who resides on the old homestead.

J. Frank Wilson obtained a common school and aca- demie education in the schools of Sonth Franklin Town- ship which prepared him for almost any vocation in life. From choice he has always been a farmer and stock raiser and formerly was a heavy wool grower. He has frequently been elected to publie office in South Frank- lin Township by the Republican party in his section and has performed the duties of the same with cireumspee- tion and efficiency.

Mr. Wilson was married in July, 1888, to Mis- Jennie Sutton, who was born in Fayette County, Pa., and is a daughter of Lemuel Sutton, a resident of Amwell Town- ship, Washington County. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have two children: Isabel and Earl. They are members of Liberty Methodist Episcopal Church of Amwell Town- ship, of which Mr. Wilson is a trustee and leading mem- ber, having been one of the building committee that planned and carried out the erection of the present at- tractive edifice. He has also been an active supporter of the Sunday school and for a long time served as su- perintendent.

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

JOHN E. MILLER, superintendent of the plant of the Duncan & Miller Glass Company, at Washington, and interested also in other business enterprises, was born in 1840, in Germany, and was brought to America when five years old.

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Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 48

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