USA > Pennsylvania > Washington County > Washington > Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II > Part 53
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In 1873, Mr. Milne was married to Miss Flora E. Baldwin, who is now deceased, three children surviving her, namely: Gertrude, who is the wife of H. H. Shank, who conducts a grocery business at Washington; Eliza- beth, who is the wife of Frank Ewing, an attorney at Pittsburg, Pa .. and Rena, who is the wife of F. E. Montgomery, an attorney in the city of New York. Mr. Milne was married (second) to Miss Laura Johuston, of Washington County. Mr. Milne is a member of the Methodist Protestant Church and belongs to its official board. He is identified with the Royal Arcanum.
W. B. CULLEY, merchant tailor, doing a large and prosperous business at Burgettstown under the firm style of Culley Bros., is a son of Robert J. and Annie Eliza- beth Culley, aud was born at Burgettstown, Pa., Septem- ber 19, 1866, where he was reared and educated. .
In 18SS, Mr. Culley went to Canonsburg and worked in a tailoring establishment there until 1901; from Can- onsburg he went to McDonald and six months later re- turned to Burgettstown and bought out the merchant tailoring business of C. M. Elder. Mr. Culley has been an active citizen and served as burgess of Burgettstown, from February, 1894, to 1897, being the first incumbent of that honorable office to serve three years.
On January 26, 1892, Mr. Culley was married to Miss Jessie B. Schaughency, of Canonsburg. They are mem- bers of the First Presbyterian Church at Burgettstown, of which he is treasurer of the board of trustees. He is past master of the Masonic Lodge at Burgettstown and belongs also to the Odd Fellows and is a past com- mander of the Sons of Veterans.
REV. HENRY WOODS, D. D., professor emeritus of Washington and Jefferson College, has been identified with this great school of learning for more thau forty- two years and was an active teacher for over thirty nine years. Since 1907 he has been pastor of the Presbyterian Church at East Buffalo, Washington County, Pa., of which ho has served as stated supply since 1871. Dr. Woods was born in Missouri, July 2, 1838, and is a son of Andrew and Rebecca (Brison) Woods.
The father of Dr. Woods was born at Wheeling, W. Va.,
5
COL. ALEXANDER L. HAWKINS
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
and the mother at Pittsburg. Pa. They had the happi ness of rearing a family of sons to noble manhood, and these, in order were as follows: James Brison, who, for many years was engaged in the steamboat business be tween St. Louis and New Orleans, later was agent for a transportation line at New Orleans; Enther, who now lives retired at Toronto, Can., was engaged in business at St. Louis, for a long period; Archibald, who resides at St. Lonis, was long identified with business lite there; Al- fred, who died in New Orleans, in 1905; Henry; Francis, who is pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Martins- burg, W. Va., has been stationed there for thirty years; and Oliver Brison, who died in Texas, in 1885.
Dr. Henry Woods was graduated from Washington College in the class of 1857, after which he taught school for two years at Morgantown and then entered a theo- logical college and was graduated in 1862, was licensed by the Presbytery of Baltimore, and accepted the pas- torate of the First Presbyterian Church at Steubenville, Ohio. He continued his ministerial duties there for five years and then accepted the eall to Washington and Jef. ferson College, becoming a member of the faculty in April. 1867, taking the chair of languages. For thirty- nine years he has lent his scholarly presence to these historie halls and all over the country, where men of edu- eation gather who have a dear memory of old Washing- ton and Jefferson, Dr. Woods is recalled with the respect. esteem and affection which show appreciation of his years of faithful effort. In addition to his college work. during all these years, he has frequently been called on to supply charges, and in 1871 he became the regular supply at the East Buffalo Church and after retiring from active duties in the college, accepted the pastorate in 1907.
In January, 1863, Dr. Woods was married to Miss Mary L. Ewing, a daughter of Hon. John H. Ewing, who was one of the oldlest residents of Washington. Mrs. Woods died in December, 1904. They had four children that reached maturity, namely: Margaret, who married William B. Hamilton, who is a missionary in China ; Mary N., who resides at home; John E., who is general manager of sales for the Carnegie Steel Company, at Cincinnati, Ohio; and Francis H., who is an attorney at Washington. Both sons are graduates of Washington and Jefferson College.
COL. ALEXANDER L. HAWKINS, deceased, will long be remembered as one of Washington County's dis- tinguished citizens. He was born September 6, 1843, and his death occurred July 18, 1900. His early days were spent on his father's farm, on the border line of Washing- ton and Greene counties, Pa.
Col. Hawkins was a soldier by inheritance, belonging to the fourth generation of a military family. The founder
of this family in America, wa- Robert Hawkins, who came from England as early as 1715. It is recorded of him that he was an industrious, prudent man and during his long life in the country of his adoption, amassed an ample fortune. That he was a true patriot and loyal supporter of the colonies in their struggle for freedom from Great Britain, was shown by his contributing more than 2,000 pounds sterling to the Patriots' cause. Three of his sons fought in the Revolutionary War and one of these died during the winter of hardship at Valley Forge.
James Hawkins, father of the late Colonel Hawkins, was a farmer and a carder of wool. He was a man of sterling character and practical ideas and being indus- trions himself, he impressed upon his children the value of frugality supplementing industry, in providing for a future of independence. lle resided on the Hawkins homestead, situated in East Bethlehem Township, Wash- ington County, the original tract that came into the Hawkins family in 1772, on letters patent granted to his father, Thomas Ilawkins, by the commonwealth of Penn- sylvania.
Alexander L. Hawkins was the fourth child born to his parents. He was surrounded in youth with the up- lifting influences of a Christian home and was reared in a law-abiding community. After receiving a liberal edu- eation in the public schools, he prepared for college at George's Creek Academy and for some time subsequently was a student at Waynesburg College, interrupting his course in order to teach a few terms of schools. He was on the eve of resuming his collegiate studies when eame the clarion call to arms, one to which every loyal fiber of his being responded. As soon as he could arrange his affairs, Alexander L. Hawkins enlisted for service in the Federal Army, becoming a member of Co. K, 15th Pa. Vol. Cav., on August 30, 1862. He was one of a com- pany of farmer boys, many of them being acquaintances, all of sturdy strength, robust frames and elean and whole- some lives. The company was almost entirely a Greene County organization, and in the later victories won by the regiment, this aggregation bore no inconsiderable part. The first work of the regiment was the raid on Chambersburg and then came the battle of Antietam. On May 19, 1863, he was raised from the ranks to be cor- poral and subsequently filled the various grades of non- commissioned officers until October, 1864, when he was made lieutenant, and in the following spring he was given a commission as captain of a U. S. Col. troop. His su- perior officers recognized in him a commander and soldier of great ability. In the winter of 1862, he was made acting lientenant when the regiment was lying in the bar- racks at Nashville. Later, at the battle of Nashville, when he was serving under Gen. Thomas, with the rank of captain, he did valiant service. For some months after
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
the actual termination of the war, he remained in the service as a member of the staff of Maj-Gen. Clinton B. Fisk, and was finally mustered out on January 21, 1866.
After his return from the army, Col. Hawkins entered into the drug business at Pittsburg and from the fall of 1866 continued there for two years, when he sold his store and moved on the homestead in East Bethlehem Town- ship, Washington County, ere long becoming prominent- ly identified with politics. He was a strong Republican and at different times served with great efficiency as chairman of the county Republican organization. In the fall of 1875 he was elected treasurer of Washington County, held other public offices and was burgess of East Washington, when he entered the service of the government for the Spanish-American War.
It was during his term as treasurer of Washington Connty, that Col. Hawkins began his career with the 10th Pa. N. G., which, as an organization, has long stood very high in the regard of the citizens of the State. In 1872, Co. H, the local company of the 10th Regiment, was so demoralized that there had been a sug- gestion entertained to disorganize it. However, on the advice of Maj. Wilson, who had been the first captain of the company, Alexander L. Hawins was chosen as commander, receiving his commission on January 1, 1877. Maj. Wilson had been right, Mr. Hawkins was just the man needed to bring about the former_ efficiency of Co. H, and both his and the company's nsefulness were shown shortly afterward, when they took part in qnelling the Pittsburg riot. On Feburary 12, 1879, he was elected colonel of the regiment, succeeding Col. Black, of Greensburg, and was re-elected in 1884, 1888, and in 1894, and for a long time served as senior colonel, and with him at its head it was developed into one of the strongest military organizations in the State. It gained a name for itself both on account of its make-up and its devotion to its commander, and was affiectionately called "Hawkins' Hay-Seed Regiment." During his twenty years' service as commander of the regiment, Col. Hawkins never missed an encampment nor was absent on any occasion when his regiment was represented. He commanded during three inauguration ceremonies at Washington, those making Garfield, Cleveland and Har- rison, President of the United States. He enjoyed the most mordial relations with his fellow officers and was so beloved by his men that, as was the case with a favorite commander during the Civil War, the affection- ate and familiar title of "Pap" was given him. He was a man of commanding presence and martial air and presented a fine appearance at all functions where the military was not only useful hnt ornamental. When President Mckinley issued his call for volunteers for the Spanish-American War, Col. Hawkins was eager to go to the front with his regiment and that his was the
only one from the State that was selected to be taken to the Philippines, was considered a high mark of merit for it. While on his way to the Philippines he was elected to the State Senate, from the Washington and Beaver District, having no opposition and receiving a phenomenal vote. From the effects of the climate and his efforts in behalf of his regiment, Col. Hawkins was taken sick in the far-off islands and he was urged to return home, but no persuasion could induce him to leave his "boys" until he had brought them back to the homes he had taken them from, but he died before his noble mission was entirely accomplished, passing away on board the transport "Senator," on July 18, 1900.
Col. Hawkins was married in 1869, to Miss Cynthia Greenfield, and to them were born three children: Clyde E., Jessie Benton and Frank B. The elder son, Capt. C. E. Hawkins, was educated at Washington and was in his third year at Washington and Jefferson College, when he received his appointment to West Point, where he graduated in the class of 1895. He was stationed at Fort Riley, Kas., and sailed with his regiment to the Philippine Islands on December 5, 1909. Jessie Benton, the daughter, is the wife of Robert W. Darragh, who is an attorney-at-law at Beaver, Pa. Frank B. Hawkins, the younger son, is a captain in the U. S. Army, and for two years was stationed in Cuba, and at present is in command of a company of the 29th U. S. Inf., at Governor's Island, N. Y. He married Miss Rebecca Streator, danghter of Col. J. B. R. Streator, of Wash- ington, Pa. The widow of Col. Hawkins resides in her pleasant bome at No. 49 South Wade avenue, Washing- ton.
For many reasons the late Col. Hawkins will long be remembered. His personality was compelling, and his friends, to whom he was ever loyal, were equally true. As a soldier he possessed the courage which inspired his men and the exeentive ability that brought about their fullest efficiency. He was a hero of two wars and gave up his life when aged but fifty-six years, after fighting for the freedom of an alien people.
WILLIAM W. SPROWLS, M. D., one of Washington County's eminent medical men now located at Honston, served for ten years as physician to the Washington Connty Home and Children's Home. He was born at Bentleyville, Washington County, Pa., March 30, 1852, and is a son of William and Margaret (Mitehell) Sprowls.
The paternal great-grandfather of Dr. Sprowls was born in North Ireland and from there came to America and was one of the first of the hardy pioneers who faced the dangers along the frontier bonndary of the Monon- galiela in western Pennsylvania. He was accompanied by a large number of kindred and from that day until
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
the present this name has been one of more or less prominence in this section and many have borne it with distinction. This ancestor bore the name of John Sprowls, and he established the family in Finley Town- ship, Washington County, a division that is now known as East Finley. The paternal grandfather bore the name of Edward and he accompanied his father from Ireland to Washington Connty, where he subsequently married Sarah Brown and they lived in Finley Township until 1840, when they retired to Bentleyville and both died there.
William Sprowls, father of Dr. Sprowls, was born in Finley Township, lived there and in Chartiers Township and at Bentleyville and died in Somerset Township in 1897, aged seventy seven years. lle was one of a family of twelve children: William; Elizabeth, Isaiah, Margaret and Jane, none of the four ever married; Elmira, who married Philip Robinson, resided near Claysville, in Fin- ley Township for many years and died at Bentleyville: George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were substan- tial farmers but they never married; Julia Ann, who is now in her eighty-third year, still lives on the old home- stead: Edward, who died at Bentleyville, never married; Obediah, however, married twice, (first) Damorest Mitchell and after her death, Henrietta Luker; Sarah Ann, who is the widow of Nelson Town, resides in eastern Ohio. William Sprowls married Margaret Mitchell, who was born in Washington County and died in 1898, aged seventy-nino years. She was a daughter of David and Hannah (Burt) Mitchell. David Mitchell came to Wash- ington County from New Jersey and settled near Bealls- ville, where he died. His children were as follows: Eleanor, who was married first to a Mr. Freeman and later to Daniel Flick; Mark, who married Sarah Lutz and died in Ohio: Jemima, who never married; Mary, who married Louis Cleaver, died in Iowa; David, who married Sarah Lutes, died at Bentleyville; John, who married in Nebraska, died there and his family live at Lincoln; Julia Ann, who resides at Beallsville, was mar- ried (first) to Christopher Croft and (second) to John Hough; Hannah, who died unmarried; Sheshbazzar, who resided in Illinois, married; and Martha Jane, who died single.
To William Sprowls and wife were born the following children: Sarah Ellen, who resides at Houston; Mary Jane, who is the widow of Daniel Sumney, resides in Somerset Township, near Bentleyville; Hiram Mitchell died in infancy: William W .. of Houston; Mark, who died in Washington County, married Sadie Devore; Mar- garet Malissa, who married John Sumney, resides at Do- nora, Pa .; and Arthur Melville, who follows the carpenter trade, resides at Carnegie and married Ida Devore.
William W. Sprowls attended Jefferson Academy at
Canonsburg and the Normal School at Cahfornia, Pa., prior to entering the Western Reserve Medical College. where he was graduated in the class of 1884. For two years thereafter he practiced medicine at MeConnell's Mill and then moved to Houston, where he has been es- tablished ever since. Ile is a member of the Washington County Medical Society, the Pennsylvania State Medical Society and the American Medical Society, and thus has always kept thoroughly in touch with all the wonderful strides forward made by his beloved seienec.
On October 8, 1874, Dr. Sprowls was married to Miss Mary Wylie, a daughter of Archie and Nancy ( Wilson) Wylie, of Chartiers Township. She was three years old when brought to Washington County. Two children born to Dr. and Mrs. Sprowls are deceased, namely: Gemella Mary, and a son unnamed. The survivors are: Nannie Margretta, who is the wife of Rev. James S. Ferris, who is a member of the Pittsburg Conference of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church aud now resides in Colorado; Will- iam. unmarried, who lives on his ranch in Colorado; and Lloyd Sumney, who is principal of the Midland schools and is a graduate of Jefferson Academy. Dr. Sprowls and family are members of the Houston Methodist Epis- copal Church, of which he was one of the organizers.
Dr. Sprowls has been oue of Washington County's most active citizens. For nine years he served as a member of the township school board and six years as a member of the borough board. In 1906 he was elected to the General Assembly and served most acceptably to the people of Washington County, reflecting their views and safeguarding their interests, through 1907 and 1908. He is identified with the Odd Fellows and is a member of the lodge at Canonsburg.
LEWIS SNYDER, deceased. In naming over the prom- inent pioneer families of Washington County, that of Snyder is found to be one of the foremost and through the generations which have passed since it was first es- tablished in this part of Pennsylvania, it has produced the very highest class of citizens. One of these was the late Lewis Snyder. He was born in Washington County. Pa., in 1844, and died in 1895.
For many years Lewis Synder carried on large agricul- tural operations and was widely known not only for his industry and thrift, but also for his good citizenship. He married Matilda Barger, who came also from one of tho old county families, and they had two children, both of whom survive: Ray, who is the wife of William Ag- new, of Washington, Pa .; and Lewis Snyder. The parents were most estimable people and were members of the Evangelical Church. Lewis Snyder was educated in the Washington schools and then learned the machinist trade and is employed in one of the large establishments at
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
Washington. He is an enterprising young man who en- joys the esteem of a wide cirele of friends and the re- spect of those with whom he has business relations.
RICHARD JUDSON MATHERS, road supervisor and one of the substantial farmers of North Strabane Town- ship, Washington County, where he owns a tract of 133 acres, was born November 10, 1860, and is a son of Milton K. and Angeline M. (Dagg) Mathers.
Miltou K. Mathers, who is a cooper hy trade, was born May 3, 1822, in Fayette County, Pa., and is a son of John and Snsan Mathers. 1n 1844 be eame to Washing- ton County, and settled in the Giffin district of Cecil Township, where he worked at bis trade for many years. For many years he resided on a farm in Cecil Township, and in 190I came to North Strabane Township, where he resides with his son, the subject of this sketch. He was twice married, his first wife, Mary J. Giffin, who died in 1847, was a daughter of James Giffin, of Cecil Town- ship. There were no children born of this union. His second marriage was with Angeline Dagg, a daughter of Richard Dagg, of Cecil Township, and of this union were born the following children: Anna J., who is head ma- tron at the Woodville Home; George, who died in 1885; Susan, who died in 1887; Richard J .; Franklin C., who died in 1877; Elizabeth, who is the wife of Charles Crum; Ella, who lives at home; and Ida, who is the wife of Arthur White of North Strabane Township.
Richard J. Mathers, who was educated in the schools of his district, began business life as a farmer on a rented farm in Cecil Township, where he also conducted a dairy until 1901. He then purchased the Samuel Me- Millen farm in North Strabane Township, and to this he added in 1909, the Coulter farm, which adjoins the original purchase, and now owns 133 acres of fine farm land. While he devoted the greater part of his time to farming, he also deals in live stoek to a certain extent, and is agent for a fertilizer company, for which he has an extensive partonage among the surrounding farmers. Mr. Mathers is a Republican in polities and has served the township as road supervisor one term. He has never married and makes his home with his parents, who reside on the farm with him. The family holds membership with the Greenside Avenue United Presbyterian Church of Canonsburg.
JAMES C. ACHESON, deceased, for many years was actively concerned with the business affairs of Washing- ton, Pa., where, as a citizen as well as business man, bis inflexible honesty and sound judgment commanded re- spect, while his personal characteristics invited esteem. He was a native of Washington, born February 13, 1824, and was a son of David and Mary (Wilson) Ache- son.
The Acheson family originated in Scotland but moved over to County Armagh, Ireland, in 1604, where they oe- cupied large estates at Glassdrummond. The first of the family to come to America, of whom record has been preserved, was John Acheson, the second son of George and Elizabeth (Weir) Acheson. That he was a man of sound business ideas was proved by the fact that he came to the colonies before the Revolutionary War had elosed and succeeded in securing contracts to furnish the American troops with supplies. He met death in 1790, while crosing the Alleghany Mountains on horseback and was survived by a widow and two children, who remained in Ireland. David Acheson, the youngest brother of John Acheson was born in 1770, and in 1788, together with other members of the family, be came to America and located at Philadelphia and was engaged in assist- ing his brother John to fill his contraets, up to the death of the latter. The operations of the brothers were large for that time and they covered, in their mercantile jour- neys, territory from Pittsburg to New Orleans. Later, David and his brother Thomas Aeheson, became interest- ed in the tea trade at Pittsburg and Washington. David Acheson was also a politician and he was elected on the Democratic ticket to many positions of responsibility and represented Washington County in the State Legis- lature in 1795-97 and 1804. He was a mau of unusual qualities.
In 1799 David Acheson was married to Elizabeth Young, who died February 27, 1800. On October 31, 1805, he was married (second) to Mary Wilson, a daugh- ter of John Wilson, of Washington, Pa., but a native of Ireland. David Acheson and wife lived first at Phila- delphia, but in 1815 returned to Washington, where he erected a beautiful bome and engaged in business for some years, in the meanwhile making several trips to his native land. He died in December, 1851, and was survived by his widow until 1872. They reared a some- what notable family of children who bore the following names : John, Alexander W., Catherine, David, Mary Jane, Margaret, William, George, James C., Ellen, Mar- eus W. and David.
.James C. Acheson of the above family, attended the common schools at Washington and also was a student in Washington College. He was sixteen years of age when he went to Pittsburg and there was employed as a clerk for a time and later had experience in the same line at Wheeling, W. Va. In 1842 he returned to Wash- ington and in the following year became his brother's assistant in a grocery business, later became his partner and in 1863 became sole proprietor.
Mr. Acheson was married (first) April 20, 1847. to Elizabeth Wilson, who died in 1855, the mother of four children: Annie E., who married H. M. Dougan, Esq .; Mary W .; and two children died at an early age. Mr.
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
cheson was married (second) October 1, 1857, to Mary E. Mahon, who died in 1860, leaving two children, name. ly : Alexander W. and Frances. He was married (third) September 1, 1863, to Mary F. Bureau, a granddaughter of one of the carly French settlers of Gallipolis, Ohio. To this marriage were born five children, as follows: Madeline, who married Frederick S. Rich; Margaret B. ; Grace C .; Charles L. V., who is district attorney of Washington County and a prominent citizen of Washing- ton; and Eleanor W. Mr. Acheson was one of the lead- ing members of the Presbyterian Church and for a long period of years was an elder. He took great interest also in the Sunday school and many recall how earnest he was in his efforts to foster the moral impulses of the younger generation. In polities he was identified with the Republican party and had served usefully as a member of the borough council. His only fraternal relations were with the Masons and at one time he served in the office of deputy grand master of his lodge.
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