USA > Pennsylvania > Washington County > Washington > Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II > Part 55
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James Quivey, father of John W., son of Daniel, Jr., and grandson of Daniel Quivey, Sr., was born in Char- tiers Township, in March, 1839, and still survives, hale and hearty. He married Mary White, who was born in 1847 and died in October, 1904, aged fifty-seven years. They had the following children: Harry G., who is en- gaged in breeding Holstein cattle and farming near Wy- landville, Washington County; Alice M., who is the wife of C. K. Porter, of Houston; Lena and Cora B., both of whom reside at home; and John W. James Quivey served two years and ten months in the Civil War, being a member of the celebrated Ringgold Cavalry.
John W. Quivey attended the MeNary school in Char- tiers Township and spent one year at Jefferson Academy at Canonsburg. For the past twenty-five years, in as- sociation with his father. Mr. Quivey has been in the dairy and stock business, for the past seventeen years their dealings as breeders and shippers of thoroughbred llolstein cattle being a large industry. For three years they retailed the milk from their dairy to local dealers. but after that shipped it all to Pittsburg. Since 1908. when he was elected superintendent of the Washington County Home, Mr. Quivey has devoted the larger part of his attention to this public institution.
On May , 1895, Mr. Quivey was married to Miss Martha S. Stewart, a daughter of William Stewart, of Canton Township, and they have five children, namely : Elva 1 .. , Martha Helen, Mary Hazel, James Stewart and Grace L. Mr. and Mrs. Quivey are members of the United Presbyterian Church at Houston. In politics, Mr. Quivey is a Republican. In 1904 his friends elected him a justice of the peace but he failed to take out his
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commission, and they elected him again in 1905 and he served until 1908, when he resigned in order to assume his present duties. For eight years he has been a mem- ber of the fair board of the Burgettstown fair and is serving in his second year as president of the board. Mr. Quivey is a leading citizen of his section, interested in all the important movements of the day and particularly in all those affecting the welfare of Washington County.
ADAM WEIR, postmaster at Van Buren, Pa., has served continuously in this office since he was appointed to the same by President Grant, and in point of service is one of the oldest postmasters in Washington County. Mr. Weir was born on the farm on which he lives, in South Franklin Township, Washington County, Pa., Oc- tober 21, 1852, and is a son of Adam and Cynthia (Min- ton) Weir.
The parents of Mr. Weir were both born in Washington County, the father in South Franklin and the mother in Morris Township. Adam Weir the elder became a large farmer and extensive sheep grower and at one time was considered the largest stock raiser in Washington County. He dealt extensively in wool and on occasions sheared as many as 3,500 sheep at one time. In polities he was a Democrat but his business interests were so large that he seldom consented to serve in publie office. He was publie spirited and assisted in the building of the Upper Ten-Mile turnpike road. For many years he was a mem- ber and liberal supporter of the Presbyterian Church at Prosperity. He married Cynthia Minton and four of their children survive, namely: John N., who resides at Washington; Sarah, who is the wife of Frank M. Gab- bey, of Washington; Adam, postmaster at Van Buren; and Florella, who resides at Washington.
Adam Weir of the above family, attended school in South Franklin Township until old enough to take a practical part in the management of the home farm. He owns 440 acres of valnable land which he devotes mainly to stock raising. He is an extensive live stock dealer and huys and sells horses, cattle and sheep. He is wide- ly known and is considered one of Washington's shrewd business men and reliable and representative citizens.
Mr. Weir was married to Miss Ella Hanna, a daughter of Thomas Hanna, of Morris Township, and they have had a family of five children as follows: Edward, who is now deceased; Helen H., who is the wife of Rev. William Craig, of Hookstown, Pa .; and Flo., Fannie M. and Mary C., all of whom live at home. Mr. Weir is a leading member of the Upper Ten-Mile Presbyterian Church at Prosperity, in which he has been a deacon for some years. Nominally, Mr. Weir is a Democrat but in many respects he is not in accord with his party and claims the right to think and act independently as his judgment dietates. He has always been a useful citizen
of his township which he served many years as school director and is at present serving in the office of road supervisor.
CHARLES KOCHENDARFER, who is identified with the Tyler Tube and Pipe Company, in the capacity of roller, has numerous other interests, all of which contrib- ute to his standing as a representative business man of Washington. He was born at New Enterprise, Bedford Connty, Pa., in 1862, a son of David Kochendarfer.
The father of Mr. Kochendarfer now resides at Hol- lidaysburg, in Blair County. He also was born in Bed- ford County, where his people were pioneer settlers. Dur- ing his active years he was a carpenter and contractor. He married Katherine Swaney, who died in 1901, and they had five children, namely: Charles; Edward, who resides at Hollidaysburg; William and Bertha, twins, the former of whom died in 1906; and John, who died of scarlet fever, when aged four years.
Charles Kochendarfer was mainly reared and educated in Blair County. When seventeen years of age he hegan work in the iron manufacturing plants at Hollidaysburg and has been identified with this great industry ever since. He has worked in nearly every large iron mill between Philadelphia and Birmingham, Ala. He owns stock in a number of prospering enterprises and is half owner in the firm of Ben Reynolds & Co.
In 1889, Mr. Kochendarfer was married to Miss Kath- erine Ditzer, who was born and reared at Hollidaysburg and is a daughter of Henry Ditzer, of that place. Three children have been born to this union: Bertha, Harry and David. Mr. Kochendarfer has been a resident of Washington since March, 1892, and owns a comfortable home at No. 836 Allison avenue. He is identified with the Masons, the Elks, the Woodmen of the World and the Royal Neighbors.
ROBERT FREDERICK DOUDS, a representative of a family that has been prominent in Washington County for many years, has been a resident of Canonsburg since 1854 and resides in a handsome residence which he built in 1909. He was born in Meadowlands, in Chartiers Township, Washington County, Pa., November 15, 1848, and is a son of Joseph Willison and Margaret Sarah (Beggs) Douds.
Joseph Willison Douds was born in Washington Coun- ty, Pa., in 1811. In early manhood he taught school and later located at Canonsburg, where he conducted a book- store until 1863. He was elected county treasurer, re- tiring from that office in January, 1866, when he returned to Canonsburg and resumed his mercantile pursuits. He died in 1875, at the age of sixty-five years. His father's people were of German extraction. He married Margaret Sarah Beggs, who was born in Huntingdon County, Pa ..
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and was a daughter of Alexander and Margaret (Clyde) Beggs, of Scotch Irish ancestry, Mrs. Douds survived her husband for a number of years, dying in 1892, when aged eighty-four years. To them were born the following children: Joseph Clyde, Rachel Jane, Margaret Eliza beth, Robert Frederick and Alexander. All survive ex- cept Rachel lane and Alexander.
Robert Frederick Douds attended the common schools of Canonsburg and is a graduate of the Eastman Busi- ness College. In 1865 he became bookkeeper in a basi- ness house at Pittsburg, where he remained two years and then entered the employ of T. C. Jenkins, in the wholesale grocery line, and continued there until 1892. In the spring of 1593 he became a member of the Tarentum Paper Company, which was incorporated in 1905, sinee which time Mr. Douds has been general man- ager, secretary and treasurer. During all this time he has retained his home at Canonsburg. He has never married. In polities he is independent. During the Civil War his brother, Joseph Clyde Douds, served two years, being sergeant major of the 85th Pa. Vol. Inf.
Mr. Douds has been active in the business world since he was 17 years of age. In addition to the interests mentioned, he is a stockholder in the Second National Bank of Pittsburg, the Westinghouse Electric Company, the Panhandle Railroad Company, the Citizens Trust Company of Canonsburg, the Fidelity Glass Company and the Tarentum Glass Company, of Tarentum, Alle- gheny County, Pa. He was reared in the United Pres- byterian Church.
LOUIS VAN ORDEN, principal and proprietor of the Washington Business College and Normal School, an educational institution of much more than local celebrity, has been identified with the interests of this city sinee 1896. Ile was born in Robinson Township, Washington County, Pa., and is a son of the late William Van Orden, who was a native of New Jersey and of Holland ancestry. He settled in Washington County in 1845 and engaged in agrieultural pursuits.
Louis Van Orden attended the township schools and received academie training at Canonsburg and is a grad- uate of Duff's Business College, of Pittsburg. In 1887 he was graduated from the New York University and for eight subsequent years taught in the preparatory schools in the city of New York. In 1896 he came to Washington and had the foresight that enabled him to recognize this city as a fine field for a thorough-going, practical and modern educational institution conducted along the lines he has since carried it. He bought ont an old school that had been in operation in the De Normandie Block and established the Washington Busi- ness College and Normal School, receiving encourage- ment from the start. In 1900 he transferred to his
present tine location, where. with enlarged facilities, he has continued to carry on his work with the most satis- factory results. In addition to the business course offered, the Normal department is designed to fit stu dents for teaching and from it have gone out many who have become prominent educators and have found themselves well equipped for their work. Students are in attendance from different sections of the State and each year the institution gains more prestige. Formerly Prof. Van Orden conducted an auxiliary business school at Waynesburg, but this he has discontinued and gives all his attention to his Washington enterprise.
WILLIAM B. CARR, burgess of West Alexander, Pa., who is serving his second term in this honorable office, came to this place in July, 1901, as telegraph operator and assistant agent for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, with which he is still identified. He was born near Grafton, W. Va., Feb. 14, 1868, and is a son of Edward and Nannie ( Hertzog) Carr.
The paternal grandfather, William Carr, was born in Ireland and after coming to America, resided for a number of years in Union County, Ohio, later remov- ing to Marshall County, W. Va., where his death took place following his servico in the Union Army in the Civil War. Edward Carr, father of William B., was born near Richmond, Va., and he also served in the Civil War. He had a fine military record and twice was awarded a furlough home on account of personal bravery. He married Nannie IFertzog, who was born in Preston "'ounty, W. Va.
William B. Carr obtained his education in the public schools, and his first work was done and money earned on a railroad. He was practically thrown upon his own resources at a very early period and as railroad con struetion in his neighborhood was in progress at that time, he started at that and became so reliable a work- man that he easily seeured employment with other rail- road companies. In 1890 he learned the art of tele- graphing, and since then, this has been his main oecn- pation, and he has filled a more or less confidential po- sition with the great Baltimore & Ohio system. He has been a very active and public-spirited citizen of West Alexander, taking an interest in the development of the place and the furthering of its best enterprises. In politics a Republican, by that party he was elected burgess of West Alexander in February, 1907, and ap- proval was shown of his administration by his re-election in February, 1909.
On Ang. 31, 1898, Mr. Carr was married to Miss Ruth A. Carter, who was born at Mount Pleasant, Ohio, and is a daughter of Elihn Carter, formerly a prominent agriculturist of Jefferson County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Carr have two children: Carter and Marion. He is a
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member of Smithfield Lodge No. 182, F. & A. M., at Smithfield, Ohio.
MURRAY A. COOPER, a prominent citizen of Wash- ington County, Pa., and a valued resident of Washing- ton, living in his attractive home situated at No. 167 South Wade avenne, is a worthy representative of one of the leading and substantial families of this section. He was born in Washington County, Pa., in 1849, and is a son of William and Eleanor (Day) Cooper.
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The Cooper family came from New Jersey to Wash- ington County, in 1777, making a settlement on what is known as the Shronts farm in Amwell Township. The great-great-grandfather, Moses Cooper, was born in New Jersey, Aug. S, 1727, and started with his family for Washington County, Pa., in 1777, dying at Millsboro, while on the way, and there he was interred. He had previously seen some service in the Revo- Intionary War. His wife, Mary Coleman, was born in Long Island, and died Nov. 14, 1823, and her remains were interred in the Presbyterian Cemetery at Amity, in Washington County. Zebulon Cooper, the eldest son of Moses, brought the family to the neighborhood of Ten-Mile village, after his father died on the way. He was born in New Jersey, in 1752, and died in Wash- ington County, Dec. 22, 1835, his being oue of the first burials in Bethel Cemetery. He was married on Apr. 24, 1775, to Mary White, a native of Long Island. He was a tanner by trade and this was useful knowledge after coming into the wilderness of Washington County, where few settlements had yet been made . He acquired land in Ten-Mile Valley and built one of the first saw- mills there. and was the founder of the Upper Ten-Mile Presbyterian Church and for years one of its ruling elders.
Stephen Cooper, son of Zebulon and grandfather of Murray A. Cooper, was born Jan. 26, 1792, and died in 1880. He was an extensive farmer, owning great tracts of valuable land, and raised much stock which were driven to eastern markets for sale.
William Cooper, father of Murray A., was born in Washington County, in 1821, and spent his entire life in this section. He was a prominent citizen and a man of sterling character. He was frequently elected to public office and his standing among his fellow citizens was such that he was constantly consulted concerning all public matters. His father had owned 1,000 acres of land, all in one body and his inheritance was large. He married Eleanor Day, and two sons were born to them, Murray A. and Howard G., the latter of whom is deceased. William Cooper died in 1900.
Murray A. Cooper was reared in South Franklin Township and completed his education at Mt. Union College. He spent a season teaching school and later
completed a medical course, although he never engaged in practice. Mr. Cooper is versatile and he then turned his attention to journalistie work, and in 1871 he estab- lished the Washington Observer, which he conducted for three years and then sold. He then went to West- moreland County and there bought the Mt. Pleasant Journal, which he successfully conducted for several years and then sold out and accepted a position on the Steubenville Herald, where he remained for five years. Mr. Cooper proved himself a ready writer and for sev- eral years he was a valued special correspondent, cover- ing Eastern Ohio, for the Cincinnati Gazette and the Cleveland Herald. He then returned to Washington and shortly afterward (1891) organized the Dorset Horn Sheep Breeders' Association of America, of which he has been secretary and treasurer ever since. He is an extensive breeder of these sheep and has shipped to almost every State in the Union. He is the owner of the Oakwood Stock and Fruit Farm, of 180 acres, sit- uated in South Franklin Township. For the past 14 years, Mr. Cooper has been in the oil and gas business and assisted in establishing the Franklin and Washing- ton Gas Company, of which company he has been vice president for the past two years, He has been an active citizen wherever he has resided and for the past six years has been a member of the Washington school board, and has been treasurer of the Washington Conn- ty School Directors' Association for the past six years. In 1899, Mr. Cooper was married to Miss Sophie Conn, a daughter of Henry Conn, and they have two children: William Murray and Eleanor Day. Mr. Cooper is a member of the First Presbyterian Church. .
HARRY M. YATES, who is the efficient superintendent of the West Alexander Cemetery at West Alexander, and also is president of the West Alexander Agricul- tural Association, commands the respect and enjoys the esteem of his fellow citizens. He was born in Ohio County, W. Va., July 11, 1867, and is a son of Thomas G. and Elizabeth (Purcell) Yates.
The father of Mr. Yates was born in Washington County, Pa., and was a son of William Yates, with whom he moved to Ohio County, W. Va., when he was ten years old and there was reared and educated. Later he returned to his native section and in 1876 he was ap- pointed superintendent of the West Alexander Cemetery and continued to serve the association in this office until his death, in 1892. He was held in very high regard by all who knew him. For many years he was a worthy member of the Presbyterian Church at West Alexander and was a ruling elder. In his views on public questions he was a Prohibitionist. He married Elizabeth Purcell, who was born in Ohio County, W. Va.
Harry M. Yates was two years old when his parents
MURRAY A. COOPER
P. S.
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brought him to Donegal Township and he has resided al. most all his life in or near West Alexander. He is one of the leading citizens of the place, having served as a member of the borough council, on occasion, is a member of the school board, and a director in the West Mex- ander National Bank. For seventeen consecutive years he has served as superintendent of the West Alexander Cemetery, having been his father's assistant for two years before succeeding to the office, and the beautiful grounds testify to the loving and respectful care he gives them. He is serving in his second year as presi- dent of the agricultural body, and it finds in him a man of judgment and forethought. In polities he is a Re- publican.
Mr. Yates was married to Miss Jennie Blayney, who was born at West Alexander, a daughter of William Blayney, who once was a leading merchant here. They have one son, William L., who was born July 16, 1900. Mr. Yates and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church at West Alexander, of which he is a trustee. Ho is identified with the Masons at Claysville, and the Odd Fellows at West Alexander.
JOHN W. VAN KIRK, farmer and stoek raiser in Amwell Township, Washington County, Pa., residing at No. 93 East Prospect avenue, Washington, was born in Franklin Township. Washington County, Apr. 3, 1947, and is a son of George Van Kirk.
The father of Mr. Van Kirk was a carpenter by trade, but he devoted the larger part of his life to agricultural pursuits. He married Athalia Closser and they reared four children: Andrew, residing at Washington; Enoch, residing at Sunset, Washington County; John W .. and Sidney, who is the widow of William Van Kirk, residing in South Franklin Township.
John W. Van Kirk was reared in Franklin Township and later moved to Amwell Township, where he has been extensively engaged in farming and stoek raising, both he and wife having taken much pride in the production of dairy products, selecting their cows for dairy pur- poses with the utmost care.
Mr. Van Kirk was married May 11, 1882, to Miss Nan L. Courson, who is a daughter of Benjamin Cour- son, a representative of one of the prominent old fami- lies of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Van Kirk have one son. George Milton. At present he resides at home and is identified with the Hlazel-Atlas Glass Company. He graduated from Washington and Jefferson College in the Class of 1908 and entered the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, with the intention of preparing himself for a medieal career. Trouble with his eyes, however, has caused him to postpone his studies for a season. Mrs. Van Kirk and son are members of the United Presbyterian Church.
GEORGE M. LYON, a general merchant and highly respected citizen of Linden Village. Pa., was born Jau , 1853, on a farm in North Strabane Township, Wash ington County, Pa., and is a son of Thomas II. and Lydia (Cheesman) Lyon.
George M. Lyon grew to manhood on the farm and was educated in the common schools and at Jefferson Academy, Canonsburg, Pa. He worked at the carpenter trade in Burlington, lowa, with his brother, William, for five years, and in 1876 returned to Pennsylvania, and engaged in farming in Nottingham Township. Wash- ington County, and for two years was also engaged in the hay business, but in 1890 he gave up farming and purchased the general store of W. D. Washabangh. in which he has been engaged continuously since that time. He served as postmaster at Beck's Mills, now Linden Village. from 1890 until the rural route was established in 1902. He is identified with the Democratic party in polities, and has been actively interested in the affairs of that party in the township and county. In 1907 he was appointed tax collector to fill a vacancy and in the spring of 1909 was elected to a full term. He has also served his township as auditor and as a member of the eleetion board.
Mr. Lyon was (first) married Jan. 8, ISTS, to Loretta M. Crouch, a daughter of Andrew Crouch, of Notting ham Township. She died Apr. 27, 1855, leaving the fol- lowing children: Perry A., who resides in Chicago, Ill. ; Harry W., a resident of Palmyra, Mo .; and William F., who died aged 2 years. Mr. Lyon was married (second) Nov. 24, 1887, to Eliza J. Young, who is a daughter of John M. Young. of Somerset Township, and they have five sons: Thomas Harvey, John Boyd, Charles Herbert. George Roy and Albert Clark, Mr. Lyon and family are members of the Chartiers Hill Presbyterian Church.
S. M. CHARLTON, one of the oldest merchants at Washington, Pa., in point of continuous service, was born at Washington, in 1847, and is a son of Samuel Charlton, who was born in Germany and came to Wash- ington about 1822, where he resided during the re- mainder of a long life.
S. M. Charlton was reared at Washington and with interest he has witnessed much of its wonderful develop- ment. After the completion of his school attendance. he learned cigar-making and worked at that trade for about 14 years. In 1876 he embarked in business for himself, his first location being on Main street, where he con- tinned until 1888, when he built his present substantial building at No. 384 East Maiden street, where he has been established ever since.
On Oct. 4. 1870, Mr. Charlton was married to Miss Eliza J. Hays, who was also born at Washington, and is a daughter of William Hays, who was a native of
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Ireland. Mr. Hays was 7 years old when his people brought him to Washington, they being among the early settlers. To Mr. and Mrs. Charlton were born six chil- dren: Those living are Alfred W., residing at Phila- delphia; Nancy, wife of E. A. Burford, residing at San- tiago, Cal .; and Marian E. and Sabina C., both resid- ing at home; Sarah Hedge and William H. died in early childhood. Mr. Charlton and family are members of the First Presbyterian Church, he belonging to its official board.
HOWELL P. WILLIAMS, postmaster at MeDonald, Pa., has been a resident of this borough since childhood and ever since has been identified with its interests. He was born at Irondale, Jefferson County, Ohio, June 5, 1870, the fourth child of William D. and Cecelia (Jones) Williams.
The parents of Mr. Williams were born in Wales. The father was a coal miner and was employed first at Irondale and later at MeDonald, where he died in 1904, in his 76th year, and was buried at Arlington Cemetery. His widow survives and still resides at Me- Donald. They had the following children: Margaret Jane, who married John T. Davies; David L., who is serving as clerk of the county court of Washington County; Thomas J., who is now deceased; Howell P. 'and William D. The father of Mr. Williams was a well- known citizen and was a charter member of Garfield Lodge No. 604, F. & A. M., at MeDonald. He was a Republican in his political views.
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