Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 57

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 57

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

who is the widow of R. Harris; Heury Harrison; and John, William and James, all three now deceased.

Ilenry Harrison Leyda spent his boyhood on the home farm and obtained his education in the district schools. He continued to live at home until after his marriage and very carly became interested in the stock business and was associated at first with his father in heavy dealing and later carried on the business by himself. After he married he engaged in farming until 1867, when he moved to Monongahela City and started into the butchering business and at different times prior to his retirement from business in 1906, he conducted his own meat market. lle also owned and operated a livery stable and for six years conducted the Commercial Hotel and, although he operated it as a temperance house, he prospered as he kept so fine a table that the public gave him hearty patronage. Mr. Leyda was succeeded in business by his eldest son, Frank Leyda. Mr. Leyda has done considerable building in the city, ereeting his shop on Chess street and also his fine 16-room residence and has improved other property.

On Dec. 10, 1863, Mr. Leyda was married to Miss Esther A. Swickard, a daughter of Daniel and Harriet (Leyda) Swickard, the former of whom still survives at the age of 93 years. To Mr. and Mrs. Leyda were born the following children: Frank, who married Sallie Blye, has one child, Esther; Albert, who married Eliz- abeth Rhinchardt, has two children-Harry and Carrie; Harry, who is deceased; Edgar; Ada, who is the wife of Perry Spencer; Anna Mary, who is the wife of David Rose and they have one child, Helen; and Franees, who married Leon Vanhook, and they have one child, Rachel. Mr. Leyda and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. He belongs to the Royal Arcanum.

ENOS L. CHRISTMAN, one of Washington's highly respected retired citizens, the record of whose long and eventful life is filled with interest in retrospection, was the pioneer of the Christman family in Washington County. He is a native of Pennsylvania and was born in Vincent Township, Chester County, Dec. 27, 1828, a son of George and Sarah (Beerbower) Christman.

The father of Mr. Christman died in 1843, when his son was but 15 years of age, leaving his widow with two younger sons, William and Jefferson. Her circum- stances were such as to make it advisable for the chil- dren to assist, as far as possible, in providing for family needs and in this emergency the eldest son displayed a courage and spirit of enterprise that was most com- mendable. The summer of 1844 he worked for his uncle as a clerk in his store, in Breeknock Township, Lan- caster County, and also assisted on the farm. In the fall of that year he returned to his mother and at- tended school until Feb. 10, 1845, when he was appren-

ticed to the printer's trade, for five years, to Hon. Henry S. Evans, who then conducted the Village Record, at West Chester, Pa. Ile served faithfully for four years of the time and so secured the confidence and esteem of Mr. Evans, that, in 1849, when his companions were hastening to take advantage of the golden prospects offered in California, this kind master not only forgave him one year of his apprenticed time, but advanced him the sum of $400, in order that he might try his fortune on the Pacific coast.

Mr. Christman took passage on the Europe on July 3, 1849. It was commanded by Captain Addison Plum- mer, but, like the majority of the ships that had been hastily withdrawn from service in many waters, to accommodate the great tide of gold-seekers who wished to journey around Cape Horn, it was not perfectly sea- worthy and for 22 days rolled in the waves, leaked through its timbers, almost went down when overtaken by storms, but finally, after having some repairs made at Valparaiso, reached San Francisco Bay after 222 days. With the army of miners already in the field, Mr. Christman made his way with pick and shovel to the upper waters of the Mariposa River. He worked harder than he ever had done before, but met with such poor re- turns that in July, 1850, he entered a printing office at Stockton, Cal., and there got out the first edition of the Sonora Herald. This was on July 4, 1850, and he car- ried the paper on horseback to Sonora, where it was gladly paid for at 50 cents a copy.

The idea of a newspaper was gladly received by the people of Sonora and an office was soon established in a tent there which Mr. Christman occupied alone at first and then admitted Dr. Lewis C. Gunn, formerly of Phil- adelphia, to partnership, and together they issued a paper at regular intervals. Mr. Christman remained in California until the fall of 1852, doing his part in the wonderful developing which that far western State experienced. In November of the above year, he came to Washington and bought a half interest in the Com- monwealth, a well established journal, and also entered into partnership with George C. Stouch, which associa- tion continued until the death of the latter in Deeem- ber, 1855. Mr. Stouch was succeeded by Hon. William S. Moore, and in 1858 the Commonwealth was consoli- dated with the Reporter, then, as now, the oldest paper in Washington County. After this consolidation, with- ont disposing of his interest in the paper, Mr. Christ- man went to West Chester and became foreman of the Record there and remained until the outbreak of the Rebellion which resulted in Civil War. In the latter part of May, 1861, Mr. Christman tendered his services to the Government and became a second lieutenant of Co. K. 4th Pa. Res. Vol. Corps, later being promoted, commissioned captain and major. He continued with

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

this regiment in the field nntil May, 1863, when he was appointed provost marshal of the 7th District of Penn- sylvania, by President Lincoln, the district embracing Chester and Delaware Counties. His headquarters were at West Chester and the duties of the office were faith- fully performed up to the close of the war, his honor- able discharge coming on Nov. 30, 1865.

Maj. Christman's whole period of service in the field was one of danger and activity. He participated in the battles in front of Richmond, including the seven days' fight, the second battle of Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam and Fredericksburg. Not infrequently did soldiers of that time find friends and acquaintances exposed to the same dangers as themselves, but it was an unusual occurrence for three brothers, all in different regiments, to be almost side by side in the great struggle, as happened to the Christman brothers at Antietam. Enos L., under Gen. Meade's command, was in front of the famous cornfield, to the left of the turnpike; Will- iam Davis, a lieutenant in the 124th Pa. Vol. Inf., was near the Dunkard Church, on the right, while Jefferson, a private in the 72nd Pa. Vol. Inf., was stationed on the left of the Reserves.

In 1852 Mr. Christman was married to Miss Ellen A. Martin. She was born in Philadelphia, but was reared in the home of her uncle, the late Capt. William Apple, of West Chester. To this marriage were born eight children, namely: Sarah, who became the wife of Charles M. Hayes, of Washington; William, a resident of Washington; Elizabeth; Ella, who became the wife of Charles Wigley, of Rochester, Pa .; and Harry, Ed- win, Charles F. and George, all of Washington. His son, George, served in the Spanish-American War. Mr. Christman was married (second) to Mrs. Catherine Stofer, who died without issue. His third marriage was to Miss Emma Winebrenner, a daughter of Rev. John Winebrenner, who was the founder of the Church of God, at Harrisburg, Pa.

After the close of his military service, Mr. Christ- man removed with his family, to Somerset County, Md., where he engaged in the lumber business and in farm- ing for some years, after which he returned to West Chester and became associated with Edward B. Moore, in the publication of the American Republicau and con- tinued until 1872. At this time, his partner in the Washington Reporter, Hon. William S. Moore, was elected to Congress and Mr. Christman then returned to Washington and took charge of the publication of the Reporter. In August, 1876, the first number of the Daily Reporter was issued and shortly after this Mr. Moore died. His interest in the paper passed then into the hands of Alexander M. Gow and in 1883 it was purchased by Mr. Christman, who, thereby, became the sole proprietor of the paper and plant, at a cost of

about $7,000. Through his efforts this paper was built up into one of the most influential journals in the State. When Mr. Christman subsequently sold out to the Ob- server Publishing Company, the value of the property had so increased that he received for it the sum of $55,000. In March, 1891, the Christman Publishing Company was chartered and since that time, Mr. Christ- man had taken no part in the practical part of the business up to its sale, its affairs having been well managed in the interim by his son, William Christman. Mr. Christman's beautiful home is situated at No. 21 West Prospect avenue, Washington.

PRESSLY LEECH, a retired. farmer of Smith Town- ship, where he owns 195 acres of very fine land, and is also a .stockholder in the Burgettstown National Bank of Burgettstown, is one of the well known and highly respected. citizens of this part of Washington County. He was born in Smith Township, Washington County, Pa., Oct. 20, 1832, and is a son of James and Elizabeth (Wishart) Leech.

James Leech, was also born in Smith Township and was a son of James Leech, who came from Ireland and settled on the land in Smith Township which has never since left the possession of the family. The second James Leech served iu the War of 1812. He died in 1852 and was buried at Burgettstown. In politics he was a Whig. He was a member of the Associate Re- form Union Church body. He married Elizabeth Wishart, who died in 1867, and they had a family of seven sons and four daughters.

Pressly Leech attended the Smith Township schools in his boyhood and later had two terms in Washington College, after which he taught school in the neighbor- hood of his home, but later devoted all his attention to farming and stock raising. After his marriage he lived for ten years on his grandfather's farm, but in 1867 came to the one he has lived on ever since. He bought this property from Mr. Rankin and has put up all the buildings now standing and has made a great many improvements as the years have passed. He has about 15 acres yet in timher, the rest of the land being under cultivation or in pasturage. He raises Shorthorn cattle only and each year has about 250 head of sheep. . While actively engaged in agricultural pursuits he was considered an excellent manager and was unusually suc- cessful in all his undertakings.

On Jan. 8, 1857, Mr. Leech was married to Miss Susan Rebecca Marshall, a daughter of Stewart Mar- shall, and they have had eight children: Elizabeth, who lives at home; Susan L., who married William McIl- vaine, has four children-Elmer, Lawrence ,Margaret and Martha; James P., who married Dora Mercer; J. Chester, who married Emma Jones, has two children-

RESIDENCE OF PRESSLY LEECH, SMITH TOWNSHIP

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

Glenn and Bella; Linnie L., who married Robert Steven- son, has one child, Pressly Leech; J. Gibson and Ernest A., both of whom are at home; and Robert Vernon, who died when 212 years old. Mr. Leech and family are members of the Mt. Prospect Presbyterian Church. Ile casts his vote with the Republican party, but has never considered himself a politician.

JOHN C. NEILL, a representative business man of Canonsburg, is proprietor of a large grocery establish- ment here, and he is a member of one of the oldest families of the place, the oldest taxpayers and people who were identified with the growth and development of the borough since its organization, having been es- tablished in this section of Washington County for 119 years. Hle was born in Cross Creek Township, Apr. 29, 1870, and is a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Berry) Neill.

The father of Mr. Neill was born in North Strabane Township, Washington County, Pa., and still survives, at the age of 76 years. The mother was born in Not- tingham Township, Washington County, and died in April, 1909, at the age of 74 years. For many years the father was a farmer and stock raiser in North Stra- bane Township, moving from there to Cross Creek Town- ship and ten years later to Humeston, Iowa. The pa- ternal grandfather, Reynolds C. Neill, was born in Canonsburg and inherited the old homestead farm in North Strabane Township from his father and lived and died there. His birthplace was on the corner of Center avenue and College street. His father, also Reynolds C. Neill, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, and came to Washington County in 1790, and about that time started a store in what is now Canonsburg, and con- dueted business continuously until 1830, when he re- tired and he died in April, 1842. He married a Miss Bowland. The second Reynolds C. Neill married Flora MeCormick, of Ohio, and they had the following chil- dren: Thomas, Samuel, Sarah and Nancy, neither of whom married; and James M.

On the maternal side, Mr. Neill is able to trace an ancestry almost as far back. The great-great-grand- father was Abraham Leyda and his daughter, Mary Leyda, married John Berry. She was born and reared near Pigeon Creek Church in Washington County. To Samuel Neill and wife five children were born, namely: Anna, who married W. P. McCormick, of Knox County, Ind .; Flora, who died in Oklahoma, in 1902, was the wife of Ira Porter; John Christy, of Canonsburg; Eliz- abeth, who married Charles A. Fritzie of the Washing- ton Record, resides at Washington; and William M., who is an employe of the American Bridge Company, resides at Ambridge, Beaver County, and married Clara Pigott. of Parkersburg, W. Va.

John C. Neill spent the earlier years of his life at Humeston, Iowa, attended the schools of Wayne Coun- ty, the Iligh School, and the Humeston Normal College. Leaving 1Inmeston in 1891 he came back to the old scat of the family on a visit and while at Canonsburg was offered a situation with the Canonsburg Iron and Steel Company, which he accepted and held until 1901, and during the next two years was connected with the Par- kersburg Iron and Steel Company. In 1903 he returned to Canonsburg and on Oct. 1, 1903, opened a grocery store in the building adjoining the one he now occupies, having erected the latter in 1904 in order to accommo- date his developing business, which has grown to very large proportions. In his political opinions, Mr. Neill is a Republican and is a leading factor in his party in this section, serving as a member of the Washington County Republican Executive Committee, has also been president of the borough Council and is serving as one of its most useful members at present.

In 1897, Mr. Neill was married to Miss Anna D. Fife, who was a daughter of Calvin Fife, now of Canonsburg, but formerly of Allegheny County, where Mrs. Neill was born and reared. She was a lady of many Christian virtues and possessed endearing traits. Her death oc- curred Aug. 12, 1908, and she is survived by three daugh- ters: Elizabeth, Virginia and Catherine, and one son, McCormick. In his fraternal relations, Mr. Neill is identified with the following organizations at Canons- burg: Lodge No. 893, Odd Fellows; Lodge No. 846, Elks; and Lodge No. 544, Royal Arcanum.

JOHN F. SHRONTZ, Jr., a member of the firm of Shrontz Brothers, proprietors of the East End Dairy, situated at the end of East Maiden street, Washington, Pa., was born at Claysville, Washington County, Pa., in 1877, and is a son of John F. Shrontz, one of Wash- ington's highly respected and substantial citizens.

John F. Shrontz, who bears the honored name of both his father and grandfather, was 4 years old when bis parents settled at Washington, and here he was reared and educated, graduating from Washington and Jeffer- son College, in the Class of 1901. He immediately be- came associated with his father in the dairy business and continued until the latter retired, when, in April, 1906, with his brother, C. A. Shrontz, he became pro- prietor. Both young men are practical dairymen and they have well equipped quarters. The dairy industry is one that now occupies a large degree of public at- tention and the management of a large plant like the East End Dairy demands much scientific knowledge and entails a large amount of responsibility. The Shrontz Brothers keep 27 cows for dairy purposes and their milk delivery covers the whole city.

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On Apr. 22, 1902, Mr. Shrontz was married to Miss Nellie Major, who was born near Decatur Ill.

Mr. Shrontz is recognized as one of the city's most enterprising young business men. He takes an active interest in publie matters and is serving in his second term as a member of the city Council, representing the Fifth Ward. He still retains membership in his college society, the Phi Kappa Psi.

CAPT. DAVID LONGWELL, who, for over 60 years has been a resident of Monongahela City, is probably one of the best known men on the Monongahela, Ohio and even the great Mississippi that have been identified with river life during a half century and more. Whether as engineer or commander of vessels, his name was con- uected with the greatest efficiency hoth in peace and war, in commercial transportation or in the Government service. Capt. Longwell was born in Ireland July 8, 1826, and his parents were John and Sarah (Johnston) Longwell.

John Longwell and wife were both born in Ireland and lived on a little farm there until their son David was 11 years old and with four more children they felt anxious for the future of their offspring. They de- cided to leave the old country and cross the mighty water to America, where they hoped to find life's neces- sities easier to secure. In 1837 they reached Washing- ton County, Pa., and settled on Mingo Creek, in Union County. There the wife died in 1891, having survived her husband since 1867. Their children were: David, George, Isabella, Anna and Mary, the two survivors being David and Anna.

Capt. Longwell remembers very distinctly the long voyage of seven weeks that preceded the landing of the family on the shores of the United States. He remained on the farm on Mingo Creek for ahout three years, but in 1841 began his river life. He started in as an ap- prentice to learn boat engineering and worked on the Lebanon for two years, then spent three years on the Moxahaha, three years more on the Uncle Ben and then was employed hy the Pittsburg & St. Louis Packet Com- pany, on the Mt. Vernon, which carried soldiers for the Mexican War, from Cincinnati to New Orleans. He was the engineer on the Magra that brought the soldiers back from the war and landed them safely at Cinein- nati. From 1849 until 1854, he was on the tow-boat Tempest and then served three years on a larger tow- boat, the Alexander Wilson, and from there went to the Jefferson, until 1857, from which year until 1861, he worked a cotton boat, carrying this commodity up and down the river as trade demanded. The outbreak of the Civil War disturbed river traffic on the Mississippi and he then came north and returned to Monongahela City and bought an interest in the tow-boat Tempest

No. 2, which he operated for one year on the Monon- gahela River and then sold.

Capt. Longwell then built the Coal Bluff, a tidy little vessel, which he sold at a good price, six months later. He then became chief engineer on the Key West No. 4, which was drafted into the Government service on its first trip and Capt. Longwell remained with it, on the Kanawha River, until the fall of 1863. In 1864 he re- turned to Monongahela and built the tow-hoat The Hawk, which he operated for 17 years on the Monon- gahela, Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. After he sold that vessel he became engineer on some of the largest vessels on the Mississippi, for 13 years serving on the Joseph B. Williams. He was on the B. D. Wood for six months and made one trip on the transport, the J. B. Finley. He then entered the United States Civil Service and operated Government steamers for six years, resigning only in 1906. Capt. Longwell was known as a fine en- gineer and as a careful and capable seaman and able commander. He was captain of Tempest No. 2, of the Coal Bluff and the Hawk and was almost constantly on the water from 1841 until 1906.

On Nov. 15, 1860, Capt. Longwell was married to Miss Rachel J. Estep, of Finleyville, Washington Coun- ty, and they have two sons: Harry Edgar and James E., the latter of whom is a marine engineer. The older son is a mechanical engineer and he is with the West- inghouse Manufacturing Company at Pittsburg. He married Catherine Cavenaugh, and they have three chil- dren: Catherine, Ruth and Henry. Captain Longwell purchased his residence on Main street, in 1856, and he also owns a small farm. In many ways, Capt. Long- well's life history is very interesting. His early chances were few to improve himself in any direction, but he showed the worth of his character by keeping to the steady purpose of educating himself, and often, while his companions and associates on the boats would be out in the various towns, seeking recreation, he would be spending his time with his books.

JOHN F. SHRONTZ, one of the substantial and representative citizens of Washington, Pa., residing in a fine residence situated at No. 990 East Maiden street, for many years was identified with the dairy interests of this section. He was born in Amwell Township, Washington County, Pa., Mar. 2, 1828, and is a son of John F. Shrontz, who came to America from Witten- berg, Germany, in 1800.

The first John F. Shroutz had followed the tailor trade in Germany and found opportunity for the same after coming to Washington County. He married Eliz- abeth Shidler, who was a native of Washington County, of German ancestry, and to them seven children were

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born, the only survivor being this one son who bears his father's name.

John F. Shrentz, the second, was reared on the farm his father had acquired and iu boyhood went to school until he was old enough to be of service in the pressing work of the farm. He remained at home until he was married and then embarked in a general mercantile business in Allegheny County which he continued fer four years there and then returned to Washington County and for a number of years engaged in merchan- dising at different points. Finally he established what is now known as the East End Dairy, at Washington, and there dealt in farm and dairy products until he retired from active business life. The business he had founded had grown to large proportions and he has the satisfaction of knowing that each year, under the cap- able management of his sons, its volume is increasing.

In 1860, Mr. Shrontz was married to Miss Nancy Blackmore, who died in 1873. There were five children bern to this union, namely: W. F., a minister, who is stationed in Michigan; Sarah Ann, who lives at home; Charles B., who is a commercial traveler; and Elizabeth and Emma J., both of whom are successful teachers in the Washington schools. Mr. Shrontz was married (second) in May, 1875, te Nancy Griffith, and two sons were born to this marriage: John F. and Clark A., beth representative business men. For a half. century, Mr. Shrontz has been a member of the Christian Church and belongs to the official board of the First Christian Church at Washington.

WILLIAM J. MUNCE, a prominent farmer of North Strabane Township, residing on a valuable farm of 165 acres, who makes a specialty of breeding fine cattle and horses, was born in 1869 on his present farm, and is a son of Dr. Robert and Mary (Rickards) Munce.

Dr. Robert Munce was of Irish ancestry, and was born in South Strabane Township, where his father located at an early period. After his marriage to Mary Rickard in Washington County, he removed to Ohio, where he practiced medicine for ten years, when failing health compelled him to give up his practice, and he returned to the farm iu Washington County, where he resided until his death at the age of 73 years. His widow is still living in Washington, Pa. Dr. and Mrs. Munce were the parents of nine children: Thomas, deceased; Robert; George; Anna, who is the wife of Humphry Ludwick; Phoebe, who is the wife of Rev. J. L. Thome; Margaret, who married Park Weaver; William J .; Eliz- abeth; and Emma, who married Rev. Charles Irwin.

William J. Munce was educated in the common schools and has been engaged in farming on the homestead farm all his life. The Munce farm lies in beth North and South Strabane Townships, and at one time the resi-

dence was located in the latter township, but in 1872 the present home was erected a short distance over the line in North Strabane Township. In connection with his farming interests, Mr. Munce makes a specialty of breeding Ayershire cattle and English shire horses, and is a member of the Ayershire Cattle Breeders' Asso ciation.

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Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 57

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