Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 60

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 60

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Mr. Tague was married in 1898 to Miss Jane Dennison, daughter of James and Elizabeth (Gunn) Dennison, who live at Claysville, Pa. The family home is at No. 564 East Maiden street, Washington. Mr. Tague is identified with the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias, being a member of the Uniform Rank in the latter organization.

PHILIP A. COOPER, an honored veteran of the Civil War and a highly respected citizen of South Franklin Township, devotes his excellent farm of eighty-six aeres to farming and gardening. being yet in the enjoyment of vigorous health, although he has passed his seventieth birthday. He was born in South Franklin Township,

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

Washington County, Y'a., February 12, 1839, and is a son of Jonas and Sarah (Axtell) Cooper.

Beth parents ef Mr. Cooper were born in Washington County, his father, Jonas Cooper, on the present farm, where his exemplary life was spent and en which he died on his birthday, May 30, 1893, when aged seventy nine years. His father, Ephraim Cooper, was born in New Jersey and was five years old when his father, Moses Cooper, who was the great-grandfather of Philip A. Cooper, started te pilot his family across the country to Washington County, Pa. However, he never reached the place in which he had hoped to secure a goodly pertion ef land which his family might enjoy, for sickness fell upon him and he died at Uniontown, Pa. The widow had no other prospect than reaching Washington County, and she continued on her way with her children and reached Amwell Township in 1777. One of her sons, Nathaniel, secured a patent from the government for almost 400 acres of land and the farm owned by Philip A. Cooper, is a part of that original tract.

Jenas Cooper married Sarah Axtell, and of their family of children the following survive: Philip A., ef South Franklin Township; Emeline, whe is the widow of the late Joseph Riggs, ef Morris Township; David Alva, who is pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Amity, Pa .; and Sarah J., who is the widow of the late Ira B. Baldwin, of Decatur County, Kan. For many years the late Jonas Cooper operated a tannery in connection with his farm industries. He cast his vote with the Republican party and was a man who kept well informed en all that went on in the world outside the home environment.

Philip A. Cooper attended the scheels of South Frank- lin Township and his first independent business was tan- ning, which he felewed beth before and after his long term of service as a soldier. He enlisted in August, 1862, in Co. C, 140th Pa. Vel. Inf., which became a part of the Army of the Potomac and of the 2nd Army Corps, and during a large portion of his term of service, his division was under the command of General Miles. He participated in the battle of Chanceellersville and for some time thereafter was detailed for hospital duty. After his return to his regiment he saw much steady fighting and was in the thickest ef it at Tedd's Tavern and at the siege of Petersburg, and took part in the struggles which led up to the surrender of Gen. Lee, at Appomattox, at which time he had a place en the firing line. Mr. Cooper was honorably discharged on May 31, 1865, and returned then te Washington County. Com- pany C participated in some of the hardest fighting of the war and of its original 110 men, twenty-seven gave up their lives. As long as Luther Day Pest, G. A. R., at Prosperity, was sustained, Mr. Cooper was identified with it.

Mr. Cooper married Miss Ellen Slusher, a daughter of the late Michael Slusher of Amwell Township, and they have had five children, namely: Addie M., who mar- ried Herbert Cenklin, of Prosperity, and they have five children-IIerbert E., Lucile L., Philip W., Adella B., and Daunice M .; Ashton C., who resides in Kansas; Nora, who is the wife of James Pipes, of South Franklin Township; Howard D., who lives on a part of the old homestead, and married Mary Bainer; and Lewis C., who lives at Colorado Springs, Cel., en account of his health. Mr. Cooper's views en the subject of temperance are well known and in casting his vete for public officials, he demands that they work for the success of the Pro- hibitien party.

MITCHELL DOUGLASS, one of Peters Township's substantial farmers and representative men, was bern in Bethel Township, Allegheny County, Pa., and is a son of Thomas and Mary (Wright) Douglass.

The Douglass family of Peters Township, of which Mitchell Douglass is the eldest representative, is of Scotch origin. The pioneer of the family in Western Pennsylvania was one John Douglass, whe settled at an early date in Allegheny County. His son, Thomas Doug- lass, was bern in Bethel Township in that county and died there in 1893. At one time he was the owner of the farm in Peters Township, Washington County, that now belongs to his son, Mitchell. He married Mary Wright, a daughter of John Wright, the latter of whom died in Bethel Township, Allegheny County, in January, 1897, at the advanced age of ninety-five years. To Thomas and Mary Douglass six children were bern, namely: Susan- nah, unmarried, lives on the heme place; Jane, wife of Joseph Patterson; Maria L., wife of W. C. Davis; John, residing on the old homestead in Bethel Township; Will- iam, alse residing in Bethel Township; and Mitchell, of Peters Township.

Mitchell Douglass was reared on the homestead in Bethel Township and there attended the public schools. His life has been devoted to farm pursuits and he has resided on his present property in Peters Township since 1869. In early manhood he married Miss Mary Ann Kerr, a daughter of James and Jane Kerr, eld residents of Peters Township. Mr. and Mrs. Douglass have one daughter, Jane, who married C. R. Simpson and they reside on the homestead. Mr. Douglass vetes with the Republican party. With his family he belongs to the Peters Creek United Presbyterian Church.

ALEXANDER MURDOCII, JR., who has been identi- fied with the drug trade ever since he went into business, is a well known and popular citizen of Washington, Pa., and was bern on Main street, in this city and is a mem-

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

her of an old and representative Scotch family of this section. His father is Alexander Murdoch, a well known resident.

Mr. Murdoch was educated in the Washington schools and at Washington and Jefferson College. Immediately after leaving the latter institution he became an em- ploye of a drug firm and has continued such until the present, being now associated in this relation with his brother-in-law, S. M. Templeton, who conducts the large drug store at No. 33 North Main street, Washington. Mr. Murdoch has shown great adaptability in his chosen line of work and enjoys the confidence of his fellow citi- zens. He is a member of the First Presbyterian Church at Washington. His residence is at No. 269 North Main street, Washington, having lived on this street during his whole life.

CHARLES B. TROUTMAN, president of the council of Finleyville, Pa., and manager of the Finleyville Plan- ing Mill Company, came to this borough in 1883 and has been prominent in public and business life here ever since. He was born at Creston, Wayne County, Ohio, November 9, 1866, and is a son of Adam and Amanda (Hilde- brand) Troutman.

The late Adam Troutman, father of Charles B., was born in Somerset County, Pa., in 1828, and died on his farm near Carnegie, Pa., in 1901. He was a blacksmith by trade and conducted a shop at Mt. Savage, until the opening of the Civil War, when he raised a company and was first lieutenant of Co. G, 54th Pa. Vol. Inf., through a first enlistment, and on February 22, 1862, re-enlisted and served until his honorable discharge on March 2, 1865. He was a brave and capable soldier, and his military record is one of which his children have reason to be proud. After the war was over he went into the hotel business at Pittsburg and there are many who can recall when he was proprietor of the old Rush House, near the Union Station. Before he had set- tled at Pittsburg, he lived for a short time in Ohio, and after his active years had passed he retired to his farm near Carnegie. He married Amanda Hildebrand, who was also born in Pennsylvania and her death preceded his own. They had six children: John, who resides at Creston, Ohio; Emma, who is the wife of Harry Ficker- sou, of California; Charles Buchanan; Howard E., who is connected with the Eagye & Troutman Company, auto- mobile dealers, Chicago; Sidney A., who is secretary of the Finleyville Planing Mill Company; and Stella, who died when aged sixteen years.

Charles B. Troutman was an infant when his parents settled at Pittsburg and he spent his school period there. When sixteen years of age he went to Ohio where he began his apprenticeship to the carpenter trade, which he completed at Pittsburg, and from there he came to

Finleyville, his first work here being done on the con- struction of the Pittsburg & Chicago Gas and Coal Com- pany's house, at Gastonville. He then worked as a con- tractor for C. F. Thompson, who later sold his business to F. M. Finley, who later sold to Mr. Troutman and his partner, William Happer. For three years the firm of Happer & Troutman continued and then Mr. Troutman sold out to Mr. Happer and bought a one-third interest in his present firm, the style at that time being Jones Bros. & Co. The business was later purchased by C. Fritchman and S. A. Troutman, Mr. Charles B. Trout- man during all this time being the practical manager of the bsuiness. Later it was organized as the Finleyville Planing Mill Company, with C. Fritchman as president ; S. A. Troutman as secretary; and C. B. Troutman as manager. The company owns 1,100 acres of land in Min- eral County, W. Va., which they purchased for a hunting reserve, and they own large timher tracts convenient to their saw mill at Patterson Creek, W. Va., in addition to their planing mill at Finleyville. They do a general contracting and builders' supply business, in all their enterprises having the able business ability and discre- tion of Mr. Troutman at their command.

On January 1, 1893, Mr. Troutman was married to Miss Anna Vandergrift, and they have three children : Mabel, Clarence and Grace. Their handsome residence is situated on Washington street, Finleyville.

Mr. Troutman has many large business interests. He is vice-president of the First National Bank of Finley- ville, and is president of the Sportsmen's Association of Cheat Mountain, W. Va., which controls a hunting reserve of 64,000 acres, in Pocahontas County, and is also presi- dent of the Marion Game and Protective Association, a local organization. His activities in borough affairs have been constant and beneficial. He is a member of the school board and for a long period has been a member of the council, of which he has been president since 1908. He is a Mason of high degree, belonging to the Blue Lodge at Monongahela City, and to Chapter, Coun- cil and Consistory, at Pittsburg.

CEPHAS T. DODD, M. D. There is no name in all Washington County held in higher esteem than that of Dodd. Its enterprise, its ability and its religion have all produced interesting and valuable pages of history to this section and one of those who worthily bears the name is Dr. Cephas T. Dodd, who has been actively en- gaged in the practice of medicine in South Franklin Township since 1881. He was born April 24, 1854, and is a son of Dr. Elias and Margaret (Bradford) Dodd and a grandson of Rev. Cephas Dodd.

The first of the name to appear in New England was Daniel Dodd, who came from the British Isles to Con- nectient in one of the early sailing vessels. From him

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

descended Stephen Dodd, who, in turn, became the father of Daniel Dodd. The latter had three sons, Stephen, Daniel and John. Stepheu Dodd (2), son of Daniel, was born at Guilford, Conn., in 1703, and in early life moved to New Jersey, locating first at Newark and later mov- ing to Mendham. Of his children two beeame of im- portance to Washington County, coming to this border- land as pioneers.

Thaddeus Dodd, son of Stephen (2) was born at New- ark, N. J., March 7, 1740. In early youth he evidenced a strong inelination for serious study and showed much talent and originality, excelling all his comrades and schoolmates in his acquirements. On July 18, 1764, he was converted during the progress of a great revival, and in his thirty-first year he entered Prineeton College and was graduated in the autumn of 1773. At the time of the celebration of the Ten-Mile churches in Washing- ton County, Angust 28, 1879, Rev. James Allison, D. D., submitted so interesting a record of this great and good man that a part of it may be advantageonsly incorporated in the present biography. Dr. Allison said in part :

"Soon after graduation he went to Newark, N. J., where he married Miss Phebe Baldwin, and entered upon the study of theology, under the direction of Rev. Dr. Me Whorter. One year later he removed to Morristown and continued the same line of study under Rev. Dr. Johns, who had been his first instructor in Latin. He was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of New York. Through the winter of 1776-77 he suffered from a severe attack of inflammatory rheumatism, but in the month of March, though still feeble, he started upon a journey to the West. After preaching in parts of Virginia and Maryland, he erossed the mountains, visited the settle- ments on George's Creek, Muddy Creek and Dunlap's Creek and then came to Ten-Mile, where he remained until August, preaching in private houses, in the woods and in Lindley's and Bell's forts. After his return to the East he was ordained by the Presbytery of New York as an evangelist. Shortly after this he left New Jersey with his wife and three-year-old daughter and a young son, and accompanied by two brothers and their families, arrived early in November at Patterson's Creek, Hampshire County, Va., with the intention of pushing still farther west."

Dr. Allison describes the confusion and alarm aroused about that time by savage Indian attaeks and explains why the companions of the evangelist did not accom- pany him at that time. He then continues:

"In a few days he crossed the mountains alone, reached Ten-Mile, preached in the forts and baptized the ehil- dren, safely returning to his family. It is not known that he visited this place again until the fall of 1779, when he brought his family with him. He resided first near the Lindley's, in what is now Morris Township. Ou

November 22, 1786, he took a patent for 400 acres of land in Amwell Township and there made his permanent home. In 1782 he opened a classical and mathematical school especially designed to prepare young men for the ministry and this he continued for three years, In 1789 he became principal of an academy at Washington, Pa. On August 15, 1781, the first Presbyterian Church was organized, in 1785 the first church building was erected."

- Dr. Allison gave many more interesting recitals up to the time of the lamented death of Dr. Dodd, which oc- eurred from consumption, May 20, 1793. He was one of the men of history in western Pennsylvania.

Rev. Cephas Dodd, grandfather of Dr. Dodd, of South Franklin Township, was born in Amwell Township, Wash- ington County, Pa., in 1789. He was both a minister and a physician and in the latter capacity practiced over a wide territory. As pastor he succeeded his honored father and ministered to the Ten-Mile congregation at Amity. He died January 16, 1859, a worthy son of a worthy father. In 1805 he married Ruth Flenniken and they became the parents of the following children: Jane, Sarah, Thad- deus, Cornelia, Eliza, Hannah, James, Cephas and Elias F.

Elias F. Dodd was born December 1, 1823, in Amwell Township, Washington County, Pa. He inherited many of the qualities that made both father and grandfather men far above the average and, in turn, he gained per- soual distinction for himself. In 1841 he entered Wash- ington College and was graduated in 1848, then studied medicine and entered upon practice in 1853, marrying in the same year and settling in Franklin Township, Washington County, where he continued his professional work for over a half century. He was identified with the Washington County Medical Society and was numbered with the most able exponents of the science of medicine in all this section. Covered with professional honors and bearing the weight of eighty-five prolific years, he passed out of life on September 8, 1908. Dr. Dodd was gifted with a natural talent for musie and was a fine performer on musical instruments, especially the violin and organ, with which he frequently banished the sorrows that some- times weighed him down, when all his care and skill could not keep the inroads of disease from proving fatal. He also found recreation in looking after his agricul- tural affairs to some extent. IIe married Margaret Brad- ford and four children were born to them, there being two survivors: Cephas T. and Samuel B., the latter of whom resides also in South Franklin Township.

Dr. Cephas T. Dodd was reared on his father's estate and received his literary training in Washington and Jefferson College and through private tutors. He pre- pared for a career as a physician, entering the Cleveland Medical College for this purpose and was graduated from that well known institution, in 1881, its change of name to the Western Reserve University not affecting its effi-

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

cieney as a great medical school. He was associated in practice with his late father until the latter retired. Dr. Dodd was married June 30, 1881, to Miss Ella C. Pat- terson, who was born in South Franklin Township and is a daughter of the late James W. Patterson who, for many years, was an extensive stock and wool dealer in this section. Dr. and Mrs. Dodd have had two sons: John A. and Frank C., the latter of whom is deceased. In 1908 the former graduated from Washington and Jef- ferson College and is now a student of medicine at the Western Reserve University. Dr. and Mrs. Dodd are members of Bethel Presbyterian Church of South Frank- lin Township.

In politics, Dr. Dodd is identified with the Republican party. His activity as a citizen has been directed in sup- port of good laws and his influence in his community has been felt in its better education along the lines of sani- tation and other health producing conditions. He is a valued member of a number of the leading scientific or- ganizations of the country and is active in the Washing- ton County Medical Society, the Pennsylvania State Med- ical Society and the American Medical Association. He is interested in business outside his profession to some extent, this including ownership of lands and a director- ship of the Union Trust Company at Washington, Pa.

REV. JOSEPH A. BURGOON, pastor of St. Alphon- sus Catholic Church at MeDonald, Pa., and one of the borough's most esteemed clerics, was born ot Latrobe, Westmoreland County, Pa., April 20, 1871, and is a son of Silas and Rachel (McHugh) Burgoon.

Silas Burgoon was a quiet, industrious man who worked at the millwright trade. He died at Latrobe, April 30, 1905. His widow survives and lives with her son, Rev. Father Burgoon. They were the parents of the follow- ing children: Cecelia, who married George W. Grier, and lives in Chicago; Richard L .; Alice, who is now de- ceased, was the wife of Joseph Ruffner; Mary, who re- sides with her mother and brother; and Theresa, who married Frank P. Smith, lives at Latrobe.

Joseph A. Burgoon in his boyhood attended both the public and parochial schools at Latrobe. In 1887 he en- tered St. Vincent's College near Latrobe, as a student, and spent five years in the classical department and then entered the seminary department and spent two years in the study of philosophy. He continued his studies until he won the degree of B. A., after which he spent three years in the study of theology, gaining his degree of M. A. On June 26, 1897, he was ordained to the priest- hood at the same institution of learning, by Rt. Rev. Richard Phelan, a holy man, who was then Bishop of the Pittsburg Diocese. Father Burgoon's first appointment was as assistant to Rev. Father Bradley, at St. Kiern's Church, on 54th street, Pittsburg, and he continued there

eighteen months when he was transferred to St. Thomas' Church, at Braddock, where he was assistant to the Very Rev. John Hickey. After four useful years there, Father Burgoon was sent to McDonald, and he served two charges, Nobelstown and MeDonald, for three years. These are now two separate congregations. Father Bur- goon's character is of that fortunate blend of faculties which make him an excellent executive and also a power in his ministry. He posseses social instincts which make him a valued and beloved member of several fraternal organizations together with innumerable church bodies. He belongs to the lodge of Elks at Braddock and to the Duquesne council of the Knights of Columbus.

JOHN M. FULTON, D. D. S., who is a leading prac- titioner of dental surgery, with finely equipped offices at No. 423 Washington Trust building, Washington, Pa., has been a resident of this city since 1884. He is a na- tive of Washington County, born in North Strabane Township, in 1858, and is a son of Dr. Samuel and Margaret J. (Rankin) Fulton.

Dr. Samuel Fulton was also born in North Strabane Township, the family having settled in the county in 1834. He studied dentistry in his youth and located at Washington in 1867, where he continued to practice until his death, in 1890. He married Margaret J. Rankin, who was also born in Washington County and died at Washington in 1900. They reared a family of five chil- dren, namely: John M .; Mary, who is the wife of Rev. John C. Scouller, a United Presbyterian minister located in Philadelphia; Ollie, who is now deceased, was the wife of George T. Walker; Annie, who is the wife of Andrew Blair, a journalist residing at Duquesqne, Pa .; and Ada, who is also deceased.

John M. Fulton was educated in the public schools of Washington County and at Washington and Jefferson College, and then studied his father's profession and in 1881 he was graduated from the Pennsylvania Dental College, Philadelphia. He located at Bloomington, Ill., and continued in practice there until he came back to Washington, in 1884. He has a well justified reputa- tion for professional skill. He is an active citizen in the way of upholding the laws relative to good government and has accepted membership on the school board.

In 1883, Dr. Fulton was married to Miss Elizabeth Bell, a daughter of John E. Bell, of an old and represen- tative family, and they have two sons: John Donnan and Floyd S. The former was a graduate in the class of 1905 from Washington and Jefferson College and now resides at Marion, Ill. He married Miss Claire Bainbridge of that place. The second son is a student in the Wash- ington Business College. Dr. Fulton is a member of the Second Presbyterian Church. He belongs to the Royal Arcanum, the National Union and the Heptasophs.

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

BASIL E. STROUD, a respected citizen of Jefferson Township, Washington Co., Pa., who carries on farming and stock raising on his 118 aeres of land, was born in Independence Township, not far from the village of that name, May 5, 1857. His parents were James and Jane (Midealt) Stroud.

James Stroud was also born in Independence Town- ship, Washington County, where the larger portion of his life was spent. During the closing years of his life he lived retired with his son, Basil E., where he died in 1902, and he was buried in the Bethel Church Cemetery, being a member of that church. He followed milling at Patterson's mills. He married Jane Midealt, a daughter of Edward Midealf, and they had five children, as fol- lows: Margaret, who married George Floor, of Jeffer- son Co., Olio; Mary Jane, who married Mr. Hensler, of Burgettstown; Bridget, who is a resident of Wellsburg, W. Va .; Basil E .; and Kate, who married Albert Petti- bone, of Brooke County, W. Va. The mother of this family died in her 73rd year, and she also was buried in Bethel Cemetery. She was a member of the Methodist Church at Independence. James Stroud was a Republican in politics and served several terms as constable at In- dependence.

Basil E. Stroud is a self-made man, having made his own way in the world without assistance since he was seventeen years of age. He was one of a large family and the father's circumstances were such that the chil- dren frequently had to endure hardships which Mr. Stroud would not like his grandchildren to have to bear. Dur- ing his boyhood he never knew the comforts of proper underelothing or had any chance to enjoy the innocent amusements of the neighborhood if they entailed the spending of money. He went to school when he could be spared and attended what was known as the Falling Timber school, near Independence.

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Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 60

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