Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 61

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 61

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Finally he left home and then hired out to different parties in various sections of the county, working first by the day, week or month, as he could secure employ- ment, learning to save his money for future investment. After his marriage he rented a farm of William Stein, near Eldersville, for two years, moved then to the Miller farm for one year, then spent one year in farming in Jefferson County, Ohio, where he also engaged in dairy- ing. After he returned to Independence Township he rented land of James Walker for two years, moved then to the Patterson farm, on which he remained six years and then came to Jefferson Township. He rented the Elmer Cunningham farm for three years and the Jennie Cunningham farm for two years. In 1898 he bought his present farm from the Thomas Patterson administrators, and has resided here ever since. He has done consider- able improving. The coal had been previously sold to the Keystone Company and this land has been leased

several times but never tested. Mr. Stroud keeps cows for butter purposes and also raises poultry and has done well with sheep, wintering about 100 head.

On December 19, 1880, Mr. Stroud was married to Miss Anna Walker, a daughter of J. C. Walker, and they have four children: Jennie, who married George Criss; Bessie, who married Henry Criss; and Norris, and Cree, both of whom attend school at Eldersville. Mrs. Stroud is a very intelligent lady. Mr. Stroud has never voted any but the Republican ticket. He served very accept- ably as road supervisor for one year in Jefferson Town- ship.

J. BENNETT MOFFITT, who has been postmaster at West Brownsville, Pa., since October 1, 1897, was born January 17, 1845, in West Brownsville, and is a son of James and Eliza (Bennett) Moffitt.

James Moffitt, who was born on a farm in West Pike Run Township, Washington County, Pa., was a civil en- gineer by profession, and he served as justice of the peace in West Brownsville, for a period of twenty-two years. His father, James Moffitt, Sr., was born and reared in North Ireland came to this country at the age of twenty-one years, and here was married and spent the remainder of his life. Eliza Bennett Moffitt, mother of our subject, was born January 17, 1815, near Lock 5, at West Brownsville, Pa., and was a daughter of Jacob Bennett, a uative of Leesburg, Va., who was a farmer and trader. He disposed of his produce, including flour, apples, cider, etc., down the river, traveling as far south as New Orleans, and was there carrying on business at the time of the battle during the War of 1812. The parents of our subject both died in West Brownsville, Pa.

J. Bennett Moffitt was reared at West Brownsville, where he learned the blacksmith trade, which he followed for thirty years, and has been a life-long resident. Per- sonally be has the esteem of his fellow citizens, and officially their full confidence, and has served them ac- ceptably for thirteen years.

THOMAS MAXWELL POTTS, one of the best known and most highly esteemed citizens of Canonsburg, Pa., was born in Highland Township, Chester County, this State, February 17, 1836, son of Thomas Jefferson and Margaret (Carter) Potts.

His first paternal aneestor in America was David Potts, of the Cheshire, England, family of that name, but was himself a resident of Montgomeryshire, Wales, before emigrating to Pennsylvania about 1683. He was a Quaker and married Alice Croasdale, a native of Lanca- shire. England, whose family accompanied William Penn to this country, settling in Pennsylvania. They also, it is needless to say, were Quakers.

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The next in the present line of descent, and son of the foregoing, was Daniel Potts, who was born near Ger- mantown, Pa., April 19, 1698. He married Sarah Shoe- maker, a daughter of Peter Shoemaker, her paternal grandfather being also named Peter. The two Peters were from Chrisheim, Germany.

Samuel Potts, of the third generation, sou of Daniel and 'Saralı was born. in Germantown, August 12, 1723. He married Ann Rush, who was an aunt of Dr. Benja- min Rush, one of the signers of the Declaration of In- dependence. They lived and died in Philadelphia.

James Potts, son of Samuel and Ann (Rush) Potts, and grandfather of Thomas Maxwell Potts, was born in Germantown, June 17, 1752 . He maried Sarah Wessell, a native of Philadelphia, whose parents were from New York. They were the parents of twelve children, as fol- lows: Rachel, three sons, triplets, who died in infancy ; Hannah, James W., Ann, Eliza, Samuel, Hannah (2d), Sarah, and Thomas J.

Thomas Jefferson Potts, son of James and Sarah Potts and father of the subject of this sketch, was born Decem- ber 14, 1798, in Philadelphia, and was a mere lad when his parents moved to Chester County, Pa. He married Margaret Carter, a daughter of William and Betty (But- ler) Carter, and a descendant of Jeremiah Carter, who came from near Loudon, England, in 1682, and whose wife's name was Mary. The Carter line of descent is as follows :

Jeremiah Carter, the immigrant ancestor above men- tioned. Abraham, son of Jeremiah, was born July 1, 1700, and died in 1789, aged eighty-nine. He married Lydia Clayton, who was born in what is now Delaware County, June 4, 1716. She died in 1796. Joseph Car- ter, son of Abraham and Lydia, was born November 17, 1749 and died in 1830. He married Margaret Cloud, who was born June 11, 1753, and died in 1827. William Carter, son of Joseph and Margaret, and in the fourth generation from the immigrant ancestor, was born Oc- tober 20, 1781, and died in August, 1855, in Cecil Coun- ty, Mid. He married Betty Butler, who was born in 1777 and died in 1831; she was from Chester County, Pa. Their daughter, Margaret, already mentioned as hav- ing married Thomas Jefferson Potts, was born in Not- tingham Township, Chester County, Pa., June 16, 1813; she died in Chester County in 1874.

Thomas Jefferson Potts and his wife Margaret just referred to, were the parents of five sons and two daugh- ters. Thomas Maxwell, born February 17, 1836. James Carter Potts, a civil engineer and county surveyor for a number of years of Richland County; he married Miss Grizelle McIntire. Saralı Elizabeth died in infancy. William Potts married Miss Anna L. Wilson and resides on the old homestead in Chester County, Pa. Joseph Terrance Potts, a farmer of Chester County, married

Elizabeth Hamill. Mary Anna Potts died in childhood. Alfred Hamilton Potts married Alice Young; he is a printer and resides in Pittsburg.

Thomas Maxwell Potts acquired his education in the academies in Chester County and the Normal School at Millersville, Lancaster County, Pa. He taught school in the academy at Downington and Greenwood Seminary at Millville, and was also principal and superintendent of the public schools of Bellville, Ohio, to which place be went in 1866, some six years after his marriage. He then engaged in the hardware business at Bellville, and so continued until 1870, in which year he removed to Canonsburg. He continued in the hardware business here for a time, having a partner and conducting the busi- ness under the name of T. M. Potts & Co. Having learned the printer's trade, he opened an office at Can- onsburg in 1870, and in 1872 established the Canonsburg "Herald," a weekly newspaper, which he conducted until 1888, when he disposed of the business to Sipe and Charlton. He is the author and publisher of "A Short Biographical Sketch of Major James Potts," in 1877; "Bi-Centenary Memorial of Jeremiah Carter," in 1883; "Our Family Ancestors," in 1895; and "Historical Collections Relating to the Potts Family in Gt. Britain and America," 1901. He has also been a liberal con- tributor to other publications of biographical and genea- logical articles, aggregating about 1,500 octavo pages. He is a corresponding member of the New England His- toric-Genealogical Society, and a member of the Wash- ington County, Pa., Historical Society.

From 1888 to. 1906 Mr. Potts served as justice of the peace, evcept during a year and a half of that time. Since then he has been notary public, having an office in Canonsburg.

He was married, March 22, 1860, to Mary Miller, daughter of Reuben and Sarah (Baker) Miller. She was born April 6, 1838, and is a descendant of Gayen Miller, who settled at Kennett, Chester County, Pa., about or shortly after the year 1700. The wife of this early pro- genitor of the Millers was Margaret Henderson. They had twelve children. Joseph, the ninth child, married Jane Kirk, daughter of Jacob. Their son Samuel mar- ried Martha Hobson, daughter of Francis. Their son Samuel married Margaret Mitchell, daughter of Richard or John. Their son Reuben married Sarah Baker, daugh- ter of John.

Thomas Maxwell and Mary (Miller) Potts have been the parents of the following children: Reuben Claude Potts, born January 25, 1861, married Miss Claribel Fife, daughter of John and Mary (Adams) Fife; has charge of the printing in the job department of the "Notes" office, has two children, a son and a daughter. Ada Mary, wife of Rolland H. Griffith, is the mother of two sons, Samuel Claude Griffith and William Potts Griffith.

WILLIAM J. ANGEMEER

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

Mr. Griffith is a farmer of Chartiers Township. William Potts, son of Reuben Claude, died October 11, 1905, aged twenty-one years less nineteen days; he was a draughts- man in the Fort Pitt Bridge Works. Rev. Thomas Pliny Potts, born Oct. 23, 1562, married Miss Mary Netting. daughter of Charles L. and Sarah (Graham) Netting. They reside at present in Fort Wayne, Ind., and are both instructors in the Bible Training School there. They have no children. He is an ordained minister of the Presbyterian church and was located eight years in Beaver County and seven years in Pittsburg as instructor in the Pittsburg Bible Institute. William Baker Potts was born March 6, 1s65; he is unmarried. Mitchell Mil- ler Potts, born Jan. 5, 1567, married Sadie Grace Beatty, daughter of Jonathan and Emeline (Hookey) Beatty. They have been the parents of four children, of whom three are now living, namely Hilda Grace, Marie Emelyn, Thomas Miller Potts (died in infancy), and William Lonis Potts. William B. and Mitchell Miller Potts were for a number of years engaged in the grocery and china- ware business in Canonsburg. but since 1904 they have been engaged in the real estate business. Louis Max- well Potts, Ph.D., born Out. 30, 1576, is unmarried. He is a graduate of Washington and Jefferson College and the Johns Hopkins University, graduating from the former institution in 1896. He taught for a year in the Washington High School. He obtained his degree of Ph.D. from the Johns Hopkins University in 1900. He is the chief electrical engineer of the Rowland Multiplex Telegraph Company, of Baltimore-the invention of' Dr. Rowland and completed by Prof. Potts.

The subject of this sketch has been for fifty years a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. being a Past Grand and Past Chief Patriarch. He was also for twenty-three years a member of the Royal Areanum and is a past regent of that order. His political princi- ples affiliate him with the Republican party. He is a ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church and superin- tendent of the Sabbath school.

WILLIAM J. ANGEMEER, who has been a resident of Finleyville, Pa., since March, 1891, is burgess of that borough, and is the owner of a general blacksmith shop located on the Brownsville road near the B. & O. Rail- road. He was born Sept. 29, 1863, at Emmerich on the Rhine. Germany. He is a son of Charles and Mary (Wintjes) Angemeer, both of whom were born and reared in Germany, where the former, who was a con- ductor on the railroad, died in January, 1908. He is survived by his widow. who is a resident of Germany. They had the following children: Anna, deceased; Charles, deceased; William John; Henry; Claire; Ed- ward, who came to this country, died in Virginia in

May, 1903; Anna; Bernhard; and two who d. d 10 infancy.

William J. Ang-meer, who is the only member of the family now residing in America, was reared in lin native country, where he attended the public schools. and at the age of 14 began learning the blacksmith trade, at which he worked as a journeyman after serv ing an apprenticeship of three years, which cost his father $50. In 1855 he enlisted in the German army as a member of the "Burgoon Reg. No. 9, Fourth Squadron, " which inscription is tatooed on his right arm, and in 1558, after an honorable discharge and a promotion to corporal, came to America, locating for a while at Pittsburg, where he worked at his trade. He subsequently resided at Edna for a short time and in 1591 came to Finleyville, where he worked as a black smith in the Germania mines until 1894, when he erected his present shop, which he has conducted continuously since, and in October, 1904, erected his large residence on Sherman avenue.

Mr. Angemeer is a Republican in politics, has served nine years as a member of the borongh Council, was elected justice of the peace twice and in March, 1909. was elected burgess of Finleyville, Pa. He is fra- ternally a member of the I. O. O. F. No. 248 at Gaston- ville, Pa., and the Order of the Moose at Finleyville.

On Dee. 24, 1896. Mr. Angemeer was united in mar- rage with Matilda Victoria Grant, a daughter of Charles Grant, and to them have been born four children: Mabel, Charles, Helen and Bessie Irene.

WILLIAM PARKISON WARNE, attorney-at-law and a representative and useful citizen of Washington, Pa .. was born February 25. 1560, in Fallowfield Township. Washington County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of James and Elizabeth Mary Warne and is a descendant of very old and prominent families of western Pennsyl- vania.

The Warne family is of English origin. The family was founded in New Jersey by the great-great-grand- father of William P. Warne, and in that Atlantic State a son. Joseph Warne, was born, and he it was who had the courage and ambition to penetrate into the wilds of western Pennsylvania, locating in what is now Alle- gheny County. in 1770. He was accompanied by his wife and their five children: Stephen, Abram, James. Mary and Frances. This family had much to do with the founding of the Presbyterian faith in this section and Joseph Warne was a leading member of the Round Hill Church. Other children were born after the family set- tled in Allegheny County, and one of these, James, be came the direct ancestor of William P. Warne, of Wash- ington.

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

Major James Warne, an officer of the Pennsylvania militia and later in the War of 1812, was born in For- ward Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, De- cember 6, 1779, and died December 6, 1855. He was edu- cated in the schools of Forward Township and also at- tended an academy at Uniontown in preparation for the Presbyterian ministry, but after he gave up this ambition he came to Washington County and engaged as a clerk in a store at Parkinson's Ferry, which is now Monon- gahela. He later became interested in boating, boat- building and trading, his interests reaching as far as New Orleans.

In 1811 he was commissioned by Gov. Simon Snyder a captain of the light infantry in the Second Battalion, Fifty-third Regiment, Pennsylvania Militia. In 1812 the Government accepted this regiment for service in the war then pending, and Capt. Warne served until Septem- ber 25, 1812, with that rank, and was then commissioned major of the First Battery in the Third Regiment, com- manded by Col. Snyder, and with that rank continued to serve until his honorable discharge on December 31, 1812. He then returned to his home and in connection with his brother-in-law, William Parkison, built a glass factory, which was the first enterprise of this kind at Monongahela City, or Williamsport, as the place was then denominated. The two business men were associated in other concerns and conducted a general merchandise busi- ness until 1825. Major Warne then engaged in the peaceful pursuits of agriculture and resided on his farm, which he named Eden, until his death. The legal records of his day show how frequently he was called upon to advise and assist his neighbors in legal matters and their confidence in his judgment and integrity caused his al- most continual service for a long period as administrator and executor. In 1805 he married Mary Parkison, who was the only daughter of Joseph and Margaret (Weaver) Parkison.

The Parkisons were, like the Warnes, of English ex- traction. Joseph Parkison was born in 1740, near Car- lisle, Pa., where he married, and thus brought into the family a strain of the sturdy, thrifty old Dutch stock. They had three sons and one daughter: James, David, William and Mary. Joseph Parkison came to Washing- ton County and to what is now Monongahela City about 1768 and became a very useful as well as prominent citi- zen. He was one of the first named justices of the county and established the first postoffice in this region. He was the patentee of the land upon which the greater part of Monongahela City now stands and for many years conducted an inn in connection with his ferry and store.

James Warne, father of William P. Warne and son of Major James and Margaret Warne, was born at what is now Monongahela City, May 11, 1812, and was fourteen

years of age when his parents moved to the farm. He was well educated for his time and some years after his marriage settled on a farm in Fallowfield Township, where he lived from 1843 until 1884, and then returned to Monongahela City, where he continued to reside until his death ten years later. He was a man of ample for- tune, and in addition to owning large estates in Wash- ington County he also had a large amount of realty in Monongahela City. He was a consistent member and for years an official of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1836 he was married (first) to Cassandra Nichols, a daughter of James and Mary Nichols. She died in 1856 without issue. He was married (second) to Elizabeth Mary Dumm, a danghter of James Dumm, of Allegheny County. She survived until August 30, 1868, passing away hut leaving behind her the record of a beautiful life. She was a devoted Christian woman, a sincere mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. To this mar- riage were born four children, namely: an infant daugh- ter which died at birth; William Parkison; James Jef- ferson, who was born in 1862 and died in 1872; and Mary Eliza, who was born August 15, 1864. She mar- ried Dr. George Stathers, of Monongahela City.

William Parkison Warne attended the local schools until he was fourteen years of age and then entered Hoge's Summit Academy, in Washington County, and later attended Allegheny College, at Meadville, Pa., sub- sequently becoming a student at Washington and Jef- ferson College and graduating with credit from that in- stitution in the Class of 1882. As he had devoted him- self very closely to his studies for a considerable period, Mr. Warne practically put aside his books for two years and resided on the home farm. He then went to Monon- gahela City and there entered upon the study of law in the office of the late Thomas H. Baird, and continued his studies under that distinguished jurist until he was thoroughly prepared for admission to the bar, at the same time pursuing a law course at the University of Virginia. On May 12, 1890, Mr. Warne entered into practice at Monongahela City, where he continued to re- side until 1901, when he became a resident of Washing: ton. He has continued in active practice, but has not confined himself entirely to his profession. A Democrat in politics from the time of his majority to the time of President McKinley's first election (1896), since which time he has been a regular and stanch Republican, he early identified himself with public matters and has been a very important factor in shaping the progress made in this section. In 1892 he edited a daily newspaper at Monongahela, served a term there in the city Coun- cil, was postmaster and held other prominent offices. He was a stockholder and a director in the First Na- tional Bank of Monongahela City, of which he was one of the organizers. He has been equally prominent since

939

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY

coming to Washington and is serving as mayor of the borough of East Washington. In his business, pro- fessional and personal relations, he is a man of the highest type of character, reflecting credit upon his ancestors while he enjoys the prestige of their accom- plishments. He is identified with all the leading fra- ternal organizations, many social bodies and, with his wife, is a member of the Second Presbyterian Church.

Mr. Warne was married to Abigail Millar, a daughter of T. W. and Mary Ellen (Scott) Kemp, of fronton, Ohio. Mrs. Warne is a lady of thorough education and many social graces. In June, 1886, she was graduated at the head of her class from the Kingsbury High School, was a student in the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware from 1887 until 1890, and has cultivated an exceptionally fine voice. Mr. and Mrs. Warne have had the following children: Madeline, born July 11, 1892, died Ang. 19, 1893; James Kemp, born Jan. 4, 1894; Mar Elizabeth, born Mar. 11, 1896; Thomas Parkison, born Jan. 13, 1898; Willianı Dumm, born Sept. 8, 1898; John Scott, who was born and died Aug. 4, 1902; and Rienard Mastin and his twin brother, Harry Millar, born Oct. 17, 1903. Mr. Warne and family occupy one of the most beautiful residences at Washing- ton, which place has a more than local reputation for handsome buildings.

D. O. HANCHER, a leading citizen and successful farmer of West Finley Township, operating an estate of 362 acres near Good Intent, 140 acres of which he owns, was born near his present home, in 1855. His parents were James W. anu Mary Ann (Cotterell) Hancher, both of whom are now deceased and their re- mains rest in the West Finley Cemetery. They had the following children: Emma who married John Miller, of Nebraska; D. O., of West Finley Township; Dudley, who lives at Claysville, Pa .; Elizabeth P., who died at the age of 17 years; Anna, who married Dr. Bodkins; Lulu, who married Max Plants, of East Finley; Ella, who married Nathan Plants. of East Finley Township; and Edith, who is a trained nurse, residing at East Liverpool, Ohio.

D. O. Hancher attended the district schools until he was 18 years of age and then assisted his father on the farm, but shortly afterward the father died and the main responsibility fell on the son. Six years later the mother also died, but D. O. remained on the place and has continued the management of the whole estate, to- gether with his own farm, and is numbered with the most successful farmers and stock raisers of the town- ship.

In 1877, Mr. Hancher was married to Miss Yetta Horr, a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Pracht) Horr, na-

tives of Germany, but later residents of West Finley Township. Mr. and Mrs. Hancher have had the follow- ing children : Olive B., who is the wife of Daniel Sprowls of West Finley Township; Margaret E., who is the wife of Ilarry Slemmons, of West Finley Township; Earl, who died when aged 6 years; JJohn D., who lives in West Finley Township; Walter D., who lives in the same town- ship; Mary, who died in infancy; and James W., Ray and Clara Marie, all of whom are at home. The children have all been sent to school and this is a representative, intelligent American family.

Mr. Hancher is one of the township's representative citizens, taking an interest in public affairs and giving support to both education and religion. He was reared in the political beliefs of the Republican party and on the Republican ticket has frequently been elected to township offices. He has served acceptably as census enumerator, road master and for five successive terms as supervisor. Ifis family are members of the Windy Gap Presbyterian Church.

M. R. ZAHNISER, general manager of the Washing- ton Foundry and Manufacturing Company, with a well equipped plant situated in the midst of the manufactur- ing district at Washington, Pa., is one of the active and representative business men of this city. He was born in Mercer County, Pa., in 1558, and is a son of Michael and a grandson of William Zahniser, the former of whom was born in Mercer County in 1820.

The Zahniser family of Pennsylvania is a numerons and reputable one and is distinguished for the solid and sturdy qualities of its German ancestry. Wash- ington unmbers among its best citizens, representatives of this old Mercer County family.

M. R. Zahniser was reared and educated in Mercer County and there followed farming until 1885, when he came to Washington County, where, until 1899, he worked as a machinist and followed oil-well drilling. He is a man of business foresight as was shown by his then leasing a foundry, which was the real beginning of his present well established business, which took shape, under its present name, in 1902. The Washing- ton Foundry and Manufacturing Company do general foundry work. They occupy two buildings, one being 100 feet square, and the dimensions of the other being 30x60 feet and three stories in height. Mr. Zahniser has invented an oil derrick, constructed of iron, which can be manufactured in his foundry, and it is of such utility that it is sure to meet with a hearty welcome from oil workers in every field.

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Century history of the city of Washington and Washington County, Pennsylvania and representative citizens, 20th, Vol. II, Part 61

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